Transformers Prime "Broken"
Jan 12, 2013 21:06:28 GMT -8
Post by sunstar on Jan 12, 2013 21:06:28 GMT -8
Here is the prologue of the story I was talking about in the TF Prime thread. Enjoy it! I am going to keep the story on this post. I will let you know of updates by bumbing up the thread.
Cold fear gripped his spark in a tight vice as he stared at the oily black fortress rising from the Nevadan Desert. The hot sun reflected brightly off the many spires of the fortress. What looked like thousands of flies darkened the sky. Optimus Prime tensed for battle, his right hand resting on the Star Saber mounted on his back. At his side stood Arcee, her wrist blades out and glinting in the sun, Bumblebee, Smokescreen, and Bulkhead, all began charging their integrated weapons. In the distance, the black specs began to move.
“My Decepticons! Rise up and achieve victory!” Megatron raised his left arm to the sky. His right arm ended below his shoulder, courtesy of Optimus a few hours earlier. At this, the tiny black specs raced toward the waiting Autobots. Arcee leapt to take out the first vehicon to reach them. Plasma bullets from Bumblebee and Smokescreen destroyed a second vehicon while Bulkhead took out a third with his wreaking balls. Optimus drew out the Star Saber. He lowered it so its tip hovered above the ground before swinging it in a full circle to build up power. With a growl, he unleashed the power in an upward slice. Explosions spread through the sky, but it wasn’t long before the insecticons came through.
“Fall back! Into the base!” Optimus ordered.
The Autobots didn’t have to be told twice. They scrambled toward the elevator while Optimus held the Star Saber out before him. Narrowing his optics, he fed matrix energy into the sword. Spinning once, he unleashed the blast with a wide slice. While the insecticons scattered to avoid the blast, Optimus dove into the elevator, landing in a crouch. He rose. Once the elevator reached the ground floor inside the base, Optimus moved toward the space bridge controls.
“What is happening out there?” Ratchet asked, and was promptly silenced by Optimus sending him a recording of what happened outside through inter Autobot radio. He also scrambled the signal using an ancient code that even Soundwave would not be able to decode. Ratchet looked totally confused. His optics widened as the recording danced across his optics.
At that moment, the base shuddered as it was lashed with laser energy. Rubble fell from the ceiling. One of the three children, Jack, looked up only to scream as a rock fell toward him. Arcee knew she was too far away. Optimus lashed out with his left hand. Jack watched the rock fall toward him in slow motion. Blue light pierced and vaporized the rock, but Jack still got a dust shower. He shook himself, shedding dust everywhere. Raf sneezed while Miko waved the dust coming her way away from herself.
“What was that?” Arcee broke the shocked silence.
“Shield spell.” Optimus explained, “I cast it too close to the rock. Instead of shielding Jack, it vaporized the rock. It is an ancient art used by the Primes. I can’t do that very often as it eats up my energy.” Optimus looked up at the ceiling, “It is not safe here anymore. I don’t have a choice but to break Team Prime. Arcee, Jack, Bulkhead, Miko, Bumblebee, and Raphael, I am sending you to safety with your guardians.”
“Do we get to pick?” Miko asked, wincing as the base shuddered yet again, bringing down more debris. Optimus cast another shield over Raf to block a rather large rock. Optimus felt his vision sway and managed to grab onto a nearby wall to stay up. He blinked, forcing the dizziness to the back of his mind. Another spell and he would be toeing the edge of burnout, and his team did not need to deal with his comatose body while trying to escape.
“Shield spell, would that be the spell Rome used to shield Cybertron for eight days straight?” Smokescreen asked.
“Yes, Smokescreen, and no, Miko, I have already picked the locations.” Optimus opened the spacebridge, “Bumblebee, you and Raf are first.”
Thankfully there was no argument from anybody. They all got the seriousness of the situation. The three Autobots quickly gathered up their charges, transformed, and lined up before the space bridge. Bumblebee went first. Arcee was second, leaving at Optimus’s command. Bulkhead went last as he heard Optimus give the command to go. After they left, Optimus turned to the remaining two Autobots.
“We’re next, right?” Smokescreen moved toward the spacebridge.
“I am sending the two of you back to Cybertron.” Optimus held up a hand to stop the outcry he knew would come, “There isn’t much time,” the base shuddered as if it had heard, “I’m tasking you both with finding the Ark.”
“The Ark, as in the rumored secret project of Remus?” Ratchet asked.
“The very one. My grandfather was very smart. Remus knew war would come again. He decided to build the Ark as a means for our people to escape when Cybertron became compromised. Remus knew that Cybertron was going to be tainted by Dark Energon. He knew he could not change that fact; so instead, he gave his people a way to survive. Tell me, Ratchet, Where are Hound, Jazz, Prowl, and the others?” Optimus asked.
“They are stationed on Metroplex.” Ratchet trailed off, “You sent Metroplex and Fortress Maximus to Nebulon…” Optimus waited. “They are not on Metroplex, are they?”
“Correct.” Optimus nodded, “First Aid, Blitzwing, and their adopted son, Wheelie are with Metroplex. The rest of the Autobots are currently in stasis on the Ark. I know the location, but I can’t set you down there. I will set you down close by.”
The base shuddered, and light appeared where light did not normally appear. Optimus knew he was out of time. “Someone will be waiting for you! Give the code, Ultra Magnus! There is no more time! Go!”
As the base groaned, Smokescreen and Ratchet transformed faster than they ever had before in their lives. They both shot through the spacebridge as fast as their tires could carry them. Optimus closed the bridge and gripped his star saber. He channeled matrix energy into it and sent a blast into the controls with a downward slice.
Optimus’s world erupted into fire and agony worse than any he felt before. Even the Cybolic Plague did not cause pain like what he was feeling now. He was vaguely aware that he was on his back instead of his feet. Rubble fell around him. His optics flickered and dimmed. No, he had to stay conscious just a little bit longer. Altima, please get the signal. His thoughts began to fade as he felt his armor buckle under the heat. He knew Megatron had brought out the heavy weapons. Optimus finally allowed himself to relax. Ratchet and Smokescreen were going to discover his secret soon. He could only hope they would forgive him later for the deception he had pulled. Optimus felt the matrix inside of him grow warm. Altima had come through. Only then did he let himself fade into the encroaching darkness. He’d played his moves well. Now it was time for his pieces to play their moves and checkmate Megatron.
--&--
“United we stand, divided they fall!” Starscream cackled as Megatron allowed himself a rare moment of bliss. It had taken many stellar cycles to reach this moment. He would savor this moment for as long as he could.
“Well what do we have here?” Knockout’s voice broke into his thoughts as Megatron turned, “And ruin my finish, and my nails? Do you have bolts for brains, Soundwave? You do the digging!” Megatron silently moved so he could see what Knockout was going on about. His optics went wide as he took in Optimus’s arm sticking up out of the rubble. This was just too perfect.
