Transformers Galaxy Force: Thunder Storm
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers.
Chapter 97
Lori had not had an easy night. She was plagued by nightmares that always ended with Coby dead or dying. This was evident to her parents during breakfast due to the dark circles under her eyes. The morning paper made things worse. Her dad took one look at it, and couldn't stop himself from whispering, "Holy Shit!" Mrs. Simmons would have smacked her husband on the head, were it not for the headline and picture on the front page. Lori looked and her eyes widened. There, in the picture, was a Fire Space Warp Gate, and several figures coming out of it. The accompanying article made Lori gulp as she read it.
RODIMUS CONVOY: DESTRON ARMY'S MOST WANTED
In a surprise move, unknown members of the Destron Army openly exposed themselves as they began a new operation here on Earth. Their goal is to find the mysterious Cybertron Rodimus Convoy, and they apparently aren't afraid of making a show of it.
"If anyone knows where he is, we want to know," one of them said. The Destron later fought his way through local and Cybertron authorities.
Ambassador Franklin and other authorities do not condone their actions.
"These Transformers are, at their most basic level, terrorists," Franklin told presses early this morning in a phone call. "They see Rodimus Convoy standing in their way, and they intend to eliminate them. I'll give up my office before I let them have their way with humanity!"
"I personally urge all to avoid all contact with these new Destron Army members," Galaxy Convoy, Soushireikan of the Cybertron Army said. "We will do everything we can to end their operation here on Earth and to protect people, but the public has to play their part as well. Avoid them and call for help if you see them. Don't think that by helping them, they will leave you alone. They won't leave you alone, they will leave you in pieces."
Members of Human Liberation say that Rodimus Convoy should show his face and see what they want.
"He should face them, if he's supposed to be the 'good guy'," Joe Ricker, a former Air Force pilot says.
Coby Rumble is also a concern, as the boy was last reported to have been rescued by Rodimus during the attack on Earthfall Airfield, and is still with the Transformer.
Continued on Page 2.
"This is not good," Lori said.
"You can say that again," her father said. "I guess that explains what I saw outside on the front lawn."
"What?" Lori looked out the window to see three familiar figures and relaxed. "The Rumble Team; always there when you need them." The phone rang and she grabbed it, being the closest. "Hello?"
"Good morning! Can I speak to the young Miss Simmons?" said an annoyingly familiar voice.
"I don't want to talk to you, Miss Dowilch" Lori said bluntly, hanging up. She sat back down at the table and sighed. "I think I'm going to have to be scarce for a while."
"Why don't you go to the beach," her mom suggested. "You need some time to relax anyway."
Lori thought about it, and finally nodded, "All right." She needed some time to think as well. She knew there was someplace that she had yet to check, but she just couldn't figure it out. Still, she went up to her room, changed into her one piece, grabbed her things, and left. The Rumble Team followed her to the beach, since they were assigned to keep an eye on her. But it was uneventful beyond that.
Once she reached the beach, things changed. On the beach – or rather, next to it – was a rock face that towered 80 ft above the water. Groups of teenagers would challenge each other to see how high up they would jump from into the water below. Some who were either very brave, or very stupid, or both, would go to the top and jump, so they couldn't be shown up. The smarter ones tossed a rock down first to break the water's surface. Otherwise, if hit at the wrong angle, it would make no difference whether or not they were jumping into water, or onto concrete.
She climbed up there, enjoying the view. She had no intention of jumping or swimming, as the cast on her arm prevented that, but the wind and sun felt good. The fact that no one else was currently near the rock face was a bonus in her mind, as she wanted to be left alone. She looked up and noticed a plane high above, but thought nothing of it.
Then it vanished, and reappeared above the water, flying strait towards her. There was no mistaking the purple Su-37. She didn't even have a chance to scream as he fired four missiles directly into the rock beneath her. The entire cliff shook, making her fall to the ground. She heard something burst from the water below just as the ground beneath her gave way. A large hand wrapped around her, pulling her to safety as the ground she was once on fell into the water below.
"Are you all right?" her rescuer asked.
