(no subject)
silvane91 laid a trap over on the bunny farms for me and
kirin_saga. Kirin avoided it. I didn't.
Enjoy.
Title: On Opportunities And Decisions
Characters: Springer, Perceptor, Red Alert, Inferno, Optimus Prime; implied SpringerxPerceptor(sorta), implied RedAlertxInferno
Summary: Springer drops by the Ark to retrieve Perceptor, and makes an unexpected offer.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of them. I don't even own the plot.
Author's Note: Not my favorite. But, hey, I got it out of my head, so...
“We need a security officer. Badly.” Springer’s statement was nothing new - hell, the Wreckers had been searching for a competent security mech to add to their crew for vorns. But this was the first time that Perceptor actually had an answer to the tank/helicopter.
Now, according to the other members of the Wreckers, Springer and Perceptor had a ‘special’ relationship. If one were to ask them what, exactly, that meant, they’d say this: They haven’t a fucking clue. Because, while the two were certainly not dating, it was a well known fact that they’d do anything for each other.
Which confused just about everyone else, but hey, if it worked for them… But the point was, the two would go to extremes that most other mechs would never even consider. Thankfully, in Perceptor’s view, that wasn’t necessary this time.
“Recently, what I belive to be a viable solution for that particular predicament has become obvious… Would you be willing to take two new ‘bots onto the team?” Springer glanced upwards.
“If they’re cut out for the job.”
“I assure you, these two are more than capable.”
“So, that’s them?” Springer’s voice was aimed at the red scientist sitting across from him, both taking a short break from the act of packing the microscope-slash-tank’s belongings (finally, finally, finally he could return to his team. Finally.)
“Indeed.”
The corners of Springer’s mouth twitched upwards as his eyes followed the red and white security mech - Red Alert - speaking with a fire truck - Inferno, never shifting his stance to actually face the two. He’d yet to speak with either of them, but he trusted Perceptor’s judgement.
Wouldn’t the rest of the team be surprised if he came back with three mechs, rather than just the one they expected?
“Red Alert?” Inferno’s voice cut through the room, an oddly hesitant note to his words. Red Alert knew why his friend was there; he wanted to talk about Springer’s… offer.
The Lamborgini didn’t trust it. He was overly paranoid - everyone knew that. The Wreckers were some of the most dangerous Autobot’s around, there was no plausible reason they would think that he and Inferno would make good additions to such a team?
“I spoke with Perceptor. Thought he might be able to shed some light on this… predicament. Turns out he recommended us - they need a security mech pretty badly, and with the number of explosions they have, somebody with experience putting out fires would be a major plus. He said we’d fit in well.”
The smaller, more paranoid of the two watched his companion for several long moments, and considered.
It was true that neither of them worked well on the Ark. Protecting such a large base, much less a stationary one, the location of which was known not only to the Decepticons but everyone else on the planet, was not an easy thing. It was like guarding a city such as Iacon - everyone who went in and out was well known, and the only entrances were guarded. Most importantly though, people followed the rules. They were wary. Sometimes, Red Alert thought that his companions had forgotten that this was a war - oh, he knew they hadn’t, but their complete lack of security was frustrating at times.
Then there was Inferno’s rather destructive habit. Admittedly, it wasn’t as huge a problem as it had been back on Cybertron, thanks to a certain five, dinosaur-based Autobots, but the urge the fire truck had to put out fires often pushed him to the point where he had to start one, just to quelch the urge to put it out. Considering the nature of the Wreckers, he seriously doubted that it would prove as much a problem.
But then - could they just give up like that? He had worked so hard on protecting the Ark, on serving Prime, that he wasn’t sure he had it in him to start all over again, to adjust to a new superior, to new comrades. And would it be encouraging Inferno’s… addiction, to switch to a more comfortable enviroment? He didn’t know. Still, he would have to soon - Springer and Perceptor were leaving in six earth days, and, should they choose to join them, packing would need to be done. A new security officer would have to be taught the ropes as well…
They had to decide. Quickly.
Optimus Prime watched the three mechs gathered in front of him, and considered the odd circumstances. It would hurt to loose Red Alert and Inferno, should they choose to accept the requested transfer; however, the Prime wouldn’t be able to blame them. Life on the Ark was not easy for either of them, and to be offered another chance, with new people? It would be a tempting prospect for anyone.
He also knew why Springer had called them in here for this moment. Undoubtedly, the two had been approached with the offer beforehand, in order to allow them time to think on the matter. Turning his head to watch the two, he asked a simple question.
“Well? Do you wish to accept the transfer?”
Silence hung over the air, heavily, before Inferno’s chin raised slightly upwards, as though being held up by some unknown programming allowing for excessive pride. “Sir, we’ve thought about this a long time - talked it over extensively. And we’ve come to a decision.”
Red Alert made no sound as his partner declared the path they would take on their unexpectedly forked road through life.