“Knockout, dig him out. Shockwave just got the ‘supplies’ he needs.” Megatron ordered.
“But my lord! My finish!” Knockout protested, “And my manicure!”
Soundwave made the knife gesture with a tentacle. He winced when Megatron lashed out and raked his sharp nails across Knockout’s chest despite the red doctor’s scream of protest. Starscream continued to cackle over their victory, completely unaware that Megatron was nowhere near him. Knockout got busy digging after Megatron threatened to use him as a scratching post again. A couple troopers joined Knockout, and dug up Optimus. He looked like he had been cooked alive. Megatron rejoined Starscream just as he turned around to face Megatron again.
“Lord Megatron, why are you bringing your enemy into our fortress? We should dice him up and scatter him in the desert. Even Optimus shouldn’t be able to survive that.” Starscream watched as several troopers lifted Optimus up onto a stretcher provided by another trooper, “Is that wise?”
“Starscream, Optimus is no more. He is just spare parts. He is going to Shockwave for ‘supplies’, if you get my drift.” Megatron grinned maliciously, “All that is left is to locate the remaining Autobots and destroy them. They are nothing without Optimus.”
“I get your drift.” Starscream returned the grin with a dark one of his own.
--&--
Cybertron was still burning. The atmosphere was thick with tarry black smoke. Smokescreen coughed while Ratchet looked around. Dark ruins decorated the burning landscape. A sickly sweet oily smell mixed into at acrid stench of the smoke. Visibility was low. It was also freezing cold.
“D-did Optimus d-drop us o-off in t-the north t-tundra?” Smokescreen found his teeth chattering. He hopped from foot to foot and blew on his fingers to keep them warm.
“It’s not that cold.” Ratchet snapped, “You don’t know what cold is!”
“You are from the north, right?” Smokescreen stopped moving, “Let me guess, Tundra Outpost?”
“Farther north, Ice Valley Outpost.” Ratchet continued to look around before taping on his communicator, “Optimus, this is Ratchet. Do you read me?” He was greeted with silence. “Optimus, this isn’t funny.” The com continued to mock him by staying silent.
“Why is Optimus not responding?” Smokescreen looked stressed.
“I don’t know. He must be out of range. We need to get moving.” Ratchet looked around again, “Optimus come in! Why can’t I reach you, Optimus?”
“HALT!”
Smokescreen jumped as Ratchet spun toward the voice. Walking toward them was a Sparkling Feme. She sported the same red, white, and blue color scheme of Optimus. She was small, shorter than Arcee. Her helmet sported three spikes; two on the sides, and one flat one on the front of the helmet. Her armor melded into her body well. She wore a belt slung over one hip. A dagger hilt and a handheld blaster rested against her hips on her belt. Her optics was a mirror of Optimus’s own optics.
“Aren’t you a little young to be fighting in this war?” Smokescreen regretted his choice of words as he found himself staring into the business end of the Sparklings blaster.
“Is that any way to talk to your own Princess?” the Sparkling hissed.
Ratchet elbowed Smokescreen hard enough to knock him off his feet, “Smokescreen! Engage your brain!” He then knelt before the Sparkling, “Princess, long time no see.”
“She can’t be the Princess! She’s too young!” Smokescreen protested from the ground. He picked himself up off the frozen ground
“I am Princess Altima Prime, and I will extinguish your sparks if you both don’t give me a good reason for being here! This is sacred grounds, and it is my duty as a Prime to protect it!” Altima snapped, taking a fighting stance.
“We were sent here, Altima, by your father, Optimus Prime.” Ratchet explained.
“Lies!” Altima narrowed her optics, “My father could not have sent you!”
Smokescreen tensed, “Optimus did send us!”
“Altima, listen to me. Would I ever tell a lie?” Ratchet pleaded.
“Ratchet, the code word!” Smokescreen racked his brain for clues. He had been transforming when Optimus was talking. What had Optimus said?
“Code word?” Altima asked.
“Ultra Magnus!” Ratchet responded.
“Ultra Magnus.” Smokescreen added quickly.
“That is the code word.” Altima relaxed and put away her weapons. “Why has Ultra Magnus sent you?”
That caused the two mechs to look at each other.
“Ultra Magnus didn’t send us, Altima. Optimus did.” Ratchet replied, his tone confused.
“Father could not have sent you, Ratchet.” Altima explained gently, “He never left Cybertron.”
END PROLOGUE
Chapter one! Get ready for a major twist!
Megatron stared down at his new arm in appreciation. What a fitting way to dispose of his enemy. Starscream was flying the remains to Shockwave. He turned to the Star Saber, and Solus’s hammer. Solus, the great mother herself, must be turning in her grave to see a Decepticon holding her beloved hammer. He grinned as he reached for the Star Saber. It emitted a weak glow as he held it with the arm that had belonged to Optimus. Megatron took a few swings with the blade. Yes, it would do nicely as his weapon.
--&--
“What? Altima, Optimus is on Earth!” Smokescreen protested.
“I know it is hard to believe, but I have proof. You said the code word, so I know I can trust you. Have you been briefed about the Ark?” Altima asked.
“Remus’s legacy is true?” Smokescreen asked, “I heard the rumors, but how can it be true? Where would Remus hide something big enough to carry all of the Autobots and those who are on our side?”
Altima smiled, and looked down at the ground, “Remus had the shed built for a reason. Come.”
The Sparkling led the Mechs through the frozen tundra. Slowly, it began to warm up a bit as the southern horizon turned pink. Slowly, the barest tip of Cybertrons sun peaked over the edge of the horizon. They were so far north that day had no meaning. Cybertron rotated above its sun. It circled, leaving the southern hemisphere in a permanent day. There was a slight tilt in the axis which made what could be called day very short this far north. It grew cold again as the sun slid out of sight. Ratchet realized they were descending into a valley. Altima stopped on the edge of a cliff. The sun cleared the distant mountains to reveal the Ionian Desert and the twinkling city far below them. Ratchet recognized Iaccon, the city in the desert. It was still mostly intact. Altima began to walk again.
“Remus decided to build a shed on the Prime Manor grounds. The one place you failed to look is underground, my elite guardsman. The shed is merely the doorway. We have to be careful out on the desert floor. There are desert Sharkticons that travel under the sand. We have to be silent and quick.” Altima explained, “It is better to transform here.”
Soon, a white sports car, an ambulance, and a futuristic cybertronian truck rolled over the hot desert sands. Altima took the lead. She moved in a strange pattern, even making them double back a bunch of times. Finally, they reached the grounds of the Prime Manor. The Manor was a beautiful building that had been built by Zeta for his sweet and lovely Prima. Generations of Primes had been born and raised inside the Manor. Altima transformed and a Sharkticon leapt out of the sand and right into the cybertronian Princesses fist. It wobbled dazedly back to the sand and sank out of sight.
“Nice hit, princess.” Smokescreen was impressed.
