Chapter 8

A/N: hey everyone! Welcome back! Good to see y'all again. Anyways, wow last chapter was way longer than I anticipated. Anyways, remember I just own the story, Emerald belongs to my friend and other characters belong to DC and Hasbro respectively.

/comms/

"Modulated Voices"

Telepathy

Autobot Base, July 8, 07:55PDT

"We cannot allow Megatron to send any dark energon through his spacebridge," Optimus informed the League. "If we fail, the dead of Cybertron will rise, swarm through its vortex and invade Earth, enslaving the people of this world and others to Megatron's tyranny. Our objective, is to locate the Decepticon Spacebridge and seize it. This is going to be an extremely dangerous mission. I will not blame you if you choose to opt out."

"Remember," Batman spoke up, "if the event we fail, we will still need men here on the ground. Currently, Justice League and government satellites and the Watchtower are scouring the Earth and its atmosphere. It will only be a matter of time until its location is discovered."

/Red Tornado to Autobot Omega Outpost 1. Watchtower canners have located the Decepticon Spacebridge. Sending coordinates now/

The room went silent, the League watching the monitors with dread as the location appeared. "It's in space," Captain Marvel muttered. "There's no way we'll all be able to go."

"No," Wonder Woman agreed, "We'll have to send our best."

"There's also the issue of orbit, if we use the javelin or the watchtower, there's no certainty we could reach the bridge in time," Flash added.

"What if we shoot it down?" Kid Flash suggested. "The Watchtower's gotta be armed."

"The League's orbiting headquarters doesn't have weapons KF," Robin stated.

From the side of the room, Superboy raised his hand, "What about the groundbridge?"

Ratchet gave an annoyed sigh, "The groundbridge has limited range. It barely reaches the Watchtower as it is, and this spacebridge is above its current orbit. Stretching the vortex further could cause it snap, and scatter us to the stars."

"Megatron will already be in transit," Optimus said. "It is a risk we'll have to take."

"All three Green Lanterns will accompany the Autobots on the first jump into space," Batman ordered. "Superman, Manhunter, and Captain Atom, grab your oxygen masks. The rest of us will remain on Earth and prepare for the worst-case scenario."

"Aw man!" Wally huffed, crossing his arms.

"Dude it's not like you could really do anything in space anyways," Robin snickered.

Rolling her eyes, Emerald stood by 'Bee as he seemed to be doing a weapon's check on his car. "You ready?"

"I should be asking you that," he replied, standing up and crossing his arms. "This is your first real battle against the 'Cons. You sure you're up for it?"

"Yeah."

"Good." Giving her a short nod, Bumblebee got into his car. The engine roaring to life as the groundbridge activated.

"Kids, stay put this time," Bulkhead called.

"Optimus," Ratchet said, "if you leave me stranded on a planet teeming with humans I will never forgive you.

A flicker of a smile passed over the Prime's face. "Until we meet again, Old Friend. Autobots, roll out!"

Hitting the gas, they sped through the bridge, the Lanterns on their heels as they raced through the portal. Powerful arcs of energy stretched off the side as the other end opened, flickers in the vortex demonstrating the strain the bridge was under.

Sighing in relief as she exited, Emerald came to a stop with her mentors as they stared with wide eyes. From what she'd read about Cybertron, she knew that the spacebridges were massive; they had to be to transport entire fleets. But hearing and seeing were two completely different things.

It was gigantic. The watchtower itself was just as big as the radius. How on Oa did no one see this thing being constructed?

"We have company," John spoke, his ring glowing brighter.

Turning around, Emerald clenched her jaw as she saw the massive warship approaching. "So Megatron's packing enough dark energon to raise Cybertron's dead?" Arcee asked.

"Or at least enough to raise a large army," Emerald countered.

