-Chapter 7: Movers and Shakers-
The next morning, elsewhere in the USA…
A light breeze wafted across the grassy meadow, luscious green blades waving gently about as birds chirped in the early morning air. Nearby waters babbled calmly and lapped at a sandy shoreline. As far as Earth mornings went, it was pristine and the definition of picturesque. Seldom would a human ever want to disturb such a scene.
A suddenly rumbling caused the waters to tremble, a frothing burbling ruining the scene as the bay quaked and shuddered. Emerging from below, a pair of massive mechanoids walked out of the water and onto dry land, water rolling down their chassis in a shimmering cascade. Thundercracker rolled his shoulder struts and shook his helm to send water flying. "Where are we? I thought you said you needed someplace high up? Not deep down in the water…" He whined. "Couldn't we have just flown here? I think my chassis is gonna rust."
"Our cybertanium alloys possess denser molecular bonds than most metallic compounds. It will take far more than a dihydrogen monoxide substance to inflict rust." Shockwave responded. "Exercise patience, Thundercracker. We are almost there. We just need to approach carefully avoid arousing any suspicion until after-"
"After what?" An impatient Thundercracker pressed, a look of annoyance on his faceplate.
"According to the report I received, the earthlings have scheduled a launch for this time of the solar cycle." Shockwave stated once his aid let him continue. "I will require you to create a distraction so that I can get close."
"A distraction for who? Close to what?" Thundercracker wondered. Shockwave looked up, fixing him with a steady gaze from his singular optic. Could he emote, Thundercracker supposed there would have been irritation or even frustration coming off of Shockwave.
"Turn your optics to look right through those trees." The operations commander ordered, gesturing with his cannon arm to a distant treeline. Thundercracker did as told, striding forward as his pedes churned up dirt and grass to leave massive footprints behind. He reached the upper clearing and abruptly paused by the sight awaiting him.
It was Launch Complex 39A of the Kennedy Space Centre.
"Oh. By high you mean that high." Thundercracker muttered as Shockwave approached from behind. A rocket was primed for launch, one carrying a satellite for deployment in orbit.
"Indeed. Soundwave has transmitted information to all Decepticons indicating the arrival of Prime Force on Earth."
Thundercracker's optics blinked as he looked to his superior. "Prime Force? That must mean Optimus Prime is here now."
"Correct. Which means I must hasten my own plans." Replied Shockwave.
"So what good is that rocket going to do?"
"According to my analysis from analyzing the humans' planetary information assembly, the secret military organization known as 'Sector Seven' is planning a satellite launch. This satellite will grant them a greater range of access over their remote controlled vehicle assortment." The Decepticon militant explained. Thundercracker didn't get it. As much as he believed in Shockwave, his fellow 'Con's cold approach to situations often left Thundercracker feeling out of the loop.
"So?"
"So these Sector Seven vehicles have crude cybertronian-insipred technology incorporated within them, likely gleaned from Megatron. Wherever they are keeping him." Shockwave revealed, startling Thundercracker. But Shockwave did not give him a chance to comprehend the news nor did he try to explain it any further, he simply continued with his plan. "Using this information, I calculate a high probability that I will be able to interface with the satellite and bring it under my control. I can use it to search for the Allspark's unique energy signature after it has been deployed."
"Did you think of all this just now?" Thundercracker questioned. "When did you have time to scan the human's datanet?"
"During our approach to this location. It was not difficult. The information is extensive, but the underlying conceptualizations are quite undemanding." Shockwave droned, calmly and casually. "Now, Thundercracker, about that diversion…"
Shaking off his bewilderment, Thundercracker transformed. "Right."
"Exercise caution. Sector Seven may have armed their vehicles with sufficient weaponry to damage a Cybertronian." Shockwave warned just before Thundercracker took flight and made a break for the distant launch platform…
Back in Tranquility…
The Autobots had transformed the junkyard and the nearest warehousing district into their operating grounds. Using the heaps of scrap and metallic debris to disguise their otherworldly appearances, their vehicle modes blended in just as well among the various other cars and trucks brought there for scrap and salvage.
