Energon goodie to the first person who can guess who Nightstalkers creator is? I've been leaving clues throughout the chapters.
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Tension between the two groups at the outpost was already simmering long before the nuking and if anything it just acted as a catalyst. It did not matter that neither side knew who actually did the deed, because of communication problems, within a few days they had split apart and claimed different areas of the base as their own. There had been no actual fighting between the two but that would only be a matter of time. Sitting in his makeshift office Riverrun knew full well what that could mean and it worried him. At least before this he could catch a glimpse and gather some information on how Nightstalker was doing but now he was completely cut off from her.
"I hope she is ok. I should have told her everything then and there. Now I'm not going to be able to and a doubt Windstorm will ever tell her." Venting he distracted himself by attending to how many cons remained in their group. "After the two we lost today…only twelve. Against all the other bots we stand no chance." With this grim news his thoughts traveled back again to Nightstalker. "I should have taken her with me. I promised him that I finish and take care of her when he left for earth during that last big battle." Continuing to sort through his papers he did not really focus too much on them. "Most likely Windstorm is trying to convince her to join the autobots. He always was afraid of her realizing who she actually is. Well not much I can do from here. I just hope that if he is trying to convince her that her basic programming will put up a fight."
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Sitting in the common room Refit and Fastscan shared a quiet moment along with a few energon drinks. They did not really talk but rather used each others presence for support as they contemplated problems of their own.
Picking up his drink Fastscan leaned over the table and rested his head on his hand. His CPU was running at max as he processed the daily repair schedule, edited the deceased one and thought about what was to come. He hated war, always had and always will. The peace was bliss to him as he didn't have to worry about losing friends everyday or having to patch them up only to send them back out. "Sure leave it to the cons to wreak everything. I don't want to fight again. So much pain, death and too many young sparks terminated." With that thought memories of the youth at the post having fun filtered though his processor. Frowning as the images slowly mixed with those of past battles he shook his head to remove them. "I wonder if I can just resign now before anything starts up…I'm so tied of it all."
Similarly across the table Refit was contemplating the situation as well but his was of a different and more volatile nature. Sitting in his chair he stared at his drink while he ran his finger around the rim. He knew he had a decision to make and Windstorm would want his answer soon. He had always fought with the autobots, he was created an autobot and he hated the cons and what they stood for. Yet his friend was Riverrun, a con and now his enemy again. "Oh what do to? I am sworn to uphold the autobot ways and I have pledged my allegiance to them but if I stay I must give up my friendship with him." Venting deeply to purge old air from his system he accidentally knocked over his drink spilling its containment. Not even bothering to clean it up he just stared at the pink liquid as it crept over the table. "Flows the same way when it comes out of our body… If I stay will I be able to fight or kill Riverrun if need be?"
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Locking the door Windstorm had just finished passing on the remainder of the daily duties to his 2IC. Although he technically should have done them himself he needed this time to contemplate. Earlier that day he approved Sunspots application to join the autobots and now he wondered if it would affect Nightstalker. Sure she had obeyed his order and even stayed with them after the bombing but would she ever come to their side. Pacing his office as it helped him to think "maybe it is not the best time to ask her or is it? She might be more willing since Sunspot just joined but then again she does have decepticon programming and if she is anything like her creator then she will be loyal to them. However it does not appear that she is aware of who she actually is and having her abilities on our side would be a great advantage." Stopping he looked out the cracked window at the damage outside. "But what would happen if she did join and then regained her memory. Would she stay or try to leave?"
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Walking around the room she reached down and picked up pieces of broken furniture. Up until now their hideout had been a complete mess but at least it was still somewhat intact. Bending down she picked up a holopad, wiped off the dust and turned it on. Re-righting the couch she sat down and watched as the holoemiter displayed images of her and Sunspot over the last two years. She could not help but laugh as a scene came up of Refit and Tunneler dumping a barrel of cold oil over a passed out Windstorm during one of the many parties they had. "Oh I remember that. He woke up just as they dumped it and I still have never seen those two move so fast. We even had to let them use the hideout for awhile as Windstorm was set to kill." Turning it off she was glade that it survived with minimal damage. Sighing she looked out the broken windows at the damage outside. "Why? Why would anyone do something like this?"
