It's about time! Right?! Sorry for taking so long! Hides head in shame. It's my own fault for letting my muse get too distracted with sparklings. Sorry. Bad muse! Honestly, can you blame her for being distracted? Sparklings are so much fun. They're cute and adorable when they're not puking, farting, belching messes. Ah! See, there I go again! Just throw things at me when I get distracted!
Anyway for those who don't know, the Ultra Magnus one shot that turned into a small story had been posted. Five chapters now with a couple more to go. It ties into chapters 32, 33, and the beginning of this chapter.
We continue on with Kacey's training - her next session with Magnus and her first with Prowl. Also, there will be another Optimus history lesson, courtesy of Prowl. His flashback will be in italics. And oh, Jazz is in it!
Frag this chapter ended up being long! I hope you enjoy it.
Kacey
It was a bit early in the morning still. I had the music up loud, really loud. But I didn't have to worry about disturbing anyone in our quarters. Dad was dropping my brothers and sister off with Trion for their lessons and mom was still out on a mission with Chromia and Firestar.
Besides, it wasn't often that I played my music loudly. It was just that this song was special to me whenever I listened. I swear that when I close my optics covers I feel like I'm flying through the clouds while the song is playing.
Bank. Accelerate. Barrel roll. Go vertical as fast as I could go.
My spark rate increases every time.
Over the years since I lost my abilities to transform, I've missed flying the most. There's no feeling like being free as you slice through the air.
The song ended and I sighed in disappointment. Frag it to pit! Checking my chronometer I saw I still had time before dad got back. So I prompted my computer to play it again.
Accelerate through the clouds. Flip and go weightless for an astrosecond. Then…
"That's a bit different!" Dad shouted, startling me.
I quickly turned the music down and faced him.
Dad smiled affectionately at me, "Not like that rolling rock you listen to the majority of the time."
"It's called Rock and Roll, Dad," I corrected. "Rolling Rock is an alcoholic beverage the humans drink. Rock and Roll is a type of music. And this is kind of like Rock and Roll and kind of like the Classical music you and mom prefer."
Dad's grin just got wider. He was laughing through our bond.
"Does mom know you have a sense of humor?" I asked, narrowing my optics playfully at him.
"Nope and please don't tell her," he laughed.
"Ok, I won't. As long as you don't tell her I play poker with Bee and the twins every Saturday night."
"Deal. So what song was it that makes you so happy? I hadn't seen that smile on your face in a long while."
"It's Vanessa Mae's Wherry: Red Hot. It…it makes me feel like I'm flying whenever I listen to it," I told him, casting my optics down at the floor.
I know it bothered dad whenever I was sad. There were just some days I couldn't contain it. Today was going to be one of those days; I could feel it in my spark. But I did have something planned for later this afternoon that might make me feel better, if I get it finished that is.
"Never be afraid to tell me how you're feeling," he said, lifting up my chin.
"I don't want you to worry so much about me. You have so much to worry about already as our Prime."
"My sweet child, I'm your father. I worry for my children always. It makes no difference if I'm Prime or not. I'm your father, first. Understand?"
I quickly nodded, holding my tears in check.
"Good," he smiled, bending down and kissing me on the forehead. "Now, remember you're in charge of your brothers and sister today while Ironhide and I are out helping your mother and Chromia with Firestar's training exercise. We'll be back some time this evening."
"I remember."
"Oh, and your mother is going to have that talk with you this evening as well."
"I look forward to it," I smiled as he headed for the door. "Dad, can you make sure Ironhide doesn't mention the kiss between Nitro and me. I know he means well and will think he's helping Nitro. But this is something Nitro needs to tell Firestar. He plans on meeting her in the shuttle bay when you guys arrive to explain everything. I know Firestar's going to be mad but she won't be as mad if Nitro explains why he did it."
"I'll make sure he keeps his mouth shut and mute him if I have to."
"Thanks, dad."
"No problem," he chuckled as he left.
I turned my computer off, wondering if I should be there to support Nitro or approach Firestar afterwards. I know she'll be mad at me too. I honestly don't want anything to jeopardize our friendship.
We're close as friends can be which was why I helped her pick out her alt form. 2008 Chevy Corvette, deep red of course. Her optics nearly cracked when she saw it. Not to mention I thought Nitro's interface systems were gonna jump start when he saw her in it for the first time.
"Arrg! Why do mechs have to make things so complicated?!" I grumbled as I headed out of my room.
Whatever. I'll deal with it later. I was in for an aft beating with Magnus, according to my dad, and I didn't want to be late. But as I exited my quarters I came to a sudden halt.
"Sunny, what the frag are you doing up so early? And where's your better half?"
He giggled and I immediately rolled my optics. Primus, he was drunk. Prowl better give these mechs a post before they wreck the base. They already pushed Magnus past his limit and he gave them an aft ripping yesterday for it. It was simply a matter of time before they zeroed in on their next target.
