Transformers X part 1

Transformers X part 1</b>

The Space was dark and noiseless as the Arch pass through it. Thoughful, Optimus Prime look at it.

"Teletran One," he ordered, "Report."
"Report : no alert." a female voice answers.

Optimus approved, then look back to the sky. Five megacycles. Five stellar cycles since he had left Cybertron with crew. Five  stellar cycles since they had decided to fled.

Everything had begun Megacycles ago, with the war between Autobots and Decepticons.
Nobody knew what could have brought the Decepticons, who had always lived in harmony with Autobots before, to suddenly turn against their pacific neighbors. What everybody knew was that they had started the war, and that their leader, Megatron, was now planning to conquer the universe. As foolish as it sounded.
The war had been long, and hard for the Autobots. Unlike the Decepticons, who had been conceived to be warriors, they weren't originally designed as fighter, but rather as consumer goods. This cause their ennemy to have definitely the upper hand since the beginning. They eventually had learnt to fight, first using tools as makeshift weapons, then creating their own weapon, but it had proved to not be enough, and they were nearly brought to extinction. When it had became obvious they couldn't won, Optimus had gathered every survivor he could, and they had left a half-destroyed Cybertron using their last ship, the Arch.

Optimus felt sorry about leaving the planet who had always been his home, but he knew he had no choice. If the Autobots had stayed, they would have lost. And if they had lost, they would all have been destroyed. The Decepticons would have shown no mercy. This was obvious.

"Optimus ?"

The Autobot leader turn round. The one who called him was a silver, mouthless bot with an unique, blue visor instead of optics, who he recognized as his bestfriend and second-in-command.

"Yes, Jazz ?"
"You look concerned... is that about the Matrix ?"

As they had flef Cybertron, Optimus had taken, not only Autobots survivor, but also everything which had seemed to be important the Decepticons don't get. It included numberous protoform, but more especially the Matrix, a powerful artifact who was thought to be the source of life of all transformers. The exact limits of its powers were unknown, but if Megatron got it, it was probably better to not know what he would do with it.

"Partially. By the way, where is it ?"
"At the same place than usual. You know, Optimus, since the beginning of this travel, you begin acting a little... paranoid. Honestly, I doubt the Decepticons will follow us. They have Cybertron, now, after all."
"They don't want just Cybertron. They want the universe."
"Come on! The universe! They are just dreaming! That's impossible!"
"Maybe not if they have the Allspark. And currently, we have it. That's why they might follow us."

Jazz bowed his head. Though he hates to admit it, Optimus was right. Considering how important the Matrix was, Megatron himself could even go after them.

"Sorry", he eventually answered.
"No problem. What did you want to told me, anyway ?"
"O, nothing serious, actually... just a problem with some passengers arguing. But I might need your help to solve this..."

Optimus seems amused.

"Alright. I'm coming..."


                                     *************

"You were supposed to do it!"
"And why would I ? I do not take order from you anyway!"
"Enough!" Optimus command while he entered. "What's going on ?"

The two who were arguing turned over. The first was a young, red bot with flame-like designs on his chestplate. The second was blue, thin and quite elegant, but above all arrogant-looking.
When recognizing Optimus, the red stopped arguing, and seemed bothered.

"Oh, Prime... Sorry for disturbing you..."
"It's alright, Hot Rod. Just explain me what is the problem."
"It's him!" Hot Rod shew the blue bot " He was supposed to take care of the radar system, and he refused!"
"As I just said : I take no order from you!"
"And why not, Mister Snobbish ?"
"The name is Mirage, Rodimus!"
"DON'T CALL ME BY MY REAL NAME!"

Optimus sighed.

"Then, Mirage, I order you to take care of the radar. Is that better ?"

Mirage stared at him, but didn't answer and just obey.

"This bot really is unbearable." Hot Rod muttered to himself. "Can't stand him."
"Don't be so hard with him. He hates this war more than everybody here. It caused him to lost nearly everything."
"Okay, but why does he have to be so arrogant ? Even with you!"
"Rod is right," another bot add. "He should at least show more respect to you!"

