KatDrama: Well, if you don't mind me saying so, YOU GUYS STINK!!!
Kitty: Who, us?
KatDrama: (slaps forehead) no not YOU, THEM!
Rurouni KatDrama: Who is this 'THEM'?
KatDrama: The reviewers!!!
Kitty: So, what's wrong with them?
Kat: No one reviewed that last chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kitty: So? Maybe they were all busy. You know, you have been busy too.
Kat: I know, I know. Don't remind me. I got a gazillion chores to do, and on top of that I have to pack my bags!!!
RKD: Pack your bags? Why must you pack your bags?
Kat: I'm going away for a week!
Kitty: o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-h......so?
Kat: So I won't be updating for a while. And when I get back I expect my inbox to be filled with tons of reviews, got that?! Now, just read the story!!
--
Chapter 35
Turn of Tide
"Hi-yah!" Emrial brought her sword down hard only to make contact with nothing but thin air.
"Okay! Okay! Mercy! Uncle! Whatever, just please, no more!!" Jet Fire panted hard as he ran to escape his tormentor.
"I said I'd kick your butt! A promise is a promise, so either you're going to hold still or make me to this the hard way!" Emrial smirked as she hovered in the air, her jet boot's propulsion aiding in her flight. "Besides, think of it as training. I need to get back in shape after being off duty for so long." She slung her long, broad blade over her shoulder.
"Well, when you put it that way, I'm sure that..." Jet Fire glanced about nervously, looking for a means of escape. Spotting an oblivious bot strolling down the hallway he seized the opportunity. "I'm sure that Sideswipe would be more than happy to help you with your 'training'." He shoved the younger transformer in front of him and took off at a fast clip to anywhere but there.
"Huh? What?!" The blue bot backed up a step.
"Hm, so you're the new guy, eh? How tough are you?" Emrial's eyes were deviously evil as she swung her sword into the ready position.
"AHHHHH! BRO! SAVE ME!!!!" Sideswipe yelped as he made a cowardly retreat.
"Hey, c'mon! I need somebody to beat up!" Emrial sprouted her wings and flew in pursuit of the unlucky Autobot.
"Hot Shot! Bro, am I GLAD to see you!" Sideswipe slid behind his 'bro' as Emrial chased him into the training deck.
"What's up?" Hot Shot chuckled.
"She wants to beat me up!" Sideswipe pouted like a little child.
"Hmm, does she now?" Hot Shot's smirk widened.
"It's just training. C'mon Hot Shot, are you game enough to take me on? I need the practice." The flying, sword-wielding 'mech-human' pleaded.
"Sure. Just let me know if it gets to rough..." The bot didn't have time to finish his sentence as a whirlwind of air flew past him, nearly knocking him off his feet.
"Whoa, she's fast!" Sideswipe marveled.
"Hey slowpoke, up here!" Emrial called from up in the air before spiraling into a downward descent upon5 her prey.
Hot Shot nimbly jumped to the side, doing a handspring and landing on his feet, narrowly missing the attack.
"Hot Shot, look out!" Sideswipe called.
"Huh?" Hot Shot looked behind him to see the young warrior bearing down on him with her sword.
Hot Shot went to one knee on the ground, holding his shoulder as a little stream of Energon began to pour forth.
"Oh, man! I am s-o-o-o-o sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you! Is it bad?" Emrial dropped her sword and was immediately by her friend's side.
"Heh, just a scratch." Hot Shot smirked.
"Men! You and your tough guy ways." She sighed.
"Whoa! Man, this is heavy! How can you even lift this?! Let alone attack and be so fast!" Both Autobot and girl were distracted by Sideswipe's futile attempt to lift and swing Emrial's sword.
"Heh." Emrial smiled as she flew over to him. "It only works for me." She easily lifted it with one hand, and to Sideswipe's amazement, melded it back into her hand.
"Wow! How did you do that?" He stood, mouth agape.
Emrial shrugged her shoulders and giggled slightly at the bot's look of startled amazement. She was beginning to like the new guy. Finally! Someone who admitted he didn't know everything!
