The Techno-organics
Chapter 2
"Well, this must be embarrassing for you," Knock Out cheekily commented as he examined the burns on Arachnids spiderleg. Arachnid could barely look at Knock Out without being reminded of the one who had humiliated her so. The one who made her fail so greatly at what should have been an easy job. All vehicons under her command, gone, and without returning with something that could make up for it.
Megatron had been furious and given her a verbal beating for it. The only saving grace was the information she had gathered. About a new group of extraterrestrials ending up on earth. Megatron became especially interested when Arachnid described how she had repeatedly stabbed one of them, made him bleed puddles of blood, attacked his neck and heart, and even attacked him with acid, but the creature hadn't seemed to even care about it. How he not only survived, but also laughed while enthusiastically letting himself getting stabbed. The thick layers halfdried blood Arachnid was covered in was evidence enough to back her encounter up; and Arachnid would never lie about failing to kill anything.
"Do you have any guess what this creature could have been?" Megatron had asked, coldly, yet filled with disdain and disappointment.
"No, lord Megatron," Arachnid had answered, ashamed of her ugly defeat. Before rejoining the cons she had traveled the universe, hunting endangered species. Although she didn't yet know if this one belonged to an endangered species, she would have loved to have known about his kind. So she could study how it could be killed, and add it to her collection. It would have been a fun challenge. She couldn't wait until finding out it's weakness, so she could use the head of that fanged freak of nature, to restart her collection.
"I have never seen or heard of an alien creature such as this. There were others as well, but I didn't have a chance to get a good look at them. They seemed to have helped the Autobots while in the cave," Arachnid added. Megatron was quiet for a moment as he thought. They could either choose to help the Autobots or to stay on their own. This encounter was probably an temporary alliance for the sake of their survival. Either way, it was best to kill them at sight rather than waiting and finding out; but if the opportunity to capture one and interrogating it ever occurred, it was best not to be surprised by anything.
"How soon will the analysis be complete?" Arachnid turned to the computer that showed all sorts of schemes and numbers that she didn't have enough scientific knowledge to understand.
"Any second now," Knock Out said as he finished treating Arachnids wound. "I'm really interested in knowing just what kind of alien that could stand so easily against you."
Arachnid growled at Knock Out's comment.
"Don't be a sore loser. Besides, aren't you happy about finding something that could actually challenge you? Last time you hunted humans. That can't have been much of a sport."
Arachnid refused to reveal it was a human that caused her ship to explode with her standing on it.
The computer beeped, signaling the completion of the analysis. Knock Out left his patient and pressed a button to be shown the results, and his face morphed into disbelief.
"What's the matter?" Arachnid asked.
Knock Out pressed a few more buttons, checking for any bugs in the system or any other errors that could have caused these results. Nothing. He then scanned it again, and the same result came up. There was no longer room for denial. What he was looking at was the truth.
"Lord Megatron," he spoke into his comlink. "I got the results from the alien blood. I need you to come and see this."
"Did you find anything useful?"
"Yes, but I fear you wouldn't believe me if I told you."
There was no answer before the com was turned off. Knock Out turned to Arachnid who had watched, wondering what could have caused such distress.
"Please, leave," Knock Out told her.
Megatron was coming and she had no desire to risk being subjected to his wrath again.
Once she was gone, Knock Out proceeded with analyzing the CDNA-helix, trying to figure out, how it was possible. Which showed to be an easier task then anticipated. It made more sense now, but there were still several questions that had to be answered, and a lot that would have to be investigated.
The doors made a heavy metallic sound when they opened, and Knock Out turned around to meet his master.
"Now, show me what could have possibly caused such a reaction."
The warlord observed the helix on the screen. He recognized one half as CNA, the other was organic, but without the typical chaos that nature puts into all it's creations. Instead, he saw the signs of the construct having been taken apart and put together in order to form the formula of a stable being.
"An artificial hybrid," the warlord realized in equal parts disgust and scientific intrigue.
"Unfortunately. I just can't imagine how, or what purpose such a project could fulfill."
"The matter of fact is, it has been done, and who ever did this could still be active."
That possibility made Knock Out shiver in repulsion. He turned to his master and asked, "Should we inform the troops about this?"
"That will be necessary to ensure the thoroughness of the upcoming extermination."
The hybrids current camp was now like an anxious beehive. Moving around, talking over each other, all of it echoing in the underground base until it became white noise for any potential outside observers. Opinions and worries bouncing viciously on the walls. Most hybrids was scared for their safety, but even some in that category thought it would be worth the protection and access to new knowledge about their cybernetic biology, history and culture. About humans it existed in overflow, but this was a part of them that had long felt extremely lacking. Even so, there was some that thought it wasn't worth their already shaky state of safety for it. Not even Alabaster's observations of their leaders lack of lies, could calm them. Who apparently was her original. Well, that was a fun surprise.
"Shut up!" Anastasia roared trough the camp and everyone fell silent and still. Waiting until that one roar overtook and consumed the echoes of the previous chaos, before fading away, and quietness was restored.
"Finally," she sighed before adding, "In the future, no more yelling in here." She ran her nails trough her hair as she took a deep breath.
"Alright, the pact is made and I know you all have mixed opinions about it. Personally, I wouldn't have done what my brother did. What's done is done. So we must learn to deal with it."
There were displeased looks in the small audience.
"How nice of you not to call me a name this time," Nikolai commented as he placed himself next to his sister.
"I would, but little brother is present, and as I understand it, cursing is somehow bad for children," Anastasia said as if she couldn't wrap her head around how a bad world would negatively affect a child. Nikolai hummed at his sister before turning to the other hybrids.
