Transformers: Steel Reign

[General Havoc]

Crimson patted him gently on the head, and he sighed and forced a smile up at her as she walked by. No sooner had he turned back though than Shellshock was staring down into him with optics like particle lasers. His speech was authoritative and determined, and normally Hornet would just have lowered his head meekly and mumbled a quick "yes sir,"

But not today.

Killing, or nearly killing Buzzsaw had been forcing him to think, and Shellshock seemed determined to make him see the necessity of doing things like that. Hornet knew that everyone else was usually right about these sorts of things, that they were millions of years older or wiser than himm, that he was supposed to be learning from them.

But...

But this just didn't feel right at all. And after what had just happened, Hornet was in no mood to accept that this was the way it was. Forever.

"Jetfire was a Decepticon once," said Hornet, slowly looking back up at Shellshock. "He switched sides. So did Mirage." Hornet slowly stood up, still staring up at the massive artillery-bot, tears silently rolling down his face.

"So if killing the Decepticons before they kill us is the best we can do," he said with a voice that was nervous but firm, "then how come nobody killed Jetfire? How come we didn't kill Deathstrike when he got here?"

His entire body quivered as the tears began to flow faster. He raised one wing, pointing it up at the massive Autobot overhead.

"Killing the Decepticons isn't the best we can do," he said, standing his ground as best he could and staring accusingly back at Shellshock. "And I won't do it if I don't have to. Ever."

[SirNitram]

"There are times we don't have to, when there's a chance to do the better deed." Overload spoke up, looking to Shellshock. "The turns of fate in battle are strange things. You never know who you'll be fighting against.. Or alongside." Some peice of odd history between the ancient pair, probably.

"But for now? Remember that it takes alot to truly kill a Decepticon. Even that missile of yours wouldn't crack the laser core. Buzzsaw would have been really angry, but he'd be alive. Stop short of weapons fire into their spark, and you should be alright. If it reassures you, I can pull Shellshock's head off. We had an act like that back before the Third Great War. The Bot With Two Heads."

[Charon]

Shellshock stared at the much smaller bot for a few seconds, and then burst out laughing as he slapped Hornet jovially on the shoulder. "Ah, so you've got some spirit after all! Good! You just need to keep that up for the fight and you'll be fine!" Shellshock slapped the smaller bot on the shoulder again, still grinning and then turned to sit more comfortably. "I don't agree with you boy. But we all fight our battles a different way I suppose, and in the end Primus will decide which way was best."

Maybe the old warbot really was senile and crazy. As Overload told his bit of history Shellshock decided to add on some. "A piece of history for you, if you didn't know it. Back before this war even started, there weren't Autobots and Decepticons. There were civbots and warbots. I was a warbot. When Megatron came along, damn near every warbot joined his side. Both sides were surprised as hell when they learned I'd turned Megatron down." Shellshock looked at Hornet again. "I guess you could say that I was one of the first Decepticon traitors, in a way." Shellshock didn't add in anything on the matter of the 'Bot with Two Heads' however.

[General Havoc]

To be frank, that was not at all the reaction that Hornet had anticipated, and he stood there staring blankly at the artillery-bot as Shellshock suddenly laughed and slapped him lightly on the shoulder (nearly knocking him off his feet). He glanced back and forth at Overload and Shellshock for a few moments, a look of total bewilderment on his face. He had half-expected Shellshock to shoot him, or at least scream and yell and order him to shut up. This was certainly a welcome change, but...

Still, neither one seemed abut to shriek, so Hornet finally smiled despite himself and laughed at Overload's suggestion. Still, before he got into the Bot with two heads, he had a question to ask Shellshock.

"I... I heard that... that all the military models were Decepticons once, and all the civilian ones were Autobots. They said that they started making Autobot military models... like me... after the war started..."

"But..." this was a delicate question, but one he wanted to ask, "... but if all the warbots went with Megatron, then... why didn't you?"

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke raised his voice. "I was a warbot before the war started and I didn't join Megatron. I was tempted at first, but I had too many civbot friends to do that."

