With Sideflare in position to attack the fleet when they came into range, Optimus and Megatron were under fire by Unicron. Unicron was only toying with them for the time being. He wasn't really hitting them. The laser beams were actually just bursts of energy, made to look like lasers. Unicron was waiting for the reinforcements to arrive before he began his attack. He would first wound the forces and then when they were incapable of fighting, he'd attack Earth, making them watch Earth be destroyed. He then would travel back to Cybertron, with them in tow and destroy their planet, then when everything was in ashes, he'd obliterate the living survivors. Perhaps maybe keep them alive and have them work for him.
As he watched the Autobots and Decepticons maneuver their ships, he didn't pay attention to what was going on behind him.
Sideflare grinned as she spotted the fleet coming towards her. Her plan was foolproof, while the spawns were attacking the other ships, she was going to go back into the lead Autobot ship and make them figure out what she's trying to give.
Sideflare didn't like the Autobots or the Decepticons but she liked Unicron even less. He admitted of using Sideways and that he was not a spawn of Unicron, unlike her. Which meant he was able to do what he wanted. She on the other hand, had to listen to her creator.
"They are coming in range," one of the spawns said.
"When they come in firing range, form to normal and attack. I'm going to create havoc in the lead ship. This should be fun." Sideflare knew she was doing a big risk. She could get caught and be destroyed but her plan would succeed before it would come down to destruction.
"What are you planning," another spawn turned to Sideflare.
"It's a surprise." As long as she didn't reveal her plans in thought or voice, she was in the clear. That would be until Unicron would figure out what she did and that wouldn't be until his weakness was discovered.
-
"We're coming into range," Kup announced.
"I see," Ultra Magnus said.
"Wait!" Micro announced. "I don't see any major damage on neither Optimus's or Megatron's."
"Then that means," Hot Rod said.
"He's toying with us," Ultra Magnus finished. "Why did I get the feeling that was going to happen?"
"This reminds me of the time…" Kup started.
"There's no time for old war stories," Magnus interrupted.
"What's our course of action?" Arcee asked.
"Stop Unicron from toying. Battle stations."
"Sir!" Micro jumped. "There's some sort of static current between us and Unicron."
"Locate!"
"It's straight ahead of us, ranging at forty-five degrees West to forty-five degrees East and twenty degrees North to fifteen degrees South."
"That's huge. That's bigger than our fleet," Hot Rod announced.
"What would be causing all that current?" Arcee asked.
"Optimus did say that Sideways had an accomplice who is from Unicron. Until just yesterday, Sideways was known as from Unicron as well," Ultra Magnus said. "Perhaps the current is an ambush ready to attack."
"You mean, that's an army from Unicron here to slow us down," Arcee offered.
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
"I have to agree," Micro said. "And if that's the case, we have a losing battle on our hands."
"Don't give up just yet, we have a planet to protect. A planet that Optimus has said he will want a permanent Autobot presence. We just have to out maneuver them is all."
"All ships, prepare for evasive action. We're about to be ambushed by creatures of Unicron. And these creatures cannot be harmed; they always go static when they're about to be hit. We have to outwit them. But at all costs we must get to Optimus and Megatron."
-
"We are not sustaining much damage," Red Alert announced.
"How can that be?" Hotshot glared. "Those blasts seem real enough."
"Appearances are deceiving."
Everyone turned to see Sideways. "You are all pathetic if you can't even tell energy bursts to real laser fire."
"Energy bursts?" Alexis questioned. "Where would these bursts be coming from?"
"From all the Autobots and Decepticons, Unicron has absorbed through the years."
"Then why keep you alive?" Blurr asked. "Why would Unicron rebuild you and make you think you were a part of him?"
"That I cannot answer."
"Have you reached a decision," Starscream said.
"Starscream," Optimus warned.
Sideways turned to Optimus. "Adjust your shields to match Megatron's, then place each other side by side with the same shields. Megatron's ship can withstand the blasts better than yours can."
"Sir?" Hotshot asked.
"Do what he says," Optimus commanded. "Sideways is right. Megatron hasn't received any damage."
