This is my first effort at a fanfic. Many many thanks to Deathmarch for his help, generosity and research. I am also making a KB of my fanmade character. so check him out in the KB section.

 

this is a bit long so i am putting it up in 3 sections.  All comments and Feedback is welcome.  This is placed in the G1 world.  The time frames include pre earth (MTMTE) to right before the movie(ie deceps reclaim Cybertron)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

"ATAXIA"

 

NOW

 

Ataxia sat in the dark room.  It didn’t occur to him to curse the Decepticon leader; he just focused on his task.  Focused with patience he rarely exercised.  Solitary may have been a punishment to others but Ataxia used it as his own private – uninterrupted workshop time.  He guided his torch carefully and skillfully, stopping if his hand started to shake or was not responding with the necessary delicacy; molding, shaping the crystals that focused and condensed his energon clubs into the beautiful tools that they were.  These would be jewels among weapons.  He was shaping a perfect Decepticon symbol at the tip of one of them – and he would be following suit on the second one shortly – except with one major differenc.

His shoulder still had the evidence of his transgression the printed Decepticon badge bisected diagonally and torn along with the surface of the shoulder it’s self.  Of course now, the top right hand side had also been partly vaporized by the awesome might of Megatron’s fusion canon.  Ataxia felt shocky – a feeling he was not accustomed to – but he kept at his task.  He still remembered the last thing he had heard before waking up in this cell.  WHOOOOM!

 

He had been showing off really, nothing more, no reason.  Just being defiant for the hell of it – it had sounded like a good idea at the time…and maybe it still had been – he was undecided.  The ranks of the Decepticons were filled with simple and predictable personalities – easy to bait.  Some of the Decepticons had been talking tough and bad-mouthing Megatron behind his back.  Ataxia challenged them to do something about it.  He bragged how he alone had the courage to deface the Decepticon insignia, show Megatron, and get away with it!

â€?The rest of you Smelting-Slaggers are just Sheep!  Blindly following with no understanding of why or how!â€? And with that he had taken an energon scalpel and started to cut the image off of his arm.

He could hear the metal grinding, resisting with an ear piercing squeal –SKREEEEEEEE! But he felt nothing.  His teammates looked on shocked and appalled.  Then he heard it – low and quiet but it cut through the shrill of the scalpel and into his brain sharper than any knife.

 

�It is so crucial to your future, that you do NOT finish that thought.�

 

Ataxia turned around to find himself staring up at the Decepticon leader. Megatron did not look angry, nor did he look like he was in the mood to be contradicted either.  The two bots stared each other in the eyes for another moment.  Ataxia held Megatron’s unflinching glare, even as his liquids chilled in his tubes.  With one last yank- he finished the trajectory of the offending blade completely cutting the logo on his arm in half!

“SKREEE-�

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

 

Then he woke up – in solitary – a third of his shoulder disintegrated and his audio sensors still ringing.  He was halfway done with his project. And he could not be angry with the Decepticon Leader; in fact the show of strength, of unquestionable supremacy had been inspiring.  Ataxia would have been disappointed had the outcome been any different.

And Inspiration was ultimately what he was looking for – well that and another stein of Rube’s fermented energon.

 

Ataxia’s hand started to shake again.  He put the crystal and the torch down, sat back against the wall of his cell and dimmed his optics.  This project was too important to botch with an unsteady hand.  Besides he had time.  Lots of it.  He assumed he had been in there for at least a Breem maybe two.  He wasn’t sure.  He had shut down all but the necessary functions, to preserve his energy.  Besides time was never his strong points – he usually divided it into three categories, now, before, & after.  He figured any question regarding an answer of time measurement fit neatly into one of them.

 

The Decepticons had reclaimed Cybertron, scattering the Autobot forces to winds.  But in response the Decepticons had left earth.  Left that beautiful sloppy muddball for this dead burnt out planet.  The Decepticons ruled a dead planet.  But Cybertron wasn’t always dead.  Ataxia scanned his data banks for what remnants remained of his life before joining in the Great War.

 

*********************************

 

BEFORE

 

Ataxia was late, as usual for his final delivery of the day.  There was always some reason he would inevitably be delayed so at some point he gave up trying.  Being on time was overrated.  Besides if bots wanted stuff delivered to the outer-wastelands then they should consider themselves lucky to get it at all – or get it themselves.  His pearl metal dome zipped through the charred road navigating the potholes with an absent minded casualness.  The smelting pools were not far off and the fumes tinted the sky a toxic and pastel tableau.  He passed an old empty, begging for scraps.  There were more and more of them out here.  Something about the way the road lay before him cracked and broken, disturbed him.  Sometimes there were oil slicks – and he was never sure if they had been left by some unfortunate traveler, or if they had bubbled up from the deeps of Cybertron itself.

