#megatron: i would prefer to punch him

[searchingforatrail]

I think another reason Megatron was needed on the ship was because he served as an extension of Optimus's own authority, which in a way made it very hard for Rodimus to disagree with Megatron.

By making Megatron a captain, Rodimus had very little opportunity to say 'no' to him or to negate him.

Which considering how Rodimus was handling his crew, was absolutely needed. Up until Megatron became co-captain, no one could actually expect Rodimus to treat the members on the Lost Light any better. They could complain, but their complaints were often left unheard or unaddressed by Rodimus. His treatment and downplaying of their valid concerns, especially Magnus's was very, very problematic.

He essentially had total authority to made decisions that either dismissed people's concerns or got them hurt.

With Megatron, he wasn't able to do that. And with Megatron on the ship, Rodimus goes from being an overly carefree captain to a captain who has to contest with another mech who demanded that he and the concerns on the ship be taken seriously, which is a good thing because it was needed.

This is probably why people on the Lost Light tended to gravitate towards Megatron more, because his presence was a dependable one.

Of course Megatron wasn't responsible for all of Rodimus's development, but a huge chunk of it. Where other fans see people listening to Megatron over Rodimus as a 'power grab', it's very much the crew realizing that someone will actually take them seriously and preferring him over Rodimus because of this.

And knowing that Optimus Prime put him in that position most likely helps as well. He acts just how Optimus would act, albeit kinder because idw optimus might just punch you if he disagrees with you lol

And all that said, I don't think it should have been Megatron. I think the dynamic of having the crew's best option be the ex-war lord was not necessarily needed in the grand scheme of things. I don't hate it, but having people from the crew rally together to hold Rodimus accountable (cough cough...Drift) would have been more impactful.

Anyway i'm slowly building up a series analyzing just how negatively Rodimus treated members of the Lost Light through the perspective of structural abuse and religious abuse that you can read below. It's hardly put together but I plan for it to be a full lenght, in depth thingy:

#rodimus prime #megatron #the lost light #mtmte

[darkstarofchaos]

Time for another Unpopular Opinion. Let’s say you have two mechs from IDW. They are similar in a lot of ways: both have trauma around mental violation, have directly opposed multiple Primes, desired to create super soldiers, committed war crimes, yet had no initial interest in war. They’re both manipulative and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. There are also some notable differences between them: One is charismatic and physically powerful, the other is blunt and unimposing. One had soldiers created specifically to serve as cannon fodder, the other found needless deaths frustrating. One took pleasure in killing, the other just wanted to win the war.

One is Megatron, the other is Prowl.

Now, I see a lot of people argue that Prowl deserves everything that happens to him. They enjoy him getting punched, they make jokes about it, etc. But I have rarely, if ever, seen someone claim that Megatron deserves anything bad that happens to him. Therein lies my question: why is Megatron, the genocidal warlord, so beloved by the fandom when Prowl, an objectively better person, is reviled?

And no, “Megatron became a better person” is not an acceptable answer. Megatron got therapy and a support system, even if that support was sometimes just being called out when he fell back on old behaviors. Prowl was never even permitted an ally who stuck by him. Additionally, Megatron’s environment wasn’t compatible with his old way of thinking: no one trusted or liked him at first and conquering had no appeal anymore, so he couldn’t do whatever he wanted without retaliation and there was less motivation to act out. But Prowl remained stuck in the same situation. No matter what he wanted for himself, the war still needed to be fought, and he could only change his approach so much before the costs outweighed the benefits.

Becoming a better person when you have no support and your environment doesn’t allow for change is almost impossible. So no, moral growth is not an acceptable answer.

“I like Megatron and I don’t like Prowl” is an honest answer, and I can respect that. But it also implies that the hated character is being judged more harshly and “deserves” worse than the preferred character, regardless of whose crimes were actually worse. So this answer isn’t ideal either.

Perhaps it’s about real-world politics, then: Prowl was a cop and Megatron was a victim of police brutality. I rather doubt it, though, because many people favor Optimus or Chromedome - both ex-enforcers - over Prowl. And while you could argue that’s a case of them being better people, I’m not going to give Optimus Annexation Prime the benefit of doubt on that one.

At the end of the day, though, I think the answer is pretty obvious: people like Megatron and hate Prowl because the narrative told them to. The narrative promised an adventure-filled redemption arc for the Leader of the Decepticons himself, and fans ate it right up. The narrative said that Prowl is a jerk and even his allies hate him, and the fans jumped right on board the bandwagon. The narrative gave Megatron every chance to succeed and took everything Prowl had to lose, and the fans decided nothing was wrong with this state of affairs.

I’ll grant that the concept of a Megatron redemption was interesting the first time. I rather disliked it, but I can’t fault anyone for enjoying the change of pace. But all things being equal, I would much rather have seen Prowl in the therapist’s chair.

Also, if you’re someone who thinks they both did horrible things and they both deserved to be punished, I appreciate your fairness.

#Transformers #transformers idw #Megatron #Prowl

[heliopauseentertainments]

Could I please have something about Megatron applying his gladiator era warpaint while on the Lost Light? For whatever reason. Any ship is fine. I just really liked his warpaint, hah.

Thank you!

Thank you for asking. This one was pretty fun. Please enjoy a quintuple MegaRatch drabble below the cut.

I'll probably crosspost this later. AO3, Word, and Scrivener all disagree on word counts for the same text, did you know that? It makes editing annoying.

Notes: Post-LL25, alcohol mention in passing, ambiguous relationships

“Interesting choice for the ‘Person You Would Most Like To Punch’ Party,” Ratchet said, still thinking it was an unholy mouthful of a name for an event.

He had decided to duck out when the drinking began among the many Whirls, only to bump into Megatron—the real one, not Rodimus with an upturned janitorial bucket on his head—on the other side of the door to Swerve’s.

Megatron who was not dressed as anyone else.

Instead he had chosen to paint himself in streaks of dull red, reminiscent of rusted claw marks.

The marks had been meant to intimidate opponents back in the arena. The dark paint under the optics had the bonus of marginally reducing glare. They were comical on a face lined with time.

Ratchet crossed his arms. It wasn’t as though he had more of a leg to stand on; he hadn’t dressed as anyone either. He had only come to see that Drift hadn’t sneaked in any blades, an explicitly banned item by the bar’s management.

Megatron, however, said nothing, only frowning down at Ratchet like he’d been caught doing something embarrassing.

“Not doing much to beat the narcissism allegations, are you?” Ratchet prompted. “You’re also late.”

“I—“ Megatron hesitated, something Ratchet still wasn’t used to, even after all these years. “I had misgivings about attending in any capacity.”

A valid point.

Megatron dressing up as anyone else would probably send an unfortunate message, both as a captain and in light of his previous… occupation. Even if not ideal, Megatron choosing his past self was really the safest option.

Ratchet also had the suspicion some of the delay was down to Megatron being particular about getting the lines of the paint right, especially since his armor had been different back when such intimidation displays would have been a daily ritual.

“But you wanted to socialize with the crew.” A constant challenge for anyone self-reliant; Ratchet could relate, even if he had more social skills in one bolt than Megatron had in his entire patchwork body—Aha! That was perfect.

“I have an idea.”

Ratchet smiled up at the awkward oaf, patting him on the arm when Megatron tilted his head to the side.

“I’m part of the crew and I have no interest in this—“ Ratchet threw his thumb towards the door behind him. “—excuse to drink.”

And given that Megatron did not drink at all, he would likely have an uncomfortable time.

“How about you socialize with me instead? I’ve got some old holonet medical drama recordings I’ve been watching to get unnecessarily upset at. Why don’t you join me, Captain?”

The embarrassment in Megatron’s frown didn’t leave exactly, so much as it shifted, seeming to come from a novel source. The way his optics left Ratchet’s face to fix firmly on the floor confirmed the suspicion.

“Frankly, that’s a preferable alternative.”

Ratchet looped his arm around Megatron’s elbow, tugging him along down the hallway.

“Excellent. We’ll put your medical knowledge to the test.”

#ask #anonymous #fic #drabble #idw1 #mtmte #megatron #ratchet #megaratch

[keef-a-corn]

Dat’s right, people, it’s time for ‘Keef watches TFP and you just get the notes!’

This is for season 1, episode 16: Operation: Breakdown

I write down the timestamps, but I watch Transformers Prime on Stan (an Australian streaming service) so they may be slightly off.

ALSO! I try my best to note points for every character, but tend to get a little caught up by Bee (although I think I do a pretty good job with the notes regardless) so do be warned.

