Anonymous: Okay... I'm actually not here, but rather wrote most of this chapter and the next before I go on a two week vacation... Okay, it'll be ten days, but you have any idea how determined Subi is to try to stay on track?.! >O She's a fox on a psychotic streak and's got a writing ability!... ;-; I wish I was like that- though I'll admit I'm getting better at writing. >3
16. Missions
I never left those thoughts behind, even as who I am now. On occasion, memories starting coming up here and there, interrupting plans in battle. It hurt to try and forget Glaviin, and all that he did, but I do have to live to see Optimus, as well as keep that promise, so I hope he will forgive me for that.
Within all these seven months of working as a mercenary, I was never so harried in my life. No matter what I did, I was patronized, mostly by this 'Soundwave' individual. I was thankful that he wasn't a complete idiot like most of the 'Cons I was surrounded with, but I just couldn't like him. Not to mention his little disturbing mind reading habit. I once tried thinking 'lalalalala, you can't hear me!'… Apparently he could and I scrapped that plan. Nosy thought surfing bugger. It was even harder to be around him when something reminded me of Glaviin, like a small prank pulled, or when an older Decepticon gave lectures to another. I just wasn't good at blocking that mech out when I was on the verge of a bittersweet smile. Leaving to my quarters as soon as I was able to, worked well, but the impression of insanity was there, I'm sure. After all this, I still don't like Soundwave in the slightest, even if he was more tolerable and less nosy than usual lately…
All the other mechs either had it out for me or hated my guts. Some also hurriedly left whenever I approached. Sneers, glares, and the once in a while 'oops, I didn't almost squash you!' attempts were made. I'm not even going to mention how many times they didn't help me when I was getting the slag shot out at me. Thank Primus Topspin was in the majority of the missions I went on. Without him, I'd be dead by now, that's for sure.
Speaking of him, he and Starscream are about the only decent mechs I've seen around here. I don't know much about the seeker, but at least he doesn't seem intent on giving me a painful death each time I converse with him. That's enough to put him in the 'decent' category in my opinion. He did look familiar though. I don't know how, but I get the feeling I knew him from somewhere. Maybe I fought against him in Autobot City or something? From what I could tell, that wouldn't be plausible. On all of our missions that he accompanied, he was a very skilled, close- and far- ranged fighter. I would think myself as good as gone if I sparred against him in any way- though his little training sprees I occasionally saw him in looked interesting enough. Very similar weapons to Star Convoy, with the exception that Starscream has a large amount of black accents, and definitely a darker red, and gray instead of white armor. Not to mention Convoy's optics are purple and Starscream's are an orange-red color… I still have no idea as to why I associate Star Convoy with Starscream.
Topspin was just his friendly, sociable self I suppose. I don't know how he acts around anyone else, so it's a usual for me. He often comes over during breaks to talk, saying that the 'Cons are boring and I'm much better to chat to. I don't mind much; he keeps my mind off things and gives me an actual reason to stay here. I suppose I could call him a friend. His optimism is infectious to say the least, and has kept my sanity intact. Helped me out since I was new here, and still has.
Now that you mention 'new', I remember my first mission quite well….
A databoard was raised for all of us to see…'Operation: Turnback'. "There are several unknown mechs approaching that are heavily armed. We think this is an invasion attempt; find out who they are and terminate at all costs."
"There appears to be five in total and three are seekers." Soundwave added, a calculating look in his optics. "Which means we need five or more of us to go for a higher success rate." A green and white seeker that I didn't recognize from anywhere piped up with a problem.
"Most of the mechs are busy though…" They all glanced at me in disbelief and unfathomable hate- I mean, dislike.
"Think you can handle it, kitty?" Slipstream sneered at me, and I was taken aback, still being new to how I was treated.
I glared back and replied, "Of course; And if you call me that again, I'll kick your pretty aft across Cybertron to Autobot City and let the Autobots there kick your aft again- and I won't be the one bringing you back in one piece either." Snickers ran around the group as Slipstream tried to come up with a comeback.
"The sooner you get out there, the sooner you can return; Do not underestimate the enemy," Soundwave interrupted, somewhat irritated. Should have known that it wasn't going to be as I thought.
When we arrived at the area to intercept the unidentified arrivals (I had to run to catch up, as none of them had the shred of civility I hoped for), the skies and ground were empty as I could see. "Where are they…?" I mumbled, slightly out of breath. Either to answer or spite me, the seekers appeared soon after, lobbing shots. We all dodged and began our assault. Not long into it, the ground reinforcements came…and at that point, I had 2 mechs after me, giving barely any room to dodge the attacks of the seeker from the air and the one behind me. The sharp earth tossed gave mere scratches to the tank's armor, and the jet was too nimble to be hit. Eventually, I ended up on the defensive, using the earth to block shots. "Hey lazy-afts, get over here and give me some help!" I shrieked, just missing a blast by inches. They paid no heed and cackled as they chased the three that were remaining.
As I glowered at them, I lost concentration on what was behind me and got thrown back by a near hitting missile. Hitting the ground as my back bounced and rolled to a stop, I went mech-mode. After proceeding to kick the two ground-based bots' afts, causing the three air mechs to retreat, I found myself back where I'd been knocked to the side earlier, hunting for my staff.
