For everyone who's been kind enough to read, leave a review, or put this on alert, thank you so much!
h/t (hat tip) to Silveriss - Thanks a million for the observant, perceptive review!! Expect to see it elaborated upon as the fic progresses.
Chapter 26
"The issue has already been discussed and decided. My judgment upon the matter has not changed."
That was not what the grey Seeker wanted to hear. Not even close. Even a vague "we'll see" or a snippy "I'll think about it" would've prompted a more joyous reaction. But the firm deadlocked position the Autobot leader was strictly adhering to, miserably lacked any just cause for ardent celebration.
Undaunted, Thundercracker moved close with the Autobot Commander's step. The timing chain wasn't being thrown in just yet. Not when a fire flinching point needed to be made. Standing in front of the main frame tracking system, the Seeker folded his arms tightly across the lightweight titanium armor covering his chest area. A few unceremonious astro clicks passed as the drumming of impatient fingertips were heard on the sides of the arms that remained folded.
"It would be quicker for me to just go, Prime. You know that don't, you?" Thundercracker finally said.
Optimus entered a few quick calculations into the human merged Cybertronian system, highly aware of the determined intentions being spoken. Brightly color coded keypads pressed here and there displayed a blinking green microscopic circumference dot toward the outer ranges of the plotting grid. Finishing the last minute scan, the Commander turned to face the waiting mech.
"Thundercracker," the Autobot leader began.
The pressing deliberateness accompanying the unabridged eponym sharpened the Seeker's attention immediately. Why'd I even bother? I should've known this would get nowhere! Rigidly, Thundercracker stood.
Optimus continued. Assertive directness hung thick. "…your assumptions are correct. It would be quicker for you to go…but the reckless plan of warfare you chose to exact against Barricade an earth month ago is unacceptable and leaves me extremely troubled about your ability to control your temper. At no cost do we endanger innocent human lives if it can be avoided. Until I am convinced otherwise, your patrols will continue to be done in the company of your fellow Cybertronians…are we understood, TC?"
Request promptly denied. And I thought Megatron's reprimanding was bad! Prime…he makes it slaggin sound like the world's ending! Thundercracker glanced back toward the alert flashing on the screen. From the corner of his optic, to the right, Ironhide stood. Having temporarily stopped the maintenance inspection of the moderate sized hand held weapon he had been working on, the weapons specialist waited suspiciously for the disgruntled Seeker's reply.
Thundercracker promptly ignored it.
The man made pressurized air circulating throughout the base couldn't disguise it – the expectant compliance the Autobot leader next to him was silently demanding.
Another Autobot order to abide by. Another labored compromise. Obey as told or hightail it to the air - counting the nanocycles until that same guilty seduction landed his stealthy grey self in the lion's den for those who wanted nothing more than to tear him to pieces. The razor's edge was scraping dangerously close. Only thing left to do was stop it…before contradictions of bitter regret and angry hollowed self defeat could ever be given a chance to surface.
Thundercracker's vocal processor exhaled an obedient sigh. His arms dropped to his sides. Red optics turned their direction onto the resin floor beneath.
"Yeah, Prime…understood," came the Seeker's mumbled response.
Optimus nodded. "Having the company of others is not always a dire thing, TC. Remember that."
Easy for you to say, Prime! You're with mechs you've always liked! Letting the mental retort slip through undetected, Thundercracker took another glance at the electronic grid. Instantly, the calculations appeared in his logic circuits. Three hundred fifty and three tenths of a mile southwest. Barely enough to burn a slagging quart of purified energon.
"So when do I leave on this company filled joyride?" Thundercracker asked.
"As soon as Bumblebee and Bluestreak are finished receiving their data updates," Optimus replied.
Catching an edgy curiosity fading off the weapons specialist nearby, Thundercracker wickedly smirked to himself. No farkin last laugh today Trigger Happy! Lucid disappoint fell off the black Autobot at the false predictive wish toward witnessing a possible highly explosive argument ensue.
