I sat in the med-bay as usual sipping on the cube that Ratchet had given me. The med-bay had become my indefinite quarters until they could build me a room. I personally didn't mind seeing as no mechs in their right mind would hit on me with Ratchet standing there ( I.e. the twins Mudflap and Skids whom had just recently arrived). The only problem in my mind was that I was taking up space; sure the med-bay was spacious, but I couldn't help but to feel like a burden.
I stared down into my cube of fuel, not for the first time reflecting on my position. On what I was to do, on what they would do with me. The door to the bay opening and the SIC walking in certainly wasn't what I was expecting however, to both my questions and who I hoped was going to walk in that is.
My wings fluttered and sunk on my back. His icy, blue, calculating optics followed the movement before lifting to my own. I noticed his rigid wings, just like mine and Blues-he even had a crimson chevron. A twitch of his wings and suddenly my optics were on them. Ratchet had downloaded some packet on wing reading into my processors, apparently my kind, Praxians that is, could communicate through their wings.
I was still new at it so I wasn't sure what they were saying, however I did know that the rigid flick from before was a tense greeting. I slowly lifted my own smaller ones and gave a soft timid flick in turn. His optics followed the movement.
"My designation is Prowl. Autumn I presume?" I tilted my helm nervously and unconsciously flicked my wings up rigidly. I wasn't sure what he wanted, he was making me anxious with that calculating look. It was like he was waiting for me to do something stupid so that he could prove a point.
"Y-yes..."
"We were introduced briefly before, I am the SIC- second in command that is." I nodded tentatively not really sure what he wanted. I flicked my wings nervously, his optics again following the movement.
"You give yourself away to easily." I frowned in confusion, as I seemed to be doing a lot of that lately.
"A con door winger or a seeker would know instantly how nervous you are, how timid and prone to getting injured you are." I looked up at him with wide optics. That's right...he's a more experienced door-winger than I am...He knows the language of the wings just as much as Blue.
I swallowed and tried to hold them still like he was. A smirk graced his features telling me I was epically failing.
"M-much t-to wo-work on?" I stuttered out. He dipped his helm to me.
"Yes. Optimus has designated me to be your teacher. You are to obey me at all times, understood." My optics were wide, a shaky nod was his only answer. He dipped his helm to me and then he was gone again.
"Holy frag...that mech is slagging scary as pit!" I cried out to the empty room, well I had originally thought it was empty.
"You get used to it." I jumped and fell backwards off the berth with a loud clang.
"Slaggit Ratchet!"
It was nighttime -lunar cycle- when I onlined. I looked around blearily and found myself to be alone, it was dark and silent. I quietly sat up and slid from the berth. Maybe I can test out my wheels...
A slow grin crossed my lip plates at the thought. Ever since I had gotten my alt mode, which was only two days ago, I hadn't gotten to test it out. I had the information packets from Ratchet, but he didn't want me to test it out until I had somebot to go with me.
Now I realized it would probably be Prowl, and if that scary tight aft mech was going with me I wanted to make sure I could drive first and then go. I mean, who knows if I'll have to run...err drive away really fast or not?
I knew my logic was flawed, but I really wanted out and driving gave me the perfect excuse. With quiet steps I slowly maneuvered my way out of the med-bay and into the halls.
I glanced around and didn't see anyone, so with the cautiousness of a mouse I slowly made my way to the main hanger using the route that Blue had shown me. Once there I made sure no humans could see me before moving out into the sands.
The island air was warm, the salty tang was something I hadn't tasted in a long time. Even as a sentient alien machine it was appealing. My vents were filled with the scent, my optics dimming in pleasure.
There was something about the outdoors that had always called to me. Every place was so different! Every place so unique! A smile graced my lips as I reluctantly onlined my optics to full capacity.
Trudging through the sands in silence, I made my way to the long landing air strip that glimmered inky charcoal-gray under the intense blue-black sky. The stars brilliant and shimmering everywhere like the light reflected off the ocean on a warm summer day.
