Pravda High
The school for the most part was empty hence for any after school clubs that were taking place.
Two girls were currently walking through the halls.
One was a tall and elegant girl with upper back-length straight black hair that has a small strand in the middle, light blue eyes while the other was a beautiful girl with upper-back length straight blond hair that has a single strand sticking out on the left side, light blue eyes and she is slightly shorter.
"(What is it you think Katyusha wanted to speak with us about?)" the blonde asked in Russian.
The dark haired girl replied in the same tongue, "(I'm not too sure… has she seemed off to you recently Klara?)".
Klara cupped her chin in thought, "(Now that you mention it, she has seemed a bit distraught recently…)" the blonde then looked to her friend in concern, "(Did… did you talk to her about it yet?)".
The noirette shuddered, "(Don't remind me, but no, I haven't told her.)" she admitted.
Klara seemed slightly alarmed by this, but hummed with a nod, "(I see… but she's our commander… if you're that concerned you should approach her as a worried friend rather than a commanding officer.)" the blonde suggested.
"(Be that as it may Klara, I have a solemn duty to abide by Katyusha's orders.)" Nonna stated.
"(You care about her too much to listen to your pride. Sometimes I think you enjoy being her big sister.)" Klara smirked.
Nonna hid a smile as she rolled her eyes, "(I'm less concerned about her and more… anxious I suppose. Under usual circumstances I would understand Katyusha's reasoning for putting up a fight, however I'm sure her first objective would be for the sake of making sure everyone were to evacuate safely. I hope it would be for just that, an evacuation. She may like to flex her power at times, but she knows how to best pick her battles.)".
"(You're a very modest person Nonna, but you're putting too much faith into chance. What do you really think Katyusha would plan to do in such an event?)" Klara preached, "(I'd hate for her to be ill prepared and get hurt because she got cocky. Or worse, try and fight back in anyway at all.)" she hugged her arms in worry.
Nonna snicked, "(Don't underestimate our commander Klara. Katyusha's pride reaches higher than the tallest mountain peaks, and is stronger than the worst of storms. In such an event I could only imagine she'd persist like the ice that freezes our tanks.)" she explained knowing her commander well.
Klara's expression grew more ill, "(Is that not what we're concerned about in the first place. Just what do you think Saunders did when they were attacked. Did they run? Did they fight? And what is the Federation doing about it Anzio and Chi-Ha-Tan have a mock match in a couple days.")" she rhetorically asked.
"(I meant that as a way of saying Katyusha would already have a strategic retreat in her arsenal of plans for our safety. She's no Stalin Grad.)" Nonna's expression suddenly dropped, "(Speaking of… do you know if anyone survived yet?)" she let the question hang.
Klara took a moment to formulate a response, "(The Federation have little information, but the only survivors of Saunders are those who were at home the night of the attack. Any after school clubs would have been caught in the blast, but no one seems to know what happened. At least if there are any survivors, they haven't spoken up yet.)" her tone was one of despair as she read the reports.
"(So even their tankery club… does that mean… commander Kay?)" the noirette didn't want to have to say it. Luckily Klara was able to pick up on the hints, though it wasn't exactly the most reassuring response.
"(I don't know… but what I do know is that people here are scared of an impending attack.)".
"(They should be. Vigilance right now is going to be a necessity until the people responsible are caught.)" Nonna replied, dismissing Klara's actual concern. Nonna didn't know how they would pull through if something were to actually happen. In her mind she says she would remain calm and composed. Yet when the reality of people dying drilled in, she became nauseated.
Klara squeamishly looked around the hall fidgeting with her uniform skirt, "(You know what I'm trying to say Nonna. It's like you said, Miss Katyusha's pride for Pravda makes her quick to challenge those looking for a fight. Who knows if she sees this any differently. Are you prepared to take drastic measures if it should come to that?)" she raised the tension.
Nonna froze mid pace as she now stood looking at the floor.
Klara halted and looked back looking at her in curiosity as to what she had to say.
"(Despite her rank, despite the leaps and bounds she's overcome to get to where she is today, she is still younger... inexperienced. Something like this… she's just not ready to take this kind of battle head on. She can't really be thinking on trying to fight back… even for the school.)" her gloomed tone made Klara realize where she was coming from.
Klara smiled, "(You know I care for Miss Katyusha with all my heart Nonna, which is why I think you're making a mistake. This is far beyond Sensha-Do, beyond Pravda, this is could be a matter of life or death, and we need to make sure Miss Katyusha understands that .)" she pointed out.
Nonna made eye contact with the blonde, "(I know… which is why I took matters in my own hands.)" she spoke unfazed.
Klara on the other hand was stirred with surprise and confusion, "(What does that mean? What did you do?)".
"(Enough questions…)" Nonna seized Klara's concern, "(We best not keep our commander waiting, as vice commanders we are to be punctual.)" Nonna continued forward.
Klara gave a glare of concern that warned her to weary as she followed.
The two came upon a pair of doors.
Nonna knocked.
After a few seconds of silence a small voice squeezed through the doors.
"Enter.".
The two girls pushed through into the room.
The room was well sized for an office. The wall to the right was an entire window while everywhere else were bookshelves, paintings, and even rewards for past victories of Sensha-Do. A small Russian snowmobile parked against the wall with bedding and a pillow lying neatly tucked within its frame.
The fire dancing on the logs in the brick fireplace cracked and popped with joy.
At the desk of the room was a girl with short blonde hair and light blue eyes. She wears a green-brown uniform tunic with a Russian red cross and a skirt of the same green-brown colour. Her stature was small in height which made her chair look more buff and towering.
Nonna and Klara entered and immediately tensed their bodies to stand to attention.
"Nonna, Klara… take a seat." the short blonde gestured to the two chairs with a grin.
And so they did.
Katyusha placed two bowls of red jam and two tea cups beside. After pouring herself her cup she filled the other two with a generous amount.
Katyusha hummed her song as she put the kettle aside and stirred her fluids. Taking a spoonful of jam into her mouth she swirled around the taste with her tongue before sipping her tea, "Awwww… nothing like a cup of tea to put your mind at ease, or even to sharpen your senses. I understand Darjeeling's obsession.".
Nonnas lips hooked into a warm smile, "Sounds like you've been hanging out with her too much." she drank from her cup as Klara indulged in the jam.
Katyusha's tea sip was interrupted by this comment, "I have not! I am the great Katyusha! You think I got this school to where it was because I sat around drinking tea all day!? Besides, I can only handle so much of that cryptic crap she's always spouting.".
"Well ever since the match with All-Star Academy you two have been mo-.".
"Enough of that! I called you two here today because I had an interesting conversation with Nina and the KV-2 crew. One that brought an interesting revelation to me…" she looked at the two girls' faces stiffen. Their reactions brought forth a devilish grin, "Why so tense, surly my trusted comrades in arms wouldn't be keeping something from me... " the atmosphere suddenly dropped a few degrees as the mood shifted darkly, even the fire seemed to cower in fear, "Except they have… after having to break my own comrades, I learned that you two have been conspiring a mutiny behind my back!" Katyush stood on her chair and slammed the desk causing everything among its surface to shake.
The two tank commanders stared in shock.
"WE ARE NOT!". "(WE ARE NOT!)" both commanders exclaimed.
"Is that really what Nina told you!?" Nonna grew frustrated.
Katyusha's cheeks grew a little flushed, "W-well… not exactly, she just said that you two were having doubts about my position as commander. So what was I supposed to think!" she sat back in her chair with her arms crossed with a pout.
Klara placed her tea gently back on the desk with a warm smile, "Miss Katyusha, we were never doubting your title as commander, we were only concerned about you." Klara spoke in the language the small blonde could understand.
Katyusha tinted red on her face, "C-concerned!? For me!? Have our past victories of fighting together not told you two a thing about me!? The great Katyusha is a force to be reckoned with, a blizzard with no yield! What could you two possibly be so worried about that warrants you to-!".
"It's Saunders!" Nonna interrupted
Katyusha suddenly realized what her two friends were so worked up about, "... It's true that what happened to Saunders is an unprecedented event. You're worried I won't know what to do? Maybe crack under the pressure of a real fight? Is that it!?" the small blonde began growling.
"Miss Katyusha that's not-.".
"No Klara! That's how it's always been, people look down on me, and mock me because I seem too young or too small to have this title. Even in my own school now, ever since the attack on Saunders I've heard rumors of how unqualified I am to lead, but I am Katyusha! I am the prodigy of Pravda High! I wasn't drawn from a hat, I worked my осёл off to get here! Do you two just not have faith in me?!".
"Of course not we-".
"Do you guys think of me as some bratty little girl then!?".
"I can't lose you!" Nonna screamed as she stood from her chair. Her head pointed down caused the bangs of her hair to cover her eyes, "I started thoughs rumors, I told the tankery team about the doubts I had, Klara's doubts are results from my doings to help spread the word… because despite the faith and and trust I have in you that remains true… I couldn't trust myself to stop you from trying to fight, or to put yourself before the other girls… I can't bring myself to force you to not be selfless because I know you'd hate me, so I thought if I could get the other girls to second guess their judgment and bring down your morale, you'd be less anxious to fight…" Nonna looked up to her commander with branches of tears protruding from her puffy eyes and across her red face, "I don't want to lose you Katyusha, because I'm too much of a coward to stop you myself…" she broke into a few sobs as she failed to hold back. She knew especially from the All-Stars match where she used her tank to help Katyusha escape how hard it was to get the blonde commander to be open minded to her comrades' opinions. The hurt in Katyusha's face and voice were too much for the noirette to bear, she could only imagine what would happen if she had to force her to leave her comrades behind, Katyusha would hate her.
Klara took her friend's hand with both her warm palms in a comforting embrace. The two looked at each other, and the blonde gave a warm smile with a nod before turning to Katyusha.
