[G1 - Aerialbots] Fic: Some In Calm, Some In Storm (September-October 2011 Challenge Entry)
Title: Some In Calm, Some In Storm
Series: Transformers: G1
Rating: G
Character(s): Silverbolt, Aerialbots, Optimus Prime
Warnings: Pretty harmless!
Word Count: ~1950
Summary: If there was anyone who understood how trying Silverbolt's job could be, it was Optimus Prime.
Notes: This story was supposed to include three standalone scenes. RL has been kicking my ass this month, however, so I'm reduced to squeaking in under the wire with the first of my planned three sections. Luckily, it still meets the challenge requirements so I'm going ahead and posting it. (When/if I get the rest of it done, I'll post the completed version too.)
Some In Calm, Some In Storm
There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm. ~Willa Cather
Being in command isn’t easy. (But you’d never leave it to anyone else.)
When Silverbolt strode into the command centre, he was already struggling to hold onto his temper. Getting a call to come collect his teammates from their latest bout of troublemaking was never a cheering event and it was the last thing he’d needed today. Air Raid’s cheerfully sheepish grin when he caught sight of him didn’t sweeten Silverbolt’s mood in the least and Slingshot’s belligerent scowl had him clenching his hands against a fresh surge of anger. Something of his frustration must have leaked across the team’s link because both Air Raid and Slingshot straightened abruptly, twin looks of dismay flashing across their faces before being hastily covered with unconvincingly contrite expressions. The room was mostly empty, a small part of Silverbolt’s processor noted gratefully, presumably most of the other ‘bots involved in today’s shenanigans had already been sent on their way. Optimus was the only command officer in sight, apparently supervising the few remaining stragglers as they shuffled out of the room.
You are not going to lose it and yell at half of your team here, Silverbolt reminded himself sternly as he stalked over to them. That was not how the Aerialbots worked. No matter how much these two had invited it with their foolishness.
“Hello Silverbolt,” Optimus greeted him. “Could I have a word when you’re done here?”
Silverbolt acknowledged Optimus’ request with a tight nod before focusing on his wayward teammates. “What were you - you know what, never mind. I don’t want to know,” he declared, cutting off the explanation he could see Air Raid preparing. Slingshot snapped his mouth shut after a single heated glare, habitual insubordination faltering under Silverbolt’s uncharacteristic irritation.
“All right. You two - get back to quarters. Now. The only detour you will be making is to the repair bay to pick up Fireflight.”
“What?!” Air Raid and Slingshot promptly abandoned any pretense at obedience in a rush to ask after their accident-prone brother.
“Fireflight? What’s wrong with Fireflight?”
“What’d he get into now?”
“Fireflight is fine,” Silverbolt said loudly, speaking over their outburst. “Just like you might be, if you stop talking and do as you’re told. Now.”
He paired the order with another glare, putting enough force behind the look to convince them he was serious. They clearly weren’t thrilled about it but they gave in, Air Raid tugging Slingshot away when he paused on the verge of lingering to prove that he could. Silverbolt huffed a brief sigh of relief as they left. He’d hoped that mentioning Fireflight would succeed in motivating them to do as they were told for a change. He gave himself a moment to lock down his still-simmering frustration before turning to face Optimus. “You wanted to see me?”
“I do,” Optimus said, casual tone not masking the concern with which he was examining Silverbolt. “I just wanted to check in. Seems like you're having a rough day?”
Silverbolt groaned and gave up on the hope of appearing calm and collected as he scrubbed his hands over his face. If anyone understood how trying his job could be, it was Optimus. Silverbolt commanded a team of lunatics - Optimus was responsible for a whole army of them. “I suppose it’s too late to respectfully decline the honour of being named Aerialbot leader?” he asked.
“Far too late,” Optimus confirmed, optics narrowing in his version of a smile. “As if they’d have anyone else at this point.”
“Yeah, well right now I’d be willing to trade them for half a cube of high-grade,” Silverbolt retorted.
“What have they been up today?” Optimus asked. There was a hint of curiosity keeping company with the sympathy in his voice. “You usually have more patience with them.”
“Usually they aren’t getting caught ringleading a ship-wide game of Keep-Away-Tag,” Silverbolt returned dryly. “With explosives.”
“That is a bit above and beyond, even for them,” Optimus agreed with another of those not-quite-hidden smiles. “Though for what it’s worth, I don’t think they deserve the blame for the fireworks. And they’ve got plenty of company for the rest.”
