As promised, fast update. Thanks a lot for your support and please get ready for some action!
Thanks to my dear sis iratepirate for beta reading.
Chapter 25
Fire in the soul
If Thundercracker had been counting, he would have been amazed by the number of times he had walked the same short distance between Red Alert's seat and the entrance of the Ark's Command Centre.
But, of course, he didn't notice, busy as he was trying to control his increasing desperation.
"Can you please stop that, Thundercracker?" Cliffjumper said, standing before the main console of Teletraan I. "You really don't want to make Red here more nervous than he is."
Thundercracker grimaced but stopped his pacing, standing right behind the Autobot Security Chief's chair.
"Any changes? What's the situation?" the Seeker asked, unable to hide his anxiety.
"Practically the same I told you ten astro seconds ago," Red Alert said with a very unfriendly voice. "Ironhide and the others are still fighting the Combaticons, although it's too early to say who has the upper hand."
"I'd say that will change once the Protectobots arrive," Bumblebee said.
Red Alert shook his head. "I'm hoping Ironhide will be able to defeat those junk piles before that. True, the Protectobots would be of great assistance, but the last thing we want is Bruticus and Defensor fighting to the death in the middle of an urban area."
"Another reason why you should send the Aerialbots," Thundercracker said with very little patience. "Onslaught's forte is ground combat. All you have to do is engage his team from the sky to neutralize Vortex and Blast Off; the rest can be handled by your ground troops."
"Negative. I need the Aerialbots here, besides their team is incomplete thanks to your own doing, Thundercracker. Their performance wouldn't be optimal."
"Mmmph… then send me! I have unfinished quarrels with those Combaticons and this is the moment to settle them."
Red Alert's glance momentarily abandoned the screen to turn to the anxious Seeker. "You really have problems with negatives, don't you? I don't give a slag about whatever personal vendettas you have against your former allies, but understand that it's your head that they want. Indeed, the Combaticons are not fighting the way they usually do, not to mention they don't have a clear objective, but…"
"That's because this insane assault has Starscream's signature all over it!"
"Whoever is behind it doesn't matter! We are to stop the Combaticons and protect the humans, and we can ask the questions later. In Optimus Prime's absence we can't afford to make mistakes, even less not be cautious!"
"Huh…" Bumblebee said. "I really don't want to aid your neural sensors in overheating, Red, but you should take a look at that."
Red Alert cursed in Cybertronian when three flying energy signatures en route to the Ark appeared on the radar.
"Seekers… just what we needed," Cliffjumper said, subspacing his gun.
"You stay where you are, Cliffjumper," Red Alert said, punching a button and typing a code. "The Aerialbots are departing right now to intercept the invaders."
"At least let me join them!" Thundercracker said. "You said yourself that the Aerialbots are incomplete and their performance would be affected."
"Still, they are three against four… the odds are in our favour."
"Not if Starscream is leading the Decepticons, and he certainly is! Let me join the Aerialbots squad! I can cover Skydive's absence."
"Ironhide specifically ordered that you were not to engage in combat with your former allies, so stop pushing this, Thundercracker! You stay here with us. We are the last line of defense for the Ark and we need to stick together. As the Security Chief of this base, I'm in charge and I recommend you not to disobey me!"
Thundercracker repressed the curse that was dying to come out through his vocalizer, but he was unable to stop his fist crashing against the wall, denting it.
"If you're finished with your useless bravado, come and take a look at this," Red Alert said, pointing toward the screen. "The Aerialbots are already arriving at the intercepting point and are about to engage the Seekers in combat."
"Is there a chance they can form Superion?" Bumblebee asked. "They could beat the Seekers easily that way."
"Nope," Cliffjumper replied. "Without Skydive, it's not recommendable. It could turn into a mess and they would provide a big, easy target for the 'Cons."
"An easier target than that?" Thundercracker said, pointing toward the screen, on which one of the red energy signatures was unmistakably heading downwards.
"Slag!" Red Alert cried. "Silverbolt is down…"
"Not for long. Bumblebee, come with me! We'll help them, they are just a couple of mechano miles away from here," Cliffjumper said, making his way to the door.
"You won't make it on time. I'll go!" Thundercracker said.
"Look, Thundercracker, I already told you…"
"This Decepticon offensive is my fault, so is the Aerialbots' deficient performance! I don't care what you say, Red Alert, but this is all my responsibility! I'm a warrior, you can't just ask me to stay with my arms crossed when the battlefield demands me!"
The Autobot Security Chief hesitated but finally his overheated head nodded. "Okay, okay… just open your comm link. I'll transmit you the Aerialbots' private frequency so you can radio them. Now go… GO!"
Thundercracker was already out of sight when Red Alert finished speaking.
……..
