Cybertron:unknown

Streetfire

Cybertron:unknown

Your optics open blearily... fuzzy static crackled on the edges of your vision. You shake it off, and raise your head.

You had no clue where you were, but you did know that you were strapped to the wall, crucifixion style.

You wearily tugged against the bonds, but they were solid, metal and unforgiving.

The area around you was dark, pitch black, and the air was damp and stale.

You remembered little, only something about returning to Cybertropolis... about the Decepticons reopening the city.

For weeks you had waited with the rest of Cybertron, as the Decepticons turned the whole of Cybertropolis into their capital.

There had been little resistance. They had shown up in Cybertron's skies aboard the Warworld, and the horn of the Dark God, Unicron, was placed atop as a macabre hood ornament.

Fear and surprise had been their greatest weapons.

For three centuries, peace had ruled Cybertron. The Pax Cybertronia had united the factions, outlawed the Decepticons, and disbanded the Autobots. For three centuries, Maxmal, Predacon, Destron, and Cybertron had lived under a united rule, had acted as a police force, a defense force, a scientific force, and an exploration force for the myriad of civilizations in the galaxy.

They were not ready for the sudden attack...

They were not ready for the cold ruthless destruction the Warworld offered...

They were not ready for a war...

Iacon had been turned into a smelting pool in cycles, the Councils were either dead, or had disappeared into the cracks of Cybertron to disappear.

The Cybertronian fleet had fled, leaving the populace totally undefended.

You think back to the past, to the time when the Pax Cybertronia was signed.

The celebrations were tinged with bitterness for you, for, after its signing, Exodus, your creator, disappeared, leaving his works and experiments to you and to Altima Stratus, an Autobot warrior. Altima was a stubborn bot, a fighter. He had refused to see and accept the logic behind the Pax Cybertronia. So, you and he had parted ways. The techno-war gadgets your father had created were of no use to you, so Altima had kept the secrets, and to this day probably still inhabited your father's labs.

But you had never returned. The memories there were painful, and the technology of little use to a society whose last interest war had now become.

Now, you wonder about the wisdom of such a chosen path.

You twist your frame, stretching connectors that burned with the last bits of some agent that had entered your system... some sickness... some virus.

That was it, something had hit you, something had buried itself in your circuits and invaded your logarithms. Immediately you began a system scan, deleting corrupted sectors. However, the poison had already begun to fade.

"Welcome back, Streetfire."

Your head snapped up, and scanned the darkness.

A low, dangerous sibilant laughter filled the musty chamber. Two pinpricks of red light appeared, two eyes.

"Wh..." you almost choked on the words, "Who are you!"

"My name is Scourge."

"What do you want!?"

"I am doing research, and I believe your father's studies may further it. You will take me to him."

You are unable to suppress the urge to laugh, "You think that eerie effects and threats are going to break me?!?"

Suddenly, the chamber fills with a soft light, and you see the deep chasm that drops away from you. You were precariously hung high on a wall somewhere below the surface of Cybertron, below you stretched infinity in all its awesome depth.

Across a short distance stood the other bot... if he could be referred to as a bot. You had heard of them, the new experiments in Cybertronizing the Transmetal technology that came with the Wave. The Transmetal IIs were mutated, beast and bot, flesh and circuit, extremely powerful, and terribly dangerous. This one appeared to be an insect hybrid. A red and black exoskeleton crossed over a rigid black frame, copper transmetal glimmered on an abdomen that twitched behind him. Green wings with red veins twitched behind him. Recurved legs held him up as two sets of optics, one normal, the other multifaceted, watched your reaction.

To your credit, you didn't utter a sound.

"No, I didn't threaten you, nor did I ask. I merely informed you of your new role."

You glare at the Transmetal, "And if I don't agree?"

"Then free yourself, but last time I checked, you didn't fly."

"What do you want with my Father?"

"Exodus? Nothing. But I hear that he did some experimental research on Fusion. Oh, don't be so surprised, it may have been centuries past, but the Warworld had very impressive databanks, and they date back several centuries. Don't worry, I'm not looking for the fusion cannon. Firepower is so boring. However, his research may allow me to find a way to bring our entire race together..."

--The Warworld?!?!--

For the first time you notice the purple sigil glinting on his chest.

--A Decepticon!!--

"You lie."

"No, Truth is a far more devastating weapon."

"Then why all this, why the threats."

"Would you be willing to help a Decepticon? I think not."

"So what if I am now?"

"Doubtful, and I am afraid I can not allow any potential flaws in this plan to come to fruition."

You notice that the insect had removed an object from beneath the insect-beast mode head that made his shoulderpad. He held it up in the pale light, and you could see the glinting of energon in an amber liquid. A small replusor engine hummed and the object floated out across the chasm. on it was a syringe, filled with an amber energon...

"Truth serum?"

"No, far more advanced, though it may leave you a bit empty after it's purpose has been served."

"Afraid I'll have to take a raincheck..."

From your wrists small sawblades flicked out, snapping the metallic bonds in an instant. Your torso fell, freefalling for a brief second as you swiped at your feet, sawing apart those bonds as well.

"STREETFIRE, VEHICLE MODE!!!"

You transform into your bike mode, tires adjusting to grasp onto the vertical surface. You tear straight up the wall, past Scourge and his deadly toxin.

You hear the insect's roar of frustration accompanied by the sound of transformation and buzzing wings following close on your tailpipe.

Within seconds you jolt over the lip of the chasm and out onto a rampway road on the surface of Cybertron. Around you, the ground is torn open by blast bolts from the pursuing Predacon.

Cybertron: Some street in Cybertropolis?

You tore out of the chasm and down the streets like quicksilver on speed, "Awwww, MAN! This is JUST what I need!"

