Still in the fight
Disclaimer: I do not in anyway shape or form own Halo or Transformers Prime. They belong to their respective owners.
Hi! I'm going to be trying to answer your comments in the previous chapters from now on so here we go.
Ghostly- Thanks for the ideas. I've been thinking of something similar to that but I still appreciate the suggestion.
The Disquieting one- Yeah, I'm going to try and have Miko undergo more significant character development in this story. You're correct that the Autobot's hold a higher value on life than Six does, especially regarding the enemy. I hoped you enjoyed the chapter.
Austin- I'll try to answer this as much as I can.
So, I'm not going to spoil what I have in what exactly I have in store for MECH but it is one of those things that you listed. Think you can guess which it is?
I do have more crossover and regular story ideas in mine. But I am hesitate in creating them because if I do than I may not have as much time to work on the ones I'm currently doing. So, I may post them later but I don't know when yet.
For the first two ideas, I have never seen Rising Storm so I won't be creating a crossover on that. I also never saw RWBY so I won't be creating a crossover or regular story with that either.
Though I must admit, the X-over idea with Master Chief, the Doom Slayer, and Samus Aran sounds awesome. Just add Issac Clark from Dead Space and it would be perfect. Maybe even add Jack Cooper from Titanfall two or Alcatraz from the Crysis series. Those guys forming a team would be the very definition of unstoppable.
Regarding the Doom/Halo crossover, I have been thinking about creating a story like that. The problem is that I have no idea where to start it or even where to take it.
I also never saw Goblin Slayer so I won't be doing a crossover or story on that either.
If you're curious about what other story ideas I have, here are a few I had in mind.
-Titanfall/Young justice crossover: In this story, the main character will be a pilot that previously worked for the IMC who becomes a mercenary in the young justice universe. Doing things for money and perhaps his own personal code. Maybe he even creates a private military company to help him in completing contracts.
-Halo/Red vs Blue crossover: An ODST army soldier gets assigned to Red team due to having sociopathic and sometimes psychotic tendencies.
-Halo/Planet of the apes crossover (the new trilogy from Rise to War): Noble Six arrives on an alternate world and defends that reality's Mankind from being overthrown by evolved and highly intelligent apes.
-Tomb raider: A Private contractor gets set to Yamatai by Trinity to determine if the research of a young, aspiring treasure hunter could bear fruit. (This later turns into an AU where Lara Croft joins Trinity).
If any of these peaks your interest feel free to let me know.
So, that is it for now and I hope that you find this chapter to be satisfactory.
Now, without further adieu enjoy!
Chapter 5: Predatory
It was in an early afternoon when Ratchet detected an Energon signature coming from the forests in the north east coast of the United States. Optimus dispatched Arcee to investigate and allowed Jack to accompany her for this mission. Six and Jewel decided to go with them as well. They were originally at the base to discuss with Ratchet if the groundbridge could be used to send them back home, which led to a dead end as they could not come up with any theories as to how it could, at least not any that was likely to be a complete failure. The Spartan-three Lieutenant was equipped with a HYDRA, a few C-12 explosive charges, and a modern day AT4 rocket launcher, since he didn't bring any MK41 SPNRKs with him when he came to this dimension.
Arcee held an Energon scanner in her hand and used it to trace the Energon signature. Jack and Six followed behind the Autobot femme, the teenager was currently swatting away mosquitos that were buzzing all around him. Luckily for Six, they didn't bother him as he was wearing GEN- 3 Mark VII MJOINIR armor developed on the Infinity before it was taken out.
"I'd really wished I packed some more bug spray. The mosquitoes on this routine recon are bigger than vampire bats, and they drink just as much blood." Jack complained as he squashed a bug on his left arm.
"Quite the outdoorsman, aren't you, Jack?" Arcee said with a smirk.
"You wouldn't be making fun of my survival kit." Jack retorted.
"Maybe."
"I may not have stinger proof metal skin or armor like you or Six, but in a pinch I can use my multi-function pocket knife, and magnesium fire starter, to cook up some free dried mac n cheese." The teenager replied.
Arcee gave her partner a grin. "Well, you have your tools, I have mine." She said as she held up her tracker for emphasis before it started beeping." That's strange. Ratchet's satellite scans were accurate, but subterranean Energon deposits don't usually cause this kind of surge."
