Saving Life - Chapter Six
Thank you everyone who again took the time to leave a bit of feedback. You thoughts and comments are very much appreciated. And here we go with chapter 6, please enjoy.
Part: 6/12
Author: Usagi-Atemu-Tom
Warnings: angst, romance, suspense, slash, SPOILER for Transformers Movies 1+2
Pairings: Jazz/Prowl
Feedback: Please, yes, I love feedback! =^^=
Summary: When one mech is on the edge of being offlined forever, another mech realizes the truth of his past and the destiny he is supposed to have. But what do you do, when you wake up from the brink of death just to stare into the eyes of what is supposed to be the enemy? If you happen to be an ops mech - you collect your answers of course.
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine I don't make money with it and write only for fun and to get better in writing English. ^_^
Helpful Pointers:
Vorn - 83 years
Stellar-cycle - 7.5 months
Orn - 13 days Joor - 8 hours
Breem - 6 minutes
Astrosecond - 5/6ths of a second
Klick - 1 millisecond
"..." - Speaking
/.../ - Sparkbond speaking
Please note that I've only ever watched the two movies from 2007 and 2009. While I've 'met' a lot of Transformers from the comics and cartoons, that more often than not show up in fanfics I, of course, have not seen them in action and therefore might not be able to interpret their characters right. I am using mostly what I've learned through the movie (and maybe fanfics) and while catching some ideas here and there I am mainly using my very own ideas for things like energon, space bridges and so on.
And not to forget, much thanks to Taralynden for betareading.
Also, the inspiration for Prowl's and Jazz's past was mostly taken from the fanfic 'Story of a lifetime' written by the wonderful Taralynden. This was taken with her permission. Go and read her story, you'll love it.
Megatron, leader of the Decepticons and former Lord High Protector of Cybertron, landed beside his second in command with a powerful jump from the air that caused the ground to shake. For more than an astrosecond there was silence while he swept his glowing red optics over the place to take in the current situation. He was aware of his three followers, the seeker trine lead by his own second in command. Then he saw the infamous and most disliked Autobot twins Sunstreaker and Sideswipe.
And there was the Autobot scout and ops agent Bumblebee, one of the few mechs that had the unfortunate dishonor of rising in the Decepticon leader's list of "nuisances to be eliminated" to a position right under Optimus Prime's and that human boy's name. So, was it not a great coincidence that he could spot said boy just behind his guardian, human face white and eyes wide in unhidden terror?
The last visible being Megatron took in was the black and white colored Decepticon that seemed to stand guard at the door of an old human barn. He must be who his subordinates had called Barricade. A Decepticon warrior with a great sense of tactics. Dangerous, deathly and absolutely loyal to his cause, as far as he knew. Though till now he was only able to judge that from what his followers told him, since Barricade had joined the Decepticons only after he started his journey to find the Allspark.
The leader of the Decepticon had to admit that he was intrigued by what he heard of this strange Decepticon. He was used to swaying mechs and femmes through speeches, threats and actions. But as far as he knew not one of his subordinates had joined the Decepticons out of faith, without seeing or hearing any proof from him. Barricade was certainly the only Decepticon to have joined the ranks after his disappearance. That made the black and white warrior very interesting from the very moment Megatron had been told of his name the first time. And it seemed as if his chance finally came to resolve the questions he collected of the mysterious Saleen transformer.
But before he could gather his answers, the former Lord High Protector had some Autobots to take care of. He could feel one final Autobot signal coming from inside the barn. And while he decided the cowardly hiding enemy was not worth a second glance, every dead Autobot was a good Autobot and therefore they all needed to be taken care of.
"Starscream", he finally acknowledged his second in command before his optics fixed on the group of enemies again, especially the yellow scout and his pathetic human charge. "I see you found us some Autobots to get rid of."
"That and a deserter to take care of, Lord Megatron", Starscream purred, bowing deeply in front of his leader.
"Pathetic groveller", Sideswipe sneered at the second in command, while his twin brother smirked. Starscream snarled in the direction of the twins, but he did not dare to take any action. Painful experiences taught him that it was not the best of ideas to take action in Megatron's presence without his permission.