Lori looked up into the face of a female Transformer she didn't recognize. Her rescuer had gold optics, red and orange armor, and a form that was similar to Chromia's, except it was larger and more developed. While Chromia seemed thin enough that Galaxy Convoy could snap her in two, this Transformer seemed to be a powerful warrior who didn't care so much about sexual appeal, but still had it because she took care of herself. Lori nodded, hoping her rescuer was a friend.
"Good," her rescuer nodded. She reached over her shoulder, pulling out a blaster that resembled Galaxy Convoy's left cannon, and began shooting at Skywarp. The seeker only took a few hits. Putting Lori down, the female Transformer reached over her other shoulder and pulled out another blaster. By now, the Rumble Team had also joined the battle, filling the sky with plasma fire. Lori backed away from the fight, since she was still recovering from an earlier injury, and heard a familiar siren sound.
Skywarp heard it too and flew off, yelling, "I'll be back!"
Galaxy Convoy appeared, landing on the beach. He looked up at Skywarp's fleeing form for a minute before turning and pointing his blaster at the female Transformer. "Who are you?"
The female Transformer trained her own blasters on him before Lori interrupted. "It's okay, Soushireikan. She rescued me. She's a friend."
"Sorry, I didn't know," Galaxy Convoy said, putting his blaster away. "I owe you thanks for saving Lori. I don't think I've ever seen you before." He stuck out his hand, "I am Galaxy Convoy, Soushireikan of the Cybertron Army."
"I accept your apology, and there's no need to thank me," the female Transformer said, standing and putting her weapons on her back. "You don't need to know my name though. You've never seen me before, and you may never see me again." She turned and jumped, transforming into a fire patrol boat and landing on the water. She speed away a little bit before vanishing under the surface.
Galaxy Convoy stared at the now still water where she had vanished. There was something about her, something that reminded him of himself centuries ago. He hoped with all his spark that he would see her again.
"Hello? Galaxy Convoy?" Lori called, trying for the fifth time to get his attention.
He broke his gaze away, "Sorry, just thinking." Lori noticed that his face seemed more purple than blue, and realized he was blushing. It didn't take long for Lori to put one and one together and get two, but he regained his composure before she could mention it. "We were wondering if you wanted to join the search. After trying to track down these new Destrons all morning, I've decided that we should focus on finding Rodimus and Coby first."
"Good idea," Lori nodded. Galaxy Convoy transformed and she climbed into his cab. The search went on for the rest of the day, and yielded no results.
"Any ideas, Lori?" Galaxy Convoy asked.
"Nothing comes to mind," Lori said, shaking her head. "Isn't he giving off some sort of signal?"
"We've been keeping all channels open in case he sends out a distress call," Galaxy Convoy told her.
"Good! Then you know I'm up here in the Arctic freezing my aft off!" Demolisher yelled through the comm.
"We're all frustrated, Demolisher, but we have to keep trying," Guardshell consoled his friend.
"I know. Sorry I snapped," Demolisher apologized. "I'll go back over the ground I covered, and make sure I didn't miss anything."
"Negative," Galaxy Convoy said. "All hands, return to Earthfall. We need to regroup."
Near midnight, Lori and Galaxy Convoy waited by the land entrance to Earthfall. All the other Cybertrons had reported in and had gone inside the base. They were waiting for Emission, who Lori soon spotted. The Xian Terraformer flew in and transformed, landing in front of them.
"Please say you have good news," Lori begged.
Emission's shoulders slumped. "I guess I'll be keeping my mouth shut then," she said, depressed and disappointed that she had failed the person who had taught her to be Human. "I'm sorry, Kaa-san. I tried. I scanned all over the planet for some sign of him."
Galaxy Convoy folded his arms and bowed his head, deep in thought. "Scans wouldn't find him if he is hiding under the surface. We can set up seismic and sonar scans tomorrow morning. Perhaps we can do one last visual search tonight, while the moon is out and full."
Lori looked up at the glowing full moon, and slapped herself on the forehead, "I am such an Idiot!"
