The Energon Pub

Inspired by recent incidents, I've started work on a fanfic. Here's the first part, a bit rough but readable (and posting it works as an incentive to continue work on it.) So here we go.

Devastation's Wake, pt I.

Chillwind dived to avoid a barrage from Autobot anti-air batteries, replying with a missile salvo of his own. They crashed around an Autobot bike, the explosions forcing him off course and into the path of a nearby Maximal’s mace. The Maximal looked up and gave him a thumb’s up. Chillwind nodded slightly in recognition before rising, finding the strongest air current and letting it carry him back to the body of the Maximal force. Kaijubot stood at its head, bellowing instructions barely audible over the howling of the wind and booming artillery on both sides.

“Chillwind, report.” Kaijubot’s voice came over the radio, still barely above the background noise.
“More ’bots around the bend. Gigabite estimates time to arrival at one breem and counting. And a distinct lack of decent fliers in the area. I guess the ’cons really do have the better air force.”
“So they say. Don’t do anything too stupid. Kaijubot out.”

Chillwind ascended, letting the strong winds of the Sonic Canyons lift him. His blue, pterosaur-like form rose effortlessly to a vantage point above the battle lines. Able to see the entire valley he paused briefly to consider the possibility of simply flying straight through the Canyons. His meditation was interrupted by another burst of flak fire that forced him to bank to avoid it. In doing so he spotted a trio of Autobots attempting to sneak over the crest of the valley ridge and outflank the Maximals.

In a moment he was amongst them, the air shrieking as he flew against the wind to the Autobots’ position. He launched to cryo-missiles at point blank range, flash-freezing the area and talking down two mechs. The third drew an energon blade, the barely contained energy hissing. Chillwind hung in the air, forgetting the riotous battle far below, looming above the Autobot. The Autobot lunged; Chillwind dodged with a flap of his wings, grabbing the ’bot’s shoulder with his talon and crushing it with a menacing crunch. Transforming to robot mode Chillwind looked his opponent in the optics before plunging his own blade into the mech’s chest.

“I’m sorry.” Chillwind said as the Autobot fell to the ground and went offline. “Perhaps in another life we could have been friends.”

Chillwind reverted to his beast mode and took to the air once again. Turning back to rejoin the Maximal force he saw an entirely familiar shape just down another valley connected to the intersection hosting the battle below.

“Chillwind to Kaijubot. Encountered infiltrators, threat averted. Sounds like the back-up just arrived.”
“That it does. Clear channel. Kaijubot out.”

The near constant bombardment had masked his normally thunderous earth-shaking footsteps, allowing Gigabite to advance from a nearby valley unnoticed. Autobot forces hurriedly moved to intercept him and cover the new battle line. Gigabite was already launching his own one-mech offensive.

Gigabite, largest of the Primal Ragers, was a general’s worst nightmare. Massive, immune to small arms, highly resistant to heavy weaponry and with enough firepower to take out a battalion on his own he was a walking engine of destruction matched only by the deadliest mechs in existence. He did not need his beast mode here; instead, he simply advanced with every weapon on his body armed and operation, laying down withering bursts of fire. A squad of Autobots attempted to assault him, getting in under his fire arcs. Gigabite stood on the leader, crushing him. The remaining squad fell back.

The Autobot line was broken; they were falling back, desperately trying to carry the casualties away.

“Maximals, halt.” Kaijubot ordered. “Let them take the wounded. This is Maximal territory now.”

Chillwind ascended once more. The sky was his now.

Incidentally, if anyone has any comments, notes, proof reading, whatever, feel free to mention. I'll also note that this is all rough drafts, basically. I might edit and refine them later, but for now you're seeing only basic revisions of what I've hand written.

And now for part two.

Pt II
Missiles rained down around Gorozaurer and his team as the trio of Decepticon jets rapidly approached their position.

“You sure that cave is near here? He yelled.
“Yes. Not far.” Deepdive responded.
“Great.” Gorozaurer flung himself into a recess in the canyon wall and brought his gun up, switching the sight to infrared to pick out the Decepticons’ engines. He snapped off a couple of rounds, clipping the tail fin of one before ducking into another hiding place.

“Damn Seekers.” Stompage muttered. “Never a fair fight.” The green robot was wearing his distinctive battle mask as he tried to evade incoming fire. As one of the jets swooped for a strafing run he reverted to beast mode, an oversized Carnotaurus, and turned to face the jet. Streams of laser bolts splashed against his thick armour and he pounced, grabbing a wing in his mouth and biting it off.

“Slagging worms!” The Decepticon shouted as it transformed, struggling for stability in the winds of the Sonic Canyons with a missing wing. It snapped off a couple of rounds before rising. Electricity arced through the air as Artfire joined the fray, bolts of energy flying in all directions.