Fireflight was having problems in his flight pattern. But, then again, that was no novelty, having a killer Decepticon on his tail making no difference. The curious part was that it was precisely his erratic flight that was keeping him in the air. Dirge was an outstanding flier, but he seemed to have problems with abrupt twists and variations of speed. It was such an irony, but Fireflight's highest chance of victory depended precisely on his own biggest flaw.
Unfortunately, his enemy seemed to agree with him, as the sight of Dirge switching targets with Thrust confirmed. Fireflight cursed. Having to fight the Decepticons' aerobatics expert was an entirely different matter.
His comm link cracked to life and Slingshot's voice could be heard. "How are you doing, 'Flight? Need some help with that Thrust fragger? I was about to take him down when he went after you."
"Nah, I can handle him myself. How's Silverbolt?"
"Out of commission, but he should be fine if we keep these Decepticreeps away from the hillside where he crashed. The glitches can move fast…. Yeeehaaaaa!"
"Watch out, Slingshot!"
"Spare me the motherly chit chat! I'm going to show this Decepticon scum he's not the only one who can crash enemies at Mach 3!"
"Yeah okay, just remember that Ramjet's alloy is stronger than yours… Oh Primus I'm going to craaaaaash!"
The big boulder at the top of the mountain exploded in small pieces astro seconds before Fireflight trespassed the now empty space.
"Careful, 'Flight", Slingshot said through the comm link. "Fortunately for you, Dirge is such a lousy flier and I had plenty of time to blow that side of the mountain from my location, otherwise you would be an ugly pile of junk right now."
"Thanks, Slingshot… I owe you one…"
"Add it to the other fifty four times I've saved your carcass. All right guys, I predict I'll have Dirge buried in the ground in less than thirty astro seconds. Just hold on a little more and I'll come and help you."
"I don't need your help!" Air Raid claimed through the comm link. "How much do you wanna bet that Ramjet goes down first?"
Fireflight recklessly avoided a rain of laser fire as he noticed that Air Raid and Ramjet were heading nosecone to nosecone a couple of mechano miles away from him. The maneuver reminded him of the reason behind Skydive's absence. He had never thought the team could be so dysfunctional without one member…
"Yessss, that was for Silverbolt, you slag sucker!! What did I tell you guys? Dirge is down! Now, who's next?"
"Assist Air Raid, he's about to…"
A loud noise followed by static interrupted Fireflight's words. It had happened, the brutal encounter between Ramjet and Air Raid, the second one taking the worst of the impact due to his lighter fuselage. Ramjet, on the other hand, remained in the air, his stability not considerably altered.
"Damn it, Air Raid is going down…"
"And you're next if you keep flying like that, Fireflight!" Slingshot said. "You're so lucky that Decepticon junk is as insane a flier as you. Hold on there, I'm on my way!"
Fireflight had always believed that luck was on his side, but that day was destined to become the utter confirmation of such belief when, violently twisting in an attempt to keep Thrust away from him, he managed to dodge two missiles that he never saw coming in his direction.
"Ooooh slaaag! It's Starscream!" he heard Slinsghot cry through the comm link.
Just the name Fireflight wasn't looking forward to hearing… The one name his teammates and he had learned to fear since the first day they faced him. A loud-mouthed arrogant jerk on the ground, but a messenger of death in the air.
Fireflight headed as fast as he could toward Slingshot's location, knowing well that, without assistance, there was no way he could take out the Decepticon Air Commander by himself, just as he knew he was no match against Starscream's speed…
He was doomed, and this time not by his careless flight patterns.
A burning pain in the upper part of his fuselage confirmed his fears. Starscream had closed the distance and had released half a dozen cluster bombs against his prey. Due to his proximity, it would have been easier to take down the enemy with laser fire, but the Decepticon had chosen his mildest weapon, if such thing existed. Starscream was not aiming for the kill, at least not yet. He was toying with his victim.
But just when Firelight was preparing to dodge a second round of cluster bombs, Starscream deviated his course abruptly and disappeared from the Aerialbot's radar. But Fireflight didn't have time to wonder about the Air Commander's trajectory as he started to exchange fire with Thrust, his chances of victory very limited due to the damage received.
It was then when it happened, the azure lightning bolt that severed the death line that was about to reach him. Taken by surprise, Thrust twisted drastically in mid air, a movement too brusque even for his aerobatics expertise.
Not allowing time for Fireflight to process his surprise, the green light of his comm link shone again and the unexpected voice of Thundercracker could be heard.
"What's your status, Fireflight? Can you keep flying?"
"Er… yeah… I'm just a little shattered, that's all."
"Excellent. Maintain your current course whilst I assist Slingshot. Target Thrust's lateral fuel line. His plating is weakest there."
"Great piece of information, thanks Thun…"
"What the heck are you doing here, Thundercracker?" Slingshot interrupted through the comm link. "You come to help your Deceptiscum buddies?"
