The Energon Pub

Nightwarp wrote:errrm is darklight dead?
second thoughts don't tell me.

Not dead (I won't kill characters off without permission being given prior), but he might be needing some quality time in a CR Chamber.

Kaijubot wrote:

Nightwarp wrote:errrm is darklight dead?
second thoughts don't tell me.

Not dead (I won't kill characters off without permission being given prior), but he might be needing some quality time in a CR Chamber.

ok good.

I like what I've seen thus far. Excellent work.

Almost at the end now, it seems. Sorry for the delay, not had much time to write recently.

With thanks to Mogwai Prime, Wrath and Windstalker.

Oh, and Jeep!

Pt VII

Artfire stood, face plate seeming calm, guns aimed at the hole Gorebash had created. Gorebash had disappeared as the fight continued down the length of the tunnel he had revealed. Knowing Gorebash would do better on his own Artfire had remained outside, alone in the ruined factory. One drone worked away, miraculously intact after Blitzdrei’s opening onslaught. Considering it, Artfire envied its ignorance; that it, in its simplicity, had no concept of the wider world, of friends and unknown fates.

Artfire adjusted his aim, the only outward sign of the nervous feeling slowly eating at him as he heard someone approaching from the tunnel.

* * * *

Warplock climbed onto Stormblade’s shoulder as the two fliers approached. The small, dinosaur shaped robot took to a moment to recognise the newcomer.

“I’ll be damned.” He said.
“Both of us.” Stormblade said.

Tweak, a large mechanoid with a bat alternative mode, transformed and landed in front of the maximal force. His companion did the same. As big as Tweak was, the newcomer made him look small; a tall, slim mechanoid pale blue in colour with a pair of small wings.

“Chillwind.” Stormblade said. “By the inferno, who else made it?”
“Kaijubot and Bladewing are functional. We’ve got a bunch of survivors not too far from here.”
“What about the others?”
“No one has seen Flamedance and Gigabite since the explosion. The others were in ’con territory just before, they might have made it out.

Noise came from the gathered crowd as Mogwai Prime forced his way through.

“Chillwind, I have orders for Kaijubot. He’s to advance and secure the ship before the other factions can get to it.
“No.”
“No?”
“We’re pulling out just as soon as we find our missing team mates. Anyone else who wants to leave is free to join us. We’ve lost too many mechs already to be slaughtered when the Decepticons swarm all over the place from that camp they have right outside the Canyons.”
“Does he realise the cost of not recovering the ship?”
“Yes. He believes it is affordable for securing our ability to fight in the future.”

Mogwai growled but saw that arguing would get him nowhere. It was impressive enough to get this many Maximal commanders to work together as it was, and the loyalty of the Primal Ragers to their commander was legendary.

“Very well.” Mogwai said. “Anyone who wants to go with you, can.”

Mogwai disappeared back into the crowd as Tweak stepped forward.

“Good call if you ask me.” Said Tweak.
“Agreed.” Said Obliterus. We don’t have the forces for this, not now.”

Stormblade limped forwards, helped by Spiritsong. Warplock was still perched on his shoulder.

“My patient is going nowhere without me.” Spiritsong said.
“Very well then.” Chillwind said. “Let’s go.”

* * * *

The appearance of Gorebash’s tan coloured beast mode made Artfire lower his weapons and transform back to his own beast mode.

“How are you?” Artfire said.
“I still function.” Gorebash said. “Which is better than the other guy.”

The ground shook violently. Artfire saw the last drone fall and smash. The new silence bothered him.

“This planet isn’t known for earthquakes.”
“No. I suggest haste.”

The pair of Maximals started running.

* * * *

Gorozaurer cut the transmission and hoped.

“They come.” Deepdive said.

Stompage picked up Scrapheaper and handed her to Gorozaurer before picking up his weapon.

“Never a dull moment.” He said.
“Nope.” Gorozaurer said, gun in hand. “Ragers, rampage.”

They stepped through the door, leaving the bunker, appearing in the sights of a squad of Decepticons they did not recognise.

“Fire.” Screamed the Decepticon leader. One of them transformed into a tank as Stompage fired several bursts towards them. Another jumped into the air, jets flaring into life as he became airborne, raining explosive shells towards the Maximals. Deepdive climbed the wall of the bunker and leapt at the Decepticon, grabbing its ankle and dragging it to the ground.

