Chapter Four ... The Man Behind The Secret


As the Archeville tries to awaken, he has moments where he opens his eyes and sees Starscream studying him with a massive electronic microscope. The old man feels strange, as if his body has lost all of its senses, he can't feel the coldness of the table or even smell the air he must be inhaling.  The only sense he does have is his hearing.  He can faintly hear the moans and painful woes of human voices in the room. Perhaps he wasn't the only prisoner of the Deceptions; perhaps more of his crew was spared he thought.  But why would they be in such pain?  Just what was this Deception doing to them all?  His eyes slowly closed again as the jet commander looked down at him and pressed a button just out of his eye range.

"Now, now Doctor-we must get our rest.  It will be a busy day for you-especially during your interrogation." The evil Decepticon chuckled.

As Starscream touched the button, Archeville's eyes closed into darkness again, sending him back into a deep sleep.  The only thing running through the poor man's mind at the time was, "Dear god-what is he doing to me?'  As his mind drifted into comatose state again, he began to envision the most pivotal time of his life.  He saw himself as a young man being recruited into the Nazi youth core and becoming known as the wiz kid for his inventive creations.  He helped to forge new rocket propulsion, new biological agents, and even helped a group of German scientists work on the nuclear fusion formula.  Hitler had thrusted the young Archeville to the top ranks of his army and even made him one of his personal advisors that he kept with him at all times.  In flashback memory he could recall many moments of frustration with the dictator.  They would quarrel about fuel reserves and placement of soldiers around the world.  Hitler's idea of ruling the world was becoming Archeville's ambition, but when it came to instructing the easily aggressive leader with his thoughts, it was hard to get him to focus on how to achieve this task without having one his usual temper tantrums about doing things his way.  Archeville was sick of losing because of Hitler's madness, so while Berlin was getting bombed from above and the rest of them buried deep below in a bunker, Archeville decided that it was time to put an end to this losing war.  Picking up his Lugar, he shot anyone that blocked his way towards Hitler's main room; he barged in on the dictator and his mistress Eva Braun and wasted no time with killing the both of them.

"I'll take this world for my own-no matter how long it takes." He said to the dead leader's face staring back up at him.

He remembers the U.S. soldiers picking him up soon after and taking him to a detention camp where they questioned him for hours upon hours.  The top military brass had known of his work for sometime and clearly didn't want to kill him, in fact he wasn't surprised at all that they brought him back to the United States and placed him in a secret base where he could continue his scientific work.  He remembers giving the Americans advice on how to perfect the nuclear bomb and a possible engine design for new planes that could "jet" across the sky in half the time.  The war was over, but he was forgotten, the military had burned any knowledge about him and even went as far as to even remove his fingerprints.  Now he was their special scientist that could give them everything they'd hope for.  Archeville had always found it amusing that while they tried to use him, he in turn was using all of them to get to his ambition.  Sitting in a comfortable cell in a military base was his closing memory; his dream like flashback soon began to melt away as he started to feel consciousness coming back again.  The days of his youth made him smile, it seemed so long ago to the old man, but the dream of someday ruling the world was a life long ambition that never truly died.

"Where-where am I?" He starts to speak in a raspy voice as he opens his eyes again.

"Ahhh-you're awake at long last Doctor." The smug sounding voice of Megatron echoes from the darkness.

The entire room seems eerily dark; a lone spotlight is shining down on Archeville as he tires to move.  His arms and legs feel pinned down as he realizes he's sitting in some sort of chair and fully restrained.  He also notices a very odd feeling about himself, something isn't quite right about his arm or his head, a sudden wave of dread fills his eyes as he remembers Starscream previously hovering over him doing god knows what to body.  Again he begins struggling to bring his arm up and starts whimpering like a frightened child.

"What-what have you done to me?!" He cries out as he continues to struggle free.

"Patience Archeville-" Megatron's voice says coyly.  "If you need to have a look at Starscreams fine handy work-then all you had to do is ask for a reflective surface to see."

