Transformers: Primed To Fall

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

The drive covered miles, going from Kalis City up in the northern hemisphere down to a city on the equator. Sentinel Prime and the Elite Guards were pushing their throttles to overdrive in order reach the facility as soon as possible.

"Red Magnum!" Sentinel called to his friend as they burned their turbo fuel. "When we arrive, stay back and be prepared to report back to Kalis!"

"As you command!" Magnum replied. The bright red vehicle to Sentinel's side slowed down, still going forward, but at a greatly reduced speed. The Prime didn't like how people seemed to obey him so simple-mindedly. He was just their leader, not master over their souls. A Prime was not meant to rule over others, he just needed to be the head for the body -- and choices -- of the people.

The regrets of leadership would have to come later. Because something much more demanding was right in front of him. In the distance, he could see buildings burning. Facility H. They were at the planet's equator already. They had been driving for about an hour at their fullest speed, burning their fuel so hard that they had broken the normal speed limits of the law. They had taken country roads, taking every shortcut they could. Some would call it a waste of fuel, but Sentinel considered it a desperate measure.

They all started to brake a few miles from the city, for so high was their speed. All six skidded on the road until they were at a relatively safe speed, then shifted into bot-form while still running. They drew their swords and shields, and Sentinel Prime was relieved to see police vehicles gathering in a perimeter.

He slowed down to a walk when he reached one of the vehicles. "What is the situation? How many hostiles?"

It immediately transformed into a municipal officer bot. The bot turned to him, then gasped in shock. The Prime was standing right in front of him. One of the greatest honors of his life. "Uhhh..." he said, quickly remembering to salute, "There is one assailant in the town. A Cybertronian. Male. Very large. Apparently, he caused all this mayhem. We can't risk sending in any more bots, he kills them too easily. This guy is dangerous, sir. I would not recommend contact."

Sentinel frowned, looking past the perimeter. Buildings blocked the view, but he could hear footsteps echoing behind them. "Whatever he is," he projected to all he could hear, "we will deal accordingly with him. We did not give up when the Quintessons sent their monstrosities against us, and we will not quiver at the danger of just one bot.

"Elite Guard," he said, turning. All four still with him stood at attention. "we will enter the perimeter and eradicate the threat before it can escape. Officers, be ready to strike unanimously should we require your aid! Do all you can to take down this bot!" Bots parted before him as he marched through their ranks, the other four Guards following directly behind. Death awaited within the little down.

Sentinel had said hello to death before. He was used to fighting for his life. So he strode forward showing no sign of being intimidated, though he felt a slight sense of foreboding on the inside. Whoever this was, he had killed dozens of bots single-handedly. Sentinel Prime was cautiously stepping over their strewn corpses. The others followed, in a formation of first the Prime, then the Elite Guard, and finally the officers holding the rear.

And there he was, standing in the center of the town square. Sentinel noticed first the bot's massive size and bulk. Then he saw the look of dark glee on his face as he turned to face his latest prey. He seemed composed, so he wasn't completely insane. But at the same time, his posture indicated that he was ready for a real fight. And his optics were... violet, strangely. It wasn't a pretty shade of the color, but rather looked sickening.

This giant bot had murdered dozens in a time of peace. He was sickening. He grinned at the group as they marched slowly forward. All was silent except for their footsteps. Sentinel stopped about five mechanometers from the bot, then stood in an offensive position.