Location: Cybertron
•
Approx. 2.5 Earth Months since the Praxus stalemate
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Aquastrike's POV

****

"What do you mean, 'retreat?' I'm almost there!" I yell over the ruckus of the battlefield surrounding me, dodging a blast and diving behind cover.

"Aqua, you're outnumbered and outgunned," A familiar tone urges from the other end of the secure Comm line, earning a sigh from me.

"But we need that Energon, Swiftrazor. Ratchet said it himself. We're running low."

"And... that we can't risk injuries," My sister drawls, sounding almost bored from the other end.

"That includes you, you know. You're not invincible."

"Yeah, yeah," Is all I murmur in reply, risking a glance out from behind the pile of rubble currently acting as cover.

One, two... three...

Gaze scanning the war torn landscape in front of me, I mentally count the number of 'Cons in the way.

"Scrap. There's four... five... six?! Are you kidding me?" I hiss, ducking back behind the rubble, hoping that they hadn't seen me.

"Six 'Cons for a tiny little bit of Energon?"

"Don't do it, Aqua. It's not worth it. We'll find a different source, put together a retrieval team..." My sister's now much more concerned sounding tone filters through my audio receptors, earning a frown from me.

"I'm here now though. I'm here and so is the Energon we need. Can't anyone get here to back me up if I go in?"

"Bee and Arcee should be nearby - Optimus sent them to scout ahead - something about movement in Crystal City again."

"Great," I grumble in reply, once more risking another glance.

By the looks of things, the 'Cons seem to be wrapping their little Energon endeavor up, transferring the last of the few crystals into a trailer.

"It's now or never, Swift. And I think now it is."

"Just be care-"

Careful. I'm always careful.

Stepping out from behind my cover and activating the blade in my right forearm, my other servo remaining a blaster.

"Hand over the Energon, 'Cons," I seethe, stance rigid and at the ready, optics analyzing their every move.

The one on the left seems twitchy - he'll likely make the first move.

"If you want it so bad, you'll have to come and get it yourself, Autobot," He sneers, servos switching into dual blades, looking quite worse for wear.

A grin spreads across my faceplate.

"I thought you'd never ask."

Lunging towards the Decepticons head on, I begin to attempt to pick them off, one by one.

Keeping a close watch on the very same bot who'd been twitchy earlier as I land a few solid blows and swipes to each opponent who turns to face me.

It seems like I'm making progress - the Energon seeming to glow an even brighter blue than before, almost as if I could reach out and pluck it-

"Autobot scum!" Comes a cry from behind me, earning a startled gasp from me.

Whirling around to face the source of the voice, I barely get the chance to figure out which one of the aggressors it is, before I'm sent flying, my back slamming against another nearby pile of rubble.

"Primus help me," I groan, optics blurry as I slowly clamber back to a standing position, blade and blaster being replaced by both my servos, balled into fists.

The 'Cons, all six of them, have shrugged off my attacks with surprising ease.

And now, they're coming to finish the job.

"Your death will be simply another in this Great War that has Decepticon victory in the end!" The slightly taller, same bot who had spoken previously declares proudly, one of his dual blades being hidden away, only to be replaced with his digits around my throat.

Struggling and kicking against his grasp, he continues to lift me higher and higher off the ground, until his arm is almost fully extended.

This isn't how this was supposed to happen! I should've been able to take all six of them! I had it!

"Any last words?"

Desperation quickly begins to set in, my processor abuzz with things.

But when the sound of two all familiar engines meet my audio receptors, I force a knowing smirk.

"Watch your back."

And in less than a nanoklik, the crushing sensation around my throat evaporates into thin air, and once more, I'm sent flying, though this time, a cry of agony escapes me.

Crumbling to the ground, optics wide in shock, a sharp pain resonates from my side.

Carefully placing running my digits over the throbbing area, shock ripples through me as I remove them, an eerily familiar looking substance coating them.

Energon.