Thundercracker's optics met back with the Autobot leader's. Nodding a quick civil agreement in return, the Seeker turned on his heels. Might as well inhale a few solitary nanoclicks of fresh oxygen before Yellow Chipper No Aft and Spot On Oily Digits start cramping my nerves as usual…
From the low clearance the ceiling above was forcing him into doing, Thundercracker ducked somewhat. Fraggin human inadequacies! Don't they know how to construct anything remotely decent…was the grumpy complaint as he passed a couple humans walking by. Their polite greetings signified mindful knowledge how the F-16 walking in the opposite direction was never one for small talk about the weather.
"TC!"
Footsteps…lightly rushed. Sunny peppiness reaching out to embrace him - a ray of good intentions…energetically trying to solicit some measure of well received support that had been put to a brutal end.
Complaint filled logics suspended themselves as the grey Big Bitchy One halted mid step.
What she had done…trapped in alt mode…the pavement of the runway beneath…arrogant, sensual superiority her lips granted over him…mocking laughter living its frolicsome toil to the fullest…
Considering how approximately twenty four human hours completed the earth's rotation of bringing a new day, the full earth hour Thundercracker exhaustively endured "bolted" onto the runway two earth weeks ago, was small in comparison.
Granted, there had been repercussions. News of the former Decepticon subjected to the paralyzing prank traveled far and wide around the base. Everyone knew, including a very non thrilled Autobot Commander and a visibly disappointed human Major.
"Absolutely uncalled for, Sgt. Sato! I'm not against any soldier wanting to boost morale and have fun every now and then but the sheer vindictiveness your practical joke displayed is NOT conduct becoming of an Airman!"
"I understand the distrust felt toward Thundercracker. It is an adjustment period for us all. Regardless if you and I are in agreement, his courageous attempts of trying to adapt are to be commended, Ironhide…the spiteful imprudence demonstrated by your prank does not warrant the same."
Thundercracker's audio sensors had picked up the snippets perfectly. Menial words strung together for simple cause and effect. A severely misguided endeavor performed with the random delectable hope of achieving lawful persecution.
…masqueraded interpretations of what lay at the root…
The fact she had not been the one to remove the immobilizing chip connected expertly inside his wing didn't bother him. Even the solidified stiffness that sparsely plagued every single joining hinge for three solar cycles failed to rouse feelings of misshapen animosity. None of that was the reason…
The real motive behind his new affronted defense…
Of what she had done…
It was…
"I brought you something, TC," Nyree's voice said.
Thundercracker held his lip components closed. Squish, if you haven't already learned I've nothing more to say to you…He stood still, hearing her footsteps stop directly behind him. His better judgment wanted otherwise but stubborn karma won the fight. A verbal acknowledgment flew out anyways.
"My time isn't made for insignificant vocalizing, squish."
Uneasy dismay spread throughout Nyree's face. A polite smile quickly took its place. "Oh…I don't mean to…to keep you from going on patrol but I can't ever seem to catch you long enough to give you this…I thought you might like it since you asked me about it," she said brightly.
A weary laden sigh drifted into the air. Turning his body around to face her, Thundercracker's optics peered down exasperatingly.
Holding up her teeny arm, as if the flexed extension upward would miraculously meet him, Thundercracker immediately recognized the rectangular micro shaped object her fingers were holding. Ronin. The moniker clearly written on the cover had taken on more frightful meaning in his spark filled existence than any Cybertronian expression could've ever done.
Nyree's polite facial gesture remained. "I…I…know it's really, really small…but I thought…maybe you'd like to read it," Her voice…softly accommodating. Acute awareness of the backfired folly responsible for the current directed apprehensive behavior.
Clearing her throat some, Nyree went on. "…they don't have a down loadable version online unfortunately…otherwise I'd just give ya the internet address for it…but…"
"I don't need some diminutive fleshy bookfile!" Thundercracker snapped back. Heated anger released through every syllable.
