Robotech vs Transformers: Revenge Road
Chapter Eighteen
Optimus Prime reacted pretty much as Arcee expected, calm but serious. He was a great commaner for the Autobots, and she strongly suspected he would become one of their legendary leaders. He leaned forward as he murmured, "The Stuntacons, Contructicons and the Combaticons? This is a grave threat."
"We spotted the meeting by satellite survelance after Arcee contacted us. They were dispersing at the time," Perceptor noted, the scientist looking troubled, "but we confirmed the presence of all three teams of combiners."
"I think we need to recall the Protectabots and Aerialbots teams to Autobot City," Ultra Magnus suggested gravely.
"Not necessarily," Optimus sighed, the red and silver Autobot looking troubled.
Arcee frowned slightly then realized what he meant. "You think they let us find them?" she asked, "To trick us somehow?"
"I can think of targets that would be more valuable to hit than Autobot City," Optimus admitted, frowning thoughtfully. "The factories where the humans build their fighters would cripple them, if they were destroyed."
"We've put out warnings to our human allies," Magnus noted, "Gloval himself seemed quite concerned. They are stepping up patrols as well."
"We need to find the 'Cons base," Ironhide drawled, the older Transformer shaking his head. "We have to hit 'em and keep hittin' 'em."
"I agree old friend," Optimus nodded, "but finding them is the problem." He made a face, "It's part of why I want the Aerialbots out on patrol, they can cover a search grid much faster than anyone of us can."
Arcee nodded grimly. "Permission to return to the search?" she asked.
"As you wish," Optimus nodded and watched as she hurried off. He sat back with a sigh as he told Magnus, "We need a clue, something to point to where the Decepticons are hiding, or we'll never stop them for good."
"We'll stop them," Magnus said firmly, "it's just a matter of time."
Outside Arcee switched to sportcar mode, racing off down the road from their base in the mountains. She knew the Decepticons wouldn't attack the Ark, it was too powerfully fortified. That left Autobot City, the human Fortresses and their factories. She would determine the enemy's target and stop them... she was sure of it.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
There was trouble on Cybertron. Shockwave was the most powerful of Decepticons on the planet, and he held on to rule in Megatron's name, but he could feel his grip on power fraying. The Autobots were launching more and more successful raids against his forces and worse there was dissatisfaction growing in his own people.
It was the Autobots successful attack on the Nemesis on Earth that did it, Shockwave knew. The Decepticon leader had been shown as weak, unable to even protect his headquarters, much less the precious energon reserves there. If he couldn't protect that, what could the people of Cybertron expect of him?
Making things worse were the quiet rebellions of the worker drones. Repairs weren't done properly, energon stocks were spoiled, even supplies were being rerouted to the Autobots! And all of it done secretly, on such small scale that he couldn't even trace back the crimes to those responsible. IT was frustrating, like being nibbled to death by cyberrats.
And what was most distressing... Shockwave found his own confidence waning. He had willingly followed Megatron for ages, but now, he began to wonder. The constant stream of failures from Earth, the tiny fleshlings who somehow achieved a transforming technology that could match a Cybertronian, it seemed impossible. The Decepticons should be crushing these fleshlings! They had the power, the tactrics, the EXPERIENCE. Yet again and again, they lost.
For the first time in a age Shockwave knew doubt... and it ate at him.
In another part of Cybertron, the news of Decepticon losses were met with joy and a impromptu party. "Damn it, stop celebrating," Springer complained as the green triple changer was given a heroes welcome to the moon base of Iacon.
"Oh don't spoil it," Elita One noted mildly, the older feminine Autobot looking amused. "We know we haven't won the war, but it's nice to see Megatron get knocked on his ass."
"I'm more worried about what he'll do when he gets back up," Springer said darkly.
"Tell us bout how you scragged Soundwave!" Dion asked eagerly, the older Autobot a member of the security teams for Iacon.
"I didn't," Springer said, then with a sigh told the story about the oil rig ambush again.
"You sound like you really admire these humans," a older, cranky looking Autobot observed.
"I do," Springer admitted, "they're taking the same sort of risks we are, but they die a hell of a lot more easily."
"Okay, everyone, dinner time," another Autobot called as he carried in a tray of energon tablets, "eat up."
Springer felt a bit of guilt over getting a slightly larger portion, but rationalized it by reminding himself he'd be fighting for his life soon enough. As he ate he asked Elita One, "Is there a reason they're not happy about Earthers?"