These notes are really critical and may give you whiplash + not many screenshots for this episode, sorry.

~~~~Transition~~~~

00:07 - first up, this visuals, the audio, really makes the place seem eerie. It’s perfect.

00:23 - Breakdown manages to keep it creepy.

00:38 - All things considered, decepticons calling humans ‘pets’ is not so much an insult as it is an interpretation.

00:47 - Once again, not so much an insult as it is a statement. Miko is a soft spot for Bulkhead (she’s also a weakness and a strength.).

00:51 - A ‘damn right’ would’ve been more suited, but go off

00:55 - beautiful spin. + I much prefer the rivalry between Breakdown and Bulkhead to Arcee and Airachnid. On paper both rivalries are the same. The decepticon is physically stronger, but also talks a lot during fights to get in the Autobot’s head and it totally works. It’s just that Bulkhead responds less to Breakdown’s taunts and doesn’t get as heavily affected by them (compared to Arcee).

01:10 - I may have laughed a bit too hard. + It feels like Breakdown has more respect for Bulkhead than Airachnid does for Arcee. One thing that makes an amazing rivalry is when there’s a level of respect.

01:46 - Aside from plot, why would they take Breakdown? As much as it increases their chances of dealing with the autobots, he’s in worse condition than Breakdown and they have an understanding of how much Bulkhead can endure.

~intro~

02:37 - I had the same reaction as Bulkhead.

02:46 - Not liking the theme of ‘charge not recognising when something’s wrong with their guardian and what they’re doing is not the solution’. I can’t quite remember if it happened in Predatory, but I do know it happened in Out of His Head.

03:04 - Bee’s doing it again.. + For anyone else the phrasing Optimus used would be putting it nicely, for Optimus it’s harsh. Bulkhead has a very different dynamic with Optimus compared to the others so I think it’s more caused by Optimus not knowing how he’s supposed to talk to Bulkhead.

03:08 - now what Optimus said makes it feel victim blame-y. It isn’t, but it comes off that way.

03:12 - Something about the ‘stay still’ felt so.. correct. It was firm and assertive, but in the way instructions should be given.

03:14 - Miko’s probably got something that means she can’t pick up on cues, probably ADHD (this is an observation, not an insult.), with that in mind, I will still say it’s frustrating to see her hyping him up while he’s injured and in trouble.

03:16 - One of the reasons I don’t like Miko and Bulkhead’s dynamic is the same reason as to why I hated the way Raf was acting when Bee was being controlled by Megatron, but to a worse extent. Miko, on purpose or by accident, puts pressure on Bulkhead to act a certain way for her. You can see he’s upset because he didn’t do it and that’s heartbreaking.

03:23 - Bulkhead woke up alone, why would the others have come, dealt with Breakdown, but left Bulkhead behind?

03:33 - I understand that it was a guess and that Bulkhead ain’t the smartest, but why would it be Fowler?

03:34 - I believe this is the first time Agent Fowler’s shown up and I haven’t wanted to punch him.

03:47 - Odd that Starscream would be the one to recognise it. Feels like it would’ve been more accurate for Knockout to have noticed.

03:54 - Rude and highly unnecessary.

04:07 - Love that confidence for Starscream.

04:20 - big talk from someone that was tricked into saving Optimus.

04:46 - that shot was confusing. It implied that it was from Breakdown’s perspective but quickly changes.

05:08 - Kinda vibing with that description of a human.

05:10 - That was weirdly passive.

05:22 - breakdown deserves better.

05:30 - do they though? I thought they only wanted parts.

05:46 - Agent Fowler really stepping up rn.

06:00 - I have no clue what he could’ve possibly said.

06:07 - Seeking Validation from Miko.. Not how the dynamic should roll and really hurts to witness.

06:09 - Prime holding onto his values. Finally someone’s got their head screwed on. Throughout the delivery of his command, he was jolting slightly. Not heavily-animated, but certainly not ordinary.

06:15 - ‘h-what??’

06:17 - has everyone just forgotten their Values?? (Maybe- I seriously am in the dark on what Bee’s saying) Their whole thing is about rights and freedom. + They know MECH is smart and dangerous. Obviously they’re going to use Breakdown as a reference for Cybertronian Technology.

06:37 - This scene is so weird.. Why is there so much pushback??

07:02 - Fowler really showing change rn by admitting that MECH is dangerous to humans too, clearly in contrast to how he acted during Convoy.

07:11 - Glad that was addressed too.

07:14 - MECH’s location really ain’t impressive in the slightest.

07:27 - aw, no.. ;-;

07:43 - That’s.. horrifying you hear.

08:05 - Breakdown’s reactions are making me cry. Since he works with (and dates-) Knockout, you can imagine that he’s heard some of these lines before, but it’s a whole different thing to have them told to him.

08:18 - This is heartbreaking. I thought the scene would’ve ended sooner, but it didn’t and that makes it so much worse.

08:29 - there’s something so.. perfect about this shot.

08:32 - deary dear de I’m gonna loose my mind with the way Optimus (aka Peter Cullen) pronounces each character’s name.

08:33 - There’s something so unbelievably confusing about Bulkhead’s relationship with Optimus.

08:36 - MMMM YES! DELICIOUS! LOVE ME SOME RESPECTFUL LEADERS.

08:38 - the stutter- I can’t breatheee

08:40 - My school should learn a thing or two from Optimus rn. History with people can make things complicated. Optimus is making the right call, for Breakdown, for Bulkhead and for everything else that’s at stake.

09:18 - Go off, Fowler. Really behaved this episode and proved useful… Miko’s giving me whiplash.

09:30 - cover poster potential.

09:43 - Why would that be the right call? Tracks are clues in a situation with vehicles involved.

09:47 - I feel like that isn’t actually a direction.

09:52 - Height difference- also colour palettes got me laughing fr. Like Arcee and Optimus have darker colours, better for blending in. Ratchet’s white and orange, but because of the blue hue he blends in a bit, meanwhile Bee’s just neon. He looks like a highlighter.

09:55 - that’s an unfortunate concept. There’s a little part of me that wants to say that it’s a ploy (honestly cannot remember much of this episode) as it could be the same energon signal Bulkhead and Breakdown were responding to at the start and that’s why there was a focus on the tracks.

09:56 - Kongs vs Godzilla

10:12 - TFP didn’t have the rights to ‘Godzilla vs King Kong’

10:31 - translation: we’re exes. But in all seriousness, rivalries are always looked on in some sort of light but this is a prime (Hehe) example of what they can also be like.

10:45 - heavily animated Bulkhead

10:46 - Miko really just used ‘bromance’ and decided not to explain.

11:17 - Bee running like a child while Optimus just walks is an incredible visual despite the darkness of the episode.

11:21 - Arcee and Bee aren’t in sync but their movements are clearly practiced.

11:33 - Bee’s wings are sticking out. SERIOUSLY HOW DOES THIS BOT HIDE??

11:38 - They’re like dogs when you take them on a walk with the leash more relaxed.

11:41 - wouldn’t they benefit more from Optimus being behind Ratchet? Incase they’re attacked from behind and all.

11:52 - Horrifying and gross.

12:41 - under appreciated line right here.

12:47 - Optimus didn’t move, while everyone else reacted.

12:50 - Wouldn’t Silas have seen Ratchet first? Granted he wouldn’t know Ratchet.. or any other bots’ names, but he should’ve waited a moment to spot Optimus before addressing him.

12:57 - Optics- not eyes.

13:01 - all bots acting very calm.

13:16 - if Optimus had finished that line with ‘a lil bitch.’ I’m certain the show would’ve won thousands of awards.

13:19 - they’re not like other girls.

13:39 - it’s very heavily implied that there’s bomb. Why aren’t they moving??

14:15 - poor baby’s so confused.

14:27 - except that he warned the bots so odds are they are safe. (I know we know they are, but he doesn’t)

16:08 - proper rivals know when their differences must be put aside.

17:05 - incredible aim.

18:36 - That was awesome. Points to Starscream, amazing trick and amazing execution.

18:54 - Some points taken away. They’ve got an unspoken truce going and until they both walk away, it’s still in play.

19:18 - That was beautiful.

20:05 - Damn Optimus, couldn’t even wait until you got home, huh?

20:11 - Nevermind- still do not understand their relationship though. + heavily animated Optimus.

20:18 - that’s the way a child explains how they one tip/tag at school

21:17 - Why would they use Breakdown as a reference for Optimus?? There are so many differences by physical structure alone.

———————

And that was Operation: Breakdown.

Ignoring the fact that this episode would’ve gone very differently if Ratchet hadn’t dismissed Bee after he pointed out the tire tracks it’s a pretty good episode. Not a favourite, but still a good watch. Fowler really stepped up this episode, which was good. I liked the focus on Bulkhead, even when it came at the price of Miko.

I liked the way it portrayed Bulkhead and Breakdown’s relationship. Got thoroughly confused by Optimus and Bulkhead’s though.

Not much else to say.

#transformers #transformers prime #tfp #tfp bumblebee #maccadam #tfp optimus prime #tfp ratchet #tfp arcee #tfp bulkhead #tfp soundwave #tfp megatron #tfp mech #tfp silas #tfp breakdown #tfp starscream #tfp miko #kwtfp #Keef watches tfp #TFP notes #tfp ep notes #tfp ep 16 #episode 16 #operation:breakdown

[virovac]

Transformers videogame idea

My idea of Autobots and Decepticons as different revolutionary groups starting at opposite ends of the planet could have Video Game potential.

As in before Autobots and Decepticons at war or know much of eachother could have two story campaigns of each overthrowing or liberating citystates.

And one or two teamup levels. “Decepticons? No offense but I don’t think something that edgy is gonna catch on as a name.”

The boss fights can be really weird as we’re fighting transformers which have fundings of whole cities backing them and not worried about long term maintenance in hostile environments , so could  have unusual designs made to be awe inspiring.

Like imagine punching an aristocrat with a body like Beast Machines Jetstorm, who believe’s he’s too good to walk anywhere.

--

And imagine what happens to goons afterwards you take out their leader

“Dude. What are we gonna do? The senator is dead? I don’t got any skills or talents except for busting heads!”

“You should be thinking more how we’re gonna be up against the wall numbnuts”

*Megatron bursts through the wall his entourage behind him”

Megatron: “Perhaps I have a solution to your gentlemechs...employment concerns”

---

I might also say I prefer the nonhumanoid bodytypes being specialist types rather than animals or “different races”. Ravage was shown as working security in UK comic prequel.

Creating transformers with bodytypes that would require a lot of money to reformat to take on other roles could be a way to maintain control over subjects prior to autobots or decepticons improving transformation technology. Especially when as part of enforcement and subjugation so it could be hard to find a surgeon willing to do that for a former tool of the state.

Chompazoids from the western RID cartoon I could see employed for demolition of slums.

Also I think it would be funny if contrary to those robots cybertronian wildlife looks more like “call a smeerp a rabbit” or maybe not even mechanical, especially since the G1 cartoon a throway line established hey had inorganic crystalline birds.

#transformers #video game ideas

[primevein]

The Prime of His Youth: Book IV: Fire's Master: Ch20: Contact

Victoria fell towards the planet. Her gravity umbrella slowed her down while also protecting her on reentry. When in the atmosphere, it kept her falling at the same speed. A speed most Cybertronians would fear, mind you, at least until she approached the canopy of the colossal, violet mushrooms. She slowed herself down even more as she approached them. She struck one and passed through it. It had structure, but it also felt like air. Like warm air, or something similar. The warm air started to rush out from the rupture, and the mushroom started to wilt. She punched through the other side and continued to descend, eyes always on the desired landing point. She approached the ground, and slowed even more before landing hard enough to damage the ground. She looked about, ande saw Stormwright close to the Predacon. While she was eyeing the Predacon out of the corner of her eyes, her focus was instead on colossal beasts, as tall at the shoulders as a Cybertronian Femme. One appeared like a great wolf, or at least vaguely similar. The other not as tall, but far longer, in the form of some hooded serpent.

"So?" Victoria's great contralto asked.

"We were just having a chat." Stormwright strongly said.

"I guess we should introduce ourselves. I am Victoria, Wrath of the Prime. He would like to speak with you." She strongly, but politely said. Wolf growled and snarled while the serpent hissed. It's hood opened up even more as it's fangs were bared. "I suppose we could do this the hard way if you want you." she uttered. She activated her gravity field below the two, slamming them into the ground. "I am serious, though, he just wants to talk."

"Talk?!" the wolf uttered, while the serpent simply let out a harsher hiss. "He must be important?!"

"He is a Prime." Victoria said to him.

"The only living Prime." Stormwright added.

The serpent's eyes shifted to Twinstrike.

"He's just helping us talk to you." Victoria said to them. The two creatures struggled against the gravity, but got nowhere. "If I wasn't my gravity field, it would be my sword. Which would you prefer?"

"You're... not... giving us... a choice..." the voice uttered. The serpent again just hissed.

* * *

The Skyfall maneuvered through the colossal mushrooms. It eventually set down and dropped it's ramp. Japheth stepped out and down the ramp. He heard the wolf growling at him ferociously as the serpent hissed. "I am Japheth Prime." he said as he walked up. Arcee stayed at the last step before the ground, while the other Femmes huddled near the top. "And you are?"

"Why - should - we - answer?" the wolf ferociously asked.

"Because I've come a long way to find Cybertron's lost colony." Japheth stated, as he kneeled down to look the wolf in the eyes. This seemed to calm him down, "You're not interested in what happened to Cybertron after you left?" he asked, and silence reigned. He turned to Victoria, "Let them go." he said, and she instantly did. She broke apart into the Rust Maidens, with eyes looking in every direction.

The wolf proudly and angrily stood, and glared at him. The serpent coiled and hissed, looking ready to strike.

"I'm just here to talk." Japheth stated.

"Is that all you want?" the great serpent hissed.

"Normalize relations?" Japheth asked, "Open trade routes?"

"For - what?!" the great wolf.

"Whatever you want to trade. Whatever you need?" Japheth casually asked.

"You - are not - afraid of us?" the wolf asked.

"Do I feel fear?" Japheth asked, "Yes. But not as much as when I was knee high staring at Megatron."

"It's a stunning story." Stormwright stated.

"IT'S - A - FANTASTIC - STORY!" Rust Dust exclaimed.

Japheth saw a lack of recognition on their faces, "You've never been touched by the Great War, have you?"

The great beasts just stared at him for a moment. "What side do you represent?"

"The side that won." Pyra Magna proudly stated.

"The side that cares about personal freedom." Japheth stated. The two simply glared at him. "The side with a living Prime." he continued. They momentarily looked at each other before looking back at Japheth. "I'm assuming you have a safer place to talk?" he genuinely asked.

The two great beasts looked at him. The wolf turned back, "We will speak of this. Beware of the rain." He turned to dash off into the woods as the serpent turned to slither.

Japheth turned to Twinstrike, "The rain?"

Twinstrike, in his dragon form, looked at him curiously, "I suppose you will be affected by them, like the tiny creatures when they are naked."

Japheth sighed, "Is it acid rain?"

"Scrap!" Arcee exclaimed.

Japheth turned to ship and then the Rust Maidens, "Everyone on the ship! And then let's make sure the ship is under cover!"

* * *

Gella walked up to her console. Overland and Angle Drive were giggling. She just rolled her eyes.

"You did disappear the one time Japheth actually needed you." Angle Drive said to her, and she audibly sighed.

"What did I miss?" she asked.

"The mushrooms apparently include gas bags to keep them floating." Overland said to her, "We have confirmation of the large animals that Japheth suspected."

"When did he suspect?" she neutrally asked.

"While you were galavanting around with Wheeljack." Angle Drive said to her.

She audibly sighed, "I was also with Bulkhead." Angle Drive shrugged.

"He encountered a Predacon, who helped him find..." Overland said, and paused, looking at Angle Drive.

"Tiny creatures inside false beasts." Angle Drive added.

"And what does that mean?!" Gella asked.

"Exactly?" Overland asked.

"Anything else?"

"Acid rain?" Overland added.

"Of course." Gella uttered, letting out a heady sigh.

"Anything we can do about it?" Angle Drive asked.

"Surprised you pulled your head out of your equations." Gella said to him.

"Half out." Angle Drive simply stated, and she rolled her eyes.

"Depending on the acid, we can protect against it." Overland stated, "The problem is making it wearable." He paused for a moment, "And covering the Skyfall."

Colossus' face appeared on Gella's console, "I will handle the Skyfall." he stated, and his face disappeared.

"Is he always listening?" Angle Drive asked.

"He is, literally, next door." Gella said to him, and Angle Drive appeared to have never thought of that.

Jim-Bob Roy then walked out of a tiny, Human-sized door from the wall onto Gella's console. "And what are you doing here?" she curtly asked him.

"Acid rain?" Jim-Bob Roy asked.

"Were you also listening in?" Angle Drive asked.

"I was coming here to help with the acid rain. You guys need to remember I have tiny, Human legs, afterall."

"A... valid point..." Gella uttered.

"Rudy and Jessica also want to know if they can help?" Jim-Bob Roy asked.

Gella looked a him for a moment, "Very well."

Colossus' face once again appeared on the console, "I will take this - Jessica." he uttered. His face then disappeared.

"I thought we were the anti-social ones?" Overland asked.

"To be fair, we weren't the ones experimented on." Gella replied.

"I get the impression he was always that way." Angle Drive replied.

"Are you calculating pi in your head?" Gella asked him.

"The natural number." Angle Drive simply replied.

* * *

Sirenia opened up the comm. channel, and Colossus' face appeared on one of the Skyfall's monitors. "Sirenia, I wish to speak with Japheth."

"Coming!" Japheth bellowed, as he stood up and walked up to the monitor.

"I have made spectral analysis of both the sun and the planet's atmosphere, and believe I know the chemicals in the acid rain. We can manufacture a ceramic blended with artificial polymers. The only problem is that we will need access to the world's surface, and atmosphere, respectively."

"Did the Humans help you with the analysis?" Japheth asked, and Colossus stared at him blankly.

"I have... commandered Jessica Joseph to aid me with the construction."

"Very well." Japheth stated. "Can we do it with the equipment we have on the Skyfall?"

"A moment." Colossus said, and his image disappeared. Japheth stepped back and gently looked about. Colossus reappeared. "Negative. We will need the Skyfall to ascend. The Phthia will return to orbit in a quarter cycle."

"Half a day..." Japheth uttered. "If it does rain, how long do we have to escape?"

"A moment." Colossus said, "I will need to consult with Angle Drive. I will contact you with the information." His face disappeared from the screen.

* * *

"Any chance I can join the expedition?" Jessica Joseph asked him.

Colossus just stared at her for a moment, "Given the Human rate of regeneration, it is unlikely you would ever recover from even incidental exposure."

"And Cybertronians?"

"We recover slower, but live far, far longer." Colossus stated, "Further, our medical technology is far more advanced with Cybertronians than it is with Humans. To be frank, as much as I appreciate your contributions, your nature is... fragile..."

Jessica Joseph gave him a bright smile, and this made him even more confused. "We know how fragile we our. Until... well... Japheth, if Humans wanted to leave our world, we have to face bone and muscle loss to the point we would have to learn to walk again when we return to Terra." Colossus simply stared at her. "You don't become an astronaut because we are afraid of risks."

Colossus stared at her for a moment before replying, "Still, if there are others less at risk, it seems unwise to do so."

Jessica Joseph let out a great sigh, "Yeah..." she uttered.

"I suppose if you remained on the Skyfall, the risk would not be greater than it would be for a Cybertronian, as you risk stranding."

* * *

Japheth stood above all of the Femme's gathered around the back of the Skyfall. "Everyone else will be returning to orbit. The Skyfall will be refit to survive the acid rain."

