14.Oct.06
Reconciliation
By: Spectre
the Hechidnat
Chapter
Three: That's Just Prime
Unbeknownst
to the Maximals, their argument did not go unnoticed. Across space and time,
watching from the belly of their home in the Nexus, the Vok observed the
contentions between the former crewmembers of the Axalon. Even Airazor,
Blackarachnia, and Tigatron, who were not engaged in the hostile verbal
exchange, showed signs of disagreement with their comrades.
"This
will not do at all; their dissension threatens to destroy all hope of defeating
the Spawn of Unicron."
"Calculations
indicate that the problem is one of leadership; without Optimus Primal, not one
among them commands the respect necessary to lead the others. If we are to
correct this problem, we must give the Maximals a new leader."
Nodding
in accordance, a group of Vok began flying through Transwarp space, heading for
the one place where they could collect materials without interference:
prehistoric Earth.
"Perhaps
we shall find something useful among the leavings of the Beast Wars."
"What
is the purpose of all this?" Rampage demanded of Tarantulas.
Eyes
narrowed in contempt, the Predacon Secret Police Lieutenant swiveled his chair
to face the mass murderer. "To what do you refer, mutant?"
Rampage's
eyes burned with barely contained rage. "I mean these missions you've been
having us go on! Retrieving blueprints for a combatant from the Great War?
Stealing a blank protoform? Not to mention creating that Vehicon monstrosity!
How does this contribute to anything?"
Offended
by the insult, Jetstorm walked up to the would-be immortal. "And just what
is monstrous about me, Crab-cake?"
Incensed,
Rampage pulled out his missile launcher, aiming at Jetstorm. Not intimidated,
Jetstorm opened his chest panel, exposing the Spark within. "Go ahead,
ugly! Your 'immortal' Spark is based on mine! Go ahead and shoot!"
After
a moment, Rampage holstered his weapon. Glaring at Tarantulas, Rampage remarked.
"You’re lucky that without you misfits the Maximals would throw me in a
cage again, otherwise I'd leave right now. Except for them, this world is ripe
for my sprees of destruction!"
Observing
from a distance, Obsidian whispered to Strika. "Can you believe that we're
working with these hotheads?"
"It
is embarrassing, but we've no other options." Shifting her attention to the
other Predacons, the Vehicon general spoke. "Why do you put up with
Tarantulas?"
"Spider-bot?
Well, he's a pain in the chassis, I'll admit, but I'm too clueless to get along
without someone to tell me what to do. The way I see it, he's better than some
Megatron wanna-be I'd find out in the streets," Quickstrike replied.
"Similarly,
I do not have any individual direction. This is an unsatisfactory colony, but it
will suffice," Scavenger added.
"Waspinator
just trying to keep from getting slagged."
Fed
up with the small talk, Tarantulas stood. "Enough! It's time for our next
mission. If my newest plan is to succeed, we must raid the DNA storage
center!"
Several
Vok drifted through the Ark, searching for what few useful pieces of Maximal and
Predacon technology could be found. Prior to their departure, the Maximals had
placed whatever technology they hadn't been able to load aboard the Autobot
shuttle in places where it would be destroyed by lava long before the
Transformers aboard the Ark could awaken. However, the Vok had set their
Transwarp path so that they would emerge just after the departure of the
shuttle, resulting in no damage having been done to the technology the Vok
sought.
Two
of the Vok drifted into the Ark's bridge, using telekinesis to carry the control
suit that had been used to manipulate Optimal Optimus during his brief tenure of
enslavement to the Predacons. Their comrades surrounded the sleeping Optimus
Prime. Having come far enough, the arriving two lowered their burden.
"We
have found something of interest: a Predacon battlesuit made to control Optimus
Primal in his Transmetal/Autobot hybrid form. It has his schematics within its
systems, but no life of its own."
Nodding,
the other Vok turned to the slumbering Autobot leader. "Within this
Cybertronian is the key to providing life." Controlled by Vok mental
powers, Optimus' chest panel opened, revealing the Matrix of Leadership
contained within. A Vok orb, identical to the Transmetal 2 Driver had the device
not been altered by Megatron, drifted into the air between the Matrix and the
inert control suit. A bolt of blue light shot from the Matrix to strike the orb,
which then redirected it to the suit. The construct began shuddering, twitching
as life began to flow through its circuitry. A Spark formed within its chest,
and the body shifted form as it became a Cybertronian.
At
last, the being the Vok had created stood. Except for his color scheme, he was a
double for Optimal Optimus. Satisfied, the Vok spoke. "You have been
created to lead the Maximals on Cybertron. Your proper name is known to you, but
you shall also be known as the Second Vok Emissary, the Living Matrix, and the
Prime of Justice. Now, your comrades await you and the information we have given
you. Go forward, and good fortune to you."
Nodding
in agreement, the figure flew upward, flying into a Transwarp vortex that the
Vok opened for him. Moving at speeds unattainable by virtually every other
technology at the universe, he sped forward, heading for present day Cybertron.
Airazor
rushed through the corridors of Axalon Tower, heading for the bridge to
investigate the red alert that had just sounded. Coming in, she was greeted by
Tigatron, the two sharing an affectionate look before joining the others at the
large table in the center of the room. "What's the emergency?"
Depth
Charge punched in a security code, shutting down the alarm and bringing up a
holographic map of Cybertropolis. A large red dot appeared, which the former
security officer indicated. "Looks like the 'Cons have broken into
Cybertron's DNA storage center."
"Why
would they want to do something like that? They have no use for DNA,"
Tigatron said.
"Not
necessarily, Big Cat. They did steal a blank protoform; maybe they're trying to
make another team member," Cheetor mused.
