Transformers: Steel Reign

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke frowned. The bot kneeled down, looking Hornet in the eye. "What's wrong, Hornet?" He asked.

[B4UTRUST]

"You'd have to ask Hornet to be sure, I think. If I had to hazard a guess I believe it began when I had a rather angry debate with his creator, Wheeljack. To summerize that one, it was concerning Hornet himself and why Wheeljack thought it was neccessary to create something as underdeveloped, underarmed and armoured as Hornet is, give it the mind and personality of something only marginally more advanced then a protoform and do this during a war. I think the words I used there were something along the lines of 'Pits-damned, slipped-coged sadist.' Though I'd have to pull up the playback to be sure. It was generally that I felt the idea of Hornet during a war, especially THIS war was just cruel and sadistic. He happened to be within earshot when I questioned the logic circuits of Wheeljack and I believe him to have misconstrued my anger as direct anger at him. Pits, I don't even know the bot beyond what little I've seen of him and heard in conversation. I wasn't mad at him, I was more angry at Wheeljack then anything. It still baffels my mind how he thought that Hornet during a war was a good idea!

"Now, if you're referring to my comments during the exercise, I was accomplishing my objective. Deathstrike ordered me to find Hornet and engage him before he could ambush me and engage me. Hornet's small size and uncommon alloy makeup make it exceedingly difficult to get an accurate hit on him with sensors from in the air while he's on the ground. Deathstrike's conditions were minimum strength weapons and no collateral damage. My weapons were set to a low enough level that they might have stunned or seriously injured a human, but even Hornet shouldn't have been damaged by that. Though I do admit to damaging the landscape slightly on the strafing runs. Not sure if that violates the 'no collateral' stipulation.

"However, to accomplish my objectives I would either have to spend hours searching through every crack, crevice, cave and rock in this Primus-forsaken place to find him. This would negate my advantages, which are all in aerial performance and not in ground performance, where as Hornet seems about as comfortable running around with you all as he does with the human pilots. Plus, he has had far more experiance in this area and terrain. He knows the topology far better then my sesnors would ever allow me to. Another advantage for him. So to search for him the hard way would be in direct opposition to my objectives by essentially giving up all of my advantages and allowing my target to utilize and maximize all of his.

"So, using knowledge of my opponent I figured out an alternate victory model and used it. The idea was to scare Hornet into moving or doing something rash, frantic and in such a manner as to give away his location, allowing me to complete the objective. Deathstrike called Endex before this transpired, however, due to Thunkdercracker's arrival.

"But, before this goes further into your investigation on Hornet's fear of me, I'd like to say something. If Hornet shakes in fear and runs in terror every time someone on his own team, in a military exercise training for actual combat requirements, threatens him, he won't make it out of real combat fuctional. He didn't move from his hiding spot, which I point out is a definate point in his favor, but that also indicates, along with your line of questioning about his 'quaking fear,' that it was probably because he was too afraid to move. What's going to happen with someone like Dirge or Ramjet starts targeting him and telling him they're going to enjoy disposing of their waste fluids into his torso after the rip his head off and plan to use his chassis as a recycling can.

"As someone who's going to be flying with him and next to him in a real mission, I would much rather know he's not going to lock up and leak mechfluid all over himself the first time that happens. I would go as far as to say that if I did upset him, while unfortunate, it's better for him to get it out of his system and for us to get him over such fears before he has Megatron threatening to tear out his optics face to face."

[General Havoc]

Hornet's resolve lasted only a millisecond or so as Stryke crouched down and asked directly what was wrong. He squeezed his optics shut as washer fluid leaked out of them, and lowered his head, sniffling (or making the sound) softly.

"It's..." he stammered. "It's... just... just Slipstream..." he said in a near whisper. "He... he wants to... he wants to kill me."

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke shook his head. "I'm sure he didn't really mean it. But if he didn't, we wouldn't let him. Crim and I would protect you. Besides, he's usually to busy making sure he looks good to do it." Stryke reached out and patted Hornet gently. "Want to help me find Crimson?" He asked. "I've been looking for a while and can't seem to find her." The warbot asked, hoping that would distract Hornet from his fear and sadness.

[General Havoc]

Hornet raised his head slowly, and slowly hope kindled inside his optics, and he nodded, brushing the tears out of his optics with the back of his hand. "S... sure..." he said, managing a soft smile. "I'll... I'll help you find her..."

He waited for Stryke to lead the way, and as he was doing so, a strange question came to mind, and impulsively, he asked it, not aware of how odd it had to sound.

"Um... Stryke?" he asked. "Were... were you ever... a Decepticon?"

His voice was not condemning or even really afraid, but curious. It seemed to be a common enough thing around the Autobots. Hornet was beginning to wonder if he was the only Autobot in the whole Ark who hadn't started out as a Decepticon (and he wasn't sure that he didn't like that idea a bit).

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke grimaced as he stood. "I was a military bot back before the break, so yeah, I was a 'Con at once time. Even fought alongside some of them. But, when the war started, I had more friends that were civbots than milbots, so this is the side I ended up as."

