CHAPTER 17
Stardate: 54039.3 (15 January 2377)
USS Independence, MainBridge
In Orbit of Cybertron
The crew had managed to get a warm night’s rest. The time allowed Autobot reinforcements to arrive. Luckily, they were amenable to a change of plans. They did, however, hold Captain Aurelia to her word about Kolkular.
The bridge glowed with a red, flashing light. All the consoles were operational…and it was a comfortable 23 degrees.
Commander bin Nadal stood vigil in the center of the bridge. It was decided, against his objections, that he would remain in charge of the ship during the raid. “Independence to assault teams: report status.”
Chief Hatora’s voice came first. “Shuttle team is in position. Ready to begin our attack run.”
“Ground team in position,” said Aurelia.
He turned to Dorian, “How do we look?”
The dark-skinned human made one-eye contact, “As bad as we were, sir.”
“Excellent,” Karim continued, “It looks like we’re good to go, Captain.”
“Proceed,” was the simple, yet powerful reply.
*****
A few hours ago, Captain Aurelia, Commander Windslow, Ensign Lemipil, and three other security officers, met up with Kup and the others.
Along with Sideswipe and Wheeljack, three new mechanisms joined their ranks. Sintina didn’t bother with too many pleasantries. She knew what might come and didn’t want to see these…creatures as anything more than a means to an end. Huffer was just over two meters and, by far, the smallest. He...it was mostly orange and was obviously the cynic of the group. The blue and white robot, Mirage, was able to utilize a type of cloak technology…which he was all too willing to show off. The newcomers were rounded out by the only Autobot Sintina had seen that came close to the stature of Shockwave. Its alternate form was a vehicle transport. He was called Ultra Magnus.
Despite offers to…ride in the Autobots…Aurelia insisted their Starfleet issue, All-Terrain Vehicles be brought down via shuttle tractor beam. She and Windslow sat in the front of one of them. Lemipil adjusted the buggy’s phase cannon to be forward-mounted and manned it behind them. The buggy’s had open cabins, so all the away team members were outfitted with TEVA’s.
They concealed themselves in a dark tunnel. All of their Autobot allies were in their vehicle forms. The six Cybertronians and two Starfleet jeeps were just out of range of the incoming attack.
Speaking over a secure channel, Windslow continued, “I just don’t feel right about it, that’s all.”
“It was Karim’s…Commander bin Nadal’s idea,” she retorted, “and I agree with him. It’s a legitimate precaution. Besides, how do you know they’re not going to backstab us?”
<Explain to me again, why are we taking the lead on this from aliens?> communicated Huffer. He was a small towing vehicle.
The large transport responded, <It’s their technology. They’re risking just as much as we are.>
<Hell,> pointed out Sideswipe, <They’ve already slagged nine ‘cons without our help.>
<Yeah, and they could slag us just as easy!> Huffer transmitted.
The old warrior, Kup weighed in, <They won’t do that. That Aurelia person came through with the power generators, didn’t she?>
<I still think Wheeljack should’ve planted a virus of his own, just in case.> said the smaller machine.
<Huffer, don’t you see?> offered Ultra Magnus, <This could be our opportunity to end the war. These creatures have powerful weapons. As long as we abide by our agreement, we’ll be rid of Shockwave and all the rest forever!>
<I’m afraid the debate will have to wait,> said Mirage. <I’ve got a visual on their shuttles. They’re coming in fast.>
*****
Chief Hatora, the senior non-com on the Indy, could see the target area. He could see six, ten meter tall automatons guarding the tunnel that lead to the super computer. There were sure to be more underground. The seven remaining shuttles were in a delta formation and diving. “Cullen to shuttle fleet: pick a target.” He added under his breath, “Let’s rattle the razorfly’s nest.”
He tapped the tactical control, “Firing ‘rat trap.’”
*****
Ramjet’s red optical sensor looked skyward. He zoomed in one the apparent shooting star. <Federation shuttles, incoming,> he broadcast.
Shockwave ordered from the depths, <I should have had you finish the job before. Seekers, transform and attack.>
Ramjet, Skywarp, and Jetstorm made running leaps. In a maelstrom of moving metal, they became fighter craft. With a burst from their afterburners, they shot up.
Dirge and two others paused just slightly, but it was enough to seal their fate. As the tardy Seekers left the chrome surface, an explosion reverberated through the thin atmosphere. The Mark 22 created a barely visible shockwave of electromagnetic energy.
The first three fighters managed to outrun the sphere; the last three did not. Their electrical systems failed; forcing them into status lock. They fell ungracefully to the metallic ruins below.
*****
The senior chief grimaced. With a hint of dismay, he called, “Cullen to Indy: the 22 was only 50 percent effective.”
If to emphasize the failure, nearly a dozen Decepticons swarmed out of the tunnel. He grimly continued, “…and it didn’t have an effect underground.”
“Understood. Do your best, Chief.”
A second ‘rat trap’ was already away. This one brought down an additional two jets. A flurry of pulse blasts shimmied the shuttle.
“Cullen to Sharlin,” he said, “Hold off using your 22’s. They’re too scattered and too close to us, now.”
“Aye.”
*****
“I’d defiantly say they’re distracted,” said Windslow as he vocalized the obvious.
The order from Ultra Magnus came verbally over the intercom. “Autobots, roll out!”
With an orchestra of engines, the group accelerated quickly toward the passage that led to Vector Sigma. Sintina gunned the Starfleet jeep. They barreled over the occasional piece of debris. They were abreast of the apparent leader of the group of Autobots left on Cybertron. The chief engineer nervously looked over. He obviously hoped Aurelia wouldn’t get too wrapped up in the moment and take point away from Ultra Magnus.
The group was in sight of the entrance. With a sudden violence, a purple jet flew out of the dark tunnel, pulled up, and transformed in mid-air. It returned to the ground as a humanoid with a heavy thud. It was Cyclonus. The Autobots screeched to a halt. To her credit, so did Sintina.
An armored, blue, wheeled vehicle exited the darkness as well. It seemed to be a mobile communications platform. Slowly and methodically, it changed form as well. Until, it ultimately revealed another Decepticon. He sported a mean looking shoulder cannon. Its face had a visor over its eyes and mouth seemed to be covered by armor. It spoke in Federation standard. It wanted the fleshlings to hear him. He had a deeply computerized, uncharismatic, yet chilling voice, “Ravage, Laserbeak, Rumble prepare for battle. Operation: warfare. Eject.”
END OF CHAPTER 17
