A New Way There, A New Bot Here

Megatron sits in his hot tub, watching his view screen, carefully watching the Maximal base. ~ The Maximals have been quiet lately, it's been some time since those fools have done anything. But the past couple of days have been a bit strange. Yesss…” Megatron looks at his yellow rubber duck, he picks it up with his tyrannosaurus arm and lifts it above his head, he begins to squeeze the duck, harder and harder as he thinks. ~ Soon I will destroy those fools and return to Cybertron more powerful then ever, but no. ~ the duck pops and the pieces fall into the tub, ~ I must concentrate on the present. And at the present time those Maximals are most likely scheming behind my back. ~ He thought. He turns to his comm pad, presses it and an audible click is heard, “Inferno, Waspinator. I have a little job for you. Report to me at once!” he demanded.

After a few cycles both Waspinator and Inferno stand infront of him, Megatron sits in his command chair looking down at them, “We are ready to serve my queen. What is your command?” said the loyal drone. “Yess… down to business. I have been keeping my watchful eye on the Maximal base for the past couple of days now. I have noticed that the Maximals have been in and out of their base almost 16 times in the last three days. And today they have been in and out up to four times. I have a very good feeling that they are up to something and we must not let that ‘something’ come into play,” he turns and looks directly at Inferno, “I want you to scope out the Maximal base. Once you learn where they are all going in those times, follow them and stop what ever is taking place.” Ordered Megatron. Inferno bows on one knee, “Your will will be done royalty. I will not fail you.” Graveled the ant bot. Megatron nods with a pleased smirk and turns to Waspinator, “And you. I’m expecting nothing less then perfection. Do not mess this one up.” Growled Megatron a little annoyed at the bugs past performances. Waspinator visibly gulps, “Yes Megatron. Waspinator no get blown up this time.” Said Waspinator with a wine.

Optimus flies over the land in his flight mode carrying a large container. Airrazor flies next to him carrying another crate, both struggling to keep their containers in their grasps, as they are quite heavy.

After a few minutes of flying they both slow down and begin to descend to the ground. Rhinox, Tigatron, and Cheetor stand waiting for them.

Optimus hovers down to the ground and puts the container down, “Here you go Rhinox, two engine manifolds as you requested.” Rhinox inspects the contents of the container, “Very good. This’ll make things go a lot smoother.” Rhinox picks up the box and puts it at the base of a large cylinder type structure.

It stands over his head pointing on a diagonal vector to the sky. Cheetor follows Rhinox to the base of the structure, “Great idea Rhinox. I don’t know how to thank you if this thing really works.” Praised the young transformer. Rhinox turns to him and smirks, “We’re not home yet kid save your compliments when we’re stepping foot on Cybertron.”

“Will do big buddy,” Cheetor winked at Rhinox then turned around to Optimus, “So Optimus what kind of message are we puttin' in this probe anyway?” he asked curiously. “Well I don’t know. It should be something short and to the point,” he said while walking forward, looking at the large structure, “Right Rhinox?”

Rhinox turned from working on the access panel, “Yea we don’t have too much room for the message. I still have ta try and squeeze some shielding on the probe to protect it from the gravitational stresses of the transwarp conduit.” Explained Rhinox. “Ok cool.” Said Cheetor as he went back to unpacking the containers his fellow Maximals brought.

The vastness of space fills the universe; darkness, emptiness these are the things that fill up the cup of life, but bits and pieces fill the void of emptiness, kindness, honor, and love. And out of those more and more of these objects of the heart and mind fill the universe creating a swirling community of beings that occupies the open void of space. But out of these good objects of heart and mind, produce equally bad ones filling the cup with its devious desires and confusing the contents within with mixed feelings, right or wrong choices, the endless struggle of good and evil, right and wrong, and light and darkness.

One piece of this cup of life lays untouched by either side. It lays unborn waiting for life to be breathed into it by the life around it. It's so unfinished so undefined and yet constant in its stasis. Searching for life to draw from, to imitate, and to protect its natural form from the power of this ancient and undefined planet.