"Here is our first priorities. We need to make sure the Decepticons can't find our camp and that we won't be detected in the future. I'll talk with their scientist and see what needs to be done. Best case, we stay here after only needing to add a few things. Worst case, we need to move."
"It still sounds too good to be true." The girl in heavy coat said.
"As I said before," Nikolai began. "If they turn on us, we'll just kill them. I know this is scary, but we can't live in isolation forever." The male in red clapped his hands together and rubbed them excited. "Who wants to be the first to visit the base? It'll be a maximum of four, and me and Alabaster are already confirmed."
"Why Alabaster?" The androgynous girl asked.
"The Autobot leader is her original, she should have all the opportunity to get to know him."
"And for her to catch him in a lie," the girl, who had named herself Avery, concluded with a smirk. Nikolai confirmed with a nod. Avery turned to Shamara who was standing next to her with her hands uncharacteristically crossed so her hands were hidden.
"Don't you want to come with and meet the Autobots again?"
Shamara shook her head, looking uncomfortable. "No, I'm not in the mood. I didn't like the way the leader kept looking at my hands." She raised them so they were fully visible. "Either I remind him of someone, or I simply creep him out. Whatever the case, I don't want to be stared at." Her hands were tucked away into her pockets, out of sight again.
When agent Fowler first enrolled in the army he didn't expect ever earning such a high ranking job. Especially not a job that gave one responsibility over a group of intergalactic robots fighting a war with another group of robots. Although he often complained about the bots habit of going were they shouldn't, and breaking things they shouldn't, it was his life honor to be trusted with the secret of their existence. The Autobots opened doors to knowledge no human previously had access to. Sometimes they would just casually mention things about their home world, their technology or the universe, that would have Fowler questioning the line between what was considered fiction or fact.
The groundbridge was the first thing, but after all that has happened, it was now at the bottom of the list. The zombie robots were currently on top. Which clearly demonstrated how numb he had become to this alien stuff. Since the recent report about artificial human-robot hybrids, that Ratchet insisted wasn't the same thing as cyborgs, hadn't knocked the zombies from the top.
Fowler was first informed by phone, which made him have a good few minutes just sitting in his office, before going straight to the base. What was even more disturbing, was the newfound existence of a group who made highly illegal experiments including crossing human genetic with another species, murder, kidnappings, and human experimentations. And that was only the human rights violations they knew about. This was definitely something that he needed his superiors to investigate, but they wouldn't believe him if he didn't present evidence. When Prime told him about the hybrids reluctance to help them locate where they escaped from, it had greatly annoyed Fowler. So instead they had formulated a plan. Fowler had visited the base, taken a sample of Nikolai's blood as evidence. Unless absolutely necessary, the hybrids were not to be informed about the Autobots connection with the US government, or the investigation.
After being given the sample, the Prime had made Fowler promise it would then be destroyed as soon as possible, along with all data after analysis. As soon the Pentagon was convinced of the existence of the hybrids, there would be nothing for them to use. The Autobots were not so naive to expect that any military force would give up the knowledge to create new powerful weapons.
Right now, Fowler was on his way to pentagon for an emergency meeting and Optimus was transported to a separate location to meet and pick up the hybrids. All bots were on edge, letting these creature into their base was very different from meeting them outside. They knew nothing about the temper and capabilities of these mutants. A flesh and blood creature, even the ones that could match a cybertronian in size, rarely had the strength or armor to stand against them. These were half cybertronian, and judging by how Optimus and Ratchet retelling of how the hybrids took down Arachnid and a dussin troopers, it was logical to assume they were capable to pose a serious physical threat to them.
The human children on the other hand, was meeting the situation with a different mindset, mostly due to Miko. Who was pacing around in excitement. The boys were a mixture of both excitement and wariness. The situation was highly disturbing and dangerous, but after all, they were teenagers living the plot of a science-fiction story. When Optimus finally asked for the groundbridge to open, the base held their breath. The groundbridge activated and all Autobots stood rigid and battle ready. Optimus's silhouette was not the first thing to appear, instead it was Nikolai, who's red hair and dark red trench coat contrasted strongly against the bright green and white of the groundbridge. Then came Alabaster, now displaying her antennas for everyone to see which linage she belonged to. The Autobots and the humans had all been chocked when Optimus had returned the night before with the newest revelation. That Alabaster was made from Optimus's own CNA. It didn't seem to fit. The only traits she seemed to have inherited were her impressive length and her blue antennas. Other than that, she was nothing like their big, strong and wise leader. She looked skinny and fragile, and the biggest contrast was of course her childishness. Once all the other Autobots saw the blue antennas on Alabaster's head, ones so strikingly similar to Optimus's, all doubt was gone.
The two other that came trough were new. A girl in dark purple hoodie that followed her family closely like a shadow. The last one to come trough before Optimus was undoubtedly Nikolai's before mentioned twin sister, and Ratchet turned the bridge off. Nikolai looked around the base before making a thoughtful hum.
"I see that similar taste in bases is a thing we have in common." Nikolai smiled so his fangs were fully visible. The act was meant to be playful, instead it seemd to have been taken as a threat. Which Alabaster picked up.
"I think your fangs are scaring them."
"It's good if you know," Optimus said as he turned back to the hybrids. "Making that expression will make people think you mean harm." Nikolai immediately raised his hands like he was trying to hide his fangs.
