Hello, everyone! How're you doing? Sorry for the long delay...
SakuraAnne7583: hahaha! I'm glad to see you liked Millie that much! Things would get better for her, I promise.
Yukianne72005: it was a good idea; only that it wasn't the idea I had in mind when I called the fic 'Rebirth'... It's called that for something else; you'll see (towards the end, but you'll see).
Warning: English isn't my mother language, so there may be some grammar mistakes here.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Transformers franchise, it is a registered trademark of Hasbro.
-TWENTY-
NEW DISCOVERIES
Prowl was more than used to be pressed for things. Pressed by his instructors at the law enforcement training program; pressed to keep up with the other enforcers, being the youngest within his unit; pressed for results, during his time at mechaforensics; pressed by his position as the last Prime's second in command and main tactician… His life was molded by different types of pressing situations. And, still, there were times in which he just felt as if his processor had been placed on a hydraulic press, currently attempting to break through his helm…
He was far from surprised when Ultra Magnus got suspended by the Council, considering what he has seen; and even less of having being interrogated about the commander's character, obviously expecting him to say anything that would provide a reason as to fire the blue mech. This left the force with the supervisor taking over, for now. Not that he actually cared too much… His main concern was to make sure that Tera ―the designation of the bulky blue Tarnian who was said supervisor― never got to know that he was still reporting back to the suspended commander. So far, he had been successful in this task; at the same time, he had been attempting to decode the data recovered from Shockwave's lair.
This last thing proved to be more problematic, and was taking longer than expected ―he was beginning to feel very tempted to call Jazz and ask him for help, considering over the dozen Decepticon outposts that guy has infiltrated in the past, managing to return with valuable intel… But, then he came back to his senses. Resourcing to his Amica Endura would mean dragging him to the middle of-… whatever it was that was going on. He hadn't fully figured it out as of yet, but he was confident he would, eventually. Nobody had ever beat him when it came to finding patterns ―except, once again, Jazz; no wonder they became best friends.
"This is taking forever…" thought the Praxian, as ―finally! ― another line of the document was decrypted by the program, which moved to the next one. Not an actual victory, considering that he has been doing this for weeks now, but it was a step forward. "Maybe I should have accepted Perceptor's upgrade when I had the chance" mused the door-winger, taking a long sip of his Energon, fighting back the need of growling at how slow-moving this was, and remembering when the red and black engineer had offered to improve his personal data-pad's efficiency after it froze on one occasion… Too late to take the offer now, considering he hadn't seen the guy since the Ark took off.
The sound of shattering glass made him turn over his right shoulder, noticing that the waiter was now crouched down, picking up what was left of an empty cup and a plate; meanwhile, the owner of the place was yelling at the young mech to be more careful, and that this would come out of his paycheck. Prowl could tell by how fast the waiter was to respond, and the slight stuttering in his voice-box that this was his first job ever… It was evident that he was trying to get over his nerves; and he knew why, considering his processor replayed his first cycle in the force… He, too, hoped he could forget his days as a rookie and all the mistakes he made at the time.
Calming down, taking another sip of his drink, the Praxian couldn't help but feel like his Amica Endura would be proud of him at the time; having decided to resume the decryption of the file at some public place, away from his desk at the police department, and away from his own apartment. He could practically see the Polyhexian congratulating him for having picked up a thing or two from his Special Ops' pal… But, the truth was that he was behaving like this because he had the impression that someone was following him too. A feeling that started shortly after Ultra Magnus' suspension.
Sure, many may believe this was due to some developing paranoia of his; but door-wings receptors never lie. Not to mention that, on top of that constant tingling on his doors wirings, there was the fact of the commander asking him not to call him, unless it was absolutely necessary. "Whoever it is, they aren't very smart, though…" mused the Praxian, acting as if he was completely oblivious, resting his head on one servo. This wasn't his first rodeo ―not to mention that the Decepticons were, at least, smart enough to use some sort of cloaking device when trying to catch him off guard. This guy was broadcasting his intentions all over the place.
Going back to his data-pad, the white and black mech couldn't help but reread the part of the text which he had managed to decrypt. It wasn't much, but what he had was enough as to say that there was some sort of missing experiment, which Megatron called off, yet Shockwave deliberately pursued all the same. Prowl couldn't yet say what exactly; only that it was hidden at some place called "Black Moon". The name was mentioned repeated times over the document, and was beginning to bug the enforcer's mind.
