It never ceased to amaze Impulse how often the main computer broke down. Teletran 2 was quite a temperamental machine it seemed. No matter how more advanced the computers seemed to become, they always became equally more finicky. Having been a sim once herself, Impulse knew a few tricks to coax them to behave civilly.
"Come on Teletran, what's on your collective hard drive?" she joked.
Teletran's sim gave no response save the proverbial, "Your question does not compute..."
don't give me that," she laughed. "You have a crush on that minicomputer out at Metroplex..."
"Your mirth does not compute. I am not programmed for amorous infatuation..."
"Hmm, too bad," Impulse sighed.
It was Spring again, and even Autobot City was well within its effects. Whenever she got the chance she'd take a spin down to Lookout mountain and glimpse Oregon in its entire splendor. Autobot City was located in a scenic spot far from Central City, and the old Autobot Base where she once recalled serving. Out in the middle of a glorious natural splendor filled with trees and native life forms.
When mating was in full swing. Even the carbon units, the Humans who’s mating habits did not fall into discernable patterns did have more romantic entanglements during spring. It was called Spring fever...
Danny Witwicky felt a bit flushed when he came home from school. And Arcee as she often did had the honor of driving him back to his parent's home in Autobot City."Er... Arcee..." he said to her.
"What's up Danny?" she asked him. He often talked to her like an older sister. For she was very protective of this young human.
"Do you ever.. Have you ever... uh... liked someone..."
"I like many people..." she said.
"No.. Not that kind of like..." he clarified. "The... you know... like someone..."
"Oh, are you presently having a 'crush'..."
"Not so loud," he hushed her."Mom'll hear! I'm only 12, and she doesn't want me dating yet..."
"I promise not to tell," Arcee smiled as they walked into the main control room. They noticed Impulse tucked under a computer panel again. As usual she wore her interfacial gauntlet which was plugged into the main links.
"It's this girl named Gina. She's really neat... and we like to talk and stuff... but..."
"You don't want to be just friends I take it..." Arcee smiled.
"Yeah. What do you do to get a girl to notice you? I mean.. You're a femme and all. What do girls like?"
"Uh... I am a warrior," Arcee sighed. "With little time for romance. Maybe you should ask your mother..."
"But she'll ask me who I like and stuff..." "Just be yourself," Impulse cut in from under the control panel. "Sorry, couldn't help but overhear your conversation, Danny..."
"It's okay," he sighed. "Look, I gotta go. Can somebody take me home?"
"I'll do that!" chimed in another voice. Hot Rod came into the main control room, flanked by his old friend Kup, and his sister Bluebolt.
"Oh cool!" Danny said, brightening up as he saw his other friends."Can we take the scenic route, Hot Rod?"
'Sure thing, Danny!" Hot Rod smiled. "Hold onto your books!"
"Better stay to the speed limit!" Kup warned him.
"Oh you!" Bluebolt laughed as she walked in on Kup's other side. "If he doesn't I'll tangle his transistors..."
"Aw sis!" Hot Rod moaned. Danny noted as soon as Hot Rod came in, an odd look came over Arcee. She appeared to be staring off into some unknown dimension. Impulse, taking her head from under the control panel couldn't help but notice Arcee's reaction to Hot Rod's presence as well.
"Very interesting," Impulse smiled to herself.
"Hiya Arcee!" Hot Rod said to her. "What's up?"
"What?" she asked, appearing to break her trance.
"Too many hours on the simulator..." Kup muttered. "I remember the time I was training for the Mantissa campaign..."
"Oh... that's it..." said Hot Rod. "Better get outa here Danny. Before we need popcorn and soda for this story..."
"Young turbo, if you'd listen a bit more often you could learn a thing or two," Kup said to him.
"Or three," Arcee joined in. She caught Hot Rod's eye and there was an odd red tinge that came over her white facial component. Bluebolt noticed it, and smiled to herself.
"Gotta motor!" Hot Rod said to them. "Catch ya all later!"
"Be back in time for drill at seven!" Kup shouted after Hot Rod as he roared out of the city. "Hey... I'm talking to you, you young punk!"
As Kup raced off after Hot Rod, Bluebolt walked over to Arcee. "What's with you?" she asked her friend. "You look spaced out!"
"Huh?" Arcee asked, looking up suddenly. "Oh... it's nothing. I'd probably better go get a recharge."
"I'll come with you..." Bluebolt offered. "Impulse?"
"I'll finish up here first... and join you two later."
"Don't worry about me," said Arcee. "I... would rather be alone for a few minutes..."
As she left Bluebolt exchanged a glance with Impulse. Both shrugged. Then Impulse said to her friend, "That spring fever must be effecting Autobots as well?"
"Spring fever? But that's a human condition. We don't get sick..."
"Not a fever caused by virus Bluebolt," Impulse explained. "Rather a figure of speech. Arcee is displaying all the symptoms of romantic infatuation!"
"Arcee? Aw come on... oh... wait a minute! That would explain it!"
"Explain what?"
"Why she's been spacey every time me and my brother hang with her! She has this faraway look in her optic sensors... does that mean she has a 'crush' on my brother?"
"I think so," Impulse smiled.
"Wow... that's... pretty interesting," Bluebolt said. "Are you sure?"
"I know that look," said Impulse. "I've had it myself for a few bots in my life."
"You mean like Prowl?"
"That was a long time ago..." said Impulse with a sigh. "But things are different now. That was just a crush. No, it looks to me like Arcee is actually... infatuated beyond a mere emotional attraction. Remember they do fight in battle together... since Ultra Magnus put them on the same battalion they've been spending lots of time in combat simulations..."
"Yeah," sighed Bluebolt, her own mind miles away.
"Are you affected by spring fever..." Impulse asked her friend.
"Sort of," Bluebolt said. Impulse noticed when she mentioned the name Ultra Magnus that Bluebolt got a look identical to that in Arcee's facial component. It was catching this spring fever!
Within the Autobot Gym, a tall green figure bounced a large spheroid made of polymers similar to rubber. Hurling it toward the vast floor, he let it rise to the height of his chest, before driving it floor wards with his hand again.
"And it's the final minute! No free throws... the game is in a tie..."
Springer readied himself for the final throw. Gracefully he rushed, bouncing the ball before him as he leapt on his powerful legs. Fifty feet up he seemed to hover as his right hand hefted the ball into a perfect jump shot.
"Way to go Air Springo!" Bluebolt said to him, clapping. She had come to spend a bit of time with her friend. Often because they were triple changers they shared ideas about transformation in battle together.
"Hiya Bluebolt!" Springer said to her, as he landed again. "What's new?"
"Impulse and the others were going to the Refreshment station. Wanna come join us?" she asked.
"Sure. Let me just adjust my thermal system... there... all right..."
The two triple changers came from the gym to pass the computer lab. Impulse was hard at work inside as usual. Bluebolt banged on the metal door. "Impulse! Remove your braincase and come along, will you?"
"But I've some important repairs..." she said to her friends.
"Oh come on! We were gonna meet Arcee for some refreshment... remember..."
"I thought Arcee requested solitude..." Impulse said, poking her head out. She noted the tall green robot to Bluebolt's left. She'd seen Springer before in battle. He was quite the warrior. But to see him here and now!
"You go on ahead..." said Impulse. "I'll come by later..."
"We'll save you some motor oil," Springer smiled at her. She noted he had a rather nice smile. Strange shivers of electricity sparked up her structural components.
"Oh, don't be a logic circuit," said Bluebolt, grabbing Impulses' hand and pulling her out. "Don't you want to help cure somebody of their spring fever?"
"I don't think that's a good idea..." Impulse said, but let her friends take her to the refreshment area.
They joined Arcee at a table by herself. She glanced at the blue skies visible through the viewport on the far wall. "Hey, is this seat taken?" Springer asked her.
"Oh hi Springer," Arcee said, brightening up. "Bluebolt... and is that Impulse?"
"Yes... I've had quite enough cracks about being stuck in my lab," she sighed, shaking her head. Springer chuckled at her remark. And that laugh made Impulse smile in return.
"There was something I wanted to ask you," said Bluebolt to Arcee.
"What is it?"
"Springer, why don't you get us some energon punch?"
"Oh... sure," he said, noting well when the femmes wanted to exchange femme talk.
On the way back home Hot Rod and Danny talked. "So what's this about this girl you like Danny?"
"Aw man does everyone know?"
"I listened in. Sorry!"
"Oh it's just a girl I like. No big deal..."
"What are ya gonna do about it?"
"Impulse said be myself..." "Fine. But you gotta get her attention! Make her notice you! Does she like sports?"
"I dunno. She likes computers..."
"Oh okay. How about you go to that computer show together?"
"I dunno. My mom might get suspicious..."
"Aw come on! I can take you!" Hot Rod said. "And it will be fun!"
"But Gina..." "Gina's mom is good friends with Carly, right? So she might like going there with Impulse... who's a computer programmer! So we can all go together..."
"Not a bad idea, Rod," said Danny. "I'll think about it..."
As Hot Rod dropped him off, Danny leapt out of the car. Carly Witwicky came up to greet her son. Hot Rod waved goodbye to Mrs. Witwicky as he transformed to return home to Central command.
