“We checked on Vesuvius first thing.” The American operative looked assured. “Did a full aerial scan and ground search. If they’re looking to tap volcanic power, they’re not doing so here. Surveillance has been doubled down at Etna, too.” He looked to his left. So did the others gathered around the table.
Unfortunately, the diesel truck parked nearby was unable to provide clarification. “I agree with Captain Lennox. This is Starscream’s plan, and as such has nothing to do with the surrounding sources of potential energy. Once again, we are walking into a trap. This time we must see to it that it is Starscream who gets caught.
“From their descriptions I believe the intruders are—a moment, please, while I compile suitable human articulations—Deadend and Swindle. As they are remembered for their attitudes as well as their speed, it is not surprising that once on Earth they would assume such forms as have been described.
“Great,” muttered Epps. “How many of you guys—or those guys—are there?”
“More than you can imagine,” Optimus informed him. “Be thankful that so few have responded to Megatron’s original signal and to Starscream’s follow-up. It is yet another reason why we must deal with him as quickly as we can, lest he continue to gather strength by drawing additional reinforcements to him.”
Lennox looked up again from the map. “I saw the bits and pieces of video. As Decepticons go these two don’t strike me as particularly dangerous.”
“It is true that Deadend and Swindle do not possess the capabilities of such as Starscream and Payload,” Optimus agreed, “but human forces would not be able to defeat them without our help.” The diesel’s engine rumbled. “Ironhide and I could eliminate them, but their presence in such a heavily populated, densely crowded human city precludes the use of overwhelming force. Still, they must not be allowed to cause further harm, or to escape. That is why I insisted that Ratchet accompany us here as well, together with Ironhide and Knockout.” He eyed the gravity-defying motorcycle that was racing around the hangar’s interior.
“From the maps I have committed to memory, Knockout may prove especially useful in negotiating the constricted vehicular pathways of this city. If,” he added, “he can keep his mind on the business at hand.”
Epps had turned to admire the bike as it launched itself into the air and executed a complete flip. “Yeah, he’s an agile one. How do we find these Decepticons, Optimus?”
“We have been scanning for their transmissions even before our transport landed here,” the Autobot leader informed him. “Sooner or later they will communicate across distance utilizing Cybertronian mode. Then we will pinpoint their location.” His words were confident. “With this many of us here, we should be able to deal with them with minimal collateral damage to human property—and hopefully without sacrificing any human lives.”
Reaching back behind her, Kaminari tapped the sling that was holding her weapon and keeping it fully charged. “If it comes down to street fighting in tight quarters maybe we can lend a hand.” She glanced to her left. “Even Captain Lennox might prove himself useful.” At this Epps raised both hands and took an exaggerated step backward.
“It’s all right, Sergeant.” Lennox’s voice was even, his attitude professional. “The lady and I have an understanding.”
“Yeah.” Turning, Epps headed off in the direction of the hangar’s exit. “I understand that even Starscream wouldn’t want to get caught between you. Excuse me. Somewhere at the local PX there’s a pizza with my name on it.”
“That’s what we have, then.” The Italian NEST operative began rolling up the map. “All we can do is wait for the Decepticons to reveal themselves.” He looked toward the idling diesel. “Or for Optimus and his companions to detect their presence. As per follow-up operations at Mission City, the local authorities have been informed that there may be some dangerous spillover from secret and unavoidable NATO maneuvers in the vicinity. That’s the excuse that has been propagated through the media and the Internet to explain the confrontation that occurred at the piazza. Fortunately the police had largely succeeded in clearing the area before the firing started.”
Lennox nodded understandingly. “Are the people buying it?”
The operative shrugged eloquently. “This is Italy. Most people are too engrossed in their local problems to worry about what happens elsewhere. You can check the media for yourself. The garbage crisis in Naples got more national press.”
“We’ll try to keep the operation undercover as much as possible.” Lennox looked longingly toward the door through which Epps had taken his leave. He was hungry, too. He took a step in the sergeant’s wake, then hesitated and looked back.
