Transformers: Steel Reign

[B4UTRUST]

Slipstream had left the battlegrounds in Canada under Optimus' orders and had headed east. Something was amiss on the "East Coast" and Slipstream was at that time the only one without enough speed and remaining armor to get the job done. A solo recon mission. About as much fun as a mufflerectomy he'd been told.

He transformed and took off. Pointing his nose east he throttled up and broke the soundbarrier, shooting past supersonic and pushing it up into the hypersonic range. At this speed and altitude he would hit the other coast of the continent in less then an hour.

A short time later as he approached the target area he climbed up. Most aircraft avoided RADAR detection by diving under it, but it had an upper limit as well, if the aircraft was capable of going past that. He turned south and began his scan of the area below him.

A few hours later after scanning hundreds of miles inland of the east coast from the top of the country called Canada and down he found a signal. And there was no disguising or missing this sucker. Whatever it was, it was big. What sort of Cybertronian made that sort of signal?

He shot past the signal at full speed and turned around a couple states later. Well beyond what he would believe the sensor range of such a beast to be he dropped below the RADAR. He shot beneath 1000ft, below 800 ft and continued to fall. He was running as fast as he dared go as he whipped over a town and had to do some high speed manuvering to slip between two buildings.

He approached the target point again as his sensor systems lit up like a Primus Orn Parade. Dodging between buildings he did his first low-level flyby. And what he saw nearly made him crash into one of the structures surrounding him. Primus! What in the pits was that?!

In the middle of this human city was a Cybertronian construct that had leveled everything surrounding it. Weapons bristled over its surface, making it look like it could take on the entire Autobot army and possibly win.

He rushed past it before accelerating to a higher altitude. Warning klaxons sounded in his head as he narrowly dodged a energy blast. That thing was firing at him! Primus!

He avoided another blast as he spun around and flew back towards the thing. More weapons systems came online as he neared it. He let loose another half dozen of his missiles as he climbed again and opened his throttle wide. He didn't even stay to watch what sort of damage if any his missiles did. Nothing at that moment could get him to stay within range of that thing. More blasts peppered the air around him. He jinked as best he could, unloading chaff and manuvering with all of his skill. He felt the heat wash over him as he caught the edge of one of the blasts, melting his armor on that side. He rolled away from it and had to drop to avoid another that nearly cored him. By the time he got out of range his damage indicators were flashing red. He was hurting, that was sure. He would live though, which he supposed was fortuante, though he didn't see how any of them would survive taking that thing on for long.

He adjusted his course backt to the ark and headed there with the highest speed he could muster. It would be over an hour now before he made it back.

When he got into communications range he signaled the base.
"Autobot command, this is Slipstream. I've found the cause of the problem on the East Coast. You're not going to like it one bit. Have a repair chamber prepped for me, I'm going to need it."

A short time later he landed, though it was harder then what any aerialbot or con would have liked to consider a landing. More along the lines of crashing with style. He transformed and picked himself off the ground. His armor was scorched, burned and melted off in places. Some of it was worse then others as the inside of his chassis was visible in some places. Sparks danced across some of the open wounds as energon leaked out of them. He pressed a hand over one of the larger ones, trying to hold back the leaking.

He made it to the entrance of the ark before two autobots ran out to grab him and help him in, trying to support his frame on theirs as best they could. They took him to one of the maintenance bays to await repairs and debriefing.

He layed down on one of the tables and began to shut down non-essential systems to this mode and save his strength. The last thought that went through his mind before he powered himself down to wait was 'Pits, what was that thing?!'

[Cynical Cat]

Deathstrike walked into the repair chamber as Slipstream began to shutdown. "What happened to him?" he asked a passing Autobot.

"He went to scout out New York," said an Autobot hurrying by. "Got hit pretty bad by the Decepticreeps."

"He tangled with Trypticon?" Deathstrike asked incredously. "In fortress mode?"

"If that's the name of that Decepticon rust pile. He's down a bunch of missiles so he got his licks in."

"If he was able to fly back under his own power he's probably a better flier than I am," said Deathstrike, respect in his voice.

[Dark Silver]

Ironhide listened to the report given by Blindside, made sure TELETRAN had it recorded for later review by Prime, then issued his orders, "A'ight kid, here'n wha you gonna do. Ay wan you ta rep'rt to Main'nce Bay Wun, a'in set up fer a 'pair cy'le. A'ter dat, yer gunna be 'signed a squad."

Ironhide's gaze settled on Blindside for a few more moments, letting the order sink in, before continuing, "Rahchet will be 'pecting ya. Dismissed."

[rhoenix]

Meeting Ironhide's gaze with a calm one of his own, Blindside nodded once. "Thank you, Ironside. Where might I find the Maintenance Bays?"

Ironhide gave him direct and concise directions, for which Blindside thanked him again.

