Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers or any of the characters mentioned in the story. They are trademarks of Hasbro and the other companies responsible for their creation. So pleeez don't sue me.
When We Where YoungChapter 11 – Music to the Audios
"I…I…." Blitzwing stammered.
The Headmaster when around behind Blitzwing and gently removed the shackles that had bound Blitzwing's hands together. The young triple-changer brought his hands forward and absently rubs his wrists.
"Could I have some time to think about this?"
"Very well. You have two days. I'll have the authorities escort you back to your house, however you are not to leave there for any activities with the exception of classes. Do you understand?" The Headmaster's calm tone had not changed.
"You're sending me back to the House?" Blitzwing's surprise was evident.
"Would you prefer a cell?" A slight smile tugged at the corner of the Headmaster's mouth.
"No! No! The Arial House is just fine!"
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"Hey, guys! Wait up!" Starscream called after his fellow seekers in the school hallway.
"Hey, Screamer!" Skywarp called cheerfully, while Thundercracker smiled slightly.
"So whatever happened to Blitzwing?" Starscream asked with some concern.
"We don't know," Skywarp shrugged his shoulders, "We haven't seen him since you used your null ray on him and the academy authorities dragged him off yesterday."
"Oh, yeah." Starscream turned his optics to the ground as he walked. "Does everybody think I'm a teacher's pet now?"
"No," Skywarp smirked. " They're thinking, 'wow I guess I better think twice about messing with the squeaky voiced scientist!'"
Starscream and Thundercracker chuckled, but then the blue seeker's face became serious state. "No matter what they decide to do with Blitzwing, after all he's done they won't let him come back to the War Ball team. So we've got less than two weeks to find a replacement.
"Well," Starscream began. "What about me?"
The other two seekers turned to Starscream in surprise. "You? But---"
"Did we hear truthfully that there is an opening in the Metal War Ball team?"
The three seekers turned to see Shrapnel, Bombshell and Kickback. Skywarp and Starscream were quite taken aback when they heard Thundercracker emit a low growl and turned his back on Bombshell, Kickback and Shrapnel.
Shrapnel continued. "Perhaps one of could fill the place Blitzwing so foolishly gave up---"
BAM!
Thundercracker whirled around and punched shrapnel right between the optics.
"YOU NEVER WILL! I'D RATHER HAVE PETRO-RABBITS ON MY TEAM THAN YOU!" Thundercracker screamed at the top of his air intake valves.
Shrapnel let go a half shocked, half enraged snarl as Thundercracker stormed down the hallway and out the main door. All of the students in the hallway burst out laughing.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! You guys got busted!" Octane laughed as Bombshell and Kickback helped Shrapnel to his feet. Thundercracker stomped out the main door and into the courtyard. Good thing it was break period, he needed some time to cool off before going through another round of classes that day. At least Arial Combat and Weaponry were next. He could blow off some sparks in the target range.
"Hey TC, you okay?" Skywarp tied to ask with concern, but he was fighting a laugh from the memory of the fallen Shrapnel.
"Yes……No……Just……Just leave me alone! I need some time to think. I'm going for a walk."
" TC, are you sure----?"
"LEAVE ME ALONE!!"
Thundercracker marched off toward the War Ball training field.
"What's up his tailpipe?"
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As Thundercracker approached the War Ball field, his audio receptors began to pick up strange sounds coming from the field. As he drew closer he identified the sounds as a form of music, but who? He didn't recognize the tune. Upon arriving at one end of the field he noticed another transformer at the other end. The music was coming from him.
The other transformer was lying down on his back looking up at the sky and something small and black was sitting next to him. Upon seeing Thundercracker, the black thing jumped to its feet and snarled. Thundercracker stopped dead in his tracks.
'I really don't need this right now," Thundercracker thought, " Uh….Nice panzer, I'm not in mood for a fight."
The transformer who had been lying down, sat up. It was Soundwave. "At ease Ravage. Thundercracker ally."
Ravage stopped growling.
"Um thanks." Thundercracker absently rubbed the back of his head. "Why were you lying on the ground, and here of all places?"
"When practice not in session. It is quiet." Soundwave gave Ravage a pat on the head.
"Who composed the tune you were playing?"
"Composition made by me."
"You?! You composed that?!"
"Why are you surprised?"
"Well…It's just that….You never seemed like the artistic type."
"Sounds are fascinating. I mix them together."
"Hmmmmm… Y'know that last tune would go good with one of Astrotrain's songs."
"Astrotrain?"
"Yeah." Thundercracker sat down on the ground next to Soundwave. "He hides his ability because….well let's just say the other guys don't appreciate art."
"You discovered him?"
Thundercracker sighed inwardly and looked up at the sky. "One day I kind of walked in on Astrotrain when he was reciting on of his songs. I asked him about his writing and he answered that he really didn't know where his creativity came from, just that words popped into his head and he had to write them down. His stuff is really good, that's what separates him from the other triple-changers and transport vehicles in general. And I---"
Suddenly Thundercracker seemed to realize that he was spilling his circuits to some one he barely knew, particularly someone who was designed to get confessions and then use them against the confessor.
"Listen up Soundwave!" Thundercracker's calm voice suddenly became harsh and angry. "If you playback one word of this conversation you're gonna be wearing you vocalizer cords for a necklace! Does that compute!?"
"Affirmative. No recording was made. Only Ravage cassette and rhythmic sounds cassette are here."
Soundwave paused for a moment then asked.
"Permission to see writings."
A look of surprise crossed Thundercracker's face.
"for the rhythmic Sounds." Soundwave continued
"Rhythmic sounds? Oh, the music. Right." Thundercracker felt a little embarrassed at not knowing immediately what Soundwave meant by "Rhythmic Sounds."
"Um…" Thundercracker mentally debated over whether or not to let Soundwave see the writings. It was Astrotrain's work and he didn't know if Astrotrain wanted anyone to see. Then again, according to Blitzwing, Astrotrain had entrusted the writings to him. Also, if Soundwave really did compose that beautiful melody, then being a fellow artist Soundwave would not mock Astrotrain's own compositions.
Thundercracker pulled his laptop out of subspace, accessed the file he wanted, then handed it to Soundwave.
Soundwave looked over the words.
"Rhythmic Sounds selected. However, a voice is required."
"Huh?"
"Your voice would have good harmony with selected rhythmic sounds."
"My voice?!" Thundercracker could not hide the surprise on his face.
Suddenly they both could hear a chiming in their heads, indicating that it was about five minutes till class time.
Soundwave stood up then turned back to Thundercracker.
"If you wish me to record your voice for the rhythmic sounds. Come to Maxima's house. Starscream is your friend, Megatron will understand, and Shockwave could careless. As for Maxima and myself, anytime between end of classes and scheduled recharge time is acceptable. If you do not, that is your decision."
Without another word Soundwave walked back toward the Academy with Ravage trotting at his heal…
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I know this is kind of an awkward place to leave this chapter off but I felt it was right. Chapter 12 is basically a continuation of this one, however didn't want to cram a lot of important information into chapter 11, so I thought I would spread it out. Don't worry chapter 12 should be up by Saturday at the latest.
Vega Sailor