*BACK INSIDE*
*CR chamber opens. Catspaw comes out, battle-ready*
Catspaw: Where's Darkbird?!
Primal: Catspaw, I'm afraid I have to confine you to quarters...
Catspaw: Burn in the Pit! That monster took Catsclaw!!
Primal: Listen...
Catspaw: No! You listen! When I was seven, my family was taken from me! I didn't get them back until seventeen years later! I swore that wouldn't happen again. That monster made me break that oath. Now get out of my way! *Primal steps to the side and lets Catspaw by. When she reaches the door she faces Primal*
Catspaw: Don't you dare die on me, either, uncle. You're all I have left. *vanishes*
Hawk: *coming up from lab* We're having no luck with this gadget of Spider Striker's. What's the status out here? *Impact shakes the base*
Primal: Sentinel is down to twelve percent.
Hawk: I see.
Cheetor: B'Boom, Wildfire and I are outside the base. We're trying to take this bad boy down.
Hawk: Sentinel won't hold. We need to get out there!
Primal: Agreed. Rattrap, Rhinox, Nightfox--everyone! Get out there and give them a hand!
*Maximals empty out of the base, weapons blazing towards Firehawk. Firehawk dodges most of the shots, while the rest deflect off his armor harmlessly.*
Firehawk: All of you, and this is all you can do? Hahaha!! This shall be easy *Fires at B'boom and Wildfire. B'boom takes a hard hit, falling back. Wildfire absorbs the first shot, and dodges the next. A trail of fireballs follow her as she rolls to her feet, throwing a fireball of her own. Firehawk dodges the throw at the same time his last fireball hits Wildfire.*
Wildfire: That's all you got? I've got an easy time absorbing fire!
Firehawk: Hahaha! Absorb this!! *fires optic beams at Wildfire, knocking her over*
Primal: Don't remember him doing that before.
Hawk: New tricks. *fires dual cannon. Blast makes Firehawk flinch, but leave no damage in his structure. The next few blasts are easily avoided.* Take this bastard down!
*Firehawk aims for Rhinox, shooting him in the shoulder and tearing off most of the armor. Rhinox falls over. B'boom has gotten back on his feet, and as Firehawk absorbs more hits, he throws a fireball at B'boom. This time, the Maximal flies back as the fireball explodes on impact. He leaves a smoke trail as he lands a few meters away.*
Primal: B'boom! Damn! *increases fire against Firehawk. The increase in Primal's firepower does little to hold the other back. The Predacon responds and shoots Primal with his optic beams. Firehawk then aims for Cheetor and throws a fireball at his feet. Cheetor gets thrown into the air on impact, landing on his stomach. Quickly, Firehawk swoops down on the transmetal cat, picking him up and flying off.*
Blackbird: Cheetor! We have to go after him!
Primal: We...can't, at the moment. *notes B'boom smoldering, Rhinox downed, Wildfire clenching the side of her stomach and Rattrap down on one knee.*
Blackbird: Now what?! We can't keep getting slagged like this!
Primal: I don't think we have any options going in our favor. Who's...still functional?
*Blackbird, Hawk and Nightfox gather around.*
Wildfire: *walking forward* I'm still in good shape too.
Spider Striker: I can manage pretty well myself.
Hawk: We should pull Skycat out of the CR chamber.
Primal: We need to get Cheetor back. Somehow.
Spider Striker: We can still work on that little device of mine, but I'll need Rhinox's help.
Wildfire: He'll definitely need CR time right now. That plan's going to have to wait.
Spider Striker: Hawk knows his stuff. Maybe he can still help me. *notes Hawk staring off into space* Um...Hawk?
Hawk: Firehawk's construct. It was rather similar to...to Siege's. I mean, it's protective characteristics.
Spider Striker: They were, like, from the same program, or something.
Primal: A genetic experiment actually. They were preprogrammed before they were put into stasis. One was a blank, while the other housed a spark.
Hawk: But, the construct designs are the same.
Primal: I believe so.
Hawk: *thinking* Siege. *walks over to Blackbird and Wildfire* When Siege went down over the valley, did either of you see what hit him?
Wildfire: I think it was one of the tanks. Didn't see which.
Blackbird: It was. But, it was this one in particular. It had a secondary weapon on its side. That's what killed Siege.
Hawk: *partially excited* That's it. That's the plan! Blackbird, Wildfire. I want to go back to the droid site. I want to find that tank--it should still be there.
Wildfire: Probably still in one piece too.
