Chapter Five – Opportunity Knocks You Over

Hello. It's been awhile since I've updated this story. Although, lately, I think I say that about all of my stories.. My apologies..

Hope you enjoy. And thank you for reading.


Far from the city of Kaon, two vehicles drove through the Badlands. Two streams of dust were kicked up from beneath their tires as they sped across the rough terrain.

One went over most of the obstacles in his path, his bigger frame and tires more suited for the landscape than his younger companion.

The other weaved around and between the larger metal boulders, finding the smoother path. He still kept close to the bigger vehicle, knowing that even in the deserted parts of the Badlands, trouble lived and thrived.

Such was the way of the Badlands. It didn't matter where you were in them, you kept an optic out. You watched your back. And if you traveled with others, you watched theirs.

Hoping you trusted them enough to watch yours.

It had been orns since Roadrage and Nitro had lost their unwanted companions. The two siblings had been unable to find them it seemed.

Which suited them just fine.

Roadrage would have not cared if Nitro had decided to split off and go his own way. Even if the mechling was more tolerable than most mecha, as he had to admit.

However, even if he did not normally desire the company of others, the red warrior knew there was safety in numbers. It was fortunate to have Nitro, at the moment anyways.

He didn't know then how fortunate he was that Nitro had happened to leave Slaughter City the same offcycle he did.

Some orn, he would realize it.

Nitro also didn't know how fortunate he was.


The roar of a flying engine was the first sign that things were about to get interesting.

Too bad, Roadrage would think later, that they didn't heed the warning.

Nitro screeched to a halt, shortly followed by Roadrage.

Transforming, the young mech turned, lifting a hand to shield his optics as he searched the sky.

"What is that?"

More slowly, Roadrage transformed and joined in the search. "Don't know," the bigger thug muttered. "Probably just someone passing through."

Nitro narrowed his optics as he frowned. "It doesn't sound like any jet I've ever heard before. Definitely not a seeker."

"No," Roadrage agreed. "Let's keep going. If we keep up the pace, we should be out of here in a few orns." With that, he shifted back into his alt and drove on.

With a nod, and one last look for the incoming aircraft, Nitro followed. He soon noted that Roadrage was hurrying a little more than he had been previously.

Seemed like he had a strange feeling about this flier too.

From the sounds of it, the mecha was not a small one. Or even an average size.

Even though Nitro wasn't exactly afraid of mecha bigger than him, he'd have a lot of mecha to be afraid of if he did, he figured that sometimes, it was just better to leave them alone.

And the feeling he was getting said to hustle out of there as fast as they could.

Apparently Roadrage had the same feeling.

And he was a big mecha.

As the two drove, the noise of the flier's approach followed them. Getting louder too.

Suddenly, they spotted the mecha.

At first, just a dark dot on the horizon behind them, the jet grew gradually larger.

Nitro's estimate of the size of the mecha was soon proved very off.

Not only was the mecha large, they were absolutely huge.

Basically, a transport, only a flying one.

"Roadrage- "

"I see him." Roadrage replied. "Where has that one been hiding that we haven't heard about him before? He's big enough that everyone should know about him."

Nitro said nothing. He was running scenarios through his helm in case the giant should land.

Internally, both hoped that he wasn't a hostile.

But both knew, this was the Badlands. One of the unspoken rules out here was assume everyone is a hostile. If you didn't have that mindset, you'd likely end up offline.

Nitro wasn't certain if Roadrage had had a set destination in mind when he first left Slaughter City. He knew he didn't, he was following Roadrage until he figured something out.

The young mechling had wondered if Roadrage knew something he didn't. He had kept on going ever since they'd left, never stopping for long. And they were still heading away from Slaughter City.

Nitro sort of doubted that their former boss would bother to send someone after them.

Maybe Roadrage simply wanted to get far away from where they'd lived. But maybe, he was trying to put distance in between them and the city-state for a reason.

Maybe, he suspected someone would follow them.

But did their boss know this giant that seemed to be following? Or was it purely coincidental?

"Prepare for a confrontation, Nitro," Roadrage growled as he suddenly hit the brakes.

Nitro slid to a stop, skidding several feet past the bigger mecha before he did. After transforming into his bipedal form, he turned back to watch.

