Chapter Text
Episode 1: Escape
It was just another patrol. The two bots had made it many times and knew all the tricks. Even though Jazz had been promoted, he still liked to do all the assignments he used to have to do under orders.
“Picked your Title yet?” Cliffjumper asked
“I…What?” Jazz asked, not expecting it and swerving a little
“Your Convoy Title” Cliffjumper said “Optmus just promoted you, so what’s it gonna be?”
“I dunno cliff… Didnt think about it much” He mused. “Waypoint Deltech” he said as they both stopped and transformed at the designated point.
Cliffjumper moved to the observation spot and raised his scopes, "Beginning scan” he said scanning the horizon in the standard search pattern.
“Anything?” Jazz asked.
“Nothing, not a Spark or convoy title…” he said
Jazz just eyed him, or rather, visored him for a moment as Cliffjumper smirked to himself.
“No contacts at points Deltech 1, 2 or 3…” Cliffjumper reported in a more formal mode “Not since the cons dpeleated all the crude here… Wait!”
“What?” Jazz asked.
“Skyspy, Mk-4. Bearing… 135…SCRAP!” he whispered
Jazz began to ready a decoy, but Cliffjumper interrupted.
“Holdup! It’s seen a scrounger.” He reported.
Both bots held their breath as Cliffjumper watched the sky-spy put a spotlight on the poor bot and his meager findings. The impoverished bot began to run off, rusted bits and bobs falling from both his back and chassis as the sky-spy kept pace and keep them in the spotlight.
Both bots began to breathe again. This wasn’t the first time.
Jazz nodded solemnly. “Let’s head back. They can't leave without this” he said and transformed again.
They were about halfway back before either of them said anything.
“Maestro” Jazz said somewhat quietly.
“What?” Cliffjumper said
“Maestro Convoy. That’s what I want it to be…” jazz said more to himself than to Cliffjumper.
“Well… The Maestro wanna pay us something good then? It’s gonna be our last patrol for a good while” He said in a more comforting manner. He knew why Jazz chose such a name, and wanted to support him in it.
Jazz didn't say anything, but did begin playing some spirited, but older music over their private com-channel.
“Classical… Nice choice” Cliff said and weaved a little to the music.
“It's what I had on me” Jazz said and let it play all the way back to their base
They soon passed the once resplendent but now very run down great dome of Iacon and approached a small and concealed but well fortified space port.
As they approached the entrance, a tall and imposing but also reassuring bot stood waiting for them.
“Anything?” Optimus Prime asked as they transformed in front of him.
“Nothing” Jazz reported. “North side of Iacon’s blacker than the inside of a drive shaft…”
“Or Megatron’s spark chamber” Cliffjumper added in an undertone
Optimus sighed a little, but nodded. “Very well. Get to your stations. The Ark Launches in half an hour.”
Jazz and Cliffjumper nodded and left for their stations. They weren’t on the ark, but were vital for its launch.
As the Ark’s computer Teletran-1 made the half hour announcement over the loudspeakers, Optimus made his way to his now emptied out base quarters.
He took one last look around what had been his ostensible home for many stellar cycles, even if he couldn’t ever bring himself to call it ‘home’.
All preparations made and supplies loaded, his quarters had a feeling of empty anticipation about them. The only thing left to do was say goodbye like had been planned.
Optimus sat down at his Teletran station and waited.
After an eternal moment of anticipation, the ATTS link chimed and Optimus opened.
“Hello my star” the fair and magenta bot on the screen said.
“Eleita…” Optimus said, and reached towards the screen.
Eleita-1 smiled and reached out too, placing her hand where she knew his to be. The last time they may ever do so. “Everything set? Ship shape?” she asked
“Yes…” Optimus said, far more shakily than he would’ve to anyone else.
“To sail for the Gem of deep heaven? The Jewel of Creation?” She said, putting as much jubilation in her voice as she could, but also unable to hold back her tears.
“I’ll be back soon…” Optimus said somewhat quickly.
“I know” Eleita said “But Orion? When you do come back:” She asked
“Yes?” Optimus said, taking a shaky breath.
“Could you bring back a name for our little one?” She asked, gently rubbing what would appear to be a quite considerable growth on her abdomen.
“Yes. Of course.” Optimus said “The covenant says the place should be inhabited… odds are the people there would have names and conventions of their own… heh… I’ll find a name. A good one. One with meaning…”
Eleita giggled a little. It had been ages since she last saw Optimus show his old self like that. The librarian she had fallen in love with what seemed many lifetimes ago. Before she knew it he had begun supposing great histories and legend of the unknown people they had yet to meet, and she indulged him. It gave them one last moment together without the war or exodus. Until:
“All Hands to Launch Stations. All Hands to Launch stations. Terminal Count has begun” rang out over the loud speakers. They both heard it.
“Well. Your ship awaits.” Eleita said and reached out again.
Optimus met her hand. “I promise I’ll come back. With a name” he said and looked deeply into her eyes.
“I know. I’ll be here for you.” She said and touched her chest for a moment and seemed to send something towards Optimus across the screen.
Optimus seemed to catch it and held his hand to his chest for a moment, looking into her eyes as the connection terminated.
All at once, his purpose and duty came back to him as he transformed and raced down the halls towards the ark.
He was soon joined by the rest of his crew as they had rehearsed as much as they could.
The operation had to be fast if they wanted a prayer of leaving like they had to.
They rushed aboard their ship, the Ark, a modified YX Colony support ship, as the lights darkened behind them.
In the dim amber light of their consoles, they brought the ship to order and patched into Comms in time to hear Jazz “Decagon to Elite Command, all posts report Go.”
“Copy Decagon” Ultra Magnus, the mission director for the exodus. “Launch systems, Go No-Go” he said “Countermeasures”
“Go”
“Telemetry”
“Go”
“Decoy-1”
“Go”
“Decoy-2”
“Go”
“Scramble City Code”
“Go”
“Arc” He asked Optimus directly.
Optimus looked around for just half a second at his bridge crew. Each in turn gave him a thumbs up.
“Ark is Go” He said
“Good.” Ultra Magnus said. “Decagon, give me the countdown”
“Rodger,” Jazz responded “Launch Sequence in 7”
All around Iacon, the last remaining missile defense Silos opened with a low tremmor
“6”
Suddenly, all non-direct communications links were flooded with Static.
