Hostile Territory

Written by: Okami

Chapter 22- Tensions Rising

~

Tension is building inside

Steadily

Everyone feels so far away from me

Heavy thoughts forcing their way

Out of me

Lyrics: From the Inside_Linkin Park

~

            *I do NOT own Transformers: RID. {Drat!!}

******                                                                         

            The mood was unusually quiet and dreary in the once cheerful Autobot headquarters.  The Build Team worked silently yet diligently to repair the mangled medical bay, while the Autobot brothers engaged themselves in the task of keeping their youngest sibling online. 

            "Come on Sideburn, stay awake," Prowl urged, gently shaking his brother's shoulders. 

            The energon depleted mech's optics flickered to life once more, trying desperately to focus on at least one of the many swimming figures in his line vision.  He smiled meekly when his two siblings appeared clearly before him, both with worry shining in their optics.

            "Hey bros," he managed in a raspy tone. 

            "Now don't try an' talk. Wedge an' the others are almos' done fixin' the med bay. Then you'll be able to chase them little red sports car ya like so much," X-Brawn said, trying to ease his own fears as well as his brother's. 

            "All right guys. We're finished," Wedge's voice interrupted the silence that had befallen amongst the brothers. 

            The two brothers, as carefully as possible, carried Sideburn to the remodeled medical facility and settled themselves in for the long wait as Wedge prepared for the detailed repair job ahead of him.       

~~~

Optimus Prime paced the corridor oblivious to the other Autobots occupying the same room.  His thoughts were so filled with questions and concerns for his underlings that he nearly missed stepping on his human friend Koji, who was only able to escape this fate by jumping to safety. 

"Hey Optimus, what's the deal?" Koji asked, his voice holding a slight hint of irritation. 

Prime glanced the human's way as noticing him for the first time.  "Sorry Koji. I'm a bit distracted at the moment."

"I can see that. What's up?"

The Autobot leader let out a heavy sigh and locked optics with a trusty comrade.  "Rail Spike, would you please fill Koji in on the situation. I have too much work right now that needs my attention."

"Sure thing Optimus," the bullet train agreed, noting the tired expression in his leader's optics.  "This way Koji, I'll explain everything."

Optimus watched gratefully as the two exited the chamber, leaving him alone with his work once more.  Even Tai zipping around trying to find some trace of Suzuki didn't make his spirits higher.  How could an Autobot be so badly damaged while in the "safety" of headquarters?  Sideburn's diagnostic was grim but at least he would recover in time. 

"Optimus," Tai's ever-alert voice broke through his thoughts.  "You probably won't want to hear this, but the Decepticons are attacking an oil refining plant in sector Alpha-Minor."

The fire truck nodded his head.  "Assemble the Spy Changers. Tell them I'll meet them there."  With that said, Optimus transformed and rolled into the spacebridge. 

******

            "Then it's all set. You'll raid that oil plant and steal the necessary energy," Gigatron concluded.  The plan seemed perfect and foolproof.  Not even the bumbling Predacons could screw up a mission as simple as this.  But, he would not entrust this scheme to those imbeciles, no, this belonged to the Decepticons, his most loyal followers. 

The sound of heavy footsteps approaching took his attention from dismissing his underlings to the doorway leading to the room. 

"I wish to join them, sire," Suzuki asked, her voice as cold as ice.  She approached the throne, pushed past the other Decepticons, then kneeled before her lord and master.  "Please allow me the honor of joining the attack." 

"That is absurd!" MegaOctane exclaimed.  "You'll only slow us down plus you're not at full working order." 

Suzuki rose from the ground and turned to face him.  "Would you like to bet on that?" she asked, a smirk spreading across her lips.  "Even if I'm not fully recovered, I can still whip you."  She watched with much amusement as MegaOctane's optics flashed and he took a large step in her direction. 

"Why you—"

"That's enough!" Gigatron's voice boomed, silencing any further remarks and ending the bickering.  "Suzuki will remain here." 

The femme clenched her fists in anger and wished to argue, but knew it was futile.  So instead, she bowed in acknowledgement and left the chamber. 

Scourge watched Suzuki retreat and couldn't help but allow himself a small victory grin.  Everything was going according to plan: MegaOctane's outburst was executed perfectly, Gigatron's reaction was extremely predictable, and Suzuki managed to restrain her growing temper, which was becoming no easy task. 

"I will not fail you, master," the Decepticon leader announced, kneeling before his lord once more. 

~~~

            Skybyte's optics narrowed as he watched his arch rivals speed away to the oil refinery.  Something was up, he could feel it in the air, but he could not for the life of him place exactly what it was.  It was then that he noticed Suzuki storm through the corridor, not even bothering to acknowledge the Predacon.  She merely continued on her way, grumbling something inaudible with clenched fists. 

