Chapter 10: Impending War

Three days later, 22nd January 2015, 15:00 pm…

"So, what do you think of how Kion and Mzuri are getting along?" Malka inquired.

Code Red chuckled. "That little guy is smitten. Your daughter seems to be the absolute polar opposite of him."

Malka nodded. "Yes. My progeny has always been on the mischievous side. Nothing like how Simba and Nala were in their youth. Those two were a nightmare for their parents." Looking at Code Red, Malka added: "But, you know what they say; opposites attract."

Code Red folded his arms. "I'm just wondering how the hell we're going to split them up when all of this is over."

"You won't have to." Malka said. "I've had Uaminifu keep up a steady correspondence with Simba. When it's time for you to leave, you'll be taking Mzuri with you. Introduce her to Simba, Nala, Kiara…"

"That'll be interesting." Code Red remarked, already thinking of how Kiara and Mzuri would interact. "If Kiara were a dude, then Mzuri would definitely be getting the big brother warning. Would have figured Afua would have given Kion one. But it looks like they get on just fine."

Malka smiled. "Afua knows a good lion when he sees one. I mean, his best friend was one." Malka's face fell when he remembered Kopa. "All he regrets is not being able to say goodbye when the time came."

Code Red sighed. "Well, he won't be saying goodbye to anyone for a long time, Malka. The only thing you'll need to say goodbye to is Shadowstreak once we've found him."

"Have you found him?" Malka asked.

"Yes. But nothing actionable." Code Red replied. "Doubletake spotted Shadowstreak in a large forest clearing about a three hour trek from here earlier this morning. I've told him to hold position. We would take him down, but we want to make sure this isn't a trap."

Malka nodded. "I understand." He said.

Code Red made to reply when the sound of a car engine drew his attention:

Looking behind him, he saw Doubletake speed into the den, transform, and look at Code Red, his optics deadly serious.

"Commander. We have a problem." Doubletake said.

Courtyard of Malka's home…

"An army?" Malka asked, his facial expression turned deadly serious.

Doubletake nodded. "There was at least an entire company out there. At least, that's how many I was able to count before I was nearly spotted."

Code Red scowled as he heard this. He had joined Malka in the main courtyard, along with Malka himself, Tama, and a select couple of lions whom Code Red assumed were two of Malka's lieutenants. A company consisted of one-hundred and fifty Vehicons, which would prove enough of a challenge. But if there were any more, then defending themselves from the attack would be damn-near impossible. The only saving grace Code Red could discern was the fact that Shadowstreak would be in command. And judging by his performance in the ambush three days earlier, that was the only good thing about it.

"And you're certain that the Decepticons plan on assaulting us here?" Said Tama, who up to this point had been silent.

Doubletake nodded. "If not to attack us, then what else?"

"How long do you think it will take for them to arrive?" Code Red inquired.

Doubletake scowled. "Hard to say. At the earliest, we could see them arrive by nightfall. Midnight at the latest."

Code Red sighed. That gave them at least three to six hours before the Decepticons attacked, which was not a good frame of time with which to prepare for protracted battle with the Decepticons. Much less for him to prepare since it would no doubt fall to him to inform Simba of the current situation.

"There's more." Doubletake said, addressing Code Red directly. "I think I spotted Crossfire amongst them."

Code Red looked up with a scowl on his face. So Crossfire would be leading the assault and not Shadowstreak… That did not improve the situation in the slightest. "Then it falls to me to take him down." Code Red said.

"That aside, we need to make plans to evacuate the den." Malka said sadly.

"And go where?" Code Red asked.

"My ancestors found places where sanctuary can be found if ever our home here was attacked and or taken over by a rival pride." Malka answered. "It is to one of those places that we will go."

Code Red nodded. "Sounds good to me." Looking up at Doubletake, Code Red said: "Ready the Autobots for combat. I have a call to make."

Doubletake nodded and took his leave to fulfil Code Red's orders.

Malka said: "I'll begin the evacuation." Before leaving with Tama and his lieutenants.

