Credits and Motivation go to: Songs include:"Final Countdown", Europe; "Break Stuff", Limp Bizkit; "Bad to the Bone", Lynard Skynard Energy drinks:ROCKSTAR: JUICED. Other motivation: THE REVIEWS! -heart-
Thanks again to everyone following this! This next one is shorter and fast-paced, but enjoy! And now...
Chapter 24: Twilight
Ironhide fell first, a sickening scream emanating from him as a shower of sparks and energon went flying in all directions, the point of origin being the middle of his back. His optics flickered and shorted out, one leg giving out as numerous systems were cut off by the explosion. Behind him as he fell, a pair of red optics flashed out in a burst of dust that dissipated into nothing. Starscream saw this, and growled, leaning down and letting Mikaela get off his hand. She stepped under him, her eyes wide and shocked. After a split second, she thought better of the decision to be under him and looked around, seeing the open door of the base. Looking around, she made a mad dash for the door, praying she would make it.
Behind her, everything erupted into chaos. Optimus whirled, his cannon appearing in a flash of silver, red and blue shifting and forming around his arm. Starscream raised his own hand, metal and armor sliding around and forming his launchers. Ratchet ducked down, his knees hitting the ground with a loud thud and a creak of metal as he landed by Ironhide, scans already running. Thundercracker and Sunstorm launched into the air at nearly the same time, both of their own weapons coming into view. Off to the left, another burst of dust appeared and for a split second, another mech could be seen. It aimed at Optimus and fired within a split second, two missiles streaking through the air at the Autobot Leader. They sailed over Ratchet by bare inches as he ducked again, yelling out for Optimus to watch out. The other mech disappeared yet again in another burst of swirling dust.
The missiles exploded in a shower of fire and shrapnel just a few feet from the semi, the shockwave hitting him and knocking him backward. Thankfully, Optimus wasn't severely damaged, only a few pieces of armor were dented as he was knocked to the ground. He looked around, trying to figure out who had stopped the missiles. Starscream had aimed, but none of his own had been fired. Thundercracker was staring at Sunstorm, who's energy aura had increased a bit. One hand was out, but in a fist. The look on his face said everything. The irradiated jet had numerous abilities due to his fusion core. Electromagnetic field manipulation was one of them. Accelerated healing was another. In this case, he had destroyed the missiles by reaching out with his own EM field and crushing it around them. His range for this ability wasn't very far, but the missiles were close enough for him to affect them. Optimus looked up at him and nodded a quick thanks, looking around for the attacker again, sensors on full alert.
Sunstorm, though, was the next to fall. A precise shot between his wingplates on his back, above the thrusters proved to be near fatal as he burst into flames and sparks, falling for the ground. Starscream and Thundercracker both bolted for the falling jet, trying to cut down the damage to their wingmate. Starscream, however, saw the attacker hovering in the air, thrusters on full, watching as Sunstorm plummeted. Thundercracker continued down after the burning jet, whereas Starscream raised his launchers and fired, twin projectiles with a name written on them.
The missiles would never reach their destination, as Skywarp disappeared yet again in a burst of dust. Following the lead of Shockwave, he went after mechs in the order that the intelligence officer relayed. First was Ironhide, the next, of course, was Optimus. But when Sunstorm had destroyed Skywarp's missiles, plans changed. The radioactive jet had to be taken out. He was too much of an advantage to the enemy. Shockwave didn't wish to destroy his creation, but logic dictated that as the clone had deviated from the Decepticon path by protecting Optimus, he had to be incapacitated. Skywarp followed given orders without a question, preparing to go after the next mech on Shockwave's list.
Mechs can't be repaired if the medic is offlined, now can they?
Ratchet was hovering over Ironhide, hardly having much time to do anything as Optimus had been fired at, and then Sunstorm. The movements of the enemy were fast. Too fast. He forced himself to focus at the task at hand, his hands already wrist-deep in circuits, armor and energon as he worked feverishly to repair the damage to Ironhide's back. It was field work, and it would be more of a quick-fix than a permanent job, but in this situation, he had to do this quickly if Ironhide was to survive the blast. He heard shouts of surprised and angry mechs, all trying to take aim at the dusting intruder. He put the sounds to the back of his processors, keeping his sensors on full just in case.