With that, he got fluidly to his feet, and made the same bow he had in the beginning of their meeting before leaving. With his hands clasped behind him, he followed the directions given to him, reaching the Maintenance Bays in short order.

Upon entering Maintenance Bay One, he saw the one designated as Ratchet working carefully on another Autobot. Seeing that Ratchet was intent on his work, and hadn't noticed Blindside's near-silent approach, he spoke up. "Greetings, Ratchet. I am Blindside, reporting as ordered by Ironhide for a repair cycle."

[rhoenix]

Looking up from his work, somewhat startled, Ratchet regarded the newcomer for a moment before answering. "Well, hello there Blindside - we can use all the help we can get. When did you arrive?"

Smiling at Ratchet's friendly manner, Blindside felt more at ease. "I just arrived by shuttle from the fourth planet in the Kleitall system - I don't think the planet itself has a name."

At this, Ratchet set down his tool and looked at Blindside directly, and more curiously. "I think I remember reading up on that system many vorn ago - nothing really there but a bunch of rocks." He paused for a moment, looking curious. "Unless Thundershot is still there?"

Nodding with a smile, Blindside didn't reply verbally. This caused Ratchet to chuckle. "That explains your lack of weapons, then. Alright, let's get you on the table, and we'll start the diagnosis. Once we're done, you'll go into the CR chamber for fine-tuned repairs." He peered closely at Blindside's upper chest for a moment, looking thoughtful, and much more serious. "That emblem - were you once an experiment of Shockwave's?"

Looking more sober, but no less calm, Blindside nodded once as he got onto the examination table. "Yes. I wore it for many vorn to remind myself of who I once was, and to remember what Shockwave had done to me."

At this, Ratchet smiled while preparing his tools. "Well, I'm happy to report that Shockwave was actually taken down, and for good recently."

Blindside stared at the ceiling for a moment before replying. "I am glad that he's gone, but I'm somewhat disappointed that I couldn't have been here to see it." Looking more relieved now, he continued. "In that case, would you mind getting rid of this brand, and giving me a proper Autobot brand again?"

At this, Ratchet gave him a big grin. "It would be my pleasure. Now, let's look you over," he said, as he activated a large scanner, and swept it slowly over Blindside's form.

Over the next hour or so, the two continued talking as Blindside was scanned and had some repairs performed. Ratchet paused at one point, as he was closely examining Blindside's Transformation Cog. He waited a minute or two after scanning, just to be sure. "Though there have been many modifications and changes, there was only one Autobot with this signature in his Cog, and we all thought he died, long ago. It is good to see you alive and well after all, Firetrack."

At this, Blindside only chuckled quietly, so as to not disrupt Ratchet's scanning. Ratchet continued scanning after a moment, speaking as he did. "Given what I'm reading of the capabilities that you now have, whether Shockwave gave them to you or you evolved them from what you learned from Thundershot, I can see why you changed your name." He laughed. "Your second alternate mode makes a bit more sense, as does your complete lack of internal weaponry."

Blindside smiled as he slowly extended his right arm, the one opposite of where Ratchet was standing. The claws normally sitting on his wrist suddenly extended forward, sitting atop his knuckles for a moment before retracting. "I still have a trick or two."

Shaking his head, Ratchet smirked. "No, I can see that - however, at some point, you're going to have to learn how to use a long-range weapon of some sort. Even I had to. Alright, I'm done with your rough repairs - into the CR chamber for you."

Though Blindside's first inclination was to disagree with Ratchet about learning how to fire a gun, he kept quiet for now. He would keep an open mind, as he was taught, even though the very idea of shooting a gun felt like a complete opposite to what he'd painstakingly learned over the past many years. He stepped into the CR Chamber, gently going into a stasis lock.

Sitting at his console, Ratchet had initiated a complete scan of Blindside's more complex internal structure compared to his previous self, and included a complete scan of Blindside's memory core. While the scan was being run concurrent with the repair processes currently running in the CR chamber, he was now looking through the contents of Blindside's memory core on fast-forward before sending it off to Prime. He smiled sadly to himself. "It's good to know you're alive after all, Firetrack, even if you have had an interesting couple millenia."

[frigidmagi]

I am on the obstacle course. I enjoy it, not has much as the range but still. It calms me and lets me think. It also helps me make sure the repairs fully functional. It is a class D-19 obstacle course. This means transforming is required.

I fishtail pass gun emplacement which are at 15% power barely able to dent paint. I switch over to robot mood to leap over a pit and hit the ground transforming back into alt mode running through a tunnel.

I reach the end, my time is average for me. It'll do. I transform back to robot mode and wonder what I should be doing now.

[LadyTevar]

Since no one had seen BreakOut, Crimson opened the Convoy's private channel. "BreakOut, wherever you are, Ironhide wants to see you ASAP."

