NINE: VIVA LA CYBERTRON
Earth
“Ah, I see that you have finally come to your senses!” Tarantulas tittered as he was escorted into the room containing the Timemaze. “You’ve realized that you cannot accomplish anything without my genius—”
“Zip it already,” Ironhide grunted, shoving the barrel of his blaster into the Predacon’s back. “Just get it back online. And no funny business.”
Tarantulas clicked his mandibles together. “That’s interesting… because I could have sworn that Prowl was just here telling me that someone was trying to reach you through the Timemaze. How could it have shut itself off?”
“We don’t have patience for your vague allusions, Tarantulas,” Optimus Prime said sternly. “We just need you to bring the Timemaze back online so we can rescue Prowl and Sari. Then it will be shut off forever.”
“Hmm, well, you see, the thing is, Prime, is that the Timemaze operates on quantum energy, and there is only a finite amount you can draw from at a time. In order to power it back on, you would need to draw energy from a quantum engine, or a hyper-drive, or—”
“What about a transwarp drive?” Expanse patted his chest. “I have one right here.”
Tarantulas eyed him curiously. “Hm, yes, I suppose that would do. Of course, we would need to have it surgically removed, which could take time. Time that I don’t think you have.”
“What if we hooked me up directly?”
“That would be doable, yes. But it would be extremely painful.”
“Do it.”
“No, Expanse,” Optimus said. “I am not putting your life in danger—”
“This whole situation is all because of me!” Expanse snapped. “Ever since I was brought here, it’s been one bad thing after another. If risking my life means that everything is brought back to the way things were, then so be it!”
Before Optimus could protest further, Perceptor said, “There may be a way to circumvent any risk of deactivation on Expanse’s part. We could hook things up to Metroplex’s space bridge as well and draw quantum energy from that. That way, we will be able to derive enough power from either source without fully depleting—or worse—one or the other.”
Optimus glanced at Tarantulas. “Would that be possible? Remember, if you lie to me—”
“Anything is possible in science, Prime,” Tarantulas chuckled. “The only way to get results is to actually put things to the test.”
Optimus looked back at Expanse. “Are you absolutely sure about this? You don’t have to do this….”
“I am sure, Prime,” Expanse said. “More sure that I have been of anything in my life.”
Optimus sighed. “Very well. Perceptor, Brainstorm, make it happen.”
Functionist Cybertron
“So, where is this device that the Functionists have?” Prowl asked, sitting at a meeting table with Reverse Convoy and Nine-of-Twelve. “This other Timemaze.”
“It is held in the Cog, where the Council operates,” said Nine-of-Twelve. “However, we have no hope of getting there. While I have a teleportation device that can take me straight to the Cog, I know I will be apprehended immediately by the others. Perhaps even shadowplayed to make me your enemy.”
“I don’t suppose there’s any chance of pulling the old ‘pretend-to-take-us-prisoner’ trick?” asked Maverick. “That sometimes works in Terran movies.”
“Unfortunately, life is nothing like Terran movies,” Reverse Convoy said. “I take it Earth is still around in your universe?”
“Is it not here?” asked Prowl.
“Not since the Council cyberformed it. These days, it is called New Iacon.”
Prowl glanced at Sari and saw her shift uncomfortably, but she otherwise stayed silent. It had been privately agreed between them that they not divulge her techno-organic nature to anyone in the Functionist Cybertron, and she made sure to keep her armored form on at all times.
“How strong is the AVL?” he then asked. “How many members does it have?”
“More than it did two years ago, but not enough to make a move at the Cog, if that’s what you’re suggesting.” Reverse Convoy shook his head. “If it weren’t for Nine-of-Twelve’s presence here, the Functionist Council would have long since obliterated us faster than you can say—”
“Uh oh.”
Everyone turned to look at a green and tan femme that was standing at one of the windows. “Why did you say ‘uh-oh’, Anode?” Convoy asked.
“We’ve got Functionaries rolling into Kalis,” Anode replied. “Not only that but some military bots as well. I think they’re Primal Vanguard.”
“Primal Vanguard?!” Reverse Convoy jumped from his seat. “I thought the Council reassigned them!”
