Guess who has Covid… this author. Yeah, doing good at the moment. I started having symptoms Monday. By Wednesday, it was kicking my ass. So… um sorry about posting this late. Have fun reading though!
Both William and I had the same idea in mind: the attack wasn't random. Many other higher-ups, humans and Autobots, agreed to that statement. And I despised that. Not them agreeing but the fact the Decepticons attacked us right before Zayden was supposed to get here. If my energy wasn't so depleted, it would've been hard to control it.
Anger swelled in my chest, though not accompanied by my power though. Due to the large amount of injuries adorning me, that energy was more focused on healing them as quickly as possible. For the better, too. With that large of a wound, shapeshifting back wasn't on the table without causing more harm and pain to myself.
That same injury had me nearly sitting down. During the battle, adrenaline was roaring in my veins and barely made me think about it. Now though with an exhausted body, it pulsed at each heart beat. It nearly dragged my attention away from the conversation going about.
"Aztec is scheduled to arrive in thirty minutes-" oh, screw me over, seriously! Instinctively, my canines bared themselves with irritation growing. Lucky, I had my head tilted down with a partial curtain of brown hair in the way. "I feel like we should ask them a few questions about this. It definitely seems too planned."
Wait a minute… was that human blaming Zayden for the attack? Believing he was the one that sent the Decepticons at us? Not on my watch. I snapped my gaze and bored fire into the poor human's orbs.
Fear rolled off of them. "Don't you dare blame Zayden for this. You're lucky I'm here or else he wouldn't even think about aiding the military, let alone the government. And, use your brain and think. Both Aztec and Jasper have ties in the government so they don't get caught. If word got out about them coming here, it would lead to an attack," I snarled and squared up, anger guiding my actions and words.
He, thankfully for himself, submissively bowed his head and agreed. "So, you're suggesting that someone heard about Aztec coming here that is on the Cons or Jaspers side, they would want to attack? Why wouldn't they wait for everyone to be here for a larger target?" another soldier pointed out.
Then it hit me. "Shit! Spread out your targets and pluck them off. They're going to attack again or them while on the road." Without another word to anyone in the main hangar, I rushed towards the edge of the catwalk. Except, my injured leg gave out and pain shot out from it.
I unintentionally rammed my shoulder into the metal grate that makes up the catwalk's ground. Anger turned to rage at the position the large wound put me in. Are you kidding me? I just tripped in front of very important people and bots. That's never going to go away, will it?
The major dashed to my side and reached out to help only to hover above me. "Ar-are you okay?" he questioned and gazed at me worryingly.
"Yeah," I grunted and used the nearby railing to get up. The wrapping that cover the stab wound was now cover in blood from it being disturbed. Great, fantastic. Ugh, Ratchet isn't going to be happy with. "I'm going to go find them and give them cover incase they attack."
A gruff snort came from the doorway. "Like pit you are. You are staying on this base, again, until you're fully healed. No ifs, ands, or buts about it," Ratchet ordered and strolled over to us. His gaze scanned over me and simply found the blood covered bandage. I opened my mouth to argue while leaning heavily on railing but he stopped me. "Uh-ah, no. Optimus and Will have been getting reports from them with scanners. If they see anything, they'll alert us."
"B-but, but…" I trailed off, unable to find words for a good enough counter, and grumbled under my breath.
"That's what I thought." Damn bot always showing up at the worst times possible. "Now, go sit. I don't want you using that leg more than you have to."
The anger boiling, settled mostly back to a simmer. I trudged over to the table and plopped down on a seat, furthest away from everyone. Ratchet seemed pleased with himself and moved to stand next to Optimus as the discussion went onward.
No one paid much attention to me as their focus turned to the matter at hand. Thankfully. That meant I could just sit there and observe, something I do best. Well… until- "Tell us Azar, how intertwined are Aztec and Jasper in the government?" a random woman questioned, even though there was a strange challenge in her eyes.
My gaze found hers as we stared at each for a couple of seconds. I needed it to think over a well thought-out sentence and what to give them. "That, I cannot say. It's not my place. Once, Zayden gets here, you can ask him."
"And what's your relationship with him. You seem very attached to him," she taunted. It was well hidden that I could be the only one to notice it. My eyes narrowed on her, silently returning the challenge if she so wishes to act upon it. She doesn't, physically at least.
William butted in. "That's none of your business, Lieutenant." Said woman glanced over to him with a calculated look before backing down. "Now, I understand today was a bit unplanned but we need to ready up once more for a possible second attack. Correct, Azar?"
Everyone's attention returned to me after focusing on William and the woman. "I'm unsure. As we have agree, today's attack was planned and it wasn't a coincidence. As I've stated before, it would make sense for them to attack while we are separated as a last resort. So to speak, they are doing the opposite of killing two birds with one stone," I responded calmly and shifted my gaze evenly between everyone.
