The rising cloud of dust announces their presence and can be seen for miles in every direction. It's so immense that it obscures the distant mountains.
The convoy causing it has been driving non-stop for days, navigating non-existent infrastructure that once crisscrossed the country. Now, all that remains are landmarks of crumbling concrete, shattered asphalt, and the occasional bullet hole-ridden sign for a place long since fallen. Still, they drive on, hoping to reach where the Energon burst originated. Overhead, a large Coast Guard helicopter provides recon for the caravan. Suddenly, all the radios crackle to life, "There is a large ravine coming up. I'm not sure everyone will be able to cross it," the messenger continues, "The closest accessible detour adds over a hundred miles to the trip."
"Received, Blades," the leader replies, "Let's see what we're facing." The convoy pushes on the final miles before slamming to a screeching halt. The group disembarks from their transports. The Autobots transform into their robot forms. In front of them stretches a gorge that seems to go on forever. Appearing untouched by the ZomPoc, it goes off into the horizon.
"The Grand Canyon, it's the damn Grand Canyon." Staplehurst blurts out and throws his arms up in disbelief.
"How the hell did we miss this?" Spike questions.
Never one to miss an opportunity to provoke, Maebh quips, "Well, we didn't miss it. Looks like we hit it just fine."
"Smartass." Spike shoots back.
Gramps looks over one of the Seven Wonders of the World, "I've always wanted to come here. Didn't think it would be like this." As he stares out over the expanse, the grizzled Vet is joined by the rest of the group; the Autobots' Earth Defense Command liaison Marissa Faireborn, the Joes Breaker, Carla "Doc" Greer, Sparks, Wreckage, Night Fox, and Wolf Spider, along with survivors Wayne, Violet, Desert Rose, Marksman, Solomon, and Riley, as well as the mysterious government agent Kim Possible, and the unstable cyborg Ladytron.
Behind them stand the Autobots; Ultra Magnus, Blades, Hound, Brawn, Bulkhead, Sandstorm, and Ratchet.
An exasperated Night Fox turns to look at the towering robot leader of their party, "Going around will add a few hours."
Gramps adds, "Anything we try to do will most definitely take the same amount of time, be inefficient, and inevitably backfire, you know, cause of Murphy's Law."
"I agree," The imposing robot responds to the diminutive man standing before him. "Blades, make sure the new route is clear."
"Yes, sir." WHRR-TSCHZZ-TSCHZZ-TSCHZZ-CHK. The robot, Blades, takes the form of a helicopter, and the small crew of Wolf Spider, Wayne, Violet, and Desert Rose leap inside. In seconds, they climb into the sky. The downdraft kicks up a cloud of sand and rock, causing those remaining to shield their eyes.
"We'll rest here while they reconnoiter the way." Ultra Magnus looks over the Grand Canyon, "It undoubtedly is beautiful."
"Yes, it is." Gramps responds before turning to the remaining party, "All right, we're taking 15. Don't go too far." They quickly spread out in small groups.
"What is that?" Ladytron points to a distant flash in the sky.
What looks like a star shimmering in the daytime sky is getting closer. "I'm not getting any readings from whatever it is, " Breaker says.
Ultra Magnus, ever a vigilant leader, takes a defensive position. "Autobots, prepare to defend the humans!"
At his command, a well-rehearsed ballet of human and robot footwork begins. The humans quickly gathered at the center of a protective circle formed by the towering robots. Despite the posturing, the humans were far from defenseless. They were well-armed and prepared for whatever was approaching.
"Breaker, Sparks, keep trying to make contact." Ultra Magnus instructed, his voice resonating with authority. Breaker and Sparks immediately buried their heads in various communications devices, their focus unwavering. As the mysterious light draws nearer, Breaker's efforts pay off as he discovers a faint radio signal. "Ultra Magnus! I've got a signal," he exclaimed, a sense of urgency in his voice as the situation grew more intense.
"Broadcast it to the convoy."
The message, "Don't shoot. Friendly. Don't shoot," is repeated. Echoing across the desolate terrain. Along with the message, a passcode is received.
Sparks quickly checks the authenticity of the code on a small tablet and reports, "Ultra Magnus, the code is an older one, but it checks out as one of ours."
Despite the reassuring message, Ultra Magnus remains cautious. "Do not lower your weapons," he commands. "It could be another trap." Tension fills the air as the convoy prepares for a potential attack.
Unexpectedly, a green, oblong, disc-shaped object approaches the convoy, prompting Ultra Magnus to make a surprising decision. "Everyone, holster your weapons," he orders. The convoy members swiftly comply. As the mysterious ship draws nearer, there is a notable absence of dust or rocks being kicked up, adding to the sense of unease and anticipation.
The green, oblong, disc-shaped object approaches, surprising Ultra Magnus. "Everyone, holster your weapons." The order is quickly followed. As the ship approaches, no dust or rocks are kicked up.
WHRR-TSCHZZ-TSCHZZ-TSCHZZ-CHK.
Instead of landing, the spaceship transforms, leaving a giant robot before them. "Cosmos!" Instantly, the Autobots surround their friend.
The ensuing conversation lasts long into the night. The original goal of getting around the canyon is temporarily put on hold.
"I've been High-Earth Orbit monitoring every signal I could, which wasn't much. Something has been interfering with the ionosphere, and transmissions have been greatly affected worldwide. Cobra seems to be the only group capable of long-distance communications." Cosmos explains how it detected the same faint Energon spike the convoy was following. "It wasn't until I was below the Mesosphere that I picked up your faint coms."
"This explains why it has been so difficult to find others." Ultra Magnus ponders this new information. "What do you think is causing this interference?"
"Cobra has a lot of communications satellites up there. All are maintained by an army of Satellite B.A.T.S.," he pauses, "The B.A.T.S. are self-contained, highly-maneuverable, and heavily armed satellites. I've watched them cannibalize other satellites for parts. They're like ants in a colony, all working for a singular purpose, keeping the Cobra grid up and running. The network must be doing something to block and distort signals."
Breaker interjects, "So if we could hack their signal, maybe we could contact the rest of the Autobots."
"It's a good idea, but I've been in space since this began. I tried hacking Cobra's signals, and I only came close once. I had to disconnect because I was found by the B.A.T.S. To survive, I had to escape to the Moon. From then on, I made sure to stay out of the range of those things. The good news is, whatever they were doing is starting to fade. I may be able to extend your current communications, even if it means functioning as an aerial relay antenna.
_________________________________
Headquarters for the new Joe Team
"Bumblebee, tell me you heard that," Beachcomber says with surprise.
"I... Did."
The transmission was faint at first, with only a single word heard. Then, the signal grew, and the message was unmistakable: "To any Autobots out there, you are not alone. We are coming. We will find you. Help is on the way."
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