Transformers: Alone and Unafraid

[Cynical Cat]

Deathstrike flew up to one of the upper entrances to Military HQ and transformed. Sensors swept overhim and, after identifying him, permitted him entrance. The Decepticon warrior walked down the corridor and into the room.

"Commander Breakout. Reporting as ordered. The rescue mission was a success. Repair teams are tending to Shunt as we speak."

[LadyTevar]

Deathstrike had been one of Megatron's commanders. He was a still a legend, a warning to never forget to watch the skies. Starscream might have been the Air Commander, but Deathstrike was the one who went out and got the job done.

From her seat, Shimmer looked at the patch-work armor of the slightly limping Cybertronian entering, and was shocked to realize this was the the former King of the Skies. What surprised her more was the pity to see him in this state.

[frigidmagi]

"Commander Breakout. Reporting as ordered. The rescue mission was a success. Repair teams are tending to Shunt as we speak."

"Excellent. Well done Deathstrike. Please join us and be seated." Breakout said. He waited a moment while everyone finished sitting and arranging themselves and then triggered a halo display. It was the face of a biological creature, a endothermic one to go by the fur covering it's face.

"This transmission was picked up via subspace transmission 1 standard solar revolution ago. We have been able to translate it." Breakout informed them.

This is Prelate Jai of Free Worlds Alliance to any who can hear me, we have been under attack by the Greater Decepticon Empire. We have held them back... but there are so.. many of them. We have heard that there are other powers engaged in struggle with the Empire so I call out to you. We are an alliance of 3 races, we do not have the technology or the sheer numbers and strength to win a war with these monsters, we beg anyone else who is against the Decepticons to aid us. Please... for all our sakes...

"As you can imagine it took time to verify the transmission and it's claims. We have managed a tenious contact with the FWA. They're on the other side of the GDE. As you all know, we've reached a position of stalemate with the GDE despite our best efforts. If the Empire can expand it's resource base however, they can break the stalemate in their favor. If we can bleed them on other fronts, we can create an imbalance of forces in our own favor. Bots, we cannot let the FWA fall. Nor can we spare a great amount of forces. A fleet has been assembled to give the FWA the tech aid needed to stand on it's own, but they have no Cybertronians. That's where you come in."

[Cynical Cat]

Deathstrike limped over to a chair. The strain of pushing his systems to reach Shunt in time had totally blown the actuator. His autorepair systems would compensate, but until then he was leaking hydraulics and his leg was worse than usual.

"Upgrading their industrial infrastructure will disrupt production and take time," said Deathstrike. "Weakening them in the short term. Given the logistical difficulties in supplying any force that far away, the strike force dispatched to aid them must be powerful and relatively self sufficient."

[rhoenix]

"Is there already an Energon facility there, or will one have to be constructed?" asked Farshot, already going over the logistics of this intended operation in his circuits.

[Dark Silver]

Grindstone nodded to Deathstrike as the flyer entered, then listened as Breakout began to inform the gathered of the situation.

The Greater Decepticon Empire, in Grindstone's own cerebral circuitry, was an abomination that was meant to be expunged, eliminated as the abhorrent and mutated thing it was. That such a coward as Starvos, known even to Grindstone, had managed to create such a Empire grated on Grindstone's proverbial nerve....the fact that he preached a nearly mythological religion concerning Megatron - when the Decepticon Emperor was most certainly not a religious icon but a Genius of Warfare and Strategy - did so much more though. Grindstone, in his own, deep private thoughts, wished to shred the Coward turned Theocrat beneath his own treads, and shoot Starvos' Lase-Ccore into the closest Quantum singularity personally. Just what Starvos had made him Empire into - that was worse to Grindstone than anything. Everything about the Greater Decepticon Empire dishonored the very name Grindstone took such care to honor.

Grindstone knew what was happening, the moment Breakout mentioned sending in Cybertronians. He welcomed the chance to avenge the honor so tarnished. He was encouraged when Breakout confirmed the assembled Cybertronian's were to be the ones sent in.