Roadrage was already standing, servo cannon deployed and ready. He glared towards the incoming flier, patiently waiting.

Stepping forward to stand beside him, Nitro withdrew the handguns that he'd stolen from the two guards a few decacycles earlier. Checking their ammo, he wondered if they would do any good against the giant mecha if they decided to be hostile.

He was uncertain whether or not his martial arts or knives would give the mecha much trouble either.

"Any idea of who this is?" the mechling inquired, giving Roadrage a sideways look.

"No idea," came the gruff response. "That's why we're stopped."

The two waited in silence.

They didn't have to wait long.

As the aerial transport neared, it slowed down and began to descend, confirming their suspicion of it landing.

Once he was low enough, the mech transformed, freefalling for the rest of the way. He landed a short distance away with a loud thud, shaking the ground beneath him. Along with the two mecha standing nearby.

Nitro noted two familiar figures jump down from the giant's shoulders and groaned.

"You've got to be kidding me," he hissed lowly.

"What are they doing with him?" questioned Roadrage, furrowing his optic ridges.

The pair watched as the giant straightened from his crouch, examining him for any visible weaknesses.

There didn't seem to be any.

The mech was powerfully built, even with his wings now folded on his backplates, he was massive. Heavy double, perhaps even triple-layer armour plating adorned his torso and servos.

Nitro estimated that his height must be around forty feet.

Meaning he had likely over a ten-foot height difference between him and Roadrage.

Leaving Nitro and the two figures standing beside the giant as minuscule in comparison.

"He's a triplechanger," Roadrage said, noting the treads on the mech. "Interesting."

Nitro nodded but said nothing, studying the trio.

"Now what?" he wondered.

The giant was the first to speak.

"Greetings," he said loudly, studying the armoured vehicle and the two-wheeler warily. Surely, he had noticed their weapons. Whether or not he was concerned by them, was unknown from the lack of expression on his faceplate. Or any movement from his frame.

"What is your business?" Roadrage called back.

"Hi! Remember us?" Taser yelled, gesturing to herself and her brother.

The femmeling began walking towards them. "You kind of lost us. Not sure what happened, like if you forgot or it was on purpose or what."

Nitro and Roadrage exchanged a look.

"How dumb are these two?" Nitro groaned internally.

"Anyways, we found someone else when we were looking for you two," Taser continued, pointing over her shoulder. She had by then, reached Roadrage and Nitro, and stood with her hands on her hips waiting a response.

She likely didn't get the response she wanted.

Roadrage scoffed. "Great. You found someone else to annoy. And it looks like he's returning you to me."

Turning his attention to the giant mech, he scowled. "You can keep them. I don't want to sparklingsit them anymore."

The mech simply rose an optic ridge as Taser started sputtering in rage.

"How dare you? We are not sparklings!"

"Taser," Dagger called, swiftly moving forward to retrieve his sister before she did something they'd regret.

Whirling to face him, she gave him a dirty look. "Don't you care what he just said about us?" Clenching her fists, she turned back to Roadrage, stalking forward.

"I oughta show you what's what, you overgrown- "

Dagger lunged and caught her by the doorwings, dragging her backwards. "Let's not insult him, eh? And I believe the big one is behind us, not in front of us."

"Depends who you're comparing," mused Roadrage. He still hadn't moved his attention away from the triplechanger. "Who's your friend anyways."

"Like I'd tell you!" snapped Taser. She wrenched herself away from Dagger, but didn't step forward again.

Nitro tilted his helm and smirked. "Just like you refused to tell us your name and business when we first met?"

Taser crossed her servos, optics burning in anger as she glared holes in the two-wheeler's helm.

"Aww, how cute. The quiet one only opens his mouth to insult mecha," she growled.

"Sounds like someone else we know," Nitro replied quickly. He paused, as if thinking. Then, he grinned darkly, showing his sharp denta. "Oh, wait. Your mouth is never closed."

Before Taser could react, Dagger slapped a hand over her mouth. "He's got a point. Maybe we should all shut up and get this over with."

By this time, the giant, seemingly forgotten by some until now, had reached the rest.

