Transformers: Steel Reign

[SirNitram]

Overload was about to reply when Shockwave interrupted the broadcast.

"You know. We could sit here and talk about those two, when the others have them well in hand, or we can go throw a nicely sized wrench into Shockwave's precious gears within gears. I'm all for the latter, myself."

[LadyTevar]

"I've often wondered if the Creators made the 'Cons for offense, and us 'Bots for defense..," Crimson sighed philosophically. "But you're right, DeathStrike. We never wanted this war, and we fight because we have no other choice."

[Charon]

Shellshock grinned. "Right. Maybe now someone will start letting me finish filling out those forms requesting nuclear ordinance... I do believe we have 24 hours to get ready brother."

Shellshock walked out of the room, his red optics beaming. It was millions of years ago, but some things never changed, and one of them was Shellshock's love for battle.

[Cynical Cat]

"It's more than that," said Deathstrike. "Once I was content enough to leave this war. For a while, it even worked. But one cannot win a war without driving for victory. Megatron will push hard and pay the price. Shockwave will commit his forces and accept losses as long as they are within acceptable levels. You have skill and courage, but most of you lack the killer instinct."

[SirNitram]

"Indeed we do." Overload smirked, tapping his comm. "Alright, folks," He spoke to the team he had been haphazardly thrown into. "In forty eight hours, humans will have a deadline imposed by ol' One-Eye himself. I suggest that before that time is up, we offer a nice big reminder that Shockwave is far from infallible. Namely by blowing some 'Con stuff up. Twenty four hours to offer targets and gear up for out flight."

[LadyTevar]

. You have skill and courage, but most of you lack the killer instinct."

Deathstrike's statement caused Crimson to think of Hornet, who found the idea of killing terrifying. She thought of herself, her pistol that had barely a quarter of Deathstrike's damage output. Even the grenades she created to give her an edge were unable to kill.

Then OverLoad's announcement interrupted everything.

"Did he say... a deadline?" She asked Deathstrike in confusion and surprise. "Shockwave gave the humans a deadline?" Unknowingly, she was demonstrating just what DeathStrike had been saying: Autobots react, not attack.

But she was quick to get over it. "I think your idea of attacking Maximal Base is going to be back on the table again."

[Cynical Cat]

"It's too late," said Deathstrike. "Shockwave knows Prime will not surrender. So he will not attack the Autobots, he will attack the humans in a way designed to cause them to increase their demands upon the Autobots or reduce their ability to contribute resources. Such an attack would have to be both massive and devastating."

He pondered the situation for a moment. "The logical way to launch such an attack would be from close range in massive numbers. A massive deployment of biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons launched from Fort Maximal after being shipped their by space bridge would be consistent with his history. So we might just have enough time. If we act now."

[General Havoc]

The pronouncement showed up spontaneously, and unlike everyone else, Hornet had no idea who this Shockwave was. He was able to garner that he was most likely a Decepticon of some sort. Autobots didn't tend to lead Decepticon armies in the place of Megatron after all.

He blinked a few times at Overload's broadcast and glanced around at the others.

"Um... guys?" he asked. "Who was that?"

[LadyTevar]

"Overload and Shellshock seem ready to move," Crimson said, turning and starting back into the depths of the Ark. "They'll just be two of several going to IronHide, Jazz, and Prime with ideas. The question will be which plan of attack will Prime chose?" She was willing to bet Rodimus was already making his pitch to Prime.

"I hope we can keep Hornet out of this...."

[Cynical Cat]

Deathstrike considered his options briefly. "Yes," he said, "I will follow." If Prime came up with a good response then he would toe the line. If not, well his oath had not been to serve Prime blindly. He would do what had to be done and take the consequences.

[SirNitram]

"Um... guys?" he asked. "Who was that?"

"Shockwave. Megatron's trusted advisor. Incredibly intelligent and logical. Cold, calculating.. And ruthless." Overload said quietly to the smaller bot. "We need to make him look really foolish. I'm thinking we find somewhere in the Decepticon's little Empire and flatten it. Not the Fort; he expects us to do something there, so he'll concentrate forces there. No, we find his weak point, and hurt his forces. Because we need to make it look like the Autobots won't let him do as he pleases."

[LadyTevar]

Crimson gave the large Decepticon a tight smile as she strode hurriedly back to the lounge where they'd left Overload. "If Shockwave does use Fort Maximal for the attack, it's going to be heavily defended. Hitting it now would take more than just the Convoy that went up there."