The droning of the insect's wings swells out of the chasm as Scourge bursts out from the undergrounds of Cybertron. Static missiles fire out at you, tearing open the roads around you.

Not really in the mood, you transform, spinning around and activating your arsenal, pulling your twin energy pistols and locking onto the Predacon.

click...click...click...

The triggers pulled back ineffectually.

Two missiles slammed into you, tossing you into a building, and sending jolts of electrostatic energy boring through your processors.

--SLAG! Weapons still offline! The slaggin Pred poison must still be working on my circuitry.--

You transform again as two missiles slam into the walls behind you. Your wheels shriek as they search for a surface grip.

The insect was almost on you though, and the last two hits were slowing you, sending blasts of circuitry interference racing through your CPUs.

--Not good... not good at all...--

If you had some weaponry you would stand a chance, but as things stood...

Another missile struck home in your engines and you felt your internals grind down. Transforming you looked around for any form of cover. A small building to the side had an open doorway not too far off, and you dove for it.

Spinning you slammed your fist on a door mechanism, shutting the portal behind you. Quickly you looked for the lock, but none was to be had.

The inside was darkened, and appeared to be an entry area for some kind of abandoned officeplace. Apparently whoever worked here had not chosen to return after the occupation.

You jumped behind a wide, semi-circle entry desk and tapped quickly on the keypad there. A screen flickered to life.

"C'mon, c'mon, where are the emergency lock downs. Every building has them somewhere!"

A resounding click shook the building as you found the code and shut the building off from the outside world.

--Great, now I'm trapped in here... damaged, and still no weapons!--

You tapped in a few codes and brought up the computer's registry. It appeared to have been a planning office. Nothing in the way of technology or better yet, medical.

"The day is just NOT with me."

You started scanning building entries looking for alternate routes out. There were several, in fact, the building looked about as secure as Swiss cheese, even WITH the lockdown in process.

Suddenly, a scattering of sparks flew from the panel and the controls and screen went black.

"Uh oh..."

You pull your gun, despite its useless state. At least it GAVE a feeling of security. Quietly, you inched your way toward the hallways. If you could get to one of the lower exits...

Then, a light shone around the doorway that you had entered. An odd humming noise filled the air.

--What the...--

BOOOM!!!

The door shattered inward in an explosion, you had dodged into the hall, just as it slammed into the wall behind you. You glance back and see several large, heavy transformers enter the building. A high pitched voice sounds blankly, "This building has not been cleared for re-inhabitance. Any Cybertronians may now come out for a period of leniency and to explain their presence."

--Yeah... right!--

The massive forms begin to shine heavy head mounted search lights around the room. You stay flat and out of their way, affording yourself a slight view of the hulking robots. You can make out at least one that had a huge, tri-pronged cannon of some kind on his shoulder, and appeared to be walking on tread-feet. His arms bore massive, robot-like pinchers, and his face had a solitary, visor optic that pulsed back and forth with a red light.

You saw a movement beside him, a smaller, rounder shape that was floating.

--A worker drone?--

The hollow, blank voice, undoubtedly now that of the floating drone, spoke again, "Compliance negative. Proceed with search and terminate."

--That's my queue!--

You inch back as the hefty robot moved in, followed by at least one other of similar size.

Quickly and quietly you ran down the hallway, your stealth circuits were only partially active, but those lummox's were making enough noise to cover your footfalls.

You reached an elevator shaft and pried open the door. The elevator was missing, of course, and all the better. You jump down into the darkness.

You land several floors down with a bit of a thud. Static was still fuzzing your receptors, but you knew that there should be a basement-level maintenance hatch not too far from the elevator shaft. You started to push on the doors, until a thud behind you made you spin. Unfortunately it wasn't fast enough to dodge the clawed fist that thrust itself into your midsection.

You smashed through the lightweight doors and went sprawling onto the ground.

At first you thought it was the big bruisers from upstairs... then your optics cleared, and you could see the long mutated legs of the Transmetal Decepticon stepping through the door.

"Scourge!"

"Yes," whispered the Decepticon, "Your foolish blundering has brought the attention of those moron police drones before I could shut the building system back down. But nonetheless, you are once again in my possession."

--He doesn't want their attention... but neither do I... but I bet he won't be willing to fire a missile.--

You decide to stall until you could position yourself to transform.

"Look, why all this cloak and dagger. Just call down the goon squad and let them pound me into submission."

"I would much rather do it myself..." With that, he reached behind and separated a piece of his green and red wings. It's edge glinted sharply in the darkness, and traces of energon seemed to surge up in veins inside of it. He pulled a second identical blade and crossed them both threateningly in front of him as he advanced.

"Slag, Streetfire, transform!!"

You change and spin metal rubble up at him as you roar off toward the underground hatch.

It was only a short distance away, and instead of slowing down, you just transformed and smashed straight through it, even as one of the swords buried itself into the wall beside the door.

You tumbled a short distance and fell into a stream of oily liquids.

Things were getting worse. You heard the sword being wrenched free from the doorway above you and looked up to see Scourge jumped down on top of you.

Then a crackle of silver-white electricity slammed into the Decepticon, tossing him away with a roar of pain.

You roll sideways to see the source of this new found aide.

All you could see was a pale glowing green orb in the darkness that another bolt jetted out of and cracked across the ground where Scourge had landed.

This time, as the glare faded, a symbol in that orb was visible... a Maximal sigil!

You heard a splash as a separate purple ape-like robot leapt into the stream beside you. It had shiny, silver back mounted cannons which it fired in the direction of the Decepticon. On his arm could be seen another sigil, a Destron one.

The ape turned to you and in a gruff voice snorted, "He's gone... for now."

"Who..."

The purple ape held up a paw, greasy from the stream, "Beast-box."

Another voice sounded from behind you, from where the orb could still be seen faintly, "Why was the Decepticon so interested in you?"

