Authors note
It's been a long time since last time I posted anything. If you're familiar with my earlier work, you know I made another fic titled The techno-organics. It was my first ever fanfiction, and I made the first chapter at 16 years of age. I have gotten better since then, and I think what I did back then was not the story I wanted. It was fun at the time and I hope many of you found it entertaining, but at some point the flaws became too much. I also started university last year and that has taken a lot of time from my writing. Anyway, I decided to rework my story. I have done a lot of changes as you will see. Even changed the names of a few OCs. If you have read my previous work, feel free to comment what you think about the changes. To all new readers that finds this. I hope you will enjoy my work, and that you'll be so kind to leave a comment.
Disclaimer: The Transformers franchise belongs to Hasbro. The techno-organics in this story are my own creations.
There will also be depictions of gore, and general dark violent stuff.
The Techno-organics
Chapter 1
Although Ratchet was best known as a medic, his expertise involved several fields other than the medical. Which made him in charge of engineering, science and communications. Time and time again he had to update the software and hardware, and check for any signs of enemies, allies or exposed energon veins. This time however, it was none of those things. At least what the scans could determine. Even if he was forced to rely on human technology, he had made sure of it himself to modify it to function as close to cybertronian tech as possible. Much was still left to be desired, but he could still say with confidence that he had done his absolute best with the resources at his disposal. The scans could detect anything of cybertronian nature, that wasn't cloaked. Whether be it energon, of any kind, Autobots, Decepticons, neutral or other alien technology. That's what made him so confused when he experimented with new frequencies and wavelengths, and the computer picked up a small cluster of signals that it could only report, in cybertronian language, as "unknown".
"Optimus," he called out. "I've found something strange on the scans." It didn't take long for the Autobot leader to arrive, and see the text on the screen. The attention was also caught by the nearby Autobots.
"Can you detect any clues that could tell us it's nature?"
Ratchet began typing on the keyboard, and was even more surprised when he got the results. "The computer can't read it."
"Could it be a neutral?" Arcee asked.
"If it was a cybertronian without affiliation, the scans wouldn't have classified it as 'unknown'," Ratchet said half annoyed. As he was about to continue with his analysis, the signals disappeared. A few buttons pressed later and he had the last known coordinates. An abandoned energon mine.
"Whatever it is, what business could it have in an abandoned mine?" Bulkhead turned to the others as if he hoped that anyone had an idea. "Unless Megatron has another execution scheduled, Decepticons never revisit abandoned mines."
"It's best to investigate," Optimus spoke. Still focusing on the satellite image on the screen he told Ratchet to come with him. Before leaving the base he gave the remaining Autobots one more order. "If we don't return withing 5 hours, send a search party."
Ratchet looked at the scanner in his hand, the arrow on the screen indicated that whatever they were looking for were in those mines. Mines without regular maintains was already incredibly dangerous on their own, but certain minerals in earth mines has demonstrated being able to block any life signals and communications. Arcee and Bulkhead along with their humans had the misfortune of learning it the hard way. With the scanner as their guide they walked inside. It shone brighter whenever they got closer to what they were looking for. It didn't take long once they were inside before they had to rely on their headlights to light up the way. If this turned out to be an enemy or just an alien beast that somehow ended up on earth, their lights would make them easier targets to spot. The two bots were careful not to step on any unsafe looking surfaces or touch the walls. Putting enough weight on the wrong surfaces could cause the ground or the walls to collapse. Walking into a new tunnel, Optimus and Ratchet both stopped in their tracks when they saw the first clue to the nature of what they were looking for. It was a drill, Decepticon making, lying in a puddle of energon, taken apart to it's skeleton with pieces of metal, glass, cogs, screws and bolts surrounding it.
"Could it be another scraplet trap?"
"This was definitely not scraplets," Ratchet said confident in the matter and examined the skinned and gutted drill. "Scraplets wouldn't had left so much food behind, and this drill wasn't simply torn apart. It was taken apart." Ratchet pointed his flashlight at what was left of it. "This was done by something intelligent. No bitemarks, or signs of anything getting destroyed. Bedsides the fuel system, judging by the puddle." He dragged his fingers over the drills surface, leaving a dustless trail. "This was not done recently. They seem to have found this cave earlier, stripped the drill of whatever they wanted from it, and now they have come back looking for more." It still didn't explain why a drill belonging to the Decepticons were left in a mine. Optimus recalled Jack explaining how he saved the others when they got caved in. For some reason, there had been a drill left there too. Ratchet was about to say something else when Optimus raised his hand and closed it. A signal for being quite. For a moment there was no noises in the cave. Not even the flying nocturnal earth animals that could have moved into the cave after its abandonment. Then, very silently from a good distance away, voices. Optimus looked at Ratchet and nodded his head in the direction of the sound. They dimmed their lights and moved quietly trough the darkness. Though the voices came and went, the scanner kept showing them they were on the right path. Soon they noticed another light source from around a corner. This wasn't white and cold like from a electrical source, it shone in orange and yellow and ebbed like it was pulsating. Fire. Ratchet and Optimus walked along the stonewall separating them from whoever else were in the cave chamber. They could hear metal being moved, heavy things being dropped and the high pitched, blood curling sound of metal dragging along metal.
"Can't you do something to make less of that noise?" A feminine voice asked annoyed and angered.
"I think we have established that carefulness is outside her capability," a second teased. This one masculine.
"Do it yourselves then if you have so many complaints," a third one. Another femme but with a rougher voice
"Sure," first one again. "I'll do it. I just need you to hold this ball of fire for me while I work."
It sounded like the third one growled and the others laughed. Among the laughter they could distinguish a fourth voice. There was something weird with this ones voice. Now they knew there were four of them. Judging by their knowledge and their ability to take those drills apart, they must be cybertronian. But why did they then appear on the scans as unknown? Maybe the mine scrambled their frequencies. There was no way to find out if these were Autobots, Decepticons or neutrals. The fact that the Autobots were outnumbered made the situation all the more dangerous.
