If you made it this far, then you should be aware of the warnings.
Ch. 22
Megatron was circling Jazz while Soundwave watched from the sidelines. The Polyhexian stood very still, only moving when the silver mech moved an arm or turned his helm. "My, my Jazz what are they giving you over there? So full looking, and from Soundwave's reports four armor upgrades in a meta cycle."
"Thank you for the compliment Lord Megatron. The weapon specialist, Ironhide, has been sending me to workout with him and the mini bots on most of my free time. The CMO also has been giving me supplements in hopes to speed up the process. All orders derive from the remaining Primes." Jazz answered as the Decepticon lifted his arms in the air. He was extremely uncomfortable with feeling like optic candy, but he obediently stood there in fear of punishment.
The tyrant ran his digits down his back, getting him to shiver violently. "And how goes your mission to get us our intel?"
"I became friends with a young strategist officer. He was an enforcer in Praxus before the war. Sometimes I can get him to show me a virtual demonstration of a future plan." Jazz tried to minimalize his stutters and whines, but the whimpers did occasionally slip. He had his arms bent back as Megatron stopped in front of him. "I've also scouted out the entire air duct system, there is one vent that is in the strategy room. The security director, Red Alert, has drones that sweeps the entire system every thirty kliks."
The tyrant was pleased with this information. "Soundwave, your pet may be surrounded by mongrels, but he still knows how to act. I believe it's time to reward him."
Jazz was whimpering as he tried to close the door on the memory. He turned his helm in the memory, and saw another door appear in the solid wall. The Polyhexian went straight for it and pushed it open.
"What's your name drone? Anything broken?" Jazz looked over the slowly onlining drone as he held his side with a groan. The drone sat up and looked around with confusion. "Primus, should have paid more attention to Wheeljack about drones.
"My designation is Field Medic Data; I am a medical drone for dangerous battles where medical commanding officer Ratchet could be a high target. There are additional instructions that was not here previously. Only these features can be downloaded by the permission of an Autobot." Data said after examining himself.
Jazz pointed to his chest, "Autobot Second-in-command Jazz, and I give you permission to download all information from the data burst. I need you to help me with my current situation."
Data was silent for a moment before moving again. He climbed off the slab of metal that Jazz had him on. "I will see what I can do, Master Jazz." The Polyhexian looked genuinely shock before groaning and face palmed.
"Great spreading the slagging coding around. Data, erase that strand of coding. I just need you to have the Carrier coding." Jazz ordered as he vented hard, leaning against the wall for support.
"If I erase the compliance coding, then it will erase the Carrier coding. I will work for an alternative, in the time being your wellbeing is my concern." Data made his way over to Jazz and lifted him in his arms despite having been in stasis for millions of years. "I will get started on an expandable plate. I will also get this place in order while you rest." Data informed before getting to examining his patient.
Jazz sat up with a gasp as he felt the ghost of pain in his side. His servos went straight for the area as he tensed in pain. "Fragging frag that hurts." I need to find Data. He knows about these blocks. The Polyhexian looked at Bluestreak after he calmed down a bit.
"That's the same spot you were holding onto in that memory. Do you know what was causing it?" The mech asked as he wrote down notes. Jazz tried to recall anything that could have caused it, but he simply shrugged. "Anything you have on your mind or want to talk about before our session ends?"
The visored mech looked at his servos briefly before looking at the mech. "I haven't had too many harsh onlining from stasis. Last bad one was probably during the storm. So, Blue, when you're done with a case what do you do with the file?"
"Well prewar, it was always enforcers, so I would send the entire case to the captain and give my two creds. That is if the enforcer came to their session and didn't pose a threat to anyone. After that they would be put on light duty and have to go through training once again." Bluestreak explained before continuing. "With my patients now, we do one final session before I take their case to whoever signed off for my services, give my yay or nay, and then once all signed off for I put it in my completed filing cabinet."
Jazz nodded before looking at the timer and then out the window. "I want your honest opinion of me. I won't bawl my optics out this time, promise. What is your professional opinion on my progress?"