"Everyone?!" Arcee harshly asked, "ELSE?!"

"Someone has to remain here." Japheth stated.

"We do call it a Gravity Umbrella?" Pyra Magna asked.

"It can block rain?" Japheth asked.

"We don't like getting wet." Pyra Magna stated. "Well, depending on how hot we are."

"100%?" Japheth asked. "For a quarter cycle?"

"A quarter cycle is pushing it..." Rust Dust stated.

"Bah, we can do it." Jumpstream stated.

"I want you to activate the shield the moment it starts to rain."

"Only if we get cuddles..." Skyburst stated.

"...while we wait." Stormclash added.

"Cuddling is fine." he said firmly.

"And me?" Arcee asked.

"I want us to take as little risk here as possible." Japheth simply stated. "Once the ship is protected, it can stay on the surface."

"tsk." Arcee replied, "Yeah..." she let out an annoyed affirmation.

#transformers #prime #the prime of his youth #darcee #jack darby #arcee

[ballisterboldheart]

it is my duty to grant you both a chance to prove your worth in 🌟 the trials!🌟

#transformersedit #tfedit #maccadam #tf cyberverse #tf cheetor #tf megatron #tf optimus prime #s.gif #let's be real ladies this is THEE funniest bit cyberverse did #cheetor: ok guys to get the most powerful artifact in the universe answer some simple questions about each other ^.^ #megatron: i would prefer to punch him #optimus: i would also prefer he punch me #megs is so upset by optimus not knowing abt his gladiator fights lmao #optimus: i don't. i don't know every guy megatron killed. sorry. #megatron: do you even fucking love me. i want a divorce.

[pastelpaperplanes]

Yet Another Big Ol Ask Post

They may have an angel face, but they’re a born and bred heavily trained soldier through and through! Sadie may be on the younger side, but they can absolutely hold their own against an opponent or two, or FIVE.

Megs just always worries bc that’s his job, to worry and to hover and to protect even if he definitely overdoes it. His ‘baby’ really isn’t a baby anymore and that’s not smth he wants to admit anytime soon.

Crusade will always need Megs in some way or another, that’s their Carrier!! but really it’s Megs who needs Crusade the most :’) he just wants to see them safe as the possibly can be, tough job during wartime for sure.

now that’s the long answer ^^ here’s my preferred one:

y Es. baby bot baby

Dw I haven’t been asked this before! They were about the equiv. of 12 years old they came out

Crusade always knew growing up that they were different, whether it be that they were so small for their age, why they had no claws, why their armor couldn’t quite take as big of a punch on the sparring mats, or why they never really quite felt right standing along their comrades—feeling almost like an imposter in their own frame. They knew that there was some side of them that was not quite ONE label and the other another, not even a mix of the two, but something entirely new.

Announcing their new chosen titles was a struggle only because they didn’t have much confidence in the importance of their voice. They’d gotten enough sneers as is simply for just existing at their Carrier’s hip—to ask for accommodation and acknowledgement for these new titles was a daunting task, but Megatron was there for them and their request was respected.

Slip-ups happened, corrections were made, and Crusade had never felt more secure—more like their own mecha before. Megatron couldn’t have been more proud to see his child genuinely so comfortable, he’d suspected for a long while that Crusade had been holding their breath about something, he was just relived Crusade had the courage to take charge and make the change they needed!

So the build up was a struggle, but they thrived after coming out. Acceptance was met entirely.

(pronouns and sexualities are respected faction/frametype/sub frame type/classwide/ect. Genuinely there would have never been no backlash, Crusade just had nerves about speaking up about importance of this request to be addressed the way they needed to be)

yes and it was HILARIOUS

I’ve already drawn Crusade in this stage of looking like a lanky string bean until they filled out, but you know what we must appreciate the awkward teenage stage more

Fun times choosing their signature weapon! They may have been a bit too eager

Crusade I’m so sorry your awkward suffering is my comedy

ehehe Sadie’s got some big ol teeth, 100% pure titanium grade Warframe CHOMPERS

they didn’t get lucky enough to inherits Meg’s claws too, but they make do >:3

biting in battle sure is like,, a last resort lmao, but man if you get them frantic enough to reach that point you better count on your armor being crumpled like it’s tinfoil

Megatron’s rescuer

Tarn fulfilled the vulnerable favor that was asked of him by his leader. He performed extremely well and Megatron never once wanted for nothing. Tarn wished this rare closeness was met under a more ideal circumstance, but he took was was offered to him—which was a relationship exclusively formed out of necessity.

Tarn liked to pretend they were something more at times

Megatron knew he needed a pseudo-Sire that he could call on to be efficient, and above all trust worthy as his own high command didn’t exactly have the time or hold enough favor in their leader to assist Megatron. Tarn was a bit overzealous and even more clingy with his task, but he was undoubtedly loyal, more than physically capable of caring for both him and his unborn passenger.

Once his job was finished and Crusade’s needs were met, Megatron cut off their meetings entirely. Tarn understood—and on top of that was grateful, as he didn’t exactly want to stick around to play daddy to an newborn Autobot spawn, but that didn’t stop him from making the occasional under the table proposition to his Leader.

Tarn and Crusade do not have any sort of relationship outside of military based interactions.

#my art #cybertron’s legacy au #transformers #crusade #lots of stuff and things #wholesome cursed angsty #tarn is a simp #and jealous of a child’s attention so #wow #megatron #tfa megatron #tarn #tfa tarn #megop #tfa megop #transformers animated

[sunshineandcybertronians]

A Chance Like This - Knockout x reader

Word count: 7,740 Warnings: none Takes place on the episode “Flying Mind” A/N: This is the longest oneshot I’ve ever written and actually turned out pretty good. I wrote this over a year ago. I think I did a good job adding enough that it wasn’t just the whole episode written down.

You were staring wide eyed as Bulkhead told the human charges about his adventure being stuck on Nemesis. The group of listening humans, including you, was standing on the high platform closest to the groundbridge.

“And when the Insecticons backed off, I got inspired by my proximity to the power core, and did what I do best.” He hit his fist into the other servo making a loud crash for dramatic effect.

Miko and you stood by the yellow, metal guards while Jack leaned on the desk, Raf was sitting by the computer, and Agent Fowler stood in the back.

“Whoa,” you let out. Being stuck on the ship would be something you hate; you would have no idea how to get off.

“You trashed Megatron’s ride like a rock star in a hotel room.” Miko threw her hands into the air.

“So what are we going to do now?” you asked when you realized the Decepticons would in one spot and unable to move for a long period of time.

“We should hit the ‘Cons right now, while their vulnerable,” Arcee said to her teammates with determination.

“Megatron’s warship may be grounded, but let’s not forget we remain vastly outnumbered,” Ratchet, who was apart from the group and on your right, reminded.“Especially since he has added the insecticon hive to his ranks.”

“Then maybe it’s time for me in call in an air strike,” Agent Fowler stepped closer to the railing. “Or for us to consider more extreme measures, Agent Fowler.” The prime had a grim look in his optics that made you uneasy. He gestured for Ratchet to follow him down the corridor. Their heavy, metal steps resonated through the room. Your heart pounded as your mind searched the all the possibilities of what could happen with worry. Not just because Optimus Prime having that emotion was a reason for concern. 

Because there was someone on Nemesis that you didn’t want hurt.

He walked back into the room with a blue circular object, with gray designs covering it that made you stumble back.

“Is that…?” you began, but couldn’t finish the sentence.

“The spark extractor? Yes,” Optimus replied.

“I thought that… doing that would be too violent and wrong… to just take all of their sparks at once. Why…?” You struggled for words in shock.

“Although I would greatly prefer lesser means, it could be our only chance to end the war.”

“I guess. I just wish… it didn’t have to end like that. There has to be another way, right?” your eyes reflected sadness and hope.

He let out a sad sigh. “While I wish the same, I fear we have no other option.”

You whimpered. There was the urge to say more and attempt to convince them to choose another path. Yet you knew everyone would probably get annoyed at you for defending the villains, and Optimus Prime made up his mind. Who were you to question his decision? There was still something inside of you that wanted to stop it, that wasn’t at peace.

You didn’t want all of the Decepticons to die. You didn’t want Knockout to die.

You didn’t know him that well, but you were fond of him. His personality, his finish, just everything about him made you have a soft spot for him. When you got the chance, you’d try to get pictures of him, it was just hard to without getting caught. You wished you were actually friends with him, although now it would be too late.

The thought of him dying twisted and stabbed your heart. You probably should have never let yourself get that attached, but there was no going back.

A beeping at the console in front of Ratchet interrupted your thoughts.

“Optimus, I’m detecting a massive energy spike at the Decepticon crash site. It appears to be dark energon.” Ratchet had a serious and grim expression on his faceplate.

Everyone, except Optimus Prime, flinched at the news. They stared at the map with a purple circle on what you assumed to be the crash site.

The groundbridge lit up with the light swirling and dancing once Ratchet flipped the switch. It seemed much blurrier than usual. That’s when you realized how much tears formed in your eyes. You swiftly blinked them away, refusing to be caught. A part of you wanted to run in, to see if there was a way to save him or see him one more time. The thought of seeing his faceplate twist in pain in flinching as his spark was wretched away from him was enough you have you rapidly blinking. Please don’t cry in front of them; please don’t cry in front of them, you repeated in your mind. How would they react if they knew you cared for a Decepticon? They would probably send you to therapy or a mental hospital or something.

All the Autobots but Ratchet, who was staying, and Optimus, who seemed to be planning on entering last. They effortlessly shifted to their vehicle forms and quickly went through. You took a sharp breath when you noticed the extractor in Bumblebee’s hand as he transformed.

Fowler was saying something to the prime about how he had to be there to witness the Decepticon defeat, but you couldn’t pay attention. You just kept thinking about Knockout. Was he going to die? That couldn’t be right. Not now.

Optimus agreed to bring Agent Fowler and drove through the groundbridge. Then the light disappeared, leaving you to wonder when it would be done.

The last time you saw him could literally have been the last time you’d ever see him. You’d never get the chance to meet him or be friends with him. He’d be gone forever. You were panicking. When would the spark extractor be generated? Had it already happened? Was he already not existing anymore? Would you feel something when he was extinguished, like suddenly feel a part of you was missing or punched in the gut? All of these questions and negative emotions filled you and you believed you would burst. You already wandered and began pacing in the corner where everyone would be less likely to notice you. Just in case you broke down crying, which was becoming more likely by the second.

“Team’s down, requesting medevac,” Fowler’s voice came through the comm.

Your eyes widened and your heart leaped. “What?” you turned to the screen. You had been prepared to gain sadness from Knockout being terminated, not the Autobots being injured. Needless to say, you were concerned.

“What happened?” Ratchet asked.

“The Nemesis shot some crazy beam at the 'Bots and now they’re frozen.”

“What?” Jack asked.

“Are they…” Raf wasn’t able to finished the sentence in fear.

“I don’t know. I need to examine them. Hang tight. I will be there.” Ratchet opened up the groundbridge.

It took a while to get everyone back. Ratchet was the only one big enough to carry them and had to do so one at a time. As they were brought in, all the humans grew more sad and worried. It was terrible to see them still and lifeless like that. You prayed they were okay.

“Did they get the chance to use the spark extractor?” you asked when the question crossed your mind and you managed to reached Fowler on the higher platform.

“No. The 'Cons were too fast,” Fowler answered.

A sigh of relief escaped you, however as you did so, you masked it as a cough, to avoid everyone’s questioning eyes. It meant Knockout was alright. It may have been wrong, with everyone frozen, but you were actually happy the turn of events happened. It meant Knockout was still alive. You just hoped the others didn’t stay that way forever.

The other three on the floor below were still gazing in sorrow at the awkwardly posing cybertronians as Ratchet scanned them. His metallic steps echoed through the quiet room as he inspected the console.

“They’re alive, but I’ve never encountered this form of stasis lock.” He held his chin with his digits while staring at a large screen that currently showed Optimus.

“The 'Cons are crossing the Atlantic,” Fowler marched right up, near the vitals displayed in green. Ratchet’s optics shifted from the console’s information to the human. “Making a bee-line for North America,” he waved his arm horizontally to illustrate his point.

“Wait, we can track them?” Jack noticed as the three other walked over on the floor below.

“Why aren’t they cloaked like usual?” Raf lifted an eyebrow.

Your eyes widened when you realized it now that they mentioned it.  Fowler’s facial expression changed, a clear indicator that the same just occurred to him.

“None of this makes a lick of sense,” the black male voiced what everyone was thinking, “they had us in the crosshairs, but the 'Cons just took off.”

“They even bailed on that spark extractor thingy.” Miko waved her hand, as confused as everyone else.

“Megatron could have gotten the spark extractor AND destroyed Optimus. He would never turn down something like that. Why?” The thought tangled in your mind as you tried to make sense of it.

“Wait,” Jack said when an idea struck him. “If the ship isn’t cloaked, maybe the communications relays are open and-”

“Ehp, eph.” The medic cut him off and rotated around to the teenagers. “Are you suggesting that we just call Megatron and ask him what’s happening up there?!” he sarcastically thought, attempting to show the insanity of the idea.

As ridiculous and unlikely as it sounded, surprisingly, it didn’t sound like a bad idea considering the circumstances. The kids simultaneously shrugged and Ratchet looked in shock as it struck him that they were serious. For better or worse, it was probably the best plan. You needed to know what was going on. It was worth a shot. Ratchet then stared at Fowler and you for your opinion. You both did the same as the humans before.

After contemplating, he finally opened up communication. This gave enough time for the three to climb up onto the same floor you were on. “This is Outpost Omega One to Decepticon warship. Megatron, please respond.” If he felt awkward sending a message to Megatron, he wasn’t showing any signs of it.

He glared at the larger screen, waiting for a response, but none came. You held your breath. Were you actually going to hear Megatron? Even if he was on Nemesis and couldn’t do anything to you while you were safely at the base, the thought terrified you. At the same time, you wanted him to answer, to figure out if everything was okay, if Knockout was okay. Maybe you would get lucky and the shiny, red mech would answer. However, that scenario was unlikely and everyone would be suspicious if you began fangirling before you could stop yourself.

More silence. Was it supposed to be this long? Did Megatron decide to ignore them?

“Megatron,” Ratchet repeated.

Everyone seemed to freeze, yet there was more silence. You expected it to last as long as the last one, when suddenly a noise hit your ear. A bee-do-beep of someone connecting to the comm link reverberated in the air.

“Megatron has been relieved of his command,” an unfamiliar, intimidating voice shot out of the speakers. There was no picture on the screen identifying who it was. Almost made you wish the 'Cons stayed quiet, but it presented an important piece of information and you were eager to learn more.

Ratchet’s faceplate briefly twisted in confusion before returning to its former stern state. He was probably wondering who it was and how Megatron, being as strong as he is, could be pulled off of his Decepticon throne. The latter was the one currently on your mind, along with if Knockout was well.

“Who is this?” Ratchet questioned.

“ 'Who is this?’ ” the deep voice repeated.

“Have you taken control of the Decepticon vessel?”

All of the humans stared at the huge cybertronian monitor, while Raf stared at Ratchet. Fear of the current situation was written on the young boy’s face.

“I AM the Decepticon vessel

The color drained from your face at that news. The warship was alive? Whaaa…

"Any Cybertronian who interferes with my mission will be neutralized,” Nemesis continued.

The previously green screen suddenly hosted large pictures of frozen Decepticons. It flickered through three individual images, displaying some vehicons frozen to panic and insecticons on the ceiling unmoving. To your dismay or relief, it didn’t show Knockout. It only left you feeling restless at the uncertainty of his condition. Then they faded away to how the console appeared before.

“What mission?” Ratchet asked in a less authoritive tone, most likely a result from processing the new, alarming information.

“Priority one, decrypt Iacon database and recover Decepticon technology.” he spoke as if reading a script

“For what purpose?” the medic pressed for more information.

Everyone stayed focusing on the blurry, static picture as if it would change into something interesting. No reply. Then the static identification picture blinked out as the link ended.

“He hung up? Rude!” Miko commented and crossed her arms. You stared at her. Clearly her priorities were pretty mixed up if her first concern was a huge warship being rude, rather than the fact the Decepticon vessel just got a mind of its own and is holding the 'Cons hostage or worse.

There was no telling how dangerous it could be. Although, your top concern was what happened to Knockout. You prayed with all of your heart he was safe.

“Rude?!” Apparently, the older agent had the same thought as you. “There’s a giant spaceship, flying around, collecting Decepticon weapons of mass destruction!” He waved his hands around.

“Ah ah,” Jack interrupted, “A ship filled with neutralized Decepticons.”

“How does that make it any better?” you questioned.

“This could our only chance to slip aboard and download the Iacon database,” the teenager explained. He pointed up as if the ship were above you.

“So Optimus can decode it,” Raf finished Jack’s thought.

You nodded and had to agree. It was a great plan, and you were surprised it never occurred to you.

Ratchet turned to them, staring down as he processed it. “Ingenious.” He was clearly impressed. He looked up with certainty. “I will infiltrate the Decepticon warship.”

“No!” you blurted out. Provided, you were mostly concerned about Knockout, but you still cared about your other Cybertronian friends.

“Not ingenious,” Jack disagreed, putting emphasis on the first word. “You saw what it did to the Decepticons.”

“And probably Megatron too,” Raf added.

“And team Prime,” Miko read more off the list of Cybertronians who were neutralized. Her gaze became hard and serious.

“Yeah. We can’t have you frozen too,” you objected.

“But that tub had me dead to rights, and I’m still breathing,” Fowler pointed out, smiling.

“The ship may be blind to humans,” Jack concluded the best answer.

A smile crept onto your face as a plan cooked in your mind.

“Very well, Agent Fowler,” the Cybertronian reluctantly agreed. “But at the first sign of trouble, I am bridging you right back here.” He shifted to face the console and pulled out what looked to be an alien version of a USB, like what Jack had that restored Optimus Prime’s memory. “Now, in order to download the database, you will need a compatible transfer drive.” He held out the USB, which was relatively the same size as a book. A slightly oversized book.

“A what?” Fowler had confusion written all over his face as he took the drive with two hands.

“He’ll also need tech support,” Raf volunteered with a smirk, knowing that he’d be coming along.

