Episode 03: Decepticons Attack! Pt. II
Setting: Center City, May 4th 2008
The Ambulance, or rather Ratchet, has we found out his name was, was taking us has far away from the fight has we could get. Along the way, it, or rather he had explained to the three of us what was happening. Of course at the time, none of us really believed what we were hearing or what we had seen.
"What was that thing?" Hector had asked.
"That was Soundwave, a Decepticon and a nasty one at that", Ratchet had explained, "he's Megatrons number one spy"
"Megatron? Decepticon? What are you talking about?" I asked him.
"To make a long story short, the Decepticons are bad guys who want to take over the galaxy. Megatrons their leader", Ratchet explained.
"If they're evil robots then what the hell are you!" Lindsey demanded.
"I'm an Autobot", Ratchet explained, "basically, I'm one of the good guys"
"Where are you taking us?" Hector asked him.
"Don't worry kids", Ratchet said, "you're going someplace safe"
I remember feeling terrified at that moment. Here I was, riding inside of an ambulance that was named Ratchet. Not only that, but Ratchet was probably some kind of transforming robot, just like the ones I'd seen earlier.
"Don't worry, you've got nothing to worry about", Ratchet said reassuringly.
"Oh yeah", Hector said, "then what about that!"
I turned around in my seat just in time to see the LAV-25 chasing after us, it's turret focused straight at us. But this time it wasn't alone, beside it was an Abrams Main Battle tank and the A-10 Thunderbolt above them chasing after us.
"Uh-oh", Ratchet said, "looks like we gotta problem"
"You think!" Lindsey said.
I watched has the Decepticons chased after us. And then suddenly, a SWAT van came out of nowhere and crashed into the LAV-25, which in turn crashed into the Tank, knocking them both into a building. The SWAT van then transformed and started shooting at the A-10 that was in the sky.
"Way to go Ironhide!" Ratchet said has he sped through the city.
"Ironhide?" I asked.
"He's another Autobot, Optimus's second-in-command"
"Who's Optimus?" Lindsey asked.
"Leader of the Autobots", Ratchet explained, "and my commander in chief"
At the time, I thought it impossible to absorb all the information that was being given to me. I was convinced that it was all just a very vivid dream, and that I would wake up in my bed. I glanced over at Hector and Lindsey. They both looked has confused and scared has I felt.
"Here we are kids", Ratchet said coming to a stop.
The doors opened and we all scrambled out of it. After we did, Ratchet transformed into his robot mode.
"You kids should be alright now", Ratchet told us, "get to someplace safe"
Ratchet then transformed back into an ambulance and sped off towards the battle, leaving the three of us very confused.
"So what now?" Hector asked after a long silence.
"Now we get as far away from here as possible", I said.
"You know Willis, I think that's the first good idea you've had in a long time"
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"They've got us surrounded!" Jazz yelled has he hid behind a fallen building, "we're more boxed in than a birthday present!"
"Don't let up!" Ironhide ordered, "we've gotta hold this position until Optimus and Ratchet get here!"
Ironhide, Jazz, Wheeljack, Outback, and Sideswipe had managed to get themselves pinned down by the Decepticons who were hell bent on destroying them. On the ground, Overkill, Soundwave and Scourge were unloading every weapon they had intent on destroying them, while Skyward, Starscream and Thundercracker continually bombarded them from the air.
Ironhide scowled has he surveyed the battlefield. They had allowed themselves to be boxed in by the Decepticons and now they had no escape route. That was until Ironhide noticed the downed building that formed a perfectly shaped ramp, giving Ironhide an idea.
"Sideswipe!"
"What do you need Sir?" Sideswipe asked.
"On my command, transform and head towards that ramp has fast has you can! Everybody else, cover Sideswipe!"
"Yes Sir!" the Autobots said in unison.
The only problem with Ironhide's plan was, that Overkill was standing directly in front of the rampway. The massive Decepticon was firing his shoulder mounted plasma cannon, wrist plasma cannons, and two photon rifles he had in his hands at anything that moved. "You just stay there", Ironhide thought to himself.
Ironhide put away his photon rifle and activated the plasma cannon he had stored in his right arm and aimed it at Overkill.
"Sideswipe, now!", Ironhide yelled has he fired his plasma cannon.
A huge blast of purple energy flew through the air and hit Overkill square in the chest, knocking the Decepticon to the ground. At the same time, Sideswipe transformed into a Ferrari and sped towards the ramp, while the Autobots provided cover fire for him.
