Chapter Thirty
"Hey bro, check this out!"
"Holy human shit! What the fuck do you thinks going down there at Autobastard city?"
"Hm, you know I have no fucking idea, we better contact old Soundwave let him know!"
Just as the small cassette Decepticon known, as Rumble was about to radio Soundwave the red and blue Jet transformed during landing. The much larger Transformer stood over the two smaller mechs and glared for a moment.
"What's going on here?"
"Well, there seems to be some kind of commotion down at Autobot City, in the Alpha section, we believe, but it has appeared to spread to neighbouring locations. Also, from what we can ascertain from this distance there seems to be considerable damage".
Frenzy replied, his voice drenched with false seriousness, as Rumble attempted to keep himself from laughing. Starscream looked down and simply backhanded the small mech sending him flying into a near by rock, cracking it half on impact.
"You wanker!"
"He told you the truth!"
"I know I just didn't appreciate his tone, that's not how you talk to your future leader!"
"Future leader my arse! You have to take down Megatron first and he'd kick your girl's blouse arse in an astro second!"
Starscream glared dangerously before approaching the two smaller transformers.
"I'll show you, you disgusting mid…"
An explosion in the distance caused all three of them to turn. A huge fireball enveloped one of the taller towers in Alpha section, sending debris, smoke and flames into the sky.
"What's going on down there?"
--
Dead End was sitting on the large rock as the other Stunticons checked their weapons and rumbling about what was better, filleting an Autobot or impaling one. The plan: wait for intel from Ravage, then cause a diversion while Rumble and Frenzy snuck into ABHQ to "borrow" some Autobot research or something. Only Megatron and possibly Soundwave knew the contents of such research.
"Oh! How typical! We don't even get to be the first in line to meet our imminent demise at the hand of a massive fireball!"
Dead End groaned pessimistically as the explosion erupted the relative silence.
"Shut your fucking energon hole you sissy!"
Drag Strip growled.
A small beeping sound came from the nearby radio control.
"Would you two shut up? That must be the signal now".
Motor Master walked over to the radio.
"Yeah?"
"Motor Master, this is Starscream, change of orders, you're to attack the Alpha section of Autobot City".
"Sounds worse over a radio doesn't he?"
Drag Strip stated under his breath.
"What? Don't be stupid! We ain't attacking Alpha. We only take our orders from Megatron and you ain't him!"
"You will do as I say or you will face the consequences, these orders came straight from Megatron himself!"
"Bullshit! Megatron would never give you orders to relay".
"Fine, but when Megatron arrives and inquires why the Stunticons aren't attacking Alpha section then I'll have to tell him that they wouldn't listen to me, in fact it was…"
"Alright, you've made your point! We'll get on it now!"
Motor Master deactivated the connection and turned to face his team-mates.
"Looks like we got a job to do!"
"What does it matter whose orders they are? We're going to find our remains rusting on Autobot soil soon enough!".
"Shut up!"
Drag Strip kicked the kill-joy in the shin.
"All right you bozos! That's enough, Transform and lets get go waste the Autofuckers!"
--
"WHAT!?!"
Megatron screamed down the radio.
"I've had enough of that traitorous jet, I'll pound him down into scrap metal myself!"
"They were unsure as to whether they should proceed with the original mission".
The voice was monotone.
"We'll probably loose the Stunticons due to that idiot, albeit we might be able to salvage the mission. The Stunticons' attack would still cause a large enough of a diversion".
"Shall I give them affirmation to proceed?"
Megatron looked at his communications officer and nodded pointedly. Soundwave's optics dimmed as he radioed instructions to his three cassettes.
"Our numbers are dwindling, and what's worse is that the majority are imbeciles. The Autobots currently outnumber us 3 to 1. We can no longer waste time with petty strikes, this information is paramount to the Decepticon victory. Somewhere they have another planetary base, the information may help us locate it".
"Perhaps the fabled Nobilis Libertas does exist".
Megatron turned and walked towards the computer, he paused before the control panel and stared over his shoulder back at Soundwave.
"If it does exist, it would explain how Prime continues to get cannon fodder and supplies… but if it doesn't…"
"Then Prime is acquiring his provisions and Mechs from another source – an ally we may not know about, perhaps".
"Plausible. But there are too many species out there who would not join with the Autobots for fear of encoring our wrath".
"What of the Fleshlings?"
Soundwave pointed out, being the only Decepticon or Transformer who could contradict Megatron without being blasted to atoms.
"Yes, that is true, but the Autobots are on the Fleshling's planet, if the Autobots weren't here to protect them… We need this information, Soundwave".
Nobilis Libertas: "Noble Freedom"
Chapter Thirty-One
Motor Master transformed bringing his laser from subspace, sending several potent blasts through the fence that bordered Alpha section, by now a smoking ruin. The other Stunticons transformed, and at first, seemed quiet confused at the eerie remains of the Autobots most prized 'suburb', but sharing the violent and sadistic enthusiasm of their team commander they shrugged off any weary feelings… except Dead End.
Approaching the first section of the buildings in Alpha they became aware of loud gabbles, and then they saw the mob.
"Autobots! Destroy them!"
Motor Master roared as he ran into battle, his laser firing round after round of penetrating energy. Getting closer he started realising something was wrong, the mob had turned around and was heading towards him, but they were unarmed and were running straight into the laser fire and being predictably cut down. Motor Master stopped suddenly and turned to his fellows, who had also stopped, but the mob progressed and their frantic actions were becoming more noticeable.
"What the Pit is happening here?"
Break Down asked.
"Maybe the Autobots are trying new tactics!"
Wildrider replied, laughing.
"What? Running into laser fire in copious numbers is a new tactic?"
Dead End asked, in his usual dread tone.
"Well I'd do it!"
Wildrider laughed.
"In fact… I think I'll show 'em how it's done!"
He snorted as he turned and ran towards the approaching crowd.
"Wildrider! You slag head, get back here!"
Motor Master called out after his teammate… but it was too late.
Motor Master didn't dish out suggestions, despite knowing this; Wildrider ignored and rushed towards the crowd, firing at anything and everything. Five metres from the first couple of 'mob-ees' he realised he was in serious trouble. Optics widening in shock, halting his approach, attempting to pivot on foot, but as he did the mob set upon his form. Turning back to face the ones grabbing him, he saw their mangled faces, their vacant optics, their gaping mouths covered with energon and nipping out in the attempt to find sustenance.
