Chapter 3: Angel, Devil, and Steel
Ange could hear the echoes of her footsteps as she investigated the crashed Deception Dropship. She removed the pistol from her side and held it in her right hand as she walked. The Norma girl tried to walk around as carefully as she could since the dropship looked like it would collapse on her at any moment.
"What the hell happened in here…?" She asked herself, keeping her voice down. "This whole place is nothing but a pile of scrap."
She placed a hand on the wall as she jumped down from a broken piece of metal. Looking closer at the wall, she wiped away the dust to reveal a purple insignia on it.
"That's not the Empire of Misurugi's symbol. So they probably aren't here." Ange continues walking. "What took this thing down?"
Walking even further, she came across a huge door that was barely open. The opening was wide enough that she could turn to the side and squeeze through. Coming out the other side, the Norma girl was greeted to the bodies of Decepticons, lying dead inside of the airship.
"And these aren't Para-mails… Ugh, dammit this is just getting creepier and creepier by the minute." Ange walked across the bodies of Decepticons as she approached the wall of another broken section of the dropship. "Next thing I know, something's just gonna pop from behind from one of these walls. A sudden jumpscare is the last thing I-"
Ange stopped talking as she heard footsteps. Humanlike footsteps. And they weren't her own. Wanting to be sure, she took one more step and listened out. Not even a second after, she heard another footstep from the other side of the corner of the wall. She pushed her back against the wall and held her pistol close to her face. She slowly inches herself to the edge of the corner, trying to see if whatever or whoever else was there would come out. Not hearing anything else, she pulls down the safety on her weapon and quickly steps out from the corner, crouching.
"Hold it!"
"Don't move!"
At the same time, the person on the other side did the same. Before they knew it both of them fired a shot from their weapons and missed, rolling out of the way. Both of them were down on one knee and pointing their pistols at each other. Ange's current opponent was a man with chestnut hair and was wearing a spacesuit.
"A… girl?" The man questioned aloud.
"Who the hell are you?" Ange asked.
"You first."
"Arzenal First Squadron's Leader, Ange."
"Arzenal? Is that a new division in Neo Zeon?"
"Now you."
"I'm Commander Amuro Ray, leader of Londo Bell's mobile suit squadrons."
"Londo Bell? Never heard of you."
"The same here. This is the first I'm hearing of Arzenal. Is this ship yours?"
"No. It crashed and I came here to see why."
"So you noticed the crash too." The pilot known as Amuro Ray began standing. "Then if this wasn't-"
"Hold it! Don't move another muscle until you put that gun down."
"Not as long as there's the possibility that you might shoot me. But just hear me out either way, will you?"
There was a short pause between the two before Ange answered.
"Fine. But you make any suspicious movements and I'll pull the trigger."
"There's no need for all of that." Amuro said. "Neither of us are responsible for this, and I can tell that you're just as clueless as I am in regards to what's going on."
"All I know is that something made this thing crash and killed everything else that was inside. There's a bunch of broken machines in the room behind me."
"The cockpit's what's behind me. Whatever was piloting this thing was shot and killed as well. The controls were busted too so I couldn't salvage anything from if I wanted."
"Nothing at all in there's worth it?"
"There's a radio in there that's barely active. It's frequency won't reach far.
Ange and Amuro stared at each other for a moment before slowly lowering their guns.
"Yeah, shooting each other will get us nowhere." Ange said. "There's gotta be something in this ship that can give us a clue as to what's going on."
Ange walks past Amuro, heading in the direction that he came from.
"Hey wait a minute." Amuro called out. "I already said there's nothing back there."
"I know. But I don't trust you."
The Gundam pilot just sighed, but decided to follow Ange.
"This place is already coming apart and could fall on us any minute." He said. "Shouldn't we at least search somewhere neither of us have been?"
"Do whatever the hell you want." Ange replied. "I'm not your mom. If you're so sure that there's nothing back there then quit following me. I'm gonna see just how useless this radio is-"
Suddenly the entire island rumbled, shaking the dropship and everything inside. The floor underneath Ange and Amuro started to collapse, forcing both of them to run in the direction of the cockpit. Explosions could be heard from the area behind them.
"Oh… great…" Ange groaned.
"That was close…" Amuro sighed. "This ship isn't gonna stay together much longer. No choice but to double check the cockpit and get out of here."
Ange didn't say anything as the two continued heading to the cockpit.
The rumbling at the dropship was most likely caused by the same rumbling that shook through the entire island. Shots from Optimus Prime's Ion Blaster managed to successfully blast a hole in the mountain. On the other side of another mountain range, Hilda and Salia were watching with shock as the leader of the Autobots emerged. Immediately, Salia recognized the insignia on his shoulder.
"Crap, it's another Autobot!" Salia thought to herself. "Come on Hilda, get back in your Para-mail already!"
"Shit, these things are huge…" Hilda said to herself, slowly walking back. "Why am I not surprised that we're the ones who get stuck with trouble."
"Hilda, can you hear me?!" Salia's voice came through the radio of Hilda's glaive.