Thundercracker accelerated toward Slingshot's location, leaving Fireflight behind but keeping him in radio contact."Now is not the time for this kind of idiotic talk! Ramjet is closing in on you and Starscream will return at any moment."
"Well, your interference was not requested. Go and hide under a rock or something while we handle this."
"You are outnumbered now. Your only chance of survival is doing what I say."
"Screw you! I'm not going to obey some maniacal Decepticon. After all, this is all your fault, not to mention it was you who put Skydive in the Cryogenic Regeneration Chamber!"
"He put himself there! And I already said this is not the time to talk nonsense. Now listen, are you two familiar with basic formations, such as the defensive beta-zero-three?"
"Excuuuuse us, Mr. High Ranked Officer, but we didn't attend some academy for mercenaries like your royal highness."
"Yaaaaay!" Fireflight yelled. "You were right, Thundercracker! I shot Thrust right on the lateral fuel line and he's eating dust right now! I'm with you! Just tell me what to do."
"Head to my location and align beside me. Starscream is returning and we won't be able to battle him and Ramjet without a proper defensive strategy."
"Your processor is more screwed than I thought if you think I'm going to follow anything you say-"
"For Cybertron, would you please stop it, Slingshot?! Thundercracker is right. We took down Dirge and Thrust but Starscream is more dangerous than the three Coneheads together. Just do what he says and you can bicker all you want later. Silverbolt and Air Raid need medical assistance at once, and we can't help them unless we put an end to this combat now!"
Static was Slingshot's only reply, but soon he was heading into the virtual triangle Thundercracker and Fireflight were already forming.
………
The Aerialbots were not expert fliers yet, but their potential was unmistakable. Thundercracker had realized that since the first day he fought them, the same day he started to respect them.
"Expect Ramjet to go for the collision. Fireflight, you will act as bait. Wait for an estimated time of impact of 2.3 astro seconds and deviate at least thirty degrees to your left. Ramjet has always had problems with his left side and won't be able to follow. Make good use of his distraction and double team him. You should have no problems bringing him down."
"What about you, Thundercracker?" Fireflight said.
"I'll take care of Starscream."
"Yeah right, let us handle the dolt one while you keep all the glory. Nice."
"I seriously doubt I can take Starscream down by myself, Slingshot, but this is our best chance."
"What about the other Seeker, Skywarp?" Fireflight asked. "I was expecting he would appear out of nowhere at any moment but there's no sign of him."
Thundercracker didn't reply immediately. "His whereabouts are not our main concern. Prepare to break the triangle formation at my command, the Decepticons are in shooting range. Now!!"
The formation created by the two Aerialbots and the Seeker suddenly dissolved. As simple as it was, Thundercracker had faith in their probabilities of success.
He noticed with satisfaction that his Autobot allies were not having problems in engaging Ramjet, so he focused his efforts on his own enemy.
Thundercracker had fought Starscream many times during practices, the location and the Air Commander's speed always making the difference. But Thundercracker knew this time it was different.
He easily avoided Starscream's first attack, a rain of laser fire that wasn't even close to grazing his fuselage.
Not bad, Screamer… but you couldn't have been more predictable.
He responded the same way, just to follow the habit. As expected, Starscream avoided the deadly beams as if they didn't exist; he was a flier as graceful as he was deadly.
The result of the next series of attacks was practically identical. It was obvious to Thundercracker that Starscream was only testing him, no attempts at real combat yet.
What are you up to, Starscream? Slag you…
Breaking the vicious circle was tempting, but also dangerous. Thundercracker knew that as soon as he gave Starscream an advantage, he would take it and make it decisive. Starscream seemed to have a similar mindset; he stayed in his current flight pattern and limited his offensive to erratic discharges of laser fire.
Finally, Starscream showed his next move. He transformed into his bipedal form and remained floating in mid air, glancing at Thundercracker with a mischievous smirk. Thundercracker also changed his shape.
"Greetings, Thundercracker. You look fine… for a traitor," Starscream spoke casually.
Thundercracker shot his former trine leader a murderous glance.
"What's the purpose of this?" he asked, waving with his hand toward the improvised battlefield on which Silverbolt, Air Raid, Dirge and Thrust already lay on the ground. "Another one of your pathetic stages? What do you expect to obtain?"
"Excuse my forgetfulness in neglecting to notify you about my immediate course of action… again. It's hard to remember you're a Seeker, especially considering your current loyalties, don't you agree?"
Thundercracker clenched his fists, anxious to dent tricolored metal. His arm mounted cannons started to hum, announcing his aggressive purposes.
Starscream increased his smirk, if that was possible. "Aren't you wondering where Skywarp is, Thundercracker? It's such a coincidence he wasn't included in this… routine practice, don't you think? Or maybe he couldn't make it. Perhaps he – or better said, what's left of him – lies at the bottom of a melting pit right now because of you."