“Call me Altima. I hate being called princess, even though I am one. You don’t call my Father King Optimus Prime now do you? We know our titles. We don’t need to be reminded of them every time we are addressed.” Altima smiled, “Father made sure I knew how to fight. I can hold my own against even Jetfire. We have arrived at the shed.”
The shed was small. It was painted white with a dark red trim. A single window was on the left wall. The roof was blue. The door hissed open at Altima’s touch. The inside had several gardening tools, a table in the back; several paint cans, two paint rollers and a paint brush, building supplies, and several power tools. There was a sink against one wall. The interior smelled musty and a single bare bulb provided light.
“Altima?” Ratchet looked confused. It was no secret that Remus was an avid gardener.
“There is more than meets the eye here.” Altima walked over to the sink and turned the knobs a certain way. Smokescreen yelped; the floor he was standing on sliding back under his feet. He leapt aside to land on what he hoped was solid floor.
“Altima!” He gasped, “Some warning would have been nice!”
“That is a lift.” Altima walked over to stand on the metal lift. The Mechs joined her. The lift wobbled a little as it sunk down into the darkness. Minutes passed as the lift descended. Overhead, the floor hissed back into place. They reached the bottom of the shaft and stepped off the lift.
Ratchet’s jaw dropped. Smokescreen gasped in amazement. They were inside a huge underground cavern. Many differently colored crystals embedded the walls, each of them giving off light. Strings of bright work lights hung on the ceiling. A massive golden horseshoe shaped ship dominating the space. Five massive engines powered the ship. Windows lined the curved hull. A door opened on the side of the hull to reveal a metal T-Rex. It lumbered down the steps toward Altima, its tail wagging. Altima reached up and scratched the offered nose. The T-Rex sighed in pleasure.
“Hello, Grimlock.” Altima greeted.
Grimlock reached out to sniff Ratchet and Smokescreen, “We trust, Altima?”
“Yes, we can trust them. They gave me the code word. Come, I will explain everything inside the Ark.” Altima and Grimlock led the way into the Ark. “This way.” Altima led them to a long hallway filled with pods, “My Father has been moving Autobots here. As you can see, almost everyone is here.”
Smokescreen walked down the rows of pods, “Ironhide, Prowl, Jazz, Hound, Jetfire, Cosmos, Powerglide, Seaspray, Windcharger, Kup, Springer, Bluestreak, Sunstreaker, Blurr, Hot Rod, Hot Shot, Hotspot, Chromia, Moonracer, Firestar, Elita-1, Huffer, Gears, Red Alert, Drift, Preceptor, Silverbolt, Firelight, Air Raid, Afterburner, Brawn, Broadside, Bumper, Beachcomber, Blaster, Blades, Chase, Heatwave, Boulder, Cloudraker, Fastlane, Countdown, Punch, Crosshairs, Streetwise, Groove, Scattershot, Lightspeed, Nosecone, Strafe, Devcon, Downshift, Firebolt, Fireflight, Slingshot, Skydive, Playback, Rewind, Eject, Ramhorn, Steeljaw, Flareup, Flash, Glyph, Hardhead, Gripper, and Duros, This is only a third of the army. Where is everyone else, like Inferno, and Gears?”
“There are two other hallways like this. Come, there is one more thing I want you to see.” Altima walked toward a door with a medical sign on it. Ratchet knew that behind that door was the sick bay. What could be in there that Altima wanted to show them?
She led them through the door and to a pod filled with energon. Ratchet knew that only the most critical of cases were kept in this way so they could heal. He crept closer to the pod, dreading what he would see. What he saw, he was not prepared for at all. He staggered backward, strong hands guiding him to the edge of a berth where he sat down. His mind spun.
“How did Optimus beat us here? What happened to him?” Ratchet asked.
Smokescreen looked next, and wished he had not looked at all. That image he knew would haunt him forever. Inside the pod rested the ruin that was once Optimus Prime. Both of his legs were gone. His right arm was gone, and his left arm was mangled. His torso looked as if it had been twisted haphazardly. Much of his armor had been burned away, exposing critical circuitry. His spark chamber had been torn open; the spark itself had many wires coming out of it to connect to several machines. Ratchet knew those machines. Optimus was totally dependent on life support. There was a machine reading brain waves, which spiked when Altima came to the pod. She smiled softly, her hand resting on the pod.
“You see, Father could not leave Cybertron, even if he really wanted to.” Altima said.
“What about our Optimus, the guy we have been following?” Smokescreen asked, joining Ratchet on the berth. Ratchet looked up, waiting for answers.
“That was Ultra Magnus.” Altima explained, “Father knew that if he left Cybertron, Megatron would follow. Before he could leave, Shockwave captured him. Ultra Magnus, Hot Rod, and Firebolt got him back but there was a bomb planted in him. Preceptor tried to remove the bomb, but it detonated, leaving him like this. Ultra Magnus decided to fool Megatron into thinking he was Optimus, and it worked. Kup tattooed the mark of the primes on Ultra’s left cheek, while Preceptor transplanted half of Optimus’s spark into him, granting him the power of the primes. They are identical twins. Ultra knew he could not tell a single soul who he really was. He could not risk it because if Megatron found out, the Ark would be a sitting duck. I have Grimlock and Paddles watching over me.”
Ratchet knew his mouth was moving but no sound came out. Smokescreen was stunned. The Elite Guardsman fled from sickbay. Ratchet knew Ultra Magnus could act, and he was pretty sure he would have known the difference between the twins, but how did he miss it? His scans had all matched up with older scans, so how did Ultra manage to fool him so well? The twins did have differences in their scans. Optimus had been born with a deformity in his T-Cog, making transforming painful and difficult. Ratchet remembered the many surgeries he had done on Optimus’s T-Cog to help it function the way it should. Why had he not realized something was up with how easily Optimus was transforming?
Smokescreen curled up by the pod containing Prowl, his brother. They were twins, each with half a normal spark. This didn’t really mean anything health wise as you could live a healthy and full life with half a spark. It did mean that physical activity had to be limited until your half spark could adapt to the workout being requested of it. Smokescreen and Sunstreaker had to deal with physical therapy while growing up so their sparks would be ready for their adult lives. The brothers had always been close.
“Prowl, I know you can’t hear me, but I’m going to talk anyway. I just had a major bombshell dropped on me. I was on Earth under the command of Optimus and well, I found out that Optimus is really Ultra Magnus. The real Optimus got blown up and is here on Cybertron. I’m not sure how I feel right now.” Smokescreen looked up as the sound of boot steps reached his audio sensors. Paddles rounded the corner.
“Don’t mind me. I am just doing my rounds.” Paddles smiled, “You are?”
“I’m Smokescreen, and I am his twin brother. Are you Paddles?” Smokescreen asked.
“I am. You will notice that I don’t speak like the other Dinobots. I worked with Altima to improve my speech. You found out about Ultra and Optimus, did you?” Paddles adjusted a monitor, “Good, this hall is all in the green.”
