Hello! I've returned with another chapter! And the next one should be up soon, since it's mostly finished. Yay!

As I said on tumblr, there's going to be some more canon characters appearing in both this and the next chapter. Which doesn't always happen due to oc's creeping in and stealing the spotlights in my stories.. But anyways, I'm trying to make a point to add them a little more here and there.

Hope you enjoy! :)

Chapter Ten - Infighting and Negotiation

Starfrost was certain that Scatterstrike had lost some of his processor as well as an optic.

Bolt was certain that Skyshadow was cheating.

Cloudbreaker was certain that there was going to be a fight yet this orn.

Jolt was certain that Bolt would be involved.

Skyshadow was certain she was going to throttle the uppity seeker if he said anything else.

Scatterstrike wondered yet again, what had possessed him to pick these younglings.

He could have just taken over a small, existing squad of mecha who were already trained and got along with each other decently. A group of mostly adults instead of a group with mostly young mecha barely out of younglinghood and two barely adults.

That all seemed to dislike each other at this moment.

At least they were getting along better than at first.

"Cloudbreaker! If you say one more thing about me cheating, I'll hit you a little higher than the knee joints!" came the yell from the youngest team member.

"Well, it isn't honourable! You're Vosian for goodness sake, act like it!"

"Okay, well, how about I stab you like one would?"

Scatterstrike sighed.

Better.

"Enough!" the pilot called, before Cloudbreaker could come back with anything else. "Take a break. Cool down. Get a hold of yourselves."

The five split off, making sure to either glare and or give each other a wide berth as they walked away.

Skyshadow yanked off the blindfold she'd been wearing and threw the training staff to the ground before stalking away.

Scatterstrike noted how she didn't spare any of the rest a second glance.

He pretended not to notice Bolt sticking his glossa out at Starfrost behind her back. Jolt placed a hand over his faceplate and shook his helm before somehow dragging the heavier mechling away a few paces.

Cloudbreaker's wings twitched as he paced back and forth, frowning deeply, tapping the end of his training staff on the floor as he did.

Scatterstrike looked up at the ceiling and sighed again. "Younglings."

The training exercise had been working well at first.

He had equipped each of his team members with a training staff that was their size and one of the group with a blindfold. The blindfolded one would work on their listening skills while the rest focused on trying to sneak up on them, using as much stealth as they could.

It was supposed to be like a game. Whoever managed to get to the blindfolded member and tap them without getting hit got a point. If the blindfolded mecha heard them and the attacker was in range, they could swing and hit them first.

Cloudbreaker had been the one to be blindfolded first.

He'd done decently well, and they had all seemed to enjoy the exercise.

Bolt even shut up for a whole half a breem which was a miracle in itself.

But as soon as Scatterstrike had called for a switch and gave Skyshadow the blindfold...

No one had gotten to her without being swatted. Jolt had come the closest, followed by Cloudbreaker, but they had been hit before they could react first.

"I swear she cheated," Bolt was still grumbling over where he'd been dragged to.

Jolt tilted his helm and frowned, his hand on his chin. "Well, the blindfold may still have been too loose from when Cloudbreaker had it..."

"Does it matter?" snapped Cloudbreaker from nearby, still pacing. "It is just a dumb game."

Starfrost's lips turned up in a snide smirk as she placed her hands on her hips. "You are just angry Skyshadow was so much better than you, Cloudbreaker."

"Was not," muttered the young seeker.

"Hey, shouldn't you be better than her?" Bolt questioned; tone curious. "You know, cause you had actual real training or whatever? You did graduate from the Armada boot camp or whatever you call it right?"

"Bolt!" hissed Jolt, flicking him in the side of the helm. "Do not start that!"

"Start what?"

"Yeah, I should! What of it?" growled Cloudbreaker, whirling to face the pair. "Maybe I am and was just holding back!"

"Why?" came a voice from across the room.

"Primus, give me patience," muttered Scatterstrike.

He would have to intervene soon; it was starting to sound like it could get ugly.