Standing with Blaster, Fastlane, and Ratchet, Optimus Prime watched as the trio shared data across hardlight pre-generated consoles. Most of them were projected by Blaster. The Autobot leader turned at the sound of a motor, watching as the Pontiac Solstice form of Jazz rolled up to the assembly before converting to robot mode. "What's the word, Prime?" He asked with his usual boisterous flair.
"Jazz, Fastlane and Blaster reported some strange energy readings from the Sector Seven automated vehicles they encountered. I need you and Longarm to gather some and bring them back here for analysis." Optimus informed him. His lieutenant tilted his head in askew disagreement.
"Sounds a little important for human vehicles, dontcha think?" He asked. Prime's gaze turned guarded and cryptic, averting Jazz for a moment.
"I'd rather not say any more until I'm sure, Jazz. But if my suspicions are correct, they may hold the key to winning this war. I just can't be sure for which side." He stated.
That was good enough for him. Optimus' oldest friend nodded and grinned. "Consider it done then, and I'll hope for the winners, sir." He remarked. Optimus nodded and stepped to the side, allowing the Minicon Rewind to approach.
"I'm uploading the radiowave signatures we charted. You can use them to cross reference the vehicles you find." He announced, not even looking up from his hardlight console. Jazz's optics flickered as a download occurred between the two.
"Much obliged, lil' bot." Jazz responded with a brief salute. Turning around and sprinting for the exit, Jazz called out to a fellow Autobot. "Yo, Longarm, let's roll!" Transforming into vehicle mode, he peeled rubber and tore out on a side street, closely followed by his fellow Autobot as Longarm converted to tow truck form and drove off after him.
"Where are we headed, sir?" He asked, flicking on his rotating orange caution lights to indicate an emergency vehicle on the move.
"Trackin' some bizarro human vehicles the boss bot wants us to bring back for study." Jazz answered.
"I think I can see why you called me. My analysis of the human datanet indicates my vehicle form is suited for this kind of mobility work." Longarm chuckled.
"Music to my ears, Longarm." Jazz mused in agreement. "I've got a lead on the first, follow me to the north of town."
Meanwhile…
Flying circles around a series of missile turrets, Thundercracker bobbed and weaved around incoming projectiles. He vented another barrage of flares in order to ward off a heat-seeking warhead. "This had better be worth it, Shockwave!" He shouted into his comms. "One of these missiles is bound to hit me soon enough!"
"Destroy them if you wish. You are a distraction after all." The hulking Decepticon responded. Exactly one mega-mile away, Shockwave's tank form lumbered across the grassy outskirts of the launch complex. His mighty cannon raised high, several Sector Seven helicopters were gunned down by scorching blasts of concentrated radiation. Thanks to Thundercracker, his path was largely clear save for a few vehicles left behind to act as guards. They were swiftly dispatched by Shockwave's brutish power.
A pair of Humvees moved to attack him, opening fire with their rooftop weaponry. The small-calibre rounds merely pinged off Shockwave's sturdy exoframe and both vehicles were soon crushed under his grinding tank treads. As their mangled debris was left in his wake, Shockwave adjusted the angle of his turret and opened fire on approaching military buggies, blowing them to fiery smithereens with direct hits from his AstroMag cannon. He did so with cold, calculating precision, lacking any of the destructive zeal other Decepticons showcased. Shockwave was methodical. Scarily so. He always chose the approach that appealed most to his logic centres, be it an all-out assault or a more stealthy circumvention of defences. He refused to parade his skills or taunt his enemies into submission like Starscream. The logical answer was his only course of action.
"I am approaching the launch pad. Intensify your efforts." He ordered calmly without a trace of emotion.
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Thundercracker complained in retort. In the distance, his jet form dove low and carpet-bombed the Sector Seven defences, churning up earth and metal in conjunction with plumes of flame from his arsenal of smart bombs.
"That did not appear so difficult." Shockwave mused as he continued on his way.
"Oh yeah? Easy for you to say! I'd like to see you come under fire from six different munitions systems at once! That's the equivalent of twelve different target locks!" Thundercracker griped, the deafening boom of his thrusters breaking the sound barrier filling the air as he performed a hard loop of the launch pad grounds.