He was sure he heard it before; he just couldn't remember where, or why. This required research. "If I use the precinct's mainframe, the supervisor will realize of my intentions right away, and it all will backtrack to the commander. We wouldn't just be suspended, then" considered the tactician, putting down the data-pad and giving the idea a deep thought. "If I ask Jazz to access the Special Ops' mainframe, it would be the same issue. Plus, I would end up dragging him into this. As such, I believe I have only one option left" concluded the Praxian, soon developing a course of action. Thus, paying for his drink, he left the place and drove away, opening a personal com-link channel which he shared with only two other bots in the entire universe: his brothers. The Middle Triplet asked to meet at X-Brawn's apartment ―mostly because he was closer to it at the time…
Though the three of them were famous around the planet, due to the fact that they were actual ground-bounded triplets, not many had seen them side by side; therefore, only a handful of people related each of them to the others. To the rest of Cybertron, they were merely three mechs who may have served together during the war, which would explain why they knew each other. Prowl and his siblings never truly cared about this, given that it had happened to them their entire lives; however, under this circumstances, it was coming in handy. Especially because, if he had to bet, whoever was tailing him, didn't know much about him.
Arriving to the building, the Praxian shifted to bipedal and entered the elevator. His wings weren't tingling at the time, so he may have lost his chaser for now… Nevertheless, he knew that the uncomfortable feeling would return later, or the next cycle, so he simply noted this fact and went back to his plan. He stepped out of the lift as soon as it stopped, and went to ring the bell of the door. Seconds later, the bulky, mint green and grey form of his older brother was standing in front of his optics, and inviting him inside; invitation that Prowl accepted with a dip of the head, and a promise to explain as soon as their missing brother joined them.
This happened five kliks later, when Side Burn appeared, stating that he couldn't stay long because his shift at the Elite Guard's Academy was about to begin.
"I'll be brief: I need access to the Academy's mainframe" stated the Middle Triplet, as soon as his older brother had closed the door.
"Uh… Sure. You can come with me, and-…"
"No, Side, I can't. I can't be seen running this research." The white and black bot interrupted, leaving his younger brother with a quizzical stare, still pointing at the door with a thumb.
"Why not?" asked X-Brawn, cocking his head, as lost as the youngest one.
"Because there's someone who wants me to drop this case, and I find that highly suspicious" stated the Praxian, servo on the side of his hip, and a matter-of-factly tone of voice. "Especially after Ultra Magnus-…"
"Wha-…?! Wait, hold on!" Side Burn interrupted, both hands up, gesturing the other to stop talking, as he shut his optics, almost as if fighting a headache. "Ultra Magnus? Does this favor has anything to do with your incursion to Darkmount?" He wondered, trying to sound accusatorial.
Prowl limited to hold his stare in silence, which gave both his brothers all the answers they needed.
"Are you out of your fragged mind?!" X-Brawn barked, thrusting both his arms in the air. "You've already been in a clinic with a hole on your side thanks to that mission!" He reminded the Middle Triplet, pointing at him with an index digit.
"First off: not the first time I end up in a slab with multiple injuries, and you, both, know it."
"We were fighting a fragging war, and you were second in command! That's different!" countered the Eldest, scowling and leaning forward.
"Plus, let's not forget who his Amica Endura happens to be…" added Side Burn, unamused.
Prowl allowed himself to blink a couple times, before cocking his head in confusion.
"I don't see how Jazz fits in the argument…" He admitted.
"Because he's more reckless than me! By a long shot!" explained the Youngest, both servos forward as if it was the most obvious fact in the known universe.
