Post by grahamthomson on May 23, 2011 9:23:24 GMT
The Transformers in
HOLD TIGHT, IACON!
By Graham Thomson
HOLD TIGHT, IACON!
By Graham Thomson
Note: You can catch up on previous chapters here: bit.ly/iacon This story will be serialised online over the coming weeks and collected in a printed edition afterwards
Chapter 4: IN SPACE (Part 1)
Iacon’s Great Dome glowed on the horizon, the beacon for Cybertron’s refugees and the grand prize for the Decepticons.
“It’s hardly a challenge now,” Skywarp said to Browning, the wind shrieking around both his ballistic aerial form and his payload-passenger. “Now that the Deck’s been destroyed.”
The black Decepticon raider maintained his course, slipping through the night sky. Browning, in weapon mode, maintained his grip on Skywarp’s fuselage, trusting his very being to the navigation systems of his partner. Both Decepticons were flying blind as even at this altitude, the thick smoke rising up from the surface attacks blocked the stars.
“We still have the challenge of following the parallel of the tunnel,” Browning replied.
“You worry too much. Anyway, I have complete faith in our man on the inside.”
* * *
The mouth of Xaaron’s Tunnel, as it had now become known, yawned wide. It was clean, welcoming. The blast doors slid open and shut smoothly and quietly as the technicians tested and retested. Every surface dazzled like a silver smile.
Emir Xaaron and Trailbreaker stood admiring the new doors, each nodding.
“It goes well, Councillor,” Trailbreaker said quietly. “Right on schedule, in fact. If we are to assume that Iacon would fall to the Decepticons only after this tunnel of yours is finished.”
Xaaron looked up at Trailbreaker. His silver mask caught the light, its grill mouth harkening back to the time of the gladiators. “The very reason we proceed with all speed,” he said. “As you well know.”
“But the Deck was destroyed.”
“Blaster is now in Iacon,” Xaaron countered before dipping his head.
Trailbreaker rubbed his chin. “Something on your mind?”
Xaaron stepped into the mouth of the tunnel. “I would like you to be my personal body guard.”
“Is this a way to keep me from siding with Optimus Prime?”
“If either one of us thought for a moment that you didn’t have doubts about being in the field, then we wouldn’t be surprised to not have you here.”
Trailbreaker hated the way politicians spoke in lyrics and lies. “Yes, then,” he said. “I would be honoured to be your personal guard.”
Xaaron smiled, though of course no one would have known. “Good. I am sure I would have need of your forcefield capabilities.”
Trailbreaker shrugged.
“So, how is the new digger?” Xaaron changed the subject. “Landmine?”
“An excellent worker,” said Trailbreaker. “Though I have to say that he does let his imagination get the better of him.”
* * *
Landmine could still feel his entire body juddering as he returned to robot mode. The echoes of his drilling continued to shake the tunnel before eventually subsiding. He lifted his hand to his brow. “Zero-time!” he smiled to himself. He brushed himself down, his uncoloured armour thick with grime. Why bother with a paint job in this line of work? he thought.
He rested his hands on his hips and admired his handiwork. He’d dug ten more metres than planned. He felt pleased with himself. It meant all the more debris for Landfill and Scoop to take away, but what did he care.
Landmine began his long walk back up the tunnel and back into Iacon.
* * *
Thundercracker flew wingtip to wingtip with his brother. “I really don’t think I’m ready for this!” he said. “And neither is Treadshot.”
Underneath Thundercracker’s sleek airframe a weapon-mode Treadshot gripped tightly. “Copy that! I’d quite like not to die at Mach 2. Or at any velocity exceeding the speed of sound, really.”
“Relax,” said Skywarp. “All of you. I’ve done this hundreds of times.”
“Yes, but we haven’t,” said Thundercracker. “And why am I doing this test? Why not Starscream?”
“Hah! You’re joking, right?”
“How far until Iacon?”
“Not long.”
* * *
Scoop, Landfill and Quickmix had gathered at the mouth of the tunnel. At first slowly plodding, but then snapping to attention upon the sight of Xaaron and Trailbreaker.
“Namistai,” they said in unison.
“At ease,” said Xaaron. “We were just admiring your work. You’re doing an excellent job.”
“Thank you, sire,” said Scoop. “Of course we can’t take all the credit.”
“Yes,” said Xaaron, pressing his palms together. “I’ve been hearing good things about Landmine. How are you getting on with him?”
The three miners shifted on their feet.
“Pretty good,” said Landfill.
“Little weird,” admitted Quickmix.
“Comes out with a lot of wild notions,” said Scoop as he circled his finger around his audio sensor. “I guess it’s lonely down there for him, so fantasising keeps him company.”
“Well, I don’t see the harm,” said Trailbreaker. “He’s not hurting anyone.”
“Guess not, sir,” Scoop replied.
* * *
“Get ready!” Skywarp shouted. “Behind me, like we practised.”
Thundercracker eased his throttle and banked right, positioning himself directly behind Skywarp.
“On my mark, cut thrusters completely and count to five before we all transform.”
* * *
As Landmine continued his walk along the tunnel he would stop every so often, duck down, then swing his arms or kick the air. He shadow-boxed as he walked, punching the air in front of him then reeling back from an imagined blow. His feet scuffed the floor. His steps were light and nimble.
And then the ground shook. The walls and ceiling shook, too. Landmine looked from side to side and wondering just what was going on.
* * *
The four Decepticons entered the tunnel in a flash of amethyst light, arms and legs stretched as if diving for cover. They slid and spun across the floor, limbs flailing. Sparks flew from the sharp corners of their armour as they went.
Treadshot dug a heel into the floor. “Oh Primus! A tunnel! A light at the end of it! We died, didn’t we?”
“We made it!” Skywarp said, trying not to sound too surprised.
Thundercracker rose to his full height and glanced around. “No alarms,” he said.
“There won’t be,” Browning said. “Tunnel’s too new. Hence this being the perfect way to make an entrance.”
“I’m really not enjoying the enclosed space,” said Treadshot. “I say we tag this test a success and get going before we’re spotted.”
Further up, Landmine crouched down, keeping his back as close to the tunnel wall as he could. As soon as he’d heard the commotion of the Decepticon’s arrival he had dashed back down, fearing that his overzealous drilling had compromised the structure. He froze when he saw the four figures. “Decepticons!” he whispered.
To be continued!