"No! Stop! NOOOOOO!"
Wildrider, for once in his life, experienced fear, true fear. Struggling for life he felt his limbs being pulled with such strength he believed they'd be ripped free His screams reached the audios of his team mates, striking deep into their consciousnesses the screams distorting with the sounds of metal tearing, energon spilling, wires and metallic ligaments snapping, circuits breaking and the smell of smoke from the small fires that were breaking out through Wildrider's once fast and powerful body. He struggled to the last moment, to when finally one of the mob's members pulled his head so far back that it snapped the linkage sending a shockwave of force up into his CPU where it failed and he died.
"I knew it… Didn't I tell you… we're doomed!"
The three remaining Stunticons turned and faced Dead End with a kind of disgusted horror in their optics. Motor Master turned and saw more of these monsters were clambering over the remains of Wildrider and towards them.
"I don't know about the rest of you fucks, but stuff Megatron's orders, I'm getting out of here!"
He bellowed as he turned to flee, only to find more of the shambling wrecks.
"Don't fight it, don't fight them… this was only ordained from the moment of our creation, the moment of our demise… it's the only constant in this universe, death… I welcome you death".
"No! No WAY! I'm not going to go out to a bunch of smelly Autobots! Never in a million years! Not even Primus himself could stop me!"
Drag Strip boasted as he turned to his left to see several more of the monstrosities coming towards him. Running towards them he fired, repeating Wild Rider's final error of judgement. Maybe a few of them were felled; making his last moments that more enjoyable knowing that he had taken a few of them with him. The ravenous Autobots set him upon all most instantly. They massacred his being, tearing armour and his metallic flesh from his structures, ripping out circuit boards, wiring, components, his internal structure was decimated. His CPU, racked with waves of distress, recorded the sensation as lasting an eternity, when really it 43.25 seconds.
The survivors looked on, fear unknown to Decepticon ranks etched in their fuel pumps, as a second member of their gestalt team was mercilessly slaughtered by the crazed and cannibalistic Autobot mob.
"It's only a matter of moments now, and soon we will be gone".
The doors to the nearby building were cleaved to tatters as the mob of around 20 undead came surging out towards the three remaining. Five lunged upon Motor Master and he seemed to be coming out victorious for the moment until several more, joined. He ignored the pain of so many biting down upon his body, tearing through armour, forcing their probing hands inside the gaps, tearing out non-vital and vital systems at their discretion, his leg ripped from his body at that point he felt weakened from the much too sudden loss of energon. Struggled until the last moment, he as a warrior, a solider, not wanting to expire without taking someone with him. He succeeded as well, he managed to punch his fist right through the chest of one of the munching femmes and out the back of her torso he felt the face, or what was left of it of another waiting and hungry mech, it grabbed Motor Master's hand and bit his struggling fingers off, chewing each of them slowly as he dropped to the ground with his tiny prize. Pain he continued to ignore tore through his body inflaming his still remaining and operational circuits and throbbing into his CPU. A mouth bit deeply into the gestalt leader's neck, bitting deep into the internal structures, severing fuel lines and delicate nervous circuitry effects; paralysing … An awareness of optics dimming, darkening.
He was dying
One final thought.
A prayer.
Help me Primus.
Having finished with Motor Master, the mob set upon the remaining two Stunticons. Breakdown saw his chance, even if it was slim, there it was, a slight gap in the midst of undead rank.
"An escape!"
Dead End noted it also as the undead beared down on them with frightful speed. Breakdown turned, and ran towards the gap, yet something tackled him to the ground. Breakdown was almost too afraid to turn and see the face of the monster that would surely end his life, but he did, perhaps by reflex more than anything else. What he saw caused him more fear than the undead ever could.
"Dead End?"
"We can't escape our fates… we must die, today, and join our comrades".
"No! Please! I don't… don't… I don't want to die!"
He began to weep.
"Don't be afraid of the inevitable, face it!"
Dead End pulling him up rolled over so Breakdown could see the approaching creatures. Optics widened with fear as the first reached him, lunging down onto him and digging his mouth deep into the steel that formed his chest. The creature was suddenly pulled away and another took its place, they were now fighting over the last two. By now the creatures around them, too, were ravaging Dead End, his body being raked by pain and aguish as they continued to tear, rip and shred his external and internal structures. Dead End realised he was dying as he witnessed his energon holding tanks being ripped out and the half used energon spilled out over his legs… it was around the same time that he felt the hands tearing at the back of his head, ripping in through the protective metal, searching for his CPU. What a shitty moment to have an epiphany, he mused as he realised with some deep regret and genuine sadness, that life was for living, and he had wasted what little time he had had moping around waiting for death – and now here it was, and he regretted it. He died.
Breakdown was aware. He was aware that some how he was still alive. He could see nothing. He could feel nothing. But he could hear. He was aware he was tired, and he didn't really know why for a moment… then he knew, energon loss. They had left him alive, perhaps they thought he was dead, or saw something more interesting had taken their interest. It didn't matter though, Breakdown was alone, with his thoughts, no one was looking, no one cared… no one saw Breakdown die, and that gave Breakdown comfort, enjoying his privacy, he was lost to the cold void.
-
Chapter
Thirty-Two
"Optimus! Sir, we have a serious problem!"
Prime and Magnus turned to see Prowl rushing towards them. The logistics expert stopped abruptly as he entered Sigma Court, bodies lay scattered, mutated, in unrecognisable piles amongst the burning pieces of rubber and twisted steel beams that had once supported various buildings, but since a chain reaction caused by the initial explosion in Alpha's energon storage bays a lot of the surrounding sections had been damaged or reduced to rubble.
"Does that problem include the zombies, explosions, or the fact not even our best scientists can figure out what the pit this thing is?"
Magnus asked sarcastically.
"Ah…"
Magnus found both pairs of optics staring at him.
"Sorry."
"Prowl?"
"Prime, we've picked up Decepticon energy signatures".
Prime dimmed his optics, rested his hands on his hips and looked down at the ground, noting an energon stain at his feet.
"Do you know what they're up to?"
"Well, we're not sure what they intended to do, but the Stunticons got into a bit of melee over in Alpha, and if you've been in Alpha recently sir, you'll know what fate they suffered".