“True enough, I guess,” Silverbolt replied. “I don’t envy Prowl the task of trying to punish everyone involved. It’s going to be a disciplinary nightmare.”
“I’m not sure about that,” Optimus commented. “The mood Prowl is in, I’m pretty sure he’ll work out a way to do it. I haven’t seen him this annoyed in decades.”
Silverbolt scowled. “That would be another reason why my patience is running a bit thin.”
“Oh?” Optimus inquired.
The gossip must have not have made the full rounds yet.
“Yes,” Silverbolt replied tightly. “See, Skydive decided to pick a fight with Prowl today.”
“What?” Optimus was clearly startled. “Really?”
“Really,” Silverbolt confirmed shortly. He supposed it wasn’t entirely fair of him to be so angry with Skydive but damn it, Skydive was the one he counted on to be sensible. “They got into a discussion about some obscure point of strategy and it got...heated.”
They hadn’t been shouting or throwing punches - neither Prowl nor Skydive was the type - but from the description Silverbolt had heard, the conversation had been the strategists’ version of a outright screaming match.
“Sounds like your team has outdone themselves today.” Optimus sounded faintly impressed. “I’m almost afraid to ask about Fireflight.”
“Fireflight really is fine,” Silverbolt answered. “But Wheeljack was apparently working on some kind of big experiment with wires?”
“Some new kind of sensory array, he said,” Optimus elaborated.
“Yes, well, he forgot to tell any of us about it before he strung it up outside,” Silverbolt sighed. “And Fireflight flew straight into it.”
Silverbolt supposed it was kind of Optimus to at least pretend he wasn’t laughing at him.
“It took them a while to get him untangled,” he continued, “and the wires were carrying a pretty hefty charge. Even after they cut him loose his systems were misfiring like crazy so he’s spent the afternoon with Rachet and First Aid. Last time I checked in, they said they were pretty sure they’d got it worked out. I was on my way to pick him up when I got the call to come pick these two up instead.” He waved a hand at the spot where Air Raid and Slingshot had stood.
“And speaking of, I should really get back to them,” Silverbolt said. “With the way today has gone, I’m not sure I trust any of them to stay out of trouble. Unless you needed me for anything else?”
Optimus shook his head. “No, get back to your team. I’ve heard all I need to know for now.”
And you’ve let me blow off enough steam to think straight, Silverbolt completed mentally. He felt much better for having had the chance to vent and dipped his head in grateful acknowledgement as he left.
“One last question,” Optimus called as he reached the door.
Silverbolt turned. “Yes?”
“They drive you crazy and I’m sure sometimes they make you want to shoot them yourself but do you think you could ever really let someone else take charge of your team?” Optimus asked.
Silverbolt paused, noticing how intent Optimus seemed on his reply. He bit back a flippant response as he thought over the question.
“No,” he finally admitted. “How could I ever trust anyone else to take care of them?”
Optimus chuckled. “I didn’t think so,” he said, voice warm with approval. “Go on, they’re waiting for you.”
Silverbolt took his leave, making his way through the Ark’s familiar corridors. He turned the conversation with Optimus over in his head as he walked. He tracked his progress less by the hallways he walked through than by the proximity of the cluster of brightness that was his teammates.
They were waiting for him when he walked into their quarters, gathered in the room they’d converted into a common area. Skydive was reading something on a data pad and Fireflight was cheering on Air Raid and Slingshot as they played some kind of video game. It could have been the end of any one of a hundred days, if it weren’t for the thick apprehension layered over the casual atmosphere.
Silverbolt let the door close behind him and crossed his arms over his chest as he stared at his team.
Skydive was the first to respond, laying the pad down on his knees and pointedly giving Silverbolt his full attention. The others followed his lead, Fireflight settling back into his seat as Air Raid and Slingshot paused their game and dropped their controllers.
“First, if there is anything else I need to know about today, now is the time to tell me,” Silverbolt commanded, making sure he caught all of their optics to let them know he meant it. He’d recovered enough of his patience to deal with whatever else they could throw at him but he was drawing the line at further surprises.
There was a hasty exchange of looks and the barely perceptible hum of transmissions across an intra-team comm but no one volunteered anything.
“Nope,” Slingshot finally responded with a careless shrug. “We’re all good.”
“If you’re sure...” Silverbolt replied, waiting until his open skepticism prompted a chorus of agreement from the rest of the team. “Right then. Next, do I need to worry about rescheduling to allow for repair issues and/or punishment details?”
