Anonymous: Um, yeah... Oo Subi got preoccupied writing another story--

Subi: WHOO! MUAHAHAHAHA... (runs past chasing Sixshot, of all people)

Anonymous: Oo;... Right... (cough) In short, I wrote this whole chapter and miss swords-story writer over there did very little editing because she seemed to think it was really good. So. I hope no one else is confused right now. If you are, please let us know- we already got into a vague argument with the real Shiori about transitions, but we're going to fix that. oO

15. Mercenaries

I would have had an early start to Iacon, but passing out after turning back in the middle of packing does have its delays. To some extent I was grateful; for there were no dreams or moments to manage remembering, just waking up with a few bruises and cuts from battle. Though arising from a hard floor next to scattered provisions wasn't the most pleasant way to come to. This time, I had no headaches and could remember all that happened…partially. There was some moment that was just…missing, I could feel it. All to figure out another time for now… I'm just glad I remember most of it instead of nothing at all. I chanted in my head, hoping that it could at least hold off on my curiosity to risk the feeling of a jackhammer to the temple. Though…some things would be easier not to remember…I thought morosely, looking at where Glaviin used to sleep after long hours of repairing. "Goodbye old man… It's never going to be the same without you, I'll have you know…" Tears trickled down my face and onto the ground, a small sob threatening to escape my throat and coming out as a pathetic garbling noise. After a few minutes to regain composure, I gathered the rest of my supplies and headed out, thoughts still fresh on my mind.

Hours went by and I constantly tried to repel those memories of Glaviin and I. All those memories; something I wouldn't trade for the world. Yet, now wasn't the time to keep myself from what I had to accomplish. First, I have to go to Iacon, and somehow manage to watch over Star Convoy somewhere along the road. Then I can stop pushing it all aside…But in a way, I don't want to. A sad smile played on my lips as some more salty drops formed, but I quickly swiped them away before they could fall. From that moment in my travel, I focused on anything else. Patterns in the ground, the landscape, jokes heard from the more humorous mechs repaired…anything but that one person. As fate would have it, such an event to help that occurred.

Quite a length away, a large spherical designed mech was barreling towards several other assorted mechs, sending debris my way; the spikes surrounding him sending chunks of earth uncomfortably close to me as they dug in for traction. How they manage to come this far with the distance he's at is beyond me… The skirmish was approaching close, so I started to find higher ground. By this time, all the chased mechs were flying; I could tell by the shrieks and thuds on the ground behind me. The last thud was yet to be heard, and I turned around in curiosity. Not a moment sooner, I realized it was soaring towards me. "SLAG!" Just in time an earthen barrier was raised, stopping the would-be assault. The sigh of relief didn't last long though, as the wall crackled and crashed on me in the form of pebbles and other varying sizes of rock. That was a great way to start my day…I thought, wincing.

Still choking on the rising dust from the impact, I made to get up and unpinned from my shield -now burden. Heavy footsteps could be heard coming closer as the struggling of mine continued. The wriggling stopped momentarily at an amusement peppered voice.

"Sorry about that, got carried away." Turning my head got me nothing but a view of the sky, so once again I attempted to squirm out.

"I can…tell!" came out as a grunt with said attempt. The inanimate captors still did not relent. The steps came to the edge of where I was and something other than clouds could be seen: black mech feet.

"You look like you need a little bit o' help, don't you?" He pointedly stated, picking me out of the pile of rubble before I could protest. He was about as tall as the average mech, with gold knee caps and chest panel. The rest of him was black, as well as hints of dark red on the spikes covering his limbs; a domed look was about him, and I could tell that he was the mech that got rid of the others. He gave a shifty glance around. "You didn't see any of that, right? I'd hate to shoot someone that wasn't mentioned. Makes me almost want to ask for a bonus, y'know?" At that point, I was very confused.

"So you were doing a job or something? I'd see no reason to keep such a thing a secret though…" He sighed.

"Well…as a mercenary, there's certain….legality issues sometimes." I nodded my head in some understanding laced with just a little bit of shock. "The pay's great though if you don't mind working your aft off from time to time. That, and the people that are in need of your services; mostly 'Cons. They're tolerable enough I suppose." I could tell he was a talkable fellow in the least, an odd trait for a mercenary…

"Ah, then I see no problem in keeping quie-" Another mech ran up, interrupting what I was saying.

"Good job done!" The mercenary looked awkwardly at the scene of multiple mech parts scattered around the area and fished for an excuse.

"Eh…oh! Erm…you see…." The green mech paid no heed and gave a nod of confirmation.

"Congratulations, you did better than expected, ..." It seemed that he did not know the mech's name; neither did I, but that's a different scenario.

"Topspin." The mech supplied, giving an odd look. The other recovered quickly.

"…Topspin; I'm here to give you a new assignment." This was met with a cautious glance and Topspin's skeptic question.

"On whose command?" without a second's hesitation, he replied.

"You know... The top air boss." The black and gold mech let out a small groan.

"Fine; what does that 'Con want this time?" Instead of an answer, a piercing look was handed in my direction.

"Oh, I see you have a friend; she in it as well?"

A bit surprised at the subject change, he asked, "I've always managed to do this stuff by myself, so why ask now?" I looked between the two, shuddering under the gaze that the green one kept giving me.

"There are certain…individuals that are better suited to this task at hand…" I had the eerie feeling that I didn't have a choice in the matter somehow. "So…are you in?"

I gave it thought for a minute or so as they looked at me, waiting for a response. I'd get quite a bit of credits from what Topspin told me… And this is a Decepticon I'd be working for… "Karahrr... I know this is going to sound really strange but... Can you do me a dangerous favor?"

"Like what?" I looked up into her optics. Shiori hesitated.

"Can you find a way to follow Star Convoy and keep him safe for awhile?" I blinked in surprise.

"How... would that be a 'dangerous' request?" I asked slowly.

"He's a half-Decepticon," She whispered; I nodded slightly. I can find Optimus later. A favor goes before personal wants right now...

Sighing, I shrugged, trying to look unconcerned, which was exactly the opposite in reality. "I've…got nothing else better to do, and I've been looking for a job…so why not?"

"The name's Slipstream, by the way." That smirk of his brought unpleasant shivers down my spine. At least it keeps me occupied from thinking of h...im. With a cringe and shake at that thought, I joined conversation with a welcomely distracting Topspin as we went to this 'top air boss'. No one specified where and how long I would be a mercenary, however…

Anonymous: (watching Sixshot, who's tied to a chair somehow and cant get out) Sooo... Explain to me why he is in here, again?

Subi: He's ((specially)) loved. >S

Anonymous: Oo;... Right. (cough) Please review.