Chapter Eight – The Battle Begins
Inside the Autobot ship back at the mountain site, Optimus Prime and
the others finish charging their weapons. Sparkplug gives his
workers their instructions to finish up repairs and return to their
makeshift homes at the base of the mountainside. Ratchet and
Wheeljack are fiddling away at the controls of Telatran One, tools lay
out all over the place and large open panels reveal the inner workings
of the mega-computer. Wheeljack lowers himself down on one knee
and reaches in on the open section below, using one of the tools laying
beside him, he places it in and gives it a few twists with his
wrists. The tool seems to create a few sparks inside the open
panel as he uses the tool, the computer then starts to hum in a calm
manner, more lights and buttons begin to flash on the huge console
above him.
"There...that should do something.... maybe just give us a brief view
of what's happening out there."
Optimus Prime is checking out his large black weapon, a massive gun
that seems to have a long cylinder shape at the end of it, much like
looking at a futuristic cannon. He walks across the room to
Ratchet and Wheeljack, who look to him for approval of their work.
"Well done you two. Scan the area for Decepticon energy
signatures..."
"Will do Prime.", Wheeljack says cheerfully.
Wheeljack turns to the console and begins to fiddle with the various
buttons and switches; each one makes a unique electronic sound and
flashes a variant color as he touches them. On the massive screen
of Telatran One, a big schematic of the area becomes viewable, a
topographic view of the mountains, valley and the surrounding area to
it. But as it tries to home in on the Decepticons, the screen
begins to static a bit and fizzles; the voice of the computer explains
the cause of this effect.
"Alert.... negative sensor lock on Decepticon energy signatures.
Scanners are being disrupted from an outer source."
Optimus leaned down on the console and stared into the giant monitor,
"Telatran One...confirm that and locate source."
The computer makes a few deep electronic noises as it checks it's own
data, "Confirmed and identified. Scanners are being prevented
beyond this area, there is an unidentified satellite in orbit of the
planet blocking Autobot communications and sensors."
"Impossible!", Wheeljack shouts out, "Telatran One, give us a visual of
this satellite!"
The computer puts the image on the viewer for all of them to see; the
satellite is small and hanging in space above them. Prime squints
to see the tiny object displayed before him.
"Give me a closer visual Telatran One..."
Prime's command makes the computer enhance the image at twice the size,
now it is fully visible and nearly takes up the entire screen.
It's dark grey and has a black round eye that protrudes from the base
of it. On either side are large solar panels stretched out
looking like wings attached to a small bug. Everyone studies it
carefully, even Sparkplug who walks over looking at it like the rest of
them.
"What the hell is that thing?", Sparkplug inquires.
Prime straightens his back and taps his large gun at the side of his
leg, "I don't know...I've never seen that sort of technology
before. But it does have some things to it that seem familiar."
Wheeljack confirms that as well, "Yeah...I see some stuff too.
But this looks like a combined mish-mash of various other technology as
well...in fact...those solar panels are human engineered."
"How can you tell that Wheeljack? You don't even know what our
technology looks like.” Sparkplug says to him.
The robot turns around and looks down at him, "I've been looking at
your various vehicles and military crafts...it seems to me that this is
just as primitive in design as your other technology. Solar
panels like these are pretty much old school...oh...uh...sorry...no
offence intended."
Sparkplug smiles, "None taken. Your technology is a lot more
advanced then our stuff. But it makes me wonder where that thing
came from, or more importantly whom it belongs too?"
Optimus Prime stood there staring at the object on the monitor, "I
don't know Sparkplug, but it does explain the fact why we can't
communicate with Bumblebee and Spike. Nothing beyond this
mountain area can send or receive transmissions of any kind.
Almost as if...as if someone wants us keep our scanners away from
something...or someplace."
Ratchet leans back on the computer console and thinks about it, "You
know Prime, ever since we got here those humans in the dark clothes
have been keeping us here for some reason. I get the feeling they
don't want us out of this region. Maybe I'm being too paranoid
about this..."
Ironhide over heard the conversation as he steps into the room and
voices his own opinion, "Paranoid nothin'! I think those humans are
trying to stop us from getting rid of the Decepticons! Maybe they don't
want to be our allies...maybe they want to join up with Megatron and
become just as powerful!!"
Optimus Prime shook his head, "No Ironhide...I doubt very highly that’s
their intentions. They seem rather bent on destroying the
Deceptcions as much as we do."
"Pardon me Optimus...” Sparkplug interjects, "But I think I know what
their real intentions are."
Prime looks down at Sparkplug as he explains, "Think about it for a
second. You guys are advanced cybernetic life forms, with
technology we could only dream about.... sounds to me like Connors and
the rest are trying to keep it for themselves. I'm ashamed to
admit it myself...but there are some people in this world that will do
just about anything to have superior technology...or even weapons."
