Article 70494 of alt.toys.transformers: 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 Subject: Fanfic: Twins and Tales part 5 Date: 8 Nov 1997 04:42:58 GMT Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA) Lines: 576 Message-ID: <640qki$m86@alexander.INS.CWRU.Edu> Reply-To: sferree@s-cwis.unomaha.edu (Suzanne M. Ferree) NNTP-Posting-Host: owl.ins.cwru.edu |sf>To be quite honest, I never thought I'd ever get to post this next part. I really want to thank (in no particular order) David Filip, Rob Jung, Charlotte Brogden, Janell Clark, and everyone else who sent me comments on one or more of the parts. Also, special thanks to Tyketto to all those times you used to come up to me here at UNOmaha & bug me to continue this story. I know that you don't go here anymore, but it paid off. :) It just took me a while to proofread it (Read: over 3 years! :) ). I just hope that the proofreading paid off. Like always, I really like comments. I prefer comments that are at least two sentences long, but there's no upper limit--no set of comments (be it positive or negative) can be too long for me. Text versions of past parts will be located at http://www.cyberspace.org/~suz/tnt.html until November 15th. After that date, the zip file (which I haven't updated to include this file yet) will still be available at the bottom of http://www.cyberspace.org/~suz/beta.html Disclaimer: "Transformers" and various specific Transformer names used within are copyrights of either Hasbro, Kenner, or Takara. These are used for entertainment purposes. No profit is to be made from the distribution of this Fanfic. (This includes, but is not limited to, not putting this up on BBSes that require a membership fee, for-profit CDs, etc.) The characters Rosestar, Maize/Yell/Yellow, Edge, Flamethrower, Cloudscape, and Ravine are my characters. If you want to borrow them, ask me first. For more introduction words, see the introduction file. :) Twins and Tales pt. 5 (Octane waits outside Galvatron's door while talking into his communicator to Yell..) Octane: Galvatron is making me wait. Weren't you going to tell me more about Starscream and Rosestar? Yell: Keep in mind this is all rumor, but here is how I heard it. Supposedly, Starscream and Rosestar were once assembly line rejects. Since Quints were very tight w/ their profits, they had all rejects rewired by hand in order to be repaired and improve their profit. "Brothers" were two or more of the same model who were created at the same time; "Twins" were two that received part of the same mental program. One Quint was supposedly a traitor working for a rival company. He was responsible for building most of the twins. He also claimed to be responsible for encouraging the rebellion. Octane: Thanks for the history lesson, but Quints lie. It sounds like you're giving too much credit to one individual. I doubt all of that could possibly be... wait, I hear someone talking to Galvatron. (Octane eavesdrops on Galvatron's conversation.) Galvatron: ...Onto further business. Now that the females have returned, I no longer need Octane's "courier" services. Motormaster: But what about Starscream? Starscream doesn't exactly have a lot of friends. Wildrider (laughs): *I* know. Maybe after we destroy Octane we can sell his deactivated circuits to an Earth museum. I can just imagine the inscription now: Here's the only known proof that Starscream ever had a friend! Motormaster: What if Starscream protects Octane? Wildrider: We're talking about Starscream here! He couldn't protect a retrorat from catching a virus! Galvatron: Enough! I don't care how you destroy him or what you do with him, you dolts, just do it soon and quietly. I don't want word leaking that I kill off my own troops. Wildrider: Why? You've never cared before. Galvatron: Silence! Now I have a danger in my ranks. There's a rumor that Soundwave has begun doubting that I was really Megatron. If he were our enemy, the Decepticon army might crumble and all would be lost to the Autobots. Now you understand why this must be done in secret. Destroy Octane, bring back a piece, and blame it on the Autobots. That'll bring any would-be deserters like Soundwave to their senses. As for Starscream, Astrotrain has taken him and his twin on an Energon cube expedition. They shall be too late to stop you. And another thing... Octane: (whispering into communicator) Galvatron wants me destroyed! We're talking about my existence here. Come on... can't you turn around and pick me up? (communicator)Yell: Oh alright. I haven't gotten very far yet anyway. However, I'll only do it if you don't complain about my flying! Octane: (into communicator) Better flying than dying. (Suddenly from outside, a voice booms "Stop staring at me! Alright, the first one of you who mentions that I'm a '*Female Decepticon*' gets his arm shot off! I am a Decepticon *first* and a female *second.