Chapter 3: planetary exploration
It was hard for me to let them go allowing my overprotectiveness take over me but it was apart of the whole leader thing trust is the main key and as long as I have that nothing surely would happen..right?
"Snowdrift, could you help me with something?" I asked as she came up to my right looking up at me seeing how worried I was seeing them flying straight at the planet that had no live signatures on it which was supposed to calm me but somehow it made me even more afraid unless it's my fear of losing more people in the similar way like my mother or separated like Optimus for what may be a eternity surely he'll move on and find a better looking mech than me, he wouldn't do that..would he?
"You're overthinking everything, just relax they'll be fine there's 3 of them remember" she said but what if something bad did happen he took one out of two of our small ships incase a Deceptacon invasion does happen while they search for energon on this dead rock filled planet.
No one's Pov;
On the empty rock planet Oracle was able to land perfectly on the ground unscathed with Sunburst by her side as they waited for Magmaslide to get there in the little ship that he would use to transfer the energon back to the main ship.
"What's up with you today? There isn't any Deceptacons so stop leaking oil man!" Oracle said nudging the nervous mech with her elbow trying to make him laugh but he didn't even make it move an inch so she just shoved him away to prevent his negative to attach itself onto her. "You're such a drag man" she said as Magmaslide finally arrived bringing relief on Oracle when he got out seeing how odd they were being especially Sunburst.
"Brighten up kid! We're only going on a hunt for some energon, now let's get crack-a-lacking" Magmaslide said patting the nervous mech on his right shoulder before it was knocked off by Sunburst who didn't seem to like being praised which was usual for a mech his age. Sunburst looked at him offended and quite angered by the fact that an old mech touched his fresh paint as young boys do want to look their best especially for the ladies, but right now there isn't that much left for him to pull other than gravity and emptiness.
"Don't touch the paint old man, I just buffed up" finally Sunburst spoke but I'm quite a sour tone as Magmaslide 'tch' at the kid not like the attitude he was being given for saving his butt several times back on Cybertron before they were sent off with the Queen-in-waiting with one objective in mind and that's to protect her until the very end and Magmaslide is loyal to his superiors.
"Look kid. I may be old but If ya want I can rip ya a new voice box?" He got into the mech's face planning to give the kid a scare showing him who's in charge of this important mission as Sunburst nodded his head in fear holding his throat pipe not wanting it to be ripped out of him. "Good. Now come on! We haven't got all day" he said before getting back on track guiding the way first as Oracle and Sunburst followed straight after since he was the leader of this little group until they get back to the ship with the energon.
Magmaslide was looking down on the tracker following the energon signature as it was growing closer towards a cave opening that made its way deep underground. "Do we have to go down there?" Sunburst asked in a disgusted tone looking at the tracker not really in the mood to get his precious paint job ruined but no one has the time for that crap anymore since they're stuck in a war zone where it's live or die.
"By the looks of things yeh, so suck it up pretty boy and get moving!" Magmaslide said pushing the mech first into the cave as Oracle stayed by the old mech's side who sighed at Sunburst's childish behaviour. "I really don't get young mechs these day" he mumbled as Oracle quickly looked away from him since she too was quite young but nothing like Sunburst who on the other hand had a huge crush on Aquarius and wants to be looking his best unlike the others he class as overrated and outdated war toys, kinda disrespectful if you ask me. The cave was shallow but just big enough for all three of them to fit inside being dry and empty as it is made things so much easier for Sunburst who hated getting himself dirty on the job as he planned to attract the ladies with his fresh paint. Magmaslide was able to overtake the two mechs until he came up to another opening of two different pathways making it highly likely that they would have to split up and search for the energon themselves.
"You don't have to worry Magmaslide, I can take care of myself!" Oracle said with confidence as it was true she did have a big record for her independence and cooperation to work in a team before and during the war making her a huge asset to the team.
"Great, that leaves me with the duty of babysitting Mr, hotshot over here" Magmaslide was being sarcastic as he didn't really wanted to be stuck with this kid anymore than she does but it had already been decided when she dash off in the left tunnel. "Kid!" Magmaslide yelled as he groaned not in the mood to be chasing a wrecker especially one that is 2x faster than him. "I guess it's just us then.." he lastly said before heading down the other tunnel with Sunburst who suspicious stayed behind him tracking his every movement.
