Temerity
Part 13-Contention
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin. Nor do I own "Peaceful Easy Feeling" by the Eagles.
"Sometimes solutions aren't so simple,
Sometimes good bye's the only way."
--Shadow of the Day, Linkin Park
Temerity-Unreasonable contempt of danger; extreme venturesomeness; rashness.
The base was dark. Scans indicated three Autobots online in ops, one in the nearby recreation room and the rest accounted for, either in their quarters or out on patrol. His intended target was in the med bay. This was the fourth day of observation and Frenzy had had enough. It was time to act. He made for the main hangar, stopping only long enough to quickly climb a nearby utility pole, severing the wires providing power to the hangar. The silver Decepticon chittered happily to himself as he skittered inside.
The rec room was his first stop, first door on the left, from what he'd gathered from his observations and scans. It was now empty, so Frenzy decided to stop and take a look around. No coffee, but the cold storage box was full of human stimulants such as Red Bull and Mountain Dew. He helped himself to a few before taking off down the corridor to ops.
He encountered the Autobot twins first. They were easy to take down. He accessed the red one's motor functions easily, taking control of his body, screeching with glee as he crashed the red twin into his brother, offlining them both. Next was the medic. Also simple, just telling his body to simply stop, leaving him online, but unable to move.
Hearing movement behind him, Frenzy turned, onlining his weapons, realizing they wouldn't cause any damage against this particular mech. Ironhide. That was the designation. Before Frenzy could move out of the way, the big black mech's foot connected with his body, sending him flying into the wall. The hacker heard the laughter, picked himself up off the floor. This one he would have fun with. . .
Again, this Autobot made no effort to move away or protect himself. Frenzy also accessed Ironhide's systems through his energy field, onlining one of the Autobot's cannons. He tried to aim the cannon at the mech's own head, but the cannon's size made it impossible to angle it properly to blow his head off, so he settled for making the Autobot think he'd blown off his own foot. It just took accessing the proper pain and memory protocols.
Satisfied with his work, Frenzy made for the main computer. Might as well see what he could pick up before going to Barricade. . .
--
No alarms, no backup power. Just pitch black. Luckily, their optics provided the ability to see in more than one spectrum. Hot Rod stalked down the corridor toward ops. He was alone and disobeying orders. Prime had called over his internal comm that he'd be back as soon as he could, and not to do anything foolish. Prowl and Jazz were was also on their way back, and with Springer taken off on his own because of their earlier conversation and Wheeljack, Perceptor, Bluestreak and Smokescreen locked in their quarters, Hot Rod and Kup were left. Kup had gone outside to see what he could find, leaving Hot Rod alone.
Hot Rod checked ops first, finding the twins offline, Ratchet incapacitated and Ironhide moaning in pain. He started to leave but stopped, hearing the sound of metal being scratched, followed by a high-pitched screech, then an impressive string of Cybertronian obscenities. Frenzy. Couldn't be anyone else, given the language and MO.
Hot Rod waited, optics offlined. He could hear Frenzy, sensed the Decepticon as he came skittering around the corner back into ops. Frenzy stopped, chattering to himself, trying to decide what to hack next. Behind him, out of the darkness, Hot Rod's optics onlined, and he lunged, grabbing Frenzy before he could get away.
-----
Prowl and Optimus stood outside, arguing over who would go in first, but they stopped, hearing approaching footsteps. They onlined their weapons, ready for action.
"Expecting trouble?" Hot Rod asked, seeing his leader and the second in command with weapons turned on him. "Here's the problem," he said, dropping a bound Frenzy into Optimus' hands.
-----
Perceptor and Wheeljack helped with the repairs, quickly got the power back up and running with Kup's help, along with ops and the rest of the base. Ratchet was grateful to finally have help, and glad the damage wasn't worse. The twins were resting comfortably and Ironhide retreated to his quarters as soon as he was able, embarrassed beyond belief at being taken down so easily. And Ratchet's own systems were back at optimum levels, and he had information to share with Prime, once he was done securing the med bay against any further incursions by Frenzy. The little Decepticon was curled happily against Barricade, pillowed on the much larger mech's chest armor, staring contentedly at the exposed spark.
"Don't try anything," Ratchet said.
Frenzy looked away from the spark.
