A/N: Nice and lengthy for all you cats that like substance. Now as I mentioned previously, this chapter will be very dialogue heavy, but I felt it was necessary in order to capture all the interested parties and associated feelings. But I think I threw in enough snarks, quips, and interesting tidbits to maintain your attention *crosses fingers and hopes silently* Also too, things will gradually roll back over to Stinger and Skywarp as a focus point; after all, these two started all these international shenanigans. And soon, very soon we'll get to the action-y sequences. Squee!
Some cursing. In the military, we curse. A LOT. I've toned it down a good bit. Side note: "skunkworks" is slang for a research division. More notably, Lockheed Martin's Skunkworks is an official R&D arm of their company and has been responsible for such beautiful aircraft as our F22 Raptor, the SR71 Blackbird, and the F117 Nighthawk among many others. The more you know!
By the time the odd couple arrived, most of the Autobots had packed into the Command Center. Thundercracker had taken a position along the back wall and close to the exit. For one, it prevented any persnickety Autobots from creeping up behind him (he was edgy by nature and current circumstances were NOT helpful); two, it ensured his broad wings had appropriate clearance; and three, guarding the exit and overlooking natural entry and egress points had been ground so deep in his subconscious, that NOT doing so created more edgy, nervous energy. Such a price one pays for being an experienced soldier. The appearance of Skywarp and Stinger eased his frayed circuits a bit.
Skywarp still held Stinger in hand, albeit loosely. The pilot was half-laying, half-sitting with his back to the broad part of Skywarp's palm, legs stretched out towards the jet's fingers. It was the most comfortable position he could maintain, given his injuries, although said position did not go unchallenged by his mechanical friend. Warp had given Stinger a good verbal ribbing about how the pilot owed him for being his personal chauffeur/bodyguard through the Ark, not to mention the rescue. Stinger assured the Con that IF they made it to the other side of Doom's machinations unscathed, he would personally see to a wash/lube/polish of Skywarp's trim, by hand, with a lambskin shammy. The terms appeased Skywarp greatly and the teasing abated.
Their entrance wasn't completely unobserved either. Optimus's steady gaze drifted from the teleport to linger on his human accomplice. A slight nod acknowledged Stinger's presence, which the pilot returned in kind. He'd only heard of the great Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots and his great reputation only added to the mech's already intimidating aura. Still, despite knowing of the Autobots' generally benevolent nature, Stinger found himself feeling guarded and more than a bit wary. Being a human ally to the Trine put him in quite a precarious position with Autobots and humans alike.
Ratchet followed his leader's gaze and spied the duo from across the room. He very nearly suffered an abrupt electrical stoppage of the spark when he saw Stinger. One could almost visibly see the simmering heat waves radiating off the docbot when Stinger gave him a "Miss America" wave followed by a blowing kiss. He may not have known the Autobots as well as the Trine, but certain personality types stuck out regardless of faction or species and Ratchet, was the perfect personality for button-pushing, so Stinger took full advantage of his "frail human state" to do so. Skywarp, for his part, shrugged his intakes noncommittally and feigned innocence. Stinger was convinced the medic was about to storm across the room and clout both of them upside the head when the briefing began.
"Greetings all," Optimus opened, "No doubt the arrival of Starscream and his trine members has raised many skeptical if not uncomfortable questions among you." The Autobot leader glanced at the aforementioned Seeker standing to his left. "First, let me begin by saying that from this moment forward, Starscream and his trine have declared neutrality among us. This will not be up for discussion," Optimus said sternly as protest bloomed and died at his announcement. "Current circumstances dictate that we set aside our differences and work towards a solution. If any of you have an issue with this policy or working with the Seekers moving forward, you may take it up with me privately."
A hushed murmur arose from the assembly but no one openly voiced their disagreement. Optimus nodded and then continued. "Now onto the heart of the matter. Starscream has informed me that Megatron intends to openly attack the United States."
That created a significantly louder ruckus. Prime waited until the voices settled a bit before continuing.
"This attack, it seems, has been orchestrated by a very obscure and a very powerful entity that up until now we were not aware. In short Megatron and the remainder of the Decepticon Army are falling straight into a trap. Starscream has met this enemy before and therefore has offered to brief us on just who and what we are up against."
"How do we know this isn't Screamer setting his own trap and delivering us all up to Megatron!?" an angry voice called from the crowd.