“It would appear they’ve been reassigned again.” Anode looked up and frowned. “What are we going to do, Convoy? We don’t have the numbers to fight back!”
“Let us not be too hasty,” said Nine-of-Twelve. “It might just be an intimidation tactic. The Council knows they cannot harm me without….” He trailed off and Prowl had no doubt he was pondering what he had told him earlier about the Key to Vector Sigma.
Reverse Convoy punched his open hand with his fist. “We stand and fight. We are not going to give in to the Functionists and give them what they want. If it’s a battle they want, then it’s a battle they will get!”
Prowl couldn’t help but smirk. “You remind me of someone I know….”
Convoy glanced at him. “I hope that’s a compliment.”
“Yes. It is, actually.”
Anode tapped her chin. “Well, we do have the Motorvators on hand. I’m not sure how much progress has been made with their combined form….”
“It’ll have to be enough. Mobilize all units and have them ready for battle.”
Knightride leaned back in his seat and sighed. “Well, it’s been nice knowing you all. Not that that’s saying much, but….”
“Ever the optimist, are you?” Ectotron remarked.
“I prefer ‘realist.’”
Prowl felt the table move slightly and looked over at Gigawatt, who was now standing up. The silver mech was shaking slightly as he looked over at Nine-of-Twelve. “I-I… I have a question.”
“Yes?” Nine-of-Twelve replied.
“Your teleportation device… c-can it only t-take one person?”
“Typically, yes, but I can also teleport up to two others with me so long as they are holding my hands.” The councilor tilted his head. “Why?”
“M-maybe… maybe I can go with you. To the Cog. I can use the Timemaze there and find a way to… to….”
“To do what?” Nine-of-Twelve asked. “You need to have a plan or else we will have risked our lives for noth—”
“To send a message!” Gigawatt blurted out. “Maybe I can send a message to the Timemaze that Prowl went through and, and… I don’t know, tell them where we are. So that they can come through and help us. Maybe even help you overthrow the Functionists.”
“I am not sure about that last part….” Nine-of-Twelve sighed. “But… given the dire nature of our situation, I suppose it’s as good a plan as any. I want you to promise me one thing, however.”
Gigawatt blinked. “Um, sure.”
“If there is even a slim chance of me being captured, I want you to kill me.”
Reverse Convoy turned in surprise. “Councilor—”
“Without me, the others will truly be useless,” Nine-of-Twelve insisted. “Even if our role as the Key to Vector Sigma has been a lie… at least then I will have truly neutered our unity.”
Prowl looked at Gigawatt. “Are you sure about doing this, Gigawatt?”
The silver bot thought for a moment. “Yes, actually,” he said quietly. “I am. More sure than I have ever been in my whole life.”
“Good. Because I want you to take Sari with you as well.”
“The Mini-Con?” Nine-of-Twelve asked.
“She is more than just that,” Prowl said. “But she is the one who needs to get back home the most out of all of us. If nothing else, I would like her to have a chance of using the Timemaze to get back home.” He looked to the others. “Are there any disagreements?”
Maverick shrugged. “Our home was back in another universe. I’m not sure we’d recognize what you consider ‘home’ as ours… even if we are from the same reality.”
“Same here,” Small Foot murmured. “Our home was taken from us long ago. Bug Bite’s efforts were nothing more than a gambit… and look where it’s brought us.”
“If you see him, I want you to kill him, too,” Bad Boy said to Gigawatt. “Tell him that Bad Boy said that he can go fu—”
“I’ll, uh, see what I can do,” Gigawatt said meekly. “Sari, are you ready?”
Sari flew up on her jet boosters. “More than.”
“Very well,” said Reverse Convoy. “We’ll hold the fort here and buy you time. Hopefully it will take a while for them to realize that you’re not here.”
“Thank you for your service, Convoy. Hopefully Cybertron will remember you in a good light.” Nine-of-Twelve rose to his feet and extended both hands to Gigawatt and Sari. “If you are ready….”
Without a word, the two of them each grabbed a hand, and in a flash of light they were gone. With nothing else left to do, Reverse Convoy primed the cannon mounted onto his shoulder.
“Now then… let us make our last stand. For Cybertron!”
