Fall From Grace 7/8
I was unhappy with what was happening directly after this chapter, so I resisted posting it for awhile, but I think I've got it sorted out now. Sideswipe's going to hate me. More than he already does. :P
EDIT: Now with random italics frag-up fixed at the end! stupid lj...
Title: Fall From Grace
Chapter: Chapter VII : Break These Chains and Fly
Rating: T
Warnings: Twin angst. Seriously. Angst. By the Constructicon-load. Also, twin OOC.
Setting: Beginning of the war, G1
Pairings/Characters: Sideswipe/OC, Sunstreaker, OC, Jazz, Prowl
Summary: They never wanted to become what they were now. But when all other options were closed to them, they had no choice...but to fall from grace.
Notes: Set in the same universe as 'Prowl and Sideswipe's Excellent Adventure', but it really has nothing to do with that fic, since not only is it definitely NOT crack, but it's written to be a prequel to 'Once More With Feeling', expanding on part of Sideswipe and Perceptor's conversation.
- Chapter VII : Break These Chains and Fly -
Prowl didn't wait for them to respond, already heading for the 'prisoner' side of the Gladiator Arena. He armed and tossed the grenade when he was close enough, then quickly transformed and sped away before it exploded, destroying the entire door and some of the wall. Sideswipe turned to Sunstreaker and tugged on his arm, giving his brother his best pathetic look.
"Oh don't even look at me like that." Sunstreaker said wearily. "We're already going with him." Sideswipe smiled brightly.
"Yay!" he exclaimed, then at the Autobot's signal, the twins transformed and took off after him, heading into the prep room for the prisoners. It was exactly as Sideswipe remembered it, but somehow, digging among the weapons, Prowl produced three working blasters.
"I assume you two are some of those that intelligence has reported have been forced to take the Decepticon symbol." the mech said, holding onto all three blasters as he turned back to them.
"We are." Sideswipe said with a nod.
"We work best with our hands, though." Sunstreaker said, nodding to the blasters.
"You'll need them for the locks. What's the name of the arena manager?" Prowl asked, almost casually, as he began checking the blasters energy packs.
"Riv -" Sideswipe stopped himself, seeing the mech in front of him tense up, and grinned slightly - a test. Jazz had probably planned for them to be fighting the Autobot, but Prowl wanted to make sure everything had gone according to plan. "Jazz." Sideswipe corrected himself, and Prowl looked up. Noticing Sideswipe's knowing grin, the Autobot nodded slightly, then handed the twins two of the blasters.
"According to intelligence, there are no Decepticon sympathizers on this side of the Arena, so free everyone. You can pass off the blasters to some of them if you want. Now let's move. We need to do this fast, before the Decepticons have time to fully mobilize, or we're all dead." Prowl replied easily, readying himself by the door before hitting the panel to open it. When no weapons fire was incoming, he darted out, and the twins followed him, keeping an eye out for guards. The only two they came across were at the entrance to the cells, however, and as soon as they spotted Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, they surrendered, fear clear on their face. Apparently they were fans. Prowl locked them in one of the cells before going down the row, shooting off locks along one side. The twins followed, shooting off the locks on the other side of the row, and though at first the prisoners were leery of the Decepticon symbols on their chassis, Prowl was quick to reassure that the twins were on their side.
Then, suddenly, they rounded a corner, and there were half a dozen armed mechs pointing guns at them. Before Sideswipe or Sunstreaker could raise their weapons in response, or even register who was behind the guns, one of the 'mechs' facing them dropped their weapon and all-but-tackled Sideswipe.
"Sideswipe! Thank Primus!" Sideswipe stared down at the familiar red femme clinging to him in shock.
"Inertia, you know these two Decepticons?" one of the mechs with guns asked firmly.
"They're not Decepticons, Wildburst!" Inertia snapped back, and Sideswipe couldn't stop the silly grin that spread over his face as he heard her defending them. He'd been so focused on his brother that he hadn't really had time to think or worry about Inertia, but that didn't stop the overwhelming relief that she was alive, unharmed, and still hugging him.
::That grin makes you look mis-clocked.:: Sunstreaker said grouchily.
::I really don't care.:: Sideswipe replied, and even to himself, he sounded giddy.
"Indeed they aren't." Prowl interrupted their unheard conversation, squeezing past them and stepping forward.
"And who are you?" the mech from before, Wildburst, demanded, though he wasn't as quick to aim his weapon at a mech with an Autobot symbol on his chassis.
"I am Prowl." Prowl stated, giving the mechs a flat look, one optic ridge arched. The guns dropped instantly.
"Sir!" a few of the mechs saluted.
"There is no need for that in battle, relax." Prowl said dismissively. "Right now we need to keep moving. Most of the cells on this side have been opened, but we need to get the friendlies out of the other side, as well. And according to Jazz, that will be more difficult."
"Jazz?" Inertia asked curiously as she finally let go of Sideswipe. The red twin tried not to let his disappointment show as Prowl sighed.
"Oilslick, Blackspot, Heavydark, Greaser, Shadow, Blindspot, stop me when I say a name you recognize -" the Autobot said wearily.
"Shadow would be it." Inertia said, sounding amused.
"Awww, I wanted to see how long until he got to 'Rivet'." Sideswipe said with mock disappointment.
"Rivet? As in, arena manager Rivet?" one of the freed prisoners asked, sounding horrified.