“5”
A cacophony of flak fire and artillery rained out from every remaining autogun in and around the dark city
“4”
The Ark’s engines came to life, as it did two large ships nearby roared to life as well so profoundly even the Ark itself seemed insignificant.
“3”
The missile silos all flaired to life, shooting out the last of Iacon’s ballistic missiles in what would seem to be a final defiant salvo.
“2”
The two ships nearby, the White-star and Defiant, the last great Autobot warships, began to ascent from their planetside berths. Slowly at first but with immense power.
“1”
With a start, the Ark raced down the magnetic track before being jolted up at a 45 degree angle to form up with the ascending warships.
The whiplash and rush almost drown out Ultra Magnus’ final transmission of “Primus be with you, Ark. Till all ar-” static cut off his final prayer and salutation as the ark’s communications link was severed.
Optimus closed the com window and looked out the forward viewports at their escorts. “Till All Are One” he said more to himself than anyone.
There was a mere moment of silence, save for the roar of the ascent, where what they were all doing sank in full on the crew. Whatever promises they had made to their loved ones seemed empty for the moment. They may never see their home ever again, and may have just left it to a fate worse than death.
A warning chime followed by a blast large enough to rock the ship broke their reflection.
“Report!” Optimus said.
“Decepticon Flak!” responded Bumblebee. “The Escorts are doing what they can, but there’s too much!”
“Ironhide! Interceptors” Optimus ordered.
Ironhide nodded and brought their point defense online. It stemmed the barrage a little, but it seemed all the siege guns that cracked the once perfect dome of Iacon were now centered on them.
“Shields at 80%” Wheeljack reported concerned.
“Dammit. We cant-Prime!” He said and shot a meaningful look back at his commander
Prime just gave him a nod.
“Star-burst 1 Active! Hold onto your Tailpipes!!!” He said as one of the missiles keeping pase with them fell behind and detonated just beyond damage range. Beyond damage, but not force. They we’re all momentarily, thrown backwards. Bumblebee and Hound barely holding onto their consoles at the front.
“I… I think that’s got-em!” Bumblebee said,
“For the moment…” Hound added.
“Stay focused everyone” Prime said,
Bumblebee nodded and focused on his console. “Leaving the atmosphere. Sensors are clearing… There’s… there’s th-” be he didn't finish. The Whitestar just in front of them took more than a dozen hits from heavy orbital weapons platforms and decepticon dreadnoughts, disintegrating in front of them so quickie Hound had to swerve to avoid debris.
“The Slagging Blockade!!!” Ironhide shouted. “Optimus!!!”
“Break it” Optimus said. “Just like we practiced.”
Ironhide nodded “Wheeljack!”
“Copy” He said “Shields double front and polarized. Defiant commanded to activate all radars, comms, and sensors at maximum power.”
“Rodger. Starbursts 2 through 5 target’s set.” Ironhide said “We’re either free or scrap everyone!”
Everyone but Optimus held their breath as the buzz of sensors almost became palpable from their escort as its fuel died and it began to drift.
Just as the ark passed it, the starburst missiles were intercepted and momentarily overloaded the blockading ships and platforms. A moment just enough for the Ark to acquire its pre-calculated solution, and jump to Trans-Warp.
Meanwhile in Kaon, the Decepticon Constellate Capitol.
Megatron paced very tensely in his Planetary Operations Command Information Center.
While his taste had become somewhat extravagant after taking over, he still liked to keep important operations close. Thus his great and imposing fortress of Darkmount housed many command, control, observation, and communications hubs and centers. It had become part Ruling palace, part administration center, part military fortress.
And every receiver on and in the palace had just received so much signal and traffic you could feel it in your optics.
Only moments ago had every operator, both Vehicon and natural bot, finished running diagnostics and dealing with the new cacophony of comms and data traffic from every outpost both on and around Cybertron.
“Well….!?” Megatron asked a Vehicon Sergeant.
“Data still incoming, My Lord” he said
Megatron just stood there behind him, silent, but gazing over his shoulder so hard it felt like the monitor should’ve short circuited again.
“All Sectors now report no change… except…” the Sergeant said, pausing. He knew it was dangerous at the best of times to deliver bad news to Megatron, and this most certainly wasn’t the best time.
Megatron, more concerned with his planet than his subordinates, leaned in, forcing the sergeant to one side, and saw “Iacon…” He said as he saw the visual feed of two charred trails on the tarnished dome, and all the old Decagon’s missile hatches open and empty.
“GrrrrRRRAAGHHHH!!!!” Megatron screamed as he ripped out the console and tossed it against the back wall.
Every bot in the room watched for as long as they dared as the work station crumpled then fell as Megatron stormed out.
Once he was in the hallway, he went to a com-station and barked “Shockwave! Status on Soundwave”
“Soundwave is stable.” the level and collected voice of Shockwave replied “The Signal spike sent him into a mild shock, but no lasting damage. Do you require his presence?”
“Yes.” Megatron said “That was more than just a signal spike, if you hadn’t noticed!” He panted for a moment “Put him on.” He commanded.
“Stand-by” Shockwave said. Momentarily the modulated/vocoded voice of Soundwave answered “Yes Lord Megatron.”
“Soundwave!” he said more patiently this time. “Glad to hear you’re alright.” he said, and meant it. “Something happened at Iacon during the signal spike. I need you to find out what exactly happened while all our sensors were out.”
“By Your Command” Soundwave said.
“Thankyou” Soundwave said “Oh, and… How are your mini-cons?” he asked.
“Unharmed.” Soundwave answered “They were off duty at the time”
“Good… good…” Megatron said “well, you have your orders. I expect your report in your usual timely manner. Megatron Out.” he said and cut the call.
He stood at the com-station for a minute. With a deep breath, he ran his hand down his face. Whatever Soundwave’s report would detail, he already knew at least one thing for sure. Optimus Prime had left: A notion which was at once expected and yet unthinkable. Had this been even a stellar cycle earlier in the war, he might’ve wept at the event.
But no longer.
He turned on the spot and began back up towards his Throne Room.
A short while later:
He was sitting in his throne, having just concluded an emergency Holo-meeting of all the Military Governors of the Constellate.
Cybertron’s signal spike hadn’t gone un-noticed by them either, though they knew even less than Kaon.
All the other governors had disconnected, but Deathsaurus, Governor of Zone colony, remained on the line. “My Lord” he said, kneeling once again. “May I speak frankly? And officially off the record?”