:Won't try anything now with 'Cade. And big black stupid 'Hide gone:
:You won't hack anything? Or damage anything?:
:Promise as long as Hatchet brings back Red Bull:
Ratchet nodded at the hacker, satisfied, heading for Prime's quarters. He found the door open, lights on.
"Can't rest?" Ratchet asked.
"Something like that," Optimus said. "Just considering how lucky we are Frenzy didn't cause more damage."
"And Hot Rod wasn't among the damage," Ratchet said.
"That too," Optimus said. "How are the twins and Ironhide doing?"
"The twins are resting and Ironhide is hiding in his quarters," Ratchet said. "I think you should have a talk with him regarding the treatment of enemy combatants."
"I plan on it. Hot Rod said Ironhide kicked Frenzy into a wall," Optimus said.
"Anything else?"
"Yes. . . I now know the nature of one of Hot Rod's modifications," Ratchet said. "He can mask his energy signature."
"What?" Prime asked. "That's. . ."
"Decepticon technology. I know. But while he was in ops, I could hear him but couldn't sense him. Frenzy was so busy inflicting damage on Ironhide he didn't hear him. That's the only explanation," Ratchet said. "Frenzy took out the twins, Ironhide and I by using our energy fields to hack our systems."
"Did you ask Hot Rod about this?"
"I haven't had a chance, and considering. . .I don't know that it would be a good idea right now," Ratchet said. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm done for the night."
Prime nodded, watching Ratchet leave. He laid back on his berth. This was a disturbing new development.
-----
Kup walked down the corridor toward ops, stopped seeing the door to Prime's office was open. He peeked in, seeing the Autobot leader staring at a data pad, shaking his head in dismay.
"You're up early," Kup said.
Prime set down the pad.
"SecDef Keller will be here soon, and I'm just. . ."
"Trying to find a good way to tell him we have two Decepticons in our med bay?" Kup said.
"One of many things I'll have to inform him of," Prime said. "And I can tell you he won't be happy about the Decepticons."
"Are you going to consider Barricade's offer, or have you already made up your mind?"
Prime didn't answer.
"Made your decision that quick, eh?"
"They are my problem now," Optimus replied.
"Will this human see their side of it?" Kup asked.
"Keller is honest and fair. If my decision angers him, he will get over it, eventually. I think," Prime said.
"Let's hope so," Kup said.
-----
Keller took a long, hard look at the shuttle sitting on the base's tarmac. It was partially stripped.
"I take it this was an isolated incident?" he asked, turning, hand on hips, one eyebrow cocked, gazing up at the Autobot leader.
Prime shot Kup a look.
"I can assure you it won't happen again," Prime said.
"You don't have any other ships coming?" Keller asked.
"The Valor, the ship that brought Springer, Smokescreen, Perceptor and Wheeljack is parked with the Ark, on the dark side of the moon. Three Autobots, Trailbreaker, Hoist and Grapple, are still on board, making last minute repairs. As soon as they're ready, Springer will put the ship into stasis and those three will come to Earth," Prime said.
"How can he do anything to the ship when he's here?" Keller asked.
"Springer has a bond with the ship. . .it is, in a manner of speaking, self-aware," Prime said.
"You mean it's alive?"
"Yes, but it lacks a spark," Prime said.
"What?"
"The ship has an artificial intelligence that was developed by one of our scientists, Shockwave. However, the technology was not perfected before his death, but it was decided to use it one of three new ships being built at that time--the Valor," Prime said.
"When you say artificial intelligence, why do I get the feeling you're not talking about anything similar developed here on Earth," Keller said.
"Shockwave was experimenting with trying to create life without the use of the Allspark," Prime said. "And I fear he was playing with fire."
--
Prowl eyed Tom Banacek, former head of Sector Seven, now advisor to SecDef Keller. They were still wary of this particular human, but he was proving trustworthy. He was hard-nosed but fair, and impressed with what they'd accomplished so far with the base. Banacek wasn't the only person in ops. Sgt. Epps was showing Keller around.
"So, how are you getting along with the new arrivals?" Keller asked Epps as they walked out of ops.
"OK, for the most part, sir," Epps said.
"Mostly? What's the problem?"
"Well, sir, have you seen Capt. Lennox?"
"Yes. I saw he's recovering from some wounds received when Barricade was captured," Keller said.
"Did he happen to tell you how he got them?" Epps said.
"He didn't elaborate. Come to think of it, Prime didn't either," Keller said.
"Permission to speak freely?"
"Granted," Keller said.
