Mediziner's Notes: Man, it's still a long way to go... Uploading these chapters as I clean and fix them up xD... Can't wait to get them over with so we can all update for y'all again naturally!
Enjoy!
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Hot Shot smiled, forming into a grin before straightening himself with a firm salute. "I won't let you down, sir." The yellow Mech said proudly. "I'll make sure Sunblade gets the training she needs!"
"Good Mech but I'll be watching," military Storm warned and Hot Shot nodded, he'd expected that.
With that, the training soon started about a few joors later. Most of the practise seemed to be rather strongly with blasters and heavy assault blasters as Hot Shot learned she was rather faring well with heavy weaponry, taking note that Sunblade's sword is two handed. Sometimes he would hear Military Storm suggest some tips or at times offer to say a few hints and tips. The old Weapons Specialist would at times take his turn train Sunblade in some aerial combat practise as he was the only 'bot in the faction on Earth suitable for teaching aerial combat.
Thankfully, Military Storm, after watching for a few joors, didn't seem to have any problem with Hot Shot's mentoring style and thus, allowed him to continue. Hot Shot was enjoying himself, he hadn't coached a rookie in a while and found that, he'd missed it quite a bit.
Sunblade landed softly next to Hot Shot. "Something on your processor? I can tell you seemed to be really happy about something." Sunblade asked, giggling.
"It's been fun teaching again." Hot Shot responded casually. "Ever since the accident a few eons back, I haven't had much of the chance to teach rookies the ropes, I've missed it."
"You're good at it," Sunblade assured him, sadly wishing that Hot Shot could find that friend again.
"Thanks." He responded as Military Storm also landed, though his landing a tad bit heavier than Sunblade's.
"I believe the training should stop until tomorrow. Sunblade, keep in mind of the trainings Hot Shot and I have taught you." The old Mech said, taking his leave from the Training room.
"Don't worry, I will." Sunblade happily stated, turning to him until back to Hot Shot as her caretaker left.
"Hey, you wanna get a cube?" She asked, turning around back to Hot Shot, she was a little low on energy now.
"Sure, a Cube or two wouldn't hurt." He replied as they left the training room together, continuing their conversation. "Hey..." Hot Shot said softly as he continued. "What you told me before... I just want to say thanks... Others would often scold or put me down whenever it came to losing someone and hoping they would be found again... You're the first one who hasn't put me down."
"No one should be put down. Even if losing someone or if someone disappeared... Whatever the reason with anyone... It's better not to be harsh, it will only have the shards sink in deeper into the wounds." They arrived in the rec room, getting their cubes of healthy regular energon and taking their seats at one of the tables.
"I never thought of it that way," Hot Shot said thoughtfully as they started sipping their cubes.
"I always believed that with too much put downs... It would... In my opinion... Influence some bad habits." Sunblade added with a disturbed look on her face. "It happened to Nightblade before... Took her a while to get back to normal but she still has some habits formed from it such as her emotionless status or her habit of..." She shuddered before adding. "Manipulating people's fears when she's not seen..."
"Wow," Hot Shot said, what a history they had.
"Me, as you already know, I prefer to stay in the daylight, or any sort of light where I feel more safe. I cannot stand the darkness, that's where I cannot see a thing at all... The same manner as Nightblade cannot see in the daylight or with any manner of light shined towards her faceplate." The Femme Seeker said before adding, with a big grin on her faceplate. "Last but not least, I love it best when people are at the sweetest and best moods, it makes me at my most happiest." Sunblade giggled.
Hot Shot grinned, he also liked it when everyone was having a good time. It was one reason he really liked the kids, they were full of energy and joy, it was great.
"I think you're great at making people happy," He told her. "Military Storm always seems to light up when you're in the room."
"Really? He always seemed normally happy whenever I'm around but he's different when I'm not present?" The Femme Seeker tilting her head to the side in confusion before she said: "I've never really seen Military Storm in much of any other moods but for being fairly Neutral or just commonly happy. Minus... Yeah..."
"Well, he's not really depressed or anything," Hot Shot hastened to assure her. "Just a lot more... Serious? But he definitely smiles and jokes a lot more when you're about, he really cares about you."
"Aww, I see." Sunblade giggled. "He's been like that ever since I was a little Femling. I guess it's a soldier thing." She finished with a shrug. "I still don't know how you soldier types are... But I guess I'll learn overtime, won't I?"
"We're all different but one thing we all are, we're serious in battle," He told her, adding. "It's how we are outside of battle that usually defines us."
"Mmmh! I think I get it now." She nodded with a smile, then notices the Mini-Con, Ticker, from earlier that had been clung to her greave unnoticed, how long was it there for? "Oh, hello there, Ticker!" She gently picked him up and placed him on the table carefully. "How long have you been on my leg for...?"
"A while," He said with a grin.
Sunblade was amazed, she hadn't even noticed Ticker had been on her greave for who knew how long, but she thought for a moment on how bulky his hummer alt form made him look, she would've felt his whole weight on her leg but surprisingly did not. "Is... Is there something you needed from me, maybe?" She curiously asked, her complete attention was on the Mini-Con with sparkling optics.
"I just wanted to be with you," He explained.
"Oh, I see." She giggled and smiled, she sadly didn't understand much about Mini-Cons aside from rescuing them alongside the Autobots. Sunblade seemed a little determined to learn more about these adorable little Transformers. "If... You don't mind me asking... Do you think you can tell me about your kind? It's up to you really, I haven't known much... And I'm a little curious..." She shyly stated.