"Jazz, you know that no matter what type of progress you make won't change the Council's mind on your sentence." Bluestreak reminded and Jazz continued to stare at him. "But, you have made a lot of progress since the start of this. You've opened up a lot, gaining confidence to travel to other cities without someone, earning a lot of our old comrades' trusts back, and you haven't gone to see Soundwave. No matter what you may say or think, this is all you."
Jazz's mouth opened just as the timer went off. He bid his farewell before hugging the Praxian and left the building, only to see Hot Rod and Drift leaning against the building, seemingly waiting for him. He looked at the two mechs with his field wrapped around him. "Yes, Councilor Hot Rod?"
"Hot Rod is fine. We just wanted to make sure that you were actually coming to these sessions, or if Bluestreak was just covering for you." Hot Rod said as he crossed his arms.
Drift lightly smacked his mate on the shoulder. "What do you mean we? I only came to make sure you didn't antagonize the mech. Everyone already told you that Jazz was going, even the special forces showed you proof. We're sorry Jazz, Hot Rod tends to get a bit… excitable."
"No, it's alright Drift, I don't have to prove myself to him. Councilor or not, he doesn't like me, and I don't have to like him. I'm going to go see Ratchet now, for a checkup, care to come to that too?" Jazz sarcastically asked as he mockingly bowed to him before stepping onto the side of the street and transformed. He made sure the road was clear before taking off.
The Polyhexian was annoyed all the way to the hospital. He went to the front desk with an annoyed expression on his face. "I have an appointment with Ratchet."
"Okay, I will inform Ratchet that you are here. Please have a seat in the sitting area." She looked up with a smile as she gestured at the sitting area. Jazz flashed a smile before going over to the waiting area. He looked around before looking at his wrist, and then he caught a strange glyph that was branded on the inside of his forearm. The mech lifted his arm with further confusion. Redemption? He scratched his helm at when it had appeared, but he knew that from how faint the brand look compared to the other ones it was new-ish. "When did this get there?"
"Jazz, Ratchet is ready to see you now." A nurse poked her helm through the door that separated the front office with the rest of the clinic. Just like Bluestreak, Ratchet had worked at multiple areas, but unlike Bluestreak Jazz was happy to go to any location Ratchet was at.
"Thanks." He whispered as he let her guide him to the examining room. Jazz was still confused about the brand on his bicep, but for the time being he was going to ignore it. He was left alone in the room briefly before Ratchet opened the door. "Hey, mind telling firecracker to cool it?"
The medic looked at him with brief confusion before repeating firecracker silently, and then he knew who Jazz was talking about. "Believe me Jazz, would love it if he listened to anyone. He's worse than the twins when it comes to authority. Barely listens to Optimus when he's feeling extra. Only mechs he'll listen to in the slightest are Drift and Magnus." Ratchet complained to him as he started with his physical examination. "I know you hate bringing him up, but do you know what Soundwave knows about your blindness?"
And Ratchet was right, Jazz always got defensive or retreated whenever the mech was mentioned around him, but Jazz had to push his feelings down for the moment. "I know that when he was altering me to become a Host he was looking into optic surgery. He had notes that he traded with Shockwave. They decided if there was a chance below ninety then it wasn't worth it. Shockwave needed me to look at to decide if it was faulty wiring or if it was in my CNA."
"Because if it was wiring, easy fix. If it was in your CNA, it wouldn't matter if you did a spark transfer, you'd have no visual feed. And ninety is a fantastical wish, the medical board had long determined that seventy-five was good enough. And there is always the chance that your body would reject the new optics, which could lead to us having to remove it." He explained as he checked his reflexes in his knees. As soon as the small tool came into contact, Jazz's leg kicked the air slightly.
"Oh phew, was worried all that desk work had screwed my knees." Jazz joked while Ratchet typed his notes. The medic rolled his optics before checking his auditory horns, but Jazz was soon bobbing his helm and tapping his ped.
"Jazz, sit still." Ratchet warned him, but Jazz was soon clapping his servo on his thigh. "Jazz sit still!" He rose his voice slightly. The Polyhexian stopped moving with a nervous chuckle.
He pointed outside the door, "I heard a really nice beat out there. You know me Hatch', gotta get groovy with it." Jazz got a digit pointed at him which only made him laugh more.