Katyusha seemed like she was struck with lightning, or paralysed with realization slapping her across the face. The words of her friends true concerns to get a message to her through school gossip because she had too much pride to probably listen to what her vice commander had to say. It hurt her heart, like sticking it with a skewer and roasting it over a fire. Nonna was very subtle with her emotions, but the fact that Nonna was hiding the fear of having to force Katyusha to do something just because thought of the small blonde holding a sliver of hate to her throat made her unease spoke volumes of her loyalty and care, "... I… I…" Katyusha tried to formulate a response, but everytime she started her throat would tighten.
*RRRRING! RRRRING!*
The telephone switchboard on the commander's desk suddenly blared through the cloud of tension.
Katyusha frantically switched the wire and picked up the call to escape the spotlight, "What is it!".
The call played out for a few seconds before Katyusha's face shifted to surprise, "What!? You mean right now!?" she exclaimed, making her two comrades lean in to try and catch hints of the conversation to ease their curious ears.
"Okay I'm coming." the small blonde placed the phone back in its resting place.
"What happened?" Nonna asked.
Katyusha rushed to throw on her jacket, "We have unexpected guests."
Rustung had told them everything from the war on her planet, to her arrival on this planet.
They decided to give her the nickname Rust for the sake of time, but that was the least important subject. It goes to show that the revelation of alien life in the vast reaches of space had everyone surrounding the alien like kids listening to the teacher tell a story.
And it was evident enough that that same war was on its way to Earth now… what the hell were they going to do.
The Saunders Super Galaxy shook from the sudden turbulence as it fought against the snow storm. Everyone had been ordered by the pilots to stay in their tanks for the time being until they landed.
The occupants didn't mind it at all. In fact Miho and her friends sat in the alien Panzer in her tank form.
"I still don't think I've fully wrapped my head around the fact that there's extraterrestrial life out there."
"Well Mako took the news rather well." Hanna stated.
It turned out that Mako had a die hard love for aliens if her happy mules and rubbing her cheek on the interior wasn't enough to prove it.
"Soooo cooooolll." Mako cooed from the driver's seat as she petted the armor.
"Better than her being scared of it I guess." Yuri stated.
Hanna turned to the radio, "So Rust, your leader was- or is, Optimus Prime right? You have no idea where he was going before you left Cybertron?".
Rust responded through the radio, "It was a last minute plan to ditch our planet for the sake of our peoples survival. We didn't have time to coordinate a rendezvous, so we just need to rely on ourselves to find a planet secure from Decepticon reach to form a new H.Q.." the lights flickered and the arms on the dials moved as she spoke from the radio.
Sayori rubbed her head and laughed nervously, "R-right, sorry we interrupted your transmission that night.".
"It's not like you knew back then. Besides, I should be thanking you. If I had sent that message I would have led my people into a trap. As long as the Decepticons are present on this planet then I cannot put my people in danger." Rust stated.
Yuri could feel the atmosphere tense, "Y-you know, for someone who used to be an engineer instead of a soldier. You really kicked ass out there!" she cheered.
If robots could, Rust would be blushing right now. It was true however, before becoming a soldier, Rust was an engineer for common transportation and construction jobs. When the war started however the jobs became more peculiar. Warships, drones, tanks, she became familiar with the workings of dozens of warmachines in such a short span of time due to high demand for the Autobot rebellion.
One day however…
Cybertron
She was drafted and put under the command of Optimus Prime.
"Turrets down Optimus! We won't have any air support- GAH!" an Autobot cried before a beam of enegon struck through his shoulder.
It was her first time ever seeing combat…
A pink eyed auto bot ducked for cover. Her arsenal were less weapons and more tools that held on to her person desperately, or be lost to the rubbles of war, "*huff!* *huff!* *huff!*..." the Autobot heaved from exhaustion and terror.
"Hey Field Technician!...".
She looked over to see an Autobot pointing at the sparking down faced turret.
"Get on tha-!".
*BOOOOM!*
The Autobot's cover took several rockets and consumed a few of the rebels in the process. A metal arm flew over and landed feet from the cowering Autobot.
"By the All Spark!" she screamed.
"It's Starscream! Get to cover!" another Autobot yelled pointing to the sky.
Her pink eyes lit up at the sight of a familiar face, "Warpath!" she called out.
The Autobot called Warpath turned and perked up, "Rüstung! Hold on!" Warpath ran to the technician. Jumping into the air his body began to fold on itself and transformed into a different structure. Warpath landed in a tank-like vehicle transformation and immediately fired an energon blast into the sky.
Meanwhile the area around them was suddenly engulfed in a forest of flames as Starscream's rockets rained down, adding more numbers to his headcount.
The red and blue Decepticon soared over head cackling maniacally.
Warpath transformed into robot form, "Rustung! You got a turret calling your name girl." he pointed out.
A Decepticon leapt over Rustung and toppled Warpath, pinning the Autobot to the ground.
"Warpath!" Rusting stood up to aid her friend when suddenly she was hit in the back of the head, "DAH!" she feel to the ground in pain.
A purple and silver red eyed plane Decepticon aimed his cannon at the engineer, "Autobot scum! GAH!" his face was suddenly struck by a blue beam of energon.
"Huh!?" Rusting uncovered her face and turned to see who her savior was.
Warpath struggled with his opponent who was larger in mass due to his armor. The tank robot pushed the Desepticons face up to get distance between them. However, a flash of orange swiped in front of the Decepticons face and was kicked off of Warpath.
The bulky Decepticon laid back, his red eyes dimmed a soulless grey as a glowing axe lay buried in his face.
An iron hand gripped the handle and ripped it from the clingy circuits.
"We need that turret operational to defend the Arc from Decepticon air forces coming from this direction…" a strong masculin voice came from the savior Autobot.
Rusting looked at him in awe, "Op-Optimus! Sir!" she scurried to stand, but Optamis was quick to lift her to her feet.
"Warpath and his squad will give you covering fire while you make a line for the turret. You need to have it operational ASAP." his instructions were cut throat clear.
But to Rustung they were swallowed by ringing and sounds of war all around, "Sir, I-I'm sorry, but I don't think I- *gasp!*" the terrified engineer gasped as she was grabbed by the up into her leader's eyes. Optamis was a tall figure by an inch and a half, but lowered himself that way they were eye to eye.
"Fear is never a means to quit, but to overcome and rise above it. Becoming leader of the Autobots came with a fear of losing everything under my command. That is a fear I still am trying to overcome, but the survival of our people rests on every last Autobots shoulders. And that includes you, the Autobots need you Rustung. So please, for our survival…" he stood over their cover at the onslaught of Decepticon forces incoming, "... rise above…" his hand rearranged itself into a large cannon as he twirled his glowing battle axe, "Autobots, rollout!" he and Warpath's squad cried out as they went to push back the enemy.
The man had a way with words, he could talk a fish into coming out of water, or in this case, an engineer to take arms against a formidable foe.
Rustung watched for only a few seconds before her body flipped into action on her own. Her fears were like burning coals for adrenaline as she ran across the defensive line that was currently in shambles.
Beams of energon, rockets, explosions were all juggling with her audio sensors. She yelped as an autobot corpse went flying over her, yet she kept her pace until finally reaching the turret. Without a moment of hesitation she climbed to the main access panel. Upon opening it she was met with a shocking welcome with a confetti of sparks in her face. Brushing it off she went to work repairing the motherboard, heating coils, and circuits.
The battle around her rained on, and she was just about to put the motherboard back in place until…
"HEADS UP!" a familiar voice cackled.
*SWWWIISH!*
Body collided with Rustung, "DAH!" she cried as she was rammed and thrown to the ground.
Two Decepticons hovered in the air, "Go help Windslicer in breaking the Autobot defense Thunder-cracker…" Starscream ordered, "This one is mine." he devilishly smirked.
Thundercracker nodded before transforming into jet mode and flying off.
"Hahahaha! Your precious Arc will fall! And with it, any hope for the Autobots!" he declared as he made a beeline for her with a fist reared back.
Rustung's training instincts told her to roll, but he moved like a laser blast, and was too fast.
Before collision however a flash of shiny steel crashed into Starscream.
The small grey Autobot rolled and ended on top, pinning Starscream to the ground.
"I don't think so punk ass Decepticon!" a voice full of snark and enthusiasm played out confidently.
Rusting looked over to see the Autobot who had basically been her father figure, "Jazz!".
"Go do your thing little bolt! I'll handle this!" Jazz stomped on the Decepticons wrist which fished out a groan of pain.
"Stop calling me that!" Rustung climbed the turret once again.
"NO!" Starscream transformed into his jet mode causing Jazz to leap off. His thrusters glew a neon purple before bursting with energy and shooting him towards the Autobot. His body was suddenly halted mid air by a sudden drag.
Jazz grunted as he pulled Starscream in with his grappling arm and pulling himself to the ground with his other, "Where you *grunt!* flying off to *grunt!* so suddenly!? Our dance just started!" he dragged the sky commander away from his friend.
Rustung had reached the open motherboard panel.
Starscream growled as his tug-a-war with the Autobot wasn't faring too well, "Pathetic Autobot! You think you can stop me…" he then transformed into his robot form with his leg being still tethered by Jazz, "From getting my kill!" his arm cannon glowed magenta as it aimed up to the engineer.
"Watchout kid!".
Rusting slammed the console into the turret, Jazz I go-!".
*PEEEW!*
*zzZZIP!*
A laser of purple struck and melted through Rusung's chest leaving a glowing hole in its victim.
The turret whirled to life as if shifted upward and charged its canons with red energy.
Rustung's hand trembled up to her chest and caressed the area where the smoldering hole went all the way through, "...*hic!*...*hic!*..." her breath hitched before her grip on the canon finally died.
Jazz's focus on his fishlined Decepticon was instantly redirected, "Rustung! NO!" he disengaged his line.
"HAHAHAAA!" Starscream maniacally laughed at the Autobot's emotion of grief as he flew away.
Rustung bounced off the side of the turret and landed with the screeching of metal on metal. She remained still on her back looking up to the sky, the sight of the turret firing away and a flaming Decepticon dropship crashing into the ground was then transitioned to Jazz's face over her and inspecting her wound. His mouth moved, but the words were muffled; probably caring fatherly words like he always provided.