[Cynical Cat]

"Deathstrike to Breakout," the Decepticon warrior said over a direct com link to the ferocious Autobot. "Have you had time to review my suggestions?"

[frigidmagi]

"Deathstrike to Breakout," the Decepticon warrior said over a direct com link to the ferocious Autobot. "Have you had time to review my suggestions?

"Not as of yet, testing my repair work. I am being called to report to Ironhide. May I met with you when I am finished?" I ask Deathstrike.

I walk to Ironhide's "office" and report in.

"You wished to see me Ironhide?" I ask.

[Charon]

Shellshock watched with some interest at the newcomer chatting with Rachet. They knew each other from long ago, that itself was not too much of a surprise, many Transformers new each other from long ago. What was interesting, was the way the newcomer moved, and Shellshock recognized it immediately.

This newcomer, Blindside was apparently his name, knew mettalikato. He was probably pretty good at it too. This would be a very welcome addition to Autobot forces. Shellshock simply watched though, running through his datatracks to see if he remembered a bot named Blindside, but nothing came up, nor did the form look familiar. If Blindside knew him though, he should be able to tell, as Shellshock was back in an old Cybertronian form.

[Dark Silver]

Ironhide looked at Breakout as he reported in, stepping next to the much younger bot, and placing a hand on Breakout's shoulder joint, "Ah wa'ted ta tell ya mahself Break. As of 0800 local tahme, you been promot'd ta Squad Lead."

Ironhide gripped Breakout's shoulder hard, before releasing it, and walking behind a desk, pulling up a list of his squadmates, "Prahme decided ya ahre gunna take over yarr assignment, ya can choose ya Secund - pending Prahme and my approval."

Ironhide looked as if he was about to say something, when the rear doors opened, and Prime himself walked through, his armor was still scorched and dented in placed where he had taken hits during the fight, but he still held the air of authority as he stepped through - alone.

Ironhide saluted Prime before stepping back, letting the taller Autobot Commander leave to talk, "Breakout, I'm sure Ironhide's already given you your new assignment. Congratulations, I've never been prouder then I am today. We're changing assignments in your group also, from this moment on, Hornet is now officially assigned to Battle Squad Ico, which means he's now your subordinate. Ironhide tells me he will be assigning Blindside to you also, for supervision and training....and keep a sensor on him. His arrival is just a bit to suspicious...and after the recent betrayls, and the insertion of several Decepticon agents, Gridlock and Black Ice for example...well....Be careful and keep a optic sharp."

Prime stayed for a few more moments, shaking Breakout's hand, and started to walk out, and half turned and addressed Breakout, "Your battle group is on R&R for the next seventy two local hours, use the time to your best judgement, and prepare for assignment for then."

Prime walked out, leaving Ironhide and Breakout alone, before Ironhide dismissed the young Autobot.

[rhoenix]

The CR cycle finishing, Blindside's systems initialized smoothly, more so than they had in many years. He awoke, the chamber door sliding opening to allow him to walk out. Doing so, he looked down at his chest, and smiled happily, seeing that the constant reminder he'd had of his past was now gone, replaced now with the Autobot emblem sitting proudly on his chest.

With that, he stepped slowly into a wide stance, and began a series of slow, graceful movements, marveling at how much better he felt compared to even three hours ago, according to his internal chronometer.

As he was going into the second set, Calling the Circuit of the Tiger, Ratchet spoke up. "I take it you feel better than before, then?"

This brought a smile to Blindside's face, though he continued with the set of movements; more aggressive-looking than the first, but just as slow and graceful. "Yes, thank you Ratchet - I feel better than I have in quite a long time."

Ratchet watched him for a few minutes, before glancing at Shellshock with a grin. He looked back at Blindside before speaking up again. "I think a few more of your old acquaintances are here than just me. Do you remember Shellshock?"

At this, Blindside chuckled. "I do. I remember irritating him a couple times with how I acted then, even bouncing off his leg once when I was racing Sunstreaker. I think he got pretty mad at that, and I can't really blame him now. I really did act like a pest then."

Blindside's movements began to sweep around him on all sides, and it was during one of the turning movements that he noticed Shellshock standing quietly, just watching, and looking somewhat amused, though a little confused as well.

Finishing up the set with a series of graceful hand movements ending at his stomach, he turned to Shellshock, and bowed the same way he had to the others he'd met recently - his left hand clenched into a fist, his relaxed right covering it. "Hello again, Shellshock. You knew me long ago as Firetrack, and I'd like to make an overdue apology for how I acted toward you then."

[Charon]

Shellshock shrugged. "As the humans say, it's water under the bridge." Shellshock's memory ran quickly, bringing up memories of Firetrack, and their interactions. "You've certainly changed a lot since we last met. Where'd you pick up mettalikato?"