"Sides passed out long ago. I think he made it back to our quarters. Not sure. I kind of remember Bee helping him out of the recreation room a few hours ago. We were both trying to recover from the aft ripping Optimus, Magnus, and Ironhide gave us yesterday. I've been trying to walk of the high grade."
"Well, it might help if you actually stop drinking it," I chided, taking the container out of his hand. "Come on, I'll make sure you get to your quarters."
"You have such a good spark," he hiccupped as I wrapped his arm around my shoulders so I could support his staggering weight. It wasn't difficult since we were the same height now. "Are you sure you don't want to date me when your interface systems are online? I'm really a nice mech and I'm the good looking twin."
"You'd be one dead mech if my dad heard you speaking like that to me. And don't worry, you'll find a femme who can tolerate you…some day. Then I'm sure you'll be interfacing like mechano-rabbits."
"Pfft, it's only natural for a mech and femme to interface. Why I even heard the orgasmic sounds of a femme emanating from Magnus' quarters during the night! I mean that tight aft finally loosened up enough for an interface!"
"I'm going to tell him you said that," I teased.
"Please don't," he whimpered. "My aft still hurts."
"Here we go," I grunted opening the door to his and Sides' quarters.
Good thing too. Sunny passed out just as I reached his bed. It took a few minutes, but I managed to get him situated on his bed. Sides appeared as if he just made to his bed before passing out as well. Unfortunately, Bumblebee didn't make out of their room and didn't look very comfortable on the floor.
"Bee…wake up!"
"What?" he mumbled groggily but didn't move.
"Come on, up on your feet soldier," I ordered.
It took some coercing but I got him on his feet enough to drag him to his quarters across the hall. There I made sure he was comfortable on his recharge bed and even covered him up with a thermal blanket.
When I had turned to leave his hand grabbed mine. I looked to see him staring up at me. Most of the time he had a mischievous look on his faceplates. This was the first time I had ever seen him show so much emotion. And then it was gone an instant later.
"Thank you, Kacey," he sighed, letting go of my hand.
"You're most welcome," I smiled, bending down and kissed him on the cheek. "Go back into recharge."
"Yes, Ma'am," he smirked, taking his optics offline.
I quickly adjusted the blanket nicely then left him to recharge. I thank Primus for Bumblebee staying on the base. On those days when I really needed a laugh, he was there. On those days I needed for someone to listen, he was there. On those days when I was up to no good, he was there.
If Ratchet knew how it was Bumblebee who gave me the idea to put the dye, the actual color was my idea, into the shower he wouldn't have hesitate to throw every spanner in existence at the scout and make Bee's life a living hell from that day on. I couldn't allow that to happen. I told my dad it was all my idea and took the blame. After all, I couldn't let anything happen to my favorite uncle!
"Hmm, that's a first," I muttered to myself when I entered Magnus' private training room to find it empty. The mech was late. He was never late!
I was a few minutes late for my lesson and was expecting Magnus to be waiting for me. I had my argument all prepared and was willing to accept any reprimand he had. Only he wasn't here.
"Well, Sunny did say Magnus sounded busy last night," I snorted, activating a drone to warm up on.
"I'm sorry for being late, Kacey," Magnus said as he rushed in a few minutes after I arrived. "That won't ever happen again."
"You must have had one hell of a busy night for you to be late," I smirked.
"Excuse me?"
"Sunny told me he heard some…shall I say…interesting noises coming from your quarters last night."
"Sunny needs to learn how to mind his own business," he growled. "And you're still too young to know about interfacing!"
"Oh, is that what you were doing?"
"Primus, Kacey," he chuckled, shaking his head. "Are you like this to Optimus?"
"No, I'm much worse on my father," I grinned proudly.
"Here," he said, throwing something at me. "It's magnetic and won't come off until you hit the release button. You're going to need it for the aft whipping you're going to get."
"What is it?"
"It's like a personal shield that forms to the body of the wearer. It will absorb some of the impact so I don't permanently damage you. Wheeljack could never get them up to par for combat but they work just fine for training."
"Ah see, there you go, challenging me again. That's how you ended up doubled over on the floor holding yourself. Obviously, I didn't do too much harm cause your date with Akima ended well."
"Prime's kid or not, your aft is mine," he said, crouching down slightly.
I put the personal shield on and readied myself for a fight.
"Come and get me, you relic," I smirked.
Primus! I hit the floor so fast my processor was buzzing trying to figure out what happened! One astrosecond I'm staring down Magnus, the next I'm looking up at the ceiling!
"Am I still a relic?" he asked, standing over me. "Hmm, I thought Trion constructed you better than the rest of us."
"Let's see you try that again," I said, getting to my feet and not taking my optics off Magnus.