He continued working, managing to piece together a few wires and fuel lines before he heard a pfft sound behind him. He froze, every single alarm going off in his processors as a sudden blip appeared in his radar. The blip was right behind him. Almost instantly, he fell to one side, his energon-covered hands sliding out of Ironhide's damaged back as one hand formed into a sawblade. He lashed out as he rolled, feeling a satisfying crunch of his blade into armor, drawing out a shriek of pain from the other mech. Another pfft and Skywarp had disappeared again, most likely with the intent to regroup and try again. Ratchet sat up quickly, withdrawing his sawblade and heading back over to Ironhide. He knew he was being targeted now, and yet he still had to do what he could to get Ironhide back up and running. He plunged his hands into the cannonslinger's back again, continuing to repair him as fast as he was able.
Optimus rushed over to Ratchet, seeing the quick flurry of movements and attacks that just transpired. He knew, too, that Ratchet was now a target, and he would do what he could to keep his friend and medic from being taken out. He sent out a comm to Starscream and Thundercracker, not bothering with Sunstorm as the clone was now out of commission, to help him guard Ratchet and Ironhide. Sunstorm was severely damaged, but with only one medic, there was nothing anyone could do. For now, though, his fusion core was still stable...but there was no telling just how long that would last. Starscream took note of the comm, turning heading over to Optimus, taking to the air for an aerial advantage. Thundercracker looked at Sunstorm for a split second, growling in frustration, and headed over to Optimus as well, helping to form a barrier around the medic.
Mikaela watched with a horrified look at everything that was going on. It was like watching Skywarp appear and blast Starscream out of the sky all over again. The thought made her sick to her stomach. She never wanted to go through that again, to watch him or anyone else get attacked like that. But here she was, seeing it. Ironhide. Sunstorm. Possibly others, as well, if they weren't careful. She saw Sunstorm laying on the ground a short distance away, energon leaking and sparks flying from the wound in the jet's back. She covered her mouth with her hand and looked away. The fact that Sunstorm was basically a replica of Starscream and seeing that just brought back too many memories of the last battle. She closed her eyes, leaning her forehead against the door that had been propped open.
With Starscream, Thundercracker and Optimus surrounding him, he knew he stood a little bit more of a chance. His hands were soaked in energon, but numerous connections, wires and fuel lines were repaired already. The leaking had mostly stopped, but the weapons specialist was still offline. He ran more scans, trying to find the reason why he was still offline. He found more disconnected cables up in the area of the other's neck and groaned. Those were some of the most delicate wires to work on. He could certainly use Mikaela's help right now...
The medic growled softly to himself, looking around. Mikaela was nowhere in sight. He figured that she had gone into hiding. Smart girl, he mused for a second, optics resting on the open door of the base. From his angle, he could only see just slightly inside, not even the whole other door was in his view. He shook his head and glanced upward, seeing Starscream hovering higher in the air, thrusters keeping him afloat. He was still doing what he could to provide aerial support, his sensors on high alert.
"Starscream! I need you to locate Mikaela! I need her help!" Ratchet yelled, his voice relaying the urgency of the situation. But no sooner than he had spoken Skywarp appeared again, this time right behind Starscream.
It was almost like he felt it before he heard it, a split-second disturbance in the air behind him before the slight pfft sound was picked up by his audials. Because he, Skywarp and Thundercracker had all been in the same Trine since shortly after the war started, each of them had learned much of their wingmates' weaknesses and strengths. Skywarp's slight disturbance and the sound was his one warning that he was near you before you got hit with something. Usually it was being pushed. But today, the threat was far more deadly. Skywarp, when he put his processors to it, was a very, very deadly adversary. His teleporting ability gave him so much of an advantage in battle that it was very rare for an opponent to escape him, as proven with Ironhide and even Sunstorm. Ratchet had been either lucky, or Skywarp had been slightly on the slow side. Either way, when his teleporting was properly used, he was almost unstoppable.
Starscream, upon sensing the disturbance and hearing the sound, shot straight up in an attempt to escape his once-friend. He barely made it. Skywarp had fired right as he appeared, the dust effect hardly having time to disappear before two missiles left his launchers. Starscream moving when he did was probably the best thing he could have done all day. One missile slid right between his feet, the other shot to the right of his right foot. But he didn't escape completely unscathed. The heat and flame from both singed his his armor, pain lancing up his leg. He growled as he spun in the air, his launchers coming into point-blank range of Skywarp.
