New Beginning 23: One for the Record Books

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

"Well we're already connected, it shouldn't be to hard to finagle something. Like, hold still and tell me if you feel anything."

He sits down a reaches out across the technari connection towards Optimus Prime, but instead of shoving his way into the robots mind he pictured an open door and just sort of invited Optimus into his.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

The robot closed his eyes, and his mind felt for something strange and sentient. He envisioned a door as well, another door, another, another, until something sparked and he could tell his mind was picturing the same door as the one within the mind of Shadow Vaultboy. Drawing open, Optimus found himself being drawn within.

Invisible static hummed between the two, as Optimus closed the door behind him, and unloads every bit of memory from his mind, while receiving every bit of memory from the Shadow Vaultboy's. As the data flew back and forth between the two bodies, Optimus slumped, until he was on all fours. There had to be some element of his intellect, through which to connect with this new potential ally. If not, he had hit a dead end, and there was no telling how much longer he would have before it was too late, and Prime would achieve her goal.

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

Optimus feels a sudden tug in his mind. Then another, like a tentative test. Then something grasps it in cold claws and he feels himself being dragged, faster and faster, as though across the gulf of eternity.

He finds himself in darkness. No, not darkness. The plane stretching out before him is just a solid black. A different, lighter shade of the color made up the sky and though no light was cast about this place he could see clearly the thing that dragged him here. Motherboard Prime loomed out at him, form set perfectly against the emptiness, and said "I believe you were probing around for some sort of intelligence?"

[The Mediocre Gatsby]

Nano flew deeper in to the Technari fleet, until he felt a pounding in his head. That pounding quickly went from in his head, in to his stomach. Nano looked up and saw a sight that weirded him out.

 "Man, I don't remember getting a permission slip signed to go on a trip to the Uncanny Valley." Nano said. Before him stood an oddly human looking robot. Like Sunny from I,Robot, but more evil and sadistic.

 "I suppose you're the commander here? I mean, you look like the kind of evil figurehead capable enough of leading a bunch of drones." Nano said.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

An expression--part contemptuous disdain, part condescending amusement--crossed the bot's face, and he replied as such, "My, this one is quick."

His very voice across the electronic frequencies seemed to draw other bots' attention. Hulking mechs and scrappy drones closed in with menace, androids and cyborgs and mini-mechs and droids, but Backspace put up a hand, and his eyes narrowed with malicious delight, "Now, now, boys and girls, adults are talking. You go back to playing with your friends on Earth and Mars."

Reluctant though the bots seemed, they did not require a second imperative; the lot of them turned from him, and returned to antagonizing other enemies. The Technari commander was fascinated with Nano. He would have the boy's attention drawn by no other enemy, before getting his point across.

"So", he continued, his eyes glowing blue for an instant, before blinking returned them to normal, "I gather that you prefer to go by Nano."

A drone--doubtless, twice the size of a tank--approached him with a message as he readied to continue. Without missing a beat (not even turning to face it), his expression became one of cold malice, and he extended a hand behind him, blasting it to pieces with a bright energy beam from his palm. His expression brightened again and he continued, not taking his eyes off Nano for a second, "I am called 84CK5P4C3. Though, you may find it easier to call me Backspace."

[Celadon's Penultimate]

Eerie gloom and a deepening sensation sense of despair keep Optimus from replying. This Shadow Vaultboy--his lack of knowledge about the situation at hand--his inquiries--his nature--Optimus figured he should have know.

"Motherboard, how long have you been privy to our communications?" Optimus grew a bit bold in his mental communication, "Or was it just it an illusion that you ever weren't around?"

His awareness would not catch it, being trapped and trained on Shadow Vaultboy's mindscape, but as the two conversed, mind to mind, Megatron would return, followed by Gir. The Decepticon leader approached what looked like any ordinary psychic communique between a technopath and a robot, and called out.

"I've finished scanning quite a few of the robots-turned-undead." he said, "At first, it seemed that the lot of them were simply being remote controlled by the Witch, but it seems she left them each with an apparatus. A nanocyte, but devoid of any technology I've ever seen. A simple metal shell, and within, traces of her strange energy...Optimus? Vaultboy? Do you hear me? I said I found some very strange technology. They may lead to answers. Optimus!"

[The Mediocre Gatsby]

"To be totally honest with you, 'Backspace', I'd find it easier to call you 'A Pile of Scrap' or 'A Robot in Retreat'." Nano said. He began forming a plasma sword out of his right arm. "But I get the feeling that none of those names are going to stick very easily with you. So, I'm going to ask you a question. Only once, and it's a very simple question."