When the ship was aligned with Megatron's, the blasts stopped. Optimus turned to the former Autobot, "Do you remember you're old life?"
"Somewhat," Sideways answered then growled. His old systems were coming back online and it infuriated him. Before if someone was to ask him questions, he'd tell them where to go but now, Optimus probably would be able to get what he wanted out of him, and there wouldn't be anything he could do. He was once known as Beachcomber, a soldier under the command of Optimus Prime.
Alexis looked at Starscream then to Red Alert. She saw a slight smile upon his lips as she looked at the science officer. She came to the realization that a silent cheer was coming from all the Autobots as they continued to look at Sideways.
Sideways clenched his fists, it was annoying with the attention he was getting at the same time, memories were emerging of all the men in the room. The good times they shared, the battles and the training missions.
"I didn't ask for these memories," he growled. He grabbed his head and collapsed to the floor with a clang. Nobody was sure what to do. Alexis was the first to approach.
"Sideways, I know how you feel," she spoke softly. "Alexis and I share this one body. I was killed by Megatron but lived so I could attach myself to Alexis. How do you think she felt when she became a Transformer?"
Sideways looked up at the female. "Why would you care Kiaudica? You may not have a body but you're not living two lives."
"Maybe not now, but I did for fourteen years. I had my memories and Alexis making ones everyday. And you think I'm still fine, you're wrong. Alexis is still getting used to being a Transformer. There's things she feels everyday but doesn't let anyone know. She lives two lives, sometimes she has my memories but that is a function that her and I have not quite worked out."
"I was under the understanding that you can not return while a Transformer," Sideways said.
"I thought so too but somehow watching you, I have reemerged. I'm not sure if it will be permanent or temporary, but I can tell you this, almost everyone in this room has had to endure a new way of life one way or another. Hoist has a new body, Starscream is no longer a Decepticon and I know there's been others who have been reformatted."
Optimus stepped forward, "Kiaudica is right. I even have gone through a change in life. Mind you that was many years before you came online." He placed a hand on Alexis's shoulder.
Alexis looked up and nodded. "Sorry," she said in her normal voice.
"Why be sorry," Optimus answered. "Out of all of us you and Sideways have suffered the most ordeal here."
"So Kiaudica can emerge and leave at will," Sideways said.
Alexis looked at Sideways, "And it scares the hell out me every time."
"Optimus," Hot Shot announced. "Megatron is contacting us."
"Put him through," Optimus said as he stood back to his normal height.
"Why did you place yourself right next to me?" Megatron asked.
"Apparently our shields do not have the same strength as yours, that is the reason we were getting minor damage. Your ship has not been touch," Optimus answered.
"That explains a couple things and I suppose the one who gave you that answer is that vial traitor."
"Yes," Optimus answered.
"Optimus there's a line of current energy right in the line of fire of our fleet," Sideswipe announced.
Megatron turned to Thrust.
"Affirmative," Thrust answered. "What is that?"
"You tell me!" Megatron barked. "You're the one who was in leek with Unicron."
Thrust cowered a bit in fear. He knew that he may not survive after the battle was over but he could try and convince the Decepticon leader to keep him around mainly because of the information he found out about the human.
"They are spawns," Sideways answered.
"They're what?" Megatron turned back to the view screen.
"They are what I a… thought I was," Sideways answered. "I can make my body disperse into static. That energy current is the spawns of Unicron. And probably in the middle of that mix is Sideflare."
"How many of our ships are coming?" Optimus asked.
"Only half," Powerglide answered. "It looks like they are trying to get the upper hand."
"Good thinking," Optimus said.
"Unless," Sideways answered, "Sideflare was sent out to see how many ships were behind Unicron and if she is as loyal as she was when I was there, you won't have a chance."
"We can't worry about that now," Scavenger said. "We have our own necks to worry about."
"What's he waiting for?" Megatron growled. "I'm getting tired of this toying."
"Optimus," Alexis blurted. "Our fleet is on a stand still."
"What!" both leaders shouted.
"What do you mean?" Megatron hissed.