“I don’t suppose you’d like to share some good Italian food?”
Kaminari hesitated, then nodded her acceptance. “If this goes down the way I’m afraid it could, the Autobots aren’t the only ones who are going to need all the energy they can muster.”
They did not have to wait long for Deadend and Swindle to make their presence known again.
“They’ve been spotted back in the central city.” Humans and vehicles alike gathered around the Italian NEST operative in the center of the hangar. Outside, the moonless night was pitch dark. Lennox rubbed at his eyes and checked his watch. It was a few minutes after three in the morning. What were the Decepticons up to at such an inhuman hour?
He smiled slightly to himself. The key word was “inhuman.” Autobots and Decepticons could function just as well at night as in the bright light of day. Only human activity suffered from an absence of reassuring sunlight.
“Can you identify a possible target?” Optimus’s voice emerged from behind the gleaming chrome grille of his terrestrial guise.
The operative shook his head. “If they have an objective in mind they’re being very cagey about it. Right now they’re doing a lot of circling in the area of the Pantheon. If I did not know better I would say that they are deliberately trying to draw attention to themselves, except that at this hour the city is largely asleep.”
“Well, they have drawn our attention,” Optimus observed gravely. As Lennox and his companions split up into different vehicles, Prime’s call resounded through the length and breadth of the cavernous structure.
“Autobots—transform and roll out!”
It was a command easier given than followed. Originally laid out with chariots in mind, many of the eternal city’s streets were narrow, twisting, marked by low overheads, and full of surprise dead ends. Provided with specific directions by NEST intelligence and in the fortuitous absence of traffic due to the lateness of the hour, the quintet of Autobots was able to locate and close in on the speeding Decepticons with comparative ease. Actually confronting the speeding targets proved far more difficult.
Seated in Optimus’s cab, Lennox and Epps ran a last check on their launchers as the big diesel struggled to maintain contact with the speedy, evasive Decepticons. Forced to keep to the few wider avenues, the big truck was able to maneuver freely only thanks to the absence of traffic.
“This is frustrating.” Optimus spoke to his passengers through the console radio. “The others will have to cut them off. I cannot negotiate these slender roadways without causing damage to buildings or becoming trapped.”
“Hey, it’s all right, big fella.” Reaching out, Epps gave the dash a reassuring slap. “You can’t do everything yourself.”
“I know. Delegating responsibility is among the most difficult responsibilities of leadership. I trust the judgment and abilities of my companions implicitly, but I still feel as if I should contribute personally to the solution of every problem.”
“You do contribute to the solution of every problem.” Lennox checked the sight on his launcher. “You’re contributing right now.”
“How?” inquired the voice from the radio.
“By being Optimus Prime,” Lennox reminded him.
A voice sounded over the cab’s speakers: Ratchet. “I have them in sight! They are now raci
ng away from the Pantheon area. I think they may be heading for the Via Fori Imperiali. If they reach it unchallenged they will be able to accelerate considerably on its multiple lanes.”
The big diesel roared as Optimus shifted gears. “That is a wide road. I will be able to contribute there.” His voice softened. “In addition to that which I already contribute, Captain Lennox, as per your thoughtful assessment.”
“Ironhide and I are closing on them from the north,” declared Ratchet.
Optimus picked up speed as his human passengers readied themselves for combat. “If Ratchet and Ironhide can cut them off while they are on the main boulevard, we can surround them and deal with them with minimal risk to humans.”
The same realization must have struck the speeding Swindle and Deadend. “They’re turning south again onto smaller roadways.” Ratchet’s disappointment was evident in his tone. “They’re still heading in the same direction, south by southeast, but they’re avoiding the Imperiali.”
“Keeping to side streets.” Lennox nodded knowingly. “They’re not stupid. They know we’re less likely to shoot when we’re in among buildings. But they won’t get away. We’ve got choppers in the air patrolling the circumference of the city and the NEST satellite that’s over Italy positioned perfectly to cover the metropolitan area.”
