Well, hello again everyone~ Three days is long enough torture for you all so I decided to update~ Before you ask, yes there will be slash, as stated in my previous chapter. Within the next few chapters, I will have one dedicated to just Jazz and Prowl :)
This story is kicking my ass lately, I keep having to go back and redo everything because my ideas for it keep changing. It's slowly starting to take shape but I just have too many plot bunnies running loose in my head is all.
So anyway, this chapter is a bit more intense. Lots of fighting and violence, angry fragged off Seekers looking for some revenge on certain other Seekers. Some cute Jazz/Prowl moments along the way... kinda XD
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, HasTak does. I claim Aquafire, her trine, her Creators Skyblitz and Wildfire, and Lightning Bolt.
Remember to review everyone! Reviews make the world go round and you get a cyber cookie too!
Prowl kept a close optic on Aquafire as the days went by, keeping her in check and out of the brig as much as possible. More often than not, Prowl had to step in and stop a fight from breaking out between the Seeker and anyone dumb enough to approach the volatile femme. The twins, as idiotic as they could be at times, were smart enough to stay out of Aquafire's way once they were allowed out of the brig and for that, Prowl was thankful. The Praxian himself could vaguely understand the pain and sorrow that Aquafire was feeling. As much as he wanted to deny it, he was fairly attached to the youngling.
Lightning Bolt was his nephew, his only other living relative aside from his brothers, and Primus help him if he let the Decepticons get away with this. He wanted the youngling back just as much as Aquafire did and though he wanted to just rush in and take Bolt back, he knew doing so was incredibly stupid unless there was a solid plan in place to do so.
"Prowler." The SIC shuttered his optics and looked up, relaxing when he saw his worried mate staring at him. "Ya feelin' alright?"
"Yes," He nodded. "Simply going over more plans."
"Take a break, Prowler, ya need it." Prowl frowned and checked his internal chronometer, surprised to find that he indeed needed a break and some energon.
"Where is Aquafire currently?" He asked as he stood and walked with his bonded.
"Saw her in th' rec room a few breems ago." Prowl thinned his lip components at this and twitched his doorwings.
"Sunstreaker and Sideswipe?" Jazz's visor dimmed and suddenly brightened in what Prowl knew was alarm.
"Headin' straight fer th' same spot." He watched his mate's doorwings move into an aggressive 'v' on his back and hurried with him towards the rec room. When they arrived, they were prepared for the worst but what they found left the two mech's perplexed. Aquafire was quietly chatting with Mirage and Hound on one side of the room while the twins laughed and joked with another group of mechs on the other side of the room. Prowl however, could see just how tense Aquafire was by how stiff her wings were and knew she was restraining herself from going after the twins. "Gettin' better an' better 'bout it," Jazz hummed.
"I doubt it will last long." Prowl made his way towards the energon dispenser with a grinning Jazz by his side and silently prayed for the peace to last. The two found a seat that would allow them to keep watch over the twins and Aquafire and drank their energon silently. For the most part, they kept to their respective groups, barely acknowledging that the other was in the same room. But of course, something just had to give.
"I bet all of my credits, that femme will sell us out to the Decepticons if it meant getting that brat back." This was said by Huffer of all bots. No sooner had the words left his mouthplates than was Aquafire upon him, optics white with rage.
"What was that?" She hissed threateningly, squeezing his throat tightly.
"I'm surprised you haven't left us for the 'Cons already!" He snarled, squirming beneath the enraged Seeker. "For all we know, the kidnapping is just a rouse and you're just bidding your time until you go back to them!"
"I would never return to them!" She squeezed harder, denting the plates. Huffer sputtered and kicked at her, throwing her off balance so he could reverse their positions. Before the minibot could land a punch however, Prowl, Jazz and the twins intervened. Sunstreaker forcibly pulled Huffer away and tossed him to the side, snarling at him, his optics darkening to a color that scared most bots. All activity in the rec room ceased as all attention was placed on the group.
Prowl and Jazz helped Aquafire to her pede's as they kept their optics locked on Huffer and the twins, who were staring the minibot down.
"You never hit a femme." Sideswipe growled, picking Huffer up by his throat.
"She's a fragging 'Con!" He snarled at the red twin.
"No, she is an Autobot." Prowl corrected him, optics narrowed in annoyance. "She may not wear our insignia but she has sworn her loyalty to the Autobot cause and to our Prime. Huffer, not only have you provoked her into a fight but you willing attempted to harm a femme and fellow Autobot, which is unacceptable. You will be serving brig time for this. Jazz?" The other white and black mech happily took the minibot from Sideswipe and escorted him to the brig.