Hot Shot chuckled until a spasm of pain made him wince and grab his shoulder tighter.
"Here, let me see." Emrial flew back to his aide.
"I don't need help, it's just a scratch."
Emrial frowned. "That's what I used to say, and look how I ended up. Now let me see!" She commanded.
Tenderly Hot Shot removed his hand, revealing the crack in his armor.
"Hmm." Emrial sized up the situation. "Don't move." Before Hot Shot could argue she put her hands a few inches from his shoulder and concentrated her energy. Her eyes glowed a slightly greenish hue as the green energy from her hands began to heal his damaged armor.
"There, good as new." Emrial landed slightly faint from the energy drain.
"Thanks." Hot Shot inspected the job.
"Wow! You are just incredible!" Sideswipe remarked. "Can I hug you?" He leaned forward, arms outstretched.
"NOOOOOO!!!!" Hot Shot grabbed Emrial and made a b-line to the door.
"What?" Sideswipe stood clueless in an empty room as the dust swirls settled back around him.
--
"You know, for such a technological advancement, you'd think they'd be able to flavor this stuff." Emrial stuck out her tongue in disgust as she downed a round of drinkable Energon.
"It'd ruin the purity of it." Red Alert plainly stated.
"Still, even the finest of energy sources have at least smells..."
"Maybe here on Earth, but remember, we're Transformers. We don't taste because we don't eat." Red Alert pointed out.
"Still..."
"Would you just drink the stuff?!"
"Sheesh, don't be so snappy, I was just wondering, is all. Even the nastiest tasting stuff is better than stuff with no taste."
"Well, if you don't like the taste of it perhaps I could just use this giant needle here and inject the stuff directly into your blood stream." Emrial's inquiry was starting to get on the officer's nerves. Ever since she had been well she had been a constant hummingbird filled with ceaseless energy, probably a side affect of the Energon treatment.
"Err...no thanks, it's fine. Really." Emrial swung her legs back and forth idly while sitting on the edge of a med-table as she gulped the last of the glowing liquid.
"Finished?"
"Yep!"
"Good! Now would you go find someone else to bother?"
"Sheesh, what'd you do? Wake up on the wrong side of the CR chamber?"
"There is no wrong side....!"
"Red, it's a metaphor."
"Oh."
"Ta-ta!" Emrial flew out of med bay at full speed. "He really needs to spend more time away from his test tubes and computers..." She mused.
--
"So-o-o-o-o, how's it goin', Optimus?" Emrial flew up behind the commander's shoulder. "Watcha workin' on?" She peered over at the desktop were an assortment of parts laid scattered.
"Holy Particle Guns! Don't scare me like that!" Optimus clutched his chest panel. "I WAS working on this broken communicator, but your sudden interruption caused me to cut the circuitry with the micro laser!"
"Oh, sorry!" Emrial began to fly away.
"Oh, that's okay, Emrial..." Optimus put his face in his hand and sighed as he slid the project into the trash bin at the side of his desk.
--
"Blurr! Buddy, ol' pal! Watcha doin'?" Emrial jetted up to the solitary bot.
"Cleaning my guns." Blurr didn't look up as he polished and waxed the surfaces of his armory until he could see his reflection in them.
"O-o-h. Need any help?" She inquired.
"No." He dully stated.
"Sure?"
"Positive."
"Okay-dokey. Need any company?"
"Nope."
"Sure?"
"Positive."
"Okay, I'll go find someone else to bother." Emrial sighed before twittering off.
--
"I've escaped!" Jet Fire did a joyous dance in his quarters.
"Oooooh Jet Fire?" Emrial's voice could be heard echoing down the hallways of the base.
"Oh no! She's after me, again!" Jet Fire trembled with mock fear.
"Hm, I wonder where he is?" She scratched her head as she flew around the base.
BWEEE! BWEEEEE! BWEEEEEE!
"A mini con!" Voices from around the base called in unison.
"Let's go!" Hot Shot eagerly grabbed his gun and headed for the warp room.
"Right behind ya, bro!" Sideswipe cocked his gun as he ran after his friend.
