Chapter 1: One Last Job
A.N. Here it is, folks. My first chapter story of 2023 and my newest Rescue Bots Academy chapter story. This one has been in my head for a while now, and was originally going to be published towards the end of last year, but I never found the time for it. Alas, here it is now. So, with all that out of the way, let our story begin.
Not too far away from Earth's orbit, a ship of Cybertronian design was drfting through the stars. The ship's crew consisted of its captain, a Mercenary by the name of Lockdown, a Bumblebee look-alike named Bug Bite, a Skyscorcher named Afterburner, a Junkion named Detritus, and a former Decepticon named Hardtop, who was speaking to Lockdown.
"You know, boss, I've been thinking." he was saying. "We sure have stashed up a lot of goods."
"Indeed we have." agreed Lockdown. "In fact, I think we've almost stolen enough to retire on. We just need to find a good place to pull off one last job before we do."
Just then, Bug Bite, who was at the controls with Detritus and Afterburner, spotted Earth.
"Hey, how about that planet down there?" he suggested. "That looks like a good place."
"Sure, let's try there." said Lockdown.
With that, the Mercenaries flew their ship down to Earth, and soon came across a compound of some sort. Detritus whistled when he saw it.
"Get a load of that place." he said. "Who knows what sort of goods are stashed there?"
"There's only one way to find out." said Lockdown. "Take us down, boys."
And so, Bug Bite, Afterburner, and Detritus landed the ship in an open area not too far away from the compound. The boarding ramp was soon lowered and the Mercs disembarked.
"Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!" grinned Bug Bite. "I can't wait to see how much loot we score from this place!"
Bug Bite's enthusiasm was met by a slug from Afterburner.
"Shut up!" he growled. "You're gonna give us away!"
Just then, they heard the sound of a gate opening.
"Now look what you've done, you big dummy!" Afterburner shouted.
"Me?" retorted Bug Bite. "At least I'm not some useless crummy wingnut!"
Afterburner's anger grew hotter than before.
"Alright, that's it!" he snarled. "Get over here!"
Afterburner then lunged at Bug Bite and tackled him to the ground, and it wasn't long before the two were wrestling while throwing kicks and punches at each other. This caused their comerades to become very annoyed.
"Knock it off, you two!" Hardtop snapped as he and Detritus pulled the two brawling Mercs apart.
"Yes, I do not appreciate that kind of behavior on my property." said a voice.
The voice belonged to a woman with graying black hair, turquoise eye shadow, red lipstick, and clothed in a reddish-violet turtleneck dress, a gray-and-black coat, black gloves, and dark red high-heeled boots. Lockdown and his crew gazed upon her.
"And who might you be?" asked Lockdown.
"Pynch is the name. Madeline Pynch." the woman replied. "And you are?"
Lockdown introduced himself and his crew to Madeline and told her why they had landed at her compound.
"So, you're in search of treasure, are you?" Madeline queried. "Well, I believe I can help with that. Follow me."
Madeline led the Mercenaries into the compound, and there, in the sub-basement of the place, they saw many priceless artifacts all over the place.
"Wow." gasped Bug Bite. "We've hit the Mother Lode!"
"Yes, Bug Bite." said Madeline. "Feel free to take as much as you desire."
"You heard the lady." said Lockdown. "Let's start grabbing stuff."
But just as the Mercenaries were about to begin taking whatever valuables they could get their optics and hands on, Madeline stopped them.
"Not so fast." she said. "There is something I require from you."
"Oh, really?" asked Lockdown. "What is it?"
"I need you to do a little job for me." Madeline explained. "There is still one prize I have yet to acquire, and it's unlike any of the other ones you've seen."
"How so?" asked Hardtop.
"Before I go further, allow me to show you what, or who, this "prize" is." said Madeline.
Madeline then pulled out a palm-sized hologram projector and showed the Mercenaries a hologram of Hot Shot.
"This is Hot Shot, son of Heatwave, leader of Rescue Force Sigma-17." she explained. "Frankly, I am surprised that the leader of those pesky "Rescue Bots" even became a father."
"What does that have to do with anything?" asked Afterburner.
"You see, my dear Afterburner, the Rescue Bots have been a thorn in my side for a long time now." Madeline replied. "As an act of revenge, I plan on making this one my slave. I have been watching the Rescue Bots' every move ever since our last encounter, and this "Hot Shot" has some potential for working for Pynch Industries. So, what do you say, boys? Do we have a deal?"
The Mercenaries all looked at each other, then back at Madeline.
"Excuse us, please?" Lockdown asked.
"Sure." Madeline nodded. "Talk amongst yourselves."
The Mercenaries then went to another area of the room they were in and began conversing with each other.
"This could be it, boys." said Lockdown. "Our last big job before retirement."
"But how will we catch him?" asked Detritus. "I doubt this will be easy."
"There's always a way, Detritus." said Lockdown. "We'll just think of a strategy later."
"So...does this mean we're gonna accept the lady's deal?" asked Bug Bite.
"Pretty much so." said Lockdown with a shrug.
Lockdown and his crew then went back over to Madeline.
"Okay, Pynch, you've got a deal." Lockdown said. "One Rescue Bot for a whole lotta valuables."
"Splendid." Madeline smiled.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, we'll be heading back to our ship to work out a plan." said Lockdown.
"Very well." nodded Madeline.
And so, Lockdown and his crew left, and Madeline smiled a wicked grin.
"Good old Charlie Burns and his team of Rescue Bots have no idea what's in store." she chuckled. "Especially this "Heatwave"."
End Of Chapter 1