Wheeljack's eyes light up with realization, "Of course! They want
our weapons! It all makes sense...they didn't want to wake us
up...that was an accident! What they wanted to do was steal our
technology, our bodies, even our weapons and use it for
themselves! Diabolical!"
Ironhide clenched his fist and shook it in anger, "Why those thievin'
little punks!! You see Optimus? You can't trust these
humans at all! They're secretive, two faced, war hungry
primitives!"
"Yes...but doesn't that sound familiar to you Ironhide?” Prime
rebuttals, "We do the exact same thing on our planet, we've had secrets
from one another, we've spied, waged war and even stolen technology and
weapons from both sides. It seems that every world has its
duality, those that look for the good and those who seek out to do
evil. Who are we to judge these people when we ourselves are no
better then they. I am disturbed by the fact the humans are
trying to keep us contained here...but something in my spark told me
that I've suspected their intentions all along. We must remember
that not all humans are bad, Sparkplug, Spike and the others we've had
here helping us have taken great risks to befriend us in the name of
peace and cooperation. This should be our goal, to make human
kind understand that we come not to war and rule their world...but to
be their friends and help guide each other to find peace."
Ironhide crosses his arms and hangs his head, "Speeches are one thing
Optimus...action is another. Ok...maybe not all humans are
bad. But the ones holding us back aren't helping matters any
either..."
Outside the mountain, just beyond the area boundary, Bumblebee, Hound
and Cliffjumper are racing towards the ship at breakneck speed.
As they come closer to checkpoint, they notice no one is guarding it
anymore, no soldiers, and no skeleton crew, just the odd workers from
Sparkplug's construction group. They continue to speed by them
all as they race up the hillside towards the ship's entrance.
Carly gazes at the whole thing and wonders what is going on.
"Spike? What...what is all this...where are we going?"
Spike sighs and finally confesses to her about everything,
"Uh...Carly. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but it wasn't my
fault...I was given instructions not to tell, but it all seems kinda
pointless now. The construction job I was working on found this
buried ship in the mountain, these cars we're riding in aren't from
around here if you get my meaning..."
Carly's eyes lit up as she took in what he was trying to say,
"You...mean.... I.... I was right??"
"You bet your ass you were.... The military tried to keep a lid on all
of this, but from the looks of things they're on their way to fight the
evil monsters we left back there. There's a lot to explain
Carly...just know that the cars we're riding in right now are our
friends."
Carly saw the large ship entrance approach as Bumblebee quickly drove
up and into it, looking on either side, she realized nobody was driving
in the vehicles beside theirs, even Spike wasn't even steering the car
as they went racing down the long alien corridor. She slightly
giggled at the sheer wonder of it all, Spike couldn't help but grin at
seeing her face. It was refreshing to him to have someone else
share his amazement of all of it, Carly wasn't like any girl he met
before, if he had taken any of the women from his past, they would have
freaked out and tried to get away from all of this as much as
possible. Spike looked out the windshield in front as Bumblebee
and the others approached the bridge, Carly looked over at Spike as he
gazed out, he had pegged this young guy all-wrong. Here she
thought this was just some stupid pig headed twit she's had to deal
with time and time again. Always meeting men that were more
interested in their cars and their own egos then anyone else.
She's even had to put up with a lot of sexism; guys usually don't see
her intelligence, only her blonde hair thinking she's a typical dumb
blonde. She knew she'd have to apologies to Spike for acting so
hostile to him, but as she began to mouth the words to him, they
entered into the large room where Optimus and the others all
stood. Hound and Cliffjumper stopped and transformed into their
robot modes. Bumblebee also stopped and opened both doors for the
two humans inside to get out of him. Carly and Spike eased their
way out and as soon as they were clear of him, Bumblebee transformed.
"Where in the name of Primus have you all been?", Optimus Prime
demanded.
Bumblebee gasped as if he was out of breath, "Sorry Prime...but we've
got a situation here! Megatron just destroyed a town full of
humans!"
"What?!” Ironhide bellowed
Hound saluted his leader and gave his report, "Sir, the Decepticons
have engaged the human settlements, they were slaughtering the poor
people by the hundreds! We were outnumbered by them so we came
back here to get reinforcements...we kept trying to reach you but for
some reason we couldn't get through!"
Optimus Prime clenched his fist, "Megatron! Only he would be so
cowardly to attack innocent civilians...the monster!"
"Enough chatting guys! What are ya going to do?! Come
on.... People are dying by the hundreds!!” Spike screamed out.
Sparkplug ran over and held on to his son, "My god! Are you
alright? They didn't hurt you did they?"
