The Scavengers: I do not own them but love to abuse them.
Reason why Crankcase should never be a cheerleader.
Expanded version of Shooting in Dark
Spotlight: Present
Misfire Story
Fulcrum watches Misfire as he spoke to Grimlock when nobody is watching. Most of the mechs aboard the WAP had tendency to ignore Grimlock like he is not wanted. Misfire made sure that Grimlock knew that he was glad that the Autobot is on the ship. Spinister goes on in his mind wandering the corridors and Misfire tends to avoid him. Crankcase made sure that Misfire understand in no certain terms he has no patience or desire to be a friend. Krok just tolerates Misfire and mostly gives him a looks saying go away or shut up.
Fulcrum observes his new team with some misgivings and thought nice means in the Decepticon Army is someone going to stab in the back at later date. Today is the day to figure out what makes Misfire tick to predict his new team mate to know what you expect. Spinister in some ways easier observe hoping that he does not want to shoot for some reason that you are looking at him.
Misfire is noisy sort of fellow, Fulcrum observing the flier out of the corner of the optic. Fulcrum has two school thoughts all the chatter is attempt to misdirection on the Jet part and so it is distraction. The second is even more likely than first Misfire is what he is without pretense. Which leads to the question how Misfire was able to survive so long? Fulcrum thought to pry information of Crankcase which ended up in a 'bah' or some complaint being the mystery like the W.A.P. how can the ship still fly.
All the crew has some form of hidden hurt. Fulcrum learned from his past experience that hurt has a way to come for front in the processor. Misfire idle chatter is irritating as his hyperactivity but it is distraction from the hidden hurt the jet has. Fulcrum has to know what that is in case the purple jet attacks him so listening to Misfire might provide the clues. Currently the jet is busied himself with the Autobot Dynobot Grimlock in language lessons.
"Such a soft spark you are Misfire." Thought Fulcrum watching Misfire patiently coaxing Grimlock to improve his processor by expanding vocabulary.
"Miss, can you say 'Mis'" spoke Misfire stressing the 'Mis' in slow pronunciation for Grimlock.
"M…..Mis." Spoke Grimlock in perplex tone
Misfire claps his hand in sheer delight at the Dynobot attempt to say his name. Fulcrum watch the two even further in truth the crew is glad that Misfire took an interest in Grimlock it kept him out everyone's circuits. Grimlock look at Misfire in a blank expression and touch the jet hands. Then the purple jet looks around nervously as if he didn't want anyone to see his soft side. Fulcrum noted the relationship appears to be one sided and Misfire is reacting to his emotions uncomfortably.
"Miss…." Spoke Grimlock as Misfire froze and gave him startled look.
"I….I got to run." Spoke Misfire darting the corridor and down a hall to find his bunk room. "Friends hurt you the most."
Grimlock follow Misfire down the corridor where he found the Jet looking sad and lonely. Fulcrum follow the two down the corner and listen to purple jet and part of him feel guilty that he is spying on Misfire at his most vulnerable. The sense of guilt is quickly pushed aside Misfire is a Decepticon therefore a companion by no means a friend. Friendship is non-existent in a military life and company of professionals and Fulcrum determine not to allow the Scavengers enter his spark. So treating them like friendly rivals was the best solutions. Misfire is soft on Grimlock did not compute to what a Decepticon should be.
"Mis…" Spoke Grimlock concerned tone.
"Grimlock." Spoke Misfire looking at the Dynobot in a force cheerful tone. "You are so lucky that you don't know what like not to be wanted."
It was memories that haunted Misfire that he had to bury the hurt in him. Misfire thought of his creators especially Rapidshot an expert marksman how he could from a sniper is beyond him. The Golden Age was coming to an end and Rapidshot took him out to target practice. The Days were good then and the name Misfire never became his designation.
Outside of the City of Vos 4.8 Million Years ago
A purple and silver mech a flier class like the mechling before him unlike most he has patience that is rarely seen in this frame type. Today like many orns before the purple silver seeker patiently teaches the youngling to shoot a weapon. Rapidshot smile down at the mechling who taken his spark unlike many of his generation there still kindness in his optics. The city of Vos these days seem to be more bent on beating that kindness out of the younglings. Rapidshot look at both Skywarp and Starscream as good examples and part of him mourns at the lost. The mechling has not yet earn his adult name which means most of the instructors write him off.