“I did, and I don’t know how I should feel.” Smokescreen looked down.
“Well, what are you feeling?” Paddles sat down next to Smokescreen.
“I’m hurt and sad. Why couldn’t Optimus trust us with something like this?”
“Ask yourself this. What then should Megatron find out?”
“He would not be happy.”
“What do you think he would do?”
“He would try to capture us and torture the answer out of us. Then he would return to Cybertron and find the real Optimus.”
“Do you understand why the twins did what they did?”
“I do now. I still feel hurt, though.”
“You are not happy about it even though you understand. I get that. I have to go tend to Optimus. You know where I am if you need to talk.” Paddles rose and walked away.
--&--
His optics felt like lead. He forced them open and glanced around. As things came into focus, he began to worry. This was not Ratchets sickbay. This was also not the base on Earth. This was not Earth for that matter. This was Cybertron. This was not the sickbay on the Ark ether. Just where was he?
“Nice to see you’ve joined the living world, Optimus, or should I say, Ultra Magnus?” There was no mistaking that voice, or that purple mech with the single eye for that matter.
“So I have been found out.” Ultra Magnus sighed, “What do you plan on doing to me? Even your cortic patch won’t help you.”
“I have something else planned for you.” Shockwave hissed.
“Shockwave, delta codex 427!” Ultra called out.
Shockwave twitched spasmodically as he collapsed to the ground, fighting the invasive programing. Ultra quickly began to work at his bonds. He quickly realized his left arm was gone. No time to worry about that now must focus on escape. Shockwave tried to scream, but it came out like a strangled mew. Ultra got one leg free. He twisted his head down to the bond around his wrist and began to chew as fast as he could. After losing two teeth, he ripped his hand free, and nearly beamed himself with his own arm. Shockwave gurgled, panting wetly. Ultra worked his other leg free and took off, knowing that any minute, Shockwave would override the invasive programing and give chase. He made it to the door, which was locked. Turning quickly, Ultra found no other doors.
Shockwave regained control long enough to raise his arm and fire a dart. It buried itself into Ultra’s right thigh. For Ultra, it felt like fire spreading through his body. He gasped sharply, pulling the dart out of his thigh and staggering toward the rising shockwave. He used his momentum as he fell to shove the dart into Shockwaves neck. Shockwave folded like a deck of cards. They both lay on the floor, panting as the drug took effect.
“So, what was in that dart of yours, Shockwave?” Ultra asked.
“It is a paralyzer. I learned my lesson after the swarm incident to carry a few darts filled with it. You do realize it is going to wear off me before it wears off you. When it wears off me, I am going to dismember you.” Shockwave glared at Ultra Magnus.
“Sadly, you got the entire dose, Shockwave.” Ultra rose, “It didn’t release when you got me in the leg.”
“You buff, Magnus.” Shockwave replied, “It did release.”
Ultra staggered toward the door, “I may have gotten a little bit into my system, but I did claim your key as I fell.” He unlocked the door. Outside, Ultra looked around. Kaon spread out around him. He stumbled along a few feet before falling. Someone charged toward him. Looking behind him, Ultra recognized the drone as one of Shockwaves. He sighed in defeat. It gathered him up and brought him back inside the lab. He was strapped down to a table. The drone then added chains and covered the whole strap with a thick metal cuff. There was going to be no more breaking free. Shockwave staggered into the room. He almost went down twice but he made it to the table.
“My logic that you couldn’t escape was flawed. I made adjustments to my logic, and now you are going to pay for your attempt at an escape.” Shockwave hit the floor, “That is after the paralyzer wears off on me.”
Ultra smirked, “I did not plan to escape, only to get out for a few moments, Shockwave.”
“You were not out long enough to do anything. Any signals you tried to send will not make it far. Kaon can’t communicate with the outside world because I am jamming all communications.” Shockwave replied.
“There is one signal you can never jam.” Ultra grinned.
--&--
Inside the Arks sickbay, tones sounded off. Paddles turned as Altima looked up.
“What is going on, Paddles?” Altima asked.
“Optimus is stable. His brain activity is spiking.” Paddles checked her many machines.
“Wait, Father’s hand is moving! He’s finger spelling something! U, l, t, r, a, t, r, o, u, b, l, e, S, h, o, c, k, w, a, v, e, K, a, o, n. I got it! Ultra Magnus is in trouble by Shockwave at Kaon! We have to save him!”
“I’ll stay here. I can’t leave Optimus or the others unattended.” Paddles replied, “Take Grimlock and the other Dinobots with you.”
“I’ll take Smokescreen with me too.” Altima left for her war room. It wasn’t long before the Dinobots and Smokescreen entered the room. They all took seats around the table where Altima had spread out a map of Kaon.
“What is up?” Smokescreen asked.
“A rescue mission.” Altima said, “I have received word that Ultra Magnus is in trouble. He is here in Kaon, most likely inside Shockwaves lab, which is over here. We will take a shuttle to here, outside Kaon.”
“Me, Swoop, say not land there. Land here, behind hills. Lab close by here.” Swoop traced his route with a wing.
“Good optic, Swoop. We come in there, and it is a short walk to the lab. The next step is getting by security. Shockwave has Reflector and a drone. Reflector can clone himself so he will not be easy to deal with. We will also have to deal with Shockwave too. Grimlock, Shockwave is yours. Swoop, you deal with the drone as you can fly. The rest of you are on Reflector detail. I, being the smallest, will find and set my uncle free.”
“Me, Sludge, say that wise, Altima? We lose you, no dynasty.” Sludge said.
“Does anyone have any other ideas?” Altima asked.
“Paddles to Altima, Optimus is in tachycardia, and he’s not responding to treatment!” the com went off.
“We’ll talk later!” Altima took off with Smokescreen behind her. They rushed into sickbay. The first thing to hit them was the sound of the spark monitors rapid tone and siren alarm. Paddles was squeezing a bag of fluid in a desperate attempt to get the medication to flow faster. Altima rushed to the pod.
“I’m here, Father. Easy, easy does it. I’m here.” Altima soothed as she looked into the pod.
“Altima, I’ve started the awakening procedure on your mother, Elita. Optimus is deteriorating. I am so sorry.” Paddles replied.
“No, no!” Altima’s head snapped up, “No, I am not losing my father! I am far too young for the role I’ve been forced into!”
“Altima?” Smokescreen crept closer to the princess.
“You stay away!” Altima growled.
Smokescreen scrambled backward, “I’m sorry, Altima!”
--&--
Arcee stared at the night sky. She was feeling a strange sense of sadness. She didn’t understand why she felt this way. Jack stood nearby, watching her stare down the stars.
“Optimus, where ever you are, don’t leave us. We all need you now more than ever. Take from us if you must, but don’t leave. Altima is far too young for the role she is forced to play. You can’t expect a 13 year old to become the Prime.” The blue feme whispered softly.
“You want to talk?” Jack asked.