Jazz cradled the young Autobot, "Come on little bolt, eyes on me!" he moved her face in his direction and met her pink lenses, "Hey now, who's gonna be my party gal if not you?" he joked to try and call his nerves..
"... J… Jaazzzz…" her optics flickered.
Energon had been leaking on Jazz and coated his hand in green. Jazz clenched his fist in rage, "You're not dying here! I need a medic! Where's Ratchet!" he cried out.
Rusting couldn't take it anymore and her eyes closed shut and passed out.
It's amazing how much can happen in such little time. She only had two weeks of combat training before being thrusted into the heart of war, and only a month before she was evacuating Cybertron.
The Arc had launched deep into space, but was in close proximity with a tailing Decepticon Interstellar Warship. Within moments the Arc had been harpooned and boarded with overwhelming Decepticon forces.
Rusting was currently being hooked up to a lab machine as she lay on a lab table. Her chest plating remained open, being completely vulnerable as her spark shimmered and pulsed.
In the lab was Optamis with his blaster in hand while Bumblebee watched the entrance,
Ratchet on the other hand worked double time plugging in the connections and typing away on holographic computers.
"We don't have much time Ratchet. How much longer will this take?" Optumis crunched the time.
An explosion shook the room they were in and the lights flickered.
"I'm just checking diagnostics. Her systems should be eighty percent compatible with the device." the Autobot medic clarified.
"Wait wait wait, compatible with the device?" Rusting looked to her leader frantically, "Optimus, you said you needed me to give me something important before we abandoned ship. W-what is it exactly you were referring to?" her voice rang with worry.
Optamis looked to the entrance where the sounds of battle grew dangerously close before going to Rustung's side, "Listen to me, and listen well. I won't be able to repeat it…" he looked to Ratchet and nodded.
Ratchet nodded in acknowledgment before continuing with the preparations.
Optimus began, "Do you remember the day you were shot by Starscream?".
Rustung placed a hand over the welded area, "Of course, you really think I'd forget? Got a flashy scar to remember hehe…" she laughed nervously, "But what about it, I thought Ratchet said I was fine?" she grew only more weary of the situation.
Prime remained silent if only to show that it wasn't the case, "... your spark sustained minor damage by the shot, not enough to kill you, but enough to have long term effects.".
"W-what does that mean, long term effects?".
"What he means…" Ratchet stepped with a holographic projection of Rustung's sparks and a small spot on the edge of the sphere pulsed red, "Is that your spark was a hair away from sparking out… no pun intended, but understand that a Cybertronians spark isn't something that can be tinkered so easily and fixed with a little elbow grease.".
Rustung was taking the news calmer than she herself had expected, "... I have been feeling weaker… and frequent glitches in my systems…" it then clicked in her thoughts, "So my life force… its fading isn't it? Which means I'll die soon won't it?" she hung her head. Her hands scathed the cables connecting to her spark.
Optimus was saddened to hear the news once again, "I'm- $% &%&% ! #-...
… That was weird?
"Our top researchers have experimented with a new device that harnesses two forms of energy. A fraction of the power comes from within my Matrix of Freedom, and a concentrated sample of dark energon." Optimus explained
Rustung perked up at the mention of, "Dark energon!? But isn't that-".
"I don't have time to argue about it. Just try and understand that the success of this weapon could change the fate of the war by giving Autobots a higher ground to fight from." Optimus planted his hand on her shoulder.
Ratchet began to administer instructions to begin the process of installation, "It doesn't exactly have a name, nor does the 'device' have a physical form. Of all the Autobots whose sparks were either damaged or compromised, yours is the closest to having a mutual symbiotic relationship with the device." he explained while typing away.
"But why only look into Autobots with a damaged spark? There are dozens of soldiers with perfectly good sparks and are better handled to wield it than I can." Rustung pointed out the logic.
"Well since the spark acts as a living bio component running the system in our bodies, it can also produce its own antibodies to fight off foreign energy. How a spark reacts depends on the state the spark is in, may the Matrix have mercy on those who had to find this bit out, but the device can to a certain state… repair a spark, and therefore establish a bond with the spark. However, if the device has nothing to show that it can be of benefit, then the spark will see the energy as a parasite and- ###^* )!-%# ...
Why can't she remember?
Ratchet's experience in experimenting with this energy left grave warnings seared into his memory banks.
Rustung was left with more questions whirling in her mind, enough to start getting a headache. She wasn't prepared to bear this responsibility at all, she didn't even want this power to begin with. So then why her?
Optimis knew the reaction of the young Autobot like he was staring into the past. As he once found himself in this state when he was sworn in as a Prime. Time was of the essence at the moment, and he needed to work quickly,, "... when I began to carry the title of leader, the survival of our species was a gravitating responsibility to carry. Some may even call it a burden, so I understand the feeling of being overwh- ^#* Y# &%^-...
Where are the memories?
"But Optimis, do you really trust me to obtain this power?" Rustung asked, clearly afraid.
Optimis replied the one way he could, "... I don't know, but if it means that the Autobots will live to see Cybertron restored and thriving in its once peaceful atmosphere… then I do." he patted Rustung's head.
Rustung didn't seem completely satisfied with the response, but the honesty from Prime had always had a calming and reassuring effect. She didn't blame him, she had been away from the ocean of battles due to her injury and focusing on manufacturing Autobot machinery. She may not have been on board with the idea of becoming some great prodigy or great savior, but she wasn't about to let everyone down, "... I'll do it then.".
"Acknowledged…" Ratchet addressed her consent, "Some side effects may include random spikes of pain, sudden feelings dizziness, even mem-#%# loss #&-...
What else was he going to say?
Rustung nodded, "Okay… I understand." she laid back once again and tried her best to relax.
"One more thing Rustung…" Optimis kneeled over, "This is uncharted technology you are meddling with. I know you know the capabilities of dark energon, the energy from the Matrix of Freedom should buffer its power and temptations. No matter what though please remember- # **^%^ ^-...
No! What did he say!
Rustung's body suddenly jolted as the cables and plugs hummed and pulsed with white energy. Her eyes twitched and flickered from their pink shine to a translucent white glow. Her spark rippled with purple, flaring on and off as sparks flew from her chest,"GRRRAAAAA-% !$&&**### #$)*(&*^- ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Next thing she recalled she was hurtling through space for weeks before her arrival on Earth.
The instructions left in the recording by Optimus were her last orders given.
Present
When she explained her story to the humans back at Ooarai her memory was fuzzy in some areas. It must be a symptom that Ratchet was trying to explain. She had memories, but they were choppy, and trying to force the rest of the memory gave her a headache. She did remember how grave and imperative her mission is however, but it got a lot more complex for her now that Hind had her scent.
She didn't have a plan however, she didn't know how to use this gift, but she did feel something during the fight with Treader. Hell she could hardly fight hand to hand. She only survived because of the humans' tank combat strategies. But also because of them she BARELY survived.
Right now Rustung would go along with the humans' plans to investigate Hind's tracks. This Pravda school seems to be another ocean vessel that much like Ooarai is a mobile island with urban area and vegetation.
Rustung would accompany her newly acquired allies. Knowing full well this wouldn't be the last they've seen of the Decepticons.
Miho sat silently thinking to herself. Why were they doing this exactly? Saunders was attacked intentionally because the Decepticons were looking for Rust. They were putting their lives on the line for this robot's survival… but for their own survival as well. Had it not been for Rust, she would be dead right now. Weather siding with the Autobot was best for her and her friends protection… seemed to still be a double bladed sword.
"Miporin?".
Miho stared at her vibrating phone with the image of her sister on it. Her thumb hovered over the answer button, but didn't dare go any further. Why couldn't she talk to her?
"Miporin!" Saori yelled.
"DAH! W-what is it!" Miho shook herself back to the real world.
Saori rubbed the back of her head in concern for her friend, "We kinda lost you there for a moment. Everything okay?"
Hanna took her commander's hand and gave a gentle squeeze, "Miho, you know you can talk to us right?" she gaze was so soft and comforting.
Miho was infected with warmth and smiled at her friends, "Thank you guys…" she gratefully nodded to them, "But it's someone else I need to talk with." she explained opening the hatch to exit.
"W-wait Nishizumi!..." Yukari called out, "It's dangerous to go out right now. The storm is creating a lot of turbulence.". She protested.
The plane rumbled as just a means to prove her point.
"I won't be gone long…" the tank commander reassured, "I'll be back before we land." Miho stepped out of the tank.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Tell us more about the Dinobots!" Mako sprang up from the driver seat, startling her friends.
"Oh boy, Grimlock, Swoop, Snarl, and Spike! Where do I begin?" Rust herself seemed enthused to discuss these legendary warriors.
Miho climbed down the Panzer IV just as the jumbo jet shook from incoming turbulence, disrupting her balance. Luckily she was close to the tank to balance herself once more.
Fishing her phone back out she scrolled to find Maho's contact and was back to reminiscing.
"You shouldn't be out of your tank right now…" Kay's voice echoed ahead. The blonde leaned on the railing that oversaw the tanks being held. She held a lighter in her hand that was being flicked on open and closed, "I'm more used to the turbulence than you are." her voice was dry and unmoved of any previous spirit that made her bright.
*Chick!*
*Clink!*
The lighter closed again.
Miho ignoring the warnings, climbed the ladder up and joined the Saunder's tank commander on the railing.
The body of the plane snuggly carried the Panzer IV, the presidents Hertzer, and Kay's M4 Sherman. Less weight would make for faster and safer traveling in the storm.
"...So…" Miho fished for a start off topic before shooting in the dark, "How are you feeling?" she suddenly cringed at herself.
Kay slammed the lighter shut in her grip. Her eyes sharpened as they directed on the brunette girl, "Seriously? That's the first thing you ask me?..." she growled as her temper rose.
