CHAPTER 14
Mirage felt his spark breaking as he looked down at his two sobbing charges. They were both clinging to his legs, begging him not to leave.
"We promise to be good! Please don't go!" Bluestreak wailed.
"We'll do anything! Stay with us!" Smokescreen begged with a shuddering sob.
Was he too hasty to accept his deep cover assignment? To be honest, the mech had forgotten how such a decision would impact his younglings. He tried to console them, promising the two little ones that he would return in a few vorns but they were not having it.
Prowl had just informed him that another Autobot was already undercover at Megatron's Kaon fortress–confidentially of course. It was classified, top-secret information that very few were privy to. If Mirage went undercover too, the chances of either one of them being discovered by the Decepticons was higher. As much as he cared for the kid named Starscream and his two brothers… he had two little ones of his own to care for now.
With a heavy spark, he contacted his leader.
"Please Optimus…tell our deep cover agent to try and get Starscream and his two brothers out…I cannot forsake my responsibility as guardian to Bluestreak and Smokescreen."
"I understand. I will see to it personally that your message is relayed."
"Thank you, Prime."
He disconnected from their comlink interface and looked down at his now smiling and sniffling charges.
"I will stay. Are you happy now, you little devils?"
"YAY!" the two energetic younglings shrieked with glee, the duo dancing around Mirage happily.
Mirage couldn't help but smile, soon joining them in a game, his former troubles momentarily forgotten.
Darkwarper was in the middle of training the new Decepticon younglings in the art of hand-to-hand combat, when he received a highly encrypted message from Autobot command. Instructions on a highly sensitive mission to see if three elder younglings currently within the Decepticon ranks could be freed. He sent a short, encoded message back to his handler with grim news…
Prowl frowned and acknowledged that the message was received before cutting all contact from their deep cover spy. He looked at Prime and shook his head sadly.
The Autobot known as Lightbender was working undercover, his Decepticon alias was Darkwarper. He confirmed that the three elder younglings designated Skywarp, Thundercracker, and Starscream were recently branded with the Decepticon sigil and welcomed into the Decepticon ranks. He reported that Starscream was the most reluctant to join out of the three brothers and was even tortured at Megatron's own hands, until the youngling submitted.
"Mirage will not be happy…"
"That is an understatement, my friend," Prime rumbled softly, his optics dim.
"I'll tell him," Prowl volunteered, his usually taciturn expression softening.
Prowl was on his way to Mirage's personal quarters, when one of his twin charges ran up to him, venting hard.
"Please! Prowl! Sideswipe needs your help! You have to come quickly!"
Prowl, scowled down at Sunstreaker.
"I'm not falling for another one of your juvenile pranks."
"It's not a prank! Please, he's hurt!" the youngling began crying.
The twins NEVER cried. Unless it was serious.
For the first time in eons, Prowl felt his spark skip a beat, as ice cold fear squeezed at his internal systems. He ran, his youngling hot on his pedes. They reached the armory in record time.
There, right in front of him…lay an unresponsive Sideswipe. It appeared that a large weapon, a grenade launcher, had fallen off the top rack and now lay atop the red youngling, pinning his legs. Prowl hurried to his normally mischievous youngling's side and shoved the rather comically large grenade launcher off of the small child. His armored left leg was hideously dented from the impact. A small pool of energon was seeping from a deep gash in the youngling's malleable right leg strut.
"Oh, Sweet Primus!" Prowl exclaimed with horror. He stood from where he was crouching and punched the wall unit next to him, activating the base's comlink system.
"RATCHET to the armory, CODE RED, I repeat…CODE RED."
Prowl dropped down to his knees and gently cradled the youngling, running a hand gently on Sides's faceplates.
"Sideswipe? Can you hear me?"
A small groan was his only response, the red plated youngling's face reflected the agony he was feeling. Prowl looked over at Sunstreaker with an angry frown.
"What in the pit were the two of you doing in here?! This room is off-limits to younglings, you KNOW that!"
Sunstreaker gave his guardian a guilty grimace, using the tip of his pede to trace an invisible circle into the armory floor.
"The door was unlocked. W-we were just looking…a-and then we were playing…and then the big gun just fell! Honest!"
"I'm here, Prowl. What happened?" Ratchet appeared not a moment too soon.
"That weapon fell off the rack and landed on Sideswipe's legs," Prowl reported as he handed his youngling to the Autobot medic. Ratchet immediately triaged the little guy, sealing the worst of his wounds with a welder before carrying both the child and his emergency medical kit with him back to the medical bay.