He pushed his father away from him and began screaming, "Leave me
alone! People are dying out there Dad! We don't have time
for any of this.... we have to do something! Where the hell is
the army? Agent Connors? Where are they all?"
Sparkplug was shocked by his son's reaction, but then realized where
the military was heading, "Spike...I.... oh...Oh my god, that's where
they went too...they know where they are! They're going to try to
take on the Deceptions!"
Spike tries to come to grips with the situation, "Optimus Prime please
help us! You don't know what it was like to see them vaporized in
front of our eyes.... God! You have to tell them to back
off...they'll be killed...all of them!"
Prime tries to explain to Spike, "You're mister Connors was rather
insistent that we not get involved, he told us that they had some sort
of 'resource' at their disposal.... what that means I have no idea..."
Carly snapped out of her gaze, looking at all of the large Autobots
around her was quite intimidating, but when Optimus Prime mentioned
about the secret, she remembered a very important thing.
"You mean Project N?"
Optimus looked at her confused, "I beg your pardon?"
Nervously and still shaking from it all, she explains what she means,
"There was a mention about a secret covert operation on the
internet...uhm.... on a information network dedicated to revealing
hidden secrets if you will.... some person named Phoenix was trying to
expose a government conspiracy. This guy called Phoenix started a
big website devoted to the project and anything connected to it, he
must have been one hell of a hacker because the stuff he would put up
was highly classified secret government documents. Phoenix would
chat on and on about how it was bigger then anyone could dream of,
alien technology, daily misinformation’s to throw him off, and even
mysterious air traffic coming in and out of Area 51."
The Autobot leader listened intently, "What else can you tell me about
all this..."
Carly sighed, "Not much more really...Phoenix just up and disappeared
from the net. No one has heard from him for nearly over two and a
half years. Prime...I think our government is going to do
something...well...something really stupid. Spike is right...we
have to stop this right now."
Optimus nods, "Stupid is the very word I was searching for.... But I
agree, we must help. Ironhide...alert the others, it's time for
action."
Ironhide smiles, runs over to a large red button on the wall and
presses it.
"Now we're talkin'! Let's go get these guys!"
The loud horn noise and flashing red light fills the room, Carly looks
down the ship's corridor and sees a flood of robots running towards the
room. All of the Autobots come running in, they immediately line
up in a row and await Prime's command.
"Autobots! The humans have launched an attack against the
Decepticons; brave as they are...they will not last long. It's up
to us to stop Megatron from wiping this species out, he's already
managed to kill many so far...I'm sure the human body count is about to
get much higher if we don't intervene. I will not stand by and
let this world be destroyed from Megatron's lust for power and
conquest. Cybertron will not be his...nor shall Earth! Are
you with me?!"
The Autobot soldiers all salute and give him a unified reply, "Yes
Sir!!"
Prime looks over at Huffer, a dense orange and blue colored robot, his
head looks built into the back part of his body that resembles a
truck's cab. Huffer has a metal grey face with blue eyes and his
arms look like they are smoke stacks from his truck cab alternate
form. A small mini-transformer like Bumblebee and Cliffjumper,
but Huffer can be just as tough as the larger Autobots around
him. Prime walks over and speaks to him.
"Huffer, I want you and Wheeljack to stay behind. We'll need
someone to guard the ship and continue repairs to Telatran One."
Huffer's mouth drops, "But...but Prime! I don't want to sit here
and play nursemaid to the computer! I'm a fighter Optimus, not an
engineer! Besides, your going to need all the help you can muster!"
"Look Huffer, I don't have time to debate this with you.
Wheeljack needs to have Telatran One back online in full working order
and this place is vulnerable until it's been repaired. I need you
here...end of discussion."
The orange robot sulks but obeys his leader, "Oooh...alright, if I
must.... Give them hell Autobots!"
Optimus Prime steps back and raises his voice to them all, "Autobots,
Transform! "
Bumblebee instantly transforms back into his yellow Volkswagen Beatle
mode, Windcharger converts into a dark red and grey-bottomed Mazda MX-5
Miata, and Brawn turns himself into a Land Rover Range Rover, army
green in color with yellow trim around the bottom of him. Beside
them stands Prowl who transforms into a black and white Porsche 911
Turbo Police Cruiser, then Bluestreak converts into a sliver/blue
polished Subaru Impreza WRX STi, and then the Mini robot Gears
transforms into blue, red and grey colored Smart Roadster-Coupe.