Elita One looked amused, "Well, I have been spreading around the footage of the Humans beating Megatron back and nearly killing him when he attacked their Fortresses. Not to mention your recent ambush of his forces."
"They didn't nearly kill him," Springer had to say.
"I edited it a bit," Elita One admitted. As he looked at her annoyed she continued, "It's propeganda, Springer. Every time the Decepticons loose, we need to make the planet know. And if I can, I want them terrified of the humans, if only for the psychological value."
Springer grunted softly. "Just don't underestimate the humans," he said after a moment, "they might really be a serious threat to the Decepticons."
"Oh?" Elita One had to ask.
"There's more of them, they appear to be very good at developing and improving on technology and they have some very good pilots," Springer shrugged. "If they can continue to build and man their Veritechs they could end up winning by sheer numbers."
Elita One digested that. "Do you think Megatron knows?" she asked.
"I hope not," Springer said, "because if he does he's smart enough to do something about it."
Changing the subject Elita One noted, "One thing our propoganda has been doing is fanning the dissatisfaction the Decepticons are feeling towards Megatron. Any time a leader looks weak, someone will make a move."
"You seriously think there might be a uprising here?" Springer had to ask.
"A few more losses," Elita One shrugged, "who knows?"
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"So let me get this straight," Izzy said as they sat through a briefing, "these... combiner transformers can hook up into a giant, more powerful form?"
"That would be correct, yeah," Roy Fokker agreed, he, along with a few others, briefing senior pilots on the situation.
"So why don't they just stay in combined mode?" Rick Hunter had to ask. "You'd think it'd make more sense."
"According to the files their combined form requires immense mental discipline from all five or so robots to maintain," Claudia noted. "As it is most of the combiners are idiots in their united state."
"So if they get into a mental argument they break up?" Roy nodded.
Izzy nodded thoughtfully, "We can use that. Plus, if they are that dumb we can trip 'em up and otherwise distract them."
"Just don't underestimate them," another senior pilot said grimly. "If they get a solid grip on you you're dead meat."
Lisa Hayes watched the pilots backing and forthing on what to do about the combiners and devising tactics. Izzy was right in the middle, as usual, and made guesses and suggested ideas at a furious pace. Sadly they just didn't know enough about the limitations on the combiners, so most of it was guesswork.
"All right everyone," Roy took over briskly, "get the data packets back to your teams. We don't know when, or even if, we'll be fighting these things so get your pilots briefed."
The squadron leaders filed out, leaving Izzy, Lisa, Claudia and Roy. "Nicely done," Izzy smiled, "you getting used to the top spot yet?"
"Getting there," Roy admitted. He smiled grimly, "I think I'm actually a bit more stressed than I was, knowing I have this many pilots depending on me."
Lisa smiled, "Now you know how I felt."
"Oh, mean," Roy smiled.
Claudia snickered, "Come on, lover boy. We've got work to do."
Izzy got up, walking over to Lisa as she asked, "You busy?"
Lisa looked at her curiously but replied, "I've got my second in command covering the bridge, so I can take a little time."
The two women walked together, Izzy leading until they took a hatch up onto the deck of the Fortress. The sea breeze blew across their faces, the two women standing in the shadow of one of the canons. There was a moment of serene silence, despite the cries of seagulls and the splash of the waves.
"You know, I'm actually happy that Roy has pretty much taken over the fighter management from you," Izzy noted as they stood close together.
"Was I that bad at it?" Lisa asked wryly.
"No, because this way you're not as directly in my chain of command," Izzy said. "You see, when you're my direct boss it makes doing something like this rather complicated."
Lisa was about to ask what 'this' was when Izzy stepped forward and kissed her lingeringly. Now, Lisa had been kissed a few times, but this... this was something else. She nearly felt herself swoon like some pulp heroine, but managed to get herself under control.
"I hope I wasn't out of line," Izzy said softly as they finally pulled apart.
"No, no," Lisa laughed, "I've wanted you to do that for weeks."
Izzy smiled back, "You weren't exactly sending clear signals, you know."
Lisa shrugged, "Well, I haven't really done this before." She leaned in close for another kiss as she added, "But I'm willing to practice..."
To be continued...
Notes: Sorry for the late update. This chapter has been giving me fits.