“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.