Prologue
Wings trembling as she worked, Skywarp went over her checklist for the fourth time in ten minutes. She had all the paint that she could carry with her, quick energon rations if she was in a tight spot and could not get out fast enough, the voice modifier, the holoemitter, and the encrypted datapads. It looked like everything that she needed and if there was anything else that the Autobots could not provide in fear of her being discovered then the Decepticons were sure to have it.
She was as ready as she was ever going to be.
Footsteps behind her made her lift her head. The sight of the red and white mech behind her brought a small frown to her dermas, but she folded her arms over her chest and tried to look as nonchalant as she could.
"Ratchet, what are you doing here?" she asked as politely as she could.
The field medic's blue optics stayed on her for a moment before he sighed heavily. "Skywarp, you know this is not necessary," he murmured softly. "There are plenty of others that could do this."
"I signed up for it, Ratchet," Skywarp flared her wings in annoyance. "You know that and we've been over this before."
Ratchet continued looking at her, acting like he was about to block the only exit to the room if she tried to move. It was annoying. She was a full-grown Cybertronian! Or at least she would have been if they had not stopped providing the necessary upgrades to become fully-fledged adults. And Ratchet could have done that if he was not so set in his ways.
"That doesn't mean that you have to," Ratchet repeated for the tenth time that orn, reaching for her. "Someone with more experience can do this."
"And how am I supposed to get experience if I don't do this?" Skywarp snapped, finally reaching the breaking point. "Ratchet, I swear to Primus, I know what I'm doing! I've been trained for slag like this. You might be in danger, but I am not. Now please get out of my way; I have a shuttle to catch."
Ratchet reached for her arm, but drew away with a solemn nod. "Very well," he murmured. "Be safe, Skywarp."
"You say that like it's a hard thing," Skywarp smirked before she walked past him. "Besides, it's not like I'm going to be flying on the front lines. I'm going for a more secure spot where I can siphon info out of the higher ups."
With one final nod and smile, Skywarp left. Ratchet sighed and massaged his forehead, wishing he could have changed her mind. Regardless of what she said, he did not think that she was going to be safe. If only there was some way to keep her out of harm's way….
Author's Note: I know I said I was going to finish off the other stories, but dang it if I'm not bored out of my mind with staring at the screen and not having the will to write. So, I'm going to work on a new one and see what happens.