Mediziner's Notes: One of the scenes here makes me giggle, and also inspired one of the mini drabbles MissCHSparkles wrote... You guys know which one it is? XDDDD
Enjoy!
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"Apologies, sir." Military Storm replied, weakily saluting to Optimus.
"Come to one of us if you feel down," Optimus advised. "I know it's a struggle to see Sunblade in dangerous situations but over energizing won't help. Especially if the 'Cons were to attack immediately after a hunt."
Immediately the old Mech winced, feeling defeated as he let his arm go limp. "Yes, sir... I will keep that in mind, sir."
Optimus nodded, giving Military Storm's shoulder a squeeze before leaving.
"You will need to remain here for a short time longer I'm afraid, Military Storm. I'll have to perform a couple check ups before I'll let you go." Red Alert said sternly, heading to the cupboards to search for the appropriate items.
"Alright," Military Storm said, feeling like a chastised rookie.
While Military Storm is being tended to, Sunblade had arrived inside, shocked to see her caretaker on the medical berth. "Military Storm? What are you doing on the medical berth...?" She asked curiously, her partner Ticker sat quietly on her shoulder.
"I, ah... Uh," He stammered, feeling ever worse. "It's nothing Sunblade."
Sunblade tilted her head to the side, confused but decided not to ask. Now, her attention turning to Red Alert. "Red Alert, have you seen Smokescreen? I can't seem to find him anywhere..."
"No, I'm afraid I haven't," He replied, filing up a vial. "He might be recharging."
"Oh... Alright... I'll be outside for a short flight, then." Sunblade formally excuses herself as she takes her leave.
With a heavy sigh, the Triple Changer cursed to himself, he remembered that he was supposed to go on a flight alongside Sunblade.
But he was in no condition to go anywhere, thanks to his own self loathing. Damn it all, he swore he would not get intoxicated again for the entire Earth campaign. Sunblade needed him, he could no afford weakness.
Sunblade stepped out of the base, it appeared to be in the afternoon but it was enough for her to get some sun. She took to the skies and transformed while Ticker automatically attached himself to the belly of her alt form.
"Ticker... Is it possible that I... I could do something like my sister did...? Strangely, that one time when her weapons had changed after she called her Mini-Con to... Powerlinkx?" She questioned softly.
"Of course, I'm your partner now," he told her. "Just command me to powerlinx with you."
She nodded, she couldn't wait until the next action where she gets a chance to encounter Nightblade in battle and powerlinkx. "What did you often liked doing back on Cybertron? It looks like many of you have a certain talent you were all created with by nature."
"I was an entertainer," He said shyly. "Along with some others, we performed with bigger transformers to bring joy to others."
"Really!? I'm similar too! I hated seeing one so sad and down... I always wanted to make sure everyone's at their best. I guess that's why my creators called me Sunblade." Sunblade replied with a few soft giggles. "I think everyone looks their best with a smile!"
"They do," He agreed with a tingling laugh.
Their chat continued for a long while until when it was already sunset, Sunblade decided to retire back into the base before it got too dark for her to be unable to see. Once they were on land, she transformed back to her 'bot mode. "I think I should ask Red Alert or maybe Hot Shot or Smokescreen if they could make me a visor for the darkness, I cannot see a thing at all when it's dark... Just like my sister, Nightblade cannot see in the daytime." She told Ticker as she sets him gently on her shoulder, now in the direction of heading to the Med Bay, deciding to speak with Red Alert first.
"Sounds like a plan," He said gravely. "What is she like, this sister of yours? I don't believe I've met her."
"I'm afraid you have not met her yet... She looks exactly like me, except a more... 'Dark' version you could say... Unlike me who's a mix of oranges, yellow-orange and red-oranges, Nightblade has two mixes of dark purples, and blacks. She's the more relaxed and quiet type." Sunblade said.
"Doesn't she like to have fun?"
"She was a more... Distant 'bot... When we were Femlings, she was picked on a lot by the other 'bots because of her reddish-orange optic colours... I had many friends but they often didn't like me much when I wanted her to be in the many games we had played... Because of the many painful things she got than I did, she grew to be more solitude Femme." Sighing sadly as Sunblade reached the Med Bay. Military Storm wasn't present as he had already gone out.
"Red Alert? I have something to ask... Can you make visors...?" Sunblade shyly asked. "It might be best if I got one so I can see better during the Mini-Con hunts if it's dark out..." She added.
"Hmm, I'm sure I can come up with something," He said with a nod. "Let me scan your optics first."
Nodding, Sunblade got up onto a medical berth, sitting down as she waits patiently for Red Alert's response while he scans her optics.
"Yes, I can see why you need one," He said thoughtfully. "This may take me a cycle or two I'm afraid but I should be able to construct a visor."
Sunblade only smiled softly. "It's alright, Red Alert. Thank you very much." Her tone had mixed with formality. "My vision had been like this since my sparking, unable to see clearly in the darkness or during the night as to Nightblade being unable to see in bright light or during the day." She slowly scoots off of the medical berth. "I'll be leaving now. I think I'll recharge..." She added, taking her leave.
"Do you want me to leave you in peace?" Ticker questioned.
Sunblade thought for a moment before asking. "You have a place where you can sleep...? If not, I'm sure I could come up with making a berth for you. I'm good at building things."
"I'd like that," He said shyly. "I don't like to be on my own."
