In the mountains outside Darkmount
August 5, 2014, 1115 hours
Two men sat in the dirt, watching as smoke plumes rose from the Predacon's final moments. The men had two very different ages. One was well into his twenties, he had blond wild hair and had mischief filled blue eyes. He wore a black and grey flight suit and beside him sat an identically colored helmet. He's Lieutenant Roy Fokker of Skull squadron, double ace of the SMS and the man beside him is his adopted brother Lieutenant Rick Hunter of the Vermillion Squadron. Rick was barely leaving his teens and he had black hair with light blue eyes. He wore a red and white flight suit with his helmet sitting next to his brother's. The two of them were here with their F-35E's equipped with experimental SHADOW stealth systems that can hide from Cybertronian sensors.
"There he goes again, showing off. Do you think he'll leave us any?" Rick asked putting down his binoculars.
Roy looked through his set of binoculars. "I highly doubt it. He hates people getting hurt so he tries to shoulder the entire battle. Sound like anyone we know." Roy peeked out from under his binoculars and looked pointedly at Rick.
The younger pilot puffed his cheeks out. "Yeah, Yeah."
The coms inside their helmets crackled and the brothers put on their respective helmets.
"Skull leader and Vermillion leader, this is Phoenix nest. Come in. Over." Lisa called over the radio.
"We're here." Roy answered for rick.
"You are to rendezvous with VF-0 and proceed with the destruction of Darkmount. Over."
"Alright, tell him we're on our way."
"Understood. Watch each other's backs out there." She advised.
"Roger." the siblings replied simultaneously.
They got up and headed for their Synthetic Energon powered and weaponized jets. Roy's fighter was decorated in a black and yellow design with a skull-and-crossbones on the rudder. Rick's design was similar to that of Phoenix's white with red stripes on the main body and wings. They entered the cockpits of their respective fighter. Priming their engines, they turned on the SHADOW devices and entered VTOL mode to rise above the mountains. Once they reached optimal flight altitude, they returned to normal flight mode and took off in Phoenix's direction.
Roy contacted Rick. "Well, little brother. Looks we'll get to find out if he left some for us."
Rick answered back. "Guess so."
"Uploading the rendezvous point to him, now." The Ace notified.
RECEIVING DATA FROM SMS PILOT LIEUTENANT ROY FOKKER
…
RECEIVED
LOCATION GAMMA-8 SET AS RENDEZVOUS POINT
ALTERING COURSE…
Darkmount, Nevada
August 5, 2014, 1122 hours
Megatron dragged Ultra Magnus by his foot to the throne room. The current Autobot leader groaned as his head scraped against the floor. Megatron wanted to tear the 'bot's spark out, but the Decepticon leader had yet to see Optimus. Megatron planned to interrogate him and if necessary torture him until he knew where Optimus is. The only wrenches that were currently in his plan were the femme and the scout still uncaptured, and the human forces.
The vehicons had been giving him constant coverage of the battles and both were not in his favor. The insecticons were being torn apart by the ground forces and all the human loss totaled fifteen units. Then predacon was defeated by the white jet that can transform. The Fusion Cannons on his beloved base could not be fired at this range, a fault the needs to be solved. A good way to end this fight is to throw both the Autobot leaders at their feet and watch them despair. Megatron would then unleash the full might of the Decepticons. He entered the throne room.
Starscream bowed. "Welcome back, my lord."
The Decepticon pulled Ultra Magnus to the center of the throne and tossed him forward. "Now where is Optimus Prime?"
The blue cybertronian stayed silent.
Megatron growled. "I won't ask again. Where is Optimus?"
Ultra Magnus pushed himself up. "Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you."
Megatron extended his internal blade, time for mind games. "Take him to Shockwave and torture what we need from him, then take his friends and throw them in the pit."
Starscream instead walked forward. "What is that?"
Megatron looked. In the distance the was a silhouette in the sun. "The Predacon?"
Starscream backed away. "Not beasty, enough."
As the silhouette grew closer, horror grew on Megatron and Starscream only confirmed it.
"I recognize that paint scheme."