"Huh?"
"It's an Autobot! Get back!"
"You've gotta be kidding me!"
[Transformers G1 OST - Under Siege]
The redhead immediately runs back to her Para-mail. The size of the mountain left the two unnoticed by Optimus, who was still unable to contact Teletraan One or any other Autobots.
"Strange." Optimus thought aloud. "I haven't come across any signs of signal jamming. And that dropship appears to be the only sign of Decepticon activity on this island. There may be a possibility that the Decepticons have occupied a nearby area and-"
As Optimus stepped out into a clearing he noticed Hilda's Glaive, the Para-mail not only stationary but also had its weapon pointed outward and unintentionally at Optimus. The Autobot quickly crouched and activated his Flak Shield, ready to defend and retaliate against any attack. Salia aimed her Arquebus' sniper rifle at Optimus, but couldn't get a good area to shoot at due to his shield.
"I can't take it out." Salia said. "Hilda!"
"I'm coming! I'm coming!" The redhead was almost to her Para-mail. "I gotta try and get back in without it seeing me!
As Hilda was climbing up her Glaive, Optimus slowly lowered his shield after seeing that the machine in front of him hadn't fired. He didn't let his guard down completely, but he was a little less cautious.
"My name is Optimus Prime." He introduced himself. "I am the leader of the Autobots from the planet Cybertron. Are you friend, or foe?"
"Did he just say…?!" Hilda thought.
"You're kidding me…!" Salia thought, gripping her controls. "First three of them attack me, and now their LEADER is who we run into next?!"
"...It appears that they do not understand me…" Optimus said to himself. "Perhaps I should try the Universal Greeting to avoid conflict."
Hilda climbed the arm of her Para-mail, getting ready to get into the cockpit.
"Any ideas, Salia?" She asked.
"An opening would be nice right about now…" Salia responded. "Hm…?"
Both Normas watched as the Autobot leader set down his Ion Blaster. Salia kept her sniper rifle pointed at him as he slowly stood up.
"What's he doing?" Salia asked herself.
Optimus cleared his throat before speaking. Though what he said was something that neither Norma girls could have predicted.
"Bah-weep-Graaaaagnah wheep ni ni bong!"
…
"B… Bah weep…" said Salia.
"Gragnah wheep…" said Hilda.
"Nini bong…?" said both.
The girls were speechless.
"Is… that some secret Autobot language?" Salia wondered.
"Beats me." Hilda replied. "And I'd rather not find out."
Optimus looked closely and noticed Hilda outside of her Para-mail. The redhead suddenly realized that she had been seen and quickly got inside of her Glaive.
"A human?" Optimus said.
"Alright not another step!" Hilda yelled out, aiming her Glaive's gun at the Autobot leader. "Make any sudden movement and I'll shoot you down!"
"Please, wait a moment. I do not wish to harm you."
Optimus quickly stepped back, dodging gunfire from not only the Glaive but also the Arquebus' sniper rifle.
"A sniper?"
"You're not going to be able to trick us, Autobot." Salia said.
"There appears to be a misunderstanding. I assure you that there is no need for conflict."
"Too late for that. Should've told your lackies not to attack me then!"
"Attacked? The Autobots would not attack unless provoked."
"That's a lie!"
Optimus activated his Flak Shield, blocking another sniper shot as well as the axe from Hilda's Glaive as she rushed him.
"I'm trusting Salia over some guy I just met." Hilda said. "Salia was flying back here when three of your goons tried to blow her out of the sky." The Glaive points at the insignia on Optimus' shoulder. "They were wearing that symbol, right Salia?"
"Right." Salia answered.
"An aerial assault for no reason?" Optimus thought. "Could the Aerialbots possibly be behind this?" The Autobot shook his head. "There must have been something else at play. That could not be the work of any Autobot."
"Then who else could possibly do such a thing other than the dastardly Autobots?!"
Turning his head, Optimus saw he was suddenly caught between two obstacles. From behind, the Decepticon Dirge had caught up to him and had his arm blasters pointed at the Autobot leader. In the front, Salia and Hilda were still cautious and ready to fire despite the appearance of Dirge.
"Another one?" Salia thought aloud.
"Wait a minute, Salia." Hilda said. "This one's got a different sign."
On the bottom of Dirge's wings, the Decepticon insignia was plain for the girls to see.
"You're right, but don't let your guard down." Salia responded.
"I was beginning to think I wouldn't catch up to you!" Dirge laughed. "Now you've got nowhere to rub, Prime!"
"Hey, you!" Hilda called out to Dirge, pointing her Glaive's rifle at him. "Who the hell are you?"
"Hold it! Don't shoot, I'm on your side in this!"
"What?"
"I overheard everything. I'm not with the Autobots, I'm a Decepticon! I've been waiting for the chance to get back at this one for what he did to my allies!"
"Your-Wait…" Salia said. "Wait, then that loud explosion we heard!"
"Both of you were involved in that?" Hilda asked.