With a smile, she nodded as she gathered the necessary materials for building a Mini-Con sized berth, Ticker had drawn out the size she needs to shape the berth so that it would be Mini-Con sized. It took Sunblade a few breems to finish creating the berth as she finished installing it. "Phew, there... Why don't you try it now, Ticker?" Sunblade offered with a giggle.
He carefully climbed onto it and laid himself down, testing how stable it was. After a while, he smiled and said. "It feels great."
With a grin, Sunblade nodded as she puts away the tools and stepped out shortly to recycle the metal or 'extras'. As she returned, immediately dropping to her berth as she yawned. "It's been a long day... I'm worn out, good night Ticker..." Slowly, the Seeker fell into recharge.
"Good night, Sunblade," He said softly before turning on his side.
...
Nightblade had finally recovered to her full peak and was now training on her own while the other Mechs were either training with a few of their available equipment or were just simply elsewhere working or just having some R&R. The Femme Seeker felt so alive to be able to finally fully function and do much more.
She was eager for another hunt and praying that it would be a nighttime one. Then she could soar under the moon and stars, soaking up the glorious coolness of a night sky. That's why she was training hard, so that Megatron would have to take her along.
She was deep in a trance, as if she were in a real fight, slashing and thrusting her daggers about, her eager of Mini-Con hunting was just simply overwhelming for her as if she were a beast, caged and eager to be set free to wreck havoc. Sharply, she swung around and thrusted one of her daggers forward slightly sideways, snapping out of reality as she heard Demolishor fall on his aft, surprised. "H-Hey! Nightblade, be careful!" The Anti-Aircraft Tank stammered.
Immediately, she let her weapons drop and form back into her Stabilizers. "Forgive me, Demolishor. I was lost in my thoughts while training." She emotionlessly responded as the Mech got back up to his feet, reminding her that it's time he trained her how to better make use of blaster weapons.
"Thank you," She said with a slight bow as he made sure not to stand too close, a little leary after her trance like state. He gruffly asked if she had a blaster and she brought it forth from sub-space.
"Hmm... Alright, lets get started then." He stated, the two heading off towards the illusional drones, he reprogrammed them a tad bit so that they were simple targets, he would save the 'real fight' illusion for when he feels she's up to the task. "We'll start with some simple targets, they'll begin to move and more will appear as you advance. Learn the enemy's patterns before firing the shot." He said.
Grateful for his help, she concentrate on the task at hand, firing off shots as the targets advanced.
From his observing, he seemed pleased enough that she hasn't lost much of her touch with using a blaster after a few earth weeks of being out of commission thanks to Cyclonus' damage. Finally, standing up as he makes the call that she's done enough for today, turning off the drones. "You did well, just don't forget what I've told you and what you've learned." Demolishor gruffly stated as he walked off to do his own business.
"Thank you, Demolishor." She formally responded. Now left with nothing else to do, she walked towards the base, returning to her Med Bay. She was surprised to find Leader-1 speaking with First Aid, telling him that it was Megatron's orders that all Mini-Cons have a blaster to at least offer a bit of defense and help their partners.
"Orders are orders, First Aid. Complain to Megatron if you have to, but I will not be accepting no for an answer." Leader-1 dangerously stated.
"Leader-1... For the last time, I'm a CMO, not a fighter... I have NO experience in fighting like the others do..." First Aid said, grumbling. He seemed to be near his last circuit breakdown.
"And what will you do if you get separated from your partner and an Autobot tries to capture you?" Leader-1 said harshly. "You'll be taken prisoner or forced to become one of them if you can't defend yourself."
"Leader-1? What are you doing here?" Nightblade raised an optic brow as she caught the attention of both Mini-Cons. Immediately, Leader-1 leaped towards her as the Femme Seeker had caught him with quick reflexes. Slowly, she raised Megatron's Mini-Con to her optic level as Leader-1 seemed to be in an angry mood to a point where he would let his entire rage on Nightblade. He truly had most of his personalities similar to Megatron's.
"You better get your partner training on how to defend himself, young lady... Or there will be consequences to report to Lord Megatron. You don't want that, would you, Nightblade?" The Mini-Con snarled as Nightblade flinched slightly.
"No, I would not," She said evenly. "I will talk to my partner and we will sort something out."
"Do it soon, Lord Megatron has very little patience for those who aren't trained to at least defend themselves..." Leader-1 growled, leaping from her hand to the medical berth, to the counters and sliding down the small ladder, dashing out of the Med Bay.
She stared at his depature before turning to First Aid and asking. "Are you arlight?"
First Aid heavily sighed, glad that Leader-1 had finally left. "Yes... Leader-1 just cannot see that I have no skill in fighting, let alone using a blaster." Dropping the weapon onto the desk in his workspace. "I specialize heavily in the medical area but not in fighting... Oh what will I do?..."
"I can teach you," Nightblade offered. "I'd rather you didn't have to fight but Megatron will expect it, since we're a team. And Leader-1's right, if we got separated, the Autobots would try and take you."
"I suppose you're right... I just hope I can learn fast enough in case Megatron might be wondering how my training has been doing..." First Aid picked up the blaster as he puts it away in his sub-space pocket. "I dare not be separated from your side, either!"
She nodded, hating to put him through this. "You'll be fine, as long as you can wield that blaster."
