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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: Day 21 and I couldn't be happier. This has ended up being a much longer chapter than I had intended ... mainly because I hadn't planned on that makeout scene at the the beginning. Yeah, it was a tad unexpected. I figure that in the final draft this chapter may be split into two. We'll see.
And I won't complain about the word count, because I am now two days ahead of schedule. Yes, I'm boasting, but I think I have the right. Now if you'll excuse me, I will go make a sacrifice to Karma so that she won't strike me down for my arrogance.
Also, I think I will have to try my hand at drawing these guys some time. It'll probably be no better than stick figures, but at least it will give me a visual reminder of colour schemes and alt modes. I think that I may have screwed up once or twice, mixing up colours and such. But, I figure that's what editing is for.
38360 / 50000 words. 77% done!
Chapter 16
The Neutrals looked around at each other nervously, their fears written clearly on their faceplates and in their optics. And with those looks, Windsaber felt his control slipping.
“All right, that’s enough of that,” he said as he stood. “All of you gather what’s left of the supplies. We leave in half an orn.”
Everyone stood and began to move about, performing their assigned tasks, but they spoke nervously among themselves and the muted hysteria continued. Windsaber had seen first hand what the results would be. Mass panic, rebellion, and in the end, they would all end up dead. Decisively, he took action.
“Silence!” he ordered. “You will all work in silence. I will take action against the next who speaks. Am I making myself clear?”
All around the Neutrals nodded mutely. Fear was still etched on their faceplates, but at least now they weren’t feeding the mass paranoia.
“Medic,” he called out, motioning for Arclight to step forward.
Arclight seemed about to refuse but a sharp look from Updraft seemed to convince her to obey. Windsaber would have to keep his optics on those two. There was a dangerous relationship forming there and he wasn’t about to let it continue. After all, such relationships were often the seeds of rebellion and he was not about to have anything interfere with his plans.
“Medic, you will-”
“Arclight,” she said, interrupting him.
“What?” he asked, his optics narrowing dangerously.
“I have a name and it’s no Medic,” Arclight replied flippantly. Behind her Updraft covered his face with his hands and shook his head in obvious exasperation.
“I don’t care,” Windsaber bit out. “Your name is irrelevant. All that is relevant is your orders. You will go over to the medical supplies and renew your stock. I also want you to make sure that no one is taking anything broken or useless.”
“Does that mean we’re leaving-” she started to reply but was interrupted by Updraft’s hand over her mouth.
“She understands sir,” Updraft said quickly. “I’ll make it my personal responsibility to ensure she does exactly what she’s told to do.”
Windsaber glared at the pair then motioned for Updraft to release Arclight.
“Do you understand, Medic?” he asked with a sneer.
“Yes, sir!” Arclight replied with a mock salute.
“You would do well to remember your place. I have enforced this lesson twice already. I will not enforce it again,” Windsaber said as he turned away.
As soon as he was out of easy audio range, Updraft grabbed Arclight’s arm and dragged her to the side of the clearing and behind a piece of wreckage.
“Are you completely out of your processor?” he hissed. “I mean, did you download a glitch or something?”
“What the frell are you talking about?” Arclight asked as she puller her arm from his grip and started to walk away.
“No! Do not walk away from me,” Updraft said sharply.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him, backing her up against a wall of the ship. He placed his hands on either side of her, caging her in with his arms.
“I asked you to stop provoking him,” Updraft said. “Why do you refuse to understand that he is going to kill you if you keep this up?”
“He is not going to kill me,” Arclight scoffed. “If he was going to he would have well before now.”
She turned her face away from Updraft, looking for an exit.
“No, he wouldn’t have, because he’s not one to waste a resource,” Updraft replied as he moved in closer, pinning her to the bulkhead with his body and preventing her escape. “But you’ll stop being a resource if you keep causing so much trouble.”
“I can take care of myself,” Arclight said, her voice hitching slightly. “Now will you please let me go?”
Updraft took her chin in his hands and turned her head gently to face him.
