22.Jul.06
Disclaimer: The only thing I own is the plot, got it? Thanks to Joshin Yasha for being such a neatsville DC/Rampage fan. She will be permanent help with this fic and upcoming series. Rated PG for some minor language. First in the 'Destroying Justice' series.
Homecoming
"The first condition of immortality is death."
- Stanislaw J. Lec (1909 - 1966),
"Unkempt Thoughts"
Depth Charge stared out the small, round observation window in his temporary quarters. It had been almost a year and a half since he'd laid optics on that planet... and he realized how much he positively detested it. There was nothing but machinery and artificial life. At least Omicron had a natural sea and some organic life on it. Earth had spoiled the manta, and as he watched the planet disappear behind him on the command bridge screen he decided he was really going to miss it. There were no places on Cybertron for him to go and hide for a while when he needed to be alone, and, worst of all, there was no water.
The manta turned as he heard someone approach his room. Dinobot stood in his doorway, strange, skeletal body framed in the light of the hallway as he faced the dark room of the hunter. Depth Charge eyed the 'bot who had helped him take control of the Nemesis. "Need somethin'?"
Dinobot snorted, head arching back as he purred. "Optimus Primal requests your presence in the bridge for entry into Cybertronian space."
"And he sent you to come get me?"
"No," Dinobot fluttered his non-existent tongue, the ridges on his snout twitching. "I came of my own volition. I wish to have a word or two with you, hunter."
"Free space, I'm listening," the ray-bot growled smoothly, standing up from his sitting position on the recharge bed.
"I … merely have a few questions." Dinobot, in beast mode, took a step inside the fish's quarters. "My spark is half of Rampage's, is this correct?"
The red-eyed Maximal inclined his head.
"And my personality and memory have been uploaded, thanks to the rodent's efforts, along with your own."
"Yup."
The raptor purr-growled again thoughtfully. "So, what will happen to me when you bring Rampage's spark in front of the High Council? I trust they will not make the same mistake twice, and will order it eliminated when the means arise."
Depth Charge tilted his head to the side, narrowed gaze relaxing as he pondered the former Predacon's question. It was a good question, a question that the hunter did not know the answer to. His right hand slipped into subspace and withdrew again, holding the small spark containment glass. Inside it, the orb that used to power Rampage's body floated and fluttered inside its tiny prison. Depth Charge had taken his victory after the initial win on the Nemesis, dragging the broken immortal's body to land where there, he had taken what he wanted. Rampage's spark in a box, easily contained, easily controlled. The ray had removed it himself. "I don't know the answer to that, Dinobot," the ray answered, not sharply, but in the same cool, hot tone he used when he was being cautious about what was being said. "I'm sure we can work something out."
The tone did not soothe Dinobot's worries. "I… see." He cleared his throat. "Well then, to the bridge, quickly, as Optimus requested."
The Maximal manta shoved the spark of his most hated enemy back into the safety of his subspace pocket. No one could extract it from there without his permission. He trailed Dinobot down the short hallway to the minute command bridge, where Rattrap was muttering something akin to being cooped up like sardines and he was never happier to see Cybertron. "I resent that sardine remark."
The vermin twisted in his chair. "Hey Charlie Tuna! Finally made an appearance, not dat it ain't been nice not seein' your ugly mug since we left that dust ball."
"Hey, cut it, cheese-breath," Cheetor quipped, flicking the top of Rattrap's head.
Optimus Primal stood to the left, "Nice of you to stop by. Haven't seen you since we left."
The manta stepped beside him, viewing Cybertron growing in the view screen. "I've had alot of things on my mind."
"I'm certain." The leader's voice dropped an octave. "Do you still have the spark?"
"Of course," Depth Charge whispered back. "And it's going to remain in my possession, understand? I am not going to trust his containment with anyone else."
"I'm not going to try to take it from you. I understand better than any that it is safest with you."
"Then why do you ask?"