Now everyone could see it or him fully. It was Optimus Prime. He had gained armor making him bulkier and taller than before and on his back was an advanced flight system. No wonder Prime had been missing from this fight, he had been getting upgrades. Optimus flew in and landed with ease. Without stopping his forward motion, Optimus punched Megatron in his faceplate then turned to strike with his opposing elbow before punching him again in his chest. Megatron flew back and crashed in his throne reducing it to rubble.
The vehicons in the room charged Optimus. Optimus responded by reaching behind his back and pulling a Gatling gun out and fired a spray that cut down the Vehicons like a scythe through grain. Starscream had watched all of this and slowly backed up hoping to stealthily escape. Except he backed right into Ultra Magnus. The second-in-command whimpered as the 'bot brought his arm back and delivered a right uppercut. Starscream went flying into the stairs leading to the throne, unconscious.
Optimus turned to face the 'bot who had replaced him for a short time. "Commander?"
Ultra Magnus gave him the once-over. "Sir, you're looking...robust. It is paramount that we disable the fusion cannons below."
Prime nodded. "Understood."
The revived leader turned and jumped off the building, flying towards the cannon.
Ultra Magnus raised everyone on the coms. "All units. Optimus Prime has returned."
He could hear everyone cheer. Today would be theirs."
NEW ENERGON SIGNATURE
SCANNING…
...
ERROR
NO MATCH IN DATABASE
SWITCHING TO VISUAL
SCANNING…
…
ERROR NO MATCH
CONTACTING LIEUTENANT ROY FOKKER…
Darkmount Airspace
August 5, 2014, 1125 hours
'Optimus sure knows how to make an entrance.' Roy commented to him self.
The two pilots had just met up with the VF-0 and had altered their course to Darkmount. Thanks to the zoom ability on their battle-cams all three SMS pilots saw Optimus's grand entrance. A beeping from his console brought his attention to a message from Phoenix.
Phoenix: I can't match the new signature to the database. Need clarification.
Roy sighed and opened a com-channel. "Both you and I know who that is."
Phoenix: Doesn't match any entries in the database.
The human pilot pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look, Phoenix. Don't depend so much on the database. Remember, you're not just a machine. You're better than that."
Phoenix: You're right. Thanks, Roy.
He just shrugged. "No problem. Now, what's the plan?"
Phoenix: The objective hasn't changed just some factors. We'll give Optimus cover while he tears the 'cons a new one.
"Now that's the spirit. Rick did ya get that?" Fokker commented
Rick enthusiastically replied. "You bet. Let's show these guys whose planet this is."
All three jets hit the afterburners and charged Darkmount.
Darkmount Airspace
August 5, 2014, 1127 hours
Optimus fired a spray of Energon at Megatron who chased him around Darkmount. The Decepticon leader dodged the bolts and fired three sets of blaster bolts that Optimus spiraled to avoid. The roar of jets brought the Autobot's attention forward as Starscream followed by a large group of vehicons circled around the tower the opposite way. With Optimus in the middle, both Megatron and Starscream's group fired at him, forcing him into maneuvers wildly to avoid getting hit. The Autobot leader turned away from darkmount to avoid the pincer movement.
The Decepticons congealed into a single group and pursued while laying down heavy suppressive fire. The newly airborne cybertronian attempted to return to Darkmount but it seems Megatron's priority is not killing Prime but keeping him far from the Decepticon base. Near Darkmount Optimus could see that Shockwave was charging towards Bulkhead and Wheeljack. The battle had taken a turn for the worst.
Hope was rekindled as three human jets hurtled over Optimus's head and scattered the opposers. Optimus watched as three human jets downed vehicon after vehicon and noticed that Megatron had taken a particular liking to one. Optimus turned around and joined the fight. A black and yellow fighter joined Optimus and the pilot saluted the prime, which he returned.
"So, you're the famous Optimus prime." His voice had a hint of humor and respect.
Optimus nodded. "Indeed, I am. However, I must ask who are you and why are you here? No human forces should be in the area as far as I was notified."
"Lieutenant Roy Fokker of the SMS. We're here thanks to him, Phoenix." Roy gestured to the outlier in the human forces.