"It is safe to assume the FWA does not have access to Energon Conversion technology, though we may locate deposites of Raw Energon in their territory. I assume that will be a reason for the GDE's expansion, besides new slave labour and raw metals."

"What, precisely, will the mission entail, Commander? What is the goal, beyond bleeding Starvos' minions?"

[frigidmagi]

Breakout nodded as the others launched into a barrage of questions. He waited until it seemed everyone had spoken their piece.

"The fleet itself is carrying a large amount of their logistic train, at least for the medium term. As for the weaking problem, not upgrading will lead to their conquest. Which will be a worse outcome for everyone involved. You'll simply have to help them over that short term hump, it's either that or we lose the war. As for the mission, to put it bluntly your job is to keep the FWA out of the Empire's hands in the short run and in the long run turn their military into something that can carry out offensive operations. If Starvous pulls out to many forces to use against you, I'll led an offensive right into his empire's guts and tear him apart. I'm not going to lie to you bots, this is a dangerous mission at the end of a long chain. To even get the fleet to the FWA will require the use of an experimental method of transport, one we're not sure we can repeat if it does work. So this is an volunteers only mission. Anyone wants to walk, nothing will be said but this is the only chance you have to do so. If you stay, we'll go into the details." Breakout stopped and leaned back, gazing at the group.

[rhoenix]

Farshot looked thoughtful for a few moments after Breakout had finished his speech. After only a few moments though, he knew what his answer was, and why he had no reservations about it.

"I'm in," Farshot said as he leaned back in his own chair, his golden optics brightening slightly with intensity. "Starvous must not be allowed to succeed."

[Dark Silver]

Grindstone's voice rumbled, "You have my cannon, Commander."

[Lys]

Before the rest could reply, Blastcap cut straight to the point, "It is a mere formality, I'm sure. None of us will back down before this task. That much was determined prior to any of us being summoned here. The present company are all solid operators, renowned as such. In our own way, we each do what must be done. Do any disagree? If not then let us move on with the briefing."

[Cynical Cat]

"Commander Breakout, I do not dispute that the upgrade and subsequent production disruption are necessary, merely point out that it must be taken into account when it comes to planning this expedition," said Deathstrike. "I will participate in this mission."

[Agent Fisher]

Cutter listened intently, looking around at the other Bots and Cons, nodding. "Of course, I'll go." He said, then tilted his head a bit. "Who will have overall command of the Expeditionary Forces?"

[General Havoc]

Cavalier said uncharacteristically little as the briefing continued. Frankly he wasn't sure what to think. On the one hand, this operation sounded "sporty", in the old sense. Spearheading a counterattack against a major Decepticon splinter empire was precisely the sort of employment he considered to be his specialty. This might of course just be Breakout's way of getting him out of Fort Optimus, but he didn't mind that so much. Leaving Division and the memories of Corax II behind was certainly a plus. An entire star cluster of sentients, organic and otherwise, that needed protecting from a Decepticon horde was just the tonic for such things.

On the other hand, he wasn't wild about the rest of the selected squad. Not violently opposed, though what he knew of Grindstone was not encouraging, but simply not ideal. Cavalier was not a terribly good team player, something he was not ignorant of. He preferred, when necessary, to be paired up with smaller teams of bots he knew well, bots similar to himself, other military models or the like. It wasn't so much a question of armament (though there was that), but one of temperament. Not every Autobot was both built to and willing to lunge directly into the teeth of a firefight, or spearhead a charge into a vulnerable flank. Not every Autobot was capable physically or mentally to deal with the casual death that both transpired around one and was expected of one in a heavy battle. Not every Autobot saw themselves the way Cavalier saw himself, and thus not every Autobot could be counted on to see situations the way Cavalier himself saw them. This wasn't a bad thing, certainly. Even he knew it probably was a good one. But in a situation like this, it tended to complicate things. Shimmer was a fine bot. Crankcase was a fine bot, flustering aside. Farshot, what little he knew of him, seemed like a decent enough bot (for a flyer at least). But none of them were soldiers of the line, and none of them thought like soldiers of the line. Maybe (pits, probably) that was a good thing much of the time, but it was not a good thing when one was actually on the line.

