Chapter Eight – The Battle Begins
Inside the Autobot ship back at the mountain site, Optimus Prime and the others finish charging their weapons. Sparkplug gives his workers their instructions to finish up repairs and return to their makeshift homes at the base of the mountainside. Ratchet and Wheeljack are fiddling away at the controls of Telatran One, tools lay out all over the place and large open panels reveal the inner workings of the mega-computer. Wheeljack lowers himself down on one knee and reaches in on the open section below, using one of the tools laying beside him, he places it in and gives it a few twists with his wrists. The tool seems to create a few sparks inside the open panel as he uses the tool, the computer then starts to hum in a calm manner, more lights and buttons begin to flash on the huge console above him.
"There...that should do something.... maybe just give us a brief view of what's happening out there."
Optimus Prime is checking out his large black weapon, a massive gun that seems to have a long cylinder shape at the end of it, much like looking at a futuristic cannon. He walks across the room to Ratchet and Wheeljack, who look to him for approval of their work.
"Well done you two. Scan the area for Decepticon energy signatures..."
"Will do Prime.", Wheeljack says cheerfully.
Wheeljack turns to the console and begins to fiddle with the various buttons and switches; each one makes a unique electronic sound and flashes a variant color as he touches them. On the massive screen of Telatran One, a big schematic of the area becomes viewable, a topographic view of the mountains, valley and the surrounding area to it. But as it tries to home in on the Decepticons, the screen begins to static a bit and fizzles; the voice of the computer explains the cause of this effect.
"Alert.... negative sensor lock on Decepticon energy signatures. Scanners are being disrupted from an outer source."
Optimus leaned down on the console and stared into the giant monitor, "Telatran One...confirm that and locate source."
The computer makes a few deep electronic noises as it checks it's own data, "Confirmed and identified. Scanners are being prevented beyond this area, there is an unidentified satellite in orbit of the planet blocking Autobot communications and sensors."
"Impossible!", Wheeljack shouts out, "Telatran One, give us a visual of this satellite!"
The computer puts the image on the viewer for all of them to see; the satellite is small and hanging in space above them. Prime squints to see the tiny object displayed before him.
"Give me a closer visual Telatran One..."
Prime's command makes the computer enhance the image at twice the size, now it is fully visible and nearly takes up the entire screen. It's dark grey and has a black round eye that protrudes from the base of it. On either side are large solar panels stretched out looking like wings attached to a small bug. Everyone studies it carefully, even Sparkplug who walks over looking at it like the rest of them.
"What the hell is that thing?", Sparkplug inquires.
Prime straightens his back and taps his large gun at the side of his leg, "I don't know...I've never seen that sort of technology before. But it does have some things to it that seem familiar."
Wheeljack confirms that as well, "Yeah...I see some stuff too. But this looks like a combined mish-mash of various other technology as well...in fact...those solar panels are human engineered."
"How can you tell that Wheeljack? You don't even know what our technology looks like." Sparkplug says to him.
The robot turns around and looks down at him, "I've been looking at your various vehicles and military crafts...it seems to me that this is just as primitive in design as your other technology. Solar panels like these are pretty much old school...oh...uh...sorry...no offence intended."
Sparkplug smiles, "None taken. Your technology is a lot more advanced then our stuff. But it makes me wonder where that thing came from, or more importantly whom it belongs too?"
Optimus Prime stood there staring at the object on the monitor, "I don't know Sparkplug, but it does explain the fact why we can't communicate with Bumblebee and Spike. Nothing beyond this mountain area can send or receive transmissions of any kind. Almost as if...as if someone wants us keep our scanners away from something...or someplace."
Ratchet leans back on the computer console and thinks about it, "You know Prime, ever since we got here those humans in the dark clothes have been keeping us here for some reason. I get the feeling they don't want us out of this region. Maybe I'm being too paranoid about this..."
Ironhide over heard the conversation as he steps into the room and voices his own opinion, "Paranoid nothin'! I think those humans are trying to stop us from getting rid of the Decepticons! Maybe they don't want to be our allies...maybe they want to join up with Megatron and become just as powerful!!"
Optimus Prime shook his head, "No Ironhide...I doubt very highly that's their intentions. They seem rather bent on destroying the Deceptcions as much as we do."
"Pardon me Optimus..." Sparkplug interjects, "But I think I know what their real intentions are."
Prime looks down at Sparkplug as he explains, "Think about it for a second. You guys are advanced cybernetic life forms, with technology we could only dream about.... sounds to me like Connors and the rest are trying to keep it for themselves. I'm ashamed to admit it myself...but there are some people in this world that will do just about anything to have superior technology...or even weapons."
Wheeljack's eyes light up with realization, "Of course! They want our weapons! It all makes sense...they didn't want to wake us up...that was an accident! What they wanted to do was steal our technology, our bodies, even our weapons and use it for themselves! Diabolical!"
Ironhide clenched his fist and shook it in anger, "Why those thievin' little punks!! You see Optimus? You can't trust these humans at all! They're secretive, two faced, war hungry primitives!"
"Yes...but doesn't that sound familiar to you Ironhide?" Prime rebuttals, "We do the exact same thing on our planet, we've had secrets from one another, we've spied, waged war and even stolen technology and weapons from both sides. It seems that every world has its duality, those that look for the good and those who seek out to do evil. Who are we to judge these people when we ourselves are no better then they. I am disturbed by the fact the humans are trying to keep us contained here...but something in my spark told me that I've suspected their intentions all along. We must remember that not all humans are bad, Sparkplug, Spike and the others we've had here helping us have taken great risks to befriend us in the name of peace and cooperation. This should be our goal, to make human kind understand that we come not to war and rule their world...but to be their friends and help guide each other to find peace."
Ironhide crosses his arms and hangs his head, "Speeches are one thing Optimus...action is another. Ok...maybe not all humans are bad. But the ones holding us back aren't helping matters any either..."
Outside the mountain, just beyond the area boundary, Bumblebee, Hound and Cliffjumper are racing towards the ship at breakneck speed. As they come closer to checkpoint, they notice no one is guarding it anymore, no soldiers, and no skeleton crew, just the odd workers from Sparkplug's construction group. They continue to speed by them all as they race up the hillside towards the ship's entrance. Carly gazes at the whole thing and wonders what is going on.
"Spike? What...what is all this...where are we going?"
Spike sighs and finally confesses to her about everything, "Uh...Carly. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but it wasn't my fault...I was given instructions not to tell, but it all seems kinda pointless now. The construction job I was working on found this buried ship in the mountain, these cars we're riding in aren't from around here if you get my meaning..."
Carly's eyes lit up as she took in what he was trying to say, "You...mean.... I.... I was right??"
"You bet your ass you were.... The military tried to keep a lid on all of this, but from the looks of things they're on their way to fight the evil monsters we left back there. There's a lot to explain Carly...just know that the cars we're riding in right now are our friends."
Carly saw the large ship entrance approach as Bumblebee quickly drove up and into it, looking on either side, she realized nobody was driving in the vehicles beside theirs, even Spike wasn't even steering the car as they went racing down the long alien corridor. She slightly giggled at the sheer wonder of it all, Spike couldn't help but grin at seeing her face. It was refreshing to him to have someone else share his amazement of all of it, Carly wasn't like any girl he met before, if he had taken any of the women from his past, they would have freaked out and tried to get away from all of this as much as possible. Spike looked out the windshield in front as Bumblebee and the others approached the bridge, Carly looked over at Spike as he gazed out, he had pegged this young guy all-wrong. Here she thought this was just some stupid pig headed twit she's had to deal with time and time again. Always meeting men that were more interested in their cars and their own egos then anyone else. She's even had to put up with a lot of sexism; guys usually don't see her intelligence, only her blonde hair thinking she's a typical dumb blonde. She knew she'd have to apologies to Spike for acting so hostile to him, but as she began to mouth the words to him, they entered into the large room where Optimus and the others all stood. Hound and Cliffjumper stopped and transformed into their robot modes. Bumblebee also stopped and opened both doors for the two humans inside to get out of him. Carly and Spike eased their way out and as soon as they were clear of him, Bumblebee transformed.
"Where in the name of Primus have you all been?", Optimus Prime demanded.
Bumblebee gasped as if he was out of breath, "Sorry Prime...but we've got a situation here! Megatron just destroyed a town full of humans!"
"What?!" Ironhide bellowed
Hound saluted his leader and gave his report, "Sir, the Decepticons have engaged the human settlements, they were slaughtering the poor people by the hundreds! We were outnumbered by them so we came back here to get reinforcements...we kept trying to reach you but for some reason we couldn't get through!"
Optimus Prime clenched his fist, "Megatron! Only he would be so cowardly to attack innocent civilians...the monster!"
"Enough chatting guys! What are ya going to do?! Come on.... People are dying by the hundreds!!" Spike screamed out.
Sparkplug ran over and held on to his son, "My god! Are you alright? They didn't hurt you did they?"