"I-I uh?" Miho could feel the sweat bead on her neck.
"My school was literally wiped off the map, my parents probably think I'm dead, and what's left of my friends are hiding out at your school from the public eye right now! So, how do you think I feel Miho!?" her shout echoed through the sound of the storm outside.
The plane shook once more, but neither girl moved.
Miho internally winced. This was not going how it should.
Kay looked as though she had just kicked a puppy, "*sigh* I'm sorry Miho I just…" she pinched her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose. The bags under her eye began to show signs of stress and exhaustion.
"No no! Please don't be sorry…" Miho waved her hands to the blonde, "You have nothing to apologize for." she reassured. She couldn't imagine, well after recent events, to an extent, but not losing your entire school and your close friends understand.
"I just don't know what we're going to do Miho. First my school gets obliterated by a goddamn transforming robot. Next thing I know there is an entire planet of them fighting an intergalactic war. Autobots? Decepticons!? I really could care less!" Kay took a deep breath. Biting down on her lip as a few tears stung at her eyes.
Miho was quick to comfort the blonde with a slow circular back rub. This is what she wanted to discuss. She was a bit relieved that Kay was the one to start talking about it so she didn't have to ask, but at the same time saddened by her display of emotions.
"I know Pravda probably has nothing to even do with it. I'm just coming to likely evade the police and the Federation at this point, to delay the inevitable. I mean what am I going to say? What are they going to do to me and my friends. And now you guys… we shouldn't have wrapped your school into this… I just didn't know where else to go.".
A pregnant silence loomed once again. Miho fished for the right words, she thought about her sister Maho, when they were kids training into the Nishizumi style. Maho was terrible at trying to find warm soothing words, instead she looked for ways they could relate in their problems… and that enough was comforting because you knew you weren't alone.
"... I'm just as scared you know…" the tank commander clenched her skirt, "I just witnessed a battle, not a match, but a full fledged life or death battle… if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't know where to go either, and it's not like you knew there was an alien killing machine stowed away as one of your tanks. And it's not like I knew my tank was an alien rebel fighter from a planet made of living metal." she spoke with a monotone.
The two girls looked over at the Panzer IV with strange glares.
"... yeeeeah." Kay snickered.
Miho caught the funny bug and giggled with her.
Kay's laughter died soon. She had almost forgotten that she could have died yesterday. And that Naomi had to make sure she got away. She felt a bit squeamish at the silence, guess it was her turn to ask a question, "So what did Maho have to say when the news got around? I'm sure she's probably worried." she mentioned, changing the subject.
Miho held her phone in her hands, inspecting it, battling with what to do with it.
Kay didn't need her to explain though, the number of missed calls displayed was clear enough, "It's better for her if she's left out anyway…".
Miho thought the exact same thing, but that wasn't why she wasn't taking her sister's calls. More so the pressure may be enough to break her, wanting desperately to run to her sister for help and protection. It was because of the Nishizumi style that she had remained strong for so long, but the cracks were beginning to show, and she prayed that for her friends she could keep it together, "You having the same problem?".
Kay held up her smart phone without looking with a list of missed calls and unreplied messages
"Ladies, this is your captain speaking, we are beginning our descent and will touch down in thirty minutes." the intercom blared their arrival.
"The storm seems to have subsided for now, but I should get back." Kay stuffed her hands in her jacket and began to walk down the stairs.
"Kay…" Miho caught the blonde's attention once more.
The rest of Angular Fish team with in the Panzer IV Autobot weren't just listening to Rust's stories of Cybertron.
"For the record, I don't trust her anymore than you do, but I don't want anyone else to get hurt trying to fight these things." Miho's voice played through the tank's radio for the curious ears to eavesdrop on.
Rustung felt like she should be sad and hurt, that doesn't mean she didn't feel the sting of the words. Rather she could recuperate that amount of trust for these humans that Miho and Kay had for her. After all these humans had attacked her, yet protected her, giving a rather odd perspective on humans.
And yet, they could be her best and last hope.
"These Decepticon guys are looking for that thing Miho, as long as you protect it… people can only get hurt doing so." Kay finished the conversation with just that.
Rust's irritation now transverse to pangs of guilt after that last revelation.
"Miho and Kay… they're going through so much right now, I feel bad for them." Hanna put a hand over her heart.
Mako squirmed in the driver's seat to get comfy, "We're all going through this disaster together. Who's to say we don't feel the same.".
Saori gasped at her friends words, "How could you say that, Rust has done nothing but try and keep us safe. And weren't you just glossing over the fact about her being an alien?!" she snapped.
Mako groaned to herself in a pout.
"They have a point though Saori." Yukari intervened to back up the tank commanders.
"Please stop fighting! It's my fault anyway, the Decepticons, the destruction of Saunders, and the deaths of these young humans…" Rust cut through any space for argument, "This is the price my people have been paying to obtain peace, but now we are jeopardizing other planets to Megatron's order and making them carry that same burden. So Saori please don't feel any sympathy for me, your care should be for your true friends, not me… I don't think we could ever be friends".
Silence had impregnated the atmosphere, and any room for argument were lost since no one could find the words.
The hatch opened and Miho dropped into the concealed tank of tense air.
"... what did I miss?" Miho tilted her head.
The runway was lit up like Christmas lights in the park. The runway had previously been sprinkled in salt to prevent snow from building up or black ice from forming.
The jumbo jet touched down with a bounce as the bird raced down the path. The wing flaps engaged to help in slowing down.
Two Russian T-34s and an IS-2 dug through the aftermath of the snow storm.
The bitter cold air bit at Katyusha and her comrades faces as they made haste to investigate.
"Katyusha, you should let me take point, the intel could have been wrong and this could be a real danger." Nonna suggested.
"Nyet!..." Katyusha objected, "If this really is the Saunders Super Galaxy then I wanna be the first to know who is aboard, you got that!?".
The jet continued to inch forward until its side was in front of the Pravda tank girls.
The intel was proven correct as the Saunder's name lit up in its bold colors on the side of the plane.
Nonna's instincts spiked at the revelation as she sharpened her stare at the plane
Klara covered her mouth, "(It's true…)".
Towers around the airfield turned on their excruciating bright lights and aimed it at the plane all around.
The three Pravda tank commanders made their way to the back of the plain where the tailgate began to descend.
The three girls peered closer as their curiosity ate away at their anticipation. Their barrels to awated for any possible danger.
The Panzer IV was the first to be spotted with its commander sticking up from the top. Miho raised her hand to cover her face as the brisk northrn air flushed out the warmth in an instant.
Katyusha gasped at the reveal, "Miho!?" the small blonde was taken back, but the shockwave of surprise was still to be faced as not only Turtle team, but the one thought to be dead-
"KAY!"
The Pravda girls astound in union.
Anzu leapt up atop the Hetzer, "Hey Katyusha!" the prez waved, "Long time no see!".
The conversation continued not a second sooner after the tanks were brought out from the plane.
Momo shivered as another gust of wind passed through, "Grrrr! Can't their conversation be indoors!" she complained as her and her friends sat on the Hetzer with a large military blanket covering their legs.
Anzu bit into another sweet potato, "If you want then you can just go wait in the tank." she thumbed back with a cheeky smile.
"It's just as cold in there!" the monocle girl roared.
Yuzu laughed to herself, "We told you not to drink all your hot coco on the way here, but you got all smarty pants and was like, 'But I'm warming up so the cold won't be as bad!'" she mocked.
Anzu and Yuzu burst into laughter at Momo's irritated cries.
Meanwhile, over with the other girls…
"No my questions can't wait!" Katyusha blared at the blonde, "You think you can just waltz to my school in your flashy jet after everything we've heard about your school!" she stomped closer to where Kay was sitting on her tank.
Miho grew a nervous look seeing as how Katyusha's energy could trigger a nasty reaction within the unsettled blonde, "Umm, Katyusha, why don't we ju-.".
Nonna stepped in, "It is quite unorthodox to neglect our questions after all the new Sensha-Do Federation regulations being put into place since the unsettling news." she pointed out.
"(Maybe the Federation was misunderstood?)" Klara theorized.
"(Unlikely.)" Nonna corrected.
Kay rubbed her temples, "Look I get you have questions, really I do, but we are seriously racing with the clock here. So, please for the love of god just show us where you keep your Hind!" her composure cracked ever so more.
"Our Hind? Hahaha!" Katyusha laughed abruptly, "Are you seriously making demands of the great Katyusha without fair compensation? That's like asking a blizzard to snow without layering the permafrost! I, Katyusha, demand a proper explanation for all this, and it better not be some sick prank!" the small Pravda commander continued to bark her pride without a filter.
Kay gritted her teeth as something beyond the fury in her eyes snapped.
"Oh boy." Saori saw what was coming next.
Kay jumped down from her tank landing with the force of wrath in front of Katyusha to make the Pravda commander fall back startled, "Now listen here you little pint sized brat!" she pointed a sharp finger down at the girl, "You really think this was some prank!? You really think all those deaths were made up HUH!". She raised her voice like gunfire.
Katyusha flinched at the spike in volume.
"Kay stop it!" Miho cried out.
Nonna's big sister switch flipped and set a new mindset into motion. Putting herself in between the Saunder's commander and her's. Her sizable breasts actually pushed Kay back a couple steps, "That's quite enough Kay. Now I don't know what you want with our Hind, but this is not the way to go about it, we've been worried about you for the past couple days now.".
Yukari sighed, "This is almost hard to watch.".
"Well I wasn't expecting Pravda to just go along so easily anyway." Hanna admitted.
Mako yawned, "Wake me when we're ready to go.".
"This is taking too long though!". The Autobot in disguise complained.
"Shush!" Saori shushed at the radio, "You're being too loud!".
Little to everyone's awareness Rust began to get a head start.
Kay stepped closer to the Pravda vice commander till they were nose to nose, though Nonna had a few centimeters on the blonde, "Pardon me Nonna if I'm a bit on edge... " her tone was full of venom as she spoke through drifted teeth, "But last I checked you still seemed to have your school…" she waved at the Pravda campus just to their right, "And all your friends still seem to be breathing!" her tone rose as she gestured to Nonna's comrades.
