Ashes Ashes (All Comes Down)
Bluestreak would never forget the day Praxus was destroyed. He wasn’t sure if he even wanted to if he was being honest. If anyone asked he would say of course he would, who wouldn’t want to forget the worst thing that ever happened to him? But deep in his spark, Bluestreak knew that day would always be a part of him, whether he wanted it to or not.
Praxus was destroyed by the Decepticons. Bluestreak was the only survivor by design. Part of him wished he died with the rest of his home.
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Cover art done by the amazing @docvigne
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No one was expecting it.
The Decepticons had been quiet for a while, so bots were expecting something to happen. But what happened, no one was prepared for. Battles and skirmishes were few, so tensions were high on base. They were expecting a fight. An attack, even a raid. But not a massacre. Not an entire city-state getting razed to the ground. Not the ruination of an entire population of mechs.
Jazz will always remember where he was when he got a comm ping telling him to come to the command corridor from Red Alert, sounding more panicked than Jazz had ever heard him, and that was saying something since Red Alert saw everything as an attack on the Autobots and their bases.
For once, he was going over reports. Mirage and Hound had just gotten back from a mission. They weren’t supposed to report back for another two cycles so having them back so early was a surprise. Not an unwelcome one since coming back meant they were able to get their intel with time to spare, but worrisome in case they had almost been caught or only able to get limited information or worse, one of them was hurt and had to end the mission early.
When Jazz got the comm ping from Blaster saying Mirage and Hound had made it back from their mission early, Jazz was immediately concerned. Blaster patched him through to their ship and after their coded messages to ensure it was truly them, Mirage assured Jazz they were fine and just finished earlier than even they had anticipated. Mirage reported that the Decepticon base they were on was suspiciously sparse. They were able to get in, get the intel, and get out. Jazz was more than relieved, but filling out the report for their mission certainly dulled it.
: Jazz. Come to the Command Center immediately. The Decepticons are attacking Praxus :
Jazz felt his spark drop. Praxus? What were Megatron and the Decepticons trying to achieve by attacking Praxus? At the very beginning of the war, Praxus had declared itself neutral and said they wanted no part in it. Although it was not outright said, most bots got the message. The mechs of Praxus thought themselves above the war and didn’t want to have their precious city-state image soiled by it.
Praxus is known for many things, mainly its Helix Gardens, and the fact that it is Cybertron’s technological and cultural center. It also occupies a prominent position in Cybertron’s politics. Despite Praxus’ known dislike of outsiders, they pride themselves on their tourist areas and attractions. Their Helix Gardens being the dominant visiting site for locals and tourists both. A place where bots can sit down and truly be in the moment. With different crystals everywhere to give off an aura of peace and calmness. The crystals didn’t have any power besides being appealing and attractive to the optic, nor could any energy be retained from the crystals, so what could the Decepticons want with Praxus?
: What? Why are the Decepticons attacking Praxus?: Jazz replied into his comm. He instantly dropped the report and tore out of his office, transforming and making his way to the Command Center.
:We don’t know. The camps stationed around Praxus went quiet around four joors ago and when we sent the Aerialbots to investigate, Silverbolt reported flames and smoke could be seen before they were even within forty breems of Praxus. The Decepticons seem to have a communication barrier around Praxus so we don’t know much other than that. We’ve told Fireflight and Air Raid to come back to us and report more information and kept Silverbolt, Skydive, and Slingshot around the area.:
Jazz could practically hear Red Alert’s kibbles sparking from the stress and coordination he was trying to deal with. Red Alert’s glitch was a pain to deal with on a normal day, but with this surprise attack, Jazz knew his glitch was acting up and causing Red Alert more strain on his processor. Having to figure out the fine details of their response was usually something Prowl and Red Alert collaborated on, but from how sudden the attack was, Jazz knew Red Alert was trying to figure out how to get them into Praxus and how to avoid more death, destruction and devastation. Jazz could only hope that Red Alert’s glitch wouldn’t incapacitate him.
Jazz was speeding down the halls of their Iacon base center, and usually they have a mandated speed limit, but when bots see a member of high command racing down the halls, the third in command at that, they know to stay out of the way.
It was a blur of face plates and colors as Jazz sped to the command center. His thoughts were going a million miles a minute. What could the Decepticons hope to gain from attacking Praxus and Prowl was at the forefront of his mind. Jazz knew Prowl’s feelings towards Praxus. Just because Prowl hailed from Praxus doesn’t mean it was his home, Prowl had made that abundantly clear. But it was still the place where Prowl was created. Where he met his first friends, got his first job, and joined the Enforcer Academy. It was the place that molded Prowl into Prowl, despite leaving as soon as the chance arose.