* * *
“We have the statue surrounded, Grand Convoy. Awaiting your orders.”
The commander of the Primal Vanguard regarded the massive statue of Adaptus that oversaw the city-state of Kalis, long rumored to be the headquarters of the Anti-Vocationist League. It was his understanding that not only had Nine-of-Twelve joined the resistance cell, but that it was under the leadership of his former comrade-in-arms, who now called himself “Reverse Convoy” in opposition to the Convoys under the Council’s command.
Grand Convoy had always known his old friend and former student had had something of a rebellious streak, yet he had still fulfilled his duty. Why he had chosen to forsake his oath in favor of supporting these insurgents, he would never be able to fathom. Nonetheless, he would bring them all to justice, no matter the cost.
On all sides, the statue of Adaptus was surrounded by guardsman and Functionaries, weapons at the ready. Grand Convoy stepped to the forefront with his four elite warriors, each one taking their required position.
“Remember,” he said to his troops. “We need to bring Nine-of-Twelve in alive. The rest, you may execute on sight—unless they surrender. If they are wise, they will do just that.”
His body began to shift and morph, and his four warriors did the same, interconnecting with his body at will. Rook and Streetwise formed his legs, while Groove and Alpha Bravo formed his arms. The newly formed combiner straightened itself up before making the approach towards the statue.
“Let us hope to make this quick, so that order may finally be restored to Cybertron….”
* * *
Bug Bite, through his puppet Twelve-of-Twelve, made his way through the circular corridors of the Cog. So far, he had been unable to gather much information about this universe—at least not without attracting suspicion. Everyone on board the station seemed to worship the Functionists, bowing their heads in reverence each time the Councilor walked past them. None of them dared to speak a word, and Bug Bite figured that having Twelve-of-Twelve ask them anything about this world would strike them as odd. He had to find a subtler way of gaining any knowledge.
That was when he crossed paths with Six-of-Twelve, the one with the Matrix for his head. The other Councilor did not seem to notice his colleague as he entered an access code to a secluded door and stepped through. The door quickly closed shut behind him.
Bug Bite directed Twelve-of-Twelve to approach the door, giving him a chance to analyze its control panel. He ran through all of the possible number combinations, played back the video of Six-of-Twelve entering the code to analyze his hand motions, and narrowed down the possible combinations to only two. Fortunately for him, the first one he picked was the correct one and the door opened to allow Twelve-of-Twelve inside.
Beyond the door was a spiraling staircase that led all the way down. As Twelve-of-Twelve descended the staircase, Bug Bite began to pick up on voices and willed his puppet to stop, leaning just close enough to pick up on the audio.
“…with the insurgents, my liege,” said a voice which Bug Bite identified as Six-of-Twelve. “Once they are dealt with, we can—”
“I no longer care about your ‘insurgents,’” came a cold voice which Bug Bite did not immediately recognize. “There is another matter that I need you to urgently attend to. It involves the device I had your scientists build.”
“You mean the Portal?” Six-of-Twelve asked. “As I have told you, it is ready to be put to use. You said it would lead us to Primus and—”
“And it will. But first, there are… interlopers who threaten to destroy it. I want you to increase security around the Portal and make sure that no one—and I mean no one—gains access to it without my approval.”
“Of course, my lord. I will see to it immediately. Is there anything else that you require?”
“There is one more thing. We appear to have an eavesdropper.”
Bug Bite jumped back as Twelve-of-Twelve was suddenly pulled out of his hiding spot and into view of the two others. Six-of-Twelve regarded his colleague with surprise, while above him hovered a cloaked bot suspended from the ceiling on a mess of cables. With a clawed hand, the strange mechanoid pulled Twelve-of-Twelve towards him with some sort of gravity generator, before seizing the Councilor with his claw.
“Ah. Just as I suspected: a cerebro-shell.” With his other claw, the mech grabbed the head of the drilled-in shell. Before pulling it out, he looked directly into Twelve-of-Twelve’s eye—straight into Bug Bite’s own optics. “You will have to do better than that, I’m afraid. Yesss…”
He pulled out the shell and the connection was cut, leaving Bug Bite alone in the dark storage closet he was hiding in. As he tried to process what just happened, the door to the storage closet slid open.
