OMG HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE I LAST UPDATED?!
Sorry guys for the long...long..long wait. The writing bug just hasn't been with me lately. BUT! I want to make that different this year and try and keep this and other fics going! Hope you enjoy (if your even still with me :P) .
Escape and Search
Shortfuse...why did that name sound familiar?
It was hard to tell what time they made it to the Capital building. The sky was in constant dark shades of purple or red and with no sun, it was impossible to tell.
"Do you see stars at night?" Phoenix asked as she continuously stared into the dark warped clouds above.
Kup cocked an optic ridge "Can't say that we do. Why would you want to know a thing like that?"
"It's my favorite thing to do. Back on earth. Seeing all those many distant planets. All of them under the sky of another." She said with a sad smile.
The memory came back; when her and Rosie would just sit in a field of long grass on earth and just stare up into the black sky.
Rosie.
It just accrued to her how long it's been since she last thought of the little human. Her once only friend.
"You alright kid?"
Phoenix snapped from her trance from the feel of a servo on her shoulder. "I, uh...ya." she said with a forced smile. "I'm fine. Just thinking is all."
Kup nodded, but she could tell he was not all convinced. "Just thinking about someone I knew back home."
"Home?"
Phoenix's cheekplates burned; realizing what she had just said. "Sorry. I didn't mean-"
"Ah forget it." The veteran smirked. "It takes more then that to offend me. Right now, we have bigger things to worry about."
Phoenix gave a small nod with a less then convincing smile.
In all her waking moments, earth had been the only home she knew. Though now; knowing Cybetron was her place of origin; she felt like she was now at a cross roads.
Which would be home? The place she grew up and had family? Well, kind of. But ended up almost destroying? Or the planet she knew best in all her waking life and was a famous human? An actual known life. But with no Rosie to be found...it felt meaningless to stay.
She shook her helm. This was a problem that was going to have to wait. Headshot was out on earth somewhere and she was determined to find him.
"So," She turned toward the veteran. "Can you really just walk in and get the files?"
"Err well." he chewed the end of his cygar. "I may have exaggerated that part just a bit."
"Now you tell me?!" She pinched the bridge of her olfactory sensor.
Of coarse. Why not say it at the last minute while they were walking up the steps to the heavily guarded building?
"Ok," she sighed. "Then what's the plan?"
"I was thinking once we get in, we tell the head desk that we are there to collect some important information, and when they ask why or for who; I jump behind and put 'em in a lock while you work the computers and grab the-"
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Who said anything about jumping?!" Phoenix waved her servos frantically. "Look Kup, I don't need anymore trouble."
"Do you expect them just to hand over that kind of information with a ribbon on top?"
"No. But there has to be a better way then that. Besides, what were you planning on doing with all the security cameras that are watching? Or the troopers that might come barging after us?"
"I..." The old mech paused in thought. "Dang fraggit." he mumbled rubbing his chin. "Forgot about them."
She rolled her optics.
"Ooorr." Chimed a pair of synchronized voices.
Jetfire and Jetstorm stood with arms behind their backstruts with cheeky smiles spread across their faceplates.
Jetstorm held out a datapad to Phoenix,. "We just give to you!" He smiled.
Happily, she took the pad with a returning smile. "Oh, Jetfire! Jetstorm! Thank you!"
"We figure that you would be wanting eventually." Jetfire chirped " After all that been through you have."
Kup scoffed "Hmp. And here I was hoping for some old fashioned action."
The blue jet smiled. "You being able to finding answers you for searching?"
"Mhmm." She nodded. "I don't suppose you've heard of my past guardian Kup?" She took a small step to the side, presenting the teal mech.
He stood straight and solid. Arms were firmly tucked behind his backstruts with a authoritative glance and cy-gar gripped tightly between his lip components.
It must be quite the effective stance. At once the pair of flyers, after blinking in surprise; stood straight at attention and in full salute.
"Sir! Tis' honor to be meeting you, sir!"
"Hmph! Now that's more like it!" Kup smirked in approval. "I may have misjudged you new hybrid bots. Guess the crank cases in that lab CAN do something right."
