Notes: I have placed G1 Perceptor in this story but gave him a different name but he's still the same, Microscope. His name is Micro. I may place other G1 characters that have already been replaced in Armada but will give them a different name. There was a mistake made but it has been corrected.
Last of the Quiet Moments Last of the Quiet MomentsAlexis walked into the medical bay knowing she had to prepare for battle but she had to check to see how Red Alert was doing with Sideways. For a few moments she watched Red Alert work. Not too far from Red Alert was the Autobot leader. He stood off to the side, allowing his science officer work. He knew Red Alert needed as much space as possible.
While watching, she remembered back she first met the Transformers, how they were so alien to her. She went from being scared of the Autobots to considering them as family and even falling in love.
"How's it going?" she asked.
"I've integrated the chip but the problem is his system is almost rejecting it. It's as if Unicron reprogrammed him not to accept the chip," Red Alert said as he turned towards Alexis.
"I'm sure there's a way. Why else would he have kept the chip? I mean, if I was powerful like Unicron, I would have had the chip destroyed so there wouldn't be no way to link Sideways to Autobots."
"Alexis, Red Alert. You have one hour to try and get Sideways operational," Optimus said. "If it can't be done in that time then Sideways will have to fight for himself. We will not be leaving him here."
"Yes, sir," Red Alert said. He turned back to work.
Alexis nodded and began to help Red Alert.
With a sigh, Optimus left the medical bay and headed towards the command center. Once inside, he proceeded to contact all bots. "All Autobots and Decepticons. Today is the day. We depart in one hour."
"About time," Megatron grumbled from behind the Autobot leader. "I'm getting tired of looking at these confined walls."
Optimus turned to his rival. "I should warn you after you left the medical bay, Sideways gave us some valued information. However, the information is a price."
"And what price is that?"
"Unicron is fueled by anger."
"Anger!" Megatron went quiet for a moment. "Then that means…"
"It means our feud has been keeping Unicron alive and has given him the strength to attack. I believe for now, we keep this amongst ourselves. The only other ones who know are Alexis and Red Alert."
"Agreed. It would create too much confusion amongst the ranks. What about the reinforcements?"
"Our reinforcements are ready to attack at our command. It would be best to keep them in the dark for now, as they could end up being infiltrated. They do not the full power of the Sideflare."
"As soon as we get off this miserable excuse for a planet, we'll send our forces to attack. Until we regroup, we'll be vulnerable."
"Agreed. But remember Megatron until this battle is over…"
"My men know their orders. We will not fire upon you until this is over. And when this battle is over, chances are both factions will need rest. Once Unicron is out of the way, I won't have the need to be nice."
"I'm surprised you'll be considerate to allowing everyone to rest up."
"I may be going soft cause of that girl but she has good points. Why attack you when you're down when it will be more glorious to fight you while we're on even grounds."
"You leave her alone or…"
"Or what Optimus? Besides, why would I want to be around that despicable former human? She made a mockery out of me. She will pay for that."
"Just stay away from her," Optimus warned again and walked away.
Megatron glared at his retreating back. I'll be around her when ever I want and there's not a damn thing you can do about it.
-
As the Decepticons began to board the ship, Starscream watched from a corner. He was going to watch his former leader to be sure he would not touch Alexis again. It was infuriating that she was with Red Alert. When she'd leave to come here, she could be distracted. Hopefully Swindle would be able to help her if she got cornered again.
When Megatron came into view, Starscream backed further away.
"First a traitor, now a spy?"
Starscream turned to see the Thrust. "Who's the traitor? At least my betrayal was common knowledge. On the other hand, you completely fooled both factions."
"Speaking of factions. I see you've changed symbols. I'm sure switching symbols had a lot to do with a girl."
"For your information, Alexis had nothing to do with that. Why should I continue to wear a faction symbol that I betrayed? It didn't make sense."
"Your pathetic."
"Ever looked in a mirror lately. You do realize once this mission is over, you will be…"
"Perhaps. I may be able to get in Megatron's favors. Where I was…shall we say advanced to the other side…I may have some tips to figure out his weakness."
"Don't you mean where you were betraying Megatron, you were able to get tips." Starscream turned back and walked away from Thrust. He walked up the ramp to the ship and past Megatron.
"Spying on me were you?" Megatron mocked.
