Transformers: Steel Reign

[LadyTevar]

"I don't think he believes us," Crimson said to Overload. "I don't think he will believe us until he sees that damn Cassetticon again."

She turns away and completes her own circuit of the base.

[Charon]

Shellshock had grown tired of it now. His old instincts, never having been covered by Autobot or civilian model programming, kicking into gear.

"Overload, Crimson. Quit messing around out there and get back here. We have a base to finish, unless of course you'd rather we leave a big ol' hole in our defenses and you can work on a nice welcome mat for them to step on and wipe their feet just before they ram it up our collective tailpipes!"

Shellshock got back to positioning a defensive turret, collecting a pile of snow to cover it and maybe keep it hidden for a short time from the Decepticons.

[LadyTevar]

Crimson gave up on the search, since Shellshock was right. The 'Cons had flown, just as she would. She'd find no trace of them... although she'd love to find where the birds had been hiding so she could leave them a nice little energon-based trap.

She pulled into the base, rumbling to a stop near Stryke before transforming. "See, Stryke, not a mark on me," she quipped, trying to tease him a little. Swiftshot's presence rather soured the mood, however. "I'll be in the supply room, then I'll help the humans finish wiring up the defenses," she said more soberly. "... in case you're worried about me."

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke nodded to her. He opened a private comm to her. "Just...watch your back, Crim. I don't trust Swiftshot. And even though he's in stasis, I don't trust Deathstrike."

[LadyTevar]

Since Swiftshot was not that far away, Crimson wasn't sure how 'private' a conversation could be. Thus, she played it sly, turning back around to give Stryke a flirtatious glance. "You're such a flatterer, Stryke.... Once you're off sentry duty, we'll talk more."

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke waved. "Sure, it's a date." He said aloud with a smile, aware that Swiftshot was in hearing distance.

[B4UTRUST]

Ice didn't miss the looks or insinuations. He kept working, moving load after load dispite the panic that had arose around him. As he was walking back to grab another load of supplies he made sure to give Stryke as unfriendly look as possible.
"If I was going to kill you Stryke, I would have done it while we were alone and made my escape."

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke chuckled. "I'm more worried about Deathstrike than you, Swiftshot. And maybe I was flirting with Crimson. I'm sure you agree that she is a lot better looking than any of the other 'Bots here.

[SirNitram]

"Buzzsaw is not exactly someone I like leaving around here on the outskirts, Shock." Overload rumbled at his partner, but began the trek back, signalling Hornet to pull back as well. "We're officially on the clock though. Back to work, and maybe we'll be able to fend them off."

[B4UTRUST]

"I agree, though she now seems a bit put off by me. As do you."

Ice shrugged and hefted his next load.

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke nodded. "Don't let my distance get to you. I do that to everyone. I haven't had a real friend since Deathstrike killed my best friend by on Cybertron."

[Dark Silver]

Fort Maximal Air Space, Canada
1945 Hours

"We're coming into approach vectors for Fort Maximal now Optimus" Jetfire's voice resonated through the internal speakers of the passenger section.

It had been a long flight, it would have been a much longer had they taken ground transportation, but it was necessary. The talks with the humans were successful, Autobot technology would be adapted to assist the humans in getting their military to full function, as well as a laundry list of other things - and in return, the Autobots were granted a parcel of several thousand acres of land in Alaska. Already Ultra Magnus was working with Hoist and Grapple to design the plans for Autobot City - a primary home on Earth for his Autobots. A place where they could properly set up, and wage this seemingly ceaseless war...

"Alert Jazz and the others we'll be landing shortly Jetfire. Tell him to have every mech ready in the C&C, I fear we won't have long if the updates are correct..

------ ------ ------

"Understood Jetfire, your cleared for approach, we'll see you in two breems."

Jazz rushed from the C&C, to inform the other Autobots on the base. They had gotten the Western Defensive line almost complete, and the humans had all been evacuated. A Decepticon attack was expected within the next sixteen megacycles, they were taking no chances.

Getting tired of looking, Jazz instead switch his communicator to basewide frequency, piping into the building's comms, "Jazz to Autobots and Decepticon, Optimus and company are on approach, proceed to the C&C on the double."

Jazz then made his own way to where Jetfire would be landing, he had greetings to make..

---------------------------------------------------

Castle Decepticon - New Kaon (formerly Qatar)

Buzzsaw and Laserbeak flew through the afternoon and into the early morning to reach New Kaon. Immediately the duo tracked their Master's subspace link, and flew to meet with him.

"Laserbeak and Buzzsaw return Megatron" Soundwave said as the twin condors flew through a upper level door, into the high ceilings of Megatron's throne room.

"Excellent, play back Laserbeak's spy beats."

