Disclaimer:Transformers belongs to Hasbro, Takara, etc . The only thing in this that belongs to me is Arcee's sister.
Somewhere in eastern Russia, at the Kamchatka Peninsula, Bulkhead was slammed against an abandoned building by his nemesis Breakdown with his mace, "Bulkhead! Imagine you and I bumping into each other in the middle of nowhere while tracking a stray Energon signal," Breakdown said as he deactivated his mace.
"Yeah, Breakdown. It must be your lucky day," Bulkhead said as he ran towards him.
Breakdown was ready for his attack. The two of them laced hands and began a game of Mercy!
"Where's your pet human? How about when I finish you, I pay her a visit?"
Well, if Breakdown was trying to push Bulkhead's buttons, his plan worked. Bulkhead pushed with all of his might and tackled Breakdown to the ground. Breakdown seemed to be amused by Bulkhead's quick reactions to his threat.
"So, the wrecker's got a soft spot!" Breakdown said as he continues to taunt him.
Bulkhead activated his mace and went to smash Breakdown's head in. However, Breakdown rolled out of the way and the mace hit the dirt ground instead. Taking his chance, Breakdown stood up and swung his hammer at Bulkhead, who was sent flying. He landed on the ground dazed. His mind was swimming from the hit courtesy of Breakdown, who began to loom over him. Ready to make the kill.
"As much as I'll miss our little reunions, hammer time," Breakdown sneered as he swung his arm back.
Suddenly the Decepticon was shot with electricity and was knocked out. Before Bulkhead faded into unconsciousness, he saw helicopters flying above them. Dozens of helicopters. Bulkhead finally passed out.
One of the helicopters landed near the knocked out Cybertronians and Silas exited the helicopter.
One of his goons approached him, "Sir, we only have the resources to transport one," the goon said.
"Take the victor," Silas answered.
"Marco. Marco Marco!" Miko said on Bulkhead's comlink as he wakes up,
"Miko?"
Miko imitates a buzzer, "you're supposed to say 'polo'."
But when Bulkhead looked around, the place was completely deserted. Just like it was before he had that little encounter with his old Decepticon nemesis.
"Miko, let Ratchet know I need a Ground Bridge."
"Engaging the enemy on your own was foolish, Bulkhead," Optimus told Bulkhead as Ratchet fixed his arm.
"Breakdown jumped me. I knew I could take him." Bulkhead retorted, before groaning in pain as Ratchet continued to mend his injury.
"Stay still," Ratchet said as he continues to repair his arm.
"But we should see the other guy, right, Bulk?" Miko said excitedly.
"Uh… yeah. About that," Bulkhead started nervously."
"You didn't torch him?" Miko asked him
"Not exactly. I figured you all did," Bulkhead confessed, earning a hum of disappointment from Miko, "When I came to, Breakdown was just…gone. I remember hearing a copter. Maybe it was Agent Fowler."
"Not me," Fowler said as he walked in, "But I have an idea who. Show me where this Concert-napping occured."
"Lord Megatron, I fear Breakdown has gone missing," Starscream said as he walked into the bridge of the Nemesis.
"The Autobots?" The warlord asked.
"According to surveillance provided by the astonishing accurate Soundwave, Breakdown was abducted by humans." Starscream corrected.
"Your point?" Megatron demanded impatiently.
"My strongest recommendation, we assemble a rescue team to hunt the vermin responsible for this outrage!" Starscream suggested.
"Breakdown is on his own,"
Megatron proclaimed.
"Master?" Starscream inquired after exclamations in protest.
"If Breakdown allowed himself to be captured by those smaller than him, weaker than him, he deserves whatever fate awaits him," Megatron declared.
"But Breakdown is a key player in our-," he stopped when Megatron gave him a face the knows all too well, "Your wisdom reigns supreme, Lord Megatron…for now."
Breakdown groaned as he came to from the land of his destructive dreams. He didn't recognize his brand new surroundings that greeted his yellow optics. However, deep down, he knew of the danger they possess. He saw machines. Drilling machines.
