Transformers Prime: Ordeal

~Act I, Chapter IV~

The clash with the seeker had been thunderous. After having hauled him into a building, providing Prowl and the children with a free path, I brought forth my Energon Axe and battled Starscream. He sought out methods to subdue me, opting for evasive tactics than engaging in close combat. He was persistent, but he knew he could not win this fight. The glare of his single optic is what betrayed his thoughts. His strengths never lay in servo-to-servo combat, but it made his assault all the more questionable. Decepticons, especially someone as conniving as Starscream, would never risk exposing their existence to humanity, not unless there was something at stake. Yet according to Prowl's intel, the Decepticons fired at will, destroying anything that came their way, without any particular goal.

Incapable of hiding my curiosity, I lowered my Energon Axe and sought out answers. "Starscream, your onslaught is uncoordinated and meaningless, and you of all Cybertronians should know that you cannot succeed. What could you possibly gain from deliberately destroying this city at the risk of revealing yourself and losing soldiers?"

The Decepticon allowed himself a moment of repulsive mirth. "Are you so confused, so desperate that you will resort to negotiations in a time like this, Optimus Prime?"

"I am not negotiating with you after all the destruction and deaths you've wrought on this city." My statement was firm and unwavering. "I am ordering you to stand down, to comply and to answer for your crimes. I will end your rampage, one way or the other."

"Hah, neither your threats nor your bravado mean anything to me!" the Decepticon spat back, "There is no promise you can make that I can't break!"

The Decepticon conformed to his jet mode and took off into the skies. I converted into my vehicular form as he spiraled his way back down and initiated the Maximum Overdrive, bolting down the streets as missiles rained down from behind. Detritus and rubble erupted from my surroundings after every missed aim. Escape was futile, yet retreat was never my intention.

I engaged the brakes, tires grinding to a screeching halt as another round of explosions detonated nearby and billowed a thick, gray shroud my way. Rendering my vision unclear, I shut off my optics and increased the volume of my audio receptors. I remained in my place and focused on the sound of my surroundings: the spurts of water escaping the broken hydrant, the crackling of fire that ate away at a burning Earth vehicle... And then, the screech of a jet booming as it drew closer. I waited for the right moment, and as soon as I heard it soar over me, I brought forth my Ion Blaster and fired. I dashed out of the smoke and, reactivating my optics, watched as the thrusters of the jet caught on flames. I understood that the damage was exponential, which would at least deprive him of flight capability until repaired. I did not hide my relief; flight was Starscream's greatest asset, and without it, confronting him was less of a challenge.

The broiling jet dove uncontrollably towards the west section of the city, the sound fading and the form disappearing behind buildings until the impact of the crash thundered throughout the entire area. I chased after him in vehicle mode and zoomed through streets in the hopes of reaching Starscream before he made any more irreversible damage. However, as I drove by a courthouse, I immediately hit the brakes as my internal scans picked up multiple heat signatures from within the crumbling building. Little orange and red forms appeared in my visors, human civilians who desperately struggled to the exit the building and down the tiled stairs. After a loud rumble resounded, the entrance suddenly caved in, trapping the remaining civilians from within.

I assumed my protoform and dashed up the insignificantly small steps, but as I drew nearer, I detected that the fissuring pillars were slowly tilting forward towards the stairs that led to the streets.

The building was falling apart.

I launched myself at the entrance and removed blocks and debris one after the other. The cracks grew louder, and as bits and dust of the crumbling building rained on me, I hastened even more. Once the doors were visible, I ripped them open and placed my servos above the entrance, steadying the building. Many eyes stared up at me, and in fear, the humans were paralyzed in place.