“Yeah,” added Epps. “Maybe they’ll oblige us by heading for the freeway.” He tapped the launcher that was now resting in the storage area behind his seat. “Once they’re out of town and in the absence of traffic at this hour of the morning we can take ’em out easy.”
But it wasn’t to be that simple. “They’re slowing down,” Ratchet reported. “As much as they can slow down. I think Deadend may already have sideswiped a couple of shops. They appear to be heading for—no, wait. They’ve changed direction again and are heading back toward the Fori Imperiali.”
“Something about this is not right,” Optimus concluded. “It isn’t like Decepticons to pursue a goal, abruptly change course, and then pursue the same goal a second time. Perhaps we are seeking their true intentions in the wrong place.”
“What d’you mean?” Lennox wondered.
“Myself, the others, the NEST aircraft—we are all looking on the ground. Excuse me a moment.” Pulling over to a curb, the leader of the Autobots went silent. In the darkness, a lone wandering pedestrian paused to gawk at the unusual sight of a big rig parked in downtown Rome. As he was less than sober, it was doubtful the image would stay with him for long.
“Hi. Ciao.” Leaning out the window, Epps smiled and waved. “How y’all doin’?” The man shouted something at the sergeant in Italian. On the Autobot’s other side a pair of inquisitive cats showed signs of wanting to clamber up onto the polished running boards. Lennox did his best to shoo them away.
“I have it.” With a rumble, Optimus started up again. The cats scattered as the big diesel moved forward. “Ironhide! Ratchet, Knockout! Sensors up.”
Ironhide’s familiar growl reached them a moment later. “I see them. It would appear that Deadend and Swindle’s antics were intended to concentrate our attention on them. It nearly worked. Now,” he rumbled, “we can deal with all of them at once.”
“Deal with who?” A bemused Epps smacked the dash again. “Who are you all talking about?”
“Look out your window,” Optimus advised him. “And look up.”
Both men did so. It took a moment for Lennox to locate the spot of light that was moving fast overhead.
“Starscream,” Optimus informed the two men. “I begin to perceive the outlines of this Decepticon plan. In the dead of night Deadend and Swindle reappear and make themselves known so that we will focus our attention on them. They speed through small side roadways where we cannot get a clear shot at them. Close to this large ancient structure humans call the Colosseum, the main road called the Imperiali is flanked by hills. Deadend and Swindle’s aim is to use these side avenues to draw us out into the open at that place. There we will be exposed to strafing fire from Starscream. The surrounding hills will limit our mobility, and the need to avoid damage to one of humankind’s most important historical monuments will restrict our ability to defend ourselves.”
“Then we shouldn’t let ourselves be trapped out in the open,” Lennox contended.
Optimus was torn. “We may have no choice. I know Starscream. If we don’t follow Deadend and Swindle out into the area they have chosen for their ambush, they will start wreaking general havoc and causing damage in order to force us to expose ourselves. Unless they can be stopped before they reach the location and have the chance to put their plan into action. But they are far more swift and agile than I, or Ratchet, or—”
“Knockout deploying!” yelled a voice over the speaker. Like the other Autobots, the smallest of the group had heard everything Optimus had said as soon as the Autobot leader had broadcast it.
On a small side street leading to a square that during the day was filled with vegetable and flower vendors, a brightly hued pickup truck skewed halfway around. As it did so, its back door flew open and an extendable ramp slid down. Sparks flew as the metal edge struck pavement. Seconds later the silent square echoed to the roar of a big bore motorcycle as it came blasting down out of the truck’s bed. The bike went one way while the truck zoomed off down a different street. A few angry shouts came from local residents who had been rudely awakened, but all returned to bed as the noise rapidly receded from their immediate neighborhood.
After all, the sound of engines racing was far from unknown in Rome.