"Traitors."
It was all Skywarp said as he teleported out yet again, leaving in another cloud of dust. Starscream had fired right before he began to teleport, but the missiles just shot through the dust, slicing through the air and blowing a crater in the concrete below not far from the others. Thundercracker was closest to the blast, and when he realized what was happening, he turned his back to the blast and positioned himself between the blast and the others, using his body as a shield from the debris that went flying everywhere. Rocks and dirt hit him, but Ironhide and Ratchet were unharmed. Optimus had ducked down, joining Thundercracker in the shielding attempt.
"Slaggit, Starscream! Watch where you are firing!" Ratchet yelled looking up at the jet in the sky. He was infuriated at the entire situation. He needed more time, and time was not on their side. Lack of time made Ratchet a cranky medic, and this was no exception.
"Ratchet, I-" Starscream started, trying to explain, but was cut off abruptly by Ratchet.
"Just go get Mikaela! Or do SOMETHING to get her attention! Primus!" Ratchet swore, returning to trying to do what he could to help Ironhide more. Optimus spared Ratchet a quick glance, raising an optic ridge. It was rare to see Ratchet so upset. But when he was, everyone had better do as they were told. He had a reputation for bringing more mechs to the medbay when he was upset rather than fixing them. Though Optimus had never seen this happen, he figured the legends had to have started somewhere. Above them, Starscream growled impatiently, mentally dipping directly into his and Mikaela's bond. It was risky, as several factors could happen. One, Skywarp could realize what was going on and use the connection between the two against everyone. Two, his sudden connection, if successful, could cause Mikaela pain. To what extent, he didn't know. But right now...if he left his station, they would be vulnerable from above. He didn't have a choice. While managing to keep a sharp awareness of his surroundings, he forced his thoughts through the bond, coming into contact with Mikaela's mind rather fast. Even now, it was a comforting feeling, despite the force he needed to use to get her attention.
/Mikaela./
Mikaela stumbled back from the wall in a cry of sudden pain, feeling the onslaught of Starscream's connection. Dizziness took over and her hands grasped and fumbled for something to grab ahold of, one hand slapping back against the wall. A sharp stab of pain shot through her skull, causing her to bring a hand up to her forehead. It hurt...oh god did it hurt. She didn't think it would have caused her this much pain. Then again, so far they had only managed slow, eased connections, nothing this sudden and urgent. Her breathing quickened and she leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes, trying to focus.
/Star...that...ow../ she managed to reply across the bond, her head throbbing in pain. She knew he hadn't meant any harm; she could tell that by the urgency in his voice as he called to her. Starscream, on the other hand, felt exactly what it did to her, and he winced inwardly. He never intended for that to happen, but he had figured it was a possibility. He tried to lower the frequency as much as he could without losing connection, managing only a small amount.
/I'm sorry, my intent wasn't to hurt you. But Ratchet needs you out here./ He replied, trying to keep his voice from getting even more urgent. He glanced around, looking for Skywarp again. The teleporter's attacks were growing sporadic and highly unpredictable, which made him even more dangerous. One time he would attack, wait just a few seconds, attack again. The next time, though, might be a few minutes, or a few seconds. No one knew now, and it made everyone nervous and looking around constantly. Mikaela's flicked open in shock and fear. He wanted her to go out there?!
/Star, are you serious!?/ She asked, stunned. She glanced outside, only to see the fallen form of Sunstorm, who was disturbingly still, save for a finger that twitched every now and then. Once in a while, she swore she saw him try to move, but she wasn't sure. It saddened her, the memories of Starscream's attack still threatening to make her curl into the wall again. She leaned out the door a bit more, glancing around the corner. She could see them now; Optimus and Thundercracker standing back to back with Ironhide face down on the ground between them, with Ratchet leaning over him trying to fix him. Starscream hovered in the air a bit above them, high enough so that the backwash from his thrusters wouldn't hurt them.
