Article 2249 of alt.toys.transformers.fanfic: Path: alexander.INS.CWRU.Edu!usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu!cleveland.Freenet.Edu!ev322 From: ev322@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Suzanne M. Ferree) Newsgroups: alt.toys.transformers.fanfic Subject: (Fanfic) Twins and Tales pt. 6 Date: 29 Aug 1999 00:30:50 GMT Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA) Lines: 563 Message-ID: <7q9uvq$s1q$1@alexander.INS.CWRU.Edu> Reply-To: ev322@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Suzanne M. Ferree) NNTP-Posting-Host: owl.ins.cwru.edu Xref: alexander.INS.CWRU.Edu alt.toys.transformers.fanfic:2249 |sf>I finished writing this part quite a while ago, but I'd wanted to have part 7 finished before I posted it. Last week, not only did I finish writing part 7, I went on a complete roll and finished a great majority of the story (ie. I finished part 8 and am working on part 9). Sadly, the administration has announced that they'll be taking down the USENET of the Cleveland Freenet on September 1st and completely end the Freenet at the end of September. I have another account w/ newsgroups, but I dislike posting w/ that account. I might go for a DejaNews account, but I haven't decided yet. In the meantime, I have a couple of friends who really want to read more of this (One of which isn't even a Transformers fan.), so even if people aren't going to give comments, I want to post it on here before uploading it to my http://www.cyberspace.org/~suz/fanfic.html or http://members.tripod.com/~Safari/tnt.html pages. As usual, I want to thank Robert Jung, Charlotte Brogden, and David Filip for their help in proofreading & giving me comments on this part. Disclaimer: Perceptor, Kup. Optimus Prime, Galvatron, Wildrider, Motormaster, Shockwave, Soundwave, Megatron, Vector Sigma, Octane, Jetstorm, Starscream, Combaticons, Skram, Turbofire, Deluge, Decepticon, Autobot, Wheeljack, Cybertron, and any other Hasbro-created names/characters are still copywriten by Hasbro. Scorpia's name is copywrite Takara (I hope they don't mind that I made a personality for the toy.) Edge, Yell, Rosestar, Cloudscape, and Flamethrower are characters I made up & w/ permission, I sometimes let others borrow them. I'm not making money off this & I strongly discourage anyone else to make any either. Twins and Tales part 6 *************************************************************************** Perceptor: What episode or argument precipitated your journey back to Cybertron? (Yell stands up.) Yell: I miss you too, Perceptor. Perceptor: I didn't intend to imply that... Yell: I know. You can't be too careful. Kup: Of all the lowdown Decepticon tricks... what's this Decepticon doing on Cybertron?!? (Optimus Prime enters.) Optimus: Maybe *I* can explain that. She's no more of a Decepticon than any other Autobot here on Cybertron. Kup: Then how'd she get a Decepticon symbol and why wasn't I told?!? Optimus: She's been spying on the Decepticons from the inside, trying to prevent as many innocent lives from dying as she can. Unfortunately, she hasn't contacted us for quite a while, so we feared she had been destroyed or discovered. Yell: She, she, she! Optimus, you never change! Do I hear "Yell! You're alive!" or "Yell, we're so happy that you weren't destroyed. What happened?" No. Instead I get to hear my whole life story repeated under my ears, as if I weren't even in the room! Optimus: It's not very often that leaders have to deal with the prospect of troops returning alive after a mission of over four and a half million years long, especially on such short notice. Yell: I know and I'm sorry that I'm acting so short tempered. I just learned about Wheeljack's death a very little while ago. He wasn't just my creator; he was also my fellow scientist with whom I worked for the most important times of my existence. I *had* to come. That reminds me, how did you know that I came here, Optimus? Perceptor & Kup didn't have time to signal you. Perceptor: I can answer that one. Although Wheeljack modified the optical output on the space bridge he constructed for you and designed a stealth