DISCLAIMERS: I don't own Transformers. They came over from Hasbro to pester me. Boy, are they regretting that now. *evil cackle*
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Faster update this time. Hope I can keep it up. On with the show!
Thanks always to my beta reader and BFF Okami-chan.
Chapter Five
"Prowler, ma mech, we gotta talk."
Prowl looked up from studying the maps and sketches Hound and Sunstreaker had collaborated on. This was proving to be the most challenging strategy he ever had to plan. Probably would be easier if they weren't reduced to using crayons on various sized scraps of coloured paper. "Yes Jazz?"
"It's personal. Nothing to do with our grand campaign." Jazz awkwardly sat down and rubbed the back of his neck.
Prowl put down the colourful maps and gave the saboteur his full attention. A nervous Jazz was a rare thing indeed.
Jazz sat in silence a long moment. Prowl waited patiently, knowing that Jazz would speak when he was ready.
"You and CeeCee are pretty tight now. Everyone knows that." Jazz began.
Everyone did know that. It was pretty much impossible to keep secrets in the Mazes. Besides the obvious fact that he and CeeCee had started 'sharing blankets' as the local euphemism went, Prowl had an idea what Jazz was getting around to though. "This is about you two being caught in a somewhat compromising position in the back hallways, isn't it?"
"Somewhat compromising? Prowl, you know sometimes even I can't tell when you are being serious or sarcastic." Jazz gave him a wounded look.
Prowl couldn't help but laugh at his friend's discomfiture. "I'll let you decide that. Besides, I know that isn't the only time you and her were being, well, let us call it 'extra affectionate'."
"Extra affectionate? Now I know you are messing with me," Jazz huffed.
"I can assure you Jazz, I'm not the one you have been 'messing' with."
"Here I am, coming to you to confess and you already know, are not mad and are actually teasing the scrap out of me? And while we're on that, how the frag do you even know? You are all kinds of smart but you ain't telepathic." The speed of the shift from contrite Jazz to annoyed Jazz was astounding.
Prowl leaned back and smirked. It was rare when he could turn the tables on Jazz like this and he always enjoyed it fully. "I have an inside informant. The best source possible on your indiscretions with my female companion."
Jazz stopped being annoyed. He was suddenly too busy being baffled. Prowl just smiled at him but kept his peace. Jazz could figure this one out on his own.
It only took a few moments but Prowl knew exactly when Jazz had figured it out. He suddenly went wide-eyed, slack-jawed and redder than someone with his skin tone should be able to accomplish. Which meant it was time for Prowl to move in for the 'kill'. "She is always extremely descriptive. Even demonstrates some of the more hard to describe parts."
Jazz stared at him in horror for a long moment, before pausing and giving Prowl a suspicious glare. "You are slagging with me, aren't you."
Prowl leaned forward, giving Jazz an evil smirk. "Partly. CeeCee does inform me of your activities, since she does not find them something to be secretive about or ashamed of."
Jazz sat back, taking a deep breath. "Okay. But if you already knew, why aren't you mad?"
"Because that is CeeCee. Why should I be mad when she is being herself? I fell in love with her for who she is, not for someone I'd wish her to be." Prowl picked up the map again and resumed studying it. He needed to commend Sunstreaker; even with shoddy materials the workmanship was fantastic.
After a few moments, he realized that Jazz had not responded and looked back up.
Stunned didn't really describe the expression on the saboteur's face but it was the closest Prowl could come up with. "Jazz?"
"You're serious, aren't you?"
"You should know me well enough by now Jazz, to realize I don't do casual relationships. I wouldn't have gotten involved otherwise."
"Right. Of course. Silly me. I knew that."
"Now, enough about our personal lives. Come help me plan this. It's more in your field of expertise than mine." Prowl handed over the map.
Jazz took it and studied it. They soon fell into a familiar rhythm, quietly brainstorming and cross examining each other's suggestions. But Prowl could tell Jazz wasn't focused on the problem at hand. He put down the sketches he had been examining and waited.
Jazz sighed and looked Prowl in the eye. "When it comes time for us to go, to escape, how are you going to leave her?"