Jazz was also thinking about the mechs that occupied Praxus. They had made it clear that they wanted no part in the war to both Autobots and Decepticons, going as far as limiting the travel of their citizens and who would be able to come and out of Praxus. They weren’t meant for war. Sure they had their Enforcers and they could fight well enough, but that was against their own people. Not an army of Decepticons who would tear down anyone in their way without remorse or what the people of Praxus considered “fair.” Praxus held no strategic value in the war, bots were going to be slaughtered. If this is how Megatron was trying to convince them to join the war, he was sure doing it in the worst way.
Finally, finally, Jazz made it to the command center and it was a mess. Orders were being shouted left and right and bots were scrambling to find their place and do something. Jazz hurried into the command room, it was just as frenzied as it was outside, if not more. Jazz seemed to be one of the very last to arrive. Optimus Prime and Prowl were at the front of the table, hurriedly talking with each other. Red Alert and Ratchet seemed to be arguing about whether or not to send Ratchet out to Praxus. Ironhide was nowhere to be seen.
As the door slid shut and Jazz fully stepped inside, everyone looked towards him. Ratchet spared him a moment's glance before he turned his attention back to Red Alert. Optimus looked as if he were about to say something to Jazz before his attention was drawn towards Ratchet.
“They need me there, Red. We don’t know how long the Decepticons have been attacking Praxus and Primus knows how many casualties and injuries there already are! Praxus nor us were expecting this attack so you can be sure that there are bots there that need help. My help.”
“You are our Chief Medical Officer. We absolutely cannot send someone as valuable as you out onto a battlefield!” Red Alert replied back. “For all we know this could just be a diversion from the Decepticons to lure you out and take you out! They know Praxus is defenseless and that we would send our best out there to help.”
“That is exactly why I need to be out there! Optimus, please see the logic Red Alert is ignoring.”
“I am not -” Red Alert tried to sputter out, but before he could finish, Ironhide came into the command room.
“We got bots waiting and ready for yer order, Optimus. Just say the word and we’re ready to deploy.” Ironhide stood tall beside the door.
All optics turned towards Optimus. He had a grim frown set on his face plates and optics that were blazing with the need to help. Jazz knew the choice Optimus was going to make. He would deploy soldiers and as many medics as they could spare, including Ratchet. Jazz would probably do the same thing if it was him.
“It’s your call Optimus.” Prowl’s voice cut through. No emotion was shown on his face plates or his voice, but Jazz could see the strain on his door wings. Prowl’s tac-net was running faster than ever and taking a toll on Prowl. “But I must tell you that time is of the essence right now. Decisions need to be made now so we can help Praxus.”
“We send our units out now. Have Skyfire and the other shuttles ready to deploy and tell our soldiers to head to the loading docks. Myself, Red Alert, and Prowl will stay here. Ironhide, Jazz, and Ratchet will go with them. Assemble your units and head out now.” Optimus said, his voice commanding and leaving no room for argument.
Red Alert looked like he wanted to argue but when Optimus’ optics met his, he wisely chose to keep his intake shut.
Ratchet and Ironhide hurried out of the room. Jazz paused for a moment, looking towards Prowl. For a klick Prowl let his emotions show, the exhaustion on his face plates and frame coming through were most prominent, but the fear in Prowl’s optics made Jazz flick him his confident as always smile, reassurance and comfort emitting through his EM field. Prowl stood straighter and ever so slightly flicked his door wings in response.
“You can count on us OP.” Jazz gave Optimus a flimsy solute and with one last look at Prowl dashed out the door, following Ironhide and Ratchet towards the loading docks.
Heading to the loading dock was a mess of organized chaos. As Skyfire was the biggest shuttle, most mechs were heading towards him. Ironhide barking orders and what mechs were supposed to go where. Jazz saw Ratchet talking with several other medics. Relaying orders and what to expect and how to triage. Although none of them knew exactly what to expect, they had a grim idea. No matter what happened or how much support the Autobots offered, Praxus would burn and mechs would suffer. Jazz hoped they were able to get there in time.