"There is someone here," the fourth on said. Optimus and Ratchet froze, wondering how they were found out, before readying their weapons and preparing in case someone came out of the chamber to attack them.
"Humans?"
"Bigger," she said, on the surface calmly, almost emotionlessly; but one could hear the fear hiding in the back of her throat.
Optimus realized why that voice sounded so weird. It sounded like it belonged to a child. High pitched, soft and innocent. Were these sparklings? That couldn't be. The well of allsparks hasn't produced life in eons. There were no new sparklings being born, and sparklings didn't have such high pitched voices. That was an attribute common among biological young.
"Please don't be afraid," Optimus called out. There was a moment of silence before anyone spoke.
"Who are you?" It was that childish voice. The other voices hissed at her about being quite.
"I'm Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. I promise we have no intents to hurt anyone of you."
"He's telling the truth."
"How do you know?" The male voice hissed. "You have never done that on cybertronians."
Optimus furrowed his eyebrows confused at that comment.
"Can you know if I lie or not?" The silence was answer enough.
"I would very much like to talk with you face to..." Before he could finish, a ball of fire was thrown trough the opening and onto the stone wall opposite them.
"You stay were you are!" Dust and small rocks fell from the roof and coated the two Autobots.
"Listen to me!" He called out. "These mines are unstable. If we fight we will risk having the mine collapse on top of us. The minerals in the mountain scrambles all signals. None of us will be able to contact help."
"What?"
"Is that true?"
"Are you sure he's not lying." The sparklings spoke among themselves panicked. Optimus could differ when they tried to contact the outside and got even more scared when they didn't get an answer.
"He's right, all I get is buzzing."
"I can't contact anybody."
"Let me propose a truce," Optimus interrupted them and they got quite. "We can help each other get out safely. Once we're outside, we go our separate ways." There was a weird heavy silence. An odd fear that came from the sparklings. Like they were awaiting defeat, or death. They talked among themselves again, this time so low Optimus and Ratchet couldn't figure out what they were saying. There was another silence, like they finally agreed upon what to do. Still, the fear of doom radiated from them.
"Come out with your hands where we can see them," one of them called. She tried to sound authoritative but her voice still shook.
Optimus and Ratchet shared a look before turning their weapons back into hands. They walked towards the opening to the other cave and raised their arms beside their head before standing in the cave opening. They both widened their eyes and observed both surprised and fascinated. The creatures looked a lot like humans, but were cybertronian sized. Three females and one male. The biggest of them glared daggers at the two Autobots while holding a strong fire in her hand that illuminated the cave in orange.
"By the allspark," Ratchet breathed. "What are you?"
"None of your business," growled the yellow eyed female and raised her fists as she got into a battle stance. She was interrupted by a firm slap to the back of her head by the bigger one. "Behave." Ratchet noticed the fingers of the bigger female and the yellow eyed one. The bigger one had metallic claws instead of fingers, and as he kept observing, he saw a set of spiked that seemed to have grown out of her shoulder. The yellow eyed one had four fingers on each hand, instead of five like the others in her group. None of the others had the same characteristics, but instead had others that made it hard for Ratchet to figure out what they could be; or if they all even belonged to the same species.
Ratchet blinked before the curiosity took the best of him.
"Do you also come from another planet?" That must be the case. The Autobots would have noticed, or at least have been informed if the human race lived alongside titans.
The weird creatures looked between each other and communicated with each other with sign language. Quick controlled movements, with barely any changes in facial expression exchanged between each other. Like they tried to talk as fast as possible without giving the two Autobots any clues about what they were talking about.
Eventually the male one stopped signing and rolled his eyes with a frustrated scoff and turned to the bots.
"Tell us how to get out without getting crushed." This one looked the oddest out of the four. He had chalk white skin, crimson hair and black and red eyes. When he spoke one could notice elongated canines. He greatly reminded of a mythological creature the human children had told them about. A "vampire" it was called.
"It's best if we show you out. It's easy to get lost."
"Thanks for the offer." It was the girl with the childlike voice. Tall with thin limbs, skin and hair white like snow, and big round eyes. "But we don't need help with navigation." Optimus noticed the bag near the drill they were in the process of dismantling.
"Why are you here, scavenging technology?"
"That's also non of your business."
"It certainly is our business," Ratchet argued. "We don't know what you are, and you're stealing our technology."
"How is it stealing if it was abandoned?" The childish one genuinely wondered, and looked between her group and the two Autobots like she expected at least one of them to explain to her.
"It is dangerous for less developed lifeforms to get their hands on advanced technology. And you have yet to give us any clues that could tell if you belong to that category or not."
"Look," the biggest one, stepped forward with her hands raised in a calming gesture. "How about, we leave right now without taking anything. You never have to see us again."
Letting them leave wasn't an option. The two Autobots were sure these were other extra terrestrials that somehow ended up on earth. And they seemed scared. Of them? If so, why? Their behavior suggested that they already knew of cybertronians, and considering the war that has been dragged over to other planets these last few millennia; Optimus wasn't surprised at the idea of other species developing a fear of cybertronians. Either way, letting them go without guidance could cause both them and humans harm. If they were found out, it could be mass hysteria. The childish one hushed sharply and everybodies attention was pulled towards her.
"I think more cybertronians just entered the cave. At least a dozen."
"Decepticons," Optimus said and turned towards the opening of the cave.
"What?" The big one asked.
"Decepticons won't bother trying to negotiate. If you're lucky to be shot to death, you won't have to endure the torture and experimentation they'll do on you," Ratchet warned. He had expected them to be frightened, that was his intent, but the amount of absolute dread and horror that painted their faces greatly surprised him. For a moment their eyes turned glassy, like they all were suddenly pulled into the past and then thrown back to the present.
"He's telling the truth," the childish ones voice was steady, like a terrified soldier doing their best to keep it together.
Optimus turned to the eerie looking girl. "What's your name?"