"I'm not. She's going to come with us," Prowl answered without hesitation.
"You sure she'll come? She is one of the leaders here. As goofy as she seems, this place wouldn't run without her at the helm."
"She'll have to. Her life would be forfeit after we escape. If Starscream doesn't already know about our relationship, he will soon after and he's just petty enough to take it out on her."
"Prowl…"
"She'll have to come, Jazz. I can't accept any other outcome, no matter how illogical it is."
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Sideswipe gazed at the loop of braided hairs around his wrist, twisting his arm around to see the light make the strands sparkle. A strange piece of local culture made odder by the fact it was his dark red strands contrasting with Dee's brown black ones. Officially linked with Dee now, with a certain standing in the Tunnel Rat clan.
He had never felt so alien and out of place in his life.
"Sideswipe?"
He looked up and met Dee's eyes as she walked towards him, her lessons apparently completed for the day.
"Are you okay?" Dee asked, sinking down to sit facing him. She searched his face with wide brown eyes, as if trying to divine the source of his upset.
"I'm okay enough sweetspark. Nothing to do with you and nothing we can do about it anyways. I'll deal." He pulled her close, turning her around to spoon against him. He leaned a cheek against the top of her head with a sigh. He didn't know what grand, mad scheme the dynamic monochrome duo was going to come up with this time, but they had better be planning on an extra escapee. Stupid hair ring aside, Dee was his and he wasn't leaving her behind.
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Hound caught the ball and tossed it against the wall again. He caught the rebound and sent it back with a vicious underhand throw. This one flew over his head, just out of the reach of his grasping fingers.
"Frag!" Hound turned to chase the ball, only to find Venom holding it.
"Interesting sport Lord Hound," Venom tossed the ball back to Hound. "I didn't think ball games were something you enjoyed."
Hound caught the ball and shrugged. "I don't like or dislike them, Venom. It's merely a way to kill some time."
"Kill some time?"
"Yes," Hound rubbed his face and sighed. "Prowl and Jazz are scheming, Sideswipe is busy with Dee, Bluestreak is off with Alpha somewhere and Sunstreaker volunteered for patrol and guard duty. All the housekeeping chores are assigned and no one needs help. CeeCee suggested I take a nap but I'm too restless to sleep anymore."
A strange smile spread over the dark haired clone's face. "Restless? I happen to know a cure for that." He held out a hand. "Come. I'll show you."
Hound stared at the clone for a long moment, blinking, once, twice, three times. He couldn't be suggesting...
With a sigh and a shrug, Hound tossed the ball aside and took the offered hand. "Let's go."
Couldn't pass up an opportunity to learn more about humans after all.
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Sunstreaker smiled as he watched one of his patrol mates. The wildly gesturing blond clone was partly telling, partly re-enacting a prank pulled on a rival clan. He strongly suspected the story was mostly fabricated and overly embellished but you had to give him points for delivery. When the punch line came, Sunstreaker laughed easily with everyone else.
It had taken him a while to get the other clan fighters to stop deferring to him and calling him Lord. That fragger Alpha actually helped him out with that too. Sunstreaker wasn't sure why the clone leader had bothered. Maybe he was trying to suck up and apologise some more?
Whatever the reason, Sunstreaker felt better than he had since they had been captured. The routine of drill, sparring and patrol was a familiar one that soothed his troubled spark. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, not even Sideswipe, let alone speak of it but the... the... things that happened before they were changed into humans haunted him. Being mostly idle didn't help him at all.
He needed to get Sideswipe in on this.
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"So, what do you think of that one?" Jazz stretched and yawned. They had been at this for hours. CeeCee had been by twice; once with food and a funny story about Hound and Venom, the second time to warn them that they had better not think they were going to miss a sleep period and to glower meaningfully at Prowl. Jazz didn't think they'd survive a third reminder. Frag but that woman was Ratchet all over again!
Prowl yawned and rubbed his face. "I think if I had my battle computer, I might be able to suggest something to increase our odds."
