//------------------------------// // [Pilot] Chapter 4: Adjusting // Story: Equestria Girls: Robots in Disguise // by I Am Eons Away //------------------------------// Planet Earth Everfree Forest "So, this is Earth?" Shatter looked around at the forest and waterways surrounding her. "How...disappointing." She grumbled to herself as she continued walking, her brother Dropkick following closely behind. "This energy source better be something....otherwise we landed on this rock for nothing." Dropkick looked around as well, spotting a pair of young human females sat on a nearby bench, throwing bread at a small family of ducks. "I know, right? And just look at the indigenous life here. Disgusting." He raised his right arm as it transformed into an arm cannon, aiming at the two girls. "I'll do us both a favour." He charged his cannon and fired a shot at one of the girls, causing her body to explode into a large puddle of clear liquid. The other girl screamed, jolted from her seat and turned to face the two Cybertronians, before Dropkick fired a second shot from his arm cannon, reducing the other girl to a clear liquid too. "Heh heh, gotta say...I like the way these 'humans' pop." Dropkick chuckled to himself as Shatter laid a hand on his shoulder. "Focus, brother. Our only priority right now is to find this power source Starscream wants so much. Once we do, you can 'pop' as many Earth natives as you please." She smirked as Dropkick let out a frustrated sigh, before he eventually nodded his head, agreeing with her. "Good, now..." Shatter pressed a panel on her wrist, revealing a holographic map, with a yellow dot flickering repeatedly. "The energy signature is close by, approximately 200 clicks due north-west." She retracted the hologram and pointed in the direction of a large, open cave. "Though, we should find alternate forms to scan first, in order to maintain our cover." The two Decepticons looked up to the sky, watching two military aircraft fly over them. "Perfect." They both activated scanners within their optics and added the images of the vehicles. "Time to take these new forms for a test drive." Dropkick spoke as he began transforming into a military helicopter, with Shatter jumping into the air before shifting her body to form a fighter jet, the pair taking off to the skies and flying off into the distance. Military Hangar E New Autobot Base At the new Autobot base, several vehicles were parked outside, transferring several pieces of Cybertronian equipment into the hangar, under the supervision of Wheeljack and Shining Armour. "That's it, nice and slow....little more, little more...and....done!" The Autobot engineer instructed the moving vehicles before giving a thumbs-up, signalling the end of the moving process. "Here it is,Optimus. All the functional equipment we could salvage from the Ark. Computers, weapon systems, Groundbridge prototype, and medical equipment." He began to move some of the computers himself as Ratchet began walking toward the Groundbridge equipment, gazing down at what Wheeljack was able to salvage. "Is that everything then, Wheeljack?" Shining asked, looking at the gargantuan pieces of machinery scattered in front of him. Optimus Prime looked down and nodded at him. "Indeed. We appreciate all your help, Shining Armour." Optimus looked at the group of human girls assembled near the other Autobots. "If you wouldn't mind, I would like to accompany your police force to see how human law enforcement functions." Shining Armour nodded and gestured for Optimus to follow him. "Ratchet, I leave you in charge until I return." He spoke before transforming into his vehicular form and following Shining Armour out of the hangar and back toward Canterlot City. "So...what's a Groundbridge?" Twilight asked, watching as Ratchet began moving the Groundbridge prototype into a corner of the hangar bay. "Is it some sort of interspace travel?" She asked as Ratchet paused to acknowledge her. "Not exactly. I designed the Groundbridge based off of Spacebridge technology stolen from the Decepticons during the eve of the war on Cybertron. They had designed the Spacebridge to enable travel to other worlds, something they no doubt used to follow the Ark to your world." He explained. "However, given that the Autobots are a resistance group, I lack the materials and power source to properly replicate the Spacebridge." He took a pause as he began assembling the components of the Groundbridge. "That said, however, once this prototype is fully assembled, it will allow us to open portals to anywhere on this planet's surface." Ratchet and Twilight both exchanged slight smiles before Ratchet returned his focus toward his work. "I am quite surprised with the technology available on your planet, though. It very much resembles what we had on Cybertron, but that's probably just a coincidence." Meanwhile, just outside of the base, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and B-127 were striking up conversation. "So, back on your planet, you were the fastest 'bot around?" Rainbow asked, inquisitively. "Well, not