She tried to say something before clearing her throat and starting over. "Alabaster", she answered and earned angry hisses from the other creatures.
"Do you know of any other exits?" She was quite a short moment. Her gaze was pointed ahead of her but she didn't seem to look at anything.
"There's not enough noise for me to see."
'Echolocation', Optimus realized. And she must be listening for physical reactions to judge if they are speaking the truth.
"My proposal still stands. Our chance of escape will improve if we cooperate."
They agreed on that.
"What is your names?"
The three that had yet to introduce themselves turned to each other as they had another quick sign language conversation, before turning back to the two Autobots.
"I'm Shamara," the biggest one began.
"Nikolai."
The yellow eyed girl growled before she answered. "Valkyrie."
Those names sounded suspiciously human, for another alien species. Most likely fake. He let that slide, their names weren't important.
Optimus turned to Alabaster again. "Can you see how close they are to our position."
A breath of silence.
"They're splitting up. Two are coming this way. As far as I can see, the way we came in is the only exit."
"Can any of you fight?" Ratchet asked.
"We all can," Nikolai answered and skillfully took out a big gun from inside the long red trench coat he wore.
"Including you?" The question was directed to Alabaster who put her hands together and smiled innocently sweet.
"I'm very good at fighting", she said proud and excited, like a child that badly wanted to show off what she could do. The fact that she acted and sounded so childlike gave Optimus second thoughts. This wasn't an alien species he was familiar with, he had no idea about how they aged or their life cycle. Despite her size she might still be an actual child. Although, there were a handful of other species Optimus knew of that started training for combat very early in their life cycle. None of which looked like these creatures.
"We have no choice but to fight our way out. That will risk causing a cave in." Optimus turned his hand into a sword. Nikolai looked at the sword amazed before catching himself losing concentration. "I'll only explain this once. Avoid using firepower as much as you can, do not hit the ceiling or the walls, immobilize the enemy as effectively as possible and no one leaves the group. Always be within our sight. Do all of you understand?"
"Yes sir," they answered in unison.
"I'll go first." He turned to Alabaster. "When you sense that the enemy has been immobilized, you tell the others and then you will all follow me."
"Understood."
He turned around and made his way into the tunnel. There were a couple of moments of silence, then there was the sound of startled and pained grunts that quickly died.
"Cleared," Alabaster said. Ratchet took the lead and the others followed him into the corridor where Optimus waited with two bodies at his feet. He made eye contact with Alabaster and waved her to get closer. Carelessly she stepped over the corpses. Obviously used to death and violence despite her innocent facade.
"How does it look ahead?" He whispered. Alabaster crouched down and put her fingers on the ground. Optimus noticed the blue armor that hid under the sleeves of her sweeter. What made his attention last longer on them was he couldn't see anything that suggested they could be taken off. They left only Alabaster's fingers exposed, and yet he didn't see any screws, bolts, hinges, not even any signs that suggested that they had been smelted directly onto her body. As painful that idea was, it would have made more sense then the last option; that they were part of her skin. It greatly suggested that at least Shamara and Alabaster could be of the same species. Since they both had some variety of metallic organs. None of which had been odd on it's own. Many creatures grew shells, spikes and hardened skin, defense mechanisms designed by evolution. The problem was that Optimus had never seen or heard of any species capable of growing metallic armor. A short moment passed before Alabaster cursed under her breath.
"There's more of them." She started to panic and turned to Optimus as if begging for mercy. "I swear it's not my fault, they must have been outside my range when I first looked," she quickly explained and the three others seemed to get ready to pounce if Optimus or Ratchet tried to hurt Alabaster. Optimus got down on one knee and put his hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay," he reassured gently. "You did good." The surprise and relief that washed over her face hurt Optimus's spark. He rose up and saw that the others shared the same reaction. He now realized that they were on the run, and now he had an understanding why and why they acted so distrustful.
"We most likely will have to battle our way trough." Ratchet said and turned his hands into swords. They walked towards the mine opening with Optimus at the head, his guns out and ready for attack. Nikolai signed to his group. Advising them against taking out their weapons out just yet.
"Element of surprise," he explained.
"What are you talking about?" Valkyrie said. "We are surprise enough."
"How did they find us? Both teams being here is no coincident." Shamara was about to say something else when Optimus and Ratchet stopped. This was it. No more anonymity. No chance to ever return to a life where they wouldn't be known by both Decepticons and Autobots. What's worse, they had a way to find them; and without knowing how they couldn't workout a way to fix that. Their options was, try to figure out how they were found and fix that, pick a group and reveal the truth to them and hope they would be willing to help, or fight to the death.
The preferable choice was to fix the problem themselves, but how long and how many resources would that take? The safest option was to form an alliance, hopefully to the ones that, to Shamara's understanding, didn't torture and experiment on living beings.
Optimus looked around the corner, and the accuracy of Alabaster's ability was confirmed, when he saw several vehicon troopers led by Arachnid. He turned to his temporary allies and silently informed them about the situation.
"Listen well," he began. "The troopers are individually weak but dangerous in group when they're shooting. Easy to take out in a close fight, focus your attention on them. The one leading them is very dangerous, leave her to me or Ratchet to take on. If she goes after any of you, run. Only engage if absolutely necessary. Understood?"
They all nodded. Optimus turned his attention to Shamara who flinched surprised at the sudden attention.
"Use your fire sparingly," he then turned back to the others. "If any of you have any similar abilities, I advise you to follow similar direction." Calmly he walked out of their hiding spot, guns raised and ready for battle. The action showed no hint of fear or doubt, clearly showcasing how many times he has done this and how the life or death situation no longer affected him. When one vehicon saw him, it started a domino affect that made all the others point their guns at Optimus.
"Optimus Prime," Archnid purred. "So glad to see you're still functioning." Optimus didn't answer to that. Last time they encountered, Arachnid used the immobilizer on him, and basically turned him into a conscious statue.
"We both know the danger of us fighting in an abandoned mine," he reasoned. "Let us trough and there will be no causalities."
