Transformers: This Is How It All Began: 2.16: Ignition
This Is How It All Began
A Story From Before the Great War
Act 2: The Last Days2.16: Ignition
Defence Directorate Command Platform
Primon Flats
Cybertron
Optrion marched quickly through the access corridor, the alarms that had pulled him from shut-down still ringing in his head. Running feet echoed around the temporary structure, technicians and soldiers alike startled from their rest by the call to duty stations.
He spied Bentwing emerging from a side door and headed to intercept him. The blue flyer glanced down at him and nodded, expression puzzled. “Any idea what this is all about?”
“No more than you, I'm afraid.”
“Better get in there and find out then.” Wings twitching with anticipation, Bentwing led the way to the briefing chamber.
They found a dozen officers and adjutants crowded in front of the main displays, keeping only a little way back from Megatron and Vieuxuun. All optics were locked on the holo-screens which, absurdly, were flooded with news-feeds. Only the heavily annotated maps of the Vos/Tarn border remained at military spec - the rest was given over to an endless stream of images, from the Celestial Temple in Iacon to the slums of Tagen. Most prominent, however, were pictures streaming from the Vosian Palace of Law and the Tarnian capital building.
“...still not available for comment. However, sources close to the Conclave have reported that an emergency session has been in progress since mid-day. Reaction from the financial sector has been angry, with many accusing Tarn of attempting to discredit Vosian investors in the optics of the wider business community. Jal Avir Alva of the Pan-State Banking Conglomerate has called for the enforcement of due-process and a halt to baseless speculation -”
The channel on the central display shifted, a new feed cycling up. A red mech standing in front of a golden colonnade peered earnestly into the camera. “...just heard that Emirate Haacano of Tarn has been summon to appear before the Magnus. This comes as several Lakatera states call for greater oversight of the Tarnian peace-keeping force deployed in Simfur, and, indeed, as serious questions are being asked about several recent energy deals brokered between Vos and states previously dependant on Tarnian fuel. And - yes - we now go live to an interview with Emirate Graviitus of Vos, who -”
The channel changed again, this time to show a devastated industrial landscape, gutted by fire. “...was the scene following the explosion in the Mahlex energon distribution centre. The effect on the local fuel infrastructure has been catastrophic, and the consequences have been felt in many Qosho Region cities. While reconstruction is now well under-way, it is expected to be at least three mega-cycles before full operational status can be restored. The bombing, carried out using a high-intensity 'flash-point' device, was originally attributed to one of the anarchist groups known to operate in the region and sparked a joint Civic Guard/Defence Directorate anti-terrorist operation -”
“...who have just joined us,” cut in the unmistakable voice of the famed reporter Grandslam, speaking over pictures of Governor Viilon and Lord Taynset of Vos, “the main story this morning is the accusation by the Tarnian government that a Vosian businessmech funded the recent bombing of the Mahlex Industrial District in Tarn's east quarter. Evidence presented to the High Council and the Office of the Magnus is currently being assessed and an official statement as to its validity is expected shortly. Vos has already responded angrily to the accusations, condemning them as a cynical attempt to use the tragic loss of life as a political weapon -”
“Commanders.” A communications technician interrupted the flow of news and brought the map to the fore. “We're picking up Tarnian military forces moving along the border. It looks like they're going to reinforce several out-lying industrial centres.”
“In case the Vosians decide to blow up more power plants,” Vieuxuun muttered caustically, optics tracking the rapidly moving icons.
“A sensible precaution under the circumstances,” Megatron growled back.
“Possibly, but I doubt very much that the Vosians will see it that way.”
Optrion could only agree. Even in a defensive capacity, the sight of large contingents of Tarnian troops anywhere near its borders would be anathema to Vos. From the murmurs running through the crowd, the potential consequences were obvious to everyone. “Frag me,” Bentwing said softly, “but this is gonna get messy.”
Megatron turned to his troops, face set and grim. “As yet, our orders have not changed. Given...this -” He gestured to the screens. “- however, it can only be a matter of time before we are called on to intervene. I want all lieutenant commanders to coordinate with their squad-leaders in prepaing deployment strategies and tactical information on the region. Provided,” he adjusted, glancing at Vieuxuun, “that you agree with that.”
“Of course, Commander Megatron. In this matter I do not believe we can be prepared.”
“Right. Optrion, Bentwing, Cascade - we'll review this new dispersion of Tarnian forces. The rest of you - disperse and begin your preparations.”