Furious echoes of "Yeah!", "He's right!" and "Why the slag trust him!" erupted from the increasingly agitated Autobot soldiers.
Skywarp and Thundercracker exchanged quick glances before silently priming their weapons. The soft thrum of their cannons became lost in the restlessness. Several hostile, blue optics glanced back at them as if to remind them they were not completely forgotten.
Thundercracker narrowed his optics, the lenses an intense, smoldering crimson. He straightened his bearing and met the hostility with equal malevolent intensity. He would not be cowed by Autobots, regardless of number and location. Beside him, Skywarp also straightened and stared down his nose at the opposing mechs. He brought Stinger a little closer to his cockpit, fingers curling a little tighter around the pilot. His wings bristled and hitched; the look on his faceplates all but dared any Autobot to try something provocative.
"Enough!" Optimus's thunderous command voice boomed across the room. The silence was as instantaneous as it was deafening.
"I would expect better from those who call themselves 'Autobot,'" the leader rebuked. "Have we so quickly forgotten our new human allies that are present as a direct result of the Trine's involvement? Did not Skywarp return barely a solar cycle ago, carrying two wounded humans back to us, humans that would have surely succumbed to their injuries if not for his intervention?"
The silence, if at all possible, intensified.
"These actions may seem small and insubstantial to many of you, but they speak volumes to me and they have been proof enough for me to take the Air Commander's word at face value. I am not asking all of you to implicitly trust Starscream and his trine. That burden is mine and mine alone; however, I do ask that you trust me when I say that Starscream's warning, if not heeded, will result in the collective destruction of all Cybertronians on this planet and ultimately our homeworld."
That statement caught the attention of every mech and human in the room.
Optimus studied the crowd. When he was convinced that they had settled he looked over at the Decepticon. "Starscream?" He nodded at the Air Commander and surrendered the floor.
The red Seeker stepped forward and stared down the sea of blue, distrustful optics. He should have been intimidated, but having stared down the barrel of Megatron's fusion cannon innumerable times made the angry, dissentious crowd pale in comparison. Best get on with it.
"What Optimus Prime says is true. We are all in grave danger," he paused and surveyed the room. It felt like his optics met every other pair in the room. "Seven years ago my Trine and I encountered a human unlike any other. He was powerful, clever, and highly intelligent. He possessed resources, wealth. He had amassed a powerful drone army right under the noses of all the major powers on this planet. We know this because Skywarp had been intentionally targeted by this human for the sole purpose of terminating him, stealing his biomechanical warp drive generator, replicating it and then installing it in his army."
The room remained silent and attentive. Ah, so now he had their attention. Starscream continued.
"Had it not been for the rather untimely and yet highly fortunate downing of an American Air Force pilot during the same raid," Starscream's optics bored into Stinger with inscrutable intensity, "this new enemy would have succeeded and none of us would have been the wiser until it was too late."
Several pairs of blue optics turned towards the black Seeker on the back wall. Skywarp's position was now one of nonchalance, one purple thrustered heel raised and braced against the wall, the hand holding Stinger resting against the golden glass of his cockpit. He gave the curious glances a knowing, devil-may-care smirk. Stinger also took note of the attention. He gave the Autobots a mock salute in return.
A small smirk of Starscream's own pulled at the corner of his lips as he observed the brazen behavior of his trine mate and that pesky flesh sack.
"As much as it pained me to admit it, the assistance given by Lt. Colonel Don "Stinger" Kessinger aided me in the successful recovery of Skywarp and ultimately stopped this human's machinations for domination. You Autobots pride yourselves on your willingness to incorporate inferior species into useful and productive relationships and perhaps that may work for you, but we Decepticons do not trust so openly nor so willingly. Weakness is to be purged and eliminated. Trust is to be earned and never given outright. And while it is true we despise humanity for being such a wretched, inferior and weak race," he paused and smirked at the pilot, "Don Kessinger proved that some humans are much more 'resilient' than others. He earned my trine mate's trust and over time...mine."
The public accolade was so startling and so unexpected, Stinger's mouth gaped open. He snapped his jaw closed with a snap and looked up at Skywarp, bewilderment etched in every line on his face. Skywarp gave the pilot a wink and a grin before returning his attention back on his Commander.
