Authors Notes: Does anyone read these? Really does anyone? Please I'd like to know.
*MEANWHILE*
Hawk: *walks down hall--sees Blackbird as he emerges from CR-chamber.* Got pretty messy out there for you, didn't it?
Blackbird: Yeah, well, whatever. I'm going to my quarters. Wake me up when the war's over. *Begins to walk to quarters, but suddenly alarms start going off.*
Computer: Warning, multiple energy signatures detected outside of base. Repeat, multiple energy signatures detected outside of base.
Blackbird: Oh, of course. *Begins to head for control room, then notices Nightfox running towards him.*
Nightfox: What's going on?
Blackbird: Something very bad. Let's go. *They both head to the control room where they find the other Maximals working at different stations.*
Blackbird: Let me guess, Battle Droids.
Primal: Among other things.
Nightfox: Like what?
Primal: Catspaw reported that her sister attacked a small group of them, and we're detecting another signal outside as well.
Hawk: Yeah, and it looks a lot like Darkstorm.
Blackbird: Oh this just keeps getting better and better.
Siege: Well, what are we waiting for? They're not Preds, but they'll do!
Primal: Would you shut up! We need a plan. Where's Spider Striker?
Wildfire: *just entering the room* He took off to help the Cat Sisters. He said he didn't have time to explain.
Blackbird: Ah, sh**!
Primal: What is it?
Blackbird: Well, this sure seems like the end, so he must think it's his mission.
Primal: Well, that's just prime!
Hawk: All right. It's time to plan an offensive. Those droids are on their way here, and we'll need to lighten the assault waves as best we can.
Blackbird: All right. But someone's going to have to go get Spider St...
Hawk: He's made a choice to help the Cat Sisters, and we aren't going to waste any other members to go and get him. Besides, our first offensive is going to require our flyers. Line up according to call. Blackbird, Wildfire, Silverbolt, Cheetor, Skycat, Siege. We are the first wave against these battle droids. Take to my wing in a wedge formation, and follow my orders. To the letter.
Primal: Rattrap, Rhinox, Nightfox, B'boom. You will join me in the main defensive perimeter of the base. We have Sentinel, but we're going to have to make sure they don't even get that close. Hawk, can you locate Darkstorm's current location.
Hawk: Checking. *turns to monitor, punches a few buttons. Stares at screen* Nothing. There's a good chance his radar-assimilative armor has already adapted to the new sensor and scanning systems.
Primal: Prime. *sighs* Just prime. Then, we'll have to do what we can. Remember, keep a lookout for any Predacons, in case they are setting up a sneak attack while our attention is grabbed.
Hawk: All flyers, transform and on my wing. *Activates, jet-pack, lifts off ground. Other flyer Maximals transform, taking up a wedge formation. Fly off toward main group of battle droids.*
Primal: All right. Everyone else, take up positions around the base. Stay ready, and look for trouble. I don't want to be taken by surprise.
*LATER*
*All flyers in formation. Above cloud cover, and are approaching target area.*
Blackbird: *lets out a breath as he psyches himself* This is going to be one for the books.
Hawk: Let's make sure the book is written properly.
Wildfire: Another Covenant of Primus, eh?
Hawk: Close. Though, we may want to change the last part of the titling.
Skycat: That'll make it kinda long, huh?
Siege: That depends on who lives, don't it?
Silverbolt: I, for one, do not plan on dying today.
Hawk: It usually isn't part of the plan, but it's never indefinite. And since that is being brought up, the rule is, no dying.
Wildfire: Cute.
Hawk: Change to waypoint, Bravo. Range; four-point-seven kilometers. Maintiain formation, and descend to angels, one.
Cheetor: Huh? Angels, one?
Blackbird: Old earth Air Force and Naval code. Descend to angels one means descend to one thousand feet.
Siege: He coulda just said that.
*All flyers descend through clouds, holding formation. Clouds keep them covered for a few seconds. Then, the clouds clear, revealing the terrain below. And more*
Wildfire: Oh jeez. There's thousands of them!
Siege: Not for long.
Hawk: everyone, Maximize!
*All obey, converting to robot modes, and pulling out weapons.*
Hawk: Stay in formation until they fire. Wait for my signal, then break. Blackbird and Silverbolt with me, Siege, Skycat and Cheetor, with Wildfire.
