Month: September 2021

After Megatron gave Override a tour of the base, they entered the bridge. “Nice little setup you got here, Chief,” chuckled Override. “I think I’m gonna feel right at home!”

“I hate to have to cut the tour short,” remarked Megatron, “but we have business to discuss. You see, you have the formula to create Synthetic Energon, but we don’t know where it is. We fear that your…initiation has erased the formula from your mind, but we believe it’s in some form of external data storage. Giving us the formula will be most valuable to us.”

“And what’s in it for me if I do?”

“Why, the honor of being the first of us to destroy the Autobots and their allies, especially your former friends!”

“Destruction…yep! Destruction is always good!”

“I thought you would enjoy that pros-” the lights then flickered, and the screen went dead. Megatron then tried to key in a few commands.

“Is something wrong?”

“There must be a malfunction in main power!” grunted Megatron.

“Gee, hope it’s under warranty.”

“…Why don’t you go see if the repair teams need help and find out how long this will take, hm?” Megatron had already had enough of Override’s snide remarks.

“All right, I’ll get off your chassis. Override, HIGHTAIL!” Override transformed and sped off.

---

Knock-out and Scorponok were trying to deduce the problem so they could fix it. They heard someone transform and saw Override saunter into the room. “Big M wants to know how long this is gonna take,” she explained.

“Well, tell him not to get his software in a snarl!” growled Scorponok.

“We need to figure out what the slagging problem is, first!” said Knock-out. He then pulled a panel off the wall and yelped. “Hey! Shouldn’t there be a redactor modem here?!” Scorponok looked at what Knock-out was pointing out.

“Hey, yeah! There SHOULD!” he confirmed.

“No!” breathed Override, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “You shock me, Scorponok!”

“Make yourself useful,” hissed Knock-out, “and find another redactor modem! It’s a yellow microchip that should fit the hole here!” Override sauntered off and left Scorponok and Knock-out to discuss how such a vital component was missing. As she walked, she pulled out the microchip Knock-out described from her subspace pocket, then crushed it. She then saw a tall stack of containers.

“Hey! Boys! Think it’s over here?!” As they looked, Override pushed a container on the bottom, making the stack wobble.

“Hey, hey, HEY!” protested Scorponok as he and Knock-out walked to her.

“Will you be careful?!” supplied Knock-out.

“Oh, I’m being REAL careful!” purred Override. “See, I’m on THIS side and it’s all gonna fall…THAT WAY!” She shoved the stack towards the two mechs! They tried to get away, but Scorponok’s tail was buried first, then the rest of him. His claw tripped up Knock-out, knocking him to the ground and burying him as well. Override chuckled as she left.

---

“WHAT DID YOU TWO IDIOTS DO?!” Megatron demanded of the unconscious Scorponok and Knock-out as he and Waspinator investigated the “accident”.

“Idiotzzz do not rezzzpond,” reported Waspinator. “Idiotzzz are comatozzze.”

“Get them to the nearest CR chamber!” ordered Megatron. Waspinator then started dragging them to the CR Chamber, grumbling once Megatron was out of earshot.

“Random zzzoldier blowzzz up, Wazzzpinator zzzalvage! Wazzzpinator blowzzz up, NOBODY zzzalvage! Why univerzzze hate Wazzzpinator?!”

---

When he found it, Waspinator dumped Scorponok and Knock-out into the CR chamber. “ZZZeriouzzzly, doezzz no one care about Wazzzpinator?! …Okay, Wazzzpinator being unfair. Wazzzpinator DOEZZZ have friend in Terrorzzzaur. At leazzzt HE zzzalvage Wazzzpinator when Wazzzpinator blowzzz up.”

“You do it way too often, for my taste,” screeched Terrorsaur as he walked up to him. “Still, you do the same for me.”

“Hey, Terrorzzzaur. How’zzz trickzzz?”

“It’s good so far, just a little on edge. Call me paranoid, but I don’t trust Override.” Waspinator then thought about what Megatron told him earlier before the salvage operation.

“Megatron DID zzzend her to help ZZZcorponok and Knock-out. …You think-?” Waspinator’s question was interrupted by something swinging into his backside, scooping up Terrorsaur, and slamming them both into a wall! When it released them, they started flying into each other and into walls in a dazed fashion. All the while, Override smirked as she got some amusement.

“Heads up!” she called before she left. Unbeknownst to her, Eggman and Morgaine were watching.

“So, that’s the game, eh?” chuckled Eggman.

“This might be our chance!” replied Morgaine.

---

Waspinator and Terrorsaur flew into and around the bridge in a crazed manner. “Phazzze Fi-Fi-Five complete!” called Waspinator.

“It’s time for Phase Six!” cheered Terrorsaur.

“Waspinator! Terrorsaur!” shouted Megatron. “What are you two babbling about?!”

“Wazzzpinator?! Terrorzzzaur?!” buzzed Waspinator. “Negative-Negative-Negative! I am ZZZixzzzhot, Dezzzepticon Phazzze ZZZixer!”

“And you will address me as Gigatron, Master of the Cutter Beam!” screeched Terrorsaur. Shockwave had to duck as she tried to puzzle out what was going on.

“…Sixshot? Gigatron?” she asked. “Sixshot was a Xitran survivor and Six-changer. Gigatron also had ten modes. They’re both offline, though.”

“Then it’s clear,” muttered Megatron, “that Waspinator and Terrorsaur are wacko.”

“Wacko?!” buzzed Waspinator. “No, Wonko! Wonko the ZZZane!” He then proceeded to punch himself in the head, proving Megatron’s statement as well as making him grimace, not sure how to process this whole incident.

---

Override sped through the corridors of the ship in alt-mode. She then came to a junction and stopped to try and decide which way to go next. Just then, Morgaine and Eggman appeared on opposite sides of her. “Well, well, well!” chuckled Eggman, “my dear, look who it is!”

