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[Autobot Research Outpost]

Prowl wrote:>>”Excellent, Silverbolt. We will begin the physical tests shortly. You and your team may enter the facility for now. Tell Jetfire that I want a full briefing on what alterations have been done to you. Then we will proceed with the gestalt testing.”<<

Silverbolt acknowledged Prowl’s affirmation, looking over his shoulder to Jetfire and the rest of the Aerialbots. “We can head inside,” he said nonchalantly, “Prowl wants some words with you, Jetfire. ‘A full briefing’, he said.”

The shields and the projectors around the abandoned military base quickly gave way to reveal the multiple Autotroopers standing guard outside the facility. He hadn’t seen any other signs of civilisation from the air, and the technology that had been set up was certainly enough to fool most. A bit of a desert mirage in a way. The Autotroopers acknowledged their presence, knowing exactly who it was and why they were here, and gestured them towards the entrance.

The moment the ground underneath Silverbolt’s feet changed from sand to steel, he felt a pang of some kind in his circuits. That little jolt of determination that he had found aboard the Ark was seemingly fading, and doing so rather quickly. Suddenly, they were back in another laboratory, and it did not take much for Silverbolt’s circuits to start feeling odd.

Then we will proceed with the gestalt testing, Prowl had said. He had already known what would have become of their minds should things go wrong. He felt it. He saw Air Raid’s memories, Skydive’s experiences, Fireflight’s thoughts and Slingshot’s psyche. There was little room for doubt about the fact that they had likely done the same. For now, it felt as if they had all been brought together a little closer, and that was a feeling that made Silverbolt both slightly relieved and ever so strongly more worried.

Jetfire found Prowl just before he went over to Quickswitch, taking his datapad in hand and beginning to explain the process of the changes made to each individual, as well as the overall results from the first two mental tests. Silverbolt didn’t pay too much attention to it. His optics may have scanned the room, but he himself was out of it right now.

[Autobot Research Outpost]

Prowl wrote:Sixshot’s scans are on there. Once they’re uploaded into the computer, we can start the analysis and then the upgrade process will begin thereafter.”

”Understood.” Rook made haste in uploading all the data to the computer. Prowl’s comment about Quickswitch made the defence strategist thing for a moment while the screen began lighting up various facets of Sixshot’s scans. Quickswitch was volatile, more so than anyone. It wasn’t going to be an easy process, but Prowl was a master at control. Hopefully, if everything went fine, Quickswitch would be alright.

Rook shoveled the thought out of his mind and began to key in some programmes to start setting up the killswitch. There were plenty of internal scanners that could be used as a basis for the code, so he decided to stick to the heads-up display every Autobot was equipped with. The failsafe would have to be built from scratch, but better to do that than to use some pre-existing library. No killswitch holder should have the opportunity to leak the password.

[Autobot Research Outpost]

The medical Autotroopers had already set the equipment up next to Quickswitch’s berth, with a few keeping an eye in the distance holding their rifles at the ready. Things were tense, and as Prowl and Pharma loomed over his frame, Quickswitch felt a sudden pang of fear. His optics were offline, so he couldn’t see what was happening, but there was no doubt that the very imagery of the scene would have sent shivers down his spine. He clenched his fists and tensed his frame.

Make it quick, Primus scrapit.

Autobot Research Outpost

Prowl stood listening to Jetfire’s report on the alterations that had been done to the Aerialbots along with the requisite mental testing. Physically, the changes sounded optimal. The mental tests showed some concerns but nothing that couldn’t be ironed out sufficiently during the forthcoming real world assessments.

“Very good, Jetfire,” the military strategist replied once the scientist’s briefing had concluded. “I think we’re ready to begin real world gestalt testing. I want you to oversee it personally, Jetfire. You have done a great job thus far and I’m sure you will continue to do so. Now, take the Aerialbots outside in the rear of this installation and have them try combining. I will be out there soon to see how they function together as a unit.”

Prowl then turned his attention back to Quickswitch, who was lying on the med berth awaiting for the upgrades to finally begin. The medical troopers had set up all of the necessary equipment and Pharma was doing whatever he needed to do in preparation for what was to come. The black and white could see the fear etched across the triple-changer’s faceplate. “Relax, Quickswitch. It will all be over soon enough. Then you’ll have power unlike anything you have ever experienced. Just remain calm.”

