Chapter 151 – Man – I hate bein' right!

Jazz P.O.V

It had been about a week since Prime had tasked us with researchin' an' recon ta discover everythin' we could about those massive metallic horns. 'Ol Hide an' I had just returned from a trip ta Namibia ta check out one of tha suckers up close an' personal like. Lennox had accompanied us, as per General Morshower's request, ta report back any new findin's we might uncover.

I gave a small snort as I headed towards tha trainin' hanger again. While Prime had done much ta smooth over any remain' tensions an' concerns between us Autobots an' our intentions an' that of tha US Military an' various branches of Government, it wasn't hard ta read between tha lines an' realise that there remained some – hesitation – in placin' their full trust in us. ''Perhaps it has somethin' ta do with tha six massive slaggin' horns that have sprung up in their backyards these past few years!'' I whispered ta maself as I reached for tha large metallic doors and slid 'em open.

Ma optics fixed on tha figures gathered at tha centre of tha room. Tha towerin' blue an' red figure of Optimus, Ironhide, Rachet, Elita an' – Phoenix. I found maself grinnin'. /Clearly Prime had found tha time ta fill Phoenix in on recent developments/.

''Hey, Jazz!'' Phoenix called out from across tha room. ''Glad you decided to finally grace us with your presence!'' She sent me a teasin' smile.

I chuckled out loud as I came ta stand beside ma friend. ''Better late than never Phoenix. Besides, I couldn't let ya have all tha fun now, could I?''

''Fun?'' Ironhide grunted in ma direction. ''Since when were meetings like this fun?''

I flashed him a smile. ''Hey 'Hide! Any meetin' I'M part of, IS fun brother.''

He folded his arms across his chest an' muttered, ''Hunh! That's debatable.''

Optimus raised his servos ta indicate he'd had enough of tha pleasantries. ''Alright Jazz, Ironhide. Now we are all here, we can begin with the purpose of tonight's meeting.'' He looked about tha group as he spoke.'' As all of you are now aware,'' his gaze rested on Phoenix briefly, ''there is a new threat to Earth. One we have been made aware of from Phoenix's interaction with Galvatron and the appearance of six metallic horn structures around the globe.''

Prime seemed ta shift agitatedly on his pedes. Havin' been a part of Prime's team for millennia now, not ta mention havin' ta step up an' serve as his 2IC since 'Ol Prowler had failed ta show up here, I had learned ta read some of his body language an' his expressions. Not that it had been easy. Prime could be like tha proverbial Fort Knox! I smiled as I looked at Phoenix listening intently ta every word Prime said. /Except when it came ta her. Prime's emotions always bubbled near tha surface where Phoenix was concerned/.

His deep voice rolled on. ''Just over a week ago I tasked you all, save Phoenix,'' he nodded his helm at her, ''with trying to ascertain and uncover all you could in relation to this new threat so we could begin to prepare ourselves for whatever may lay ahead.''

It was almos' imperceptible - but not ta me. Prime an' Phoenix exchanged a brief glance and, while no words passed their dermas, a conversation was had. I tilted ma helm as I folded ma arms across ma chest and began ta watch them intently.

''I called you all here tonight to report back on your findings.'' Prime turned ta me, his optics fixin' me with a peircin' gaze. ''Jazz, what were you and Ironhide able to find in your conversations with Lennox and your journey to Namibia to observe one of the horns?''

''Well Prime, ta be honest nothin' much more than what we already knew. Reviewin' tha files Lennox gave us access ta confirmed that tha first appearance of these horns was documented not long after you brought Sentinel Prime back from tha moon an' revived him.''

Ironhide spoke up then, ''When I asked Lennox why he had failed to mention anything about their existence to us, he had said he wasn't even aware of their existence until just prior to getting back in contact with us. Said it was above his ''pay grade.''

''But why didn't the Government mention anything to you Optimus about them? Clearly you were on their side, an ally against a common foe in the Decepticons and then, sadly, Sentinel.'' Elita joined tha conversation.

Prime turned ta face her, though sadness lurked in his optics, there was a flash of anger too. ''Unfortunately Elita, it is not the first time the humans have not been forthcoming in divulging all they knew about our technology or existence.''

I remembered how angry Prime had been when he had returned from Chernobyl with tha missin' engine part from tha Ark that tha humans had kept a secret. He had been seriously pissed ta have been lied to an', thinkin' back now, it was tha start of tha slippery slope that led ta Prime temporarily losin' his trust in tha humans.