The stasis pod sits stone cold in a wet, uncharted land, where neither good nor evil has its grip around its undecided spark. Tempted by its curiosity of life and by its compelling programming the pod shutters as a bio scanner extends from the innards. The scanner begins revolving, round and round, searching for that special form of life that will complete its unstable friend. The scanner stops after repetitive revolutions of scanning and it descend back into its place of rest.

The spark within shutters at the excitement of life. The small nanits work them selves, constructing the body in which the spark so excitably asks for. They scurry around the now stabilizing form as they add the unique qualities of the beast from which it is imitating. Anticipation sets in as the spark begins to feel life for the first time, wholeness completion begins to set in. Pathways form within its newly formed mind letting it sense the world around it and not be confined to the loneliness of its simple thoughts. Preprogrammed data begins spewing into its mind, answering questions it’s had since existence and forming questions of its own. Good, evil, right, and wrong begin to all make sense and go to separate spaces within its mind as it learns of who it is and what it will become.

Tarantulas hangs in beast form on his web, thinking of what he now must do to survive and more so, what he must do to free himself of this ancient primitive world. He spins his webbing, forming a spider’s web between two stalactites in his laboratory. The screens on his eight-screened computer network flash red.

Tarantulas looks up from his web and hops off of it, he transforms and walks over to the computer, “Computer report.”

“Stasis pod activation detected in grid ion.” Said the computer coldly.

Tarantulas’ face lights up and a devious smirk forms.

“Good someone to keep me amused as I rot away on this infernal mud ball.” Said Tarantulas, “Computer begin jamming signal veron. Transmit signals to both the Maximal and Predicon bases.” Ordered Tarantulas.

The computer replies with a beep. Tarantulas transforms to beast mode and scurries from his lab.

Rattrap lounges at his station, after a long 6 mega cycles of monitor duty, he’s become irritably bored. He thought of playing the computer at a game of poker, but its strategy has become weak and noticeable. He thought of playing one of his video games, but, again, they were old, he’d beaten them the last couple shifts. But he had to do something, he was going stir crazy just sitting there for cycles at a time not doing anything, but focusing his optics on the little security screen, which never even shuttered the past couple shifts. This was all typical, while the rest of the gang are out having some fun, he’d be the one that gets the snore jobs.

As he leans back in his chair he shuts his optics, rests his head on his arms and prepares to shut down for a quick little nap. ~ How much could happen? ~ he thought as he began to drift off into a dream.

A few cycles later the screen begins to beep, Rattrap, a little startled, hops up, looking around a little disoriently, “What in swiss cheese?” he gasped looking around the room. He then focused his attention on the small security screen on his monitor. He sat back down and began to type on the console.

After a few cycles of checking through the transmission logs he found the message that had been responsible for the beeping. “So we got someone callin’ home,” he gets up and walks over to the communications console. Tapping a few buttons a comm link opens up, “A… yo… boss monkey we got a stasis pod callin’ home. Its just about ready to be activated.” Reported Rattrap.

Over the comm system only the wine of static meets Rattrap. “Oh… for slaggin’ heck! A jamming signal, wit a Pred signager on it,” he whips around to the ship wide communications systems, “Yo Lizard Butt get your scaly hind side up to da command center.” Ordered Rattrap.

“What is the meaning of your interference with my sleep vermin.” Muttered the warrior, a little drowsy from his sudden awakening. “I’ll tell ya when ya get your slaggin’ scale bucket of a body up ‘ere!” exclaimed a very inpatient Rattrap over the comm link. “You’ll pay ver…” Rattrap switched off the comm channel and walked over to his station, “Looks like dis rat is gonna be gettin’ some of da fun afta all.” He said as he put sentinel on automatic.

The pod sits on the swaying grass in an overgrown meadow. The pod sits there preparing the protoform within for life.

Knowledge of its noble heritage, of the transformers before it, fills its newly formed mind. Its consciousness begins to grasp where it is and who it is. But another part of its mind is filled with the wild instinctive urges of the beast it has shaped its new body after. They compel it to burst from its pod, but holds back the urge, to allow itself to finish developing even though it so anxiously wants freedom out of the small, dark, and confining pod it has laid in for an unknown time.

Then as the final processes begins to breathe life into its body the process is shut down. The spark shutters at the frustration of being so close to life and it being yanked away by an outside force of unknown intentions.

