Masquerade

Disclaimer: Oh Gawd, I gotta stop doing these. LOL. And yet...somehow I can't seem to do so. If you guys ever get tired of these, let me know. I have MANY ideas involving other pairings, but this one I'm particularly stuck on. But stay tuned. With a devoted fanbase, I tend to be much more motivated to do these a lot. :) Now granted, this was a series of ideas that I originally had for my fic NEVER WILL BE, but didn't work out for the intended plot. So this one will be an AU fic that will work around an alternate version of the whole events of Animated involving Shockwave. So. Yup. There you have it. I promise there won't me too much sadness this time. :)

"A single lie destroys a whole reputation for integrity."

-Baltasar Gracian

"A lie does not consist in the indirect position of words, but in the desire and intention, by false speaking, to deceive and injure your neighbour."

-Jonathan Swift

By: VampireQueenAkasha

"...all that unpleasant morality."

-Shockwave, Transformers Animated

Rising Sun

Cybertron

The planet was placid, having all but sustained peace that lasted through another generation of Autobots. The peace blinded many to believe that deception was too far away to take advantage of them; that they had been victorious once and for all.

"My Lord. I'm here."

"What have you to report, my loyal servant?"

"They suspect nothing. All attention has been diverted to Wasp."

"Good. Hold fast to your disguise. Upon your graduation, I want another report."

"As you wish, my liege."

The transmission arrived from a darkened shadow in the Autobot Boot Camp from Long Arm. He was kneeling in the shadows away from the troops to avoid being seen as he transmitted his message to Megatron. A smile lit his face before he joined the cadet ranks in line upon Sentinel Minor's command. Most of the time, he ignored Sentinel's irritating banter, but today was particularly different. Today marked the deportation of Wasp.

"But, I'm innocent, I tell you!" Wasp cried, thrashing against his restraints, looking for help that no one in line was willing to provide him, "You're making a big mistake, all of you!"

Sentinel glared down at him. "Mute it, traitor!" he spat, yanking the Autobot insignia from the smaller bot's chest.

When Wasp wasn't looking, Long Arm couldn't resist his smirk of contempt. Wasp glared at Bumblebee with murderous intent and spoke in a threat that was nowhere near empty. "I'll get you for this, Bumblebee!" he snarled, "If it's the last thing I do!"

As they wheeled him away, Sentinel turned his attention to Bumblebee with a half-hearted smile. "Well, that took spark, kid," he said, "I may have to rethink your name." He approached Bumblebee and paused thoughtfully. "What was it again?"

Long Arm leaned forward. "You're in, buddy!" he told Bumblebee, who couldn't resist his smile of pride, "You're bound to get that Elite Guard posting now."

Sentinel's smile disappeared and he faced the others now. "Speaking of spark, since no one has come forward and claimed responsibility for dropping that building on my head," he snapped, stopping in front of Bulkhead, "I'm just going to drop out the biggest loser out of the platoon for good measure!"

Bumblebee groaned and stepped forward. "I did, sir!" he said.

Bulkhead and Sentinel both stared at him; Bulkhead looked surprised, but Sentinel looked very annoyed now. Bumblebee smiled weakly.

"This isn't going to affect my Elite Guard status, is it, sir?" he asked.

Long Arm couldn't believe his luck. He was taking out two potential threats with one shot. Sentinel turned his attention to the remaining cadets as Bumblebee and Bulkhead were ushered away. He sighed and shook his head with dismay.

"Well, at least we still have a few of you left who has some sense around here," he snapped.

Long Arm smiled. "Thank you, sir."

Yes...thank you.

They are all fools and I will most certainly ruin them.

O

Red Alert was busy at work in the Iacon Infirmary hall, tending to a female youngling who had a broken leg joint. She smiled sweetly at her. "It'll be okay," she assured her, "You just have to stay off that leg for a while. Broken legs aren't fun, huh?"

The youngling sniffled as Red Alert led her to her mother and father.

"Now. You get some rest, okay?" the medic advised.

The female youngling smiled when she was offered a treat. "Thank you, Miss Red Alert."

Red Alert smiled and waved the youngling farewell and she noticed Rodimus coming into the main lobby as the family left. He glanced after them for a moment before he smiled and offered Red Alert a container.

"I brought you something for those crazy nights at the office," he said.

She laughed gently and almost half-heartedly took it. "Ah, Rodimus; you shouldn't have."