“And backup,” Miko nodded with her arms crossed.

“Which includes me.” You stood tall. You wanted to help your friends. Besides, it would be cool to go on the ship and possibly see your favorite Decepticon. It would be nerve-racking, but your excitement removed any fear.

“Hrmm, very well,” the medic grumbled. Faltering over to the controls for the groundbirdge, he punched in the coordinates and the way through started up out of nowhere.

The colors danced around in a wonderful phenomenon, however your eyes and mind had grown accustomed to it with how frequently it was used. You took a deep breath to steel yourself, knowing that the enemy’s vessel was on the other side.

“Be careful,” Ratchet reminded, his voice taking a more gentle tone.

“We will,” Jack nodded before marching through.

they casually walked in, confidence boosted by the fact they were all paralyzed. They all stood there, towering over you. The fact that they were so stiff and lifeless made it feel like a horror movie. As soon as Fowler made it through, the swirling vortex closed behind you as if it was never there.

“Fowler to base. We’re in,” the agent reported back with the drive tucked beneath his right arm.

“Good,” Ratchet answered. “Their data core should be accessible from any console.”

All of you began your trek through Nemesis’ dark and long corridors. They all stood there, towering over you. The fact that they were so stiff and lifeless made it feel like a horror movie. Miko stared up and Jack stepped over a giant foot.

Was the fact that the corridors were long mentioned before? Because you were beginning to sweat. You prayed that you wouldn’t have to walk much farther. Then again, this is a Cybertronian sized ship. What did you expect? And of course Megatron would have to punish the Decepticons with long walks and halls that all looked the same!

Raf gulped when you reached the end of the corridor and it split into two, “H-here’s one.” He tentatively point to the right.

Your prayers were answered, both of them. A console, and the one you wanted to see the most.

You spied Knockout, frozen and leaning on the console. He may have been paralyzed, but at least he was still alive. It made your heart ache and wish you could help him. However, it was probably better that he wasn’t awake, so he would be unable to squish any of you. That was the problem with him being a Decepticon.

The Japanese girl ran up to him. She banged her fist on him three times. Knock, knock knock! You had to clamp your hand over your mouth and bite your tongue to prevent yourself from screaming at her to be careful, not hurt him, or mess up his finish.

“Doc Knock is knocked out,” she grinned with satisfaction.

You smiled slightly and loosened up at  Miko’s joke, finding it somewhat humorous. Although you felt guilty for it.

After Miko confirmed that Knockout wouldn’t be awake to hurt you, you were the first to run over. Your eyes stared up at him and all of his shiny glory. The way the light from the console shone on him and causing the illusion of his color being slightly altered was magnificent. He was even more hot in person, especially this close.

Your heart skipped a beat. You had never been that close to him before! After some hesitation, and wiping your hands on your pants, you lightly ran your fingers against his finish. Although it wasn’t long, since you didn’t want to ruin perfection with your oils. It felt so smooth and glossy. A touch of heaven. That made you both want to touch it more, and afraid to touch it in fear you would spoil it. You were dragged back to reality and took a step back when Raf began speaking.

“Look. The ship’s decoded two sets of Iacon coordinates.” Raf stepped closer and stared up at the console with wide eyes. Red from the screen reflected off of his glasses. A beep cut through the eerie silence and a row of random lines was added to the other two. “Three!” he added. The young boy flipped around to Fowler and the drive. “Let’s rip and run.”

“Okay,” you nodded and stared up, trying not to lock your gaze on the red mech since everyone was watching. “How’re we gonna get up?”

Without any words, Raf rushed to the bottom of Knockout’s pede with Agent Fowler following closely behind. You tilted your head in question of what they were going to do when they began climbing on the Cybertronian, using him like a ladder to get up. A bright red blush to rival your crush’s armor sprang onto your face. It came into realization that you would have to do the same.

“There’s the port,” Raf said once he reached the top, but you hadn’t made it up yet.

You never felt more nervous in your life. At first thought, you considered taking your shoes off, as to not scuff the paint. However, you were doubtful of how clean your socks were, besides, the others would question why you took your shoes off. Taking a deep breath to calm your nerves, you placed a shaky hand on Knockout to steady yourself as you hesitantly began climbing.

“Sorry, Knockout. Please forgive me,” you whispered under your breath, facing down in attempt to make this plead unheard by the others above you.

Your face became a more radiant red, if that was possible as you made your way up him. You did everything in your power to not get finger smudges on him. Thankfully, the way he was leaning forward made it easier to scramble up, rather than having to vertically scale him.

Fowler and Raf had moved a lot quicker than you as you were hesitant and careful. You heard the drive click into the port and a soft beep emanated from the data being downloaded. When you reached the top, you stayed standing on Knockout, on the black part between his head and red shoulders, for a few seconds, not wanting to leap off of him. You debated sitting on his shoulder or not. At first you decided you had a job to do and the others may judge, although it was a shame considering you would probably never be the same position again.

Taking a glance down, you noticed that Miko and Jack decided not to climb up. Another blush crept up as you realized that you didn’t need to climb up. Well, it was done. Now you wanted to stay, and you were glad you were able to touch him so much. You pressed your lips together into a line and pondered it. On second thought you decided you would sit, you didn’t need to stand on the console. They didn’t need your help. Besides, you were afraid you would accidentally press a wrong button on the control panel if you did.

With a smile, you sat on his shoulder. You made a small prayer that your pants were clean enough. It felt nice sitting there, like you belonged there. You were convinced you could have stayed like that forever. When you were sure no one was looking, you stared down and admire Knockout’s face.

That’s when a brilliant and awesome idea came into your head.  What if you took a selfie? That would be like a dream come true, aside from actually being friends with or dating him. It was risky, as in they could very well spot you doing it… It was too tempting. You would probably never get the opportunity for this again. The rewards outweighed the risk, and you simply couldn’t help yourself.

You stepped down and flipped out your phone. After tapping on the camera, you started to angle it correctly.

“Seriously?” Miko on the ground shook her head in disbelief.

“When else will I get a chance like this?” Your eyes stayed fixed on the phone screen, carefully positioning the phone so it gets both you and Knockout’s face without dropping your phone. Dropping it this high would probably break it. With the way his helm was dangling from being shot with the paralyze beam, it made it more difficult than you wanted.

Upon clicking the button to take the picture a few times, you smirked and examined the selfies. They were clear and fit enough you and him in. It was a little dark, but there wasn’t much you could do about it. If you activated the flash, you’d have the whole room’s shifting their focus onto you. Apparently the teenage girl decided to ignore you, because she wasn’t paying you any attention now. Thankfully, no one else seemed to take notice of her remark. You were very giddy and grateful that you got the opportunity to do that. You felt like a kid left in a candy store, told you could get whatever you want.

Miko and Jack below stared up. They studied the screen and the warship’s destination displayed on it.

“Um, why is the warship heading for Manhattan?”  Jack inquired upon peering closer at a smaller screen to the left of the larger one.

Everyone else followed his gaze to verify the truth of his words. What you saw confirmed it. It displayed a map of the north section of the western hemisphere. One moving circle hovered above the Atlantic ocean, most likely where you were located now, and the other stayed grounded in New York.

Raf’s eyes shifted back over to the decoded coordinates. The first set was flashing. “Because that’s where first set of coordinates are located?”

“What?!” you let out in surprise, sitting up straighter and almost standing. Thankfully, this didn’t draw any attention to yourself and they didn’t notice you sitting on the Decepticon. They were too concerned with processing the information and staring at the screen.

Fowler’s face displayed fear like you had never seen from him before. “What would a relic from Cybertron be doing in the Big Apple?”

“The Iacon relics landed on Earth eons ago, Agent Fowler,” Ratchet explained gravely on the other side of communications, “long before the city was built atop it.”

Jack immediately deciphered the meaning of the situation. “Which means if the ship wants this one it may have to move some buildings out of the way.”

All of the present humans’ eyes stayed locked on the map in horror. The Nemesis clearly  had lots of power, and without the Decepticons controlling it, it would make no effort to stay hidden. It would simply use all the fire power it could to complete its goal. How much damage would be caused and how many lives would be taken if it reached the city?

“Our mission just got complicated,” Fowler stated while pressing the earpiece. “How do we deter this ship?”

As he spoke, you noticed the other two humans, climbing up. Barely managing to stop the whine that desired to vibrate in your throat, you hopped onto the platform for the console’s keyboard. You couldn’t help but cross your arm and glare whenever Jack and Miko appeared in your line of vision for ruining your time with Knockout. Instead you averted your gaze to the map as they stepped onto the same platform as you. Normally you’d be nervous and doubting if it could support everyone’s weight, although these uncertainties to the back of your head. Raf was staring down, holding his chin while he thought.

“I would advise disabling the navigation module. Call up the main navigation menu,” Ratchet instructed.

You followed everyone’s gaze to the controls to the left of the one you stood on.

“There,” Raf pointed. How he knew that the other panel was for the navigation, you had no idea. It looked exactly the same as the one you were on. Maybe because it was under the screen displaying the map.

Before the boy could make any other movement, Agent Fowler lifted his hand in front of him. “Step aside, son.”

He leaped to the other side. When he tried to figure out how to make it work, it pressed his hand onto a slab of metal that stuck out slightly farther than the rest. As soon as his hand came into contact, there was a zap. Electricity danced around his hand. You and the other three jolted in shock. The government agent groaned previous to falling backwards unconscious. Unfortunately, backwards was right off the platform.

“Agent Fowler!” Jack cried out.

All of you rushed to reach him, but it was too late. He took a heavy hit as he slumped to the floor. You cringed at the muffled bang of him colliding with the ground. All you could do was pray that the damage from both the shock and falling would only be temporary. He rolled over and groaned weakly.

“System access detected,” the same voice from early on the comm broke you out of your transfixed horror. Once again, you and the other three jumped and hastily searched the room, although this time out of fear. Your figures were rigid. “Interference will not be tolerated.”

“There,” Raf said once he spotted it.

He pointed up at something that resembled an egg poking out of the ceiling and lowering slightly. It was shiny and black. If you were seeing correctly, you thought you saw a camera installed in it. It swiveled around to scan the room.

“Reveal yourself,” it demanded. At one point, the camera seemed to point straight at you

“It doesn’t see us,” Miko grinned in victory, loosening up her fighting stance.

You felt yourself smile a little, relieved at the good news.

“Yet,” Ratchet grumpily reminded. “The ship must not be scanning for carbon-based life-forms. But once it widens its search parameters…”

“We’re toast,” Raf finished.

“I’m bridging you back.”

“No,” Jack waved his hands in an 'X’ while firmly refusing. “There are millions of lives at stake in New York, and we four are currently the only ones who can do anything about it.”

Once again, Jack was the master of logic, and you agreed. If humans couldn’t be seen, then the four of you were the only ones who could save everyone. You glanced down, shifting from Fowler to Knockout, your eyes lingering on the red mech. You didn’t want the same thing to happen to you, but you needed to stop this thing to save Knockout from this frozen state… oh, and the Autobots… aaaannd all the other people in New York that you completely just forgot about. Apparently Knockout’s life, although he wasn’t technically dead, meant more to you than millions of people. You had strange priorities. Maybe it was time you got them straight and/or took some therapy… Nah!

“If it knows we’re here now, shouldn’t we talk more quietly so it doesn’t detect us through sound?” you urgently whispered.

“The sounds you’re making is too quiet  for the ship to detect,” the medic answered you. “You’re out of your element, Jack. These readings, the ship’s rapid recovery,” he listed, “all point to the fact that Megatron employed Dark Energon to repair it.”

Jack had leaped down when Ratchet was speaking. “Hold on,” Jack interrupted as he took Fowler’s pulse. “If you’re saying the ship is fueled by dark Energon, we can dump it, right?”

Miko and Raf lowered themselves on the edge and let themselves drop to follow Jack. They landed on their feet with zero apparent injuries.

It probably wasn’t a long way down if they were fine, but it looked unsettled from your position. You bit your lip as you prepared yourself to jump. However, when counting down from three, you stopped on two because of an idea floating into your brain. You practically skipped back to Knockout and climbed down on him. Not only did you get to touch him again and be close to him

“Hmm,” Ratchet made a sound of approval you never thought you’d hear. “You’ll need to reserve the warship’s Energon infuser. Follow the main overhead conduits,” he instructed.

“I think I should stay here,” you stated, holding your hands close to you, “in case anything changes on the screen and to watch Fowler. I don’t think we should move him in this state and I don’t think we should just leave him either.”

They nodded. “Good idea,” Jack approved, “Just stay out of trouble.” With that, they bolted down the corridor, following Ratchet’s directions.

“I will.” You mumbled as they turned out of sight, “Not much trouble I can get into just sitting here.” You knew what they meant, don’t get neutralized. Then once again, your eyes landed onto the familiar glossy finish.  With a smirk, you added, “Well, if he were awake I see how I could get into trouble.”

Most of your time was spent admiring Knockout, sitting on him and kicking your legs back and forth. You occasionally glance at Fowler or the screen to make sure nothing changed. To most, it may have been uninteresting, but considering that most did not have an obsession with a shiny red Decepticon, or maybe most would if they knew his existence, you were occupied with studying every detail of Knockout. The only thing that could make it better is if he were awake, in a situation where you’re friends, and you could talk.

While gazing into his face, you realized something you could do. Something you were tempted to do. Kiss him. Your face flamed up to the same color as his armor. You could do it, no one would see. Wait a second, there were probably security cameras, although even if that weren’t a possibility, you’d still be hesitant just because it’s embarrassing. Whining slightly, you bit on your lip as you restrained yourself.

A sound of smooth motors moving distracted you from your current daydream. Your eyes immediately leapt to the ceiling to observe a gun device lowering and pointing at you.

“I am infested with alien life-forms!” Nemesis growled.

It must have widened its search enough now. “Uh oh.” You let yourself slid off of Knockout. Fortunately, the cannon was aiming higher, probably at your head, thus it just barely missed Knockout. You were barely look back at the blaster before it began firing again. A light blue electrical orb sailed over your head as you ducked and bolted out of its path. Your head turned all over the place, with your hair flying, to find a place to hide.

Strangely enough, when the fact that it was an area built for larger creatures was taken into account, there weren’t many places to take cover. One of the few places you spotted was underneath the console controls, a dark pocket to stay out of sight. That was the area you rushed to. Blood pounded in your ears as you pumped your legs as fast as you could, paranoid that a blast would hit you.

Once in the cover of the shadows, your eyes searched for any danger. You noticed Fowler still passed out on the floor. Fortunately, the warship seemed to completely pass over Agent Fowler, probably since it already shocked him. That made it easier for you; all you needed to worry about was yourself. In the middle of your thought, you spotted the gun lowering itself until it saw you. Without any time to spit out a curse at your luck, you lurched out of the way.

“All parasites will be eradicated!” it shouted again.

The only other place you could go to avoid being neutralized was behind Knockout. You didn’t want him to get him himself from being your shield; however that blaster wasn’t giving you much of a choice. You ducked behind him, your back just an inch away from touching him. The balls that Nemesis attempted to throw at you buzzed upon coming into contact with him. “Sorry.” You hoped it wasn’t hurting him.

It seemed like it ran out of options of how to freeze you, or maybe it just hadn’t calculated another way yet. Before it could, the gun slowly choked and paused like a lawnmower running out of gas.

“Critical power drain. I am… in… command. Prepare to be… neutralized…” The final string of its power and command was undone. It sputtered while being pulled back into the ceiling, a welcomed action that caused you to sigh in relief. The light began to fade from red to blue.

“They must have done it.” You smiled in victory.

The screens and lights faded from creepy red to a pleasant blue, not to different from the color of energon or the Autobots’ optics. The room was still dim, yet it filled you with hope and served as another sign that the mission was accomplished. Agent Fowler was gradually waking up. You were unaware if the damage had simply worn off, or if all the Cybertronians who were hit would presently wake up.

Your gaze shifted to Knockout. You felt guilty about using him as a shield, but now you were worried about something else. What if he wasn’t paralyzed anymore? He did seem to be slumping over more. You decided to hide in case he wakes up, not wanting him to crush you or be disgusted by a human. If he was disgusted at the sight of you it would break your heart. You managed to drag Fowler under the console into hiding with you, to prevent him from meeting the fate you imagined.

Upon seeing Jack, Miko, and Raf dash to you, a rush of joy came over you. The fear of being caught by a non-neutralized Decepticon flowed out of you and was replaced with euphoria for saving the day and the mission completed. You came out of hiding under the console to meet them. The whole time you moved as quickly as you could while helping Fowler walk.

“You’re back! Is there a button we need to press to make the Cybertronians go back to normal or-” you began, wanting to make sure Knockout and the Autobots would be able to move again.

“They’re already waking up.” Jack pointed behind him, “We saw Megatron unfreeze. We need to get out of here.”

“Megatron?!” Your eyes widened and felt a scare cord being struck at the tyrant’s name. Your friends were brave.  Then your brows furrowed in confusion, since Knockout was still frozen. Then you nodded when you remember how many times he was hit when you were hiding. Of course it would take him longer to come out of it, considering that the ship was firing every three seconds.

Miko slung Fowler’s arm over her shoulder. "On your feet, soldier!” She aided you, taking the man’s weight out of your hands.

“And beavers and ducks and walnuts and grandma?” he deliriously spoke while flailing his other arms as much as you would allow. With that he wiggled out of yours and Miko’s hold, causing him to fall onto the ground again. Miko appeared seriously freaked out. If it weren’t for the still dangerous circumstances you were in, you might have laughed.