The strategist then looked over to Rook who had finished uploading Sixshot’s scans and had begun setting up the appropriate programs for the killswitch. “Status report, Rook.”

Autobot Research Outpost

Prowl wrote:“I think we’re ready to begin real world gestalt testing. I want you to oversee it personally, Jetfire. You have done a great job thus far and I’m sure you will continue to do so. Now, take the Aerialbots outside in the rear of this installation and have them try combining. I will be out there soon to see how they function together as a unit.”

Prowl’s assessment seemed to have been satisfactory enough for them to start attempting the process for real. While Jetfire’s expression seemed to be that of a mild agreement, Silverbolt maintained his alertness. There were… things that could have been looked at and examined once more beforehand, given the results of their earlier, not quite favourable results, but time was ticking and they frankly didn’t have the luxury of ironing out glitches to perfection. At this point, done was better than perfect.

The journey to the rear of the outpost may only have been a few minutes, but it felt like an eternity, if he was being honest. He had glanced over to look at his fellow Aerialbots a few times, trying to discern what it was that they were feeling. As a commander, that was one of his prime objectives on a regular basis, to assess the situation of the team. Perhaps it would be better to ask them, but most of them, even Fireflight with his faceplate, were excellent examples that actions spoke louder than words. And with that, he braced himself for what was to come.

As Jetfire handed out instructions, the world seemed to be a bit of a blur around him. He could vaguely make out the fact that it was Skydive and Air Raid who were to be the most prepared, given that they were to form the lower body and thus the support structure of this gestalt. Slingshot and Fireflight were ready too, from the looks of it. Ultimately, it boiled down to Silverbolt to initiate the process. Taking a few steps outward into the sand, the Aerialbot commander looked up at the clear, blue sky. Now or never.

He turned around, his optics looking firmly at all of his comrades. He clenched his fist, internally feeling for the modifications that had been made to his body. It was time to start.

“Aerialbots,” he said, low but loud enough to hear, “Engage.”

Click

Within moments, all five Aerialbots began to change shape, folding in ways they hadn’t done before, with Skydive and Air Raid taking the lead. Silverbolt felt his body instinctively leap up, like some sort of habitual tendency that was second nature to him, an action so unknown yet so seemingly familiar. With each passing second, the five flyers twisted, turned and merged, sections locking in, clamps tightening, circuits being linked. A whirlwind of metallic parts, a tornado of sheer mass and energy. The shape was starting to become more distinct now, and as the mass shifting kicked into effect, the figure was starting to become vaguely more humanoid. Recognisable legs, a torso, arms, hands and actuators, and to top it all off, the red visor and shining antenna adorning the head.

A much larger hand clenched into a fist this time, and large optics glowed online to be met with the endless desert horizon. “Aerialbots,” it bellowed, with a voice that was both powerful yet soft, threatening yet calm, “Engagement complete.”

It had been done.

The titan had awakened.

Autobot Research Outpost

Prowl wrote:“Relax, Quickswitch. It will all be over soon enough. Then you’ll have power unlike anything you have ever experienced. Just remain calm.”

See, the rational, logical side of Quickswitch might have thought, Oh, this is a temporary pain. I’ve been in fights, I’ve been injured before, this is just a surgical procedure. It won’t take long and it likely won’t hurt anywhere as much as a missile to the shoulder. And besides, it’s for a greater good, right?

Unfortunately, Quickswitch’s rational, logical side wasn’t around right now. Instead, it was the part of his cerebral processor that was filled with a level of paranoia and fear that could make Red Alert look great in comparison. It wasn’t as if Quickswitch was completely unaware of his mental state being utter garbage around the clock, but to add more power into the mix? He didn’t want to think about that right now. Shut it out, shut it out, primus, fraggin’, shut it out, out, out, out…

He just hoped it wouldn’t result in him shooting anyone again. Especially not while all these people were around. He clenched his already clenched fists harder, feeling the pressure build up.

Prowl wrote:“Status report, Rook.”

Rook had been working diligently on the code, and luckily his defense training had taught him plenty about not only keeping things out, but also keeping things in. And in this case, his prior knowledge on how to harmlessly fry the circuits of a prisoner who wanted to escape came in handy. He reckoned he would have to up the voltage a bit for Quickswitch’s purposes, given that his armour was going to be bulked for the process, and he checked back and forth with the data that Prowl had handed him.