Phoenix- to Optimus' surprise- had the ability to transform between three forms. A fighter jet resembling the humans' F-14, a humanoid form and a form where it's a combination. The pilot was an ace by the way he used all three forms to his advantage, cutting swaths in the Decepticon seekers while keeping Megatron on the defensive. Despite how good these pilots and machines below are, there's only one way this fight's going to be won.
Optimus diverted his attention back to Roy. "Lieutenant Roy. The Fusion Cannons must be destroyed or all of this will be for naught."
Roy nodded. "Alright guys, huddle up."
Phoenix and the other white/red fighter firing flares that detonated into smoke bombs broke away from the fight and rejoined Roy.
"Here's how things are:" The Lieutenant commanded. "Megatron, Starscream, and a group of seekers stand between Prime and those Fusion Cannons. Phoenix, it seems that Megatron has some beef with you, distract him. I'll taunt Starscream and his lackeys. Rick, Shockwave's got the upper hand on Primal Unit with those Insecticons, get rid of the bugs and that should do the trick."
"Yes, sir!" Rick replied as he dove while launching a volley of missiles.
Phoenix pulled ahead and with his own volley, he scattered the 'cons once again.
"Optimus, follow me and we'll punch through." Roy suggested.
"Understood." Optimus nodded.
Optimus and Roy charged.
"Gentleman. Let's plow the road." Shouted Roy as the two of them opened up their machine guns.
A wall of Energon bolts slammed into enemy lines and any seeker unfortunate enough to be caught in it was torn to shreds. For good measure and insurance, Roy fired several volleys of missiles guaranteeing the path would be clear. Both human and Autobot made it through unharmed, halting their relentless assault. Roy peeled off to engage Starscream as planned. Optimus reached Darkmount and circled it until he pulled up in front of the barrel to the superweapon.
"Today, their reign of tyranny ends." Optimus declared as he fired his Gatling gun down the shaft and into the power source.
A satisfying explosion was heard, and Optimus pulled away when flames spewed out.
Derelict Decepticon Warship Harbinger, Earth
August 5, 2014, 1145 hours
Ratchet watched with secret joy as Raf and Miko cheered at the presence of their beloved leader. Today was a good day, Darkmount was well on its way to destruction, and Megatron was soon to be defeated. The Predacon was out of the battle as far as he was concerned, hopefully for good. If it wasn't for the human forces everyone might've been captured by now. Whoever these SMS guys are, the Autobots owe them, their lives. The only way today could get any better was if jack was here.
Arcee's voice came in on the coms. "We're still inside! We're pinned down by 'cons and they don't intend on letting us out. We need a Groundbridge."
Without missing a beat, Rachet flipped the switch to open one but it didn't. Raf and Miko watched in horror as warning symbols flashed all over the screen, Stating that the Decepticons Groundbridge jammer was still up, unfortunately.
Ratchet shook his head. "I can't. Their jammer is still online, somehow. Unless you can shut it down, you're stranded."
As if fate wanted this day to turn into a nightmare another com-channel came to life. "This is William Fowler. We are approaching the combat zone. ETA three minutes to target."
Ratchet scrambled over the controls as he found every frequency allied, civilian or military and shouted over the coms. "Don't destroy Darkmount! Arcee and Bumblebee are still inside! They can't 'bridge out. Someone, anyone, get them OUT!" To make sure the point gets across Ratchet broadcasts Arcee's message
"Do you think Optimus will be able to make it?" Raf asked worriedly.
Ratchet comforted the boy. "Of course, he can. He's Optimus."
Jack's death caused some changes in the team and because of that, in his name, the medic will not let Arcee die.
ANALYZING INCOMING AUDIO
…
ANALYZED
RESULTS/FRIENDLY: 1 X CYBERTRONIAN ALLY(AUTOBOT)
DESIGNATION: ARCEE
…
AR...ARCEE
He looked at the beautiful cybertronian that sat beside him on the ledge. They just saved the world - again - and wanted to enjoy the sunset.
Arcee looked down at him and smiled. "Partners?"
He nodded. "Partners."
ERROR CODE: MNEMOSYNE
Bridge of the Samuels
August 5, 2014, 1146 hours
Lisa's eyes widen in shock as a warning code flashed her monitor "We have a Code Mnemosyne!"