Much to the Middle Triplet's displeasure, he couldn't actually retort that assert… Despite his position as third in command, the Polyhexian showed more disregard towards authority than most the younglings among the Autobot troops; always considering Prowl's throughout planned strategies a mere guideline rather than an actual order, Jazz would merrily drop the instructions received and just improvise his way through missions. His excuse was always the fact that he needed to be flexible and adapt to the situation. Then again, given he always managed to return to headquarters with all his limbs attached, the Praxian had usually found himself forced to bit his glossa and let the issue drop…
Nevertheless, Jazz was also an infamous figure among his two brothers, after a disastrous mission in which he happened to be the Polyhexian's partner ―as per usual, whenever that guy needed backup. There was a lead, stating that the Decepticons were preparing an advance from Helex, but they didn't know exactly what their intended coordinates were; as such, the two Amica Endura volunteered to scope the situation… As they later found out, their Intel was wrong… Therefore, the two mechs found themselves trapped behind enemy lines, unable to call for help and desperate to find a way out of there, and back to Autobot territory.
Those must've been the two longest quartex of his life… And Jazz constant attempts to lift the spirits didn't exactly improve the experience… Especially because, when they finally made it back, both mechs learnt that they were about to be declared MIA. He would've locked the Polyhexian on the brig for almost as long as they went missing, wouldn't he had been so slagging tired at the time…
"Ok, granted. Jazz has tendencies that borderlines with suicidal at times" admitted the Middle Triplet, coming back to reality, after recalling several episodes in which the two of them were paired up. Beside the one occasion where they went missing, Prowl could clearly remember a royally pissed off Decepticon guard who found them out, as they attempted to access an enemy outpost's mainframe ―Jazz managed to get them out of there, but not before ensuring a three deca-cycles stay on the med bay for the two of them, due to their wounds. "Nevertheless, what I'm asking of you isn't to blatantly waltz into imminent danger, but to run a mere, quick, painless research for me. As I remember telling you vorns ago, Side: data-pads don't bite."
Side Burn remained unconvinced, evidently. The blue bot just stood there, staring at his older brother, who, in the past, tended to be the voice of reason among them; now, however, he seemed to be trying to switch placed with either of them ―the most careless pair. Whatever did the commander do to their triplet? Part of Side Burn was at loss with this new rule-breaker version of his brother. The other (which he knew better to keep to himself when in the presence of both Prowl and X-Brawn) was, however, somewhat impressed by this development… Who knew that the old uptight Praxian had it in him?
X-Brawn, on the other hand, allowed himself to let out a deep sigh, and crossed his arms, averting his optics for a minute. Being the eldest there, he was usually the one responsible when it came to look after his two younger brothers. Up until that moment, however, that meant keeping Side Burn away from street racing, flirting with the wrong femme, or centered enough as to actually stay in the Elite Guard's program… Prowl usually had his head on the right place, and stayed out of trouble. "Must've dented his processor at Darkmount…" mentally grumbled the Eldest Triplet, dedicating the white and black mech a frown.
As the silence stretched inside the room, Prowl's door-wings began to twitch with, both, impatience and anger. He went there looking for his brothers' support, yet all he was having were incredulous looks and dubious stares. Unbelievable… What he was requesting was nothing in compare to some of the idiocies these two have done in the past!
"Are you really not going to help me?" pressed the Middle Triplet, tension evident in his voice and in his narrowed optics.
"We will… Once you come back to your own senses!" shot back X-Brawn, thrusting both arms up. "Did yah fall on your head back at Decepticon Central, or what?!"
"I'm trying to capture four dangerous criminals!" yelled Prowl, leaning forward; his optic-ridges falling into a dangerous glare, which, in the past, was enough as to make his brothers back off. Unfortunately, said strategy didn't work anymore.
"Yer trying to get suspended or fired!" The Eldest roared, pointing at his sibling with an accusing index digit.
"Then I'll accompany Ultra Magnus in his suspension! At least I would've tried!"
"Wait, what?" Side Burn interrupted, placing a servo over the mint green and grey Autobot, as if trying to compel the guy to stay quiet just so he could have a word with the Middle Triplet. "What you mean by that? The commander got suspended?" He questioned, finding it hard to believe.
"As a matter of fact, yes" answered the Praxian, nodding; before focusing on the older bot in the room once again, his optics becoming hard. "Elite Guard's trainees were sent to escort him out of the office, in front of the rest of us. The excuse given for ordering him stop this investigation was that Earth isn't one of Cybertron's colonies, therefore we do not have any authority over the planet or their inhabitants… Regardless of the fact that there's an Autobot team already in position, or that four dangerous Decepticons are now at large at said organic planet."