Prime continued, ''As you may have learned by now Elita, humans have a great capacity for honour, loyalty and justice. Yet they also have within them the ability to be deceptive, manipulative and deceitful.'' Elita nodded her helm in understandin'. ''It would appear that the Government acted deceitfully as they tried to ascertain for themselves if it was a Decepticon or Autobot threat or, a new threat altogether. While I may not condone their course of action, I can understand why they perhaps took it.''

''Well,'' I continued, ''from what we observed of tha horns they were definitely not of Autobot or even Decepticon origin. The energon readin's we got off tha thing were – ta be honest – weird.''

''Weird? What do you mean?'' Rachet asked.

''Well, I mean jus' that Rachet. Tha energon signature readin's 'Hide an' I got were neither registerin' as Autobot OR Decepticon. The readin's were off tha charts though.''

Ironhide grunted, ''We took a small sample from the horn itself for you to examine Rachet and, as a gesture of good faith Prime, we gave some to the human scientists to observe too.''

Prime nodded his helm, ''A wise idea Ironhide.''

Rachet snorted an' narrowed his optics. ''Yeah, 'cause letting humans have access to and control over our technology has worked SO well for us in the past Optimus! Or have you forgotten the Allspark shard and the shit storm that caused?''

I watched Phoenix wrapped her arms about herself an' Prime fixed Rachet with a very serious stare. ''No Rachet. I had not forgotten. However, we are facing an unprecedented threat to Earth and it is vital we have the humans trust and cooperation. To achieve that, we must be willing to work with them and be transparent in our dealings with them - and have faith they will do the same.''

Rachet scoffed, ''That's a big leap of faith Prime. The humans' track record in their dealings with us would indicate your faith is misplaced.''

I gave a small chuckle, ''Aww, I don't know Hachet. Some of ma best friends and most loyal, trustworthy soldiers are humans.'' I gave Phoenix a quick wink. ''Or used ta be.'' She smiled brightly at me. 'Ol Hachet grunted but remained silent.

'While I acknowledge your concern old friend, someone must be willing to take the first step Rachet.'' Prime countered before he turned ta face us once more. ''Ironhide, Jazz, anything else to report?'' He folded his arms across his broad chest. The subject was closed.

''Apart from tha unusual energon readin's…''

''Which I will investigate immediately. I do have a theory as to what it might indicate. But it's just a theory and one I hope is wrong – for a variety of reasons.'' Rachet interjected.

I nodded ma helm. ''Well apart from that, there were some markin's scattered over tha horn in various places. Tha human scientists musta missed 'em 'cause they almos' looked like stress fractures an' gouges in tha metal.''

''Prime, it would appear to be some form of ancient Cybertronian runes. Though I could not read them myself as it was a script that I have never come across.'' Ironhide shifted his weight on his pedes. ''Prime. I have a feeling we are dealing with something very old.''

Prime an' Phoenix exchanged another look an' I narrowed ma optics at them both. /They know something!/. I trusted Prime implicitly an' if he had not voiced what he knew yet, there must be a reason. However, if he did not spill it soon, I would be askin'. These things were makin' me uneasy.

''Rachet,'' Prime addressed his chief medic. ''Can any of your tests indicate how old the sample is?''

''Of course, Prime. That would be one of the first things I would try to ascertain right after I determine the composition of the energon.'' Rachet raised an optical ridge at Prime. ''Would you like me to get to work on it immediately?''

Prime nodded. ''Yes Rachet. Time is of the essence.''

Ironhide produced tha fragment from his subspace an' gave it ta Rachet. ''We have already given Lennox his sample to give to his human scientists.''

''So, there is a chance they may have already determined its age?'' Phoenix spoke up for tha first time.

''It is possible Phoenix. Elita,'' Prime turned ta face her. ''Would you please head to Hanger 1 and locate Colonel William Lennox and have him try to establish if the human scientists have managed to determine the age of the specimen they were given?'' He turned back ta face 'Hachet. ''Rachet, commence all tests you deem necessary. Report to me as soon as you have any reliable findings.''

Hachet an' Elita nodded. ''Affirmative Prime. Would you like me to get an update on the horns while I am there? See if there are any new developments?''

Prime sent a small smile towards Elita. ''That would be appreciated Elita, thank you. Contact me as soon as you have confirmation.'' She nodded once more an' both Hachet an' her turned ta leave tha room.