Ow! Ok, he didn't take me down as fast that time. But it still hurt.
"I don't think this personal shield thing is working," I grimaced, slowly getting to me feet.
Without a word I charged him, hoping to catch him off guard. Of course it didn't work. He countered by grabbing me and tossing me to the floor. Only this time my reflexes were quickly enough to adjust my body in midair. I tumbled when I hit the floor, and then rolled up onto my feet.
"Very good, you're finally learning," he remarked.
I changed to a fighting style that suited me more. I was as fascinated about the martial arts as Sunny and Sides. And I was better than they were. Only Magnus came back at me with a similar but different technique.
"What was that move?" I asked, getting up to my feet again. "I want to learn it!"
"And you will," he grunted throwing a calculated kick at me.
I ducked avoiding his foot then leapt up to avoid the leg whip that followed. While in the air, my foot hit him squarely in the shoulder knocking him off balance. The moment my toes hit the floor I pounced on him.
Well, that was a stupid idea! He's three times my weight and much stronger. And he squashed me like a bug. Ouch!
"You're not going to be able to fight me like that. You may be like your father but you don't have his weight or strength," he said, helping me to my feet.
"And I'm at a disadvantage without my plasma burners too," I grumbled.
"Kacey, you might not have them in hand to hand combat."
"I know," I sighed, my mind wandered to the first time I had one of my plasma burners shot out. Ouch did that fragging hurt!
"Let's go again."
I was on the floor before I could blink my optic covers. Ow. I was going to be sore today.
"What the frag happened there?" he demanded.
"Sorry, I lost my focus for a second."
"You out of all us cannot afford to do that," he seriously said, staring down at me. "I can promise you a Decepticon will take advantage of it."
My head dropped in shame. He's right. I should know better. What's wrong with me?
"Forgive me Kacey," he sighed. "I sometimes have to remind myself you're still a youngling. And this is only your second training lesson with me."
"No apologies are necessary. You were right. I cannot afford to allow myself to be distracted."
"Try not to do everything all at once," he smiled. "You're young and some things will take time."
I nodded my head. Yes, I understood. I must remember what father told me…patience. I have not been very patient lately.
"Shall we begin again or do you need a break?"
"I'm fine. I think my aft can take a few more hits to the floor before I'll consider calling it a day."
Magnus laughed heartily.
"Very well. What's that human phrase?"
"Bring it on," I smirked taking my position.
We sparred intensely. Magnus would continually praise my skills, pointing out where I could improve. He never hesitated to take advantage of a mistake which resulted in me saying hello to my close friend, the floor.
Then during one rapid exchange, I pulled a stupid aft move, putting me in a really bad position. Of course, Magnus took advantage grabbing my right arm and twisting it ever so slightly. It wasn't necessarily the slight twinge of discomfort I felt in my shoulder that made me cry out and fall to my knees but the memory of a pain from long ago.
I quickly regained my senses to find myself lying face down on the floor. Magnus had let go of me and was kneeling beside me calling my name, asking me if I was alright. With a growl and being angry at myself, I rolled over and climbed to my feet. My optic covers blinked rapidly to keep the tears from falling.
"Kacey, are you ok?" he asked worriedly coming towards me.
"I'm fine!" I snapped walking away, keeping my back to him.
'Stop being weak!' my inner self yelled.
Looking down at my right hand I could see it shaking badly. By clenching my fist I willed it to stop and for my spark rate to slow down.
"I'm going to call, Ratchet."
"No, I'm fine," I sighed.
"Forgive me, is it an old injury?" he asked, pointing at the scar on my shoulder.
"You could say that," I laughed softly. "It doesn't hurt. It's just that the last time my arm was twisted like that Starscream ripped it off."
Magnus literally gasped, shock filled his optics.
"Primus, Kacey, I had no idea."
"Yeah, no one talks about it, not even dad."
"Still, that's a terrible pain for a youngling to have to endure."
"The pain I can live with," I replied honestly. "It was how my father felt when it happened…he felt so helpless…and weak. It tore at his spark and I felt how hurt he was."
"Optimus is a mech of deep emotions. He used to wear his mask all the time when he first became Prime. He was afraid we'd think he was weak if we saw how emotional he was. He always took so much to spark. You are just like him. You think you're emotions make you weak. They are a part of who you are a part of who your father is. They are what drive us to be better than the Decepticons. They are what enabled you to take me down yesterday."
I erupted with laughter but then quickly covered my mouth to stop.
"I'm really sorry about that," I told him.
"No worries, I was still able to have a wonderful night with Akima."
"So…any bonding going on? Are we going to have a little sparkling from Mags pitter patting about the base soon?"
"Primus, Kacey! You're as bad as Sunny! Get your processor out of the pit. And no, there was no bonding. We've only been dating for a week. Bonding is a long way off!"