He had no cabin or cockpit and was not designed to carry passengers really although he occasionally allowed others to ride in the cart he towed.  Right now he was towing unnamed boxes.  Really all he wanted was a stein of Good ol Rube’s piping energon.

 

The sound of an engine broke the silence and awoke him from his thoughts.  He looked behind only to see an Alt – the color of the sun itself, perfectly polished and waxed so that it nearly glowed.  The speedster sped past him kicking up dust.  Ataxia slowed and he felt two others race past him.  His mirrors registering only streaks of blue and red.  Suddenly the dust settled enough and he saw the Red bot transforming and launching him self into the air, flames firing out of his back.  The Yellow one followed after him, â€?Hold-up Brotherâ€? he called out as he disappeared into the arthritic sky.  But where was the blue one?  Ataxia knew he had seen another deluxe.  Suddenly the sleek bullet shaped bot was racing directly towards him.  At the last minute wings and rocket jets deployed out of its sides and it roared over Ataxias roof.

â€?Oh, This is not going to be good for my finish,  I can tellâ€? it raced away…

Then for a moment, nothing.

Wait, there were fireworks – and explosions filled the sky.

CEEAAAARACCKKKK

The road shook and Ataxia Transformed and rolled off the side of the road.

�What the slag?�

The sky filled with fire and a Giant Silver jet dove towards the road smoke trailing from its tail.  At the last minute, it pulled out of the nose dive pulling nearly a180 – and heading back up the way it had come.  “Pathetic Foolâ€? It shrieked and missles fired from its wings but also a purple strobe from its nosecone.  Explosions racked the sky and  Ataxia rolled further off the road and down the embankment into the sludge. The Red One tumbled down from the sky, landing awkwardly on the ground and bouncing just a bit.  He twitched and shook with a purple glow sparking from his joints.  But he did not get up.  Suddenly a large Black bot larger than the red one and nearly twice the size of Ataxia, materialized in front of him. It spoke into the comlink mounted on its wrist, as it stared at the twitching bot lying in the road.

â€?This one’s downâ€? 

“Excellent “ the shriek responded “Now Skywarp – Gaahhhh – Get up here, transform and get your chssis up hereâ€?  The Skywarp took two steps, then jumped up, transforming and dematerializing, into thin air.

 

Then a blue jet came screaming down from the cloud cover this one was being stradled by what must have been the blue bullet form before, now in bot mode.

The sky seemed to tear itself apart as the two hurtled to the ground.

CRACK CRACK CRACK

Ataxia could hear the explosions but saw nothing, and after the third one his aural sensors shut off on overload. The Jet Transformed and the two blue figures punched and grabed at each other as they fell.  They slammed into the ground the larger one rolling and throwing  his rider off of him. He stood up, brutishly, transformed and fired off back into the sky.

CRACK!

Ataxia didn’t hear the sonic-boom  as much as felt it as it knocked him back down into the sledge.  He stayed there until the ground stopped trembling.

 

When finally he climbed up the Blue one and the Yellow were standing around the Red.  He couldn’t hear what they were saying.  But as he climbed back up onto the road he saw his cart and his cargo smashed, a strewn about the road.

“Ah Tailpipe�

Yellow turned around and drew his rifle, “who are you?� The words filtered through the static in his audio sensors.

Ataxia threw up his arms responding that he was just a delivery bot and gestured towards the wreckage. 

“Leave him be Streaker, lets get our brother home� said Blue.

“Of course Tracks� but he glared at Ataxia for a moment longer almost daring him to make a move.

He turned and started to walk away.  “Waitâ€? Ataxia ran up to the larger bot and grabbed his hand.  “You cant just leave me like this, my cart, my job…â€?

Yellow pulled his hand away so violently that it knocked Ataxia to the ground. 

“Don’t ever touch a warrior. In battle mini-bot. You best race back to your dispatch and be greatful that your cart was all that you lost todayâ€?  He looked at the smears that Ataxia’s hands had left on his shining metal skin.  His lips curled into a vicious sneer; Suddenly he jammed his rifle into the smaller bots face. “I could blast you right here and now, and claim a Decepticon casualty. If I wantedâ€?

