::How is the investigation going?:: Prowls asks, when Nacelle establishes contact.
"Thundercracker has been invaluable. His knowledge of those stationed at D-14 has helped me to narrow it down to twenty suspects." Nacelle answers, "Of course we haven't taken the most recent transfers into consideration, but with the knowledge you have given me, it seems like this operation from the syndicate has been ongoing for some time."
Prowl remains silent, studying his bond mate.
::Are you sure you can handle this, Nacelle?:: He asks.
"I'm the only one you have." The green and white seeker states, avoiding the real question.
He is not an investigator, and he has none of the training needed to deal with a situation like this, but he is the only one there to do the work. No matter how much Prowl wants to send assistance, the JIU can't do anything about the situation.
If they suddenly make a move to strengthen their presence at D-14, the syndicate will know that something is wrong and relocate their activities.
The JIU needs to strike against the syndicate in one fell swoop, if they are to crush it completely and get a hold on the masterminds behind the criminal organization. They have already identified which facilities that are infiltrated and are in some cases keeping close optics on the syndicate's undercover agents.
But they still need to identify the masterminds and locate from where they operate.
::Nacelle...::
"I'm fine, Prowl. You don't need to worry about me. I'm still a bit shocked after the attack on Skywarp, but I am truly fine." He reassures, and welcomes the soothing presence in his spark.
::I will do whatever I can to speed-up our investigation and help you identify the undercover agent, but I can't do anything about his presence at D-14 as long as we haven't identified the leaders.::
"I know, and it is okay. I have ordered Thundercracker to stay in the medical bay and remain within the facility. Skywarp has woken from coma and seems to survive the attack without permanent injury. He still has access to the warp-gate, and should be able to keep Thundercracker safe if something happens."
::That's a sound strategy, but you too need to be careful.::
"I know, but my weapon should be enough to keep me safe, if something happens." Nacelle adds, and activates the small ion cannon built into his right wrist for emphasis.
::I have upgraded your file with the license to kill, should you need it before we can arrive, and I have assigned Topkick to the team that is coming to D-14 when the operation commences. Remain in the background and don't draw attention to yourself. The syndicate is merciless, and who knows what the undercover agent has planned as an counter measure.:: Prowl adds seriously.
Nacelle nods in silent understanding.
"You don't need to lecture me about their mercilessness. I see the result of it every day, and have lost good colleagues to their cowardly attacks. If their agent is coming for me, he will regret it dearly."
Alpha-3.
The guard stares at the message, unsure about how he should react.
Alpha means it is sent from one of their highest ranked leaders, and it is rarely a good sign.
"Hotglide, D-14, at your service." He says in recognition of who he speaks to after the contact has been established.
::Status on latest order?::
"It failed. I will do better-..."
::Silence!::
::Your contact has informed me, that you have an old friend of mine at D-14, and I would like to reacquire him as soon as possible.::
An highly encrypted message is received, and he decrypts it.
::Have you understood what I want you to do?::
"Yes. I won't fail this time." He answers, hiding his surprise at his new orders.
::Good. You will be contacted when it is time. Be ready.::
The connection is cut, and Hotglide stares thoughtful at the screen in front of him.
He has never been a part of a high-risk mission before, and if he completes it with success, he might rise in the ranks. However, if he fails, he knows that nothing can save him. Either the JIU gets their hands on him, or his superiors kill him.
The execution needs to be flawless.
In the following hours, he decides how to address the new mission and makes his plans diligently.
When the door into the surveillance room opens, he is leaned back in his chair, recharging lightly.
"Morning, Hotglide." Sonar greets, "Anything to report from the night?"
Blastwave enters after the helo-former and finally Nautica arrives.
"There were a few situations early in the night, but none of it needed my direct interference. Medical was able to handle it on their own." He reports, before he walks out of the surveillance room to get some proper recharge.
All he can do now is to wait.