You stand up, shakily, peering into the darkness, "And who are you?"

The clicking sound of claws echoes in the tunnel as the orb moves forward. A form steps from the shadow and resolves around it, revealing another Transmetal II! This one was black, with bird-like talons for feet, and silvery wings behind it. The glowing sigil crystal was embedded directly into its chest in the crown of an owl-like beast head, "My name is Hunter Owl."

Cybertron: Under Cybertropolis

You stand up completely, swiping the oily liquids off, "Well, it's about slaggin' time!" you scream, a bit hysterically, "Can I get some answers? I wake up, chained up and strapped down like a bondage fairy! Scourge's virus screwing with my circuits... What I really need is..."

BOOOM

"...not that."

A hole had been blown in the exit doorway where you had jumped down from, and searchlights began to scan the darkened undertunnels from above. It was the drone and his flunkies.

The ominous humming filled the air and a bright pair of flashes streaked out toward your group.

One nailed HunterOwl in the arm, sending smoke and sparks flying from the limb as it flew off and into the oil stream.

The other landed dangerously close to you and the monkey.

"All right... We're GONE!" yells the ape, "Follow me!"

He pounds off into the darkness, with the owl quickly spinning to follow. You decide it was probably a good time not to ask any more questions and set off after them both. A few flash charges left behind hopefully disoriented your pursuers long enough to give you a good head start...

You and the two others ran as fast as possible, the heavy tread sounds of the pursuers echoing off the struts and pipes of the underworld.

You skid to in front of a rather rusted old bridge. To either side, a drop-off off into the darkness of Cybertron yawned.

"Oh great! What now?" you look back, you could faintly make out the searchlights of the gruntbots behind you.

"Cross!" HunterOwl, gripping the smoldering stump of his arm, barely paused before pounding across the long, dangerous bridge.

Beastbox was right behind him. You spare another glance behind, to assure yourself that the lights were getting closer. "With my luck today, this bridge'll collapse half way across..."

Regardless, your weapons were still offline, and you doubted you could take the drone's troops without them. You spin and begin your journey across the crumbling bridge.

Amazingly, it stayed put, only loosing a few pieces as you ran across. At the other end, both the Maximal and the Destron stood staring into the darkness, where a small dip in the road lead slightly downward.

"What? What is it?!"

Beastbox snorted, "He seems something out there. And if it makes HIM pause..."

You slide forward, tired of all this. Slipping down the hill, you came to a halt at the bottom and activated your headlight.

Before you, in a dark indention in the ground, sat the massive bulk of an ancient looking aircraft carrier of some kind. It appeared to have once been possibly a water craft, but was made of some backwater technology design.

You scan across it's blue gray surface, seeing numerous gaping holes and massive dents marring it's surface. Char marks were blazoned across the sidewalls, and dust of hundreds of years cloaked it's surface.

Then, your light caught something near the front of the massive bow. A glint of red that shone through the ashen covering.

An Autobot sigil!

HunterOwl and BeastBox had slid down and joined you.

"There getting closer." The purple ape muttered.

The Maximal owl stepped up to the heavy underbelly of the carrier. He ran his one good hand across the pitted surface, "His name was Broadside."

"'His'?!?" You couldn't believe your audio receptors, "You mean he..."

"He was an Autobot during the Great War. Musta lost his last battle here."

"How do you know?"

The black and silver robot didn't answer, instead, he found a large tear in the hull and began to step through.

"You're not going in there!?!?"

The purple ape jumped up and swung past HunterOwl.

The enigmatic Maximal looked back at you, "They'd be crazy to follow, wouldn't they?" his eyes sparkled with amusement as he turned back and pulled himself through.

You shake your head and, although a bit nervous about inhabiting a dead body, stepped through into the darkness beyond.

After some clambering, Hunterowl led you into the heart of the carrier, where a massive spark chamber lay. It's interior was dead and empty. Giving you a chill as the three of you sat down near by.

"We have to stop here?"

HunterOwl's eyes glittered with amusement again, his mouthpiece twitching up in what must be a grin, "This is the single most protected area in his body. Even if those robot's start getting antsy and begin to blast at the hull, we'll be able to get outta here before they ever get near us."

The ape, sat on his haunches, hefting the two blasters from his back and dumping them on the ground, "Besides, it looks like you need a bit of a repair."

"HunterOwl, Beast mode."

The Maximal transformed into a large, mutated owl. A heavy red eye patch covered one side of his fact, and a similarly colored cranium flashed and sparked in the darkness.

He twitched a silvery-black wing and settled back, "So, what's your name?"

"Huh?" You had been staring at the mutated Transmetal and were lost in thought, "Uhm, Streetfire."

"Well, Streetfire, welcome to sector Kappa."

"Kappa?!?"

You recognized the name as something of the underslums of Cybertropolis. It was renowned for being one of the more dangerous places on the planet!

The ape snorted, "Don't break a fuel line, you're barely on the outskirts of the place. 'Sides, these days those tank drones are the most dangerous part about it. And there really fairly easy to loose down here."

"Tank drones?"

The owl turned his head sideways, as if stretching his neck, you could hear several vertebrae pop, "Yeah, tank drones. Those two lummox with the little worker drone. The 'Con's been mass producing them as their form of a police force."

"But... I thought as we were running away, that they transformed?"

"They did. They got vehicle modes, and mind boggling tech backing them. Armor as tough if not tougher than the Transmetal I have, weapons that can slag a titanium bunker with one shot."

"How do they know who to shoot though... I mean if it's just autogun technology, they can't be that effective."

"Not sure, but they are that effective. We were hoping that another group of us might shed some light on the situation. But we haven't heard from them in a few solar cycles. "

The Destron ape shuffled over and looked at you, "Now, about that Transmetal... Who was he and why was he chasing you?"