"H-hurts…" a small voice whimpered in pain.
"I know little one, but you will be back to your old self in no time!" Ratchet promised as they reached an examination berth within the chief medical officer's domain. He gently placed the youngling on the berth and made the child drink a small cup of energon laced with a mild sedative. Sideswipe immediately became drowsy and grunted in discomfort as Ratchet repaired him. At least the pain was now a dull throb instead of a sharp ache.
"There now. All better." The medic mumbled softly to the youngling as he put his tools away. His demeanor quickly shifted from caring doctor to ornery medical officer, glaring with hands on his hip plating. The CMO turned his growing ire on Prowl and the twins.
"What the scrap, happened?! A grenade launcher doesn't just FALL off the top shelf like that!"
Prowl looked to Sunstreaker for an answer.
The yellow youngling shrank down from his elders' intimidating gazes and huffed crossing his arms.
"Sides wanted a closer look so he climbed up! I told him not to!"
"LIAR! You DARED me to climb up there!" Sideswipe snapped back at his twin a moment later, the medicine wearing off.
"It was YOUR idea Sides!"
"And it was YOUR idea to get into the armory, Sunny!"
"ENOUGH!" Ratchet shouted, throwing a wrench across the room in his anger. It bounced off the wall and landed a few feet shy of Sunstreaker's small foot.
The youngling stared at the medic with wide optics, opting to hide behind Prowl's leg should the CMO decide to throw something else…
Prowl turned his scowl from Ratchet, back to the twins who decided it was for the best that they avoid optic contact with him.
"Look at me, younglings." Prowl commanded with clenched fists.
The guilty twins glanced at each other first and then focused their attention on their guardian.
"We're sorry!" They cried in unison.
"'Sorry' isn't going to undo the damage that was done! You are both confined to quarters."
Prowl picked up Sideswipe since his leg was still on the mend and carried him with Sunstreaker at his heels. The stern Autobot tactician felt like slamming his forehelm repetitively against the nearest wall. Not only did he have to put up with the twins' constant mischief but their idiotic mistakes as well… He knew they were younglings that were still learning but for crying out loud…WHY did they have to test his limits like this?!
He vented a frustrated sigh and marched back to their personal quarters on the opposite side of the base. Once they were in their quarters, his stern demeanor softened somewhat as he placed Sideswipe on his berth.
"You need to recharge now if you want that wound to heal…you too Sunstreaker."
"Aww…but I'm not tired!" Sunny whined as he trudged towards his guardian.
"I'm not asking, Sunstreaker. I'm telling you. Nap Time. NOW!"
Prowl helped the yellow youngling clamber up onto the berth where he settled next to his injured twin. The twins both yawned and snuggled against each other, sharing warmth. Prowl would never admit it but his two younglings could be so darn cute sometimes! A small smile tugged at the corner of the tactician's lip components, normally hard blue optics dimming slightly as he covered them with a soft, mesh blanket.
"Rest, little ones. I will come retrieve you for your lessons later." Prowl mumbled softly as he tucked them in with loving servos.
Once the twins were fast in recharge, he quietly left their quarters, and went a few halls down to meet Mirage. He met the mech in question at the door of his quarters, Mirage's own two younglings recharging in the background.
"I have some bad news…" Prowl began.
Darkwarper was on his way to the training room when he bumped into Starscream.
"Hey, kid…watch where you're going!" He growled, plating bristling in warning.
"Pfft…says the idiot who bumped into me," the young seeker glared back, clearly unperturbed.
"You better watch your mouth! It's not a good idea to disrespect your superiors," Darkwarper warned, refusing to back down.
"And what makes YOU superior?!" Starscream sneered as he took a step forward.
He had to give the kid credit. This youngster had guts.
"I see that you are relatively new here. So, I'll cut you a break." Darkwarper stood aside so the spirited kid could pass. He was confused when Starscream didn't budge from their little showdown. The young Decepticon flier was appraising him from helm to heel strut, a hint of mistrust shining in his crimson optics.
"Who are you?" the kid finally asked.
"Who wants to know?"
"I asked you first."
"My designation is Darkwarper, weapons specialist and combat instructor."
Starscream's optics went wide.
"Did you say, combat instructor?"
"Yes." Darkwarper raised an optic ridge.
The young mech's wings went flat on his back in a show of submission.
"I suppose the training room is where you were heading?"
"Indeed," the elder mech grinned savagely, revealing fanged denta.
"I see. Please, instructor Darkwarper…carry on!" Starscream stepped aside, gesturing for the elder mech to continue on his way.