"Gentlemen, I'm open to suggestions as to what to do here".
"I think we should clear it. The whole bloody area".
"Ultra Magnus? There could be survivors in there! This is Earth! We can't just go…"
"I don't like it either, Prowl, but we're running out of viable options."
Prime stated.
"We do have it confined to several areas in Autobot City".
"What of the human areas, the suburbs?"
"The US government were discussing a nuclear solution, which is why I think we should get in and clear it before they do that, at least the results won't be so long lasting".
"But logically there's bound to be more survivors in the human areas then there is here."
"Prowl, I know how you feel, I don't want to use it any more than any other person here, but we need a way to destroy the virus and quell the infected, and at this junction clearing may be the only way to accomplish that. Rest assured, Prowl, we won't be using that thing unless absolutely necessary".
"I just can't believe this mess. Where did this thing originate from… you don't think it could have been the 'Cons do you?"
"No, I doubt it. If it were why would they send in the Stunticons? Menasor is one of their most valuable assets, they're down on numbers as it is. Alright, Prowl, get back over to security, keep monitoring the Decepticon situation, Magnus you have your orders, I'm going to see if I can get a hold of the human authorities give them the facts on the clearer".
Chapter Thirty-Three
Both of them had lived through their fair share of disasters.
Daniel had seen explicitly the destruction the Decepticon forces could wrought upon the populace.
Emma had seen the results of a drunk driver's actions.
Albeit, the carnage that lay in front of them now rendered non-and void everything they'd previously experienced in way of disaster.
Neither spoke as they wandered through the catastrophe. Joint Road led around the outskirts of the city and connected it with the main human motorways. It now lay as a testament to the explosion that had levelled the energon tanks, smouldering pieces of metal lay on the asphalt, glass, wood, and other substances transformed beyond all recognition from flame and heat.
"I think we should head towards Gamma section then towards the Officers' Quarters in Trion section, we'll take the short cut through Sigma Court".
Daniel interrupted the silence between them, she didn't mind so much, glad in a way that he had some kind of plan.
--
Entering Sigma Court proved to be an exercise in discovering that they hadn't been desensitised by the media. Remnants of both Autobots and buildings lay about the smouldering ruins.
"This is getting really…"
"PRIME!"
Daniel cried out before Emma could finish.
Optimus, Magnus and Prowl turned to face the two teens.
"Prime I have something really important to tell you!"
"Daniel! Shouldn't you be at school? And Emma how did you get out of Repair Bay? Does First Aid know your gallivanting around?"
Magnus scolded.
"Of all the times you have to bitch to us…"
Emma began, but was cut off.
"Look, Daniel, if you haven't noticed we have enough problems at the moment".
Optimus stated.
"Its important… at the old factory…"
"You mean that condemned abator?"
Magnus inquired?
"Yeah, that's the place".
"Daniel. This really isn't the time".
"But Prime!"
"Daniel, stop moaning. We don't have time for a condemned slaughter house, do you understand?"
The sound of slipping rubble accompanied with the familiar hissing prevented their conversation from going any further, the three Autobots and two humans turned to view the stumbling Autobots clambering over rubble, bodies and one another to get closer to the three mechs and the two humans.
"You two, get behind us. Now".
Magnus stated firmly as he raised his rifle, dispersing a blast that tore through the head of the first, sending it backwards into two behind it, knocking them both down. .
"Perhaps retreating to Spark Section is warranted, given that it's relatively un-infected".
"Lead the way Prowl".
Prime ordered as the monsters were managing to make quite a bit of headway over the obstacles caused by the explosions, subsequent riots and the blasting of the City Commander's rifle. .
--
It didn't take them long to reach Spark section, and as Prowl had predicted it was relatively unscathed.
"I don't mean to be crass, but what the fuck's going on?"
Daniel asked as he followed behind Prowl and Optimus, Magnus bringing up the rear.
They reached a door that would lead into one of the smaller conference rooms.
Optimus punched in his security code and the door opened. The three Autobots raising their rifles. Instead of finding zombies, they found survivors, much to everyone's pleasant surprise.
Kup was leaning over a consol, Jazz and Ironhide standing beside him, while Blurr sat in the corner resting. Gears and Bumblebee sat quietly near by while First Aid and Perceptor were talking softly amongst themselves, and it didn't take a genius to work out what their topic of conversation was.
"Prime, you're okay".
Bumblebee stood up, unable to keep in check his delight a smile spreading quickly across his face.
"Yes, Bumblebee, and it's good to see you too, little friend".
"Prime, have you seen any more survivors on your travels?"
Kup asked as he walked towards the leader.
"No. You're the first live individuals we've seen since last time we spoke".
"Emma? How did you?"
"Not now First Aide?"
"Alright people, listen up, for those of you who don't know, there's some mystery virus spreading quickly through both humans and transformer a like. There are various parts of Autobot City and the surrounding human suburbs infected with this thing".
Prime stated firmly.
"Perceptor, First Aid? Any clues?"
"Unfortunately we haven't been able to ascertain any more facts, in particular how the virus crossed the species barrier. All we've been able to conclude is that it reanimates dead cells, but since Autobots aren't organic we can't discover how they're being infected".
The group went quiet.
"Right, first things first, we need to get rescue parties formed, and get out there and find survivors, then we can have a better idea of what our situation is".
Prime stated as he rested his hands on his hips. The Autobots began to surround the large centre table, to discuss how they were going to carry out their search and rescue missions. The two humans just slumped down in the corner.
"Harry and Simon are dead".
She said nothing, just looked at him.
"It's probably better not to think too much about it, I reckon my parents are dead since the Autobots haven't said anything".
"Not to mention, the Autobots sound like they're planning suicide. From what I've already seen, if there are survivors I doubt they'll be able to get to them".
"True. And if they have any smarts, they'll be holed up in some bunker somewhere trying to wait this thing out".
"What'd you think they'd do? I mean, they can't just leave all these dead bodies keep walking around, and they can't go and shoot all of them".
"You ever heard of the Clearer?"
"Is that like Twink?"
"Twink?"
"Ah… white out? Correction fluid, you know that stuff…"
"Yeah I know, and it's got nothing to do with that stuff".
"Alright, what's a clearer, then?"
"From what I can gather, and that's not much, it's a weapon, makes an H bomb look like a fart in the ocean".
"And they're going to drop something of that yield on this piddly planet?"