Gorozaurer ducked into a doorway, covering Scrapheaper as he aimed for the leader’s optics. He fired, a metal slugged launched at hypersonic speed vaporising the leader’s head as it hit. Deepdive crashed into the ground, swinging the still struggling Decepticon into its team mate.

The tank fired, a brilliant beam of energy hitting Stompage in the chest. He collapsed, falling to his knees.

“Stompage.” Deepdive shouted, charging towards the tank and flipping it over. The tank transformed as he tried to fend off Deepdive’s furious assault, a barrage of blows forcing him against a nearby wall.

Gorozaurer threw a grenade at the Decepticons Deepdive had abandoned. The flier just untangled himself just as the grenade went off. Both fell to the floor. Seeing the fifth squad member fleeing, Gorozaurer took aim again, blasting off the mech’s leg at the knee.

Deepdive set off after the crippled mech. Gorozaurer turned to see the tank, face and chest plate ripped off.

Stompage groaned. Gorozaurer ran to him.

“Not the best day for us.” Gorozaurer said.
“Guess I might need that reformatting after all.”
“You have to live to get that.”
“Yes sir.”

* * * *

Bladewing watched as the small group of Maximals approached.

“Flamedance isn’t with them.” She said, turning to Kaijubot.
“We’ll find her.”
“Alive?”
“I expect so. Trust her.”

Chillwind transformed and landed.

“Sir. Only a handful, and Stormblade’s been in better shape.”
“How did Mogwai take my response?”
“Better than I expected.”
“Very well.”

Before the conversation could continue the walls of the valley started to fall as a tremor struck the Sonic Canyons.

* * * *

The air filled with the sounds of engines, whining motors and grinding metal as Gigabite rose to his feet, almost filling the space in the canyon in which he had fallen. Flamedance took several steps back. The colossal mech, once again mobile, towered over her even in her robot mode.

“It seems my self repair systems have done all they can for now.”
“Return?”
“It seems wise.”

Slowly, Gigabite stepped forward, approaching the entrance to valley. The ground shook as something huge burst from beneath the surface. Flamedance ran for cover. Two huge scything blades penetrated Gigabite’s back and erupted through his chest. He roared in pain.

* * * *

It was impossible for those nearby not to notice the beam, dazzling white and hazy with heat, firing into the sky above the Sonic Canyons, bleaching everything with its intensity.

“Flamedance.” Bladewing said.
“Let’s go.” Kaijubot said. “Maximals, transform and rampage.”

Excellent work so far. ^^

And now, the end is near, and so I face the final curtain.

Part VIII, the final part of the story proper. There will be an epilogue, but the action ends here.

I'd like to thank Wrath, Windstalker, Moqwai Prime, Thunderscream, Tammuz, Nightwarp and Jeep! for lending me their characters for use in this story. I hope no one is too disappointed with the portrayal of their characters, and if so I appologise.

And now,

Pt VIII

Error Threshold loomed over Gigabite’s body, his sinuous serpent like body casting a menacing shadow over the floor of the valley. Four long limbs, each ending in a vicious curved blade, raked the floor as it tried eviscerating Flamedance. The white dragon jumped over one blow as it carved chunks from the metal surface. Flamedance unleashed her super high temperature heat ray, a brilliant beam emanating from the mouth. Error Threshold coiled back, briefly repulse by memories of the pain the beam caused it previously. A deep gash in its synthetic carapace revealed the only outward sign that Error Threshold was not some biological monstrosity lost of the planet.

Gigabite stirred, transforming into his massive dinosaur-like beast form, a crest of jagged plates lining his back. He stepped into a turn, his tail swinging, hitting Error Threshold and driving him into the valley wall. Before Error Threshold could react Gigabite had rammed into him, pushing him further into the wall as sections of the upper surface began to collapse around them.

Error Threshold lashed out, gouging pieces from Gigabite with flashing blade and snapping jaws. It spat a jet of acid at the Maximal’s face, forcing him to turn away to protect himself. As the acid ate away at Gigabite’s back Error Threshold surged forward, plunging all four blades into Gigabite.

Flamedance had climbed the other side of the valley. As Error Threshold began to cut Gigabite apart she fiored again, hitting Error Threshold in the flank and piercing clean through. It retaliated, slashing at the ground beneath Flamedance until it could no longer support her, shards of metal flying through the air, shrapnel hitting all.