Siege: You kiddin'? Honestly thought I was stayin with you flock of ducks? See ya--these low-grade drones are mine! *breaks and flies towards battle droids at his own angle*
Hawk: Dammit! Get back here! *Siege ignores* The rest of you, stay in formation. Wait for my signal.
*Approach gets closer. hover tanks in back raise their cannons. Battle droids raise their guns, though they are far out of range. First series of cannons fire, followed by second.*
Hawk: That's it--break into groups!
*Cheetor, Skycat and Wildfire break formation to the right--Blackbird and Silverbolt close up with Hawk as they break to the left.*
Hawk: First salvo, fire!
*Hawk and Silverbolt fire their rockets into group of battle droids. All three side-slip to the right as more cannons fire at them. Hawk dismounts sub-cannons as Blackbird pulls out his weapon.*
Hawk: Silverbolt, with me, low and fast. Blackbird, on my signal, break hard right and start firing. *first missiles and rockets hit battle droids, tearing them up.* Start firing! *Blackbird and Hawk open fire with standard weaponry, as Silverbolt keeps launching wingtip missiles.*
Blackbird: *Taking down a few battle droids* This is too easy!
Hawk: *destroying a bunch more* It isn't over 'til the last one drops. Don't let up. *continues to pummel the droids as they return fire, streaks of red fly by them* Blackbird! Break now!
*Blackbird breaks right, keeping parrellel with the droids. fires off rounds of firepower, taking the front line of droids down as he goes.*
Hawk: Silverbolt, help me with those tanks...
*Flash of light and sudden boom to Hawk's right occurs as a blast from one tank's turret hits Silverbolt in the left wing. The explosion forces Silverbolt back harshely, tearing the wing off. Silverbolt spins out of control, landing in a group of battle droids. Some droids get torn up by the Maximal's landing--the rest surround him*
Hawk: Damn! *interlinks sub-cannons as he approaches one of the tanks in particular. Dodges the other tanks' cannon fire, going too fast for the battle droids to catch him. Dual-cannon pings, and Hawk aims and fires straight down the tank's turret cannon. As the blast of energy travels down the cannon into the tank's turret, Hawk pulls up quick. The turret hatch explodes open, fire also travels back through cannon. Whole tank explodes as Hawk flies up, the shockwave tearing up nearby battle droids and bumping neighboring tanks over.*
Skycat: *from Hawk's commlink* Need a hand, old-timer? *Skycat joins in, flying in from behind the group of droids, and starts firing at battle droids*
Hawk: Thanks--we can use the hand.
Skycat: No problem!
*Blackbird climbs to join Hawk, who flies towards Skycat.*
Blackbird: Where's Silverbolt?
Hawk: He went down. Right into the droids' nest.
Blackbird: Sh**! We have to go after him!
Hawk: Wrong call. He's either dead or already captured. As cold as it is, our priority is defending the base.
Skycat: How much damage have you done?
Blackbird: We've taken out quite a few battle droids, but there're still quite a few more, and those tanks are starting to get annoying.
Hawk: Attacks on the outer hull aren't enough. We need to get to the insides.
Skycat: We should probably take out the tanks last. There are more droids than hover tanks, and even though the bigger ones are more powerful, we can take them out easier if we don't have to deal with the troops.
Blackbird: She's right. All those walking Wizard-of-Oz dropouts are in the way. Once we take them out, we can work on the tanks up close.
Hawk: Right. Since they have no short range defenses except for the battle droids, they won't be able to defend themselves.
Blackbird: Think we should reassemble?
Hawk: *triggers commlink* Cheetor, Wildfire, how are you guys doing?
*CHEETOR'S POSITION, ABOVE THE FAR END OF THE DROID GROUP*
Cheetor: *into commlink* We've got some help. They, um...just came out of no where...
Blue Blaze: Take that! And THAT! And some of this! I'll show ye who's boss! Hahaha!
*Blue Blaze has arrived and is shooting around at the droids and blowing them up one by one*
Velvet: *joining Blue Blaze* Stop, you sound crazy.
Blue Blaze: No I don't.
Velvet: Yes, you do.
Blue Blaze: No I don--AAHHHH!!*;'.,@--... *A droid hits her and she blows up.*
Velvet: NOO!!! *Now Velvet is blowing up droids*
Starflame: They killed her! Now, I'll kill them!
Clawblade: What? Are you crazy?!
