::And we got to be a part of a Rear Axle concert!:: Nova commed.
"You did what!? How did you pull that off?" Piper said, looking surprised.
::Bisk and his minicons were after a soundboard, and they were at the Thunderdome where the concert was at. Piper, tell Sire that we didn't mean to expose Bee to the humans, but before I even knew what was happening there we were on stage!::
Piper smiled as she was inside Sideswipe, trailing behind Optimus' bumper as they drove to the next destination ::The battle was perfect with the music! And, we got a picture with them with Russell! It was the greatest night of my life!::
"That's so cool, Nova," Piper smiled again. "Anything else interesting happening over there while we're gone?"
"Has Strongarm messed with any of my stuff?" Sideswipe asked Piper, quickly passing Optimus.
Piper rolled her optics before listening to Nova.
::Grimlock kind of had the same problem Bulkhead had once which almost accidently blow up the machine:: Nova continued. ::Then......Soundwave came to the scrapyard.::
"Soundwave?" Piper said with shock. She heard about Soundwave from Nova's story and how dangerous the Con is. "But How did --?!"
::We kinda....opened a ground bridge, and I'm assuming Soundwave happened to be in the right place at the right time and opened one right next to it. Bam, shadowzone entrance.::
"Impossible....How did he get to earth?"
::Well, Bee assumed that after Megatron fell to the earth, Soundwave followed him. And when he was revived by Unicron, Soundwave couldn't follow him, leaving him stranded on Earth::
"What happened?"
::Bee was locked into the Shadowzone while I was captured by Soundwave, and Denny, Russell and Fixit were the only ones that were able to help him. Soundwave started using ground bridges as his defense, so they opened one at the same time he did, Bee came into the normal zone and sent the two of them back into it! ::
"That's great, Nova," Piper sighed in relief. "I'm glad he didn't hurt you. I mean he does hold a grudge for what you did."
::Oh yeah. At least I'm not going in there to try to face him again::
"But, how are we sure he isn't going to just try it again?"
::We're not ... Which is why we need to put up heavy security once you come back from your mission. I also told Raf and the others as well to be on guard as well, in case if he tries anything.::
"Yeah I wouldn't want to see his face."
::So, How's Optimus?::
"Oh you know....Same old, same old. He's leading the mission now. At least he's starting to recover."
::That's good to hear then. Anyway, I better go now, duty calls.::
"Sure Nova. See ya!"
:: Keep in touch:: Nova said lastly before ending the call.
Piper noticed the way she talk, she seems too happy for some reason. 'I wonder what's up with her? Did something happen while we're away?' Optimus' engine revved, his speed increasing to where he was driving beside Sideswipe.
::Windblade, Are there any new readings?:: He called to her
::Initial reports are confirmed, Optimus :: she reported from above. ::The security field protecting one of my supply caches has been engaged. But I can't tell if there's been a breach.::
When we arrived arrive at a disused naval yard, everyone transformed, battle ready, Windblade dropping from the sky. Piper got out of Sideswipe, readying her weapons in case.
They ran around the building, spreading out a little.
"Apart from the broken gate, I don't see any signs of activity," Piper reported, looking around to double check her findings.
"Proceed cautiously, stealth team," Optimus echoed.
"That way," Windblade pointed, the six of us following behind her as she led us towards, hopefully, her cache.
"Master Drift," Slipstream muttered behind me. I strained my audios to eavesdrop. "Jetstorm was wondering -"
"We were wondering," Jetstorm quickly corrected.
"We were wondering - respectfully - if you felt we have progressed enough in our studies to perhaps making tactical decisions for ourselves?"
"We have fought many decepticons. We feel we are ready!" Jetstorm added.
"Yeah Drift!" Piper facepalmed when she heard Sideswipe. "The little guys can't spend their whole lives at the end of your leash."
"My students will complete their training when I decide. And -"
"Guys!" Piper interrupted. "I know you wanted to discuss with each other but now is not the time, we're in a middle of a mission, remember?"
"Sorry, Piper," the two minicons bowed their helms
"Sorry," Sideswipe muttered.
Windblade had led them to a hangar door, which she opened. Optimus moved his sword to the side, expecting an attack but got nothing. Piper moved past him and into the hangar where it looked to be a mess hall. Optimus put away his weapons as he moved forward.
"Windblade," Drift asked. "Have many of your caches been compromised over the years?"