"Kay you have my sympathy, truly you do, but what do you expect us to do? Serve you tea and let you soak in a hot bath? We've been just as scared not just for your life, but our own as well!" Nonna retaliated.
"Yeah you should be! I barely have a grasp on what is real right now! You have NO idea the shit I've been through or even seen!".
"Because you won't tell us anything that happened!".
Kay's patience ran dry at last as she grasped the collar of Nonna's Pravda uniform with a rough pull, "Stop making this difficult and just do as we ask!" she snarled.
"Tsk!" Nonna retaliated just as violently and shoved Kay back roughly.
"Stop it you two!" Klara exclaimed in english.
Over with the Hetzer crew...
Yuzu chewed the inside of her cheek, "You think we should intervene? Stopping fights is like Momo's super power.".
Anzu waved a sweet potato slice, "Miho's got this under control." she spoke confidently.
"You bitch!" Kay charged with her desire for answers fogging her reasoning and reared a fist back and shot it forward at the Pravda girl.
The blondes naked fist connected with soft flesh, but it was Miho's head who shot to the side from the force.
Kay recoiled and suddenly took in a wave of air.
Klara inhaled sharply covering her mouth.
The Panzer IV crew poked their heads out with jaws touching the ground except for Mako who groggily peered out to see what the commotion was.
Even Kay's tank crew was struck by the unexpected action.
The Student council seemed to give the snow a run for its money in color comparison as they too needed a few seconds to soak in what just happened.
"... we should intervene now." Anzu stated.
Momo's monocle fell off.
Katyusha gasped in shock, "Miho?"
Miho stood between the two girls with her arms out to separate the fight, but enduring the results. Her cheek pulsed from the punch and discoloration began to show inevitable bruising. Her bangs fell covering her eyes, but she winced to herself as the pain settled in nice and cozy.
"M-Miho, I'm so sorry I don't know-".
Miho held a hand up to the blonde to signal her to stop while keeping her composure.
Nonna put a hand on the Ooarai girl's shoulder, "Let me see it." she tried to turn Miho's face.
"I'm fine…" Miho shrugged her off and paced towards Katyusha. Shap spat off to the side, a splatter of red decorating the frost, "Katyusha, listen to me. It's true that Kay's school was destroyed… its true that students died, and I know you have a lot of questions, but the story right now is very, VERY complicated. The time it would take to explain it and get you to understand is something we don't have right now. We didn't come here with the intent to start a fight, Kay's angry, you're angry, and I'm angry…" she clenched her fist.
That last part carried a gravity that made the others a bit more fearful of her presence.
"The reason we came here is because we have come across some clues that lead us to believe the attacker came from here." Miho admitted.
"CHTO!?" Klara was astonished and confused.
"HUH!?" Katyusha's face twisted, "That's absurd I would never authorize something like that!".
Miho pinched her nose, "I'm not saying you did Katyusha, but that's why we need to investigate your Hind please.".
Nonna stepped in, "What you're entailing is that someone hijacked our Hind and destroyed the entirety of Saunder's? That hardly seems likely, Miho." she pointed out the holes in the story.
Miho grimace rubbing her stinging cheek, "Look I know how it sounds but-".
*VVVVRRRMMMMM!*
The Panzer IV began to move forward.
"Hey where's your tank going!?" Katyusha pointed at the runaway tank.
Miho cursed in her head as she ran to the tank.
Anzu coughed as she almost choked on a sweet potato.
"This just keeps getting better and better huh?" Yuzu monotoned.
Momo was almost pulling her hair out, "What is Rust doing!".
Anzu began to pull her friends in the tank, "No time to watch, let's go!".
Within the Panzer IV crew.
"Mako!".
"It's not me!".
"Rust!" Yukari switched her blame.
"I believe I have pinpointed where they are keeping the vehicle stored." the Autobot announced.
"Rustung you can't just move on your own like this!" Hanna panicked.
"But I'm not alone, there's you guys to blame." Rust stated a bit too happily.
Yukari decided to get more to the point, "So how did you find out where Pravda's Hind is then?".
"WAAAAAH!" Saori cried out as she dropped her phone.
The other three girls stared at her in confusion until they realized the source of her panic was her phone being covered in wires.
Like snakes they suddenly detached from the phone and slithered back into the open radio panel.
"Sorry, I used the human web from your communication device to find a map of the Pravda campus…" the screen on Saori's phone displayed a mad of Pravda with a red dot on one of the hangar bays, "This is the hangar closest to the helipad just at the end of the runway here, so it's only logical." Rust finished her analysis.
The girls didn't know what to say as they stared at the map slightly freaked out.
The sound of someone climbing on the hull drummed through the tank until the top hatch opened and in dropped Miho.
Miho took a few seconds to warm up and catch her breath, "Mind explaining what you're doing Rust!?".
"Apparently she might know where they're stashing the Hind at." Yukari answered.
"And besides, you guys were taking too long.".
Rules should have been set in place before departing. They would have a lot to talk about later.
The six tanks stood side by side in front of the hangar.
The girls had exited their tanks and walked to the doors only a few yards away.
"Next time just wait for us! You are treading on the land of the Great Katyusha! It's rude to just wander off like that!" the small blonde exclaimed from her right hand girl's shoulders.
Mako groaned, "I already said I'm sorry ok.".
"(I'm honestly glad she did before things could get more out out of hand.)" Klara stated her relief as she pushed a few locks of blonde behind her ear.
Nonna hummed with a nod, "(I agree.)".
Katyusha pated Nonna's head, "Quit it!".
"Hey Piggy back!" Kay called to the young blonde.
Katyusha turned around, "I know you're not talking to me!" she barked as Nonna turned with her commander.
Kay pointed up at the door, "That always been like that?".
Feet ahead where eyes were drawn up to the door where a part of the titanium was bent outward to form a small hole. Like something had forcefully pried it open.
"This place is old so it's probably some weather related damage. Nothing that can't be fixed." the small commander brushed off.
Nonna brought her commander to a lever to the left of the doors.
Klara examined the damaged doors with a puzzled and worried look, "(That definitely wasn't caused by weather.)" she mumbled to herself.
From the line of tanks Rustung's vision on the door switched to a strange optic making everything pink except for the faint green around the peculiar formed hole in the door, "Energon traces…" she detected. This meant that Hind had definitely been here. Rustung's spark began to pulse wildly from its soft bright blue to a mix of crisp white and lavender purple, "Hmmmmm!" the Autobot groaned to herself as the sudden spike of energy raced through her system so fast it stung.
Momo shivered as she hugged herself, "Can we just hurry this along?".
"So scary, yet such a cry baby." Yuzu snickered.
Nonna smirked at the Student Counsil, "That's a fitting school motto." she fired.
"Oh can it!" Momo blew up.
Kay looked away and bit her tongue to suppress a sudden chuckle.
Katyusha grasped the lever, but gave Miho a sharp side glare, "Once you've done your little investigation I get to ask the questions, you got that?" her reminder was more of a warning.
Miho's face hardened, a gust of bitter wind rushed between the two as she nodded, "Right.".
The Panzer IV trembled, to contain itself, but Rust could no longer stand it. The tank began to shift and resemble to its human form, "Nooooo!" Rust gritted. The forced transformation halted as she fought against her own body.
Klara looked back at the sudden sound of mechanics, "(What was that?)".
"What was that?" Katyusha repeated.
The group of Ooarai girls seemed to go stone-stiff with poor poker faces except for Mako really.
The shoulder riding blonde looked to only see the line of parked tanks.
Kay spoke up, "Probably just my tank crew making noise." she dismissed any suspicion.
Klara however gave the group of Ooarai girls a snow melting stare.
Katyusha glared over to read the Ooarai commander's eyes before pulling the lever down.
The doors creaked and whined as they separated slowly.
"We only ever use it for events or celebratory occasions. Sometimes we even parade it with us on Victory Day. The last time however it was in the background of our last Sensha-Do victory photo as proudly displayed in the Pravda yearbook!" Katyusha explained with enthusiasm as the doors parted for the girls to have a full view.
"Ahhh Victory Day parade…" Anzu sighed at the warm memories, "I tell ya, Pravda can surely have a cultural festival that meets the status quo of a college frat party.".
"We came in third place in the ultimate snowball fight tournament, not bad for three foreigners." Momo adjusted her monocle with a proud smile.
"You did screw us over in the snowman building contest though" Yuzu reminded shooting down Momo's pride.
The lights in the hangar flickered like strobes before stabilizing constant beams of light to illuminate the propelled aerial assault vehicle posing in the center of the building. The design of this machine indeed made it look like a demon made to rain hell and carve valleys of fire and death. Now it was proudly owned and cared for by Pravda and stood there in mint condition.
"There." Katyusha held her hand out to the helicopter, "Hasn't moved.".
The girls stepped closer to examine the interior which was in a state of destress. A row of snow mobiles to the right were out of place or flipped on their sides while a fuel tanker to the left was dented in and had leaked on the floor protruding a rancid smell.
The entire place had been in disarray while Pravda's proud Hind remained cleansed of the mess.
From within the hangar a set of optics honed in on the group of girls in thermal vision making them all look like splotches of red and yellow.
"Damn this place is a real crap trap." one of the girls spoke covering her nose with her arm.
The robotic vision flashed a triangle around her head before zeroing in and running a facial scan. The familiar face was scanned and recognized as Commander Kay of Saunders high, then Commander Miho Nishizumi of the other unknown school.
Katyusha stared dumbstruck, "Nonna! What's the meaning of all this, I thought Nina was supposed to tender to the condition of these hangers!? And who put that stupid looking ensignia on my Hind!?" Katyusha's tantrum erupted.
Nonna was too shocked by the display of disorderliness.
"Well that's exactly how it looked." Kay stated as she observed the chopper.
