Chapter 182 – Earth and Sky

(LPOV)

"That. Is the best war paint I have ever seen." Lena stated flatly, turning this way and that as she admired the colours.

She was red now, red with blocks of black down this plate of armour and that. Red chest plates, riding over black and lined with silver. Silver streaks relieving the beautifully shiny blood red and black.

"She looks like a war pixie," Ironhide rumbled at the door.

"She does not!" Sunstreaker snarled. Lena turned around in surprise, but Ironhide was grinning. Teasing. Lena turned back around and pursed her lip plates, slipping into her new banshee-hawk frame.

"Whoa."

"What?" Sunstreaker stated flatly. Lena couldn't resist onlining her holoform, walking around herself and admiring her red arched wings with the silver trimmed black 'feathers'

"I heard whoa. What?" Bumblebee's voice rang out excitedly. "Whoa!"

Third trick? Lena grinned and switched to her grounder form.

"How the slag did you do it!?" she demanded gleefully, grinning at the seamless black and red of her armour.

"I am just that good," Sunstreaker sniffed airily.

"I gotta show Jolt! Can I go show Jolt!?" Lena chirped gleefully, returning to root mode and bouncing around. She couldn't help it. Her Jolt was close, behind Bumblebee.

"Show me wh- Sweet Primus!" Her Jolt's voice choked the second he was in view.

Lena grinned, she couldn't help it.

"Ready to get it scratched up?" she smirked at her mate.

Jolt fell over.

"Why is Jolt glitching in the corridor? What is everyone looking at now?" Ratchet's voice demanded down the corridor. The familiar helm of the medic appeared above Bumblebee's. "Whoa."

Lena pointed at Sunstreaker.

Sunstreaker raised his servos in the air.

::. All-call.:: Optimus' voice rang out on the Primary. ::. Will all Auto-bots please convene in the central.::

"It's time to sort out who's fighting," Ironhide stated in a muted tone, immediately turning back toward the corridor. All of the bots did. Except Jolt, laying glitched on the floor. Lena snorted softly and immediately tapped her bot's helm.

Jolt's optics onlined, and Lena hummed gently at the worry in his optics. ~We fight together~ she murmured gently to his spark.

Jolt smiled and sat up, taking her hand and leading her to central. As they entered together, a hush fell over the gathered bots.

"Lena-" Ratchet began. Lena knew that tone, what he was going to say.

"I'm fighting," she stated flatly, glaring the medic down. Daring him to say otherwise.

"If you're even thinking of fighting, you're going to meet me on the range and prove you can manage out there." Ironhide growled.

"The second we're dismissed," Lena stated flatly.

"But you're so young!" Arcee fairly wailed.

"War takes our youth away, better me than the next generation." Lena stated flatly. "Besides, I'm already in my adult frame and bonded, you can't afford to leave Jolt behind, and Jolt can't leave me behind. I'm fighting."

The bots in central all looked grimly at her. Lena returned that grim gaze, standing straight and confident in her war-painted armour.

"You scratch that paint-job and I will never forgive you," Sunstreaker finally muttered.

"If I scratch this paint-job it'll give you the excuse to paint me another colour," Lena stated innocently. Sunstreaker pursed his lip plates at her and narrowed his optics.

"True..."

"You were dickering between red and green for an hour," Lena added patiently, keeping her faceplates resolutely neutral. Grinning at Sunstreaker when subtly teasing him was a no-no.

"Also true..." Sunstreaker murmured, leaning back and going over her paint-work with his artist's optic.

Jolt snorted. Ironhide burst out laughing and Sunstreaker glared at them for a moment before shock crossed his optics.

"It's okay Sunstreaker," Jolt stated with a small grin. "She had me wrapped around her digits long before she got her adult body."

Sunstreaker glared at her for a moment before shrugging.

"Can't blame a femme for having excellent and exacting tastes in colour."

"Now who gets to take point through the ground bridge?" Sideswipe asked cheerfully.

"Is it our turn yet?" Sunstreaker asked with a grim smile.

"Only if you promise to leave a couple of 'Cons standing for the rest of us," Ironhide rumbled cheerfully.

(MPOV)

::. Soundwave to Lady High Protector.::

::. Responding.:: I sent quietly.

::. Windrider report: Megatron approaching fifth planet. Decepticon forces: two breem out.::

::. Acknowledged.::

::. Granddaughter?.:: Jetfire sent patiently. I looked at him, at all of the fliers beginning to float into formation out of sight of the Decepticon scanners.

::. They're two breem away from rendezvousing.:: I sent grimly.

::. Just enough time to sneak up on them.:: Starscream smirked.