He pushed his father away from him and began screaming, "Leave me alone! People are dying out there Dad! We don't have time for any of this.... we have to do something! Where the hell is the army? Agent Connors? Where are they all?"
Sparkplug was shocked by his son's reaction, but then realized where the military was heading, "Spike...I.... oh...Oh my god, that's where they went too...they know where they are! They're going to try to take on the Deceptions!"
Spike tries to come to grips with the situation, "Optimus Prime please help us! You don't know what it was like to see them vaporized in front of our eyes.... God! You have to tell them to back off...they'll be killed...all of them!"
Prime tries to explain to Spike, "You're mister Connors was rather insistent that we not get involved, he told us that they had some sort of 'resource' at their disposal.... what that means I have no idea..."
Carly snapped out of her gaze, looking at all of the large Autobots around her was quite intimidating, but when Optimus Prime mentioned about the secret, she remembered a very important thing.
"You mean Project N?"
Optimus looked at her confused, "I beg your pardon?"
Nervously and still shaking from it all, she explains what she means, "There was a mention about a secret covert operation on the internet...uhm.... on a information network dedicated to revealing hidden secrets if you will.... some person named Phoenix was trying to expose a government conspiracy. This guy called Phoenix started a big website devoted to the project and anything connected to it, he must have been one hell of a hacker because the stuff he would put up was highly classified secret government documents. Phoenix would chat on and on about how it was bigger then anyone could dream of, alien technology, daily misinformation's to throw him off, and even mysterious air traffic coming in and out of Area 51."
The Autobot leader listened intently, "What else can you tell me about all this..."
Carly sighed, "Not much more really...Phoenix just up and disappeared from the net. No one has heard from him for nearly over two and a half years. Prime...I think our government is going to do something...well...something really stupid. Spike is right...we have to stop this right now."
Optimus nods, "Stupid is the very word I was searching for.... But I agree, we must help. Ironhide...alert the others, it's time for action."
Ironhide smiles, runs over to a large red button on the wall and presses it.
"Now we're talkin'! Let's go get these guys!"
The loud horn noise and flashing red light fills the room, Carly looks down the ship's corridor and sees a flood of robots running towards the room. All of the Autobots come running in, they immediately line up in a row and await Prime's command.
"Autobots! The humans have launched an attack against the Decepticons; brave as they are...they will not last long. It's up to us to stop Megatron from wiping this species out, he's already managed to kill many so far...I'm sure the human body count is about to get much higher if we don't intervene. I will not stand by and let this world be destroyed from Megatron's lust for power and conquest. Cybertron will not be his...nor shall Earth! Are you with me?!"
The Autobot soldiers all salute and give him a unified reply, "Yes Sir!!"
Prime looks over at Huffer, a dense orange and blue colored robot, his head looks built into the back part of his body that resembles a truck's cab. Huffer has a metal grey face with blue eyes and his arms look like they are smoke stacks from his truck cab alternate form. A small mini-transformer like Bumblebee and Cliffjumper, but Huffer can be just as tough as the larger Autobots around him. Prime walks over and speaks to him.
"Huffer, I want you and Wheeljack to stay behind. We'll need someone to guard the ship and continue repairs to Telatran One."
Huffer's mouth drops, "But...but Prime! I don't want to sit here and play nursemaid to the computer! I'm a fighter Optimus, not an engineer! Besides, your going to need all the help you can muster!"
"Look Huffer, I don't have time to debate this with you. Wheeljack needs to have Telatran One back online in full working order and this place is vulnerable until it's been repaired. I need you here...end of discussion."
The orange robot sulks but obeys his leader, "Oooh...alright, if I must.... Give them hell Autobots!"
Optimus Prime steps back and raises his voice to them all, "Autobots, Transform! "
Bumblebee instantly transforms back into his yellow Volkswagen Beatle mode, Windcharger converts into a dark red and grey-bottomed Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Brawn turns himself into a Land Rover Range Rover, army green in color with yellow trim around the bottom of him. Beside them stands Prowl who transforms into a black and white Porsche 911 Turbo Police Cruiser, then Bluestreak converts into a sliver/blue polished Subaru Impreza WRX STi, and then the Mini robot Gears transforms into blue, red and grey colored Smart Roadster-Coupe. Following their transformations, Hound returns to his army green Hummer mode again, Sideswipe transforms into his super sleek hot red Lamborghini Diablo GT, and his good buddy Sunstreaker converts into the doubly impressive yellow Pagani Zonda C12 S Hardtop Roadster with chrome polished rims and spoiler. Smokescreen stepped back and transformed into a BMW E46 M3 GTR with a large aerodynamic spoiler on the back, his decorative blue, white and red color scheme splashed all over his body with rally stickers and numbers detailing his whole frame. Ironhide transforms into a red Volkswagen Eurovan and Ratchet coverts himself into a European designed white Renault Ambulance, with large Red Cross icons on either side of him. Sparkplug hops into Jazz as he transforms into the rally version of a Sportec 996 GT2 SP650, complete with two parallel blue stripes running down from the top of his trunk to the tip of his hood. As they all sit there revving their engines, Optimus Prime looks over at them all, gazing at their new forms with pride, he places his large black cannon of a gun into an opening section of his leg and automatically retracts it back in. The large Autobot leader walks to the front of the line of his sleek car robots and transforms himself. He converts into a modern built tractor trailer, the red cab is square with the chrome grill flush to duel windshield sitting above it, and the long trailer behind is grey with long blue stripe decals that run to the very back. The Autobot symbol proudly sits on the side of either side of his trailer, almost like a bold graphic advertisement slapped on to promote his affiliation. Carly and Spike clime into Optimus Prime and sit back as they prepare to ride out with them all, Prime revs his engine and smoke billows out of his large chrome exhausts on either side of his cab form.
"Roll Out!!" the leader shouts out to his convoy of Autobot soldiers.
Leading the way, Optimus zooms out of the ship as the others quickly follow behind. Speeding out of the ship and racing down the mountainside, the mass of cars all make their way to the paved highway at the end of the valley. Huffer watches them drive off into the distance, nothing but a large cloud of dust trailing off outward. Wheeljack, standing behind him, pats the orange mini transformer on the shoulder.
"Come on Huffer, we've got some repairing to do."
Huffer sighs, "I battled through the streets of Iacon, survived a crash a million years later.... all just to sit on my butt to tinker with a computer."
Wheeljack laughs and walks back into the ship, "Daaah, don't be such a downer, I'm sure they'll be plenty of Decepticons left on Cybertron for you to deal with when we get back."
"Yeah...heh...Yeah! You're right Wheeljack, boy you sure know how to cheer me up!", Huffer says smiling.
As he turns around to walk back inside the ship, the small dark Decepticon minidisk can be seen attached to the underside of his back head. Ravage has jumped from Hound and now sticks to Huffer; the Autobot walks back inside to help his friend without even knowing the Decepticons is stuck to him. Walking back into the bridge, Huffer helps Wheeljack remove a large panel below Telatran One, as he reaches down to lift, Ravage detaches himself from the Autobot and lands into the main computer's disk slot. Both are still unaware of the spy and continue to work on the damaged circuits below. The large screen above them however, seems to be flipping images of the strange satellite they had been looking at before and then quickly turned it off. Wheeljack stood up and looked at the blank monitor, for a moment he thought the screen was on, but shrugged his shoulders and leaned back down to keep fixing the computer.
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Agent Connors and Drakemore step off of the large helicopter setting down near the remaining army forces, the other bulky helicopters carrying the secret weapon carefully place it on the ground and release the cables attached to it. The General comes walking out of his command tent and walks over to the two government agents who seem to be instructing their special outfitted troops coming off of the same helicopter they did. The General screams out to them over the loud noise of the choppers, it's almost hard to hear him at first, but Connors soon hears the old man yelling at them.
"You'd better hope this contraption of yours works Mr. Connors...Those robots seem to thrive on carnage! Nothing we seem to throw at them is having any effect. I'm beginning to think Optimus Prime was right...maybe it's time we called them instead?"
Connors stares him down wearing his dark sunglasses, "General, you'll beg my pardon when I say this isn't your decision anymore. I find it hard to believe you'd give up so soon, just proves to me that you're not the type of leader to command this mission at all!"
"You son of a bitch!" The General curses at him, "How dare you question me! I just launched every American military resource available at these things and nothing is stopping them! It's going to take more then just our forces to bring them down...hell the whole world will have to launch a war against this menace!"
Drakemore finishes instructing the special troops and walks over to the two men arguing, "We're ready to begin...sorry General, but this time we're going win a war our way."