"I didn't need your help." All attention shifted to Aquafire as she stood poised ready to fight again.
"Sure didn't seem that way," Sunstreaker snorted, optics back to their normal blue color. "If we hadn't stepped in, you'd have been in deep slag."
"It's also against our morals to hit or allow a femme to be abused by another mech." Sideswipe crossed his arms over his chest, smirking.
"Wouldn't have been the first time," Aquafire bit out. "In case you've forgotten, I used to be a Decepticon, they aren't too big on morals and such."
"A simple thank you would be appreciated," The red twin hummed.
"Thanks but no thanks." She sneered and stormed out of the room.
"Do not take it personally," Prowl looked at them. "She will in all likely hood thank you when she is in a better mood." With that, the tactician walked off, following after the enraged femme. The twins looked at each other, obviously not knowing what had gone wrong.
"Maybe next time, bro," Sideswipe shrugged. Sunstreaker said nothing as he turned and stormed off, heading for their quarters. Sideswipe sighed and followed him.
-X-X-X-
"Ya all have yer orders," Jazz whispered. "Get in, get Bolt, an' get out."
"You don't have to tell me twice." Mirage activated his cloaking device and dove into the water. Jazz nodded to the others to follow after the Towers mech and went to his lookout post. He and Prowl had finally gotten the plan approved by Optimus but there was still a good chance of them being caught so they'd brought back up just in case. Aquafire was soaring overhead, providing the ground forces with aerial observation and warnings in case the Decepticons caught sight of them. Jazz watched her carefully, knowing she was desperate enough to dive in and risk the entire operation just to get to the youngling herself.
As much as she hated it, the twins had been brought along in case the Decepticon Seekers engaged them.
Speaking of the twins... Jazz turned to observe the duo, noting with some interest that at any given time one of them had their helms tipped back to watch the femme Seeker. He wasn't sure if they were just paranoid or if they were doing so to make sure she didn't do something stupid. The saboteur turned his attention back to the calm waters of the ocean before him, keeping his comm. open just in case one of his special ops. men needed to contact him.
:Mirage reporting. We've infiltrated and are on our way to where Bolt is being kept.:
:Good mech. Keep meh updated.:
Jazz smiled in relief. So far so good. He hoped it stayed that way... A disturbance in the water caught his immediate attention and he ducked behind the large rock he was using before peeking out. Aquafire was circling the area much faster than she had been before and he could tell she was prepared to fight as they all kept an optic on the water. They were all quite shocked when the launch deck emerged and opened, the two main Seeker trines flying forth from the opening into the air. The Autobots heard a screech of fury as Aquafire dove to attack an unmistakable red and white form. The other Seekers spread out to attack the Autobots, laughing as they did so.
The order to attack was issued by Optimus as the mechs came out of hiding to fight back and Jazz jumped right in, shaking his helm when he saw the twins giving their Jet Judo another go. He heard the frantic pings from his men and acknowledged them before going back to the battle.
"Starscream!" Aquafire transformed and slammed into the other jet, tearing a startled yelp from him. The mech transformed and struck out, snarling angrily.
"Always knew you'd betray us." He smirked at the femme as they landed and stared each other down.
"Look who's talking," She snorted.
"You're nothing without your trine!" He brandished his blaster and fired at her. Aquafire jumped out of the way and tackled him, growling angrily. "They always were weak, just like their leader!"
"Don't you dare talk about them that way!" She shrieked angrily and slammed her fist into his faceplates.
"Don't like to hear the truth, is that it?" He sneered, reaching up to clamp his servo down on her wing, denting the metal harshly. The rest of the battle didn't even exist as the two Seekers went at each other wildly, trying to prove just who was stronger. Cockpits were broken or shattered, wings torn and bent to the point that it would take weeks to repair the appendages. "Your son liked it better with us," He taunted her once he pinned her. "Liked us better than his own Carrier."
"You're lying!" She screeched and struggled, throwing him off. She dove at him again and grabbed his blaster, firing it to put a hole in one of his wings. Starscream screeched in pain and fury as he wrestled the weapon out of her servos and fired it, injuring her wing just as she'd done. The femme gasped and fell away in shock, giving Starscream the opportunity to scramble to his feet. Aquafire, not one to stay down for long, followed suit and aimed her null-ray at him, resting it against the plating beneath his shattered cockpit. Starscream, for a split second, was terrified that she would fire but the moment he looked into her optics, he knew otherwise.
"Always knew you were soft-sparked." His faceplates morphed into an expression that would have normally caused her to sneer but instead caused her to panic slightly. "Have you gone soft since the death of your trine?" He leaned forward and grabbed her wrist, twisting harshly to draw a hiss from her. "Is that it?" He leaned in, brushing his lip components against her audio. "You failed, Aquafire, you failed your trine and now you've failed your own son. Pathetic." At the mentioning of having failed, the memories came rushing back.