And of those who were soldiers of the line, of Aircutter and Deathstrike and Merka and Grindstone and possibly Blastcap, based at least on her armor and general size, of those he either did not know them at all, or did not particularly care for what elements he did know. Deathstrike and Grindstone were former Decepticons, and he wasn't entirely sure how "former" they actually were. A lot of people had gone back and forth over the course of this war, some for good reasons and some for less good ones. Cavalier had been the one to clean up quite a few of the ones who made the wrong choice. These two had at least made the right one, though the fact that they had to be coerced into doing the right thing for mercenary or circumstantial reasons at all made them suspect. Aircutter was a proven fighter, but he was also a flier, and fliers were simply weird (at least in Cavalier's expert opinion). Merka and Blastcap, Cavalier simply had never been posted with, at least as far as he could remember, though something about Blastcap seemed... vaguely familiar. Either way though, he had no idea what they were able or willing to do.

But then, beggars and choosers and all...

"Like the lady says," said Cavalier, gesturing to Blastcap, "I'm certainly not turning down the chance to kick that rotten sonofajunkheap Starvous' speaker in. If he's got a hundred Cybertronians, then I'm happy to whip him a hundred times. But I'm not much for logistics and backfield work. Way I see it, the best way to keep this Alliance of theirs out of the hands of the Decepticons is to remove the Decepticons' hands at the shoulder and then beat them to death with their severed arms. If that's what you're looking for, then I'm your bot."

"But Cutter makes a good point. Operation like this is not a small undertaking. Who's gonna run this little show?"

[SirNitram]

Shunt stepped in, without a coat of paint to his name. Oh well. No need to explain the Thunderbird imagery all over his chassis. He saluted, before standing at attention.

Once he had gathered enough, he spoke up simply. "I have some experience with primitive organic cultures and aiding them with disruptive technologies. Not much, but anything may be useful. Further than that, Shunt reporting for duty. Air-superiorty Seeker, and I await your word on who will command the aerial forces."

[LadyTevar]

Shimmer was silent, taking everything in, listening to the other Cybertronians speak. So many started asking who'd run the show, and Shimmer winced internally. Not a good sign, although she was willing to work under whomever Breakout chose.

Then Shunt stepped in, and Shimmer's optics widened. She'd heard of this one, Skywarp 2.0 would be a good description. Like Deathstrike, he'd been MIA for several years. Odd that he'd come back now.

"I'm in, Breakout."

[Lys]

Blastcap gazed pointedly at the data-stream holographs on the table. "Based upon the available information, I would say that the only viable strategy is to turn the Free Planets Alliance into a massive fortified camp. They have simply to the means to go on the offensive beyond small scale bite-and-hold attacks. Frankly they will not while the Greater Empire keeps pressure on them. Our goal is above all to keep these people out of the enemy's hands. A defensive strategy is the safest way to do so. Worst case scenario for a collapsed offence is not having enough forces to defend against counter-attack; whereas the worst case for a collapsed defence is we retreat, in which case we can burn everything and leave the enemy nothing. We will, however, endeavour to hold them at line.

I believe that as long as the League can keep the bulk of GDE's forces tied up over here, we will be able to withstand the siege over there. As long as the prospect of victory hangs on the survival of the Alliance, the enemy will not let up. As long they keep attacking, we can grind down their claws and blunt their teeth. We can turn this Alliance into an anvil for the League's hammer, and slowly beat the Empire flat between them. It will be long, hard, brutal fighting, but we can do it as long as we stand firm."

She paused briefly to let her short strategic analysis sink in.