Guilt ridden hurt enumerated uncontrollably within his fleshy medic's darkly hued eyes, her lips drawn into a sad frown. You had your chance at staying in my good graces! Thundercracker thought silently, seeing her take a few awkward steps backward.
"Okay…okay…I…um…" Nyree replied carefully. Her hands fidgeted nervously. "If…you…change your mind, you're more than welcome to keep it." Her smile…hopeful.
Crimson glowing optics narrowed in. "Anymore pointless details you so audaciously feel you need to share with me?" Thundercracker scoffed irately.
The brutal silence given off finished anything more from being said. Snorting a derisive huff at her, Thundercracker abruptly did an about face. Wasting anymore precious energy was not going to be had…not for her…
And as he continued ducking instinctively from the architectural disaster above, his own intimidating footsteps ringing throughout his audios, it still clung…the nagging thought he wanted vaporized maliciously…
…a squishy, petite black haired female…the most gentle repair capabilities any human hands could give…
…enough to make the sky wait just to posses the peaceful hedonism her fingertips controlled…
When had he lost it? His edge?
…how an inferior organic managed to inflict more excruciating damage than any rage conquering battle could ever equate to.
"I'm serious, Blue…when this is all over…before we go back home…I'm going to do it…"
The yellow scout's voice, securely comfortable. The Camero's engine shifted with stunning intensity, owning the two lane highway like a Cybertronian field cruiser making its way toward aristocratic nobility.
"Alone?" The slightly worried reply from the blue Viper traveling closely behind was unmistakable. "Don't you think you might get…you know…you might get…lonely? I mean…I'd get lonely…that sounds like a long time to be alone…traveling from one continent to the other?"
Bumblebee chuckled. "Nah…it'd be fun! I was going to ask Optimus about it the last time we were here, but well…we all know how things ended up going…besides, I really won't be alone, not with all the neat things to see and different humans to meet!"
"It does sound kind of…fun…" Bluestreak slowly agreed. "But you're not a flier…how would you get across all that water to get where you wanted?"
"Well, since Ratchet won't reconfigure me as a speed boat…I thought maybe TC could give me a lift! Whenever I'm ready to head to the next land mass, I'll just radio him to pick me up and drop me off at the next one! Humans call it 'public transportation'," Bumblebee stopped then, waiting on the barrage of insults from the grey mech above. Anytime now…
Thundercracker's auditory circuits tuned it out. If it weren't for the alert attentiveness the reconnaissance mission was highlighting, the comlink frequency would've been promptly shut off with delighted merriment. Leave it all behind…no gratingly disruptive Autobot banter to be heard…no admitted self loathing anywhere within…no rudely stylized thoughts of fleshies who had no business being there in the first place…
He could just…
"What do you think, TC? Think it's a good idea?" Bumblebee pressed.
Speeding soundlessly, feeling the crisp air currents brush his exterior, Thundercracker returned the scout's antagonizing invite with deliberate silence. Booming theatrical antics, including holding any amount of sarcastic verbal repertoire, was not topping the hit list of things to accomplish.
"That's really cool, TC! You're so thrilled about the idea you don't know what to say in return!" Bumblebee exclaimed. "See, Blue? H2O problem solved!" The yellow Autobot called out.
Sudden entertained laughter erupted through the frequency.
Air tight silence still. Not even so much as a disgusted snort.
"TC? Are you okay?" Bluestreak asked. "You seem kinda…"
"…not on the ball bearing today?" Bumblebee finished quickly, a little too blatantly pleased with his earnest opinion.
Volatile hostility shook the comlink then. The well intended, good natured joking – slayed with unrestrictive callousness. The grey Seeker's huskiness pounded through the frequency:
"Alluding to your inane pursuits of wretched humor would admit a keen interest at wanting to continue the same…a success neither one of you are being granted presently."
"Success is always measured in persistency," Bumblebee edged the Seeker further. "Do be so kind at letting us know when we've reached that milestone, will you not?"