"Ok, ok. I'll back off. So, are we going to get back to sparring? I was just getting warmed up."
Magnus smiled warmly, patting me on the shoulder, "I think we've had enough for today. We'll pick up again tomorrow. I have a good idea how you fight now. Tomorrow we'll start working on honing your technique and teaching you some new tricks. Now go on, get cleaned up before your lesson with Prowl."
Prowl
I frowned looking at the idle computer monitor. There were times when being second in command was not so glorious a position. Today was going to be one of those times.
My duty has always been to my Primes. To protect them at all costs. To be there when they needed a second opinion on a course of action. To be in charge when they could not be.
It has been an honor to serve and protect two Primes, two of the most honorable mechs ever sparked…two of my closest friends.
With Sentinel things were simple. I could easily anticipate his needs or plans for action. He followed rules and regulations more than I did. There was only him until he adopted Optimus. Even then taking care of my Prime and his son were not so complicated. Sentinel had a strict set of rules with regards to Optimus and everyone was to follow them.
With Optimus, the rules were broken, shattered, forgotten in some cases. He was unorthodox in so many ways when he was first made Prime. Yet it served him and the rest of the Autobots well. He took unbelievable risks to save friends, putting his own life on the line. That included my life a couple of times and I'm eternally grateful to him.
However, he wasn't totally undisciplined. He did have sense of self control for a young Prime. He was simply a mech of deep feelings, followed the will of his spark no matter where it lead him. And the Autobots were right there with him every step of the way, me included.
Then my job got more complicated when it became apparent that Optimus was deeply in love with Elita-One. He had confessed to me one night during a rare peaceful moment at Decagon that Elita was the missing piece of his life. With her he felt whole.
I don't pretend to totally understand what Optimus had to endure when his brother rejected him and then tried to kill him. I've never had to go through such sparkache. I only knew that one little youngling felt so alone in the world. And that it took all of us to help Optimus heal.
And thus, even though Elita had not bonded with Optimus yet, I took it upon myself to prepare her for a possible future that she wasn't ready for. Bonding to Optimus wasn't on her processor nor did I ever bring up the issue as I trained her. During times of war to get to a Prime the enemy often resorted to capturing a mate, an offspring or even a potential mate. Since it was obvious to me that Elita was going to be Optimus' mate, I prepared her for the dangers that lay ahead.
So I trained her, without Optimus knowing. If he knew about it he'd never let me go through with it. Elita, who always had a strong sense of duty and loved Optimus deeply, understood what needed to be done and was willing to do whatever it took. She understood it so well then and even more so now.
Normally we'd wait until a mech or femme was fully matured before training them how to deal with being tortured. Optimus went through the process a bit early only because he was made Prime at too young of an age. Unlike Optimus' training, Elita's was more intense because for her danger was even greater. She would never be killed through torture like Optimus would if captured.
With Kacey it is even greater still. Elita knows this and implored me to do what I had to in order to prepare Kacey. And as before, Optimus will not know about it. His love would prevent him from seeing what needed to be done.
But as second in command I know it must be done.
"Hound, I'm leaving with Kacey in a few minutes," I said via my internal communicator as I got to my feet. "Report anything to Magnus while I'm gone."
"Understood, so far all is quiet here in the command center. I hope you can hold your tank with the way Kacey flies."
"I'm sure I'll be fine," I chuckled. "Prowl out."
I made my way quickly to the shuttle bay and wasn't surprised to see Kacey was ready and waiting for me. The femme loved to fly.
"Hey Prowl," she smiled brightly.
"Kacey," I nodded, smiling back. "How did your lesson with Magnus go?"
"He basically wiped up the room with my aft! I'm a bit sore from hitting the floor so many times."
"Sounds typical," I laughed as we proceeded into the designated shuttlecraft.
I took the co-pilot seat and Kacey sat in the pilot's seat. Long delicate looking fingers played across the control panels knowingly.
"I will take him down one day," she said confidently, powering up the shuttle.
"Yeah, I've heard that line lots of times too," I smirked.
However, I wouldn't put it past Kacey to follow through on her claim. And she'll probably do so at a much younger age than her father was when he finally beat Magnus in a sparring match. Kacey is one determined femme.
"Take the shuttle to these coordinates," I ordered punching the numbers on the console.
"I thought we were practicing maneuvers over the northern pole, not on the moon," she said, a somewhat confused expression on her faceplates.
"Yes, I know," I frowned. "Just take us there."
Kacey carefully studied me for a long moment as I continued to look forward through the window.
"Very well," she eventually said then took the shuttle out of the bay.
I kept my gaze forward, noticing Kacey glancing over at me from time to time. She was too smart for her own good at times. She knew we planned on her flying lessons above the magnetic field over the north pole in order to shield the shuttles energy signature. Optimus knew we'd be in space and wouldn't feel the presence of Kacey's spark during her supposed lesson. But I saw no other way to train Kacey.
