16.Sept.06

Reconciliation

By: Spectre the Hechidnat

Chapter 2: Vehicon Resurrection

Tarantulas grumbled as he looked around his lair. A chamber hidden beneath Cybertropolis, it had been the scientist's dwelling long before he had ever signed on with Megatron. Now he had been forced to adopt it again, going into hiding in the face of the Axalon's crew.

"Why the heck are we just sitting around? I hate hiding from Maxis; can't we just go shoot some?" As usual, Quickstrike was not fond of the proceedings. Upon landing on Cybertron, he had expected to be able to tear through anyone or anything that Rampage didn't beat him to. However, with the arrival of the salvaged Maximals, he had been forced to hide, which rubbed his ego the wrong way.

"Our spy drones indicate that the Maximals who left Earth at the end of the Beast Wars have been returned to their more powerful states," Scavenger replied.

"And even without that, their group now outnumbers us two-to-one," Rampage muttered.

"Silence! I need to think, and you muttering motorheads are disrupting my concentration!" Tarantulas hissed.

Just then, a loud crash echoed through the lair from the entrance corridor. Before any of the Predacons could react, two large figures stalked out of the hallway. One was a female, with a bulky frame predominantly purple in color. The other was male, hovering slightly above the ground with two helicopter blades that emerged from his shoulders. His body was mainly green.

"Intruders!" Rampage roared, drawing his missile launcher. Though the newcomers were large, Rampage was the same size, and of course not intimidated. However, even he was shocked when the two lifted their hands into the air.

"Peace," said the male. "We have come to talk with you."

"About what?" Tarantulas queried, suspicious.

"Joining you," the female said.

"Why the heck would you two tin-horns want to hook up with our posse?" Quickstrike demanded.

"Allow us to introduce ourselves; I am Obsidian, and this is my partner, Strika. We were generals in Megatron's Vehicon army, but have been reduced to the status of beggars following his defeat. We are no longer welcome in proper society; we were hoping that you would accept us as soldiers."

Seeing Tarantulas' hesitance, Strika spoke up. "Our guide— and former comrade— told us that you would accept us."

"Who led you to our colony?" Scavenger said.

In answer, a buzzing noise filled the air. Out from behind Strika and Obsidian came the familiar form of Waspinator in his Beast Mode. The only difference was that he now had the head of his Vehicon persona, Thrust. Looking around at his former comrades sheepishly, he spoke. "Hello...old friends?"

"Traitor!" Scavenger shrieked.

"You yellow-bellied varmint! I can't believe you have the nerve to look us in the eye after you left us to be blown to bits by that big gun of Boss-bot's!"

"Waspinator sorry! Waspinator alone and helpless now! Old comrades forgive Waspinator?"

Tarantulas stalked up to the cowardly Predacon. "You are a coward, insect, but for good reason. Your current form is pathetic when measured against that of our Maximal adversaries. How would you like me to help you avoid being 'blown to scrap' as you used to be?"

"Yes! Waspinator help Tarantulas if Tarantulas help Waspinator!"


Stepping out of Tarantulas' reformatting chamber, Waspinator buzzed with joy. "Waspinator like new Transmetal body!"

"I'll just bet you do," the spider said, turning from his work. Waspinator did indeed look impressive. His body was now made up of sleek Transmetal alloy, and it was colored in a variety of black, red, gold, and blue green. No elements of his Vehicon half appeared; he was pure Predacon once more.

"What are you doing with that schematic data you downloaded from Obsidian?" Strika questioned.

Tarantulas backed away to reveal the fruit of his labors. A Cybertronian fighter jet was parked on the ground there, looking sleek and powerful. Obsidian, looking it over, spoke up. "You made this using Aero drone blueprints?"

"Indeed. Once I have implanted a Spark and reformatted it with my chamber, this Vehicon will be the balancing factor in our battle with the crew of the Axalon. I already have the Spark of Starscream, former Air Commander of the Decepticon Battle Fleet. Now all I need is personality programming."

"And where are you going to obtain that?" Rampage asked.

In response, Tarantulas drew forth a metallic blow gun. Cackling, he replied to the crab. "From an old friend!"


Down from the sky swept the eight Maximals of Axalon Tower. Silverbolt flew in his majestic Beast Mode, Blackarachnia riding on his back like a jockey on a horse. Next came Airazor, looking sleek in her Transmetal jet form as she carried the complaining Rattrap. Imitating Blackarachnia, Cheetor rode on back of Tigatron, while Dinobot was precariously perched on the back of Depth Charge.

"I just don't see what the big deal is! Who cares if the Preds get into a museum?"

"Rattrap, that museum contains information about Cybertron's most renowned historical figures. Do you seriously want Tarantulas to get his hands on information like that?" Cheetor asked.

