Chapter Text
Warship Construction Sector 7b, Knerax Minor Orbital Ring
Battle filled the space around Knerax Minor. The entire system had been turned to a massive battleground, as Vanguard and Combatronian ships engaged in fierce combat for nearly a year. After so long fighting, Vanguard forces had confined the Combatronians around their shipyard, orbiting the gas giant Knerax Minor. Fighters darted through the gaps between warships, as Vanguard boarding parties fought within the titanic structure surrounding the planet. One such party, under the command of Major Goldbug, pressed through the corridor towards one of the sectors constructing massive warships
“PRESS FORWARD, ALPHA COMPANY!” yelled Goldbug, felling a Combatronian with several precise shots. “WE NEED TO MAKE IT TO THE CONSTRUCTION CENTRE AT THE EXACT SAME TIME CAPTAIN CHAR PAX AND CAPTAIN KEELI ARRIVE BETA AND GAMMA COMPANY IF WE HAVE ANY CHANCE OF MAKE THIS STRIKE AS CO-ORDINATED AS POSSIBLE.”
Pushing through the corridor, Goldbug’s company made short work of the Vehicons guarding the door. Ginrai nodded another Cybertronian, and they quickly spliced the door controls. The door slid open, and the group were immediately fired on by Combatronians.
“TAKE COVER!” Goldbug yelled at his troops.
Goldbug and several others dived behind whatever crates and refuelling equipment was lying around the area. Goldbug dived behind a pile of crates with Beetoo, a gold coloured bot with a pair of large cannons in place of her forearms. Beetoo took a peak over the crates at the construction centre, before ducking as a sniper bolt ricocheted off one of the top of the crate.
“What do you make?” Goldbug asked.
“Lotta contacts” Beetoo replied. “S.T.A.G. trooper and a number of mixed body-types firing on us from atop a mid-repair Deepvault frigate. Tankor and Overdrive series on the construction floor, seven Wall Crawler series propped up on the back wall.”
“Dammit, snipers and a Sixchanger, That makes things difficult.”
Goldbug and Beetoo’s attention was distracted as they watched one of their comrades poke out from behind a fuel pump, only to be immediately felled by a sniper bolt.
“Dammit, when are Beta and Gamma companies getting here?” Beetoo asked.
“They’ll be here!” Goldbug retorted.
The pair watched at a pair of Autotroopers hiding behind a fuel tank were sent flying as a blast from a Tankor’s cannon ignited their hiding spot, sending them flying.
“Big ask.”
Goldbug and Beetoo poked up from their hiding spot, firing a few shots at their attackers before ducking again behind cover as return fire came back at them. Both sides exchanged fire with each other, though more of the Vanguard were gunned down their Combatronian foes.
As his forces blasted down on the Vanguard, the red and purple sixchanger, Hexadeathimal, stepped forward atop the frigate tauntingly.
“THAT THE BEST YOU GOT?” he yelled.
“SIR!” said a Combatronian, pointing towards the energy shield keeping them from being sucked out into the vacuum of space. “INCOMING!”
Goldbug looked to the shield, and saw a fireball outside flying towards the ship. The fireball crashed across the top of the Deepvault, sending several of the Combatronians flying off the top of the ship. The fireball stopped, and as the flames dissipated, standing there was Ginrai, donning his super mode, the smouldering alt-mode of an Afterburn Vehicon in the hand.
“GINRAI, SIR?” Goldbug exclaimed in surprise.
“THE CONVOY!” Hexadeathimal yelled. “KILL HIM!”
The Wall Crawlers immediately trailed their snipers on Ginrai. In response, Ginrai quickly through the Afterburn at them, smashing three of them off the wall.
“Spacing” Ginrai muttered, pulling out a large blaster and pointing at the wall.
An intense barrage of shots projected for the barrel, streaming against the wall and bringing down the remaining Wall Crawlers. Ginrai then fired several shots at Hexadeathimal, and the two started brawling. Goldbug poked his head up, before turning to see shots coming from his side taking down Vehicons.
“SORRY WE’RE LATE!” came a grizzled voice from the left.