''And then there were four!'' I yelled out as Elita an' Rachet disappeared through tha doors.

Phoenix turned back from havin' watched them both leave. A confused expression on her face. ''What I want to know is, how come you guys didn't notice those horns? I mean, not to be a smartarse or anything but, they're kind of hard to miss.'' Phoenix shrugged her shoulders. ''Besides, I thought the energon detectors you had installed around the world, not to mention your own personal energon signature readers, would have picked up on them long before now?''

''Fair questions Phoenix,'' Prime shot Phoenix a small smile before he began ta pace about. ''While the energon detectors' primary function is to do just that – detect energon readings within a certain vicinity – not long after the battle of Chicago you might recall Phoenix,'' he shot her a knowin' look, ''a growing distrust in and animosity towards all Transformers saw many of the detectors removed or destroyed. This greatly inhibited our ability to monitor the presence of any unknown entities of Transformer origin in the various continents.''

Prime continued pacin', castin' Phoenix tha occasional glance as he ploughed along in his explanations. ''Our own personal energon signature readers are only effective within a certain range and, given that following the battle of Chicago, and our exile from Diego Garcia, we were all largely concentrated within mainland US,'' he sent her a sad smile, ''minus one that is, they did not have the capacity to be effectual.''

Phoenix nodded, her own sad smile fading with her memory of being isolated on Wrangel Island off the coast of Northern Siberia. ''Yeah. Fair point Prime.''

I walked over ta Phoenix and placed a servo on her arm. ''An' even if we had been anywhere near one of 'em Phoenix, we were all a little preoccupied with Cemetery Wind huntin' us down, not ta mention dealin' with Prime's disappearance. Our priorities had shifted from protectin' tha humans ta protectin' ourselves from tha humans.''

Prime sent Phoenix a reassurin' smile an' walked over ta stand beside her before he continued. ''The point is Phoenix; we are aware of them now. It is only a matter of time before we determine their purpose and learn the true nature of the enemy we face.''

Again, that look between them.

I snorted out loud, ''Well if what Ol' Gaviscon said ta ya is true Phoenix and not a lie, then ya can bet ya afts whatever this enemy is, they are bringin' a world of pain our way!''

Phoenix had shot me a questionin' look. ''How did you know I called him Gaviscon?''

I laughed an' released her servo, steppin' back. ''I have ma sources Phoenix. Personally, I wish I hadda been there ta see tha slagger's face when ya called him that!'' Prime's optics had narrowed dangerously at tha mention of Galvatron.

Ironhide's gruff voice rang out again. ''Well, what I would like to know is how that slagger even knew about this threat before we did. I mean, he was largely outta action wasn't he as they were rebuilding his body?''

''Well, Ironhide, Jazz there's something I want to ..'' Phoenix began ta speak but immediately Prime interjected.

''Phoenix!'' Prime barked. ''Not now.'' His face had a thunderous look upon it an' his whole stance had changed. I turned ta face Prime, ma optical ridge furrowed in concern, but he quickly tightened his control over his emotions an' blocked any subtle attempts at readin' his levels.

Phoenix seemed ta ignore his tone an' continued ta speak. ''Optimus, if not now – WHEN?'' Prime glowered at her but did not speak. ''We are running out of time. We should at least discuss my suggestion with your weapons specialist and your 2IC. Surely their unbiased opinion should be taken into consideration?'' She had folded her arms across her chest an' cast Prime a hard stare.

Optimus returned it. His optics blazed brightly, an' I could tell once again, though no words were spoken out loud, a very serious conversation was takin' place between them both right now.

I waited.

Two unmovable forces collided. Two strong wills fought a silent battle. Two sparks sought ta out sway tha other. After what seemed forever, Prime's optics closed, an' he very curtly nodded his helm. I suppressed a smile. /Phoenix 1, Prime 0/.

Phoenix smiled at him and turned ta face 'Hide and I. ''Jazz, Ironhide.'' She deliberately sent Prime a quick glance, ''this is just a conversation, a suggestion but, that day Galvatron approached me, he tried to convince me to join him and the Decepticons. I didn't let on that there was no way in hell that would be happening 'cause, I guess a small part of me thought I could use it to my advantage.''