"I mean," Alexis answered without taking her eyes off the screen she was looking at. "They are about a couple hundred acres away from the electric current and they are just sitting there."
"They must be seeing what the current will do," Scavenger guessed.
-
Ultra Magnus had his fleet stop to see what the energy current was going to do. For several minutes, they waited. He wasn't sure what to make of the current. It was changing its position constantly. He was sure he had Unicron's attention.
"What's the plan?" Arcee asked.
"Wanting to see if they will make the first move," Ultra Magnus said. "If Shockwave is watching, perhaps he'll come out from the other side and attack Unicron while we have the spawns attention."
"BAM! Wow! That is a good plan. Let's just hope there's WHAM still more for us."
"Don't worry Warpath, there's going to be lots for us to fight," Kup answered.
"Ultra Magnus," Micro announced. "The current is breaking up and forming into…they're forming into Transformers."
"This is it men," Magnus said. "Time to see what we're made out of."
No sooner said, the formed Transformers began their attack. Knowing they couldn't be harmed, they began firing their lasers at the ships. For the time being evasive actions were the only thing keeping the ships from being hit. A few ships did end up with damage but not too sever.
"Sir!" Micro shouted over being swung away from his station. "We have to do something or we're going to fried before he get anywhere near Unicron."
"There must be something we can do," Arcee said.
"There is," a voice answered.
Ultra Magnus quickly turned to look around the bridge to see if any of his men said it. When he found they were too busy trying to figure out who said it, he looked towards the main viewer and saw a ball of static.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"A spawn of Unicron," it said. "I've tried to help you earlier but you wouldn't listen." As it continued to speak, the static stretched and began to form a body. "If Unicron were to learn of what I'm doing, I'd be deactivated in a matter of seconds." It said when the body was recognizable.
"You're Sideflare," Micro said. He remembered when Optimus sent for reinforcements that he gave a description of Sideflare.
"I suppose when Optimus Prime contacted you, he warned you about me," Sideflare grinned behind her faceplate.
"What do you want?" Ultra Magnus demanded.
"Help you defeat Unicron and you give me protection, at least as much protection as possible. Then when the battle is over I give the right to request an asylum."
"How can you help us?" Hot Rod asked.
"Well I can't directly help as it will attract Unicron's attention but I can slowly help you change your shield frequency. I've already helped you, I didn't tell Unicron you have another fleet ready to attack at any moment. I can also give you when the right time to allow the other part of the fleet through."
Ultra Magnus looked at the view screen and noticed that his ship was the only not being attacked. "Why do you want to help us?"
"I don't like Unicron. I don't like being told what to do."
"But you're a spawn," Kup responded. "You're suppose to listen to Unicron's commands."
"I've watched for centuries of him destroying your kind little by little. He even had Sideways believe he was a spawn but come to find out he isn't. He can destroy all ties to Unicron and there's nothing Unicron can do about it."
"How can we be guaranteed that you'll not harm us afterwards?" Ultra Magnus challenged.
"You heard noises earlier before the battle began."
Micro snapped his fingers. "You were sending us a message."
Sideflare nodded. "Yes and you were able to decipher that there were two words being repeat."
"And one of them was 'weakness'," Kup said. "I knew I wasn't going crazy."
"Nobody said you were," Ultra Magnus answered. "I suppose you wouldn't be able to give us what the message was."
"No. Unicron will destroy me before you even have a chance to get far."
"Then why did you say those words?" Micro asked.
"Like I said, I can't directly help you but slowly I can. I already was in your leader's ship and Sideways still lives. He was supposed to be destroyed along with Optimus Prime. But it didn't happen. Whatever Red Alert did, he deactivated the self-destruct mechanism.
"I told the minions to leave your ship to me. They have the other ships and if I were you, I'd make a decision or I will have no choice but destroy you where you stand."
"Kup, slowly adjust the shields to whatever Sideflare says," Ultra Magnus commanded.
"Sir, is that good idea?" Hot Rod questioned.
"Never question the orders," Kup growled. "You have a lot to learn."
"Begin to adjust shields to 33235."
"That's only a slight change to our shields now," Micro pointed out.
