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Journal Entry 58431 of Autobot Security Officer and Lieutenant, Prowl
It has been three Earth years since the battle at the human city, Hong Kong, followed by Optimus Prime's departure to locate the mysterious 'creators'. In his absence, I have taken command of the Autobots under me, with Jazz, Ironhide and Bumblebee assisting me. I felt inclined to hand leadership to Elita-1, as she is Optimus' sparkmate, and had equal experience as I did. But she insisted I take command, so she and her sisters may tend to the hatchlings, who are now sparklings.
During those years, Cybertronian and human relations have deteriorated even more. Deemed outlaws, a new human paramilitary, known as the Transformers Reactionary Force, has been formed and is now hunting down all Cybertronians, regardless of factions. Unfortunately, many of the members were once a part of Cemetery Wind, well, those that were unaware of their leader's crimes. Thus, they have no problem in eliminating Autobots, as well as human allies and sympathizers. Fortunately, I had the foresight to insert a spy into their base, who has been quite useful in sending us invaluable information regarding TRF troop movements.
The only nation that grants asylum to Cybertornians is Cuba, the same country that Flak had died trying to protect from Cemetery Wind. I hear that the humans Simmons, Dutch and Leo are there, acting as representatives between the Cuban government and Autobot refugees. The refugees are split into two groups, one side consists of combatants, lead by Camshaft. The other side are scientists, engineers, medics and civilians, trying to lead a safe life with their families. They are led by an Autobot named Hubcap, who speaks on their behalf. Due to their larger numbers, I dispatched the Omnicons, Cybertronians who can touch raw energon as well as find resources that can be converted into it, to help the refugees. The three mechs, Strongarm, Skyblast, and Signal Flare, are hard at work, encountering only a few problems.
My team and I are currently in South Dakota, working alongside the human male Cade Yeager, who has proven to be a valuable ally. Together we help newly arrive Autobots get to safety, away from the TRF and surviving Decepticons, and assisting them to get to Cuba without problem. Including the members from three years ago, our ranks have been joined by other Autobots. These Cybertornians include Armorhide, an Autobot that has good grasp on Decepticon tactics, using the Cons' own thinking against them, much to the chagrin of the others. After him is Brawn, a heavy fighter with a remarkable strong armor plating. Then there is Inferno, an Autobot that function as both pyro-specialist and a psychologist, helping fellow Autobots deal with the trauma of the war. We have another member named Trench, who seems to prefer to remain in vehicle mode, content with doing security patrols. Next up, were Longarm and Salvage, two Autobots that were originally human vehicles brought to life by the Allspark during the Battle of Mission City. How they survived this long is beyond me, but they have proven trusted comrades. The last is Grindcore, one of the most recent members, as he had been held prisoner by Decepticons here on Earth. Fortunately, we had managed to rescue him before he could be offline by the Cons or TRF. He helps Wheeljack and the Wreckers with construction and engineering, with Fixit helping too.
We've also received additional flyers. Blazemaster and Tomahawk, the former a skilled bombardment expert with his corrosive gel, and the latter an anti-ground/aerial supporter, exchanging speed for firepower. The two mechs work alongside Stratosphere, one of the largest Autobots, who serves as an aerial transportation for smaller Autobots. He helps transport refugees that we find in America to Cuba, guarded by the other flyers. There are also sea specialists that help with transporting Autobots. Depthcharge prefers to work alone, but sometimes provides support for the duo, Breacher and Sea Spray.
We have seen no new sightings of Megatron since Hong Kong, or any major Decepticon incursions. I can only conclude they are in hiding, most likely preparing for their next big offensive. So far, the only action we've seen of them are small skirmishes, mostly from Cons that decide to head out on their own or from their conflict with TRF. We have been content to let them fight one another, as no Autobots wishes to be caught in the crossfire from both sides that want us dead.
Adam Nova, a Cybertronian-human hybrid, has also been staying with us too. About a year ago, though, he left to learn more about himself and help rescue other Autobots who escaped Cemetery Wind's hunt or those recently arriving. Currently, he, Evac, Rewind and Ramhorn, a cyber-rhino, are currently in Chicago. They report that a cybertronian craft has crashed there. Also, other Cybertronians have been spotted there, staying with a human. Cade, Bumblebee and Hound left some time ago to meet up with the boy.