While the twins bombarded Kup with questions, Phoenix flipped through the opaque screens, analyzing every image and tidbit of information.
There was really not much to go on. Nothing but a few useless notes and Headshot's academy status chart. By the second screen she tried to swipe to the next. But the image didn't budge. "Wh...what?" she swiped back and forth through the two screens. "Wait...This can't be right. Why is there so little here?"
The brothers broke away from their conversation and looked at each other with distraught faces. "Uh, yes well..." Jetstorm mumbled, rubbing the back of his helm. "That why we wanted you to have look for self. After you leaving; me and brother went to find things out for selfs."
"So that maybe we can help with more understanding, and admittedly me and brother's own curiosity." Jetfire interrupted.
"And well...as you see. There not much to be going on."
It couldn't be. Wasn't he one of the Elite's best spies? Wouldn't there would be more then this? Didn't he have to report in? Where was all that information?
"Isn't there anything mentioning Headshot's last location? Transmissions? Anything?!"
The mechs shook their helms. "No. Sorry. We be going through multiple times. Even try to hack to find anything else in confidential filings. But getting through we could not." Jetstorm shrugged. "Without somebot who knows codes; 'tiz all we are having."
Phoenix sighed in frustration. "Then what do we do now? We have no leads, no useful files. Nothing!"
"Calm down Phoenix. We will figure something out." Kup patted her shoulder.
A thought of late realization washed over Jetstorm. "Wait. Phoenix. You be saying that you were under training wing with Mr. Kup Minor?!"
"It's a long story." She muttered, though she was hardly paying attention. Her focus was still on the empty datapad held before her.
"I hope you will be sharing with us soon." A subtle, deeper voice asked. "Since you did not contact us once you reached the Medical bay." There was the slight tone of annoyance.
"Prowl!" Phoenix and the others jumped at the sudden presence of the samurai standing behind them. He didn't seem to take any notice to the reactions.
"Oh." She blushed. "Right. Sorry about that. Let's just say; things got a little frantic and I forgot."
"No harm no fowl." Kup cut his way in. "Right now we need to figure out how to get those confidential files." The teal meched rubbed his chin. "Hmmm."
"Files?" Prowl cocked an optic ridge.
"Like I said." Phoenix shrugged. "Long story."
"Well then, why not just give me the short version?" he asked. "At least enough that I know what it is your planning to do and why."
Through a heavy sigh Phoenix thought of the best way she could explain the situation in the most simplest way, but nothing was coming to mind. Nothing that would not sprout even more questions.
"Basically, we trying to get access into some highly confidential files that may or may not contain any information on Headshot and his past missions."
"And just why do you need this information?" Prowl asked.
"Because I want to know what happened the day he disappeared. If I can find out what the con's did to him; maybe I can find a way to bring him back." she explained.
'And maybe find whoever slaghead ratted him out.' She thought to herself.
"What do you mean 'bring him back'?"
"I know you guys have a lot of questions, but I can't really explain it all just now." She turned to Kup. "Do you think it's possible if we ask Alpha Trion to give us access?"
"Well slag it. We won't know just standing out here all orbital cycle." Kup pushed his way through the group, and before Phoenix even knew what was happening the teal mech was already at the front desk.
"Kup!" Phoenix called after him, but he did not look back.
The others followed through. Cliffjumper leaped from his seat; caught off guard by the strange parade that just barged in. "Hey! What do you think you are doing?"
Phoenix nervously tried to hide behind one of the taller jets.
Before he could even finish Kup marched up in full military stance.
"We have permission to be here solider!" He glared straight down into the mini bots optics. "If you have a problem with that you can contact Alpha Trion right now and waste our time even further or you can let us through."
The red mech's mouth opened and closed but no sound came out. " Uhh.. ."
"Well? What are you waiting for? We have a prime directive from Alpha Trion himself and we have no time to be just lazing about! "
"Nothing sir!" he saluted.
"Very well." Kup saluted back before he waved a digit into the smaller mech's face. "But stand in the way again and shall have you court marshaled ya hear?"
"Yes sir."
