"Of Sparks and Cons"
Chapter Eleven
Energon flowed freely from the wounds in Reclaimer's armor. He released air heavily through his vents as he forced himself back into a standing position. Before him, Catalyst was in no better shape. The two had been going after one another ever since the battle had started and it showed.
"You're weaker than I thought," Catalyst goaded, easily standing. Like Reclaimer, he was ignoring the battles that went on around them. And the other combatants were ignoring them in return.
With a powerful exhalation of air from his vents, Reclaimer ignored the jab and planted his pedes in the dense vegetation of the, once beautiful, meadow. Adopting a stance that would allow him to react to anything Catalyst did, he waited.
"So this is where Quicksilver got her fighting stance?" Cataylst began to walk in a circle as Reclaimer followed him with his optics. Mentioning Quicksilver and fighting in one sentence put the tall mech on high alert. There was no reason for Catalyst to have ever seen 'Silver in any type of battle situation.
The shorter mech stopped circling when he reached the same place he'd started from, "Very well, since you don't feel like talking, old friend." The twist to the word 'friend' made Reclaimer narrow his optics but he showed anger in no other fashion. It was time to do what he'd always told Quicksilver to do in such a situation, stay calm and clear-minded. That way you could anticipate your enemy's moves before they even knew what they were about to do.
Ion bolts and blaster fire crackled all around them as the battle moved in a tighter circle around them. The sound of thrusters from the two Neutral flyers that had joined the Autobots' small brigade echoed overhead while a lightning strike lit up the world. Soundwave and Starscream were chasing the flyers, letting volleys fly. Even as Catalyst made his move, one of the flyers went down in a ball of smoke and flame, exploding on impact.
Twisting to the side and gripping the wrist of the fist that came at his faceplate, Reclaimer easily flipped Catalyst, hearing a satisfying snap as the joint broke in two. There was no cry of pain from the Autobot spy, instead he merely rolled to his pedes and regained his footing. By the time he got back to his pedes, Reclaimer was in the same position the Autobot had been, waiting. To his opponent he looked almost bored with the fight, his arms dangling at his sides in a relaxed manner, his body settled without an ounce of tension in it. This served to infuriate a number of bots which always assisted Reclaimer in defeating them. Catalyst was right, though tall, Reclaimer didn't have the sheer strength or weight to push others around, so he went with a more defensive mode of attack. And it served him well.
And, as with many opponents before, Catalyst was starting to lose his temper. Charging a second time, Reclaimer easily tripped him up and drove the spiked end of his pick axe into Catalyst's left leg. This time, the Autobot made a sound of pain, particularly as the axe was drawn out of the wound path. Energon dripped from the tip, splattering the downed bot, the ground, and eventually Reclaimer's shoulder as he settled the makeshift weapon there.
With a loud growl and scream of rage, Catalyst climbed to his pedes. Energon ran down his leg from the newly inflicted wound while his right wrist dangled at a strange angle. His upper lip plate was pulled back in a snarl and his yellow optics narrowed dangerously. Remaining relaxed, Reclaimer smirked back at him and waited to see what he would do.
"I'll make sure the Autobots train your little femme friend well," Reclaimer snarled, his optics shining with amusement as Reclaimer caught on to what he was hinting at.
"Leave Quicksilver out of this," Reclaimer snapped back, moving his axe so he could use it more readily. It was time to end this bot's time.
"It's not me who's not going to leave her out of this. The entire time you've been here fighting us? We've had operatives ransacking the colony, searching for those darling sparklings, and your youngling," Catalyst smirked in satisfaction as Reclaimer lost his calm demeanor. Without warning, Reclaimer moved at the bot, swiping his axe at the other's neck.
Catalyst managed to dodge out of the way barely. Before Reclaimer could have second go at the mech, tentacles appeared out of nowhere and latched onto Catalyst, sending him to the ground with a resounding thump, electrical charges passing through his body.
Looking at the communications officer, Reclaimer nodded his thanks before turning and running toward the colony. As he went, he sent a quick and simple message to Starscream, hoping the second in command wouldn't use this as an opportunity to get back at him. If the seeker knew what was good for him, he wouldn't try it.
By the middle of the dark cycle, all of the sparklings and Quicksilver were in recharge. Renegade leaned back and sighed heavily through his vents. It had been a long cycle and, though he was glad the young ones were all healthy, he was happy it was over.
"Did you ask her?" Cascade's question came out of the blue. If anything, Renegade had been expecting him to ask about what they should do with the three miscreants who'd gotten Knockout's ire up and what to do about the youngling's apparent lack of common sense.
"What?" Renegade looked at him and shook his head, "Dunestar?"