Darkwarper glanced down at the datapad currently clutched in his clawed, left servo.
"I believe the training room is where you were meant to be heading as well. Am I wrong?"
"N-no…I just…umm…got a bit turned around is all." The kid stuttered with a weak laugh.
"My bark is worse than my bite, kid. Unless you ever choose to cross me."
"Yes, of course. Lord Megatron is no doubt expecting us, so let's be on our way!"
The duo walked together in stifled silence until they reached the training room. Starscream's optics narrowed, and he hissed, pointing a claw at two of the other students already present in the training arena.
"What are THEY doing here?!" Starscream snarled angrily.
Megatron turned from where he'd been in deep conversation with another youngling and looked up when he heard Starscream's rather livid question.
"Ah, Starscream. I'm so glad you could join us! Your brothers are eager to learn the art of combat after your rather…skillful lesson…a few orns ago."
"I refuse to train with them!" Starscream sneered as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Oh, don't worry, you won't be training with them. Your brothers will learn from instructor Darkwarper and you will be mine to teach." Megatron grinned, flashing sharp denta at a stupefied Starscream. "Come, young one. You have much to learn," Megatron led the young flier out of the training room and into an adjoining sparring room.
Darkwarper began to teach his class, internally wincing as he heard the intensity of the training session next door.
Starscream was not prepared when Megatron decided to attack him. He screamed and ducked to avoid a punch that would have surely knocked his helm clean off! The young mech played keep–away as Megatron attempted to land one blow after another on him.
"What the scrap?!" Starscream shrieked as he dove out of the way of Megatron's massive pede. He failed to dodge the next blow and was sent careening into the nearby wall. He struggled to rise and screeched when he felt Megatron grab him. Rather than hitting him, the Decepticon leader held him in a headlock.
"Cowards run…and soldiers FIGHT," Megatron hissed into Starscream's audio.
"Let me go!" The young mech ordered and was stunned when the Decepticon Lord did so.
"Always be on the offensive! Autobots are weak and like to fight defensively. Now hit me…if you can," Megatron grinned wickedly.
With a battle cry, Starscream leaped at Megatron, his anger rising. No matter how hard he tried, Megatron easily blocked and countered his every move. It was frustrating to say the least…
Starscream cried out when his arm was twisted and wrenched painfully behind his back and forced down on his knees in a rather unforeseen takedown maneuver.
"What the scrap?! Megatron! No fair!" Starscream whined as he struggled to get free.
"Don't expect your opponents to fight fair!" Megatron instructed as he released the young mech again.
Starscream ran at Megatron and tried to tackle the much larger mech. He bounced off of the sterling titan and fell on his aft. Hearing Megatron's laughter at his failure, released Starscream's, pent-up rage. He raked claws across his Master's chassis and winced at the screeching metal-on-metal noise. Starscream howled in pain as the Decepticon leader sent a rather powerful punch crashing into his faceplates, sending him flying with an undignified yelp. He skidded on his back and refused to get back up after that blow. Megatron would have none of it and brought a heel down on Starscream's face. The seeker rolled clear at the last second and FINALLY managed to kick Megatron's shin plating.
"Well done, Starscream. See what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it?" Megatron praised with a dark chuckle. "You harbor much anger I'd imagine. Towards myself and your brothers. USE IT. Your rage is your ally, especially in a fight. It gives you strength."
"Blindly attacking in rage is foolish." Starscream scoffed as he stood from where he'd been crouched.
"Yet look at how well you did against your two brothers…" Megatron purred with a small grin.
Starscream rolled his optics and crossed his arms.
"I suppose using one's anger can be beneficial to a degree."
"Again."
Megatron got into a fighting stance, Starscream slipping into one as well. They trained until long after Darkwarper's class was dismissed. Starscream learned much, surprisingly, from the Decepticon leader. One thing he took to spark…was to never turn your back on your enemy, having felt the tip of Megatron's sword dig painfully into his spinal strut, the first time he did so.
They were interrupted by a commotion down the hall.
"What is going on?!" Megatron demanded the nearest Decepticon soldier.
"Sir, an Autobot was caught attempting to steal our energon supply southwest of the border."
"Come Starscream…you have another test."
Bumblebee giggled softly to himself as his father unknowingly walked right past him. He knew he was going to be punished big time for pulling such an ingenious prank! The potential laughs were so gonna be worth it!
Optimus Prime entered his meeting room where Jazz, Prowl, Ironhide, and Ratchet were already seated around the conference table.