End Log.
(Chicago)
"Waste those bastards!" Adam shouted as he fired his hybrid axe-crossbow at a TRF Walker. The energy projectile struck the walker in the leg, knocking it off balance. Adam fired another shot that blew the top off.
Evac was tearing down a second walker with his hands, having dodged its weaponry. A third walker tried to fire at the blue Autobot, but was knocked off its feet by Ramhorn. The red rhino fired its hip missile launchers and plasma cannons, alongside Rewind's laser rifle. It didn't even stand a chance as the combined firepower reduced the drone to parts. With the threats down, Adam hefted his weapon over his shoulder, with his backpack.
Fifteen-years old, Adam had changed little over the past three years, minus his height. He had gotten taller thanks a growth spurt. Adam and his group had been currently searching for Izabella and her companions. With Cade coming, Adam saw this as a chance to convince the girl for her gang to come with them, where they would be safe. Unfortunately, Izabella contacted him first, saying a bunch of kids had come trespassing and were being chased by walkers used by TRF to scout the ruined city. Fortunately, Adam and the others were nearby and dealt with said walkers.
Evac was in his robot mode. Underneath his left arm was a small, blue Cybertronian who appeared to transform into a scooter. This was Sqweeks one of Izabella's friends. He had been injured for some time, being unable to transform and like Bumblebee, his voicebox had also been damaged, making the only word he could say being 'Chihuahua'.
"I'm picking up Canopy's signal. Around the corner." Evac said as Adam rode on top of Ramhorn, Rewind flying beside him.
In another area of Chicago, a building was currently being occupied by TRF soldiers. They were using the place as a forward outpost for any signs of Cybertronians. The city had become one of the most popular locations for new arrivals. Inside the outpost were former NEST operative Graham, as well as TRF commander Santos. Graham was there to keep a leash on Santos, to ensure the former Delta operator did not kill innocent Cybertronians or other mistakes.
"Sir, our drones spotted several Cybertronians near where we lost the walkers. There are some kids with them too." A technician said.
Both Graham and Santos looked at the screen. From the aerial drone, they could see Evac, Ramhorn, Rewind, Sqweeks, and Canopy, a large yellow mech who could transform into a Caterpillar 797 Dump Truck and possessed a hologram device, built by Adam.
"Shit, they're holding those kids." Santos cursed, mistaking the situation. "Can we get a team there?"
"Hold up, we don't know which side they're on." Graham said, earning a glare from the TRF soldier. The former NEST operative ignored it. "Can we get a visual on any of them? Confirm their identity."
"Affiliation don't matter." Santos spat. "They're Cybertronian and that's all. We need a response team ready." None of them noticed several robotic spiders crawling around, heading towards their equipment.
Izabella ignored the glasses wearing boy and his professing of love for her, clearly unimpressed. However, her mood brightened when she saw Adam and the others walking up towards them. But that changed quickly too, when she saw Evac carrying an injured Sqweeks. "What happened?" Izabella asked as she ran up to them. Evac had just put down the mech, allowing Izabella to examine her friend.
"One of the walkers got a good shot in. Damaged his right arm, but nothing we can't fix." Adam explained. He then looked at the four boys. "Okay, and which one of idiots had the bright idea of coming here?" Adam asked.
Automatically, three of them pointed at the fourth one, a dark-skinned young boy. The kid tried to defend himself. "Oh yeah, and what makes you much better in hanging around here?" He snorted.
"Well maybe because I have this" Adam said as he revealed his hybrid weapon, pointing it threateningly at the kid. The dark-skinned boy gulped. "And second, I have them with me." He added, pointing towards his Autobot companions. "Now, if the questions are all done, let's get you guys out of here before more of those pieces of junk come by."
"I'll take point." Evac offered. "Canopy, stay with the children."
"Got it" Canopy replied.