"The Autobot leader is more dangerous than he lets on to be." Dirge replied. "He took down my ship single handedly. All we wanted to do was pass across this island peacefully. But the Autobots will take any moment to kill us, no matter what!"
"Don't feed these humans your Decepticon propaganda, Dirge." Optimus responded. "The Decepticons are the true vile group. Most likely, it was them that attacked you."
"I know what I saw, and it wasn't any purple symbols." Salia stated.
"You wouldn't catch any Deception wearing the Autobot insignia!" Dirge added on. "You can't trick these humans and get out of this one, Prime!"
Optimus thought about what to say next. But with both Salia and Hilda already in belief that he was the villain and Dirge making it worse, there aren't a lot of things that he can say.
At the destroyed dropship, Ange and Amuro had reached the cockpit, experiencing at least a few hiccups along the way with the ship coming apart.
"What was the name of the group you said you were from again?" Ange asked. "'Londo Bell', right?"
"That's right." Amuro answered. "We're a special unit a part of the Earth Federation Army."
"Never heard of them either. You sure you aren't just making shit up as we go?"
"No I'm serious. But, it is strange that this the first I'm hearing of Arzenal as well."
Ange climbed up to the broken control panel via the dead Decepticon pilot.
"Where's this thing's radio?" She asked.
"To your right."
As Amuro climbed up as well, Ange started investigating the large radio system.
"Talk about out of this world…" she said. "I wouldn't even know where to begin with operating this."
"I didn't have any reason to use it, but I was able to slightly understand how it works." Amuro replied as he walked over. "Here. Let me."
The Norma girl stepped aside as the mobile suit pilot started to mess around with the communications device. The screen below their feet turned purple with a red line flickering up and down from the center, static coming from the console.
"It's still doing the same thing it did earlier." Amuro sighed. "There's no point in messing with this thing anymore so let's-"
"Wait a minute." Ange interrupts. "Don't you hear that?"
"Huh? It's just static?"
"No, listen closer! Someone's talking!"
Both Amuro and Ange leaned in closely towards the console. While static was indeed filling their ears, they suddenly heard a distorted voice amongst it.
"-T… tobot leader is… m… an h… to be-"
"Hey, you're right." Amuro said. "That is someone talking."
"You didn't hear this before?" Ange asked.
"It was nothing but static earlier."
"-down m… ngle handed… e wanted to-"
"Dammit, I can barely make out anything it's saying." Ange stomps on the console. "Come on, clear up already!"
"Be careful!" Amuro exclaimed.
"This thing's falling apart anyway! What's a few more dents?"
"-pass acro… acefully… moment to kill u…"
Amuro started fiddling around with the communications device to try and clear up the static, while Ange continued to kick it. The more the two messed with it, the more the dialogue slowly started to clear up.
"-what I saw, and it wasn't any purple symbols."
"You wouldn't catch any Deception wearing the Autobot insignia! You can't trick these humans and get out of this one, Prime!"
"There, it's clear." Amuro said. "You can stop kicking it now."
"That voice…" Ange said. "That was Salia!"
"Huh?"
[Mobile Suit Gundam OST - Espionage In Enemy Territory]
"Salia!"
Everyone heard Ange's voice coming from Dirge's comm link.
"What the heck?" Dirge questioned aloud. "That's coming from the ship. I thought that thing was trashed!"
"Wait a minute, that was Ange!" Hilda exclaimed.
"She must be on that ship." Salia said. "Ange! Can you hear us?!"
"Hey get your own comm link!" Dirge shouted.
"Quit complaining, and start talking!" Ange yelled. "Who are you!? The hell's going on?!"
"That's no way to talk to a friend! You should be thanking me for being here to stop the Autobot leader from destroying your friend!"
"Autobot lead- What?!"
"Just know we're about to make one problem go away, Ange." Salia replied, aiming her sniper rifle. "We'll send them a message once I've taken care of-"
"Wait! Don't do it!" Amuro said over radio. "You're all being tricked by this Decepticon."
"What?!"
"Your enemy isn't Optimus Prime or the Autobots! Don't fire! There's-"
Dirge's comm link suddenly had nothing but static coming through.
"Line's been cut?" The Decepticon questioned. "Must've finally kicked the bucket from all the damages."
What actually happened was Ange pulled out her gun and shot the communications device, breaking it. Right now both she and Amuro were both trying to stop the other from pointing their guns at them.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Amuro asked. "Why would-"
"If I had known you were with them, I would've shot you from the beginning!" Ange exclaimed. "The Autobots already attacked Salia once, I don't need you to give any reason to hold back and get killed!"
"I've met the Autobots before too. Someone must've tricked your friend, they wouldn't attack on sight!"
"All I'm hearing is that they haven't shown you their true colors yet."
"You're being tricked! You have to trust me and let me go before your friends do something you'll all regret!"
"Not a chance!"
Ange pushed Amuro against the control panel, knocking the gun out of his hand. At the same time, Amuro kicked her off of him, tossing her away as she landed outside the broken window behind them. As she got back up, she saw the mobile suit pilot running away towards an opening in the cockpit. Ange fired several shots but missed as Amuro disappeared from sight.