Following their transformations, Hound returns to his army green Hummer
mode again, Sideswipe transforms into his super sleek hot red
Lamborghini Diablo GT, and his good buddy Sunstreaker converts into the
doubly impressive yellow Pagani Zonda C12 S Hardtop Roadster with
chrome polished rims and spoiler. Smokescreen stepped back and
transformed into a BMW E46 M3 GTR with a large aerodynamic spoiler on
the back, his decorative blue, white and red color scheme splashed all
over his body with rally stickers and numbers detailing his whole
frame. Ironhide transforms into a red Volkswagen Eurovan and
Ratchet coverts himself into a European designed white Renault
Ambulance, with large Red Cross icons on either side of him.
Sparkplug hops into Jazz as he transforms into the rally version of a
Sportec 996 GT2 SP650, complete with two parallel blue stripes running
down from the top of his trunk to the tip of his hood. As they
all sit there revving their engines, Optimus Prime looks over at them
all, gazing at their new forms with pride, he places his large black
cannon of a gun into an opening section of his leg and automatically
retracts it back in. The large Autobot leader walks to the front
of the line of his sleek car robots and transforms himself. He
converts into a modern built tractor trailer, the red cab is square
with the chrome grill flush to duel windshield sitting above it, and
the long trailer behind is grey with long blue stripe decals that run
to the very back. The Autobot symbol proudly sits on the side of
either side of his trailer, almost like a bold graphic advertisement
slapped on to promote his affiliation. Carly and Spike clime into
Optimus Prime and sit back as they prepare to ride out with them all,
Prime revs his engine and smoke billows out of his large chrome
exhausts on either side of his cab form.
"Roll Out!!” the leader shouts out to his convoy of Autobot soldiers.
Leading the way, Optimus zooms out of the ship as the others quickly
follow behind. Speeding out of the ship and racing down the
mountainside, the mass of cars all make their way to the paved highway
at the end of the valley. Huffer watches them drive off into the
distance, nothing but a large cloud of dust trailing off outward.
Wheeljack, standing behind him, pats the orange mini transformer on the
shoulder.
"Come on Huffer, we've got some repairing to do."
Huffer sighs, "I battled through the streets of Iacon, survived a crash
a million years later.... all just to sit on my butt to tinker with a
computer."
Wheeljack laughs and walks back into the ship, "Daaah, don't be such a
downer, I'm sure they'll be plenty of Decepticons left on Cybertron for
you to deal with when we get back."
"Yeah...heh...Yeah! You're right Wheeljack, boy you sure know how to
cheer me up!", Huffer says smiling.
As he turns around to walk back inside the ship, the small dark
Decepticon minidisk can be seen attached to the underside of his back
head. Ravage has jumped from Hound and now sticks to Huffer; the
Autobot walks back inside to help his friend without even knowing the
Decepticons is stuck to him. Walking back into the bridge, Huffer
helps Wheeljack remove a large panel below Telatran One, as he reaches
down to lift, Ravage detaches himself from the Autobot and lands into
the main computer's disk slot. Both are still unaware of the spy
and continue to work on the damaged circuits below. The large
screen above them however, seems to be flipping images of the strange
satellite they had been looking at before and then quickly turned it
off. Wheeljack stood up and looked at the blank monitor, for a
moment he thought the screen was on, but shrugged his shoulders and
leaned back down to keep fixing the computer.
•
• •
• • •
Agent Connors and Drakemore step off of the large helicopter setting
down near the remaining army forces, the other bulky helicopters
carrying the secret weapon carefully place it on the ground and release
the cables attached to it. The General comes walking out of his
command tent and walks over to the two government agents who seem to be
instructing their special outfitted troops coming off of the same
helicopter they did. The General screams out to them over the
loud noise of the choppers, it's almost hard to hear him at first, but
Connors soon hears the old man yelling at them.
"You'd better hope this contraption of yours works Mr. Connors...Those
robots seem to thrive on carnage! Nothing we seem to throw at
them is having any effect. I'm beginning to think Optimus Prime
was right...maybe it's time we called them instead?"
Connors stares him down wearing his dark sunglasses, "General, you'll
beg my pardon when I say this isn't your decision anymore. I find
it hard to believe you'd give up so soon, just proves to me that you’re
not the type of leader to command this mission at all!"
"You son of a bitch!” The General curses at him, "How dare you question
me! I just launched every American military resource available at these
things and nothing is stopping them! It's going to take more then
just our forces to bring them down...hell the whole world will have to
launch a war against this menace!"
Drakemore finishes instructing the special troops and walks over to the
two men arguing, "We're ready to begin...sorry General, but this time
we're going win a war our way."
Connors runs over to the weapon and begins uncovering the thing for all
to see. As the canvas drops to the ground, the reaction of the
General and all the other soldiers standing near shows awe as it is
finally revealed. The large black transport truck with monster
sized wheels sits there like a beast waiting to be unleashed, the
incredibly huge double barreled cannon sits on top of it's back
structure and sticks out ahead of the transport as if it wasn't meant
to be part of the vehicle. Just like the strange probe hanging in
space above the Ark, it has the same texture and technology wrapped all
around it. The thing looks like a giant black nightmare; tinted
windows of red surround the side cab at the front of the monster
transport, with a built-in ladder on the side to climb up to it.
