A/N: We're almost at the 300 mark. Thanks to everyone who's stood by me during this time.
Chapter 41
Fort Brad was under an unusual state of heightened security as Pvt. Daley and his unit made their way toward the source of the commotion. From what they heard, some nut job in a truck drove into base and smashed up some of their equipment. Before any more details could be provided, they were told to move out and did so without fail. It may have been a semi, but there was no trailer, so there couldn't have been that many people inside of it. At least not enough to put the whole base on alert, right?
As they neared the center of the base, Daley caught the sight of smoke rising from burning buildings and vehicles. There were soldiers making complete U-turns as they approached the battlefield. Daley didn't understand why they were running. There was no way a dozen or so attackers could scare off Army Rangers. Daley didn't stick around to ask them questions as he ran towards the source of it all, rifle tight against his chest. Ignoring the protests of his fellow soldiers, Daley made it to his destination.
He scanned the area for any sign of the enemy and there transport (if it wasn't already destroyed in chaos). The smoke left his vision at a minimum but he made it through and came face to face with what looked like a giant robot. Daley found himself frozen in his tracks, his eyes glued to the massive titan that stood before him. He could only watch as it fired on anyone or anything that moved. While most were understandably surprised, Daley was not.
Despite his rank, he a few things others didn't. One of those things was the knowledge that Earth was currently playing host to ancient alien war. Sounds like a loud of crap, right? Wrong; it was all too real, and this would make a believer out of anyone. But Daley found himself both scared and confused.
From what he had seen, the robot currently attacking Fort Brad was on their side, wasn't he? He was the leader of the group whose name escaped him at the moment and they were supposed to be protecting them, weren't they? It didn't make any sense. Daley had seen them all in action, having been transferred from base to base. The last base he was transported two was under attack by other faction in their war.
He'd seen them come to his aid and defend the Fort against the threat. Was it all an act (now that he thought about it, most of the aliens on the other side did look alike)? Had they been deceiving them all this time? His thoughts were interrupted when he saw the titan approach him, ready to fire, when a glowing vortex appeared out of nowhere. Out of it stepped three robots, one of them looking just like the titan before him, only cleaner.
As they charged toward him, the metal robot saw fit back away and shift it form, becoming the semi-truck that had first invaded the base. Daley had never seen anything like it before and likely never again, since his life span had been cut in half due to the stress of day. As the vehicle drove off, Daley turned to the other three aliens, who were unaware of his presence. Before he could recover from all that he had seen, he saw choppers flying in from distance. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know that they hadn't seen the other truck and were preparing to fire.
His assumptions were proven true as they opened fire on the three aliens, who saw fit to retreat. The vortex reappeared as they ran towards it, the look alike of the attacker just narrowly escaping a missile.
ShadowStrike Rising
"I'm telling you, General, it wasn't him," Fowler argued into his phone as paced around the base. "Because I was with him when the call came in." Everyone watched Fowler intently, trying to read just how bad the situation is. "Yes, they were there, but only in response to the initial attack." More chatter from the other end as Fowler's face fell slightly and he sighed, "Yes sir." He closed the phone.
"How bad is it?" Mizuki asked.
"All military bases are on high alert," he said grimly. "They're under orders to attack and destroy any Autobots on sight."
"Are you kidding?" Mizuki jaw dropped. "Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? How many of those soldiers saw two Optimus Primes?"
"Not nearly as many who were injured by the first one to arrive at base," Fowler said. "I'm not saying it's a good call. It's downright stupid, but that how it was for now until we can figure out where that thing came from." A silence fell over the base they all racked their minds, each trying to come up with their own, plausible, solution. Miko thought it was Optimus' long lost evil twin who was back to tarnish his brother's good name. She didn't voice this because she knew it would sound crazy out loud. Plus, Ratchet would probably have an answer for why it wasn't possible in the first place.
Raf thought it might have been the Decepticons; they certainly had enough reason to want to frame the Autobots (five points to anyone who can guess what continuity I got that reference from). But still, it didn't make sense. If they had an Optimus clone, they could have easily tricked the others into letting it in base so it could attack. With the 'Cons off the list, there were only two remaining factors, but one of them wasn't interested in the 'Bots. Everyone knew the only other group that possessed means close enough to achieve something like this.
"They finally did it," Ratchet growled. "Those butchers managed to crack the code."
"MECH," Optimus said, his optics narrowing.
ShadowStrike Rising
In the outskirts of the desert, a lone semi drove towards an abandoned factory, no one around to see it. It drove into the area, driving out of sight so no one would notice it and get any ideas. It drove inside of a silo, reaching a command center of sorts. Coming to a stop behind a computer set up, the truck transformed into an Optimus Prime look alike and shut down. Sitting in front of the computer console, was none other than Silas, leader of the terrorist organization, MECH.