"N-no, I didn't fail," She tried to keep calm but nothing was working. "You're lying!" Her optics whited out and she went wild. Starscream ducked out of the way just as a blast tore through the femme's shoulder followed by the stunning shot of a null-ray. Aquafire collapsed, temporarily offline, as Starscream looked up, nodding to Thundercracker.
"Leave her, it's time to go," His trine mates gave the femme one last look before transforming and flying to safety. The Conehead trine, however, failed to follow as they rushed towards the fallen Seeker and crouched around her body.
"I knew we should have stepped in!" Ramjet hissed, gathering the form in his arms carefully. Thrust and Dirge remained silent, though they too were fairly slagged off by how Starscream had handled the situation. The two suddenly stood and whirled around, weapons aimed at the approaching Autobots.
"Stand down," Optimus' voice rang out. "We only want Aquafire."
Thrust and Dirge hesitated for only a nanoklik before they stepped aside, allowing Ramjet to step forward with Aquafire in his arms. Ratchet rushed forward and urged the Conehead to place the injured femme in his carrier before he tore off back to base.
"Prime, make sure she and her youngling remain safe." Ramjet met the Prime's optics then, his own red pair shining with a torrent of emotions. "Do not make me regret leaving you in her care. I failed her once before, I will not do so again."
"I assure you, Aquafire and Lightning Bolt will be well taken care of." Optimus nodded to the Seeker before the Coneheads took off, retreating back to the underwater base as the Autobots began their own retreat.
When they arrived back at base, they found the med bay sealed off and were unsurprised to hear Ratchet barking orders, even through the thick blast doors.
"Sir, we have Bolt." Optimus looked up at his TIC and nodded, relieved that the youngling was safe. "Wha' should we do?"
"Keep him as far away from the med bay as you can for as long as possible," He rumbled out. "I do not wish for him to see his mother in this condition."
"Right, meh an' Prowler will keep him close till then," Jazz hurried off to meet up with his mate, who undoubtedly had Bolt with him. Optimus gave the med bay doors one last look before he went to his office and sat before his computer. Elita-1 had contacted him some time ago requesting an update on Aquafire and Bolt, which led to Optimus telling her about the youngling having been kidnapped. His mate had been horribly upset of course and had asked Optimus to contact her once Bolt was safely back with the Autobots.
"Optimus," His mates voice was a welcome sound to the Autobot leader once the connection to Cybertron was made. "I expect you have good news for me?"
"Yes and no," He sighed softly.
"What do you mean?" Her lips twisted into a frown, obviously confused by what she was hearing.
"The good news is that we have successfully rescued Lightning Bolt from the Decepticons." Elita's lips quirked into a small smile at this and her optics shone happily at the news. "The bad news... Aquafire is in critical condition." Optimus prepared himself for his beloveds outcry of rage then. He knew she was fiercely protective of her soldiers and if one of them was injured, she would make sure there was Pit to pay for it.
"What?" Her small smile disappeared and she narrowed her optics. "Aquafire is in critical condition? How? What happened to her?"
"I do not know the full details," He admitted. "I only know that she got into a confrontation with one of the Decepticon Seekers. She is in Ratchet's care as of right now, he has the med bay completely sealed off."
"Optimus, I want daily updates on her condition."
"Of course, Elita," Optimus smiled behind his mask. The femme gave him a small smile and cut the connection. Optimus x-vented softly and leaned back in his chair. This was going to be a long orn.
-X-X-X-
Bolt clung to Prowl, still shaken from the battle and his rescue. All he wanted was to go curl up with his mama but Prowl and Jazz kept telling him he couldn't see her yet. This of course, only stressed the young Praxian even more.
"Won't know anything fer a bit," Jazz sighed, standing up.
"Thank you, Jazz." Prowl nodded, his tone clipped and edgy. The saboteur wandered off after patting Bolt's helm affectionately, leaving the pair alone in the office. Bolt let out an inquisitive chirp as he curled up in his uncles lap, something Jazz often teased him about, saying he couldn't be able to do it much longer since his upgrade day was quickly approaching.
Prowl stroked the youngling's back, hoping to calm him as he picked up a datapad and skimmed through it.
"Prowl, do you think mama will be okay in time to see me get upgraded?" The SIC looked down at his nephew, a slight frown on his faceplates as his battle computer ran through all the possibilities and calculations. Considering what Jazz had told him of the femme's injuries, he was highly uncertain she would be well in time for the event.