Never has the General, or any other military soldier has ever seen such
a marvel, it was hard to imagine such a thing could be kept secret for
so long. As the old crusty military leader looks at it more
intensely, he notices the weapon sitting on it doesn't even look like
it's built by human hands, in fact it looked somewhat alien in design
to him. Drakemore stands back with the General and listens to the
man rant on to him.
"What is this?!” The General protests, "This is your big secret?
And only one?! I've spent thousands of men, vehicles and flung
ever arsenal I could to stop these things, and you come here with one
weapon? Are you insane?!"
"Calm yourself General. This weapon will definitely end this conflict
for good..."
The General laughs, "How can you sit there and be so smug about
it? Have you even tested it to find out?"
Drakemore just sighs and flinches his jaw, "Not really.... but there's
no time like the present."
"Damn you guys are a piece of work.", the military commander snickers,
"You’re gambling on all of our lives with this thing. I seriously
think we need to go back and get some help.... we need the Autobots!"
"NO!", Connors yells out to him from the machine, "We don't need their
help! We're a goddamn species to be reckoned with, no metal
aliens are going to come to our world and try to take over.
Autobots or Decepticons...we'll have them all under our control and use
the technology to build more weapons just like this. Project N is
the best thing to happen to this planet since the invention of fire!"
The old military man takes great concern from those harsh words Connors
screamed out, "I thought.... I thought this was Project N? Are
you telling me there’s more to this Project?"
The agent smiles, "More than meets the eye my dear General."
That sent a shiver down the military man's spine, but as he feared for
humanity from that one simple phrase the crazed agent spat out the roar
of the engine began from the transport truck. A low, but powerful
hum came out of it. Not the typical noise you'd hear from a combustion
engine, it sounded more like a snap of energy whooshing through the
air. Connors ran over to the long ladder and climbed up to the
dwarf looking cab on top of the massive truck. Inside were two
other black suited special soldiers manning computers on the left side
and the right side as he climbed in. He took his seat and clamped
on the criss-cross seat belt, in front of him was a large computer
panel with many buttons that flickered and glowed. Usually a
steering wheel would be there as he drove, but this secret weapon
didn't seem to require it, a few taps on the flashing icons and the
massive transport moved forward at a rather fast speed. The huge
tires tore up the dirt and spewed it behind like someone digging their
way through the Earth. Riding inside the machine, Connors looked at the
entire military force retreating all around him, he was heading
straight into the heart of the battle with this new weapon as the
others were running for their lives. He kept his eyes forward,
but tilted his head back to talk to the man sitting behind him on the
other computer.
"Is the weapon charged?"
"We are go sir, weapon is charged and ready at your command!", the
soldier says to him.
"Good, raise the weapon and prepare to fire."
The soldier behind him presses a few buttons and outside on the back,
the large black weapon raises up off of the truck with a large extended
arm. The messy looking collected technology all over it obscures
its real shape, but it stretches out from the vehicle and targets a few
of the Decepticon jets still attacking the retreating air force
above. The computer screen shows the target it's aiming for and
locks on to it. Connors looks on the monitor hanging down above
his head and has a clear view of Skywarp targeted in red.
"FIRE!"
The black double barrel gun builds up a massive energy surge and
quickly sends a parallel streak of blue energy towards the
un-suspecting jet. It hits Skywarp and causes a massive explosion
on his jet frame; the crippling blow sends the Decepticon hurling
across the sky and then dropping like a rock down onto the
ground. Thundercracker sees Skywarp fall and turns away from the
fleeing convoy of human jets to swoop down and attack the large
transport. Connors sees the jet coming in and targets him as
well. The weapon fires again and causes the same damage to
Thundercracker as it did to Skywarp. As Starscream turns around
he watches the hurt jet fling past and just narrowly missing him on his
way down to the earth. Connors smiles sitting inside his machine
and now points his men to target the air commander next. The
computer locks on to the transformed Decepticon and fires again, the
look of surprise fills the robot's eyes as the blue energy wave strikes
him right in the chest. Megatron, not paying attention to the
skirmish, suddenly hears Starscream moaning as he plummets near
by. Looking over to where the air commander crashed, he has a
confused look on his face and turns around to see the black transport
repeatedly shooting at his Decepticon soldiers.
"Now what do we have here.... humans trying to destroy the
Decepticons? They shall pay for their treachery!"
