Temerity
Part 18-Incursion
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.
"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.
"It's going to take several more days of testing, but I think they've succeeded," Wheeljack said.
"Good," Prime said. "How are they all doing?"
"Prowl's going to be out of commission at least another day because it was harder than he expected to contain the form, but he'll be fine. Frenzy and Rumble are fine, as you've seen and Barricade and Skywarp are already out of the med bay," Wheeljack said. "And Perceptor's asking if we can run a few scans on those two little freaks to see how they can imbibe so much of that human stuff. . ."
"If you can get them to sit still for more than a few seconds, be my guest," Prime said. "Good luck."
"Thanks," Wheeljack said, turning back to his work.
Optimus walked from the lab, pondering the chaos brought on by a second set of twins on base. They were a happy distraction compared to his confrontation with Ironhide two days before, who was now not speaking to him at all. The tiny hackers wreaked havoc matched only by Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, who had taken to their own experimentation with their Decepticon counterparts, mainly involving the vile human concoctions known as Mountain Dew, Red Bull and their own precious stash of high grade.
The night before, in the rec room, he'd been one of the lucky few with front row seats for the the latest round of pranks, or 'research' as Sideswipe lovingly called it during the session in his office after.
No one was hurt but the refrigerator, microwave and the entire supply of human refreshments was gone, much to the chagrin of their human allies. Faced with no caffeine of any kind that morning, Lennox's unit rebelled, forcing the soldier to call his wife, Sarah, who packed up the coffee maker from their house and the ice chest they used on camping trips, bringing them out to the base.
One more problem solved for the time being, the Autobot leader reflected.
-----
"Ain't this fun?" Epps said.
Lennox ignored the comment, keeping his eyes on the road. They were the lucky two who drew patrol duty with Springer and Ironhide. The two humans were riding with Springer because Irondhide was in a blacker mood than usual.
"Want to ride with Ironhide?" Springer asked. "Because I can stop and let you out. . ."
"Sure, why not?" Lennox said.
"Hey now--no need for that," Epps said. "We all know why he's in such a bad mood. And it's not just because he had another row with Prime."
Lennox turned to look at Epps, glaring, hoping he'd get the message to shut up.
"Space case gets on everyone's nerves," Epps said.
"His name is Hot Rod," Springer said. "And if you call him that again, you'll find out why the Decepticons call humans 'squishees.'"
Lennox smiled at Epps, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I think he means it," Lennox said.
Epps frowned, reached into his pocket for his Ipod. He put on his ear buds, cranked the music, shutting the others out.
"I'm sorry," Lennox said.
"No need to apologize," Springer said.
"Squishee. That's good. Remind me not to piss you guys off," Lennox said.
"It's not you I'm worried about," Springer said. "Your friend. . ."
Lennox didn't flinch when the conversation suddenly stopped. He was getting used to it, their Autobot and now former Decepticon allies checking out in the middle of a verbal conversation when somebody was talking to them over an internal comm. Handy, and he wondered if one of the scientists could whip up something allowing the same kind of ability for a human.
"We have company coming," Springer said. "Three bogeys by air, we should make contact in approximately 30 seconds. And they're not friendlies."
"Shit," Lennox said. He reached over, pulling one of the earphones from Epps' ear. "You hear what he said.?"
"No. What?"
"The next few minutes are not going to be pleasant. Decepticons," Lennox said.
"Great."
--
Jazz went over their chances of survival in his head as he and Hot Rod redirected to join Springer and Ironhide. Of all the Autobots out on patrol, they were the closest, and given the trajectory the three Decepticons were on, the other two Autobots would be the first to engage. The odds weren't exactly stacked in their favor, considering a Seeker trio against two humans without adequate fire power, two heavy fighters who were more suited for ground combat in their present modes and two special ops mechs.
They'd just have to make do, Jazz thought. They always did.
:Stick with me and we'll try to draw their fire so Ironhide can hit them with his cannons: Jazz said.
:Will do:
:And deviation from the plan is good as long as you don't get yourself killed. Remember, I'm not Prowl and I won't blow a gasket if you improvise. It's what you're good at:
Hot Rod didn't answer, already focused on the coming battle.
