Life of a Quintesson

Part 29.

I had found my masters list of ingredients that he had used, after a good bit of time searching that is. This datapad used to be his, after all. From what I saw he had used synthetic energon, speed enhancing energon, 5-78, and a few rather common chemicals I had within my possession. He said that he felt the concoction was missing something, but what? With the amount of chemicals and types of energon in existence, it could be anything. I've been thinking long and hard about what could be the possible ingredient, but unfortunately I've come up with nothing.

As of right now, I am exploring this laboratory structure while my daughter slept peacefully. Surely there is more than just empty rooms and those filled with machinery, laboratories I have seen have always had more secluded rooms. Wandering the corridors, I found that it would be simple to lose oneself in this place. I noticed an open door on my right, odd. I entered the room and was surprised by what was in the space.

Several small protoforms were lined up in full glass cylinders among the wall, all of them motionless. They were all small enough to fit in the palm of my servo. I looked over the protoforms through the glass, I had never seen anything like these before.

"Tetravore, why are there protoforms here?" I questioned.

"They were a part of an experiment my last inhabitant was working upon, he called it the Pretender Project."

Pretender? Very interesting idea. I best not tamper with these, I do not need a repeat of what happened with Springlock stellar cycles prior. For now, I am exhausted. Tomorrow, I will "whip up" a batch of synthetic energon as it's called. My master was very clear on the substances ingredients and how to prepare it.

*   *   *   *

The next cycle had come around and I was busy with creating the synthetic energon. Springlock was playing with a few of her toys in the laboratory, keeping both them and herself out of my way. Even at her very young age, she knew well enough to know to keep out of my way when I was working.

"Rawr! Predacon King make fire rain down upon you!" I heard her say.

Raising an optic ridge, I slowly turn my helm toward her. She was playing with the Predacon figurine I had given her and aiming it towards her plush toys, loudly exhaling as if she were the one breathing fire.

"Springlock, what are you doing?" I ask.

She gave me a serious look, "Predacon King happy with his subjects, they try uprising!"

I will never understand what goes on in that processor of hers. I only chuckled and resumed my work as she went back to playing, sorry, torching her subjects alive. I picked up one of the ingredients for the synthetic energon concoction and carefully poured in the amount it required, the substance in the beaker I'm using turned to a bright green. That is a good sign as it is close to completion. This alternative energy source is very tedious and time consuming, fortunately that is what I live for.

After some time, the completed product lay before me in the beaker. It was now a pale yellow in color, the liquid sat placidly in its container. I put a lid upon it for safe keeping in case Springlock were to fly up and possibly knock it over. I breathed a sigh and removed my mask, setting it aside.

"Papa, what's that?" Springlock asked, pointing to the synthetic energon.

"Synthetic energon, it is a vital ingredient for my masters healing component."

"Healing wha?" She tilts her helm.

I sighed and picked her up, "You'll understand when you're older."

Suddenly we heard a hissing sound, Springlocks ears perked and she looked towards one of the corners if the room, growling defensively as her ears down in aggression. I turned to see that there was a dark grey serpent backed into the corner, it's optics were bright orange and it's mouth was open to reveal large fangs. That is not just a serpent, it is an Energon Serpent. They are known to be highly venomous, a single bite can easily kill the victim in hours. And if it's cornered, it won't hesitate to become more aggressive. How did it even get in here?