“No,” he said softly. “Not until I’m sure that you understand the seriousness of this.”
“I understand it perfectly,” she whispered hoarsely. “And I just don’t care.”
“I find that hard to believe,” he said, leaning in close.
“Believe what you want. It won’t change anything. I just don’t understand why you care.”
“I care because you seem like a nice femme,” he said slowly. “And I would hate to see something happen to you.”
As he spoke, red optics met blue and before he could stop himself Updraft closed the small distance between them and captured Arclight’s mouth with his own. She inhaled sharply but made no attempt to pull away. Instead she melted into him as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her so close that he could feel her engines vibrating against him. He opened his mouth slightly and ran his glossa against her lips, trying to deepen the kiss as he ran his hands over the back and down her wings. She gasped and pulled away slightly.
“Updraft we shouldn’t … hmmm,” she broke off as he licked her audial bud and worked his fingers into the gap where her left wing blade had once been.
She was quickly losing herself to his touch as her cooling system kicked in and her engine rumbled with lust. Beneath it all, a voice cried out in the back of her mind, all but drowned out by her thrumming systems. She knew this wasn’t like her. She had a loving partner back on Cybertron who she would see again, and while Updraft seemed nice and caring, she had no feelings for him. Of course, he was well formed and he seemed more than capable. Her train of though was broken as Updraft nipped at a power cable in her neck drawing a ragged groan from her vocalizer.
“What Ratchet doesn’t know won’t hurt him,” she thought as her hands began to roam his body, tracing his sleek lines and sharp angles.
He moaned as her fingers found their way under the edge of his armour, brushing the wiring hidden below. Then suddenly, he pulled away gasping.
“I … I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have-”
But Arclight was still caught up in the moment, lost to her impulses and the sound of her systems vibrating wildly. She grabbed him and crushed his mouth in a kiss, forcing her fingers into gaps and against seals, activating all the pleasure nodes she could find. For a moment, Updraft melted into her, but then firm discipline and long training took hold in his mind and he pulled away again, this time grabbing her hands in his.
“Stop that!” he ordered, as she mewled piteously and fought his grip. “Arclight! This isn’t right and this isn’t you!”
“How do you know what’s me?” she purred.
He had her hands firmly held in his, but it wasn’t a crushing grip, and she was able to continue to manipulate his nodes, sending spikes of pleasure through his system. He gasped and nearly lost himself again, but this time he took no further chances.
“I’m really sorry about this,” he said sadly.
Then he released one hand, pulled back, and punched her jaw, sending her to the ground in a heap.
“You hit me!” she accused, her voice filled with shock.
“You wouldn’t listen to me and I couldn’t get you to stop,” Updraft said as he reached down to help her up. “I, uhm, I was hoping that this might make you come to your senses.”
“But you hit me!” she growled, getting to her feet by herself, ignoring his proffered hand.
“You weren’t acting yourself,” Updraft said quietly. “I think you’ll thank me for this later.”
She shot him a filthy look and did not answer. Instead, she turned and stalked away to oversee the Neutrals and their gathering of the medical supplies.
Updraft sighed as she walked away. He was sure that, even though she was angry now, she would thank him later. He was also sure that Circuit may have been right about a virus. He normally had more control than this. Admittedly, she was attractive, with good lines and a fiery temper. The fact that she was a flyer certainly helped as well. After all, as a pilot, he was formatted to mesh with flyers, and though she was a rotorcraft and nowhere near as glamorous as a Seeker, he certainly wouldn’t have minded being paired with her. But his spark still ached for his fallen partner, Jumpzone, dead so many solars before this mission had ever come up. Still had circumstances been different he might have considered making a move on Arclight … well, more than he already had.