"Yes, well I have a job to do so I need you to sit still while I finish my examination." Ratchet sat his tool down and looked at the visored mech. "Have you been taking the prescription I gave you for your recharge issue?"
"Yes, and the meds for panic attacks and the supplements for my tanks. Hey Ratchet, I know this isn't the best thing to bring up right now but… I want to say good-bye to him." Jazz held onto the side of the medical berth as he looked at the floor.
The white and red mech looked at Jazz in shock. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, and his lack of a response was all he gave Jazz. The medic stuttered as he changed the subject as quick as he could. "It looks like everything is working just fine. I'll see you for your spark transfer."
Avoiding the topic? That's odd. Jazz grabbed the mech's wrist and looked deep into his optics. "Ratch' what's up? Did something happen to him?"
"Nothing for you to worry yourself about Jazz, come on I'll see you get back to the lobby safely." Ratchet was quick to usher the Polyhexian to the front of the hospital. The mech said his farewell to his friend and exited the building.
Something's up. Jazz decided to go pay Telatraan a visit. He was about to transform, but he saw the drone from his memories standing off in the distance. They stared at each other for only moments before Jazz ran after him. Data was quick to turn and walk away from him. No, no you don't. I need answers. The Polyhexian slid to a stop when Data stopped at the top of the bridge that overlooked Kaon. Jazz climbed the side of the bridge to stand up beside him. He took a shorter breather before speaking. "I know who you are. I'm starting to remember, but I just want to know. Why did I reactivate you?"
"I was under strict orders by you and Ricochet to not tell you. If the memory blocks I placed are failing, then tell me what you remember. Master Jazz." Data looked at Jazz with a smile on his face.
Jazz frowned, "don't call me Master. I came to Cybertron looking for what I assume was a medical drone, because I didn't want Ratchet to know. After I brought you online, I gave you something that screwed with your coding and you absorbed a part of the compliance coding. Then a blank. After that I was raising twin mechs, Ricochet and Skids, on Cybertron in what I believe was Halifax's shop. I traveled between Cybertron and Earth to keep them hidden from both sides because I was scared about something. Ricochet is… he's special, I can feel it in my spark. I told them that they couldn't be Autobots because of a decision I made. That's all I remember."
"They will certainly be happy to know that you are remembering. It is good to see you once again Jazz, but I must return to Kaon. And the coding you gave me was Carrier coding. While you were away, I took place as their Sire and Carrier. Would you like to know why you feared revealing their existence?" He folded his servos in front of him with a smile.
Jazz nodded, "please. I just want to know why didn't trust my friends with them."
Data nodded as he looked back at Kaon. "Ricochet has a special ability, telepathy, and Skids can process data at an accelerated rate. You had gone out to find some energon as well as parts, and Ricochet had gone after you. He followed you all the way to an abandoned Decepticon base, that housed only scraplets by that time. Had you not heard his screams; you would not have known he had gotten out."
"Where were you in all of this?" Jazz was in a state of shock by hearing that he almost had gotten an innocent sparkling killed.
"I was with Skids. He had a virus at the time. When you returned, you had a few bites but Ricochet a part of his left hip piston gone. It took a deca-cycle for him to recover. Luckily he was young and could recover fast, and he only has a small scar from the incident." The drone continued to smile.
Jazz folded his arms and looked at the city he once called home. "And they still live in Kaon. I can't go back to that city; they have to understand that. I didn't tell them what I went through, did I?"
"No, but they do understand. Ricochet has taken your… troubles too personal and wants nothing more than to know you are safe and out of harm's way. Now I really must get going." Data informed Jazz, who sighed with disappointment. The drone put a servo on the back of his shoulder. "Don't worry, by December you will remember everything. And if you do ever feel adventurous, they own Halifax's black market."
When the drone left Jazz, he sat on the bridge with his arms resting on his legs. He gave a slightly amused chuckle. 'fax did always say I could have it when he finally rusted. Glad to see that someone is putting it to good use. Jazz looked at the lights that were swaying in the sky. "Pit fights are still a thing I see." The Polyhexian sighed heavily once again before going back to the house.
Ironhide was heading out the door as Jazz was walking on the sidewalk. "Jazz, there you are. I'm going to be away for a couple of solar cycles, so no parties please."
