Ok It's early but... It's my story so I don't care... And it's motivating me to finally get some words on paper for my next fan fic, anything you'd like to see? Tough... I don't do requests
he he
(that is a lie...if you know about the other stuff I write).
The end of SW is only a mere 3 weeks away... phew.. thank god for that eh? We're almost done hang in there
Meanwhile if you like my Autobots and HK's 'cons then they're in Cave In! Go read... HK and I have worked hard on that story and it's great and funny... and deserves more readers!!
Yay for the story pimpage
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Chapter 22Optimus crept warily along the dark carved tunnel, venturing deeper into the asteroid. He felt strangely calm, despite knowing he was walking into a trap. He touched his chest self consciously, his fingers prickling with energy in proximity to the Matrix. He armed his weapon and headed stealthily into the cave. He paused at the mouth of the cave, his optics taking in the sight of the large machine towering above him. It glinted in the artificial lighting, a point circling at its peak, glowing faintly; he could feel its power vibrating through the rock. Glancing round quickly, there was nobody in sight, but he heard voices. Sneaking behind a rocky formation silently he moved into a better position. He spied Soundwave on the other side of the machine, Prime winced as Soundwave’s frame stumbled to his right sharply, clutching onto the console as he fell to one knee. Prime saw his face, impassive, unfeeling and cold as always. He heard Megatron before he saw him. His rich voice filled with hate and anger. Prime shifted uncomfortably moving himself further round to see what had Megatron so worked up.
Soundwave straightened painfully; he took his punishment with more grace and silence than any other mech possibly could, he faced Megatron once again. His unemotional state only seemed to anger Megatron more, who reeled back his face like thunder looking like he was going to strike the impassive telepath once more. Prime spotted Rumble near Soundwave’s leg, his face a picture of anguish and hate as he stood with futile effort between his master and his commander.
Prime raised his brow in surprise as Soundwave smoothly picked up Rumble and placed him out of the way before turning back to Megatron again. Compassion clearly ran deep beneath the surface Prime mused. He was however glad for the distraction of the telepath, he did not need his thoughts hacking into right now. His optics scanned the environment; movement behind Megatron caught his gaze. He crept silently along the wall of the cavern, slipping behind more rocks. His jaw fell open behind his battle mask in horror.
Directly behind Megatron, two upright metal slabs were positioned facing the machine. Arcee was hanging limply onto the first, her chest wide open revealing her fading spark, her pink colouration looking much greyer than before she was kidnapped, beside her Trailblazer still struggled frantically, he was clearly under sensor block influence, his chest was slightly parted, his spark pulsed, still strong, a cable was attached to his chest and blue energon was pumping directly into the machine. Crackling with living energy from his spark.
Optimus couldn’t help but let out a faint gasp in shock. His face set in grim determination, he would get them out. All he needed was a distraction.
Soundwave was knocked to the ground once again as he tried to reason with Megatron, who seemed to be teetering on the sharp edge of madness, more so than usual, Optimus mused to himself. In the commotion that followed he raised his weapon and fired at the cable linking Trailblazer’s spark to the machine. The young ‘bot yelped in sharp pain and surprise. His optics shot up in the direction of weapons fire. Widening when they caught sight of Prime sheltered behind the rock.
Megatron’s face dropped in surprise, swiftly helping Soundwave to his feet, his mouth broke into an evil smile. “Prime.”
“Let them go Megatron. You wanted me, I’m here.”
Starscream shuffled on the floor behind Megatron, looking dazed and frowned in the direction of Prime.
“Prime?” His voice filled with confusion.
“I followed your bread crumbs Megatron, now let them go it’s me you want.”
Megatron’s expression almost filled with glee, he glanced back at the very perplexed seeker and back to Soundwave who despite his visor looked equally as confused.
“Seems your plant worked better than expected Soundwave. Not only did the imbecile bring me the Matrix he brought me the one component I thought I would have to get myself.”
Soundwave regained his composure. “As previously stated Lord Megatron, my mind plants do not fail.”
“Well done Soundwave.” Megatron murmured as he motioned forward towards his enemy.
“Prime, you’re in no position for negotiations, show yourself and I will let your pathetic excuses for soldiers go.”
Optimus fired another warning shot, just missing Soundwave’s head; the mech did not even flinch.