"My lord, can we take care of the Autobot scum now?" Skywarp tentatively voiced his question, not caring the last that his trine leader had been insulted but itching for a fight. Megatron however, held out a hand to stop the seeker, his optics turning to face Barricade, who had not moved an inch since his arrival from his position in front of the barn door.
"Patience, Skywarp", he told the purple striped jet. "You will fight soon enough. But first I want to see how my infamous warrior holds himself up in battle. Barricade, I heard a lot about you since my Decepticons rejoined with me here on Earth. Some of the tales are promising, but other stories", he threw a quick look in Starscream's direction, "are rather ugly. I am sure you are aware that I judge my followers strictly, and deserting is a rather nasty crime for one of mine. You are lucky though. I cannot deny that I am curious about you, therefore you can prove yourself by showing me your skills as a warrior. Fight and get rid of at least one Autobot, I don't care which one. Just remember, that you cannot kill the human that is pathetically hiding behind that yellow nuisance. That human, is MINE!"
The silence that followed that statement was only disturbed by the whisper of the mentioned human.
"Great!" muttered Sam without real humor, his face having lost the look of terror he felt and determination took its place instead. "Bring it on, ugly!"
"Sam!" Bumblebee warbled, horrified, but his charge simply shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm not exactly his favorite since what happened in Mission City and he would try to kill me anyway, wouldn't he? So why pretend otherwise?"
"Indeed", the Decepticon leader agreed darkly. "But before I take care of you - Barricade, attack the Autobots!"
The Saleen tensed even more if that was ever possible, his doorwings pointing straight into the sky. He threw a calm look over the three Autobots who immediately got ready for the expected fight. Then he looked back at the Decepticons surrounding Megatron and his optics seemed to harden.
"No!"
Shocked silence followed that statement. The only being not taken by surprise was still hidden behind the walls of the barn but that did not mean Jazz tried to hide his snickers of humor after the bomb his bondmate just dropped onto all those present.
/Way t' go, Prowler!' the head of ops cheered over their bond. But Prowl was not able to share his mate's amusement. He was very aware that his refusal to follow an order from Megatron could mean an immediate attack - and possible death.
Jazz knew the consequences quite well and after sobering, he sent soothing waves right into the tactician's spark.
/No matter what happens now an' what fate we meet, we'll face this t'gether, Sparkles. We'll be t'gether, in life an' in th' Well of Allsparks. So, do what ya wanna do. Ya have mah support in ever'thing ya do. An' we'll never be separated again, promise./
/I know, Jazz/, Prowl choked out, his voice even inside their bond not enough to transmit what he felt. Instead he sent all his love, his trust, his faith and his determination through to his bondmate. He had not fought for countless stellar-cycles to save Jazz's life just to lose it right now through Megatron's hands. He also refused to fight for a klick longer against his comrades, now that he was himself again, finally free.
Therefore he moved, his stance changing to preparedness for an attack from the still stunned Decepticons. Megatron was the first to finally recover and his optics seemed to glow stronger as he looked at the black and white Saleen, the threat seeping of the big frame in waves.
But it was not the voice of the Decepticon leader, who could be heard after Barricade's refusal to fight. Instead it was the triumphant squeal of a human that broke the silence of the moment, again.
"Optimus!" Sam Witwicky screamed, the only one who had not paid his whole attention to the Saleen, pointing excitedly to the lone street that led by the farm.
And true to his words, during the whole confrontation between the Decepticons and Autobots, NEST soldiers and some more Autobots had arrived by plane close to the farm, but not close enough that they had been spotted by any of the present mechs. However, now they had driven close enough and after realizing that comrades and enemies alike had noticed them, the approaching Autobots no longer deemed it necessary to suppress their beacons.
The Decepticons could immediately link the signals of Optimus Prime, Ironhide, Ratchet, Acree, Jolt and Chromia to the approaching vehicles as well as two cars without any signal, meaning they were transportations of the human military.
Before any further thought could be spared for a fight, Optimus and his group already arrived and the Autobots quickly transformed, ready for action.
"Megatron!" Optimus raised his voice to the other leader, while the human soldiers sprang from their cars, took cover and leveled their weapons against the Decepticons.
"Prime!" the former Lord High Protector spat out, displeasure about the turn of events obvious on his face. The upcoming spat between brothers was interrupted however, when the leader of the human soldiers suddenly spotted Sam beside Bee and let out a shout of anger.