Coming from the side, a green bot with pick-up truck kibble emerged from a large entranceway, followed by a large force of Cybertronians and Autotroopers. Beetoo looked at the other side, where an Autotrooper with brown decals on their body charged out with more Autotroopers.
“You’re here now, Captain Pax!” Goldbug said, rising from his position and blasting a Vehicon with electricity. “Now we can finish the job!”
Goldbug lead his forces in a short firefight, finishing off the remaining Combatronian footsoldiers, as Ginrai threw an unconscious Hexadeathimal to the floor. He then turned to look at the Vanguard forces.
“COME ON!” Ginrai rallied. “JUST THE COMMAND CENTRE!”
Ginrai leapt from the ship, and tore a metal bulkhead on the other end of the room, before transforming into his vehicle mode, smashing through several more Vehicons. Goldbug looked at his Beetoo, then the rest of his troops.
“Well?” Goldbug asked. “Are we gonna let him have all the fun!”
With an uproarious battle cry, Goldbug and his forces charged through the doorway and after Ginrai, hoping they would catch up before he had already finished the job.
The Orion, Knerax System
Soon, the battle was over, and the Vanguard fleet had control over the production facility. The remaining Combatronian warships were being forced to dock with Knerax so that they could be retrofitted for Vanguard skeleton crews. Numerous Vanguard ships remained in position around the planet and its construction ring.
Aboard one of these ships, The Orion, Ginrai and Goldbug entered the bridge, where several Cybertronians, most in the form of holograms, surrounded a holotable. Ginrai nodded at Quickshadow as he approached the table.
“We’ve routed the Combatronians and have taken control of the Ebon Arsenal” said the hologram of Impactus Major. “What are your instructions?”
“Destroy the facility” Ginrai ordered, looking at Impactus Major. “Leave nothing of it.”
“Are you sure? From what our scouts said, the technology held there-”
“Cannot get out again” Groundshaker countered. “Ginrai’s right, it needs to be destroyed so it cannot see the daylight again.”
“Hrrn…understood.”
“What else have we got?”
“Yharon’s forces have retreated to Animatros” the hologram of Steelbane reported. “We believe insurrections on his homeworld have required his attention, and his armies have either returned with him or dispersed into other Combatronian units.”
“We also believe Exarchon has retreated from the war” added a jetformer, Sonicjump. “Seems he’s more interested in self-preservation than seeing this war through.”
“Then it’s almost time to move on Tuurok” Ginrai mused. “How are preparations going?”
“Peritus is organising the spearhead fleet as we speak” Groundshaker replied. “We’re gotten whatever fleets immediately available to him, and their squadrons are being briefed.”
“Understood” Ginrai replied. “I’ll see that the ships here are retrofitted for our skeleton crews so that they’re ready to join the battle. I’ll check in on him and make sure we have the right jump coordinates to follow him in the meantime.”
“My fleet will join you at the staging co-ordinates” Sonicjump replied.
“I am organising our ground forces for once the fleet has broken through” Impactus added. “Combined with the Eukarian forces, we should have a sizable invasion force.”
“Our warriors our spread out, but we’ll be there” Steelbane replied.
“I’ll see whatever forces I can scrounge for you by then” Groundshaker added.
“Well then, I wish us all luck” Ginrai said. “Hopefully soon this war will be over.”
Ashmar Citadel Throne Room, Tuurok
Overlord sat on his throne, scowling. Before him stood three of his High Generals, Turmoil, Clench and Skyquake, along with Hatchet and Macabre.
“Is it time?” Overlord asked.
“Our scouts report that the Primal Vanguard have now captured the Knerax System and are now grouping their forces” Macabre reported. “We believe they’re consolidating whatever ships they have to attack Tuurok.”
“Obviously. What of our own forces?”
“We’ve reorganised those of Yharon, Glowstrike and Exarchon’s forces together with our forces to hold this world” Turmoil explained. “Though the Excursion Corps still cling to the edges of our Commonwealth like cowards.”
“Every outpost on this world has been fully equipped” Clench added. “Any forces that can be spared has been deployed to minimise potential landing zones.”
“Good” Overlord pondered. “Clench, you will command the defence of the northern hemisphere, Turmoil, the southern hemisphere. What of our fleets in orbit?”