The blue Autobot continued forward with Jack and Six following close behind. About a minute later, the trio made it to the top of the hill, where they saw a trail of destruction with a pillar of smoke in the distance.
"Wow. What could have caused all of this?" Jack asked aloud.
"Most likely a crash landing. Though the question remains of who just landed?" Jewel elaborated.
"Stay behind me, low and close." Arcee said before proceeding towards the smoke with her blaster deployed and raised. Jack and Six took cover behind a fallen tree, Six had his rifle pointed towards the crashed ship as he scanned for any signs of movement.
"Is it Bot or Con?" Jack questioned.
"Can't tell yet." Arcee replied. "Wait here." She advanced forward and disappeared into the ship. About eight seconds later she came back out, her left hand on the ship as she leaned against it. Looking as if she just saw a ghost.
"Arcee..."Jack said in shock as he rushed over to check on her, while continued started to scan the surroundings for any hostiles. When Jack came up to her, she looked into the tree line with a look of fear in her optics, likely reliving a very traumatic memory from her past. It wasn't until Jack shouted her name that she snapped back into reality.
"Arcee, what's wrong?" Jack asked her in concern.
The two-wheeler quickly shook her head to focus on the present. "I know who this ship belongs to." She choked out. Placing her hand on her head, she radioed in to base. "Arcee to base, I need a groundbridge ASAP, do you read me?"
"Why? Who's ship is this?" Jack asked with growing unease in his voice. He had never seen his guardian like this before, and it scared him greatly.
"Scrap!" Arcee cursed. "The commlink's dead. The ship has to be blocking our signal."
"Um Arcee, you're kind of freaking me out here." Jack said just as Six caught up to them.
"Wait here." She ordered and walked back into the woods. Jack took a glance at Six who looked completely calm in contrast to the growing terror he was currently feeling. Arcee spotted strange scratch marks on various trees as she passed by, as if something was intentionally marking them. She then noticed some kind of tracks on the earth that led further into the forest.
Kneeling down, she saw that the size was too small for a Cybertronian or even a human, they looked to have been made by something sharp. Suddenly, a very painful memory hit her again, freezing her in place.
"Arcee?"
The Autobot snapped out of her memory and jolted slightly before looking over and seeing Jack with a concerned expression on his face. Six not too far behind as he had his weapon raised and pointed at where the tracks led.
She looked at the two before quickly transforming into her motorcycle mode.
"Climb on," She ordered Jack firmly, before he took a glance at Six before he complied.
"Wait, what about Six? H- woah!"
Jack didn't get to finish his sentence as Arcee took off like a rocket into the woods, weaving through the trees and rocks as she left Six and Jewel behind.
"Well, that was just rude now wasn't it?" Jewel quipped as she opened up a groundbridge for Six to walk through while simultaneously tracking where the smallest Autobot member of Team prime was going.
"Was that really necessary?!" Jack asked in disbelief over his guardian's actions. "...you also left Six behind as well!" Jack ranted on, unfortunately, Arcee was too busy trying to reestablish comms with base to answer him.
"Arcee to base" She continued to receive no answer. "Scrap!" she cursed in frustration.
"Look, Arcee, I've seen danger befor-"
"Wait here," she interrupted. "I mean it this time Jack."
"Whoa, hold on, so first you shut me out and now you're ditching me?" Jack demanded as Arcee transformed back into robot form. " I thought we were supposed to be partners."
"No, Jack you're a kid!" Arcee responded forcefully. "You're only here because this was supposed to be no risk! Got it? Please wait here! I mean it!" Before the teenager could reply, she transformed back into her vehicular form and drove off, leaving Jack behind.
There was a short period of silence before a certain artificial intelligence broke it.
"Well, she's clearly terrified."
Jack jolted as he looked behind him, seeing both Jewel and Six standing there.
"When did you get here?" He asked.
"Not too long ago." Jewel replied with a shrug before a frown appeared on her face. "But I think she's correct in that it's safer for you to stay here Jack."
"W-what? No! I need to go find her! She needs help!" Jack argued.
"Jack, you're still a teenager with no military training or combat experience. Let me and Six go on ahead, you still here and we'll come back for you once the threat has been neutralized.