"No, none," she answered. "I've stashed weapons and supplies all over. My security systems have always held."
She led them to what seemed to be a door, like the size of a garage door almost. It was seemingly normal, no out of the ordinary security over it.
Piper scanned secretly as she hummed in thought, 'Huh, that is some tight security.'
"Whatever security systems you had up doesn't look like they're still there, Windy." Sideswipe shoved past them, Windblade smirking as he walked to the door. "I'll take point in case some-"
Piper warned, "Uh Sideswipe, I wouldn't do that if I were...." but it was too late as he yelped in pain, the moment he walked into her system, it overloading his circuits and sending him reeling back to them.
"Oh, thank you for taking point, Sideswipe," Jetstorm joked
"What hit me!?" he demanded, sitting up.
Windblade smiled.
"Look at the wall out of the corner of your eye," she instructed, pulling Sideswipe to his pedes.
"Tricky," he exclaimed, pulling his helm back a little.
"Light benders in there keep the force field and the controls almost completely hidden."
Piper said impressed, "Nice."
However, Windblade notice something different. "It should be dark blue," she started typing on the wall, where there seemed to be nothing. "The field's taken some damage, but it hasn't been breached," The field disengaged, allowing Windblade to open the door for them, Optimus stepping in.
"An impressive collection," Optimus complimented.
Windblade walked over to a weapon, hiking it up and looking over her trophies. "This is one of my larger stashes. Nothing appears to be missing," as Optimus exited the room, the others following.
"Is it safe to leave your supplies here?" Drift questioned.
"Should be," she replied. "But I want to repair the field before we go. And we should see if anything in there might be of use to us when we -" she was cut off from an explosion above, parts of the ceiling falling to the ground in front of her.
There was chuckling from above as many minicons appeared from the hole, firing down on them.
"Optimus!" Piper called as they started jumping from the ceiling. "The cache!"
He ran over to the door as Piper transformed used her energy to create a weapon, striking down on the minicons as Optimus tried to pull the door shut. When it wouldn't move, he pulled his own weapon out, glaring at the cons.
"Just a bunch of peewee pushovers," Sideswipe complained. He tossed the table he was using as a shield, taking out a good bunch of them.
Piper said to him, "I don't think you should underestimated them, Sideswipe."
"Oh please, I don't think even an army of them could dent my --" he was cut off by a shot to the chest, sending him back into the wall.
"I warned him." Piper sighed.
Optimus kept battling them away from the cache, taking threat he encountered down. They weren't trying very hard, only moving towards them in British style as though they were from the revolutionary war.
One easy swipe and they were gone while the others didn't have the same luck.
Piper said, "This isn't looking good."
Optimus pushed forward as Piper hung back, Windblade dropping between them.
"We have to close the freezer door, and reactivate the security system," she reported.
Optimus orders Drift to try and seal the cache. Hearing Drift call for his students, but they ignored him when he spots the Mini-Cons setting up a large weapon; a rocket launcher. Piper knew they wouldn't listen as she dodged forward and quickly pushed them out of the way, but she wasn't fast enough to put her shield. The shot hit her whole body, sending her backwards a few feet. She tried to get up but she could feel her body fritzing before she fell limped.
Jetstorm and Slipstream shouted, "PIPER!!!"
The Mini-Cons were drawing close to her when Drift came to protect her. He carried her close to him, making sure he won't let go. Windblade's turbines pushed the minicons who were attacking Drift away from them.
Optimus called, "Drift, Take Piper and use the control panel to lock yourself in the freezer!"
Drift hits the button on the panel, succeeds in locking themselves in the cache.
The others attempt to retreat, and after being hit with grenades, Optimus and Windblade are unable to escape the building. Sideswipe, Slipstream and Jetstorm get out, but pursued by Mini-Cons, are forced to take shelter in an empty armory. Optimus and Windblade likewise seal themselves in a bunker.
Drift carefully placed Piper on the wall, in a sitting-position. "Piper?" He asked.
Piper slowly opened her optics before she weakly looked up to him. "I am fine....however, I think I may have damage my body a bit." as she noticed a fritz on her body and a leaking energon from the waist.
She added, "What's happening out there?"
"Optimus Prime and Windbalde have retreated down a set of tunnels deep within this base," he explained, pressing an audio against the door. "Sideswipe and my students retreated, but I have no doubt the minicons followed,"
"What could've made them attack like that?"