“We have ships positioned above the entire atmosphere” Skyquake stated. “There are interdictor cruisers across the entire planetary fleet, covering every sector with a field. If they dare attack, their fleets will be isolated and trapped.”
“Lead the fleet” Overlord ordered. “The Revenge is at your disposal. Its recent augmentations should aid you.”
“It would be privilege, my lord.”
“Macabre, remain here and aid the defence of the citadel” Overlord added. “Hatchet, contact the central communications hub and ensure it is secure. Now go, prepare for battle.”
Overlord’s five subordinates bowed, before leaving the throne room. Overlord remained on his throne, ruminating.
“We will survive this. We will win this battle, and will take the Commonwealth once more” Overlord stated to himself.
Staging Point Xel, Pelaxia System
In the Pelaxia, numerous ships were forming up, from colossal dreadnoughts, cruisers and destroyers right down to the small corvettes and frigates, forming up for battle. Aboard the flagship of the fleet, the Shatterbolt, Peritus Maximus was finishing addressing his fleet commanders.
“Remember, our focus is clearing paths down to the surface” Peritus stated. “Expect fierce resistance. We anticipate heavy usage of Interdictor fields, so clear them out as quickly as possible. Understood?”
There was a mumbling of acknowledgement as the various Cybertronians agreed.
“I will contact you when it is time to jump soon. For now, ensure your ships and crews are ready for battle!”
The holograms vanished, and Peritus brought up a holographic projection of the fleet defending Tuurok. As he stared, Tailpipe entered the bridge.
“That’s a lot of ships” Tailpipe observed.
“And probably not all of them” Peritus replied, not breaking his focus. “I imagine they have ships concealed within the atmosphere so our scouts can’t get physical shots. Are the squadrons ready?”
“All fighters are refuelled, fully loaded, and the pilots and fliers are ready to launch the moment we enter combat, though are a bit unnerved.”
“Not surprised. We are on the cusp of a momentous battle.”
“Indeed” came the voice of Ginrai.
The holograms of Ginrai and Quickshadow appeared around the table, and Peritus looked up at them.
“Ginrai, sir” Peritus said, nodding at him.
“How go the preparations?” Ginrai asked.
“All ships are reporting in, we’re just finalising the precise jump coordinates. Have we got any more reports on Tuurok?”
“From our last reports, a few more ships joined the fleet in orbit” Quickshadow said. “We’re certain the Revenge has joined the fleet.”
“Overlord’s got his flagship on the front” Peritus mused. “No surprise there. We’ll have to be weary of the railguns.”
“We will be with you as soon as we can, but you have to take out as many of those interdictor ships as you can” Ginrai said.
“If we get a clear run on them, should be easy enough” Tailpipe added. “The fleet clears out fighter screens, our fighters strafe the turrets, bombers hit the gravity well.”
“Then hopefully I’ll see you there” Ginrai said. “Good luck to the both of you.”
“Yes” agreed Quickshadow. “Try not to die. We’ve made it this far.”
“We’ll try not to do so” Tailpipe replied.
“Thank you” Peritus said. “Try not to be late once we bring the field down.”
“We won’t” Ginrai said. “We’ll see you there.”
Ginrai and Quickshadow’s holograms disappeared, and Peritus turned to the rest of the bridge, taking a few steps forward.
“Are we ready?” Peritus asked the bridge crew.
“Yes sir” said one of the crewmembers. “What are your orders?”
“Join your pilots” Peritus said, glancing at Tailpipe, before looking forward again. “Contact all ships. Tell them it’s time to make the jump to Tuurok.”
Tuurok Orbit
A large flotilla of warships hung above the planet Tuurok, blotting out its sky. They hovered, still, waiting for the moment the Vanguard. Aboard the Revenge, Skyquake patiently waited with his personal squadron, staring out into the abyss of space.
Then, a flash of light heralded the arrival of the Shatterbolt. More flashes of light brought more ships as hundreds of Vanguard ships appeared from all directions around Tuurok, facing down the Combatronian fleet. Skyquake smirked at the arrival of the enemy.
