THE TRANSFORMERS: GENERATION ONE UNIVERSE

THE STORY CONTINUES....
CHAPTERS 19 & 20
CHAPTERS 21 & 22

THE PROJECT N CRISIS

By JEFF WALKER - (aka- JETPLAGUE)

This Page Contains Chapters 1 & 2

To See Other Chapters Please Go And Click On The Chapers Beside The Generation One Universe Logo.

CHAPTER 1 - THE NEW MISSION BEGINS
"I am Optimus Prime, Leader of the Autobot faction of Cybertron.  We come in peace to your world and wish to extend our hands in friendship in the hopes that you, the people of Earth, share in our good nature.  Stranded on your world, my fellow Autobots and I are willing to share some of our technological advancements in exchange for energy and equipment necessary to rebuild our ship so that we may return home.  So far I have met many of your kind, all of whom have helped us a great deal during some difficult times, they have become our entrusted allies and dearest friends.  As I stand here and look out at you all, I see a proud and honorable species.  When the Decepticons threatened this planet, you rose up and stood against their evil, even if it meant your very lives.  And we were there beside you, to help fight for your world in a chance to not let their tyranny overtake it as our own planet has.  You would fight for freedom and peace just as we would, and do whatever necessary to maintain it...no matter the cost.

I am honored today that you have included us as members of your United Nations, making us honorary citizens of the planet Earth.  Cybertron, once it has been liberated after our return, will grant you the same title on that day.  And as I finish my speech to you all, let me say this...In the vast, dark recesses of space, millions of inhabited worlds like yours and mine, look up and dream of possibilities for a better tomorrow.  Sometimes the darkness looks as though it will go on forever and consume us all.  But always know, that even in the darkest hour...a light will shine through it and bring hope to those who have none left.  For that will be the day when the light of hope destroys the darkness for good, it will show us the way back and bring us all into focus again ...it will be the day...when all shall be one."

- Optimus Prime, Leader of the Autobots
A statement made to the members of the Earth United Nations one week after the Decepticons defeat.


••••••••••••••••••••••••

Earth

Four months later…

On the scorching hot desert sands of a mountainous region, a lone speeding vehicle drives down a worn out path through the rocky plains of this never-ending labyrinth. The blazing sun high above in the bright blue sky gave the terrain an arid look, the breeze was low, the soil parched, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky that would spell relief for this hostile outdoors. As the vehicle zooms past a sharp turn, we see that it is a small yellow Volkswagon Beetle with a large red Autobot symbol sitting on the top of its’ roof. 

“I don’t know where to begin to explain, or even how to start to tell the story that has changed my life forever.” A human male voice soon says. “The events that took place on this small blue planet have been interesting to say the least. So I’ll just give the basics and try my best to fill in what has happened so far.  It’s been four long months since the day the Autobots defeated the Decepticons, four months to the day that their ship was sent to its doom as it crashed into the Pacific Ocean and destroyed them all for good. With Megatron finally out of their way, the peace loving Autobots can now return home and begin a new life on their home world of Cybertron.”

The car continues to snake down the faint brown dirt road as the tires stir up the dust behind it.  The engine continues to roar as it builds up speed on the man made car trail.

“Optimus Prime’s victory was heralded all over the world as the news channels showed the truth of what had been happening, it was amazing to see how the people of Earth gave these brave robots a parade like no other.  The United Nations welcomed the Autobots to Earth in a more official capacity and even agreed to give their new allies a helping hand to save their dying world.  Energy, steel, water…whatever they needed to get back home, I was just as shocked to see the world leaders agree about anything…let alone as one voice to help a strange group of robots from a distant world.  It just goes to prove how unpredictable…how refreshingly unified our people can truly be.”

The car makes another sharp turn and now cuts over to a newly made path just off of the other one it was on.  The sound of the gears changing and the tires spinning in the loose dirt makes the car buckle and shake as it treads over the unsettled carved out road.

“Speaking of which…” The voice continues. “There was a massive change of all the governments across the globe, rumors were saying that it was a huge conspiracy and that everyone involved had ties to a secret plot to take over the planet for themselves…or for one person.  Not surprising enough, it was only one man who sound the charge to this radical reform.  Senator Shawn Berger took his evidence right to the U.N. itself and asked that all top levels of governments in every country be replaced.  After a quick session in a closed council room, the world representatives were all questioned about what had been discussed and Berger’s recommendation for world reform followed through.  It must have been damning stuff for it to happen so quickly, because the minute it did, they all started to up rise against their own leaders.  The same ones, who welcomed the Autobots so openly, ended up going to jail or exile for betraying their own people.  Somehow I think I know who it was they were all linked too…”

“Hey Spike…you bout done doing your little recap on that thing there?  Sheesh…” A robotic male voice now suddenly says sarcastically.

