"Brother!" Jetfire called into the apartment. "Brother? Are being here?" Taking the non-existent reply he slumped into his favourite beige recliner, next to the giant window that viewed the city buildings and pressed a digit to his commlink.
Only the shrilling of static echoed, but he kept holding on; hoping for a breach while watching the passing air traffic. "Phoenix coming on! Where are you being?"
It had been what? Two-Three days since he last saw her freeing him from prison? She couldn't possibly be avoiding him. Or was it his twin she was trying to avoid? He just didn't know anymore. If there was one position he hated being in more than anything it was between friends; or at least two bots that should still be. Maybe that's why all this was happening?
Wanting to hear no more of the screeching he turned off his comm, shut his optics and leaned his helm back with a sigh; staring blankly at the ceiling. "Just there is no knowing what to do." He rubbed the side of his helm as if he had a sharp pain inside. Time felt like it went by slowly, his optics started to flutter until he finally slipped into stasis.
'BBBUUUZZZ!' the orange jet sat up forward, jumping the sudden ringing in his comm. "Ello? Phoenix?"
"I have info on that bounty hunter that you Elites are looking for." The reply was deep and quite as they spoke. Almost as if they were whispering. Jetfire listened carefully, "Who is this being?"
The voice ignored him and carried on, "Come to Chipspark Street tonight. Second empty lot. Don't be late." There was a click and communication ended.
"No! Wait! Who this? What info you have?" Jetfire still cried into his own end, but with no answer he sank back in his chair. "Strange. Well only one thing to be doing now." He quickly changed frequency. "Brother?"
"Yes brother, what is it?"
Jetfire jerked his helm at Jetstorm's fast reply. "I got call anonymous to whereabouts of hunter! We must meet information bot tonight, second lot on Chipspark Street."
"That is great! I meet you there."
"I will call backup."
"NO!"
"What?"
"I mean *ahem*" his voice calmed itself "No, we should not yet. Should check to see if is sure thing first."
The change in tones didn't click with Jetfire this time. Before was only slightly strange and he tried not to take the blue jets bizarre behaviour seriously. Perhaps it was only his imagination, but this time…this time he KNEW there something was wrong. Brother's intuition or not. "Ya…sound good. I meeting you there." He explained bluntly.
"Okie for dokie!" with a click the frequency ended. Fire slowly took the digit away from his helm and raised out of his chair; walking to the other side of the room. A small sized monitor screen was sitting on top of a small table; he sat on the stool in front of it and typed in a few codes.
Wheeljack was soon facing through the screen; it was no surprise that he had burn patches scattered among his faceplate. "Uh hello? Oh hey Jetfire! Look I'd love to talk but um…I've made a bit of a mess and I gotta clean it up and…."
"That is being alright Mr. Wheeljack sir, but I wondering if there?"
"Oh….uh alright hang on I'll transfer you over."
The orange jet shifted impatiently in his seat until a glasses wearing mech answered, expression was the usual blank. "Yes Jetfire what is it that you want?"
"It is brother sir. Wondering….did he come in for up checking?"
"No. I have tried to contact him but he has been unresponsive. I was hoping to ask if you have seen him. From the seriousness of his previous condition…"
"What condition? The processor aches?"
"They were not just processor aches Jetfire. He obviously did not tell you that they are much more serious than that."
Jetfire felt his brow furrow "How serious?" he asked darkly.
"The only conclusion we have from the lack of responses is that the decepticon coding has now seeped even more into his processor. Has he been acting strange lately? Most likely in situations he would feel stressed?"
Jetfire could not look back at the scientist; only stare deep in thought at the floor. "I am not knowing about stressed situations but yes to strange behavings."
"Please explain specifically."
"It is like, he is unusual happy but will be in rage when I speak of….." His optics widened; that was it that was the answer. "Phoenix. Then he would be all happy again."
"Ah yes, the ex-sparkmate. I did believe that could be the problem." The jet looked back again but was nerved by Preceptor's darkened glare. "Jetfire, I am afraid to say that your twin, if he still remains unrepaired, now has the decepticon coding talking over not only his processor but his very being."
There was nothing the jet could say; not that he could say anything.