“ACTIVATE THE INTERDICTOR FIELDS!” Skyquake’s booming voice echoed over the comms. “ALL SHIPS! FIRE ALL WEAPONS! LAUNCH ALL FLIERS AND FIGHTERS! DESTROY THAT FLEET!”
Immediately, a storm of amber and blue laserfire illuminate the area as the battle began, both sides immediately picking off several of their enemies’ smaller craft. Cybertronians took flight in both alternate modes and starfighters, flying at each other.
From the Shatterbolt, Tailpipe lead a group of fighters into battle, flying straight towards the enemy fleet.
“All wings, checks your squadrons and report in!” came a voice over Tailpipe’s comms.
“This is Emerald Leader to all Green Wing squadrons, count your squads and call in” Tailpipe said.
“This is Jade Leader reporting in. All fighters are here.”
“Celadon Leader, all call signs reporting in.”
“Erin Leader here, Erin Squadron’s all accounted for.”
“Malachite Leader reporting in, all wingmates are itching to tear these Combatrons a new exhaust port!”
“Myrtle Leader to Emerald Leader, all Myrtle Squadron members are here.”
“Emerald Leader to Shatterbolt, Green Wing is all accounted for!”
“Fighter Wing Red, all fighters are here.”
“Cobalt Leader to command, Blue Wing is ready for action.”
“Xanthic Leader reporting that Fighter Wing Yellow is ready.”
“Alright” replied the commanding voice over the comms. “Good luck all Wings, and get back here in one piece.”
“Alright, all this is Emerald Leader to all fighters in Green Wing” Tailpipe said, switching his comms channel. “You see that Interdictor?”
“I see it” came Jade Leader’s voice. “Dead ahead of us.”
“Scans are picking up Vehicons crawling all over the hull” noted Myrtle Leader.
“And that corvette looks like it’s moving into position to screen us” Erin Leader added.
“I’ll see if I can get one of our ships to do something about it” Tailpipe replied.
Bridge, The Shatterbolt
Aboard the Shatterbolt, Peritus stood, staring out at the battle. He was unphased as a Partisan fighter flew straight toward the bridge, firing both weapons, and was unflinched as it was blown apart by the Shatterbolt’s defences.
“This is Tailpipe to the Shatterbolt, you receiving me?”
“This is Peritus, we read you.”
“We’re making a run for the interdictor, but we’ve got a corvette getting in our way.”
Peritus scanned the battle, before spotting the ship in question.
“I see it. We’ll take care of it.”
“Thank, Peritus.”
Tailpipe disconnected his comms, and Peritus turned to one of his officers.
“Contact the Foresword and tell them to target the ship at grid sector 12/14/2222/12!”
---
Tailpipe and squadrons streaked across the battlefield, dodging past lasers and missiles. Combatronian fliers flew at them, and several of the Vanguard’s own fliers broke off to fend them off. Ahead of them, the corvette began firing on them with its weapons, taking out two of their number.
“Where’s that assistance?” came the voice of Emerald-Two over the comms.
Suddenly, blasts of energy flew over the squadrons, striking straight at the corvette’s midsection. The ship was split apart as an explosion ripped through it. Several of the squadrons flew around the ship, while Tailpipe led several fighters straight through the explosion. As they emerged, the form of a Throttlehold-Class Interdictor came into view.
“Ship’s dead ahead” came Myrtle Leader over the comms.
“Alright, Erin Squadron hang back until we’ve cleared out the cruiser’s defences. Celadon squadron, protect Erin Squadron. Jade Squadron, Myrtle Squadron, draw off the fliers still protecting it. Malachite Squadron, Emerald Squadron we clear out the ship’s surface weapons. Now let’s go!”
The Jade and Myrtle Squadron jetted ahead of the rest of the wing, straight towards Interdictor. Immediately, Afterburn Vehicons took flight, and the two squadrons scattered as the hordes of Vehicons came towards them, dogfighting with each other as the Interdictor fired its weapons wildly.
Tailpipe then proceeded to lead Malachite and Emerald Squadron straight at the ship. Before the ship could redirect its weapons at them, Tailpipe dived, his ship zooming low across the Interdictor’s hull. From his fighter, Tailpipe swerved to face one of the turrets and fired on it. The turret was shredded by the laser fire, its dome being propelled off as it exploded.