Sideswipe sped up the ramp and straight into the air, right where Skywarp was hovering. Skywarp didn't have enough time to move out of the way, and Sideswipe transformed into his robot form and tackled Skywarp, knocking the helicopter out of the sky and sending him tumbling to the ground. This left a hole in the Decepticons perimeter around the Autobots.
"Charge, now!", Ironhide ordered.
The Autobots charged the Decepticons, who quickly started to lose ground. In the air, Starscream and Thundercracker launched a devastating strafing run on the Autobots, flying low over them and firing their weapons. Has they flew overhead Jazz leapt into the air and grabbed one of Starscreams wings pulling him out of the air.
Meanwhile, Outback and Wheeljack had Soundwave pinned down with gunfire, and Thundercracker was frantically trying to evade Ironhide's photon rifle. Everything seemed to be going perfectly well for the Autobots. The Decepticons were starting to fall back, that was until Megatrons showed up.
"Enough!", he yelled firing a massive blast of red energy from his hyper cannon.
The blast hit the ground right in front of the Autobots sending them all flying.
"Uh-oh", Wheeljack said.
"It's Megatron", Outback said.
The Autobots watched in horror has the massive Cybertronian Tank crept towards them. It was much bigger than any Earth tank, and instead of treads it hovered. It's main weapon was a massive hyper cannon, in addition to two double-barreled plasma cannons. The only one not intimidated by Megatron, was Ironhide.
"Autobots, form up on me. We can't let this oversized trash compactor destroy this city", he said.
Megatron transformed into his robot mode. In his robot form, Megatron stood taller than any of the Autobots or Decepticons. Has Megatron slowly walked towards the Autobots, his Decepticons stood behind their leader.
"So", Megatron said, "you puny Autobots think you can defeat me?"
In response, Sideswipe fired his photon rifle at Megatron. The shots hit him across his shoulders and chest, and did nothing except cause a few minor dents and scratches.
"It looks like I'll need to teach you a lesson", Megatron said, "obviously your leader hasn't taught you to respect your superiors"
Megatron raised his left arm and fired the double-plasma cannon that was mounted on it. The shots hit Sideswipe square in the chest and knocked him to the ground.
"Decepticons, destroy the Autobots", Megatron ordered.
"Not so fast Megatron", a voice said.
Megatron stopped in his tracks and whirled around.
"Optimus Prime!", he shouted.
The Autobot leader stood confidently with Ratchet at his side.
"Surrender now Megatron, or suffer the consequences", Optimus said forcefully.
"Never!", Megatron snarled firing his hyper cannon at Optimus.
Optimus dove behind a building and pulled out his photon rifle.
"Attack!", he ordered.
Thundercracker, Starscream, and Skywarp all took to the air and started launching aerial attacks at the Autobots. Overkill transformed back into his tank form and backed up down the street, firing his main cannon has he went while Scourge and Soundwave took cover behind some wrecked cars and fired their weapons at the Autobots.
"Prowl, Jazz, Wheeljack, you three keep the Seekers off our back!", Optimus ordered.
"Yes Sir!", Prowl said has he transformed back into a police car and sped down the street, Wheeljack and Jazz followed him in an attempt to lure away some of the Decepticons.
The ploy worked, Thundercracker and Starscream took off after the three Autobots, but Skywarp stayed put. Sideswipe, Ironhide, and Outback however, were pinned down by the continuous firing of Overkills cannon.
"Ratchet, you're with me", Optimus said, "the rest of you cover us. Overkills giving the Decepticons long range support and we're gonna take it out!"
"You got it Optimus", Ratchet said.
The only problem was, to get to Overkill they had to get past Megatron, Scourge and Soundwave, but not for long. The three Decepticons were standing underneath a building, and from where Optimus was he, had a perfect shot at it. Optimus fired his photon rifle directly above Megatron, causing a portion of the building to fall on top of him, and burying Soundwave and Scourge beneath the rubble, but it wouldn't stay that way for long.
"Now!", Optimus ordered has he transformed into a semi-truck.
Ratchet followed him has they sped down the street towards Overkill, who started firing his cannon at them. Close together, the two Autobots were practically a single target for Overkill.
"Evasive maneuvers!", Optimus ordered, "hit him from the sides!"
Optimus and Ratchet spread apart on opposite sides of the street, forcing Overkill to focus in on one target rather than the both of transformed into his robot form and tried to move his way out of the oncoming pincer movement, but it was too late.