"Is everyone present and accounted for?"
"Yes, Prime."
"Then let us begin."
Optimus sat down and picked up a small, holo-board with the next cycle's duty roster.
The automatic door slid shut, sealing Bumblebee out of the room much to the youngling's chagrin.
Great! Just great! Now he couldn't see what was going on!
There was a small grate in the wall beside the door…just big enough for little Bee to slip through. It led into the conference room's main ventilation duct. The youngling made sure the coast was clear and made for the vent entrance. He squeezed through with a soft grunt and had to crawl a few yards until he came to another grate. This one he could see through! He had a great view of the Autobots assembled in the meeting room. He could faintly hear what they were talking about…boring stuff mostly. About whom was in charge of the next shift change, who was going to assist Ratchet in cleaning his medical bay, blah, blah, blah.
Bee almost nodded off until he heard a loud curse.
"The FRAG?!" Ironhide shouted as he attempted to stand from his seat and failed.
"Here, let me assist you." Ratchet offered as he reached over to help a struggling Ironhide who's aft seemed glued to his seat. After a few minutes the CMO realized that the weapons specialist was hopelessly stuck. He made to move his hand off of Ironhide's chair, but his hand was magnetized to it.
Now Ratchet was mad…
"What the scrap?! Will someone please find out who is responsible for this?! I'm gonna reformat them into a toaster oven!"
Optimus tried to set his datapad down, but it was cemented to his hand. He shook his appendage trying to dislodge it but it remained glued to his large servo. He raised an optic ridge with the beginnings of a small smirk as Jazz appeared to be in a similar such predicament. Prowl appeared to be the only one who escaped unscathed…until he stood up, the chair stuck to his aft.
Bumblebee couldn't keep his laughter at bay any longer. He let loose, gripping his sides as he witnessed the end result of his prank. Ironhide and Ratchet were the fortunate ones. They were magnetized. Optimus, Prowl, and Jazz weren't as lucky. They had fallen victims to rubber cement…
"I believe the culprit is nearby," Optimus announced above the noisy din of furious shouting. The Autobots present shut their mouths and that's when they heard the clear, unmistakable sound of a youngling 'innocently' laughing.
"SUNSTREAKER! Get out here NOW!" Prowl snarled in fury. It only made the guilty youngling howl even louder.
"BUMBLEBEE!" Optimus Prime struggled to keep a straight face as he called out his mischievous and rather errant child.
The youngling froze, laughter ceasing at the warning tone of voice. A loud banging in the wall next to their table, alerted all present to a very clever, little eavesdropper. Bumblebee squeezed out of the ventilation shaft and tumbled out into the hallway with a startled squeak.
He barely had time to climb onto his pedes when he felt a firm hand grab his scruff-bar, halting his movement. His legs tucked in beneath his small body and the Cybertronian child grinned guiltily as he met the disapproving frown of Optimus.
"Explain yourself."
Bumblebee hated it when Optimus looked at him like that. It made him feel like he'd done something unforgivable.
"What? I was just having fun…" the youngling shifted his gaze down to the floor.
"What have I told you about 'having fun' at another's expense, my child?"
"Uhh…" The youngling tried to remember one of Optimus's lectures on the subject and was pleased when he actually remembered something. "...to treat others the way you want to be treated?"
"I shall speak with those you have wronged. They will decide what your punishment shall be."
Bumblebee continued his staring contest with the floor until Optimus gently tilted his chin up.
"Look at me, sweetling."
Bumblebee looked up into the smiling face of his adopted father and couldn't help but giggle when the Prime brought his other servo up, the datapad still rubber cemented to his hand.
"It was a little funny ... just don't tell Prowl," Optimus conspiratorially whispered with genuine warmth. He hugged his youngling and then placed him back on the floor. "Go play. I will summon you later."
"Yes, father!" Bumblebee turned and fled down the hallway.
Optimus returned to the meeting room with a broad smile on his faceplates.
"I have an idea."
"What idea?"
"Bumblebee will be punished accordingly BUT…I believe he just proved himself."
"What do you mean?"
"I think Bumblebee would make an excellent scout…"
(TO BE CONTINUED!)
Author's Note: I noticed in chapter 9 I mentioned that Bee played hide-and-seek with the twins and then later in chapter 12 or so I said he learned a new game called Hide-and-seek…can we just ignore that error? LOL XD
Also, I'm in the process of moving so my updates might be a little slow. Will do my best to post again before Christmas. If not, I wish everyone Happy Holidays! Thanks for reading.