Arcee sighed as Bluebolt pestered her with questions. "So, what's up?"
"Bluebolt, do you mind?"
"Not at all. But you've been acting really strange around my brother lately!"
"How so?" Arcee sniffed.
"Like staring off into space with your optic sensors, and your chromapigments are shading your face red when we see you lately with him!"
"Oh... for the Matrix sake," Arcee gulped. "Is it that obvious! I'm gonna derez!"
"Arcee, don't loose your coolant," Bluebolt said. "I promise I won't tell him!"
"If you do I'm gonna slice your hydraulic hoses to ribbons..." Arcee warned.
"No problem," Bluebolt smiled. "But the question is, what are you gonna do about it?"
"What should I do?" Arcee sighed. "We have little in common..."
"Oh comon!" Bluebolt groaned. "You have lots in common with my brother!"
"Shhhh!" Arcee hissed. "Name three things!"
"You like fighting exercises such as Karate. And you both visit the pistol range with Kup for lessons on Tuesdays, and finally you both love palling around with Danny..."
"That's nothing," Arcee sighed.
"It's a start..." Bluebolt shrugged. "And come on! Why hide it!"
"What if he likes someone else?" Arcee asked.
"No better time to find out..."
"But... I'm a warrior!" Arcee protested.
"And I am a computer programmer," said Impulse, who up to this point had just listened. "But that doesn't mean I don't desire a bit of romance in my life... you deserve to let him know your feelings, and if he reciprocates them..."
"Oh I don't know..." Arcee sighed.
"It's better to find out," said Impulse. "Then to presume. I made that mistake with Prowl..."
"Oh yes," said Bluebolt. "And anyway, what have you got to loose?"
"My sanity, and my rep,' Arcee sighed. "But I cannot just tell him..."
"Oh no you're right about that," said Bluebolt. "We gotta think of a way to find out... without him finding out..."
"How complicated this seems," Impulse sighed. "I suppose you're going to suggest some elaborate scheme with the end goal being having Arcee end up on a date..."
"I couldn't!" Arcee blushed. "I cannot let you fix me up..."
"Oh, forget I mentioned it... but you've gotta ask him sometime..."
"It is customary for the male to ask the female," said Impulse.
"I can't go on a date with him!" said Arcee. "It's too obvious."
"You're right," Impulse said. "Why don't you go for target practice. Get your mind off it for now..."
"Good idea," Arcee said. "I need to focus on my duties..."
As she left, Springer sat down with the two femmes. "What was that all about?" he asked.
"Promise you won't tell, and I might say what it was," Bluebolt said.
"Cross my wires and hope to expire," Springer said. Impulse stifled a giggle.
"Arcee has a crush on Hot Rod," Impulse said. "And I think it prudent to somehow... let the other party know without knowing. It is very complicated..."
"Ah, I see," Springer smiled mischievously. "And you want to get them together, right?"
"That's the general idea," said Bluebolt. "You got it right on target, Springer!"
"Hmm," Springer smiled. "I have an idea. But it will take some careful planning..."
"What do you have in mind?" asked Impulse, a bit interested.
"We fix them up, without them knowing. Then when they are alone, we leave them alone. And watch them from a distance. Romance... always comes in the right mood..." Springer said.
"Is this from one of your romance novels?" asked Bluebolt with a giggle.
"Face it! Guys need to get in the mood," Springer said. "And what better way than to go as a group of friends and somehow get separated..."
"I like this," said Bluebolt.
"Hmm," Impulse sighed, a bit bored at this foolishness. But she wanted Arcee and Hot Rod to be happy, so she listened in anyway.
Impulse sighed deeply as she left Springer and Bluebolt's conspiracy. Of all the idiotic games robots as well as humans played for the sake of romance. In her day she did not resort to such foolishness. Or did she? She remembered how silly she felt all over when she first lay eyes on Prowl. And how her fellow Autobots had conspired to get them alone together!
She almost ran smack into Hot Rod, so preoccupied she was! "Oh, excuse me," she said to him.
"Nope sorry, my turn to apologize," he said to her, as they steadied each other. "I wasn't looking where I was going..."
She felt a flush as she realized that she knew something he didn't. The urge to spill the metaphoric secrets was high. In order to end the foolishness. But that would upset Arcee and Bluebolt, and she was not about to hurt her friends.
"Hey Impulse, good thing I ran into you. Could you do me a huge big favor..."
"What can I do for you Hot Rod?" she asked, trying to keep her self-control.
"Danny wants to take a girl he likes to a date. But I told him he'd better make it look like a school trip. So there was like this computer show and I was wondering if you'd like... er... come with both of us to it to make it look less like a date so Danny's mom wouldn't get suspicious..."
A light seemed to turn on in Impulse's intelligence circuits. "But of course Hot Rod!" said. "I have a better idea! Why don't a few of us T.F.'s go along too! To make it look less like Danny's date. Like Arcee, and Bluebolt, and Springer with us..."
"Hey! That's perfect!" Hot Rod smiled, shaking her hand. "Great!"
Meanwhile on the distant planet Char, spring fever had also hit. Galvatron was as usual dressing down his minions for their recent failures. Cyclonus sighed as he shook his head. He was devoted to Galvatron as his lieutenant. Yet he still felt sad that his leader was quite mad. Ever since the visit to the psycho planet he'd never been the same.
A pair of red optic sensors caught Cyclonus' own. He felt a stopping in his energon flow as he realized who it was. Over the droning of Galvatron's hated speech, his mind wandered. Somehow he could see them flying in space together... flying a bombing run...
"Cyclonus! Will you lead that patrol or not?"
"Er, yes Galvatron," Cyclonus snapped to attention, even though he hadn't heard what on Char Galvatron had just said. "I am awaiting the coordinates..."
"Good thing one of you decrepit-louts listens to me!" Galvatron raved. "Pick your assault force and prepare the attack on Autobot City! We must crush that fool Ultra Magnus..."
"At once, Galvatron," said Cyclonus, bowing as the decepticons dispersed in fear.
As he moved out of the room he heard a familiar voice. He turned to see that same femme at his side.
"Another plan that will fail," she said, looking into his optics. Why did she look so... sleek... and viciously appealing?
He tested his optics, running a diagnostic. No, they were in good working order. But there was increase in his energon flow rate each time he glimpsed her. "Cauldron, you must take care not to mention that in his presence..."
"You do not agree with the plan, do you?" she asked, her voice low, and husky. He very much liked it sounding so.
He took her arm, and led her to a secret corner of the char base. "I wish there was some way I could convince him not to attack Autobot City with all guns blazing. But I fear he will not agree with my idea..."
"But he gave you free reign on this mission," said Cauldron, a slight smile twitching her lip components. "And that means you can be... creative?"
"Something tells me there is a plan cogitating in your logic circuits," said Cyclonus. "something sneaky... and quite worthy of a femme decept..."
"My dear Cyclonus... you flatter me..."
"What would you do in my position?"
"That would depend..." she said mischievously. "I would choose the best and most devious Decepticons available... for a small assault party. And..."
"Oh, I see," Cyclonus smiled. "And... perhaps... do a capture raid? Is that what you have in your disc drive..."
"Strange how we think upon the same wavelength..."
"Perhaps we could even... capture Ultra Magnus," Cyclonus said quietly. "that would be quite... an accomplishment..."
"You say we. Does that mean you have chosen your personnel?"
"I have need... for but one Decepticon. Whose specialty is sneakiness and stealth. What say you... to a bit of R&R? This planet... has suddenly become rather crowded..."
"Ah, a bit of you and me..." she smiled. "I like your style, Cyclonus. Very well..."
"Consider it a test of possible future teamwork," he blurted out. Then turned away for thinking such thoughts.
"Is this... a date?" she leered.
"A combat exercise of... expanding our techniques..." said he.
"I like that as well," said she. "We must... remember what our priorities are..."
Their hands clasped as their optic sensors flared deep red. Exchanging evil grins the two Decepticons moved towards the flight bay. And their rendezvous...
Five vehicles sped towards Central City. Hot Rod with Daniel inside roared off after Arcee, who contained Gina. Gina was quite thrilled to meet Autobots, and this helped her suspect nothing of any ulterior motives. Gina's younger sister Becky had teased, but it wasn't of any consequence to dissuade her from going.
Impulse rode next to Springer and Bluebolt, who were both in car mode. She felt a strange prickling in her energon system. Was this silly Spring Fever catching her as well?
Internally she groaned. When was the last time she felt this way? Impulse recalled the feelings she had for Autobot Prowl so long ago. How her sparks skipped a pulse whenever he came into the room. And how sad she was when she found out that he and Moonracer were a couple!
But what was the cause for these strange... impulses? She did not know. Till they all rolled up in front of the computer exhibition building.
"We're here!" Impulse said to the two children.
Eagerly Danny hopped out of Hot Rod. All the Autobots transformed. As Springer rose to his impressive height, Impulse felt her spark stop a few zaps yet again.
"By the Mainframe I must gain control!" she thought internally. Already Arcee ushered Danny inside, while Springer urged Hot Rod in after her.
