The Energon Pub

===========================

Maximal vs. Predacon Tournament (War in the Wastes): Narrative - Part 4 - Heart of the Sonic Wastes

===========================

* At the time of this writing, Ghostbusters was a Helpful Air Animal. Zordon, here’s a kick in your nuts for changing his alt mode :P

===========================

Western Border of the Sonic Wastes

Ghostbusters soared over the Wastes, desperately retreating from a Predacon onslaught. For more than a day the Maximal was forced to listen to war and his allies be destroyed while on reconnaissance. Ghost now carried his wounded commander, Airstorm Alpha, away from a Predacon assault on their Western base camp. Behind stalked two Predacons – Archistrategos and Zadakiel – the same two which had lead Ghostbusters to discover too late an assault would come. These same two which also seem, out of all others, to have some clues to the Brightsoul.

The Maximal’s flight deeper into the Wastes was a foolish plan. Within the Wastes no Maximal support had yet penetrated. Yet, when faced with hearing another ally fall into stasis, his commander no less, Ghostbusters would suffer no more loss. Orders are done, he thought. This is survival.. So Primus… how do we survive this mess?

The two Predacons were not the only pursuers though. Behind them came aother of their own, Bitchkrieg, who on orders by Hellsfury was sent to re-capture the fleeing Maximals and monitor the other Predacons. Archistrategos and Zadakiel had proven untrustworthy to the their orders since entering the Wastes. Predacon command, Hellsfury especially, has grown tired of their deceptions.

Chasing deeper into the heart of the Sonic Wastes the two Predacons split and began herding the airborne Maximal with laser blasts and debris. Despite the aerial advantage Ghostbusters could not risk high altitude and reveal himself to the whole of his enemy’s faction; this restricted maneuverability and flight planning and enabled the Predacon tactic. The Maximal knew he was being forced on a path. Looking down, searching for a better way Ghostbusters wondered, Maybe Alpha was right and these are murderous dogs, only interested in us as sport. Could the Brightsoul really have been a massive rouse? I can’t help but play along for now, but Primus… your silence in our war is no longer appreciated! Help!!

Entering the Heart of the Sonic Wastes

“Arch,” Zadakiel came over their personal comm-link, “rushing out after the assault was bold enough. This, sir is frankly stupid. We are forcing the Maximals to the Brightsoul’s location.”

Archistrategos paused, long, as he continued to stalk the Maximals through the Wasteleand streets with Zadakiel. Then he came on speaking with a calculating tone, “Hellsfury and Predacon Command be damned Z. We are on our last mission, we are seeking death and the chance of Cybertron again in glory.” Archistrategos paused as he processed and sniffed the Wasteland air. “We also are not the only hunters on this trail. Bitchkrieg’s gunsmoke is blowing through the streets from directions other than the attack. We may need these Maximals as a ploy… but we may more need them as allies.”

“What?” Zadakiel’s outburst split through the communications channel echoing feedback through both Predacon’s receptors; in his beast form a terrible roar bellowed, unnerving the Maximal prey. “Allies? Sir…”

The days of waiting now with fruitless war and death had Archistrategos recklessly seeking some end to his deception. Breaking from the Predacon assault team in pursuit of the Maximals was the first chance to hunt the Brightsoul freely, and he took it. “Our Predacon allies are our allies no more. The calculating council of old is supplanted by marauding, war-loving lunatics. We follow this plan, Maximals included now, to whatever end. Is that clear soldier?” Silenced was the only response.

The Predacons continued herding the Maximals direct into the Sonic Wastes heart and the last unchecked location for the Brightsoul’s tomb. The tension was thick between these two pairs of enemies, one pair fleeing for safety and the other straight to their likely doom. Primus please, soon... Archistrategos thought. No more death in vain, and please not from my team. Just ahead… five kilometers more. Almost there.

The five kilometers passed quickly. With a sudden rush of light and open air the Maximals broke into a massive courtyard between spread out at a half kilometer in diameter. The circular courtyard was built from concentrically ringed stone pavement blocks and bordered by decrepit metal skyscrapers. No ornate designs nor pattern was on the floor except the stones progressively growing smaller, from boulder to hand size, as they approached a center structure. The Predacons entered next and immediately directed their hunt to this center and left the Maximals to be confused as to the change.

When the two Predacons reached they building they quickly paced and searched for doors, keys, or some entrance to this hundred meter, two-story, square stone imprint in the stone yard. Both were unnerved by the transition from their natural substance of metal to the unexpected stones. They met, having searched each in separate directions along the walls, on the other side finding nothing. Looking up Archistrategos and Zadakiel again dug claws into a wall’s side and began climbing. They reached the roof, and there they found Cybertronian scripts speaking boldly of the entombed power within and the defenses guarding the powerful artifact within.