"Yeah, apparently he's an Autobot spy. Go figure." Sideswipe said dryly. Everyone else looked to Prowl for confirmation, and the Autobot nodded.
"He's been deep undercover since Kaon was taken." he said. "Now let's move." The mechs and femmes of the Kaon resistance followed as Prowl headed back to the Arena, the twenty or so prisoners behind them. Many of the prisoners grabbed weapons as they passed through the prep room, arming themselves determinedly for the battle ahead. The doors on the other side of the Arena were open, which only seemed to make Prowl more wary - and rightly so. They entered the prep room to find Jazz exchanging fire with several mechs in the repair bay.
"Took yer sweet time, Prowler." Jazz said cheerfully as they ducked behind the barrier he'd constructed.
"Could you stick with a codename for more than one mission in a row?" Prowl asked with annoyance.
"Nah, spoils the fun." Jazz said brightly. Prowl made a noise of annoyance, peering over the barricade to the repair bay.
"How, may I ask you, are we supposed to get in there now? There's at least half a dozen mechs in there." Prowl asked.
"I figured we'd send th'twins, if they're amenable." Jazz said, glancing over at Sideswipe and Sunstreaker.
"Who's in there?" Sideswipe asked, peering into the room.
"Triage fer sure, he's the one that started shootin' at me. I saw Wildquake an' Scatterspark, too." Jazz offered.
"Sounds like fun." Sunstreaker said with a dangerous grin, recognizing the names of willing Decepticon gladiators that had been less than friendly to the twins even before they were forced to take the Decepticon symbol.
"You'll get gunned down before you get in the door!" Inertia protested.
"Nah, we'll be fine." Sideswipe said, giving her a grin, then turned to Sunstreaker. "Ready?"
"Whenever you are, bro." Sunstreaker replied easily.
"Then let's go kick Decepticreep aft!" Sideswipe said, darting out from behind the barricade and charging the door.
"'Decepticreep'?! That's awful, Sideswipe!" Sunstreaker yelled in complaint as he followed his twin.
"Yeah, but true!" Sideswipe agreed cheerfully, dodging fire as he headed for a repair bed. He reached his target quickly and hopped over it, finding a mech with a gun that suddenly looked rather scared. Scatterspark's strong point was agility and distance, however, so it was unsurprising that he was a little frightened when he suddenly found himself close to a heavy melee fighter. He wasn't scared for long, though - Sideswipe finished him fast, and moved onto the next mech, knowing his brother was doing the same. Triage was the only one who escaped them, tossing one of the other Decepticons in front of the twins to slow them down as he retreated out of the repair bay.
"Coward." Sunstreaker said disdainfully as he tossed the deactivated Decepticon off to the side. Sideswipe sent his mental agreement before trotting over to the door and waving to Jazz and Prowl cheerfully.
"You can come in now!" he called, and the Autobots left their cover cautiously to enter the room. There were a few murmurs of approval as the resistance members entered, and Sunstreaker preened under the compliments. Inertia looked horrified, stepping up beside Sideswipe as she watched Sunstreaker.
"What happened to him?" she choked out.
"What happened to both of us." Sideswipe said, looking back. "Half these corpses are mine, Inertia." The red femme looked back at him sadly, and Sideswipe turned away uncomfortably, his joy at finding Inertia suddenly turning sour as he realized how much he and his brother had changed, and how much it would shock Inertia. She'd known them for so long before this whole mess, and had been so understanding of their unwillingness to fight, knowing they weren't inherently violent, despite their large sizes and heavy builds. It wasn't like Sideswipe could just pretend to be who he was before the Gladiator Arena, though, especially when they were in a combat situation, and his help was needed. So, doing his best to bury all thoughts and emotions pertaining to Inertia, Sideswipe headed over to his brother as the two Autobots led the group out of the repair bay. Out in the bigger side of the complex, Jazz quickly split them into three groups, two led by Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, the other by him.
"Grab th'friendlies, shoot th'rest, an' meet by th'main doors. If you want anythin' from your quarters, now's the time t'grab it!" Jazz added the last to the twins before they split up.
"Anything we wanted to keep with us was destroyed awhile ago." Sunstreaker said with a snort.
"Then just get goin'." Jazz said with a grin, and then the three groups headed off. Unsurprisingly, the two Autobots stuck together, taking with them the majority of the prisoners from the other side, while it was mostly the resistance following along behind Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, Inertia choosing to go in Sideswipe's group. The groups moved quickly through the halls, their ranged weapons giving them an advantage over the gladiators, who weren't allowed non-integrated weapons outside of the Arena, even if they willingly took the Decepticon symbol. They gathered the few friendlies quickly, until finally they were finding nothing but corpses and empty rooms, and headed for the main doors. The Autobots' group was already waiting there when Sideswipe got there, and Sunstreaker's arrived just behind Sideswipe and Inertia's.
"Everyone listen up!" Prowl called out once they were all there. "The gladiator complex is too close to the Decepticon stronghold for our transports, so we need to get closer to the city walls for back-up and pick-up. That means we're going to have to make a run through Decepticon territory. Those of you that are stronger, if you see someone having trouble keeping up, pick them up and carry them, because the slower we go, the less chance we all have of getting out alive. If you get separated from your group, follow the sound of explosions - they should lead you to the extraction point, which an Autobot strike force and the rest of the Kaon resistance are holding for us." A chorus of various forms of 'understood', and then Jazz split them into six groups, each with a Kaon resistance member in the lead, and they were moving out.