"This isn't a piloting lesson, is it?" she finally asked.
I sighed slowly then turned to face her.
"No, it's not."
"Do my parents no about it?"
"Optimus does not. He would not like me doing this because he had to endure it himself and he hated it. Elita understands this training is necessary for your survival for she's been through it as well. Every mech and femme in the Autobot army has gone through it. Normally they are fully mature before training begins but your situation is unique. And because of who you are, you're training will be more intense."
"What kind of training are you talking about?"
"You are the daughter of a Prime and the next in line. You are a bigger target than Optimus or Elita or even your brothers and sister. The Decepticons will stop at nothing to exploit you to get to Optimus or to us. It is my job to see that you are prepared…mentally and emotionally for such a day."
"You mean…torture."
"Yes. Megatron will use his spark link with Optimus to get to you if he ever gets a hold of you."
"I know…he's done it once before," she frowned.
"In that case, you had help," I quickly pointed out. "Optimus was there to help you battle Megatron when he attacked you through your spark bond to him. That will not be the case the next time, I promise you."
"I'm prepared to do what I must."
I smiled. That was exactly what Elita said before I started her training.
"Good, land here," I pointed as we descend towards a plateau on the moon's surface. "Power down once we land, leave the lights and gravity field on."
I moved to the back of the shuttle as Kacey followed my orders. The satchel I had placed earlier in the day was exactly where I had hidden it. I waited for Kacey to join me before opening it.
"Sit there," I nodded toward one of the passenger seats against the wall. "You're more reckless than Optimus was at your age. I notice you tend to get caught up in the moment a bit too much in whatever you're doing. That's fine, you're young still. But you are reaching an age where your enthusiasm will get the better of you. Its fine to be caught up in the moment but you must never forget what is going on during any given moment. I will teach you how to focus you processor."
"You mean…" she started then bowed her head, looking ashamed.
"Go on," I said gently.
"My mind is weak…just today when training with Magnus I lost my focus and a memory cause me to fail during a critical moment."
I laughed, "Kacey, you're mind is not weak. I can promise you that."
She seemed unconvinced.
"What was the memory?"
"The day Starscream pulled my arm off."
I lifted her chin, caressing her cheek with fatherly type affection.
"Kacey, you have nothing to feel ashamed about. That was a painful experience for all of us who were there. And when I'm done training you such memories will only reinforce your resistance."
Kacey smiled. I could see the understanding in her optics.
"Now," I started, reaching into the satchel. I pulled out several small sensors then placed one on each side of Kacey's head and one on her chest. Then I pulled out the small control mechanism for them. "These sensors and this control device were original designed to train Autobots but as usual the Decepticons found a far more devious purpose for them."
"You mean torture."
"Yes. You will feel a slight tingle as I activate them. Are you ready?"
Kacey quickly nodded. I turned them on and she giggled.
"Sorry, the one on my chest tickled," she smiled.
"The sensors have three functions. They give me your bio readings," I said and showed her on the device I held in my hand. "They can synch to your spark and processor frequencies, enabling me to careful manipulate them. Basically, it's a safe way to train you. I can make your process believe you are afraid or happy with only the slightest of adjustments. And I can control your spark rate in order for you to learn how to regain control."
"And the third way, the Decepticon way?"
"You don't need to know about that right now."
"Prowl, I must know everything if I'm to be prepared."
"Very well. The Decepticon way is to use the sensors to send a burst of energy that inflicts pain through your processor or your spark. It is most excruciating."
"Have you every experience it?"
"Yes, I was captured during a recon mission and interrogated for information. Optimus rescued me. Primus Sentinel was so mad at him for disobeying his orders and even madder at Ironhide and Jazz for going with him instead of stopping him. But at the same time he was very proud of what Optimus had done."
"I'd like to hear that story. I've heard so many stories that were passed on from one Autobot to another about my father but very few from those he's actually helped. And even fewer still from him. I want to learn more about him. My history is very important to me."
"Yes, I know," I smiled. "After we're done I'll tell you. Now, let's begin. Clear your mind of all thoughts. The first thing when being tortured is to control your spark rate. We're going to do a few exercises that will teach you to control it. While doing so, always keep your mind clear."
I looked at the read out. Her processor activity slowed.
"Now, I'm going to change your spark rate. It's not going to hurt, I promise. But it will feel kind of strange. What I want you to do is return your spark rate to normal as quickly as possible. At any moment, if you need to stop, just say so."
"Prowl, I'm ready. I trust you. Father said for me to listen to what you have to teach. I always have. I'm not going to stop now."
And she was right. Kacey always paid close attention to what I had to say. She has always been eager to learn.