"What?" Breakdown grunted as he saw that metal cuffs on his wrists and ankles pinned him down.
He fought against them. Trying to break free from his binds and inflict harm to whoever did this to him. Whoever took him away from finishing Bulkhead. Whoever actually had the nerve the capture him and hold him hostage. Whoever had the nerves and capabilities to conduct their little…experiments on him later on.
However, all of his efforts didn't amount to anything. So he just…gave up fighting. Well…until Silas and fellow members of M.E.C.H. stepping into the room.
"Filthy fleshlings! Who do you think you are?" Breakdown demanded.
"We are M.E.C.H. And I am Silas."
"Release me and I will let you live! Breakdown Threatened Silas.
"I'm afraid you are far too valuable to us," Silas told the Decepticon causing him to laugh.
"Megatron will never pay a ransom," Breakdown scoffs.
"Oh, you misunderstand. We don't want a ransom. We want only you. All of you," Silas corrected.
This is where we picked up Bulkhead," Ratchet reported to Fowler as the Cybertronian computer system showed the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian far east.
"The Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern russia. Much of it was abandoned 20 years ago when its volcano first erupted. My intel reported M.E.C.H. activity there earlier today.
"M.E.C.H.? You mean those techy guys?" Miko asked.
"The very ones who know of our existence on your planet," Ratchet added.
"They must have tracked one of us there," Bulkhead realized.
"But what would they want with Breakdown?" Miko asked.
"What's it matter? They can have him," Arcee scoffed.
"Agreed, Sis, they can have him," Chromette said, "but knowing Optimus, he'll want us to rescue him."
Bumblebee buzzed in agreement, as he agreed with the twins. "Yeah. Dragged off by humans," Bulkhead said, laughed, "Guess I softened him up for them huh?"
"Yeah," Miko hummed as she looked away.
"Ratchet, reactivate the previous Ground Bridge coordinates. We will Rescue Breakdown," Optimus proclaimed.
"What?!" Ratchet said with disbelief.
"Optimus you can't be serious," Arcee said, objecting to the idea.
"I knew it," Chromette said "You want us to save him. I doubt he'll join our side if we rescue him." Bumblebee buzzed an objection.
"M.E.C.H. can melt him down for all I care," Bulkhead said, agreeing with everyone's objections. "Let the 'cons rescue their own."
"It is unlikely that Megatron would bother with an errand of mercy," Optimus explained.
"Okay," Arcee said, "But this is Breakdown we're talking about."
"Sometimes we must rise above ourselves for the greater good," Optimus went on.
"Oh what's that supposed to mean?! Breakdown's gonna be grateful and go all soft and join the cause?" Bulkhead scoffed.
"While it is unlikely that any Decepticon will choose the path of good, even they possess the potential for change," Optimus added. "Like Chromette said, I doubt that Breakdown will betray the Decepticons after rescuing him."
"I knew where this was headed!" Bulkhead grumbled.
"By 'greater good', I meant Humankind," Optimus corrected, "M.E.C.H. presents a clear and present danger."
"Prime's right, Two-ton. We know M.E.C.H. is obsessed with obtaining groundbreaking technology," Fowler added.
"Which means we cannot allow Cybertronian biology to fall into their hands," Optimus proclaimed.
"Full disclosure, We intend to pull you apart. Break you down, if you will. And we will utilize whatever we discover to develop a new generation of weaponry," Silas explained to his struggling captive and with a snap of his fingers one of M.E.C.H.'s scientists climbed on top of Breakdown's chassis. The drills that they had set up earlier moved even closer to Breakdown's plating. If Breakdown wasn't scared before, he sure is now. "I'm afraid that you won't survive the process, so thank you in advance for your sacrifice. M.E.C.H is very much in your debt."
"You are making a very big mistake, little man! When I'm finished with you, they'll have to scrape you off the floor!" Breakdown threatened.
"Since you evidently aren't squeamish, I'll allow you to watch. Are his pain receptors disabled?" Silas asked as he crouched next to Breakdown's head, glancing at the scientist as he nodded to indicate his answer, "Good. Then he won't make much noise. Open him up."
