Optimus Prime had made it clear on more than one occasion that fighting would not be tolerated within the Autobot ranks. It had happened only twice before since the Autobots arrived on Earth, not counting the activation of the Dinobots or the frequent slaging matches or near misses. Prime had looked over to see Slingshot quickly wipe his smile off of his face. Once Blades and Slingshot had come to blows, Blades had actually sliced Slingshot's arm clean off during that one, then one week later Cliffjumper had delivered Slingshot yet another sound beating. So it came as little surprise to Prime to see Slingshot amongst the guilty looking fight fans in the Rec Room. Slingshot was a troublemaker. He had even driven the usually good-natured Ironhide to nearly belt him before. Prime knew this was due to Slingshot's insecurities, something that Prime had attempted to fix before, with apparent success. But Slingshot was not the perp this time; much to Prime's surprise, that dubious honor belonged to Sunstreaker and Tracks. He would deal with those two soon enough, at the moment they were in the capable hands of Ratchet and First Aid after Ironhide had dragged them, kicking and screaming in Sunstreaker's case, off to the repair bay. But for now it was the turn of the fight fans to be on the receiving end of a patented Optimus Prime stern lecture.
For nearly ten minutes he lectured them on the ethics of allowing such violence to occur, before confining them all to Headquarters and removing their Rec-Room privileges for a month, much to the chagrin of Windcharger and Shortstop, which earned them a threat of Prime suddenly becoming aware of the "secret" gambling that went on. Prime was well aware of the gambling matches that occurred in the ranks, and although he didn't really approve of it he allowed it to continue, as it was good for morale. The angry Autobot leader then dismissed his sullen troops, gesturing subtly to Skydive to stay behind.
"Thank you, Skydive," the Autobot leader placed his great hand on Skydive's shoulder. "That was most appreciated. Of course, none of that applies to you, but I'd stay out of Rec-room for a while."
"Yeah, low profile job. Say, Prime..." Skydive used Prime's name in the extended questioning tone that belied that he wanted something.
Yes," sighed Prime wearily. He had heard that tone earlier that day; from someone he did not usually hear it from, that Autobot more readily lavished Prime in a steady shower of low whining.
"I was wondering if I could, erm; head out into the city today, Y'see..."
"Save it, you can go." The Decepticons would likely still be licking their wounds after the first Lyacon incident a few weeks ago, so Prime reasoned it would be safe to have so many Autobots out at the moment, besides, the newly repaired Protectobots were on standby if any thing untoward occurred.
"Thanks Prime!" Skydive chirped like a child who had finally been let out to play.
"What's got him so excited?" Prime pondered this for a second before realizing that he had more important things to deal with
"Uhhh," he groaned out loud. "Now for Tracks and Sunstreaker."
Skydive skipped through the corridors of Autobot HQ with all the joy of Omega Supreme after winning an hour of happy time alone with the unarmed Constructicons
That's if Omega Supreme can feel joy, realized Skydive. He was trying to think if anybody could be in a better mood than himself right now, and had so far only come up with Perceptor having a fire side chat with Einstein and Alpha Trion, and Fireflight on a date with Moonracer. He then realized that he shouldn't be thinking that particular thought as he was always wary of telepaths, and Fireflight wanted that kept secret. Telepaths freaked Skydive out, that's probably why he hated Soundwave so much.
Oh wait, that's because Soundwave is freaky giant Decepticon creep who tried to rip off your arms one time, realized the now ruffled Skydive. Telepaths wigged him, Soundwave wigged him more.
And so, with telepath paranoia eating away at his good mood, Skydive ran into his friend Swoop, which instantly cheered him up. Swoop was just exiting the Dinobot closet as Skydive passed it. He smiled as he noticed Skydive.
"Skydive!" chirped Swoop, waving.
Skydive was one of the few Autobots that treated Swoop with any civility, and actually socialized with the cheerful Dinobot. The two would practice aerial maneuvers together, Skydive attempting to copy Swoop's meteor like bombing runs whilst teaching his friend the finer points of evasive flight patterns
"We go do fancy flying now?" Swoop need to stretch his wings after having been cooped up for too long." Swoop sounded hopeful, and Skydive hated to
disappoint him.
"Sorry Swoop, I'm going into town."
An idea flashed through his mind
"Say, wanna come with?"