CHAPTER FOUR
--The Longbow, 716 years ago--
"Ring, are you sure these case notes are accurate?"
"They should be," Rung said, cleaning his spectacles. "Why?"
Kaput frowned as he studied the datapad in his hands. "It says here Ariel was constructed cold."
"Yes...?"
"But her city of origin is listed as Sistex. As far as I know, Sistex doesn't have any con facilities. Its delegation is highly religious and against the practice of cold construction."
Rung motioned at Kaput and the yellow Autobot wheeled over to him. "Do you remember where you got this info?" Kaput asked as he handed Rung the datapad.
"I got it from her commanding officer on the Azusa," Rung replied. "I don't see why he would give me false information."
"Maybe he got it from someone else," Kaput suggested. "Or maybe he was trying to hide something."
Rung scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for this." He rose from his seat. "I'll go speak with the captain. Maybe she can help sort this out."
"Do you know who Ariel's drill sergeant was at the academy?" Kaput asked as he followed Rung out of his office.
Rung glanced down at the datapad. "Hm. I forgot to put that down. I believe her commander said it was someone named... Browbeat? Yes, General Browbeat."
Kaput's pace slackened slightly. "And when was the incident at Omnihelix?"
"Seven years ago." Rung glanced at him. "Where are you going with this?"
"Seven years ago?" Kaput frowned. "Rang... General Browbeat defected to the Decepticons long before then. He hasn't taught at Omnihelix in fifteen years."
--The Lost Light, now--
"I swear to Primus... I just get back to the ship and we're already dealing with 'Cons again," Rodimus groused as he stepped onto the bridge, Minimus right behind him.
"If it's any comfort, they don't look hostile," Blaster said. "They're hailing us. Should I put them on?"
Rodimus glanced at Minimus, who simply shrugged. "Your call."
After a moment's thought, Rodimus revved slightly as he turned back to Blaster. "Put them on."
Blaster complied and the viewscreen was filled by the monstrous visage of a red-orange bot with wicked green optics.
All on the bridge recoiled at the sight of the bot. Rodimus' mouth fell open in shock. "Is that...?"
"It can't be," Minimus murmured. "Protoform X?"
"I no longer answer to that name," the infamous murderer growled. "It is the label given to me by my progenitors, whom I have long since forsaken. Know that my name is Rampage, and that if you do not accept my request to board your vessel--"
"Put him on mute," Rodimus ordered.
As the viewscreen's audio went silent, Rodimus turned to Minimus. "What's the deal here? I thought X was supposed to be in jail."
"He was," Minimus said grimly. "He was sent to Garrus-13 after the Wreckers captured him at Pinea Omicron. I don't know how he could have gotten loose."
"Do you know who's in command of Garrus-13? Could we possibly get in contact with them?"
Before Minimus could reply, Blaster spoke up. "Um, captain? I think X is trying to say something."
Rodimus and Minimus turned to see that X had stepped to the side, revealing a row of stasis pods behind him, each one containing featureless gray body frames.
"Those are protoforms," Minimus said.
Mouth hanging open, Rodimus motioned Blaster to unmute the audio feed. "Okay," he said to Rampage, who came back into view. "You've got out attention. What do you want?"
"I seek a safe haven for these protoforms," Rampage said. "They have spent too long in the despicable hell I have saved them from. They deserve better. We all deserve better in this calamitous life--"
"Okay, okay. We'll let you on board. Just... don't try anything funny."
"There is no humor in salvation--"
"Yeah. Got it." Rodimus had Blaster end the call before raising Red Alert on his comm. "Red, we have a visitor in hangar twelve. Take as many bots as you can. I'll be there shortly."
Turning to leave the bridge, Rodimus glanced at Minimus. "So. Garrus-13."
"It's been so long since I was last there," Minimus replied as he followed Rodimus. "I only met the warden once, so his name escapes me."
"Do you remember where it was located?"
"It was somewhere in the Nimbus system. Nimbus Four, I believe. Or maybe Nimbus Five."
Rodimus raised an optic ridge. "I would think someone like you have a more retentive memory."
"I know, and I apologize. It's just... it's all on the tip of my tongue...."
--The Longbow, 716 years ago--
"We've cleared the asteroid field, captain. We should be reaching the Nimbus system in no time."
"Glad to hear it," Hydra said, standing on the bridge of the Longbow. It had been a long journey, with quite a few close calls. But at long last, they would finally be reaching their destination. She was in long need for some rest.
Hearing the door behind her open, she turned to see a lanky red and black enter the bridge, his needle-like fingers splayed out.
"Well?" Hydra asked. "Is it done?"
"Yes," Vampire replied. "The procedure was a success."
"Good. That just leaves--"
"Captain?" From behind Vampire came a small orange bot, followed closely by his mono-wheeled comrade. "I need to speak with you."
Hydra frowned as Rung walked up to her, datapad in hand. She glanced briefly at Vampire, who simply nodded in return.
"What is it, Wrung?" she asked the psychiatrist.
"Kaput and I were reviewing my case notes for Ariel--"
"Ariel?"
"The young one Nightbeat found at Ferromax. Remember?"
"Oh. Right. The monoformer. Yes, I remember."
"Right...." Rung cleared his throat. "Anyway, I couldn't help but notice a few major discrepancies."
"Such as?" Hydra asked, glancing again at Vampire. The spindly bot was already moving over to Kaput.
"For one thing, I was told her teacher at the academy was General Browbeat. But Kaput tells me that Browbeat joined the Decepticons ten years ago."
"Did he now?" Hydra pretended to look deep in thought while Vampire did the deed. She then looked over at Kaput and asked, "Did you tell him that, Kaput?"
"Huh?" Kaput rubbed the back of his neck, looking confused. "Tell him what?"
"That General Browbeat defected to the Decepticons ten years ago."
"I... don't remember ever saying as much."
Rung looked at him as if he had lost his mind. "You just did! You asked me who Ariel's drill sergeant was and I said--"
"Rung." Hydra grabbed the doctor by the shoulders, prompting him to look at her. "Relax. Just look at me."
Rung arched an eyebrow. "I don't need--"
"Just look at me."
Rung did as instructed, although he opened his mouth to speak again. However, whatever he was going to say died in his throat as Vampire pulled out his needle-fingers from his neck.
"What were you going to say, Rung?" Hydra asked, smiling sweetly.
"I... wasn't going to say anything," Rung murmured, his face a rictus of confusion.
"Very well." She let go of his shoulders. "We'll be reaching Nimbus soon. You and Kaput better pack your things."
"Right," Rung said, leaving the bridge with Kaput. "Wouldn't want to forget that."
No comments:
Post a Comment