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Caro Transmutata Metallo 44

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Caro Transmutata Metallo 44

A Transformers Prime Fanfiction

Doctors Orders

    Jazz sauntered into the medical ward softly humming an Earth tune. First Aid glanced up and smiled at him before nodding to where Daybreaker was going through some sort of stretching exercise under Shards gentle instruction. Daybreaker was standing in the middle of the room, legs spread wide and wings splayed to their fullest extent. His arms were stretched upward and his servos were arched as if he was grasping at a sphere. Every piece of armor plating that could be flared was pushed to its fullest extent, seeming to add even more bulk to his powerful frame. His burning red gaze was focused intently on Shard, who somehow managed to make the same pose appear relaxed and graceful.

    “And now release, Shard gently instructed. His own plating smoothed down with barely a whisper of sound and he relaxed to a resting position like a trained dancer.

Daybreaker let his arms drop to his sides and repeatedly tried to shake his armor back into place. That was intense, he said with a wry grin as he rolled his shoulder guards.

    “Looked good from where Im standing, Jazz drawled out. You own that frame, kid.

    Daybreaker turned on him; then a warm grin split his faceplates even as he reached up to rub at the back of his frill. Thank you, Jazz.

    “Dont scratch your scars, First Aid corrected him almost absently.

    “Im not, Daybreaker assured the medic, pulling his hands back down to his sides where he seemed at a loss as to what to do with them.

    Jazz could sympathize. His scout chamber was itching like mad from suddenly renewed activity and it was taking quite a bit of self control not to scratch at the plating that covered it.

    “Do you wish to continue the stretching exercises?  Shard asked with a deferential set to his wings.

    “Unless Jazz has something else in mind? Daybreaker glanced at the smaller mech with a question in his optics that was not reflected in the stiff set of his wings.

    “Whoa. Jazz raised his hands in a placating manner. Im not here to mess up your funky Seeker dance session. Just had a few and thought Id swing by and hang out a bit.

    Daybreaker looked at Shard with a trace of pleading in his optics and the smaller Seeker smiled.

    “A break would be a good idea, Shard declared. Perhaps afterwards Commander Jazz could join us for more funky Seeker dancing?

    Jazz let out a laugh at that. Sure thing mech, he responded. The humble glyphs that had accompanied the suggestion were respectful but not particularly submissive, Jazz noted. Here in medical the Seeker was finding his place. That was interesting, to say the least.

    “Just let me take a baseline reading on your systems and you can retire to your quarters, Shard said as he gently led Daybreaker to an appropriate berth, guiding him with gentle wing flicks.

    Jazz leaned against the wall and let a soft smile spread across his face as he took in the dynamic between the two Seekers. Shard seemed to be always moving, his servos dancing over the controls as his wings lightly brushed against Daybreaker in constant reassurance. It was not quite the brisk efficiency of a sparked and trained medic, but it was close. Daybreaker responded to the kind treatment almost hungrily; leaning into each touch and awkwardly mimicking the caresses with his own wings. Something stirred in Jazzs still raw spark. He could feel some connection here between the little Seeker, himself, and Prowl and he quickly dismissed it. He had had quite enough traumatic emotional revelations for one day, thank you very much, and his tanks were telling him that whatever mystery Shard posed, it wasnt a threat.

    “So, everythings ship-shape? Jazz asked when the scanners chimed completion.

    Daybreaker glanced at Shard who gave a brief nod as he shut down the equipment. Daybreaker is perfectly stable at the moment. Shard turned to give the larger Seeker a smile. Just remember to keep your wings relaxed.

    “Ill work on that. Daybreaker sheepishly reached up to rub the back of his frill again as he tried to move his wings down to a lower position.

    “I need to file the reports for Retrieval, Shard said. I trust I am leaving you in good hands.

    “None better, Daybreaker assured him.

    Jazz did not wince at that. Not that anyone could tell, anyway. Certainly not a pesky little Seeker who made a point of brushing his field up against Jazzs as he passed on his way to the data consol. It was the apparently universal flare that medical personnel used on anyone who had the temerity to bother their patients. Daybreaker got up from the table and paused, seeming unsure what to do without Shards guidance.

    “So have ya had a chance to poke though the games we got handy here? Jazz asked to relax the situation as he gestured toward the door to Daybreakers semi-private area. Theres a lot of fun ones.

    “Actually between my sessions with Shard, the medics looking at me, and the mental tests that Ratchet assigned me I dont have much time for games. Daybreaker explained. The tests are kind of fun though.

    He opened the door to his room and walked in. It was a depressingly sterile space. There wasnt a single indicator of the personality that inhabited it. The only thing that wasnt strictly regulation was a small grey tub tucked neatly against the base of the table that was pushed up against the far wall.