"Sure," He said, suddenly climbing up onto her forearm. "What do you want to know?"
"I don't know where to start..." Sunblade looking at Hot Shot then Ticker again. "Umm... Maybe, how your kind were created, why your kind were wanted for power..." She was slumped a bit, in a manner of trying to figure out what to really ask him."
"We're... We're not sure where we came from," He said with a frown. "But we were actually created to be helpers and workers, not to much for power. It is in a programming to want to be with a partner and in return for their protection and care, we help them and give them extra power. But that was never meant to be our main purpose."
As Sunblade listened, her optics seemed to be sparkling more than ever, the grin widening as if she were trying to hold in her squeals of joy. "Protection and care...? I would love to protect and care for a Mini-Con if one were to choose me as his or her partner... Or it...?" She never knew much about Mini-Cons having genders or not due to their shapes were much different than a standard transformer's. Nonetheless, she seemed to be lost in her thoughts, thinking about what's it like to be able to care for a Mini-Con of her own.
"We don't have as many Femmes as Transformers do," Ticker said with a smile. "I don't know why that is."
"Oh... Well..." The Femme Seeker seeming to turn shy immediately before asking. "Do you... Do you have a partner, yet...?"
"No... But I was hoping you might be mine," He said, a little shy now.
Sunblade's optics widened in surprise, unsure what to say to this offer before snapping herself back into reality. With a big smile, the Femme Seeker gently scooped Ticker up with both her hands. "Ticker, I would love for you to be my partner." She said with the most sweetest and kindest voice she's ever said after which surprised Hot Shot, he watched as Sunblade brought Ticker close to her faceplate and the Mini-con had began hugging her.
"Ooh, I'm so happy," She gushed, giving the Mini-Con a little kiss on the cheek. "My very own Mini-Con, I can't believe it."
Hot Shot chuckled. "Congratulations, Sunblade." He said with a grin.
She beamed at him, she was just so happy right now.
Just then, the Mini-Con alarm sounded.
"Looks like a Mini-Con's woken up." The yellow Mech said, looking up as the flashes of the alarm went off. "Come on, let's head to the Warp Room! I've been wanting some action!" Hot Shot got up and went over to Sunblade's side, offering his hand to help her up to her feet.
With a firm nod, she held onto his hand as Hot Shot helped her up. Ticker leaped from Sunblade's hands to her shoulder and remained there as the two of them headed off towards the Warp Room.
Optimus Prime was just about to call Hot Shot and Sunblade to head to the Warp Room but stopped, surprised that they had already made it in before he could even have a chance. "The Mini-Con's location is coming from within the rural areas of Australia... Unfortunately unlike last time, it's dark out which can mean trouble..." His tone changing grimly as he looked at an image of Australia, the image was dark as the night skies itself. "Do you wish to remain here on the base, Sunblade? Knowing that you may have a reverse ability possibly similar to Nightblade's..."
She grimaced before shaking her head. "She's managed in sunlight... So I can manage in the dark," She said firmly.
"We will need to be careful." Military Storm said, despite already in his cargo plane form. "Nightblade may strike us before we could do anything... Knowing her affiliation with the Moon Family strongly, she may toy around with us as her prey..." His tone dripped with seriousness and a feeling of uneasy, he knew very well that Nightblade would be rendered almost nearly invisible thanks to her armour colours.
"Night vision would be advisable." The Triple Changer added.
"Got it," Optimus said as they all prepared themselves.
"Her optics give her away," Military Storm added, meaning Nightblade. "So keep an optic out for them."
"Yes, sir." Hot Shot said before transforming into his alt mode.
"Affirmative." Red Alert replied as well, transforming into his alt mode also.
Optimus and Sunblade also transformed into their alt modes as the warp gate prepares, then Optimus gave the command to launch. One by one as each Transformer warped to the coordinates set.
...
Nightblade was deep in recharge, until when the sounds of the Mini-Con alarm flaring to life had awakened her, jolting in her recharge. "Mmmhhh... Huh...?" Her optics flickering online as she slightly leans a bit up, seeing a few of the Mechs passing by. Sighing silently to herself once everyone had left for the warp gate, she layed back down, this time she wasn't on the Medical berth anymore, she was well enough now to at least be able to move around just a bit and Nightblade herself decided to move to her own berth, feeling a bit embarrassed to be laying around on a Medical berth for too long.
"I'm afraid we can't go, Nightblade..." First Aid sadly said. "You're still too injured to fight, let alone able to withstand anymore injuries..."
"I know, I know... I just wish I could help... What if the place they're going to this time is night? The beautiful dark skies... The stars greeting me as a friend... Especially meeting the moon... If only that damned helicopter didn't do this to me in the first place... I feel like the reason he did this to me is because I look so similar to my younger twin sister..." She grumbled lightly, turning very slowly to avoid reopening any wounds.
"Perhaps, he does seem rather infatuated with her," First Aid sighed. "But there will be other nighttime hunts, even if this one is. The important thing is for you to regain your strength or you'll give that Cyclonus pleasure at seeing you fall because of half healed wounds."
"Eugh..." Nightblade shuddered in disgust. "He already made my aching motherboard worse from hearing his off-key singing about her earlier..."
Megatron, Starscream, Demolishor, and Cyclonus had already warped to the coordinates already placed within the Warp Gate.