“It is just past that turn.” Deepdive said.
“But useless if the ’cons see it.” Gorozaurer said.

A scream of agony came from nearby. Scrapheaper, lying at Artfire’s feet, writhed in pain as parts of her best mode’s synthetic flesh sloughed off, exposing warped mechanisms underneath.

“Who has the device?” Gorozaurer shouted as the Seekers made another attack run. Deepdive fired a pair of surface-to-air missiles from the launchers in her wings. The missiles hit the leader, taking off his other wing, his left arm and a large chunk of his torso. He fell from the sky.
“I have it.” Gorebash said, spraying the passing jets with bullets from his shotgun.
“We have to take those jets down. Stompage, Artfire. You’re with Gorebash on that. Deepdive, you’re with me. We have to get Scrapheaper out of here.”

As Gorozaurer carried Scrapheaper away Artfire nodded and transformed, taking to the skies in the form of a gargantuan blue dragon. Immediately the jets transformed and turned to face him, arm mounted lasers flashing with each shot unloaded into Artfire. He ignored the stings of the lasers hitting him and opened his concealed engines, launching himself towards them. One of them dived out of the way; Artfire flew right into the other, grabbing him and driving him into the canyon wall.

The other Decepticon dived down, cutting engines and falling like a stone. Seconds from hitting the ground he transformed and boosted along the length of the canyon towards Gorozaurer. Stompage jumped into his path as he opened fire, the missiles impacted on Stompage. The explosion knocked the Decepticon away, out of the air. He switched to robot mode as he skidded along the canyon floor, sparks flying from metal grinding against metal. Gorebash jumped at him, glowing energy blade in hand. Pinning the Decepticon to the floor Gorebash thrust the blade into the mech’s torso. A fuel line caught fire. The Decepticon screamed.

Artfire kept his opponent pinned to the wall as he transformed, boosters keeping him aloft. He aimed his electric cannon at the Decepticon’s head as the mech tried to transform.

“You’re all dead. The Decepticons will have the prize.” He hissed.
“We do not care.” Artfire said. He disabled his audios so he would not have to hear the screams as he pulled the trigger. He had heard enough screaming for today. Once sure the Decepticon was no longer a threat Artfire returned to the canyon floor. The smoke was starting to clear and Stompage slowly stepped out. Part of his beast mode head was missing and there were holes in his flanks. He transformed, head and tail moving to form shoulders as arms unfolded and his legs extended. As his robot head emerged he spoke.

“That is never a good idea.”
“What does not kill you…”
“Will live to regret it.” Gorebash finished. “Fit to go?”
“Aye.” Stompage said.

Sure enough the cave was there. Deepdive lurked in the entrance like the monster she resembled.

“Quickly.” She said.

The cave was an old duct, dim and dusty from disuse. Gorozaurer looked at Scrapheaper, motionless on the floor, as Deepdive and Gorebash approached.

“Deepdive, work out the quickest way out of here. I have to report in.”
“Cave, canyon or sector?”
“Sector. She needs Frenergy’s skills.”
“Understood.” Deepdive withdrew an object from a compartment in her arm. If produced a holographic map. She set about examining it as Gorebash crouched over Scrapheaper.”

“Brave little warrior.” He said. He dwarfed her.
“But foolish. The device?”
“I still have it. Damn thing.”
“Trouble, but possibly solution.”
“I hope so.”

Gorozaurer approached the entrance to the duct. Artfire had been left to keep watch; he was sat seemingly staring out of the duct.

“It’s clear, aside from some wreckage.”
“Good. Gorozaurer to Kaijubot, do you read?”

* * * *

“Maximals, halt. Let them take the wounded. This is Maximal Territory.”

Above him, Chillwind was soaring. Let him have his moment of fun, Kaijubot thought, they do not come often enough. The Maximal force was already forming a defensive perimeter, Bladewing supervising them. The pale pink femmebot seemed to be quite popular with some of them. It was impossible to miss Gigabite approaching this time.

“Tide turned.” The massive robot said.
“Thank you for that. Any problems?”
“No, but we’re pretty far from Predacon territory and the Autobots don’t have any heavy units in the area.”
“Unless they have a combiner we don’t know about. Take a walk, clear out any rearguards and surprises the ’bots left. If you can find Flamedance take her with you.”
“Yes sir.”

Gigabite turned and left. Kaijubot watched in amusement as several Maximals panicked in fear of being trodden on. Kaijubot knew Gigabite to be more careful than that.