"The vermin obviously does not think that such a repository could contain much information. And it hardly does, considering that it is an Autobot museum," Dinobot growled.

"Your insults to my ancestors aside, what information there is in that place is not what we want in the hands of some crazy arachnid!"

"Calm yourself, Depth Charge. We must think clearly if we are to prevail," Tigatron cautioned.

As they came over the museum, a volley of missiles and lasers came at them. Rampage was stationed on the roof in tank mode, deploying his missile launchers at full power. However, more shocking was the presence of Strika at his side, adding her cannons to the assault, and the blasts of Obsidian and Waspinator as they flew towards the approaching Maximals.

"Those Vehicon scum! It looks like they've signed on with Tarantulas! Foul and fouler all in one package!"

Blackarachnia looked down at her love, seeing the tension in his body. Memories of his dark servitude to Megatron were still fresh in Silverbolt's mind, and he had not yet been cleansed of the guilt that he felt. However, the spider had no time to worry about him as he transformed, forcing her to jump off. Landing heavily on the ground, she found herself coming under the assault of Strika, who had become the hulking robot that was her alternate form.

Predictably, Depth Charge went for Rampage. Oblivious to the others, they unloaded missiles at each other, Depth Charge from the air, Rampage from the ground. When the projectiles were spent, they converted to robot mode and went into a match of fisticuffs. Depth Charge's kicks and punches struck Rampage again and again, but the Predacon formerly known as Protoform X was unscathed.

Demonstrating impressive skill, Cheetor went for Obsidian. Leaping from Tigatron's back, he activated his jetpack/missile launcher and flew towards the helicopter. Obsidian changed shape just in time for Cheetor to grab him in a bear hug, sending them both spiraling towards the ground. A loud crash sounded as they struck, then they were both up, lasers and missiles flying between them.

Rattrap transformed, dropping from Airazor to land atop Tigatron. Thus freed to use weaponry, the marksman drew his gun and began bombarding Waspinator. Still timid in his new form, Waspinator went into evasion mode, flying at top speed to avoid the incoming blasts.

Dinobot, having leapt from Depth Charge's back, found himself engaged with Quickstrike. The Fuzor was proving himself a capable fighter, deploying his cyber venom weapon to great effect. However, Dinobot's Transmetal 2 body was too powerful to be brought down so easily, and his own pistol and eye beam sounded in response to the Predacon's attacks.

Free of Rattrap, Airazor transformed and went into a shootout with Scavenger. The Transmetal ant no longer wielded a flame thrower, instead relying on missile guns. Airazor responded with her own wrist-mounted weapons.

Bereft of an opponent, Silverbolt growled as he landed to face Tarantulas. Cackling, the spider placed a data disk into a compartment in his belt. He then drew forth his blow gun. "Your ferocity is impressive, hero! Let's see if it can protect you from this!"

Too slow to react, Silverbolt cried out in pain as Tarantulas' dart penetrated his Spark chamber. Had the weapon been intended to kill, he would already be on his way to the Matrix. However, the device had a much fouler purpose, which became evident as green light stretched from his wound to a small cylinder Tarantulas held in his hand. Silverbolt felt a part of himself being drained into the device, and began to lose consciousness, overwhelmed by pain and whatever the device was doing to him. His eyes closed just as the light stopped flowing, and the last thing he heard before toppling were Tarantulas' orders. "Back to base!"

Fleeing, the Predacons and Vehicons left their opponents behind them. Even Depth Charge's urges to pursue were forgotten as Blackarachnia yelled, "Silverbolt!"

Gathering around the fallen Fuzor, the others watched as Blackarachnia gently turned him onto his back. Using his enormous claws, Dinobot carefully extracted the dart. He then used his eye to scan the knight-like Maximal. "He's alive, but unconscious. We have to get him back to Axalon Tower quickly."


Later that night, the Predacons and Vehicons watched as Tarantulas went about his final preparations. Placing the jet inside the reformation chamber, he had inserted Starscream's personality-cleansed Spark into it. Now he made the final adjustment, hooking the body up to the small cylinder of green light he had taken from Silverbolt. He cackled as the energy flowed into the body, then cut the connection and stepped out. Shutting the door, he activated the reformation.

All were quiet as the machine hummed. However, the machine itself became loud as energy matching the color of what had been stolen from Silverbolt crackled around the chamber. It became blinding, too intense for any of the assembled Transformers to gaze upon.


Back in Axalon Tower, a loud crashing noise brought the Maximals to the medical chamber. One CR Chamber shook, dents forming as something struck at it from the inside. Finally, the door broke open, and out stumbled Silverbolt. Falling to his knees, the paladin turned his face to the ceiling and let out a loud howl. So high was the volume of the sound that the others clapped hands over their ears. It was only when the noise was diluted that they recognized it as a cry of anguish.

