Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

Several miles outside of Area 51, an empty stretch of desert

The two Decepticons materialized in the open desert. A military jeep and its occupant were the only witnesses to their arrival aside from the rocks.

Megatron bent down to examine the human. A quick scan confirmed that it was their facsimile, designed to resemble a General Ordway. The human was high ranking in this country’s military and was often in charge of new weapons research and development. He had been replaced for events such as this one. It was a pity that he would not survive the mission as he would likely provide valuable intelligence later on.

“Ordway, you understand the mission? You will bring Soundwave and I into the military installation, into its deepest and most secure area.”

The facsimile nodded. “Yes Lord Megatron.”

The Decepticon leader smiled. “And should you run into any difficulties getting clearance, my firepower will be at your disposal.”

Megatron stood back up. “Soundwave, be prepared to broadcast signals to the other Decepticons at my command. Now it is time to test this new mass shifting form.” There was a crackle of energy as Megatron transformed and shrunk down to a human sized pistol. Ordway calmly tucked the Decepticon into his holster. Once Soundwave joined them in the jeep Ordway started it up and drove off towards Area 51.

Not far from Area 51

Parked in his alternate mode not far from the human military installation they had designated Area 51 was Bumblebee. The yellow minibot had been dispatched by Optimus Prime before any briefing could be given back on Ark 19 to keep an optic on the area, and Bumblebee had quickly gotten his aft out here. Considering his alternate mode sort of stuck out like a bent fender in this sort of terrain he knew it would only be a matter of time before he was spotted, so of course he had to find some sort of place to hide. It had been a difficult search but he had managed to find a nice rocky crag that overlooked the base to hide in, hopefully before he was spotted. However, considering that it had been a good number of breems since he had arrived and so far not a single human patrol had come close to his position, Bumblebee had assumed he was safe from detection. At least for now.

Since arriving the Autobot espionage expert had been close watching the activities of the base, and taking the best scans he could of the interior. His sensors didn't get the best reception at his present range, but he was able to determine that the buildings on the surface were primarily for storage of vehicles, and supplies, as well as administrative and for providing living space for the humans who worked at Area 51. However, the interesting part of the base was what couldn't be seen. Although he could get a detailed picture of it, Bumblebee was able to figure out there was a massive underground facility that he was certain was for experimentation and study of various subjects that the government of this nation-state did not want its general public to know.

In addition to watching the base and observing it, Bumblebee was also keeping track of transport to and from Area 51. So far not a lot had gone on. A few armed patrols had gone out and come back. A single supply convoy had arrived carrying what passed for high tech electronics and computer equipment on this planet. A few staff jeeps, sort of like the one that was approaching now. Bumblebee was just going to ignore this jeep, since it was just like the two or three others that had already come by, but something seemed out of place. He scanned the vehicle. There was only one occupant, a high ranking officer. That was strange. Bumblebee had observed that usually these generals had an aide drive them. He also noticed there were some unusual, yet familiar energy signals coming from the jeep. It took him a few astroseconds for him to search his data banks to recall where he had seen them before, and when he did a chill ran through the minibots spark chamber.

He immediately activated his communications system to contact Prime.

>>Bumblebee to Ark-19, priority message for Optimus Prime. Prime I have just detected what appears to be the energy signals for Soundwave and Megatron entering Area 51 in the personal vehicle of a high ranking human officer. I suspect they are using a facsimile to gain entrance to the base. So far no other Decepticon activity has been detected. Please advise. Bumblebee out.<<

With his message delivered Bumblebee sat in his hiding place, watching as the jeep carrying the Decepticon leader and one of his most valued subordinates enter Area 51.

Area 51

Despite the reputation Megatron had cultivated, he was a patient being. His plans were often long term, forming large, overarching strategies. It was only those in the lesser positions, the playing pieces on the playing board that galaxy was to the Decepticon commander, that saw him as impatient and quick to anger. His rage, while quite real, was controlled to motivate his men and to inspire fear in them. It kept them on their toes and loyal to him. If he didn’t have these occasional fits of rage and impatience then his men would see him as soft and forgiving. He had built the Decepticon army himself on the principle of the strongest should lead, among others. If they perceived any weakness in him his soldiers would quickly turn on him and try to wrest control away from him. By keeping up appearances he defused most mutinous attempts before they began.

