Transformers - The Extraction (Short Story)

THE EXTRACTION - A TRANSFORMERS SHORT STORY

"You know this is a bad part of town, right?"

Pushing their way through a crowded street full of vagrants, thugs and punks, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker did their best to blend in and not draw attention to themselves.

"This whole place is a town full of bad parts," replied Sunstreaker. "And what did you expect we'd find in Kalis? The Decepticons turned this place into a junkyard like they have with any city."

"Complete with walking spare parts," commented Sideswipe as they walked past a group of Empties, sitting against the wall, begging them for energon.

Sunstreaker was disgusted. He didn't want this assignment and was still mad at his brother for accepting it on their behalf. "Let's just make this quick and get out of here. I feel like I'm walking through raw sewage."

It would be hard to argue with Sunstreaker's dismal opinion of Kalis. The city had seen better cycles long before the war left it in ruins. No structures were left untouched by the war. It was rare to find a building fully intact as most had been bombed or torn down during the battles fought in the city. Whatever structures did remain were hollowed out husks of their former selves.

Debris on the streets made it almost impossible to drive on while piles of rubble blocked off routes and major intersections. The destruction was so incredible that famous locations and landmarks were unrecognizable. And long after the fighting decay ravaged Kalsi, as corrosion broke surface structures, covering what remained qwith patches of reddish-brown rust.

Come nightfall, the city would be in complete darkness. There was no energy to illuminate what city lights were still intact. It was the reason why the two Autobots visited the area before nightfall, as it was riskier to venture through Kalis when it was dark. While the Decepticons posed a constant threat, the chance of running into a gang only made things worse. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were more than confident in their fighting skills but taking on superior numbers wasn't ideal.

On this mission, the two Autobots had to keep a low profile, leaving their missile launchers at headquarters. Carrying heavy weapons in plain sight around Kalis was asking for trouble. They were armed with their standard rifles, folded away and hidden on their person, along with all the rifle clips they could carry. Their Autobot symbols were covered to hide their allegiance and not give themselves away. And to blend in with the population of Kalis, and much to Sunstreaker's chagrin, both Autobots rubbed as much dirt and muck as they could all over their bodies before entering the city. Sideswipe couldn't wait to tell the others back at base how much it angered his brother.

"I think we're close to where our contact is hiding," said Sideswipe, looking around. The two Autobots were told the individual they were looking for would be in the tallest structure close to Kalis' former city hall. Sideswipe spotted a building that, though damaged, stood above the others nearby. "He's supposed to be hiding out in the highest building. And since the wreck over there is only four levels high, I say that's our best bet."

"You're making yourself look like a tourist," scolded Sunstreaker. He didn't want to attract any attention and thought Sideswipe could do a better job at remaining incognito. Before he could say more, Sunstreaker tripped over a robot he hadn't seen lying on the ground. "Get up you lazy grease stain before I -"

Sideswipe grabbed his brother's shoulder before he kicked the robot. "You need to learn how to be nicer to the locals. Besides, I think he's dead."

Sunstreaker looked again and saw that the robot had been there for a while. He then proceeded to wipe the foot that tripped over the deceased robot across the ground to clean it. "Let's find this guy and get out of here. Did Prowl tell you why he's so important?"

"Nope," said Sideswipe, "Said it was best we didn't know. Don't even know his name. But Prowl told me he's a Minibot with an attitude and never shuts up."

"Great. Just what we needed. If the Decepticons find him first, he'll probably tell them everything they want to know," complained Sunstreaker as he studied the building where they believed their contact was located. "Let's head to the back and find a way up."

When no one was looking, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker crept through the back of the building and found a stairwell. Silently, they made their way up, careful not to make any noise.

The inside of the building was just as bad as the outside. Decrepit walls covered with cracks appeared as if they could fall apart at any astro-second. The floors were covered in rubble from the shelling the building had taken and computer terminals and electronic equipment lay in decay.

As the Autobots made their way up to the next level, they remained quiet and kept alert. "What do you think this place used to be?" asked Sideswipe as they arrived on the second floor.

"How should I know?" snapped Sunstreaker. "Does it matter?"

"Could be important being so close to city hall. Records hub? Finances? Might be connected to why our friend is here," reasoned Sideswipe.

"I'll be sure to ask the tour guide next time they pass by. For now, let's just grab this loser so we can haul cinders out of here."

"You just want to show off your new paint job back at base, don't you?" quipped Sideswipe.

"Be sure to remind my fist later on to thank you for volunteering me for this mission!"