“Gorozaurer to Kaijubot, do you read?”
“I read, Gorozaurer.”
“Thank the inferno. We have the device, but there was an accident and Scrapheaper activated it. She’s functional, but I have no idea what it’s doing to her. We need to get her out of here quickly, which is the other problem. We’re deep behind ’con lines at the moment. We found an old service duct, might get us out.”
“Understood.” Kaijubot said, climbing a ridge of rubble that he realised was probably once a building before the area became Sonic Canyons.
“Any recommendations?”
“Be quick, keep low, keep quiet.”
“Yes sir. Gorozaurer out.”

* * * *

“Gorozaurer out.” He returned to the duct and Scrapheaper. “Any luck?”
“Old transit system.” Deepdive said. “Big and leads away, if map is good.”
“Any pressing reason not to use it?”
“It looks like it leads right to the Decepticon camp just outside the Canyons. Extraction and escape are both going to be difficult.” Gorebash said.
“Do we…”

The tunnel shook violently and they heard an almighty explosion. Artfire ran in.

“Beast modes. Duck and cover. Now”

* * * *

Kaijubot climbed the next, much higher ridge. Here the canyon walls had given way to a much gentler valley, gleaming in the twilight and the air glistening as the wind picked up shards of metal. Gigabite had already gone beyond here. All reports had described the heart of the Canyons as a hell made real. It would be much harder from here, he realised.

Then he saw the flash and heard the explosion.

“Maximals, take cover.” He shouted.

He saw the blast wave approaching. He realised it was a wall of raw energon; unrefined, undiluted and devastating. With a few seconds he could transform, start absorbing it, direct it to his weapons and disperse it, saving the Maximals with him.

He did not have a few seconds.

All went black.

this is starting to get good

Interesting start. Wonder where that "blast of raw energon" came from...

Me!

Nice work Kaiju. Now tell the part where I pressed the big red button and blew up the universe...

Don't hold you breath waiting for answers.

Updates have been frequent so far because I'm trying to get a lot of ground work and establish things before most we get to thursday, when most of my available time becomes taken up until Monday. So there may be one or two more this week, but the rest will have to wait until next.

Pt III

“I told you we were all gonna die.”
“The problem with that prediction is we’re not dead yet.”

Diagnostic complete.

Flight Capability Offline
Structural Integrity 65%
Sensory Acuity 60%
Power Level 80%

Warning: Hazardous Environment.

Kaijubot groaned as he came online, dim light slowly filtering in to his optical feed. He tried picking himself up, gears in his arms grinding as they were forced into use. He could make out several shapes nearby: the tall, blue form of Chillwind; A smaller, grey shape he assumed was Rattrap; and a pair of Maximals he did not know the names of. It took him a moment to realise a heavy mist was hanging in the air, a dark cloud that he felt uneasy in.

“He’s back.” Chillwind said.

Chillwind reverted to beast mode and moved over to Kaijubot.

“Can you transform?”
“Not tried yet, funnily enough.”
“Best you do. That wave left a mess.”

Kaijubot struggled to his feet before transforming, shifting back into his draconic form. He still felt sluggish, but steadier now he was on four feet instead of two. It was when he tried to test his wing mechanisms he realised why his flight capability was offline: the wave had torn them off. It was strange to be confined to the ground, but Kaijubot was thankful it was no worse than that. He had been lucky.

“Report.”
“It’s not good. We’ve lost contact with everyone outside this valley. No one has see Gigabite or Flamedance. This mist in the air, its energon gas. Makes doing anything in robot mode difficult. After a couple of cycles you start getting power surges and system failures.”
“Enemy activity?”
“None that we’ve seen. I’ve done a bit of scouting, but I’m sticking close. Gigabite seems to have covered quite a lot of ground before the blast.”
“Chances are anyone nearby will be in the same state as us. No state for a battle.”
“Could have been the ’cons. They have that big camp just outside the Canyons. Now would be a good time to move in and claim the prize.”
“They’d still have to contend with these conditions. I doubt they’re that foolish.”
“I guess. Sir, what about the other team?”

****

Gorebash left the tunnel, switching to his Ankylosaur-like beast mode to avoid the effects of the lingering gas. The canyon had been battered and shredded by the blast wave, mounds of debris and dozens of new holes in the canyon walls. Trying to see through the gas was like looking through a green lens, everything looked murky and sinister. Bits of metal snapped under foot with each step. Nearby one of the mounds glowed with infused energon.

It did not bear thinking about what the blast would have done to others. Without the tunnel to provide cover they would most likely have been torn apart, or slowly terminated by the lingering gas if they had no insulation.

Screaming alerted him. He rushed back to the tunnel, along it’s dark route to where the team had made a temporary camp. Scrapheaper was once more online, whimpering from the painful process the device had started within her body. She screamed again. Gorebash crouched to speak to her.

“Be strong, little one.” He whispered to her. “Be strong and survive.”

