Old prompt fills (13th September), Master Select
Title: Menu optional
Characters: Knockout, Shockwave
Rating: K+
Continuity: Prime
Summary: Watch what you say - menu optional
Prompt #1 (11 August 2012) Sit. Stay. Killl.
Watching Starscream interact with the beast Shockwave brought from Cybertron’s chaotic (and deadly) past, Knockout whistled.
Shockwave paused in his work. “What is that sound?”
“What? This?” Knockout repeated the whistle.
“Yes. That. It is … distracting.”
“It’s just a wordless way of expressing appreciation or admiration.”
“Wordlessly? Try useless.”
“Such a fine statement coming from the mech who trained a predacon to not attack those underfoot.”
Knockout knew that behind his bland face, Shockwave was inwardly grinning. “Yes. Quite. It did not take long to teach the beast to avoid damaging me.”
“Just lots and lots of patience?” Knockout asked, seeing Starscream change directions to the creature for the fourth time, - it hadn’t done the first task ordered of it.
“And some prisoners that had outlived their usefulness.”
“Okay… I’m just going to admire your creature from over there - away from any and all mechs that might resemble (or stink like) Autobots.” Knockout retreated to a safe distance, where he could still observe the incompetent Air-Commander deal with the newest addition to his fleet.
Title: Networking
Characters: Skyquake
Rating: K+
Continuity: Prime (pre-cartoon)
Summary: Skyquake was just a simple transport shuttle before Megatron called him out for special service
Prompt #2 (12 Jan 2013) Setting: In a crowded Transport (transport’s POV)
Skyquake opened the cargo-bay doors.
Impatient mecha rushed forward, trying to beat the crowd inside. Their speed and pushiness only meant they got crushed against the walls as eve more mecha squeezed their way inside, fitting any which way.
“It would be faster to” and now the constant complaints started. Skyquake automatically tuned out the conversation, as he prepared to close his doors in preparation to making his way down the runway. There was a careful balance between backing the passengers awaiting transportation in, so they weren’t jostled overly much during takeoff and landing, and being so overloaded his engines couldn’t cope with the mass.
Once he was in air, Skyquake tuned back in. “I would rather walk to my destination than -“
“Tight confines bothering you?”
Other transport shuttles were uneasy about monitoring the conversations happening inside, wanting to protect the privacy all citizens deserved, but needing to keep an audio open in the very-unlikely case someone talked about criminal activities while on route to wherever.
Skyquake had no such compulsion against listening in. Enforcers cracked down as hard on the transports as the mecha deliberately working around the system - and Megatron paid handsomely for any Intel he gathered about Autobot troop movements.
Title: Meetings
Characters: Tailgate, Ratchet, Optimus Prime
Rating: K+
Continuity: Prime (pre-cartoon series)
Summary: Ratchet has always found it harder than some to look on the bright side. That doesn't stop him from getting the job done.
Prompt # QUOTE (26 March 2011) Susan Cheever ‘Death is terrifying because it is so ordinary. It happens all the time.
“I don’t want to die!” wailed a badly injured mech.
“You aren’t going to die,” soothed his commander.
“Save your platitudes.” The medic working to save the wounded solder interrupted. “Everyone dies eventually.”
The bright red commander kept a comforting hand on his subordinate's undamaged arm. “That is a very pessimistic view.”
“It’s the truth!” snapped the mostly-white (underneath the energon stains) medic. “Nothing lasts forever, nobody lives forever.”
Whimpers from the not-yet-dead mech. “I don’t want it to end like this!”
“Save your strength, Tailgate - the medic is doing his best.”
“If you are going to continue yakking, I could use a second pair of hands.”
“What do you need me to do?” The officer asked, ready to jump and do something.
“First …” The medic ordered his untrained helper.
It was only after Tailgate was stabilized - living to fight (and die) another day, that the medic who been bossing the officer around like a fresh recruit introduced himself. “Not sure I could have saved the kid’s life without the assistance. My designation’s Ratchet.”
“I am Optimus Prime.”
“No fooling.” It was not often that Ratchet was flabbergasted. This was one of those rare times. “Well, thank you again.”
Title: Rebounding
Characters: Soundwave, Knockout
Rating: Teens
Continuity: Prime
Summary: Knockout needs to have someone who can admire him (and someone he can take care of).
Prompt #4 (14th June 2014) “You need to take better care of yourself …”
“Soundwave, when was the last time you had a proper wash-and-wax?”
No response from the communications mech as he worked to decipher the next Iacon coordinates.
“Hmm, not an immaculate appearance.” Knockout examined the busy mech. “Earth’s dust and similar contaminates do build up you know,”
Soundwave paused the scrolling screen, angled his head only slightly.
“An officer of your rank should touch up the paint occasionally, instead of letting it flake off completely.” Knockout boldly pulled one of Soundwave’s arms off the keyboards, twisting it around. “Really Soundwave, take the time to at least wash off dust and dirt before reporting back to duty.”
Soundwave pulled up a voice-clip. “Release me. I am not a replacement for Breakdown.”
“It’s only properly.” Knockout let go of the arm, stepped back. “Sure I can’t talk you into getting a wax or buffing your armor?”