He must've grazed me with his blade before I was sent flying...

Keeping a servo on my leaking side, I struggle to stand, my vision beginning to blur yet again.

"Seriously?" I hiss lowly, attempting to focus on the fight ensuring around me, only to fail.

Instead, various blurry colors of blue, pink and yellow and black dot my vision, accompanied by other darker looking figures.

Arcee and Bumblebee just saved my Spark from being ripped out of my chest - how nice of them.

"Thanks for the assist," I holler to the two-wheeler as she runs past, dodging energy blasts as she does so.

"Anytime, Aqua. That's what the Team is for, right?" Comes the reply via the Comm channel.

"Sure is," I muse aloud in response, my optics finally focusing clearly on the fighting in front of me.

The 'Cons, or at least four of them at least, are standing opposite to where they previously were, their trailer full of Energon now shielded by the newcomers.

The opposition almost appear as if they want to continue the fight, but before any of them can take a step towards us, their leader pauses, seeming to receive an incoming Comm transmission.

"Understood," I hear the muffled reply of the same Decepticon who has nearly snuffed my Spark mere moments ago.

Before either of us can stop them, the six 'Cons assume their alt modes and take off, kicking up dust as they leave.

And leaving behind their trailer containing the Energon.

"Some fight you laid on those 'Cons, huh?" Arcee chides playfully, her weapons being concealed, Bumblebee doing the same.

"Hilarious," I retort, voice rather raspy, my own weapons disappearing from view, though my servo doesn't leave my side.

That's when my Teammates immediately switch their moods.

From victorious and teasing to solemn and alarmed.

"You're hurt," The young Scout exclaims, the same shock that had ran its course through me earlier evident in his tone - even when his Vocoder only works from time to time.

"Yeah," I rasp simply, momentarily revealing the wound to my two teammates, scowls gracing their features.

Wasting no time at all, the two-wheeler raises a digit to her audio receptor, opening the Comm line.

"Ratchet, prepare a sick bay. We're on our way back to base."

"Can you drive?" Bee inquires, voice glitching in and out, passing me a questioning and concerned glance.

"I'll manage," Is all I can really muster up, my energy fading, the previous throbbing sensation quickly becoming stronger.

"Alright. Stay between us," 'Cee orders sternly, assuming her two-wheeled alt mode, engine revving. "For all we know there could be more 'Cons lurking around and that Energon was just a distraction."

Speaking of the Energon...

Casting my gaze towards the trailer, a sigh escapes me.

"We've got to get it back to base."

Bumblebee nods, a mechanical chirp of a "I've got it," accompanied by a thumbs up, meeting my blurry optics.

"Let's roll, then."

Pushing through the pain, I transform into my own alt mode, wincing as I do so, watching the young black and yellow Scout hitch to the trailer and pull up beside me.

We got the Energon, we're all still alive... But why would the Decepticons waste their own resources for such a small amount?

Surprise ripples through me at that thought, dulling the pain momentarily.

Maybe they're just as desperate as we are.

****

The once beautiful city of Iacon lays in almost ruins.

Buildings have suffered damage from the fighting, the remaining ones covered in soot and smoke - some of their windows broken.

But, thankfully, the Hall of Records somehow is still standing, though it no longer appears as visually stunning as it once had.

Considering it's frequent use by the former Orion Pax, now Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobot cause had been set on using the Hall as a base of operations - in hopes to protect the priceless records that had been kept here for eons.

Hissing in pain, I'm slow to assume my bipedal mode, my side still continuing to leak Energon, the blue substance splashing onto the ground below.

Far too much of that has been shed throughout all of this... Just how much more must be spilt until we win this war?

"C'mon," Arcee urges gently, sliding beneath my arm, which finds itself draping across her slightly smaller frame, my own body weight being relieved a bit by the two-wheeler. "Let's get you patched up."

Hobbling inside the once grand doors of the Hall of Records, I'm immediately met by a disapproving looking Ratchet, a frown evident on his faceplate.