"Dammit!" she shouted. "I can't let him get to the others.
Ange sprinted across the top of the broken dropship, running back to where the Villkiss was located. Reaching her Ragna-mail, she quickly hopped on and started up. The Villkiss flew into the air, transforming into Assault Mode as fast as it could. By the time she was finished, she witnessed another machine rise from the ground beside the dropship. The Villkiss was flying right in front of the Nu Gundam, piloted by Amuro Ray.
"What the hell is that machine…?" Ange questioned. "I've never seen anything like this. And that one wing on its back looks like a warning sign that there's more to this thing than meets the eye."
"What kind of mobile suit is that?" Amuro thought aloud.
Ange decided to waste no time as the Villkiss boosts forward with its sword in hand. Nu Gundam reaches for its beam saber and ignites, blocking the Villkiss' blade.
"We don't have time to fight like this, dammit!" Amuro yelled.
"If I let you reach an Autobot, then it's game over for Salia and HIlda!"
Breaking their deadlock, Nu Gundam flew to the side as Amuro was trying to get away from Ange. The Villkiss pursued, firing his beam rifle as the Nu Gundam dodged while turning around. Amuro fired his mobile suit's vulcans, the Villkiss blocking the bullets with its sword. Nu Gundam landed on the ground as the Villkiss was gaining, entering another clash before it kicked the Ragna-mail back.
"She's not a bad pilot, that's for sure." Amuro thought. "Running from her isn't going to be an option."
"A sword made out of a laser beam and guns built into its head." Ange thought. "This thing's full of surprises. But I can't let him win!"
Nu Gundam charged at the Villkiss, firing its beam rifle at the Ragna-mail. The Villkiss dodges the attacks before entering melee distance with the mobile suit. Once again, the two mechs entered a third clash.
On the other side of Arzenal, Salia, Hilda, and Dirge still had Optimus Prime surrounded. The Autobot leader knew that if he moved quickly he could smash through Hilda's Glaive and quickly roll away, but was trying to avoid any additional animosity since they appear to be siding with the Decepticons.
"What was with that other guy?" Hilda thought aloud. "You think Ange's in trouble considering someone's defending the Autobots?"
"Ange'll be fine." Salia answered. "Now aim. We'll go help her once we're done."
"That's the spirit!" Dirge laughed, ready to fire. "Say your prayers, Optimus!"
The Autobot leader was prepared to fight whether he wanted to or not. Before anyone could fire, they were interrupted by the sounds of tires screeching.
"What the hell?" Hilda questioned.
[Transformers Devastation OST - Autobots' Theme]
Two cars were driving towards everyone at alarming speeds. One was yellow and noticeably small in size, the other was white, green and had the number "539" written on the sides.
"Autobot reinforcements?!" Dirge exclaimed.
"Bumblebee! Wheeljack!" Optimus calls out to the approaching Autobots.
"Optimus, hang on! The yellow car boosted into the air and transformed into Bumblebee. "I'll back you up!"
Pulling out his twin blasters, the Autobot scout opened fire on Hilda and Dirge. The Para-mail rider flew backwards out of range, only to be tripped by Wheeljack who rammed straight through her Glaive's legs. The Decepticon managed to avoid Bumblebee's blasts, but left Optimus open to turn around and slug him in the face. Dirge flew back from the punch and Optimus picked up his blaster.
"Wheeljack, to your left!" Optimus called out. "Get out of the sniper's sight!"
Optimus fired his blaster in Salia's direction, alarming the girl as she hid behind the mountain in her Arquebus. Wheeljack transformed and opened fire on Dirge with a machine gun, the Decepticon hiding behind the other side of the mountain as he tried to return fire. Bumblebee was running and firing towards Hilda and Salia as he met up with Optimus and Wheeljack. Dirge suddenly transforms and flies over the Autobots, then transforms back to robot mode in front of the Norma girls. All three opened fire on the Autobots as Optimus defended them with his Flak Shield. Bumblebee and Wheeljack continued to return fire.
"Are you alright, Optimus?" Wheeljack asked. "Who are those other two?"
"Hold fire, both of you." Optimus ordered. "The two alongside Dirge are humans that are being manipulated by a Decepticon plot. They believe that the Autobots have attacked them before, but I am positive that this is not the case."
"I don't think they're in any mood to hear us out, Prime…" Bumblebee commented.
"The only way we'll get to talk to them is to separate them from Dirge. I believe I have an idea of how to do so." Optimus turns his head towards Wheeljack. "Wheeljack, I could use a smoke screen.."
"I don't have any smoke grenades on me, but I think I can handle this." Wheeljack replied. "Leave it to me!"
Wheeljack stepped out from behind cover and fired the missile mounted on his right shoulder. He shot at it with his machine gun, causing it to explode before it could hit anything and also creating a smoke covering. The girls and Dirge were all blinded by the explosion.