“Go back to your job.” Came a second voice-clip.
Knockout left, possibly to berate some vheicrons for not taking proper care of themselves.
Title: Learning Experience
Author: Rose0mary
Characters: Smokescreen, Arcee,
Rating: K+
Continuity: Prime
Summary: Smokescreen learns the hard way that the 'old and slow' fighters have reasons for their behaviors
Prompt #5 (2 June 2010) Crash
The ground-bridge opened, depositing three bots on an empty road before it vanished into nothingness.
As soon as her tires touched the slush-covered asphalt, Arcee transformed. Bulkhead hastily followed suit. The rookie did not, racing around the bi-pedal forms of his companions.
“Smokescreen! Stop showing off.”
“This mission calls for speed - walking takes too long.” Smokescreen flew don the road, ignoring the way the almost-cold-enough-to-freeze-water on the paved road impeded him on the curves.
Bulkhead sighed. “I’ll go catch up to him.” He broke into a half-jog.
“No hurry.”
A screech of tires, followed by Cybertronian cruses lit the night.
“Black ice is an unforgiving teacher.” Arcee smiled. Maybe now Smokescreen would listen the next time he was given advice.
Title: Long-overdue match-race
Characters: Knockout, Smokescreen
Rating: K
Continuity: Prime,
Summary: Knockout can't wait to get some gravel under his wheels - and to show off. Sadly, not all are appreciative of his talents.
Prompt #6 5th April 2014) A Deliberate Mistake
“Where’s the yellow Autobit, Smokestack?”
“He couldn’t make it, Kibblebits.”
Knockout seethed. “Too scared I’ll pummel him into the ground?”
“No - just wondering how much you enjoy eating dust.” Smokescreen grinned.
“As if any Autobot is a challenge to my superior speed.”
Care to test that bold claim?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
“Bring it on, police-bait.” Simultaneously two Cybertrons transformed into fast-traveling smoking hot-rods. They poured on the speed, whizzing by the few scattered cars on the highway - all the drivers of the slower moving vehicles noticed were streaks of red or streaks of bluish white.
It wasn’t until the racers came across a multi-lane crash, blocking all the lanes of traffic headed in their direction, that the unspoken rules of the race were broken.
“That’s cheating! You can’t simply jump over the barrier! What if someone got hurt?”
“And how exactly, is flying over stalled vehicles endangering me? You drove into oncoming traffic, crossing the yellow lines twice.”
“That’s different - I have reactions capable of avoiding a collision.”
Faint grumbles came from the irate red hot rod. “And they say Autobots obey the rules. HA!”
Characters: Knockout, Shockwave
Rating: K+
Continuity: Prime
Summary: Watch what you say - menu optional
Prompt #1 (11 August 2012) Sit. Stay. Killl.
Watching Starscream interact with the beast Shockwave brought from Cybertron’s chaotic (and deadly) past, Knockout whistled.
Shockwave paused in his work. “What is that sound?”
“What? This?” Knockout repeated the whistle.
“Yes. That. It is … distracting.”
“It’s just a wordless way of expressing appreciation or admiration.”
“Wordlessly? Try useless.”
“Such a fine statement coming from the mech who trained a predacon to not attack those underfoot.”
Knockout knew that behind his bland face, Shockwave was inwardly grinning. “Yes. Quite. It did not take long to teach the beast to avoid damaging me.”
“Just lots and lots of patience?” Knockout asked, seeing Starscream change directions to the creature for the fourth time, - it hadn’t done the first task ordered of it.
“And some prisoners that had outlived their usefulness.”
“Okay… I’m just going to admire your creature from over there - away from any and all mechs that might resemble (or stink like) Autobots.” Knockout retreated to a safe distance, where he could still observe the incompetent Air-Commander deal with the newest addition to his fleet.
Title: Networking
Characters: Skyquake
Rating: K+
Continuity: Prime (pre-cartoon)
Summary: Skyquake was just a simple transport shuttle before Megatron called him out for special service
Prompt #2 (12 Jan 2013) Setting: In a crowded Transport (transport’s POV)
Skyquake opened the cargo-bay doors.
Impatient mecha rushed forward, trying to beat the crowd inside. Their speed and pushiness only meant they got crushed against the walls as eve more mecha squeezed their way inside, fitting any which way.
“It would be faster to” and now the constant complaints started. Skyquake automatically tuned out the conversation, as he prepared to close his doors in preparation to making his way down the runway. There was a careful balance between backing the passengers awaiting transportation in, so they weren’t jostled overly much during takeoff and landing, and being so overloaded his engines couldn’t cope with the mass.
Once he was in air, Skyquake tuned back in. “I would rather walk to my destination than -“
“Tight confines bothering you?”
Other transport shuttles were uneasy about monitoring the conversations happening inside, wanting to protect the privacy all citizens deserved, but needing to keep an audio open in the very-unlikely case someone talked about criminal activities while on route to wherever.
Skyquake had no such compulsion against listening in. Enforcers cracked down as hard on the transports as the mecha deliberately working around the system - and Megatron paid handsomely for any Intel he gathered about Autobot troop movements.
