Subi: Yep, Anonymous has taken her 'leave of absence' for awhile... so you're stuck with me. XP She wrote most of this chapter in the last two days before she left and I added a bit in the middle of the chapter to finish it off. No seeing massive carnage, only the result of it. >S

17. Tricks and Traps

For the first time ever at the base, I was in a truly happy mood. In the beginning I was uncomfortable with the whole prospect of revenge. Eventually the feeling of sadistic amusement emerged from the malice and shock last night, taking over those doubts. It was a wonderful feeling, knowing that all they had done would be atoned for. No one else would care anyway; they're only Decepticons. I mean, I'd probably get a medal for this if any Autobots found out. Though the motive for it all might get some uproar…not my problem.

I was currently in my quarters with Topspin (which was a little cramped), going over possible plans for the main target: Soundwave, on a large scrap of paper. This was because of three reasons.

1) He killed my master and father figure; that alone is reason enough.

2) That mind reading habit of his annoys me.

3) He would somehow find out of our schemes, I just know it.

Shivers found their way down my spine at each thought of pain I would give him, and I was refreshed at it. He is going to suffer. Oh yes he is… I sinisterly thought, resisting a slight cringe at the resurfaced memories. The only problem was how am I supposed to keep from blowing cover? All these risks make me so anxious though…what if we screw up big time? I mentally asked myself. A massive hand waved in front of me, startling me out of my thoughts.

"'Ello…Karahrr? You there?" I blinked, turning to look at him.

"What?" I asked, confusion stamped into my voice at Topspin's expression, which was along the lines of disturbed.

"You were cackling and staring into space again." He mentioned. I merely shrugged as he continued speaking. "And we still need to specify where to lead him. You have any ideas?" A glint lit up in my eyes as they narrowed at him.

"I already told you what I had in mind; slaughtering the slag out of him next time we meet alone. But no, that idea has to be tossed out, doesn't it?" I retorted, sarcasm coating my last sentence in irritation. A skeptic glance was handed in my direction. "Fine…some hallway near the exit outside. Happy now?"

"If yo-" Topspin stopped in mid word as Slipstream walked into the room, livid.

"I heard that a certain kitty didn't go to the mission meeting last night." He snarled, getting closer to my face before adding, " Be glad it was a false alarm. But do this again and I'll make sure you disappear off the rosters for a while, got it?" I was used to this months ago, so the threat meant nothing to me. Why else would I still be here? Plus, all this planning put a little more daring in me than I usually would have.

"Don't be late, get the info, kick aft, and come back; got it. Anything else you needed?" I inquired, cocking my head to the side as he stormed out in response, causing a mini-quake with his wrath. I turned back to tell Topspin to repeat himself, when realization hit me. Wait,he called me 'kitty', didn't he? Oh… he's gonna get it now! A scowl set on my face and I rose up, gathering my staff. Before he could ask, I answered, "It'll only take a moment; I'm getting rid of one early."

"But Karahrr! Wait!" Topspin half-rolled to his feet, and followed me down the hall. "What are you going to do?... No... You can't possibly be thinking about taking him out... Karahrr, have you lost it?.!"

"Nope, just holding to a promise I made a few missions back. If I'm not back in two hours, come find me- alone, if you don't mind. And if I'm dead, give them all hell for me." I kept walking as he stopped and sheerly stared after me with an uncertain look. I found myself laughing with full amusement until I found Slipstream again.

"What's so important about that human-cat mercenary anyway? The Air Commander's lost his mind, i swear. He's a great tactician, powerful, and fast, sure, but what would he need a cat mech for? They're ground bots, not aerial mechs." Slipstream was complaining to Starscream, though I'd been around the red, grey, and black seeker to know he was barely restraining himself from something. I grinned up at Slipstream, well aware I could give him the scare of his life at that moment.

"Because we're faster than usual ground troops, cause we're clever, and cause we can kick aft?" I suggested. Slipstream jumped and spun around to face me. My grin got wider, revealing sharp fangs, as I continued, "Like I'm going to do to you- if you dare to follow me." I let out a cat-like cackle before running down the hallway, turning into my cat demon form so I could go faster. I could have sworn I heard Starscream laugh as I dashed out of the room.

"You couldn't kick my aft if you tried, kitty!" Slipstream shouted, jumping after me and chasing me outside of the base. I merely laughed again and ran faster, easily dodging him as I led him on a wild chase that would be his end...

