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typewritingyip · 6 hours ago

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The Arcturus Missions

Part Twenty Nine - Turbulence

Part Twenty Eight

Content Warning - Vomit, Violence, & Gore

———

The human olfactory system is remarkably sensitive, able to detect a wide range of odors. It is known to trigger memories and reproduce strong feelings.

Humans are able to detect volatile chemicals and distinguish different scents rapidly, ensuring the safety of the body.

Smell or the olfactory system helps decide what you eat, how things can taste, and warns the person of potential hazards; often in cases of fire or gas leaks.

Pilots have been seen to have enhanced senses after compatibility testing and implantation, especially in the olfactory system. Increasing sensitivity to smell, taste, and hazard awareness.

When overuse occurs it can have an increasing negative effect on the enhancements seen from implantation and drift technology.

—

New Kaon was under siege, more than just one side of the city was being attacked and Megatron’s troops were spread out around the boundary. For the moment they were keeping the Quintessons at bay but it wouldn’t last forever.

Command was bustling and mechs were rushing around, Hound was sat down while someone he didn’t know was doing repairs to his gun and clearing out the sand filled barrel.

Knockout comes in although wrinkling his nose upon g drawing close to Hound, “You still reek of rust, Hound. Are you sure you’re repairs are well?” glancing up, Hound shrugs a bit, “I don’t exactly think now is the time to worry of it.” Knockout scowled before walking across command to talk with a few mecha.

Sighing slowly, Hound rubs his neck slightly, frowning as his assistance suits’ glove comes away with discharge and blood. Standing back up, he moves through to the other side of command where Megatron was on comms. He sits down on a crate and closes his eyes for a moment.

That moment didn’t last long.

Megatron was on comms with Cybertron and yelling, for how often Hound heard people make jokes about Optimus and Megatron being disgustingly married, this certainly reminded him more of how his marriage ended.

“You cannot request for the space bridge to be opened, you are not the senate and hold no power over it!” Megatron’s fist collided with the console and the screen flickered, “The law states that in the event of an emergency during the war on one of the colony planets—“ With a growl, Megatron pointed, “New Kaon is not a colony! Nor are we requesting the help of the United Cybertronian Army!” His claws dragged down his face.

Optimus Prime was clearly growing angry himself, optics darkening slightly and scowl evident even behind the mask, “Megatron, you can’t expect me not to intervene when Cybertronian’s are in danger.” Megatron growled, “But we cannot risk the lives of those on Cybertron for your need to intervene!” He moves closer to the screen, “This has not been a war between our people, this is a war against an old enemy and one that I intend to win while you seem content to lose!” Optimus stood and there was an echo through the other side of the line.

”And what, exactly, of my actions makes it seem like I do not wish to save our people?” Megatron laughed, “Just as always Prime, you fail to recognize the need for necessary sacrifices.” Optimus scoffs, “Sometimes you, Megatron, are too willing to write off the loss Cybertronian lives as necessary evils when it is easier than finding a proper strategy.” Megatron’s fist slammed back into the comms station, the screen shorting briefly.

He tried to take a breath, “Prime, the ridiculousness of your strategy, of threatening Cybertron for even a second, for the small number of lives you may evacuate and the little reinforcement you may bring, reminds me of your predecessors! After all, you were the one to comm me, while I was defending my people. You assumed that I would need your help defending my own.” Optimus stared at him and Hound swore that the room grew cold.

With a slight nod, Optimus took a breath, “Lord Protector, your outburst was unwarranted and your comparison baseless, we agreed in order for this peace to work that we must communicate. Would you not have done the same? I do not believe you are incapable, old friend, however I have found when times are dire, a helping hand goes farther than you think.” Megatron rolled his optics, arms crossed.

“Prime, I thought you would have outgrown this naïveté by now. I cannot spend precious time coddling your emotions, I need to attend to my people.” He nodded slightly, taking another breath and Optimus started to speak up, “Lord Protector, do not speak to me as if I am sparkling, I believe you forget I am calling as your Prime and that there are vows of your station which you are expected to uphold!” Megatron grit his teeth, before glancing down at the comms station and ending the transmission.