"This would be perfect for Nightblade," Starscream muttered as Megatron shot Cyclonus a dark look. Yes, this would be perfect.
It suddenly occured to the Decepticon leader that the Autobots didn't know about Nightblade's injuries and thus, would be expecting her to be here. Perhaps he could use their fear to his advantage.
Cyclonus flinched upon feeling Megatron's glare upon him, as if he were motioning a 'what have I done now!?' sort of way, but shrugged it off secretly.
Demolishor secretly had to agree with Starscream, remembering now that how Nightblade's name and colours had matched the darkness would render her very useful for the mission. However he pushed that thought aside silently waiting for Megatron's strategic orders.
"Thanks to Cyclonus, we have lost the one advantage we would have had over the Autobots," Megatron began, shooting Cyclonus a glare before adding. "However, the Autobots will believe that we still have that advantage so we're going to play them. IF they think Nightblade is stalking them, they'll panic and make mistakes and will not focus on finding that Mini-Con. We can still beat them."
"Yes, sir!" Demolishor responded.
"Hmph, I don't see how she could be an advantage in the dark... I don't see how that makes her any special, too." Cyclonus spat, hating to admit that Nightblade DID get him a few cycles ago when he was regularly heading to his quarters. "I'd rather blast them than manipulate them."
"You will do as I say," Megatron said sharply and the helicopter cowered.
"So, h-how are we going to plan our ambush and who gets the Mini-Con, sir?" Demolishor asked Megatron carefully.
"Starscream," Megatron said and as the Seeker straightened, said. "You are the only one who can pass for Nightblade. You will terrorize the Autobots while we search for the Mini-Con. Stay in the shadows and use the Warp if you must to disappear if they look close to discovering you."
"Very well, Megatron." Starscream replied.
The Seeker transformed and took to the skies, he knew he had to be very careful not to fly too low or too high either to avoid being spotted if he were to try to terrorize the Autobots into thinking Nightblade is manipulating them. He hadn't been for one to be tricking the autobots like this, but if it's what Megatron had ordered, he'll do his very best to try even if his colours did not help him camouflage in the darkness. Then, he thought... How exactly did Nightblade manipulate and play with her prey? Sadly, he would have to figure that out himself one way or another.
Hearing something up ahead, he flew down low and into a dense bit of woodland, that was full of shrubby trees. He saw that it was Hot Shot nervously walking through the wood. Here was his chance to start messing with the Autobots but how...
"Ah!" Hot Shot yelped slighlty as a loud crack was heard but Starscream hadn't moved. He watched as the Autobot nervously pointed his gun in the direction of the sound but everything was now still.
He carefully observed the yellow Mech for a few astroseconds until when an idea had formed in his processor. Smirking to himself, he got into position as he tried to get his attention elsewhere to a point where hopefully Hot Shot's back would be to him and then that would be where he could attempt to fire a small shot, not as powerful but just enough to hurt.
As Hot Shot turned, he fired up a quick shot before quietly warping away to another spot. Hot Shot yelped as the shot hit him and spun around, firing his blaster where he thought it had come from. Several creatures went scampering and flying away, chittering frantically but no 'bot of any kind cried out.
'So, this is how Nightblade plays with her prey.' He said to himself in his processor as he warped far enough away from Hot Shot's location and onto another location of the area. 'Seems fairly interesting, even though I may not be as good as she is with this, something I've never done before for eons.' With that, Starscream decided to warp to another location that's a tad bit more far away from his previous location but hopefully near enough towards the other Autobots for his next target to manipulate.
Hopefully, that Hot Shot would be so freaked out, he wouldn't be searching properly for that Mini-Con. If he could do this right, Megatron might even have a good word to say to him... For once.
The next target revealed to be none other than Smokescreen. Starscream would have to be extra careful to mind that long crane of his while trying to manipulate him. He first started to observe before planning his next move.
Smokescreen was being extra cautious as he maneuvered through the terrain, he had his crane hook ready to swing at whatever sound he would hear. 'Alright, Nightblade... Wherever you are, you don't scare me... You better show yourself.' He muttered to himself silently under his breath.
Starscream mentally chuckled to himself, these Autobots were making this too easy. This Mech was already hyped up, he'd barely need to do anything.
He decided to fire two shots, that would really spook this Autobot.
Smokescreen dodged the first shot but was hit by the second shot, but before he could fall to his knees, he threw his crane hook in the direction of the shots he believed that had been fired from. "There!" He cried out, hoping that his hook would strike whom he believed Nightblade fired at him.
However, Starscream had already Warped to a new position and took the opportunity to fire several shots before Warping away completely. Smokescreen yelling in fear as the shot sounded and started trying to fire everywhere, hindered by the fact his crane hook had caught in a tree.
"I'm under attack!" He yelped, desperately trying to protect himself from Nightblade.
Starscream decided before continuing to mess with the Autobots a bit longer, quietly opened a comm link to his comrades. "Has the Mini-Con been found yet? I'm not sure how long I can keep this up before they realize Nightblade's not here..." He rasped.
/Not yet but keep going, Starscream,/ Megatron ordered.
"Very well, Megatron." The Seeker responded as the comm link next had been cut, continuing with his order, searching for another Autobot victim to spook.
He soon came across Military Storm and here he hesitated. Apart from her twin sister, Military Storm probably knew Nightblade best out of the Autobots, could he really fool him?