* If you don't like it, hit the road." Octane hears the scurrying feet and the screeching wheels of many 'cons leaving the streets due to Flamethrower's approach.) (Octane hears her transform. Flamethrower races in. Octane backs away from Galvatron's door and notices Flamethrower, a black hearse w/ red fire sparks engraved in her side doors. She transforms into robot mode. The sparks change into tattoos on her upper arms.) Flamethrower (smiling): Ah, were you spying, Octane? I always knew you shouldn't be trusted. Maybe I should report this to Galvatron... Octane (starts pacing): Uh, no. Galvatron wanted to talk to me, but right now he's involved w/ more important business. I'll just come back later. I'm sure whatever he wants to talk to me about can wait. Besides, you're much more important than me. Right now, I'm just waiting for Yell to pick me up... (from the communicator) Yell: Octane! Octane (nervous laugh): See? She's calling me right now... (whispering into his communicator) What? (communicator) Yell: Don't tell her all our plans! She's dangerous! Octane: (into communicator) Got it! I'll be waiting for you when you arrive. (stops pacing) (to Flamethrower) I'd *love* to stay, but I can't. Besides, that means you don't have to wait for me to finish. Flamethrower: Since when do I ever wait my... (grips his left shoulder with her right hand) Are you sure that there isn't some detail you should tell me? Octane: Of course not. Who can hide details from an inquisitor? Flamethrower: Who indeed... (removes her hand, leaving a small silver disc on Octane's back) Very well. Leave! (Octane races out of the lobby.) /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ (Back in the Scientist base, the five scientist members remain in the side room along w/ Tonya.) Jetstorm: Let's make the *human* see if it's safe to enter the room again... (Before anyone can protest, Jetstorm unlocks the door and pushes Tonya into the main room.) Tonya: I *told* you I thought the coast was clear. (Everyone else pours in w/ relieved smiles on their faces. A green light blinks on the monitor due an incoming communication signal.) Skram: It's a message from Yell. She says that she's on her way back here w/ Octane and that the females have returned for good! Now we'll have more company! Jetstorm: Yeah, and that means more wimps to pick on. Starscream is no fun and I don't like him anyway. If it weren't for him, *I* might have gone to Earth w/ Megatron. Deluge: Don't you ever give up on your grudges!?! Admit it, you don't like Starscream because he's too unpredictable and tall for you to fight. Jetstorm: Nah... I just don't *want* to fight him, that's all... (Turbofire walks back into the side room and shuts the door. He then signals Perceptor who is on Cybertron.) Turbofire (whispers into communicator): Perceptor, come in. I think I've found a very likely candidate who might be willing to switch sides. Her name is Yell. I've heard that in her past, she's gone by the names "Yellow" and "Maize." Have Goldbug and Hot Rod use the time machine to research her past further. Turbofire out. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ (Meanwhile Octane arrives outside in the streets just in time to catch up w/ the arriving Yell, a yellow cargo ship.) Octane: You remind me of a white spacecraft that I used to have before Galvatron ordered the ship to be blown up. Yell: Is that a compliment? Octane: Yeah, but never mind. Yell: Now remember, it might be a tight squeeze and a bit of turbulence. Until now, I've never flown anyone heavier than a cassette! (Octane climbs in and sits down in the only cockpit seat on board. Yell takes off.) Octane: Why is that? Yell: I haven't been a triple changer forever. Edge and Starscream built this form for me--and you *know* how bad Edge's building skills can be. I'm always afraid that at any minute I might fall apart in this mode. Octane: Uh... (Octane double checks to make sure that the seatbelt will hold him.) : Do you have any pictures of your female friends in your data banks so I can take my mind off of this flight? Yell: Yeah, what type are you looking for? Octane: (smile) Full body shots. Yell: Why? /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ (Meanwhile, Astrotrain arrives on Earth. Starscream and Rosestar remain seated on his inside floor.) Astrotrain: Galvatron said that you two have to fill some energon cubes to pay for your flight. Rosestar: Gladly Astrotrain, but first... Starscream, you've heard of a Transfixitron ray, haven't you? Starscream: Of course. I even described it to Edge once. What's your point? Rosestar: Wouldn't you like to see a hand-held one in action? (Suddenly, Rosestar shows a miniature Transfixitron