•
• •
• • •
Optimus Prime and the other Autobots are racing down the paved highway,
their speed is fast and constant, but Spike nervously taps away sitting
inside the leader, it doesn't seem fast enough for him. Carly
sees Spike getting impatient and also becomes antsy.
"Faster.... we must go faster Optimus...", Spike says to him.
"I was just thinking the same thing my friend.", the Autobot leader
says in agreement, " Time to kick it into overload.
Autobots! Prepare for Trans-boost Drive! "
Behind the massive speeding truck are a parade of flashy Autobot cars,
all of them hear the leader's orders and respond to his command
appropriately, " Yes, Sir!!"
Hound and Prowl ride side by side, the two cars talk to each other as
they prepare to increase their speeds.
"Psst...Hey, Prowl? Where's Mirage? He wasn't in the line
up...."
Prowl whispers back to him, "I dunno, haven't seen him for awhile. You
don't think he's gone ahead of us do you?"
Hound sighs, "I doubt it, Mirage has a history of disappearing during a
battle. Frankly I can't see why Prime even bothered to bring him
along. Sounds to me like the guy has yellow spark in him."
"It wouldn’t be the first time an Autobot has chickened out.
There were a lot back during the war, many took off to escape being
drafted. Maybe…Maybe Mirage has lost his nerve again…”, the black
and white police Porsche says in a disappointed tone.
The red mini Autobot, Cliffjumper hears their conversation from behind
and speaks out, "Mirage ain't no coward! So pipe down there you
chatty bots!"
Hound tries to quiet the nosey red mini car, "Shhhh...Pipe down
yourself there Cliffjumper! Ok then, if you don't think he's a
coward then just where the heck is he then huh?"
Cliffjumper remains silent for a second and grumbles, "Uhm....
well...he could be.... Ah who knows! Maybe your right...maybe he
did sit this one out."
"Face it guys...some Autobots are assembled fighters, some are just
recycled cowards.", Prowl calmly states to them both.
Cliffjumper revs up his engine and prepares to increase his speed,
"Where did you hear that stupid phrase? You know, Kup would
really lay into you for making that remark. Just be glad he isn't
here to yell at you!"
The black and white Porsche revs its engine, "Shut up Cliffjumper!"
Optimus Prime raises his voice again to all of them, "Autobots....
Begin Trans-boost Drive.... NOW!"
A sudden green glow appears all around each vehicle and as they all
glow the whole caravan of them blur and warp down the roadway in a
blink of an eye. The entire asphalt becomes super heated and
glows, the only thing left visible on the highway is white-hot tire
marks streaking down the road. Multiple sonic booms can be heard
in the distance as the Autobots race towards the conflict that can be
seen just at the horizon. Large billows of smoke and fire are
rising up in the distance, almost like the reign of hell is stirring up
down there.
•
• •
• • •
The army continues retreating back towards the main campsite, the
General sees the extent of the damage as the soldiers pour back in; the
losses are heavy. Drakemore stands a few feet away from him and
keeps his binoculars focused on his friend's progress out in the battle
field, its as if he couldn't care less about the wounded and dying
coming right past him. As the military commander walks back to
his small outpost tent, he can hear a faint sound getting louder and as
he looks over to see the direction it's coming from, Optimus Prime and
the other Autobots appear in a flash of neon green light. Each
one comes streaking out right behind Optimus Prime and begin to slow
down as they approach the area. The General didn't know whom
these vehicles belonged to or even that they were the Autobots, he had
never seen them all in there vehicle modes, he instantly thought this
was more of Connors secret weapons coming to help him out. As he
and a few soldiers walked over to the lead tractor trailer coming to a
stop, they were surprised to see Spike and a woman get out of it.
"Spike? What the hell are you doing here?", the General demanded.
Spike and Carly walked away from the red cab and demanded information
out of him.
"What's going on? Did you save the town? Are the people
ok?", Spike yelled in a panic.
Suddenly the truck they were riding in began to make a sound; it rose
up and began to unfold sections of its body. Soon the large
robotic figure of Optimus Prime stood over all of them, and behind him,
the other Autobots also returned to their robot forms as well.
The old military commander was taken back by it, fearing they had come
to do harm. But as the surrounding soldiers took aim of their
weapons, Prime spoke out and stretched out his hand.
"Hold your fire! We've come to help!"
Drakemore comes running over and screams at the Autobot leader, "We
don't need your help Optimus Prime! We've got the situation under
control, our weapon is working perfectly and will be rid of these alien
monsters once and for all."
Carly looks right at the man in the dark suit and sunglasses, "What
about the town? Where are all the people?"
"We couldn't save them in time miss, but they won't go unpunished for
what they've done.", the agent says to her coldly.