 At that moment in time, Nano felt the overwhelming urge to ask "Do you want to build a Snowman?", but he couldn't. He had done such an awesome job setting up his monologue, he couldn't break that chain now! He smirked behind his helmet and said.

 "Do you want to do this the easy way, or the FUN way?"

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

She looks confused. "Huh? Yeah, I've been listening for about as long as this whole thing has been going on. Y'know, when I'm not working. And let me tell ya' man, I have never been through the type of workout I've been through today."

"I think he's confused you for someone else, ES." Came a absolutely beautiful baritone from somewhere neither could see. Prime slapped one hand on the side of her face in annoyance. "Speaking of work outs..."

A figure emerged from the ground in the distance. A perfect figure. A stunningly perfect figure. A man, a perfect physical specimen, with ever contour and well oiled muscle on his body being comparable to Adonis himself. His long brown blew back majestically, despite the fact that there was no wind in here. He wore naught but a loincloth, pure white save for a single word stamped down the frontal flap;

P
E
A
K
!

"Please excuse our resident thief." He said in his perfect voice as he strode across the darkness toward Optimus. "She has no control over what form she takes. That is decided by others." He stops in front of the robot, shoving Motherboard Prime out of the way. She gives him the finger but he pays no mind. "You wished to commune directly with this replica of our vessel? All who try must pass through our domain to do so. Standard procedure would be to throw you out. However, the old man believes that, given the information you seem to possess, cooperation will be mutually beneficial. Come, I will guide you to him."

"What about me?" Motherboard says.

"You are to remain here and maintain the connection."

She looks like she's about to argue, but then just sits down on the ground.

The man nods at her, the at Optimus. "Come."

[Celadon's Penultimate]

Treble continues to dart back and forth, with lightning reflexes; and Bass continues a blunt attack, fortified with thunderous sonic force. The cloud above seems intent on keeping them from taking fatal damage. For every attack they receive, it allows them to return, a bit more powerful than the time previous.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

Something about this near-naked human was off-putting to the utmost...yet he seemed sincere. That was perhaps enough. If it turned out to be some ploy, to return his body to the command of Motherboard Prime, Megatron would have no problem killing him if necessary, anyhow. Some technopath might even happen across the lifeless form and reprogram it back to the side of good. There was nothing much to be lost by trusting this man, whoever he was.

Keeping cautious, but taking care not to look hostile, Optimus followed.

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

He leads Optimus down a stairwell that, before now, had blended in to the flat plain of blackness that it had been unnoticeable. The stairs spit them out in a large foyer, black couches and benches lit only by the eerie purple light of a plaque set into the wall above the far door. It was the only thing so far, beside the people, that was not made of some shadow matter. It was round, and metallic silver, and in the middle was the image of a microphone that glowed. As they approached it a voice, sounding like a machine doing its best to impersonate a human woman, said "Greeting Optimus Prime."

"Airi, what is the present location of the old man?" the man asked.

Airi responded promptly "His Quarters."

"Message him that we're on our way." He replied, leading Optimus into the door and hall beyond as the voice rang out behind them "Message Sent."

They traveled down through dark hallways and down dark staircases, occasionally passing through rooms constructed from shadow. Sometimes they would meet someone. A small blue slime slinked across their path, before turning into some yellow rodent and bounding away at the sight of them. A webbed up hallway inhabited by a giant spider, whom a man with a thin mustache, a painters smock, and a box of numerous art tools complimented her on the ascetics of her web. They past a room containing a pair of Greek gods relaxing in a swimming pool, who nodded respectfully to Optimus's guide as he passed. Occasionally the same plaque set elsewhere, in the wall of a room or over a different door.

Deeper and deeper they went, until the guide finally stopped at one certain door and ushered Optimus in. Inside was a room with a large table, strewn with papers rendered unreadable for the shadow matter they were made from. This did not seem to stop the old Asian man in the room, clad in long yellow robes with a long white beard and his hair done up in a bun on top of his head, from looking them over with great interest. He looks up, roused from his study by the sound of ten ton robot entering the room, and sets the paper he was scrutinizing down. He bows politely. "Greetings, Optimus Prime." He says. "My name is Stratego. I'm sure you have many questions about what it is you've stumbled into."

[Celadon's Penultimate]

Optimus shakes his head, "I've got questions, but perhaps not the ones you'd think I'd have. Since this is, in effect an extension of The Vault, I assume you all are either the Vault Keepers, or those kept within."

[Celadon's Penultimate]

As the words left Nano's mouth, the expression on Backspace's face seemed to grow troubled, as though giving the choices legitimate contemplation. He even put a hand on his chin, mocking consideration.

