Note: I am so sorry for the major (years) delay. I thought I posted this before things got busy so I wasn't worried about getting next chapter up since it starts a new arc. Just finished reading the story as posted to refresh memory to start work on next few chapters and that's when I notice my major mistake. Please, please forgive me.
Chapter 11: Not So Silent Eyes
"You are aware that this whole area is about to go nuclear?" said Stormlark, whose arms were being held by the two Decepticon jets.
"Oh yes, "said Megatron, "I'm quite aware of the situation.
Soundwave knelt down next to the FireHawk and a single cable came out of his wrist to attach the same way Stormlark had hers connected just moments ago. As Soundwave worked, Megatron continued, "Your conversation with the General was extremely enlightening but the fight…that was a true sight to see. You will both make fine Decepticons."
"Megatron, "said Soundwave, "The FireHawk's self destruct protocol has been terminated."
"And her status?" demanded Megatron.
"FireHawk has been infested by nanites which has disabled all her motor functions, "reported Soundwave, "Aside from the nanites, there is only minor damage."
"Good, "said Megatron with a smirk, "See that she is prepared for transportation and determine what can be done in regards to the nanites."
Megatron then took a few steps towards Stormlark and grabbed her by the chin to force her to look directly into his red, glowing eyes, "Now what to do with you?"
With a loud crackle and snap, electric sparks cascaded down the she-bot's skin shocking all three Deceptions just enough to force them to let go.
Megatron quickly backhanded her, knocking her to the ground. "See that she is secure, "he ordered.
The jets moved to follow Megatron's orders but they were then knocked down by an explosion.
"What? Who dares?" growled Megatron as four Migs flew over head and three more explosions landed around the group. He then turned towards the fallen Stormlark, "You led them here. I suggest you call them off before…"
"Me…call them off, "said Stormlark, "I'm from the States. They hate me more than they hate you."
"Don't worry, Megatron, "said Skywarp as he and Thundercracker transformed, "A few Earth jets are no match for us."
"Megatron, "said Soundwave, "Heavy ground forces approaching from the Northwest."
"Blast, "said Megatron, "Secure the females, as I deal with these worthless flesh creatures."
Stormlark rubbed the side of her face where Megatron hit her as Soundwave grabbed her other arm to pull her up. "Resistance is futile, "said the Decepticon.
A strong shock of electricity forced Soundwave to let go and knocked him to the ground. Stormlark wasted no time to run as spread her wings to take off. Soundwave stood up and his eyes flashed briefly as he decided what to do next. He turned to prepare the FireHawk for transport.
(With the Autobots)
"Thank you, General, for informing us of the situation, "said Prime looking up at a monitor, "We are already on the way."
Jazz grumbled as the monitor went blank, "There wouldn't have been a situation if they let us go get Stormlark in the first place."
"That's enough, Jazz, "said Prime as he sat down in a large chair, "How much longer until we get there, Skyfire?"
"Not long, Prime, "came the jet's voice, "I going full out the whole way. Just be ready to jump. From what the General said, I don't believe the locals are going to be very welcoming."
"What's the matter, "joked Jazz just when an alarm started to go off, "Afraid of a few…"
"Incoming!" Skyfire yelled out as he rolled to avoid an incoming missile. The sounds of "Whoa!" "Watch it!" and "What the…" filled the passenger bay.
"Let me guess, "said Mirage, who then said imitating a movie he saw recently, "We're heeeeeeere."
"We got to jump. Now! "said Prime getting to his feet.
Skyfire dived straight down and then straightened out to open his cargo doors. Prime, Mirage and Jazz jumped out, free falling to Earth. The jet then raced off and spun in mid air dodging multiple missiles which exploded all around him.
The Migs then sent another pair of missiles towards the Autobot jet and two more were sent towards the Decepticons.
"This is insane!" said Skyfire, "I'm …" More near miss explosions covered what he was going to say.
Stormlark, seeing the Autobots streaked towards where Prime and the others were landing.
As he landed, Mirage said, "I say we just get ole' Lark and head on back home. It's obvious we're not welcomed here."
"Perhaps, but we can't leave FireHawk with the Decepticons, "said Prime as he lifted up his weapon.
"Perhaps, "Stormlark said as she neared the Autobots. Her wings still spread, she said, "That's exactly we want to do."
"Stormlark!" Prime yelled as she turned to fly off.
The she-bot flew close to the ground, using her agility to dodge obstacles and explosions alike. As she neared her target, the energy wings suddenly died and folded back up. Stormlork struck Soundwave on the back of the head with the full force of her flight, and then landed with a roll, ending up kneeling next to FireHawk as Soundwave fell to the ground unconscious.
"I'm so going to regret this, "Stormlark said to herself as she held single hand just inches from FireHawk's forehead. The eyes of both robots flickered, first slowly and then quickly as sparks raced from the Stormlark's hand to the FireHawk's forehead.
FireHawk's eyes flared up bright as the fiery robot sat up with a growl.
Stormlark got up and stood in a defensive stance, waiting for FireHawk to regain her bearings. The red and bronze robot stood up shakily to glare at her purple and blue sister. "Why did you release me?" the Soviet robot demanded.