"And that slight change will bring one or two spawns towards you. They will think, I failed and was destroyed. By the time they realize that I'm helping you, it will be too late."
"Shields have been slightly altered," Kup announced.
-
"When will we be heading out?"
A purple transformer, with no eyes or mouth turned to the sound. A blue transformer who looked a lot like Thrust stood before him. He "Are you anxious to join the Autobots?"
"No. It's just our people are out there to."
"You're a moron, Dirge," another bot responded. He was blue and looked identical to Starscream.
"You're one to talk, Thundercracker."
"Our guys are doing ok," Shockwave answered, "even the Autobots. We are not heading out until an opening presents it self. That way at least some ships will be able to get through without being attacked."
"Yes, sir," everyone on the bridge announced.
After saluting, Thundercracker returned to his station. He wanted to get his mind off the current situation so he brought up the records of the transmissions that had been sent back to his troops. As he skimmed through the files, he came across one file that kept haunting his mind. 'Starscream has betrayed the Decepticon cause'.
He opened up the file and re-read the file. He had read it so many times that he could recite it word for word. It blew his mind, to learn his brother, fellow Decepticon, betrayed the team. Thundercracker wasn't even sure if he wanted to go into battle with his brother. He knew Skywarp had no qualms about going against his brother. His brother was a traitor and traitors were destroyed.
"Looking at the file again," Skywarp said as he came up in behind his brother.
"What do you care?" Thundercracker growled. "I'm still having a hard time believing that he did that."
"Believe it, because that picture is all the proof I need. He's even in love with a human who from what I've seen has somehow been turned into a female Transformer."
"Have you seen what this female looks like?"
Skywarp leaned forward and pulled up a file, connecting to Starscream's file. When it was opened a picture of a human girl popped up. "That's her as a human. And this…" Skywarp then hit another button and the human girl vanished, being replaced by a female Autobot. "Is her now."
"She's quite attractive," Thundercracker said.
"Yes and she's very much in love with Starscream. She's the one who turned Starscream away from us."
"What would she have done?"
"You're an idiot," Skywarp snorted. "Just her kind words and understanding. He even tried to kill her and her human friends and she forgave him for it."
"From what I've been able to tell," Dirge came up. "For the past couple hundred years, Starscream has been reluctant to fight at times. He did once have a love who was an Autobot."
"Yeah and from what Megatron has sent," Skywarp said, crossing his arm. "That Autobot is still alive but lives within Starscream's new girlfriend. The Autobot's spark somehow counter acted with an alloy that Starscream gave her and has turned her into a Transformer."
"Enough talking about Starscream," Shockwave said. "That topic does not need to spoken, in the last moments before battle. We will be working with him side by side. So save your comments until we fight the Autobots again." Shockwave turned back to staring at the battle ahead of him.
He noticed right off that Ultra Magnus's ship wasn't being attacked but at the same time it wasn't trying to get beyond Unicron's spawns to reach the faction leaders. He came to the conclusion either they were just being avoided at the moment because they weren't moving or something was happening to their ship. He was on the assumption that it was the latter over the former.
"Be prepared to head out on my command," Shockwave said to his fleet. "We could head at any moment. Once an opportunity presents itself, we will be in the fight."
-
"Why is Ultra Magnus's ship just sitting there?" Powerglide noticed.
"Sideflare is probably causing problems with his ship," Sideways said.
"What kind of problems?" Optimus turned to the former Unicron spawn.
"That is something I can not tell you. When it comes to her techniques, they are a mystery to me."
Optimus slammed his fist on a panel that was near him. "Open a coded channel to Magnus."
A nod from the communications officer, gave Optimus the only command needed that the channel was opened.
"Magnus is there a problem?"
Seconds later Magnus appeared on the screen. "No. We are slowly adjusting our shields. We're hoping to attract the spawns so the other ships may get through."
"Optimus!" Alexis shouted. "Take a look."
Optimus had the monitor split so he could see what Alexis asked from him. His optics widened at what he saw. He couldn't believe it. Unicron turned away from them and began to slowly make its way towards Earth.