Now, Breakdown is more than scared. He is terrified! And his fear only escalated as the scientist guided a drill close to his optic. Too close for his liking. All he saw was sparks from the drill drilling into his optic before everything just went…Dark.
"Come on, Bulk! You gotta go with," Miko cried.
"Don't wanna!" Bulkhead grumbled like a 5-year-old who had been caught trying to steal a cookie before dinner.
"Bulkhead," Optimus started.
"Optimus, I'm sorry. I just can't do it," Bulkhead apologized.
"I support your choice," Optimus reassured him.
"What?" Miko and Bulkhead Sputtered at the same time with confusion.
"Given your history with Breakdown, your judgement may be clouded and thus jeopardise the mission. Besides, the decepticon may be more in need of a medic than another warrior," Optimus explained as he, Bumblebee, Arcee and Chromette stood in front of the Ground Bridge portal.
"Locked and loaded, Optimus," Ratchet said as he walked up next to him.
"Autobots, roll out!" Optimus said and with that he ran into the Ground Bridge before transforming into his alternate mode, the others followed suit, once Bumblebee passed through the portal, the Ground Bridge deactivated by itself, Bulkhead was saddened a little by the lost chance to follow. But no one was as upset as Miko is at this present time. Honestly, she's disappointed in Bulkhead for not wanting to rescue Breakdown. And she had a hard time making Bulkhead see things from her point of view.
"Fine. Happy hunting," Bulkhead grumbled, earning a groan in frustration from Miko, "Uh, what do you say? Creature double feature?"
"Sure," Miko said, shrugging unenthusiastically.
"Whoa-ho! I'm in!" Fowler said,
Optimus, Bumblebee, Arcee, Chromette and Ratchet drove out of the portal in the far east of Russia at the Kamchatka Peninsula, where Breakdown was captured hours earlier, they immediately Transformed into their robot forms, everyone but Ratchet had their blasters activated, Optimus had his battle mask activated and they looked around.
"No signs of life," Optimus observed, "Human or Cybertronian."
"So, where are they?" Chromette asked.
Bumblebee notices skid marks on the grass and beeps, when Ratchet's Energon detector started beeping. "Forget the tracks, Bumblebee. I'm picking up a faint energon signal, three clicks north by northwest."
"Breakdown," Optimus said.
"But we shouldn't be getting a reading unless…" Arcee said.
"His Energon's been spilled," Ratchet said, finishing Arcee's sentance.
Hold up! Since when do the Autobots have a drunken sailor with emphysema? Oh wait! That's just Fowler! Sprawled on the couch with a parody of King Kong vs. Godzilla playing on the television snoring his head off. Bulkhead was engrossed in the movie. Miko, however, let her disappointment in Bulkhead overcome her enjoyment of this kind of movies.
"Dinolizard vs. 5-Headed Ape. You're missing the smack down," Bulkhead remarked.
"No, you're missing the smackdown," Miko retorted bitterly.
"Huh?" Bulkhead hummed in confusion.
"What stinks is Breakdown's your arch enemy. Not Optimus'. And definitely not M.E.C.H.'s," Miko proclaimed as she climbed up a ladder to see eye-to-optic with Bulkhead.
Bulkhead sighed before saying, "Miko, you don't understand. Breakdown and me; we go way back. You have no idea the things he's done. I am not rescuing him, Okay? Not now! Not ever!"
"Duh! You don't need to bromance him, Bulk! You just need to beat him!" Miko retorted.
"Uh…what?" Bulkhead stuttered in confusion.
"No rescue, no rematch," Miko winked.
Bulkhead finally caught on to what Miko was trying to tell him all night. Eventually, he broke his gaze from Miko to the GroundBridge tunnel nearby. After just one look, he had made his decision. And he certainly wasn't going to regret his decision later on.
And the decision he had made was to rescue his longtime nemesis.
When he drove out of the portal, he transformed into his robot form and scanned the area.