He watched her collect the medical supplies and work with the Neutrals while contemplating her and this world. He never noticed Cobalt’s icy stare.
x-x-x
The Neutrals marched in silence through the forest. The trees closed in around them and the pressing heat became stifling and oppressive. The forest was filled with strange noises, cries, and breaking branches, and soon, the Neutrals were jumping at every little sound until they were shaking and exhausted. In the distance, a loud crash resounded through the woods, sending a flock of avians to the sky, screaming and scolding the world as they fled. In the ensuing chaos as the Neutrals panicked, Cobalt slipped up beside Arclight.
“I see that they still haven’t chained you up again,” he said.
“I guess they’ve decided that I’m no threat,” she replied, refusing to look at Cobalt.
“Oh, is that what it is?” Cobalt asked. “And here I thought that you had bought your freedom. I guess that mate of yours back on Cybertron wasn’t as important to you as you claimed.”
Without a word, Arclight spun and slapped Cobalt across the face.
“Hey now! None of that,” Cobalt said, rubbing his cheek with his hand. “Are you going to tell me that you didn’t lock processors with the pilot?”
“That is none of your business,” Arclight growled.
“If you wanted to keep it on the down low then you shouldn’t have done it in public,” Cobalt snorted.
“Leave. Me. Alone,” Arclight whispered.
Cobalt shook his head in disgust.
“You claim to be Neutral, but as soon as you had the opportunity you turned ‘Con,” he said. “I almost have to wonder exactly how it was you survived. Nice coincidence that only one Medic was outside the Bay during the attack.”
In an instant she was on him. With unimaginable strength for someone so small she pinned him to a tree and jammed her fingers into his shoulder joint. He gasped and doubled over in pain then was forced back up as Arclight placed her crossed laserswords against throat.
“Don’t you dare even suggest that!” she spat.
“Go on!” he taunted. “Go ahead and kill me. Prove that I’m right!”
“No! Arclight! Stop!” Updraft yelled as he grabbed her arm.
Arclight never took her optics off of Cobalt. Her whole frame shivered with anger and anticipation.
“Arc, please! Don’t do this,” Updraft begged.
“Arc? You’re using nicknames already? How precious is that” Cobalt sneered.
Arclight tensed but Updraft beat her to the punch. Literally. With one swift motion he punched Cobalt in the face. The Autobot doubled over, his nasal unit bent and gushing fluid. Before Arclight could finish the job, Updraft grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away.
“You have to calm down!” Updraft said, holding her by the shoulders and forcing her to look at him.
“I … I … what’s wrong with me?” Arclight whispered as she collapsed into Updraft’s grip.
“What is going on here?!” Windsaber demanded.
“The, uhm, the Autobot tried to escape in the confusion, sir,” Updraft stammered.
“Well then keep a better watch on him,” Windsaber ordered. “And if he tries anything else shoot him. Now all of you move out!”
Updraft prodded Cobalt encouraging him to walk.
“Just keep moving and stop causing trouble,” Updraft whispered to Cobalt. “Just do as you’re told and we might all survive this.”
“Yeah, right,” Cobalt bit back. His nasal unit had stopped leaking as his internal repairs kicked in and fixed some of the damage.
Updraft ignored the Autobot and focused some of his attention back to Arclight.
“What happened to you back there?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she replied quietly. “I was just … it was like I was consumed with rage. I wanted him dead.”
“And that’s not like you,” Updraft said.
“No! Of course not!” Arclight said. “It’s not like me at all … I’ve never felt that angry in my whole existence.”
Updraft remained quiet for a long time as they continued their march toward the city.
“I think that Circuit may have been onto something,” he said.
“What do you mean?” Arclight asked.
“When Strobe said that there was a worm in him,” Updraft said slowly, almost distractedly. “Circuit thought that there might be a virus in him.”
“A virus?” Arclight breathed. “That would explain it, but who’s ever heard of an airborne virus?”
“I have,” Cobalt said.
“Be quiet,” Updraft ordered.
“No, wait,” Arclight said. “If there is a virus then we need to know as much as we can. Even if it is from him.”
“Fine,” Updraft sighed. “What do you know?”
“Well, if you won’t ask nicely, then I won’t tell you anything,” Cobalt said.