Megatron took a deep breath then gestured for him to rise “You May” he said, but only turning slightly towards him.
Deathsaurus rose. “Thankyou, My Lord” he said, a bot of both principle and manners to the core. “And if I may, I get the sense you already know what’s happened at least in part.”
Megatron just nodded slightly. “Was it that obvious?” he asked.
“Yes and No” He said “Gigatron, Straxus, Magnaboss almost certainly dont know and dont care. Overlord doesn’t care to know, Jhiaxus probably deduced it to but has something more important to him, Sideways is…”
“A questionmark as always” Megatron finished “and you always prefer to speak your mind to me rather than simply to Esmarel or your staff”
Deathsaurus nodded then looked away a little nervously
“Relax” Megatron said, smiling a little “Have I ever denied one of your off-the-record requests?”
“No, My Lord” he said, looking back at him.
“Exactly” he said, getting up from his throne, and walking down to Deathsaurus’ holo-projection. “So, please. Continue” he said, looking Deathsaurus respectfully in the eye.
“It’s been nearly 3 million stellar cycles since this war started properly” He said “and I beleive another million back to our first Uprising” He added, referring to when the Decepticon revolution started proper.
“And, while you have always had Zone’s support and resources, they aren’t what they use to be. Even in the Governor’s estate we’ve had to give up almost all non-essential additions and aspects of our lives for the cause. Willingly of course, but we’ve only ever had small skirmishes with small-time insurrectionists. Meanwhile, what has Cybertron itself endured?” He added somewhat rhetorically.
Megatron looked down and sighed “You make your point as eloquently as ever.” he said “And you’re most correct. Shockwave says that the planet is approaching depletion…”
Deathsaurus started for a moment, but stopped as Megatron waved him back down “Its an Open secret…” he said “and in light of that, I can’t blame him leaving though I still never thought he would…”
Deathsaurus paused “You don't mean Prime, do you?” he asked
Megatron looked at him, somewhat surprised, then smiled a little “I thought you had it figured out”
“W-Well…” Deathsaurus stammered “I guessed that …some… autobots somehow got away, but not… no… Never…” he said trying to process it.
Megatron gave him a piercing look, which Deathsaurus noticed, then returned as though determined to somehow out-do his own leader’s well known power-stare.
“He has” Megatron said
“Of all things I considered him…” Deathsaurus said, still assembling his words “I never thought him a coward…”
Before he could notice, Megatron attempted to backhand his holoagram so hard, had Deathsaurus been actually there, he would’ve flown into the wall.
“Optimus is no Coward!” he said vindictively. “If he’s left, its for a very good reason…” he said, recovering his breath a little
Deathsaurus didn't speak for nearly a minute. “Forgive me, my Lord…” he said, kneeling again.
“No no standup…” Megatron said somewhat nonchalantly “You don't know Optimus as I do. As I did… if it had been any other Prime who did this, or had I been anyone other than Lord Megatron, I would have thought as you did… and possibly… foolishly… thought the war over and our cause Victorious” he said, pacing some in front of the holo-projector.
“So… he’s not abandoning Cybertron?” Deathsaurus asked.
“Most certainly not…” Megatron said “Do Not ask me how I know, and don't bother yourself with how I know, but know that Optimus, even before he was elevated to Prime, lived, continues to live, and would die for Cybertron…” he said then took a sharp breath, as though the next words were almost hard to say “And… Primus…”
Deathsaurus took a bit to take these words in, then chose his words carefully “So… in short… there’s a deeper reason, for him at least, why he and his autobots wear the ancient symbol as their insignia?”
Megatron nodded. “Did you think it was merely out of allegiance to the council we overthrew?” he said “Optimus had little more love for them than we did.”
Deathsaurus nodded, then began to ask something, but Megatron cut him off “If you’re going to ask why he still fights against us so passionately, that is beyond what you need to know.” he said then took a deep breath “In time I may tell you and some others. But right now, its not important.”
“Right” Deathsaurus said. “But that still begs the question: Where did he go?”
Megatron looked at him candidly again “When I have an answer, I’ll tell you…. Anything else?”
“No, my Lord.” he said and kneeled for a moment again
Megatron bowed slightly in acknowledgment “You’re dismissed” he said and watched the hologram dissipate.
A moment later, the door chimed.
“Enter” Megatron said, not even looking at the annunciator.
“Lord Megatron, I have the report you wanted.” Soundwave said in his vocoded tone.
“Excellent” Megatron said “We’ll review it in my study” he added and gestured Soundwave to a door behind his throne.
Soundwave gave him a courteous bow, which Megatron returned in full, before advancing into the study.
It was a small and somewhat cozy office. It had a desk at one end that could see the door with a couple chairs facing it. Behind those chairs there was a data-rack containing records from ancient and archaic physical records to multiple modern data-pads and readers for when Megatron wanted to access something off the data nets. Opposing the data-rack was a large window overlooking all of Kaon. They were very near the top of the main spire of Darkmount.
Megatron sat at his desk and began looking over the multiple data-pad set Soundwave had brought. He preferred his reports across multiple pads to keep from having to tab back and forth and back and forth between text and reference and image and text and reference and text and so on.
Soundwave sat patently in one of the chairs for a moment, then got up and pulled it over to the window before resuming his seat. If he was waiting for something longer than a few minutes, he preferred to see the outside whenever he could, and Megatron’s study window was about as marvelous a view as anyone could ask for.
Megatron read through the entire report once, with some concerted effort mind you, before going back and stopping at all the points he would have first time if he had been so inclined. “Soundwave… A moment.” He said, not really looking up.
Soundwave got up and came back over.
“You’re sure these calculations are accurate” Megatron said, indicating the stellar navigation charts Soundwave had attached. They were unique in that they showed both modern Prime-Datum based coordinates as well as the much older Eda Coordinates. The track of Prime’s ship passed straight through the singularity point of the old coordinates.
“It is the only conclusion,” soundwave said, “Given the energy of the Transwarp Jump, Its the only system they can make. The further systems would require a much larger ship, and we effectively control everything short of that system” he added, indicating the gap between the galactic arms in the map. The Zero-Coordinates planet was the only marked system in the galactic gap for millions of parsecs.
“Hmmm…. Could we catch them before they get there?” He asked.
“On pad, perhaps. But space is treacherous even in Transwarp travel” Soundwave answered.
“I see… We need to stop them” he said, getting up “What’s our fastest ship?”