"If they got desperate enough, sure. Besides, it doesn't cause any structural damage just kills every living thing in the target radius. But since zombies are dead, I guess it'll just destroy the virus or something".
They were quiet for a moment, staring at each other.
"Anyway".
She said softly, breaking the silence between them. Daniel simply grunted and lay down, curling up into a ball, closed his eyes, and tried to get some sleep, and hoping like hell he wouldn't relive what he had in the past hour in his dreams.
--
Perceptor paced back and fourth discussing something with First Aid, obviously about the virus, they didn't want to go rushing back out into the City when they could be thinking of non-violent ways to resolve this mess.
She sat there watching them, having listened to their conversation for the past two hours. Perceptor went back to the table and rested his fists on the surface.
"Damn it, damn it all to the Pit".
He cussed, which wasn't often. First Aid rested his hand on his friend's shoulder. The other Autobots just watched.
"Maybe you should get some rest, Perceptor".
Prime said softly.
"I can't Prime, we have to crack this thing".
"Yes, but you won't be cracking anything if you're half online".
"This virus, it's living, yes?"
She said suddenly standing up and walking towards the table.
"Yes, Emma, the virus is alive".
Perceptor stated, somewhat exhaustedly and twinged with sarcasm.
"And you guys aren't biological organisms, correct?"
"Yes… and?"
"And, the virus only affects dead cells, reanimates them, yeah?"
"What's your point? Because I just don't have the time for it".
Perceptor turned from his vantage point on the table and stared down at her.
"You know, for one of the most intelligent minds in the universe you can sure be a dunce. The virus affects dead cells, reanimating them as such, you guys aren't biological but you use biological fuel, oil converted into energon, oil is basically dead dinos".
There was a stunned silence as all pairs of optics in the room were resting on the teen girl.
"Emma…"
Magnus managed to stammer out.
"How could you possibly come up with that?"
Kup asked, his left optic ridge rasing.
"Hey, that stinkin' 190 IQ should count for something right, other then just wasting time on GTA".
"I will never again shrug you off as an ignoramus".
Perceptor said as he turned around to the table and started scribbling formulae on the maps.
"Prime, we can do something with this".
--
Piddly: NZ colloquialism: Small, tiny, minute.
Chapter Thirty-Four
"Okay, the Stunticons have gone to cause some fuss so lets get the info stuff".
Frenzy pointed down at the smouldering buildings littering Alpha section
"And you had better not fail or else you'll have to explain your incompetence to Megatron".
"HA! You're one to talk!"
"Let's go, leave this looser to his whacked out fantasies".
Rumble added, as the two cassettes began walking into the forest.
"Hey, where's Ravage? Wasn't he supposed to be coming along for the party?"
"Nah, besides, he's probably halfway there by now, ripping the vocaliser out of some schmuck Autobot".
--
Soundwave entered the main chamber to find Megatron seated before the largest computer the Decepticons still had operational.
"Well?"
Megatron didn't turn around to face the communications officer.
"Rumble, Frenzy and Ravage have infiltrated Autobot City: radio silence commenced. No intelligence upon Stunticon situation".
"And what of that bungler Starscream?"
He spun on the chair to face the other.
"Information from Starscream: non-existent".
"Radio that dolt and tell him if he doesn't want his face plates wielded to his thrusters to return to base!"
Soundwave's optics went dim while he internally radioed the sleeker.
"Contact established, Starscream: unresponsive".
"He intentionally didn't reply?"
"Affirmative".
"Damn his metallic hide!"
An irritated pause.
"If those fool Autobots pick up his signal… we'll have to go in there and drag him back".
"The current Stunticon situation would have alerted Autobots".
"Yes, yes, Soundwave, but the Autobots know by now that the Stunticons act on impulse, they won't believe it's anything too serious until they lay optics upon that dunce. Soundwave, remain here in command, Astrotrain will accompany me to retrieve that moron".
--
Astrotrain landed with perfected stealth in the clearing.
"Stay here, I'll go get the imbecile".
Megatron grunted while heading off into dense foliage.
Holy shit.
Astrotrain mused inwardly.
Wouldn't want to be Screamer.
--
Megatron emerged from the trees to see Starscream standing on the tip of the cliff face, currently unawares of the approaching grey mech.
"Hello, Starscream, my loyal officer"
Megatron whispered in the sleeker's audios, voice drenched with eased cynicism.
"Meg…Meg… Megatron!"
Starscream abruptly turned into the propelling black fist.
"You ignoramus".
Megatron kicked the downed jet and then hauled him to his feet.
"You're coming back to base with me".
Chapter Thirty-Five
"Have to get away… have to…"
The light grey and blue femme ripped through the metal fence, running towards the nearby woods, desiring to live, to survive to reach the protective bushes. Despite the massive gash in its left leg, it's right leg missing her pursuer continued unabated. Corroded arms outstretched, lunging, pulling her to the ground, chipped teeth sinking into the small of the back. Her head flicked up as she howled in agony, using all her might she pushed herself up, flipping the crippled undead from her energon smeared form. It struggled on the ground, attempting to rise once again. Not wanting to be about when it would succeed she returned her attention to the woods. Her transform circuits damaged, but not caring, she wouldn't get far in that growth, and hopefully neither would anything that tracked her.
--
What a messy green dump.
It was damp. It was musky. It stank.
The animals were a pain in the arse. Birds flying around, crapping when you sat motionless on the ground waiting for whatever. The worse thing was when they got sucked into engines, the feathers and gore was one thing, but that stink just lingered for days on end, and you'd be guaranteed that three weeks later in an oil bath you'd still be trying to pick out charred bones from your systems.
Not to mention the occasional accident, standing in animal faecal deposits when you had to traspe through weeds at two in the fucking morning to get the jump on some stupid Autobots.
Oh, and how could one miss out the weather? Either too hot, or too cold or bloody humid. The wind would kick up dust that would penetrate into joints, strip paint and scratch optic lenses. The rain was just a damn nuisance. Snow wasn't firm enough, and slicked up landing areas. How in the hell did humans put up with it?
Earth, in his professional opinion, was a fucking waste of mud. And here he was, Astrotrain sitting in shuttle mode in this forested tangle of biological waste. While he was contemplating what would be the ideal solution to this abortion of a biological experiment a rustling from the near by mass of bushes interrupted his overly sarcastic thoughts.
