Updated - 01~03~2020
Rewritten - 29~07~2021
Courage
Arcee received a hard knock that made her stagger, skidding, but she managed to maintain her balance. She came to a stop and raised her blade up, blocking the incoming saw directed to her spark chamber. She moved her left leg backwards to get some ground and then pushed with all her strength her forearm forwards, managing to make him step backwards.
She then brought her right pede up again and made contact with his chest, sending him to the ground. He lost the grip on his prod and due to the impact, his servo transformed back, leaving him unarmed. Without giving him a click, she charged and right when she was about to deliver the decisive strike, he rolled out of the way, standing up.
The mech pivoted on his left and taking a short dagger out of nowhere, he staved it downwards. Arcee managed to dodge it by microns as the weapon left a light scratch on her already battered paint job. She replied to that by swinging her hips to the side and elbowing him hard on his where it counted. He bent forwards in an act reflex, and taking advantage of that, she repeated her action, this time connecting her elbow with his chin, almost making him lose his mask.
The femme then took a step forwards and turning around, delivered a circular kick. Her surprise was expressed by her optics getting wider as her attack was blocked by him. He had grabbed her leg in motion while moving to the side to avoid the hit. Immediately he had delivered a hard knock to her face before placing his servo on her nape. Disoriented as she was, all she could feel next was the pain through her abs after being kneed twice, forcefully. Her vents stopped working.
She felt his servos weren't making contact with her anymore, and she knew what was coming next. His powerful kick made contact with her already sore frame, sending her flying away. She hit a decoration pot by the corner of the square, letting go a yelp. She was panting hard, trying to recover her vents as the reddish figure advanced calmly towards her. He extracted a long dagger, slowly engaging it. She looked at him with a blurry sight and she understood it had been their last battle. He was gonna deceased her right then and there.
The shadows came to a stop, crouching down. She could feel the cold crystal blade on her neck, his intense crimson optics fixed onto hers. She leaned onto the stare, so comfortable yet so strange. It would the last time she would look into them.
"It's a pity it has to end this way." His smooth words came to her almost like a caress. "You've been the most formidable adversary I've ever had, and recognize your merit." He leaned down, until his lips were on her audio receptor. "You got my respects, Guard, but as long as I'm gonna miss our encounter, this must end now.
"I'm sorry to disappoint, but I made a promise of coming back home alive." She spatted back, with her denta gritted. "And I'm gonna accomplish it!"
In a lightning maneuver, she placed both her arms over his forearm, of which servo was holding the dagger. Her left held his wrist in place, neutralizing it, while her right pulled the whole arm towards her abs, getting the dagger effectively away from her neck. She immediately brought her legs to her chest, passing them both around his arm and over his neck. She then motioned them powerfully downwards, bringing him to the ground. Lastly, she pushed her hips up, immobilizing him in a painful chokehold.
He was taken by surprise and had no time to react. He growled furiously, part in pain and part in frustration. He managed to sink his free claws into her calf, making her yell. She applied more force to her left, moving his arm to her side and making him writhe.
They both struggled for some breems. Arcee was getting exhausted, not even feeling the claws dug into her metal anymore, but never let go of him as her spark depended on not doing so. The Seeker instead could not feel his arm anymore, though he wasn't willing to give up yet. Not a chance.
"I gotta admit… This… Is the best battle I've ever had so far. It's getting interesting." He said between ragged vents, with his notorious Kaonian accent. "I should try kill you more… Often." He added, regaining his narcissistic aura despite the pain. "By the way, you're scratching my finish!"
"Shut your fragging mouth up and listen to me!" She grunted, locking her icy cold optics with his. "If you're so keen on it, you can terminate us both now, but I didn't came her to fight. I need to talk with you!" His gaze turned into a murderous one, getting impossibly serious.
"And why should I listen to a thief?" He hissed, his optics burning.
"Because you might want to hear what I have to say. It's important." She replied more serene. "Besides, why do you think of me as a thief?" She inquired, frowning. He did not reply immediately, as he pondered the idea of telling her or not.
