Precious Things

by Phantom

Chapter Three

Optimus ran a hand over his weary optics as he studied the organized chaos around him. He never ceased to be amazed by the constant bustling activity. The little groups clustered in the corners comprised the larger, well-oiled machine of the Autobot army. Optimus knew what was expected of him and played the part as best he could, reassuring the downcast and depressed while at the same time calming those seized with feverish desires of revenge. Punch had had his problems, but he'd hidden them well and had been quite popular among those that served with him. Punch had understood the risks involved in every mission that he accepted, but that didn't console many that had known him. Optimus sighed inwardly. If Ironhide were still alive, he'd be whipping the others into battle frenzy. It had always been hard to restrain his friend's enthusiasm, but Ironhide, despite his cantankerous manners, had always been able to keep morale high. But what Optimus missed most was his old friend's silent understanding and support. Still, Optimus knew that he had to stop living in the past. He saw the respect and almost reverent admiration in their gaze, and he tried to push his own despair aside. He had to be strong for their sake. Their devotion to him was solid and unquestioning and he would do his best to honor it. He just prayed that he wouldn't let them down.

"Attention, everyone!" he said loudly, clapping his hands. The immediate silence that ensued was almost deafening. "I know that you'd all like more time to get organized, but time is one thing we can't afford to waste. You have two more minutes to prepare for the briefing." The Autobots were silent for a moment more, assuring that their leader had finished, and then resumed their frenetic activities at twice the speed.

Optimus turned away from the hum and buzz of many voices and walked towards a large viewport, gazing out thoughtfully at the stars above. To the casual observer, and even some close friends, he appeared at ease and relaxed, but those who knew him best would understand just how well he had perfected this façade over the millennia. 'What on Cybertron are we facing?' he mused, looking at the scenery outdoors but not really seeing it. 'Is there anything we can possibly do to stop it? Or are we already doomed? After all our struggling, is it really going to end like this, being hunted down one by one until we're all destroyed?'

Alita joined him wordlessly in front of the viewport, not trying to offer empty words of encouragement or hope that would sound false. Optimus studied her profile and felt his spirits lift slightly. Just having her by his side was reassuring. He was a bit taken aback at the sudden rush of emotion he felt. She still had the power to affect him after all this time. She turned slightly and smiled at him, then walked away. He took her cue and followed. He couldn't put this off any longer. It was time for the briefing to begin.

He assumed his spot at the head of the enormous table as his many high-ranking officers filed in and seated themselves. He gave them a moment to get settled, noting their anxiety, then he rapped on the table gently with his fist, an unnecessary gesture, since all optics were upon him. "Now then," he said, "I want to know exactly what we're up against. Perceptor, tell me what you data analysis team has discovered about Punch's transmission. And please, be as brief and as clear as possible."

"Ahem, yes," Perceptor said a bit nervously. He had always been uncomfortable in this sort of situation, since he was not a strong public speaker. Deprived of his lengthy vocabulary, he felt unsure of himself. "Well, you see, uh, we have analyzed the schematics of the battleship, and our findings have been most discouraging. The ship is surrounded by powerful energy shields. They have been specially polarized to nullify energy weapons and to absorb their energy, making their defenses even stronger. The material of the ship itself is quite similar to that used in the construction of Metroplex. Nothing short of a nuclear weapon will even scratch it from the outside. However, the plasma that powers it can be ignited and used to explode the ship from within."

Optimus frowned; he didn't like that last part at all. "Thank you, Perceptor," he said briskly. "And what about your team, Kup? Have you found anything that will help us deal with the problems that Perceptor noted?"

Kup's gravelly voice echoed in the still room, where not a soul moved. They seemed fearful that even their pulsing fuel pumps would disturb the silence. "Unfortunately, Prime, this one is gonna be a tough nut to crack. Damn thing's better armored than the blasted Titonites' crafts are, and they've been working on the technology for longer than I've been alive. There's no way a direct assault will be viable. We'd just be giving them an opportunity to exercise their weaponry. We'd be slaughtered."

Loud and somewhat panicked murmurs interrupted his somewhat negative prognosis. Optimus pounded on the table but without success. "Silence!" he finally roared. The room instantly became as quiet as a tomb, Prime's command still reverberating off the walls. "That's better," he said, trying to keep calm himself. "Please continue, Kup. It's obvious that a direct attack is not the best strategy. What are our other options?"