Before long, Code Red was alone in the courtyard once again.

But not for long, as he contacted Shockshot: "Shockshot, this is Code Red. Is Simba home, yet?"

"He is, Commander. Why do you ask?" Shockshot inquired.

"I can't tell you right now; which is why I want you and Simba to meet me at the border between the Pride Lands and Malka's territory as soon as you're able." Code Red said, before adding: "Bring Kiara and the other Autobots with you as well."

Shockshot sighed. "I can already tell where this is going." Shockshot said. "But very well. I shall endeavour to meet you at the border with Simba and Kiara. Shockshot out."

Code Red sighed and looked around the area. It had not been long ago that he had feared the reaction of Kiara had full-scale war erupted in the Pride Lands. But now Code Red feared the same fate for Malka's home. Contacting Overclock, Code Red said: "Overclock, this is Code Red. I'm meeting with Simba and Shockshot off site to discuss the situation. You're in command until I return. Understood?"

"Yes sir." Overclock said.

Transforming, Code Red sped away from the den and towards the border. He hoped Simba would answer his call.

At the border between the Pride Lands and Malka's lands…

Code Red transformed and walked over to where Simba stood, Kiara and the rest of the Autobots at his back.

Simba wore a grim facial expression whilst Kiara, clearly happy to see Code Red, still looked worried.

"What's the situation, Code Red?" Simba asked as soon as Code Red drew near.

Code Red sighed. "Malka's Decepticon situation… it's worse than I thought."

"What do you mean?" Simba asked, looking concernedly at Kiara.

Code Red frowned. "Shadowstreak's forces were just the advance force. Now Crossfire's here, along with the rest of his troops." Looking away, Code Red added: "Doubletake says they'll reach Malka's home by nightfall at the earliest."

"That explains why there have been no Decepticons back home in the Pride Lands to take advantage of your absence." Kiara reasoned.

Code Red nodded. Looking to Shockshot and the Wreckers, Code Red said: "The reason I asked you over is because I need all the help I can get. There's no telling how badly we're outnumbered."

Shockshot nodded. "Agreed."

Code Red sighed. "Head to these coordinates and help the other Autobots get prepared." Looking to Wheeljack and Bulkhead, Code Red said: "As for you guys, I need a couple of bots that can hold the rear. Make sure no Decepticons jump us from behind. I'd rather not have to fight a battle on two fronts."

"You can count on us, Red." Wheeljack affirmed, bumping fists with his comrade before taking his leave alongside Bulkhead, who shared a nod with Code Red prior to following Wheeljack.

Code Red looked to Simba, who looked concerned.

"Do you think you can win this battle?" Simba inquired.

Code Red nodded. "Wouldn't be the first time I've faced bigger odds than this." He said. "Me and Wheeljack have been through worse scrapes."

Simba nodded. "Is Kion okay?" He asked.

Code Red nodded. "We're planning on evacuating him along with the rest of Malka's people, although they'll be at a separate location. I'm not about to let harm come to him or any of the Lion Guard."

"Good." Simba said.

Code Red smiled before looking to Kiara, which Simba noticed.

"I'll let you two be alone." He said, before taking his leave.

Code Red watched Simba leave before looking towards Kiara.

"Is everything okay?" Kiara asked.

Code Red frowned and sat down. "I don't know, right now." He said. "It's a feeling I often get whenever I'm about to go into a battle." Looking up, Code Red added: "It's the first time I've ever gone into a fight that has so much on the line. It's also the first time I've been in a battle where I cannot lose. Because if I do;"

"The Pride Lands will be next." Kiara said, completing Code Red's sentence for him. "But, you won't lose, right? It's like you said to my dad; you've faced tougher odds before, and you've won."

Code Red nodded. "But back then, most of the Autobots by my side were Wreckers. Now, I've only got a few Autobots, who've rarely even seen combat since they arrived on Earth. It makes me wonder whether I'm sending them to their doom."

"Stop it." Kiara said. "If they're anything like the fighter you are, then I know that they'll get back up from anything. You've done so in the past."