"Your assault to the Kaon Hall of Records." He finally stated, venomously.
Her expression filled with concern now, suddenly understanding the situation was much worse than what she had initially thought. Everything began to make sense.
"I'm gonna let you free." She informed, before detangling her legs and letting go of his arm.
He retrieved his claws from her and both stood up, taking few moments to recover themselves. She knew she shouldn't have done that under no circumstances, but she hoped he would attend to reasons if she showed him she was no menace. How wrong had she been!
She immediately felt one of his strong servos on her nape and the dagger back on her neck, with his deadly gaze fixed on hers. Instead, she vented calmly and reminded emotionless, looking at him.
"What are you waiting for?" She inquired, serene. He narrowed his optics and pressed the blade further.
"Whatever you must say, say it quickly." He grunted, taking few clicks before removing his dagger and walking few steps away.
"Very well." The femme accepted, venting again, trying to calm herself. "Yesterday night a pair of cybertronians broke into our Record Hall, retrieving something from it."
"What did they take from you?" He asked curious. "Must be important for you to come here…"
"We do not possess clues of who might have been, but we do have something." She explained, evading his question. She raised her servos up, indicating she was not intending to attack as she slowly took her data pad out from her subspace. She searched in it and then tended it to him. "The thieves left this at the storage dome. Can you tell me anything about it?"
The Seeker was reluctant first, trying to read her intentions, but then he grabbed it. He took some breems to study the picture of the engraving. He frowned, anger crawling within him as his wings straightened up even further. She could read much grimace in his expression as he looked at it disdainfully. He diverted his gaze, looking around irate. There was a vengeance promise in his optics.
"Each Seeker has its signature, although only high ranked ones would dare to leave it." He began, maintaining his calm, although slurring some words, clear sign of his disgust. "The signature always resembles the design of the best dagger they possess."
"Do you recognize it?" She asked, with a hint of hope in her spark. "Do you know who does it belong to?"
"Yes, I do." He affirmed, putting his dagger away. "I don't know who left it though, but I do know who does it belong to." He added, tending the data pad back to her. "That signature belongs to someone whose name cannot give you. It's someone important." He finally declared. "Although, it's mirrored." He added, signaling the sharp edges of the symbol.
"What does it mean?" Arcee inquired.
"In normal circumstances, the signature it's used to claim the authorship, to tell other who did it. The riskier the mission the more recognition the Seeker gets." He explained. "Using someone else's signature it's illegal and it's paid with the spark. The Seeker even has the right to terminate their offender." He paused for a moment, letting his words sank in her processor. "I can't tell you much more about it."
"I see…" She diverted her gaze analyzing the new information she had obtained. "You mentioned the attack to Kaon's Record Hall. What happened?" He, again, was reluctant to answer her, but with a sharper gaze, he finally talked.
"Two nights ago someone barged in. They were after something of much interest for Kaon." He informed. "They did managed to subtract part of an important document. Fortunately, we surprised them before they could get the whole, which now lays under constant surveillance. We gave them purse through the streets until they disappeared through a ground bridge." He extracted his data pad and showed her an image. "One of our younger Seekers found this at their last known location."
"The Elite Guard insignia." The femme frowned. "May I?" She asked, tending her servos to take the data pad, and he replied by giving it to her. She took some breems to study it, trying to find any inconsistence in it, but found none. "It's definitely it. It's an official insignia. Although I found it hard to believe it just fell off."
"Tell me more about it." The mech got interested, crossing his arms over his chest and resting a servo in his mask, concentrated.
"The insignia is something given to agents once they are graduated, but it's not the equivalent to a plate." She began, returning the device. "To display it or not is up to each Elite Guard. Long time ago, it was used to weld it into ourselves. Nowadays, it's more common to decal it or not even wearing it, specially if they are undercover agents. I find it suspicious that someone brought their insignia to an assault and dropped it, as much as the mark we found."