Soundwave's chest opened, as the two birds transformed into their cassette forms, and slide in. Soundwave felt whole again, as his minions came home. He leapt into the air, transforming as he went, landing next to the display screen of the computer. A interface device slid out, plugging into the Decepticon communicator, and onscreen, Laserbeak's spy recordings played, all the audio he recorded played back through Soundwave, who carefully edited them to include only the most pertinent information.

Megatron's lips formed a slow grin, Black Ice's report was verified, without worry. It was time he payed Optimus Prime a visit....it had been to long.

"Soundwave, recall Chimera and Blackout. And summon Astrotrain, Blitzwing, Ramjet, Dirge, Thundercracker, the Stunticons and the Predacons. It's time we payed the Autobots a visit in their new base...."

Megatron's laughter echoed through the throneroom, as he rose from his seat, and walked out.

[Charon]

Shellshock had stuck near Overload as often as he could. Encouraging both to be ready to combine the moment bad news came over the line. When the word came in to meet at the C&C Shellshock made his way there as fast as he could.

"What's the word?"

[Dark Silver]

"None yet, is told to come here and wait" Gridlock said, "Optimus and company enroute in Jetfire now. Upon approach....Jazz is going meet them."

[frigidmagi]

Breakout was amusing himself by trotting a foot on the deck of Jetfire's compartment.

"Will you stop that? I can feel it up and down my entire under Chassis." Jetfire said.

"Sorry bot. Just bored and wanting to get where we're going. Didn't mean to cause ya bad vibrations." Breakout said contritly.

"It's just a bit longer Breakout... How the hell did you live through interstellar transport?" Jetfire asked.

"I read alot. Some interesting stuff on the human web to, if you can get pass all that mating crap. These people can fight some damn dirty wars. Good thing we're finially arming them." Breakout said cheerfully.

"Yeah... I guess." Jetfire replied.

"Hey that reminds me, you think Prime will let me start raiding that one place? Whatcha call it... Chipan? Jaina? Korpan? Arrgggh, I'm awful with names... Still I bet I can do some damage there and I know Blitizwing is in the area. I would have had him if not for his cheating." Breakout said guesturing with his hands.

"How in the name of Primus did you ever survive the great wars?" Jetfire wondered.

[General Havoc]

Hornet had been cruising in silence, not calling out on his radio, not pestering anyone, merely lazily flying back and forth, trying to stop leaking wiper fluid, and failing. He still felt miserable, whether or not he had actually killed Buzzsaw. He knew he was doing what he had been told to do, and he knew that this was a war and that people died in war and that Buzzsaw had fired on him first. He knew he was just defending himself and his friends.

It still hurt.

Badly.

Finally the call came in, and it was such a surprise that Hornet actually recovered slightly in wonder. Optimus was coming here! Jetfire was coming here! Hornet practically U-turned in mid-air as the call came out to return to base. He zipped down towards the power plant and moved inside quickly, waiting along with the others for everyone to show up.

For once... he was silent as he did this.

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke walked behind Swiftshot as they reached the C&C. He saw Hornet already inside and went over to him, kneeling down next to him.

"You did good, Hornet. Just remember, that 'Con would have killed you. The sadness never goes away, but you get used to it."

[Charon]

Shellshock muffled a snort at the comment. "The day is young yet, and more Decepticons are coming. He had better get used to it fast enough to be of use once the real fight starts."

[General Havoc]

Hornet jumped in surprise as Stryke kneeled down next to him. Stryke however did not seem angry. He sighed as he shook his head. "I'm... I'm Okay..." he said to Stryke. "I'll be all right..." The sadness was still with him clearly, but as Shellshock made his comment, he merely glared up at the giant artillery bot.

"I don't ever wanna 'get used to it'." he said to Shellshock as pointedly as he could, before sitting down on the ground and folding his wings, feeling like he wanted to just melt through the floor.

[Cynical Cat]

Deathstrike walked into the arsenal. He stopped for a moment at the threshold. He was about to become a warrior again, even if he did not possess every bit of his original strength he would once again be a force to be reckoned with. He would be a shadow of the Deathstrike of old.

Deathstrike picked up his laser cannon and attached it back to his right arm. Some parts were in need of replacement, but it should still pack a formidable punch. He approached banks of missiles, armour panels on his arms and chest swinging open to reveal empty missile racks. The Decepticon selected a pair of flechette and electron pulse rockets and then filled the rest of his arsenal with armour piercing proton missiles.

That still left him grounded, but there was a way around that. The Decepticon slipped into the CR bay and headed towards the rear, past his holographic double. He unscrewed the indicator lights that would indicate it was active and programmed it to reactivate his thrusters and repair his weapons, setting it for fifteen minutes. He then slipped into the coffin link pod, knowing that the Autobots were watching. If Megatron was coming, they would need all the help they could get.