“Direct hit!” Tailpipe said over his comms.
“Same here!” responded one of his squadmates.
The two squadrons darted across the ship, clearing out its surface weapons. Small explosions erratically rose from the surface the ship as its Vehicon defences were thinned out. As Tailpipe took out another turret, he pulled away from the ship.
“Erin Squadron, the way is clear!” Tailpipe yelled over the comms. “Blow that thing to kingdom come! Everyone else, get clear!”
The fighters scattered away from the interdictor as a squadron of Flashfire Bombers flew towards the interdictor in flights of three. Each time a trio of ships passed overhead, they unleashed a payload of multiple torpedoes, impacting the ship’s gravity well. As the smoke cleared, energy surged from the wounds in great machine.
“NOW GET AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE!” Tailpipe ordered.
As the starfighters fled, energy started surging towards the gravity well, drawing nearby ships towards it. Then, with a massive explosion, the ship was torn apart, releasing a wave of gravitational energy that rocked any nearby ships.
“INTERDICTOR’S DOWN!” cheered Emerald Three.
“SUCK IT COMBATRON!” jeered Erin Seven.
“You hear that Peritus?” Tailpipe asked over his comms. “Interdictor’s down! Tell Ginrai if he’s ready, the cavalry’s got room to arrive!”
“I see, but we’re still picking up an interdiction field still in play” Peritus replied.
“What? How? I can’t see anymore Throttleholds near enough for the field to the affect us.”
“It’s not coming from a Throttlehold. It’s coming from the Revenge.”
“Oh you’re kidding me.”
Bridge, The Revenge
Skyquake folded his arms smugly as he looked at the enemy fleet, Stalker, Hyena, Snare and Falcon stood behind him.
“You think they’ve figured it out yet?” Snare asked.
“I bet they’re scrapping their afts” Hyena sniggered.
“Pull one over on the great Peritus Maximus” Falcon said. “Quite the feat.”
“Enough” Skyquake interrupted. “You have your moment to savour their confusion. Bridge crew. Prepare to repel fighter attack, and align us with the Shatterbolt. Charge both rail cannons, aim to incapacitate the ship, but do not destroy.”
“Forgive me sir” said one of the bridge crew. “But why not?”
Skyquake gave a quick glance back at the crewmate before ignoring them. Stalker slowly turned his head to the crewmate, unnerving them.
“You would deny the High General the opportunity to personally destroy such a decorated Admiral of the Primal Vanguard?” Stalker coldly inquired.
“No, uh, sir” the crewmate responded, turning their focus to their console, though occasionally giving a glance to make sure Stalker wasn’t glaring at them.
---
Outside, Tailpipe led Green Wing towards the Revenge. The Revenge’s batteries targeted Tailpipe’s fighters, firing on them. Immediately, they tore through several of the fighters before they’d even reached the ship.
“The flak is heavy!” came Malachite Leader over the comms.
“What exactly are we aiming for?” asked Jade Leader.
“I can’t pick out a weakpoint we can exploit to directly take out this new gravity fell” Tailpipe explained. “So we’re doing this the old fashioned way. Aim for the bridge.”
“You sure we can make this?”
“We have to. We need those reinforcements.”
“INCOMING FLIERS!” yelled Celadon Leader on the comms.
From the surface of the Revenge, hundreds of Afterburn Vehicons and dozens of Leaper Vehicons launched to counter Green Wing. The Afterburn fired on the squadron, both sides taking casualties as they passed each other. The Leapers, meanwhile, began leaping onto Vanguard fighters. One leapt onto a Flashfire bomber, only to pierces its payload container. The Bombers exploded violently, taking out the Leaper and a nearby starfighter.
“WE’RE OVERWHELMED” Emerald Seven shouted over the comms.
“THEY’RE ALL OVER-” began Jade Leader.
Tailpipe looked to his side as he watched a Leaper land on Jade Leader’s interceptor. The Leaper punched one of its arm spikes into the cockpit, before leaping off, leaving the ship to death spiral into the Revenge’s shields.