"Ugh, my optics!" Dirge shouted.
"They've gotta be trying to get away!" Hilda exclaimed.
HONK HONK!
The sound of a truck horn blaring was the last thing they heard before Optimus rammed through Dirge, knocking the Decepticon in the air. The Autobot leader drove off with Bumblebee right behind him in vehicle form as well. The smoke cleared up and everyone got a good look at the two Autobots driving away.
"They're heading in the base's direction!" Salia said. "Hilda, come on!"
Both the Glaive and Arquebus flew up and transformed to Flight Mode. Salia and Hilda took off after Optimus and Bumblebee while Dirge picked himself off the ground.
"Don't let the Autobots escape!" He shouted.
Before the Decepticon could transform, he was shot in the back by Wheeljack. Dirge returned fire as he strafed to the left. Running off, he tried to transform but was still fired upon. With his thrusters damaged, he was forced to transform back as he fell to the ground.
"Keep Dirge away from the humans, Wheeljack." Optimus said via radio to the Autobot scientist. "The Decepticons cannot be allowed to interfere any longer."
"Relax Optimus!" Wheeljack replied. "He's not catching up to you guys anytime soon."
Dirge ran for cover as Wheeljack continued firing. "I'll turn you into scrap for this!" He shouted while activating his comm link. "Starscream! I need an extraction team!"
Elsewhere, Optimus and Bumblebee were hauling it as Hilda and Salia fired at them from the skies. The Autobots constantly swerved out of the way of gunfire as they tried to get as far as they could from Dirge and Wheeljack.
"Hey, Optimus?" Bumblebee starts to ask. "How far do we have to go?"
"As long as there's a road for us to drive, we must put as much distance as possible between the humans and Dirge." Optimus answered. "Let's just hope there aren't anymore Decepticons nearby."
[Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2 OST - Heat To Be Filled With]
On the other side of Arzenal, Ange was flying in the same direction that the Autobots would be heading. Only in her case, she was dodging blaster fire as she was flying away from Amuro. In order to shake him off, she dove down into the mountains to get out of sight. Nu Gundam descended down, the interior being shaken around as it slid down the mountain. Amuro groaned as his mobile suit landed on the ground.
"Dammit, I hate gravity…" he sighed. "Where'd did she-"
"Take this!"
Nu Gundam quickly turned around and drew its beam saber, just in time as the Villkiss rushed the mobile suit. Wielding its sword in Assault Mode, both blades clashed. The Villkiss hovered backwards then went for another swing. Nu Gundam flew to the side of Villkiss to avoid. As the Ragna-mail turned around, it was kicked straight in the cockpit by its opponent. Ange cried out as she was shook around and partially hurt from the impact. Switching to ranged weapons, the mobile suit fired its beam rifle towards the downed Villkiss. Ange quickly pulled herself together and swiftly dodged the beam shots while rushing in. The Villkiss smacks the beam rifle out of the Nu Gundam's hands and then points its own at its opponent's cockpit.
"What?!" Amuro tensed up at the gun's barrel being right in front of his cockpit.
"Hope you're ready to die!" Ange exclaimed.
Reacting quickly, Nu Gundam grabbed hold of Villkiss' arm and lifted it upwards just in time. Ange pulled the trigger and the beam rifle fired straight into the air. Before it could reach for its beam saber, Villkiss grabbed hold of Nu Gundam's other arm, leaving the two tied up. The mobile suit started firing its vulcans at the Ragna-mail, forcing it to try and get away. Nu Gundam rushed the Villkiss and punched it in the head, and then just under the cockpit to knock it back into a wall. Ange grunted in pain as she was being knocked around by Amuro's mobile suit. The Nu Gundam grabbed its beam saber from its back and ran towards the Villkiss. Looking around, Ange spotted her sword and reached for it. Just as Nu Gundam swung its beam saber, the Villkiss held its sword up to block. The two mechs pushed their blades against one another, Ange using the Villkiss' thrusters to her advantage and pushed the Nu Gundam back. Suddenly, the Nu Gundam drew its spare beam saber from its left hand and went for another swing. The Villkiss broke the clash and quickly flew low, barely missing the beam saber as the angel head ornament was sliced clean off. Turning around quickly, the Villkiss entered another clash with Nu Gundam and its twin beam sabers.
"Ange, listen to me!" Amuro called out. "If you decide to trust the Decepticons so easily, you'll just put yourself and your friends in even more danger!"
"Oh, and trusting the Autobots is supposed to mean we'll be safe, huh?!" Ange retorted. "You got lucky, Amuro. That's all this is!"
Activating the thrusters, the Villkiss breaks the deadlock and forces the Nu Gundam's arms to the side. Jumping the air, the Villkiss kicks the Nu Gundam back into the side of the mountain. The mobile suit jumped to the side to barely dodge Villkiss' energy blade. The Ragna-mail kept walking forward as it swung its sword, forcing the Nu Gundam back as it parried and attacked with its beam sabers.