He relaxed his grip on the controls as the Surgeon neared, "Sir, did you have any trouble or anxiety issues?"
"The neural interface program worked perfectly, both in vehicle and robot mode," he grinned, looking up at their crown achievement. Five months of blood, sweat, and (other people's) tears had finally paid off. The pinnacle of Project: Chimera, man-made "Transformer". It had taken nearly everything MECH had to finally bring their vision to life. But it was all worth it now that their plan was put into motion.
With this look-alike of Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, MECH could make any attack on any military base and they would focus their wrath on the Autobots. Once both sides destroyed each other, there would be no one left to lead the people and MECH could begin their plans for a New World Order. It was perfect; let two sides battle and collect the spoils when the smoke cleared. Soon, no one would be able to stand against MECH.
"Silas," the Shredder's image flickered on screen. "How did your little test run go?"
"Flawlessly," the scarred man's grin widened. "The military now thinks the Autobots have turned on them and have ordered all bases to be on high alert. They're to destroy any Autobot on sight."
"It never ceases to amaze me how easily politics can be manipulated," Shredder chuckled darkly. "It takes only a small push to drive them into anarchy. They won't know the truth until it is too late."
"And we can bring about the New World Order."
"Yes," Shredder replied. "And no one, certainly not those machines, will be able to stand in our way."
ShadowStrike Rising
"MECH abducted Breakdown and, by all means, deconstructed him," Ratchet explained to the others. "From cranial chamber to heel servo."
"I was there," Bulkhead shuddered. "I saw it."
"And we know that recently, MECH obtained Starscream's T-Cog," Optimus stated.
"Which they apparently stuck in a knock off of you…" Arcee began.
"Which then scanned an appropriate vehicle mode…" Ratchet continued.
"Fill the tank with energon…" Jack said.
"And saw hello 'Nemesis Prime'!" Miko finished. Everyone stared at the girl in annoyed confusion for a moment before getting back to the matter at hand.
"So how do we track this knock off?" Fowler asked.
"It is simple, Agent Fowler," Optimus said. "While MECH may have learned our biology…"
"They haven't necessarily absorbed our technology," Ratchet finished, working on the monitor. "Without a ground-bridge, Nemesis Prime would rely solely on its vehicle mode for transport."
"We're seriously calling it 'Nemesis Prime'?" Mizuki shook her head.
"Which means the MECH base is within driving distance of both incidents," Arcee said, ignoring the female agent.
"Well then Mizuki and I will head in search of the base," Fowler said.
"Agent Fowler, I do not believe best that you or Agent McCloud put yourself in harm's way," Optimus said.
"It's not like you can do it with U.S. army out there, hunting for you," Mizuki argued. "Besides, MECH won't be scanning for other humans."
"Even so," the Prime said. "We will maintain our cover while in search of MECH."
ShadowStrike Rising
Outside the desert, Bumblebee drove towards his assigned destination, ready to radio in if he found something. Bulkhead and Optimus hadn't found anything in their areas so it seemed like it was up to 'Bee to find something. Besides, he owed MECH some payback for stealing his original T-Cog. First, they tormented Breakdown, than him, and now Optimus. It was time the 'Bots put a stop to their plans, once and for all.
As he drove along the road, something caught his sights; an old factory that looked like it had been abandoned years ago. It made perfect sense that MECH would hide out there. There was plenty of space for them to store Nemesis Prime. As he neared the base, he contacted the others, beeping, "I found something."
"Be on your guard Bumblebee," Optimus radioed. "We are on our way." With a swift reply, 'Bee entered the base, ready to take on anything MECH might throw his way. Entering the base, the scout saw fit to transform and move around slowly. He wanted to buy as much time as he could for Optimus and Bulkhead to reach him. He moved around the factory, his blaster ready to be fired at a moment's notice.
He was about half-way there when a voice called to him, "Bumblebee." The scout turned to find Optimus, standing in the shadows. He must have been closer than 'Bee thought or he could be Nemesis Prime. The Prime spoke again, "Be on your guard. My double could be anywhere."
Relaxing slightly, 'Bee decided to test something out, beeping something intelligent. The Prime stood for a moment before responding, "I'm sorry, what?" The scout glared at Nemesis Prime and attacked, firing at the robot. It managed to dodge his blasts and get in close, delivering a powerful punch to the gut and slamming 'Bee into the ground.
ShadowStrike Rising
Optimus and Bulkhead entered the base, blaster drawn and ready to fight. They had received no word from Bumblebee since he reported finding this area. Optimus feared that MECH had managed to ambush Bumblebee and neutralize the scout. As they entered base, he parted with Bulkhead, warning him to be on guard for anything that might resemble him.
ShadowStrike Rising
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed. Next time: Optimus comes face to face with Nemesis Prime. Meanwhile, ShadowStrike enters the area to find and eliminate Silas.