“You will tell us or we’ll rip the answer out of you,” Arclight growled. Suddenly she shook her head and looked shocked at her own words.
“I … apologize,” she stammered. “Could you please tell me what you know about this? All our lives could depend on it.”
Cobalt seemed to mull over the request for a moment before speaking.
“There were rumours that the Decepticons were working on viral warfare,” he said. “So, of course, our scientists started researching it. As far as I know, they never got anywhere with it, but the aim was to create a computer virus that could be spread through the air.”
“But you never actually saw it,” Updraft said.
“No, but apparently the scientists came very close to succeeding,” Cobalt said. “And, knowing Autobot security and the rumour mill, that can only mean that they probably succeeded in creating it.”
“So then what do we do?” Arclight asked.
“I would suggest that you speak with Circuit. Assuming that Windsaber and Waverunner will allow it,” Cobalt said. “But what do I know. I’m just a prisoner.”
Updraft opened his mouth to reply, but was suddenly silenced as the trees ahead of them seemed to open like a curtain before them. Rising before them out of the forest were the remains of a beautiful stone and metal city slowly being reclaimed by the woods around it. It was obviously abandoned, and in an advanced state of disrepair, but it was still breathtakingly beautiful. The remains of canals and gardens snaked through the city melding technology and organics in perfect harmony.
The Neutrals all stood stock still, gaping at the sight before them. There was nothing on Cybertron that compared, and Zenith’s story hadn’t even begun to describe the beauty of this place.
Windsaber was the first to draw himself together.
“All right, let’s get moving,” he said. “I want us set up in a headquarters before night.”
He led the Neutrals through the streets looking for an appropriate building to take over. The other survivors gaped as they walked the streets, but soon, their awe turned to nervousness. It was just a few things at first, shadows that didn’t seem to belong where they were, but then more things seemed off, and soon everyone was jumpy and nervous.
“Windsaber,” Waverunner said as he sped up to walk beside the Decepticon. “My people are worried.”
“How so?” Windsaber asked as he examined each building they passed.
“They feel that they’re being watched,” Waverunner said nervously.
“They are,” Windsaber replied.
“We are?” Waverunner asked. “Then what are we going to do?”
“We’re going to find an HQ first and then we’ll see what we can do against the … whatever it is,” Windsaber said.
“If you say so,” Waverunner replied doubtfully.
It was not long before Windsaber found what he was looking for. A large building that, had it been on Cybertron, would have been an education center.
“This is it. We’re going to set up here until we can find out what we’re dealing with here,” he said.
The Neutrals slowly moved into the building, looking around, and trying to get settled.
“Updraft?” Windsaber said. “I want you to take Circuit and Discourse with you and find a communication station. Once you get it working, inform me immediately.”
“Yes, sir,” Updraft replied.
He motioned for the two Neutrals to follow him, then stopped at Arclight’s side after Windsaber turned away.
“Be careful,” he whispered to her. “There’s something not right here.”
“You be careful too,” she replied.
He took her hand and squeezed it gently. After he left the building with Circuit and Discourse, she opened her hand and saw the key that he placed there. Surreptitiously she pocketed it, and mentally prepared for the worst case scenario that she knew was coming.
She began to prepare a small med bay in the corners and then turned to take a look at Cobalt’s nasal unit.
“I’m sorry about this,” she said softly.
“It’s okay,” Cobalt replied. “I think that Updraft’s right. There is something very, very wrong here. You and I, and Updraft, will have to stick together as best we can. I think that whatever is going in here, it’s a lot bigger than any faction conflict.”
“I agree,” Arclight sighed.
Suddenly a commotion at the door drew her attention away. A small cream and brown Neutral ran in, exhausted and hysterical.
“What is it, Diode?” Waverunner demanded.
“It’s Breakstep and Ripchord!” Diode gasped.
“What about them?” Windsaber demanded.
“Sir!” Diode cried. “They’re missing! I can’t find them anywhere. They were right behind me and then they were just gone!”
