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wyntir_knightTitle: The Devil You Know
Series: G1 universe, focusing on Original characters
Rating: R
Summary: In the early days of the civil war on Cybertron, Sentinel Prime authorized several refugee vessels to take Neutrals away from the planet in hopes that they could start peaceful colonies where they would be safe. Many of these refugees were never heard from again; lost to us through time and distance. But history does record the fate of one of the vessels. The Stormchaser was three orns away from its destination when it was shot down by Decepticons in an act of cowardice and deceit. There were no survivors. That is what history tells us. But in this case, history is wrong.
Author's Note: No comment ...
Chapter 7
Cobalt moved slowly. Casually. It was imperative to his plan that the Decepticon had no idea what he was doing, or what was coming. Now that he had sent off his two minions it was finally time to strike back. First he would destroy the Seeker and take his weapons. Then, he would ambush the two others as the returned. It was a simple plan. The only potential flaw was the Neutrals and their allegiances. He doubted that any of them truly supported the Decepticon cause; they were simply supporting the mechs they felt were stronger. Cobalt couldn’t fault them for that. Strength was all that mattered, after all. But these Neutrals were delusional if they felt that the Decepticons were actually stronger. Yes they outnumbered him, but if it came down to a one-on-one fight, he knew that he would be the victor. The only way they had succeeded in subduing him before was through numbers and the treachery of that elder Neutral.
This time, Cobalt would not make the same mistake. This time, he would count on a betrayal and he would prepare for it. These Neutrals were easily swayed. All he needed was time to speak with them. Alone. He waited until the Seeker’s back was turned before he moved; walking out among the Neutral ranks until he found a likely follower. She was a young mech, small and petite with a blue and gold paint job. Judging by her appearance she was some kind of entertainment bot, either artistic or pleasure. It didn’t matter. She looked up at him and then turned away, averting her optics coquettishly. Definitely a pleasure bot. She didn’t seem a likely fighter, but she might be just the bot he needed to sway the others. He smiled and moved to kneel beside her slowly.
“You don’t mind if I sit here, do you?” he asked.
“Go right ahead,” she whispered, motioning to the spot next to her.
“Thank you,” he said as he settled down as best as his bonds would allow. “So … why would a femme like you be on the Stormchaser?”
She smiled shyly and looked away again.
“Was that a come on?” she asked with a slight giggle.
It wasn’t the response he had expected, but he was willing to play along, especially if it meant that he would get what he wanted out of this femme.
“You caught me,” he said, twisting his mouth into what he hoped was a shy smile. “I’ve been watching you for a while. … Actually, I saw you on the ship, and I figured that I may as well … well, take the opportunity while I still had the chance. I’m Cobalt, by the way.”
“I’m Swash. And I don’t tend to go for Autobots,” she replied looking up at Cobalt. “But I might’ve been convinced to change my mind if circumstances were different.”
“Pity, that,” he replied.
He turned away and stared into the fire. She’d fill the silence all on her own. He had no doubt about that. After several moments of silence his patience was rewarded, but not in the way that he’s hoped.
“What is it that you actually want?” she asked.
“What do you mean? I just want to get to know you a little better,” he said, trying to look confused.
“I’m not dumb, you know,” she said. “No why don’t you just stop wasting both our time and tell me what you want?”
Cobalt’s face hardened as he looked at her.
“You’re a whole lot more than you let on, you know that?” he said.
“And that would by why I’ve survived as long as I have,” she replied. “Now I’m not in the mood to keep playing guessing games. So tell me what you want.”
“All right, fine. We’ll cut to the chase. What’s your opinion on the Decepticon?” he asked, motioning in Windsaber’s direction with a nod.
“I have none,” she replied with a shrug.
“I find that hard to believe,” Cobalt said.
“Well, believe what you like. As far as I’m concerned he’s just another overlord,” she said. “Whether it’s you Autobots or the Decepticons, it all comes down to the same thing.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” Cobalt said as he stood and moved to walk away.