"What does any of this have to do with you sending Side to run research for you?" X-Brawn questioned, frowning and gesturing to their youngest brother; optics never leaving the middle sibling.
"They're tailing me, X. If they figure I'm still investigating the case-…" He dropped the sentence, knowing that his companions would understand. "Look, I don't like this either, but something's not right… The variables are not summing up, and ―though I can't say it for sure― I know it's related to Starscream and Shockwave somehow; that's why I need to keep pushing. And the scientist's files are all I've got right now…"
"So that's why you need the Academy's access?" Side Burn suddenly wondered, earning his brothers attention.
The law enforcer, holding his sibling's gaze, limited to nod one single time.
The Youngest Triplet sighed and, averting his optics, scratched the back of his neck, trying to give this whole scenario a thought. This was the first time in his life his older, more logical and responsible brother came at him, asking such a favor; usually, Prowl's speeches towards him were lectures, because he messed up and he bailed him out. This was a huge confidence vow, and his spark did want to help… Not to mention that if his brother was right ―and he usually was―, it meant that they had several runaway 'Cons on a heavily populated foreign planet ―one of which he has heard quite a lot, thanks to Smokescreen's constant blabber about his time serving under Optimus Prime. As an Elite Guard, he took an oath to serve and protect those in need, so-…
Taking a deep vent and dropping his arms on the sides of his body, squaring his shoulders, Side Burn agreed to help. Thus, thanking him, Prowl handed the blue and cerulean mech a flash drive where to copy any information he could find; also, he promised to guide him step by step during the mission, by keeping his com-link open in the personal frequency which only the three of them shared.
"Alright" agreed the youngest brother, putting away the drive. "But, are you sure that you can't just come with me? Dunno, say you're just checking on me, or something?" He had to ask, still nervous about this 'impromptu mission' of his.
"No, Side Burn, I can't. First: since I had never set foot at the Academy up until now, anyone would realize I'm lying. Second: I would be caught on the security cameras" refused the Middle Triplet, shaking his head. "Trust me, I helped installing them; there're no blind spots." He, somehow, regretted that now…
"Ok, then. So… What I'll be looking for?" wondered the youngling.
"The name of a warship, which I can't remember, even though I know to have heard it before."
Nodding, Side Burn began to plan how exactly he would justify himself, case someone found him nosing around the records; or in case anyone checked the data log, where every single entry to the system was recorded. What would he say if anyone asked what he was doing there? Not that he was just running some research for a class, because he wasn't an actual trainer and, plus, even if he were, it wouldn't have anything to do with historical records… To say he was bored was out of the question too ―everyone knew that whenever he felt trapped in a dull day, Side Burn went out for a ride. And if he dared to excuse himself by pretending to be slacking around, he was done for it; he would be kicked out of the Elite Guard so fragging fast, that he wouldn't know what hit him. And, to make it worse, there was Hot Rod… The guy would smell him lying from lightyears away.
Meanwhile, Prowl turned to look at his older brother.
"Now, I need a really big favor from you, X-…"
"Let me guess" interrupted the green mech, rising a servo for emphasis. "You need me as an alibi, in case anyone suspects you; am I right?" He snorted, crossing his arms.
"Yes" admitted the Praxian, simply.
The eldest triplet sighed and massaged his forehead, trying to process this whole arrangement. X-Brawn was almost sure that he was having a nightmare. It was either that, or he crossed some sort of interdimensional barrier and ended in some alternative universe where up was down, and left was right…
Grunting, he looked at his siblings: both of them were ready to go, to complete the mission, with or without his help. Prowl was decided, and so was Side Burn. If that was the case, what did it matter his opinion? He knew this two…
"I need a drink…" The green mech said, giving up, and walking past his brothers, towards the kitchen.
Prowl, though feeling bad for X-Brawn, sighed in relief, knowing that the Oldest Triplet was in. If there was one thing he learnt over the years, it was that, whenever the three of them worked together, they always succeeded.
"Alright, if anyone asks, the three of us had plans to meet for lunch break" started pointing out the Middle Triplet. "Side, you left sooner, because of your job at the Elite Guard Academy." He told to the Youngest. "I'll remain within X's vision until I'm required back at the police department. Any questions?"