And so we started. Kacey had trouble at first, as I expected. She's still so young despite the fact that she was much more mature for her age. But once she got the hang of it she could lower her spark rate or raise it depending on what I did.
"How do you feel?" I asked powering down device.
"I'm fine. Ready for more," she eagerly replied.
"That's enough for today. You must have patience."
"Pfft," she muttered looking away, arms folded across her chest.
I had to laugh. Youth!
"Very well," I relented receiving a big smile in return. "You may not be smiling after this. You will try to lower your spark rate like before only this time I'm going to distract your processor at the same time. We'll use the minimum setting since this is your first time. But I warn you, it still can be rather intense. And remember to focus. Also, there is no shame in asking me to stop. Don't be as stubborn as Optimus or your mother."
"Ok, I'm ready."
First I increased her spark rate. Then with a slight adjustment to a particular frequency I increased her sense of fear. Her processor would do the rest by creating an illusion within her mind.
"FATHER!" she cried out, her spark rate increased dramatically.
"Focus, Kacey!"
"I can't! He's in trouble! FATHER!"
"It's all in your processor…now focus," I ordered, not liking how her spark rate kept increasing.
Her entire body was trembling now as she tried. I watched her spark rate stop climbing. But it didn't go down.
"I can't…please stop it! Stop it! Stop it!"
The instant I powered down the device, Kacey collapsed onto the floor, curled up and wept. As part of the training I adjusted the frequency output to increase her sense of happiness.
"Think about flying, Kacey," I said softly, taking her into my arms. She clung to me like a frightened youngling. "You're in the sky…you blast through a cloud…spirally downward…firing your plasma burners."
It took a few minutes but finally, her spark rate started to decrease. Her trembling gradually stopped. As did her tears. Once her spark rate was normal I shut the device off and carefully removed the sensors.
"I'm sorry," she frowned, moving to sit on the floor on her own. "I wasn't expecting that to be so intense."
"You did rather well for the first time."
"I did?"
"Yes, usually the mech or femme is an instant blubbering mess on the floor begging for it to be turned off. You fought it at first and were able to focus enough to stop your spark from continually increasing. You'll be able to do more during our next session next week. Now for some fun," I smiled, lifting her to her feet. "Let's see how fast you can beat me at chess."
"Are you sure you can handle that?" she smirked. "I might leave you a blubbering mess."
"Give it your best shot!"
"Excellent, I love a good challenge," she smiled, narrowing her optics. "And don't think I've forgotten."
"Ah no, I haven't forgotten."
I put the equipment away and pulled out our chess board. As Kacey set up the pieces I began my story.
"It was supposed to be a simple recon mission in the ruins of Praxus. There was a huge battle the prior year there. Both Autobots and Decepticons laid waste to the once beautiful city. Anyway, we received reports through various sources that the Decepticons had a base there and I went to check it out."
I moved my chess piece first since I lost the last match. Loser always gets to move first per our agreement.
"I take it you found the base," she said, moving her chess piece.
"Yeah, you could say that. The Decepticons had discovered my position and jammed my comlink before I could transmit a distress signal."
"How long were you a prisoner?"
"Four days," I sighed, recalling the state of my processor on that fourth and fateful day.
They aren't coming. I know that. I knew that when I was first captured. It goes against protocol to rescue a single mechanism. And Sentinel always followed protocol. He would not risk any Autobot's life just to rescue mine even though I was his second in command. Nor did I expect him too.
Yet, a part of me wanted to be rescued. A part of me simply wanted to offline.
At this point I would take anything to end this pain and suffering that ravaged my systems. I wasn't going to give the fraggin 'Cons what they wanted. It didn't matter how much they tortured me. I would never betray Sentinel and the Autobots. Never.
My only regret was not telling Jazz what he meant to me. He had asked me to bond with him. He didn't ask for my answer right away; told me to think about it. He knew me so well. He knew I put a lot of thought behind major decisions, especially a life changing one.
Tears stung my optics. Primus, I really miss him right now.
I didn't get the chance to give him an answer. I didn't get to tell him how much I care for him, how much I love him before I left for the mission. I allowed my duty to get in the way. My Prime always came first. Jazz was always second. And still the mech wanted to bond with me knowing my duties took precedent.
I rarely ever wanted anything for myself. What I would give to see him one last time before my termination.
The door to my cell slid open interrupting my mournful solitude. My servos and transistors creaked at the upcoming interrogation. Was it that time again already? The 'Cons would torture me for hours at a time then let me rest, recharge, regain my strength only so they could torture me again. I stopped keeping track of how many times I went through they cycle. Frag, I don't even know how long I've been here.
"Well aren't you a sight for sore optics."
My audio receptors must be glitched because that voice sounded just like Jazz. I turned my head towards the voice. Only I couldn't see. My optics had stopped working…frag I can't even remember when they stopped working.
"Hide, hand me that medical scanner."