"And for that matter," adds HunterOwl, "Why were you in that building, and why shut on the power mains. Surely you know that it'd attract the Con's attention."

"I thought Cybertropolis was open again?"

"It is, but they regulate who lives there. Everyone must be registered, every building must be licensed..."

"Hmmm... I was just hiding from Scourge."

"Scourge?" the ape looked at you, "That the name of the bug?"

"Yeah, he kidnapped me. Poisoned me and strapped me up."

The black owl stepped over to you, looking at you sideways with it's head, "But why?"

Cybertron: Kappa Sector

You reeled at the question. You hadn't even had the time to ask yourself why a large transmetal locust was experimenting on you in the first place.

"I... I don't know..." you stuttered.

You knew that he had been after something to do with your father, but some of the vestiges of the virus were still rampant in your circuits, leaving you a bit disoriented.

The ape shrugged, "Possible, but I doubt it. I've never seen or heard of that insect. The name didn't even register on my databanks."

The silver wings owl fluttered some metallic feathers, "Perhaps we have someone who could help, though. D'you think you can move out?"

You have to chuckle, after all, you hadn't lost a limb in the scrabble back there, "Yeah, I'll be ok."

"Good, then lets go..."

The next Megacycle was filled with darkened tunnels and rusted bridges as you sank deeper and deeper into the heart of the forbidden sector. The Owl stayed quiet and watchful, obviously not completely at ease with a sector that they claimed to be all but abandoned. After a short while though, you found yourself at a very heavily armored door.

A small drone floated out. It was orb shaped, and armless, with a solitary optic and a several long antennae clustered atop its body, "Hunter Owl. Identified. Squawkbox. Identified. Streetfire... unidentified."

"He's with us, voice override Silver." muttered the owl as he tracked past the orb and up to the door.

The orb seemed to consider this, and then faded off into the shadows near the door again.

"What if I wasn't cleared?"

Beastbox snorted, "Couple large autocannon's take your oilpan loose."

You looked around, barely catching the glint of a fair sized cannon barrel not too far off in the surrounding darkness, "Oh... nice. Must really keep the salesbots away."

The doors slid open, slightly on heavy tracks. A cascading effect revealed that there were actually five sets of doors, each thicker than your own body mass.

Inside there was a massive, nearly silent chamber.

"Not much to look at is it?" muttered Beastbox, "Welcome to the great Autobot resistance."

Just then, a deep orange and silver chromed transmetal rat rolled out of the shadows.

He rolled because his beast mode was beast mode was currently altered to that of a rat-rod mode, complete with wheels and engine exhaust pipes sticking out of his back.

"Hello, and welcome to the Pitt!" He stated in an odd cynical tone, "and how may Dr. Labrat cure you today?"

You stare agape at the rate and his shiny, transmetal exterior, "Healer, heal thyself!" You mocked, "And how is this guy going to help me? What kind of name is that at any rate?"

"I used to be an albino Maximal rat. Worked as a transient doctor at a Predacon Science facility in Cybertropolis. I volunteered for an early test on this Transmetal gunk... guess the name fit then. At any rate..."

He transformed into a Maximal robot with some apparent difficulty, and pulled out a small datapad scanner, "I'd worry about the healer healing you. Cause I got a prognosis for you!"

"What's that?"

"You're about 3 megacycles away from loosing a sizeable part of your memory. Six Megacycles and we've got a complete cerebral meltdown!"

"What!?!?"

"This is cute stuff, Hunter, where'd you scrape up this guy?"

"He was being chased by a Predacon. Doesn't know why."

"Doubt it, the virus is pretty advanced, looks like whoever used it planned to erase most of his current memory. Probably wanted something from older datatracks to be brought up..."

"Can you get rid of it?!"

"Cool you pipes flames, it's treatable. Looks like it needed a second dose to go completely active."

You remember the floating needle-drone with a shudder, "So, clean it out already."

"Need a CR open. It'll take a few cycles to clear one. Some of the boys got in a tangle with the tank drones earlier."

With that the shiny orange and silver robot traipsed off to a far corner of the massive warehouse. You should see the blinking lights of a small row of CR chambers.

Hunter owl transformed. His arm was skeletal, and without it's final skin, but it was operational, "You see, we've been hiding here for the past month or so hoping that we could garner enough information on what the Decepticons were up to. Like I had said, the best chance we had was with a team that went to the Warworld. But we lost contact with them a while ago. Now, we only know that the outer factory section in Cybertropolis is being kept clear of any returning residents. It's been turned into a massive manufacturing plant where they turn out these tank-drones, as well as a jet variety."

"So they needed a police force. Is that all so weird?"

"No, but a police force of this size? And we still don't know how they can react so well. They attack in organized waves that alter with ANY condition. No drone has ever had that kind of creativity!"

Labrat waved a hand.

"Looks like your CR is ready." Beastbox motioned.

As you settled down into the bare-bones CR box, you pondered on this new regiment of Autobots, the tank drones, and, most importantly, the Decepticon Scourge.

--Stasis lock commencing.--

"What do you want with my Father?"

Cybertron: Kappa Sector, the Autobot base

"I don't care!" You spit at the tall transformer. The silver robot had reddish highlights, and an angry look. "You're father was dedicated to the Autobot cause!"

"My 'father' probably should have been dedicated. After all it was the 'Autobot cause' that probably led to his disappearance. Look, Altima, I just don't see why you can't except that the war is over. This lab should be shut down... dismantled even!"

"Why?! It's all we have left of your Exodus..."

"And it's all a reminder of a war that lost him."

The tall Autobot sighed, "Then at least let me stay here."

"Stay here?! Why??! "

"I will keep anyone from poking around in the technology, and here, I can wait until the Autobot's are needed again."