"If the Autobots found your friend first, then why didn't I have to go through what she did?" Amuro argued. "They were the first group I met here, and they came to me in a friendly manner. So why didn't your friend and I have the same treatment if we both met Autobots?"
"Just because one or two members of a group aren't hostile doesn't mean shit!" Ange responded. "I know what Salia told me, and the Autobots fired at her the moment they saw her. Like hell I'm gonna listen to them, or anybody that's taking their side!"
"And for that reason, you're trusting the Decepticons?! Another group that just showed up and are trying to push the fact that the Autobots are really the bad ones?"
"You wanna know the truth? I don't trust any of you!"
Nu Gundam missed one of its swings and was left open. The Villkiss threw a kick straight into the side of the mobile suit, sending it backwards and off of the mountain. Amuro tried to keep himself together while the Nu Gundam was sliding down the mountain, and crashed at the bottom nearing the ocean. The Villkiss slowly descended down, using its thrusters to control its fall. Both its sword and blaster were in its hands once again.
"As far as I know, everyone else here is out to kill us." Ange continued. "I don't trust the Autobots. I don't trust the Decepticons. And I sure as hell don't trust you."
Nu Gundam started to get back up, prompting Villkiss to open fire immediately. The mobile suit sidestepped and avoided the blast. Nu Gundam's thrusters activated as it flew around the Villkiss, the Ragna-mail turning and firing its beam rifle but missing every shot.
"How the hell is he so fast!?" Ange exclaimed. "The Villkiss can't keep spinning around like-"
Nu Gundam suddenly flew straight in front of Villkiss, surprising Ange as her Ragna-mail's right arm was sliced off by Nu Gundam's beam saber. The Villkiss quickly flew back before any more significant damage could be done. Now without a beam rifle, Ange could only engage in melee combat.
"Keeping up with that kind of speed is tough as hell…" Ange said, gripping her controls to the point blood was flowing down them. "Just because I'm down an arm doesn't mean-"
Nu Gundam suddenly flew out of her view at alarming speeds. Ange tensed up before sensing the mobile suit circling behind her. The Villkiss spun around and swung its blade, only to miss as its right leg was cut off by its opponent. Ange was stunned momentarily as the Villkiss was falling to the ground below. Amuro didn't hesitate to pursue as Nu Gundam flew down straight after the Ragna-mail.
"Take this!" Amuro shouted.
Villkiss held up its sword to block the beam saber of the Nu Gundam, but was still pushed down to the ground. Ange almost lost her grip on the controls due to the impact, and now had the beam saber dangerously close to her Ragna-mail's head. Even though she was trembling, she would not allow herself to be defeated. Suddenly, her ring began glowing. Amuro watched in shock as Villkiss' right arm and right leg began to regenerate.
"It's regenerating its missing limbs by itself?" He said.
The Villkiss grabbed hold of Nu Gundam with its new right arms, pushing back with its thrusters at full power. Ange let out a warcry as her Ragna-mail forced itself and the mobile suit into the air and backwards, slamming Nu Gundam into the side of the mountain. Amuro winced in pain as the impact was shaking the cockpit around.
"The vulcans are out of ammo too?" Amuro thought while trying to fire Nu Gundam's weapons. "This isn't good…! Nu Gundam was already in need of repairs when this fight started. Gravity's weighing down on me hard too."
"He's not trying, I can tell…" Ange said to herself. "Dammit! Even if he isn't trying, I barely stand a chance against this guy! Who is he?!"
"Ange! Are you alright?"
The blonde jumped when she heard Salia's voice over the Villkiss' radio.
"Salia?!" she responded. "What's going on? Where-"
The mountain started to break apart as Nu Gundam's thrusters went full power, pushing Villkiss back enough to punch the Para-mail in the chest. A surprised Ange was knocked a few inches out of her seat in the cockpit, wincing in pain.
"Ange?!" Hilda suddenly spoke up in a worried tone.
"I'm fine…!" Ange replied, clearly in pain.
"We're heading in your direction, so hold on! We're chasing after these Autobots but we'll help out!"
"What…?"
Ange was thrown around in her cockpit as Nu Gundam did not let up on Villkiss while her guard was down.
"There's at least three of them, but if we can stay together, I'm sure we'll be alright." Salia said.
"Three…?"
Ange's eyes widened as many thoughts rushed through her head. She saw the worst case scenario in that they would be not only outnumbered four to three, but also outmatched. If Amuro was able to do so much damage to the Villkiss, then with three others against her, Salia, and Hilda, it was a death wish. The Norma girl grits her teeth as her ring glows, Villkiss suddenly changes colors to red.
"Now it's turned a different color…" Amuro said.
The Villkiss gripped his energy blade in both hands, which extended to an energy sword far longer than the Nu Gundam's beam saber. Letting out a war cry, Ange rushed at her opponent. The Villkiss swings its extended blade, Nu Gundam barely avoiding it as the mountain behind it was cleaved in two.
"One swing from that and I'm finished!" Amuro said.