"They must have another decepticon leading their strike," Drift said, kneeling down beside Piper. He gently brushed his digits against the open wound on her waist. It was still leaking energon, "Thank you, for saving my students."
"You're welcome," Piper hissed through clenched dermas. She scanned her waist, finding the wound had made an entrance into her system. She narrowed her optics at the thing, before searching the room around her. "S-Scrap."
"What is it?"
"The shot got to system" Piper explained to him, still searching the shelves and things looking for something she could use to fix this thing. "I can't find a suitable device to repair it, not to mention that I didn't brought any spare. And if I wish to minimize my downtime, I should -"
The PA system the joint apparently had buzzed to life, a deep, mumbled voice spoke. "Attention, autobots. This is General Stockade. In addition to our own firepower, we have copious amounts of ordnance raided from human military installations. You will either surrender and grant me immediate access to the weapon storage unit your injured Prime occupies, or you will all be destroyed. You may consider your nonexistent options. Do not take long."
::Optimus to Drift, Piper and Sideswipe. Are you alright?:: Optimus called through the comm.
::Yeah, sorta. I think we're in an armory, but the weapons are long gone. The building's seriously reinforced, so Colonel Crackpot out there is going to have a heck of a time getting in.:: Sideswipe commed
::What about Master Drift?:: Jetstorm asked.
::And Piper?:: Slipstream added.
"We are alright," Drift responded. "We're inside Windblade's cache, and the security system is active."
::Piper?::
"I am alright, Sir," Piper assured him. "It's just a wound, nothing that I haven't encountered before."
"The shot got to her system, Optimus Prime. She's slowly leaking energon," Drift replied to Optimus.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine until we get out of this mess." Piper looked at the force shield, as it was flickering in the damage it had sustained. "But I don't think the field could take a real attack, it's taken heavy damage, and with injury, I can't perform accurately."
::Understood:: Optimus rumbled. ::Sideswipe, I assume our enemy is keeping watch on our doors. How long would it take you to escape by other means?::
::You mean carve my way out with my decepticon hunter? This place was built to hold off everything short of nuclear weapons. I'd say a couple hours, if I'm lucky:: Sideswipe commed.
::Yes. We would say the same here. Optimus to scrapyard, do you read me, Fixit?::
::Optimus Prime:: the little minicon cheered. ::What a pleasant supplies - surmise, surprise! How are you, is your weather pleasant? Here, it's sunny with a chance of --::
::We are pinned down, Fixit:: Optimus cut off his rumbling with a low growl. ::Can Bumblebee's team provide assistance?::
::Negative, They're on a mission, and interference at their location has prevented me from contacting them.::
::Can you give us information on a decepticon, name Stockade?::
::Shouldn't Piper informed?::
::Sorry, Fixit....I wish I would but I'm little injured. They shot through my systems.:: Piper stated
She could hear the panic and worried words from Fixit. ::Your injured!!! Oh no no no....If only I can contact Bee or Nova, I would...::
::It's alright. No need to panic, right now we need info about Stockade. Can you do that?::
Fixit started through that system until he found it. ::Stockade. The most decorated general in the decepticon army. He tried to stage a military coup but failed. The only time he was ever conquered in battle. Until you defeat him, of course::
::Thank you, Fixit:: Optimus rumbled.
::I'll continue to try to contact Lieutenant Bumblebee.::
::Please do. Optimus out::
::Seems like the best bot to ask for advice is on the other side:: Windblade muttered.
::You forget, Windblade:: Optimus rumbled. ::I've been leading troops into battle for a long time myself, and I know a few things about tactics. Such as, how to buy us time as we plan our escape.::
Piper let out a pained sigh, leaning back against the wall. Drift moved to her, his servos hovering above her wound, like he was unsure how to assist.
"There's nothing you can do, Drift," Piper said. "It'll be fine,"
"You're losing more energon," he reasoned, lifting on my knee a little to expose the larger pool beneath me. "It needs to heal."
"It needs to heal correctly," I mended his statement.
::Drift:: Optimus commed. "What's your status?"
"I am fine, Optimus," Drift responded, but looked down at her. "However, Piper is losing more energon by the minute, and she is in a lot of pain."
::Is there a base address device available to you similar to the one Stockade is using?::
Piper scanned the room. "Over there," She pointed towards the door.
"Yes," Drift commed back.
Piper plan to get up but Drift told her that she shouldn't get up as he get up and talk through the speakers.
