What Makes No Difference Is No Difference (WMNDIND 9)

-0-In the base

Sideswipe stood up rubbing his chin. "Nice punch, slagger. By the way, you look like crap."

Sunstreaker shook his helm. "You and I have a conversation due."

"Frag you," Sideswipe said with a grin. "I looked for your sorry aft all over the slagging galaxy."

"Says you," Sunstreaker said darkly.

Bluestreak who was listening, watching both of them bitch finally plant a fist into Sunstreaker's chassis. The huge bot stepped back taking the blow which wasn't pulled in the slightest. Bluestreak turned to Sideswipe, taking a step toward him. "Do you want some, too?"

Sideswipe moved back raising his servos as he did. "No."

Bluestreak stopped, then turned toward Optimus who watched with a slight grin on his face. "They'll behave."

"They better," Ratchet said shooting caustic optics to the pair who stared at Bluestreak with wariness.

"Tell us about this," Optimus said nodding to the bot on the floor as Knockout slowly began to revive.

"I was looking around when this aft head decided to chase me. I drove off road and took him apart. It felt like justice, the fragger," Sideswipe said as he nudged Knockout with his ped. He grinned at Ratchet. "You may keep him as a pet if you want."

Ratchet grinned. "I will."

Knockout sat up, then looked around. Gasping with surprise, he stood up only to freeze as half a dozen guns appeared out of nowhere to point at his helm. He looked around nervously, then saw Ratchet. "You!"

"Yes, me," Ratchet said stepping closer with an expression of murder on his face.

"What are you going to do, Prime? This mech is a maniac," Knockout said turning toward Optimus with a tone of great effrontery and aggravation.

"You are our prisoner. You will be treated according to the Rules of Engagement and detained here until such time as we can transport you off world to better detention." Optimus looked at Sideswipe. "Take him to the cells in Corridor 11. Make sure he is adequately secured."

Sideswipe nodded. "No problem," he said with a ruthlessly humorless expression on his face. He gripped Knockout dragging him off his peds.

"WATCH THE PAINT JOB!" Knockout bellowed as he was hauled off. His bellows trailed off until they were gone.

"Fragger. I'm going to slag him to the Pit," Sunstreaker said, then he turned toward Prime. "I need a wash."

"I'LL TAKE YOU TO THE WASH RACKS!" a voice called out.

Everyone turned to watch a tiny figure run down the stairs, then across the floor to where they stood together.

Prime looked at Miko, then the newbies. "This is Miko. Those two on the mezzanine are Jack and Raf. They are humans who are the indigenous species on this planet. They are our closest allies and friends."

Miko looked up at Sunstreaker and Bluestreak who even in their new colorful format were covered with slime and dirt. "Come on. I'll show you around. I'm Bulkhead's partner and a Wrecker, too."

Sunstreaker looked at her with an uncomprehending expression.

Then Bluestreak punched his shoulder. "Come on. Let's go," he said. Blue looked down at Miko. "Lead on," he said with a grin.

"Gotcha," Miko said as she began to walk to the corridor. "I'll give you a tour along the way. This is the corridor that goes into the mountain and the place where everyone lives."

Bluestreak followed with a grin.

Sunstreaker followed as well as the three disappeared into the mountain.

"We can't keep that criminal here, Optimus. We have to figure out how to get rid of him before we live to regret it. Knockout has no principles or scruples," Ratchet said.

Optimus nodded. "We will. I want to send an encrypted message to Prowl. We can seek transfer of the prisoner when its safe to do so. Until now, we need to make sure that his cell and the security net here is top notch."

Ratchet nodded, then glanced at Ironhide who was quietly listening. With a nod, he began to walk to the corridor and back to the area where Knockout would be caged.

Wheeljack was already there considering the modifications they would make.

Ironhide peering through the window of the iron door that would hold the Decepticon inside. "This is good metal. It should hold him but we need to make sure. What do you suggest?" he asked the scientist.

Wheeljack thought a moment, then they planned a cell format that would hold the Decepticon and ensure that the only way Knockout would leave was boots up.

-0-Wash racks

Sunstreaker soaped up as next to him Bluestreak did the same. "What do you think so far?"

"Its good to be back with the others. Sideswipe is a sight for sore optics," Bluestreak said glancing at Sunstreaker. He was covered in suds as he carefully worked the soap over his armor. "I missed him."

"Don't tell him. He's insufferable enough," Sunstreaker said.

"I like the formats we have," Blue said as he rinsed off. "You look good."

Sunstreaker glanced at Bluestreak. "I always look good."

Bluestreak shot a stream of water in Sunny's face, then began to walk to the sink nearby. He took a towel, dried himself off, then looked at Sunstreaker. "Get done, Sunny. We have to pull our weight."

"I always do, Blue," Sunstreaker said as he rubbed at a spot on his leg.