"I know it's risky Prowl but it's probably our best bet." Jazz crossed his arms and leaned forward on the crate they were using as a table. He wanted to lay his head down too but knew he wouldn't stay awake if he did.
"Like I said earlier, this is your area of expertise. I don't like the odds but I can't think of anything better or any way to lower the risks." Prowl braced an elbow on the crate and leaned into his palm, eyes closed. "Let's look at it again in the morning."
"Ain't no mornings in this Pit, Prowl."
"Wake me when we get one."
Jazz definitely needed sleep. Watching Prowl pass out in slow motion really could not be this amusing. Worth it though, even with the dark glare CeeCee gave him.
He levered himself up and helped her manhandle Prowl to their blankets. Prowl muttered a little but didn't wake. Jazz watched CeeCee-37 settle the tactician for a moment before he turned to head for his own sleep spot.
"Lord Jazz?"
Jazz sighed and turned. "CeeCee sweetie, I think we know each other far too well now for this Lord thing. And what's with telling Prowler everything, hmm? Trying to get me slagged?" He raised an eyebrow as he gazed down at her.
CeeCee-37 merely smiled tiredly back at him. "Lord Jazz, you are exhausted. Lay down and join us."
"Now I know why Prowl loves you so much," he complained as he complied and lay down with her and the tactician. "You both like to mess with people the same way."
She kissed his cheek in reply and pulled him closer until she was sandwiched between him and Prowl. Laying her head on Jazz's shoulder, she fell asleep almost instantly.
Jazz lay there, listening to her and Prowl breathe softly as he gazed down at CeeCee's golden hair. Having her warm and soft form curled up close stirred something in him. He didn't know what; he was too tired to define it.
He just knew Prowl was right, she HAD to come with them.
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"CeeCee? Are you okay?"
Dee's soft voice startled the blonde clone out of the daze she'd entered. She blinked incomprehensively a couple times before remembering what she had been doing.
"CeeCee? Should I go get Alpha?"
"I'm fine child, just at my apex. There is nothing Alpha can do for me." CeeCee-37 tried to smile at the clone child to reassure her.
"Apex? Isn't he on patrol with Sideswipe and Sunstreaker?" Dee blinked at her in unhappy confusion. "Are you sure you are okay? You look pale, like Splits did when she hit her head."
"Apex isn't only a name, child," CeeCee drew Dee close and stroked her hair. "It is a word for a stage in life. Most of us never reach it; our lives go to feed the Creator's dark desires. I have never been called on a sacred journey, few who are called return alive. Of those, most die shortly after. Like Nina and Fox a few rest periods ago. I've heard of some, a rare number that both return from a sacred journey and recover to meet their apex. I have never met one until Lord Hound and Lord Jazz returned from their journey. It is unheard of for someone to return twice and survive. If the Great Whites had known that, they might have stayed clear of Lord Jazz, no matter how injured he was."
"But Jazz isn't scary. He's nice!" Dee pulled out of CeeCee's embrace to look into her face. "He sings me songs and makes me laugh. Even if I don't always understand what he's saying."
"You are special to them, child." CeeCee-37 pointed to the hair bracelet on Dee's wrist. "Does Lord Sideswipe not jump to your defence?"
"But they aren't scary CeeCee. You know they aren't, you are special too. Why does everyone else think they are?"
"People fear what they don't understand and what is different. Even though the Lords look like us, there is something about them that marks them as different, even if you don't know them. When you get to know them, that difference is more apparent."
"I don't understand, CeeCee. Sunstreaker says you were never afraid of them."
CeeCee-37 smiled gently at the younger clone. "What the Lord of Destruction says is true child; I never feared them. Where most feared that difference in them, I embraced it."
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"So Blue, what's with you and Alpha?" Bluestreak looked up. Sideswipe walked up and plopped down beside him. "You've been spending a lot of time with him since uhm… since I hit him. What gives?"
"Hmm? I don't know what you mean, Sides. Where's Dee? At her lessons?" Sideswipe without Dee was an odd sight.