Title: Meetings
Characters: Tailgate, Ratchet, Optimus Prime
Rating: K+
Continuity: Prime (pre-cartoon series)
Summary: Ratchet has always found it harder than some to look on the bright side. That doesn't stop him from getting the job done.
Prompt # QUOTE (26 March 2011) Susan Cheever ‘Death is terrifying because it is so ordinary. It happens all the time.
“I don’t want to die!” wailed a badly injured mech.
“You aren’t going to die,” soothed his commander.
“Save your platitudes.” The medic working to save the wounded solder interrupted. “Everyone dies eventually.”
The bright red commander kept a comforting hand on his subordinate's undamaged arm. “That is a very pessimistic view.”
“It’s the truth!” snapped the mostly-white (underneath the energon stains) medic. “Nothing lasts forever, nobody lives forever.”
Whimpers from the not-yet-dead mech. “I don’t want it to end like this!”
“Save your strength, Tailgate - the medic is doing his best.”
“If you are going to continue yakking, I could use a second pair of hands.”
“What do you need me to do?” The officer asked, ready to jump and do something.
“First …” The medic ordered his untrained helper.
It was only after Tailgate was stabilized - living to fight (and die) another day, that the medic who been bossing the officer around like a fresh recruit introduced himself. “Not sure I could have saved the kid’s life without the assistance. My designation’s Ratchet.”
“I am Optimus Prime.”
“No fooling.” It was not often that Ratchet was flabbergasted. This was one of those rare times. “Well, thank you again.”
Title: Rebounding
Characters: Soundwave, Knockout
Rating: Teens
Continuity: Prime
Summary: Knockout needs to have someone who can admire him (and someone he can take care of).
Prompt #4 (14th June 2014) “You need to take better care of yourself …”
“Soundwave, when was the last time you had a proper wash-and-wax?”
No response from the communications mech as he worked to decipher the next Iacon coordinates.
“Hmm, not an immaculate appearance.” Knockout examined the busy mech. “Earth’s dust and similar contaminates do build up you know,”
Soundwave paused the scrolling screen, angled his head only slightly.
“An officer of your rank should touch up the paint occasionally, instead of letting it flake off completely.” Knockout boldly pulled one of Soundwave’s arms off the keyboards, twisting it around. “Really Soundwave, take the time to at least wash off dust and dirt before reporting back to duty.”
Soundwave pulled up a voice-clip. “Release me. I am not a replacement for Breakdown.”
“It’s only properly.” Knockout let go of the arm, stepped back. “Sure I can’t talk you into getting a wax or buffing your armor?”
“Go back to your job.” Came a second voice-clip.
Knockout left, possibly to berate some vheicrons for not taking proper care of themselves.
Title: Learning Experience
Author: Rose0mary
Characters: Smokescreen, Arcee,
Rating: K+
Continuity: Prime
Summary: Smokescreen learns the hard way that the 'old and slow' fighters have reasons for their behaviors
Prompt #5 (2 June 2010) Crash
The ground-bridge opened, depositing three bots on an empty road before it vanished into nothingness.
As soon as her tires touched the slush-covered asphalt, Arcee transformed. Bulkhead hastily followed suit. The rookie did not, racing around the bi-pedal forms of his companions.
“Smokescreen! Stop showing off.”
“This mission calls for speed - walking takes too long.” Smokescreen flew don the road, ignoring the way the almost-cold-enough-to-freeze-water on the paved road impeded him on the curves.
Bulkhead sighed. “I’ll go catch up to him.” He broke into a half-jog.
“No hurry.”
A screech of tires, followed by Cybertronian cruses lit the night.
“Black ice is an unforgiving teacher.” Arcee smiled. Maybe now Smokescreen would listen the next time he was given advice.
Title: Long-overdue match-race
Characters: Knockout, Smokescreen
Rating: K
Continuity: Prime,
Summary: Knockout can't wait to get some gravel under his wheels - and to show off. Sadly, not all are appreciative of his talents.
Prompt #6 5th April 2014) A Deliberate Mistake
“Where’s the yellow Autobit, Smokestack?”
“He couldn’t make it, Kibblebits.”
Knockout seethed. “Too scared I’ll pummel him into the ground?”
“No - just wondering how much you enjoy eating dust.” Smokescreen grinned.
“As if any Autobot is a challenge to my superior speed.”
Care to test that bold claim?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
“Bring it on, police-bait.” Simultaneously two Cybertrons transformed into fast-traveling smoking hot-rods. They poured on the speed, whizzing by the few scattered cars on the highway - all the drivers of the slower moving vehicles noticed were streaks of red or streaks of bluish white.
It wasn’t until the racers came across a multi-lane crash, blocking all the lanes of traffic headed in their direction, that the unspoken rules of the race were broken.
“That’s cheating! You can’t simply jump over the barrier! What if someone got hurt?”
“And how exactly, is flying over stalled vehicles endangering me? You drove into oncoming traffic, crossing the yellow lines twice.”
“That’s different - I have reactions capable of avoiding a collision.”
Faint grumbles came from the irate red hot rod. “And they say Autobots obey the rules. HA!”