Chapter 25

Prowl crouched down easing Prime down beside Arcee.

"Sir you're hurt badly, I need to get you back…"

"Take Arcee first."

"But Si…"

"Do it Prowl, that's an order!" Optimus snapped. Prowl nodded, lifting the femme he fired his small internal thrusters and headed out of the Asteroid. Optimus hoped to Primus that Megatron didn't get to him before he could reach the ship. Wincing he stood, clutching his side he limped back into the cave.

He was stopped at the entrance as the cave began collapsing around him due to the tremors now emanating from the howling machine.

"Trailblazer!" He called out. He caught a glimpse of his optics as looked up from the console of the machine.

"Starscream wait!" He called out; Optimus frowned ducking forward as rocks pelted his frame.

"Prime you can't be here. Starscream's plan it's working. I have to finish, it needs two of us."

"Trailblazer I can't le…urrgghh…"

Trailblazer shot up in time to see his leader buried under rubble. He raced nimbly over to the pile.

"Starscream help me!" The seeker landed lightly by his side. He snarled. "Stupid Autobot do any of you know how to quit while you are ahead?" He dug into the rubble lifting large rocks easily and casting them aside. They lifted Prime out, their fingers slipping on his frame due to energon seeping from his systems.

Starscream clicked in frustration "I will take him." Trailblazer nodded and headed back to the console as the cave crumbled around him.

Starscream laid Optimus at the mouth of the cave so as to be easily seen for a returning Prowl. A Prowl who had spotted him as he traversed across the space, avoiding the weapons fire from his fellow Decepticons. The 'bot was fast. Starscream mused impressively. He ducked back inside the cave, Optimus grabbed his leg.

"Star…scream… why…?" His red optics studied the prone leader for a moment. He leant over him. He smiled. "Like you do not already know Prime."

"Don't let Trail… blazer die because of… one of your… twisted power struggles…." He tensed as his body continued to pool energon and oil, beneath him. Starscream's face was serious.

"I will get him out Prime." He released Optimus's hand from his leg and stalked back into the shadows.

Optimus drifted in and out of consciousness, his strength was ebbing away. His cortex ached from exposure to the full power of the Matrix and Soundwave's hacking. He felt strong hands lift him under his shoulders. Supporting him as they soared from the Asteroid. His optics flew open as he heard Megatron's roar of anger, he watched with dismay as he saw the Decepticon leader accelerate back toward the asteroid, disappearing into the shadows. He pulled against the firm grip… his mouth unable to form the command to return. His blue optics faded and went dark.

****

Starscream nodded to the young 'bot as he returned to the console.

"Did you tell him what I said?" He asked suddenly flinching as rocks fell about him.

"Starscream?"

The seeker glared at him. "Yes now concentrate." Blue optics met his.

"Initiate feedback loop."

"Initiating."

They both moved swiftly to adjacent consoles, repeating the command.

"On my mark." Trailblazer nodded. "Now." Starscream commanded. They simultaneously punched the commands into consoles. The machine was whirring at a higher pitch than before. Its apex was glowing dangerously as power built up within it.

"Last one." Trailblazer uttered, his hands worked as fast as the seekers. "Now!" The final command was initiated and the machine visibly shook under the strain. They looked up.

"Let's go." Trailblazer grinned he spun round only to find Megatron facing him, his vocalizer let out a gasp of surprise. The red optics glared at him hatefully. Trailblazer found himself lifted into the air by his throat; he kicked frantically, clawing at the talon that gripped him tightly. Megatron brought him closer Trailblazer felt a sharp pain in his chest, it grew stronger as Megatron pulled him closer, his mouth parted in a sneer he jerked forward Trailblazer shrieked as he felt the blade pierce his spark chamber. His legs convulsed as the serrated edge tore through his chest erupting through his back plates.

'No... Starscream... Why is he letting this happen?' Trailblazer's thoughts raced violently through his cortex. 'Must survive... must warn Optimus...' Pain blazed through his systems he heard himself scream as he stared into those red optics. 'Oh Primus... What have I done...?'

Trailblazer uttered one last sob before falling limp in Megatron's grasp, his spark sputtered, fighting to stay alive, Megatron twisted the blade cruelly in his chest splitting the spark in two. The light flashed with sheer intensity and faded to nothing.

Megatron flung the shell aside and went for the seeker. Starscream could only stare as Megatron grabbed him. He'd made a promise, he'd get him out. This was his plan, and an Autobot had paid the price for it. He snarled angrily, his claw hacked at Megatron's face, splintering his optic; Megatron yelped in pain and dropped him, launching a swift kick into his torso. Starscream ignored the pain as the machine started to implode around him.