“SunStreaker! We are leaving now.  I don’t like the fumes in this place.â€?  Blue looked himself over as he spoke.  Yellow turned and walked over to his comrade.  He transformed and Blue fastened RED on to the top of the yellow cruiser.  Then without another word the three of them sped off.  The sun had dipped below the horizon, and it was dark.  Ataxia sat in the dark aching and dripping with Oil and smelt-ash for a long time watching the toxic clouds roll along a wounded sky.

***********************************

Processing>>>>>>>>>>>>>

NOW

 

Ataxia came back online with a start.  Someone was speaking to him through the window of the cell.  Rumble’s Voice echoed in the small chamber, “You ready to grovel, worm?â€?  Ataxia did not respond.  He could hear Frenzy’s voice on the other side chirping, and goading him.  He dimmed his optics again and sunk back against the wall.

“Very well, we may not be allowed to come in there, but…. He’s yours Brother�

the trapdoor slammed shut closing Ataxia in darkness again. A high pitched whine started up, muffled by the walls.

â€?Not yet Taill-huffer!!! Let me get out of the slagging hall firstâ€?, a moment of silence, and then the whine started up again.  Ataxia disconnected his audio sensors – Frenzy could wail all he wanted……Ataxia’s mind wandered.

Processing >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

********************************************

BEFORE

The Renegade was a run down Tavern run by a crotchety old two wheeled Go-bot who seemed to have a chip on his shoulder and a permanent rust stain across his jaw.  Claimed to be the leader of some great revolutionary group a long time in the past.  No one truly knew his name but every one simply called him Rube.  He pretty much ran the joint himself, though another mini- everyone referred to as Tic-Tac, helped with the clean up duties etc.  The Rnegade sat at the edge of the smelting pools and the wastelands, catered to lowlifes, empties, hard labor-droids and travelers.  Rube fermented his own sauces, poured some damn fine Processed-Energon  The Renegade distinguished itself further in that it catered almost entirely to Minis. Deluxes and others could hardly fit through the door, and any who tried usually found themselves with more trouble than a pint of stiff energon was worth.

 

Satsujin stretched himself out in the horseshoe shaped booth.  He spread his wings to their full width.  He always did that when he was agitated, or trying to make a point.  Faulnis was leaning in to his black and green shoulder clutching at his arm; mostly for the sake of his ego and not because she need his protection.  Besides she had discovered long ago that that was the best position for her to feel his chassis, but shoot furtive glances at Ataxia’s shiny pearled body and watch him as he avoided her gaze.  The conversation had progressed in to heated debate.  The Energon was flowing steadily – their Steins being refilled by Rube or ‘Tac seamlessly greasing the flow of conversation.

Satsujin rolled his head, “You’re not listening! Primus created himself....and that's as much as we can know.�

 

Faulnis loved it when her boy-bots sparred. Verbally or even physically. The three of them had been together since as long as she could remember.  As long as the Great War had been going, anyway.  And when she was honest with herself, she had to admit that, she no longer had access to the data files of events before then.  As far she had known the war had always been.  She was a Rebooted-Primus fanatic.  But she prided herself on not being one of those ones, the annoying ones.  No longer able to keep silent she pitched in with one of her favorite pasages, “It's been said that he created himself because the sparks of all the dead that Unicron devoured started the movement of energy that created Primus...â€?

 

�But its still up for debate right?� Ataxia didn’t believe in Primus or Unicron but had to admit that there had to be more to his spark than he knew and anyway he’d paid as little attention to the myths as he could, save for indulging in Faulnis’s sermons.

 

Satsujin just liked to be right.  He plowed on with his point ignoring the other two bots, “So the Quintessons created Cy-“

 

“But they are just myths right?â€? Ataxia interrupted.  He knew, that in order to get anything in with Satsujin, you had to talk and play dirty.

 

“Of course they are – hideous things really�

 

�Some say they were originally created as Primus' children to live on his tomb� Satsujin punctuated the last word smugly

 

“Cybertron that is?�, Ataxia weaved his head watching the chains that hung down from his helmet dance in the dim barlight.

 

“Yes, and then Vector Sigma was created by Primus on the seventh Vorn, but Quintessons are just myths.� Faulnis corrected

 

�Just to be clear, you are telling me Cybertron is Primus’s tomb?� Ataxia repeated carefully

 

Satsujin backpeddled just a bit, Ataxia always had a way to disarm him “I just said tomb cause it's the easiest word to use...his bedchamber is more accurate�

 

“Primus will rise again from this body and in this form! And ye’ he will light the darkest hour – and banish evil to the lands wherein there are no shadowsâ€? Faulnis chimed.  Faulnis, never pushed her beliefs on anyone, but if the boys were going to argue on this subject they would damn well be hearing from the scripture as well.