"Definitely the attack to Iacon wasn't our doing." The Seeker denied, maintaining his posture. "We would have never left any clue we were ever there, unless we wanted to warn any other potential enemies, which is not the case." He declared. "Honestly, I don't see the logic on stealing something important and let you know we have it."
"Precisely." She agreed. "As Guards our duty is to protect our city. Iacon has no interest on starting a conflict with Kaon. It would not be beneficial for us."
There was a pause, they both stared at each other. He did not let much away as he gave a thought about her words and the information obtained recently. Arcee waited patiently for him to reply something, and he finally did.
"Then if you claim you didn't attack us and we didn't go against you, then who?"
"No idea, but I do believe someone's trying to confront us." She conceived. "It's not a secret Iacon and Kaon are among the most powerful cities in Cybertron, with a pretty impressive power attack. If both cities are busy fighting each other, the power to control both of them would be unprotected..."
"... And if someone manage to subdue them, there would be feared all over the planet. They would literally had the control of the whole world." He completed. "Perfect plan for a coup d'etat." They silenced realizing that seriousness of the situation. "You didn't come here to just tell me that. You're up to something, and I wanna know it. What do you have on mind?"
"Something you may not like, but necessary if both cities want to survive." She replied, looking into his optics, determined. "An Elite Guard - Seeker alliance."
His frame tensed, as he let his arms hang at both sides, straightening up. She read surprise in his expression, he assimilated what she had just said, examining her once again.
"What are you expecting to get with that?" He inquired, distrustful. "What you trying?"
"We're facing a threat of very much importance." She replied, trying to talk sense into him. "Kaon, as much as Iacon, needs allies now. We could work this problem out instead of trying to blame each other. This might be our only chance to push rivalries aside and get something more out from the truce. We could show those who have menaced us we are stronger together, and that no matter what, we can win. But I need you to support me."
He vented, shaking his helm a no.
"Your idea is lovely, but you're crazy if you think Kaon will help Iacon." He paused. "Seekers and Guards have been enemies almost since the dawn of history. It won't be easy to pull all that past down." He shook his helm again. "I'm sorry for you. You got the courage to come here and try it but, you've better return back to your city and protect it, they will need their best Elite Guard there. I'll escort you till the outskirts, not further." He silenced for a moment. "Do yourself a favor, go home and don't look back."
She refused to let go of the opportunity, so she just tried it again.
"I understand you may don't want to get involved, but if you could take me to..."
"You don't seem to get it. I do have orders to terminate every single Elite Guard that puts a pede in Kaon." His expression darkened. "I'm acting against my own city by letting you go, so don't be a fool. There you have your chance, go!"
"You're not the only one who has broken laws tonight. I came here because I'm the only one who believes in your innocence." She replied silently. "Whoever attacked us is precisely looking for that, for us to destroy each other. If you have to do so, you can fulfill your mission right here and right now, but if you let me go, you know I'll keep trying." She waited for his response, but he simply diverted his gaze.
"Good luck, Guard."
The femme nodded, feeling somehow disappointed. She walked past him, as he followed her with his gaze, and had a look towards the signs, trying to figure out the way she had to take. She finally directed towards the walkway at her right and headed there. She was about to get in when a servo on her arm stopped her. She turned surprised to find the red Seeker just standing there.
"I'm not the one deciding such things... Though you may wanna try talking to our Lord." He let go of her, becoming quiet before looking around. "I can lead you there, but I assure you nothing."
"It's a beginning." She accepted. "Go ahead, show me the way."
His optics shown in a strange delight as she got the idea he was smirking again. He just collected his pod and, without saying a word, he singled a glass walkway at the other side of the square. She made it into it, expecting him on her side, but it wasn't like that. He climbed on top of the walkway and began running just over her helm. She cursed for herself as she realized she would have to keep up with him if she wanted to reach her destiny.
The Elite Guard was lead through a labyrinth, and she quite felt like cybants, though she had to admit the views were incredibly beautiful, even for a dark city like Kaon. She climbed stairs up and down and was lead through many passages. She could feel her frame getting tired, but she kept up.
