Transformers: Honor and Loyalty

Chapter 12: The Battle Begins

Deadlock led the Autobots to the construction site, all the while mentally preparing himself for the inevitable battle with his former friend. When they arrived, the Autobots transformed while Kenji stepped out of Deadlock to allow him to do the same. In front of them, they saw that the gate had been smashed open and saw tread marks in the dirt leading them inside.

Moonracer looks around with some concern. "This place is huge. Impressively so, but it'll take forever to find them." Magnus doesn't seem to acknowledge her, stepping through what is left of the gate to follow the trail until it splits off in three separate directions.

"They're trying to separate us." He notes, glaring down at the separating tracks.

Deadlock walks up next to him and frowns. "Bludgeon never utilizes these sort of tactic," he comments grimly, "He normally charges in and kills everything in his path."

Behind them, Moonracer kneels down to examine the tracks. Looking up, she sees Magnus in that same tense posture from earlier, staring at a particular set of tracks. She knows exactly what he's thinking.

"With all due respect, sir," she begins cautiously before blurting out "You can't seriously be considering facing Tarn alone!" Magnus spins around at his student's outburst, his stern expression painted with that same unfamiliar fury for Tarn, but Moonracer doesn't shrivel back at it, firm expression on her face. She knows she is talking back to a superior officer, but she also knows he can't win against Tarn. Not alone, anyway.

Magnus' face softens slightly and he sighs. "I know it's dangerous, but-" Moonracer cuts him off with a stern look and pointed finger, knowing she may be getting herself in trouble, but out of concern for Magnus, she can't help speaking up. 

"BUT NOTHING! We are not here to settle old scores!" Magnus flinches slightly at this, as he never said anything about old scores. Moonracer lowers her head and continues shakily, "You don't have to explain. I can see it in your optics; Tarn did something to you and you want payback for it." She turns away, arms folded across her chest, her nerve to talk this way to her commander fading.

Ultra Magnus has been her closest companion, her family even and she can't bear the thought of losing him.

Deadlock turns to Magnus, who now looks conflicted. "She's right." Deadlock said. "Etsuko is in danger and is our main priority." Magnus spares the warrior a glance. While the former Decepticon is correct, he still knows that Tarn will never stop his brutality. Even if they saved the girl, Tarn would just hunt them down wherever they went.

Sighing, Magnus says, "I have to do this." He gestures to Kenji, "For their safety." He doesn't notice Moonracer tense up at what he said. Deadlock looks down on his human friend, and with a great deal of reluctance, has to agree. He looks up at Magnus and says coldly "Do not deny yourself our help, should you need it."

Magnus nods in agreement. Deadlock then motions to one of the set of tracks. "I'll take Moonracer and try to find Etsuko." Moonracer turns around slightly, the anguish evident on her face. Magnus felt a strong feeling of regret, knowing that he had to abandon his student, but he had to do what he felt was right. This way, she was at least spared fighting Tarn.

Deadlock places a hand on Moonracer's shoulder and motions with his head to follow before going on ahead with Kenji in tow. Moonracer spares one last glare at her teacher before following. She had only made it a few steps, however, before she heard, "He was an Autobot once." Moonracer froze at this revelation as Magnus continued to explain. "And...one of my closest friends."

The young bot's optics were wide in shock. So that was it. The hatred towards Tarn. The desire for revenge. He had betrayed his friend and the Autobots. Moonracer spun around to speak but Magnus had already walked away. She stands there in stunned silence for a moment until she hears footsteps come up behind her. "War is a terrible thing to live through. It forces you to realize what kind of person or monster you can become."