Chapter 14: Light through the Darkness
Powerful turbine engines burst overhead severing through the clouds that drifted across the once peaceful sky. By the time the deafening noise reached the people in hearing range on ground level, the mysterious object had already disappeared from view. The only evidence that remained of the presence of something soaring above were white streaks of cloud stretching across the sky like tire tracks.
The Typhoon F1 Jet Fighter pushed its engine power to production capacity reaching speeds that broke the sound barrier. The supersonic jet had successfully navigated across the western territories of Europe and entered the neighboring territory known as Russia, steadily approaching its destination. The jet with blue tinged wings and body avoided the monitored airspace as ordered. The mission required covert interception as a priority objective.
Monitors flashed in the cockpit of the jet. Signals indicated target was in the vicinity outside the small town of Gar. Locating an open field covered in white, the jet eagerly began its decent through the snow filled skies. The frozen element made it difficult for the aircraft to pilot an ideal landing formation, almost colliding with a few stray trees on its landing.
Metres from touching down on ground level, the jet began transforming from the speedy jet mode into a fluid moving and complex robot. Metal twisted in every direction as Thundercracker landed sturdily on his feet against the snowy ground. The thick layer of crystallized water felt uncomfortable against his metal legs, and it made walking on the ground annoying difficult. His legs stiffened against the snow, the dread of imminent rust was unnerving.
Thundercracker consulted his Intel brief. The information clearly indicated that the target should be at this location. The Decepticon scanned his surroundings; nothing but a field of scattered barren trees and mounds of thick snow that randomly rose out from the ground in miniature hills.
He sneered. Perhaps the uncooperative weather had interfered with his instruments. He switched to his communication link attempting to establish a connection with Soundwave. Someone was going to have their circuits fried for sending him on a wild goose chase.
As he futilely attempted sending a single from his malfunctioning com, Thundercracker suddenly felt anxious at his surrounding. He stared forward at the unmoving foreground, tiny flakes of snow dancing around the air disappearing on the white blanket covering the ground. His motions sensors sirened and he revolved his body around to see an immense pile of snow rising a few feet behind him. The thick congealed piles shed themselves from the bulky metal robot as he raised himself up from his crouched position underneath the snow.
Thundercracker was dwarfed by the size of the Decepticon before him. The hefty robot had a chest size almost twice that of Optimus Prime and a powerful laser affixed in the centre. His metal amour gleamed with a tinge of amethyst and he was clearly distinguishable by the single square optic attached on his head.
Concealing his intimidation, Thundercracker approached the cybertronian which was now completely devoid of any snow on his body.
Kneeling down on one knee he exclaimed, "General Shockwave."
The one eyed general did not shift. Although the robot could not frown, his square optical sensor comparable to that of a human CRT monitor, Thundercracker could sense the abhorrence emitting from his ranking commander.
In a swift downward heave, Shockwave lunged forward at Thundercracker grabbing the kneeling Decepticon by the throat and raising him up before his optic. Thundercracker squirmed in an attempted to free himself from the powerful grip.
"Thundercracker…" the menacing vocals of the robot made the choking robot shiver. "Traitorous recreant drone!"
Thundercracker struggled to emit words from his vocals, but the clenched hand around his neck was too tight. With great difficulty, he was able to form a single noun.
"Megatron!"
Shockwave released his grip on Thundercracker who thumped down to the snow in a metal heap. As he laid on his back peering up at Shockwave, he lifted his arms across the front of his neck in defence against another unprovoked attack.
Shockwave stared his glassy optic down at Thundercracker, "You who are loyal to Lord Starscream dare say that name."
"No, I follow Lord Megatron's unchallenged command. It is he who has ordered I lead you to the attack position."
Shockwave paused for a second as his logics analysed Thundercracker's statement. Suddenly the metal casings on Shockwave's thighs flicked open as two square thrusters rotated outward heating themselves into a red glow as the robot commanded, "Proceed."
"Yes, Commander Shockwave."
"We have an incoming second Decepticon!"
Lennox's alert merely confirmed what NEST was already well aware was hurtling towards the base. Sam was still inside himself, wallowing in pain on the ground. His gaping wounds stained the cement a blood red as he tried hopelessly to prevent further blood loss. At bare minimum, he knew he had a few busted ribs and a broken shoulder.
The Autobots had finally begun to gather some dominance over Overload, but the advantage would be short lived with the arrival of the second Decepticon. If Overload had created such an unfathomable challenge, this second threat would surely squash any hopeful resistance.
The rapidly descending fireball hurtled towards the base at a tremendous speed, just like before. Only this time, the sphere seemed miniscule in compared to its predecessor. Impacting with an earth quaking collision, the flaming alien crashed through the cement ground forming a round gaping hole that steamed from the heated object.
