Just a brief note. This is an alternate universe where the EDC doesn't exist. Instead, there is a top secret military entity known as the Transarmor Division. So, this is where Marissa Faireborn ended up. Lee Sanders is not my character. He just appears in the RP and was part of the prompt. I upgraded his armor to match Marissa's though that's neither here not there.
Characters: Marissa Faireborn and Lee Sanders ((Optional: Tracks, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, and or Bluestreak))
Phrase: We're as good as dead, aren't we?
Marissa Faireborn and Lee Sanders, or Big Red and Havoc as they were known over the comms, had been practicing their take offs and landings. Generally, it would be considered rather mundane work for the two experienced pilots but there was nothing mundane about the jets they were flying.
For one thing, they were the jets, interfaced with the controls and the planes through neural implants that allowed them to be one with the transforming armor. When in jet mode, they were perfectly capable of landing and taking off without incident. There were other factors at play, though, that were creating difficulties for them. Their task was to start in robot mode and transform into jet mode in an attempt to get airborne.
Havoc stood on the runway of the super secret Transarmor Base in Utah and pointed and laughed at each failure Big Red made of her takeoff. His wings practically shivered in amusement as she ran down the long strip of concrete, leaped into the air, firing her jet boots, transforming and smacking face first into the ground.
They weren't alone on the runway. Watching them were three actual giant transforming robots. Two of them were there to point and laugh. They were getting plenty of experience in that job. The third was there because he really liked Marissa (he refused to call her Big Red) and wanted to give her as much moral support as he could. That was pretty much the only support he could give her at the moment because all three of them could only transform into cars. Their only experience with jets was to shoot them down or call them names.
After her last attempt had ended in another face plant, Marissa carefully and somewhat painfully, the interface was very sensitive, transformed and stood up. She flexed her wings to get the kinks out and glared at the laughing maniacs standing on the side of the runway.
"I'd like to see you do better, Havoc," she growled at the other jet. "There's a lot to coordinate, and I don't think you have the brains to do it."
Havoc guffawed. "Looks like you left yours back in the barracks. That was the most spectacular demonstration of fail I've ever seen."
Big Red folded her arms across her cockpit/chest and glared as best she could through her visor and faceplate. "Your turn then. Show me how it's really done because you've obviously read the manual."
The ambulatory F-18 Hornet smirked at the other Hornet and swaggered onto the runway. Marissa shook her head and walked over to stand next to the Autobots watching the practice.
She glowered at the armored human. "He's an idiot," she said in a low voice to the Autobot next to her.
Bluestreak chuckled and patted her on the shoulder. "If you can't do it, I doubt he can," he told her trying to be reassuring. "The Seekers have been doing it for millions of years, I doubt they could do it first time out."
Sideswipe laughed out loud. "Havoc's toast, Big Red. Just watch."
Havoc stood on the runway for a moment, seemingly gathering himself for his first attempt. He took off at a quick trot and then a full run before leaping into the air and firing his boot jets. All seemed to be going fine, he gained altitude and speed, until he tried to transform. Boot jets went out as they folded up and he lost precious altitude. Apparently flustered, his transformation fell apart and he hit the ground in the same bonecrunching manner as Marissa.
It was Marissa's turn to smirk as Havoc lay on the ground for a minute before pushing himself to his feet. He ignored his audience and tried again. And again. Finally he rolled over onto his back and stared at the sky before getting up and returning to the watchers.
"Okay, that was embarrassing," he admitted.
"We're obviously missing something important," Marissa said without a hint of smugness. No sense humiliating the young man any further, both of them were in the same boat. They both looked to the Autobots for advice.
The three cars exchanged glances and shrugged together. "No clue," Sideswipe said. Even if they did, they weren't allowed to give advice outside of their specialties.
"You in any shape to fly?" Marissa asked Lee.
"Of course," he replied.
"Then let's get some airtime. Maybe clearing our heads will shake something loose."
"Last one off the runway is sucking my exhaust," he chortled and took off for the end of the runway.
