Rating: PG
Disclaimer:All of the materials borrowed from The Transformers and Beast Wars: Transformers belong to Hasbro, Marvel comics, Dreamwave comics, Sunbow Productions, Mainframe Entertainment and to the entities and companies associated with their creation. I have borrowed them for creative and entertainment purposes only. No compensation has been or ever shall be received for the writing below. No copyright infringement is intended.
Distribution: Wolf Tales: http://www.elfie.org/~wolfkin/wolftales/index.html
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Feedback: Yes, please. Any type you wanna send. Can't fix what I don't know is broken, right?
Spoilers: Story is set about a year before the events in Transformers The Movie and has references to the end of first season of Beast Wars
Author's Notes: The character of Wolfkin was one I used in an online MUSH a few years back, so yeah, he's me as a Maximal to a pretty big extent. Just a word of warning ;)
Summary: Perceptor discovers a Cybertronian lifeform in the wilds of Africa, but is it friend or foe?
"Beautiful," murmured Kup, watching as the sunlight sparkled off the top-most towers of Autobot City. Looking around, the old Autobot realized there were no clouds visible and the sky was a brilliant, clear blue. Of all the planets he'd been on in his long, long life, none had quite that same shade of blue as Earth on a cloudless day, and Kup just took it in for a while.
It had been several weeks since the 'Cons had caused any trouble for the Earth Autobots, and Kup had absolutely no problem with that. He'd seen quite enough fighting for a while and was looking forward to just relaxing for a few days. Autobot City was running like a top, scouting patrols had produced no signs of Decepticreeps and Optimus had taken the Dinobots with him back to Cybertron.
Kup grinned as he thought of Grimlock and the others constant pleading, "Tell story, Kup! We wanna hear story!". As much as he groused about it, he enjoyed telling the Dinobots about his long life, but even he eventually got tired of telling stories. Not the Dinos. With them, it was always, "Just one more story, Kup, just one?" Finally, after nearly four straight days, Optimus had asked Grimlock to bring his team to Cybertron. Prime had told him that they'd been having trouble with Decepticons trying to find their bases, and the Dinobots were needed to provide security. With the thought of stomping on some of the enemy, Grimlock had happily lead the rest of the Dinos onto Prime's shuttle.
Movement caught Kup's optics. Looking down, he saw Hot Rod and young Daniel walking out of the lower hangar bay. Daniel tossed his hoverboard to the ground and jumped on while Hot Rod transformed, then both tore out of the city, heading for the nearby human city of Amosville. [Daniel probably wanted to go to the mall], thought Kup. Personally, he didn't see what the big deal was, this human need to "shop", but Arcee said she did.
Shaking his head, Kup stood up. He remembered he'd seen a perfect place to install some barricades and fortifications on the road leading to Lookout Mountain, and he wanted to scout it one last time before asking Grapple to design something. Turning, he started walking to the nearest bank of lift tubes.
"Ultra Magnus to Kup"
Stopping, Kup glanced down at his waist and pulled his communicator off his side. "Kup here."
Magnus' voice sounded a little tinny when he responded. [Gotta get this thing fixed], mused Kup. "Report to the repair bay, please. Magnus out."
"Huh," grunted the old warrior. Reattaching his communicator, Kup continued on the lift tubes, but instead of heading for ground level, he barked, "Repair bay".
* * *
When Kup entered the repair bay, First Aid nudged Perceptor to get his attention. Looking up, the Autobot scientist nodded, then carefully stored his work. Turning and standing, he then turned his attention to Kup.
Kup stopped and looked around, scowling. "Where's Magnus? He said he wanted to see me."
"Actually," Perceptor said, drawing Kup's scowl toward him, "I wanted to see you. I contacted Ultra Magnus to see if you were on a mission, and if not, if he would ask you to step down here."
"Fine," sighed Kup. "I'm here. What do you want?"
First Aid looked up at Kup's tone, then decided to let Perceptor handle it. Except that, Perceptor, in his usual manner, had apparently missed the undercurrent in Kup's voice. The Protectobot sighed. [Perceptor can be so dense at times], he thought.