A large smirk tracked it's way across Kup's face as he turned away from the still saluting Cliffjumper.
Before anyone could ask what in the Primus just happened; all three mechs and femme followed the veteran into the elevator without so much as a word nor looked back. "Ah. Reminds me of the good old training days." He happily chewed on his cygar.
"Why didn't you try to do that BEFORE?" Phoenix scolded.
"It wasn't a fun as my original plan. In fact I remember the same thing happening back when-"
Wheeljack's digits worked furiously over the keyboard unfazed by Alpha Trion and Perceptor standing close behind him. Sentinel stayed behind with crossed arms, yawning.
Their optics never left the giant screen before them watching numerous reports, graphs and other such documentaries vanish within a small red glowing square.
The small icon blinked each time an appearing file was submitted, until Wheeljack's servos came to a stop. "That's it."
One last key was pressed and 'no entry' was flashed across the red file.
"All of Project Portable and Purge are now in severe confidentiality with security code."
"Good." said Alpha Trion.
"Uhh sir," Wheeljack spun around in his seat. "Don't you think Kup might connect the two? I mean, Eternia ending up where she was; might have given him some sort of hint that-"
"Kup does not know of the other project. That I assure you. And it is still decided by the council that no one is to speak of Project Purge or Portable until otherwise has been said."
Wheeljack scratched his helm. "But isn't Eternia -"
Perceptor explained. "It is best to keep all information contained and unknown. If we are not to have another 'incident'."
"But, what about Headshot's reports? No doubt they might want to look at those too."
The elderly mech nodded "Yes. I have considered that. But, it is for the best not to send herself on a useless endeavor." He sighed. "They do not realize just how dangerous he has become."
Sentinel, finally tired of not having his own word in; stepped forward."What I don't understand is; why are you letting that bot with the same screwy CNA coding of that Decepticon, walk loose? For all we know she could be pulling one over us!"
A shadow loomed over him with Alpha Trion glaring harshly downward. "I do not believe it is in your place to be saying anything about 'screwy' coding Sentinel Prime. I am trusting that you will be able to keep this under wraps."
The stare sent a shiver down the snowmobiles spinal strut but he refused to let it show. A quick grunt and the blue mech turned and marched from the room.
"So." Wheeljack interrupted the brief silence. "What about...you know. The.." He pointed to the center of his. chessie.
Alpha Trion turned his attention away from the open doorway, nodding. "Indeed. That too, is another concern." He paused for a moment, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
The sudden sound of numerous pede steps filled the outside hall.
"It appears the opportunity has come to us to find out for sure." He started for the door. "Follow me."
The moment the elevator's door spread open; everyone pushed themselves out, dispensing onto the floor. Phoenix looked down the hallway of numerous doors. "Ok. So where do we start looking?"
"I do not think it will take you very long." Everyone whirled around to see the tall mech standing before them.
Wheeljack and Perceptor silently standing a short distance from behind.
He glanced from Phoenix to Kup. "I see that you have brought Kup Minor here, and in doing so I trust you have been filled in on your history?"
Phoenix nodded.
"As I expected." His tone turned almost sympathetic. "I also expect, that you now want to find Headshot?" His optics narrowed.
"Yes." The femme stepped forward. "I know where I might find him but we still need your help to-"
"Ah ah." Phoenix flinched by the sudden palm held before her face. "Young femme I am sorry for everything you have had to endure, but I am afraid I cannot help you in this plan you wish to commence." His servo slowly dropped back to his side. "As hard as it is to hear; there is nothing you an do for him now. He has been lost to us for far too long. To try anything now would be a pointless and quite dangerous effort. Believe me, we have tried."
"B-but. But sir..."
"Eternia, I understand your frustration."
"I know I can do it." Phoenix's denta grinded harshly.
"Eternia. Do try to understand and do heed my warning. Trying to help a bot with no recollection of who they once where can be a dangerous mission." He placed a servo on her shoulder. "And a spark-breaking one at that."
"In case you forgot. I was the same not to long ago." she glared.