"Whoo, that was fun!" One of the Decepticons shouted, speeding off.
Another shouted behind his back, "Thanks for keeping some of 'em off our tail!" The rest went off with glares in my direction. I growled in frustration with all that I had to deal with. Also headed towards the base, I picked up my staff in my jaws and sprinted, only to change back almost an hour afterward.
When my eyes reopened, I was still on that route and the sky was darkening. They didn't even come back for me! Fuming, I spit out the staff that was still in my mouth, screaming, "You slagging forced-sparks! Gyaah! I hope you die a painful, torturous death by Unicron for this!" Once again I continued on grudgingly shaky, gripping the wood so tightly that I was getting splinters. When I finally came back to the base, I was very tired, sore, and murderous. The last thing I did before passing out in my room was bang on Topspin's door, mustering enough strength to howl, "Do that again and I'll disassemble you with an acid covered wrench… WITHOUTpain suppressants!" at him when he opened the door. I missed his expression from that statement as I shuffled off, and couldn't really care less. He did ask me in the morning if I was all right though...
I pulled from these thoughts and more as a ground-shaking knock went on my door, signaling to get ready for another assignment. I gave a sigh, going for a more fitting change of clothes (apparently my current clothes were frowned upon in battle). My ears picked up on a peculiar beeping noise while I was doing so, and as I finished, I took it upon myself to locate the origin of the sound, which was steadily getting louder each moment. In every nook, cranny, all of it was the same frequency. Where is it coming from then…? I questioned, when a sudden inquiry came up, unlike my voice and more monotone, like a computer. 'Memory files recovered; view now?'…What does it want me to view-? At mentioning that word, I was suddenly bombarded with images, thoughts, and sights that struck at me faster than I could imagine. I collapsed back on my bed in shock, mulling it over.
"Blastwire!" A yell rang out, as the gray and red 'Con rose to his feet with a grimace, giving me a blinking look. Another mech was in my way, and I jumped over it to him, my tail lashing at his downed, navy and silver form….
The same mech shot at Glaviin a second time, leaving him bleeding and me trembling at the scene, not able to move…
'Memory files saved' thrummed through my numb mind. My whole world was upside-down, turning and twisting just to taunt me. The green mech had finally gotten impatient, and walked in, sneering straight into my face.
"Did you hear me? There's an assignment for you. That means you have to get off your aft and do as we say." I glanced at him with the memories registering, trembling. I…need to get out of here! Was the first panicked thought that came to mind, All these people…they -he… A strangled cry jumped out, and I made no attempt to hide it in front of the unsympathetic 'Con. I tore out of the room with my staff in hand, paying no attention to supplies and ignoring the mech's shouts of outrage. "Get back here!" Along the way, I bumped into Soundwave, who would have surely pried. I gave him no such chance. Don't EVEN try it! I mentally snarled from my position on the floor, giving a fierce glare. I then got back to my feet, sprinting past his form and almost colliding with another mech who I didn't bother looking at. Minutes later, I took a shuddering breath of the outside breeze, stumbling under the starry sky. A small niche caught my attention that seemed inviting and warm compared to the cutting winds winding their way across the land and onto me. I took the invitation, huddling with my knees to my chest, crying renewed once again, where no one could find me.
Tears stung as they ambled down my face, and onto my lap. It was eating me away, again and again, and I deserved every bit of it. "That was pathetic… I finally find out, and do nothing. Just like last time. Some apprentice I turned out to be." I whispered to myself, slicing through the chilly air with each pitch that plagued my voice.
"There's always someone more pathetic than you, remember that." That familiar, lightly amused voice said in response, except there was a foreign seriousness to it. I looked up to my surprise and found Topspin, calmly glancing at my shattered self in the conveniently sized sanctuary. I hiccuped as tears cascaded down even more and I curled in closer.
"But…the- they killed him, and I didn't even catch the signs…I'm such a fool! I, I…" I trailed off sadly, soon after running out of reasons and futilely trying to calm. Time passed as the tears eventually faded, and I turned to him with a question that I couldn't help but ask, albeit a little sniffle ridden. "How… how did you find me anyway?" He chuckled.
"You almost rammed into me back there, tha's how. Plus, a distraught cat is not hard to find. Tucked in a corner when sleeping; the same when hiding." A pause could be heard over the silence of night after that. "Whaddya say we get a little…revenge on your master's behalf?" I gaped in disbelief and with the fact that he was offering to help me. I mean, he was the nearest thing to a friend I had, but I didn't expect that out of him.
"You'd be out of work though." I stated, disappointed when it came out as a whine
"So? I've seen the way they treat you, and working for a whole lot of slag-afts ain't my type of job…You want to give Glaviin a shot at redemption or not?"
"How did you-?.!"
"Muttering in your sleep when I carried you in from a mission." He said simply. "I assume he meant somethin' great to you?"
"…He was the father I never had." was all I answered before lapsing into quiet. Quiet filled with many devious plans and wishes of vengeance.
Subi: Would you lot kindly review? We haven't gotten anything for the past several chapters/stories we've posted and are beginning to wonder if there's anyone out there existing to even think of reading this far. I'm considering ending several of my stories... And the only reason this would keep being posted is cause Anonymous likes to count how many hits there are per chapter... >>
Anonymous: oo; What?
Subi: Nothing... -.-; Please review.