Henry 11111 or The Making of Optimus Prime

[Grand Moff Muffin]

Prologue: Orion Pax, once he had been given the Creation Matrix and transformed into Optimus Prime, flew out alone to the front line. His arrival on the scene made Prowl deeply unhappy. The Decepticons were about to break through and overwhelm the entrenched Autobot armies. He had deployed the Autobots to best possible effect, but they were outnumbered five to one, and victory was impossible. The last thing Prowl wanted was the new Matrix-bearer getting himself involved in a losing battle on his first day on the job. At worst, he could be captured and held hostage by Megatron. At best, his reputation would be ruined before he even had one. But it was too late to get rid of him, as his arrival had been noticed by the troops. Prime reassured him that he wasn’t planning to get in the way. Prowl could carry on making the decisions – all he planned to do himself was a little bit of leading.

BLUESTREAK: “Oh, how I wish we had ten thousand of the Autobots now stationed in Iacon, who do nothing useful today.”

OPTIMUS PRIME: “Who said that? My comrade Bluestreak? No, my good friend: if we are destined to die here today, there are enough of us to be missed by our allies; and if we are destined to live, then the fewer Autobots present, the greater our share of honour. By Primus, I beg of you, don’t wish for one more Autobot by our side.”

[RAISES VOICE SO ALL MAY HEAR]

“By the Matrix, I care not for fine bodywork, or grand circuit-palaces. I do not covet excess Energon stores or envy those with a greater knowledge of the universe than mine. But if it is wrong to seek to increase one’s own honour, I am the worst offender that lives. No, friend, wish not one more comrade here from Iacon: by the Celestial Spires, I would not lose so great an honour as one Autobot more would share with me. For the best hope I have, oh, do not wish one more! Rather, proclaim it, Bluestreak, through the ranks, that he who has not the fuel-pump for this fight, let him depart; his passport shall be validated, and fuel for the journey put into his tank: we would not die in that Autobot’s company that fears his fellowship to die with us.

"I heard my friend Red Alert here say earlier that today was the anniversary of the founding of his home settlement, Soloros, whose name is by most forgotten as it has long been subsumed into Iacon. But I tell you, whoever survives this day and comes safely home will stand to his full height when that suburb is named, and rouse himself at the name of Soloros. He that lives out this day and has long life will each year on the preceding night entertain his neighbours, and say, ‘Tomorrow is the anniversary of the founding of Soloros.’ Then he will remove his outer armour and show his circuit scars, and say, ‘These wounds I received on Soloros’ Day.’

“Old robots forget: yet though all else be forgotten, he’ll remember well what feats he did that day: then shall our names, familiar to his vocaliser, Optimus the Matrix-bearer, Prowl and Jazz, Hound and Mirage, Red Alert and Trailbreaker, be in their speech freshly remembered. This story shall the good veteran teach his apprentice; and the anniversary of Soloros shall never go by, from this day to the end of the world, but we in it shall be remembered. We few, we lucky few, we brethren; for he that today spills oil with me shall be my kindred; however lowly his station, today will earn him honours equal to mine: and Autobots in Iacon now at rest shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and consider their deeds little enough while any Autobot speaks, who fought with us on Soloros’ Day.”

BUMBLEBEE: “Commander, make haste. The Decepticons are in formation and will advance on us momentarily.”

OPTIMUS PRIME: “We are prepared if our minds are prepared.”

BLUESTREAK: “To the Pit with any Autobot whose mind is backward now!”

OPTIMUS PRIME: “You don’t wish for reinforcements from Iacon, my friend?”

BLUEATREAK: “If Primus willed it, you and I alone, without more help, could fight this battle!”

OPTIMUS PRIME: “Why, now you have un-wished five thousand Autobots, which I prefer to your wishing us one. You know your places: Primus be with you all!”

Epilogue: The Decepticons knew they had the Autobots outgunned and out-manoeuvred, and the Autobots knew it too. But Prime’s words made the Autobots disbelieve it, and when they rose up as one with a roar of defiance, and charged the Decepticons first, those Decepticons in the front line were stricken by doubt, and they hesitated. Word spread backwards through the column that what they knew was now wrong. The Autobots’ confidence caused the Decepticon resolve to falter, and the front lines turned their backs in retreat. It became a rout, with the Autobots finding they faced not guns, but backs. The result was the worst Decepticon defeat in the war to date, not due to numbers, or firepower, or strategy, or even courage, since that was sorely lacking before Optimus began his address. No, the battle was won by a speech.

Bluestreak performed so well in the battle that Optimus called for him and his partner Fusion to undertake a special mission…

THE END

[Cullen]

Very nice Martin!

[Mark_Stevenson]

Hehe, that's fun.

Mx

[Grand Moff Muffin]

Thanks, guys!

Martin

[Andy Turnbull]

Sorry I missed this when it went up. Very enjoyable indeed.

Andy

[legios]

I likewise seem to have allowed this to slip beneath my radar. Most remiss of me. Now that it has been brought to my attention I am quite miffed I didn't catch it when you posted it Martin.

It is good stuff indeed. Interesting to see how easily Shakespearian pastiche fits into Prime's character. (For some reason I could hear most of the dialogue in a voice rather like a modulated Kenneth Branagh). Most enjoyable Martin.

Karl

[Grand Moff Muffin]

I'm trying to think of a TF scenario that would suit the 'honourable man' speech from Julius Caesar.



I see it as following the assassination of the Decepticon Leader (Caesar) by a usurper (Brutus) who claims to be acting in the Decepticons' best interests, with the speech being given by one (Mark Antony) loyal to the fallen leader, who turns the tide of opinion against the usurper. Any suggestions on where to place it among events in the comic universe?

Martin

[blueshift]

Well I guess the obvious would be Shockwave, either in early comics when he deposes Megatron, or the later Marvel issues where he blows up Scorponok's base

[legios]

The incident that occured to me was Starscream's ursupation following the Battle of Autobot City, and his throwing Megatron out of Astrotrain.

The problem is that I have a hard time thinking who might be a suitable candidate for the "loyal man" to actually give the speech. Decepticons not being particularly known for their deep and abiding commitment to each other - more for their deep and abiding committment to personal gain.

Karl

[Grand Moff Muffin]

May 12, 2009 12:00:28 GMT legios said:

The incident that occured to me was Starscream's ursupation following the Battle of Autobot City, and his throwing Megatron out of Astrotrain.

The problem is that I have a hard time thinking who might be a suitable candidate for the "loyal man" to actually give the speech. Decepticons not being particularly known for their deep and abiding commitment to each other - more for their deep and abiding committment to personal gain.

Ah, but did Mark Antony give the speech because he truly loved Caesar, or because he knew it would whip up the crowd to follow _him_ rather than the assassins? It was a cleverly calculated manipulation of the people for personal gain, dressed up as praise for the dead.

Martin

[legios]

Fair point. Viewed that way it does put a different perspective on things. What you are looking for is a situation with operating room for someone a bit canny and manipulative then.

Hmmm. Some thought is required.

Karl

[charlesrocketboy]

Soundwave would seem the most logical there.