--
Ironhide transformed before the first Decepticon passed over head, onlining his weapons. He fired, hitting Ramjet. The Decepticon lost altitude, dropping, transforming, slashing Ironhide with his claws. Dirge came around from behind, hitting Ironhide in the back. The Autobot fell, leaving the Seekers to turn their attention to the others.
--
"Your weapons will have no effect on them," Springer said, turning around to watch Epps shoot at the low-flying Dirge.
"Makes me feel better," Epps said.
"Whatever," Springer said, lining up a shot on the Decepticon.
--
:This isn't working:
Jazz's plan was indeed not working, so he decided to try something else.
:Get to Springer, protect the humans:
Hot Rod broke off, heading towards his friend while Jazz went to check on Ironhide.
--
:Bout time you got here:
:Shove it Springer:
:I love you too:
:I hope you like your aft being a piece of slag because that's what you're going to be if you don't SHOOT NOW:
Springer fired on Ramjet as he passed overhead, joined by Hot Rod as he transformed.
:Stay here with Lennox. I'm going to go see if I can get one of them to play with me:
:Have fun:
Springer flashed Hot Rod a grin, transforming.
--
Jazz fired on Dirge, hitting an engine.
:Hot Rod, can you do that thing to Dirge you did to Thundercracker's missile?:
:I can try, but it'll take time:
:I'll cover you, but get the humans behind you for some protection:
--
"Get behind me!" Hot Rod yelled.
Epps ignored him, continued to fire.
Hot Rod stepped around in front of the human.
Epps glared, and Lennox grabbed him, dragging him behind one of Hot Rod's legs.
--
Hot Rod waited until Dirge passed by again headed for Springer. The Autobot hitting him with one of his arm cannons. Dirge lost altitude, and Hot Rod made contact, forcing to transform, hoping it was enough as Thrust followed behind him, hitting Hot Rod with a blast from his cannons.
He watched as the Decepticon fell toward Springer, weapons blazing.
--
Springer pulled his blade from subspace, willing it into his hand, ignoring the pain as fire rained down. He thrust upward with the blade as Dirge dove, driving it through his chest. The Decepticon's momentum forced them both to the ground and Dirge shuddered once, optics dimmed. Springer tried to muster the strength to push the Decepticon away but couldn't.
--
Seeing their comrade down, the other two Decepticons decided it would be a good idea to retreat.
-----
"We're fine," Lennox said. "Seriously, nothing broken, not bleeding. Just scratched and bruised. We don't need to go to a hospital."
Prowl frowned, running a quick scan on both humans to make sure they were telling the truth.
"I told you," Lennox said. "But. . .but what about Ironhide and Springer?"
"Ironhide's injuries aren't life-threatening but it appears Springer is in some danger," Prowl said.
"Should we. . ."
"Go home. I'll contact you on their status," Prowl said.
Lennox nodded, glad for the chance to go, yet concerned for their comrades. Except he wasn't going to get to go home so easily.
Hot Rod was standing in their way, holding his injured right arm, glaring down at Epps.
"When one of us tells you to do something, do it," Hot Rod said, voice rising. "If you want to get yourself killed, do it on your own time, and make sure you don't take anyone else with you. Do you think I was telling you to get out of the way because I enjoy the sound of my own voice?"
Epps opened his mouth, but stopped when Lennox shook his head 'no.'
"At least one of you has some sense," Hot Rod said.
Lennox again grabbed Epps by the arm, dragging him away, passing Prime as he came out of the med bay as they were on their way out.
Optimus stopped when he saw Hot Rod.
"Why are you out here? Hoist could take a look at that arm," Prime said, noting the way Hot Rod cradled his arm.
"Didn't Ratchet tell you he told me to get out?" Hot Rod said.
"I know Springer was badly injured," Prime said. "But. . ."
"But what? I know he could die. Goes with the territory," Hot Rod said. "What's one more?"
"Hot Rod, Springer is in good hands," Prime said. "And your conduct today was admirable, protecting Lennox and Epps."
"Admirable? I never want to be put in that position again. I won't be responsible for a life other than my own," Hot Rod said. "Why can't you understand that? Let me work by myself, take me off the duty roster, but don't make me accountable for anyone else."
Optimus reached out, trying to place his hands on Hot Rod's shoulders, hoping to calm him.
The young Autobot noticed the look in his leader's optics.