She shielded her eyes as a sudden cloud of dust appeared, backing up a bit. When she uncovered her eyes, her hand went to her mouth in an attempt to silence a scream that came to her throat. Her eyes were wide as she looked up, seeing the towering figure of Skywarp as the mech raised an arm, launchers appearing. He fired a shot off, then disappeared again, dust swirling and dispersing where he had once been. All that was left was the missile he had shot, which was now searing it's way toward the others.
It was Thundercracker who got the shot in this time. He knew that Skywarp wouldn't stick around, so he aimed and fired off a missile of his own straight for his wingmate's launcher. Thankfully, both missiles connected and exlploded midair a good distance from where the group was standing. Mikaela whirled back behind the door as a blast of debris passed her, the blast being closer to her. Her heart felt like it was beating faster than what she thought was good for it. She closed her eyes again, trying to calm down at least a bit.
/Star, I can't-/
/Mikaela, please. Ironhide isn't onlining. Ratchet needs your help. And I can't leave here to come get you, they will be vulnerable from above./ He tried again, his voice growing more urgent. Ratchet was yelling at him again, demanding to know where Mikaela was. And this time, Ratchet's voice reached her ears, and she leaned out the door again, glancing out. She knew the risks. She would be a sitting duck out there as she ran for them. She bit her lip as she looked around, strands of hair falling into her eyes. She reached up, brushing them away hastily. Sweat beaded on her forehead, capturing a few small strands of hair and keeping them to her face. She ignored them, and made a decision. Without another word, and despite her fears, she bolted out the door at a full sprint, her now-loose ponytail flailing behind her, the tie slowly inching its way to the end of her hair.
Optimus saw her first, and aimed his cannon at her. Rather, behind her. He didn't know if Skywarp would appear anywhere around her, but he figured being ready in just such a case was going to be a wise move. It was a very smart move, in fact, as the cloud of dust appeared a few meters away from her. Optimus shot off a blast as the dust began to clear, not giving Skywarp a chance to teleport out before he realized what was coming to him. Optimus's shot hit Skywarp in the shoulder, blowing a hole in one of his wingplates that stuck out from his shoulder. Skywarp let out a shriek of pain, whirling with the blast that hit his wing. Mikaela never stopped running, the knowledge that Skywarp was behind her only made her run faster. How, she had no idea. She just knew she needed to run, and run fast. Her ponytail tie finally fell out on the ground, landing forgotten amongst the rocks, concrete chips, dirt and dust strewn around the ground.
Ratchet saw her running, and gave a sigh of relief, reaching out a still energon-covered hand for her to climb on as soon as she was close enough. She didn't even stop running as she got closer, instead pushing up off the ground with one foot with more strength than she thought she had, launching off the ground and landing into Ratchet's hand. She grabbed onto one of his fingers as he began to lift her up, effectively stopping her momentum from keeping her going and forcing her to slide off the other side of his hand. She had slid forward a bit, but was stopped by her hanging on forcefully to a piece of armor. Her legs and hands were splattered with energon now, but she didn't care. A friend needed help, and she wasn't going to let
"Thank you, Mikaela. I need your help," Ratchet said, setting his hand down near Ironhide's neck. "He's got damage to connections in his neck...do you think you can get to them?" He asked as she climbed off his hand and stepping down to his neck. She could see the problems already, and nodded, kneeling down. She brushed a frizzed lock of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her right ear.
"Yeah, I can. I can see some of the problems. Just tell me what to do, Ratchet," she said, her fingers already working over wires and connections, inspecting them as she would on a regular car. Granted, this was a true life form, but the basic concept was the same. If a wire was frayed, it needed to be replaced, or patched properly. She pulled out the switchblade knife that she had carried with her since Simmons gave it to her the night she helped fix Starscream, flicking it open and leaning down, pulling a few wires apart as she started repairing what she could, Ratchet leading her on, and pointing out what went where as he did his own repairs elsewhere on Ironhide's back.
The sky had darkened a bit as Bumblebee sped down the road at speeds that would give speedbreakers a 200 dollar-plus ticket. At over 20 miles past the 75 MPH speed limit, the camaro and it's passengers zipped by, all three anxious to get back to the base. Optimus had contacted Bumblebee several hours ago, asking them to come back as soon as possible. They had gotten supplies; clothes, food, even tools for repairs, which included wrenches, electrical tape and lots of it, several welders, cutters, and many other things. Sam had raided his dad's garage, borrowing a few things just in case. He didn't know what to expect, only that there was a chance of them being attacked at the base. Little did any of them know that the battle had started already.