"Well, come on, let's go in!" Bluebolt giggled, pushing Impulse and Gina in. "you wanted to see the computers, right?"
"Mm yes," Impulse muttered thoughtfully as she got a nice panoramic view of Springer's powerful stride. Those powerful leg components could propel him hundreds of feet into the air. Shaking her head component, she focussed on telling Gina about the various displays.
"So how do we get them together?" Springer whispered to Bluebolt, out of earshot of Impulse. She had hurried Gina to catch up with Arcee, Hot Rod, and Danny. Already Danny pumped Impulse with questions about the latest mainframes. There were even integrated circuits which used DNA as metaprocessors!
"These are fourth generation models, known as VAXES," Impulse said, clearing her throat in a human fashion, even though her synthesizer was a bit clogged. "Wow, what are those monsters!" Danny asked her, pointing to some along the far wall. Trays of punch hole cards sat on a desk before the huge computer, the size of the entire wall.
"That's a reproduction of UNIVAC," Impulse explained.
"What a retro," Hot Rod laughed as she went on to talk about punch hole cards.
"Why didn't' they just use discs?" asked Gina.
"Because they had not yet invented them," Impulse sighed.
"did they ever have these on Cybertron?" asked Springer, tuning into the explanation.
"Er... only in the most archaic times before the Makers..." Impulse coughed, as Springer's blue optics looked right into hers. Why did she feel nervous?
"There's all sorts of great stuff to see here!" Danny laughed.
"Hmm," Impulse said. "And there is more 'great stuff' through the atrium..."
"Man, I need a soda," said Gina. "is there a cafeteria here?"
"There's one in the atrium garden," said Impulse. "Why don't you... and Danny go out there and get some liquid refreshment..."
"Wait, I'm going too," said Arcee. "I always like to look at earth plants..."
"Me too," said Hot Rod. Then he felt a bit at a loss. But Springer and Bluebolt joined them.
"Impulse?" they asked her.
"Er, just need to help a few displays here," said Impulse. "I'm coming..."
"Oh, come on," Springer laughed, pulling her out by the hand. He whispered into her ear... "Besides, they are shy without us!"
Impulse let him pull her out. Already the five sat there, munching away on candy and energon goodies. Danny was already trying to write his report.
"This is a nice place," Gina said. "I wonder how big it is..."
"It goes on for a few acres," Impulse said. "It links all the exhibition halls."
"What say we try it out?" asked Springer innocently.
"Hey, cool!" laughed Danny as he urged Hot Rod. Gina and Arcee followed with Springer and Impulse in a cluster with them. Bluebolt hung back a bit. Something made her shiver.
"You okay sis?" Hot Rod asked her. Already Impulse and Arcee were chatting about various Earth plants. And Gina and Danny had run far ahead in excitement. Neither wanted to really do a report anyway.
"Danny, you come back!" Arcee shouted. "you gotta see the rest of the exhibit..."
"Better go after them," Bluebolt said. "I'm okay... really..."
Torn between keeping up with his pals and seeing to his sister, he shook his head. Till she grabbed her brother's hand and pulled him after her. The atrium opened into a central greenhouse, part of a colony exhibition going on at the same time as he computer one. And part was a large maze of plants that snaked under a huge geodesic dome.
Danny dodged into the bushes, out of Arcee's sights. Springer laughed as he called out to Arcee, "There he is!"
Arcee blundered into a grove of rosebushes. Hot Rod, following the sound of Danny's voice and laughs. He collided with something solid.
Arcee looked up at Hot Rod and gave him a warm smile. Hot Rod then blushed at Arcee. "obviously you're not Danny," she said.
"Where is that guy?" Hot Rod asked, as she took his hand and helped him up. "Wish you'd answer a question." She smiled again.
Hot Rod felt like he was going to overload. "Okay what is the question Hot Rod?" she said softly. "That Danny and Gina just ran off like a bunch of hot servos," Hot Rod said, with a quiver in his voice.
"Hmm. Maybe they didn't come here for a report," Arcee suddenly realized.
"Did you?" he asked her. "These plants are more interesting than a bunch of dusty old computers!"
"Don't let Impulse hear u say that!"
They laughed. And looked into each other's optics. She slowly touched Hot Rod's chest plate. Hot Rod was now in need of some cooling fluid. What in the world was Arcee doing, even though he liked it. It was not the proper time or even place to do this kind of thing. They were supposed to be chaperones!
"Living plants... are much more interesting, don't you think?" she said softly.
"Sure are," he said softly. He slowly touched Arcee's face. She then surprisingly kissed his hand.
Hot Rod wanted to know what fuel Arcee was taking at this moment. He never seen her like this but then it was that time of year .... What did the humans call it, "Spring Time". That was it.
He remember Daniel talking about how some times this time of year brought out peoples' feelings for one another more that any other time. He thought that he was about to fall in to that same thing that Arcee had.
"Uh... we'd better find Danny and Gina," she said quietly.
"I guess we'd better," he sighed, and brought up his face close to her's "No telling what two kids... in a place like this would do..."
"Yes," Arcee sighed. That when they kissed each other. Arcee then looked into Hot Rod's blue eyes.
"You promise you be back here in an hour." Hot Rod nodded. "Unless they find us first."
Arcee then walked further into the garden.
Hot Rod took a deep breath. His thoughts went wild for a second but then he remember why he and Arcee were there! Quickly he rushed to find Danny. Within minutes he had threaded past a splay of bright green palm trees. Danny was there, shyly sitting on the grass near Gina. They both giggled as they looked into each other's eyes. Discretely Hot Rod let them be.
As for Impulse she finally emerged from the pavilion housing the massive computer exhibit. She wondered where the others were. Softly green light hit her optical sensors as she took in the large chlorophyll impregnated structures. Humans called them "plants" she recalled. Overhead soared large brown pipes with large spreads of horizontal "branches" that terminated in flat green teardrop shaped "leaves." Each contained a large infusion of pigments designed to harvest the energy of the sun. Simple yet elegant in design.
So fixated was she on the plants she failed to noticed as she backed up into something solid. With a small shriek she turned to stare right into Springer's face. "Oh, you frightened the microchips out of me!" she gasped.
"Sorry, microchip," he smiled. Impulse felt that queer feeling in her emotive circuits. A sort of churning sensation that made her energon pump pulse faster. Even her spark missed its zaps, as Hot Rod would say.
"What is the purpose of this exercise?" she asked. "Bluebolt asked me to join you all out here... and I fail to see where everyone has gone..."
He gestured with one large strong hand, as the other raised to her lip components. Indeed Arcee appeared to be searching for something.
At first Impulse thought it was for the two children fleshlings identified as Gina and Danny. Yet Hot Rod also appeared to be searching for someone.
Bluebolt had a mischievous look on her facial component as she sat under a tree nearby.
Scanning with infrared she located the two children. Indeed their bodily temperatures appeared to be above normal. Indicating stresses, or pleasures. Then it dawned on her. This was Bluebolts plan, and she was supposed to play her special part.
"Er... have they found each other yet?" she asked Springer shyly.
"Sure enough. But I think Hot Rod lost his nerve," said Springer with a slight laugh. What a nice smile he had, she observed.
That jaunty twinkle in his optic sensors didn't escape her notice this time. Two minuscule reflections of her appeared within as he moved closer to her. Then it dawned on them both. Was this another part of BB's plan? For both of them were alone! With an equally mischievous look, Springer took her hand and lead her off. "Can you show me those old VAX's, Impulse?" he asked her.
"But of course... but what about our..."
"They'll find each other when they're ready," Springer laughed softly, as to not draw attention. Impulse could swear he was winking at Bluebolt, his fellow triple changer!
"I am gonna grab her hydraulic hoses for this," Impulse grumbled when she realized this was a setup too. Not that she minded. But where would this interesting thing lead?
Once into the large exhibition hall, she stopped by the VAX. "Here it is," she said.
"Quite big, isn't it?" Springer observed casually. "Amazing how the humans went from the large to the small, then back to the large..."
"Although it's not as powerful as Teletran 2, it is simple and elegant in design... although they do not yet have fuzzy logic..."
"Fuzzy logic?"
"That parameter in our robotic positron brains that enables us to make intuitive... leaps.... like the fleshlings do..."
"Aha, that's what it's called," Springer chuckled softly. "You really know your programming..."
"I like to think so," she laughed shyly as she glanced up at him. "Speaking of large... I never realized quite... how tall you were till you were standing right next... in proximity."
"Mm. Funny what one can overlook, when one is not... in battle," Springer said, and Impulse felt him takes her hand in his large one. "You have lovely little hands..."
"Em, better for reaching into computer terminals with..." she remarked, trying to remodulate her energon flow rate which had skyrocketed by now.
"You're a funny kid," he smiled, and gently raised a hand to caress her cheek. She flinched and felt a drop in temperature that radiated from his exosensor touch. The temperature drop spread up the neuronal linkages to her central support frame. It was a pleasant sensation indeed. Quite similar to the sensation derived from the touches of Autobot Prowl, and Autobot Bluestreak so long ago.
