Hey everyone! Another chapter for you :)
Hope you enjoy!
Chapter Eight - Adjusting
"Who were you talking to, Sky?" Bolt asked, flopping onto his berth across the room.
"No one," the half-seeker replied quickly, picking up here datapad from the desk and trying to look busy. She moved to sit on berth so that her back and wings were against the wall.
Jolt, who'd as usual, followed Bolt into the room, sat on the edge of his own berth. He frowned, tilting his helm, then looked at Bolt, who just shrugged.
Then, the orange and red mechling thought of something that brought a mischievous smile to his faceplate. Sitting up so that he was leaning on his elbow joints, he casually asked, "Was it your courted?"
Heating fans suddenly kicked on, heard easily from across the room. Skyshadow brought her pedes even closer to the rest of her frame, holding the datapad up in front of her faceplate.
"No," came the hasty reply.
Jolt and Bolt exchanged another look, the latter's optics lighting up. The green and blue frowned, then gave a barely perceptible helmshake.
Which Bolt chose to pretend he didn't notice.
"Where's he from?" the mechling prodded cheerily, watching eagerly for a response.
"He's not my courted!"
"Oh, but it's a he, is it? Are you suuuuurrrree he's not your courted?"
Skyshadow lowered the datapad so just her optics showed over it. Her bright blue, glaring optics directed at Bolt.
Who just gave her a cheeky grin.
"Yes."
"But you like him?"
"Bolt," protested Jolt when the femmeling hid behind her datapad again.
The other mechling glanced over at him, raising and optic ridge. "What?"
"Leave her be," Jolt hissed in a whisper. "It's none of your business."
"If you must know," Skyshadow ground out from behind her datapad, "He's a friend I went to school with."
She paused an astroklik, then continued, voice lowering to the point that the two mechlings weren't sure if they were supposed to hear or not.
"And even if I did like him, it doesn't matter. I don't think he feels that way about me."
Jolt gave Bolt a hard look before picking up his own datapad and sighing. "We are all a little young for significant others anyways."
"Agreed," Skyshadow said quickly, relieved for the slight change of subject. "My carrier would never let me court anyone till I was twenty vorns if she had the only say."
Bolt blinked once then asked before he could think about it, "And what about you sire?"
"He would be more lenient, more like seventeen would be his request. You two?"
"Four vorns," Bolt thought. "Uhh, I guess my creators would say the same as your sire probably. But they're pretty chill."
"My creators once said seventeen or eighteen," Jolt said. Then, he shrugged. "But they let my sister start courting when she was sixteen."
"Yeah, but your sister always got what she wanted," Bolt said with a grimace. "No offence, Jolt, but she was a spoiled brat."
Skyshadow lowered her datapad and let out a light scoff. "Then what's Starfrost?"
Bolt crossed his servos over his chest, frowning deeply. "If I was at home, I wouldn't be allowed to say the word I'd use to describe her."
"Bolt!" snapped Jolt, whirling to look at him, optics narrowed. "You had better not say it here either!"
Skyshadow raised an optic ridge and stared.
"I wasn't gonna!" Bolt protested, hands up in surrender. Then, he narrowed his optics with a smirk and pointed towards Jolt. "And how'd you know what I was thinking? That must mean you think it too."
It was Jolt's turn to be embarrassed, heating fans kicking on for a few astrokliks while he tried to come up with a reply to defend himself.
"Well, you see... I know you well enough and... I would not use that word you were undoubtedly thinking, but..."
The orange and red mechling exploded in a fit of laughter at his poor friend's expense.
"Jolt, I didn't know you had a sister," Skyshadow said loudly, taking her turn in favourably changing the subject.
The green and blue relaxed and sent a short nod in her direction. "I suppose none of us have really mentioned our families much yet, have we?"
"Huh, I guess not," said Bolt, rolling over to lay on his tank, resting his chin on his folded servos.
"I have one sibling, a sister who is three vorns older than I," continued Jolt. He shrugged. "We were not terribly close."
"I'm an only youngling," Bolt said. "Unless you count Jolt. I think when were younger, he spent more time at my place than his."