The mech instead was taking it easy, enjoying himself as he waited for her to catch up with him. He took all the short ways, jumping out of the walkway and flying to the next one, sitting up there to wait, letting her figure out which way to take to follow him.
The femme was amazed by the fact he controlled the area pretty well. He jumped even without looking at all, and she had the idea that he had turned the city into his own playground. Yet, she cursed over him a couple of times. It took them a while to reach their destination, the city was big and the destiny was far, but they finally did it.
A clear crystal structure stood out between darker and shorter skyscrapers. Arcee got captivated by the way the nightlight was caught by the glass, somehow evoking Crystal City's glamour, and she could only think of it as an elegant building. Certainly beautiful, though Arcee never expressed it.
The Seeker approached to it and climbed its stairs. The azure Elite Guard followed after him, only to be stopped by a sentinel, a young Seeker in training posted at the entrance. Noticing she wasn't following him, he retraced his steps and stood in front of the younger one. A single gaze from the experienced mech was enough to make the novice step back, allowing her to go on.
They made it into a lustrous and luminous hall, as beautiful as the exterior. There was a circular reception at the right side, and stairs at the left. There were different passages all around the place, but what most surprised her was the height of it. She soon understood that Seekers used it to move around by flying.
As soon as they noticed her, they stopped whatever they were doing to aim their weaponry towards her. The red mech made them stood still with a single servo gesture, and with a silent order, a ground bridge opened before him. He turned around to face her and shortly instructed her to remain there. Then he disappeared through it, leaving her alone. She waited patiently, silencing her uneasiness, until he reappeared, followed by another intimidating mech, who looked much alike.
The Elite Guard immediately recognized him, an needed no presentation. He was the Lord of Kaon.
The Lord was strong and tall mech, towering over the red Seeker, who had a svelter and more aerodynamic silhouette in comparison. He, instead, was burly, with strapping maroon and white frame and imposing presence, so much that everyone around got out of his way, avoid making optic contact with him.
His helm looked much like to her usual enemy, with the differences of a single and pointier fins at both sides, longer cheek plates, a blunter chin and more prominent goaty. His light silver face, starting to show aging lines, was bitterly endured by stellar cycles of hatred and distrust, common among Seekers who beheld a high rank.
His intense red optics hid a really intelligent gaze, combined with a astute mind and skilled warrior experience, making him a deadly adversary in real. No one in their right mind would dare to face him, not to mention challenge him, and that was precisely what Arcee had in mind, if the situation was given, of course.
"This is the mighty Thundercracker, head of Seekers, Lord of Kaon." The Seeker who had guided her presented him."Sire, this is the Elite Guard I told you about. She claims to have something to discuss with you, as well as a... Ludicrous proposition." She would have retorted something at him, instead she simply narrowed her optics, straightening up, and waited.
"I'm listening to you." The Lord replied coldly, penetrating gaze fixed onto hers.
"Yesterday, assault group broke into Iacon's Record Hall, and left carrying something of much importance. All they left, a small signature engraved on the wall, similar to those you leave." She talked firmly. "Our authorities were obliged to deploy the Elite Guards."
"Suspicions fall upon Seekers." He remained stoic. Arcee couldn't avoid having the feeling that, behind his facade, he was planning something murderous. She maintained his gaze, fearlessly. "All our actives were located in Kaon. None had orders to invade Iacon." He then advance few steps towards her, making her crane her neck up to look at him. "I want to know how did you manage to assault to the most secure vault we posses, under constant surveillance."
"We did not." The Elite Guard responded, walking forwards few steps too, reaffirming her point. "We're not as insane to against Kaon, and definitely not planning a war in our agenda any time soon."
Arcee caught a hint of excitement in the red Seeker's optics, somehow amused my her courage. The Lord, meanwhile remained silent for a click, pondering her words.