Even split up as they were, however, there was at least half a dozen of them in each group, and that many running mechs and femmes made a nice target. Decepticons harried them as they ran through the streets, and it wasn't long before the groups were separated. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, following Inertia, did their best to keep the other three in their group, all prisoners from the other side of the arena, together, but under a barrage of blaster fire and grenades, two of them panicked and bolted. The third was downed not long after by a lucky shot through his spark chamber, and then it was just Inertia, Sideswipe, and Sunstreaker, running through the streets, heading for the explosions at the wall.
Then, suddenly, there was a roar of jets overhead, a familiar voice yelling obscenities and insults at the Autobots, and Inertia pulled them into a building.
"Fraggit, Megatron wasn't supposed to have time to get here!" she cursed. "He's supposed to be undergoing upgrades."
"Well, if it makes you feel better, he appears to be missing his fusion canon." Sunstreaker said, poking his head outside quickly to see.
"Get back in here! Don't let him see you!" Inertia yelped, dragged Sunstreaker away from the window.
"I'm not stupid." Sunstreaker said disdainfully, shrugging off Inertia's hand.
"Good. We'll just have to wait here until he moves on." Inertia said.
"He doesn't sound like he's moving anymore." Sideswipe said, glancing upwards. "Actually, I think he's landed on the roof."
"Then stay quiet!" Inertia replied, almost pleadingly. "We still have time to get to the transports."
"How much time, exactly?" Sunstreaker asked slightly harshly. "And how much farther do we have to go?"
"The Autobots won't pull out for another two breems, so long as the position can be held." Inertia said. "And we're not far - maybe six blocks away."
"Six blocks?" Sideswipe asked in disbelief, and exchanged looks with Sunstreaker.
"If Megatron is six blocks from the extraction point, they're not going to be able to hold the position." Sunstreaker said grimly. Any comment was cut off by a loud explosion outside, and a horrifying, pain-filled scream echoed across the city. Laughter from up above, and Inertia risked poking her head out.
"Primus - they took down one of the transports!" Inertia cursed.
"That means they've got heavy artillery!" Sunstreaker snarled.
"And from the sounds of it, it's coming from the roof." Sideswipe said, now noticing the whine of powerful weapons charging. The twins exchanged glances, then looked at Inertia.
"Stay here." they told her at the same time, then headed for the exit.
"Wait, you can't - you'll be killed!" Inertia said, grabbing Sideswipe's arm. The red twin paused, looking back at her, saw the worry and panic on her face, clearly still having trouble grasping just what the twins could do, now. "I just got you two back." the red femme said softly, pleadingly, and though she said 'two', Sideswipe knew, now, that she meant him. All the emotions he'd pushed down earlier came boiling back to the surface, and standing there, looking down at the pretty red femme that had been by his side for many vorns, had saved his life several times even before the Decepticons had taken Kaon, and had done so several times now afterwards, he made a decision.
::Out of all the fragging times -:: Sunstreaker growled over the bond. ::Now you realize, now you decide to do something about it!:: Sideswipe ignored his brother, stepping closer to Inertia and cupping her face in his hands.
"We'll be fine." he said softly, and then kissed her. Lightly, carefully, afraid of his own strength now. When he pulled back, Inertia scowled up at him, though Sideswipe could feel her trembling slightly.
"You'd better be." she said.
"Just stay down here, and we'll come back for you once we've chased off Megaglitch and his artillery. Then we can make a run for the extraction point and get out of this pit-slagged city." Sideswipe said with a saucy grin.
"Fine, go." Inertia said with a sigh, stepping out of Sideswipe's grasp.
"Yo, I can't get up there without your jetpack, slagtard!" Sunstreaker needled from the door.
"Keep your armour on, Sunshine, I'm coming!" Sideswipe said in exasperation, then gave Inertia a quick kiss on the forehead before heading after his brother.
"Wait, since when do you have a jetpack?!" Inertia yelped in surprise.
"Jazz gave it to me!" Sideswipe replied with a grin, then grabbed Sunstreaker around the waist, stepped outside, and blasted off. Compared to some of the manoeuvring he'd had to do in the arena, getting to the roof was easy, even if Sunstreaker's added weight meant he used up half of his fuel. He'd really have to see about getting bigger fuel tanks for his jetpack.
Megatron was indeed on the roof, sans fusion canon, yelling orders to his Decepticons as he directed the fight from behind. His frustration at having to do so at a distance was clear on his face, though he seemed to take gleeful pleasure in ordering the two artillery canons where to shoot. Unfortunately, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker recognized both the canons from Decepticon propaganda - Shockwave and Razorblast. They would have to be mechs with artillery alt modes, and not plain old artillery.
::This is going to be...fun.:: Sunstreaker grouched as they landed, Megatron already turning to see what the noise was.
::At least Megatron doesn't have his fusion canon.:: Sideswipe replied.
"Why am I not surprised." Megatron snarled as he recognized them. "Razorblast, deal with them!" The green canon at his side obligingly transformed and headed determinedly forward. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker grinned at each other - one at a time, the occupants of the roof would be easy.
---
"That's all th'groups but th'twins an' Inertia's, Prowler!" Jazz yelled over the sound of the transport taking off.
"They'd better get here soon, we can't hold the position much longer!" Prowl returned as he lay down cover fire for the last incoming transport, which would stay until it was time to pull out.