one to toot my own horn, but I could easily out-speed a Seeker squadron, and come back around to kick their tin cans into scrap." B-127 spoke, slightly boastful, as Rainbow Dash stared up with wide eyes and a wide smile. "Awesome!" Fluttershy kicked the ground underneath her, before brushing her hair aside and looking up. "Um, excuse me, s-sir, but...why are you called B-127?" "Huh, good point. Everyone else has cool names like Optimus Prime, Bulkhead, Jetfire..." She almost swooned at the mention of their names, though quickly regained herself. "but, like, the coolest Autobot here is stuck with the lamest name. Why?" Rainbow asked, almost as though she were complaining about it. B-127 rolled his eyes before kneeling down to properly address the girls. "It's my designation. Every Cybertronian is given a designation, and they keep it until they pick a name for themselves. Well, except from Optimus, he was born with his name. I'm still quite young, so I've not gotten around to choosing a name yet..." He sighed a little. "I'm open to some ideas, if you two would help me?" "Well, your colours are yellow and black...so, maybe Bumblebee?" Fluttershy suggested. Rainbow rolled her eyes and pretended to yawn. "Lame!" "I dunno, I kinda like 'Bumblebee'. Easy to remember, sounds iconic, has a nice ring to it." Bumblebee stood up and raised his fist happily. "Alright, Bumblebee it is! Thanks, girls!" Bumblebee transformed into his vehicle form and began to run a few laps around the military hangar, prompting Ratchet to sigh in frustration. "Oh, Primus' sake..." The Autobot medic let out an annoyed sigh, before he received a pat on the back from Wheeljack. "Take it easy on 'im, Ratchet. We were all young once, just give him some time! " Ratchet sighed again, and looked over at Wheeljack. "I know, I know, it's just...sometimes, I wonder just what Optimus saw in 'Bumblebee' when he recruited him into the Autobot resistance.. " "Hey, we all wonder that sometimes, but you of all Cybertronians should know that everything Prime does, he does for a good reason." Wheeljack looked at all the equipment,then back at Ratchet. "Anyways, since the others are all out patrolling or enjoying themselves, hows about I help you get all this equipment back up and running?" He offered, as Ratchet smiled and nodded. Decepticon Warship, Nemesis Within one of the chambers of the Nemesis, a group of Decepticons were gathered together in a circle. Standing at the back end of the circle, slightly higher than the others, was Soundwave. "Decepticons, I have gathered you all here today, to discuss a matter of the highest urgency." He activated the monitor behind him, showing an image of a grey Decepticon raising his right arm, standing atop a pile of fallen Cybertronian soldiers. "Finding Lord Megatron, and restoring him to his rightful place as our leader." One of the other Decepticons looked toward Soundwave and the image of Megatron. "How can you be sure that Megatron is on this planet? Wasn't he destroyed on Cybertron during the Battle of Kaon?" He asked, just as a large mechanical bird, Laserbeak, flew into the room from an open ventilation shaft. "Laserbeak, transmit technological data to monitor." Soundwave commanded, as Laserbeak flew over to his master's side, transmitting a series of blueprint images to the monitor behind them. "I sent Laserbeak on a recon mission throughout the city, and discovered that the technology used shares origins with those of Cybertronians." Soundwave paused for a moment, before projecting images of a battle between Megatron and Optimus Prime aboard a Cybertronian craft. The craft was seen flying toward a large metallic portal, where an explosion suddenly occurred. "Though the bomb was detonated, and Megatron was lost, the Space Bridge remained fully operational, and the ship was seen exiting through." A large Decepticon who bore slight resemblance to Starscream looked at the footage displayed by Soundwave. "So...you're saying that the wreckage of the ship crashed here on Earth? Ol' Megs is still around?" He asked as Soundwave turned to face him. "Possibly. I will send my Mini-Cons to perform further recon around this city, for any further traces of Lord Megatron's presence on Earth." Soundwave explained. "However, we can confirm that we are not the first Cybertronians to arrive on Earth." The door to their room opened, and a purple, one-eyed Decepticon, Shockwave, entered the room. "Soundwave, your presence has been requested on the Bridge. Blitzwing, you as well." He quickly left, as Laserbeak returned to Soundwave's chest compartment. "Meeting adjourned." Soundwave spoke as he and one of the Seekers, Blitzwing, left the chamber and followed Shockwave to the bridge. On the bridge, Starscream finished a small video call with Shatter, providing updates on their mission, as he turned around to face the three Decepticons. "Ah, Soundwave, Blitzwing, so glad you could join us." He stepped down from his podium, feeling slightly unsettled by Soundwave's expressionless face staring at him. "Shatter and Dropkick are making