Sideswipe was about to tell Sunstreaker to keep it quiet when the two Autobots froze. The sound of someone running could be heard, then a crash followed by whimpering. Sideswipe looked at Sunstreaker who was pointing upwards, indicating that he thought it came from somewhere further up. Sideswipe nodded his agreement and the two crept up the next flight of stairs.

Once the Autobots had reached the third floor, they could hear voices in the distance. Like the levels before this one, the area was in decline. While the piles of debris gave cover for Sideswipe and Sunstreaker to hide behind, the rubble scattered across the floors made sneaking around silently difficult.

From behind a smashed data terminal, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker dared to look at the commotion ahead of them. From there they could see a group of Decepticons. Six of them spread out around the room with one in the center who seemed to be in charge. The head Decepticon held a smaller robot with one hand and a heavy pistol in the other. There was a discussion going on between the Decepticon and his victim that the Autobots couldn't hear but could imagine was about.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Whispered Sunstreaker.

"Yeah, he's smaller than a Minibot," replied Sideswipe. "I know Minibots are supposed to be small but he's more like a Nanobot."

Sunstreaker rolled his optics. "No, stupid. I mean, we got to take down these guys hard and fast then get the frag out of here. And we have to be careful since our contact is out in the open."

"Yeah, I know. Ok, since I'm the better shot, I'll distract these guys while you sneak in and get this party rolling. Double click on the coms where you're ready."

"You're the better shot?" Sunstreaker was tempted to start gunning down Decepticons right there and then. "Just give me a few astro-seconds to get in position before you get your rear axle shot off."

Before another word was spoken, Sunstreaker headed off toward the Decepticons using every bit of cover he could find. Sideswipe checked his weapon, making sure it was fully charged and ready. While waiting for Sunstreaker, Sideswipe eased in a little closer, trying to hear the conversation.

"Don't lie to me or I'll pop your head off right now!" threatened the Decepticon as he shook the Minibot in his grasp.

"I don't know anything, you over-sized pile of slag! I was hiding in here because it looked safe. I know nothing about what you're asking me."

The Decepticon began to bump the handle of his gun off the top of the Minibot's head. "You don't seem to understand. We're in charge here and the reason I haven't terminated you is because you have information we need. So keep lying and see where that gets you!

Sideswipe felt positive this was the one they were looking for. He just hoped Sunstreaker would be ready before the Decepticons killed their contact.

Staying low as he rounded the corner of a wall, Sunstreaker still had a way to go before he could flank the Decepticons. Once in position, he would take down the Decepticon in charge. With him out of the way, their contact would be free and those under his command would panic, then he could gun down at least two more and if he had to, go hand-to-hand with anyone who got too close. This way, he and Sideswipe could make short work of the Decepticons and even up the odds. Just so long as Sideswipe didn't get cocky.

Sunstreaker spotted the perfect spot to launch his attack. He quietly moved over the rubble, not to make any noise and reveal his presence. When the faint hum of something behind him spooked Sunstreaker, he swung his rifle around and came face to face with a worn-out-looking robot.

Sitting against the wall and covered in debris, the robot was old, rusty and lacking Energon. His optics brightened when he saw Sunstreaker and was about to beg him for energon. The Autobot threw a hand over the robot's mouth, silencing him before he spoke and giving Sunstreaker's presence away. Unable to move, Sunstreaker swore to himself that he hadn't seen the old robot and now too far away to help Sideswipe.

"Ok, I've had enough of you," said the Decepticon in charge. "Let's take this road trash back to base where they can painfully pull out the information Megatron needs."

The rest of the Decepticons started laughing as they prepared to move out. Sideswipe wondered why Sunstreaker hadn't signaled that he was ready seeing that they needed to take action immediately.

As the Decepticons were about to leave, Sideswipe made his move.

"Hi, guys," jumping to his feet with his rifle raised, Sideswipe smiled as he caught the Decepticons off guard. All of them, except for the commander, had their firearms stashed away leaving them unarmed. A fact Sideswipe greatly appreciated. "Ok listen. I hate to break up the party but it's after curfew and I have to get the little guy back home. He gets really cranky if he doesn't get his late-cycle recharge so why don't you drop him gently and I'll leave you in peace and not pieces."

"You're here!" yelled the Minibot. "It's about time you lousy Autobots showed up. This is what I get trying to do the right thing, a single Autobot who thinks he's funny. Do me a favor and shoot this moron before he shoots me."

The commander raised his weapon and placed the barrel against the Minibot's head. "Yeah, Autobot. Shoot me. And your little friend here will be dead like you as soon as my team perforates your chassis."

Sideswipe wanted nothing more than to open fire but kept his cool. "I bet I can pop your can off your shoulders and you won't even blink," Sunstreaker's absence was making Sideswipe nervous as he could tell the Decepticons were itching to blow him away. What the frag was keeping, Sideswipe wondered.