"I was wondering if you would take First Aid here and check out some strange readings I'm picking up in central Africa. Using the Earth's current satellite system to bounce my probes to the correct area, I have found an anomalous reading that could be..."
"Perceptor, get to the point!", snapped Kup. To Kup, Perceptor was a good scientist and a decent warrior, but, by Primus, could he be wordy!
"Eh... Of course" the scientist said, with a pained expression. "I believe I've detected Cybertronian life reading in central Africa. It is currently dormant, but I think the spark is still active."
Kup glared balefully at Perceptor. "So, you want me, and First Aid here, to fly halfway 'round the world and see if there's a Cybertronian trapped in stasis. If there is, I guess you want the doc here to patch him up or bring him back here and fix him. Or if it's a Decepticon, leave him in stasis, but bring him back, is that right?"
"Well, yes, to put it simply.", he said, sheepishly.
"Well, why the slag didn't you just say so!" Kup exploded. "Instead of going on and..." sighing, Kup looked down, paused and resumed. "Never mind. Come on, Doc. Upload the proper coordinates to skimmer 17 and tell Magnus where we're going, will you Perceptor?" Without waiting for a reply, he left the Repair bay, First Aid in tow.
Punching a few buttons, then typing a command or two, Perceptor did as he was asked, then returned his attention to his interrupted experiment.
* * *
Skimming low over the savanna, Kup looked out over the open land and thought that it had a rare beauty. Wide grasslands occasionally broken by a small hill or a few trees, dotted here and there by large animals. Kup knew he could get First Aid to tell him the names of the animals, but it just wasn't worth interrupting his mood.
Glancing down at the board in front of him, Kup pressed the button to cut off the alarm on the lifeform scanner just before it went off. Smirking slightly, Kup turned toward First Aid and pointed toward a low hillside to port.
"Yep, that's where he is. Just in case, set us down here, ok?" First Aid said.
Nodding, Kup pointed the skimmer at the ground and, flaring the nose, sat the small craft down. Securing the skimmer, Kup stood and started for the hatch, First Aid right behind him. As soon as the two Autobots touched the ground, they transformed to vehicle mode, Kup a small Cybertronian truck and First Aid a boxy ambulance, and drove the last klick or so to the small hillside.
"Well," Kup said as they stopped, "Are you picking anything up?"
First Aid scanned the hill for a second time before answering. "Yeah, I think so." Pausing to change to robot mode, First Aid continued with, "Can you blast some of that rock there out of the way?"
"Here?" Kup turned on his headlights and aimed them at a particular spot on the rock-face. At the Protectobot's nod, he transformed, pulled his gun from it's leg compartment and opened fire.
"Careful... A little deeper... a bit to the left... Stop! Here, let me take a look."
Kup eased back so First Aid could look into the hole. "Well?"
"Hang on a minute... Yeah, there's a small cave in here." Producing a small scanner, First Aid pointed it at the depression and then checked the readings. [What the?] he thought. Scanning again, he rechecked the readings. "There's definitely a Cybertronian lifeform in there, but I'm also reading a mummified carbon form as well. The Cybertronian is in stasis lock. Hang back a nano, will you, Kup?" the medic asked, kneeling. "I'm going to try to see if I can spot our mystery bot."
Leaning down, then finally laying on the ground, First Aid shifted his optical input from visible light to infrared and peered into the cave. [I see the Terran lifeform, but where's the Cybertronian?] he wondered. Scooting forward, he reached into the cavern and discovered he could just touch the desiccated animal. Hoping it wouldn't disintegrate, he grabbed both front legs and slowly drew the corpse out. Once he had the animal out of the cave and in the light, he shifted his sight back to vis-light.
Removing his medi-scanner from his waist again, First Aid scanned the corpse, intending to sample the reading this time, then lock it out so the Cybertronian reading would stand out. [Damn thing must be broken], he thought. The scanner insisted that the corpse in front of him, undeniably a Terran lifeform, was the source of the Cybertronian life signs he and Perceptor had been getting. Smacking the device sharply against his palm, the medic tried another scan, with the same results.