Connors runs over to the weapon and begins uncovering the thing for all to see. As the canvas drops to the ground, the reaction of the General and all the other soldiers standing near shows awe as it is finally revealed. The large black transport truck with monster sized wheels sits there like a beast waiting to be unleashed, the incredibly huge double barreled cannon sits on top of it's back structure and sticks out ahead of the transport as if it wasn't meant to be part of the vehicle. Just like the strange probe hanging in space above the Ark, it has the same texture and technology wrapped all around it. The thing looks like a giant black nightmare; tinted windows of red surround the side cab at the front of the monster transport, with a built-in ladder on the side to climb up to it. Never has the General, or any other military soldier has ever seen such a marvel, it was hard to imagine such a thing could be kept secret for so long. As the old crusty military leader looks at it more intensely, he notices the weapon sitting on it doesn't even look like it's built by human hands, in fact it looked somewhat alien in design to him. Drakemore stands back with the General and listens to the man rant on to him.
"What is this?!" The General protests, "This is your big secret? And only one?! I've spent thousands of men, vehicles and flung ever arsenal I could to stop these things, and you come here with one weapon? Are you insane?!"
"Calm yourself General. This weapon will definitely end this conflict for good..."
The General laughs, "How can you sit there and be so smug about it? Have you even tested it to find out?"
Drakemore just sighs and flinches his jaw, "Not really.... but there's no time like the present."
"Damn you guys are a piece of work.", the military commander snickers, "You're gambling on all of our lives with this thing. I seriously think we need to go back and get some help.... we need the Autobots!"
"NO!", Connors yells out to him from the machine, "We don't need their help! We're a goddamn species to be reckoned with, no metal aliens are going to come to our world and try to take over. Autobots or Decepticons...we'll have them all under our control and use the technology to build more weapons just like this. Project N is the best thing to happen to this planet since the invention of fire!"
The old military man takes great concern from those harsh words Connors screamed out, "I thought.... I thought this was Project N? Are you telling me there's more to this Project?"
The agent smiles, "More than meets the eye my dear General."
That sent a shiver down the military man's spine, but as he feared for humanity from that one simple phrase the crazed agent spat out the roar of the engine began from the transport truck. A low, but powerful hum came out of it. Not the typical noise you'd hear from a combustion engine, it sounded more like a snap of energy whooshing through the air. Connors ran over to the long ladder and climbed up to the dwarf looking cab on top of the massive truck. Inside were two other black suited special soldiers manning computers on the left side and the right side as he climbed in. He took his seat and clamped on the criss-cross seat belt, in front of him was a large computer panel with many buttons that flickered and glowed. Usually a steering wheel would be there as he drove, but this secret weapon didn't seem to require it, a few taps on the flashing icons and the massive transport moved forward at a rather fast speed. The huge tires tore up the dirt and spewed it behind like someone digging their way through the Earth. Riding inside the machine, Connors looked at the entire military force retreating all around him, he was heading straight into the heart of the battle with this new weapon as the others were running for their lives. He kept his eyes forward, but tilted his head back to talk to the man sitting behind him on the other computer.
"Is the weapon charged?"
"We are go sir, weapon is charged and ready at your command!", the soldier says to him.
"Good, raise the weapon and prepare to fire."
The soldier behind him presses a few buttons and outside on the back, the large black weapon raises up off of the truck with a large extended arm. The messy looking collected technology all over it obscures its real shape, but it stretches out from the vehicle and targets a few of the Decepticon jets still attacking the retreating air force above. The computer screen shows the target it's aiming for and locks on to it. Connors looks on the monitor hanging down above his head and has a clear view of Skywarp targeted in red.
"FIRE!"
The black double barrel gun builds up a massive energy surge and quickly sends a parallel streak of blue energy towards the un-suspecting jet. It hits Skywarp and causes a massive explosion on his jet frame; the crippling blow sends the Decepticon hurling across the sky and then dropping like a rock down onto the ground. Thundercracker sees Skywarp fall and turns away from the fleeing convoy of human jets to swoop down and attack the large transport. Connors sees the jet coming in and targets him as well. The weapon fires again and causes the same damage to Thundercracker as it did to Skywarp. As Starscream turns around he watches the hurt jet fling past and just narrowly missing him on his way down to the earth. Connors smiles sitting inside his machine and now points his men to target the air commander next. The computer locks on to the transformed Decepticon and fires again, the look of surprise fills the robot's eyes as the blue energy wave strikes him right in the chest. Megatron, not paying attention to the skirmish, suddenly hears Starscream moaning as he plummets near by. Looking over to where the air commander crashed, he has a confused look on his face and turns around to see the black transport repeatedly shooting at his Decepticon soldiers.
"Now what do we have here.... humans trying to destroy the Decepticons? They shall pay for their treachery!"
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Optimus Prime and the other Autobots are racing down the paved highway, their speed is fast and constant, but Spike nervously taps away sitting inside the leader, it doesn't seem fast enough for him. Carly sees Spike getting impatient and also becomes antsy.
"Faster.... we must go faster Optimus...", Spike says to him.
"I was just thinking the same thing my friend.", the Autobot leader says in agreement, " Time to kick it into overload. Autobots! Prepare for Trans- boost Drive! "
Behind the massive speeding truck are a parade of flashy Autobot cars, all of them hear the leader's orders and respond to his command appropriately, " Yes, Sir!!"
Hound and Prowl ride side by side, the two cars talk to each other as they prepare to increase their speeds.
"Psst...Hey, Prowl? Where's Mirage? He wasn't in the line up...."
Prowl whispers back to him, "I dunno, haven't seen him for awhile. You don't think he's gone ahead of us do you?"
Hound sighs, "I doubt it, Mirage has a history of disappearing during a battle. Frankly I can't see why Prime even bothered to bring him along. Sounds to me like the guy has yellow spark in him."
"It wouldn't be the first time an Autobot has chickened out. There were a lot back during the war, many took off to escape being drafted. Maybe...Maybe Mirage has lost his nerve again...", the black and white police Porsche says in a disappointed tone.
The red mini Autobot, Cliffjumper hears their conversation from behind and speaks out, "Mirage ain't no coward! So pipe down there you chatty bots!"
Hound tries to quiet the nosey red mini car, "Shhhh...Pipe down yourself there Cliffjumper! Ok then, if you don't think he's a coward then just where the heck is he then huh?"
Cliffjumper remains silent for a second and grumbles, "Uhm.... well...he could be.... Ah who knows! Maybe your right...maybe he did sit this one out."
"Face it guys...some Autobots are assembled fighters, some are just recycled cowards.", Prowl calmly states to them both.
Cliffjumper revs up his engine and prepares to increase his speed, "Where did you hear that stupid phrase? You know, Kup would really lay into you for making that remark. Just be glad he isn't here to yell at you!"
The black and white Porsche revs its engine, "Shut up Cliffjumper!"
Optimus Prime raises his voice again to all of them, "Autobots.... Begin Trans-boost Drive.... NOW!"
A sudden green glow appears all around each vehicle and as they all glow the whole caravan of them blur and warp down the roadway in a blink of an eye. The entire asphalt becomes super heated and glows, the only thing left visible on the highway is white-hot tire marks streaking down the road. Multiple sonic booms can be heard in the distance as the Autobots race towards the conflict that can be seen just at the horizon. Large billows of smoke and fire are rising up in the distance, almost like the reign of hell is stirring up down there.
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The army continues retreating back towards the main campsite, the General sees the extent of the damage as the soldiers pour back in; the losses are heavy. Drakemore stands a few feet away from him and keeps his binoculars focused on his friend's progress out in the battle field, its as if he couldn't care less about the wounded and dying coming right past him. As the military commander walks back to his small outpost tent, he can hear a faint sound getting louder and as he looks over to see the direction it's coming from, Optimus Prime and the other Autobots appear in a flash of neon green light. Each one comes streaking out right behind Optimus Prime and begin to slow down as they approach the area. The General didn't know whom these vehicles belonged to or even that they were the Autobots, he had never seen them all in there vehicle modes, he instantly thought this was more of Connors secret weapons coming to help him out. As he and a few soldiers walked over to the lead tractor trailer coming to a stop, they were surprised to see Spike and a woman get out of it.
"Spike? What the hell are you doing here?", the General demanded.
Spike and Carly walked away from the red cab and demanded information out of him.
"What's going on? Did you save the town? Are the people ok?", Spike yelled in a panic.
Suddenly the truck they were riding in began to make a sound; it rose up and began to unfold sections of its body. Soon the large robotic figure of Optimus Prime stood over all of them, and behind him, the other Autobots also returned to their robot forms as well. The old military commander was taken back by it, fearing they had come to do harm. But as the surrounding soldiers took aim of their weapons, Prime spoke out and stretched out his hand.
"Hold your fire! We've come to help!"
Drakemore comes running over and screams at the Autobot leader, "We don't need your help Optimus Prime! We've got the situation under control, our weapon is working perfectly and will be rid of these alien monsters once and for all."
Carly looks right at the man in the dark suit and sunglasses, "What about the town? Where are all the people?"
"We couldn't save them in time miss, but they won't go unpunished for what they've done.", the agent says to her coldly.