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: Day 21 and I couldn't be happier. This has ended up being a much longer chapter than I had intended ... mainly because I hadn't planned on that makeout scene at the the beginning. Yeah, it was a tad unexpected. I figure that in the final draft this chapter may be split into two. We'll see.
And I won't complain about the word count, because I am now two days ahead of schedule. Yes, I'm boasting, but I think I have the right. Now if you'll excuse me, I will go make a sacrifice to Karma so that she won't strike me down for my arrogance.
Also, I think I will have to try my hand at drawing these guys some time. It'll probably be no better than stick figures, but at least it will give me a visual reminder of colour schemes and alt modes. I think that I may have screwed up once or twice, mixing up colours and such. But, I figure that's what editing is for.
The Neutrals looked around at each other nervously, their fears written clearly on their faceplates and in their optics. And with those looks, Windsaber felt his control slipping.
“All right, that’s enough of that,” he said as he stood. “All of you gather what’s left of the supplies. We leave in half an orn.”
Everyone stood and began to move about, performing their assigned tasks, but they spoke nervously among themselves and the muted hysteria continued. Windsaber had seen first hand what the results would be. Mass panic, rebellion, and in the end, they would all end up dead. Decisively, he took action.
“Silence!” he ordered. “You will all work in silence. I will take action against the next who speaks. Am I making myself clear?”
All around the Neutrals nodded mutely. Fear was still etched on their faceplates, but at least now they weren’t feeding the mass paranoia.
“Medic,” he called out, motioning for Arclight to step forward.
Arclight seemed about to refuse but a sharp look from Updraft seemed to convince her to obey. Windsaber would have to keep his optics on those two. There was a dangerous relationship forming there and he wasn’t about to let it continue. After all, such relationships were often the seeds of rebellion and he was not about to have anything interfere with his plans.
“Medic, you will-”
“Arclight,” she said, interrupting him.
“What?” he asked, his optics narrowing dangerously.
“I have a name and it’s no Medic,” Arclight replied flippantly. Behind her Updraft covered his face with his hands and shook his head in obvious exasperation.
“I don’t care,” Windsaber bit out. “Your name is irrelevant. All that is relevant is your orders. You will go over to the medical supplies and renew your stock. I also want you to make sure that no one is taking anything broken or useless.”
“Does that mean we’re leaving-” she started to reply but was interrupted by Updraft’s hand over her mouth.
“She understands sir,” Updraft said quickly. “I’ll make it my personal responsibility to ensure she does exactly what she’s told to do.”
Windsaber glared at the pair then motioned for Updraft to release Arclight.
“Do you understand, Medic?” he asked with a sneer.
“Yes, sir!” Arclight replied with a mock salute.
“You would do well to remember your place. I have enforced this lesson twice already. I will not enforce it again,” Windsaber said as he turned away.
As soon as he was out of easy audio range, Updraft grabbed Arclight’s arm and dragged her to the side of the clearing and behind a piece of wreckage.
“Are you completely out of your processor?” he hissed. “I mean, did you download a glitch or something?”
“What the frell are you talking about?” Arclight asked as she puller her arm from his grip and started to walk away.
“No! Do not walk away from me,” Updraft said sharply.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him, backing her up against a wall of the ship. He placed his hands on either side of her, caging her in with his arms.
“I asked you to stop provoking him,” Updraft said. “Why do you refuse to understand that he is going to kill you if you keep this up?”
“He is not going to kill me,” Arclight scoffed. “If he was going to he would have well before now.”
She turned her face away from Updraft, looking for an exit.
“No, he wouldn’t have, because he’s not one to waste a resource,” Updraft replied as he moved in closer, pinning her to the bulkhead with his body and preventing her escape. “But you’ll stop being a resource if you keep causing so much trouble.”
“I can take care of myself,” Arclight said, her voice hitching slightly. “Now will you please let me go?”
Updraft took her chin in his hands and turned her head gently to face him.