"So when do I get my adult designation?" Began Mechling in nervous tone.
"Soon." Answer Rapidshot in more resignation. "The designation is based upon the characteristics that you have displayed." The adult designation had already been given and Rapidshot felt was given out meanness and spite. In Vos failures were not tolerated and neither are gentle sparks like Shine here. "Shine, please look at me and put the weapon down." The Youngling did as he is told as he looks at the Elder mech. "Your adult designation was given out deca-cycles back it is Misfire. This is a designation is not one of kindness and respect."
Misfire nodded his head in sad agreement at the last statement. His creators long ago ignored his existence and this starting when he entered school and started failing target practice. Misfire watched as others in his class things were different when he was a sparkling they were friends. As time went on the friends they soon drift apart. It was the heavy competition to be part of the elite trine that meant two other fliers could be part of the team with Starscream.
"Rapidshot, why do spend time with me?" Ask Misfire finally letting the curious nature get better of him.
"With you Shine I don't have to pretend." Answer Rapidshot. "Most of fliers like us are gearing for a war that will not end for long time. Many of the fliers are tired of being treated like second class citizens by the ground vehicles robots. Tomorrow you will get adult frame and be ship off to the Decepticon War Academy. I want just one last memory of peace before the war breaks out."
Present day
"Misfire…." Spoke Fulcrum looking at the Hyperactive jet.
Misfire blink at Fulcrum in mild surprise and he did not hide the hurt from the techie optics. Grimlock finally transform out of his alternate mode looks at the smaller flier part of his processor told these mechs were enemies but his spark told them were friends. Grimlock remember faintly others like him and he tried to remember what feelings he had for them. Red optics of the Dynobot sadden a bit they were important but he had neutral feelings for them. Now his new companions were different a bit weaker than his old ones but nicer and needed his protection. Misfire is hurting and some reason it bother Grimlock and the reason is lost to Dynobot.
"Yeah…yeah loser…" Spoke Misfire at Fulcrum like he normally does but the façade soon fell. "it is is like…how much you heard?"
"Everything you said to Grimlock." Spoke Fulcrum in thought realizing he is intruding on Misfire privacy.
"I mean you are new…." Spoke Misfire quickly "you get tired of me. People do especially the cool ones."
"The 'cool' ones..," Spoke Fulcrum in a derisive respone at the purple jet's assessment of him being the cool. "I am not that cool, Misfire."
"Grimlock…." Spoke Grimlock as he grabs Misfire and hugs him tight. "Mis….h..h"
"Grimlock!" Spoke Misfire squeak in protest and struggles out of the Dynobot's grasp.
"It looks like no one going leave you again." Smiled Fulcrum at the purple jet being hug by Grimlock noticing he might squeeze tighter. "You might need to take it easy Grimlock he not a Dynobot."
"Not Grimlock like." Spoke the Dynobot easing down on the tightness of the hug.
"So what are you thinking about, Misfire?" Ask Fulcrum concerned at the Jet.
"About the past." Answer Misfire craning his neck at Fulcurm.
Fulcrum felt he really intruded on Misfire personal demons. "The thing about attachments they are dangerous and allow you to have only more pain. I thought this was a regular unit in Decepticon Army. "
"So you were watching us, Pinhead." Spoke Misfire looking at Fulcrum in a grin. "Crankcase said you were asking a bunch of questions again. Is it the normal Decepticon stuff finding the weak links to exploit in the team?"
Fulcrum could see Misfire neither angry or surprise at what he is doing. It was almost expected in the ranks of the Decepticons. This group is still different from regular squads of Decepticons but there is a faint resemblance when comes to the newbies. That leave Grimlock in most unique position he is not is a newbie and a Decepticon. Fulcrum felt ill at ease having Grimlock hugging Misfire like that. Misfire for his part is to remain still and not even struggling to get out of the Dynobot's embrace.