"I'm not sure they're gonna be able t'without help." Jazz said, joining Prowl.
"We don't exactly have the resource -"
"Did you notice th'artillery's stopped?" Jazz interrupted, giving Prowl a meaningful look, and the other Autobot gave him a startled glance.
"They wouldn't -"
"They would, an' they have th'ability t'do it successfully." Jazz said grimly. Prowl cursed.
"We still don't have the resources to go rescue them!" he snapped.
"I'll go." Jazz instantly volunteered, and when Prowl gave him an incredulous look, the special ops mech grinned. "Y'know I'm good enough. Lemme go, I'll give 'em a hand an' then rush 'em back." Prowl hesitated. "Prowl, we can't just leave 'em - outta all th'mechs I saw go through th'arena, those two have suffered th'worst, an' they've been goin' toe-t'-toe with Megs an' his two canon lackeys so that our transports could get out. We owe them."
"Fine!" Prowl snapped. "Go! But if you're not back when we get the call to pull out, I'm not waiting for you!"
"Course not!" Jazz said with a grin, knowing that Prowl would wait as long as he could, even after he got the order to pull out. Prowl glared at him, and Jazz grabbed some of the extra weapons the transport had brought with it before taking off into the streets, towards the building the artillery fire had been coming from.
---
::This is taking too long, Sides!:: Sunstreaker snarled over the bond as he tried to dodge fire from a transformed Shockwave.
::You think I don't know that?!:: Sideswipe snapped as he landed a solid punch in Razorblast's gut. The green mech staggered, but remained standing. In the background, Megatron roared insults at them in-between directing his troops.
::We need a new - mmph - strategy!:: Sunstreaker declared as one of Shockwave's shots clipped his shoulder.
::I'm open to suggestions.:: Sideswipe said with annoyance.
::Collapse the building, with them on top.:: Sunstreaker said.
::Inertia's on the main floor.:: Sideswipe pointed out.
::Yeah, and we're gonna need to get down there anyways to make it collapse, so we can warn her, no problem.:: Sunstreaker said.
::Alright, but how are we supposed to get away from the glitchmice?:: Sideswipe asked.
::Must I come up with everything?:: Sunstreaker asked with annoyance. Sideswipe growled.
::OK, fine, look, you come over here and have at Razorblast. Shocky's not gonna fire when you're in melee with an ally, and it'll take him a bit to lock onto me. It should be enough time for me to get over the edge and get down to the main floor. I can warn Inertia, get her to blow the place, and get back up here. You'll be taking on the two of them, alone, for 30 nanoclicks, tops.:: Sideswipe said.
::Why am I always the one taking on the bad guys while you get your aft out of firing range?:: Sunstreaker grumbled.
::Cuz you're the one without a jetpack!:: Sideswipe snapped.
::Fine, as soon as we get out of here, I'm getting myself a jetpack, and then you can stay and play with the Cons while I get out of their firing range to go play with femmes!:: Sunstreaker snarled. Sideswipe grinned, then jerked backwards as his brother launched himself as Razorblast. As predicted, Shockwave stopped firing, and Sideswipe made for the edge of the roof as the purple cannon started to turn towards him. A plasma shot sizzled over his head as he dropped off the edge, firing up his jetpack only at the last minute, to break his fall. Hurrying inside, he spotted Inertia quickly, already jogging over to him.
"Sideswipe, what's taking so long? The transports won't stay for much longer!" she said urgently.
"Yeah, we know. You have any of those nifty Autobot explosives on you?" Sideswipe asked.
"Not Autobot, but they're effective, why?" Inertia said, pulling a crude-looking device out of her subspace.
"Effective enough to blast through those girders?" Sideswipe asked, pointing to the support girders for the building.
"Of course. They're demolition-grade." Inertia said curiously.
"Good, plant as many as you have around the main support pillars, arm them, and then get the frag out of here." Sideswipe said.
"Wait, what?! No! Sunstreaker's on the roof!" Inertia blurted.
"And I will be too in a few nanoclicks. It doesn't matter, I have a jetpack - I'll get us off the roof when I hear the explosions. Don't worry about us, just blow the building, and make a run for the extraction point." Sideswipe said, already heading for the door again. "We'll meet you there."
"Sideswipe!" Inertia called out, but Sideswipe glanced back only briefly.
"I can't stay and debate this Inertia, Sunny's up there alone, and he isn't having the best of times. Just blow the building, it's our only chance of getting out of here before the Autobots have to pull out." the red twin said, mentally wincing as he felt the beating his brother was taking - Shockwave had transformed to help Razorblast now, and they were more than a match for Sunstreaker alone. He didn't hear Inertia's reply to that, if she made one, blasting off and heading for the roof. He landed quickly and charged at Shockwave, pulling him off his brother.
::That was more than 30 nanoclicks!:: Sunstreaker snarled.
::Sorry!:: Sideswipe apologized sincerely, and then the two focused on their respective opponents. It wasn't much later when Sideswipe felt the explosions rocking the building beneath them, and grinned at Shockwave before making a dive for his brother. The building began to shake and wobble, clearly ready to collapse, as he grabbed Sunstreaker around his waist and flipped on his jetpack.
It stuttered, sputtered, died.
Out of fuel.
"Oh slag." Sideswipe whispered, horrified, as he felt the building dropping out from beneath his feet. He hadn't bothered to check how much fuel he had left when he'd landed the second time.
::I fragging hate you.:: Sunstreaker growled as they fell.