''I know, I remember your comment before you slipped into unconsciousness,'' Ironhide smirked. Prime sent him a witherin' glare. ''Mind you,'' Hide baulked, ''I didn't think it was really an option.''

Phoenix began ta pace about as she divulged her plan. I watched on with amusement, Ironhide had a small smile on his face an' Prime radiated barely restrained anger an' annoyance. ''You see, my suggestion is that I temporarily defect to the Decepticons and infiltrate their ranks to try and learn what Galvatron knows about this enemy.''

I flicked ma optics between her an' Prime. Prime had clenched his servos by his side and his optics were trained on Phoenix. /Well, that would explain why Prime is so slagged off! Mus' say I don't blame him. She better tread carefully here/.

Phoenix turned ta face 'Hide. ''As you mentioned before Ironhide, the fact Galvatron already knew about this enemy makes me think he might know a great deal more than we do. He might even be in league with them. If I could somehow gain Galvatron's trust, he might spill on what he knows which I could then use to our advantage.''

Prime growled, ''You cannot gain something from someone that can NOT be found within them. You cannot trust him Phoenix!''

I spoke up then. ''So, let me get this straight Phoenix. Ya intend ta leave us an' somehow get in touch with Galvatron, effectively becomin' a Decepticon for an unspecified amount of time. After ya learn any important information about this enemy you will then somehow escape tha Decepticons an' come back ta us and everything will be golden?''

Phoenix narrowed her optics at me slightly an' placed her servos on her hips. ''That would be the broadest summation of my plan Jazz, but yes, in essence that is the idea.'' She folded her arms across her chest. ''I had hoped that I might have the support of our weapon's specialist and our best saboteur and spy in fleshing out the finer details and carrying out the plan.'' Phoenix sent Prime a serious stare. ''Believe me, I do not intend to go into this halfcocked guys. I will be well prepared.''

Prime's voice had lowered, and he had averted his optics from Phoenix. ''Nothing will prepare you for what you will likely face with him Phoenix.''

Phoenix walked over an' placed her servo gently on Prime's arm. He reluctantly raised his own an' wrapped it about hers. ''I understand Prime, truly I do. But it is like you just said. Sometimes someone must take the first step.'' She smiled softly at him. ''It just so happens this step is not in a direction you like.'' She leaned forward an' kissed his cheek. ''If you and I were not together Prime. If I was just a member of your team and this opportunity presented itself, would you be so reluctant?''

Prime removed his servo and his dermas tightened inta a thin line. ''Phoenix, I would not like any member of my team to undertake this mission. I do not want to see any of my team injured, hurt or…'' his voice trailed off.

I cleared ma throat. ''We know Prime. In fact, we all know that if you were in a position ta do so, you would be tha one ta take tha risk ta try an' save us.''

Phoenix threw a ''I told ya so'' glance at Prime and he shifted on his pedes under her critical gaze.

Ironhide grunted in agreeance. ''Phoenix, I understand why Prime is hesitant to allow this to happen and – to be honest – I have to agree with him. I am concerned for your safety too.'' Prime nodded his thanks at Ironhide an' Phoenix ex-vented softly in quiet defeat. ''However,'' 'Hide continued, ''I can also see Phoenix's side on this, and her plan does have some merit to it – if she can pull it off.''

''That is the part that concerns me the most Ironhide. What if you can't Phoenix?'' Shadows of fear flickered across Prime's optics an' his voice was laced with concern.

''But what if I CAN Optimus? Do you have so little faith in me?'' Phoenix smiled up at him.

''It is not you I have no faith in Phoenix.'' He lowered his helm, his voice was a whisper.

Ironhide continued, ''Prime, I also know what Phoenix is personally capable of and I feel she possesses skills that no ordinary Transformer going into this situation would so in that sense, if anyone is capable of pulling this off – it's her.'' Prime's optics had narrowed at Ironhide again though he seemed ta ignore it. He shrugged his shoulders. ''It is just my personal, unbiased opinion as your weapon's specialist. But naturally, I defer to your final decision Prime.''

Phoenix an' Prime both fixed their gaze on me. ''Jazz? What's your opinion?'' Phoenix tentatively asked.

I stood there for a moment considerin' all I had heard. ''Well Phoenix. I have ta say it is a risk you are takin', a mighty big one at that. I agree with Prime in that Galvatron cannot be trusted. In fact, there would not be a single spark amongst them that you could trust! You'd be on your own.'' I began ta pace about. ''If he got wind of what you were up ta, you'd be tortured and killed – painfully – ta make an example of ya ta us Autobots.'' I stopped pacin' an' fixed her with a very serious stare. ''An' if he knew what you were ta Prime – you would have jus' handed him everything he could have ever wanted Phoenix. It'd be like all his Christmases had come at once!''

