Retarded Monkey with Guns (luzzu) wrote in balfonheim_port, @ 2008-11-17 15:53:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | at2-nano, transformers -gee wunverse |
IT'S NANOTIEM! (or known as AT2 because I have imagination)
Actually, against all tradition (of one year and a few failed attempts) I'm not writing crackfic. Don't worry, the doctors are on the case and trying to find out who the imposter writing this story actually is...
A/N: Mainly based loosely between G1 cartoon and IDW continuity, but also anything else I felt like throwing in there, this is essentially a post-war AU I suppose. This is my nano attempt for this year so sorry for any inconsistencies. I'm trying to edit more obvious mistakes as I go along, but I'm going to miss a lot of them and some I'm not going to have time until I've finished it.
Transformers belong to Hasbro.
It'd been a while since he'd seen the wide city state streets of Iacon. He'd been off planet for so long now that the metallic gleam of his homeworld felt almost alien now. Hound found the building he was looking for and stepped inside. Cybertron had changed much since he'd last seen it; the devastated husks of buildings and bodies of Cybertronians were gone, replaced by towers, homes and busy streets.
He approached the door with a slight trepidation. How long had it been since he'd last seen Prime? Though Optimus wasn't as inaccessible as some of his predecessors or the members of the senate, he was still not seen by lower orders frequently. Not that Hound had tried to gain an audience; on the contrary, his presence had been requested by Prime.
Thoughts of what he could possibly be wanted for circled in his mind. Prime hadn't given any more information than stress that time was an important factor. The door opened automatically as he neared, admitting him to the spacious room beyond.
His optics automatically scanned the room, taking note of its lack of other occupants as he was warmly greeted by Optimus.
"Thank you, Hound. Your quick response is appreciated."
Hound shook the outstretched hand offered to him. "No problem, Prime. It sounded urgent." He took the seat gestured to him and patiently waited for Prime to speak.
"I'm going to come straight to the point. I need your help."
"My help?" The concern in Prime's optics did little to help alleviate the initial trepidation, it heightened it. Something was wrong.
"We lost contact with the scout ship, the Anaxagorus, in the Algol System two deca-cycles ago. The last communication we received from them contained an incomplete data file on what appears to be a small derelict ship on Algol Three's second moon." Optimus handed Hound a small data pad. "We believe from the communication that an geomagnetic storm knocked out some of the ships systems, forcing the crew to crash land somewhere in the Algol system. Probably on one of her moons or on Algol Three itself."
Hound looked at the data pad, taking in the information on the lost ship's schematics, mission, crew and cargo. "This is a rescue mission then?"
"I hope so, Hound. " Prime softly shook his head. "Which just leaves the question, will you go? I know you left the military ranks, but when..."
"You know I will, Prime. Jetfire's a good 'bot. If he's out there, I'll find him."
"Thank you. I've assembled a small team to accompany you."
On those words the door opened admitting Hound's team members into the room. Hound's reaction to seeing Perceptor again after all this time was one of warmth. On the other hand, Hound internally groaned when he saw the flash of red that emerged from behind Perceptor. Sideswipe.
His first impressions of Sideswipe had, on serving with him, been turned around. However, this didn't mean he didn't think the 'bot wasn't a pain in the aft to work with. He was greeted with a handshake from Perceptor.
"Hoist is waiting for us at the spaceport. I have determined the probable trajectory of the Anaxagorus' flight path based on the little information we have received. I surmise that following that trajectory would lead to having most likely caused them to crash on the far side of Algol Three's largest moon. Providing they haven't sustained a significant hull breach then the ship should withstand the moon's violent storms for up to and possibly exceeding half a stellar cycle, though if there is substantial damage, what remains of the hull will only provide them adequate protection in the very short term."
Hound smiled. "Good to see you too, Perceptor." He turned and nodded acknowledgement towards the other newcomer, who looked bored. "Sideswipe." He received back and equally short greeting.
Perceptor turned to Prime. "Time is of the essence, Optimus. So now our final party member has joined us I would suggest we embark immediately. Jetfire may not be able to wait much longer."
Optimus nodded. "Report to me as soon as you know anything, and good luck." He turned back to Hound. "Perceptor will bring you up to date with everything."
Taking his leave, Hound followed the other two out of the door down into the streets of Iacon to a waiting transport. As they travelled to the space port to meet Hoist and board their designated ship, Perceptor filled in the gaps. "I presume Optimus has filled you in on the basics what has happened and what we know so far?"
"Yes."
"In that case, I can fill you in on the more sensitive information now. The Algol System is located ...... from Cybertron. Initially forays into the system yielded little of interest and is inhospitable in the extreme."
Even though he'd not seen it for a long time, Hound recognised the particular look that Perceptor's optics got whenever he launched into one of his long winded lectures. He shifted slightly to get comfortable and envied Sideswipe's lucky escape in the control cab of the transport. Though if there was sensitive information he needed to know, it explained the transport rather than getting there under their own steam. He forced himself to concentrate on what Perceptor was telling him, though it was hard when the 'bot used fifteen words to explain what five could adequately cover.
"...shortly after Jetfire, Skids and I set up the new Cooperative Science Institute in Praxus a small unmanned surveyor craft was sent out. Before the war we used to send them out regularly; standard procedure. So we started up again.
"This one had been out, transmitting data back to the institute for just over half a vorn, showing nothing out of the ordinary until it reached the Algol System. The readings that were sent back on the scan of Algol Three's moon had a shadow. Obviously we analysed all the data to determine what was the cause. We could find no obvious answer, so we looked beyond the possibilities of atmospheric or geological conditions. Every observational method we could think of yielded no concrete results. It was therefore concluded that we should send a small team with an adequately equipped scientific vessel to investigate.