 

“So as we deplete the natural resources, Cybertron dies – Is Primus a dying god?â€?  Ataxia suddenly felt an urgency to understand as he’d never felt before how could he have so blind before he wondered.

 

Faulnis sensed the sudden gravity of his tone “‘Taxi – I think you’re missing the point–“

 

Ataxia: “Could Unicron come back?�

 

Satsujin: Well remember, some say Unicron has nothing to do with Primus

and some say, get this,  that Unicron was created by a boy-genius named Primacron, as a tool...but he rebelled.â€?

 

Faulnis:  “note that I find all that stupidâ€?

 

Satsujin: “Objection noted sweetheart.�

 

“Ok but all of these theories, these stories, they conflict…so maybe Primacron was just another prophet, with delusions of grandeur� Ataxia blurted out, and suddenly realized that they were deviating from the point.

 

Satsujin: “Now your just RetConning�

 

Ataxia: “You mean RetCon for your mythology? Its all Retcon, I mean what can we actually know?  You both agree that we cant know anything for sure. But if we buy into any of this, this myth… if any of this is true, then Cyberton’s lifestyle, this War is just going to bring Unicron back!â€?

 

Faulnis: “Now, ‘Taxi, oil-spot-honey, you are getting dramatic. Besides-�

 

Ataxia: “Don’t you see?  We are all contributing to Cybertron – to Primus’s weakening and dying!  I mean we’re all racing furiously to figure out what this giant planet is and who it belongs to, debating and fighting and no one is actually doing anything to fix the problem!â€?

 

Satsujin: “You are ignoring my whole explanation of who Unicron is –he’s a Tool.�

 

Faulnis: “And really, Ataxia baby,  Primus will rise up to light our darkest hour if Unicron ever awakens.  And the Autobots have the Matrix that contains all the wisdom of generations past and -“

 

Ataxia: “Supposedly!  So they say…What if that’s just a marketing scheme? Something their propaganda department cooked up?!  The Autobots are no better than the Decepticons – they are just the same thing – a repackaged and repainted frauds from a line of smelt that didn’t mean anything the first time!

 

Satsujin: “But if Unicron is just a tool that escaped and fled to the far ends of the universe...where he has to eat things to live...But there is no reason He’d come here…�

 

Faulnis: “And if Primus truly is sleeping inside Cybertron’s core then he will awaken and –“

 

Ataxia: “yeah - but you are still ignoring my Question!�

 

“what question?� Now Satusujin was getting annoyed with his friend

 

Ataxia stood up and pounded his finger into the table, “Tools or Gods, it doesn’t matter! Is primus/cyberton dying?  Is it possible for Unicron to return?  What are the Cybertronians doing about that? What are the Autobots doing about that?  More importantly, What are we doing about that?â€?

 

“But these are just myths. Stories you tell mini-spies and gobo-â€? Faulnis caught herslef, and finished the sentence in a hushed voice “-late at night.â€?  The only thing we have to remember is to have faith in Primus.â€?  Rube was leaning against the bar playing a game of Rowker with Tic-Tac.  Other than the slight twitch of his stubbley jaw he didn’t react at all.  And even that may have been in concentration with the game at hand.

 

Ataxia: “Don’t you see. It doesn’t matter if Unicron was trapped in a planet, created with some hyperactive-toddler’s erector set, or just in our minds…I don’t want to continue on, blind to the reality before us.  I don’t see the Autobots creating a healthy world for us!  WE are the Chaos bringers – All Cybertronians! This WAR is devouring our homes, our world – our very sparks … One of these days we are all going wake up and look around and realize that our entire world is dead.  I don’t want to live on a dead and burnt out planet.â€?

 

Faulnis: “But if matrix…Primus will....�

 

“No I think I see where he’s going with thisâ€? Satsujin interrupted, Look at it this way babe:  If you were the Chaos Bringer, the Devourer of Worlds and you had to outwit Primus the creator what would you do?â€? 

 

Faulnis: “I…I don’t understand�

 

Satsujin: “Tell you what, If I were the Devil I would make sure to accomplish three things: First I would make sure that the inhabitants of Cybertron depleted all of Primus’s life source, if not by their own arrogant excess, then by war.  Two: when that war started – heh - make sure that both sides believed that they possessed the only right answer, and that they somehow had the only inroad to Primus’s true words and teachings. Ah-ha-ha-ha. And this is the best part; The third thing I would do if I were the Devil – is convince the inhabitants of Cybertron that I did not exist.â€?