"Someone has to. You have gone back on your word before," Starscream responded. "Hopefully Alexis and Red Alert can get Sideways activated." He continued on into the ship, ignoring Megatron.
Megatron turned and walked down the hallway. When he stopped he noticed he was by the medical bay and knew Alexis was inside. He peaked in and watched for several minutes while Alexis and Red Alert attempted to bring Sideways back online.
"There's got to be something we're missing," Alexis said. "We only have another half hour."
"I agree." Red Alert moved away from Alexis to monitor Sideways. "Come on Sideways," he mumbled to himself. "You were once Beachcomber, you loved life."
A beeping on the monitor quickly brought Red Alert around. "Alexis! I think he's trying to come online."
Alexis looked down. For several seconds she watched. "I don't see…wait!" She took a closer look and gasped as she saw one of his fingers move. "He's moving."
Red Alert moved back over to Alexis. "That's good."
"What's good?" Megatron asked.
Alexis turned to the sound and gave a slight shiver. The shiver was unnoticed by the Autobot science officer.
"Sideways is coming back online," Red Alert said as he continued to watch Sideways.
"W…where…am…I?" Sideways groaned.
"You're lying in the medical bay of Autobot headquarters," Red Alert answered.
Sideways tried to get up but was too weak. "What did you do to me?" he tried to demand.
"We placed your memories, which were embedded in Thrust, back into your memory banks," Alexis said. "You were once known as Beachcomber, an Autobot."
"You won't get any information out of me."
"We will if you want to live," Megatron grumbled. "Chances are you've been considered a traitor in Unicron's optics. So you can either live by tell us if Unicron has any other weaknesses or you can live with suffering. Frankly I like the suffering part."
"Those are my options?" Sideways asked sarcastically.
"Sideways," Alexis began. She quickly looked at the Decepticon leader and guessed that Optimus told him what Sideways said before. She turned back to the motorcycle. "We know you were once Beachcomber, an Autobot who had compassion for other living things. If you search you will see that your memories have been reintegrated and you can be that Autobot again."
"Why would I want to be him? Beachcomber was foolish. He agreed to most of Primes ideas and never once complained of an order."
"You have lived millions of years as an evil being. You can put away that evilness and be the bot you once were. I am willing to help you."
Sideways optics widened in surprise. "You would help me though I tried to have your friends killed."
"But that wasn't you. That was a Transformer who was programmed to make evil happen." Alexis held her hand out towards Sideways. "I can help you as I helped Starscream. Starscream is a better bot now and he was created to be evil. There was no other side to him."
"I have admired you when you were human. What makes you so special?"
"Enough!" Megatron shouted. "I'm getting tired of this candy talk." Megatron grabbed his gun and aimed it at Sideways. "You will talk or you will suffer. What's your choice?"
"For someone who told his men not to fire upon the enemy is contradicting himself," Alexis said angrily in a soft voice.
"You stay out of this," Megatron growled. But why would her voice go soft, he was told Kiaudica could only come out when the girl was human. "This is not you concern."
"All personal," Optimus's voice rang through the base. "We depart in a few minutes."
"Morons," Megatron hissed. He turned and stormed out of the room.
"Let's go," Red Alert said.
He walked over to one side of Sideways as Alexis was on the other. The two of them grabbed Sideways' arms and lifted him off the metal slab. For Sideways, he was too weak too stop them.
"Where are you taking me?" he demanded.
"You're coming with us," Alexis said. "It's time to face Unicron."
-
The three bots walked into the hanger and were greeted by Optimus and Starscream. Alexis looked at Starscream with a slight smile. A smile to say that she was glad he waited for her. Starscream nodded and walked towards them.
"You three are the last to board," he said. "Here Alexis, let me take him. You get on board."
"Thanks," she said. She released Sideways' arm and allowed Starscream to take her position. She turned and walked up the ramp as she passed Optimus, he placed a gentle arm on her.
"Go tell the boys you're here," he said.
"Huh?"
"They arrived short time ago and begged for me to let them board. With the Mini-Cons help that is. So they're on bridge and would like to see you."
"You're kidding." She slightly turned her head. "This was Rad's idea, I'm sure," she said to herself out loud.
"Even so. They are valued members of the team."
Alexis looked back towards her leader. She nodded her head and quickly left for the bridge. When she arrived she came to see Billy and Fred arguing over something and Cyclonus about to say something.