Preceptor could tell that he was hurting inside. What he lacked in his own frame was no excuse for him not to see it in others. "I know that you and your brother are deeply connected in ways I do not understand, but you must realize the dangers both of you are in until Jetstorm has been cleansed of this new virus."
Fire gave a small nod, understanding the consequence.
"Listen closely; it is my conclusion that Jetstorm is still unaware that you know of his condition. I strongly recommend you keep him like this until we come and retrieve him."
'Great' he thought 'first guilt and now brother is fugitive!' he held his helm firmly in servo, leaning against his elbow, again; starring at the floor. His processor began to wander trying to get a break from all the realization when he spotted it; a small stain in the carpet.
Perceptor paid no attention to the jet slowly moving out of sight and onto his kneecups; observing the stain closer up. It was vibrant against the dull grey. "It is wise to try and lead your brother astray from your knowledge of him and from Phoenix. Being his stressor; she will most likely be his main target and cause for more spreading of the coding. She must be brought to us for safety before his….in a term 'Infected self' decides to do something drastic."
Jetfire touched the pink stain with a pair of two middle digits; it was still slightly moist. Bring them closer to his face he sniffed the mysterious liquid, optics widened; when a small shine caught the corner of them.
"Jetfire? Did you hear me? You must find Phoenix before something happens to this femme."
"I'm afraid Mr. Preceptor," the jet replied softly, "It might be too late." He picked up a small purple chip of metal off the floor; a small spot of pink energon dripped of its side into the stain below.
A small chill made its way up Phoenix's spinal strut making her shiver in her stasis. She lay with limbs curled tightly inwards, ignoring the chains that still bounded them, and wings wrapped around it all like a shield. Afraid. She figured she must have cried herself into stasis, the small flakes of dried pink fluid still stained her cheekarches.
Her optics struck open with a silent gasp to the small breeze. Could it be? Was the door actually, accidently left open and unlocked? Without a second thought she sat up and twisted her upper frame to see if it was true. But the small hope was dashed seeing a blue servo just between the last of the small opening of the closing door. She vented deeply leaning against the wall, hearing the door finally click shut. He was here. She didn't even hear him come in or almost leave. Did he….did he touch her again while she was in stasis? Her spark only panicked for a klick when she thought that he couldn't have. It was possible he probably wouldn't enjoy it as much if she wasn't screaming in his sick arousing.
The real question was; did he do it? Has he finally offlined his own brother? All the guilt swelled inside her very being. She clutched her frame, keeping back more tears and avoiding screaming out.
A glance of dancing light caught the corner of her optic from the side table. A new trio of scented red candles where lit and began to drip down the same corner as the previous ones. Carefully placed on the opposite side was a large bouquet of the same purple and blue flowers he gave her on their last date in a baby blue vase. She gazed blankly at them, it was like they had no meaning anymore, and she turned her attention to a small folded note in the middle of the table. Picking it up, she read the familiar writing, each word deepening her anger.
Dearest,
I know you will be missing the outside world and how you loved its natural beauty. So I will bring you a sample of it each day. Allow them to indulge your love for me. For us.
Do not worry my song bird; the passing of brother will only hurt for a little while but in end you will realize that it was for best. Your caging is only a temporary placement, just until you realize how perfect we are. Please see soon.
Your love forever and for always,
Jetstorm XXXXX
Sitting on the edge of the berth, she pulled out a single, blue flower head and stared at it in the palm of her servo. The bird femme glared at the bloom hatefully. She then burned the note in the candle's flames until it turned into black smoke.
The chain link clinked noisily as it dragged across the floor as she came off the berth and walked to the decorative, yet severely tarnished mirror. Through the small cracks and bits of rust she could just make out the image of herself. She wiped away the tear stains only to see the real damage underneath. One cheek arch was dented inwards; where she was slapped, while a digit traced the scar on the other; received after the fight with Lockdown. Phoenix held the bud tightly, causing a petal or two to drop. Her sight followed them as they slowly floated down to the ground like autumn leaves, gazing down her frame; it was clear the extent of abuse did not just stop at her faceplate. There were harsh grip marks on her upper arms, numerous dents varying throughout her wings and frame, the cut on her ankle that still throbbed with slight pain and….well… she already knew what other damages that had been done.