When he found the tire tracks Ratchet had dismissed earlier, he transformed into his vehicular mode once again and followed the tracks.
Optimus, Bumblebee, Arcee, Chromette and Ratchet continued to follow the energon signal. The further they went into the area, the louder and faster the beeping became. "This way," Ratchet said before he continued walking.
Scouting training immediately, kicked in for Arcee, Chromette and Bumblebee, as they snuck around with their guns out and ready. When it was safe, Arcee and Chromette nodded at Bumblebee and ran off to scout ahead while Optimus and Ratchet slowly followed along behind them.
"Reading's coming from right...here," Ratchet said, in front of them, at the center of what was once a statue was a familiar part of a certain Cybertronian's body. "Breakdown's eye."
"Now that's just sick," Chromette said as she saw the Optical sensor and this disgusted all of them.
"M.E.C.H," Bulkhead growled as he saw one of their cars drive.
He saw the car drive into the train tunnel that M.E.C.H. was using to hold Breakdown captive. Knowing that there would be trouble waiting for him inside, he activated his blaster and cautiously walked inside.
"What are you doing?" Arcee asks as Ratchet plugs Breakdown's optic into his energon scanner.
"The Optic receptors might have retained the final images seen," Ratchet answered and images of Silas filled the screen.
"What do you know? Weird science wins again," Arcee remarked.
"Agreed," Chromette said as the screen displayed a clip of a drill approaching Breakdown's optic, they all gasp at what they saw when Silas suddenly appeared as M.E.C.H scientists were dissecting Breakdown in the background, he looks at them.
"Well, well. Optimus Prime," Silas said, "A pleasure to set eyes on you again."
"He's converted the optic to a two-way," Ratchet explained.
"And you must be Silas," Optimus said.
"In the flesh," Silas said, "But being that our captive is not one of yours, I have to admit I was expecting Megatron."
"Megatron doesn't rescue his own," Chromette said.
"In this circumstance, Autobots and Decepticons share a common foe," Optimus explained, "And Chromette is correct, Megatron, doesn't tolerate humans or anything weaker than him."
"M.E.C.H is anything but common," Silas added, "Our guest is yielding quite a bit of information about your biomechanics, as you can see. Although Breakdown himself can't see so well anymore."
"We don't fear you," Ratchet told him.
"Oh, but you should," Silas told the medic, In fact, I would strongly urge that you not stand your ground." That statement confused them till they saw bright red numbers counting down, they watched the numbers flick from ten to nine and even lower, they then realized that it was a bomb.
"It's a trap!" Optimus declared.
"Would this be a 'roll out' kind of trap?" Arcee asked.
"Evacuate, now!" Optimus ordered, as they began to run away from the bamb, they soon transformed into their vehicular modes and drove at speeds regular Earth vehicles could only achieve in their wildest dreams. They had barely managed to drive past the entrance with the missing gates before the bomb detonated. The force of the explosion knocked everyone back. Thankfully, no one was hurt. The five Cybertronians transformed into their robot forms and skidded to a stop a few feet back.
"So, any idea where they're keeping the rest of Breakdown?" Arcee asked.
M.E.C.H. had done considerable damage to Breakdown as they drilled their way into his proto-form. His left optic was missing and parts of his form were beginning to show wear and tear due to the work they have been doing on the Decepticon.
"Enjoying the view? Ironically, your would-be rescuers may be in more pieces than you right now," Silas remarked.
"Decepticons don't break that easy!" Breakdown retorted.
"Who said they were Decepticons?" Silas countered.
"That doesn't make sense. Autobots wouldn't rescue me," Breakdown said with confusion.
Suddenly they heard thudding sounds in the distance. Those clanging sounds immediately distracted the scientists from their work. They had heard that the town was abandoned because of the volcanic activity. They knew of the possibilities of the volcano erupting with them inside. And yet, they still chose this place to set up their operations and to hold Breakdown. One of the scientists immediately turned to the security footage displayed on the screen. They saw that the garage was being pounded as someone tried to come in.