They had finally found their first goal – the resting place of the Brightsoul.

Tomb of the Brightsoul, Courtyard Center

Millicycles of silence passed on the roof after both Predacons found no clear entrance or indication of the defenses within. Zadakiel still examined the roof’s center, not giving up on finding some method of entry. His commander restored to other ideas.

“MAXIMALS!!” Archistrategos called. “Here is the Brightsoul you thought was a lie! Here is the reason we have slaughtered and killed!” Zadakiel thought his commander had been corrupted by the Waste’s radiation, but held onto his trust enough to see what his captains plan was. “I though offer you something more than death! Come down and be the savior’s of Cybertron! Parlay with me, Archistrategos, instigator of this War in the Wastes!”

Zadakiel easily now knew Archistrategos’ intent; the suicide mission he had intended now would include their prey – better or worse. No archives they recovered had revealed schematics on the tomb’s final defenses and the glyphs only created more fear of what is within. Every warrior could make a difference inside.

The airborne Maximals had been circling the courtyard since breaking through from the buildings and metal spires. Fleeing would have easily had the Predacons back on their trail, so they waited. Since the Predacons had diverted from stalking them to investigating the discovery the immediate threat had seemed removed and unrelenting shock prevented much rational processing. Airstorm Alpha, having recovered some faculties through internal repairs, looked down in that surprise at the sight of stone amidst metal, carried by his officer Ghostbusters.

Hearing the calls of their Predacon pursuers, and having no other options he could see available, Airstorm Alpha ordered their descent. The game would play to its end. Moments later they landed on the square structure’s roof. Airstorm spoke bluntly, “Well Predacon, what’s your game?”

“We have no game.” Archistrategos was risking little in his mind through honesty. “My team, started this war falsely Maximal, you deduced that right.” These two could be eliminated if they would not consent. “The Brightsoul however is real. With it, Maximals, there is hope to renew our Cybertron.” The question he now asked himself internally bothered him greatly – How brave must a Maximal be to trust a Predacon enough to put Cybertron first? Archistrategos pushed through the fear and continued. “You will join us in opening the Brightsoul’s tomb and, if my ally and myself do not come out functional, you must join with the remaining ten of our squad to finish this mission or all your losses will be in vain. Do not, and we risk never ending this war.”

Ghostbusters had transformed and resorted to emergency repairs once landed with his commander. Both he and Airstorm, however, froze as Archistrategos finished speaking. The demeanor and demand of the Predacons showed too well that their was likely no deceit. As the Maximals remained frozen, processing through their response, Zadakiel threw a data pad at their feet to fall into his commander’s approach. “Read it; it’s everything we have. And before you get to page ten and ask any annoying questions the answer is ‘Yes, we are going after the Leadership Matrix next.’”

The Maximal commander reviewed the pad as Ghostbusters resumed the emergency repairs to patch some of the rends in armor and skin inflicted by Hellsfury’s at the Maximal base camp. When finished, Airstorm dropped the pad from loose fingers and the metal device clattered on the hard stone roof. Archistrategos did not give him time to pause before saying, “We are not alone Maximal fool. Zadakiel and I, are found out and being followed by one of our own. We go in now together or we are forced to kill you here to not be fully revealed as traitors.” When no answer immediately came Archistrategos again screamed, “Maximal... CHOOOSE!!”

Tomb of the Brightsoul, Courtyard Outskirts

Bitchkrieg had abandoned her tank form at half a kilomteter from the opening to the courtyard having used her sensor net to scan the surrounding area. Walking in now offered better silence as she heard the final pieces of the conversation from the center of the yard, ending with her believed ally’s demand “Maximal... CHOOOSE!!”

She was intrigued by the opportunity in front of her, concluding that below the four she stalked lay the Brightsoul. The inclusion of their Maximal prey into their disobedience was, however, as discomforting as seeing stones instead of metal before her. Bitchkrieg opened up a secure uplink to Exitum’s central base on the Sonic Waste’s Eastern border and began a wide broadcast to her command team. She thought, This treachery will be revealed, and my command will benefit first. I will claim this prize.

The transmission was bounced through repeaters and satellites and found the Exitum squad dispersed through the Wastes, most heavily engaged in combat and unable to process through the data stream. Redlock however, receiving the uplink, dropped the Maximal husk he was chewing. The beast had already removed himself from the other Predacons in his mission assignment to enjoy the fruits of victory. Being only three clicks south he began stomping toward Bitchkrieg’s signal source. The chance to work with his own team was too delicious; the brute always knew Bitchkrieg was good for a fruitful fight and even the red beast understood that treachery meant crushing Predacons and Maximals together.