"Misfire, you are on bridge duty…" Spoke Crankcase looking at the jet in askance and disgust. "Grimlock time to let your new toy go and he has to go watch pretty lights."
"W wat?" Ask Grimlock looking baffled at the Pilot.
"Watch the pretty lights and not touch." Spoke Crankcase as his lights his optics with idea. "If you touch the button that told not to touch, Misfire, you will become Grimlock's next squeeze toy."
"Right…Right not touch the Auto-pilot button." Nodded Misfire manages to get out Grimlock's servos.
"And the weapons buttons!" Spoke Crankcase in a glare. "Fulcrum why don't you go with Misfire to bridge and watch him to make sure he does not touch any buttons. So I can get decent recharge without worrying about him sending us into Black hole."
"I would not do that." Protested Misfire looking at the Pilot faux offended look as Crankcase walks off. "Well not until after Krok told me what a black hole is."
"Crankcase! " Shouted Fulcrum in a near panic being stuck with Misfire who did not completely know what Blackhole is. "Who is going look after Grimlock!"
"Bah!" Snorted Crankcase at Fulcrum trying to get out of staying on the Bridge finally spoke. "Solution to problem is not to let Misfire near the helm of the W.A.P."
The Dynobot stomp off to his lair or former rec room of the crew to curl up in alternate mode on the pillow nest. Grimlock found the hum of the mechs around back to normal they no longer talk in hush tones anymore or scared of him. They are his to protect in Grimlock mind the symbols they wear have no more meaning than the symbol he wears. In the simple processor Grimlock decided to keep an optic sensor on Misfire he is still going painful events of the past. Sensitive one like Swoop and the fleeting memory came and went just as quickly. Grimlock transformed into his alternate mode thinking whoever, Swoop, was someone important to him. With his talon he craved the glyphs of Swoop name on the floor. Misfire, Fulcrum, Krok, Crankcase, and Spinister were all important to him now and with that thought the optics dim. Grimlock vowed to keep this group safe.
Fulcrum watches Misfire at the Navigation as he took the helm. Misfire is being unusually quiet and for some reason that bother Fulcrum.
"Mind if I ask you a question." Spoke Fulcrum
"Sure." Nodded Misfire
"Why are so determine to help Grimlock?" Ask Fulcrum looking at the larger mech
"It is wrong to keep him lesser than what he is." Answer Misfire simply. "Grimlock is one of the greatest warriors there is and yeah as an Autobot and he would spit Cons like me shred me into pieces. I don't know Fulcrum I want him to be that again a great warrior. The way he is now is just plain wrong."
Misfire listen to proximity alerts on the sensors picking up a small ship coming their way. Misfire look up the long range sensors are picking up it has a Cybertronian life reading as one. Fulcrum frown at the shuttle craft as it approaches the W.A.P.
"We better summon Krok to the bridge." Spoke Fulcrum
"You want to take the weapons console?" Mumbled the Jet
"Yeah no sense wasting ammo and you are really not a good shot." Nodded Fulcrum politely toward to Misifre. Not realizing his words caused flashback of memory.
The Academy
Memories plague Misfire it was like that when he was just mechling and his mentor Rapidshot will hug him. Many of the Jets teased and taunt him because he couldn't fight or he is too awkward with a gun. Memories as the others in his class smirk all too knowing smiles and so call friends fast disappeared. Misfire wanted to prove his sire right that he can be good fighter like Starscream's Trine. Misfire just wanted to stay away from the academy instructors and other students.
It was another day and another walk down the hallway to the instructor's office and another time like many times before he is worthless with a gun. Skywarp was visiting today already graduated and making the ranks in Decepticon Army. Nothing changed between since they were sparklings. Misfire noted Skywarp always been a bully and thug and picking on the techies and scientist. He was even part of Starscream's Trine but Misfire wings droop further before he had no trine to be part or call his own.
"Ohhh it is him." Spoke Dreadwing in sheer disgust was enough to snap Misfire out of his reverie.
Misfire merely let the insult slide off his back and ignore the other Decepticon as he continue his walk to the Instructor office.