Ratchet took point initiating a preemptive strike on the new Decepticon before it had the chance to join the battle. The Autobot aimed his weaponry at the cement hole that held the new threat. His canons charged as a silver figure stood from the hole, its back to the Autobot.
Ratchet's canons glowed with the imminent emission of a powerful blast. The silver figure turned in a circle aiming its glare at Ratchet.
Ratchet gasped. He quickly moved his arm but it was too late. A fusion blast pelted from his arm. The discharge hurled towards the silver alien who stood motionless.
The blast singed past the robot's shoulder, barely missing him on its assault.
"Wheeljack!" Ratchet bellowed.
Sam watched on in confusion.
Various NEST soldiers turned their guns upon the assumed Decepticon. Ratchet screamed across to them to halt their advance.
"Stop! Wheeljack is an Autobot."
Various humans lowered their arms, instantly diverting their guns back towards Overload. The other Autobots had noticed Ratchet's exclamation, retaining their efforts on the still present threat posed by Overload.
Ratchet buzzed with questions concerning Wheeljack's sudden presence on Earth, but his attentions were direly needed back in the battle. Optimus had been thrown to the ground several times, but his quick recoveries ensured he continued to inflict damage to Overload's armor with his blades.
Darting elegantly, Overload and Optimus continued to dance at hand to hand combat. The remaining members of NEST, human and Autobot, continued to discharge their weapons at the Decepticon when given the opportunity. Their efforts seemed to have zero effect on Overload's armor and any attempt for any other Autobot to join with Optimus in hand to hand combat was quickly quenched. No one had the maneuvering skills to the same degree as Optimus. The twins had learnt that the hard way, being thrown violently across the base sustaining heavy structural damage.
Sam winced as he attempted to get to his feet, to no success. The crippling wounds around his body made him light headed and unable to walk a single step. He felt a tall figure approach his side as he lay on the ground, placing a warm hand across his chest. His face cringed so much from the pain; he could barely open his eyes enough to recognise the silver Autobot that couched before him.
Wheeljack emitted a robotic moan at the suffering of the young human.
Standing tall, Wheeljack turned a defiant livid gaze towards Overload. He watched tactically as Optimus darted around the Decepticon. Wheeljack waited patiently.
Overload continued to punch and discharge his weapons endeavoring to inflict a deadly wound at Optimus to end the fight. Various projectiles bounced off his armor without even the slightest reaction. It was almost as if the Decepticon had impenetrable armor. Impossible, since Optimus' blades seemed to inflict severe wounds.
Overload heaved his body around catching Optimus on his flank; his massive arm connecting with the Autobot sending him onto his back from the impact. The Autobot leader groaned in shock.
Wheeljack saw his opportunity. The miniature robot took to his feet, sprinting metres in milliseconds towards Overload. The Decepticon raised his remaining rocket launcher on his right shoulder, aiming directly down at Optimus. The weaponry began to power. The Autobots fired frantically at Overload to divert the pending deadly discharge at their leader. To no effect. They attempted to race towards the Decepticon but they were too far away to reach him in time.
Wheeljack dashed onward at an unbelievable speed. Bounding on one leg, he shot up into air leaping metres forward and landing directly on Overload's back. The massive Decepticon twitched in reaction to the tiny Autobot on his back, momentarily diverting his attention away from Optimus who lay damaged on the ground.
Overload spun his massive metal body around trying to unhinge the small robot gasping on his shoulders. Wheeljack held on tight, like a cat on the back of a savage bear. The surrounding Autobots and humans held their fire, fearful a bullet would impact Wheeljack sounding his doom at the hands of Overload if he fell.
Wheeljack held tight with one hand like a rodeo. With a forceful punch, he burst his other hand through the external metal casings of Overload's back. A bright blue bolt of energy burst in Wheeljack's chest deep from within his spark. A river of electrical pulses streamed down the Autobot's arm into his submerged hand deep inside the Decepticon's back.
Overload roared from the surges as a concentrated explosion erupted from inside the back of his body, volts and sparks spitting inside the hole left by the absence of Wheeljack's hand.
Overload tipped his body forward causing Wheeljack to off balance his footing. Reaching around, Overload grabbed Wheeljack by his left leg, tossing him violently to the ground. Wheeljack crashed into the cement with a thud, the impact paralysing his system. Willing through his logic circuits which commanded he preserve his strength to prevent entering stasis lock, Wheeljack screamed as loud as he could manage, "Shoot!"
As if a hundred puppet strings had been pulled at once, dozens of hands rose up and began unleashing all hell at Overload. Bullets and projectiles collided with his armor, the massive Decepticon crumpling under the fire power. Chunks of metal stripped under the pressure as Overload wailed in agony.