"A mini con has been detected somewhere in the desert!" Red Alert typed away at the main computer.
"All systems go!" Hoist transformed into vehicle mode.
"Let's do this." Blurr's optics flared with anticipation of the incoming battle.
"Let's move out, men!" Optimus commanded.
"Hey, wait for me!" Emrial called out as she flew into the warp room.
"No, Emrial. It's too dangerous. We can't let you come to harm again." Optimus held up his hand to signal her to stop.
"But you need me! I'm a part of this team too! I can leave the fighting to you while I go search for the mini con!" Emrial pleaded.
"Oh, all right. But if the situation becomes more than we can handle I will expect you to retreat to safer grounds. Do you got that?" He stared her down.
"Perfectly!" She gave him a thumbs up.
"Yehaw! Let's do this thing!" Jet Fire gleefully transformed.
"Ready? Launch!" Optimus commanded as a warped blue light engulfed them.
Emrial quickly rocketed into the warp gate behind them.
The warp gate took them to a wasteland of barren rock.
"Okay, Emrial. I'm going to hold you to your promise. No fighting!"
"Yes sah!" Emrial saluted while inwardly laughing at Optimus's concern for her. Was he no longer aware of her fighting capabilities and awesome powers? Or did he feel that she was not up to the task? No matter, Emrial would help in her own way.
With out a second's thought Emrial's armor appeared and she quickly flew off at an amazingly fast rate.
"Okay, men. Emrial's looking for the mini con and we'll be looking for the Decepticons. Radio if you find anything." Optimus nodded at his warriors, ready for battle, as they dispersed throughout the countryside.
"Optimus! Cyclonus at....9:35!"
"Good work, Hot Shot. Keep him at bay until backup arrives."
"Sir, there's more of them Decepti-creeps lurking around the other side of this rock formation." Jet Fire informed his leader as he made a wide loop through the sky. "Whoa-oh! Looks like they're in the skies, too!" He yelped while dodging laser fire.
"Die, Auto-brat!" Starscream challenged as he chased the space shuttle through the blue skies.
"Oh-oh. Jet Fire's in trouble!" Emrial looked up to see the aerial battle raging on. "Jet Fire, look out!" She screamed too late as Thrust came out of hiding and blasted the Autobot with all he had.
"Oh, great." Jet Fire moaned as he spiraled towards Earth.
Emrial's blood boiled when she saw the smirk Starscream and the bragging Thrust transform and survey their handiwork.
Emrial! Her subconscious seemed to be nagging her in the opposite direction. Don't do it! Remember your promise to Optimus!
"Dam-it! Why did I EVER make that stupid promise?" She pounded her fists into a near by rock and continued searching for the mini con.
--
Emrial looked over her shoulder at the laser fire that lighted up the sky, wishing that she could be a part of the action. "They're probably getting their afts kicked without me!" She grumbled. Suddenly her thoughts were distracted as she felt a strange pulsation through her hands.
"Huh?" She couldn't understand why her palms were throbbing to a beat and why the energy from her hands was doing the same thing. "Odd." She thought when she suddenly noticed it. A little ways away she saw a faint green glowing, pulsating to the same rhythm as her energy. "The mini con!" She quickly concluded.
"Optimus! Optimus! I've found the mini con!" She hurriedly radioed in.
"Good! Now meet up with us and we'll head back to base!"
"No, no..." Emrial shook her head. "You don't understand! I've FOUND the mini con! That doesn't mean I HAVE it!"
"Oh, well, what's the problem?"
"It's down in this narrow vertical cave. I'm going to need someone to lower me down there!"
"Okay, we're on our way!"
--
"Okay, Red. That's close enough." Emrial stated as Red Alert finally got his grappling hook to latch unto a rock close to the mini con.
"Are you sure?" His single red optic revealed doubt.
"Red, c'mon. I might have to jump a little, but it's so narrow down there I think I'll be able to brace myself against the wall so I don't fall." She grabbed unto the cable that led down into the deep and narrow cavern.
Red Alert kneeled down so he'd have a better view as Emrial slipped gracefully over the edge and into the darkness.