 

Faulnis: “No.�

 

Ataxia: “And now this war has nothing to do with Uincron himself –even if he never returns, we will destroy Cybertron with our own arms, and we will do it entirely with out his having to lift a finger.�

 

Faulnis: “So what do we do? How can we, three minibots, altar the course of this war, of our history�

 

Satsujin: “Well the way I see it, first thing must be done is we decide who in this war needs to loose, and quickly.  The Autobots, the Decepticons or-â€?

 

Ataxia: “Or Both… We will have to use their strengths against themselves.  And we will have to capitalize on their greatest weakness.â€?

 

Satsujin:  “And that would be?â€?

 

Faulnis: “Their complete and single minded obsession with each other.�

 

Satsujin: “They will be out-flanked by their very own war of ideals.�

 

Atzxia: “Lets toast then, to the birth of the-- of the Flankers!�

 

Faulnis lifted her Stein to toast, â€?Waitâ€? Ataxia interrupted her, “If we do this – we have to commit, we have to swear allegiance only to the Flankers, only to each other and to Cybertron.  100% and exclusively.â€?  With that he pulled out one of the tools from his hip pack, and finding a gap inbetween the gears in his wrist, he jabbed down hard.  He let out a small gasp as black lifeblood dribbled out of the puncture and on to the table.  He handed the Tool to Satsujin.

 

â€?Ach, I don’t know where you’ve been you emptyâ€? and produced his own small saw. With a quick slash he also was contributing to the pool.â€?  Faulnis took the saw, and added her contribution. The three reached out and clasped hands.

 

Faulnis: “To the Flankers.  To Cybertronâ€?

 

Satsujin: “Because Unicron didn't create Primus and Cybertronians create Unicron.�

 

Ataxia: “And like Primus we create ourselves�

 

Three glasses clinked, and so the flankers were born.

 

END SECTION ONE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Wow. Very ambitious. You bring a very interesting perspective to the Autobot/Decepticon war. (And the retcon argument made me chuckle.) For some reason, as I read this I kept seeing it in a comic book format. It's just very visually evocative. I think it would make an awesome graphic novel. Very cool dude. :thumb

PART 2

*********************************

A few deca-cycles after the meeting at the Renegade, the Flankers were still trying hard to get themselves organized.  The trick was finding out how to get close to the warring factions with out being crushed.  They had brainstormed many ideas – but also part of their commitment was not to endanger other inhabitants or take unnecessary resources.  So obviously explosives were out, and melee weapons were favored (by Ataxia at least), but without being able to get close to the massive soldiers, and with no real combat experience, that was also a bit unrealistic.  Ataxia could tell that his comrades were loosing their fervor.  They had handed out pamphlets and even held a rally.  But it wasn’t enough.  Ataxia spent his every online hour wracking his neural net in an effort to come up with something, anything that would give them an edge.  Then one day the answer hit him – they had gone to Renegade after their daily functions as usual, and it was closed.  Apparently Rube had contracted a Backdoor.Trojan.exe.  Ataxia spent the next 4 days at his interface even skipping his deliveries.  Satsujin covered for him the first day, Faulnis did half a day the second, but by the third, both bots were getting more than concerned.

“’Taxi baby.  Come one honey-cog.  You’ve locked yourself away for three days now.  Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.  Ataxia?â€?

 

A voice from the dark responded, “I've done it.  I have the answer.â€?  Ataxia walked shakily over to Faulnis and handed her a disc with a shaking hand.  Yellow fluids leaked from his mouth-grill.  “What’s better, I figured out how to make the antivirus too, troitâ€? with that Ataxia collapsed in a pile of twitching gyros and motors.

 

And that was how the Mschln.exe was born and the Flankers were delayed yet another Orn in their efforts.

 

*********************

Processing >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Before but After—data lost >>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Ataxia was in the thick of the battle.  How the slag did I get here he wondered.  The Autobots were loosing as usual. And citizens of this town of Ios was paying the consequences as usual.  He forced himself to remember the name of the town.  Swore that it would be backed up to disc as soon as he got home, the victims would not be forgotten.  Ratchet had his repair bay stationed over by one of the town’s residences.  He ran up to the battle field and transformed.  His small dome dodging most of the artillery and falling debris easily. As he approached the side of the bay he transformed and jumped up tossing a small grenade underneath him. The grenade had been a concession to Satsujin who convinced him that it would be completely safe to use, mostly it was just a flash bomb, all light and smoke and nothing serious.  With a poof and a flash he flew across the air and rolled into Ratchet’s field of vision.  Ataxia screamed, only half acting. There were jagged shards of metal and broken bits of building all over and he had really nose dived into it. The debris cut into him as he rolled and skidded to a halt.  He lay on the battle field in agony and waited.  Nothing.  An explosion went off near him.  This was starting to look like really bad idea. Where was he damnit?