The one who just spoke was yellow, with insect-like eyes, and seemed to be around the same age than Hot Rod.

"Thank you, Bumblebee. But I don't seriously care if he respect me or not. He's still an Autobot, and I'm trying to save the most of us I can. Including him."

Bumblebee was about to answer something, when a voice cut them.

"Teletran One to Optimus prime. Decepticon Warship localized."

Everybody remain silent for a second, then Jazz look at Prime.

"You were right. They followed us."

                             *************

The two bots immediatly went to the radar room, where they found Mirage with another bot, a green one with a cannon on his elbow. Optimus approached him.

"Have you seen something, Hound ? Teletran One just advert me there was a Decepticon warship near."
"Yes, prime, I just detect it. I was going to identify it."
"Very well. Do it."

Hound agree, then turned back to his screen.

"Teletran One," he said, "start identification"
"Identification starting."

The picture of the ship on the screen became closer and closer. Everyone in the room shivered as they recognized the familiar form.

"Identification achieved. Decepticon Warship Nemesis. Personal Ship of Lord Megatron, leader of the Decepticon"

So it was right. Megatron himself had come to take the Matrix from them.
Optimus turn toward Jazz.

"Contact Red Alert immediatly, and tell him to evacuate every civilian and passager who cannot fight."
"That's mean nearly everybody!"
"I know. Tell him they take the protoforms with them"
"What are you exactly intending to do ?"
"Protect the ones I'm want to save. Megatron cames for the Matrix. We'll stay with it to distract him while others will go to find a place where they'll be safe."
"Do you release that mean we're going to take the risk Megatron get the Matrix ?"
"That's why we cannot allow ourself to loose."
"I really don't like that."
"I don't ask you to like it. Just do it."

The tone wasn't autoritary, but decided. Jazz take a few minute before answering.

"Very well. But seriously, I hope you know what you're doing..."


                             *************

Megatron smiled as the Arch appeared on the screen. Finally. They had tracked the Autobots for so long... but the Matrix was eventually within reach.

"Sideways, are you sure the Matrix is in this ship ?" he asked to a purple bot with a visor, horns and an arachnean face.
"Sure, Megatron. It's energy signature has been detected."
"Perfect. Prepare to take over the ship."
"Why ?" a voice asked behind him. "Our ship is bigger and had better weapons! Can't we just open fire and destroy them once for all ?"

Everybody look at the one who just spoke : he was black with parts of white, and had large, claw-like hands.
Eventually, a red, slimy robot with wings and bird-like feets answered him.

"You fool, Barricade! If we destroy the Autobot ship now, we'll loose the Matrix! And we need it more than destroying the Autobots."
"As much as I hate admit it," Megatron answered, "Starscream is right for once"

The named bot stared quickly at his leader, before answering :

"Thank you, O Great One."
"Now," Megatron continued, "For the last time, prepare to attack. It is time we get the Matrix and finished with the Autobots."

                             *************

Mirage sighed with relief as he was going to the evacuation ship. At least, he would once again be able to avoid being involved in this conflict. It would probably take long time before he could go back to Cybertron, if he ever could, but he would not have to fight...

"Going to flee, aren't you ?"

The blue Autobot stopped recognizing the voice, and turn around toward Bumblebee.

"Have you got any problem with this ? If I don't want to be involved in useless and futile fight, it's my problem!"
"Useless and futile fight ??!! Do you just realize what you're talking about ? We fight to survive! It's everything except futile!"
"You naïve. All fights are futile."
"Why don't you just said you're afraid of fighting ? You aren't just a snob, you're a coward!"

Mirage suddenly tensed and totally face him.

"How did you just call me ?"
"I'm sure you understand. You're a co..."
"I am not! Listen well : you can call me snob, arrogant, or anything like that, I will assume it. But I'm NOT a coward! Do not judge when you don't know anything about me."