“Nearly done, sir,” he said, not looking away from the screen to answer him face-to-face. This was a bit of an important part in the code, and he still had to compile it. But it would be ready to work with some digital activation. Just as a test, he was going to try it on a mundane object, like a small gadget. It should have the same functionality, just toned down so that whatever mundane item he tested it on wouldn’t immediately combust or explode. “Just need to finish this last bit and do a bit of troubleshooting if need be.”

The real question was, who was going to have this killswitch? He may have used his own personal, custom ciphers for the encryption, but there were plenty on the opposing side who were adept at cryptography themselves. Perhaps he might have to check in with other encryption specialists, like Blaster or Red Alert. The thoughts floated in his mind as he continued tapping away.

Priority Communication to Prowl and Ultra Magnus

>>”Magnus, Prowl, the Dinobots have left the Trion with a shuttle and headed for the surface. It is on the same continent as the research outpost, just further south. I’m trying to pinpoint their exact location, but if they’ve gone down to the surface, they’ve likely gone with a reason. What would you advise right now?”<<

Autobot Research Outpost

The newborn titan grounded its feet in the sand, feeling the movement through its arms, trying to ascertain what the reality of its situation was going to end up like. The first step was uncoordinated, as if wearing a new skin that one was not used to. But the second step was more firm, after it had realised what was happening. The third step was a confident one. And so was the fourth. And then the fifth. Everything seemed to click just well enough.

Thank Primus that they had run mental simulations beforehand. Because as it stood right now, Silverbolt wasn’t inside the titan’s mind. Nor was Skydive, or Fireflight, or Air Raid, or Slingshot. None of them held any sort of presence there.

It was just the titan. A new entity. Nameless, for the moment, other than alias it had gained from the project codename. The Superior Titan. Superion.

With its glowing optics, it looked down at the research outpost, how much smaller it looked from up here. It wondered how much smaller things would look from even higher up. The titan decided to use its literal jet-powered legs to launch itself into the air, looking down at the research outpost and seeing just how much smaller it got, before stopping itself and slowly lowering its altitude. It had to remain unseen for the moment, for there could be no compromises.

Still, it knelt down, and scooped up some sand in its hand, squeezing it tightly, trying to compress it into even finer grains. A fine display of strength, as the sand slowly crept out of its hand like the faintest of dust motes, into the wind.

The titan turned its head up to the sky. There was something there, and it needed to familiarise itself with everything it could do before it took on the challenge. And to start, it stood up, and looked down at Jetfire, who was observing.

"I am Superion."

Autobot Research Outpost

“Nearly done, sir. Just need to finish this last bit and do a bit of troubleshooting if need be,” Rook replied to Prowl’s request for a status update.

“Good,” the military strategist responded to Rook. “Once the killswitch is ready, install it immediately before the upgrade process begins. We don’t want to wait until Quickswitch is already super powerful to then decide to put a leash on him.”

Prowl then looked over the schematics on Sixshot that appeared on a secondary viewscreen. The sixchanger was comprised of a number of exotic materials and experimental technologies. Super dense metals that had been extracted from the core of a collapsed star was a major part of it. While they didn’t have immediate access to a collapsed star, there were a variety of dense metals that would serve as an adequate substitute.

“Sixshot’s armature is made up of quite the cocktail of metals and materials,” Prowl said, not looking away from the schematics. “We may not be able to replicate them perfectly, but we should be able to come relatively close.” The black and white then looked over at Rook. “There are a variety of super-dense metals and advanced technologies in storage on board the Trion. I have already sent an encrypted communique to a squad of Autotroopers who are in the process of bringing down what we need for Quickswitch’s upgrades. Now…”

Prowl paused for a moment as he looked back at the schematics before returning his attention to Rook. “Sixshot has a hermetically sealed power core which contains a self-regenerating dark matter fission cell. This basically allows him to fight continuously for a very long time without the need to recharge. Quickswitch should have a similar ability if not an exact one. What will you need to make this a reality?”

Priority Communication wrote:>>”Magnus, Prowl, the Dinobots have left the Trion with a shuttle and headed for the surface. It is on the same continent as the research outpost, just further south. I’m trying to pinpoint their exact location, but if they’ve gone down to the surface, they’ve likely gone with a reason. What would you advise right now?”<<

Prowl let out an immediate sigh and rubbed his nose guard with his actuators. Grimlock and his brood would be the death of him some day, the prick-bot had no doubt. Whether it be a physical death or a mental one, it would be the Dinobots that caused it.