Inside the yellow car was Spike Witwicky, dressed in blue jeans, a blue T-Shirt with a white Autobot logo and brown hiking boots.  In his hand was a small hand held blue and black digital recording device.  His dark brown hair had now been cut to a neat look, and he was sporting a pair of dark sunglasses over his eyes.

“Yeah, yeah…almost done.  Don’t you guys keep a journal or some sort of record of what happened?” The young man laughingly says to the Transformer.

“We do…but we keep it to ourselves and not blab it out for everyone else to hear.  Your boring me to tears for Primus’s sake!”

“Ah Bumblebee, switch off your audio receivers then…I’m doing this to keep a detailed account of my life.” Spike defensively rebukes. “Who knows…maybe one day they’ll make a book or a movie about it. Oh and did you hear?  They’re asking permission to make toys out of you!”

“Don’t remind me.” Bumblebee grumbles. “Humans…never seen such a species go crazy over something as stupid as chunks of plastic.”

“Just like a bunch of transformable robots looking for Energon, huh?  To each his own my friend…to each his own.” Spike laughs as he leans back in his driver seat; the car drives by on its own and doesn’t require him to move the wheel at all.

As they ride over a small dirt hill, the mountainside home of the Autobot’s headquarters could be seen rising over the trail.  The newly made road lead strait for the towering spire of rock, with a large constructed barrier of metal and wire giving it a noticeable buffer of the area around it.  Just before Bumblebee got nearly half way near the main gate, two large plasma cannons popped out from either side of the road he was on and pointed over in his direction.  The small Autobot vehicle came to a screeching halt as he noticed the weapons aiming right for him.

“What the-?!” Bumblebee screamed.

Spike wasn’t prepared for the sudden stop and wasn’t even properly restrained in the vehicle either.  He quickly grabbed onto the car’s driver wheel for dear life as he rocked from the car coming to a rest.

“Ow! What’s going on?!”

Suddenly another roadway device opened up and a large holographic image of Prowl’s head appeared before them.

“Identify please!”

“Prowl?!” Bumblebee shouted at it. “Hey what gives?! It’s bad enough trying to keep stable on this road without you springing some weapons on me!”

“Sorry Bumblebee” Prowl’s voice echoes in the air. “This is a new protocol I’ve decided to create in order to keep this place secure.  We’ve had a lot of news crews, whackos and the likes trying to get up here.  Hey Spike…how’s it going?”

Spike just waves to the massive holo-image of Prowl as it smiles at him.

“Ok Prowl just turn off the guns and let us in will ya?” Bumblebee says with frustration.

“Sure thing.” Prowl states.  “Just as soon as you give me your clearance number…Identify please.”

“WHAT?!!” The little yellow Volkswagon shouts again.

“Kidding…kidding!  Just yanking your camshaft lil’ buddy.” He chuckles at him. “But seriously, learn your code cause the next time this thing is going to be on automatic.”

“Yeah ok, whatever.” Bumblebee growls at him.

The weapons fold back down into their hidden areas and the image of Prowl disappears.  Bumblebee continues to drive through and heads past the large metal barriers that slide open an opening for him.

“Security my bumpers.  Nearly scares me half to death…I’ll kick his back side for it…” The Autobot mutters to himself.

As they drive up the mountain and towards the Ark opening, Spike sits up and notices that they’re almost at the foot of it.

“Hey B-man, just drop me off here will ya.  I want walk the rest of the way.”

“Sure thing Spike, I want to go say a special hello to Prowl anyway.” He says with an evil snicker.

Spike gets out of the car as it comes to a stop and shuts the Autobot’s door afterwards.

“Just remember…he’s supposed to be securing the Ark.  So try not to be too hard on him.”

“I can’t promise anything Spike…but gentle is the one thing I won’t after his little stunt.”

The yellow Volkswagon peels his tires and zips down into the long hall into the embedded ship.  Spike just shakes his head and tries to envision what might happen when Bumblebee gets a hold of Prowl.  The thought makes him giggle and quietly laugh as he continues to walk in the vast Ark passageway.  As he strolls along, a few Autobots come walking past him and greet him warmly.

“Hey guys!” Spike smiles.