M.E.C.H. goons immediately ran for the front line, ready to stop the intruder. But this is one intruder who has bulletproof skin and isn't even human. The intruder is Bulkhead.
"Marco!" Bulkhead said, recalling when Miko p;ayed the game with him earlier, as he had his wrecking ball mace out as he barged in, swinging his maces at the M.E.C.H. goons before him, "You're supposed to say Polo!"
"More grist for the mill," Silas whispered as he walked down the stairs.
After taking care of the goons who tried to stop him on his way in, Bulkhead walked into the area where the operations on Breakdown were taking place. Hearing the sounds of stomping, Breakdown looked up and saw Bulkhead approaching him with his mace and blaster activated. Initially, Breakdown thought that Bulkhead was here to kill him. And he didn't blame him. After everything he had done to him, he wouldn't be surprised if he did kill him.
"It must be your lucky day," Bulkhead said as he deactivated his weaponry and clenched his fist.
Breakdown closed his eye and prepared for the blow from his nemesis. However, he didn't feel the blow. Instead, he felt his wrists being freed. When he opened his eye, he saw Bulkhead breaking the cuffs off him, freeing his enemy.
"What are you doing?" Breakdown sputtered.
"Getting you out of here," Bulkhead answered as he held his hand out. "Yeah, I don't believe it either."
Breakdown didn't believe it like Bulkhead. Nonetheless, he appreciated the kind gesture. He grabbed Bulkhead's hand and allowed him to pull him to his feet.
"Can you walk?" Bulkhead asked him.
"I think so," Breakdown answered as he closed his chest plates.
Around them, red lights flashed and alarms began going off, alerting all M.E.C.H. personnel of their plans to escape. Bulkhead knew the two of them had to act fast. Otherwise Breakdown would be losing a lot more than his remaining optic and Bulkhead didn't even dare to think about what they would do to him.
"Can you run?" Bulkhead then asked him.
"Never run when you can Fight," Breakdown answered, activating his hammer mace.
"Just keep that thing pointed away from me, all right?" Bulkhead requested as he moved the hammer from his face.
With that said, they took off running. When they found themselves at the entrance to the tunnel, they were immediately met with gunfire from M.E.C.H. operative goons. Fortunately for Breakdown and Bulkhead, their metal alloy plating protected them from the harm of the bullets, which just rebounded and threatened to bring harm to the people who fired them in the first place.
"Creature double feature coming right at you!" Bulkhead remarked as he swung his mace at them.
Once they ran out of the tunnel, the two folded their hammers back into their arms. However, when they did, they were met by more gunfire from more M.E.C.H. operatives. Mixing in with the gunfire from the ground were missile launches from the air. Breakdown decided that enough was enough. A blaster appeared on top of his right shoulder and he began firing shots at the M.E.C.H. cars. One car swerved out of control after a blast and crashed into a power line pole.
"Do you have some sort of escape plan?" Breakdown asked Bulkhead.
"Yep. But you're not gonna like it," Bulkhead answered before activating his commlink, "Bulkhead to Optimus. Rendezvous to my coordinates. I'm in need of backup."
Bulkhead was right. Breakdown didn't like Bulkhead's escape plan. But right now, he didn't care. All that mattered was getting as far away from M.E.C.H. as possible. Even if it meant teaming up with his longtime arch nemesis.
An idea forming in his head, Breakdown grabbed one of the M.E.C.H. cars and threw the green vehicle at the oncoming black M.E.C.H. helicopter. The two exploded upon impact. Bulkhead continued to do what he did best: breaking things. Eventually, the number of M.E.C.H. operatives was beginning to overwhelm them. And even more M.E.C.H. operatives are rapidly approaching. Silas was the pilot of one of the oncoming helicopters. The weapon stationed on the undercarriage of the helicopter was beginning to charge. And it was aimed at Breakdown. Luckily, Breakdown managed to avoid that shot among others. Bulkhead, however, wasn't as fortunate as his Decepticon foe. The shots from M.E.C.H. were beginning to wear him down. So Silas began to fire at Bulkhead.