The duo started to move in the direction where the blue Autobot went. Before Jack could voice his protest, Six turned his helmet back to him as Jewel's voice came back.
"I'm serious Jack. Wait here." Was all she said before they moved forwards.
When Six and Jewel made it it Arcee's position, they saw that she was facing off against another Cybertronian with what looked to be spider legs attached to her back. Six activated his cloaking module and positioned himself behind a tree as he pulled out his AT4 rocket launcher and shouldered it, checking behind him to make sure the backblast was clear, ready to provide assistance if need be.
"Arcee," The unknown femme growled as she got back to her feet in spider bot form. "Small universe."
"Too small Airachnid." Arcee spat back.
"You're still holding a grudge? The was has been over for Mega-cycles." Airachnid taunted as she began to circle the two-wheeler.
"Tell that to the Decepticons," Arcee retorted while getting into a fighting position.
"These days I travel solo, in pursuit of my new hobby." the spider bot said.
"I know. I got a look at your souvenir case." Arcee replied.
"You mean my trophies." Airachnid corrected as she placed her left hand on her chest. "I collect endangered species. Of course they aren't in any real danger, until they meet me. And I have a special slot reserved for a human."
"Not gonna happen." Arcee said as she quickly tackled Airachnid to the ground. She got a few punches in but then Airachnid used her spider limbs to push Arcee off of her with enough force to smash into the rock wall behind her. Once the two-wheeler got back up, she deployed her blasters and opened fired.
Airachnid jumped up between two trees and used her webbing to wrap Arcee's arms to prevent her from firing. She pulled with all of her strength and knocked Airachnid down from the tree. Using her arm blades to cut off the webbing before she resumed firing.
The Spider bot returned blaster fire of her own as Arcee dodged them. Jumping from tree to tree before she landed right on top of Airachnid with her foot on her chest. She aimed her blasters right at her head, about to end her nemesis and her nightmares once and for all. Maddox began to lower his AT4 as it looked like his assistance was not needed.
...until a certain human teenager interrupted the moment.
The Spartan and both Cybertronian femmes looked where they saw rocks rolling down a hill, where Jack was sliding down.
Airachnid took the opportunity to strike at Arcee with one of her limbs. The blue Autobot stumbled back but before she could get back her bearings, Arachnid used her webs to pin her against the rock wall behind her.
"Arcee!" Jack called out.
Before the former Decepticon could finish Arcee off, she was suddenly hit by a rocket in her side, knocking her to the ground. Jack and Arcee turned to the source to see Six holding an AT4 with smoke coming out of it, throwing away the rocket launcher as it was now empty.
"I thought I told you to wait for me!" Arcee yelled as Jack ran towards her.
"Well, partners don't leave partners." Jack argued as he began to remove her webs.
"Get this through your head," Arcee snapped. "You're not my partner. You're a liability!"
"I don't believe you." Jack retorted. "I can see it in your eyes. You're afraid Arcee, and you're never afraid."
Arcee froze for a brief moment, likely having another flashback. "You're right Jack. I am afraid, of losing you!" She said as she looked at him with worry just as Six arrived.
"You sure do have trouble holding onto your partners, don't you?" Airachnid said which caught everyone's attention as Six pointed his rifle at her. She had mostly repaired the area where the rocket hit and was walking towards them in her spider form. "We both know what happened to Tailgate. But I've recently picked up some Decepticon radio chatter regarding the passing of Cliffjumper." She smiled as she turned her attention to Jack. At some point, you really have to ask yourself, Arcee, it it them, or is it me?"
Arcee showed pure fear and terror in her optics. She vented in and out heavily.
"Do you get it now guys, she's not interested in me, she hunts indigenous species, and she's on Earth...that means humans, RUN!" She yelled out desperately before Airachnid covered her in more webbing.
Maddox grabbed Jack's arm and dragged him into the forest, his other hand holding the HYDRA as he continued to point it towards Airachnid, as the spider bot dug her limbs into the rock wall and held up Arcee's chin with a single finger. "And that's why I prefer to work alone. It's so sad when bad things happen to those that are close to you. But don't get me wrong, I still fully intend to snuff out your spark, and believe me, it WILL hurt." She said as as she face Arcee upside down. "But that won't compare to the pain you'll feel knowing I'm adding your human to my collection. And maybe I'll add the other one too." She smiled sadistically before she turned around and gave chase.