Gigabite let out one final groan of pain as he fell, the impact shaking the valley as Flamedance extracted herself from the rubble. She spun, trying to find Error Threshold; the giant predatory machine bursting from the ground, showering her with debris.

“Flamedance.” A female voice called out.

Bladewing’s draconic form dived straight for Error Threshold, launching missiles before transforming, jinking out of the way and slashing down its neck with her energon blades. Error Threshold turned to follow her as more missiles impacted against its back, ice forming where they hit. Chillwind rose, catching a thermal draft and firing a pair of missiles.

“This day keeps going from bad to worse.” Rattrap sais as he reached the ridge of the valley wall.
“You didn’t have to join us.” Kaijubot said.
“Oh no.” Spiritsong said, seeing Error Threshold.
“Maximals, attack.” Shouted Kaijubot as he charged into the valley.

Kaijubot drew his energon sabre and threw himself at Error Threshold as Rattrap opened fire, running to the other side of the valley, strafing the monstrous transformer. Stormblade transformed to his kentrosaurus mode as Warplock switched to weapon mode and connected; As Stormblade ran Warplock fired burst after burst of plasma at Error Threshold.

A swipe of its tail sent Kaijubot flying as Bladewing flew between its arms, hacking at the joints. Chillwind bombarded it with shots trying to distract it. Obilterus pulled up at the valley ridge and opened hire, high explosive rounds hitting Error Threshold square in the chest, blasting off pieces of carapace. Tweak landed, ducking under Error Threshold’s flailing tail and beginning to dig out Flamedance.

Kaijubot picked himself up. Cursing his current lack of flight he stalked around Error Threshold as Stormblade and Warplock aimed for its face, bolts of flashing plasma blinding it. As it pulled away Kaijubot leapt, sinking his sword into its back and letting gravity pull him down. Oil and coolant fluids spurted out as he severed lines within its body.

Flamedance took flight, rising up and clinging to Error Threshold’s head, preparing her heat ray again. It shook her off, throwing her into a pile of rubble, and struck out with its blades. Flamedance shifted, the blade striking her side and ripping it away, exposing her inner mechanisms. Coolant leaked out. Flamedance screamed.

Bladewing, once more in dragon mode, shot down, spitting fireballs and launching missiles. Error Threshold batted her away, shrugging off the attacks and turning to face Chillwind.

“Come and get me.” Chillwind said, staring into its optics.

Error Threshold lunged forwards, jaws snapping at the blue Pterosaur. Chilwind cut power as he fired, the force of launching the missiles pushing him away as the missiles flew into Error Threshold’s mouth. It shrieked as the detonated, frosty vapour seeping from its mouth. It spat acid at Chillwind, barely missing as the Maximal fell. Chillwind powered up near the ground, soaring past Error Threshold as Bladewing struck again, lashing out with claws and fire at the damaged sections of the monster’s carapace.

“This isn’t working.” Rattrap said.
“Bring it down.” Kaijubot shouted.

Error Threshold span around, catching Bladewing in its mouth as a heavy crunch.

“Sister.” Flamedance hissed before unleashing her heat ray once again, steam rising from her damaged flank. She fired again and again. The blasts hit Error Threshold. It roared in agony, releasing Bladewing’s body. She fell to the ground, lifeless.

Spiritsong had lost track of Stormblade but saw Flamedance, the synthetic flesh melting and metal warping around the damaged section with each shot.

“Kaijubot.” Spiritsong yelled. “She’ll kill herself if she keeps firing.”
“Damn it.” Kaijubot said. “Kaijubot to Chillwind,” he radioed, “Flamedance is going to overheat and melt down at this rate.”
“I’m on it. Chillwind out.”

Chillwind turned, diving right past Error Threshold, skirting over one of Flamedance’s blasts. He fired, two cryo-missiles falling on Flamedance. She recoiled from the cold and transformed, examining her damaged side.

Tweak took to the air, pairing with Chillwind in trying to draw Error Threshold’s attention. He barely evaded several jets of acid sprayed at him, returning fire and peppering the monster with energy blasts.

Two jets flew down into the valley, releasing a spread of missiles across the valley at the Maximals. One missiles sped towards Flamedance. A moment from impact a blue shape enveloped her, the missiles exploding against it.

“Just in time.” Artfire said, releasing Flamedance and drawing his electric cannons.