“I won’t ask again Megatron. The Ark will start firing on the asteroids in 15 minutes. You will be obliterated unless I give the order. Give it up. You cannot win!”
Megatron almost purred as his red optics flashed dangerously. “You’re bluffing Prime. You could never risk the lives of those under your command.”
“I don’t bluff when it comes to the survival of Earth and the rest of the Autobots. You know I won’t hesitate to let them fire.”
Optimus felt his comm. buzz; he frowned as a sequence of noises buzzed into his cortex on a loop. Morse code, he recognised it.
Trap. Stop
Wants spark and Matrix. Stop
Return at once. StopOptimus sighed at the message before turning it off. There was no going back.
“You’re a fool Prime.” Megatron growled angrily, raising his weapon he fired at the rocks above Prime’s head, Optimus rolled out of the way, throwing himself in full view of Megatron’s weapon. “I shall enjoy watching you crumble beneath the weight of guilt as you watch Earth burn at your own hand.” A glancing blow to Optimus’s side caused him to yelp in pain. He was not going down that easily. Not this time.
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Starscream watched with bemusement and confusion as he heard Prime from behind the rocks. He shuffled closer to the berth holding Trailblazer still. He stood shakily. ‘A truce... I want a truce... follow the breadcrumbs Prime.’
Starscream remembered his words; they didn’t feel like his words. He had fully intended on helping the Autobots, why? That wasn’t him... Soundwave. He glared angrily at the silent mech who was all but crawling away from the erupting fire fight between the two leaders. He leapt over and grabbed the large mech roughly digging into his frame hard enough to bring the spy to his knees with a grimace. Rumble flew onto his back in rage and proceeded to pummel the seeker’s wings.
Although in excruciating pain Starscream’s fury overrode his desire to crush the little mech, he simply clawed at the much smaller mech and launched him across the cave with a shrill shriek.
“What did you do to me?!” He shrieked above the noise of weapons fire. Megatron had launched himself at Prime, sending them both careening to the other side of the cave wall with such force rocks crumpled beneath them and shattered to the floor.
“What did you do!!!?” Soundwave gripped his wrists tightly as he dug in harder.
“Needed your treachery to be convincing. Needed to convince the Autobots. Convince Prime. You had to give the impression there was no room for doubt.” He answered coolly despite his position.
“Why me?”
“Megatron believed you to be the most logical choice, you are the one most outspoken against him.”
“How?”
“During recharge before you went to Mars.”
“You violated me!”
“It was necessary.” Starscream shrieked with rage and raised his fist. “I am no traitor; I want what is best for the Decepticons!” He punched Soundwave hard cracking his visor. “What have you turned me into? Why do I care about them?!” He gestured wildly to the restrained Autobots, spitting the words in Soundwave’s face. “Side effect.” The monotonous tone answered simply. He reeled back to strike him again.
“Starscream!”
He froze at the harsh voice. “Release Soundwave this instant!” Megatron ordered amidst the heat of battle. He turned and saw that his leader was losing the advantage, pulling himself away from Prime’s grasp, kicking the Autobot viciously to give the order. He stared back at Soundwave who hadn’t taken his optics off his.
“You ever touch me again; I will rip out your optics.” He hissed dangerously. He released him roughly, staggering back, his cortex still reeling from the effects of the mind control. His memories jumbled, his loyalties torn. They had programmed him to betray, to want to betray, to help the Autobots. He felt disgusted, shamed, used. He would have volunteered, but Megatron had never been one for making requests.
His optics shot up at the sound of Prime’s shrieks of pain. Soundwave was on his feet and was focusing all of his energy onto the battling Prime. His senses assaulted the strong mental barriers of the Autobot leader, he was angry and relentless, the barriers crumbled. He hacked in further and began to twist and crush, his red optics narrowed to slits with the effort. Starscream remembered the pain, the pain of the implant. Memories flooded back to him. The intrusion into his quarters. Being pinned to his berth. The invasion of his mind, being terrified and then the agonising pain and those narrow glowing red optics bearing down on him.
He shrieked as he remembered everything. Prime’s roar of agony as he clutched his helm, froze his spark. He stumbled to the floor. The cave was spinning. He could feel the mental energy. He stared in disbelief as unfamiliar feelings of empathy and pity soared through his sensor net as he watched Prime fall to his knees before Megatron.