1:30 AM
Smokescreen knew that he probably shouldn't be doing this. Optimus had clearly said, "Racing among the humans is strictly forbidden." Miko had also told him the story of how Jack had once talked Arcee and Bumblebee into racing so he could impress a girl at school. He knew how angry Optimus would be if he found out. So why was he going against his better judgement and sneaking out in the middle of the night? Honestly he didn't know. Maybe being cooped up in base was getting to him.
He finally reached the main entrance to the base. Thankfully there was no one up at the monitors. He quietly walked down the tunnel that lead to the hidden doorway. There was no way he was risking transforming before he was outside the engine noise would definitely wake the others up. He winced as the door slowly opened, he really hopes that the noise isn't loud enough to wake the team. At last he was outside with the hidden doorway to the base closed behind him. He let out a soft sigh before transforming and driving down the road that led into Jasper.
As he pulled up next to the other cars the sound of rumbling engines filled his audios. A young human girl came and stood in front of the line of cars. She raised up a green cloth and brought it down signaling the start of the race. The other cars shot off fighting each other for a better spot. Smokescreen followed behind, he knew these humans had nowhere near his own capability of speed and decided to have a bit of fun.
Quickly falling into last place Smokescreen watched the other cars zoom ahead of him. He waited until they were nearing the end of the race then before any of the humans knew what was happening he zoomed ahead of them all and passed the finish line. If he was in bipedal mode he would have smirked as the referee and spectator's jaws dropped. Then as people started to make their way over to him he decided it was time to go. He hit the gas pedal and was out of there. When he made it far enough away he whooped happily. That had been such a rush it had offered freedom that he hadn't felt since he was a sparkling. After driving his excitement off for a while he decided to head back to base seeing as the sun was starting to rise.
When he arrived back at base he quickly and quietly returns to his room. After that night Smokescreen became addicted to street racing. He would sneak out every few nights to let out all of his pent up energy. He had found it was the perfect release from the responsibilities he had with the Autobots. So he continued doing it and for the first month or so it worked. Until one night when he hadn't noticed the presence of a certain red and blue mech.
He had just returned from another one of his late night excursions and was quietly making his way back to his berthroom when a deep baritone voice stopped him in his tracks. "Smokescreen, where have you been?" Smokescreen whips around to come face to face with the one and only Optimus Prime. "Oh, uh hey Optimus..." Smokescreen says his earlier excitement now changing to fear. "I was just um..." he looked around nervously trying to come up with something. He couldn't seem to come up with anything. His mind had drawn a blank. "Smokeescreen." Optimus says. Smokescreen snaps his helm up to look at the Prime. "I asked you a question youngling." Smokescreen hesitated for a moment before fear got the better of him. "I was..." He gulped "street racing." There was silence for a moment and Smokescreen dared a glance up at the Prime but quickly brought his gaze right back down to his peds. Optimus was not happy.
Optimus sighed before finally speaking. "I am disappointed in you Smokescreen." He said "I have expressed on many occasions my concerns for this activity." Smokescreen continued to look at his peds. "You went against human law and my law alike." Guilt filled the young Cybertronian. There was no way he could look Prime in the optics right now. "Racing among the humans is not only dangerous for them but for you as well. You could be seen or hurt. Ms. Darby has informed me of many accidents that have happened during such races. Do you not understand the risk in partaking in such activities?" Smokescreen's guilt only worsened he waited for the certain punishment that was to come. Had he finally crossed the line? He's made so many mistakes since getting here would this be the one that got him kicked off the team?
"Smokescreen look at me." Optimus says. Smokescreen knows that if he looks at the Prime now his guilt will probably get the best of him and he is definitely not letting Optimus see him cry so he kept his head down. Optimus sighed and placed one servo underneath the youngling's chin and gently guided it up to meet his optics. It took all of Smokescreen's willpower not to cry when he met Optimus' stern but gentle gaze. "I'm sorry." He finally managed to say "I'm really sorry Optimus I know you said not to honestly I don't even know why I started racing but when I did it just felt so freeing and I didn't think that anything bad would happen I am so sorry." Optimus sighed again. "Smokescreen I am not angry I am worried. If something were to happen to you none of us would know where you are. Racing is dangerous no one on this team wants to see you hurt Smokescreen." He says keeping his gaze locked with Smokescreen's "You are an valuable member of this team and are not replacable. Please promise me you will no longer participate in these races." "I promise." Smokescreen says. Optimus gave him a small smile. "Now return to your berthroom and recharge youngling." He says. Smokescreen gave a salute and headed for his berthroom.