Kup, meanwhile, had watched all this with first boredom, then puzzlement. He didn't understand what was so interesting about an animal that had obviously died so long ago. "Well? Are we going to try to find that robot or not?"
First Aid looked up from his scanner and said, "You're not going to believe this, but this... 'animal' is our robot."
Kup just looked at the medic for a moment, then sighed. "First Aid, I like a joke as much as the next Autobot, but we got work to do. If you want to study fossils, fine. But do it back at Autobot City, Ok? Let's just find that robot and go home." he replied, walking back toward the cave.
"I'm telling you, this is our robot. I don't know how or why, but this animal is a Cybertronian. What's more, as near as I can tell, he's been in stasis lock for approximately three and a half million years." With that, the Protectobot knelt and started examining the body more closely.
The first thing he noticed was the damage done to the skin. It looked like it had been done while the animal was still alive and strangely, it didn't look like bone beneath the flesh. [It looks like metal]! First Aid thought incredulously. Probing closer, he confirmed that is was, indeed, metal, Cybertronian metal.
[Well, ok], First Aid mused. Transforming, he said, "Kup, load him up. I need the med bay in the skimmer to tell if this guy is an Autobot or Decepticon."
"Well, if you're sure," Kup replied, loading the body into the rear of the ambulance bay. He then transformed to truck mode and joined First Aid in heading back to the skimmer. When they arrived, Kup returned to robot mode while First Aid parked in front of the vehicle. As soon as Kup removed the mystery robot from inside First aid, the medic switched to robot mode, took the body from Kup, and started for the med bay, while Kup returned to the flight deck.
Entering the repair ward, the medic placed the body on the gurney, activated all the room's scanners and sensors, and began looking for a way to access the robot's memory core. Since an Autobot's auxiliary computer access port was found in the head, the doctor started his exam there. After he cut through the cranial skin, First Aid found a cover plate, beneath which was a port that looked like the one he was after, though the connector was unlike any he'd seen before. After a few minutes of searching, he found a cable that would work and patched it into both his patient and the computer.
The medic then glanced up and said, "Computer, access robot's memory core. Identify planet of origin and affiliation, if any."
"Working." After a few whirring sounds, the computer reported, "Robot's planet of origin is unknown. Unit did not know name of planet where unit came on-line. Affiliation identified as Maximal."
"Maximal? What in Primus' name is a Maximal?"
The computer paused a second, then said, "Unknown. This designation is not in memory as a sub-group for either Autobots or Decepticons. Shall I continue search for references to term Maximal?"
First Aid thought a moment, then replied, "Not right now. Continue search for name when this skimmer has returned to Autobot City."
"Confirmed."
"Why can't you identify robot's planet of origin? It's exo-structure scans as Cybertronian metal alloy."
"Unit's data-tracks are formatted differently than an Autobot's. I am having trouble accessing them."
First Aid nodded understanding. "Scan robot's self diagnostic circuitry. Is it currently functioning? And if so, what does it indicate?"
"Working." The ship's computer began humming to itself. "Robot's self diagnostic circuits functioning at minimum power levels. Suggest infusion of fresh Energon to restore robot to operational status. Further suggest infusion should be no more than 10 astrolitres per minute."
"That's pretty slow."
"Affirmative."
First Aid shot an annoyed look at the nearest terminal. "That was a rhetorical statement, computer. If power feed begins in 2 minutes, best estimate of time for completion of robot's recharge?"
"Working. Based on capacity of unit's power storage systems, estimating 30-45 minutes until recharge is complete."
First Aid suddenly turned back to the computer's main interface with a perplexed look. "Why such a wide estimate, computer? Why can't you lock it down a little better?"
"Unit has a self-repair system. I am currently unable to determine how quickly this function will reinitialize and begin to draw power. Once this function comes on-line, I will be able to gauge it's power usage and give a closer estimate."
"Alright. Where does the unit's diagnostic circuitry indicate I should patch in to begin power feed? And is there an appropriate cable on board this ship?"
Once told where to patch in and being assured that there was an acceptable cable on board, the medical Autobot hooked his patient up and began the Energon transfusion right on schedule.