Jolt nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I think that would be correct."
Skyshadow smiled. "That must have been pretty nice."
"It was. I will miss that."
"Me too," added Bolt glumly. Then, he brightened. "What about you, Sky? I think you said you have a brother?"
"I do, we're twins actually."
"Really? Aren't twins like, super rare?"
"They are, especially splitspark, which 'Bee and I aren't."
"That's cool. Do you have like telepathic powers with each other?"
Jolt made a face and rolled his optics.
"Uhh," Sky said, blinking serval times. "In a way I guess...?"
"Any other siblings?"
Skyshadow moved to sit with her pedes crossed, facing the mechlings. "I guess I had another brother, but two vorns before Bumblebee and I were created, he was kidnapped. My sire and carrier looked but never found him. They gave up after awhile."
"That is awful," Jolt said sympathetically. "I'm so sorry."
"Yeah," agreed Bolt. "That's rough."
The half-seeker shrugged. "It's okay. I never knew him, so I can't say I really miss him. My creators do, my sire said my carrier was always worried about us because of that. Especially about me, cause I guess I'm like him in ways."
"What ways is that?" the frontliner asked, tilting his helm.
"We both took after our sire, both in looks and personality. Plus, we were both fliers."
"Wait, your twin is not?" Jolt asked scrunching up his faceplate, completely baffled.
"Nope. Bumblebee is a nonflier, like carrier was."
"That is... Interesting," Jolt said, blinking several times.
"Wow," said Bolt. "I mean, I knew you were a half-seeker, but I guess I assumed your other creator was still a flier. I didn't see that coming."
"Not many do," shrugged Skyshadow. "I think the only reason my sire was still respected among Vosians was because he was an esteemed Armada Captain. But some think he's a little odd for having what they call grounders as a sparkmate."
Jolt gave a thoughtful nod, then spoke. "So, the reason you lived in Kalis, was because your carrier was a Kalian?"
"That's right. When I was older, I'd go to stay with sire for parts of his shifts in Vos when I could. My brother never went because, well, for one thing, Vos is a floating city. And carrier wouldn't let him," explained Skyshadow.
"That would kind of suck for him, wouldn't it?" inquired Bolt.
Sky shook her helm. "I don't think he cared really. He got to do other stuff in Kalis and had more friends than I did. And carrier never went to Vos, so he was content to stay with her."
"I have to admit, while a floating city sounds fascinating, I would much rather stay on the grounded ones," Jolt said with a light chuckle. "I am not sure that those of us without wings are really meant to fly. Other than in a ship of course."
"Good point," the half-seeker said with a smile.
"Hey, where's that Cloudy mech, whatever his name is," Bolt suddenly asked. "Haven't seen him in a bit."
"I think Captain Scatterstrike was going to have him spar someone and see where he is in his training," replied Jolt. "And I do not know the whereabouts of Starfrost."
"Probably sulking somewhere," Skyshadow muttered. "Or ignoring the mecha trying to teach her."
The seeker swung his sparring sword idly as he eyed his opponent carefully.
Not much taller than he was, the other mech was stronger and more experienced than Cloudbreaker.
Lucky for him, his intent was to teach as they fought, otherwise the young seeker would have been beaten and bruised many times by now.
Already, Scatterstrike had technically won most of their matches.
"Always keep an optic on your opponent, Cloudbreaker," the mech said as he circled the younger one. "And keep your other optic on your surroundings as much as you can. You don't want your opponent's allies to get the drop on you if they're around."
Cloudbreaker turned in a slow circle, keeping pace with Scatterstrike, his sword to the side, but ready.
He twitched his wings as he inquired, "What if it's only one 'Con?"
Scatterstrike chuckled, shaking his helm. His good optic ridge arched as he replied gruffly.
"With the Decepticons, there's hardly ever just one."
The seeker nodded. "Where there's one, there's usually more?"
Suddenly lunging forward, Scatterstrike gave an approving nod when Cloudbreaker met his sword with his own.
"That's right." The grey and black stepped back, only to swing again, aiming for the seeker's helm.
Cloudbreaker again blocked the strike before darting back and striking forward with his own sword.