"Needed again?! The Pax Cybertronia..."

"Will be broken one day. And then we will be needed again!"

"We? Look, there is nothing wrong with becoming part of the Cybertronian army. It's where the Autobot's started!"

"Fine, then you go and join them..." The robots eyes glittered with amusement, and friendship, "I suppose they'll need someone to make sure they stay in line."

You return the smile and hold out your hand, "Farewell, Altima Stratus. Keep safe, perhaps your right, perhaps one day we will need heroes."

He shakes your hand, "So long, Streetfire, and maybe you're right. Maybe we need peacekeepers now, not pig-headed warriors like myself. Do what you can in your way, I'll do what I can in mine."

And that was it. You turned, never to return to the labs again. You would see Altima once or twice, still operational, still bearing the Autobot sigil, always secretive...

--Systems online.--

Five cycles!

Five cycles was all it took to wipe out the virus!!

You shambled out of the CR, stumbling and falling flat on your face!

A large orange and black metallic gorilla rushed in and picked you off the ground, "Whoa there, mate." he mumbled in a thick English accent.

You looked up at his impressive bulk. He was three or four times your size, and built out of thick armor plating. heavy rivets and a worn, dented look, gave him the impression of being some kind of steam powered-robot, rather than Cybertronian technology. He gave a toothy grin as you sat there staring at his worn, soot covered body, "'Ello there! Name's 'Alloween Jack, 'Alloween f' short!" His accent was extremely thick, almost Chutney...

You shake off the swimming feeling in your head, "Thanks, names Streetfire. Halloween?"

"'Ay. Gots it from a' old planet log. Is a festival on a primiti' planet. Celebrate's the coming of death'r somethin' thawt it'd be a fun chang'n fr'm Piledriver."

"Hrmm... never heard of it. But I'm sure you fit the bill. Where's the good doctor? I'd like word with him on the slack job these CR's are doing on the pain receptors."

"Herrr." he chuckles, "Sorry, not much in the way of Cybacaine down here. These CR chambers aren't exactly the top of the line models. You should try comin' back missing an' arm. Gotta envy these new Transmetal's sum a thems gots healin' rate's you wouldn't believe!! How'v me girl here, Quickburn'll be gladn' ta run for a doc' ifya want?"

A soft tones, and rather sensual reply came from the small white and blue female bot, tha stepped out from behind where she was working on a datapad, "Noprobl
em,sweetiejustwaityourturnandyou'llgetachancetoo." She answered in a blur of undertones. The look and the tone seemed to be rather... flirtatious, and you had to glance up at the ape to make sure he didn't take offense. Halloween, however, was just staring at her with a dazed, dumb look of happiness.

You clear your throat, "Uhm... could you mind telling me what the slag just escaped from her mouth?"

However, as the large bot turned to answer. A noise came from across the massive wharehouse.

"Visit'rs." grinned the large ape as he trudged past you. You followed, scanning your systems, and seeing with relief that the weapons systems were fully operational.

"Who is it?"

"One 'f the scouts we had out this aftern' he was searchin' the lower area."

"Lower area?"

Suddenly, Quickburn was next to you, draping an arm around your waste, "LowersectionsofKappawheretheresbeenanunusualamountofVehiconactivityinthepastfewdays."

"Oh." You had only the vaguest clue of what she said, but you set to extracting yourself from her arm.

The heavy doors slid open and a blue and silver furred baboon staggered through the doorway, leaning back on it as it closed. Blood dripped from several gashes amidst burnt, charred patches on the monkey's fur. The black armored and silver feathered HunterOwl was there at his side from out of nowhere.

Sliding an arm under the monkey for support, he helped him across the large chamber, apparently asking him questions along the way.

The duo trudged past you and you saw quickly go give the baboon a big hug as she slid him into a CR. Even from where you were, you could see the baboon roll his eyes, whether from the hug or the incessant prattle pouring out of his mouth, you couldn't tell.

You and HalloweenJack walked back the short distance to join her and HunterOwl.

The owl didn't look at you as he began, instead staring at the CR as it closed over the wounded warrior, "B'boom just came back from the lower sections of the Kappa sector. Seems like there's been several squads of Tank drones sent down there."

"I thought you said they never came down here?"

"They don't, that's why we sent a scout." Hunter looked at you as he continued, "Needless to say, we don't want them around here. Any activity is immediately reported and investigated. B'boom here found that they were centralizing around a rather dangerous part of the lower areas, and reports that while he was down there, there was a huge explosion. He moved in to investigate, and saw a large, Predacon marked ATV. It was a real fancy rig, possibly either a councilor's or even a member of the Tripredicus council. At any rate, there were some burn marks from battle, but not much. The rig probably never had seen battle before, but it was built pretty slaggin' well. At any rate, he watched it for a few cycles, until he got a good view of the fore windows. Inside he could make out several members of the team we sent up to the Warworld."

"The ones that have been missing?"

"Yeah."

"Then they may be trying to return."

You hear a grunt from off to the side, "Who'd he see." It was Beastbox, joining from somewhere off in the massive warehouse.

"He saw Sureshot..." Hunter's eyes narrowed, "and Squawktalk."

"Not likely."

"B'boom wouldn't lie."

"If Squawktalk was there..."

HunterOwl nodded, looking back at you, "Squawktalk and Beastbox are a team. They share a transformation, as well as something of a mental link. We sent Squawk with their team, and kept Beast here, so we would have a link without risking transmissions."

"If Squawktalk were operational," interrupted the purple ape, "Why isn't he responding to the link?"

HunterOwl looked worried, "I don't know. Halloween, Beastbox. Let's go and investigate. Streetfire, feel up to an outing?"

Cybertron: Sector Kappa

"Did he say feel up to?" came an interested reply from Streetfire's left side.