“Oh, hi there Spike.” Huffer says raising his shining chrome hand.

“Spike my man, what’s eating Bumblebee…he’s rushing down the way like a wild bot.” Jazz asks.

“Uh…think he’s really itching to say hello to someone.”

Suddenly a loud crashing noise is heard and the voices of the two Autobots, Bumblebee and Prowl, are screaming at one another.  Spike shrugs his shoulders and smiles at the two Autobots laughing at the sound.  The young man continues down the long hall and speaks into his digital recorder again as he remembers it’s still in his hand.

“Uh…right.  Where was I? Oh yeah…now that the Autobots are fully stocked and ready to begin construction of the new ship, Optimus Prime has been quietly in the main assembly room or bridge if you will, for sometime.  He seemed somewhat pre-occupied after the U.N. meeting and has been watching news clips of all the times the Decepticons and his Autobots have battled. Wheeljack has also been acting rather odd, instead of focusing on designing a new ship; he seems to be sticking to newly constructed lab just outside the Ark.  Maybe it’s just me…but I think these two have more pressing thoughts on their minds other then going home.  Well, guess that’s all for today’s message…this is Spike signing off.”

He shuts the device off and places it into his back pocket.  Once he places it in, he finally arrives at the main large archway of the control bridge.  Upon entering it, he notices Optimus Prime sitting at the large monitor of Telatran One and still scanning news images of the previous Autobot/Decepticon battle.  His eyes, as bright blue and hauntingly glowing as they are, reflect the various images as it flickers off the screen. Each time the image stops, it focuses on the humans and of the captured moments of the large laser blast that sent the Decepticon ship into the ocean.

“Telatran One…give me a new satellite shot of the human military instillation called Area 51 again.”

“Affirmative.” The electronic dull male-sounding voice of the computer replies to the leader.

The orbiting space satellite of human design activates and obeys the Autobot computer’s commands.  It’s high-resolution camera zooms down at the location from above and shows Optimus Prime the layout of the place in great detail. The place almost looks deserted but still highly protected by various electrical fences and a few military guards.  As the giant red robot stares from under his blue helmeted head, Spike walks up beside him and tries to snap Prime out of his gaze.

“Nobody home in there huh?”

Prime looks down beside his chair and sees the small human friend.

“Hello Spike, no the place is still very active…just not on the surface.  Telatran One can’t seem to penetrate their underground operations; we can’t even seem to go beyond this point on here.  Archeville is up to something new…I just know it.”

“So why didn’t you go in there and take him on?” Spike inquires. “It’s been four months and you haven’t even made a budge.”

“I was rather hoping your own world governments would handle this.  After all, this is your planet’s concern…not ours.”

Spike folds his arms as he looks at the leader, “Oh really?  Then I suppose your ‘concern’ didn’t interfere with your return flight home?  Come on Optimus…you guys could have built your space ship at any given time and left here already.  What’s the real reason, huh?”

Prime looks around for a second to see if anyone else is in the room and then leans over to Spike as he explains.

“Alright Spike, but just don’t spread this around…at least…not yet anyway.  I have reason to believe that if we attempted such a thing, that Archeville would once again raise his weapon and try to sabotage our flight. After witnessing the destructive power of the laser they used on Megatron’s ship, my concern is for the safety for my men and perhaps your people as well.  I’ve been waiting to see if he’ll open up the weapon again so I can have a better look at it.  So far...nothing.  I don’t even know if Archeville is still on the base grounds anymore…this secret he so intent on protecting…this Project N…I’ve got to discover what it is before he creates yet another horrible weapon, one that might be a danger to the lives of millions of people…Cybertronian and Earthmen alike.”

“Well…I’ve got to hand it to the madman.” Spike says rubbing his head thinking about it. “He is pretty creative.  He’s managed to even keep the military at bay for this long…and that kinda scares me.”

“It scares me too Spike…” Prime says as he looks back at the monitor squinting. “There’s no telling of what is to come yet from this dangerous human.”


*  *  *  *  *  *

Deep below in the Pacific Ocean, where the light almost fades into the darkness of the vast, vacant waters of hull crushing depths, three streamline black looking submarine like crafts voyage through the pitch black murky water.  The hulls looked modified with a dark purple structure running all along the sides of the ship.  In between the cracks of where the metal parted in some areas was a strange dimming glow of neon like lights peering out of them.  Silent and swiftly they planed through the water, only a faint hum could be heard from behind if one were to come near it at close range.  These were vessels that no one could detect, not even from a high orbit above the Earth, for these where ghost submarines of a most un-natural design.

