One In A Billion | Transformers Prime [1]

𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟑

"Give me a second," I said, crouching down and gearing up. I slid on a gas mask and unloaded all my bullets replacing them with firmer ones. Wheeljack shot me a funny look.

"What?" I snapped. "I have to be prepared for anything. And for your information, this isn't the first time I've run recon. It's nothing new to me,"

"You mean you've gone on missions too?" 

I loaded my gun and cocked the magazine. "Beleive me, there's still a lot about me that you don't know," 

I stood back up, fully suited up for volcanic weather. We kept moving. So far, besides the heat, I wasn't able to report anything out of the ordinary. We already figured out that the Decepticons weren't here, courtesy of an old Decepticon trick, and there was zero Energon. 

Our two objectives were nonexistent so I didn't see why abandoning our reconnoitering would hurt anybody. 

Still, we kept advancing, the steady hum of machinery mixed with the occasional groan of the mountain as we cautiously navigated the treacherous terrain. Suddenly, the ground beneath us quivered, and I looked around with a furrowed brow.

Well, that's odd. 

"Something doesn't feel right," I said.

Wheeljack adjusted the photon blaster on his arm. I cocked my magazine. 

"This volcano's about to blow," he muttered, urgency in his voice.

Wheeljack swiftly raised two digits to his comm, attempting to establish contact with the Autobot base. However, his attempts were met with frustration as static filled the airwaves. He frowned, trying different frequencies, but the interference persisted.

"Cursed tephra and alkaline basalt," Wheeljack grumbled. "The comm interference is off the charts. We're practically in a dead zone."

"What's going on? Can't you reach the others for help?" I glanced at Wheeljack, concern etched across my features.

Wheeljack's expression darkened. "The tephra and alkaline basalt in this palisade are creating defective comm interference. It's like trying to send a message through a wall of static."

"Shit," I muttered in Russian, then switched back to English, clenched my fists in frustration. "Forget improper network configuration; we won't be able to comm anyone for help the longer we stay here."

The distant rumblings grew more pronounced, and I could feel the heat intensifying. I was pretty sure Wheeljack could too. The walls of the volcano seemed to close in as ominous cracks formed, releasing puffs of steam. We exchanged a glance, realizing the severity of their predicament.

The deep rumble intensified, echoing through the cavernous space. The vibrations beneath our feet grew stronger, and I felt an unsettling twist in my stomach. Suddenly, the ground heaved, throwing us both off balance. I gasped as Wheeljack and I tumbled to the floor.

What the-

The floor suddenly cracked open, revealing a searing glow beneath. Bright orange liquid oozed out, and my eyes widened with realization.

"Magma! Wheeljack, it's magma!" I shouted, scrambling to my feet.

"Scrap!" Wheeljack turned around, optics widening in surprise. "We've got to move, Ember, now!"

I instantly bolted for the long end of the tunnel, Wheeljack running after me. The ground was quaking beneath us and the magma continued to flow, gaining speed as if chasing us. I could feel the heat on my back, and the air grew thick with the acrid scent of burning rock.