Chapter 3
Hook entered Megatron's office; he noticed that Soundwave was present. 'Good' he thought. 'Now I will not have to look for him as well.'
"Hook I believe that you have good news, concerning Starscream?" Megatron glared at the Constructicon for interrupting.
"Mighty Megatron, Starscream is fully repaired. He should be operational within a full recharge cycle." Hook was not bothered by Megatron's look.
"Good. See that he collaborates with Soundwave when he is ready."
Hook nodded and gave the traditional fist to the chest Decepticon salute, then left.
Megatron turned to Soundwave. "We need to know what Prime is thinking. Dispatch Laserbeak, and Ravage."
"As you command, Megatron." Soundwave pressed the usual button on his shoulder. With out missing a beat two cassettes flew out transforming in the air. "Laserbeak, Ravage: Operation acquire knowledge of Optimus Primes Strategy."
Laserbeak squawked, and Ravage growled in acknowledgement, leaving Megatron and Soundwave alone.
"Soundwave, this could win the war for us, we can finally rid ourselves of those accursed Autobots." Megatron's optics glowed brightly.
"Upon the examination of the encounter, I encompassed a conceivably superior resolution." Perceptor looked at Prime who seemed not to understand but tried not to lead on.
"Now tell that to us again, this time say it so we can understand it." Ironhide spoke what everyone was thinking.
"I have an idea that might work." Preceptor smiled.
"Lets hear it." Prowl noted.
"As Optimus said the jets have been leaving the seen, systematically. I have noticed with exemption of Starscream whom they used last. Now have deliberated the sizes of the aerial squads, they have been transporting the energon and have been able to get mass quantities. My implication is to not have Superion join the land forces use the Aerialbots to confiscate the transportation jets." Perceptor waited to see if he would have to explain again.
"Devastator, Menasor, and Bruticus are just too strong. Blaster radio Omega Supreme, we are going to need his help for this." Prime turned away from the crowd.
"Whats goin on anyway? We havn't hear hide nore hair of any Decepticons in weeks. They are usually number one on the top ten on the annoying list." Jazz was thinking that it just wasn't right for then to lay low for so long.
"Yes, it is not like Megatron to sit back when he has the upper hand." Prime thought form a moment. "I agree with Perceptor. We need to stop the transportation of the energon. If taking out the jets is needed than that is what has to be done."
The other officers nodded and started dissipating from Prime's office. In the dark of the air shaft near the back of the room Ravage silently walked back out to the waiting Laserbeak.
Laserbeak flew over the open ocean, clutching a small black cassette in his claws. He signaled Soundwave to raise the tower, as he circled high in the salty air. When the opening of the tower came in to view he flew in and released Ravage. Ravage immediately transformed and landed on all four paws. Reaching the command room both cassettes headed directly to Soundwave. Once close enough they transformed and landed in to Soundwave's waiting chest door. When Soundwave closed the door, Ravage downloaded the conversation he had recorded from Prime's office. Soundwave's visor brightened slightly, he knew Starscream would not like this news.
In the repair bay Starscream finally came to, his optics fluttering a few times before settling on the their familiar ruby.
"What happened?"
Hook turned at the quiet voice behind him. "Prime knocked you hard, subsequently you crashed."
Starscream looked around recognizing the repair bay. "How did I get back?" Starscream had thought about how many times that Megatron had left him to return on his own.
"Megatron insisted Scavenger and Scrapper carry you." Hook looked at Starscream's read outs again. "Megatron also insisted that when you were ready you seek Soundwave."
'When I was ready?' he thought. 'Maybe things have changed.' Choosing not to believe it just yet, Starscream shifted his feet off the side of the bed. "My internal clock must be wrong."
"No, I have checked all your systems. You are 100 functional." Hook's tone of voice was angered, he distained anyone thinking that he could possibly make such a mistake.
"I have been offline for eighteen days?" Surprise shown on the seekers face.
"Correct. You are free to leave now."
Starscream stood and walked out of the repair bay, he knew that was Hooks way of saying get out. He wondered to his quarters and sat at the computer. He brought up Soundwave's report on the last strike. He was a little shocked that there had been no other strikes while he was incapacitated. As he read through the report he saw the quantity of energon that had been taken. The number was almost double that of his first strategy, Astrotrain and a few others had been able to make four fully loaded trips before the generators in the dam malfunctioned. He had come to the conclusion that Megatron and the other ground forces must have over powered the Autobots. A smurk began to pull at his lip; he knew that Megatron had been pleased to dish out another beating to Prime. Satisfied he turned away from the computer. Time to seek Soundwave.
Soundwave was almost always on duty. His role as communications officer was demanding. Starscream entered the command room, knowing that Soundwave would be there. He sat down at his tactical station, reading the orders that had been given for the day.
Soundwave did not bother to look at the seeker; Hook had called immediately after Starscream left the repair bay. He also knew what the orders where, and how Starscream would take them. 'When he was ready.' Megatron's words played back in his mind.
"Soundwave, what were Megatron's orders when you returned form the dam?" Starscream was interested if there had been a reward of a few days off again.
"One week was issued." Soundwave did not look up from his counsel.
"Is the old desert base functional?"
"Scrapper reported it would be completed tomorrow."
Starscream was pleased with the progress. "Have you chosen a new strike site?"
"Affirmative."