"Yes, but to be blunt; you have had quite the luck on your side." His servo falling back to his side. "It would be wise not to push such things. Not to mention the difference of situations.
From here on I can no longer help you. I wish you luck here on Cyberton. But, before you go; I recommend that you should be examined."
"Examined?" She stepped back.
"Yes. Your frame still contains the strange growth. It would be the best for the safety of yourself and to everyone that you allow these mech's to assure a conclusive answer of it's condition." He nodded toward the two scientists, still standing in silence.
Phoenix turned to Kup, desperate for backup but instead he just stood there; without so much as a glance toward her. She could see the look of annoyance of his face yet, he still said nothing. Something was off.
She looked to the other mechs; but she knew they were much more in the dark then she was.
"Do take care Eternia." The tall red mech calmly strutted away. "Do live your life prosperously. "
Before the femme could utter another word he vanished around the corner, leaving the small group alone in the silent hall.
Jetfire scuffed his pede within the awkward silence, Jetstorm looked upon Phoenix in pity as Prowl stood silently behind.
Perceptor stepped forward breaking the silence in an computerized tone. " Please, come this way." He gestured down the hall. " It is a crucial obligation for your bio record to be fully updated since your last examination."
"W-wait a click!" Phoenix stuttered "You can't just-"
"Phoenix." Kup interrupted. "You should go with them."
Her confusion quickly turned to anger. Why was he like this all the sudden? "Why?" she growled.
"I just want to make sure you are ok."
"Kup, I thought you were trying to help me!"
"I am. But they're right. We don't know what condition that growth is in since...well."
There was a strange pause. Kup gently took a hold of her arm, leading her over to Wheeljack. "Just let them run a quick scan. Then we will see what we can do, alright?"
All she could do was stare at him. Confused and admittedly scared. Why was everyone being so secretive all the sudden? After all this time trouble she went through to find the truth?
The touch of her side made her flinch. She looked over right into Wheeljack's face. "Don't worry." he spoke softly. "It will be fine."
She nodded. It was all she could do.
"Be waiting moment!" Jetstorm pushed forward.
"Son," Kup swiftly turned, stopping the blue mech by his shoulder. "This needs to be done." He nodded toward the science bots.
They nodded in return and lead Phoenix away. She looked behind through pained optics as they walked.
Tired of being in the dark, Prowl stepped forward sizing himself up to the older mech. "Just what is going on? Why does Phoenix need to be examined? Who is Headshot and why is she so determined to find them?"
The teal mech remained straight faced throughout the samurai bot's ranting questions until it came to a starring competition. "Alright." He said. "I'll tell you as much as she knows. But if any of you blab any of this to 'unwanted attention'; You're gonna have a lot more to worry about then just being court marshaled."
The entire room was unearthly large for a laboratory. Though smaller then previous lab where she was held in stasis.
Large blaring screens, blinking lights and beeping sounds echoed all over. Many large and quite frightening looking machines were scattered about leaving shivers up Phoenix's spinal struts.
"Don't worry." chirped Wheeljack. "We won't be using any of those. It will be a quick, easy and over before you know it. Won't hurt a bit."
"Like taking a picture with a really big camera right?" She cracked a brief smile.
He chuckled nervously. "Ya...just like that." He gestured a servo to the berth and without a second thought
Phoenix laid back onto the steel bed.
Wheeljack pulled down a large greenish-grey metallic arm from above,a large square pane of pale blue glass was held on its end. It scanned over both front and back of her frame and with a quick prick of a strange looking syringe; both mechs turned away typing furiously at their stations.
The purple femme watched while sitting upright in silence.
Tired of listening to the boring continuous taps; she switched to the thoughts running rampant through her helm. Finding Headshot.
There was no doubt there was no chance of getting to his spy files now. Even with Kup`s help. The only option left was to head back to earth and wing it from there. That was, IF she could get back.
"All right Eternia, your all checked out." Wheeljack spun around. "Oh, and before I forget. Here." He passed over an opaque card. An image of the her face took up one side of the card and the other had her name with other markings she couldn't make out. A tiny autobot insignia sat in the right bottom corner. "It's kind of like a multi-pass sort of thing. Since you aren't an 'offical' autobot. You do however have the right to have your own identity. Just flash this whenever you need to." He smiled.