"Hey guys," she said, drawing everyone's attention.
"Alexis!" The boys said together. The four boys ran over to her.
Alexis bent down and allowed the boys to pile into her hand. "It's not very often you've got to see me like this."
"No, it isn't," Rad agreed. "But it's still good to see you."
"Some of the students have asked about you," Billy said. "But all we've all said that you have moved."
"Bothersome brats," Megatron growled. "We're about to against Unicron and you have to talk babble."
"That's enough Megatron," Optimus said as he came into the room. "Flood the hanger and take us out."
"Yes sir," Sideswipe announced.
As the Autobots did their work with the Decepticons constantly watching them, Optimus continued. "Megatron these kids, as you know, are our friends. If it weren't for them, we would have never found the Mini-Cons."
"I will agree with you there. Their puny size helped the Mini-Con hunt immensely."
"Boys, stay with Alexis as much as possible. Scavenger show Alexis where the escape pod is, in case the kids need to get out."
"Yes sir." Scavenger got up and escorted Alexis off the bridge.
As the two bots, with the kids, walked, Scavenger couldn't help but smile. He missed hearing the kids chatter on like ants at a picnic. Out of the corner of his optic he could see Alexis smile. Though she was now used to being a robot, she still missed her old life terribly.
"Here we are," Scavenger said. "You even have a good view of the action. But I'm sure you'll want to be on the Bridge. But when one of us to get out of here…"
"Don't worry," Carlos said. "We'll be gone."
"Good. Alexis to open the hatch, just push this." Scavenger pointed. "Now let's head back to the bridge, we're approaching Unicron."
-
"They have returned," a voice said.
"So the battle will begin now?" Sideflare asked.
"Not just yet, we're going to toy with them. As soon as it reaches the Decepticon ship you will be dispatched. There are some ships behind us. I need you to find out how many."
Sideflare continued to watch as the Autobot ship made it's way towards the Decepticon's ship. When it arrived, Sideflare quickly turned and left with static to see how many ships there were. Once she was off of Unicron she began to fume, knowing Unicron couldn't sense her thoughts when she was away from him.
How dare he. He's now using me as the puppet. Too bad I couldn't get away from Unicron as Sideways did but he was not even his creation, she thought as she approached Mars. When she reached the other side, she was quite surprised to see the number of ships. Just about the same amount of Autobots as there were Decepticons.
They really did join forces. Unicron doesn't stand a chance as the two factions work side by side. Maybe I could get away from Unicron after all. All they need is Unicron's weakness and Unicron will be destroyed. And if I sever all ties to him, I won't be destroyed in the process.
She decided to go up to the nearest ship and entered. It took her a few minutes but she eventually found the bridge. Upon entering she noticed they were all Autobots.
"Sir," one of them announced. "Optimus Prime's ship has left Earth's orbit rendezvous with Megatron's ship."
"Thanks Hound. All right gentlemen," a tall one announced. "Prepare to go into action. Optimus will give us a single when to come out of hiding."
"Ultra Magnus," another said. "Do you think Unicron knows of our Armada?"
"He probably does know but doesn't know how many of us there are," Ultra Magnus said. "Kup, what's the status of Unicron?"
"He's just standing there, not responding to Optimus."
Sideflare smirked as how she was going to help the enemy. She was going to inadvertently give the enemy the one thing needed to get rid of Unicron forever and as long as she wasn't within Unicron, she'd be safe.
Turning up her audio receptors, she began to whisper. "Anger. Weakness."
"What was that?" Kup asked.
"What was what?" another bot answered.
Kup turned, facing the Autobot. "I just heard something."
"Must be your mind playing tricks on you again."
"Hot Rod," Ultra Magnus said. "This is no time for jokes."
"Anger. Weakness." A whisper so soft, it sounded like wind.
"There it is again," Kup said.
"I heard it," Ultra Magnus responded. "There has to be some logical explanation for what that sound is."
"Maybe someone trying to communicate with us?"
"Could be, Arcee," Ultra Magnus said. He turned to the only female Autobot on the ship. "This is a huge risk bringing you along."
"Elita-One asked me personally to go," Arcee defended.
"Sir, we are being hailed by Optimus on a coded frequency."