“The DCS Nemesis” Soundwave said “It’s currently here in port.”
“Have it prepped, provisioned, and readied for launch as soon as possible.” he ordered, marching out of his study with soundwave “Also, have Tarn send me both the Inquisitorial and Logistical Reports on the crew of the Nemesis. Have Starscream select a dozen of his best seekers for a long term deep stealth mission, but tell him nothing of where we’re going or who we’re chasing. He doesn't need to know. Make sure Shockwave is aboard as well, direct order from me. And, inform the Constellate Council that they will refer to Tarn and the inquisition for all matters of importance while I am away.” he directed as they left and began down towards the main areas of the fortress.
“By Your Command, Lord Megatron” Soundwave said and gave a small bow, which Megatron returned, before leaving to carry out his orders.
Megatron began quickly back to his personal chambers, and made his own preparations before leaving. Both with himself, and those he keeps closer and more secret than anyone else.
Meanwhile, at the surface docks of Kaon, the DCS Nemesis was getting rapidly loaded with more supplies than it was designed to reasonably hold, much to the distress of its Commanding Officer.
Just as Master and Commander Skyquake stepped onto the jetty for a breath of fresh air, he saw a chevron formation of seekers descending towards the Nemesis. He was about to sigh in exasperation when he noticed the unique silver with blue and red accents of the lead Seeker.
“Well… this is unexpected” he said, watching them as they dove down, then gracefully transformed and landed in formation on the pier in front of him. “Air Commander Starscream, I presume?” He said, bowing slightly to his former commanding officer.
“One and the same, Master and Commander Skyquake” he said, addressing him in the same overly formal manner. “My Seeker Expeditionaries” he said and gestured to the 12 following seekers.
Skyquake eyed them over. “I see not much has changed in my absence.” he remarked.
Starscream grimoused a little. He never really cared for Skyquakes quips. “Has Lord Megatron briefed you yet?”
“No.” Skyquake said quickly “I haven't even seen him yet. All I have gotten is just a notice that we’re being deployed long range and a supply manifest longer than my arm.”
“Strange…” Starscream said, considering the matter “He hasn’t briefed me either. Rather unusual for him…” He said more to himself than to Skyquake.
“These are unusual times” Megatron said, emerging from the pier entrance without warning.
Starscream quickly ordered his seekers to attention while Skyquake shouted to his ship. “LORD MEGATRON ON STATION! ACTING COMMISSAR ALL HANDS TO ATTENTION!”
The dark and caped looking bot on the main deck saluted with his sword momentarily then ordered in a perfectly commanding voice “All Loyal Servants of the Cause To Attention. Lord Megatron is Among Us. Show Yourselves Ture and Undeceived Servants of the Noble Cause of our Liberation! Attend! And be Vigilant!” he commanded as he walked across the deck to his station, past all the other officers and crew members. He had them drilled well in manners even if some of their appearances weren’t up to what the acting Commissar would have preferred.
Skyquake then turned and stood at attention before Megatron and across from Starscream.
“Acting Commissar?” Megatron asked, a little surprised at the only seldom used title.
“Our last Commissar contracted Coolant Typhus midway through our last patrol. Watcher Khanavon eagerly stepped up to the responsibility.” Skyquake explained “I was just about to put in for his promotion with the DJD when your orders came down.”
Megatron’s gaze lingered on Kanavon for a moment then returned to his commanders “Very Well then.” He said “Time is short, so I shall follow in kind. Last night’s system surges were most certainly an act of our diminished Deceivers. Some of their number, including the last Prime, made a crude but effective jam of all our systems just long enough to Transwarp out of the Constellate. We’re going after them.”
Both Starscream and Skyquake drank all this in as fast as they could then glanced at each other, seeing who would ask the possibly dangerous question that was on their minds.
Starscream was the bolder of the two “But… But why Megatron?” He asked
“Because Prime clearly knows something we Don't!” he said very sharply “Now, Skyquake! Is your ship ready!”
“Yes My Lord,” he said without hesitation.
“Good.” Megatron said, walking past them and up the gangway “we depart immediately.” he said
Kanavon then ordered “As Your Lord Says, To your Stations!” he said and the crew all turned and immediately headed to their stations.
Starscream and his seekers followed Megatron on board followed by soundwave with Skyquake bringing up the rear, Lamenting the loss of older Naval traditions as of late.
Within a few minutes, all moorings and servicing lines were clear, and the Nemesis was under her own power once more.
“Course Laid In” Soundwave informed Megatron from the operations console.
“Excellent.” Megatron said, sitting in the command throne above everyone. “Skyquake. What’s the maximum output of the Reactor?”
“Standby” Skyquake said, already not liking where this was going. “Engineering reports 115%”
“Hmmm…. Give me 125%” Megatron ordered.
“My Lord. With all du-” Skyquake began, but Kanavon cut him off and said “It Shall be Done” He said and sent the command to Engineering from Skyquakes console.
Once they cleared the orbital lanes and their escorting Dreadnoughts moved off, the Nemesis shot into Trans-warp faster than any ship ever had before.
Once they were underway, Megatron turned to Skyquake. “Something you wanted to say, Commander?” he asked sternly, staring into him with his almost drilling stare.
“My Lord, With Respect” Starscream said from the other side of the bridge. “No ship has been run at this power level before for more than a few Astro-Minutes, maybe a Solar Cycle at most, but the few that have were never the same.”
Megatron listened to Starscream, then said “Skyquake, You’re relieved. Starscream, take the Executive Station.”
Skyquake left the bridge in a quiet storm as Starscream took his station.
“Time to Intercept?” Megatron asked Starscream.
“Within the next Solar Cycle” he answered “If we can keep this power level up, and it will get uncomfortably warm well before then.”
“We can survive that” Megatron said as even then, coolant began to visibly show on his face.
Within a Cycle, that is a couple hours to you and me, Main Engineering was so hot that the Vehicons servicing it were dousing themselves in coolant just to keep from going into heat-induced stasis lock.
Khanavon had just arrived after he noticed a minor power fluctuation from the bridge, just in time to hear Dreadwing say “By Primus, is Megatron insane!!??”
“Soldier.” Kanavon said “That’s not prudent to the cause.”
Dreadwing turned to him, “Well, excuse me, but neither is melting, now is it. Thanks Strike” he said as StrikeZone handed him a massive bucket of coolant which he drenched himself in.