"Uhm... Yeah, kind... wait! Why is she talking normal NOW?!" You asked, downright stupefied, and staring at Quickburn.

"Huh?" grunted Halloween.

You look up at him, "She was talking in a blur of information just a few seconds ago... Now she sounds fine!"

Beastbox shuffled past and grunted, "She's got some glitch in her systems. Something she got from the Maximal that helped kick her off. He had the speech deficiency all the way, and when she was activated, her pod somehow picked up on it. He mighta even used a few of his chips to make sure she came on-line. After all, she is a med-bot, and it was during the last years of the Great War. You ask ol' Jack there, though and you'll just get a blank stare. Seems he's gotten used to it after all this time of drooling after her."

You shake your head, "Whatever. Ok, yeah. I'll come."

"IhadbestgotoincasetheresneedofmedbesidesHunterOwlyourarmstillisn'tcompletely healed up yet. You can't expect to be at full fighting strength in that condition. And Labratshereincasetheothersneedanyemergencyhelp."

Hunter nods, "Ok then, but keep the mouth shut. We still haven't been all too successful in the fights against those tank bots. and the pit knows how many of them are crawling around there."

You smile, "Computer, weapons online. Let's get cracking!"

First place the five of you went to investigate was the epicenter of the huge explosion that B'boom had reported. Down through winding tunnels and ductworks you went, until finally reaching a hollowed out area, where floor and ceiling had collapsed and fused in a great landslide.

"This is the epicenter from his datatracks." Reported Beastbox.

You look down, "The explosion had to be immense. I haven't seen this much slagged metal since the Great Wars! Even the Warworlds attack on Iacon didn't have this much direct pressure.

Halloween Jack lumbered forward, "Huhn? The attack b'the 'world devastated kilometers a land! This only covers a quart' kilometer, at best!"

"Yeah, but this happened in an instant. B'boom only reported one explosion, right? The attack on Iacon was made by maybe a hundred blasts or more, and didn't damage down into the ground and rock like this has."

"So what are you suggesting." HunterOwl had transformed and was pushing at some rubble that lay nearby... the rubble still smoked with heat. As you looked, you realized his arm was nearly complete in it's repairs.

"These tank bots of yours haven't displayed this kind of sheer power have they?"

"Nope."

"Then I'm betting that someone, perhaps them, set an explosion."

"But why?"

"I don't know... perhaps to bury some..." the thought went unfinished as Beastbox waved you to silence.

"Hear that?" grunted the purple monkey.

You strain, only to hear silence at first, then the sounds of battle echoed softly from down the tunnel.

"A fight!" Grunted Halloween Jack and he turned to lumber off down the tunnel.

Beastbox snorted, "There goes the quiet little trip."

"Autobots, move out!" roared HunterOwl.

The tunnel was alight with firepower. The chaos of battle was in full. At least seven tank drones were still standing, and were making quite a fiery mess trying to hit their targets. You, HunterOwl, Halloween Jack, and Beastbox jump into the fray full tilt.

You used your speed to the disadvantage to the drones, but were shocked as your firepower seemed to glance off of whatever they boasted for armor! Beastbox's attacks were similarly useless, but HunterOwl seemed to be everywhere, letting loose red and blue blasts of energy that arced across the heavy armor. Another robot was there too, and his firepower was impressive, but you couldn't get so much as a clear glance at him in all the confusion.

The drones themselves were immense, hulking beasts, standing on two, treaded legs, and bearing heavy rotary cannon on their shoulders. Their arms were little more than thick claws, and their eyes were solitary rotating optics above a heavy lower jaw plate.

You see Beastbox jump on ones shoulder and wrap around it's head. The bot roared out inarticulately and swung about, trying to dislodge the stubborn ape. you took the opportunity to quick slide directly under him, between the heavy treads, firing your weapon up into his midsection for repeated direct blows. As you transformed on the other side and roared up the side of the hot tunnel, Beastbox made an impressive leap to your seat and began firing his own weapons at the drone's head. But as you roared across the ceiling, defying all standards of gravity, the monstrous drone barely flinched, instead raising his cannon to fire a searing blast that knocked you both down in a tumble without even touching you!

You transform and the both of you roll and start firing at his head, and only after repeated blasts were you gratified with the shattering of red crystal from his optics, and the angered and pained roar of the drone.

You see HunterOwl Flash in, and with savage fury rip the drones head off with his razor sharp talons.

You and Beastbox roll away as the monster falls, firing your weapons at another who was receiving a energy lashing from HunterOwl who was already in robot mode!

--Unreal!! I've NEVER seen ANYONE move that fast!--

You could make out the massive hulk of Halloween Jack, matching the size of the huge drones as he reared up amidst them and wrestled with them, dealing out vicious blows with a heavy handed staff that's tip burned with an inferno's blaze.

The battle continued for Cycle upon Cycle, finally, the sounds of the struggling drones quieted down.

You staggered over to where HunterOwl was standing, beside a burning drone body, the yellow and orange flames giving him an odd color in the smoke filled tunnel.

"I don't know how you did it Hunter! No wonder you're these guys leader!"

The Maximal started and turned to look at you, "Hunter?"

Confusion set it... that wasn't HunterOwl's voice.

You looked down to his arm... it was uninjured, not newly repaired, just uninjured...

The fire wasn't what was miscoloring him either.

"What the... who the slag...?"

"Prowl?" you spin to see Hunter Owl... you think... approaching from behind. He moved to stand face to face with what could be his clone, except for the peculiar coloration difference.

The new owl looked confused, "You... you know my name?"

"Prowl!" The owl grabbed him, "It's me!! It's Silver!"

Now you were really confused, and you sensed the others joining you were even more confused.

"Who... I'm sorry, I really don't know..."