"We gave Zayden a head's up about the attack and they should be on the lookout. He responded that he hasn't had anything appear," Prowl stated and messed with the tablet in his hand. That helped ease my worry some but the fact my extra sense wasn't going off didn't help. I would rather have it give me a headache then wait for it go off. It was hard to tell what was worse.
Once our little met up was over, we left to prepare for another fight. There was nothing that Ratchet could pose since he ordered me not to leave the base. He never said anything about fighting again. Plus, it seems like they really need a flier like me at least. They would've been destroyed from the lack of air support. Their little group of five wouldn't have survived without me.
For once in this screwed up life, it wasn't any of my four wings hurt. Boy was I glad about that. Walking was a horrible way of transport, driving was also on that list. I've had bad experiences with cars, the same with planes.
Thinking about vehicles… Ratchet called out to me. "I need to change your bandages before you bleed through them." Right. I glanced down and found more blood had coated more of the white wraps. The CMO held out his hand for me to land on. I did so, careful of the pulsing wound.
My eyes scanned over the destruction that has barely been touched by anyone. The least injured bots, including the twins, were helping pick up and clearing better paths. At least there wasn't any snow for them to worry about. "No one died because of you." Ratchet's voice started me out of my thoughts. What was he talking about? It wasn't just me.
"There were hundreds of other soldiers and the whole Autobot team that helped just as much," I brushed off and leaned heavily on my non injured leg. The other one was become unable to my weight the longer I stood on it.
Only, Ratchet shook his head and motioned towards the large pile of dead Decepticons. A considerable amount had shards of ice sticking out of them. Two that I could see that hadn't transformed, their noses were melted as their frames also had icicles piercing them. "You took down a lot of Cons for us while in flight. You did a lot of work that shouldn't be looked over or simply brushed off like it was nothing."
"Well, Hatchet, it was nothing. I'm just doing my job and fulfilling a statement I gave to William: taking any bullet for his soldiers. They wouldn't be able to handle them but I can." That earned me a scowl from him as we entered the Med. Bay.
It was surprising that Prowl wasn't in here but was at the meeting. He definitely looked like someone put him through the grinder but the second in command showed up. A being who valued his job over his health. In many eyes, that's bravery, courage, strength, compassion. To others, it's a dangerous, deadly combo and he should worry about the latter the most.
"I will agree with humans being fragile, don't act like you aren't either." I felt offended he dare say I was a weak like human.
"How dare you. I've had limbs chopped off and still expected to fight on. I've been torn apart like some doll then put back together. None of the humans here could even imagine surviving what I did," I nearly snarled, letting my anger get in the way. Ratchet's expression shifted to light horror at those statements. Yeah, the past was a horrible, terrifying to remember. That's why I don't', or at least try not to.
His expression change though to rage as he sat me down. "Humans," he spat and grabbed some medical supplies for me. Sure enough, he agrees with that humans are vile creature by the tone his voice.
"Don't I know. If you got a chance to look at my screwed up DNA, you'll see the horrors there." Everyone's curious about how my DNA now looks being different and split. I didn't blame him. Some of the helpers at Aztec really wanted to look at it but Zayden wouldn't let them.
"I… I have. I can't believe your own kind did that to you." He begun unwrapping the bandage to replace it.
"Let alone, them being my mother." I saw the anger on his face multiply at the reminder. "She was never a good person. She shouldn't never had children in the first place." A huge sigh left me at the reminder of that thing that gave birth to me and my brother. "Some people aren't cut out to take care of children."
A mild silence hung in the air as Ratchet carefully peeled the stuck, dried bloody wraps off. "What are your plans when you find her? Because if you aren't going to kill her, I will." His tone had completely changed. For a quick moment, I felt fear zip through me before it disappeared.
I hissed and clenched both sets of teeth when he rubbed some kind of ointment. "Yeah, I'm going to kill her slow and painfully. Drag it out, the same way she's dragged out ever single near deaths of mine. It'll never match the amount she put me through but it'll probably make me feel better. And thank you, but you'll be in a long line before you reach her."
Ratchet hummed before forcing me to stand. My entire body protested with sore muscles. It wasn't even pass two in the afternoon yet and I desperately needed to pass out. My wings ached due to the two times I had to do sudden stops. The second time hurt the worst since they were already cramping.
While near to finishing up, he paused for a hot second then continued. "Zayden's here."
All of my muscles froze. Crap on stick, I shouldn't be this nervous. Is it normal to be nervous when you're going to meet your father to work with him? Last time was nice, wish it was a better setting to accidently run into each other. "May the gods have mercy on my soul, frack a dack," I spout out random words and tapped my talons against the floor. If only the twins were next to me, that would've helped my nerves.
Being around them usually calmed my out of whack emotions, besides compassion. That always grew in their presences and I wasn't complaining about it.
He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder after finishing. "Hey, it's going to be alright." Maybe, possibly, I have no idea if it will. Zayden has to be pissed at me and will definitely give me an earful when he has the chance. And he somehow knows that the twins and I are at least close. That damn man.
