Checkmate
Jazz and Deck tumbled down the slope, the Porsche fighting for survival as the artillery mech did his best to tear him into itty bitty scraps of metal. They hit the valley floor hard, the force of the impact separating the two combatants for a moment before they dove back at each other.
0o0o0
Perched high above on a limb of a long dead tree, Laserbeak watched the fight with great interest, the camera in his head relaying the scene to the Decepticon undersea base, where Megatron and his cohorts also observed the unfolding events.
Starscream canted a sneer at his commander. "So, it looks like this plan is also on the verge of failure." He observed. "Should we attempt to intervene, or let that Autobot fool meet his fate?"
"If Deck wishes to join the Decepticons he must first earn the right by killing Jazz. But this is an opportunity that we cannot afford to miss." Megatron replied. "That sentimental fool Optimus will come to his officer's rescue soon enough. The Autobots will be low on energy from staying online throughout the night, making easy pickings for us." He turned to Soundwave. "Assemble all Decepticons. We attack as soon as Laserbeak reports the Autobot's arrival."
0o0o0
Jazz brought his right hand down in an overhead hammer strike, but Deck seized his wrist and squeezed, making Jazz howl in pain and drop to one knee as his wrist was crushed. Deck sneered and released Jazz's arm just long enough to kick him in the face and send him sprawling on the rock. Deck then crouched, wrapped his hands around Jazz's neck and applied pressure, the thin metal buckling under the inexorable pressure. Despite the pain, Jazz retaliated quickly, slipping the thumb of his functional hand under Deck's thumb and twisting sharply, popping the delicate servos inside the digit. Deck screamed and released Jazz, gently cradling his damaged hand. Jazz carefully rolled to his feet and took a few steps back.
"C'mon Deck, listen t' me." Jazz pleaded. "All this is only gonna get you killed. Turn y'self in, please."
"Never!" Deck snarled, swiping at Jazz with his good hand in a powerful right hook. Jazz ducked and whirled under the blow to land a sharp reverse elbow strike in Deck's gut, twisting around to deliver a two finger strike into Deck's right optic, shattering it. Deck staggered back then charged again, knocking Jazz to the ground and began hammering his frame with plating-cracking blows.
Over the agony, Jazz suddenly heard the distinct thwop-thwop-thwop of helicopter blades.
"Need a hand?" Somone yelled, just before the sound of a transformation and a green blur suddenly swept Deck away.
"What the... Blades isn't green." Jazz struggled into a partial sitting position to see none other than Springer pummelling Deck into the rock with some measure of enthusiasm. That's when it dawned on him. Ultra Magnus hadn't just sent any team, he'd sent the Wreakers.
When Deck had finally slipped into the realm of blissful unconsciousness, Springer released his victim and came over to help Jazz up. "We intercepted a transmission from Shockwave on the way over and found out about artillery boy's little plot." He said as he slung Jazz's good arm around his shoulders and pulled the Porsche to his feet. "Don't worry; he'll get a fair trial."
"Yeah well, somehow I doubt th' outcome 'ill be anythin' other than guilty." Jazz wheezed.
"True."
The sun had fully risen by now as they started down the valley, back towards the Ark some three kilometres away. Jazz's sensitive audios picked up something that he'd have rather not heard just then. Sensors confirmed his theory moments later as Thundercracker overshot their position, trailed moments later by Fireflight. "Looks like ol' Meggy decided t' take advantage of things." Jazz winced as one of his systems protested being used. "'ttacking while everyone's out lookin' fer me."
"Yeah." Springer paused and touched one hand to the side of his helmet. "Springer to Wreakers. I've got Jazz, Twintwist, go and pick up Deck, everyone else get to the Ark and lend a hand."