A giant, well-polished flat piece of metal drops down in front of the man and now he can clearly see what horrors have been done to him.  Gazing into the mirror like metal, the Doctor gasps at what he sees.  The top of his head is now covered in some sort of metal with a pair of small white blinking lights sticking out like a pair of small horns.  On the front of the metal skullcap is the Decepticon logo and a few smaller built in red and green LED lights that seem to turn on and off every time his eyes move.  Looking at his right arm, he now sees that it too is completely made of metal.  A robotic prosthetic arm that looks like it goes right up to his shoulder blade.  The hand is claw like in appearance and has more of those red and green lights running up and down the arm.  Every time he moves it he can hear the gears turning and the hydraulics pumping as he tires to flex.  The man totally breaks down and begins sobbing at the terrible thing he has now become.

"That's gratitude for you." Starscream's voice now speaks from the dark as well. "You could at least say "thank you' for saving your life."

"I'm a Freak!" Archeville screams. "A monstrosity!  You should have killed me rather then leave me to look like this!"

Megatron now steps out of the shadows and stands into some of the light reflecting off of the floor.  But this was not a floor Archeville was on; it was a small table that had a chair placed in the center of it.  Only the upper half of Megatron could be seen as the rest of him was obscured by the where the tables end stopped.  Folding his arms over and smirking, Megatron's eyes glowed in the soft light like a demon.

"Perhaps I can arrange that afterwards Doctor-but for right now-I need you alive.  Your tiny organic brain has information that I want-can you take a guess at what I mean?"

"The Autobots?  I'll tell you everything I know about them-" He says with some nervous giggling.

Megatron's face instantly scowls at him and thrusts his fist on the table causing it to quake from his forceful blow.  Archeville screams in agony as the tremor and echo of it snap the man violently.

"Don't play games with me human!!" Megatron barks. "You know what I'm talking about!  Project N-tell me everything about that secret of yours or I'll let Starscream take you and use you for his personal test subject!"

Archeville's eyes tremble in a fear they've never known, he remembers hearing the sounds of other humans groaning and crying out while he was being worked on by the Decepticon jet commander.  It must have been whatever survivors were left of his sub crew, those that not been killed by the crushing depth of the ocean and of the wounded soldiers of his boarding party.  These evil robots have a cruelty that would send a shiver down any beings spine, worst then anything he's ever done during his time as a Nazi soldier.

"Project N?" Archeville says with a frightened curiosity. "You-you know its name?"

Megatron chortles lightly and grins again. "Soundwave is very skilled in resurrecting information-especially when he has the data tracks of that of Telatran One.  Every electronic file or data from around this planet is now at our fingertips. That Project N of yours is more widely known then you think."

Leaning into the table and bringing his face closer to the terrified man, Megatron squints his red eyes at him and brings his tone into a more serious nature.

"That cannon you used to shoot at us-it must be part of it somehow.  The technology is well beyond your limited intelligence to produce, so you must have incorporated with your own useless junk.  Confess its secret to me human-and maybe I'll be gracious enough to let you live."

Archeville was scared of the Decepticon leader, as he looked deep into those pulsating red eyes of his.

"And-and what of my crew?  Will you let them live if I tell you?"

"There's no point in worrying about them-" Starscream chuckles as he now steps into some visible light as well. "It took all of their lives to save yours, Doctor. Where do you think I got most of the extra parts from?"

As the jet commander laughs at that fact, Archeville nearly became sick from the thought of his crew being diced and having their parts inside of him.

"My God-" He said in disgust.

"Come now Doctor." Megatron smiled. "I would have thought a man like you would have been used to seeing death is such a manner?"

"What-what do you mean by that?" Archeville gauntly stated.

"We managed to uncover your detailed history-you and a group of warriors called Nazis almost had this planet in the palm of your hands.  Had it not been the failing of but one man, Earth would now be yours.  It could still be yours-if you cooperate." Megatron smirks at him.

Peaking his interest, Archeville's mind once again focuses on his one hunger that Megatron has now dangled in front of him.

"You would help me?  To take over this planet-" Archeville begins to grin in his madness again, but suddenly his grin dies down as he thinks of the consequences. "But-what would I have to give back in return?  Something tells me there is a price to pay for this union."

Starscream leans in this time and tempts him further. "What does it matter what the price will be?  Think of it Doctor-you would be the sole ruler of this miserable planet!  The human race would be yours to command-just as you've always dreamed of."

Megatron stokes his chin as he awaits Archeville's reply.  He can see the man is working the scenario in his head and now returning to that twisted evil smile of his.