“Primus give me strength,” Prowl muttered under his breath as he opened another priorty comm line back to the Communications expert while also keeping Ultra Magnus in the loop:

>>”Blaster, this is Prowl. Find out the Dinobots’ exact location ASAP! I’m sure they’ve already gotten themselves into some kind of trouble. Grimlock was hellbent on finding Decepticons to smash as he would say. Find them and inform Commander Magnus and myself of the situation at once!”<<

Autobot Research Outpost

Prowl wrote:“Once the killswitch is ready, install it immediately before the upgrade process begins. We don’t want to wait until Quickswitch is already super powerful to then decide to put a leash on him.”

Rook had a brief moment of hesitation when he heard the word ‘leash’, but realistically, that was what it was. He quickly finished the code, cross referencing a few other encryption methods and devising one on the fly. Installing it into three microchips, Rook walked over to Prowl and handed him two - the one for Quickswitch, and one for his own personal killswitch. Rook implanted his own chip as Prowl discussed the armature of Sixshot.

Prowl wrote:“Sixshot has a hermetically sealed power core which contains a self-regenerating dark matter fission cell. This basically allows him to fight continuously for a very long time without the need to recharge. Quickswitch should have a similar ability if not an exact one. What will you need to make this a reality?”

Rook took a moment to think, rubbing the bottom of his helmet as he pondered. He remembered some of the old proposed design schematics he had seen and contributed to when he was posted elsewhere. Most of those were meant for upgrading the defense capabilities of the outpost he was stationed at, but they could be easily downscaled for installment on an individual mech.

“I believe that there may be a way to instead create a chargeable battery that utilises kinetic energy,” Rook began to explain, “I have some prior schematics that were originally meant to be deployed on drones, to expand their lifespan and efficiency. But this could be easily reengineered to fit Quickswitch. In fact, I believe it would suit his fighting style quite well, given that he is known to move fast and transform quickly. His constant motion can recharge his own power supply, and this may achieve a similar effect to what Sixshot has. I could attempt to modify the design to suit his movements.” The defense specialist then listed out the components he would require to create such an electrokinetic battery.

Rook picked up his datapad and scrolled through his other schematics. “I had a few other ideas as well, mostly adapted from abandoned defensive upgrade plans. Sixshot’s armaments are impressive, and perhaps Quickswitch could have hidden missile pods and miniature turrets covertly placed around his chassis. The edge of surprise in combat is important, so being able to unleash more firepower than is visible to the bare optic would be useful. It’ll also allow him to defend and strike targets in his blindspots with more ease.”

“Additionally, I had devised a Ballistics Control plan, which could be reworked as a mental program. It would allow Quickswitch to predict exactly which direction someone is going, and analytically deduct where to shoot to land a direct hit. It’ll be a direct upgrade to his logic module, and it’ll make him even more combat oriented than he already is. These programs will take me a little while to do, and I may have to consult with Pharma here,” he said, nodding over at the surgeon, “But I think it’s doable.”

I know you’ve got a highly logical mind like that, Prowl. I know you can analyse bullet trajectories in reverse. I hope you won’t mind him having something similar.

Prowl then proceeded to mutter something under his breath, which caused Rook to raise an eyebrow. “Something the matter?”

Priority Communication to Prowl and Ultra Magnus

>>”Prowl, Magnus, the Dinobots are at a major volcano in the Congo region of Africa. I’m attaching the coordinates. There’s no logged messages from any of the Dinobots, but I think we all know what they went for.”<<

Inside Autobot Research Outpost

Prowl had listened to all of Rook’s ideas regarding Quickswitch’s upgrades even as his concern of Grimlock’s actions filled his processor. The rechargeable power core, hidden missile pods and the ballistics control plan were all sound ideas. “Good thinking, Rook,” the military strategist replied with a nod.

”Something the matter?” Rook asked.

“Nothing for you to worry about right now,” Prowl assured Rook. “I just want you to focus on the task at hand. Begin the upgrades immediately.”