Starflame: YES! *fires and decimated 50 droids. Velvet kills 20*
Clawblade: I'm out of here. *Clawblade runs back to The Caves.*
*HAWK, SKYCAT, BLACKBIRD*
Hawk: Cheetor, what's going on over there? *drops optic lenses, scans the other side of the battle group.* We've got a few extra bodies fighting the droids. One other is leaving the scene. Where'd they come from?
Cheetor: Dunno--they just came out of no where! But they're taking out quite a few droids!
Blackbird: That's always a good thing...
Hawk: Damn. Make that one less extra body. *retracts lenses* One of them just took a bad hit.
Skycat: Then, let's get over there and give them a hand!
*All three fly to far end of battle group. Start firing at battle droids. Aiming is sporadic, but droids are dropping from all around.*
Blackbird: We're thinning them out! We might actually stop these guys after all!
Hawk: *turns and fires rockets at two droids, decimating them* Don't stop--keep on the assault...
*perfect shot hits Skycat in the stomach, tearing at her armor. She begins to drop to the troops below*
Hawk: Dammit! *flies after her, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her to safety. Hawk flies higher up.*
Skycat: Ungh!! He...made a good...shot, huh?
Hawk: *examining damage* Yeah, he sure did. Let's get you out of here.
Cheetor: Hawk, we need you to give us a hand. We can't hold them off forev--#!.'.@,. *Cheetor is hit in the back. Explosion causes Cheetor to spin forward and fall.*
Hawk: Have to hurry. *flies to far end of valley, away from battle. Sets Skycat down* Convert to beast mode and begin internal repairs.
Skycat: Nuh-uh. I can still fi-uagh! *cringes*
Hawk: I mean it. convert and rest! *flies off without awaiting an answer*
Skycat: Dammit--beast mode! *transforms and starts repairs*
Hawk: *Flying back to group. Notes a load of battle droids dropping from far off.* At least Siege is doing something useful. *into commlink* How is everyone?
Wildfire: I can wipe out a hundred in no time, but they keep coming!!
Blackbird: I took out another tank, but it hasn't helped us out in the least
Siege: They're still advancing. They'll probably make it to the base in no ti-*#^';.'.@!...
Hawk: Siege? Do you copy? Come in. Siege...
*Interrupted as a massive explosion goes off in the air. Hawk zooms optic lenses on the far off fireball. Pieces of griffin wing go everywhere, as fur-covered armor scatter from the fireball, now turning slowly from bright red fire to a black ball of smoke. Ball clears away with the wind, and nothing is left except a few dropping particles still on fire*
Hawk: They... How?... He had the strongest armor of all of us. They got him? What happened?...
Blackbird: Hawk!! We're getting SLAGGED out here!!
Wildfire: We knock them down, but they keep coming! What next?
Hawk: *stops in midflight as he realizes his only option* We have no choice...
Blackbird: Well? Whats the call?
Hawk: Back off! All flyers, we're pulling out. Get out of here now!
*BEHIND THE FIGHT FORCE*
Skycat: Ya mean we gotta retreat? Damn! *checks internal repairs, which are partway complete. Climbs into the air to retreat, then sees the damaged Cheetor behind a boulder, and droids coming closer.* Oh sweet merciful crap! *folds wings and buzzes a group of droids, then lands next to Cheetor.* C'mon, we gotta get outta here! Hawk's orders!
Cheetor: I'd love to, but my jets are busted!
*both duck as droid fire shoots over their heads.*
Skycat: Then you'll just have to ride! Hop on, 'fore we're both made into cold slag!
*Cheetor quickly gets on Skycat's back, and they fly out of there like a bat outta hell.*
Hawk: *from Skycat's comlink* Skycat, are you pulled out yet?
Skycat: I'm right behind ya, an' headed back ta base! We'll be there soon.
Hawk: We?
Skycat: Yeah, Cheetor's with me. I managed to get him out of there. We're on our way home!
*BACK WITH HAWK, BLACKBIRD AND WILDFIRE*
Wildfire: I'm going for the Darkseid.
Hawk: What!?! I gave a direct order to fall back. How do you expect to get to the Darkseid with this army of droids?
Wildfire: Easily. Make sure that everyone gets back to base. I'll deal with these droids.
Hawk: I don't like it.
Wildfire: Never said that you had to. Now go!