After a few moments the cycle restarts, once again breathing life into the protoform’s body, but with a new set of instructions, a new identity, and a new allegiance… one to Tarantulas.

Tarantulas hunches over the pod feeding it with his last devious instructions, “Hehehehe… It’s almost done. What a wonderful turning point in this war. Finally a soldier of my own to aid me in my devious plans.” Giggled Tarantulas, still working on the pod.

Inferno crouches in the bushes in beast form watching the Maximals construct their newest hope of getting home. He over hears the plans of the Maximal leader, Optimus Primal, and opens a channel to his queen, Megatron, “Royalty! This is Inferno,” said Inferno. Inferno waits for a moment but is only met with the erratic buzz of static, “My queen I have news of our enemy!” he announced, but still to be faced with the drone of the static.

He backs away from the bushes and transforms to robot form, “Inferno to Waspinator.” He said over the comm. “Waspinator here ant bot.” Replied the goofy bug. “I have found the invaders, but I am unable to reach our queen to inform her of their treacherous plans. Get here at once we will destroy the enemy and take our queen’s praise once we return to the colony.” Said Inferno. “Waspinator be there soon.”

Inferno then crouches down again on one knee with his weapon charge and ready waiting for the right moment to strike.

Tarantulas continues to type away on the pad on the stasis pod, reprogramming the protoform inside to have his loyalties to him and not be as treacherous as his latest creation, that witch Blackaracnia. He had failed in making a transformer that was loyal to him, but had succeeded in other ways because the devious witch has no true loyalties at all and is still some help to his cause even though she has her own motives. But now finally he will not make the mistake again and will finally have some help to carry out his true intentions, which still remain a mystery to all other sides.

“Yes. It’s almost time my creation you will live soon enough, let my programs fill your core with loyalty to me.” Whispered Tarantulas to the pod.

Just as he said that he could hear the audible click of a blaster cocking. He slowly turns around to look down the barrel of Rattrap’s gun, “I don’t tink so web butt.” Said the maximal rat. Dinobot stands next to his partner with his optic lasers charged and his sword drawn, “You will not twist another mind for the dishonorable plans of Megatron. We will not let you do so spider.” He said with a growl.

Tarantulas slowly stands up and away from the console of the pod,

“I surrender rat.” He said annoyed.

Rattrap waves his gun away from the pod, “Move it web head.”

Tarantulas begins slowly moving away from the pod with his claws in the air, “Good stay dat way and you just might get ta see anotha cycle,” he said to Tarantulas, “Yo Dinobot keep an eye on da spida while I get our sleepin’ beauty awake.” Ordered Rattrap.

Dinobot nods and turns to Tarantulas, points his revolving sword at his neck, “If you move from this spot I will end your pitiful life,” said Dinobot.

Rattrap crouches down over the pod’s console, “Eh lets see what you’ve been up too legs.” He said as he began too look through the modifications Tarantulas has been programming into the protoform. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you rat.” Muttered Tarantulas, Rattrap turns to the spider, “What are ya talkin about?” he asked.

“Hmp. I booby-trapped the pod. Its instructions are if its reprogramming is stopped or changed without my authorization the ‘maximal’ inside will no longer exist. Hehehe!” giggled Tarantulas.

Dinobot grabs Tarantulas by the throat, “You will tell us your pass code or I will snap your neck.” He growled lifting the spider higher in the air. “Hehe! And what good would I be to you dead. Either way you do not get the protoform.” Said Tarantulas, trying to squeeze the words out with little air to support them.

Dinobot looks in Tarantulas’ eyes then furiously throws him to the ground, “We should leave here with the pod. There must be a way to undermined Tarantulas’ programming trap.” Said Dinobot. “I da know if its smart ta be movin’ dis ting ‘round. I tink we should just activate da guy and see what happens.” Said Rattrap still looking through the files on the pod.

“Is that wise vermin?”

Rattrap stands up, “Well hey if da spida’s programming isn’t complete who ever it is in dere isn’t fully pred. Maybe we could persuade it ta being one of us.” Said the rat. Dinobot considers the idea while keeping his eyes on Tarantulas.