"We need a leader who is up to the task. We need a leader with the nerve to hold the line in the face of might untold, the strategic insight to do so effectively, and the charisma to make all stand together."

Blastcap paused again, for she was sure those words brought back memories of Optimus Prime and Megatron in all of them.

"I have two of the required qualities myself, perhaps even in sufficient quantities, but I am a contractor not a leader." It was practically a catchphrase, but Blastcap had in fact commanded units of various sizes and purposes on numerous occasions. However, her core competencies lay elsewhere, and she preferred advisory positions. "I can do my job as a combat engineer, and I can give advice. In this case, my advice is to nominate Cavalier for the job. If he can live up to his reputation, and is willing to listen to me and others, then I believe he'll make a fine commander."

In truth she would have preferred Deathstrike. Battered as he was, the old Decepticon was a solid officer, and she trusted his judgement implicitly. But this wasn't a fun jaunt behind enemy lines to blow up something of importance; it wasn't even just a military operation. They had to organize and lead a large group of organics, because even ten Cybertronians and a fleet could not hold the front by themselves. Strategy be dammed, they had to get the Alliance to trust them, or they were all dead. This called for something more than just good judgement, and Cavalier's sense of noblesse oblige was the closest thing to it. But there was hardly any point in bringing any of it up, at least for now, so Blastcap did not.

[Cynical Cat]

"No," said Deathstrike immediately. His next words were more neutral, his manner softer than his usual harshness. "Cavalier is an excellent warrior and loyal Autobot, but unsuited to command this mission. The leader needs to be more than a warrior of undoubted integrity, diplomatic and engineering skills are crucial. We must transform the industrial infrastructure of a multisystem alliance and we must do so quickly. Merka has extensive experience in operating in a group in less advanced societies and Crankcase and Blastcap are both engineering specialists."

[Steve]

"Oh no, you're not saddling command on me," Crankcase said. "I'm going to have enough time taken from my hands keeping all of this gear and the rest of you bots in working order, and on top of that I'll have to help these friends of ours force-upgrade themselves to deal with our technology. I say give the command to a bot who can take the time to keep everything in order and deal with our new allies on top of that."

Looking over at Cavalier, and knowing that bot's tendencies by reputation alone, he added, "Just so long as it isn't someone who's still looking for a glorious last stand to wage."

[rhoenix]

In listening to the others, Farshot was not only impressed with their knowledge and reasoning as they approached this problem from different perspectives, but also thoughtful. The others' words, and all they implied, reminded him of a verbal essay Megatron had left in his memory banks.

Farshot had ended up dropping most of Megatron's verbal essays to long-term storage, since few of them seemed to match how he was seeing the universe working, in large ways and small. This one, however, still held very true.

He replayed the essay in his mind again, re-listening to a specific section of Megatron's words. "Every battle can be glorious, but each one is simply a step in the larger goal. At times, a successful battle is where you caused enemy forces far more attrition than they have to yours - but others are simply about preventing your enemy from making an accomplishment. Battles of prevention are the most bloody, and the least glorious."

This campaign might contain glorious battles, but Deathstrike was absolutely right in his assessment - the leader for this campaign not only had to be an effective tactical leader, but an organizer of forces, and an inspiration to troops and accomplishment.

At last, he spoke. "The one who leads this campaign must not only be an effective leader in battle, but an effective leader out of battle," he said, his low voice seeming to fill the room, despite not being very loud. "We have the expertise amongst us to be successful in this campaign - but the leader would have to know how to take proper advantage of that expertise."

He paused for a moment, and then looked directly at Merka. "Due to her experience, and approach, I second Merka's nomination for those reasons."

[LadyTevar]

"If I want someone to lead a glorious, possibly suicidal charge, I'd nominate Cavalier," Shimmer agreed. "To sit down and work out logistics and supply lines needs someone who doesn't need to be in the thick of the fighting."