Scrapheaper clearly tried to suppress the next scream as parts of her arms began to glow and warp.

“Outside?” Deepdive said. She barely fit in the part of the duct she was stood in.
“A mess. There’s some form of energon gas lingering outside. If you’re not insulated against raw energon then it isn’t safe.”
“Then I can’t go out there.” Stompage said. “My beast mode was damaged before we came in here.”
“Artfire, how are you?” Gorozaurer said.
“Intact.”
“Right.” Gorozaurer said bringing up a map of the Canyons. He highlighted a section. “This is Kaijubot’s last known location. Gorebash, Artfire, I want you two to find him. They’ll need the help most likely. Stompage, Deepdive, we’re taking the transit duct and getting Scrapheaper out of here.”

Gorebash crouched closer to Scrapheaper and whispered to her before Deepdive picked her up.

“You’ll be wanting this.” Gorebash said, transforming and handing Deepdive the device.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Take care of her.”

Once more returning to his beast mode, Gorebash made for the tunnel’s exit, Artfire following close behind.

This is pretty cool nice work.

Thanks for the positive comments. Good to see people are enjoying this.

If anyone wants to volunteer a character or two there will likely be room to include them somewhere. I could especially do with a couple more Cons to include (Sad to say the Predacons aren't likely to feature prominently).

And,once again, cliffhanger time!

With thanks to Thunderscream and Tammuz. (hopefully Thunderscream will get to read this soon)

Pt IV

Northclaw stalked into the improvised command bunker only nano-kliks after being released from the CR chamber. The nervous aide waiting for him visibly cowered as he entered the room.

“The commanders are connected and waiting for your report, sir.” The aide said.
“Very well, then.” Northclaw growled.

He entered the Communications Centre. Vid-screens lined the walls, most depicting the face of a Decepticon commander. A number were blank; those commanders in the field somewhere or unaccounted for.

“He’s late.” Said one commander, a newly promoted officer Northclaw did not recognise. Immediately petty arguments broke out, accusations being flung in all directions.

“Enough.” Northclaw shouted. “I have no time for this. Here is the situation: Approximately five mega-cycles ago something exploded in the Sonic Canyons. The cause remains unknown; satellite telemetry is unreliable but seems to indicate a group of mechaniforms in the region shortly before it became ground zero. The initial explosion was followed by a blast wave of ignited unreformed energon. The wave expanded to the regions immediately outside of the Canyons before dissipating, leaving a thick mist or gas that is high in charged raw energon; this is greatly interfering in attempts to assess the damage, and continued exposure is highly dangerous for most Transformers.”

“What of the objective? What is its status?”

“As far as we can tell, intact. It is believed to be in a heavy shielded section of the Canyons. I’m preparing a team to retrieve it as soon as conditions allow. This appears to be our best opportunity to obtain the vessel.”

Tiring of the infighting and politicking, Northclaw cut his transmission and left the Bunker. By the time they made any decision any of the other factions could have attempted a retrieval operation, or even several. Time for debate was not a luxury he could allow himself. Whatever had caused the explosion had forced the fighting to stop, however briefly. Only rarely did such a window of opportunity present itself.

* * * *

“Weaklings.”

Blitzdrei looked at the bodies around him in dismay. Six fallen Decepticons, six mechs weaker than himself. While Blitzdrei himself was damaged by the explosion it was mostly surface damage; his internal mechanisms remained functioning at full capability. Shed of the burden of having the weaklings following him he was free to continue to their objective; some kind of secret installation had been revealed in the neighbouring sub-sector. Several small explosions had revealed its presence.

He transformed and set off, ignoring the odd atmospheric conditions that seemed to have appeared after in the explosion’s wake.

* * * *

Gorebash was bored. Bored and worried. A mega-cycle after leaving, he and Artfire had yet to encounter a functioning mech. Prior to the explosion the subsector had been swarming with Decepticon scouts and Predacons fleeing the destruction of the laboratory they had managed to build here. Yet the drum-like beating had continued regardless; still operational despite the devastation the factory drones were still sounding their hellish notes.

“It isn’t right.” He said.
“The noise?”
“Yeah.” Gorebash said, picking up the lifeless cranial casing of a former Decepticon. “All these Decepticons bought it, but the drones keep running?”
“As long as it is just noise try not to worry about it. Worry when you can feel the noise.”
“Good point.”

Noting the energon radiation was building up Gorebash reverted to beast mode and set about climbing a nearby ridge of compressed debris.

“She will be alright.” Artfire said.
“Didn’t look that way when we left.”
“I know. But I trust Gorozaurer to get her out. Want a lift?”
“Yeah, sure. Beats walking.”