"The decision to retrieve Skywarp from Latveria and spare Kessinger was mine and mine alone. When Megatron discovered this assumed duplicity, to say he was displeased wouldn't quite cover it." The red Seeker shared a brief, meaningful glance with Thundercracker.
"At the time of our...demotion...I had just learned that this new adversary, known as Latverian dictator Victor Von Doom, had not only acquired the Allspark, Cybertron's most sacred relic, but he also possessed the power to manipulate it!"
An excited burble flowed across the crowd. The Allspark! Here! Starscream's caustic voice cut above the murmuring of the crowd and slowly silence took hold once more as this strange story continued unfolding.
"We four had thought we had neutralized the threat posed by Doom seven stellar cycles ago, but now it seems we failed. As a result of his abilities, he is now more powerful and more dangerous than ever. The abduction and subsequent torture of Kessinger and his family unit was a direct order from Doom as retribution for foiling his first plans. I assure you, his influence has leached and spread into the upper echelons of human leadership, promising them power, influence, and security from all alien invading forces."
Apprehension began to fill the room like a silent, invisible fog. Whispers about the implications of Starscream's words raced among the Autobots. Us too? But how? All we've done is help!
"Before Megatron departed the Nemesis to initiate his assault, Soundwave ensured that my trine and I would be spared the greater portion of Megatron's wrath in favor of executing quick, decisive action. Soundwave also hacked the United States secure email server and confirmed that Kessinger's abduction had been planned and staged within the US hierarchy. The pilot's own leaders! They turned against him! And if you still doubt what I say, I have given Optimus the files that Soundwave gave me for your intelligence analyst to review," he added smugly.
From the back of the room a voice piped up. "Besides that, I'll even give you dorks my optical data from when I retrieved him!" Skywarp's voice called out. "But it's not like he had the royal slag beat out of him or anything. Those injuries were totally faked! Eh, Docbot?" he taunted, knowing all too well what such a tone would illicit, and not caring a micron.
Several optics rested on the Autobot medic, forcing him to once again to redirect his ire from the troublesome twosome. "He's right," the red and white ambulance grunted reluctantly. "The injuries the human sustained were far too brutal and severe to be used under the guise of trickery...and before anyone suggests that a mech, even ones as small as Rumble and Frenzy, could inflict such trauma, I will tell you now the patterns of blunt force trauma are consistent with the size and force of another human." Ratchet folded his arms across his chestplates indicating he was finished speaking for now.
"But what I don't get is 'why?' What was the point?" Bumblebee asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.
"Is your cranial alloy that dense, Autobot, or are you just that woefully naive?" Thundercracker spoke up, his deep voice rumbling from the back.
"Hey!" a new voice entered the discussion, weakened, but it still held that tone of authority that any soldier, anywhere, would recognize. "Seeing as how I'm the current topic of conversation here, allow me to clarify things. Commander Starscream, if I'm wrong please redress me," Stinger began, leveling a direct, earnest stare at the Wing Commander. Starscream nodded his ascent.
"I helped the enemy, got it? At the time we were and technically still are at war with these guys," he made a broad swing of his hand to encompass both Thundercracker and Skywarp. "And as some of you have been so quick to point out, doing such a thing regardless of the circumstances is grounds for treason. Such an absolute line of thought is what got these boys kicked out of their ranks and it's what damn near killed me and my wife. There are people out there that absolutely will not view the guy on the other side in any other light, especially if he toes that line. But I challenge you! all of you! Is that so bad? Working together? Crossing that line of absolute 'I'm right; he's wrong!'?
I'll tell you one thing. It's fucking terrifying. Working with someone not hours ago was out for your blood. But what's equally and probably more terrifying, is having two guys who were previously at each other's throats, coming together and accomplishing something bigger than each of them!
You wanna know why my own country came after me after promising me clemency? I scared them. I was on speaking terms with the Decepticon Aerial Elite where no one else could even get close! I was a wild card. I had inside contacts, but rather than work with me, Castlehoff feared me. I'd bet you a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue that ol' Metal Face Von Doom got in his head and told him I was an insider. I was a threat. I needed to be neutralized. Why you ask? Because just the very thought of humans and all Cybertronians coming together before Doom is ready for us upsets his grand master plan.
How many of you rust buckets would have been willing to listen to Starscream had I not been involved? Or even my daughter? Huh? Anyone? Anyone!?"