"Do the cons ever need a reason to do anything?" Jumping up she spun around to see Sunspot standing behind her with a data pad in his hand. "What do you mean by that?" her voice sounding as if he had just insulted her. Then seeing his face and picking up on his nervousness she walked over to him. "Sunspot what is it? What's the matter?"
Smiling he perked his shoulders and stood up proud "I came to tell you that I'm joining the autobots today. I got the applications right here and am on my way to get Windstorm to sign them. "
Her wings fell slightly as she looked at him, not saying a word. Finally she broke the unpleasant silence. "What? Why? But that is not like you. You always planned on going off to explore space, to discover find new life." In shock she walked over and slumped on the couch.
Standing off to one side, her unanticipated reaction made him extremely wary about being too close. "Well Refit thinks this is going to lead to war again and…and he is my creator so I feel obliged to join his cause. I can't join the decepticons because well I don't like their ideals and I ever could be friends with one." Realizing he was acting foolish by standing away, he jumped the couch and landed beside her. "Come and join with me. There is no reason for you to stay here and I'm sure we can train together." He was already visualizing the fun and mischief they would have.
Meanwhile she deliberated on what he said but from the very start it just did not feel right. Giving it a good amount of in-depth thought she could feel part of her screaming in resistance at the very notion. "I can't. It just does not seem right…none of this does actually." Sitting up she walked over and leaned on the window sill. "How could you ask me to join? It would mean fighting against Riverrun and the others. Plus I already gave so much up."
"So now you chose them over me." He had expected her to say yes and this refusal hurt him deeply. "Well I am joining up and I leave this afternoon." Turning he stormed to the door "at least I know where I stand and have a heritage to back my decision." Slamming the door he felt horrible for saying that. He knew that bringing up the fact that she didn't know her creator or where she came from was a low blow but he was just so mad at being rejected.
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She wandered the hallways for the rest of the day. His comment had struck her hard but she could not have agreed to go, it just felt…wrong. Noticing the time she wondered if she should go and see him off. "Why should I go see him? He said that on purpose. He knows that is a sore spot. But still he's my best friend and I might not get to see him again for awhile." Stopping she leaned up against the wall just to the side of the door leading to the tarmac.
He waited on the tarmac hoping she would show up, even if she didn't change her mind at least he would get to apologize to her. However he knew she probably would not show as she tended hold grudges but still he waited. "Common time to go. I got more stops to make." He acknowledged the message with a nod of his head and paused for a few more breams, just in case. As he gave up and turned to board the shuttle he saw her standing by the building watching him. Stepping forward to go talk with her he felt himself yanked back towards the shuttle. "Common time to go means now." Knowing his time was up he yelled out to her and waved his only free arm "I'm sorry for what I said, please forgive me?" Seeing her wave back he smiled "if you change your mind Windstorm knows where to find me." With that the shuttle door slammed closed in front of him. Resting his hand against the door he vented lightly "I'll be back for you. I promise I'll make you proud of me."
Watching the shuttle leave till it was no longer visible Nightstalker slowly slid down the side of the building and drawing her legs up against her chest she started to cry. The only close connection she had just left leaving her along, so she did not care if anyone saw her or thought she was weak for doing so. "Why did he leave? He said he never leave me. Now what should I to do? I have no idea where Riverrun or the others are and I doubt Windstorm will let me contact them. Even if he did I might put them at risk for they must be hiding for a reason."Having finished crying she sat and listening to the melody of sounds around her. "Well what ever comes next I can only rely on myself. They don't think I've noticed the way they look at me around here. What do they know that I don't? Does it have something to do with Riverruns weird message?" Getting up she glanced to the sky "Please be safe" then entered the building heading for her quarters.