"Sorry, I didn't know." Then he showed the real reason why he raised his hands. In just a moment, Nikolai grabbed his canines and pulled them out of his gum. The Autobots cried at him to stop and Ratchet rushed to his side. Nikolai was strangely calm, holding his canines and bleeding from his mouth. He held out his arm, stopping the medic and spoke in a manner so soothing, it was evident he had perfected it as a result of having to calm his younger siblings. "It's okay. I'm fine. See?" Nikolai showed his teeth, having two normal sized canines where his bigger ones were, and no wounds. Confused, Ratchet looked down at Nikolai hands, holding two elongated teeth, with crude hook like spikes.
"Implants," Ratchet realized, his shoulders slagging as he bitterly laughed as he remembered Nikolai fighting Arachnid. "You must have an astonishing healing rate, I presume?"
"And judging from your reactions, it seems like it's not a common ability among cybertronians."
"No. It's certainly not. How do you posses it then?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's some random mutation, or a result of their genetic engineering or experimentation. That's my theories at least."
"Should I pull out mine too?" Anastasia asked and everyone turned to her, who already had her hands raised and ready pull out her own implants.
"No," Ratchet told her. "No, you don't have to. And you didn't have to do that either," Ratchet told Nikolai, who suddenly looked hurt and confused, like he didn't understand why pulling out your own teeth with your bare hands was such a bad thing.
Alabaster was the one who shifted the focus. "By the way," she said and pointed towards the two new hybrids. "These are my sisters, Canary and Anastasia," Alabaster presented the two new girls. Nikolai's twin nodded towards the Autobots and Canary waved with a practiced smile.
Seeing them in the flesh was completely different from what any of the humans had imagined. If their looks weren't already so telling, their action would have revealed their half alien nature. There was also something about their looks, beyond the unnatural colourschemes, that did not feel right. Like an old primitive part of the human brain screamed at them that these were uniquely dangerous creatures. Something about their faces. They looked so human, yet, there were all these differences in proportions, texture and other minor details they couldn't put their fingers on, that would made the hybrids chilling to look at even if they had human colourschemes. They were human, yet not. And for the Autobots, they were cybertronian, but not completely.
"We brought Canary over because she's in charge in of..." Nikolai raised his arms as he tried to figure out what to say. "Basically everything that has to to do with computers. Communications, scans, info searching, hacking, programming, handling the portal, you name it. We would very much like to know more about how to hide and cloak ourselves from your scans. I know the Decepticons found us due to a tracker, but you never said how you found us."
Clever thing. Ratchet could almost smirk. He was also sure that everybody else had caught the similarities between Canary and a certain faceless Decepticon. Not physical similarities, but their similar fields of knowledge and their disinterest in conversation.
"Might I suggest that me and Raphael keep Canary and Nikolai occupied, while the rest of you give them a tour of the base?" As the hybrids looked around, trying to figure out which Autobot it was that had such a human sounding name, they spotted the three humans that stood on the platform.
Optimus pointed with his whole arm as he presented the humans. "These are our human allies. Jack, Miko and Raphael."
The Autobots watched as Anastasia walked closer to the platform, hovering and observing the three humans who was frozen, uncertain of if they should stay put or back away. Optimus and Ratchet had not exaggerated when they described Nikolai as looking like a vampire, and his twin didn't disappoint either. And they were so obviously made from Knock Out.
"How old are all of you?" She asked like a seasoned school teacher. Gentle but with authority.
"Well," Jack stuttered, surprised to be given that question. "I'm sixteen, Miko is fifteen and Raph is twelve."
"Why do the Autobots have you here?"
"Well, actually, it's for similar reasons as you. We got caught in crossfire between the Autobots and the Decepticons, and they felt it necessary to protect us."
Nikolai could be heard chuckling in the background. "Got a habit of picking up strays, huh?"
Anastasia turned her attention to the smallest human. She pointed at him, a long sharp nail decorating her finger. "You're Raphael, right?"
"Yes, ma'am," the twelve year old responded, scared of the pretty titan that had for some reason decided that he was very interesting.
"When you're working with my brother, make sure to dumb things down for his sake. He builds a good gun or a sword once in a while, but in other things, he has proven to not be as gifted." She smiled gently and winked to underline the message. A heavy breath Raphael had been holding was finally released, and a shy smile slowly crawling into place.
"Oh," Raphael sighed upon realization. "You're joking."
Anastasia gave that same gentle smile again. "We're still learning the craft, was I adequate?"
Raph stuttered for a moment before answering in a way that didn't require him to say: "You made me fear for my life".
"You're gonna have to work on your delivery," he settled with. Once Anastasia was satisfied with the encounter, she turned around and faced the Autobots, flashing them a knowing smile.
"As clumsy and naïve we are in this new world, we know not to hurt children." She then turned to Alabaster and the Autobots didn't say anything, waiting for what would be said next. "Alabaster, dear, how did they react?"
"A relatively even mixture of anxious, stressed, scared and the like. All under strict control, as expected from battle hardened soldiers."
"What could be the purpose that you would risk our aggression?" Optimus asked.
"For one thing, finding out how good your self control is." Nikolai was the one to answer. "In our experience, people do stupid and irrational things when scared. We fully understand you being less than-" Nikolai slightly shook his head as he was looking for a fitting world, "casual, about the situation."
"At least, now we know you're smart and disciplined enough not to act rashly when you get a little spooked," Anastasia finished.