Thundercracker postponed his attack. "Whatever you say is as good as lie to me. You disappoint me, Starscream, if you believed I would fall so easily for your game."
Starscream laughed. "True, true… I have to admit you are not as dimwitted as the rest of my dear wingmates, but you know me as well, and you should know that all I'm doing is having some harmless entertainment. Boredom is the ultimate crime, and I have never been among the kind that falls easily into such atrocity."
Thundercracker's optics became a thin line of fire. Threatening others was not a regular habit of his, but pointing an accusing finger at Starscream came so natural. "You keep Skywarp away from all this, did you hear me Starscream? Or so help me I'll-"
"What? What, traitor? Are you going to kill me? Are you going to behave like a real Decepticon for once? I think I told you it was too late for that, you treacherous scum!" Starscream said, lifting his arms and allowing the sun to shine on his null-ray cannons.
A laser beam interrupted Starscream imminent attack, forcing him to back down with a potent discharge from his feet thrusters. "Party breakers…" he said, looking down at the squad of Autobots that advanced along the dusty road. "Don't you just hate them? Oh, how touching, they came to help you… What a nice loving family you have now! Hopefully you won't doom it as you did with your previous one. I guess your puny creator didn't think he was sparking his own assassin when he took you to Vector Sigma to grant you life, mmh?"
Without waiting for an answer, Starscream transformed and started his retreat, followed by new laser beams coming from the ground that were searching to perforate his lustrous fuselage.
"So long, traitor! Next time I see you, you'll be nothing more than spare parts. Hear my words. Spare parts!"
But Thundercracker didn't hear him anymore. He was furious, every one of his circuits tingling with rage. He felt his body heavier than ever when he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Take this, you human lover!"
Thundercracker avoided Ramjet's onslaught and managed to impact his fist against his enemy's cockpit before the Conehead had the chance to follow his retiring commander. Thundercracker's attack could have ended there, he could have allowed Ramjet to leave now that Starscream was gone, but his anger couldn't remain contained inside his frame. Not this time.
Ramjet cried in pain and started to fall as Thundercracker shot a laser beam inside his cockpit. The impact against the ground was brutal, but not to Ramjet, who was used to even stronger collisions. The Conehead transformed into his bipedal mode, struggling to remain on one knee as black smoke came from his shattered cockpit.
But hell came from the sky. Ramjet's face painfully returned to the dust beneath when Thundercracker's foot landed on his head without any remorse.
"Get up, you slaggin' filth!" Thundercracker cried as he kicked Ramjet in the side. "Didn't you want me dead?! Well, here I am! Just you and me, come on! Fight me!"
It was obvious Ramjet was not only in no condition to fight, but close to entering stasis lock. But Thundercracker continued punishing him, shooting a vicious discharge of laser fire into the Conehead's back.
"Fight, you dirty scum, fight!!"
His fists impacted Ramjet again and again, damaging himself in the process. But Thundercracker didn't mind, couldn't recognize that pain as his own. It was Ramjet's… it was his suffering… and Thundercracker liked it.
He grasped the almost offlined form of the Conehead and lifted him above his head, throwing him brutally against a big boulder that exploded into pieces with the collision.
Raising his arms was an automatic movement, the aim of his arm-mounted cannons fixated on Ramjet's head.
His Decepticon programming activated, his objective one single directive: go for the kill.
He fired.
Dazzled beams of death erupted toward the sky as his arms were brusquely grabbed and deviated upwards.
"It's enough, Thundercracker! Stop it!" Ironhide said, doing his best to control the irate Seeker.
"Let go of me!! I have to terminate him now! There won't be another opportunity!"
"This is not the way, ya hear me? Stop! Slag it, this… this is not you!"
Thundercracker shook violently, trying to free himself of the Autobot's grip, but Ironhide didn't release him.
"This is not the way!" Ironhide continued his mantra. "You're different now, remember? You can't allow yourself to return to your old self, not after all you have gone through. You are better than your programming, Thundercracker."
Thundercracker stopped struggling, his arms slumping flaccid at his sides.
Ironhide released him and put a hand on his shoulder. "You're not a Decepticon anymore."
Thundercracker's gaze was lost, optic sensors looking ahead of him but seeing nothing. He didn't even notice when Dirge and Thrust managed to retrieve their mangled comrade and escaped as fast as his damaged structure allowed them to.
To be continued.
Sorry if I disappointed those of you who were expecting Skywarp. His absence was, indeed, Starscream's doing. But don't worry – or better do… - Skywarp and TC will meet soon, but I have a very special scenario prepared for that encounter.
Thanks for reading. Next chapter is already in progress. Please let me know your opinions.