Transformers: Animated: Shadows of Redemption

Chapter 15: Father Knows Best

As the morning sun bathed Detroit in a golden light, a sleek Autobot spaceship descended from the sky, landing in an abandoned lot on the outskirts of the city. The ship's hatch hissed open, and Sentinel Prime emerged, his optics scanning the surroundings with a determined glint.

Behind him, the rest of his team filed out: Jetfire and Jetstorm, the twin aerial warriors; Brawn, the muscular brawler; and Zeta Maxus, the stoic enforcer. They stood ready, their resolve clear.

Sentinel Prime turned to face his team, his voice carrying a note of command. "We didn't come to Earth to support Optimus Prime. We're here to destroy Megatron once and for all. Stay vigilant. We don't know what we're up against."

Unbeknownst to Sentinel and his team, two stowaways crept out from the cargo hold. Altair Comet and Smokescreen slipped into the shadows, determined to join the fight without being noticed.

"We did it, Altair," Smokescreen whispered, his optics darting around to ensure they hadn't been spotted. "We're really on Earth."

Altair nodded, her determination evident. "We need to find my father and help him. Let's move before Sentinel or anyone else notices us."

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Meanwhile, in a hidden Decepticon base, Orion Eclipse stood before a large monitor, his body humming with newfound power. Megatron had upgraded him, enhancing his abilities and giving him a sleek, formidable appearance. Orion Eclipse's new form was a state-of-the-art helicopter, complementing Megatron's own helicopter mode.

"You look ready, my son," Megatron said, a satisfied gleam in his optics. "It's time to seek out Optimus Prime and exact our revenge."

Orion Eclipse nodded, his resolve unwavering. "I won't fail you, Father."

With a roar of engines, Megatron and Orion Eclipse took to the skies, transforming into their helicopter modes. Accompanied by a squad of Vehicon troopers, they soared above Detroit, scanning the city for their target.

As they approached the vibrant, bustling streets below, Orion Eclipse's sensors picked up something interesting. A teenage boy, fascinated by the spectacle above, stood on the sidewalk, craning his neck to watch.

Transforming into his robot mode, Orion Eclipse hovered near the boy, landing gracefully with a soft thud. The boy's eyes widened with awe.

"Hey, cool helicopter!" the boy exclaimed, stepping closer. "Never seen anything like it around here."

Orion Eclipse studied the boy curiously. "What's your name, human?"

"Anthony Carter," the boy replied, unfazed by the towering Decepticon before him. "Who are you?"

"I'm Orion Eclipse," he responded, a hint of surprise in his voice at the boy's bravery. "What do you know about the Autobots and Decepticons?"

Anthony shrugged. "Just that they fight a lot and cause a mess in the city sometimes. But I think the Autobots are the good guys, right?"

Orion Eclipse hesitated, his father's teachings clashing with his own emerging thoughts. "It's... complicated."

As Orion Eclipse pondered Anthony's words, Megatron and his Vehicon troops began their search for Optimus Prime, their helicopter forms casting long shadows over the city. The tension in the air was palpable, a prelude to the confrontation that was sure to come.

Orion Eclipse and Anthony Carter had spent a few precious minutes getting to know each other, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they walked through a sunlit park in Detroit. The young human eagerly shared details about his life, his family, and his favorite activities, while Orion listened intently, his mechanical form occasionally shifting as he tried to appear relaxed.