"Where are you going? I have to be here by myself? Can't I like stay with Blaster or something?" Jazz moved next to the door with a frown on his face.
"Council business outside the city. If you want Blaster can stay here with you, but it's only for a couple days Jazz." Ironhide offered before giving him the bad news. "I'm sorry Jazz, but you know that I can't let you stay the night anywhere not without clearing it with Optimus first."
The visored mech nodded with his shoulder sinking. "I know. You still owe me that trip to Earth." Jazz jokingly said before stepping inside the house. "I'll try to keep the party to a… an Ultra Magnus minimum."
"Ha! Good luck with that kid." Ironhide teased before heading off to where he needed to be.
Jazz went inside and went straight to his room to take his supplements. He looked at the four capsules in his servo before he knocked them back with a disgusted sound. The Polyhexian took a shower before going to his berth to recharge. The second his helm hit the pillow; Jazz fell into stasis.
In Newgate, Ricochet jumped down from the ceiling and walked straight for Soundwave. With Skids not here, I don't have to hold back on you bastard. He started pounding on the cell door with his visors coming off. Ravage and Laserbeak were the first to rise. They stared at him and he nodded. "You know why I'm here monsters. You won't be getting out anytime soon, I won't allow the sovereign."
"Who are you? Why are you antagonizing my creations?" Soundwave stood up and walked towards him. "You lack an insignia; how did you get in?"
"I was trained by the best. I'm going to make you pay for what you've done to him! And when I'm done with you, I'm going to kill every Decepticon here!" Ricochet shouted as he pulled out his blaster. "You ruined us! You don't deserve life in prison."
"So rash young mech. And what relation do you have with my pet? I figured with his new bravery, he would disown all of Kaon and anyone that reminded him of the wonderful life I gave him." Soundwave said as he folded his arms in front of him.
The Polyhexian gripped his blaster tightly as any Decepticon that was now online laughed at what Soundwave said. He clenched his jaw tightly. "He isn't your pet! I am Lord Ricochet of Kaon; I am going to eradicate slavery after I watch all of you burn. You will pay for the crimes you have committed against Kaon and her people!"
"A little firecracker you got there Soundwave. Want to break him?" Ricochet turned his helm to look at Starscream. He walked to the Seeker and placed the barrel of his blaster in the small hole. The white and red mech backed up when he saw the smirk on his face.
"The only one that will break is you. You disgrace." He fired and the laser bouncing around Starscream's cell. It bounced one final time before it went straight through his helm. Thundercracker and Skywarp shouted from the cells beside him. Ricochet wiped his helm before looking at Soundwave. "You like mind games Soundwave? Why don't we see how strong you are in your old age?"
His optics narrowed as he slammed against the blue mech's weak mental guards. Soundwave stumbled back slightly from the sheer strength of the attack. "You're insane, stop it."
Why? Why should I? You didn't stop for Jazz. Not when he begged you to forgive him for every little thing he did. You didn't stop when you allowed Devastator to nearly rip him in half. You didn't stop when you turned off his blockers and drunkenly interfaced him! Ricochet shouted in his mind as he forced the memories to come to the forefront of his mind. Soundwave grabbed the side of his helm as he dropped to a single knee. Jazz wanted you to be happy with him, but all you wanted was to break him just like what you did to your Carrier!
The Cassetticons started reacting to the pain that was through their bond. Soundwave's optics stun, when he touched his cheeks, he saw energon on the tips of his digits. So much raw power. He stared in amazement at how untamed this mech was. "Stop. You'll kill them."
"Why would I care? They're as much of a monster as you." Ricochet held his blaster out, getting ready to fire but the elevator tinged. He whipped his helm to the door as it opened up to reveal the guards. The Polyhexian put on his visors and quickly ran for the wall, flipping off of it and into the hole he jumped from.
Springer ran for the hole and pointed his handgun at it. He looked down at his peds and saw energon drops that led to his escape. ::Prison lock down. Intruder in lower levels. Get a medic down here.::
Jazz was at work, heading to Blaster's space with a few data pads in his servos. He also wanted to talk to Telatraan and ask him a few things. When he got there and per usual Jazz walked in, about to greet his current Host, but what he wasn't expecting was to see Ravage in his arms. Jazz froze in the doorway, Blaster looked up with all of the symbionts staring back at the Polyhexian.