- TBC -
Ebil cliffhanger is ebil? At least you know they survive. :P
EDIT: Now with random italics frag-up fixed at the end! stupid lj...
Title: Fall From Grace
Chapter: Chapter VII : Break These Chains and Fly
Rating: T
Warnings: Twin angst. Seriously. Angst. By the Constructicon-load. Also, twin OOC.
Setting: Beginning of the war, G1
Pairings/Characters: Sideswipe/OC, Sunstreaker, OC, Jazz, Prowl
Summary: They never wanted to become what they were now. But when all other options were closed to them, they had no choice...but to fall from grace.
Notes: Set in the same universe as 'Prowl and Sideswipe's Excellent Adventure', but it really has nothing to do with that fic, since not only is it definitely NOT crack, but it's written to be a prequel to 'Once More With Feeling', expanding on part of Sideswipe and Perceptor's conversation.
- Chapter VII : Break These Chains and Fly -
Prowl didn't wait for them to respond, already heading for the 'prisoner' side of the Gladiator Arena. He armed and tossed the grenade when he was close enough, then quickly transformed and sped away before it exploded, destroying the entire door and some of the wall. Sideswipe turned to Sunstreaker and tugged on his arm, giving his brother his best pathetic look.
"Oh don't even look at me like that." Sunstreaker said wearily. "We're already going with him." Sideswipe smiled brightly.
"Yay!" he exclaimed, then at the Autobot's signal, the twins transformed and took off after him, heading into the prep room for the prisoners. It was exactly as Sideswipe remembered it, but somehow, digging among the weapons, Prowl produced three working blasters.
"I assume you two are some of those that intelligence has reported have been forced to take the Decepticon symbol." the mech said, holding onto all three blasters as he turned back to them.
"We are." Sideswipe said with a nod.
"We work best with our hands, though." Sunstreaker said, nodding to the blasters.
"You'll need them for the locks. What's the name of the arena manager?" Prowl asked, almost casually, as he began checking the blasters energy packs.
"Riv -" Sideswipe stopped himself, seeing the mech in front of him tense up, and grinned slightly - a test. Jazz had probably planned for them to be fighting the Autobot, but Prowl wanted to make sure everything had gone according to plan. "Jazz." Sideswipe corrected himself, and Prowl looked up. Noticing Sideswipe's knowing grin, the Autobot nodded slightly, then handed the twins two of the blasters.
"According to intelligence, there are no Decepticon sympathizers on this side of the Arena, so free everyone. You can pass off the blasters to some of them if you want. Now let's move. We need to do this fast, before the Decepticons have time to fully mobilize, or we're all dead." Prowl replied easily, readying himself by the door before hitting the panel to open it. When no weapons fire was incoming, he darted out, and the twins followed him, keeping an eye out for guards. The only two they came across were at the entrance to the cells, however, and as soon as they spotted Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, they surrendered, fear clear on their face. Apparently they were fans. Prowl locked them in one of the cells before going down the row, shooting off locks along one side. The twins followed, shooting off the locks on the other side of the row, and though at first the prisoners were leery of the Decepticon symbols on their chassis, Prowl was quick to reassure that the twins were on their side.
Then, suddenly, they rounded a corner, and there were half a dozen armed mechs pointing guns at them. Before Sideswipe or Sunstreaker could raise their weapons in response, or even register who was behind the guns, one of the 'mechs' facing them dropped their weapon and all-but-tackled Sideswipe.
"Sideswipe! Thank Primus!" Sideswipe stared down at the familiar red femme clinging to him in shock.
"Inertia, you know these two Decepticons?" one of the mechs with guns asked firmly.
"They're not Decepticons, Wildburst!" Inertia snapped back, and Sideswipe couldn't stop the silly grin that spread over his face as he heard her defending them. He'd been so focused on his brother that he hadn't really had time to think or worry about Inertia, but that didn't stop the overwhelming relief that she was alive, unharmed, and still hugging him.
::That grin makes you look mis-clocked.:: Sunstreaker said grouchily.
::I really don't care.:: Sideswipe replied, and even to himself, he sounded giddy.
"Indeed they aren't." Prowl interrupted their unheard conversation, squeezing past them and stepping forward.
"And who are you?" the mech from before, Wildburst, demanded, though he wasn't as quick to aim his weapon at a mech with an Autobot symbol on his chassis.
"I am Prowl." Prowl stated, giving the mechs a flat look, one optic ridge arched. The guns dropped instantly.
"Sir!" a few of the mechs saluted.
"There is no need for that in battle, relax." Prowl said dismissively. "Right now we need to keep moving. Most of the cells on this side have been opened, but we need to get the friendlies out of the other side, as well. And according to Jazz, that will be more difficult."
"Jazz?" Inertia asked curiously as she finally let go of Sideswipe. The red twin tried not to let his disappointment show as Prowl sighed.
"Oilslick, Blackspot, Heavydark, Greaser, Shadow, Blindspot, stop me when I say a name you recognize -" the Autobot said wearily.
"Shadow would be it." Inertia said, sounding amused.
"Awww, I wanted to see how long until he got to 'Rivet'." Sideswipe said with mock disappointment.
"Rivet? As in, arena manager Rivet?" one of the freed prisoners asked, sounding horrified.
"Yeah, apparently he's an Autobot spy. Go figure." Sideswipe said dryly. Everyone else looked to Prowl for confirmation, and the Autobot nodded.