Marissa snorted and with a wave at Bluestreak and the twins, followed at a more leisurely pace.
Sunstreaker, who'd remained silent throughout the practice, finally spoke up as the two jets transformed and roared down the runway in a more conventional takeoff.
"They're getting a bit cocky," he stated as he watched them fly off.
"Oh, I don't know, I think that practice brought them down a few pegs, actually," his brother dared to disagree.
Sunstreaker snorted his disbelief. "You're kidding, right? Those two are giving humility a bad name."
Sideswipe shrugged. "Okay, so what do you have in mind?"
"Just follow my lead."
Bluestreak listened with wide optics. "Guys, I think you should just leave them alone. Let them get use to things. I mean, it would be really bad if something happened to them or the armor or both."
He was ignored though as Sunstreaker watched the two TA pilots run some drills. In fact, the next drill would provide the perfect chance.
Sure enough, Havoc came in low over the runway for a touch and go landing and Sunstreaker was ready. With perfect timing, he transformed and sped down the concrete. Sideswipe suddenly understood and followed.
Marissa was in heaven, completely merged with the jet, feeling the wind across her wings, running the drills automatically, barely thinking about anything but the joy of flying. She wasn't even worrying that Havoc was leading and would probably tease her unmercifully in front of the other pilots over dinner tonight.
The runway was approaching fast when a frantic voice came over her comm. Marissa, watch out…
She barely had a chance to acknowledge Bluestreak when something heavy hit her and clung to her wings.
She gritted her teeth and commed Havoc as she struggled to maintain control. Havoc, what's on my back?
Shut up and let me fly. I don't know what's on your back and I don't care.
Marissa took a second to glance at Havoc and saw with a surge of shock why he was so abrupt. Sunstreaker was clinging like a leech to him. So it seemed likely that Sideswipe was on her back.
What the hell is going on? She shouted into her comm.
Three Autobots, one frantic, two ecstatic responded. Jet Judo!
What the f… is Jet Judo? Havoc shouted back.
The comm exploded again with three voices. Bluestreak was nearly in tears. Oh, no, oh, noohnohnoohno…
Shake us off, Sideswipe shouted cheerfully.
If you can, but we're going to crash you. Sunstreaker sounded too eager to do just that.
We're as good as dead, aren't we? Havoc was beginning to sound desperate as he struggled to gain altitude with the heavy Lambo on his back.
If you let them get to you, yes, Marissa shot back. They're nothing but trash, dump them.
Hey! Came the affronted response.
Marissa didn't even bother to change her straight ahead trajectory. In fact, she let Sideswipe's weight pull her down. Suddenly, she flipped over and watched the desert become her sky.
Sideswipe saw what was happening. He could hold on and be scraped off as Marissa plowed upsidedown into the ground or he could let go and maybe walk away. Who would've thought she'd be so ruthless. Or she was bluffing. Ratchet's angry face flashed before his optics and he shuddered. I'm not calling this bluff, he decided and let go.
Marissa almost lost her concentration as the weight that was dragging her down vanished. She popped back into the sky and flipped back over in time to see Sideswipe tumble across the desert in a cloud of dust.
Sideswipe! Sunstreaker shouted over the comm and let go, leaping from the struggling Havoc. Havoc soared straight up into the sky before gaining control and coming back to fly wingtip to wingtip with Marissa.
Big Red, I didn't think you had it in you.
Then you don't know me as well as you think. She turned and headed for the runway, landing smoothly and transforming. If Havoc followed, fine.
She walked up to the three Autobots. Bluestreak was wringing his hands as Sunstreaker checked over his brother. "Jet Judo, huh? Neat."
Sideswipe sat up and stared at her. "I'll 'neat' you," he tried to shout but could only get out a scratchy whisper. He turned furious optics on Sunstreaker. "And you, this is all your fault. I'll let you explain this to Ratchet."
Sunstreaker just laughed and hit his brother on the helmet. "You were owned, bro, admit it."