“Our most loyal friend!” purred Morgaine.

“…Is that supposed to mean something?” asked Override.

“Oh, don’t even attempt to lie here, lady!” snarled Eggman.

“You’re trying to destabilize this operation,” continued Morgaine, “so you can overthrow Megatron and take over! Well, know this;…we like this plan!”

“So, here’s the deal: you and us as equal partners!” suggested Eggman.

“…No, HERE’S the deal!” Override then transformed and grabbed the two humans, tightening her grip to grab their attention. “You’re gonna keep your big mouths shut and do EXACTLY what I tell you! One false move and you’re a new delicacy: Fleshling Caviar! GET IT?!” She then dropped them to the floor. They groaned in pain.

“Got it!” replied Eggman.

“Good!” Override then stormed off.

---

Megatron brought the security cameras online to try and figure out what was going on. The camera then caught Tarantulas twitching in a web! “What in-?!” yelped Megatron. He then got a medical reading. “Poisoned?!” That did it! His face went as red as his optics as he grabbed a radio and activated ship-wide comms. “WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND HERE?!” he bellowed.

“Dirt Boss!” hissed Override. “I think I made it clear that I’m your enemy!”

“Oh, that will change,” replied Dirt Boss.

“Yeah, we’re gonna change your mind real easy-like!” called one of his thugs in a nasal voice, a small Mech with motorcycle alt-mode kibble named Ransack.

“You’ll be one of us with Tarantulas’ machine hooked up to your head!” laughed the second thug, a brute of a mech named Crumplezone with the alt-mode kibble of a three-wheeled rocket car.

“…Boys,” hissed Dirt Boss, “I thought I told you NOT to spoil our plan!”

“…Oh,” gulped Ransack.

“Oops,” mumbled Crumplezone.

“Now I’m DEFINITELY not going with you!” snarled Override.

“You’re talking as if you have a choice. Ransack! Crumplezone! Open fire!” The three Vehicons drew their weapons and unleashed a storm of laser fire.

“Take cover!” shouted Optimus. Everyone took cover behind the chunks of road and fired back. Sonic zipped around to give them a target while Amy went behind Ransack. She then leapt up and swung her signature hammer down on his head.

“OW!” cried Ransack. He then looked around, only to see Sonic spin-dash him in the face. “Come on!” he wailed.

“Catch us if you can!” taunted Sonic as he scooped up Amy and took off. Ransack and his cohorts blinked.

“Did…did an organic…?” stumbled Ransack.

“After him, you fool! AFTER HIM!” shouted Dirt Boss as he resumed shooting at the people below.

“Ransack, HIGHTAIL!” The wheel on Ransack’s back rotated so it was vertical instead of horizontal, then his arms and shoulders folded to his front as his head sunk into the torso to make the front of a motorcycle. His legs then rotated so the wheels united and then the whole assembly met the arms and his transformation into motorcycle mode was completed. He sped off after them.

---

Everyone on the ground still shot at Crumplezone and Dirt Boss, although, not without critique. Override was shooting under the overpass. “Override, shoot straight, for crying out loud!” called Cheetor. “You’re missing them by a parsec!” Just then, Dirt Boss and Crumplezone felt a tremor under their feet. The road then gave way beneath them, and they fell to the ground.

“There’s more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak,” chuckled Override.

“Taking out the supports!” realized Optimus. “Fast thinking, Override!”

“Part of the job description,” replied Override.

“You know, if you keep this up, you might be the next Prime!”

“I think I’m fine as the leader of my planet. We better find Sonic and Amy, then get out of here.”

“Or they could come to you,” called Sonic as he and Amy returned.

“…That’s easy enough.” Override then turned back to Optimus. “You lead the way, I’ll catch up.”

“Right. Everyone, let’s go!” Everyone then headed off once the bots transformed and the organics rode them. Override brought up the rear…leaving her open! Tarantulas leapt at her and sunk his fangs into her chassis. Override tried to get away, but the venom that flooded her systems overpowered her and she stopped.

---

Override was taken to the Decepticon ship, forcibly transformed to robot mode, and hooked up to a machine with a prong aimed at her head. The venom had worn off during the transformation, so she tried to get away. Dirt Boss, Saurion, Megatron, and Weirdwolf stood by as Tarantulas made the final adjustments. “You creeps!” snarled Override. “You won’t get away with this!”

“Believe me, I didn’t want to go this far, sweetie,” replied Dirt Boss, “but your speech has caused a dip in Vehicon morale, and I won’t stand for it!”

“And Tarantulas had this device just begging to be used, yes!” chuckled Saurion. “The Transmuter, stellar-cycles in the design, but infinitely well worth the effort, Convoy, as you are about to discover, yes!”

“We REALLY need that vocal tic of yours looked at,” muttered Megatron. He then looked around. “Where’s Eggman?”

“He and Morgaine,” explained Weirdwolf, “are busy trying to open the Planet Cup.”

“Ah, something equally as important,” mused Megatron. “Well, we shouldn’t disturb them.”

---

“If I can just patch into her comms,” muttered Clocker as he and his group searched for Override, “I might be able to find her.”

“I say we just go after her!” urged Cheetor.

“Slow down a second, kitty-cat,” replied Sonic. “We can’t exactly do that if we don’t know where she is.”

“Sonic’s right,” agreed Goldbug.

“I got her!” called Clocker. “She’s at the…oh no!”

“Oh no what?” asked Kong.

“She’s in the Decepticon Ship!”

“So the Cons have her prisoner!” growled Amy. The comms then played Override’s conversation with the Decepticon leaders.

“If you’re going to finish me anyway,” her voice grunted, “do me a favor! Shut up and get on with it!”

“Finish you, Override?” purred Saurion’s voice. “Oh, no, we’ve only just started with you!”

“All calibrations complete, Lord Megatron!” cackled Tarantulas.

“Then activate the Transmuter!” ordered Megatron.

