I forgot to take any of my current projects to work yesterday (cue the 'holy crap what am I going to do during lunch'), but remembered that I had a writing book in the back of my car. It reminded me that I hadn't typed any of the two chapters I had already written. So I sat down yesterday and did that.
On another note: Legend of the Seeker.... I'm not sure how I feel about you....
Title Rhythm & Hues: Dancing to a New Tune
Characters Rhythm, Jazz, Prowl, a few Decepticons
Warnings Implied Rape
Summary The continuing story of the two femmes (better summary next chapter).
Author's Note How obvious is it that this was written.... er....over a year ago?
Rhythm & Hues: Dancing to a New Tune
Chapter 1
Lost
Jazz walked into the lounge. Automatically he took in everyone's position, and activity. The twins bickered with Smokescreen over the results of last night’s wrestling match. Ratchet sat in a corner, glaring at the entire room, and Jazz figured he know just why their CMO was so mad, besides the fact that he had just waken up. Bluestreak, looking like he had hadn’t had a good recharge, sat dangerously close to the grumpy CMO. Off to one side, Huffer and Gears moaned about, well, everything. Rhythm sat with Bumblebee, touching the minibot in a flirtatious manner. Hues was still in the medbay after managing to twist her leg in a fall.
“Babydoll! What’s the plan for today?” He grabbed a cup of energon and went to stand behind Rhythm.
“Patrol!” Rhythm all but sang.
Everyone groaned, except Ratchet who snarled wordlessly, hands threatening to crumple his cup.
“What?” Purple optics blinked innocently.
“Wait till you’ve done it a million times over in bad weather making your joints squeal. Then we’ll see how enthused you are about it,” Huffer said in his whiny voice.
“Well, it’s supposed to rain today, but I’m not worried about ruining my finish. Unlike some mechs, I don’t have to work very hard to look good.”
Jazz choked back a laugh when Sunstreaker glared in the dancer’s direction.
The golden twin snorted. “That’s because you’re not trying to look perfect.”
Rhythm reached up and pulled Jazz closer to whisper in his audio horn. “I don’t think Ratchet’s very happy with me.”
Jazz glanced at the CMO through his visor. “Y’ didn’t hear his n’ Prowl’s shoutin’ match over sendin ya out.” Even though only Ratchet actually did any shouting. Prowl spoke in that soft, yet still authoritative manner of his.
A growl originated from the CMO’s direction. “I finally get some good help and they take her away from me.”
“Are y’ sayin’ ‘Aid’s not helpful?”
“Don’t program words into my vocalizer.” Ratchet snapped. He glared at Rhythm. “Don’t expect me to feel sorry for you if you do the same fragging stupid thing your sister did.”
Rhythm’s doorwings dipped in a sigh. “No Ratchet.” She glared up at the saboteur. “Thanks a lot Jazz,” she grumbled over a private line.
“You’re welcome, babydoll.”
She gestured rudely at him and stood. She paused to caress Bumblebee’s shoulder. “Later, Bee.”
The yellow minibot gripped her hand briefly before letting go. “Take care out there Rhythm.”
Sideswipe jumped to his feet suddenly and followed the femme out. The Lamborghini brothers seemed to have made it their job ot look after the femme twins, even though Rhythm and Hues were actually twice their ages.
“Why does Rhythm goin’ out bother ya so much, Ratch? Even First Aid’s pulled his share of patrol. ‘N it’s not like y’ don’t have any help. Wheeljack’s said he’s willin’ ta lend ya a hand.”
Ratchet glared at the saboteur. “I like having someone who won’t make me patients spontaneously explode, thank you very much. Or talk their audios out with information they’d rather not know. I like having someone who can help First Aid out with all the little things.” The CMO got up and stalked out.
Having successfully chased Ratchet away, Jazz plunked himself down next to the grey Datsun. “Y’look like a zombot, Blue. Prowl keepin’ ya online at night?”
Bluestreak hung his head. “It’s not like it’s that unusual. Especially after a battle. He’s told me to bunk with someone else for a recharge if I need to. I’m thinking I might just do that. Though I haven’t decided who to ask. I don’t really want to be a bother, but I’m really tired.”
“Aw, Blue. Y’know my room’s open if ya need it. Just let me know. Well,” Jazz downed the last of his energon and stood, “monitor duty calls. Take care on patrol. Don’t fall asleep behind your own wheel. Prowl’ll have your spark casing if y’do.”