"Hm...should I give up against an Earthling whose body is mostly composed of nanocytes ripe for the Technari taking, or cut him down to size for the arrogant little boy-bot that he is?" Backspace continued, "Should I lay waste to him and everything he holds dear, or give up the iron grip I've laid on his beloved home world without so much as a fight?"

Pretended though it was, his deliberation would be brief, and when it was done, a new expression replaced it.

"Tough choice", he said at last, "but you've talked me into it. Sure, I'll stick around for some fun."

With that, his body glowed a thin blue aura, and he zoomed forward, his energy-charged fist cocked back for a mighty blow.

[The Mediocre Gatsby]

/Nano.Optics.Scan.IsObjectApproaching = true

if (Nano.Optics.Scan.IsObjectApproaching = true) then

 Detect place.PointofNearestContact

   lift Nano.Limb.Arm.Hand and block object.ApproachingObject

end


Nano lifted his hand, containing a Cyber Stabilizer up to block Backspace's incoming fist. He didn't know if it would effect the robot foe, but even if it did slightly, Nano could calculate and form a plan of attack.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

Rearing back from the Narrator's verbal blast, it had no time to recoil from his oncoming earthen onslaught. It reels backward from the might of the rocky blow.

[The Narrator]

Narrator sees his oppurtunity....

"This is my open, my chance to focus, now think, what could possibly defeat this thing....."

He closed his eyes.  Instantly he was within his mental world. 

"You back for us kid?" Logic asked. 

"Actual I do need help. I need to fight this fire with fire.  What can I spring up to defeat this beast so I can attempt to rejoin the others?"

Areson sprang up, excited, "I got the most perfect idea."

Narrstor opened his eyes, back to reality. He smiled as he pulled out his phone. 

Waving it in distinct patterns, a green light trail followed, as he screamed, "it's morphin time!"

He was instantly clad in a green and gold outfit. His face masked under a green helmet. 

He grabbed a dagger from his holster and put it to his mouth. The dagger, doubling as a musical instrument played a melody. 

Somewhere in the deep, the black eyes of a zord glowed red, and the mechinal sprang to life, issuing forth from the depths of the oceans, and flying towards Narrator.

The Drabgonzord landed behind the Narrator, allow him to enter into the control panel. 

"Let's do this!" Narrator screamed, awaiting the beast to attack. 

--

[Celadon's Penultimate]

The Technari warrior ignored the half-man's gesture, coming at him full force. He would show young Nano just how he got to be a leader in Motherboard Prime's forces in the first place. Certainly not by being weak and easy to scare. He hurtled toward Nano with startling speed and force, not seeming to flinch in the slightest. And as his blow landed square in Nano's gut, the only thought that crossed his mind was the delicious irony of turning the young Earthling's own nanocytes against his beloved homeworld.

At least, that was his first thought. When the hit connected, however, a new thought crossed his mind, and it was not of victory or triumphant condescension. There was a fizzle. Something small, a tiny ripple, perhaps, but a strange sensation nonetheless. He looked down, as he recoiled from the powerful blow he'd dealt.

What was that small speck? And why did it--fzzzzzzt--make him feel so strange? Of course, the boy couldn't have--zzzzt--wanted him to attack? Had he been--gzztt--lured--dzzt--into a trap so facile without thinking?

Backspace found himself a bit stupefied for a second, only able to focus down at the small-device lodged on his chest.

How--GGgzzt--stupid!

[Celadon's Penultimate]

Looking at the great Megazord, it was plain to see that it towered over the Gros-Virrilex Vermipede's crawling position. Even from tip to tail, it fell short of the Megazord's might. Yet, the bot seemed unfazed by the size difference.

It had an ace up its proverbial sleeve.

All throughout its body, a humming sound began to build, until the earth in immediate vicinity trembled. As it stopped, the Vermipede began to change. The sectioned parts of its body seemed to shed off, except rather than simply falling away, they moved forward and backward on the Vermipede's body. Following the bodily extension, the sound of mechanical buzzing, humming, clanking and beeping could be heard, as its machinery spread out to fill in the elongated surface area within.

Assuming a slithery snake pose, it reared back, spread wide its gripping spidery limbs, and lunged for the Megazord. Within a matter of seconds, it was not only constricting the great mechanical beast, but grappling it all about with powerful legs.

Another piercing screech escaped its maw, and it primed to bit into the Megazord's neck.

[The Mediocre Gatsby]

"Alright! Proffessor, they work! Now, to show this guy who I am." Nano said. He held up his hands and shot out more of the Cyber Stabilizers at Backspace. The seemed to land, however, they all only had the same effect. Nano knew that they wouldn't hold. But he had an idea. It was ludicrous, insane! But if it worked, it would be a major payoff.