::. Soundwave all-call.:: my advisor's voice called over the Primary. Instantly, I froze. ::. Auto-bot signal: fully encrypted.:: Oh. Okay. ::. Decepticon forces: assuming destruction sequence Omega. Recommend: flier formation delta. Recommend: immediate ground assault.::

::. So speaks the one who actually gave the battle commands.:: Skywarp stated in a snarky tone.

::. What!?.:: Ironhide's voice roared.

::. Soundwave: Battle computer behind Decepticon tactics.:: Soundwave stated patiently.

::. Oh riiight..:: Jazz stated musingly.

::. You're sure you have the timing right? It usually takes you longer to get Megatron to agree long enough to say it.:: Starscream added with a snort.

::. Soundwave: account for smart-afted command-trine back talking. Result: broadcast tactics on Primary.::

::. D'aww, I knew you missed us!.:: Thundercracker grinned.

::. Bringing the space-bridge online now.:: Sentinel reported.

::. What happened to simultaneous assault?.:: Ironhide growled.

::. Megatron: circling. Reason: Former High Protector suspicious. Ground assault result: disguise aerial-bot ambush intent.::

::. Megatron is not so stupid to not recognize the potential of a two prong attack.:: my Optimus rumbled with a frown.

::. Yes he is.:: Starscream snorted.

::. Soundwave had to lead him by the servo when it came to tactics involving more than three bots.:: Thundercracker added with a snort.

::. Probability of Former High Protector recognizing two prong attack: sixty percent. Probability of immediate grounder force assault as effective decoy: Eighty.::

::. My calculations state the same.:: Prowl added patiently.

::. I'll take those odds.:: Ironhide growled.

::. Auto-bots, Roll out!.:: my Optimus commanded then.

I flanked my grandfather, listening to the spark of my beloved mate as our unit ran into battle before we both blocked our connection somewhat.

We were at war, we couldn't afford the distraction of both battles running through our processors.

::. Recommend: Aerial-bot advance to inner-system dust ring.:: my Advisor-primary finally reported.

::. Air Commander.:: I sent immediately, looking toward Starscream.

::. Attack formation Delta! Launch!.:: Starscream immediately snapped out.

It was an incredible sight to behold: a hundred odd fliers all snapping to attention, vectors that they had allowed slip somewhat immediately straightening. I watched in awe as those hundred fliers occupied the same flat plane, a phalanx in space.

::. Phalanx in space?.:: I sent to my grandfather in confusion.

::. Grounders are generally bound by the thought of tae dimensional battlefields, particularly during the first tae tae three orn of space-travel. The longer we allow them tae remain bound by it the longer we have the advantage. Delta disguises our numbers-.::

::. And it has since long before Jetfire was sparked.:: Thrust added cheerfully.

::. Say that tae mah faceplates youngling!.:: Jetfire roared at him.

Anyone could hear that grin though.

::. If there are other fliers among them...:: I began with a frown.

::. There are.::

::. Won't they give up the ghost?.::

::. Nope.::

I allowed the commanders around me to feel my curiosity.

::. Delta belongs to the flier's code. It has remained effective because no grounder knows how it works, not even Megatron.:: Starscream stated with a broad smirk. ::. The grounders see a dozen fliers coming toward them, so they scan, they scan the dozen fliers, and only see the dozen because we are on the flat plane. Scanners just bounce off of the spacer-charge echo of the leading dozen.::

::. With all due respect here is where you hang back, Prime.:: Thundercracker added seriously as we shot past Mars. ::. You are here as representative of the Auto-bot cause.::

::. You are not here to engage the enemy this time, you are a natural spacer, yes, but battle in space is an entirely different creature.:: Starscream stated seriously. ::. We will train you to fight in the vacuum, but not today.::

::. Acknowledged.:: I stated seriously, reversing thrust and circling around Mars. The fact that I had to hide behind the forces rankled to no end, but my elders were correct.

::. Thrust-.::

::. Please don't make me hang back!.:: the bot immediately interjected.

::. Someone needs tae stay behind wi' me granddaughter!.:: Jetfire growled.

::. No.:: I stated with a frown ::. I can hide more effectively by myself, don't beggar your force by so much as a single flier by assigning me a guard.::

I promptly engaged my cloaks, along with the disguising of my signals I was effectively gone.

::. Where'd yeh go granddaughter?.:: grandfather demanded in amusement.

::. Right here, fourth planet, creeping toward the asteroid belt and well behind you lot.::

::. Delta tight! Here comes the scanner burst!.:: Starscream snapped out.

I watched in fascination as the fliers practically overlapped wings, perfectly flat across the plane-less expanses. Across the frequencies, the anticipation of the battle became stretched tighter than a bowstring.

Every flier waiting for the scatter signal.

::. Hold...:: Starscream muttered.

