Constructicon Creators Chapter 2

After moving Grapple back into Scrapper's room, the Constructicons gathered in the common area once again.

"P-p-poor Grapple. S-such sadness, such sadness there is in him. I-i'm going to melt that s-s-slag heap Autob-bot into s-scrap, I say, s-scrap!" Mixmaster was agitated, wringing his hands together as he contemplated Hoist's demise.

"Only after 'Crusher and I get through with 'im," Long Haul muttered darkly. "Slag sucking little bastard."

"Language, Long Haul," Hook corrected, but for once there was no antagonism in his voice. "How dare that insignificant little bot cheat on our Grapple. Perhaps, Scrapper, you could create a masterpiece from that coward and his little whore."

"Tempting," Scrapper agreed, "but I think we have more important things to worry about right now, such as making sure Grapple settles in here. Perhaps..." he trailed off, deep in thought. The others waited for him to elaborate, but when he didn't they went back to discussing what to do with the traitor who had broke their creation's spark. Even gentle Scavenger, who liked violence a lot less than the rest of his gestalt mates offered a few creative suggestions.

"Alright, you lot, that's enough. We can deal with the Autobot later; right now our priorities are helping him fit in here. Convincing Megatron will be easy enough; after all he is a Constructicon. We also need to help him forget that wretched Hoist, and I think I have the perfect plan to do so." The others quit bickering, intrigued by the look in Scrapper's optics. Some of his best ideas came into being while he had that look. Eagerly, they discussed what they were going to do.

***

Grapple was on edge. That was nothing new. He had been at the Decepticon base for a week, and was still learning their way of life. Decepticons, as a rule were a lot more violent than Autobots, and much cruder. They were also brutally honest. If someone had a problem, they would confront the other, beat the slag out of them, and then carry on as though nothing had happened. Being punched in the face was akin to saying hello for some of the Cons. Grapple did his best to avoid those ones.

As Scrapper had predicted, Megatron had accepted his presence easily enough, although Grapple was on probation. This meant that he could not leave the Constructicons' quarters without one of them, or one of Soundwave's pit spawn accompanying him at all times. He hadn't been asked for Autobot secrets yet, which was just as well. He didn't know any. He and Hoist, he flinched at the thought, had kept themselves pretty secluded from the rest. He thought that Scrapper and Hook were the reasons that he was not pestered for information.

Speaking of them, the first day he had been allowed out of the quarters Bonecrusher had announced to the other Decepticons that Grapple was their creation, had been re-wired by the Autobots, and if anybody so much as looked at him wrong they would end up in Hook's tender care. The fact that perfectionist Hook had been idly twirling a laser scalpel between his fingers, a look of malice on his face, had convinced most of them to back off.

All in all, Grapple had to admit that he liked getting to know his creators. He had been an orphan for so long that even if they were Decepticons, he was glad that he was finally getting the chance to connect with them. He got along well with most of them too. He had first warmed up to Scavenger and Mixmaster, who had been open, excited, and less threatening than the rest, but he was gradually getting to know all of them. It was a shame that Omega had never come forward, but the former Autobot supposed he had his reasons.

The Constructicons had made it clear that they wanted him there, and that they knew what had happened with Hoist, which was why they had chosen to act now. Before, he had been relatively happy. Now, he was a mess, although he was finding it hard to be depressed when surrounded by all these new mechs, trying to learn their code. It didn't hurt any less, he just thought of it less often.

The whole situation was surreal, but to make matters more complicated he would sometimes catch the others staring at him. Some would leer, some would become disinterested, but the Constructicons would glance at him, then someone else, and begin muttering to each other. The brief bits he overheard did nothing to clear his confusion.

"Perhaps Thundercracker?"

"Good Decepticon, but do we really want his trine to be around...?"

"The flyers are out then, and there is no way I will agree to any of the Stunticons. Or the insecticons."

"D-d-don't even j-j-joke about that." They always cut the conversation when they noticed him watching. Other than that though, life wasn't too bad. Because it still hurt too much to build, Bonecrusher was teaching him about Demolitions, and Scavenger was always happy to let him tinker with his "treasures" whenever he looked down. He wasn't happy, but at least he wasn't bored.

***

The triple changers were bored. That was never a good thing. Boredom meant trying to find a way to alleviate it, which usually ended up with loud interfacing or someone being sent to the med bay. Sometimes both. Today however, they had been warned (read threatened) by Megatron, who had some grand scheme in the works, that if they caused any damage whatsoever they were going to be slowly dismantled. While conscious. And fully aware of every little detail. Thus, they had opted to leave the base in order to try to find something to do. Currently, they had settled down on an abandoned strip of beach and were chatting (gossiping) about the other Decepticons.

"So," Astrotrain drawled, "would you 'face with Ramjet?" Octane and Blitzing burst out laughing.

"That psycho? No chance in the pit." Giggling, Octane asked,

"Starscream?"

"He's a hot piece of aft, but too whiney for my tastes. Besides, I think Soundwave might kill me." The other two laughed.

"Got that right Blitzy. Who would you 'face, given the choice?" Blitzwing thought for a moment.

"You seen that knew Constructicon? Grapple, I believe?"

"Ooo, nice choice, my man. He's definitely a hot piece of aft. Kinda shy, but those ones are always wild in the berth," Astro chuckled.

"Yeah, just watch out for his creators though. They'll kill you if they catch you looking at him the wrong way. They're rather possessive I hear. That idiot Runamuck went after him the other day. I think he's been volunteered as the Constructicons' test subject for the next twelve solarcycles." Blitzwing and Astrotrain flinched.

"Fool. Well, better him than me." Standing up, Astrotrain stretched the kinks out of his spinal struts. "Well, we should head back to the base before someone notices we're gone. Last thing I want is to end up in the medbay when the 'Structies are all on edge." The others agreed, and the three mechs transformed and took off.

Hidden behind one of the sand dunes, Long Haul and Scavenger exchanged smirks. They had been on their way back from procuring supplies when they had heard Grapple's name. This was an interesting possibility, and a possible end to their ongoing debate.

"C'mon, let's go tell the others." Transforming, the two construction vehicles headed back to base.