Justice was on Ark security patrol when she crossed paths with Smokescreen. "Smokescreen," she said politely inclining her head.
"Good cycle," said Smokescreen. "If you don't have plans after your patrol, would you join me in the rec room for some energon?"
"Rumor has it there's a big card game happening," she replied. "I didn't think you'd be missing out. Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine," he replied quickly. "I simply didn't feel like playing."
Justice looked at him in concern. This was definitely not typical behavior for him.
"So about later," he said.
"Sure, I will see you in four hours, but if you change your mind feel free to comm me," she said.
"I'll be there," he promised.
Justice continued on with her patrol and Smokescreen laughed to himself. She had agreed to meet him so readily because she was concerned for him. While that initially defeated the purpose of him asking, if it got her there with him, then he was all for it.
xxxxx
Smokescreen was sitting in the rec room a half an hour early waiting on Justice when a clawed hand landed on his shoulder. He turned back expecting to see red and black, but instead saw the purple armor of Night.
"Sorry to disturb you," said Night politely. "I need some advice."
Smokescreen looked to the door reflexively.
"It won't take long," she reassured him.
"It's fine," he said leaning back. "What's the problem?"
"It's the twins," said Night. "I found this on my berth when I returned to my room and Echo said the twins left it for me."
Night was holding a small stuffed dog in her hands. It was one of those plushies that the humans liked to decorate their beds with. It was small for her, but was the size of a full grown human. He raised an eye ridge. "Why a dog?" he asked.
"We were having a conversation a while back about Earth animals and I said I liked dogs. I need you to tell me what it means," said Night with a perplexed look on her face. "I already scanned it so I know it's not a prank and I think the twins tried to make a move on me earlier, but I wasn't sure if they were serious or just flirting as usual. I don't know if this is an apology for what happened or if they are actually trying to court me. You've known them longer so what do you think?"
"Just to be clear," said Smokescreen. "We are talking about Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, aren't we?"
"Yes," said Night. "Maybe it was just a casual thing. Are they known for that?"
Smokescreen suddenly found himself stuck in an undesirable situation. If he said that the twins weren't serious and they turned out to actually be, he would be prank target number one. If he told Night that they could be serious and they hurt her, Justice would probably think it was partially his fault. So he took the only way out he could see. "I think you should wait and see what they continue to do," said Smokescreen. "If they really care about you, they'll continue to try and court you for the long term. Otherwise, it was probably an apology for making you uncomfortable. If you want to know for sure, you'll have to ask them directly what their intentions are. It would be fairer to them to figure out what they want especially if you have another mech you're interested in. That way you could break it to them early on and they could go court someone else."
"I'll do that," said Night resolutely. "Thanks." She headed out of the rec room and another clawed hand was placed gently on his shoulder. This time when he turned he saw the red armor that faded to black in areas and he smiled welcomingly.
"I missed your entrance," he said.
"You were talking to Night," said Justice as she settled down at the table. "She looked worried so I didn't want to interrupt. Is she okay?"
"It was only a small misunderstanding with the twins," Smokescreen replied. "She'll figure it out."
"So are you feeling better than you were earlier?" asked Justice studying him from across the table.
Smokescreen looked up into her optics. "Strangely enough I am," he said dropping his voice an octave. Now that you're here, he thought. "So Night was telling me that she likes dogs, have any Earth preferences you'd like to share?"
xxxxx
The Decepticons heeding Megatron's orders to rebuild the ship had broken into a metal works factory. The team of Bluestreak, Hound, Bumblebee, Arcee, Chromia and Springer had taken them on. Hound and Arcee were separated from the group during the battle, but no one was seriously injured. The Decepticons got away with some of the materials they needed and Optimus knew that they would keep trying until the Nemesis was once again whole and flight worthy. Whether the Decepticons believed Rain's warning or not, Megatron had speeded up the repairs. Optimus was only too glad that the Ark repairs were progressing just as fast.
xxxxx
Wheeljack was in the middle of a project when Dawn contacted him.
"I'm heading out for a drive right now," she said. "It's a beautiful day out and I would love it if you could go with me. Please."
Wheeljack glanced down at his project. While it wasn't top priority, he preferred to finish it sooner rather than later. Before he could make a decision or an excuse, she commed him again.
"If you're tied up, I can ask another mech to go with me," she said sweetly.
If she was going out, he was fine with someone being with her for her protection, but he most certainly wasn't going to allow another mech to go on a leisure drive with her. That was his job. "I'll be right there," he responded. He only became aware that something wasn't quite right when her rate of speed increased dramatically as they left the Ark. She wasn't racing against him and this was no leisure drive. She had a definite destination in mind.
xxxxx
The team that had engaged the Decepticons was almost back to base when the Ark received a distress call. Blaster immediately contacted Optimus. "The distress call is from Rain," said Blaster. "She's about a hundred miles from the Ark."
