Authors Notes- And here I am back again with an update to How Far We've Come. I know it's been a long ass while. And for that I'm sorry, life you know? But alas I am back and as you know I don't own Transformers that belongs to Hasbro. I do however own the plot. Now that we got THAT out of the way here is Chapter Two. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter II: Patrol
Weeks had past since then and Smokescreen just couldn't seem to forget it. Despite how many times he had told himself that the kiss he had shared with Ultra Magnus was nothing. That he had dreamt it or something, or perhaps a trick of the mind at the time. But Smokescreen remained unconvinced. Picking up an empty energon cube Smokescreen looked over his shoulder at the Commander, the Autobot second in command was in deep conversation with Optimus over something. The increase in Decepticon activity, or something. Whatever it was he was paying no attention to Smokescreen.
Smokescreen narrowed his optics as he looked at him, it would seem that the commander wasn't bothered by what happened weeks ago. Smokescreen scowled, good for him, meanwhile every waking moment of Smokescreen's life was spent thinking of him and the kiss they had shared. Forcing himself to look away Smokescreen finished stacking the empty crates before before looking around the base. Just as Bumblebee walked up to him.
*Hey,* the yellow scout said, stopping in front of him. *You busy?* He asked.
Thinking for a second Smokescreen wondered if he had any other tasks. Finding that he had none he looked to Bumblebee and shook his head. "Not at the moment, why?"
*I was wondering if you wanted to go on patrol with me?*
Nodding Smokescreen smiled at the scout. That would definitely take his mind off of, Smokescreen looked to Ultra Magnus once more, him. Forcing a smile to his lip he looked to Bumblebee once more. "Sure, why not?"
Walking towards the entrance both Smokescreen and Bumblebee transformed, and drove off. And as they did it was almost like everything he was feeling had melted away. Thoughts of Ultra Magnus disappearing from his confused mind the moment as Smokescreen and Bumblebee drove down the road. Both of them were completely silent when Bumblebee broke the silence. *Hey, Smokescreen, you okay?* Bumblebee asked.
"Sure, why do you ask?"
*Lately you just seem to be kind of off as of late. So, I was just curious.* Bumblebee said.
"I'm fine, I guess I'm just burned out with all the missions we've been getting. The Decepticons have been keeping us busy." Smokescreen commented.
And that was partially true, aside from obsessing over the questionable actions of Ultra Magnus there was the Decepticons in their attempts to grow their Predacon army. They had been keeping the Autobots on their toes. Things had been so hectic that Smokescreen had been surprised that he and Bumblebee had time to go on patrol. However, that soon changed as Bumblebee's beeping jerked him from his thoughts. "What is it?" Smokescreen asked.
*Energon readings." Bumblebee said.
That got Smokescreen's attention, this was good they had been running low on energon lately. So they had been lucky to discover this. Or they would be, as the two Autobots drove to the location and they saw evidence of Decepticon activity.
Great, Smokescreen thought, as he and Bumblebee transformed and crept behind a couple of trees, watching as several Vehicons milled about. Some patrolling the area, others collecting energon already boxed and ready for pick up. And among them was a bored looking Knock Out. The red Decepticon was leaning against a tree, pretending to check out his talons the same way Smokescreen had seen Miko check out her nails when she was bored. Obviously the Decepticon was also bored, no doubt Knock Out would rather be doing something other than supervising. Smokescreen said nothing as a sly smile crept to his faceplate as he looked to Bumblebee. Noting the eager look on Bumblebee's faceplate.
Neither of them said a word as they crept through the woods. Until-
SNAP!
Oh, scrap. Smokescreen thought, looking down at his foot, seeing that he had stepped on a couple of branches. So much for a sneak attack. Groaning Smokescreen looked up, seeing that several Vehicons were now looking in his direction. Knock Out sauntering into the view, the bored look was soon replaced with a sly smirk.
"Well, what do we have here?" Knock Out said, optics narrowed as he transformed his hand into his saw.
Groaning Smokescreen transformed his hands into blasters, and fired on the attacking Vehicons. Several Vehicons dropping to the ground, lifeless.
*Smokescreen, watch out!* Bumblebee shouted, just as Knock Out lunged at Smokescreen, his saw slicing into Smokescreen's side. Making him cry out, and drop to his knees. As energon dripped from his wounded side.
"Caught you daydreaming, kid." Knock Out taunted, raising his saw to slash at Smokescreen again.
Only to have Bumblebee come to Smokescreen's aid, and fired on Knock Out, sending him flying. Rushing to Smokescreen's side Bumblebee helped him to his feet. *You okay?* Bumblebee asked, as Smokescreen pressed a hand to his bleeding side.
