You're Not Alone (TFP)

Chapter 19: Synthetic Energon

     "Hmm. Surprisingly stable." Ratchet said, looking through his microscope with interest, or at least a Cybertronian version of one.

     "Hey, Ratchet." A voice said next to me. I jumped in surprise and turn to see Raf standing next to me. How did I not hear him? Must have been deep in thought. "Is that Synthetic Energon?" He then ask.

     "Well, yes." Ratch said, slightly surprised. Probably because very few was interested in his work. Violet was the most interested. Maybe because he is her guardian? "In fact, I'm preparing to test a sample." He then said as he grabbed what looked like one of those can crushers, along with a canister of Synthetic Energon. He twist the sample into the tool and it made a click noise. "I see that you come equipped with protective goggles."

     I chuckled. "I can watch?" Raf asked excitedly as he adjusted his 'protective goggles'.

     Ratchet laughed as he invert the tool into what looks like a motor. "We just add some to this test engine..." 

    The green Energon level went down as it was entering to machine. After it was in, the bright blue on the engine changed to a lime green, which, to me, didn't look right. Call me weird, but I especially didn't like it when it made a hissing sound. Ratchet removed the tool and all of us watch in suspense, waiting for something to happen. Steam was ejected from it and the large gear on the bottom front started to spin. "It works!" Raf exclaimed, running up to the machine. He turn around and called, "Bee!"

    "Uh-ut-ut!" Ratchet stopped him. "This iteration of the formula requires further trial before we can even think about using it for fuel, ammunition, or first aid," He look down sadly. "Which is rather unfortunate, since our own Energon reserves are at an all-time low."

     He then look at me and I saw sadness in his optics. "Optimus and I go on patrols to find Energon and even go to the old mines that the Decepticons abandoned. Even I can't sense them, and whenever I do, it's just a small shard that can fit in the palm of my hand." I said to them.

     Ratchet starts to explain the situation to Raf. "Our severely outnumbered warriors have been rapidly burning through our stockpile of late as the Decepticon Army continues to run us ragged and grind us down. Natural Energon is in such short supply on your planet, and Megatron seems to have his oily claws buried deep in all the Earth's deposits. But if we can successfully produce a synthetic form, we can manufacture all the energy the energy we'll ever need."

     Suddenly, a beeping sound rang throughout the base, followed by a flashing green light. The rest of the bots went up to the main monitor as Arcee stated, "More Energon on the move."

     "Again?" Bulkhead asked annoyed.

     I saw Violet and Saphirra both leaning against the railing of the 'human area'. I look at the monitor to see a blue circle moving through what looks like a valley, or canyon. "Their recent activity suggests a familiar pattern." Optimus said. He made his way to the tunnel that we use for the Groundbridge. "The Decepticons are desperately scouting for new deposits to mine."

    "Why do they want to find more Energon?" Saphirra asked to no one in particular. "They already have so much."

     I walked up the stairs as I answered, "Because they don't want the Autobots to get the Energon." Once I was on the platform, I look at the bots and said to myself, "Because they don't want the bots to win the war."

    "Autobots!" Optimus was about to give a command to the bots, but Ratchet stopped him. "Optimus..." 

     Optimus looked at him as he walked to him. " If one of you comes back wounded this time -- well, our Energon reserves are nearly depleted."