Spike and Carly grasp each other in comfort, all their efforts to bring
help had failed, now things had become much worst. They gazed
over at the human casualties, the crushed arsenal of the military and
the retreating soldiers. Hope it seemed was becoming ever more
distant to the two of them, the only ones to stop this madness now were
the Autobots.
"Uh.... Prime? You might want to have a look at this.", a gruff
voice said to him.
Looking down he saw Brawn gazing outward to the battle, his eyes were
slightly sticking out and glowing bright blue, in his vision he can see
the Decepticons trying to destroy the transport truck with the weapon
on it. Prime raised his head in the direction also and his eyes
began to glow a bright blue as well. Each transformer has the
ability to use their eyes as an electro-telescopic viewer, a way to
magnify their sight in order to see over vast distances. Prime's sight
had a clear image of the weapon Connors and Drakemore had provided, the
texture and design looked very similar to him, in fact it almost looked
like the strange satellite hanging in Earth's orbit. He watched
the weapon fire massive energy blasts at the Decepticons, it was far
more powerful then any weapon he had seen humans use so far and far
more advanced then anything they could produce.
"I see it.", Optimus calmly stated. "The Decepticons are having a hard
time stopping it and now...it looks like they're trying to make way for
Megatron."
"The fools!” Ironhide screams within earshot of Optimus, "They don't
know who they're messing with!"
Drakemore laughs, "He won't be a problem...so far we've managed to wipe
out a good number of their forces. This...Megatron will be just
as easy to dispose of."
The Autobot leader's eyes stop glowing and he looks down at the small
human, "No Drakemore.... it’s about to get a whole lot worst."
Out in the demolished ruins of the small town, Megatron stares down the
on coming black vehicle, Decepticons are being shot left, right and
center as each one goes hurling by the leader. The Constructicons
try to block the path of the transport truck heading straight in, but
also get caught in the massive energy blasts as it takes each one of
them out. Starscream manages to regain consciousness and stands
behind the leader who doesn't even budge as the shot reign past his
head. The air commander holds his head and tries to shake off the
deadly blow that was given to him.
"Megatron...what...what happened? Where did those creatures get
such a weapon?!"
The Decepticon leader's eyes glowed a bright red as he watched the
transport coming closer and closer.
"I don't know.... but I will not be defeated by inferior creatures that
use weapons they do not understand!"
Megatron back flips in the air and transforms into his sliver polished
berretta eight-millimeter hand gun mode, Starscream skillfully catches
him and holds him like any other weapon given to him. The
Decepticon laughs at Megatron's form, the once mighty leader that
became a massive energy cannon was now a mere hand gun.
"This is your new form? Bah-ahahahaha! Oooh how the mighty
have fallen...", Starscream continually laughs.
"Silence you fool!” The gun speaks out loud, "I do not enjoy taking
this weak, human-made form of weapondary, but for now just do your job
and take them out!!"
Starscream smirks, "As you command.... mighty Megatron."
The air commander outstretches his arm and aims the weapon at the
transport Connors is riding in. On the monitor inside the firing
transport, Connors calmly chuckles at the sight of Megatron's
transformation.
"This is the leader of a dangerous group of Robots? Bah! He'd be
lucky if it did any damage at all.... keep firing! These guys are
almost finished!!"
Starscream holds his finger in the trigger and presses it back; a large
red surge of power builds inside Megatron's long silencer attachment
and releases a huge blast of energy that lights up the entire
area. The streak of power hits the transport and explodes a few
of its large front wheels. Inside the transport's cockpit, the
men all shake about from it's deadly blow, the truck crashes down to
the ground as it no longer has any front support and begins to slide
along the dirt. A second shot from Megatron causes the vehicle to
flip in the air as the explosion rips into the armored transport like a
knife. It rolls along the ground, flipping, twisting and finally
resting on its side. Victorious in the strikes, Megatron leaps
out of Starscream's hand and returns to his robotic form. The
leader gives an evil smile as he views the results, it seems that his
smaller form is still as powerful as his old cannon form. But the
thought of having to have someone hold him to attack is very
un-appealing to him, it means that he will now have a weakness he did
not have before, and he despises weakness in any shape or form.
The human transport now lay in ruins, smoldering and set on fire,
helpless as any other human craft they've attacked so far.
"I did it! I defeated the humans greatest weapon!!” Starscream
rejoices.
Megatron quickly turns around, "What do you mean you? I am the
one who crushed them!"
"Not quite Megatron. For it was I who took aim and fired on
them.... I should be hailed as the hero!"
Megatron shook his fist at the air commander, very close to his face,
"But it was I that gave you that opportunity Starscream! I am the
weapon you welded to make this a success.... and I am the leader of the
Decepticons not you!"