"Hmm, what are those two up to now?" Cyclonus hovered above the climbing expedition.
Red Alert turned his head around enough to see the threat. "Someone cover me! I can't fight while holding the rope!" (Considering that the rope is attached to his red utility arm) He called out to his comrades at the distant battle.
"On my way!" Blurr informed him as a stream of lasers from his gun made contact with an unlucky Decepticon's armor. Once Thrust had fallen he transformed and sped away to the scene.
"Emrial, how close are you?" Red asked in a nervous tone of voice as laser fire began to rain down upon him.
"Almost...there..." Emrial grunted as she reached with all her might to grab the glowing green panel.
"Hurry!"
"Almost...there..."
"Blurr, hurry!"
"I'm coming as fast as I can!"
"Heh heh heh heh heh! What's wrong, Auto-bum? Stuck baby-sitting again?" The copter bot laughed his maniac laugh.
"Shut up, Cyclonus!" Blurr finally arrived and began blasting the annoying Transformer to pieces.
"AHHHHHH! Why me?" Cyclonus screamed as he fell smoking to the ground
"How are you doing down there?" Red called down to the climber.
"I'm going to hafta jump to get it."
"No! Emrial, don't! There's got to be some other way."
"The cable doesn't reach far enough. Red, I'll be okay." She tried to reassure him.
Emrial licked the sweat from her face as she braced her feet against the wall and physced herself up to the jump across to the other side of the cavern that had grown slightly larger as she climbed downward.
"How's she doing?" Blurr joined Red at the edge of the hole.
"She's going to jump!"
"What? She must be..."
Suddenly his sentence was cut short as the other Decepticons arrived. Blurr readied his gun. "Ooooh, man, where are the others?" Blurr's thoughts raced.
"Well, well. What's this? Are the good Autobots fetching the mini con for me? How thoughtful." Megatron teased.
"Go to hell." Blurr threatened.
"Now, now. If I were you I wouldn't be getting so hasty."
"Why?" Blurr put his sights on the leader's chest.
"Because I have your friends."
"What?" Blurr's optics grew wide as he saw the Decepticons bring forth the other Autobots who were sorely beaten.
"Let them go!" Blurr's anger grew.
"Give me all the mini cons and maybe I'll consider it!"
"No...Blurr! Don't...do...it!" Optimus weakly called out.
"Shut up!" Starscream delightfully dealt him a sharp kick to the stomach.
Blurr looked back and forth between Red Alert and his other comrades.
"Blurr, do as he says." Red nervously whispered out the side of his mouth.
"I...I...I surrender." Blurr retched as he tossed his guns to the ground.
"Good!" Megatron smiled as his minions restrained the new captive.
"C'mon..." Red Alert turned back to look down the cavern. "C'mon, Emrial...hurry..." He urged.
"What are you doing?" Megatron snapped at the science officer. "Men, restrain him!" He ordered.
"No, c'mon, Emrial!" Red Alert was rooted to the spot.
"If he won't go then he'll die there." Megatron smiled as he brought his hip cannon around and aimed at the defenseless Autobot. He fired the cannon. A purple light sliced through Red Alert. He groaned in pain as he fell forwards, jerking the cable free from the rock.
Emrial felt the cable become slack and knew she had to make her move. As rocks startled to tumble around her she jumped for the mini con. For a few glorious split seconds she held unto it, her fingertips digging into the rock behind the panel as she griped it for dear life. Then, to her horror, that very rock began to crumble away and she felt herself helplessly falling backwards into the dark, deep, cave.
"EMRIAL!!" All Autobots cried at once.
--
KatDrama: Wa ha ha ha ha! Is that a cliffhanger or what?!
Kitty: Will Emrial survive?
Rurouni KatDrama: Will the Autobots survive?
KatD: Will Megatron rule the universe?
KatDrama: Oh ho ho ho ho! All that, and MUCH MUCH more, revealed in the next chapter of Jet Blast! (that is, if you review) C-ya in about a week! MWA HA HA HA HA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
p.s. for those of you who have complained, I hope this chapter's length is satisfactory, ne?