"General Stockade, I speak to you from inside the weapon's storage chamber."
"Finally!" he rumbled, hearing him from the outside.
"Among the items stored here is a 'doomsday device' that can destroy this planet and all life on it. Let my teammates and me go and depart this place, or I shall detonate the device."
"He's bluffing," he chuckled. "Run another scan on the cache."
Piper thought, 'he must've been talking to one of his minicons.'
"Now what, Drift?" Piper called to Drift who had an open comm to Optimus.
::Uh, guys:: Sideswipe called back. ::Hey, we have an idea::
Piper wondered what his idea was until he heard his voice over the speaker. "Yo, Corporal Punishment! This is one of your prisoners in the building across the way! If you promise not to hurt me, I'll tell you everything I know about Autobots here on this planet! "
Piper then realize what he was doing as she grinned. 'You sneaky little fox.'
"That's valuable intel," Stockade agreed from the other side of the door. "Bring that bot to me, double time!"
"He is coming, Sideswipe," Drift commed.
There was a moment of silence, before the con outside called out angrily. "Base to field team. Why haven't you brought me that bot yet!? Respond. Respond!" there was a pause. "I knew it was a bluff. Open fire!"
They began firing on the door of the cache, the force field absorbing the shots, but it's static led Piper to believe that it wasn't as steady as one might hope.
"I hope Sideswipe knew what he was doing," Piper muttered. She shut her optics and thought sadly, 'If only Nova and Bee's team were here....."
The door exploded in, the force field finally give in. She was about to activate her shield but her arms fritz a bit which made her dropped in pain.
"Wait!" he demanded, stepping in front of the charging weapon.
"Your minions will no longer threaten our master, or Piper, Stockade," Slipstream threatened, himself and his brother standing defensively in front of the cache.
"They are nothing, go through them," the general demanded.
The two minicons started battling the army, Piper grows worried for them. From the looks of it, Drift was worrying as well, but he wasn't leaving her side.
Piper assured, "I'll be alright, just help them."
Drift indecisive about the choices as he spoke, "Stay safe."
Piper nodded before watching Drift joined the fight to help his students. She was glad that they were fighting until she noticed two stray minicons manage to sneak in. They point their guns at her which she gasped in horror.
Piper shut her optics tightly. 'NOVA!!!' as she await for the shots but didn't came. She slowly opened her optics, only to see what she couldn't believe her eyes.
Two stray minicons was held by a familiar figure with blue hair before dropping them on the ground. The figure turned to Piper, "Sorry for being late."
Piper slowly smiled, "N-Nova....."
Nova noticed the injury on Piper before walking towards the cache as the moment she stepped outside, she stomped her foot, creating an electrical wave which shuts all the minicon's weapon. Much to their surprise, they all turned to see Nova standing in front of the cache, with a furious look on her face.
Drift could tell by her expression that he could feel the murderous aura around her as if she wants to kill someone. She ordered, "Drift, Can you and your students stand aside for a bit?
Jetstorm and Slipstream shuddered in fear, due to her animosity as they did what they were told. She looked towards Stockade and his troopers, who seem surprised to see a human. "Are you the one who attacked one of my teammates?" She asked angrily.
Stockade said with a smug, "So what if I did?" he turned down to the minicons. "What are you standing around for?! I trained you better than this! It's only one cornered autobot, an injured minicon, two juvenile minicons and pathetic human!"
Her eyes' widened with irritation by his insult. "I see....so your a general, huh. You really think your above others, well guess what...." before Nova's hair began to flared with an electric current surrounding her as she added. "I'm a Prime and a HERALD!!!" until the brightness covered everything.
Somewhere in the base, Sideswipe was at the bunker, slashing the door many time after setting plan to Jetstorm and Slisptream hold them off.
As he managed to damage it, he peered through the hole to see Optimus and Windblade on the other side. Optimus said, "Good work Sideswipe, now stand clear."
Sideswipe took a step back before Optimus broke down the door as they came out. Sideswipe said with crossed arms, "Someone is definitely feeling better."
Optimus said, "Come, the others need us." as they were about to leave when they heard the sound of explosion and rumble shake. They can see the ceiling shake before everything clamed down.
"What was that?" Windblade asked.
Optimus then felt familiar presence as he head towards to where the battle is, along with Sideswipe and Windblade. When they reached there, They saw all the trooper minicons were fallen on the ground while Drift, Jetstorm and Slipstream stood there quietly, in front of the cache.
