More orders from Optimus, demanding more battle plans for an attack he obviously had just decided on impulse and scheduled for tomorrow. It was like he didn't understand the strange and unique concept of "prep time." Smokescreen could hardly believe it. Didn't Prime, at the very least, understand the need for preparations? Regardless of the pathetic state of the decepticons, it didn't excuse a last minute attack plan that is utterly pointless. He wished to plan an attack on the decepticons, waste resources, and for what? Energon? They have control of quite a few energon mines already. A lot more than the decepticons, he was sure of that.

Smokescreen spent a moment staring into space, trying to figure out Prime's motives for this seemingly random attack. It seemed most reasonable to be used as a method of draining the decepticon's already limited resources, having them wasted on a battle that would be fruitless for them no matter what the outcome was. Since the autobots had more resources, they could just force the decepticons to use up their resources.

That seemed like the most reasonable motive, but upon further consideration, Smokescreen realized that couldn't have been Prime's motive at all, even if it made the most sense.

It had been a while since they last led an attack, and Optimus does enjoy fighting for the sake of fighting. He had been particularly aggressive in the past week, and he remarked not too long ago about how sparring had done nothing for him. They weren't going to attack the decepticons for the sake of tilting the outcome of the war! Prime just wanted to satisfy his bloodlust!

Smokescreen couldn't keep himself from punching an already-dented wall near him in frustration. He could hardly believe it. Did he really respect this mech at one point? Why did he ever wish to be his tactical adviser Prime failed to ignore his impulses, and it affected the autobot's state in the war. Their recent attacks have all ended with minimal gain, and that had to be the reason. The others weren't performing at their full capacity, no doubt due to the lack of a medic that wasn't completely nuts.

Sometimes, Smokescreen couldn't help but feel he was the only sane mecha here. Optimus was simply disappointing, Ratchet was a horrifying medic, his experimental "upgrades" known to every recruit, and Arcee was Arcee. Still, in his eyes, the others at least had some sort of value. Optimus may be a fool, but he was stuck as their leader. Ratchet motivated the recruits to avoid getting hurt by decepticon, and Arcee was insane enough to be an effective member. He listed other mechs in his mind, and could think of a use for each of them.

But of himself? The autobots could very well perform without him, as it seemed his plans were completely rejected half the time. His own performance in battle was hindered by his lack of motivation and time in recharge. What good was he to the army? He may as well be cannon fodder, his own demise remembered by no one. He wasn't even sure what Optimus saw in him.

At times like this, trying to drown his frustration in stolen high grade seemed like his best option. He already knew what to tell Prime when it came to is job as a tactical advisor, he spent all the effort he was willing to spend on this pointless battle.


A/N: This chapter was originally a lot sillier. I have no idea what happened. I was hoping this would be the last chapter, but some other ideas expanded, and now I've got another chapter to finish.