::. Here come the fliers...:: Thundercracker murmured.

::. This is air-commander Sablade, Starscream do you read?.::

::. Starscream receiving, nice to hear you again Sablade, you have a snap decision to make, join the side of the living All-spark or be destroyed.:: Starscream drawled cheerfully.

::. You are not Decepticon anymore.::

::. No.::

::. The high-chancellors of Vos will be glad to hear it, your highness, they are less than impressed by Megatron's stewardship of Cybertron.:: the mech stated wryly. ::. Permission to assume attack formation?.::

::. Granted.:: Starscream smirked. ::. You know the drill.::

::. Shall we call them out?.:: Thundercracker asked cheerfully as two dozen fliers shot from the Decepticon ranks toward the phalanx.

::. It is only courteous.:: Skywarp stated piously.

::. Will you do us the honour, Sablade?.:: Starscream finished with his trine.

::. This is Air-commander Sablade to all Decepticon forces. You have one breem to surrender before we destroy you.:: the aerial-bot drawled across the frequencies as those fliers turned in the vacuum to face the destroyers.

::. You will die slowly, Sablade, by my hand and you will be next Starscream!.:: Megatron's voice snarled back a second later. ::. Decepticons! Take out this paltry resistance and focus the destroyers on Earth!.::

(OPOV)

"Bringing the space-bridge online now," Sentinel stated patiently. Once again above the mirror pond gracing the monuments of Washington DC, Sentinel's pillars gracefully formed a ring. Vertically this time, however. They were bridging across the ground, no pillar of light heralded their journey, simply the flat-planed vortex spinning up to speed and calming it's violent energetic dance.

::. What happened to simultaneous assault?.:: Ironhide growled.

::. Megatron: circling. Reason: Former High Protector suspicious. Ground assault result: disguise aerial-bot ambush intent.::

::. Megatron is not so stupid to not recognize the potential of a two prong attack.:: Optimus rumbled with a frown. His former brother had seemed... far more intelligent than that.

::. Yes he is.:: Starscream snorted.

Surely the former Decepticon SiC was exaggerating.

::. Soundwave had to lead him by the servo when it came to tactics involving more than three bots.:: Thundercracker added with a snort.

::. Probability of Former High Protector recognizing two prong attack: sixty percent. Probability of immediate grounder force assault as effective decoy: Eighty.::

"My calculations state the same," Prowl added patiently beside him.

"I'll take those odds," Ironhide growled. Around them, Auto-bots of every build performed weapons checks, cannons cycled, blades flashed out and retracted. A chill surged through his frame as Ratchet idly checked his own weapons beside him. It didn't matter that the mech was one of his oldest friends, that the medic had patched him up in field or med-bay countless times.

The sound of that circular saw extending from the medic's servo for the purpose of destruction still put that chill of fear through him.

Sometimes that little chill of fear was comforting; he feared the wrath of Ratchet and his wrenches of doom. An army of Decepticons couldn't stand up to that.

Optimus initiated his own weapons check, a quick scan, he had already performed several weapons checks, the scan stated he was as ready as he had been an hour ago, but at the glare of his weapons master he performed the full check. Again.

"The bridge is secure!" Sentinel rapped out, the old Prime's frame bristling with his own weaponry.

::. Auto-bots, Roll out!.:: Optimus commanded. As was tradition, Bumblebee went first, closely followed by the Predators, Wreckers and femmes. For his little scout's life, for his Autobots Optimus would gladly take point, but the bots would never hear of it. Side by side, Jolt and Lena charged through the portal right behind the combined Arcee, Flare and Chromia.

On occasion, Ironhide would aim an idle cannon at him, making sure his Prime didn't try to take point. Optimus glanced down and rolled his optics somewhat at the cannon half-aimed toward him, then raced after his Weapons Master, Sentinel taking his shoulder as the last of the grounder Auto-bot unit charged through the portal.

The momentary confusion and the scenery changed entirely, already, the Decepticon forces were engaging them.

And already, half of those Decepticons were damaged, crippled and dead.

Optimus stopped, staring at the carnage in shock.

He had trained these bots to the best of his ability, as had his Kae.

But fifty 'Cons were down already, and he'd only just arrived!

In an instant, Sentinel was well ahead of him, blades out and throwing the larger Decepticons well away from the bonded technicians

Unnecessarily, however.

Jolt and Lena were already seamlessly fighting side by side. On occasion, Jolt would hurl his smaller mate into the air; the now vividly red and black femme would flash into her flier's frame and scream. Decepticons would freeze, and the Auto-bots would remove their weapons.