Thundercracker was astroclicks away from returning to his exulted Autobot spark killing cycles. No endangering innocent fleshies, huh? Yeah, well...Prime never said anything about not blasting apart smart aft yellow scouts who think they're a slaggin riot! The metal crunching firepower adorning his physique shook ever so subtly. Self regulative control spasms fought to keep the Seeker from doing anything more that would, undoubtedly, seal his "ronin" status permanently.
Down below, the Camero accelerated slightly, more or less out of habit than showboat purposes. Matching the velocity shift easily, the Viper kept precision pace, only a few feet separating.
Hearing his company go on with whatever the slag they were talking about before, Thundercracker read his optical scanners. Asymmetrical formed plateaus jutted everywhere, their natural contours interrupted only by the freshly tarred roadway splitting through. No two formations were alike. They towered into near infinity, announcing their possessive claims to all who ventured forth.
Weathered clumps of limestone and granulated mineral deposits. Earth's sneaky attempt at making up for the pathetic vices of its inhabitants. Long ago flaunted disdain belonging to a much longer ago mechanoid now resembling very little of who he once was.
Absently, Thundercracker read the numerical values his scanners computed…molded thickness…air pressure…vegetation life span…but the absolute explanation numbers contained could not deter the unadulterated truth…how truly magnificent it all looked…how quiet and…
"Energy signature detected. 24.7 clicks. Grid 0126. Course due south."
"Big Bird…"
The Seeker's voice carried through the comlink urgently, all satisfied contemplative silence being broken.
Without protest, having adjusted to the peculiar nickname that had become common place, Bumblebee quickly acknowledged the severity of the speaker's tone. "Yep! Got it! 24.7 clicks south. Blue you reading the same?" he asked.
"Yeah, Bee…I'm reading it…but it's faint…really, really faint…" Bluestreak replied. Distracted analyzing ruffled through the frequency. "I've run five inquiries…but it's not reading who it is…"
Busy silence for a moment and then the scout's relaxed voice coming through.
"Nope, not getting it either, Blue…could be a pulse jammer or we're just not close enough…most energy sigs read the same until a certain distance is reached…" A series of synchronized beeps rang through. "Hey Supreme Ruler of the Sky…got something by any chance? Aren't Seekers configured with a much more sensitive tracking system?" Bumblebee asked the F-16.
Thundercracker smirked arrogantly to himself. ALL of a Seeker's configurement is superior Auto slag wipe! I've been around these goodies goodies for how long and they still haven't figured that out? But as he computed another three scans, reading the same result, Thundercracker kept his egotistical confirmations quiet.
"Energy signature detected…63.2 percent formulated…"
"Argh!" Thundercracker spat, annoyed. "Who? Who the slag is it?!"
"Identity indeterminable…attempting to process now…"
"No luck, TC"? Bluestreak asked, hearing the frustrated Seeker's irritation.
"Well, let's just keep on course. I'll radio Optimus and let him know what's up," Bumblebee suggested brightly.
Thundercracker's audios registered the yellow scout's words in pieces. Had it not been for the already overly scrutinized focus his tracking grid was receiving, it might've been disregarded as nothing more than a system glitch. After the mechanical perversion his fleshy medic performed on his wing, Primus only knew what else had been heedlessly affected as well. But the lone flickering signal being displayed was not a glitch.
Quickly, Thundercracker descended, getting ready to make way onto solid ground. Half a mile was what the scan had reported. Feeling the earth's natural domain tremor under his mercy, a swelled vanity overtook his logics. This was how it was suppose to be…
From the road, both Autobots had taken in the grey Seeker's steep drop in altitude. Even if the change in air position wasn't noted, the rumbling beneath their chassis said enough.
"What'd your scans say, TC? We're still not having much luck down here…" Bumblebee said.
Thundercracker ran another hasty data report. "Scans aren't identifying who it is. The sig is up about half a mile…" Exponential degree coordinates flooded the imaging screen. "Two degrees latitude," the Seeker concluded.