"Dear Prime, you must understand that it would be an embarrassment if I returned to the Nemesis empty handed and at the loss of my troops." One vehicon twitched nervously in a barely noticeable way. "But I got a job to do." She took a step closer to Optimus. "Having given off a signal like that was too uncharacteristically sloppy for the Autobots. How you detected it is still a mystery," she deduced. "Tell me, what is it we're both looking for?"
As Nikolai heard it, he was struck with a massive feeling that could only be described as "Fuck it". He signed something to his companions to which they all nodded at. Their time of hiding were over either way, might as well make their debut memorable. When Ratchet looked behind himself to check on their temporary allies, there was no one there. He looked into the tunnel they just went trough, like he thought they had retreated back into the cave. The tense, but not yet violent, conversation in the other tunnel was abruptly interrupted by startled gasps and screams. Ratchet ran to Optimus side, blades out and ready, and saw Nikolai holding Arachnid in a choke hold while pointing a gun to her head; half of the vehicons were pointing their guns at Nikolai and the other half at Optimus and Ratchet.
"How did he..?"
"I am not sure," Optimus answered, even though he had witnessed it.
"Tell them to stand down," Nikolai told Arachnid. Surprisingly calm behavior for a situation like this. Arachnid raised her hands. When Nikolai heard the charging hum from the guns in the palms of her hands, he leveled his head to hers and put the gun to his temple.
"Go ahead," he purred chillingly. A matching smile stretched across his chalk white face, showing his elongated canines. Optimus protested but was ignored. Arachnids gaze flicked quickly between the gun and her hands, before extending her acidic nails and digging them into the arm around her neck. His wounds gave off smoke and hissed like burning wood, but he didn't even so much as flinch. Instead, his eyes glimmered like a child discovering a new toy. A glimmer he blinked away until his face turned serious again.
"Nice trick," he commented. His voice steady. Not for a moment it groaned, quivered or broke, or gave of any sings that this strange alien creature was in pain. "Now, make them lower their weapons."
Arachnid yanked her claws out of his arms, which clearly and heavily bled red blood.
"Why?" she challenged despite her situation. "You clearly take lightly to death and pain. Why even care?"
Without faltering Nikolai smirked with confidence that irritated Arachnid. "You're lucky, creepy crawly." He lifted his head back up and kept his gun pointed at Arachnid. He playfully poked the side of her head with it, which she made a irritated face at. "I'll gonna have to return to you with a second opinion, but your underlings don't have the benefit of having the right connections." The three other creatures appeared like they had stepped from the shadows and attacked the vehicons in their proximity. Nikolai released Arachnid and shoved her forwards.
Optimus quickly shot down the vehicons in front of him and Ratchet followed his lead. The cave was filled with the sound of battle. As soon as Nikolai released Arachnid, she instantly unfolded her spider legs and attacked the male repeatedly with stabbing attacks. Which Nikolai took without hint of weakness or pain. Almost eagerly he raised his hands and arms to meet Arachnids attacks. Doing the exact opposite from evading or blocking. Sometimes he would be generous and let her stab him in the chest or throat. Red blood splattered all around them, on them, staining the floor, the walls, everybody that stood too close. Nikolai's twisted fanged smile never faltered as his own blood stained his clothes and ran off him in big drops.
Arachnid was used to blood, from hunting, killing and taking the heads of her kill. For the first time she was starting to feel nauseated by the amount of blood, the smile that stood unfaltering trough the splatter and the laughter of delightful entertainment that came from it. He should experience the symptoms of blood loss. Becoming tired, dizzy, fatigued and pass out; but he never did. And why did the blood keep flowing? Why didn't he run out of blood? And why did he find this funny!? The two Autobots watched the creatures fight in between defeating their own attackers. It was macabre, not only Nikolai that accomplished being the first to visibly scare and disgust Arachnid with his gory display.
Valkyrie fought like a barbarian, tearing of the limbs of her attackers and using them as weapons, while having next to no reaction to their blunt attacks, only dodging their shots. Seeing Alabaster fight was an unexpected surprise. She moved with an incredible swiftness and grace that made the vehicons struggle to land a hit on her. Closer she moved towards and caught them in body locks that allowed her to swiftly break their necks. No hint of hesitation or malice was seen in her kills. And Shamara, aside from Nikolai, had the bloodiest fighting style, except it wasn't her blood that was splattering. With her claws she tore open her opponents. Tearing their frames, throats and faces open, making the troopers quickly bleed out. It had all gone down so quickly and suddenly, none of the Autobots present could order them to stop before getting jumped themselves by vehicon troopers.
Once they had defeated their own foes, all the other vehicons lay mangled, broken and covered in energon on the ground. And Nikolai during that time had his desire to disgust and horrify his opponent sated. At some point, when Arachnid had attempted to stab him to death, he had raised his hand to meet the attack. Instead of pulling away he had grabbed Arachnid by her leg and, somehow, electrocuted her. Electricity sparkled in his hand as Arachnid twitched in pain, before slumping to the ground unconscious. The two Autobots looked appalled at the brutalized bodies on the ground, and the puddles of blue energon and red blood. This was far beyond what they had expected the creatures to be capable of. They even prepared for the Strangers to turn on them, but that didn't happen.
"I understand if you're scared of us," Alabaster said. "But we have family, and a little brother who just started living. Please tell us how we can hide, and we'll do our best to never bother you again," Alabaster pleaded. Optimus looked around at the fresh bodies that covered the floor. They could've fought them if they wanted, but didn't. And then there was what Nikolai had told Arachnid, that she had the benefit of having the right connections. But Arachnid hadn't given any signs of knowing about them. All Optimus knew that the creatures weren't their enemies, yet.
"You were here before, right?" Optimus finally said. "You were stealing their technology. Are any of you carrying something you stole."
Nikolai's face shone with realization and he searched his pockets until he found all the pieces of Decepticon technology he was carrying. Without caring to determine which one, he threw them all to the ground and frantically stomped them into pieces.