"Is he going to make it?"
"Not sure. He's energy levels are critical. He'd probably go into stasis if he tried to walk."
"Jazz?" I dared to call, thinking this was some kind of dream.
"Bet your sweet bottom, it's me."
"Here, Ratchet said to give him this."
"Ironhide, you're here too?" I asked in disbelief.
"Of course I am. We needed someone who could shoot straight for this rescue mission."
"This is going to sting a bit, Prowl," Jazz's deep voice gently told me. "But it should give you enough energy so we could get you out of here without you going into stasis."
I felt something press against my neck. There was a short hissing sound accompanied by a stinging sensation. Believe me, that little stinger was nothing to what I had to endure. But it felt good to feel my lover so close, even in my muddled haze.
It took an astrosecond for one of Ratchet's miracle drugs to work. I felt energy building in all my primary systems. My optics came online to see Jazz, kneeling before me with that slag eatin grin of his plastered all over his face plates.
I smiled back weakly. I did love him. That smile always made me feel infinitely better. Even under these dire conditions.
"You done in there? We've got company!"
My optics widened. I recognized that voice coming from the doorway. I turned my head to look.
"Why did you bring Optimus? Sentinel is going to offline you both!" I told them as Ironhide lifted me to my feet.
"You've got it wrong Prowl," Ironhide smiled proudly. "This was all the lugnut's idea. He was gonna go solo. Jazz and I had to go with him. We couldn't let the inexperience youngling get all the glory for rescuing your tight aft."
"Get moving! I'll take care of our visitors!" Optimus shouted then took off running.
"See, told you he wants all the glory," Hide smirked as we started moving slowly. "Finally gets his armor and it goes straight to his big head. Thinks he's a big tough mech wrecker now."
"What's he doing?" I asked, looking down the hall and seeing Optimus taking on four Decepticons at once. "This can't be part of the plan."
"Plan, what plan?" Jazz teased.
Part of the plan or not, Optimus skillfully offlined all four mechs. Then he hid their lifeless bodies in a vacant cell.
"I told you guys to get moving," he said, reaching our position and pushing us to move faster.
"You're not the boss bot yet," Jazz scoffed. "You're technically still a youngling. I only came with you to help rescue my future sparkmate."
"Oh no, here we go again," Hide groaned. "Prowl, will you bond with this idiot and put him out of his misery. Every morning since he popped the question I have to hear his whining about how long you're taking!"
"Shhh! Wait here, let me check it out," Optimus whispered as we neared the exit.
Ironhide and Jazz simply rolled their optics and let the youngling go. Not like they had much choice. Both were holding me up because my legs weren't strong enough to carry my weight.
"Well, he will be an officer one day and possibly Prime," Jazz muttered. "And he does have a commanding presence."
"Just lacks common sense from time to time," Ironhide huffed.
"Lay off him Hide, he just needs experience," Jazz countered.
"Shh, I think he's coming back," I said, hearing heavy footfalls approaching. Make that approaching very fast with lots of others chasing them.
Optimus rounded the turn, didn't even slow down as he bent down slightly and lifted me up and over his shoulder, and took off sprinting down the hallway, carrying me. Behind us Jazz and Ironhide quickly followed. And further behind were a dozen Decepticons.
The alarms sounded loudly. We ran. The 'Cons chased. Laser fire ricocheted off the walls around us.
"Sentinel is going to kill you Optimus!" I shouted.
"Not if the 'Cons kill me first!"
"We're in deep slag now!" Jazz shouted, shooting back as he ran forward. "Was this part of your brilliant plan, Optimus?"
"This isn't planning…this is improvising," the young mech laughed.
"Sentinel calls it being a stupid reckless aft!" I shouted.
"Well, I'm open for suggestions."
"Don't look at me," Ironhide huffed. "Blasting things has always been my answer."
"That's it!" Optimus exclaimed and he made a sudden left turn around the next corner.
"Uh, Optimus, it's a dead end!" Jazz yelped.
I honestly couldn't see. All I knew was my nuts and bolts were rattling from getting bounced up and down on Optimus shoulder as he ran.
"Concentrate your fire!" Optimus ordered. I couldn't see what they were firing at. I just knew it wasn't the 'Cons chasing us.
"Hide, detonate the charges we set!" Jazz suggested.
Charges?
KABOOM!
The entire prison section of the base rocked. Most of the Decepticons slowed in their pursuit when another series of explosion sounded from various locations. It sounded like a fraggin warzone!
"Hang on!" Optimus shouted.
"What?" I shouted back and then suddenly felt the weightlessness of falling.
Frag it all the way to Vector Sigma! We were falling! They'd blown a hole in the outer wall and jumped out. But…what had we jumped out into?!
"Oh slag! What was it?" Kacey asked excitedly, our second game of chess underway.