Artfire gripped the blade-like protrusions on Gorebash’s back and lifted him off the ground using his boosters to compensate for Gorebash’s size and weight. A couple of cycles later they were on Cybertron’s surface overlooking the canyon.

* * * *

Blitzdrei arrived at the former sight of the hidden installation. All that remained was the ruined husk and bodies. He turned one body over, only slightly surprised to find a Predacon badge on the mech’s chest. This had been something important, and they’d built it without the Decepticons knowing.

Now, however, it was merely more rubble in an area thick with ruin. More pressing were the tracks; a small group of large mechs moving at speed away from the area. Suspecting them to be the architects of this destruction Blitzdrei set about following them.

* * * *

Deep under the surface, Gorozaurer’s team were forced to pause briefly at an intersection that had not appeared on the map.

“It’s possible the map is older than this shaft.” Stompage said.
“Perhaps. Unlikely.” Deepdive said.
“What makes you say that?”
“Uneven.” Deepdive pointed at the wall of the unmarked tunnel. “Not constructed.”
“So it is. Guess you’re right, that isn’t part of the same construction. Looks almost like someone dug or blasted it out.”
“Do not linger.”

Gorozaurer was watching Scrapheaper. Whatever was happening to her body was still going on, but she had regained coherence.

“Sorry, boss, I messed up.” She said.
“We all make mistakes sometimes.”
“I messed up big time. At least Frenergy will have an interesting time examining my remains. Heh.”
“They won’t be remains. We’ll get you through this functional.”
“Thanks.” Her optics faded as she went offline again.

Something moved nearby. Gorozaurer jumped to his feet, gun raised, scanning the tunnel for signs of the newcomer. Stompage and Deepdive did likewise, quickly establishing a defensive formation.

“This would be much easier,” said Stompage, “If I could see in the dark like you guys.”
“Add it to the next reformatting you get.” Gorozaurer said. “Over there.”

Gorozaurer stepped back over Scrapheaper as the creature emerged from the dug out tunnel. Shorter than the Maximals with a round body, glowing yellow optics and a mouth full of jagged teeth they recognised it at once.

“Sharkticon.”

* * * *

Blitzdrei had found them. Two of them, at least. He was almost conflicted about it: on one hand they had taken out a Predacon installation, causing his enemies a set back; but they had done it before the Decepticons could learn anything from it. Still, the pair sported beast modes, suggesting a Maximal allegiance even without the emblem. It had taken longer than he liked, but now he was ready to strike.

* * * *

Gorebash regarded the structure suspiciously. Clearly one of the old factories before something had lain waste to the region and transformed it into the Sonic Canyons, a discordant rhythm of beating and clashing echoed from within as the machines continued with their work without materials. Somehow, it had survived the explosion that had ripped apart dozens of the mechs that the pair had found so far.

Regardless, the building was shelter and potentially contained useful supplies. It gave a hiding place if an enemy patrol came by, Gorebash having no illusion that the factions would not rest for long even if the scale of the destruction was as large as he believed. Shrugging aside his worries he approached the building.

The ground exploded in front of him as Blitzdrei began his attack.

if you need cons then you can lead skyfreeze and darklfight my twins or nightwatcher hes their commander.

If you could PM me with names, alt modes and brief personality descriptions It'd help a load.

Kaijubot wrote:If you could PM me with names, alt modes and brief personality descriptions It'd help a load.

done but i forgot to mention in the pm that nightwatcher is very aggressive towards his enemies.
like the story so far.

Thank you.

Nice cameo by Northclaw. Not sure if he'd inspire fear and terror in other 'cons, or snarl at other commanders, but nice cameo anyway.

Psychout wrote:Me!

Too much chili, Psy?

Thunderscream wrote:Nice cameo by Northclaw. Not sure if he'd inspire fear and terror in other 'cons, or snarl at other commanders, but nice cameo anyway.

So I took a little liberty with him a little. I basically figured he'd rather be out leading a mission than having to answer to the combined Decepticon leadership. As for the aide, I went off what I remembered of Northclaw's bio and his reputation. I figure a low ranking 'con assigned to his command would likely be terrified, especially if some of the other Dragoons are nearby.

Also, probably not the last we've seen of Northclaw.

With thanks to Nightwarp

Pt V

Flanked by the twins Skyfreeze and Darklight, Nightwalker flew low over the Sonic Canyons, trying to ignore the din of the region as he passed. Ordered to perform a reconnaissance sweep the trio had seen nothing but ruin, debris and bodies. Nightwatcher found it impossible to tell which had been drones and which had been Transformers such was the devastation.