The rest had turned towards Skyshadow, who was leaning up against the wall. Her servos were folded over her chest while she had one pede propped up and resting against the wall behind her. A bored expression was on her faceplate as she studied them.

"Why hold back, Cloudbreaker?" she asked, shoving off of the wall and walking towards him.

A dark look crept into her optics as she continued, tone cold.

"Is it because you think I'm weak? Or is it because I'm a femme?"

Cloudbreaker's optics widened, then narrowed as he took a step to meet her where she had stopped.

Bolt elbowed Jolt in the side with a cheeky grin, receiving a glare from his friend.

Starfrost chuckled, a slightly dark look in her gold optics as well. "Tread carefully, Cloudbreaker."

"Or maybe," Skyshadow hissed, ignoring the others. "You think you're just all high and mighty and better than I am. Wouldn't want to squish the little half-seekerling would we?"

Cloudbreaker leaned over her, gritting his denta. "Maybe you should stop assuming things and let it go."

Rising to stand on the tips of her pedes, Skyshadow poked the older Vosian's chest with a digit. "And maybe you should all get over yourselves and quit assuming I cheated. It's not my fault none of you can walk quietly."

With that, she whirled on her heel and stalked back to her wall.

Leaving Cloudbreaker to glare at her back.

"Aww, and here I thought we were going to see her beat him up," Starfrost said mockingly.

Bolt shook his helm. "Scatterstrike's here. Otherwise, she woulda beat his afterburners."

"She wouldn't beat me!" growled Cloudbreaker.

"Enough of this," Scatterstrike interjected, walking into the midst of the group. "You're all old enough that I shouldn't have to play sparklingsitter to make sure you aren't at each other's throat cables. I get you don't like each other sometimes, but this was a training exercise for goodness sake!"

"Are you going to go on another rant about how we'd be offline if this was real?" Bolt asked dryly. He tapped the side of his helm. "Cause I got that one memorized."

"Are you sure it didn't fall out when you hit your helm last orn?" Starfrost snipped quickly, a smirk on her faceplate.

"Give it a rest, why don't you, miss fancy!"

"Bolt. Starfrost," Scatterstrike warned. Then, he stopped glaring and sighed again.

"Look." The mech held out his hands to the side and shrugged. "I can't make ya get along. That's on you five. All I can do is try and make sure ya don't off' each other and maybe survive this war. But if you can't function as a team, I'll have to find you all spots elsewhere.

"I don't want to have to transfer you. Any of you. But if I have to, I will."

"Yes, sir," came the mumbled chorus.

"I'm serious. If you five can't straighten up before next jour, the team's split. Got it?"

Scatterstrike met each young mecha's optics and received a nod of their helms.

"Good. Now the choice is up to you. I'm not going to say it again. I can't lead mecha who won't listen."

The five exchanged looks, then nodded again.

"Report to the shooting range," continued the pilot, placing his hands behind his back. "Cloudbreaker, I want you to work on your handgun training. Same with you, Starfrost."

The mech swore he saw the pair exchange a look he repressed the urge to roll his optic at. Skyshadow however, did not and rolled hers at them, folding her servos.

"Bolt and Jolt. You're to work on long-range rifle training. Now, off with you all."

The four named mecha started to head out of the training room, placing their staffs in a barrel by the door.

"What about me?" asked Skyshadow after retrieving her staff from where she'd left it.

Placing a hand on her shoulder, Scatterstrike gave her a wry grin. "We're going to have a chat."

"Don't tell me we're here to talk about my feelings and why Cloudbreaker and I were fighting," came the dry statement once they reached Scatterstrike's office.

"Right. Of course not," returned the mech sarcastically. "You don't have those."

"Obviously."

The pair sat down, the younger placing one pede on the desk and crossing her servos. Scatterstrike rose an optic ridge but didn't comment, searching through the contents on the top of his desk instead.

If she was comfortable enough with him to not sit prim and proper like the little rebel she was, it was probably a good thing. He never had approved of the ramrod straight sitting positions some mecha were taught to sit in from younglinghood.