"Energon?" begged the old robot even after Sunstreaker had whispered to him that he needed to leave. Whether the burnout didn't understand the situation or didn't care, he wasn't leaving until he got what he wanted.

Seeing no other choice, Sunstreaker dug into his compartment unit, pulled out a handful of energon chips and shoved them into the old robot's mouth. Content and now quiet, the old robot chewed on the treat allowing Sunstreaker to hurry off.

"Drop your weapon, Autobot," demanded the commander. "Or I'll kill your friend."

"Actually, we only just met," Sideswipe joked as he fought to maintain his composure.

"What of your pathetic sense of honor? Autobots are supposed to put the lives of the innocent before themselves," taunted the commander.

"Yeah, I think Prime may have mentioned that. How about we keep that between us, ok?"

Sideswipe tensed up, almost pulling the trigger when he spotted movement. One of the Decepticons made his move, pulling a weapon from his leg compartment. Sideswipe whipped his arm to the right and let an energy bolt fly from his rifle, hitting the Decepticon in his chest. As the Decepticon fell wounded, the other Decepticons quickly armed themselves and returned fire.

Sideswipe ducked and was forced to the floor as energy bolts ripped through the broken wall he hid behind. He began crawling away, hoping to find a better position. The Decepticon commander called for his troops to hold their fire. "Move in and kill him. Let's get this over with as we have better things to do."

As the Decepticons began to search for Sideswipe, Sunstreaker made his move.

Turning the corner, Sunstreaker fired at the Decepticon further from him, reasoning he was the closest to Sideswipe. The Decepticon never saw it coming as the energy bolt struck him in the back of his head, killing him instantly.

As the others turned about to see who had shot their teammate, Sunstreaker ran up to the closest Decepticon, shoved the barrel of his weapon against his torso and fired repeatedly. The Autobot's assault broke down the Decepticon's armor as energy bolts ripped out his back.

"Decepticons, fall back. Time to leave!" yelled the commander as he ran for the back of the room.

Sideswipe poked his head out just in time to see Sunstreaker dive for cover. He then got up and ran to engage the Decepticons as they retreated when the one he wounded earlier rushed him, desperate to take Sideswipe down. Instead, Sideswipe activated the pile driver function in his arm, swung an uppercut punch connecting with the Decepticon's chin, taking off his feet and out of the fight.

The Decepticons filed out the doorway into the next room, shooting randomly around the area to cover their escape. Seeing they were gone, Sideswipe looked for his brother. "Sunstreaker, come out and stop hiding!"

Sunstreaker came out from behind a broken terminal and started after the Decepticons. "Come on, this isn't the time to be funny."

"Where were you?" demanded Sideswipe. "You were supposed to back me up."

"I was being nice to the locals like you told me to. Now, step on it!"

As the Autobots ran into the next room, they nearly had their heads taken off as projectiles flew past them. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker manage to find cover behind a row of old storage containers as a single Decepticon stood in front of a smashed out window, covering the escape of his teammates.

"They've left the building," yelled Sunstreaker as he stuck his gun over the containers, firing blindly. "If they make it to the street we'll lose them."

"Tell me something I don't know!" countered Sideswipe. "Just keep shooting."

"What the frag are you doing?" Sunstreaker watched in shock as his brother hopped the containers.

The Decepticon wasn't able to target Sideswipe as he fought to avoid the energy bolts Sunstreaker was shooting, giving the Autobot the chance he needed. Running across the room, Sideswipe leapt for the Decepticon tackling him. Both Sideswipe and the Decepticon fell through the window and disappeared.

"Idiot going to kill himself before any Con does," complained Sunstreaker as he ran to see what happened to his brother.

The crowd outside, who had heard the sounds of battle coming from the building, ran in fear when Sideswipe and the Decepticon crashed onto the street.

Dazed, Sideswipe looked up to see the horror on the faces of those he almost landed on. Then he caught a glimpse of the Decepticon escaping through the crowd. As he got up, the group swarmed Sideswipe and started pulling on him as they begged for Energon. "Whoa, easy there. Hey, hands off the merchandise!"

Sunstreaker shook his head in disappointment as he saw what was happening below. "Why everyone likes this moron more than me I'll never know."

Seeing the fleeing Decepticons, Sunstreaker jumped from the third level and transformed in mid-air. He sped off down the street when he landed, doing his best to avoid hitting any bystanders and debris in his way. "Anytime you want to get back to work would be great," chided Sunstreaker as he drove past his brother.