Rhinox tapped on the keys of the Autobot shuttle. "Brace yourselves for entry, 'bots! We're home!"
There was a collective whoop of jubilation, and the ship shuddered violently as they intruded into the thin atmosphere.
"Because," Primal continued, gripping the railing. "The High Council might try to take it from you."
"They'd have to pry it from my cold, dead subspace. I'm not giving it up, least of all to them," Depth Charge snarled under his breath, just loud enough for his larger commander to hear.
The ape sighed deeply. "That's what I'm worried about. I think it's best that no one knows you have it." Primal paused as the insubordinate ray-bot looked at him, confused. "Rampage's body is in storage, Rhinox installed a false spark signature in Dinobot so they don't detect the fact that his spark is Rampage's, and I think you need to carry a blocker."
Depth Charge blinked, thoroughly surprised.
"Here," the Transmetal ape picked up the manta's left hand and put a small blue chip in his palm. "Put that with the spark you have, it will block the signature. They won't even know you have it."
"You… you are helping me deceive the Council? I didn't think you had it in you, Primal," goaded the shocked Maximal. "I'm impressed."
"I'm doing it for your safety. There's...there's no telling what the Council would do to you if they knew you had it and wouldn't give it back." Optimus turned away, optics dimmed and brooding.
It was that moment that Depth Charge knew Optimus knew more than he let on. Much more.
Maybe Primal wasn't as dumb as he looked.
It seemed like the entire planet was at the spaceport to greet the returning heroes. A sea of screaming, cheering Maximals applauded as the victors of the Beast Wars led the imprisoned Predacons down the access ramp, smiling and waving. Depth Charge was in charge of Quickstrike, and he was not smiling and waving. The tiny Predacon in his grasp squirmed, complaining that the ray's grip was too tight, so he quietly threatened that he'd squeeze the Fuzor's head off if he didn't mute his mouthpiece. Quickstrike then decided that the grip wasn't all that bad.
Up ahead of him, first to disembark from the shuttle, Optimus led Megatron down the ramp. Megatron was proud, standing tall despite his defeat in the war, though Primus knew despite his good behavior as he was being trussed up in energy bonds to be escorted to prison he had a million and a half schemes of escape running through his head. His chances of said escape, however, were very small. The Cybertronian government would see to it that he be held in optimum security.
Dinobot was still in beast mode, stalking with his head held high beside the ray. The raptor wasn't quite the same 'bot, Rattrap had said so, but he was slowly beginning to turn around. He was a tad bit quieter than he was before, kept to himself, but he was a robot that Depth Charge thought he could like. If he wasn't half-monster I'd like him already. It was the spark, or half of one, that pulsed inside the Transmetal two's chest that kept Depth Charge severely disliking him.
A Cybertronian police officer relieved the ray of his charge and took Quickstrike with the other Predacons. He looked over at Rhinox. "What about Rampage?" he whispered.
Rhinox's optics visibly narrowed as he responded, "Don't speak that name too loudly, Depth Charge. I'm going to stay with the ship, 'gathering information'," the rhino emphasized the last two words and continued. "After nightfall I'm going to dispose of his shell myself. Optimus stressed the importance that the Council remains unknown that you have the spark. For you and Dinobot's safety. There hasn't been much time to discuss it and decide, but as far as you go, you destroyed him on earth. Understand?"
"He's an immortal. They'll ask me how."
"Get creative. Raw energon to the spark or something," Rhinox winked and elbowed the ray on the side as they looked out at the still cheering crowd. He waved good naturedly. "Your fight is over. Rampage is safe with you; he can't kill anymore. Just relax and live a little, for Primus' sake!"
Depth Charge blinked at the old robot. Every Maximal in the crew had been acting different since they realized they could go home. Now that I've saved their asses and the very fabric of time..they seem to like me better. How quaint. Even Rattrap's verbal proddings didn't have quite the sting as before. At first the vermin had annoyed him to make him angry, but now, the joshings had a more friendly air.