Kanavon grimoused at the action. “Just keep our speed and power up, whatever’s necessary.” he said coldly.
“And if our Vehicons start going into Heat-lock?” StrikeZone asked half in jest.
“Throw them in the reactor and call for a seeker, we have a surplus on board at the moment.” Kanavon said just as coldly and left.
Both the engineer’s mates were left speechless for a moment. They knew he was cold, but not that cold.
Kanavon himself returned to his hard earned private cabin.
Things weren’t much better on the Ark.
Wheeljack had to constantly re-route fuel and coolant constantly to keep the aging and far from standard Transwarp drive at an acceptable speed, his own coolant leaking some in a desperate effort to keep himself from going into heat induced stasis lock.
A deluge of solvent suddenly rushed over him. “GHAaaa…” He exclaimed in shock, then looked back at the large army-green bot holding the barrel “Oh… Bulkhead… Thanks…”
“Anytime Jackie” he said and gave him a hard but affectionate thump. “We gonna make it?” he asked
“OOf! Maybe… somewhat… I dunno… Depends if this bucket of bolts can fly itself or not…”
“I mean… its got auto-pilot and auto-nav systems… so…” bulkhead said, somewhat slow on the uptake.
“You know what I mean…” Wheeljack said a little exasperated.
“What? Oh… yeah…” Bulkhead said
A clang rang from the induction coils. “Hey Bulk!” Shouted a small yellow bot trying to re-align one of the mid-span coils. “Hold this while I secure it?”
“Sure thing Bee” Bulkhead said and came over to do so. “Got many more?”
Bumblebee looked back at Wheeljack. Wheeljack sighed a little “Yes…no… i don't know…”
Bulkhead and Bumblebee looked at eachother a moment.
“They aligned enough for a few more lightyears?” asked Optimus’ as he walked in
“Attention, Prime on-” bumblebee began, snapping to attention
“At ease at ease…” Prime said “Wheeljack?”
Wheeljack looked over his instrument readouts. “Depends… Can we stand to slow-up?”
Prime looked around at Wheeljack’s skeleton and very overworked crew. “It is getting a bit toasty” he said. “Reduce power as you see fit.”
“Aye sir…” Wheeljacks said, thankful but knowing what it may cost them.
“And report to med-bay” he ordered. “And you Bumblebee, Huffer, and Sunstreaker.” he added, noting which of them seemed be shedding the most coolant.
“But… how will” wheeljack began, but optimus answered “I’ll cover until Downshift and Breakaway get on duty. I may not be as trained or gifted as you bots, but I think Bulkhead and I can keep things from falling apart for a bit, if he’s up for it.”
“You heard the Big Bot, Report to Doc” Wheeljack ordered and motioned the beleaguered bots out before following.
Optimus took Wheeljack’s station and tried to maintain the fragile balance between speed and heat management, always a challenge for long and fast travel.
“Anything I can do sir?” Bulkhead asked.
“Maybe head to supply and get some cans of plasma for here?” Optimus asked
“I could, but I could do one better” Bulkhead said and opened up a compartment on his chest. “You like STP?” he asked; STP being an equivalent to a sports drink. More refreshing than just plasma.
“Well, of course” Prime said. “But How did you come by some?”
“Parting gift from Impactor” he said, tossing Prime a can. “Was saving it but… well… may as well” he said, opening one himself.
“I see.” Prime said, examining the artful label on the can. “Should I ask where he got them?”
“I didn’t” Bulkhead said “Every wrecker knows better.” He said with a bit of a smirk.
Prime raised his can of STP “Then let’s drink to him. To Impactor, and his may ways of ‘Acquiring’ treasures and tools”
“Here here” bulkhead said, raising his own can before then both drank it down.
“You better have enough for everyone” Prime said.
“Enough for now… for the guys down here.” He said.
“I’ll send down some casses of Plasma and solvent” Prime said. “Primus knows you brave bots need it.”
Bulkhead nodded and raised his can once more before draining it.
They soon heard the sound of tires fast approaching before the mechanical whirring of transformation outside, then a metallic blue bot with a yellow head-crest ran in “Prime! Prime!!” he said as he slid in the door. “Hook’s Balls it’s hot in here!!!” he exclaimed.
“Yes Excellion, We are acutely aware” Prime said. “What’s up?”
“We got something on long range sensors. You should come and take a look” he said.
“Lead on” he said, draining his own drink and following “Bulkhead, stand by on the com, we may need some tricks” He added, both suspecting and dreading what it might be.
“Sure thing Prime” Bulkhead said and took his station.
“Authorization for Vehicle mode?” Excellion asked.
“Granted” prime said as he transformed and sped towards the bridge.
Excellion did the same and raced ahead, being naturally faster than Prime.
Moments later, both transformed and hurried on the bridge. “Report” Prime said in an official, but still polite way.
“We’ve got a return on the long range sensors” Hound reported. “We can't get proper resolution yet, but something’s there, and closing fast”
Prime came over and looked over his shoulder. “Any IFF signals?”
“Still trying to read” Hound said, as he was dialing in, the return got close enough to resolve a solution. “Scrap…” cursed Hound. “Its a Deception Fast-Attacker. Possibly Rec-less or Sniper Class” he said, using the Autobot reporting names they had grown accustomed to. He wasn’t far off.
“Time to intercept?” Prime asked.
“A…a few cycles at most” Hound reported.
“Aspect to Target?”
“Hold on… one sec… Slag…. I've always-”
Another, more experienced, crew member, ChromeDome by name, came over from the Ops station. “Looks Dead Astern sir” he said
“Uh…yeah… Sorry prime. The sensor placement.” Hound began
“It's alright Hound. You did well, and reading sensors is a particular skill. But still. Time to destination Chromedome?” He asked.
“After they intercept us.” He reported solemnly “Even if we put all power to engines and ran without limiters.”
“I see… Thank you Chromedome” Prime siad.
“Anytime big bot” Chromedome said. “Though sir? Permission to see to something personal and important?” He asked a little more nervously than usual.
“Of course.” he said “Sideswipe, Take Opps”
Chromedome then quickly transformed and sped off.
“Seems like Protocol’s breaking down….Sir…” Excellion thought out loud, but snapped to attention at a glance from prime.
“This is a desperate situation, young Soldier,” Prime said. “But, in light of that, what would you recommend to buy us some time?”
The rest of the sparse bridge crew looked at him, they had been following along to their conversation, and knew Optimus’ style even in times of crisis.