"Who else? Unless there's another femme on this ball of dust that I don't know about," Cascade teased, handing Renegade a cube of high grade. It was rare for either to drink the stuff.
Sighing heavily before rubbing his servo over his faceplate, Renegade looked at his friend, "No. She's been asked to take over Crankshaft's position in the colony. I won't jeopardize her future by asking her to be my mate."
"Jeopardize her future? Slaggit, Rene, she's into you and you like her, why and how would that jeopardize her future. And if you even say something about running around the universe with a bunch of 'cons, I'm going to smack you," Cascade growled, pointing a finger at the bigger mech.
"It's not that easy , Cascade," Renegade growled back, setting his cube aside and rubbing the back of his helm, "What would I tell her? You can't go anywhere, see anyone but a bunch of 'cons, and all you get in return is me and a fleet of sparklings?"
"She loves Duskwalker and Windsplitter, I doubt three more would hurt her feelings any," Cascade stated.
"I can't… I can't drag her away from her home," Renegade finished, "That's it, I'm not discussing it any more. It's over and done with."
"Did you even mention it to her?" Cascade asked, "Did you ask her what she felt about your leaving, about never seeing the sparklings again? Or did you just assume you knew what was best for her?"
Something in his statement made Renegade stop what he was doing and consider that possibility. Was he making the decision for Dunestar by simply not asking her? Venting a huff of air, he moved toward the door.
"I'll be back in a few hours," Renegade walked away without waiting for a response. He was fairly certain, should he have turned around, he'd have seen a knowing grin on Cascade's faceplate.
Renegade walked the dark streets, passing the few mechs that had been on the watch and survived with a wave and small smile. The sound of a battle echoed across the distance and ion and blaster bolts could be seen over the mountains, like brightly colored lightning bolts. Megatron must have found the Autobots that Reclaimer had spoken of. Stopping at a residence that had a few scorch marks, but was none the worse for wear from the savage attack, Renegade tapped at the panel to alert the occupant that they had company.
When a number of breems had passed and Renegade noticed that the illumination from the battle seemed to be getting nearer to the colony, he moved to walk away. He didn't get far before the door slid aside and a slender figure stepped out, silver optics glowing brightly in the dim light.
"Renegade? What are you doing here?" Dunestar asked, her voice laced with humor.
"I… I have something I need to ask you," Renegade started, feeling like a much younger bot than he was.
"What's that, love?" Dunestar stepped closer.
Before he could answer, a shout and flash of light drew both of their attentions. Looking toward the mountains, Renegade's optics narrowed as he noticed the signs of a firefight had gotten even closer. In the distance, he could see the form of a Cybertronian rushing toward the colony, before the silhouetted form was three or four figures. Each with a glowing optics of blue.
"Autobots?" Dunestar voice his concern.
"I believe so, come, before they reach us," Renegade took her servo and she kept pace beside him.
"Renegade!" Reclaimer's voice made him wince, but he recovered quickly and responded.
"Yes?"
"The Autobots are searching for the young ones, they know of their existence," Reclaimer shouted. He sounded as though he'd been moving at a constant rate of speed and was, possibly, damaged as well.
"Understood," Renegade ended the link, picking up speed. A number of the colonists were stepping outside of their residences, startled by the sudden movement.
"Get inside, all of you! Lock down your doors!" Dunestar yelled as they ran past, her voice carrying to the ones ahead as well. Renegade was impressed by how quickly the mechs disappeared inside of their residences. All of the panels they passed were red, indicating a lockdown.
It became obvious they would not reach Naomi before the Autobot's reached their location about halfway to the ship. Renegade cursed quietly and changed direction, slipping in between two residences. Dunestar followed him and wedged herself in against his body. They remained silent, holding onto one another tightly as they waited for an opportunity to surprise the enemy.
Renegade looked down at Dunestar and offered her a smile. He wanted to talk to her, to tell her everything that was going through his processor, but now was not the time.
The Autobots had entered the colony proper. Renegade could hear them banging on the sealed doors of the residences, shouting at the occupants. No one opened for them. This was not as much of a surprise attack as what Megatron had performed and all of the colonists were already wary of what fate may befall them next. After a few rounds of ion blasts offered no more vindication than a dented or scorched door and wall, the 'Bots moved on. Listening carefully, Renegade gauged that two of the bots had come toward the space port, heading for the residences and ships on the same side that Naomi was parked on.
With silent conversation, Renegade passed his plan onto Dunestar, at her nod, they separated as well as they could and waited. Once the 'Bots were past their hiding place, they moved out behind them. Dunestar crept along in the shadow of the residences, only her optics revealing where she was. Renegade did not have the opportunity to disappear so well, though the lack of a moon did make him harder to see. It didn't really matter.