"I surprise that the Failure is still around." Spoke Skywarp in a smirk.
Misfire clenches his fist as he head towards the Office and not responding to Skywarp taunt. It was mild compare to when Skywarp really lets loose. Misfire so wanted to shove his gun up Skywarp afterburners and fire it.
"If he was of the Disposable class…." Spoke Triggerhappy in dark smirk. "Misfire, would had been gotten rid of. The Disposable Class Flier that what the classmates been calling him. "
Misfire is the hated nick name he earned the first few orns when he started the Academy. After the nick-named was given most the other students shunned him and even former friends. Misfire found the betrayal it hurt to his spark. Misfire knock on the door of the Instructor and with defeat on his frame. In his spark he already knew what the Instructor is going to say.
"Misfire…," Spoke the Instructor as he perused his file without looking up or even acknowledge the other Mech's entrance. "I see that you failed yet again at Target Practice."
"I did practice sir." Protested Misfire in a rush.
Instructor gave Misfire a glare. "It is like you really don't want to be Decepticon or you really that useless. " There was a pause before he spoke again. "Misfire."
"Misfire!" Spoke Fulcrum sharply drawing the jet to the screen as Krok entered.
"We are receiving a hail from the ship." Spoke Misfire in unemotional tone drain of feeling.
"Misfire?" Spoke Krok concern tone indicating that he is worried. "Is there something a matter?"
"I am just thinking too much, sir." Answer Misfire glumly.
Krok optic ridge went up at Misfire who decides in one sentence not three that there is nothing wrong. For a Mech who does not shut up something is that means something is bothering Misfire. "Misfire, go take a day off because something is in processor and needs to work itself out. Spinister will be on the bridge with me." The Jet looks down cast as he walk off the bridge. "Fulcrum go keep an eye on him."
"You want me to talk to him?" Ask Fulcrum looking at Krok
"No sometimes we need to figure things out for ourselves." Answer Krok in a smile behind his face mask. "Misfire will let you know when he ready to talk things out."
Crankcase sighed as he heard the alert and saw that Misfire left the bridge. If anything Crankcase had left of his pride it was he was the grouchiest mech on the Weak Anthropic Principle and it was the title that intends to keep. So seeing Misfire in grouchy mood did not set the pilot right. Like Fulcrum he was at odds not wanting to like his crewmates and it was much easier that way when someone stabs you in the back. At least those are the reason why Crankcase decided to check on Misfire. It wouldn't do to say if you actually care about someone. All ofthe Scavengers, Misfire did not belong in the Decepticon cause. It was debatable if Misfire remained a neutral would be safer. At one point in Krok's career he became disillusioned by the Decepticon cause that is when he took Misfire in.
"Heya Kid." Spoke Crankcase looking at Misfire sitting on the crate.
Misfire nearly jumped out of his framed and gave a startle yelp.
"Don't do that!" Squeek Misfire in a near panic.
"Hey I tried being nice and this is what I get." Snapped Crankcase looking at Misfire and then glares at him. "All right Misfire you been not your annoying hyper active self and what is biting you?"
"Why do you care?" Ask Misfire looking at Crankcase weird.
"I like to know my Chaos in advance." Snorted Crankcase as he fold his servos.
"Crankcase, are you feeling okay?" Ask Misfire nervously. "I mean are you sick or something?"
"Bah!" Snorted Crankcase looks Misfire mild disgust. "I am trying to cheer you up. You are looking at me if I grew another head. Quit it!"
"I am just thinking about my career as a Decepticon warrior." Spoke Misfire in a depressed mood.
"That sucks slag!" Snorted Crankcase in mild disgust. "I mean your military career is enough to make the most cheerful and disgusting happy mech more to where I can relate too."
"Are you trying to cheer me up?" Ask Misfire perplex
"Uh right!" Spoke Crankcase in a shrug. "The W.A.P. can have room for one normal mech and one craze mech who is always talk and spread cheerfulness. I mean who can mix Energon like no body business. Who can make this swill taste half way decent Anyhow we better get ready if we have to fight."