“WE’RE GETTING SLAUGHTERED!” Emerald Two yelped in a panic.
Tailpipe looked at the bridge of the Revenge ahead of him, before looking at his wingmates as Vehicons buzzed around them. He let out a sigh of defeat.
“All fighters, fall back to our fleet” Tailpipe ordered. “Get in range of our starfighter screens and they should hopefully scare them off, perhaps even pick a few off in the process.”
The surviving fighters of Green Wing scattered, turning back towards the Shatterbolt as a number of the Vehicons followed them. Behind them, however, the Revenge’s twin rail cannons began charging with red energy. Beams of energy then shot out of the cannons, streaking across the battle. The beam tore right through the Shatterbolt, causing several subsequent explosions along the ship.
Bridge, The Shatterbolt
The bridge of the Shatterbolt shook as the rail beams struck through the ship. Peritus grabbed onto a console for support as sparks rained down from the ceiling.
“DAMAGE REPORT!” Peritus yelled.
“We’ve sustained heavy damage!” responded one of the bridge crew. “Shields are reduced to thirty-seven percent integrity. We’ve lost several of the gunnery decks and hangars on the port and the starboard sides, and the forward torpedo array has been compromised. Fusion core is still online.”
“What about our engines?”
“Luckily, the blasts seemed to have missed any key systems, though we may have a drop in power.”
“That’s something. Redirect whatever power we can to reinstate shield integrity, and see if anyone can do something about that flagship!”
---
On the other side of the fleet, more Combatronian ships rose from Tuurok’s atmosphere, joining the rest of the fleet in holding back the Vanguard. More and more Vanguard ships fell to their might, being torn apart by the flurry of energy and explosive projectiles.
Aboard the bridge, Skyquake smirked as he looked at the heavily damaged Shatterbolt.
“Direct hit” Stalker reported.
“Good” Skyquake added. “Stalker, assume command of the ship. The rest of you, let’s personally finish off the Shatterbolt for good!”
“Just what I want to hear!” Hyena cackled.
Skyquake left the bridge, Snare, Hyena and Falcon following him. Stalker stepped to where Skyquake had been standing, and looked at the crewmembers.
“Train weapons on the Shatterbolt just in case they try anything” Skyquake ordered. “And recharge the rail cannons.”
Bridge, The Shatterbolt
Crews were working their hardest to keep the Shatterbolt together from the bridge. Every now and then, sparks would rain down from the ceiling.
“Any news on finding anyone able to deal with the Revenge?” Peritus asked.
“Negative sir!” said one of the crewmates.
There was a large bang as the Shatterbolt was shaken again, sparks thrown across the room.
“SIR, WE JUST LOST VENTRAL WEAPONS!” yelled a crewmate.
“WE’RE LOSING SHIP INTEGRITY” another shouted. “I DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER THIS SHIP HAS!”
The ship shook again, and Peritus paused for a thought. He looked at his ship as it continue to fall apart, before looking straight ahead at The Revenge outside. He could see shapes moving fast from it, probably Combatronians looking to finish the job.
“ALL CREW, ABANDON SHIP!” Peritus ordered. “PUT OUT AN EVACUATION ORDER TO ALL CREW!”
The various bridge crewmembers, looked at each other in confusion, before looking at Peritus’ serious face. The crewmembers began rushing out off the bridge, though some still remained.
“I gave an order” Peritus said.
“We know, sir” said one of the crewmates. “But we know what you’re going to do, and you can’t do it on your own.”
“Very well” Peritus sighed. “To your stations. Engines to maximum, and pool all available remaining power into the forward shields.”
---
Outside, Tailpipe was still in the midst of a dogfight with several Afterburn Vehicons. As he zoomed around, he caught sight of Skyquake leading his Predators towards the Shattterbolt.
“That’s Skyquake!” Tailpipe declared. “He’s going straight for the flagship.”
“But what’s Peritus doing?” came the voice of Emerald Ten. “His ship’s moving towards the enemy fleet.”
Sure enough, the Shatterbolt began moving as fast it could with its limited status, beelining straight for the Revenge. Tailpipe wasn’t the only one to notice this, as Skyquake’s Predators flew in close towards the Shatterbolt.
