Notes: I brought in my own creation of a Mini-Con. Flash.
The Battle Begins
Before Unicron was to reach Earth, Optimus decided to take the space ship and meet up with Unicron. As the preparations were being made for departure, Alexis decided to stay in the command center, watching Unicron as he approached. She was so immersed at staring at the screen that she did not hear anyone come up behind her.
She jumped when she felt a set of arms wrap around her waist. The hands stayed tight and sure around her and she relaxed.
"You scared me," she said.
"Didn't mean too. Optimus is almost ready to take off. The Mini-Cons have agreed to help. Have you chosen a Mini-Con?"
"Yes. I've chosen Flash." No sooner said, a Mini-Con quickly jumped on to Alexis's shoulder. He was blue with white accenting his armor. His name was given from his quick movement.
"What about a weapon?"
"The one I used while target practicing. I'm getting a little nervous. This will be my first time in battle. I figured I would battle the Decepticons first."
"There's still a chance you might fight them. When we head out into space, they will see us and may attack. Knowing that we have sent for reinforcements, Megatron will be ready. They probably haven't noticed Unicron's approach."
"Why does Megatron have to be so clueless?" she asked as she turned to face the bot who held her. Flash jumped down. "Why does he have such hatred towards the Autobots that he can't see that a new threat is right on his doorstep?"
Starscream looked at her and pulled her close. "I don't know. I've never really understood what drove Megatron to hate Optimus so much. And it isn't because Optimus has such loyal men or because of his ability to help others. It goes way deeper than that."
"Is Megatron older than Optimus?" She might have thought it to be a silly question since Transformers do not age but they did have a sense of age as comments such as; 'kid' or 'old man' was mentioned on a few occasions.
"Yes. Optimus wasn't created until after Megatron made his first full out attack for Energon. Rumor has it that Optimus used to be another bot but was injured and..."
"Recreated as a different bot," Alexis finished. "Also that he used to be called Orion Pax. Just like Smokescreen...I mean Hoist."
"Exactly." In his arms, Starscream noticed Alexis was trembling. "Stay close to me as much as possible."
"We better get to the ship before we're missed."
-
"Does Optimus think he can defeat me?" Megatron grumbled to himself.
He had been watching the warp gate closely as Autobots arrived on Earth. He had a feeling Optimus was getting ready to strike and now the Requim Blaster was gone, he had nothing to defend himself. Not to mention, a new threat. Unicron. He didn't even know who Unicron was or what he was.
He had wondered if maybe Optimus knew of Unicron.
"Sir," Wheeljack said. He had been watching Megatron for a while now. "May I make a suggestion? Maybe you should contact Optimus Prime."
"Why should I?" Megatron stated bluntly. "He has nothing I want besides that human."
"Perhaps he knows who Unicron is. Unicron sounds like someone who is wanting to destroy Cybertron."
"I tend to agree with you on that but why should we speak to the Autobots?"
"Maybe if we combine forces we could defeat this Unicron."
Megatron stood, angered. He couldn't believe Wheeljack was suggesting an alliance. "I will not work with the Autobots. For too long have we been enemies. Too many warriors have died for the sake of the Decepticons."
"That is my point," Wheeljack said. "If Unicron is capable of destroying Cybertron, then that means he's stronger than the Autobots and Decepticons put together."
"Don't listen to him," Thrust said. "Perhaps, Sideways is working for the Autobots and said he was working for Unicron as a distraction."
Megatron looked at Thrust and narrowed his optics. He was started to get a strange feeling about his warrior. In the past week since the blaster was taken Thrust never tried to convince Megatron that the Autobots could have been tricking them.
Thrust was holding something back on him and he wanted to find out what it was. "Maybe you're right," he said. "Perhaps Optimus has tricked us and had the blaster taken from us. But why didn't you say something before?"
Thrust seemed to be taken aback by his leader's question. For a few moments he composed his words carefully before speaking. "I had to be sure that Optimus was creating a trap and then when you started watching the warp gate, my suspicions were confirmed."
Megatron thought of Thrust's explanation. Though his answer was plausible, Megatron didn't believe him. For weeks Thrust had been acting different and it was becoming noticeable by the day.
"Sir," Cyclonus came running into the room. He stood in front of his leader and saluted. "I've just noticed activity in the Autobot base. They have had a space ship built and are getting ready take off."
"What!" Then again Thrust could have been telling the truth. But if Optimus had the shield, the gun, and the sword...why would he need reinforcements? Plus Optimus would not use the blaster. He had heard that not all the Mini-Cons like to fight.
"Is the ship ready?" Megatron demanded.
"Ready to go, sir," Thrust said.
"Good. Let's move." Megatron moved away from his throne and started towards the launch pad. He was going to get to the bottom of this no matter what it took.
