A/N
I begun this chapter during the first of three plane rides (to Dallas to meet with some family, then to Panama, and then back to home), so I figured it was only fitting that, especially after last chapter, I set this one during the flight with Skyfire.
Chapter 12
Flight
Unlike the cargo plane they'd taken to get to Canada, Skyfire's shuttle mode sports windows. Only Aimi is really interested in looking through them, but that's good enough for him.
As Skyfire had said before, he does use his species' mass displacement ability quite well, almost quadrupling his size to allow even Cybertronian passengers onboard.
This flight is much more exciting than the one on the cargo plane, and certainly less restricted — Aimi had noticed Optimus' vent of relief when he boarded, finding the interior spacious enough for him to move if
he gets uncomfortable.
But no one's calling him claustrophobic.
While Aimi watches the ground below, she observes the others out the corner of her eye.
Simmons is, of course, nervously looking around Skyfire's interior, probably waiting for him to turn off course and land somewhere where he can either dispatch them all or fly off without them. But Skyfire doesn't, and Simmons glances uncertainly at Optimus a few times, as if expecting him to be an early warning signal.
Optimus, however, is too busy conversing with Skyfire to notice Simmons' fidgeting. Over the course of the flight, the two discuss mainly the state of the War, as Skyfire must be updated. Skyfire is interested in talking about other things, though, such as what he remembers about Cybertron and what he thinks about Earth. But when he comments about anything regarding the nature of Earth, Optimus goes silent, as if such topics are unworthy of his attention.
But Aimi knows better. She knows thinking about the beauty of Earth makes his spark ache. He appreciates the beauty of Earth, and it's something he can't indulge in anymore.
So, he stays silent until Skyfire finishes, then takes the opportunity to interrupt any further speech the mech might attempt.
"Skyfire."
"Yes?" The voice seemed to come from all around them, but the Prime keeps his optics toward the helm of the shuttle, which, from the outside, somewhat resembles the cockpit of an Earth jet.
"Before the War, did you ever visit Iacon?"
"Did I ever visit? I wish. I was a little busy working toward getting into the Elite Guard so I could go to the fleet academy there. I was working on changing my flight mode to a jet, but I never perfected it. I almost had it though, but then the War happened. So no, I never got the chance to go to Iacon."
Now Aimi sees why Optimus wasn't thrilled about Skyfire being a flier. Her first impression of the type is that they're very self-centered, but she has to wonder if they're all like that.
"What about you, Sir? Did you ever go to Iacon?"
"I resided in Iacon."
"Really? You were in a high caste?"
"Negative. I went to Iacon to attend the academy there. My mentor gave me my living arrangements."
"Your mentor in Iacon gave you a place to recharge? Yeah, and the caste system was made to raise the morale on Cybertron."
"The caste system was the end of peace on Cybertron."
For a moment, the only sound is the high whir of Jetfire's engines.
"I was joking."
"I know."
"So...I think I got this. You don't take humor, and your human friends don't talk much. Is that basically it?"
No comment for a moment and Aimi looks to see a strange look in the Prime's optics. She sighs and decides to say something for him.
"Trust me, you don't want that one talking." She points at Simmons. "Once he starts, he doesn't stop."
"Is he funny?"
"Try wacky."
Simmons sits up from his position with his knees pulled up to his chest, and points at Aimi. "I am not—!"
"Sh! Do not speak!"
His eyes go wide and he huffs, sitting back with his arms crossed.
"And yes, you are wacky, whether you think you are or not."
"Whatever. Are we there yet?"
Aimi glares over at him, about to tell him to shut up again but interrupted by Skyfire.
"If 'there' is Salida, then yes."
"Well, finally."
A/N
So now you know where Chapter 7 got its title. And, of course, this is posted over two weeks after said vacation. OH WELL.
And if anyone's wondering "What happened to that Camaro," just hit "Next Chapter"!