"I'm really not feeling all that great to have him yell at me for my actions," I grumbled and ran a hand through my locks, picking out a few, small rat's nests.
A snort came from him and he stood back. "Why would he yell at for what you did today? He doesn't even know and he should be proud of you for saving a few humans." Oh boy.
"Not that. Helping the military which means I'm helping the government. And he hates the government and their wicked ways."
"I don't blame him. Humans are evil creatures." It was my turn to snort and give him a look. Excuse you, there is a half human in your presences. "Not you, of course. At least you help compared to a lot of your kind on this planet." I couldn't tell whether or not to be offended. "But that's beside the point, let's get you over to him." Oh, yeah, so much fun this day is.
This time around, Zayden was well dressed in partial armor. His hair was well groomed and cleaned. Last battle, it was all over the place with dirt and grime in it. Couldn't blame him though, how you look is the last thing on your mind when fighting.
Mia and Jacob stood next to him. The former caused anger to spike in me but I soothed that before it could grow. Both were also well dressed like their leader and wore near matching armor. Neither held a weapon in their hands; instead, Jacob had his favorite pair of pistols strapped to his sides. Mia was carrying a few more weapons than him which included multiple knives, two small pistols, one stun gun, and a retractable stick. That was her usual though, besides missing at least one automatic rifle.
A group of fifteen other higher-ups stood with them. Only three I recognized. Jeez, Zayden what have you been up to while I was gone.
Ratchet carefully set me down on the ground before strolling over to Optimus, Prowl, and Jazz. Okay, come on, Prowl, you need to take break. Even from here, I could see how stiff his body was and how it pained his to stand. With a shake of my head, I limped my way over to Zayden.
Instead of taking them to the main hangar, William had them shown to the hangar I was partially interrogated in. The inside allowed a large enough room for a few bots to stand in without crowding in on each other. Plus, there was a table inside that could seat thirty or so humans.
Our arrival didn't go unnoticed though. Zayden being the person to pay attention to his peripheral vision had spotted us. Without another thought he excused himself a bit rudely from the conversation with William and Robert to jog over to me. Even in the presences of very important people, he wrapped his arms around my taller form. I winched slightly at the pressure on my sore muscles but nonetheless, returned the gesture.
Neither of us said anything, it wasn't needed. I shifted slightly due to my throbbing leg and encased him with both wings. The man may be delusion, believing I'm still his daughter, but I won't deny him a hug.
Then he stood back and scanned over my battered body. "God, Azar, what did they do to you?" I rolled my eyes and furled my wings, ignoring their protest of movement.
"You should be more worried about them and what I did to them." It was his turned to roll his eyes and flicked my shoulder. I gave him a deadpanned look. "I'm fine, some rest and food and I'll be healed."
He reluctantly agree with a nod, knowing it was the truth, before motioning towards the group. The two of us started our way over to them. "I'm surprised you're even letting people see you in this form. I remember you would always freak out when someone saw." That was for good reason, Zayden. This is considered my more monstrous form.
My mouth slightly hung open in offense before I playfully shook my head. "Oh, be quiet. I can't shift back, at the moment. The wound on my leg is too damaged for an easy shift back, you know this. And I kind of got over that after some time on my lone some." Healing from that severe of a wound wasn't going to be fun. It's going to be a long, hard journey to go through.
"Oh my baby girl is all grown up," he teased, much like how a father would, and couldn't hide the twitch of his lips. "All out on her own, saving the world from two bad guys." I loved how he said it with such ease, like it was so normal for everyone's daughter to be doing that.
This time, I decided not to respond verbally since we were getting close. Instead, I smacked him with the back of my hand. He retailed with a flick to my shoulder once more. We settled down as we took the few steps to reach the group.
Mia and Jacob stared hard at me. The latter had a calculated look in his eye as they scanned over my injured frame. His usually look he almost always has in in those orbs of his. "So uncivilized." Oh, you little… I wanted to smack him for that, yet refrained myself from doing so. That would be even worse, fueling Jacob's 'uncivilized' thoughts about my form.
"Jacob be nice," Zayden scolded and placed a hand on my shoulder. A proud look passed over his face. The four of us have been put back together. May that be for best… I don't know. Something's we never got along about and it didn't help Jacob and I's rough start.
"Ugh, boys." Mia's attention was now solely focused on me now. "I know you are mad at me but can we let bygones be bygones?" Mia interrupted and sweetly asked. My eyes narrowed on her. In this form, I knew I was scarier and used that to my favor. It worked. She bunched up her shoulders and stared pitifully at the ground. "Please, I'm sorry. I really am."
Zayden's grip on my shoulder tightened and he slightly pulled me towards him. "Hey, Azzie, no. It's our fault not hers. If you are going to glare at someone, glare at me. You aren't scary," he butted in. My mouth parted partial as I turned to stare at him, offended he just said that. For your knowledge good sir, many think I'm scary.
"It's the truth. But that's not why we are here. Should we get down to business?" Damn him.