Inside the leading submarine, sitting in the command bridge that looked more like something of a science fiction novel then an actual submarine vessel would have inside, was an old Caucasian man sipping on a cup of tea.  The chair was black in leather, with a belt harness behind him that wasn’t being used; all around the chair were brass rails that separated his seat from the rest of the deck.  His teacup was bone white china with a blue embroidered design on the sides and had a saucer to match as it was clutched in his other hand.  The man was sporting black pants and a black turtle neck that gave him a very comfortable look, his dark navy blue jacket rest on the side arm of his chair as he leaned on it with his left elbow.  The entire room was filled with strange looking computers, men dressed almost the same as he where running around and operating the various stations.  A female African American officer was steering the helm of the submarine, she maneuvered the vessel with just a small chrome driver's wheel in her hands.  She kept her eyes focused on the many electronic displays telling her of her distance, depth and speed of which the craft was moving.

“We’re nearing the next targeted area Doctor Archeville.” The female pilot informed him.

“Very good helm.  Signal the fleet to reduce speed and begin the search immediately.” He commanded her as he placed his tea down on a small glass table in front of him. “And give me a direct link to A-51 headquarters…I want to speak with Mr. West.”

“He’s already online sir…” She says back after checking the console. “He’s demanding to talk to you personally.”

“On speakers Ms. Delmar.”

A quick snap of electronic static and the voice of Mr. West can be heard in the room with absolute clarity.

“West here Doctor.  I’ve been trying to hail you for hours now.” He says with a worried tone.

Archeville leans back in his chair and folds his hands together. “I know…we’ve been in deep waters and transmission has been unusually choppy at best.  What is this urgent matter Mr. West?”

“Sir, the Autobots are continually trying to use Telatran One to scan this base.  We’ve been monitoring the signals for some time and we feel that they may eventually target us for an attack soon.”

“Your worries are unfounded Commander West.” Archeville sighs. “They’ve had the chance to raid our facilities for four months now.  I highly doubt they will attempt such an operation without the world’s permission.  But since I have no more of my contacts in the government to tell me otherwise…you must prepare for any contingency.”

“Yes sir.” West replies back. “I still can’t believe our organization was disassembled so quickly.  They found every one of your plants across the globe in a matter of weeks. Are you certain that you can still remain safe in those waters out there?  It’s possible they’re looking for you in just about every inch of the planet by now.”

Archeville rises out of his chair and places his arms behind his back, the frustration of being a hunted man tightens his fists and makes him pace while he speaks to the nervous commander.

“Yes, how dare they even attempt such a foolish thing.  Curse them all…and curse those Autobots for helping them look for me.  But we all know it was Chip Chase’s files that gave that stupid Senator my every contact.  I should have never trusted General Pressman to oversee their destruction as he arrested the Chase boy.  I should have handled that minor incident myself…but…what’s done is done.   Speaking of Chip Chase…is he ready to give me more information on the Project or not?”

“He’s been very forth coming in the data sir.” West announces with pride. “Your little threat to him seemed to increase his productivity ten fold.”

“Excellent commander…excellent.” The doctor grins. “Now all we need to do is find the Decepticon wreckage and bring it all back to the base for study.”

“How is it going if I may be so bold to ask?”

The old man sat back in his chair and gave a sour face. “The ocean is a harsh mistress my dear Mr. West.  It’s like there’s no trace of them anywhere on the bottom of this watery grave of theirs.  I don’t understand how we cannot detect their signatures at all…let alone a single scrap from their vessel.  We’re going to scan this area and then move to the lower depths of the ocean floor canyon.  I’m afraid that contact will not be possible for some time. So, your orders are to protect the base at all costs and keep the secret of Project N with your very lives.  Is that understood?”

“Understood sir.” West acknowledges.

“Oh and West…” Archeville adds. “You are now the leading head of operations of the base in my absence…you are to also take charge of Level 13.  If something should go wrong…you must also carry out my other instructions for that other project.  Clear?”

“Yes sir.” The commander responds again. “I will follow your orders to the letter sir. Happy hunting…West out.”

The commander’s voice snaps off and the sub becomes silent again.  Archeville rubs his chin in thought as he wonders as to where the Decepticon’s debris field could be.  The ocean is vast with many deep canyons and cracks that go beyond were no sub could travel.  Even with modifications, they are stretching the safety limits of this vessel as it is, if they were to dive down too deep and to a point where they could not escape the crushing pressure…the mission and their lives could be over.  But Archeville is determined to locate the wreckage and return with the alien robot technology he craves so much.  Grabbing his tea again, he takes another sip from it and sits up in his chair.