He turned his back to the young Autobot and go back on his way. But Bumblebee wasn't going to shut up so easily. Going to vehicule mode, he follows him.

"And why do you think I don't know anything about you ? You never speak about that! Not to me, nor to the other! You are the less sociable bot I've ever known!"
"Once again this is my problem, not yours. Just leave me alone!"
"Okay, okay... I won't regret you anyway!"
"Neither don't I."

Bumblebee go back to robot mode and go away. He had other things to do, anyway : Jazz had just sent him in this part of the ship to be sure everything was working in the Ship's weapon system. As the Decepticons could attack at any moment, it was better to be ready for that.
It took him just a few minute before he find the compartment. He entered, and started examinating every weapon. What he didn't notice was that some kind of glowing red optic who was looking at him in a dark corner...

Eventually, he achieve the last examinations.

"Bumblebee to Jazz. Every defensive weapon is operational"
"Good work, Bumblebee. You can come back."
"Thank y..."

The young bot was interrupted when a security cannon activated and fired at him.

"Hey! What was that ?"

As the cannon was going to fire again, he jumped, dodging the fire, and go hide behind a table.

"Jazz to Bumblebee! What's going on ?"
"I... I don't know! It's look like a cannon has gone crazy and is trying to blow me up!"
"What ??!!"
"Please, need help! I repeat : need hel..."

Once again, Bumblebee couldn't finish his sentence, as another shoot from a cannon in front of him hit him in the head, knocking him out.

"Bumblebee! Bumblebee! Can you hear me ?"

                             *************

Mirage was still walking when he receive a communication.

"Jazz to anybody... if somebody hear me, please answers!"
"Mirage on the line. What is this ?"
"Thanks Primus, somebody's here... Mirage, we have a situation."
"What kind of situation ?"
"Bumblebee is in danger in the weapon compartment. We don't know exactly what happened, but he need a help. And you are the only one close enough for that."

Mirage froze. For a minute, he said nothing.

"Mirage ? Do you receive me ? Bumblebee needs your help!"
"Mirage to Jazz. I am on my way."

Then, turning in vehicule mode, he went to the place. A few minute later, he entered in the room.
It didn't took him too much time to notice something was wrong here. All weapon were activated, and firing at each other. Looking around, he saw Bumblebee lying on the roof. Before he could say anything, one of the cannon seemed to detect him, and fired.
With an incredible agility, Mirage dodged the shoot, drawed a thin, curved sword and slashed the cannon, instantly destroying it. He then  took a rifle out of his back, and fired himself every activated weapon he saw. Small explosive darts burst out from his rifle, destroying them all.
When he was sure there were no more crazy weapon, he turned back his attention on the one he had come to save.

"Bumblebee! Are you alright ?"

The young Autobot didn't answered. More worried than ever, Mirage turn him over, and gasped : his mouth had been seriously smashed.

"By the name of Primus..."

                             *************

"So is he okay will he survive is he going to die ?"
"He'll surely die if you don't stop speaking and moving so fast everywhere! Can't you see I'm trying to concentrate ?"

Sorry, the light blue, sharp looking bot stop moving and share a worried look with Mirage. Both of them were looking at the injured Bumblebee, who Ratchet, the medicine, was trying to heal as he could.

"This is very bad... how did he get that ?"
"Don't know exactly", Mirage answered. "I found him like that. I suppose he was hit in the head by one of the blast..."
"That's strange... I see no way the weapon could have been activated to attack him."
"A virus, maybe ?"
"Who know ?"

Eventually, Ratchet step back.

"I have done what I could. He will be alright. Luckily, his processors hasn't been damaged by the shoot. However..."
"However ?"
"... his vocal synthetizer has taken most of it. And I don't really have the materials to repare it. I doubt he'll ever be able to speak for now."
"What about to use the Matrix ?" the light blue robot suggest.
"Maybe, Blurr, but not now. I remember you that Megatron is going to attack us. We cannot take the risk to use the Matrix now."