Ratchet and Optimus both transformed and lunged at Overkill from both sides. Overkill's huge size and bulk made it impossible for him to move out of the way in time. A punch to the face from Optimus and a jab in the stomach from Ratchet sent Overkill flying backwards.
With Overkill out of action the Autobots that were pinned down by his cannon could now advance.
"Charge!", Ironhide yelled has he ran towards the Decepticons.
Scourge stayed put firing his rapid-fire beam cannons,trying to keep the Advancing Autobots at bay with suppressive fire. Outback fired a well aimed shot from his beam rifle that hit Scourge square in the chin knocking him down and causing his shots to fly widely all over the place, hitting Soundwave in the process.
"You fools! Don't let these useless pieces of scrap beat you!", Megatron scolded, "get up and fight!"
"You're beat Megatron", Optimus said, "give it up"
"Never!", Megatron snarled lunging at Optimus.
In a blur Optimus quickly raised his plasma pistol and fired. The purple blast of plasma hit Megatron square in the face. Megatron shrieked in pain has the plasma melted away at his armor.
"Decepticons, retreat!", he ordered.
Before the Autobots could stop them, seven warp gates opened up behind each of the Decepticons, and like a black hole, sucked them into them.
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Setting: Cody House, May 4th 2008
I remember sitting at my house and watching the news with Lindsey and Hector, our eyes glued to the TV in the living room. I sat in my chair leaning so far forward that I was almost horizontal.
"Authorities still have not released any information regarding today's apparent terrorist attack", the woman on the news said, "although eyewitnesses are claiming to have seen U.S. Military vehicles participating in the attack, while other questionable witnesses also claim to have seen giant robots"
"Well I guess we weren't the only ones who saw them then", Lindsey said has she watched.
"Shh", Hector said, "I'm tryin' to listen"
"There has been widespread criticism of the lack of military response to the attacks until after they had ended. Critics are saying since there are several military bases in the area, they could've prevented most of the damage"
"Damn right they could've", Hector agreed, "you'd think they would've been all over it"
"However, military and government officials have not disclosed any information regarding the slow response or the attacks. We'll be taking a break now but stay tuned because we'll be back later"
I leaned back in my chair has the pointless commercials started playing all over the TV. I still couldn't believe that it had happened, and that the witnesses who said they saw giant robots were right on the mark. My thoughts were interrupted by Lindsey getting up.
"Where you going?", I asked her.
"To tell someone about what we saw", she answered.
"What? Why?", Hector asked.
"Because, Hector, it's the right thing to do"
Before I even realized what I was doing, I had leapt out of my chair and carefully put a hand on her shoulder. We had stopped by a hospital to have her harm looked it. It would heal fine but it was in a sling.
"Wait", I said, "you can't do that"
"Oh? And why not?"
I stopped in my tracks, realizing that I had no answer for her. After thinking about it, I realized that she was right, that we should've told someone what we had seen. Yet something was holding me back for some reason. I let her go and felt my hand fall to my side.
"Look, I don't get what happened either, but I really think we should keep what we saw to ourselves", I said.
Lindsey crossed her arms and straightened up.
"And why should we do that? Those things destroyed half of downtown!"
"What about the one that protected us?", I asked her, "Ratchet didn't seem to eager to destroy everything like some kind of monster"
"Willis that doesn't matter. What matters is that we saw something, and we should tell someone about it", Lindsey said matter-of-factly.
That was Lindsey for you. She always had to do everything by the book, there could be absolutely no compromise for her.
"Hector, what do you think?", I asked him.
"I don't know man", Hector replied, "I mean, maybe we should tell someone about what we saw"
"Well no matter what you do, I'm keeping this to myself", I said firmly.
"Fine", Lindsey said rolling her eyes, "be that way. But I really think we should tell someone about this. It could be really important"
"Look", I said to her, "do you really think anyone is going to believe that we saw regular old cars turn to robots, and start talking to us?"
Lindsey opened her mouth to reply but then stopped when she realized that what I was saying had some merit to it.
"Fine", Lindsey said after a long while, "but if something happens, I'm going straight to the Police"
After that was settled I sat back down on the couch and sighed. I was exhausted, and needed a good, long rest.
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Setting: Earth, Autobot HQ May 4th 2008
"Optimus Sir, I think I figured out the reason the Decepticons attacked the city", Wheeljack said from Teletraan I's console.
Optimus and the other Autobots gathered around their main computer has Wheeljack reported his findings. The Science Officer keyed in a few commands on the keyboard and brought up a 3D display of the city.
