Transformers Regenerated: Lost Light V, Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

--The Vis Vitalis--

    "Peritus Maximus. I must say, it is an incredibly honor to finally meet you."

    The green and red Autobot chuckled lightly as he followed the red and orange one down one of the ship's many corridors. "You flatter me. But really, the honor should be mine. I have long looked up to your captain as one of the greatest Autobots in history."

    The red femme smiled. "You're not the first and hardly the only one. We have been having plenty of visitors ever since the news got out."

   "I can imagine so," Peritus Maximus said. "I must ask, how did he contract this aliment of his?"

    "Long story. During the war, he contracted a spark failure at the fall of Grindcore and it's only gotten worse ever since our visit to Marasma. Our medic has him confined to his quarters until we can find a cure."

    "Such a pity," Peritus said solemnly. "To have something so tragic happen to one of our greatest... just goes to show that fate can be a cruel mistress. Are you sure he's well enough to see me?"

    "As well as he'll ever be." The two Autobots reached their destination and the red one opened the door to the captain's quarters. "Just make it quick. He's expected back in the medibay in two hours."

    "I can make it less than one. Thank you, Firestar." Peritus Maximus stepped into the room and the door slid shut behind him, leaving him alone with its only other occupant.

    Across the room, spread out on a med-slab and hooked up to a variety of life-support machines was the idol of every Autobot. Crimson eyes of justice glowed against his honorable golden face, though they were far dimmer than Peritus remembered. A monitor on his left displayed his spark pulse, which was going far too slow for anyone's liking.

    Peritus carefully walked up to the bedridden Autobot and pulled up a seat, taking it on the right side.

    "It's been a while, old friend," he said solemnly. "Too long, in fact; the last time I saw you, it was on Devola -- or was it Dabola? I forget. Cycle 9083; over seven hundred years ago. It was when we defeated and contained Bloodron."

    The ailing Autobot smiled faintly in remembrance but said nothing. Shifting into a more comfortable position, Peritus went on.

    "Firestar was telling me about how you contacted your condition at Grindcore. You know, I had pleaded to High Command to be transferred there, after hearing you were stationed there and up against that... that monster. But apparently Verminator and his petro-rabbits took higher priority."

    Peritus shook his head in bitterness as he recalled his arguments with Ultra Magnus and other superiors. "Over two hundred years and I'm still not over it. Of course, I was going through a difficult time; I was still despaired over losing Pious, Halonix had stopped speaking with me, and I had allowed Orga to fall to the Decepticons... the idea of losing you as well did horrors to my resolve. I ended up having to see Rung twice a week."

    He fell silent again, the steady beeping of the spark monitor being the only sound in the room. Suddenly, the indisposed Autobot lifted an arm, causing Peritus to move with a start. He then realized, by seeing the outstretched palm before him, that the other Autobot desired to communicate with him via the speaking hand technique. Pressing his own palm against the proffered one, Peritus took his partner's other hand and the two Autobots proceeded to commune in this manner.

    <You needn't waste your energy like this, old friend,> Peritus expressed. <Primus know that you must conserve it.>

    <My time is short enough that it makes little difference,> came the reply. <Besides, as my closest friend and most trusted ally, you are worth the risk.>

    <I am honored that you feel that way. In that case, what do you wish to convey to me?>

    <Look behind you.>

    Arching an optic ridge, Peritus did as told.

    Then he screamed.

*  *  *

    Captain's Log #1,992

    Thunderclash is still bedridden. Velocity is doing everything she can to keep him online, but she admits that her medical skills are not exactly up-to-snuff (no surprise there; it took her ten tries to pass her exams). I'm having Javelin keep an optic out for any other medics -- specifically those with more training -- out among the stars.

    In the meantime, the morgue keeps piling up. Ever since we left Marasma and Thunderclash's condition started worsening, we've been losing crew members left and right. First our pilot Vertex died while at the flight controls, which could have killed us all had Acceleron not taken the helm. Then Photon collapsed while speaking with Roadmaster, Proxima found Rocket's corpse strewn across her work table... needless to say, it's got everyone paranoid. Proxima herself thinks our ship might have contracted something at Marasma, though she has yet to figure out what. Ideally, the answers would lie on the planet itself, but I dare not take us back there, lest it make everything worse.

    Until we get to the bottom of this, we'll just have to -- wait, what was that? It sounded like screaming... coming from the captain's quarters. By the Forge, don't let it be....

    I'll finish this later. There are far more pressing concerns at hand.

    This is first mate Firestar, signing off. Solus protect us all.

LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES

Part II: This Fate Called Life