“Uh,” Fireflight said, half-raising a hand. “Ratchet wants me on restricted duty for a few days so he can be sure my systems are stable,” he said apologetically.
Reasonable precaution, Silverbolt admitted to himself as he nodded. Fireflight found enough trouble without adding malfunctioning electronics to his list of distractions. “Okay, you stick to the home loop patrol until he clears you. The rest of you, we fly the usual abridged patrol routes until we’re back to full strength.”
Only after they’d acknowledged the command did Silverbolt frown at them, letting his displeasure over the day’s events well up again.
“There had better not be a repeat of today anytime soon,” he told them flatly. “I expect better of you all.”
As one, they dropped their gazes. Making Silverbolt angry was nothing new but even Slingshot cringed a bit under the sting of Silverbolt’s disappointment. Silverbolt sighed as his team muttered apologies, a confused tangle of feelings swirling along the team’s link.
“Having said that...” he started, tone lightening “you two were winning your insane game, right?”
There was a moment of confusion as everyone glanced up, thrown by Silverbolt’s abrupt shift.
“Well?” he prodded. “Jazz told me two were in the lead when the game was broken up.”
“Absolutely!” Air Raid brightened, nodding enthusiastically. “We were ahead by ten-”
“And a half!” Slingshot put in indignantly.
“Ten and a half points,” Air Raid finished with pride.
“Mm-hm,” Silverbolt said thoughtfully, then turned to Skydive. “And you argued Prowl to a standstill?”
Skydive just grinned smugly, radiating satisfaction.
“And you,” Silverbolt said to a downcast Fireflight, “you helped Wheeljack identify a potential design flaw in his new invention.”
“I did?” Fireflight looked up in surprise.
Close enough, Silverbolt thought as he nodded. “Sure you did,” he told Fireflight.
They were all looking at him now, hopeful anticipation humming along the link as they waited for the rest of it.
“Not a total waste of a day’s work, then,” he finally said, letting their bubbling relief put a smile on his own face.
They were his team. Optimus was right. They did drive him crazy. They ran roughshod over common sense and any kind of attempt to keep them under control but they were his and he wouldn’t give them up for the world.
Fin
Thanks to eerian_sadow for the challenge! It was inspiring, despite my difficulty with following through on time. ^_~
Series: Transformers: G1
Rating: G
Character(s): Silverbolt, Aerialbots, Optimus Prime
Warnings: Pretty harmless!
Word Count: ~1950
Summary: If there was anyone who understood how trying Silverbolt's job could be, it was Optimus Prime.
Notes: This story was supposed to include three standalone scenes. RL has been kicking my ass this month, however, so I'm reduced to squeaking in under the wire with the first of my planned three sections. Luckily, it still meets the challenge requirements so I'm going ahead and posting it. (When/if I get the rest of it done, I'll post the completed version too.)
Some In Calm, Some In Storm
There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm. ~Willa Cather
Being in command isn’t easy. (But you’d never leave it to anyone else.)
When Silverbolt strode into the command centre, he was already struggling to hold onto his temper. Getting a call to come collect his teammates from their latest bout of troublemaking was never a cheering event and it was the last thing he’d needed today. Air Raid’s cheerfully sheepish grin when he caught sight of him didn’t sweeten Silverbolt’s mood in the least and Slingshot’s belligerent scowl had him clenching his hands against a fresh surge of anger. Something of his frustration must have leaked across the team’s link because both Air Raid and Slingshot straightened abruptly, twin looks of dismay flashing across their faces before being hastily covered with unconvincingly contrite expressions. The room was mostly empty, a small part of Silverbolt’s processor noted gratefully, presumably most of the other ‘bots involved in today’s shenanigans had already been sent on their way. Optimus was the only command officer in sight, apparently supervising the few remaining stragglers as they shuffled out of the room.
You are not going to lose it and yell at half of your team here, Silverbolt reminded himself sternly as he stalked over to them. That was not how the Aerialbots worked. No matter how much these two had invited it with their foolishness.
“Hello Silverbolt,” Optimus greeted him. “Could I have a word when you’re done here?”
Silverbolt acknowledged Optimus’ request with a tight nod before focusing on his wayward teammates. “What were you - you know what, never mind. I don’t want to know,” he declared, cutting off the explanation he could see Air Raid preparing. Slingshot snapped his mouth shut after a single heated glare, habitual insubordination faltering under Silverbolt’s uncharacteristic irritation.