Kitty: Who, us?
KatDrama: (slaps forehead) no not YOU, THEM!
Rurouni KatDrama: Who is this 'THEM'?
KatDrama: The reviewers!!!
Kitty: So, what's wrong with them?
Kat: No one reviewed that last chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kitty: So? Maybe they were all busy. You know, you have been busy too.
Kat: I know, I know. Don't remind me. I got a gazillion chores to do, and on top of that I have to pack my bags!!!
RKD: Pack your bags? Why must you pack your bags?
Kat: I'm going away for a week!
Kitty: o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-h......so?
Kat: So I won't be updating for a while. And when I get back I expect my inbox to be filled with tons of reviews, got that?! Now, just read the story!!
--
Chapter 35
Turn of Tide
"Hi-yah!" Emrial brought her sword down hard only to make contact with nothing but thin air.
"Okay! Okay! Mercy! Uncle! Whatever, just please, no more!!" Jet Fire panted hard as he ran to escape his tormentor.
"I said I'd kick your butt! A promise is a promise, so either you're going to hold still or make me to this the hard way!" Emrial smirked as she hovered in the air, her jet boot's propulsion aiding in her flight. "Besides, think of it as training. I need to get back in shape after being off duty for so long." She slung her long, broad blade over her shoulder.
"Well, when you put it that way, I'm sure that..." Jet Fire glanced about nervously, looking for a means of escape. Spotting an oblivious bot strolling down the hallway he seized the opportunity. "I'm sure that Sideswipe would be more than happy to help you with your 'training'." He shoved the younger transformer in front of him and took off at a fast clip to anywhere but there.
"Huh? What?!" The blue bot backed up a step.
"Hm, so you're the new guy, eh? How tough are you?" Emrial's eyes were deviously evil as she swung her sword into the ready position.
"AHHHHH! BRO! SAVE ME!!!!" Sideswipe yelped as he made a cowardly retreat.
"Hey, c'mon! I need somebody to beat up!" Emrial sprouted her wings and flew in pursuit of the unlucky Autobot.
"Hot Shot! Bro, am I GLAD to see you!" Sideswipe slid behind his 'bro' as Emrial chased him into the training deck.
"What's up?" Hot Shot chuckled.
"She wants to beat me up!" Sideswipe pouted like a little child.
"Hmm, does she now?" Hot Shot's smirk widened.
"It's just training. C'mon Hot Shot, are you game enough to take me on? I need the practice." The flying, sword-wielding 'mech-human' pleaded.
"Sure. Just let me know if it gets to rough..." The bot didn't have time to finish his sentence as a whirlwind of air flew past him, nearly knocking him off his feet.
"Whoa, she's fast!" Sideswipe marveled.
"Hey slowpoke, up here!" Emrial called from up in the air before spiraling into a downward descent upon5 her prey.
Hot Shot nimbly jumped to the side, doing a handspring and landing on his feet, narrowly missing the attack.
"Hot Shot, look out!" Sideswipe called.
"Huh?" Hot Shot looked behind him to see the young warrior bearing down on him with her sword.
Hot Shot went to one knee on the ground, holding his shoulder as a little stream of Energon began to pour forth.
"Oh, man! I am s-o-o-o-o sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you! Is it bad?" Emrial dropped her sword and was immediately by her friend's side.
"Heh, just a scratch." Hot Shot smirked.
"Men! You and your tough guy ways." She sighed.
"Whoa! Man, this is heavy! How can you even lift this?! Let alone attack and be so fast!" Both Autobot and girl were distracted by Sideswipe's futile attempt to lift and swing Emrial's sword.
"Heh." Emrial smiled as she flew over to him. "It only works for me." She easily lifted it with one hand, and to Sideswipe's amazement, melded it back into her hand.
"Wow! How did you do that?" He stood, mouth agape.
Emrial shrugged her shoulders and giggled slightly at the bot's look of startled amazement. She was beginning to like the new guy. Finally! Someone who admitted he didn't know everything!
Hot Shot chuckled until a spasm of pain made him wince and grab his shoulder tighter.