Meanwhile, back at the TRF outpost, the soldiers were still observing the group of Cybertronians and children. "See, they're escorting the kids out of the area. Does that look like bad guys to you?" Graham asked Santos.
Said man rolled his eyes, still not convinced. "I want our jet on station, we have no idea what faction they are. Be ready at the single sign of hostility." Santos ordered.
Graham sighed, unable to deal with this man's irrational hatred. Walking out of the outpost, the British officer contacted Lennox. Hopefully, the Colonel would be able to stop this before it got too out of hand. Again, he did not notice a machine spider climbing up a nearby table towards one of the computers.
Back with Adam's group, they were about five blocks away from the fence that separated the quarantine zone. The four kids were still talking, trying to speak to the Autobots, Adam or Izzy. In the latter's case, the glasses wearing boy tried to flirt with her, much to Izzy's annoyance. Still, it was amusing to Adam as they continued their trek.
Evac peeked around the corner, looking for anymore walkers. When he saw none, he turned back to the others. "All clear" Said Evac.
"Okay, let's keep moving." Adam said as the group moved on. As they did, Canopy started to lag behind, keeping an eye out if anyone was going to attack from their rear.
Unfortunately, for the pilot in the jet above them, that was the opening he needed. With confirmation from Santos, a missile was fired right at the large mech. Before anyone could react, Canopy let out a scream of pain as the projectile hit his back. The explosion made him crash into the nearby building before collapsing on the ground. Energon started to pour from his wounds.
"Canopy!" Izabella yelled in horror at the sight of her injured friend.
Adam cursed. He knew TRF was watching them, but didn't think they would attack so long as the Autobts remained close to the kids. The sound of large footsteps from around the block caught Adam's attention. "Damn it! Walkers heading this way! Rewind, you and Ramhorn get Izabella and the others out of here! Evac stay with me while I check on Canopy. Sqweeks hide!"
Ramhorn let out a growl before ushering the four boys out of there. Rewind pulled on Izabella's arm, who looked like she wanted to protest, but a glare from Adam made her run. Said boy ran up to Canopy, with Evac trying to help his fellow Autobot up. The yellow mech was losing energon fast, and had a gaping wound on the bottom left corner of his chest that went to his back. "Canopy, can you still use your holo-projector?" Adam asked as he put his weapon down. Sqweeks had already taken cover behind some rubble, but was still near the trio.
Coughing up some energon, Canopy managed to reply, "Y-yes…" And soon they were covered by the image of a large pile of debris and garbage. With their presence now hidden, the walkers went past them. Once they were gone, Adam placed his left hand, the mechanical one, near Canopy's wound. Taking a deep breath, the young teen's hand began to glow with electricity. Slowly, the yellow mech's injuries began to heal. At the same time, Adam took out a detonator from his pocket, and then activated it.
Back at the TRF outpost, Graham was having an arguing match with Santos, both of them outside said command center. "That was an unnecessary command to give, you dunce! What if those were Autobots? Or worse, you hit the children?!" Graham shouted angrily.
"I told you before and the rest of your NEST buddies, factions don't mean a damn! And I made sure it was far away from the kids!" Santos yelled back. "Now, I'm calling in a response team to find those other robots, and get those children out of there. You can either hang back or-"
Santos's sentence was cut off when several of his men cried. Back in the command center, Adam's robotic spiders exploded. They released small static smoke, which fried all the equipment inside the outpost. What's more, the smoke, also struck many of the soldiers, electrifying them. It didn't kill them, but it left the soldiers paralyzed and twitching on the floor.
As more personnel moved in to help the victims caught in the trap, Santos gaped at the scene. Graham was also surprised but realized this must've been the boy's, Adam Nova, doing. Reports had described the kid of being incredibly skilled with mechanics and hacking. So, it shouldn't be much of a surprise that he could pull a stunt like this. The look on Santos's face was also worth the whole mess the man caused.
Back with the kids, they hadn't gotten far. While one walker was chasing them from behind, a second one appeared right in their path. Ramhorn and Rewind readied their weapons, when suddenly the mini-con spotted a black off-road opened jeep drove up behind the first walker.