Nodding, he sets most of his stuff away for later, going through a few data pads and separating them into two stacks before turning around then looking up at Nightblade again. "Do you perhaps have some time to spare to start training me...?" He asked softly. "I think... I want to start trying, now for a little while."
"I have time," She assured him with a smile.
Gently, Nightblade picked up her partner as she placed him on her shoulder as she took her leave from the Med Bay, returning to the training grounds. Demolishor had already gone inside though Cyclonus, Starscream and Megatron were present. Starscream was training with his weapon, Cyclonus going ballistic on the illusional drones while Megatron seemed to be standing somewhere staring off towards the Earth again, lost in thoughts of when the next Mini-Con will awaken.
"Lets see... What can we do first..." Nightblade said, thinking as she sets First Aid down carefully.
"How about a single stationary target to get you started?" She suggested, hoping that wasn't too slow for Megatron whose attention could turn to them.
First Aid nodded, summoning his blaster out of sub-space as he readies it, waiting for Nightblade to set the target for him.
Nightblade got to work on setting up a few simple static targets for first Aid, she had used the ones that were currently not being used. "Alright, that should do it..." Backing up to give First Aid some space as she stood from behind near him, instructing as best as she could to the best of her abilities.
He did his best to concentrate but it was clear he didn't like what he was doing. He focused a little too long on certain targets, his medical training wanting him to be very precise with his hits, a little too precise...
"Nightblade!" Megatron suddenly called. "What is wrong with your Mini-Con? He's hitting those targets too slow."
Immediately, Nightblade flinched, stiffening like a stone before slowly turning around. "Uhh, he's just started training...! It will take him some time..." She tried to explain, hiding the nervousness and fear in her tone.
"I-It appears not all Mini-Cons are capable of fighting naturally... Some have their own... Abilities and developments, sir." She added.
"Well, he'd best learn to fight and quickly," Megatron said in his quiet tone. "Only warriors will survive this campaign, Nightblade."
"Yes sir..." She said in defeat, trying to hide the disappointment on her faceplate, she really did not want to pressure First Aid, but what could she do? The others would find her ridiculous or too soft to be a Decepticon and she would not want to be possibly terminated if they think so.
'F-First Aid...? I think Megatron would have me to be harsh... What will I do...? I truly and honestly have no intention of bringing any harm to you... I have to admit, right now I am very frightened...' She said to him with worry through the powerlinkx bond.
'Do what you must,' He replied quietly. 'I know you do not truly mean it, just please Megatron.'
'Very well... P-Please do understand I do not mean either of these things I'm going to start saying... I'm so sorry...'
Clearing her vocal processor, she started snapping at First Aid, telling him he needs to hit the targets faster, despite she's slightly wincing everytime she snapped at him with her emotionless tone turning cold slowly.
He simply nodded and obeyed, trying to hit the targets at a much faster rate.
Leader-1 observed carefully from Megatron's shoulder, First Aid was slowly indeed improving but knowing that he needs to improve more faster otherwise he would be easily taken by the Autobots. He often wondered what would Nightblade and First Aid be talking about through their Powerlinkx bond... Somehow he could tell from Nightblade's slight wincing, this made him know that something seemed... Out of place... But what?
"Sir, is she still injured?" He questioned, wondering if she was suffering from the aches in her wounds
"I don't believe so, it has been a few cycles since the incident. Seeing from how Nightblade stepped out here into the Training Area a few short breems ago, I have not noticed any changes to her behaviour or movements..." Megatron responded, not bothering to turn to look at Nightblade. A few astroseconds of silence until just a slight tad bit, he looked towards his Mini-Con. "Are you inquiring perhaps about something you find unacceptable about Nightblade, Leader-1?" He added.
"Well sir," Leader-1 said, a little unsure how to explain. "It's just that she keeps flinching as though in pain and I wondered if she'd returned too early to training."
"If you say as it seems, why don't you go see for yourself? I don't seem to notice anything unusual from her." The Decepticon Leader turning just a bit to look at his soldiers training, he could notice indeed Nightblade wincing and stiffening, why would it be? He wasn't too concerned about it as he turned to look at Earth again.
"Very well Megatron," Leader-1 said, leaving his master and heading over to Nightblade and First Aid.
"You're not hitting the targets enough...!" Nightblade wincing again, she couldn't take it anymore, her spark was aching heavily from all these harsh things she's been spatting at First Aid.
"What is the matter!?" A voice suddenly barked out and she jumped to see Leader-1 standing there.
Immediately in a straightened posture, she spoke. "Nothing, Leader-1. What troubles you, if I may ask?" She responds, instinctively in her formal emotionless tone.
"You're continuously flinching," He stated flatly.
"Flinching...? Nonsense, I don't see a reason why you should ask me of this... Forgive me, I'm only confused..." Nightblade replied, her tone unchanged.
"Alright," He said. "Continue training and I'll monitor you. If there isn't a problem, then I'll leave."
With a nod, she said: "No problems at all, I'll resume training with First Aid, you can take your leave if you wish." Facing First Aid again, her partner continued training as she resumed what she's doing.
He watched her closely, waiting for her to wince or flinch again. Sure enough, when she barked out a curt order to her Mini-Con, she winced, her expression screwed up before relaxing into a neutral one again.
'...What a weird Femme.' Leader-1 muttered to himself in his processor as he shook his head before he spoke up again. "You're flinching again... Something is indeed wrong with you." His tone blunt.
"I... It's nothing," she tried to say.
