[centre][img]https://i.imgur.com/sFQ7p2z.png[/img][/centre] [hr] [b]Location:[/b] Coruscant Just after accepting to the being called Daniel Jackson’s request, the entirety of the Ark and all the Autobots aboard were ripped from the space they had once inhabited. The Ark returned to reality in orbit of a massive city planet. Optimus Prime believed that this was Coruscant, the world Jackson had told him had been invaded by the Replicators. The fact that these hostile forces were cybernetic in nature brought a pause to Optimus’ thoughts. Thanks to the actions of the Decepticons of his home universe, Prime found that the Autobots were always facing anti-cybernetic prejudice, being lumped in with all of their atrocities. He wondered if that would continue here, what with all the damage the Replicators had already done to this universe. The Autobot vessel was then hailed by the Admiral who seemed to be in charge of the defensive fleet orbiting Coruscant. The biological being, seemingly of the same species as Daniel Jackson, appeared on the view screen of the ship’s bridge. A an initial klick in which the Admiral spoke in his native language, Teletraan I’s language matrix converted it to modern Cybertronian. The Admiral didn’t seem too astonished to see the large Cybertronians as Optimus Prime introduced himself and his crew. Determining that the Autobots were here to help, Admiral Killian invited Optimus to a meeting aboard the Exodus. As the view screen shut off, Optimus turned to the bridge crew of the Ark. They all looked tired and worn down to the Autobot commander, after mega-cycles of fighting. And yet Optimus had led them into a new war, this one not even against something that was a threat to the Autobots currently. It could easily of been too much for the rag tag crew. “I know this wasn’t the choice all of you wished I would make,” stated Optimus Prime, “But I had to adhere to the Autobot code. To help those in danger. I am operating under those principles in my role as the Ark’s commanding officer.” “We’re behind you one hundred percent Prime,” said Bumblebee from the helmsman’s seat. “Thank you,” said Optimus, “Now I’ll need a team to escort me aboard the Exodus. Jazz, Prowl, and Hound, we’ll take one of the shuttles.” “Yes Prime,” the three officers said in unison. Optimus Prime and his trio of officers then left the bridge of the Ark, taking the lift down to the hangar. Once there, Optimus was reminded of just how few supplies had made it off of Cybertron. Only a handful of shuttle craft were loaded into the Ark’s hangar bay, many of them damaged from either combat or wear and tear that they didn’t have the parts to fix. The few Autobots who were milling about the hangar, not really doing much, all raised to attention at the sight of their commander. A small yellow Autobot took the lead, daring to approach the Autobot commander. “Bumper at your service sir,” he said with a salute, “How may I help you?” “We are in need of a shuttle for an important diplomatic mission,” stated Optimus Prime. “Great, okay, well I guess you need a pilot?” asked Bumper. “Do you have anyone in mind?” asked Jazz. “That would be me. I’m one of the few pilots with actual experience left. The war destroyed everyone else.” Optimus Prime nodded. He was painfully aware of how many of his comrades had not made it off Cybertron. The cost of the war was not only in resources but in the lives of most Cybertronians. “Very well, Bumper you shall be our pilot,” said Optimus Prime. The Autobot commander and officers then entered the yellow shuttle that was in the best condition. As Bumper flicked on the engine, it gave a little bit of a stutter before the energy flowed in the shuttle. The Autobot shuttle lifted out of the hangar, passing through the shields of the Ark. Bumper did his best to avoid the other ships of the Republic fleet, as he flew straight to the Exodus. Optimus had Jazz submit the code provided by the Admiral so that they could land in the Exodus. Bumper landed the shuttle in the hangar, causing it to make a popping noise before shutting down. Optimus exited the shuttle first, realizing that the Autobots seemed to be the last delegation to arrive. “Bumper, remain with the shuttle,” ordered Optimus, “Everyone else, fall in behind.” The Autobots were then led away by a Clone Trooper, taken into a conference room. The Republic forces attempted to ascertain who the Cybertronians were and why they had come to Coruscant. Optimus Prime decided to do all the talking, explaining the principles of the Autobots and how they couldn’t refuse a call for help. After a little while, the Clone Troopers said that their story checked out. The Autobots would then be led into a bigger conference room, where they would be introduced as the crew of the Ark. Optimus Prime noted that almost every being he had seen in this universe was of that same biological species. He also noted that this ship wasn’t designed for beings of the Autobots size, their heads just barely not scraping on the ceiling. Optimus then approached the two groups of biologicals already gathered in the room. One group seemed to have garments of different colors to possibly denote rank while the others had more similar uniforms. Optimus wasn’t sure who exactly was in charge. “I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots,” stated Optimus, the language files sent to him by Teletraan I doing the translation, “We are here to help defeat the Replicator menace.” Behind Prime, his first officer Jazz attempted to take a seat only to find that the chairs were definitely not designed with large robots in mind. For all the assembled Autobots, it seemed that these people had never come across a species like Cybertronians. Again Optimus wondered if they would be lumped in with the cybernetic invaders on the planet below. [hr] [hr] [centre][img]https://i.imgur.com/56wU4Ya.png[/img][/centre] [hr] [b]Location:[/b] Mandalore