"have you seen the state of yourself? I'm surprised that an old mech like yourself can even walk, your coat is disgusting, rusty and needs and fresh coat" Sunburst said in a cockily sour tone but Magmaslide wasn't falling for the mech's tactics that would lead to nothing but fighting between them, so he went back to look at the transmitter and followed the trail hoping that it would lead to a good source of energon not aware that he was about to get the shock of his life.
"Magmaslide come in, what is your status?" Aquarius began to come through as he instantly picked up not wanting to be the rude to his new higher in command.
"This is Magmaslide, no signs of Deceptacon activity or any life on this planet just like you said but I'll keep myself on guard. Also we followed the energon signal down into this cave that caused Oracle to slit from the group and go down another tunnel without my say so but I doubt that she would bump into anything down there and will join us later" he replied giving her a full on report on the situation making Aquarius even more nervous on what could potentially happen as the planet had no life but not everything gives a signal to show that it is alive.
"Just don't do anything stupid Magmaslide, it might cost you if you manage to lose track of Sunburst too" Aquarius spoke back knowing a bit of his immature background when it comes to team work especially with young mechs like Oracle and Sunburst.
"Don't worry, I've got this in the bag boss so don't get your wires in a twist, we're almost there anyway" he commented back being his usual self but his little companion however didn't like the way he was talking to the Queen-in-waiting glaring at him like if he was talking to him.
"Bring back as much as you can carry we'll need it" that was probably the last communication the two would ever had until they get deeper into the cave that was beginning to interfere with their communicators making it impossible to talk back but Magmaslide however was not watching his back at the angered mech he was stuck with.
"Don't talk to her like that! She's loyalty and deserves respect" Sunburst said bugging Magmaslide who just groaned wanting to punch the brat right in the face with his own bare hands but he didn't feel dedicated to do it so he let it slide once again.
"If you don't keep your mouth shut I will be shoving a fragging grenade up your afterburner!" Magmaslide growled shutting Sunburst up in an instant as he too can see that he wasn't lying looking at the 3 grenades resting peacefully around his waist that can take down the biggest of mechs especially megatron if he had the chance to shove it down his throat.
Oracle on the other hand was doing way better than the little duo not aware of the arguments they would be happening as she walked down the runner looking at the grey rock that surrounded her seeing glowing purple rocks guiding her path that lead straight to a full batch of the stuff looking similar to amethyst but this time it glows. "I wonder what this stuff is? It's beautiful not gonna lie but not my taste when it comes to rocks" she said to herself knowing that it was probably not the best thing to be touching a suspiciously glowing unidentified rock as it could possibly be poisonous or life threatening as well as contagious and that is something she can't let happen. Static was coming through her communicator like someone was trying to come through to her but the interference was getting in the way making her shut the thing off ignoring the message for awhile.
As she stepped foot into the huge opening within the cave and the distinctive purple glow make the place look absolutely stunning and breathtaking distracting her from the main objective as well as not noticing the tiny little rock things that were slowly moving making their way towards her smelling her energon and metallic flesh. The sound of what seemed to be explosive going off snapped her out of her daze feeling something touch the bottom of her foot as she instantly looked down seeing these things trying to crawl up her leg until they began to start nibbling as she screamed before beginning to bash them and shoot at the little critters out of sheer panic. "What the scrap are these things?! They better not be scrapings!" She thought looking around the opening seemed them everywhere before beginning to run off in the opposite direction deeper into the cave as these things slowly followed after her scent on the wall, roof and floor of the tunnel as she continued to run not wanting to become food for these little monsters.
Back on the ship Aquarius was patiently waiting near the tracker incase she catches any unidentifiable signatures until thousands of little red dots came out of no where on the planet showing some sort of life that did infect lives on this rock planet. "That's strange, I swore that this planet was completely lifeless" she thought quickly beginning to do her research on the history on this planet that could possibly shine some light on the situation hoping that it wasn't anything life threatening to the three mechs she had sent to retrieve some energon.
"Wait..isn't that the rock planet we sent the scraplings to?" Finally the mechanic emerged back to the control room as he headed over to the Queen-in-waiting who was still frantically searching through the files not wanting to believe it but stopped when a certain file was brought up as she groaned agitated on the huge mistake she had made yet again leading them straight to their doom.
"I just sent them straight to their doom didn't I?" Aquarius asked as Dreadfist hummed while nodding agreeing on the mistake she had made. "I'm truly the worst at this, how can I be a Queen if I can't do my job right" she was mocking herself down again as he patted her arm since he was much smaller than she was as his vehicle mode was a car which he yet has to change into something new and interesting.
