Chapter 121 – Primary Objective
Elita P.O.V
/NOT AGAIN! I HAVE LET HIM DOWN AGAIN!/. The thought tears through my processor and threatens to overwhelm me as I watch what is presumably Lockdown's behemoth of a ship hoist its cargo inside.
I rev my engines and push myself to speed even faster as I desperately try to reach Optimus in time, but it is no use. As I screech to a halt and transform under the belly of the beast, I arrive in time to see a final flash of blue and red flames ensnared within a net disappear inside the bowels of the ship. /I doubt he even saw me!/.
''OPTIMUS!'' I scream as I produce my blaster and aim it at the cargo bay doors. My digit begins to squeeze the trigger - though I hesitate. /Any volley of shots I fire would do nothing to penetrate that ship's exterior and they may only serve to draw Lockdown's attention to us, encouraging him to fire upon us/. With a loud, frustrated growl I stow my blaster in subspace and sink to my knees slamming my fist into the ground.
Not far off from me I notice a human male in a similar position and another standing off behind him, his hands on his head. Both of them look like I feel. I narrow my optics. ''WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE DID THEY TAKE HIM?'' I bark at them.
The one standing throws his hands in the air, ''Whoa, whoa, I surrender.''
The other man slowly raises his head and stares right back at me before he looks skywards at the retreating ship. ''Where are they taking him and her you mean. Name's Cade Yeager and that bastard has not only got Prime, but he has my daughter - Tessa. Who might YOU be?''
I feel myself lower my optics in shame at my actions just now. ''I'm sorry Cade Yeager. I am Elita One, I am,'' I paused a moment considering my words, ''I am a female Autobot and a friend of Optimus Prime's. I assume you and your friend are allies of Optimus Prime?'' I nod my helm in their direction and raise an optical ridge in silent query.
Cade looks questioningly at the other man who has since lowered his hands sheepishly, appearing to consider his response. ''We are friends of Optimus Prime, yes.''
There is a screech of tyres, the smell of burnt rubber and the sound of transforming as Arcee, Bumblebee, Jazz, Drift, and Crosshairs arrive. They too begin to produce their weapons and train it on the ship above.
I scowl in their direction, my face like thunder. ''DON'T BOTHER!'' I warn them. ''There is no point, our weapons are ineffectual and would only serve to irritate Lockdown.'' I do not move from where I kneel.
Jazz sends me a sad smile as he lowers his weapon. ''Hey 'Lita. Good ta see ya again.'' He tilts his helm to the side and his grin spreads across his dermas. ''Wish it coulda been under better circumstances but hey – jus' glad ya back!''
I give him a nod of my helm, ''Likewise Jazz.'' I am not in the chatting mood as I watch Lockdown's ship move off with Prime and Cade's daughter aboard.
Jazz, noting my response, turns to Arcee, ''Heya Cee! Good ta see ya too.''
Arcee smiles at Jazz as she places her weapon in subspace. ''Hey Jazz!'' She then casts her optics about the group, searching. ''Ah, where is Sideswipe - and the others?'' A look of fear flickers across her face briefly, ''Are they all okay or are you the only one..''
Jazz cuts her off. ''It's all good Arcee. 'Sides, Dino, Roadbuster and Topspin are all okay.'' He sends her a smile and she visibly relaxes.
I ex-vent deeply and rise to my pedes, clenching my servos in fists by my sides to try and contain my anger. ''Well, where are they Jazz? Not like any of them to miss the opportunity for a fight.''
Jazz laughs, ''Won't argue there 'Lita. They're on a separate mission right now.''
Bumblebee beeps and whirrs his confusion, ''Say what now?''
''Yeah! What gives? Last I knew it was just Dino and Sideswipe back at that Primus forsaken factory. Why are the Wreckers gone now too?'' Crosshairs, folded his arms across his chest and fixed Jazz with a questioning look.
''Cross hairs, it would stand to reason that Jazz has sent the Wreckers back to Chicago and the factory to provide back up for Dino and Sideswipe,'' Drift sheathed his swords once again. ''I am sure Jazz has his reasons for making this decision and, as Prime's second in command, and one worthy of the position, I say we trust his actions.''
Jazz flashed Drift a smile, ''Thanks for tha vote of confidence Drift!''
The sound of more engines revving announced the arrival of Ironhide, Rachet and Hound as they transformed to join us. All three smiled in my direction and then Arcee's, acknowledging our presence. Rachet spoke up, ''Elita, Arcee, so good to see you both again.'' Though we did not get a chance to reply before Crosshairs interjected.
''Where have you lot been?'' Crosshairs accused.
Ironhide took a menacing step towards him, his cannons whirring. ''We have been making sure there weren't any other KSI prototypes around to follow us and that Stinger and that rip off Prime lookin' truck had aborted their attack so you would all be free to help Prime – which I can see you did a great job there Crosshairs.''
Crosshairs said nothing in reply, he simply glowered at Ironhide.
I pinched the bridge of my olfactory senses in annoyance and frustration. ''Look, it doesn't matter where they were, they are here now!. The problem is Prime isn't,'' I sent Cade a sympathetic look, ''nor is Tessa and we need to focus our energies on getting them off that ship.''
''That's right!'' Cade piped up, standing to his feet, and walking towards me. ''Look, I hate to break up the touching back story here but in case you haven't noticed, we have a limited amount of time before Lockdown and that ship, which currently contains my daughter Tessa AND Prime, are gone for good!''
''I agree. I think it is safe ta assume that Lockdown is headed back ta Chicago ta meet up with Attinger an' Savoy as I believe they have had some sort of deal with Lockdown in exchange for Prime. That's why tha humans targeted him in Mexico City and have continued ta do so.'' Jazz spoke up, servos on hips.
I felt myself flinch at his mention of Mexico City, though I let the feelings wash over me. They would serve no purpose at this point in time. I turned questioning optics to Jazz. ''Who is this Attinger and Savoy and what kind of deal do you speak of Jazz?''
He gave me a very serious stare, his visor flashing angrily. ''Attinger an' Savoy are two arseholes who have spearheaded tha agency that has been huntin' all transformers and tha deal is tha kind that could mean tha end of this planet!'' He paused a moment. ''I think Lockdown is givin' Attinger an' Savoy a seed.''
I felt my dermas fly open in utter shock and fear. ''No! Bu…But why? What would the humans want with that!''
Ironhide growled, ''Well, I gotta few ideas and if we get our afts into gear and get on board that ship, we may just be able to find all that out!''
At this Bumblebee and the others transformed, save for Jazz and I. Cade and the other man ran to Bumblebee and jumped inside. ''Autobots, follow that ship. Our primary objective is ta find a way ta get on board an' save Prime an' Tessa. Roll out!'' Jazz ordered the others. My spark lurched in its casing. It felt wrong not hearing Prime's deep voice give the order.
I transformed and revved my engine as did Jazz. ::Jazz, what is this factory you talk of and why are Sideswipe, Dino and now Roadbuster and Topspin there?:: I commed Jazz as we tore off towards the city.
Jazz laughed down the line, ::Don't worry 'Lita, I'll give ya a quick summary on tha way ta get ya up ta speed, but Side's and tha others are there ta keep an eye on things and act as our second last line of defense if things should take a turn for the worst, which it seems they may well do::
I felt my optic ridge crease in confusion, ::Second last? Who is our last line of defense Jazz? Prime is on Lockdown's ship!::
Jazz's voice sounded sad but determined at the same time and he sighed down the comms, before he uttered a single word that stilled my spark, :: Phoenix::