Sideswipe ignored the inquiry about his ward. "Didn't think you liked humans that much. I'm not surprised by Hound or even Jazz but you and Prowl? Is it a Datsun thing?"
Bluestreak whipped his head around at Sideswipe's biting tone and stared at the red haired twin. Even when he was sarcastic as Pit, Sideswipe carried a hint of playfulness about him. But not now. Now he was the warrior that the Decepticons feared and the clones dubbed Lord of Destruction. And he was looking for a fight.
What. The. Frag?
Bluestreak narrowed his eyes and glared back at him. "No more than it is a Lamborghini thing to be an aft. What the frag is your problem?" Sideswipe wanted a fight? If he didn't shut his mouth, Bluestreak had no problem obliging him.
Sideswipe's lip curled up into a nasty sneer. "I don't like your boyfriend, Blue. Don't know how you got involved with him of all people. You saw what he tried to do to Dee. And here I thought you were fond of her."
Boyfriend? Alpha? What the..? A dark haze settled over Bluestreak, much like it had in the showers. Only this time when it cleared, someone was shouting insults in bastardized Cybertronian, his throat was on fire and he was staring into Sideswipe's shocked blue eyes. Someone had hold of him and was trying to pull him off the red haired twin.
"Bluestreak calm down! Let him go!" That was Alpha. Why was Alpha yelling at him? And who was trying to curse in Cybertronian? Oh wait! That was him. No wonder his throat hurt.
Bluestreak shut his mouth and let Alpha pull him off Sideswipe. Another clone helped Sideswipe up and offered him a cloth for his… bleeding nose? Bluestreak glanced down at his hands. The right one had blood smeared across the knuckles.
Alpha stepped between them and levelled a disgusted look at both of them. "I don't care that you two are Lords, in-fighting within the clan is not tolerated. Now then, someone want to tell me what started this?"
Bluestreak glanced down at his blood covered hand again. What did start it? "Uhm... I don't know. Ow, frag my throat hurts."
Alpha gave him a considering look before nodding and turning to Sideswipe. "Well?"
Sideswipe gaped at the clone leader. "That's it? You are going to let him off with just that and give me scrap instead? Is he that good of a frag?"
"Bluestreak! Snap out of it!"
Bluestreak blinked and shook his head. Then shook it again when he realized he was being restrained by two clones that resembled Venom. He wasn't sure how he knew neither were Venom either. He looked up at Alpha. "I'm doing it again, aren't I?"
Alpha sighed and put his hands on his shoulders. "Yes you are. I can see what this is partly about, at least on your side of it. Go with Vane and calm down. I'll deal with Sideswipe."
"But… Alpha, he doesn't like you. That's what this is about. I remember that part now."
"I guessed that Bluestreak. It's alright. Go with Vane, I got this."
Bluestreak nodded and let the clone on his left, Vane guide him away. Primus he was tired.
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Alpha watched silently as Bluestreak was gently led away by young Vane before turning to glare coldly at Sideswipe.
Sideswipe didn't look very God-like or frightening holding a bloody cloth to his nose, staring in annoyed confusion after his clan-mate. For that brief, unguarded moment, he looked young, vulnerable and very human. Then he raised his eyes, met Alpha's and the moment was gone, locked behind anger and pride once again.
I've just been at war a long time and sometimes it gets to me. Bluestreak's words came back to him in a rush.
It certainly explained a lot about all the Lords of Light.
Alpha shoved his speculations to the back of his mind. He'd think on it later; right now he had a volatile and dangerous situation glaring at him and he had to deal with it.
He dismissed the other clones and walked over to look Sideswipe in the eye. They were about the same height and build, but Alpha knew Sideswipe was much stronger and faster than him. It didn't bother him since he knew that the Lord of Destruction wouldn't attack without provocation and he didn't plan on getting physical with Sideswipe.
"All right, I've got Bluestreak's side of the story, what's yours?"
"Right… what you really mean is you are going to get it later when you two sneak off behind the crates." Sideswipe sneered at him defiantly.
Sometimes it was very hard to remember that they were allies and this 'God' was supposed to be one of their saviours.