Mirage froze.

"Megatron ? By the Allspark, I almost forgot! I must go back to the evacuation ship now..."

The two other look at him.

"What is the matter ?"
"Sorry Mirage, but the last one left a few minute ago", Blurr eventually replied.
"You mean I am trapped here ?"

He got no answer this time.

                             *************

On the Nemesis, the Decepticons were ready to go.

"Let's go, everybody!" Megatron ordered before telling to a tall, blue and white robot : "Astrotrain, you will carry me".
"Hey!" Starscream protest. "Why not me ? I'm your second in command!"
"And you will happily leave me in space while we are attacking."
"What ?! How dare you say that ? Megatron, you know me..."
"That is the point. Astrotrain..."

Agreeing, the tall robot transformed into a cybertronian ship and Megatron enter. Starscream grumble, then transformed too, and followed.

                             *************

"Decepticon in approach, Prime."
"Great. They already attack. And most of our ship's defensive weapons have been destroyed..."

Optimus look around him. Jazz, Hot Rod, Mirage, Blurr, Hound, Ratchet and Bumblebee. They were all the passenger still on board with him. Every one else had been evacuated.

"Prepare to counter attack," he eventually ordered. "Bumblebee, since you are wounded, you can stay here if you want. Nobody will reproach you this."

Bumblebee just replied with some kind of protesting sound. Two retractable weapons, looking like long energy stinger, appeared on his fists.

"Alright, then you can come... Hound, prepare the airlock."

Jazz look at him.

"You want to fight the Decepticons outside ?"
"This is the better way to prevent them from taking the Matrix. Ratchet, Mirage, you will stay here to pilot the ship. Every one else, you come with me."

The other approve, and they go.
As they were going through the airlock, Jazz approach Optimus.

"Seriously, do you think that's a good idea ? I mean... A lot of Decepticons can fly, unlike us. They have advantage in space..."
"Does it look like we have a choice ?"
"Right... excuse me..."
"No problem. You're right, that's foolish... But you know why I do that."
"Yes..."

The Autobots exited and arrived in space. Thanks to a magnet system on the ship, some kind of artificial gravity had been created on the ship, making them able to walk on it. Everyone had pulled out his weapons : Jazz had a gun and a sharp shield, Hot Rod an ax and a blaster, and Blurr two blades on his arms. Hound had charged his cannon, and Bumblebee was still holding his stingers. Optimus approve, then pulled out his own gun. Now they were ready to greet their ennemy...

Eventually, three Cybertronian flying vehicules appeared in the sky and fired at them. Part of the shoots were absorbed by the forcefield Jazz generated from his shield, and the other were dodged. The Autobots retaliated, only to miss their target. Then, one of the Decepticons released a tank, who landed on the ship and transformed into a tall, black and silver robot with a cannon on his right arm.
Seeing him, Optimus pulled out two blades from his arm and approach.

"Megatron..."

His enemy turned his red optics toward him, and smiled, showing his pointed teeth.

"Optimus Prime... So we meet again..."

A long, metallic lash merge from his left wrist, and both him and Optimus rush toward each other.
At the same time, Starscream transformed and blasted at Jazz. The Autobot's shield stopped the blast, but Megatron's second in command immediatly attacked again, a blade flooding out of his arm.

"Astrotrain, Blitzwing! Take care of the other!" he ordered.

Astrotrain obeyed and transformed too, then attacked Hot Rod and Bumblebee, while his companion was now after Blurr and Hound.
Or, at least, he was trying to be after them : Blurr had already started moving at hight speed, and it was nearly impossible for the poor Decepticon to even aim at him.

"Will you PLEASE stop moving so fast ?"
"Not until you stopfiringatme wich I logicallyknowyouwon't!"

Blitzwing stopped, seemingly puzzled.