"Oh, um. Thank you." She stared at the holographic square, flipping it over in her servos. "So...the growth?"
"It is stable." Perceptor replied. "Your impact on earth did no minor or major damage."
"That's great and all but...isn't there something you can do about it in general? I don't exactly want to have another...repeat..of what happened."
"Research is still being processed. For now, your organic growth remains stable. As long as your emotions are kept in control."
"Basicly," Wheeljack cut in. "Try to keep a calm processor when you start to feel overwhelmed or stressed."
The skinny red mech turned with datapad in servo. Without a pedestep out of place he walked across the room over to another empty examination table where a small metal box sat. "Your proton whip has been registered into our weapons data banks."
Phoenix imminently recognized the silver tubular device the moment he pulled it from the box and handed it to her.
"Use responsibly."
She nodded. Tucking it back inside the empty space along the bottom of her backstruts.
"Welp." The white mech clapped his servos, "I think that's just about everything."
"That's great." Phoenix nudged a smile. "But, the thing is,"
Both mech's paused simultaneously. "I still have some unfinished business back on earth. Is there a bridge I can get back through?"
"Bots can't just go jumping from planet to planet whenever they like." Sentinel's tone bellowed from the lab entrance way.
It was almost instinctive for Phoenix to instantly glare. The blue mech stood with crossed arms and taunting smirk. "I mean, if you ARE an autobot."
"Of coarse I am!" She snapped.
"Then you should know to follow protocols like everyone else. Besides, it has been ordered that you are not to be taken off Cybertron."
"Wait, what!?"
"Hmph. Well with the all the trouble you made for us I'm not surprised. Not like it's suspicious when a guilty bot wants to run off." He leaned into her faceplate.
"I am guilty of nothing."
"Suurree, and I was assembled yesterday!"
"And made with some very defective parts." She smiled smugly.
Wheeljack snorted but quickly retreated. Not the best idea to insult a high ranking personnel, but the taken back gasp across Sentinel's face it certainly felt worth it.
"Why you-! I should lock you up for that disrespectful tone!"
Phoenix snorted. "Hmp. I bet you would. But last time I checked; you were no Magnus."
Something unnerving caught her throat when a satisfying smile crossed his face. "On the contrary. With Rodimus Prime still recovering from cosmic rust, it's my responsibility to take command as Magnus."
"Temporary Magnus." Perceptor fixed the glasses without so much as a glance at either bot.
"Ahem. Of coarse..."
Phoenix felt her spark begin to race. Not with nervousness, but with anger. Did this crankshaft really just come here to gloat? "Well good for you. But I don't recall Alpha Trion telling me this."
"Alpha Trion has better things to deal then keeping track of a-"
"A what?!" She heaved her face straight into his. Optics blazing straight at each other.
Preceptor finally looked up from the datapad. "Sentinel Prime is correct however. It is still against protocol to allow unauthorized bots through without certified permission."
"What about Optimus' team?" She pulled away her glare. "I mean, they are set on earth. I can team up with them and they can keep an optic on me if that's the main concern."
"Are your audio receptors glitching?" Sentinel barked. "You are not to leave this planet. That's an order!"
Heat was rising in her vents very quickly. The more scrap came form the blue mechs mouth the more it turned her cranks VERY much the wrong way.
So help her Primus if she had to stay around in this crowded lab any longer. Turning on her pede the femme marched away, shoving her way through.
She searched around the empty hall, tying to remember which way they had come. Picking a direction she started walking down,. Pedesteps echoing.
Eventually voices were heard. Following the sounds she made around the corner until Kup, the twins and Prowl came into view.
She waved a servo. Unsure of what else to do or say. Once the others had her in their sites both Jetstorm and Jetfire came running forward. "Phoenix!" The blue mech being first.
"Are you being alright?" His brother followed.
She nodded. "Ya, I'm fine. Hope you guys weren't waiting too long for me."