“Well…” Excellion said, taken a little by surprise and trying his best to rack his processor to the question. “If we can't beat them…. Can we slow them down?” he said cautiously.
“And just how do you propose we do that!?” said Sideswipe somewhat indignantly.
“Turbulence” said Hound from the helm station.
Something connected in Excellion’s processor at that moment. “Yes… And they’re… Sir? Permission to take the Con?”
There was a minor gasp from the bridge crew.
“By all means.” prime said.
“Right.” Excellion said then went to the center. “Hound, if I give you the sensor readouts, think you could keep our tail right in our baffles?”
Hound looked at the kid and said “Prime… is this really the time for your teaching methods?”
“Listen to him. We need all the experience we can get, "he said.
Hound nodded and sighed a little “Yes. I think I can.”
“Good.” Excelion said then opened a line to Engineering. “Bulkhead. Uh… Anyone else there. Can you make massive subspace eddies behind us?”
“Churn up the Wake?” Bulkhead answered.
“Yeah. We can” also replied Downshift. “How big you want it?”
“Uh…? Big as you can?” Excellion said.
“You got it, but it’ll be rough riding but we most certainly can.” said Downshift.
“Understood” Excellion said, then got on the ship: General Announcement channel. “All Hands Secure for Turbulence, I say again, All Hands Secure for Turbulence”
Immediately all crew members secured anything that wasn't as the ship began to shudder and surge on it’s own sub-space wake.
The effects were quickly felt on the Nemesis though more in heaves and pitches.
“SCRAP AND BLAST THOSE AUTOBOTS!!!” Megatron shouted, barely holding onto his command chair. “SKYQUAKE! FIX THIS SLAGGING MESS BEFORE I RIVET YOU TO THE BULKHEAD!”
“Aye-Whuuhh!!! Aye Sir!” Skyquake said, barely holding onto the Opps console chair. “Angling the Deflector…. Helm!! Initiate Active Stabilization mode Siera-3-5”
“Aye Commander” the vehicon at helm responded and did so. The deck movement reduced from intolerable to merely annoying. This still didn’t stop several bridge crewmembers heaving up every bit of energon in their cisterns.
“Eghhh” starscream moaned, he had just come on the bridge “Someone clean that up.”
“What is it Starscream!” Megatron said
“Just wanted to inform you my Seekers are ready to launch at your command” he said “Have we caught up?”
“Well…we were, until they noticed us” he said rather aggravated “Are we still closing!” he said, veritably ordering the answer ‘Yes SIr’
“Slowly but surely” Skyquake replaid
A spark began to twitch in Megatron’s temple “That had better be QUICKLY but surely if you like your horns the Shape They Are!” he said.
“Right. My Lord” Skyquake said “All ahead flank, disregard limiters” he ordered.
The Ark’s sensors picked up the renewed closing speed. “Scrap…” said Hound “Its working… but not enough…. Though by The Allspark they must be roasting in there going at that pitch” he added, noting the Nemesis’ own subspace wake as they came into shorter range sensors.
“Can we make the Gem Of Heaven?” Optimus asked.
Hound did some quick calculations. “Just about, but they’ll be right, and I mean right on our tailpipes”
“That’ll have to do” Prime said “Excellion, Things are getting serious, may I have the Con?” he said. Though he asked it, his crew knew his intent and wouldn’t hinder him.
“Of Course sir” Excellion siad. “You have the Con”
“Thankyou” Prime said “report to your battle station, I’ll make the call presently” He said.
Excellion gave him a salute then quickly transformed and drove off as Optimus got on the PA, Rang the ship’s alert chimes several times, and announced: “General Quarters, General Quarters, All Hands man your stations. Wheeljack Head up DC, Downshift to Main Engineering, Ironhide to CIC, All reports to Optimus Prime on the Bridge at Earliest Convenience.”
They all quickly reported ‘ready’ by annunciator within about 10 seconds, meanwhile all other hands were prepping for the fight of their lives.
“Downshift. Any way you can get us more speed?” Prime asked over the intercom.
“How much do you need?” he asked.
“Any bit helps” Prime said as Hound reported “They’re getting close”
“I can do this!” Downshift said quickly as he dumped the waste plasma out the Drives.
This was quickly felt on the Nemesis.
“SLAGGING RUSTBLOTS!” Megatron screamed “GET ME A FIRING SOLUTION RIGHT THE SLAG NOW!”
“But sir! We’re out of range!” the vehicon at the firing station said
Megatron just blasted him and ordered “Starscream! Get me a Solution! Now!”
“Yes My Lord” Starscream said, and took the station. He overrode the firing computer and began entering a firing solution numerically. “Solution locked, my lord” He said
“FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!!!” Megatron said, pointing at the viewscreen as the Transwarp torpedoes shot from their launch tubes with a peculiar trajectory and spiral exhaust trail.
Mirage, at the Ark’s more meager station, noticed “Sir! Torpedoes in Space!!”
“Countermeasures at your discretion” Ironhide said, then noticed the peculiar path. “Prime! Its Starscream at the guns! We’re fragged” he radioed while the torpedoes seemed to just ignore the countermeasures Mirage had fired.
Prime saw on the monitor “Evasive patter-” He began but was thrown as the ship shook violently and the main alarms went off.
“Reports from DC and Engineering!” Sideswipe reported from Opps. “Shields down to 20%, Hull Integrity at 65%”
“Fire in Main Engineering!” Downshift reported “We’ve got to Evacuate!”
“Do it!” Prime said as he heard the main engineering line go dead.
“Secondary’s out of commission too, heading up what’s left from DC” Wheeljack reported.
“Understood!” Prime said. “Distance to Destination!”
“We’re there!” Hound said as they dropped out of Transwarp, the nemesis on their heels.
“All Defensive batteries Fire At Will!” Ironhide ordered as the Ark’s defensive turrets that had arc sent a stream of plasma bolts towards the Nemesis, intercepting most, but not all of the barrage of the Nemesis was sending at the heavily damaged Ark.
“Prime! Permission to deploy?” Silverbolt asked from the hangar bay
“Not yet! The seekers will tear you apart!” Prime ordered as he rushed over to Teletran 1, trying to activate something.
“Sir! Hull Integrity failing!” Reported Sideswipe
“Understood!” Prime replied
“Defensive batteries are almost gone!” Ironhide reported. “We can’t last much longer!”