modulator for the beam ride, he also calibrated the receiver to emit a distinct frequency, the specifics of which Wheeljack shared solely with Optimus and myself. Yell: So in other words, Optimus picked up this signal and knew I'd visit Wheeljack's lab. (Prime nods.) Perceptor: I, on the other hand, failed to carry my receiver. Yell: Yes, well, I'd probably better be leaving soon. You have plenty of communicators, and no real need of a scientist or historian, but you *do* need a spy so... Kup: History! Now there's somethin' that you can't have too much of. Optimus: Kup has a good point. You could become an Autobot ag... Kup: I know a thing or two about history. Yell: You do? Kup: Yup, I've probably lived through more history than Ultra Magnus and Optimus put together. You ever heard of the Dinobots? Yell (smiling): No, but I have a feeling you're going to tell me. Kup: A lass with a sense of humor. Now that's something I don't see much in young Autobots these days. (Yell and Kup exit Wheeljack's workshop.) Optimus: Perceptor, if Yell decides to come back for good, then we'll really have peace. Cybertron will have healed and the planet won't just look golden; it will really *be* golden. Perceptor: However, the question remains, can she psychologically readjust herself back into the Autobot ranks again? Optimus: I don't know. That's up to her. We can't make that decision for her. ___________________________________________________ Galvatron: So, what is the range of your explosive device? Flamethrower: Explosive device? You're kidding, right? (Wildrider softly chuckles, but quickly rejoins the quiet background when he sees Galvatron's frown.) Flamethrower: I didn't mean that a bomb would have been a *bad* idea. I just meant it's a shame that a bomb wouldn't have worked. Unfortunately, Yell would have located and defused it before Octane would have even boarded her. Besides, that would have only gotten Octane and perhaps a few others. You want the whole lot of the traitorous misfits, so I've had to choose more... creative measures. This box is a tracking and communication device for the secret weapon. (Flamethrower presses a button on the box. Digital sounds clutter the air.) Galvatron: Well?? Flamethrower: She's here right in that corner. Meet Scorpia. Impressed? Galvatron: No, not if that short thing can't take orders. What good is a secret weapon if I can't order it around? Flamethrower: You are mistaken. She is a Decepticon willing to obey at all costs. I just chose to type out the command instead of ruining the surprise. Galvatron: I still need further proof of her skills. She looks too unarmed. Flamethrower: Then let's have a demonstration. Order your troops to prevent Scorpia from escaping. If they succeed, I'll disassemble Scorpia for spare parts. If Scorpia escapes, she will find the traitors' lair. The only thing I ask is the privilege to interrogate the prisoners myself. Galvatron: Agreed. Flamethrower: Do the honors then. Order them both to start. Galvatron: You two heard her, start it! (Motormaster and Wildrider approach Scorpia. Scorpia backs up, runs as fast as she can, transforms, shrinks into watch mode, and slides out the door, right underneath the duo's feet. Scorpia transforms once again to scorpion mode and quickly scurries away.) Motormaster (shaking head): This just *isn't* our day. Flamethrower: Good enough? Now Octane and his friends will die. I hope this will satisfy you. Here's Scorpia's communication device. Now, point me in the direction of Shockwave so he too can observe his creation, Scorpia, triumph. Galvatron: Shockwave? What makes you think he's here on Charr? I haven't seen him since he lost Cybertron. He's probably too afraid to face my wrath after such a deed. Flamethrower (wadding her right hand into a fist): I... I just remembered something that I should investigate. Continue without me. (Motormaster and Wildrider glare at her as she exits. Meanwhile, Soundwave tries to enter the room. Flamethrower ignores him as he passes her. Soundwave walks up to two guards.) Soundwave: Do you know why she did that? Wildrider: What? You mean ignore you? She's not in