Chapter Seven: Mirage and Smokescreen's Bogus Journey

"So that's the plan." Mirage frowned. "Are you sure this is a good idea, Smokescreen? Sure, he's suspicious.. but should we really be rummaging through his things?" Smokescreen chuckled. "Of course! It's the only way we can figure this nonsense out. Besides, haven't you ever wanted to see what kind of blush he uses?" Mirage rolled his glistening blue optics. "I'm pretty sure his face is always like that, Smokescreen."

"Anyways, we'd better hurry up. Tracks has been gone for a while now. He might come back soon." Smokescreen and Mirage inconspicuously strolled through the halls of the Ark.

"Okay, here we are." Smokescreen rapped his fist against the heavy steel door. Silence. The two mechs glanced at each other. "Okay, he's gone. Let's go, Mirage.".

Smokescreen pulled the door open and stepped inside with his comrade. The room was fairly humble, with exception to the gaudy pink curtains that decorated the walls. "Holy gears.." Smokescreen mumbled. "It's not that bad, really, although he could have chosen a better colour." Mirage said as he headed toward Tracks' vanity. "How did Tracks manage to get one of these onto the Ark?" Smokescreen chuckled. "Why do you wanna know, Mirage? Jealous?"

"Maybe just a little bit.." Mirage gazed into the mirror for a moment, until he noticed a suspicious looking note sitting on the table. The espionage expert grabbed the note and began to read it. Mirage's face dropped.

"Smokescreen! Smokescreen, you've got to read this!" Smokescreen swiped the note from the incredulous autobot. "Love! Affections! What the frag is going on here! It's from Soundwave... Isn't he one of those decepticons!" Mirage lifted his head. "Why yes, I do believe so. Perhaps Tracks has left to deliver a response?" "Damn.. what do we do with this, Mirage? Do we tell Prime?"

"We must. Surely he'll know what to do with this information."


"Optimus! Sir! We've made an important discovery!" Optimus Prime turned to see two of his subordinates standing before him. "What is it, Smokescreen?". Smokescreen stepped forward and handed the note to Optimus. "We found this in Tracks' room, sir. He's been communicating with a decepticon!" Optimus gave a hearty laugh. "...why is there lipstick on it?" Mirage raised his hand. "Sir.. We believe the lipstick on the note matches the lips of Tracks. We believe he.. kissed it, sir."

Optimus read through the letter. "Tracks is in love with a decepticon? This is.. bizarre news indeed. Thank you for bringing this to my attention... although I'm not comfortable with the idea of you two sneaking through your comrade's things."

"We're sorry, sir." "Either way, I'll take things from here. You two may take the rest of the day off. Please do not harass Tracks any further."

"Yes sir!" The autobots saluted their leader and left the room.


"Tracks! Where have you been?" Tracks turned and noticed the intimidating figure of Optimus Prime staring down at him. "Oh! Sorry, sir! I was merely going for a drive!".

"I have received disturbing news, Tracks. What is the meaning of this?" Optimus handed the letter to a horrified Tracks. "Where did you get this!" "Smokescreen and Mirage found it in your room." The racecar crossed his arms and stared into the floor. "Those stupid glitches! They're just jealous of my brilliance!". Optimus gently placed his servo on Tracks' shoulder. "I'm not upset, Tracks. Please, explain this."

"Okay. I may have fallen in love with a decepticon, sir. He and I have been communicating for some time now. He's not evil, sir.. he's merely misguided. I want him to join us! I want to be with him, sir." Optimus stepped back. "It's alright, Tracks. I understand that you have good intentions, but what you're doing is very dangerous. This is not a game, it's a war. You could have been killed, or worse. You cannot communicate with the decepticons any more, understand?"

Tracks lifted his head and looked into the optics of his leader. "Yes, sir. No more.. communication." "Thank you, Tracks. I know this must be difficult for you. I think you should speak with Smokescreen. Try to move on. In any case, you should go get some rest. Think."

"Thank you, sir." Sighed Tracks as he feebly saluted Prime.