“Helm…give me a status report.” The old man commands.

“All ships have scanned the area sir. No debris or signatures found.” She says glancing back at him.

“Very well.  Tell the fleet to move to the canyon location and prepare for crushing depth.  Let’s be bold and see what lies in wait for us there.”

“Aye sir.” She nods.

The three dark stealth submarines speed up and travel together as they move to the gaping canyon floor that lies a few miles away from them.  Still silent in their motion, the ships disappear into the blackness of the ocean deep like cruising sharks.

• CHAPTER 2 - WHAT LIES BENEATH THE SURFACE •
Optimus Prime and Spike walk side by side as they leave the Ark and head outside as they stroll to a new destination.  Spike seems to be almost jogging next to Prime rather than walking, the robot’s large legs give him great strides that many humans would find hard to keep up with.  As the two step out beyond the ship, they notice Brawn and Windcharger standing together and snickering as they look down the rocky hill.

“Look at that fool…I swear Cliffjumper is just itching to head back home and kill some ‘cons” Brawn snickers.

“What’s going on here?” Optimus inquires.

“Hey Optimus, Spike…” Windcharger nods to both of them. “Well we’re busy watching Cliffjumper show us his new weapon to defeat the Decepticons back home.”

“HEADS UP!” Cliffjumper's voice echoes from the bottom of the hill.

A large blast of energy comes streaking by their heads and strikes the side of the mountain where Cliffjumper’s target was.  The debris falling causes Optimus to cover Spike from harm, Brawn and Windcharger shield their faces from the rock fragments that strike down at them.  Brawn looks over to see if Spike is ok and looks over at smiling red the mini-Autobot as he runs up the hill with his massive gray weapon.

“What are ya stupid or something!!” Brawn yells. “Why don’t you think before you fire a monstrosity like that?!”

The Autobot leader stands up after covering Spike; the young man is unharmed but rattled by Cliffjumper’s blasting.

“Cliffjumper! What in the name of Primus do you think you are doing?!  You could have nearly killed Spike here!”

“Oh…uh…sorry.  Sorry Optimus…Sorry Spike.” Cliffjumper apologizes like a child being caught doing something wrong. “But I was only giving my new energon weapon a try…that’s all.”

Prime walks over to him with anger and yanks the small robot’s weapon away.

“Energon weapon?!  Give me that thing…from now on you come to me for any new weapon you’d like to test out…preferably to ask for a more suited testing ground before using it!  Is that understood soldier?!”

“But…but Optimus…” The mini-robot stutters.

Coming closer to his face, Prime stares him down and repeats his order. “I said…is that clear?!”

“Yes.” Cliffjumper breathes defiantly.

“Good.” The leader nods to him. “While I appreciate your enthusiasm for our return home, you must remember to think of the humans that tend to walk around the base of late.  Especially Spike here.”

“No harm done Prime.” Spike says as he steps in as and wipes off his clothes of dust. “But next time Cliffjumper…give me a call if you need to have someone help adjust the settings.”

 A quick wink from the young man gives Cliffjumper his smile back and laughs at Spike’s attempt of putting humor in a tense situation.  Even Optimus Prime gives a little giggle as he soon shakes off his anger towards the trigger happy Autobot.

“Yeah…you bet, Spike!” Cliffjumper cheerfully replies.

“What are you using to power that thing anyway?” Spike inquires.

Cliffjumper realizes Prime isn’t going to give him back the weapon as he soon tries to reach for it and watches the leader pull it away from his reach.

“Oh…uh…right.  Well, I was making this thing while in Wheeljack’s new laboratory…and well…since I saw a chunk of one of those ruby crystals from the Burma mines, I thought I’d test one out to see what it was like.”

Prime’s eyes squinted at him with curiosity. “Wait a minute…how did you get your hands on a ruby crystal?”

“Wheeljack has some.  Not too big mind you…but ones that Ratchet managed to un-lodge out of Bumblebee and my chassis from the Burma explosion.  He’s studying them right now.”

Optimus stroked his manifold chin with his free hand and remembered the incident at the ruby mine of Burma.  The Decepticons were very keen on collecting those rubies, for what he could only assume meant that they produced a source of energy.  The mine’s destruction was very powerful and blast radius was unusually large for the amount of bombs Bumblebee and Cliffjumper used to stop the Decepticons.  Now he had to go see Wheeljack to get an answer, as he began to walk away, he turned to Brawn and handed him Cliffjumper’s dangerous new toy.

