This took longer to write than I expected...
Breakdown continued watching his scanner, watching for the slightest change in the readings. So far, there was nothing, but they had to acquire the Harvester before the Autobots. He was torn from his thoughts as Deathstrike growled suddenly.
He looked up, thinking that he had worsened. "What is it?"
The pitch-black mech bared his dentia as he turned away, his wings flared. His optics blazed, burning insanely bright in the dim light of the darkening day.
"Deathstrike..."
He cut off as the assassin snarled viciously, his engines roaring in accordance with the thinly veiled warning. He began to circle the paved clearing they were in. The Seeker's wings fell and rose as they picked up numerous signals.
"Deathstrike, what is it?" He approached, subspacing his scanner and opening his built-in ones. There was something out there.
"Coming." The matte black mech hissed. His optics were narrow and blazing, scanning the area.
As if solidifying his statement, the sound of roaring engines filled the area. Vehicles tore around the corner—a small blue motorcycle, a yellow and black muscle car, a large red and blue semi-truck and…a bulky green SUV.
Breakdown's engine growled. There was no doubt he recognized his foe. The rage rose in him, threatening to overwhelm, until he faced Deathstrike.
The Decepticon was trembling, servos clenched into fists. The ferocious scowl on his faceplate exposed razor sharp and extended fangs. The insanity that burned in his optics was enough to snap his companion out of his hateful musings.
"Deathstrike, perhaps you should find cover. They—"
"I will have the chance to face and meet my enemies, Breakdown, and nothing you say will stop me from doing so." The assassin's refined armor shifted over his lean frame, flaring slightly, as his wings rose and turned to take in their new arrivals. Breakdown winced ever so slightly as the tremors shaking the other's chassis increased in brutality with the taunt of a new meal hanging within reach.
Breakdown vented, half in worry and half in irritation. He was going to have a long discussion with Starscream later.
"Here." He reached into his subspace and took out a sealed cube of liquefied Energon. Deathstrike froze and snarled viciously, his enhanced olfactory sensors picking up the scent. Breakdown took a step back, shaking his helm. "Easy, Deathstrike. You can have this, but we both know it will only sate you for only a quarter joor. But you have to promise to keep a hold on yourself until I can obtain the lifeblood you need. Understand?"
The assassin bared his lengthening dentia, glaring venomously. Hesitantly, with the faint stain of rising insanity clouding him, the Decepticon nodded.
"Remember, should you see or hear anything even remotely similar to a Decepticon, you either contact Optimus, Bumblebee, Arcee, or myself. Understood?" Ratchet stared down expectantly at the three kids.
"We know, Ratchet. Anything suspicious, we call you." Jack gave the red and white mech a thumbs up.
"Activating ground bridge." The portal roared to life.
"Should anything happen," Optimus rumbled, stepping forward and looking down on the human children, his aura of authority and strength radiating around him, "We will be outside. Do not hesitate to contact us."
"Will do, OP." Miko grinned, hopping onto the motor-controlled cart Fowler had provided. "Let's go."
The faint, unmistakable whir of a ground bridge filled the air.
The two Decepticons froze, their attentions torn away from their search. The sunlight glinted off of pitch black and navy armor, outlining the massive frames with light that was considered heavenly...but not with the two it was currently highlighting. It made them all the more hellish.
The taller one snarled, powerful wings flared. The dark red and black gaze blazed with pure insanity.
His companion smirked. Yellow, fiery optics burned with unrestrained amusement.
"Deathstrike..."
A low, sadistic laugh came from the matte black Seeker. "I know." He faced the other, optics blazing intensely.
"They are here."
"Miko, will you stop fooling around? We need to get the Harvester and get out of here before we're caught!" Jack hissed.
"What, a girl can't look?" the other teen shot back, snapping pictures with her flip phone.
"We both know that you're only 'looking' because you forgot to do -no, didn't do- your history paper, and the only reason you're doing so now is because Bulkhead threatened to not go dune bashing with you," the taller teen retorted as his dark eyes darted throughout the darkened museum. "Any luck, Raf?"