I found myself near the bottom of a cliff where Slipstream- or rather, what was left of Slipstream- had been... impaled... by falling on the sharp, spiked rock-like spires that jutted out of the ground with an almost evil look to them. I noticed the rocks were angled in such a way that made it impossible for any ground-based mech like myself to even hope of getting close to examine the scene very accurately, and that the different heights of other rocks would make it difficult for a seeker to get a good look either. I lifted my head and looked up at the tall cliff-face, and privately noted that if anyone fell from there and was unable to fly would instantly die on the rocks I was standing by now.

"Hey, you're just in time to help, Topspin!" Karahrr called as she ran over, coming from out of nowhere like she seemed to usually do, smiling deviously. I hesitated, unsure of what she meant by 'help'. Whatever it was, I was sure it wasn't going to end up good for me either.

"Help how, exactly?"

"Simple; just contact the base and report that you found Slipstream heavily damaged here and need assistance getting him. That way, it just looks like some random mech attacked and you happened to stumble across the guy." She explained, and I couldn't help but wonder where her sense of thinking ahead was when we were planning earlier. "I suggest you make it sound realistic though." Karahrr added to the side, a slight smirk on her face that unnerved me somewhat.

"Okay then…" I said, swallowing uneasily before sending the transmission. "This is Topspin. Slipstream, Karahrr, and I have been atta-". A flash of pain exploded near the back of my head and all went black…

My optics reactivated, and I winced at the bright light until my systems adjusted to it. Sitting up with a groan, I noticed I was back in my quarters with a couple of mechs -as well as Karahrr- looking at me. At seeing that I was online, the cat demon turned to them, mentioning "Now that you see he's alive, don't you have work to do?" It seems either they did, or they were frightened by the look she sent them, because they scrambled out with some words of how lucky I was faster than I thought possible. Coming over to me, she asked, "Now that that's over with, are you okay?"

"I feel like someone tossed a boulder at my head…" I answered truthfully, a little stiff at the hinges as I stood up. Karahrr gave a nervous laugh.

"I made sure it wasn't that big…" She said, more to herself than me, backing away at my built up glare. "What? I had to! They would of found it suspicious that Slipstream and me were hurt, and in the same area… The whole base knows how 'fond' I am of him, so I'd be prime suspect. With you damaged as well on the other hand… is something I'd never do in normal circumstances, so you had to look roughed up at least a little bit. I'm pretty kicked around myself, so I had no trouble bringing the story of an ambush." Barely managing to hear her as she rushed through justifying her case, I took a glance at her. She was right on that one. A large bruise on the side, a small gash at her shoulder, and what looked to be a limp on her left leg; not to mention various smaller cuts and scratches. It was disconcerting how she could manage to move around like that without falling face first into the ground.

"Aren't you hurting from all those injuries?" I asked. She blinked in surprise.

"You aren't going to squish me in the ground for knocking you out?" I inwardly laughed at the attempt to change the subject. That, and the fact that she actually thought I'd squish her. Still, this isn't a subject to change…

"No, seeing as you had a good reason. Now I'm going to ask again and expect an answer: Do those injuries hurt?" Her fidgeting and occasional wince as she walked gave it away, though I had a feeling her answer was far from what was apparent.

"Only a little bit, but I can handle it. Nothing some herbs can't do. Besides, we still have to get that plan in action." Typical, she's playing games now.

"And have you taken any herbs?"

"Yeah…about an hour or so ago. The only thing I don't like about this stuff is that it makes me drowsy though." She said as she tried to hide a particularly loud hiss of pain when her foot touched the floor. This stubborn game is going too far now… I thought, frowning.

"Go to your quarters and rest." I ordered, ignoring her glare. "I'll be slagged if I let you do anything in this condition. The investigation you set off will prevent any missions and Slipstream is probably still in the med bay, off-line for a long time; so you can and will use this time to rest." Nothing prepared me for her reaction, except for remembering how persistent cats can be.

"I am perfectly slagging capable of this, Topspin." She growled, defiance in her voice, "I can sleep later, plans come first! And as you said, the investigation will prevent any missions- meaning all targets are here..." I sighed and walked over to her fuming form.

"Karahrr, don't make me make you." She merely smirked.

"What are you going to do, poke me?" and in turn, I smiled.

"Actually…yes." Before she could do anything, I pressed on the pressure point on her neck. She was out in moments. It pays to study anatomy, to say the least. Putting her on her bed and turning off the lights, I knew I would have Hell to pay when she woke up. But as they say, 'An eye for an eye', a knockout for a knockout... ... ...

Subi: Anonymous will be back sometime next week and will be discussing with me what we're going to do in the next few chapters. Right now it looks like there might be 25 chapters total, but the number keeps changing. XD We'll see.