"Have you seen Hot Shot around?" Rodimus asked her, "He was supposed to be at training and he mentioned coming here."

Red Alert shook her head and set the container down on a counter beside her. "No. I have-" She cut herself off and frowned suspiciously. "Primus, did he really?" She sighed and let her hands hang at her sides. "Let's go look for him."

They started to walk down the halls, looking for the other Autobot.

"I can't see how you can juggle two jobs at once, Red," Rodimus told her, as they walked, "You know it's got to be spinal relay breaking for you."

Red Alert chuckled gently. "It's not. I enjoy coming to work every day."

They walked passed Hook and he glared at them. "Primus, Rodimus; if I have to stop that little menace one more time from sneaking in here, I'm going to disable his primary motor functions," he threatened, "I swear it!"

Red Alert gave him a knowing look. "Where's he hiding now?"

Hook gestured with a flirt of his head to the storage room behind him. "You had better pull him out before I DO!"

Red Alert and Rodimus stepped into the storage room; it was filled with various containers, storage units and crates filled with medical supplies. Red Alert put her hands on her hips and glared around the seemingly silent room.

"Hot Shot, if you're not out of wherever you're hiding by the count of three, I'm going in after you!" she warned, "One...two..."

Hot Shot popped up from inside one of the containers. "Hello nurse!" he hooted.

Rodimus folded his arms across his chest. "Why are you hiding in there?" he demanded, "I thought I was clear that I wanted you in training!"

Hot Shot climbed out of the container. "Relax Rodimus," he said, smirking, "How long has it been since we've had a Decepticon attack? I'm always ready. I don't need to waste my day in training when I'm just born with natural talent to kicking aft!"

Red Alert glared at him. "Have you no respect for my work here in the hospital?"

Hot Shot smiled and held up two hands. "Hang on, don't blow your tailpipe, Red," he told her, "I'm actually here for a good reason." He paused and stared at their skeptical faces. "Okay, Sentinel mentioned a party-well, a banquet anyway-for the graduates and we're invited to go. On the way, I got bored waiting for Red here to get out of surgery, so I waited a bit by the vendor. Got bored there, so I explored. Ran into Hook. He chased me down the halls and was too lazy to go looking for me in the storage room. And then you guys ran in and...here we are."

Red Alert tilted her head curiously. "We're invited?"

"Yeah. All Elite Guard and military forces are."

Red Alert frowned thoughtfully before she scowled and slapped the back of his head. "I truly wish you would behave professionally instead of attempting to ruin my career the way you so blatantly ruined yours. Now let's go."

Hot Shot winced and then laughed. "Rodimus, have I really ruined my career?"

Rodimus shook his head with pity and walked out before he could answer that.

O

Just as Hot Shot had said, the Metroplex played host to the celebration of the graduation of the cadets. Sentinel was making his announcement to the watchers with a smile of pride on his face while the cadets stood behind him.

"As leader of this event," Sentinel announced, with a smug look, "I just want to say, it was an honor training these young minds; molding them for the future! Under the watchful command of our very own, Ultra Magnus of course." He gestured across the podium to Ultra Magnus, who waved at the audience.

Hot Shot whistled loudly through the silence in a goofy manner. "Hey! Sentinel! Lay a kiss on it!" he hollered. He made kissing noises on his hand and placed it on his aft to emphasis the perfect "aft kisser".

Sentinel gave him a dirty look and ignored the mild, scattered giggles behind him as he continued. "Anyway, I hope we can have ourselves another good generation of warriors that Cybertron can be proud of." He paused and held up his hand, gesturing to someone in the audience; a large white mech named Grandus. "Okay, now I know the big guy's going to have a serious meltdown if we don't start the banquet soon, so let's begin."

Grandus shrugged his shoulders when everyone glanced back at him.

Shortly afterwards, the cadets were welcomed by the Elite Guard and the Autobot military forces. The crowd of Autobots spent the evening mingling, talking and sharing stories at the banquet and planning for the future with the cadets.

Hot Shot pushed his way through the crowd with Chromia and Moonracer so that he reached Red Alert who was in the middle of a conversation with Ironhide. "Behold, my dear nurse companion!" he boasted, "I come bearing the gift of fine, ever so attractive females!"

Moonracer smirked and posed slightly. "Naturally."

