The John F. Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's ten field centers. Since 1968, KSC has been NASA's primary launch center of American spaceflight, research, and technology.
Launch Complex 39 (LC-39), a rocket launch site, and where it's collection of facilities were originally built as the Apollo Space Program's "Moonport" and later modified for the Spade Shuttle program. Launch Complex 39 consists of three launch sub-complexes or "pads"— 39, 39B, and 39C - a Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), a Crawlerway used by crawler-transporters to carry mobile launcher platforms between the VAB and the launchpads, the Orbiter Processing Facility buildings, Launch Control Center, containing the firing rooms, the news facility that is famous for the iconic countdown clock seen in television coverage and photos, and various logistical and operational support buildings.
Down at the space center, there looks to be a hive of activity going on. Many vehicles seem to be coming and going nearby the launchpad, most of the vehicles sporting the symbol of an angular face. Autobots were going about by the launchpad as they move equipment and even Energon fuel about the area, all to prep for an upcoming experiment, in conjunction with NASA. Up on the launchpad, one Space Shuttle is now prepped and ready for launch, one that's painted in blue with the Human-Autobot Alliance logo on one of the wings, and the name 'Valkyrie' on the other wing and the fuselage.
"It is an incredible scene going on down here in Cape Canaveral, the Human-Autobot Alliance and NASA all working round the clock to prepare for this mission..." Some news reporters are down at the launchpad to talk about what's going on and to witness a rocket launch along with everyone else around the world. "All this movement around the space center has gotten everyone curious about what's going on... There has been no confirmation on the flight crew as of yet... NASA and the Human-Autobot Alliance have been tight-lipped about what is going on around here..."
In the main Command Centre of the whole operation, technicians and engineers are working around the clock to prep the shuttle for launch. Among those happen to be Perceptor, Ratchet, even Silverbolt and Air Raid, as well as Soundwave, all of them prepping and making sure all systems are operational down on the upcoming launch in about 24 hours' time.
Among those who were watching this whole project happen was Jackson Martin, one of the veteran best members of the Alliance. He is an old man with short faded brown hair and rotund figure. He wore brown boots, blue jeans, and a black t-shirt with a blue/white Hawaiian button-up shirt over it.
"Have to admit, never thought I'd be able to watch or even command a shuttle launch in my time." Jackson commented.
Ratchet knelt down to Jackson. "After all you've done for the Alliance, this is definitely quite an honour and a privilege for you to be here." He added in.
"Of course. And it will be to announce this mission underway for tomorrow." Jackson acknowledged back.
"By the way, how is Braedey with regards to this whole mission?" Ratchet now inquired.
"A few years back, he would not want to travel into space. But now, he is more than welcome to take up the challenge." Jackson answered.
"That is good to hear." Ratchet acknowledged, then he looks over at the Space Shuttle on the launchpad. "It will be nice to witness this rocket launch."
"Any word from Optimus?" Jackson now asked.
"He'll be here when the launch happens tomorrow." Ratchet answered to Jackson. He then takes note of the person they were talking about beforehand not being in the room. "By the way, where is Braedey?" He now inquired.
"Contemplating to himself. He does that." Jackson answered back with a knowing expression. He then looks over to see Ravage make her way over. "Ravage. You kept the reporters at bay?" Ravage gives a soft growl in acknowledgment. "Good. Oh, and make sure that William Malcolm doesn't get anywhere near NASA or the rocket launchpad." He instructed, the mechanical feline now heading off on her assignment.
"Malcolm... Does that man even have a normal life?" Ratchet rolled his optics in annoyance.
"Ratchet. Nothing we ever do is normal." Jackson laughed.
The life of a hero can definitely be filled with untold danger, adventure, and excitement, as well as untold discoveries. However, for eighteen-year-old Braedey Martin, being prepared for the most daunting task of his life was definitely up there! But, as things were the most dangerous thing that could happen to him, slipping on the tile floor wasn't one of those things.