"Not at all." Said Jetfire. "It giving us enough time for Kup minor to be telling us history of your...er. What they being called?"
"'Parents' I am believing. Tis' organic term." Jetfire turned to Phoenix with a look of pity. "We are being sorry."
"Yes. Now we are understanding desperate need for you to find this Headshot bot. But!" Jetstorm's face lite up.
"We are having good news! We just hearing from Sentinel Prime er..I be guessing Magnus now; that Prowl bot is to be taking bridge back to earth."
"You can be going with him! Go and find missing bot!"
The femme's spark skipped a beat in delight in, but dropped within a nanosec as reality settled back in. "That's great guys, but..." her audio flaps lowered with her gaze.
"What is wrong?" Asked Jetfire.
"I can't. I've been given orders to stay to stay on Cybertron."
"What?!" Simultaneously the mech's optics widened.
"I had a feeling they would pull something like that." The pair parted ways allowing Kup through. Cy-gar gripped firmly between his denta, obviously restraining building fumes.
"Can we not-"
" Forget it son. At this point there's not much we can do."
" Jetfire! Jetstorm!" The bellowing voice echoing through the hall brought a snarl to Phoenix's face. "Report back to the Maximus Control Center!"
"Yes sir." Both saluted.
"Be seeing you Phoenix." Jetfire sadly waved.
"Maybe be seeing you soon some time?" Jetstorm shrugged as they marched away.
Phoenix made no effort to look at the two until a shadow cast over her and Kup. She looked toward him with a hardened glare... then saw what was on Sentinel's head. Never had she fought so hard to keep a laugh in.
He was wearing the most ridiculous helm. Obviously to make himself look bigger and probably in his processor; made him look more superior. The large shoulder plating and unnecessary cape didn't help either.
"And just what is so funny?" He glared suspiciously.
She snorted. "I'd answer, but I don't think you would like it."
It was like she could almost see the fumes leaking out of his oil factory censors. " I've had just about enough of you!...you! Techno- organ- whatever you are! You are on private Elite grounds and need to leave immediately!"
"Now just wait a click!" She stomped. "I came all the way from earth to find answers and others to find me. There are still way too many questions to be answered here!"
The blue mech leaned dangerously into Phoenix'x growling face. "As Alpha Trion told you; what you don't know is for the best. And frankly, it is none of our concern.
The council only needed you for the status of that explosive growth and knowing of your whereabouts! And now that all of the mess you caused is sorted; you are of no longer use the Elite Guard. Now leave and you are to stay off these premises! Though if were up to me; I would make sure to have you securely under stasis lock and key."
"You can't-!"
"Do I need to call security on you?"
"Now you listen up here Sentinel!" Kup stomped between the two, his piercing optics just as the same height of the blue mech's. His pedes planted firmly on the ground. Digit inches from Sentinel's nasal ridge. "You might claim to be Magnus but only by looks! You still have the mindset of back when you were nothing more then a rookie! "
If Sentinel was remotely surprised by the elder mech's sudden burst anger he certainly didn't show it. "I've come a long way from the barracks Kup" He thrust a thumb toward himself. "I have clearly made my way just fine! Can't say it was thanks to your training."
Phoenix glanced at Kup at the last comment. Never had she seen the teal mech's so stiff. There was no doubt that Kup was holding back a heavy urge to strike. Though the femme herself was under the same struggle.
Suddenly, a sharp pain in her chassie pulsed. "Ngh,,," She winced but quickly revived herself before either noticed. The pain gone as quick as it came.
"What do you care about any Elite Guard business anyway? You're retired. You've done your cycles duty. Now let us do our job and let it be! Now both of you leave! " He turned quickly, marching back the way he came without even a glance. Probably didn't want to chance Kup catching in a word, or by the looks of his growling denta; a punch to the faceplate.
Both made a quick good-bye to Prowl. Due to their still rising tempers.
Prowl understood. Explaining how he heard the entirety of Sentinel's rant from where they were waiting for Phoenix and found them justified of their anger. He thanked Phoenix once again for bringing him back from the Well of Allsparks before leaving with a pair of troopers and Kup and Phoenix turning back the way they came.