Red Alert chuckled dryly at the joke. "Hot Shot, I was just talking with Ironhide," she said, "He's very interested in joining our squad."

Hot Shot surveyed the red bot with a thoughtful murmur, pacing around him. "Hmm," he mused, "Looks pretty tough. But are you sure you're Team Athenia material?"

Ironhide smirked and his entire body suddenly covered itself in a gleaming, metallic casing. "Come on then, small fry!" he boasted, patting his chest with one fist to emphasis his durability, "Give me a big shot!"

Hot Shot smirked and retracted one of his wrist torches. "Oh, you got a set of big bearings on you!" he said, "You asked for it!"

Red Alert groaned and stepped back. "Not in the banquet hall!"

It was too late for that as Hot Shot fired a searing blast of fire at Ironhide, causing several mechs and femmes to scatter with cries of surprise. Ironhide stood unharmed and with his hands on his hips, a proud look on his face. Hot Shot blinked in surprise before he grinned.

"Well, I'll be slagged," he remarked.

Moonracer and Chromia laughed. "Leave it to mechs to prove who has the bigger, shinier pair."

Ironhide looked at Red Alert. "Come on, pretty lady!" he said, "Give me your best shot!"

Red Alert held up a hand. "No thank you. I'd rather not."

"Come on!" Ironhide pushed, grinning, "I bet you can bust a few jaws!"

"No. Honestly, Ironhide," Red Alert said, embarrassed, "I believe you."

Then, Long Arm stepped up and patted Ironhide on the shoulder. He gave Red Alert an apologetic look. "Ironhide, now what have I told you before," he reprimanded gently, "Is that any way to speak to a lady?"

Ironhide sheepishly smiled and walked off.

"You'll have to forgive him," Long Arm told Red Alert, "He does need a lesson in manners. But he has a good spark."

Red Alert laughed and shook her head. "The goofy ones usually do."

Hot Shot held up a finger, already bored with the inane conversation between them. "If you two will excuse me, I see a fabulous Energon dessert with my name on it!" he announced, as if his entire life depended on it. Then, his optics widened as he cast his gaze to the banquet table. "Uh-oh, it's on the move. Gotta go." He quickly moved through the crowds, chanting to himself. "Must follow, must follow..."

Red Alert glanced at Moonracer and Chromia, who giggled and stepped back, but not before Chromia nudged Red Alert's hip with one elbow joint so that she stepped awkwardly closer to Long Arm. Red Alert glared after her with a grunt. Long Arm arched his optic ridged and chuckled sheepishly.

"Yes, and it seems childishness is certainly in mass quantity around here among my fellow ladies," she muttered.

Long Arm just smiled. "That is why they have us to manage them. Otherwise they'd fall apart."

Red Alert gave a small laugh and took a drink from her container of Energon. "I've never seen you around here before," she said.

"That's because I've never been around here before," Long Arm replied, "I'm new to the planet. I was raised off-world."

Red Alert chuckled. "Ah, sorry."

"It's okay. After all, I'm learning as I go," Long Arm said, cheerfully, "I have had many considerate friends to show me the way."

Red Alert turned so that she faced him completely. "Forgive me, I haven't properly introduced myself," she told him, offering her hand to shake his, "Field Medical Officer Red Alert of Team Athenia; it's a pleasure to meet you..."

Long Arm shook her hand with a smile. "Long Arm. Former nobody, now recent addition to Cybertron Intelligence."

Red Alert laughed at the joke. "I'm sure you've had your chance at fame before you came here."

Long Arm waved his hand in the air. "Had it, but I could not pass up the opportunity to become a part of something better."

While they were talking, Hot Shot dodged Grandus from taking his Energon treat. "Ah-ah, back it off, Thunder Butt." he warned. He glanced over and noticed Red Alert and Long Arm talking before sighing dramatically at Chromia and Moonracer watching as well. "Ahh, points a finger in society, doesn't it? Don't those two scan a picture perfect moment?"

Chromia frowned thoughtfully. "Hmm...I don't know," she said, skeptically, "Long Arm's kind of...uh..." She glanced at her friend. "What's that word I'm looking for, Moonracer?"

Moonracer was chewing an Energon treat. "Dull? Stiff? Drab?"

"I was going to say out of her league, but those words work too." Chromia said, with a laugh.

Rodimus walked passed them toward the two and Hot Shot's optics widened slightly. "Uh-oh..."