Starscream had to think very carefully, one wrong move and he would be easily caught and become heavily injured by the Triple Changer... How could he come up with a plan to fool Military Storm? 'Knowing that old Mech, he would have senses just a tad bit more than the other Autobots... Need to make sure he doesn't get too close to Megatron and the others.' Despite still slightly hesitating, the Seeker decided to try and fool Military Storm with a couple tricks of his own but he had to be more quick on his feet, he isn't exactly sure if Military Storm would have strong visual systems.
Grabbing a heavy stone, he lobbed it's just to the right of Military Storm but instead of heading the opposite direction, he quickly headed towards the sound. He figured that Military Storm would think it's a trick and try to aim where in a direction parrel to where the stone had landed.
'Hmmm...' This time, he would take another moment to think before trying another move to trick the Weapons Specialist. However, he decided to try it from a safer distance, just in case Military Storm might decide to rush towards his position. He grabbed a rock just a tad bit smaller so he would be able to throw it more farther. He lobbed it near Military Storm's location. Once the Triple Changer ran towards the sound again, he quickly fired off a shot.
However, Military Storm immediately heard the noise and fired in the direction of where the blast came from despite getting hit, Starscream just dodged it by a few inches which singed his armour just a tad bit. 'He's a sharp one...' The Seeker thought to himself. 'I must not let myself get caught...' He immediately and quietly moved out of the way as Military Storm charged towards his direction before stopping to a halt, then radios Optimus Prime.
Thankfully, as Starscream listened, Military Storm had stated Nightblade had gotten away and warned him to be careful.
'Well, at least I fooled him into thinking I'm Nightblade,' He thought to himself, although the Autobots would even more be on the alert. He should probably move on before Military Storm realized the trick.
Immediately, Starscream warped to a different location of the area, not surprised to find Sunblade was blindly going through a couple trees. 'She's not wearing a visor or seems to be able to see anything to improve her sight in the dark... What a fool.' The Seeker getting into position, he knew just what to frighten Sunblade, or at least he thinks he knew.
Slyly, he took a branch and snapped it, the sound cracking through the air like a whip. Sunblade yelped, almost falling as she yelled.
"I know that's you, Nightblade. Why don't you come out and fight properly?"
Small organic creatures flew out of the trees and into the skies in fear of hearing the branch snap loudly. Sunblade was on alert despite she could barely see a thing. "Come on out!" She snarled, despite having a hint of fear within her voice. She willed her wings to form into her two-handed sword as she softly landed back down. "Lets settle this matter with our weapons!" She added as the Sun Family's insignia glowed bright enough for her to see just a tad bit, enough to being able to see her own hands and weapon.
Starscream resisted the urge to snort, did she really think she could fight? She was clearly blinded and even though he wasn't Nightblade, he still clearly had the advantage. She could at least fly higher up where she might have a chance of seeing better. Oh well, he could use her foolishness.
"Wait a moment..." She realized that twins luckily had shared a sort of special bond where they could sense one another if close by. "Who are you that dares to pose as my older sister!? I can clearly tell that you are not Nightblade no matter what you do!" She yelled out before flicking on her comm. "Optimus! Optimus, this is Sunblade! There is a huge problem, someone else is- AHH!" Her call was interrupted as Starscream shot her before she could reveal that someone else is posing as Nightblade.
"No you don't," Starscream growled, shooting forward and blasting at her comm system. "You're not ruining everything, little Femme."
As she reeled backwards, clutching at her injuries, he grabbed her and swung her to the ground where she landed heavily. He knew he had to act fast, the Autobots would surely try to find her especially if they couldn't find her. He swooped down, blasting at her again so she couldn't react before punching her sqaurely on the jaw. She collasped stunned as he quickly took a pair of stasis cuffs from sub-space. He hated to do this but he'd have to move her to a new location and hide her if this charade was to continue.
"Nnngh..." With a somewhat careful look thanks to the glowing from her weapon, she could see the imposter is revealed as none other than Starscream. "You... How dare you pose... As my sister..." She weakily snarled towards Starscream's direction as she uselessly struggles against the stasis cuffs. "The Autobots... Will find me..."
"Eventually," He scoffed, lifting her up into his arms bridal style as he Warped away to a far away location, in fact over a hundred miles away. Seeing that the new area was a rocky canyon, he sighed in relief, this would surely be perfect place to stash her. Of course, he could take her back to base but he knew this would probably stress out Nightblade and she needed to recover. Besides, as long as the Autobots sensed she was still on Earth, they'd waste valuable time attempting to find her.
Setting her on the ground, he took another pair of stasis cuffs and bound her feet together, obviously removing her sword and placing it on a ledge somefeet above her. And well... Megatron would be angry if he didn't, he also took a long strip of cleaning cloth, which was clean, and gagged her with it. Work finished, he quickly Warped back to the area the others were in.
Megatron and the others were still searching for the Mini-Con, however the search was interrupted as Optimus and Red Alert were firing at them.
"Finally, some action!" Cyclonus gleefully spoke, taking to the skies and transforming as he flew around them, spraying at the two Autobots in a straight line with his blasters as his cackle roared and echoed in the night sky. Demolishor just shook his head after he and Megatron had to get out of the way of Cyclonus' non-stop blasting.
"Cyclonus!" Megatron barked, very annoyed before spotting Optimus Prime heading towards him.
Both Optimus and Megatron were soon locked in a grapple. "You're not getting that Mini-Con, Megatron!" The Autobot Leader said.