Not even a few clicks out through the doors; Phoenix let herself go. Shouting and ranting all down the stairway back onto the city streets. "THAT THICK-HELMED, NO-GOOD-, FRAGGIN SLAGHEAD! OIL-LEAKING-! WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS JUST-GGRAHH! THE NEXT TIME I SEE THAT CRANKSHAFT I'M GONNA- Nngghh!"
The pain came back, but it felt much worse then before. She seized a servo over her chassis as the throbbing intensified from inside. It felt so heavy. She bent forward, grasping a knee to keep herself from falling.
"PHOENIX!" Kup grabbed hold of her shoulders. "Are you alright?!" He pulled her to the side onto a nearby bench. His expression softening. "Ya gotta calm down kid. Remember what Wheeljack said; 'you need to control your emotions.' Don't let it get out of hand, or were all gonna have a problem."
"Ya." She vented heavily. "Ya. Your right." The femme closed her optics, bringing her venting down to slow pace. She waited until the pain subsided before she turned to Kup who looked over her nervously. "I'm..I'm alright now Kup. Really." she gave a small smile. " It's just...Who does he think he is? Talking to other bots like that? Talking to YOU like that?"
Kup gave a surprising smirk. "Even back in my Drill Sargent days I knew nothing wasn't gonna change him. He's right about one thing though; he certainly didn't get where he was through my training." He crossed his arms leaning back. " My training makes good, HONEST bots. Ones that EARN their place."
Phoenix smiled. "I'm sure they did Kup." With her chest no longer feeling like a ton of bricks she slouched back and looked up into the red and black sky. "So...I guess that's it." she shrugged.
"Now what kind of attitude is that? No one ever gets anything done with that negative thinking!"
"Kup, there's nothing else we can do. Every way we've tried has blocked us out. Maybe Headshot really is a lost cause."
"Not every way we haven't."
She turned with a confused glance. "What do you mean?"
The teal mech rose from his seat and looked around. Like he was waiting for something. "We still have one more chance to get you back on that planet."
"Just what are you saying?"
"I'm saying," He smiled. "while you were in the lab; I had the idea of a back up plan just in case. See, while we were all standing around your friend Bulkhead came along..."
HONK! HONK! Phoenix jumped out of her seat. The familiar green swat van came around the corner, pulling along a large covered trailer.
"Ah! And there he is!" He stood straight as Bulkhead came to a screeching halt. "Better late then never." He grumbled.
"Sorry." Said the large mech . "It took me awhile to find an empty trailer. You guys better hop in if you want to get to the space bridge on time! Prowl can only stall for so long."
"He's on this too?" Phoenix scratched her helm. "Just what's going on here?"
"We can explain later." Kup pushed Phoenix inside the trailer then hopped inside himself. "Step on it now!" He called before shutting the door. The room shifted roughly, almost knocking her off her pedes. She lit a small flame in her palm illuminating them from the pitch blackness.
"Kup, what the slag are we doing?!"
"Bulkhead here is going to get us as close to the Spacebridge Nexus as much as he can. And when were given the signal, you run and jump through before the troopers get to ya."
"What?!"
"Shhhh! Listen sweetspark, you need to get through that bridge and find Headshot. Better you then them. If the Elite Guard gets involved they will only bring him back in stasis cuffs. They've already given up on him." His gaze dropped to the floor. "I gave up on him. But you...I believe you have a chance to bring him back to his old self. It won't be easy but-"
"I'll try." She clasped his servo in her free one, trying to remained balanced form the trailers continuous rocking.
"It's better then nothing right?"
He smiled.
"What about you and Bulkhead?"
"Bulkhead will be staying on Cybertron for his intellect on spacebridge tech or something like that. As for me well...I dunno how much use I'm going to be to you kid. I miss the action but these old joints don't work as much as they used to. Both me and my title of Minor have been retired for a reason."
"But you've already done all this for me."
"Ya well...let's just... call it making up for past mistakes."
"Quite." Bulkhead whispered.
There was shuffling of pedes outside. Phoenix cautiously put out her light . "What's in here." Someone tapped on the outer wall.