"Just one: what if the chairman surprises me when downloading the data?"
"Seriously, Side? How many times you made up excuses for us, whenever you got in trouble?" Prowl asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Too many. It became your special ability, if you ask me…" X-Brawn commented, reappearing with a small bottle of high-grade in hand, and resting his weight against the kitchen's doorframe.
The youngest triplet made a grimace, placing his fists at the sides of his hip.
"It's not the same, guys! The old creep knows everything that happens within the Elite Guard, and he's also friends with some of the Elders! If they suspended Magnus, I-… I would be history if they catch me!" Side Burn complained, pure horror in his face.
"Easy there, kiddo!" The Eldest called out, gesturing the blue one to calm down. "If everything fails just state the truth, and pin it on Prowl…" joked the mint green mech, smirking deviously.
It was so unexpected, that the youngest sibling couldn't help but to burst out in laughs; especially when he noticed the black and white bot's unamused face at their brother's idea. It was a silent 'Thanks a lot, X-Brawn', which was answered with a mere wink and a lopsided smile; but, never minding how little did the Praxian appreciate the mockery, it worked. As such, Side Burn left the apartment, confident that he would succeed on his part.
Of course that, once he was back at Elite Guard's Academy's entrance, and having being forced to tolerate Prowl's constant voice as he kept listing ways to proceed, was more than enough for the young blue mech to snap, and ask his brother to shut up. Seriously… He wasn't a sparkling anymore! When would they stop treating him like one? "I've survived the same war you did, brother; remember that much?" thought the warrior, as he prepared to enter the building, trying to ignore the Praxian's lecture ―apparently, the white and black mech didn't appreciate the rude comeback of his little brother.
Of course that, when a good-looking femme of nice curves and a stunning red armor appeared walking down the street, the young mech's mind suddenly became unable to think, and Prowl's voice became nothing but a buzz in the background. Completely forgetting the task to fulfill, the young warrior flirted to the femme, who chuckled and walked right past him.
«Oh, for the AllSpark-… Side Burn! Come back to reality! » Prowl's voice roared through the open com-link, after hearing the blue mech's smooth talking.
«YO, lil' bro; just a kind reminder: we can hear everything that comes out of your voice box, so you may wanna put some filter between your head and your mouth » X-Brawn added, suddenly.
Feeling his cooling systems coming online in override, Side Burn attempted to hide his embarrassment and entered the building muttering apologies to his brothers, whom were now groaning at the other end of the line.
«Don't take it the wrong way, but you're as smooth as an earthquake, pal… » The Eldest Triplet told the Elite Guard, using a voice that allowed the youngest sibling imagine the green mech, sitting at the couch, shaking his head in disappointment.
"Oh, c'mon, guys. I'm sure-…"
«Siren was more subtle than you, Side » X-Brawn interjected.
"Prowl, I wouldn't mind some backup" complained the blue mech, beginning to feel slightly offended.
«I'll exercise my right to remain silent, right now » was the Youngest Triplet only answer from the law enforcer, which came accompanied by a rather loud chortle from X-Brawn.
Entering one of the elevators, Side Burn, still feeling offended by the comments, growled out loud, making sure that his insensitive brothers heard it. His only answer was a sigh from Prowl and yet another chuckle from X-Brawn. "And I'm the one who lacks delicacy; really, guys?!" mentally complained the warrior, crossing his arms. Frowning, he pressed the button of the first sublevel, and crossed his arms to wait for the lift to take him where he needed to go; all the while, he could see his own reflection pouting back at him.
Only after noticing his expression did the youngling decided that, maybe, there was a reason behind his brothers' treating him as a child…
Once at the level where the historical records were, the blue mech walked out of the elevator, and inserted the lock's code to enter the room. Seemed that everything was going just fine… At least so far. Nor signs of Hot Rod, nor the chairman. "Good. We're good…" He thought, while closing the door behind him, and starting the system.
Everyone who worked at the Academy, or was a student there, had an access code to the mainframe. It was changed after an amount of solar-cycles, so only the personal and current trainees knew it. Side Burn among them.
Taking a long intake to calm his nerves, the blue mech connected the flash-drive.
"Alright, we're in. What do I have to search for?" He asked.