“Very well, I’m going to speak to Wheeljack about that, in the mean time no more fooling around guys, here…put this thing in storage and don’t let him use it again.”

Brawn chuckled as he took hold of the weapon and shook his index finger at Cliffjumper with sarcasm. “Tsk, tsk…looks like you don’t get to play with this anymore.”

Spike giggles as he watches the small robot’s reaction to Brawn taunting him and follows the Autobot leader walking away from the three mini-Autobots.  Cliffjumper folded his arms in frustration and stuck out his lip in disappointment.

As Spike and Prime came around the mountainside and to a newly cleared area at the base of it, the young man finally got to see Wheeljack’s new temporary lab that the Autobot’s created for him.  It was made from the same metal as the ship, possibly from ripping down a few panels from inside the Ark and was about the size of a three-story building.  The path was carved down around the mountain and leading straight to the doors of the massive structure.  It was impressive to Spike to see such a unique building that probably wasn’t much more then a tool shack to the Autobots, but very cool to his eyes nevertheless.  The two entered the lab as the massive orange metal doors slid open and instantly saw Wheeljack sitting over at a large computer with a laser scanner.  The scanner was built into the Telatran One-like facsimile, as it pulsated a large green laser beam down to a ruby crystal fragment that sat inside of it.

“Telatran One…link up with this computer and verify findings on exhibit Alpha Three One.” The relaxed looking white and gray colored Autobot said as sat in his chair.

“Scanning object.” Telatran One spoke. “Verified…crystal is authentic, data shows a sixty five percent purity ratio within the crystal matrix.”

Wheeljack rubs his chin as he listens to the information, not even noticing Optimus Prime and Spike standing just behind him.

“I thought so…” He utters under his breath.

“I thought you were supposed to be designing the new ship for our return home.” Optimus finally says to Wheeljack.

The robot spins around quickly and rises out of his seat to salute the leader. Startled by his presence, the scientist Autobot stumbles on his words from the surprise.

“Yes sir…I mean…no sir…I mean….”

“At ease Wheeljack, I’m curious about what you’ve discovered so far.  The rubies…are they capable of producing energy?” The leader asks him.

Wheeljack relaxes again and takes the ruby out of the scanning port to show the leader.

“Actually Optimus…this is no ordinary crystal.  This is pure Energon Crystal…well…maybe not pure…but still the same kind that our ancestors use to mine for themselves long ago.”

“Impossible.” Prime states in disbelief. “Raw Energon Crystals has long been mined out since the days of the Third Cybertronian war.  Not to mention…only indigenous to our planet and other worlds around our system.  You must be mistaken.”

“I wish I were Optimus.” Wheeljack sighs as he places the ruby back into the scanner. “But this is a form of Energon.  Probably a mutated variety…but it still has the same energy matrix needed to power our systems without conversion.”

Spike looks at the two robots with great confusion, he almost feels that he’s being left out of the conversation and tries to join in.

“Are you saying that there’s Cybertronian Energon Crystals here on Earth?  That doesn’t make any sense...does it?”

Wheeljack kneels down to him and explains. “I dunno.  Quite frankly, I’m a bit puzzled by it myself.  You see our ancestors always believed that Energon was the power core of our constructed planet, and that it was only used on our world and on those that were populated by other Transformers.”

“But there are other myths Wheeljack.” Prime interrupts. “I remember hearing about the first Cybertronians telling the younger generations of other worlds with Energon cores.  That the universe was created by the first spark of life and that Energon was the result of it’s beginning, thus creating new worlds out of the clusters of Crystal Energon and awaiting the time when all energy is formed back into the very spark from which it was dispersed from.”

Wheeljack sits back in his chair and laughs at Prime’s theory. “I’ve heard that far fetched myth too.  I never really believed in all that nonsense…after all I’m a scientist, I deal in facts, not the ramblings of old robots fabricated stories that have no merit to their theories.”

“Then how do explain that ruby crystal then Wheeljack?” Spike points out to him. “I think Prime might have the most logical explanation of how it got here.”

“Nuts to that Spike.” Wheeljack scoffs. “It’s more likely that this was a meteor chunk or a comet that hit the Earth millions of years ago.  Energon Crystals are generally green in color, that’s the pure form they come in…this…I don’t know what this is.  It’s similar in structure and in energy signature…but I highly doubt that it’s the Energon Crystal we all know.”