Out she came clearly shocked by his presence. Standing confused, she looked around, wondering what she was going to do.
"Well, well, what do we have here?"
Astrotrain transformed and grinning patronisingly.
"Please… help…"
"You know I'm a Decepticon, right?"
"You're alive!"
"As opposed to being…?"
Her head suddenly dropped backwards to the side, her legs buckling and gravity doing the rest. She lay there, on the soft green floor, motionless, optics blackened, a trickle of energon exude coating her lips and chin.
"Hmm, that was unexpected".
He walked over and gave her a good whack in the abdomen. Boring quickly he wandered to the other side of the clearing and leaned up against a large tree, taking from sub-space a rather expensive cigar, custom made by a human acquaintance from Cuba.
Rings of smoke rose into the air until they dissipated. Astrotrain, triple changer, was having a damn fine time.
"Hate this planet, love their cigars… booze ain't half bad either".
He rumbled to himself, only to be suddenly interrupted by Megatron dragging the sleeker from the bushes. Megatron not interested in the dead femme sprawled on the ground.
"Having fun, I see shuttle boy?"
"Shut your yap Screamer, or I shut it for you".
Astro stood up, and crushed the cigar out on his arm, before pocketing it back into subspace.
"Astrotrain, transform, we're leaving".
The triple changer folded into his shuttle form his commander marching, riled, towards the transport. Starscream turned and looked over the femme.
"Sorry my dear, but you can't come with us".
He chuckled as he turned to the shuttle.
Optics flashed online, although remained dim, she pushed herself into a standing position, rocking uneasily back and forward on wearied feet. She noted with anticipation and blood lust the sleeker who's back was toward her, the opportunity had presented itself, diving she brought the sleeker face down in the dirt.
"Rrrrghhh! Get her off me!"
"Why? You two look like you're having too much fun".
Astrotrain chuckled as he watched the femme take a chunk out of the sleeker's shoulder with her teeth.
"Feisty".
"Starscream we don't have time for your sexual misdemeanours".
Megatron stood on the ramp leading into the cargo hold; he lifted his cannon and put a hole through the femme's head, the force blowing her off the sleeker, and slammed her into a tree, breaking it into splinters.
"Now hurry up, my patience for your antics wears thin".
Screamer stood up, his pride injured more then his shoulder.
"Stupid Autobitch".
He mumbled under breath as he boarded.
--
Traspe: NZ colloquialism basically a hard slog… ah… having to walk through muck and crap and to do it slowly without any enthusiasm, basically, a really, really, really miserable tramp/bush bash/hike.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Megatron walked from Astrotrain who was refuelling in the landing bay. Starscream came out next, wandering down past a sniggering Skywarp and Thundercracker who didn't really care either way. Screamer's next sight was of a black, balled fist flying towards his face.
Looking up from the ground he noticed Megatron standing over him.
"I've decided, Starscream, that your use to me is almost spent, but I will give you one last chance, purely because our numbers are low. Disobey me again, the next thing that hits you in the face will be a blast from my fusion cannon".
He turned on his foot and stormed out.
"Wow, you got off a lot lighter then I though".
Skywarp grunted between bursts of laughter.
"Shut up".
Screamer stood up, gripping his shoulder.
"Where you going now? To cry in your room? Oh, boo hoo, hoo, poor me, poor Starscream, I got a smack from Megatron, boo hoo".
Skywarp mocked.
Starscream was suddenly aiming his rifle at his face. Skywarp continued to snigger.
"I'm going to repair bay".
The doors closed behind him.
"Pussy".
Skywarp chuckled.
Astrotrain transformed.
"You guys up for a game of poker?"
Chapter Thirty-Seven
"Hurry up bro!"
"Hey, this ain't easy, Frenzy you gimp".
"Rumble?"
"Look, Frenz, bypassing Autobot security isn't easy you know, but by all means you're welcome to have a go".
"No; not that, man".
"So…?"
"What the fuck do you thinks going on at Autobum city?"
Rumble took a sideways glance at the smoke rising in funnels above various locations in the City.
"Maybe the Metroplex ripped one?"
"Nah, I'm serious, maybe the 'Bots are having some 'civil disturbance' or something".
"Autobots? Civil disturbance? Over what? Not getting the Playboy channel with their cable subscription?"
The door opened.
--
"Ah… shouldn't we be worried?"
"No, why?"
"Rum, man, we've been cruising around this place an hour at least, and so far, we've come across no Autobot guards, patrols, nothing".
"Frenz, dude, stop looking a gift horse in the mouth. Maybe they're all having a fare well party or something for someone. Why… you're not scared, are ya?"
"Course not, but every time we appear to be getting a break we barge around a corner and find ourselves on the dangerous end of Prime's laser"
"You need to stop being paranoid. You wouldn't be acting like this if Starscream was here… so stop embarrassing yourself".
--
Rumble and Frenzy looked up at the window.
"Okay, so here's the plan, we get inside, find the info, then leave".
"Really, gosh Rumble I'd never would of figured that out without your divine wisdom".
"Okay… now hopefully this is the building we'll find the computer with that research or whatever"
Rumble climbed in through the window to find him self in a relatively small room.
"Man… this place is creepy when it's empty".
Frenzy whispered as he appeared through the window.
"Would you rather have it crawling with Autobots?"
The door opened and Rumble cautiously peaked out into the long corridor.
"It's clear, bro".
Rumble motioned to his brother who carefully joined him.
"Come on, we have to find that damn computer room".
They walked slowly along, keeping close to the walls and staying as much as they could in the darkness that for some reason was dominating the route.
"Do you think the Autobots forgot to pay their power bill?"
"Maybe they're all asleep".
Rumble replied, hushed.
Continuing along, speaking no words between them, after a considerable length of time, Rumble started to feel just a tad nervous about their situation.
"Something isn't right here".
"Yeah, no shit".
"Lets just hurry this up, stealth be damned"
"Hey, Rum, that looks like the door".
"Thank Primus".
The room held a vast network of computers lining the walls, the main computer stationed at the opposite side of the room, facing the doors, it was massive, an Autobot screen saver flashed across the monitor, the Autobot insignia, rotating. They walked with caution alien to them.
"Frenzy, dude, go lock us in, I'll see if this stuff Soundwave gave me will crack the security pass codes on this toy".