“DC Evacuating!” Wheeljack reported.
Prime finished what he was doing at Teletran 1 which displayed ‘Terminal guidance ready.’
“Ironhide, Wheeljack, Downshift, Hound. if you can, Engage program Even-Star” He ordered
The bots addressed knew what he was ordering and what it meant. They all did so, Ironhide deploying what few offensive missiles they had, Downshift and Wheeljack rerouting all remaining power to the engines, and hound plotting a ballistic entry trajectory towards the rapidly approaching planet.
Just as they entered their commands the Nemesis bore down on them, ceasing their fire at the sight of the heavily damaged ark “Prime made it so far.. Just to die in sight of his… questionable objective. Starscream, have your seekers-” he began but was interrupted by Soundwave
“Lord Megatron, the Ark!” he said, megatron watched the ark begin to shed many panels and seem to eject its missiles into space.
“What is prim-no…NOOO!!! He shouldn’t ALL BACK FULL! ALL BACK FULL! FULL EVASIVE! FULL DEFENSIVE SCREENINGS!” He shouted as the deployed missiles suddenly turned and shot towards the Nemesis as the ARK made one final blast of its remaining engines, destroying the drive-cones of two of them.
The vehicons followed orders as quickly as they could, but not before the missiles entered blast range, and rocked the ship, doing serious damage and throwing a couple of the ready to deploy seekers out the launch bay and into the blasts.
“Two confirmed hits and all successful detonations! You’ve Done it Ironhide!” said Mirage excitedly.
“Thankyou” Ironhide said, getting up “Prime, our job’s done, we’re getting the Hell outta here!”
“Right with you Ironhide” Prime said and got on the PA system “ALL HANDS ABANDON SHIP. ALL HANDS ABANDON SHIP. It’s been an honor serving with you.” he said as his bridge crew left for their life-pods.
“Already!!??” said a very shaken medical assistant, Minerva.
“You know what to do” Ratchet told her. “We’ll see eachother again.” he added, running down the row of nearby lifepods, some with bots already in them, tossing in a special medpack of his design containing less stable, but more vital medical supplies.
“But, I’m still technically-” Minerva began, but ratchet just handed her a dozen of his packs, “Consider this a Promotion, We’ll make it proper if we survive this.” He said, and got into a lifepod himself. “Go! That’s an Order!” he said as his pod sealed him in.
Minerva’s legs carried her off before she could realize, half bumping into another crew member as she went. “Easy there!” Said Hardhead, a black and green bot with a large cannon over his shoulder.
“S-Sorry!” Minerva said and picked herself up, heading towards the deck one lifepods.
“Hand me one of those medpacks?” He said. “I’m in your group”
She tossed one silently towards him, and soon made it there.
All the deck one pods, meant for the bridge crew and nearby posts, were mostly full, except for one.
Minerva noticed and ran back to the bridge as the ship's bulkheads began to fall apart around her. “OPTIMUS!!” she called onto the burning and heavily damaged bridge.
“Minerva!?” he said “What are you!?”
“GET TO YOUR LIFEPOD!!!” she screamed, trying to make her way over, the planet looming forebodingly large in the front windows.
“I’ll Make it!” he said, entering some final commands “You get in yours!”
“NO! NOT WITHOUT YOU!” She yelled right by him, trying to pull him.
Optimus finished what he was doing “I’m Coming, I’m coming” he said far calmer than he had any right to be, Teletran 1 showing a final message of ‘Till All Are One’
“We…We cant loose you!” she said, starting to loose her composure
“I know I know, I’m not planning on dying” he said and lead her back to her lifepod “This for me?” he asked calmly, taking a med-pack as the plasma out the windows began to glow
She nodded as she got in.
“Thankyou” he said “I’ll return it soon”
“Wait, what?” she asked, caught off guard as he closed her in.
He just gave a wave as she saw him shoot down, as the lifepod ejected. She saw his pod positively eject with the rest, and did her best to believe he had made it in time.
All the pods ejected in groups and the launch bay doors blew away, showing a glowing forcefield barely holding the entry plasma back.
“You knew it would probably come to this, Ready to Spacejump aerial bots!” Silverbolt ordered as they all lined up next to the now missing doors. “Red Light, Standby!” Silverbolt said, hitting the annunciator and watching the remaining sensor readings, the leaks and fires on the ceiling and bulkheads, making the rest of the airealbots nervous.
No one said a word. Not even the usually chatty Alpha Bravo at the back.
Stratosphere, the largest there, couldn’t get over fearing he might not fit. He had volunteered to go last, but Alpha Bravo insisted.
“Green! Drop! Drop!DROP!” Silverbolt ordered and motioned them out, calling by name “Firefly!”
A red and white bot jumped out and quickly transformed, safely making entry mode
“Slingshot! Skydive!”
Two more, one white, the other black and gray. Both seemed to make entry attitude
“Breakaway! AirRazor! Powerglide!”
Three more, “And AwwWWAYY! We go!” added the last with a flip as he transformed and made entry.
“Windblade! Stratosphere! Alpha Bravo!” Silverbolt ordered
Windblade quickly and elegently made her exit, but Stratosphere froze at the size of the hole.
“What’s the holdup Soldier!” Silverbolt ordered.
“I’ve got one shot! I’ve…I’ve got to make it!” Stratosphere said
“Then we’ll help you make it!” Alpha bravo said and got “I’ll Follow. On my count, Got it big bot?” he asked.
Stratosphere paused, then nodded. “Got it…”
“One… Two… THREE!” they both counted and Statosphere jumped, barely making it
“ALONSYYY!!!” Alpha bravo shouted and gave a salute as he followed.
Silverbolt didn't understand, but returned the salute and made the jump himself, making it with a little difficulty.
As he joined formation with the rest of his aerial bots, he noticed the lifepods making odd trajectories, nothing to say of the Ark itself.
This was not lost on the decepticons, still on a close but out of range trajectory.
“He… he did it… That Son of a Glitch Did it…” Megatron said as he watched the ark and all its lifepods enter the atmosphere, making many streaks over one of the northern continents.
“Are we… are we detected at all?” Megatron asked, still in an aggressed awe at Prime’s stunt.
“Don’t think so. Wait!!! We’re being-” Starscream began, but their auditory and intra-com receptors were suddenly bombarded with a strong and cacophonous transmission in many languages they couldn’t understand
“JAM THAT AT ONCE!” Megatron ordered. It was quickly shut off and blocked “In the name of…What was that?” he asked
“Primative but powerful AM and FM transmissions from the surface. We seem to have been noticed” Soundwave reported.