“But for the record,” he said, looking back over his shoulder, “there is a very important difference between us. It’s a pity you can’t see that.”
He walked away from Swash in disgust. He had the bad feeling that a number of the others were going to feel the same way. This was just so typical of the Neutrals. They refused to take a side. They refused to defend themselves. It was disgusting. They were disgusting. But he needed them if he was to manage anything.
He surveyed the other Neutrals, looking for his next target. There was the small red and black one. Cobalt had watched that one for a while. He seemed shy and jumpy, but eager to follow, and possibly easy to manipulate. He honed in on the sparklet, moving in slowly so as not to draw attention to himself.
x-x-x
Cobalt was completely oblivious to the fact that Windsaber had been watching every move he had made. It was a fact that had not been lost on Arclight. As Cobalt moved, she watched Windsaber watching him, and new what was coming. Cobalt was going to attack and Windsaber was going to be ready for him. It would be a disaster, a massacre, and she couldn’t let it happen. As much as she disliked Cobalt, she couldn’t let him walk headlong into this. It just wouldn’t be right. So she did the only thing she could. She ran interference.
She stood up and approached Windsaber, moving into his line of site, putting herself between the Seeker and Cobalt. He pulled his optics off of the Autobot and focused on her. She shivered under the crimson gaze, but kept herself in check.
“I’ve been thinking about what your offer,” Arclight said softly.
“Oh have you really?” Windsaber replied.
“Yes, I have. And while I hate to say it, I think you have a point.”
“And I suppose that the Autobot had nothing to do with your change of spark?” Windsaber asked with a wry smile.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Arclight replied, trying to sound genuinely confused.
“I saw you speaking with Cobalt, and I know what you’re trying to do,” Windsaber said, reaching out to stroke her cheek gently.
She fought her instinct to pull back in disgust, instead leaning into the touch.
“Oh really? And what is it that I’m trying to do?” she whispered, reaching up take Windsaber’s arm gently.
Windsaber smiled and took a step closer, closing the space between them. He brought one hand up to her hip strut, stroking the joint with a light touch. As if it had a will of its own, her hand came up and pressed against Windsaber’s canopy. She felt him draw her close with his very presence. His arrogance, his will, his power, it was all so addictive and compelling. He leaned in, drawing her close. She inhaled a deep shuddering breath as she felt his lips brush her audio node.
“You’re trying to distract me from what I should be focused on,” he whispered silkily.
x-x-x
Cobalt walked away from Roulette in disgust. As with all the others, here was another Neutral who didn’t have the bearings to do anything against the Decepticons. No wonder they were fleeing Cybertron in droves. None of these mechs deserved the Sparks they had been granted, none of them deserved the opportunity they had been given.
It would likely come down to it simply being him and Windsaber. There would be no backing and there shouldn’t be. When it came down to it, it was how it should be. One Autobot, one Decepticon. He moved forward fully prepared to challenge Windsaber when his attention was diverted by a rather large Neutral. His garish paint job didn’t hide the fact that he was obviously Military Hardware. He was also trying his best not to be noticed by Cobalt. Every time Cobalt approached, the large mech moved away. It was like a subtle game of cat and mouse. Neither wanted the other to notice and neither wanted to be noticed by Windsaber.
Cobalt looked up at the Decepticon and had to hide a smirk. There was the medic distracting the Seeker. And judging by their closeness, he was having no problem with being distracted. Neither did she, for that matter.
He looked away from the pair and focused instead on the Military Hardware. He had turned his attention away from Cobalt and onto a tall blue and green mech. The distraction was all Cobalt needed. He moved and touched the large Neutral’s arm lightly.
“May I speak with you for a moment?” he asked.
“I’d rather not. I’m talking with Diode,” he said, turning away.
“It’s all right, Twostrike,” Diode said. “You talk with the Autobot. Just don’t forget what I said.”
Twostrike simply nodded and walked off with Cobalt.