However, he missed. Breakdown pushed Bulkhead out of the way, tackling him to the ground. He figured that since Bulkhead saved him from M.E.C.H, there was no reason why he wouldn't return the favor and save him.
Within seconds, the two were up once again and swinging at any M.E.C.H. operative who had the guts to attempt to bring him harm. Silas watched the attack from above. He went to fire again. But the pilot stopped him.
"Sir, incoming bogies!" he reported.
"All units, disengage and initiate omega protocols," Silas said into the radio.
As M.E.C.H. were retreating Bulkhead and Breakdown didn't stop swinging their maces at them as they drove or flew off, obviously treasuring their lives. Hearing a sound in the air, Breakdown realized that it was the sound of jets.
"Your backup?" Breakdown asked the wrecker, the jets approached them and transformed, revealing that the backup was in fact Starscream and jet Vehicons. "Commander Starscream!"
"Consorting with the enemy, Breakdown?" Starscream asked.
"But Bulkhead got me out of there," Breakdown explained.
"Many spark-felt thanks, Autobot," Starscream thanked Bulkhead before turning to Breakdown "Now destroy him!"
Breakdown looked at Bulkhead for a second before turning back to his superior, "But you-"
"Do you plan on joining their ranks anytime soon?!" Starscream asked, cutting him off, "No?! Then be done with it already!"
Breakdown turned to his rival, "tough break, Bulkhead," he told Bulkhead, activating his mace. "Maybe in the next life."
He charged at the wrecker who evaded the attack and used his mace on the back of Breakdown, knocking him out.
"Destroy hi-" Starscream started before being cut short by Bulkhead's mace which caused him to be sent flying.
The Vehicons aimed their blasters at Bulkhead and an idea formed in the wrecker's head as he saw Breakdown was still knocked out, he picked him up.
"Hammer time!" Bulkhead crowd as he threw Breakdown at the Vehicons, "Come on I'll scrap all of you!" He reactivated his mace, Starscream aimed at bulkhead and began shooting when the other Autobots finally arrived. Starscream knew they weren't in the shape to battle the Autobots tonight. He knew that retreat was the only option if they also wanted to keep Megatron in the dark about rescuing Breakdown when they were told to leave him for scrap.
"Retreat!" He ordered as he and the Vehicon transformed into their alternate modes and flew into the air, while Breakdown transformed into his alternate mode and drove off. The Autobots fired more shots at them as they were retreating. They all missed. But the Autobots were comforted by the fact that they would encounter them in the near future.
"Engaging the enemy on your own was more foolish this time, Bulkhead," Optimus reprimanded. "But I am honored that you saw fit to rescue your rival. You have truly risen above yourself."
"Did you see? I beat Breakdown and bashed them all with his own hammer! I won the rematch!" Bulkhead cheered.
"I'm sure Miko would be proud," Arcee said.
"Me too," Chromette said, agreeing with her twin.
Nearby Starscream hovered above breakdown in his alternate mode, as Breakdown stopped, "One day you will repay your debt to me, Breakdown. The day it comes time to choose sides."
Breakdown transformed into his robot form, "Uh, between 'Bots and 'Cons?"
"Between myself and Megatron," Starscream corrected, surprising Breakdown, "Incidentally, I suggest that Megatron never know of this rescue. You want him to think you overcame the puny humans on your own, don't you?"
With those words said, Starscream flew away with the other Jet Vehicons. Breakdown just stood there at the center of the road shocked. Starscream is planning to overthrow Lord Megatron? He couldn't believe that by just hearing about it.
It was something that he would have to see to be able to believe.
In an undisclosed location, Silas was looking at a computer screen with the image of Optimus's face and the diagrams of Breakdown on it, "The test subject escaped, but we've managed to sanitize a location and transferred most of the newly acquired data to another facility. The diagnostic scans of the subject's vital components were thorough enough for us to initiate project Chimera. The power of the living machines will, someday soon, belong to M.E.C.H."
Next is Crisscross