Starscream becomes a bit threatened by the leader's anger towards him
and gives him his praise, "Y-y-yes Megatron...You are the one that
defeated them. I...I was mistaken."
"I will only give you three warnings from now on Starscream....
consider this mistake number one. Questioning my leadership, I
will have no more of it!", the leader says to the cowering robot.
Starscream nods and backs away, Megatron walks over to the crippled
vehicle and stands over it. Inside the damaged and slightly
crushed cockpit, Connors and the other soldiers struggle to get
out. The Decepticon leader bends down and picks up the front end,
the men inside can feel the vehicle being lifted up and see a pair of
red eyes peering in at them through the damaged windows.
"Which one of you is responsible for this stupidity?", the leader
demands.
Bleeding and trying to free his leg from the metal pinning it down,
Connors speaks out to the creature.
"I am.... I...I demand that you surrender now, in the name of the
people of the Earth! Anymore attempts to harm our kind and you
shall.... you shall suffer dearly."
Megatron chuckles calmly, "Such arrogance...You humans truly are as
dumb as you look. Persist with me creature and I will make sure
this planet dead by the time I leave it."
Connors smirks, "Well see who takes out whom robot...You don't know who
you're messing with."
"Nor do you...” the evil leader squints, "Soundwave!!"
The minidisk-carrying robot stands up and shakes his head as he
regroups himself, "Yes...Megatron?"
"Dispatch Laserbeak at once."
Soundwave nods, "As you command.... Laserbeak, eject!"
He presses the button on his top chest and the window compartment flips
open, Laserbeak launches out in minidisk form and unfolds into his
mechanical bird form. Laserbeak flies over to Megatrons left arm
and attaches himself to it. The Decepticon leader smiles and
positions his arm up to keep the bird level.
"Ahh, Laserbeak...I have a new task for you...retrieve and fly up."
The cybertronian bird squawks and flaps over to the transport cockpit,
with its gripping robotic bird like feet, it rips open the cab top. The
men scream inside as the bird cuts it open like tin, soon the foot
reaches in and picks up Connors tightly. He yells in pain as he
could feel a few ribs breaking from the Decepticons crushing grip,
Laserbeak takes him and flies straight up into the air. As the
bird reaches a certain height, it stops and hovers as it awaits
Megatron's order as Connors strains to hear the Decepticon leader talk.
"Now human...", Megatron chuckles, "Tell me exactly where you acquired
that bit of technology. Tell me now...and I might just spare your
hide for the time being."
Connors was nearly passing out from the pain, but struggling to stay
conscious, he refused to answer the question, "Drop Dead Robot!!"
"You first...", the leader smirked, "Laserbeak.... release him!"
The Decepticon bird opened its toes and the man began to drop down to
the ground, he screamed in terror as he was falling to his death.
A hand gesture from the evil leader sent the bird streaking down to
pick up the man again, as it caught him, Laserbeak once again returned
to the same height. Megatron once again chuckled at the human and
shouted to the frightened Connors again.
"Gravity is a harsh mistress flesh creature! Now this is your
last warning.... where did you get that weapon from?"
Connors, crying and slightly bleeding from his mouth, shook his head
and refused, "Never...I'll never tell you. Scaring me won't make
me talk.... nothing will!"
Megatron frowns, "So be it. Laserbeak....drop him again."
Once again the bird lets go and Connors falls to the ground, the man
doesn’t scream this time, he thinks the Decepticon leader will command
the alien bird to pick him up yet again. But Megatron lifts up
his large arm cannon and targets the human, as Connors falls to Earth,
his face fills with dread as he hears Megatron’s final words to him.
"I despise humans!!"
Megatron shoots his arm cannon and the large energy blast vaporizes the
agent in mid-air. All that can be heard over the area is the
man's blood curling scream as the energy cooks his body into ash.
Megatron glances down at the armored transport again and looks at the
other two frightened soldiers inside.
"Laserbeak, prepare to retrieve another for target practice..."
"Target on this Megatron!” a booming familiar voice yells out to him.
As the Decepticon leader looks up, a blue energy blast strikes the
leader down and makes him collapse to the ground. As the leader
looks up, he sees his old enemy running towards him with his fellow
soldiers, Optimus Prime and the Autobots. Stopping at a distance,
Optimus Prime points to the fallen leader and points his weapon.
"No! It...It can't be! You're Dead!!” Megatron yells in a
panic stricken tone.
Prime squints his eyes, "You wish Megatron."
Decepticon leader stands up in disbelief; his greatest foe wasn't left
for dead in the Ark, but is now standing there ready to fight him once
more. Megatron sees his evil warrior brood rebuilding around him
again, all of them fully recovered and standing ready to fight behind
him.
"Decepticons! Attaaaaaaack!!!"