-
"All systems go," Sideswipe announced.
"Good," Optimus said. He looked over the bridge to his men. "I figured we would use this ship to get back home."
Red Alert turned in his seat. "The ship might have been built for an alternate motive. At least it's going to be put to good use."
Optimus nodded at his officer's comment. "Alexis," he turned to his side to see Alexis standing in a corner. Not too far from her was Starscream. Since she had no knowledge in working a ship, she stood on the sidelines, waiting for the battle to begin. "You are about to see Earth from a new perspective."
"I know," she said. "I'm getting excited to see Earth from space. Though I wish it was under better circumstances."
"You're not the only one," Optimus commented. He looked back to his men. Blurr sat at helm, Hoist managed the weapons, Sideswipe had navigations, Red Alert at the science station, Hotshot was at communications, Springer at engineering and Jazz at security. Jetfire stood not far from Optimus. The other Autobots were standing off to the side.
"Flood the hanger," Optimus commanded.
"Flood valves opened, sir," Sideswipe announced.
"Fire up the engines," commanded Jetfire. "Once the hanger is flooded place us at ¼ thrusters and move out."
"Engines fired," Springer said.
"Moving out at ¼ thrusters," Sideswipe stated.
"Take us out nice and easy," Optimus said. With a quick glance at Alexis, came an idea. "And as it so nicely put in Star Trek... 'Engage'."
Alexis looked at Optimus as she chuckled. The new arrivals didn't understand the joke but smiled anyway.
"I'm the wisecracker around here," Jetfire protested.
"Well Jetfire," Alexis giggled. "I guess Optimus beat you to the punch."
"That's for sure," Hotshot said.
"Forgive me for asking," Powerglide said. "But what is the joke?"
Scavenger looked at the small fighter plane. "One of Alexis's favorite TV shows is Star Trek and in one of the series, The Next Generation, the captain has a famous line 'engage'. He would say that line just before the ship would leave for it's next destination."
"I heard of that show," Ironhide said. "Though I haven't had the chance to sit down and watch it."
"Not many have been able to watch anything since Unicron's discovery," Scavenger said. "I do know that it has five series and it all started back in 1966."
"Sir," Sideswipe reported. "Approaching the surface of the lake."
"Take us up," Optimus commanded.
Within seconds, the ship was surfacing. It didn't take too long before the ship started to approach a high altitude. Alexis could see the bright sun but soon was being replaced by darkness. Stars started to appear the further they went up.
"Brace yourselves we are leaving Earth's atmosphere," Blurr announced.
There were a few jolts as the ship was rocked from leaving the atmosphere. When the ship stopped being rocked, Optimus looked at the view screen.
"Viewer a port," Optimus said.
Just as said, the viewer suddenly showed the Earth as the ship left.
"Alexis," Optimus said as he looked at her but saw that she was mesmerized. He looked at Starscream. "Starscream, before we get too far away from orbit, why don't you show Alexis Earth from one of the windows."
Starscream nodded and walked up to Alexis, placing a hand on her shoulder. Alexis looked at Starscream, as he started to guide her off the bridge. They walked to the nearest window that showed Earth.
"It's beautiful," she breathed.
"It's always a site when a planet is viewed from space. When I was with the Decepticons, I had a fascination in watching the Earth. I had never known why I always would look at the planet."
Alexis felt tears well up in her optics but refused them to fall. She wasn't leaving Earth she was protecting it. Then she remembered Rad and the others. "I should send Rad an email to let him know where we are and why we didn't tell them."
"Sure. I'm sure Hotshot won't mind if you use his console to send the message."
"I know he won't mind but he needs to stay at his post. I'll send a message through one of the consoles on the bridge that isn't needed as of yet."
As much as Alexis didn't want to, she turned from seeing the Earth and headed back to the bridge. "Optimus, I would like to send an email to Rad to let him know what's going on," she said.
"Make it quick," Optimus said. "The Decepticons are leaving the Moon."
"Sir," Jazz said. "If Sideways stole the Requim blaster from them, they might think that he could be working for us."
"That has already crossed my mind," Optimus commented. "Everyone be on the alert. Megatron may attack."
Alexis quickly walked over to a console and quickly bypassed into the internet and signed into MSN. To her surprise Rad was online. Before she did anything a message came in...
'What's up?'
'Too much. I don't have much time.'
'Ok.'
'Long story short, Unicron has arrived and the Autobots have left in the space ship to try and stop him before he gets too close to Earth. I'm with them. We didn't have time to tell you sooner.'
'Already! We wanted to go to.'
'I figured that.'
"The Decepticons are in target range," Hoist announced.
'Got to go. Decepticons.' Without waiting for a reply, Alexis signed out and off the internet. She quickly stood and looked out the main viewer.
"Any ideas what they plan to do?" Ironhide asked.