Christopher Summers had been in bed with Hepzibah when he had got the alert from Waldo that summoned had just appeared on the bridge of the Starjammer. Grumbling as he and his first mate put back on their clothes, Christopher and Hepzibah took the lift up to the bridge. Once there they were greeted by a man calling himself Daniel Jackson. He explained the threat of the Replicators, before asking for the assistance of the Starjammer. Christopher looked over his crew, and his son with his girlfriend who had been visiting the ship at the time. “What do you say? One more adventure?” asked Christopher. There was a resounding cheer all along the bridge. “I think you have our answer,” said Christopher. Daniel then disappeared, the Starjammer following soon after him. No longer in Kree Empire space, the Starjammer was in orbit of an unknown. A quick scan by Waldo brought up some facts. While the planet was decently populated, it was nowhere near a planet sized city. Christopher could easily say that this was not Coruscant, the place Daniel had said was under attack by the Replicators. “Chris, trust did we Daniel Jackson?” asked Hepzibah, “Rip from Kree, space we are no longer. Doomed, are we?” Christopher turned to the head of security aboard the ship, “Raza, give me a scan of the planet’s defense systems. I want to know what they’re firing before they get a chance to fire it.” “Of course Captain,” Raza said as he tapped on his com-screen, “While full scans of the planet will take a little bit I can report that craft are coming up from the surface to engage us. Shall I raise shields?” “No, open a channel instead,” ordered Christopher, “This is Captain Christopher Summers of the Starjammer. We’ve been brought here to help you. Apparently your universe has a problem with Replicators?” While there initially was no response, comm chatter soon began to be exchanged by the various ships in orbit of the planet and those down below. After a few tense minutes, the newly arrived ships were allowed to come down to the surface to meet the Duchess, whoever that was. “Raza, at the first sign of trouble, turn on the shields,” said Christopher, “I’ll be heading down to the planet to do some good old fashioned diplomacy.” “Christ, who to take, will go planet with you?” asked Hepzibah. “While I would love to bring you darling, I need someone I trust to run the Starjammer while I’m gone,” explained Christopher, “Plus I want some power behind me if things go bad, so I’m requesting Carol, Alex, and Lorna join me. If that is alright with you guys.” “Sure it is Dad. Meeting new alien races is part of the dream kids have when thinking of traveling the stars,” explained Alexander. “Plus this is a couples’ vacation for us,” added Lorna, “So we’re supposed to spend it together.” “And if we do end up fighting, I’d be down for that. It has been too long since I punched someone in the face,” said Carol. “Then it’s decided,” stated Christopher. The four humans left the bridge and took the lift down to the hangar. Inside were a few Shi’ar shuttles of an older make. There had been more back when the Starjammer was first stolen, but the numbers had thinned out from shuttles being destroyed in battle, sold to make some credits, or given away to friendly organizations. The Starjammer away crew then loaded into the insect like shuttle, Carol immediately taking the controls. Once strapped in, the shuttle rose off the hangar without making a sound. It was truly a testament to the greatness of Shi’ar construction. Exiting through the Starjammer’s shields, and headed for the planet below, Mandalore the native defense forces had called it. The shuttle lowered down through the clouds to the assigned coordinates before appearing above a large city. With many years of expertise under her belt as a pilot, Carol landed the Shi’ar shuttle on a landing pad that was primed for the arrival of the Starjammers. Christopher stepped out of the shuttle first, immediately noting that he saw two snipers on a nearby building. Wherever you found one or two of that kind usually meant that there were more about. The assembled guard didn’t react too much to Christopher, Alexander or Lorna exiting the shuttle, but a few of them were visibly concerned when Carol closed the shuttle, revealing her red skin and head that was constantly on fire. “What, never seen a superhero before?” Carol asked. Her English was then translated into whatever language these Mandalorians spoke through the use of advanced Shi’ar communicators. Christopher then decided to also make use of the communicator. “I’m Captain Summers and I was promised a meeting with the Duchess,” said Christopher, “There’s a lot going on that I don’t know about and I would really like some answers.” The lead Mandalorian guard turned to Christopher, “And you will see her. We’re just waiting on confirmation that the representatives of the other mystery ships are on planet and prepared for the meeting.” Christopher knew that Daniel Jackson had said he would gather other ships to aid in the battle against the Replicators, but just how many had he brought to this universe? Was there a fleet out there, going after the machine menace? If so it would have been around Coruscant and not this Mandalore place. Was the Starjammer taken to the wrong part of this galaxy. “Well you always try new things together, like saving another universe,” said Alexander to Lorna, “But I was hoping you meant trying things in the bedroom.” “Alex!” said a shocked Lorna as she punched him in the arm. Christopher smiled. It seemed his son had inherited his humor. That made him glad, as he had missed out on so much of his life. It had been so long since he last returned to Earth, only learning recently through Alexander and Lorna that his other son Scott had just become a father. Christopher made a mental note to have a long vacation back on Earth once this whole Replicator mess was dealt with.