"Speak the truth, otherwise I will report to Megatron about your petty lies." The Mini-Con stated, hoping to make her submit. He clearly was not leaving until she gave in.
"Fine," She said. "I'm still suffering from a processor defrag that First Aid initated after my... Accident. It's giving me a pounding helm ache."
Leader-1 gave a long look before he finally decided to return to Megatron without a further word, Nightblade wondered why had he not respond, could he be planning to tell Megatron she would be possibly lying? She hoped not as First Aid had turned her attention to him.
"Nightblade, why don't you train? I'm going to take a short break and let my blaster cool off, it's overheating." The CMO Mini-Con said, his blaster was clearly smoking due to the overheat.
With a nod, Nightblade willed her daggers as she took a spot where there is plenty of room, beginning her training in deep focus.
"Well?" Megatron questioned as Leader-1 returned.
"She claims she's suffering from a prolonged defrag," Leader-1 reported.
Megatron hadn't said a thing, though Leader-1 had noticed that Blackout hadn't been training much, only watching his partner, Demolishor.
"Sir, permission to train Blackout? He's not doing a thing." He asked.
"Granted," Megatron replied, rather adsentmidedly.
With that, Leader-1 ran off towards the direction of Demolishor and Blackout. Demolishor had just ceased fire, needing to cool down his fingers. His attention turned to Leader-1 who seemed to be staring up at him with what he could describe an unamused expression.
"Demolishor, why have you not trained Blackout? He needs to train unless you're planning to let him fall into Autobot hands." He pointed out firmly.
With a frown, Demolishor replied. "He's observing my style of fighting."
"He needs to train soon, it's Megatron's orders earlier that all Mini-Cons are to recieve training with a blaster at least. Do not forget and you too as well, Blackout." Leader-1 looked over towards Blackout, who was simply sitting on a metal box shaped object near the blaster racks.
"Very well, I'll begin teaching him," Demolishor said, still frowning.
Leader-1 next ran up to Blackout as he gave him a blaster that he took out of sub-space. "Your blaster." He simply said.
"Thank you," Blackout said, taking said blaster.
The Mini-Con watched as Blackout scooted off of the metal box and went over to Demolishor, who had called him over to begin training as he observed the two for a short time before going off elsewhere to train on a couple targets with his blaster and sometimes in his alt mode.
Nightblade sliced through a few targets while trying to maintain her speed, she had screwed up a few times where sometimes her daggers didn't cleanly slice all of the targets fully, good thing there was a standard holographic program which only displayed regular targets instead of illusional autobots as targets.
'I feel like I'm lacking something... But what? I'm not cleanly slicing all of the targets fully...' She thought to herself, pressing a button to reset the targets.
"I hope Megatron doesn't see, I don't want him punishing me."
Carefully looking, Megatron was just about heading back inside the base, possibly had enough of staring at Earth as she felt relaxed once he was inside and out of her sight. 'Aside from that... I haven't seen that idiot helicopter come out to train like the rest of us... Oh well, whatever.' She started to dash towards the targets again, attempting to slice them all cleanly.
After a few joors, Nightblade decided to call it enough for a while, First Aid was eager to leave the training area as he also had enough. The two headed on over to the rec room for a nice cube, they really needed to refuel.
"I'm sorry for earlier," she apologized, still feeling guility.
"You did what you had to do... You would not want to get on Megatron's bad side and I also wished for you not to as well because I was training too slowly..." First Aid responded, placing his hands on one of her fingers as if he were to comfort her. Deep down, he wished he could hug her if he were Transformer sized.
"Are you sure I didn't hurt you?" she asked, hoping the answer was no.
First Aid nodded, smiling softly. "You have not. I know very well you would not do such a thing even if you were forced to. It's better than you recieving a nasty beating from Megatron."
She shivered, she hoped that never happened. What she'd gotten from Cyclonus was bad enough... Megatron was strong enough to rip off Military Storm's limbs...
She relaxed, now in the rec room as she got a cube for both herself and First Aid. Nightblade then went to her favourite spot in the nice damp darkness. Gently, she sets First Aid down on the table with his cube as she sat down, sipping her cube silently.
Idly, Nightblade swirled the liquid around in the cube, half-finished, seemed to be lost in her thoughts. She hadn't notice that First Aid seemed to be struggling to drink the liquid from the transformer sized cube she accidentally gave him until when she heard a splash, he had fallen partially in the cube. Immediately, she tried to cease the urge to burst into laughter as she carefully plucks him out of his cube, now covered in the Energon.
"Are you alright?" She asked, unable to stop herself laughing.
First Aid spluttered, wiping the Energon from his faceplate. "Yes, I'm okay." His tone had a mixture of embarrassment due to hearing his partner laugh, but in a way he seemed happy that she's laughing, he hadn't seen her laugh this freely before and knew that one of her traits was having a strong sense of humour.
She giggled before lifting him up and licking a glob of energon from his back.
"N-N-N-Nightblade!?" He stiffened as he felt his partner lick his back, shuddering. "Wh-What are you doing?" His tone seeming to splutter again but also fluster up. Nightblade giggling at this as she gently sets him down.
"Sorry, I couldn't resist, you're like a little Energon treat," She said with another giggle. "Anyway, we shouldn't waste Energon."
"Y-Yes... Right, of course." His shuddering slowly ceasing. "Well, you did absentmindedly pick up another Energon Cube the size of a regular Transformer instead of a Mini-Con sized cube... I had trouble drinking the rest of the cube..." He pointed out.