"The twins are out that way with Mirage," said Optimus. "Send them to her."
xxxxx
The twins and Mirage had been drawn from the base following a random Decepticon signal. It turned out to be a drone which they quickly offlined. When the call came in about Rain, they all headed her way not knowing what to expect. When they reached her last known position, they were shocked at what they found. Rain was lying motionlessly on her back surrounded by eight Decepticon bodies that were ripped apart and offline. Sunstreaker winced at seeing the damage Rain had sustained herself. There was more paint missing than present and several deep gouges and dents riddled her frame. Her visor was cracked as well, but still intact.
"Is she still online?" asked Sideswipe.
At the sound of his voice, Rain's head turned slightly. Mirage immediately contacted the base requesting transport and a medic. Sunstreaker stood protectively over Rain while Sideswipe poked at the Decepticon corpses.
"Who are you?" asked Rain suddenly.
The three mechs looked down at her in shock.
"We're here to help," said Mirage. "What is your designation?"
"I don't know," said Rain.
The twins exchanged a glance.
Not long after, Optimus himself showed up with his trailer and Ratchet and Elita were with him. Ratchet immediately went over to Rain to make sure she was stable enough to be moved. Elita crooned reassurances to her from her other side.
"Sir, she didn't recognize any of us," said Mirage. "She couldn't even tell me her own designation."
"She's in good hands," said Optimus looking over at Ratchet. "Let's head back."
His patient had gone into recharge on the way to the Ark, but she came back online shortly after they arrived. Ratchet had removed her visor to repair it and her optics onlined suddenly revealing beautiful aqua optics. They were much more vibrant than her once beautiful coloring. She stared up into his green tinged optics in confusion.
"My name is Ratchet," he said. "You're in my med bay. I've just fixed your visor so if you'll let me, I'll attach it."
She stayed still while he replaced her visor.
"You had an injured line or two that I repaired, but most of the damage you suffered is cosmetic," he explained. "Do you remember what happened?"
"I was attacked," said Rain. "I don't recall anything after until I onlined and saw a gold mech standing over me."
"Do you remember anything before that?" asked Ratchet.
"No," said Rain frowning.
"I've examined your processor and I didn't find any damage so either you've repressed your past memory files or you erased them to prevent the Decepticons from getting information from you," he said.
"Do I know you?" she asked looking at him curiously.
"Yes you do," said Ratchet. "Do you remember me?"
"No," she said sitting up on the berth. "I feel a spark call for you so I thought that maybe we had been intimate."
Ratchet froze. He didn't know how to respond and he was suddenly glad that no one else was in the med bay.
"Was that not the case?" asked Rain innocently. She slid off the berth and came closer to him.
"You've had a spark call before, but it was for another mech," said Ratchet. "Maybe you're confused. You may have passed him in the hall when we brought you in."
"I think I'd know whom my spark call was for," said Rain placing a hand on his chassis.
"Rain," said Ratchet taking her hand gently and pulling it away from his chest. Still he didn't let it go.
"Is that my name?" asked Rain. Suddenly she ducked her head as if ashamed. "I didn't mean to impose," she said meekly. "I can tell you're not bonded, but maybe you have someone waiting for you somewhere."
"While I don't," he replied. "It's best to let yourself heal and possibly regain your memories before you jump into anything."
"That doesn't stop my spark from calling to you," she said pushing her chassis against his. "My spark calms when you're close. The question is do you feel anything in return?"
It was like the question was a catalyst and Ratchet's spark pulled toward her in a stronger call than before. He couldn't possibly deny it now, but he was still so conflicted. She was currently his patient and she was without her memories. He had no idea what Rain would do if she suddenly regained them. The moment was broken when he received a comm and he hurriedly excused himself. He could feel Rain's optics on him all the way out the door.
xxxxx
Not too long after Ratchet left, Rain got the comm she was expecting. She slipped out of med bay heading toward Prowl's office. She knew that both he and Jazz would be there and they were the targets. Up ahead, both Prowl and Jazz were standing in the hallway talking. She watched as Hound approached them engaging them in conversation. She quickly pulled her short sword from subspace and engaged the star shooter simultaneously. She sent out a comm and sprinted down the hall at her target.
Prowl and Jazz suddenly ducked after receiving an emergency comm from Mist. A star whirred over their heads hitting the blaster that Hound had pulled from his subspace. Rain soared over their heads a moment later short sword plunging deep into the mech's chest. Prowl and Jazz stood and backed up defensively as Rain crouched on top of the fallen mech. Hound's optics started to fade and as his systems shut down his disguise shifted back to the original state.
"Stand down Rain," barked Prowl. Both he and Jazz had blasters pointed at her back. Suddenly the base alarm went off, but was quickly silenced.
Rain subspaced her weapons and turned raising her hands in a display of nonaggression. "That's Makeshift," she said. "Not Hound."