It wasn't comfortable. And it said something if Skyshadow dropped it around him.

To him anyways.

"Darn, these younglings. They're growing on me," the mech thought.

"What are you looking for?" came the question that was trying to sound bored but ended up being more curious.

"A datapad file," came the muttered reply, Scatterstrike looking under the pile of stuff on his desk now.

"It's to your bad side."

Scatterstrike turned his helm fully to see the desired item at the very edge of his desk, just out of the range he could see with how far he'd been turning his helm. And underneath other things.

He needed to do some office work apparently. Absently, he wondered how much of this stuff the mecha in higher command had to sift through. But they were likely better organized.

"Thank you."

There were things that Scatterstrike knew.

One, halfbreeds as they were sometimes called, got a bad rep among their two kinds. Especially if one half of the heritage group already held themselves to a high standard and already looked down upon any who weren't apart of them.

Scatterstrike was quite certain he knew who Skyshadow's creators were. Or at least he had a pretty good hunch about her sire. He almost wondered how that happened, but he knew not all seekers were like the rest.

Skyshadow needed to remember that.

Two, Scatterstrike knew the youngling was grieving.

And it wasn't just the still quite recent fall of Vos.

More recent, was the offlining of her carrier.

From what Scatterstrike could gather, they weren't close, however, it still pained the femmeling.

It was a tragedy, and the little one was more or less alone now. Her sire was wherever the rest of the remaining seekers were, her carrier was offline, and her brother was who knew where among the various Autobot bases.

Scatterstrike wondered if separating siblings was cruel or not. On one hand, there was the separation. On the other, they wouldn't witness the other offline if it were to happen.

"Thirteen-vorn-olds shouldn't be in this war," the mech thought sadly to himself. "Not even as reserves."

But where else could they put these younglings? Who knew how long some of the regions closer to Decepticon territory would be still safe?

It was partially for their own protection that mecha so young were being accepted and sometimes even drafted into the army.

On both sides from what Scatterstrike had heard. And seen.

A third thing Scatterstrike knew, was that the other things didn't give a mecha reason to lash out at others. Not really. It was still a choice.

And additionally, the survival of mecha, especially young ones, was low in a war if they had no one watching their backs.

Skyshadow was in a place where she was standing on a fine line. A choice really, between shutting everyone else out and going it alone, or accepting other mecha as at the very least, comrades.

It was a pivotal point that could mean life or death. Scatterstrike wanted to make sure she understood that.

Whether she stayed with him and this group or was transferred elsewhere.

"Are you going to tell me why you brought me here or am I supposed to just watch you do your paperwork? And find stuff for you," came the bored tone from across his desk.

Scatterstrike looked up, giving her a look. He studied her for a few astrokliks, considering her word choice in that question.

Maybe, he would tell her why he brought her here. Not just to his office, but to this team.

"Well," the pilot began, picking up the datapad file he'd been looking for earlier. He slid it across the desk and nodded his helm once. "Tell me what you see there."

Skyshadow picked up the datapad, optic ridges furrowing when she saw the contents.

"My file?"

"Yes. But what about it?"

Skyshadow raised an optic ridge, then looked back down at the pad with a frown.

"A brat who has authority issues and you'd like to send elsewhere because she doesn't work well with others," came the snipped reply. "Am I right? If you're transferring me, just say so. I don't really care so you might as well just give it to me straight."

Scatterstrike's mouth ticked upwards in a smirk.

"Perhaps. But the reason I picked you out of several other younglings is because I thought you had potential. And you do."

He paused, taking back the pad. "It says here that others must have observed the same things I have. You are admirably skilled for someone so young. But that will not always save you.

"Like I have said before. You need mecha to have your back. I've seen you have others' in training simulations, and I believe you will do the same in real life."

Scatterstrike paused, ensuring he met the young flier's optics.

"My question is, Skyshadow, who has yours? Who will have your back if you push everyone away?"

His question was met with a level stare and silence for several kliks.

Finally, a quiet reply was given.

"I've had three mecha have my back in my thirteen vorns of existence. You want to know where they are now?" Skyshadow asked, optics hard. She stood, then flicking her wings once.