“No,” he said softly. “Not until I’m sure that you understand the seriousness of this.”
“I understand it perfectly,” she whispered hoarsely. “And I just don’t care.”
“I find that hard to believe,” he said, leaning in close.
“Believe what you want. It won’t change anything. I just don’t understand why you care.”
“I care because you seem like a nice femme,” he said slowly. “And I would hate to see something happen to you.”
As he spoke, red optics met blue and before he could stop himself Updraft closed the small distance between them and captured Arclight’s mouth with his own. She inhaled sharply but made no attempt to pull away. Instead she melted into him as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her so close that he could feel her engines vibrating against him. He opened his mouth slightly and ran his glossa against her lips, trying to deepen the kiss as he ran his hands over the back and down her wings. She gasped and pulled away slightly.
“Updraft we shouldn’t … hmmm,” she broke off as he licked her audial bud and worked his fingers into the gap where her left wing blade had once been.
She was quickly losing herself to his touch as her cooling system kicked in and her engine rumbled with lust. Beneath it all, a voice cried out in the back of her mind, all but drowned out by her thrumming systems. She knew this wasn’t like her. She had a loving partner back on Cybertron who she would see again, and while Updraft seemed nice and caring, she had no feelings for him. Of course, he was well formed and he seemed more than capable. Her train of though was broken as Updraft nipped at a power cable in her neck drawing a ragged groan from her vocalizer.
“What Ratchet doesn’t know won’t hurt him,” she thought as her hands began to roam his body, tracing his sleek lines and sharp angles.
He moaned as her fingers found their way under the edge of his armour, brushing the wiring hidden below. Then suddenly, he pulled away gasping.
“I … I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have-”
But Arclight was still caught up in the moment, lost to her impulses and the sound of her systems vibrating wildly. She grabbed him and crushed his mouth in a kiss, forcing her fingers into gaps and against seals, activating all the pleasure nodes she could find. For a moment, Updraft melted into her, but then firm discipline and long training took hold in his mind and he pulled away again, this time grabbing her hands in his.
“Stop that!” he ordered, as she mewled piteously and fought his grip. “Arclight! This isn’t right and this isn’t you!”
“How do you know what’s me?” she purred.
He had her hands firmly held in his, but it wasn’t a crushing grip, and she was able to continue to manipulate his nodes, sending spikes of pleasure through his system. He gasped and nearly lost himself again, but this time he took no further chances.
“I’m really sorry about this,” he said sadly.
Then he released one hand, pulled back, and punched her jaw, sending her to the ground in a heap.
“You hit me!” she accused, her voice filled with shock.
“You wouldn’t listen to me and I couldn’t get you to stop,” Updraft said as he reached down to help her up. “I, uhm, I was hoping that this might make you come to your senses.”
“But you hit me!” she growled, getting to her feet by herself, ignoring his proffered hand.
“You weren’t acting yourself,” Updraft said quietly. “I think you’ll thank me for this later.”
She shot him a filthy look and did not answer. Instead, she turned and stalked away to oversee the Neutrals and their gathering of the medical supplies.
Updraft sighed as she walked away. He was sure that, even though she was angry now, she would thank him later. He was also sure that Circuit may have been right about a virus. He normally had more control than this. Admittedly, she was attractive, with good lines and a fiery temper. The fact that she was a flyer certainly helped as well. After all, as a pilot, he was formatted to mesh with flyers, and though she was a rotorcraft and nowhere near as glamorous as a Seeker, he certainly wouldn’t have minded being paired with her. But his spark still ached for his fallen partner, Jumpzone, dead so many solars before this mission had ever come up. Still had circumstances been different he might have considered making a move on Arclight … well, more than he already had.
He watched her collect the medical supplies and work with the Neutrals while contemplating her and this world. He never noticed Cobalt’s icy stare.