"Eee.... What did he just say ?" he asked Hound.
"I don't know..." Hound replied, shrugging. "When he speaks so fast, nobody really understand what he's telling to us."
"And he speaks like that often ?"
"Yes. Very often, actually."
"Well, that must be hard for you!"
"You have no idea..."
"HELLOOO!" Blurr interrupted them. "You're supposed to be enemies you two!"
"O, that's right..."

And the two bots went back to fight.

                             *************

Mirage and Ratchet watched the fight from the Teletran One's screen.

"Stupid war", Mirage grumble. "I hate fights. We should rather tried to resolve this conflict by talking..."
"We can't," Ratchet replied. "The Decepticons are warriors. They cannot live without fighting."
"But they did live without fighting us before! Why not now ?"

Ratchet look at him with disdain.

"You never took care about keeping yourself informed about this conflict, don't you ?"

Mirage was about to replied, but stopped. Though he hated to admit it, the old medicine was right : he had always tried to not be involved in conflict if possible, and had never tried to learn about it. Now he felt really stupid himself.

"We tried to negociate with the Decepticon at first," Ratchet explain. "But they decline. For some unknown reason, they have decided all Autobots must be destroyed or chased from Cybertron. So, if we wanted to survive, we could do nothing but fight. Did you really think we choose to fight our own neighboors while we were a labor force rather than militaries ?"

This time, Mirage really felt sorry. Now, he understood he had been too hard with everybody around. They weren't fighting because they wanted to. They were fighting because there was no other way to survive.

"Sorry," he eventually said.
"You don't have to apologize to me. You should rather apologize the others..."
"I don't think I would be able."
"Then I won't force you. But you should."

Their conversation was interrupted when an alarm ring. Ratchet looked at the computer and gasped.

"One of the airlock had been opened!"
"What ? But we didn't touch anything! And the others are outside!"
"I know! That's why I'm surprised!"
"What is wrong with this ship ?"
"That's not the worst! See rather what was in this room!"

Mirage look at the screen.

"O, no..."

                             *************

Optimus stopped Megatron's lash with his blade, and tried to retaliate. However, Decepticon leader ward off his attack, and they look at each other, Optimus' blue optics plunged into Megatron's red one.

"You should just give me what I want," Megatron said. "I don't care about you filthy Autobots if you're no more on Cybertron. Give me the Matrix, and I'll let you go."
"Why should I trust you ? As soon you'll have it, you'll tried to conquer the universe. And then, we'll have no place to hide."
"And I thought all Autobots were stupid... no matter. I will take it anyway."
"I don't think so..."

Suddenly, Astotrain's voice interrupted them :

"Megatron!"

Both of the leaders turned over, and gasped : something who looked like a glowing, blue sphere in a metallic container was floating in space.

"The Matrix!"

Taking advantage on Optimus' surprise, Megatron pushed him and pounced on the artifact.
But, just as he was going to reach, Starscream seized it.

"Finally, I have the Matrix!"
"YOU TRAITOR! GIVE ME THAT!"

Megatron hit him in the chest, and the flying Decepticon, surprised, release what he had just taken. It float a few seconds, before being caught by Blitzwing.

"Megatron! I've it..."

But, just as he was saying that, Blurr run toward him and took it from his hands.

"No more now!"

But, as he was talking, he forgot to look in front of him, and collide with Astrotrain. Once again, the shock make him release the Matrix, who fly a second time, before falling in the hands of Optimus.
This time, the Decepticons lost no time, and quickly surrounded him.

"It's over, Optimus," Megatron said. "Now give me the Matrix or we will take it from you."
"As long as I'm here you won't get your hands on it."
"I don't think you have much choice."
"O, really ? And what if I just destroy this ?"

Megatron's smile disappeared, and everybody, even other Autobots, look at Optimus in horror. He couldn't be serious ?

"You won't dare..."
"Won't I ?"

Optimus raised one of his blade and went through the Matrix with it. This time, Megatron looked panicked :

"You fool! Stop this!"