Knowing that he couldn't fly out of that long of range forever, Amuro thought of a way to at least get Ange off of him. Villkiss raises its sword and brings it down towards the mobile suit. Amuro drifted just enough to where the sword scrapped Nu Gundam's frame, doing some damage. At that moment, he cut all power to his mobile suit. Nu Gundam lost all power as it fell straight down towards the mountain.
"This is gonna get bumpy…!" Amuro thought.
Nu Gundam crashes into the remains of the mountain, sliding and rolling down the rocky terrain and shaking the cockpit all over the place. Amuro did his best to remain seated during each impact, all the way until Nu Gundam reached the bottom, falling with the cockpit facing up. Villkiss' colors changed back to white as its transformation expired, landing a good distance away from the Nu Gundam. Amuro activated the cameras in order to see, but didn't make any other movements. He waited to see if this would trick Ange. His body tensed up when the Villkiss picked up its beam rifle and pointed it at the Nu Gundam
"Come on, let this work…!" He thought.
Ange was contemplating on whether or not to fire and destroy the Nu Gundam, killing Amuro in the process. After thinking for a moment, the Villkiss lowers its weapon.
"He's out of it, but…" Ange thought. "I still need to know what we're up against, and what kind of machine this is."
Ange turned around as she heard gunfire coming from a good distance away.
"That's gotta be Salia and Hilda-ngh!" she said, wincing at the injuries she got from the damage done to Villkiss. "I gotta get over there! Salia, Hilda can you hear me? I'm coming to you!"
Villkiss takes off into the sky, switching to Flight Mode and flying in the direction of the two Para-mails. Soon after, Nu Gundam came back online, standing up and watching the Ragna-mail fly away. The mobile suit took off as well, grabbing its weapons before flying in the same direction as the Villkiss.
[Transformers Galaxy Force OST - Whisper of the Devil]
Meanwhile, Salia and Hilda continued to chase after and fire at Optimus and Bumblebee in their Para-mails. Optimus was using himself as a sort of shield towards Bumblebee, using his size to block the girls' view and letting Bumblebee drive ahead to scout the road. As they drove, Optimus was still in contact with Wheeljack via radio.
"Then he just jumped into the water." Wheeljack reported. "He won't be flying out soon since I took out his thrusters. But it looks like he swam down pretty far. He's probably waiting there for Decepticon reinforcements."
"If reinforcements arrive, do not engage them, Wheeljack." Optimus orders. "I'm transmitting our location to you. Head back towards us now that the Decepticons won't be an issue."
"Alright. I'm on my way."
"Optimus, the road's getting pretty thin up ahead." Bumblebee said. "I don't know if you'll be able to keep going with your size. Think we should stop here and transform?"
"It would be better if we meet Wheeljack halfway." Optimus answered. "Keep going Bumblebee."
Both Autobots sped up as the road started to narrow. With Optimus' size, it was a surprise that both sides would fit on the road. Though any sharp turn would probably result in him falling off.
"Hilda!" Salia called out to the redhead. "Swing around to the side and shoot from there!"
"What?" Hilda replied. "Why?"
"We'll break the ground under the leader and make him fall off. Then we'll rush him while he's stunned and separated from his ally. Start firing!"
"Sounds like a plan. Alright, I'm on it!"
The Glaive and Arquebus sped up and swung around to the right of Optimus and Bumblebee. Flying just behind the Autobots, Salia and HIlda opened fire on them from an angle. The Autobots could only speed up to try and outrun the two, unable to dodge them due to the narrow pathway.
"Keep moving, Bumblebee!" Optimus ordered. "They're aiming at me."
"But Optimus, I can't just leave you behind!" Bumblebee said.
"I'll catch up to you and meet up with Wheeljack as well. But you're faster than this. You need to get off this narrow road as soon as possible."
Optimus was scraping against the side of the mountain as the two came to a turn.
"I do not wish to harm them but if I can help it, I will not allow any of my fellow Autobots to be lost in this effort. Now go!"
The bullets from the Para-mails started to destroy the ground underneath the Autobots. Bumblebee was reluctant to speed on ahead and leave Optimus, but the scout followed the leader's orders. Bumblebee increased his speed and went on ahead, Optimus doing his best to cover him from the Para-mails.
"Salia, the other one's getting away!" Hilda exclaimed.
"One at a time!" Salia reponsded. "Take down the leader first!" Hilda suddenly rushes in, despite Salia's orders. "What are you doing!?"
"Getting one of the way quicker!"
Transforming to Assault Mode, Hilda's Glaive pulled out its axe and slammed it into the ground in front of Optimus. The Autobot leader skidded to a stop and fell off the side of the mountain. Transforming, Optimus slides down the side of the mountain, Flak Shield out as he blocks shots from Salia's Arquebus. Eventually, she transformed to Assault Mode and landed on the ground as well. As Optimus stood up, Hilda's Glaive landed behind him.
"You're mine now!"
Hilda wasted no time flying straight to the Autobot leader, axe in hand. Raising it overhead, her Glaive swung down on Optimus, who stepped out of the way and grabbed the Para-mail by its waist.