"We're about to find out," Hotshot said. "Optimus we're being hailed."
Optimus looked at Hotshot and nodded. Moments later Megatron's face appeared on the screen.
"You have the blaster!"
"Megatron," Optimus said. "I don't know what you're talking about. But I can tell you that the Sky Boom Shield and Star Saber has been taken from us by Sideways and a female companion."
"You lie. You have the sword, the shield and now the gun."
"If we had those weapons do you think I would have reinforcements arrive through the warp gate? A gate that I know you have been watching closely?"
Optimus's comment silence Megatron for the moment.
"Megatron if you would forget for one moment of our long battle, and take notice that there is a Moon heading this way. The Moon is Unicron, disguised."
In the background, Optimus could hear Thrust protesting to Megatron that there was no such thing as Unicron.
"Optimus," Sideswipe blurted, interrupting the two leaders conversation. "The Moon just passed Mars and will be within sensor range within ten minutes."
"You hear that," Optimus said. "A Moon will be here within minutes."
Alexis was getting annoyed at Megatron's denial. She stood up beside Optimus. "Megatron, you are delusional. Stop thinking with your vendetta. Would Optimus talk to you if he was not speaking the truth? Actually here's a better question. When was the last time Optimus has ever lied to you?
"Yeah I'm sure you are just about to say to me to stay out of this and that I'm a human who's too concerned for Planet Earth. Well take a look. Do you see a human? I'm a transformer now reasons that I'm sure you want to know but right now don't have the time. Though I'll miss Earth, my home is now Cybertron, which of course I've never been yet. Besides have you ever allowed your men to dictate your decisions? From what I've heard you are one of the best Decepticon leaders that have ever lived. Why blow it now with your men giving you the orders. I'm sure you don't like to be told what to do."
The whole room was silent. All was heard on the bridge were the sounds coming from the consoles. Even the bridge of the Decepticon ship was silent. All the Autobots were looking at her as well as Megatron.
Finally a sound from behind Megatron was heard.
"Sir, we may have a problem," Demolisher said. "A very large object is coming this way."
Megatron momentarily turned to his warrior. "What is it?"
"Sir...it's...it's...you're not going to believe this. But it's a Moon. And it looks like a Moon from Cybertron," Demolisher answered.
"What!" Megatron turned back to the view screen. "So it appears..." he trailed off. He didn't like admitting he was wrong.
"Megatron," Thrust said. "Are you going to stand there and let that human transformer tell you what to do?"
Alexis leaned over to Optimus and whispered. "Sorry for doing that. But is it just me or does Thrust sound a little frightened?"
"And a little evasive," Optimus added. Though he didn't like Alexis interfering but she did have a point to what she said to Megatron.
"I have an idea, but you are not going to like it. I'm going to provoke him."
"No. That's too dangerous," Optimus protested. "We have a matter of minutes before the battle to protect Earth begins."
"Optimus," Alexis said. "If Thrust is being evasive, what if he's working with Unicron. What if he joined an alliance with Sideways to protect himself? You've said yourself they are many in the Decepticon ranks who wish to rid themselves of Megatron. What if Thrust is one of them?"
"That's quite a hunch."
"What are you two conspiring?" Megatron demanded.
"We're not. I'm just trying a hunch," Alexis said. "Is it just me or is Thrust telling you what to do? Because from my point of view, it looks like it."
"You are pushing your luck former human," Thrust said.
"Thrust stand down," Megatron commanded.
"But sir," Thrust said. "She is making accusations."
"Tell me something then, Thrust," Alexis challenged. "If I'm making accusations then why does your voice sound like it's trembling? There have not been many occasions where I've been face to face with Megatron but I do know him more than I know you."
"Alexis enough!" Starscream bellowed. "You don't know what you are doing."
"I think I am," Alexis said turning to her friend. "My mother told me before my father left us that I had a knack for figuring things out. Every time I've ever had a feeling, I've never been wrong." Alexis was talking more to the Autobots than to anyone else.
Sideswipe turned back to his console and gasped. "Five minutes in range," he said.
"Prepare for battle," Optimus commanded. "Megatron. The only way I think we could defeat Unicron is by combining our forces."
"Ha. I would never join forces with you." Though he was directing his comment at the Autobot leader, he couldn't help but stare at Alexis. As much as he didn't want to admit it, she did make sense. He never allowed his men to dictate his actions and he never knew Optimus to lie.
"Sir?" Demolisher questioned.
Megatron growled and cut the transmission.
Optimus turned to Alexis. "Why did you challenge him?"
"As I said I was working on a hunch. If he didn't cut the transmission, we would have found the answer."
"There's no time for anything right now," Red Alert said. "We have only minutes to get into position."
"Red Alert's right. Men battle stations!" He looked at the view screen, watching as Unicron came further into view.
