Renegades

Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.

Optimus waited until Hound left, then went in search of Prowl. Recharge could wait, and staving off the nightmares for a while longer wouldn't hurt. He went to Prowl's quarters first, figuring the other mech would probably be there if he was off duty. He hit the access panel, and the door slid open.

"I gather you've heard about my visit with Kup?" Prowl asked, rolling off his berth. "I won't do it again, I won't touch Hound. He was only doing his job."

"As I expect you to do yours," Optimus said.

"I am doing my job," Prowl said. "Doing what must be done. Kup needs to be. . ."

"I will deal with Kup," Optimus said.

Prowl's optics narrowed. "He's a traitor, and should be treated as such," he said. "He knows where the Wreckers were going. I'll have it from him or else."

He smashed his fist into his desk for emphasis, and suddenly found himself knocked into the wall, pinned there by his leader, Optimus' optics flared in anger.

"You will listen to me," he said. "Follow my orders. If you choose to pursue your own agenda, I will have no choice but to remove you from duty. Kup is a prisoner, yes, but he's been mistreated by the Decepticons. He will not suffer the same fate at our hands. Do I make myself clear?"

Prowl nodded.

"I need you with me on this, Prowl," Optimus said. "I know you're hurting with what happened with Jazz, but we still don't know the full story of everything that happened. Prowl, you're the one friend I still have left, one of the few I still trust. If I can't trust you, confide in you, what's left?"

He sat down, resting his head in his hand. "You can't let a personal vendetta get in the way of your duty," Optimus said. "You told me that after Alpha Trion's death. Take your own words to spark. I know I failed to win the war, but I'm still your friend, for what it's worth. Don't forget that.

Prowl heard the weariness in his Prime's voice. It was as if all the fight was gone from Optimus.

"I'll try to be more dedicated to my duties," Prowl said.

Optimus sighed. It was as close to an apology as he was going to get.

"That's the problem," he said. "You're too 'dedicated' as you put it. Since you've been back on active duty all you do is work or recharge, if it can be called rest."

Prowl was a workaholic before being almost fatally wounded during the last frantic battle of the war-the final battle waged in Iacon. Now, he was even worse. Ratchet chalked it up to the damage to his processor and battle computer. Optimus blamed Prowl's incessant drive on his need to settle a score.

His second in command changed the subject.

"Kup is guilty, and you know it," Prowl said. "He just needs to be encouraged to confess."

"Kup's guilt must be proven," Optimus said.

"You still believe him innocent?" Prowl asked.

"What I think doesn't matter," Optimus said. "Justice will be served, but I do think Kup hasn't told everything he knows."

"He hasn't talked because he will incriminate himself," Prowl said.

"Prowl, I'm not having this discussion again," Optimus said. "Get some rest. If you don't stop pushing yourself so hard, I'm going to pull you from active duty. That will leave me with Hound to depend on. He's good, and I trust him, but he's not you."

Prowl didn't answer as Optimus left. That his leader still trusted him was something to hang on to. Not much, but something because he didn't trust anyone anymore. Not even himself.

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Darkness was falling, and considering they were far enough away from prying eyes, Hot Rod stopped and transformed. He had more on his mind than just stretching his legs, but it felt good to get up and walk around. Slag, just being able to be under a sky with a planet under his feet was a gift he wasn't going to take for granted. But he had some business to take care of before continuing on his journey. He heard Jazz pull to a stop behind him, and the sounds of his transformation.

Jazz was trying to ask why they were stopping when he suddenly found himself on his back, staring up into a pair of angry optics. Hot Rod straddled him, pulled back his right arm as if he was going to strike the other mech, but his hand retracted, revealing a spinning blade. Jazz felt the edge bite into his neck, but he didn't flinch.

"Kup was the only thing standing between you and the rest of the Wreckers," Hot Rod said. "And now it's just you and me. Why did you follow me?"

"Somebody has to watch your back," Jazz said.

"Like you watched Prowl?" Hot Rod retorted.

"You don't know what you're talking about," Jazz said. "I couldn't let Prowl die," Jazz said.

"From what I've heard, maybe it would be better if he had," Hot Rod said.

"He's alive, and that's all that matters to me," Jazz said. "I've paid for what I did, and we still lost. Isn't that enough?"

"Hardly," Hot Rod said. "You aren't the only one who knows what Megatron's planning. That's why we're here. It's why Springer's dead and Kup's a prisoner. It's why Ironhide and Elita-1 died trying to protect Alpha Trion. And the Wreckers took the fall."

"I didn't know. . .you have to believe me. . ." Jazz said.

"I don't care," Hot Rod said, letting Jazz up. "I'm not sure I can trust you. Then again, I'm not sure who to trust or what to believe anymore."

"You're wasting time," Jazz said. "You know what'll happen if they catch us."

"We have a little time," Hot Rod said. "The Elite Guard wants us Wreckers. We'll get a trial. Not a fair one, but we'll have that. A little more time. You, I'm not so sure about. I think there's a shoot on sight order for you. Let's hope we don't find out."