Igniting the Fuse (Transformers)

Connection I

…11…

***

Raoul scowled as he thought about his car. Blaster took it as his altform, turning it metallic red with yellow lightning bolts streaking the doors. He didn't mind the golden grill as much as he did the bolts. When Blaster transformed, he filled out. The grill of the car covered the lower half of his face and the wheels replaced his knees. The yellow concave still filled his chest and random parts of the car covered his arms and legs. The speakers still lined parts of his body.

He was sure of three things: Marcio Laurentin was a bad father, an even worse man, and he wanted out. Raoul didn't know how he felt about standing, on Blaster's shoulder, in Autobot HQ with his background. Blaster assured him it'd be fine and he'd do the talking. When they arrived at the base, a small lithe mech greeted them.

"I am Prowl, leader of the East Coast Autobot Operations. State your designation."

"Autobot Blaster."

Prowl eyed Blaster, and then his optics focused on Raoul. There was something familiar about this mech. "We weren't aware of you entering Earth's atmosphere."

"Funny story," Blaster said. Raoul snorted from his spot on the mech's shoulder.

"I doubt it," Prowl said, still staring at Raoul.

Raoul's face paled as he finally recognized the voice. His eyes studied Prowl's body as he placed the parts of a vehicle back to the cop that had pulled him over. This was the cop that Alexis knew, which meant that the rumors about her car were true. It also meant that this mech knew him, and already didn't like him.

"Listen 'ere, I was jus' tryin' to be a good citizen," Raoul said, his nerves making his accent thicker.

"You know Prowl?" Blaster asked as he studied Raoul's nervous form.

"We are acquainted," Prowl said.

"Ah, man." Raoul leaned against Blaster as he sighed.

"Indeed," Prowl drawled.

It had to be karma, or something. They were led deeper into the Autobot base; he caught sight of a few other mechs wandering around. The room they entered was no doubt a conference room. There was a large screen on the wall. Prowl took a seat at the table and went still. In those moments, the screen activated and Raoul was gazing at a mech with a silver face and metallic blue helm.

"Optimus, I hope this is a good time," Prowl said.

"There is always time, Prowl." Optimus glanced over Blaster and Raoul. He brightened at the Autobot, but looked confused at the human.

"Time is always negotiable, Optimus." Optimus sighed at Prowl's words and offered Raoul a nod.

"Why doesn't someone explain the situation, if there is one," Optimus said.

"Ya' ain't gonna like my words, sir," Raoul said. Blaster helped him onto the table as he faced Optimus.

Raoul swallowed his fear as he introduced himself as Raoul Laurentin, son of Marcio Laurentin. It was no surprise when Optimus admitted to knowing of the man. Much to Raoul's surprise, he discovered his father was doing business with Japan's Division 9, a sector which dealt with Cybertronians. Raoul explained the operations of his father, stressing that he didn't want to be a part of the situation. Who his father was, Raoul didn't want to be. He saw his best opportunity as Blaster to make a difference.

"This is very disconcerting." Optimus looked to Prowl as he stated, "We must discover where Marcio is getting the arriving mechs from."

"This explains the disappearing energy signatures," Prowl said as he scowled. "This doesn't explain how they are being captured."