"Well-what shall it be Doctor Archeville?  Kill you now or help you take this world for your very own?" Megatron asked of him.

Raising his head up and giving a more relaxed look in his eyes, the old man stared at the silver metal being and calmly gave his answer.

"I can't tell you what Project N is-but if your offer to help me is genuine-then I'll gladly show you where it is."

Megatron and Starscream smile at one another as they see their temptation worked on him. 

"Very good Doctor-very good.  With the Deceptions help-you shall rule this world." The evil robot leader smiles as he gives a simple giggle at the man caving to his will.

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Walking into the Autobot Ark, Optimus Prime and Spike continue to talk as they venture down the long corridor as they head for the medical bay level.

"I hope you get permission soon Prime.  The U.N. is taking forever to reach a decision to let you go to Area 51 and expose Archeville's private army." Spike says as he breathes heavily trying to keep pace with Optimus Prime's long steps.

"Indeed Spike. You humans seem to have a knack for having lengthy discussions and arguments about taking any sort of action."

Spike smirks as he looks up at the leader and breathes out in disappointment.

"Yeah-sucks to be human sometimes.  We should be more like the Autobots-give all the facts and do what's right.  Seems to be the best way anyone should decide.  Still-never know what might trigger something next without letting everyone share their views and fears."

"Fear should never hold anyone back from doing what's right, Spike." Optimus says as he stops mid-way and looks down at him. "Archeville is a danger to both your people and mine-the sooner he is brought to justice to pay for his crimes, the better we will all be.  No offense Spike-but I want to go home and finish this Cybertronian war once and for all.  If that means going in to grab him without your government's permission, then so be it.  I want to live in peace on my own planet-and never again have to worry about who may or may not be trying to destroy the universe."

"Sounds like a plan.  Anyone back home worth sharing the moment with once it's all over?"

Prime gives a somber sigh and continues to walk down the corridor.

"There was someone-but Megatron even managed to take her away from me too."

Spike didn't bother to ask Prime anything about it; the melancholy response he gave was a clear indication that he had lost that special someone in his life.  It reminded him about the time he lost his mother, he felt as if the whole world had been destroyed and now his life was empty.  No doubt his dad had the same feelings or worst.  One day Spike will have to make up for the time he spent apart from his father, the rift between them since her passing has made the men lose too many years together.  If it hadn't been for these "Transformers' showing up when they did, chances are that both of them would still be emotionally apart from one another.  Instead of telling Optimus of how sorry he was to hear of the loss-he simply kept up with the pace of the metal being's stride and kept him company.

Just before they reach the main command center, Prime turns to a secondary door adjacent to it.  The dual sliding doors open and shows the large room that occupies Ratchets repair bay for the Autobots.  Spike and Prime enter inside as the doors quickly close behind them.  Ratchet can be seen attaching a limb to an Autobot with white and red markings.

"Well Ratchet?  Is this group repaired yet?" Prime asks.

"Just about Optimus-" The medical Autobot replies and then looks at his patient. "Easy does it Red Alert-just a few clicks-and-there we go."

The arm snaps on and gears can be heard guiding it into place.  Red Alert sits up on the metal table and jars his fixed arm around.

"Good as new!  Thanks Ratchet."

"Next time just relax-You shouldn't be moving about when Telatran One is trying to reset your transformation cog."

The red and white robot gets off the repair table and gives Ratchet a worried look.

"I-I know-I was just-I don't like having to change my transformation.  I got nervous I guess."

Laughing out loud at the other side of the room, stood Inferno, Steeljaw and Blaster.  Inferno, a large deep red robot with white attachments on his hand and a ladder on the back of him, gave anyone the notion that he might be part of a firefighter crew.  Spike could make out the fire department symbols on his cab-like body frame and some of the gear he had attached to him looked to be part of what anyone would see on a fire truck.

"Nervous?!" The southern sounding fire truck Autobot laughed. "Shoot, Red Alert-you whipped around so much your darn arm came swingin' off!"

"I couldn't help it Inferno!" The red and white robot shouted in panic. "I wasn't sure it was safe!  Who knows how bad Telatran One was damaged-it could have turned me into something-un-natural."

"D'oooh go on now-you know T-1 wouldn't do that. Besides they fixed the computer a long time ago. Ain't that right Ratchet?"

Ratchet nods and begins wiping down the table.

