CHAPTER THREE
"Welcome to Velocitron," an orange-colored mech said excitedly as Optimus Prime and his team stepped down from the shuttle, having landed at a local spaceport. "My name's Oval. We hardly ever get visitors here. If you'd like a tour, I'd be happy to-"
"That won't be necessary," Optimus said politely. "I would like to speak with your leader instead."
"Nitro? I'm afraid he's busy. He's always busy when the Speedia 500 starts to crop up. If you really want to see him, we can pass the time by taking a tour-"
"Lay off them, Oval," said a blue and silver femme as she and another mech approached the visitors. "You might drive them off with your repetition."
Oval crossed his arms and huffed while the female Velocitronian took over for him.
"Welcome to Velocitron," she said. "I'm Spiral. This here is Backtrack and you've already met Oval."
Optimus nodded. "Pleasure to meet you. I am Optimus Prime, and these are my teammates Bumblebee, Arcee, Hot Rod, and Windcharger. We would like to speak with Nitro."
"Wait a nanoklik," the green mech called Backtrack said. "You don't mean to say that you're the Optimus Prime, do you?"
"I do."
Backtrack cracked a grin. "Oh, boy. I'm not sure if you really want to meet with Nitro-"
"Mute it," Spiral snapped, hitting him with her elbow.
Optimus raised an eyebrow. "What is he talking about?"
Spiral continued to glare at Backtrack before sighing. "Many on Velocitron- including Nitro- are a bit... bitter towards you about the Asphalt Wars."
"How is that Prime's fault?" Hot Rod asked. "He's not the one who sent the 'Cons to your doors."
"Even so, Nitro's disapproving to both Autobots and Decepticons. I don't see your meeting with him lasting for very long... or going very well."
Optimus nodded solemnly. "I understand. Nonetheless, can you tell me where he is?"
"He's getting ready for a race," Spiral said. "If I were you, I'd wait until he's done to speak with him."
"Fine with me." Optimus then smiled behind his mouthplate. "Any chance we can get tickets?"
* * *
"Commander!"
Shockwave stirred slightly at the urgency in the Vehicon's voice. "What is it?" he asked irritably.
"There's an Autobot ship fast approaching us!"
"Size class?"
"It's... it's the Enforcer, sir."
Shockwave's single optic narrowed. Ah, Ultra Magnus. Bold to the last.
"Activate the tractor beam," he ordered. "Have him dragged into the hangar bay. I would like to be the one who personally finished off Ultra Magnus."
The Vehicon nodded and set off to work. In mere seconds, the tractor beam was activated and dragging the Enforcer towards the Victory. Shockwave couldn't help but watch with a mild- extremely mild- sense of glee, a remnant of his previous self before the Decepticons altered his personality. By eliminating Ultra Magnus, and without Optimus Prime present to lead them, the Autobots would be even easier to defeat.
"Slipstream, control things on the bridge for the time being," he said to a purple and teal Seeker. "I shall deal with Ultra Magnus."
"Sure you can handle it?" Slipstream asked. "He's got a reputation for being pretty much immortal."
"I do not believe in such childish myths." With that, the Decepticon commander made his way off the bridge and towards the hangar below.
* * *
Landfall winced as he landed hard on his back. He had to give credit where credit was due; the Wreckers sure did packed plenty of punches.
Getting back to his feet, he flipped out his dual arm cannons and charged towards the one known as Roadbuster, who had just knocked out Treadshot. Upon noticing him, the green and orange Wrecker angled one of his shoulder cannons and fired a rocket, which Landfall narrowly dodged and responded to by firing his own cannons.
Roadbuster grunted under the assault and charged towards Landfall, slamming into him with his arms. As Landfall staggered back, he saw his Wrecker opponent reel his arm back for a punch only to suddenly stopped. The Decepticon watched him with apprehension and confusion.
What the Pit are you waiting for? he thought. Just finish it!
He then realized that Roadbuster was apparently looking at something behind him. Tentatively, and preparing himself for a trick, Landfall craned his head to look over his shoulder.
It was the last thing he would see for a while.
* * *
Roadbuster shook off his brief stupor as the large, mysterious figure somehow dispatched his Decepticon opponent by barely touching him. Tall and broad-shouldered much like himself, coils of flame framed his figure, but did not seem to cause the being any pain.
After staring in awe at the stranger, Roadbuster muttered, "Who the Pit are you?"
"I am what the Pit birthed," the figure growled as he cast a simple gesture and sent Roadbuster crashing into a wall. The other Wreckers and Decepticons turned in alarm and aimed their weapons at the stranger.
"Okay, you're clearly not Autobot or Decepticon," Springer said. "In that case, who are you and what do you want?"
"You know what I want," the fiery being growled. "Why else would I invade a worthless underground base such as this?"
"Sorry, but we're all out of Nightmare Fuel," Whirl said. "We've got a can of Mood Whiplash if you-"
The blue Wrecker was cut off as the stranger raised an am cannon and fired, sending Whirl flying into the others. He then converted into a large tank and sped down the tunnel, evading the Wreckers and Decepticons' shots at him.
"Where the heck is he going?" Topspin yelled over the blaster fire.
"I think I might know," Springer muttered. "And it's far from a good sign."
No comments:
Post a Comment