"I cannot say for certain," He responded honestly. Bolt nodded and uncurled himself, staring at the datapad in Prowls servo.
"I hope she is," He seemed to brighten a bit. "Once I have my third frame, I can start training with you, Jazz, Ironhide and everyone else!" Prowl let himself smile at this. The youngling could chatter nonstop about his upgrades on a good day and when he and Bluestreak were together, there was no stopping them. They could talk for hours on end and never run out of topics to talk about; it was a fact that amused most of the Ark's residents.
"I do not know about training with Ironhide just yet." Bolt gave him a very adorable sparkling pout at this. "You would have to speak with your mother before doing so," Bolt huffed and pouted more. "Just be patient, your time will come." The youngling nodded and turned his attention to the datapad that Prowl picked up, reading over the information with him.
"Prowl, can we go get some energon?" Prowl looked down at the youngling and nodded, setting the datapad aside as he stood. Bolt wrapped his arms around Prowls neck and held on as the SIC carried him to the rec room. Prowl was irked by how unusually subdued the mechs in the rec room were when they entered and quickly swept his gaze over the room before he went to get the energon. A cube of low-grade with some sweet additives for Bolt and a cube of mid-grade for himself.
He sat down and allowed the youngling to slide from his lap so they could drink. Prowl let his calculating gaze sweep over the room again, noting how each mech was talking in low tones, obvious worry trickling out of their EM fields and finally settled his gaze on the Twin Terrors themselves. He wasn't certain if they knew of her condition yet as they'd been brought back before Aquafire. They were unusually quiet though, which worried him. Prowl didn't blame any of the other mech's for not telling the twins, as their reactions could be quite unpredictable, especially Sunstreaker. No one wanted to anger the former gladiator.
Prowl was satisfied that the twins would remain oblivious to Aquafire's condition for some time as he and Bolt went back to his office.
"Bolt, would you like to help me check off who has and has not turned in their reports?" The youngling's doorwings flickered happily at this.
"Yes!" He chirped, giggling happily. Bolt loved when he got to mark down those who had not turned in their reports, it meant he got to see his uncle chew them out. Prowl let himself smile as he began going through the pile of datapads with Bolt.
-X-X-X-
Optimus jolted from his recharge when he received an urgent comm. from Ratchet telling him to, in his exact words, "Get your aft to the med bay before I drag you here myself." Oh yes, it was just another day for the leader of the Autobots. Optimus checked his chronometer and realized it was just about five in the morning and silently wondered what could be so important that Ratchet had to wake him up. It took a moment for his processor to catch up and he suddenly realized that if Ratchet was contacting him, he must have been done with Aquafire's repairs. The great mech swung his legs off the berth and stood, making his way to the med bay, all signs of his previous tiredness gone as he prepared himself to speak with the CMO. The doors hissed open and admitted him before it slid closed behind him, locking automatically to ensure no one else came in.
"Ratchet," He acknowledged the angry medic. Ratchet nodded to him and crossed his arms over his chest, still frowning. Optimus took a moment to look around and noticed that Aquafire had been moved into another room. "How is she?"
"Its a miracle she survived with the extent of the injuries she received in that blasted fight." Optimus winced when the CMO all but shouted this statement and held himself a bit straighter. "She's going to be grounded for a month or more because of how much damage her wings sustained, one of her optics was cracked so I had to repair it, her chassis sustained varying degrees of damage. I'm going to have to have Ironhide fabricate a lot of new pieces of armor for her because of the damage. That shot to her shoulder was the worst of her injuries aside from the cracks in her cockpit. She's lucky it wasn't a few degrees lower! She could have been offlined..." Optimus knew there was more to be said, he could tell from Ratchet's stance and expression.
"Is there more?" He prompted softly.
"She was in stasis when we brought her in," He began. "She woke up but the pain was too much so I put her into a medically induced stasis. I can't bring her back online until the majority of her wounds are healed."
"How long will that be?"
"I am not certain," The mech sighed heavily. "It won't be anytime soon, I can tell you that much."
"You've done all you can, old friend." Optimus placed a heavy servo on the medic's shoulder, giving him an appreciative nod. "It is up to Aquafire now." Ratchet nodded and watched as the Prime left before he went to continue monitoring his current patient.
Optimus decided to go to his office rather than return to his berth, though it was still far too early for any of the others to be up. The morning shift was to start in another hour but he knew no one else was awake aside from Ratchet and himself. Not even Prowl was up. Jazz and Bolt always made sure the tactician got a fair amount of recharge.
As he sat at his desk, going through battle reports, he reminded himself that he would need to contact his mate to report Aquafire's condition and sighed softly. Primus help him if the twins found out about Aquafire's condition...