Soon after the groups were split. Nikolai and Canary stayed with Ratchet and Raphael, and Bulkhead stayed with them. To do the heavy lifting, they had explained. If Alabaster caught that deception, she kept it to herself. To have the remaining three Autobots accompany on the tour of the base would be a bit excessive, but Arcee had a point. These hybrids could have been sent to infiltrate them. It would be best to do this in groups, and not to leave anyone behind with the hybrids. They had proved to be quite observant and intelligent, and the Autobots were repeatedly surprised over how understanding they were of the Autobots wariness. They didn't complain when they left Bulkhead in the main hall to defend Ratchet and Raphael, and they didn't do it either at having three Autobots following Alabaster and Anastasia.
"These are our energon vaults and weapons storage. Ratchet also use these to store parts and equipment," Optimus explained, and then came to think of something. "May I ask, do you also consume energon as we do?"
Alabaster blinked before answering. "You mean those blue glowing rocks that can be turned into liquid?"
"Precisely."
Alabaster made a face as she did a so-so sign with her hand. "It's a bit complicated. We need it for sustenance, but consuming it still hurts." That made sense, energon is toxic to humans. It would be a gamble of how that would translate when combining two creatures were ones lifeblood was another's poison.
"At least we know that you won't put much stress on our resources," Arcee pointed out.
"How do you manage to find energon for yourselves?" Optimus asked but Alabaster was more interested in finding out what was behind a big door they were walking past. She was a bit disappointed when there was nothing but a big open space.
"Alabaster." Optimus called to her. "For future reference, it is considered rude to explore someone else's facility without asking your host for permission first."
She got a steely cold look in her eyes as she asked her original, "Am I to be punished"?
Optimus gently put his hand on her shoulder. "No, you won't. You and your family won't ever fear facing punishment from us that resemble anything you went trough at the hands of your creators."
"Really?"
"Yes."
The girl was quiet, like she tried to comprehend a phrase spoken in a different language. In her experience, doing anything wrong or disobeying orders was always, always, met with some form of punishment. Most of the time it would be something that could heal, being hit or tasered, something that would hurt without making lasting damage; unless they wanted. This, just being told not to do something, confused her, angered her, saddened her; made a place she thought was hollow, ache.
"Are you alright?" Optimus called out to her when she had been still and quiet for a long time.
"Honey?" Anastasia put a hand on her back. Alabaster finally moved to face her original, before focusing on her older sister. Her face was blank, just a white mask that looked like it had gone numb with pain.
"Anastasia," she said. "Did you know that adults could be so nice?"
"I've seen bits and pieces on the TV, but as I understood, things you saw there was usually fictional."
Anastasia directed her attention to Optimus.
"What do you use this open space for?" She asked, her casualness out of place. Optimus took a moment before answering.
"We use it for training, and if the situation demands it, larger finds are stored here."
"Training, like fighting? That sounds fun, can we do it now?" Alabaster said like and excited child, even bouncing where she stood.
Optimus thought for a moment before an idea came to life. If they were truthful about wanting to know more about their cybertronian origin, one sure way to build trust would to simply tell them. And from what he understood humans regularly told their young stories. "Fairy tales", they were called. And Optimus knew exactly the kind of stories that would entertain their guests, without risking it being used against them in some way.
"I have another proposition. How about I tell you a story, about the origin of our species?"
The way the eyes of the girls widened was charmingly comical. Their age, excitement and surprise shining trough.
"Are you lying right now?" Alabaster, surprisingly, asked. Like she doubted her own talent.
"No, I do not," Optimus said.
"Sweet!" A voice familiar to the Autobots was heard. Just as expected, when they looked in its direction, there was Miko, accompanied with Jack holding her arm in a grip and looking like a deer in headlight. "Can we join you?"
"Sorry," came Jack's apology. "I was trying to catch her."
Optimus was in the middle of ordering the children to the main hall, when Alabaster stepped in.
"It's okay, we don't mind."
That may be so, but what would happen if they decided to mind? The hybrids had yet to tell of their previous encounters with humans ever since their escape. Did they carelessly leave bodies behind, or were they peaceful unless provoked?
Anastasia walked over to the two humans and kneeled in front of them.
"You're not scared of us are you? Not like them at least," Anastasia said and shrugged her head in the direction of the three wary Autobots.
"Well don't get us wrong," Miko began, but seemed to rethink whatever she first wanted to say. "Your brother did quite the surprise horror show earlier." A chill ran trough Miko as she looked over Anastasias shoulder and saw the knowing look Alabaster gave her. Optimus had warned them all about the junior primes talent for detecting lies. Miko found that not being able to hide behind lies made her feel uniquely exposed. Anastasia rose up and turned around to face Optimus. "If you won't mind, I would like to make an addition to our agreement."
"What is it you have in mind?"
"As you can understand, our isolation at the hands of our creators caused us to have very limited experience and knowledge about the outside world. Including when it comes to human society. You can understand how it has been difficult to find anyone willing guide us."
"Wait," Jack said. "You mean you want us to teach you about humanity." There was no question he was referring to him, Miko and Raphael.
"Books, television and internet can only do so much. And we did not break free from one cage just to get stuck in another."
Optimus realized that was not his request to answer. "We will have to return to you with an answer. This'll be the humans decision to make."
"Understandable."
"Can we start the story telling already? Please," Alabaster pleaded. Optimus told the two girls to go into the big open room and get comfortable. Once they were both inside, the Autobots turned to the two humans.
"They're not safer in the main hall. At least with us they have three Autobots to protect them in case something would happen," Arcee said.
"Agreed," Optimus began before talking to Jack and Miko. "You'll remain close to Bumblebee and Arcee, and don't do or say anything that could provoke our guests. If anythings happens, you run, hide and try to contact agent Fowler. Understood?"