The whirling of the computer's hard drive told Frenzy that what ever Rumble was doing was working.
Little over two minutes later, Rumble held the disk triumphantly over his head.
"We pulled it off bro! We got the info!"
"Good, and not a moment too soon, now lets get out of this freak show".
"Lets just go out the damn window, no point doubling back".
Rumble clambered up on the computer and leant over, pushing the window open.
--
"So, are you sure this is the place?"
Frenzy asked, looking over the edge of the cliff, scanning the valley below.
"Yeah, bro, this is where we were going to meet Ravage at 1800 hours, with or without the info, and we got the info, he's supposed to be here".
"Well, actually, he was supposed to be here an hour ago."
"Should we radio the boss man?"
"Hell no, complete radio silence were his exact word. Let's just go, Ravage can look after himself, plus Megatron's lusting over this info."
There was a silence between them while they both mulled over the circumstances. Rumble shrugged, grinned, then took off into the night sky, his brother following his lead.
--
"Megatron. Rumble and Frenzy have returned. They have acquired the information".
"Excellent, Soundwave, send them in".
Megatron stood from his chair to see Rumble and Frenzy enter the large chamber.
"Hey boss we got the info just like ya said".
Rumble handed the disk over
"Good work, you two will be rewarded for your success, now go".
Megatron smiled to himself as he turned back to the consol, the two cassettes not wanting to push their luck left.
--
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Holding down the corner of the stubborn map Optimus Prime looked up at his fellows.
"Gentlemen, we have a plan, it may not be the best plan Autobot strategists have every concocted, but it is a plan none the less, and if we all play our parts, it'll see us out of this mess with our exhausts in tact".
"And here's hoping we can pull it off without sustaining any more… casualties".
Jazz said softly.
"Recap: Prowl, Kup, Jazz, Blurr, you'll make your way over to the emergency shuttle bay, you'll need to be on your guard as you'll pass close by Alpha. On arrival at your destination I want you to prepare as many shuttles as you can. First Aid, Perceptor, head to the main lab in Iacon tower, Ironhide and Gears will accompany you, salvage what ever supplies and equipment you think you will need then haul chassis over to the shuttle bay".
"What about me Prime?"
"Bumblebee, you'll come with Magnus and myself, we're going to shut down all computer systems to ensure our information can't be uploaded to unauthorised sources".
"But Prime… to shut down the system you'll have to go to Teletran Two… and he's in…"
Bumblebee began.
"Alpha section".
Magnus filled in the dots.
"Yeah…"
"You're going into Alpha? Primus be praised, that's ground zero for this thing, you'll never make…"
Jazz began.
"We will succeed, however, Bumblebee, you don't have to come, I won't order you, or anyone to undertake their missions. As to its highly probable it's going to be suicide".
"Optimus, I will do my duty as an Autobot, I'd follow you into the Pit if you thought it'd help".
"Well, are there those among us who… are having doubts?"
Prime stated.
No one said anything.
The room was silent.
"What about us?"
Daniel hauled himself up and came over to the table, his cousin joining him. Prime crouched down to their level.
"You two will stay here, where it's safe. Once the shuttles are ready for launch we'll come back for you".
"And if you all pop your clogs?"
Emma asked.
"We'll come back for you".
"Yeah, well what if something busts in here?"
Daniel asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Take a guess at how thick these walls are".
Ironhide offered the question.
The two teens looked at each other shrugging in unison.
"Omega Supreme couldn't boogie on through these walls".
Jazz chimed.
"Damn".
"Who the hell's Omega Supreme?"
"He was before your time, Lass".
"Put it this way, Em, Omega Supreme don't open a can of whup arse, he opens a whole crate!"
Jazz added.
"Oh".
"But for your own protection…"
Magnus walked towards the far wall and pressed it with his index finger.
A small panel rose from the wall revealing a small red button, he pressed it and a small lens appeared which began to scan him. Two beeps became auditable and were accompanied by two panels sliding along a section of the wall. It opened up to display an impressive cache of human sized weapons. Magnus took two small handguns, a gun about the size of a rifle and one the size of a small shotgun.
"These are only to be used if you find your selves under attack, meaning that if anything manages to get in here. Under no circumstances are you to leave this room. And I'm not dicking around kids, I'm serious."
The City Commander crouched to the level of the two humans, holding the weapons in front of them.
"We'll be good".
Emma grinned.
"Ah huh".
Daniel nodded in agreement.
"Good. Right, crash course in how to work these things".
"I know how to fire a gun, Magnus".
Emma said, purposefully sounding a little insulted.
"Have you ever fired a FH-501?"
"The what now?"
"It's a laser, capable of putting a hole the size of your head right through my chest".
"And you're going to give her one?"
Daniel asked, motioning to his cousin.
"Be afraid, be very afraid".
"Case in point".
She glared at him.
"Hey, listen up, no kidding around, this is serious business, children. I'd like to introduce you to the FH-501. This was designed with humans in mind, specifically humans on the battlefield facing Decepticons. It has next to unlimited firepower at level one. Now, this weapon has four levels. Level one produces a simple energon blast, capable of stunning and knocking down a good sized Transformer".
"What's would be classed as a good sized Transformer?"
Emma asked.
Magnus pointed to Prowl.
"Level two has the capability to do some damage, but nothing fatal, merely something that will knock them down and keep them from getting up any time soon. Level three, you're looking at a potentially fatal blast if you nail them in the right place, level four, you're going to be looking at one very dead Mech, no matter where you shoot them, it will send an energy pulse through the body, a kind of chain reaction devastating their internals".
"Holy shit".
Daniel whispered.
"Yes, well. Now, pay attention. Do not go higher then level two, use only level one or two".
"Why?"
"Because, my dear girl, yes, these have unlimited power, as long as they're not under the kind of strain continuous fire at level three or four would produce."
"What would this weapon do if fired on a human?"
Daniel asked.
"We're not entirely sure".
Prime stated.
"Although, given the force in a level one blast it would probably kill a human attacker with one shot".
First Aid replied.
"So if we came across any human infected with that virus…"
Daniel began.
"You shoot them".
Magnus said coldly.
They were handed two holsters, which they snapped round their waists.