"To give you a choice, "answered Stormlark, "Join me and do what you were created to do which is to defend and protect the Earth or join the forces that is currently the biggest threat to it. Don't think you can go solo, there is no way you're getting out of here without help."
"I can safely assume you're planning on going with the Autobots, "said FireHawk, "The second biggest threat to the Earth…hmmm."
Stormlark gave a shrug, "They may be a threat, but they're a reasonable one."
(Back with the Autobots)
Jazz said, "What the heck is she doing?"
"I'm more concern with what she is planning, "said Prime. He then added as he started to run over to the females, "Cover me!"
"Cover you?, "exclaimed Jazz, "The only ones firing on us are human!"
(With some of the Decepticons)
Soundwave recovered from the hit to see a fully awake FireHawk. Still groggy from the hit, he activated his communicator, "Megatron. FireHawk is awake. Stormlark is attempting to communicate with her."
A distance away, Megatron heard the call and after sending one final blast to knock over a tank he turned to see his injured right-hand bot and the two females standing. With a smirk, he flew up and then over towards them.
"It's so nice to finally see you awake, dear FireHawk, "said Megatron as he landed.
"Back off, Megatron!" said Prime walking towards them as he cocked his blaster.
"My, my, my…I never felt so popular…the Soviets wants me…the would be Elements want me…the Decepticons want me…and now it seems so do the Autobots. Tell me Stormlark, how do I choose, "said FireHawk, "I already know what awaits me if I go with the Soviets. What do the Elements have to offer?"
Stormlark remained silent.
"Thought so, "said FireHawk who then turned to face the Decepticons, "And…Megatron, is it? What do the Decepticons offer?"
"Power, "said Megatron firmly, "The means to destroy all who would stand in your way. Swear allegiance to me and you will walk the road to conquest of the universe."
"Don't do it, "said Prime.
"Oh really, "said FireHawk as she turned to face Optimus Prime with crossed arms and tilted hips, "And what is your offer.
"Join them and you become little more than a pawn in a tyrant's insane plans. Destroying innocent lives…"
FireHawks laughter put a halt to Prime's small speech. She then said, "Innocent lives? There is no such thing as innocence only naivety."
Large blasts close by, shook the ground and cause a rain of debris to rain down on the robots.
"So my choices are servitude with power or servitude with no power, "said FireHawk as debris fell around them. She then raised her arm and aimed her wrist flamethrower at Optimus Prime, "The Decepticons have the better offer…nothing personal."
Megatron smirked as he aimed his own cannon towards Stormlark and added, "My offer still stands…join us."
Stormlark remained silent and stared straight into the Decepticon's eyes. Her answer, even without words, was perfectly clear. Megatron sneared and said, "I should destroy where you stand, but thanks to you I have a new warrior."
Prime prepared to fire, but was stopped by Stormlark's hand landing on the nozzle. She said a single word, "Nightbird."
"Yes, Prime. You don't want to do to FireHawk what you did to poor Nightbird, "said Megatron sarcastically, "Hand her over to your human allies, only to end up being buried alive or worse."
Prime lowered his gun as his eyes dimmed slightly. The Autobot sighed as if in surrender and then said, "Just go."
Megatron flew upwards and called out, "Decepticons! Mission accomplished!" He then turned and said to FireHawk, "Follow me."
As the Decepticons and FireHawk flew off, Jazz ran over to Prime and Stormlark and asked, "We're just going them go?"
Prime looked up, watching the bright light that was the FireHawk fire trail and said, "Yes. She made her choice."
"Choice?"
"Yes. Sadly it was the wrong one, "said Prime who then activated his communicator, "Skyfire, it's time to get out of here before we wear out our welcome."
The Autobots jogged over to where the jet was heading in for a landing. Once they were out of earshot, Stormlark looked up in the direction FireHawk flew off in and whispered, "Perhaps it was the right choice for her."
(Pendrake Industries, Stormlark's hanger)
"I can't believe this!" yelled Art Drake, "You let those things fly off with FireHawk!
Stormlark stood silent in her repair harness, as the ranting company president paced in front of her.
"We gave you a voice module and yet you have nothing to say for yourself!" snarled Drake.
Silence.
"Don't you dare…"
"Mr. Drake, "came Chip Chase's voice over the intercom, "You have got to see this."
Drake grumbled as he made his way to the new lift that raised him to the newly repaired control room.
Chip was sitting there chuckling and shaking his head in amazement at what he saw on the monitor as Drake entered the room.
"What's so important that…,"Chip turned the monitor around and Drake's tone changed from one of anger to amazement, "Holy…How?"
On the monitor, was a shaky but still clear picture of Megatron apparently giving orders to a pair of Constructicons.
Chip said, "There is also audio included in the signal but I haven't gotten the speaker's hooked up yet."
"How?" Drake asked again but then it dawned on him, "Nanites."
"That's the only way I can figure it, 'said Chip, "Some how, Lark re-programmed some nanites to hack into FireHawk visual and audio receptors. We can hear and see everything she does."
The End…
Next time on Flight of the Stormlark…
(Jaw's theme style)
"Kreeeemmmzek!...Kreeeemmmzek!...Zek! Zek! Zek! Zek! Zek! Zek! Zek! Zek! KREEEEMZEK!"