Vigil From the Shadows

By Matt “Talon” Kirkby


    In a hidden place, deep within the core of an obscure planet within the Milky Way–-and yet still separate from this reality-–the very landscape seemed to move and shift under the swirling pink sky, like silver and gold components of some vast and incomprehensibly complex machine. The abstract forms twisted in near silence, apart from a soft hum and a faint wind chime-like tinkle.
    At the heart of this world, three beings sat upon black crystal thrones. Thin white wisps of flowing, ephemera, hardly visible–-if anyone else had been present to see them–-ghosts in human shape. Two were female, the other male. Their hair, tinged with gold, was as long and flowing as their silvery robes, framing three faces dominated by shining blue eyes.
    “The balance remains in flux,”The First mind-spoke.
    “We have watched events unfold for billions of cycles,” the Second added in his own mind voice.
    “Since the Primal Gods created life,” the Third finished. “Since before we shed our corporeal bodies to exist as shadows on this Astral Plane we have watched.”
    “And now the Gods are gone,” the First’s thoughts were touched with sorrow. “And yet we Syntara remain.”
    “Forever watching the younger races grow and the Balance of Powers fall into ever greater jeopardy.”
    “Watching,” the Third echoed.
    “Forever watching,” the First added.

    The Age of the Gods lasts but an eye blink and ends with Primus and Unicron becoming imprisoned within two crystalline asteroids. Each Primal God shapes his prison into a planet of his personal design–-Primus becomes a gleaming planet while Unicron’s new form continues to roam the universe, devouring all in its path.
    The Transformers are created by Primus. Over millennia they spread across Cybertron, building a mighty civilization, exploring nearby star systems and eventually becoming embroiled in a war against a humanoid species who utilize organic technology. After a lengthy conflict, the humanoids seize control of Cybertron itself and name themselves Masters but the Transformers rebel and drive them off, eventually counterstriking at their foes homeworld and poisoning its biosphere. The surviving humanoids flee their now devastated world and wander the Galaxy for centuries before locating a small planet hidden within a thick nebula.
    The Transformers recover from the War, rebuilding their world. Eventually, they split into several factions. Two of them–-later known as Autobots and Decepticons–-argue over how each perceive their race’s destiny and soon plunge the planet into a terrible civil war. The conflict rages for dozens of millennia with neither side able to gain an advantage for long. The pace of the war slows after the two main leaders vanish after an encounter in deep space.

    “Note,” the First commented as their thoughts mingled. “We have observed the crash landing of the spacecraft known as the Ark in so many facets of the Omniverse that it can be considered a universal constant.”
    “The Ark forms an important thread in the tapestry of history.” The Third paused a moment. “We have noted that facets which do not contain an Ark incident are usually far more primitive and slow in their development. Too many of these Cybertrons which do not create an Ark are either destroyed by an asteroid shower or else soon dominated by one faction or another.”
    “Such is the whim of fate... not even we can oppose such dictates.”

    Earth slowly recovers from ancient devastation and a mammalian species emerges from the lush jungles and creates scores of mighty civilizations.
    On Cybertron, the endless wars continue with the Decepticons slowly gaining control over more and more of their world. The Autobots are reduced to scattered bands, hiding and scavenging for their survival.
    The Transformers who had crash landed on to Earth so long ago at last awaken from stasis and resume their war. The humans remain on the sidelines throughout most of it, mostly ignored by the robotic warriors. After seven Earth years of bitter conflict, the Autobots gain many victories.
    After eons of hunting, Unicron discovers the resting place of his ancient enemy and attacks. Primus faces him in a final battle high above Cybertron. The Transformers take up the fight they were designed for, so many millennia ago, and make their stand against Unicron and his minions. Both Gods are killed and the Transformers are left triumphant.

    “Unicron breached the Barriers!” The Second’s thoughts were strong. “He opened a portal between facets to summon a Galvatron to summon him.” Despite having observed said event several times before, it was still very disturbing to him... and to all Syntara.
    “Yes,” the First agreed. “That Unicron possessed much power. He greatly upset the Balance by his actions.” She paused. “Yet, the Powers restored its stability for a time.”

    The Decepticons abandon Cybertron and attack the planet Klo but the Autobots–-lead by a rebuilt Optimus Prime-–pursue and defeat them soundly.
    The Ark, newly repaired, crashes onto Earth once again where Fortress Maximus battles and defeats Galvatron.
    Retreating to the Ark, Galvatron meets with Shockwave and then agrees to unite so that they might jointly rule the Decepticons. As they seal their new alliance, Galvatron notices and then destroys Megatron’s battered body where it lays sprawled in the wreckage.
    Assuming control of the Decepticons–-and killing Bludgeon in the process–-Galvatron then leads the Decepticons to Karn where the final battle of the Great War is fought. The Decepticons, soundly and utterly defeated by the Autobots, flee into deep space.