The fight was short. Short and ugly. Wheeljack was sitting dazedly in the servo churned mud, Ratchet already scolding him for being injured so quickly. Skids and Mudflap were scurrying around, throwing the ends of a tripwire between themselves as they raced around the bots far larger than themselves. The con would go down, and the closest bot would take him prisoner.

Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were both well on the other side of the field, pressing the few undamaged Decepticons back into the main force. Three of the larger 'Cons began hemming Sentinel in, and Optimus immediately went to his old friend, engaging two while Sentinel idly finished up with the third.

It seemed no time at all. The Earthbound Decepticon forces were either dead, crippled, or had surrendered. Soundwave chose that moment to streak in and land, staring around himself impassively.

(BPOV)

Bumblebee grinned, he couldn't help it, not only was the fight over in record time with nobody seriously hurt, but Soundwave was landing right beside him.

And there was a thread extending from his spark chamber.

Score.

"Auto-bots: have left nothing for Soundwave," the mech stated blandly. Bee snorted. There was definitely something left for Soundwave on this planet.

"Well there's some live-uns still," Ironhide snorted. "Didja wanna play interrogator seeing as you didn't get to play executioner?"

Bee sagged somewhat, his spark sinking. He had killed today, bots had died by his servo. Gently, Soundwave touched his shoulder, almost invisibly. A touch of condolence, of sympathy and understanding.

Killing never got easier. Not even for the formerly sixth in command of the Decepticon forces.

Soundwave glanced at the weapons master and turned his gaze to Optimus, obviously asking silent permission from the Prime.

Optimus nodded to him and Soundwave turned, binder cables snaking menacingly from his servos. The tall, thin mech promptly began striding through the Decepticon prisoners, gazing around himself impassively. Or at least, he seemed to be.

Without doubt, Soundwave was sensing the emotions around him and Bee couldn't help but vent a tiny sigh in relief that the mech was on their side now.

Because when you got right down to it, those sharp edged cables were the least of your worries when dealing with that mech.

"Barricade: willing to become Auto-bot. Suggestion: stand before Weapons Master."

"You knew!?" Barricade promptly shouted at the bot.

"Barricade: more afraid of death at servos of Megatron than loyal to Decepticon cause."

In an instant, Barricade was on his pedes and striding to a glaring Ironhide.

Barricade glared right back.

"I'll see your insignias removed, 'con," Ironhide growled finally. Barricade scowled for a long moment then nodded, choosing to sit down at the Weapons Master's feet.

One by one, Soundwave regarded each con impassively, some trying to conceal their fear, most of them outright cowering.

But that impassiveness was shattered finally, Soundwave swooped down on one of the cons, binder cables snatching the massive bot from the ground and suspending him above his comrades.

"Tripblade: Knows location of Shockwave."

On the way to the other end of the thread leading from Soundwave's spark chamber, Bee was going to make Soundwave tell him how to manage the seemingly impossible: Soundwave managed to snarl in a monotone.

That was just cool.

(WPOV)

This. Was the first time that the Auto-bots had gone onto the battlefield without any of the NEST soldiers with them.

NEST was the backup. Just in case.

To say that Will was a bundle of nerves was an understatement.

Very, very few humans knew what was going on.

Because as savvy as Will was as to the situation, and just how unlikely the massive contingent (seriously, Massive contingent) of Decepticon soldiers and battleships were to getting to earth.

NEST was still the backup. Because very little of the universe went according to plan. Something was going to go wrong. It always did.

Because shit happened, and as far as the alien shit was concerned. NEST and every surviving Auto-bot soldier that came back through the ground bridge, was the backup plan.

Will really really didn't want to have to hit the backup plan.

Colonel William Lennox paced back and forth now, borrowing a bit of the inherent intimidation tactics Optimus had laughingly explained to him over the beer they two had indulged in when Optimus had escorted him home for leave.

Primus that felt like it had been a million years ago.

Will snorted softly. That was another thing he'd picked up, from Ironhide mostly.

Every swear word that the Autobots could think of, Ironhide had taught him. Or at least the translation. One of them. Or two.

Okay three. Tops.

Will looked at the screens and grinned as Jerry shot straight up in his seat.

"Optimus turned his Comm back on!" the tech shouted excitedly.

"I heard that, Lieutenant Donovan," Optimus' voice stated patiently. Will breathed a sigh of relief and glanced around.

"What's your status Prime?" he asked worriedly.

"All Decepticons on the battlefield have been accounted for, some five have not made it to the rendezvous point, they will be tracked down," Optimus rumbled with a frown.

Will nodded sternly.

"You on your way back?"

"We are, please prepare the brig for our visitors," Optimus rumbled menacingly. Will snorted softly, without a doubt Optimus was glaring at this Decepticon or that.

"Will do," Will informed the bot patiently.

"Thank you Colonel, Prime out."