How the Mighty Have Fallen
by
Phantom
Continuity note: this takes place after "The Return of Optimus
Prime". The Decepticons have discovered that Unicron had
taken Megatron's mind and imput it into Galvatron's body, but
he left Megatron's old body to float in space. The Decepticons
successfully managed to replace Megatron/Galvatron's persona into
his original body, where he quickly returned to his old self.
Once out of Galvatron's body, Unicron's alterations, including
the subsequent madness, were eliminated. However, Galvatron's
unstable nature had taken its toll, and the Decepticons slowly
lost ground to the Autobots. The Autobot funeral barge was discovered
to have survived its crash, and many bodies were recovered and
brought back to life, using Optimus Prime's expertise with the
Matrix. The Decepticons continue to battle on both Cybertron
and Earth.
Chapter One
Optimus Prime sighed in relief as the door to his office slid
shut with an audible click. He was eager to relax and forget
about the mounds of paperwork that still lay piled atop his desk.
Leading the Autobots required many split-second decisions and
improvisations, but much of his duties required lengthy paperwork.
Fortunately, he thought to himself, he could come in early tomorrow
and finish up. He had worked overtime for the last three days,
and he was ready to take a well-deserved break.
"Red Alert to Optimus Prime," his inter-Autobot radio
crackled.
"Prime here," he replied.
"We're almost finished installing the new security system,
but we need you to approve the new protocols."
Prime sighed inwardly. "I'll be right there." He had
never been one to shirk his duties. He didn't mind helping out
his fellow Autobots, though it seemed that he would never have
an evening to himself.
* * * * *
Prime smiled to himself as he held Alita One close. Passion
was written clearly on both of their faces. This was the time
that Prime enjoyed most of all, when the physical and mental contact
allowed him to let go completely, when no pretenses were required.
He gasped as his fuel pump pounded, forcing his energon to run
faster. "Oh, Alita," he murmured.
She smiled at him as he shut his optics in pleasure. She whispered
his name as they held each other closer. "Prime." His
grip tightened as his air intakes forced in more oxygen. "Don't
stop, Alita!" he said passionately.
"Prime," she repeated. "Prime. Prime."
"Prime! Are you there?"
Prime shot up in bed, the call jerking him rudely from his sleep.
"Prime here," he said a bit breathlessly, feeling cross
at being disturbed.
"Sorry to disturb you," Ultra Magnus told him, "but
the security system just crashed and we have to get it up again
before the Decepticons attack."
"I'll be there soon. Prime out."
He flopped back down on the energizing bed, trying to quiet the
throbbing of his body. He glared at the empty side of his bed,
which should have held Alita One. She had stayed with him in
the Ark for a while, but the war had escalated on Cybertron again,
so back she went to help her soldiers. Prime understood her dedication
to her warriors, but he needed her too.
He thought back upon his dream as he entered his private shower.
The whitish solvent sprayed down on him, removing any dirt or
particulate. He missed Alita One very much, and he had physical
needs that weren't being fulfilled. Primus had given his creations
what could be considered to be a mixed blessing. When the god
had created the Transformers, he realized that using the Matrix
as the sole means of procreation would prove draining on the crystallized
portion of his life force. So he had created a dormant program
within his creations. Primus had originally designed his creations
to be asexual, but he soon realized that there was a natural attraction
between the robust "male" robots and the slimmer "females".
When the robots reached full maturity, the dormant program was
activated. This program was modeled on the methods of intercourse
of organic beings. The two robots in question made a physical
connection, like a plug in a socket. When a certain level of
enjoyment that accompanied mating was reached, the male robot
released genetic information that combined with the information
that the female carried. If conditions were right in the female
body, the two programs would interact and provide a blueprint
for a new life form, which would begin assembling itself in the
female. After two months of bearing the life form, it would be
removed from the female by an access panel in her belly area.
After about a year, the child would be placed inside a special
genetic tank, which would read blueprints stored inside the child
and form an adult body. Since the war, and the near decimation
of the female population, this method had not been used to birth
a child in many millions of years. Primus observed with some
amusement, however, that the mating process still took place for
sheer enjoyment.
Prime turned off the shower and stepped out, grateful for the
fact that leadership had several perks, and one of them was a
private shower. He valued his privacy very much, and was more
than a little self-conscious. The thought of having to use the
shower in front of others made him cringe. He hurriedly dried
himself off and went to help out Ultra Magnus.
* * * * *
"That should do it," said Wheeljack, straightening
up and putting away his tools. "The security system should
work flawlessly now."
"That's good to hear," Prime told him.
Wheeljack headed for the door, then turned around. "Oh,
Prime, I need your approval for my new invention. It's a new
type of energy converter."
"Write up a report, and I'll look at it as soon as I get
a chance." Wheeljack nodded and walked out.
"Everything settled here?" Prime asked. Ultra Magnus,
Kup, and Red Alert nodded. "Okay then, I'll leave you to
your work. You know where to find me if you run into any trouble."
Prime exited the room and headed towards his office. "Well,
at least that's one thing out of the way," he thought. He
glanced outside the main door as he passed it. The sun was just
beginning to rise. He fought back a sort of yawn. He didn't
mind missing some recharging time to help sort out difficulties
that cropped up, but he had not had a decent night's peace in
almost an Earth week.
"There you are!" a voice exclaimed. Prime turned and
saw Ratchet hurrying to catch up.
"Here I am," Prime agreed good-naturedly. "How
are you doing?"
"I could use a bit more rest," Ratchet admitted, "but
the repair of your warriors is just about finished. They'll be
ready for combat in no time."
"I wish they didn't have to fight at all," Prime commented,
"but I suppose it can't be helped."
Ratchet grinned. "Well, if the war didn't keep me busy
with so many patients, I would be partying! Speaking of which,
I think a party would be a good idea. I think it would be good
for morale, and you could certainly use some fun."
Prime thought it over for a moment. "That's really not
a bad idea. Why don't you come up with the specifics and I'll
make a decision. I have to make sure the party doesn't interfere
with any briefings."
Ratchet smiled in anticipation. "I had better see you there,
mister! I won't take no for an answer!"
Prime shook his head. "I don't know about that, Ratchet.
I still have a lot of work to get done."
"Aw, come on! You're practically chained to that desk.
I'm sure Alita would be jealous. One night away from the office
won't kill you."
Prime sighed. "Yes, but everyone else will when they find
out I haven't finished my work. I'll just have to wait and see."
"Do that. 'Cause if you don't, I'll pay you back for it
at your next exam! Speaking of which, you have one today."
"I don't think I can make it, Ratchet."
"Don't give me that, Prime." Ratchet wasn't about to
take no for an answer. "Your health is of extreme importance.
If something were to happen to you, it could spell disaster for
all of us. If you don't report to the medical bay at 3:00 prime
meridian Earth time, I may have to remove you from command."
At least I'd have some peace and quiet, Prime thought half-seriously
to himself. He knew that Ratchet wasn't serious about removing
him from command, at least not over a simple check-up. However,
the urgency in his chief medical officer's voice worried him.
The Autobots looked up to him, seeing him as sort of demi-god
who could cure all their problems. While he had grown to accept
it, the thought that the Autobot army could fall apart without
him was a chilling one indeed.
"I'll do my best to be there, Ratchet. Satisfied?"
Ratchet nodded reluctantly. "It will have to do."
"See you then." Prime watched as his best friend walked
away. He then headed down the hall to his office. As usual,
he had work to do.
end of Chapter One
go to Chapter Two
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