"Jazz, Ah can explain. Just don't flip yer lid yet." Blaster put his servos in the air as he felt Jazz's side spike with stress.
"R-Ra-Ra-Ravage. I-I-I." He started drawing in heavy intakes as he started backing up slowly. The black feline looked incredibly weak to the panicked mech, so much in fact that he watched him struggle to even move his helm.
"He's dyin' J. There was a break in at Newgate, and they all got hurt. Ah told Prime tah let meh try and help him. He ain't gonna hurt ya." Blaster explained as he massaged the feline's back legs.
Jazz moved to the far corner of the room to stay as far from the monster as possible. He has to be faking this. Don't believe him Blaster. He shouted through the bond. "What about the others?"
They are with Soundwave still. I took most of the damage from that slagger. Ravage hissed angrily. Jazz flinched and hugged the datapads closer to him. The black feline adjusted himself with a grunt. So much for that bravery. Once a pet always a pet.
Jazz turned his helm away with a frown. Once a pet always a pet. He repeated to himself before setting the datapads on a table near him. "I have stuff to do." The Polyhexian kept his helm down as he moved out quickly. Jazz went back to the office where Optimus was talking away with Elita-One. The two stopped in mid-conversation when they watched the visored mech collapse in his chair with such a lost expression.
"Jazz?" Optimus called out, but Jazz looked down at his arms and the Prime didn't like where that was going to lead. "Jazz?"
Elita walked over to the multicolored mech, placing a servo on his shoulder. Jazz instantly jumped and looked up at the pink femme. "Jazz, are you okay?" The mech just nodded silently and looked at his terminal. "You look like you're on the verge of crying."
"I will not give that damned cat the satisfaction of me crying. I am fine, just… disconcerted is all." He kept his focus on the terminal as he opened up the email when he saw that he had a few new messages since he left. When he opened the first one it was another smear email from one of the other employees in the building that attached an image of the Decepticon insignia that said in big bold red font 'SYMPATHIZER'. Jazz shot up quickly on his peds and just left the room.
I can't wait for this all to be over. Jazz went to the roof and started screaming at the open empty sky. He was getting tired of everyone reminding him of the evil things he did. While the mech stared at the suns off in the distance the sound of someone landing behind him caught his attention. Jazz quickly whipped around, seeing the mech that chased him and Hound now slowly rising to his peds.
"You ra- You're not the failsafe. You're aware." Meister sounded surprised to Jazz. And he saw his insignia sitting on his chest.
All my things went missing before I turned myself in. Jazz took a step forward, but Meister stepped back. He put his servos in front of him urgently. "No, please don't go. I'm starting to remember. I know you can hear my thoughts, Ricochet. You have my insignia, my rifle, and my Sire's mask. Which means you have the rest of my stuff, are you keeping it all safe until I do remember? I didn't mean to… call you, I just am frustrated with everything right now."
"Data told us that you were becoming more aware. I… Jazz I can still take you off world, far away from this place. They want to keep us apart, even after I've explained that we're… your charges." Meister looked into Jazz's visors and clenched his fists. He remained where he was. "But yes, Skids and I are keeping your things safe."
Jazz shook his helm and looked away as he held his arm to his side. "How can you two see me as some kind of saint? Do you know what I did during the war? I killed a lot of Bots, a lot of good mechs and femmes all because I was fed lies. Optimus will understand once I understand. Just give me time Ricochet, I know I once loved you both enough to protect you, but right now I don't know what is right or wrong."
Meister frowned behind his mask and he walked closer to Jazz but stopped when there were only a few feet between them. "Do you think Optimus or any of the others would accept me? Skids, they may give a pass because of his optics and how much of a war hero his Sire is, but what about me? When you remember who my Sire is would you still accept me? Jazz, I'm scared of being abandoned again. You once told me that family isn't about CNA, but how can I believe that when anyone takes one look at my optics and retreats out of fear?"
"If I knew who your Sire was back then and still treated you the way my memory files claim, then I will always accept you. Co, I will never abandon either of you. If I blocked my memories it was because I was scared, and when I get scared, I react differently. Is it your optics they run from or your telepathy that scares them?" Jazz stared at him, and the mech looked away and Jazz got his answer. "Ricochet, I have been around telepaths all my functioning. I don't want you falling down the path you're going, control yourself and get trained. Do it for me, please."