"Here, let me see." Emrial flew back to his aide.
"I don't need help, it's just a scratch."
Emrial frowned. "That's what I used to say, and look how I ended up. Now let me see!" She commanded.
Tenderly Hot Shot removed his hand, revealing the crack in his armor.
"Hmm." Emrial sized up the situation. "Don't move." Before Hot Shot could argue she put her hands a few inches from his shoulder and concentrated her energy. Her eyes glowed a slightly greenish hue as the green energy from her hands began to heal his damaged armor.
"There, good as new." Emrial landed slightly faint from the energy drain.
"Thanks." Hot Shot inspected the job.
"Wow! You are just incredible!" Sideswipe remarked. "Can I hug you?" He leaned forward, arms outstretched.
"NOOOOOO!!!!" Hot Shot grabbed Emrial and made a b-line to the door.
"What?" Sideswipe stood clueless in an empty room as the dust swirls settled back around him.
--
"You know, for such a technological advancement, you'd think they'd be able to flavor this stuff." Emrial stuck out her tongue in disgust as she downed a round of drinkable Energon.
"It'd ruin the purity of it." Red Alert plainly stated.
"Still, even the finest of energy sources have at least smells..."
"Maybe here on Earth, but remember, we're Transformers. We don't taste because we don't eat." Red Alert pointed out.
"Still..."
"Would you just drink the stuff?!"
"Sheesh, don't be so snappy, I was just wondering, is all. Even the nastiest tasting stuff is better than stuff with no taste."
"Well, if you don't like the taste of it perhaps I could just use this giant needle here and inject the stuff directly into your blood stream." Emrial's inquiry was starting to get on the officer's nerves. Ever since she had been well she had been a constant hummingbird filled with ceaseless energy, probably a side affect of the Energon treatment.
"Err...no thanks, it's fine. Really." Emrial swung her legs back and forth idly while sitting on the edge of a med-table as she gulped the last of the glowing liquid.
"Finished?"
"Yep!"
"Good! Now would you go find someone else to bother?"
"Sheesh, what'd you do? Wake up on the wrong side of the CR chamber?"
"There is no wrong side....!"
"Red, it's a metaphor."
"Oh."
"Ta-ta!" Emrial flew out of med bay at full speed. "He really needs to spend more time away from his test tubes and computers..." She mused.
--
"So-o-o-o-o, how's it goin', Optimus?" Emrial flew up behind the commander's shoulder. "Watcha workin' on?" She peered over at the desktop were an assortment of parts laid scattered.
"Holy Particle Guns! Don't scare me like that!" Optimus clutched his chest panel. "I WAS working on this broken communicator, but your sudden interruption caused me to cut the circuitry with the micro laser!"
"Oh, sorry!" Emrial began to fly away.
"Oh, that's okay, Emrial..." Optimus put his face in his hand and sighed as he slid the project into the trash bin at the side of his desk.
--
"Blurr! Buddy, ol' pal! Watcha doin'?" Emrial jetted up to the solitary bot.
"Cleaning my guns." Blurr didn't look up as he polished and waxed the surfaces of his armory until he could see his reflection in them.
"O-o-h. Need any help?" She inquired.
"No." He dully stated.
"Sure?"
"Positive."
"Okay-dokey. Need any company?"
"Nope."
"Sure?"
"Positive."
"Okay, I'll go find someone else to bother." Emrial sighed before twittering off.
--
"I've escaped!" Jet Fire did a joyous dance in his quarters.
"Oooooh Jet Fire?" Emrial's voice could be heard echoing down the hallways of the base.
"Oh no! She's after me, again!" Jet Fire trembled with mock fear.
"Hm, I wonder where he is?" She scratched her head as she flew around the base.
BWEEE! BWEEEEE! BWEEEEEE!
"A mini con!" Voices from around the base called in unison.
"Let's go!" Hot Shot eagerly grabbed his gun and headed for the warp room.
"Right behind ya, bro!" Sideswipe cocked his gun as he ran after his friend.