Then came a response from Blaster:

>>”Prowl, Magnus, the Dinobots are at a major volcano in the Congo region of Africa. I’m attaching the coordinates. There’s no logged messages from any of the Dinobots, but I think we all know what they went for.”<<

“Yes, we certainly do,” Prowl muttered under his breath. Moments later, Magnus sent a response:

>>”Prowl, you are the closest to the location by land distance. Make sure that there are reinforcements being sent. If there are Decepticons there, I seriously doubt the Decepticons will let the Dinobots slip away like they did back in Korea. Blaster, mobilize the reserve strike team that Red Alert had prepared earlier, send them down to location, now!”<<

Prowl then opened up a return comm line to Ultra Magnus:

>>”Understood, Commander Magnus. I will send an entire squadron of Autotroopers down from the Trion to the Congo immediately. I will also check on the status of our own combiner program to see if the Aerialbots are battle ready. I will keep you advised.”<<

Cutting the comm line, the black and white returned his attention to Rook. “The Dinobots have gotten themselves into some trouble, it seems. While I know that Quickswitch will not be battle ready for some time, get his upgrades done as quickly as possible. Things are escalating quickly in this sector and I have no doubt we will need our own Phase Sixer sooner rather than later. Meanwhile, I will go outside to check on the progress of our own gestalt. If you need me, I can be found there.”

Not waiting for a response from Rook, Prowl then turned and left, heading towards the rear of the outpost. As he walked, the black and white sent an encrypted message to the Trion in orbit, ordering a squadron of Autotroopers to dispatch to the Congo ASAP.

Outside Autobot Research Outpost

Prowl stepped out of a rear door of the facility and was immediately in awe of what he saw. Towering above the installation was the combined form of the Aerialbots. The titan was massive, a true sight to behold.

”I am Superion.”

“Indeed, you are,” the military strategist responded as he then approached where Jetfire stood. “He’s quite impressive, Jetfire. You have done well. What’s the current status with testing of our new weapon? Will he be ready for battle soon? The reason I’m asking is that I’ve just been informed by Commander Magnus that there is a battle going on the Congo. Reinforcements are being sent, but we may need ‘Superion’ here if things start to go south and especially if Devastator makes an appearance.”

Autobot Research Outpost

Prowl wrote:“I just want you to focus on the task at hand. Begin the upgrades immediately.”

Rook understood his orders, and promptly began his work. He was sure that there was something happening among the higher ups that he wasn’t authorised to know enough about. But that was not his current responsibility; he had to work on fitting Quickswitch with his new armaments.

It came as a surprise that Prowl decided to fill him in on the situation. With a simple nod of acknowledgement, Rook began work on the unconscious triple changer in front of him.

Outside Autobot Research Outpost

Beneath the shadow of the looming titan, Jetfire turned to Prowl, a look of confidence on his face. “We’ve fixed some of the more glaring issues, and it seems like the physical tests are going alright. I have yet to see his finer details in action. And mo- wait, battle?”

Superion, overhearing the conversation, knelt down on the sand. In his red optics, not a single trace of any individual Aerialbot could be found. “If time is short, I will not waste it,” it said, looking right at Prowl.

Outside Autobot Research Outpost

“We’ve fixed some of the more glaring issues, and it seems like the physical tests are going alright. I have yet to see his finer details in action. And mo- wait, battle?” Jetfire asked.

“Yes, there’s a major battle going on as I said,” Prowl reiterated. “And the Dinobots are involved. I’ve sent Autotroopers to back them up, but I fear something more substantial will be required especially if Devastator is involved.”

“If time is short, I will not waste it,” Superion stated plainly.

Prowl looked up at the Autobot gestalt. “Agreed. Superion, disengage into your component Aerialbots and each of you assume your jet modes. The Congo is not too far from here. You should arrive there in a few breems.”

The military strategist then looked over at the red and white scientist. “Jetfire, you’re going, too, just in case anything goes wrong while Superion is in the field. Transform, I’m hitching a ride with you. I want to oversee things personally. We move out NOW!”

Prowl then opened up a secured comm line:

>>”Rook, this is Prowl. Jetfire, the Aerialbots and myself are leaving for the battle in the Congo. There is no time to waste. Superion is needed. Continue working on Quickswitch. When his upgrades are completed, put him through some basic testing. If the battle is still raging once that is done, bring him to the Congo. We may need him, as well.”<<

Cutting his comm link, Prowl then walked towards Jetfire, expecting him to convert to jet mode momentarily so the black and white can climb on board.