Activating his rocket pack, Sideswipe leapt up and flew above the crowd. "I'm just getting started, bro."

The retreating Decepticons soon spotted Sideswipe as he rapidly approached. "One of the Autobots is gaining on us. Take him down then meet us on the highway," ordered the commander.

Hearing the commander's orders, the Decepticon who Sideswipe tackled stopped running and drew out a sniper rifle. As he took aim, the crowd started to panic when they saw the weapon, running to get out of harm's way.

With Sideswipe in his scope, the Decepticon patiently waited until his sights lined up for a headshot. His focus was broken when he heard the roar of a cyber car coming towards him. Lowering his rifle, the Decepticon saw Sunstreaker leaping toward him in mid-transformation.

The sniper rifle broke in half when Sunstreaker kicked it out of the Decepticon's grip. The Autobot followed through with a quick two-punch combination to the Decepticon's face and then a leg sweep. Once on the ground, Sunstreaker grabbed the Decepticon's hand and pulled his fingers backwards until he heard screaming. Then with two quick kicks to the head, Sunstreaker's opponent was out of the fight.

"They're headed for the highway!" yelled Sideswipe as he flew over. Sunstreaker could see Sideswipe was right as the two remaining Decepticons and their prisoner made their way up the road toward the highway entrance. Transforming back to his alternate mode, Sunstreaker drove after his brother.

Feeling more than confident that he could take on the two Decepticons up ahead, Sideswipe poured on the speed. He'd have to get in close and get in between their contact and the Decepticons before taking them on.

That's when Sideswipe heard the deafening roar of massive engines from behind. He looked back and saw two sky cruisers flying right at him.

Sideswipe flew down just before one of the cruisers smashed into him. As they sped ahead, Sideswipe could see Decepticon symbols on each ship. "Sunstreaker, we got party crashers!" Sideswipe said into his comlink.

"I see them," confirmed Sunstreaker. "I don't know about you but I don't feel like going home empty-handed."

"I just hope this Minibot is worth all the trouble," said Sideswipe as he saw one of the cruisers land on the highway.

The Minibot was pushed inside one of the cruisers as the other two Decepticons followed on board. "Get us back to Kaon quickly! I have a gift for Megatron and I'm sure he'll reward me generously when I present it to him."

As the doors began to close, the ship's pilot began to take the cruiser back up to the air. Then all inside the cruiser heard something in the distance coming towards them.

Before the doors were fully shut, Sideswipe flew in, colliding with the Decepticon commander. The Minibot fell from the commander's grasp when he and Sideswipe crashed into the wall. Sliding across the floor, the Minibot yelled obscenities as the other Decepticons on board watched in confusion.

Knowing he was outnumbered, Sideswipe wrapped an arm around the commander's neck and swung him around to use him to shield his body. With his rifle aimed at the squad of Decepticons in the cruiser, Sideswipe saw that he was outgunned as everyone with a weapon had him in their sights. The Autobot didn't feel any better when he felt the cruiser lifting into the air.

Rushing towards the cruiser, Sunstreaker watched as it began to take off. Accelerating, the Autobot almost crashed into several bystanders before entering the highway. With just seconds before the cruiser was out of reach, Sunstreaker veered to the side, transformed and jumped off the highway's guardrail. With both arms extended, Sunstreaker grabbed the cruiser's hull as it headed toward the sky.

Out of the corner of his optics, Sunstreaker could see the second Decepticon cruiser. He hoped they hadn't seen him as he climbed the hull, looking for a way into the ship.

"Put down your weapons and I'll spare your commander's life," demanded Sideswipe. The Decepticons didn't budge as they kept their weapons trained on him.

The commander laughed. "See Autobot? Your cause is doomed to fail. My troops will never give in to the likes of you."

Then from the corner of the ship, came more laughter. Everyone had forgotten about the Minibot who was almost hysterical. "These losers will have to answer to Megatron once we're out of here. So long as he's in your grasp these morons are screwed!"

The Decepticons took a moment to exchange glances with each other. Sideswipe wished the Minibot had kept his mouth shut as he had a pretty good idea of what was about to happen next. Without warning, the commander's body shook as he was pelted with laser bolts. To escape Megatron's wrath, the Decepticons decided to kill their commander to take down Sideswipe. The Autobot held fast to the commander's body as he returned fire, hoping to take down as many as possible before he went offline.

Hearing the commotion behind him, the cruiser's pilot turned around to see what was happening. "What the slag is going on back there?"

The sound of tapping brought the pilot's attention back to the front of the ship. He almost jumped out of his seat when he saw Sunstreaker outside looking in through the cockpit window. Before he could take action, Sunstreaker fired several shots through the glass. The pilot was dead before he hit the floor.