Gorebash emerged from a nearby tunnel. He looked up, seeing Error Threshold. The monster had turned away from the fliers towards Obliterus. The maximal fired at point blank range, shattering one of Error Threshold’s optic lenses, driving it back into the valley.

“Gorebash. Artfire.” Flamedance said. “Others?”
“Not here.” Gorebash said.
“Incoming.” Artfire said.

The jets returned, strafing the Maximals.

“This is too easy.” Nightwatcher said.
“They’re still alive.” Skyfreeze said.
“Not for long my friend.”

Artfire shot at them as they passed, missing them.

“Look out.” Gorebash said as he saw Spiritsong dashing towards them. He ran forward, transforming as a scything blow by Error Threshold came down. Spiritsong saw it and froze. Gorebash pushed her away, knocking her prone. The blade approached. Gorebash caught it, pushing against the flat of the blade and driving it into the ground. Sparks flared from his arm motors as they gave out and he fell to his knees.

A flashing blade of crimson severed the blade from Error Threshold’s arm as Kaijubot struck. Missiles rained down from the Decepticon jets once more. Error Threshold recoiled and readied to strike as Chillwind flew after the jets. Obliterus and Tweak fired at the jets. Rattrap took pot shots at the jets.

Kaijubot held the grip of his sword with both hands, optics firmly focussed on Error Threshold.

“Maximals, Primal Ragers, Friends. Time to end this. Slay the monster now.”

Kaijubot charged. Stormblade and Warplock emerged and launched a new barrage of plasma at Error Threshold. Flamedance ran to its back, swords drawn. Behind her Artfire took to the sky.

Error Threshold attacked, blades flying towards the large, red Maximal. Kaijubot jumped onto one, cutting the next off with his sabre. Flamedance hacked at the exposed section of its back as Artfire launched arcing lines of electricity at its head.

“Flamedance, look out.” Chillwind said as Obliterus fired, shells hitting gaps in the carapace. Flamedance climbed the mechanoid’s back, ripping into the holes in its joints her sister had made.

The Decepticon jets struck again, flying past in robot mode, guns flaring with each shot the took. Several rounds hit Kaijubot, blasting off small pieces of his armour.

Kaijubot threw his sword upwards. The blade cut deep, penetrating through the lower jaw hinge into Error Threshold’s processing core, sparking wildly. It shrieked from the pain as power surged became to wrack its body, convulsing from glitch impulses and misfiring motors.

Kaijubot fell; Artfire caught him and carried him to the ground.

Error Threshold screamed and recoiled, lashing out blindly. Sensing the prey was no longer worth the effort, it back off slowly, gathering speed as it sunk into the large tunnel it had arrived by.

“Is it..?” Chillwind said.
“Looks like.” Tweak said. “Head’s up.”

The Decepticons flew towards them, guns blazing. Chillwind raced towards them, transforming and slicing along their backs with his blades. Tweak opened fire. Both fell briefly but recovered.

* * * *

Northclaw watched from a safe distance. The Maximals were putting up a surprising resistance against Error Threshold. Then something happened and Error Threshold was backing off.

“Another day.” He said to himself. “Nightwatcher, Skyfreeze.” He radioed. “Break off and fall back.”

The bulk of the Decepticon forces would be here soon enough, and the prize was almost at hand. Though driven off, Error Threshold still functioned. Let the Maximals have their small victory, Northclaw thought, we have won the day.

* * * *

“Brother.” Skyfreeze said, spotting Darklight’s body. He flew down below a volley of Maximal fire to retrieve it.
“Maximals, hold fire.” Kaijubot said. “Be quick, Decepticons. Take your fallen.”

* * * *

Obliterus, Tweak, Spiritsong and Rattrap departed at Maximal Field HQ, though not before Spiritsong had been assured the Primal Ragers would receive expert mechano-medical attention.

“Good flying.” Chillwind said to Tweak as he left.
“Not bad yourself. See you in the sky.”

Kaijubot watched as they left. Once gone, he stepped inside the Primal Rager’s transport and shut the door.
“Lets go home.” He said.

And the epilogue, bringing an end to this tale.

Cheetron volunteered his character for this story, but I didn't want to have another Maximal commander at the frontlines during the main part. This was the only place left to include him. So, thank you Cheetron.