"Sam Witwicky!" Major Lennox exclaimed horrified. "What the hell are you doing here? Bumblebee, are you crazy to bring along your human charge for this mission? He's a civilian, not to mention wanted by the Decepticons!"
The Autobot scout had the grace to look a bit sheepish, however it was Sam, looking equally sheepish, who answered Will Lennox's question.
"I asked to come along", the boy explained, unpleasantly aware that now every single optic and eye had moved in his direction. "We were in the middle of nowhere on our way to a concert when Blaster's call came in telling us about the spotted Decepticon signal. We realized we were nearest to the coordinates, but Bee would not throw me out in a place with nowhere to hide and chances high that a Decepticon might accidently pass by and attack me. I also realized that this mission was important for information gathering, so I persuaded Bee", at this the Autobot let something out that was akin to a snort, "to take me with him while we followed the signal. By the time we finally arrived at a town where I could have gotten out and hide, we were already in the middle of persuading the seekers and could not risk wasting time. Therefore", concluded Sam and hold out his hands wide, "here I am."
"And right under my claws", Megatron purred dangerously, as he had listened just like everyone else. "Such a stupid boy."
The young man shuddered and grimaced, then glanced in the Decepticon leader's direction.
"I doubt it would be a good thing to try and kill me today", Sam said as calmly as he was able to. "You're outnumbered now. Not to mention your buddy over there doesn't seem too eager to fight."
Prowl was impressed. Honestly impressed that the boy had sacrificed his own safety to enable the Autobots a possibility for gathering information. And if he compared his current reaction with how the boy had acted three years ago when Barricade confronted him for the first time, then he could say that the human had certainly grown.
However, the Autobot tactician could not help the unhappiness that right now said young man brought back all attention to him with one single sentence.
"Ah yes, Barricade", Megatron mused and considered the Saleen with a dark look. "I guess the boy speaks the truth for once. I don't like disobedience, soldier. Therefore this is your last chance. I don't care that the Autobots outnumber with their stupid human allies. Take them out, show me your worth and you might be forgiven!
To everyone's surprise Barricade met the Decepticon leader's stare straight on and returned it with a heated of his own.
"I was used long enough by your scum", the Saleen growled out. "As it is, I will definitely not fight any Autobot. If you want a fight, send your own mechs and see if they can best me."
/Uh-oh, Prowler/, Jazz warned, not used to his bondmate acting so aggressive.
/There is a 99.6 percent possibility that one of them will attack me anyway, Jazz/, Prowl told his bonded. /Megatron doesn't forgive treachery. Therefore it will be in our favor if I can at least control the moment of attack and take away their advantage of surprise./
/Damn it, Ah hate it when yer battle computer is right about somethin'/, Jazz grunted but ceased his hold on his bondmate's attention to allow him his concentration for the fight. /Jus' be extra careful if you have to face Megatron. He is not easy to fight and certainly full of dirty tricks./
/I know Jazz/, Prowl answered simply and returned his attention back to the upcoming fight, where Megatron was busy glaring daggers at Starscream's trine it seemed.
"So, you thought that Barricade would be a wonderful Decepticon, worthy and loyal to my ranks?" he barked at the intimidated Thundercracker who was trying to partly shield his purple striped trinemate without being too obvious.
"I am sorry, Lord Megatron", the seeker with the blue stripes answered slowly. "But as long as we worked together with Barricade he had been nothing but loyal, just as we told you. He had been a perfect Decepticon until he left with Starscream's group to find you and the Allspark."
"Is that so?" the Decepticon leader interjected and furious glowing optics turned on the Air commander and second in command.
"Tell me, Starscream, how does it come that a loyal mech under your wing suddenly seems to turn into a traitor?"
To his great surprise, the seeker did not cower this time but regarded Barricade with thoughtful optics.
"What you indicate is untrue, Lord Megatron", he murmured. "However, I have to agree that his actions are certainly strange and far from what they are supposed to be."
Suddenly Starscream opened a hidden panel on his right side and grabbed a strange, rectangular device with an antenna and a small two-way-cable that he immediately connected with his own body. He held the item up and before anyone could say and do something the object turned out to be a scanner that threw a green, powerful beam all over the Saleen transformer.