The cruiser tilted violently, tossing everyone inside against the wall. Sunstreaker fell through the broken window, sliding across the flight controls. The cruiser jerked again and almost flipped upside down.

Sideswipe ditched the commander's body, now almost torn to pieces, and took advantage of the situation. Using his rocket pack for extra momentum, the Autobot leapt about the inside of the cruiser, tackling Decepticons while blasting whom he could with his rifle at point-blank range. "Give me a hand or get us out of here, Sunstreaker."

"What do you think I'm doing?" grumbled Sunstreaker. "The controls to the cruiser are smashed." Somewhere between shooting the pilot and landing on the flight controls, Sunstreaker had caused some damage. Realizing regaining control of the cruiser was impossible, Sunstreaker abandoned the cockpit to help his brother. Running into the fight, Sunstreaker started trading blows with the Decepticons. "Any ideas on how we get out of this one?" He shouted.

"Yeah. Grab the micro-droid and let's ditch this bash!" said Sideswipe as he shoved an elbow into his opponent's face.

"Micro?" protested the Minibot. "I ain't small and I ain't no droid! Do you want to know who I am? I'll tell you who I am!"

The Minibot was scooped off his feet when Sunstreaker grabbed him from behind, covering his mouth in the process. "Time to take the high road!" yelled Sunstreaker as he hit the emergency button to open the cruiser's door.

As they had done hundreds of times before, Sideswipe would carry Sunstreaker to safety using his rocket pack. Sunstreaker hated being carried by his brother but knew that sometimes it had to be done. Taking the first step, Sunstreaker jumped out of the cruiser while the Minibot screamed in fear. Sideswipe quickly followed as the remaining Decepticons fired after him, trying to bring him down.

The Minibot didn't stop screaming even when Sideswipe grabbed Sunstreaker, stopping their descent. Sunstreaker covered his mouth again and watched as the cruiser lost altitude. The cruiser exploded when it crashed into the ground, sending fire upwards along with debris. Though he cared little about the citizens of Kalis, Sunstreaker was happy the cruiser fell into an open area away from the citizens in the city streets.

Sunstreaker's moment was interrupted when projectiles started flying past him. The second cruiser was chasing after them. "I don't mean to be pushy, Sideswipe. But aerial target practice wasn't part of the mission's parameters."

"Ummm, Sunstreaker? We have a problem."

"What?"

"My rocket pack took a hit," Sideswipe had felt the impact when he jumped out of the cruiser. He hoped it wasn't serious but when he received internal systems warnings he knew the damage was critical.

Before Sunstreaker could say another word, the rocket pack started giving out. Slowly the engine began choking and the three robots began to descend until the thrusters spat out smoke and went offline.

All three fell somewhere into a cluster of ruined buildings and disappeared.

5 paracycles later...

The remaining Decepticon cruiser had searched the area for the Autobots and their target. They had even brought in reinforcements to assist in finding them. While the cruiser remained airborne, the reinforcements scoured the streets, looking for the trio, harassing everyone that could have seen them.

Bearing no results, the Decepticons reluctantly called it quits. Their troops regrouped, leaving Kalis behind without the Minibot they wanted to question and not knowing what happened to the Autobots.

As the last of the Decepticons left the city, a group of Empties against the wall watched them walk away while begging though who passed by for energon.

"It's about time," Said Sunstreaker as he stood up. From his body fell old, worn-out tubes that he used to hide his appearance. The Empties he hid in between begged him for more energon. "Hey, I gave you all I had to help us hide. I'm all out."

"Go easy on them, Streaker," Said Sideswipe, joining his brother from the same hiding spot. Sideswipe had draped himself with scraps of wires wrapped around his body. In his arms, he held the Minibot. Since the little Cybertronian wouldn't shut up, he was tied up and had his mouth gagged to keep him quiet as they hid. "Ok, the Cons are gone. Time to hit the road and take motormouth here back to base." Said Sideswipe as he handed the Minibot to Sunstreaker.

Sunstreaker held the muffled Minibot away from himself as it protested. "Oh no. I ain't carrying him back, in robot or alternate mode."

Sideswipe removed his disguise just in time to catch the Minibot after Sunstreaker threw him back. "Ok, then what should we do? Put him on a line and drag him back?"

As the two brothers argued about the best way to return to base, the Minibot wished he never found the information either side could use for their efforts in the war. It had caused him too much trouble and nearly his life. But since the Autobots didn't have a reputation for extracting information violently from those who held secrets, he figured he made the right choice.

... so long as these two idiots didn't get him killed on the way back to their base.

THE END