Chapter 4
Ratchet let out a paint-blistering epithet when he arrived at the scene and transformed, Sunstreaker close behind. "How the slag did this happen!" the medic demanded.
"The Decepticons had a device that baffled the Ark's sensors." Prowl explained, but he might as well have been talking to himself as Ratchet knelt beside Sideswipe, Sunstreaker hovering over the two with a look of guarded protectiveness.
Prime narrowed his optics as he surveyed the narrow gorge, Ironhide, Jazz, Brawn and Prowl automatically taking up defensive positions as they waited for Ratchet to finish the field repairs. "I don't like this." Optimus muttered to himself, then raised his wristcommunicator to his face, intending to call for backup.
Ba-DOOOOM!
Six cubic meters of rock vaporised under the assault of a full power fusion cannon blast, showering grit and pebbles over the Autobots.
"Decepticons! ATTACK!" Megatron bellowed from above the cluster of Autobots, his army clouding the sky behind him.
Prime snapped off a shot at his hovering arch-nemesis and quickly assessed the situation. "Jazz, go get backup!" he barked as he quickly moved to drag the still unconcious Mirage out of danger and towards where Ratchet was sheltering with Sideswipe.
"But Prime…"
"GO!"
Jazz gave the Prime an uncertain look but quickly transformed and fled, Laserbeak and Buzzsaw swooping down to 'dissuade' the black and white.
"Get down!" Ratchet yelled to Sunstreaker, both ducking as a missile struck nearby. The Autobots were keeping the Decepticons at bay for now, but cover was becoming scarce.
"Keep working on them, I'll cover you!" Sunstreaker answered, optics flinty as he picked a target.
Ratchet muttered something unrepeatable and set to work pulling Sideswipe back from the brink of permanent stasis, pausing every few moments to shield his patient's internal systems from flying debris. Mirage was stable for the moment, but Ratchet still kept an optic on the blue and white spy as he pieced Sideswipe back together.
Skywarp lurked around the edge of the vicious fight, waiting for his moment. The Autobot reinforcements would be here soon, and he had to be quick. To complete his part of this plan would mean a literal jump into the proverbial hornet's nest, and considering exactly who was down there and how much the Seeker liked his bodywork the way it was, his timing had to be perfect.
So he crouched, just out of sight, and waited.
Fortunately, his opportunity came quite quickly. The Decepticon watched as Sunstreaker moved closer to where Mirage had been dumped, presumably to get a better shot, and then Ratchet shuffled back from his patient. The Seeker grinned and activated his teleportation system.
"Wha…Gyah!"
Sunstreaker whirled around at the choked off exclamation, optics hardening into frosty blue slits as he saw Skywarp teleport in and wrap one arm around Ratchet's neck from behind, catching the medic in a headlock while keeping his free arm and it's attached laser pointed at the yellow twin.
"Don't move," The Seeker snarled, then shifted his aim to the red Autobot at his feet. "Or this pathetic excuse for a scrap heap gets it."
Sunstreaker's face curled into an expression of absolute hatred and his hands tightened their grip on his gun. But he didn't dare fire, not while Sideswipe was at risk. Ratchet was struggling, but his captor was both taller and stronger and his efforts were in vain. The battle died down as everyone realised what had happened.
"I believe you have a choice, Prime." Megatron sneered from his vantage point above the Autobot commander. "Either let us leave with our captive, or I'll order Skywarp to begin firing on your wounded. A close range laser blast or two will leave you bereft of both your precious spy and that wretched twin. So, what will it be?"
Prime hesitated. If he allowed the Decepticons to leave, it would put Sideswipe and Mirage's lives in jeopardy, not to mention the high probability that Ratchet would be dead within the hour. And if he tried to retaliate, not only would he lose the two warriors, but most likely the medic as well.
Though Optimus was loath to admit it, he had to hand it to his Decepticon counterpart. No matter what choice he made, he was going to lose.
