Convoy

Over the past week, Soundwave has been showing me the ropes of communications. Today was testing. I hate testing. Evaluation is always negative: I don't represent myself well. I was at a human outpost. My goal: to intercept a transmission and to send the interception to the Nemesis. Soundwave thought this would be a useful tool. If I were ever stranded, he wanted to make sure that I could find a way to communicate with the base. Similarly, he wanted me to be able to intercept information as to not walk into any traps. Today I wanted to blow Soundwave out of the water. I wanted to intercept an Autobot message.

At a human outpost, I reconfigured a regular human communications device into an awesome communications-intercepting device and high-powered sending device. I locked onto the Autobot's frequency and waited. The Autobots received a call from Agent Fowler. I recorded every piece of data I found interesting.

This included Agent Fowler saying, "Tried to smash and grab for the Dingus. Dynamic Nuclear Generation System AKA DNGS... It's a Prototype energy source... meltdown it would irradiate this state and the four next door."

Next, I locked onto a specific frequency on the Nemesis's channel to open a communication link with Soundwave's work monitor. I sent the intercepted message.

Soundwave responded, "Test successful. You have passed."

I asked the communications officer, "Do you think I could go and steal this device? It could be one frag of a weapon and distraction or threat."

Soundwave denied my request, "The DNGS would be too dangerous to keep on board. You should not retrieve it."

I requested, "If I can't retrieve it, can I at least see where it is being stored? If we did want to use it in the future, we would be able to go get it."

Soundwave repeated parts of my question "see where it is being stored."

"Thank you Soundwave! I'll tell you about my findings back on the Nemesis."

I destroyed my communications device. I did not want humans to use it or check its history. Once the device was rubble, I flew to Agent Fowler's position. He moved the DNGS into... The Autobots had formed a convoy. The device was being transported in Prime's trailer. I laughed to myself. Bulkhead had seen my car form and everyone else had seen my jet form. There was no way for me to be stealthy. I decided to trail the group in my car form from a distance. By the Allspark, they were slow.

A helicopter passed me and flew above the convoy. Next, special sports cars passed in front of me. These four green bastards with black stripes sandwiched Bulkhead. I felt like knocking them the frag out. I sped up and tried to remain out of sight. One of the green cars moved in front of prime, and out of my sight. Another drove along side Prime. A human popped out and wielded a gun. The armed human fired at Prime. I sped up to the group and rammed those bastards off the road. Only Megatron was aloud to take out Prime. Bumblebee rammed one of the assailants. The car flipped. We entered a windy steep curved area. I drove ahead, when I was out of sight, I transformed into my jet form. Bad luck for me, I wasn't the only one who drove ahead. A speedy gold racecar with red stripes and black detail called her teammates. I circled back around and trailed the helicopter. If I had guns, I would have shot the d*mned scrapheap down. One of the humans climbed from a car into Prime's trailer hitch. Optimus pushed the car off of the cliff. Ouch. Agent Fowler stepped out of Prime's cabin and went to deal with the armed human on the connector of Prime's trailer. Fowler held the human out in the open. A tree hit the human and Fowler let him go. Fowler returned to Optimus' cabin.

The helicopter flew closer to the caravan. I pulled up beside it. A human in the green car behind Prime's trailer popped out of the sunroof. He fired some devices from a gun at the trailer's door lock. Some sort of electricity came out of the device and disabled the lock. The trailer door opened. I would have to warn Soundwave of this weapon. Arcee drove out of the trailer and attacked the human and the car he was in. The green car flipped. A tailgating enemy car hit it and exploded. This was getting intense.

I received a transmission from Soundwave, "Vehicons on the way with orders to scrap the Autobots."

"Thanks for the Intel Soundwave. You would not believe what's going on here. I'll tell you later." I ended the transmission.

We continued for a while. Striker scouted out infront for a good escape route. Optimus followed her, Bulkhed and Bumblebee on Prime's sides, and Arcee behind. More green cars appeared. I dropped back out of sight and changed into my car form. I then sped and trailed the enemy vehicles. About five miles later we came across train tracks. The Autobots drove onto these. The green cars followed, against my better judgment, so did I.

A train raced down its track. I followed stealthily behind this train. Bulkhead dropped back, transformed and shot at the tunnel. The entrance closed in front of the green cars. I heard movement and guessed the Autobots had put the item on this train.