A beep emitted from the monitor which drew your attention to it. A fourth Iacon relic location was revealed. The bar that displayed the download progress was half way filled.

“That’s all that’s been downloaded?!” Jack exclaimed in frustration at the slow rate of progress.

Maybe it would have been better to let Nemesis stay in control for just a little longer to download more. Then again, that wouldn’t have been an option considering that it detected you humans just seconds before you shut it off. If it had seen you sooner, you all may have been immobilized.

“The Iacon file must be huge!” Raf reasoned in attempt to calm the older teenager.

The whirring of a groundbridge appearing from behind made you turn around. There it was, your beautiful ride home in all of its colorful glory, although not as glorious as Knockout’s colors you might add. Speaking of which, you probably needed to book it out of there before he awoke.

“Sa-weet!” Miko let out. She attempted to carry Fowler out by supporting his arm on her shoulder. Raf did the same on the other side. “Come on! Here’s our ride!” Her eyes locked onto the portal as they stepped towards it.

You were about to copy their movements when you noticed Jack standing his ground. That was when you remembered the drive. Oh right, you felt like facepalming, you were such a dummy! How could you forget something so important?

Raf noticed it too. “Jack?” he turned his head.

“Get Fowler out of here,” Jack ordered.

“I’ll help.” You ran back to him. You didn’t particularly want to be around when Knockout came out of his neutralized state, for reasons stated above. Although you didn’t want to seem like a coward, especially after the other three dumped the dark energon while you stayed behind. Plus, you were still somewhat reluctant to leave Knockout.

“No, I can handle it, you need to go!” He waved his hand.

“Nope! I’m helping,” you shook your head, firmly refusing.

He sighed knowing that it would absorb too much time to convince you to go. Marching forward, he stared at the drive with the precious downloaded information. “Some’s better than nothing,” he admitted. “I’m not leaving without that drive.” With that he clambered up.

To your amazement, you began crawling up Knockout before Jack did. You grinned at your triumph over your uneasiness about it. Now if only you had remembered gloves. It was painful to feel how oily your fingers were on his flawless finish. You could possibly leave a note apologizing for the fingerprints. You pouted when you remembered that you had to leave as soon as possible and couldn’t linger on his shoulder that time.

Promptly, you hopped off onto the panel and tugged on the drive along with Jack. His back was facing Knockout, while you were facing the opposite way, wanting to see Knockout as you worked. You grunted while pulling on it, the drive showing resistance.

As soon as the Decepticon medic opened his optics, you saw, since you had been staring at him without realizing it. “Uh oh,” your face paled. Your eyes widened, however, not from shock, from staring into his amazing red optics. You didn’t think you’ve ever seen any more gorgeous optics, the way it was a glowing red ring surrounded by dark red. It made you forget everything for a second. Maybe it was worth possibly becoming squished to witness it.

The way he smirked after spotting you just made him twice as hot. At that moment, Jack noticed your reaction and turned around, his facial expression making it clear that he already guessed what happened. He stepped back, completely forgetting about the drive.

Knockout flicked his servo into a long, skinny drill that would be terrifying enough to make it into a horror movie. At this motion, Jack stumbled back and fell. You took another step away while crouching and gnawing on your lip. No, he’s the villain and about to kill you, you can’t be mentally fangirling over how hot he is, you thought to yourself.

“Say 'ahh’,” he spoke in a threatening tone with his smooth voice while moving the drill closer to you and Jack. Yet his face still appeared as handsome as ever and you wished you could take a picture.

“Ah,” you quickly said, before you could stop yourself from following his command.

His drill flinched back and paused. He seemed confused and raised an optic ridge, surprised and amused by your response. A small smile began to creep into his facial features.

“I’m here to offer a second opinion,” Ratchet, who you hadn’t noticed coming through the groundbridge because your attention was set on Knockout, said right before he threw a punch. It knocked the Decepticon medic, who was turning around, into the console with a loud crash. The impact then sent him flying back and hitting the ground, his back facing the ceiling.

You felt bad for him, staring down. Who knew Ratchet could pack a punch like that? Or maybe you should have known. Once again, you were tempted to kiss Knockout, as if your affection would heal him. If there were camera filming, whoever would watch it would think you just walked close to Knockout and not realize unless they actually paid attention. Either that or there would be so much going on they would completely miss it.

Plus, Jack and Ratchet were focusing on each other. It left an opening. In the chaos and what was going on, you’d do it so briskly no one would even notice. It was risky, but the lack of time pressured you. When else will you get a perfect opportunity like that? In the end you decided to go for it.

You allowed yourself to slip down and began rushing to his face as soon as your feet hit the floor. Since you had made your decision so quickly, Ratchet was just beginning to reach over to pick Jack up while you were doing this. Upon reaching the mech’s white faceplate, you leaned in a placed your lips on his cheek for a second. He felt so cool and smooth, like before. However your lips were more sensitive than your fingers, making the experience twice, or even triple, times as amazing.

You heard the drive being pulled out with a shink, which meant it was time to go. After giving him a small peck, you practically skipped around to where they’d see you, feeling giddy with what you’d done.

“Where’s (Y/n)?” Ratchet asked while he searched the room.

“Down here!” you yelled and waved on your tippy toes, now standing just a foot away from the tip of Knockout’s helm.

Ratchet reached down to pick you up after handing Jack, who was in his other hand, the dive. You could have run just fine, but the Autobot medic was faster than you, and he probably wanted to get you out of there as soon as possible.

“Bye,” you yelled and waved happily, still excited from what you accomplished, as you were carried through the tunnel of light.

Although the whole dark energon taking over the Nemesis was a bad thing, you were still happy it happened. If it didn’t, Knockout would now be dead and you wouldn’t get to see him up close or kiss him. You hoped you would see him again soon.

#TFP #Knockout x reader #Knockout #Knock Out x reader #tfp x reader #flying mind #fluff

[libermachinae]

Lost Light/Rodimus

Notes: No, I don’t mean the crew. Unedited bc I’ve already spent way more time on this crack fic than I meant to. Rated G, no warnings apply, 2K.

---

It wasn’t Brainstorm’s fault, entirely.

“How the hell did you make a metrotitan spark?”

Just mostly.

“Well, it’s actually an extremely complicated, delicate, precise procedure,” Brainstorm said as they ran for their lives through shifting, narrowing corridors, Rodimus’ engine gunning to keep up with the jet. “It’s something other scientists have been trying to crack since before the war started, but between the exact measurements of the photonic supercrystal and the pattern of coding charges, no one else ever managed to—”

“Okay, forget how!” Rodimus shouted. “I don’t care about how! Or why! Or even at what point you decided to make a massive t-cog to go with it—”

“Actually, Perceptor cracked that one.”

“—or how you got it past Riptide and the rest of security! I don’t care!” A wall appeared front of them; Rodimus swerved around it while Brainstorm pulled into a neat roll. A wingtip brushed Rodimus’ roof. “Assuming we survive this any other way than First Aid scraping our pancaked frames off a random corridor wall, you’re going to tell the whole story to Megatron, and he can use all the practice he’s had with me to tell you exactly how terrible an idea this was.”

“Pancaked?”

“Earth term. Watch out!”

The hallway to the shuttle bay disappeared behind two shifting plates, and Rodimus had just enough time to brake and avoid being crushed. Brainstorm pulled up and transformed, landing at Rodimus’ side.

“Oh, this isn’t good,” he said.

“No kidding?” Rodimus angled his mirrors to look around, but every glance just revealed fewer directions to escape to. “We’re trapped.”

“Not that,” Brainstorm said. “We’re in the abdomen.”

“Belly of the ship, sure.”

“In root mode, the Lost Light’s power core is situated in the lower decks, under multiple layers of plating and insulation to keep the heat from frying everyone around it.” Brainstorm traced a small circle on the plating just underneath his cockpit, then drew it up, toward his chest. “When Perceptor was designing the transformation sequence, though, we couldn’t quite work out how to transport the core with all its extra plating. So, we just, hm, put a pin in it.”

Rodimus stared.

“So, what you’re saying is—”

Brainstorm pointed to the ceiling.

“The power core is one level above us right now. As soon as the transformation sequence is completed, it’s going to come online. The Lost Light’s designed to handle that kind of output, but not standard Cybertronians.”

“So, right now, this moment, we’re standing in the smelter, waiting for it to come on.”

“More like in front of the smelter after the blast doors have malfunctioned, but yeah.”

“Okay!” Rodimus revved his engine. “Well, that’s no good! We’re getting out of here.” He glanced around again. The walls were thick, but there had to be a weakness somewhere. “Don’t you have a drill gun? Or a drill you reformatted into a gun that can still be used as a drill?”

“I have a regular gun.”

“You do not.”

“I do!” Brainstorm insisted, pulling the standard issue pistol from subspace. “I was just about to see if I could do something about the problem of a finite ammo capacity (spoiler, I could’ve) when Light’s t-cog started spinning. I have others on me, but nothing that’s gotten the Perceptor stamp yet.”

“Everything else you’ve got will kill us if we fire it?”

“Might,” Brainstorm corrected, “they might kill you. Percy just hasn’t had time to test them yet.”

“Okay, fine.” Rodimus glanced around once more, optics falling on one feature he’d thus far overlooked. “You know what? We can work with this.”

  It’s a simple fact that if you’re desperate to have floor-to-ceiling windows along the vehicle-accessible corridors of your miles-wide spaceship, they’re going to need to be reinforced. Heavily. A full round of shots fired at point-blank from a non-infinite pistol might be enough to get a crack in it, but that’s about it.

Of course, if you then ram that crack with a Matrix-armored sports car dropped from the undercarriage of a speeding jet, you might get somewhere.

Rodimus hit the window bumper-first, vibrations from the impact traveling in both directions throughout his frame. Whatever he was feeling, though, the window was having a much worse time: the crack stretched and exploded, shards of glass whipping out into the empty density of space. Rodimus went with them, and for a brief second he feared he would never stop going, before strong arms and the sound of thrusters secured him.

::We’re alive!:: Brainstorm’s comm crackled to life in his audial. ::And assuming at least a couple people listened to Minimus’ instructions, we should be looking at a good—oh frag.::

::What? How bad is it?:: Rodimus tried to angle his mirrors, but two teal wings blocked his view.

::It’s fine! Don’t worry!::

::That’s my ship, Brainstorm, of course I’m going to worry!::

::It’s alright, Rodimus.::

::Who was—::

A white hand appeared in front of them, large enough that Rodimus could have done donuts on its palm, large enough to punch a moon clear through. Brainstorm’s thrusters were straining to slow them down while Rodimus’ emergency brake slammed on, but momentum seemed committed to mashing them like a reverse rustbug.

The hand shifted, flipping over so the palm was underneath Rodimus, scooping up until his tires were just skidding across the metal surface. Forgetting to release his brake, his swerved before he came to a stop, swinging around and taking in the full view of his ship as, with a final ripple, her plating shifted into place.

She glowed. From the fuel rods around the corona of her helm and the winding lanes of windows around her arms, legs, and sides, light streamed from her, but not so much that she hurt to look at. Her optic band was a solid magenta and, Rodimus suspected, unseeing, but even that gave off a light that drew the eye, even as Rodimus felt the increased pressure of the hand lifting them up. In their ascent, they passed her chestpiece, the bow of the ship, and through the viewscreen Rodimus saw a decent portion of his crew, staring back out at him.

They came to a halt in front of her faceplate, and from this distance Rodimus could see the wavering patterns of optical lights, perhaps attempting to generate an expression. Ratchet would demand a look at Perceptor’s coding, he thought, a moment before the Lost Light’s voice returned.

::Hello, Rodimus, Brainstorm.::

::You gave her a comm suite?:: Rodimus asked, glancing at Brainstorm.

::Didn’t you check the ident?:: Brainstorm returned. ::She’s using the communications hub.::

::Oh.:: He glanced at her again. ::Can you access all of our major systems like that?::

::Yes.::

::Cool. Neat.:: An independent Cybertronian with the ability to quantum jump. And they’d been doing so well staying off the bad side of this reality’s Galactic Council.

::Do you have a name?:: he asked.

The optic lights wavered, shifting without meaning.

::Of course,:: she said. ::Drift named me Lost Light.::

Rodimus spluttered.

::How do you know that?::

::I have complete access to all in-network records,:: she said. ::My ‘memories’ extend as far back as my registration five million years ago, though they become more comprehensive within the last several decades, starting with the commencement of your quest.::

::Anything anyone ever dispersed via in-house networks, saved to a private console, or was automatically logged by the systems is up for grabs,:: Brainstorm said. ::Makes introductions pretty simple, at least.::

::Sounds like a fancy way of saying she’s got the worst possible first impression of everyone, but sure, that’s an optimistic way of looking at it.:: Brainstorm had climbed off him, so he transformed and took two steps forward. ::I’m Rodimus, your co-captain. Though, you already seem to know that.::

::Yes. I know all of you.:: For a moment, Rodimus thought they were moving again, but it was the large helm tilting forward. ::Thank you, by the way, Brainstorm. Though I unfortunately agree with Minimus Ambus’ preliminary assessment of your actions, I do appreciate this opportunity to be alive.::

::Like creator, like creation, I guess!::

::Wait, you talked with Minimus?:: Rodimus asked.

::Of course. I’m speaking to everyone right now,:: Lost Light said. ::I’ve been looking forward to this.::

::Wow. You’re either going to be Swerve and Misfire’s missing trinemate, or their biggest competition.::

::I do not find either of those options appealing.::

::Oh, yeah, that’s fine!:: He waved his hands. ::Just a joke. You can do whatever you want, now, you’re your own bot. Well, within reason, I guess. We might need to make another new officer position for you, and then—::

::I will continue to perform my duties, Rodimus. You have no need to worry in that regard.::

::Oh, good.:: Rodimus’ spoiler sagged and a few bubbles of trapped air escape his vents. Brainstorm’s scheme hadn’t dehomed them, at least.

::If you wouldn’t mind hearing it, I do have a request.::

Rodimus’ spoiler twitched back up.

::Sure!:: he said. ::After everything we’ve put you through, we owe you, huh?::

::I would prefer you not consider it that way,:: she said. The connection crystalized and strengthened into a private transfer as Lost Light cleaved Brainstorm into his own channel. ::After reviewing the records, I find I admire you, Rodimus.::

He stared.

::Oh?::

::Despite what you call a poor first impression, I have observed a crew that cares for each other and looks after its most vulnerable, with you as the spark that inspires such communal behavior. You act for the good of others, you encourage selflessness and self-improvement. Does that sound correct?::

There was nothing to hide behind on the palm of her hand. That observation could not kill Rodimus’ instinct to flee.

::I, uh. I don’t know?::

A flicker around the optic band again.

::Oh. My apologies. I have only just started to engage in pattern recognition, and it is possible my assessment is—::

::It’s fine!:: Rodimus assured. ::Sorry, you did fine. Um, yeah, I guess you could say all those things about me. Not everyone would, but if that’s what the logs are telling you, you should trust your instincts. Maybe just like, make sure to update them with your own observations?::

::Acknowledged.:: There was a pause, and Rodimus imagined she was sorting the suggestion among her priority trees. ::I will maintain my assessments as an ongoing process. However, if I am utilizing my initial understanding of each crew member as a basis to form a more informed conception of their character, then it is logical to assume that there must be some element of validity to my initial evaluations, correct?::

::Uh, sure?::

::Excellent.:: Her whole visor brightened, a straightforward positive that must have been easier for her programming to calculate than the emotions it had been trying to convey before. ::Then it is not unreasonable for me to hold to my initial conviction that I admire you, Rodimus. If you have time, I would like to get to know you better.::

::Huh. Uh.:: He hated to make assumptions, but the way her visor sparkled seemed more coordinated now. ::Can you give me one moment?::

::Of course.::

He hopped into a channel so well worn it felt like sinking into his own thoughts.

::Rodimus? Are you okay?::

::I’m fine, Drift,:: he said. ::Just, uh, need some advice.::

::Just advice? Not a rescue? Rewind and Perceptor managed to map out a way down to the shuttle bay, if you need an out.::

::No, no,:: he insisted. ::I’m just… I really don’t want to assume anything, but I think it’s possible my ship just asked me out?::

::Oh, yeah.::

::Oh, yeah?::

::I mean, she did,:: Drift said. ::Before you and Brainstorm broke free, she commed everyone, introduced herself, told them her favorite thing she knew about them, then asked about you.::

::Do I… want to know what she asked about?::

::Depended on the person. Swerve got interrogated about whether you’re available.::

::Swerve?::

::The Lost Light Insider pegged him for a rumor monger and she ran with it.::

::Cool. Great.::

::Hey. Really, you okay up there? Tailgate’s halfway through the vents, we can come get you, if you need.::

Rodimus pointed his gaze down to the deck, though he was too far away to see anyone individually. It was possible the ship’s exterior cameras were still streaming to the command screens, in which case Drift would undoubtedly catch his disapproval.

::Please make sure Tailgate doesn’t get squished, I don’t need Cyclonus seeking vengeance against our ship.::

::Sure. But seriously, Rodimus, are you okay?::

Rodimus spun his wheels with a flick.

::I’m fine. I just… isn’t this, I don’t know, kind of taking advantage?::

::I mean, she asked you, and—wait, are you interested?::

His engine heated up and Rodimus started to pace.

::I don’t know! Maybe?::

::Aw, Rodimus!:: He could imagine Drift’s face: goofy smile, softly dimmed optics. ::Hang on, I’m patching Ratchet in.::

::No, hang on, you don’t have to—::

::You’re saying yes?:: Ratchet demanded as the new connection crackled through.

::I don’t know,:: Rodimus insisted. ::I could? She’s attractive. And she knows a lot about me and hasn’t decided I’m worthless slag.::

::Rodimus,:: Drift chided.

::Hey, look, I’m not saying that about myself,:: he countered. ::Just that it’s a conclusion she could have come to, but didn’t. And I guess I kind of like that?:: He shrugged. ::I wouldn’t mind getting to know her. First new Cybertronian we’ll meet for a long time, you know?::

::Sure,:: Ratchet said. ::Follow her lead, but be up front about your expectations.::

::Both of you will have bots looking out for you,:: Drift promised. ::Seems like she and Nautica are already hitting it off pretty well.::

::Alright.:: Rodimus smiled. ::Okay, thanks guys. I think I can handle it from here.::

::Sure you can,:: Drift said.

Rodimus cut the call and switched back to Lost Light’s channel. Brainstorm was wandering around behind him, still engaged in his own animated conversation with his creation.

::Still with me?:: he asked.

::Of course.::

::Great,:: he said, offering her a smile and a flicker of his headlights. ::So, yeah, I’m down to spend more time together.:: He leaned down until he was sitting, crosslegged, on her open palm, brushing the smooth metal with his own hand. ::You can tell me all about what it was like that time we were getting chased by space pirates.::