“All right. You two - get back to quarters. Now. The only detour you will be making is to the repair bay to pick up Fireflight.”
“What?!” Air Raid and Slingshot promptly abandoned any pretense at obedience in a rush to ask after their accident-prone brother.
“Fireflight? What’s wrong with Fireflight?”
“What’d he get into now?”
“Fireflight is fine,” Silverbolt said loudly, speaking over their outburst. “Just like you might be, if you stop talking and do as you’re told. Now.”
He paired the order with another glare, putting enough force behind the look to convince them he was serious. They clearly weren’t thrilled about it but they gave in, Air Raid tugging Slingshot away when he paused on the verge of lingering to prove that he could. Silverbolt huffed a brief sigh of relief as they left. He’d hoped that mentioning Fireflight would succeed in motivating them to do as they were told for a change. He gave himself a moment to lock down his still-simmering frustration before turning to face Optimus. “You wanted to see me?”
“I do,” Optimus said, casual tone not masking the concern with which he was examining Silverbolt. “I just wanted to check in. Seems like you're having a rough day?”
Silverbolt groaned and gave up on the hope of appearing calm and collected as he scrubbed his hands over his face. If anyone understood how trying his job could be, it was Optimus. Silverbolt commanded a team of lunatics - Optimus was responsible for a whole army of them. “I suppose it’s too late to respectfully decline the honour of being named Aerialbot leader?” he asked.
“Far too late,” Optimus confirmed, optics narrowing in his version of a smile. “As if they’d have anyone else at this point.”
“Yeah, well right now I’d be willing to trade them for half a cube of high-grade,” Silverbolt retorted.
“What have they been up today?” Optimus asked. There was a hint of curiosity keeping company with the sympathy in his voice. “You usually have more patience with them.”
“Usually they aren’t getting caught ringleading a ship-wide game of Keep-Away-Tag,” Silverbolt returned dryly. “With explosives.”
“That is a bit above and beyond, even for them,” Optimus agreed with another of those not-quite-hidden smiles. “Though for what it’s worth, I don’t think they deserve the blame for the fireworks. And they’ve got plenty of company for the rest.”
“True enough, I guess,” Silverbolt replied. “I don’t envy Prowl the task of trying to punish everyone involved. It’s going to be a disciplinary nightmare.”
“I’m not sure about that,” Optimus commented. “The mood Prowl is in, I’m pretty sure he’ll work out a way to do it. I haven’t seen him this annoyed in decades.”
Silverbolt scowled. “That would be another reason why my patience is running a bit thin.”
“Oh?” Optimus inquired.
The gossip must have not have made the full rounds yet.
“Yes,” Silverbolt replied tightly. “See, Skydive decided to pick a fight with Prowl today.”
“What?” Optimus was clearly startled. “Really?”
“Really,” Silverbolt confirmed shortly. He supposed it wasn’t entirely fair of him to be so angry with Skydive but damn it, Skydive was the one he counted on to be sensible. “They got into a discussion about some obscure point of strategy and it got...heated.”
They hadn’t been shouting or throwing punches - neither Prowl nor Skydive was the type - but from the description Silverbolt had heard, the conversation had been the strategists’ version of a outright screaming match.
“Sounds like your team has outdone themselves today.” Optimus sounded faintly impressed. “I’m almost afraid to ask about Fireflight.”
“Fireflight really is fine,” Silverbolt answered. “But Wheeljack was apparently working on some kind of big experiment with wires?”
“Some new kind of sensory array, he said,” Optimus elaborated.
“Yes, well, he forgot to tell any of us about it before he strung it up outside,” Silverbolt sighed. “And Fireflight flew straight into it.”
Silverbolt supposed it was kind of Optimus to at least pretend he wasn’t laughing at him.
“It took them a while to get him untangled,” he continued, “and the wires were carrying a pretty hefty charge. Even after they cut him loose his systems were misfiring like crazy so he’s spent the afternoon with Rachet and First Aid. Last time I checked in, they said they were pretty sure they’d got it worked out. I was on my way to pick him up when I got the call to come pick these two up instead.” He waved a hand at the spot where Air Raid and Slingshot had stood.
“And speaking of, I should really get back to them,” Silverbolt said. “With the way today has gone, I’m not sure I trust any of them to stay out of trouble. Unless you needed me for anything else?”
Optimus shook his head. “No, get back to your team. I’ve heard all I need to know for now.”