“So, what do you want?” Twostrike asked, his arms crossed defensively over his massive chest.
“Whoah, whoah there,” Cobalt said, raising his hands in front of him. “I just want to talk. That’s all.”
Twostrike paused and looked at Cobalt. Finally he dropped his arms to his sides and sighed.
“I’m sorry. What can I do for you?” he asked.
Cobalt smiled graciously.
“I think it might be more what I can do for you,” he said.
“All right,” Twostrike replied. “What is it that you can do for me?”
“The Decepticon,” Cobalt began.
“Windsaber,” Twostrike interrupted.
“What?” Cobalt asked.
“His name is Windsaber,” Twostrike replied.
“Right, whatever,” Cobalt dismissed. “Windsaber is leading us to a city that he claims they scanned on the way down, but we have no reason to believe that he’s telling the truth.”
“That’s true,” Twostrike said. “But we have no reason to believe that he isn’t telling the truth either.”
“I … what?” Cobalt asked.
“He hasn’t given us any reason not to trust him,” Twostrike said.
“He’s a Decepticon. That’s reason enough,” Cobalt replied.
“And you’re an Autobot. Neither side gave us reason to trust them, and that hasn’t changed here at all.”
Cobalt stopped and stared at Twostrike incredulously.
“I was bringing you to the remains of the ship. I swore to you all that I would get you off of this dirt ball. I have not once given you reason to distrust me.”
“Not yet,” Twostrike replied. “But that’s neither here nor there. The truth is, I figure that we’re better off heading to the city rather than the ship.”
“That’s not a wise choice,” Cobalt said, narrowing his optics.
“Yes, but it’s mine,” Twostrike said with a shrug. “Was there anything else?”
“No,” Cobalt replied tightly.
Cobalt turned and moved away from Twostrike. This wasn’t going to work. He had no choice but to take matters into his own hands. After he took down Windsaber, the others would follow him. They’d have no other choice.
x-x-x
Arclight froze at the accusation.
“I’m not trying to do anything,” Arclight said softly, melting into Windsaber’s touch, praying that he wasn’t going to kill her.
She tried to turn the situation to her advantage, running her fingers around the seal of his cockpit, trying to activate the pleasure nodes there.
“You really must think I’m an idiot,” he said, his voice remaining calm and level even as he grabbed her hand in his and began to squeeze it painfully tight.
She gasped and tried to pull away. The hand he had on her hip moved up to her waist, keeping her close.
“Oh, no. You’re the one who wanted this,” Windsaber growled. “And now you’re going to help me.”
x-x-x
Cobalt walked to the edge of the wood and ten began to circle the camp slowly. He approached the far end of the clearing just in time to catch Arclight as she was thrown violently away from the Decepticon.
“You didn’t really think this was going to work, did you?” Windsaber demanded.
“I’d hoped it would,” Cobalt growled as he dropped Arclight to the ground.
He circled the Decepticon carefully, optics honed in on his lasers.
“You don’t actually think that you can take me on while you’re hobbled like that, do you?” Windsaber asked.
“You’d be amazed what I can do while hobbled,” Cobalt bit out.
Suddenly he struck out at Windsaber, his hands clenched together in a double fist. He was fast, but Windsaber was faster, stepping out of the way lightly.
“This won’t work, you know,” Windsaber said. “I’m faster.”
He struck out and kicked Cobalt’s leg viciously sending the Autobot staggering.
“I’m stronger,” Windsaber said as he brought his fist down on the middle of Cobalt’s back.
“And I’m better,” he said, lashing out to kick Cobalt in the midriff.
The Autobot was too fast. He grabbed Windsaber’s foot, pulling and twisting it, sending the Decepticon to the ground.
“Not this time,” Cobalt spat.
He jumped up and tried to wrap his chains around Windsaber’s throat. Just as he was about to grab the Decepticon, a scream rang out from the back of the crowd.
“Pitstop! Where’s Pitstop?” a voice cried.