"Yes, I remember now," She said, still chuckling.
"Just a moment." She said, getting up and heading on over to the dispenser, getting a Mini-Con sized cube, she seemed to still be smiling yet holding in a giggle. She returned with the tiny cube as she slowly held her hand near First Aid so he could pick up the cube from her. "Here, I'm sorry about the cube size." She said softly.
"It's alright, not the first time that's happened," He said with a slight sigh.
Nightblade's expression immediately changed and ruefully looked away. "Forgive me... I shouldn't have laughed..." She sat back down once First Aid had taken the small cube from her hand.
"It was nice hearing you laugh," First Aid hastened to assure her. "It wasn't a bad thing, you naturally forgot. Besides, I once accidently got my partner, also a CMO a Mini-Con sized cube of High-Grade, he wasn't amused."
Her optics flickered a few times in a manner of blinking, she then spoke. "You had a formal partner before... Back on Cybertron?" Nightblade asked.
"I did," He admitted.
"Oh... You must miss them, especially being their partner..." Immediately her mood dropped, a heavy feeling of regret washing over her. "I..." The Femme Seeker wasn't sure what to say, but she could think that the mysterious CMO who was First Aid's formal partner... He... Or She... Must possibly heavily miss First Aid.
"They offlined," First Aid Aid said quietly, looking away.
Softly gasping, she looked at First Aid again, and like that she couldn't hold in her energon tears. Shadow cast over her optics as she softly wrapped her hand around him softly. "I'm sorry..." She whispered to him, her voice was soft as a whisper and soothing. "I'm so sorry, I hadn't known..."
"You couldn't know," He whispered softly.
Carefully, she scooped up her partner and brought First Aid to her faceplate. With her other hand, she softly had it around First Aid, hugging him. "I know I may not be much but... I just do hope that together, we can overcome anything. And that I'm willing to learn and become a fine Chief Medical Officer, ...Someday."
"I know you can," He said in a somewhat choked voice.
"I'm willing to learn, if you can teach me as you are a CMO, yourself." She replied, smiling softly as she wiped away most of her energon tears after carefully setting First Aid down. However, hearing footsteps she had to quickly clear her faceplate entirely, not wanting to look 'weak' in front of the others as she pretends to mind her own business as she resumes her cube.
First Aid also turned away to compose himself, weakness would be looked down upon.
The sounds of the footsteps revealed to be Demolishor's as he had just entered. He hadn't gone for a cube but seeing slightly that the rec room had been empty, or at least to him it looked empty, he knew that he would love a nice break from hearing it all, his quarters was near Cyclonus' and the helicopter was being loud again, possibly from downing his personal stash of High-Grade.
"Hmph, that hack of a helicopter gets on my nerves so much..." The Anti-Aircraft Tank grumbled to himself, unaware of Nightblade's presence. "I'd show him a thing or two about when someone's trying to recharge..."
Nightblade chuckled and he jumped, spinning around to finally see her there.
"I've been wondering where has that idiot been all morning, wasting himself away over energizing it seems. Oh well, long as he backs off I suppose." Her optics seeming to faintly glow despite the areas she was in isn't exactly the darkest spot. in the base.
"Hmm, yeah," He said, a little unnerved by her glowing optics.
"I wonder if he's wandering about... I suddenly have the urge to... How do I put it... Play with my prey." She grinned, her fanged grin and her glowing optics made her expression look like a deadly malicious grin as if she had the equivilant look to offline someone.
Demolishor shrugged.
"He'll end up doing something stupid," He mumbled, grabing a cube.
"Oh, that wouldn't be a problem... I'll just take my leave." Her emotionless tone sounded rather mischevious, the tone indicated she's really going to 'play with her prey'. Demolishor watched as she left the rec room with First Aid, who was running after her. Whenever Nightblade was in a mood for preying on someone, she would tend to forget when she's got someone along with her.
Cyclonus had just left his quarters, his motherboard was aching heavily from over energizing but he knew that he remembered he had to check something in a specific room. Grumbling, along the way he hadn't noticed the sounds of 'hissing' or the sounds sinister snickering, he was deeply focused on retrieving something he'd need later. Turning into the room and before he got inside, Nightblade had jumped right at him as he let out an echoing screeching scream which echoed throughout the entire base, awakening anyone who had been recharging.
"Grrrrrr... Nightblade, you stupid Femme!" Cyclonus angrily barked as he tried to find her in the darkness, but couldn't find her anywhere. "Damn you and your little trick to the pit into blending in so well, when I find you, you're going to regret it!" The helicopter angrily marched away, completely forgetting he was supposed to get what he needed.
Once out of earshot, Nightblade was laughing so hard she fell to the floor, that was the loudest scream she'd ever gotten on a victim and she sure bet that everyone within the base had heard his screeching scream. "Haha, teaches him for injuring me!" She said through her fits of snickers and giggles."
"It certainly does," First Aid agreed with a small smile.
"Come, let us return to the Med Bay." She said, snickering as she stood up, then knelt down, holding out her hand to which First Aid immediately climbed into her hand. Gently setting her partner onto her shoulder, Nightblade made her way back to the Med Bay, but not with however before she could get there, quickly hiding in the darker spots of the corridor as she overhears what seemed to be Cyclonus and Starscream arguing. Had she made Cyclonus' scream awaken him from possible recharge...? Quietly, she listened while her antenna twitched very slightly.
