Dogfight

Dogfight

Part 3 – Side missions

Well, here goes nothing! Raptor thought to herself, as her Ghost Squadron lifted off for their first mission. She'd never been much of a team player, used to counting on herself and her own vast abilities to get the job done – but now she was an official Decepticon Frontal Assault Commander; So she had to be an example of a 'team player' for the ranks.

She knew Thrust was more of a talker, than a doer – but she'd hoped that all that training she sunk into his thick metal hide – would help bypass his natural inclinations. And pairing him with the 'infiltration specialist' Rumble – who'd run headlong into any situation before thinking about it – would also, hopefully help.

Ramjet was another case all together; the polar opposite to his brother. She and his passenger: Frenzy – would have to try to keep his mind on his orders. Or the impetuous fool would damage them all! Frenzy was under order to take the controls if necessary.

So the Bounty Hunter, turned Commander – Came out of the smooth plasma of warp phase, reeling in the cables that had been attached to her wing mates for the teleport transport. They landed several miles from their target, sending the two infiltration specialists in to do their job. "Make sure to set those charges at 200 astroseconds!" She reminded Frenzy, a smug look crossing her face as she imagined the impending Energon storage tank explosions.

He grinned, Rumble joking that the Seekers better attack right on his signal. Then the two little cons were off, Happy that they felt that they were calling the 'shots' for once.

The three jets waited for the signal, Ramjet getting a bit more impatient than Raptor liked to see. Thrust, wisely, copying his Commander's façade of cool confidence.

Then the signal came! All three Seekers took off in formation, battle systems engaged, missiles locked on the peripheral building of the Autobot research complex. Radar guided missiles striking just before the jets flew in at Mach 2. Ramjet strafed the other peripheral buildings with his machine guns – so far, staying with her orders.

'We've got company!' Thrust said over the frequency, as he banked around the facility with the Autobots: Air raid and Slingshot on his tail.

'Thrust, I'm on it. Ramjet, look for Skydive and keep him occupied' Raptor ordered, her voice cool and calm. She teleported in, right behind the two pursuing Autobots; managing to get a quick laser lock on Air Raid. She let a Sidewinder loose and snickered as it tracked its lock. That'll keep him busy for a little while.

'Skydive's in my sights!' Ramjet exclaimed with glee.

'Keep on him!' She ordered, barely avoiding the fire coming from Fireflight and Slingshot as they flashed by her. 'Thrust, do a vertical, then loop a 180.' She ordered. As he peeled away – the three airialbots were on her. The signal came from Frenzy and Rumble – they were ready for pickup! 'Thrust, pickup on co-ordinates 05-24-3, I'll take care of these boys!'

She teased the three Aerialbots, keeping her speed slow enough for them to still think they could get a bead on her. Then, as she felt their radar lock, she teleported behind them; unleashing the last three Sidewinders in her arsenal. The Aerialbots split off in evasive maneuvers with the missiles locked on them.

Then Ramjet almost crashed into her – as he engaged afterburners – Skydive in his sights. 'Damnit, watch your radar!' she ordered the battle-crazed seeker.

Then Air raid was back on her, as he had finally managed to shake the Sidewinder. She grinned, hit her afterburners, and right as the Autobot F-15 hit maximum velocity to keep up, she slammed up into a vertical – almost stalling. The turbulence from her plasma engines disrupted his as he streaked beneath her, causing him to temporarily lose control. He went into a flat spin, transforming to try and get out of it.

'Pickup complete.' Thrust radioed.

'Ramjet disengage! We're out of here.' Raptor ordered. As she banked hard starboard, the beautiful dancing balls of fire – which had just been full storage energon towers – filled her viewscreen. 'Nice fireworks Frenzy!' She complimented.

Three Aerialbots were still on their tails, trying to keep them engaged. 'Anyone got any Sidewinders left?' Raptor asked, Ramjet had 2 and Thrust still had one. 'Ok, peel off and flank them.' She ordered. Then she immediately transformed and faced the oncoming Autobots.

"You boys just ain't got a clue!" She taunted, hitting them with laser fire. Two of them transformed, more than willing to take her on. Then suddenly, Sidewinders came out of nowhere, locked dead on them. Raptor just laughed and teleported out of sight.

The Ghost Squadron left Earth's atmosphere, its members gleefully discussing the Dogfight. Their first real test as a unit – and a total success!

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Footnote: Unless another good fight scene comes to mind, this is the end of this 'book' of Raptor's life. Things are going to change dramatically, as a very unexpected twist happens in the overall plot of her 'life'. This will be chronicled in the fifth and final book. Raptor Chronicles 5: Voice of Reason

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