"Emerald, Hal, John, search the circumference of the bridge, there should be a control panel. If we find that, we can keep Megatron from completing his plan," Optimus ordered. Nodding, the three Lanterns took off, the Autobots raised their weapons. "Until our allies find the controls to disable the bridge, nothing gets in or out."

The Nemesis slowed to a stop, the lights of the warship pulsing with energy. However, it didn't seem like they were sending the signal to activate the bridge. "What's taking so long?" Arcee grumbled.

Bumblebee's optics whirred as he zoomed in on the ship, before spotting the problem with a snicker. "Looks like the 'Cons lost their interstellar navigation dish."

"Oh, that's my handiwork."

"Great job Bulkhead," Optimus praised. "Without the dish, Megatron will be unable to lock onto Cybertron."

-.-

"Don't the 'Cons know where they're own planet is?" Captain Marvel asked.

"Naturally," Ratchet scoffed. "But Cybertron's many lightyears away, To reach their target their aim must be astronomically precise."

/One problem though/ Emerald chimed in. /Megatron's here. Why come to the spacebridge if he can't find his own planet?/

"Because he has an alternative targeting system," Batman realized.

"From what I know of Earth's technology there isn't a single radio-dish strong enough to pinpoint Cybertron."

"But what about a whole bunch of linked satellite dishes?" Robin spoke up, as he typed at one of the monitors. "Like the giant sized array in Texas?"

/That'd be strong enough all right/

/Good thinking Robin. Have Agent Fowler alert the security staff to the threat/

"You! Soldier!" Fowler exclaimed, sitting up in his bed pointing towards an empty corner of the room. "You're out of uniform! Put on some pants!"

Watching him collapse back into the cot, Ratchet frowned, "That might be a challenge."

"Robin, can you hack into the controls?"

"No," the Boy Wonder growled as he typed. "These firewalls are surprisingly tough. I could do it if I was inside though."

"Red Tornado, contact the station, let them know we've discovered a credible threat and are sending League members to bolster security until the threat has passed," Batman ordered. "Ratchet, we're going to need a bridge."

-.-

Earth's Orbit

"Did we miss the party?" Superman asked as the other Leaguers joined the 'Bots.

"No, 'Cons haven't done anything yet," Bulkhead replied.

At that moment, they could see a swarm of vehicon soldiers flying from the ship. "You were saying?" Captain Atom deadpanned.

"Ok, I spoke too soon."

Blaster fire reigned down around them, as the Autobots opened their weapons, firing back. The rest of the Leaguers flew out of the way, diving between shots.

Flying at one of the soldiers, Superman collided with the craft, denting the metal as he dug his fingers into it. With a spin, he hurled the 'Con through the void, slamming it into one of the guys trying to attack Martian Manhunter. A green beam flew past him, forming a mallet that swatted several of the Decepticons aside.

"Sorry we're late!" Emerald grinned.

"I think you're just in time," Clark replied, using his heatvision to intercept a laser coming towards them.

"Hey Em!" 'Bee called, flipping over a 'Con. Grabbing onto his arm, the Autobot ripped the limb off the transformer, using it like a bat to knock the head off. "You have any luck?!"

"Not in my section!" she replied swinging her mallet down onto the head of another 'Con. "Hopefully Hal and John had better luck than I did!"

-.-

Van Horn, TX, 09:02MDT

Batman jumped out of the groundbridge first, eyes narrowing as he looked over the facility. It had been concerning that they hadn't gotten any replies from the staff. More so, when he checked over the security, it looked like nothing was wrong. But, if nothing was wrong, then someone would have been available to answer their calls.

Someone wanted it to look like everything was ok.

Robin landed just behind him along with Superboy, Kid Flash, and Black Canary. The Dark Knight could feel his protégé's questioning glance, not doubt noticing the same problem he had.

Waving his hand, the group silently crept forwards and Superboy tried one of the door handles. It confirmed Batman's suspicions when it swung open; the door had been unlocked. There was a very real chance that the Decepticons were here to make sure the system worked.

