(Chicago, Illinois)
The Decepticons were all at work in the city, some were searching for humans still inside, some were building, some were even training. Starscream had been preparing his own little army, he had Shockwave re-engineer the Decepticon brute soldier, a bulky soldier who carried a large mace and shield, it's only main weakness was the power core on it's back. He had the normal vehicons and seekers, but also had the insecticons. But his main advantage was how Shockwave found all of the combaticons on Cybertron, they were going to cause trouble for everyone.
"Starscream, I have news on Riptide." informed shockwave. Starscream turned his attention to the scientist.
"He has broken the virus's hold and has gone back to his allegiance of the Autobots." the one eyed scientist explained. Starscream showed immediate anger, he didn't like being betrayed. But he remembered that the Autobots' stand no chance of winning now.
"It matters not, with the trypricon orbital cannon ready to fire, they will never win. Let them try, but they will fail." he spoke in a cocky tone. Little did he know the Autobots' were ready.
(Autobot hideout, Jasper, Nevada)
The elite vanguard soldiers were outside training, the new bots were getting situated for their stay until the battle was over. The wreckers, Warpath, and Grimlock were carrying crates from the cargo ships, Ratchet and Jazz were taking note of what there was. Bumblebee and Smokescreen were out on patrol, Sideswipe was scouting, the rest were making a plan of attack.
Standing around the table were Ultra Magnus, Blackwolf, Arcee, Elita one, and Jetfire. They were all trying to decide how to attack. But to no avail, the Decepticons were locked up in Illinois very well.
"We can't do an aerial attack while they have A-A guns." Jetfire said, knowing his team couldn't do much at the moment.
"What if we had a small team go around and sabotage the guns?" asked Arcee. They all thought about that, it could work, but who would go?
"If you need something destroyed, why not send a wrecker?" Miko said suddenly, they thought about that, the wreckers could do it, but they would have to be fast.
"Ironhide, Bulk, Wheeljack…are you three up for this? We won't force you three to, but we need someone to do it." explained Ultra Magnus.
"I think we can do it. Right you two?" asked Wheeljack. They all nodded in agreement with him, it was decided that the wreckers would take care of the A-A guns.
"Well now that's taken care of, now that an air assault is possible, Jetfire, you and the aerial-bots can give us air support." explained Ultra Magnus. They all nodded in agreement.
But there was one thing missing… "Who'll lead the attack and us into the fight?" asked Elita one, looking around at the bots.
"Jazz is Optimus's second in command, why not him?" asked Blackwolf. Ultra Magnus stepped in for this.
"Jazz hasn't lead soldiers into such a fight, he would possibly risk making us make an incorrect move, no offense to him, he's a fine soldier." he informed, they all eventually agreed that Jazz wouldn't lead.
"Then who will?" asked Blackwolf
"I cannot, I must be in my ship to carry Grimlock and Ratchet into the battle if needed, and to stand ready for when we depart to retrieve Optimus." explained the veteran.
Ultra Magnus was a great choice as commander, but he couldn't even be the commander. Arcee wasn't meant to lead such a battle, neither was Elita, both were meant to lead simple combat, stealth, infiltration, and scout missions.
"What about Blackwolf?" asked Arcee, his optics blew open, he had never been trusted to lead something like this.
"Wha-ME?! No, no no no no, I've never led troops into battle!" he panicked, not trusting himself as a leader.
"Hmmm, I think you have the virtues of a leader. Answer me this…Do you want to win this war?" the tall blue mech asked.
"Yes" Blackwolf answered.
"Would you lead the smallest army to protect your home, friends, family, and freedom, even if the odds were impossible?" Ultra Magnus asked.
"I would fight an army alone to do just that." he answered.
"Would you give your life to save your loved ones?" he asked.
Blackwolf looked at Arcee, she looked back, and he answered, "I would." he answered. Elita noticed them look at each other, the look in their optics, she instantly knew there was something more between the two.
"Then by the power I'm granted in these dark times I promote you to temporary commander, your duty now will be to serve as a leader when a prime is missing in action or dead until Alpha Trion tells us who will become the next Prime." he said, still in his soldier tone.
"Well then..." he thought for a moment.
"Let's get to work."