“Transmuter?!” yelped Clocker. “That’s a brain-washing device! They’re gonna reprogram her into a Vehicon!”

“Now we REALLY gotta save her!” urged Cheetor.

“Unfortunately,” sighed Goldbug, “we don’t have the forces needed to save her!”

---

The Transmuter’s prong fired a stream of energy into the back of Override’s head, causing her a massive processor-ache. The treatment lasted a few seconds until Tarantulas powered it down. The only noticeable difference was that her alt-mode canopy on her torso was red instead of blue. Her optics then rebooted into a nasty red color! She then burst free of her restraints. After that, she smiled wickedly at the Decepticon leaders. “Afternoon, all!” she purred. “This a private club or can anybody join?”

“Let me be the first to welcome you,” replied Dirt Boss. “Everyone, meet our new Vehicon soldier!” Eggman and Morgaine then entered the room via one of Morgaine’s teleport spells.

“No need for transmats, my dear,” she purred to Eggman as she stroked his mustache. The bots then shuddered.

“Oh, don’t pretend this is abnormal,” Eggman rebuked to his comrades. “Now, what’s this I hear about Velocitron’s leader coming to her senses and joining us?”

“That would be me,” replied Override, getting his attention.

---

“I lost her!” wailed Clocker.

“Great, now we’re hosed!” groaned Cheetor. “Imagine if someone like Rhinox were under that kind of influence! Better dead than Pred, I say!”

“I don’t think we’re all that hosed, Cheetor,” mused Optimus. A grin then crossed his face. “We just need to leave her there for a bit.”

“WHAT?!” protested Llyra. “Optimus, have you got a few bugs in your systems directory?!”

“No, but I’ve got a hunch the Decepticons may have gotten more than they bargained for.”

A canister was prepared with the elements loaded into it and the desired reaction programmed in. It was loaded into a launch tube aimed at the sands in front of the city. A crowd had gathered as Override stood by the launch button. The press was there too. Override drew in a breath. “…Here we go,” she mumbled. She pressed the button, and the canister was fired out of the tube. It went quite a few miles before it disappeared from view. Everyone waited a few seconds, then their shoulders slouched…just for a split-second before a brilliant light erupted from the ground. “SWEET NEXUS PRIME!” swore Override.

---

“Prime!” called Rhinox from his and Tails’ station. “We have an unknown energy reading that spiked five miles outside our perimeter!”

“Can you try and identify it?” asked Optimus.

“Tails and I are working on it now!” Rhinox’s fingers danced across the console as he typed in commands.

“Being refined now and…well, I’ll be dipped!” chuckled Tails. Rhinox then grinned.

“Now that should help them immensely!” he mused.

“They got it?” asked Optimus.

“All evidence points to yes.” Optimus smirked.

“See, Override? Outside help works!”

---

The light died down and revealed a massive crystal formation that could be seen from the city. “…Why are we just standing here?!” called Override. “Readings! Now!”

“Getting readout now!” reported Clocker. He read the results and stared. “…Element 214 on the Cybertronian Periodic Table!” he breathed. “It’s…It’s…It’s natural Energon! Enough to feed the city for a year!”

“The races are back on!” cheered someone in the crowd.

“Not yet!” called Override. That earned some quizzical remarks. “Femmes and Gentlemechs, we have the formula to make our own Energon, but our planet doesn’t have all the elements needed to make it. We need to be judicious about this and we need to reactivate the Space Bridge network so we can properly negotiate trade of the elements. Because of that, we need people to help the Autobots in their war against the Decepticons. To that end…I’m ending our permanent draft deferrals.” The crowd began jeering at this. “I know how unpopular this is, but there ARE those of us that WANT to fight!”

“This isn’t our war!” called a femme from the crowd. She looked similar to Shadow Striker, but with a white and silver paintjob.

“Roulette, like it or not, it IS! The Decepticons are allying themselves with the Vehicons and we need to stop them!”

“The Vehicons are desert-dwelling Energon pirates! We’re safe in the city! Whatever they do makes no difference to me!”

“Stay out of it and you get to keep the old Velocitronian way of life?! Is that it?!”

“I LIKE the old way of life!”

“DO YOU?!” That question shook everyone to their Sparks. “…Velocitron’s Golden Age, and we were quietly dying a slow death! With our obsession with racing, we’ve lost sight of the finish line and the Vehicons were happy to take advantage of that when the Energon Crisis hit us! …Racers and pit crews, I ask you, all those times on the track, was it the victories that kept us going? Or was it the chance to constantly inspire others to strive for more? We can still be an inspiration. Joining the Autobots and helping them in their…OUR war doesn’t detract from that.” The crowd had humbled looks on their faces. They knew Override was right. “…Well, I’m offering you guys the chance to inspire our friends once again, just not on the racetrack. Twelve million years ago, on our ancestral seat of Cybertron, Prima discovered he could change shape. Six million years ago, the Primes built the first Metrotitans and breathed life into them. Four million years ago, the Prime of the time turned down the first Decepticon Lord’s only invitation to surrender and formed the Autobot faction. One million years ago, we became a neutral world whose alliances leaned mainly towards the Autobots. What I’m about to do in a few days will rank among those moments. In a few days, the old space port becomes a launch pad. In a few days, I will board the Lost Light and join the Autobot fleet to reactivate the Space Bridge network. The Autobots need us and I’m going to fight alongside Optimus Prime…and I want those of you that are capable of fighting to come with me! Those under my flag are no longer running away from our problems, we, the Accelions, are running TOWARDS our solutions!”

---

“NO!” shouted Megatron. “If Override joins Optimus, we lose Velocitron!” Dirt Boss ran a hand down his face.

“I didn’t want to do this, since I’d prefer she joined us willingly,” he muttered, “but we don’t have that many options.”

“And that option is?”

“…Mental reconditioning.”