Spike and Carly grasp each other in comfort, all their efforts to bring help had failed, now things had become much worst. They gazed over at the human casualties, the crushed arsenal of the military and the retreating soldiers. Hope it seemed was becoming ever more distant to the two of them, the only ones to stop this madness now were the Autobots.
"Uh.... Prime? You might want to have a look at this.", a gruff voice said to him.
Looking down he saw Brawn gazing outward to the battle, his eyes were slightly sticking out and glowing bright blue, in his vision he can see the Decepticons trying to destroy the transport truck with the weapon on it. Prime raised his head in the direction also and his eyes began to glow a bright blue as well. Each transformer has the ability to use their eyes as an electro-telescopic viewer, a way to magnify their sight in order to see over vast distances. Prime's sight had a clear image of the weapon Connors and Drakemore had provided, the texture and design looked very similar to him, in fact it almost looked like the strange satellite hanging in Earth's orbit. He watched the weapon fire massive energy blasts at the Decepticons, it was far more powerful then any weapon he had seen humans use so far and far more advanced then anything they could produce.
"I see it.", Optimus calmly stated. "The Decepticons are having a hard time stopping it and now...it looks like they're trying to make way for Megatron."
"The fools!" Ironhide screams within earshot of Optimus, "They don't know who they're messing with!"
Drakemore laughs, "He won't be a problem...so far we've managed to wipe out a good number of their forces. This...Megatron will be just as easy to dispose of."
The Autobot leader's eyes stop glowing and he looks down at the small human, "No Drakemore.... it's about to get a whole lot worst."
Out in the demolished ruins of the small town, Megatron stares down the on coming black vehicle, Decepticons are being shot left, right and center as each one goes hurling by the leader. The Constructicons try to block the path of the transport truck heading straight in, but also get caught in the massive energy blasts as it takes each one of them out. Starscream manages to regain consciousness and stands behind the leader who doesn't even budge as the shot reign past his head. The air commander holds his head and tries to shake off the deadly blow that was given to him.
"Megatron...what...what happened? Where did those creatures get such a weapon?!"
The Decepticon leader's eyes glowed a bright red as he watched the transport coming closer and closer.
"I don't know.... but I will not be defeated by inferior creatures that use weapons they do not understand!"
Megatron back flips in the air and transforms into his sliver polished berretta eight-millimeter hand gun mode, Starscream skillfully catches him and holds him like any other weapon given to him. The Decepticon laughs at Megatron's form, the once mighty leader that became a massive energy cannon was now a mere hand gun.
"This is your new form? Bah-ahahahaha! Oooh how the mighty have fallen...", Starscream continually laughs.
"Silence you fool!" The gun speaks out loud, "I do not enjoy taking this weak, human-made form of weapondary, but for now just do your job and take them out!!"
Starscream smirks, "As you command.... mighty Megatron."
The air commander outstretches his arm and aims the weapon at the transport Connors is riding in. On the monitor inside the firing transport, Connors calmly chuckles at the sight of Megatron's transformation.
"This is the leader of a dangerous group of Robots? Bah! He'd be lucky if it did any damage at all.... keep firing! These guys are almost finished!!"
Starscream holds his finger in the trigger and presses it back; a large red surge of power builds inside Megatron's long silencer attachment and releases a huge blast of energy that lights up the entire area. The streak of power hits the transport and explodes a few of its large front wheels. Inside the transport's cockpit, the men all shake about from it's deadly blow, the truck crashes down to the ground as it no longer has any front support and begins to slide along the dirt. A second shot from Megatron causes the vehicle to flip in the air as the explosion rips into the armored transport like a knife. It rolls along the ground, flipping, twisting and finally resting on its side. Victorious in the strikes, Megatron leaps out of Starscream's hand and returns to his robotic form. The leader gives an evil smile as he views the results, it seems that his smaller form is still as powerful as his old cannon form. But the thought of having to have someone hold him to attack is very un-appealing to him, it means that he will now have a weakness he did not have before, and he despises weakness in any shape or form. The human transport now lay in ruins, smoldering and set on fire, helpless as any other human craft they've attacked so far.
"I did it! I defeated the humans greatest weapon!!" Starscream rejoices.
Megatron quickly turns around, "What do you mean you? I am the one who crushed them!"
"Not quite Megatron. For it was I who took aim and fired on them.... I should be hailed as the hero!"
Megatron shook his fist at the air commander, very close to his face, "But it was I that gave you that opportunity Starscream! I am the weapon you welded to make this a success.... and I am the leader of the Decepticons not you!"
Starscream becomes a bit threatened by the leader's anger towards him and gives him his praise, "Y-y-yes Megatron...You are the one that defeated them. I...I was mistaken."
"I will only give you three warnings from now on Starscream.... consider this mistake number one. Questioning my leadership, I will have no more of it!", the leader says to the cowering robot.
Starscream nods and backs away, Megatron walks over to the crippled vehicle and stands over it. Inside the damaged and slightly crushed cockpit, Connors and the other soldiers struggle to get out. The Decepticon leader bends down and picks up the front end, the men inside can feel the vehicle being lifted up and see a pair of red eyes peering in at them through the damaged windows.
"Which one of you is responsible for this stupidity?", the leader demands.
Bleeding and trying to free his leg from the metal pinning it down, Connors speaks out to the creature.
"I am.... I...I demand that you surrender now, in the name of the people of the Earth! Anymore attempts to harm our kind and you shall.... you shall suffer dearly."
Megatron chuckles calmly, "Such arrogance...You humans truly are as dumb as you look. Persist with me creature and I will make sure this planet dead by the time I leave it."
Connors smirks, "Well see who takes out whom robot...You don't know who you're messing with."
"Nor do you..." the evil leader squints, "Soundwave!!"
The minidisk-carrying robot stands up and shakes his head as he regroups himself, "Yes...Megatron?"
"Dispatch Laserbeak at once."
Soundwave nods, "As you command.... Laserbeak, eject!"
He presses the button on his top chest and the window compartment flips open, Laserbeak launches out in minidisk form and unfolds into his mechanical bird form. Laserbeak flies over to Megatrons left arm and attaches himself to it. The Decepticon leader smiles and positions his arm up to keep the bird level.
"Ahh, Laserbeak...I have a new task for you...retrieve and fly up."
The cybertronian bird squawks and flaps over to the transport cockpit, with its gripping robotic bird like feet, it rips open the cab top. The men scream inside as the bird cuts it open like tin, soon the foot reaches in and picks up Connors tightly. He yells in pain as he could feel a few ribs breaking from the Decepticons crushing grip, Laserbeak takes him and flies straight up into the air. As the bird reaches a certain height, it stops and hovers as it awaits Megatron's order as Connors strains to hear the Decepticon leader talk.
"Now human...", Megatron chuckles, "Tell me exactly where you acquired that bit of technology. Tell me now...and I might just spare your hide for the time being."
Connors was nearly passing out from the pain, but struggling to stay conscious, he refused to answer the question, "Drop Dead Robot!!"
"You first...", the leader smirked, "Laserbeak.... release him!"
The Decepticon bird opened its toes and the man began to drop down to the ground, he screamed in terror as he was falling to his death. A hand gesture from the evil leader sent the bird streaking down to pick up the man again, as it caught him, Laserbeak once again returned to the same height. Megatron once again chuckled at the human and shouted to the frightened Connors again.
"Gravity is a harsh mistress flesh creature! Now this is your last warning.... where did you get that weapon from?"
Connors, crying and slightly bleeding from his mouth, shook his head and refused, "Never...I'll never tell you. Scaring me won't make me talk.... nothing will!"
Megatron frowns, "So be it. Laserbeak....drop him again."
Once again the bird lets go and Connors falls to the ground, the man doesn't scream this time, he thinks the Decepticon leader will command the alien bird to pick him up yet again. But Megatron lifts up his large arm cannon and targets the human, as Connors falls to Earth, his face fills with dread as he hears Megatron's final words to him.
"I despise humans!!"
Megatron shoots his arm cannon and the large energy blast vaporizes the agent in mid-air. All that can be heard over the area is the man's blood curling scream as the energy cooks his body into ash. Megatron glances down at the armored transport again and looks at the other two frightened soldiers inside.
"Laserbeak, prepare to retrieve another for target practice..."
"Target on this Megatron!" a booming familiar voice yells out to him.
As the Decepticon leader looks up, a blue energy blast strikes the leader down and makes him collapse to the ground. As the leader looks up, he sees his old enemy running towards him with his fellow soldiers, Optimus Prime and the Autobots. Stopping at a distance, Optimus Prime points to the fallen leader and points his weapon.
"No! It...It can't be! You're Dead!!" Megatron yells in a panic stricken tone.
Prime squints his eyes, "You wish Megatron."
Decepticon leader stands up in disbelief; his greatest foe wasn't left for dead in the Ark, but is now standing there ready to fight him once more. Megatron sees his evil warrior brood rebuilding around him again, all of them fully recovered and standing ready to fight behind him.
"Decepticons! Attaaaaaaack!!!"