You hold up your hands, "Whoa! What exactly is going on here!?!?"

Another voice from behind answers, a voice you did recognize, "I think I can answer."

You spin to see a charred, beaten, but whole form emerge from the flames and wreckage.

It was the other warrior.

It was Altima Stratus.

Cybertron: Sector Kappa

Altima steps toward you, "I appreciate the assist."

He nods to where HunterOwl stood staring at... his clone? "You know Prowl?"

Hunter turned and nodded, keeping an mutated eye on Prowl, "You could say that."

Altima continued after a pause, "He wandered into my tunnels. We were here to track down these 'cons."

Prowl interrupted, "How... do you know me?"

BeastBox lumbered up to them, "And why'd you call yourself Silverbolt, HunterOwl?"

HunterOwl shook his head, "Not here, not out in the open. Lets at least get to a tunnel where we aren't surrounded by Decepticon circuitry."

Altima looks down at the still smoldering tank-bots, "I must be rusty... A couple centuries of inactivity'll do that."

The massive orange and black Halloween Jack picked up one of the carcasses, "Don't be sa hard'n yeself, mate... These blokes 're tougher 'n anythin' I've ever fought!"

Quckfire gave him a saucy wink and a nod, "Yeahifwehadn'tfoughtthembeforewewouldhavemadethesameunderestimationyoumade."

Altima shook his head in confusion.

You moved over to him, "You'll get used to it. How's it going Altima?" you extend your sizably smaller hand.

Altima shook it, "Better. Seems I was right."

Your eyes narrow in annoyance, "Yeah, whoda thought the Decepticons would have really returned."

He cleared his throat, "So, who are you guys, and why are you in my tunnels?"

The smaller Beastbox snorted, "Your tunnels? I wasn't aware the underwarrens and sewers had a king."

HunterOwl, held up a hand, "Altima Stratus? We came down for the same reason. These Con's were a little too close to home. I see we're on the same team?" he points down to the Autobot insignia you bore.

"You're all Autobots?"

"Aye!" the big orange and black ape tossed the carcass he was studying and held out a massive hand, "I'm 'Allowenen Jack! 'Is here's a Quickfire," he points to the female with a broad grin, "BeastBox,"he indicates the small purple ape, "an you've a'ready met HunterOwl and Streetfire 'ere."

Altima nods, "So how long have you all been here?"

HunterOwl picked up, "We've been operating as Autobots since Iacon got wiped."

"What's going on up on the surface?"

"As far as we know, Cybertropolis is re-opened to the populace, but Iacon itself is pretty bad off. The Warworld didn't leave much there."

Altima looks down, "What are these bastards supposed to be, clones are us?"

You shake your head, "Not clones, drones."

"Drones?! I've never seen a fighting class of drones like that!!"

You shake your head, "No, these are new... and there are hundreds of them up above."

Silverbolt transformed to a black and silver owl, "If we could, let us move this discussion a bit deeper, before these drones come looking for this squad?"

You agree, and all of you move off down the tunnel, and deeper into Kappa Sector.

Silverbolt told his story in hushed whispers once you found a safe place.

"... we were the generals of the Maximals. We had inherited the position when we decided to change from our Autobot origins to become Maximals. It was a hard decision, but we felt that they would need someone in case of a moment like this... someone who had fought and could lead them if the unthinkable happened. There were three of us, and we chose a combiner form. We were considered the Combat Leader force, and we formed Magnaboss. There was Prowl, Ironhide, and myself... Silverbolt. Each of us was chosen for our experience and knowledge. Ironhide was one of the toughest Autobots, and had fought along side of Optimus Prime himself for millennia. Prowl was a master tactician, and had been second in command of the Autobots for some time, and I was the leader of the Aerialbots and so had vast tactical and aerial knowledge, plus I knew what it meant to be part of a combiner team.

At any rate, when the attack came, we were caught ashamedly by surprise. We weren't in the main Council chambers we were at the Maximal Medical Center. We assessed the situation, and came up with one plan. We had to scatter. The attack would have otherwise destroyed all of our resources. We also knew that we would be targets for the Decepticons once they landed, so we used the technology there to rebuild ourselves. Me and Prowl here ended up with these modes... I don't know about Ironhide. The hospital was under attack the whole time, and we knew we were each on our own. I must have finished first, probably because I already had a flight mode to begin with... Prowl here must have taken damage while he was still in the pod..."

Altima interrupts, "Which adds up with his description of rising from Iacon's ashes."

Prowl nodded, "So your saying I'm really some ancient Autobot warrior?"

Silverbolt nodded, "You have history before most of these guys were ever sparks in the eyes of Primus!"

Prowl just shakes his head in amazement.

"Now, " Silverbolt continues, "I managed to plant the idea in these guys heads that maybe the Autobot's should return... and was happy to find that they agreed. Despite the fact here that bot's like Beastbox here used to be Destrons..."

Beastbox added indignantly, "And Decepticon before that."

"And Decepticon." Silverbolt concedes, "But we all agree that these Con's are monstrous. And we all hope that the fleet is on it's way back."

"On it's way back?" Altma asks.

"Yes. One of the last orders we issued to the masses was to separate and regroup, then return to Cybertron. We can only hope that they all got the message, and didn't try to make a run on the Con's."

Altima nods, "So you were just heading down to attack these Con's?"

"No... There is a group that was separated from us. They were spotted deep within Kappa Sector. They haven't reported for days, and we were scouting to see what's up."

"Another group?"

"Ay!" added HalloweenJack, "Theyz rollin' 'bout down 'ere in a Pred vehicle'."

"A Predicon vehicle?"

"Yes." added Silverbolt, "A very nice one."

Altima turns to you, "What's your play in all this. I thought the Autobot's were outdated notions of wars long past?"