“Oh,” said the sanitation bot. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think you’re supposed to be—”
Bug Bite fired a cerebro-shell into Sweep’s head before pushing him aside, shoving him into the closet and closing the door. He looked around frantically before running down the corridor, unsure of where he was going or what he was going to do.
He didn’t get far when another Functionist councilor—a bronze one he didn’t recall seeing at the meeting—suddenly materialized in front of him along with two others. He cried out in terror before collapsing onto his knees, pressing his hands together in a pleading gesture.
“Please don’t kill me I didn’t do anything please please please!”
Nine-of-Twelve looked down at him before looking to his two companions. “I take it this is Bug Bite?”
“Yeah,” Sari muttered. “How’d you guess?”
“I don’t want to kill him,” murmured Gigawatt. “Can’t we just hide him in a closet or something?”
“We don’t have much time,” said Nine-of-Twelve, moving swiftly down the corridor. “The device is this way.”
Gigawatt and Sari followed him, and not knowing what else to do, Bug Bite went after them. Before long, they reached a door that was similar to the one that Six-of-Twelve had gone through, to which Nine-of-Twelve entered another access code. The door slide open and the four of them quickly hurried inside.
Bug Bite’s optics went wide as they laid upon the aforementioned device. It was a massive archway that took up the entire room, with a set of monitors hooked up to it. Nine-of-Twelve approached the console and within seconds the monitors came to life, displaying all sorts of images on screen.
The councilor turned to Gigawatt. “Hurry. See if you can send a message to your universe.”
Gigawatt nodded and took his place at the console. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if trying to figure out how to work the device, but before long he was pressing switches and turning dials. “Okay,” he said quietly. “I think… I think I’ve got it. Hello? Can anyone hear me? My name is Gigawatt. I am calling from another universe. If you can hear me, please send help through the Timemaze! I am with Prowl and Sari, as well as a bunch of others. We need to—”
“NO!”
From out of nowhere, a bolt of energy zipped through the air and struck Gigawatt in the back. The silver bot cried out as he fell to the floor, and Sari called out his name as she rushed to his aid. Bug Bite then turned to see Six-of-Twelve standing in the doorway.
“I should have known you would resort to this!” the blue-and-gold-colored councilor growled. “You have allowed yourself to be brainwashed by the insurgents!”
“You are the one who has allowed himself to be brainwashed!” Nine-of-Twelve retorted. “Brainwashed by your own hypocrisy! I myself believed it for so many years, but when we learned Rung’s purpose… that should have been an epiphany for us! But instead you killed him and swept it under the rug, because you knew that the truth would rob you of the power that you had come to revel in!”
“Blasphemy! Our power is ordained by Primus himself! Without our rule, Cybertron would descend into complete and utter chaos!” Six-of-Twelve’s optic began to glow brightly as he prepared to unleash another blast, aimed at his fellow Councilor. “I did not want it to come to this, but you leave me no choice.”
He fired a blast and struck Nine-of-Twelve square in the chest. The renegade councilor was knocked back, colliding with the Timemaze’s console. At that moment, the device powered on and a portal began to materialize within the archway. Six-of-Twelve turned to face the portal, spreading his arms wide.
“Ah, could it be? Has Primus’s retribution come at last? Have the Guiding Hand come to bring their divine wrath upon—”
A blaster fired from within the portal and Six-of-Twelve was sent crashing into the wall. Gigawatt, Sari, and Bug Bite all turned to see two figures emerging from the portal.
“Not the welcome I was expecting,” growled the first bot.
“No,” agreed the second one. “But I have come to expect it at this point.”
Gigawatt blinked as he glanced at Sari. “Is that… is that who I think it is?”
“Huh,” Sari muttered. “Can’t say they’re the first people I was expecting.”
Grimlock and Primal Major stepped through the portal and into the room. The former carried a large sword while the Maximal leader wielded two blades and had both his shoulder cannons deployed. Behind them, coming through the portal as well, were the silhouettes of the other Dinobots and Primal’s fellow Maximals.
“Now then,” Primal Major said. “Who here can explain to us what the hell is going on?”
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