Hawk: Whatever that gun is, I want it. Spider Striker, your project will have to wait. See what you can come up with yourself, and I'll give you an extra hand when we get back.
Spider Striker: Why don't they go and get this gun thing while you help me?
Hawk: I'll be needed to figure this new weapon's construct out. But, if it works out, we might be able to take down Firehawk.
Wildfire: And, we might be able to use it for other targets.
Primal: You'll be thinning out my ranks by taking those two with you.
Hawk: I'll need them to help me find it. Like I said, get Skycat out of the chamber, as well as that other stranger of ours. We'll be back soon. *Hawk, Blackbird and Wildfire fly off into the distance as the last light of the evening begins to disappear*
Primal: *sighs* Good luck.
*LATER*
*Wildfire ignites her body so that the flyers would have some light to fly by as they approach the battle site.*
Blackbird: We're getting close.
Hawk: Yeah, I know. Do you remember which tank it was?
Blackbird: Yeah, it was around the middle of the army.
Wildfire: Do you think that we'll find any of those droids operational?
Hawk: If they're like the flying ones, yes. I just hope that their controlling mechanism was really destroyed.
Wildfire: Hey, If I had known that there were other droids, I would've destroyed the bay they were in.
Hawk: I know that, but we just have too many people trying to slag us today. It gets rather annoying. I'd like to have a day off myself, you know.
Wildfire: I understand. You think that people trying to kill you is annoying, people killing you is worse. I've been killed twice today!
Blackbird: Twice? Who exactly are you?
Wildfire: I was Jubilee.
Blackbird: So that's what happened to her...er, to you.
Wildfire: Yeah. Is that the tank? *pointing down to a tank down on the ground*
Blackbird: I think so. *The flyers land and begin to examine the tank.*
Hawk: Well?
Blackbird:*from inside the tank* This is the tank.
Hawk: How can you be sure?
Blackbird: It has a video cam somewhere. It has the shot that took Siege down on the video.
Hawk: Okay. Let's see if we can get the gun off.
Wildfire: Just the gun, or the firing components too?
Hawk: It'd be helpful if we had the firing components.
Wildfire: Stand back. Blackbird, can you tell which controls control the gun?
Blackbird: I think so.
Wildfire: Good, then you'll be able to tell me when I get close to them.
Blackbird: What?
*Wildfire increases the fire around her body until it is a thin blue flame. She then cuts in to the tank.*
Wildfire: How am I doing?
Blackbird: Good, you're not close. Wait, go more to the left. *She does so* No no, my left. *Wildfire corrects her aim.*
Blackbird: that's good. Ok you're past the controls, you can cut over to the other side. *Wildfire then cuts the rest of the gun out with out any problems.*
Wildfire: How's that?
Hawk: Amazing.
Blackbird: walks out of the newly formed hole in the tank.* I agree.
Wildfire: *tired* Good, now let's get this back to the base.
Hawk: You're sure you'll be able to get back? *Wildfire attempts to take to air but falls in a heap.*
Blackbird: Hawk, can you carry the gun? *Hawk lifts the gun up.*
Hawk: Yeah, it's not that heavy.
Blackbird: Then I'll take Wildfire.
*The flyers take to the air again. Hawk carrying the gun that would hopefully take out Firehawk and Blackbird carrying the exhausted Wildfire.
*AT THE DARKSEID*
*Darkbird is sitting in his throne room, when the door opens and Mirage walks in.*
Mirage: Sir. Firehawk has returned with the Maximal.
Darkbird: Perfect. Tell him to take the Maximal to the lab. I shall be there shortly.
Mirage: Yes sir. *Mirage bows and leaves the room. Darkbird sits alone for a minute, a smile spreading across his face.*
Darkbird: It's all falling into place now.
*In the lab, Cheetor is just begining to wake up. He notices he is strapped to a table with some sort of machine hanging over him. He also notices some of the active Predacons are there, including Firehawk. Just then, the door opens and Darkbird and Mirage walk in.*
Firehawk: There. I did what you wanted. Our dealings are done.
Darkbird: Oh, our dealings are far from over. You may go now, but I will call for you again.
Firehawk: I'm not one of your loyal troops. What makes you think I'll help you any further.
Darkbird: Because, even though you can create light, your spark is still drawn to the darkness. And I have a direct link to the ultimate darkness. *Firehawk simply glares at him, then leaves the room. Darkbird stares at the door for a moment, then turns to Cheetor.*
Darkbird: Now for you.
Cheetor: If you're trying to get information out of me, you can forget it! I'll never tell you anything!