"I'm hardly a 'kid,' " Impulse sighed. "Besides, how old are you, anyway, Springer?"
"Mm, what is age to us?" he laughed. "We've been on Earth so long we're starting... to think like the natives..."
"Is that negative?" she asked, as he tilted her chin up to the level of his. So in proximity he was that he could have rested his chin on the large cybernetic outlet upon her helmet's top. And two powerful robotic arms reached out and wrapped them in her embrace.
"That's one human custom I don't regret adopting," he smiled, and he did rest his chin atop her helmet. That temperature drop was followed by a precipitous rise in temperature, Impulse noted. Her own arms slipped around his massive waist. How positive it felt to be so held.
They parted, and Impulse looked up into his optic sensors. He leaned his helmeted head over hers, his olfactory sensors close to her own upturned one. One hand slipped beneath her chin. "You didn't bring me in here to show you the ENIAC," she said softly. Her voice modulation was close to a whisper.
"That was part of my reason," he said. "And this was the other..."
Lip components met for a brief instant. And a shot of energy passed between both Autobots. Just then as she was getting acclimated to Springer's proximity, and feeling rather positive for the first time in months, they were rudely interrupted.
"Springer... oh... whoops!" came Bluebolt's voice.
"What is it, BB?" he asked, turning his head to face her as she trotted in. In her emotives Impulse felt a bit cheated. Just when things were getting interesting!
Still in his arms, she asked, "I discern you are distressed!"
Both Hot Rod and Arcee followed, with Gina and Danny at their robotic heels. "I got a distress message from Autobot City! They're under attack!"
"We gotta get there right away!" Springer said. "Best fly there..."
"Wait..." Danny said. "I'll just call Mom to get me. You'll all be needed there!"
"Good call, Danno," said Hot Rod. He was growing up so fast!
They rushed out of the building. Hot Rod and Arcee streaked away at top speed. Impulse
grumbled that she wasn't very fast, but Springer said, "Grab on! And hang onto your circuits!" as
he transformed to helicopter mode. Impulse leapt upon him as he roared away. BB had already
changed to jet mode as she rocketed off.
A single thought went through the femme's mind. "Ultra Magnus, why do I get the bad feeling
you're in danger?"
Cyclonus' attack party swooped in for another pass. Somehow Cauldron had a device that had
enabled them to slip past security. Ultra Magnus fired several missiles from his shoulders at them,
but to no avail.
Kup and other Autobots fired upon the two jets. But then Scourge showed up with his sweeps.
The five hovercraft shot overhead as they rushed to scatter the Autobot troops.
Just then a blue jet streaked past Cauldron. Instantly Hot Rod's sister fired upon her own sister.
The two circled about in mortal combat.
BB guessed correctly that Cauldron was attacking Ultra Magnus specifically.
"Be careful Bluebolt!" Ultra Magnus shouted to her. But he was momentarily distracted. This
hesitation proved very hazardous to the Autobot city commander's existence.
For Cyclonus swooped in. the next thing Magnus saw was blackness as Cyclonus rammed him in
robot mode.
"Magnus!" Bluebolt screamed. But as she went to help, Kup shouted, "Look out Bluebolt!"
Before she could react, Cauldron shot her sister down. Kup tried to fire upon Cauldron, but his
old fashioned HCL weapons were ineffective.
"Don't' make me laugh, old crate," she snickered, transforming to face him.
"Cauldron!" shouted Hot Rod, as he pulled up. "What did you do!"
"Nothing compared to what I will do to you, dear brother!" shouted Cauldron, firing at him.
"We've got what we came for! Let's take them now!"
Just then Springer and Arcee arrived with Impulse. They attacked the Sweeps, relieving Kup and
his small band of Autobots. But Cyclonus already had Magnus, and Cauldron was picking up
Bluebolt.
"Let them go!" shouted Hot Rod and Arcee together. Both young bots rushed to the rescue.
"Not today, thank you," Cyclonus laughed as he depressed a switch on a small control pad.
Instantly the figures vanished in the light of a portable spacebridge.
All the sweeps passed by, covering their retreat with massive Omega fire. Springer gasped as he
flew right into the Omega blast. Instantly Impulse threw up an em shield, managing to deflect the
brunt of the blast. Then Impulse fired her electrostatic gun, scrambling two of the sweeps
guidance systems. Out of formation, the Omega blast ceased. Yet the remainder of the blast still
affected Springer's blades enough to make him loose altitude!
Kup's acid hit another. "Sweeps, retreat!" Scourge shouted. They took to the skies. Springer
hurtled towards the pavement. But just in time he righted himself, transforming to robot mode as
he landed on his massive legs. He gripped Impulse in his strong arms.
"Curses!" Hot Rod shouted. "They got Magnus and Bluebolt!"
"What do we do!" Arcee wailed, worried about her friends.
"That's really weird," Impulse said, from Springer's arms. "Why did they take Magnus and
Bluebolt, and suddenly rush away? What purpose do they have?"
Still Springer held her, and was shaking himself. She felt her face flush with coolant, as he held
her under her knees and back. Hot Rod put a hand on Arcee's shoulder. She was quite upset
about not being there in time to help their friends. Hot Rod was furious. Kup went to them, and
shook his head. "Don't blame yourself lad! There was nothing you could have done to stop
them... they knew that most of our other Autobots were away on training missions to Cybertron!"
"How did they," Springer growled. He seemed to forget he was holding Impulse in his arms.
"Er, Springer," she said, feeling a bit embarrassed. "You can put me down now..."
"Oh, sorry," he said, and as if she were made from the finest bone china, he delicately set her on
her feet. "Thanks... for deflecting that blast..."
"My pleasure," she said, shyly. But she felt angry that they had not been there to help.
"I heard that retro reject Cyclownus bragging about it," Kup snapped.
"That's it! We gotta get them back!" Hot Rod shouted, pounding a fist into one hand. "If I know
Caldron, this is personal!"
"Personal?" Arcee asked, and put her hand into his. Hot Rod seemed as if he'd blow a gasket he
was so angry.
"Yes," Kup said softly. "I think I am beginning to understand now."
"What are we waiting for," said Springer. "We gotta go rescue them!"
"Springer, we must be careful," Impulse said. "This could be a ruse. Megatron once used such a
plan to get us to come when he captured Optimus. Then a double of Optimus showed up..."
"I remember that,"Kup said. "Prowl told me all the details. But we gotta radio Prime and tell
him!"
"Right..." Hot Rod said. "But I'm going after my sister!"
"Count me in," Said Springer.
"And me," said Arcee.
"I will... accompany you as well," Impulse volunteered.
"I'll radio Prime and let him know! We'll get Magnus back!" said Kup angrily.
When Magnus came to, he found himself in a black space. Slowly he felt the ringing sensation in
his head subside. "Anyone... there?" he asked, activating his chest headlights. A beam shot
through the darkness, revealing blue steel upon the floor. In one corner a huddled mass of metal
and paint caught the light's beam.
"Bluebolt!" he gasped, and rushed to her side. Despite his aching transistors, he felt the strength
to go to her.
Gently he rolled her over, leaning her head and shoulders across one arm. "Bluebolt, reactivate if
you can hear me..."
There came a low moan from her as her optic sensors relit. This indicated her spark was still very
much active. "Who... what..." she moaned, putting a hand to the side of her helmet. A blurry
image came to her own sight as she realized Magnus was leaning over her in concern.
"We've been captured," Magnus said quietly. "Are... you functional?"
Bluebolt felt shy as she glimpsed up into those optic sensors. His one arm cradled her head and
shoulders as his other hand touched the exostructural scrapes on her arms and leg. Somehow
Cauldron's weapons must have caused more damage than he thought.
"I think... everything's in place," she said, trying to gather her own thought impulses. "But...
you... you're hurt!"
"It is nothing," he said, as her hand went to the large metal gash on his chest plate.
She struggled to a sitting position. "Don't give me that," she scolded. "You're leaking hydraulic
fluid... let me help..."
"I... am fine," he said stiffly as he pushed her hand aside.
"I'm sorry... I was just concerned..." she flinched, moving away from him. Momentarily Magnus
sighed, and turned to her, gripping her arm.
"I... apologize too," he said. "I'm... just extremely annoyed that I let Cyclonus blind side me like
that!"
"It's okay," she said. "My sister caught me by surprise too!"
From within the cell Ultra Magnus bristled, and glanced up at the door. Bluebolt followed his
gaze, and tensed also. For who should meet the City Leader's gaze but Cyclonus himself.
Almost instinctively Ultra Magnus pushed the female Autobot behind him slightly.
"Ah, so you are behind this!" Magnus gritted. "I might have known! Where is your miserable
Master?"
"Spare me the sappy superhero dialogue," Cyclonus shook his head. "By the time he knows you
are captured, it will be close to your own end!"
"Try saying that in here, Cy-Clown-us!" Bluebolt chimed in. "You wouldn't be so tough on the
other side of these bars!"
"Ah, sister dear!" came a voice that chilled Bluebolt's circuits. "It has been far too long!"
