Chapter 7: Night Shift

Night was soon arriving and Bumblebee and Jazz were very tired. They have drove on the highway all day nonstop and still couldn't get in contact with Sideways. Now they were searching for a good place to sleep. So far, the nearest town was Vos. Vos was a pretty good place to live. It was home to many Seekers. One of Jazz's good friends lived here and he decided to find him. They took an off-ramp and headed towards the city.

"Hey Bee, you as tired as I am?" Jazz asked.

"Yeah, we need to find someplace stat!" Bumblebee said nearly ramming into Jazz.

"Yeah, one more minute out here and you will probably send me into a pole!" Jazz said speeding up.

Just then, a camoflage colored F-35 Lightning II flew by seemingly having some fun. Jazz perked up at this.

"Hey, that's Breakaway!" Jazz said.

"Breakaway? Who's that?" Bumblebee asked.

"Breakaway is a nice guy, loves to fly fast, have a few dogfights, the usual for a seeker!" Jazz explained. "Come on, let's catch up to him."

"Oh jeez this will take awhile!" Bumblebee sighed.

In fact it did, Breakaway was flying too fast for the racers to keep up. Breakaway would turn down many streets, make U-turns and perform tricks. Bumblebee and Jazz were about to pass out from all the racing around. Some enforcers were watching them curious of what was going on! Finally, the racers praised Primus when Breakaway finished at his house and transformed.

"That was some good flying!" Breakaway said bragging to himself.

"Good flying? You nearly made us pass out!" Jazz chuckled when they came up to him.

"Jazz buddy!" Breakaway said as they hugged.

"How are ya!" Jazz asked.

"Pretty great! I just like to fly at night...who's this?" Breakaway asked.

"I'm Bumblebee!"

"Ah, I've heard of you, dirt champ right?" Breakaway guessed.

"Yep!"

"Nice, so what brings you two here?" Breakaway asked inviting them in!

"Well, my cousin Sideways ran off somewhere and we are trying to look for him. We have been on the highway all fragging day and we were wondering if you could take us in...just for the night!" Jazz asked.

Breakaway's blue optics snapped wide open and he tapped his claws together nervously.

"Well, I have one bed!" Breakaway said.

"ONE?" Bumblebee said shocked.

"I've never used it! Thought I never would!" Breakaway said. "But this couch is available!"

"I CALL BED!" Jazz yelled.

"WHAT?" Bumblebee said.

"Hey, I slept on your couch twice! It's time I get a bed!" Jazz said proudly.

"Fine!" Bumblebee rolled his optics. "Uh...Breakaway do you think-"

"If you're implying that I share my bed with you, no way!" Breakaway said crossing his arms.

"Scrap!"

Meanwhile, a few towns over, the city of Tarn, Sideways was sneaking around trying to find a certain building. He had gotton directions from a mech and was now walking around checking all the lit up buildings. He had arrived at his destination and was hoping he wasn't too late. He walked around a very dark part of town where there were barely any lights on. He was hoping no gangs were around to harass him.

"Sideways...ways...ways..." Three voices came with one of them extending theirs.

Sideways' optics widened. He whimpered as he crept closer.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Sideways called out. "I think I'm lost!"

"Sideways is scared...scared...SCARED!" One of them said.

"Hey, I am not...uh..." Sideways couldn't finish since he was too embarrased.

Just then he stopped when he saw three pairs of optics glowing in front of him.

"Looks brothers, it's the new recruit!" The one on the right said.

"He does looks scared!" Said the one in the middle.

"He-he...come closer Sideways...if you can, can, CAN!" The one on the left chuckled.

Sideways thought he heard those voices from somewhere. But he bravely walked forward.

"Who are you guys?" Sideways said seeing that the mechs didn't move at all.

The one in the middle walked forwards to reveal himself. The mech was named Shrapnel. He came up to Sideways looking curious.

"Hmm, you don't look like a racer!" Shrapnel said as his brothers emerged from the shadows and began to circle him. "What do you think Kickback?" Shrapnel said grinning.

"He looks a little weak, weak, WEAK!" Kickback said looking at him.

Bombshell giggled as he nudged Sideways.

"You think you got what it takes?" Bombshell asked.

"I believe I do!" Sideways said with confidence.

"Are you sure, sure, SURE?" Kickback asked.

"Yes!" Sideways said getting a little annoyed.

"Hey boys, I think we're making him angry!" Shrapnel laughed.

"Insecticons that's enough!" Came another voice!

"Aw we were just having some fun!" Bombshell said.

"Bring him in already!" Came the voice again from a huge abandoned factory!

"Fine!" Kickback groaned. "This way!"

Sideways felt less scared now and followed the insecticons into the building where he got the shock of his life. When they got inside, the Insecticons guided Sideways to a large room where several mechs were inside. That's when he gasped.

"OH NO!" Sideways said.

There in front of him were the Combaticons! They all growled at Sideways.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Onslaught snarled.

"I'D SAY HE ASKING FOR ANOTHER BEATING!" Brawl yelled.

"GET HIM!" Vortex yelled.

"ENOUGH!" Came yet another voice.

A door on the other end of the room opened revealing two more mechs. The mechs were Barricade and Warpath. Sideways saw the mechs and whimpered knowing he may be in a lot of trouble.

"Late I see!" Barricade said coming up to him.

"Late? Oh...I'm sorry!" Sideways said.

"No worries, but do you really want to do this?" Barricade asked.

"Yes, I want to become one of the best racers on Cybertron. I always have!" Sideways said.

The Combaticons rolled their optics receiving glares from Warpath.

"You came alone?" Barricade asked.

"Yes!" Sideways said nervously. "Much to the disappointment of Jazz and Bumblebee!"

"Bumblebee?" Warpath asked.

"Yes, he's my friend and #1 dirt racer back in Kaon!" Sideways smiled.

"Aw man you should've brought him!" Warpath said crossing his arms.

"It was a long trip and I was kinda bored being alone...until now!" Sideways said glancing at the Insecticons who seemed to be giggling. "So...uh...why are all these guys here?"

"Well, since you and the Combaticons have a history, I'll start with them. The Combaticons are here to race in the upcoming big wheeled sprint cup. Well, Vortex and Blast Off can't race. And they agreed to help me build a racetrack at my house if I allow them to race around on it whenever they come over from Iacon. And don't worry, they will behave!" Barricade said giving them an angry glance.

The Combaticons nervously looked away but stared angrily at Sideways.

"Now the Insecticons, they're really just a gang that likes to pick on new mechs around here. But they can be friendly at times, depends on how the mech's attitude is with them!" Barricade smirked.

The insecticons continued to laugh making Sideways shiver with fear.

"Now Warpath is my closest friend and helps me out doing police work!" Barricade explained.

Sideways nodded and smiled. Mabye things wouldn't seem so bad. Then he began to wonder...what would Jazz and Bumblebee think?

To be continued...

The designs for the Insecticons are from Fall of Cybertron! I didn't know which names to use for Bombshell and Shrapnel since their names in FOC and Prime are Hardshell and Sharpshot. But I prefer their old names! For those who don't know who Breakaway is, he is an Autobot from the ROTF and DOTM video games. I think he's awesome! Anyways, please review!