[Might as well see what I can fix while I wait], he thought.
* * *
Pain.
Memories of pain.
Memories of being shot. Memories of rocks falling. Memories of suffocating. Memories of... a name?
More power flooding reawakening circuitry. Suddenly, more memories. Of being ambushed. Of trying to call for help, but all frequencies being jammed. Of Inferno. Inferno? Who or what is Inferno? Is that me?
More power. Inferno. No, not me. Predacon. I'm a Maximal. I'm... Who am I? I remember running with many animals who looked like me. What are they? What did...Tigatron... Yes, what did Tigatron call them? Oh. Right. He said they were called wolves.
More power. Repair systems beginning to repair the flesh of my beast mode. I remember my name suddenly. Wolfkin! Yes, that's right. I'm called Wolfkin. My primary data tracks are coming back on-line, now. I'm remembering pretty much everything. I try to open my eyes. I want to see if I'm back at the Axalon or if I've been captured, but I can't get them to work. My beast form eyes must have been damaged. Oh well. That's easy enough for the CR chamber to fix. Do I have enough power now to transform? Not quite. Another milli-cycle or so and then I can find out what's going on.
More power. Now I can transform and see where I am. On the other hand, since I don't know where I am, maybe I should wait a bit until I have enough power to fight. From what I can tell, another few cycles and I'll be fully recharged, just in case. I can wait. It's probably better that I do. Right now, I have just about enough power to get my back to a wall before stasis-lock. If I wait, I can fight my way out, if need be.
By the Matrix, that hurts! My flesh is regenerating. Did I rot, or something? It shouldn't hurt this much! I'm glad I waited now. If I'd been trying to escape when this hit, I wouldn't have gotten far.
What was that? Is my hearing returning? Yes. I can hear voices. Two, I think. Yes. Yes. Two voices, but what are they saying? Language is funny. Accessing memory files. There, that's the one I want. It's an Earth language. English, I think they called it. Downloading specifics into language centers.
"Subject robot's outer flesh covering is regenerating at a remarkable rate. Estimate less than 72 hours until full regeneration of outer layer."
What's an hour? How many cycles? Accessing Terran files. Oh, I see. About 5 cycles, and I should be mobile again. It'll be good to move again. I wonder how long I've been in stasis-lo... AAAAHHHHHHH!! The light!!
By Primus, that's bright! Hurts! Bright? My eyes are beginning to work again? Yes, they are. Well, partially, anyway. They don't seem to be generating any moisture. Feels like they're full of sand. Huh. They probably are full of sand, or very small stone chips. I'm sure I need water, but can I get some from my captor?
"Subject robot has begun moving and blinking eyes in a manner that indicates optical functions are coming on-line. Based on subject robot's outer flesh covering, he may have a similar need for fluids as an fully organic lifeform. This may also mean higher brain functions are returning." I hear a sound of footsteps, coming closer. "Can you hear me? Can you understand what I'm saying? If your speech functions are still out, nod your head."
Do I answer him? I still don't know where I am. Have I been captured? If so, by who? Not Predacons. Megatron would never have me repaired, just recycled. He's right about me needing water, so I guess I better answer. I nod.
A sigh. "Good. Do you feel well enough to transform? I can't finish repairing you through your flesh layer. At least, not without removing it. I figure that would be incredibly painful, so I'd like to avoid it if I can. Oh, my name's First Aid. I'm a doctor."
First Aid? That's no Maximal I've ever heard of. Do I trust him? Hmm... Self-diagnostic indicates I have more damage than I thought, though it looks like this... what did he call himself? Oh, right. This... First Aid... has been doing some repairs to me. Of course, he could be fixing me just enough to be able to try to reprogram me into a Pred. Just to be safe, I think I better get away from him and contact the Axalon, if I can. Best estimate for letting my own repair circuits handle it is three days, minimum, assuming I find water quickly, so I should get out of here and hole up. At least, for a day or two. Do I have enough power to fight if this First Aid attacks? Yes, for a couple millicycles anyway. Then escape.
Very well, then, no more delays. "..."