"To be honest we all would've made the same mistake if we were in your situation Aquarius, besides it's always better to learn from your mistakes just to become a better mech, trust me it's true even ask Optimus" Dreadfist said before walking off out of the control room to continue working on the ship for extra protection incase it tends to break down on them without his supervision as machines tend to do that. Aquarius was left spacing off again thinking about that one mech who made her feel alive, wanted and free but now that they're possibly light years away she completely lost hope on ever seeing him again or possibly disappointing him if she fails to protect them as their leader until the very end.
"You okay? you're spacing out again, I hope this travelling isn't making you home sick is it" Athena asked coming up by the princess' side who instantly snapped out of her daze like state and looked at the medic who was trying to give her moral support through all of this.
"No-I…I just miss him and the way things used to be before the war, I just want everything to go back to normal again, for all times sake" Aquarius said looking upset as she wasn't the only one who is missing loved ones back on Cybertron due to the war forced to be separated in plans of preventing their race on becoming extinct.
"I know and I miss how things used to be too but you should know by now than not everything has to be the way it was, a change was bound to happen" Athena said wanting to get the young mech some light on things as this war was expected to happen sooner or later especially with the way it was ruled by its king. "We have to accept reality as it is and keep moving forward" patting Aquarius's shoulder while holding Cascade in the other arm fully dedicated to stay by her side til the end of time until everything is over and the war is won.
"I guess you're right old friend and thank you for reminding me" Aquarius spoke back putting a hand on top of Athena's showing how grateful she was for having such an amazing friend to travel with who actually understands how she feels being far away from ones you love. Due to the interference Aquarius was unable to get in touch with any of the 3 mechs she sent out on that death filled planet for some energon until they come across a planet that is safe enough for them to walk on without being targeted or threatened by its inhabitants.
Inside the scrapling filled cave two clueless mechs continue to argue with one another not realising the danger they're putting themselves in the deeper they get into the cave. "I told you not to touch my bombs kid! You could've gotten us killed!" Magmaslide yelled keeping his back turned as Sunburst's hand transformed into a sword keeping his optics fixated on the old mech's back.
"Anything to get away from an embarrassment like you, a pile of rusty scrap metal is what you are" Sunburst hissed always hating older mechs and their 'knowledge' but he had something dark inside of him that he would rather keep secret than let his crush find out what he had tried to do with Magmaslide's bombs within the cave filled with scraplings.
"Whatever kid" Magmaslide spoke back before finally reaching the main energon source preparing to use the energon retractor and emptiest as many crystals as possible and bring them to the ship with the young mech's help. "Are you going to help me or what kid—" He asked looking back before being stabbed in the back by Sunburst who wouldn't give a scrap about, he restricted his sword pushing his 'old friend' to the floor who was quickly leaking energon in a very valuable place making it impossible for anyone to arrive on time to save him. "She..she will find out what you've done…you lying backstabbing brat..you are no Autobot, you're a Deceptacon" Magmaslide was trying his best to speak looking up at Sunburst who had his foot on his chest pressing down wanting him to bleed faster and die quicker before Oracle comes or he would have to force himself to kill another innocent Autobot.
"Shut up and die already" Sunburst coldly growled hating the sound of his voice before leaning closer to the old, vulnerable mech's face like if he was some sort of enemy. "You know by a fact that she wouldn't believe you, since by the time i get back you'll be dead unable to be brought back to life as the medic as always is a useless piece of scarp!" He said with a single stomp on the mech's chest before pressing harder on his chest cavity as Magmaslide held onto his leg trying to lift it but he was too weak and too late as his time was growing near.
"Fuck you.." his last words were expected for a mech like him but his spark will live on in the Allspark with the other fallen warriors who have tragically lost their lives in the war on Cybertron. As his optics faded to a dark grey signifying that he was now deceased Sunburst was able to get off him and dust of the dirt of his so found elegant paint. Oracle watched in horror on the death of a fallen comrade in the hands of their own as she became fearful on who was next on his hit list but now is the time to fear for her life she knew that the energon was more important than anything so she grew the courage and emerged herself around the corner pretending that she had just seen the dead mech right now and rushed over to him.
"What happened Sunburst? Did the scraplings get to him?" She asked as his optics widened in surprise on what she had just asked as he too wasn't fond of this vastly little metallic eating things.
"Scarplings?! Was that the thing I saw rip through his armour? We must leave immediately!" He yelled putting up a great act but she didn't believe him due to the fact that a murder had been witnessed with her very own two eyes.
