Reconciliation 10

03.Mar.07

Chapter 10: Time Traveler

Seven strong, all the members of the Axalon crew stared into the CR Chamber containing Windrazor. Recovering from the damage he had suffered in coming to the aid of Tigatron and Airazor before their reformation of Tigerhawk, the mysterious Transformer remained unaware of his observers. Seated at the medical console, Rattrap looked over the various readings, occasionally adjusting a system as needed.

Depth Charge drew Windrazor's Energon katana from its sheath, which the Maximals had taken from the paladin to avoid any possible side effects that the weapon might have on the CR Chamber. Gripping the weapon in one hand, he swung it around a few times, marveling at the feel of the weapon. "It's so light...and yet so devastating! You could kill a Decepticon with one of these!"

"I believe that to be our guest's intention," Primal Prime rumbled.

Unabashed, Depth Charge reluctantly slid the blade back into its case. "If only I had a weapon like this...Rampage wouldn't stand a chance."

Whistling, Rattrap drew the attention of his comrades. "In all my stellar cycles, I've never seen anything like this!"

Looking over the Transmetal's shoulder, Blackarachnia examined the readings herself. As her expression took on a look of astonishment, Silverbolt made an inquiry. "What it, beloved?"

"This guy's schematics...they're the most advanced I've ever seen! I'd say that they're at least eight centuries ahead of what we've got in Axalon Tower!"

"But...that's impossible! Rattrap built this place with all the latest hardware he could lay his hands on," Cheetor protested.

"Don't be so sure, Little Cat. In an age where we have the ability to travel through time and space, does it really seem so impossible that future generations of Cybertron do not possess the same technology?" Tigerhawk's logic made sense, so Cheetor nodded slowly.

Beeping, the console announced that Windrazor was fully repaired and conscious. Pressing a button, Rattrap opened the chamber. Fully healed, the Cybertronian rogue stepped out, looking around. His eyes lingered on Silverbolt, and everyone was struck again by the similarity between the two. Depth Charge tossed him his sword, which he caught and belted to his side.

"Considering your expressions, I guess you know by now that I am no ordinary Maximal," Windrazor said.

"Question is, are you even a Maximal?" Cheetor's question was blunt and to the point. Strangely, Windrazor did not get angry, but rather looked mildly amused.

"I've seen your actions from afar, Cheetor, but I never realized the full extent of your immaturity."

Primal Prime stepped forward, hoping to prevent action by the bristling Cheetor. "He does bring up a valid point. You have involved yourself in our struggle by fighting against our opponents and aiding our comrades in battle. Yet at the same time you remain aloof from us, and even fought two of us with little provocation. For that at least, I think we deserve an explanation."

Windrazor was silent for a long time. Finally, he nodded.

"My tale is a complicated one. I was born in a future where Cybertron was ruled by a tyrant known as Shokaract, which in the Covenant of Primus is defined as 'Point Omega', the final battle between the forces of Primus and Unicron. Two parts of me were born there; the other has origins in the distant past.

"Let me explain. I was originally two separate beings. One was a Predacon, known to all his acquaintances as the Cub. The other was the last surviving Autobot of the Great Wars, a being so ancient that he had fought alongside Optimus Prime himself. Over centuries of upgrades and enduring war after war, his name and form became so different that no one recognized him. He became known to all, even to himself, as the Veteran.

"The Cub was a hopeful in Shokaract's organization, a promising warrior who had one last test to pass. He was sent to kill the Veteran, who was a prominent member of the Cybertronian resistance. They fought a grueling battle, and it ended with the Veteran's victory. He did not kill the Cub, instead leaving him to face the punishment of his comrades."

Eyes shut in remembered pain, Windrazor continued. "The Cub was beaten to near death for his failure and left to expire by his comrades. Members of the resistance, among them the Veteran, recovered his broken body. The leader of the resistance convinced the Veteran to attempt melding his Spark with that of the Cub. I was the result: part Autobot, part Predacon, with the experience of millennia of warfare and the energy of a youth.

"My efforts against Shokaract involved going back in time in an effort to prevent his recovery of the Dark Essence, Unicron's life force. In my time, Shokaract had fashioned a vessel for the energy known as the Decepticon Matrix of Conquest, a mockery of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. It gave him unlimited power, and without it, he would cease to exist.

"Shokaract followed me back to prehistoric Earth, where the Essence threatened to disappear. Joining forces with the Beast Wars Maximals, I battled Shokaract. However, it was not until the legendary twelve members of the Covenant of Primus and the legends of Cybertron intervened that we were successful in destroying Shokaract. When that happened, time was restored to normal, and only a handful remembered what had taken place.

"Upon returning to my own time, I realized that everything had changed. Cybertron was a utopia, one in which a warrior had no place. Alone and without purpose, I was approached by the Vok. They warned me that the Matrix of Conquest still existed, and offered me a purpose. Thus I have been after it since. When I learned that the Dark Vok had delivered it to Tarantulas, who placed it within Nemesis Prime, I realized that I had to destroy him."

All were silent for a long moment. Then Silverbolt stepped forward, offering his hand to his double. "You are a noble warrior, Windrazor. I pray that you accomplish your task and find rest."

Windrazor took the offered hand, smiling. Blackarachnia winked at him, walking up to Silverbolt. "If you're as tough as Bowser here, you'll have no trouble."

"Excuse me while I gag," Rattrap muttered.

Tigerhawk led Windrazor out onto the runway and watched him fly away. The former Vok Emissary could not help but feel a sense of kinship with the futuristic Fuzor. Both he and Windrazor were binaries, two Sparks inhabiting each of their bodies. Each had power and skill beyond that of ordinary Maximals, and both had been given tasks by the Vok to destroy kindred of Unicron.

"May the Matrix protect your Spark for all eternity, wanderer."

To be continued...