Chapter 12
By 2200 hours the Maximal squadron of thirty soldiers had surrounded the Predacon lab. They were divided into five teams that consisted of five troops and a team leader. Isis, of course, was in command of the whole squadron and kept in contact with the five team leaders, giving them directions. At the end of the megacycle, the teams secured all the entrances. Three of the five groups kept the entrances in check, making sure none of the Predacons escaped. The other two teams broke through a back door and were now waiting for Isis' command to storm the lab. Isis had no intention of going inside. She stayed at one of the less guarded doors with Anárion, speaking to her troops through a short range communication device.
"Ma'am," one of the team leaders ran up to her with a salute.
"Report," Isis returned the salute.
"We have just gained control of the building's terminal system. Security cameras, speakers, and information data now belong to us, so we can monitor everything that goes on in the building."
"What about the Predacons?"
"They are completely locked out of the terminal system. As far as we can tell, there are about twenty of them within the building. Plus some of our guys."
"Maximal prisoners?" Anárion stepped in.
"Yes, sir."
That was not something Isis had been expecting. She had assumed that the building was just the lab, not the actual prison. But then again, perhaps she was right. She supposed she should have expected at least some of them to be there. After all, if there were no prisoners, there was no point to the lab.
"How many?" she asked the team leader.
"About a hundred or so, ma'am. Most of them are in pretty bad shape, though. I suggest we get them out of here as soon as possible, because they are I need of serious repairs."
"Agreed."
"Excuse me," Anárion interrupted. "As far as I see, this is very similar to a hostage situation and it very well could become one."
"You think the Predacons would use the prisoners as shields?" she looked up at him.
"I do not doubt it," he replied. "Which is why I suggest a new strategy."
"I'm listening," Isis nodded.
"You said that you could monitor the Predacon activity within the building, correct?" he asked the young Maximal.
"Yes, sir."
"And over half of the squadron in positioned near the main entrenches?" Isis nodded. "What should do," Anárion smiled. "Here is what I propose: send an order to the tree teams at the main entrances to storm the laboratory but send it on a Predacon frequency. Then, monitor the Predacons within the building. Since their sensors are blind, they should direct most of their attention to the main entrances since they'll be waiting for an attack. While they are distracted, the remaining two teams should storm the laboratory from the back."
"It should work," Isis agreed, very impressed. "Alright, you heard the man," she turned to the team leader. "Do it, and while your main concern should be the safety of the hostages, I want the Predacons captured."
"Yes, ma'am."
Within the next megacycle, it was all over. Twenty-three Predacons were arrested and over a hundred Maximal prisoners were released and immediately rushed to the closest repair center. Most of them would survive, but over a dozen were in critical condition and the rest had to be examined and their injuries had to be treated as well.
As she and Anárion walked past the line of arrested Predacons, Isis noticed that Shifter was not among them. When the questioned one of the team leaders that led the assault, she discovered that they were not able to catch the Predacon leader. Somehow, with the use of a clocking devise, he had managed to slip through.
"My team is combing the area as we speak," the team leader informed her, "but so far there's no sign of him."
"Keep trying," she implored. "There's no telling how much damage he can do if he gets away." The team leader saluted and departed. Isis sighed and wiped sweet from her forehead. She was tiered beyond measure, but now was not the time nor the place for rest. She had to finish this once and for all.
"Hey!" she suddenly heard a voice behind her. Turning, Isis was very surprised to find Celadon, Astroburn, and Dila running through the crowd of troops towards her. Anárion stepped into the shadows, not wanting to come between Isis and her friends.
"Isis!" Dila warmly embraced her, and Isis hugged her back, glad to have her friend near.
"Commander Prowl told us what was going on," Celadon remarked.
"Yeah, are you okay?" Astroburn sounded genuinely concerned.
Isis smiled and nodded. "I'm fine, and I'm very grateful to have you guys here with me. Thank you."
"Oh any time," Dila smiled at her. "We're all so happy to have you back safe and sound." Isis returned the smile.
"So the commander gave you your own squad, huh?" Celadon pointed out. 'How does it feel to be in charge for once?"
"It sucks," she informed him. "As soon as this is over, I'm going back to my solo carrier. Oh, I almost forgot! Guys, there's someone here I'd like you to meet," she looked around, her optics searching for her companion. "Anárion! Now where did he go? Anárion, get your tail pipe over here right now!"
At first nothing happened, then the silver transformer stepped out of the shadows, a smile on his lips.
"Happy to oblige, my lady," his smile was directed at Isis, who tried not to blush too brightly.
"Right, well this is Anárion. He was the one who devised the strategy to get into the Predacon lab. I wouldn't have made it this far without his help."
"It is good to meet you all," Anárion shook hands with all of them in turn, "but I'm afraid Isis gives me too much credit."
"You know, you look kinda familiar," Astroburn observed thoughtfully.
"Hmm," Dila grinned. "You must be the mystery transformer Isis told me about," she flashed a smile to her friend, but Isis glared back in response.
"Did she?" Anárion smiled, glancing at Isis and then back at Dila. "And what did she say?"
"She said she found you to be a very intriguing individual," Dila lied, keeping her optics focused on Isis rather than on Anárion, "and that she hoped to meet you again."
"Uh-uh," he nodded with a smirk. "You must forgive me if I find that a bit hard to believe."
"Ah!" Astroburn snapped his fingers. "I can't believe I didn't recognize you before!"