The state of his home planet of Earth has definitely changed drastically within the last several months. Things had finally calmed down, not only on Earth, but throughout most of the universe out there, including the worlds of Cybertron, Eukaris, and Velocitron, save for perhaps the Darkurus system.
The Human-Autobot Alliance, the specialised paramilitary organisation of human and Cybertronian forces that are united and dedicated to preserving peace throughout planets across the universe, had been granted powerful new technologies. New weapons, armour, technology; basically, everything that they needed in order to combat hostile threats that previously required the aid of Braedey Martin and his team. It seemed that the special forces had finally begun to shake off their secretive ways when it came to their technology. There were heavy protesters out there, of course, but the general consensus amongst their lead scientists and military officials was that the universe needed to move forward into the future, and that the Human-Autobot Alliance were the ones best suited to make that happen. They couldn't continue to call upon the bearer of the Transformatrix every time something went wrong.
Braedey was definitely mature enough to know this change was a good thing for everyone. There was now peace; crime was down, and life was good. But still, there was a part of him internally that missed turning into an Autobot or a Decepticon every day and fighting some criminal or giant monster robot. He didn't do any of his heroics for the fame; or at least, not anymore he didn't. He really just missed the feeling of helping others and being a part of the action and the world. But he knew best to not go looking for trouble.
After the incident with Unicron and Megatronus Prime, otherwise known as 'The Fallen' by many, Alpha Trion, the keeper of the lacon Hall of Records, and one of the Creators of the Transformatrix, had gifted Braedey with a with a brand new model of Transformatrix. It was much sleeker than the original design was, as it was now only slightly larger than that of an average wristwatch, as opposed to being a large gauntlet that wrapped around his whole arm. It was a square, white watch with blue highlights, with said highlights converging on the black faceplate to form the Transformatrix insignia; an Autobot logo with a sword going through the middle of it in a vertical opposition, the hilt of the sword on top.
As opposed as Alpha Trion was to the evolutionary feature that The Fallen had added to the original model, he recognised that it had aided Braedey numerous times during his hero tenure, and reluctantly decided to include it in his latest model. Braedey had spent the last two years unlocking new transformations with his new Transformatrix, and plus, even a few new Ultimate Forms as well. But what was the point if he didn't even need them anymore?
For the time being, Braedey was taking the time to keep his composure and focus on keeping calm and to relax himself, especially utilising the Processor-Over-Matter technique he had learnt from Prowl. In just 24 hours from now, he'll be rocketing up into space in the Valkyrie Space Shuttle, and to test out an experimental Spacebridge Engine.
This experimental Spacebridge Engine was to see if miniaturising a Spacebridge and placing it into a starship can be possible to transport to any planet without the need of a Spacebridge ring in planetary orbit. It was an idea conjured up by Perceptor, though it did need validation from Ratchet, Optimus, even from Ultra Magnus for this idea to be possible, especially given the exotic materials that have been utilised for this new engine.
'I am ready.' Braedey thought to himself. 'You have faced against mutant beasts, taken on Megatron and survived, even defeated 'The Fallen', and faced against Unicron more times than can be counted. You can handle a shuttle launch.' He opens his blue eyes as he sat in the locker room. He now stood up, looking on at the NASA-issue spacesuit before him. 'Okay...'
"You okay there, Braedey?" The brunette turns around to take a look over, and he could see his cousin Jessie and friend Rex walking up to him.
Jessie Martin is a teenage girl the same age as Braedey, with long bright orange hair and striking blue eyes. She has on a black shirt under a bright red sweater, long black stockings under a black miniskirt, and black high heels. All in all, she was quite beautiful. Sometimes, people mistook them for siblings, considering they share the same birthday. She was a pretty down to earth girl. She was kind of bossy and annoying when they were kids, but had mellowed out during the years. She still ragged on Braedey now and then when he was doing something stupid.