The ray's musings were put on hold as Dinobot stopped beside him. "Are you going along with what Optimus and Rhinox said?"
Depth Charge turned to look at his former enemy..who had also changed so drastically it was hard for the manta to comprehend. "In regards to the spark and X? Affirmative."
"Ah, good," Dinobot seemed to grin, the ridges on his snout vibrating with another fluttering sound. "I was hoping as such."
The former hunter watched the raptor stalk off. The rest of the Maximal crew was greeting and talking with others, presumably their families. Cheetor was bouncing around with a group of 'bots his age, yelling and whooping, while Rattrap was in a similar situation, only much quieter. The older and more formal Maximals on the team, namely Optimus and Rhinox, were conversing with business partners and families respectively. That left he, Blackarachnia, and Silverbolt standing by themselves, though it wasn't like the fuzor and spider weren't just as happy with each other.
At this point, amidst the loud chatter around him, the crowd parted like the Red Sea for Moses. Here comes the High Council, thought Depth Charge dryly. Bodyguards and all. One of the Elders approached him, followed by his bodyguard.
"Elder Nazarius. Still in office, I see," remarked the manta with a sly, nigh-unnoticeable grin. "Unfortunate."
"I am surprised to see you still alive," Nazarius smirked. "Equally unfortunate. You know why I've come."
Depth Charge tilted his head innocently. "Why, to greet the veterans and victors of the Beast Wars, I'm sure!"
"Cut the slag, guardian," the Elder growled in warning. "Where is the experiment?"
Here we go. "Oh, he's dead, Elder."
Nazarius's optics narrowed sharply as his teeth clenched. "I said enough of the bullshit, Depth Charge, and I mean right now!"
The veteran ray-bot feigned shock. "No bullshit, Elder! Cross my spark, hope to die," he chuckled wryly. Oh, he did enjoy pissing this Councilor off.
"Yes, I hope you do," Nazarius grumbled under his breath. "He's dead, you say? You succeeded in your twisted quest for revenge? How did you--"
"Justice," corrected Depth Charge.
"Is that what they're calling it these days? In any case," the Elder quickly continued before the ray could give a snotty retort. "How in Primus' name did you kill an immortal? If I am to believe this presumed lie, tell me how you did it."
Without missing a beat, Depth Charge told him, "Raw energon straight through his spark."
"Ahah, silly guardian," the black Maximal elder laughed, raising his hand and shaking his finger disapprovingly. "The science officers on the project tried energon."
"Yes, refined energon, Elder. The spike I used was raw, and alien in nature. Some alien species planted it on earth, a story Optimus Primal will be able to help you with more than me." Depth Charge grew fed up with the Elder's presence. "Look, Nazarius. Check your scanners. Do you see an extra spark anywhere in the vicinity of this landing strip? Do you? You've got nothing on me, and pending your answer, I'm leaving."
Nazarius narrowed his red optics sharply, teeth gritting as he did as asked. Of course, his scanners only showed a spark for each body there, no extra. "All right, Depth Charge. For now, you win. Have a nice life, whatever is left of it."
In a flurry, the frustrated Maximal Elder stomped off, his body guard close in tow. Dinobot watched with some worry, knowing what Nazarius was addressing with the ray-bot, but instantly relaxed when the apparently flustered Elder walked off, leaving a rather smug-looking Depth Charge behind. The two transformers looked at one another, and Dinobot seemed to grin. The ray winked at him, apparently in good spirits after so eloquently infuriating Nazarius, and walked off. The crowd parted to let him pass as the massive robot headed for the alleys of Cybertron.
Optimus had been watching as well, and couldn't help but smile as Nazarius headed back their way, looking completely and utterly enraged. His attention turned back to the assembled Elders as they asked him questions about the war, about Megatron, about their new forms, all of which her was happy to answer. Nazarius, composed now, stepped forward, "Come, Optimus. Let us walk while we talk."