"Cauldron!" Bluebolt spat. "You... you did have a hand in this? Why did you capture us?"
"What do you want with us?" Magnus asked. "Why go to all the trouble of attacking Autobot
City, only to leave it behind, and simply capture two transformers? Not an efficient use of military
might... you are getting sloppy, Cyclonus!"
"Ah, but you are the head and heart of the Autobot movement!" Cyclonus said. "And true and
utter defeat is only achieved when the leaders and moral motivators are demoralized or removed
from service."
"You haven't got Optimus Prime," Bluebolt piped up. "And he's the leader you'd want, not
Magnus. And I am but a warrior. We know nothing of value..."
"She is right," said Magnus. "And even if I possessed useful information..."
"You are both so wrong," Cauldron sneered. "For we have captured the future hope of the
Autobots!"
"Save us the riddles," Magnus snapped.
"It is simple," said Cyclonus. "How better to defeat the Autobots then to demoralize them? For
you are like the fleshlings you so protect, depending upon morale to help assist your fighting.
What better strategy then for them to loose one of their most brilliant tacticians? If you both are
hostages, and were to meet with some unforeseen accident, then the shock of this unfortunate
incident would stun your comrades in arms. They will naturally come looking for you, one by
one..."
"And one by one they will be destroyed," Cauldron sneered. Bluebolt could tell that perhaps she
had thought of this whole plan herself, but only Cyclonus had the authority to pull it off before
Galvatron!
"They would not jeopardize themselves for just two Autobots."
"They will," Bluebolt whispered to him.
"Autobots are loyal, which is a foolish trait I exploit," said Cyclonus. "One by one they will come
and search for their beloved military commander, and their dear female Autobot, and then they
will be sufficiently weakened."
"Prime will destroy you," said Magnus.
"I think not. He is the most sentimental of you all," said Cyclonus.
"So one daring raid will take less resources in the long run, then taking the Autobot City and
trying to hold onto it waiting for more Decepticon reinforcements to arrive. No wonder you used
a small assault force... Holding Autobot City with just your assault force would have been foolish.
But taking me... diabolical!"
"You have underestimated my tactics for the last time, old enemy," Cyclonus said. "And for that
oversight you will watch your comrades be derezzed one by one before your optic sensors. Till
you follow them."
"No," Magus swallowed. "Let Bluebolt go! She is of no tactical value as a hostage. I am the
military strategist. Release her..."
"Oh, but she is instrumental to the plan as well," Cauldron said. "I will not be deprived of this
opportunity..."
"No!" Bluebolt cried, as Magnus held her back. "You can't mean to... Nooo!"
"Enjoy your solace for now. Soon your friends’ screams will pierce your solitude, and there will
be no way for you to help them!"
"Nooo!" Bluebolt screamed, Magnus holding her tightly. It was all he could do to stop her from
harming herself on the energon bars of their cell.
As Cyclonus and Caldron took their leave, Cyclonus couldn't help but smile at his victory. He
joined Caldron in the small makeshift control center they had placed on this asteroid. She knew
of many secret places that the Autobots had little knowledge of. And he well knew that
Galvatron had badly underestimated her true worth. Female Decepticons were a sneaky lot, more
so than their male counterparts. Especially Cauldron.
This called for a celebration. Decepticons rarely had time for such sentimental twaddle as the
Autobots. Yet they toasted their victories all the same. He reached for a carafe of Energon that
he'd been saving for just such an occasion, and produced two small cuvettes. Caldron never took
her optics off him as she perched upon one of the tall backed chairs. She appeared as subtle and
deadly as a black Cobra, one of earth's deadliest predators. Cyclonus poured two portions of
Energon.
"I propose a celebration," he said, handing her one of the cuvettes. Amused slightly, she took the
glowing cube from his hand.
"And what pray tell are we toasting," she asked him, voice low.
"To the defeat of Ultra Magnus, and your sister Bluebolt..."
"Ohh Cyclonus, that is only the beginning of the menu," she said. "For far sweeter will be the
next phase of the plan..."
"When we lure other Autobots to try and rescue them, eh?"
"Oh nothing so pedestrian," she laughed softly. "But rather to the inevitable ridding of my
beloved siblings!"
"I shall drink to that, my venomous vixen," he muttered in his mind. "To that which you have
said, Cauldron, my partner in crime..."
"To the death of Bluebolt and Magnus, and the death of Hot Rod!" she laughed, as they
simultaneously drained their energon cuvettes. Cyclonus offered her another round, which she
took gladly.
"This is quite a rich source," she commented. He wiped the excess energon off his mouth
component with the back of one gauntlet.
"It is none but the best. A raid upon a nuclear power station on one of Cybertron's moons... in
the old days..."
"When you were someone else, I take it..."she said.
"How would you know of such things?" he asked her.
"Come now. We are both children of Unicron, destroyer of Worlds. How could I not know your
original form."
"Point taken. And did this secret knowledge also bequeath you with the location of this asteroid
base?"
"Indeed. For few Decepticons know of it's existence. And its unique properties. Few Autobots
can track it. No... there is but one person who can really find us. And I am counting on it!"
"One transformer? And how is that?"
"My dear Brother Hot Rod. Only he can sense my presence in his spark! Because he is bonded
to his sister Bluebolt. They will try and be reunited. But to no avail!"
"You are indeed worthy of being a true Decepticon, my dear," he rumbled.
"Perhaps there are only a few, Cyclonus. Your plan was flawless. Perhaps it is time Galvatron
respected your authority... a bit more..."
"What are you proposing?"
"We shall see how things play out... be patient..." she purred. Her optic sensors glowed a deep
scarlet. Which made her all the more evilly gorgeous. That predatory look was almost
irresistible.
Back at Autobot City, a council of war met in the main chamber. At the head of the large room
Optimus Prime himself regarded his comrades gravely. "This is most urgent my fellow
Autobots,"Prime's deep voice rumbled. He stood head and shoulders above the rest of the other
Autobots. Save perhaps Springer and one or two others.
Impulse was no less impressed by her leader over the years. She stood at a place of honor near
the main control panel of Teletran 2. They had known each other since the first days of the
Autobots on Earth, at their Mt. St. Hillary base. And they had proved time and again to be loyal
comrades. Optimus knew he could trust Impulse with his existence. For long ago she had pulled
his mind out of the brink of derezz, risking her own life. But that was long past.
"What do we do, Prime?" Kup asked. "Why would Cyclonus go to all that trouble just to get
Bluebolt and Magnus?"
"This reminds me of the campaign on Cestus three," Kup muttered. "A decoy... where they tried
to capture the leader, hoping us poor suckers would try and come to the rescue. Then bam!
Ambush..."
"That is most relevant," Prime agreed. "We must not play into their hands. Rather we must be as
subtle as they are... and work from Cyclonus' tactics..."
"That's just it," said Kup. "I've never known Cyclonus to act on his own..."
"He has help," Hot Rod cut in. "Sorry Prime... I didn't mean to be late..."
"If I know you, lad, I would say you had an insight," said Prime. "Share it with us."
"Caldron is probably giving him ideas," said Hot Rod. "And if I know her... she's making this
personal. All she wants is me. That's why she captured Bluebolt."
"Hmm, you may be right," Prime said thoughtfully. "And the loss of Ultra Magnus, one of our
best military strategists since Prowl... is unfortunate. We must get them back at all costs. But I
propose we send a small assault team, as they have..."
"I volunteer," Hot Rod said.
"No boy," Kup said. "She wants you to be in the team..."
"Please, she's my sister!" said Hot Rod. "Why don't we give her what she wants..."
"You're kidding, right?" Springer put in, walking up to his friend.
"You're not gonna sacrifice yourself in a solo mission!" Arcee said, rushing to Hot Rod's side.
"I'm coming with you..."
"Order! Pipe down youngsters!" Kup shouted.
"Hot Rod, would you care to explain yourself?" Prime asked him.
"I say I go in... myself..." he began, before Arcee thumped his arm. "With Arcee... I mean. And
act as a decoy. Once they capture me... and her... another team can sneak in and attack Caldron
and Cyclonus from behind. Then we'd all escape..."
"That's daring, lad," Kup said. "But how can you be sure you'll keep a cool head?"
"You don't have to do this," said Springer. "Any one of us could go in and..."
"It has to be him," Impulse said from her computer terminal. "Or else Caldron would not have
taken Bluebolt. There is nothing stronger than a bond between sibling constructs. Be it love or
hate..."
"You are right," Prime said. "As always Impulse has elucidated the issue. Very well, Hot Rod,
you will go ahead with Arcee. But another assault team will be in close pursuit. But now it
remains how do we locate their base?"
"Their ion trail left off deep between Cybertron and Earth," said Impulse. "Scans indicate no
habitable planets. And if they did go..."
"I can find Bluebolt anywhere," said Hot Rod. "We share a special rapport. If I concentrate hard
enough... she'll lead me to her..."
"Then go, Hot Rod and Arcee. May the wisdom of Alpha Trion resonate in your circuits," said
Prime. "And the programming of Primus himself guide your actions..."
Back on the asteroid, Ultra Magnus paced the small cell. "There must be a weakness... a
structural flaw..." he muttered, attempting to find a way out of their prison.
