Disclaimer: Sorry, I don't own Hasbro or Tonka, but the plot line and a few others are mine.
Summary: The Autobots desperately need a vacation
"talk" =radio
::Talk:: = processor warnings, in single autobot's head
::talk:: = inner comm link
"Talk"= normal
"talk" =thoughts
"talk" =lyrics
Chapter Seven
The Making of a Leader...
xxx
Gregory, or 'Greg', as Andre called him grunted as the thinner, faster, and shorter soldier rammed him in the gut on the makeshift wrestling mat, too bad weight classes weren't allowed to mix in high school tournaments...their fights would have been a hell of a sight.
Which was exactly why there was a crowd of NEST workers and soldiers surrounding the mat as Greg grappled for Andre's ankles to try and get the guy off balance before Andre's quick feet tangled with Greg's long legs and knocked them both down. Wrestling was a hobby for the two, one of the few forms of combat that didn't involve heavy equipment and lots of paperwork...or involved death if you made a mistake...
Eddie was laughing and starting bets going around, Greg faintly seeing the hat being passed out of the corner of his eye before Andre pulled back to ram him again, this time knocking Greg to his knees before the taller of the two shoved him away, using his long legs to lightly lope a few paces around Andre and get him to move.
Least to say they'd abandoned high school rules and the match was a mix of several hand-to-hand combat competitions.
Andre knew Greg well, as did Greg know Andre, they could predict each others movements in seconds, which is why few people who knew them for over a year allowed this kind of stress reliever. But Eddie understood the stress of NEST, you had to have something for the guys to think about besides cons or the things they dealt with.
Epps lightly punched the other man's shoulder, a clipboard tucked in his hand as he smirked at the sparring 'kids', both were much younger than him and Will, but had been through just as much.
Andre was dancing on his feet back and forth in a tight few feet as Greg slowly paced in a longer stretch in front of him, neither of them taking their eyes off the other.
Andre feinted heading to the left, then slid into Greg's legs, tripping the guy up. Greg's hands slammed to the ground, Andre's arms wrapping around the older man's torso to try to knock him over onto his back and win the match. One of Greg's legs folded under him, trying to press Andre to the mat as Eddie crouched to see their shoulders, the other leg was tangling with Andre's own and trying to still the thrashing guy.
"Hey, Andersen!"
"Sir!"
Will smirked as Epps rolled his eyes, the kid was way too formal with higher-ups. "Mind if we ask you some questions, just basic interview crap for something our higher-ups need."
"Yes sir. Would you like them immediately, or would you like them after this match?"
This statement was followed by a deep grunt, drawing Ratchet's attention as he finished checking up on Optimus who followed him out to observe the match.
"Well, you seem able to talk now so we'll ask and you just answer as you can." Will called out as Greg was able to get to his feet after twisting away from Andre.
"Yes sir."
Epps outright laughed, waving as Ratchet crouched behind them, Optimus next to the medic as they watched Andre back away and copied Greg's earlier actions, pacing around his opponent and smirking tauntingly.
"Hey Cooper, whatcha gonna do once I whoop yer ass boy?"
Greg shook his head, "Well since that it was one of your fantasies it could be anything you wish it to be, but we both know it will never happen."
Andre chuckled, stopping behind Greg, the older guy hadn't turned to keep his eyes on the shorter soldier this time. "Huh, not how it's gonna end this time Cooper."
Greg rolled his eyes, hands clasped behind his back as Andre bounced on his feet.
"Andersen, is Cooper your middle name?" Epps questioned, glancing at the form in his hand.
"Yes sir."
"Damn Cooper, quit being a stuck up cadet, yer sister would be laughing her ass off, just like she's gonna when I tell her I won."
Greg's expression changed abruptly into a hard mask as Andre sprinted at him, The taller boy spinning on his heels and grabbing an arm, throwing Andre to the ground in one fluid action, his solid expression and fierce yet contained temper reminding the two official soldiers of someone...
"Don't ever mention my sister, or insinuate that you did."
Will froze as Prime shifted, glancing up at the mech's stone solid expression.
Greg was just like Optimus Prime.
His solid face was like a mask, hiding everything but his cold gaze. His military file listed many positive features, but not his concealed emotions. Besides able to shut out anything unnecessary that could compromise his performance, this guy's marks couldn't get any higher without him being promoted in ranks, speaking of promotion, he was overdue for it over...two years?
xxx
Sam glanced over Bee's hood as Jazz blasted music as loud as he could from his half working speakers, Andre Carter and Lt. Andersen were thoroughly cleaning the silver Pontiac, turning the dull paint job back into a starry luster. Andre matched the Solstice as well as Will did with Ironhide, their personalities so close it was hard to tell them apart at times.
Except for the fact Andre could get Greg to relax and open up when stress overrode his thinking, and Jazz though was one of the few who could get Optimus to take a break when he needed a stress reliever if Ironhide wasn't around, Prime didn't open up to anyone.
Greg was half watching Andre with his soap filled sponge and half staring off into space as Sam moved to lounge on Bee's now dry hood, he only did a wax job every other week since the Camaro fussed if it wasn't the expensive kind. The distracted Greg never saw Andre dip his sponge into the bucket of cleaner, nor saw the assailant as it was chucked at his head.
...
Optimus smiled faintly as he joined a few of the Autobots outside, Jackson and Andersen were back to a combat form of dealing with something, most likely who ever threw the sponge that was halfway across the yard.
Lennox and Epps had taken Ratchet and Prime aside after interviewing Gregory after the match. The soldier was basically that, a prime soldier, followed orders, did his missions, paperwork, drills, everything showed a top class fighter.
Except he refused any and all promotions past his current status.
Gregory was a modest, humble, quiet person, staying the to back of a crowd and not just because of his 6' 6" height that blocked peoples' view. He preferred keeping to himself on down time, unless with someone he knew very well such as Andre, the two having grown up together when Greg was adopted at age twelve and moved to the same school as the younger kid.
Jazz finally had enough of the brawling going on over his hood, slipping backwards and transforming to lightly grip both humans around their midsections and set them on his shoulders, breaking up the fight with a good natured chuckle as the two fell to bickering lightly.
Optimus couldn't put his digit on it but something wasn't sitting right with him...
xxx
xx
xxx
Epps and Lennox sat across from each other in the mess hall, munching on a huge plate of tacos as they reviewed their notes on Greg. After nearly an hour of this...they had yet to find anything that kept them from sticking the human and Prime together for the liason program.
A bonus...
Greg had a CDL and several years of semi truck experience, high recommendations from the company he trained under on working with trucks hauling anything from Barbie Dolls to Toxic Explosives.
Will rubbed his forehead, glancing down the notes one more time before sighing, "Alright, let's go get him."
xxx
Greg sat formally in the seat across from Epps and Lennox, watching them sit down as he waited patiently.
"Greg Andersen, one question 'fore we explain what the hell we dragged you in here for..." Epps began, tipping his chair back to appear relaxed and try to put the soldier at ease, it didn't work, Greg remained formal, "How do you feel about a head-honcho or leadership position?"
Greg shifted a little, "I would have to know the position a bit more before accepting such a promotion, as well as knowing if I was fully capable for the position."
Lennox nodded approvingly, glancing at Epps before opening a folder and pulling out a form, the top labeled in bold, "Liason Requirements"
Greg jerked to his feet, his chair scraping back as he looked panicked, "Please don't put me with Optimus Prime."
Alright, cut off ending...Sorry for the delay! I got caught up with life and a few other stories that NOBODY is reviewing. Thank you for reading and review please! :)