[General Havoc]

Hornet nodded as Overload confirmed his suspicions and fears, and he felt aprehension starting to build up deep within his spark again. The Autobots were going to attack, and that meant a fight. Previous to his last fight, Hornet had been extremely eager to be allowed to come and help his friends defeat the Decepticons. Now he was much less sure. He still wanted to help his friends, he still wanted to be considered one of the team, not just a useless ornament to be left back at base... but at the same time he had been badly damaged in the last fight, and he would be lying if he was to say the prospect of another one didn't fill him with fear.

He gulped softly and took the equivelant of a few deep breaths. "... Okay," he said. "So... where're we gonna go?"

[Cynical Cat]

"Of course it will," said Deathstrike. "And it might not be the origin point of the attack. Shockwave will know we are watching it closely which limits its value as a launch point."

He activated his com. "Deathstrike to TELETRAN-1. Commence analysis of all Decepticon facilities capable of hosting a a space bridge and a rapid launch capability capable of striking human population and industrial centers in less than three hundred astroseconds after launch."

[SirNitram]

"We're gonna go check Teletran-1 for good targets, first." Overload said, standing up. "Then we're gonna talk with the others and find a good plan. Then we'll go in and cause some trouble for Shockwave, make him look like a fool." A soft smile at the little bot. "You're brave, Hornet. I was terrified, the first time I was asked to do something like this. I hid for megacycles."

[LadyTevar]

Crimson's blue optics widened, her memory flashing back to her days on Cybertron. "Yes ... Fort Maximal as a diversion to worry us. Elita-1 always said he was the most dangerous. He just thinks at a level no one else can."

[Charon]

Shellshock came stomping back from his quarters in time to hear their requests. Pulling out some sheets he handed them to Deathstrike. "I asked that question a week ago. There."

The old warbot smiled. "Trust me, you aren't the only one that's been chomping at the bit."

Then he looked at Overload. "I'll admit I hadn't expected the warning. But that probably means he's now expecting us to strike first, and he knows we have to hit Fort Maximal. I'm willing to bet that he's got something hidden away in there."

[Cynical Cat]

"The only purpose of the warning is to split the Autobots from their human allies and demoralize them when they appear impotent in the face of Shockwave's attack," said Deathstrike. "If the primary theory of my attack is correct. The broadcast could be a cover for a completely different plan."

[General Havoc]

To be frank, Hornet felt like hiding for Megacycles at the prospect of going back into combat, but scared as he was for himself, he was even more scared of being left behind and unable to help his friends if something went wrong. He smiled nervously back up at Overload. "Does... does that mean I can come?" he asked hesitantly.

[SirNitram]

"If Wheeljack says it's okay." Overload nodded. "Only way to be a warrior is to face the terror and protect people. And there's alot of people on this planet." He said simply, taking long strides slow enough to let Hornet keep up. "You have a targetting laser? I think Shellshock would love to be able to fire at full range."

[Charon]

"The only purpose of the warning is to split the Autobots from their human allies and demoralize them when they appear impotent in the face of Shockwave's attack," said Deathstrike. "If the primary theory of my attack is correct. The broadcast could be a cover for a completely different plan."

Shellshock looked questioning. "Doesn't sound much like standard procedure for Shockwave, he's never been big on Demorilization before. Regardless, even if it was meant to demorilize, it would only do so after he's attacked. So I say he's expecting us to hit him within the next 48 hours. But what do you think his plan is."

[Dark Silver]

"Processing" came the even tone of TELETRAN-1 over the comms.

"Request will take two Earth hours to complete"

[General Havoc]

Hornet trotted along after Overload, able to keep up by jogging. "Yep!" he chirped in relation to his question. "I have a targetting laser and a GPS uplink! Does that mean I can... spot for him?!" He thought that was the term but wasn't sure. He reminded himself to go ask Wheeljack if he was allowed to go as soon as he could. Spotting for Shellshock sounded like an important job... and unlike most, one he could do.

[SirNitram]

"I'm sure the big guy would like to be able to relive his days of firing for miles." A grin on Overload's face. "We were legends, back before everyone else came online. The haunted artillery, they called us. We never missed a shot."

[LadyTevar]

"Hopefully Jazz or someone is talking to the Human leaders now," Crimson said as she and DeathStrike reached the rest of the Convoy in time to hear OverLoad's comment. "My laser can act as a targeting sight, if that helps, ShellShock." Crimson offered, falling in step with the bigger Bots.

"DeathStrike's thinking this is all a diversion, but I'll let him tell you about it," she added as she saw Stryke step out into the hallway to join them. The younger Warbot frowned as he saw her with DeathStrike, deliberately and protectively stepping between the two of them.

"Are we finally hitting Fort Maximal?" Stryke asked impatiently, looking to Overload and Shellshock.



((I have permission to post Stryke as needed))