Kup glanced over his notes briefly, then nodded. "Punch understood our disadvantage well. He was a damned good operative. A good friend, too." This was greeted with murmurs of assent. "He planned his moves very well, since he knew he would not be getting of that ship alive. He sacrificed himself to give all of us a chance."

"What exactly did he provide us with?" Optimus said hastily, not wanting to stir up feelings of vengeance.

"Oh, yes. He knew that we wouldn't have a chance in the inferno if we couldn't get past those shields. Most of them run on a rotating frequency and have multiple layers, so there's no hope of learning the code to deactivate them, and if we succeeded in knocking one out, there'd still be many others in place. However, the shields affect the short-range efficiency of the ship's scanners. Punch sent us the schedule of supply ships as well as the schematics of the battleship itself. If we sent out a one-man cruiser, it could hide in the shadow of one of the supply ships and gain access that way. Once aboard, though, he'd have to move quick: security is tight and very alert."

Optimus frowned. He didn't like the idea of sending a single operative in alone, but that might be the only viable option left. "What would our operative do once he's aboard?"

Kup replied, "A disguise would be best, for although the Decepticons will discover the intruder's ship quickly, they won't know exactly who they're looking for. Once he's aboard, it's up to him to stay out of the way of the guard patrols as much as possible. He must head to the plasma chamber that feeds the engines and shut down the ventilation system. The engines will overheat and destroy the ship in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, this will alert the Decepticons to exactly where our man is, for the main computer, which is too heavily protected to knock out, will sound the alarm for this particular sector. They might be too busy with the evacuation procedure to search for the saboteur, but there's no guarantee that he will be able to escape. His craft will have been disabled, and the escape ships are equipped with sophisticated security seals."

Optimus stared him square in the optics, wanting to confirm the severity of the operation. "In other words, it's a suicide mission," he said flatly.

Kup stared back unflinchingly. "Yes, that's exactly what it is. This mission's so hairy it's shedding. The chances are virtually nil that whoever goes will ever return, if they manage to get the job done in the first place before being captured. One more crucial item, Prime. We're only going to get one shot at this. The Decepticons placed a priority on long-range scanners, expecting a frontal assault, which is why their short-range scanners are vulnerable. Once they figure out where we plan to strike, they'll make those scanners their highest priority. Once they tighten up this gap, we can kiss our chances of survival as a race goodbye."

"Thank you, Kup," Optimus said gravely. "You've given us much to consider. I find the concept of a suicide mission to be unpalatable, but you are indeed right, this may be the only chance we have. Our window of opportunity is already shrinking. The problem is, who will go on such a mission? I refuse to order anyone to lay down their lives for such a dangerous mission."

Kup nodded, faded optics glowing a bit more brightly. "I'll be the first to volunteer, Prime. I don't know if I'd be the best candidate for the job, but I won't sit here and send someone else off to die for me. Too many have died already."

"Amen to that," Optimus murmured, looking around at the assembled faces of those he'd sworn to protect. "I don't want any of you to feel pressured to volunteer. I will accept volunteer notices and dossiers through e-mail only, and later tonight I will inform the individual of my decision. However, there will be special skills that I must look for when I make my selection. Kup, can you tell me what I should look for in a potential candidate?" Optimus knew his words sounded a little cold, but he had to deal with this as a leadership decision like any other.

"The person that we are looking for must be very good at stealth and hit-and-run missions. He must be slight of build and know how to blend in with the scenery. He must also be able to understand the schematics that we will provide. He should be unobtrusive and slight of build. Above all, he must be willing to give this mission everything he's got, for there won't be a second chance."

Jazz said sadly, "Goldbug would have been perfect for the job."

An aching sadness crossed Prime's face, at least the part that was visible. "He's already lost his life in our cause." Those at the table bowed their heads slightly in sadness. Bumblebee had always been a bit annoying in his attempts to fit in, but he had sobered up and grown a lot as Goldbug. And Hot Rod's fate had only made it worse....

Optimus shook himself briskly. There was no sense wallowing in the failures of the past; he had to concentrate on the slim chance that they'd been given. "We will always remember the fallen that gave their lives for us. Unfortunately, someone among us will have to make that sacrifice again. I beg all of you to consider very carefully what this means and if you truly can commit yourselves to this task. Tonight is the deadline for volunteer applications. Dismissed." He watched his followers file out with a heavy heart.

end of Chapter Three

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