"Yeah."
"Understood."
The Autobot leader was the first to enter the room where Alabaster and Anastasia waited, sitting on some of the metallic energon containers in the corners. Excitement shone in Alabaster's eyes, and although the older sister seemed to have opted for a cautious attitude, she too couldn't help the small yet tight smile on her face. The two other Autobots waited by the door, keeping an eye on the two humans at their feet. Optimus had no intentions to tell them anything that could be used against the Autobots. The story he had in mind could just as well be interpreted as mythology, even though it was the origin of their entire race. If their guests were truthful, the story would be well received and help strengthen the, for the moment, distrustful alliance.
"Have you ever heard of Primus and Unicron?"
"No," Alabaster answered.
"Before our race existed, there were only Primus and Unicron." They were silent as they gave Optimus their full attention. Staring wide eyed and amazed just after a few words. "Unicron was the embodiment of chaos and destruction, Primus embodied harmony and creation. They fought for eons, without anyone of them being victorious for long until their war started all over again. Until Primus created the thirteen original primes, the ancestors to our entire race. Together they managed to defeat Unicron and cast him out into space, never to be seen again. Primus became one with the core of our home planet, Cybertron. In time, several of the Primes would also join with the core. Thousands of cybertronians would emerge from the well every few millenia, new generations created from Primus himself, and several variants of cybertronians made in the image of the Primes that joined him. But that has not been the case for a very long time. The civil war we waged on our home planet poisoned the core, causing Primus to go into stasis. And cybertron has been barren and lifeless ever since."
The two hybrids were silent. Processing what they just heard. And they stayed like that for a long while, like they were overwhelmed and didn't know what to do or say anymore.
"Any questions?"
"Several," Anastasia was the one who broke the silence. A second of silence, and then a laugh that sounded like it had forced itself from her lungs. Tears began to lightly run down her face as she continued to laugh. A laugh born from tremendous pain.
"Those bastards." Her voice was weak from grief, but the bitter laugh came and went. "They always made us feel worthless and disposable. But in reality, we're the grandchildren of a literal god. A real god." That was not how Optimus expected them to interpret the story. Although the cybertronian race were well aware about their origins, they didn't see themselves as Primus's children, but his creations. His first thought was to tell her about this, but when he saw how healing that interpretation seemed to be, he couldn't take that from her.
"He must be lonely. I hope you manage to heal grandpa one day. It would be nice if we could meet him." Alabaster wanted to ask if Optimus thought Primus would be glad to meet his grandchildren. She stopped when she realized that she didn't want to risk catching him in a lie.
"If Primus can't create any more cybertronians, doesn't that mean that you're all endangered?" Anastasia asked and wiped away her tears with her sleeve.
"That's hard to tell. All Autobots and Decepticons were scattered after cybertron fell, so it's impossible to tell how many there are of us left. But, I'm am afraid that you might be right. We are at risk of pushing our entire race to extinction."
"What does it mean to be a Prime? You have Prime in your name, are you one of the ones in the story?"
"No, I'm not. Being a Prime means I have been chosen by Primus to carry the matrix of leadership. In the past, the title was used by those who had been chosen to lead and defend cybertron and its peopla. Before I had it, the title had been used to refer to the leader of cybertron, whether or not they were chosen by Primus. Since those false primes were corrupt and tyrannical, there are still many who hold a lot of distrust towards me for bearing the title."
The two girls exchanged a look.
"You mean you have met grandpa?"
"What was he like?"
Optimus recalled when he traveled to the core of cybertron, not ever expecting to be granted the matrix, but to hopefully find a way to save Primus from having to go into stasis. Being a Prime was never anything he wanted, the title had been thrown on him that fateful day before the high council. When Orion Pax and Megatronus stood before them as brothers, and Optimus Prime and Megatron left as mortal enemies. To be granted the matrix, the proof that he had been chosen to be more than a puppet for the high council, was daunting. Because it the already heavy burden of leading the Autobots, even heavier. But it was also a conformation that he could carry that burden.
"I didn't get to see much of him. I traveled to the well of allsparks hoping to find a way to heal him, but it was already too late. Before he went into stasis he gave the matrix to me, and there is not much else to it."
"Is there any way to help him?" Alabaster asked.
"We have no choice but to somehow find a way. Or else our planet will never be able to make or hold life ever again. And our race will truly be doomed to extinction."
There was still one more vital question left.
"Why did the war start in the first place, and why are you still fighting if it has cost you your home planet?" Anastasia didn't know if her siblings did the same, but she and Nikolai had been discussing why the cybertronians was divided into two groups. War was one theory, but they had also considered other options. Like the Decepticons being another group of crazy scientists, or a terrorist group. Human history was filled with people killing each other for things that to them seemed so silly. Like religion, nationality, ideology, looks. Maybe the cybertronians did the same and all of this was some religious war. It was a war nonetheless, and Anastasia now had the displeasure of telling her brother his theory was right.
"Mostly, we're fighting for the control of energon. The lifeblood of all cybertronians." That half truth did not get unnoticed by Alabaster, who eyed her original suspiciously.
"You're lying," she accused him. "Why are you lying?"
"I am not lying."
"Not completely, but I can sense you're hiding something?"
Optimus was quiet as he analyzed the two, searching for signs of hostility, or if any of them wanted to attack. They always gave the impression that they were a wrong word away from pouncing like wild animals.
"We Autobots fight for peace and freedom for all sentient creatures, and protect this planet from the Decepticons."