 "You want my Nanocytes? Go ahead, have 'EM. Have ALL OF ME!" Nano said. He turned himself into a cloud of Nanocytes and began swarming Backspace. Even though he was a cloud, he stuck himself to Backspace, while also commanding each of his cells to act as a Cyber Stabilizer.

 "Now to check out your source code." Nano thought.

 The blue circuitry pattern adorned Backspace's body as Nano dove in to the Technari General's mind. Nano knew he only had one shot at this.

 The room was black and bottomless, the pillar was glowing a deep red. Unlike with XJ9, Backspace didn't have a Technari drone controlling her, it was just Nano and Backspace, alone.

 "You're an awesome fighter, you'd make an amazing ally, you know. You'd be worshipped on Earth like a superhero by kids everywhere." Nano said to backspace, who was standing completely still in the room. "Let's see if I can't change your outlook." Nano touched the glowing red pillar and felt a shock from his back. He heard menichal laughter. Something had gone wrong. Terribly wrong.
 
 It was at that moment that Nano had the thought that would change his life. What if diving in to source code wasn't an exclusive ability. What if Backspace could do it too.

 "Right you are." Sad a familiar voice in Nano's head.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

As Nano's mind had extended forth not long before, and gripped his mind, Backspace now reached out, a quick and cutting psyche. It grappled and grasped with iron capacity, as he had done so many times before. Motherboard Prime had taken the minds of The Wire's Lord Mecha-Magister, the Duke of Micromechanon-XIV, the High Emperor of Haxxor, the Soltura'an Cyberphalanx, the Grand High Trans-Mechanitrix of Ell'See-Di. That was the mind who was in the process of training his own. And he was a prodigy in her care. Top of his class.

That was the likes of which Nano was up against, and he would do well to remember it. Data surged through Backspace's circuits at unreal speeds, in an effort to overload every pesky nanocyte which now swarmed about at every side.

One swath of nanocytes would receive a stream of random numbers, another would receive a transmission detailing the Fibonacci sequence at length, and the final swath was bombarded with a continuous calculation of the entire extent of pi. As the numbers blazed through his circuitry at astonishing rapid-fire, the bot's expression curled into one of sinister glee. What mechanical mind, what digital psyche, what cybernetic consciousness could handle such an overload in addition to their own memory stores? None that he'd known, and he'd gone up against the Cabal of Galvan and the Cult of Tron.

For a long pause, it would seem to outsiders observing that the two were engaged in an intense staring contest, each encompassed about in blazing electric-blue energy. Internally, however, a psychic deluge was unleashed, and Nano was transfixed in its wake. Such would be the case for what seemed like an eternity.

Though, it would not be long before a fact became apparent...a fact that turned the robot's triumphant smugness into dismay, and even bordered on despair. He couldn't stop. Backspace could not stop his outpouring of data, nor slow it down, nor pull it back. Yet, Nano's mind, while troubled, did not seem anywhere near its peak capacity.

What's going on? he wondered, He's fused with computer circuitry! His mind ought to have been mush by this point!

The extension of his mind ran his consciousness across a bit of data Nano had collected from the Earth's internet. A new horror crossing his expression, he read the fact once, then again to make sure he wasn't delusional from mental exertion.

"Most computational neuroscientists tend to estimate human storage capacity somewhere between 10 terabytes and 100 terabytes, though the full spectrum of guesses ranges from 1 terabyte to 2.5 petabytes."

Two-point-five petabytes.

The extent of Backspace's own mind, it was 100 terabytes. Motherboard Prime, he estimated at 550. And the memory capacity of the human mind, for all its flaws and inefficiency, could run circles around the lot of them. He cursed in Binary. He had to pull back, else his mind would soon finish copying data, and begin unloading original files from the hard drive to assist his attempt at psychic assault.

Backspace strained--at first, even to move, and then to regain control over the data stream--he reared backward with a mighty effort, and the data flux turned again back to his own consciousness.

"WHAT???" came his soundless outburst in space, "Damn you!"

His mind was pulling back! The half-man did not seem even to be making a conscious effort, and yet here Backspace was, engaged in a psycho-cybernetic tug-of-war. Motherboard Prime had said that human minds were voracious for knowledge...had she meant it literally? The Technari general couldn't believe it. Of all the foes to put himself up against, he had felled overlords, warlords, secret societies, whole empires of robotic opposition--now he was going to be done in by one of a race of psychic pitbulls?

He wouldn't have it. With everything he had, he gripped and grasped for his thoughts, like the hand of a fearful friend, sinking in quicksand.