[frigidmagi]

Breakout was glad to be out of Jetfire. He vastly perfered transport that couldn't talk back or complain.

He did a brief scan of the area, so far so clean but cycled his weapons up to full readiness anyways. Who knew maybe he would get luckily.

[Charon]

Shellshock shrugged. "Many reasons. For one, I could tell even then that Megatron was a lunatic. Mainly though, it was the way he wanted to fight. He loved battle for the wrong reasons. He enjoyed the slaughter and mayhem of combat, I could not stand beside so twisted of ideals. There were other reasons, but those are more personal."

[SirNitram]

"Not all CivBots joined with A3... Oh that's right, you're a bit young. A3 ran the CivBots back before Optimus got promoted." Overload smiled. "I'm a bit older than Shellshock; the first big war was before Megatron. I went with the Warbots because their sense of honour inspired me. Then along comes cannon-boy and he's turning them into traitors and worse. No honour among those theives."

A shake of his head. "We do what we do for our own reasons. I changed both times, for honor. You'll find your own path; it's like Optimus says. Freedom is our right, as sentient beings. Now, let's get to the briefing."

[Cynical Cat]

Deathstrike strode into the Autobot command center. There were a dozen Autobots there, some he had clashed with, others that he knew by reputation. He was only interested in one of them. "Prime."

[B4UTRUST]

Sweet Primus. Ice felt nearly nauseous. If he had to listen to much more of this open happy feely drivel he would kill someone on sheer principle to shut them up. Ooo Megatron's crazy, I didn't join him because I just knew this. I have more honor, they have none. Such nonsense.

The issue was one of advancement. Megatron advanced the Cybertronian cause, seeking to spread it to countless worlds. The Autobots failed to see this goal, failed to realize that Megatron was ensuring their own survival through it. Yet they continued to fight. Foolishly, needlessly, hopelessly. And once they began the fight, they bemoan their fate to have to kill. They wage a war then don't wish to kill. They fail to prove their right to dominance and superiority. Ice longed to end their existance. Then they could finally move on to more important matters; spreading Cybertronian kind further.

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke looked over at Deathstrike, making a low growl. He noticed the 'Con was now armed again. Well, there went my chances.

[LadyTevar]

Stryke looked over at Deathstrike, making a low growl. He noticed the 'Con was now armed again. Well, there went my chances.

*Tang!*
It was the sound of the back of Crimson's hand rapping Stryke's hip to remind him to behave. Nothing more needed to be said, in her opinion.

[Cynical Cat]

Deathstrike's audio receptor's caught the growl and his head turned toward Stryke. The Autobot was going to be a problem. He accessed his memory banks and got a 92.75 percent match with an he had shot Autobot on Cybertron. He went over everything within three megacycles of that incident. Yes, that explained it.

He turned his head back towards Prime.

[Dark Silver]

Prime and the others stepped through the heavy blast doors which lead into the C&C, his blue optics scanning the gathered Autobots. He recognized them all, somewhere deep in his databanks, though he couldn't know them all personally. Though some he knew well enough.

Then there was the Decepticon, Deathstrike, who addressed him the moment he walked in. He knew Deathstrike well enough, had witnessed the Decepticon tear through many Autobots and civilians during the long war, but never had a chance to battle him personally.

And now he wanted to join the Autobots after disappearing for 4 million years.

"Deathstrike," Optimus said. Ironhide stepped closer to Optimus, obviously the old mech didn't trust Deathstrike, especially since he was armed. Prime merely put a arm out, backing Ironhide off, as he went to take his position at the head of the cofnerence table, taking a seat. The other autobots who came in with him, did the same, taking thier own places.

"Deathstrike, we don't have much time, plead your case."

[Cynical Cat]

"I was made a Decepticon," said Deathstrike. "I did not choose sides. That was chosen for me. I was built for war and good at it. For a while that was enough.

"But the war did not end. It accomplished nothing but death and destruction. There is no glory in a war that will end with half a dozen survivors alone on a dead and wasted planet. That was not something worth fighting for and neither your or Megatron would relent.