"I don't want your pity," he said, pulling away. "And you can take your compassion and. . ."
"I'm only trying to help," Prime said.
"Yeah, well, do I look like I care?" Hot Rod said, glaring.
"I've been very patient with you. . ." Prime said.
"Like I said, I don't care. You're Prime, dedicated to protecting all life. I know the drill," Hot Rod said.
"Hot Rod, that is enough."
"I'm just getting started. . ."
:Hey, break it up:
Prime and Hot Rod stopped long enough to see Jazz coming down the corridor with Sideswipe and Sunstreaker.
"Prime, come with me," Jazz said, adding silently :Sides, go with hot shot there, and don't leave him alone no matter what:
Optimus reluctantly followed, turning only briefly to give Hot Rod one last angry look as Sideswipe dragged him away.
-----
"That was brilliant," Sideswipe said as he walked with Hot Rod down the corridor to his quarters. "Do you know how close he was to reducing you to a skidmark? I mean, if you wanna be a skidmark, I can go back and get him. . ."
"'Sides, if you're trying to be funny, it's not working," Hot Rod said. "Please stop."
"OK. But even I'm not dense enough to provoke him like that. You got a death wish?"
Hot Rod didn't answer.
"C'mon Hot Rod, can you at least try? You've been given plenty of chances and what are you gonna do when he stops giving them to you?"
Hot Rod stopped. "I am not having this conversation with you," he said.
"Fine. You don't have to talk. I can talk enough for both of us, or if you want, Blue's off duty and he can drop by. . ."
Sideswipe grinned at the look on Hot Rod's face.
"You're not serious. . ."
"Nope, but you're not looking like you want to kill Prime anymore, so I've done my job. C'mon. Let's get Hoist to take a look at that arm," Sideswipe said, throwing a companionable arm around Hot Rod's shoulders.
-----
Ops, thankfully, was empty. Jazz leveled his gaze on his leader, who was staring at Sunstreaker, who had taken a position against the far wall, arms crossed, looking bored.
"What was that all about?" Jazz asked.
"What?" Prime said.
"Don't act stupid," Jazz said. "What's got you so riled up?"
"I'm not talking about this," Prime said.
"Yes you are. And you're not leaving until we do," Jazz said. "Don't even think about using Sunny as an excuse. He stays. Now, what's so wrong?"
Prime shuttered his optics, anger draining from his frame.
"Everything," he said.
"That's a start. Let me narrow it down. Hmm. . .Ironhide? Hot Rod? Decepticons?"
"Correct," Prime said.
"Which one specifically?"
"Pick one," Prime said.
"Look, I can't fix everything for you, but you know you can talk to me or Prowl, or Kup, if you'd rather, because if you don't, Ratchet will get involved, and that's not good for any of us. So, I'd apologize to Ironhide, and the rest will work itself out," Jazz said.
"What about Hot Rod?"
"That's for you to figure out," Jazz said.
-----
Dirge dead, Thrust injured and unaccounted for along with Ramjet. That meant two Decepticons still out there somewhere. Another round with an angry Keller, Ratchet coming unglued briefly over the damage to Springer and Prowl coming by his office follow up with Ratchet's orders to get some rest, or else. Except Optimus couldn't rest. He didn't feel like leaving his office. Just the end to one of those days where everything seemed out of control and there was nothing he could do to put it back on track.
He heard a knocking at the door, looked up from a report to see Kup.
"You shouldn't be here," Kup said.
"I know," Optimus said.
"Then why are you still sitting there?" Kup asked.
No answer.
"Prowl told me about how Hot Rod called out Epps. It's been a very, very long time since I've heard about him telling anyone else to be responsible," Kup said.
"He's actually done it before?"
"Few times. Caught him yelling at Bluestreak once on a training mission about being more careful. I thought I was hearing things," Kup said. "But I guess he actually was listening all those times I thought he wasn't."
"Hot Rod. Telling Blue to be more careful?"
"Yup. I know. Conjures up an interesting image, doesn't it? He's not much older than Blue, but it was when he was acting as a tactical unit sub-commander. Got the message across, though," Kup said. "But that's not why I'm here. Heard you two had a little argument tonight."
Again, Optimus didn't say anything.
"You're not going to deny it then?"