"You were probably carrying a tracker without knowing. All of their equipment has one, to avoid it going missing or stolen."
"But how were we not detected until now?" Asked Valkyrie. "We raided it days ago."
Ratchet was the one to respond. "Wherever you currently live, probably isolated the signal. Our base works similarly," he added. "Are you sure that the Decepticons couldn't track you on your way here?" They were silent for a moment, not bothering to have another conversation in sign language.
"We're sure," Shamara said certain.
"But I fear it won't be enough," Optimus began. "After this event, you will have attracted the Decepticons attention."
"Yeah. We knew it would happen, as soon as you found us," Shamara said solemnly. "Is it too much to ask to form an alliance with you?"
The Autobots were quite, surprised that the ones who worked so hard to keep distance now made a proposal such as this.
"Judging your current situation, I figure it's your best course of action right now."
"Will that include you finally telling us what you are, and what you're doing here?" Said Ratchet as he ran out of patience. Nikolai stepped forwards and offered his bloody hands.
"Take my blood, and you'll find out what we are. Just brace yourself for a nasty surprise." The Autobot medic took out a scalpel he was carrying and scraped off the already spilled blood on Nikolai's arms.
"How are you not dead?" Ratchet finally expressed his astonishment. Nikolai just sighed and pulled his arms back.
"Let's exchange contact info. When you're done running the tests, and still want to negotiate an alliance, contact us and we'll answer all questions."
The three human friends of the Autobots had arrived sometime during Optimus's and Ratchet's mission. Miko and Jack lost all interest when they heard they were investigating another abandoned mine. The two humans had lost all their interest to follow the Autobots on the field, after having to suffer almost being crushed and suffocated by a cave in. Jack had the fortune of having a mother that knew about his second life, and thus he could tell him about the nightmares, and the fear that hit him whenever something made him remember that trauma. Miko wasn't as fortunate, she had no one outside this room that she tell. She relied on lies, telling her host family and her classmates that she and Jack had gotten stuck in a sinkhole.
When heard the mention of investigating an abandoned cave, they both turned around, walking away with the intent of finding somewhere to hide and distract themselves. Until they heard something that was worth staying around for.
"New aliens!?" Miko exclaimed excited and ran towards that railings. "What did they look like? Did they have a spaceship? Did they tell you what they were doing on earth?"
Optimus took a moment to recall all the questions she had just thrown at him in rapid succession, before answering.
"They were organics in cybertronian size. Looked a lot like humans, but had different variations of odd colored hair, skin, eyes, and it looked like they had metallic limbs and skin. They didn't mention any method of intergalactic travel. And judging from their behavior, i think they might be runaway child soldiers hiding from their captors."
The last observation caused a series of of reactions.
"Child soldiers? Holy scrap," Bulkhead commented disturbed.
"That took a dark turn," Miko said next, as her excitement significantly dimmed.
"Nothing was confirmed, but they clearly had battle experience." Optimus recalled how Alabaster got scared of Optimus, when she thought she hadn't done good enough. And the dark expressions they all got when they were warned about the Decepticons. "Their behavior suggested that they have been abused and held captive. We will have more knowledge when Ratchet is done analyzing their genetic material." Optimus pointed his gaze at the medic who worked in his lab.
"We aren't just going to accept an alliance with them without question?" Arcee asked, justifiably suspicious of these new strangers. Optimus was quite as he recalled how easily they took out a handful of troopers each and even defeated Arachnid. For what reason they spared her, he needed to know. From the sound of it, it seemed like they knew who she was and even had someone on their side that had connections too her.
"For the moment nothing is yet decided. I share your wariness and if an alliance is made, we won't give them any sensitive information, until we know more."
"Still," Arcee insisted. "Giving protection to more people would strain on our resources. Hopefully we get something out of an alliance t..."
"By the allspark." Ratchets horrified voice broke trough the base. He looked at the computer wide eyed with open mouth before frantically tapping at the computer to double check. And triple check. And a fourth time. The same unbelievable results kept appearing. Ratchet felt Optimus's hand on his shoulder and looked up to meet the concerned gaze of his old friend.
"What did you find?" The prime asked gently.
"It shouldn't be possible," Ratchet said. He walked back to the computer and pressed a button to make the results appear on the main screen.
"What is it?" Jack asked as he looked at what resembled a DNA helix.
"It's cybertronian CNA, combined with human DNA," Ratchet explained slowly, like he was still in the process of accepting the fact.
"What?!" Arcee protested. "No, no, no. That can't be right."
"I have double checked multiple times. I keep getting the same results."
"Are you saying this is some kind of hybrid?" Bulkhead asked.
"It shouldn't be possible," Optmus said. "There is no possible way for this to have happened in any natural way."
Ratchet pressed a few more buttons to highlight certain areas of the helix.
"These tells us exactly how it's possible. There are signs of artificial manipulation. Someone have constructed this genetic code in order to make a functioning cyberorganic hybrid."
"They were artificially made in a laboratory," Optimus realized. So much made sense now. Their size, odd color scheme, their metal limbs and skin.
"I still can't understand how it's possible for them to exist in the first place," Ratchet breathed frustrated. "Earth don't have the technology to do such a deranged experiment." After each word, more and more venom crept into his voice.
"And how would they have known about us in the first place?" Bumblebee asked.