"Put him through." Ultra Magnus watched as the view screen turned into Optimus. Behind him, Megatron was clearly visible.
"Ultra Magnus," Optimus started. "Signal the fleet, so all may hear what has to be said."
Magnus nodded. He quickly pushed a button. "Signal opened."
"Good. All ships, this is Optimus Prime."
"And Megatron."
"Do not reveal yourselves until Unicron makes the first shot, he'll soon fire upon us, I'm sure."
"Shockwave," Megatron said. "Is the commander of the Decepticon fleet but you are all to work together until this is over."
"Until we can get join together," Optimus responded. "Shockwave and Ultra Magnus are in command. But try your best to get on the other side of Unicron. Good luck men. May us all come out of this with less casualties as possible."
"We'll do the best we can," Ultra Magnus said.
"Good." Optimus then ended the transmission.
"All right men," Ultra Magnus said. "We have our orders."
Shockwave's face suddenly appeared on the monitor. "What shall be the game plan?"
"I'm not sure but it's good to come up with one now."
"Sir," Arcee said. "We could have half the forces come from one side of Mars and the other from opposite side."
"Why would that be beneficial?" Shockwave asked.
"That may give us a more tactical advantaged," Arcee responded. "If half of our forces come out first, Unicron may believe…"
"That half of forces is all there is," Hot Rod finished. "Then after they start battling the other half comes out."
"That would give us a more of an advantaged," Shockwave said.
"Who should be sent out first?" Ultra Magnus asked.
"The Autobots!" One of the Decepticons announced, from behind Shockwave.
Shockwave turned to the soldier. "Blitzwing. Right now we are working as a team. There will be no Autobot bashing yet." Shockwave turned back to the monitor. "I'd suggest both factions."
"Good idea and I'll lead the first team. Then when the time is right, you'll be the second wave."
Shockwave nodded. "I'll contact my forces and decide which ones will go and you do the same." Shockwave then ended the transmission.
"Why do I get the feeling he wants this over?" a small yellow Autobot asked, referring to Shockwave.
"We all want this to be over, Bumblebee," another small one answered. He was known as Huffer. "The Decepticons want this over so they can get back to fighting over Cybertron."
"Ultra Magnus," Kup said. "We can't trust him. He could turn around and use this to his advantaged for Megatron."
"What choice do we have? Megatron has ordered a cease-fire. One thing I do know is that he does not tolerate failed orders. Signal all Autobot ships. Tell them of our status and have arranged that half the ships will be sent out for the first wave."
"Yes sir," another Autobot said.
In the meantime, Sideflare stood beside Ultra Magnus. So he's commanding the Autobots. With her plans now set, she began to whisper in the wind as she did a few moments before.
"Anger. Weakness."
"There it is again." Kup spun around. "And I'm not going crazy."
"I hear it too," Ultra Magnus said as it repeated over and over again. "It keeps repeating itself but I can't make out the words. Micro, see if there's a way to decipher what it is?"
"Yes sir," the robot mode of a microscope answered. Micro punched in a series of numbers, as the whispering continued.
After a few minutes, Kup growled. "That noise is getting on my nerves. For the past three minutes I've been hearing that noise. Though I have to admit, I have been able to make out that it's saying two words."
"Kup is right," Micro agreed. "It's constantly saying two words over and over again. I'm attempting to narrow down the field of what the words would be consisted as. It's two simple words. But even if I can get what the words are, I'm not sure it will be understandable. It's like…wait it's like someone is trying to give us a clue."
"A clue to what?" Huffer asked, swinging his arms up.
"Perhaps in how to defeat Unicron," Arcee said.
"What makes you say that?" Hot Rod asked.
"It's just a hunch."
"The whisper sounds feminine," Micro said. "It's very faint but it has a touch of feminine."
"Who would be trying to help us?" Ultra Magnus asked. He took a quick look around him. He had just a weird feeling someone was standing beside him. When he was satisfied that only Autobots were on the ship, he turned back to his men.
Sideflare moved from Ultra Magnus to Micro. So you can detect me. Good. I only have a few more minutes before I have to return to Unicron. She continued her whispering.
Arcee walked over to Micro. "Anything."
"Only the noise has gotten a little louder." Micro was silent for a few minutes. "I'm able to make out 'Weakness'. But the other word is too low for me to get."
