[Location: Rocky Mountain range, British Columbia Canada]
Elita stepped out of the ground bridge, letting it wink shut behind her, and looked around as she took in the scenery. It was cold despite the sunshine, but the sun had melted what little snow had fallen earlier in the day. There was a slight breeze from the North West, so she decided to set her target up against a large stone and head up a cliff that was the ideal distance from her target.
She found the perfect place, covering herself with broken branches from the conifer trees that had fallen before her arrival, and then rested herself on her stomach. Resting her eye on the scope Elita aimed the weapon. When the first bullet struck the target true she had to frown. Maybe Fowler already sighted it in for her? Reloading the weapon she paused when she heard the scream of several jets overhead. Looking up she couldn't believe her luck.
It was a large group of Decepticon drones, along with Dredwing and Megatron. The group landed in little valley she had set up her target in not moments before. Now how about that for luck, she thought to herself as she focused on the Decepticon leader with her scope.
"Elita-One to base," she said calmly, still watching the goings on in the valley below.
"Are you alright, Elita?" Ratchet's worried voice came back in her ear.
"Peachy. Megatron and his harem are here. They're starting to dig up the area."
She heard the pause in his voice. "They must have located another artifact. Can they see you?"
"Nope. I've got the camo look going for me right now." And she had to force her hand to ease off of the trigger. "And I've got Megatron centered in my sight. I can make him pay for what he did to our people and home."
"Let me get the others to your area. Please, Elita. Don't do anything you'll regret."
She moved her hand off of the trigger and rested it on the butt of her weapon. "Hurry. I might end up forgetting your request."
[Location: Autobot Base]
Ratchet had contacted the bots in the field while Bulkhead ran the ground bridge to bring them all back. As soon as Arcee joined them all, being the last one bridged in, Ratchet started the briefing.
"Elita had left the base to get some fresh air, but has reported that there are Decepticons digging around in the area she is at."
Bumblebee beeped a few times, confusion etched on his face. Especially after seeing what was left of the computer that had hit the wall.
"Bee's right," Arcee said, one hand on her hip. "Are you sure the virus isn't messing with her?"
"There is only one way to be absolutely sure," Optimus spoke up. "Ratchet, ground bridge us near where she had gone. We have to double check it. If it is the virus, then we will have to keep her in the base at all times."
The medic opened the portal, waiting for the others to step through before shutting it down. Miko, Jack, and Rafael followed him from the ground bridge controls over to his console, all of them sharing the same look.
It was Raf that spoke first. "Ratchet…" hesitation made him pause a bit. "What are you going to do about Elita?"
The medical bot frowned, his eyes looking everywhere but the kids. "We might have to put her in stasis until I can find a cure."
[Location: Rocky Mountain range, British Columbia Canada]
The ground bridge portal opened behind one part of a mountain ridge, right before the valley came into view. Careful not to be spotted, they were crouched as they looked around the rocky face. Elita reported correctly, the Decepticons were digging up the area.
"Ratchet was right," Bulkhead said quietly, "looks like they've located another artifact."
Arcee was looking around. "Where's Elita?" Bumblebee looked around the ridgeline also, beeping softly as he pointed out the slight reflective glint of the sniper rifle.
"She's out of harm's way." Optimus noted the way his troops eased with the information. He activated his communicator. "Elita?"
"I'm here. So are they. I have a clear shot at Megatron."
"Hold," the Autobot leader ordered. "Arcee and Bumblebee, far side. Bulkhead, stay with me. We'll surround them and wait for them to uncover the artifact before we act." The bots moved to follow orders and waited for the right moment.
Down in the valley below, Megatron was watching as the drones excavated the area. Dredwing standing at his side. It took a while, but the drones were able to move away enough of the dirt and rock that it had become buried in to expose the half ring device.
"What is it, my Lord?" his second-in-command asked as they looked down at the device.
"It is not one of our tools," the dark energon powered dictator said with a frown. "But surely it is of some use if the Autobots saw fit to send it." As he began to climb down into the hole to retrieve it they heard the fire fight break out as the Autobots began their assault.
Once he had seen the artifact uncovered, Prime firmed. In his ear, the whole time they were waiting, he heard Elita asking if she could take the shot. Several times. He couldn't put that weight on her shoulders. Megatron was his problem, use to be his friend. It was his responsibility to end the tyrant's rule.
The Autobots fought their way to the center of the group. The two leaders paused, the artifact between them, while the others faced off around them.
"Came to pick up my scraps, Optimus."
"I will not let you steal another artifact, Megatron."
The Decepticon leader narrowed his eyes when Prime mumbled something, and then gave a dark smirk. "Then come and get it." With a shout they ran towards each other and the artifact between them. They struggled hand to hand, blade to blade, until Megatron punched Prime in the gut with his gun arm and then shot a blast right into his foe's torso.
As Optimus tumbled away from the blast, Megatron gave a satisfied smile and then focused down at the artifact. Satisfaction turned into shock as some red and silver blur came between him and the device, the barrel of a gun point blank at his face. He barely had time to move his head to the side, feeling the sting of the bullet at it scrapped across his helm, before there was a bright flash in the Decepticon leader found pleasure course through him at the pain in Opimus' voice as he cried out, "Elita! No!"
[Author's Note]
I DO NOT OWN TRANSFORMERS PRIME NOR ANY CHARACTER IN THE SHOW.