Then it happened.  Someone was dragging him off the battle field.  He was lifted up onto the repair bay.

â€?Can you hear me little one?  Can you speak?  Where are you hurt?â€?

�I can’t feel my legs�

â€?hold still – “Ratchet turned around to load his syringe, and Ataxia slid a small chip with a magnetic spike on one end into the underside of the control dish.  Ratchet turned back around and his needle ---

data lost

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

That day the Autobots and the Decepticons suffered great losses.  In the middle of the pitched battle the soldiers of both armies started going into stasis lock.  Many accounts of delirium and hallucinations were reported.  Specifically of a Giant bot coming down from the clouds themselves to smite the warriors as they fought.  Soon afterwards, stories started to abound that Ios was haunted by the sparks of the dead and that Primus had punished both the Autobots and the Decepticons for bringing war and death to the city.

 

While Ataxia was on Ratchet’s bay, Faulnis was handing out laced rocks and weapons, to the inhabitants as they rebelled (mostly against the Decepticons).  Satsujin sprayed the air from above with a gaseous form of the virus.  Ataxia hadn’t been online for most of this but had awoken later, and slipped away while Ratchet was unwittingly infecting his teammates even further.

Later when he finally caught up with his, teammates Ataxia drilled them with questions about how the mission went, and most importantly asking, “Now, where was I? – Troit�

 

********************

The three Flankers got branded the next day.  Faulnis designed a logo for the team which incorporated each of their initials the planet Cybertron circled by the handles of the matrix.  And each member had it burnt into their chassis proudly.  The celebration for the team was short lived however.  Both the Autobots and the Decepticons, recovered quickly from Ataxia’s virus which was expected, but although the stories of how the battle mysteriously ended continued to circulate –nothing ever developed.  The citizens of Cybertron, hadn’t mobilized, hadn’t flocked to the ranks of theirs (or any) cause.  Cybertron continued to cower under the threat of the Great War either out of fear or resignation- or both.

Despite their initial victory, the Flankers found it difficult to mobilize a second assault.  It wasn’t long before they started arguing over their next move.  Satsujin was eager to take a more offensive approach.  He seemed to favor attacking the Autobots, maintaining that they were weak and shortsighted.  Although Ataxia agreed in theory, he refused to escalate the Flankers’ participation in the war to a level that would be hazardous to Cybertron or its inhabitants.  Faulnis argued that they should step up their activism, and that educating and inspiring the inhabitants of Cybertron was the most effective use of their energies.  Again, Ataxia agreed, in theory, and as it was, it was Faulnis’ rallies and handouts were the easiest and safest of their endeavors.  However Ataxia believed that there must be more to their efforts otherwise they were not accomplishing anything, despite their best efforts there was no revolution blooming. 

 

One thing the three did agree on was that the virus had been especially effective, and that research should be done to develop another.  However what was NOT agreed on was how intense these viral attacks should be, or how exactly to test them.  Satsujin and Ataxia seemed perfectly content to test each new bio-weapon on each other.  In fact, in this field the two were brilliant, feeding off of each others creativity and competitiviness. Faulnis did everything she could to stop them but they insisted – often violently.  For a long time the three spoke little – save when Satsujin and Ataxia were in the lab, and then only regarding their research.  It was during this time that Ataxia stumbled on a bit of biology that seemed especially useful:

Ataxia: Satsujin

Satsujin, not looking up, “huh?�

Ataxia: come over here and turn around.

â€?yeahâ€? Satsujin responded absently, and walked over to Ataxia.  He sat in a stool, in front of his friend, still figuring calculations out on the data-pad in his hand.  Ataxia unscrewed a small panel in Satsujin’s neck and reached his laser scalpel in.  His hands were shaking, slightly, he noticed.  They never used to.  He steadied himself, “hold still, buddyâ€?

--ZZT--

Satsujin slumped forward in the chair, then tumbled to the ground.  After a moment, he got up, “What the slag did you just do?â€?

�I disconnected your sensory Matrix from your pain sensors� Ataxia grinned

�you what?�

�I can fix it – but what do ya think?�

�feels funny – I’m numb� Satsujin wiggled his fingers, “I cant feel anything at all – are you sure you did it right?�

“Ataxia, yeah, of course-heh-troit-heehee� the two started to giggle, finally bursting into hysterical laughter.�

Two Orns later, Satsujin performed the same procedure on Ataxia.