“The trees!” another voice screamed. “They’re attacking!”
Series: G1 universe, focusing on Original characters
Rating: R
Summary: In the early days of the civil war on Cybertron, Sentinel Prime authorized several refugee vessels to take Neutrals away from the planet in hopes that they could start peaceful colonies where they would be safe. Many of these refugees were never heard from again; lost to us through time and distance. But history does record the fate of one of the vessels. The Stormchaser was three orns away from its destination when it was shot down by Decepticons in an act of cowardice and deceit. There were no survivors. That is what history tells us. But in this case, history is wrong.
Author's Note: No comment ...
Cobalt moved slowly. Casually. It was imperative to his plan that the Decepticon had no idea what he was doing, or what was coming. Now that he had sent off his two minions it was finally time to strike back. First he would destroy the Seeker and take his weapons. Then, he would ambush the two others as the returned. It was a simple plan. The only potential flaw was the Neutrals and their allegiances. He doubted that any of them truly supported the Decepticon cause; they were simply supporting the mechs they felt were stronger. Cobalt couldn’t fault them for that. Strength was all that mattered, after all. But these Neutrals were delusional if they felt that the Decepticons were actually stronger. Yes they outnumbered him, but if it came down to a one-on-one fight, he knew that he would be the victor. The only way they had succeeded in subduing him before was through numbers and the treachery of that elder Neutral.
This time, Cobalt would not make the same mistake. This time, he would count on a betrayal and he would prepare for it. These Neutrals were easily swayed. All he needed was time to speak with them. Alone. He waited until the Seeker’s back was turned before he moved; walking out among the Neutral ranks until he found a likely follower. She was a young mech, small and petite with a blue and gold paint job. Judging by her appearance she was some kind of entertainment bot, either artistic or pleasure. It didn’t matter. She looked up at him and then turned away, averting her optics coquettishly. Definitely a pleasure bot. She didn’t seem a likely fighter, but she might be just the bot he needed to sway the others. He smiled and moved to kneel beside her slowly.
“You don’t mind if I sit here, do you?” he asked.
“Go right ahead,” she whispered, motioning to the spot next to her.
“Thank you,” he said as he settled down as best as his bonds would allow. “So … why would a femme like you be on the Stormchaser?”
She smiled shyly and looked away again.
“Was that a come on?” she asked with a slight giggle.
It wasn’t the response he had expected, but he was willing to play along, especially if it meant that he would get what he wanted out of this femme.
“You caught me,” he said, twisting his mouth into what he hoped was a shy smile. “I’ve been watching you for a while. … Actually, I saw you on the ship, and I figured that I may as well … well, take the opportunity while I still had the chance. I’m Cobalt, by the way.”
“I’m Swash. And I don’t tend to go for Autobots,” she replied looking up at Cobalt. “But I might’ve been convinced to change my mind if circumstances were different.”
“Pity, that,” he replied.
He turned away and stared into the fire. She’d fill the silence all on her own. He had no doubt about that. After several moments of silence his patience was rewarded, but not in the way that he’s hoped.
“What is it that you actually want?” she asked.
“What do you mean? I just want to get to know you a little better,” he said, trying to look confused.
“I’m not dumb, you know,” she said. “No why don’t you just stop wasting both our time and tell me what you want?”
Cobalt’s face hardened as he looked at her.
“You’re a whole lot more than you let on, you know that?” he said.
“And that would by why I’ve survived as long as I have,” she replied. “Now I’m not in the mood to keep playing guessing games. So tell me what you want.”
“All right, fine. We’ll cut to the chase. What’s your opinion on the Decepticon?” he asked, motioning in Windsaber’s direction with a nod.
“I have none,” she replied with a shrug.
“I find that hard to believe,” Cobalt said.
“Well, believe what you like. As far as I’m concerned he’s just another overlord,” she said. “Whether it’s you Autobots or the Decepticons, it all comes down to the same thing.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” Cobalt said as he stood and moved to walk away.