She leaned her head, looking over to Breakout. "I know you'd rather be out there than here, as well." She looked back to the others gathered. "Merka or Deathstrike would be my vote, or split it so Deathstrike is leading the Air Command." Her blue optics met Deathstrike squarely, her voice wry. "You were a pit-dwelling slag-thrower, but you were blasted good at your job."

[Lys]

As usual, Deathstrike had a good point, one that incisively brought out factors she had missed.

"This is a team effort. There is no one here that can do everything that needs to be done. That we are experts in our own fields and not generalists is our strength. Crankcase and myself can help the FPA upgrade their infrastructure and fortify their planets without either of us being in charge, and will do so better if we are not. Diplomacy can also be done by those who do so best, without them taking charge of the whole effort. I believe we need a stalwart to organize under, and Cavalier is nothing if not that. My experience with organics leads me to believe that strength and skill is most effective in attaining their trust. I will, however, acknowledge that my experience as a contractor and mercenary is not necessarily representative of the situation at hand. As always I cannot dismiss Deathstrike's assessment. Nor can I ignore the protestation of the others. Motion withdrawn."

Deathstrike's assessment had also inconveniently failed to recommend him for the leadership position, as he was neither an engineer not a diplomat. 'You should lead us' were the words she most wanted to say to him, and yet the mission said otherwise, and the mission had to come first.

[Dark Silver]

Grindstone looked between the bots assembled, as they spoke the question of leading the Expedition. Grindstone, thankfully, had no such desires for leadership. He knew his strengths - he was a warrior, not a officer.

"I will second nomination of Deathstrike as Commander of the expedition." was all the big bot rumbled.

The least he said in the matter, the better in Grindstone's mind.

[frigidmagi]

Breakout knocked on the table silencing everyone.

"This isn't a democracy, this is a military. Your unit leader has already been chosen and I will announce it at the proper time. For now, concentrate on the mission briefing. As no one has left, I will consider you as all volunteering for this mission. I will cover the basics, you will be assigned to a fleet we have assembled for this mission. The fleet itself will carry 15 corps of troops and several thousand specialists in addition to the standard fleet personal. That's not nearly enough to replace or supplant the FWA military but will give you enough to blunt any GDE operations. Additionally the fleet will be carrying industrial and energy extraction equipment, as some of you surmised, the FWA does have natural energon deposits. You will all receive data packets on the species in the FWA as well as downloads on their languages, as well has relevant military data. Metalhead." Breakout instructed.

The smaller bot stood up and triggered a hologram, of a massive metal circle floating in space.

"This is how you're getting there. I think most of you may recognize a space bridge when you see one. Now as you can guess the power for this trip is... considerable, so there's a limit on how often we can do this. The FWA does have limited sub space technology so you should be able to stay in touch, do not broadcast any sensitive information as they have not shared what security measures they've taken. For now we have to assume the GDE has compromised their communications. Which means frankly they likely know you're coming, hence why we've chosen a location in the inner sphere of the FWA, making it damn hard for the Empire to crash your welcoming party. Despite that, the combat ships will arrive first and set up a security perimeter." Metalhead informed them.

"The fleet is under Admiral Qash, you'll be working with him. The fleet's primary job will be to keep the GDE back until the FWA is fully stood up and ready to go. A quick note there are no mechanical species in the FWA. They're all endothermic biologicals, all of them under 2 meters. They're going to need hardware to stand up to the Empire. Keep that in mind. Also expect some psychological problems, all their prior experience with Cybertronians has been with Starvous boys. The non-combat portion of the fleet will have enough to keep you supplied for roughly 2 standard revolutions of normal operations, in addition to being able to push through a retrofit of about 10% of the FWA's reported industry, that sucks exhaust but it was all we could free up. Hell we only got that much because I told the League to make it happen or run their own damn war. The Corps are run by General Obdash, he's not in charge of you and don't let him act like it." Breakout said.

[General Havoc]

"The point of a war," said Cavalier, not indicating if he was speaking to Shimmer or Crankcase, "is to make the other guy fight the glorious last stands."