Rex McJones is a tall and muscular young man with brownish eyes, his black hair styled into a choppy mullet. His attire is a tight black T-shirt over a grey long sleeve shirt, blue pants, and black combat shoes. When they were kids, Rex was a psychopath who was hell-bent on trying to kill Braedey after he mutated into some kind of Cybertronian chimera of Braedey's transformations, but over the years, he mellowed out and reformed himself (especially after his time in the Kaon Void), and after changing back to human, now becoming part of Braedey's team and is considered like a brother to him.
"Just contemplating and thinking about the mission ahead." Braedey answered to his cousin. "I mean, this is definitely going to be something else."
"Well, you're the one who took up the challenge." Rex commented offhandedly. "Besides, there's nobody else who'd have the willpower to take on something this insane-"
"Rex!" Jessie scolded, immediately cutting him off. "Ease up."
"It's alright, Jessie. I know this is insane." Braedey reassured to his cousin. "But think about it - if this works, it can revolutionise the way space travel can happen, and make things more convenient for others." He clarified to them.
"Well, you know I definitely support you." Jessie smiles before she and her cousin share an embrace. "But please, he grey careful in case something happens."
"I will be. Don't worry." Braedey reassured to her. "By the way, you guys gonna be there tomorrow?"
"Of course we will." Rex nodded back. "Definitely not gonna miss watching a rocket launch, especially one that I helped to build."
"True. And I'll see how well it works." Braedey smiled.
"But Braedey, testing an experimental Spacebridge Engine, it sounds too dangerous for a human to try." Jessie now said to him. "Why couldn't this be done by some drone or even an autopilot?" She questioned.
"Well, we've got to see how well the rocket works for humans so they can travel further beyond." Braedeh clarified to his cousin. "No good of a rocket meant for humans to not allow humans to travel across long distances."
"Yeah... I can see that." Jessie admitted after she now reconsidered Braedey's words. "Test it so it's safe for humans..."
"Yeah." Braedey now turned to the spacesuit behind him and breathed a soft sigh. "I just know that this was something Grandpa Jackson had thought about back then."
"He'd be proud of you doing this." Rex commended to him.
"Yeah. He already told me that earlier." Braedey chuckled, Jessie and Rex also joining in on the laughter as well.
Unbeknownst to everyone as they began to head for home so they could be well-rested for the big launch first thing tomorrow, someone had snuck their way onto the launchpad. This person looked up at the shuttle with a look of disdain and anger, then began to make their way towards the shuttle. Once up inside, their red eyes look around inside of the cargo bay, finally spotting something in the back, and a wicked smirk now forms on their face.
The next day comes, it was finally the day. The Valkyrie Shuttle launch. A huge hive of activity was all around the launchpad, crews going about to make the final checks and preparations for the shuttle launch. Humans and Transformers were all now making the final checks and preparations for launch.
As they do so, Braedey had gotten himself suited up and was ready for the off. Down in the suit-up room, he was all prepped and ready to go. Jessie and Rex were there as well, Braedey's parents just waiting outside the room for him.
"How do I look?" Braedey asked.
"Definitely slimming on you." Rex commented.
"Just be careful." Jessie reminded to him.
"I will." Braedey shares one more hug between them, then they began to make their way out. As he did so, he saw his mother and father, then shares one more hug with them, as well as his Grandpa Jackson. "Once I make it to Cybertron and back, we can finally relax." He reassured to them.
"You know, when you were little, all you ever wanted to be was an astronaut." Braedey's mother Naomi said softly to him.
"I'll be back soon, Mom. Don't you worry." Braedey reassured to her with a warm smile.
"Make the Martin name proud, son." James smiled.
"I will, Dad." Braedey nodded.
"Let's get to the control room." Jackson stated, everyone else now beginning to head off as Braedey does his walk to the Winnebago that'll take him off to the rocket.