Several optics fell and could not meet the furious and steely gray glare. "See? That's what I mean by thinking in absolutes. It impedes progress. It impedes teamwork. Hell, even peace. Sounds to me like Doom is ramping up to kick all of you off this planet in one way or another and if he's got this relic you all seem to revere, we ain't gonna stand a snowball's chance in Hell against this guy, fighting and bickering among ourselves! This guy won't stop until he molds this planet in his vision."
"Well fine!" Brawn challenged. "If you humans want all of us gone anyway why not let this Doom guy take over?"
A low chuckling drew everyone's attention back to the forefront. The laugh grew in volume and tenor until it was a shrill cackle. Starscream struggled to compose himself, his arms crossed tightly across his torso.
"Oh, you fools! Thundercracker was right. You all are either denser than neutronium or sickeningly naive!" he shrieked angrily.
"Perhaps I have not been clear on how dangerous Victor Von Doom is, so allow me to clarify. This human possesses our Allspark. He can manipulate it! That means he has the power to control every Cybertronian spark within his range of influence, which by the way, is currently unknown! Every electrical relay, every power source! The United States energy shortage? That was Doom, framing us! He will be able to extinguish you or enslave you! Which would you prefer?"
"As Starscream just said," Optimus began wearily, "This human has the potential to destroy all of us or enslave us, Decepticon and Autobot alike."
"And don't forget us," Stinger interjected. "This madman's whole goal, even from seven years ago, has been world order. His order. And if you want an idea of what that's like, talk to my wife." He folded his arms across his chest defiantly. Although he winced and instantly regretted that action when a white hot pain erupted across his torso. He slowly eased himself back down Warp's palm.
"And I would dare say this madman will not stop at Earth. Once he takes control and/or destroys the Decepticons, he will then have control of the space bridge. So think about that one, will you? Although given what I already know of Doom, I would wager my finest high grade he will enslave us and then use us to force this world's nations to bow to him," Starscream warned.
Optimus surveyed his troops solemnly. "Starscream has graciously given me optical documentation of his encounter in Latveria from seven stellar cycles ago along with the conglomerate evidence amassed by Soundwave. If any Autobot wishes to see it for themselves, it will be available to them in Teletraan's Master Library.
But for those that wish to move forward and counter this threat we need to develop a plan and quickly."
"Uh, Optimus? Like, how quickly you thinkin'?.'Cuz according to the latest breaking news reports, Megatron has just now started his attack on DC, Colorado Springs, AND a sprinkling of other major military outposts across the nation! It looks like he's going all in!" Jazz interposed.
The saboteur typed a few commands across Teletraan's interface and brought up a multi-video feed of several human news outlets frantically covering the Decepticon assault. Autobots, Seekers, and humans watched transfixed as plumes of black smoke, raging fires, laser blasts, screaming civilians, and military vehicles dominated the many windows.
The fight had begun.
"So now what do we do?" Bumblebee voiced the question that was at the forefront of every processor in the room.
"I say we jump in and help the United States while we can! Maybe we can route Megatron before this Doom character shows up," Ironhide suggested.
"But we don't know where he is. What if he's there already? Like Starscream said, he could end up catching us all out in the open and then we'd be royally slagged!" the yellow scout unexpectedly countered.
"Well we can't just sit here and do nothing! Innocent people are being attacked!"
"We should-"
"No! That's too risky-"
"How about we-"
The din began to slowly rise as more and more suggestions, plans, and ideas were thrown into the arena of thought. Starscream turned to Optimus and regarded the Autobot leader with a skeptical optic.
"Is this how every mission planning meeting starts, Prime?" he asked wryly, lips twitching into a smirk.
The Prime gave the red Seeker an indecipherable look. He then raised his hands and called out above the cacophony of voices in the Command room. "Autobots! Stand down!"
Slowly the voices died away as Prime took control of the room once more. "We cannot afford to act rashly; therefore I request that my officers remain so that we can formulate a plan of action. Jazz, Prowl, Ironhide. Please remain. The rest of you, conduct weapons checks and make ready to depart. Dismissed."
Slowly the mass of mechs exited the room with much grumbling and agitated murmurs. While the call for prudence was understood, it did little to alleviate the anxiety of facing an unknown enemy with ultimate power while the world burned.
Ratchet was one of the last to exit. He stopped before Stinger and Skywarp and gave the pair of them a harsh, disapproving glare. "You!" He pointed to Stinger, "Back to the med bay. You shouldn't even be out of bed!"