"Shit, what?!" Hilda exclaimed, stunned.
"I will not engage you in combat." Optimus said. "I only wish to speak to you without Decepticon interference."
"And wait for your buddies to come back? Hell no!"
[Cross Ange OST - Eiken no Hoshi no Moto de]
The Glaive managed to headbutt Optimus and escape from his grip. Flying out of the way, Salia aims her Arquebus' sniper rifle. She fired and was blocked as Optimus' shield came up in time. Hilda charged in with her axe while Salia stayed at long range. The Autobot leader started fending off both girls without going on the offensive.
"We hail from the planet Cybertron." Optimus started to say while defending himself. "A planet ravaged by the war between the Autobots, who seek peace and to compromise if possible and when necessary, and the Decepticons, who will destroy us all in order to achieve their goals."
The Autobot leader caught Hilda's axe with his shield, holding her Glaive in place as she tried to remove it and also preventing Salia from firing at him.
"All that tells us is that either one of you could destroy us." Salia said. "Claim to be peaceful all you want, I know what happened to me."
"If your misfortune was truly at the hands of Autobots, then I am sorry. I would not know what could have compelled them to do such a thing."
"As far as we know, that's a load of crap!"
Hilda's Glaive push kicks against Optimus' shield, pulling out her axe and knocking him back. Optimus kept on his feet as he continued to defend himself from both Para-mails.
"How do we know that you're not just lying to us to gain our trust?" the redhead asked.
"Perhaps your friend could describe the 'Autobots' that assaulted her." Optimus replied, ducking under an axe swing. "Do you remember what they looked like?"
"What they looked like…?" Salia thought. While everything happened so fast, she was fortunately able to recall a few details. "I remember a few things about them…" Her Arquebus began lowering its sniper rifle.
"Wait, Salia don't let your guard down!"
Hilda's Glaive rushes back towards Salia, on the defensive in case Optimus tries anything.
"One of them was black and purple," Salia started. "And I think he was able to teleport around or something. There was a blue one that was super fast. And then a grey one that was leading the group, one of his wings acting as a makeshift sword."
Optimus deactivated his Flak Shield, surprising Salia and alerting Hilda.
"Say no more." the Autobot responded. "I know who each of your attackers were by name. You were assaulted by members of the Decepticon Seekers. Skywarp, Thundercracker, and the second in command of the Decepticons… Starscream."
"Oh, how convenient." Hilda said sarcastically. "Take his words with a grain of salt, Salia. We really don't know if that's true or not… Salia?"
"The names match up…" the Arquebus pilot said.
"What?"
Salia recalled something she heard in the back of her ear. As she and Hilda were taking off to chase Optimus and Bumblebee, she heard Dirge's voice say something in the distance.
"Starscream! I need an extraction team!"
"That Decepticon back there mentioned the same name." Salia said. "It sounded like he was calling for help. If he's telling the truth then… we really were being manipulated the whole time."
"Optimus, are you there?" Wheeljack radioed in. "We could use some assistance."
"What's the matter, Wheeljack?" Optimus asked.
"Another one of those machines that the humans were using showed up, and this one's hostile! Whoever's using it is tougher than she looks! Bumblebee and I could use some backup!"
"Hang in there, Wheeljack. I'll be there shortly."
"That has to be Ange." Salia said. "I'll tell her to call it off. I need to find out more before we can determine who to attack." Salia activates her Arquebus' radio to try and contact Ange. "Ange, it's me. Whatever you're doing, put a stop to it! There something more going on here and-"
The only thing Salia received in response was static, Ange's voice being unintelligible thanks to this.
"Ange? Ange!"
"Her radio doesn't appear to be working properly." Optimus said. "We'll have to stop her manually."
Optimus transformed and drove off, heading for the rendezvous point that was previously laid out.
"I don't get it, we could reach her earlier." Salia said. "Ange, can you hear me!?"
"Quit it, Salia." Jill spoke up over the radio. "She obviously can't hear us."
"Alektra?"
"Just get Ange, now. We're picking up something else approaching just like we did earlier."
Salia was going to question what Jill meant, but she knew that their first priority is stopping a fight that she's no longer sure is necessary. Both the Arquebus and Glaive transformed to Flight Mode and took off in the same direction Optimus drove.
[Transformers Galaxy Force OST - Abort Mission!]
In the ocean where Dirge was last seen, the Decepticon suddenly surfaced. Floating in the water, he watched as three Decepticon dropships were approaching Arzenal. Two of them were heading straight towards the island while the third one flew low to pick up the seeker from the water.
"It's about time." Dirge said.
The dropship opened up as Decepticon soldiers came and lifted Dirge aboard.
"Thrust and Ramjet are in the other dropships, sir." one of the grunts reported. "What are our orders?"
"We're taking this island." Dirge answered. "Never mind those humans. Prime probably got to them by now anyway. Take 'em all out! And get my thrusters repaired too."
The third dropship headed straight for Arzenal as well.
