Skylancer transformed to robot mode, landing easily on a rooftop. "Great, they just had to split up," she muttered to herself. "They couldn't just go and make my job easy now, could they?"
Much to the minicons surprise, she could easily sense the sparks of the four larger Transformers still fighting in Tokyo. They seemed so much like a humans ki, and yet they were different somehow... She pulled her attention back to the matter at hand. Two of the Transformers were on the ground still, neither of them seriously hurt. She was tempted to head for that battle.
But the other two, in the skies above Toyko... It was a one sided fight, and she guessed that whoever was fighting the Decepticon wouldn't hold out forever, no matter how many blows of his own he was getting in. But even more importantly, the Decepticon was using the power of a minicon in his battle. The poor souls pain as his Spark energy was being leeched from his body against his will could be felt even at this distance.
Skylancer had only peen powerlinked once before, after the Decepticons had rewired her. Starscream had tested the link, using her power to destroy a target, then tossing her in a cage for later use. She remembered the pain, the lack of control over her own body, the screams of those that hadn't been rewired properly...
"Never again!" she screamed, transforming to fighter mode and racing towards the stars. She couldn't let that happen again, no matter the cost!
***
Thrust swore as Jetfire dodged his punch, who followed up with a knee to the already damaged area along his side. The Decepticon air warrior backed off slightly, then unleashed his missiles. Jetfire was caught point blank, and dropped several hundred metres before he managed to stop his fall. "I don't get it!" Thrust roared as the Autobot pulled away slightly. "With Inferno, my power is boosted to levels beyond anything a Transformer could reach on his own. So why aren't you dead?!"
"I've been fighting you Decepticons for four million years," Jetfire replied. "I've gone up against everyone in the high command at least a few times. I haven't been able to defeat them, but I've never given up either." He raised his rifle and braced himself. "And if you think I'm gonna let some grunt with delusions of granduer take me down, you're even dumber then I thought!"
Thrust growled and transformed to fighter mode, diving towards his foe, weapons firing. Jetfire took most of the blasts on the shield mounted on his left arm, grunting at the impacts, then returned the favor. Thrust simply banked to the side, swinging around behind Jetfire and closing in the the kill. Jetfire, knowing there was no way to turn in time, braced himself for the worst.
There was a flash of blue, then Thrust was transforming back to robot mode, clutching at a wounded shoulder. "What was that?" He demanded.
Jetfire looked up to see a sleek blue and black fighter come around fer a second pass, the minicon symbol easily visible on the left wing. "No, get out of here!" he yelled, already seeing what would happen if Thrust captured this one too.
"Not a chance," she growled in reply, heading right for Thrust. The Decepticon growled, reaching for her.
At the time, it happened so fast that both Jetfire and Thrust didn't really know what happened. The minicon transformed, dodging around Thrusts grasping hand. She ran along the Decepticons arm for a brief moment, then leapt at his face, right hand swinging back for a punch.
There was a brief flash of light, an explosion, and then Thrust was screaming, clutching at what remained of his right optic, along with a good section of his face. The minicon spun in midair behind him, a look of triumph on her face.
Jetfire wasn't one to pass up an chance like this. Even while Thrust was still falling, screaming in agony all the way, Jetfire was right behind him, rifle blazing. The minicon simply followed them, waiting for a moment to strike again.
Thrust landed hard, crashing through the roof of some high school. His opponents landed nearby, waiting to see what emerged from the wreckage. For a moment, all was quiet, and Jetfire took the chance to get a quick look at the minicon currently standing on his shoulder. She was about the average size for a minicon, with a rather sleek build that carried over from her fighter mode. "Name's Jetfire," he said by way of introduction.
"Skylancer," she replied. "I don't recognise the Decepticon."
"His names Thrust. Joined the Decepticons about three million years back. He's a bully and a thug."
"A bully and a thug with firepower," she growled. "I know Inferno. He was on the escape ship." Skylancer scowled as the rubble began to move. "Which means they're on Earth kidnapping Minicons again."
Thrust pulled himself free of the wreckage, targeting Jetfire almost instantly. "I'll enjoy finding out how you did that you little insect," he growled. Skylancer simply smirked in reply.
"I doubt you'll get the chance," a new voice said. Optimus Prime approached the school grounds, rifle in hand and Sparkplug powerlinked to his right arm. "You're outgunned Thrust. Surrender or leave. Either way, you're not taking that minicon anywhere."
Thrust was silent for a few moments, then lowered his weapons. "Fine," he admitted, realising he was outgunned. "I'll leave." He opened a panel on his wrist. "Thundercracker, abort mission and return to base," he ordered.
"As you command," the Seeker replied before closing the channel.
Thrust reached down to detach Inferno, then spoke. "Space Bridge, initiate return program."
"No!" Jetfire yelled, firing, but his shot passed through empty space, the Decepticon already long gone. "Dammit!"
"He can't run forever," Skylancer said quietly. "We'll rescue Inferno sooner or later." She turned her attention to Prime. "My thanks for the timely arrival Optimus Prime," she said, bowing in respect.
"It was the least I could do," Optimus replied. "I only wish I could have been here sooner. Adjusting the Space Bridge for the planetary curve was more complicated then we had anticipated. The differences between Earth and Cybertron are great then I would have thought." He turned his attention to Jetfire. "And you Jetfire. While I am grateful of your efforts here, I would like to know why you came to Earth without permission."
Jetfire seemed to shrink slightly as he realised the trouble he was in. The war was going very badly for the Autobots, and pulling a stunt like this... Well, Prime didn't believe in killing in cold blood, but he'd heard rumors about Scavenger dishing out some rather embarrasing punishments, the kind you don't stop hearing about for half a million years.
Oh well, he told himself as Prime activated the Space Bridge, at least I won't be alone. Blurr will cop it too, and he's one of Scavengers students.
***
Thrust groaned as he reappeared on Cybertron, in the Decepticon Tower built in the ruins of what was once Cyber City. Stepping out of the Space Bridge, he leaned against the wall and assessed his injuries.
Cracked and shattered armor all along his right side, from his hip to the mess that was his face. How'd the little bitch do that much damage? he asked himself, then gave up. He wouldn't find the answer to that until he caught the little minicon brat.
"What the hell is keeping Thundercracker?" he muttered as he glared at the Space Bridge. "I told him to return to base."
"I thought he was simply dragged into this, yes," said a very familar voice from the door. Thrust froze, his circuits nearly overloaded, as he turned to face the familar form of Megatron.
"While he may require disipline for his actions," the Decepticon Commander Supreme growled, "you have far worse awaiting you."
See other episodes by Matrix Dragon
(Posted Wed, 19 Mar 2003 11:05)
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