Optimus lifts a large beam of metal up in the air and hands it off to Airrazor, who is hovering over head. She places it inside the large cylinder construct and with a tool fastens it in. She wipes the sweat from her brow, “Man, I hope this is all worth it.” She said as she touches back down to the ground. “Believe me it will be Airrazor!” exclaimed Cheetor who is thrilled with the idea that they could be going home soon.

“If this even works. The probe could experience many spatial anomalies once out there. And we’d be unable to help it. And what if the Predicons get to it first and not the Maximals?” said Rhinox.

Tigatron walks up to Airrazor, “I for one will miss this world. Its beauty is breath taking and it is a part of who I am. I just hope that this Cybertron has an equal amount of its own beauty.” He said sadly. “I know what you mean Tigatron, but it is our home even if we have never seen it.” Said Airrazor while putting her hand on his shoulder to comfort him. Optimus comes around from the other side of the structure, “Well once we’re back you both could visit many other worlds like this one.” He offered to them. “I suppose you are right Optimus.” Replied Tigatron.

Cheetor stands behind them holding a welding gun, continuing to weld the hull pieces onto the probe. He stops and lifts up his mask, “Well you’ll never have to think about that if we don’t get going. Come on fellow bots. Get to work.” Exclaimed Cheetor, a little too anxious to get home. Optimus smiles as he picks up another one of the welding guns and walks back over to the construct, “Alright Cheetor.”

Just then a faint explosion sets off in the forest. Optimus and the others turn to the direction of the sound, “What was that?” gasped Optimus, knowing very well what it could be. He drops the welding gun and his arm cannons activate, “Wait here I’ll go check it out.”

Optimus slowly walks to the edge of the forest, cannon charged and held ready. The leaves of the bushes that lace the edge sway in the wind as he comes closer and closer. He finally reaches the bushes, looks in to see nothing.

Optimus turns around and looks back at the other Maximals.

As he turns another ‘boom’ echoes through his ears as a missile races towards him. He ducks just missing it. Optimus eyes the area around him, slowly scanning every millimeter.

Just then Waspinator zooms into the sky firing his weapon at Optimus erratically,

“Waspinator will stop Maximal’s plans!” exclaimed the wasp crazily. Optimus looks up at the crazed Predicon with a smirk,

“This should be fun”

He jets off into the sky, flying up to Waspinator dodging his every shot. His shoulder cannons flip forward and charge up. Waspinator stops firing and stares blankly at the incoming Maximal, “Oh no. Waspinator fails again.” He muttered. Optimus comes into range of the wasp and is about to fire his cannons at the fluttering Predicon but is hit in the back by another shot.

Optimus begins to fall to the ground as his right jet has been damaged.

Inferno comes marching from the bushes, “For my queen!” he exclaimed. He begins firing at the probe’s launching tubule.

Rhinox, Cheetor, Airrazor, and Tigatron whip out their weapons. “Cheetor, you and I will take care of Inferno. Tigatron, Airrazor take out the bug.” Ordered Rhinox as his machine guns begin to spin. They all nod.

Airrazor lifts off into the air with her arms aimed at Waspinator. She begins firing rapidly at him with her wrist darts. Waspinator flutters back and forth evading most of her darts.

Meanwhile Tigatron takes a ground position below the fluttering Predicon. He aims his weapon carefully and fires.

The missile rushes toward Waspinator’s back as Airrazor keeps him pinned in the same spot. The missile hits and the bug falls to the ground.

Airrazor nods with a grin as Tigatron brings down his weapon.

Meanwhile Rhinox and Cheetor have set up a crossfire between themselves and Inferno. The loyal drone hides behind a large boulder, occasionally blasting a few missiles at the Maximal duo.

Rattrap steps away from the pod. It begins to shutter as the hatch cracks open. It slowly opens fully as a wolf stands within in beast mode. Rattrap looks at the protoform as it opens its mouth showing its teeth at them. “Ehh… Anotha one wit teeth.” Rattrap muttered. He leaned forward and extended his hand towards the wolf, “Hello, I’m Rattrap and you are?” he greeted. The wolf snorted at Rattrap’s hand and looked him over, trying to figure out if he was a good guy or a bad guy.

