Author: gatekat and starshield on LJ
Pairing: Jazz/Black Echo, Jazz/Prowl, Prowl/Soundwave
Rating: PG-13
Codes: Crossover, Slash, BDSM
Summary: Jazz's next appointment ends up being during Prowl's overtime.
Disclaimer: The authors are only playing with their own twisted muses. Transformers belong to Hasbro. Fandom-side, check the inspirations page ( gatekat-fics .livejournal .com/290 .html ) We draw from a ton of amazing stories and authors you should read.
Notes: klik = 1 minute; breem = 8.3 minutes; joor = 6.3 hours; orn = day/32 joor; metacycle = 6 (5.9285) years; vorn = 83 years/14 metacycles
~text~ bond/hardline talk
::text:: comm chatter
At All Costs 13: The Other Side
"For Primus sake, former function or no he's one of ours now. I can make it look like he's just been drug through Pit without you actually subjecting him to the experience!" The medic continued to grumble as he worked on the unconscious pleasurebot, his words having no visible impact on the mech overseeing the operation in the SpecOps medbay.
"He accepts it as necessary. I do nothing the rules do not allow." Black Echo, third in command and head of Special Operations displayed not a hint of remorse for the state of the mech Ratchet was currently repairing. "Besides, it makes it all the more convincing if they have figured out a way to watch us as closely as we are watching them, or if Soundwave goes looking. If you could have him running by the time Prime arrives it would be convenient though. There has not been an opportune time to brief him in this sort of setting since he went under."
The medic's grumbling dropped to an inaudible level as he continued to work, still not pleased at the idea but keeping his opinion mostly to himself for the moment. His words would mean little to the TIC, but if he came across much worse than what was on his table at the moment there might be words mentioned to the Prime on the side.
"There." He slid a panel into place. "That was the last critical bit. Give him a couple of kliks to boot and get his memory files in order so you get coherent answers. And I am not done with him yet- he's just functional for questioning."
"Understood," Black Echo inclined his helm before stepping in to stand squarely in the visored gaze of one of his best agents when it powered up.
True to form, Jazz booted in survival order; combat protocols, sensors, weapons, processor then memory and higher functions.
"Hey boss," Jazz grinned up at the mech that had nearly killed him in berth games.
Black Echo graced Ratchet with 'see, what did I tell you' smirk before diving straight into business. "Get yourself working. Prime's got a miracle break in his schedule and wants an update on how the assignment's going."
His look said 'standard answers', no matter what the Prime asked. There were something things it was better that only those directly involved needed to know, and the Prime and chief medic were far enough removed they failed the need-to-know test.
"Gotcha," Jazz nodded slightly. "I'm good to see the mech, as long as he doesn't mind me laying down," he cast a wary look at Ratchet. "See, I do learn."
"Not fast enough." Ratchet rumbled, clearly irritated without a focus he could take it out on at the moment. "If everyone is ready?"
Not that he really waited for an answer as he allowed the private bay door to open, admitting Sentinel Prime and sliding shut as soon as the towering mech was completely in the room.
"Good to see you still functioning, Prime," Jazz greeted the political and spiritual leader of the Cybertronian empire with his habitual cheekiness.
A hint of amusement, quickly lost in the seriousness of the coming subject matter and the crunch of time. "And you, though I would expect nothing less of someone who has recently spent time in Ratchet's care."
The CMO grumbled but accepted the complement.
Jazz went suddenly serious, reminding everyone that he was the Autobot's Meister, their ghost maker. "Short report: it's going better than expected. I've IDed their advantage and he's becoming quite attached to Jazz. I should have him ready to defect within the vorn."
"That soon..." Prime mused to himself, thinking more than directing it at anyone else. "Convenient. Complications?"
"He's dating Soundwave," Jazz shrugged slightly. "As he puts it, he loves Soundwave, he's in love with Jazz. If I play it right, we'll get the 'path too."
Black Echo glared at his agent. That was more than he wanted Prime to know.
Especially since it caught the Prime's attention. "That would be advantageous for us, and a severe blow to their forces." He looked at Black Echo. "What are the chances of that happening?"
"Normally I'd say nil," he glared at Jazz. "But with this one," he made a motion towards the silver minibot, "he might pull it off if it doesn't get his processor slagged by a jealous lover first."
"If he can get both of them to come over willingly it could turn this conflict in our favor. The potential for this should be brought to tactical's attention soon. As well as the possibility of an overhaul in tactical if this mech should come over." He contemplated another thought, one that obviously did not please him. "I assume that alternative plans have been considered if something does not go well?"
"Of course," Black Echo responded. "We always plan for the worst. Prime- I strongly recommend against saying anything to anyone until the defection is complete and they're safely in Iacon."
"Yeah, even a rumor of a defection can get a mech extinguished," Jazz spoke up, looking more distressed than he should. "Maybe not Soundwave, but their tactician is vulnerable."
The large mech hummed quietly as he considered this and nodded. "As you think. Getting him on our side is most important."