"One is involved in the Armada, one left to join it, and the third is somewhere in Iacon probably. I don't need anyone. And I'm pretty sure you know that and know that things are not going to change. I am a half-seeker. Seekers despise what I am because I'm not really one of them and everyone else fears or despises seekers.

"What does that leave me with? The Autobots who realize what I am don't trust me and the seekers would reject me as one of their own if I decided to join them."

Scatterstrike frowned and opened his mouth to argue, but Skyshadow continued.

"And now I've made you wonder where my alliance is, haven't I?" She paused; a smirk that didn't quite meet her optics appeared. "See that's one thing I did inherit from my seeker heritage. We have a way with words. Unfortunately, that just adds to my case."

She paused again and pointed to the file. "I don't know why you picked me. Sorry to disappoint you, but this is what you got. If you want to replace me with another scout, please do so. My brother would probably be a better fit and he's hardly got any seeker energon in him oddly enough. Or someone else. Whatever works."

"Skyshadow," Scatterstrike said quickly. "I do not think any less of you for being a half-seeker. And neither do some of the rest of the team members. And I don't think you should give up on other mecha just because others left you."

"Then what do you suggest?" Skyshadow returned quickly. "This is war, Scatterstrike. The next time I trust someone to have my back as you say, what if they don't? I'll be offline."

"There it is," the pilot thought with a pang of sadness.

She was afraid. Perhaps even terrified. As he thought. As was her right to be.

"Maybe so," said Scatterstrike gently, getting to his pedes. "But do you really want to live like this for the rest of your life? Alone? Is that really a life worth not trying again?"

Skyshadow's facial expression softened, optics widening as the words met her audios.

"I... I don't know," came the whisper.

"If you're willing to trust mecha again," Scatterstrike replied quietly. "I'd like you to trust me. But I understand if you don't feel like you can."

He paused, sighing again. "But I hope you can some orn find the ability to trust someone. For your own sake, Skyshadow."

The femmeling reluctantly nodded her helm.

"You're dismissed, you may go if you wish."

With a quick salute, Skyshadow wordlessly turned and headed towards the door.

As she reached for the button to open it, Scatterstrike spoke again, halting her.

"And Skyshadow?"

Her helm turned so she could look back at him over her shoulder.

The mech smirked. "If anyone gives you heck for being a half-seeker or anything else needlessly, fight 'em. Just don't hurt 'em too badly or off' 'em. Unless they're Decepticon. Then do whatever ya want to 'em."

Skyshadow returned the smirk, pressing the door button. As it slid open, she saluted once more while quoting Bolt.

"Aye, aye, Captain."

With that, she was gone.

The pilot shook his helm, smirk still on his faceplate. He placed his hands on his hips and glanced up at the ceiling.

"What am I going to do with these younglings?"

Just then, he received a comm from one of the other officers in the base.

"Scatterstrike. We need you down at the mess hall. As soon as possible, please."

"What's going on?" questioned Scatterstrike, concern knitting his brow.

There was a brief pause before the other mech spoke again. "There's a brawl. At least one of yours is involved."

Scatterstrike was certain he knew which one that was.

He suppressed both a groan and a growl as he replied, "I'll be right down."

Shutting off the comm, he swiftly marched out of his office and down the corridor, soon catching up with Skyshadow with his much longer pedes.

She sent him a questioning look. "What's your hurry?"

"Bolt's in a fight again," he grumbled.

"Great," Skyshadow replied dryly, hurrying to keep up.

The sight that met their optics once they reached the rec room wasn't entirely surprising.

Obviously, there was a fight as the other officer had said. Obviously, there was a group encouraging it. Obviously, there was a group trying to pull it apart and the rest gathered were trying to be a neutral, disapproving party.

Obviously, as assumed, Bolt was part of the actual fighting part of it.

Scatterstrike swore that the mechling had a black optic at least half of the time. Either healing or fresh. And sometimes, even almost healed.