Megatron only laughed as he spoke. "That Mini-Con is as good as mine, Prime." He pulled one of his hands free, attempting to land a hard punch. Demolishor meanwhile was busy with Red Alert.
"How are you enjoying Nightblade's talents?" Megatron goarded his enemy. "A rather extraordinary Femme, such a shame I didn't get the other... Then I'd have a set."
Optimus said nothing, he knew from hearing on his comm. links earlier when Hot Shot and Smokescreen were freaking out about Nightblade 'attacking' them. "That she may be..." He said grimly before his yellow optics seemed to glow a bit brighter. "You're also not putting your hands on Sunblade! Neither are they trophies" Raising his arms, firing the blasters that are attached to his wrists, which are also the exhausts of his alt form's.
This forced Megatron back slightly but he still smirked.
"We'll see about that Prime, maybe one cycle, Sunblade will be a Decepticon."
"I will not allow such a thing!" A voice said as a heavy blast was shot towards Megatron. The voice is none other than Military Storm's. "Sunblade will never be a Decepticon! ...Not while my spark still burns!"
"Then I guess I'll have to remedy that fact," Megatron growled, shoving Optimus aside and blasting at Military Storm.
The old Mech quickly strafed out of the way as he returned fire. "You'll need to do better than that, Megatron!" He bellowed, now charging towards the Decepticon Leader.
"Oh I can," Megatron said in a deadly tone before yelling "Leader-1, transform and combine!"
'Oh, slag...' Military Storm muttered to himself, immediately trying to gain distance as he leaped into the air, transforming into his cargo plane mode so he could gain distance a tad bit faster.
"Where are you going, Military Storm?" Megatron laughed as he fired after him.
Banking left heavily to avoid getting his wing and propeller singed by the powerful blast of Megatron's powerlinkx, he returned fire with his machine gun blasters but it was hard to keep aim as the blast kept steering towards him. "Nowhere... Megatron..." He responded angrily, struggling to keep away from the blast and returning fire.
"Forgetting something, Megatron?" Optimus yelled, firing at him with his atom blast.
The blast knocked Megatron back as he tumbled backwards. "Curse you, Prime!" He snarled, getting back up as he decided to direct his firing from Military Storm towards Optimus Prime. Realizing this, Military Storm transformed back to his 'bot mode and quickly used himself as a shield to prevent Optimus from taking damage by the powerful blast. "AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!" The Weapons Specialist yelped. The blast ceased as Military Storm collapsed to the ground, scorching and his back covered in his own energon life force.
"Oh dear, I missed," Megatron chuckled darkly, still aiming at Optimus. "But now I've got a clear shot at you Optimus, any last words?"
"You will not get away with this, Megatron..." The Autobot Leader said grimly. His optics dimmed in a manner of squinting. Megatron began readying another blast but Military Storm, with his last bit of strength, quickly got up and pushed Optimus out of the way, getting hit by the blast once again as he lets out a choked yelp, the wounds were becoming more severe.
"Military Storm!" Optimus cried, rushing to his friend's aid as Cyclonus swooped in, cackling, "I got the Mini-Con, I got it, I got it!"
Megatron looked in the direction of Cyclonus before shortly turning to face the two Autobot Leaders. "I've won this time, Prime." He sneered before calling to all his Decepticons. "Retreat!" Warping away back to the base. Demolishor and Cyclonus soon following after, Starscream as well, warping away.
"There'll be a next time, Megatron," Optimus said grimly before bending over Military Storm to assess the damage.
The Decepticons soon arrived back at base, Nightblade could hear the sound of the warping. "Ah, sounds like they're back." The Femme Seeker said, slowly sitting up as she got up from the berth, limping on over towards a stool slowly as First Aid followed.
"Nightblade, be careful... Don't overdo yourself...!" The Mini-Con CMO stated worryingly.
"I'm fine," She said, she wanted to know if they'd gotten a Mini-Con. She hoped the answer was yes or Megatron might just go crazy.
As she sat in her stool, Nightblade waited to overhear what the Decepticons will say to each other, while she cannot leave the Med Bay until she's fully recovered, she could at least listen closely on what they say.
"Hah, did you see that? Right from under their olfactory sensors!" she heard Cyclonus cackle.
The Femme Seeker's mood soured as she heard Cyclonus' voice, she hated the helicopter flat out even more. Immediately she turned to face the counter as she worked on a data pad, their footsteps nearing, knowing they'll pass by her Med Bay as she pretended she hadn't heard or noticed them.
"...And your little masquarade of Nightblade appears to have worked brilliantly," Megatron suddenly said. "And none of the Autobots saw through it?"
'Masquarade... Of me...?' Nightblade's antenna flickered as she listened in on this conversation while not daring to move or stop what she's doing.
"Hmm, Sunblade did," Starscream said quietly. "She knew I wasn't her sister... So I was forced to take her down."
Megatron raised an optic brow. "How was Sunblade able to know it was not Nightblade but you...?" He asked carefully.
Nightblade immediately blushed upon hearing that Starscream was masquarading as her. 'Wh-Wha...? Starscream was... Manipulating the Autobots in my... Absence...?' She wondered how would he be able to do so without being seen...? Especially the fact his colours would give him away as he wouldn't camouflage in the dark. As far as she knew, no one would be able to blend that well in the darkness like she can. She had not expected Starscream of all Transformers to be able to perform it so well. She wasn't surprised that Sunblade figured him out rather quickly, it was a twins' natural thing after all that they would tell each other apart.