Alabaster furrowed her eyebrows confused. "That was not a lie. But that still doesn't change the fact that you're hiding something."
"There are a lot of things we're keeping from you. Such is protocol when meeting a new force we do not yet know is enemy or foe. I'm sure you're doing the same thing." The two exchanged a look, and scowled when they realized he was right. "When our alliance has proven to be safe, will we be open to share further information. Until then, both our groups have the right to withhold any information we want."
Alabaster opened her mouth to say something, but stopped when she felt Anastasia's hand on her shoulder.
"Fine. Be that way."
"How long has this war been fought?" Anastasia asked. Optimus didn't answer immediately. Humans had much shorter lifespans than cybertronians, and the hybrids have probably never been educated in the cybertronian life cycle. The answer would undoubtedly be a chock. Then he realized, how long would the lifespan of the hybrids be, with genetic engineering in consideration?
"4 million years."
"What!?" Alabaster cried in surprised. While Anastasia reacted by gasping, before slowly lowering her head. One could clearly read that she was in a matter of moments hit with surprise, realization, and then questions.
"And you have all been part of the war this whole time?"
"Yes. For the cybertronian race doesn't age the same way most organics do. Most cases of cybertronians dying is caused by accidents, murder or diseases. That makes us biologically immortal, and since you are all made from cybertronian CNA, it's possible you might also share this attribute. It's best if you take this up with Ratchet for further investigation. But I suspect that you all at the very least, will live far longer than any human being." The Autobot leader looked in concern as Anastasia slumped back onto the metal containers. "Are you alright?" Alabaster seemed more stable, merely processing a huge surprise, Anastasia seemed more anxious, terrified at the idea.
"Wow," Alabaster said under her breath. She tried to find something else to say, but there was so much going trough her head at the same time, she couldn't decide what. About how aware she was about how her physical and mental age didn't align and how relived she was about the chance of getting to live long enough to become a real adult. Or about how scared she was about the possibilities of the future. She was only roughly two years old and life had already been painful and tragic, how much else would she have to go trough if she would really turn out to be biologically immortal. And what about her family, what if some didn't get to live for millions of year? What if some lived an average human lifespan, and some hundreds, thousands, millions and some would be truly immortal? Would they all have to wait around and see who would succumb to old age next? They would have to take up on Optimus's offer to let the medic investigate. So they would all know without worrying too much.
The silence was broken when Anastasia burrowed her face in her hands and loudly groaned into them. A loud frustrated animal like sound that echoed in the stonewalls of the space they were occupying.
"I have had enough. Can we please go home?" She asked, her voice muffled by her hands.
"I'm sorry to have upset you. I realized this would risk becoming too much for you."
Anastasia finally lowered her hands enough for her to eye the Autobot leader. Optimus noticed how tired they had become on such short time.
"This is very impressive," Nikolai said as he studied the Autobots main computer. Or, studying what he was allowed to see. Ratchet had made it clear he was forbidden to take any closer looks that would actually be meaningful. Despite being made from human technology, it was far more advanced than any machine Nikolai had seen. Not that the list was long, but it still counted. Canary also shared his enthusiasm, signing compliments and comments that Nikolai translated for the two Autobot and the young human.
Although the lack of voice was very telling regarding Canary's parentage, it also confused the Autobots present in the room. Soundwave was known for his silence, for letting his actions speak for him, for using his audio and visual recordings to communicate if he deemed it necessary. As far as anyone knew, inability to speak was sustained by injury. It was highly unlikely that Canary's muteness was just a coincident.
The hybrids had told that those that didn't reach the standards their creators set were disposed of. Ratchet started to form an idea of what such a critera could have been. If he was right, then it would prove that the creators of the hybrids were even more twisted and sickening than they first thought. After all, the initial plan was to clone the Autobots and the Decepticons. Ratchet would have to wait before having the theory tested. For now, he would just focus on teaching the hybrids how the Autobots detected them.
"All cybertrons posses a spark. It's comparable to what humans would usually call a soul. It serves as both our heart and our life force. When that spark is extinguished, we die. The energy that our sparks emits can be detected, and early on in the war, both sides developed technology that abled us to distinguish Autobot and Decepticon life signatures."
"So you would be able to see who was enemy or ally from a distance."
"That is correct. Which makes me wonder-" Ratchet grabbed his chin and looked at the hybrids analytically. "What do you have? Humans have hearts, but the signals you gave off would suggest you have a spark."
The two hybrids looked at each other, like they were asking each other if the other knew.
"I'm sure our makers knew. They studied our anatomy extensively. But they never said much unless it was a huge flaw that made them have to dispose of us, or if they found something particularity exciting."
"And what would those things be?" Bulkhead asked.
"Like me and my sisters healing factor. One thing I do know, is that humans usually has their hearts placed in the left part of their chest, a small part on the right. But whenever they checked our heartbeats, they would always place the stethoscope in the middle of our chests."
"That is where a sparkchamber would be," Ratchet informed. "I can't tell much else without further investigation. Due to your hybrid anatomy, my guess is that you might have some kind of combination of the two." Ratchet faced twisted in disgust as two ideas came to his mind. "A sparkchamber infused with flesh, perhaps, or a human heart infused with metal and containing a spark."
The hybrids started to giggle at Ratchet.
"Enough with that." Ratchet said sternly and the two stopped. The Autobot medic took a moment to be grateful that the hybrids at least seemed to have respect for authority. Unless some organics he knew.
"Truth be told, you remained invisible to our scans until I experimented with wavelength frequencies. Unless the Decepticons also by accident finds the right frequency, you will remain invisible to their sensors as well."