Sunfire, a newer Elder, a female, chuckled, "You're starting to sound like that relic, Wheelie, Nazarius."
The older Elder smiled at her. He did not like this new femme much. She was too tough and opinionated for her own good. "Yes," he laughed lightly, letting the airey sound fade away. "I'm certain I do. Now, Optimus, I am very pleased at your return. Though I do not understand: we sent probes out deep into time and space to look for you, and we did not detect you on earth."
Optimus calmly explained that they were four million years back in time, and while a probe did pass through the correct time, the Predacons made contacting it impossible.
"Ah, pesky Predacons as they are," the Elders chuckled at Nazarius's light-hearted comment. Optimus thought of Megatron and his crew as decidedly more than 'pesky', but the High Elder continued before he could comment. "In any case, you are back now, with brand-new forms that I absolutely adore, Optimus Primal. What is it called again?"
The Maximal crew commander carefully stepped through the crowd as they parted for him, happily smiling and waving at him as he passed. "Transmetal," he answered with a nod. "And Cheetor and Dinobot are Transmetal twos."
"Splendid, Optimus. Wonderful upgrades. Would you object to allowing our scientists to examine perhaps Cheetor and another Transmetal on your crew?"
"Upon the individual's consent, yes."
"Good then! I shall dispatch contacts to those the scientists wish to look at as soon as everyone is settled," Nazarius quipped happily with a smile, bouncing like an attention deficit hyperactive child off of his medication. "On that note, I would like to present you with this."
Optimus Primal stopped and took in his large hand a proffered piece of plastic from Nazarius. He did a double-take, "Elder, this is a credit transfer for six and a half million."
A nod and a gracious smile. "Yes, in payment for your services to Cybertron and time itself. Each in your crew is getting one, the size depending on their function and participation in the war. Rhinox's is equal to yours, and Cheetor, Silverbolt, and Blackarachnia are each getting around four mil."
Optimus nodded in thanks, and then paused. "And Depth Charge?"
"You told me when asked that question that his participation was low at best, and he wasn't the most loyal soldier," Nazarius continued walking, his body guard just behind along with the rest of the Elders and their guards.
"He defeated Megatron, High Elder. He kept Megatron from taking over the Nemesis and thus destroying time and space and Cybertron itself! He gave aid to Rattrap in our mission for the Sentinal, he almost single-handedly saved Rhinox, Rattrap, and the Ark itself from being captured and taken over by Megatron -- Elder Nazarius, if it weren't for him, Megatron would have succeeded in the final stretch of the war. He deserves better than nothing."
Nazarius stopped and sighed. The four remaining Elders nodded and murmured their approval. "All right, he will receive, oh, is one and a half good enough for you?"
"Bring it up to two and I won't argue." Optimus crossed his arms.
"Done," Nazarius grinned, a charade. "Anything to please the war hero commander of the Beast Wars. Well, the Elders and I must be getting back to our chambers. You know, do the whole 'running Cybertron' thing. Ciao."
Optimus watched the Elders and their small, armed crowd head off towards the government buildings, and turned around. Most of his crew had dispersed, gone off to find those they loved and get settled. Only Rhinox and Dinobot remained in the streets near the spaceport, and neither of them were being social at the moment. The engineer was on his way back to the Autobot shuttle and Dinobot was ignoring the odd looks the populous gave him and his strange beast mode body. At that point, the giant ape got the suffocating, panicky feeling that he was being watched. Switching to his war mindset, paranoid, he peered around, and spotted the two staring oval optics fifty feet back at the rear of a dark alley to his right. Depth Charge, upon realizing he'd been spotted, turned forward and slowly made his way towards his commander. "You didn't have to do that," he muttered lowly, adding after Optimus gave him a questioning look. "Stand up for me."
His former commander resumed walking, emerald optics trained on his sometimes-unwilling comrade. "Yes I did. They weren't giving you the credit you deserved."