Catching up to the two 'Bots, Renegade easily snapped the neck of the one in front of him, watching as the mech fell to the ground in heap. The other spun at the sound and Dunestar was there, holding him at blaster point. Renegade looked at her in surprise.
"What? I kept it around just in case someone got the wise idea they would rob me, Crankshaft knew about it," Dunestar grinned at him and he laughed.
"I have just gained even more respect for you," Renegade teased, glancing at the Autobot. The mech was slowly inching toward them and stopped the moment he noticed Renegade's attention was back on him.
"What should we do with him?" Dunestar asked, indicating the mech with her blaster.
"Disable him and leave him for Megatron to deal with," Renegade responded instantly. He didn't feel like forcing Dunestar to do anything as drastic as deactivating the mech. And he had a feeling Megatron would like to have a few 'words' with the mech.
"Sounds like a plan," Dunestar shrugged, stepping aside so that the larger Renegade could handle it.
Renegade stepped forward to do precisely that. The mech brought a weapon up, engaging it as it was still moving through the air. A searing pain shot across Renegade's right side and he glowered down at the smaller mech.
"Stay back, 'Con or I'll make sure to hit your spark next time," the Autobot threatened, "If the two of you know what's good for you, you'll point me in the direction of the sparklings and I'll be on my way."
"He's awfully sure of himself," Dunestar snapped from behind Renegade.
"What are you going to do, Neutral? Shoot me? You don't have the steel to do that," the Autobot sneered, his optics going wide as a blaster shot struck him in knee joint of his left leg. He crumpled to the ground with the shocked expression on his faceplate.
"Keep going and you might find out what else I'm willing to do to bots like you," Dunestar said nonchalantly.
"You stupid glitch!" the Autobot aimed his weapon at her and Renegade responded.
With a single movement, he gripped the bot's arm, twisted it, and easily tore the weapon away. Following this, as the mech screamed, Renegade reached around and slammed his servo down on the mech's neck cable hard enough to knock him to the ground, unconscious.
"If I was the swooning type, I'd be throwing my arms around your neck and calling you my hero," Dunestar quipped, smirking at him as he looked back at her.
With a grin, Renegade knelt down and gripped the mech's arms, dragging them back until they met. A few snaps told him he'd used too much force, but somehow he didn't care.
"Why are they after the sparklings?" Dunestar asked, Renegade could feel her optics on him as he bound the mech with a strip of iron left over from Megatron's activities.
"To do the same thing Lord Megatron wants to do, train them to be soldiers," Renegade answered with a sigh.
"I'm coming with," Dunestar stated suddenly, making Renegade start and turn toward her, his hands staying on the binding he'd finished wrapping about the Autobot's hands.
"Coming where?" Renegade questioned.
"With you and the sparklings. Like slag if I'm letting them be turned into killing machines for the Decepticons. Between the two of us, they'll have a nice, normal home life," Dunestar stated firmly, "And don't you dare tell me that I'd be making a mistake! I am choosing this of my own free will."
Releasing a sigh that held a hint of a laugh, Renegade ran a servo over his faceplate before standing and moving toward her. Dunestar's silver optics followed his movements. Setting his hands on her shoulders, Renegade looked down into her optics and slowly smiled.
"I was coming to ask you to be my mate… Cascade told me I was making a decision for you," Renegade stated. He felt his spark twist with a deep-seated concern. The expression on her faceplate told him nothing of how she felt.
"Rene… are you sure?" Dunestar asked, her voice filled with honest concern.
"Yes," Renegade nodded.
"GANG WAY!" Reclaimer's voice cut through the conversation like a hot blade. Both Renegade and Dunestar looked up to see the tall, slender mech running full tilt toward them. What they saw behind him made them both gasp and release each other, stepping to the side.
"Reclaimer?!" Dunestar sounded as shocked as Renegade felt.
"Yeah, well, you know. When you go after the bot who tried to kill your buddy, you tend to piss off said bot's friends," Reclaimer shrugged as he slid to a stop between them and turned to face the oncoming group of Neutrals. All of whom they had called friend at one time or another.
"They are all with the Autobots?" Renegade asked in disbelief.
"Don't know, some of them might not have cared one way or another till Lord Megatron did what he did… kinda puts a dampener on the whole 'join the Decepticons to end the unfair system' when you slaughter everyone who makes you mad," Reclaimer responded, brandishing his pick axe, the blade and flat end covered in energon, much as he was. It did not escape Renegade's attention that Reclaimer had multiple wounds and that he was having difficulty pulling air into his vents.
"Looks like we just got volunteered for security duty," Dunestar stated grimly.