"Hey Soundwave." I called the communications officer; "I think the Autobots have put their DNGS on this train. Can you please track the train? I really don't want to miss the action."

Selfish.

Soundwave accepted my request. He retransmitted my signal, "I... will... track the train".

"Thank you again Soundwave! You are the best!" I signed off.

We exited the tunnels. We all drove back onto the road. I think Bulkhead might have noticed me. The vehicons had arrived. I saw some fly up beside the helicopter. They accelerated forward, and then fired missiles at the Autobots. I backed up. If one of those missiles took out Optimus, I would have a falling out with Starscream. The missiles disconnected the trailer and blew it up. I drove around the explosion. The vehicons flew ahead, transformed and landed in front of the Autobots. They were cut off. The Autobots were. I transformed as well. The Autobots could not escape. Optimus and his team transformed. The helicopter flew back and watched.

D*mned spectators.

Optimus put Agent Fowler down on a rock. He scolded the gold one, something about backup and protecting teammates, then left her to guard the human. It seemed that the Autobots had forgotten about me. They certainly could have used the extra manpower. They ran at the vehicons. I activated my mask and drew my swords.

I snuck up behind Bumblebee. I slashed at the back of his legs. The scout fell. Vehicons shot at the fallen target. Bulkhead ran at me with his wrecking ball. I dodged. His hit smashed into Bumblebee. I laughed. Bumblebee shot at my feet. I hopped from left to right and vice versa, dodging the lasers. I put my swords together. I ran up to Bulkhead and uppercut his head. He fell backwards. Bumblebee got up and protected his friend. Bumblebee continued to shoot at me. I used my swords to deflect the laser shots. Bulkhead was having trouble standing back up. I sprinted at Bumblebee and high jump kicked him into Bulkhead. Both Autobots fell. Arcee shot at my back. My armor absorbed the blow, but I was propelled away from her comrades. I was growing tired. These Autobots protected each other. Oppositely, the vehicons fought alone, like me. I would have to bring this up with Starscream. Bumblebee got up and helped up Bulkhead. Arcee continued to fire at me. I rushed the femme. She dodged. In this moment, Arcee was faster than I. She pointed her laser canon at me. I used one of my swords to push her gun away. It fired and hit a tree. I used my other sword to propel the femme backward. In this moment of not being attacked I looked up at the helicopter. I felt like I was being watched. I knew I was, I just felt it now more than before. While I was distracted, Bulkhead threw a vehicon at me. A freakin' vehicon. I held up my swords and braced for the hit. The vehicon fell. It was dead before it even reached me. Absorbing the hit took my focus. Laser fire blew me paces across the battlefield, from Striker's position. Vehicons attacked Fowler, shows her right. I shook my head, got up, and I ran back at Bulkhead. I ducked under his spiked ball swing. I slashed his swinging arm. Bulkhead cringed in pain. A vehicon shot at the still target. Vehicons occupied Arcee, Bumblebee, Striker and now Bulkhead's attention.

The helicopter left. I noticed that Optimus ran after it. I took a running start, transformed into my jet form and followed the Prime. His prey landed on top of the train. Optimus transformed into his truck form and pulled up alongside the speeding locomotive. The helicopter detached from the train and retreated. Seconds later, the human-filled flying piece of scrap fired a missile at the tracks ahead. A large explosion engulfed the air and left a crater where tracks once stood.

Optimus sped up and transformed in front of the train. His back was against the train's front car/engine; he was pushing his peds into the ground to try and slow the train down. Optimus couldn't do it alone. I went to the front of the train, transformed, and copied Optimus in order to help slow down the locomotive. Sparks from the friction attacked our feet. This was painful, but we persevered. The train slowed down dramatically. The crater was approaching quickly. The train's speed dropped to almost nothing. Optimus and I stopped the train feet before the crater.

The helicopter returned. I took a few steps away from the front of the train and stared at it. The chopper hovered for a few seconds. Through my mask, I saw the helicopter scan Optimus with some sort of beam. I drew one of my swords. The helicopter turned around and began to retreat. I didn't want the humans to think they could get away with their actions. If that DNGS melted down, it would have killed all of us and countless other creatures. The helicopter was almost out of sight. I threw my sword at it: A direct hit. A smoke trail followed the chopper as it fell out of the sky and out of my sight.

I retracted my mask and took a breath of fresh air. Miko and Jack left the train and ran out to Optimus. I didn't even know that they were in there. I was glad that they weren't killed in any of that.

