Rescue Me (working title) - Chapter 1
This was supposed to be fic for mmouse15 as 'payment' for her contribution to the help_haiti fic auction. It was supposed to be a one-shot, (un)fortunately, it mutated and is looking to be my first multichapter fic in a long looooong time.
Rating: PG (for now). No slash warning as of yet because I still don't know if I'll put any slash in. You might see some ProwlxJazz if you squint though
Characters: Prowl, Jazz, Prime (others will be introduced as the story goes on)
Disclaimer: If I owned these guys I wouldnt be sitting here typing this
Notes: This version of Prowl is inspired by the character of Zhuge Liang (Kongming) from the historical Chinese saga "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Jazz will be sort of inspired by Zhao Yun (Zilong).
Certain elements, characters, situations and/or plot will also be loosely inspired by the Three Kingdoms story (and I cant recommend this story enough), which makes this whole thing slightly AU. States and territories are loosely based on Koi's map of Cybertron...
For those interested in reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms: http://threekingdoms.com/001.htm - it's long, but good. And before anyone says it's boring history, I'll say, try it before you knock it.
Zhao Yun's chapter appearances: 7, 11, 21, 28, 31, 34-36, 39, 41-43, 45, 49-54, 56, 57, 60, 61, 63, 65, 70-73, 77, 80, 81, 84-96, 97
Zhuge Liang's chapter appearances: 36-46, 48-57, 60-67, 70-73, 76-82, 84-103, 104, 105-106, 111, 113, 115-117, 119, 120
Or you can just watch the movie Red Cliff (though it tells only one part of the Three Kingdoms saga)
And now, enough chatter
Chapter 1
Jazz ducked into the conference room and grinned sheepishly when he saw that he was the last one to arrive. He met Optimus Prime’s pointed look with a playful salute, then moved to stand in a corner while the Autobot leader turned to address the small group of gathered Captains and Commanders.
He chanced a glance over at Prowl as he did so. The chief strategist stood beside Prime and didn’t so much as look in his direction. Jazz smiled wryly to himself. Trust Prowl to be all business-like right now, he thought as he turned his focus on what his leader was saying.
“Our spies report Megatron has taken Kaon,” Prime announced. A murmur of alarm went around the room. “The Autobot troops stationed there are retreating to the neighboring state of Tyrest, but with heavy losses. Right now they’re running low on fuel and ammunition and face the threat of another Decepticon attack.”
“What about Sentinel Prime?” asked Ratchet, chief medic. “Couldn’t he lead them out?”
Prime and Prowl exchanged a look, and Jazz knew the answer even before it was said.
“He fell defending the rear guard from Megatron,” Prime answered.
Ironhide stood up. “I say we launch a full-force attack on Kaon and take out Megatron once and for all!”
“That would be most unwise,” Prowl spoke up. “We are outnumbered and out-gunned. Until we are able to recruit more soldiers and find the energy to sustain them all, we cannot even THINK of making a direct assault on Megatron. He has hundreds of troops at his disposal; we cannot afford to lose any more of ours.”
Muttering curses deep in his vocaliser, Ironhide sat back down. “Well we can’t just do nothin’ either.”
Prowl quirked an optic ridge and Jazz could have sworn there was a hint of a smile.
“We most certainly will not be sitting idle, if that’s what you mean,” he said.
“What are you proposing?” Ultra Magnus asked.
“Our first priority will be getting our Autobots out of there,” Prime said. “Megatron wont be satisfied with just Kaon. It’s safe to say he’s already sent armies to the immediate neighboring states. It wont be long before he reaches Tyrest.”
Ratchet nodded. “And if he finds Autobot military there… they’re goners.”
“So what’re we waitin’ for?” Ironhide pounded the table with his fist. “Assemble a squadron and let’s go get ‘em outta there.”
“I’m afraid it’s not that simple,” Prowl replied. “As I said before, our forces are stretched thin. We can’t afford to send a whole squadron and leave Iacon and other Autobot territories at half-strength.”
“And either way, we’d still be outnumbered by Megatron, am I right to say?” Magnus asked.
Prowl nodded. “We cannot match force with force - we will lose. What we need is a small group to go in under the radar and lead them out with as little attention as possible.”
“Send me then.” Jazz still stood leaning back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest.
All optics in the room turned to look at him.
“Y’re still a youngling,” Ironhide said. “Y’only just made Captain. What do ya know about commanding?”
Jazz spread his hands. “Absolutely nothing, but…” he spoke over Ironhide’s grunt. “… I know the streets. I know how to get in and outta places without anyone knowin’ I was there. Send me, with Mirage, and I’ll bring ‘em home safe.”
Prime regarded him. “He does have a good track record when it comes to skill and thinking out of the box.”
“I still think he’s too green behind the horns,” Ironhide said. “Y’need t’send someone with more experience, who can lead these guys outta there.”
Prowl put down his datapad and looked over the room.
“Ultra Magnus cannot go,” he said. “He’s too well known among the enemy and if Megatron finds out he’s there, he would not hesitate to hasten his attack. For that reason, none of the Captains associated with him can be sent either. He is best kept to strengthen Iacon’s defenses and see to order in the neighboring territories.”
Ultra Magnus shifted in his seat, but only nodded. Prowl went on.
“Kup and Ironhide are too advanced to undertake such a long journey.”
“Now wait just a moment!” Ironhide started to protest
Prime raised a hand to quieten him.
“Furthermore, Ironhide is too easily baited to anger. It would be too easy for the enemy to provoke him into attacking or making a mistake, and thus distracting him from the mission,” Prowl added. “Wheeljack and Ratchet are technical officers and are needed more here to work on defense tech.”
“Which leaves Jazz,” Prime said.
Prowl nodded slowly. “Jazz is a wild card. Megatron does not know him, nor do his spies.”
“They will after this,” Wheeljack pointed out.
“Fortunately I am only concerned with our current crisis. What happens after will be dealt with when it happens.” Prowl looked at his leader. “I propose we send Jazz. It would be a good learning experience for him, too.”
The Autobot leader’s optics rested on the smaller black-and-white mech. “Remember this is a serious mission Jazz, not a jaunt through the back alleys after rogue bandits. Those Autobots are counting on you.”
“Aint gotta tell me twice, Prime,” Jazz replied.
“Then go ahead and prepare, you leave tomorrow. Good luck. Dismissed.”
Jazz saluted and made his way out of the room.
“The rest of you may leave as well,” Prime added. “Oh, except you, Prowl. I’d like a word if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not, Sir.” Prowl hung back to hear what his Commander had to say....
Enjoy, and reviews welcome! ^__^v