“Optimus is dying, Jack. They say that when a Prime dies, every transformer everywhere feels the passing.” Arcee looked down at Jack, “Megatron has won.”
Has Megatron really won? find out next time right here on Broken!
Cold fear gripped his spark in a tight vice as he stared at the oily black fortress rising from the Nevadan Desert. The hot sun reflected brightly off the many spires of the fortress. What looked like thousands of flies darkened the sky. Optimus Prime tensed for battle, his right hand resting on the Star Saber mounted on his back. At his side stood Arcee, her wrist blades out and glinting in the sun, Bumblebee, Smokescreen, and Bulkhead, all began charging their integrated weapons. In the distance, the black specs began to move.
“My Decepticons! Rise up and achieve victory!” Megatron raised his left arm to the sky. His right arm ended below his shoulder, courtesy of Optimus a few hours earlier. At this, the tiny black specs raced toward the waiting Autobots. Arcee leapt to take out the first vehicon to reach them. Plasma bullets from Bumblebee and Smokescreen destroyed a second vehicon while Bulkhead took out a third with his wreaking balls. Optimus drew out the Star Saber. He lowered it so its tip hovered above the ground before swinging it in a full circle to build up power. With a growl, he unleashed the power in an upward slice. Explosions spread through the sky, but it wasn’t long before the insecticons came through.
“Fall back! Into the base!” Optimus ordered.
The Autobots didn’t have to be told twice. They scrambled toward the elevator while Optimus held the Star Saber out before him. Narrowing his optics, he fed matrix energy into the sword. Spinning once, he unleashed the blast with a wide slice. While the insecticons scattered to avoid the blast, Optimus dove into the elevator, landing in a crouch. He rose. Once the elevator reached the ground floor inside the base, Optimus moved toward the space bridge controls.
“What is happening out there?” Ratchet asked, and was promptly silenced by Optimus sending him a recording of what happened outside through inter Autobot radio. He also scrambled the signal using an ancient code that even Soundwave would not be able to decode. Ratchet looked totally confused. His optics widened as the recording danced across his optics.
At that moment, the base shuddered as it was lashed with laser energy. Rubble fell from the ceiling. One of the three children, Jack, looked up only to scream as a rock fell toward him. Arcee knew she was too far away. Optimus lashed out with his left hand. Jack watched the rock fall toward him in slow motion. Blue light pierced and vaporized the rock, but Jack still got a dust shower. He shook himself, shedding dust everywhere. Raf sneezed while Miko waved the dust coming her way away from herself.
“What was that?” Arcee broke the shocked silence.
“Shield spell.” Optimus explained, “I cast it too close to the rock. Instead of shielding Jack, it vaporized the rock. It is an ancient art used by the Primes. I can’t do that very often as it eats up my energy.” Optimus looked up at the ceiling, “It is not safe here anymore. I don’t have a choice but to break Team Prime. Arcee, Jack, Bulkhead, Miko, Bumblebee, and Raphael, I am sending you to safety with your guardians.”
“Do we get to pick?” Miko asked, wincing as the base shuddered yet again, bringing down more debris. Optimus cast another shield over Raf to block a rather large rock. Optimus felt his vision sway and managed to grab onto a nearby wall to stay up. He blinked, forcing the dizziness to the back of his mind. Another spell and he would be toeing the edge of burnout, and his team did not need to deal with his comatose body while trying to escape.
“Shield spell, would that be the spell Rome used to shield Cybertron for eight days straight?” Smokescreen asked.
“Yes, Smokescreen, and no, Miko, I have already picked the locations.” Optimus opened the spacebridge, “Bumblebee, you and Raf are first.”
Thankfully there was no argument from anybody. They all got the seriousness of the situation. The three Autobots quickly gathered up their charges, transformed, and lined up before the space bridge. Bumblebee went first. Arcee was second, leaving at Optimus’s command. Bulkhead went last as he heard Optimus give the command to go. After they left, Optimus turned to the remaining two Autobots.
“We’re next, right?” Smokescreen moved toward the spacebridge.
“I am sending the two of you back to Cybertron.” Optimus held up a hand to stop the outcry he knew would come, “There isn’t much time,” the base shuddered as if it had heard, “I’m tasking you both with finding the Ark.”
“The Ark, as in the rumored secret project of Remus?” Ratchet asked.
“The very one. My grandfather was very smart. Remus knew war would come again. He decided to build the Ark as a means for our people to escape when Cybertron became compromised. Remus knew that Cybertron was going to be tainted by Dark Energon. He knew he could not change that fact; so instead, he gave his people a way to survive. Tell me, Ratchet, Where are Hound, Jazz, Prowl, and the others?” Optimus asked.
“They are stationed on Metroplex.” Ratchet trailed off, “You sent Metroplex and Fortress Maximus to Nebulon…” Optimus waited. “They are not on Metroplex, are they?”
“Correct.” Optimus nodded, “First Aid, Blitzwing, and their adopted son, Wheelie are with Metroplex. The rest of the Autobots are currently in stasis on the Ark. I know the location, but I can’t set you down there. I will set you down close by.”
The base shuddered, and light appeared where light did not normally appear. Optimus knew he was out of time. “Someone will be waiting for you! Give the code, Ultra Magnus! There is no more time! Go!”
As the base groaned, Smokescreen and Ratchet transformed faster than they ever had before in their lives. They both shot through the spacebridge as fast as their tires could carry them. Optimus closed the bridge and gripped his star saber. He channeled matrix energy into it and sent a blast into the controls with a downward slice.
Optimus’s world erupted into fire and agony worse than any he felt before. Even the Cybolic Plague did not cause pain like what he was feeling now. He was vaguely aware that he was on his back instead of his feet. Rubble fell around him. His optics flickered and dimmed. No, he had to stay conscious just a little bit longer. Altima, please get the signal. His thoughts began to fade as he felt his armor buckle under the heat. He knew Megatron had brought out the heavy weapons. Optimus finally allowed himself to relax. Ratchet and Smokescreen were going to discover his secret soon. He could only hope they would forgive him later for the deception he had pulled. Optimus felt the matrix inside of him grow warm. Altima had come through. Only then did he let himself fade into the encroaching darkness. He’d played his moves well. Now it was time for his pieces to play their moves and checkmate Megatron.
--&--
“United we stand, divided they fall!” Starscream cackled as Megatron allowed himself a rare moment of bliss. It had taken many stellar cycles to reach this moment. He would savor this moment for as long as he could.
“Well what do we have here?” Knockout’s voice broke into his thoughts as Megatron turned, “And ruin my finish, and my nails? Do you have bolts for brains, Soundwave? You do the digging!” Megatron silently moved so he could see what Knockout was going on about. His optics went wide as he took in Optimus’s arm sticking up out of the rubble. This was just too perfect.
“Knockout, dig him out. Shockwave just got the ‘supplies’ he needs.” Megatron ordered.
“But my lord! My finish!” Knockout protested, “And my manicure!”