gun and shoots it at Astrotrain's inside floor. Astrotrain glows for a second.) Astrotrain: Wh... what's going on? I can't transform! Rosestar: Come. Let's go. Astrotrain: But aren't you going to fill up the energon cubes? Rosestar (smiling): Of course we will... we wouldn't want to disappoint Galvatron, would we? However, we'll do when *we* want to, not just when Galvatron demands. Good luck in getting back to Cybertron on your limited energon reserves... (Starscream and Rosestar exit Astrotrain and transform into plane mode.) Rosestar: I love this little device. It's amazing how handy it can be against idiots. Starscream: You realize he won't be stuck like that forever. I've heard that Soundwave still has a copy of the blueprints. Rosestar: Figures. Oh well, it got us out of the mess. That's all that matters. Starscream: Turn left here and we'll almost be at the landing site for the space bridge. Rosestar: I see what you mean. This planet *is* rather boring. Starscream: It's few good points are well hidden. Rosestar: I don't quite understand what you mean. Starscream: Never mind. You couldn't understand unless you'd seen it from many angles and locations. Rosestar: You almost sound sympathetic to this glob of rocks and water. Starscream: The planet itself could explode for all I care, but if I had a choice, I'd save certain... resources first. Rosestar: Energy? Starscream: That and other things... We're here. Follow me to the top of this structure. Rosestar: I like the holographic improvements. It's much more detailed than the simple mountain structure we had last time. Starscream: Last time there weren't human buildings. (The Space Bridge activates and returns Starscream and Rosestar to Thane. Rosestar opens the door to the main headquarters room.) Edge: Rosestar. Alright! Glad to have you back. You've made perfect timing. Deluge just finished revising his new weapon and needs someone to test it out. All we need you to do is join me in the target building and aim at the dummies that we've set up in there. Rosestar: Dummies? Why don't you two test it on Jetstorm? *He's* certainly dead weight. (Jetstorm mumbles something incoherently.) Deluge (crossing his arms): I only help build them. I *won't* help test them. Rosestar: Seriously, it sounds relaxing. It'll be a wonderful break from shooting at live targets. Of course Jetstorm even runs from deactivated targets unless they're his height or shorter. (Jetstorm grumbles again.) Deluge: Come on. Move it! We've got a deadline to keep. If I do any more fine tuning of the targeting array, I've got to fix it *now*. (Deluge, Rosestar, and Edge leave.) Rosestar: I can see Deluge hasn't changed. So who is this for, Edge? Edge: Swindle is picking this one up, but he didn't say who he's selling it to. Rosestar: Perfect. That means I can start my revenge. Edge: I hope you'll at least wait until Swindle has sold the weapon before you go full throttle on it. Rosestar: Perhaps... /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ (Meanwhile, in Autobot Headquarters on Cybertron... ) Hot Rod: Optimus, I just heard that you're ordering Goldbug and me to go into the past and find out information about that Decepticon Yell. Listen... even though I know what it's like to be in your shoes and how you have your reasons, I'd still like to know what's going on. Aside from the Quintessons, I thought you'd declared a new Golden Age where no one would have to fight. As long as they aren't wrecking havoc across the galaxy, why should we care about the Decepticons, much less about Yell? Optimus Prime: I hoped that you wouldn't ask... Yell was once an Autobot. In fact she was one of Wheeljack's greatest creations. He built her as a lab assistant. I... encouraged her to leave the Autobots so that we'd always know what the female Decepticons were up to. She's just as much an Autobot as you or any other Autobot on Cybertron and as such, we must treat her with the same respect that we treat all Autobots. Originally, we planned that if there was ever a new Golden Age of Cybertron, she'd leave the Decepticon ranks and we'd fake her death. Hot Rod: If that was the plan, why change it now? Optimus Prime: She had always looked out for Wheeljack's safety. I'm afraid when she learns of Wheeljack's death, she might not want to return. She'll probably feel betrayed. That's where you and Goldbug fit in. She didn't leave just because I asked her too. There must have been other reasons. I want you to discover those reasons and report them to me. Whatever the reason, we must convince her that the Autobots have changed since those old days. However, the most important goal on your journey won't be Yell. I have another favor to ask. I wonder how well you know Kup's stories about an Autobot female named Beta. Hot Rod: He