“But for the record,” he said, looking back over his shoulder, “there is a very important difference between us. It’s a pity you can’t see that.”
He walked away from Swash in disgust. He had the bad feeling that a number of the others were going to feel the same way. This was just so typical of the Neutrals. They refused to take a side. They refused to defend themselves. It was disgusting. They were disgusting. But he needed them if he was to manage anything.
He surveyed the other Neutrals, looking for his next target. There was the small red and black one. Cobalt had watched that one for a while. He seemed shy and jumpy, but eager to follow, and possibly easy to manipulate. He honed in on the sparklet, moving in slowly so as not to draw attention to himself.
Cobalt was completely oblivious to the fact that Windsaber had been watching every move he had made. It was a fact that had not been lost on Arclight. As Cobalt moved, she watched Windsaber watching him, and new what was coming. Cobalt was going to attack and Windsaber was going to be ready for him. It would be a disaster, a massacre, and she couldn’t let it happen. As much as she disliked Cobalt, she couldn’t let him walk headlong into this. It just wouldn’t be right. So she did the only thing she could. She ran interference.
She stood up and approached Windsaber, moving into his line of site, putting herself between the Seeker and Cobalt. He pulled his optics off of the Autobot and focused on her. She shivered under the crimson gaze, but kept herself in check.
“I’ve been thinking about what your offer,” Arclight said softly.
“Oh have you really?” Windsaber replied.
“Yes, I have. And while I hate to say it, I think you have a point.”
“And I suppose that the Autobot had nothing to do with your change of spark?” Windsaber asked with a wry smile.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Arclight replied, trying to sound genuinely confused.
“I saw you speaking with Cobalt, and I know what you’re trying to do,” Windsaber said, reaching out to stroke her cheek gently.
She fought her instinct to pull back in disgust, instead leaning into the touch.
“Oh really? And what is it that I’m trying to do?” she whispered, reaching up take Windsaber’s arm gently.
Windsaber smiled and took a step closer, closing the space between them. He brought one hand up to her hip strut, stroking the joint with a light touch. As if it had a will of its own, her hand came up and pressed against Windsaber’s canopy. She felt him draw her close with his very presence. His arrogance, his will, his power, it was all so addictive and compelling. He leaned in, drawing her close. She inhaled a deep shuddering breath as she felt his lips brush her audio node.
“You’re trying to distract me from what I should be focused on,” he whispered silkily.
Cobalt walked away from Roulette in disgust. As with all the others, here was another Neutral who didn’t have the bearings to do anything against the Decepticons. No wonder they were fleeing Cybertron in droves. None of these mechs deserved the Sparks they had been granted, none of them deserved the opportunity they had been given.
It would likely come down to it simply being him and Windsaber. There would be no backing and there shouldn’t be. When it came down to it, it was how it should be. One Autobot, one Decepticon. He moved forward fully prepared to challenge Windsaber when his attention was diverted by a rather large Neutral. His garish paint job didn’t hide the fact that he was obviously Military Hardware. He was also trying his best not to be noticed by Cobalt. Every time Cobalt approached, the large mech moved away. It was like a subtle game of cat and mouse. Neither wanted the other to notice and neither wanted to be noticed by Windsaber.
Cobalt looked up at the Decepticon and had to hide a smirk. There was the medic distracting the Seeker. And judging by their closeness, he was having no problem with being distracted. Neither did she, for that matter.
He looked away from the pair and focused instead on the Military Hardware. He had turned his attention away from Cobalt and onto a tall blue and green mech. The distraction was all Cobalt needed. He moved and touched the large Neutral’s arm lightly.
“May I speak with you for a moment?” he asked.
“I’d rather not. I’m talking with Diode,” he said, turning away.
“It’s all right, Twostrike,” Diode said. “You talk with the Autobot. Just don’t forget what I said.”
Twostrike simply nodded and walked off with Cobalt.