That being said, Megatron was beginning to lose his patience. These humans apparently believed in a ridiculous amount of redundant security, as if they even possessed anything worthy of this level of protection. Still, Megatron maintained his disguise, if just to slightly ease their transport into the depths of this base. Finally the Ordway facsimile brought them to and underground bunker where he now stood in front of a large, thick steel hangar door. This had to be their final destination.

The guard on duty hung up the phone on the wall and turned to the facsimile. “I’m sorry sir, but entry into the vault requires direct authorization from the Pentagon and the base commander says you don’t have it.”

Ordway frowned. “Do you know who I am boy?! I am the damn Pentagon. Now you will let me in that vault or so help me you’ll be scrubbing toilets in an artic base!”

“I’m sorry sir, but I can’t do that.”

Finally Megatron had enough. “Enough of this! Use me to get in there!”

The guard frowned, trying to realize where the voice had come from. It slowed his reaction to Ordway draw his pistol just enough for him to fire on him before he could raise his rifle. Megatron mad sure it was a lower powered blast, but it was still more than enough to blow a bowling ball sized hole through the man’s torso. What was left of him fell to the ground in a heap. Ordway took a couple of steps back, knowing the next blast was going to be much more powerful and destructive. He pointed Megatron at the imposing door. He pulled the trigger and the entire chamber was lit up with the purple light of the fusion cannon blast. It struck the door and blasted it to pieces. Metal shards went flying into the room behind it, tearing into whatever workers and guards were stationed there. The blast itself continued well past the door, disintegrated a couple of unlucky workers who happened to be standing in the wrong spot and the wrong time before it finally slammed into a stone wall and dissipated, after destroying a fair chunk of rock.

Ordway carefully stepped through the blasted door, avoiding the still red hot edges. He ignored the screams and alarms as he along with his Decepticon passengers, took in what the humans had hidden here.

Location Outside of Area 51

From the sky a beam appeared and in a flash of brilliant light the Autobot team appeared at Bumblebee’s location. Once the beam of light dissipated Prime moved to view the outside perimeter of the compound. He focused on the entrance and tuned into his internal scanners. He detected Decepticon signatures deep inside the complex, but he could not detect anything from the Transformer tech that the humans had.

Just before he straightened to address his troops his scanners detected two large energy readings which could only have been Megatron. Optimus finished rising to his feet simultaneously reaching behind his back to extract his weapon. Once in his hands he leveled it to the ground.

“Alright Autobots, let’s move in!”

That said Prime led the group toward the facility. They would just have to take their chances with the guards now distracted by weapons fire within the compound. Hopefully they weren’t too late.

Outside Area 51

Bumblebee was still parked in his alternate mode when the orbital bounce transported the team of other Autobots right in front of him. The yellow minibot rolled forward and transformed just as Optimus Prime drew his weapon and ordered the Autobots to move in. Bumblebee drew his small laser pistol and checked to see if it was fully charged. He knew it was, but he always made sure just in case.

"So I guess we're tossing subtlety out the air lock and going in gun ho huh?"

"Seems so Bumblebee." Wheeljack replied as he deployed his shoulder mounted shell launcher. "I think this is one of those times, we don't have the time to waste finding the sneaky way in. Megatron is already inside and we have to beat him to the punch before he can make off with whatever the humans got."

Wheeljack began to follow after Prime, checking his scanners.

"Optimus my deep geo scanners are detecting that Megatron is aleady deep inside the human underground facility, it might be difficult to reach him!" Wheeljack warned falling in just behind his leader.

Bumblebee was also following behind his comrades, waving an arm over his head.

"Alright Autobots, you heard Prime! Lets get in there and kick some Decepticon aft!"

Outside Area 51

Due to some technical delay Aftershot did not materialize with the others. Instead he was delayed by a few astroseconds and appeared after Prime had order the others to move it. He had to quickly take stock of the situation.