"That brings us to the most jarring part," Arcee said. "Whoever did this would have to get CNA from somewhere, and we, and the Decepticons are the only ones who could have provided that resource." The Autobots were quite as that nauseating fact sank in. This was unlike anything they have ever encountered or heard of. On Cybertron, Decepticons succeeded in cloning their foot soldiers in order to increase in number. That was what the vehicons were. Drones identical in mind and body. That is nothing compared to the horror of this new discovery. Optimus recalled the four children they had encountered, trying to recall any characteristics that told who they were made from. Breakdown was the only cybertronian on earth with yellow eyes that could match Valkyries. With what they now knew, it was impossible to guess incorrectly who Nikolai was made from. His white skin, crimson hair and redblack eyes, undoubtedly came from Knock Out. Optimus finally realized what Nikolai meant by Arachnid having the right connection. There was a techno-organic made from Arachnids CNA. He then remembered Shamara and her metallic fingers and the spikes that came out of her shoulder. The more Optimus thought about it, the more those hands reminded him of someone, and then it hit him. Shamara's was smaller, sharper and more angular, made for clawing and tearing; but there was still an unmistakable similarity. Alabaster was harder to guess, she didn't have any physical attributes that could help narrowing it down.
"What are we gonna do?" Bulkhead asked. "Are we still considering making an alliance, are we leaving them alone, or exterminating them?"
"Whoa, hold on," Jack exclaimed. "You're suggesting actually killing them?" Nothing was wrong with Jack's hearing, and the bots were all talented in speaking a language that wasn't their mother tongue, but he still had to make sure he understood. Ratchet was the one to answer instead.
"We know what it sounds like, but even during the war, experiments on cybertronians or experimentation using CNA, is considered a huge taboo. And these hybrids could also be a potentially invasive species for earth. What if they reproduce, and eventually push humanity into extinction."
Jack blinked a few times. "Look, I understand you're reasoning. We have the same rules against experimenting with human genetics. And it goes without saying, that we don't want to go instinct. But won't you even try talking to them? You're facing a huge ethical dilemma, isn't it important then to learn from as many perspectives as possible."
"I agree," Optimus said. "Aside from an ethical standpoint, we need to know if the ones that made them are still active, and could possibly be making more."
"And, we only met four of them, but we know that there is more," Ratchet added.
Optimus nodded before walking over to the computer to send a message.
They walked out of the indigo portal, looking around, counting everyone they saw, and listening for signs of an incoming invasion. A tall androgynos girl came to meet them, but stopped in her tracks and yelled in surprise when she saw Nikolai drenched in blood. That attracted the attention of another girl with the same white skin, deep red hair and blackred eyes as Nikolai. Even sporting her own set of elongated fangs.
"What the fuck?!" She screamed and ran up to her brother before grabbing him by the collar.
"What happened?!" She demanded.
"We were found, by the cybertronians."
"What!" A boy in blue armour exclaimed. Everybody was now present and aware of the terrible news.
"Wha-How did it happened?" One of them asked.
Nikolai got a guilty expression. "Apparently one of the chips I took from the last scavenge was a tracker."
A girl dressed in a heavy jacket bend over and cradled her head like she was in pain.
"Damn it!" She screamed before bursting into tears. "I knew…What are we gonna do?" A big boy in hoodie cradled her against her as the others panicked threw questions of their own.
Nikolai and his sister both raised one hand each and they all quieted down.
"We know this," Nikolai said calmly. "There are at least two groups, a better one and a worse one. The better one helped us, I gave them a sample of my blood to analyze. Now we wait until they have analyzed it, and they'll either decide to avoid us like the plague or contact us."
"That's it?" His sister asked like he was expecting anything more that would make her brother sound less stupid. "And why did you give them your blood, and tell them to analyze it? What exactly is it you're expecting?"
"An alliance is the preferred outcome."
It got quite for a moment.
"What?" Someone said.
"Please listen," Nikolai stepped forward. "We need help. I know this is a gamble, but there's no one else we can ask. If they accept, we'll have valuable allies, shelter, resources, and if things go well, we might know where else than earth we come from."
A girl with dark purple hair raised a hand wearing fingerless gloves. She then asked in sign language, "And if they try to hurt us?"
"Then we'll kill them."
A few anxious moments later, the purple haired girl got a message. Time and coordinates with a simple message.
"We need to talk."
Alabaster, Shamara, Valkyrie and Nikolai was the ones to go. They reasoned that they were already know and could either fight or flee if it became necessary.
The Autobots was the first to arrive. In a canyon far away from any humans. All Autobots were present, with the humans manning the groundbridge. Shortly after, the Autobots were deeply surprised to see them walk out an indigo portal, much like a spacebridge. The now confirmed hybrids were in turn pleasantly surprised not to immediately have guns pointed or nets thrown at them. It was weird for Optimus and Ratchet to look at them again, now knowing what they were. Optimus's attention was especially drawn to Shamara and her metallic claws. Now so eerily similar to the ones of someone he has fought so many times and seen take so many lives. Shamara followed his gaze to her hands and placed them behind her back, suddenly embarrassed.
"How are you feeling about the-" she struggled to find a fitting word. "-situation".
Optimus had not expected the meeting to begin in such a considerate manner, but obliged and answered with honesty.
"It had us all shaken." The hybrids didn't look surprised, instead, they looked sympathetic. "For the moment, all we want is to talk and for you to answer some questions."
"Sure." Nikolai made a waving gesture towards himself. "Shoot." He tried to act welcoming and nonchalant, but there was still a visible weight in his speech and his movements. Like someone who was mourning.
"The ones who created you-" the eyes of the hybrids hardened. "Are they still continuing their work?"
"No," Alabaster answered. A tiny sound that felt misplaced in the current environment. "They can't, because we killed them." An odd mix of relief and tension washed over the Autobots.
"Why did you kill them?" Optimus didn't sound wary or judgmental, like they had expected. Instead, it seemed like he was saving that until he has heard the whole story.
Nikolai took a deep breath and took a step forward, placing himself almost protectively in front of his group .
"Got time for a story?"
Optimus nodded.
"Well then," Nikolai sighed bitterly, before taking another deep breath. "There was a group, consisting of military and scientists, who they were we don't know. They found out the existence of metallic titans. When they discovered these titans had what's comparable to DNA, they were ecstatic. They knew it would be impossible to clone any of these titans, like they originally wanted." That sentence made the Autobots widen there eyes, nauseated and horrified.