"Predictably, you were not observing my efforts during the Helex Offensive." Shockwave retorted, converting to robot mode. "Or during the Seige of Iacon. Or the Defence of Kaon. Or the Battle of the Rust Sea-"
"Alright, alright! I get it, you blowhard!" Thundercracker interrupted. "Just hurry up and install that code or whatever it is you're doing!"
"To do so requires total concentration." Shockwave intoned as he started scaling the exterior of the launch platform. "Radio silence would be appreciated." All Thundercracker could do was sigh as he terminated the comms feed, leaving Shockwave to his work…
Arriving in the northern residential development of Tranquility, Jazz and Longarm rolled up carefully to a cul-de-sac where their tracking sensors had led them. Prowling around the streets with a black Cadillac Escalade with deeply-tinted windows, moving slowly as if surveying and analyzing its surroundings with a mind of its own. "Is that one of the vehicles, Jazz? Doesn't look like any of the others around here." Longarm asked.
"Looks like it. Let me give it a scan real quick…" Internal scanners quickly broke down the structural compounds of the automated vehicle and the results blew Jazz's brain module. "Woah! That can't be right! Humans couldn't have access to this sort of power source!" He exclaimed, the readings rippling across his interface startlingly high.
"I take it that means we found the right one?" Longarm wondered.
"You bet your tailpipes we did." Jazz remarked. "We better hurry it back to Prime." With a squeal from his tires, the Autobot bolted into the open and transformed. The SUV seemingly moved to react but Jazz was quicker, deploying launchers from his shoulders that struck the SUV with twin EMP blasts. The black Cadillac stalled out, arcs of electricity rippling across the chassis before it lurched to a halt and the engined sputtered and died. As quickly as he had transformed, Jazz reverted back into a Pontiac Solstice. "Man, it's like a faux-energon reading." He muttered as Longarm moved in to play his part. Deploying his hook from the hang arm, the solid steel curve moved almost autonomously as it hooked onto the undercarriage and began to winch. Extending from underneath, Longarm's tow arm reaching under the SUV and lifted the vehicle onto two wheels, giving him the leverage needed to move the vehicle without hinderance.
"So you think the humans managed to create some kind of… synthetic energon?" The Autobot wondered.
"Hard to say, Longarm. We better let the 'bots with bigger brain modules sort that out." Jazz replied as they started driving away…
Elsewhere in Tranquility…
Power cables intertwined with Soundwave's cybernetic tendrils, drawing up the power coursing through them to fuel the Decepticon Intelligence Officer's coding capabilities. On a hardlight console between his fingers, Soundwave's servos translated human code and digital processing into a Cybertronian datascript he could identify and subsequently crack. The humans had locked the file up with many failsafe and firewalls. Had the information been available via the Cybertronian datanet the process would have been completed in short order.
But on an alien world with primitive technology and subsequently limited to his internal co-processors, progress did not come quickly to Soundwave.
Pacing around behind him, a trio of Decepticons in the form of Barricade, Stockade and Quake waited with varying levels of patience. With Blackout off surveying the arrival of the Autobots it fell to these three to ensure Soundwave's success. "What's your status, Soundwave?" Barricade wondered.
"Progress is slow but it can be done." Soundwave intoned. "Estimated completion time suggests anywhere from forty cycles to two mega-cycles." Barricade nodded in acceptance, ignoring the groan of boredom from Quake.
"Barricade, come in." Tailwhip suddenly called out over comms.
"What is it, rookie?"
"I'm afraid we have unexpected guests. There's a Sector Seven convoy moving on the power plant. I don't know if we've caused too much of a scene or if Sector Seven has been watching us, but they're making a beeline for Soundwave." Tailwhip reported. Barricade started, optics widening.
"Lugnuts! They're gonna attack the generators!" He realized, whipping around to face his fellow Decepticons. "Quake, Stockade, we have to take out Sector Seven and prevent them from stopping Soundwave's progress!" The promise of battle seemed to lighten Quake's mood.
"Oh goodie! I love to play with new friends!" He sneered with a manic grin.
The three branched out to cover Soundwave's flanks, Barricade moving right, Stockade left, and Quake on the rear.