"He's been deep undercover since Kaon was taken." he said. "Now let's move." The mechs and femmes of the Kaon resistance followed as Prowl headed back to the Arena, the twenty or so prisoners behind them. Many of the prisoners grabbed weapons as they passed through the prep room, arming themselves determinedly for the battle ahead. The doors on the other side of the Arena were open, which only seemed to make Prowl more wary - and rightly so. They entered the prep room to find Jazz exchanging fire with several mechs in the repair bay.
"Took yer sweet time, Prowler." Jazz said cheerfully as they ducked behind the barrier he'd constructed.
"Could you stick with a codename for more than one mission in a row?" Prowl asked with annoyance.
"Nah, spoils the fun." Jazz said brightly. Prowl made a noise of annoyance, peering over the barricade to the repair bay.
"How, may I ask you, are we supposed to get in there now? There's at least half a dozen mechs in there." Prowl asked.
"I figured we'd send th'twins, if they're amenable." Jazz said, glancing over at Sideswipe and Sunstreaker.
"Who's in there?" Sideswipe asked, peering into the room.
"Triage fer sure, he's the one that started shootin' at me. I saw Wildquake an' Scatterspark, too." Jazz offered.
"Sounds like fun." Sunstreaker said with a dangerous grin, recognizing the names of willing Decepticon gladiators that had been less than friendly to the twins even before they were forced to take the Decepticon symbol.
"You'll get gunned down before you get in the door!" Inertia protested.
"Nah, we'll be fine." Sideswipe said, giving her a grin, then turned to Sunstreaker. "Ready?"
"Whenever you are, bro." Sunstreaker replied easily.
"Then let's go kick Decepticreep aft!" Sideswipe said, darting out from behind the barricade and charging the door.
"'Decepticreep'?! That's awful, Sideswipe!" Sunstreaker yelled in complaint as he followed his twin.
"Yeah, but true!" Sideswipe agreed cheerfully, dodging fire as he headed for a repair bed. He reached his target quickly and hopped over it, finding a mech with a gun that suddenly looked rather scared. Scatterspark's strong point was agility and distance, however, so it was unsurprising that he was a little frightened when he suddenly found himself close to a heavy melee fighter. He wasn't scared for long, though - Sideswipe finished him fast, and moved onto the next mech, knowing his brother was doing the same. Triage was the only one who escaped them, tossing one of the other Decepticons in front of the twins to slow them down as he retreated out of the repair bay.
"Coward." Sunstreaker said disdainfully as he tossed the deactivated Decepticon off to the side. Sideswipe sent his mental agreement before trotting over to the door and waving to Jazz and Prowl cheerfully.
"You can come in now!" he called, and the Autobots left their cover cautiously to enter the room. There were a few murmurs of approval as the resistance members entered, and Sunstreaker preened under the compliments. Inertia looked horrified, stepping up beside Sideswipe as she watched Sunstreaker.
"What happened to him?" she choked out.
"What happened to both of us." Sideswipe said, looking back. "Half these corpses are mine, Inertia." The red femme looked back at him sadly, and Sideswipe turned away uncomfortably, his joy at finding Inertia suddenly turning sour as he realized how much he and his brother had changed, and how much it would shock Inertia. She'd known them for so long before this whole mess, and had been so understanding of their unwillingness to fight, knowing they weren't inherently violent, despite their large sizes and heavy builds. It wasn't like Sideswipe could just pretend to be who he was before the Gladiator Arena, though, especially when they were in a combat situation, and his help was needed. So, doing his best to bury all thoughts and emotions pertaining to Inertia, Sideswipe headed over to his brother as the two Autobots led the group out of the repair bay. Out in the bigger side of the complex, Jazz quickly split them into three groups, two led by Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, the other by him.
"Grab th'friendlies, shoot th'rest, an' meet by th'main doors. If you want anythin' from your quarters, now's the time t'grab it!" Jazz added the last to the twins before they split up.
"Anything we wanted to keep with us was destroyed awhile ago." Sunstreaker said with a snort.
"Then just get goin'." Jazz said with a grin, and then the three groups headed off. Unsurprisingly, the two Autobots stuck together, taking with them the majority of the prisoners from the other side, while it was mostly the resistance following along behind Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, Inertia choosing to go in Sideswipe's group. The groups moved quickly through the halls, their ranged weapons giving them an advantage over the gladiators, who weren't allowed non-integrated weapons outside of the Arena, even if they willingly took the Decepticon symbol. They gathered the few friendlies quickly, until finally they were finding nothing but corpses and empty rooms, and headed for the main doors. The Autobots' group was already waiting there when Sideswipe got there, and Sunstreaker's arrived just behind Sideswipe and Inertia's.
"Everyone listen up!" Prowl called out once they were all there. "The gladiator complex is too close to the Decepticon stronghold for our transports, so we need to get closer to the city walls for back-up and pick-up. That means we're going to have to make a run through Decepticon territory. Those of you that are stronger, if you see someone having trouble keeping up, pick them up and carry them, because the slower we go, the less chance we all have of getting out alive. If you get separated from your group, follow the sound of explosions - they should lead you to the extraction point, which an Autobot strike force and the rest of the Kaon resistance are holding for us." A chorus of various forms of 'understood', and then Jazz split them into six groups, each with a Kaon resistance member in the lead, and they were moving out.