"I ain't going nowhere, Doc," the pilot obstinately refused. "My country, Fuck! The planet! Is under attack and you want me to lie around in bed?"
"You are in no condition to be mobile, let alone fight! Your injuries-"
"Won't matter if we all end up dead as door nails anyway!" the human interrupted angrily. "I'm fine...ish," he added lamely. "Just give me some pain killers and I'll make do. But I am NOT going to remain here while every able-bodied 'bot is out fighting for my world!"
Rachet looked fit to implode at the audacity of this fleshling arguing with him and the stupid smirk creasing Skywarp's lips didn't help the situation.
"Colonel Kessinger?" Optimus's deep voice interceded.
"Yes, Optimus?" the human replied, gray eyes flicking over to the Autobot leader.
"I understand your desire to remain aware of current circumstances. If you are feeling up to it, might I suggest you stay for this planning meeting. Your expertise and knowledge will be greatly appreciated, and the effort for you to be present should be minimal. But afterwards I strongly advise that you continue your treatment with my medic, before undertaking more arduous tasks."
The suggestion was logical. Stinger knew he'd need another day at least to rest and recuperate. To hell with Ratchet's two-week plan. When the mechs left, so would he, but Ratchet need not know that.
"Sounds fair enough. How about it Docbot?"
Ratchet threw his hands up in exasperation. "Fine! Fine! If you absolutely insist! But by Primus above, if you keel over from exertion, don't come whining to me!" He strode out of the Command room huffing and mumbling irate incoherencies.
Skywarp watched him depart before quipping, "Huh. Glad to see that grumpiness is a prerequisite for being a medic across both factions." He grinned over at Thundercracker.
"Whoa, Warp. You're up to four-syllable words now? If I'd had known hanging out with humans made you smarter, we'd have dumped you off at human daycare when we first got here."
Stinger snorted with laughter at the jab while Skywarp punched his wingmate in retaliation.
"All right! Enough! Let's get this thing underway," Starscream growled, making his way over to the large planning table that sat on the far right side of the room. The thrustered heels of the trine made loud clacking noises as the remaining mechs gathered around to discuss battle strategy. Skywarp set Stinger down on the table's surface as a holographic image of the United States leaped to life before them.
"What areas are being attacked currently?" Prowl asked, beginning the proceedings.
Stinger observed the map and honed in on the bright splotches of red that denoted active engagements. "So. Looks like DC, NORAD in Colorado, Fort Hood, TX, Fort Bragg, NC, Fort Campbell, KY. Hood, Campbell, and Bragg are all major installations for the Army. Big units with lots of firepower. Get rid of them and you cripple our ground game. NORAD controls North America's long-range missile and radar overwatch. Taking them out will nullify our ballistic missiles and complicate detecting enemies on radar. And DC...well, that's pretty self-explanatory. If I'm making a snap judgement, I'd say your boy Megatron is attempting a nation-wide blitzkrieg to take out America's heaviest defenses and prevent any kind of sizable counterattack."
"A fair assessment," Starscream concurred, "And it probably would work if we were there," he added smugly. "But as it stands, I predict that your Air Force will give the Coneheads quite a bit of grief, thus possibly giving us more time."
"Holy shit! Was that a vague, pseudo-semi-compliment about our flyboys coming from the Decepticon Air Commander?" the pilot quipped, raising an appraising eyebrow at the implication.
"Former Air Commander," the red Eagle snarled back softly while neither confirming nor denying the allegation.
"Huh, Don't get all excited, Squish," Skywarp added. "Screamer doesn't give compliments unless it's to himself in a polishing glass….Yikes!"
The soft thwop of displaced air announced Skywarp's immediate relocation to another side of the room as he dodged a hit from his Commander.
"It wasn't so much a compliment to you as it was a derogatory observation made about the skill level of our coneheaded-counterparts," Starscream said, still glaring daggers at his black trinemate.
"Anyway," Thundercracker's voice cut in, "back to things at hand," he rumbled, gesturing at the table.
"So when do we think Doom will make his move?" Jazz asked, stroking his chin thoughtfully as he studied the map.