Prowl and Jazz both got a bad feeling of foreboding.
Finishing the scan the Decepticon seeker's eyes glowed bright as he evaluated the data and disconnected the cable again from his body. Then satisfaction of the result caused his lipplates to turn into a nasty smile.
"I knew it!" he crooned, waving the strange device into the air. "The device shows the virus is dormant. I have no idea how that could have happened, but it certainly explains his current actions quite well."
If Prowl had been a human, his body would have run ice-cold.
/DORMANT?/ he screamed through the bond, panic quickly building. /It can't be true. Primus no, he can't say that it was never really gone, that it's still able to control me./
He shook his head in disbelief, his optics blinking slowly while Jazz tried to calm his mate down through the bond, all the while trying to keep his own rising panic in check.
Everyone else however, seemed quite confused by the Seeker's observations. On the side of where the Autobots and NEST stood, only Ironhide, Chromia and the twins made an impatient motion to attack, but they were silently held back by Optimus who was more interested in observing for now and trying to keep damage at a minimum. The Seekers and Megatron though seemed to have forgotten about the enemy for the moment anyway in face of their current confusion. And of course the leader of the Decepticons had no qualms about voicing his displeasure.
"What are you talking about, Starscream?"
"Oh, you remember the little project Shockwave worked on, shortly before you left to search for the Allspark, oh mighty leader?" Starscream carefully asked, failing however to leave out all resentment he felt about his leader's past choice to leave their dying planet behind. Megatron, ignoring the usual discontent he felt with the seeker, tried to be patient. Not sure which of the many projects Starscream was talking about, he indicated for the second in command to continue.
"After you left, we successfully caught a promising 'volunteer' for the first serious try and we were lucky. The experiment worked just fine and we gained a valuable comrade for our cause. Though I should add that while his abilities for the cause were useful, we experienced a serious lack in the case of information gathering. Honestly, I expected more from Shockwave's work. Still, the virus was largely a success."
He paused here for a moment, watching his leader and seeing that Megatron finally caught up about which experiment he was talking about.
"So, all the hard work and sacrifices finally paid off with the desired results", the former Lord High Protector concluded, satisfaction obvious in his voice. He ignored the silently listening Autobots who so far had not intervened after Optimus' order in hope of gathering information. Megatron was confident though, that the vague tale of his second in command could tell the Autobots nothing. And the humans were not even a concern, because the moment Starscream had mentioned Shockwave's project, the seeker returned to their original language which the annoying organic worms could not understand.
"So, who did you get as a volunteer?" he sneered into the direction of Barricade.
"High rank", Starscream answered smug and arrogant. "REALLY high rank."
"And it was all thanks to me", Skywarp hastened to add proudly, ignoring the dark look his trine mate sent his way.
"Good", the Decepticon leader smiled satisfied before he remembered something his second had said before and a frown appeared on his face. "But if you got such a high catch and the experiment went well, what did you mean when you said you experienced a serious lack in information?"
Starscream hesitated for a moment, carefully considering his words as not to aggravate his leader too much.
"We could not... reach any of his data. It seemed they accidently got deleted. Something I had emphasized Shockwave more than once he was supposed to make sure should NOT happen", he hastened to add. "And there was also the fact that Barricade seemed to have small dropouts. Nothing serious and Shockwave assured he was capable for duty, which he was. But he could also not explain it and that is the reason Barricade got assigned as a team with Frenzy. We were able to work around the problem for the time being by Frenzy hacking and re-establishing his memory banks every time he suffered those small dropouts. And Shockwave also gave me this tool that can measure the activity of the virus throughrough. I have to say, I expected a small defect report, but nothing as serious as finding the whole virus dormant."
He paused again, his narrowing optics falling on the tense and defiant form of the Saleen transformer.
"At least this certainly explains his latest actions and refusal to listen to you", the Seeker finally concluded before he sent a rather nasty smirk into the other's direction, purring. "Good thing Shockwave used his circuits for once and prepared for such an impossible case. One little command from this beautiful device and you'll be feeling all better again, Barricade, I promise. And then you can go and slag the Autobots and the stupid human insects."
tbc...