Optimus Prime folds his arms together and gives a look of a robot deep in thought. His glowing faint blue eyes dim down a shade and narrow themselves as he ponders this puzzling revelation.

“Another form of Energon?  I wonder.  Somehow I’m not so sure you’re theory is all that better either Wheeljack.”

“Well…” The white robot scientist pauses as he rubs his domed head. “Geology really isn’t my specialty…that’s more along the lines of Perceptor’s field.  It’s too bad he’s not rebuilt from the crash yet...I could use his input.”

“That reminds me…” The leader says as Wheeljack add another thought to him. “How is the recovery of the others coming along?  I know Ratchet has been busy with repairing the few that weren’t on the bridge….”

Wheeljack sighs and leans back in his chair again looking tired. “They managed to borough through a few decks, so far we’ve recovered Blaster, Inferno, Red Alert and Steeljaw.  The rest are really in need of repairs maybe even some new parts that we can’t manufacture here.  And we found something else blocking our drilling efforts…”

He stands up and walks over to a table that has a set of large bones laid out on top.  He picks one up and shows it to both Prime and Spike, both eyeing them with interest.

“What are those?” Prime asks.

“Not sure” Wheeljack replies. “They might have once belonged to organic beings that were larger then the humans and other variety of life right now.”

“Hey…” Spike realizes out loud. “Those might be the fossilized bones of dinosaurs.”

“What are…dinosaurs Spike?” Optimus inquires.

“Dinosaurs were giant lizard-like creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago.  They were wiped out by some big disaster long ago and might have been a link to our evolutionary chain…at least…that’s what some scientists believe.”

“Huh.” Wheeljack utters in amazement. “I’ve got to admit they sound interesting.  Maybe I’ll research those beings a bit more from Telatran One’s files…”

“Well if you really want to study them, why not go to the nearest museum and have a look at the exhibits.” Spike smirks at him.

“I’d like too…but…” Wheeljack snickers. “I’m afraid I might be the wrong size to fit into such a place, if you get my meaning.”

Spike laughs as he realizes that the white robot is correct. “Oh ya…I almost forgot.  Boy hanging around with you guys so much I tend to forget you’re not able to go where most humans do.  My bad Wheeljack.”

“No Problem, Spike.” Wheeljack cheerfully replies.

Optimus Prime rubs one of the bones sitting on the massive table, the bones almost shape the body of a T-rex dinosaur and makes him curious about how they might have died.

“Millions of years ago huh?  I hope we are not to blame for their destruction…I’d hate to think that our quest for energy resulted in their demise upon crashing on this planet.”

“Hard to say Optimus…but then…if we didn’t, we wouldn’t have met Spike or any other human for that matter.” Wheeljack says to the concerned leader.

Prime nods in agreement and looks down at Spike grinning at him. “Very true…fate it seems has thrust us together, those humans we call friends…and others…we’ve come to know as new enemies.”

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

On the bridge of Archeville’s submarine, the old man stands in front of an electronic see-through map of the Pacific Ocean and studies one area in the middle.  His finger taps a large region that simply shows a deep canyon and the estimated depth numbers displayed beside it.  The crew behind him continues to do their jobs, steering, communicating with the other two subs behind them and scanning the deep waters for any sign of the Decepticon debris.

“I don’t understand.” The old man grumbles. “The ship must have shattered to pieces during its impact with the surface water.  The force of the impact alone should have crushed it’s hull like a tin can…and yet…nothing.  I just don’t understand how this is possible.”

Tapping the map one last time, the doctor wandered back to his command chair in the center and stood beside it deep in thought.  Looking over to the female pilot, he raised his head and gave her a new order.

“Helm!  Bring us down the canyon…all the way if need be.  If the ship managed to delve this far…then we need to investigate the rate of speed it took to travel down here.”

The black woman looked around at him and nodded. “Aye sir.  Should I inform the other subs of our new course?”

“Yes Ms. Delmar, but instruct them to remain behind us in a single column.  Just in case the bottom of this valley bottlenecks at the end.”

“Aye Sir.”

The specialized subs lowered down deeper into the dark waters, their shapes no longer visible to the naked eye, only a few lights along their hulls peer out of the darkness and give an eerie look as they descend.  Suddenly, the black female notices a flashing icon on her right side display monitor.  She studies the information as it warns her and she quickly turns around to Archeville with a delighted smile.

“Sir! Something has been detected ahead!  Read outs show a Decepticon signature!”