[B4UTRUST]

Ice leaned against the wall in C&C, his arms crossed over his chest. Hornet was enacting a set of near human rituals, that according to their 'internet' was called Emo. It was disturbingly pathetic. If all Autobots were this bad about killing, how in the pits had it taken them so long to be defeated? And the other Autobots were trying to be an emotional crutch for him! Primus! He sighed internally, waiting for news on the situation. He figured it had to be somewhat important to drag him away from the loading and unloading of parts that the badly accented Autobots seemed Pits-bent on completeing.

[LadyTevar]

Crimson was not far behind Overload as they both entered C&C. Even after the Humans had been evacuated, she'd done her best to get wiring and power set up along the Western Defensive Line, resting only when Gridlock called for breaks. As she passed by Hornet, she gave him a friendly pat on the head and a smile.

Now it was only a matter of waiting.

[Dark Silver]

Fort Maximal - Eastern Sector

Jazz looked into the darkening sky, his optics focused on a point of light which was rapidly gaining in intensity.

'That would be Jetfire' he mused. While Jazz was comfortable working with Springer, and most of these "new recruits" (as most of the Earth based Autobots who had joined Optimus in the Ark considered them), he preferred being around his old comrades - Ironhide, Blaster, Wheeljack, Rachet...even Perceptor.

The light grew, until Jazz could make out the swept-winged form of Jetfire's airplane mode, the glow of Cybertronian thrusters fading out as the massive Autobot jet switched to anti-gravity systems.

---- o ----

"Final approach vector for Fort Maximal, switching to repulsor drive," Jerfire reported to his passengers.

Minutes later, Jetfire had landed on the hard permafrost tundra, the side hatch of the passenger comparment opening and the ramp extending downward.

The Autobots within began to disgorge from their comrade, first Wheeljack, followed closely by Rachet, then Blaster, Bluestreak, Hound, Sideswipe, Breakout, and then Optimus Prime.

It was a veritable who'se who, Autobot Warriors who Jazz had fought alongside for countless years, who knew him as well as he knew them.

Then Jazz heard a voice he hadn't expected, one he hoped he wouldn't hear...but suddenly found himself glad to, if the most feared was to happen.

"Me Grimlock dislike this place. To flat, to open."

"Me Swoop think Leader Grimlock is right."

"Sludge think to cold. When Decepticons come, me want to crush"

"Me Slag say you Sludge full of barillium balonie! Is good weather"

"Me Swoop say you to noisey!"

The Dinobots disgorged from Jetfire, the assembled Autobots lined up, Jetfire transforming from massive airplane to nearly as massive robot. Jazz saluted Optimus, and gave his first hand report, and the impression of Deathstrike.

"You've done well Jazz," Prime said, placing his hand on the smaller mech's shoulder, "We have to assume Megatron will attack soon. We don't have much time to prepare. Autobots, to the command center."

Jazz felt reassured, Optimus was here...let Megatron come. Prime brought enough firepower to melt Devestator into slag...


----------------------------

Decepticon War Room
New Kaon (Formerly Qatar)

Megatron stood in the middle of the massive war room, his soldiers seated on elevated seats all around him, all their attention focused on himself. All the better so they could see the plans.

It was amazing how quickly Soundwave had assemebled his troops, how quickly they responded to his summons....ah, but not a true problem thanks to the Space Bridge network which encircled the entire Decepticon Empire on Earth...near instant transport to anypoint in the empire, or in the war fronts.

"My Decepticons, thanks to Laserbeak," the fact that his hidden assassin had infiltrated the Autobot base would remain his and Soundwave's, "We have a golden opputunity to strike at a vital Autobot base...and knowledge that Optimus Prime is there."

Megatron went into detail of his plan, his soldiers listening attentively, before they were dismissed.

"Soundwave," he said as the others filed out, "I wish to prepare a insurance policy....see to it that it's done before we leave."

"As you command Megatron."

Megatron walked out of the conference room last, a slow grin on his faceplate. Yes...he would soon rule the Fleshling's planet, and Prime would be at his feet....vanquished...

Or better yet....apart of his army...

[Cynical Cat]

The doors of the CR chamber opened with a hiss and Deathstrike stepped out. His audio sensors pick upped quite a commotion. It had to be Prime. The Decepticon warrior walked forward to meet his destiny.

[Charon]

Shellshock sat down and looked at the tiny bot. His red optics seeming to drill into the bots very spark. "You don't have a choice. This is war, and in war there are casualties. The best we can hope to do is make certain that most of the casualties are Decepticons and try to keep the humans from getting stuck in the cross-fire unprepared."

When Crimson passed by and gave Hornet the coddling pat on his head Shellshock almost groaned aloud. He didn't know it, but his thoughts were similar to those of 'Swiftshot'. They were being a crutch for him when what he needed was to stand on his own two feet.