used to talk about her all the time. She was his dear friend who helped liberate Cybertron from the Quintessons. One day she disappeared off the face of Cybertron. When I first heard Earth stories about the Bermuda Triangle they reminded me of the story. She and Kup had been walking when she fell in a hole. When Kup returned with help, she was gone. Someone reported seeing a flying Autobot lift her up out of the rim, but hardly anyone believed the eyewitness because he'd overenergized. Optimus Prime: Good. As a favor to Kup I want you do find out what happened to Beta, but be careful. Traveling back in time is risky. Make sure no one from the past finds out that you're from the future or you'll endanger us all. Hot Rod: I understand Optimus. (Hot Rod exits the room. Springer has been waiting outside the door.). Springer: Roddy, how long have we been friends? Hot Rod (laughing): A long time before you stole Arcee away from me. Springer (laughing): That *was* stupid, especially since she's now dumped *both* of us. I think Danny is really getting to her head. Hot Rod: I thought you like Daniel? Springer: Yeah, I like him just as much as you do, but I don't like the idea of never talking to Arcee alone any more. Hot Rod: I know what you mean. What exactly started this conversation? Springer: I heard a rumor that Optimus picked you and Goldbug to go on a special mission. If you don't mind having me along, I'd like to go too. There hasn't been much action around here lately and any mission would be better than this. I just need something to keep my mind away from Arcee for a while. Hot Rod: It isn't exactly a fighting mission, but I understand. I'll see if we can fit you in. Springer: Thanks, Roddy. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ (Back on Charr, Flamethrower enters Galvatron's throne room.) (Suddenly, Motormaster and Wildrider jump out of the dark room w/ guns aimed at her head as Galvatron shouts, "Die!" to the shadowy figure. Flamethrower laughs.) Flamethrower: You can't afford to kill me; why don't you try aiming at Octane instead? (laughs again.) (Motormaster and Wildrider lower their weapons.) Galvatron: How did you...? Flamethrower: I suspected as much when I caught him eavesdropping on your door. Galvatron: And you let him escape?!?!? Flamethrower: Oh he's gone, but he can't escape. I've made sure of that. I'm going to take care of him... personally (holds up a black control box w/ several buttons). /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ (From Yell's view screen, Octane sees the familiar yellow blowing sand on the planet of their destination: the Scientist base. This planet's few alien visitors call it Thane, an ancient incantation meaning 'yellow servant of death.' Golden scorpions and white snakes remain the only major flesh inhabitants among the desert shrubs, brown rocks, and metallic fortresses. The familiar winds blow as strong as always, rocking Yell even more from side-to-side than usual. The huge four-room main base shines w/ a silvery glow while the 25 small separate one-room buildings lie scattered around its back side like five columns of dominos ready to topple. Mountains of the yellow sediment block several of the entrances to the buildings. Yell lands safely in the sand. Octane climbs out and Yell transforms.) Yell: Wow, it looks like they've abandoned some of the buildings. How many did you say are left of us now? Octane: Ten, including you, Cloudscape, and Rosestar. I doubt the return of you females will make many more flock back here, so get used to the loneliness. It's really sad. This place will probably be home for me once more, since Galvatron wants me dead again. (Yell and Octane enter one at a time and she goes through the usual check-in routine in the lobby first... ) Lobby Computer: Name?(--Yell responds.) Aside from scientist, your Function? (--"Communications".) Hand size?(--She places her hand on the sensor.) Eye color?(--She looks into the visor.) Transformation verification?(--She transforms into a car.) Verification complete for Yell, communications. (Octane follows the procedure after Yell enters. Afterwards, Octane joins her in the main room. They see Jetstorm, Turbofire, Skram, and Starscream standing around.) Jetstorm (smiling): Oh, look everyone! Look who just arrived! It's Yell, the girly-girl Female! The "I wanna-be-a-'con" Female. I heard Yell is short for Yellow. I suppose that makes you a coward. (Skram whispers to Turbofire. "I don't like the sound of this..." Turbofire whispers back. "Shh, remember Prime ordered us not to interfere...") Yell: Ooo. This coming from the president of the 'con coward's club... You're even black and blue to fit the part, wimp! Jetstorm: Never mind about me. Let me look at you, girly-girl! I heard you used to care very