The Diego Diaries: Chaos 42
=0=Out there
The melee continued as big ships evaded while dozens and dozens of small fighters gave chase. The space in which that the battle took place began to spread out as the Guardians broke in four directions in order to pull apart their attacking forces. The type of fighters they were facing were a newer type of ship not seen before. They were carried mounted on the hulls of heavily armed vessels commonly used by shock troops or hunter groups. They were mounted on the hull, fastened to the ships like barnacles. It was possible for a single vessel to field up to 60 small fighters. They were flown by either one, two or three soldiers. The triple fighter was the most dangerous because two of the soldiers manned heavy guns. They were fast, deadly and as brutal in combat as their larger counterparts.
The Decepticon fleet was a big one, a large group that had left the Empire for greener pastures. The Empire was in decline in their opinion and they were going to find a better spot to rule for themselves. They were following their leader, a very ruthless, determined, cold blooded killer. He had pulled together more like him and he had set out to find a kingdom. How he did it, whether it was already occupied, it didn't matter. He knew what he wanted and he was prepared to do anything to get it.
It was his entire raison d'etre.
-0-In the mix
The Seekers had destroyed several dozen fighters but they kept coming. Through the aperture came several hundred more Seekers armed with rockets and heavy weapons. They poured into the mix providing cover to the Guardians as they began to form a defensive line in front of the bridge. As the format of defense began to coalesce, five Arks bristling with guns poured through the bridge and thundered directly toward the migration destroying the fighters as they flew. They flew upward and then onward passing over the mass of ships, their sensors scanning the entire structure for Decepticon signals.
Prime sat in Gamma watching the datapad, noting that Seekers were being pulled into Kappa with injuries. He was tense and silent as Prowl directed the ships, offering objectives that were beginning to pay off. The enemy fighters began to pull back and nearly a dozen of them re-entered the migration.
"Ark 23 to Prowl."
"Prowl here."
"Sir, we have about a dozen fighters in the migration as well as seventeen enemy ships scattered about. The entire migration is infected. Over."
"Affirmative. Continue with the plan. Over."
"Affirmative. Ark 23, out."
They sat quietly, both Prime and Prowl scrutinizing the battle flow with Ironhide. It was beginning to pull into stalemate. That is, the Decepticons were finding out that the cost of continuing at this rate was becoming extremely expensive. The lines on the datapad were beginning to set into a pattern with the majority portion of the Decepticon force pulling away to regroup near a broken field of large asteroids.
The migration was utterly quiet, the ships holding to radio silence, either from 'Con orders or because of fright. Prime had no opportunity to know which was which until they went inside that mass to see for themselves. That was Plan C. Right now, Plan A was still being borne out.
-0-Outside
Red Wing disabled a fighter harassing Zeta when the Arks burst through the vortex entering their space at a ridiculous speed. They flashed over the main battle and headed in the direction of the migration. Before they came through, several hundred more Seekers streaked out and began to engage the enemy. The scene instantly became complicated as the battle began to turn toward the Autobots. The fighters began to fall back, bringing the chaos closer to their own front lines.
:Sabre 1:
:Sabre 1 here:
:Don't be pulled in. When they turn to run do not follow:
:Affirmative, Control. Sabre 1 out:
Starscream leaned back watching as the lines began to form up. The fighters were turning, pulling back into the most accurate firing zone of the ships. The Seekers didn't follow but sent their missiles and rockets roaring into the kill zone of the Decepticon front lines. Explosions from hits of ships or countermeasures flared like spots on the surface of the sun. They were brilliant and then gone.
:Sabre 1:
:Sabre 1 here:
:Surround the migration as per plan 3 affective in 2 breems:
:Affirmative, Control. Sabre 1 out: Red Wing said. His indicator light on the datapad turned and flew onward, pulling dozens of Seekers away with him.
:Sabre 2:
:Sabre 2: Cloud Burst said.
:Make a defensive line around the Guardians. Make them pay if they dare to challenge it:
:Affirmative, Control. Sabre 2 out:
Starscream sat back and watched as the dragnet closed around the migration with three sides under their control and one, the Decepticons. :Starscream to Prime:
:Prime here:
:We are drawing the string:
:Affirmative. Stand by:
:Affirmative: Starscream said nodding. He watched as the Arks came around and with the Guardians forming up made a half circle of terrible doom in front of the space bridge aperture.
It was stalemate.
-0-Ratchet
The ship seemed to bend in half as Kappa ducked downward. Outside the windows, the nearly invisible streak of Seekers flashing past chasing fighters seemed surreal to the younglings and civilians inside who watched. They hung on as the great vessel turned slowing to a stop in a mass of armed ships and Seekers. They were arrayed before the space bridge coming together before the migration and near enough to the Decepticon armada to make them pay big time for any foolhardy moves. He turned and looked at his crew. "Get ready. They're coming."
As he sat that, the hull hatch parted and wounded began to arrive.