"…" Renegade looked at the bots coming at them, recognizing more than a few of them, "Lead them to Naomi."
"WHAT?!" Reclaimer practically screamed it, making Renegade wince.
"Naomi can take care of this hoard faster than we can," Renegade grit out, turning and running, Dunestar right behind him. It was a short while later that he heard Reclaimer following.
Shots rang out all around them as they ran. Renegade continued on, mindful of his far more fragile state than the other two. Dunestar returned fire, covering them as they made their way to where Naomi was parked. By the time they reached the ship, all three were wounded and feeling the effects of those wounds. Renegade charged toward the ramp and slammed his servo against the panel. Naomi didn't even require the pass code. Instead she simply opened up and let all three aboard before resealing the entrance. Shots rang out against her hull nanoseconds before her defenses came online and began to return fire. Dunestar sighed heavily and leaned against him, whispering something.
Looking down at her curiously, Renegade leaned down so she could repeat herself.
"Yes, I will be your mate, however, if this is what life is going to be like, I'm going to need a lot more energy," Dunestar smiled at him.
Grinning broadly, Renegade swept her into his arms, mindful of her wounds, and hugged her close. He released her, still smiling and kissed her quickly before a shout interrupted them.
"Renegade! What is going on?!" Cascade shouted as he came around a corner, Windsplitter clinging to him, along with Duskwalker and Wildcharger. The moment Duskwalker saw him, she jumped from Cascade's arms, causing Renegade to step forward to catch her and pull her close to his chest plating.
"Autobots and Neutrals," Renegade growled.
"Oh my," Cascade intoned in shock, listening to the battle raging outside of the ship.
"This ship… is way too small for all of us," Reclaimer complained from behind Renegade. Renegade turned to see the tall mech stooped and pressed against the wall behind Dunestar.
"Well, you'll have to put up with it for a little while, pal. It doesn't sound like it's going to settle down out there any time soon," Cascade responded.
"Where is Quicksilver?" Renegade asked, taking note of the only missing member of the group.
"In the other compartment, pressed against a wall. I couldn't get her to follow me. She's panicked, badly," Cascade answered. It was clear whatever had transpired between them had upset the mech.
"I'll get her," Dunestar instantly volunteered, walking away without waiting for a response from any of the three mechs.
"You ask?" Cascade asked suddenly, pulling Renegade from his thoughts.
"When? When we were fighting Autobots, running for our lives, or when you came yelling down the corridor?" Renegade responded, trying hard not to smirk.
"Plenty of time to do it," Cascade stated flatly.
"Yes, I did," Renegade gave up the game and grinned.
"And?" Cascade pushed.
"Yes," Renegade answered simply, pulling Duskwalker closer to his chest plate and sending her calming, soothing emotions as he ran a finger down her back.
"Congratulations," Cascade went to smack his back, but remembered at the last minute that his arms were full.
"Thank you. Now, tell me, when did the sparklings wake up?" Renegade questioned, looking down at his exhausted femling.
"After the first volley of weapons fire hit the side of Naomi… They were all curled around Quicksilver who was doing her best to calm them down while starting to have a panic attack herself," Cascade answered, "I was in recharge and startled awake when I felt Windsplitter's fear."
Entering the compartment Dunestar had gone into before them, Renegade looked down at the two femmes. Quicksilver was clinging to Dunestar in much the same way the three sparklings were clinging to Cascade and himself.
"This could be a long dark cycle," Renegade spoke quietly so as not to startle the youngling.
"Congratulations for what?" Duskwalker asked suddenly with a yawn. Renegade looked down at her in surprise before suddenly bursting out in laughter. Duskwalker scrunched up her face while Cascade looked at him as though he'd lost his mind. Unfortunately, he couldn't help it, as the fever of battle began to wear off; he found that laughing made him feel better about the entire situation.
"I'll explain in the morning, sweetspark, now get some rest," Renegade managed to stop his laughter long enough to convince her to enter the chamber in his armor. It was not hard, as she was already exhausted.
Glancing over at Cascade, Renegade noticed that the other two sparklings were in recharge as well. Only Quicksilver remained awake, her optics going wide with each new volley of weapons fire that hit Naomi's hull. Renegade found himself wondering just what the youngling had experience that caused her such panic at the sound. Settling on the decking, he leaned back and listened as Dunestar spoke softly to the younger femme and held her as close as she could. He couldn't help but think taking care of the young ones would be far easier with Dunestar around.
Reclaimer approached the compartment he had heard the others speaking within, Stopping at the doorway, he looked in. There was no way he would fit with the others. It was barely large enough for the three adults to fit comfortably in. So, instead, he stood beyond the door and watched, feeling like an intruder.