"JACK! SIX!" Arcee yelled out.
Night had fallen as Six and Jack took cover behind a fallen tree, the Lieutenant keeping watch for any sign of her. Thanks to the Spartan's enchanced speed they were able to get some distance between themselves and the former Decepticon before she started to chase after them.
"So...what's the plan?" Jack whispered.
"I believe that her ship is what's causing communication disruptions. Therefore we should prioritize in destroying it to restore communications." Jewel said through Six's helmet.
"That's right Jack! Play hard to get!" Airachnid taunted in the distance.
Six saw the Spider bot in the distance with his VISR, helping him to see through the fog. While she still didn't know where they are yet, it would only be a matter of time.
"Listen, you stay behind me. You do what I say, when I say it. You got it?" Maddox instructed the teenager.
Jack gave him a nod as the three started to make their way to the crash spaceship. Airachnid not too far behind
Just as Six started planting his C-12 charges on the ship's Energon fuel tank. Airachnid came back as she caught up to them. The two quickly hid behind a corner as she made her way to the entrance.
"If you wanted a tour, all you had to to was ask, I do hope you thought highly of my trophy's. Cause that's where your heads will be!" She said as she entered the ship.
Soon as she disappeared inside, Maddox quickly motioned for Jack to head to a safe distance as he planted the rest of the charges. As soon as he was finished , he jumped down and began to make his way to Jack. Unfortunately, it seems that Airachnid caught wind of them as she appeared on top of the ship just after Maddox made it to cover. When Sic set the charges off, she seemed to realize what was going on as a look of panic came up on her face before her ship went up in a fiery explosion.
Jack let out a sigh of relief. "That was close." He said before the two walked away from the explosion and headed towards the direction they had last seen Arcee.
Suddenly Six pushed jack out of the way right before a piece of webbing was shot at his foot. The two instantly took cover as a very angry Airachnid crawled out of the fire and advanced in their direction.
"You'll pay for what you did to my ship!" She snarled out angrily.
Six responded by firing his HYDRA at where her wound was causing Energon to spill out of it. Since she was still dazed by the explosion, she failed to notice it in time.
"AAGGHH." Airachnid growled out in pain. She turned her direction to Six and prepared to fire her blasters. However, just before she could fire, she was knocked on the ground by Arcee who landed a fist to her jaw.
Arcee started attacking Airachnid with a series of punches and kicks, which most of them connected. Six took the opportunity to fire another shot at her wound, this time causing her to almost collapse in pain before Arcee kicked her through multiple trees.
Once she was sure that her nemesis was down, she turned around to see Jack and Maddox coming out of cover. "Jack! Six!" She ran over and knelt down. "Are you two okay?
"Never better," Jack replied as he wiped away some dirt on his shirt. "Six and Jewel looked out for me.
Arcee gave them a small smile before they all heard the sound of drilling, rushing over to the source to see Airachnid tunneling through the dirt. Arcee opened fired with her blasters while Six let off a round from his HYDRA.
"AIRACHNID!" Arcee yelled angrily.
The Autobot let out a sigh. "So much for closure."
"Now Airachnid is stuck here on Earth. I'm not sure if that's a good thing." Jack said as he looked down the hole.
Arcee looked at the two with an apologetic look on her face. "I'm sorry that the two of you had to face my demons today. You were pretty fearless back there Jack."
Jack shifted and confessed. "To be honest, I was scared. Most for you."
Jewel appeared as he finished. "It's quite nothing really. Though, I am disappointed we didn't get to eliminate Airachnid when we had the chance."
"Hey Six, Jewel, uh..thanks. I don't know what could have happened it you were not here." Jack thanked the Spartan and his AI friend.
Jewel gave him a smile while Six just nodded in acknowledgement.
Arcee smiled at this before radioing in to base. "Ratchet, requesting groundbridge."
While she said that, Jack swatted at a bug that landed on his arm. "Need to get my partner away from any over-sized insects." She said with a smirk.
"Back to being partner, huh?" He questioned with a grin.
"Junior partner." Arcee corrected. "I can still pull rank.
As always I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. If you have any ideas or suggestions let me know in the reviews.
Remember...stay frosty gents.