-0-Stalemate
The fighters retreated to their ships and began to attach to the hulls. Evidently, the pilots and crews entered through a hatch at their attachments because there was no sign of visual activity of crew around the ship or the fighters. Prowl arose, took another datapad and walking to the hull hatch of Gamma. As he did, the great orange hull of an Ark appeared in the view port rising up beneath Gamma like a massive whale. Prowl glanced at Prime and nodded, then popped the hatch. He stepped out pushing off hard, clearing the distance between Gamma and Ark 4. A mech pulled him in and the hull shuttered once more.
He would go to the command deck and assume his duties there. It would not due for both C.O.'s to be caught out on the same ship. When he plugged back in, an officer's conference was going on.
-0-Prime
"We have stalemate. We have to get our people out of here. Any suggestions without drawing this into more fighting than we already have."
"We have shown them firepower equal or exceeding their own. I think we need to find out who they are," Ironhide suggested. "That might help decide what we do here. They have already infiltrated the refugees. This problem is pretty spread out."
"I agree," Starscream said, his voice coming from the speaker system. "It could be that they don't know what they are facing with us. Then again, we don't know who they are either."
"Communication is a first step," Prowl said, his voice coming from the same place."We need to know who we are dealing with."
Prime nodded. "Gamma, put me online."
"Affirmative, Prime," a deeply masculine voice said. There was a pause. "The link is established."
Prime paused a moment thinking through things, then sat back. "Enemy force, this is Optimus Prime, the Prime of Cybertron and bearer of the Creation Matrix. Identify yourself."
It was silent a moment, then a harsh mocking voice was heard. "Optimus Prime ... long time no speak."
"Identify yourself," Prime repeated sternly.
"I am hurt, Prime. *Hurt*. You don't remember me. How about you ask Fortress Maximus about me," he said.
It was silent a moment but Prime knew Prowl was messaging Ops Center on the other end. In a matter of moments, the voice would be playing for Fort Max. The bridge of Ark 4 was silent as Prowl stood at the table near the conn waiting. The message came back and Prowl winced. He sent it onward to Prime. That worthy listened to it and glanced at Ironhide. "Why should I know who you are?"
A humorless chuckle filtered in. "You know me. Word has it that Fort Max and Metroplex are with you. Its easy to see that the Guardians are and a number of Arks. Nice firepower by the way. You know who I am."
"Slagger has an ego problem," Ironhide said coldly. "Needs a slagging."
Prime nodded and settled back considering his next words. "I know who you are. You are trespassing in our zone of influence. You have committed crimes against that sovereignty by attacking and hindering a migration of our people. Withdraw and end this so we can bring them to safety and medical attention."
"And what will you give me if I do?" the voice asked.
"Your life," Prime answered quietly.
A harsh dry laugh greeted that. "You know better than that."
"Who is this fragger?" Ironhide asked glancing at Prime.
"I know who he is," Starscream said over the intra-ship comm line.
"Who?" Ironhide asked.
"He's Overlord," Starscream replied.
It was silent for a moment. "Frag," Ironhide said quietly.
-0-Autobot City, Mars
He sat digesting the news, his irate emotions dialed down. Overlord was harassing their people. He was harassing his Autobots. His ire was stupendous. They had a score to settle. But not now. He knew even as he understood the totality of the situation that the city and the soldiers would come first.
"Max?"
He cleared his helm. "Affirmative."
"We need the data, buddy," Swerve said as he sat at the comm station.
"Affirmative," Fortress Maximus said as he ran the numbers requested.
-0-Out there
"What do I get to go away, Prime?" the mocking voice said. "My life? Really?"
"Give up the hostages, leave this space and we won't kill you," Prime said coldly.
"I like this space. In fact, I think I'm going to set up housekeeping here," the voice said. "I also think I'm going to keep my guests. At least for a while. I've grown to become fond of them."
"Give up the hostages and you can go peacefully," Prime reiterated.
"We don't care about peace, Prime. It's so dull. It's so unprofitable. I want you to understand me."
"And you need to understand me," Prime said, his voice glacial. "If one of the hostages gets harmed, I will personally kill you."
"I'll tell you what, Prime. As a gift to you, I will give you some of the guests. I will give them to you and pull out. I saw a nice place nearby that will make a great base. We're going to be there. How about that? You want refugees? I will give you some," he said and then the line went dead.
"What the frag now?" Ironhide said. "That slagger isn't going to be giving us living refugees is he?"
"I don't know. Starscream."
"Here, Prime."
"Have some of your Seekers ready to fly in swiftly."
"Affirmative." Pause. "They are ready at your command."
"Affirmative," Prime said as they sat staring with foreboding at the screen.
Nothing happened for a moment; then a ship broke free and slowly made an approach. It was a small runabout vessel that made its way toward the Autobot lines. It slowed and stopped about halfway there. Sitting in space, its lights pulsing, a hatch finally opened. Half a dozen small bundles were tossed out and floated away. The hatch closed and the ship turned hurrying back to the Decepticon fleet.
"You have your refugees. We have to go now. We have a base to build," the harsh voice said. Then the line was cut and the fleet began to pull back.
At that moment, a cry came over the intercomm. "OPTIMUS! OPTIMUS! THOSE ARE SPARKLINGS!" Prowl shouted over the line.
For a moment, no one moved. Then all hell broke out.
=0=TBC
2012 (10)