"One of the new ones--Hot Rod. I don't trust him, sir. He's. . .sketchy. And he could've gotten Lennox killed," Epps said. "He's got some major issues."
"Have you shared your concerns with Capt. Lennox?" Keller said.
"He knows, and he doesn't feel the same way," Epps said.
"Did it occur to you Lennox might know something you don't?" Keller asked.
"No sir."
Keller clasped Epps on the shoulder and they continued on their way, unaware they'd been overheard.
-----
Optimus cruised down the highway toward the lookout. Keller was gone, headed back to Washington, D.C. and for the moment, the worst was over. Keller had taken his decision to accept Barricade's offer better than expected, which was a weight off his shoulders. And Prowl's endorsement of the decision, with caution, helped settle the human, although he didn't hear the muttered comment, behind Prime's back, about taking care of the problem himself if it got out of hand. Uncharacteristic for Prowl, but it showed just how much having his old friend back affected his second in command. Only time would tell if Barricade was as good as his word. And Frenzy. Hell on two legs, that one was, but so far, he was behaving as long as they kept the Red Bull flowing. Ratchet was concerned about the effects it would have on Frenzy's systems, but as long as the little hacker was happy, he would stay out of trouble. Prime hoped.
He already had some ideas about how to best use the services of the former Decepticons, but it would have to wait. He turned down the dirt road to the lookout, and once again, found he was not alone. Hot Rod was sitting, staring at the western sky. Optimus transformed, sitting down by the young mech, settling in.
For a long time, Hot Rod didn't say anything, and Optimus was quickly learning that silence meant something was wrong. So, being a good leader, he decided to break the ice. If it worked for Bumblebee, it could work for him. . .
Hot Rod heard the strains of music coming from the direction of Optimus.
". . .I want to sleep with you in the desert tonight, with a billion stars all around. . ."
"Is that an invitation?" Hot Rod asked.
It took Prime a second to realize what Hot Rod said.
"What? No."
Optimus noticed the grin on Hot Rod's face, got it that he was joking.
Prime shuttered his optics in embarrassment.
"What is that?" Hot Rod asked.
"An Earth band called 'The Eagles.' Jazz suggested I might like them. . ."
"Suits you."
"Did it work?"
Hot Rod laughed. A welcome sound.
Prime smiled at Hot Rod, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I didn't see you all day," Optimus said.
"I was helping Ratchet in the med bay," Hot Rod said. "Jazz suggested it, and Ratchet agreed."
"And you helped with?" Optimus asked, curious.
"Finishing with connecting terminals there to the main bank in ops," Hot Rod answered. "And helping take the core extractor off Barricade. Ratchet won't be using it again."
"How is Barricade?"
"Wanting out of the med bay," Hot Rod said. "And he wants to know what's going to happen to them."
"They can stay," Optimus said. "I just haven't had time to tell him yet."
"How did the humans take that?"
"Better than expected," Optimus said. "But if anything happens, it will be left to us to deal with."
"Of course," Hot Rod said, shifting away from Optimus.
Prime noticed.
"Is there something the matter?"
"Only that I'm sick of everyone talking about me behind my back," Hot Rod said. "Today was no exception."
"What happened?"
"I overheard Sgt. Epps talking to Keller. He said he doesn't trust me," Hot Rod answered. "Maybe he's right. Maybe I can't be trusted."
"Sgt. Epps has no idea what you've been through," Optimus said. "I trust you, Kup trusts you. And Springer does too. Speaking of Springer, I haven't seen you two together too much over the past few days."
"That's because I threw Springer out of my quarters the other night," Hot Rod said.
"Why?"
"The conversation turned a little too personal," Hot Rod said. "And no offense Optimus, if you want to know something, all you have to do is ask me, instead of talking about it when I'm not around."
"It's just that. . ."
"I'm not broken. Not on top of my game, but not broken," Hot Rod said. "I know you want to know about the Vector, so get it over with and ask."
"No. Not yet," Optimus said. "But I do need to ask you about something else. Are you aware your processor has been altered?"
"Yes."
"Why? And by who?"
"I can't tell you," Hot Rod said.
"Can't, or won't?"
"I can't tell you. He said you wouldn't understand. . ."
"Ultra Magnus?"
"No," Hot Rod said. "And please don't ask me again."
He started to shake, and Optimus wrapped his arm around the younger mech, providing what comfort he could.