“Thanks for the encouragement, Jazz,” Blue said snarkily.
****
Laserbeak watched the little blue sports car part ways from the two Lamborghinis. Hidden within dark clouds , he marked the direction each went. His prey followed a well-known patrol path. One Megatron had rarely crossed, and only to catch the Autobots off guard. He kenw the intent of his prey. He squawked softly to himself and accelerated toward one of the secret lairs the Decepticons had.
He swept into a small tunnel, his wings painfully scraping the walls. Rocks zoomed by, abruptly emptying into a large cavern. He screeed at the cone heads, and alighted on the outstretched silver arm of the Decepticon Commander.
“Welcome back, Laserbeak. What news do you have?”
The condor launched himself at Soundwave’s open chest. He twisted and turned, to slide into the cavity in his cassette form. Soundwave then transformed, and connected to the closes tmonitor. The screen blinked on, then showed a blue Lotus Esprit driving away from two Lamborghinis.
“So Prime is finally allowing his dancers out alone. Where is she headed?”
A map popped up, highlighting a swath of land.
“Perfect. Scrapper,” Megatron turned to the awaiting Constructicon, “it’s ready, isn’t it?”
The payloader bobbled his head. “Yes, Megatron.”
The Decepticon Commander allowed a sneer to curl his lips. “Good. Activate them.”
The Constructicon paused visor flaring. “All of them?”
Megatron smiled again, not a pleasant sight even without the sneer. “All of them. Astrotrain, Blitzwing, Sonudwave, Starscream, you have your assignments.”
“Not going to take care of it yourself? Does one little femme scare you that much?” Starscream crossed his arms underneath his pectoral vents.
Megatron summoned the rest of his troops. “No, I’ll be making sure the rest of the Autobots aren’t able to come and disturb you.”
****
Jazz wished he could chew bubblegum, like humans did. It would keep his mouth moving and give him something to occupy his time. And it would annoy Prowl. Always a fun thing to do. It might even be wort Ratchet’s ire to give it a try. Since the Decepticons had already done their energon raid for the week, nothing unusual showed up on radar.
Then Teletraan-1 chirped at him.
Jazz sat up straighter. “Prowl,you gettin’ this?”
The computer suddenly erupted into a chorus of beeps.
“Slag!” A number of jamming zones popped up on the screen. Spread across the area, all the way to Central City. Jazz hit a button to open a channel to the field units. “Patrol units, check in!”
Prowl stood behind Jazz, his optics on the flashing icons on the screen.
“They are after someone,” the tactician muttered.
“Wha-? How can y'tell?” Jazz asked, nodding as he noted each 'All clear'.
“Those are all on patrol routes.” Prowl went silent, his head tilted as he listened to the comm channel with Jazz.
Suddenly Trailbreaker's broke into the roll call. “I've got Decepticons out by Star Lake, reques-” the transmission broke off abruptly in a burst of static.
“Where is Rhythm?”
Jazz twisted about to stare at the tactician.
“Constructicons are tearing up Wilson's Dam ,” Sideswipe's voice came through suddenly, excitement lacing his tone.
“There are Insecticons chewing up the Jackson Bottom Wetlands ,” Hound added.
Optimus Prime strode into the control room. His optics immediately settled on Prowl. “Prowl, sitrep.”
“There are reports of Decepticon incursions. Jamming zones make it unknown if there are unreported raids.”
Prime's eyes frowned down at the tactician. “What's your analysis?”
Prowl never took his optics off the monitor. “Diversion. They are after someone.” Prowl turned to Jazz. “Who has failed to report in?”
“Mirage, Bluestrek and Rhythm.” Jazz continued trying to raise the three bots.
Ratchet's voice suddenly exploded over the comm. “Can someone explain why I have three fragging cassettes tearing up my medbay.” A ruckus could be heard in the background. “No! Hues don't fire that in here!” The line fell silent.
“Four Decepticon incursions,” amended Prowl, softly, in the following silence. He reached over Jazz and activated the comm. “Cliffjumper, Blades report to medbay for cleanup.”
“Do you have any idea what they might be after, Prowl?” Prime's optics joined the other two pairs in watching the monitor.
“Best guess? I would say Rhythm as she is the only new factor currently out there.”
Jazz tensed. Slag, the tactician hit the nail on the head. His fuel tank surged with the fear that they'd find his the inexperienced femme in pieces, just like all the other Autobot femmes. Then again, the Autobots hadn't been too gentle with the Decepticon femmes, either. It had been like an endless feedback loop.