“Did someone say mental reconditioning?” cackled a voice. Tarantulas dropped down from the ceiling in his beast mode, startling the two bots.

“Will you stop that?!” snapped Megatron.

“I like to keep my allies on their toes,” replied Tarantulas. “In any case, I have a device that can recondition her brain to our desires!”

“Is it built?”

“As a matter of fact, yes!”

“Then get it online. Dirt Boss, she’s more than likely going to meet with Optimus. Take the soldiers you need and intercept her.”

---

As predicted, the next day, Override met with Optimus, as well as Goldbug, Sonic, Amy, Galen, Llyra, Kong Primal, and Cheetor. The meeting took place on an abandoned track that was being swallowed up by the sands. She brought Clocker with her, and he had a data cylinder with him. Override was grinning like it was her birthday. “You know, I thought outsiders were stuck-up idiots,” began Override, “but it’s good to be proven wrong on that one. This kid, Clocker,” she gestured to Clocker, “is the one that finally got my science team on track. After this, we’re building a mobile-city dedicated to science and naming it in his honor.”

“Ma’am, you don’t need to do that!” protested Clocker.

“Yes, I do! You just saved Velocitron and gave us the means to make our own Energon. Speaking of which, our friends need the formula.”

“True that,” agreed Clocker. He handed the data cylinder to Optimus.

“So that’s the safe Synth-en formula?” asked Goldbug.

“That’s the one!” replied Override.

“That formula’s ours!” shouted a voice. Everyone whirled around to see Dirt Boss and a pair of thugs with him as they stood on a piece of racetrack above them.

“I already told you, I don’t want any part of your war,” Override grunted to Optimus sitting in the seat across the booth’s table.

“No, I get it,” smirked Optimus. “You’re the Nitro Convoy, you do everything yourself. How’s that working out for you?”

“It’s-it’s-it’ssss…I’m sorry, I don’t mean to get off on the wrong foot here, but do I look at the blue lights or the thing on your helmet?” Optimus then looked at her in a deadpan manner. “It’s just…I’m a little overenergized and I can’t tell if you’re fake or-” Optimus then leaned closer to Override.

“I’m real. VERY real. I’m the realest thing you’re ever gonna meet.”

“…Just my luck.” Override’s optics then looked elsewhere. “Where’s the staff here?” Her optics flashed green briefly.

“Yep, partodium’s in the latest batch of Synth-en, ain’t it? That’s not looking too good.” Override cycled air through her olfactory sensors.

“It’s been worse.”

“We’ve secured the perimeter,” reported a femme’s voice, “but I don’t think we should hold it much longer. It might attract Decepticon attention.” Override looked to her left to see Blackarachnia hanging upside down from a rope she attached to the ceiling. The Nitro Convoy’s optics flickered as she tried to determine the reality of Blackarachnia.

“…You’re…fired?” It was the best Override could come up with.

“I’m an Autobot,” retorted Blackarachnia. “That’s not up to you.” She dropped down from the rope, sprayed something on the rope to make it dissolve into thin air, and sat next to Optimus as he put an arm around her shoulders.

“Override, I’d like you to meet my wife, the genius chemist and spy, Blackarachnia,” he introduced.

“Hi,” mumbled Override.

“I was tasked with gathering as much information as I could on you and your condition,” explained Blackarachnia. “Regretfully, that meant getting copies of all files related to you.”

“I suggest you apologize for that and delete those copies now,” grunted Override.

“You’ve been busy lately,” observed Optimus. “You made yourself a lab-rat for toxic Synth-en brews in an attempt to solve your planet’s fuel crisis, you made your predecessor your doctor, and you gave the Planet Cup to some random femme! Now, if I didn’t know any better-”

“You DON’T know better,” interrupted Override. “I didn’t give it to Shadow Striker, she fought me and took it.”

“Whoa, hold on, no, she TOOK it?! The Planet Cup, and she took it?! The symbol of your office, and she just TOOK it?! A femme walked into your home, kicked your aft, and took the Planet Cup?!” Optimus turned to Blackarachnia. “Is that possible?”

“Well, from what Blurr told us,” remarked Blackarachnia, “there are multiple security redundancies to prevent unauthorized hands from touching it until it’s given to the new Nitro Convoy.” Override resumed glaring at the two bots.

“…What do you want from me?” she finally sighed.

“What do we want from you?” asked Optimus. “Nuh uh! What do YOU want from ME?! You have become a problem, a problem that I have to deal with! Contrary to popular belief, you are NOT the center of my universe!”

“I get it, all right?!”

“I have bigger problems than you on Cybertron! Legs, hit her!” Blackarachnia then jabbed her fingers into Override’s neck. Override jolted from the shock of something being in jabbed into her. Blackarachnia’s fingers then deployed a chemical into her systems, then pulled her fingers out of Override’s neck.

“What are you gonna do?!” she snapped. “Steal my t-cog and sell it?! Could you not do anything awful for a few nano-cycles?!” Optimus and Blackarachnia then saw the green glow vanish from her optics. “What did she just do to me?!”

“What did I just do FOR you?” corrected Blackarachnia. “That’s terraxium trioxide. It’s gonna take the edge off.”

“Override, we’re trying to get you back to work,” explained Optimus.

“…Gimme a couple boxes of that stuff,” replied Override, “and I’ll be back on my feet.”

“It’s not a cure,” countered Blackarachnia. “It’s just something to ease the symptoms. It doesn’t look like this Synth-en stuff’s gonna be an easy fix given the Energon shortage.”

“Believe me, I’ve got a team that’s the best at this stuff,” grunted Override. “They’ve been trying to find a suitable binding agent that would be better than partodium and give off the same radiation as normal Energon. They’ve tried every combination, every permutation, of all known elements.”

“All known Velocitronian elements, perhaps,” replied Optimus, “but I bet you haven’t tried the elements of extraterrestrial periodic tables, have you?”

“…What do you mean extraterrestrial periodic tables?” asked Override, now giving Optimus her full attention.

