Lithone: Chapter 16

7/31/2019 Lithone: Chapter 16

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Lithone: Chapter 16The chamber turned bright blue with the glow from the Matrix. Vectors oflight danced out from its crystalline core, which oated free between thehalves of its outer shell. The vectors glittered and ashed around Perceptor's

body, and his missing arm was restored, as if the Matrix wished Perceptor tomore easily and properly wield it.

Perceptor obliged, and gripped the Matrix with both hands, and raised it up.It shined all the more brightly.

The battle in the chamber quieted almost instantly, as all eyes were drawn tothe Matrix. The room fell silent.

It wasn't long before the rumbling started. Bits of rock and metal began todrizzle down from the high ceiling of the chamber, and the conglomeration ofhardware in the center of the room began to spark and vent gases. It wasapparent that, once again, the power of the Matrix would destroy Unicron.

The Autobots that had been under Unicron's control were now free, andlooking around in confusion. We missed something, didn't we? Starstreakuttered, expecting no answer.

Cyclonus was also liberated, and quickly realized that he was now vastlyoutnumbered and without support from either Unicron or the Nexus. Withouta word, while everyone else basked in the glow of the Matrix, he swiftly ewover to the Nexus, still lying on the oor. He converted to robot mode,smoothly snatched up the Nexus and stuffed it back into his chestcompartment.

Another time, Autobots, he quipped. He switched back to jet mode and

ew into a tunnel, giving Siren only enough time to grab on to a wing as hepassed her.

The Autobots watched him go, passively. The Matrix had a much moreprofound effect on them. They, and the Lithones as well, made no moves toescape. Natalie, however, was becoming increasingly alarmed as the quakingaround them slowly grew.

Guys! Guys? Snap out of it! I think Cyclonus had the right idea. We need toleave. Like, now.

Thesys and Bika both heard her, and let the peacefulness of the Matrix energyebb as they got up. Thesys himself felt refreshed; something told him that he

had been damaged, but was just now healed.The trio jogged over to Perceptor and waved to him, but the captain was stillenthralled with the Matrix. Behind them, the Lithones and other Autobots,including Rodimus Prime, were also shaking off their stupor and recognizingthe need to depart quickly.

After a few kilocycles, Rodimus walked up to them. His optics shone a deepand piercing blue, mirroring the Matrix itself. They all could tell that theirleader was back, himself again.

Let it nish, he said calmly. It knows better than any of us when its work isdone.

It seemed like breems, but nally the glory of the Matrix faded, and the


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chamber returned to its gray and orange sheen. Perceptor lowered the Matrix,and its shell again enveloped its core. Its task was complete.

Perceptor looked up and saw everyone waiting for him. He smirked atRodimus. Uh, my apologies, Rodimus, but you were otherwise engaged.

That's ne, captain, Rodimus beamed. Nice work.Perceptor looked at the Matrix in his hands. Was it his now? He gazed into itscore, and imagined a future. Perceptimus Prime. He weighed the idea, turned itin his mind, applied his extraordinary computational capacities in evaluatingit.

No, he decided. I think now is not the time.

Here, he said, and he held out the Matrix to Rodimus Prime. This isyours.

A ash of surprise crossed Rodimus's face, followed by a hint of sadness, andnally a steeling of resolve. He silently accepted the Matrix, ipped open his

chest cavity, and nestled the Matrix back into its home. His ame-decoratedchest panel sealed shut with a hiss, and the Autobot symbol at its center

blazed.

All right, he said. Let's go.

I'm afraid that's impossible. Zurell jogged up to the Autobots. All of thepassageways have either caved in or been somehow sealed. We are trapped.

Rodimus glanced around the chamber. Twin Twist! He pointed to thetunnel Cyclonus had just escaped through. Start digging. Everyone, gatheraround that tunnel. Use your weapons to shoot away any debris.

The Autobots and Lithones hurried over to the tunnel. They brandished theirweapons and began scanning the ceiling for falling material.

Kup! Thesys shouted, as the elder Autobot rushed over. You're all right!

Sure am, Kup growled with satisfaction. A gift from the Matrix.

I hope the Matrix has more gifts to give, and fast. Thesys looked around.Larger chunks of rock were beginning to crumble from the ceiling. Every sooften, a Lithone trooper would re a few shots at whatever fell nearby.

Meanwhile, Twin Twist was drilling away. He was making headway, but itwas impossible to tell how much longer it might take for him to penetrate the

blockage if he could at all.

Thesys hoisted his phaser arrays and ran over next to Twin Twist. He startingring at the rock and metal taking up the tunnel entrance. His weapon did afair job of digging, although not nearly as well as the diamond-tipped drills ofhis Jumpstarter cohort. After a few moments, Thesys stopped. He wasconcerned that he would cause a second cave-in, trapping Twin Twist in thesmall tunnel he was boring.

With a screech the mass of electronics in the center of the chamber tore fromthe ceiling and crashed to the oor. The room darkened considerably as thedisplays on the control cluster shattered. Most of the illumination remainingcame from the increasing defensive re from the group.

The roar from the collapsing material grew, as did the rate of re from thesurvivors. Thesys and Bika drew closer to each other, arms held high as they


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quiet.