"Why don't you grab the energon and I take Magmaslide to the ship? Don't want to get your precious paint ruined do we" Oracle suggest as he instantly picked up every single energon Magmaslide had collected before he sadly demise and about to leave until the sound of clattering could be heard heading towards them fast. "Scrap! We gotta Go! NOW!!" She yelled getting ahead of Sunburst who struggled with the energon but kept close to his 'teammate' or maybe his next victim as they made the way through the tunnels taking them a while before eventually exiting through the way they came from seeing the ship Magmaslide came in on still intact. The two rushed onto the tiny ship trying to squeeze in and surprisingly they did leaving Oracle to drive them back to the main ship away from the scraplings.
"Mech down I repeat mech down! This is Sunburst calling in, we are making our way back to the main ship" he sounded so dramatic and believable to the others back on the main ship but only one of them knew the true reason for his death but was too afraid to speak up due to the fear on being next on his hit list. Aquarius was able to open the doors allowing the ship to enter back into the launch bay before they got off bringing Magmaslide's body with them mainly Oracle did since her heartless crew mate she was teamed up with was being very sus.
"You stay here while I go and notify Athena so she can take a better look at him" Oracle said before darting off to the control room leaving the suspicious mech alone with the deseased body. Sunburst however knew by the look of old mech's condition he would have to inflict more wounds to make it more realistic or he would be instantly suspected for the murder of their fallen comrade Magmaslide.
"I ain't letting you ruin my chances of getting laid jackass" he lowly growled kicking the dead body in disrespect before bringing back out his sword from before he had used to kill him and proceeded to scratch and damage his coat making it more like a scrapling's trail than just a plain old stab wound. "There we go, now I'm off the checklist" he thought retracting his sword back to where it belonged not realising what he had done in the cave and now will cost him serious punishment if they were to find out that it was him all long. Athena rushed into the launch bay seeing Sunburst pulling the body away from the ship as some of the energon that was seeping from the old mech's deceased body was leaving quite a rail the more it was pulled through.
"I think that's enough, you can leave now and join the others in the control room, Aquarius' orders" Athena spoke up as Sunburst quickly made his way to the control room and admire his love interest like the yandere he was willing to eliminate any possible competition who tries to even touch his love without her say so. However, for Magmaslide he was backstabbed by someone he thought he could trust now seeing the mistake Prime had made allowing this mech to board and travel on their ship with the princess putting her and the crew at risk of being attacked or worse murdered by their own teammates. "Now. Let's look at you shall we" she said to herself knowing that she can't carrying him to the med bay being physically weaker than the others since she had just given birth not so long ago to her daughter Cascade.
In the control room Aquarius is stood in front while the other mechs are hearing her words wishing their fallen comrade the best in the Allspark. "I called you all here today as one of our own had sadly perished within the caves without proper notice, is there anything anyone wants to say before we start preparing a memorial for our old friend?" Aquarius asked looking at everyone as Sunburst came forward which is unusual since he never really got along with anyone on the ship other than their leader herself.
"Magmaslide was a great and honourable mech who respectfully earned my respect as he sacrificed himself to save me in my time of need and that I owe him my life" he said with great honour and respect in the presence of their leader who believed his words but she knew that there was something off about Sunburst as he came even more open to everyone after the loss of a dear ally. Oracle was upset but angry at the fact that he had just got away with murder but it was expected to happy with an act like that making everyone around him believe his silly little story.
"What will we be doing for the memorial ma'am?" Oracle spoke up as no ones else wanted to speak as they head their heads down in misery losing a great warrior today in the hands on the Scraplings. Aquarius kept a calm composure but they could tell that she too was upset on losing a big asset of their team in such a short space of time reminding her on how such a bad leader she was becoming putting their lives at risk without proper preparations.
"Sadly we can't keep him on the ship so sending him off to a peaceful and yet quiet place for his spark to rust in peace far away from the war" it was smart and possible the only option as Athena entered back into the control room seeing Cascade in the trusting arms of Snowdrift who was able to keep her quiet and satisfied while she was away. "Diagnosis?" Aquarius asked as the medic sighed nervously walking up to her leader handing the holographic documentation as she took it out of her hands and began to read it ever so carefully humming in interest of what could've actually happened to Magmaslide on the abandoned, not so lifeless rock planet that took his life without anyone being notified due to the interference.
"Can we speak in private Aquarius?" Athena asked as the Queen-in-waiting nodded before making their way into another room out of the ears of the other mechs bringing suspicion upon Sunburst who watched the two leave to either speak about the diagnosis or something else entirely putting him under pressure incase he was actually found out by the medic.