"Then, if I decide to believe you, and none of your agents attacked us as you claimed, nor any of my Seekers..." He remarked the word, glaring around defiantly, before he continued. "... Dared to betray me, who was the responsible?" He demanded, still maintaining his unsparing glare.
"A question for which I don't have the answer, but I'm willing to find it out." The Elite Guard saw her opportunity. "No one has recognized the authorship. We can waist our time blaming each other, or we can invest our precious resources into something productive."
She obtained a special shine form the leader's optics, as he seemed interested on the direction their conversation was taking.
"What is it that you actually came to discuss?"
"An alliance between Iacon and Kaon." The femme did not talk around, as her statement was firm and direct.
There were quiet murmurs all around, but nothing Arcee could get out clearly. She would have expected them to laugh, or take her as a joke, but for her surprise, none happened. The Lord paced, with no haste, back to the place where his son stood. His expression was blank, not letting anything away.
The rumors ceased as a someone, high over her helm, someone raised their voice up to express an uncertainty many had at the moment.
"Elite Guards are not trustable. How do we know you're not trying to deceive us? Why would we even help our enemy?" The femme located the mech who had talked, two floors up at her left, standing out between the multitude. "You talk loud, but I don't see you can put up a fight."
She should have expected that. Seekers were never the talkative type. Instead, they preferred to fight any time the occasion presented itself, and she knew they wanted to put her to the test. Now that was something she would provide.
"Come down and I'll show you." She dared back, straightening her winglets up, accepting the challenge.
The ambience became animated again, murmurs intensifying at the promise of a showdown. The red Seeker prepared to get into action, willing to fight his opponent, but the strong servo of his sire stopped him, directing him a discrete sharp gaze. His gaze turned then to the challenged Seeker, who had silently asked permission. The Lord nodded in approval. He wanted to know what the Elite Guard was capable of doing.
The Seeker, who had a strong frame and a golden paint job, landed heavily few metrons from her, obtaining a huge ovation from his comrades. With a swift movement, he brought a sword out, gracefully activating its energy blade.
Her optics studied the weapon. She had practiced many different techniques to neutralize a sword, during her extensive trainings, specially with Mirage, who was a incredibly nimble with the rapier. But this was not a training anymore. That went for real, and doubts began to assault her.
Arcee knew that Seekers preferred servo to servo combats, in which blasters rarely did their appearance. She needed to impress them if she wanted their collaboration. She resigned, telling herself it would be just this once. Yet the feeling of vulnerability only grew within her.
The fierce red optics fixed onto her, as the plates of the mech puffed up intimidatingly, before letting go a growl. Arcee did not flick at that, but she felt her spark pounding faster in her chest. A pair of curse lines passed through her helm, as she realized she would have to win if she ever wanted to get back home, and her previous encounters of the night hadn't made her any favor. Sore and tired, she forced herself to concentrate, bringing her blades out too. Her expression hardened, adopting a guardian posture, ignoring the jeer that now filled the environment.
The mech charged, advancing towards her with big firm strides. He slowly raised his sword, grabbing it with both his servos, ready to motion it down. 'Foreseeable' Arcee thought, as it was a move of preference among those who used such weapon.
The blade was brought down on her, but she was faster and dodged it by rolling to the side, delivering a cut on the Seeker's nearest forearm. The blade met the ground, sending sparks flying around. The mech yelled, and the public awed, leaning forwards.
Taking advantage that he had his back given to her, the Elite Guard did not wait, and cut the distance with his opponent, her own blades ready. She was half metron away from him when he got her by surprise, letting go of his injured arm from the handle to motion his sword in a reverse blow. Arcee had barely time to process what was happening.
She found herself kneeling down and arching her neck backwards as the blade passed almost grazing her face. Her optics went wide, feeling the heat of the energy powering the weapon lighting her face with red tones. She hadn't see that coming, but a new opportunity came at sight.
The azure femme, impulsed by the motion, skid over the floor, under her rival's legs. She delivered a pair of cuts at his calfs, getting another frustration growl. The crowd cheered at her perfectly performed move.