Deadend and Swindle were agile as lizards, but in Rome’s narrow byways nothing could handle the ancient twists, turns, and thoroughfares as well as a bike. With something to prove, Knockout blasted beneath ancient arches and tore past silent shops without so much as disturbing a rosebush. In minutes he had cut across sections of the central city too difficult even for a racing car to successfully negotiate.
Deadend nearly ran him over.
“Meddlesome Autobot!” the modified street racer shouted. “Your death will precede that of your betters!” Transforming a front fender into a rotating cannon, the Decepticon unleashed a burst in the motorcycle’s direction.
Knockout dodged, and like much of the ancient city, the old apartment building the shells poured into was fortunately undergoing restoration. When they arrived in the morning, the local construction crew would find considerably more work awaiting them than they had left behind the previous evening.
“You jabber as fast as you juke, but that’s all you two are,” Knockout taunted them. “Nothing but talk!”
In response, Swindle accelerated and fired. Sections of pavement erupted skyward where his explosives hit home, but Knockout was already on the move down an abandoned alley barely wide enough to allow a human to pass.
“Where did the interfering machine go?” Cannon smoking, Deadend slowed as he and his partner searched the area. In the darkness their probing beams scanned crumbling stone and new brick. An urgent call clamored for their attention, but they were too preoccupied to acknowledge it. High overhead, a circling Starscream fumed impotently as his sidetracked underlings focused on the diversion.
“The task at hand!” The leader of the Decepticons transmitted furiously. “Attend to the task at hand!”
“Terminate this one first,” the slightly larger street racer growled. “No midget Autobot mocks Swindle and keeps its Spark!”
As the cycle continued to circle the area, it, too, received a fretful call. “Knockout, this is Optimus! What are you doing?”
“Sticking some spokes in the Decepticons’ plan,” the Autobot replied. “And having a little fun at the same time.”
“This is not a game.” Optimus’s tone was somber. “You are outnumbered and outgunned. If they catch you in a crossfire—”
“They’re not going to catch me, period!” With that, Knockout’s engine raced and he accelerated once more. “I won’t let you down, Optimus. Not any of you.”
/> In the big diesel’s cab, Epps smiled and nodded to himself. “I always did have a thing for motorcycles.”
The tactical concern that Optimus had voiced had also occurred to the maneuvering Decepticons.
“I will take this road to the left. You continue forward,” Deadend muttered. “According to the roadway plans for this city, there is an ancient wall ahead. We will trap this insolent Autobot between us. At that point, even if he chooses to change his shape it will be too late. Ready your weapons.”
As the smaller street racer peeled off, Swindle un-limbered artillery from both fenders and sped up. Yowling street cats and the occasional stray dog scrambled to get out of the way as the two determined Decepticons accelerated down different roadways.
Sooner than expected, the back end of a motorcycle suddenly appeared in Deadend’s sights. Without hesitating or worrying about the surrounding structures or their sleeping occupants, the Decepticon opened fire. A part of him was aware that Starscream was yelling at him from somewhere up in the clouds, but Deadend kept to his course. One shell after another just missed his target, but the bursts were getting closer as he refined his targeting. One exploded just behind and to the right of the Autobot’s rear wheel, sending Knockout into a wild skid from which no human rider could have recovered. The next shot, the increasingly animated Decepticon was certain, would cut the fleeing Autobot in half.
Trailing smoke, Knockout screeched around a corner. That last burst had to have wounded him, Deadend was sure, because though still moving fast his quarry was beginning to lose speed. One more corner and …
A Decepticon’s eyes could not widen, even when in its natural shape, but the street racer’s tracking high beams suddenly flashed red. In closing on Knockout, the eager Deadend had momentarily forgotten to maintain full awareness of his own companion’s wildly shifting position.
A moment was enough.
As Knockout slid sideways beneath a parked delivery truck, the two Decepticons slammed into each other head-on. At the excessive speed at which they were traveling, far more than fenders were bent. Circuits were shorted and internal components shaken as unyielding metal met unyielding metal.