The crowd broke up as ordered, the hum of concerned voices rising as the discussions began. Optrion moved against the tide, crossing the room to join his peers and superior at the tactical consoles, mind buzzing with possible outcomes and responses.
As he did, he saw icons lighting up on the Vosian side of the border. Aerial troops, deploying in watchful formations.
The first, he guessed, of many.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cast List - Act 2
Name (Nickname) - Function - Full designation [Name - Base Form - Template - Birthing Well]
Sentinel Prime () - Prime of Cybertron
Xaaron () - Emirate of Nova Cronum - Xa Mech Aron Tava Szenda
Graviitus () - Emirate of Vos - Gravi Mech Itus Lyivas Keldon
Haacano () - Emirate of Tarn - Haac Mech Ano Tava Szenda
Traachon () - Emirate of Iacon - Traac Mech Hon Ias Zar
Aetalon () - Emirate of Simfur - Veeta Cyol Lon Dradia Chemic
Optrion () - Defence Directorate Lieutenant Commander - Op Mech Trion Novus Zar
Zerinat (Ironhide) - Defence Directorate Trooper - Zer Mech Inat Cosa Hexus
Toiinat (Ratchet) - Defence Directorate Medic - Toi Mech Inat Cosa Hexus
Megatron () - Defence Directorate Field Commander - Mega Mech Tron Tava Szenda
Rahshiv (Ravage) - Defence Directorate Lieutenant - Rah Quad Shiv Temla Corvis
Hialuxx (Trailbreaker) - Defence Directorate Trooper - Hial Mech Uxx Roda Zar
Vieuxuun () - Defence Directorate Field Commander - Vieuz Mech Uun Novus Hexus
Grandus () - Defence Directorate Supreme Commander - Grand Mech Us Kolva Szenda
Viktoleo () - Defence Directorate Supreme Commander - Vikto Mech Leo Lekto Zar
Torlaet (Deftwing) - Defence Directorate Supreme Commander - Torl Mech Aet Lyivas Keldon
Taynset () - High Lord of Vos - Tayns Mech Et Lyivas Keldon
Sarristec () - Lord of Vos - Saris Mech Tec Lyivas Keldon
Vvnet () - Lord of Vos - Vvn Feme Et Lyivas Tema
Viilon (Shockwave) - Governor of Tarn - Vii Cyol Lon Dradia Szenda
Deca Magnus () - Civic Guard Supreme Commander
Diatrion - Civic Guard Investigator - Dia Mech Trion Novus Zar
Chevuxx (Clutch) - Civic Guard Constable - Chev Mech Uxx Roda Zar
Mesinat () - Civic Guard Constable - Mes Mech Inat Cosa Hexus
Talainat () - Civic Guard Investigator - Tala Mech Inat Cosa Hexus
Relshiv (Glitter) - Civic Guard Pathologist - Rel Quad Shiv Temla Corvis
Maszadep (Nightbeat) - Freelance Investigator - Masz Mech Adep Novus Keldon
Tynllonn () - Civic Guard Commander - Tynl Mech Lonn Cosa Hexus
Veedacraal (Hardrive) - Freelance Accountant - Veedac Mech Raal Verous Klyda
Amagos (Earthquake) - Black Shadow Member - Amag Mech Os Tarva Svenda
Kattatron (Tornado) - Black Shadow Member - Katta Mech Tron Roda Zar
Konntyrn - Businessmech - Konn Mech Tyrn Verous Nor
Gauun () - Decal Designer - Gau Mech Un Verous Klyda
Aratron (Wheels) - Body-shop Worker - Ara Mech Tron Verous Klyda
Calitae () - Oil-house owner - Cali Feme Tae Gelshal Klyda
Junaadep (Racetrack) - Body-shop Owner - Juna Mech Adep Roda Zar
Eimoril (Needlenose) - Fashion Feed Personality - Eimo Mech Ril Novus Keldon
Jovandiim (Grand Slam) - Reporter - Jovan Trac Iim Dradia Corvis
Ottonaraac (Raindance) - News Feed Camera - Ottona Avir Raac Kelssa Corvis
Zirokk (Impactor) - Gladiator, Iacon East Heavy Club - Zir Mech Okk Draida Viss
Evvnortt (Rampage) - Gladiator, Praxus West Sector Heavy Club - Evvn Mech Ortt Verous Klyda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Transformers and all associated characters and ideas belong to Hasbro and are used here purely for entertainment purposes.