Of course, he also knew that the 'Cons rarely cared for stealth.

The group stepped inside, weapons drawn as they slowly moved down the hall. The building seemed empty, and there was no damage or any other clear sign of a break in. "Do you think the workers just ditched the place when they got our call?" Flash spoke up.

"If they had a sense of self-preservation they would," Batman answered.

Opening a door, they found an empty computer room. Robin grinned, cracking his knuckles as he sat down. Attaching a cord from his glove, a holoscreen hovered over his arm as he quickly typed. "I'm in."

"That didn't take long," KF remarked.

"Security's way more lax on the other side of the firewall," the Boy Wonder smirked. Though it didn't last long before it was wiped off his face, "And it looks like we aren't the only ones."

"The 'Cons?" Superboy asked.

"Who else would it be?" KF replied. Leaning over the chair, Wally frowned as he looked at the screen. "But we can't be sure. What if it's just a worker?"

"It's the 'Con's alright," Robin stated. "Look at the schematics," he pulled up a page, "same one I took pictures of back on the Nemesis. Looks like the Decepticons are syncing their spacebridge up with the dishes, but now that I'm in the system," Robin chuckled, "I can totally whelm them."

"Be careful," Batman warned as he began downloading a copy of the specs. "We don't want to draw attention to ourselves."

"It'll be fine Bats, even if they see that I'm in the system, they won't know we're in the house," Robin snickered. "So if they kick me off this computer, I can just power up the next one in line."

On the side of the room, Superboy turned as he thought he heard something through the wall. Not hearing anything again for another moment, the clone shrugged, leaning against the wall. He was probably going to be waiting for a little while. Besides, it wasn't like the Decepticons were in the next room.

-.-

Earth's Orbit

The Autobots stumbled as the ground shifted under their feet, though the quickly rightened themselves as the battle continued around them. "What's going on? Why's the big doughnut moving?!" Green Lantern questioned, blasting another drone away.

"The Decepticons are locking onto Cybertron's coordinates."

"Hal! Go to one side of the bridge, and use something to pull, I have an idea!" Superman exclaimed.

The original Lantern's brows furrowed for a moment before they shot up, seeming to catch onto what their comrade was planning. Sharing a grin, the man shot a green beam from his ring the end opening up to form a clamp as he began pulling against the turning celestial body. On the other side, Superman began to push.

Emerald smacked her forehead. Keeping the bridge locked in a random direction, it was genius. The Con's couldn't lock onto anything if they couldn't even move the bridge!

It looked like Prime had reached the same conclusion. "Captain Atom, Bulkhead, Arcee, go cover Green Lantern. Bumblebee you're with me, we're going to guard Superman. Emerald, I want you to go find John, see if he's found the control panel so we can disable it," Optimus ordered stabbing his blade through a 'Con's chest.

-.-

Vana Horn, 09:06MDT

/Soundwave, we are currently experiencing interference from the Autobots and their pets/ Lord Megatron snarled. /Do what you can to override their efforts on your end. We will attempt to remove the pests/

The TIC remained quiet as he looked over the schematics, with a few tweaks, he would be able to pinpoint their home world, despite physical interference with the bridge's maneuvering systems.

However, there was one thing that was bothering him. The dishes were fighting his control. Every few minutes, the dishes would move away from his coordinates.

Someone or something was interfering.

His visor flickered as he pulled up the camera feeds, scrolling through until he locked onto a computer lab. Inside the dark room, he could make out five figures: two Leagues known as Batman and Black Canary, and three proteges, two of which he recognized as Robin and Kid Flash. The third protégé was unfamiliar, but he bore a familiar symbol on his chest; likely Superman's sidekick.

Turning on the audio, he listened in as the Batman's sidekick frowned. "The dishes are heading back towards Cybertron, looks like whoever's locking the coordinates, they're adjusting the parameters of their specs. They might be trying to lock onto Cybertron without moving the bridge."