Nothing. I didn't say a word! What's going on? Checking diagnostics, again. Ah. I see it, now. My larynx hasn't been regenerated yet. Ok, then, switching to voice modulator and try it again.
"Wolfkin; Maximize!"
* * *
First Aid looked down at his patient. For a moment, it had looked like he was waking up, but now the medic wasn't so sure. He'd seen the robot start blinking his eyes, and then nod when he'd been asked if he could understand.
"What?" First Aid was sure he'd heard a sound coming from the body in front of him. Looking closer, he saw that the robot was trying to move it's beast form mouth.
Suddenly, he heard a muffled, "Wolfkin; Maximize!". Leaping back, he saw his patient try to jump up from the examining table and start transforming. As the stranger hit the floor, First Aid started forward to assist him in standing. The first thing the doctor noticed was that the stranger would stand only about as tall an average human. The second thing he saw was the symbol riding high on the left side of his patient's chestplate. It was very feral appearing and seemed to be engraved.
Suddenly snapping out of his reverie, the medic caught the furtive looks the stranger cast at the room's door. As the robot staggered to his feet, First Aid opened his hands and spread his arms to show he was not concealing any weapons. "Easy there. Like I said, my name's First Aid and I'm a doctor. I'm trying to repair you, nothing more, I promise." First Aid told him, taking a half step forward.
The stranger took a half step back, right into the wall. His optics widen for a second, then narrowed. "What side are you on? I don't know you and I don't know how long I was buried."
[What?] First Aid thought. [My Autobot symbol is plainly visible. Why wouldn't he recognize at least that?] "I'm an Autobot. Well, a Protectobot, really, but we are all on the same side, you know." the medic replied, trying his best to seem harmless.
"Nice try," the stranger scoffed, "but everyone knows there haven't been any Autobots for 300 solar cycles. Let's just save time." he said. Suddenly reaching back over his left shoulder, the stranger produced a wicked looking crossbow. "Tell Megajerk to trot on out here so I can tell him to slag off to his face."
Since his lower face was covered by a plate, First Aid did his best to convey a harmless smile. "That's going to be difficult. As far as I know, Megatron is on Cybertron. In fact, barring a spy I wasn't told about, there aren't any Decepticons in the Earth system right now, so I'm afraid you're stuck with me." The medic opened his hands again and shrugged. "Now, then, who are you and what side are you on? I don't recognize that symbol on your chest. Are you a Cybertronian?"
"Of course I'm a Cybertronian!" he snapped. "And who's talking about Decepticons? They're all gone! Well, except for a couple that signed on with the Preds."
First Aid knelt down. He himself wasn't the biggest of the Autobots. Far from it. He was still nearly twice the size of his patient, though. "I'm a Cybertronian as well, though I did come on-line here on Earth. Easy now!" the medical robot reached out to steady the reeling robot. "By the way, I've told you my name. What's yours?"
Wolfkin looked at the larger robot for another moment. There was no denying that it was an Autobot symbol on his right shoulder, but that by itself could be a trick. This First Aid's demeanor, though, that was harder to ignore. He genuinely seemed to mean no harm. Then the Maximal remembered something the other robot said. Looking up, he said, "My name is Wolfkin. What did you mean by that 'here on Earth' remark? And if we're on Earth, why did you bring me here to revive me?"
"I said that because we are on Earth. And the farthest I moved you was about 2 kilometres, from a small cave you were entombed into my med bay here. Why? Didn't you know you were on Earth before you went into stasis lock?"
Wolfkin shook his head in disbelief. Earth. The Axalon had crashed on Earth. He looked back at the Autobot, but before he could say anything, he shook violently and sank to his knees. Then he heard his internal computer announce, "Warning. Power levels at critical. Emergency stasis lock in 5 millicycles."
Leveling his eyes on First Aid, Wolfkin said, "I need to know one thing. Depending on that, I might start believing you." Seeing the other robot nod, he continued. "When am I? What stellar cycle?"
Without hesitation, First Aid replied. "As the humans measure time, it's the year 2004. As near as I can tell from the carbon dating readings I took from your organic layer, I'd say you were off-line between three and three and a half million years."
To Be Continued...
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