"An oil lake. I honestly don't know if it was part of your father's plan or if it was all luck, but we landed in the lake not far from the shore where they had left a shuttle. Needless to say, we made it back to base. Everyone was stunned! No one had any idea about the unauthorized rescue mission, well except for Ratchet who gave Ironhide the meds I'd need. And oh was Sentinel slaggin pissed off!"
Sentinel came storming into the Med Bay with his top security officers, Ultra Magnus and Red Alert, behind him. Ratchet didn't even look up as he continued to work on repairs. I was conscious, feeling more energized now thanks to another of the CMO's concoctions.
"You three, over here now!" Sentinel bellowed.
Ironhide, Jazz, and Optimus obediently marched over and stood at attention before Prime. Not one of them made optic contact with Sentinel as they stared directly ahead.
"So whose idea was this? Whose idea was it to take a youngling barely twenty-three years of age into a Decepticon base?"
Ratchet paused in his work. The two of us smiled proudly when Optimus bravely stepped forward, head held high. The mech never hesitated to take responsibility for his actions or for others.
"It was my idea, Sir. I arranged for the shuttle. I acquired the weapons needed from the armory. I enlisted the help of Ironhide and Jazz. And…I acquired the schematics for the Decepticon base."
Sentinel raised his optics ridges, as did everyone else in the room.
"Just how did you acquire schematics for a Decepticon base that wasn't supposed to exist?"
Optimus bowed his head, his voice not as confident as before.
"I bought them from…from a Decepticon deserter in the Underground of Cyber City."
Both Ratchet and I gasped. That must have cost him every single credit he had. Plans like that were never cheap. Not to mention that was a foolish thing for him to do!
"You went to the black market...alone?"
Optimus nodded his head.
"What the frag were you thinking? You could have been recognized! The Decepticons could have taken you from me or killed you!"
Optimus looked up, meeting Sentinel's fiery blue optics with his own.
"Father, I had to get Prowl out of there. Deep in my spark it felt like the right thing to do," Optimus explained, not backing down. "And I was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen."
Optimus rarely called Sentinel father in front of us. It was always Sir or Prime. He simply wanted to be accepted as just one of the mechs, a regular mech wrecking Autobot and not Prime's son when he hung out with us. He wanted to prove to Sentinel that he was worthy of being a soldier in the Autobot Army.
Sentinel sighed and started pacing. I knew that was never a good sign.
"While I am grateful to have my second in command back," Sentinel began. "I cannot let you go unpunished, Optimus. You went behind my back, left the base against my orders, stole a shuttle and weapons, and nearly got yourself killed in this rescue mission."
The big mech paused and turned to Optimus.
"I think two days in the brig ought to knock some sense into the processor of yours. Does that seem fair to you?"
"Yes, Sir," Optimus frowned.
"Magnus, please escort Optimus to a holding cell. I will not tolerate disobedience, especially from my own son."
"Of course, Sir," Magnus acknowledged.
I have never seen a more dejected mech than Optimus that very moment as he started to follow Magnus. And I was about to speak on his behalf when Sentinel suddenly placed a kind hand on Optimus shoulder, stopping the younger mech.
"What you did was very foolish, but also very brave. You defied me but stood up for what you believed in. I'm proud of you, my son. I know you will be a fine officer some day."
Optimus straightened up, his chest puffed out proudly, and a big smile gleamed on his faceplates. He was going to the brig but he was one happy mech!
"About time Sentinel pulled the rod out of his aft and showed the kid some love," Ratchet muttered getting back to work.
"I heard that, Ratchet!" Sentinel snapped as he turned to the other two accomplices. "Do you two have glitched processors? What the frag were you thinking letting him go with you?! You should have made him stay behind. For frags sake, his transformation systems haven't even been online a week and he's already fighting 'Cons! Red!"
"Yes, Prime?"
"Escort Jazz and Ironhide to the brig. They're to remain there for five days or until I feel like letting them out again."
"What? Why do we get five days and the lugnut only gets two?" Ironhide questioned.
Sentinel smiled in that regal way, "Because you two are older and know better. Optimus doesn't, at least not yet."
"He knows enough Sentinel," I said firmly. "He may technically still be a youngling, but he's more than ready to join our ranks."
"He's not that little frighten youngling anymore," Ratchet added. "His actions prove he's a mature enough mech."
"He really sent my dad to the brig?"
"Yes. But Optimus wasn't even in the brig for an hour before he was released," I grinned. "Sentinel could come off as a hard aft, but he loved Optimus."
"What about Jazz and Hide?"
"They were there for five full days then got stuck working the overnight shift in the command center together for a week," I laughed. "And Optimus started going on missions and fighting in battles."
"I will too, when I get my armor back," she seriously said.
"I have no doubts about that," I smiled to her.
Up next: We delve into the minds of Optimus and Elita's other pit spawns.