Mindwipe look at Spinner in a calculating manner. Then at the Data files that are missing the new pet took them no doubt. It took longer to break the Autobot than Mindwipe first thought. Mirage, he was an experiment in a sense to see how far it would take the new program with a false life than he actually led. Mirage did not steal anything for the first two nights on the station in fact he explore the station. Spinner gotten carried away with Mirage during the next two nights. Mirage's remember virtually nothing of the Towers and life as noble by then. Mirage recharge on streets a couple times. Spinner made a mistake not keeping closer optic on Mirage as he started to stalk Orion Pax.
Mindwipe in truth is angrier at Spinner for loss of Mirage than at the Autobot himself. It was even trail run Mindwipe smile more to him guessing being a spy is no different being a thief. Spinner damage has some consequences and his apprentice was greedy one. Losing your patient is a good lesson he remember how he loss Prowl. Mirage filled his purpose and in time Mindwipe would offline the Autobot.
"I want him back." Spoke Spinner in a whine
"You lost him through carelessness." Spoke Mindwipe in a dark smile.
"It wasn't wise of me let him go by 'Raj.'" Spoke Spinner in an even tone. Mindwipe wanted to hear why this project failed. "It is too close to his original name."
"Incorrect." Spoke Mindwipe looking at his protégé. "'Raj' is nickname that Jazz gave him. I knew the project past life so I observe him potential while interacting with his colleagues."
"What were the potential candidates?" Ask Spinner chewing his lip
"Sideswipe, Blurr, Bluestreak , and Mirage." Answer Mindwipe coolly. "I told you to watch them. Why didn't you?"
"Blurr was accessible and I admit failure there my teacher." Spoke Spinner looking at Mindwipe in his bat form. "Sideswipe is working as Enforcer, Bluestreak was not very accessible so he would not be an easy target."
"Mirage?" Ask Mindwipe of his pupil.
"Mirage was one of opportunity when I was gathering some tech from the old base." Answer Spinner
"Prowl sent him in." Spoke Mindwipe tapping his claw feet. "Although Orion Pax was unforeseen event for rescuing Mirage, what is likelihood of this project ending in failure or success as an outcome?"
"It was 67% in failure where Mirage would have gotten away." Answer Spinner conceding to the facts. "Lesson I learn it takes more to control a sleeper agent with a false life than it looks. Memories doe surface when triggered in case in point with Orion Pax."
"Orion Pax is unknown factor even I could predict that he would come to the station." Spoke Mindwipe in annoyance. "Mirage brainwashing was incomplete?"
"Yes." Nodded Spinner
"Even though we decide on the actual training versus the implantation of thief skills set." Spoke Mindwipe in polite tones. "Why was that important?"
"Taught skills have more lasting effect on the subject." Spoke Spinner in a faint smile. "Mirage had enough memory degradation of the false life and none of his real life memories he would had lose the skills he gain if they were not taught."
"Well done Spinner I am pleased with your analysis of Mirage as a project." Spoke Mindwipe coldly. "Making a sleeper agent is not easy. The things I stressed during our lessons you need a tactile demonstration."
"And about, Mirage?" Ask Spinner looking at Mindwipe
"He served his purpose you must dispose of him." Answer Mindwipe
Spinner knew that his master will never let Mirage live and function. Mindwipe preferred the un-tampered minds of agents and during which he would field test them. On this cavern in deep in the within a moon of a planet that relatively isolated Crimor 12. Mindwipe told of the group of fanatics called the Decepticon Justice Department and he himself was sent to Decepticons to watch them. The masters did not like unknowns and Megatron was that at the time. Mindwipe hated to have failures live going about their lives or even escaping him.
Orion Pax let his ship land outside of Iacon City in the wilds. Mirage, shifts out of nervousness and looks at the city of Iacon balefully, whatever happen to the spy happened there. Orion Pax wondered if it is wise of him to take Mirage with him looking for the Autobots. Memory fragments the former noble talked about even though disjointed were dark. Mirage looks at the city speculative in cool assessment. The urge to steal is more of challenge of not getting caught. It was the thrill of it living knowing that slip up could cost you a night's meal Mirage found it very alluring. Orion Pax learn if anything Mirage can easily be directed into using that energy to help him.
"Mirage." Spoke Orion Pax redirecting his former spy attention.
"It dangerous I know." Spoke Mirage looking at Orion for the first time. "To dangerous."
"Sizing up your marks." Spoke Orion Pax softly.
"It is habit I develop it seems." Nodded Mirage "You are looking for the Autobots?"
Orion Pax could see the stress in Mirage's optics. The programs for living a false life as thief is strong and some it will never leave Mirage's cerebro circuits. False life and the skills were taught to Mirage occasionally come into conflict with true life. Orion Pax , decided to stop and rest so Mirage can refocus himself once again. Mirage looks at the ground noticing the tracks coming this way.
"Tracks made recently." Noted Mirage looking at Orion Pax
"Do you know who made them?" Ask Orion Pax
"I had seen them going off in that direction." Spoke Mirage in nervousness. "I am not much of tracker, sorry."
Orion Pax had to admit Mirage is not meant for tracking he paid attention to his surroundings though. "That is not your specialties no need to be sorry."
"I wish Cy-Tech could have come." Spoke Mirage looking at Orion Pax
"Cy-tech there are several reasons for him not to come." Spoke Orion Pax gently. Program finally works through Mirage's system and it is easing the stress level. Spinner had Mirage scout the area for potential marks and in the wild areas the need is far lesser. "Feeling better?"
"No. Tired of these programs in me." Spoke Mirage in a baleful stare. "It seeing the city I feel need to explore it even though I been there and lived there."
"It will lessen over time." Spoke Orion Pax. Mirage's core life is returning and so the new life faded but some elements remain it closely tie in to survival. "Take the new skills you have and use them. There yours, Mirage, to utilize them."
"Hmmmf Screamers would love to throw me in the brig." Smirked Mirage in anger. "He is not with the Decepticons anymore."
"Let's move on." Spoke Orion Pax
Orion Pax follow the tracks to ledge where some his fellow Autobots greeted him with weapons drawn. Mirage usually hung back and watching the other Autobots warily.
"Orion it is good to see you again." Spoke Ironhide sliding down the hill. "Mirage."
Ironhide could see the change in Mirage demeanor. The last mission that Prowl sent him on put the kid through the ringer. Jazz was right to be worried about Mirage.
"I only got fragments based upon what Mirage could remember, old friend." Spoke Orion Pax gently.
:Remember?" Spoke Ironhide through comm
:Someone try to brainwashed him.: Replied Orion Pax
Ironhide felt an internal debate to tell Prowl about Mirage but he could not. Mirage been through the pit and back by the looks of it. Orion Pax is visiting and so is Mirage from what Ironhide gathered. Ironhide did not like the wariness in Mirage's optics.
"You are among friends, Mirage, no need to be nervous." Spoke Orion Pax looking at the spy.
"They are Enforcers." Spoke Mirage
Orion Pax finally dawn on him what the source of Mirage's nervousness. As thief he had been program to be extremely wary of law enforcement. Mirage's skill set gave him ability to break out any brig but on the whole he hates to be lock up. Orion Pax finds the new form of Claustrophobia developed in Mirage when it came to be lock up in brig. The new phobia was originally cause by the fake life Mirage had to live or because what happen to him prior. Ironhide noted the change in Mirage as well.