Code Red frowned. "You're right." He said. "I shouldn't doubt my men."

"Of course I'm right. I'm the princess." Kiara said.

Code Red scoffed. "I can think of several times where I could refute that theory." He remarked.

"Oh yeah? Name one." Kiara challenged.

"Kiara, do not test me." Code Red warned.

"Or what?" Kiara playfully dared.

"I'll… I'll bury you with them." Code Red threatened.

Kiara giggled. "Like you ever would." She said.

"Got that right." Code Red said with a chuckle. His face again turned grim, which Kiara took notice of.

"Red, are you alright?" she asked.

Code Red sighed. "Kiara, I asked that you came along because..." Clenching his fists, Code Red continued. "This could be the last time we speak to one another."

Eyes narrowing, Kiara said: "What do you mean?"

Sighing, Code Red replied: "What I mean, is that I could die in this battle, Kiara." Looking away, Code Red added: "I just want to make sure you understand."

Shaking her head, Kiara said: "But you can't die! I…" She paused as she suppressed a sob, before adding: "I don't want you to die."

Code Red looked down and met Kiara's gaze. "Neither do I, Kiara. But if it is today, then I'm going to make sure it's a fight the Decepticons remember." Shrugging, Code Red added: "On the flip side, if we win, and I'm confident we can, then Crossfire's going to have a long wait before he can do anything like this again. If he manages to escape, that is."

Kiara looked down. "I know you can win this, Red." She said. "You have to."

Code Red smiled. "I appreciate the faith, Kiara. And you're right. I do need to win this battle." Sighing, Code Red added: "But… in the event that I don't…"

"Code Red, stop saying you could lose!" Kiara suddenly snapped. "I don't want to think about that." Pausing, Kiara added: "You're my best friend, Red. I don't want to lose you."

Code Red sighed. "I know." He said. "And that's why I'm going to win."

Looking up, Kiara asked: "What do you mean?"

Code Red looked at her, a confident look crossing his face. "Crossfire's only doing this to further the Decepticon cause and attain a slice of territory from which he can expand. But me? I'm fighting not just for Malka and his people, but for the Pride Lands, too. And by proxy, that means I'm fighting for you. Crossfire fights for nothing but his own ends, essentially nothing. At the end of the day, that's what's going to net us the win." Code Red frowned, then. "But that still doesn't mean I'll live through this."

Kiara looked away, clearly battling back tears.

"And if my spark does wind up getting extinguished, then think about it this way:" Turning Kiara's head so that she was facing him, Code Red pointed at her heart. "You'll still have me with you. In there."

Kiara looked down at her heart, then up at Code Red. Walking closer, she rubbed her body over his leg, in a sort of embrace.

Code Red placed a hand over her in a similar fashion, saying: "Goodbye, Kiara. With luck, I'll see you when all is said and done." With that, Code Red stood up, transformed, and sped away.

Contacting Shockshot, Code Red said: "Shockshot, this is Code Red. I'm on my way back, now."

"Good." Shockshot said. "Because the Decepticons just showed up."

Well, that's not good.

What is good though, are the reviews. So let's get to them!

Adam Carver: Well, Malka's name does mean 'queen', so I imagine Code Red would get several kicks out of that.

Daniel Mathers: That makes me wonder: What brand of beer would lions predominantly drink? Being half Dutch, I hope it's Heineken.

Jason Chandler: I wouldn't put it past Code Red to be a fan of Family Guy. It's right up his alley of humour, so I'd imagine he's picked a thing or two up from the show (Hopefully neither of them are Stewie's psychotic proclivities).

Jestalnaker94000: There will be embarrassment. Just not at this moment in time.

Mike Noland: I did tinker with the idea of Mzuri being a stuck up, entitled bitch, but I imagine Malka isn't the type of parent who'd spoil their children.

With those answered, allow me to thank you all for taking the time to read this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.

Come next week, I will see you all with chapter 11, which sees Code Red and the Autobots participating in their most dangerous battle yet.

T-Rock14