The Neutrals marched in silence through the forest. The trees closed in around them and the pressing heat became stifling and oppressive. The forest was filled with strange noises, cries, and breaking branches, and soon, the Neutrals were jumping at every little sound until they were shaking and exhausted. In the distance, a loud crash resounded through the woods, sending a flock of avians to the sky, screaming and scolding the world as they fled. In the ensuing chaos as the Neutrals panicked, Cobalt slipped up beside Arclight.
“I see that they still haven’t chained you up again,” he said.
“I guess they’ve decided that I’m no threat,” she replied, refusing to look at Cobalt.
“Oh, is that what it is?” Cobalt asked. “And here I thought that you had bought your freedom. I guess that mate of yours back on Cybertron wasn’t as important to you as you claimed.”
Without a word, Arclight spun and slapped Cobalt across the face.
“Hey now! None of that,” Cobalt said, rubbing his cheek with his hand. “Are you going to tell me that you didn’t lock processors with the pilot?”
“That is none of your business,” Arclight growled.
“If you wanted to keep it on the down low then you shouldn’t have done it in public,” Cobalt snorted.
“Leave. Me. Alone,” Arclight whispered.
Cobalt shook his head in disgust.
“You claim to be Neutral, but as soon as you had the opportunity you turned ‘Con,” he said. “I almost have to wonder exactly how it was you survived. Nice coincidence that only one Medic was outside the Bay during the attack.”
In an instant she was on him. With unimaginable strength for someone so small she pinned him to a tree and jammed her fingers into his shoulder joint. He gasped and doubled over in pain then was forced back up as Arclight placed her crossed laserswords against throat.
“Don’t you dare even suggest that!” she spat.
“Go on!” he taunted. “Go ahead and kill me. Prove that I’m right!”
“No! Arclight! Stop!” Updraft yelled as he grabbed her arm.
Arclight never took her optics off of Cobalt. Her whole frame shivered with anger and anticipation.
“Arc, please! Don’t do this,” Updraft begged.
“Arc? You’re using nicknames already? How precious is that” Cobalt sneered.
Arclight tensed but Updraft beat her to the punch. Literally. With one swift motion he punched Cobalt in the face. The Autobot doubled over, his nasal unit bent and gushing fluid. Before Arclight could finish the job, Updraft grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away.
“You have to calm down!” Updraft said, holding her by the shoulders and forcing her to look at him.
“I … I … what’s wrong with me?” Arclight whispered as she collapsed into Updraft’s grip.
“What is going on here?!” Windsaber demanded.
“The, uhm, the Autobot tried to escape in the confusion, sir,” Updraft stammered.
“Well then keep a better watch on him,” Windsaber ordered. “And if he tries anything else shoot him. Now all of you move out!”
Updraft prodded Cobalt encouraging him to walk.
“Just keep moving and stop causing trouble,” Updraft whispered to Cobalt. “Just do as you’re told and we might all survive this.”
“Yeah, right,” Cobalt bit back. His nasal unit had stopped leaking as his internal repairs kicked in and fixed some of the damage.
Updraft ignored the Autobot and focused some of his attention back to Arclight.
“What happened to you back there?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she replied quietly. “I was just … it was like I was consumed with rage. I wanted him dead.”
“And that’s not like you,” Updraft said.
“No! Of course not!” Arclight said. “It’s not like me at all … I’ve never felt that angry in my whole existence.”
Updraft remained quiet for a long time as they continued their march toward the city.
“I think that Circuit may have been onto something,” he said.
“What do you mean?” Arclight asked.
“When Strobe said that there was a worm in him,” Updraft said slowly, almost distractedly. “Circuit thought that there might be a virus in him.”
“A virus?” Arclight breathed. “That would explain it, but who’s ever heard of an airborne virus?”
“I have,” Cobalt said.
“Be quiet,” Updraft ordered.
“No, wait,” Arclight said. “If there is a virus then we need to know as much as we can. Even if it is from him.”
“Fine,” Updraft sighed. “What do you know?”
“Well, if you won’t ask nicely, then I won’t tell you anything,” Cobalt said.