—

Optimus Prime stood in his office, staring at his transmission screen before looking across the room at Soundwave, “I believe that the Lord Protector has just implied that I should pen his resignation and tear up the peace agreement.” Soundwave stared unblinking, “Soundwave: suggests Lord High Protector will see the error of his way. Optimus Prime: is known for his limitless mercy.”

Optimus growled, “Prepare my battle craft, alert Elita and my other commanders, if he will not abide by his vows, then I have no need to abide by his wishes and will join my people in battle. Prepare a public statement, alerting the citizens to my imminent departure. It is time that the Lord Protector be reminded that I am not a golden statute.” he starts out of the room, pausing at the doorway, “And Soundwave,”

”Yes: my Prime?” Optimus takes a breath, “I need the solvent sent for the removal of the primal filigree. It need not appear on the battlefield, I would hate to anger the medic in the destruction of his work.” He turned down the hall, pedsteps heavy, “Soundwave: wonders if this can be called peace.” The poor mech's head hit the table.

—

The space was eerily quiet without the Prime’s voice coming through the comm line, even the explosions outside seemed muted. Megatron was quick to act and turned over the comms station which he had already dented and scratched.

Hound shifted on his crate, desperately wishing to be anywhere else but the current order of remaining by Megatron’s side seemed to linger. He attempted to escape more than once and had been blocked by those in the other half of command. Likely their scapegoat.

Instead, he felt maybe speaking up would be a better idea of escape.

“Well, uh, sir if you don’t mind me saying—“ “I do mind.” Hound was quick to shut up, staring as Megatron paced before the mech sighed deeply, “Proceed.” Hound cleared his throat a bit, “Uh, sir. That seemed rather violent.” With a nod, Megatron turned to the command table and reactivated the map of New Kaon.

The pair of them stayed silent for a minute, Hound watching as Megatron moved slowly around the map, “The Prime and I have always been the opposite sides of the same coin. For millennia we were enemies, as Jazz put it, kick down drag out enemies.” Hound tried very hard not to wince, “We both rose everyday to paint the earth with the other's blood, to stop our troops from being frightened of the other.” He sighed slowly.

Leaning forward, Hound stared, “Then how did the pair of you end up so… close?” Megatron chuckled lightly, claws tapping against the table, “Over a century of peace negotiations. We found ourselves stressed and only knew how to relieve it in one way,” There was a moment of pause where Hound was forcibly reminded that in that way, their species were more similar than he’d like to admit.

“Through aggression, through battle and eventually our schedules found us at the same places at the same times. Communication that wasn’t yelling and forced calm became typical. When the position of Lord High Protector was offered, it was one that I could not refuse.” He paused, staring down at the table.

He cleared his throat painfully, “I believe your rifle should be repaired and that our presence is needed on the battlefield.” Megatron was quick to leave command, leaving Hound sitting there for a moment.

”I’m beginning to think divorce should be universal and not seemingly just an Earth thing.” He grumbled and stood.

The back of his neck burned and drained as the time in his suit dragged on, starting outside, he nearly ran into the mech with his gun before jogging to catch up with Megatron, “Sir, my orders?”

“Kill the damned things, as many of them as you can, as fast as you can. Without getting yourself killed in the process. Primus knows I’ll never hear the end of it from your unit.” Hound tried not to smile, nodding before looking back out to the battlefield.

Where seekers were firing on the enemy and dropping bombs, while grounders were doing their best as the Quintessons continued to flood from the crashed ship, “That’s never in the plan, sir.” Hound checks over his gun before heading out towards the battle at a run.

Before now, his air tanks had been filled with fresh non-recycled air. Though now he had been away from Iacon long enough and in a mildly toxic environment where the air needed to be cycled.

All the smell hit him at once, the smell of himself and of the spent bandages in his cockpit. Of the food that he had to leave behind or thrown across the room. The current smell of his implants draining and face bleeding, and suddenly it was too much.

Gagging was the worst part, as not much was in his stomach, but what was ended up covered the legs of his assistance suit, “Oh god.” That only made things worse. His suit continued to run and he knew he didn’t have time to clean up.

Once the nausea passed, he strapped on his oxygen mask and activated the smaller tasks embedded in his seat for emergencies, it would have to do till the battle was done.