"Oh uh...just a few modules I need for the spacebridge panel. No biggie."
"Alright, move along."
Both autobots pressed their arms against the walls as they began to move again. "Were almost there." Bulkhead called back. "The bridge is up and operational, get ready to move." Within a few clicks the trailer jerked to a stop. There was a 'click' as Bulkhead unhitched himself and transformed. "Alright in there?" he knocked.
"We'll be better if you got in position!" Kup growled from inside.
"Alright, alright! Geez. Worse then Ratchet, I tell ya."
The sound of the mech's heavy pedes steps faded away. Kup opened the door just a crack and peered through, Phoenix squeezing under his arm.
It was astonishing. From what she could see anyway.
So many spacebridges in one place! And gigantic ones too! All along the top of a giant circular wall. Each glowed dimly. A beam of soft light aimed directly from their centers to the middle of the circular dome; creating a large mass of an even brighter shinning ball of blue light.
Around the control panels, just in line of site was Prowl; seemingly engrossing the troopers in some deep conversation.
"This is the Spacebridge Nexus. Your stop kid." Kup shuffled back from the doorway.
"But what do I do when I pass through?"
"Don't wait for Prowl. Once your through; run and find cover. Stay low until Optimus gives you the all clear. Then, it's up to you."
"Optimus? What makes you think he'll help me?"
"Just trust me." He smiled. "He will once Prowl lets him know on what's happening. He'll give you a servo in searching. BUT!" He leaned in with a stern glare. "If you do find him; do NOT go in alone. Decepticons are not to be dealt by one's self."
"Kup..." At first she wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do, but giving in she hugged the mech tightly in her arms. "Thank you. For all of this. You really are a great guardian."
He froze with optics wide. Starring down at the femme embraced around his chesse. He hesitated, but slowly wrapped his own arms around her, "Err...ya. Like I said; just trying to make up for past mistakes."
BANG! BANG! BANG! Both jumped back from each other and clambered to the door.
A stampede of rolling oil barrels rushed by not too far away from their hiding place. The troopers hopelessly chased after them while shouting to each other in confusion.
"My bad!" Bulkhead shouted in the distance.
"Meeeep!" Phoenix shrieked as something flew by, inches from her faceplate.
SHINK! A shiriken dug deep into the metal casting of the door. She cocked an optic ridge. What the frag was that? Was that Prowl's?
"That's it!" Said Kup. "Go kid! GO!"
Without hesitation the winged femme burst from the trailer and ran straight for the bridge.
Barrels were still rolling around them. In the corner of her optic she could spot a ramp with an obviously planned oil transportation vehicle sitting idly at it's top. The side lever along the end was down and the back panel open. 'Thank yooouuu, Bulkhead.' She smiled thoughtfully.
"Hey! You!" Came a cry from behind.
Phoenix looked back. The pair of troopers were right behind her, dodging barrels and gaining quickly. Scrap.
She picked up speed, but when she turned back again; they were still closing in too fast. The oil barrels no longer seemed to be slowing them down.
There was a loud thunk from her front. She looked forward just in time, quickly jumping over the oncoming
barrel. Her pedes almost sliding from under her as she landed. She looked down to see black liquid covered her pede. The oil drum must have been punctured.
Wait. Oil!
"The barrel's outside may not stop them." A flick of her wrist and her digits extended into pointed claws. "But maybe whats on the inside can give them the slip!"
Right as the next barrel passed by her side she slashed downward tearing it's casing. Oil poured out as it continued to roll pass the troopers. The moment their pedes hit the black fluid one crashed into the other and had sent both tumbling to the ground.
Smiling at her own success Phoenix dashed through the bridge.
The moment after transporting to the top of Sumdac tower; the femme transformed and flew off into the distance of the city. Never looking back.
Kup watched cautiously from his hiding place. Letting out a sigh of relief once Phoenix made it through the bridge. "It's up to you now Eternia. Good luck...to both of you."
To Be Continued...
A bit slow I know, but I hope to make the next few chapters more exciting! Stay tuned for Chap 21!