Inside the Autobot ship back at the mountain site, Optimus Prime and the others finish charging their weapons. Sparkplug gives his workers their instructions to finish up repairs and return to their makeshift homes at the base of the mountainside. Ratchet and Wheeljack are fiddling away at the controls of Telatran One, tools lay out all over the place and large open panels reveal the inner workings of the mega-computer. Wheeljack lowers himself down on one knee and reaches in on the open section below, using one of the tools laying beside him, he places it in and gives it a few twists with his wrists. The tool seems to create a few sparks inside the open panel as he uses the tool, the computer then starts to hum in a calm manner, more lights and buttons begin to flash on the huge console above him.
"There...that should do something.... maybe just give us a brief view of what's happening out there."
Optimus Prime is checking out his large black weapon, a massive gun that seems to have a long cylinder shape at the end of it, much like looking at a futuristic cannon. He walks across the room to Ratchet and Wheeljack, who look to him for approval of their work.
"Well done you two. Scan the area for Decepticon energy signatures..."
"Will do Prime.", Wheeljack says cheerfully.
Wheeljack turns to the console and begins to fiddle with the various buttons and switches; each one makes a unique electronic sound and flashes a variant color as he touches them. On the massive screen of Telatran One, a big schematic of the area becomes viewable, a topographic view of the mountains, valley and the surrounding area to it. But as it tries to home in on the Decepticons, the screen begins to static a bit and fizzles; the voice of the computer explains the cause of this effect.
"Alert.... negative sensor lock on Decepticon energy signatures. Scanners are being disrupted from an outer source."
Optimus leaned down on the console and stared into the giant monitor, "Telatran One...confirm that and locate source."
The computer makes a few deep electronic noises as it checks it's own data, "Confirmed and identified. Scanners are being prevented beyond this area, there is an unidentified satellite in orbit of the planet blocking Autobot communications and sensors."
"Impossible!", Wheeljack shouts out, "Telatran One, give us a visual of this satellite!"
The computer puts the image on the viewer for all of them to see; the satellite is small and hanging in space above them. Prime squints to see the tiny object displayed before him.
"Give me a closer visual Telatran One..."
Prime's command makes the computer enhance the image at twice the size, now it is fully visible and nearly takes up the entire screen. It's dark grey and has a black round eye that protrudes from the base of it. On either side are large solar panels stretched out looking like wings attached to a small bug. Everyone studies it carefully, even Sparkplug who walks over looking at it like the rest of them.
"What the hell is that thing?", Sparkplug inquires.
Prime straightens his back and taps his large gun at the side of his leg, "I don't know...I've never seen that sort of technology before. But it does have some things to it that seem familiar."
Wheeljack confirms that as well, "Yeah...I see some stuff too. But this looks like a combined mish-mash of various other technology as well...in fact...those solar panels are human engineered."
"How can you tell that Wheeljack? You don't even know what our technology looks like." Sparkplug says to him.
The robot turns around and looks down at him, "I've been looking at your various vehicles and military crafts...it seems to me that this is just as primitive in design as your other technology. Solar panels like these are pretty much old school...oh...uh...sorry...no offence intended."
Sparkplug smiles, "None taken. Your technology is a lot more advanced then our stuff. But it makes me wonder where that thing came from, or more importantly whom it belongs too?"
Optimus Prime stood there staring at the object on the monitor, "I don't know Sparkplug, but it does explain the fact why we can't communicate with Bumblebee and Spike. Nothing beyond this mountain area can send or receive transmissions of any kind. Almost as if...as if someone wants us keep our scanners away from something...or someplace."
Ratchet leans back on the computer console and thinks about it, "You know Prime, ever since we got here those humans in the dark clothes have been keeping us here for some reason. I get the feeling they don't want us out of this region. Maybe I'm being too paranoid about this..."
Ironhide over heard the conversation as he steps into the room and voices his own opinion, "Paranoid nothin'! I think those humans are trying to stop us from getting rid of the Decepticons! Maybe they don't want to be our allies...maybe they want to join up with Megatron and become just as powerful!!"
Optimus Prime shook his head, "No Ironhide...I doubt very highly that's their intentions. They seem rather bent on destroying the Deceptcions as much as we do."
"Pardon me Optimus..." Sparkplug interjects, "But I think I know what their real intentions are."
Prime looks down at Sparkplug as he explains, "Think about it for a second. You guys are advanced cybernetic life forms, with technology we could only dream about.... sounds to me like Connors and the rest are trying to keep it for themselves. I'm ashamed to admit it myself...but there are some people in this world that will do just about anything to have superior technology...or even weapons."
Wheeljack's eyes light up with realization, "Of course! They want our weapons! It all makes sense...they didn't want to wake us up...that was an accident! What they wanted to do was steal our technology, our bodies, even our weapons and use it for themselves! Diabolical!"
Ironhide clenched his fist and shook it in anger, "Why those thievin' little punks!! You see Optimus? You can't trust these humans at all! They're secretive, two faced, war hungry primitives!"
"Yes...but doesn't that sound familiar to you Ironhide?" Prime rebuttals, "We do the exact same thing on our planet, we've had secrets from one another, we've spied, waged war and even stolen technology and weapons from both sides. It seems that every world has its duality, those that look for the good and those who seek out to do evil. Who are we to judge these people when we ourselves are no better then they. I am disturbed by the fact the humans are trying to keep us contained here...but something in my spark told me that I've suspected their intentions all along. We must remember that not all humans are bad, Sparkplug, Spike and the others we've had here helping us have taken great risks to befriend us in the name of peace and cooperation. This should be our goal, to make human kind understand that we come not to war and rule their world...but to be their friends and help guide each other to find peace."
Ironhide crosses his arms and hangs his head, "Speeches are one thing Optimus...action is another. Ok...maybe not all humans are bad. But the ones holding us back aren't helping matters any either..."
Outside the mountain, just beyond the area boundary, Bumblebee, Hound and Cliffjumper are racing towards the ship at breakneck speed. As they come closer to checkpoint, they notice no one is guarding it anymore, no soldiers, and no skeleton crew, just the odd workers from Sparkplug's construction group. They continue to speed by them all as they race up the hillside towards the ship's entrance. Carly gazes at the whole thing and wonders what is going on.
"Spike? What...what is all this...where are we going?"
Spike sighs and finally confesses to her about everything, "Uh...Carly. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but it wasn't my fault...I was given instructions not to tell, but it all seems kinda pointless now. The construction job I was working on found this buried ship in the mountain, these cars we're riding in aren't from around here if you get my meaning..."
Carly's eyes lit up as she took in what he was trying to say, "You...mean.... I.... I was right??"
"You bet your ass you were.... The military tried to keep a lid on all of this, but from the looks of things they're on their way to fight the evil monsters we left back there. There's a lot to explain Carly...just know that the cars we're riding in right now are our friends."
Carly saw the large ship entrance approach as Bumblebee quickly drove up and into it, looking on either side, she realized nobody was driving in the vehicles beside theirs, even Spike wasn't even steering the car as they went racing down the long alien corridor. She slightly giggled at the sheer wonder of it all, Spike couldn't help but grin at seeing her face. It was refreshing to him to have someone else share his amazement of all of it, Carly wasn't like any girl he met before, if he had taken any of the women from his past, they would have freaked out and tried to get away from all of this as much as possible. Spike looked out the windshield in front as Bumblebee and the others approached the bridge, Carly looked over at Spike as he gazed out, he had pegged this young guy all-wrong. Here she thought this was just some stupid pig headed twit she's had to deal with time and time again. Always meeting men that were more interested in their cars and their own egos then anyone else. She's even had to put up with a lot of sexism; guys usually don't see her intelligence, only her blonde hair thinking she's a typical dumb blonde. She knew she'd have to apologies to Spike for acting so hostile to him, but as she began to mouth the words to him, they entered into the large room where Optimus and the others all stood. Hound and Cliffjumper stopped and transformed into their robot modes. Bumblebee also stopped and opened both doors for the two humans inside to get out of him. Carly and Spike eased their way out and as soon as they were clear of him, Bumblebee transformed.
"Where in the name of Primus have you all been?", Optimus Prime demanded.
Bumblebee gasped as if he was out of breath, "Sorry Prime...but we've got a situation here! Megatron just destroyed a town full of humans!"
"What?!" Ironhide bellowed
Hound saluted his leader and gave his report, "Sir, the Decepticons have engaged the human settlements, they were slaughtering the poor people by the hundreds! We were outnumbered by them so we came back here to get reinforcements...we kept trying to reach you but for some reason we couldn't get through!"
Optimus Prime clenched his fist, "Megatron! Only he would be so cowardly to attack innocent civilians...the monster!"
"Enough chatting guys! What are ya going to do?! Come on.... People are dying by the hundreds!!" Spike screamed out.
Sparkplug ran over and held on to his son, "My god! Are you alright? They didn't hurt you did they?"