Like lightning, Blackarachnia sprung into action. Leaping, she threw herself upon Silverbolt, pinning him to the ground. For several long moments, the Fuzor thrashed. Finally, he stopped, letting out a shuttering breath. Blackarachnia knelt by his side, helping him rise off the ground slightly. His eyes opened halfway, and he blinked exhaustedly. "Beloved? What's going on?"

Blackarachnia put her arms around him, rocking him as she soothed him with quiet words. "Hush, everything's fine. You just had a bad dream. Go back to sleep."

No one spoke until Silverbolt's eyes had closed fully and he was breathing deeply in slumber. Then, Cheetor gently lifted the Fuzor from the floor and placed him back in the CR Chamber, closing the door again. Turning to the others, he spoke. "What do you think that was all about?"

"I don't know, Cheetor. But I'm willing to bet that it was something bad," Airazor said softly.

When all the others had gone back to their quarters, Rattrap sat at a monitor looking at Silverbolt's readout. Behind him stood Dinobot and Depth Charge, who had questions for the Transmetal rodent. "What have your scans determined?"

Swiveling his chair to look at them, Rattrap replied. "Best I can figure, Tarantulas' gizmo was some kind of data extractor. It dug into 'Bolt's Spark and took a chunk out of his personality data. The problem is, I can't determine what was taken without going through 'Bolt's Spark, and I refuse to do anything like that."

Depth Charge nodded approvingly. "Not bad, mouse. You've learned some decency since the Beast Wars."

"Maybe not having either of you around helped me straighten out."

"As much as I would enjoy prolonging our eternal antagonism," Dinobot interrupted, "I believed we should get some rest. No telling what Tarantulas will do next."


With a loud boom, the chamber exploded. As their eyes adjusted, the group of seven stared. Where the device had rested, there now stood a tall Cybertronian. He was blue in color, and his body was a collection of sharp edges. Though his form was different, Waspinator still recognized his old partner.

"Jetstorm!"

His eyes glowing red, the Vehicon began to chuckle. "That's right, ugly, it's me. I'm back, and I'm ready to slag some Maximals!"


Once again, the Maximals flew into battle. This time, Tarantulas had attacked a protoform factory, stealing a blank stasis pod. Sure enough, there he was below, dragging the bulky container along. Despite no sign of his associates, he smiled wickedly as all eight Maximals landed in robot mode.

"Come to surrender? I'm afraid I don't accept."

"Give it up, creepy. Even with Waspinator and those two washed up generals on your team, you're still outnumbered!" Rattrap spat.

"I think not," came a voice.

From out of the nearby shadows leapt Tarantulas' cohorts. However, the arrival of their enemies did not shock the Maximals nearly as much as the familiar voice that had sounded. All four Maximals who had accompanied Optimus Primal from Earth stared in horror at the reborn Jetstorm.

"Surprise!" Jetstorm exclaimed, laughing as he took in their looks of astonishment. However, he was forced into defense when Silverbolt's gaze became one of fury, his gold colored eyes turning blood red. With a roar he flew at Jetstorm, melee weapons in hand. Jetstorm barely managed to catch them on his wing-like arms before the two began battling in earnest.

Following suit, the others went into their respective battles. Tigatron challenged Tarantulas, evading the spider's missiles. He then surprised his opponent by opening his pectoral plating, revealing a glowing blue energy core. "Nature's Fury!"

A huge blast shot forth from the blue object, striking Tarantulas and sending him flying to slam into the stasis pod. Recovering, he ensnared Tigatron in a web. Before the Maximal could escape, Tarantulas had transformed to motorcycle mode and sped off, the stasis pod in tow. Six of the others also escaped, leaving the Maximals to gape at the battle between Jetstorm and Silverbolt.

The two were a blur of action, each moving as swiftly as his opponent. Neither could touch the other.  They were a mirror of motion as they struck time and again. Finally, Jetstorm broke away, flying off so fast it created a sonic boom. Nowhere near finished, Silverbolt extended his wings.

Cheetor's hand came down on his shoulder. "What are you doing? Let him go!"

"NO! Don't you see, Cheetor? They must be stopped!"

"I agree, but this is not the time. We are weary from the battle, and you are not thinking clearly," Dinobot observed.

"At least 'Bolt is focused on the objective, unlike you, Chopperface!"

"Leave him be, mouse, or I'll deal with you myself!" Depth Charge threatened.

As they continued arguing, Blackarachnia turned to Airazor and Tigatron. "As the human saying goes: Houston, we have a problem."

To be continued... 

Click here for part three