“There’s nothing out here. Why don’t we just signal back and tell them to stop wasting our time?” Darklight said.
“Because, brother, enemy troops could be hiding anywhere.” Skyfreeze said.
“Your brother is right. Last thing Northclaw needs is an ambush.” Nightwatcher said.
“Still think it’s a waste of time and energon.” Darklight said.
“Feel that way. Now shut up.” Nightwatcher said.

The Canyons were a challenge. Covering the distance was easy enough but for the occasional spire, but accurate intelligence required flying through the trenches and valleys, still thick with gas released by the explosion. Nightwatcher signalled that he intended to take the next one alone.

He shot down into the jagged canyon, barely slowing as banked to avoid a protruding section of metal that might have once been a bridge. Descending further he skimmed the canyon floor sending dust soaring in his wake. He weaved around the bigger pieces of debris before rising to pass over the largest. As he did he slowed and transformed, turning around trying to believe his optics.

“Skyfreeze, Darklight. Get down here.”

As his wing mechs descended he examined the debris: A gigantic Transformer, apparently possessed of some kind of beast mode judging from the scaled texture of the synthetic flesh covering most of it. Huge strips had been torn away by the explosion to reveal the underlying mechanisms. He had never seen the mech but knew its name; Gigabite.

“Is that?” Darklight said.
“Looks like. I’m getting no life signs.” Nightwatcher said.
“Good news for us.” Skyfreeze said.
“Yeah. Looks like we have news for Northclaw afterall.” Darklight said.
“Let’s go. Get up to broadcast height and spread the news. Gigabite is dead.”

As the Decepticons left the watcher stirred, a white dragon creeping down from a crevice to the floor. Satisfied she had not been seen Flamedance approached Gigabite’s body.

“Gigabite. Live.” She said.

* * * *

“Never goes smooth.” Stompage said, ducking under a leaping Sharkticon. “Never goes smooth at all.”
“Less talking, more violence.” Gorozaurer said, blasting a Sharkticon at point blank range with his rail gun.
“Yes sir.” Stompage said, drawing a mace and swinging at the Sharkticon’s head, buckling the metal under the blow.
“Resilient.” Deepdive said, launching a missile into the mouth of a Sharkticon. A series of internal explosions wracked its body and it fell, lifeless, to the ground.
“Or not.” Stompage said.

The Sharkticon pack was relentless, following them several miles down the tunnel. One transformed, swinging at Gorozaurer with its flail. Gorozaurer stepped back, taking aim. The Sharkticon reversed its attack, the head of the flail wrecking the gun before Gorozaurer could fire. Gorozaurer roared in rage, transforming into his beast mode, a Carcharodontosaurus. He snapped at the Sharkticon, catching its arm in his moth and wrenching it off, oils spurting against the tunnel walls. Behind him Stompage was hammering at his opponent, the now blind Sharkticon desperately trying to find its prey.

“Where’s Scrapheaper?” Stompage said.
“Oh no.” Gorozaurer said, spotting the small Transformer’s body a short distance away, behind the Sharkticons.
“Oh no.” Stompage said, spotting the Allicon advancing towards them.
“No.” Deepdive said, her voice harsh. She charged.

The Allicon was over Scrapheaper as Deepdive barrelled into it, launching two missiles at zero range, the explosion knocking it back. Deepdive snarled as the Allicon fought back, swiping and snapping at her, pushing her back and away from Scrapheaper.

Stompage aimed his gun at the blind Sharkticon’s head and pulled the trigger. The plasma shell erupted on impact, melting through the face plate and into its logic core. He turned and fired again, hitting a Sharkticon about to attack Deepdive.

The Allicon attacked again, trying to catch Deepdive in its mouth. She grabbed its lower jaw and used its speed to throw it over her shoulder to the ground. Pinning it to the floor she ripped the jaw off with her talon like hands. The Allicon transformed. Deepdive punched its face, cracking its optics and crushing its mouth plate. It kicked her off with a muffled grunt and snarl of its own as Deepdive hissed in anger.

Gorozaurer rammed into the Allicon’s back as Stompage finished off the last Sharkticon. Knocked prone, the Allicon was helpless as Gorozaurer pinned it to the ground. Deepdive grabbed its helmet and pulled, exposing its cerebral processors. She plunged her fist into them with a sickening crunch.

“She’s not the mech she used to be.” Stompage said.

Shed of the burden of having the weaklings following him he was free to continue to their objective

that's my boy!

Tammuz wrote:

Shed of the burden of having the weaklings following him he was free to continue to their objective

that's my boy!

Well, I am trying to be true to the characters I'm borrowing, so it wouldn't make sense for him to be broken up by the loss of his comrades...

loss of bodyparts once my bots are finished with him, maybe, but not his comrades

wooooow.
thats cool. and you inspired a name change for one of the twins since i wonted to get rid of 'flight' part of his name.

