BATTLE CRY

CHALLENGE YOU

XXX

The Autobots are defeated.

In the wake of Megatron's victory, the United States scrambles its army to contain the new threat promising to spread from the Nevada borders and take over the entire country, then the world. Struggling to keep up international relations while the Decepticons march across American soil, all hope seems lost for the technologically inferior race.

In Area 51, the odds are a little more favorable for the defensive. Commanded by Starscream, the human and Autobot resistance scores small victory after small victory, pushing the arbitrary Decepticon borders back towards New Darkmount and humiliating Cyclonus. With the failure of his new second-in-command, Megatron returns to Earth, bringing along his converted servant Ratchet to quash the human resistance once and for all.

Jack leads the guerrilla attacks against each Decepticon base, his missions serving as the one distraction from his waking - and sleeping - nightmares.

Miko works together with her partner Bulkhead, the only one fortunate to still have an original connection to Team Prime, as they build new weapons to help their human allies gain the upper hand.

Rafael remains on the technological defensive, aligning himself with the newly-recruited Jazz and making an unstoppable team.

Sierra, an unexpected hero, takes to the skies with Starscream to participate in vicious dogfights in an effort to keep her people safe, putting a massive target on her back in the process.

Even with the help of every available resource, the advantage still remains with the Decepticons. But unbeknownst to all, a spark flickers in the Sea of Rust, promising to be the salvation the Autobots pray for.

XXX

"Just one more time, before I go
I'll let you know,"

XXX

EARTH: THREE YEARS AFTER I-DAY

Jack hit the ground and rolled, his fingers instinctively gripping the hilt of the rifle tighter. His subconscious firearm safety ensured he did not accidentally pull the trigger as he flailed in the dirt, not as graceful as he would have liked. Sand stuck to his skin and kicked up in his face, obscuring his vision for a brief moment. Even then, he kept running, ducking behind dumpsters and buildings just in case he had to truly avoid detection. Though it was already night time, he could not gamble on the fact that he managed to slip away without incurring attention. Though on the plus side, his vision was the sense he had the least reliance on at the moment, so getting sand in his eyes was hardly an issue.

Arriving within the bare minimum radius, he took a few more long strides to ensure he was safe then ducked into an abandoned building. The decorations on the concrete wall suggested it had once been a Mexican restaurant, and he briefly wondered if he would find old churros in the back.

Focus.

Pulling out his radio, he flipped on to channel 2 and took a breath.

"This is J2 reporting in. The glue is stuck and no falcon eyes spotted. Over."

"J2 this is Wild Bill. You are cleared, over."

Flipping the radio off he pocketed it, next pulling out the detonator and arming it. His blue eyes peered over the rim of a window, the glass having long been blown out. Focused on the target, he inhaled again, exhaling slowly and allowing the grin to creep up his face.

"This is for you, 'cee."

With a push of the button he closed his eyes and ducked, the resulting explosion rocking the wall and kicking up three years' worth of dust. Decepticons howled as they were incinerated, their strange growls and clicks sending shivers down his spine. A second explosion then went off, eliciting more screams and curses when the larger robotic organisms were destroyed.

Jack Darby got back up to his feet, the sounds dying around him, gazing at the horizon as the sun peeked over the edge and displayed a beautiful array of coloring, the bright oranges and reds chased by the life-giving star.

Without another word he made off towards the rendezvous point, gripping his rifle in both hands as he slipped along the shadows. As much as he would have liked to stay behind to ensure the complete annihilation of the Decepticon encampment, he had a home he needed to back to. His mother would be waiting with nail-biting anticipation, and he was sure Miko would be dying to know the gory details.

He sighed. He wished Arcee was here. She would have loved this.

XXX

"Lord Megatron . . . I regret to inform you that the humans have made another hit. This time at outpost AZ273. The only survivor perished during surgery."

"How is it," the lord of the Decepticons growled, "that a team of insects are capable of sneaking past our defenses and destroying our troops?!"

"They used energon bombs, sir -"

"Not what I meant," Faster than one would have thought possible with his bulk, Megatron whipped around. He bared his sharp denta at the cowering Vehicon, his Prime arm curling into a fist. "I want to know how our guard has been let down! The Decepticon cause is slacking, and I will not tolerate failures."

"Shall I send reinforcements, sir?"

Megatron shot him a glare. "Let them have it. It is not an energon mine, and it will provide Soundwave with a means to track their next move. Leave the humans be."

"Yes, lord Megatron."

With that the drone left the throne room, his pede steps echoing against the metal walls. While the construction and maintenance of Cybertron was going well . . . it appeared that Earth's inhabitants were still resisting. Cyclonus had yet to call him and update his lord on the situation, which was to be expected. It was embarrassing.

Especially since the mastermind behind it all was Starscream.

This did not mean Megatron felt for his new second in command. On the contrary, he was deciding on how to punish Cyclonus for attempting to either cover up the situation or just not inform Megatron in the hopes of avoiding any negative consequences. That was why Soundwave remained stationed on the dirt planet, as he was perhaps the only other tactician that could match Starscream.

The master Decepticon was almost in disbelief at the thought that Starscream would align himself with the humans. He had to credit Jack Darby - the child had the mind of a Decepticon. Megatron made the mistake like everyone else, assuming Jack was like Orion Pax. No, he was like Megatronus, manipulative for the good of his people and his own survival. Perhaps that was why Starscream and he got along so well.

Regardless, the damage was done. The humans had escaped, and Starscream with them. But, there was still many more wins stacked against them. Megatron was every patient, and he would have the rebellion quashed.

Then he would personally execute Starscream, in front of everyone, as an example. He had been a fool for giving in to Ratchet's wishes, but it mattered not now.

The medic had made himself eternally useful to the Decepticon cause, practicing medicine and science alongside of the newfound Shockwave. With their two brilliant minds playing off of one another, they created new and better upgrades that gave the Decepticons the edge they needed. With time, this pathetic Autobot resistance would be crushed.

Everything was going as planned.