Chapter 14
“Now why would they try to board us in the heat of battle?” Bataract asked, doing his best to annoy Xaraxus.
Xaraxus looked up at Bataract. “You idiot. They’re going knock out our weapons from close range, then our engines. Without our shields, that’ll only take a few nano-clicks.”
“So what do you propose we do?” Bataract asked.
Xaraxus turned back to the view screen. “Retract all but five of the manual cannons. Detonate the rest.”
Bataract smiled. “Ah, going to play dead? Not hard for our group.”
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The LSS Freedom pulled along side the Doom Gaze
“We’ve been able to take out over half of their weapon systems” Lightning reported.
“They also seem to be incapable of moving” Shadowpaw added.
“Don’t be fooled, they’re more than likely just trying to re-route their energy. Make sure ALL weapons on their ship are disabled before we try anything” Waitstate responded as he looked to the viewscreen for anything out of the ordinary.
Though Waitstate would never admit to it, the Doom Gaze was an incredible ship. Not only was it more menacing in appearance than most Cybertronian ships, it had an impressive assortment of weapons. Without the respective crew to control all of the weapon systems however, the Doom Gaze was greatly weakened. Waitstate expected as much and knew that as long as they could keep Spectral Death’s ship from fleeing the area, they would be victorious.
“Wait, all weapon systems seem to be down” Aries reported.
“I want all of you to begin boarding procedures. I’ve assigned about half the crew to stay on the Freedom just incase anyone on board the Doom Gaze tries to jump ship” Waitstate told the crew. “I’ll be right behind you.”
When the bridge crew had left, Waitstate moved over to the communication’s console and opened up a link to the Doom Gaze. Once again Xaraxus’ over sized image appeared over the bridge. “I hope you don’t mind, we’ve come for a visit.”
Angry beyond words, Xaraxus tore his seat from the floor and threw it at the viewscreen. Needless to say, the transmission was cut.
A communication’s link from the med bay came in. “Waitstate, this is Restore. I’ve been trying to reach you all day, but your internal communicator doesn’t seem to be working.”
“I know; I just haven’t had the time to get any repairs. How’s Artifice doing?” Waitstate asked.
“I know you’re in a dire situation there, but you’re not going to see him again if you don’t get down here immediately” Restore told Waitstate.
Waitstate opened up a comm link to Admiral Lilwall. “You know the procedures just as well as I do. Start without me, I give you my word I won’t be far behind.”
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Moments later in the med bay…
Welder met Waitstate as he was walking into the med bay. “He wanted to say a few things before you left for battle. We wouldn’t have bothered you if he wasn’t so insistent.”
“Forget about it” Waitstate said as he walked over to the bed were Artifice laid. “How are you old friend?”
Artifice struggled to speak. “I’ve been wrong…about so many things.”
Waitstate held Artifice’s hand. “Artifice, it’s in the past-”
Artifice shook his head slightly. “This is my last chance to speak…please just listen. Being from the Cult… Xaraxus is more powerful than he appears. Typical energy weapons… they may not work on him.” Artifice then struggled to hand Waitstate his short blade. “The metal this is made of… should be able to cause enough feedback… to extinguish a spark.”
Waitstate took the weapon from Artifice and put it in a wrist compartment. He then held onto Artifice’s right hand with both of his hands. “Don’t worry, when we get back, I won’t leave your side.”
Artifice smiled back at Waitstate through his faceplate. “You have been a friend.” With those final words, Artifice’s optics slowly fizzed out; he was now devoid of life.
Waitstate shouted in agony. “NOOOOO! RESTORE, WELDER, DO SOMETHING!”
“I’m sorry. We’ve done all we could” Restore replied calmly. “We exhausted all resources I assure you. I know he was your friend-”
Waitstate cut off Restore. “Xaraxus, you will pay for this with your LIFE!”