//------------------------------// // Metal to the Pedal // Story: Cybertron Girls // by SonicSpeedster97 //------------------------------// After brokering peace with the governments of Earth, Optimus had returned to the problem of the Galaxy Keys, since the coordinates on the map were found to be encrypted. Fortunately, this encryption proved much easier to crack than that of the Iacon database as it only took him a few moments to decode and bring up the galactic coordinates of the first key. “Wait a minute, I know those coordinates,” Sideswipe said, sounding almost nervous. “That’s Velocitron.” “The planet where you used to go racing all the time?” asked Twilight. “Racing is about all they do on Velocitron.” Sideswipe nodded. “Their entire society is based on speed; the more skilled you are on the racetrack, the higher your position in the planetary hierarchy.” “The whole society is dedicated to showing how awesome you are at racing?” Rainbow recounted in excitement. “Sign me up!” “I don’t think that’s a good idea, kid.” Sunstreaker countered. “Velocitron isn’t exactly the most… diverse planet in the galaxy.” “What do you mean?” she asked. “He means that all the racing is done on the ground,” Moonracer explained. “Velocitronians don’t trust flyers; think they’re always plotting against those on the ground.” “So what, I need a new alt-mode?” asked Rainbow. “Preferably something with wheels and a lot of horsepower.” Sideswipe nodded. “Are you sure that’s a good idea, Sideswipe?” asked Lifeline. “You know the success probabilities of alt-mode reformatting are low.” “How low?” asked Twilight. “Less than 1 in 10.” Ratchet answered grimly, distressing Twilight. “What are you guys talking about?” asked Rainbow. “Even before the war began, bots had been wanting to reformat their bodies; change their alt-modes to cheat their way into a more desirable caste of society.” Ratchet explained. “From what I’ve heard, it’s a physically taxing process.” “Well, I don’t really think we have any other choice.” Rainbow shrugged. “Teletraan, bring up a list of the fastest street cars on Earth.” Teletraan did just that, and almost immediately, Rainbow’s optics locked onto the Hennessey Venom GT. Rainbow smiled as she saw it. “Yeah, now we’re talking. Kit this baby out with every performance enhancer you can.” The car’s basic data improved by massive thresholds as its speed and torque were boosted. “Alright… here goes nothing.” Rainbow shrugged and took a few deep breaths to focus before she promptly scanned the car data on the screen. Then it all happened at once; Rainbow screamed in intense pain as she doubled onto her knees as the plates on her body seemed to shift, tear and rebuild into different forms. The girls were all worried as they watched this display until finally it was finished and Rainbow looked better than new; a grille at her midriff, headlights, and fenders as her breastplate, front wheels in her shoulders, rear wheels in the backs of her shins and her wings were now in the form of car-doors… though she did still have powerful jets in her back with gold lightning bolts on it and her door-wings. Once Rainbow had gotten over the pain and rose to her feet, she smiled as she looked over her new form. “Oh-ho-ho-ho yeah, now we’re talkin’,” she smirked. “Huh. Guess you got off lucky, kid.” Ratchet smiled as he quickly examined her. “I’ve never seen a bot switch alt-modes like that without it extinguishing their spark.” “Uh… in that case, maybe we should give it a while before we deploy,” Sunset suggested. “Give Rainbow a chance to fully recover from the reformatting.” “Are you kidding? I haven’t felt this great in ages.” Rainbow smiled. “I mean granted, I’ll miss being able to fly, but if I get to drive with the best of the best on another planet, then I’m in!” “Be that as it may, I suggest you take it easy.” Ratchet assured. “We don’t know what lingering after-effects your reformatting might have on how either of your forms operate.” “Actually, that gives me a bad idea.” Bumblebee realized as he looked at Rainbow. “Can you even transform now?” Ratchet’s optics popped as he realized that was a good point. “He’s right. Can you transform?” “Sure I can; watch,” Rainbow