Darkbird: You think in such one-dimensional terms. I don't want your information. I want your spark. You shall be the crown jewel in my Minsitry. An innocence corrupted by darkness.
Cheetor: I'll never help you! Never!
Darkbird: Who said I was giving you a choice. Activate the machine.
*Terrorsaur nods, and types a few commands into the main console. The machine above Cheetor begins to hum and glow. Then, a beam shoots out and hits Cheetor, piercing through his armor and right to his spark. He yells as he feels his spark and whole body begin to change. Darkbird simply stands back and watches, laughing the whole time. After a few agonizing mintues, the machine stops. The whole group stands still, looking at the new Cheetor. His whole body has changed. He is now a Transmetal 2. The new Cheetor opens his optics and stares at the group.*
Darkbird: Release the chains. *Buzz Saw presses a button on a panel next to the bed and the bonds holding Cheetor retract, and Cheetor stands up. He walks over to Darkbird and stops about a foot in front of him. He then kneels down on one knee and looks up at Darkbird.
Cheetor: How may I serve you, master?
*BACK AT THE MAXIMAL BASE*
*Inside the base, Skycat emerges from a CR-chamber and goes outside. Primal hears her footsteps and turns around.*
Primal: Well, Skycat, glad to see you're out of the 'R-chamber.
Skycat: Not half as glad as I am to BE out of there! *she smiles slightly, then looks serious.* So what's the situation?
Primal: Not too good. Catspaw's gone after Darkbird by herself, and Firehawk just attacked the base...
Skycat: Firehawk?! Man, I always miss out on the fun!
Rattrap: *sarcastically* Ya call bein' blasted to scrap fun?! *he shakes his head* I reckon ya gotta few loose wires, kiddo.
Skycat: So I like to blow things up every now and then. Bite me.
Rattrap: Eh, don't tempt me...
Skycat: *grins wickedly at Rattrap* I'd like ta see ya try!
Primal: Stop it you two! Now is not the time to be arguing. *Rattrap just glowers and mumbles under his breath.*
Skycat: Sorry Primal. Anyway, Firehawk came, then what?
Primal: He blasted B'boom and Rhinox, then for some reason grabbed Cheetor and flew off. *Skycat's sapphire-blue optics widen in shock, then narrow angrily.* Hawk, Wildfire and Blackbird have gone to retrieve a weapon from one of the droid tanks. Hawk has a theory that it might be able to take Firehawk down.
Skycat: Right. I'm going after them then. *She transforms to beast mode and quickly flies off before Primal can say anything.*
*ELSEWHERE*
*Hawk,carrying the tank's cannon, and Blackbird--carrying Wildfire--are flying back to the Maximal base*
Blackbird: I hate the evenings. Even with night vision, it's hard to see where to go.
Hawk: *optic visor down* Just keep on my wing, and we'll be home in no time... *spots someone flying towards them* Hmmm. Got a visitor. *zooms lenses. Identifies Skycat.* Skycat? What's she doing out this way?
*Both Maximals keep flying until they get to her. Skycat turns around and flies on Hawk's other side*
Skycat: What's wrong with Wildfire?
Blackbird: Exhausted herself cutting out the weapon.
Skycat: Looks like you got everything without me.
Hawk: I thought Primal was going to have you stay at the base since we're down on numbers?
Skycat: *pauses a moment* What, no "I'm glad you're okay?" or "Good to see you again?"
Hawk: *shakes head* That wasn't... *sighs* Of course I'm glad to see you. I always am. But...
Skycat: Nono--that right there was just fine without the "but." I know, we need our troops defending the base, but the sooner you guys come back, the more we'll have.
Hawk: We're on our way now. Let's hurry this up. *fires up jets for more power, speeds ahead of the group. Skycat is just behind*
Blackbird: Hey! You know it's harder to keep up with you guys when I'm carrying someone!
Wildfire: Then... let me off here. *flies out of Blackbird's arms--ignites herself.* Feeling a little stronger. I think I have enough energy to make it home.
Blackbird: If you're sure--then let's get home.
*Everyone flies back to the Maximal base. Primal is waiting outside when Hawk lands.*
Primal: Mission accomplished?
Hawk: Yup. We've got it. *shows tank weapon*
Primal: Then, let's get it inside and figured out...
*IN THE MAXIMAL LAB*
*Spider Striker is working on energy blocking device*
Spider Striker: There! Done. Now, for my special project. *pulls out small gun attached to huge power pack and starts working on it*
Spider Striker: *to ring* You could help me y'know. This is why you brought me here. You could tell me what I'm supposed to do exactly. *Primal walks into lab*
Primal: Spider Striker?