—

Ironhide was alerted first, Soundwave sending the emergency alert since the Prime was on the move. Though their disaster of a mission wasn’t fully cleaned up yet, there was a difference between one scouting ship and a full on assault on a Cybertronian run city.

Sunstreaker was still listening to Bluestreak, raptured by the concept of weapons designed solely to not harm cybertronian’s but cause catastrophic damage to organics. Bluestreak sounded tired, but kept talking, trying to keep Sunstreaker entertained and happy. He knew that Sunny wasn’t hurt, but it was hard to face that fact.

It was only when Ironhide came running over did he fall silent, staring, “What’s wrong?” Sunny grabbed up his helmet and put it on, shuffling back over to his piloting chair, “I just got word from Soundwave, the Prime is heading to New Kaon. They're under siege.” Blue gawked, “But, but how?” Ironhide shook his head a bit while Sunstreaker was getting back into his assistance suit.

“I don’t know, but Soundwave is making adjustments. Most of us are going there other than Skyfire and his mechs, Elita and her crew are being spread out on Cybertron to monitor the situation there but it is Elita we’re talking about.” Bluestreak sighed deeply, “So Soundwave is going to be with Elita’s crew while she’s with the prime.” Ironhide nodded.

It was only a few more seconds before Sunstreaker was plugged back into his suit, “Go ahead and wake up Civi, even if he’s hurt we’ll probably need him.” Ironhide shakes his head sadly, frowning, “Yes sir.” Before Sunny could even brighten his shattered visor, Ironhide was off.

Adjusting his cameras and deactivating the broken ones, Sunstreaker breathes slowly, “So, we’re moving out?” Bluestreak stared, “You could stay—“ “No, no way in hell.” Pushing off the ground, Sunstreaker offered a hand up to Bluestreak, “Come on, we’ve got Quints to kill.” Blue tried to smile.

Pulling him up, Sunny put an arm around Blue’s shoulders, “This could be interesting, it’s hardly been a week and a half, yet Hound already needs our help. Seriously.” Bluestreak tried to smile, nodding a bit but still couldn’t be convinced.

Sunstreaker looks at him and sighs deeply, stopping and turning quickly, taking Bluestreaks’ shoulders, “Blue, I am alright. I’m not hurt and if I was, you’d be the first to know. We’ve gotta focus, we’re going into something that sounds deadly serious. If you can’t pull it together they’ll sit your ass out and I’m going in regardless of my current state. Or, you do pull yourself together and have each others backs.” Bluestreak stared, open mouthed for a moment.

The moment dragged before Bluestreak rests his hands on Sunstreaker’s arms, staring at him, “Alright, alright. If you’re truly okay.” Sunny smiled a bit, “Scouts honor.” Bluestreak frowned slightly, “But you're not a scout. You're a front-liner.” And Sunstreaker laughed.

Throwing his arm back around Bluestreak’s shoulder, Sunstreaker started back towards where Ironhide went, “Tell me about where we’re going.” And this time, Bluestreak smiled, nodding, “Well, New Kaon was one of the first major strongholds built during the last war not on Cybertron, it was sort of the moment we all began to realize that this would be going on for a while.”

While Bluestreak talked, Sunstreaker listened and started to help the others reload supplies onto the shuttle. He was thankful that other then for the occasional pep-talk, he didn’t always have to butt into the conversation and Blue was content to fill the silence so long as Sunny was listening.

Most of the mecha around had turned down their audials.

—

It only took around an hour of peace for Sideswipe to grow bored and leave the bar, though now memorizing the way back out. Walking toward the taller buildings in Iacon though they were at a longer distance than he thought they’d be.

The sun had been on the verge of setting before he entered the bar and now it was nearly completely dark. If he didn’t feel confident that he could take anyone on this planet in a fight, he’d have probably adjusted his bracers before the trek back to the apartment.

It took about an hour to find his way back, exhausted and starving when he got there, only to freeze upon entering the apartment.

Elite-One and Breakdown were standing in the middle of the room, talking, Sideswipe clears his throat a bit, “Hey, BD, you’re supposed to be resting.” It was the first time in a little over a week that the old man had been in his suit.