Before he could push all the way through the crowd, not even bothering to try to raise his voice over the clamour, a flash of red and black crossed his vision.

He glanced up to get a better view, only to notice his youngest team member using a bunch of tall mecha's helms as stepping stones to get to the middle of the crowd.

She soon disappeared into the midst, but that didn't mean Scatterstrike lost her.

He could hear exactly where she was.

"WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU MECHA? THE WAR IS OUTSIDE NOT IN HERE!"

How such volume could come from such a tiny little frame Scatterstrike didn't know.

They needed to somehow take some volume from both Skyshadow and Bolt and give it to Jolt instead. Then they'd be a bit more even.

Before Scatterstrike or any of the other intervening mechs could get much further, one of the brawlers stumbled back from the pile. He shook his helm, then gingerly rubbed his faceplate, optics wide.

The mech with the one optic smirked, even as he pushed further through the thinning crowd.

They were starting to clear out at his and some other higher ranking mecha's presence.

And because apparently two of his team members were now involved.

For all their infighting and despite their young age, Scatterstrike's team had given themselves a reputation.

The mech that had been punched out of the fight just kinda stood there, watching as the petite half-seeker that had punched him sent a flying kick at one of his former opponents.

After getting that mech off of Bolt, Skyshadow proceeded to grab him by the audio horn and started pulling away.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!" protested the mechling, swatting at her hand as he winced.

"Get out of the way!" the femmeling hissed at the mech she'd punched.

Despite himself, he did make way for the pair.

Scatterstrike planted himself in their way, waiting for them to reach him.

Meanwhile, the other ranking officers cleared out the remaining brawlers, some collecting their underlings. Leaving the pilot to deal with his own.

Bolt, now walking on his own and leading the way, almost walked right into the mech.

"Uh, hey Scatterstrike," he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his helm with his hand. "What brings you here?"

Scatterstrike gave him a stern look, folding his servos over his broad chest. "I think you know very well what, Bolt."

He sent a quick glance to Skyshadow, then continued, turning on his heel as he did.

"Out. Both of you. Let's go."

The pair followed wordlessly, exchanging dirty looks as they trudged along behind.

"I thought I sent you to the firing range."

Bolt fidgeted in his seat. "Uhh. You did. Sir."

Scatterstrike sat at his desk, servos crossed. He again regarded not one, but now two younglings in his office.

The one had been out of it for not very long at all.

"Then what were ya doing in the mess hall, Bolt?" the pilot rumbled.

"I was grabbing my ration first," replied the mechling sullenly. "Then I got pulled into the fight."

"Pulled in?"

"By the servo actually." Bolt rubbed his shoulder, which did look a little dented upon a second look.

Scatterstrike frowned, thinking for a klik.

Bolt was a lot of things, but he wasn't a liar.

"Who pulled you in, Bolt?" Scatterstrike asked.

The mechling shrugged. "Don't know him. But he's trouble, I think. Big mech, mostly green paint job."

"One of Impactor's group?" inquired Skyshadow, suddenly showing interest in the conversation.

Bolt glanced over at her, then nodded. "Yeah. Know him?"

"He's the mech I shoved off of you. What were you saying to him? He was not happy."

The mechling gave Scatterstrike a sheepish look. "I'd rather not repeat myself."

Scatterstrike placed a hand over his faceplate and vented loudly. "Bolt- "

"I didn't start the trash talk! He said some stuff about the team and well, I couldn't let that go!" protested Bolt loudly, gesturing widely with his hands.

Almost smacking Skyshadow in the process, who promptly swatted him in the shoulder, causing him to yelp.

"Sorry," she winced.

"So, you were minding your own business and got dragged in?" Scatterstrike inquired.

"Well, I was watching," said Bolt slowly, fidgeting again. "Looking to see if I seen anyone I knew or anybody getting overly picked on. But yeah, minding my own business."

"Alright. I'll talk to Impactor about his mech." The pilot paused, then gave both a hard look. He pointed at each in turn, saying, "And if he bothers either of you ever again, I want to know about it. We clear?"

"Yes, sir," the pair chorused.