"He's a sneaky bastard, so if I were to hazard a guess I would say he will first let the US and the Cons duke it out, let the collateral damage rack up and then sweep in like a heaven-sent guardian angel if you ask me," Stinger suggested, he looked up at Starscream as he finished speaking, looking for confirmation. "He wants people to like him, so if he can make things look like he's humanity's saving grace, the world leaders will be more than willing to follow his lead," Stinger observed quietly, not liking the implications of his analysis.
"Yes, that would make sense given the scale of the set-up he's laid. Why rush in when one of the strongest military powers on the planet is ground to dust under another adversary's heel? Let Megatron do the dirty work while also accruing the negative image of destroying humanity. That sounds exactly like something Doom would do," the red Seeker agreed.
"Starscream, we know of the Allspark's power. But we do not stand a chance unless we can somehow get close to Doom, wherever he may be, and seize control of the relic. Given your pre-war disposition towards the sciences, are we able to devise something to protect ourselves against it?" Optimus inquired.
"Wait. Wait. Can someone here fill me in on this 'Allspark'. You guys keep talking about it and I kinda have an inkling, but I would like a better picture." The pilot stood with hands on his hips, his hawkish grey eyes studying the gathered officers before him. That it was a weapon or had the potential to be a weapon, he more than understood, but he needed demographics. What did it look like? How big was it? What did it actually do? What was it intended to do? And if it was Cybertronian in nature, why was it here?
"The Allspark is an ancient construct of great value to our race," Optimus began. "It is a relic capable of giving life to us or taking it away," he explained.
"Ok...but how? Where did it come from? No offense, Optimus, sir, but being the lowly human that I am, I'm gonna need the 5Ws on this one."
The Prime cocked his head to one side as he processed the human's words. His optics brightened in understanding. "I see. Well, as I said it is very ancient. We know not from where it came definitively although myth and legends surround its origins."
"Some even claim it was a divine gift from Primus himself," Starscream supplemented, "Although there has never been any evidence to support such a preposterous claim," he scoffed.
"Be that as it may, it's a large cube-shaped structure inscribed with ancient glyphs. Before war tore our planet apart, it was one of the only ways to replenish our population. It's power was such that it could grant a spark to a protoformed construct and thus create a new Cybertronian life," Optimus continued, his optics bright but tinged with deep sadness.
"So how did it get here?" Stinger questioned. The gathered mechs either avoided his gaze or averted their optics, all but Starscream that is.
"It was cast out," he spat venomously. "By the former Prime of the Autobots, Sentinel Prime. He did so in the vain hope of preventing Megatron from using it to build more soldiers, not even truly comprehending the repercussions that such an action would doom us all. It probably came to be here by chance." He crossed his arms over his chest defiantly, optics hot with simmering resentment.
"Well it was that or be driven to extinction by you lot!" Ironhide fired back. "You left us no choice!"
"Surrendering would have been a logical choice," the red Seeker retaliated just as hotly.
"All right! All right! Calm the fuck down! Mary Mother of God we can't afford for you guys to kick off 'Bot-Con Beatdown Round 2!" Stinger exclaimed, throwing up both hands (with much pain and effort) placatingly. The flaming glares continued for a moment more, but gradually eased back into icy sulleness and simmering irritation.
"Ok, just so I'm clear here. Doom has an ancient artifact from your history that has the ability to not only manipulate energy, but also give or take your lives. And speaking from prior experience with Decepticons, I fancy it wouldn't do my race much good to see it in Megatron's possession either."
Another awkward silence fell over the table before Thundercracker spoke with calm rationale once again. "Well, Megatron doesn't have it, nor do I think he'll have the opportunity to acquire it. He doesn't consider Doom much of a threat to begin with, remember? So I say it's a pretty safe bet he'll underestimate him. Besides, we're making conjectures on hypothetical situations here. Now that Tiny Tim has received his abbreviated Cybertronian history lesson, let's get back to the original question: How do we mount an offensive without falling victim ourselves?"
"Whoa, TC. Since when did you become so fragging strategic?" Skywarp eyed his blue wingmate suspiciously, arms folding across his cockpit.
"Warp, when you can listen just as well as running your mouth, we'll talk," Thundercracker countered, a hint of a grin on his lips.
"Ouch," Jazz whispered surreptitiously to Prowl.
"The short answer is...maybe," Starscream supplied cryptically. "The Allspark is an object that is composed of energy and it also manipulates energy, so one could theorize we would need a way to shield ourselves from its energy. The real question is: would anything we build be strong enough to withstand it?"