"They are twins, I've heard twins have a special bond," Starscream said, his tone indicating he was probably shrugging. "She didn't know it was me specifically, only that it wasn't her sister out there."
Megatron wasn't sure what to make of this, he knew that twins and triplets were close, but he had no idea of the bonds they would have in recognizing each other. "Very well. I want you to extract anymore information twins would have from Nightblade in a few joors. It would be best to know everything there is to avoid making any mistakes in the future." The Decepticon Leader said sternly.
"Hey, what did you do with Sunblade?" Cyclonus asked as Starscream nodded to Megatron. "Ooh, did you bring her back here? Can I integrate her?"
Starscream did not answer Cyclonus as he simply headed towards the direction of his quarters, the Seeker needed a break from everything that had happened today. Demolishor shook his head to himself within his processor quietly.
'Great, sounds like someone will want to know something from me...' Nightblade groaned to herself silently, she only hoped that it isn't Cyclonus who will be wanting the information out of her about twins and triplets.
"Hey, you didn't say if she was here?" Cyclonus whined as Starscream threw over his shoulder. "She's not, get over it."
'Ugh, if I heard Cyclonus go on and on again about Sunblade, I'm going to purge my tanks...' She whispered to herself and First Aid before standing up. "First Aid, I think I'll head on over to the rec room to get a cube, I'm a little peckish since I haven't had any for the past few joors." Nightblade said.
"Alright but be careful," He advised. "I'm going to clean up here."
She nodded as she waved to First Aid as she slowly left. Nightblade had to take her time here and there, small short breaks in case she felt a bit of pain here and there. Eventually, she's made it into the rec room where she slowly walked over towards the Energon Cube dispenser, getting herself a healthy regular cube as she sat in one of the other tables for now despite not her usual favourite spot which is far off in the opposite direction. She seemed to now be staring off into space, thinking as she felt disappointed that the Mini-Con hunt was actually in the night, the feeling within her ached, longing to be shrouded in the shadows of the night skies itself.
'Please Primus,' She thought to herself, 'When I'm well again, make the next Mini-Con hunt at night...'
Nightblade wasn't sure how long had she been in the rec room for until when the sounds of footsteps had snapped her back into reality, nearly knocking her cube, which is almost finished. 'Huh? How long have I been here...?' She dared not bother who had waltz inside, in case it might be Cyclonus as she looked at her cube.
"Nightblade?"
She jumped and looked up to see Starscream standing there.
"Y-Yes...? I hated being cooped up in the Med Bay for too long... I get too anxious..." She said before looking away, unsure what else she could say, hoping the red and white Seeker doesn't take her response a lame excuse, or something.
"Right," He said, sitting down opposite her with a cube. "Did you know we got the Mini-Con?"
"I did... Overhear all of you chatting upon return... But I couldn't make clear of it very much excecpt for Cyclonus' annoying whines... I think..." Nightblade responded, feeling a bit hesitant until she spoke again. "I overheard Megatron said you... Masquaraded as me...?"
"Yes," He said, sounding a little embarressed. "Megatron was annoyed you couldn't come on the hunt, as you'd be perfect. So he ordered me to pretend to be you as the Autobots would be expecting you to be stalking them."
"What?" Nightblade's optics were now to Starscream, widening. "Today's Mini-Con hunt was in the night!?... Frag... I'm much more anxious now to see the night again..." She now looked away, seeming disappointed.
"I'm sorry," He said softly. "But there will surely be another time at night. And then you can really use your skills to the fullest."
For a moment, it was silent, though Nightblade's lips changed to form a small smile, but not looking back at Starscream again. "No, it's alright. I have to admit though I'm pretty impressed you pulled the entire thing off... If it is your first attempt? Whichever answer you'll say, it should make the Autobots much more uneasy when it comes to hunting in the dark... I look forward to adding more fear when I am well enough to hunt."
"It was my first attempt," He chuckled. "But for the most part, it was easy, they were expecting you so much, I barely had to do anything. The only trouble I ran into was with your sister, she almost alerted the Autobots to my trick."
"Ahh... Yes... I forgot to say that twins such as myself and her have a gifted bond only among twins and possibly triplets as well where they can sense one another." Her smile reverting to neutral as she looked at him again. "They're a little more harder to trick when it comes to manipulating them if they have a similar ability in a certain field, such as my field is the darkness. Sunblade if the Mini-Con hunt is during the day, she prefers to hide directly inbetween the sun. Waiting, until the moment comes for her to strike..."
"But... Aside from that, I often wonder if you're here for something else? I believe I could take a wild guess that something's on your processor." She added.
He smiled ruefully and nodded, taking a sip of his cube.
Nightblade slightly raised an optic brow, wondering what seemed to be bothering Starscream as she cautiously and somewhat softly asked. "What bothers you...?" Also responding with a formal manner.
"Well... Megatron wishes to find out more about the twin bond, he has never heard of it before," Starscream explained.
"That... I can find difficult for Megatron to ask such a thing... But, well... I suppose if he wishes it then... Where do I start..." Nightblade lost herself in thoughts for a short moment, then she began to start explaining all that she knew.
Starscream listened patiently, he knew a little about the subject but was amazed by the details Nightblade told him.
"I'm afraid that's all I know... I never really notice much about it." Nightblade finished as she shrugged.