Breakdown nods slightly, movements a bit stiff, “Something has happened on one of the colonies. Elita is meant to be watching over Cybertron, but—“ “But I’m not an idiot and refuse to let my Prime go into battle alone.” She sighs a bit, “I was going to request that you join Skids in north Iacon but you weren’t here.” Her hands rest on her hips.

With a bit of a nod, Sideswipe moves into the room and closes the door, “Uh, yeah. I didn’t exactly want to break apart Jazz’s apartment.” He slowly leans against the nearby wall, “And it’s late. Breakdown and I should be getting some sleep.” She very clearly did not like that answer.

“Sideswipe, Breakdown is coming with me to New Kaon. You can either report to Paraxus and remain under Prowl’s command, or you can join your team in North Iacon. There are no other options.” Sideswipe’s jaw twitched and his fingers flexed slowly, “You know, I don’t take orders well.” And Elita smiled, “Oh, I know. So, which is it going to be? And I will say this, your choice is going to be a determining factor of your future.” She glanced at Breakdown, “Ensure he makes the right choice and meet me outside.” She started out of the apartment and Sideswipe turned, Breakdown was quick to grab his arm before he could swing.

His grip was almost tight enough to crush the plating on Sideswipe’s arm, “Sideswipe, you are not going to strike your commander.” Simon was fuming, “And why the hell not? She’s not even giving me a choice in going!” Breakdown sighed deeply, “It’s because she’s the one one from her unit going. If you went it would look bad. Prowl suggested you stay.” Taking a deep breath, Sideswipe looks to Breakdown before pinging his comm.

Both men turn on their internal camera and properly look at each other.

Sideswipe looked exhausted, broken down while Breakdown looked well rested and almost human, “Sideswipe, go to North Iacon. Get to know your team and prove everyone wrong. You are capable and better at killing Quintessons than most.” Breakdown’s hand rested on Sideswipes shoulder, “You can rest on the transport and get some sleep once you’re there. If you went to Paraxus they wouldn’t trust you and if you snuck off to New Kaon you’d never leave this apartment.” With a deep sigh, Sideswipe nodded, rubbing his face.

“Alright, alright. But tell me everything when you get back. Then I’ll tell you about the bar that plays 80’s music.” Breakdown paused and started to smile, “Earth music?” Smiling and nodding, “Yeah, you’ll love it.” They shared a tired smile, before Breakdown started past him, patting Sideswipe’s back, “North Iacon.” Sideswipe nods, “North Iacon.” He sighs and shakes his head as the door closes behind Breakdown.

Sideswipe leans his head back and groans before moving to grab up some food and drinks for the trip.

Breakdown starts down to the street, looking for Elita, and just about jumps out of his skin when she seems to appear, “Well?” Smiling a bit, he nods, “Sideswipe will be on his way to North Iacon.” She smiles and nods slowly, “Good, come on then, I expect the only way to prevent either the Prime’s or Lord High Protector’s moods from growing worse is being fast and bringing better news.” Breakdown nodded and tried not to smile, “So, uh, my good health?” “Is the better news.” Nodding again, they started towards Iacon central, for headquarters.

They walked in silence for the first few minutes, Breakdown kept glancing at Elita, “So, what is New Kaon like?” Biting back a smile, Elita shrugs a bit, “Hot, dusty, and under attack currently. Ask what you actually want to ask Breakdown.” Nodding a bit, Breakdown glances around and looks back, “Why are we going?” Sighing, Elita shakes her head, “To prevent another war from starting in the middle of this one.” Breakdown nodded slowly.

—

The ground was blowing up around him and Hound was breathing heavily, thankful for the oxygen mask at that moment. Sand was blowing everywhere and he crashed behind some cover, arm half blown off and leaking oil.

He was thankful that it wasn’t painful to him.

Still breathing heavily, it took him a moment way too long to realize Mirage was over him, holding his suit’s arm together, “Hound!” Blinking a bit, he tilts his head slightly, “What?” The poor mech looked terrified, “What do you mean what? You weren’t answering!” Taking another breath, “Oh, sorry.” Mirage shakes his head a bit.