Jumping out of the vehicle was Cade, who pulled out a Cybertronian gun and a stun grenade. Cade threw the grenade, which caused the first walker to shake wildly as it tried to reboot its systems. Not giving it time, Cade fired his weapon. Pulling the trigger three times, the weapon fired energy blasts, hitting the walker. When it staggered, Rewind and Ramhorn guided the kids to Cade's jeep.
That's when Bumblebee appeared, jumping out of the wall of a nearby parking garage. Plasma cannon ready, the Autobot scout kicked the machine gun off the second walker, before ramming his fist into the first one. Pulling out the wires, Bumblebee tossed it towards its companion. He then jumped upon the second walker while it was disoriented. He delivered two powerful plasma bolts at the second walker's head, blowing it up. Bumblebee did a back flip as the walker fell. "I hate people messing with me."
"Canopy!" Izzy yelled as she ran back to where Adam and the others were. Cade followed behind her while Bumblebee, the cyber-rhino and the mini-con watched over the kids.
Canopy's holo-projector turned off. It revealed the large mech leaning against the building, with Evac helping him stay up. With them were Adam and Sqweeks, the former catching his breath. When he spotted Izzy and Cade running towards them, Adam gave them the thumbs up. The hole in Canopy's body was gone.
"Well? How'd it go?" Cade asked the young teen.
"I managed to repair most of his parts to the point he can transform. But he should still have an actual medic look at him." Answered Adam before Izzy hugged him. She was crying tears of joy while thanking Adam repeatedly for saving her friend. The boy seemed confused, and so just settled patting her on the back.
Though amused, Cade knew they had to get moving. Bumblebee and Evac helped to move Canopy to where Hound was, followed by Ramhorn and Rewind, while Cade drove Adam, Izzy and the other kids on his jeep towards the quarantine fence. Despite having come here to save the a Cybertronian, Cade was determined to get these kids out of here. Even for Adam, this place was dangerous.
As they were getting out, one of the kids seemed to have finally recognized Cade. "Hey, you're that guy. You're like some sort of legend." He said.
Cade raised an eyebrow. "Am I?" He asked.
"In legend, you mean one of the most wanted fugitives. Yeah then you're a legend." Adam joked, getting a half-hearted glare from Cade.
The fourth kid spoke up. "You know they have a really big reward for you."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah"
"Well do you want to get punched in the face really hard?" Cade asked. With that, he ushered the five kids through, while Adam remained behind. Sqweeks and Izabella gave Cade a look before shifting their gaze at Adam. Said teen nodded and jerked his head to the right while Yeager wasn't looking. Izzy nodded back and took off, Sqweeks behind her.
Once that was done, Adam and Cade got back into the jeep and drove towards the stadium, where the Cybertronian had crashed. When they arrived, Cade got out while Adam remained in the jeep, acting as a lookout. Cade walked in and saw that the Cybertronian had already forced himself out of his crashed spacecraft. The orange and blue mech was greatly damaged, and Yeager had a feeling that it wasn't from the crash. He tried to steady himself, but immediately collapsed against his wreck craft.
"Hey, hey, easy there." Cade said gently, approaching the Cybertronian. The mech watched him with weary and weak optics. "It's okay, I'm a friend. I'm here to help." Assured Cade.
"Designation…Designation Dion…" The mech muttered weakly as Cade examined his wounds. "Must…must find Orion…and Ariel…danger…"
"Don't talk. I want to check you over, so, so just don't talk." Cade reassured Dion. But even as Yeager said that, he knew there was little he could do. Dion had multiple wounds over his body, including a large hole in his chest. Energon was leaking profusely from nearly every corner. And Adam hadn't fully recover from healing Canopy. Cade had a feeling that it wouldn't make a difference with Dion's current condition.
Cade lowered his head, ashamed that he couldn't do anything. "I'm sorry…" Cade said to Dion mournfully.
Dion already knew that it was too late for him, and he accepted that. However, he was still determined to complete his duty. Reaching into his subspace, Dion pulled out the talisman he had with him. "Take…it. It will protect you…keep it safe…" The mech gasped as he held the object towards Cade.