"So several friends and I left. We tried to build a new future and that was ruined. Those who followed me died. For millenia, I have wandered space, staying one step beyond the scrap heap.

"The future I saw did not come to pass. I can try to continue to survive, and eventually fail, or I can choose to fight again. I abandoned Megatron's war, took some of his soldiers from him. To try and become a Decepticon again means I will likely be slagged. So the only good choice is to join you.

"We were enemies Prime, but you, and others of your soldiers, have always had my respect. I have skills and abilities that can serve you well, preserving the lives of your people and giving you victories. You are a leader I can serve under honourably. I will not pretend that I have totally embraced Autobot ideals. I have not. I can live by that code, because that is what Optimus Prime expects. It would be an honourable existence, perferable to death or the agony of dying piece by piece. Allow me to serve Prime and I will serve you well."

[frigidmagi]

Breakout fidgeted. He honestly did not want to speak up, he always felt... awed in the presence of Prime. The bot created him using the Matrix, Prime trained him in the basics of battle. The humans would say Prime was his father but it went a bit beyond that. It was his duty to his Creator that made him speak out in the end.

"Sir... I've banged heads with Deathstrike once or twice. Nothing really big but the con never did anything underhanded. Yeah he's a killer, so am I and most of the bots standing here and we didn't always kill in the heat of battle did we? If he says he wants to sign up in good faith, I think he'll keep his word as long as we keep ours" He said.

[Dark Silver]

""That is true Breakout...and this is a time where we cannot turn back any assistance offered. The Decepticons have to great a hold on the planet."

Prime seemed to consider things for a few precious moments, before he spoke again, "Very well. Deathstrike, I welcome you to our ranks."

There was no time for ceremony, as Prime immediatly switched gears, "In the past twelve hours, things have changed greatly. Where as we were expecting this base to be completed before the Decepticons could bring their attention to it, scouting teams have reported build up of Decepticon military might and rumors of what sounds like preparations for a strike here soon. Teletran-1 relayed a report while we were enroute, several key Decepticon personel have been recalled to New Kaon, and I fear Megatron is intending to assault this base."

"We will work to finish construction of the defenses, and we will fight to hold this base as long as possible, but if Megatron is preparing the thrust we beleive he is, then we must be prepared to abandon this location, and make sure the Decepticons will not be able to make use of the resources beneath."

[Cynical Cat]

"Do we know any of the soldiers Megatron is bringing?" Deathstrike asked.

[General Havoc]

Optimus Prime.

To many Autobots, Optimus was practically a superhero. A larger-than-life figure of towering strength, integrity, and honor. To Hornet however, those terms described any one of dozens of Autobots who stood so far above Hornet, literally and figuratively, as to be great conquering heroes in his eyes. Jetfire, Ironhide, Overload, Ratchet, Shellshock, Wheeljack, Blurr, Prowl... all of them were exalted figures in Hornet's eyes, their very names resounding with images of power and strength. That his relations with them varied from the purely formal and cordial (Ironhide, Prowl) to the generally informal and even joking (Wheeljack, Overload, Jetfire) did not alter his awestruck view of them all, for they were to him, what Optimus was to them.

But then there was Optimus himself.

Optimus was more than just a leader to Hornet. More than an example or a hero or a pillar of strength. Optimus was a demigod. Optimus was an avatar of all that was right and good in the world, a shining, towering, personal manifestation of everything Hornet had ever aspired to be, or lain asleep on a diagnostic table dreaming of becoming. Hornet admired the other Autobots. Hornet practically worshiped Optimus Prime.

The others (and Optimus) took their seats, but Hornet did not. Even had he STOOD on one of the conference table seats, he still would have barely been able to see over the table. Plus, to be frank, this did not appear to the be the sort of thing that concerned him in the slightest, and so he slunk back into the corner, letting Optimus and the others handle it, waiting until he was called upon.