Squadrons of Grey Wolf helicopters and Cadillac SUV's were soon pouring onto the property and, true to Tailwhip's word, made an immediate break for Soundwave. Quake wasted no time opening fire on them, his shoulder rockets streaking across the space between and detonating among the vehicles, sending flaming SUV's clattering in every direction. The chatter of his gatling cannon rang out as Quake started blasting the helicopters out of the air.
Barricade adopted a similar tactic, his barrage cannon shredding helicopter rotors and downing Sctor Seven's airborne contingent with sustained rounds from his ranged weapons. Stockade opted a more hands-on approach, his thick servos slamming into vehicle chassis as he dove into the fray and did not keep his distance. Punching and crushing, Stockade waded into the Sector Seven convoy without a word but a focused, dedicated physical assault.
An armored truck suddenly rolled onto the scene sporting a roof-mounted high calibre rifle that opened fire on the tank-'Con. Bullets ricocheted harmlessly off Quake's plating while his overshields absorbed the kinetic impact. "I'm a tank! You're a truck! How d'you expect to beat me?" Quake cackled, opening fire with his gatling cannon and ripping the truck to shreds. Converting to vehicle mode, his autocannons shelling the second wave as it was arriving. Evidently Sector Seven had more than simple government-like vehicles in their motor pool as more law enforcement models began to arrive on the scene. Quake's main battery began lobbing tank rounds at the opposition, weathering a storm of bullet rounds that started ricocheting off his armored chassis. "I'm fully armored, moron!" Quake bellowed maniacally as he promptly blew them to smithereens…
With the SUV returned to Optimus for study, Jazz and Longarm quickly tracked down a Sector Seven Humvee to be collected. It was patrolling around the nearby Tranquility Mall, moving in between the various parkades as if scouting for something… or someone. As before, Jazz struck first, transforming into robot mode and unleashing a pair of EMP blasts that overloaded the automated vehicle's systems. Once it was immobilized, Longarm moved in and hooked it up to his towing equipment. "You haul this one back to Prime, I'm gonna see if I can pinpoint another." Jazz told his fellow Autobot.
"Send me the coordinates if you do." Longarm responded, the two taking off in separate directions. Driving deeper into the thick of the town, the Pontiac Solstice prowled through downtown Tranquility, seemingly showing off its racing shades draped across such a sleek and exotic body. Jazz remained a mech on a mission and ignored the looks the humans were giving him, but he did adjust the tint of his windows to ensure no one tried to peak inside.
Adjusting his course the Autobot drove towards Tranquility's waterfront business park, pinging his sensors as he trailed an ambient radiation signature. Approaching the interior parking lot surrounded by short single and two-story buildings, Jazz quickly noted a sizeable helicopter perched on one of the rooftops. The radiation signal grew stronger and Jazz knew he had another Sector Seven vehicle on his hands. He wasn't quite sure how they were supposed to bring this one back, but it needed to be delivered and so the Autobot defaulted to the pre-established method he'd been following.
Only this particular Pave Low had a surprise in store…
Transforming and firing off his EMP blast, Jazz was shocked to see the effects dissipate over overshields moments before the helicopter transformed into Blackout. "Surprise!" the hulking Decepticon growled, offering Jazz a sneer as he revealed himself.
"Blackout." Acknowledged Jazz in a low voice. Remaining tense, Jazz stayed loose on his feet and started shimmying back and forth as the Decepticons watchful optics tracked his every move. "Outta my way, I've got work to do."
"Oh, I'll work you alright, Jazz." Blackout promised, hands tightening into fists as he hopped down off the rooftop. "I'll blast you a new exhaust."
"Sorry, Blackout, but you're just too big and stupid to scare me." Jazz retorted dismissively. That earned a sharp reaction from the Decepticon, optics narrowing as Blackout growled.