She immediately rested her right on the ground and impulsed herself up, running once again in his direction. He had his back given to her again, he would be an easy target. She intended to deliver a hard knock to his nape, but she was met with an unexpected strong arm pushing her forcefully away, making her lose her balance, hitting the ground.
Arcee suppressed the urge to hold her aching abs, her denta gritted. She could feel her vents burning at the effort. Pain from where her usual enemy had previously kneed her came back, bothering her again. It wouldn't be easy to win this time.
The Seeker slowly limped closer, with a smirk on his face, dragging his weapon after him with no rush at all. The crimson Seeker, as well as the Lord, stared attentively. He was so absorbed into the fight, he had a unconsciously engaged a crystal dagger, which he held strongly on his grasp. It had been an intense fight so far, but he was beginning to wonder if she would succumb this time.
The audience roared, claiming their comrade to finish her, but she wasn't willing to give them such satisfaction. With all her willpower, she got up from the ground, a murderous determined gaze under her scowl. That made the golden Seeker stop for a click, not expecting her to still put up a fight.
Angered, he charged again, motioning his sword forwards. Arcee waited, and in the last click, she barely twisted her frame to once side, evading the blade once more. She got perpendicular to him, but did not put distance. Instead, she allowed him to get closer in his motions.
When his forearm was close enough to her frame, she elbowed him hard on his inner elbow joint and slipped a servo up to the end of the handle. She grabbed it strongly and pulled her arm upwards in a lightning move.
For his horror, he witnessed first servo, unable to do anything, how the sword was taken away from his grip. The mech came to a stop and faced her, not knowing what had just happened, the public gasping in astonishment. Arcee, who had stepped backwards to gain distance, now swung the huge sword with a smirk now drawn on her lip.
The mech stood there for few moments, before his expression changed into a dark one. He huffed and launched himself towards her, intending to recover his own weapon. The femme, shook her helm, her frown returning. How little had her opponent learned from her. She rolled aside once again, and tripped him up, making him lose balance before delivering a hard blow with the end of the handle. He felt on his knees. Next he felt was the heat of the blade in his neck.
The place became dead silent, both combatants panting. The Seeker's wings were low in defeat, and the Guard's expression gave nothing away. She looked down at him seriously, as he awaited his demise, but never came.
"What are you waiting for?" He dared to ask, hardly side looking over his shoulder.
"I am not like you." She stated emotionless, deactivating the sword and throwing it away.
The Seeker, seeing she had let her guard down, attempted to turn around to catch her by surprise, but instead, he received a hard knock that send him into unconsciousness. Arcee stared for few clicks at him while she recovered her vents, before raising her gaze up defiantly. Then, she turned to face the Lord, whose expression remained blank.
"Did I pass your test?" She spatted, sternly, locking intense gazes with him.
"How you dare to talk to our Lord that way!?" A slim grey seeker hissed at her left, aiming his missiles towards her.
"Not my Lord." She replied, turning her helm in his direction. "I have no obligation to bow before him." She signaled at their leader, before looking at him again. "But he may get my respect by considering my offer, and attending an audition with my superiors."
The femme stared at him for few moments, and then finally directed herself towards the exit. Right before she walked through the doorway, her optics setting onto the crimson mech that had brought her there.
"Send us the 'Prince' for an answer." She added, confidently side shrugging. "We shall arrange a meeting point if you access." Said that, she left, leaving Seekers perplexed.
"Shall I go after her, Sire?" The crimson Seeker asked under his mask. The lord shook his helm a no.
"We shouldn't let her go." A black mech intervened. "It's not too late, and she is exhausted. It would not cost much to make her disappear."
"The Guards would notice her absence, and would only make the situation worse." The first one replied, finally retrieving his mask. "The last thing we need are more Guards prying into our businesses."
"Enough. Both of you to my office, now." The Lord interrupts them, slowly beginning to walk away. "And call Soundwave." He added stoic over his shoulder, before transforming and flying upwards.