Meanwhile Bluebolt huddled on the floor, hugging her knees to her metal chest. With each
passing minute she retreated further into herself. This was all her fault! For Hot Rod could well
die because she was in danger! Naturally he would come after her, being her brother! "Hot Rod,
don't come... please don't come! She wants you to!"
Magnus noticed her trance like state. "She can't destroy you! Don't come!" she continued, her
fists pounding the floor in anger.
"Bluebolt... stop..." he said, leaning over her. He'd seen her like this before, blaming herself for
what may happen. For well he knew she sometimes had a sense of probable outcomes.
Bluebolt's probability circuits gave her the uncanny ability to predict the future. Often her
"visions" were right on. As a result this sent her into guilt, like the prophetess Cassandra of
Earthling myth.
"Don't come!" she cried out.
"Bluebolt, snap out of it!" he said, barking orders in a military tone. She ignored him, muttering
over and over again,
"It's going to be my fault... it's going to be my fault! Arcee... Hot Rod... nooo!"
Magnus realized he had to take a more personal approach to this dilemma. "Bluebolt," Magnus
said, taking her shoulders. "I need you..."
His gentle touch shocked her out of her trance. Her optic sensors lost their dull blue cast as she
glanced up at him. Sadness wrinkled her features. "I am sorry I lost control like that," she
apologized.
"Don't worry about it," said Magnus. "Right now, we need to focus our energy on thinking of
the best way to escape from here..."
"There is no escape from my sister," Bluebolt said dully. "This secret base... she has equipped it
with every sort of trap you could think of. The only chance to get out is for us to be rescued..."
"There is a weakness to every situation," Magnus said. "I would know. I am a military
commander, and often the enemy has weaknesses to exploit. It's all in how you perceive a
situation. From the ashes of defeat come the greatest victories..."
"Magnus, how do you face it from day to day? When it seems hopeless?"
"Bluebolt, trust me. We are going to get out of here. And I know this to be true. For you did
not loose hope when you were trapped on that planet for so long. Didn't you lead the small
group of Autobots... and eventually get them rescued?"
"Yes... but..."
"You must have more faith in yourself," he said, stroking her shoulders. "You are a good
warrior, and someday you'll make a good leader. After all, you were the leader on that party..."
"Yes... you're right..." she said. "Thank... you... Magnus..."
"Anytime," he smiled. "Now let's figure out a way out of this mess..."
Hot Rod reached out with his mind, feeling his sister's anguish. Arcee piloted the small shuttle
they now occupied. For the last few hours the main Autobot ship Skylinx had shot swiftly through
space. Till at last Skylinx reached the end of Cyclonus' ion trail.
Then they had bid their friends goodbye as they took the shuttle out. Nervous energy collected in
Arcee's emotional circuits. Like the good warrior she was, the femme tried to screen the
emotions out, and focus on the task at hand. From behind her Hot Rod caught a glimpse of her
sweet face reflected on the panel before her. She looked much like the Japanese women of the
sixteenth century, sleek and graceful. Each line packed with deadly power that could just as easily
be put to a less destructive use on the playing simulation fields. He remembered how good she
was at the earth sport of Racquetball.
"Arcee, we will find them," said he, taking her shoulder.
"I know,"said she, reaching up to clasp his hand. "But are you sure that your emotions won't get
in the way of our mission? I know mine are starting to..."
"Cauldron made this personal the minute she captured my sister," said Hot Rod. "How can
emotions not get in the way!"
"Hot Rod, what if we don't..."
"I'm trying not to think about that..." he admitted. "Just trying to think of something nice. Like...
maybe... a game of racquetball after all this... or a walk... in that pavilion... that place was pretty
cool,, ya gotta admit..."
"Yes," she said. "Or that garden maze we discovered?"
"That's it," he said. "Think about the good things. That'll help ya fight that much harder for our
friends..."
Much later they landed on the small asteroid. Nervously the two young Autobots emerged from
the ship, to gaze at a sun scorched landscape. Craters dotted the entire scape, pierce through with
occasional rocky spires. The albedo of the asteroid washed out the few stars visible overhead.
Hot Rod almost sailed ten feet into the air as he took his first step. "Uh oh..." he muttered.
"Better switch to vehicle mode," Arcee said. "Or we'll be sailing away..."
"That direction," Hot Rod pointed, at a distant flashing gleam on the horizon. The small
Planetoid was about the size of Mimas, one of Saturn's smaller moons. About seven hundred
miles across. The minute gravity made even their massive bodies ludicrously light in comparison
to what their weights would be upon Earth even.
Their wheels spun in the rocky soil till they deployed their spiked treads. Arcee and Hot Rod's
wheels bit into the planetoid's surface. Large dust clouds streamed up behind them as they roared
away to uncertain doom.
Cauldron gave a wicked smile as she saw the two vehicles approaching. "Ah, dear Brother. This
almost seems too easy. But no matter. I will kill you both soon enough..."
"It does seem a bit too convenient that only they have showed up..."said Cyclonus. "If I know
Prime he has some backup plan..."
"Indeed. But it won't help them. For if I accomplish what I want, then it will make no difference
what happens next..."
"I do wish you would not speak in riddles..." Cyclonus sighed.
"Patience. You deal with scanning for Autobots. I will deal with Hot Rod and Arcee!"
Ultra Magnus and Bluebolt had scanned every inch of their cell in vain. Repeatedly Magnus had
fired missiles at the bars, only to choke on the black smoke that evolved from the contained
explosion. His laser weapons had been neutralized. Slowly the energy was fast depleting in his
stores.
Bluebolt was trying every trick herself. Yet she stopped Magnus as he bodily tried to rush at the
bars. "No..." she said. "That's what they want us to do!"
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Don't you realize it..." said she. "The more we fight, the more we are drained. Maybe if we
don't fight... and just sit here quietly... we'll have enough energy to fight our way out..."
"I can see your reasoning... but it would be more prudent to sneak up on them unawares..."
"My sister does have a weakness. She wants me and Hot Rod dead. But she'll do it in front of
you and me when we're still functional. But if we save our energy, then we might be able to
attack them while they are trying to destroy us..."
"But your sister's traps neutralized our lasers..." Magnus said. "Yet... a physical fight... yes. Very
good Bluebolt! So the less we fight now..."
"Exactly,"she smiled, inwardly warming at the sight of his admiring gaze.
Arcee and Hot Rod stopped when they saw the ebony plane sail overhead. Cauldron fired her
lasers right before the two cruising Autobots. Yet Hot Rod swerved 180, chocking his sister's
path with a huge dust cloud. As she sailed about in disarray, Arcee transformed to robot mode,
pistol blazing.
But the bolts flashed harmlessly off Cauldron. She dive-bombed Arcee. Hot Rod drove into her
bodily, knocking her from harm's way. The two forgot to account for the lesser gravity. His
momentum sent them both sailing into a nearby crater. It took them a small time to fall, and they
untangled them selves.
To glance up at Cauldron as she held a laser cannon to cover them both. "How nice of you to
visit me, dear brother..."
"Where are Magnus and Bluebolt!" Hot Rod gritted. Arcee shook her head, and put a hand to her
helmet dizzily.
"Someplace you'll find really soon, Hot Rod!" she laughed. Instantly she gestured, and an
energon cage formed around the two young bots.
"You were a fool to come here," she laughed. "Don't think I didn't know how easy this was
going to be..."
"What do you mean?" asked Arcee. The energon cage seemed to sink into the surface of the
planet. Still they glimpsed her laughing face as they disappeared.
To slide into a cell across from Magnus and Bluebolt's! "You poor pathetic fools!" Cauldron
laughed over an intercom unit. "I knew you would provide a distraction..."
"But..." said Hot Rod.
"I have erected a minefield in this asteroid system. Each is shielded by the same alloy as this
planetoid. And they are all impervious to your best sensors. When your friends come after you,
they will be instantly destroyed!"
"No!" cried Arcee. Hot Rod gritted as he sat on the floor.
Magnus and Bluebolt looked at them in anguish. Hot Rod had failed! As well as he knew his
sister, she knew him too much better than he realized!
"Hot Rod, you shouldn't have come!" Bluebolt despaired. "She wanted you... and you came
right into her trap!"
"That's what I want her to think," said Hot Rod.
"But she knows about the other Autobots!" Bluebolt cried.
Deftly Skylinks dodged the multiple explosions. Within him the Autobot party dodged and wove
sickly. b> "I hate this..." Springer grumbled.
"It's only for a little while," Kup muttered. "Then..."
"What, what what?" Blurr exclaimed. "We'regoingkaboomkaboom1.... IknowitIknowitI
knowit!"
"Settle down, Blurr," Springer said, as Skylinks dodged yet another exploding asteroid. "This is
the last one..."
"I've gotten as close as my excellence allows," said Skylinx. "The rest is up to you, gentlemen.."
"Did you fly through the dust cloud?"Kup asked.
"But of course! I executed each part of my plan flawlessly!" he shouted.
"Then get ready for phase 2," Kup said. "Get the rocket packs, everyone!"
