Mirage looks at Peceptor's version of the Poppers. Unlike Sideswipe's the poppers were more refine and yet there is circuitry. Perceptor merely grin. Mirage wonders if Sideswipe would notice these poppers are modified and still for all practical appearance they are the same. Perceptor is obviously proud of his work.

"This is the first time resorted to juvenile delinquency." Microscope smiles at Mirage. "For something that is considered to be breaking the rules this is actually fun."

"How so?" Asked Mirage actually curious

"It is kind of nice being part of something with a person." Spoke Perceptor. "I was dubious when you approach me on this project. I mean the Twins tease me and wreck my data pads. I thought you would not see me as person but for my intelligence. "

"People pretend being your friend so they can use your intelligence." Spoke Mirage. "I do apologize for that. I admit I did that at first…."

Perceptor's optics dim in pain and he nodded stoically. "What change?"

"A lot of little things you did." Answer Mirage. "Your excitement in this project is contagious. I mean when I am around you I am me. I don't feel at all self- conscious or I did something wrong when I made a mistake. In general I feel I feel comfortable just being me. Perhaps my rambling is not good enough explanation."

Perceptor canted his head in thought then spoke "You never had a real friend before. You really want to be my friend?"

"Aboslutely."

"I will have to think about it." Answer Perceptor

"I understand." Nodded Mirage

"As for the poppers I finish put them together. However, the chemicals are unstable and need time to…."

Perceptor stop for a moment and look at Mirage a bit. "Are you going interrupt?"

"No." Answer Mirage "It will be rude."

"Did you understand what I said?" ask Perceptor

"Not really."

"I think it best to keep the poppers as still as possible."

Mirage nodded and thought. "I would hide them in my shelving unit."

Perceptor glance at the shelving unit. It was make shift unit that Mirage probably put together to store his data files. The box will be hidden amount of stuff on the shelving unit. Buzzer went off and Mirage got up and escort of out Prowl's and Jazz's quarters.

"Perceptor, I have to go to practice now." Spoke Mirage

Mirage held head high as he walk down to the training room. Perceptor merely watch him go.

"Mirage."

"Yes."

"Have good training session and go beat up the manikin." Spoke Perceptor

"Thank you."

Mirage went through series of practice moves with Jazz. His attacks seem more focus and have more power to each points of contact. Jazz gave him a signal to back away and stand there. Mirage could tell by the gleam of his Mentor optics that he is pleased.

"Yer attacks stronger Raj." Spoke Jazz "What have change?"

"Jazz, I feel more myself." Answer Mirage

"Ah tha important." Smiled Jazz "Ah was gonna bring this up ta ya. Prowler and I feel it is time ta train ya to shoot wit guns."

"I mean I am going get weapons training?" Ask Mirage "With you?"

"Nah, Ah am good but Hide is bettah." Answer Jazz wave his servos dismissively. "Ah wanna train by tha best."

"Ironhide." Spoke Mirage optics went wide in surprise. Ironhide is primary trainer of the Terror Twins and most of the Frontliners. Mirage felt a wave of anxiety of the thought being train with the Terror Twins. The secondary trainers were Kup and Springer both are also Heavy hitters themselves.

"I am not going put with tha twins."

"Okay."

"Any how it is almost time for yer upgrades." Spoke Jazz in smirk. "Ah wanna get the basics of hand to hand done then upgrade ya start to work on the new bod."

"Upgrades?" repeated Mirage surprise with a twinge of regret.

"Yer Creators talk about that?" Ask Jazz

"Yes my sire was looking forward the sol." Spoke Mirage. "He was going to take to me to see wild crystal formations. Take me out on to watch and hunt turbo-foxes. It was going be right of passage."

Jazz merely watch as Mirage optics fill with grief for a moment as he remember his creators. "It may not be a trip to natural crystal park but I will make tha day special for ya. I did that for Sunstreaker and Sideswipe."

"Jazz, you don't have to." Spoke Mirage

Training went without incident but the fatigue was taking over Mirage so he released. Jazz said to go to the rec room to get energon. Which meant that Jazz is behind his file keeping and Prowl was on his aft to get it done. Minis were in there and have natural resentment of the towers. Hound came in with black mech named Trailbreaker and watching the body language they were pretty close. Mirage hung his head in disappointment but he knew Hound should have someone special. It really hurt in the spark.

"Hello Mirage." Spoke Trailbreaker

"Ummm hi." Spoke Mirage helm down

"I heard you like crystals." Spoke Trailbreaker

"My family last gift was a crystal." Spoke Mirage dully

"Mirage, this is Trailbreaker." Spoke Hound

"Is he a friend?" ask Mirage

"Yes he is." Answer Hound

"Hound and I are very close friends but not lovers." Spoke Trailbreaker suddenly understood what was bothering Mirage. Comm to Hound. ::Mirage, has a crush on you.::

"Oh…okay." Spoke Mirage

"Something on your processor?" ask Hound trying not to react to the comm.

"Jazz spoke of my mechling upgrades today. It weighs heavily on the processor." Spoke Mirage

"It is an exciting event." Spoke Hound "Ah I am sorry Mirage. I mean that it is something entire family would look forward too. "

"The day would remind me constantly that I am an orphan."

"What did Jazz say he would do?" ask Trailbreaker

"He would try to make it special but it isn't the same." Spoke Mirage

"We could also make it special." Spoke Hound. "I was going ask if you like to learn how to grow your own miniature crystal garden."

Mirage watches as Perceptor walks in with Ratchet. "I would like that very much."

"Then I will ask Prowl to take you with us when looking for seed material." Smiled Trailbreaker

"Can we take Perceptor with us?" ask Mirage

"That is up to Ratchet to decide." Spoke Hound "But go on ask, Perceptor, if he wants to come."

Perceptor look up as Mirage approach him. "Hello Mirage."

"I want to ask you something?" ask Mirage

"You already did."

"I would like you come with me to find material for a miniature crystal garden." Spoke Mirage

"A statement rather than a question." Noted Perceptor

"Would you like to come along?" ask Mirage

"Why?" ask Perceptor

"I would like to spend time with you might be fun."

"You were being honest with me." Spoke Perceptor then looking at Ratchet who just reading a text. "There are a hundred mechs here would love to go outside look for something like materials."

"Yes there are hundreds of mechs here but I rather spend time with you." Spoke Mirage

"I would like this as well." Spoke Perceptor "We are not going alone are we?"

"No we will have escorts." Spoke Mirage "Both Hound and Trailbreaker will be with us. That is if Ratchet allows it."

"If you both are going do this you better do this before Mirage's upgrade." Spoke Ratchet. "I will advise also is that rough terrain is big no. Mirage upgrade is not an off road vehicle but a racing mode. Is a light frame and made go fast, but, low endurance and strength not the same as Hound and Trailbreaker."

Author Note: I am going to do more with the Poppers but involves Sideswipe and Sunstreaker while Mirage is away with Perceptor, Hound, and Trailcutter.