::I look forward to it,:: she said. The platform of her hand drifted closer, until Rodimus could have reached out and brushed his fingertips against his facemask. He could have felt afraid, then, but he didn’t. Instead, he felt a warm light in his spark as he regarded Light, the familiarity and comfort that came with meeting an old friend face to face for the first time.

#maccadam #rodimus #transformers #crack #my writing #oneshot #lost lightimus

[art-gelato]

Twice as Shiny

1. a little worse for wear, practically walking on air

Ratchet bit off a curse halfway. “If that young idiot is hanging his hopes on Starscream, of all mechs, I’ll kill him myself.”

Miko supposed that Ratchet was probably the only one around who could get away with calling Optimus Prime either young or idiot. “What hopes?” she asked. [AO3] [prev]

Miko had been given strict orders to stay out of the med bay ("I mean it, Miko," in that commanding Prime voice), so of course she set about getting in as soon as she was left unsupervised. Her timing was perfect—she approached the door to the converted storage unit just as Ratchet was exiting, and she slipped through the door behind him as he headed towards the other end of the hallway. Inside were a few beeping monitors, and a makeshift stretcher-thing that was too high up for her to see onto properly. She craned her neck, but she could only catch glimpses of a few sharp silver angles and the wings that poked out over the sides.

Undeterred, she clambered up the stretcher, which looked like it used to be some heavy-duty machinery that lifted really big stuff—probably aircraft, if its current use was anything to go by. She reached the platform with little difficulty, and found herself at the occupant's pointy feet. He wasn't moving, and his eyes were closed, and plus his wrists were chained to the rails, so she figured it was safe enough. She half-jogged along the platform until she reached his shoulder, and gave the armor plating there a nudge with the toe of her shoe. When that didn't elicit a response, she kicked him.

There was a low hum of activating machinery, and his eyes slowly opened. The creepy red glow of them was unfocused, though, and his gaze drifted aimlessly around the room before finally settling on her. "You," he croaked, and she wondered what was going on with his voice box to make it sound so crackly. It reminded her of the way Raf sounded after he pulled an all-nighter to finish his extra smart-kid homework.

She didn't like that. It made him seem more like a person.

"Me," she said, hands on her hips. "Got a problem?"

He stretched his jaw back and forth, like he was trying to get used to his own face. "Can't even remember your name," he said eventually. "But I suspect you have a problem with me."

"Duh," Miko replied. "Maybe it has something to do with all the times you've tried to kill me and my friends!"

Starscream sighed, a staticky rush of boredom. "Get in line, sparkling."

"My name is Miko," she said, giving his shoulder another kick. She wished it would leave a dent, and then maybe he'd stop looking at her with that cross between mild annoyance and vague amusement and take her seriously.

"You think I care?" Starscream asked, one side of his mouth twisting up in a mocking smile.

"I think you'd better!" Miko snapped. "Because if you do anything else to hurt my friends, I'm coming for you."

Starscream rolled his eyes. "I'm shaking." He sounded more awake now, and his attention shifted to take in the room properly. "Where's the medic? I'm surprised my new benevolent masters saw fit to allow you in here alone."

Miko crossed her arms. "They know not to underestimate me."

He looked her up and down, which didn't take him long at all. "You snuck in," he said, and his grin was almost genuine. "Nice to see a healthy disregard for authority in the youths, at least."

She burned with rage at the thought of Starscream approving of any of her actions, and she opened her mouth to give him a piece of her mind when-

"Miko! What are you doing in here?"

"NothingI'mnothere!" Miko yelped automatically, scrambling for the edge of the stretcher. She tripped on Starscream's wing, but before she could fall, Ratchet's hand was there to catch her. His fingers closed carefully around her, and he carried her out the door and deposited her in the hallway.

"We'll talk later," Ratchet said through gritted teeth, and slammed the door shut.

Miko let out a long groan, then pressed her ear to the door. Ratchet was speaking, sounding way grumpier that usual. She hadn't even known that was possible.

"-a day to make sure the transplant takes. Absolutely no transforming before then, or I'll rip that T-cog right back out of you with my bare servos."

"Charming," Starscream drawled.

"If you want a smooth talker, go back to Knock Out. Optimus will be here soon to get those coordinates from you. No," Ratchet added, apparently cutting off Starscream before the former 'Con could object, "we're not waiting until you're cleared for flight. There's too much at stake. The T-cog will take, I just don't want you to strain it. Ready or not, you're giving us-"

"Miko," said a deep voice far above her.

Miko jerked away from the door and looked up. She hadn't even heard Optimus approaching—he might be twenty tons of solid metal, but the guy was stealthy. He was also very, very good at making her feel guilty when she was doing something she wasn't supposed to. Maybe it was because he didn't actually try to make her feel guilty. He just would be disappointed, but he wouldn't say he was disappointed even though it was written all over his face. Sometimes she wished he would just get mad about stuff, because she knew how to deal with angry people, but he was too nice for that.

"I went in while Ratchet wasn't there," she admitted, so it wouldn't all get drawn out.

Optimus made a contemplative sound, then crouched down so they could talk easier. She liked it when he did that, because she really felt like he was paying attention to her. Not many adults gave her the courtesy. "Starscream shouldn't be disturbed too much right now," he said. "I know you're curious, but he did just have surgery."

"I'm not curious," she said, a little too defensively. "I was making a point."

Optimus gave her a bemused look. "And what point is that?"

Miko punched her palm. "I'll scrap him if he even thinks about double-crossing us."

"I see," Optimus said. "Was he suitably intimidated?"

"No," Miko grumbled, scuffing her shoe on the concrete floor. "But I'll show him."

Optimus reached out and placed a gentle finger on her shoulder. "Starscream is our ally, at least for now," he said. "Perhaps showing him some compassion will be a more effective way to keep him so."

"That creep probably doesn't even know what compassion is," Miko said, crossing her arms.

"All the more reason, in that case," Optimus replied with a small smile that quickly faded. "However, I would prefer it if you stayed away from him."

"Aw, c'mon!" Miko whined. "If he's gonna be here, I'm gonna run into him! What, am I supposed to leave the room if he walks in?"

"Starscream is dangerous, intentionally or otherwise," Optimus said. "He's not used to being around humans, and any of you could get hurt if he isn't careful. And if he is planning to betray us, you children would likely be his first target as the most vulnerable among us."

"If?" Miko echoed back at him, hooking air quotes around the word. "OP, he definitely is. This is Starscream!"

And Optimus… hesitated. He was quiet for a moment, clearly trying to decide how to reply. "Under normal circumstances, I would agree," he said at last. "But as it is, I am certain he no longer feels any loyalty to Megatron. He's on his own side now, and I'm hoping…" Here, he trailed off, his usually steady gaze turning inward.

Miko put her hand on his finger, still resting on her shoulder. "Are you okay, Optimus?"

Optimus closed his eyes and took a deep breath (or vent or whatever it was giant robots did). "My apologies," he said. "I don't want to concern you."

"Hey, no, it's okay!" Miko said, grabbing onto him tighter, with both hands, as he began to pull away. She couldn't actually stop him, but the attempt made him pause nonetheless. "If you wanna talk about something, I'll listen. You have a hard time being vulnerable around the bots, cuz they look up to you and stuff. But you're not my boss, you're my friend. I'll listen." The words fell out of her, quickly, desperately, before she could think about them. He always gave off an aura of distant leadership, even when he was being nice to her. Now, she'd caught a glimpse of something more underneath, something small and sad and almost scared, and she needed to know.

"I- believe that would be unwise," Optimus said, and now he did pull away. Miko's hands felt empty and cold. He must have seen the disappointment on her face, because his own softened. "Miko, the strength of your heart is admirable, but this is not a weight I can lay on it."

Miko clenched her fists. "Gimme- gimme something I can do to help, at least." Because she could see it—he needed help, and the problem wasn't something punchable, or shootable, or even medically fixable. It wasn't something any of the Autobots could help him with, she was sure of it. She wasn't certain she could help either, but she wanted to try.

Inside the med bay, Ratchet and Starscream were arguing, their words muffled but the vitriol coming through loud and clear. Optimus' eyes flicked in the direction of the closed door before returning to Miko. "This is not your war," he murmured. "Perhaps you can see things in another way."

With that, he pushed himself back to his full height, and Miko knew the conversation was over.

She threw her arms out and shouted at him anyway. "What the scrap is that supposed to mean?"

Optimus just gave her a faint smile and opened the door.

"-not a prisoner my aft! Take these chains off me right fragging now, Hatchet!"

"Sit still, you insufferable glitch, I told you-"

"I hate to interrupt," Optimus said, and that shut them both up.

That was one of the many things Miko thought was really cool about Optimus—his ability to just stop people right in their tracks, no matter what they were doing. Often just by showing up. She aspired to have that kind of power someday.

But she knew the start of a boring conversation when she saw one (something something keys, something something coordinates), so she skulked off. Bulkhead would certainly be looking for her by now, anyway. It was almost dinner time, and she had to be home in half an hour or her host family would… worry, or something. Who knew.

Besides, she had some stuff to think about.

=

The next day was a Saturday, which meant normally Miko would have slept in past eleven. But this Saturday, she woke up with a weird knot of anxiety in her gut around eight and couldn't fall back asleep, so she shot a message into the group chat with Jack and Raf.

u guys up?

Almost immediately, Raf responded. Wow, I'm surprised you're awake.

cant sleep, Miko typed back. i wanna head over to base u in?

Yeah why not, Jack said. My shift isn't until later anyway

Is something going on? Raf asked. I mean, besides the stuff with the Omega Keys.

Miko's thumbs hovered over her phone for a minute before she settled on a reply. idk lets talk on the way

After that, she sent a message to Bulkhead, asking him to pick the three of them up. Then she rolled out of bed and got ready as fast as she could. She pulled her hair into its second ponytail as she crept quietly down the stairs, hoping no one from her host family was around. Luck was on her side as she snagged some breakfast from the kitchen—they tended to sleep in on the weekend as well.

"Oh, hey, hun," said a voice behind her. "You're up early."

Miko's groan was muffled behind a piece of toast. So much for luck being on her side. "Morning, Mrs. Jones," she said, not bothering to swallow her mouthful of bread first. She poured coffee into her travel mug and dumped in a few heaping spoonfuls of sugar. Then she added cream, screwed the cap on the mug, and shook it.

"Big plans for the day?" Mrs. Jones asked.

Miko turned around, looked Mrs. Jones in the eye, and took her time washing down the toast with the coffee. "Yup," she said, popping the 'p'—a neat trick to insert attitude into a simple word that she'd picked up from some of the girls in afterschool detention. "I'll probably be back late."

Mrs. Jones had a tense smile. Miko wasn't sure if it was always like that, or just always like that for Miko. "Hanging out with your friends… James and Roger?"

"Close enough," Miko said, and was saved by the honk of a horn outside. "I gotta go. See you, Mrs. Jones." She brushed past the older woman and hurried out the door.

Sure enough, Bulkhead was waiting by the curb. She was usually last to get picked up if one Autobot was getting all three of them, but when it came to Bulkhead, she had automatic dibs on the passenger seat. When she opened the door, she saw Jack behind the wheel and Raf in the back seat. Both boys gave her a wave.

"Morning, guys!" she said, feeling a sudden surge of energy as she hopped in and deposited her travel mug in the center console. "Okay, so, something super weird happened yesterday."

"Seatbelt," Bulkhead reminded her.

"Weird how?" Jack asked, simultaneously.

Miko huffed and buckled herself in, and Bulkhead began to drive. "So I snuck into the med bay after Screamer got his appendix removed or whatever," she said.

"That's where you were?" Bulkhead exclaimed, then added reproachfully, "I was looking everywhere for you."

"And you didn't look in the one place I was told not to go? C'mon, Bulky, you know me better than that."

"I-" Bulkhead paused. "Yeah, that's on me. Wait, Starscream didn't do anything to you, did he?"

"No, he was just, like, kinda rude," Miko said, flapping a dismissive hand. "The weird thing happened with Optimus, actually. I was listening at the door after Ratchet kicked me out, and Optimus came up and gave me one of his dad lectures about compassion and stuff. That's the boring part. But he seems really convinced that Starscream isn't gonna double-cross us. That's weird, right? Like, double-crossing is what Starscream does."

"Mmph," Bulkhead said. He'd never been particularly good at subtlety. All three kids' full attention was immediately on the steering wheel, Raf even leaning forward through the gap between the front seats.

"Do you know something?" Miko asked.

"N-o," Bulkhead replied, drawing the word out into two uncertain syllables.

Miko drummed her hands on the dashboard. "Yes, you do! What's going on?"

If a Jeep could squirm, that's what Bulkhead would be doing. "I don't know!" he insisted. "Not anything specific!"

"But you know something," Raf said.

"Okay, okay," Bulkhead said, able to weather the worst Decepticon interrogations but caving under the pressure of a few determined juveniles. "I was with Prime when we went to negotiate with Starscream for the keys. Then halfway through, just when Starscream's threatening to go to Megatron out of spite or something, Optimus sends me 'n Smokescreen back to base! I don't know what went down, but after that, Optimus brought Starscream right into the base. Now we can't treat him like a prisoner, but we still have to take turns babysitting him just in case he decides to cause problems despite our deal—which! We don't even know the full terms of! We're getting what we want, but there's no way Starscream only wanted his T-cog replaced. Sure, we're not hunting him for sport either, but there's gotta be more, right? I think he and Prime hashed something out, but for some reason Prime ain't telling!"

The end of his rant was met with a few moments of silence.

"You… really needed to get that off your chest, huh," Jack said eventually.

"Maybe!" Then Bulkhead sighed. "Things have just been weird around base, y'know? It's great- beyond great that we've got this shot at bringing back Cybertron. But having Starscream with us for it feels…" He trailed off, searching for the right word.

"Icky?" Miko suggested.

"Icky," Bulkhead agreed.

Miko took a slow sip of her coffee as she thought. She couldn't bring herself to tell Bulkhead the last thing Optimus had said to her, and she wasn't sure why. Maybe because it had felt like it was just for her. Or—no, that wasn't right. It just wasn't for the other Autobots. That was why he'd said it to her. Because he couldn't say it to anyone else. It had been a moment of… weakness, or something that could be easily perceived as weakness.

But she couldn't figure this out on her own, and Jack and Raf had just as much insight into how Optimus' brain worked as she did.

"Would anyone know what OP is thinking?" she mused aloud.

"Ratchet, maybe," Bulkhead said. "He's known Optimus the longest. Since before the war, before the Primacy, before everything. If anyone's got a clue, it's the doc. He won't talk to us about Optimus, but maybe he'll talk to you."

=

When they got to base, the Autobots were holding a discussion in the main area. They stood around a stack of crates which the four Omega Keys sat atop, fused into a pyramid shape with a holographic blue orb floating above the point.

"-all the good a map does us," Arcee was saying. "We can plot routes through the wastes as much as we like, but that doesn't change the fact we can't even get there."

Bumblebee chirped something.

"Because using Megatron's spacebridge worked out so well for us last time," Ratchet replied wearily. "We've been over that already."

"They've been at this since before I left to pick you guys up," Bulkhead muttered to the kids. "Talking in circles. I was ready to make up my own excuse to get out of here by the time you texted me."

Smokescreen, separate from the rest of the Autobots, was the first to notice them. He was clearly on Starscream duty, since he and the former 'Con were leaning back against the wall to the right of the entrance. Smokescreen seemed unsure if he was disappointed about being left out of the argument or relieved. Starscream just looked bored.

"Hey!" Smokescreen called out, jerking away from the wall and making half a step towards Bulkhead and the kids before remembering his task. He glanced expectantly over his shoulder at Starscream, who made a big show of rolling his eyes and pushing out of his slouch to follow Smokescreen over to the newcomers. "They're all kinda deep in it," Smokescreen said apologetically.

"It's a wonder you lot ever get anything done," Starscream grumbled. "I've spent the last half-joor reorganizing long-term memories just to break up the monotony."

"If you would like to add your wisdom, Starscream, you are welcome to," Optimus said, his voice cutting easily through everything else. Nearly all the bots in the room jumped in surprise, and Starscream's wings flared upwards.

Then he settled them back to their default position, and slowly turned to face the rest of the Autobots. All of them were glaring at him, with the exception of Optimus. "I doubt my insight would be appreciated," Starscream said.

Arcee scoffed.

"Could you think of a way to access the spacebridge without alerting Megatron?" Optimus asked.

Starscream was quiet for a moment. Miko couldn't see his face, but his hands were clenched behind his back, one wrist caught tightly in his clawed fingers. "No," he said. "And whatever trick you used to sneak around him last time won't work again. He's a fast learner. You'd have to defeat him first to get to the bridge safely—but if you had the means to do that, you'd have done so already. Wouldn't you have?" That last bit felt pointed somehow, but the meaning was lost on Miko.

Optimus, as always, was unfazed. "Any other ideas?"

"Oh, I don't know," Starscream snapped. "I don't suppose you picked up any ancient artifacts that can just magically transform your groundbridge into a spacebridge?"

"The Forge!" Smokescreen blurted. "What about the Forge?"

Now everyone's attention was on Smokescreen, and he grew uncertain when no one said anything. "It could do that… right?"

Starscream tilted his head, turning to look at Smokescreen in an exaggerated motion. "Are you referring to the Forge of Solus Prime?" he asked, incredulity dripping from his tone. "It's real? And you have it?"

Smokescreen opened his mouth, then closed it again.

"Well," Bulkhead said. "I wouldn't say we… have it."

"That would work, though," Arcee said. "Wouldn't it?"

"I don't see why not," Ratchet replied.

Bumblebee let out a string of beeps.

"You just have to get it?" Starscream echoed. "Get it from where?"

The room fell silent.

"Ah," Starscream said, putting the pieces together. He straightened his back, suddenly exuding smooth confidence. "Well, that shouldn't be too hard."

"Oh, yes," Arcee said, cold and acidic. "Stealing a powerful artifact from Megatron will be a walk in the park."

Miko had already begun sidling around to where she could watch the full show, and she could see the shift in Starscream, like he was coming to life. Before, he'd been idling, only physically present because he had nowhere else to be. Miko was intimately familiar with the feeling—it was how she passed most of the time in school.