an angry mood, if that's what you're thinking. Galvatron mentioned Shockwave's disappearance, so it reminded her of something she needed to take care of. Soundwave: And you believed that? Motormaster: It *can't* be an excuse. Megatron always called her his last chance, the link that keeps the females from straying from the loyal side of our Decepticon army. If *she* isn't loyal anymore, doesn't that mean... Soundwave: Perhaps I should keep an eye on her. We might have a problem. (Outside) Flamethrower (whispers): My creator Shockwave, a coward? Never! You deserted him, Galvatron, and I'm going to find him--no matter who I have to blast to succeed. (A little while later, Soundwave leaves Galvatron's building and notices Flamethrower.) Soundwave: You're losing your grip. Flamethrower: I know, but it will pass. The emotions are corroding inside of me and I'm having a little trouble holding them. Soundwave: You mean hiding them. Flamethrower: No, I'm Shockwave's creation! (She pauses as she catches her mistake.) It's not his fault. He created me emotionless. The emotions are an outside influence caused by Vector Sigma. I never should have disobeyed Shockwave by leaving Cybertron on Megatron's pointless mission. Soundwave: You can't change your decision. Lashing out against Megatron's... Flamethrower: Galvatron couldn't have been Megatron. Megatron *never* would have deserted Shockwave, nor called him a coward. Soundwave: You see it too. Flamethrower: Of course! Anyone even remotely connected to a high ranking Decepticon could tell this fraud from the real Megatron. Soundwave: I know, but if he isn't Megatron, why hasn't Megatron returned? Flamethrower: I'm sure that Galvatron knows that answer, as well as where Shockwave is. Therefore, I plan on trying something extremely risky. A long while back, Shockwave and I learned about a secret band of Decepticon scientists. I don't trust them, but I believe they might be the answer to solving our questions. Soundwave: And Galvatron? Flamethrower: Just in case he really *is* Megatron, I promise he won't get hurt. However, if I get Megatron to return... Soundwave: If you can get him to return, I won't stop you. Flamethrower: Very well. I'll keep you up to date on my progress. --------------------------------------------------------------- (Meanwhile on Thane...) Rosestar: Octane? You're *back*? You don't have a shuttle mode. How did you get past Galvatron's stupid decree? Octane: Yell flew me. Rosestar: That must have been a rough trip. Octane: Don't remind me. Rosestar: Where is she now? (Jetstorm restrains a laugh. Rosestar turns her head away from Octane and glares at Jetstorm. Starscream rises and shuffles closer to Octane.) Rosestar: I should have known. Alright, what did you do to her? Jetstorm: I didn't do *anything*. Go ask Starscream what *he* did. (Rosestar turns her head back to Starscream and Octane.) Rosestar: Well? Starscream (pointing to Jetstorm): It's all *his* fault. *He* told Yell about Wheeljack's death. (Rosestar bobs her head back to Jetstorm.) Rosestar: Explain yourself, coward. Jetstorm: Don't blame me. I wasn't the one who said "If you were a *real* Decepticon, you wouldn't let your stupid emotions cloud your logic circuits." What an... Rosestar: Cloud... Cloudscape! I left Cloudscape on Charr! Octane: Don't wor... Starscream: Wasn't Cloudscape destroyed? Rosestar: No, an Autobot shot off her left arm, but other than that she's undamaged. Octane: She's been... Jetstorm: Aren't you going to get mad at him!?! Rosestar (frantic): No, this is *much* more important. If they found out, Thundercracker and Skywarp would... Starscream: They're dead. Rosestar: Oh? How? Octane: QUIET! Hook already repaired Cloudscape's arm. She's still shooting targets at the victory party that Yell and the Combaticons started. No one told me how it happened though. How could a daredevil like your sister get her arm shot off? Every time I've seen her, she always flies in such a random pattern that she makes my internal sensors overload. (Rosestar pauses for a while, searching for missing words that she's had a hard time even telling herself.) Rosestar: I had to order trench warfare w/o flying. There wasn't any other way! We had to protect a cave from the Autobots in order to buy some time for those inside to escape. A female frog 'bot named Rivet hit the lucky shot at Cloudscape's left shoulder joint, ripping the arm completely off. As if that wasn't enough of an insult, immediately after the hit, the Female 'bot Safari laughed. I couldn't just stand by and watch that pair of insults. The Autobots didn't expect me to order a charge, but my troops understood. We trapped Rivet and Safari, while the other 'bots ran. Soon, the squad from the caves returned victorious. By some weird twist of fate, that event freed us from the Autobot interference, so we headed home. (Skram's mouth drops as he stands from his chair.) Skram: You mean you *actually* took prisoners? Rosestar: After that, they *deserved* it. I turned them over to Flamethrower who interrogated them. As Flamethrower slowly disassembled Rivet's arms and legs, Rivet screamed the usual amount for an Autobot. Turbofire: You did an interrogation too? Rosestar: Flamethrower used *honest* tools, unlike that crude laser shot Rivet used on Cloudscape. Besides, Rivet didn't feel any *physical* pain... Skram: And Safari? What about her? Rosestar: Flamethrower keeps complaining that Safari isn't normal. Not only didn't Safari scream or reveal any Autobot secrets, she actually made fun of every single piece that Flamethrower started disconnecting! In fact, *I'm* convinced that Safari started Flamethrower's little "emotional problem." Flamethrower has even threatened to never interrogate Safari again. Skram: So Safari is alive? Rosestar: They *both* are. You can't torture a dead 'bot. That doesn't matter now. We need Cloudscape back. (Meanwhile outside the Scientist Headquarters on Thane...) Flamethrower (into communicator): Scorpia, Galvatron has betrayed Shockwave. Therefore, ignore any orders he gives you. Slowly change course and travel to the Ghostbury Portal. I shall meet you there. Flamethrower out. (Flamethrower notices two inactive security cameras outside the front doorway.) Flamethrower: This should get their attention. (Flamethrower moves underneath and shoots straight up, knocking one security camera off of the building.) (Back inside...) Rosestar: Did you just hear a noise? I could have sworn it sounded like one of the surveillance cameras just broke, but Edge is out there. What's going on? Skram: Do you think Edge was trying to fix them again? Rosestar: I *hope* not. (Outside again... Flamethrower aims to hit the other camera. Suddenly from behind, two clamps latch onto her upper thighs, knock her off her feet, and drag her onto a workbench. A large yellow sawblade descends above her body as she tries to struggle free. A click sounds as the front door opens. Rosestar and the group find the saw-mode Edge clamping the captured robot, Flamethrower.) Edge (giggling): Anyone wanna see me saw a spy in half? Jetstorm: Do it! Do it! Octane: No. Edge (laughing): Awww, you're no fun. Can't I at least scare her? Rosestar: Scaring Flamethrower never works. Jetstorm: But I wanted to see her sawed in half! Rosestar: Cool it or we'll saw *you* in half. Now Flamethrower, I'm guessing you've got a good reason to be here. If you plan on leading Galvatron here, I'll have Edge dice you up right now. I'll give you three sentences before Edge slices. Flamethrower: Galvatron betrayed Shockwave. Rosestar: So, who *doesn't* he betray. That's one. Flamethrower: Galvatron should pay. Jetstorm: You don't really *believe* this garbage. Slice her, slice her! She's a spy! (Rosestar raises her right palm to Jetstorm and her left index finger to her lips.) Rosestar: Shhh, interesting. Go on. Flamethrower: I have a plan to do it. Jetstorm: There! She didn't explain herself. Slice her! She's going to reveal our base! (Edge releases Flamethrower. The purple table saw transforms to robot mode as Flamethrower stands up.) Jetstorm: Awww... Why did you have to do that? Edge: You've gotten our attention. Go on. Flamethrower: I've heard you have a device that traps robotic minds on energon cubes, right? Edge: We've