«Go to the war records, look for a ship called Black Moon. I think I have heard that name before, but I can't remember where, nor why… » The Middle Triplet said.
"And, you think it's important?"
«Shockwave wouldn't have mention it on his files if it wasn't » answered the Praxian.
Nodding, Side Burn typed down the name and allowed the program to look for it. After four million years, they had a very long list of Decepticon space-crafts; including which of those were ever taken down by Autobot battalions, and vice-versa. After a few kliks, one particular log was brought up in the screen.
"Ok, here's something. The name matches an old Decepticon prison ship" read out the blue mech, slightly narrowing his optics.
«A prison ship? »
"Yup. Hope's the one you're looking for, 'cause there're no other matches in our catalog…"
«I'll take my chances. Download the file, Side Burn; I want to take a closer look at whatever data we have of it. »
"You got it. I'll be able to take another break within five joors. I'll give you the flash-drive then." The Elite Guard announced to his brother, as he began copying the information into the device.
«Thanks. Oh, and, Side Burn? Good job. »
He didn't knew what was weirder: that he was in the records room, or that Prowl actually congratulated him for doing research…
Ultra Magnus was at his place, trying to overcome his anger for being suspended for just doing his job, when the message from Prowl came in. He had found something big, and needed to talk with him, in person. Sighing, the commander reminded him that a personal meeting would end up in a disaster for both of them, given the circumstances, but the law enforcer insisted. He even dared use his own ace down the sleeve, and remind the blue mech that, if he wanted, he could still pull a rank within the Autobot army; therefore, to refuse listening to the Praxian could be considered an act of indiscipline towards a superior officer. This almost made the commander smirk… So, in the end, he agreed to meet in person; only to receive a set of coordinates that would lead him away from Iacon.
In fact, those numbers belonged to Praxus.
The blue mech drove for a good amount of joors, before reaching his destination point; and, yet, he wasn't surprised of finding the white and black mech already waiting for him. The twitching door-wings indicated that he was scanning their surroundings to make sure there weren't unfriendly audios around ―a second nature acquired during the war, after one too many missions at the front. The shorter bot was standing underneath a large arch which, a lifetime ago, was one of the most visited spots of this particular city: the entrance to the Crystal Gardens. Unfortunately, something as delicate as said park didn't survive the wrath of the war; and, now, there was little more than a memory left to imagine how it all looked before the fighting started. Nonetheless, the returning Praxians hoped that, with time and care, the rare crystal flowers that once grew at this point would reappear. Prowl would be lying to himself, if he denied to be among those people. He liked those gardens too…
In fact the door-winger was staring with sad optics at the glossy shards that filled the place. Their natural gleam long gone.
Ultra Magnus transformed and walked until they were side by side at the arch.
"This was the only part of the city without lamps on the streets" commented the Praxian, suddenly, calling the former Wrecker's attention. "The flowers glowed so brightly at night that we didn't need to artificially illuminate anything." He added with a shrug and a grimace, remembering how it all looked before.
Without looking at his companion, the white and black mech removed a data-pad from his sub-space and handed it over to the commander, who took it without hesitation and started reading the data contained in it.
"I made my brother run a scan of the Autobots' records, looking for a Decepticon ship called Black Moon. Its name was repeatedly mentioned within Shockwave's files ―at least as far as I've been able to decrypt" explained the former second in command, optics still fixated in the remaining of the Crystal Gardens. "Turns out it was a prison ship, filled with Autobots who were captured in the front. I knew I remembered it… Jazz was investigating Decepticon prisons during a rescue mission; that's when this ship's name came up" admitted the law enforcer, dedicating a quick glance to the other mech. "It wasn't the right place that time, though…" He added, averting his optics.
The commander seemed to guess which rescue mission he was talking about, and let the mention slide with a nod. Instead, he began scrolling down the file, soon noticing that the last report about that ship stated it was shot out of the sky, as the vessel charged up to perform a quantum jump out of Cybertron's orbit. It made it out of the battle, but half of its engine and most of its thrusters was left behind in the sprint; chances were that the ship ended up crashing against a barren rock, somewhere in deep space.