"But it still happened," Nikolai pointed out. "What happens if they actually manage? They know we exist, they might actually find us if what we did motivated them enough."
"The best solution at the moment is to make sure you have a base capable of isolating radio signals and energy signatures. Our base works the same way. But once we're outside, we have to be prepared for ambushes such as the one you recently got caught in." Ratchet then pushed a few buttons on the computer and images of planes and cars filled the screens.
"Transforming into vehicles is a fundamental part of cybertronian biology. It allows us faster transport, and more importantly, camouflage. Whenever you're outside your base, be on the lookout for these vehicles. They are all Decepticons." Ratchet turned to two hybrids. "Having a copy of these will make it easier. I can send these to you so all of you can have access to these images."
"Thank you. That would be wonderful."
With Canary's help they were able to send copies of the files to the hybrids. The internet was a very helpful tool for the hybrids, especially for Canary who could utilize and abuse it as much as she wanted.
"Well," Nikolai sighed thoughtfully and adjusted his stance. "I guess we won't be traveling for a while. We had hoped to adapt a more nomadic lifestyle. To explore the world and such. Is there really nothing we can do?"
"Cloaking technology would have helped, but that is not an option at the moment. We don't have the resources to build such devices."
Nikolai got a look like a light bulb had ignited in his head.
"Can I take a look? I might figure something out."
"I highly doubt that."
"Why not?"
"Maybe if you were a cybertronian I would have given you the benefit of the doubt. But there's a good chance that your intellectual capacity is tainted with the genetic material of an extremely primitive organism. I suspect you and your siblings might become far more intelligent than any human, but in comparison to cybertronians you will remain subpar."
Nikolai rolled his eyes.
"You just said that me being half human makes me stupid," Nikolai huffed annoyed.
Ratchet didn't deny the statement. It made the hybrid form a determined look on his face and glare at the medic.
"I accept your challenge."
"What challenge?"
"You're right about one thing: we are way smarter than any human. I'll find a way to make cloaking devices, just to rub your face in my success."
Ratchet thought about it. Although he doubted Nikolai would succeed, this could prove to be an interesting experiment. And if his skills proved to be useful, than he could be a valuable ally. That is to say, if he would like helping the Autobots in such a way. Ratchet wasn't heartless, he would never force the hybrids to serve the Autobots, but if an offer was made, he wouldn't reject to have a few extra brains and hands to help their cause.
He wasn't fond of humans either but he still accepted help from their government, and he tolerated having the human children around for similar reasons.
"I'll speak with Optimus. If he allows it, I'll let you have limited and supervised access to our storage," Ratchet said, pointing a stern finger. "Furthermore, I wonder if you might give me permission to examine you. I am most curios to know if you have sparks or hearts. You give a signal, my theory is therefor that you have an organ similar to a spark chamber. I promise to not do anything without your consent. I'm a doctor, and if you accept, I will treat you with the same respect and care as all my patients."
Canary poked Nikolai in the side when he didn't immediately decline the proposal. To be fair, Nikolai's first impulse was to decline, but the idea of knowing his own anatomy was very tempting. The doctors that took care of them would examine them and make documentations. What they were about they rarely got to know. Yes, examining a cyberorganic organism was interesting, but said organisms had no use of knowing its own anatomy, they we're simply lab rats. Possibly just another stepping stone, just like the other dead before them, until they succeeded in making what they always wanted.
Did they have hearts or sparks?
Why did consuming energon make them so sick if they needed it to live?
Besides the obvious, like size and color, in what other ways did they differ from humans and cybertronians?
Were they really smarter than humans, but dumber than cybertronians?
Why are Nikolai and Anastasia the only ones that developed healing powers?
None of them wanted to get picked and poked. Stabbed with needles and have their fluids stolen, and every organ have their own biopsy. Without knowing why they wanted it or what new knowledge it gave them. And regular anesthesia had little effect on them. They would have to be injected with stuff made to take down larger animals, but that usually came with nasty side effects. The Autobots surely had things better suited for them.
"I'm gonna make a list of things I want to know, and depending on the answers, we might accept your offer."
Ratchet wasn't surprised, in fact, he was glad that Nikolai was practicing caution. "I accept you condition," the Autobot medic said.
"Can I say something?" Raph said holding up a hand like he had been waiting to speak.
"What can that be?" Ratchet said, giving a subtle look of warning. Not for speaking out, but to be careful of what he was about to say.
"If they have to hide from Decepticon radar just as the Autobots, shouldn't they also be able to detect Decepticon signals."
Now Nikolai was considering the idea that he might be even less intelligent than a human, if he couldn't think of that sooner. He was just grateful that the same thought didn't seem to have hit Ratchet too.
"I will have to discuss that with Optimus too. I am gonna contact you later when I get an answer."
Nikolai giggled and shook in excitement. Canary stared bewildered before her face turned into a scowl and she hit Nikolai in the side.
"Are you crazy?", she said. "We can't trust them?"
"Not yet, but I have a good feeling about this."
"That's what you're basing decisions on now, feelings?"
"Like you're not curious too about knowing how we work."
"Yes, I am, but I'm smart."
"So am I!"
The others in the room couldn't comprehend what the hybrids were discussing. All they saw was a flurry of hand signs that grew more and more aggressive. They were having an argument. Finally, Nikolai grabbed both of Canary's hands, making her unable to talk further. She tried to wrestle free, but her brother was stronger.