At first, Cade didn't want to take it, felt like he didn't deserve it because he couldn't save Dion. But the mech had clearly risked his life. So, with a heavy heart, Cade took the talisman and put it in his bag. "I will, I promise."
Then, Dion opened his chest. He pulled out a glowing disk from the compartment. He handed this also to Cade. "Memory core…show it to Autobots…" He begged. "Tell Orion and Ariel that…I'm…sorry…"
With those last words, the light faded from Dion's optics. His body went limp and his arms felt to his sides. Seeing this, Cade gave a moment of silence for Dion's passing before putting the memory core next to the talisman. As he began walking away, Cade contemplated on taking Dion's body with him. At the very least, he deserved a proper burial, rather then being left to rust or have TRF take his body away. But there wasn't enough time and they didn't have anything to carry him with.
As he made his way out of the stadium, Cade pulled out his radio. "Adam, Bumblebee, I'm coming out solo. He didn't make it." Cade said sadly as he walked over towards the jeep. He spotted Adam standing outside the vehicle, back facing the older man, and not moving an inch. That made Cade concern. "Adam?"
Walking closer to the teen, Cade felt eyes on him. Multiple eyes. It was made even more apparent by the three green laser dots hovering over his heart. He moved his eyes carefully to look at Adam. He too had dots focused on him too. With a mental curse, the two slowly set anything they were carrying on the ground, and then slowly while raised their hands into the air. Seconds later, several armed men and vehicles appeared to surround them. Cade and Adam took it as their cue and slowly got on their knees, with their hands put behind their heads as the soldiers closed in on them.
The door to one vehicle opened, and out stepped Santos. He had a smug look on his face as he approached the two. He stared down at them, before speaking to Adam. "Saw your little trick, kid. Not bad, shame that you're not on our side." Santos said.
The teen snorted. "If I was anything like you guys, I would've done something a lot worse for your attempt on murdering my friend." Commented Adam.
Santos ignored him, looking at Cade now. "Now, you're going to answer my questions." Ordered Santos. "Where are the others, the ones you're hiding?"
Cade glared defiantly at the former Delta Force operator. "Sorry pal. I don't sell out friends."
Snorting, Santos knelt down, so he was staring face to face with Cade. "Friends? This is an invasion! One day, when we wake up, they'll be in charge." He declared.
"If you think that, then you're no better than those idiots, Cemetery Wind." Retorted Adam. "In fact, I see some of said idiots among your goons." He added as he looked at the collected TRF soldiers. Said mentioned people shifted uncomfortably, knowing the damage their former unit had caused.
"The kid's right." Cade said. "You see anybody in charge? They just keep falling out of the sky, just trying to find a home. And something's coming, and when it does, you won't be able to shoot your way out of it. Not on your own."
Any other words were cut off when the sound of engines could be heard. Coming from both the left and right were Evac and Bumblebee respectively. The two Autobots were in vehicle mode and charging straight towards the TRF. Immediately, the TRF soldiers opened fire on the two mechs, with the mounted machine guns also firing too. Bumblebee and Evac swerved to the sides and avoid the bullets, before transforming once close enough. Bee did a roll, and knocked over a nearby SUV, sending onto its side and the gunner rolling out. Evac kicked aside another SUV, causing it to crash into a pillar, knocking out the driver and gunner in it. Then they brought out their weapons, but keeping them at low power. Bumblebee fired a non-lethal blast that sent most TRF soldiers flying, while Evac fired his wrist concussion blasters, the low-level energy bolts damaging two more SUVs, making them flip and causing soldiers to get out of the way of the falling vehicles. Swinging his arms, Evac swatted several more soldiers, while Bumblebee fired another shot that sent more flying. During that time, Adam grabbed his crossbow-axe, and knocked out a nearby TRF soldier with the flat part of the blade. Santos made to grab him, but Cade suckered punch the commander, sending him to the ground. Bumblebee then pinned the man to the ground with his plasma cannon, while Evac raised his wrist blasters at the TRF soldiers, along with Adam and Cade.
"I'll burn you so bad, you'll wish you died as a child" Bumblebee said to Santos through the radio.