great progress with their mission, and I expect that they shall return soon with a rich energy source!" He took a pause to chuckle to himself, noting Blitzwing's smirk, and the blank stares of Shockwave and Soundwave. "However, we have been informed that we all require alternate forms based on human transportation vehicles. To put it lightly, we must be 'robots in disguise', so to speak." He gestured toward Soundwave. "I want you to oversee selecting alternate modes. Search the city and scan whatever you find." Soundwave stepped back and pressed a button located above his chest. "Laserbeak, eject. Operation: Vehicle Data Retrieval. Scan Earth technology for sufficient alternate forms and return." His chest opened up as Laserbeak popped out, opening his wings and flying down the corridors toward an exit point on the ship. "Excellent work, Soundwave. You are dismissed." Starscream waves his hand as Soundwave turns away and leaves the room. The large Seeker then turns his attention to Blitzwing. "I want you to provide recon around this sector for Autobot activity. And if you see Shatter and Dropkick, tell them to hurry things along." He commanded. Blitzwing nodded before going into the halls and jumping from the exit point, transforming into a Cybertronian jet and blazing through the clouds. Starscream was left alone with Shockwave and a few Vehicon drones, who were too busy attending to their duties to care about the conversations going on around them. "It won't take Soundwave long to figure out what really happened to Megatron." The scientist spoke out first. "He already has his ideas. All he needs to do is connect the dots, and your leadership of the Decepticons will be finished." Starscream turned around, an uneasy expression on his face. "You will not spill a word of it to Soundwave, if you know what's good for you." He scowled as he walked toward Shockwave slowly. "After all, I'm sure you have secrets that would work well against you in Soundwave's hands too." He smirked, as Shockwave stared at him blankly. "I know where my loyalties lie, Starscream. Megatron will always be above you, no matter what you try." Shockwave glared, Starscream reeling back as his cohort's cold gaze intimidated him. "If you want any chance of becoming the leader of the Decepticons, it would be most logical to stay out of my way." He gave his comrade some departing words before leaving the room himself, leaving Starscream alone with his thoughts and a few oblivious Vehicon troopers. Crystal Cave, Camp Everfree Back in Camp Everfree, a group of campers had reported strange sightings to the camp director. Two giant robots had appeared in the camp's out-of-bounds zone, and at around the same time, two girls had gone missing. In the camp's centre, an emergency meeting was being held amongst the campers. "Attention, campers! Now, as I'm sure you're aware, there have been some....eh...odd, occurences, lately, but rest assured that we are working closely with local law enforcement to find the two missing students, and find out whatever the two big things are!" She nervously chuckled, trying to keep a positive attitude despite what was going on, even though she very clearly wasn't, and her words weren't reassuring anyone in the crowd below her. One camper, wearing a long brown jacket and a scarf, cleared his throat to chime in. "Well, if you ask me, I believe that aliens have abducted Lyra and Bon-Bon using transmat beams, and plan on turning them into two more members for a massive invasion of Earth! Or, some other timey-wimey force like that!" His response was met with several groans from the crowd, and a facepalm from the camp director. "Aliens? Are you that ridiculous? This is serious, they could be in big trouble!" A classically-dressed girl holding a large cello burst out, frustrated by the boy's answers. "Look, Gloriosa, we get that you want us all to try and enjoy our week here, but how can we relax when two of our dearest friends have been abducted?" As the crowd continued to openly express their concerns, Gloriosa realised quickly that she would be unable to contain the situation and ran off into her cabin, locking the door and waiting for the police to respond. Canterlot City Police Department "Captain Shining Armour, we got a call from a Miss. Daisy, director of Camp Everfree. Something about two campers going missing, and sightings of giant robots." The chief leaned back on his seat, and poked his head out of the window. "Oh, and, uh...take that Prime guy with you. Show him how we handle things around here, got it?" He moved back in to his office, as Shining Armour walked outside to meet Optimus Prime. He looked up at the Autobot leader and raised his hat in respect. "Well Optimus, looks like you might get a piece of action after all. Got a case of two missing kids and some robot sightings." He waited for a response, but found that Optimus seemed otherwise engaged. "Uh...Optimus? You alright there?" Optimus finally tilted his head to Shining Armour, a grim expression in his eyes. "Decepticons...Shining Armour, let's roll out."