deeply for a bunch of Autobots. A bunch of now-dead Autobots. I heard you were even a friend of Ratchet. May his circuits never be reactivated again... Yell: Yeah, I kind of knew him a little at one time in my existence. It doesn't mean I really *cared* for him... Jetstorm: You were friends with Perceptor too if I remember right. Too bad his circuits haven't joined the scrapheap yet... Yell: He was too technical for me to follow. I wouldn't call him a friend either. Jetstorm: Best of all, I heard you liked that old scientist wimp. The one that never even used enough energy fighting to fill an energon cube! If the 'bots were smart, I hope they burned the remains of that dead old worthless Wheeljack... Yell: Wheeljack dead?!?! You... you're just joking, right? Starscream, tell me he's joking. Starscream: You shouldn't waste your energy over Wheeljack's death. He was just another foolish Autobot that asked to die. He chose to remain loyal to them. He could have surrendered. It's his fault that he no longer functions. I know he's dead because I was with Megatron when it happened. Yell: Did... did *you* kill him? Starscream: Do you think I take notes on who kills every miserable Autobot? As far as I'm concerned when he walked out this door for the last time, he revoked his scientific membership in this place. None of us had any obligation to save him. It's as if he *asked* to be shot. By leaving here, he self-destructed himself right then and there! If you were half as much of a Decepticon as anyone else at this base, you wouldn't let such sympathies cloud your logic circuits! (Yell charges out of the main base w/ her head faced downward.) Octane: Maybe you didn't handle that correctly... Starscream: Oh shut up! I didn't hear *you* trying to explain it. Do you think I *enjoyed* doing that? She's our only shuttle. (Jetstorm smiles.) /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ (Yell runs to her old building--a small block shaped room--just in back of the Scientist base and enters the access code. She stops at a trap door engraved with the word PROTOTYPE leading to a hidden spacewarp. She puts her hand on it.) Yell (to herself): Well, Wheeljack, you told me if I ever needed to use it, I'd have it right here. I can't think of a better excuse. I only wish I could have done this sooner while you were still around. (She lifts up the trapdoor and enters. The lights spin madly and shoot a one centimeter beam of light to her destination.) (She arrives undetected in a small chamber in one of the electric caverns of inner Cybertron. She reaches the surface and finds herself in the old part of the planet. She transforms into car mode and carefully drives to Wheeljack's old workshop where she finds the door open. She reads a silver plaque on the wall: "This room is kept in the memory of our brave friend Wheeljack who died on Earth while trying to protect Autobot City from the forces of the Evil Decepticons. May we remember him always.") Yell: (Her red eyes grow dim. She looks at the Decepticon symbol on her arm and starts to trace the purple face with her finger.). Why did I do it? Why couldn't I stay happy helping you, Ratchet, and Perceptor? (She moves her finger onto the "E" in Evil on the plaque.) Why did I have to become a 'con? I could have saved you... or have been destroyed by your side... How could I have turned on my creator? (from outside) Kup: Perceptor, I've seen a lot of security in my day and I tell you, Cybertron is so secure that the retrorats can't even get in without me bein' told of it. (Perceptor and Kup enter and see Yell crouched in a heap on the floor.) {}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}End of part 5{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{} What does Flamethrower have in store for Octane and the scientists? What exactly *was* that disk she placed on Octane & what will it do? What secrets will Hot Rod & company discover on their time-travel trip? How will Yell react toward the Autobots? How will Rosestar react once she finds out that Yell is missing? For some of these questions I've already written the answers, but I haven't finished them up. You the reader can make a difference. Did you have any favorite lines in this? Any reaction either way? Did you like/hate the personality of any of the characters or like/hate the portrayal of regulars? All it takes is a little e-mail to one of my three e-mail accounts & you can make a difference to make sure that I continue to finish this Fanfic! Who knows. W/ enough help, I might even post the next part this year! Even if you have to requote the whole message, *please* reply & make comments, ok? Thanks for reading. -- 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: sferree@s-cwis.unomaha.edu | http://www.cyberspace.org/~suz/beta.html