"Shoot them!" Santos yelled, ignoring the cannon pointed at his chest.
Cade pointed his own gun at Santos, Adam covering him. "You'll be dead before we hit the ground, asshole."
None of that seemed to deter Santos, as he continued shouting at his men. "Shoot them now! Take the shot!"
"Nobody fire!" A familiar voice yelled.
Walking out of a newly arrived SUV was Colonel William Lennox. Following him were Graham and Robert Epps. All three former NEST members were wearing the TRF uniform. "Don't do it, Bee!" Lennox shouted to Bumblebee. Meanwhile, Graham and Epps were ordering the others to stand down. "Everyone hold your fire. Both of you. Drop it." Lennox said to Cade and Adam.
Not looking at Lennox, Cade replied, "I an't dropping shit until these guys do." Adam nodded in agreement.
Lennox took a breather before looking at Bumblebee. "Hey, the military doesn't want it this way." Bee turned his cannon towards him. "You gotta believe me, Bee. It's a new world order now, and these guys are calling the shots."
"All they want is a home, and you know it. If you push them, they'll just push right back." Cade said.
Bumblebee added to that statement by moving his cannon back towards Santos. Said man was struggling, clearly frustrated at how easily he and his men were taken down so quickly.
A loud rumbling caught their attention. Transforming, Hound, Autobot commando, appeared. He did a roll and had his tri-barrel minigun at the ready. "Whoa, looks like we got us one hell of a gun fight. Sorry for the late arrival, invitation must've gotten lost in the mail! Hope ya ready, because this round mound is gonna mow you down. Translation: sayonara, suckers." Said Hound.
The tables had clearly turned on the TRF now. With three heavily armed Autobots staring them down, there was a little chance for them to walk away in one piece. Lennox knew that and tried to calm the situation down. Cade and Adam shared a glance and knew that it was done.
"Me and my crew are walking out of here. And no one is gonna follow us, got it?" He said to Lennox.
With that, Cade lowered his weapon, picked up his bag, and made his way back to the jeep. Adam followed behind him, not before giving a mocking 'peace out' sign to Santos. As they walked away, Lennox radioed command in a negative for Decepticon targets. Meanwhile, having gotten up, Santos begrudgingly told his men to stand down.
"I believe that makes the score: Autobots: 1. TRF: 0." Evac commented as he covered his human friends.
Hound and Bumblebee followed from behind. The commando couldn't help but let one last remark in. "You sure you don't wanna shoot?" Hound taunted, banging his chest. "I'm a big ol' target. No? Wusses." He said while Bumblebee made chicken noises to the soldiers.
As the group began driving out of the No-Entry zone, Santos marched up to Lennox. Despite being shorter than the Colonel, Santos had no problem glaring at the man. "What the hell are you doing? Letting them go? They're all bad." He said.
Lennox glared at the man, while Graham and Epps helped the other soldiers with checking on the wounded. The former NEST soldier had never liked Santos. The two were always clashing over various subjects, such as whose way of commanding was better or their views on the Cybertronians. Keller had warned Lennox that this might happen, and the Colonel was prepared. That still didn't make it any less annoying. "No. Not all of them. Some of them would risk their lives for us. Others wouldn't hesitate to step on us like bugs." Lennox replied.
"Yeah, well" Santos began as he started walking off. "Don't blame me when one of those 'good robots' decides to step on you." He said as he started speaking through his radio.
Epps walked up to Lennox, his eyes on Santos's back. "You know, he may not be a former Cemetery Wind soldier, but that guy is still an asshole." Epps said to his old friend.
"Yeah, we'll just have to deal with him for now." Lennox replied before heading back to base with the rest of the TRF personnel.
As the Autobots were reaching the exit, they were joined by Canopy, now in his vehicle mode, carrying Sqweeks and secretly Izabella in his passenger seat. Unbeknownst to the group, a TRF sniper fired a tracker on Bumblebee.