“So, what do you want?” Twostrike asked, his arms crossed defensively over his massive chest.
“Whoah, whoah there,” Cobalt said, raising his hands in front of him. “I just want to talk. That’s all.”
Twostrike paused and looked at Cobalt. Finally he dropped his arms to his sides and sighed.
“I’m sorry. What can I do for you?” he asked.
Cobalt smiled graciously.
“I think it might be more what I can do for you,” he said.
“All right,” Twostrike replied. “What is it that you can do for me?”
“The Decepticon,” Cobalt began.
“Windsaber,” Twostrike interrupted.
“What?” Cobalt asked.
“His name is Windsaber,” Twostrike replied.
“Right, whatever,” Cobalt dismissed. “Windsaber is leading us to a city that he claims they scanned on the way down, but we have no reason to believe that he’s telling the truth.”
“That’s true,” Twostrike said. “But we have no reason to believe that he isn’t telling the truth either.”
“I … what?” Cobalt asked.
“He hasn’t given us any reason not to trust him,” Twostrike said.
“He’s a Decepticon. That’s reason enough,” Cobalt replied.
“And you’re an Autobot. Neither side gave us reason to trust them, and that hasn’t changed here at all.”
Cobalt stopped and stared at Twostrike incredulously.
“I was bringing you to the remains of the ship. I swore to you all that I would get you off of this dirt ball. I have not once given you reason to distrust me.”
“Not yet,” Twostrike replied. “But that’s neither here nor there. The truth is, I figure that we’re better off heading to the city rather than the ship.”
“That’s not a wise choice,” Cobalt said, narrowing his optics.
“Yes, but it’s mine,” Twostrike said with a shrug. “Was there anything else?”
“No,” Cobalt replied tightly.
Cobalt turned and moved away from Twostrike. This wasn’t going to work. He had no choice but to take matters into his own hands. After he took down Windsaber, the others would follow him. They’d have no other choice.
Arclight froze at the accusation.
“I’m not trying to do anything,” Arclight said softly, melting into Windsaber’s touch, praying that he wasn’t going to kill her.
She tried to turn the situation to her advantage, running her fingers around the seal of his cockpit, trying to activate the pleasure nodes there.
“You really must think I’m an idiot,” he said, his voice remaining calm and level even as he grabbed her hand in his and began to squeeze it painfully tight.
She gasped and tried to pull away. The hand he had on her hip moved up to her waist, keeping her close.
“Oh, no. You’re the one who wanted this,” Windsaber growled. “And now you’re going to help me.”
Cobalt walked to the edge of the wood and ten began to circle the camp slowly. He approached the far end of the clearing just in time to catch Arclight as she was thrown violently away from the Decepticon.
“You didn’t really think this was going to work, did you?” Windsaber demanded.
“I’d hoped it would,” Cobalt growled as he dropped Arclight to the ground.
He circled the Decepticon carefully, optics honed in on his lasers.
“You don’t actually think that you can take me on while you’re hobbled like that, do you?” Windsaber asked.
“You’d be amazed what I can do while hobbled,” Cobalt bit out.
Suddenly he struck out at Windsaber, his hands clenched together in a double fist. He was fast, but Windsaber was faster, stepping out of the way lightly.
“This won’t work, you know,” Windsaber said. “I’m faster.”
He struck out and kicked Cobalt’s leg viciously sending the Autobot staggering.
“I’m stronger,” Windsaber said as he brought his fist down on the middle of Cobalt’s back.
“And I’m better,” he said, lashing out to kick Cobalt in the midriff.
The Autobot was too fast. He grabbed Windsaber’s foot, pulling and twisting it, sending the Decepticon to the ground.
“Not this time,” Cobalt spat.
He jumped up and tried to wrap his chains around Windsaber’s throat. Just as he was about to grab the Decepticon, a scream rang out from the back of the crowd.
“Pitstop! Where’s Pitstop?” a voice cried.
“The trees!” another voice screamed. “They’re attacking!”