"It's enough," He assured her.
She nodded then stood from her seat. "I better head back to my Med Bay before First Aid starts to worry, I promised him I wouldn't overdo myself. We'll talk or perhaps train together later if you want." Nightblade said as she bid her farewells, slightly limping away, she wasn't in heavy pain as she used to be but some parts of her injuries were still recovering, some of which she still can't walk correctly since most of those parts were also crippled in the damage done by Cyclonus.
It was still hard to believe Starscream had successfully fooled the Autobots into thinking he was her. She wondered briefly what became of Sunblade, she was still alive obviously but was she still out there in the wilderness?
'Hm... She's learning a lot from Military Storm anyways... Theres nothing I can do... I wouldn't want to anger Megatron by trying to do anything...' Shrugging to herself in her processor as she returned to the Med Bay. "I'm back, First Aid, I'm sorry if I have spent too long in the rec room, I just had a lot on my processor." She said.
"I'm just glad you're back," he said with a sigh of relief.
"Luckily I didn't run into that annoying helicopter, he must be killing time by recharging again." Nightblade said as First Aid beckoned her to come closer so he could check up on her status, luckily the healing rate is still continuing regularly. "I can't wait to see the night skies again, it calls... Or what I think it does call." She chuckled sheepishly.
"Well, you're healing good," He said with a nod. "But don't rush into it, you've still got a little bit to go."
Nightblade nodded quietly. "I wonder if theres anything to review..." Standing up again carefully, she looked around for a few data pads to keep herself occupied.
"You could try that one," First Aid suggested, gesturing at a data pad.
She went over to retrieve the data pad, as she looked at what it contained, it was surprisingly a section of a few known facts and things that she had not surprisingly reviewed... How could've she missed this one she wondered.
"Any good?" First Aid questioned and she nodded, very interested.
...
Military Storm had just returned to the base with Sunblade, she had already been freed of the binds that Starscream had put upon her a while ago as the Weapons Specialist himself however wasn't a very happy Mech.
"Whoever the slag did this to Sunblade, they will pay..." He dangerously growled, balling a hand into a fist as Sunblade flinched, backing up from her caretaker a bit.
"Uhh, it was Starscream..." She responded
Just like that, Military Storm exploded, firing a shot onto the ground as he stomped off out of the warp room, fuming.
She winced, he was really mad, even angrier than she was herself at what happened. That Starscream had better watch himself in the next battle. But why hadn't Nightblade been there, it would have been perfect. Why the elaborate masquarade?
"Just why was Starscream mimicking my sister...? Nobody can copy her exact moves but for herself only... This is so strange..." Sunblade stressed slightly, trying to figure out why.
She knew her sister would never willingly allow that and why would anyone else want to do that, her sister was in her element at night.
'I know! Maybe Optimus might know something, he knows the Decepticons better than anyone else!' Sunblade then raced off to the Command Center first in case Optimus might be there.
"Optimus!" She cried as he turned to face her with concern. "Sunblade, are you alright?"
Screeching to a halt, she faced Optimus after recovering from her somewhat sprint. "I have a question to ask." Sunblade asked.
"Yes, what is it?" He asked, a little bemused. She didn't seem bothered by what had happened to her.
"I want to ask you something, about that one Seeker, Starscream..." Sunblade paused for a moment to think, then said: "Does Starscream manipulate his enemies in the darkness like Nightblade does...?" Raising an optic brow, her faceplate had confusion shown all over.
"Not that I know of," Optimus said, shaking his head. "He is an exception warrior, skilled in the air and ground with a wide range of weapons but I've never heard of him stalking anyone like that."
Sunblade was dumbfounded, something was really strange. If Starscream somehow knew how to manipulate his prey in the same manner as Nightblade did... Unless...
"Hmm... I'll need to see if Nightblade shows up next time... Twins like Nightblade and I have a special bond where we can sense each other nearby, it's the reason why I could not sense my older sister anywhere during that hunt.." She pointed out.
"Have you any idea why she did not show up?" Optimus questioned. "Megatron always takes advantage of his solider's ability, it does not make sense that he did not use Nightblade."
Sadly, Sunblade shook her head. "No... Unless something did happen to her or if the Decepticons probably did something to cripple her or something... I can't sense her because something seems to be blocking our abilities to sense where we are. But I do know she's nearby on this planet."
"If she weren't on this planet, I would be unable to sense her." Sunblade quickly added.
"Hmm," Optimus said thoughtfully. "This planet does have a small moon, it is possible the Decepticons are holed up there."
"Hmm... I suppose you're right..." Pausing before she spoke again. "Optimus, mind if I go out for a little flight? I haven't flown freely in a while, only when we had to go rescue a Mini-Con. Pleeeeeeeeeease?" Her tone turning cutsy as she mentioned being unable to fly freely.
"You aren't injured?" He questioned and when she shook her head, nodded. "Alright but be careful."
"Thank you, Optimus." She responded with a formal tone, smiling as she took her leave.
Meanwhile, Military Storm was in the rec room, he had already downed nearly his fourth High-grade Energon cube as his entire upper body collided with the table he sat at. "Ugh... Sheekurs... *Hic!* Why hed-doo that to Shuunnballde- *Hic!*... Grrr... I'll shhoowww emmmm...! He ish not puddin' his hannddsss on hurrr... *Hic!*
"Sir?" Hot Shot exclaimed in shock as he entered the Rec Room and saw the Commander.
