Barricade, Skyquake, and Dreadwing stood on the terrace of a building, both guarding a mansion where a large party was being held, with many guests and many armed guards.
They knew that the Mafia boss who ruled the city of Kaon from the shadows was in this place, where everyone without exception was a potential threat. So it would be a very complicated fight for the three of them if they launched an attack without a plan.
Thanks to his interrogation, he had an idea of the types of enemies protecting the mansion and its guests. However, Barricade knew that the disappearance of the team sent to capture Dreadwing and Skyquake might have been noticed, especially because of the way they were killed, thanks to Dreadwing's explosives, which created a highly visible and difficult to ignore blast.
"This place is well guarded, it will be difficult to get past so many of them." Barricade commented, using his optics to scan the distance. "Such a big party is probably because the Mafia leader plans to advertise the Minicons in their firepower. A show of force to intimidate the other contestants."
"And the rumors would make other criminal organizations worry and avoid invading the city of Kaon to do their business, but if we defeat him, it would be more than enough reason for all the mafia leaders to discuss what happened." Dreadwing crossed his arms, making an assumption about what would happen if they succeeded in the mission.
"No matter what happens, they will be forced to meet to discuss what to do with the empty territory of Kaon City, but I have no intention of letting any of these scum set foot in my city." Barricade drew his weapon and checked it for readiness. "There are three of us against over 100 guards."
"And our targets are the Minicons and the Mafia leader, so we need to time our entire attack." Dreadwing echoed Barricade's action, checking his own weapons. "When the battle begins, we must limit the escape points, we will be forced to corner them in a few minutes."
"This is by no means an easy situation, so let me be the distraction." Skyquake pounded his fist into his palm. "I wasn't born to be a strategist, I'm good at crushing anything that gets in my way."
"Are you sure? Not even your armor is immune to all that firepower." Barricade looked at Skyquake, trying to decipher whether his decision was madness or confidence in his own abilities.
"Don't worry about me, you two just focus on completing the main mission, I will launch my attack in 15 minutes." Skyquake took a huge leap and transformed into a Cybertronian fighter, reaching great speed in the sky.
Barricade sighed, knowing that the situation they were in was impossible to handle without causing panic, so they had to be fast and merciless. "Dreadwing, you and I will flank our enemies, our main priority is to get to the Minicons, if they are used our attack will be in vain."
"My master wants to take down the Mafia boss as soon as possible, but I agree that the Minicons are an undeniable priority." Dreadwing nodded, noting the blind spots where he could sneak in and plant his time bombs. He knew that if the Minicons were used, it would be impossible to deal with their opponents without taking great risks, so their best chance was to attack tonight while they were not yet activated, since the mission would be compromised when the sun rose over the horizon.
"You and I can't get into this place without being identified, so I'll break in through the back door and take care of the guards, I'll leave it to you to blow up strategic points of security circulation." Barricade ordered, pointing to the point where he would soon attack.
"Understood, with the amount of explosives I have left, I can guarantee that at least half of the guards can be neutralized." Dreadwing walked towards the stairs, a plan already forming in his mind.
"Once Skyquake attacks, we will have 28 minutes to complete the operation and get out before the Autobots arrive." Barricade informed, following Dreadwing as he prepared his mind for the battle ahead, knowing he could not lose the element of surprise.
"I have a question, Barricade, why would someone like you use such methods to fight?" Dreadwing couldn't help but ask, curious to know what made Barricade so violent to the point of exaggeration.
Barricade didn't seem to mind the question because he already had an answer for it. "When you are a police officer in Kaon, many believe that your job is only to arrest criminals and bring order and peace to our society. But in cities like this, sometimes you have to shoot first and ask questions later. When a criminal points a gun at your head, he feels entitled to judge whether you deserve to live or not, and the consequences are to put that type of person in jail...until he is set free to do again what made him the scum of society." He said coldly, with a well-hidden resentment in his voice that Dreadwing noticed.
Dreadwing frowned as he realized what Barricade was trying to say. He and his brother had to survive by the following rules: Survival of the fittest, killing to survive. They had no choice when they became what they became, but it was their choice how they would die, and for them, the best death would be in battle, following their ideals, dying as warriors. So they identified with Megatron's ideas, listening to his speeches in the arena and challenging the political system that was corroding Cybertron day by day. Motivating them to believe that the power they had from birth was worth using for a nobler purpose in the future, even if their participation was insignificant.
"Did you lose a partner?" Dreadwing asked, his gaze still fixed on his path.
"Yes, for a criminal that I myself learned for a crime of murder. That bastard waited years to be released on good behavior so he could kill my friend." Barricade replied without looking away. "Killing him was a little difficult, but after the first time, the second and third were easier."
Dreadwing pondered Barricade's words, now understanding why he was someone who did not follow the rules of being an Autobot. A police officer who perfectly followed the rules he thought were right until reality knocked on his door and made him witness the death of his friend, something he could understand if someone tried to kill him or his brother. Revenge is a fuel fueled by hate, indignation and guilt, something Barricade hid in his blind rage against criminals.
"You'd make a great Decepticon." Dreadwing stopped so that Barricade could look at him. "You fight for Cybertron, willing to use any method, showing no mercy to your enemies. My master, Megatron, needs warriors, and I can assure you that your strength will be greatly appreciated. My master intends to rid the streets of these vermin, along with those who rule our world, using the suffering of many to support their corrupt government."
Barricade couldn't help but smile in surprise. "So he really intends to wipe the board. I'm curious to see how our world will change; I want to see what kind of world Megatron wants."
"I won't lie, I don't like your excessive violence, but I can sense that you're only directing your anger at evil bots." Dreadwing reached out to shake Barricade's hand. "While this honor can only be bestowed by my master Megatron, I would like to extend my greetings in advance, welcome to the Decepticons."
"Hmph, this is a rather unexpected invitation. Master Megatron... I can get used to saying that when he gets rid of the High Council and reforms the rules." Barricade shook Dreadwing's hand firmly. "For now, let us work together to prevent these Minicons from being used to harm innocent people."
"Then let's do it." Dreadwing said, returning to his serious mood.