"Where?"
Soundwave moved from the counsel, walking towards the hall, Starscream followed. Once entering the war room Soundwave typed at a computer and brought up a holo map. The map showed a nuclear plant in the desert of Nevada.
"There? How are we supposed to defend that?" Starscream was stunned; there were no rocks no mountains just flat dry wasteland.
Soundwave said nothing, he pressed the play button almost where a belt buckle would be. Starscream listened to the recorded Autobot voices. Starscream's face changed from the surprise to anger as his optics narrowed.
"Prime thinks that he can out smart me huh? Well I have a surprise for him. Soundwave I assume that you have chose this location for a reason."
"Energon transportation by ground to the desert base in California." Soundwave looked at Starscream.
"Aah yes, the Stunticons. Their speed over the Autobots will prove useful yet. That still leaves Omega supreme, hhhmmm. I will think about this a while longer." Starscream looked at Soundwave. Soundwave nodded then left, leaving the holo map on. Starscream sat there studying the map. Thoughts ran through his head. 'There was only one road that led to the facility, but Prime would be sending the Aerialbots. That meant no Superion, though Omega Supreme would replace him.' He stood up and paced the length of the table. 'Devastator was needed to match Omega, who would no doubtably look for Devastator. That left Defensor.' Starscream stopped and looked at the holo map again. Then a smile broadened across his face. 'Silverbolt needs to be out of the equation. No Silverbolt no Superion. The new Autobots were no match for the veteran Decepticon jets. Megatron, Wildrider, Deadend, Dragstrip, Breakdown, Swindle, and Brawl should be able to handle Defensor. Motormaster, Vortex, Blastoff, and Onslaught would transport the energon.' He started to pace again. 'It is too risky, too much is riding on disabling Silverbolt. If they are able to form Superion it will be a waste.' He sat at the head of the table, staring at the map.
The sound of the door made him jump.
"Starscream, I had heard that you had recovered." Megatron stood next to him impatiently.
Starscream looked at him oddly, and then realized where he had sat down. Quickly he moved a seat over. Megatron sat in the newly vacated seat.
"This is the next objective." Megatron was not asking he had selected it, subsequent to hearing Ravages report. "Have you any thoughts?"
Starscream sat silently for a moment, and then he out lined what he had thought only moments ago.
"Yes, there is a higher risk here." Megatron agreed. "However once you have beaten the Aerialbots, and shifted focus back to the ground we should be able to beat them again. After they have retreated we will be free to transport the energon by air again."
Starscream sat bolt up right. "That's it!"
Megatron became puzzled.
"Motormaster will haul right through the Autobot lines, to the desert base. Onslaught will do the same both can fly back. Much faster, if Bruticus is needed so be it. The Autobots will think we are transporting by ground, by that time it will be too late."
Megatron began to smile an evil grin. "Very good, Starscream. We strike in two days."
"Optimus! Decepticons reported at the nuclear plant in Nevada!" Prowl yelled.
Optimus came to the monitor; Teletran's SkySpy was giving them an optic full. Optimus opened the internal com of the Ark.
"Autobots, the Decepticons have come out of hiding, you all know your assignments. Roll out!" Everyone transformed and followed Prime to the entrance of the Ark, where the Aerialbots soared overhead taking the lead. Prime radioed the five jets. "Engage the Decepticon jets do not allow them to leave the area."
"We will ground those out dated jets." Was the only answer.
Silverbolt had his sensors on there max range. Sure enough just like the last two times two groups of four jets circled the area. Suddenly all eight jets changed direction and headed straight for them.
"Evasive maneuvers!" Silverbolt yelled.
It was too late; Skywarp had teleported right on top of him in robot mode. Skywarp's fist beat on the cockpit of the supersonic jet until he could rip off the roof, then he started pulling out all the systems in it. Once Skywarp had removed the guidance system, the jet started plummeting to the earth. Skywarp teleported again landing safely near the smoking jet, and then he transformed to join the firefight in the sky.
Prime saw Silverbolt go down, and Omega Supreme land near the same area. He only hoped that the damage could be repaired.
Devastator met Omega Supreme where he landed; he grabbed the rocket before the Autobot had a chance to transform. He broke the rocket in half then stomped the tank and the track that it rolled on.
Finally the Autobots arrived at the battle area. Prime saw there was no cover and the jets were headed to them. "Autobots transform and fan out!"
Then in what seemed like an instant the ground Decepticons were on them. Prime knew that there would naturally be resistance, but the Decepticons where showing mass force. Devastator was beating Defensor, the jets where blasting anything that moved and the six other ground Decepticons where fighting hand to hand. Prime spotted Megatron who was arrogantly walking towards him.
"Leave now Prime." Megatron stopped just two steps away.
Prime said nothing, but surveyed the scene with peripheral vision. There was nothing that he could do. "You're just going to let us go Megatron?"
A stuck-up smile placed itself firmly on Megatron's lips "I only want what I came for, Prime."
Prime backed away from Megatron. "Autobots, retreat!"
At Primes call the Decepticons ceased fire, but did not give up their positions, the jets resumed there circling in the sky. Megatron watched as the Autobots transformed and took their wounded, then radioed Soundwave to call the jets.
At the Ark Prime was furious, he was in his office pacing. What infuriated him the most was he did not know what to do next.
5
