[#134]No Sign Of Life (Transformers S1)

[wickedlittletown]

Theme Prompt:#134 - Wasteland
Title:No Sign Of Life
Fandom:Transformers Cartoon S1
Rating/Warnings:PG
Bonus:No
Word Count:792
Summary:The Rainmakers end up in a nuclear wasteland


Why the red forest beneath him made Acid Storm uncomfortable was something the seeker couldn’t tell for sure. He had seen red leaves on Earth but these were a bit odd. If only he would have been more ambitious he would have reported his observing directly to his superior but for the moment he just flew along Nova Storm, and Ion Storm letting his optics gaze over the strange forest.
It was silent, too silent for his liking. His sensitive instruments didn’t picked up any indication of life on the ground, at least no human life.
“So, there are still areas on this planet that aren’t inhabited by humans? That’s interesting.” Nova Storm was talking to himself and therefore didn’t expected any of his two teammates to answer.

If there was a human-free spot on this planet it could serve as place where the Decepticons could build a secret hide-out. “What is that?” Ion Storm pointed at a building complex in the distant. “Looks like we have concluded too early that there are no humans here”. Ion Storm didn’t tried to hide the disappointment.

“I’m not picking up any readings that there is anything alive” Acid Storm remarked slightly confused. He wondered what this strange place was and what had happened here. There were indications of human life beneath them, they had passed the remains of villages, had spotted scattered vehicles and items that belonged to humans.

They approached the building complex of what had turned out to be a huge city. But it was empty. The seeker trio stopped over a spot, which was once a market place, transformed and landed on the ground. Their feet touched the ground, making a sound that was too loud for this ghost town. “Why is no one living here?” Acid Storm wondered out loud. His optics examined his surrounding. It was obvious that the city had been very much alive not long ago. “Who cares about humans?” Nova Storm shrugged his shoulders. “I wonder if we could use this city to our advantage.”

Ion Storm had his optics fixed on a spot in the near distance. Concentrated he analyzed the data he had collected. There was something fishy about this spot approximately two miles away from where they were. Judging from what he could see from this distance and the data he had evaluated this place was worth checking out, despite being a potential threat. Ion Storm wasn’t certain, if this applied to them as well. “What’s the matter Ion Storm?” Nova Storm inquired warily, searching for optic-contact with Ion Storm.

Ion Storm pointed at the distant spot. “My sensors are telling me we should check out this place, yet we should be careful as well.” Astro-seconds later he added with a low voice “I’m certain we will find the answer there as to why this city got abandoned”.
“I don’t think, this is a good idea”, Acid Storm murmured with uneasiness. “Don’t be a wimp, Acid Storm. What is there to fear? Tell me one thing created by humans that we should fear?” Nova Storm answered, turning his back on him, transformed and waited for his teammates to do the same and follow him.

Astro-minutes later the seeker trio was flying over a building complex they had already seen many times on Earth in a similar from. At first glance it appeared to be just like all the others but the closer they came the more uneasy they felt. “What is going on?” Ion Storm exclaimed as he realized that his sensitive instruments weren’t working as usual. “So, I’m not the only one glitching?” Acid Storm tried to speak matter-of-factually but failed. This place they were approaching was definitively dangerous.
“What could have caused this?” Ion Storm suddenly asked and stopped mid-air. Part of the facility had been destroyed, a gaping mouth was in the building. Nova Storm considered for a few astro-seconds to fly down and take a closer look at the destroyed building but after a few meters he returned, struggling to keep control over himself. “I don’t understand what is going on but we can’t go closer without the possibility of losing control. I have no desire to crash-land in this strange place”.

Silently the seeker trio agreed to leave this place behind. Once more they flew over the red forest. Acid Storm wondered if the destroyed building was responsible for it. “We should inform Shockwave. As dangerous this place is, it could be of use for us.” Nova Storm remarked, silently wondering if it would be possible for any Transformer to check out the area around the building.
None of them needed to let the others know, that deep inside they hoped to never ever see this place again.

Comments

[badly_knitted]

That doesn't sound a good place for anyone to spend time.

[wickedlittletown]

A life-long obsession inspired this piece in the first place. I can't read 'wasteland' without thinking of it.

[badly_knitted]

So cool that you knew what to write as soon as you saw the prompt!

[wickedlittletown]

That is seldom the case, that's why I rarely do prompt tasks these days. I wanted to participate in the "Snowed In" challenge on here as well but ... uppps that story got out of hand and ended up with 11.777 words ^^;

[badly_knitted]

Sometimes ideas just take off, which is one of the fun things about writing. Stories find their own length, but it doesn't always fit challenge guidelines. I expand most of my entries here before I post them to my journal. My challenge pieces are like first drafts.

[wickedlittletown]

Indeed. It's always amazing how a small idea can lead to thousands of words. My stories seldom end up like I have originally planned them.
Here some more characters, there a different idea and it is often that during writing I realized my original idea was not that good.

[badly_knitted]

When I started writing, I thought that writers came up with an idea and wrote it. Simple. Halfway through my first fanfic, the characters started having a completely unplanned conversation and they would not shut up. That was when I realised writers are at the mercy of our characters. They dictate, we write, or at least that's been my experience. *grins* Writing is an adventure, because I never know what I'm writing until I write it.

[wickedlittletown]

Oh yes, I can relate to that. That is why I seldom do outlines or plan too much. I know something unexpected will happen.
Suddenly this character thinks the one I wanted to pair him up is awful and decides to fall for someone else.

What currently happens most of the time: we talk too much and suddenly we are arguing with each other and are ready to start a fight.

I have only one story which went like I have planned it and which is more than 10K.
I still wish I could find the time and motivation and translate part of it. It is one of the few older works I'm proud of.

[badly_knitted]

I never plan at all because if I try my brain decides that counts as having written the story and it loses interest.

Spontaneous conversations between characters can be unpredictable, you never know which way they'll go.

Wow, I didn't realise English isn't your first language! Kudos for being so fluent. I'm useless at languages, just never had the knack, much to the despair of the teachers who tried to teach me French and Latin in school.

[wickedlittletown]

That's true. The. Fun lies in the unpredictability of the story.
I couldn't sit down and plan anything and follow it. Personally I think it feels more like doing a task you're supposed to do.

Since I am in a few writing related communities I always read so much about planning and there are moments when I wonder if writers who do not plan or not much are a minority.

Thanks 😊 I tend to forget my native language now and then and the last time I have written some stories in it that I liked where in 2018. I have two one shots from the last years (one was 2020 and one 2021) but I don't really like them at all and I have realised that it is so much more difficult for me for a fandom I have already written in English suddenly in a different languages. It doesn't feels right.

But since this year is a year full of writing challenges I will see if I can actually write something I like. Maybe the fandom will help who knows.

[badly_knitted]

Exactly! I love being surprised by what I write.

I don't think we're a minority, but it depends on what's being written. With novel writers, planning and plotting is a big thing because if you're writing something of that scope you don't want the big events all happening at once. Those of us who don't plan mainly write shorter pieces, under 20k, where it's easier to just go with the flow.

I wonder if it's because the fandoms you write are in English so it feels more natural to write in the same language rather than trying to translate into your native language... It's good to challenge yourself!

[mxcatmoon]

Curiosity isn't always a good thing. Sounds like they're better off leaving it alone.

[wickedlittletown]

That's true. Hands down: At first I wanted to add a character who is kinda resistant against radiation but then I would have probably ended up with something too long, since that is a topic I can write thousands of words on.