"Now, meet the LK-700, it shoots small cluster bombs, it's similar to a grenade launcher in human terms, only the cluster bombs in this weapon are magnetised and will attach themselves to any metal, whether it be a wall or a Transformer, then it will detonate after five seconds, or if the target tries to remove it, so once you fire one of these, run. Daniel, you take this, and try not to shoot yourself".
He handed Daniel the shotgun-sized weapon. Daniel looked it over and then stared back up Magnus.
"What's the range on one of these cluster bombs?"
"20 meters, so once you pull the trigger, you run".
He turned to Emma and held the rifle type weapon in front of her.
"For you, Emma, this is the XZ-850 and it's a very high powered rifle, it will send a pellet of a special alloy through a Transformer the size of Optimus. This weapon packs a punch and has quite a back lash, so when you fire it make sure you're ready".
She looked it over and seemed to be impressed with it.
"Alright, lets go, and good luck".
Prime firmly commanded.
"Remember what I've told you, and if you find your self in a dangerous or confusing situation, shoot first, ask questions later, this is no time to be curious, if you're afraid you're in danger, you blow what ever it is away."
Magnus stated firmly as he looked down at the two teens.
"And stay in here".
He added with more firmness to the tone.
"Yeah".
"We'll be locking you in".
Kup stated,
"So don't try to hack your way out".
He added.
"You're locking us in?"
Emma asked with some concern.
"Safer that way Lass. We'll see you later".
The Autobots disappeared out the door and the two watched as the metal shutters closed them in. Four loud successive clicking sounds rung out.
"Lock down".
Daniel said softly.
--
Two hours passed slowly. He had spent most of it in contemplation, about his friends, what had they become? His parents, where were they now? Would they really get out of this, would the Autobots come back? She sat examining the rifle, her own mind running through her own private thoughts.
The silence soon became an annoyance to him, but how to break it…
"You two want to be alone?"
She looked up from the gun and gave him a dangerous glare.
He smiled, and chuckled slightly.
"So, what are we going to do?"
She asked him, placing the gun down next to her.
"I dunno. I was just wasting time thinking about how mangled my parents corpses' are".
"For all you know, Dan, they could be holed up in a basement somewhere. You're parents aren't stupid, not to mention your olds are always armed".
Daniel sat up and looked at her, and for a moment she caught something in his eye… hope. He stood up and began pacing.
"They could be a live? Yeah, but how the fuck am I supposed to get to them?"
He said, more to himself then her.
"Well, you certainly won't be helping them if you and your arse develop a pressure area".
She stood up and walked towards him.
"Mind you, you also won't be any help if you rush out there and get yourself killed".
He turned and looked at her.
"You're supposed to talk me into going out there, gung ho and what not".
She tilted her head to the side and looked at him thoughtfully.
"Daniel, I'll be honest, when I first met you I thought you were a sissy, always kissing up to that pink femme bot, never around when the fights broke out, but when I started to get to know you I noticed two things, you're smart, and you ain't no coward. I doubt you'll get killed out there, as long as you keep your head. And that, dear cousin, is the only time you'll ever hear me complement you with such mushy niceties".
He laughed and turned to face the door.
"I will make it, won't I? I mean, this place is crawling with Autobot zombies and they sure as hell ain't interested in me, AND, if there are human zombies, this place is big enough that we'll have enough room to outrun them".
"I can't help but notice you just said, "we'll" in that last sentence".
"Emma, I know you, you can't sit here with a gun like that and not want to pop off a few rounds".
"We certainly have bonded, haven't we?"
She said sarcastically.
"Let's go".
"Hate to rain on your parade… but there is the slight matter of the big steel door that is locked".
"No problem. You hang around giant technologically superior robots your entire life and you pick up a few things".
Daniel stated as he walked to the door's panel.
"Including top level security codes?"
"Especially top level security codes".
The doors unlocked.
"Thank god the Decepticons have never thought to offer you a subscription".
Her cousin pressed the red button by the door and the huge steel gates slid open.
She took a deep breath and stepped out into the corridor, gripping the rifle tightly. He appeared at her side just as the bunker doors shut and clicked.
"Was that supposed to happen?"
"Yeah. Emergency bunkers always lock down automatically when people leave. So you better not want to go back in, because I can't reach the panel from here".
"Good thing I already took a piss".
"Lets haul arse".
Chapter Thirty-Nine
"This is the moment of truth we don't know how far they've spread, but given the fact that there have been reports of these things all over Autobot City chances are they'll have infiltrated this locale. Be ready".
Prime stated as he reached over and punched a code into the panel by the door that would lead them into hell.
Howls of monsters, screams of the living and the screeches of the dying mingled into echoes, which permeated into the night. Rising above large structures that once had been the glory of Autobot city. Bumblebee shuddered with a newly experienced fear, as he stayed close between the Autobot Leader and City Commander.
"With quietly and quickly".
Optimus disappeared into the coolness of the night, darting towards a large pile of rubble. Magnus next sent Bumblebee ahead so he could cover the Minibot's back. Scanning the area he found himself about to be boxed in by approaching creatures, thoughtlessly ambling in his direction. Magnus, wasted no time and rushed, keeping low, towards his leader and the Minibot.
"There's movement east of our position".
Magnus reported, his voice a husky whisper.
"The entrance to Alpha, it's just around the corner, 500 metres or so from our current position, however it'd be mad to attempt entrance at such a location, we'll go round towards the boarder fence and enter through a window".
Optimus looked like he might say something, but that expression was lost as he noted that some of the monsters noting their presence.
"I think we've been spotted".
Prime vanished around the corner.
"Go!"
Magnus whispered loudly, pushing the small yellow Autobot.
Bumblebee gathered his courage and moved discreetly to the building. Prime wasn't far from him, the Autobot leader pushing himself into the shadows caused by the side of the Alpha Tower. The Minibot turned to see Magnus waving him on. Bumblebee quickly noticed the zombies closing in on Magnus' position, the City Commander was well aware, too, of that fact. Magnus stood up, grabbing the head of one of the zombies with the stupidity to lunge at the Autobot warrior without effort he simply snapped the creature's neck one way then tore its head off. Magnus pivoted on his large foot and flung the creatures rusting remains into three of its companions, sending all to the ground. The City Commander then wasted no time to catch up with the others. .
"Sorry I'm late, I had to take out the garbage".
"I'll go up first".
Optimus stated.
"No, Prime, I'll do it".
Prime knew that tone.