With no trouble, Scatterstrike met it with his own weapon, and with a quick twist, sent Cloudbreaker's sword flying out of his hand. The blade landed with a clatter across the ring, the seeker's mouth opening in shock as he then turned his helm back towards his opponent.
Scatterstrike smirked, sheathing his sword at his hip. Then, the look in his optic became serious again.
"And even if there is only one, there's a good chance more are coming."
Holding out his hand, Cloudbreaker shook the one that was then extended to him in return. "I will keep that in mind. Thank you for your wisdom." The young seeker's optics then darted to his sword lying on the ground where it had fallen. "And your training."
Another smirk crossed the warrior's faceplate and he crossed his servos.
"You want to know how I did that don't you?"
Cloudbreaker rotated his wrist a few times before nodding. Quickly, he stepped over to the fallen weapon and picked it up, bringing it back to Scatterstrike.
The mech took his own back out of its sheath and held it at his side. "You never want to lose your weapon if you can help it. That's why many mecha are looking to integrated weapons systems these orns, like your missiles and blasters."
"Makes sense. Less easy to drop or lose hold of," Cloudbreaker agreed.
Scatterstrike nodded and continued. "Besides using your weapons to take care of a threat the lethal way, you can also use it to have them surrender. Like I just did with you."
Stepping back a few strides, the mech held up his sword in one hand in a defence position, his pedes spread in a wide stance.
"It is easier to break a sword wielder's hold when they are using their weapon with one hand. But it can still be done with a two-handed or reverse grip as well. For now, I will show you what I did with you just now."
"Alright," Cloudbreaker nodded. Then, his wingtips twitched as he thought of something.
"Not many mecha use a reverse grip typically, do they?"
"Not many, no. One of your new comrades uses a reverse grip fighting style however."
Cloudbreaker ran the list of his squad teammates through his helm quickly.
He hadn't seen many of them spar with a blade yet, or at all. He knew for certain that Scatterstrike did not use it, or at least not much.
"I suppose I cannot make a good guess since I have not witnessed them spar much yet," he said with a light shrug.
"It's the little one," Scatterstrike said with another smirk as he moved into another stance, gesturing with his blade for Cloudbreaker to copy him. "Bet that surprises you?"
Cloudbreaker set his pedes, holding his sword in front of him. "Perhaps. Although, I have seen some flying mecha take preference of the reverse grip when dropping in an aerial attack."
"Exactly. That's partially why. Also, it's the way she was taught."
"I thought Skyshadow was from Kalis? Did she go through training from there?"
"With her sire, yes. Also, she apparently spent quite a bit of her recent vorns in Vos with him.
"Now, let's begin."
As Scatterstrike began to walk him through the technique, part of Cloudbreaker's mind was on what the mech had just told him.
"I wonder if I knew any of her family before."
He would have to ask her at a later time.
Starfrost strode down the corridor, helm held high.
Attention mostly being paid to his datapad, the mech walking down the middle of the hallway in the opposite direction didn't see her.
Until it was too late.
Fortunately for the femme, the mech sensed her presence before he fully collided with her.
"Excuse me! Why don't you watch it!" Starfrost said angrily, stumbling backwards from the impact.
The mech, who had lowered his datapad immediately upon bumping into someone, looked about him. His expression changed from apologetic to confused.
Starfrost let out a loud huff, crossing her servos over her chest. "Down here."
The mech looked down at the voice, optics widening at the femme that barely came up to his waist.
"My apologies, miss. I did not, uh, see you there."
Starfrost tapped her pede, glaring up at the broad mech.
"Perhaps. You should watch where you are walking so you do not step on other mecha," she said in a cold, clipped tone.
The mech dipped his helm. "I agree. I should." He paused, tilting his helm. "Are you alright? I didn't step on you, did I?"
The young femme sniffed. "No, but I suggest you do not try it again. I should hate to see what happens to you if you don't."
With that, the petite femme walked around the mech and carried on her way, helm held high once more.
Trailbreaker watched her go, blinking behind his visor several times. He lifted a hand and scratched his helm.