"The Greek statue should be here." The small bespectacled human followed the human-sized scanner that the Autobot medic had given him. Looking up, his large, childlike eyes gleamed in the moonlight that illuminated them. "It's just around this..."
"Raf?" The tall, dark-haired teen stopped his bickering with Miko, turning to face the twelve-year-old. "What's wrong?"
"Guys..." He pointed to something through the clear glass window. Both teen rushed over to see it.
Standing alarmingly close to the museum were two large mechs that easily towered over the building they were currently in. One was taller than the other, with matte black armor and large, powerful wings that were batting the air in an uneven rhythm. In the dim light, his dark red and black optics blazed with a hellish light. His companion was bulkier, with heavy looking navy blue armor and an orange faceplate. Yellow, pupil less optics burned, a golden pool of sadistic want and revenge. Something about his demeanor stated that the mech was a powerful brute who would not hesitate to destroy a nuisance. The two were speaking to one another; the black mech's scowl exposed huge razor-pointed fangs. They did not seem to notice them.
"Decepticons," Jack hissed. Turning abruptly, he grabbed the arms of his younger teammates and pulled them into the shadows, motioning for them to crouch down. Eyes quickly taking in every object, the massive statue was easily recognizable in the room full of smaller artifacts.
"We need to move. Now. Raf, keep watch and tell us if they even glance over here. Miko, you're going to help me get this ridiculously large orb onto the cart? Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" Miko grinned mischievously, bringing her arm up in a lazy salute as she followed the taller teen.
They did not notice the deep red glare fixed on them.
He paced the area, optics roaming and taking in every minuscule detail. The aching fire was tearing at his throat, threatening to overwhelm. Yet all the while, the voice in his helm grew bolder, taunting every thought and move he made.
Do not lose control. You cannot afford such mistakes at the moment, not with what is so heavily on the line.
Oh, but just one little mistake will not hurt, do you not think? We have been craving this for so long...
There is no point in attacking the enemy in such a way. Secrets are meant to be hidden.
From your partner as well?
A rumbling snarl erupted from his chassis as his wings flared violently. The tawny gaze of his partner flickered over to him, and he shifted warily.
No. No. Do not lose control. Keep your hold. Too much is at stake.
Ah, not too much...too little. One little taste will not hurt...just a little, not a lot...
No.
Yes.
No.
YES.
The tremors started once more, brutal enough to make his comrade look over at him. No...concern was not desired... enough...
"Deathstrike?"
The assassin growled, moving away as he shook his helm repeatedly, struggling to keep his inner voice in check.
The internal rage that boiled deep within. Oh so tempting, just enough...not enough...too little...
"Deathstrike, listen to me." There was no doubt that Breakdown knew what was happening. Yet he had no idea how enticing he smelled at the moment...
No. Do not develop a taste. It will do no good thing.
But when have we ever been good?
Wait. What was that? Oh, that smell...oh so delicious...warm flowing Energon...
"Deathstrike..."
No, there was something else. Something...not Cybertronian. His olfactories flared, glossa flicking out to sample the air. Yes, there...
"Breakdown." His voice cut off his partner's voiced worries, and the navy blue mech turned to face him fully.
"There is something..." Vents rasping and whirring audibly, the Seeker made his way closer to the building they towered over. Tasting the air again, the mech's engines rumbled as they neared the human facility.
"Sensors aren't picking up anything, Deathstrike." Breakdown subspaced the scanner currently in his servo. "What are you picking up?"
The assassin snarled again, armor shifting. "Not Cybertronian. Organic..." His optics scanned the area once more, checking in every frequency.
Breakdown knew his partner was becoming worse for the wear, but he knew from experience that when Deathstrike had a hunch it was easier to just nod and follow along.
Deathstrike hissed in pain as his leg gave out again; Breakdown was there in an instant to steady him.
"Deathstrike..."
The snarl tore from the mech's trembling chassis as his intense stare fixed on the building, onto an enormous see-through glass window.
"There. The organics are in there."
There you go! Thanks to NordicAutobotGirl for the whole inner rage idea! :)
You like? R&R, pleaze! Concerns/comments/questions always welcome!
Bye!