It was the tone that told him that there was no bloody point arguing with him. Magnus was a stubborn bastard
And that was his 'I'm a stubborn bastard' tone.
--
For large and rather bulky Transformer, Magnus sure did have a lot of grace. But with millions of years of experience under his belt, he obviously had the time to play around with various skills. The city commander slivered into the dimly lit building.
Even in the pitch he was able to discern the outline of a thing. Wasting not time, it lunged at the Autobot, who viewed it only as a mere hindrance, effortlessly grabbing it by the shoulders and tearing it's arms from the body. He spun the hissing creature round so it's back faced the solider so with one power thrust, Magnus could send his fist powering through the creature's head, spilling it's CPU, et cetera onto the floor in front of it just as the creature collapsed down into the mess Magnus had created. The warrior did quick infrared scan of the room, making sure there were no more surprises. He poked his head out the window.
"It's clear"
He whispered.
Optimus wasted no time, and hoisted Bumblebee up so Magnus could reach down and pull the small mech into the room. The spy noticed the remains of the zombie Magnus had just moments ago dealt to. He shuddered, not having seen one up so close.
"Excellent, we're only two floors below the computer, it shouldn't take too long to get there if we take the stairs".
"Stairs?"
Bumblebee didn't know how to control his voice so he didn't sound like a coward.
"They could be littered with monsters, why don't we take the maintenance elevator?"
"The elevators may not be working especially given the fragile state of the surroundings with the explosions from the energon stores".
Prime had not time to tactfully answer.
Magnus causally picked up the undead Mech and flung him out the window.
"Just in case".
Magnus explained as the others stood in the open doorway.
--
Only undeads roamed the corridor they found themselves in, and Magnus, in a particularly impatient and violent mood, solely dispatched them. .
"Well… he's certainly… taking care of them".
Bumblebee stated to his leader both watching the City Commander rip the leg off one of the undead beating it with until it dropped, massive indentations to its helmet so serious that the CPU had come free. Magnus lifted his foot high above the head of the convulsing creature and brought it down with such force that it crushed the monsters head flat.
"Who needs a laser when you've got one of these?"
Magnus idly tossed the mangled leg away and joined his companions.
--
"There's no way to know what could be in this section, and if we disturb anything we may find more company showing up, so lets up the two flights as quickly as possible".
Optimus stated as they reached the door to the stair well.
"I'll go first".
Magnus gripped door and entered into the dimly lit stair well.
Magnus ran up one set of stairs before running into the first of his 'customers'. Magnus was in no real mood to drag the situation out any longer then possible, thusly wasn't going to bother with technicalities and simply picked up the writhing creature and flung it down the centre of the stair well, it's future held a rather nasty end at the bottom of ten floors. He continued up the stairs. Bumblebee looked down the gap as he heard the crash of the thing landing hard. He raised an optic ride as he looked back at Optimus,
"What can I say, he's good at what he does".
This one was a little more active in it's approach to the City Commander. Magnus bowed his head low, while still looking up at the mess of an Autobot before him. With open mouth and the remains of its last meal still sticking to its chin, the creature lunged. Optics dim, what remained of its rusted arms outstretched, Magnus sighed with annoyance and easily reached out clasping the creature's arms mid its dive. With strength Magnus thrust the creature up, his large hands clenched around decaying lower arms, the creature attempted to force its face, mouth open towards the livelier mech. Magnus had reached the limit of his tolerance, blue optics narrowing to slits, the flexible metal alloy that coated his face scrunched up over the ridge of his nose, around his mouth, as it curved into a rather un-wholesome sneer.
"Really, now?"
He stated, patronisingly, with a head butt that the decimated creature's face couldn't bare, the resulting force snapping it's neck backwards, until it broke, leaving it swinging from behind, a momentarily judder, and the creature went still. The city commander hurled it aside before taking a few steps to give a swift kick to the twisted creature, sending it to join it's fellow in the bowels of the building.
It didn't take them long after that to reach the door. Optimus opened it whilst Magnus flicked the gruesome rusting fragmented remains of one of the unfortunate undeads. Bumblebee inwardly cringed watching Magnus brushed a piece of an optic lens from his shoulder, sticking to the wall momentarily before slowly sliding down, making.
Prime looked at the other two, and walked through the door.
Magnus motioned with a polite smile for the small Minibot to go through first. Bumblebee smiled uncomfortably, then put any problems he had with Magnus' methods to the back of his CPU as he heard the familiar sounds of shuffling undead and their trade mark groans.
"This is becoming tedious".
Magnus growled as he stepped past the Autobot leader.
Bumble was about to formulate a comment when the head of an undead landed at his feet, a string of obscenities drifting from the direction of the City Commander as he moved on to the next poor spark.
"I'm beginning to feel really sorry for those things".
Bumblebee stated.
"Lets go shut down the system".
--
Magnus and Optimus heaved together to force open the doors that led into the computer room. The doors finally gave.
"We need to upgrade the locking mechanism, that was too easy".
Magnus looked at Prime as they surveyed the warped remains of the doors.
"Yeah, if we make it out of this alive".
The small yellow Minibot grumbled.
Like so many previous, the room bore witness to unnatural atrocities. Several of the far windows were broken, most of which smeared with energon. Lying about amongst the debris and fractured furniture were bodies, each in various stages of wreck. Their faces relaying their final agonies, even through the obscurity of ebony optics.
"Primus only knows what the death toll is going to be".
Magnus chimed as he passed by the disorganized remains of a femme.
"I talked to that femme this morning".
Bumblebee motioned.
"Hopefully we can find a way to minimise causalities".
Magnus added.
"And the humans."
Bumblebee mourned.
"Yes, I haven't quite figured how I am going to tell Daniel that his father… is gone".
"Spike's dead?"
Bumblebee gasped as Optimus punched in several codes.
Optimus turned to face the small Mech.
"I'm sorry, Bumblebee, yes".
Bumblebee looked to the floor.
"I guess a lot of people are dead, not just our friends".
"This thing has claimed many victims, regardless of faction".
Optimus reached the computer.
"I've started the shutdown process, it shouldn't take too long".
"Great, now all we have to do is figure how to get out of here, get back to Spark Bunker, then to the shuttle bay, off the planet and to set up the clearer".
Bumblebee stated, exhausted.
"It'll give me some more time to practise my right hook".
Magnus and his gallows humour.