Chapter 13: The First Generation Transformer
"Progenitor," Nexus's voice echoed through the laboratory, "Natasha has departed from S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters in a jet. Her flight path is set for this island."
"Dispatch one of the Iron Man suits," Ethan commanded without looking up from the intricate circuit board he was soldering. "When she reaches the open ocean, shoot her down." He had no time for romance or distractions, especially not with a woman as dangerous and complicated as Natasha Romanoff.
He returned his focus to his work.
A few minutes later, his phone rang.
Ethan didn't need to look at the screen; he knew who it was. He answered, cutting her off before she could even speak. "Are you bored out of your mind? I'm busy. Stop bothering me."
He hung up immediately.
Ring, ring, ring...
The phone rang again.
"Nexus, block all incoming calls from Natasha Romanoff," Ethan ordered, his voice laced with annoyance.
"Affirmative, Progenitor."
The ringing stopped.
On a deserted stretch of coastline miles away, a soaking wet and disheveled Natasha Romanoff stood holding her phone, screaming at the waves. "Ethan Hunt, you bastard! I hope you die a horrible death!"
She was furious.
First, he had tricked her. Now, he had sent one of his drones to shoot her out of the sky, forcing her to crash into the ocean. If it weren't for her enhanced constitution and expert survival skills, she would have drowned.
She replayed the terrifying moment in her mind. She had just crossed into open waters when a robot appeared out of nowhere and, without warning, opened fire. The memory sent a chill of genuine fear through her.
What made it even worse was the phone call. Before she could even unleash her own rage, Ethan—the perpetrator—had berated her and then hung up. The audacity was infuriating. If he were standing in front of her right now, she would have shot him without a second thought.
She tried calling him again, but instead of the familiar ringing tone, she was met with the cold, synthesized voice of his AI. "Miss Romanoff, the Progenitor is occupied. Please do not disturb him. Your number will now be blocked. We appreciate your understanding."
"Understand this, you piece of junk!" she shrieked, hurling her phone onto the sand.
As if on cue, a wave surged up the beach and dragged the phone into the surf, swallowing it whole.
Watching her only link to civilization disappear into the ocean, stranded and alone, Natasha's legendary composure finally shattered. A choked sob escaped her lips, and she began to cry.
How many years had it been? When had she ever been so utterly humiliated? Everyone, from heroes to villains, treated her with a mixture of fear, desire, and respect.
But Ethan Hunt... At first, he had been charming, playing along. Then he had become dismissive, and now, he had attacked her directly.
The proud, unshakeable Black Widow was broken.
A day later, back in the underground laboratory, Ethan stood before a machine humming with barely contained power. "Let's hope this reactor doesn't have any issues," he muttered to himself.
He had reason to be worried. He was about to attempt a cold fusion reaction. The amount of energy involved was astronomical. One mistake, and he would be vaporized, Titan form or not. The cold fusion reactor was an upgraded version of Tony's arc reactor, but it was designed to be a thousand times more powerful. The resulting explosion would be terrifying.
But to be a true scientist, one had to be fearless.
Ethan picked up a black, thumb-sized pellet. It was a new, artificial element he had just created—completely stable, with zero radiation and zero volatility. To be absolutely sure, he placed it on a workbench, picked up a small hammer, and smashed it with all his might.
CLANG!
His heart skipped a beat. If it had exploded, he would be a crater.
Thankfully, the element remained intact.
He picked it up again, marveling at his creation. "Such a small piece," he mused, "yet it can be converted into immense energy. A hundred times more powerful than weapons-grade plutonium."
"Progenitor, the element is ready to be placed in the reaction chamber for testing," Nexus advised.
Ethan put on a pair of protective goggles to shield his eyes from the intense light the reaction would produce. He then placed the element inside the reactor's metal-and-glass housing.
He flipped the switch.
Instantly, the element inside the chamber began to glow with a brilliant green light.
"Nexus, monitor the reactor's status at all times," Ethan said, his voice taut with concentration. "If there is any danger, shut it down immediately." This was not something to be taken lightly.
"Affirmative, Progenitor."
"The reactor is generating massive radiochemical effects, altering the original atomic structure," Nexus reported.
"Injecting neutrons now."
"Removing protons via electromagnetic distillation. Radiation levels are increasing rapidly."
Nexus continued to provide a running commentary on the reaction.
"Nexus, calculate the energy output," Ethan commanded.
"Calculating energy output."
"Energy levels are rising rapidly. Current output is equivalent to a Sidewinder missile, sufficient to destroy a tank."
"Energy levels continue to rise. Output is now equivalent to a cruise missile, capable of destroying a one-hundred-meter-tall building."
A satisfied smile spread across Ethan's face. "What about stability?"
"The reactor is completely stable, Progenitor. There is no cause for concern."
"Energy levels continue to rise. Output is now comparable to a Scud missile, capable of leveling several city blocks."
"Energy levels continue to rise. Current output is sufficient to destroy a large city."
Ethan couldn't help but suck in a breath. That was the power of a nuclear bomb.
"Energy levels continue to rise. Current output is sufficient to destroy two large cities."
"Progenitor, energy output has stabilized. The reactor remains stable. It is a viable power source for the Transformer."
"Good. Excellent," Ethan nodded, thoroughly pleased.
Tony's arc reactor, at its peak, could maybe take out a single skyscraper. His reactor had the power of two atomic bombs. There was no comparison. It was the difference between heaven and earth.
Ethan shut down the reactor, removed the now-glowing element, and walked over to the heavy truck chassis. He opened the driver's side door, climbed inside, and pressed a large red button on the console. A miniature version of the reaction chamber rose from the dashboard.
He placed the element inside, pressed the button again, and the chamber retracted, integrating itself into the truck's core systems.
VROOOOM...
VROOOOM...
VROOOOOMMMMM...
The sound of immense, raw power filled the lab.
"Progenitor, all systems are nominal," Nexus's voice announced from the truck's speakers.
"Nexus, open the roof," Ethan commanded.
"Affirmative, Progenitor."
The ceiling of the massive laboratory slid open, revealing the clear blue sky above.
"Nexus... transform," Ethan commanded.
"Affirmative, Progenitor."
KRR-CHUNK! KSHHHK! Vrrrr-CHUNK!
With a symphony of grinding gears and shifting metal, the heavy truck rapidly reconfigured itself, unfolding into a colossal robot. It stood at a towering twenty-eight feet, an awe-inspiring figure of mechanical might.
Ethan was now encased within the robot's chest, a pilot in a mechanical god, able to control it with his very thoughts.
He focused his mind, and Nexus responded instantly. A powerful blast of energy erupted from the soles of the Transformer's feet, lifting the massive machine into the air.