Dinobot
nodded in agreement. "Smart thinking, Feline."
"Wow,
Chopperface. That's the first compliment you've given Cheetor
since...ever."
"If
you're all done, we've got work to do," Silverbolt growled, standing and
stalking towards the hatch that fliers used to get outside. Shaking her head in
concern over her angst-ridden love, Blackarachnia trailed after him, followed by
the others.
Climbing
in Beast Mode, Tarantulas scaled down racks of DNA sample tubes. A specimen of
every single animal ever identified by Cybertronian explorers had been archived
in the massive facility. Currently, Tarantulas was searching through the records
of prehistoric Earth mammals.
Insane
cackling rang through the building as Tarantulas found the DNA he had been
seeking. Removing a tube containing the desired sample, he placed it into a
container in his superstructure before dropping to the floor and converting to
motorcycle mode. Revving his wheels, he sped towards the exit.
Perched
above the entrance, Tigatron leapt down upon the Transmetal spider as Tarantulas
emerged inside. Crying out, Tarantulas transformed into Robot Mode. Tigatron was
right behind him, and the two exchanged fire with their respective weapons.
Depth
Charge and Rampage were engaged in a battle of fisticuffs. Depth Charge kicked
his adversary in the groin, then brought his fists crashing down on Rampage's
head as the Predacon bent double in pain. Angered, Rampage delivered a head butt
to Depth Charge's torso. Momentarily stunned, Depth Charge leapt back into the
fight.
High
above, Silverbolt and Jetstorm were engaged in combat. Each was a blur of motion
as they struck with their weapons and bodies, performing a dance of combat as
they clashed. Silverbolt's eyes burned red as blood, matching the hue of
Jetstorm's.
Rattrap
and Waspinator were engaged in a shooting match that was decidingly one-sided.
While Waspinator's skills had been enhanced by his Transmetalization, he was
still vastly out-classed by the Maximal marksman. Despite taking repeated hits,
Waspinator remained standing, his body far more durable that it had been.
Blackarachnia
was occupied doing battle with Strika, hammering at the Vehicon general with
lightning fast blows of her razor sharp claws. Despite the hits, Strika remained
unfazed, her armored body adequate protection from the anatomy of the Transmetal
2 spider. Blast after blast came from her cannons, nearly missing Blackarachnia
again and again.
Cheetor's
prowess as a sharpshooter was being tested as he targeted Obsidian. The
helicopter evaded his missiles with the speed of a jet, responding with lasers
that would have put holes through Cheetor had he not been swift enough to dodge
them. Undaunted, Cheetor continued firing upon his nemesis.
Fighting
in Beast Mode, Dinobot and Quickstrike tried to tear each other apart. Scorpion
claws and cobra fans sank into the Predacon warrior, but his rapid healing
powers repaired all damage. Worse for Quickstrike, he had no such safeguard
against Dinobot's enormous talons. Too stupid to know when to quit, Quickstrike
kept up his offensive.
To
finish off the lineup, Scavenger and Airazor were locked in battle. Both
Transmetals fought with great strength, deploying the fury of an ant and the
focus of a falcon. Neither gave ground, matching their comrades-in-arms.
For
a time, it seemed as though the individual confrontations would go one without
end. Before it could come to that, a ruby mass came crashing down into their
midst. All sixteen warriors froze, turning to stare in fascination as a giant
rose from the crater. Coming to stand outside the smoke from the crater, he
stared around with green eyes.
In
design, he was identical to Optimal Optimus. However, the lower half of his face
was covered by a piece of metal like the original Optimus Prime. His upper body
was predominantly red, except for huge blue hands and fins of matching color on
the sides of his head. Below the knees, his legs were a rich blue, while between
the legs and the waist they were a polished silver. While his appearance was
imposing, the air he gave off was even more so. His presence spoke of wisdom and
courage, the same impression that had been given off by Optimus Primal in life.
Demonstrating
further similarity to Optimal Optimus, the newcomer lowered his chest plate,
revealing a pair of high-powered blaster cannons. A red target bema came to rest
on Obsidian. Twin pulses of energy flew to knock the helicopter from the air,
bringing him to hover next to his assembled comrades. All quivered slightly as
their assailant spoke.
"I
am Primal Prime, Emissary of the Vok, Prime of Justice, and the Living Matrix. I
have been sent here to command the Maximals and bring you to justice. Surrender
now, or learn what it means to face a Prime!"
The
'Cons looked at each other, all of them thinking. They had been evenly matched
with their opponents before, but this new being was something else. Not only did
he seem to have all the power of Optimal Optimus, whom none of them had ever
beaten, but he gave off a sense of power beyond even that.
First
to recover, Jetstorm transformed into jet mode. "This scene is too hot for
me! I'm out of here!"
Following
his example, the other 'Cons sped off after him. Snorting, Primal Prime decided
to demonstrate some more power before just letting them go. Transforming into
tank mode, he trundled after Rampage, sending the psycopath flying with energy
pulses. He then converted to jet mode, flying to pelt Jetstorm with similar
force. To finish it off, he went into gorilla mode and came down on top of
Quickstrike.
Once
the enemies had fled, Primal Prime turned to face the awestruck Maximals.
Smiling behind his faceplate, he bowed. "Greetings, Axalon crew. I hope
that you and I shall become good friends."
Already
liking this new commander, Blackarachnia winked up at him. "Welcome to the
team, Monkey Boy!"
Back
at the Predacon headquarters, Tarantulas was in a contemplative mood. The others
sat watching him, wondering what was going through his insane mind. Finally, he
began cackling. "So, the Vok have sent us a new playmate. No matter; if my
plan works out, we shall have a powerhouse to beat Primal Prime at his own
game!"
To
be continued...