The red and gold mech stopped in front of them and arched his optic ridges at Long Arm. "Hello, Long Arm," he said, in a particularly gruff tone, "Sentinel Prime is gathering the cadets to assign them their posts. I think it's best if you hurry along."

Long Arm smiled calmly. It was hard to tell if he was put off by Rodimus' tone or at least acted like it didn't bother him. Either way, he gave Red Alert a gentle bow. "Forgive me, but I must be going; duty calls, I'm afraid." he told her.

Rodimus smiled sarcastically after him.

"He's charming," Red Alert said.

Rodimus rolled his optics with dismay and a grumble of disgust.

Chromia, Moonracer and Hot Shot laughed at the scene.

"Do you smell that, my friends?" Moonracer joked, "That is the masculine scent that I have become quite familiar with over the centuries. Ah yes, take that in the oflactory sensors. It's the ripe smell of jealousy at its finest."

O

Long Arm was pleased with his new office.

He took a moment to survey each and every corner before looking up at Cliffjumper and Ironhide standing there.

"Is everything to your liking, sir?" Cliffjumper asked.

Long Arm nodded his head. "Yes. This is perfect. I imagine that I'll be most comfortable." he said, smiling.

Ironhide laughed as Cliffjumper left the room. "Hey, you know what? Chick bots really dig guys in high power," he teased, "My brother told me that's what makes their gears really grind; bots with control."

Long Arm snorted and took a seat behind his desk. "That's quite superficial, Ironhide," he argued, "Female admirers desire more meaningful things like sincerity, respect and dignity among their fellow Cybertronians. Not one whose idea of a pick-up line is asking them to punch them in the chest."

Ironhide laughed sheepishly. "Yeah, I know. But you can't lie. She was pretty hot."

Long Arm chuckled gently. "Well, she was rather attractive in her own right, but I'm not interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with a female right now."

"How about a male?" Ironhide teased.

Long Arm gave him a skeptical look. "Could you leave my office now?" he snapped.

Ironhide laughed and held up his hands. "Okay, okay, I'm out."

"Thank you." Long Arm muttered, gathering his items from his trunk.

"By the way, congrats on making it to Head Honcho of Intel!" Ironhide said, on the way out; he gave Long Arm a wink and a thumb's up as he started to go, "I hope you still return all of our calls there, big guy!"

Long Arm gave him a parting wave and Ironhide left the office, leaving him along to set up.

As he did, he began to gather and set various tools and weapons onto the desk in front of him. He smiled calmly at the sight and picked up a particular hooked weapon resembling a harpoon, running his fingers across it with a deep, restrained wickedness in those blue optics.

Highbrow was standing alone in the dark, eerily quiet storage facility. He cupped his mouth and called loudly.

"Hello? Perceptor?" he called, "I received your message! Where are you?"

"I am here..."

Highbrow turned and noticed a shadow appear behind him. "Hey, you're not supposed to be here," he told the unseen bot, "You need to leave."

"Leave? Why would I want to do that?"

The bot stepped out of the shadows and Highbrow's optics widened in disbelief and horror. "Primus, no!" he gasped, "It's you!"

He turned and ran, hoping to find someone to help him. Behind the bot, his unknown assailant calmly walked after him, as if he was determined that despite the slow pace, Highbrow would be captured at any cost. The Head of Intelligence was almost to the door when something whistled through the air and punched clear through his chest. Highbrow's fingers shook inches from the door before he dropped to his knees, shock on his features. He stared down, seeing that his entire chest had been stabbed cleanly through by a spear.

"Highbrow, where are you going?" the voice purred, a single red optic glaring at him from the darkness, "I thought you wanted to find me."

Highbrow's optics widened and his head was forced back. His mouth gushed Energon and he stared up into the empty face of Shockwave, holding a deadly, sharp weapon into the air. Highbrow struggled to scream, but nothing came out except for thick, precious fluid.

"Consider this your dishonorable discharge," Shockwave whispered, pitilessly.

And with that, he swung the weapon down, cutting Highbrow's head clean off with a single sweep. It clattered uselessly at his feet and Shockwave calmly picked it up with one hand and dragged the headless corpse away with the other.

Long Arm shook his head of the memory with a wicked smirk on his face. "You'll be happy to know I've filled your position properly, Highbrow," he murmured to himself.