Sideswipe said, "Whoa, What just happen here? It's almost like a hurricane here."
Optimus asked Drift, "Are you alright?"
Drift replied, "We are alright......." when they notice that he was looking at something. Following his gaze, They turned to see Nova, in her Titan Mode, outside the facility and was lifting Stockade's injured body.
Nova sneered, "How's this for a pathetic human?"
Stockade groaned, "Ugh....A temporary defeat, I shall return."
"Oh I wouldn't call it Temporary."
She harshly thrust Stockade onto the ground with a slam, forming cracks beneath his body. "I prefer a permanent defeat." She growled as she released him, leaving Stockade unconscious from the impact.
Nova sighed, feeling relaxed before turning to see Optimus and his team who seems astonished by her action. She flustered with embarrassment, having Optimus witness her behavior.
"Uh Hi Sire." Nova said sheepishly.
Optimus said, "It is fortunate that you manage to take down Stockade and his army for us."
Nova smiled for a bit until Optimus added sternly, "Though, I would appreciate it if you don't handle such a forceful manner."
"Eh hehehe...Uh.." Nova laughed a bit, turning her head away in shame. Sideswipe head over to the cache.
"Hey Piper - Ow!" Sideswipe poked his helm around the door until an incoming cube, throw at him. "Three times in one day!?"
"oops Sorry, Sideswipe," Piper shrugged.
The minicons walked up to Drift. "May we assist you?" Slipstream offered.
"No," he deadpanned. "You performed admirably today," he struggled to compliment. "Without my guidance. Your education is complete. You are no longer my students."
Sideswipe cheered from the door.
"But, Master Drift," Jetstorm spoke. "We do not wish to be on our own."
"We wish to remain under your tutelage," Slipstream added, ignoring the flabbergaster 'what' from Sideswipe. "Now that we have begun deploying from other autobots, surely there are many new combat techniques that you could teach us."
"Yes," Drift agreed. "One thousand and thirty five of them,"
"Also, we ignored your call to join with you so we could fight on our own," Jetstorm continued. "Clearly, we have not mastered respect. Please, may we stay with you?"
"You may. But this trend of disrespect concerns me, and it will not be tolerated,"
"Yes teacher,"
Piper smiled proudly at Jetstorm and Slipstream as they turned to her with apologetic look. "It's our fault that you got injured, if we have known...." Slipstream started.
Piper stopped them, "Hey...It's alright. Beside, I only did what I had to do." adding a sincere smile but cringed at pain, where she feel the fritz on her wound. Nova came inside as she knelt beside Piper, summoning her staff.
"Hang on, Piper. I'll heal you up." Nova said, lifting her staff above her body as she could feel warm light swarm around her. The wound on her injury disappeared as though it was no longer there.
Piper tried to stand up but fell over if it weren't for Jetstorm and Slipstream, supporting her. "Are you alright?" Jetstorm asked worriedly.
"I'm fine....just feeling fatigue from the impact." Piper assured to them before she looked up to Nova. "But how did you know that we needed help? Fixit did said that he was unable to call you or Bee."
Nova turned to her, "Oh that...let's just say I had a dreadful feeling that something might have happen to you guys so I sort off went ahead without giving Bee and his team the heads up."
Optimus moved towards her, but before anything could be said, a ground bridge opened behind Windblade, a green dinobot walking through.
"Anybody here need punching!?"
"Grimlock," Sideswipe almost cheered.
"We got back from our mission, and Fixit said we really needed to get the ground bridge working cause you were in trouble."
"I guess I was right. Good thing I came just in time." Nova noted.
"Aww....You could have at least brought me with you." Grimlock said sadly
"Sorry about that, Grim. Maybe next time."
"Though, We have captives and supplies that would best be stored in the scrapyard." Optimus said.
Nova turned to see Jetstorm carrying Piper from behind with Slipstream supporting her on the back. "Jetstorm, Slipstream....You know I can walk."
Jetstorm said, "But your too weak to stand, you even barely took a step."
Slipstream added, "Indeed. Please, Let us assist you."
Piper wanted to argue but sighed in defeat, denying herself that she was too weak and decided to let them. Nova used her staff as she tapped on the ground, causing several stasis bubbles to formed around their captives before disappearing into thin air.
"It should be easy, rather than carrying them back." Nova said to Optimus.
Optimus nodded her with appreciation as he turned to others, "Autobots, The time has come to go home."