"It was that damn Femme!" Cyclonus was protesting. "She snuck up on me."
"Did you have to shriek so loudly!?" Starscream snapped back. "Primus, you sounded like a Femme Sparkling."
Cyclonus spluttered, somewhat a bit dumbfounded but it clearly showed he was getting even more angrier. "I did nothing! She just came out of nowhere and nearly gave me a sparkattack! I don't see why you're seeming to shield her all the time." The Helicopter responded, crossing his arms. "I can't see why you defend that worthless weak Femme who does nothing but goes around in the dark trying to scare the sparks out of whomever she comes across. Bah!" The Helicopter stomped away, not bothering to hear whatever Starscream has to say, he was clearly already more angry after that short argument. Once Cyclonus had gone around a corner, Nightblade herself pretended she had not heard all what happened and just casually walked on towards the Med Bay.
"Afternoon, Starscream." She said to him as she passed by.
He merely grunted in response, obviously still in a bad mood.
Upon hearing his 'response', she jumped in startle and started running off silently inside the Med Bay. While indeed she secretly somewhat has an interest in the red and white Seeker, at the same time she was also afraid of him, mainly whenever he was angry.
Once inside, she gently sets First Aid down next to his workspace as she summons a data pad from sub-space and began working on it, it contained some information about becoming a CMO, First Aid had earlier before starting the day had told her to write down a few things to review later on together.
"Why did you leave so fast?" He asked curiously.
"H-Honestly..." She looked away, embarrassed. "I'm afraid of Starscream whenever he's in a bad mood..." She replied, somewhat a bit softly.
"And since I somewhat had no idea..." She guiltly added. "I guess my fun can get the best of me..."
"I'm sure he would not hurt you," First Aid assured her. "Just because he's in a bad mood doesn't mean he'll lash out at you, I think he likes to brood."
"First Aid, he's a Decepticon... I don't know anything about Decepticons nor do I know anything about him personally as along with the others... I'm just only a noble who was locked away from the world and Cybertron's citizens. There could be things I don't know yet about Starscream and the others... I would hate to be lashed at just in case..." She pointed out, shuddering in fear a bit.
"I understand," He sighed, wishing she wasn't so afraid but understanding her caution.
They resumed their work in silence, Nightblade's thoughts were lost in when the next Mini-Con would hopefully be during the night again. To Nightblade herself, she felt as if the night is calling her to come out and hunt.
...
Currently, Military Storm and Sunblade were having a little flight outside, not flying too far from the base as he struggled to keep up with the young Seeker Femme. "Hehe, easy now Sunblade. I'm not as fast as I was in my younger years and previous body." The Triple Changer chuckled.
"Aww, I think you're just fine," she said with a giggle. "Still as handsome as ever."
"Heh, you really think so, my lady?" He replied with a slight chuckle as he finally caught up with Sunblade, now flying in sync together as they talked.
"Of course, you're one of the most handsome mechs I know," Sunblade added cheekily.
"Thank you." He responded, no trace of his stern soldier attitude as he simply spoke casually to Sunblade. A secret of his that he never revealed to anyone but his two favourite Femmes. If it were possible, he'd show Sunblade how happy he was under his alt mode. Eventually, the two simply cruised over the skies, overlooking a beautiful sunset. "I've never seen a sunset as beautiful as this for so many eons... I've only seen it this beautiful when I was a young Mechling..." He idly spoke.
"Really, on Cybertron?" She questioned and he chuckled, mentally shaking his head.
"It's a shame such beauty gets destroyed by war and hatred..." The Triple Changer began idly. "It's like one day... It's a beautiful and busy day in Cybertron and then the next day, it's all a mess... Screams of Terror... Blazing Fires dancing and leaving trails, burning whatever is in their path... Then I start hearing tales of a planet sized Transformer, the supposed Chaos Bringer, Unicron... But he doesn't exist, no Transformer alive has ever seen such a large being any bigger than a planet. Yet many these days have seemed to gone crazy perhaps..." Heavily sighing, the two still in sync with their flight patterns, banked upside down. He hadn't paid attention that Sunblade had decided to do this for fun and she was snickering at how silly he looked when upside down.
"Hmm, what's so funny?" He questioned.
Sunblade tried her very hardest to hold in her urge to laugh so hard, it was worsening when Military Storm had not yet recognized that they were both upside down.
"Sunblade?" He asked again before suddenly realizing what the joke was.
If only it showed, she had the most biggest grin on her face as she bursts into laughter.
"You looked so funny!" She exclaimed, her laughter like music.
"Heh, how about this one?" He chuckled. Immediately and gently, Military Storm bumped his wing with hers in a force just enough that they were both barrel rolled right side up, which caught the young Femme Seeker by surprise.
"Eee!" she squealed before laughing again.
They spent their time messing with each other in the air, continuing to bump each others' wings or chase one another around playfully, until when Military Storm's comm link flared to life.
/Optimus Prime to Military Storm, are you and Sunblade there, old friend?/ The Autobot Leader said.
"Go ahead, Optimus sir." Military Storm replied.
/We've just detected another Mini-Con and we need both of you back at base./ Optimus said.
"We're on our way." Replying once again before cutting the comm. link, now mentally looking in Sunblade's direction, telling her it's time to head back to base.