If he wanted to her to love him back; it was clear that he would go to any lengths to get it. With a turn on her pede she stood in front of the single drawer table, feeling the warmth of the small source of light. Over in her helm did the phrase 'Please see soon.' Taunt her like a ghost unseen. After a pause she hovered the flower head over the small burning flames; watching the petals slowly disintegrate into ashes. "No…I will never see."
"Is plan set?" Jetfire whispered into his comlink. The silence of the empty construction lot made a shiver go up his frame.
"You're all good fire buddy." Wheeljack replied "We have the treatment ready for patient; you just have to lead him over to us before he realises something's up."
Jetfire made an unseen nod, "Can be doing. Informer shall soon show hoping, but I am not seeing any bot. Not even brother."
"Hang in there Jetfire, if your brother is as unstable as Perceptor says; then who knows what that bot is thinking of pulling on ya. Keep on your pedes at all times and remember the secret word if ya get into any real trouble."
"I will." Clicking off the orange jet looked around his bare surroundings; there was nothing but a pile of large, thick pipes in one corner and a small bit of structure on the further side of the fenced area. Why would they pick such an open area to talk? More important; what information could they possibly have? Becoming board he placed his servos on his hip armour, tapping his digits in a rhythmic beat while lightly rocking back and forth on his pedes. The moon bases and stars were exceptionally bright tonight, he wounder if it could be a sign.
As the jet star gazed, a red and purple mech peered around the corner of an ally watching him intensely. "It will be sad parting dear brother." The dark, eerie voice chanted, "but you are wall I must be taking down. Permanently." Sinking back into the ally, with a sudden shake of the frame the visor returned to its usual blue.
"But…must I offline own brother?"
It changed to red. "Yes! If he remains, he will find me and steal my Phoenix. And I can't have that. Not when she is close to loving me again."
"But how am I knowing she is?"
The red optic mech chuckled, "She will be having no choice."
The blue visor Jetstorm shuddered, "This seem wrong though. Why did I do that to her?"
"Because she betrayed my love and had to pay price! We sacrificed many things for her and she goes and flirts with other mechs! She did not respect our strong bond! But I will make her see.."
"No!" Jetstorm grasped his helm between his servos, switiching from red to blue and back, fighting against the infuriating pain inside him. "I…..graah!...will not…hurt…ahhh…anyone!" His thoughts scrambled painfully in his processor, his knee cups weakened and fell to the ground on them. He looked down still fighting until the pain left, and his frame returned to its fiendish looking, dark colours. The red visor brightened the ally with an evil smirk, his vocilizer now sounding like a dark echo; like two bots spoke at the same time. "Oh yes you will…you will be thanking me later."
Jetfire kept his glaze into space while slowly strolling the area until CLANK! He fell back onto his aft and rubbed his helm where it had impacted something. "What in pit?" He looked around, thinking he had accidently crashed into the pile of pipes when he was not paying attention but when he saw them they were at least a mile away. Dusting himself off he felt the air in front of him when there, he felt it; something large and metallic was in his way. He pressed both servos against the object to see how big and from the feel of it continuing upwards; it must have been huge.
Jetfire backed away from the invisible, metallic thing and looked around again for any signs of Jetstorm. Was this doing? And if so what was it?
"Well this is a surprise." A deep, soothing voice startled Fire who looked back. Lockdown just stood there starring at the surprised mech, clutching the sack that lay over his shoulder. It must have been filled with all the stolen modes from the Elite building. "I have all the Elite's booty and they send one little bot after me? Hehe, ether your supposed to be tougher then you look or you oil guzzlers are going soft on me." The hunter sneered.
'A up-setting!' the jet thought. Now it was clear, the reason why Jetstrom had not shown to see the informer was because he WAS the informer! He set up his own brother to take on a bounty hunter; who apparently was to take HIM down.
"If you wanna fight kid; better make it quick," he pressed a button on his oppiste arm and suddenly the invisible red and black ship was in plain sight. "But if you just surrender and hand over your modes quietly; then it'll be like nothing happened and you can leave in, well, sort of one piece."
Jetfire gave a hardy glare, taking a circuit-su position; a servo laid flat in front and one fist close to his helm. "Not likely. YOU surrender quietly or will be bringing in by force!"
The hunter only made a small shrug and sighed, dropping the sac. "If you want it that way, then you have better bring you're A game." His servo disappeared and came back out as a chainsaw.