Soundwave made the knife gesture with a tentacle. He winced when Megatron lashed out and raked his sharp nails across Knockout’s chest despite the red doctor’s scream of protest. Starscream continued to cackle over their victory, completely unaware that Megatron was nowhere near him. Knockout got busy digging after Megatron threatened to use him as a scratching post again. A couple troopers joined Knockout, and dug up Optimus. He looked like he had been cooked alive. Megatron rejoined Starscream just as he turned around to face Megatron again.
“Lord Megatron, why are you bringing your enemy into our fortress? We should dice him up and scatter him in the desert. Even Optimus shouldn’t be able to survive that.” Starscream watched as several troopers lifted Optimus up onto a stretcher provided by another trooper, “Is that wise?”
“Starscream, Optimus is no more. He is just spare parts. He is going to Shockwave for ‘supplies’, if you get my drift.” Megatron grinned maliciously, “All that is left is to locate the remaining Autobots and destroy them. They are nothing without Optimus.”
“I get your drift.” Starscream returned the grin with a dark one of his own.
--&--
Cybertron was still burning. The atmosphere was thick with tarry black smoke. Smokescreen coughed while Ratchet looked around. Dark ruins decorated the burning landscape. A sickly sweet oily smell mixed into at acrid stench of the smoke. Visibility was low. It was also freezing cold.
“D-did Optimus d-drop us o-off in t-the north t-tundra?” Smokescreen found his teeth chattering. He hopped from foot to foot and blew on his fingers to keep them warm.
“It’s not that cold.” Ratchet snapped, “You don’t know what cold is!”
“You are from the north, right?” Smokescreen stopped moving, “Let me guess, Tundra Outpost?”
“Farther north, Ice Valley Outpost.” Ratchet continued to look around before taping on his communicator, “Optimus, this is Ratchet. Do you read me?” He was greeted with silence. “Optimus, this isn’t funny.” The com continued to mock him by staying silent.
“Why is Optimus not responding?” Smokescreen looked stressed.
“I don’t know. He must be out of range. We need to get moving.” Ratchet looked around again, “Optimus come in! Why can’t I reach you, Optimus?”
“HALT!”
Smokescreen jumped as Ratchet spun toward the voice. Walking toward them was a Sparkling Feme. She sported the same red, white, and blue color scheme of Optimus. She was small, shorter than Arcee. Her helmet sported three spikes; two on the sides, and one flat one on the front of the helmet. Her armor melded into her body well. She wore a belt slung over one hip. A dagger hilt and a handheld blaster rested against her hips on her belt. Her optics was a mirror of Optimus’s own optics.
“Aren’t you a little young to be fighting in this war?” Smokescreen regretted his choice of words as he found himself staring into the business end of the Sparklings blaster.
“Is that any way to talk to your own Princess?” the Sparkling hissed.
Ratchet elbowed Smokescreen hard enough to knock him off his feet, “Smokescreen! Engage your brain!” He then knelt before the Sparkling, “Princess, long time no see.”
“She can’t be the Princess! She’s too young!” Smokescreen protested from the ground. He picked himself up off the frozen ground
“I am Princess Altima Prime, and I will extinguish your sparks if you both don’t give me a good reason for being here! This is sacred grounds, and it is my duty as a Prime to protect it!” Altima snapped, taking a fighting stance.
“We were sent here, Altima, by your father, Optimus Prime.” Ratchet explained.
“Lies!” Altima narrowed her optics, “My father could not have sent you!”
Smokescreen tensed, “Optimus did send us!”
“Altima, listen to me. Would I ever tell a lie?” Ratchet pleaded.
“Ratchet, the code word!” Smokescreen racked his brain for clues. He had been transforming when Optimus was talking. What had Optimus said?
“Code word?” Altima asked.
“Ultra Magnus!” Ratchet responded.
“Ultra Magnus.” Smokescreen added quickly.
“That is the code word.” Altima relaxed and put away her weapons. “Why has Ultra Magnus sent you?”
That caused the two mechs to look at each other.
“Ultra Magnus didn’t send us, Altima. Optimus did.” Ratchet replied, his tone confused.
“Father could not have sent you, Ratchet.” Altima explained gently, “He never left Cybertron.”
END PROLOGUE
Chapter one! Get ready for a major twist!
Megatron stared down at his new arm in appreciation. What a fitting way to dispose of his enemy. Starscream was flying the remains to Shockwave. He turned to the Star Saber, and Solus’s hammer. Solus, the great mother herself, must be turning in her grave to see a Decepticon holding her beloved hammer. He grinned as he reached for the Star Saber. It emitted a weak glow as he held it with the arm that had belonged to Optimus. Megatron took a few swings with the blade. Yes, it would do nicely as his weapon.
--&--
“What? Altima, Optimus is on Earth!” Smokescreen protested.
“I know it is hard to believe, but I have proof. You said the code word, so I know I can trust you. Have you been briefed about the Ark?” Altima asked.
“Remus’s legacy is true?” Smokescreen asked, “I heard the rumors, but how can it be true? Where would Remus hide something big enough to carry all of the Autobots and those who are on our side?”
Altima smiled, and looked down at the ground, “Remus had the shed built for a reason. Come.”
The Sparkling led the Mechs through the frozen tundra. Slowly, it began to warm up a bit as the southern horizon turned pink. Slowly, the barest tip of Cybertrons sun peaked over the edge of the horizon. They were so far north that day had no meaning. Cybertron rotated above its sun. It circled, leaving the southern hemisphere in a permanent day. There was a slight tilt in the axis which made what could be called day very short this far north. It grew cold again as the sun slid out of sight. Ratchet realized they were descending into a valley. Altima stopped on the edge of a cliff. The sun cleared the distant mountains to reveal the Ionian Desert and the twinkling city far below them. Ratchet recognized Iaccon, the city in the desert. It was still mostly intact. Altima began to walk again.
“Remus decided to build a shed on the Prime Manor grounds. The one place you failed to look is underground, my elite guardsman. The shed is merely the doorway. We have to be careful out on the desert floor. There are desert Sharkticons that travel under the sand. We have to be silent and quick.” Altima explained, “It is better to transform here.”
Soon, a white sports car, an ambulance, and a futuristic cybertronian truck rolled over the hot desert sands. Altima took the lead. She moved in a strange pattern, even making them double back a bunch of times. Finally, they reached the grounds of the Prime Manor. The Manor was a beautiful building that had been built by Zeta for his sweet and lovely Prima. Generations of Primes had been born and raised inside the Manor. Altima transformed and a Sharkticon leapt out of the sand and right into the cybertronian Princesses fist. It wobbled dazedly back to the sand and sank out of sight.
“Nice hit, princess.” Smokescreen was impressed.
“Call me Altima. I hate being called princess, even though I am one. You don’t call my Father King Optimus Prime now do you? We know our titles. We don’t need to be reminded of them every time we are addressed.” Altima smiled, “Father made sure I knew how to fight. I can hold my own against even Jetfire. We have arrived at the shed.”