"Aww," She groaned, she'd been enjoying herself.
"I promise you we shall spend more time together again as a family after the Mini-Con hunt, provided neither of us become too heavily injured." He said before adding. "Come, now my lady." Descending towards the base.
"Alright," She sighed, at least they could rescue another Mini-Con. And perhaps find out just why her sister had been absent at the last hunt.
As they made it back inside and into the Command Center, Optimus was looking at a visual of the location the Mini-Con had awakened from. it seemed to be located in the ocean strangely underwater, it was dark.
"I can't see a thing... And the visual seems blurred." Military Storm pointed out, unaware that the 'blurred visual' is caused by the water.
"This isn't going to be easy," Optimus acknowledged.
"I agree... Oh! Which reminds me." Sunblade turned to look at Red Alert. "Have you finished with the visor yet?" She formally asked the CMO.
"I have but it's not tested," he apologized. "While I'm confident it'll work fine, there is a chance it might fail."
"Oh, it's no problem..." She replied.
The Kids soon dashed inside, seeing the sight, knowing that it is at the bottom of the ocean. "Whoa, it's in the ocean!?" Carlos exclaimed.
"It sure is?" Hot Shot whistled. "Who'd have thought it?"
"The Ocean...?" Sunblade looked at the children confused, she hadn't known what an 'ocean' is due to the lack of knowledge she knows about Earth unfortunately.
"You never seen an ocean amiga?" Carlos questioned.
"Cybertron never had any oceans before." Sunblade replied, shaking her head before adding. "Earth is the first foreign planet I've visited, too."
"Wow, really!?" He exclaimed, amazed at this.
"Cybertron is not an organic planet like Earth or any of the other planets similar to this one. The entire surface is made of metal." Military Storm said next before adding. "Not a drop of water or a small piece of life such as plants are within Cybertron itself."
"I couldn't imagine that," Alexis gasped. "A whole world of metal..."
Optimus Prime gathered everyone's attention again, reminding them that there is a Mini-Con to save.
"Oh, I'm sorry Optimus..." Sunblade replied in surprise. Meanwhile, the kids were asking Optimus if they could come with them.
"Can we come, pleeeeeeeeease Optimus?" Carlos begged, Rad also joining in.
"We won't cause any problems, we can help look for the Mini-con," Rad said.
Optimus thought for a moment before saying. "I'm not sure, the Mini-Con is deep below the surface and I'm not sure if humans can even breathe underwater...?"
"No," Alexis admitted. "But we can still help."
Optimus wasn't sure what to do, he knew very well that the Decepticons could possibly target him if he were to carry the kids around and damage him to a point where he would spring a leak. How could he make this work? How could he tell his human friends?
With a sigh, he sadly replied. "I'm sorry kids, I feel it is unsafe to bring you along underwater, if Megatron or any of the Decepticons target any of us that carry you around, we worry that we may end up drowning you three. We can provide visuals whenever we can, however, if that helps."
Their faces fell with disapointment.
"I'm sorry..." His voice filled with sorrow as he made his way to the Warp room where his teammates were waiting. Giving each other space, they all transformed into their alternate modes as the kids watched from the door as they one by one warped as Optimus gave the command to launch.
They were soon found underwater, Hot Shot tried to speed on ahead but the water had slown him down, transforming, he groaned. "Hhh... I can't even run in this." Hot Shot grimly said, he felt his movements were much slower under the water.
"The Decepticons may possibly be close, I'll need everyone to keep a sharp optic out for any signs of them." Optimus stated, momentarily observing around before adding. "From our current position, there doesn't seem to be much cover, lets get a jumpstart before we're found." As everyone acknowledged, they turned on their alt mode's lights for better sight as they pressed on forward.
Sunblade was nervous, would she manage underwater? While she'd really enjoyed herself that cycle at the beach, could she really move and fight in this ocean?
"Do not worry, Sunblade. I promise I will protect you." Military Storm said as he drove right by her side, he had to convert to his tank mode as he was previously in his cargo plane mode. Unfortunately, his tank form had no sorts of lights but for one small one on the front right rear next to the tank mode's turret.
"Thanks," She said, before suddenly saying. "If Nightblade comes with them... She'll be able to see in the dark."
"Indeed... We must be extra careful..." The Triple Changer replied grimly. "I don't know if the Decepticons' visions are limited in the dark but I have a high doubt that for Megatron, it would not be a problem for him..." He added.
"Yeah," She said with a shiver. She really did not want to meet Megatron under the water, or frankly, meet him anywhere.
...
"Aww," Cyclonus complained as they headed for the shore. "I can't believe that Mini-Con's stuck under water. How am I supposed to shoot those Autobots?"
"Don't look at me, I don't know." Demolishor gruffly shrugged before adding. "I'm not s-sure if our blasters will work under the water..."
"They will work fine," Megatron said sharply. "And even if they don't, that means the Autobots won't either. So we shall have to engage in a little hand to hand combat... I trust you can all handle that?"
They all acknowledged.
Nightblade was the last one into the water, seeming glad that it was slowly getting more darker and darker the deeper they went. The urge to play with her prey was aching at her systems, secretly grinning to herself. However, because of the water, their movements were getting slown down.
It was as though they were all moving in slow motion, quick speed seemed impossible. Megatron simply barreled through, his single mindedness and power propelling him forward as the others followed.