Honestly, Cavalier was as surprised as anyone present to hear his name brought up by anyone for the question of leadership. He'd commanded units before, but mostly scratch units consisting of whatever could be rounded up in five minutes and hastily thrown together. Rarely-if-ever did those units require orders more complex than "follow me", and while he'd usually won those engagements, that was generally more due to his own willingness to put his own chassis on the line, rather than any flash of tactical genius.

That said, the prospect of Deathstrike commanding this operation was right out. As far as Cavalier was concerned, it did not matter if Deathstrike was Primus' gift to diplomacy mated with the strategic mind of Optimus Prime. Deathstrike was a Decepticon. Admittedly, he was a Decepticon who had apparently either seen the light, or at least which way the solar wind was blowing, but a Decepticon nonetheless. Sending out a Decepticon to forge an alliance of free worlds against the Decepticon Empire could not possibly be a good idea. Not that Deathstrike would sell them all out or whatnot (though Cavalier was quite willing to handle matters if he did), but Deathstrike would fight the Decepticons like a Decepticon. Whether that was "effective" or not was not the question. Turning the FPA into a Decepticon war machine with different livery was not victory.

Breakout might have made his decision already, but that hardly rendered discussion pointless, as Cavalier saw it. Command wasn't simply a matter of writs of authority. They were all going to be on the other end of the galaxy after all. Cavalier for one did not intend to simply snap yes sir to whoever Breakout insisted upon, not unless they knew what they were doing. His radios did have the occasional malfunction once in a while, and somehow he'd never gotten around to getting it looked at...

"Sounds like a hell of a party," said Cavalier, looking over the massive manifest of troops and allied forces, his optics already starting to glaze. "Guess I'll have to polish my turret."

[LadyTevar]

When Breakout informed them he'd made his choice, Shimmer was sure more than one 'Bot wouldn't like it. Absently she wondered if the chosen 'Bot would like it. When he launched into the mission specs, the pale blue FemBot leaned forward and started a personal recording.

To her, the 15 corps and assorted specialists seemed a little too light, but beggars are never choosy. Energon deposits were good news, there would be a tight line between getting it out fast and getting out without too much damage to the environs as well as trying to make it self-sustaining. Same with the new tech they'd be introducing.

The introduction of their transportation made Shimmer realize just how alone they'd be on this mission. If the space bridge had to be opened even once after they get there, it would be a massive loss to the League overall. A wry twist of her mouth greeted the announcement that the FWA may already have compromised communications. A full review of their security would be best, looking for those places a 'Con could sneak in an alt-mode. The bit about the fleet's entrance was noted absently: Shimmer would be a passenger, not like the aerofighter alts.

Admiral Qash... Shimmer reminded herself to research the Admiral before they left. Knowing your allies never hurt. The language downloads and biological info on the FWA's aliens also fell into that category. The psychological problems would be annoying, especially with the obviously marked 'Cons in their own group. The biologicals have had quite the shock from 20m tall sentient robots as a lifeform, much less as commanding an invading army of bio-mechanical slaves.

Oh, and then there's Cavalier. His natural arrogance might jam the gears as much if not more than the 'Cons. If they had more time Shimmer would try to have all of them repainted in tinctures the FWA's species saw as trustworthy and honorable. She saved that thought for possible suggestion once they were on the ground.

General Obdash. Another ally to research, and one that if Breakout was warning them against might be a problem. Some really did not like the idea of a autonomous force outside their command. A slight frown crossed Shimmer's face briefly. There were going to be some major potholes in this mission. Whomever the 'lucky' leader was going to be, they were going to be driving a tight corner keeping the FWA happy, the League ships and corps from over-extending, and keeping the Cybertronians in line.

At least Shimmer knew what her place in the mission probably would be: liason with the FWA's spynetwork, possibly the 'face' talking to the FWA populace due to her smaller size and more delicate features. She'd played that game before.

"How long before skids up, Breakout?"