Even split up as they were, however, there was at least half a dozen of them in each group, and that many running mechs and femmes made a nice target. Decepticons harried them as they ran through the streets, and it wasn't long before the groups were separated. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, following Inertia, did their best to keep the other three in their group, all prisoners from the other side of the arena, together, but under a barrage of blaster fire and grenades, two of them panicked and bolted. The third was downed not long after by a lucky shot through his spark chamber, and then it was just Inertia, Sideswipe, and Sunstreaker, running through the streets, heading for the explosions at the wall.
Then, suddenly, there was a roar of jets overhead, a familiar voice yelling obscenities and insults at the Autobots, and Inertia pulled them into a building.
"Fraggit, Megatron wasn't supposed to have time to get here!" she cursed. "He's supposed to be undergoing upgrades."
"Well, if it makes you feel better, he appears to be missing his fusion canon." Sunstreaker said, poking his head outside quickly to see.
"Get back in here! Don't let him see you!" Inertia yelped, dragged Sunstreaker away from the window.
"I'm not stupid." Sunstreaker said disdainfully, shrugging off Inertia's hand.
"Good. We'll just have to wait here until he moves on." Inertia said.
"He doesn't sound like he's moving anymore." Sideswipe said, glancing upwards. "Actually, I think he's landed on the roof."
"Then stay quiet!" Inertia replied, almost pleadingly. "We still have time to get to the transports."
"How much time, exactly?" Sunstreaker asked slightly harshly. "And how much farther do we have to go?"
"The Autobots won't pull out for another two breems, so long as the position can be held." Inertia said. "And we're not far - maybe six blocks away."
"Six blocks?" Sideswipe asked in disbelief, and exchanged looks with Sunstreaker.
"If Megatron is six blocks from the extraction point, they're not going to be able to hold the position." Sunstreaker said grimly. Any comment was cut off by a loud explosion outside, and a horrifying, pain-filled scream echoed across the city. Laughter from up above, and Inertia risked poking her head out.
"Primus - they took down one of the transports!" Inertia cursed.
"That means they've got heavy artillery!" Sunstreaker snarled.
"And from the sounds of it, it's coming from the roof." Sideswipe said, now noticing the whine of powerful weapons charging. The twins exchanged glances, then looked at Inertia.
"Stay here." they told her at the same time, then headed for the exit.
"Wait, you can't - you'll be killed!" Inertia said, grabbing Sideswipe's arm. The red twin paused, looking back at her, saw the worry and panic on her face, clearly still having trouble grasping just what the twins could do, now. "I just got you two back." the red femme said softly, pleadingly, and though she said 'two', Sideswipe knew, now, that she meant him. All the emotions he'd pushed down earlier came boiling back to the surface, and standing there, looking down at the pretty red femme that had been by his side for many vorns, had saved his life several times even before the Decepticons had taken Kaon, and had done so several times now afterwards, he made a decision.
::Out of all the fragging times -:: Sunstreaker growled over the bond. ::Now you realize, now you decide to do something about it!:: Sideswipe ignored his brother, stepping closer to Inertia and cupping her face in his hands.
"We'll be fine." he said softly, and then kissed her. Lightly, carefully, afraid of his own strength now. When he pulled back, Inertia scowled up at him, though Sideswipe could feel her trembling slightly.
"You'd better be." she said.
"Just stay down here, and we'll come back for you once we've chased off Megaglitch and his artillery. Then we can make a run for the extraction point and get out of this pit-slagged city." Sideswipe said with a saucy grin.
"Fine, go." Inertia said with a sigh, stepping out of Sideswipe's grasp.
"Yo, I can't get up there without your jetpack, slagtard!" Sunstreaker needled from the door.
"Keep your armour on, Sunshine, I'm coming!" Sideswipe said in exasperation, then gave Inertia a quick kiss on the forehead before heading after his brother.
"Wait, since when do you have a jetpack?!" Inertia yelped in surprise.
"Jazz gave it to me!" Sideswipe replied with a grin, then grabbed Sunstreaker around the waist, stepped outside, and blasted off. Compared to some of the manoeuvring he'd had to do in the arena, getting to the roof was easy, even if Sunstreaker's added weight meant he used up half of his fuel. He'd really have to see about getting bigger fuel tanks for his jetpack.
Megatron was indeed on the roof, sans fusion canon, yelling orders to his Decepticons as he directed the fight from behind. His frustration at having to do so at a distance was clear on his face, though he seemed to take gleeful pleasure in ordering the two artillery canons where to shoot. Unfortunately, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker recognized both the canons from Decepticon propaganda - Shockwave and Razorblast. They would have to be mechs with artillery alt modes, and not plain old artillery.
::This is going to be...fun.:: Sunstreaker grouched as they landed, Megatron already turning to see what the noise was.
::At least Megatron doesn't have his fusion canon.:: Sideswipe replied.
"Why am I not surprised." Megatron snarled as he recognized them. "Razorblast, deal with them!" The green canon at his side obligingly transformed and headed determinedly forward. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker grinned at each other - one at a time, the occupants of the roof would be easy.
---
"That's all th'groups but th'twins an' Inertia's, Prowler!" Jazz yelled over the sound of the transport taking off.
"They'd better get here soon, we can't hold the position much longer!" Prowl returned as he lay down cover fire for the last incoming transport, which would stay until it was time to pull out.
"I'm not sure they're gonna be able t'without help." Jazz said, joining Prowl.