“My Lord. WIth Respect” Skyquake said.
“What is it” Megagtron said, quite aggravated
“MIght i suggest we use a tactic that kept my ships alive during the early war? Back when it was more of a fair naval fight?” Skyquake suggested cautiously
“If you must, if you must” Megatron said, retiring to the bridge throne to think.
“Thank You my lord” Skyquake said “Engage silent running and use maneuvering thrusters only.” he ordered. “Put us on an intercept orbit for the L2 point behind the moon exactly. Avoid any possible artificial satellites or observation outpost.”
His crew snapped to far faster and ran the Nemesis quieter than it had in quite awhile.
“Hmmm…” Megatron thought, still looking at the entry trails on the main viewer. “They’ll be scattered….”
Starscream stood by at the ready, feeling some fortune out of their failed pursuit. “Perhaps, but 3 of my seekers could track them down in a few cycles” he said
“Indeed they may….” Megatron agreed “All accounted for?”
“All except 3” Starscream said, handing Megatron a pad.
“I see” megatron said, considering it. “Get your commissar up here” he ordered
“Hey Redwing. Wakeup. REDWING!” said Thundercracker as he somewhat less than gently tapped on the black cranium of Redwing.
Both were floating somewhat aimlessly as Redwing woke up “Huh. What!? What happened?” he asked, subconsciously over Intracom. Trying to speak in vacuum never sat well with him.
“Slaggers got us.” Thundercracker said, then looked back at the slowly retreating Nemesis. “Not hard… but they got us…”
“And knocked us overboard?” Redwing asked.
“Eh, some of us” Thundercracker said. “You, me, and Cloud Cover over there” he added, nodding towards the slowly spinning Conehead seeker staring mesmerized at Earth’s clouds.
“Mother of Solus…” Redwing said just palming his face.
“I know.” Thundercracker said “I’ve muted his channel for us. Won’t stop going on about the clouds down there.”
“Thanks…” Redwing said. “Think it's safe to head back?”
“Dunno. Was about to head back when-” he began, but another bot launched from the Nemesis in the distance, transformed, and made a couple burns, then steadily approached the 3 floating seekers.
“What’s Jetfire doing out here?” Redwing asked.
Even Cloudcover noticed and seemed to say something, then noticed he was muted and gesticulated sharply at them.
“Strange. I didn't know there were that many ways to pronounce ‘cloud’ “ noted Redwing.
Cloudcover made some very rude gestures at them. “Must be making a weather report” Thundercracker added.
Jetfire came over and transformed “Seekers. Orders from-...What’s going on here?” He asked, overriding Cloudcover’s channel mute. “-UST LET ME TALK, YOU SLAGGING FRAGS!”
Thundercracker and Redwing just chuckled to themselves, but then noticed the featureless silver mask Jetfire was wearing. “Language like that isn't very becoming.” Jetfire added very formally. “We have orders from Me-”
“So You’re the Watchman in the crew” Redwing said suddenly.
“Scrap…” Cloudcover suddenly said. “I owe Strike Zone 10 Shannix now”
“I see” Jetfire said “As I was saying Mega-”
“Figures the always goodie-two-boots like you would be the Watchman” Redwing remarked
“Probably not the only one” Thundercracker said.
“We are a small crew though” Redwing continued
“Perhaps, but still, we dont really know what happened to Commissar Shad-AGHHH!” Thundercracker started, but soon flinched at the Static Jetfire suddenly piped into their Com-loop.
“If I May Have Your Attention Brothers” Jetfire said in the very formal way Commissars tended to when enforcing Decepticon Doctrine. “We have Orders from our Lord and Master Megatron Directly.”
“We’re listening now.” Thundercracker said, moving forward and taking position as the Senior Officer present.
“Very Well” Jetfire said “As you have seen, our quarry has evaded us and sacrificed their own ship to get to the primitive planet behind us. Megatron has ordered us to adjust our orbit and initiate an atmospheric entry on our own. Once in atmosphere we will initiate standard small party-full planet search procedures and report back to the Nemesis once per local solar cycle. The nemesis will be on standby at the Lagrange 2 point for the present, but our Lord has not made his full plans known to me yet. Any questions?”
All 3 other seekers just stared and blinked for a moment at him.
“Very well” Jetfire said “Transform and Follow me” he said right before transforming and jetting off at an odd angle.
The 3 other seekers looked at each other a moment, then did the same. They couldn’t really refuse if they wanted to.
The Life Pod’s proximity alarm was going off loudly in Hardhead’s ear. He hit the button to silence it “Status…” he groaned, the landing hadn’t been a smooth one and he had used more of Ratchet’s ‘special medicine’ than he really should’ve.
“Multiple unknown contacts both organic and mechanical.” a computer voice answered.
“Any Autobot signals?” he asked
“None nearby. Receiving 4 encrypted distress beacons in range” The computer answered.
“I see. Any Decepticon signals?” He asked
“None” the computer answered.
“Alright. Open pod” he commanded and slowly got up.
He was quickly blinded by several spotlights on his crater.
Once his optics cleared, he could see a couple dozen small but armed soldiers backed up by armed and armored vehicles. All guns pointed right at him.
“Computer delete core” he said quickly.
As he did so, the small solders said something unintelligible in their native language and aimed intently at him.
Hardhead kept his optics on all their weapons. None could kill him, or so he guessed, but some of the larger ones on the vehicles looked like they might hurt quite a bit.
He slowly raised his arms, back of his arms facing the soldiers, and hands open. The ‘I surrender’ gesture he was accustomed too, and slowly said “My Name is Hard Head. I mean you no harm.”
Unfortunately, none of the soldiers surrounding him understood him. All they heard was something that sounded something like slightly vocoded Japanese.
“I’m Going to get out of my pod now” Hardhead said, still unintelligible to the soldiers, and began to lean forward a bit to get up. Just enough for them to see that the big piece of equipment over his right shoulder was a massive gun.
Before he could react, one of the armored vehicles fired its gun, nailing him in the chest.
“Scrap that smarts…” He said more to himself than anyone as he grasped at the charred depression in his chest. It wasn’t bad, but between that and the meds he took, he began to pass out. The last thing he remembered seeing were some very confused and scared faces looking right into his optics as they faded out.