Starscream's question hung in the air as the assembly mulled it over. For his part, Stinger was now deep in thought. Having been the Wing Commander of the 213th Fighter Wing stationed at Edwards, the position had given him certain privileges. Privileges such as knowing who and what the "skunkworks" division were doing at any given time. It had been imperative to sit in on the weekly briefings even if he couldn't wrap his mind around some of the denser scientific vernacular. But one briefing stood out above the rest given their current topic of conversation.
One of the scientists, Rogers? Rivers? Richards? Yeah! That was it! Richards! Dr. Reed Richards had given him a briefing on a new "prototype" weapon that had been delivered from his lab in New York. Dr. Richards had it shipped to Edwards for testing, given the vast and expansive amounts of nothingness that surrounded Edwards, it made sense. During the briefing, Richards had called it a nullifier, a weapon capable of incapacitating anything, electrical or otherwise. It was even stronger than their conventional EMP missiles. And those he knew could knock out a Cybertronian for hours. If the nullifier were rumored to be stronger than that, maybe it would be capable of stopping the Allspark.
He decided to voice his musings to the officers. The discussion turned to rapt attention as the pilot reviewed all the little thoughts that had just run through his head. He quickly glossed over the details relaying what he remembered. After all, that particular briefing had been nearly two months ago. Richards may not even be at the facility anymore.
Of them all, Starscream surprisingly seemed to be the most intrigued. "I have heard of this Richards," he mused. "We had targeted his facility a few times but never followed through for one reason or another. More's the pity, it would have been fun torturing a human scientist for once," he added for good measure, knowing full well it would gall the Autobots' circuitry saying as much.
Sure enough a couple pairs of optics narrowed in hostility, as he smirked in satisfaction. Button-pushing was an amusing activity. No wonder Skywarp took such a puerile joy in doing it, provided one was doing the pushing and not the receiving.
"Colonel, do you think you could contact this Richards?" Optimus asked.
"Possibly. Contacting is the easy part. Getting there, especially after my debacle in Guantanamo may be harder," he elaborated. Was he even still in the Air Force anymore? Perhaps Starscream and company weren't the only ones to get demoted.
"Well, I could get you there," Skywarp suggested, speaking seriously for the first time since the meeting began.
"Warp, the humans would shoot you down the instant they realize who you are," TC argued, his brow furrowed in doubt.
"Maybe. Maybe not. Let me reach out to my NCO back at Edwards. When Castlehoff hijacked me, he faked my records and told my staff that I was "TDY." They may not even know he tried to railroad me for treason. To them, I may still be just a Wing leader that went TDY and is now returning to resume command." Stinger gave a shrug. To him it was worth the effort.
"And if slag goes sideways?" Ironhide asked. He was still skeptical of working with Cons to begin with. Everything felt sketchy and half-aft. And the fact a human was so willing to work with them, history or not, didn't ease his suspicion. Not one bit.
"I'll teleport out. Take him with me if I'm able," Warp answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
A thought occurred to Stinger. "But if it doesn't go sideways, I may be able to do more than just reach Richards," he mused half to himself. "I may be able to mobilize my wing for you guys."
"But are you not injured?" Prowl pointed out. "I do not think that Ratchet would authorize this venture beyond simple audio communication."
"Not that I don't appreciate what your Docbot has done for me, but no offense, he's not in my chain of command. If I want to leave, I will damn well do so with or without his authorization."
Prowl raised an optic ridge at Stinger's candid reply. This one had some ball bearings. But then again if he'd survive innumerable dogfights with the Trine and lived to become their human liaison, it stood to reason he'd have them in spades.
"All right. We can't force you to stay, but given your current medical condition I strongly advise-"
"That you stay the fuck out of my business," the pilot interjected. For the first time since arriving, the Autobots heard true steel in his words. The gray eyes glittered like polished granite and his face was set in stone. "I've told ya'll once and I will not repeat myself again. My country, my planet, my friends," he leveled a particularly pointed stare at Starscream, TC, and Warp, "and my family are at risk and I will not stand by and idly watch it all go to Hell, not so long as I can physically stand and there is breath in my lungs. So take your sympathy for my health and kindly fuck off."
Silence permeated the proceedings. It hung thick and heavy like a wet, woolen cloak about the shoulders. That is it did until Starscream broke it with one snarky, little comment.
"See? Just as I said. 'Resilient.'"