Nonna turned to the blonde, "And what is THAT to which you are referring to…" the noirette carefully descended her commander from her shoulders, "Pardon my condescending tone, but it's about time we got some answers. Do you think we are responsible for anything that happened to your school perhaps?." she crossed her arms as she gave a venomous stare with little patience to stare.
Kay retaliated with clenched fists and an equally toxic pair of daggers, "I never said you or your school was involved in the attack! Don't go making bogus accusations like that!".
"Well you made it clear you're here at Pravda to search for clues in regards to the attacker no? So if you're so confident that we lent no hand in this crisis, what then led you to come here to observe the state of our Hind hmm?" Nonna stepped forward to keep the pressure on, "What clues are you looking for exactly?".
Rusting continued to contain her transformed state as spikes of energy shot through her with immersed amounts of energy.
It was painful.
However, it was the noises that reassembled voices that fumbled her thoughts, "Duuuuh! W-w-wha…. What are yooo… you saying?" she spoke to herself, or at least the noises.
Her spark continued to vibrantly pulse purple.
Saori sighed, "Those two are really wringing each other's necks out aren't they?".
"Well I don't expect Nonna to be thrilled about what we're doing." Yukari stated.
Miho stepped closer to the hanger and squinted…
Kay looked to the ground of snow as if an answer lay at her feet, "It's… it's complicated okay, I can't really put it into words!" was all she could think of.
"That's enough from the lot of ya!" Katyusha interrupted, "Whoever is responsible for this is an embarrassment to the great Katyusha!".
However Nonna pressed the knife deeper into the subject, "It's one thing to be traumatized Kay because that I can understand, but it's another to bluntly withhold information and keep us in the dark. Both you and Ooarai have been nothing edgy since you got here.".
Kay marched the distance left between the two, "What you think I'm not traumatized, you think seeing dozens of my friends die with my own eyes and getting their blood on me is some sort of bucket list goal!? You don't know shit about what I'm going through Nonna!".
"You're right I don't understand! But for someone so demandent for answers you're awfully secretive.".
"Well for someone's dog you're getting off your lesh a bit much huh?" Kay plastered a shit eating grin.
Klara hooked an arm under her comrade to try and contain what's to come.
"Why don't you just go back to your tank Kay and take care of your friends since you're soooo good at that!" Nonna let her rage out of that cage before thinking of what damage it could do.
The snow in the air seemed to almost sizzle and evaporate from how the argument turned of the temperature.
Yuzu's eyes widened, "... damn… that was a cold blow.".
Anzu looked at her friend with a dead stare, "Was that pun intended?".
"I'm putting an end to this!" Momo marched over.
Miho scanned the helicopter and the ensignia that was mentioned had been spotted. Where the pride filled symbol of Pravda should have been glorified was instead a symbol with a more sinister meaning that was dared to be forgotten by the Ooarai commander…
The vein on Kay's forehead throbbed with vigorous. The screams of her dying sisters in arms echoed again. Metaphorical flames burst from her blonde hair as she shot forward, "You BITCH!" she reered her fist back.
A pair of arms hooked under the blonde and two hands pressed the back of her head completely immobilizing her attack, "If you hit me I'll scratch your eyes out! I'm not as nice as Miho!" Momo's voice warned.
Rust had described and presented the insignia of the Decepticon clan, so when Katyusha had mentioned there being a 'stupid insignia' on the Hind, that was the first fear to have beheld her.
Nonna had also fought against her Russian comrade, "If you don't go to your tank willingly then I'll be happy to drag you through the snow!".
And right on the side of the Pravda Hind…
"Oh I'll make you eat it!" the blonde retaliated verbally and physically.
Decorated in the school's colors…
Klara rushed in front of her friend and quickly enveloped her in a hug, "(Stop stop stop, it's okay, it's me, it's Klara. Please calm down.)" she stroked Nonna's black hair.
Nonna patted the back of Klara's head as she slowed her breathing and calmed herself as Kay was also practicing her breathing exercises.
Bared a symbol with sharp edges in the face and a crown of three horns...
"Will you two stop acting like children already!..." the small blonde shouted on her tippy-toes, "Katyusha has demanded your attention and yet you continue to bicker!" she then turned to Nonna, "I expected better from you Nonna, you're usually more collected than this.".
"I don't- FuuuuAAH! *pant!* *pant!* Who's here!?" Rusting asked as her spark once again spazzed.
Nonna detached from Klara, "I'm just paranoid Katyusha, Ooarai nor Kay have said anything on what's going on, and to be honest, I don't think they know themselves. I don't trust them." the let her worries bleed out through her mouth.
"Well focus up now! There has been an infiltration on campus grounds and no one infiltrates the Great Katyusha!".
Nonna sighed, "Yes of course.".
The Panzer IV Autobot seized her jolting as her spark returned to its calm blue state, "*pant!* *pant!* *pant!* He's… he's here…".
"Oh no…" Miho breathed.
"Grrrr…!" Katyusha growled, "When I find out who did this I'll have them thrown in the Gulag and-!".
*PsshhhhhhK!*
The Hind hissed, cutting the Pravda commander off as the stem of the propellers elevated up.
Nonna stare was glued to the unnatural movement of the aerial vehicle, "What was that?".
The wings of the metal beast shifted back clicking into place before rotating upward pointing the missle silos to the roof .
"Everyone get back!" Miho screamed as she pulled Nonna with Katyusha back.
*BOOOOOOOM!*
The roof of the building flowered into a cloud of fire.
Flames rushed out the mouth of the open hanger and knocked the girls back into the snow.
The shockwave howled as it raced past and rumbled the armored war machines.
The pilots in the Super Galaxy shot up.
"Jesus!"
"The hell's goin on!?".
"Oh god it's happening again!" the pilot began to hyperventilate.
"Pull yourself together and get on a line with the commander!" the other pilot ordered.
Nonna clenched her teeth as she picked herself from the snow. She looked to her right to see Kay crawling through the snow holding her ears.
The two gazes met, their previous hatred for each other had vanished, and a truce had been telepathically made.
"Get to your tank." Nonna once again stated.
"Right." Kay helped the Pravda girl up and made separate ways.
There's no way this was happening! There's no way this is happening! THERE IS NO WAY THIS IS HAPPENING! Nonna's thoughts screamed as her brain struggled to cope with reality. "Get up Katyusha!" she quickly pulled her blonde commander from the snow and brushed the frost off her before putting her giant helmet back on, "Klara!?" she looked over to see Klara holding her bleeding forehead.
Klara groaned standing to her feet with a wobbly stature. The dizziness in her vision mixed with the drumming pain in her forehead forced her to collapse once more.
From the black scorching cloud of smoke, a crimson light pulsed from the core. Seconds later the blades of the Pravda Hind chopped through the ash and across the airfield.
Nonna pulled her attention away from the phenomenon and pushed Katyusha along, "Katyusha get to your tank pronto!".
The small blonde stood stricken in a pool of emotions with panic beginning to brew in the pot. Her eyes followed their helicopter, "Who the hell is piloting that chopper!?" she screamed running to her tank.
"It's not being piloted!" Kay stated as she climbed into her Sherman, "It is the pilot.".
Nonna assisted Klara up to her tank.
"(I'm fine, where's Katyusha!?)" the Russian speaker looked around frantically.
Nonna poured water from her canteen over a handkerchief and began to dab at the wound, "(She's in her tank right now safe. You on the other hand-)".
Klara grabbed Nonna's wrist tending to her wound, "(Where's the Hind!?)" she noticed the missing vehicle that should have been in the wreckage.
"Rei….. w….. Up!"
Miho stirred as the noise disturbed her slumber.
Her bed was a lot colder than usual too, what was up with that?
"Reiz.. wa… up!"
That wasn't her alarm either. Is that Saori's voice?
Miho's eye slits began to crack open slightly.
Her room was dark…
Suddenly she was being pulled and dragged.
... wait… this wasn't her room. There was snow. And smoke. And fire!
Like a sudden jolt of electricity Miho's eyes burst open, "*gasp!* Wh-what happened!" she shot up looking around.
"Reizei wake up! Please!" Saori's teared up face screamed as she held the unconscious tank driver.
Momo paced her hand on Mako's chest, "Don't worry she's still breathing." she reassured.
Yuzu was seen supporting Hanna with an arm over her shoulder.
"Miho thank goodness!" Anzu hugged the tank commander.
Miho returned the hug briefly before pulling away, "Anzu what happened!?".
The prez pointed to the demolished hanger, "It seems Kay wasn't bluffing, Pravda's Hind fired on its own and flew off. Nonna and Klara went to pursue, but they won't last long at all against that thing. What should we do!?" she begged for her commander's orders.
Miho rubbed the soot from her eyes as she collected her thoughts. She didn't want to put any of her friends in life threatening danger, but didn't want anyone to die tonight, "Okay… get to your tank and follow those two. Try and catch up and talk them back before they engage in any combat. If worse comes to worse keep your distance and don't be a hero, understood?" her orders her hammered in like nails.
"Got it!" the prez acknowledged.
Miho went to rally up with Anglerfish.
The turtle team tank rumbled to life, burning to cold off.
"Why the hell did we agree to come along again!" Momo complained, loading in a shell.
"We voted between ourselves and you voted in on this too!" Anzu took the gunner position.
"Well yeah I wasn't going to just let Miho and Kay go alone!".
The Hetzer began to turn around, "Pravda tankery students are still on campus and school faculty will notify the police soon so what should we do!?" Yuzu looked back to the prez.
Anzu looked through the scope to see Hind making a beeline for the Super Galaxy, "... we take the fight to this thing now and hold off till reinforcements arrive.".
Kay grinded her teeth, "SHIT! It's going for the Galaxy!".
The radio operator in the Sherman 4 switched frequencies, "This is the commander's tank, commander Kay has ordered you to withdraw from your positions. Evacuate the Galaxy now!".
"Wait what's going on!?".
The Hind made a one-eighty turn that way it was now hovering above the massive bird.
"It's right above you guys!".