He pushed his father away from him and began screaming, "Leave me alone! People are dying out there Dad! We don't have time for any of this.... we have to do something! Where the hell is the army? Agent Connors? Where are they all?"
Sparkplug was shocked by his son's reaction, but then realized where the military was heading, "Spike...I.... oh...Oh my god, that's where they went too...they know where they are! They're going to try to take on the Deceptions!"
Spike tries to come to grips with the situation, "Optimus Prime please help us! You don't know what it was like to see them vaporized in front of our eyes.... God! You have to tell them to back off...they'll be killed...all of them!"
Prime tries to explain to Spike, "You're mister Connors was rather insistent that we not get involved, he told us that they had some sort of 'resource' at their disposal.... what that means I have no idea..."
Carly snapped out of her gaze, looking at all of the large Autobots around her was quite intimidating, but when Optimus Prime mentioned about the secret, she remembered a very important thing.
"You mean Project N?"
Optimus looked at her confused, "I beg your pardon?"
Nervously and still shaking from it all, she explains what she means, "There was a mention about a secret covert operation on the internet...uhm.... on a information network dedicated to revealing hidden secrets if you will.... some person named Phoenix was trying to expose a government conspiracy. This guy called Phoenix started a big website devoted to the project and anything connected to it, he must have been one hell of a hacker because the stuff he would put up was highly classified secret government documents. Phoenix would chat on and on about how it was bigger then anyone could dream of, alien technology, daily misinformation's to throw him off, and even mysterious air traffic coming in and out of Area 51."
The Autobot leader listened intently, "What else can you tell me about all this..."
Carly sighed, "Not much more really...Phoenix just up and disappeared from the net. No one has heard from him for nearly over two and a half years. Prime...I think our government is going to do something...well...something really stupid. Spike is right...we have to stop this right now."
Optimus nods, "Stupid is the very word I was searching for.... But I agree, we must help. Ironhide...alert the others, it's time for action."
Ironhide smiles, runs over to a large red button on the wall and presses it.
"Now we're talkin'! Let's go get these guys!"
The loud horn noise and flashing red light fills the room, Carly looks down the ship's corridor and sees a flood of robots running towards the room. All of the Autobots come running in, they immediately line up in a row and await Prime's command.
"Autobots! The humans have launched an attack against the Decepticons; brave as they are...they will not last long. It's up to us to stop Megatron from wiping this species out, he's already managed to kill many so far...I'm sure the human body count is about to get much higher if we don't intervene. I will not stand by and let this world be destroyed from Megatron's lust for power and conquest. Cybertron will not be his...nor shall Earth! Are you with me?!"
The Autobot soldiers all salute and give him a unified reply, "Yes Sir!!"
Prime looks over at Huffer, a dense orange and blue colored robot, his head looks built into the back part of his body that resembles a truck's cab. Huffer has a metal grey face with blue eyes and his arms look like they are smoke stacks from his truck cab alternate form. A small mini-transformer like Bumblebee and Cliffjumper, but Huffer can be just as tough as the larger Autobots around him. Prime walks over and speaks to him.
"Huffer, I want you and Wheeljack to stay behind. We'll need someone to guard the ship and continue repairs to Telatran One."
Huffer's mouth drops, "But...but Prime! I don't want to sit here and play nursemaid to the computer! I'm a fighter Optimus, not an engineer! Besides, your going to need all the help you can muster!"
"Look Huffer, I don't have time to debate this with you. Wheeljack needs to have Telatran One back online in full working order and this place is vulnerable until it's been repaired. I need you here...end of discussion."
The orange robot sulks but obeys his leader, "Oooh...alright, if I must.... Give them hell Autobots!"
Optimus Prime steps back and raises his voice to them all, "Autobots, Transform! "
Bumblebee instantly transforms back into his yellow Volkswagen Beatle mode, Windcharger converts into a dark red and grey-bottomed Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Brawn turns himself into a Land Rover Range Rover, army green in color with yellow trim around the bottom of him. Beside them stands Prowl who transforms into a black and white Porsche 911 Turbo Police Cruiser, then Bluestreak converts into a sliver/blue polished Subaru Impreza WRX STi, and then the Mini robot Gears transforms into blue, red and grey colored Smart Roadster-Coupe. Following their transformations, Hound returns to his army green Hummer mode again, Sideswipe transforms into his super sleek hot red Lamborghini Diablo GT, and his good buddy Sunstreaker converts into the doubly impressive yellow Pagani Zonda C12 S Hardtop Roadster with chrome polished rims and spoiler. Smokescreen stepped back and transformed into a BMW E46 M3 GTR with a large aerodynamic spoiler on the back, his decorative blue, white and red color scheme splashed all over his body with rally stickers and numbers detailing his whole frame. Ironhide transforms into a red Volkswagen Eurovan and Ratchet coverts himself into a European designed white Renault Ambulance, with large Red Cross icons on either side of him. Sparkplug hops into Jazz as he transforms into the rally version of a Sportec 996 GT2 SP650, complete with two parallel blue stripes running down from the top of his trunk to the tip of his hood. As they all sit there revving their engines, Optimus Prime looks over at them all, gazing at their new forms with pride, he places his large black cannon of a gun into an opening section of his leg and automatically retracts it back in. The large Autobot leader walks to the front of the line of his sleek car robots and transforms himself. He converts into a modern built tractor trailer, the red cab is square with the chrome grill flush to duel windshield sitting above it, and the long trailer behind is grey with long blue stripe decals that run to the very back. The Autobot symbol proudly sits on the side of either side of his trailer, almost like a bold graphic advertisement slapped on to promote his affiliation. Carly and Spike clime into Optimus Prime and sit back as they prepare to ride out with them all, Prime revs his engine and smoke billows out of his large chrome exhausts on either side of his cab form.
"Roll Out!!" the leader shouts out to his convoy of Autobot soldiers.
Leading the way, Optimus zooms out of the ship as the others quickly follow behind. Speeding out of the ship and racing down the mountainside, the mass of cars all make their way to the paved highway at the end of the valley. Huffer watches them drive off into the distance, nothing but a large cloud of dust trailing off outward. Wheeljack, standing behind him, pats the orange mini transformer on the shoulder.
"Come on Huffer, we've got some repairing to do."
Huffer sighs, "I battled through the streets of Iacon, survived a crash a million years later.... all just to sit on my butt to tinker with a computer."
Wheeljack laughs and walks back into the ship, "Daaah, don't be such a downer, I'm sure they'll be plenty of Decepticons left on Cybertron for you to deal with when we get back."
"Yeah...heh...Yeah! You're right Wheeljack, boy you sure know how to cheer me up!", Huffer says smiling.
As he turns around to walk back inside the ship, the small dark Decepticon minidisk can be seen attached to the underside of his back head. Ravage has jumped from Hound and now sticks to Huffer; the Autobot walks back inside to help his friend without even knowing the Decepticons is stuck to him. Walking back into the bridge, Huffer helps Wheeljack remove a large panel below Telatran One, as he reaches down to lift, Ravage detaches himself from the Autobot and lands into the main computer's disk slot. Both are still unaware of the spy and continue to work on the damaged circuits below. The large screen above them however, seems to be flipping images of the strange satellite they had been looking at before and then quickly turned it off. Wheeljack stood up and looked at the blank monitor, for a moment he thought the screen was on, but shrugged his shoulders and leaned back down to keep fixing the computer.
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Agent Connors and Drakemore step off of the large helicopter setting down near the remaining army forces, the other bulky helicopters carrying the secret weapon carefully place it on the ground and release the cables attached to it. The General comes walking out of his command tent and walks over to the two government agents who seem to be instructing their special outfitted troops coming off of the same helicopter they did. The General screams out to them over the loud noise of the choppers, it's almost hard to hear him at first, but Connors soon hears the old man yelling at them.
"You'd better hope this contraption of yours works Mr. Connors...Those robots seem to thrive on carnage! Nothing we seem to throw at them is having any effect. I'm beginning to think Optimus Prime was right...maybe it's time we called them instead?"
Connors stares him down wearing his dark sunglasses, "General, you'll beg my pardon when I say this isn't your decision anymore. I find it hard to believe you'd give up so soon, just proves to me that you're not the type of leader to command this mission at all!"
"You son of a bitch!" The General curses at him, "How dare you question me! I just launched every American military resource available at these things and nothing is stopping them! It's going to take more then just our forces to bring them down...hell the whole world will have to launch a war against this menace!"
Drakemore finishes instructing the special troops and walks over to the two men arguing, "We're ready to begin...sorry General, but this time we're going win a war our way."