    “Really now? Jazz rolled the words over his glossia as he seized up the room and then hopped up onto the berth. That game you and Smokey were playing a while back seemed interesting enough. What was it?

    “What game? Daybreaker returned with wide-opticed innocence.

    Jazz snorted out a loud exvent and leaned forward on Daybreakers berth. Yeah, kid, dont even try that. Ive played games from skid dice to Fourth Dimensional Vox Jumping. I know what gambling looks like.

    “Well, youd really have to ask Smokescreen. Daybreaker shot him a smile as he eased himself up onto the other side of the berth.

        It wasnt quite Orions smile; there was a touch of mischief in the expression that Jazz had never seen in Daybreakers Guardian and it made Jazz inexplicably uneasy. As if he had seen that very smile before but couldnt quite put a servo on where. The saboteur shook the disquiet off with a shrug and triggered the music to play, choosing a soothing Earth ballad that Daybreaker had responded well to before and setting the player to shuffle a list of the songs that hadnt triggered any emotional trauma in the Seeker. Humans did know how to make good music and Daybreaker was clearly not going to say anything that might be construed as snitching on a friend.

    “Know this one? he asked as Daybreaker began to relax a bit.

    “I think so. Daybreaker bobbed his helm along with the music and his wings twitched. It feels familiar, anyway. I cant think of the title.

    “So ... Jazz let the volume decrease and leaned forward a bit. Has First Aid explained what they plan on doing to ya yet?

    Daybreaker hesitated and glanced down in embarrassment. He tried to. Ihe came in after I calmed down some. I got agitated after Ratchet went under. He said it was okay and wed go over it after Shard and I finished our exercises. Rung still needs to go over the data from Shockwave anyway…”

    While the name of his tormentor slid out of Daybreakers vocalizer smoothly, he stumbled over the psychiatrists and reached up to rub the back of his frill in embarrassment.  Jazz smiled softly and reached out to catch the wayward appendage. His servos closed around Daybreakers powerful arm and Jazz sent a surge of compassion and gentle encouragement through his field. Why do ya always do that? he asked.

    “The rubbing the back of my head, of my helm, you mean? Daybreaker tilted said helm to the side, wincing slightly when the swollen patches of his frill brushed against his shoulder guards. He frowned as he mulled over the question. I really dont know. I think I always did it.

    “Even before you had a helm? Jazz pressed.

    Daybreaker gave no physical sign of his surprise but his field began to roil with unease. So you know about that? he asked sheepishly. I should have guessed youd figure it out pretty quick.

    “Just finished processing all the relevant files, Jazz confirmed.

    “And here you still are, chatting with me. That calculating glint was back in Daybreakers optics and Jazz decided to take it at face value.

    “Hey, it dont make any difference to me. Jazz assured him. The saboteur sent a pulse of determination through his field, filling it with all the loyalty Orion Pax and Optimus Prime had earned from him.My mech or my man, you are still my best buds kid. You just stick with Uncle Jazz and youll be fine.

    Jazz felt some undefined but powerful emotion surge through Daybreaker and the Seeker gently tugged his arm out of the saboteurs grasp. I-its good that you are here, Daybreaker said softly and stared down at his armor where Jazz had held him. It is good that someone I can count on is here.

    “Hey now! Jazz slid over and thumped his shoulder-guard against Daybreakers companionably. No talk like that, Breaker! Theres way more mechs than just me who ya can count on.

    “Yes, Daybreaker admitted, but his frame was tense. But not like I can with you.

    “Thats just Optimuss memories talking, kid. Jazz waved a hand dismissively. Me and him, we go way back. But everyone from Prowl to Ironhide has got your back.

    “Thats what I am afraid of, Daybreaker whispered so softly that Jazz almost didnt catch it.

    That certainly raised a lot of questions, Jazz mused, but he could feel the tension coiling tighter in Daybreaker with every moment. Marking that for later investigation Jazz decided to shift the uncomfortable conversation away from its current track. So ... He sent a subtle comforting pulse through his field. I hear it didnt exactly go well with the old processor splicer.

    Daybreaker stared at him blankly at that and Jazz couldnt help chuckling at the confusion in his field.  Wire twister? Spark skitterer? Signal crisper? Jazz prompted.

    “Now you are just making words up, Daybreaker playfully accused, bumping Jazzs shoulder-guard with a touch more force than was socially acceptable.

    Jazz outright laughed and rubbed against him companionably. His Breaker was probably always going to speak the language of affection with a slight accent. It was something to work on.  Naw, theyre all real. I heard you sent Rung packing.