The Decepticons stepped toward Optimus, but it was too late : the Autobot leader had already pierced the Matrix. He then threw the damaged object in space, and fired at it.
There was a terrible explosion, and a flash of light blinding everyone. When everybody got his view back, there was nothing remaining of the Matrix than a smashed container.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

In rage, Megatron raised his cannon toward Optimus.

"I'll destroy you for that, you filthy silly Autobot!"

But he was interrupted by a communication :

"Sideways to Megatron! What just happened ? The Nemesis has been severely damaged!"
"I'll explain you later. Now I've something important to do!"
"No time for that! Sorry, Megatron, but we must retreat immediatly. The Airlocks are nearly broken. If you don't come back now, I might not be able to let you enter then!"

Megatron seems to hesitate a few second.

"Okay, we are coming back. Decepticons, retreat!"

Starscream, Astrotrain and Blitzwing both transformed back in jet mode.

"This is not over, Optimus Prime. I will make you pay, even if it's the last thing I must do!"

Then, Megatron transformed to vehicule mode too and embark in Astrotrain. They went away, and quickly disappeared from sight.

It was only then that Optimus realized everyone of his companions were looking at him.

"Hum... well... Let's go back to inside!"

Just when they entered in the control room, Mirage ran toward Optimus.

"Have you lost your mind ???!!! You just DESTROYED the Matrix! You ruined one of our only chance to survive!"

Optimus' answer was cold.

"I did what I must! The Matrix may have been one of the only way we could survive, but it was too the better way Megatron could rules the universe. And I consider the universe being more worthly than just the Autobots!"
"Beside," Hot Rod added, "Maybe you should explain us why the Matrix was sent outside!"

Mirage said nothing. Luckily for him, Ratchet came to his rescue :

"It wasn't his fault. Actually, we don't know exactly what did that. According to Teletran One, somebody opened a airlock and sent it outside. But we were both here, and we didn't touch anything. So it couldn't be us."

Optimus frowned. First, crazy weapons who fired at Bumblebee and injured him. And now, this. Could all of this mean...

His thoughts were interrupted when the Arch start shaking. Ratchet and Hound went at the computer.

"Prime! We have serious damages! We must find a place to land immediatly!"
"Is there any planet near ?"
"Yes. An unknown planet."
"Then we're going here."

And the Arch go toward the planet. But, as it was approaching, it shook more and more. The Autobots began getting really worried.

"I really don't like the look of this!" Hot Rod scream to cover the noise.

And he quickly proved to be right. Instead of landing at it had been supposed to do, the ship crashed in a volcano. The shock was so strong that all bots in board falled in the coma.

                             *************

"So, did you localize them ?"
"No, Megatron. Sorry."

While the Arch had crashed on the planet, the Nemesis had been a little more lucky. Though seriously damaged, it had been able to land on the moon. It was now unable to take off, but Megatron didn't care : all he wanted now was to find Optimus and his Autobots, and make them pay.

"You must localize them! I'm not going  aniwhere before I get my hands on them!"
"Sorry, Megatron", Sideways repeated. "For an unknown reason, their signal isn't visible anymore. All I know is that they are on this planet."
"Then we are going to wait until they appeared again."
"WHAT ??!!"

All Decepticons around look at their leader.

"Megatron, you can't be serious..." Strarscream said.
"I am, you idiot!"
"But we cannot wait here for ever!" Barricade protest.
"Barricade has got a point," Sideways approved. "Since I can't determinate what put them in this situation, I can't say when we will be able to find them. I might take an eternity..."

Megatron smiled.

"Then we're going to put ourselves in stase. And only when they will come back, we will too."
"Ew... Maybe we thought send somebody back on Cybertron to..."
"Well tried, Starscream, but there is no way I let you go back to Cybertron to proclaim yourself leader of the Decepticons. You're staying with us!"

The Decepticon seemed disappointed, but nodded.

End of part 1