TFP: Alone

Chapter 42: Pursuit

Smokescreen's P.O.V.

I sat across the table from the creepy, bug eyed mech, staring him down. It was obvious how nervous he was considering his wandering optics and fidgety hands, or should I say claws.

This mech looked like a crab. It was weird. It took a hell of a lot of effort to catch this guy. We had to track him down into the underbelly of Kaon. He tried to run, but we caught him. We always catch 'em.

Clampdown was the mech that knew everything about everyone. He was the eyes and ears of the criminal empire.

"What do you know about the Cons who attacked the  base and the barracks?" I ask.

"I don't know nothin'." He cried.

"I think you know something or I wouldn't have you in that chair." I say darkly. I hated dealing with these Cons. They were always so sketchy and you never knew when they were going to snap. I sat my blaster  on the table, knowing that he couldn't reach, it much less use it with the claws.  It was a scare tactic.

"I suggest you start knowing something real fast." I hiss.

I was in hot pursuit of Thunderhoof and Tracks, who somehow managed to escape from our grasp during the attack on the barracks so long ago. Thanks to Clampdown, we learned the whereabouts of their hideout. The two of them were at the head of the Decepticon movement and could provide valuable information to the Autobot cause. I was gaining on them and I hear shouting ahead of me. Me and my partner were so close.....

Then, Tracks transformed, kicking one of Thunderhoof's wheels out of alignment, causing him to crash. Then, Tracks transformed and sped off in the distance, knowing that we weren't going after him with the big boss ready and waiting.

I swerve, moving to where Thunderhoof crashed. He was transforming slowly in his daze and I stasis cuff him. I call base for a pick up and I dread the amount of paperwork that's coming with all the field work.

My cadet was keeping guard of Thunderhoof while I looked at the direction of the tracks. They were heading down into the second level of Kaon. There was only the upper level and some of the second. During the war, the heavy bombings collapsed most of the underground tunnels.

I couldn't go in there alone. No doubt there was Decepticons in hiding and I don't wanna get jumped. I returned to my cadet and Thunderhoof, who had a bitter look plastered on his face, and I kneel down in front of him

"Where's your buddy goin?" I ask him.

"He ain't no buddy of mine!" He snarled.

"Even more reason for you to tell me where he went." I pressed.

"I ain't helpin' no Autobots neither." He spat. I huff, standing up, just in time for the transport to arrive.

"We'll you should be nicer to the Autobots because we're putting you in prison and maybe if you're good, they'll stick you in a cell with half-decent roommates.

"Roommates!" He shrieked. "I ain't sharin' a room with anyone else." He growled.

"If you tell us where Tracks is going, I'll give you a cell all to yourself." I say. He bellows out in anger and I shove him in the back of the transport, him being cramped and unable to move because of the massive horns.

I shut the doors tightly, securing them, and I transform, driving beside the transport.

Legacy's P.O.V.

I sat in the administrator's office, waiting for him to come in. I was called out of class so we could talk about my honors. His office was bare. Just a desk and a few chairs. A filing cabinet and all the other things required for an office to run.

Then the door opens and the large mech squeezes through the door. It was obvious he paricipated heavily in the Great War due to the battle scars that covered his face and his old optics.

"Alright Legacy, let's get down to business. You're going to be graduating with honors in your history class. I haven't seen anyone's scores so high in all my time here as an administrator, which is a long time. Or just since The Revival." He smiled kindly. "If you don't plan on continuing any of your other courses after this term, we can switch all you're classes to specific histories, like Great War, Golden Age and so on." I felt so happy!

"That would be amazing!" I say excitedly.

"It's good to see the young Bots enthusiastic about their education. After our meeting, I'll give you a slip so you can go see the schedule department about getting that done. But, why I brought you here is so I could tell you that if you pass all your History classes, the board would be happy to do a graduation ceremony and give you a recommendation at the new museum that'll be opening here pretty soon." He said. My spark stopped. A recommendation! A job!

"Really?" I ask incredulous. He smiled and nodded.

"Yes, now do you accept?" He asks.

"Yes! Yes!" I say happily.

"Good, now go talk to someone who can get your schedule for next term." He says, gesturing to the door. I hop out of the chair, heading toward the door, saying goodbye before I leave.

My spark was practically bouncing in my chest. Well, it was a heart too, and it was racing. This was so exciting!

I talked to the scheduling department and they got my scheduled sorted out. I was on my way back to class and I commed the twins.

"Hey guys." I greet.

"Hello." I hear Sides grunt. I giggle, hearing clanging metal in the background.

"Why are you calling now?" Sunny asks with a strained voice.

"You say that like you're not happy to hear my voice." I joke.

"He means you don't usually call this time of day." Sides clarified.

"I know. I just had some good news. I think that I'm going to get a recommendation for a job at the museum once it's built. I talked to the Learning Center administrator today." I said.

"That's great news!" Sunstreaker said happily.

"I know! So chop chop on the building project." I jest, smiling widely.