DMK: Well, here's chapter six. There's a flashback here because I felt like it... that was mostly in a feeble attempt to smite my evil writer's block... This one focuses on Sideswipe, who is devastated about Caitlin's death, probably more so than most of the bots. Why? You'll find out. Oh, and forgive me if Swipey's reaction is a bit funky... but come on, when Hotshot saved him he was bawling like a baby! Plus, he's the ONLY Autobot I know that shouts 'SOMEBODY NEEDS A HUUUUUG!!'.... Eh, I have said too much... read on.

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Chapter 6



Well, breaking the news to the first three mechs was pretty easy. I had purposefully kept my good buddy Swipey for last, prolly because of the fact that he was one of the ones that I would classify as a best friend. Well, a big, metal, transformable one from another galaxy, but a best friend just the same.

FLASHBACK
I had just entered the base, and both Jolt and my Minicon had come to me saying that there was a new recruit by the name of Sideswipe. Interested, I followed him to the shooting range, where, like he had said, was a new mech. A young one, who was having a very difficult time trying to hit a stationary target. He let lose one shot, and it missed by several feet.

Hotshot, who was trying to teach him the basics, laughed. Primus, what were you aiming for, one of your imaginary friends?

In response, the newcomer growled, and fired about ten shots, blowing the target to pieces. Hotshot again laughed, clearly NOT impressed with this youngster's skills. I walked into the room fully as he tossed another insult his way.

I said, a bit irritated. Lay off him, alright? You weren't any better until Scavenger showed up and straightened you out....

The yellow mech stopped his badgering, and turned my way. Hey! Well whaddya know? Shorty's here!!

Dude, don't CALL me that, I growled, glaring up at him. The black, gray, and blue mech had again taken aim, and missed. I cringed at seeing how innacurate he was. Hotshot had opened his mouth once more to insult him, when I cut him off. The youth was getting VERY frustrated, and so, remembering a bit of shooting advice from an old Disney movie (Pochahantas, when Smith is teaching his friend how to aim... u_u;;), asked Sideswipe, Are both of your eyes open?

He looked down at me, confused.

When you aim. Are both of your eyes open? I repeated again.

Uh... no.

Well, try that. It just might help.

Skeptically, the young mech steadied his gun, and repeated the phrase, both eyes open...' under his breath. He let a single shot fly, and, like I had hoped, it hit the target dead-center. Hotshot stared down at me, a bit dumbfounded. How the heck did you know that?

I grinned up at him and answered smugly, Lucky guess. Hotshot was left speechless, and this time, Sideswipe had a chance to get even with him. Not able to take a dose of his own medcine', he left, muttering various statements. Once he was gone, Sideswipe had begun to shoot targets down left and right, pleased with his accuracy. Not bad, I commented, watching him blast another target.

You really think so? he asked, turning back around to look at me. I nodded, smiling. Thanks, uh-

My name's Caitlin. And you?

You can call me Sideswipe. Nice to meet you. And uh, thanks for getting Hotshot to lay off on me... I was getting pretty darn tired of it.

Don't mention it.
END FLASHBACK

It was then that our frienship began. And since then, we got tight. Like, absolute best friends tight. I never honestly thought me dying' would have had such a bad influence on him... I mean, he was always to cheery and upbeat.... and maybe even hyper... Like Sai Saici from G-Gundam hyper. But man, from what I had heard, he was a wreck.

***

Sideswipe was in his quarters, silent, sitting at his desk, busy typing into what resembled a human Journal. He hadn't even heard the door to his room slide open.

He was too preoccupied at the moment. Busy trying to get his feelings into that journal. Like Hotshot, he was everything at once. Sad. Confused. Angry. Devastated. Like there was something missing. There were no more daily pranks with Caitlin and Jetfire, no more insane through the entire base' chases with Caitlin and Jetfire because of one of those daily pranks. It was depressing. And he didn't like it. But he was mad as well. Everytime even a trace of a memory of one of those accursed Decepticons entered his mind, his anger would flare, and sometimes the first thing that moved would be the target of that same rage. Then, as soon as it had came, it would flood away, leaving him feeling drained and often he would cry. He didn't care if he looked like a crybaby'... this kind of pain hurt, and badly. Primus, how he wished that one morning he'd just wake up and she'd be there again.