Simmons sat in his passenger seat, a smug look on his face. Just a few minutes more, and the favor he called in should be arriving. He held his phone in his hand, a finger tapping the closed surface of it expectantly. He would receive a phone call once what he asked for was in the area. Sam knew what Simmons had done, and his hands were gripping at Bee's wheel in nervousness and worry. He was having second thoughts about having told the agent to go ahead with his plan. He wanted Mikaela happy, but at the same time, he wanted her safe. He glanced over at Simmons, once again, pursing his lips a bit in a look of mixed frustration and determination. He prayed he wasn't wrong.
Both men jumped as the phone started ringing, a screechy version of "Bad to the Bone" began to fill the air. Sam looked over at Simmons with a look of disbelief, recognizing the old tune. In one way, he couldn't believe Simmons used that song for a ring tone. Then he thought again, realizing it fit the agent's personality all too well. Simmons raised his phone, giving Sam a look, answering his phone finally.
"Yes?" He asked, pausing for a moment as information was relayed to him. His face went from a darkened look, to a look of pure satisfaction. "Good. I'll let you know how it turns out." With that, he clicked the phone shut. He looked over at Sam, who at the moment was facing the street in front of him. Sam, sensing the other looking at him, looked back at the agent. Both men glanced back and forth at the street and then at each other, before one spoke.
"What?"
"You're kidding, right?" Sam asked, his tone somewhere between amused and disbelieving. Simmons raised an eyebrow as he pocketed his phone, sliding it in the pocket inside his coat.
"Kidding? About what?" He asked, a bit perplexed.
"Your ringtone." Sam answered flatly, looking at him, then glancing back out to the road, then back at Simmons. Sam knew Bee was driving perfectly fine, but watching the road was a habit that was rather hard to break, and one that shouldn't be broken either way.
"What's wrong with my ringtone?" Simmons asked defensively. He happened to like the song, and thought it fit him very well. He was bad to the bone...or at least, he thought so. Sam looked at him for another moment, then shook his head, looking back out to the street, not answering. His silence would be enough.
"What's wrong with my ringtone?!" He repeated, annoyed at Sam's refusal to answer the question. Sam, once again, shook his head.
"Nothing. It's fine. Just..I dunno. It's fine. I mean, for you, it's fine." Sam finally said, shrugging one shoulder and waving a hand slightly, stammering slightly. He didn't really feel like telling Simmons that the song seemed a bit...too egotistic. Simmons stared at him for a moment, not believing him.
"You don't like my ringtone." He stated finally, putting Sam in the spotlight. Sam glanced at the agent, then half shrugged again, mouth opening, closing then opening again.
"I-well, no, it-its fine. Seriously, it's fine." He said, pausing a moment, biting his lip. "..No, I don't-"
"Why? There's nothing wrong with it. I like the song. Leave it alone." He shot back, defending his choice of ringer. He shifted in his seat, reaching up and adjusting his tie a bit. Sam glanced at him again, raising an eyebrow.
"But why that-" Sam started again, but he was cut off by a loud, deafening roar. He leaned forward, trying to see what was causing the sound. The light outside was still light enough to see shapes and some color, but it was quickly fading. Several sets of afterburners shot over them as a squadron of F-22s shot over them, heading right for the base. Sam's eyes widened, picking out at least ten jets. He stared at them, then looked over at Simmons. He was not surprised to see the smug look on his face once again.
"And the cavalry arrives." He said calmly, not even sparing Sam a look.
END CHAPTER 24
A/N- I know this chapter is a bit shorter, and it is really fast-paced, especially in the beginning. But it's kinda meant to be that way. Also, I have no idea if there is a specific number to a squadron of jets, so just bear with me there. Better than saying a flock of jets. XD Hopefully this isn't as text-walled as the last one. And one more thing: I didn't realize until after I was re-reading this that Skywarp's dust-effect as he teleports is extremely similar to Nightcrawler in the X-MEN live action movie, "X2". This was not done on purpose, and I do not claim the effect as my own. This was purely coincidental.