Both mechs gazed each other for a moment, before followed after the leader. The red Seeker knew well it was better not to make him wait. They reached the highest part of the tower, where they transformed and got into a big stance, also made of glass. The eldest mech made himself comfortable at the big chair behind the desk, with his back given to the window. The other two Seekers stood in front of him, awaiting orders.
"I want your opinion." The Lord finally said, reclining on his chair.
"I do believe we should get rid of her." The black one immediately replied, leaning on the desk. "If we ally with them, they will think we're weak, and we need to be strong now, more than never." There was a pause, before the red mech took the word,
"She offered it, they most likely need our help. It would be a chance to avoid the incoming war." The red mech started, letting those words sank. "It's a way of smoothing tension between both cities. Think about it. It would grant us an advantage."
"An advantage?" The first one inquired, frowning serious. "How?
"Explain yourself." The Lord ordered, turning all his attention towards his son.
"My point is, whatever we do, we will win. If the truce goes well, we will win the favor and the support of Iacon and its Elite Guards. We find the responsible and we make them pay… Main objective achieved." He explained, pausing shortly before continuing
"If we play well enough our cards, and we make them believe we're actually allies, the Guards will get a false feeling of trust on us. Once the alliance is over, they will get back to their usual duties, probably maintaining an accord between both cities."
"And then what?" The back mech inquired, crossing his servos over his chest.
"Controlling both Iacon and Kaon is controlling the world. We then get the Elite Guards out of the equation." He replied, giving him a thrilled predatory look. "Free way to siege Iacon. Two scraplets, one shot. Simple."
"That's clever..." The Lord admitted intrigued, scratching his chin
"Sure it it… But what if they decide to use the same tactic on us?" The black mech questioned, gesturing with a servo. "The femme it the only one who actually knows our condition. If we let her go, she will inform her superiors about it and will get ready to strike." He insisted. "Your plan is elaborated, but takes way too much time, and does not guarantee results."
The youngest mech chuckled, smirking, as he shook his helm, amused.
"My beloved cousin… I do believe you have expect too much time among Seekers and too less time facing Guards." He mocked. "Elite Guard are not strong to rule an empire. They don't have the ambition for expansion, they don't seek power. They will never attack us."
"What's your opinion, Soundwave?" The Lord asked, his gaze fixing on the mech at the far end of the chamber. The other mechs turned around to look at him, never noticing when had he joined them. The slender mech took a moment to ponder the suggestions, and then replied with a single short nod. The strongest mech stood up, turning towards the window, as night ruled the outside. "Find her, and let her know our decision." He added, shortly speaking over his shoulder. "Soundwave, remain here. I wish to discuss few things with you."
"Yes, Sire." The red mech replied, vowing and immediately directing himself towards the exit.
Arcee retraced her way back to Iacon. She felt relieved when she finally descried the boundaries between cities and was thankful she did not lost in her way. She had to admit the return had been calmer, which she enormously thanked. She wasn't sure she could handle an other battle.
Once she stepped onto neutral zone, all the tension washed over her frame. She transformed and zoomed through the streets of Iacon, finally into safety.
Her mind was still assimilating everything that had happened in the last jours, not believing it. She highly doubted they would access to her proposition, but she still had hope they would. Now, she had a new problem laying ahead. How was she gonna explaining to her superior she had tried to make a deal with the Seekers?
The femme soon reached her destination as it came into view. She would have drove to closer to her home, but she instead transformed and walked all the way there, trying to go as unnoticeable as possible. They could have followed her, and she didn't want to put her family at risk. She finally reached the door, and turned around, scanning the area. She took her time to make sure there were no Seekers, and once satisfied, she made it in, closing the door behind her.
She climbed climbed the stairs nimbly and sneaked into her room, making barely any sound. By the time she finally laid in her berth, morning light outside the window painted the horizon in warm colors, but she didn't care. It was time to recharge… At least for few jours, if she could.