---

Override’s science team had copies and samples of the other elements of Mobius, Nebulos, and Animatros. To say that they were confused was an understatement. “This is way too much!” muttered a Mech.

“Can any of them REALLY be a better binding agent than partodium?” asked a Femme.

“That’s what you guys are gonna find out,” called Override as she entered the room. “Start looking.” The science team stared at her. “…That’s an order!” At that, the science team got busy. As she turned to leave, she idly glanced at a display of what would be Velocitron’s second mobile city, dedicated to science and culture. It had a globe in the center and various pathways branching out from it with buildings dotting the areas in between the paths. Override then did a double-take on it. It looked oddly familiar, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. “…Hey. …Hey, someone! Over here!” A young mech with the alt-mode kibble of an alien open-top race car then approached her. “What’s your name, kid?”

“Clocker, Ma’am,” replied the mech nervously.

“Clocker, what does that look like to you?” She pointed to the display.

“…The shot-down science-centric mobile city?”

“I meant the shape of everything above the treads, what does it look like to you?” Clocker arched an eyebrow and looked.

“…I need a better angle,” he muttered. “Computer, project a wireframe over the display. I need something to manipulate.”

“Hey! Clocker! Get over here!” called a mech.

“Hold on,” replied Override. “I think Clocker’s gonna make a discovery.”

“That intern?! Don’t make me laugh!”

“Shut up and let him do it. You get back to work without him.” The mech scoffed, then returned to his work…only to do a double-take as Clocker turned the wireframe projection of the mobile city to give him a bird’s eye view.

“…I think I’m getting something, but…” Clocker trailed off.

“Lose the roads,” replied the formerly-disrespectful mech. Clocker turned to him. “Go on.”

“Do it,” Override said to Clocker. Clocker highlighted the roads, then swiped them away. He then got an idea.

“Let’s lose the streetlights and public art pieces too,” he mused. He highlighted them and swiped them away. “Let’s see, parking lots, entrances, exits, they should go too.” Once they were gone, it became more obvious. “Now that’s an atom if I ever saw it!” he declared. “Computer, create an atom over the wireframe. Structure it using the central sphere as the nucleus and the buildings as the protons and neutrons.” The computer did so and created an atom of 147 protons and neutrons, then it mapped out the electron cloud of 147.

“Hey! Guys!” called the mech. “Look up all the periodic tables to find an element of 147!”

“Found it!” replied a femme. “It’s called Borzonite! Rare on Nebulos, but it’s a common element in Velocitron’s sands!”

“Can we reconstruct the formula using Borzonite as a binding agent?” asked Clocker.

“What?!”

“Trust him!” called Override.

“…All right, beginning formula reconstruction with Borzonite as the binding agent.” She began the simulation and added the alien elements to the formula. “…Okay, we have something, but it requires the Nebulan element, Yorkonium, as a necessary step for a covalent bond.”

“We have the element, let’s try it,” declared Override.

“An Energon shortage?” asked Optimus once Blurr was led to Fortress Maximus and explained the whole situation.

“And you’re not the Nitro Convoy anymore?” protested Hot Rod. “Some young’un’s in charge?!”

“You know; that one doesn’t surprise me all that much. I mean, I was an adolescent when I got the Matrix. But still, how long has this been going on?”

“Since the Space Bridge network shut down about a year ago,” replied Blurr. “We’ve got something, but it’s from ancient times.”

“What is it?”

“It’s the incomplete formula for creating Energon ourselves, no need to mine for it.” Optimus goggled.

“You mean you have a Synth-En formula?!”

“It’s incomplete. Override’s been usingherselfasalabratandpoisoningherselfinthe-” Blurr then punched himself in the jaw again. “She’s been poisoning herself as the science team’s test subject.”

“How did you come across this information?”

“I’m her doctor.”

“Then you better have a chat with Ratchet and Blackarachnia. You might be able to find a cure.”

“The only cure is a continual consumption of normal Energon and there isn’t enough of that. Best we can do is stave off the symptoms. Where IS Ratchet, anyways?”

“Fortress, where’s Ratchet?”

“He’s in the Repair Bay,” replied Fortress Maximus.

“Lead Blurr there. Get my wife to join them.”

“On it.” Lights in the floor then activated. “This way, Blurr.” Blurr headed off at top speed.

“…Slag, he’s faster than you!” Optimus muttered to Hot Rod.

“We need to test that claim,” replied Hot Rod.

---

Later in the day, Optimus managed to get Override on the line. “Override, it’s great to finally see you,” greeted Optimus.

“I wish I could say that it’s been a pleasure,” grunted Override, “but you brought your war to my world. Need I remind you of the Treaty of Velocitron? We will aid you when your war doesn’t harm our world.”

“With all due respect, we didn’t have much choice. Both sides are trying to get to Cybertron the long way from Mobius now that the Space Bridge network is down. On top of that, we have reason to believe that the Decepticons are after your planet’s Omega Key, er, Cyber Planet Key…what do you call a giant, gold-trimmed Cyber Key?”

“We call it the Power Key and what makes you think that I intend to give it to them?”

“They don’t intend to ask.”

“Well, I don’t intend to tell them OR you unless you’re willing to race me for that info.”

“…I thought the races were shut down due to the Energon Crisis.”

“Okay, who’s the one with a motor mouth?!”

“Your doctor.”

“…How much did Blurr tell you?”

“Everything. We have a science team here. Believe it or not, we don’t need a resupply on Energon until we get to Gigantion. We can certainly help you with your affliction.”

“That’s a miracle you guys don’t have, and you sound like Dirt Boss!”

“I’m sorry, who?”

“That’s all the information you’re getting from me! I have NO interest in joining the Autobots!”

“Wait a minute, that never-!”

“This call is over! We don’t need help from warmongers!” Override then ended the call, leaving Optimus confused.