"Alright, I am more use to you guys in the air then on the ground. I am going to take up a patrol around the area and provide air support as needed."

Aftershot transformed into his jet mode and quickly climbed into the air and began to circle the base slowly, keeping an optic out for any thing of importance.

Outside Area 51

Arcee took up flank to Primes right on the drive to towards Area 51. This move was bold, and even though Human weapons wouldn't do much more than scratch them, it was still revealing their presense at large, even if it was at the humans top secret military instilation.

Outside Area 51

Smokescreen and Trailbreaker appeared with the rest of the Autobots near the human compound called Area 51. They both watched as Bumblebee rolled out of his hiding place and transformed. “Hey, good to see you again, ‘Bee,” Smokescreen said, patting the minibot on the shoulder. “We all wondered what had happened to you.”

As Prime lead the Autobots towards their destination, Smokescreen ran a quick internal diagnostic on both of his shoulder-mounted ECM missile launchers. This was to ensure that they were functioning properly and wouldn’t fail in battle. Once that diagnostic was completed, the diversion expert also checked his smoke generators just in case his comrades needed cover for whatever reason. With all indicators pointing to normal, Smokey pulled out his electro-disruptor rifle, gripping it tightly in his right hand. “I’m all set and ready to go!” he exclaimed.

“I’m glad someone is,” Trailbreaker responded, attempting to install the fuel capping device Wheeljack had made for him several cycles ago. “Ah, there we go!” A quick click and the device was secure. ‘Breaker then closed his side panel. “I hope this works.”

“What exactly is it?” Smokescreen inquired.

“Oh, it’s just a gizmo ‘Jack made for me a while ago. It should help me not waste as much energy. If it works, of course.” The black mech then pulled out his laser rifle and checked his own systems to ensure everything was working the way they should.


The Grand Canyon

Skywarp quickly descended out of the skies and into the ‘Grand Canyon’. The teleporting seeker transformed and landed near the water of the Colorado River. “Hmmm, I don’t see what’s so grand about this place. I’ve seen far larger and deeper places on various other worlds. But, I guess to these flesh bags, it’s something of a wonder. Pathetic!” ‘Warp then made his way to a nearby cave and stood in the entrance way to avoid any unwanted eyes from seeing him. “I wonder where Thundercracker is. He was right behind me when I left the base.” Skywarp then opened a comm link:

>>Hey, ‘Cracker! Where you at, buddy?!<<

Outside Area 51

As the Autobots arrived on site, Pipes looked to see Bumblebee appear and Optimus leading the others in the fray. Ever the loyal soldier, he followed on right after them, drawing out his laser pistol while in motion. Hearing the exclamations of his comrades, Pipes was in rather positive spirits, despite the dangers that lied ahead of him.

Of course, he wasn’t particularly concerned for himself. Pipes was among the strongest of the Autobots, both in terms of physical strength and endurance. Rarely has he ever suffered serious injury in a fight while under Decepticon fire, let alone the simple ammunition used by Earth soldiers. Of course, even the tiniest crack in his armor could prove to be dangerous should he ever use his corrosive exhaust devices. It’s a fact he was generally aware of and would rather not end up repeating, but in the heat of battle, it can slip his mind.

While being one of the most physically tough ‘Bots in his team, Pipes wasn’t the fastest among them. As the others charged forward, the Autobot slowly followed along their rear, trying to keep up with the rest.

“Slow down, guys! I don’t want to miss any of the action!” He called out to the others.

Grand Canyon

"SLAG-SLAG-SLAG-SLAGSLAGSLAG!!!!" Runamuck beams down from the sky at high velocity, slamming into the ground."Ugh, that does it, next time I'm drivin'. These were the coordinates Megatron sent, but where is everybody?" Note to self: next time get mission briefing. "Lets not be so obvious," Runamuck thinks as he transforms back into vehicle mode, "if I blow my cover it'll be the last thing Megatron ever lets me do." As the unmistakible sound of jet engines echo threw the canyon, "Well sounds like someone has showed up."