"Two degrees latitude?" Bluestreak repeated. "That's a good ways into the desert…and with it being so winding and rocky…"
Suddenly, the comlink was littered with Bumblebee's presentation to Optimus. Relayed updated information. Decisions being asked upon. Solutions being given.
"TC can sweep the area, since his point of entry is most accessible. If the situation appears stable, Bluestreak and you can proceed further scouting the area in depth."
Glad at being given something worthwhile to do, Thundercracker made his way to the coordinates as parting words of sarcastic encouragement from the yellow Autobot touched his audios, "No happy Barricade aft whipping today, TC…just a sweep…"
Transforming, Thundercracker surveyed the rocky labyrinthine below. The serrated landscape inhaled the immobilized air, holding it with deathly quietness - quietness that had played its mournful tune so impassively that day…Skywarp…in the canyons…
"Energy signature 75.2 percent formulated…"
Thundercracker strained his optics, forcing them to scan as far out as they could possibly read. Moving over the desert area slowly, alert sensors highly perked, Thundercracker listened carefully. A nanoclick…just for a better reading…I'll touch down…scan…and leave. Accepting his rationalized decision then, Thundercracker brought his arm missiles online, the ion charges buzzing hungrily through them, just in case…
"How's everything looking?"
"Boring," was the Seeker's matter of fact reply to the Autobot scout's expected question.
"Alright…Blue and I are heading in right now…"
Meeting the earthen dirt below didn't bring about the results Thundercracker had hoped for. The half skewed readings remained the same. Taking a few steps past a cluster of rocky edged cliffs, the Seeker stopped. In the near distance, the two Autobots could be heard making their way in, their mechanical workings sounding off all around. But the discovery looking Thundercracker straight in the optic had stolen his attention from anything else.
Puma concolor. Unmatched predator and balance preserver reigning over its empire. Organic mass: 60 earth kilograms. Height: 77.4 earth centimeters. Forequarters showing every genetic strength the tawny fur coloring produced, the cougar stared challengingly.
Thundercracker shook his head, beyond disgusted. All this farkin trouble for this?? This pint sized organic fur ball? And as the Seeker went to step his way around the densely muscled nuisance, the four legged creature lunged itself ferociously. A low pitched growl resembling an angry whine cascaded through the deathly silence.
"One redundant fleshy is enough slag to deal with! I'm not putting up with two!" Thundercracker shouted, his deep voice owning the terrain tenaciously. He raised his arm missiles, pointing them securely. "SCRAM!!"
The eagerly aggressiveness written on the cougar quickly diminished. Flinching fearfully at the incendiary beam fired into the air, the animal scuttled off, tail tucked down, ears pulled back…a predator's life instincts being controlled by brutal irony.
Behind, an alarmed voice called out.
"What's that?"
Thundercracker spun around at the young gunner's stupefied question. "What'd it look like motor mouth? Four legs…a tail…fur covering…do you need…"
Impatiently, Bluestreak shook his head, pointing to a nearby chunk of reddish sediment cracked partway up from the elements beating against it.
Astonished worry laced the royal blue mech's speech. "That! That looks like…"
Coming up along side, Bumblebee's blue optics widened in disbelief. "Holy Primus! How the slag…"
What the fark now?! Thundercracker scoffed to himself. Having been preoccupied with the earth creature, he didn't even catch the figure snugly lying half inside the cracked boulder. Getting closer to the unidentified subject, his energy sensors reading complete energy composite percentages, Thundercracker drew in an oxygen sharp breath…
The cougar…what it had been guarding…what it had been trying to protect.
The metal counterpart to its own organic kind…
Exposed circuitry crackled and fizzed abhorrently, releasing whitish smoke swirls. Battered black and grey metal crunched inward, having rendered every sadistic lightening blow deeply and agonizingly. The only struggle the fatally damaged being was attempting now consisted of painful hisses from being unable to move, unable to free itself.
Thundercracker knelt down in front of the opening holding the mech who once could never be bound by any circumstances. And as he outstretched a hand to try and gently pull his former comrade out, the energy scan's results spoke clear.
"Unit Ravage identified."