“…When did I ask her to join the Autobots?!”

---

“I’m sorry, you’re doing what?” Megatron asked Dirt Boss.

“Sending Ransack and Crumplezone to work on a special mission,” replied Dirt Boss.

“And that mission is?”

“To retrieve all available data on racers.”

“…You’re having them do something that any fool can do?”

“That’s why I picked them. They’re too foolish to do anything else.”

“Okay, so it’s a diversion. …A diversion for what?”

“For Shadow Striker to take the Planet Cup while Override is talking to Optimus.”

“Mind explaining why this would be bad for Override?”

“Because it’s the symbol of the Nitro Convoy. Take it and you cause lasting dishonor for them. That, and you take the Power Key hidden inside the cup from them.” Megatron’s lips curled into a snarl.

“Okay, getting REAL tired of me constantly asking questions here! What’s-?!”

“I think you Cybertronians call it the Air Omega Key.”

“…Ah, so it’s hidden in plain sight, is it?” Megatron grinned. “You know, I have a team that is researching the Omega Keys at the moment. There’s a message spread across the Keys and we’re trying to complete it.”

“Is there, now? Well, Shadow Striker should be coming in and…ah, there she is!” A femme with a car’s front on her right shoulder, a car’s roof and windows on her left forearm, and a black, gold, and blue paintjob then stepped up to them in a purposeful fashion. She pulled a winged trophy out of her subspace pocket. “Ah, the lovely Shadow Striker!” greeted Dirt Boss.

“The Planet Cup, as ordered,” she grunted.

“And an excellent carrying out of orders, as expected from a beautiful lady like you!” His hand reached for it, then Shadow Striker held it away from him. “Sweet Shadow Striker, why are you so cruel to me?”

“The Shanix!” hissed Shadow Striker.

“A mercenary?” growled Megatron. “You hired a mere mercenary?!”

“You REALLY know how to talk to a Femme, don’t you?” replied Shadow Striker.

“Only to ones with a sense of loyalty beyond themselves!”

“…Say that again and I’ll use my sister’s gun to plant one right between your optics!”

“…A sister?” Megatron then smirked. “You know, the life of a mercenary may get you short-term profits, but what about long-term? The Decepticons can give you and your sister a stable life.”

“Not interested.”

“At least consider my offer.” Megatron handed her a metal card with the Decepticon Symbol on it. “I won’t be staying for much longer. Give it some thought. I’ll call you when I’m about to leave.”

“I’d rather have Shanix than some card right now.”

“…As you wish. But, I urge you to consider my offer.” Dirt Boss then handed her a briefcase. She opened the case and counted the Shanix inside. She then closed it and handed him the Planet Cup.

“Nice doing business,” she remarked to him.

“And a pleasure to hire you,” replied Dirt Boss. “You are a treasure!”

“Spare me. Shadow Striker, HIGHTAIL!” Shadow Striker’s arms folded in a way that the shoulder and forearm armor went behind the wings that made up the hood of the car, then her legs folded to become the back. As she transformed, the briefcase went inside her, and she took off.

“A beauty, ain’t she?” sighed Dirt Boss.

“You know, useless flattery gets you nowhere with a femme,” muttered Megatron.

---

A few mornings later, Override was sitting on the entrance to the Circle, drinking some Energon. She earned one or two looks from passersby, but she didn’t exactly care. She then noticed some Energon spilled on her fingers, so she licked it off. “Ma’am!” called a voice, a new one she heard once before. She looked down to see Optimus standing on the walkway with his hands on his hips. “I’m gonna have to ask you to get off the entrance roof and join me inside!” Override’s optics flickered, then she jumped down and they both went inside the Circle.

Override stopped by her favorite hang-out, the Circle, as Blurr brought the Autobots up to speed. The Circle is, or rather, WAS, a major club for racers. She stood at the red walkway and looked up at the once-proud sign. She closed her eyes and thought back to the evening of the race that decided her current political position. She imagined herself all clean and polished, her lipstick as sharp as her cocky smile as the lights of the cameras caused her armor to sparkle. The sides of the walkway had barriers as the news crews started asking her questions and congratulating her on her win. It was then that someone asked something that seemed odd at the time. “Override, Ma’am, what are your thoughts on the Mobius Crisis?”

“Excuse me?” she asked.

“What is your take on the current activities concerning the Autobots and Decepticons over the supposed war against the Chaos Bringer and what it means-?”

“The what now?”

“…Surely you know what’s happening? You watch the news?”

“Friendo, I don’t WATCH the news, I AM the news!” She entered the Circle with her entourage and was immediately bombarded by music and lights. She was dancing with all sorts of mechs and femmes, shimmying against their frames and letting them caress her. After a good solid hour, she sauntered over to the bar. “Hold your tears back, boys and girls!” she called. “Just gotta fill my tank and then you’ll be feeling me on you once again!” She sat next to a purple mech with his tires attached to a backpack. “Hey there! Dirt Boss, yeah?” she asked the Mech.

“That’s me, the self-proclaimed seediest bot on Velocitron!” joked the mech. “Want a drink?”

“Why else would I be here?” chuckled Override. Dirt Boss then called to the bartender.

“Hey! Two cubes here!” The bartender then poured them each a cube of liquid Energon. The two bots then clinked their cubes and guzzled them.

“More Energon!” called Override once they finished. Her optics then caught sight of a pair of mechs sitting in a booth with some sort of device fastened to their heads, connecting them to a strange machine. “Hey, Dirt Boss!” she called as they got their refills. “Know anything about that?” She pointed to the machine.

“The bots that made it call it ‘Simultronic’, something that creates ‘reality inside reality’,” replied Dirt Boss. Override looked at the permanently dazed expressions of the bots hooked up to the machine.

“Looks like they’re frying their brains. Who would ever want to run from a world like this?”

“No kidding. Hey, one more round?”

“Sure thing! Then I better see you on the dance floor! You don’t wanna miss me shimmying up to you, do you?”