*Hawk flys off, checking to see that the other flyers are going back to base*
Wildfire: Now it's time to have some fun! *Wildfire begins to form a ball of fire. Soon the ball is bigger than herself, and she uses it like a shield against the droids*
Wildfire: They just don't learn. *Wildfire flys throught the droids and any near her melt. Soon she is on the other side of the droids looking for Darkbird outside the Darkseid.*
Wildfire: Come out and play Darkbird, Mirage. Or are you two chicken?
Darkbird: *emerging from base* I'll show you who's chicken!
Wildfire: Nice to see you again, 'Lord of Darkness'. You know you never did come out to meet the Lady of Light. Too bad cause now she's mad.
Darkbird: Jubilee was killed, if that is who you are referring to. I don't know who you are but I will not tolerate being mocked. *Darkbird launched missles at Wildfire, who easily detonates them before they can reach her.*
Wildfire: That won't work, you know.
Darkbird: Doesn't matter. I will stop you.
Wildfire: I don't think so. *Wildfire creates a fireball and goes right past Darkbird and into the Predacon base. She flys through the Command room, straight down a corridor, and into Darkbird's quarters, conveniently marked with an Undertaker symbol. She triggers the door, and releases the fireball into the room.*
*BACK OUTSIDE*
*Outside, all the droids begin going off line, falling over in slumped piles.*
Hawk: I don't believe it. She pulled it off.
*IN THE DARKSEID*
Darkbird: So, you think you're some big hero now, huh?
Wildfire: No, I'll be the hero when I scorch your sorry tail feathers.
Darkbird: And how do you purpose to do that?
Wildfire: Like this. *Ignites into a ball a fire and gets ready to run down Darkbird.*
Darkbird: Computer, fire extinguisher.
*Wildfire is suddenly engulfed in foam, smuthering her flames.*
Wildfire: W-what did you do?
Darkbird: That, is fire-retardent foam. Go ahead, try to ignite your body. You'll find it's quite futile.
*Wildfire tries to ignite body, but finds out Darkbird is right.*
Darkbird: And just so you won't give me anymore trouble. *Walks over to Wildfire, unsheaths claws and runs them through Wilderfire's stomach. She falls to the ground, mech fluid pouring out of her.* Now that that's over. Computer, begin phase two of Operation: Jugdement Day. *Then, the whole ship begins to shake and engines can be heard in the background.*
Mirage: What's going on?
Darkbird: Simple really. Just like a pheniox, The Darksied rises again! Hahaahahahahhahahaahahahahahahahaha!!!!!! *Darksied lifts off from the ground and begins to fly towards the Battle Droids position.*
*ONE MILE FROM THE BATTLE SITE*
Hawk: *Brings optic lenses back up* Yup, they're down.
Blackbird: "Well, that wasn't such a chore, now was it"?
Hawk: Not funny. Not at all.
Blackbird: I'm sorry. I...I know we lost some of our guys out here.
Hawk: *Sighs*. Well, at least it's all over for now.
*Suddenly, the ground begins to shake slightly as a huge shadow passes over Blackbird and Hawk. They all look up and see something they never thought they would. The Darksied, hovering right over them.*
Blackbird: Oh my God.
Darkbird: *from outside speakers* "Welcome to your worst nightmare"! Haahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!
*ELSEWHERE*
*Velvet lands with some of her siblings outside of their own base, built into a large mountain. They all walk inside, and stop when they see Clawblade*
Starflame: Clawblade how could you run away?!
Ambush: And now Blue Blaze has been killed!!
Velvet: No, she is't dead.
Starflame: Huh?
Ambush: What?
Clawblade: How?
Velvet: I don't know, but we shouldn't have run away with out her.
Ambush: You didn't take her back with you?
Velvet: No we didn't have time. *Someone else comes in the room.*
Cybershadow: Then make time.
Velvet: Yessir!
Cybershadow: Velvet, take Starflame and Firebolt and find her.
Velvet: Yessir!
Cybershadow: Don't call me sir.
Velvet: Sorry, Cybershadow.
Cybershadow: Ok, now go and find Blue Blaze.
Velvet: Right away. Come on you two, let's go find Blue Blaze...
Firebolt: Yeah, let's go.
Starflame: Heh! Party time!
Clawblade: You're crazy, you know that?.
