//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Data // Story: Ocean Bound Colossus // by Seth Typofather //------------------------------// Fully charged and ready, Tidal Wave’s three main components began sailing towards land. A small screen in the command centre frizzled to live, a large imposing figure with protruding tank tread shoulders and insect like pincer horns on a helmet shaped head. “I take it you’ve landed successfully?” Megatron enquired, the screen quality so bad all that could be made out from Megatron was his silhouette covered by occasional streaks of static. Before the obedient war machine could reply his leader spoke up again. “This world is full of energon, I expect you to not fail this time. No Autobots, no worry. But, just in case I will be sending over Cyclonus.” Not Cyclonus! He was about as stable as a loose bolt, Tidal Wave groaned in response. “Demolisher?” Asked Megatron, clearly understanding why Cyclonus would be refused. As useful as Demolisher was he was a land based vehicle and would probably hinder the mission. “No? Hmm, then I suppose Starscream would be more useful in your situation, expect him in a few Earth hours if he doesn’t fool around.” Not the best choice, but it was far better than Sideways. “Satisfied? Good, now don’t fail me.” His voice now the usual serious and threatening tone. The frequency cut off, that was enough for Tidal Wave to get the message of what would happen if he failed to capture the largest energon supply do date. Hopefully that arrogant on again off again traitor would keep his proton cannons tucked away, why did Megatron keep him around so much? ——— The Canterlot Archives was full of information of all sorts of things, magic, history and so on. But not one book, not even a measly pamphlet could explain what that thing just was. Slamming her head in frustration into the book she was reading Twilight had just about given up. “Buck this…” She grumbled, usually she was well collected but not even having information on something as major as this had her at wits end already. Sighing she flew up to a book case against a wall, putting the various books from that shelf back in alphabetical order by title. Once placing the last book something clicked, the book case swung in like a giant door. “Another secret hallway, figures.” Trotting cautiously into the are a few torches lit up, more book cases lined the walls of the large hallway. Unlike the books in the Archives they weren’t hardbacks, they looked comic like in appearance. Noticing a sign on the side of a book case Twilight inspected it. “Do not touch, Luna’s comic book collection.” She read, then took a look at another book case. “Alien technology. This might be useful.” Her horn’s glow enclosed the collection of books, just to be met with a golden aura midway. “Celestia?!” “Twilight?!” A few seconds passed by between them. “So you’re interested in finding out what that thing is too?” Asked the Princess of Friendship, her levitation spell dissipating at the same time as the Princess of the Sun’s. Nodding in response Celestia picked out a random book. “Before I even bother to ask how you got in,” She levitated the book to her student. “We should research first. Just avoid Luna’s comic books, she can be on edge if she found hoof or magic prints even on the protective plastic casing.” “O-Of course, Princess.” Opening the book and flicking through the pages, hoping an image would catch her eye. Nothing. She levitated it by alphabetical order replacing a book that was previously there, flicking through it as well while Celestia was flicking through books as well with the occasional second take to make sure what she saw was right. Seconds turned to minutes and the case was practically empty, only a few books left with an odd metal disk laying on it’s side. Noticing the odd item Twilight levitated it towards her, inspecting the thing from all sides. It had a feel of power emanating from it, something non Equestrian. “Hey princess? You think this thing might help?” “Not a clue, I’ve tried everything to make it work.” “Did you blast it with magic?” Now that Twilight mentioned it, that was the only thing she didn’t do. She gestured for her student to drop it on the floor, from what she can assume from the protruding glass sphere was the top. Aiming her horn directly at it she fired a normal beam of her power, the glass sphere absorbing it and lighting up. “Now I feel stupid.” Celestia mused. “Datacon activated, Model 18 Delta. Do you wish to continue?” The disk spoke, a hologram appearing from the glass with a choice of yes and no. Both princesses stared at each other in bewilderment just to make sure what they saw was right, what was a Datacon did not matter. What mattered was how this thing could display visions without magic, clearly created by a technologically advanced race. “Yes?” Twilight spoke to the disk with a hint of uncertainty in her voice. The yes option flashed. “Intel databanks opened.” The disk replied in a much more confidence and with a hint of intelligence. “Good afternoon, how may I assist you?” The voice asked. “Oh my, new faces. Or, wait.” The disk scanned them. “Winged unicorns? Hm, that’s a new one for the data folders.” “Excuse me?” “Yes purple one?” “What are you?” She asked, leaning down to inspect it a little closer. “My name is Model 18 Delta, but you can call me Delta. I’m a Datacon made for the sole purpose of recording information and storing it away within my files, once my kind exceed their data limit they exchange data into a superior unit for permanent data storage. Me.” Delta explained, showing quite a huge amount of pride when mentioning itself. Hopping up and down with giddiness Twilight could not contain herself. “Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh! Celestia! Do you know what this means?! Information that nopony has ever heard of before!” “Calm down, Twilight. Remember why we’re here?” Chuckled Celestia with a small smile and maternal tone. “What do you wish to know?” Asked Delta. “Well, there was an earth quake-“ “I see.” “And as soon as i look rout my window I saw a purple flying object that shone a light on me and my student, then it simply flew off.” “Purple?” It asked, the princess nodded. “Did it look like this?” A holographic image of a purple jet appeared before them, fully rendered and with a 3d model and grid view. “Yes! That’s the one!” “That my dear is the Minicon Ramjet, a flight based Minicon with the ability to enhance the combat power of any Cybertronian that wields it.” Now that was an odd name, Ramjet. What concerned her more was the mention of ‘Cybertronian’. “I’m guessing you two don’t know what a Cybertronian is?” The princesses shook their heads in unison, Delta sighed. “Pardon me.” The hologram dissipated and the disc appeared to shut down before an audible clicking and whirring emanated from it, the disk split into two, creating arms and legs, the sphere creating a chest piece. Needless to say it was impressive to how this little thing could turn into a small bipedal machine capable of sentience, a small rod grew from it’s wrist as it’s head looked like it was wearing an old style teachers cap. “Pay attention now, history class is in session.” The machine began with hint of excitement, this was especially refreshing for Delta due to the fact it had not exchanged information to new beings in centuries.