“Sounds like something I wouldn’t DARE miss! Bartender, one more round!”

“Don’t you bots ever slow down?” asked the bartender as he poured out one more cube for each of them. Override made an exaggerated gasp and put her hand to her chest in mock horror.

“‘Slow’? Us?! You insult us! Wealth! Fame! Endless upgrades! Racing forever! Velocitron FOREVER!”

“VELOCITRON FOREVER!” called everyone in the Circle. Their cheers then faded as Override returned to the present day. The Circle was dim, empty, and quiet. Override walked down the now-faded red walkway and entered the club to see only one bot hooked up to a Simultronic machine in a booth by himself. The bartender was now in danger of cleaning his cubes again.

“This place still dead?” asked Override.

“There’s a fuel shortage, remember?” grunted the bartender. Override simply put her Shanix onto the counter.

“Is this enough for a bottle?” she hissed. The bartender looked at the amount, then grabbed a bottle and empty cube.

“Knock yourself out. Really, do that.” Override took the bottle and cube and made her way to an empty booth. It was a booth with a Simultronic machine. She poured herself some Energon, then took out a device and put her finger to it. It opened an Energon tube in her finger and took a reading.

“Innermost Energon Toxicity: 62%,” it reported. Override looked at the stray cranium connection draped across the table. She held it in her hand briefly.

“Didn’t you call it a brain frier a year ago?” asked a voice. Override looked up to see…

“Dirt Boss?” she asked.

“Glad you still remember me from that night,” chuckled Dirt Boss. “May I?” He indicated he wanted to sit across from her. She nodded and he sat down. “You know, from your comment about Simultronic last year, I figured you and I agreed that such a device was for the weak, not the strong.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m just visiting a friend. I was told this became a hangout for you, even after you announced the fuel crisis. Tell me, have you ever felt loss? Remorse?” Override’s optics flickered. “…Let me put it this way: how much do you REALLY care about those around you?” Override snorted at that question.

“If this is gonna be a conversation about how cold and arrogant I am, trust me, I’ve heard them all before!”

“From people scared of your gifts, I’ll wager.” Dirt Boss’ face then became sympathetic. “Believe me, I understand you better than anyone you’ve ever known! Tell me, what do you REALLY care about, my friend?”

“Racing.”

“Just the racing?” Override then hesitated.

“…No. The crowds. When I can feel them behind me. The lights. The roar. And that moment, that one single moment, when I know what I’m doing really matters.”

“Power. It’s POWER you care about.” Override arched her eyebrow at Dirt Boss’ statement. “Power over the crowd! Power over those around you! Like me, you have a single-minded devotion to achieve! You have little time for those around you and care only for what YOU want! What YOU can get! Others would want you to believe that these qualities are bad, not my group!”

“Group?” Override arched an eyebrow again. Dirt Boss continued.

“Our belief is simple, only the strong should rule! YOU are strong, Override, my friend! You’re superior to everyone around you! At the moment, I lead a group that exists to bring freedom to those like yourself! Freedom from that which exists to deprive Velocitron of what we TRULY deserve! That which took away your dream! We call ourselves the Vehicular Constructs, the Vehicons!” He handed her a business card-shaped piece of metal with the Vehicons symbol on it. “We could really use someone with your gifts, your clarity. Like I said, I command them at the moment, but I’m perfectly willing to let the Nitro Convoy take the helm. This will give you what you want, freedom from the Racer’s Curse! All those races, all those victories, and you STILL felt hollow, didn’t you? Rule or serve, Override. You’ll know what to do.” He then left the building. Override examined the metal card, then she spent her remaining time finishing off her bottle. She put the empty bottle and cube back at the bar, then left the Circle.

---

Dirt Boss smirked as he saw Override leave the Circle. “She’ll join us,” he remarked to someone in the ally.

“I should hope so, for your sake,” rasped the bot shrouded by the ally’s shadows.

“Relax, she’s young and malleable. She’ll come around to our way of thinking.”

“I suffered two setbacks on the way here, one on Nebulos and the other on Animatros. Both were the result of arrogant idiots thinking that their one single plan was fool-proof!” The mystery bot stepped out of the ally to reveal Megatron looming over Dirt Boss. “I trust YOU aren’t an arrogant idiot?”

“N-No, my Lord!” gulped Dirt Boss. “I’m not an arrogant idiot! I have backup plans should my main plan go south!” Megatron’s sweet smile didn’t reach his optics.

“Good. It would be nice to have at least ONE colony flying Decepticon colors.”

Wind swept across a set of dunes on an alien world. A bug skittered across the sand to search for food. As it stopped, it surveyed its surroundings. It then felt something rumble from beneath its feet. It turned to see a massive thing roll towards it at breakneck speeds! It then crushed the bug, ending its life. The thing was one of many caterpillar treads that kept a city mobile. It continued scouring the sands for the lifeblood its inhabitants needed. As the city moved, a female bot looked out across the sands ahead with a forlorn expression. She then looked back to the closed stadium that served as the prow of the city. She thought back to all the good times she had, especially the one where she became leader of her planet. She imagined herself in the usual launch tube at the stadium for the usual event held there. The tube was dark as the door was shut. “Final checks,” called a voice.

“We’re clear,” replied an old voice. “Readings are good.”

“Prepped and ready, Override, Ma’am?” asked a younger voice.

“Do it,” replied the female robot, Override.

“Disengage!” called the young voice. “Set for launch!”

“OVERRIDE, BOOST!” Override’s chest then folded up as her head went into the torso while the legs folded up towards the front to make a pair of wheel-wells with headlights and a cockpit at the front. The arms sunk into the sides as the shoulders formed rear wheel-wells and the backpack became the rear of the car Override became. The instant she transformed, she burst out onto a racetrack with other cars accelerating, trying to pass her. They dodged all sorts of obstacles, walls, stun beams, winds going against them, you name it! Eventually, it came down to her and a blue bot. The two crossed the finish line, then transformed to bot mode.