Kaijubot wrote:

Tammuz wrote:

Shed of the burden of having the weaklings following him he was free to continue to their objective

that's my boy!

Well, I am trying to be true to the characters I'm borrowing, so it wouldn't make sense for him to be broken up by the loss of his comrades...

loss of bodyparts once my bots are finished with him, maybe, but not his comrades

NOT LISTENING NOT LISTENING!
don't spoil the plot!

Kaijubot wrote: “Is that?” Darklight said.
“Looks like. I’m getting no life signs.” Nightwatcher said.
“Good news for us.” Skyfreeze said.
“Yeah. Looks like we have news for Northclaw afterall.” Darklight said.
“Let’s go. Get up to broadcast height and spread the news. Gigabite is dead.”

As the Decepticons left...

I don't see this ending well. Either Northclaw's going to react like BW Megatron in "Dark Voyage" (no debris, no proof) - and Northclaw's one who want physical proof, at least in my mind - or you got something worse in mind.

Thunderscream wrote:

Kaijubot wrote: “Is that?” Darklight said.
“Looks like. I’m getting no life signs.” Nightwatcher said.
“Good news for us.” Skyfreeze said.
“Yeah. Looks like we have news for Northclaw afterall.” Darklight said.
“Let’s go. Get up to broadcast height and spread the news. Gigabite is dead.”

As the Decepticons left...

I don't see this ending well. Either Northclaw's going to react like BW Megatron in "Dark Voyage" (no debris, no proof) - and Northclaw's one who want physical proof, at least in my mind - or you got something worse in mind.

A little from column A, a little from column B

Just a quick note to say next installment should be some time tomorrow.

Part six is here. One big thing and a few small but overall important things.

And thanks to Windstalker, Wrath, Tammuz, Thunsderscream and Nightwarp.

Pt VI

Stormblade collapsed as an energy surge spread across his systems, knocking out motor functions in his right leg and arm. He let out a half-dignified grunt as he hit the metal floor of the trench section he occupied.

“Stormblade.” Spiritsong shouted. “I told you not to push yourself.”
“Just get my limbs working again. I can handle it.”
“You clearly can not. This is the third time I’ve had to repair you already.”
“I lost a couple of storage cells in the explosion. I’ll be fine once I have something to do.”
“If you say so.”

Obliterus aided Stormblade to his feet as Spiritsong set about fixing the damaged servos and joints. Stormblade looked down the length of the trenches. Just mega-cycles ago this was the Autobot front line, and they had fought for every meter of ground before something had drawn them away. A few squads had remained as rearguards. Spiritsong had insisted on patching up the few survivors they had found following the explosion.

Stormblade could feel another surge building and for the first time cursed that he had never had the fault fixed. The excess electricity his body produced was too much now he had lost some of the storage cells; just releasing it would cause too much damage to his allies.

After a few cycles Spiritsong had finishes. She warned him his performance would be impaired as she lacked the necessary equipment to affect a full repair.

“I’ll deal with it.” He said.

Spiritsong sighed as he walked off.

* * * *

The ground exploded as the first salvo fell inside the ruined factory. One narrowly missed Gorebash, the cloud of debris thrown up engulfing him as Artfire ducked into an alcove. Even with the explosions and the droning of still running equipment Gorebash could hear the second salvo coming.

“Where’s it coming from?”
“Outside.” Artfire said.

Gorebash ran, transforming and climbing up onto an observation gangway to a large hole in the wall. Seeing nothing he moved, running to the other side. He found a gap looking out on to the route they had arrived from. There he spotted the unmistakable form of a large vehicle, black and laden with missiles.

“Looks like we were followed.”
“Most unfortunate.” Artfire said, transforming to robot mode and drawing his twin electric cannons. “Most unfortunate indeed.”

The second salvo impacted the ground and walls, knocking down a large section. Gorebash saw Artfire jump back a moment before one hit the wall next to him. ‘Lucky him.’ Gorebash thought.

Once the smoke and dust cleared Gorebash jumped down to the factory floor, looking out through a newly made space in the wall towards the attacker. Reaching into a compartment behind his head he drew a long, narrow blade.

“Come on then!” he roared. “Come and finish it!”

The long, black missile carrier’s engine growled as it started towards him.

* * * *

Chillwind had taken to the skies once more. To those on the ground it seemed as though he where indulging in an aerial acrobatics display, twisting and turning in arcane paths around the area. Chillwind had to admit to himself it was indulgent, but it also fulfilled his objective; gathering information about the nearby region.

Something flashed in the corner of an optic, something to the east. He immediately turned and advanced towards it, optics focussing on the distant object.