"I was practically sure it was you who was foolish enough to try such a bold maneuver, rushing into a fight in which you're inevitably outnumbered," The Medic chides as I stumble towards him, systems weak from all the Energon I've lost.

I didn't really have much to begin with either.

Ratchet steadies me with practiced servos, guiding me to the infirmary - a place I never used to frequent this often.

"I guess this is what desperation does to a bot, huh?" I attempt to joke, taking a seat as the Medic retrieves his supplies, his frown still not fading.

"We are all desperate, Aquastrike," He sighs heavily, optics lifting from my wound to meet my own. "However, we cannot give into that desperation. If we do... then things will be far worse than they are today."

Nodding in thought, I allow my gaze to linger on the Medic making quick work of sealing my wound, my audio receptors tuning into the various voices out in the main area.

Undoubtedly, the Autobots are gathering around the large table, maps and battle tactic notes skewed every-which way.

"This is what the Decepticons were attempting to transport?" The unmistakable tone of Optimus Prime muses from aways away, a mechanical whir of a "yes," coming from Bumblebee the reply.

A heavy silence coats the entire Hall, though it's broken by the sound of everyone else approaching - sounding closer and closer by the nanoklik.

But one sounds closer than all the others - and is approaching much faster.

"Aqua!" A familiar voice exclaims, my gaze tearing from where it had been focused previously, my posture correcting itself instantly.

"Can you please sit still?" Ratchet grumbles from my side, his patch job momentarily pausing.

"Sorry," I mumble in response, passing him an apologetic look, to which he just returns with a shake of his head.

"When 'Cee called for a sick bay, I knew you had gotten yourself into a pile of scrap - again!" Swiftrazor rambles, her movements quick with concern, her optics mirroring that fact as well.

"It's okay," I assure my younger sister, gesturing to the Medic who is now rummaging through a nearby supply cabinet, clearly not paying much mind to the newcomer who had burst into his infirmary. "Ratchet here has got me all patched up. Right, Doc?"

Whirling around to face Swiftrazor and I, he scowls.

"Don't call me 'Doc!'"

"Oh, lighten up, Ratchet!" My sister chuckles, her attention returning to me, a servo being placed heavy on my shoulder plate. "I'm glad you're not dead."

Sighing heavily and mustering up a small smile, I nod.

"I'm glad I'm not dead, too."

"If you keep up your reckless tendencies, you will be!" Comes a sarcastic and warning quip from the Medic who is once again approaching my side, the same frown from earlier still on his faceplate.

"I know," I sigh yet again, my optics flicking to meet his. "I'm sorry, Ratchet."

"Don't say sorry to me," He grumbles, finishing tending to the wound in my side before stepping back to survey his handiwork. "Now take it easy for awhile. Doctor's orders."

"You've got it..." I trail off, a smirk forming. "Doc."

All the Medic does is sigh with a shake of his head, beginning to put away his supplies.

"Aquastrike," Optimus Prime greets solemnly, making his way into the infirmary, flanked by the rest of his most trusted Autobots.

I'm lucky to be considered one of them.

"Sir," I reply formally, pulling myself to a standing position.

"Am I to understand that you engaged the enemy alone?"

"Yes, I did. But it won't happen again. As Ratchet said, I was foolish."

Optimus seems to ponder my words over for a moment, seeming to be debating his next few words.

"However, you did bring an important matter back to my attention brighter than ever before."

Surprise ripples through me.

"I did?"

The Prime nods silently again, a solemn look gracing his features.

"Autobots," He begins, gaining the attention instantly of every bot in the room, even Ratchet comes to a halt in his tinkering.

"There is something we need to discuss. And much to plan for."

The silence that settles in the infirmary is so thick - I doubt even the sharpest blade could cut through it.

All optics are on our leader, a frown of uncertainty replacing his previous look of solemnity.

"I believe we must evacuate Cybertron. Immediately."