Megatron cried out and flew up in a last chance to save the power of the Matrix. Searing, painfully hot light engulfed him, he shrieked as he was thrown backwards against the wall of the disintegrating cave.

Starscream wasted no time, transforming he grabbed the Autobot, his engines roaring as he sped from the expanding explosion.

****

Prowl braced himself as the powerful shockwave hit the ark propelling it forward as he punched the hyper drive.

The ship jerked forward as he came to a halt. He saw the asteroid entering Earth's atmosphere, wasting no time he plotted the Ark to intercept, it accelerated frighteningly towards the blue planet. He had no time for second thoughts. Firing everything he had at the asteroid he watched as parts began to break off. It was not enough, it was still too big. He corrected the course and punched the ignition; the g forces pushed him back as the engines roared into life. Prowl crawled to the other side of the bridge, managing to lift himself up into the pod as the Ark shuddered violently in the turbulent atmosphere.

"Now Teletraan, release now!"

****

The 'bots at the station cheered as the Ark appeared out of nowhere and launched its entire arsenal at the offending asteroid which had already entered the atmosphere. Their cheers were soon muted as they watched the ship tumble after the asteroid seemingly out of control.

"What are they doing?!" Chromia yelled frantically. They could only watch as their ship plunged into the asteroid's surface with a blinding orange, white flash, averting their optics. "Oh slag." Sideswipe swore under his breath, the only one not to avert his gaze he stared as the remains of the asteroid littering the atmosphere shining like burning stars as they plummeted towards the surface.

****

From above the sight was like pebbles falling into a pond. The asteroids crashed into the ocean, smaller pieces along with fragments of the decimated Ark peppered the atmosphere with bright explosions. From below the night sky was filled with fire balls screaming across the sky. The largest shard dove straight into the South Atlantic Ocean. This sent a wall of water rippling across the globe, tsunamis raged against the coasts. Craters peppered the Sahara desert as smaller pieces made contact; cities were stoned from sky causing utter devastation.

The walls and ceiling of the bunker shook, Lennox glanced up nervously, as faint cries of distress echoed through their shelter as the ground suddenly vaulted beneath them sending many crashing to the ground. Screams filled the shelter and panic began to fill the air. The violent shaking was replaced by faint rumbles. Ironhide stood lifting his hand to the ceiling, he concentrated for a moment.

"There's no impact above." His deep voice laced with tension. Jolt glanced up at him nervously. "Do you think it has hit?" The twins uncharacteristically sat huddled in a corner, holding onto each other. Ironhide nodded to Ratchet. "You're sensors are more sensitive than mine."

The medic stood gingerly, still recovering from his wounds. He lifted his hands placing them on the ceiling, his head tilted up slightly. "It's quiet." Turning to Lennox. "I think it's over, but better let one of us go up first to make sure."

Lennox nodded, unlocking the large door opening it fractionally. Ratchet squeezed through and his footsteps faded away.

Not two minutes later, Ironhide's comm. buzzed. He nodded, glancing down sharply.

"It's clear." He stated, before leading the way out of the bunker.

****

Optimus awoke once again in the med-bay he groaned. His head felt lighter, his side hurt where he'd been shot and for some reason his entire frame ached. He sat up slowly, ignoring the stern looks from his medic as he walked over to him.

"What happened?" Ratchet gave him a sad smile. "Too much. You've been out for 4 days; you lost enough energon to put you in permanent stasis lock."

He placed his helm in his hand, rubbing his face plates absently, running his hand behind his neck. His optics shot up. "Prowl, Arcee?"

Ratchet glanced over to the neighbouring berth where Prowl was recharging.

Optimus looked at his medic as he turned back to him; he lowered his optics sadly and shook his head. "I couldn't save her, she'd lost too much."

Optimus closed his optics sadly dropping his head. "Oh Primus…" He breathed. "How are Chromia and…"

A comforting hand rested on his shoulder. "They got to say goodbye Optimus, she survived the trip back. They don't blame you." Optimus glanced up at the concerned medic and nodded. He felt something press into his neck. "What was that?"

"Pain suppressant, you're going to need it. I have been asked by the human President to bring you to see him as soon as you're awake."

"He's here?"

"Had to be, needed someone to help coordinate the Autobots in helping the humans recover from the Asteroid." Optimus stared at him. "It hit?" Guilt washed over him, knowing his spark had caused the destruction.

Ratchet nodded. "Multiple hits caused and is causing chaos." He chuckled; Optimus frowned at the inappropriate humour. "Sorry." He composed himself as he led a severely limping Optimus out of the med-bay. "There's something you should know."

"He did WHAT?!"

Prowl shot up from his berth upon hearing Prime yell as the doors closed behind him. He winced and lay back down, not really caring much for the chaos that Prime was going to have to deal with.