He seemed even bigger up close.

"What do you want?" Roadrage asked again, annoyed about this whole thing.

"I want you to join me," replied the mech, looking down at the rest of the mecha.

Roadrage could be patient when he wanted to. He could also really not be.

At the moment, his patience was wearing quite thin. Quite fast.

Raising his cannon, he growled, "Speak quickly or be on your way."

Nitro followed Roadrage's lead, pointing his guns at the siblings, watching all three of them carefully.

While Dagger and Taser fidgeted slightly, the giant stood perfectly still, unfazed by the deadly weapon pointed at him.

"Your small friends here told me about you two after I found them," he rumbled. "I am on a recruiting mission for my employer."

"What employer?" Roadrage challenged suspiciously. "And how did you find us?"

"That is classified. And they guessed," the mech replied, nodding his helm in the siblings' direction.

"That's not an answer, big pede. Hurry up and make you point or I'm going to shoot."

The giant rolled his optics. "Your skills are wanted for an operation. These two say you have experience in something perhaps similar. That you are thieves and fighters. I am here to recruit you two and bring you back. If the boss approves, then he will hire you."

"Not interested. Now scram," Roadrage said. He powered up his cannon, making his request even clearer.

The hum of the cannon concerned Dagger and Taser, but not their newfound companion.

Faceplate emotionless, he stared down at Roadrage.

"I do not advise that. And I did not ask you if you were interested. You are coming with me." He shifted his gaze to Nitro. "Both of you."

"Don't think so, big pede," growled Roadrage.

To the great surprise of all that were present, the giant lunged forward. He grabbed Roadrage's extended servo and picked him up, just as the red and black fired at him. The shot went wild as he was thrown several yards to the side.

Dagger and Taser had no time to watch, mouths gaping as they stared. Nitro moved, launching himself towards them.

"How convenient they are so close together," he thought as his pedes made contact with their frames. In seconds, the siblings were on the ground and Nitro was back on his pedes.

Seeing that Roadrage was getting back up, the giant walked towards him. "Have you changed your mind about coming peacefully."

Roadrage growled, putting away his cannon. With a war cry, he charged the bigger mech, intent on hitting his tank with his shoulder.

Unfortunately for him, the mech saw that move coming. Spreading his pedes to brace himself, he lowered a large servo to block the hit. Roadrage knew what he was doing, and ducked at the last astroklik.

The giant mech's optics widened a fraction as he was hit in the knee joint, causing him to stumble.

Roadrage smirked as he threw a powerful punch to the other one. "Not as tough as you look, are you."

The reply he got was to be thrown again.

Nitro reached the triplechanger just after Roadrage hit the dirt for the second time. He pulled out a knife and stuck it between his denta so his hands would be free. Leaping upwards, he grabbed the back of the mech's pede and began to climb.

The mech noticed right away and tried to shake or swat the pest off. It didn't work. Nitro just kept climbing until he reached his shoulders.

Being distracted, Roadrage was unnoticed as he approached once again. He managed to get several solid hits to the mech's midsection before he retaliated.

Roadrage ducked the swipe towards his helm, then threw another punch to the mech's chest. He grunted in pain, then swung again, catching the warrior in the shoulder this time.

Nitro removed the knife from his mouth and reached a hand around to the front of the giant's neck cables.

"It might be wise to stop now," the mechling hissed in his audio.

Feeling the cold blade against his neck cables, the giant faltered for an astroklik.

Roadrage saw his opening and took it.

But it wasn't really an opening. It was a trick.

The giant grabbed him and held tight, locking him in a helmlock.

"Want your friend's neck to be snapped?" the giant asked the small mecha perched on his shoulders.

Feeling the mechling hesitate, moving the knife away ever so slightly, the mech moved.

Fast.

With a quick motion, he knocked Roadrage out, letting him fall limply to the ground. He then brought his helm forward, then slammed it backwards into Nitro.

The mechling lost his grip when he was hit. His optics widened as the mech grabbed his pede and pulled him off, swinging him towards the ground.

The last thing Nitro knew was hitting that ground. Hard.

Then, everything went black.


So, yeah. That worked out well for our two thugs.
Stay tuned for what happens next! :)