"Magnus we need you!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Move us away from Megatron and go after Unicron. He mustn't reach Earth. Open an emergency channel to all ships." Just as the channel was opened to all ships, Optimus noticed Megatron wanted to communicate again. He nodded to have the view screen split into three sections so he could see Megatron, Ultra Magnus and Unicron. Megatron and Ultra Magnus were visible on either side and in the middle was Unicron's approach to Earth.
As Optimus was just about to speak, Alexis turned to Sideways. "Why does he want to destroy the Earth?" The anger in her voice was clearly visible.
Sideways didn't know what to say. Up until now, he had never seen her or heard her be angry.
"What has Earth done that would cause Unicron to attack it. No human has ever been farther than the Moon."
Every Autobot did not know what to say to Alexis's outburst, not even Ultra Magnus didn't know what to say as he was still on the coded channel. She didn't even know that she was able to be heard from all the ships, Autobot and Decepticon.
"Is it because of the Mini-Cons because they crashed landed here on Earth four million years ago?" She was now close to tears. "My MOTHER is down there! She moved away from me because she didn't want to be caught up in this fight. I wanted to help the Autobots to collect the Mini-Cons but I did not want to become a warrior to help fight their war with the Decepticons."
Starscream cautiously walked up to Alexis and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She shrugged his hand off and ran out off the bridge.
"That's why I never allow females to fight in a man's battle," Megatron slightly smirked, though he had been thrown off guard by Alexis's words. He had never seen her that angry before not even when he threatened her.
Starscream turned to the view screen. He glared at his ex-leader. "Stay out of this."
"Starscream," Optimus said. "Make sure she's alright. I need her."
Starscream nodded and walked off the bridge, looking for his love. When he found her, she was in the back with the Mini-Cons. She was sitting on the floor, with her knees curled to her chest, as she cried into arms, which were resting on her knees.
He knelt down beside her, careful into not hitting her wings. "Alexis," he said softly.
"Why!" she cried, not looking up at the concerned look of her friend. "Why is my world crashing? I'm no longer human; my mother moved away and now Unicron is heading towards Earth and the only ones able to intercept him is Megatron and us. The other ships are having their own problems right now."
"We keep going through this," Starscream said as he laid one hand on her arm and the other under her chin, forcing with gentleness, to lift her head. "I love you, Alexis. We are doing everything we can to stop your world from being harmed. And Megatron is helping us."
"Just seeing Unicron heading towards Earth, broke through my defenses."
"We all had seen that and that is why Optimus didn't try to stop you. He knows you are hurting and we all are trying to make it easier for you to become one of use."
"Alexis," a voice said.
Alexis looked down and saw and Rad and the others.
"We feel the same why," Rad said. "But we can't help. But you can."
"Rad's right," Billy said. "You are a Transformer and our friend. You have too compassion and love for your friends and family to just give up and let Unicron win." As Billy spoke, the Mini-Cons started to crowd around the three human boys and the two fifty foot robots.
"Unicron has an advantage against us but we have friends and strength to stand up to him," Carlos said.
The tears began to decrease as Alexis listened to her human friends speak.
"You know we have been annoying to you in the past but you still consider us real good friends and we don't want to trade that for anything. We have families down there too," Rad continued. "Do you think we're not angry or even Optimus?"
"Yeah," Fred said. "We're in this together."
"You have friends," Starscream said. "Friends who care and not just me or the other Autobots."
By now, Alexis's tears were gone; she had a slight smile on her lips. She never realized how well her friends would stick by her even after her change.
"Even Sandy is your friend and wants to come out of this alive but in order to do that," Hotshot said as he walked in. "We need you. You're as much as a part of this team as the boys are, human or not."
Starscream gave a slight snort as he stood. "Followed us, I see."
Hotshot ignored the comment. "Alexis we all love you as a friend, though one, more than a friend, so we're in this together."
"I'm usually giving the advice, not the other way around," she chuckled. She raised her hand up towards Starscream.
Starscream smiled as he grasped her hand and pulled her to her feet. "How else are we going to get you to listen?"
"Let's blast Unicron's butt to kingdom come."