I was receiving a transmission from Soundwave. I put a finger up to my audio processor to listen best.

Shadow," Soundwave notified me, "the train has stopped moving."

I responded sarcastically, "Really Soundwave? The train stopped? I had no Idea." Jack and Miko smiled at my response. I felt bad. Soundwave had no idea that the train almost killed me as I helped stop it. I sighed and apologized, "Sorry Soundwave. That sarcasm was uncalled for."

Soundwave brushed off my words, he asked, "How did the mission go?"

I looked over my shoulder at the battlefield, "I'm pretty sure whatever Starscream set out to accomplish failed. I think all the vehicons are dead."

"Do you have anything else for me before I report to Starscream?"

I thought for a moment, "Yeah one thing. So, there is this enemy chopper I forced down a little ways from here and the humans on this chopper possess this one gun that fires devices that can disable technology. Should I follow?"

Soundwave thought I was being sarcastic again. He said plainly, "No. It is fine. There is no need to follow..." Silence, then he asked, "Without guns, how did you manage to bring down the enemy helicopter?"

I looked over at the smoke coming from the crash site. "I threw a sword at the helicopter."

Soundwave was surprised. "You threw a sword? Why!"

"I believe the human saying is 'it's the thought that counts'. I thought that by personally propelling a sharp metal object at another fast receding object without the use of an aiming mechanism, I would best get across my point."

Optimus chuckled. Jack and Miko fell down laughing.

Soundwave sighed, "What was your point?"

I squinted my eyes and tried to make my voice as serious as possible. In a bad a** way I said, "My point was that you don't frag with cybertronians."

The kids were dying of laughter. Optimus' chuckle grew into all out laughter as well. The sound caught a memory too distant for capture.

Soundwave acknowledged my point, "Fine. We should debrief as soon as you get back. Soundwave signing off."

"See you later Soundwave." I ended my transmission and removed my finger from my audio processor. I laughed to myself and shook my head.

Miko and Jack walked closer to me. Optimus stepped in front of them as to ensure their protection... from me.

Optimus asked me in the most boring of tones Primes used, "Shadow of Death," he said, "why did you help me? We are enemies."

I responded casually, "If the train had derailed, the DNGS would have melted down and we'd all have died. If any Decepticon asks, it was for self-preservation."

Optimus took a step closer. He pointed out a whole in my logic. He said, "Shadow of Death, you could have flown away to safety. There was no need for you to help me."

I chose not to respond to the Prime's statement. I stared at Jack and Miko. I hoped by the Allspark that they wouldn't speak up.

I looked back at Prime and saluted the Autobot. I quickly said, "Well Optimus, I can't say it wasn't fun. But, I have a sword to retrieve." I took a running start and transformed into my jet form. I was trying to think of a good excuse and consequently, I was not paying attention to my surroundings. Arcee, Striker, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee shot at me. I was hit. I managed to glide down to my sword.

I transformed and landed. I picked up my sword. The Autobots had caught up. Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Striker, and Arcee transformed and pointed their guns at me. I put the sword back in its holster. I looked at the four Autobots. They were tired and weak, at least two of them were. I could have easily taken down at least one of them, even with the other three attacking me. But, I was tired and did not feel like fighting. I put my servos out in front of me, making a 'stop' gesture.

I calmly said, "Autobots, I have no quarrel with you. Allow me to pass. I do not wish to fight any of you."

Optimus drove to us. Miko and Jack got out.

Arcee screamed, "Did Cliffjumper ever ask to fight? Do you know what you cons did to him? You killed him!"

I also saved the gold one. You don't know scrap.

Bulkhead shouted, "Let's make a statement to the cons! They kill one of us: we kill one of them! There shall be no survivors."

My spark broke. I roared, "One? One!" I pointed to the battlefield. "Do those lives not count? Are you really extinguishing all of these sparks just for revenge?!"

The Autobots were silent. They were frozen from my response.

Good.

I shrugged and glared at Arcee and Bulkhead. I stated disappointedly, "I thought you Autobots fought for justice and freedom. Honestly I'm disappointed in you. You dropped your ideals, left them somewhere in the past." Like I did. "Those who seek revenge are the worst kind of scrap. They destroy everything. They alienate themselves from everything and everyone they once cared about. Worst of all, they find it." Revenge I meant. They find the revenge they lost everything in trying to get it. I took my swords out of their holsters and threw them on the ground in front of my feet. I shouted, "Go ahead and shoot you fragged fools. I would rather die than make peace with such despicable murderers. Do you even feel remorse for those you slay? Or is it all just a blur, an endless hunger that can never be satisfied!"