Varying forms of surprise and shock came from the bridge crew, but the captain stood and walked over to Lisa's station and observed her monitor. "How much of his memory has returned?" He calmly asked.
Lisa shook her head as she looked at the lines of code that flickered across her screen. She was actually very decent computer code but the code that made Phoenix work was quite literally lightyears beyond what she knew. However, she knew enough to know something was wrong. "I can't really tell. I think it was a relatively small memory, but whatever it was must've been important. It created errors in his coding, started fracturing his neural pathways. It's not good."
"What triggered it?"
"I think it was Arcee's ca -" Lisa was cut off as another alert popped up. "He's disengaged from Megatron and is headed for Darkmount!"
Gloval leaned and turned on the Com-mike. "Phoenix, this is Captain Gloval. I order you: resume engaging HVT-D1."
The radio speaker at Lisa's station crackled.
Lisa stated, "Course hasn't changed."
"Did you hear me?" The captain repeated. "Engage Megatron!"
The speaker crackled again with static and hissing. Lisa watched Phoenix's code and neural pathways a shift and change, rewriting itself and making new ones. "He is two thousand feet to Darkmount and closing."
"I gave you a direct order!"
The speaker crackled again but something came through this time. "No. I have to help her."
It was a voice belonging to a young man barely past eighteen. It was distorted and hesitant like those voices of ghost caught on tape. Despite this Gloval recognized it even if the rest of his crew hadn't. The last time he had heard it belonged to a boy who had lost all his options, and all will to go on. A boy who had opted for an experiment that would end his suffering one way or another.
"Phoenix?" Lisa whispered in absolute astonishment as the bridge crew made their statements of disbelief.
"I have to help Arcee," Phoenix said again, voice coming through much clearer and steadier. "I. Need. To."
"Skull Leader to Phoenix." Roy radioed in. "Megatron is hot on your tail! He's gonna have a shot in a few seconds! Break now! Samuels, what the hell is going on."
Gloval hesitated. Lang had told him that Phoenix regaining his voice would be a major milestone in him becoming Jack again. That following through on the circumstances made it return would make strides from him to regain his memories. Gloval wanted nothing more than to let Phoenix go but they need him to keep Megatron occupied while the mission was finished. If Megatron were to divert his attention to the incoming bombers the mission would end in failure. If Phoenix got shot down because they had to force a retreat would be worse as they would lose not only their best pilot but also the opportunity to advance robotechnology.
Gloval swore under his breath in Russian before commanding. "Lieutenant Fokker distract Megatron while goes into Darkmount to rescue pinned-down allied forces."
"Understood, sir," Roy replied. "Skull 1, Fox 2!"
"Thank you," Phoenix said.
"Don't make me regret it." The captain muttered as he returned to his chair.
ORDERS RECEIVED AND UNDERSTOOD
NEW OBJECTIVE:
-RESCUE CYBERTRONIAN ALLIES ARCEE AND BUMBLEBEE
…
TRIANGULATING SIGNAL LOCATION
…
FOUND
ALTERING COURSE
LOCKING ON TARGET
...
FIRING ORDNANCE
...
HANG ON ARCEE. I'M COMING.
Inside Darkmount
August 5, 2014, 1147 hours
If there was one Arcee hated right now more than anything it was getting shot at. BuymbleBee and she had taken cover inside a room by the door frame. 'Cons were coming at them from both sides. Arcee's already taken a hit to the stomach and shoulder leaving her on the floor, blind firing around the corner. 'Bee's only received a few scrapes and had the shield, so he was popping around the corner taking potshots. Most-likely killing more Vehicons then she was.
'Bee buzzed and whirred.(They're getting closer.)
Arcee hit head against the wall and radioed Ratchet. "We're getting shoved in a corner. Where's that back up?"
"It's on its way." Ratchet notified her.
"When will it get here?"
A 'con stepped in front of the doorway and aimed its blaster at Arcee. Arcee and 'Bee watched in a mixture of horror and surprise as the weapon 'con folded over as it was kicked in the stomach by a white and red mech that Arcee's never seen before. It pointed its large pod-like gun at enemy's head and promptly blew it off.