"According to Jetfire," started saying Ultra Magnus, soon noticing who signed the battle report, "it was taken down shortly before the exodus…"
"Yes, and that's precisely why this is troubling me" the law enforcer admitted, turning to look at his companion. "The date on the file indicates that the Black Moon was preparing for departure, less than a cycle before our men raided one of Shockwave's laboratories; more alarming is the fact that, within the chief Decepticon scientist's journals, there's an entry stating how he gave the order of leaving to the ship's captain after transferring some of his experiments onboard. Such behavior suggest that Shockwave counted with-…"
"An informant" completed the commander, staring at the other Autobot, optics wide. Prowl limited to nod, as he crossed his arms.
"Someone was tipping them about our movements. That's how he always managed to somehow avoid us." The Praxian theorized, frowning. He was somewhat pissed of haven't noticed sooner.
Ultra Magnus was having similar thoughts, as he kept eyeing the information. He knew much of the documents recovered at Darkmount remained encrypted, and that it would take a very long time before they could read them; nonetheless, this new discovery was something. At least, they now had an idea of what the Cons-… Of course! Earth! If Shockwave managed to extrapolate the Black Moon's directionality during the jump, then the space-bridge beneath the tower must've been pointed towards the planet where it crashed! And it was aiming for Earth! Scrap! If they were right, then they had to warn the others immediately! Thus, he ordered Prowl to contact the team again, to put them on alert.
The white and black mech's door-wings flickered for a second as he received this request, his processor already on task. He was conscious that he couldn't call to Earth all the sudden either; not since he was given a second shadow, as well. He, too, needed a messenger. And, fortunately for everyone, he just knew the right guy…
Hot Rod was at the Elite Guard's command center, sitting on a chair with both pedes leaning atop the mainframe's keyboard, ankles crossed; he was partially keeping an eye on the security feed, and fully avoiding the Academy's chairman ―his immediate superior officer, given the circumstances. Things had always being tense with that grinder, it was no secret; but, as of lately, ever since Smokescreen took the chance to bridge himself to another planet ―not that he could blame his friend for that―, the guy had been specially harsh with him and Side Burn. Although Hot Rod seemed to be the favorite, considering how many times he has been reminded about his disastrous decisions throughout the war…
The hiss of the door as it opened, made the orange and golden mech nearly jump out of his chair, fully believing that the director had finally found him. However, a relieved sigh left his vents, as he relaxed on hi seat, when recognizing it was merely Side Burn. He was safe.
"You nearly gave me a spark-attack, there…" joked Hot Rod, one servo atop his flamed chest-plates, smirk on place. "I thought you were the old grinder." He chuckled.
"I need the mainframe, Rod." The Youngest Triplet stated, walking up to the other warrior, pointing at the keyboard; never-minding his friend's words. "I gotta send a message."
The orange mech blinked, and merely arched an optic-ridge.
"Uh… Com-link not working, or something?"
"Please, Rod; it's important!" pressed the blue mech, frowning slightly as his friend refused to leave him. Then, he blinked in surprise, and seemed taken aback by his own rudeness for an astro-second, before facing the orange and golden warrior again. "It's an errand for one of my brothers; so, please…"
Hot Rod didn't know much of Side Burn's brothers, other than the fact that one was a law enforcer and the other was a top-class warrior; nevertheless, he had never seen his friend so desperately trying to get rid of him before, so he could guess it was important. Normally, he would goof around and make him spill the details, but-… Looking into the younger Elite Guard's optics he could guess it wasn't an option now.
"Fine…" The older mech dragged out, rolling his eyes. "I'll leave you to it" said the bot, as he rose to his feet. "But if the rusted son of a glitch catches me and makes me do double shifts, I'm blaming you." He warned, as he walked out of the room.
Side Burn watched his friend leave, before sighing, knowing he owed the guy an apology ―Hot Rod had been in a tight spot with the director for a couple cycles, now; thus why he had learnt to avoid the old mech. He was probably doing that right now ―who knows what happened this time around.
"Ok, Prowl, I'm alone now. Tell me what to write." The youngling said into the com-link as he took seat at the keyboard.
He hoped Smokescreen would get the message on time…
For those who didn't watch RID 2001, Side Burn chasing after vehicles with red paintjobs is a comic relief of that show...
That's all for now, hope you liked it! Let me hear your thoughts!
See ya!