The shed was small. It was painted white with a dark red trim. A single window was on the left wall. The roof was blue. The door hissed open at Altima’s touch. The inside had several gardening tools, a table in the back; several paint cans, two paint rollers and a paint brush, building supplies, and several power tools. There was a sink against one wall. The interior smelled musty and a single bare bulb provided light.
“Altima?” Ratchet looked confused. It was no secret that Remus was an avid gardener.
“There is more than meets the eye here.” Altima walked over to the sink and turned the knobs a certain way. Smokescreen yelped; the floor he was standing on sliding back under his feet. He leapt aside to land on what he hoped was solid floor.
“Altima!” He gasped, “Some warning would have been nice!”
“That is a lift.” Altima walked over to stand on the metal lift. The Mechs joined her. The lift wobbled a little as it sunk down into the darkness. Minutes passed as the lift descended. Overhead, the floor hissed back into place. They reached the bottom of the shaft and stepped off the lift.
Ratchet’s jaw dropped. Smokescreen gasped in amazement. They were inside a huge underground cavern. Many differently colored crystals embedded the walls, each of them giving off light. Strings of bright work lights hung on the ceiling. A massive golden horseshoe shaped ship dominating the space. Five massive engines powered the ship. Windows lined the curved hull. A door opened on the side of the hull to reveal a metal T-Rex. It lumbered down the steps toward Altima, its tail wagging. Altima reached up and scratched the offered nose. The T-Rex sighed in pleasure.
“Hello, Grimlock.” Altima greeted.
Grimlock reached out to sniff Ratchet and Smokescreen, “We trust, Altima?”
“Yes, we can trust them. They gave me the code word. Come, I will explain everything inside the Ark.” Altima and Grimlock led the way into the Ark. “This way.” Altima led them to a long hallway filled with pods, “My Father has been moving Autobots here. As you can see, almost everyone is here.”
Smokescreen walked down the rows of pods, “Ironhide, Prowl, Jazz, Hound, Jetfire, Cosmos, Powerglide, Seaspray, Windcharger, Kup, Springer, Bluestreak, Sunstreaker, Blurr, Hot Rod, Hot Shot, Hotspot, Chromia, Moonracer, Firestar, Elita-1, Huffer, Gears, Red Alert, Drift, Preceptor, Silverbolt, Firelight, Air Raid, Afterburner, Brawn, Broadside, Bumper, Beachcomber, Blaster, Blades, Chase, Heatwave, Boulder, Cloudraker, Fastlane, Countdown, Punch, Crosshairs, Streetwise, Groove, Scattershot, Lightspeed, Nosecone, Strafe, Devcon, Downshift, Firebolt, Fireflight, Slingshot, Skydive, Playback, Rewind, Eject, Ramhorn, Steeljaw, Flareup, Flash, Glyph, Hardhead, Gripper, and Duros, This is only a third of the army. Where is everyone else, like Inferno, and Gears?”
“There are two other hallways like this. Come, there is one more thing I want you to see.” Altima walked toward a door with a medical sign on it. Ratchet knew that behind that door was the sick bay. What could be in there that Altima wanted to show them?
She led them through the door and to a pod filled with energon. Ratchet knew that only the most critical of cases were kept in this way so they could heal. He crept closer to the pod, dreading what he would see. What he saw, he was not prepared for at all. He staggered backward, strong hands guiding him to the edge of a berth where he sat down. His mind spun.
“How did Optimus beat us here? What happened to him?” Ratchet asked.
Smokescreen looked next, and wished he had not looked at all. That image he knew would haunt him forever. Inside the pod rested the ruin that was once Optimus Prime. Both of his legs were gone. His right arm was gone, and his left arm was mangled. His torso looked as if it had been twisted haphazardly. Much of his armor had been burned away, exposing critical circuitry. His spark chamber had been torn open; the spark itself had many wires coming out of it to connect to several machines. Ratchet knew those machines. Optimus was totally dependent on life support. There was a machine reading brain waves, which spiked when Altima came to the pod. She smiled softly, her hand resting on the pod.
“You see, Father could not leave Cybertron, even if he really wanted to.” Altima said.
“What about our Optimus, the guy we have been following?” Smokescreen asked, joining Ratchet on the berth. Ratchet looked up, waiting for answers.
“That was Ultra Magnus.” Altima explained, “Father knew that if he left Cybertron, Megatron would follow. Before he could leave, Shockwave captured him. Ultra Magnus, Hot Rod, and Firebolt got him back but there was a bomb planted in him. Preceptor tried to remove the bomb, but it detonated, leaving him like this. Ultra Magnus decided to fool Megatron into thinking he was Optimus, and it worked. Kup tattooed the mark of the primes on Ultra’s left cheek, while Preceptor transplanted half of Optimus’s spark into him, granting him the power of the primes. They are identical twins. Ultra knew he could not tell a single soul who he really was. He could not risk it because if Megatron found out, the Ark would be a sitting duck. I have Grimlock and Paddles watching over me.”
Ratchet knew his mouth was moving but no sound came out. Smokescreen was stunned. The Elite Guardsman fled from sickbay. Ratchet knew Ultra Magnus could act, and he was pretty sure he would have known the difference between the twins, but how did he miss it? His scans had all matched up with older scans, so how did Ultra manage to fool him so well? The twins did have differences in their scans. Optimus had been born with a deformity in his T-Cog, making transforming painful and difficult. Ratchet remembered the many surgeries he had done on Optimus’s T-Cog to help it function the way it should. Why had he not realized something was up with how easily Optimus was transforming?
Smokescreen curled up by the pod containing Prowl, his brother. They were twins, each with half a normal spark. This didn’t really mean anything health wise as you could live a healthy and full life with half a spark. It did mean that physical activity had to be limited until your half spark could adapt to the workout being requested of it. Smokescreen and Sunstreaker had to deal with physical therapy while growing up so their sparks would be ready for their adult lives. The brothers had always been close.
“Prowl, I know you can’t hear me, but I’m going to talk anyway. I just had a major bombshell dropped on me. I was on Earth under the command of Optimus and well, I found out that Optimus is really Ultra Magnus. The real Optimus got blown up and is here on Cybertron. I’m not sure how I feel right now.” Smokescreen looked up as the sound of boot steps reached his audio sensors. Paddles rounded the corner.
“Don’t mind me. I am just doing my rounds.” Paddles smiled, “You are?”
“I’m Smokescreen, and I am his twin brother. Are you Paddles?” Smokescreen asked.
“I am. You will notice that I don’t speak like the other Dinobots. I worked with Altima to improve my speech. You found out about Ultra and Optimus, did you?” Paddles adjusted a monitor, “Good, this hall is all in the green.”
“I did, and I don’t know how I should feel.” Smokescreen looked down.
“Well, what are you feeling?” Paddles sat down next to Smokescreen.