Now, the thin slash of his smile sharpened with purpose, and a low fire blazed through him, burning away any submissiveness in his posture. Even his eyes seemed to glow a little brighter. "Why not?" he said. "I know the Nemesis inside and out. I know where Megatron hoards his treasures. I know all the past guard shift schedules and I can accurately predict possible future ones. Even after going rogue, I was able to sneak aboard and raid the energon stores without getting caught. And with Hot Shot's favorite toy-" He gestured to Smokescreen. "-I could be in and out like a ghost."

"No way," Arcee said, taking a threatening step towards him. "There's no way we're letting you anywhere near the Nemesis. Especially not with the phase shifter."

"My apologies," Starscream said with false sweetness, mirroring her step forward with one of his own. "I wasn't aware you had another flight frame readily available. The Nemesis, in case you've forgotten, is quite high up."

Smokescreen shuddered. "Extremely high up."

"Arcee is right," Optimus said. "We can't trust you on a mission like this. Not alone."

"Not at all!" Arcee exclaimed with a swift chop of her hand, her glower fixed on Starscream.

Optimus laid a hand on her shoulder. "We have no other way to get aboard. Soundwave would detect the energy spike of a groundbridge. But if Starscream could carry someone-"

"Who?" Arcee said. "Bulkhead? You? I'm the only one small and light enough for him to…" Her eyes widened with realization.

"No!" she and Starscream shouted at the same time. They gave each other appalled looks.

Starscream coughed into his fist, struggling to regain his composure. "I could probably carry the yellow one."

Bumblebee jabbed a finger at Starscream as he chirped something distinctly displeased, his eyes narrowing.

"…carry Bumblebee," Starscream corrected himself through gritted teeth.

"You'll need speed and maneuverability on your side," Optimus said. "The less weight you're carrying, the higher the odds of success."

"Then don't make me carry anyone at all!" Starscream snarled.

Arcee's hands curled into fists. She began to move forward, opening her mouth to retort, only to be stopped when Optimus' grip on her tightened.

"Starscream," Optimus said, his voice somehow both soft and warning. "Compromise." It sounded less like an order and more like a reminder.

Starscream's wings flicked one after the other, as if he were physically trying to shake away his agitation. Then he took a shallow breath and straightened his spine, his hands going behind his back again as his stance became more formal. "Very well," he said, tone and expression carefully neutral. "I understand why I cannot be allowed alone on a high-stakes mission. Logically, Arcee is the best choice for infiltrating the Nemesis with me." His gaze shifted from Optimus to Arcee. "It would be foolish, at this point, to allow personal feelings to stand in the way of the restoration of our home planet."

Arcee's face contorted in fury—Miko felt scorched by her glare just by being in vague proximity to Starscream. Then she closed her eyes, breathing deep. When she reopened her eyes after a couple of moments, the harsh boil of her anger had reduced to a simmer. "Fine," she said, and looked up at Optimus. "Can we talk?"

"Of course," Optimus murmured, and followed her out of the main room.

After the two of them were gone, an uncomfortable silence settled over the room. Bulkhead, Smokescreen, Jack, and Raf were still clustered by the entrance, and the rest of the Autobots were by the Omega Keys. Starscream stood alone between the two groups, looking in the direction Arcee and Optimus had left in with a strange, unreadable expression on his face.

Miko decided to take action. She strode over to Starscream. "Hey, birdbrain," she called out. "You'd better not pull any tricks on Arcee."

Starscream didn't so much as twitch, eyes still fixed on the hallway. "What would you do?" he asked, sounding oddly far away.

This threw Miko for a loop. "Huh?"

He blinked, coming back to himself, and looked down at her. "What would you do?" he repeated irritably. "If it was just you and me. If you had no weapons, no powerful friends at your back. What course of action would you take? How would you, alone, damage me?"

Miko opened her mouth, but her mind was blank. Heat rose to her cheeks.

"Back off, Starscream," Bulkhead said.

Starscream's eyes widened, and he swiveled his head towards Bulkhead. "Are you seriously telling me you've allowed these organics to follow you onto the battlefield multiple times, and never gave them the tools to defend themselves?" he asked, his irritation congealing into outraged disbelief.

"Hey!" Miko said, crossing her arms. "I took out an Insecticon, you know!"

"And just how did you do that?" Starscream said, and Miko knew her answer wouldn't hold up under the weight of his condescension.

"Wheeljack's ship," she mumbled anyway.

"So you can use your surroundings, at least," Starscream said, which wasn't exactly the scathing insult she'd been expecting. "But you won't always be so lucky." Then, to her surprise, he dropped to one knee. At the sudden movement, every Autobot in the room started towards him, and he waved a hand. "Relax, I'm just going to show her something." He crooked a claw at her, beckoning her closer. "The other two should know this as well."

Miko exchanged uncertain glances with Jack and Raf, and then the three of them warily approached. Smokescreen and Bulkhead followed, while the rest hung back and watched.

Starscream traced the tip of a claw down a seam on the outside of his ankle. For a Cybertronian, it was too small to easily access, but Miko figured she could probably stick her arm in there. "Cybertronians vary massively in design, but there are always gaps at the joints, to allow for movement," Starscream explained. "Inside those joints, you will find sensitive wiring, especially in complex areas like this. If you find yourself facing an enemy you can't beat, your goal should be to cause enough of a distraction to facilitate an escape. In that regard, ankle joints should be your prime target. Use a tool, something sharp or hooked, and long enough to get to the circuitry. Just don't actually reach inside, since that would be an excellent way to lose those fleshy little servos of yours."

"You mean hands?" Miko asked.

Starscream ignored her, continuing, "The combination of pain and surprise should be enough to buy you time. If you're lucky, you may even impair your enemy's ability to give chase, albeit mildly. However, when you are so much smaller and weaker than your opponent, every advantage counts, no matter how slight." He rested his forearm on his knee. "After that, run. Not in a straight line—our motion algorithms can easily track you. Keep your movements unpredictable and seek cover. Anything that puts objects between you and your pursuer, preferably something that disguises the direction you're headed in. Find somewhere to hide, and wait for backup."

While Starscream was talking, Raf had ventured even closer to peer through the seam Starscream had indicated, trying to get a better look at circuitry. "Cool," he breathed.

"Was nothing like that ever explained to you?" Starscream asked. The annoyance, which had begun to fade during his lecture, was back full force.

"We've gotten the 'hide and wait for backup' talk a few times," Jack said.

"Unbelievable," Starscream said, aghast. "How did I never manage to kill you?" His tone was weirdly impersonal—a little frustrated, but mostly marveling at what he seemed to view as a massive oversight.

"Well, thank you," Miko said, and realized that she meant it despite his last remark. "For telling us all that."

Starscream gave her a hard look, as if trying to assess her sincerity. When he found her guileless, his eyes flicked away, discomfort crossing his face. "It's about time someone did," he muttered, and pushed himself to his feet.

At that moment, Optimus and Arcee returned, and Starscream stepped away from the kids. Miko turned her attention elsewhere, trying to ignore the fact that she hadn't felt threatened at all while being so close to him. He was a creep and a jerk, and he probably had some sinister reason for giving them potentially life-saving advice. Yeah.

Yet she couldn't help thinking about yesterday. Starscream's voice raspy after waking up. Optimus talking about compassion and war.

Miko shoved her hands in her pockets, stepping over to Jack and bumping shoulders with him. He bumped shoulders back, and she felt a little better.

Arcee still looked furious, but also a lot calmer about it. She clapped, a sharp sound that shot across the room and drew all eyes to her. "Alright, everybody," she said. "Let's plan a heist."

=

While the bots plotted, Miko totally thrashed the boys at Mario Kart. The three of them were, under normal circumstances, pretty evenly matched at video games. Today, though, Jack kept shooting worried glances at Arcee, and Raf's attention faltered every time Bumblebee spoke. Miko couldn't blame them, because she was anxious, too. She just channeled her anxiety differently. That was, directly into kicking ass at Mario Kart.

Eventually, Jack had to leave. His shift started at 4, and by then the planning was over, so Arcee took him. She looked like she was dying to get out of base anyway. Miko couldn't blame her.

Now, Optimus and Ratchet were looking at something on one of the big screens, and Bulkhead and Bumblebee had joined the remaining kids for TV time. As for the last two mechs in the building…

"You don't have to shadow my every step," Starscream snapped.

"You're pacing," Smokescreen said. "It's making me nervous."

"If you don't leave me be," Starscream said, his wings vibrating with tension, "I'll give you something to be truly nervous about."

"Starscream," Optimus said in reprimand, not even looking away from whatever he was working on.

Starscream let out a low growl, flexing his claws like he was aching to sharpen them on something. "Ratchet," he said, his tone cajoling. "Hasn't it been a day already?"

Miko and Raf watched from over the back of the couch, the monster truck rally on TV forgotten. "What's he mean?" Raf whispered to her.

"Docbot's making him wait a day before he can transform again," Miko whispered back. "Overheard it yesterday."

Ratchet was close enough to the couch to hear the hushed exchange, and he gave Miko a taste of his best glare before he turned it on Starscream. "Not quite," he said.

Starscream responded by taking on a pose that could only be described as 'toadying'—bent slightly at the waist, one hand curled over the other in front of his chest, his wings dipped to a nonthreatening angle. "Surely a couple of, er, hours won't make much of a difference. We need to make sure I'm in top condition for this mission, after all. With such a skilled medic as you, I'm sure I'll be-"

"Alright, alright," Ratchet said, holding up a hand. "Just stop doing- that, and we'll head up top."

Starscream straightened up, a smug smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"I wanna go," Miko said instantly. The only times she'd seen Starscream or any Decepticon transform was either from far away or while she was worried about her immediate safety. Without the threat of danger, there was no way she was gonna pass up the chance to see a giant robot turn into a fighter jet up close.

"I'd like to, as well," Raf said, apparently having the same thought.

"No," Ratchet said.

To her surprise, Starscream backed them up. "Oh, what's the harm, doctor?" he purred. Miko wondered if he was physically capable of not sounding like he was up to something sneaky at all times.

Ratchet squinted, looking between Starscream and the kids. Miko and Raf smiled at Ratchet, giving him their best puppy dog eyes.

"Fine," Ratchet grumbled, and he extended his hand to the kids. "But I'm gonna hold onto you. Ap-bup-bup!" he added when Miko opened her mouth to complain. "I'm not leaving you anywhere you can get accidentally squished."

Miko groaned, but Raf was already clambering into Ratchet's waiting palm, so she followed.

They took a cargo elevator to the top, which creaked ominously at the weight of two Cybertronians. Ratchet didn't seem worried, though, so Miko tried not to worry either. At one point, she thought she saw Starscream watching her from the corner of his eye.

The ceiling above them opened, and the platform grated to a halt once it was level with the flat rock around it.

"Nice view," Starscream remarked, casting a judgmental eye over the desert expanse. "So this is where your precious base is."

"Don't make us regret letting you in," Ratchet said, and held out a small disc to Starscream. "Optimus tell you about this?"

"Oh. The tracking device." Starscream's lip curled slightly, but he took the disc.

"Put it wherever," Ratchet said. "You can take it off, but we'll know if you do."

Starscream fiddled with it. "And if it gets damaged in the field?"

"Comm us and explain."

"Would you believe me?" Starscream asked.

Ratchet let out a harsh sigh. "Optimus will, at least."

Turning it over one last time in his fingers, Starscream said, "I suppose that's the best I'll get," and slipped it under a ledge in his chest. He cricked his neck, stretched his arms, and walked right up to the cliff's edge.

He inhaled deeply, his wings twitching in anticipation. Then he clicked his heels together and did a neat little about-face, giving the kids a smirk just before he tipped backwards off the edge. He transformed as he fell, and Miko found herself holding her breath as he dropped out of sight.

Engines roared, and Miko couldn't help whooping as he shot straight upwards, so fast the gust of wind he created made her and Raf stumble. Starscream must have heard her, because his wings waggled in what felt like acknowledgement. He kept going up, up, nosecone pointed to the clouds, until she had to shade her eyes to keep watching him. Abruptly, his engines cut out, and he seemed to hang suspended for a moment before toppling backwards again. Miko gripped Ratchet's index finger as Starscream spun around and around, plummeting towards the ground in freefall.

"Relax, kiddo," Ratchet said. "He's just showing off."

Miko couldn't tear her eyes away. How could falling like that be showing off? And then, just when she thought Starscream wasn't going to be able to pull up in time, his engines fired and he righted himself with a quick flick of his wings. He turned freefall into a graceful dive that hooked around the tall mesa that disguised the Autobot base, only half of one wing visible like the fin of a shark as he circled them. Then he was up and away again, doing loops and flips and barrel rolls, all because he could. For the sheer joy of it.

She wondered what that would be like, to have the wind as a friend and gravity as a plaything. She wondered if she could get him to tell her honestly.

"Hey, Ratchet," Miko said, still watching Starscream. "Optimus said something to me yesterday."

"Go on."

"It was after you kicked me out of the med bay. He seemed sad about something, so I asked how I could help, and he said that this isn't my war, and maybe I could see things another way. But then he wouldn't tell me what he meant."

Ratchet bit off a curse halfway. "If that young idiot is hanging his hopes on Starscream, of all mechs, I'll kill him myself."

Miko supposed that Ratchet was probably the only one around who could get away with calling Optimus Prime either young or idiot. "What hopes?" she asked.

Ratchet let out a heavy sigh. "He's got this notion of ending the war without winning or losing. Where both sides come back together to rebuild the world better this time. It's-" He made a frustrated grinding noise. "No one else would think it's possible. I sure don't. But he hopes." His free hand clenched, and he sounded so old and tired as he murmured, "Primus save him, he hopes."

Raf crouched to give Ratchet a comforting pat on the palm, but Miko just kept holding onto his finger, still watching Starscream. She didn't really know what any of that had to do with her or her ability to see things another way, and yet… she had a strange feeling she was starting to kind of understand.

Maybe it was something about the way Starscream cut through the sky. Exuberance radiated off him—there was nothing calculating or scheming in the twirl of his wings, the gunning of his engines. He'd been on the ground for so long, and now he was celebrating flight. She couldn't deny anymore that he was just another person, with his own motives and dreams and history. And if Starscream was a person, what about the rest of the Decepticons? She knew plenty of people did plenty of bad things for plenty of reasons, but she was used to applying that mentality to humans. It required another shift of thinking to apply it to alien robots, especially when she'd been taught by most of the Autobots that Decepticons were just plain bad.

And maybe they were bad people, but Miko was starting to think that maybe it wasn't all that simple. If Optimus thought there was a way to reconcile their differences, maybe… maybe…

Miko didn't know. But she was going to find out.

"Alright, pack it in," Ratchet said into his comm. "That's enough fancy flightwork for today. Save some fuel for your mission."

Starscream veered back towards the mesa, transforming again as he landed. "Killjoy," he said, but he was grinning, exhilarated and sincere. Then he caught himself, and the grin shifted into a haughty sneer.

Miko came to a decision. She wasn't sure if it was the right one, but that had never stopped her before. "Woo!" she crowed, throwing up horns with both hands. "Starscream, that was awesome!"

Starscream gave her a startled look, then quickly composed himself. "Of course," he said, lifting his chin. "I'm the best there is."

But some of the sincerity had returned to his smile, and Miko knew she could do this.

#transformers #transformers prime #starscream #starscream tfp #optimus prime #autobots #writing counts as art

[soundwavereporting]

day 4 of @prowlweek! today’s prompt was ‘sensory’. 

it’s pre-cosmos/prowl/soundwave! if you’re inclined to read everything preceding this, you can do so here. if you don’t want to? the tl;dr is that prowl ended up on sanctuary station and he, cosmos, and soundwave are in the maddeningly slow process of getting together. 

this fic features absolutely terrible decisions, the most important of which is trying to make important life choices while drinking. anyone still uses the citrus scale, this fic is the cybertronian equivalent of a lime.

five half-lies and one full truth

1. 

If anyone asked (and he were inclined to actually answer) Soundwave would report that he didn’t remember who made the first move. He supposed, lying in a tangle of cables and the scent of ozone, he would have to tell Cosmos the truth. They both would. 

The truth was Prowl, optic bright with copper-infused engex and a sudden burst of bravery that would have put Optimus Prime to shame, had leaned over the desk and kissed him square on the mouth.

“Do you think…”

Soundwave had been in the process of taking another sip of engex, but as Prowl spoke, he paused leaving the glass frozen halfway between the desk and his mouth.

Prowl’s mind was…duller than usual. Toned down. And a little muddled.

But Soundwave still liked it.

Soundwave waited as Prowl mulled over his next words. It wasn’t impolite to take a drink when someone was thinking, was it?

Soundwave wasn’t sure. He could count the number of times he’d been a social drinker on one servo, and each and every instance he had been expected to sit on the other side of a desk and agree with whenever Ratbat said. That kind of social drinking wasn’t particularly conducive to actually drinking.

Hm.

“Things could have ended up differently, if I were you and you were me?”

“Yes.” A simple answer, though he knew that wasn’t the question Prowl meant to ask.

Prowl groaned and took another swig of engex. Soundwave could see the engex crackling in his mind. Watching it was…

Soundwave looked away.  

“If I were a Decepticon…” Prowl glared at his engex. “The war would’ve been over four million years ago.”

Soundwave nodded. He didn’t think Prowl actually wanted him to agree: calling someone like Prowl a Decepticon was a surefire way to get a punch in the face.

“That’s all I wanted to do,” Prowl muttered. “End the war. Save lives. Preferably both.”

Before Soundwave could respond, Prowl started talking again.

“Sorry. I’m not good company when I’m overcharged, am I.”

It wasn’t a question.

Soundwave looked up to watch the stormy clouds circling his head. Prowl frowned, and the scar on the bridge of his nose—

Soundwave heard his fans click on.

He looked away.

“I do not mind. Your—”

“My mind is nice,” Prowl said, though there was no malice in his words. He sounded confused, as though he had never heard those words applied to him before. That was strange—Soundwave knew for a fact that during their time as a gestalt, the Constructicons paid his mind compliments. Vocally and often.

Prowl finished off the glass and set it on Soundwave’s desk.

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“My mind.” Prowl rested his elbows on the desk and leaned forward. Soundwave forced himself to meet Prowl’s optic. “Why do you like it so much?”

“I cannot tell you,” Soundwave said. “You know that.”

“But you can show me.”

2.

Prowl was the one who made the first move, but it was Soundwave who knocked the desk over. He had a moment to feel equal parts stupidly embarrassed and foolishly emotional, but any misgivings were quickly quashed by the feeling of Prowl’s mouth on his own.

They fell, tangled, to the floor. Prowl’s engine kicked up a notch, drowning out the sound of Soundwave’s gasp.