[rhoenix]

Blindside had remained outside on his perch, scanning the area around them for a few cycles after the others had entered inside. A single Decepticon arriving at high speed seemed entirely too suspicious, even if it was a possible defection.

After using all his senses, being much more sensitive in his form of the wolf, he was satisfied, but no more at ease. Leaping down from his high perch, he looked one last time to the skies before walking inside, shifting back into his robot form once he had passed the entrance.

He hadn't walked too far down the halls when he had heard Hornet talking with someone. Hornet didn't sound cheery, which made Blindside's eyes narrow - he had heard Slipstream trying to scare him before, and he wasn't pleased by it.

Approaching Stryke and Hornet, he walked toward them in time to hear the end of their conversation. Blindside waited for a pause before interrupting. "Hi, Stryke," he said, nodding with a smile to the green warbot, before looking more concerned at Hornet. "Are you alright, Hornet?"

[frigidmagi]

Slipstream launches into his speech. He's thought about this before hand. That denotes premeditation or a habit of ass covering. I step forward into reach of him.


"So let me be sure I understand. Your orders were to find Hornet? To search him out right? And then you decided he needed to be toughen up, needed to be forced to grow a thicker skin, right? Because he isn't brave enough. The same bot that attacked Sixshot alone and then half blind and broken engage the enemy from his repair bed isn't... hardcore enough for the mighty Slipstream. Well Thank Primus you're my secon... Oh wait! You're not my second! Deathstrike is! It's his job to decide who needs toughening up, his and mine not yours. Your damn job is to follow orders, fly and kill the enemies of Prime. Not to engage in processor games with your squad mates. But since you feel so strongly about toughening up!" My fist lashed out catching him right under his chin, his head snapped up and he landed on his aft not having the mass needed to absorb the blow.

"If you feel that was unfair Slipstream, next time I'll let Deathstrike deal with you." I tossed over my shoulder as I headed toward the med bay.

[General Havoc]

He WAS one! Hornet almost tripped when Stryke admitted it. Even if he had joined the Autobots as soon as the war had started, it was still a surprise to hear. Not that there was anything WRONG with being a former Decepticon. Indeed, he was starting to wonder if the Autobots had anything else.

"Oh," he said, noncommittally, trotting along to keep up. "I was... I was just wondering... what was... what was it like being a Decepticon?"

Blindside intervened then, also coming out of nowhere (it was a miracle Hornet hadn't been run over yet, considering). He sniffed again and wiped the tears from his optics.

"I'm okay," he said, sounding a bit more like himself. "It's just... Slipstream..."

[rhoenix]

"I'm okay," he said, sounding a bit more like himself. "It's just... Slipstream..."

Blindside nodded, frowning for a moment. He crouched down to be closer to eye level to Hornet, though still wasn't quite successful. "What do you suppose it says about him to want to act the way he does toward you, knowing what you are? Especially when he knows he's bigger than you?"

At this he smiled softly. "Don't worry, Hornet - he won't actually hurt you, no matter how tough he may talk. If he ever actually does cross that line, though," he said, smiling reassuringly, "he'll quickly learn not to do so again."

[LadyTevar]

Crimson returned from her patrol of the area in time to overheard the tail end of Breakout's discussion with Slipstream, and got a good view of Slipstream being knocked on his afterburner. It wasn't hard to figure out who they were talking about that needed 'toughening up'. Time to find Hornet.

It wasn't that hard, but it was a bit surprising to see Stryke and Blindside already there comforting the teenybot. Crimson set a mental reminder to tell WheelJack about the situation, and how the squad was reacting to it, before she stepped out to greet them.

"Well.., looks like I missed something," Crimson said, bracing herself as she fully expected Hornet to get up and slam into her for what might be a much-needed hug. "BreakOut just punched Slipstream and set him on his afterburner for trying to 'engage in processor games' and attempting to 'toughen up' someone." The information was more for Stryke and Blindside than for Hornet, letting the two older bots know BreakOut was on Hornet's side in the matter.

[rhoenix]

At this, Blindside chuckled, looking at Stryke with a meaningful look before looking back at Hornet, who was current en-route to Crimson armed with hugs, and preparing to detonate. "See, Hornet? Breakout is a good leader - he knows that he must lead by making sure the group stays a cohesive unit."

He looked back at Crimson, nodding once with a warm smile. "Thank you, Crimson."

[LadyTevar]

The teenybot still staggered her, but Crimson draped an arm around Hornet's shoulders as he hugged her tightly, looking over the smaller bot's head to speak to Blindside. "You're welcome. Good job with the training, by the way. Not only did you beat my time, you didn't trigger anything."

To Stryke, Crimson aimed a promising smile. "Miss me?"

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke smiled right back. "Of course, every astrosecond." The warbot said. He looked down to Hornet. "Tell you what, Hornet, come find me sometime and I'll answer your question." He said.

[Dark Silver]

Styke, Hornet and Blindside where standing just far enough away, that the first sound of violence was heard.

The cries of pain, and the sounds of metal impacting metal where unmistakable. The shouting of ocal processors followed by the shreiks of more pain followed.