Depth Charge shrugged and said, "Not that I'm complaining about two mil, of course."
"Honestly, I'm surprised they're paying us extra, other than our regular payment."
"I'm sure you being gone for so long and under such conditions had something to do with it, Primal."
A wry chuckle, and "I'm sure you're right." Changing topic, Optimus questioned mildly, "So where are you staying?"
"Don't know yet. I'll figure it out when I get my war pay. On that note, bye."
The giant ape blinked in a confused manner as the ray-bot abruptly turned and left. Emerald optics trailed on his form for a moment as he watched Depth Charge walk away.
That was the last time Optimus Primal saw him.
Nazarius was furious.
The situation regarding the experiment had taken an unexpected turn. Depth Charge was lying to him, of that he was almost certain. An immortal could not be killed! That's what immortality meant! And if Depth Charge was lying, then the experiment still lived, but where? Where were they keeping him? Maybe, the Elder figured to himself, he's not keeping him anywhere. The manta Maximal was an avid supporter of destroying Protoform X, but if he could not be terminated, the next best option was...
Spark containment.
Activating his helm-mounted communications unit, High Elder Nazarius spoke in the confidence of his solitude, "Captain Jerex, this is Elder Nazarius speaking."
"Pleasure to be hearin' from you at such a..late..hour." The chief of spaceport defense sounded forcefully pleased. "What can I do you for?"
"I should like for you to check the shuttle that the warriors arrived in this afternoon, captain," Nazarius replied calmly, studying his fingers with great interest.
"All-all right..is there anything I ought'n ta be lookin' for?"
"No, just ensure it's safe, you know, report any suspicious activity..."
"...yessir. Jerex over and out."
If Elder Nazarius didn't get more senile and cooky each time Captain Jerex talked to him, he'd be a monkey's uncle. Odd requests such as this were becoming more and more frequent. The black and gold Maximal lifted himself from the comfortable chair he'd been lounging in and exited the security building. There were only a few ships in the medium/small hangar, and Jerex found the one in question easily. His search of the premises came up empty, so he keyed open the pilot door and climbed inside.
The ship was silent and dark, as the captain had expected. The last passenger to leave had obviously done so quite a while ago. Jerex was mildly annoyed; the Councilor had roused him from such comfort for yet another false alarm. "Jerex to Elder Nazarius...there's no one here."
"Are you absolutely certain?" the Elder snapped.
"Yes, sir. No one about."
"..Then get back to your post. Nazarius out."
Jerex nodded and sighed deeply when the connection cut off. He reckoned that since he was already out here, he might as well do a sweep of the entire spaceport, check in with the other security units. Unwanted events rarely happened, despite the recent Predacon activity in other areas of Cybertron. Still, it was his job, and he'd been somewhat negligent of it as of late.
The captain brought out a flashlight and turned it on, gazing around the hangar. There were six ships docked there, all empty and slumbering in the dark as they awaited their masters return. Moving on, the black and gold security captain navigated the strictly small vessel hangar and the large starship hangar, the latter of which only had room for four ships. But massive space vessels they were, worthy of transporting the highest ranking and highest bred Maximals, the High Council and their generals and army officers. Perhaps the royalty of visiting species as well. The most magnificent of these ships was the Council's personal; the beautiful and otherwise perfect Agoia. This was the Cadillac SUV of the Cybertronian world, able to acheive hyperspace in less time than it took other ships to boot up, with nothing less than the most up-to-date systems, gadgets, and guns. She was a looker, and Jerex often stopped in to stare admiringly at her gold-plated, triple layer-armored hide. If she was a femmebot...woooo, the security 'bot chuckled to himself.
The captains attention was brought suddenly to his left as his audios picked up a sound. Metal on metal, almost like a footstep.
A heavy footstep.