Epilogue:

“It’s a mess down here. The ’cons are everywhere, the Preds’ have seized the southern end and there’s no sign of the Autobots.”
“It’s as I expected, Cheetron. The Decepticons always had a steady supply of reinforcements; now that the other factions’ forces are depleted they have free reign.”
“Command are pushing for a decisive strike in order to capture the ship. I don’t think it’s a great idea, but there’s too much arguing for any other plan to be heard.”
“Tell them to let it go. If the Decepticons want to focus on this one thing this much, make them pay for it elsewhere. I’ve got a list of targets if you want it.”
“Thanks. I’ve been asked to inquire as to your return to the Canyons.”
“It isn’t happening. I’m not risking my troops now. We’re still in pretty bad shape; Bladewing and Stompage are still in the CR Chambers and we’re struggling to find enough parts to repair Gigabite.”
“I expected as much. Truth be told, I agree. It isn’t worth hanging around now. I’ll let you get back to your team.”
“It’s appreciated. Good hunting.”
“Good hunting. Cheetron out.”

The screen went dead. Kaijubot leant back in the chair staring at the screen for a moment. Still wingless, he had chosen not to enter a CR Chamber until his unit were repaired. He pressed a button on the handgrip.

“Kaijubot to Blastbeat. If anyone tries to get in touch, tell them I’m occupied and unavailable.”
“How long for, sir?”
“Until they stop trying to get in touch.”
“Understood. Blastbeat out.”

Kaijubot stood and exited. A tall, green mech stood outside.

“Gorozaurer.” Kaijubot said. “Waiting long?”
“Not really. I just wanted to apologise. I messed up, badly.”
“Not what the others have said. Gorebash was quite impressed with how you handled things.”
“I almost lost two of my team.”
“Walk with me.” Kaijubot said as he headed towards the elevator. “We almost risk our teams every time we go into battle. It’s a risk they’ve accepted. Something happened that you didn’t account for, and you got caught in a bad situation. You made it out, with all your squad alive, and managed to fulfil your mission objectives. That’s quite an accomplishment in anyone’s datafile.
“I won’t say you weren’t lucky, but from the reports I’ve been given you handled everything thrown at you. I’m impressed and more than satisfied with your performance. If it’s still bothering you, make sure you learn from it.”
“Yes sir.” Gorozaurer said as they entered the elevator.
“Frenergy says he has good news. Let’s see what he means.”

When they exited the elevator almost all the lights in the repair ward were out, seemingly overloaded. Gorebash stood waiting for them, and they could make out Frenergy’s four armed form scrambling around at the other end of the room.

“This has been pretty interesting.” Gorebash said. “I’ll let Frenergy explain.”

Kaijubot crossed the room while Gorozaurer spoke with Gorebash. Frenergy noticed his approach and stood to attention. Scrapheaper was sat upright on a diagnostic table, somewhat changed. The bulk of her body was a dark grey, with flashes of vivid pink. What looked like half a dinosaur skull capped each boot at the knee, her lower legs now having what seemed like a feather pattern. He face had more reptilian edge to it, and the cables she wore to resemble the hair-falls and dreadlocks she encountered on earth were now part of her. The feather pattern appeared again on her forearms. Her beast mode tail hung from her back and had split to resemble wings.

“At ease. How is she?”
“Physically, she seems to have fine but for her neuro-circuitry, which seems to still be altering itself. But there is one complication.”

The light above them overloaded in a shower of sparks. Frenergy ducked under a nearby table.

“Sorry.” Scrapheaper said.
“Sorry?” Kaijubot said.
“Not sure how yet, but she keeps causing environmental fluctuations. Mostly overloading circuits, a couple of small fires. I think it is related to whatever is happening inside her processing core, but I need more time to study.”
“But she’s back.” Gorebash said, approaching. “That’s gotta be good news.”
“Agreed.” Kaijubot said.

The End

Any questions, comments, criticism? Ask away.

you know i never thought skyfreeze would ever call darklight that in front of the enemy. autobot or maximal but it was a good story i'm glad my 3 f-15 got to be in it.

Nightwarp wrote:you know i never thought skyfreeze would ever call darklight that in front of the enemy. autobot or maximal but it was a good story i'm glad my 3 f-15 got to be in it.

I assumed there was some sort of fraternal loyalty there, and seeing one's relatives heavily enjured can make people do the unexpected.

I'm glad you've enjoyed it.