Chapter 6 Opposing Forces: Bots vs. Cons: Jazz

"Prowl?" "Prowler, are you ok. What just happened?" Jazz asked when he woke up more quickly than expected. He hoped the private link wouldn't be seen as anything other than concern for a fellow officer but if it conveyed more at least Prowl would be the only one to hear it. "I am okay. It...it wasn't a true glitch." " I'll explain later. a little upgrade for the mission." Ratchet confirmed that he seemed ok by a quick scan but wanted answers later. The mission he understood was a priority. He had given Prowl the necessary upgrades and considered it an unexplained side effect of the upgrades until he had further evidence.

"Go get the bomb and report to my office I will brief you on the details on the way." Prowl told his partner for the mission.

"Way ahead of ya boss" he answered from halfway down the corridor on his way to Wheeljack's lab. Prowl just shook his helm. He wasn't sure what was different about Jazz. He was always 'playful' but this was getting to be over the top with him. He wasn't sure what was going on but he was determined to find out after the mission. He was not going to lets his hopes get in the way of his focus though.

Jazz walked in Wheeljack's lab to find the engineer standing with a small crystal like metal rock in his hand. "Do you have the bomb ready? I needed it like, last orn. We leave in less than a joor."

"This is it, Jazz. This is what you came for. It is perfect."

" Already! You're good Jackie. I can definitely hide it but the main question is will it work?"

"Of course." Wheeljack answered pretending to be offended. " Sabotage is your specialty, explosives are mine."

"That is true. Thanks. Anything else I should know?"

You have a 10 k radius so that will give you time to get away before blowing it up."

"should it come to that, Jackie"

"It will." Wheeljack's face plates lit up. "I almost wish I could blow the cons to the well, but at least I have a part in it. Oh, on another topic, Have you made your move yet?

"My move? This isn't about Prowl again is It? You know I don't..."

"I don't think you should wait. Im sure he is getting annoyed. You guys are perfect for each other, Jazz everybody knows it. You should settle down and be exclusive mech. Its great. One thing that is sure in this uncertain time, besides Prowl upgraded his systems for..."

"the mission, Yes I know" Jazz cut him off not wanting to hear the rest, assuming it was what he was thinking. Wheeljack was right. It would be worth settling down and being exclusive with Prowl but even a close friendship would be a blessing from Primus in this time of war. If only... He didn't need to let his thoughts go in that direction. It was vital that he concentrate. "I really need to get going. Prowl will be downloading the information I need soon. Thanks again for everything"

"yeah, Mech! I am glad we are on the same side. Go kick some con tailpipe."

"Here it is Prowunassuming, dangerous, and even beautiful but no doubt will pack a powerful punch." Jazz told him. Like some bot I know he thought smiling. Prowl gave Jazz an incomprensible look then actually smiled.

"Great. I hope it does."

"Wheeljack assured me it would. Explosives are his thing."

"Indeed." The expression confused Jazz.

"Watcha thinkin boss? I am ready to retrieve the prize and do some partying."

Jazz of course had already planned a party to boost moral and to celebrate this small victory, but after his talk with Wheeljack he would use the oppertunity to initiate what he hoped to be at least an actual friendship with Prowl. He planned to keep the party a light sparked affair. He vented deeply to cool his systems.

"Sure thing Jazz" was the only response. He sent Prowl the coordinates.

"Lets roll." They arrived at the Decepticon base under the cover of darkness and transformed as soon as they reached the smaller structure that was Shockwaves lab. Jazz intered the pass code that he had observed Shockwave use his last mission here. "I just hope it still works."

'it woudl be logical to change it on occasion."

"yes, but I just hope even the most logical con isnt as logical as you, Prowl." To his delight the door opened to no audible alarms. They walked in quietly and within a few nanoclicks Jazz located the device. He subspaced it and collected all the data pads surrounding it. Prowl collected any others laying around the lab. "That was easy...too easy. Now let's get out of here."Jazz left the explosive by the door.

They transformed and left the lab and cleared the base. We made it Jazz thought pleased, but no sooner had the thought entered his processor he heard a the voice of the Decepticon 2nd in command above him. "I believe you have something that belongs to us, Autobots! And to think neither Lord Megatron or Shockwave believed me when I suggested you would attempt this. I was right and I will bring you down."

"Scrap! Jazz swore. "I ddidnt consider flyers in my escape rotue."

"Fortunately I did. Evasive maneuvers." Prowl ordered. They split up and eluded the trine, only to have Jazz almost run into to Soundwave and his cassets. He transformed and fired. A blast hit him in the shoulder causing more damage than he anticipated. "Prowl I am hit" he announced hoping Prowl would leave and he had become the distraction. Prowl did something Jazz didnt expect. He ran closer firing. "Jazz the detonator?"

"Ahead of you there too." he vented. The explosion sent debris flying. Soundwave got out of the way and before Jazz could transform he was hit in the back with the sharp projectile that was once part of the building. Coolant and energon poured out. "Prowl! Go!" he gave him the device. Prowl saw it and commed base for help and began first aid. "No Jazz. he saw him begin to loose consciousness.

I love you mech. Really I do." Jazz whispered as he blacked out. He hoped Prowl heard. he was unaware he already glitched.

Disclaimer: I own only the plot. up next...confessions