And you’ve let me blow off enough steam to think straight, Silverbolt completed mentally. He felt much better for having had the chance to vent and dipped his head in grateful acknowledgement as he left.
“One last question,” Optimus called as he reached the door.
Silverbolt turned. “Yes?”
“They drive you crazy and I’m sure sometimes they make you want to shoot them yourself but do you think you could ever really let someone else take charge of your team?” Optimus asked.
Silverbolt paused, noticing how intent Optimus seemed on his reply. He bit back a flippant response as he thought over the question.
“No,” he finally admitted. “How could I ever trust anyone else to take care of them?”
Optimus chuckled. “I didn’t think so,” he said, voice warm with approval. “Go on, they’re waiting for you.”
Silverbolt took his leave, making his way through the Ark’s familiar corridors. He turned the conversation with Optimus over in his head as he walked. He tracked his progress less by the hallways he walked through than by the proximity of the cluster of brightness that was his teammates.
They were waiting for him when he walked into their quarters, gathered in the room they’d converted into a common area. Skydive was reading something on a data pad and Fireflight was cheering on Air Raid and Slingshot as they played some kind of video game. It could have been the end of any one of a hundred days, if it weren’t for the thick apprehension layered over the casual atmosphere.
Silverbolt let the door close behind him and crossed his arms over his chest as he stared at his team.
Skydive was the first to respond, laying the pad down on his knees and pointedly giving Silverbolt his full attention. The others followed his lead, Fireflight settling back into his seat as Air Raid and Slingshot paused their game and dropped their controllers.
“First, if there is anything else I need to know about today, now is the time to tell me,” Silverbolt commanded, making sure he caught all of their optics to let them know he meant it. He’d recovered enough of his patience to deal with whatever else they could throw at him but he was drawing the line at further surprises.
There was a hasty exchange of looks and the barely perceptible hum of transmissions across an intra-team comm but no one volunteered anything.
“Nope,” Slingshot finally responded with a careless shrug. “We’re all good.”
“If you’re sure...” Silverbolt replied, waiting until his open skepticism prompted a chorus of agreement from the rest of the team. “Right then. Next, do I need to worry about rescheduling to allow for repair issues and/or punishment details?”
“Uh,” Fireflight said, half-raising a hand. “Ratchet wants me on restricted duty for a few days so he can be sure my systems are stable,” he said apologetically.
Reasonable precaution, Silverbolt admitted to himself as he nodded. Fireflight found enough trouble without adding malfunctioning electronics to his list of distractions. “Okay, you stick to the home loop patrol until he clears you. The rest of you, we fly the usual abridged patrol routes until we’re back to full strength.”
Only after they’d acknowledged the command did Silverbolt frown at them, letting his displeasure over the day’s events well up again.
“There had better not be a repeat of today anytime soon,” he told them flatly. “I expect better of you all.”
As one, they dropped their gazes. Making Silverbolt angry was nothing new but even Slingshot cringed a bit under the sting of Silverbolt’s disappointment. Silverbolt sighed as his team muttered apologies, a confused tangle of feelings swirling along the team’s link.
“Having said that...” he started, tone lightening “you two were winning your insane game, right?”
There was a moment of confusion as everyone glanced up, thrown by Silverbolt’s abrupt shift.
“Well?” he prodded. “Jazz told me two were in the lead when the game was broken up.”
“Absolutely!” Air Raid brightened, nodding enthusiastically. “We were ahead by ten-”
“And a half!” Slingshot put in indignantly.
“Ten and a half points,” Air Raid finished with pride.
“Mm-hm,” Silverbolt said thoughtfully, then turned to Skydive. “And you argued Prowl to a standstill?”
Skydive just grinned smugly, radiating satisfaction.
“And you,” Silverbolt said to a downcast Fireflight, “you helped Wheeljack identify a potential design flaw in his new invention.”
“I did?” Fireflight looked up in surprise.
Close enough, Silverbolt thought as he nodded. “Sure you did,” he told Fireflight.
They were all looking at him now, hopeful anticipation humming along the link as they waited for the rest of it.
“Not a total waste of a day’s work, then,” he finally said, letting their bubbling relief put a smile on his own face.
They were his team. Optimus was right. They did drive him crazy. They ran roughshod over common sense and any kind of attempt to keep them under control but they were his and he wouldn’t give them up for the world.
Fin
Thanks to eerian_sadow for the challenge! It was inspiring, despite my difficulty with following through on time. ^_~