Jazz went over and examined the body. "She's right. It's Makeshift and there's no threat. He's offline."
Prowl lowered his weapon.
"I didn't want to do it this way, but I had no choice," said Rain. "I had some Intel, but by the time I reached Hound, Makeshift had already taken his place. Hound isn't offline though. I managed to stabilize him until Dawn and Wheeljack came. They should be back soon."
"Why didn't you warn us?" asked Prowl.
"I did," said Rain looking down the hall as several other bots approached all of them femmes. "Every single femme on this base from Elita on down knew, but we didn't want him to get suspicious so I couldn't tell everyone. His target was you and Jazz by the way. Megatron wanted the command positions under Optimus cleared in hopes of demoralizing the Autobots."
"What about the offlined Decepticons that were found you with?" asked Jazz.
"Some of them were taken down by Hound, but I did get ambushed as well," she said. "I'm afraid I've made myself a big target between offlining one of Soundwave's cassettes and taking down the Devastation."
xxxxx
Ratchet had returned to the med bay and was dismayed to find Rain missing. He sighed when he heard the base alarm thinking that she may have had something to do with it. He sent out a general comm that she was missing and got an instant reply from Jazz that she was currently in his custody.
Suddenly the med bay door burst open and Wheeljack and Dawn came inside carrying Hound. He had obviously seen better days, but he was still functioning. Ratchet listened to Dawn's synopsis of Hound's injuries while he started the repair work. Rain would have to wait for now.
Rain sat in the conference room waiting patiently. She had already tried the door, but it was locked. Twenty minutes later Elita and Prowl walked in and took a seat across from her.
"My business here is concluded," said Rain. "But I have the feeling that you're not going to let me leave."
"I'd like you to stay," said Elita. "You can join my team. Optimus doesn't hold anything you said when you left against you."
"You must be Elita," said Rain. "Nice to properly meet you. I thought I was part of your team on a freelance basis anyway, but staying here would hamper me."
"We could simply throw you in the brig," said Prowl. "For escaping the brig, desertion and trespassing in the Ark."
"My list of crimes keeps growing," said Rain laughing. "But you know how throwing me into the brig will turn out."
"Is there no way we can convince you to stay?" asked Elita.
"How close is the Ark to being repaired completely?" asked Rain.
"The Ark has been completely excavated from the mountain," said Prowl. "The repair rate for the inside of the ship is 89%. Now that we can reach the entirety of the outside hull, hull repair is estimated at 58%."
"I will stay when the entirety of the internal repair is completed excluding new damage in Wheeljack's lab and the outer hull repair is over 80% and not a moment sooner," stated Rain. "You have to understand that I'm a big target and if I stay in the Ark, I'll attract Soundwave and the others. I don't want the repercussions of my actions hurting my teammates."
"We will release you under one condition only," said Prowl. "That you stay in contact with Jazz in addition to the femmes and if you plan anymore incursions into Decepticon territory that you inform him before hand."
"I can agree to that," said Rain.
xxxxx
Rain was headed out of the base when Ratchet caught up with her. He had finally finished up with Hound and Dawn had informed him of what Rain had planned. He became angry with her when he found out she still had her memories. He threw a wrench her way, but Rain turned back and caught it.
"I think I'll keep this one," she said subspacing his wrench.
"I don't believe I cleared you to leave," he said sternly.
"You didn't, but I'm leaving anyway," she said.
"You had your memories from the very beginning," Ratchet said sourly. "Were you lying to me the whole time?"
Suddenly Ratchet found his frame forcefully pressed against the wall, Rain holding him there. Her lowered voice poured silken words into his audios. "Sure I lied about the memories," she said as one hand delicately trailed along the wires in his neck. "But nothing else was a lie. I only used it as an excuse to see if you were available and willing. I think I got my answer."
"But your spark call was for another mech," protested Ratchet.
"My first spark call was for you," said Rain seriously. "Ever since that first day in the med bay, but you showed little interest in me and I'm not as forward as some of the other femmes because I don't take rejection well. I had already settled on you when I had the second spark call with the Decepticon. We may have also been compatible, but I never lose sight of my initial goal. I know what I want."
"If that's true, why are you leaving," demanded Ratchet his arms coming up to circle her waist.
"This is war and I'm not as naïve as some of the other femmes," said Rain leaning against him. "You're too important to be put in danger by a spark bond. But know that if I wasn't such a target myself right now, I'd take you right here right now."
Ratchet's frame suddenly seized and his optics blinked out.
He onlined in the med bay under the care of Jolt twenty minutes later. He knew Rain was gone and his spark had so many emotions running through it he couldn't sort them out.
"I took the chance to do your routine maintenance while you were out since you keep putting it off," said Jolt. "What caused you to glitch?"
"Rain," Ratchet mumbled. "It was something Rain said."
"I should thank her for getting you in here then," said Jolt smirking.
Ratchet huffed in response and Jolt laughed.