Connors runs over to the weapon and begins uncovering the thing for all to see. As the canvas drops to the ground, the reaction of the General and all the other soldiers standing near shows awe as it is finally revealed. The large black transport truck with monster sized wheels sits there like a beast waiting to be unleashed, the incredibly huge double barreled cannon sits on top of it's back structure and sticks out ahead of the transport as if it wasn't meant to be part of the vehicle. Just like the strange probe hanging in space above the Ark, it has the same texture and technology wrapped all around it. The thing looks like a giant black nightmare; tinted windows of red surround the side cab at the front of the monster transport, with a built-in ladder on the side to climb up to it. Never has the General, or any other military soldier has ever seen such a marvel, it was hard to imagine such a thing could be kept secret for so long. As the old crusty military leader looks at it more intensely, he notices the weapon sitting on it doesn't even look like it's built by human hands, in fact it looked somewhat alien in design to him. Drakemore stands back with the General and listens to the man rant on to him.
"What is this?!" The General protests, "This is your big secret? And only one?! I've spent thousands of men, vehicles and flung ever arsenal I could to stop these things, and you come here with one weapon? Are you insane?!"
"Calm yourself General. This weapon will definitely end this conflict for good..."
The General laughs, "How can you sit there and be so smug about it? Have you even tested it to find out?"
Drakemore just sighs and flinches his jaw, "Not really.... but there's no time like the present."
"Damn you guys are a piece of work.", the military commander snickers, "You're gambling on all of our lives with this thing. I seriously think we need to go back and get some help.... we need the Autobots!"
"NO!", Connors yells out to him from the machine, "We don't need their help! We're a goddamn species to be reckoned with, no metal aliens are going to come to our world and try to take over. Autobots or Decepticons...we'll have them all under our control and use the technology to build more weapons just like this. Project N is the best thing to happen to this planet since the invention of fire!"
The old military man takes great concern from those harsh words Connors screamed out, "I thought.... I thought this was Project N? Are you telling me there's more to this Project?"
The agent smiles, "More than meets the eye my dear General."
That sent a shiver down the military man's spine, but as he feared for humanity from that one simple phrase the crazed agent spat out the roar of the engine began from the transport truck. A low, but powerful hum came out of it. Not the typical noise you'd hear from a combustion engine, it sounded more like a snap of energy whooshing through the air. Connors ran over to the long ladder and climbed up to the dwarf looking cab on top of the massive truck. Inside were two other black suited special soldiers manning computers on the left side and the right side as he climbed in. He took his seat and clamped on the criss-cross seat belt, in front of him was a large computer panel with many buttons that flickered and glowed. Usually a steering wheel would be there as he drove, but this secret weapon didn't seem to require it, a few taps on the flashing icons and the massive transport moved forward at a rather fast speed. The huge tires tore up the dirt and spewed it behind like someone digging their way through the Earth. Riding inside the machine, Connors looked at the entire military force retreating all around him, he was heading straight into the heart of the battle with this new weapon as the others were running for their lives. He kept his eyes forward, but tilted his head back to talk to the man sitting behind him on the other computer.
"Is the weapon charged?"
"We are go sir, weapon is charged and ready at your command!", the soldier says to him.
"Good, raise the weapon and prepare to fire."
The soldier behind him presses a few buttons and outside on the back, the large black weapon raises up off of the truck with a large extended arm. The messy looking collected technology all over it obscures its real shape, but it stretches out from the vehicle and targets a few of the Decepticon jets still attacking the retreating air force above. The computer screen shows the target it's aiming for and locks on to it. Connors looks on the monitor hanging down above his head and has a clear view of Skywarp targeted in red.
"FIRE!"
The black double barrel gun builds up a massive energy surge and quickly sends a parallel streak of blue energy towards the un-suspecting jet. It hits Skywarp and causes a massive explosion on his jet frame; the crippling blow sends the Decepticon hurling across the sky and then dropping like a rock down onto the ground. Thundercracker sees Skywarp fall and turns away from the fleeing convoy of human jets to swoop down and attack the large transport. Connors sees the jet coming in and targets him as well. The weapon fires again and causes the same damage to Thundercracker as it did to Skywarp. As Starscream turns around he watches the hurt jet fling past and just narrowly missing him on his way down to the earth. Connors smiles sitting inside his machine and now points his men to target the air commander next. The computer locks on to the transformed Decepticon and fires again, the look of surprise fills the robot's eyes as the blue energy wave strikes him right in the chest. Megatron, not paying attention to the skirmish, suddenly hears Starscream moaning as he plummets near by. Looking over to where the air commander crashed, he has a confused look on his face and turns around to see the black transport repeatedly shooting at his Decepticon soldiers.
"Now what do we have here.... humans trying to destroy the Decepticons? They shall pay for their treachery!"
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Optimus Prime and the other Autobots are racing down the paved highway, their speed is fast and constant, but Spike nervously taps away sitting inside the leader, it doesn't seem fast enough for him. Carly sees Spike getting impatient and also becomes antsy.
"Faster.... we must go faster Optimus...", Spike says to him.
"I was just thinking the same thing my friend.", the Autobot leader says in agreement, " Time to kick it into overload. Autobots! Prepare for Trans- boost Drive! "
Behind the massive speeding truck are a parade of flashy Autobot cars, all of them hear the leader's orders and respond to his command appropriately, " Yes, Sir!!"
Hound and Prowl ride side by side, the two cars talk to each other as they prepare to increase their speeds.
"Psst...Hey, Prowl? Where's Mirage? He wasn't in the line up...."
Prowl whispers back to him, "I dunno, haven't seen him for awhile. You don't think he's gone ahead of us do you?"
Hound sighs, "I doubt it, Mirage has a history of disappearing during a battle. Frankly I can't see why Prime even bothered to bring him along. Sounds to me like the guy has yellow spark in him."
"It wouldn't be the first time an Autobot has chickened out. There were a lot back during the war, many took off to escape being drafted. Maybe...Maybe Mirage has lost his nerve again...", the black and white police Porsche says in a disappointed tone.
The red mini Autobot, Cliffjumper hears their conversation from behind and speaks out, "Mirage ain't no coward! So pipe down there you chatty bots!"
Hound tries to quiet the nosey red mini car, "Shhhh...Pipe down yourself there Cliffjumper! Ok then, if you don't think he's a coward then just where the heck is he then huh?"
Cliffjumper remains silent for a second and grumbles, "Uhm.... well...he could be.... Ah who knows! Maybe your right...maybe he did sit this one out."
"Face it guys...some Autobots are assembled fighters, some are just recycled cowards.", Prowl calmly states to them both.
Cliffjumper revs up his engine and prepares to increase his speed, "Where did you hear that stupid phrase? You know, Kup would really lay into you for making that remark. Just be glad he isn't here to yell at you!"
The black and white Porsche revs its engine, "Shut up Cliffjumper!"
Optimus Prime raises his voice again to all of them, "Autobots.... Begin Trans-boost Drive.... NOW!"
A sudden green glow appears all around each vehicle and as they all glow the whole caravan of them blur and warp down the roadway in a blink of an eye. The entire asphalt becomes super heated and glows, the only thing left visible on the highway is white-hot tire marks streaking down the road. Multiple sonic booms can be heard in the distance as the Autobots race towards the conflict that can be seen just at the horizon. Large billows of smoke and fire are rising up in the distance, almost like the reign of hell is stirring up down there.
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The army continues retreating back towards the main campsite, the General sees the extent of the damage as the soldiers pour back in; the losses are heavy. Drakemore stands a few feet away from him and keeps his binoculars focused on his friend's progress out in the battle field, its as if he couldn't care less about the wounded and dying coming right past him. As the military commander walks back to his small outpost tent, he can hear a faint sound getting louder and as he looks over to see the direction it's coming from, Optimus Prime and the other Autobots appear in a flash of neon green light. Each one comes streaking out right behind Optimus Prime and begin to slow down as they approach the area. The General didn't know whom these vehicles belonged to or even that they were the Autobots, he had never seen them all in there vehicle modes, he instantly thought this was more of Connors secret weapons coming to help him out. As he and a few soldiers walked over to the lead tractor trailer coming to a stop, they were surprised to see Spike and a woman get out of it.
"Spike? What the hell are you doing here?", the General demanded.
Spike and Carly walked away from the red cab and demanded information out of him.
"What's going on? Did you save the town? Are the people ok?", Spike yelled in a panic.
Suddenly the truck they were riding in began to make a sound; it rose up and began to unfold sections of its body. Soon the large robotic figure of Optimus Prime stood over all of them, and behind him, the other Autobots also returned to their robot forms as well. The old military commander was taken back by it, fearing they had come to do harm. But as the surrounding soldiers took aim of their weapons, Prime spoke out and stretched out his hand.
"Hold your fire! We've come to help!"
Drakemore comes running over and screams at the Autobot leader, "We don't need your help Optimus Prime! We've got the situation under control, our weapon is working perfectly and will be rid of these alien monsters once and for all."
Carly looks right at the man in the dark suit and sunglasses, "What about the town? Where are all the people?"
"We couldn't save them in time miss, but they won't go unpunished for what they've done.", the agent says to her coldly.