 

Processing >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>data lost >>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

********************

“I guess there is only one way to find out, isn’t there?�

*********************

NOW

Shock Wave walked up the hall checking each occupied cell.  He slid open the window to Ataxia’s cell. Ataxia slept.  Shockwave continued on his patrol.  All was as it should be, just as he had predicted.

 

*******************

BEFORE

The town of Metreon was the next battle site that the Flankers had the opportunity to engage the warring factions.  They picked their posts as before. Ataxia zipped into the middle of the battle field whizzing through the Autobot and Decepticon ranks.  Just before the mission, Satsujin had implanted interface spikes into Ataxia’s wrists.  He was now able deploy the spikes to inject his virus’s at close range.  Additionally, Ataxia acquired some Energon clubs and had studied up on his Sombrada Techniques.  His fluids coursed with the excitement of finally getting back into action. Satsujin  had taken flight and was beginning to strafe the battle field.  Up ahead he saw a red minibot not much larger than himself firing at the Decepticons.  Cliffjumper looked over at the silver dome racing towards him.  “Get out of here buddy, this is no place for civiliansâ€?  Ataxia already had his Attack planned out when he saw HIM – the Sunstreaker.  He accelerated towards the larger yellow bot, swerving around the now inconsequential red-mini.  As Ataxia approached, he transformed drew his clubs and leapt at his opponent.  Sunstreaker heard him coming though and quickly spun around.  Just as he aimed his gun, Ataxia dove into the ground. The impact jarred his circuits but he felt nothing.  Sunstreaker’s shot flew over his head as Ataxia spun around in the dirt and jammed his spike into Sunstreaker’s ankle.  He then swung his club with all his might into the larger bot’s shin.  Sunstreaker went down with a grunt, but he recovered much quicker than Ataxia expected and before he knew it the warrior had him pinned and was pummeling him with his steel fists.  Even though Ataxia could hear chunks of his helmet and face breaking off under the warrior’s mighty blows, he felt nothing.  Then the beating stopped as Sunstreaker felt his arms going limp.  Sunstreaker fell backwards as Ataxia’s new virus took effect.  He tried to pull himself back up but all his coordination was gone. 

Ataxia pulled himself to his feet.  The battle was in full swing and it raged all around him.  Then it happened: Satsujin was spraying the field one moment then the sky lit up, and Satsujin was gone.  In the distance, shockwave transformed back into his robot mode and laughed.

“slagger-‘troitâ€?, Ataxia started running towards Shockwave, stumbling and dodging combatants as he went.  He took a couple of swipes at bots who got in his way, but didn’t stop.  As he approached Shock Wave, a large bot stepped directly in his path.  Ataxia tried to stop but he skidded right into the leg of Optimus Prime.

â€?Get out of the way!â€? the legendary Autobot yelled down at him.  Ataxia stabbed his viral-spike into Prime’s knee – but the spike snapped against the superior armor.

Prime reached down to shoo the smaller bot and Ataxia took the opportunity to plunge his second spike into Prime’s hand.  The blow knocked Ataxia to the ground as Optimus fired his rifle at Shockwave knocking him down.  A few more blasts and a few more fallen Decepticons. Optimus Prime turned around to shout out orders to his troops, when the virus took effect.  His orders came out in a gabled slur, and he wavered a moment before dropping his rifle and then falling to his knees.

Ataxia was up in a flash both clubs aimed for Prime’s head. But Prime waved off the attack, with a single fluid movement that knocked Ataxia back to the ground, knocking one of his clubs out of his hand.  Ataxia charged again.

“I don’t want to fight you little one.  We are here to helpâ€?

Ataxia dodged the big bots hand as Prime swiped at him again.  This time is was Ataxia’s blow that connected with Prime’s head.  Optimus Prime just shook his head, as Ataxia swung again.  Prime’s hand shot up grabbing the club in mid swing.  Steam rose from his grip as the energon weapon burnt into his palm.  Prime then thrust his arm out sending Ataxia flying again.

“You will not hit me againâ€?, he focused for a moment and then with servos whirring, Optimus Prime stood up.  He planted his feet in a wide and steady stance and surveyed the battle field.  Ataxia lunged again.  This time Prime’s hand folded into his wrist and an energon axe extended out.  The blade glowed with an orange glow.  The blade knocked the club from Ataxia’s hand and then returned to a defensive position.  Ataxia hesitated at first, then feinted to the left and popped his spike again.  The energon Axe whistled as it sliced the air, then darkness filled Ataxia’s sensors.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Data lost>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Ataxia awoke in a small room, with some monitoring equipment attached to him. He tried to sit up but found he was restrained to the bed.  With no other option, he waited the occasional beep from the equipment marking the minutes as they crawled by.  By the time  Megatron entered with Hook, and Bombshell, Ataxia had counted all of the tiles on the roof as well as the bolts that held the operating table to the wall.

