Transformers Galaxy Force: Thunder Storm
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers.
Chapter 89
Three jets fired into the stratosphere, vapor trails tailing behind them as they began a series of maneuvers. In each jet were two members of the Thunderwing Squadron, one acting as pilot, and the other as copilot.
"Everything seems to check out," Tech reported.
"There's always room for improvement, Tech," his copilot, Mom, reminded him.
"Cut loose and have some fun, Mom," Lori's copilot laughed.
"Just because you're in the copilot seat doesn't mean you can relax, Wondergirl," was the reply.
"Quiet!" Thunderwing hissed. "We're nearing the destination for the Acceleration Test. Big Bad Wolf, how much farther?"
"50 meters and closing."
"Rookie, stop lagging behind."
Lori rolled her eyes. She wasn't lagging behind, but Thunderwing seemed determined to make her feel or look inadequate as a pilot. Still, she turned up the thrusters slightly too keep him happy. "Shall we have a race to see who breaks the sound barrier first?" she asked.
"That would be the shit!" Tech cheered.
Thunderwing growled, "Rookie, that is the stupidest…"
"Scared we'd beat you?" Wondergirl challenged.
"Come on, Thunderwing, live a little," Tech teased.
A sigh was heard, and then, "All right, Rookie. But lets raise the stakes a little. Looser has to streak around the base, tomorrow morning, in the cold."
"Pervert!" Mom yelled.
A plan was already forming in Lori's mind. She was getting tired of Thunderwing's ego, as well as his constant insults and attempts to embarrass or humiliate her. If she timed this right, she could have a little revenge. "Thunderwing, you have yourself a deal."
"We're at the location," Big Bad Wolf reported.
"Line up!" Thunderwing ordered. "Big Bad Wolf, call it."
"In three… two… one… NOW!"
Two planes shot forward, while Lori simply eased into the acceleration. She needed to time this just right.
"What are you doing?" her copilot asked.
Shutting off the radio, Lori replied, "Wondergirl, I need you to set up a surprise or two." She explained her plan, and could practically hear her copilot grin. She increased her acceleration, watching the two jets in front of her. Thunderwing's was in the lead, showing signs of coming close to the sound barrier.
"We're ready," Wondergirl said.
"Keep an eye on the gauges," Lori warned, and cut the thrusters. Keeping her hand on the yoke, she kept their jet going steady as they began a steep, downward glide.
The radio crackled, "Rookie! What the hell are you doing?"
"Taking advantage of Energon Fusion Technology," Lori replied. "Keep your pants on, Thunderwing, and don't say a word. I need to concentrate."
"100 meters to go," she heard her copilot say. That was her first cue, and she began to overcharge the thrusters, keeping one eye on their angle of decent, and another on the Energon levels. Normally, Energon Fusion Thrusters couldn't be overcharged by a certain level, or they would overheat. By dropping the way she was, Lori was cooling the thrusters down, allowing her to overcharge them more.
"Three… Two… One… NOW!"
Pulling back hard on the yoke and firing the thrusters, Lori was able to yell, "Hang on!" before the G-Forces began to pull on her body. She angled them so that they would end up right in front of the other two jets as she fired their overcharged thrusters, shooting them forward at an incredible rate. Right as they pulled up in front of the two jets, Lori felt the plane shake, and caught the sight of a plume of vapor out of the corner of her eye. They shot forward unable to hear the massive roar behind them.
A sonic boom.
"How did you do that?" Tech yelled over the radio.
"You guys used your overcharge early," Lori answered. "By dropping, the air cooled my thrusters more, allowing me to overcharge my thrusters more wile using gravity to accelerate. Momentum and increased thrust allowed me to break the sound barrier quicker."
One minute later, Tech and Mom broke the sound barrier as well. Thunderwing and Big Bad Wolf were the last, as Thunderwing had panicked when he saw Lori break the sound barrier right in front of him, and they lost their lead.
When they returned to Earthfall Airfield, Lori's maneuver was all the members of the Thunderwing Squadron talked about. It spread to the base commanders, who were impressed as well. Only Thunderwing was unimpressed, feeling cheated that he got beaten by a 'Rookie'.
That night, Lori went into the lounge that branched off into six bedrooms, one for each member of the squadron, to see Big Bad Wolf sitting on the couch, staring at an off TV and looking glum.
"What's the matter?" she asked.
"Tomorrow morning," he grunted in reply.
Lori
smiled, "Except you don't have to do it."
He looked at her,
confused, "Why?"
"You weren't flying," she replied with a smile before retiring to her room. She showered, put on her nightshirt, and was about to climb in bed when someone knocked on her door. "Who's there?"
"It's me, Lori," she heard Coby say. "Can I come in?"
She smiled, "Of course you can."
He quickly entered and closed the door behind him. "You were amazing today," he told her, pulling her in for a kiss. She pulled away and made a face.
"You reek of oil," she complained. "Go use my shower, then kiss me."
Coby blushed, "But my clothes…"
"Here," Lori cut him off, tossing him her bathrobe, "Use this."
The minute Coby turned the water on, there was another knock. This time, Lori opened the door to find Ambassador Franklin on the other side. She quickly came to attention and saluted, "Sir!"
"At ease," he said, smiling. "I came to congratulate you on how well you flew today."
"Thanks," Lori replied.
Franklin's expression became more serious as he continued, "However, I do need to warn you that what we're doing here is not fun and games, but serious work. If you pull another stunt like that, you're going to be off the team."
Lori nodded, "I understand. It won't happen again."
The smile retuned, "Thank you. Oh, and Lucy says, 'Hi'. Get a good night's sleep. We have a long day tomorrow."
"I will, Sir," she replied. Franklin left and she closed the door. Sitting down on her bed, she waited until Coby came out of her bathroom, dressed in nothing but her bathrobe. She walked up to him and smiled, "Okay, now you can kiss me."