"We don't exactly have the resource -"
"Did you notice th'artillery's stopped?" Jazz interrupted, giving Prowl a meaningful look, and the other Autobot gave him a startled glance.
"They wouldn't -"
"They would, an' they have th'ability t'do it successfully." Jazz said grimly. Prowl cursed.
"We still don't have the resources to go rescue them!" he snapped.
"I'll go." Jazz instantly volunteered, and when Prowl gave him an incredulous look, the special ops mech grinned. "Y'know I'm good enough. Lemme go, I'll give 'em a hand an' then rush 'em back." Prowl hesitated. "Prowl, we can't just leave 'em - outta all th'mechs I saw go through th'arena, those two have suffered th'worst, an' they've been goin' toe-t'-toe with Megs an' his two canon lackeys so that our transports could get out. We owe them."
"Fine!" Prowl snapped. "Go! But if you're not back when we get the call to pull out, I'm not waiting for you!"
"Course not!" Jazz said with a grin, knowing that Prowl would wait as long as he could, even after he got the order to pull out. Prowl glared at him, and Jazz grabbed some of the extra weapons the transport had brought with it before taking off into the streets, towards the building the artillery fire had been coming from.
---
::This is taking too long, Sides!:: Sunstreaker snarled over the bond as he tried to dodge fire from a transformed Shockwave.
::You think I don't know that?!:: Sideswipe snapped as he landed a solid punch in Razorblast's gut. The green mech staggered, but remained standing. In the background, Megatron roared insults at them in-between directing his troops.
::We need a new - mmph - strategy!:: Sunstreaker declared as one of Shockwave's shots clipped his shoulder.
::I'm open to suggestions.:: Sideswipe said with annoyance.
::Collapse the building, with them on top.:: Sunstreaker said.
::Inertia's on the main floor.:: Sideswipe pointed out.
::Yeah, and we're gonna need to get down there anyways to make it collapse, so we can warn her, no problem.:: Sunstreaker said.
::Alright, but how are we supposed to get away from the glitchmice?:: Sideswipe asked.
::Must I come up with everything?:: Sunstreaker asked with annoyance. Sideswipe growled.
::OK, fine, look, you come over here and have at Razorblast. Shocky's not gonna fire when you're in melee with an ally, and it'll take him a bit to lock onto me. It should be enough time for me to get over the edge and get down to the main floor. I can warn Inertia, get her to blow the place, and get back up here. You'll be taking on the two of them, alone, for 30 nanoclicks, tops.:: Sideswipe said.
::Why am I always the one taking on the bad guys while you get your aft out of firing range?:: Sunstreaker grumbled.
::Cuz you're the one without a jetpack!:: Sideswipe snapped.
::Fine, as soon as we get out of here, I'm getting myself a jetpack, and then you can stay and play with the Cons while I get out of their firing range to go play with femmes!:: Sunstreaker snarled. Sideswipe grinned, then jerked backwards as his brother launched himself as Razorblast. As predicted, Shockwave stopped firing, and Sideswipe made for the edge of the roof as the purple cannon started to turn towards him. A plasma shot sizzled over his head as he dropped off the edge, firing up his jetpack only at the last minute, to break his fall. Hurrying inside, he spotted Inertia quickly, already jogging over to him.
"Sideswipe, what's taking so long? The transports won't stay for much longer!" she said urgently.
"Yeah, we know. You have any of those nifty Autobot explosives on you?" Sideswipe asked.
"Not Autobot, but they're effective, why?" Inertia said, pulling a crude-looking device out of her subspace.
"Effective enough to blast through those girders?" Sideswipe asked, pointing to the support girders for the building.
"Of course. They're demolition-grade." Inertia said curiously.
"Good, plant as many as you have around the main support pillars, arm them, and then get the frag out of here." Sideswipe said.
"Wait, what?! No! Sunstreaker's on the roof!" Inertia blurted.
"And I will be too in a few nanoclicks. It doesn't matter, I have a jetpack - I'll get us off the roof when I hear the explosions. Don't worry about us, just blow the building, and make a run for the extraction point." Sideswipe said, already heading for the door again. "We'll meet you there."
"Sideswipe!" Inertia called out, but Sideswipe glanced back only briefly.
"I can't stay and debate this Inertia, Sunny's up there alone, and he isn't having the best of times. Just blow the building, it's our only chance of getting out of here before the Autobots have to pull out." the red twin said, mentally wincing as he felt the beating his brother was taking - Shockwave had transformed to help Razorblast now, and they were more than a match for Sunstreaker alone. He didn't hear Inertia's reply to that, if she made one, blasting off and heading for the roof. He landed quickly and charged at Shockwave, pulling him off his brother.
::That was more than 30 nanoclicks!:: Sunstreaker snarled.
::Sorry!:: Sideswipe apologized sincerely, and then the two focused on their respective opponents. It wasn't much later when Sideswipe felt the explosions rocking the building beneath them, and grinned at Shockwave before making a dive for his brother. The building began to shake and wobble, clearly ready to collapse, as he grabbed Sunstreaker around his waist and flipped on his jetpack.
It stuttered, sputtered, died.
Out of fuel.
"Oh slag." Sideswipe whispered, horrified, as he felt the building dropping out from beneath his feet. He hadn't bothered to check how much fuel he had left when he'd landed the second time.
::I fragging hate you.:: Sunstreaker growled as they fell.
- TBC -
Ebil cliffhanger is ebil? At least you know they survive. :P