AN: The credits for the idea of the cloaking device go to Pink Lady Alex. You should really check out her amazing stories! Thanks again for inspiring me to write this battle situation and for letting me use the device!
A few hours later, they started their decent to a military base 100 miles west of their destination. Lennox had decided not to take any chances and probably being shot down, so they had to continue their way on foot, respectively riding in the Autobots' alt modes. During the flight they'd just worn their black combat uniforms, but when their ETA came down to half an hour, everyone started to gear up. Knee and elbow protectors were secured, ammo clips, radio and other gear were fastened on the bulletproof vests, weapons holstered and rifles checked. Felice had to carry and fight with a package of equipment weighting almost as much as her own body weight. But over the past months she'd become used to it and was now ready to engage in her first Decepticon fight as a member of NEST; physically. Mentally, she wasn't so sure yet. But there was no turning back now.
After touching down in the middle of nowhere, they split up and rode to their destination in the Autobots' altmodes. They were scheduled to meet the head of operations, a man named Colonel Wang, at a command post two miles from the suspected Decepticon hideout. When they arrived, Felice was shocked about the complete chaos. Soldiers were yelling all over the place, trying to treat the many injured that were sitting or lying in the main building of the command post. It took Felice a lot not to cover her ears to lock out the horrible screams. Felice exchanged a look with Epps who gave her a hint of an encouraging smile, obviously shocked himself about the scenario they found themselves in. She nodded imperceptibly and followed him through the narrow hallways into a bigger hangar where the Autobots had already arrived.
Soon, they found Colonel Wang who briefed them about the current situation.
"Colonel Lennox. Thank you and your team for coming so quickly to help us." he started in pretty good English.
Lennox nodded without a smile. Since they had left the states, Felice had seen a change in her CO. For the past months she'd known him as a kind and caring person with a great sense of humor privately and as a professional when it came to the job; always fair with a sympathetic ear for the problems for those serving under him. But now he seemed to have grown a little more dangerous and a little less friendly since the mission was accepted. His expression was grim and dark when he listened to the Chinese Colonel's situation report.
"So, against how many operatives do you think are up to?" he asked.
"There are at least five Decepticons and fifteen ghosts…"
"Wait, did you just say ghosts?" Lennox interrupted him.
"Yes, ghosts. They look like humans, but you can see through them. And we don't know how to kill them."
"Holoforms." Optimus, who'd listened to their conversation, said. "There are more Decepticons projecting them. We have to kill them, because the Holoforms can't die."
"But this is the first time the Holoforms are armed. How are we supposed to find the 'Cons?" Lennox asked, running his fingers through his military short hair. NEST had used Holoforms once or twice, but only to mimic the driver of one of the Autobots. This was new to him as well.
Meanwhile, Felice' head was spinning; then an idea came to her mind.
"It's like a projection, right?" she asked.
Optimus nodded.
"Affirmative, Commander."
"Then they have to be close by to project it."
"But then we would see the 'Cons, Felice. But it seems that they are at hiding." Epps said.
"Of course they are. They must have some kind of cloaking device. It we can bring that down, we see them and then take them out." she explained her theory.
"That's it!" Colonel Wang exclaimed.
"Yeah, maybe." Epps said, not nearly as excited as the Colonel. The Decepticons had proven themselves as smart enemies and rushing into action wasn't an option for such a small force like NEST. "But if she's right, we have to deal with much more enemies than we expected."
Lennox nodded.
"But speculations are not bringing them down. We are going in. Colonel Wang, make sure all your casualties are treated. We've got this. We will use the Energon detectors to get their location. Scott and Jones will cover the outer perimeters with their teams. I'll brief you on the details now. You guys get ready."
The two men approached their CO whereas Felice and the others headed back to the remaining Autobots to get their gear. Looking back, she could see the three men looking at a map and Lennox showing several points while giving last instructions. Scott and Jones looked to each other; then they nodded.
"Alright, is everyone good to go?" Lennox asked when he was back with his team. He received grim nods as a silent answer.
"Alright, let's move." he said and took his rifle.
The three groups made their approach to the city, each group with Autobot support. The streets were empty and smoke was emerging from several buildings. The faint sound of gunfire rang through the abandoned urban canyons. But the enemy was nowhere to be seen. They'd almost reached the origin of the battle noise, when Felice caught a glimpse of the enemy.
The Holoforms were lined up in front of a huge building like they were guarding it. They all looked like soldiers; wearing uniforms and weapons. But one thing almost made her hold her breath. They were using humans as a shield. Felice could make out the silhouettes of women and even children, wailing and scared to dead by their alien hostage takers. She tightened the grip around her rifle and glanced to Lennox. He indicated the group to stop. While she waited for her CO's instructions, she watched the horrible scene. She had no clue how they could take out the Decepticons without harming the civilians.
Lennox glanced around; there was no sight of the Decepticons. He made a small waving gesture and slowly he and his team approached the facility. The Autobots stayed hidden behind a couple of other cars for not tipping of the 'Cons.
They'd made it within firing range when the Holoforms spotted them, opening fire immediately. Felice and Epps took cover behind a wall, peering around the corner, raising her rifle, ready to return the fire. But Lennox stopped them.
"Hold your fire! You are going to kill the civilians." he hollered and tapped to his earpiece. "Optimus, can you see them?"
"Yes, I see some of them."
"Do you see the cloaking device?"
"Affirmative, Colonel. I will try to take it out."
"Wait until I give you the order." Will said and turned to Felice and the rest of the team.
"Optimus has a visual of the cloaking device. He will disable it and as soon as the 'Cons are visible we start to take them out. Felice, I need you and Mitchell on the roof to take out their eyes."
"Copy that." Felice said and she and Mitchell ran to the building that was across the street from where the Decepticons seemed to hide.
"In position." she whispered as soon as they'd reached their vantage point.
"Don't fire until I tell you." she heard Lennox' voice through her earpiece and she tried to even out her breathing like every time she did when she was about make a long distance shot. Their position provided her a good overview of the situation.
Now, she saw Optimus moving closer to the building in front of which the hostages were held by the Holoforms. Her eyes rested on Lennox and his team which were now approaching the hostages sideways, ready to engage as soon as hell would break loose. Scott and Jones were out of her sight of now, but they most likely were covering the sides; meaning to secure their way out in case they had to retreat.
Then Optimus disabled the cloaking device and as soon as Lennox gave the order, Felice and her team mate started to take out the Decepticons' optics. Disorientated, the Holoforms weren't able to fight the NEST soldiers and so Lennox and his men were able to secure most of the hostages. They took out another three Decepticons, but most of them were killed by the Autobots, who had come out of hiding and were striking at full force now.
In the meantime, Felice and Mitchell were down on the ground again, fighting with their team against the enemy. One time, Felice barely avoided being blown up by one of the remaining Holoforms, but she was lucky. The bullet hit the wall only inches from her head. Concrete splashed to all sites, a small piece hitting her, opening a little cut on her eyebrow. She reached upwards, just to find blood on her fingers. Quickly, Mitchell examined it, but he decided that she was good to go, so they continued their way back to their team.
The NEST and the Autobots were fighting at full force and soon it looked like they were about to win the battle. Then, the seemingly impossible thing happened. One of the Decepticons got lucky and overpowered Optimus stealing his Matrix. For a moment, everyone held their breath as the small blue glowing item hovered in the air; then a giant metal bird appeared out of nowhere and grabbed it with its claws.