Jazz relaxed fractionally. "I'm doing my best, Prime."
"I would expect nothing less." Prime replied, though his tone made it clear that he meant that as a compliment of Jazz's skill and a indication of how valued Jazz's efforts were. "Is there anything else I need to be aware of?"
"Everything else is in Black Echo's report," Jazz assured him. "Just try not to target my tactician before I can turn him, okay? The more he's personally afraid of you mechs, the less likely he'll believe me when I tell him he'll be safe here."
Prime looked at him, considering for a moment, but didn't comment as he looked at Black Echo instead. "I can expect this report at the regular briefing?"
"As much as the general officers can get," he nodded. "You'll get the rest in my report to you."
The large mech nodded. "What else should I be aware of?"
"Just because this is going very well doesn't mean we'll make the vorn Jazz is so hopeful of," Black Echo said with a glare for his agent that was completely ignored.
Prowl powered up slowly, his sensors identifying his current location before his optics booted up and drawing a soft moan from the mech. He had hoped he was mostly over coming back online like this- in the med bay and still stiff and sore from recent repairs.
With a soft sigh he finished coming online and looking around, momentarily ignoring the messages hovering on the edge of his vision. Hook was usually very good at informing him of anything urgent the moment he came around, even if it was delivered with a series of insults layered in sarcasm.
This time the mech was watching him, but his expression was more concerned than irate.
"If you can follow Screamer's example and grovel even when it's not your fault he won't do as much damage," the big Constructicon told him.
The Praxian made a face as memory matched up with his current location and the reason for his current location.
He wanted to protest, to argue, to say something. Instead he inclined his head, wincing at the stiffness in his neck cables. "You are most likely correct. Potential damage would possibly be at least minimized."
"Just be grateful he's not inclined to 'face you," the mech x-vented deeply. "He still basically values you for your tactical use. Any errors you shouldn't have?"
That suggestion was enough to send a shudder of terror through Prowl, and he quickly distracted himself with answering Hook's question. "Just a warning that I need to refuel and that my energy levels are low. Normal?"
"Normal," he nodded and handed Prowl a cube of energon. "Now would you please think to your lover that you're fine? Mech's been pacing for joors while I put you back together."
Prowl froze, his immediate thought being that Jazz had returned until his processor recalled that it was Hook speaking to him. A moment and he had found that almost permanent place that always felt like Soundwave anymore and sent a wave of reassurance across it.
Stiff and sore he might be, but he was fine.
"I can turn you loose to his care, or you can stay here, but stay out of Megatron's awareness for a few orns if you can," Hook seemed to relax.
"I will do my best to stay out of sight and thought." Prowl promised quietly, wishing to be out of the workroom and somewhere safe and familiar. Most likely summoned by the thought, Soundwave entered the room, all of his symbiots docked to give him more visible mass.
"Prowl: able to walk to Soundwave and Prowl's quarters?"
"Able to walk fine, and ready to go." Prowl answered, standing quickly and perhaps a little too eagerly as he swayed, equilibrium not quite back in place yet. Soundwave's large hand steadied him even as he remembered why his equilibrium was off. Megatron has torn one sensor wing completely off and crushed the other one. Yes, he definitely needed a few orns of relative quiet.
"Prowl: will be safe," Soundwave said with a flicker of anger-determination in his field as he guided Prowl from the medbay.
It wasn't lost on Prowl that not a single mech looked at him on the entire trek.
The fact disturbed Prowl, adding to his unease and distress that continued to rise during the trip back to Soundwaves quarters, not easing until the door shut them in the safety of the place Prowl was starting to consider a sanctuary.
He reached out to Soundwave cautiously and was quickly pulled into a careful, comforting and protective embrace. The gaps in his memory, some of them spans of pure pain, adding to his distress. "What happened?"
"Megatron: angry at failure of the assault. Prowl: blamed. Prowl: argued fault belonged with those who broke from Prowl's plan. Megatron: beat Prowl for insubordination. Soundwave: could not stop Megatron. Soundwave: tried."
Prowl flinched. "You shouldn't have." He murmured quietly. "I should know better than to argue with him. I have seen the consequences often enough, and should not have been so foolish as to think myself immune to the same punishment."
"Prowl: worth the effort." Soundwave insisted as he gently guided Prowl to the soft berth. When he had Prowl settled and was going to lie with him, he stiffened. "Megatron: demands Soundwave's presence. Ravage: will remain with Prowl." He said as the largest symbiot un-docked from the center of Soundwave's chest and transformed. "Soundwave: will return as soon as possible."
"Is he still angry?" Prowl asked quietly, fighting off the growing need to recharge.
"Megatron: calm," Soundwave said as he kissed Prowl's forehelm. "Megatron: unaware of Soundwave's efforts to control Megatron. Soundwave: in no danger."
"Careful." Prowl requested as he relaxed into recharge. Even though Soundwave had been dealing with Megatron far longer than Prowl, it was Prowl who has very recently suffered their leader's wrath. A lesson he was not going to forget soon.