"Huuuuhhhh...?" Military Storm looked over towards Hot Shot, his visor was turned off so his vision was completely clouded, unable to make what he's seeing. "Who're youuuu agaaaaiiinnnn..- ? *Hic!* The Weapons Specialist asked, immediately the young Mech could recognize that Military Storm couldn't see so clearly with his visor turned off.
"Uh... Hot Shot sir," The young Mech said uncertainly.
"Ahhh yessshhhh... *Hic!* Hot Shooottttt... Whaddya doin' heerrrreeee, shholdierrr...?" He sluggishly responded.
"I uh... I just wanted a cube sir," Hot Shot said nervously before adding. "But if you want some peace, I can just go."
"Ohhh noooo... Ish perfectly faaiiinnneeee, Shooollldierrrr... *Hic!* I'll juuusssst go..." Military Storm got up as he sluggishly left, almost looking like he's near about to collapse while muttering loudly about how he wanted to tear Starscream limb from limb for gagging Sunblade.
"Sir, are you okay?" Hot Shot had to ask. "I dunno if you'll make it very far..."
"Yeessssss...- *Hic!* Unngh... I'll be fiiiinnne-" Suddenly, just like that, Military Storm collapsed heavily to the ground, snoring loudly that it could be heard across the corridor.
"I can see that," Hot Shot said ruefully before comming his leader. "Optimus, Military Storm over energized again."
/Again...?/ Optimus questioned, he knew very well Military Storm wouldn't over energize more than once a yorn or so or if a personal special party were to come up but was confused as to why his old friend had over energized again.
"Yeah, I'm not sure why although he was saying something about Starscream."
/Starscream? Strange... I'll be on my way./ The comm link was cut, and just a few breems later, Optimus had arrived where Hot Shot and Military Storm were. "Let's get him to the Med Bay." He said.
"Alright," Hot Shot said with a grimace as he helped his leader to hoist Military Storm up and drag him to the Med Bay.
Red Alert was experimenting on a few new things until when he heard Optimus and Hot Shot enter with Military Storm over their shoulders. Shocked, he asked "Sir? What happened with Commander Military Storm?" He asked, gesturing them to help the Weapons Specialist onto the medical berth again.
"He over energized," Optimus said gravely. "See what you can do for him, I'm not sure how many he had."
Red Alert immediately got to work, his mood seemed to sour as he figured out. "Hmm... From the amount within his system... It appears he's nearly had about four or five cubes..." He responded grimly, but irritation was clear in his tone. "Has anything happened to cause Military Storm to over energize?" He asked.
"I believe he's upset over Sunblade's treatment by Starscream," Optimus explained. "But he can't keep doing this, she wants to be treated like a soldier and that means, she will have accidents."
"Hmmm... I'll have to keep a close observation on him for a few cycles, especially during Mini-Con hunts..." Red Alert said grimly. "I don't like to do this but I must as I do not want him to damage himself over incidents that Sunblade experiences, an old war veteran should not break down like this..."
"I think he really cares for her," Hot Shot piped up. "Like she was his Sparkling or something."
"As I recall..." Optimus began. "Military Storm has known Nightblade and Sunblade since they were small sparklings and has helped taken care of them whenever their creators were too busy handling with their personal affairs of the noble family as far as he's told me. Because he's been with the Sun and Moon family for eons, he's grown close to them as if he sees them as his little sisters. He could've grown a strong family bond with them."
"That would explain it," Red Alert said with a nod. "But this is why it's a bad thing for family members to fight together, they fall apart or act rashly if their loved on is in danger."
"Hmm... But we can't keep Sunblade locked up in the base. Seekers are known to get extremely antsy for being cooped up." Optimus pointed out, shaking his head. "We should try to find a solution to work with more easily so that this way Military Storm won't become heavily under pressure... I would not want my own soldiers, especially a close friend to become in this condition during a Mini-Con hunt or simply in general..."
The other two nodded, it was such a shame to see a soldier like Military Storm lose himself in drink. They only hoped they could do something that wouldn't invovle seperating the two almost family members.
Military Storm groaned as he onlined his optics. "Nnngh... Where am I...?"
"The Med Bay," Red Alert said dryly.
"Again...?" With a heavy sigh, he slowly sat up, but Red Alert only pushed him back into laying down, at first protesting but eventually gave up, he didn't want to upset Optimus. "Fine, fine..."
"Military Storm," Optimus began rather sternly. "You cannot keep doing this to yourself."
"It's all my fault that Sunblade and Nightblade were to be put into those stasis lock pods... I was going to have them live with me elsewhere away from the war but..." A fist coming down on the side of the medical berth. "I failed... I've lost Nightblade, and I fear pretty soon I would also lose Sunblade to the Decepticons, too... I fear I may have been failing all this time in taking care and raising both of them..."
"You haven't failed," Optimus said firmly. "You did what you thought was best at the time, fate conspired against you to place Nightblade in Megatron's hands. But Sunblade is a good Femme and she will not disappoint you."
"They both equally mean a lot to me... Even if Nightblade had brought harm to me... They're both like my little sisters... Forgive this old Mech, I've been very protective of them and I have lost myself... I'll try not to let this happen again. Forgive me, my friends..." The Triple Changer said softly. "I'll try to focus strongly during the next Mini-Con hunts."
"That's all I ask, old friend," Optimus said gently.