"Good. Now I can't really reprimand you for defending yourself and mostly staying out of it, Bolt. Or you, Skyshadow, for standing up for him. So, out you go."

The two young mecha rose from their chairs and were almost at the door when someone knocked on it.

Bolt and Skyshadow paused, glanced at each other, then looked back at Scatterstrike.

"Open it," he said neutrally.

Bolt did, and promptly had to look up to meet the optics of the rather tall, broad mech in front of him.

"Oh. Hi," came the deflated greeting from the mechling when he recognized him.

The orange and purple mech barely spared Bolt a second glance, optics moving to Skyshadow, then further in the office to Scatterstrike.

"Captain Scatterstrike, I'd like a word with you," he grumbled.

Scatterstrike nodded. "Impactor. Coincidentally, I'd like a word with you as well. Younglings, you're dismissed. Again."

Impactor stepped back, allowing the two smaller mecha to slip out into the hallway. Whether or not he noticed Bolt sticking out his glossa at him as he entered, he didn't show.

"Bolt!" hissed Skyshadow through her denta. "Haven't you been in trouble with them enough already?"

"Who him?" Bolt asked, jerking a digit over his shoulder as they walked down the corridor towards the firing range. "What's he going to do to me?"

Skyshadow gave him a look. "You're serious? That's Impactor. He's bigger and taller than Cloudbreaker, let alone you, and he's sort of a ranking officer."

Bolt shrugged. "So?"

"So?" Skyshadow stepped in front of him, halting Bolt in his tracks. She jabbed his chest with a digit, frown deepening.

"He could crush you without much effort and no one would intervene cause they're all scared of him."

"Except Scatterstrike," Bolt piped up cheerily, hands on his hips. "Oh, and me."

Skyshadow gave him a disapproving look. "You know who Impactor is, right?"

"Not really," Bolt replied bluntly.

"He's the leader of the Wreckers, you numbskull."

"Oh, wait, really? Cool!"

The red and black femmeling placed a hand over her faceplate. "You're hopeless."

"Wait, so was that mech who yanked me in and was trash talking us, his second?"

"I suppose so."

"Whoa. He's terrible."

"Uh, yes, he is."

"I didn't need your help by the way," Bolt said nonchalantly as he started walking again. "I had it handled."

Skyshadow's wings twitched as she frowned once again, hustling after him.

"Look here. If I hadn't intervened then that Springer mech would have kicked your miserable tailpipe to the stars, no matter how much you were spewing insults at each other." She paused, then tilted her helm, rolling her optics. "I mean, I suppose he already was."

Bolt whirled to face her, stopping midstep. He let out a growl and then sputtered, "Well, like what you said about Impactor. Springer is a lot bigger than me too! And no, he wasn't beating me that badly! And even if he was, I still didn't need your help!"

"Why? Cause Scatterstrike was coming? Jolt wasn't coming. He was where he was supposed to be and probably isn't even aware of the fight yet!" returned Skyshadow quickly, standing on the tips of her pedes to gain a little bit of height to be closer to in Bolt's faceplate.

"I do not drag Jolt into things if that's what you're trying to say!" Bolt yelled, leaning over Sky to be closer to getting in her faceplate.

"Yes, you do! And the fact that you just said it tells me you are very aware of that fact!"

"At least he's actually willing! You on the other hand sound like you helped me just to rub it in that I needed help!"

"Oh, shove it up your tailpipe and see if I help you next time, Bolt!"

"Oh, I will!"

"Fine!"

"FINE!"

The pair glared at each other for a few astrokliks before Skyshadow lowered her raised wings and stalked off. Bolt begrudgingly followed her, purposely stomping his pedes.

"I'm only following you because we're going the same way!" he snapped loudly.

"I don't care," came the growled reply.

Trailbreaker, who had been walking down the same corridor and wondering if he'd need to help stop another fight involving Scatterstrike's younglings, shook his helm as he watched the still bickering pair.

The other mech that was with him, a maintenance worker by the name of Hoist, let out a loud vent as they resumed walking.