Spider Striker: Alex. No one calls me Alex here.
Primal: Sorry, Alex. You're close with Catspaw aren't you?
Spider Striker: I'd like to think so.
Primal: She's gone after Darkbird alone.
Spider Striker: Oh, $h!t.
Primal: I want, no need, you to find her and talk her out of it.
Spider Striker: I'll try, but seeing how close she and her sister were...*finishes work on gun, puts on back and walks out*
Primal: Primus help him. Primus help us all.
*OUTSIDE, LATER*
Spider Striker: *using night vision to trak Catspaw through the night* Hmm. Trail's weak. She's probably masking that too. I'm probably only able to see it with another extra sense. Speaking of which, "STRIKER SENSE GOING BESERK!!" *Spider Striker leaps out of the way as Mantor pounces*
Mantor: Darkbird's all powerful now, but he's got lousy security. Now I can finally destroy you!
Spider Striker: "Eep!"
Ice Kitt: Stop!! *Mantor looks up and sees a very mad Ice Kitt*
Mantor: Why should I? You can't do anything to me.
Ice Kitt: That's where you're wrong. EAT ICE!! *Ice Kitt shoots Mantor with her ice arrows.*
Mantor: AHH!! That's cold! *Mantor is frozen solid where the arrows have made contact.*
Ice Kitt: That is why I'm called Ice Kitt!
Spider Striker: You saved my life. Hey, weren't you going to get some help?
Ice Kitt: I was but they're...*sobs*...they're gone. All of them...even my twin...
Spider Striker: I'm sorry.
Ice Kitt: I'm going to kill Raven, even if it's the last thing I do.
Spider Striker: Raven?
Ice Kitt: No time for talk. You are doing some thing I am...hunting Darkbird. Correct?
Spider Striker: Yes, but how are you...
Ice Kitt: Like I said no time.
Spider Striker: Right...
*Sound of glass breaking heard from behind Spider Striker and Ice Kitt. Both turn around*
Mantor: You thought THAT could hold me?! HAHA! Give me a break! Actually, I just did! *Jumps up and slashes Ice Kitt across the stomach. Ice Kitt--not badly damaged--is thrown to the side from the blow. Mantor lunges towards her, but Ice Kitt rolls out of the way. As he lands to the ground, he puts one claw out towards Ice Kitt as she rolls away, catching her arm and slicing part of it. Ice Kitt gets up, but Mantor gets up faster. She tries to fire a blast of ice at Mantor, but he jumps up and smacks her hard in the head with one claw*
Ice Kitt: *lands* Ungh! *Gets up quick and prepares to counterstrike, when Mantor aims a newly acquired weapon, shooting Ice Kitt. The blasts surrounds her, stuns her, and she collapses.*
Spider Striker: Hey! *fires webbing and pulls stun gun away from Mantor*
Mantor: Ooh--that wasn't smart at all! *a twig breaks from behind, and Mantor turns around to find Blackbird standing there in the night.*
Blackbird: I still owe you.
Mantor: Then come and get me. If you can. *Blackbird fires at Mantor, who jumps out of the way. Spider Striker ducks to avoid being hit by the wild shots.*
Spider Striker: Hey! Watch it!
Blackbird: *shrugs* Sorry.
Mantor: Oh, you'll both be sorry. *Mantor fires his eye beams at both of them, but Spider Striker jumps out of the way, and Blackbird takes to the air. Blackbird begins to fire at Mantor again, he continues to jump out of the way. Spider Striker fires the gun he was working on before. Mantor again jumps out of the way, but the shot hits a tree and blasts a hole right through it.*
Blackbird: Whoa! What is that thing?!
Spider Striker: Just a little something I patched together.
Blackbird: Good job.
Mantor: I'd hate to break up this little moment, but I have to kill you two now! *He fires at the two agian and this time hits Blackbird in the chest and brings him down. Before he can pursue his attack, Spider Striker shoots a cyberweb line at him and ties his legs together. Mantor trips, then turns his head and fires at Spider Striker, who jumps out of the way. Mantor cuts the bond, and attempts to stand up. Before he can attack Spider Striker, Blackbird puts the barrel of his rifle on Mantor's head.* Blackbird: "Dodge this." *Pulls the trigger, and Mantor's head literally explodes. Pieces of cranium and processor land all over the place, and Mantor's body drops lifeless to the ground.*
Blackbird: Finally! Something went my way for the first time today! Er...tonight!