"We appreciate your offer, and we'll discuss it and inform you when we get an answer," Nikolai said. Oddly, it seemed like Nikolai was mimicking Ratchet's speech pattern and infliction when he spoke. Whether it was intentional or not, was unclear.
The sounds of several sets of footsteps were coming their way. Nikolai wondered how they hadn't been able to detect the Autobots and the Decepticons when they entered the mine. They weren't exactly light footed. Anastasia and Alabaster's footsteps were a much quieter pitter-patter in comparison.
"Stop teasing Canary," Anastasia said. "We're leaving."
"Already? What happened?" Nikolai's voice got dangerously low. Like a sound a predator would make to warn potential threats.
"Nothing happened," Alabaster quickly reassured. "We just found some really exciting things. We need to tell the others."
"Really? About what?"
Anastasia giggled. "It'll be a surprise."
"Then why are we leaving."
Anastasia shot him a look. "We just received a lot of information. Information that gave me a headache."
"You are gonna love it. But we must wait so we can tell everyone."
Nikolai let out a relieved sigh, before turning to Ratchet.
"Thank you very much for everything you have taught us, and for your kind suggestions. I'll return with answers soon." He then turned to Canary. "Is there something else you'll need to know?"
"Several, but the must important thing we don't have permission to know yet."
"Caution must be our priority right now. Let's go home and tell the others."
Through the groundbridge the hybrids were sent back to the empty valley in the desert.
Stillness. Not the calm sort, not the wary sort. A stillness that was in shock and couldn't decide its form. Awe, joy, amazement, stress, suspicion, disbelief, filled the air so much it went still.
"Did they really tell you this? I don't believe it. I bet he made it up," Avery said.
"But if he was lying Alabaster would have noticed," the boy in white hoodie pointed out.
"Are we really sure Alabaster won't be biased against her original," Valkyrie said.
"Don't start throwing accusations," Shamara warned, not just Valkyrie, but the whole group. "Personally, I believe Alabaster, therefor I believe Optimus Prime."
"Can you imagine it? An actual god living in their very own planet. Our planet," a tall boy with eyes the same colour as Arcee's said. "If Optimus got to meet him maybe he we can have a chance of meeting him too."
"Do you really believe so?" Alabaster asked hopefully.
"I can't be sure, but he's a god of creation. If the cybertronians don't accept us, maybe grandfather will be more able to appreciate our existance."
Nikolai rested his forehead in the palm of his hand. "I still can't believe an actual god created the entire cybertronian race. I knew they wouldn't have been created the same way organic life originated, but I wasn't expecting them to have been created from the hands of a..." Nikolai's sentance was interrupted by a fit of ecstatic giggles overwhelmed him.
"I want to go to cybertron," Anansi said suddenly. "I want to see our other planet of origin. I want to see Primus."
"We don't even know where it is. We have no way of getting there, and even if we were able, it's not sure we would survive. The planets natives had to escape because the war polluted the planet so badly it became inhospitable. We might have a harder time than them."
"That is all true," Shamara raised a clawed hand before curling all her finger but her index. "But, our greatest chance of knowing more about cybertron would be from said natives. If they ever decide to go back, we could go with them. Besides, they did offer to study us, and give us answers to such questions."
The stillness that had been a mix of emotions it couldn't decide to pick, finally made a choice. Disbelief. It made their insides tight, their mouths dry, their stomachs heavy as rocks.
"Are you really suggesting that we allow ourselves to be..." Shamara didn't let the boy in white hoodie finish his sentence.
"Absolutely not. We are never going trough that ever again. Just listen, please." The stillness lost some of its weight as the group decided to let their sister speak. After seeing Nikolai nod at her, she spoke.
"I suffered from those procedures as much as any of us. My fingers has become claws and spikes has grown out of my shoulder. I want to know if it'll stop at that, or if I'll end the same way as my siblings."
Nikolai and Anastasia looked at each other, having a silent conversation that didn't require words or gestures, just looks. They knew of the fates Shamara spoke of. They have seen so many siblings with gray metal die identical deaths. Which left the scientists shouting in frustration as they struggled to understand the cause and repeatedly failing to correct it.
"You do realize that you're basically volunteering to see if they speak truth. You'll see first hand of they're just as bad as the ones we escaped, or better. Whatever the case, you will suffer the most if the worst is to come."
Shamara looked down at her hands. Where fingers and knuckles met palm, one could see the metal and flesh crudely fusing together. Like they were forced, and that was basically the case. Shamara often wondered what was happening within her body, if her pain was also the pain of the two parts of her being fighting each other. As they were forced to exist in this form that spat in the face of nature. Flesh and metal tied together, chained together. Jagged metal like it tried to cut itself free, the flesh on the loosing side. Aching without bleeding as it was eaten and replaced. But the metal could still not escape, for it needed the flesh. It needed the living red blood to live, the rubbery joints to move, the organic cells to heal it when it got hurt. A war between flesh and metal, that was how she imagined it, and she was caught in it without any way to escape. She wanted to know for certain. Was this a body eating itself alive, or a body fighting for survival. Right now it felt like the first, but certainty was at her fingertips.
"I accept that."
Soon as the words were said, she was caged in several pairs of loving arms. A face pressed against her chest, her back, her shoulder, and the unmistakable smallness of little brother clutching her leg.
"Okay," Anastasia said, her voice thick with fear and sorrow. Like she was already mourning Shamara's death. "We'll tell the Autobots you'll meet them for a medical check up. Just..." she took a moment to breath trough clenched teeth. "Take reinforcement with you. You shouldn't be alone." In other words, at least you'll have a fighting chance.