 

Hook pushed some buttons and the bed swiveled him upright.  The leader of the Decepticons was impressive to behold.  Megatron regarded Ataxia coolly. Behind his captors a mirror reflected Ataxia’s broken and twisted body strapped to the table.  He noticed the large gash stretching diagonally across his face – where Optimus Prime had ended their battle the day before.

Megatron spoke, “Welcome, minibot to the Decepticon cause�

Ataxia started to protest, “I am not a Decepticon, I will never-“ but was cut off.

“Oh but you are, that is why you still function at all.  Whatsmore, let me explain to you why the Decepticon cause is so suited to your own agendaâ€?

Ataxia started at the implication but was held down by the restraints. 

“Don’t act so surprisedâ€? Megatron continued “I know all about the Flankers and your aspirations, you didn’t think that I would be unaware of your existence did you? It is no matter.  Understand that the Decepticons want peace on Cybertron as much as anyone else.  However its those lazy and undisciplined Autobots that have been squandering Cyberton’s resources. With structure will come  prosperity. And with a Disciplined and efficient military we can defend Cybertron against any invader – up to and including any mythical Bringers of Chaos.  As for you – You have impressed me.  Few of my own soldiers would dare take on Optimus Prime. Additionally I want to continue your research with the virus’s that you have unleashed on both factions of this ridiculous war – resolving the conflict  peacefully and quickly benefits us all.  I can reformat your courier body into that of a strong soldier and provide you with, a better arsenalâ€?  Megatron withdrew one of Ataxia’s energon-clubs and held it admiringly.  “These clumsy tools are amateurish for your considerable skill.â€?

 

Ataxia thought a moment, “And what do you want from me?�

 

“Continue to create stronger virus’s for the Decepticon cause, you will have any of Bombshell’s or Hook’s services to aid you, I would also like you to research ways to make Cybertronians, and specifically the Decepticons, more fuel efficient�, Megatron replied ignoring the indignation on his troops faces.

 

“And if I refuse your offer?�

 

Megatron turned on his heel and started out the door – “destroy him� – Hook pushed a button and an energon saw folded out of the ceiling, and started spinning. WZZZZZZZZT!

 

“I will join you. I want to be an active part of the rebuilding and healing of Cybertron.  I also am intrigued by your interest in increasing fuel efficiency. â€?

 

“Very well� with a click and purr, the saw blade stopped, bzzt, “Hook prep him for the reformatting process�

Megatron walked out the door as the blade sprang to life once again- WZZZZZZZZZZZZZT! And sparks flew as it made contact with Ataxia’s chest……

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

“No no no! You can’t! First Satsujin, now you?â€?  Faulnis pulled Ataxia close to her, “I wont let you…â€?

 

He pushed her away gently, “Don’t worry, oil-spot-honey, I will return and we can live forever together in a new and healthy Cybertron�

 

“You Liar!  Look what he’s done to you! Look at you! That monster, that monster – destroys everything he touches and now look what he’s done – you, you’re a Decepticon now- how could you?!  She punched at him and he didn’t even try to stop her. Ataxia knew that sometimes it was just best to let her get it all out. “How can you believe anything he tells you?!â€?

 

â€?Faulnis, don’t you see?â€? he pulled her close to him again and caressed her cheek, she turned her head, she couldn’t bear to see the massive scar that split her friend’s face, despite Megatron’s complete reconditioning rebuilding procedure. Ataxia continued, “Whether he is lying or not, this is what we have always wanted.  I am going to be part of the crew of the nemesis, I am going to be instrumental in taking both the Autobots and the Decepticons away from Cybertron, and either we will bring back energy sources to replenish our world, or we – I mean they wont come back at allâ€?

 

Faulnis pushed him away, “you know I won’t be able to live with out you…�

Beep-beep-beep – Ataxia’s standard issue comlink called to him.

 

�Honestly babe, I don’t believe you – and anyway, there’s only one way to know for sure� He turned and walked out the door of her small dwelling. It would be the last time Ataxia would share the company of a friend, and somehow he knew it.

 

*******************

End Part 2 ---To be concluded

 

ALT-ATAXIA KITBASH WIP

:clap still very very cool. Great stuff :thumb