Bumblebee discharged a concentrated cannon shot directly into the side of Overload's head. Flakes of metal splintered from the blow and Overload plummeted to the ground. Ironhide swiftly moved in for the lethal shot, capilatlising on the Decepticons grounding. Ironhide aimed his right arm at Overload's chest and fired. A shower of metal sprinkled into the air, as the devastating robot deadened; a huge cavernous hole still steaming within his chest.
Silence across the base. Weaponry still steaming from the sustained fire.
Sam watched helpless on the ground as Optimus approached his battered team. The leader turned his optics to Wheeljack, who had already been hoisted to his feet by Mudflap and Skidz. Sam tried to call out for help, his voice failing him. He listened to the Autobots exchange words.
"Optimus…" Wheeljack said in a frail voice.
Optimus nodded in gratitude, Wheeljack continuing to will words through his beaten stated, "I eliminated his shields, I am sorry I was too late."
"No my friend, no apologies. If you didn't arrive when you did, we would have surely met our end. Thank you."
"Optimus!" Ratchet's alarmed voiced sounded across the base. The medic rushed towards Sam as he lay motionless on the ground. Optimus gasped, his body tensing in fear for a split second before approaching the young human. Bumblebee stood in the foreground, frozen in horror.
Optimus whispered to the medic who was frantically examining Sam, "Ratchet?"
"He is alive, barely."
Tiny needles spun from Ratchet's fingers penetrating Sam's skin. He could barely feel them through the bodily numbness.
A voiced rained down on him, "Sam?"
"Sam can you hear me."
The voice continued to ring and echo in his ear, "Sam?"
Louder and louder "Sam!"
Sam shook himself awake, his eyes widening in shock. Wheeljack was standing over him, his optics flickering frantically. The blue light emitted by the robot's eyes the only trace of light through the darkness.
"Sam? Are you alright, you're trembling!"
Sam sat upright looking all around him. He was still on the cargo vessel hidden inside a transport container. Bumblebee, Hound and Wheeljack had located an empty red side loader big enough to hold a camero, a jeep, an eight foot tall robot and small human.
"Yeah I am fine."
Wheeljack grinned, taking a seat next to Sam who sat upright against the container wall. Bumblebee and Hound sat motionless in vehicle mode. The two cars cramped into the container left little room for Sam and Wheeljack to sit.
"You were dreaming?" Wheeljack asked in a soft inquisitive voice.
"Yeah."
"What about?"
Sam hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether he should lie, or tell the truth.
"Well, about the time you saved all our skins."
Wheeljack paused. A slight worried expression on his face before emitting another grin.
"Oh."
Awkward silence filled the metal box as Sam slightly shifted in anxiety, worried his remembrance of the past had triggered emotional angst in the robot. Wheeljack turned his bright steams of light flowing from his optics to Sam, washing the boy's face in a blue light.
"Can I tell you something Sam?"
"Sure." Sam listened intently; past experiences dictated when Wheeljack requested permission to speak, this usually lead to an interesting conversation.
"I am not designed for combat. Never have been, probably never will be." Wheeljack smiled a warm grim deceptively masking any embarrassment he felt at his own words.
"Even when Overload attacked the Ark on Mars, I did not confront him. I took refuge in our ship, while my comrades kept him at bay long enough for us to activate our shields. He had caught us off guard."
Wheeljack paused, lowering his head. "Some would call me a coward."
Sam scoffed, but did not interrupt.
"But I used the excuse that I was scanning the Decepticon for structural weaknesses in case of future attacks. This in hindsight was what saved the Autobots here on Earth. My scanners revealed the Decepticon utilised a force field that surround his metal casings, and the source of this defence was buried in the apex of his back compartments."
"I…" He hesitated, a grim expression spreading across his face.
"I never intended to confront Overload on Earth. Our communications were down and I was simply attempting to reach Optimus to pass on the information. I was just lucky to arrive when I did."
Sam's mind twitched in confusion, "But you did confront Overload."
Wheeljack's smile returned, "Yes Sam. I did. And do you know why?"
Sam shook his head.
"You."
"Me?" Sam was completely baffled.
"Yes. I had heard of your bravery alongside my kin. The boy who risked his life for the Autobots. Optimus made several recounts of you to us stationed on the Ark."
Sam blushed. He always felt awkward when dealing with any sort of praise. Subconsciously, he felt that people exaggerated his abilities. Experiencing the horrors of watching his friends torn to pieces in battle, he hardly felt worthy of receiving praise of courage.
Wheeljack put his hand on Sam's shoulder, his spiny fingers curling around to his back.
"When I saw you near death on the ground, I knew I had to do everything in my power to stop the monster that could inflict such pain."
Sam smiled back at Wheeljack as the robot compassionately leant his hand on the boy's shoulder. The warm moment abruptly interrupted with a sudden tremor erupting through the container. The ship had stopped. Bumblebee's voice echoed around the metal walls, "We are here, lets move."