Meister sighed and looked up at his caretaker. He removed the Autobot insignia and held it out to Jazz. "If it will make you feel better, I'll… I'll do it. I have to return to Kaon."
The Polyhexian took the badge carefully, looking down at it with a gentle smile as he ran his digits down the shiny metal. He looked back up and saw that Meister was gone. Misunderstood, that's all you are Ricochet. Jazz went back down to the office where Optimus still was. The Prime stood with worry; Jazz went to speak but Optimus was first to pull him in a crushing hug. "Oof. P-Prime let go. Squeezing."
"Oh, sorry, got a little carried away." Optimus sat Jazz down and looked him over like Ironhide or Ratchet would. The Polyhexian just sighed and let the Prime do his inspection. "Are you hurt? I am so sorry Jazz; I didn't realize how bad you've been treated. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't want you worry any more than you already do. I'm fine, just was getting some air is all." Jazz answered. Optimus went to speak, but his optics locked onto the shiny object in his friend's servo. The Polyhexian looked at it before quickly extending it out to him. "Here, I should've given it to you instead of stashing it. And I know what you're going to say, but I still don't remember any more than what I told Blue. I did chat with Ricochet, it's how I got it back. And he's just misunderstood Optimus, he is angry at the world because of my mistakes."
Optimus took it before giving it back to his friend. "You are always welcome to rejoining the team Jazz, Hot Rod intends to go off world sometime in the future with a small crew. If you feel that Ricochet won't harm you or anyone else, then I will not stop him from seeing you."
Jazz shoved the emblem back at the Prime. "Optimus, Ah don't want another Prime. Yer my Prime and if yer not goin', then neither am Ah. But Ah don't deserve bein' a Bot again because Ah don't feel Ah deserve dat honor again." He took a calming intake before chuckling in astonishment. "Wow guess you all were right when you said about me and my slang. Sorry about that Prime."
"Don't be Jazz. How about this, I'll keep it until after your spark transfer. If you still wish to remain neutral, then I will respect your wishes and get rid of it." The Prime offered and the smile from the much smaller mech was a good enough answer for him. It was later in their work shift, and Optimus was listening to Jazz softly sing a song. He must've gotten lost in his little world again. For the Prime it had become a recent habit that the Polyhexian obtained, whenever he was relaxed and in a great helm space he would start singing when he thought no one was listening.
"Is it too bold to say that you still have a pleasant voice? Reminds me of the times Torch would sing." Optimus said with a smile in his words. Jazz looked up with a brief bit of shock before it turned into an embarrassed smile and his face heating up. The Prime laughed at the reaction he got from his friend. "Would you like to see?"
The visored shifted in his chair with an uncomfortable sound coming from him. "I don't know Optimus; I do want to see my Carrier but a hardline? I don't think I'm ready for that yet." Jazz rubbed his servos over his chest as he felt his systems protesting over something.
"Jazz, are you ok?" Optimus put a servo on his friend's back and the Polyhexian waved it off with a forced chuckle. He sat down at his desk as he felt some relief. "Jazz, are you sure you're okay?"
He nodded as he saw warnings pop up in his HUD, which was odd for the Polyhexian, but he deactivated them. "I'm fine Prime just a bit… tired suddenly. Systems reading a power diversion, but it shouldn't be."
"Perhaps you should see Ratchet." Optimus suggested and Jazz nodded in agreement. The Prime didn't like the sudden lack of energy his friend had. He thought it was odd, remembering seeing this when he had that sparkling before Soundwave took it away. There is no possible chance that he is sparked. Unless things with Prowl have been a lot better than either let on.
At the end of Jazz's shift, he gathered his things and left in a hurry. He was excited about the spark transfer that was just around the corner. Just a few more solar cycles, and a new frame. The Polyhexian made it back home and laid down in his berth with a tired groan. "Finally, a day off."
So, what do you think will happen next? Let me know in the comments. :)
We're getting closer to finding out what Jazz's connection is to Ricochet and Skids. (If you haven't already)