“And it looks like it’s a photo finish!” called the announcer. “Let’s see the results!” The photo taken the instant the bots crossed the line then appeared on the screen. It was magnified, then enhanced. Override’s wheel wells were just ahead of the blue bot’s front end. “AND WE HAVE A WINNER! FEMMES AND GENTLEMECHS, I CAN SAY, WITH NO EXAGGERATION, WE HAVE OUR NEW NITRO CONVOY! OVERRIDE IS VELOCITRON’S NEWEST AND YOUNGEST NITRO CONVOY! THIS IS HISTORY IN THE MAKING!” Override raised her arms as if to tell the crowd to cheer louder. As she departed, multiple fans clamored for photos, autographs, stories, you name it! …Then her mind went to her recent decision. This time, the crowd was angry at her.

“YOU CAN’T DO THIS!” shouted a femme.

“I DON’T HAVE A CHOICE!” she answered on that day. “UNTIL OUR ENERGON STORES ARE BACK UP, RACING IS DONE!” She drew in a breath, then continued. “Look, do you guys realize how much of our Energon was imported? Our planet is so Energon-poor, we need to focus on survival. With the Space Bridge network down, we can’t afford to race anymore.” That earned more than a few grumbles and out-right vocal jeers.

“I can’t believe I cheered for you back then!” came a child’s voice. The crowd left, then the scene faded as the blue bot she raced back then approached her in bot mode. He then spoke at a rapid pace.

“Overrideit’sterrible!There’sapairofMetrotitansandthey’relandingonourplanet!Whatdowedo?!We-”

“Timing Actuators, Blurr,” interrupted Override. The bot, Blurr, then punched himself in the jaw.

“Sorry,” he replied. “As I was saying, we have a pair of Metrotitans landing on the planet!”

“What?! We can’t afford to refuel ONE, much less TWO! Who are they?!”

“Recent scans identified them as Fortress Maximus and Scorponok.”

“Well, we’re not exactly friends with Scorponok. Go to Fortress Maximus and explain the situation to him.”

“You got it! Blurr, BOOST!” Blurr’s head sunk into the torso as it folded up. His shoulders became the front wheels as his legs and arms joined together to make his hips the rear wheels. He then took off at the usual Velocitronian speed.

---

Hot Rod, Kup, Cheetor, Sonic, and Shadow carrying Maria zoomed across the sands of Velocitron. “Your civilization’s built on a mobile city?!” asked Maria.

“Sure is,” replied Hot Rod. “Represents our mobile way of life. Can’t stay in one place for too long, especially on this planet.”

“Why’s that?” asked Shadow.

“It’s Energon-poor,” explained Kup, “not as bad as planets like Chaar or Greengate, but Energon’s not our main export, it’s more like our main import.”

“But with the Space Bridge network down,” remarked Cheetor, “there’s no way you guys can survive!”

“Not unless we’ve shut down the races,” replied Kup. “Which, knowing Blurr, is a little hard to do.”

“Hey! Heads up!” called Sonic. “Something’s coming towards us!”

“It could be an Energon Pirate!” gulped Hot Rod.

“Then what are we talking for?! Shoot him!” called Kup. The Transformers went from their alt-modes to their bot modes and leveled their guns on the supposed Energon Pirate. They fired and the bot started dodging.

“HOLDITHOLDITHOLDIT!” wailed the bot. “CALMDOWN!RELAX!LIGHTENUP!IT’SMEIT’SMEIT’SME!”

“Wait, I recognize that voice!” yelped Hot Rod. “Hold your fire! It’s Blurr!” Everyone holstered their guns and allowed Blurr to approach. He transformed and dusted himself off.

“Wellthere’sgratitudeforyou!IwentoutsidethecitytogreetyouandendupgettingshotatasifIwereanEnergonpirate!ImeandoIlooklikeanEnergonpirate?!IwastheNitroConvoyandIgetshotatbybotsonelookinglikeanAnimatronian!Imeanwhere’stheUniversalGreetingandallthat?!OhwelljusttomakesureourvisitorsarefullyawareIamBlurrformerleaderofthisworldnowIhelpOverrideinmakingsureourcivilizationisn’tcollapsingthankstotheshut-downoftheSpaceBridgenetworkand-”

“Could you repeat that last past?” interrupted Sonic.

“Whatlastpart?”

“The last part after you transformed!”

“Blurr, do you have any idea how dangerous it is out here?” asked Kup.

“GiventhatscansdetectedyouandyourMetrotitansout-”

“Timing actuators!” Blurr’s optics flickered, then his face turned red.

“Sorryabouthat!Onecycle!” He slugged himself in the jaw, surprising the Non-Velocitronians, then he resumed speaking. “Like I was saying, YOU were the ones walking the sands out here! From your Metrotitans, I presume?”

“Metrotitan, singular,” corrected Hot Rod. “We came here aboard Fortress Maximus in pursuit of the Decepticon Forces aboard Scorponok.”

“Whoa, whoa, for once, slow down!” yelped Blurr. “Decepticons?! We ordered the war to stay OFF Velocitron and you idiots brought DECEPTICONS here?!”

“We didn’t have a choice!” argued Kup. “With the Space Bridge Network down, we needed to get to Cybertron the long way from Mobius! Sadly, so did the Decepticons!”

“Why did you even leave Mobius at all?!” asked Blurr. “Last time I checked, Unicron was still there! Now, if I didn’tknowbetter-!”

“Evidently, not yet,” remarked Cheetor. “They beat him.”

“…Youbeathim?TheChaosBringer?”

“Timing actuators, and yes, we did,” answered Hot Rod as Blurr punched his jaw again.

“…You know, you may be just what my successor needs,” he mused. Hot Rod and Kup stopped at that.

“…What do you mean ‘successor’?”