"So they compensated, and tried to combine it with human DNA. They were grown in artificial wombs, and early in the experiment, all were immediately discarded. Trials and errors that paved the way until, finally, they reached a success, or rather two. Me and my twin sister were the first successful ones. We basically became the blueprint for the rest of the research. The ones that came after, most of them still had a number of handicaps and deformities, and those were killed and discarded. Just a few were deemed successful, but even they rarely survived for long. If it wasn't the experimentation that killed them, then it would be the training they went trough to become perfect killing machines, or they would be shot in front of their peers. As an example of what happened when we failed to be good enough. I don't how many was born and then killed. Probably hundreds of brothers and sister we never got to meet or will never meet again." The tree other hybrids made pained faces as they remembered having to see at least one person die every day. And they were never allowed to protest, scream or move out if line; just stand and watch them die. "That changed, thanks to this one." Nikolai pointed to Alabaster.
"Would you mind telling them?" Nikolai asked softly, like the older brother the Autobots realized they were. This was a small family, children led by their older siblings. In the mines, Optimus and Ratchet had first gotten the impression that Shamara was leader. With this new knowledge, they started to realize that they always followed what Nikolai said and never protested annything he said or did. Which was very different from how the others bickered between each other.
Alabaster shook her head, then began talking.
"They kidnapped other humans, for the experiments and for-" Alabaster threw a quick glance at Shamara and seem to regret whatever she was about to say. "Other things. I met one of them, in secret. She would tell me about the outside world and I would share it with the others. She was the one that taught us about freedom and imprisonment, that what we saw as normal everyday life, was bad. She encouraged us to fight back. She was my very first friend," Alabaster said with sorrow in her voice.
"What happened to her?" Optimus asked gently.
"She didn't make it," was all Alabaster said.
"We owe her our lives," Nikolai took over. "We escaped, killed everybody and destroyed all data about the project. Every computer, every document, any traces we could find. Digital or physical and then blew the base up for good measure. We have been on the run since then."
This was much worse then was any of the Autobots had expected. Not only that there had been humans that if not stopped by their limited technology would have tried to clone them, but also used their own CNA to create and then torment these creatures. Kill literal children, even newborns, experiment on them, train them to be soldiers; and also kidnap other humans to use as lab rats. What once was disgust at the hybrids very existence was redirected towards the humans that created them.
"How long did this experiment go on?" Asked Optimus. "We have not been on earth for that long, and all of you look like young adults or teenagers."
"That's a result of the CNA," Shamara explained. "It allowed them to genetically engineer us to age faster and then stop at a certain developmental stage. Even our brains grew faster. Well," Shamara added and pointed at Alabaster. "It didn't work on all of us."
"It's true," Alabaster admitted without a trace of offense. "I'm basicly a child in a grown body."
"I'm the oldest, and chronologically I'm only five years old," Nikolai said.
Ratchet held back the urge to say something. He knew better than to speak when Optimus had the word in a meeting such as this; albeit how atypical this one happened to be. Five years old. Human children at that age were small and still learning to talk and walk, Nikolai was the size an adult. That's incredible. How would these humans be able to do such a thing, or create them in the first place. No matter how much they watered down CNA with human DNA, their technology wouldn't be able to manipulate or reconstruct it the way they have done. Was it possible they had somehow scavenged cybertronian tech? The planet is littered with both Autobot and Decepticon vessels. The harbinger and the plague ship are a few of them. If they took technology from those crafts, and disregarded ethical science, then they might have had the resources and knowledge required to accomplish this.
Ratchet hoped with all his spark that the hybrids were right, that they were all killed and their research were destroyed; but that was unlikely. All it took was that at least one person survived, or had the luck of not being at work that day, to take up the project or sell it to someone else. They would have to speak with agent Fowler and see if the US government could launch an investigation.
"You wanted to discuss an alliance," Optimus said. "What exactly is it you want from us?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Valkyrie laughed mockingly in disbelief. Shamara raised a hand as a silent threat, and Valkyrie stopped laughing. "Those Decepticons know about us now. And if it's true about them being fond of murder, torture and general cruelty, what will they do to us when they find out what we are?"
"So you want our protection."
Alabaster fiddled with her fingers nervously before adding, "And something else."
"What more?"
"We want to know about you, the cybertronian race, about where we come from."
"You know nothing?"
"We always knew we were made from an alien species called cybertronians, and that they were big metallic beings. But that's it," Alabaster explained with a shrug.
Optimus observed them silently, waiting for them to add something else.
"I must ask you, could you give us the coordinates for the base you escaped from?"
The fear that came over their faces gave the Autobots chills running down their backs. So much pain, despair and sorrow bleed dry, reflected off them.
"Why…" Alabaster spoke like the words had to crawl themselves out of her now too tight chest. "Do you...want…that?"
"I'm sorry to upset you," Optimus spoke gently and changed his stance, trying to look less intimidating. "But we need to know who these humans were. We need to make sure you succeeded in destroying all traces of the project." It just ended up upsetting them more. They shook and either looked away or turned their backs, covering their faces to hide how they twisted their faces in pain. Optimus rarely felt hate, not even towards Megatron who has spread death and terror and destroyed their home planet in his quest for power. For Megatron, Optimus felt anger, but also pity and betrayal. Having once been someone Optimus considered a brother, someone who wanted to once change cybertron to the better. In this moment, without needing to see or meet this group of humans, he felt absolute burning hatred towards them. The deep ugly scars left on them was on full display. These scared children were nothing like the strong, confident creatures he found in those mines. Just mentioning their place of torment was enough to break them down to their bones, to unfold their pain. Even the other Autobots watched in gut wrenching empathy as they watched them display such raw memories of pain.
"I'm sorry," Optimus repeated. "We don't have to do it right now. It can wait." He tried to comfort. That seemed to have effect as their breathing evened out and they gradually calmed down.
Shamara muttered something as the pressed on the inner corners of her eyes. "Damnit," she cursed. "Sorry. I don't know your opinion on it, but, as we understand it, humans don't like it when a "scene" is made."