Spider Striker: Well, that probably wasn't a good thing to say.
Blackbird: Why? *As if on queue, two shots come out of nowhere and hit them both.*
Spider Striker:*struggling to get up* That's...why. *collapses*
*Darkbird and rest of the Ministry show themselves. Darkbird walk over to the corpse of Mantor.*
Darkbird: He defied me. He got what he deserved. *Walks over to the bodies of Blackbird and Spider Striker.* At least some good came out of this. Bring them! *Mirage and Scavenger picked up Blackbird and Spider Striker, then the Ministry returned to the Darkseid.*
*ELSEWHERE*
Hawk: Blackbird, come in, please. Answer your damn commlink.
Primal: Anything?
Hawk: No. No signal, no nothing.
Rattrap: Damn. The kids keep disappearin'.
Hawk: I've had about enough of this. They have Cheetor, they have Blackbird, they have Spider Striker. And, they'll have more on their hands in a minute.
Primal: Hawk, what are you planning?
Hawk: An all-out offensive. No more sitting back and hoping. This won't get fixed until we fix it. And. we fix this, tonight.
Wildfire: They'll detect us! If we even try to walk to the front door, they'll probably kill them. Hell, they would still have a hostage situation if they only killed one of them. We can't let them do that.
Hawk: Then, we'll have to get in undetected.
Primal: Been working on a plan?
Hawk: I'm planning on working on a plan.
Rattrap: Huh? Ye mean, you don't even have a plan yet? And, eh, yer expectin' us to jus' go out an' get slagged?
Hawk: Not exactly.
Rattrap: *pauses* Awright--would ye quit with the half-answers and jus' say what you want to do!!??
Hawk: Our friend, the one Skycat and Cheetor found. She's still in the CR chamber?
Skycat: Yeah.
Hawk: Bring her out...
*A FEW MINUTES LATER, AT THE 'R CHAMBERS*
Starise: *stepping out of the chamber* What in... where?...
Primal: You can relax. You're with friends. What's your name?
Starise: Um.. my name is Starise. Who?
Hawk: We're Maximals. *grimaces* Well..one way or another. You're at our base.
Starise: Your base? Um..I have to get back!
Rattrap: Woah, hold on there, sister. We need te ask you a few, eh, questions.
Starise: You can't hold me here against my will!
Hawk: Now hold on--nobody is holding you here. We just need some help. Your...um...sister. She was able to mask her signature right in front of us.
Starise: Sister?
Primal: She called herself Blue Blaze.
Rattrap: Yeah, heh. Before she changed it.
Wildfire: Ice Kitt, if I remember.
Hawk: She told us, right before she left, that all of them could do it. We're assuming you can too.
Starise: Um...yeah, I can do that.
Primal: An enemy of ours has some of our friends captive. We need to get to the base without them detecting us, or they'll kill them.
Skycat: Will you help us?
Starise: *thinks* Yeah. Sure.
Hawk: Good. We'll need to get ready for an all out attack.
Rattrap: Rhinox an' B'boom are still in the 'R chamber.
Hawk: We'll have to bring them out early. If there's anything crucial that isn't fixed, we'll do it by hand.
Primal: All right. Let's get suited up.
*A FEW MOMENTS LATER*
*On the promenade near the Axalon bridge section*
Primal: Everyone ready?
Hawk: *running up, a large weapon in his hands* Just about.
Wildfire: Wow! Is that the cannon? I remember it being much bigger and bulkier.
Hawk: I shrunk it down somewhat. Got rid of access components, miniaturized other sections and parts. Didn't take me too long.
Rattrap: I dunno if anyone noticed this, but how are we gonna get through again? Our sister-bot here is capable of makin' herself disappear off a' the scopes, but we're still detectable.
Starise: Not for long *presses pad on her chest.*
Rattrap: Okay, an' what did that do?
Rhinox: *holding a scanning pad, standing twenty meters away.* Whatever she did, it's working. I'm not detecting any of you.
Starise: The field as a ten meter radius in all directions, so stay within that circle and you'll be fine.
Primal: Not too shabby. Not too shabby at all.
Rattrap: Eh, still think we're all gonna die. *smacked in the back of the head* Doh!
Hawk: Everyone set? *no one protests. Rhinox walks into the invisible circle.*
Wildfire: It's time we show Darkbird what real warriors can do.
Hawk: *presses activation button--cannon whines powerfully to life* It's time. We clean this up, now.
**********************
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