And now he was thinking about the desk. Soundwave pulled away to follow Prowl’s gaze—he was looking at the overturned furniture, thinking about flipping tables of all things, how Tumbler used to joke about bolting his desk down except Prowl was never sure if it was a joke or not and—

Soundwave kissed him again.

The distraction worked, but now Prowl was thinking about him, which was a wholly intimidating thought. Without a direct connection (which Soundwave really, really wanted, and was beginning to suspect Prowl really, really wanted as well) the beautiful lines and angles were fuzzy, muddled by noise and engex.

Soundwave loved them

He canceled the battle protocols that had activated when Prowl lunged and was treated to the sight of Prowl perched on top of him. One hand traced the edges of his tape deck—did he know it was sensitive, or was it just something to touch?

Soundwave imagined Prowl’s hand in him. Touching circuits no mech outside of his cassettes were supposed to see, much less touch, tracing the contours of his docking ports.

He shuddered, and sat up to mouth the cabling on Prowl’s neck and was rewarded with a gasp that felt…oddly deliberate. Genuine, but unsurprised.

He blinked.

Number cruncher floated across both their minds.

Were it not for the hot flash of red embarrassment that followed the phrase, Soundwave would never have considered it an insult.

Oh.

“You know what I am going to do,” Soundwave mumbled into Prowl’s neck. “You can predict it.”

“Within a—” Prowl yelped. He hadn’t seen Soundwave lift a hand to caress the sensory panels affixed to his back, Soundwave realized. “Reasonable margin of error.”

“If you can see it.”Soundwave felt the paneling twitch under his hand. Prowl nodded, and Soundwave tasted the sensation of being touched in the back of his throat. “What am I going to do next?”

“Uh.” Again, Soundwave felt the weight of Prowl’s stare come to rest on his frame.

Soundwave hoped he would remember this in the morning. The line between lowered inhibitions and stupid drunk was a thin one, but neither he nor Prowl had ingested enough engex to cross it.

Probably.

“Um.”

Soundwave traced the length of the sensors on Prowl’s back, an action that elicited a hastily-silenced moan. “Do you really want a comprehensive breakdown of your potential actions?”

“Maybe later.” Soundwave drank in the sharp certainty of Prowl’s mind. He’d never given Soundwave explicit permission to snoop, but at this particular moment…Prowl didn’t seem to care. He wondered, for a moment, if Prowl could become to his anchor.

His Ravage.

His Megatron.

He had hoped Cosmos might be willing to accept that role, but Cosmos was…ubiquitous. Cosmos was everywhere, and nowhere, too easily able to slip between Soundwave’s fingers.  

Prowl was clarity in a sea of static. And Cosmos was the static, cocooning him and caressing his spark, fierce and gentle and—

Cosmos was going to hate them.

Or worse…he would be hurt.

Soundwave kissed the edge of Prowl’s jaw and wished could stop thinking. Just for a moment.

They should stop. Right now. Stop and pull away and come back to this when Cosmos was around, and then they could be sensible about this.

Whatever was going on between them, Soundwave didn’t want to ruin it. Prowl didn’t want to ruin it.

None of them wanted to ruin it, and Soundwave and Prowl were about to do just that.

3.

“My turn,” Prowl whispered, and raised a brow as Soundwave obediently leaned back, feeling the chill of unheated metal against his plating.

“Told you to stay out of my head,” Prowl muttered, though his optic widened when Soundwave smiled.

“You don’t mean it. Not now.”

“Tomorrow, when I do,” Prowl leaned forward until their breaths came together in a dizzying, tantalizing mix of near-sensory overload. “What then?”

“Your thoughts will be your own.”

Prowl was far too heavy for Soundwave to even consider attempting to sit up, but he had no real inclination to try.

“We should—”

Soundwave heard a click and realized with a jolt of embarrassment that it had been his own interface protocols coming online. Prowl blinked, but didn’t seem particularly dissuaded.

He tried again.

“We should stop?”

Prowl froze.

“Cosmos,” was all Soundwave said, and Prowl nodded. But he didn’t move to get up, and Soundwave didn’t push the issue. Soundwave manually canceled the protocols and thanked the stars his cables hadn’t already unspooled—manually coaxing them back into his frame might have been slightly more embarrassment than he could handle.

“If you are willing,” Prowl said slowly. “I would still like to know how you see things.”

A little too quickly, Soundwave nodded.

4.

“…oh.”

Soundwave felt his lips twitch. Prowl had gone still on top of him as his mind struggled to process the new wave of sensory data. Soundwave didn’t dare move or touch Prowl for fear of eliciting more sensation than his processor could comfortably handle.

“It’s a lot.”

Prowl steadied himself on Soundwave’s chassis, and nodded. Soundwave peeled back another layer of firewalls.

“It is.”  

The tenuous connection between them was just enough for Soundwave to get a glance at the blurry lines and numbers. Idly, Soundwave tugged at the cable connecting him to Prowl—as much as he would have relished the chance to be invited into Prowl’s mind and spend a few blissful minutes immersed in angles and pure data, this was for Prowl.

The very notion of someone (Prowl) wanting to see in his mind had Soundwave feeling a unique mixture of elation and nauseating anxiety. His fuel tank cramped painfully at the mere notion of rejection, but Prowl—

“Shh.” More gently than he thought Prowl—anyone, save for perhaps Ravage—capable of, Prowl touched the spot on his armor just above his fuel tank. “I understand. I think.”

Immediately, Soundwave relaxed. Several layers of stress-induced color that Soundwave had forgotten about faded. As he looked up at Prowl, the world became dizzyingly clear. Soundwave allowed Prowl to bypass every firewall save for the ones keeping guard over his vital functions. Mentally, he lay back and watched Prowl peruse his datafiles. Amusement zipped across their connection as he realized Prowl was going through his most recent memories, lingering over his reaction to Prowl predicting Soundwave’s movements.

Prowl frowned.

The colors snapped back into existence.

“I’m not going to be Megatron,” Prowl snapped.

5.

“It is not like that.” But Prowl knew that, didn’t he. He was in Soundwave’s head. At that moment, Prowl knew him better than any mech ever had. Except—

“Stop thinking about him.”

“Apologies.” But he hadn’t yanked Soundwave’s cable out of his waist port. Desperately, Soundwave clung to that fact.

“I’m not here to be your leader,” Prowl snapped, saying the word leader like someone might say the word incurable, late-stage cosmic rust. “No. Full stop.”

“Not like that.” But they all had been leaders, hadn’t they? Ravage had led him from the Dead End, showed him a new way of existing that wasn’t just survival. And Megatron had led him far, far beyond what he once would have deemed acceptable. “It helps,” Soundwave offered. “To have someone to focus on. Someone strong. Unique.”

“You said you would stay out of my head.” Prowl’s voice was quiet.

“And I will.”

To Soundwave, the truth smelled like ozone. And Prowl knew it.

Prowl snorted.

“You really like my mind, don’t you.”

Dumbly, Soundwave nodded.

+1

Soundwave felt Prowl give in.

He watched as Prowl leaned forward to rest his elbows on the glass of Soundwave’s chest. Not for the first time, Soundwave was glad the cassettes were out for the night and wouldn’t be expecting him back at the habsuite.

“We shouldn’t have done this.” Prowl made no move to get up. Soundwave watched as he wrapped the cable around his finger, then let it unwind. “Not without…”

Prowl gave up all pretense of respectability and slumped against Soundwave.

“This is hard,”  Prowl mumbled into Soundwave’s shoulder. Soundwave hummed an acknowledgement. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Neither do I.”

He didn’t feel particularly better after admitting it. Enough of the engex had worn off that they were beginning to feel tired—and more than a little awkward.

He wondered how many times they would have to do this dance of engex and lowered inhibitions, only to be countered by the uncomfortable reality of sobriety. It wasn’t that getting drunk with Prowl wasn’t nice (in more ways than one) but…

Soundwave moved to sit up. Prowl groaned his assent and began to slide off, but Soundwave shook his head.

Prowl was very nearly too big to comfortably sit in Soundwave’s lap.

He didn’t mind.

“Tell me,” Soundwave said, and Prowl looked up. “What am I going to do next?”

“Oh.” Prowl blinked, registering the question Soundwave had pushed over their connection. “Oh. Er, yes. I suppose.”

He tasted like gritty engex.

But Prowl liked gritty engex, and Soundwave liked Prowl, so Soundwave supposed it was alright.

#initially this was gonna be soundwave/prowl hate sex and then it became soundwave/prowl plug n play and then it became............... #whatever this thing is #prowlweek #prowl #soundwave #transformers #i guess this also qualifies as a 5+1 fic #lime #robot. lime. #if the readmore doesn't work...i am Really Sorry

[frecklystars]

How does it feel to work under Megatron Starscream? Thought you went rogue for a reason but you went crawling back.

“There is a saying that my little Starflower taught me... ‘you’ve got to ‘dance with the devil on the river to beat the stream’. I feel that describes my situation quite nicely, for lack of a better word. Call it living the dream!” Starscream’s face contorts into a bitter snarl. “Call it kicking the ladder.”

“Keri begged me not to return to the Decepticons, but I had no choice. I was missing my T-Cog, starved and delirious with Energon deficiency... I had to terminate a clone of myself, and endure its pain, along with several others— I lived off of scraps. That isn’t even the half of it! I did what I had to... just to survive.” Starscream shakes his head. “As unfavorable my living situation may be, I am safe here... so long as I maintain my status and continue to fulfill my role.”

Yes, the role to be used as a living punching bag. Anyone could easily replace the Air Commander’s position; Starscream must do everything within his power to keep it. To be useful. Knockout is the ship’s medic: irreplaceable. Soundwave is the Chief of Surveillance Officer and one of the Decepticons’ greatest assets: irreplaceable. Dreading: irreplaceable. Even Airachnid, once, used to be in the position of irreplaceable. Starscream, however? Megatron wouldn’t hesitate to offline him- and attempts had been made before- too often to count.

If a good trouncing is all it takes to keep Megatron sated... well. The Seeker would prefer it to the hell he endured as a rogue. For once, he cannot prioritize pride over survival.

He traces his claws delicately over the Decepticon insignia branded into his chest- just another mark of Megatron, just another reminder that he would never be truly free. He dismisses the thought and turns his head away.

“You wouldn’t understand.”

#'Crawling back'? Hardly! I'd like to see you try-- you wouldn't last a solar cycle. #asks #anonymous #TFP takeover #TFP takeover: Starscream #((thank you so much for the ask!! :D))

[sternerstufftoys]

It’s Overlord! Finishedlord!

Yesterday I called Straxus an indie hit in Japan. Well, here's an indie hit in America. Oh yeah, I've been into a lot of Overlord lately. Who? Oh well, he's pretty big overseas. Yeah, you've probably never heard of him.

(well, until IDW made him go mainstream. Sellout!)

Anyway, I'm not sure when I first became aware of Overlord. Before IDW, certainly, but not from Masterforce. Probably just an osmosis thing where he existed on the periphery of so much other Transformers arcana that he just snuck into my head that way. I was pleased to discover, years later, that my own personal theory had been correct, that the original G1 toy had originally been conceived as more of an Autobot than a Decepticon, and you can see why in the head sculpt, which is so passive and friendly-looking that I swear Nick Roche's full-lipped kiss-magnet design was totally a tribute to how hot Overlord had always been. Sadly you don't get such a smoochable face in this Titans Return toy. Disappointing.

But then there is a reason. This isn't the Overlord from the comics, nor is it the Overlord from the anime. And for that matter, not really the same Overlord as the G1 toy, not exactly. It's just Overlord, the meta-character brought into the world once more in luscious plastic and here to represent a handy middle ground for everyone's favourite version all in one. Or, if you prefer, inaccurate to every iteration of the character so as not to please anyone. But then that'd make you an unpleasable hobgoblin, and you don't want to be that, do you?

Being one of only a few Decepticon leaders that actually grace the increasingly-misnamed leader class, Overlord is something of a towering presence over the others. He makes for a tall, bulky pile of nasty that really does put the previous use of the base mould (Sky Shadow) in the shade (appropriately enough). As with most of TR, he makes a thousand and one nods to the original toy and doesn't deviate too far, with the jet nosecone still ending up on the arm, even though you can leave it on his back or even chomp it onto his chest for a whacking great extra piece of armour, which is a nice touch.

My favourite thing about him though is that the headmaster trick is entirely optional here. You can leave his head on during transformation with no ill effects whatsoever, handily freeing up the cockpits in tank and jet mode for two more titan or prime master figures. I've gone for the super-shiny Megatronus and Prima who came with Blast Off and Punch respectively, and a charming pair of powermasters as you could ever ask for. They can also stay in the cockpits while Overlord is in robot mode, or curl up inside his boob-holes to make for the proper powermaster experience. But remember kids, no-one should be curling up in your boob-holes without your full consent first. Also, see your doctor if you have boob-holes.

So yeah, not content with being a double powermaster, Overlord is also something of a duocon, splitting into a separate tank and jet alt mode. They're not too fancy, and don't do much due to the constraints of the transformation i.e. the tank turret doesn't turn, sadly. But most frustrating is that there's no real way to convincingly slap the two together into a daft tank-jet mega vehicle thingy, despite hints on the sides of the tank that something was once intended to grab hold there.

Of course there is a combined alt mode for the two halves - a base mode! Yes, as with all the TR leaders Overlord can twist himself into a sort of mini-battlestation, and it manages to be both a bit sloppy next to his other modes, and at the same time superior to the majority of other TR bases. It works in a similar way to the G1 toy, but the relative lack of size makes it just seem a bit weedy and pointless. If there was an interior, you'd barely fit a coffee table and a beanbag chair in there. And it's hard to see what else Overlord could do in this mode that he couldn't do as a robot, tank or jet. He's still only got the one gun, after all.

I think I like the idea of Overlord a lot, if not his comic or anime appearances. When his toy was released in Europe he was pushed as yet another in a long line of Decepticon leaders, but without any accompanying media this relied purely on the powah of imajinashun to get kids to recognise it. And then as now, his looming humungousness is enough to make any Megatrons or Galvatrons take a moment to carefully consider how best to deal with the big blue upstart. It would have been great to have had Overlord sneak into the last few issues of the G1 Marvel comic to kick Bludgeon to the kerb and leave the series on a cliffhanger with what Overlord's reign might bring, but it was not to be. His release in Europe was only part of a half-arsed spinning of the wheels while the brand wilted away over in America. Still, he's here now, and is finally getting his time in the sun.

#transformers #maccadam #toy review #overlord #titans return #decepticon leaders

[tf-imagines]

What type of preference does TFA + TFP Starscream have for an s/o? ( Whether a human s/o or Cybertronian, it doesn't matter xD )

I also had an ask asking for the rest of the TFA Cons, so I added them in to this one!

TFP Starscream

- Intelligence is a big deal for him because he needs someone of at least close to equal intelligence

- Loyalty, because if he’s going to let you close to him, he needs to trust that you won’t stab him in the back

- Gentleness, when dealing with him at the very least. He has been so poorly treated for so long that he needs someone who isn’t going to hurt him and add to his pain

- Charisma is definitely a plus, someone who can take charge and get things done

- Confidence, because having a confident partner would hopefully help him gain some genuine confidence himself

TFA Starscream

- Cunning because he would want someone who could help him plot and scheme

- Intelligence for the same reason as his Prime counterpart

- Stubbornness, because if you want to talk him into/out of something you either need to be really convincing, or very stubborn

- Loyalty is also big for him because he can’t have his s/o turning on him

TFA Megatron

- Intelligence, because Megatron himself is a very smart mech. He’d only want the best

- Similar ideals, so he’s likely to have a Decepticon S/o if they’re Cybertronian

- Loyalty, for obvious reasons

- Calm attitude because he doesn’t want someone too upbeat and loud. Someone level-headed and thoughtful

TFA Blitzwing

- Patience, because you’re dealing with his three personalities constantly switching and fighting over you

- Power, because he may not always be there to protect you. If you’re human, you don’t have to be able to take on a Cybertronian on your own or anything, but you need a strong personality that exudes power. A ‘don’t mess with me’ sort of person

- Strength, in any sense. But mental / emotional is important because he can be a rather...disturbing...mech at times. Mostly when Random is in control

- Adaptability, for the same reason as the Patience. You need to be able to roll with the punches and work with all of his personalities

TFA Lugnut

-Loyalty to the Decepticon cause is a major thing for him to even consider you. If you do not worship his Lord Megatron, how can he justify his affection of you?

- Durability, especially in the beginning of a relationship. Emotionally and physically. He’s not the most gentle of mechs, especially not with how his servos are designed. He tries to be careful, but he makes mistakes

- Honesty, because even though Deception is part of the Decepticon name, he wants to know that someone he lets close and turns to will be honest with him. Won’t hide things or hold things from him

- Patience, since he isn’t necessarily the brightest ‘Con in the universe. You might have to explain things to him, convince him to wait for a better time to strike

#text post #transformers imagines #transformers imagine #thanks for the ask! #maccadam #tfa #megatron #tfp #starscream #blitzwing #lugnut #tfa starscream #tfp starscream #tfa megatron #tfa blitzwing #tfa lugnut #headcanons

[galvatronsthighs]

Your opinions on Starscream?

Without a continuity I’ll just slip back to my most favoured/well-versed. G1.

How I feel about this character

In all honesty, he’s never 100% grabbed my attention but thinking on him, well… 

He’s a perfect little angst magnet, no doubt he’s scientifically great and excellent in a military sense, as he’s bragged, but he’s definitely been twisted into a self-destructive angry cretin, pushing away what friends he ever had by his time in the Decepticons and as Megatrons personal punching bag.

So yeah, I guess I still feel generally “ok” about him but boy I can see where love for him comes from.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Uuuhhh, Can’t say I have one for him really. Back when it was more of a G1 follow-on I had a idea/plan to ship him with Bumblebee but since I’ve grown to just not entirely view much about/for him romantically. Maybe I’ll eventually find a ship for him I like, but nothing at the moment.

My non-romantic OTP for this character

Well I do prefer the notion that he, TC and Skywarp are brothers so I guess that’s a platonic/family ship for him. Plus I guess I orientated SkyStar more in this area myself, but ah well.

My unpopular opinion about this character

He deserved his death in the movie and I dunno why I’ve seen some people use it as a reason to hate certain other characters.So many bots died in the movie as it was a big excuse to get more attention on the new line of toys. Plus, as much as Megatron deserved to get hurt, his backstabbing would’ve caught him up anyway and I wouldn’t have been surprised if he did himself in one way or another anyway.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

Beating up mr-abuses-him-a-lot Megatron and it not being a ‘hollow victory’, where Megatron secretly still has the upper hand or Starscream gets swatted back down instantly. One where it forces an arc where Megatron has to admit he’s actually a threat and not just a punching bag with a title.

#starscream #overlordraax #maccadam