"Jetfire and Skids were given permission by the Science Council to continue investigating the anomaly." Perceptor paused, as if he was scanning the small transport in case their security was compromised. He started to speak again. "From the limited data that Jetfire could send back before they disappeared, it would appear they indeed did find a ship."
"Prime mentioned it," Hound said. "Though I was told it was derelict."
"Ah, that's where Optimus was not entirely accurate. It's purely in the interests of security you were told that originally. The only way we were able to discover what the ship was at all was with direct visual contact. The ship is seemingly abandoned, or at least all attempts to establish contact have so far failed. What's so interesting is that we have no instruments of any kind that can register it exists beyond a vague shadow.
"To be honest, if it wasn't for Skids seeing a pattern in the what appeared to be random energy shifts surrounding it, I would have passed it over as being just some kind of weather front. Algol Three's moons have an atmosphere similar to Algol Three itself and have inclement weather to say the least.
"It's fascinating as it would seem the ship has shields beyond our capabilities. I'm excited by the prospect of possibly getting to study them further."
Hound smiled to himself. "You may get a chance. Finding Jetfire and Skids is our first priority."
"Yes, yes. Of course." Perceptor looked mortified that any one would think he though otherwise.
Hound laughed at Perceptor's expression. "Don't worry, I know what you mean." In all the years he'd known Preceptor, the only way he'd not have learnt Perceptor's habit of getting totally immersed in his work to the exclusion of all else would have been to spend the last at least six million years in stasis lock.
The vessel they'd been assigned was a small but capable ship, the Secutor. A well armoured attack vessel from the war that was modified and still in service. On arrival they were told be a 'port worker that Hoist was already aboard and waiting for them. Walking onto the ship's small bridge, they were greeting warmly. "Hound! It's been a while." Hoist grabbed his hand and shook it enthusiastically.
"It's good to see you again, Hoist. It's been too long."
"Well, you will spend your time on a completely different planet from the rest of us." He laughed. "How is Earth these days anyway?"
"Same as ever, still the mudball it's always been."
Sideswipe pushed past them, taking his place at the helm. "I don't know if you noticed, but we've got to get this rustbucket underway. We're not here for a social."
Hoist nudged Hound good naturedly. "Still in love with the place then." He took his place on the bridge. "Well, Sideswipe's got a point. Let's get moving."
Hound took the central command seat when gestured to it by Perceptor. "It's your mission, Hound."
Even at transwarp, the journey wasn't quick. Hound had spent the time acquainting himself with the ships capabilities and the conditions of the Algol system. He was worried about Jetfire and Skids. Were they injured? How much damage had their ship taken and could it protect them? Were they even alive?
Hound attempted to distract himself from contemplating the worst by spending as much time with his team mates as possible. Despite their differences, he spent quite some time with Sideswipe more than the other two. Hound had come to the conclusion that under the circumstances, getting used to a less relaxed atmosphere and way of working was a practical approach. Out of all of them, Sideswipe seemed to retain more military habits
Sideswipe reminded him of this on a daily basis, which mildly irked him. He wasn't sure whether to give Sideswipe the benefit of the doubt and appreciate what he was trying to do, or be irritated with him for taking a constant dig every day. It was coming out of recharge into the second mega cycle they'd been travelling that Sideswipe finally confronted him as he was leaving the small crew chamber.
"How long's it been since you last had to give or follow orders?"
Hound turned to face him. "What do you mean?"
Sideswipe looked like he was going to sigh. Instead he almost glared straight at Hound's optics. "Look, I know I was a glitch in the cerebro's the last time we served together, and though I never said it, you made a pretty good commander. But how long's it been since you lead an operation?"
"Obviously not recently enough if your comments are anything to go by."
If there was an edge to Hound's voice, it was so faint that Sideswipe didn't notice it. "I'm not saying you're not up to the job, Hound. I know you are, and if Optimus believes you're the best for the job then I'm not going to argue." He grinned. "Well, not too much anyway." The smile disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared. "What I'm saying is, is that I've got concerns to the smooth running of this mission."
Hound did sigh, then realised as Sideswipe looked at him like he'd just turned blue, that he'd spent so much time around humans he was picking up their body language; as much as a mech could. "Do you think you could do a better job?" There was no sarcastic tone, just a genuinely honest question.
"To be honest? In some ways no, in others, yes. But this is your call. I can't make it for you. I'm just concerned that so much time spent as a civilian, and not even on Cybertron, may have 'compromised your efficiency' as Perceptor put it."
The ship took that moment to shake slightly causing Hound to brace himself against the wall to regain his footing. Sideswipe just used Hound's shoulder as the nearest available hand hold. The shaking eased enough for them to stand straight, so Hound took off in the direction of the bridge with Sideswipe hot on his heels.
"Report." Hound barked as he stepped onto the bridge.
Perceptor turned to answer. "Nothing serious, a minor collision with a small asteroid that seemed to come out of nowhere. However, our sensors should have picked it up so I'm running a diagnostic to ascertain if there is a problem with them and Hoist is making repairs to the minor damage we took."
"Good." Hound paused for a moment. "Perceptor, once you've finished with your diagnostics, can I speak with you?"
Perceptor nodded. "Of course. I am at your disposal as soon as I'm finished here."
"Thank you." Hound took his seat and turned his head as he noticed Sideswipe on the bridge standing near him. "I thought you were off to recharge?"
Sideswipe shrugged. "I'll get there when I get there."
"Then go now. I need my crew at their peak, we don't know what we might find." Hound turned to look back at the viewscreen in front of him.
"Looks like someone's picking up old habits fast. Needn't of worried about you not being able to give orders." Sideswipe muttered as he stomped off the bridge.
I now remember why I don't write srs fic any more. I get embarrassed by it.