"No," Optimus said, meeting Kup's gaze. "But it was mostly one-sided. He was very angry."
"Have you talked to him since?"
"No."
"Do you plan on it?" Kup asked.
"He should rest. . ." Prime said.
"You know he hasn't been resting, and tonight it's worse. I stopped by, but he wouldn't talk to me," Kup said.
"He's still up?"
"That's what I just said," Kup said. "Take care, lad."
Prime nodded.
-----
Optimus waited for Hot Rod to answer the door chime, but he didn't. So he tried again, and again, and again until Hot Rod was annoyed enough to see who it was.
"Leave," Hot Rod said, seeing who his visitor was.
"I'm not going," Optimus said. "We need to talk."
"Fine," Hot Rod said, retreating back inside his quarters, sitting down on his berth, Indian-style, back against the wall, making sure not to jar his arm. "Then talk."
"I stopped by the med bay. Ratchet is finished with Springer's repairs," Optimus said. "He'll be fine, but it will be some time before he's back on duty."
"Thanks," Hot Rod said.
"How is your arm?" Optimus said.
"Better. Still hurts, but Hoist said it'll be fine in a day or two," Hot Rod said. "How's Ironhide?"
"Resting comfortably, now," Optimus said. "His injuries were less severe."
"That's good," Hot Rod said. "You could sit down."
Prime took the invitation, sitting down on the berth by the younger Autobot. They sat in silence for several moments before Hot Rod spoke again.
"I'm sorry," Hot Rod said. "I shouldn't have gone off like that earlier. . .it's just that. . .when Epps didn't do what I said, I panicked. It made me think about what happened before. . ."
"The mission," Optimus said. Why did everything keeping coming back to that and the damn Vector?
"Yes," Hot Rod said. "I'd never been in charge before and when I couldn't protect my unit, I decided I never wanted to be in that position again--the responsible one."
"What happened? I've read the reports, but it's not the same as hearing it first-hand," Optimus said.
"It was a retrieval mission," Hot Rod explained. "Priority Level One, handed down from High Command itself. We were dropped into the Maze but we didn't make it far. It was an ambush. Hardhead went down first, then I got hit and the others went down one by one--Roadrash, Arclight, Skyblade. We didn't even get a chance to call for backup. The Decepticons left, satisfied we were all dead. I stayed where I was for a while, then decided to take what I could and walk out. I couldn't transform, and I didn't have a lot of options, and I wasn't about to give up, even though I wanted to. I almost made it out in one piece but one of them found me. . .and I don't remember much else, besides waking up at the medical center knowing I was the only one that made it out alive."
"And that Magnus was alive and well," Optimus said. "I don't know how he could live with himself. . .I still don't understand how he could have made a decision like that."
"He didn't," Hot Rod said.
"What do you mean?"
"Can we drop it? Please? I don't want to talk about this anymore, at least tonight," Hot Rod said.
Not content to let it slide just yet, Optimus pressed on.
"Which Decepticon unit was it?"
"It doesn't matter," Hot Rod said.
"None were ever named in your report. Why? Could you not remember?"
"I was ordered not to," Hot Rod said.
"By Magnus?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell anyone this during the investigation?" Optimus said.
"It doesn't matter now," Hot Rod said. "It's over and done."
"It's never over," Optimus said. "When lives are lost. I know how you feel, Hot Rod. Do you know how many countless Autobots I've sent to their deaths since this war began? The humans would say I have blood on my hands, and they are right."
"But you did what you had to do," Hot Rod said. "What others couldn't."
"I'm glad you see it that way," Optimus said. "Because Magnus never did."
"He didn't agree with a lot of things," Hot Rod said.
"Among them your ability to push the wrong buttons," Optimus said, trying to lighten the mood, slipping his arm around Hot Rod's shoulders.
"It's always been a gift," Hot Rod said. "Drove my creator nuts."
"He. . ."
"She," Hot Rod corrected. "She said she was the same way when she was younger."
Optimus started to ask another question, but backed off, seeing the look on Hot Rod's face. He'd already said more than he wanted, and didn't want to say anymore.
"Can I ask you something?" Hot Rod said.
"Yes," Optimus said.
"Being a leader--having to be the one that lives with those decisions--the pain, does it ever go away?" Hot Rod asked.
"Never," Optimus said.