The boys cheered as, their friend made the comment.
"Let's do some damage," Carlos said.
Hotshot quickly picked up the boys as the group made their way back to the bridge. Just as the walked in, Optimus was speaking to Megatron.
"You came back," Megatron mocked.
Optimus turned for a moment before looking back at the Decepticon leader. "Do you agree or not?"
"Yes, I agree but I want Alexis to accompany us as well. If she is to be a warrior, she must act like one."
Alexis looked at the smug look he was giving. "I'm up for a challenge. I just needed a few moments alone to myself to collect my thoughts and remember what I am and what I decided. I am an Autobot, who has agreed to fight and have Optimus Prime as my leader."
"Brave words," Megatron snorted. He did not like his challenges thrown back in his face. "You have seen us fight before, but this is much different than fighting over Mini-Cons. In this battle you possibly will see death. I suppose you have never had the pleasure of killing or witnessing destruction."
"I may not have had the pleasure of killing but I have the unfortunate of witnessing death and destruction of more than one occasion. A few years back I watched, live on TV, 2800 people be killed by a terrorist attack. That event shook the whole world. Men, women and children were trapped in what the world called the 'The World Trade Center' or also known as the 'The Twin Towers'. Two planes, hijacked, crashed into each building, since there was two buildings, and both buildings crumpled within an hour of the attacks.
"And that was just a few years after I had a twin brother who died right in front of my eyes when I was just a small child. He died by getting hit by a car. Want to what that does to a six-year-old child? It changes a child; it makes them realize that the world is not a safe place. It's full of ups and downs and cruelty. So why don't you back off. You can intimidate me all you want when this is over, but right now I want to protect my home world from ultimate destruction."
Megatron was taken aback by this. He was about to make a comment back when Optimus interrupted him.
"Let's put this plan into action then. Alexis." He turned to the girl. "You and I are accompanying Megatron to figure a way to stop Unicron. Hotshot. You and Sideswipe will be accompanying Cyclonus and Demolisher as our backup. He's slowly making his way to Earth. At the rate he's going, we calculate he will make the atmosphere in three hours."
"Then let's move," Alexis chimed.
-
In a small little shuttle pod, which was discharged from Megatron's ship, had Optimus Prime, Alexis and Megatron. Megatron was piloting the pod towards the enormous beast. Where the pod was small, Unicron wouldn't be able to detect it. In four separate pods had Sideswipe, Hotshot, Cyclonus and Demolisher.
"What's the plan?" Alexis asked.
"While you were…having a few minutes to yourself," Optimus said. "Megatron and I agreed that we would try and get into Unicron and perhaps find something that we can use to our advantaged."
"The others are decoys," Megatron said.
"You have gone and used Sideswipe and Hotshot decoys?" Alexis asked Optimus.
"That is a sacrifice one has to do during war," Megatron responded for Optimus. "I'm sure it's something that is eating at your leader. I on the other hand…"
"Yeah, I know. You believe that your soldiers are expendable, considering I heard you say that once before during a battle for a Mini-Con."
"Your mouth is one going to get you in trouble," the Decepticon leader growled.
"What's your problem?" Alexis challenge. "Are you mad because I have emotions and don't how to control them in a serious situation or is just because I know you well?"
"Alexis, stand down," Optimus commanded. "Unfortunately you are not helping the tension. Megatron leave Alexis alone. You both know that this tension is what is fueling Unicron."
"Sorry Optimus," Alexis bowed her head.
"Apology accepted. But right now defeating Unicron is more important than vendettas and other problems. Let's keep with the mission at hand."
The rest of the trip was silent as Megatron maneuvered the pod towards Unicron. All the way, Alexis kept thinking to herself of why Megatron would want her to go on this mission. She knew he was up to something. She had hoped soon she would find out why Megatron had blackmailed her. At least with being back in space, no one has mentioned what happened back at the base.
Unknowingly to her, Alexis didn't realize Optimus was thinking the same thing. Why would Megatron have her come along and what did Megatron have on her that she was scared about. It had to be something close to her, as she demonstrated on the Autobot bridge towards Sideways.