"So, that's the wee noble the mechs were talking about," he muttered. Shaking his helm once more, he turned and walked down the corridor.
This time, being very careful not to run into anyone else while reading his datapad.
Rumour was, there was a second member of that team that was... Petite in stature.
Trailbreaker didn't really want to accidentally bulldoze anyone.
Upon returning to the shared room, Cloudbreaker was nearly bulldozed by an orange and red blur when he opened the door.
"Hey, Cloudbreaker! Did you get your tailpipe kicked?"
Cloudbreaker backed out of the room and blinked a few times.
"No. Not really."
"Oh. Okay," Bolt said, leaning back into the room, still holding onto the doorframe. "He didn't offline, mecha."
"Oh, great for him," came a sarcastic feminine voice from within.
"Bolt, why would they offline him?" came a confused mechling's voice.
Still hanging off of the doorframe, Bolt somehow managed to shrug. "I dunno. He was fresh. You know what happens to the newbies sometimes."
Cloudbreaker arched an optic ridge. "May I come in?"
Bolt turned his helm back to face him. "Oh, yeah. Of course! Sorry, I'll just move."
With that, he simply let go and fell to the floor with a thud.
His audience of three all collectively winced.
"Ow."
The seeker sighed and stepped gingerly over the mechling laying on the floor, reaching behind him to push the button to close the door.
Jolt pinched his olfactory bridge and shook his helm. "Why, Bolt?"
"I really don't know," groaned the frontliner.
Cloudbreaker glanced in between the other two, who were seated at their desks. "Is he..."
"Always like this?" finished Skyshadow dryly.
"Yes," Jolt replied.
"Am not!" came the protest from the floor.
"I believe I hear someone calling me," muttered Cloudbreaker, reaching back over Bolt to open the door again.
"That's one of the oldest tricks in the book," pointed out Bolt, looking up at the seeker critically. He lifted a digit towards him. "I use that, but I didn't think you would."
Skyshadow suddenly appeared in front of Cloudbreaker's faceplate, upside down. As he jumped back in surprise, she grinned, and not quite a friendly one at that.
"What's a matter, Cloudbreaker? Too scared to stay with a bunch of crazies?"
Eyeing the femmeling hanging from the beam above him like a retrobat, the young mech frowned.
"Is that what you call it?"
"No," Jolt replied without looking, having turned back to the contents of his desk. "They are trying to intimidate you."
"Is it working?" Bolt asked, still lying on the floor. "Are you scared yet?"
"No. Just weirded out," Cloudbreaker said slowly, backing away from the pair before turning to go and sit on his bed.
Bolt and Skyshadow exchanged a glance before grinning.
Then, a thought occurred to the mechling.
"Huh, since you're directly above me, Sky, you could just let go and it would be a pretty effective attack."
"It'd be stupid from this low height," replied the half-seeker immediately, narrowing her optics. "It would hurt us both too."
"That's a low height? Oh, I guess for you it would be."
"Yeah."
"Hey, could you land on your pedes if you just let go? Or would you fall on your faceplate?"
Cloudbreaker snorted, crossing his servos. "She'd likely land on her pedes. Since she's small and light, it would not be a far-fetched act."
Before the seeker had finished speaking, Skyshadow dropped. Bolt screamed and rolled out of the way as the femmeling flipped midair and landed neatly on her pedes. Exactly where his helm had been astrokliks ago.
With a satisfied smirk, she eyed each of the mechs before spinning on her heel and flicking her wings. "I'm going to go train."
The three watched her leave, two surprised, one impressed. Once the door had slid shut behind her, Bolt turned towards the other two.
"Well, I just seen my life flash before my optics."
"I told you she could do it," reminded Cloudbreaker calmly, arching an optic ridge. "And I think she would have missed your helm even if you had not moved."
"Still, it was better that you did," Jolt noted, beginning to reassemble his staff. "If nothing else, it was a good test of both of your reflexes."
Bolt nodded, looking back to the door. "No kidding."
Thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing except for my story and oc's.
Stay safe everyone!
Oh, also. If anyone is interested, I posted that chapter I was talking about at the end of the last chapter. It's in The Lost Chapters currently. :)