Cyclonus's optics gleamed red as a small object hurtled into the side of an asteroid, and exploded.
Still it seemed to divert... and shot off like a rocket in the opposite direction.
"So much for their comrades," Cauldron grinned. "Hot Rod thought he could distract me with his
pathetic sacrifice. But all his friends on that ship have deserted him!"
"I don't like this..." Cyclonus muttered. "I'm still detecting the ship, and it's moving in the
opposite direction..."
"Even if anyone tries to escape, I doubt they would have the gall to come with the destructive
capabilities of those mines. And I do want them to come. Doubtless they are hurtling towards us
now that their ship has deployed them... but it is too late! They will arrive in time to see the dead
bodies of their loved ones! And that is a sight I want any rescue parties to see!"
Cyclonus followed Caldron down to the main cells. She entered the one cell containing Blue Bolt
and Magnus.
"It is time, for you to watch your friends die, Hot Rod!" she laughed. "And you too, Bluebolt!"
Two Sweeps wrestled Arcee out of the cell. Hot Rod tried desperately to fight, but the energon
bands wrapped about his arms made it impossible. Cauldron kicked his feet from under him as
she laughed.
Ultra Magnus gritted as he was also wrestled out of the cell by Cyclonus. He caught Bluebolt's
desperate look as he was maneuvered to a position beside Arcee. Both Autobots were forced to
kneel in a main chamber that was overlooked by both cells.
"Now my dear siblings, you will watch as those you love most perish..." she laughed.
"Laugh while you can, sister," Hot Rod gritted.
"Hot Rod, what do we do..." Bluebolt asked. But she caught the look in his eye, and suddenly
nodded.
Magnus and Arcee both glanced at their loved ones. "Don't worry about us," Magnus said.
"Even if you do destroy us, you'll never defeat the Autobots. There will be others to take up our
cause."
"You'll never defeat Optimus Prime!" cried Arcee.
"One thing before you kill us," said Magnus. "Does Galvatron know about this little escapade?"
"He only knows that I have taken pains to eliminate you, Magnus," said Cyclonus.
"Wouldn't he want to be here in the moment of a Decepticon victory?" Hot Rod put in, from his
cell.
"A full tape of this is being made," said Cyclonus. "And Galvatron is on his way."
An alarm rocked the silence, sending everyone into panic. "Ah, right on cue," Cauldron laughed.
"No doubt your friends are coming to the rescue... having survived that blast. But their ship has
left them, their only means of escape..."
"Why don't you just kill us now?" Magnus said.
"Oh, but timing is everything," she sneered. "Let them get a bit closer..."
All at once the lights in the chamber went out. "What is this?" asked Cyclonus.
"This is not possible!" Cauldron exclaimed in the dark. Suddenly there were two solid bodies that
impacted with her and Cyclonus. When at last the power did rise up, there was no sign of Hot
Rod or Bluebolt!
"Where are they!" Cauldron shouted.
"Right here, sister!" shouted Bluebolt, as her fist impacted Cauldron's face. With disbelief
Cyclonus watched as Magnus suddenly rose from the floor, and kick his feet from under him! He
shook his head, and tried hard to fight back, only to fall back down with a kick from Hot Rod.
Although their weapons were neutralized, they were fighting Caldron and himself with mere brute
force.
Arcee kicked Cauldron in the back, as Bluebolt tripped her sister. "That's for Hot Rod, you retro
crate!" Arcee spat.
"You will pay for this insolence..." Cauldron began. Before anyone could stop her she shouted a
voice command. Instantly the lights in the room went red, and a series of red numbers began
splaying on a nearby computer panel.
"No," Magnus realized, grasping Cyclonus' hands in a restrictive grasp.
"Only five minutes left to live..."Cyclonus said. "You've doomed yourself..."
"The others..." Arcee gasped. "They... will..."
"Arcee!" Hot Rod shouted in warning. But it was too late.
"Poor fools," Caldron sneered, her arms pinioned behind her back by Arcee and Bluebolt. "I've
just set every trap on this base to destroy your friends! And even if they do escape them, I've
rigged the asteroids to explode in four and one half minutes from now..."
"No you don't!" Bluebolt snapped, and grabbed her sister's weapon. She pointed it right in
Cauldron's face.
"Call off the countdown or I'll make you shoot yourself!"
"You don't have the nerve," Caldron laughed. Magnus looked at Bluebolt, and realized she was
serious!
"Don't make me..." said Bluebolt. "I will do it..."
"Thirty... twenty nine... twenty eight..."
Meanwhile... on the planet's surface, Springer, Kup, and Blurr had landed. Instantly every laser
started going wild as it opened fire.
"Wait... what's with the fireworks?" Springer asked, as he transformed to car mode.
"Ambush!" shouted Kup.
"Butdidnt'thedustshield us... I thoughyousaid thedustwouldsheildus.."Blurr gabbled as he nimbly
dodged the laser blasts. Within seconds he streaked by each, disabling them. Kup fired blasts of
hydrochloric acid at the remainder.
"That's not all," Springer realized, as the ground began to shake. Energon bars shot up around
Kup and he. But Springer transformed his blades into a powerful light saber which he used to
hack away at the floor of his cage.
Kup fired acid at the ground, dissolving the bar rivitings. Both escaped. Meanwhile Blurr was
too quick for the simple energon bar traps that sprang up out of the ground. He managed to stay
just ahead of each one.
"Let's get to the source, boys!" Kup shouted, as he called to Blurr and Springer. "Blurr, keep
those traps busy! Springer, use your saber and cut us a door!"
Springer's light saber cut deep into the ground, and he and Kup slipped beneath the planet's
surface into a maze of corridors. The numbers gritted on their audio receptors:
"Twenty, nineteen... eighteen.."
"That sounds like..." Springer muttered.
"A countdown..." Kup gasped. "This is just like Mantissa! This place is gonna blow!"
"But the others..." Springer realized. "Great Cybertron... how do you know..."
"I've heard my share of countdowns boy, and usually they mean hidden explosives!"
"Fifty... fourty nine..."
"Turn off the countdown..." said Bluebolt. "Or I'll fire..."
"Do it!" Caldron sneered. "We're all doomed anyway..."
"Forty five... forty four..."
"Bluebolt... don't!" Arcee said. "That's what she wants..."
"Do you not have the nerve to kill me?" Caldron laughed. "Any way I get what I want. You
destroyed..."
"Forty... thirty nine..."
"We gotta stop the countdown..." Hot Rod gritted as he tried to find the source of the circuitry.
"Where is the control!" Magnus shouted to Cyclonus. "Won't Galvatron be utterly disgusted if
you are destroyed?"
least you die as well."shouted Cyclonus.
"Twenty... nineteen..."
"Hot Rod!" Arcee wailed. "I don't want to die..."
"Arcee..." Hot Rod said, going to her side and gripping her hand.
"The code! Give it to me!" Bluebolt practically yelled at her sister.
"Die knowing you failed!" Cauldron laughed.
"Fifteen, fourteen..."
Springer and Kup rushed into the room, with an explosion of metal. "What in the name of
Cybertron..." Kup shouted as he saw the scene. Bluebolt held the blaster right near Cauldron's
head.
"Thirteen... twelve..."
"Goodbye, sister dear!" Caldron leered. She suddenly vanished in a blaze of light from Bluebolt
and Arcee's grasp. Cyclonus also vanished.
"Ten... nine... eight..."
"Noooo!" Bluebolt cried out as Magnus rushed to her.
"Seven... six... five... four..."
Bluebolt steeled herself for the inevitable.
"Four... four... four...."
Time stopped as the flashing light stopped. Everyone's sparks missed quite a few zaps in the
silence. "What..." gasped Bluebolt as she felt Magnus' arms around her. He had thrown himself
over her in a futile last minute attempt to shield her from whatever destruction would result.
Springer and Kup looked up as Impulse walked into the room. "Sorry I cut it so close... but these
Decepticon computers are soo finicky..."
"What... in the name of Alpha Trion..." Magnus asked, looking at everyone. Hot Rod and Arcee
looked up from each other's arms as well.
"Impulse... you little retrorat!" Magnus cried. "You... stopped the countdown..."
"Er, yes sir!" she said, looking sheepish as all optic sensors fixed on her. "Did I do something
wrong?"
"You did it!" cried Kup, patting her on the back. "Way to go, lass!"
"But how... where... why?" Bluebolt said. Then she met Hot Rod's gaze. "You... knew it all
along, Bro?"
"Er... I didn't think that Impulse would take so long. I was trying to give her as much time as
possible to get into the computer circuitry and get a feel for the system..." said Hot Rod.
"This... was your plan..." said Arcee, looking at Hot Rod. "And you didn't tell me?"
"I'm sorry Arcee... I thought I'd told you..."
"You didn't mention Impulse was part of it..." she said. "I thought Springer and Kup were..."
"It worked, didn't it?" asked Hot Rod. "They wouldn't be convinced unless we all gave realistic
performances..."
"You are terrible!" she cried. "I don't know whether to shred your hydraulic hoses to ribbons...
or kiss you..."