“Orders, Prime?” No expression betrayed itself on the tactician's face.
The Autobot Commander sighed. “We need to deal with the Decepticons. Jazz call the strike teams, have them meet Ironhide in the weapons room.” Prime paused to lay a hand on Prowl's shoulder. “The faster we get rid of the Decepticons, the faster we can find our missing friends.” Then he turned to the saboteur. “Let us know if you hear anything.”
~*~*~*~
Trees reached up to scrape against fuselage. The four Decepticons flew low and fast, following the speck that was Laserbeak much higher in the sky. Then the black and red bird swooped down, laser fire belting from his optics.
A blue sports care came into view, dodging the condor's laser fire. The car suddenly transformed, and the femme opened fire on Laserbeak. The much larger Decepticons returned fire, striking her arms and leg and ripping into her torso. She whirled, purple optics wide. Her gun wavered and she transformed, her tires hitting the dirt road and spinning.
Blitzwing swooped down and transformed, his tank form smashed down in front of the car. Soundwave dropped onto the Esprit's canvas, digging his feet into the muddy earth. The femme's tires uselessly spun in the dirt as the Decepticon held her firm.
The other jets and shuttle transformed, and landed. Blitzwing sneered. “Transform, Autobot, so we can talk face to face.”
The Esprit shifted her wheels left and right in an effort to break free. “Talk? It takes four of you to talk to one femme?”
Starscream bent over to glare at the Esprit. “Transform yourself, or we will force you to.”
She rocked on her suspension. “Let me go, so I can.”
Metal bent under Soundwave's fingers, threatening. “Negative.”
The Esprit slowly rose, her body sliding into robot mode. Soundwave's hands adjusted their grip as parts moved and twisted. “Talk? Like you talked to my sister?”
Astrotrain grabbed the femme's doorwing and spun her around. “You're not 'talking' to Starscream.” He wrapped his large fingers around her upper arm and yanked her closer. “You'll be talking to us.”
Blitzwing spun the blue Esprit toward him. “Hey, isn't this the medic's new little helper? Isn't your name Rhythm, little doll?”
“What's it to you?” she hissed, pushing away from the triplechanger. “You wanted to talk, so talk!”
The Decepticons laughed.
“Ooh! She wants to get right down to business. Feisty little doll.” Blitzwing ran a hand down the femme's side, trailing blue sparks down her plating.
Rhythm jerked, her optics flashing with surprise. She pulled out her gun and aimed a shot at her captor. Astrotrain grabbed that wrist, twisting the gun out of her grasp. The triplechangers both caressed her with another sparking touch. The blue nurse yelped and lashed out with her free hand. Blitzwing easily caught the small fist.
Astrotrain took both her arms and twisted them behind her back.
“Let me go!”
The shuttle shifted both of her hands to into one fist. He grabbed the top of her helm and yanked her head back to look at him. “Or else what?” he snarled and then he shoved her face first into the mud. The wet, squishy mud muffled her cries as Blitzwing straddled her waist. The triplechanger fondled her doorwings, trailing sparks down the once shining finish. Then he grabbed the panels' edges and pushed the bottoms together.
Her scream echoed in the cloudy sky.
Starscream stiffened, his optics searching the trees. “Finish up so we can take her back to base.”
Rhythm spat a mouthful of mud toward the Seeker. “What's wrong, Starscream? Not mech enough to do it yourself?”
The Air Commander's lip curled in a sneer. He approached the pinned femme and bent one knee into the black mud. “Oh, I'll get to have my fun with you. Don't you worry.” He stood and resumed scanning the skies and the trees.
Laughing, Blitzwing lifted himself off her long enough to slam her back into the ground. Astrotrain held her wrists to the ground. A whimper squeaked out of her vocalizer. “Why are you doing this? Just deactivate me and get it over with.”
Astrotrain pressed his face close to hers.”Megatron wants you to talk. We're just making sure you'll be more than willing to answer his questions.” He nibbled at the edge of her crown. “Soundwave, you done sparking off over there, or ya gonna join us?”
The big blue tape deck stepped up and crouched next to the triplechangers and their femme captive.
Blitzwing dragged his fingers down her hips, searching for an edge. “Let's see how many ports we can uncover first.” He yanked off a port cover, eliciting a pained cry from their victim.
“This isn't happening,”Rhythm renewed her efforts to free herself. “Stop!” Her voice grew shrill with panic. “Get off me! No!”