Firebolt: Oh, shut up. *Firebolt, Starflame and Velvet head back out to get Blue Blaze.*
*MEANWHILE*
Character: What hit me?
Cheetor: Hey, Skycat! She's coming around! *to new character* Are you ok?
Character: * looks down at her body.* Uh, no.
Cheetor: I'll take you back to our base.
Character: Okay...that would, uh...be... *faints as Cheetor catches her*
Skycat: Okay, now I can't carry the both of you. Some of my systems are repaired, but not all my strength is back.
Cheetor: Guess we'll have to run it home. *converts to beast mode* Come on, put her on my back, and let's go.
*BACK IN THE DARKSEID*
*Wildfire rises from the scrap that was her previous body, lying on the deck in the command room.*
Wildfire: I really hate that bird. *opens a commlink* Hey, are you guys just going to stare or are you going to help me take down this maniac? *Wildfire flys towards Darkbird.* You know, it's not wise to turn you're back on an enemy. *Wildfire then throws a fireball at Darkbird. He just barely gets out of the way.*
Darkbird: Computer, fire extinguisher! *Wildfire deftly moves out of the way and fires again at Darkbird.*
Wildfire: I don't fall for the same trick twice. And you *pointing toward Mirage* Stay out of this or we'll have double helping of red hot slag.
Darkbird: You may not fall for that trick, but how about this one. Darksied's weapons are targeting you're friends, if you don't want me to fire, you'll do as I say.
Wildfire: Why you *forms a fireball and throws it at Darkbird, who again moves out of the way. The fireball hits the consol behind Darkbird melting the entire setup*
Darkbird: You idiot you just fried the weapons consol!
Wildfire: *smirking* Ohh, Is that what that consol was. Too bad Darkbird, looks like you won't be firing on anyone today.
*Wildfire then flys out of Darksied and joins the Maximal forces, that are trying to take the Darksied down.*
Hawk: The ship. It's just sitting there... *notes Wildfire flying out* I didn't know if you were coming back or not.
Wildfire: Oh, and why not? Where is everyone?
Hawk: Skycat and Cheetor are heading back to base. They've picked up another stray. We don't know who, but we're guessing it was one of the ones helping us. We can't find Silverbolt, or the other of the two strangers that went down. What's the status on that thing? *points to Pred ship*
Wildfire: Oh, I just fused the entire control panel. He shouldn't be firing any time soon. *suddenly, a buzzing noise is heard coming from the ship.* What in...*turns around--notes a myriad of battle droids mounted on flying vehicles of some kind.* Waitaminute. I incinerated the mains for the droids' controls, along with Darkbird's entire quarters!...how?...
Blackbird: There's tons of 'em!
Wildfire: Not for long! *forms up fireball and throws at group of flying battle droids. They all dodge the ball easily.* Well, that didn't help.
Hawk: They're going to be much more maneuverable now that they're in the air.
Blackbird: Doesn't mean we can't shoot them down. *aims weapon at one--fires. Droid dodges* Nuh-uh...that doesn't sit well with me! *fires repeatedly at the same droid--keeps dodging. Finally, one shot tags the bottom of the speeder, sending it out of control and crashing to the ground* Haha! Got 'im!
Hawk: This is going to take forever. Wildfire, another blast.
Wildfire: Coming up! *creates another fireball. Throws towards a group of ten battle droid flyers. All but two of them dodge out of the way, and one of the two only gets partially hit. It's not enough to take him down.* Dammit! They're smart! How'd that happen?!
Hawk: I'll be. Individual minds. It's why they're still functioning without that core on-line. They don't need it.
Blackbird: You mean...they lost that special borg link of theirs?
Hawk: I don't think these models ever had it. *fires sub-cannons at approaching battle droids, tagging one but missing the rest.* We're too outnumbered at the moment. We'll have to get back to the base. Both of you, go--I'll provide cover!
Blackbird: We aren't gonna leave you behind!
Hawk: Who said I was staying...now go!
Wildfire: Well, we'll just have to stick around until you...
Hawk: I said go! It's my turn to hold them off. I owe you anyway, so get going!
*Both Wildfire and Blackbird fly off, firing behind them in a vain attempt to bring down their pursuers*
Hawk: *merging sub-cannons.* Funny, how I always get myself into these things. *Flying battle droids begin to open fire...*
**********************
Please Read and Review, we've has so little of that. We'll even take flames, we need a good laugh.