Jazz stepped to the front of Skyfire, surveying the mechs that were in the shuttle. “Alright, mechs, we all know our roles and what we need to do. No more waiting around. Let’s help Praxus and get some ‘Cons while we're at it.” They all acknowledged Jazz and entered Skyfire. Finding their seating and strapping themselves in, ready for whatever they were about to face plates.
: Let's go Skyfire.: Jazz could feel Skyfire’s engine start at his command. :It’ll be a smooth enough journey until we get closer to Praxus. The aerialbots are already there and have been reporting what’s going on to us. We want you to land about fifteen breems away. We’re not exactly sure of the whole situation yet, but from what the Aerialbots have reported is that the Decepticons are guarding all entrances and exits from the ground and air. They were able to secure where we want you to land, but be careful anyway:
:Understood Jazz. We’re taking off now.: Skyfire responded. Bots jostled at the sudden takeoff but got acquainted as Skyfire soared into and through the air. Jazz moved to sit beside Ironhide and Ratchet.
“The main priority is going to be to find and save as many bots as possible. We still don’t know how long the Decepticons have been attacking Praxus but we can assume it’s been around four to five joors. We’re going to set up camp just outside of the border. Far enough that the Decepticons will gotta hustle to get to us but close enough to help any survivors trying to escape.” Jazz explained to them. They nodded along.
“We know the Decepticons will obviously be looking out for us, now especially since we have the aerialbots scouting around and shootin’ any ‘Cons that get too close, so Skyfire is going to land us fifteen breems away and with a small enforcement shield, we’ll make a camp base and go in from there. The aerialbots have already done as much as they can to secure the position for us but we should still be expectin’ some kickback from the ‘Cons. So even with Skyfire’s thick platin’ and outer weapons, we might get hit.”
Jazz continued along. “We’ll be near the Autobot camps we have around Praxus so we’ll take a couple of units to check on them and have the rest breach Praxus. ‘Cons’ will probably still be shootin' so we’ll go in teams of four. Two units to look for any Autobots and survivors and the other two to protect ‘em. This whole thing will be useless if we let the searchers get taken out by the ‘Cons. Ironhide and I will be leading the units going into Praxus while Ratchet you’ll stay on our temp base.”
“As to be expected from the ‘Cons. Can’t let anybot have anything nice. Some fraggers for attacking a neutral city.” Ironhide retorted as Ratchet nodded in agreement and acknowledgment to Jazz. “I’m ready to light some ‘Cons up.”
“We all are ‘Hide, but remember, we’re tryna focus on finding survivors and defending when necessary aight?” Jazz said. He felt all the anger Ironhide was expressing but right now their troops and the people of Praxus needed a calm and steady rescue. Not one fuelled by anger that might cause them to miss something.
“Yeah yeah, I hear ya,” Ironhide grumbled back. Jazz knew that Ironhide wasn’t actually annoyed with Jazz, just using it as a front to hide how concerned he was. He and Ratchet wore that mask and wore it well.
They sat in tense silence for the rest of the flight. There was a charged atmosphere, bots ready to land already and do some damage to the ‘Cons. But underneath the electric charge of the bots was something else. Something anxious and worried and uneasy. How many survivors would they find? Would the Decepticons put up a fight or did all they want was some mass destruction? Jazz didn’t know and he wasn’t sure he wanted to find out.
“We’re approaching Praxus. It…doesn’t look good.” Skyfire said overhead to all the bots. “We’re going to be landing within thirty klicks. Everyone be ready. There aren’t Decepticons in my line of sight but they could be hiding.”
“Thanks, Skyfire.” Jazz said. He stood up and with small nods from Ironhide and Ratchet, he turned and face platesd their soldiers.
“Alright bots I ain’t no Prime but we all know the deal. Once we land we focus on setting up base as fast as possible and sending out our units. We want the medics area done first and then the enforcement shield ready and waiting to be activated. We all know our assignments so let’s stick to them and do it well. Don’t be afraid to shoot a ‘Con mechs. Let’s help Praxus.”
Some mechs cheered at Jazz’s little speech, nothing compared to what the Prime could do but enough to get the bots on their pedes and ready. Others stayed quiet and gripped their weapons tighter. Most had a determined look on their face plates, ready for whatever they were about to face plates.
“Landing now. Stand away from the ramp.” Skyfire said.
Jazz, Ironhide, and Ratchet moved as close to the ramp as they could get without interfering with Skyfire, with their respective teams behind them. Skyfire positioned himself so when he opened his ramp they could see Praxus and its border. The ramp dropped and Jazz walked out.
Praxus was burning.