“You will tell us or we’ll rip the answer out of you,” Arclight growled. Suddenly she shook her head and looked shocked at her own words.
“I … apologize,” she stammered. “Could you please tell me what you know about this? All our lives could depend on it.”
Cobalt seemed to mull over the request for a moment before speaking.
“There were rumours that the Decepticons were working on viral warfare,” he said. “So, of course, our scientists started researching it. As far as I know, they never got anywhere with it, but the aim was to create a computer virus that could be spread through the air.”
“But you never actually saw it,” Updraft said.
“No, but apparently the scientists came very close to succeeding,” Cobalt said. “And, knowing Autobot security and the rumour mill, that can only mean that they probably succeeded in creating it.”
“So then what do we do?” Arclight asked.
“I would suggest that you speak with Circuit. Assuming that Windsaber and Waverunner will allow it,” Cobalt said. “But what do I know. I’m just a prisoner.”
Updraft opened his mouth to reply, but was suddenly silenced as the trees ahead of them seemed to open like a curtain before them. Rising before them out of the forest were the remains of a beautiful stone and metal city slowly being reclaimed by the woods around it. It was obviously abandoned, and in an advanced state of disrepair, but it was still breathtakingly beautiful. The remains of canals and gardens snaked through the city melding technology and organics in perfect harmony.
The Neutrals all stood stock still, gaping at the sight before them. There was nothing on Cybertron that compared, and Zenith’s story hadn’t even begun to describe the beauty of this place.
Windsaber was the first to draw himself together.
“All right, let’s get moving,” he said. “I want us set up in a headquarters before night.”
He led the Neutrals through the streets looking for an appropriate building to take over. The other survivors gaped as they walked the streets, but soon, their awe turned to nervousness. It was just a few things at first, shadows that didn’t seem to belong where they were, but then more things seemed off, and soon everyone was jumpy and nervous.
“Windsaber,” Waverunner said as he sped up to walk beside the Decepticon. “My people are worried.”
“How so?” Windsaber asked as he examined each building they passed.
“They feel that they’re being watched,” Waverunner said nervously.
“They are,” Windsaber replied.
“We are?” Waverunner asked. “Then what are we going to do?”
“We’re going to find an HQ first and then we’ll see what we can do against the … whatever it is,” Windsaber said.
“If you say so,” Waverunner replied doubtfully.
It was not long before Windsaber found what he was looking for. A large building that, had it been on Cybertron, would have been an education center.
“This is it. We’re going to set up here until we can find out what we’re dealing with here,” he said.
The Neutrals slowly moved into the building, looking around, and trying to get settled.
“Updraft?” Windsaber said. “I want you to take Circuit and Discourse with you and find a communication station. Once you get it working, inform me immediately.”
“Yes, sir,” Updraft replied.
He motioned for the two Neutrals to follow him, then stopped at Arclight’s side after Windsaber turned away.
“Be careful,” he whispered to her. “There’s something not right here.”
“You be careful too,” she replied.
He took her hand and squeezed it gently. After he left the building with Circuit and Discourse, she opened her hand and saw the key that he placed there. Surreptitiously she pocketed it, and mentally prepared for the worst case scenario that she knew was coming.
She began to prepare a small med bay in the corners and then turned to take a look at Cobalt’s nasal unit.
“I’m sorry about this,” she said softly.
“It’s okay,” Cobalt replied. “I think that Updraft’s right. There is something very, very wrong here. You and I, and Updraft, will have to stick together as best we can. I think that whatever is going in here, it’s a lot bigger than any faction conflict.”
“I agree,” Arclight sighed.
Suddenly a commotion at the door drew her attention away. A small cream and brown Neutral ran in, exhausted and hysterical.
“What is it, Diode?” Waverunner demanded.
“It’s Breakstep and Ripchord!” Diode gasped.
“What about them?” Windsaber demanded.
“Sir!” Diode cried. “They’re missing! I can’t find them anywhere. They were right behind me and then they were just gone!”
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Date: 22 Nov 2007 13:11 (UTC)