Rest Calm
By SMYGO4EVA
Arcee saw dust in a cloud right in front of her face. No, she thinks as she turns around, her blaster steady and strong - high enough to intimidate, low enough to strike. Just as Tailgate had taught her.
Tailgate...
Arcee's focus slipped slightly.
She closed her optics and listened closely.
He taught her that too.
Slip into the shadows and erase your breath.
She heard the steady flow of the river behind her, listening to the snap of branches underneath her feet.
Crick.
Arcee turned to the right, swinging her blaster behind her.
Shoot them down, Arcee. Take them by surprise.
"Stop!" the voice was desperate, frayed with fright.
The femme stopped against her better judgment.
"I'm not here to hurt you."
"How can I be sure of that?" Arcee asked, pointing the blaster at the stranger's chest, right at their spark chamber.
He chuckled nervously. "You don't, I suppose."
She narrowed her optics, suspicion rising in her chassis.
"Who are you?"
"The name's Cliffjumper."
"Odd name," Arcee stated, raising her blaster a little higher, now at 'Cliffjumper' 's throat, "Where'd you get it?"
Cliffjumper released a loud chuckle. "Where everyone gets their name – the Well of Allsparks. Or in my case, getting into the war."