"No one condescends me and lives!" He roared, priming his shoulder launchers. "I'll squash you like an Insecticon!" Rockets erupted forth, missing Jazz as he rolled to the side where they detonated behind him amongst some parked vehicles. Jazz immediately transformed and drove for the waterfront, Blackout in pursuit. "Come here you little runt!" Transforming into helicopter mode he gave chase and pursued Jazz down to the riverside docks. Machine gun rounds tore up the roadway as the Autobot bobbed and weaved around Blackout's gunfire. Another pair of rockets shot from the wing casings of the Pave Low, detonated against the blacktop and missing Jazz by a matter of micrometers. Veering to the right the Solstice dove for the docks (which were free of humans) and the Pave Low followed.
Jazz transformed, his right arm automorphing into a multi-barreled autocannon. The end was framed by a crescent-shaped shield to offer a measure of protection for the short-statured Autobot. He took aim at Blackout's alt mode and started shooting, raining rapid-fire particle rounds across the Pave Low's chassis. Blackout quickly converted to biped form and continued his assault, his left arm automorphing into his burst rifle as he traded shots with Jazz.
Scooting behind an abandoned dock house, Jazz cycled his overshields as Blackout's three-shot rounds ripped the wooden structure to shreds. Sprinting out from behind his cover, Jazz executed a strafing run while a triangular sword telescoped out of his left hand. Using his small size and superior speed the Autobot closed the gap and lunged with his melee weapon. Making to counter, Blackout reached behind and pulled off his rotor assembly as the blades aligned themselves into a symmetrical three-three configuration. Plunging his staff down, it caught Jazz's weapon and pinned him in place for a moment. Blackout grinned. Jazz frowned.
Both of them raised their weapons simultaneously firing off a shot that struck the other as the ensuing energy blast blew them both apart. Acting quickly, Jazz adjusted the setting of his cannon and started spewing out volatile energy flechettes that riddled Blackout's chassis. Upon impact, they exploded, the sudden surge of energy causing the 'Con to stumble. Reaching around, Blackout grabbed an iron I-beam and swung, Jazz dipping down and rolling underneath his swing. He popped up by a disused forklift, springing to his pedes as he grabbed the human vehicle and threw it towards Blackout. The larger Decepticon snatched it out of the air, only for Jazz to shoot the vehicle with his energy charges to set off an explosive detonation. Blackout tumbled to the ground, his chassis blackened and his overshields flickering. Not to be deterred, he reclaimed his rotor staff and clambered to his feet, turning to face Jazz as the Autobot bolted towards him with a burst of speed. Ranged weapons forgotten, sword and staff met with a blinding flash of sparks. "You won't get away this time! There's nowhere for you to run!" Blackout growled as he took several massive steps forward, causing his foe to slide across concrete.
"Run? From you?" Jazz taunted with a grin. With a furious snarl, Blackout used his weapon to upend Jazz and spin him around, hurling the Autobot through a line of dock houses. Wood splintered in every direction as heavy metal crashed through the line like a bowling ball through pins. Automorphing his weapon again, Blackout fired off an impact mine and the ensuing detonation set the whole docks ablaze. Chuckling gruffly to himself, the Decepticon retracted his weapon and hoisted his rotors back behind his head.
Blackout made to leave… but was stopped by the sound of a revving engine…
Bursting from the flames as rubble exploded around him, a Pontiac Solsitce rocketed towards the Decepticon and sprouted electrical dischargers from his roof. EM blasts struck the Decepticon and ate through his protective overshields. Jazz transformed, executing a headspin with his legs outstretched as he battered Blackout with a barrage of kicks. Springing to his feet, Jazz ripped out a lamppost and threw it like a javelin, the metal rod clanging Blackout upside the head. He stumbled backwards, grunting as his gyroscopic systems stuttered on the verge of collapse. Jazz lunged forward with a shout, deploying his sword and driving it deep into Blackout's chestplate as he tackled the 'Con to the ground.
Hopping off, Jazz retracted his blade, intakes heaving. "Now you've gone and made me late. I hate bein' late!" He casually complained. Blackout hauled himself to a seated position, glaring at the Autobot with malice in his optics.
"Why won't you die?!" He growled irritably. "This isn't worth my time…!" Transforming into copter mode, Blackout took flight across the river, leaving Jazz behind to dust himself off after the confrontation.