Receiving the acknowledgement from Redlock, Bitchkrieg stood by waiting for the additional backup. The Brightsoul... how amazing that following these fools would lead to such a wonderful conquest. This device will be mine.

Tomb of the Brightsoul, Courtyard Center

“MAXIMAL!... “ Archistrategos grew quickly impatient smelling the lingering gun smoke of their stalker so much closer. The smell had dug into and swirled around Bitchkrieg during the assault.

The response to the Predacon’s demand was abrupt. “I am Airstorm Alpha, captain of the Maximal Rangers. Use my name and that of my subordinate, Ghostbusters, if we will trust you.” With that, the two Maximals stood together and faced their enemies optics to optics. Airstorm had chosen that, in the light of extreme, uncontrolled situations, the least logical choice was best. Ghost, guessing that his commander would be ordering cooperation, wondered how heavily damaged his commander’s central processor was in the assault. No time was given to pursue that concern before the Predacon’s acted.

“We go in fast. It is likely a labyrinth beneath but speed is our only option with our hunter being ever closer. Primus willing one of us will survive and can regroup with the rest of the Citizens of Chayout with the Brightsoul.” The invocation of Primus from a Predacon surprised both Maximals. Zadakiel set a small detonation charge in the roof’s center and motioned for each to move. They each took position on the roof’s edge.

Briefly fire and light lit the center square and a light hum pulsed through the ground, lighting the cracks between stones in pale blue. The roof’s center though was cracked and revealed emptiness beneath. Predacons reached and smashed through first diving into deep darkness in their beast forms, Maximals now chasing after.

Tomb of the Brightsoul, Catacombs

Inside was a black labyrinth, metal lined. The transition again to their natural element of alloy was easing despite the tight corners and arrow passages. Beast modes proved quite useful navigating the halls with heightened senses and low light eyes. The four raced in file past sensors, scanners, blank readouts, speakers, cameras, and turrets. Not one of the four hesitated for fear the pause would give these defenses fair aim, but no weapon or defense activated.

Cycles passed as the mixed faction pack hunted through tunnels, following Zadakiel’s lead. Having been the first to extract the archives to reveal the tomb’s location, he had the best guesses where to go. More than once he would pause as lead, check directions and feel the barely visible glyphs on the wall; more than once also they would turn back to try another route. The path he lead them on though was always down, deeper, and still no weapon fired. The whole of the tunnels seemed lifeless and un-powered. Finally, a full megacycle having passed, a domed, circular chamber opened at the end of a long hallway. All four entered and came to a halt. At the center lay a blue hued artifact resting on a half-sphere of metal.

“The Brightsoul,” said Airstorm, entering last among the pack. The four saw better in the Matrix’s mild light. The smooth surfaced room, no creases or signs of metal work complimented the intricate details on the Brightsoul’s blue sphere encased by four silver, square bars of an unrecognizable alloy.

For a moment, the Predacons and Maximals looked at each other over the artifact’s glow. Zadakiel spoke first. “Sir, we need to get out. The first signs of energon flowing through any walls is in this room. The Brightsoul is likely the cause and I’m afraid of what will happen when it passes by the automated defenses or if we somehow trigger it. We go out covering each other, or I doubt the Brightsoul makes it out at all”

Archistrategos transformed from his reptilian monster and said quietly to his friend, “Agreed. Airstorm, you lead with Zadakiel and I surround Ghostbusters who carries the Brightsoul. It is the best option for cover we have to escape.”

Ghostbusters tensed as Airstorm nodded in agreement and motioned that he should take the artifact as Archistrategos said. The other three positioned themselves by the door leading back to the hall. They each looked back at the hesitant aerial warrior, stuck now beneath the ground, who had not yet take the Brightsoul. Airstorm nodded again and this time sighed. “Ghost, this is not how I wanted today to be either. But let’s test these Predacons and see if Cybertron does have hope.”

With that Airstorm turned back and walked into the hall, transforming back into his beast form. His claws and teeth glinted in the lingering blue light from the chamber. Ghostbusters took up the Brightsoul and immediately the room exploded in white light that illuminated through the hall ahead. Sounds of whirring gears triggered Airstorm to run, as he hoped Ghost would be forced to follow. The second Maximal fell in line moments later, despite shock and awe, and was surrounded front and back by his Predacon pack members.

The halls began to illuminate blue and white as the Brightsoul progressed through them. Lights and cameras began tracking the escaping warriors. Then the turrets opened fire.