smirked and started to transform… but her breastplate only opened a few inches before it locked back into place. “Huh?” She put more effort into it and they opened a bit further as her wings closed but it still wasn’t enough. “Uh, I think something’s wrong.” “The reformatting must’ve damaged your T-Cog.” Lifeline determined as she produced a scanner and went over Rainbow’s body. “T-Cog?” asked Rarity. “Is that anything like a T-Bone?” asked Pinkie. “Not even remotely close.” Ratchet countered. “It’s a Cybertronian organ; it’s what allows us to scan alt-modes and transform in the first place.” “So if it’s damaged, you’re stuck in one of your forms?” asked Spike. “Yep.” Ironhide nodded. “I remember hearing reports after the Battle of Hell’s Point that Megatron’s T-Cog was so damaged he was stuck in tank-mode for two whole years.” “Surely you jest.” Rarity remarked in surprise. “I wish; those scouts were some of our most reliable,” Ironhide assured. “Uh, can we get back to me, please?” Rainbow asked as she looked at Lifeline. “How’s my cog doing?” “Well, the damage doesn’t look too severe; maybe only cosmetic,” she remarked. “Try transforming again.” “Eh, third time’s the charm.” Rainbow shrugged and promptly attempted to transform. It was a strain at first, but finally, she transformed properly into her new car mode, the engine roaring. “Whoo-hoo-hoo! Listen to that baby purr!” She revved the engine a few times with a smirk, listening to it rev up. “Man, what sort of package did you slam into this thing, Teletraan?” asked Sideswipe. “I don’t care; it’s awesome!” Rainbow smirked… before she noticed something; her bot-mode’s right arm was sticking out of the side of the open door. “Oops.” Quickly she focused and pulled that arm back into her body, finishing the transformation. “There we go; now I’m good to go.” “Not alone. You’ll need someone familiar with Velocitron to guide you.” Sideswipe insisted as he transformed next to her. “And we obviously can’t leave you two alone without supervision.” Twilight insisted as she, Spike, Sunset, Sunstreaker, Bumblebee, Moonracer, and Lifeline all transformed as well, with Moonracer transforming into a bright teal Kawasaki Ninja 400 motorcycle. “It appears our first away team has selected itself, Optimus,” Elita remarked. “So it would seem,” Optimus noted, turning to the control console. “Wheeljack, activate the SpaceBridge.” “Yes sir.” Wheeljack nodded and lowered the vortex, activating it to the coordinates of Velocitron. “Looks like it’s my turn to say it,” Rainbow smirked as she shifted her new car mode into gear. “Autobots, Roll Out!” With that, the team raced through the vortex. Unfortunately, the Autobots were not the only ones to discover the location of the first Galaxy Key; Soundwave had also had an exceedingly easy time decoding the coordinates, and as soon as the bridge crew saw them, one unit in particular was excited. “Velocitron? Ha-ha! Home sweet home, boys!” Motormaster laughed to the Stunticons, who all cheered and whooped as Motormaster approached Megatron. “Lord Megatron, it would truly honor us if you would allow the Stunticons to retrieve this Galaxy Key for you.” “Be certain that is all you do on this planet, Motormaster.” Megatron scowled. “I’ve already had to clean up after the madness of a traitor in my crew; I do not need one of my combat teams growing distracted.” “Understood, Lord Megatron. Rest assured we will not rest and we will not stop until the Galaxy Key is in our grasp.” Motormaster assured. “Then go, before I change my mind,” Megatron ordered. “Yes, my lord.” Motormaster nodded and turned to his team. “You heard him, Stunticons! Metal to the pedal; to Velocitron!” The Stunticons roared in agreement to that as they moved to the SpaceBridge. Megatron only needed to cast a quick sidelong glance at Soundwave for him to get the message. “Ratbat, eject.” A purple data drive deployed from his chest and transformed into a bat-like being that fluttered around Soundwave. “Operation: Observation.” Soundwave pointed after the Stunticons, allowing Ratbat to easily get the message and flap after the Stunticons to keep an eye on them… and keep tabs on all other activity on Velocitron.