(Later that Evening)
The sun had begun to go down over the ruins of Chicago. Driving through the empty buildings was a black and white 2016 Ford Mustang Police Car. Upon reaching a delivery area of an old factory, the car transformed into the Decepticon Enforcer Barricade. After his injuries from Prowl three years ago, Barricade gained an entirely new body. This one was sleeker and more streamlined then his previous one. Covering his hands were a pair of brass knuckles, the words "punish" and "enslave" engraved onto them. As he walked inside the factory, Barricade activated a high-powered light on his shoulder, scanning over the darkened area.
"Lord Megatron" Barricade said.
The enforcer's lights shined over the Decepticon Leader. Megatron was sitting upon the wreckage of an old and burned out pile of cars, using it as a makeshift chair. Standing beside him was Soundwave, Laserbeak perched on the communication officer's shoulder. On his other shoulder was a black mini-con. Rumble, the twin brother of the deceased Frenzy. Like his late brother, Rumble also possessed a hyper-reactive trans-scanning and reformatting system. His alt mode, was a Gladiator Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle.
When Barricade turned to face, Megatron, the Decepticon leader raised his hand when the light shined into his optics. "Get that out of my face, Barricade." Megatron ordered. Once the light was moved did he lower his hand. "Report, do you have the talisman?"
For the past three years, Megatron has been traveling across Earth. He had been examining the recent appearance of six large horns coming out. Barricade served as his field officer, delivering orders to other field teams, while Shockwave and Blackout prepared from base, organizing Megatron's main forces. The Autobots were laying low for now, only coming out when the situation demanded it, and the TRF were interfering with some of their operations. Thus, Megatron would sometimes have to come out and see to it personally. After the past four failures, the Decepticon leader was not taking any chances in trusting others on the field to complete the tasks he gave them.
Back to the present. "I saw the dying knight crash. But the Autobots reached him first and he gave the human, Yeager, the talisman. Plus, the number of TRF firepower would've made it impossible to retrieve it." Barricade responded.
Megatron growled, and he blasted a pile of cars into parts with his Fusion Cannon. "You let the talisman escape?!" He snarled. "Without it, we cannot find the staff! Cybertron approaches and we must have it before then. Soundwave, can you track the Autobots to their base?" Megatron asked his communication officer.
"Negative, Megatron. The Autobots have completely shielded their base's position." Soundwave replied. "Furthermore, their numbers would make it difficult for us to retrieve the talisman."
"Are you saying that I would fail?" Asked Megatron, raising an opticbrow.
"Negative, however, large force of Autobots would not let you leave unscathed." Explained Soundwave. "Recommend request for immediate reinforcements."
"I think I know who can help us with that." Barricade said. He tossed a car door in front of Megatron's feet. It was banged up and scratched, but the letters on it were clear. "The TRF. Over the past three years, they have captured many Decepticons. If we could find a way to barter with them, we may be able to gain their release and grant us additional forces."
Megatron thought about this. The idea did have merit, and though the thought of dealing with these insects disgusted him, the Decepticon leader knew that it was the only option they had. Many of his forces were completing tasks assigned to them by him and Shockwave, and they were too important for the troops to be reassigned. And the Vehicons would not be of much help, though their numbers were large, their combat abilities could not compare to the Autobots.
"Very well" Megatron said as he got up. "Barricade remain here and continue watching for any Autobot activities. If you see none for the next week, then I want you to scout the nearby lands, search possible locations of the Autobots' presence. Soundwave, contact Shockwave and have him assigned any spare troops to my field team. Also, I want a report of his combiner experimenting too." Megatron ordered.
"Understood, sir." Said Barricade.
"As you command Lord Megatron." Soundwave replied. "Recommend you take Laserbeak with you. He will be able to block Autobot and TRF sensors from detecting you."
"Very well, Soundwave." Megatron said as Laserbeak landed on the Decepticon's leader shoulder. "Await my word. Soon we shall be freed of this wretched planet, and walk once again on a living Cybertron." Megatron declared before transforming into a Cybertronian Jet. Soundwave transformed into his Avenger alt mode and the two Cons took off, with Barricade assuming his Mustang alt form and drove away.
Well, I hope you like that. Next chapter, Optimus will meet his 'Maker' and we see how the Autobots have been doing these past three years. Be sure to leave a review!