    “Ah, head shrinker, Daybreaker clarified with a wry grimace.

    Jazz chuckled in acknowledgement of the attempt at humor and filed the Earth term away for later use. He felt a mix of unpleasant emotions in Daybreakers field before the Seeker hunched over and his field pulled tight to his frame. The foremost was a powerful sense of mixed fear and shame. That was understandable. Jazz could work with being ashamed of your fear. He gave a soothing croon and brushed his shoulderguard lightly against Daybreakers.

    “I know I should let him help me its just …” Daybreaker reached up to scratch at the healing lacerations on his chestplates and Jazz caught his wrist in his hand. For the briefest of moments Daybreaker resisted with the considerable strength that was a Seekers frameright. Jazz shifted his servos to press into the transformation seams along Daybreakers arm. It wouldnt be painful but the pressure it generated would not be pleasant. It certainly caught Daybreakers attention and he sheepishly surrendered. With both of them fully fueled and repaired the massive Alpha Seeker could easily overpower Jazz in terms of raw strength. The surrender when Daybreakers processor caught up with his frame was expected behavior. The resistance to Jazzs authority was something to ponder. On the Pit Spawn the Seeker hadnt protested even instinctively no matter what had been done to him. Jazz flinched at the memory and Daybreaker noticed.

    “Sorry, Daybreaker muttered glancing away. I just

    “Breaker, Breaker, Jazz crooned in a soothing tone. Its no problem, mech. Really. He very deliberately put on his caring superior face. Daybreaker was obviously expecting a loving scolding for refusing the ministrations of the psychiatrist. Best not to disappoint him. You shouldnt damage yourself like that. No reason at all to and it just makes Ratchets life all sorts of harder. Now I know Rungs good at what he does. Hey! Jazz sat up as if an idea had just occurred to him. Ya know Rung was the official processor splicer for all the Autobot officers? We guarded him from the Cons like he was a pure energon spring. We were all required by the order of the Prime to go and see him regularly. How about I let ya look at the last couple of reports he made on me? That make ya feel better?

    Daybreaker stared at him a bit uneasily. That is very kind of you, Jazz

    “Uncle Jazz, the saboteur reminded him genially. Least when were alone.

    “Uncle Jazz. Daybreaker visibly relaxed at the correction and even gave a wan smile. That is kind of you, but unnecessary.

    “Not at all! Jazz waved his hand dismissively and reached up to trigger his comm; setting it to speaker mode so Daybreaker could hear the conversation. First Aid, my mech! Can you rustle me up the reports on my last couple of sessions with Rung?

    *Why, yes, of course I could, Jazz,* First Aid replied with just a touch too much brightness in his voice. *If they existed!*

    “Now what are you implying? Jazz demanded, his voice dripping with saccharine innocence. He glanced over at a bemused Daybreaker and flickered his visor in a conspiratorial blink.

    *Jazz, I am busy,* First Aid didnt quite snap at him. *You know better than I do that you somehow managed to avoid every single session Ratchet scheduled for you and Rung.*

    “Now thats just not true! Jazzs offended pout was rewarded by a chuckle from Daybreaker. I remember at least three times I was lying back in a berth and Rung and me had a conversation.

    *I recall those being the times you were too damaged to move and Ratchet had you restrained to the bed,* First Aid replied dryly, *and your side of the so-called conversations consisted entirely of insinuations about Rungs anatomy in terms improper to repeat in mixed company.*

    “Yeah! Thats what I wanted, Jazz insisted brightly. Send those over! Breaker wants ta see them!

    *I will not be complicit in corrupting Optimus Primes sparkling, you degenerate,* First Aid snapped and Jazz could swear he could hear the medics optics roll over the comm link. *If you want to teach him profanities, you will have to do it yourself.*

    Daybreaker was outright laughing by now. It was choppy and unnatural sounding and appeared almost painful for the stiff Seeker but Jazz could feel that it was genuine and joined in with a rumbling chuckle. It made the soft music playing even sweeter.

    “Im not gonna expect you to bare your spark for Rung, he assured Daybreaker once the laughter had died down. Youve been through the Pit and back, Breaker, and no one likes letting some stranger in.

    “So being one of the walking wounded makes it acceptable for me to ignore some medics? Daybreaker asked with a rueful smile. Jazz could tell that the Seeker still felt that he should be following Ratchets orders to work with Rung and his self-perceived weakness was weighing heavy on his wings. 

    “No, that makes Jazzs reply was cut off by a soft beep at the door.

    “Come in, Daybreaker called out.

    First Aid stepped into the room and bobbed his head gently to the still playing music. Very pretty, he commented. What is this?