Children.

Everyone looked up.

Lithone, Zurell said.

Children, you are safe. The Matrix has weakened Unicron, and he will soon beexpelled from my body. But you must now ee. My body will collapse further, butthanks to you I shall survive.

Lithones. Thank you for saving me. I love you and will always take care of you.

Autobots. I also thank you for saving me. You shall nd, in time, that you have savedyourselves as well. I shall always hold a special place for you in my heart.

Now, please, my children, sit. I must carry you.

The Lithones immediately obeyed and plopped down where they stood. Thebewildered Autobots, along with Natalie, gathered together and sat down as

well. All of them, except Thesys and Rodimus, were shaken and glancedaround nervously even Kup.

Rodimus smirked. So, Kup. What does this remind you of?

Before Kup could answer, there was a crackling sound, and the group feltpressed against the bottom of their enclave. A low, crunching, hissing soundsurrounded them as the pressure eased. Thesys checked his gravimetricsensors and gyros, and veried what Natalie had sensed herself.

Going up, she said.

There they sat for half a breem, as they were all lifted up through the body of

the planetoid itself. The rippled walls around them were strong and did notex at all, despite the grinding of rock behind them that their transit caused.

The Autobots looked at each other in silence. There wasn't much to say, in theface of the magic that they were witnessing.

The top of the enclave opened up, and the walls melted down and away, andin a kilocycle, the group was again on the surface of the planetoid. Thesys saw

jagged rocks coasting through the sky, beneath the stars. He remembered theirfailed incursion, when they had lost Rodimus, and he was glad that it hadworked out better this time.

Children. I will bring you your vessel. You must go. I'm sorry, but you won't be safe

here much longer. Remember, I love you.A rumbling arose from the horizon, and in a moment, the orange hull of theAlafex emerged into view. The ship was surng on a wave of rock, quicklymaking its way to the landing party.

Lad, Kup said to Rodimus. I think I can say I've never seen anything likethis before.

The ship arrived, and settled down gently as the rock wave sank back into thesurface.

All right, everyone! Rodimus shouted. You heard the lady! Onto the ship!

Perceptor keyed an access code into an arm panel, and the starboard loadingramp of the Alafex deployed. The team quickly began boarding.


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Bika was rst on the bridge. She leaped into the pilot's chair and started thelaunch sequence. The engines roared back to life, and the bridge lit up withrevived control panels and indicators. Perceptor arrived, and without a wordtook his seat in the captain's chair.

Captain, Starstreak said over comms. If it's all right with you, I'll y point

in case we need some repower to get out of here.Very well, Starstreak, Perceptor replied. Take off now and make sure wehave a clear path.

Acknowledged.

Perceptor looked around to ensure his entire crew was present. Bikacontinued her preparations with notable speed. Natalie was at thecommunications station, strapping herself into its oversized seat. Perceptornoticed that her former clumsiness with her exosuit had vanished. Kup andRodimus Prime had just come in and were making for their own seats. SomeLithones were also lingering about.

Thesys, however, was not in sight.

Thesys! Perceptor shouted into the comm. Are you on board?

Outside the ship, Thesys stood, watching the last of the Lithones le up theboarding ramp. He sensed that Lithone wanted him to linger.

Your name is Thesys. My child, you are the reason that I am saved. Thank you.

Me? Then the memories ooded back. Rodimus and Siren, and the vocalvirus and the slave program and then he was dead and what he saw.

After he had woken up, he hadn't had a chance to think about it.You did not die. You were free, and you saw the Matrix. I could see you, and Iwatched you break the bonds holding your friends. This surprised Unicron, and hecould no longer keep your friends away from the Matrix. They do not know it, but

you made your victory possible.

Unicron's slave program, and the Decepticon virus they unlocked the potential inyou. You are no longer who you once were.

Is that why I could feel you?

Yes. Changes have begun in you, but you will not understand them for some time.You have been granted a gift, but it is a terribly powerful gift. Please be careful.Always act with compassion and love.

What is the gift?

I cannot explain it to you, for there is no time. My body will soon collapse and disruptmy presence, and so you must leave. It will be some time before I can be fully presentagain.

There is another who can help you, but I fear his motivations. He also saw you whenyou beheld the Matrix. He will seek you out and nd you. You can learn much fromhim, but do not let him

What? Do not let him what? Who is he? Are you still there?

You must go. Please. Remember, act with love!


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At once Lithone's presence lifted. As if waking from sleep, Thesys suddenlyheard the sounds around him, hills beginning to crash and chasms crackingopen. And the whining of the ship's engine. And Perceptor's voice, shoutingover his comm link. Thesys! Get on the ship! We have to leave now!

Thesys jerked back to alertness. Yes, sir! he responded. He whirled and

dashed onto the ramp. Before he made it to the top, the Alafex surged up fromthe surface of the planetoid and spun its bow around and up to the sky. A pairof Lithones reached out and pulled Thesys the rest of the way into the ship,and a third pulled a lever to retract and close the boarding ramp. In amoment, it hissed shut, and it was quiet.

Lithone: Chapter 16 2009, 2011 Bill Havanki

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Lithone: Chapter 16