The doctor sits in his chair grinning with pride. “Excellent!  Well done helm…proceed to the coordinates and turn on the outer floodlights as soon as we reach the target.”

Answering to his commands, the pilot eased the vessel down towards her sonar reading and turned on the outer camera as she simultaneously flicked on the high beams of the front running lights.  Archeville perched himself on the edge of his seat as he activated a larger screen that sprung up from the floor and witnessed the lights piercing the darkness ahead of them.  The deafening silence in the bridge gave an air of tension as the crew waited to see what lied in wait for them.  The subs behind Archeville’s ship also turned on their outer lights and helped to increase the illumination and give the Project N leader a better view of the area they were approaching.  Sea creatures that live in the deep murky depths of that level scattered out of the vessel’s way, it was like visiting another planet at the bottom of our own ocean as the various types of fish and predator would make any oceanographer jealous of the team’s discovery.  But Archeville wasn’t interested in the life forms already inhabiting our own waters; it was only the Decepticons he craved.  More importantly, he sought after the main prize he had wanted all along…Megatron.

“There!” He rose out of his chair in excitement. “There it is!!”

On the large viewer in front of him came the image of a massive sized Decepticon emblem, it was still in good condition and proudly displayed on the side of the huge ship’s hull.  The subs were still rather small compared to the sheer size to which the vessel was built, Cybertronians never seem to build anything small scale, but perhaps to them, this is economy sized as it gets.  The doctor raised his fists in joy as he gave a cry of delight, a small jump up and down signaled his enthusiasm of the discovery and sight of it made the crew relax for the time being.

“What now sir?” The pilot asked him.

“Time for all things to come to those who wait.” He replied in a cryptic manner. “Move us closer to its hull and prepare the boarding team.  I will join them in the expedition and lead the mission.”

A tanned looking gentleman came over to him and gave a voice of concern. “Sir, I strongly recommend you re-consider that.  If anything should go wrong we might not be able to secure your safety.”

“Calm yourself Lieutenant Becker.” Archeville demanded. “These robots are deactivated from the crash.  The speed and pressure alone would have surely switched off their systems like an electromagnetic pulse.  That is why we took our time to lowering the subs deeper into the ocean depths, to allow their structures to ease into each level of pressure.  Now stop your fussing and take command in my leave.  Megatron…at long last…is mine!”

The old man cackles away like a lunatic and hurries down to meet with the boarding party.  In a special airlock room, six crewmen suit up in special futuristic looking space suits and clasp their helmets on tight.  The suits are obviously designed to shield them from the crushing pressure of the water’s depth, oxygen tanks and special unmarked canisters attached to their backs are there to prevent them from being killed by the deadly level of the ocean.  Archeville soon joins them as he steps through the door and seals up the inner room.  He gabs one of the suits awaiting him and chuckles like a child on Christmas morning, as he cannot wait to step inside the silent alien craft.

“History gentlemen…history will be made!” He giggles to them as he finishes up putting on his pressure suit. “The greatest technology in the universe will be ours at long last…and not even those cursed Autobots will be able to stop me now!”

The sub finally attaches to the side of the Decepticon’s ship and creates a vacuum seal around the area doorway where the boarding party will step out.  The quick clanging of metal and the sound of the tight rubber seal forming around the hull, gives Archeville the signal to begin opening the large door in front of them all.  With a simple nod to the two men waiting by the controls, they press a button on either side and the panel slides up slowly to reveal the Decepticon’s ship hull before them.  The next two officers step up to the wet metal and begin using a large laser cutting device that both have to hold up as it makes the slice.  Making a circular path, the cutter manages to melt the metal with relative ease and soon creates a hole big enough for them to all to step through.  With the final pass of the laser, the chunk of hot steel crashes down to the floor and the smoke from the hot metal fills the room their in.  Archeville rubs his hands greedily and walks towards the entrance they just created.  Peering in with his head, the doctor switches on his over head light that’s built into the helmet and observes the inside of the giant vessel.

“This is what I have waited for all my life.” The old man grins. “Destiny is mine at last…I, doctor Emmett Archeville, am now to become the greatest scientist in the history of mankind…and the next ruler of the world!”

As he takes his steps into the alien ship, he continues to laugh like a madman at his own evil intent, the rest of his men follow closely behind him and all are carrying large black weapons that are nearly the length of their arms.  The echo of Archeville’s laugh travels down the corridors of the ship and creates an almost frightening sound that would send chill down anyone’s spine.