Once onboard the Winnebago, Braedey does a final mental check on himself and his gear and equipment. As the RV made its way towards the launchpad, the bearer of the Transformatrix looks to said revive on his wrist and breathed a soft sigh. He was doing this for the betterment of humanity so they can travel across the stars to other planets.
In the Kennedy Firing Room, far from the launchpad, Jackson has made his way inside with Jessie and Rex, Naomi and James standing by as they watch on. At the same time, they could see the news crews and cameras all tracking Braedey's movements, just as he was now making his way up to the rocket via the elevator on the launchpad tower.
"There he goes..." Naomi said softly.
"Our young man, now an astronaut." James nodded.
"All right. Flight directors on with the go/no-go for launch." Jackson announced to those all situated at their command. "Retro."
"Go flight." Air Raid responded.
"Booster."
"Go flight." Air Raid replied again.
"Ecos."
"Go flight." Perceptor saluted.
"Trajectory."
"Go flight." Soundwave acknowledged.
"FIDO."
"Go flight." Jessie replied.
"EVA."
"Go flight." Rex responded.
"CAPCOM Valkyrie."
"Go flight." One NASA technician saluted.
"All right, ladies and gentlemen, it's pucker time." Jackson annocuned, then he turns around to look at the shuttle.
"It's all up to Braedey now." Jessie added in.
Onboard the shuttle, Braedey was now strapped into the Captain's seat, prepping the shuttle's internal systems to go. Luckily for him, he and Rex had helped to retrofit and prep this shuttle to make it user-friendly and easier to operation, so he knows what buttons to push, what dials to turn, and what switches to flip. Overall, this was about as easy as flying a jet fighter... albeit one that can go up to 17,320mph (27,870km/h).
"Valkyrie Shuttle, this is Kennedy firing room." Rex now called on the radio. "We're T-minus one minute from launch sequence. All crew members, close and lock your visors."
"Roger." Braedey replied, then he manually lowers the visor on his helmet with a click and lock in place. "Helmet is locked and ready for action."
"You're go for auto-sequence start." A NASA engineer called next.
"Roger." Braedey acknowledged and he pushed a few buttons, then relaxed in his seat as he now heard the faint rumble of the engines starting to fire up. "Ready for launch." He reports in. He adjusts his harness to make sure he was as secure as possible. "Here we go..."
10...
9...
8...
"Go for main engines start." Jackson announced. At that moment, the solid rocket booster engines on the Shuttle began to fire up, red-hot and orange flames roaring from them.
7...
6...
5...
"Main engines ignition." Rex responded, the cracking and roaring of the Space Shuttle engines firing up and the sound almost deafening. "We are good for launch."
"All systems go." Braedey added over the headset to Mission Control.
4...
3...
2...
1...
"LIFTOFF!"
Once that one word was said, the clamps, fuel lines, electrical lines, and cables all detached from the Space Shuttle, as the spaceworthy blue vessel rockets into the morning sky, a trail of white smoke left behind in its wake.
"Valkyrie Shuttle has left the tower." One engineer called. "Repeat: Valkyrie Shuttle has left the tower."
"It's all now in his hands." Rex stated, watching the shuttle go up into the sky.
"Good luck, cousin." Jessie said softly to herself.
Onboard the shuttle, Braedey was holding onto the main controls, the ailerons and rudder, using them to keep the ship in a straight line. He pushed one or two buttons, and the shuttle stayed in line, the shuttle reaching to its maximum speed, all the while with all the comm chatter being heard in the process. He could hear and feel the solid rocket boosters detaching and can confirm it, just about a few minutes later with the external fuel tank also becoming detached. About 8 or so minutes later, the Valkyrie Space Shuttle had finally reached orbit around the Earth, the new liquid-fuel engines shutting off as it does so.
Braedey shuts down the engines, then he began to flip on some switches to orientate the shuttle. "Control from Valkyrie Shuttle. We are now in orbit, about 20 minutes from max burn into deep space."