Arcee stared at me for a while. She looked hurt. As if my words had actually gotten to her. I felt like Striker knew it was true. She was spared, even if it was originally a mistake. Bulkhead looked more sad than hurt. Bumblebee held his throat, which Megatron damaged. Optimus had transformed and appeared to be taken back. He did not expect me to say such things about the value of life and the evilness of revenge. I guess he really didn't recognize me. It's not like he resembled that much of his old self anyway. Arcee and her comrades lowered their weapons. I looked back at the humans. They noticed. Miko walked up to the sword closest to her.

She looked up at me, "Do you care about those you have killed with this sword?"

I looked down at the human and spoke, "Every time I go into battle."

Miko walked over to the pointed edge of the sword. She looked at the energon that stained the blade. I didn't want to look at it. She asked, "If you really care, then when do you extinguish another bots spark?"

Heightened vocabulary. Death.

"Only when it is a direct order," I said, "or when my spark or another's life depends on it."

The girl ran her hand along the edge of my blade. I cringed. I bent over and checked on the human. I said with worry on my tongue, "If you aren't careful, you are going to hurt yourself."

Miko put her hands on her hips and looked at me. She said, "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. I won't hurt myself on your cool sword."

The corner of my mouth perked. I picked up both swords and put them back in my holsters. I transformed into my vehicle form.

Optimus said, "Shadow of Death," he paused, "if you want," he said, "There is a place for you among us," He gestured to the Bots, "On our team."

Miko jumped up and down. She yelled, "Yes! That would be so cool! Come on Shadow! Take the offer!"

Momentary stillness. I looked down. "I'm sorry. But, I can't. If someone didn't keep Starscream in check, he'd go mad with power and destroy the eastern seaboard. Probably kill off cybertronians in the action. I appreciate the offer, but I cannot accept."

Optimus understood, "The offer stands incase your mind changes in the future," he said. Prime told his Autobots, "Allow the Shadow of Death to pass. She means us no harm."

Hahaha ha. The Shadow of Death means you no harm. Ha.

Bulkhead and Arcee moved to the side. I now had a clear path to the road. I drove away. I noticed that Jack and Miko were waving behind me. I called Soundwave and requested a groundbridge back to base. Optimus was much nicer than Megatron depicted, much more of a leader than Orion ever could have dreamed. I could sense that all the Autobots, deep down shared remorse. Even if it was just a spark. They were different than what I had been told, and what I still remember.

Soundwave created a portal and I drove through. I debriefed with him and walked to the Med Bay. I sat down.

"Megatron," I said. "I had a thought that I wanted to say out loud. Optimus is different. He's much nicer than you depicted, and much more of a leader than Orion could have ever dreamed. As far as different goes, the Autobots are different than what I have been told and what I still remember." I paused. "Sometimes I just need to assess my priorities. I would never do this here, with you, while you are awake. But now, I have no idea what you actually will retain. I don't know. I just have to get some things straight in my mind. I think Optimus is good and the other Autobot's have potential for the same good. I don't want to kill them. I released certain information to their human pets that I probably shouldn't have. Overall, I am not being the best Decepticon. Not with you gone. With you... things were different. I followed orders. Why? I don't know. Honestly my ideals side more with the Autobots, but somehow I stayed here, with you. By your side. As I am now. I can't exactly explain why. I know it runs deeper than any life debt. So, yeah. I fought for you, beside you. I am here now. I guess I kind of regret taking my position. For your information, I could have defected. Today, I could have rejoined the Autobots. But, I didn't want to. I could make up a million different reasons, but at the end of the day, I am here by your side. I guess I just wanted to say that. I am here with you. I don't have to be. I probably shouldn't be. I mean, if you knew me before the war, you would wonder why I am even here. I don't know... Sometimes I think I've made a mistake. That I've left my moral conscience behind... And, I don't know if that's true or not. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. All I know, is that as far back I can remember, I feel as if I remember you. Maybe that's just me. Maybe that's just my awful memory. I don't know. But, right here, right now, I am here with you. I guess I just wanted to say that. I can't tell you why, just that I am. I am and I don't think I should be. But still, I am, and I feel guilty for it."