"It's completely understandable. You have done nothing wrong."
Optimus was quiet as he tried to think of what to do next. He concluded that they now knew enough, for the moment.
"Will you stay here while I discuss with my team?"
"How long will it be?" Nikolai asked in a voice that was still trying to go back to normal.
Optimus understood why they asked for a deadline. In case the Autobots decided to simply abandon and ignore them.
"How about twenty minutes?"
"Deal."
"I don't know what to think anymore," Bulkhead admitted once they were back at the base. "I didn't expect them to be like that. I thought of them before as escaped lab grown beasts, not traumatized children."
"I feel the same way. I'm still wary about them spending more time with us, or coming to the base. What if this is a trap, set up by the humans that made them? But what if they were telling the truth, and we're leaving them to fend for themselves," Arcee said. She kept thinking about Alabaster and her friend that died. What did she feel when she lost her first friend? Was it anything like when Arcee lost Tailgate right in front of her, or like when she was too late to save Cliffjumper?
"They were most likely bred to be soldiers or weapons. In the mines, they showcased different kinds of powers and fighting techniques. If the Decepticons decide to keep them alive and brainwashed, or too scared to fight back, we might have left them an arsenal of new weapons," Optimus said.
"They explained that disabilities and deadly deformities were common. That makes sense when trying to make hybrids between two completely different species. Any number of them can have them and be unable to treat it or unaware of having it until it's too late," Ratchet said and grabbed his chin thoughtfully. Despite the situation, his nature as a medic did not like the situation of potentially leaving a group of sick people to die when he could do something to prevent it.
"And we have been low on resources, maybe they can give us a hand," Bumblebee suggested and got a series of looks. "I don't mean slave labor or having them help us fight the cons. I was thinking maintaining the base, help Ratchet, scouting and such. They managed to find a Decepticon mine in order to find technology, and they have contructed what looks like a groundbridge. Maybe they know things that can be of use."
"I think we also must ask ourselves, if we don't help them, who will? The Decepticons certainly won't, any humans who finds them will probably try to kill them as their first instinct, and if there were any survivors from when they escaped, then they might be at risk of being recaptured. They have also lived in isolation for years, earth is completely new to them. Even if they weren't cybertronians sized, it would be impossible for them to make any contact with humans that won't result in panic and isolation. It's a completely different environment than what they have grown up with. A group of apex predators are loose in an ecosystem, with limited means to hold their own against these invaders. If they haven't already killed at least one human, it's only a matter of time before they do. If we turn a blind eye, how many deaths, how much destruction will we be responsible for?" Ratchet ended, and a heavy silence came over the base.
"I guess we don't have much of a choice then," Arcee broke the silence, and nobody protested against her statement.
The groundbridge opened again in the canyon, bathing the four hybrids in bright green light. They got up from the ground they sat on, surprised over fast it went. They knew it either went very bad in their favor, or very good. This time it was only Optimus that left the groundbridge. It was hard for the hybrids to guess what his thoughts or mood was. He always looked serious and stern, but whenever Alabaster felt for his sparkbeat, it was calm. He didn't seem to know who she was yet. If he did he would have given her more attention than the others.
"So?" Shamara asked, hands behind her back like she was prepared to grab whatever weapon she had there. "What have you decided?"
"To make an alliance with you."
Their eyes widened in surprise.
"Really? This isn't a trap, right?" Valkyrie asked, which caused Shamara to roll her eyes.
"Do you really think they would tell us if it was a trap?"
Valkyrie sighed loudly and threw her hands to the sides. "I'm just having a hard time believing, that's all."
"No, Valkyrie," Optimus interrupted before it became a fight. "There is no trap. We Autobots wants to offer our protection and guidance. In exchange, we ask of you to offer us help whenever needed."
"What can we help you with?" Nikolai asked.
"You managed to find Decepticon technology with limited resources, for what you planned to use it for, I don't know, but it's clear you must have some measure of technological knowledge."
Nikolai smiled and acted flustered, like he was about to share a secret.
"Well, I am quite capable with engineering. I'm particularly fond of making weapons."
That caught Optimus's attention. "Weapons. For what purpose?"
"We're not planning anything if that's what you're worried about. We just feel comfortable having weapons at hands when we need it."
Thank the allspark the Autobots found them. Weapons for self defense is one thing, but using advanced alien technology to make said weapons puts the hybrids and any unlucky humans in danger for whatever that could go wrong.
"I'm sure Ratchet would like hearing more," Optimus said calmly, but a raised eyebrow from Alabaster revealed that she had caught the worry the topic had caused. "Also, our manpower have been very low for a long time. Having help at the base would be much appreciated. Nothing you need to worry about. You don't need to go out on the field or do things you don't want."
"He's telling the truth," Alabaster confirmed to her family before turning back to Optimus with a sweet smile. "I like you. You're nice and you don't lie."
"Thank you." Optimus nodded in appreciation. Alabaster then got nervous and started to shift where she stood and play with her hair.
"Um…" Was all she could let out before walking to the front of her group, who seemed conflicted on whether or no they should stop whatever she wanted to do. "There is something I think I want to tell you."
Optimus could predict what she wanted to confess and Alabaster caught the quickening in his sparkbeat.
"This is a strange situation for everyone involved, but I promise that whatever you tell me, it won't jeopardize our decision. And I won't hurt you in any way."
It was not a lie. Alabaster then brought her hands up the hairline on the back of her neck, and lifted her long heavy hair, so the two blue antennas she had tucked back like animal ears, were standing straight and fully displayed . Alabaster's heart sank when she felt the way his heart quickened. She didn't expect anything, she couldn't figure out what outcome would be realistic. She didn't expect Optimus to simply take a deep breath, blink and then smile as he extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Alabaster. I look forward in getting to know you." Alabaster didn't dare check if he was lying or not. Foolish as it was, accepting it as it was brought her such joy and excitement. She brought her smaller hand into his bigger one.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Optimus Prime."