"Confirmed, Valkyrie Shuttle." Jackson replied on the headsets. "We will confirm your time for maximum burn to the testing site."
Braedey hummed to himself as he prepped the Shuttle on its journey. He gets the harness detached and he now began to make his move around to the cargo bay. Fortunately, the cargo bay of the Shuttle had been retrofitted so it's completely pressurised and sealed. As he made his way inside, he takes a look at the experimental Spacebridge Engine. It looks like that of a nuclear reactor combined with a jet turbine, with the bright glow of Energon flowing through the machinery.
"All looks operational with the Spacebridge Engine." Braedey mused to himself as he looks on. The faint soft humming of the engine seemed to make things calm in the depths of space, Braedey now making his way back into the cockpit. "Control, this is Valkyrie. All systems are go with the Spacebridge Engine. Systems are at 100%." He reported in as he secured the hatch and locked it.
"Roger, Valkyrie. Prepare for further instructions-" The message was then garbled as static echoed out on the Comms.
"Sorry, Control. Can you repeat? All I got was static." Braedey asked, but all he got was static. "Control? Control, come in."
Before anything else could be said or done, a loud and thunderous explosion could be heard from the cargo bay, rocking the whole ship, and knocking Braedey back into one of the bulkheads. The vessel rocked violently after the explosion, the lights and gauges going haywire, flashing out of control, as an unknown glow began to emit from the shuttle. Braedey now takes a quick look at the screens, and he could see one flashing red and flashing the words 'WARNING: SPACEBRIDGE ENGINE OVERLOAD'. He can also see a massive build-up of energy coming from the engine itself, and it wasn't going down!
"Oh, scrap..." Was all Braedey could muster out before being knocked back.
Outside the ship, a bright blue glow began to engulf the entire vessel in a blue bubble of some kind. Then, the bubble seemed to burst with a blue fireball of some kind, as well as a beam of energy shooting into deep space, along with the Shuttle and its lone passenger.
"Valkyrie Shuttle from CAPCOM. Do you read me? CAPCOM to Valkyrie Shuttle, please respond. If you can hear me on this frequency, Valkyrie Shuttle, please acknowledge."
For the past five minutes, NASA has been trying to raise the Valkyrie Shuttle on the radio, but to no avail. All they heard from their side of the radio was what could've been an explosion, but then, the radio went silent, and all that's left was static. It definitely put everyone into a frenzy as they tried
"What the heck happened?" Naomi worried in panic. "Why have we lost contact?"
"I don't know!" Rex said back at her. "All we've heard was a muffled bang, and next thing I know, static. I'm trying to work on something here."
"Valkyrie Shuttle from CAPCOM. Do you read me?" Perceptor called, but yet again, no response. Only static. "CAPCOM to Valkyrie Shuttle, please respond."
"What in the heck happened to the Shuttle?" Air Rais wondered, looking at some of the screens, only to see that many of them have gone black or static. "I can't even see what happened to the ship, or know where they are."
"Keep trying." Ratchet said to Air Raid. "I'll get on the Comms with Optimus and Cybertron to see if they've heard or seen the Valkyrie Shuttle in their sector."
Jackson breathed a heavy sigh as he removed his headset, he with Jessie and Rex all walking out of the room. As they made their way outside, they could only look up at the contrail left behind by the Shuttle.
"What do you think could've happened, Jackson?" Rex now asked to the semi-retired member of the Human-Autobot Alliance.
"I don't know. I really, really don't know." Was all Jackson could reply.
'Please be safe, cousin. Wherever you might be...' Jessie pleaded mentally as she looked up at the sky. 'Please be safe...'
In the depths of space, a lone spacecraft could be seen drifting through the vast sea of darkness, the stars all around twinkling in the sea of black, the ship adrift with nobody at the controls.
It was like the vessel was devoid of life...
A/N: Here is the start of my newest book revolving my Transformatrix bearer and Star Command. There is more to come…