The mech grabbed the deactivated Cybertronian and used it as a shield while he shot another 'con straight through the chest. While that one fell, the mech backed up into the room and casually tossed the body on the floor. The mech pulled a small case off the bottom of the gun and it replaced it. Arcee saw that the mech had similarities to that of a jet. It looked around before settling on Arcee and rushing over to her side.
"Are you alright?" His voice came over the comms.
Arcee looked like a deer caught in headlights. Its voice is just like, no, exactly like Jack's. "Jack?"
The mech tilted its head in confusion. "I don't know who that is. The codename is Phoenix."
Bumblebee buzzed. (It's nothing. You sound like an old friend.)
Arcee sent him a glare.
Phoenix nodded as he stood up "Ok. Listen, the group on the left side is weaker. If we blow through we should get out."
"What about the other side?" Arcee asked.
From his side, a rack slid out, he pulled a missile from it then retracted the rack. A light on the missile started blinking and the tossed it down the right corridor. An explosion sounded and part of a vehicon head bounced in the room. He then transformed into a plane with arm and legs. Adding on to the mystery that he already was.
He dropped the gun on the floor. "Help me with her."
'Bee picked up Arcee and placed her in the half jet's arms. The wings folded directly behind Phoenix.
"Bumblebee, take the gun-pod and get on my back. Be careful, you only have thirty-two hundred rounds and the gun has a high fire rate."
'Bee did as he was told and veritech lurched slightly under the increase of weight. The engines roared to life as he hovered to the edge of the door.
"Ready?" He confirmed.
Arcee nodded that she was ready as did 'Bee. Phoenix fired his engines and they turned sharply, down the now flaming corridor. Blaster bolts went over their heads, Arcee saw the unknown mech pop his head out from under the fuselage. The turrets rotated forward while the head turned around to fire at the 'cons behind them. Taking out a few before they turned a sharp corner, bracing a foot against the wall in order to not crash. He bounced off and continued on.
Some vehicons had gathered in their path that bumblebee took down with a combination of gun-pod and blaster fire. Phoenix blew through the smoke and the wreckage. He took another turn and there was the exit a hole that was blown in the wall with a group of insecticons standing in their path. Bumblebee unleashed another hail of blaster fire that had only managed to take down most of them save one. The last insecticon remained when Bumblebee ran out of ammo on the gun-pod that did most of the damage. Arcee raised her built-in blaster and shot the 'con in the head, deactivating it.
"Hang on!" Phoenix shouted.
The legs came up and the wings folded out. Bumblebee tightened his grip while Phoenix held Arcee closer. The femme noticed that the hole was too small and planned to voice this. However, any form of warning was halted when he fired a pair of missiles at the hole. It was now wide enough to fit then as they went through, but his wingtips scraped against the edges. Immediately they lost altitude and they descended rapidly.
The jet struggled to keep the nose up as he distanced himself from the tower. After some distance, he let himself fall to the ground, he brought his legs forward to slow down and ease the landing. Bumblebee hopped off and Phoenix laid Arcee on the ground as he shifted to battloid mode, kneeling next to the wounded Autobot. Everyone looked up to see a v-formation of fighters bomb Darkmount as the Decepticon warship rose into clouds. The tower toppled over and one could hear Megatron's cry of anguish.
'Bee gave the gunpod back to Phonix. (Thanks.)
Phoenix took it and locked it under his forearm. "No, problem."
Arcee stared at him with determination. "You are Jack, I'm sure of it."
Phoenix looked at her. "I'm sorry. I'm not him. I don't mean to hurt you."
The whirring sound of a Groundbridge distracted Arcee and bumblebee, and when they turned around Phoenix was already airborne. Arcee didn't plan on giving up, she was convinced it was jack. Even if he was different, she could tell and she was not gonna lose him again. 'Bee brought her to his feet and guided her and she reluctantly followed. The female 'bot looked behind to see Phoenix join with two other jets.
'I will see you again, Jack.' She mentally swore as she followed the scout through the Groundbridge.
Smokescreen drove up just in time to watch Darkmount fall.
He transformed and stared in disbelief. "Come on, I missed the action."