“Its ok mista. We’re your friends.” Rattrap said again trying to make friends with the intimidating wolf. Tarantulas stands up from the ground, “Don’t listen to them! They will use you…” Dinobot smacks the spider bot in the face, once again knocking him to the ground. “Do not listen to Tarantulas he will only cloud your mind with his dark plans.” Said Dinobot. The protoform stood there stiff trying to remember hard what he was and if he could trust these bots. But he was so confused. Part of him was saying its ok, but another says they’re your enemy. He looks up at them. The rat looks harmless and friendly, but the other one. The other one doesn’t look to inviting, but his words sounded sincere. “Hello. Anyone home?” exclaimed Rattrap waving his arms at the wolf.

He smirked a bit from the ridiculous look on the rat bot’s face. “Crossfire.” The protoform muttered. Dinobot and Rattrap look at each other and then back at Crossfire, “Ehh… good you can talk.” Said Rattrap, “Welcome to da akin world Crossfire.” Greeted Rattrap. Crossfire nodded and stepped from the pod still in beast mode.

“Thank you rat.” He muttered. He then transformed into his robot form. The wolf head covering his chest plate and his forepaws folded back to reveal his hands. He stood tall, towering over Rattrap, but not at the height of Dinobot.

“A… great. So hows about we get you back to da base.” Said Rattrap while looking up at Crossfire.

The newest Maximal nodded.

Waspinator lay on the ground, his weapon a few feet away. He watched as the Maximals continued to encircle Inferno. His comrade continued to fight on even against the opposing forces of the Maximals. His loyalty will someday kill him, but he still continues on in the name of his ‘queen’.

Inferno crouches behind the large boulder, “You will never defeat me Maximals!” he screamed as he blasted a few barrages of missiles in the direction of the incoming forces. Just then the buzz of battle was interrupted by the call of his queen over his communicator. Inferno activated it, “Yes royalty.”

“Inferno! What is going on? I have been trying to make contact with you for the past cycles.” Exclaimed Megatron. “I am sorry my queen, but I have found the Maximals.” Said Inferno as another explosion shook the ground. “What is going…” but the force of another explosion rocked the boulder and sent him to the ground. The Maximals all lowered their weapons as they walked closer to the down ant bot. He lay on the ground trying to lift himself up. “The queen has ordered me to stop the enemy,” he muttered. He reached for his weapon and leveled it at the construct, “And that is what I must do.”

With that he let off one final missile. It flew towards the construct passing by Airrazor, almost hitting her. It hit the construct with a massive explosion. Debris flew off in every direction, knocking the Maximals to the ground.

Inferno stood up, out of range of the flaming scrap metal. He signaled to Waspinator to move out as he started up his lower jet.

It began to spin as he lifted off into the air.

The elevator slides upward to the command center carrying Optimus and Cheetor. They stepped off and walked up to Rattrap, Dinobot, and the new maximal, Crossfire. Optimus looked at them, showing confusion on his face as the others came up on the elevator.

“I guess you wonderin’ who da heck dis guy is.”

“Yes,” replied Optimus.

“Optimus I’d like you to meet Crossfire. Crossfire I’d like you to meet Optimus Primal. Our ‘glorious’ leader.”

“A… yes welcome Crossfire. I’d like to hear what’s been happening around here, but right now I’m due for a session in the c.r. chamber.” Said Optimus while rubbing his back, still feeling the effects of the blast from Inferno. “Of course.” Replied Dinobot. “Good. Rattrap you’re in charge until I’m back online.” Said Optimus as he walked over to the chamber hatch. “Gotchya banana bot.” Replied Rattrap with a smirk. ~ Finally I don’t have ta sit infront of da infernal screen. ~ Rattrap thought. Optimus nodded and entered the chamber. The other Maximals began to greet the newest addition to the Maximal team.

Crossfire stood there shaking the hands of his fellow teammates, but still wondered if this was, indeed, the right side to be on. His mind was conflicted. Who was he really meant to be a Predicon or Maximal? He has programming from both sides, but each blurred together in a mixture of swirling static. His mind couldn’t distinguish from either side both seemed as right as the other. But both could not be right. He was going to have to make a choice on to which side he will place his undying allegiance. But for now he decides to stay and learn from these friendly faces onto what his life is meant to be.

The End