“I’m hurt and sad. Why couldn’t Optimus trust us with something like this?”
“Ask yourself this. What then should Megatron find out?”
“He would not be happy.”
“What do you think he would do?”
“He would try to capture us and torture the answer out of us. Then he would return to Cybertron and find the real Optimus.”
“Do you understand why the twins did what they did?”
“I do now. I still feel hurt, though.”
“You are not happy about it even though you understand. I get that. I have to go tend to Optimus. You know where I am if you need to talk.” Paddles rose and walked away.
--&--
His optics felt like lead. He forced them open and glanced around. As things came into focus, he began to worry. This was not Ratchets sickbay. This was also not the base on Earth. This was not Earth for that matter. This was Cybertron. This was not the sickbay on the Ark ether. Just where was he?
“Nice to see you’ve joined the living world, Optimus, or should I say, Ultra Magnus?” There was no mistaking that voice, or that purple mech with the single eye for that matter.
“So I have been found out.” Ultra Magnus sighed, “What do you plan on doing to me? Even your cortic patch won’t help you.”
“I have something else planned for you.” Shockwave hissed.
“Shockwave, delta codex 427!” Ultra called out.
Shockwave twitched spasmodically as he collapsed to the ground, fighting the invasive programing. Ultra quickly began to work at his bonds. He quickly realized his left arm was gone. No time to worry about that now must focus on escape. Shockwave tried to scream, but it came out like a strangled mew. Ultra got one leg free. He twisted his head down to the bond around his wrist and began to chew as fast as he could. After losing two teeth, he ripped his hand free, and nearly beamed himself with his own arm. Shockwave gurgled, panting wetly. Ultra worked his other leg free and took off, knowing that any minute, Shockwave would override the invasive programing and give chase. He made it to the door, which was locked. Turning quickly, Ultra found no other doors.
Shockwave regained control long enough to raise his arm and fire a dart. It buried itself into Ultra’s right thigh. For Ultra, it felt like fire spreading through his body. He gasped sharply, pulling the dart out of his thigh and staggering toward the rising shockwave. He used his momentum as he fell to shove the dart into Shockwaves neck. Shockwave folded like a deck of cards. They both lay on the floor, panting as the drug took effect.
“So, what was in that dart of yours, Shockwave?” Ultra asked.
“It is a paralyzer. I learned my lesson after the swarm incident to carry a few darts filled with it. You do realize it is going to wear off me before it wears off you. When it wears off me, I am going to dismember you.” Shockwave glared at Ultra Magnus.
“Sadly, you got the entire dose, Shockwave.” Ultra rose, “It didn’t release when you got me in the leg.”
“You buff, Magnus.” Shockwave replied, “It did release.”
Ultra staggered toward the door, “I may have gotten a little bit into my system, but I did claim your key as I fell.” He unlocked the door. Outside, Ultra looked around. Kaon spread out around him. He stumbled along a few feet before falling. Someone charged toward him. Looking behind him, Ultra recognized the drone as one of Shockwaves. He sighed in defeat. It gathered him up and brought him back inside the lab. He was strapped down to a table. The drone then added chains and covered the whole strap with a thick metal cuff. There was going to be no more breaking free. Shockwave staggered into the room. He almost went down twice but he made it to the table.
“My logic that you couldn’t escape was flawed. I made adjustments to my logic, and now you are going to pay for your attempt at an escape.” Shockwave hit the floor, “That is after the paralyzer wears off on me.”
Ultra smirked, “I did not plan to escape, only to get out for a few moments, Shockwave.”
“You were not out long enough to do anything. Any signals you tried to send will not make it far. Kaon can’t communicate with the outside world because I am jamming all communications.” Shockwave replied.
“There is one signal you can never jam.” Ultra grinned.
--&--
Inside the Arks sickbay, tones sounded off. Paddles turned as Altima looked up.
“What is going on, Paddles?” Altima asked.
“Optimus is stable. His brain activity is spiking.” Paddles checked her many machines.
“Wait, Father’s hand is moving! He’s finger spelling something! U, l, t, r, a, t, r, o, u, b, l, e, S, h, o, c, k, w, a, v, e, K, a, o, n. I got it! Ultra Magnus is in trouble by Shockwave at Kaon! We have to save him!”
“I’ll stay here. I can’t leave Optimus or the others unattended.” Paddles replied, “Take Grimlock and the other Dinobots with you.”
“I’ll take Smokescreen with me too.” Altima left for her war room. It wasn’t long before the Dinobots and Smokescreen entered the room. They all took seats around the table where Altima had spread out a map of Kaon.
“What is up?” Smokescreen asked.
“A rescue mission.” Altima said, “I have received word that Ultra Magnus is in trouble. He is here in Kaon, most likely inside Shockwaves lab, which is over here. We will take a shuttle to here, outside Kaon.”
“Me, Swoop, say not land there. Land here, behind hills. Lab close by here.” Swoop traced his route with a wing.
“Good optic, Swoop. We come in there, and it is a short walk to the lab. The next step is getting by security. Shockwave has Reflector and a drone. Reflector can clone himself so he will not be easy to deal with. We will also have to deal with Shockwave too. Grimlock, Shockwave is yours. Swoop, you deal with the drone as you can fly. The rest of you are on Reflector detail. I, being the smallest, will find and set my uncle free.”
“Me, Sludge, say that wise, Altima? We lose you, no dynasty.” Sludge said.
“Does anyone have any other ideas?” Altima asked.
“Paddles to Altima, Optimus is in tachycardia, and he’s not responding to treatment!” the com went off.
“We’ll talk later!” Altima took off with Smokescreen behind her. They rushed into sickbay. The first thing to hit them was the sound of the spark monitors rapid tone and siren alarm. Paddles was squeezing a bag of fluid in a desperate attempt to get the medication to flow faster. Altima rushed to the pod.
“I’m here, Father. Easy, easy does it. I’m here.” Altima soothed as she looked into the pod.
“Altima, I’ve started the awakening procedure on your mother, Elita. Optimus is deteriorating. I am so sorry.” Paddles replied.
“No, no!” Altima’s head snapped up, “No, I am not losing my father! I am far too young for the role I’ve been forced into!”
“Altima?” Smokescreen crept closer to the princess.
“You stay away!” Altima growled.
Smokescreen scrambled backward, “I’m sorry, Altima!”
--&--
Arcee stared at the night sky. She was feeling a strange sense of sadness. She didn’t understand why she felt this way. Jack stood nearby, watching her stare down the stars.
“Optimus, where ever you are, don’t leave us. We all need you now more than ever. Take from us if you must, but don’t leave. Altima is far too young for the role she is forced to play. You can’t expect a 13 year old to become the Prime.” The blue feme whispered softly.
“You want to talk?” Jack asked.
“Optimus is dying, Jack. They say that when a Prime dies, every transformer everywhere feels the passing.” Arcee looked down at Jack, “Megatron has won.”
Has Megatron really won? find out next time right here on Broken!