Sideflare, now satisfied turned away from Micro and left the ship. Just as she got closer to Unicron she could hear him.
"Sideflare, get back here now."
Sideflare snarled at the command. When she reentered Unicron, she materialized as her robot self. "You called."
"What did you learn?"
"The Autobots and Decepticons are sending their Armada when the battle begins."
"How many ships are there?"
"Hundred." She lied, but as long as she didn't think, he wouldn't know what the actual amount was, which was twice the amount.
"They'll be destroyed in a matter of minutes."
-
Optimus Prime, now glad that Megatron and the rest of the Decepticons were on their ship, seemed a little at ease. He noticed he wasn't the only one. He knew all his men were tense while they were on board but none more than Alexis. She seemed to loosen up and he wasn't the only who noticed.
"What's he waiting for?" Hoist mumbled.
"What was that Hoist?" Optimus asked.
Hoist looked over at his leader. "Nothing, sir. Just anxious for this battle to begin."
"It will. Unicron is just baiting us. Jetfire are all the Decepticons on their ship?"
"Yes. And all our men are on board." Jetfire turned and nodded to the Autobots who stayed on the Deception ship.
"Good." Optimus turned to the only female on board. "Alexis is something going on?"
Alexis looked up. "What do you mean?"
"Megatron did something and I want to know."
"I…I can't," she sadly said as she turned her head away.
Optimus walked up to her. His hand came up to her check and he forced her to face him. "As your friend, I'm concerned."
"Optimus!" Jetfire shouted.
Optimus looked up just in time to see a laser fire come from Unicron. The blast shook the ship, knocking everyone to the floor. Optimus was the first to move. He looked to his side to see Alexis in his arms. Just as the laser struck, he grabbed her before crashing to the floor.
"Alexis, are you alright?" he quickly asked with concern.
"Yeah. What just hit us?"
Optimus breathed a sigh of relief to see the boys were all right and were getting up. His men were also starting to move. "Report!" he yelled.
Red Alert, who was closest to tactical, responded. "We were hit on the port side. Damage minimal."
"Port side," Springer said. "The Decepticons are on that side."
"It was a shot to rock both ships," Blaster answered.
"Here comes another," Jetfire shouted.
"Evasive action!"
Blurr didn't need to be told twice. He quickly got back into his seat and veered the ship away from the next blast, narrowly missing the ship.
-
"What the hell was that?" Megatron yelled, getting up from the floor. Whatever it was knocked him from his throne.
"Two laser blasts from Unicron. The Autobots were hit by the first one with minimal damage," Wheeljack responded. "The second they veered off."
"Fire the missiles! Move us away!"
-
"Ultra Magnus," Bumblebee said. "Optimus and Megatron are under fire."
"Ultra Magnus to all ships. We are now heading to battle. All ships that are heading out for the first wave, fire up engines and let's move."
"The fleet is ready," Kup responded.
"Good. Secure all stations, we're moving out. Let's go."
As Ultra Magnus's ship began the line to the front lines, many other ships, Autobot and Decepticons were following him.
"At least they will listen to us," Hot Rod said.
"Hot Rod," Ultra Magnus said. "If those Decepticons disobey Megatron's orders, they will be melted down to scrap."
"Megatron is cruel to his men," Arcee gasped.
Ultra Magnus looked to the pink female bot. "He believes soldiers are expendable. He thinks just because he doesn't have feelings, he figures all Decepticons are like that."
"Well he must realize now that they are not ice cold like him," Hot Rod commented. "Since Starscream has switched forces. And he changed all from a small female human. And from what I hear, they are mates."
"Starscream has taken a human mate?" Bumblebee questioned.
"Talking about fellow team members is not the subject at hand," Kup explained. "Ultra Magnus we'll be entering the battle zone in a few minutes."
"Good."
-
"Unicron, the fleet is moving," Sideflare said.
"This will be fun. Send out the other spawns."
"Yes sir," Sideflare bowed. "Am I also dispatched as well?"
"Yes. Now move!"
Sideflare slightly smiled and disappeared. She reappeared with other spawns that looked similar like her. "Prepare to fire upon the ships as the come. Leave the lead ship to me."
"Yes sir," They all responded.
-
Notes: Sorry Cliff hanger. Don't I love leaving those? It's just if I keep going, this chapter will be a real long one and I personally am not always fond of real long chapters.