“What the frag are they doing?” Falcon asked. “They’re charging straight at us?”
“What do they think they’re gonna do?” Hyena mused. “Their weapons looks fragged.”
“Has… anyone had a horrible gut feeling what they’re doing?” Snare inquired.
“REDIRECT ATTACK TO THE ENGINES!” Skyquake yelled. “STOP THAT SHIP IN ITS TRACKS!”
“I don’t think we have the time to!”
Bridge, The Revenge
Stalker, too, had realised the Shatterbolt was on a direct course with the Revenge, and was giving orders to try and stop the enemy ships.
“Sir, our batteries aren’t stopping it!” said one of the officers.
“Are the rail cannons charged?” Stalker angrily asked.
“Negative!”
“Then the ship is lost” Stalker snarled. “No sense wasting my life dying with it.”
Stalker turned around, leaving the ship bridge as the crew looked on in confusion. Stalker made his way to the nearest escape pod, preparing to escape the ship.
---
The Shatterbolt pushed on towards the Revenge, ignoring the attempts made by Skyquake and his subordinates to stop it. As the two ships collided, Peritus closed his eyes, accepting his fate.
When the two ships collided, there a moment of pause, before a massive explosion of gravitational energy tore the two ships apart, damaging the surrounding Combatronian ships in the process. Debris from the Revenge was propelled towards the surface of Tuurok, while the remains of the Shatterbolt flew in all directions.
“Peritus…” Tailpipe solemnly said, looking at the debris from the collision.
Suddenly, there was a blinding flash of light as the Orion jumped into the system, joining the Vanguard fleet. Then more ships began quantum jumping in behind, massing with their already present allies.
Aboard the bridge, Ginrai stood around a holotable with Rocket Plume, Thunderhead, Crumble and Rocket Plume, the images of the battle ongoing projected on it.
“All ships, we’ve been stuck out of the battle for long enough” Ginrai announced over the comms. “All ships, attack!”
The Vanguard and Combatron fleets began attacking one another, and more Combatronian ships began falling, making a hole in Tuurok’s fleet. Watching from his fighter, Tailpipe breathed a sigh of relief.
“All remaining members of Green Wing” Tailpipe said. “Rendezvous at the Orion.”
Tailpipe flew towards the Orion as his remaining wingmates followed, making their way towards the hangar.
Bridge, The Spikestinger
Aboard the frigate Spikestinger, a Thinktank Vehicon stood at the holotable with a command Tankor and a command Afterburn Vehicon.
“Have we established a link to another command ship?” the Thinktank asked.
“Negative” reported the Afterburn commander. “We are receiving reports of multiple command ships falling. More Interdictor ships are falling, and the Vanguard ships are fleeing again.”
“GET ME ASHMAR” came a booming voice.
Skyquake stormed onto the bridge, shoving the Thinktank out of the way as he stomped up to the table. He pressed a few buttons on the console, and a hologram of an angry Overlord sitting on his throne appeared.
“Report” Overlord snarled.
“My lord… the fleet is compromised” Skyquake bowed.
“Yes, I figured from the debris from my ship that scans we just picked up CRASHING TOWARDS THE SURFACE!”
My lord, I apologi-”
“I do not want apologies. Return to the surface. You are clearly a waste up there.”
“I… understand my lord.”
The hologram of Overlord disappeared, and Skyquake a dissatisfied grunt, before leaving the bridge.
Bridge, The Orion
Tailpipe entered the bridge, where everyone was silent. Tailpipe joined those around the table.
“We were… told about Peritus” Quickshadow said.
“He gave his life to take out The Revenge… to make your arrival possible.”
“His sacrifice will be remembered” Ginrai added. “And it will not be in vain.”
“What’s our next plan of attack?” Thunderhead asked.
“We don’t waste time” Ginrai said. “Impactus and the Magnus Core will shortly be arriving with our invasion forces, and as soon as we do we’re going down. We get our landing zones and we take the planet.”
“For Peritus” Tailpipe said.
“FOR PERITUS!” the bridge yelled in unison, in honour of their fall comrade…