And the day had started out so well...
That should have been the first sign everything was going to go wrong, Red Alert reflected pessimistically.
"What in the Pit possessed you to think it was a good idea to spray-paint the cameras on level three?" he demanded.
Slingshot stared back defiantly. Air Raid tried to copy his expression, but he seemed to be having trouble not grinning.
"I'm waiting for an answer," Red Alert growled, glaring across his desk at the Aerialbots. "Did you or did you not paint over the lenses of eight cameras on level three?"
"Of course we did," Air Raid replied cheerfully. "Otherwise you'd know about the whole prank before it went off. And then how would we get Ironhide to walk into it?"
Slingshot glared at his gestalt-mate. "You aren't supposed to admit to it, idiot!"
Red Alert sighed. It was going to be a very long day.
It was with relief that he turned the two miscreants over to Prowl almost an hour later. He stalked back into the security center, scowling.
"Status?" he demanded.
"Everything is groovy, Red," Beachcomber told him calmly. "Nothing's going on. It's been down right relaxing in here since you left."
"For now. It never lasts." Red Alert settled into his chair. "We might as well take advantage of the lull to update the-"
The screen showing the outside of the control room fritzed and went to static.
"It's just not a day to be a camera, is it?" Beachcomber noted.
"Watch the monitors. I'll go see to it." Red Alert levered himself to his feet.
"Right-o," Beachcomber sing-songed cheerfully.
What is this, drive Red Alert crazy by being obscenely cheerful day? It was a short walk to the control room, and Red Alert set to work dismantling the camera. Ah-ha! Here we go... He carefully fixed a loose wire, snapping the cover closed.
"Red!" Jazz called out cheerfully. "How's your day going?" he asked, jogging up.
"Badly," Red Alert muttered.
"Aw, it can't be that bad." Jazz patted him on the back, grinning. "Nothing's exploded, has it?"
"Not yet."
Jazz just laughed, clapping him on the shoulder and continuing down the hallway.
Red Alert ripped the sign off his back. "I lick cameras?" he read before wadding it up with a growl. He stalked back towards the security center, glaring over his shoulder after Jazz.
That was why he didn't notice the door beside him opening until Trailbreaker rushed out, plowing into him and sending them both crashing to the floor. "Sorry!" The big black mech scrambled to his feet. "Really really sorry, Red, but I've got to run!" Trailbreaker took off, an irate Hound bounding over Red Alert and giving chase.
Red Alert's head thumped back to the floor. "Why did I join this zoo again?"
x-x-x
Inferno meandered down the hall, humming to himself. I wonder what the odds are of convincin' Red to skip work early, he mused. Maybe-
A sudden thump startled him out of his thoughts.
"Slag it all!" Red Alert stormed into the hallway, almost running into Inferno. He glared up at his friend, yanking what looked suspiciously like silly string off one of his tires.
"You okay, Red?" Inferno asked, bemused.
"No, I am not alright. I'm having a very very bad day, and I'd like for it to end now."
"Uh..." Inferno paused, taken aback.
"In fact, I insist we skip the rest of it and get straight to the part where you take me back to my quarters," he continued, ignoring Inferno's interruption.
Inferno gaped for a moment. A slow smile spread across his face. "Your wish is my command, Red."
Thoughtfully, Red Alert looked up at Inferno. "If that's the case, I've got a few more for you, too."
Grinning, Inferno allowed himself to be dragged away.