"A mini con has been detected somewhere in the desert!" Red Alert typed away at the main computer.
"All systems go!" Hoist transformed into vehicle mode.
"Let's do this." Blurr's optics flared with anticipation of the incoming battle.
"Let's move out, men!" Optimus commanded.
"Hey, wait for me!" Emrial called out as she flew into the warp room.
"No, Emrial. It's too dangerous. We can't let you come to harm again." Optimus held up his hand to signal her to stop.
"But you need me! I'm a part of this team too! I can leave the fighting to you while I go search for the mini con!" Emrial pleaded.
"Oh, all right. But if the situation becomes more than we can handle I will expect you to retreat to safer grounds. Do you got that?" He stared her down.
"Perfectly!" She gave him a thumbs up.
"Yehaw! Let's do this thing!" Jet Fire gleefully transformed.
"Ready? Launch!" Optimus commanded as a warped blue light engulfed them.
Emrial quickly rocketed into the warp gate behind them.
The warp gate took them to a wasteland of barren rock.
"Okay, Emrial. I'm going to hold you to your promise. No fighting!"
"Yes sah!" Emrial saluted while inwardly laughing at Optimus's concern for her. Was he no longer aware of her fighting capabilities and awesome powers? Or did he feel that she was not up to the task? No matter, Emrial would help in her own way.
With out a second's thought Emrial's armor appeared and she quickly flew off at an amazingly fast rate.
"Okay, men. Emrial's looking for the mini con and we'll be looking for the Decepticons. Radio if you find anything." Optimus nodded at his warriors, ready for battle, as they dispersed throughout the countryside.
"Optimus! Cyclonus at....9:35!"
"Good work, Hot Shot. Keep him at bay until backup arrives."
"Sir, there's more of them Decepti-creeps lurking around the other side of this rock formation." Jet Fire informed his leader as he made a wide loop through the sky. "Whoa-oh! Looks like they're in the skies, too!" He yelped while dodging laser fire.
"Die, Auto-brat!" Starscream challenged as he chased the space shuttle through the blue skies.
"Oh-oh. Jet Fire's in trouble!" Emrial looked up to see the aerial battle raging on. "Jet Fire, look out!" She screamed too late as Thrust came out of hiding and blasted the Autobot with all he had.
"Oh, great." Jet Fire moaned as he spiraled towards Earth.
Emrial's blood boiled when she saw the smirk Starscream and the bragging Thrust transform and survey their handiwork.
Emrial! Her subconscious seemed to be nagging her in the opposite direction. Don't do it! Remember your promise to Optimus!
"Dam-it! Why did I EVER make that stupid promise?" She pounded her fists into a near by rock and continued searching for the mini con.
--
Emrial looked over her shoulder at the laser fire that lighted up the sky, wishing that she could be a part of the action. "They're probably getting their afts kicked without me!" She grumbled. Suddenly her thoughts were distracted as she felt a strange pulsation through her hands.
"Huh?" She couldn't understand why her palms were throbbing to a beat and why the energy from her hands was doing the same thing. "Odd." She thought when she suddenly noticed it. A little ways away she saw a faint green glowing, pulsating to the same rhythm as her energy. "The mini con!" She quickly concluded.
"Optimus! Optimus! I've found the mini con!" She hurriedly radioed in.
"Good! Now meet up with us and we'll head back to base!"
"No, no..." Emrial shook her head. "You don't understand! I've FOUND the mini con! That doesn't mean I HAVE it!"
"Oh, well, what's the problem?"
"It's down in this narrow vertical cave. I'm going to need someone to lower me down there!"
"Okay, we're on our way!"
--
"Okay, Red. That's close enough." Emrial stated as Red Alert finally got his grappling hook to latch unto a rock close to the mini con.
"Are you sure?" His single red optic revealed doubt.
"Red, c'mon. I might have to jump a little, but it's so narrow down there I think I'll be able to brace myself against the wall so I don't fall." She grabbed unto the cable that led down into the deep and narrow cavern.
Red Alert kneeled down so he'd have a better view as Emrial slipped gracefully over the edge and into the darkness.