The Hind began to reform itself mid air into a cluster of helicopter machinery. The chains of gravity pulled the alien attack chopper down.
Two pairs of metalic legs emerged from below the behemoth.
*DONG!*
"...".
"...".
The two Saunder's pilots stared at each other as the planes outer hull caved in from the weight of the object.
"... What the hell was that!?".
"Something just-".
"-landed on top of the plane! Does anyone have a visual!?" the pilots radioed.
"(Nonna is Katyusha really thinking about following us!?)" Klara's voice blared through the radio.
"Damnit Katyusha…" Nonna cursed grabbing the radio, "Katyusha don't even think about operating that tank. You are to remain here until it is safe." she instructed.
"And who are you to be giving me orders!? This is my school and I'm going to defend it!" Katyusha dismissed her friends true concerns.
"Katyusha this isn't the time to be a fighter!".
Nonna's attempts were in vain however as the small commander's T-34 growled to life and drove forward. Nonna threw the speaker at the radio, startling her crew a bit, "Keep close to the commander and try and cut her off!".
"Yes ma'am!" the driver sounded off.
Picking up the radio again, "(Klara we're going to have to back up Katyusha. She's completely in over her head right now.)".
"(This is exactly why we should have discussed this sooner.").
"(Not the time Klara!)".
Kay banged on the tank, "Will someone get this damn thing started already!"
"We're sorry commander, but the oil started to freeze!".
"It'll be a few before we can melt it." the crew explained.
Kay growled as problems stacked, but held her urge to snap at them, "Then at least get this gun turned so we can lend some support!" she ordered.
Three Russian tanks and soon followed by the Hetzer treaded past the Sherman and Panzer IV.
"And where the hell do they think they're going!" she stretched her arm to the four tanks, "There is no way in hell they can fight that thing with just four damn tanks!" Kay then turned to the robot in disguise, "Hey! You oversized tin can!" she threw a rock at the tank, "Are you not gonna do something!" the blonde continued to spout a storm of rage induced questions and insults.
Rusting on the other hand contemplated whether compromising her true nature to more humans was a good idea. She got lucky the first time, though she might not be so fortunate the second time around. Her scanners zoned in on the Anglerfish team ahead. Diagnostics showed up above each girl indicating their vitals, luckily they all were stable so she didn't need to intervene.
Hind stood among the massive bird towering above the entire airfield as his transformations clicked into place. His three crimson optics looked around.
Four hostiles coming straight at him, but none of them resembled the autobots vehicle physic, "I know you're here…" he growled.
The massive Decepticon lifted his fist and punched through the top of the plane and into the cockpit.
He grabbed a hold of a small soft object and brought his screaming fist up to his face. The source of the screaming was a crying terrified amber haired girl with a green Saunders jump suit on.
"Put me down! Put me Down!" the pilot screamed for life.
Hind's eyes roamed over the small creature, "... insect."
*DUN!*
*DUN!*
*DUN!*
*DUN!*
Several beams of blinding light swallowed the metal beast.
The towers surrounding the airfield illuminated the tall mech atop of the Super Galaxy.
"Woah!".
"What is that thing!?"
The girls in one of the towers could hardly believe their eyes what was being displayed.
"Quick take a picture, take a picture!".
"I'm trying, hang on!".
*FLASH!*
The box camera went off capturing the image of the metal monster and spitting out the image.
The wind picked up however and was swallowed by the night.
"Are you gonna stare and gawk or are ya gonna shoot the damn thing!".
One of the girls fiddled with an ammo box that said in bold russian letters (DO NOT TOUCH. STAFF ONLY.) and loaded a disk of ammo into the mounted degtyaryov machine gun.
A stream of hot red bullets flew and struck the monster.
Hind growled as he covered his face from the whistling rounds.
The other towers soon followed the same example until the Decepticon was being fired upon from every direction.
"Such futile weapons yield no avail." Hind declared as his optics dilated to adapt to the light and give him better clearing of his attackers. Locking onto a total of ten towers around him, his propeller blades chimed as they closed in together and his shoulder blades opened up to reveal a sillo of missiles.
Rockets hissed and screamed as they shot out from mech's back and raced to reach their goal.
One by one the towers lit up like torches in flash bangs of fire.
Katyusha suddenly gasped as her pupils reflected the colors of death from the explosions.
"Katyusha, fall back now!" Nonna's voice blared through the radio.
Katyusha clenched her fists and barred her fangs, "Take aim!".
The girls in the Pravda air traffic control tower screamed in terror as they raced to exit through the elevators.
One of the high ranking officials raced to the control panel, flipping up a glass cover and slamming the red button.
*wwwwwWWRRRRRRRRRRWWWWwwwwwwwWWWWRRRRRRWWWWww!*
A siren sang through the entire campus with red lights illuminating the buildings.
Pravda Tankery Club Building
The Pravda tankery girls each talked amongst each other at their prospective tanks.
Over at the massive heavy KV-2 tank, the crew talked between themselves.
"I wonder what's keeping the commander so long.".
"Maybe she overslept?".
Alina chuckled, "I don't think Nonna would let her" she joked as she climbed on the KV-2.
"She was really scary when she was asking those questions earlier. Edgy much?".
"Say… you guys believe those rumors about the commander?" Nina asked as she helped load another shell into the tank.
Alina and another girl thrusted the bore brush into the tank barrel for cleaning, "Guess it depends on how you look at it. She's as stubborn as she is short, but she's not stupid..".
"But does seem to always go looking for a fight".
"Or even when the fight comes looking for her.".
The rest of the crew seemed a bit more sour about their responses.
Nina and Alina shared a glance.
Alina put on a bright smile, "Keep in mind this is the same Katyusha we all chose to stay behind and get eliminated for during the All-Star match." she reminded the girls with an upright finger.
They didn't forget, and it got the crew thinking to themselves on where their emotions pointed their hearts.
"Or maybe everyones just a bit paranoid." Nina included.
"Well yeah, shouldn't everyone be after hearing about what happened to Saunders.".
"It is a bit frightening to think of that happening to us.".
"Well what do you think is going to happen to Sensha-Do in general?" Nina asked.
Alina tapped her chin, "Hmm, well I know Anzio and Chi-Ha-Tan have a match just around the corner. This week if I'm not mistaken.".
"Well I won't be surprised if it gets postponed."
"Have high hopes girls, It's our first year so there will be plenty of Sensha-Do to come." Alina patted one of her friends on the back.
"Well if I were Vice-Commander of Katyusha's Volunteer Army I guess I wouldn't be too worried about Sensha-Do being canceled this year.".
Alina snickered, "Well that's because the Federation has no jurisdiction with what happens within Tankathalon. We still got a score to settle with Jajka!" she clenched her fist with an anticipating grin.
"Oooooh Centipede team was sooooo cooool in Tankathalon last year!" Nina cooed.
"Hey, remember whose side you're on." Alina nudged her.
The girls shared a laugh.
*wwwwwWWRRRRRRRRRRWWWWwwwwwwwWWWWRRRRRRWWWWww!*
The building lights shut, swallowing the room in darkness.
The clamor of girls in the room began to panic and ask questions amongst themselves.
The panic from the sirens was only stirred furthermore when the building was illuminated in crimson from the emergency lights.
The beams of light were snuffed and the onslaught of bullets cut quiet.
But the whine from the siren was infuriating. Hind looked up to the control tower where a few onlookers admired the show of power and horror. Raising his arm to the building his hand rearranged into a cannon that whirled with red energy before being released in a pulsing wave of crackling energy.
*BOOOOOOOM!*
The tower was suddenly flooded with flames and screams as the hands of death choked out its victims.
The girl in Hind's hand sniffled in terror as she covered her head.
"GAAAH!" She yelped again as she peeked to see the triangle of eyes locked on her.
"Shhhhhhhh…" Hind brought his other hand and gently stroked the crying girl, "This is your true state…" his mouth piece vibrated as he spoke, "Hiding in your war machines. Thinking you're safe. Take that away and what are you?" his grip tightened.
"NOOO-!".
*SPLAT!*
Like a grape, Hind smushed the small human in his hand, coating it in a thick crimson essence, "Inferior…" he lifted his fist up to cover his face.
*PING!*
*ZOOOOM!*
A tank round ricachaded and whistled off into the stars. It was those three tanks that had converged on his position and one was now firing at him, "You're not what I want." he transformed his blaster arm and aimed it at the plane he stood on at the weapon charged.
The release of power resulted in an explosion that chained from the head to the tail.
The Super-Galaxy whined as metal bent and tore apart. The entirty of Saunder's proud crown jewel had ignited into a mushroom cloud of fire. Debbires from the wreckage were catapulted from the explosion.
"NOOOOO! Shit!" Kay cursed, "Fucking do something!" she cried to the stationary Panzer IV, "I thought you said you were the good guy! Your just letting use die out here you useless metal scrap!" the blonde let her emotions decide her words that popped off like canon fire.
"We almost got the oil completely liquified!" the loader stated.
"Duh!" Katyusha's rage had finally bit off a bit more than it could do after getting a taste of fear from a being capable of power that brings death.
Nonna's tank drifted in front of Katyusha's shocked expression, "Katyusha fall back now!" she screamed over the chunks of charred metal crashing around them.
Katyusha continued to stare at the destruction displayed on the air field. First her comrades in their torched towers. Then from the air traffic tower. And now Saunders jumbo jet layed demolished in a lake of fire.
From the ash of destruction, like a phantom a metal foot stepped out and crunched the pathway below. The rest of the demon's form emerged from the gates of hell towards the tanks.
Klara pulled up beside her commander, "Mrs. Katyusha please retreat! This is too dangerous to fight!" Klara warned as her tank fired a round.
Hind veered his body left to avoid being penetrated. In response he lifted his cannon arm and readied a blast.
The ground in front of him suddenly exploded into shrapnel and dirt which drew his attention to another tank in the distance that was both smaller and flatter.
"Missed!" Anzu called out.
"I can see that thank you!" Momo roared.