Meanwhile…
The roar of booster rockets firing filled the air as the multi-stage spacecraft slowly lifted off from the launchpad. Chased by flame and smoke through the exhaust shafts, Shockwave barreled out of the chamber at top speed. The heat was enough to bubble his paint and any closer contact to such concentrated flame would be enough to cause him serious damage. But the risk had been worth it. He had succeeded.
Moments before the launch, Shockwave had been able to successfully interface with the satellite system set to be deployed in Earth's orbit. Uploading his tracking code that would search out the Allspark's unique energy signature, all that was left to do now was wait for the satellite to be deployed and the signal code to be engaged. "Thundercracker, I have completed my objective. Rendezvous at my coordinates beyond the perimeter of the launch complex." He droned into his comms.
"Finally!" Thundercracker griped and a distant shattering of the sound barrier heralded his imminent movements.
The two Decepticons met up not long before their arrival at Shockwave's designated coordinates. Tank lumbered across grassy ground. Jet soared through cloudless skies above. Shockwave transformed first, striding with long heavy steps as he activated a holographic projection on his left arm servo. Thundercracker transformed second, dropping down beside him. "How long do we have to wait to see if your code works?" He asked.
"A matter of cycles, Thundercracker. Just a matter of cycles." Shockwave answered simply. Behind them, a trail of white led to the receding human spacecraft as it broke atmosphere. Generating a projection from his optic, Shockwave created a map of the globe and began inputting his code feed. Time passed and Thundercracker crossed his arm servos, starting tp pace around as Shockwave ran simulations and algorithms. After a time, Shockwave's helm looked up and regarded the map for a moment. "My calculations were correct." He stated plainly. His attention piqued, Thundercracker hurried over.
"What do you mean?"
Shockwave raised his arm and pointed to a single location on the global map. It was on the North American continent, some ways away from their current position. "Do you see it? The only signal of its kind that is responding to my transmission code? The only one in the entire planet?" He asked, gesturing right towards the blinking signal. "That, Thundercracker, is the Allspark."
The mere mention of the divine artifact gave the jet-'Con pause. He stared in awe at the blinking orbital signature and felt a sense of wonderment as the quest that had spanned for millions of stellar cycles began to draw to a close. Victory was nearly within reach. "It's here… It's really here…"
"Indeed. We must move immediately before anyone else can determine its location." Shockwave droned as he powered down the projection. He looked to Thundercracker. "I will require transportation."
"You got it!" Thundercracker beamed as he promptly converted back into jet mode. Grabbing hold of his fuselage, Shockwave held on tight as Thundercracker rocketed off with a deafening boom from his afterburners…
Back in Tranquility…
Returning to the junkyard, Jazz transformed and approached Optimus. "Prime! We gotta rethink how we find those Sector Seven vehicles. One of them wasn't Sector Seven at all! Just Blackout setting an ambush." He revealed. "Fortunately, Megatron's hound couldn't pin yours truly." He added with a grin. But Optimus did not respond to his usual joviality, standing still with arms crossed as he studied the black SUV first retrieved. He was alone, Ratchet and Blaster off organizing something, and Jazz could tell that his oldest friend wanted o be alone. "You, uh, find anything?" He asked.
"Yes." Optimus said simply. "It is as I feared." He led Jazz aside, his voice dropping low. "Not only does this Sector Seven have Megatron prisoner, but they have the Allspark as well. They have no idea how deadly that combination could be. Earth could share the same fate as Cybertron…" He explained, his voice grave. The implications flickered behind Jazz's optics and his previously upbeat mood shifted. "I won't let that happen. Not again."
His hand reached out to grab Optimus' servo. "What happened to Cybertron wasn't your fault, Optimus. It's Megatron's."
"No matter what Megatron did, I'm still partly responsible, Jazz. I could've prevented this, before any of it started..." Optimus replied, his voice taking on a wistful tone as his optics turned skywards.
"By destroying your own brother?" Jazz questioned. Optimus looked down, their gazes meeting.
"Megatron may be my brother, but he is also the one who took the spark of our father... my friends... our world... I will do what I must." He promised, affirming his resolve. Jazz looked at him for a moment, studying Prime's war-weary presence. "Gather the others. We need to brief them on what we have learned." Optimus ordered.