"The 'Safegaurd' project will never be surrendered to you!"
Lockdown scoffed at the young bots threat, "You think I care about that lil' trick you and that twin bro of yours can do? Nah, but your single modes on the other hand, that I something I'd like to have." The brute of a mech charged forward.
"Come get it." Jetfire kept in position until the chainsaw was finally swung down and quickly shifted out of the way. He flipped in the air, crouching when landed and pushed with all weight in his pedes and like a bullet; punched his shoulder blade into Lockdown's mid-section, knocking the bot back.
"Oooffff! Alright then," he sneered "Now were getting somewhere." He charged again, holding nothing back.
In the nearby ally the red Jetstrom watched in awe as the two mech fought each other viciously. His smiled beared sharp denta as the battled raged on. "That is it, finish him and once you do, the Elite will be here to arrest you and then there will be no other bot that shall interfere."
Lockdown rammed the saw into the ground hard where Fire once stood. But the mech was already in the air and landed on the hunter's backstruts, pushing him to the ground. Before he had the chance to bring himself up the jet whacked his pede at the back of Lockdown helm, knocking him out cold.
He vented fiercely, grasping his knees to keep from falling from all his wounds. They should be here before he woke, or else he didn't know how much longer he could have taken more beatings. With a heave he leaned back with servos on hips "Ok brother," he whipered, optics switching in every direction. "I am knowing you're here. I sense you"
"Looking for me brother?" The orange and white mech jerked his head to the ally, where a dark coloured version of what looked to be his twin stood with a mocking smile and hands behind his back.
He nodded "Brother, you are not well. Please be coming with me so to be making you better!"
"Lair!" the possed jet cried. "You just want to know where Phoenix is!"
If it wasn't for the similar frame like his own, Jetfire would never had guessed this was his twin. "Yes that is being true too. I…we must know where to find her. Please, med bots have cure to help you. If you are caring for Phoenix you will stop with what you are doing brother!"
Jetstorm sneered, "Oh sure, I show you where and then you come and steal her away from me again! No 'brother' I keep her safe."
"I do not steal anything from you! And you are not keeping Phoenix safe you are imprisoning her! why this rage? Unless….did you do something to her?"
"No. Never…..not yet and I know what you did when me and her where breaking."Jetfire's widend and jaw slightly dropped. Jetstrom nodded. "I know what you and her be doing that night. You really have to be careful what you write in your journals dear 'brother'." He inched closer with every step.
"It is not what it be sounding like. It….it was a once time thing. No meaning."
"TRAITOR!" with quick movement he pulled his servos behind his back, causing fire to fall backwards, sat on him and thrusted down a metal spike towards Jetfire's spark chamber.
"No!" Fire was just as fast as his twin; grabbing both his wrisits and pushed back, but his previous wounds had somewhat weakend him. They struggled; both matching the other's strength. Suddenly Storm's visor turned blue and he fought to bring the weapon back up. Jetfire was confused, what was going on? But he only had time to wonder for only a few klicks until it returned to the same sinister red and began to shove the spike into him once again.
The spike draw nearer to his chest when sirens where heard, coming in their direction. Sparing no chance Jetstrom dropped the spike and bolted into the shadows of the ally.
"Brother!" Fire called after him. "BROTHER!" but no return. He dusted himself off and waited until the mix of troopers, Elites and medics arrived. Wheeljack ran up to the young fly bot and slumped Jetfire's arm over his shoulders. Leading him toward a pair of med bots.
"You alright kid?"
"Ya….I guess. Did you get Hunter?"
"Nah sorry, but he scatted out of here while you were scuffing it out with your bro."
"How did you…"
"Heh, ya left ya commlink on after you said Safegaurd. We heard what your brother said….I'm sorry he came out like this."
"He is still there." The jet mumbled. He remained still as the medics checked him over and started to seal some of his cuts.
"What?"
"Brother…I saw it. He is still stable in some part of processor. He still has little good left in him. I knowing it!"
Wheeljack gave a motion of a smile at him, "I have no doubt Jetfire. I have no doubt" he placed a servo on Fire's shoulder.
The emergency lights brightened the lot but they did not reach the top of the nearby building strustures. As a shadowed figure stood watching the bots below with a narrow visor, glowing red with rage.