The weight of the water was becoming a little too tiring for Nightblade to catch up, she was slowly gaining more distance from the Mechs. Out of wonder and curiosity, she transformed into her jet mode, only to crash back down to the bottom of the ocean floor with a rumbling thud as her mode was made for flying in the air, not maneuvering in the water. 'This is embarrassing...' She thought to herself.
She tried to activate her engines, hoping that she could maneuver a little like she did in the air. They slowly started and she began to move but along the sea bed floor.
'Maybe you should switch back, Nightblade... You look like you're humiliating yourself... Your alt mode is only for the air, not underwater.' First Aid said worriedly through the powerlinkx bond.
'You're... You're probably right,' She gasped from the link before transforming, shivering at the feel of water all around her.
Nightblade knew that she would possibly be in trouble if she strayed too far off from the other 'Cons. desparately, she tried to run to catch up to them before Megatron or any of the other Decepticons noticed she had lagged behind. 'This is bad...!' She screamed to herself thoughtfully, feeling fear coursing through her circuits.
'This is not what I've signed up for... This water makes it impossible to fly or let alone move around more quickly... I highly doubt I'll be able to play with my prey...' She said softly to First Aid, finally caught up with the other 'Cons.
'Another time,' He reassured her. 'At least there is darkness here.'
She gave a slight nod, then looked over at Megatron, usual emotionless tone. "What do you see, sir?"
"There appears to be a structure up ahead," he said with a frown. "Strange... Humans cannot live underwater and yet this appears to have been made by them."
Turning to look over towards the structure, thanks to her strong vision in the darkness, she gave herself some thoughts until returning her direction to Megatron again. "Shall First Aid and I scan for any signs of humans? Our scanners have more wider range and are more strong in detail." She asked.
"Go ahead," He said with a strange nod, the water causing the affect.
Nightblade and First Aid were silent for a few short moments as they scanned the environment. They stopped and then First Aid spoke first, as he had more better scanning range than Nightblade. "No human life force, but I did pick up lifeforce similar to ours, the Autobots are here."
"Of course," Muttered Megatron. "Very well, we shall proceed and as soon as those dratted Autobots are in sight, attack."
They all acknowledged.
"Go!" Megatron ordered and they all surged forwards as best they could. This would probably be their most difficult battle, for none held the advantage in this strange alien environment.
Nightblade kept to the shadows, while she isn't happy that she could not take to the air, she seemed satisfied enough that it's at least dark. 'I hope blasters don't work here at least... I won't be able to evade or at least find well enough cover... But I have a feeling melee weapons won't really work, due to the water slowing us down, it can slow the swing and power of the weapons too...' She spoke again to First Aid.
'You're probably right,' he said. 'It's either blasters or hand to hand, I don't think swords will be any good.'
'Yeah...' She kept near Demolishor but not too close, observing carefully, she revealed a fanged grin, seeing how timid and uneasy Sunblade is. 'This should be very fun... Very very fun...' Nightblade thought to herself.
Slowly, she looked in the direction of Cyclonus, seeming eager to fire just about almost any moment at the Autobots, though surprised he seemed to somewhat hesitate, possibly due to the fact because he likes Sunblade so much, he doesn't want to risk injuring her severely or something... Either way, she waited as if she were in position, prepared for whatever's going to come at them or if her side started the ambush.
"Now!" Megatron commanded and they surged forwards, firing away.
All at once, their weapons flared to life, showering the Autobots with all they've got. Immediately, the Autobots themselves heard the shots and tried to find any cover they could possibly find.
'Looks like I should try to deal some damage from within the shadows.' Nightblade kept to the rocky terrain where it was most shrouded in darkness, making her way silently towards the Autobots, maneuvering through the terrain. 'Ahh there's one... Getting closer... Just a little closer...' She thought to herself, she probably had the most gleeful fanged grin she's ever had, her urge and eagerness was gnawing at her systems.
"Enjoying yourself?" First Aid couldn't help but chuckle, feeling her glee.
She dared not say a word but nodded, in case she might alert her target, whom is Red Alert.
"Ahh!" Red Alert yelled as she fired at him, scorching his arm which he clutched in pain.
Immediately, she moved to a different location silently, hoping she doesn't step in anything rough such as some rocks or other sorts which would cause a bit of noise, the soft sea bed seemed soft enough to muffle her footsteps but the rocks and other terrain would definitely give her away.
'Be careful!' First Aid warned, she was starting to stray over to where Optimus Prime was.
She halted right in her tracks, noticing Optimus as she quickly distanced herself from him, unsure how good his vision would be but then without thinking, she bumped into a familiar Mech, Military Storm. 'Oh slag...!' She attempted to move far enough before she could be possibly grabbed and pinned down.
"Did one of them hurt you?" He asked earnestly, real concern in his optics.
Again, not another word was said but she began to distance herself more, which instinctively caused the Triple Changer to repel and surprisingly grab her by the wrist.
"L-Let go of me...!" She hissed, unable to free herself from his strong grip. "Don't concern yourself with me because I'm a Decepticon now...!"
He flinched but still said. "You're still the Femme I practically raised since Sparklinghood and I'll never stop caring for you, Nightblade."
"Then..." Nightblade stopped struggling, looking away. "Where were you...? I was hoping that I would see you again the next time I awaken but... No... I found the Decepticons that woke me up instead..."
"I'm sorry," He said, shame entering his optics. "I shouldn't have left you two alone, I should have come sooner."