got one, but we haven't used it since...um. Flamethrower: I'll take that as a yes. I've also heard that on a lower setting, this device can actually create a program to mimic the logical thought patterns of a Decepticon or Autobot mind, correct? Starscream: What's your point? Flamethrower: Galvatron is the most illogical Decepticon in the ranks, but Cyclonus wouldn't be too hard to predict. Besides, we all know that Cyclonus is the *real* brains behind the Decepticon Empire. If we can understand Cyclonus' mind, Galvatron would seem less random, so we'd have better odds at *beating* Galvatron. Starscream: You don't suggest we bring *them* here? That's the *last* thing we need right now. Flamethrower: You don't understand. We'd fix the local portal as well as the Ghostbury one off in old sector 17. After I take them through the portal, we would disconnect the Ghostbury one again. That way anyone could exit through the Thane portal, but no one could return. Thane would still remain as safe as it has always been. Rosestar: I don't like all this "we" stuff. You don't know any of this type of rewiring. What's the catch? Flamethrower: I want Shockwave back. I think Galvatron knows where he is and this program might help me to find my lost creator. Edge: We'll have to inform Deluge and take a vote. Flamethrower: I have time. Edge (into comm): Deluge, come on. Something has come up. We need your voice for a vote. (Later in the base...) Starscream: Can't we take a vote to let me become the new leader instead? Deluge: Not again! Edge: Not right now. One thing at a time. We can't let Flamethrower wait outside forever. Besides, I'm only "leader" when it comes to these votes. It's not like I've got any real power. Starscream: I could change that. Edge: I bet you could. It's your turn to come up here & press a button. I'll look away and make sure no one watches. (A noise sounds to show that Starscream pressed a key.) Edge: There, now there's just my vote and the total. The vote is 5 to 3 in favor. It looks like we're going to help her. Starscream: If Yell and Cloudscape had been here... Rosestar: It wouldn't have come to a tie breaker. Jetstorm would have surrendered even before we drew our guns. That's how it always happens. Now we're stuck helping Flamethrower. Starscream: At least I get an easy job for once. *I'm* the only one who knows all the functions of the machine. Edge: Who said we need to use all the machine's functions? All we need is on, off, encase on, encase off, the fake self-destruct recording, and the mind imitation setting. Rosestar could do that. We need *your* help to fix the Thane portal and make it route to the Ghostbury one. Starscream: What a waste! (Later, Rosestar sits at the control panel while Starscream stands nearby.) Starscream: The only one you probably don't know is the blue button 3 rows up on your left. Rosestar: That's the fake self-destruct button? (Starscream nods.) Rosestar: What's the "mind imitation" setting that Edge talked about? I've always kept this machine in capture mode. Starscream: It's the gray turn-dial over there on the right. Unfortunately, we have to set it to notch 1. Rosestar: I thought that's supposed to be on notch 3? Starscream: I'd *like* it on notch 3, the capture mode, but *they* want it on the imitation mode. Rosestar: What does notch 2 do? Starscream: I think it's supposed to work against energy surges, but *I've* never seen anything happen. Maybe it works against ghosts... (from outside) Edge: Starscream, come out here. Deluge can double-check the set-up. Come on. (Starscream leaves as Deluge races in and quickly glances over the controls.) Deluge (shouting to Edge): Yeah, it's all set up. Starscream didn't do any stupid moves. (As Deluge leaves, Rosestar adjusts the gray dial to the second setting.) Rosestar: Maybe we'll be lucky and it'll kill Galvatron... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Suzanne Ferree | "Swinging Safari" & "Eternal Flame" E-mail: ev322@cleveland.Freenet.Edu | aka: Safari@TF1 & or: suz@grex.cyberspace.org | aka: ex-Flamethrower@2005 or: safari6@juno.com | http://www.cyberspace.org/~suz/beta.html