"Hmm, what are those two up to now?" Cyclonus hovered above the climbing expedition.
Red Alert turned his head around enough to see the threat. "Someone cover me! I can't fight while holding the rope!" (Considering that the rope is attached to his red utility arm) He called out to his comrades at the distant battle.
"On my way!" Blurr informed him as a stream of lasers from his gun made contact with an unlucky Decepticon's armor. Once Thrust had fallen he transformed and sped away to the scene.
"Emrial, how close are you?" Red asked in a nervous tone of voice as laser fire began to rain down upon him.
"Almost...there..." Emrial grunted as she reached with all her might to grab the glowing green panel.
"Hurry!"
"Almost...there..."
"Blurr, hurry!"
"I'm coming as fast as I can!"
"Heh heh heh heh heh! What's wrong, Auto-bum? Stuck baby-sitting again?" The copter bot laughed his maniac laugh.
"Shut up, Cyclonus!" Blurr finally arrived and began blasting the annoying Transformer to pieces.
"AHHHHHH! Why me?" Cyclonus screamed as he fell smoking to the ground
"How are you doing down there?" Red called down to the climber.
"I'm going to hafta jump to get it."
"No! Emrial, don't! There's got to be some other way."
"The cable doesn't reach far enough. Red, I'll be okay." She tried to reassure him.
Emrial licked the sweat from her face as she braced her feet against the wall and physced herself up to the jump across to the other side of the cavern that had grown slightly larger as she climbed downward.
"How's she doing?" Blurr joined Red at the edge of the hole.
"She's going to jump!"
"What? She must be..."
Suddenly his sentence was cut short as the other Decepticons arrived. Blurr readied his gun. "Ooooh, man, where are the others?" Blurr's thoughts raced.
"Well, well. What's this? Are the good Autobots fetching the mini con for me? How thoughtful." Megatron teased.
"Go to hell." Blurr threatened.
"Now, now. If I were you I wouldn't be getting so hasty."
"Why?" Blurr put his sights on the leader's chest.
"Because I have your friends."
"What?" Blurr's optics grew wide as he saw the Decepticons bring forth the other Autobots who were sorely beaten.
"Let them go!" Blurr's anger grew.
"Give me all the mini cons and maybe I'll consider it!"
"No...Blurr! Don't...do...it!" Optimus weakly called out.
"Shut up!" Starscream delightfully dealt him a sharp kick to the stomach.
Blurr looked back and forth between Red Alert and his other comrades.
"Blurr, do as he says." Red nervously whispered out the side of his mouth.
"I...I...I surrender." Blurr retched as he tossed his guns to the ground.
"Good!" Megatron smiled as his minions restrained the new captive.
"C'mon..." Red Alert turned back to look down the cavern. "C'mon, Emrial...hurry..." He urged.
"What are you doing?" Megatron snapped at the science officer. "Men, restrain him!" He ordered.
"No, c'mon, Emrial!" Red Alert was rooted to the spot.
"If he won't go then he'll die there." Megatron smiled as he brought his hip cannon around and aimed at the defenseless Autobot. He fired the cannon. A purple light sliced through Red Alert. He groaned in pain as he fell forwards, jerking the cable free from the rock.
Emrial felt the cable become slack and knew she had to make her move. As rocks startled to tumble around her she jumped for the mini con. For a few glorious split seconds she held unto it, her fingertips digging into the rock behind the panel as she griped it for dear life. Then, to her horror, that very rock began to crumble away and she felt herself helplessly falling backwards into the dark, deep, cave.
"EMRIAL!!" All Autobots cried at once.
--
KatDrama: Wa ha ha ha ha! Is that a cliffhanger or what?!
Kitty: Will Emrial survive?
Rurouni KatDrama: Will the Autobots survive?
KatD: Will Megatron rule the universe?
KatDrama: Oh ho ho ho ho! All that, and MUCH MUCH more, revealed in the next chapter of Jet Blast! (that is, if you review) C-ya in about a week! MWA HA HA HA HA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
p.s. for those of you who have complained, I hope this chapter's length is satisfactory, ne?