Captain Jerex was not an idiot; he did not call out "who's there" as many of his less experienced officers did. Instead he, like a seasoned professional, took out his combination stun and laser gun, prepped it ready and went on the hunt. The Maximal took in a deep breath and narrowed his optics to slits as he searched the darkness underneath the Agoia with the aid of his flashlight. Several more metallic poundings confirmed Jerex's suspicions: he was not alone in this hangar. "All right," he started after getting a general pinpoint on the area the footsteps were coming from. He headed slowly towards the storage bin. "Come out and show yourself without hostile intentions and we'll go from there, huh?"
The being in question slowly rounded the bin, hands at his sides.
Jerex immediately recognized his massive frame from the news. It was unmistakable, the wings, the staring, cold red optics on fire. "...You're one of the Beast Warriors?"
"One of them," Depth Charge snarled low. He was not supposed to be here, and everything he, Rhinox, Primal, and Dinobot were trying to keep hidden was now in jeopardy because he got caught.
"What are you..doing here?" the black Maximal questioned suspiciously, lowering his weapon but keeping his light trained.
"Looking."
"At?"
"The ships, apparently," the ray-bot spat sarcastically. He was as nervous as anyone caught red-handed, but lucky enough for him, his stone-face and stone-emotions allowed him to hide it well.
Jerex gave him that one, though remained suspicious. "How did you get in here? You're trespassing."
"Am I?" the hunter feigned surprise next. "I didn't realize this is a private hangar. I'll leave."
Normally Jerex wouldn't object, but after some of the things he'd heard about this 'bot Depth Charge should have been less than cooperative. The smaller ten foot Maximal grabbed the ray's wrist as he stalked past him. "Wait," he ordered, letting go and raising his weapon. "What are you really doing here?"
A deep, restrained sigh. "I said I was looking at the ships," growled the manta.
"At midnight?"
"Very observant."
Jerex's yellow optics narrowed as he replied slowly, "I'd appreciate a cut in the slagging sarcasm, warrior. I'm being very civil here."
"I was looking at the ships. If you don't believe me, then shoot me."
Jerex sighed and lowered his weapon as the giant of a Maximal stalked away. There was something about him that made the old captain know something was up. I'll keep snooping and see if I can't figure out what he was up to.
"Did he see you?"
Depth Charge nodded regretfully at Rhinox. "Yeah, I told him I was looking at the ships, but I don't think he bought it."
Rhinox cursed for the first time in a long time, "Slaggit, I told you you shouldn't have come."
"You couldn't do it by yourself, Rhinox," Depth Charge retorted hotly.
"I've lifted oak trees that weighed more than Rampage does, so yes, I could have!" Rhinox transformed to beast mode and took off running as Depth Charge switched to flight mode and followed. He panted as he ran down the airstrip, "We can only hope..that the guard doesn't find him."
"Elder Nazarius! This is captain Jerex speaking, answer immediately!"
High Elder Nazarius lifted his head and cocked it, activating his comm. unit as the security 'bot asked for him again, "What is it, captain?"
"You asked me to report suspicious activity, I got some of that, sir."
A devilish smirk spread across the corrupt Elder's lips. "Do tell."
"The small ship hanger was empty, so I swept around and checked the others, and you'll never guess who I caught snooping about in the starship hanger!" Jerex sounded excited, like he'd just cracked a high-priority police case. Upon getting no reply, the captain continued, "That crazy, brooding warrior, Depth Charge. He claimed he was looking at the ships, which I wouldn't blame him, but there was something about the way he was carrying himself that made me suspicious."
"What did you find, Jerex?" queried Nazarius.
"I did some snooping of my own, and you'll never guess. I found a body in a dumpster!"
A pang of jubilation shot through him. "A body?"
"A huge body! No spark! Want I should call th' authorities, sir?"
"No, I'll send my own detectives to clean up and investigate. Get back to your post, Jerex, good work. Over and out."
Depth Charge has the spark I'm looking for. Now I am certain of it. When we get it back, I will ensure that that impudent guardian gets what he deserves.
In fact...I know just how to do it.