"Since we all know what happened today I'm not going to go over that", Wheeljack began, "what I want to tell you about is the reason that the Decepticons went after that city. We all know that Megatron's not the type of blood thirsty monster that goes around attacking randomly, so there's gotta be a reason right?"
Wheeljack pressed another button on the keyboard and the image on the computer screen changed. This time showing what was underneath the city.
"That's an energon deposit", Sideswipe said, "it's huge"
"Yeah", Wheeljack said, "the Decepticons must've detected it using specialized sensors because I only stumbled upon it by accident"
"That much energon can power a battleship the size of Nemesis or bigger", Ironhide grunted, "no wonder the Decepticons attacked there. They wanted to set up a mining station"
"I'd say we're gonna have to keep an eye on that area Sir", Outback said, "that city's a sitting duck and if I were a bloke like Megatron I wouldn't ignore that"
"You're right", Optimus said, "Prowl, I want you and Sideswipe both constantly watching that city"
"You got it Boss", Sideswipe said.
"I want the rest of you ready to move on a moments notice", Optimus said, "Megatrons not the type to take defeat lightly. Ironhide, I want you to organize recon patrols"
"Yes Sir", Ironhide said.
"We can't let the Decepticons cause anymore damage"
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Setting: Center City, California, May 4th 2008
The U.S. Military Colonel stood patiently waiting for his superior officer to arrive. After the initial search and rescue operations had been carried out his unit had moved in and taken control of the situation. The vast majority of the downtown area was locked down, with only a few people allowed in.
The Colonel, despite his rank, appeared rather young. His sandy blonde hair had not yet started to turn gray, and his face still had a youthful look to it. Despite appearing composed, he was very nervous. The General was not one who liked incompetence, and the Colonel was not going to give it to him.
Finally, the helicopter landed and the General stepped out of it. Even though the man was only slightly taller than the Colonel, he seemed much larger. His eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses and he had a bushy brown mustache. His back was ramrod straight and his commanding authority made him all the more intimidating.
"Talk to me soldier", the General said in his gruff slightly southern voice, "what have you found out"
"We were attacked by what appear to have been U.S. Military vehicles", the Colonel reported, "witnesses report seeing other vehicles used as well, and from what we've gathered there were roughly between a dozen and twenty in all"
"Vehicles?", the General asked, "no soldiers?"
"No Sir", the Colonel said, "that's the only information we could acquire that made sense"
The two officers made their way to the Command Tent that had been set up. They both walked brusquely into the tent and the Colonel led his superior to the many computer consoles that had been set up.
"We confiscated every traffic camera and other recording device we could find", the Colonel said, "this is what we found"
The Colonel pressed a button on the keyboard and brought up several images. They all showed various military vehicles and cars demolishing the city.
"These have all been identified has the ones that took part in today's attack", the Colonel explained, "now watch this"
The Colonel pressed a button and the images changed. The same vehicles were there, but in radically different forms. Instead of fighter jets and sports cars, they were robots. One picture showed an M1 Abrams tank transforming into a robot.
"We're still analyzing this information, but from this and what we've been told by witnesses the robots you see here exist", the Colonel said, "also, has you know last night several of our bases in the Mojave got hit, and witnesses reported seeing giant robots"
"Keep searching", the General ordered, "I want you to follow up on every single lead you can find. Is that understood?"
"Yes Sir", the Colonel said.
"Do not speak a word of any of this to anyone outside The Unit with appropriate security clearance", the General ordered, "send me everything that you have at once".
After that the General turned on his heel and abruptly left. Upon leaving the Command Tent, the General took notice of the black SUV parked outside waiting for him. He knew immediately who it was and walked towards the SUV.
"It's what we suspected isn't it?", the Woman asked.
"Yeah", the General grunted, "how do you wanna proceed Ma'am?"
"Our first step is to locate them", the Woman instructed, "we can decide what to do then"
"Understood Ma'am", the General said, "what about 'it'?"
"This only confirms what we already suspected", the Woman said, "the UFO that crash landed last night did indeed have intelligent life onboard"
"Whatever sort of life was onboard got loose", the General said, "you'll have the full report tomorrow"
"Excellent", the Woman said.
"I never thought I'd be planning for an alien invasion", the General said.
"The invasion has already happened", the Woman said, "we just have to prevent the conquest of the planet"
PKendall317: And here you have Episode 03. Number four should be up pretty soon so sit tight and relax.