Chapter 2: Opposing Forces: Processor vs. Spark: Jazz
A/N Thanks to all who favorite and reviewed. I don't own anything.
Third in command and special operations officer Jazz was on his way back to Autobot Headquarters and radioed Optimus to let the CO know he was returning and needed to see him. "Optimus I am back. I have my report. Afraid I have bad news as well as good and I don' think ya gonna like it. "
"Acknowledged. Jazz come on by and give me the report as soon as you get in."
"Yes sir" he answered. In a couple of breems he approached the hidden door and entered his security code.
"Autobot Jazz recognized." came the computerized voice as the door opened and Jazz transformed and entered. It had been a long few days and he was glad to be back alive and he wanted nothing more than a cube of high grade and to relax on his berth for a good joor at least but that would happen any time soon as he would be required to write up the report and get it to Prowl who would no doubt not allow him to just drop it off. Then it would be off to medical for clearance. He was sure he wouldn't be able to get through all that without having to be moral boost to someone in the rec room.
Jazz was so lost in thought he nearly walked right past the Prime's office. He went in and after a few klicks of small talk Jazz filled him in on the events of the last decacycle. Optimus simply shook his helm. "It is definitely leaves much to consider. If they are successful in the experiments before they destroy each other chances for success diminish greatly. We need other options. We also need to stay appraised on what is going on." Jazz looked at the floor. He knew too well what that meant but his job was to get intel to stop the cons and any thought of taking back his planet from the made him smile. WE need to find other sources. I still have hope. Complete your report and send it to Prowl. You are dismissed." Jazz turned to leave. "Thank you Jazz. Good job out there. Welcome back."
"All in a decacycle's work" he answered laughing but not feeling amused in any way. No time like the present to put up the act. It was a good thing to because the door to the rec room was open as he passed by. "Hey my mechs! Watcha up to?" He asked the twins who looked suspiciously like they were plotting something. Jazz liked to participate in at least the planning of the pranks. He was good enough to get away with it. He looked at it as part of special opps training, staying under the radar while doing something that should be obvious. However, today he wanted no part of that.
"Nothing" Sideswipe answered grinning.
"Nothing important at least" Sunstreaker felt the need to add.
"Go ahead then" Jazz told them. "if you think you can stay out of the brig this time. I have work to do."
"You're not going to snitch on us to that ole boring buzz kill, humorless friend of yours are you?"
"Why would I do that?" He asked them and when were we friends he thought. Prowl hates me. "What makes you think he wont come to you two first. You still haven't learned. It is fortunate you don't have my job. I have a report to write anyway. Have fun. I'll come by the brig and cheer you up." It bothered him to hear the twins insult Prowl like that. He certainly didn't see it like that. If only all of the autobots were as dedicated. He thought. He did agree that he should lighten up some and enjoy his friends and time he had outside the well. He might relax then. Jazz couldn't help but laugh. He approached Prowl's door with an odd mix of emotions on everything from his report to what he wanted in life to his feelings about Prowl himself. His spark started racing. Why had he been thinking about the tactician so often was beyond him. Suddenly the door opened. Primus, he didn't even remember knocking. Prowl was sitting at his desk with reports everywhere. He gave Jazz a look of dismay.
" Yes I have my report ready. Don't look at me that way my mech. It is correct but you wont like it. Optimus didn't." The exchange went much like the one with Optimus but without the emotion. Prowl informed him of his idea about the possibility of going off world to find energy sources. and Jazz knew too well what that meant. It will get me off his hands a while. Jazz thought as he looked at the second in command. He stood there longer than he intended.
"Dismissed" Prowl told him.
He shook his helm and left. After all he still had places to go, But there seemed to be something in Prowl's optics. Jazz was sure he didn't imagine it. It was a look of happiness to see him alive and the hesitancy to mention needing more information and sending him. Did Prowl care? was it more than just caring for the life of a fellow officer? Jazz wasn't sure. Something was there. He didn't want to believe he simply imagined it. He turned to go. He had to see Ratchet and get some recharge before he started losing it. Maybe he was infected. That was it. That was why he couldn't let himself believe there was anything there. He didn't want to infect anyone. That is why he was friendly but never close to any one bot. He didn't want to endanger them.
In a nanoklick he found himself at the medcenter where Ratchet was waiting. "Tell me doc bot, am I gonna make it?" he asked laughing.
"Lets see."
After a breem and a half of poking and scanning Ratchet gave him the all clear. "Yep you're good physically but why do I get the feeling something is bothering you? You seem to not be yourself. Did the cons mess with your head or something?"
"No, Ratch not the cons." Jazz gave a brief explanation of things and mentioned without using names his situation. Frag. Doc could be a shrink at times. It boggled his processor at how perceptive Ratchet could be and how he just dumped everything on him like he did.
"Jazz," Ratchet told him with a gleam in his optics. "Don't sell yourself short. Anything can happen in a few cycles. Don't disregard complementary relationships between bots. after all opposites attract. Go get some recharge. You need it."
"Gladly doc!" he could almost dance to his quarters. He had a lot to think about.