Looking down at the tarmac quietly, I then glanced around one more time with a nervousness characteristic to a puppy doing something it knew it wasn't supposed to. I pushed through my processor looking for the specific command that would activate my transformation cog.
A startled gasp left my lips as I felt myself folding in on myself. My abdomen crunched inward, chassis and shoulders pushing forward to create the front of the vehicle. My legs bent inward, the wheels popping out from my knees and hitting the ground as my elbows did the same.
My helm tucked into the front of the vehicle, lastly my wings flicked down into the doors of the sleek Ferrari. Experimentally I revved my engine, startling myself with the loud roar it gave off. I revved again and lowered to the ground with a huff of my vents.
Twisting my wheels to get a feel of their range of motion I slowly jerked forward before halting, my engine snarling and rumbling. A gentle croon emitted from me as excitement raced to my tires. I revved once more before hitting the throttle, my tires burning rubber on the tarmac for a brief moment and then I shot forward.
All the while my engine was snarling and roaring like a vicious carnivore on the hunt. I pulled a sharp turn and emitted an excited squeal when I drifted around a planes wing. The sound of a police siren behind me made me stall somewhat. Oh slag no! I gave a snarl of my engine and tore off faster, pushing the limits of how much my systems could take.
I felt surprisingly free, a thrill sweeping throughout my being as I raced away from the cop car in my mirrors. Prowl...I snarled again, engine heating up faster as I drifted around him and tore into the hanger.
I swerved around the few humans that were up at this hour and transformed in front of med-bay. I could hear the sound of heavy pede falls behind me. Running into the med-bay I quickly slipped into a berth and pretended to be asleep.
I had never had so much fun in my entire existence. The med-bay door slammed open as the SIC came through, a snarl on his lips as I looked up blankly.
"What makes you think you can practice out there? Then you have the audacity to run from me!" I sat up and lifted one wing in a shrug.
"I was practicing." His optics narrowed dangerously. A part of me piped up at the idea that maybe I shouldn't slag him off, but I brushed it off as paranoia.
"You do not practice without someone there to watch you!" He was livid by now, but I couldn't bring myself to be meek. Instead I did something I had never done before in my life. I stood up for myself.
"I'm an adult! I can take care of myself! Oh I'm sorry Prowl, Oh so sorry that I didn't ask for your permission!" I could hear his engine rev, his wings rising up and framing his face in a harsh 'V' shape.
"You are not acting like an adult, you are acting like a spoiled sparkling." He snapped it angrily making me bristle.
"Why should I listen to you?!"
"I'm the Second In Command! I give orders under Optimus Prime as his appointed SIC and helm tactician! You will listen to me!" My optics narrowed, wings flicking tensly.
"No." His optics narrowed dangerously yet again. I wasn't gonna listen to this mech, no matter how much he yelled and screamed at me. He reminded me of all the people whom had ordered me around all my life, and I was sick of it.
"What?" His voice was calm and chilling. I knew I shouldn't have pushed any further than I had. I mean for Primus sake, he's my appointed teacher; but I just had to do it.
"I don't listen to slaggers like you." I saw the way his lip plates pressed together and I knew it was bad news. His gleaming crimson chevron made him look even more angry, even more dangerous.
I suddenly realized why he was the second in command. Oh slag...I've been talking to the SIC...like...like that? Oh no...
I looked up at him wearily and held my wrists up in a cuff pose. My door wings were shivering and had sunk low on my back, my resolve long gone under that stare.
"I'm sorry...I submit to punishment for my actions." My words were but a whisper as I ducked my helm. It was silent for a few minutes before I felt servos wrap around my wrists. I flinched and looked up wearily to see Prowl, staring at me with an intense expression that could rival Ratchet.
"Brig. Now." His tone was cold, his expression was neutral again. I didn't know what the Brig was, but I found out soon enough. It was a place I never wanted to go ever again.
AN:
What do ya'll think? Her first actual run in with Prowl and she shows her aft. Mech oh Mech is she gonna get her aft tanned. I wonder how this is gonna effect him Teaching her...what do ya'll think?
~D.R. Out