Prime ex-vented deeply, his shoulders seemed ta slump as he if he was finally releasin' somethin' he had been holdin' onta tightly. ''That is my greatest fear Phoenix. That he will find out how important you are to me and use it to manipulate me. And I would do it. Anything he asked of me, I would do it - if it would save you.'' Phoenix had lowered her helm an' nodded silently in understandin'. She walked over ta Prime an' wrapped her arms about him. Prime continued as he laid his helm upon hers. ''He will hurt you to hurt me. That is something I could not bear Phoenix.''

She reached up an' brushed her digits down his cheek, an apologetic smile on her dermas. ''I'm sorry Optimus. I… I guess I did not think about that. I'm sorry.''

A small part of me felt like I was tresspassin' watchin' Prime an' Phoenix be so vulnerable with each other. Prime had never been one ta display his emotions so easily. Ta see him so raw an' openly demonstrative about his feelin's with Phoenix in front of Hide an I, hit home ta me jus' how deeply he loved this femme.

So, I almos' didn't continued…. /Almos'/.

''Havin' said that''. Prime's optics whipped up towards mine and Phoenix raised her helm ta look at me, a brief flash of hope in them. ''IF Phoenix could somehow use tha advantage of makin' Galvatron think she had defected from tha Autobots ta join tha Decepticons, she could put herself in a position ta learn important intel.''

I began ta pace about as I ploughed on with ma thoughts. ''IF, she could use her own considerable powers ta assert her position within tha Decepticon ranks, she could gain enough respect ta perhaps allow Galvatron ta let his guard down around her.'' I stopped pacin' and fixed both Prime an' Phoenix with steady gaze. ''An' IF we could come up with a fool proof plan ta either extract Phoenix after a specified time frame or be ready ta support her escape, then it could work. Phoenix's suggestion, as risky as it is – could also give us an upper hand an' a tactical advantage in dealin' with this new enemy an' tha 'Cons too.''

Phoenix had brightened somewhat, though she didn't say anythin'. Prime's optics had closed shut as ma words settled in his audials. ''I'm sorry Prime. I know it's not tha words ya prolly wanted ta hear, but as Ironhide said, ''it's ma personal unbiased opinion''. I also wouldn't have given it if I didn't think Phoenix had tha ability ta pull this off.'' I smiled at ma friend. ''Galvatron is in for a big surprise.'' Seein' tha shadow of pain flicker across Prime's optics, I quickly added. ''Of course Prime, I too would defer ta an' support ya final decision.''

Prime sighed deeply. A weary, defeated sigh. ''It would seem I am out voted on this issue. Though I confess this idea deeply troubles me, I must consider your opinions - as unbiasedly as possible – as I make my final decision.''

All of a sudden, Prime's servo flew ta his audial as he received a comm. ''Understood Rachet. Standby while I enable your comms to be broadcast so the others may hear.'' A moment later, Prime's voice rumbled again. ''Go ahead Rachet.''

Rachet's voice erupted from Prime's comm. ::Prime, I have conducted some initial tests to determine the energon source and establish an approximate age of the sample::

::Report Rachet, what did you learn?:: Though Prime's tone was flat, I could tell there was a barely restrained sense of urgency simmerin' below tha surface.

::Well Prime, while the tests are not yet a foregone conclusion, they are fairly reliable. It would seem that my theory about the Energon is correct. The reason the readings were so different to any we have gathered before is because it IS different Energon!:: Rachet's voice was filled with a mixture of awe an' trepidation. ::Prime, the Energon that resides in those horn like structures has a totally different chemical composition to our own. My initial tests lead me to believe that we are dealing with – Dark Energon::

There was a collective gasp from Ironhide, Prime an' maself while Phoenix looked at us perplexed. ''Rachet, are you sure?'' Prime questioned, his face once again unreadable.

::I'm afraid so Prime, it is fairly conclusive. I am as concerned and perplexed as I am sure you all are::

I gave a derisive chuckle an' sighed out loud. ''I KNEW those slaggin' horns were gonna be nothin' but bad news for us. Man, I hate bein' right!''