    “Our agent served us well,” the First thought with satisfaction. “We were wise to embody one of us into the form of Optimus Prime.”
    “Entrapping herself within Orion Pax to then become a greater hero and begin to guide the Transformers risked much but our intervention has paid off for it stabilized the Balance.” The Second paused a moment as they each considered the sacrifice made by every Syntara who chose to become trapped in a corporeal form so that they might influence the Powers.
    “And the Soul of Cybertron furthered our goals by merging our agent with the essence of Hi-Q... a development we had not foreseen.”
    “We are not omnipotent,” the Third reminded them. “Merely omniscient and highly skilled at charting the flows of actuality.”
    “But we rapidly approach the Omega Point, when our agents can no longer manipulate the powers in safety. Outside forces are closing in around this reality. All of creation is threatened...”

    The Autobots begin to revitalize Cybertron, concentrating most of their efforts on four major cities and repopulating the planet with the aid of the Last Autobot. They also establish a city on Earth, seeking closer relations with the humans.
    The Decepticons, still reeling from the defeat at Karn, begin to build an undersea fortress on Syrra IV.
    Megatron, rebuilt by mysterious aliens to serve them as their warlord, begins to use their resources to construct additional Decepticons and military equipment of his own. When he judges his strength to be sufficient, he breaks free of their control and begins to conquer planets for his new Empire-–soon gaining control of fifteen different worlds.

    “It was at this point that the Corruption first became pronounced,” the First observed grimly.
    “Indeed and yet how could we oppose it?” the Second asked. “Our Prime Law forbids active interference... we can only observe and confer with Syntara from all facets of the Omniverse. Our agents were all but powerless to avert this event.”
    “We should have tried something,” the Third said, “though I admittedly know not what we could have done.”

    Over two decades after awakening on Earth–-2010 by the Human calendar-–Galvatron leads the Decepticons to attack Autobot City. Many Autobots die, including Optimus Prime. At the same time, Cybertron is also attacked by Decepticons and the Autobots there are either slaughtered or driven off-world, fleeing to their secret base on Oberon.
    Megatron returns openly to Cybertron to finally make his bid for control over all Decepticons, after years of working in secret with Soundwave and a handful of other Decepticons. He kills both Galvatron and Shockwave.
    A fleet of Transformers who worship Primus emerge from a far distant portion of the Galaxy and attack Cybertron, driving away the Decepticons. These self-proclaimed Disciples of Primus also strike at Syrra IV and then move towards Earth.
    Megatron returns to Earth to conquer it. The humans turn to Headmaster technology to defend their world. Their new army makes its stand and hands the Decepticons several minor defeats. The battle for Earth is further complicated by the arrival of the fleet of Disciples.
    Megatron rallies his forces and launches an assault against the humans’ Headmaster research facility...

    “Concise, hasty, like the Powers themselves,” the First observed as their minds broke contact. Their thoughts had quickly skimmed over scores of events–-skimming was the only way to quickly cover so many eons of history–-but an in-depth review was unnecessary for them as the Syntara watched events unfold in all facets of the Omniverse. “But not all of our agents act in manners we have ordained.”
    “Yes, Tempest has been rash,” the Third agreed. “ Perhaps such behavior comes from her having been merged with that Nebulan–Hi-Q--in her previous incarnation.” After the final ‘death’ of her Optimus Prime incarnation, that particular agent had assumed the form of a Decepticon scout named Tempest... a female, though gender had little meaning now for the Syntara.
    “We must give thought to her.”
    “In due time...we need concern ourselves more with the various Powers.” Certain races in each facet of the Omniverse had great effect on their home reality... the Syntara called such races ‘Powers’. “Certain Powers grow beyond their facets.”
    “The Core.”
    The Three shared unspoken agreement at the name used by members of that particular Power.
    “The Core is spreading too far... they corrupt too many facets already and more are falling to them even as we watch.” A single Power was not meant to inhabit more then one facet... and the Core already dominated several.
    “We cannot intervene openly,” the Third reminded them. “Our previous attempts at influencing them have failed.”
    “Apparently.”
    The other two looked at the First.
    “Unless the Core is stopped they will corrupt this facet as well and eventually the entirety of the Omniverse.” A shiver rippled through the First. “The Core are dangerous. With their access to the Infinity Armor...”
    The others nodded, knowing how true her thoughts were.
    “We must be cautious, no matter what course of action we eventually undertake,” the three thought as one. “The Balance of Power is at stake!”