Hind growled as he locked onto the tank.
"Back up. Back up! BACK UP!" Momo's volume increased.
"I'm going!" Yuzu pulled the lever back and the Htzer reversed back over and behind the snowy hill.
Their cover exploded just yards in front of them and blew a chunk of the earth over their tank.
Katyusha's tank reversed and Nonna accelerated forward as the turret turned one eighty.
Klara and Nonna fired simultaneously.
At the same time Hind fired his charged railgun.
The red wave of crackling energy swallowed the two projectiles and set them off mid air while the energy kept its course.
Nonna gasped sharply at the fast coming attack as she ducked into her tank, closing the hatch.
The tidal of destructive energy surged past the tanks and took them with it.
Taking the brute force, Nonna's tank slammed hard into Katyusha before flipping over the T-34 and landing hard upright in its treads. Its armor charred and smoldering.
Klara however was less fortunate as her tank was lifted feather weight and landed with a roll before hulting upside down on its turret in a similar smoking state.
A little white flag popped up from the belly of the T-34.
Hind stomped past his destructive wake toward the last of the girls.
The hairs on Saori's neck stood up from the chill rattling her spine as it was her first time seeing the Decepticon, "Miho that thing is coming! Help me carry Reize!" she scooped under the sleeping girls shoulders.
It was actually all their first time seeing a Decepticon. THE Decepticon one that had carried Saunders High under its belt to.
Miho forced her wide eyes from the scene and put her focus to helping Saori.
Where were they even going to go. Where could they hide from a monster like that? And why hadn't Rust come to their aid yet!? Was she just as scared as they were?
His optics honed in on the Sherman before taking a liking to the Panzer IV.
"You continue to hide even when the fighting has begun? And you call yourself a warrior!?" Hind growled. The movement of fleeing humans caught his attention towards the flaming hanger, and to his liking their was one familiar face, "Miho NIshizumi!" he roared across the snowy field like thunder.
Miho halted in picking Mako up as her mixed terror and surprise skyrocketed.
Hind stopped about one hundred yards from the AnglerFish team, "You can end this now… no more of your friends have to die if you shun that Autobot scum and let me carry out my mission." he attempted a parley.
The girls of AnglerFish team looked at their leader, covered in soot and bruises. Beaten and exhausted. Yet the will in their eyes was like a fire in the night, or lighthouse in a storm. She knew what they expected of her, but she didn't know what to expect from herself now. She remembered the time she dove into the river and after the sinking tiger. She replayed the moment when she didn't leave Rabbit team stalled out and stranded in the river, but that was all a game, there were refes on standby to assist if something ever went too far. Nothing however could stop more innocent girls from dying, or her friends. Her nightmares of her friends sprawled around in their own pools of blood with the Panzer IV in flames slashed into her imagination.
Miho lowered her head to allow her head to cut her eyes off from the rest of the world and just be herr. She couldn't be that brave, she couldn't put anyone else in danger over an alien they didn't even know. It may not be a good decision, her friends may even think her to be evil, but…
They would be still alive…
"... I-".
"Like hell!" Kay's voice boomed from the now operational Sherman halting in between the mech and Ooarai.
Hind glared at the blonde.
"There is no damn peace offering after what you did! And as long as I'm breathing you will always have a fight to look forward to!" the once bright and charismatic star of Saunders snarled, now heartbroken left walking in a valley of despair.
"Hmmph…" Hind equipped his railgun, "How unprofessional of me to leave a job undone." he stirred the fire in the girl.
Kay's teeth grinded, "I'll make you pay for Naomi you bastard! FIRE!" she screamed.
The Sherman thrusted back as the barrel spat a glowing hot chunk of lead at its target.
Hind ducked and spun as his propellers rattled while expanding their reach and swished through the brisk air.
The shell shrieked as it split into two and exploded off to the sides.
Hind returned fire with a tsunami of crimson pulsing energy.
Kay didn't flinch or shudder in fear. If anything she was ready, be it unfair to her crew. This pain would be over…
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Rust was never much of a fighter… she had been in a few battles of course, but not as much of a warrior. Just a field technician. She was constantly afraid, always hiding behind cover, always running from the fight when it was safe to, always feeling guilty for it. She was a survivor… a coward.
She was no Bumblebee…
She was no Grimlock…
She was no Optimus…
Yet she was praised.
Why?
Because despite being afraid she was out there on the frontlines.
Despite trembling behind cover, she would stand from it to fulfill her duty.
Despite running from the fight, she would wield her weapon of engineering to give the Autobots the advantage.
Whether it was fixing a ship under fire, repairing an energon transport for Autobot cities while Soundwaves forces advanced on her position, or even fixing a turret to repel Decepticon forces and then being shot by Starscream.
Her being commended for her efforts only made the guilt heavier as she was dismissed from battle for her injury until the evacuation of the Arc.
While she had been safely held up comfortably in a medbay the real freedom fighting Autobots were out laying down their lives. What was worse is that she was slightly glad to be out of the war. Too much of a coward to want to be healthy for the cause.
But now, now she was carrying the weight of decades of war on her shoulders.
All Autobots were on the run or in hiding.
They were all cowards now… but they didn't have to be.
When the Autobots needed a leader, Optimus lifted the weight of the torch. He wasn't ready, he wasn't sure, and he wasn't prepared, but it was his decision. He was more than capable even if he didn't realize. He had become much more than he realized.
Now it was her turn, she wanted to be more now. She yearned for it. Who cares if she was found out. She may not have done so right on Cybertron, but she'd be damned if she'd let any more humans die for her.
And maybe it was part of the process. For what is bravery without fear? Is cowardness not the seedling to courage?
And maybe that was why Jazz, Optimus, and the others were proud of her for some reason. To be an Autobot you didn't need to be fearless or a ruthless fighter.
You just need to , "Rise above" as Optimus told her. And not just fight for the fight, but to understand why you're taking up arms and stick with it even when all hope seems dwindled.
That's what an Autobot was meant to be.
Well now she was done being scared and ready to show what it meant…
To be an Autobot.
The blast washed over Kay's tank and sent it flying back.
"Kay!" Yukari cried
Time for Kay had slowed.
The flakes of snow had seized their drift.
And she felt oddly at peace with the fact she may die, she gave it her all, but she just wished she had some last words with her parents.
*CLANK!*
The Sherman suddenly levitated in the air.
"What the?", Kay senses caught back up as she began falling from her upside down tank, "Wow. Wow! WAH!" she landed on the cold ground. However she expected the ground to be a tad softer from the snow, and not…. Glowing pink? When the blonde pushed her hair back she looked down into a large pink eye, "R-Rust!?"
In fact the Autobot had transformed and caught the Sherman with the crew screaming in terror from within.
Rust placed the tank down upright and gently placed Kay in her tank, "Stay here Kay, please. I don't want you getting hurt." she pleaded.
Kay was still left speechless.
However others had more to say, "Yeeeessssss!" Hind's vocals growled with pleasure at the sight of his prey.
AnglerFish team cheered in joy at the sight of their tank finally stepping to the plate. Miho however, kept her senses sharp, especially since the Decepticon was looking straight at them.
Hind's arm reformed into a long barreled machine gun, "Let's be rid of these distractions." he took aim.
Rust gasped as she instantly shot over toward the vulnerable humans.
Hind's gun went off like firecrackers.
AnglerFish team flinched at the sound of gun fire.
Rust dove and developed the girls in a dome-like hug before her body rearranged itself into its tank form.
"AAAH! WAAAAAH!" Saoori screamed as she was pushed around in every direction possible. Her brain was unable to process the speed of things, only she knew that she was suddenly in her radio position and still screaming.
"Saori please calm down!" Hanna hugged the Ginger and stroked her hair.
"Oooh god." Saori hugged back.
"No practice!" Mako shot up startling the crew.
The Panzer IV drifted in the snow and aimed its cannon before returning fire.
The shell whistled through the air before exploding off of Hind's chest. The Decepticon flew back from the impact but his propellers went to work as he gently glided to the surface, "Fine…" he brushed off the flames from his armor, "Have it your way Autobot.".
The Sherman parked itself parallel to the Panzer IV.
"Ladies out of me please… okay that sounded weird, but you know what I mean." Rust ordered.
"We can't leave you!" Yukari exclaimed.
"You're not leaving me, you're just not getting in my way. I can't let more humans die. I have to try at least!".
Hanna looked hurt, "Unfortunately, she has a point. We are just a liability, but please be careful!".
Without further argument he girls climbed out and took refuge on the Sherman hull.
Rust transformed back into her tall standing robot form.
"Hey!..." Kay called from below.
Rust spared a glance to the blonde commander just as she was completing her transformation.
"... I still don't trust you… prove me wrong." the Sherman rumbled as it drove away.
Miho couldn't look away from the mech as it stayed to defend them, and she was being taken away from the fight. Pangs of guilt washed over her as she remembered she considered turning her back on this lost yet brave soul.
War really can change a person's heart either by opening it to the light, or looming it with dark shadows.
Hind began to walk slowly, "You finally stand before me. You Autobots believe in choice, correct? Then choose, will you surrender yourself and in turn relinquish this planet of our presence? Or…" his shoulder pads shifted back and introduced his missile silos and equipped his energy cannon, "Do I need to kill every last one of these flesh sacks?".
Rust glared at the Cybertronian, "Your deception is a joke, I know how the spark of a Decepticon functions." she refused.
"Hmm… then you've chosen to DIE!" he roared before firing a barrage of rockets.
Rust shot forward, her hefty steps shaking the ground, but not nearly as great as the flowering explosions setting off behind her as she danced around the rockets trajectories.
Hind rushed forward as he charged and released a burst of energon from his cannon.
Rust predicted the attack ahead of time and leaped over the wave of crackling energy as the last of the rockets blossomed behind her. Her right arm transformed into its melee form with the treads rattling into place and moving at high speed to shred.
Hind reared his fist back which glew with a burning deep orange-red.
And the fight began.