Still, Hornet was irrepressible, even in the midst of all this grandeur. He waved at Jetfire as the large fighter walked in, and Jetfire returned his wave with a soft smile and a slight nod. It was Wheeljack however who sought Hornet out, and who returned his wave with a gesture to approach. Hornet hesitated, but at Wheeljack's insistence, walked over to where the Autobot scientist was sitting. No sooner had he done so than Wheeljack reached down with one hand and picked Hornet up by his waist, sitting him down on the edge of the conference table. From here, Hornet had a good view of all of the proceedings, and was barely four seats away from Optimus himself, a fact which permitted him to ignore the fact that Wheeljack, paying only partial attention to the question of the new Decepticon capture, proceeded to pull a small diagnostic scanner out of a containment pouch and plug it into a small port on the back of Hornet's neck, glancing down at it occasionally as he ran some sort of test on his pet project. Hornet didn't mind much. He was used to this at least from Wheeljack, and from here he could watch the whole proceeding, just as though he had actually belonged here.

He knew he didn't... but it was nice to pretend sometimes.

[Dark Silver]

"Unfortunatly, we only know of the personel he's recalling, we don't know who he's going to bring with him."

"I bet my auxillary servo-cluster," Wheeljack spoke up, "That he'll bring the Predacons..."

"Energon to chromium steel we'll be seeing that slagging Abomination of his and Blackout to.... Big Megs has been spearheading alot of major assaults with those two lately..." said Bluestreak

"It's all conjecture mechs, we don't know which Deceptibutts we get to kick till they get here." Ironhide was self assured in his words.

[Cynical Cat]

"Abomination?" Deathstrike asked. "You mean the Terrorcons?"

[LadyTevar]

There is a time to speak, and a time to stay silent. For the moment, Crimson was staying silent.

This was the first time she'd ever been this close to Optimus, and she had to admit she was a little overawed. However, she was not surprised that Prime took little time to make his decision. Elita-1 had said many times that he had a way of cutting to the truth of the matter.

She noticed that WheelJack lifted Hornet up onto the table. She thought it was just curtesy, until she saw the diagnostic device plugged in. Even though Hornet looked oblivious to what WheelJack was doing, at some level Crimson felt it was ... well... rude.

"We will work to finish construction of the defenses, and we will fight to hold this base as long as possible, but if Megatron is preparing the thrust we beleive he is, then we must be prepared to abandon this location, and make sure the Decepticons will not be able to make use of the resources beneath."

That brought Crimson back to on topic, and fidgeting. Destroy the TarSands, when the humans and the Autobots both needed them so badly? There had to be another way, but after a cycle or two of thought she had to admit she didn't know of one. There was too much potential energy down there to retrieve quickly, and there was the nuclear plant to consider as well.

So, she focused on thinking of ways to destroy the TarSands and the NukePlant without damaging the area around them too badly.

[Dark Silver]

"Terrorcons Dinobots handle!" Grimlock spoke up, he hadn't changed to Robot mode, still in the towering T-rex alt form. He was literally stooped over the table, the other Dinobots standing around the room in their own alt forms, Swoop having landed on Sludge's back.

"Huh....if it was the Terrorcons, we'd be lucky. No, what Ironhide means is Chimera..."

Bluestreak touched a button on the conference table, as the lights dimmed slightly, and a 3d holographic recording of a strange, nearly organic looking Decepticon appeared. The image scrolled to show the Alternate mode, then the recording of a recent battle, focusing in as Chimera ripped it's taloned fingers into the chest of a wounded Autobot, ripped out it's Lasercore, and fed it into his lamprey like mouth. The Autobot's hulk in question turned the dark grey of permanant deactivation, and slumped to the ground.

"That...." Rachet said, "Is the Abomination..."

[Cynical Cat]

"I don't know him," said Deathstrike. "He appears formidable."

[Dark Silver]

"Chimera is one of Megatron's newest recruits, he's snuffed out the Laser Cores of several Autobots, including Skids and Trailbreaker. He seems to feed off of our very Sparks..."

Even Optimus' voice sounded haunted as he said it, "He is Anathema.. a Perversion of all that is. But we can't worry about it now...we need to prepare this base for a possible war. I'm open to suggestions Autobots.."