"Sideswipe, I know you have a personal grudge against me, but taking it out on your clan-mate is cruel, unfair and completely wrong." Patience, Alpha. Getting angry with him is what he wants.
"Oh really? How's that?"
"If you even hint that he's attractive, Bluestreak has black outs and panic attacks."
"I'm sure you tell him that… hey what?" Sideswipe blinked, sneer replaced with shock.
"I don't know why, other than you all used to be a lot different than you are now and he despises being in this body."
"Blue told you all that?"
"Yes, after I inadvertently triggered a couple of black outs for him."
"When was this?" Sideswipe demanded, eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Sideswipe, I'd watch my tone if I were you. I bumped into Bluestreak when I went for a late shower one night. I gave him an offhand compliment about how I find you all attractive and it spiralled down from there. Unlike you, making purposefully vicious comments to provoke him." Alpha glared back, not giving an inch.
"You showered with Bluestreak?"
"As have you. We got clean and talked. We became friends and that is all. Bluestreak, unlike you, can accept an apology and forgive. And I am truly sorry for frightening Dee. It won't happen again." Alpha rubbed his chin ruefully. "I guarantee it."
Sideswipe looked suspiciously at him for a long moment. He opened and closed his mouth a couple times before finally speaking. "You aren't calling us Lord. Why?"
"Bluestreak requested I stop. Threatened to give me a bruise to match the one from you if I didn't comply." Alpha smiled wickedly at Sideswipe. "I think we both know that he could back that one up."
Sideswipe glowered at him again but it lacked the heat it did previously. "Yeah, I guess we do. So you aren't fragging him?"
"I'm going assume that fragging means the same as screwing. No I'm not."
"But you want to," Sideswipe pressed.
"I'm not going to fall into that trap. I find him attractive, he knows that. But he'd never want to and has made that perfectly clear. I'm okay with that," Alpha replied.
"And Dee?"
"Again, perfectly clear."
"So I guess I owe Blue an apology." Sideswipe muttered, glancing at the floor.
"An apology and you will do the balance of his chores for the next five rest periods."
"What?"
"As I told you, in-fighting is not tolerated. I'm sure Jazz and Prowl would agree with me were I to broach this to them?" Alpha couldn't suppress his grin as the red haired 'god' wilted. "Now, how about we go grab something to eat and you tell me about the world you come from."
Sideswipe perked up and walked with him out of the room. "Okay, sure, I don't mind. But why haven't you asked Blue to tell you? He wouldn't mind either, especially if you are buddies."
Alpha gave a rueful sigh. "I have. But when he gets wound up, I have a very hard time understanding what he's saying. I don't have the heart to tell him that."
Sideswipe only laughed in reply.
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From the hand of Prowl, Lieutenant Commander, 2IC of the Autobots, Chief Tactician
Date Unknown
I am Lt Cmdr Prowl of the Autobots, second to Optimus Prime and if recovered, I would ask that this journal be sent directly to him.
Prime,
Jazz and I seem to have a working plan for escape. I don't like it. It's full of holes and risks but it's the best we can manage under the current conditions. And we will be bringing a couple of the clones with us: Dee, who we all have adopted and CeeCee-37, who had adopted us. I confess, I have allowed myself to become emotionally involved with her. My only excuse is that since I lack my battle computer, I find myself unable to stave off my emotional routines as I should. Perhaps it turned out for the best. CeeCee and to a lesser extent Dee, have helped stave off the despair that I feel in the depth of my spark. She inspires me to continue to fight and I find myself wanting to show her the world beyond these walls.
My apologies Optimus, I just returned from receiving the twins reports and reread what I had written.
When did I become such a romantic idiot?
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"Alpha! Alpha! Something is wrong with CeeCee!"
Alpha whipped his head around from his conversation with Sideswipe and Bluestreak to the panting child that just dashed around the corner. He was on his feet and almost out the door before he realized it.
He paused and looked at the shocked Lords behind him. "Go get the other Lords. Especially Prowl and Jazz. Child, go get Venom. Hurry, there isn't much time." Then he ran out.
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