When Unicron was in range, Sideswipe didn't have time to say that he was now in range. The Moon, which concealed Unicron started to crack and before long shards of the Moon were blown away, revealing the robot planet.
"Don't fire until fired upon," Optimus announced. They weren't waiting long before a laser beam from the planet hit them.
-
On their own view screen, Megatron watched in amazement as the Moon shattered and revealed a large robot planet. Thrust looked on in shock, he knew Unicron was large but had no idea that he was the size of a planet.
"Now that is a sight," Megatron smiled as he watched Unicron fire upon the Autobot ship. "You will be annulated Optimus Prime. Prepare to fire at the Autobots. We get rid of the Autobots with the help of Unicron."
Thrust regained his composure. "Maybe we could..."
"Shut up!"
Thrust looked up to his leader. "Sir?"
"I do have to say, that human Transformer does have a point on one thing. I never allow my men to dictate my leadership and frankly I'm tired of hearing your blundering. On numerous occasions you assured me that your plans to get rid of the Autobots were foolproof. But each and every time I was proven wrong."
"I have only been suggesting the strategies as I am only your stagiest."
"You will keep that mouth of yours shut. I do not want to hear excuses." Megatron looked over at Demolisher. "Fire at my command at the Autobot ship."
"Yes sir," the tank said.
'He is always so loyal' Thrust said to himself. 'I need to get out of here.'
"Weapons locked on," Demolisher announced.
"Good. Fire at will."
Thrust turned to the view screen. As a laser beam was fired upon the Autobots.
-
"Sir!" Sideswipe announced as he tried to stay in his seat. "We are being fired upon by the Decepticons!"
"At this point in time, I don't care!" Optimus was also trying to stay at his station. "Hoist fire all weapons on Unicron!"
-
On a floating view screen, one could see both Transformer ships. One was closer to the orbiting Moon the other in front of a planet, called Earth. Laser fires were coming from two different locations. One from the Decepticons, the other from Unicron.
"My lord," Sideways said. "Why allow the Decepticons to you think that we are helping them?"
"Because," Sideflare said as she approached Sideways. "This will make the attack on the Decepticons all the more sweeter. Let them think we are their side and then let them crumble."
Sideways looked at his companion. "What about Thrust? He was been a very valuable ally through all this."
"As Megatron once said, 'Soldiers are expendable'. Thrust was only a pawn in this plan anyway. You better not be getting a conscious now."
"Why would I do that? I'm a spawn of Unicron just as you are. There is no way to be released from his control."
"Oh but there is," Sideflare said. Sideways looked at her with surprise. "You are so naïve. I am a spawn of Unicron but you are not."
"What do you mean?" he hissed.
Sideflare laughed. "You are a true Transformer. You were built on Cybertron but was badly damaged in a battle. Unicron took you and rebuilt your body. You were once called Beachcomber."
"Beachcomber? He was an Autobot."
"That's right." Sideflare paused. "Unicron is about to fire upon the Decepticons."
-
Megatron was smiling as he watched the Autobots get pounded. Suddenly he was thrown from his throne. Everyone was thrown.
"What happened!" he demanded.
"We were hit," Demolisher answered as he got back to his station.
"Don't point out the obvious, you fool," Thrust snapped.
"We were struck on the right side port," Wheeljack announced. "The blast came from...Whoa!"
"What?" Megatron snapped.
"We were attacked by Unicron," Wheeljack said.
Thrust looked up in shock. Why would Unicron attack them? It was not part of the plan, yet. Unicron wasn't supposed to attack until the Autobots were rendered useless.
"Evasive action!" Megatron bellowed as the ship was hit again.
-
"Optimus!" Sideswipe blurted. "The Decepticons are being attacked!"
"Well maybe," Starscream said. "They will finally realize that Unicron is a threat for both factions."
"Damage report!" Optimus bellowed as the ship swung to its side as Blurr maneuvered the ship out of the range of fire.
"So far, minor strikes," Red Alert said. "I think Unicron is teasing us."
"I wouldn't put it past him," Alexis said as she tried to stand from Blurr sending the ship off to the side. She was so glad that the boys never had the chance to go with them.
"Are we even hitting him?" Blaster asked as he tried to stay in his seat.
"We are hitting him, but it appears we are not phasing him," Hoist answered.
'Damn' Optimus thought. They were quickly running out of options. They had to protect Earth at all cost. He looked down at his readouts, where he stood, and could see the Decepticon ship under fire and themselves. There was only one thing he could think of that would help the situation and that is Megatron agreeing to help the Autobots to defeat Unicron.
He didn't care what it took to get Megatron to help. He would sacrifice himself to Megatron to get his help. He would do anything expect give up Alexis.
Quick Notes: Hope it isn't too sappy for a battle scene.