"That's right-Wheeljack patched it as good as he could."

Red Alert stared at the medical Autobot blankly. "As good as he could??  Why does that make me even more nervous?"

Prime walked up to him and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Take our word for it Red Alert-you're fine.  Just because you're in new form doesn't mean you've changed inside.  Judging from your usual personality-I can safely say that much is certain."

The robot gave the leader a smile and nodded with satisfaction. Inferno shook his head at his friend, he found it hard to believe that this was the robot in charge of any crisis operation; he's full of paranoid thoughts and a constant worrier.  Still, in those moments of dire crisis, he is calm, collected and knows how to organize the rescue team to their full potential. 

"Yeah Red, just chill out and go with the flow." Blaster now adds.

The colorful orange, red and yellow robot stands tall next to Inferno, his chest is almost like Soundwave's in that it too has a plate that could open up to storage Mini-disk transformers as well.  The polished chrome details in his face and the smirk on his face give him the look of a robot that has an ego to match it.

"Good to see you once again Blaster." Prime says as he acknowledges his presence in the room. "I trust your happy with the new form Telatran One has assigned to you."

"Its all that Prime!  Check me out-I'm the ultra cool, hizzle fa-shizzle that's gonna totally bam out the "cons with my def noise man!" Blaster squeals out in joy as he models himself.

Prime blankly stares at the weird speaking Autobot, "Are your logic chips functioning? What in the world are you going on about?"

"Oh...uh..." Blaster stammers. "Sorry Prime-guess T-1 loaded me up with human lingo and current music trends.  Just trying to tell you I'm-uh-fine with the new look."

"Next time-just give me the non-human expressive answers.  Your still a soldier so give me answers like one-save the rest of that nonsense for those that know how to translate it."

Blaster notices Prime giving a faint wink and giggles at his reaction.  He raises his hand up in salute and gives him the proper reply he expects.

"Yes Sir, Optimus Sir!"

Steeljaw comes up to Spike and eyes him carefully.  The golden looking transformer is almost designed like a lion, its mane is razored like a spiked blade on top and his fangs jut out like a saber-toothed tiger.  The low growling noise nearly startles Spike as he looks at the golden cat creature circling around him and touching him every now and then with his claw-like paws.

"H-h-hey there-n-n-nice kitty-" Spike nervously says to it.

"Oh don't mind Steeljaw there-" Blaster says as he walks over to pet the golden cat. "He's just curious about your species.  I must admit-you humans are a fragile bunch.  But I dig your music and culture, much more colorful then any other I've ever seen."

"Thanks-I think." Spike blinks unsure about how to take that.

Steeljaw wags his metallic cat-like tail as Blaster pats him on the back and opens up his chest plate.

"Ok Steeljaw, time to flip back and take some z's"

The cat gives a low growl and transforms into a gold version of a Mini-disk, which then slides into Blaster's open chest and closes up as soon as it sits inside.  Spike watches in amazement as the sound and look of them transforming never ceases to amaze him.

"Blaster, I want you, Red Alert and Inferno to report to Jazz for a debriefing-" Prime soon speaks to him with authority. "I want all of you to be up to speed on what's been happening in the last four months and of the humans who have been trying to prevent our launch for home."

Blaster scratches his dome-like head. "Preventing?  Man who'd prevent us from doing anything?!  We're far more advance then them Prime-"

Optimus interrupts the communications officer and raises his hand. "Just-go and listen to Jazz will you?  As I said, he'll fill you in on what's been going on.  There are complicated matters stirring about this so just be patient and listen."

Red Alert salutes the leader and nods. "Don't worry Optimus Prime, we'll be sure to get all the facts and report back to you as soon as possible."

"And one more thing-" Prime adds. "There is to be no wandering off of this base while we are here, we maybe good friends with many of the humans for now, but all that could change with some of them after our new mission.  Jazz will tell you what you need to know, how to proceed and so on.  Don't take any of this likely-.I want you all to remember that this is the human's planet and not ours. Our next objective after the Earth mission will be to return to Cybertron, to build a shuttle and blast for home-to whatever awaits us there."

Blaster rubs his chin in thought and looks down at Spike.

"Sounds serious, bub.  This Earth mission-whatever it is must be very dangerous if Prime is concerned."

"You have no idea Blaster-you just have no idea."