Heya Swipey! A cheery voice greeted from the doorframe.

He stopped what he was doing and looked up from his work, shocked at hearing an incredibly familiar voice speak his nickname. Before him, he found himself looking at a short, but young, blue-green femme smiling at him, her expression amused.

Who... are you? he asked, not recognizing her.

Oh come on, not you too! I was hoping at least ONE of you would recognize little ol' Shorty by now....

He just stared in shock. ..... Caitlin?

The femme bowed a little. The one and only!

Thankfully Sideswipe was already sitting, because if he had been standing, the shock would have long-ago sent him to the floor. For what seemed like five minutes, he was paralyzed from the utter shock, unable to move, speak, or even think.

Uh... Sideswipe? You okay in there? Cybertron to Sideswipe...

In a second he had gathered his senses and was up, and had instantly pulled the human-turned-Transformer into a tight bear hug, sobbing, I- I can't believe it!! You're alive!! I thought you were lost forever and that you'd never come back and-

Dude, Sideswipe, settle down! It's okay.

The youth realized what he was doing, and sheepishly released her. Oops, sorry about that. I guess I got a little carried away...

A little? THAT's an understatement... She muttered gruffly.

Sorry, but Primus!! I thought you were never coming back!!

You can't keep me down for THAT long, you know. I'm like a boomerang, I always come back one way or another.

He smiled. Well come on then! We gotta go tell the others!

Caitlin paused. Uhh... they already know...

They do?

Yeah. Jetfire nearly passed out from the shock and Blurr just about had a heart attack, while Hotshot looked so scared it wasn't even funny.

The young mech in front of her cracked up at the thought of the three aforementioned Autobots' reactions. "You're kidding!"

"Nope," she told him. "Even ask Optimus. He saw Jetfire go nuts. Buuuut... he also found out about our little pranks on Scavenger and Red..."

"You mean when you two tarred and feathered Red and used the old 'spike the drink with bubbles' bit on Scavenger?!"

She nodded. "Yup. Even Jets admitted to it."

Sideswipe laughed. "Man, if those two ever find out..." he let it hang.

"I know. We'd both be screwed."

"Glad I wasn't in on those two jokes..."

"Yes, but you DID help me and Jets with the ever-classic 'ink in the energon' and 'superglue' pranks..."

He laughed. "I still think Hotshot's mouth is black from that..."

"I wouldn't be surprised... Well, I guess this means that I'm one of you guys now."

"Are you gonna fight with us?"

"I sure as heck hope so, because I REALLY wanna get back at Conehead for doing this to me in the first place..."

You know I'll help, cuz even though you're back, I'm still out for revenge!

Caitlin smiled. Well, glad to see that. Though... I will actually have to train a bit before I can actually fight...

Oh boy... I can just see Scavenger wearing you out until you can't walk...

Him wear me out? I don't think so. She told him confidently. Don't forget that I have outsmarted that hunk of steel on several occasions... I mean, granted that I played several great pranks without him ever getting a clue, but still, that's skill.

He laughed. You make it sound like it's an art or something...

Just like many people think battle is an art. It's not much different, you know.

Yeah well-

Without warning, the Minicon Alarm blared throughout the base. Caitlin rubbed her hands together excitedly. This is gonna be fun.



TBC

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DMK: Yes, I am the QUEEN of CLIFFIES!! Go ahead, hate me. I careth not. Wait, yeah I do. I do care if you hate me, just like I care if you review or not, so please review this one! NO FLAMES! I typed that little prank conversation to see if just randomly writing things would get me back into the swing of things... Eh, so much for that. u_u'' Aaaaanyway, I now have TWO DAYS OF SUMMER SCHOOL! BWAHAHAHA!! Funny ting is, we're doing short stories... ones with plot, rising action, climax, and resolution... they have to be about five pages written... buuuuut, I took my fic 'About Face' in its entirety and just made the font smaller... hehehehe... I'm all set for that assignment. ^_^ Then again, my friend Katie wouldn't stop nagging me about it... oh, and hey Cory! I still think you should write your story about 'Inquisitive Carl' (parody of Curious George...) ... But that Southern Hick one of yours works too... *cough* sorry... Just, eh, talking to one of my classmates... ^^''' Anyway, Review!!