It was coming from down the hall, and the sounds kept getting louder and worse. It ended witht he sound of a weapon being discharged - not the normal sound of a laser pistol or rifle being shot, but the very distinctive sound of one Autobot's weapon in particular.

Moment's later, three Autobots where seen coming down the hall, the mangled and still smoking body of Wideload divided it's weight amoungst the three trying to carry him. The hole in his chestplate was hallowed out, the internal mechanisms leaking their fluid, those which had not melted shut from the heat of the blast.

Optimus Prime walked behind them a few feet, as imposing as ever, the laser rifle still held firm in his grip, but pointed down, smoke curling up from the barrel.....

[rhoenix]

Looking concerned, Blindside stood, and walked toward the scene in his usual way, his hands clasped behind his back. Eyeing Optimus Prime and his still-smoking rifle, he then looked at Wideload's unmoving form and the three carrying him before looking back at Optimus Prime. "What happened?"

[LadyTevar]

"Pits!" Crimson cursed, her arms tightening protectively against Hornet as the noises of a fight started, and then the unmistakable sound of Prime's weapon ended it.

As the scene paraded past, her optics rose to meet Stryke's although Blindside was the first to speak to Prime. She had wondered when the other Russian-speaking bot would reveal he too was a planted spy. "Just like Gridlock...."

[General Havoc]

Hornet did not disappoint. What with everything that had gone on in the last bit, Hornet did not hesitate, but practically tackled Crimson with another trademark hug, big, tight, and squeezy, in his own inimitable style. As Crimson gently put her arm around his shoulders and squeezed him back and mentioned that Breakout had decked Slipstream (really?!) and Stryke promised to tell him the answers to his questions later, and Blindside promised that nobody was going to let Slipstream kill him, Hornet's fear and doubt seemed to evaporate, replaced with a feeling of warmth and contentment at being among his friends, who weren't going to let anything happen to him.

And then gunshots went off.

Hornet started with a yelp and would have fallen over had Crimson not held onto him tightly. He turned his head around nervously and saw Wideload being carried down the hallway, his chest peeled open by some massive weapons discharge. Behind him strode Optimus himself, laser rifle in hand. Hornet's optics widened and he stared in shock and astonishment at the scene, completely unsure of what to say.

"W... Wh... what happened?" he asked to nobody in particular, his voice trembling as he did so.

[Cynical Cat]

It hadn't even occurred to Deathstrike that Wideload would still be walking around free after Gridlock had been found to be compromised. "Autobots," he said, shaking his head. Breakout seemed to be the only sane one in the group, although Slipstream had certain traits in common with a strain of vicious thug that could be found in the Decepticon ranks.

[Dark Silver]

errogations reached.......a stalling point." Prime said, his voice had a low level of anger in it, almost like frustration, as he replaced his rifle where it belonged, "He's being taken to for repairs, maybe he'll be more open to discussion when he is reactivated."

That was Prime's word on it, and then he walked past the little group, continuing on to follow behind the three Autobots and the traitor.

Deathstrike's hunch was right, Wideload had never been allowed to wander alone ever since Gridlock turned Traitor, then was deactivated. But Wideload's interrogation had been interrupted by Shockwave...

The imposing form of Prime seemed a bit darker as he went through the halls - the ravages of a long, costly war finally showing on his chassis and face plate.

Prime entered the repair bay, as Wideload's body was thrown, uncermoniously, on a repair table, Optimus' optics focused on Rachet, who understood immediately what he was to do.


Meanwhile, in the same repair bay, Thundercracker's CR Chamber spat out it's findings - "Unit: Thundercracker...Alligience: Decepticon....Function: Aerial Assault / Seeker.....System Status: 99.987% Functional.....Energizer Status: Offline.....Re-Energizing......3% complete........4% complete......Estimated time for full Re-energization: 1.34 cycles."

[frigidmagi]

I arrive into the med bay, annoyed. I shouldn't have to slug a troop to get my point across but if that's what it takes.

"Shellshock, Overload, over here if you please." I say.

[SirNitram]

Overload, despite his smaller stature, hurried over to Breakout at the request and stood ready. "Yes, sir?" It was, bit by bit, drib by drab, coming back to him.

The trick was not falling so easily into it that he used the wrong military's mannerisms. There would be no breaks from shelling for tea.

[frigidmagi]

"I would like you and Shellshock to stay here and cover Thundercracker. Keep others from hurting him and him from hurting others. Do it as a pair or singly, as seems needed to you. Send a report to Teletran I when he wakes up or if anyone tries anything. If he wakes and Deathstrike isn't here, alert him and get him here. He's the most likely to know if Thundercracker is lying and the most reassuring if he isn't. Any questions?" I say.

[SirNitram]

"None. We'll be in contact." Overload tapped his forehead in respect and moved back to the CR chamber. Thundercracker. Now he was guarding Thundercracker. A brief moment and he transformed, drawing his trailer from it's mass pocket to assume his larger robot mode, better able to function as a guardian when he can literally become a wall against weaponsfire.

[frigidmagi]

At that I turn away and start looking for Crimson. This is a long up cycle.