"I'm going to look around. I haven't seen Jazz in eons," Blue said as he turned to go out the door. As he entered the corridor, he paused to look down at the floor. "Hi."

"Hi," Miko said. "You're Bluestreak. Why are you called that?"

Bluestreak thought a moment, then shrugged. "My family named me that. They liked it."

"Want to see the base?" Miko asked.

Blue grinned. "Sure," he said kneeling down. He held out his servo. Standing up after Miko climbed on they began to walk onward. They'd tour the base for some time.

Miko would ask a number of questions, only a few which Blue would answer.

-0-Far away

Prowl stood in the doorway of the building that was the operational center of their camp. The Autobots were regrouping on the small planetoid with resources enough to provide a source for distilling energon for all and sundry. Refugees were coming now, finding their way to the safety of their army, dozens and hundreds almost every day. He was the commandant of the garrison which now numbered several hundred Autobots. He was the leader of the camp that included the well being and welfare of the civilians.

Rain was falling, a light rain pattering on the tin roof. It pooled on the ground in shallow puddles. Most of the Cybertronians didn't mind although it made things messier. They could shed water easily. The weak sunlight gave a golden quality to the sky. The sun would be breaking through soon and the heat would dry everything out. Then it would repeat itself again the next day. Spring had settled on their camp and this region, a briefly cool respite from the long heat of summer.

He began to walk inside. All around the room, Autobots worked maintaining security, directing vessels in and out of their zone which extended many light years in all directions as well as maintaining contact with ships that were on missions in the galaxy. Pausing by the comm station, he looked at the data pouring in. "Has Optimus sent a message?"

Sandstorm nodded. "I just got it."

Prowl plugged in to download it internally. He then walked to the table nearby to sit. Opening it, he read the message savoring it for a moment or two. Then he stood up and turned to the tasks at hand, adding the message to the list.

-0-At a sheriff's office in Eastern California

He walked down the wash to the place where his deputies were gathered to shine their lights on a smoldering pile of something. He couldn't see what it was until he reached his men. A smoking smelly pile of bones and body parts told the tale.

"Forensics is on the way," he said. Kneeling, he noted the dead people who were still smoking. A burned ring around them indicated a forceful blast was the cause of the murders. What was incomprehensible to the entire group was what was used and how it was delivered. He stood up, then looked at the sky. "What the hell happened here?" he asked.

No one present could tell him.

-0-Later that night in Nevada

Sideswipe exited the elevator searching the flat top of the mountain for the one he sought. The sky was dark above them, the smear of stars that made up the galaxy twinkling brightly. He'd been to a number of them and their regrouping army was on one that they could pick out by coordinates and practice. Walking to the edge of the mountain, he sat beside Bluestreak. It was quiet.

"What do you think about this place, Sideswipe?" Blue asked.

"It has possibilities. But then I've been in a lot of places that fit that comment," he said as he gently rubbed Blue's back. "I like the roads around here. You can drive as fast as you want."

Blue nodded. "What do you think about the humans?"

"Odd species. That little girl … she's tough and persistent."

Blue nodded. "She told me everything I need to know about this place but she also asked a lot of questions I didn't answer." Blue looked at Sideswipe. "She's full of questions about Ratchet and Ironhide."

Sideswipe nodded. "Yeah, well … that isn't our story to tell."

"No. I wouldn't anyway. It's too sad," Blue said. He looked at the door which opened again. Sunstreaker rolled to the edge and sat down on the other side of Bluestreak.

"You look a lot better, Sunny," Blue said.

"I got the finish back," Sunstreaker said. "It's nice to have a chance to get spruced up again. You could use a buff."

"Why thanks, Sunstreaker," Blue said looking at Sunny with a smirk. "You say the sweetest things."

"The truth is the truth," Sunny said. "Wheeljack can make more of the good stuff. They have most of what we need here to do it."

Blue nodded. "What do you think about this place and the humans?"

Sunstreaker shrugged. "Its dirty and dusty like organic worlds always are. The humans can stay out of the way."

"That little girl killed Hardshell," Sideswipe said. "She invites herself along on missions."

"Not with me," Sunstreaker said with a slight frown. "I don't need a ride along." It was silent a moment, then Sunstreaker rubbed Blue's leg. "It's been a while."

Blue smirked. "It has."

It was silent again. Sunstreaker rose, then held out a servo. "Come on."

Blue looked at him, then gripped Sunstreaker's servo. Rising, he turned as Sideswipe rose as well. Sideswipe smirked, then grabbed Blue tossing him over his shoulder. "You really are needy aren't you," Blue asked as he glanced at Sunstreaker.

Sunstreaker grinned as he followed the two. "Born needy, Blue," he said as they entered the door. It closed behind them, then the elevator began to go downward as the cover that disguised the opening slid to cover their tracks.

No one looking could tell it was anything but a mountain top.

-0-TBC January 24, 2014 edited 2-13-16 01-23-2021