"Those Wreckers are quite the temporary addition to the... Atmosphere of this base," he said lowly, just loud enough for Trailbreaker to hear.

"I'll say," replied Trailbreaker. "Though Scatterstrike's team finds enough to fight about on their own. And with the other current mecha here."

"True," Hoist agreed. He paused in thought for a klik.

"Think they'll ever get along?"

"Well, those two there didn't have quite as long as an argument as they have in the past."

"Perhaps they will then. Some orn. In the future."

Trailbreaker let out a laugh at that before turning down a different corridor, leaving Hoist to go on about his own business.

"Maybe."

"Your scout kicked my second in the helm," Impactor began upon seating himself in one of the chairs recently vacated by a much smaller mecha.

"Your second pulled my frontliner into a brawl," countered Scatterstrike, placing his folded hands on his desk. "So. Where does that get us?"

Impactor smirked. "Haven't really had the chance to meet you, but I feel we'll get along, Captain."

Scatterstrike tilted his helm, narrowing his optic. "I so far disagree. Why did yours attack mine?"

The lead Wrecker folded his servos and shrugged. "To toughen him up. Be honest, Scatterstrike, we both know that little hot-helm would've jumped in on his own anyways. Springer just gave him an encouraging push."

The pilot just frowned.

"We're looking for more mecha for the Wreckers," Impactor continued. "Your mechling might be a good fit. Springer was testing a theory for us."

He paused, rolling his optics. "Although, it did get out of hand I admit. Springer crossed a line.

"He won't do it again, I guarantee."

"I hope so," Scatterstrike replied firmly. "And why do you want Bolt on your team anyways?"

"Well, he's reckless and driven. Also, down for a lot of destruction," said Impactor. "But currently, I'm looking for one green soldier. Perhaps not him any longer."

Scatterstrike was about to reply, but the other mech quickly continued.

"Think your scout would want to join?"

"My scout?" Scatterstrike repeated, optic ridges raising. "Why her?"

"Like I said, she kicked my second in the helm," answered Impactor, as if that statement made everything make sense.

"Yes, so you said."

Impactor chuckled. "She knocked him to the ground, Scatterstrike. Not many mecha can do that to Springer, let alone a tiny little thing like her.

"She's got potential. And I want her on my team."

"She's got a team," Scatterstrike said quickly.

"Look, I get you're sort of attached to your little younglings' club," Impactor snarked dryly. "But think about it. None of them like each other. And if you really care about them, why not let them got to teams where they'll actually be able to use that potential."

Scatterstrike studied the mech, thinking over what he said.

Impactor, though he said it callously, was right.

And though Scatterstrike didn't like the mech for various reasons, it wasn't totally up to him whether or not his team members stayed with him.

Otherwise, he'd shut Impactor down right there, right then.

"I will inform Skyshadow of your proposal," the pilot said, keeping his tone neutral. "She may decide."

Impactor grinned, then stood.

"I will eagerly await her decision. And I'd take the mechling if she declines. Scatterstrike."

Scatterstrike watched him leave, waiting until he was gone to let a knowing smirk creep onto his faceplate.

He knew, especially after this orn's brawl, that both Bolt and Skyshadow would be less likely to like the Wrecker leader and his second.

In addition, if either of them did accept Impactor's offer...

Impactor would have a rather unruly, rebellious mecha to deal with.

But then, Scatterstrike supposed, so were many of the past and present members of the Wreckers by their reputation it seemed.

Whatever Bolt and Skyshadow decided, Scatterstrike would respect that decision.

And even if he didn't want them to be where they could use their skills the best, it wasn't as if taking them out of his team would be detrimental to it running smoothly.

"Perhaps it would be better if one of them did join the Wreckers," Scatterstrike thought with a slight frown, leaving his office to go find the pair.

Listening for the possible sound of Bolt yelling to guide him.

Thanks for reading! I'd love to read any thoughts or comments you may have. Also, feel free to pop by on tumblr (same username as here, skyshadow54) and say hi or ask questions! :)

Stay safe and keep well.