[rhoenix]

At hearing this from Shellshock, Blindside smiled ruefully. "When Shockwave's cohorts kidnapped me to experiment upon my form to make me as you see me now, I managed to escape during the Autobot attack on his lab. Since none of the Autobots who helped rescue me believed I was an Autobot then, I stole a Decepticon shuttle, and crash-landed on the fourth planet in the Kleitall system. It was there that I met Thundershot, who became my teacher for about eight and a half millennia, give or take a few years."

Moving smoothly into another set of movements, Blindside smiled calmly at how easy the transition between moves was now that he had the repairs done to his joints. "I'm still not done learning - as my teacher would say, I know enough now to be a dedicated student."

[Charon]

Shellshock remained silent for a time, watching Blindside go through his moves. "Well with only that much time I'd say you're about where you should be. I know, a little mettalikato myself. But I never took to it like..." Shellshock paused for a moment, as though picking his next word carefully to omit something. "Like some do."

Shellshock took a seat and relaxed, a portion of his mind still dedicated to running scenarios and internal diagnostics, getting used to the old form again.

[rhoenix]

Going into another set of movements smoothly, Blindside was quiet for a few moments as he thought about Shellshock's words. "I'll be going through my exercises each morning, as the sun rises. You're welcome to join me if you wish."

[Dark Silver]

The CR Chamber cracked open with the faint hiss of a pressure locks release, as Rachet opened it to retrieve Slipstream. The Autobot flier had come in heavily damaged, and he could only now be repaired, after the CR Chamber managed to stabilize his condition.

It was another hour of major repairs, replacing burnt out components who couldn't be brought back functional by the CR chamber's nano-repair boosters.

After several cycles, Rachet replaced the last damaged armor slat, and disconnected his diagnostic equipment, allowing Slipstream's own systems to bring him online.

"Rise and shine sleepy head...." Rachet said in a sing-song sort of voice, a chuckle on his metallic lips.

[Cynical Cat]

Deathstrike approached Perceptor's lab. He would be going into battle again in the near future and the Autobots weren't interested from hearing from him at the present. There was no better time to finish his referbishment.

[Dark Silver]

Perceptor, the autobot's head scientific mind, stood infront of a massive computer array, linked only superficially to TELETRAN-One - seperate form the Autobot's Ultra-AI, except for datafeeds and storage.

He didn't hear Deathstrike entering the lab, until the Decepticon was well within grasping distance, and say the reflection on the screen.

"Ah, Deathstrike," Perceptor spoke, as he continued to feed in calculations into the computer manually, "And what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Surely Rachet of Wheeljack can see to your repairs?"

[Cynical Cat]

"Ratchet and Wheeljack are busy with their own projects," said Deathstrike. "Besides I was constructed by one of the Decepticons leading scientists. I assume a a scientist of your calibre would like the opportunity to examine his work first hand. I do not believe the incorporation of sophisticated instruments into your form was an accident."

[Dark Silver]

"Those incorporations where done over many celestial cycles to enhance the readings I am able to obtain to the 12^6 decimal place." Perceptor seemed to be bragging, but he closed down the computer program, and turned to Deathstrike.

"Well, it is good that you've come to see me anyway Deathstrike, I have managed to complete work on a Transwarp drive capable of being mounted in your internal systems for use in your vehicular mode. Youwill not be able to make appropriate use of it till I recalibrate and update your navigation systems to accomodate the five dimensional vertices the drive will use for propulsion, and I'm afraid your navigational choices will be limited to a fifty lightyear radius per jump, but it is indeed better than your ionic propulsion systems."

[B4UTRUST]

Slipstream's systems came back online one by one. Diagnostic reports scrolled through his vision. He sat up and looked around, his optics lighting up once more.
"Someone tell me they got the transponder tag of that shuttle that hit me..."

He checked his internal chronometer and found that several hours had passed since he went offline.
"So what did I miss?"

[Cynical Cat]

"Interesting," said Deathstrike. "That is better range than the warp drive I was initially equiped with. Are the changes in navigation software necessitated by the improved range or due to Fraxxyl's obfuscatory programming?"

[Charon]

Shellshock shook his head at Blindside's offer. "Thanks, but no. Like I said, I never really took to it."

With that, Shellshock got to his feet, nodded his departure to Blindside, and headed for the training field. On his way there he opened a communication to Overload. "I'm heading to the training field. You want to join me in some excercise in the new forms?"

[rhoenix]

Finishing with his slow, meditative movements, Blindside drew his feet together, his optics closed for a moment with a small smile on his face, his hands held as if grasping a small sphere in front of his abdomen.

Hearing Shellshock making his exit, and that he appeared to be heading to the training area, Blindside's optics opened to reveal his golden eyes once more. "No offense taken Shellshock, but the offer is open should you ever change your mind. If you've no objections though, I'd like to join you in this training area, as I'd like some exercise as well."