“Your arm is coming off.” Hound tried not to smile, shaking his head a bit, “No, it’ll be alright. Doesn’t even hurt.” Mirage looked horrified, hands getting covered in oil, “Your kind have been monsters to their heroes.” Sighing slowly, Hound pulls back and almost smacks the head of his suit into nearby rocks, “Mirage, you don’t know them.” His good hand came up and shoved Mirage back.

Once the mech was off him, Hound grabbed up his gun and stood again, staring out at the battlefield, “If you can’t accept that my job is to fight and die for this cause, then I’d suggest just staying away.” He throws his mech over the rocks and heads back into the battle, gun coming up and firing. Blasting apart the nearest Quintesson.

Mirage stayed in the sand, rifle abandoned around fifty yards back, his hands were covered in oil.

There were some things that were hard to face and at this moment, it was hitting Mirage hard. Hound didn’t feel pain when he was hurt, neither did Jazz or any of the other humans. They’d been engineered to not feel pain.

They’d all had new plating put over their own, which likely was stamped with property labels. Their mission had been a suicide mission for data and all of them threw themselves at danger as if they had no fear.

No matter how much he cared for Hound, the mech couldn’t accept that there was a path forward. Sinking a bit in the sand, Mirage looks at the clearing sky, it was already starting to get dark again which meant Hound would be exhausted long before the battle was over.

His spark fluxed painfully and he couldn’t help but swear loudly, he loved the idiot and if he didn’t at least try to protect Hound he’d never forgive himself.

With another swear, Mirage gets up and goes invisible, taking off back towards his rifle.

Hound was at present ripping the limbs off a Quintesson, bad arm and gun pinned. His other arm wrapped around a tentacle and pulled with horrific noises, ripping the thing apart with too little effort. At least in the eyes of any Cybertronian.

These suits were designed to kill Quintessons, they didn’t care how or if it was gruesome.

Megatron’s ion cannon was booming in the distance, while Hound’s fingers dug into the flesh of the alien and tore, spraying green blood across the rocks and sand.

The alien exploded with a perfectly placed rifle blast, Hound glancing back and scanning the horizon for Mirage, though not seeing him he could tell where the mech was and gave a light salute. There was a brief flash of a rifle scope in the light and Hound smiled.

Turning back towards the enemy, he did something that probably would freak out most of the mecha around, taking his busted up arm and heating up his gun. Preventing it from firing, he resealed the broken tubing and then tugged the broken plating back into a moveable position. It screeched and grinded which was painful on Hound’s ears, but he needed both arms working for this fight. The adrenaline the only think keeping him away.

———

A/N:

I had this chapter done like, 2 hours ago, but I was out of the house and kept adding little things. 3.7k later here’s the chapter. I kinda wanted to reach 4k but it’s fine.

Thank you @daffodils-and-bonfires for your help with the megop dialogue. I really wanted this moment to make clear that they were commanders facing the first actual parts of this war since the dawn of their peace.

I’ve loved all the asks I’ve gotten the last few days, please consider giving them a read.

But, yeah. I hope you enjoy this chapter it was a lot of work lol.

Tags:

@lunarlei68 @whirlywhirlygig @loop-hole-319 @pixillandjester @alek-the-witch @not-a-moose-in-disguise @goddessofwind8water @neurologicalglitch @dersereblogger @pixel-transformers @mrcrayonofdoom @wireplaces @twilightfreefaller @original-blog-name-2 @devilangel657 @robbin-u @childofprimus @miniartistme @starwold @tea-enthusiasm @valeexpris606 @celticdoggo @bird599 @agentsquirrelsgotrobots @aquaioart @dimencreasatlas @thatwandercat @artdagz @seisha974 @starscreamloverfr @halenhusky309 @leethepiper @cat-cassette @blue-wrens @sirassban @cosmique-oddity @garbageenthusiast @osqindaxend @xervias @azulabutterfly @fryseem @spring-mc @echo-circuit @aghostsnail @wooblewooble @ask-glory-haddock-and-others @nonsscrapheap @magichats @iminahole247 @omgflyingderpywhale @pour1tin @thetrexartist @naaaafam @elegantmantaray @emichusai @waterlilykitty @diabolichare @ham4ponyo @osqindaxend @sunnyvibesanddoodlez @ratatatata248

As always, thank you to the incredible @keferon for this AU. It’s so fun.