"Wait, so our friends are restraining the space doughnut for nothing?" Kid Flash questioned.

"Not if I can keep these satellites from locking."

The Bat and the Bird, those two were the biggest threats at the present moment. Though he would need to be cautious for the Kryptonian's superhearing.

At his command, massive coils unfurled from the belly of the silent Cybertronian's ship. Watching the cameras, Soundwave made a show of still working on controlling the satellites, keeping the attention of the humans on his distraction as the tentacle slithered down the hall.

"What's gonna happened when the 'Cons find out we're in the system?" the human heroine, Black Canary inquired.

"Don't worry babe, they're a hundred miles away, we'll be fine."

It was amusing to see how wrong they were. Opening the door, Soundwave gave up his pretense of stealth. The massive claws wrapped around the Kryptonian's frame, swinging him to the side across the desks. Glass shattered in the room as computers were swept to the floor and the other heroes were either knocked aside or ducked to avoid being hit.

Seeing the woman open her mouth in the corner of his feet, Soundwave tossed the Kryptonian aside, grabbing the woman by her face and hurled her into her fellow Leaguer as he attempted to get into another computer in the corner.

Though he was surprised to see that the speedster had grabbed an axe from the wall. Racing towards his tentacle, the sidekick leapt up and swung it down with all his strength. Only for it to bounce off the metal. Swiping the boy's legs out from under him, the speedster yelped as he fell on his back, tossing the axe in the air.

Catching the primitive weapon, Soundwave pulled the coil back. Even if they did manage to get back on another computer, it wouldn't be able to do anything.

With a quick adjustment, Soundwave managed to lock the satellites onto Cybertron. And, in one swift motion, the axe was swung down, the blade burying itself to the hilt in the concrete as he severed the hardline. Good, that would prevent any further interference.

Now all Lord Megatron needed to do was get the pests off the bridge.

Soundwave could hear footsteps racing towards him as he stepped onto the tentacle. As it raised him to his jet, he watched as the doors burst open, revealing the group that tried to stop him.

Batman reached into his cape, pulling out several small weapons and hurling them at him. Raising his hand, the objects exploded in midair and the smoke was cleared by the heroine releasing one of her infamous cries. One he was quickly able to silence by increasing the volume and frequency of a cry he'd recorded.

The room shook with the blaring scream, causing all five to clutch their heads with deafened cries of pain. Continuing to blast the sound, Soundwave stepped into his jet. Rising into the air, he turned off the sonic weapon and flew away.

On the ground, the group groaned as the agonizing noise came to a stop. Ears still ringing and feeling wet with what he'd assumed was blood, Superboy looked up watching the jet fly away. Leaping after him crossed his mind, but he was too high and too far away by now. Plus…the clone wasn't sure he wanted to encounter whoever that was again.

"He cut the hardline," Batman spoke, causing the clone to flinch. Even though he was speaking quietly, the sound still hurt after what he'd just heard.

"Wha—What does that mean?" Superboy stammered.

"It means," Kid Flash grimaced, "the dishes are locked onto Cybertron, and there's nothing we can do about it."

-.-

Space

Their plan to hold the spacebridge in place and keep it from moving didn't last as long as they hoped it would. With their forces divided, the 'Cons dove towards them in droves. In particular, they attacked Superman's side.

The Kryptonian grimaced, pushing against the massive object as he felt a few stray blaster bolts burn his skin. From the corner of his eyes, he could see his friends returning fire and grappling with a horde of 'Cons as some landed on the surface of the bridge themselves. There was no way they would last much longer.

True to his thoughts, a jet hit him. Superman grunted as the pilot flew away from the bridge, carrying him with it. Already the bridge was slowly moving, despite the best efforts of Hal and John.

Finally locking on target, the spacebridge shook as energon began to glow through it, and the familiar vortex erupted to life. And, before their eyes and despite their efforts, a small violet meteor went hurtling through.