"Been better..." Smokescreen murmured, hissing between his denta, as energon dripping from between his fingers.
*We should call for back up.* Bumblebee said, as several more Vehicons emerged from the shadows, blasters trained on the two Autobots.
Far more than either Smokescreen or Bumblebee had anticipated. It must've been one hell of a energon mining operation if they had this many Decepticon troopers.
"Why?" Smokescreen asked, arching an optic brow at Bumblebee. "It's just Knock Out, and a whole lot of sparkless Vehicon troopers. This will be a breeze."
However, as soon as he said that he heard the all too familiar screech of an Insecticon. Looking up he saw three of the damned bugs soaring through the air towards them. Okay, they might be in over their heads now. Shooting Bumblebee a sheepish grin he watched as Bumblebee contacted the base. As Smokescreen turned to face the Decepticons. Noting the murderous look Knock Out shot him. Obviously not too happy with Smokescreen's little insult. Wasting no more time Smokescreen lunged at the Vehicon soldiers. Several of them firing on the young Autobot. Smokescreen crying out as a stray blast caught him in the arm. Hissing through his denta Smokescreen fired back, taking down a few more Vehicons, just as Knock Out charged at him again.
His saw barely missing Smokescreen's faceplate as he backpedaled, his foot catching on a rock protruding from the ground. Hitting the ground with a grunt Smokescreen looked up as Knock Out chuckled as he advanced on him, saw raised above his head.
When a blast rang out, knocking the Decepticon to the ground. Looking over his shoulder Smokescreen saw Arcee and Bulkhead rush into the fray, blasters firing on Knock Out and the remaining Vehicons. Until finally silence seemed to prevail over the area once more as Smokescreen watched as Knock Out and the remaining Vehicons retreated through the ground bridge to the Nemesis.
Good riddance. Smokescreen thought as Bulkhead and Bumblebee helped him to his feet. The rookie hissed as pain lanced through his side once more. More energon dripping onto the ground as Smokescreen stumbled a little bit.
"Easy there Smokescreen." Bulkhead said, steadying him as they made their way to the ground bridge. Just as Ultra Magnus stepped through the ground bridge. And poor Smokescreen felt his spark leap at the sight of him, his optics glued on the older mech. So much for the distraction he thought with a scowl as Ultra Magnus looked down at him.
Ultra Magnus' optics roving over him, making him squirm under his gaze. His lip curling back as he saw Smokescreen's armor covered not just in energon but dirt and other such grime. Leaves sticking out of Smokescreen's joints.
"You're a mess." Ultra Magnus spoke, moving past him as he did so, optics looking away from Smokescreen to scan the area. As Smokescreen stepped through the ground bridge. And was greeted by Ratchet.
The old medic looked to Smokescreen over before telling him to follow him into the medbay, as more energon dripped onto the ground. While both Bulkhead and Bumblebee stepped through the ground bridge to assist Ultra Magnus and Arcee at the newly abandoned energon mine. Hissing through his denta he turned to glare at Ratchet, who in turn glared at him as Smokescreen shifted slightly.
"You mind being gentle? I'm hurt enough as is." Smokescreen said.
"Well, if you stayed still it wouldn't hurt." Ratchet retorted, as he continued to weld the wound in his side shut.
Smokescreen soon found his mind wandering as it did when he wasn't occupied with helping out around the base. And to make it interesting for the first time in a week Smokescreen found his thoughts weren't of Ultra Magnus...yet. Primus knew the moment the older mech stepped through the ground once more that would soon change.
Maybe when he gets back I'll ask him about it. He thought. Yeah right... Smokescreen scoffed, rolling his optics, earning another dirty look from Ratchet. Muttering an apology Smokescreen did what he could to sit still as Ratchet patched up the rest of his wounds.
"There," Ratchet said, as he transformed his hand back as he gave Smokescreen the once over once more. "All done."
Muttering another thanks Smokescreen slid off the table and looked down at himself. Noting that he was still covered in grime, grimacing at it he headed towards the washracks intent on getting himself clean before the others returned. As Smokescreen headed to the washracks the ground bridge opened, and in walked Ultra Magnus along with the rest of the Autobots carrying crates of energon. However, Ultra Magnus' attention was not on their newest haul. But on the retreating back of Smokescreen. Optics narrowed as the young mech stepped into the washracks. Disappearing from sight.
He couldn't figure out why but Ultra Magnus found himself drawn to him.
Authors Notes- And thus concludes Chapter Two I know it's not super great but never less I hope you enjoyed? And this is The Exhausted Writer signing off. Have a good night!