Spike and Carly grasp each other in comfort, all their efforts to bring help had failed, now things had become much worst. They gazed over at the human casualties, the crushed arsenal of the military and the retreating soldiers. Hope it seemed was becoming ever more distant to the two of them, the only ones to stop this madness now were the Autobots.
"Uh.... Prime? You might want to have a look at this.", a gruff voice said to him.
Looking down he saw Brawn gazing outward to the battle, his eyes were slightly sticking out and glowing bright blue, in his vision he can see the Decepticons trying to destroy the transport truck with the weapon on it. Prime raised his head in the direction also and his eyes began to glow a bright blue as well. Each transformer has the ability to use their eyes as an electro-telescopic viewer, a way to magnify their sight in order to see over vast distances. Prime's sight had a clear image of the weapon Connors and Drakemore had provided, the texture and design looked very similar to him, in fact it almost looked like the strange satellite hanging in Earth's orbit. He watched the weapon fire massive energy blasts at the Decepticons, it was far more powerful then any weapon he had seen humans use so far and far more advanced then anything they could produce.
"I see it.", Optimus calmly stated. "The Decepticons are having a hard time stopping it and now...it looks like they're trying to make way for Megatron."
"The fools!" Ironhide screams within earshot of Optimus, "They don't know who they're messing with!"
Drakemore laughs, "He won't be a problem...so far we've managed to wipe out a good number of their forces. This...Megatron will be just as easy to dispose of."
The Autobot leader's eyes stop glowing and he looks down at the small human, "No Drakemore.... it's about to get a whole lot worst."
Out in the demolished ruins of the small town, Megatron stares down the on coming black vehicle, Decepticons are being shot left, right and center as each one goes hurling by the leader. The Constructicons try to block the path of the transport truck heading straight in, but also get caught in the massive energy blasts as it takes each one of them out. Starscream manages to regain consciousness and stands behind the leader who doesn't even budge as the shot reign past his head. The air commander holds his head and tries to shake off the deadly blow that was given to him.
"Megatron...what...what happened? Where did those creatures get such a weapon?!"
The Decepticon leader's eyes glowed a bright red as he watched the transport coming closer and closer.
"I don't know.... but I will not be defeated by inferior creatures that use weapons they do not understand!"
Megatron back flips in the air and transforms into his sliver polished berretta eight-millimeter hand gun mode, Starscream skillfully catches him and holds him like any other weapon given to him. The Decepticon laughs at Megatron's form, the once mighty leader that became a massive energy cannon was now a mere hand gun.
"This is your new form? Bah-ahahahaha! Oooh how the mighty have fallen...", Starscream continually laughs.
"Silence you fool!" The gun speaks out loud, "I do not enjoy taking this weak, human-made form of weapondary, but for now just do your job and take them out!!"
Starscream smirks, "As you command.... mighty Megatron."
The air commander outstretches his arm and aims the weapon at the transport Connors is riding in. On the monitor inside the firing transport, Connors calmly chuckles at the sight of Megatron's transformation.
"This is the leader of a dangerous group of Robots? Bah! He'd be lucky if it did any damage at all.... keep firing! These guys are almost finished!!"
Starscream holds his finger in the trigger and presses it back; a large red surge of power builds inside Megatron's long silencer attachment and releases a huge blast of energy that lights up the entire area. The streak of power hits the transport and explodes a few of its large front wheels. Inside the transport's cockpit, the men all shake about from it's deadly blow, the truck crashes down to the ground as it no longer has any front support and begins to slide along the dirt. A second shot from Megatron causes the vehicle to flip in the air as the explosion rips into the armored transport like a knife. It rolls along the ground, flipping, twisting and finally resting on its side. Victorious in the strikes, Megatron leaps out of Starscream's hand and returns to his robotic form. The leader gives an evil smile as he views the results, it seems that his smaller form is still as powerful as his old cannon form. But the thought of having to have someone hold him to attack is very un-appealing to him, it means that he will now have a weakness he did not have before, and he despises weakness in any shape or form. The human transport now lay in ruins, smoldering and set on fire, helpless as any other human craft they've attacked so far.
"I did it! I defeated the humans greatest weapon!!" Starscream rejoices.
Megatron quickly turns around, "What do you mean you? I am the one who crushed them!"
"Not quite Megatron. For it was I who took aim and fired on them.... I should be hailed as the hero!"
Megatron shook his fist at the air commander, very close to his face, "But it was I that gave you that opportunity Starscream! I am the weapon you welded to make this a success.... and I am the leader of the Decepticons not you!"
Starscream becomes a bit threatened by the leader's anger towards him and gives him his praise, "Y-y-yes Megatron...You are the one that defeated them. I...I was mistaken."
"I will only give you three warnings from now on Starscream.... consider this mistake number one. Questioning my leadership, I will have no more of it!", the leader says to the cowering robot.
Starscream nods and backs away, Megatron walks over to the crippled vehicle and stands over it. Inside the damaged and slightly crushed cockpit, Connors and the other soldiers struggle to get out. The Decepticon leader bends down and picks up the front end, the men inside can feel the vehicle being lifted up and see a pair of red eyes peering in at them through the damaged windows.
"Which one of you is responsible for this stupidity?", the leader demands.
Bleeding and trying to free his leg from the metal pinning it down, Connors speaks out to the creature.
"I am.... I...I demand that you surrender now, in the name of the people of the Earth! Anymore attempts to harm our kind and you shall.... you shall suffer dearly."
Megatron chuckles calmly, "Such arrogance...You humans truly are as dumb as you look. Persist with me creature and I will make sure this planet dead by the time I leave it."
Connors smirks, "Well see who takes out whom robot...You don't know who you're messing with."
"Nor do you..." the evil leader squints, "Soundwave!!"
The minidisk-carrying robot stands up and shakes his head as he regroups himself, "Yes...Megatron?"
"Dispatch Laserbeak at once."
Soundwave nods, "As you command.... Laserbeak, eject!"
He presses the button on his top chest and the window compartment flips open, Laserbeak launches out in minidisk form and unfolds into his mechanical bird form. Laserbeak flies over to Megatrons left arm and attaches himself to it. The Decepticon leader smiles and positions his arm up to keep the bird level.
"Ahh, Laserbeak...I have a new task for you...retrieve and fly up."
The cybertronian bird squawks and flaps over to the transport cockpit, with its gripping robotic bird like feet, it rips open the cab top. The men scream inside as the bird cuts it open like tin, soon the foot reaches in and picks up Connors tightly. He yells in pain as he could feel a few ribs breaking from the Decepticons crushing grip, Laserbeak takes him and flies straight up into the air. As the bird reaches a certain height, it stops and hovers as it awaits Megatron's order as Connors strains to hear the Decepticon leader talk.
"Now human...", Megatron chuckles, "Tell me exactly where you acquired that bit of technology. Tell me now...and I might just spare your hide for the time being."
Connors was nearly passing out from the pain, but struggling to stay conscious, he refused to answer the question, "Drop Dead Robot!!"
"You first...", the leader smirked, "Laserbeak.... release him!"
The Decepticon bird opened its toes and the man began to drop down to the ground, he screamed in terror as he was falling to his death. A hand gesture from the evil leader sent the bird streaking down to pick up the man again, as it caught him, Laserbeak once again returned to the same height. Megatron once again chuckled at the human and shouted to the frightened Connors again.
"Gravity is a harsh mistress flesh creature! Now this is your last warning.... where did you get that weapon from?"
Connors, crying and slightly bleeding from his mouth, shook his head and refused, "Never...I'll never tell you. Scaring me won't make me talk.... nothing will!"
Megatron frowns, "So be it. Laserbeak....drop him again."
Once again the bird lets go and Connors falls to the ground, the man doesn't scream this time, he thinks the Decepticon leader will command the alien bird to pick him up yet again. But Megatron lifts up his large arm cannon and targets the human, as Connors falls to Earth, his face fills with dread as he hears Megatron's final words to him.
"I despise humans!!"
Megatron shoots his arm cannon and the large energy blast vaporizes the agent in mid-air. All that can be heard over the area is the man's blood curling scream as the energy cooks his body into ash. Megatron glances down at the armored transport again and looks at the other two frightened soldiers inside.
"Laserbeak, prepare to retrieve another for target practice..."
"Target on this Megatron!" a booming familiar voice yells out to him.
As the Decepticon leader looks up, a blue energy blast strikes the leader down and makes him collapse to the ground. As the leader looks up, he sees his old enemy running towards him with his fellow soldiers, Optimus Prime and the Autobots. Stopping at a distance, Optimus Prime points to the fallen leader and points his weapon.
"No! It...It can't be! You're Dead!!" Megatron yells in a panic stricken tone.
Prime squints his eyes, "You wish Megatron."
Decepticon leader stands up in disbelief; his greatest foe wasn't left for dead in the Ark, but is now standing there ready to fight him once more. Megatron sees his evil warrior brood rebuilding around him again, all of them fully recovered and standing ready to fight behind him.
"Decepticons! Attaaaaaaack!!!"