"I'd prefer the latter," Hot Rod grinned. Arcee groaned inwardly, and couldn't help but give him
a large peck on the cheek.
"You did it, little microchip!" Springer said, rushing to Impulse and wrapping her in a huge bear
hug. "You saved the day..."
"Oh... I might... need someone to rescue me..." she grunted as his enthusiastic hug gripped her
close. Everyone clustered around the couple as Springer clutched Impulse close. The shock of
almost being blown to smithereens was wearing on everyone. For the next few minutes they all
congratulated Impulse, before at last Hot Rod stood apart with Arcee.
"Hot Rod, you are terrible!" Bluebolt scolded him as she and Magnus came to their sides. "All
that worry..."
"I'm sorry Sis..."
"Well done lad,"said Magnus. "I was firmly convinced that we were all doomed. But you did
yourself proud with this rescue attempt..."
"Three cheers for Hot Rod!" Springer cried.
"Amen to that!" said Kup. "We owe him and Impulse our microchips."
"Let's get the blazes out of here..." Bluebolt shivered. "I don't like my sister's decor..."
"But how?" asked Magnus. "Wasn't the ship destroyed?"
"Not the shuttle," Impulse said. "It's still waiting. It'll be cozy, but I'm sure we all can get back
in it..."
All crammed into the shuttle, the friends hurtled through space. Impulse was crammed next to
Springer in the pilot's seat. Blurr and Kup crammed the second row while the others were all
assembled in the cargo area aft. On the trip back Bluebolt was very silent. Hot Rod came to sit
near his sister, pushing past Magnus and Arcee.
"Are you still angry that I fooled you?" he asked.
"No. You did what you had to. And our father would have been proud. But I'm angry that
Cauldron made me make a choice..."
"You mean when you threatened to kill her if she didn't give the codes?"
"Yes. I almost did... and I was afraid that if I did I'd be no better than she... and then she
disappeared! It wouldn't have made any difference..."
"You didn't," said Hot Rod. "But you did what you had to..."
"But she toyed with us!" snapped Bluebolt. "She knew all along that we would think we were
doomed. And she provoked me!"
"Sis..." said Hot Rod.
"Hey, don't let it eat ya up, lass," Kup said, turning around in his seat. He had been hearing their
conversation. "That's what she wants. The minute you let her have that satisfaction of knowing
she's upset you, that's when she has won..."
"But she almost killed you all, because of me!" said Bluebolt. "If only I hadn't been so careless to
be captured."
"Bluebolt, you handled yourself very well," said Magnus. "And from where I stand, you have
nothing to be ashamed of. It was your idea to conserve energy not trying to escape. So when
Arcee and I did attack, we had enough to overpower them... giving Impulse and the others time
to rescue us!"
"It was chance," said Bluebolt.
"But we won this round," said Arcee. "And she'll be the one fuming..."
"I hate to think what ol' Galvy is gonna do to them both for failing," said Springer.
Hot Rod began to laugh. Slowly Bluebolt joined in. It was a thought, that somewhere on Char
perhaps both Cyclonus and Cauldron were getting the dressing down of their lives!
"Nice job again, Impulse," Arcee said to her friend. "Only next time you are about to save us
from being blown up, could you make it one minute, not five seconds?"
"Sorry I'll consider that margin next time..." she said, a bit concerned. Arcee gave her a big hug,
wedging in front of Blurr as she slipped into the seat past him and Kup. Blurr moved to the
back, to get some energon punch. Magnus and Kup gripped her shoulders congratulating her.
Springer flew the small shuttle as everyone let the stress of the past few hours slip away. Tears
turned to comradely laughter as Skylinx intercepted them. Energon punch from Blurr made the
rounds as they drank to Hot Rod and Impulse's timely actions.
Optimus Prime stood in the main control room as before. All the Autobot warriors of Autobot
City had arrived for this occasion. Magnus stood to Prime's left, as Kup and Magnus stood to
Prime's right. Hot Rod and Impulse came up, striding in perfect unison before their leader.
"It is not often in this war that we have such reason to celebrate. But you have proved yourself
exceptional in your duties this day. In the days since Iacon, I have sought to honor those
Autobots who have risen above the call of duty, and risked much for the sake of comrades.
Even to stare derezzment in the face. And rarely have I seen such insight and courage into
stopping a Decepticon plot as I have seen this day. Hot Rod, Impulse step forth..."
Bluebolt watched with pride as her brother came up, and knelt on one knee before Optimus.
Arcee and Springer couldn't help but watch their friend Impulse as she knelt at Hot Rod's side.
Magnus handed Prime a metallic box that shone brightly. "Please accept these decorations of the
Alpha Trion Legion of Honor. For wisdom in the face of duty, and personal strife, Hot Rod of
Cybertron. And Impulse, receive the order of Beta Quadran, for your superior skills under
pressure. For both of you are the future of Cybertron, and you have well proved youself among
our greatest warriors..."
Around his neck Hot Rod felt the gold Autobot symbol. It was one of the greatest honors. And
Impulse felt her chromapigments flushing equally. Database wherever he was would be most
proud. Yet she felt a bit weird about getting an award when she didn't face what the others had.
Everyone clapped. "Let the celebration commence!"Optimus shouted.
"Let's party!" Hot Rod cried. Whoops and cheers went out before Autobot City. Instantly Jazz
and Blaster fired up their rock and roll guitars as they rolled into the latest songs. Accompanying
them on synthesizer were Mirage and Sunstreaker, with Brawn on drums.
Later a slow dance played. Hot Rod was quaffing energon punch with his sister, as Arcee shyly
came up. "Hot Rod?" she asked.
"Yes?"
"Could a hero of Cybertron... and a recipient of the Legion of Alpha Trion... dance... with a
Autobot warrior..."
"I thought you'd never ask..." he said, and grabbed her hand. Instantly they joined the others.
Bluebolt watched them go. Then she moved to find Ultra Magnus. He was nowhere to be seen,
till a hand rested on her shoulder. "Bluebolt?"
"Yes... Magnus?" she said.
"Would you... care to..."
"Of course... are you sure?"
"It would be my honor... to have this dance," he said, and took her hand. Both couples danced to
the soft strains of Jazz's classical riffs.
"Such friolity..." Impulse smiled to herself. Till Springer came and stood near her.
"Impulse?"he asked, gesturing with his head.
"Oh... what the hey," she smiled. "A little frivolity never derezzed a computer programmer..."
"Especially not one, who's been given a medal," Springer smiled, as he took her little hand in his
enormous one.
"Springer... I am worried about Bluebolt. She seemed emotionally distressed..."
"Don’t' worry. She's been through worse. And if I know Hot Rod's sister, she'll bounce back..."
"But Cauldron escaped. And the hatred betwixt them is strong..."
"A friend of mine... once said that it takes the good times to help us through the bad..."
"Kup?" she asked.
"No. Hot Rod."
"How did a young bot get so wise?" she laughed.
"Maybe he's got the good constructs," said Springer. "But I sure am glad he's on our side! Him
and Bluebolt..."
"But I don't deserve this medal. I didn't face death as Bluebolt did. If anyone deserves it... she
does..."
"Prime doesn't throw those medals away..." he said. "He of all would know a hero when he sees
one. Give yourself some credit, Microchip..."
"But I'm hardly a hero..."
"Look Impulse, heroes don't parade around saying, here I am I'm a hero.' Sometimes it takes
extraordinary things happen to bring out those heroic qualities inside. If you didn’t' have them,
then we could have perished."
"You are entirely too nice," she sighed. "I look at Prime and I think he's a hero. And Hot
Rod..."
"Hmm. Kind of appropriate. Considering it's spring...."
"In what sense?"
"Well, the humans say that in winter the greenery they call plants all die and become dormant.
Only in spring do they grow again. And courage and victory... are sometimes locked away. Till
the right things happen, and heroes are born, to lead us to triumph."
"Hmm. Hidden qualities surfacing. Logically it does proves that victory can come from the ashes
of defeat. Hot Rod told us his mother was a Decepticon... and he's one of the most noble
Autobots I know. Who would have though he'd be a hero? Or me... just a computer
programmer..."
"You're a funny kid. If you say one more disparaging remark about yourself I'll be forced to take
drastic action..."
"And what could that be?"
"There are other hidden qualities that come out in spring," he said slyly. "You ever wonder about
Spring Fever?"
"Hmm..."
"Another quality that surfaces in desperate times... is love and affection. As long as it can grow in
the heat of war... we are not lost..."
"Sheer poetry... have you been reading Shakespeare again?" she laughed.
He leaned her over and applied a gentle kiss, on her lip components. As she was brought to a
standing position, she smiled. "Is that the drastic action you were referring to, Springer?"
"Haha, funny kid," he chuckled. The sun slowly set upon the partying Autobots in their city.
Somewhere to one side Danny Witwicky and Gina Barnette held hands for the first time. And
watched love blossom in this Spring Fever. As long as there was war there would be love. But
when could Cauldron and the Decepticons next strike?
Bluebolt shivered for a moment as she considered this. Then she let Magnus dance her concerns
away for only a short sweet time.
the end for now.