            She reminded him so much of Scourge it was scary.  The vicious temper, the attitude, the underlying sense of treachery; it was as if they were exact replicas of each other.  Skybyte shuddered at the thought, hoping he was wrong in his assumption. 

******

Armorhide and Rollbar secured the pump to the second oil tank then opened the hatch, sending the oil straight into the reservoir attached to MegaOctane.  The two Decepticons were detaching the hose and preparing to empty another tank when an incoming message from RoTor blasted from their comlinks.

            "Autobots at 3:00!" followed by the sound of gunfire overhead. 

"All right Decepticons. We got what we came for now head back to base," Scourge ordered, using his sword to deflect Prowl's combustion missiles. 

"Not so fast Decepticreep!" HotShot hollered, aiming his gun at MegaOctane's tires.  "Give back that energy!" 

Armorhide saw the attack coming and jumped in front of his comrade, deflecting the blow thanks to his namesake, the thick armor covering him from head to toe.  He bombarded the Spy Changer leader with an attack of his own, giving MegaOctane enough time to escape any stray fire. 

~~~

"Drat. They got away with the energy," Wars fumed, glaring after the retreating forms of the Decepticons.  He kicked the ground in anger. 

"Now settle down. We did save the majority of the oil and we chased away the Decepticons, so I'd say our mission was partly successful," Ironhide replied calmly, trying to look at the bright side of the situation. 

*Optimus! The Predacons are attacking a dam in sector Beta-C!* Tai's panicked voice erupted from Prime's comlink.

*We're on our way,* he answered.  "Let's roll!"

******

"Well, I'm going back on patrol. Care to join me?" Prowl asked, glancing towards his calm brother.  After receiving a much needed tone-up from Tai, he felt ready to pursue and apprehend some law-breaking criminals. 

"Nah. I hear the sound of a mountain trail callin' my name," X-Brawn replied, grinning under his mask.  "But don't worry, I'll go back to work once I've finished takin' it easy. You try it too sometime. All work an' no play is makin' you dull." 

Prowl resented being referred to as dull.  Sure he was almost always on duty patrolling the city but that's what police cars do!  They protect the people and keep the bad guys off the streets.  He just wished his brothers or at least someone shared this belief. 

The middle Autobot brother said his farewell to his sibling and returned to his duty, glad to be getting back to work. 

"Maybe I am dull," Prowl said aloud.  "But I'm a police car and there's never time to relax when criminals are on the street. Someone needs to be protecting the humans. But…maybe I should relax once in a while, just for a few minutes. It couldn't hurt." 

Well, that was that.  Prowl immediately began thinking of fun things to do once his shift was completed.  A nice hot oil bath, or maybe a visit to a quiet forest with a stream, or a relaxing recharge in his room, or even joining his brother for a joy ride, as long as the speed limit was obeyed of course. 

            A faint pounding soon reached his audio receptors, steadily gaining decibels with each passing moment.  The source of the noise was soon spotted near the horizon traveling at a very reckless velocity on the busy city highway.  Loud music blared from the motorcycle's speakers while an unseen voice sang along with the artist.  With a flash of green paint and the music blaring, the motorcycle had whizzed by and left humans to stare in wonder at the unmanned vehicle. 

            Prowl's brake lights flashed to life, followed quickly by the sound of screeching tires.  The rubber on his wheels left their mark on the pavement as he did a 180 and began his pursuit of the speeding motorcycle.  Switching on his police lights and sirens, the Autobot was able to close in on his target thanks to the humans pulling off the road to let him pass.  Being an officer of the law sure had its perks when pursuing criminals. 

            "Pull over! You are in direct violation of code 22350!" Prowl shouted over the so-called music. 

            "I think not Autobot. I'm having too much fun," Suzuki replied, cranking up the decibels and pulling back on the hand grip that acted as her gas pedal. 

            The two raced around the outer part of the city before turning off onto the dirt roads leading into the forest.  Dust flew out from behind the vehicle's tires as they sped through the trees, not bothering to slow when turning sharp curves or swerving to avoid other cars.  Prowl, ignoring his better judgment, waited until Suzuki pulled off into a clear meadow before radioing for assistance. 

            The femme sighed in irritation upon seeing the police car still on her tail even after cutting through the thick forest.  So, she gave him a break and turned towards a grassy area where they could do battle. 

            "Suzuki transform!"

            "Prowl transform!"

"Eat laser Autobot!" Suzuki's voice erupted, followed closely by the sound of bullets striking metal.  She laughed maliciously as Prowl tried to fire back from behind the cover of a very large boulder. 

"I only wish to talk!" he yelled, clutching his weapon tightly.  "But if I must apprehend you first then so be it!" 

*Just so you all know, I will be starting college very soon and fanfics will come second to school work. Sorry about the delay between updates, but I'll try to wrap this up so you all don't have to wait long. Thanks J*