* * * *

“I can’t believe I have to do this.” Darklight said to himself as he returned to the canyon. Northclaw had demanded proof, which meant securing the area and double checking. It was not that he feared the colossal mech he was to guard, who had appeared to all extents to be deactivated, but he did not savour the idea of being alone in enemy territory.

The dark coloured jet slowed as he approached the remains, transforming and bringing himself to a stop a short distance from Gigabite’s head. He hovered, laser aimed at the Maximal’s face.

“Not so big now, are you. We’re gonna melt you down for parts.” Darklight said.
“Melt you.” A female voice said behind him, filled with malice.

Darklight spun around just in time to see a blade flash across his optics. He dropped to the ground, trying to make out details beyond coloured blurs. He heard the unmistakable sound of someone transforming. He felt a blast of heat greater than any he had experienced. Then all went black.

Flamedance, again in dragon mode, looked over the remains, examining them.

“Alive. Unfortunately.” As she made to deliver a killing blow she heard a voice.
“Flamedance, stop.”

* * * *


Chillwind raced across the sky as he detected the Maximal energy signature.

* * * *

The missile carrier transformed at the last second, the front becoming feet hurled towards Gorebash. He sidestepped, grabbing one and swinging the mech, throwing it into a wall. Now in robot mode it was impossible to miss the newcomer’s Decepticon insignia. The newcomer pulled himself out of the newly made recess as Artfire drained down orbs of ball lightning. The newcomer shrugged off the hits as he rushed Gorebash, throwing punch after punch. Gorebash went defensive, blocking with the armoured sections of his forearms, letting the blade-like protrusions cut up the Decepticon’s armour. Gorebash ducked back, transforming and charging into the Decepticon, crashing them both into a drone that had somehow survived the bombardment.

Gorebash switched back to robot mode as the Decepticon jumped to his feet pulling out a flail. Gorebash retrieved his sword.

“You impress me.” The Decepticon said. “Most would not last this long.”
“I could say the same.” Gorebash said. “Before I kill you, what is your name?”
“You can try. Blitzdrei.”
“Gorebash. Well met, Blitzdrei.”

Blitzdrei attacked, swinging the flail at Gorebash’s head. Gorebash charged, ducking low under Blitzdrei’s swing and bringing his sword up across Blitzdrei’s chest, tearing through the plating. Blitzdrei struck out with a back-handed swipe knocking Gorebash away. Artfire fired again as Gorebash backed off, orbs of electricity striking Blitzdrei. Sparks exploded from his chest. Gorebash rushed in again. Blitzdrei swung with a roundhouse kick that Gorebash caught, lifting Blitzdrei and driving him into and through the floor to the tunnel below.

Blitzdrei struck again, hitting Gorebash’s face and breaking an optic lens. Gorebash pulled back.

“Impressive.” He said.
“You’ll die now.” Blitzdrei said, charging. Each punch forced Gorebash back, down the access tunnel and away from Artfire. Gorebash struck back, crushing Blitzdrei’s lower torso before flooring him with an uppercut.

Blitzdrei crouched and launched a missile, catching both of them in the explosion.

* * * *

Stompage and Deepdive forced the hatchway open. Both were relieved to see the surface of Cybertron.

“Wrong.”
“I’ll say.”

Gorozaurer stepped out, carrying Scrapheaper. He understood what they meant. The hatch was supposed to open up next to the Decepticon camp. The camp was there. He could see no Decepticons.

“Bad news.” Stompage said.
“Agreed.” Deepdive said.
“Likewise. Find me a communications array.

* * * * *

“You’re just prolonging the inevitable, Maximal.”
“Guess what. You’re right.”

Gorebash and Blitzdrei had fought down the length of the access tunnel until they encountered a collapsed passage. Gorebash once more was wielding his sword; Blitzdrei’s flail lay a short distance away on the floor. Both were heavily damaged.

“Giving in?”
“No. Ending this. Disengage safeties.”

A high pitched whine sounded as Gorebash’s generator built up to full output.

“Can’t do this up there with Artfire. But down here I can fight at pull power without worrying what the radiation will do to you.”

Gorebash attacked. Blow after blow rained down on weak points in Blitzdrei’s armour. Blitzdrei tried blocking but Gorebash simply batted his arms away and drove his sword into Blitzdrei’s chest. Blitzdrei groaned as he felt systems fail, his responses becoming sluggish.

“For what it’s worth, you put up a brilliant fight.”

Gorebash pulled out the sword as Blitzdrei stood, entering a fighter’s stance. Blitzdrei charged, faster than before. Astroseconds from impact Gorebash raised his blade, point towards Blitzdrei’s neck connection.

i have been waiting for a hmw story, unfortunatelly i have the hsc on in a week so i dont have the time, but i shall read it once all these tests finish

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