Your eyes shimmer in thoughtful disdain, "Well, I haven't completely given up on that idea... but these guys saved me from a Transmetal locust named Scourge. He wanted Exodus."

"Exodus?! He's gone though?"

"Yeah, well he seemed to want his studies, and thought I could give them to him."

"So he was after the lab."

Silverbolt interrupted, "I thought you didn't remember why?"

You shrug, "Now that the virus is wiped, I'm starting to remember more and more."

"Virus?" Altima asks.

"Yeah, Scourge had some rather nasty plans on how he was going to get the data from me."

"Then we had best not go back there yet." Altima mutters, "He may still be after you, and if we head back there, he'll know exactly where to go."

Silverbolt nods, "Then how about lending us a hand... as a fellow Autobot?"

Cybertron: Sector Kappa

Altima nods, "I could use a bit of help myself. As is obvious, I was a Targetmaster once. My bonded partner has long since ceased to exist. However, with what was left in Exodus' lab, I pieced together this replacement, and Prowl helped me bring him to life. However, it's still missing a spark. It does function well enough on a limited AI for the moment..."

Silverbolt looked at the targetmaster, who was about a third of his size, "I can't help you with a spark, but things have been so strange as of late, who knows?"

Altima seems to think for a moment, "I've never been much of a leader... so I'll just hand in for the ride, but where are we going?" he nods at you, "It's obvious that this 'Scourge' shouldn't get a hold of Exodus' lab, or his inventions... so that's not safe for us."

Silverbolt shook his head, "I'm afraid 'safe' isn't in the job description today. Like I said, we're following some friends. They've been separated from us for a while, and we think that they've been spotted down here."

After a mega cycle of searching the dark warrens of Sector Kappa, a signal finally registered to the group. Picking up the pace, you quickly found a heavy set of treads marks in the loose metal on the ground.

BeastBox shined a light on the treadmarks, that were twice as wide as you were tall, if not more so, "That's what B'boom reported. A big Predacon vehicle. We must be on the right track."

Quickly, you began to make your way down the huge tunnel.

Then, the sounds of battle became apparent, intermixed with the signatures of multiple tank drones.

You did an intense scan, and shook your head at the results, "Something's being attacked, and attacked hard! there's at least thirty or so drones, and something large. It's got a shield up, whatever it is. There's no doubt that the tunnel is hot though..."

Cybertron: Sector Kappa

Halloween Jack and Beastbox were the first down the tunnel. You started to run forward, but looked back when you realized that the others were held back.

You could see the Maximal called Prowl talking urgently to Altima Stratus. The conversation was over quickly though, and ended with Altima Transforming and jetting off overhead flanked by Silverbolt and Prowl. You quickly transform and tear off after them at full speed into the battle ahead.

Thirty or so tank drones now surrounded an immense Predacon ATV. The vehicle was well armed and armored, but so were the drones. Each drone barely spanned the width of one of the six enormous wheels, but their cannons tore holes in the shielding and shattered the thick armor.

In the two forward turrets, you could make out the forms of gunners, one orange and yellow, the other pale blue. Both were firing with abandon at the drone forces below.

Immediately, you knew, however that it was a loosing battle. Only two tank drones were smoldering, the others bore marks of damage, but none were immobile, or even slightly impaired. Already, one of the massive wheels of the ATV was shredded and melted, but the ATV was still moving down the enormous tunnel, albeit slowly.

Halloween Jack had transformed and was using his heavy lead-like body to pound through the backs of the drones. Beastbox was by his side, firing with the two thick cannons on his back. Quickfire was a blur of movement, dodging blasts, and firing her own weapons.

You drove below the flying forms of Altima and the two transmetal owls.

The three of you hit with the power of a thunderclap from behind. Causing the tank drones to turn some of their ire away from the huge vehicle.

As the battle continued, you received a communication from Altima, "Streetfire!"

Your comm activated, "Yeah, Altima? I'm a bit busy here!"

You could see him from where you were, he was still deep within the thick of the battle, "I need a distraction and a clear shot. Need to clear a path."
"With one shot? You still a bit delusional, aren't you?"

"Look, trust me, just get as many of the drone's attention away from me as possible."

You quickly assess his surroundings, "Gotcha, got a lock on you now, can get about seven of them in a row leading you off on vector 3.45 from your current local."

"On it.... ready and set."

With that, you quickly build up a surge of power, sending it through your frame. From every exhaust port you vented a thick white smoke. Instantly, you were surrounded in a huge flare of flame. You didn't catch any drones in it, but it definitely drew their attention.

You hear the sound of a heavy artillery blast, and see a bright blue line of power extend from Altima. It's energy pattern matched that of a heavy rail weapon.

--Impressive!--

Five of the tank drones were hit hard, only one was destroyed, however, the others just knocked prone.

That was good enough though.

Transforming, Altima roared to action, zooming through the newly cleared line of bots.

You could tell he was weakened, as he was slow enough for you to spin and transform, following him on the ground.

"Where are you heading??! The battle's back there!" you cried out.

"There's something else up here... something that is more important!" he grunted. He must still be on low energy reserves.

"More important than a bunch of Autobot's getting slagged?!"

Out of the darkness, the tunnel ended abruptly, Altima transformed and landed, skidding to a halt a few inches from a doorway.

You suddenly realize that the tunnel had narrowed immensely.

Transforming beside him, you mutter, "What the Pitt..."

Beyond the door lay a room bathed in a bluish glow... there were several others here, all Decepticons.

But what drew your attention was the massive hole in the center of the room. The pit emanated a powerful corona of energy. You quickly could tell that Altima was staring at it... stunned.

That was probably a bad thing, because all of the Decepticons had taken note of the two newcomers at the doorway...

Unfortunately, at this point I lost contact with Streetfire’s player completely (his email no longer works…)