    Daybreaker glanced at Jazz who quickly accessed the songs data. “‘Space Oddity,’” Jazz informed them.

    “Well, it is lovely. First Aid repeated. I will have to get myself some Terran music files.

    “I can hook you up, Jazz offered. Lotsa good stuff available in the markets.

    “Is it time for more energon? Daybreaker asked. That off-grade Shard gave me went down very well. It was almost like Seven-Up. I think I could take some more.

    “Well, not unless you are craving some, First Aid replied. Your current energy levels are fine. No ... The junior medic grimaced. It is time to boot Ratchet up and I just thought that Id warn you.

    “Should I be there when he wakes up? Daybreaker inquired.

    “That will no doubt decrease the swearing, First Aid admitted with a grin. If you want to Im sure Ratchet wouldnt object to your presence.

    “Swearing? the Seeker asked with clear skepticism in his voice.

    “Where do you think I learned it? Jazz demanded. Waking up from a forced power down like this is all sorts of disorientating. If the reason ya went under was overclocking yer processors, it involves a pit of a processor ache too.

    “Ah, Daybreaker grimaced and shook his helm. Yeah, I cant remember exactly why but something is telling me I dont want to be there any more than Ratchet wants me to be there.

    “Why dont you and Jazz take a walk? First Aid offered. Ratchet really prefers to boot up alone. You could go visit Predaking. I am sure he would be glad to see you.

    “Have I been cleared to leave the medical ward? Daybreaker asked with a frown, his tension levels ratcheting up instantly.

    “So long as you stay in Iacon Tower proper, First Aid confirmed. You might let Jazz introduce you to Ironhide, too. He has been eager to meet you.

    Jazz agreed it was past time for that meeting to take place and pinged the old chassis-guard.

    “Ironhide was my Guardians …” Daybreaker hesitated and his faceplates contorted with distaste, as if he were searching though a bag of rotting organic matter for some precious gem. He was my Guardians chassis-guard? The words were uncertain.

    “More than that, he was an old friend of Optimuss, Jazz explained as he hopped off of the berth. Ironhide was nearby and eager to be formally introduced. He was an old general before the Great War even started and really didnt have the time of day for some freshly minted Prime.

    “I take it something changed that? Daybreaker asked as he followed Jazz out of the room and across the medical ward.

    “Praxus. Jazzs expression darkened. Long drawn-out stalemate. Lotsa chances for a young commander to stand his ground and drag on a fight to keep the Cons offa search and rescue parties and civilian refugee convoys.

    “Ironhide was impressed by how Optimus handled the Praxus battles? Daybreaker wanted to know as the door to the corridor opened before them.

    “Impressed and then some, a voice responded. Ironhide straightened from where he had been leaning against the wall and stomped forward, blatantly running his gaze up and down the Seeker. Your Guardian knew how to hold the line when it counted. I was proud to stand beside him.

    Daybreaker shifted a bit uneasily under the scrutiny and his wings snapped back to their high and tight position. But he extended his hand palm out and gave a warm smile. Ironhide brushed aside the gesture and swept in to pull Daybreaker into a fierce hug.  Jazz cast his awareness up and down the corridor. Neither of the two was going to be thinking much about security, so he would just have to make sure no one got too close.  

    “Primus, kid, it is good to see you out and about, the old mech growled gruffly. We got a lot to talk about.

       “You know a lot of stories about my Guardian? Daybreaker asked hopefully. I mean, the kind he wouldnt have told me when I was a youngling?

    Ironhide burst into raucous laughter and threw his arm around Daybreakers shoulders, pulling him down as they walked down the corridor.  Kid! The stories I can tell, the stories I could tell, and the stories there is no way I am telling could fill the Covenant of Primus! He ever mention the end run on Polyhex?

    Jazz smiled and followed along. Ironhide would probably take them to the commissary. It was nice to have at least one predictable element in his life at the moment.

    *Jazz.*

    And speak of the Unmaker.

    *Yeah, Prowler?* Jazz responded.

    *Have you accessed the files on Megatron yet?* There was something tense in the transmission, which wasnt really surprising considering the topic.

    *Hey, Ive been busy,* Jazz pointed out. *You have me running around gathering all sorts of juicy data remember? I skimmed them anyway. The top layer said he was offline. The next said Bee skewered him but good with the Star Saber. I got more important things to do than poke around musty files on mechs who are good and dead.* To illustrate his point Jazz sent an image capture of Ironhide roughly landing a punch on Daybreakers shoulder as he laughed over some foible of young Optimus Prime.    

    Prowl responded with the glyph equivalent of a happy engine purr, but was not to be diverted. *That was my analysis of the situation as well. However, my research into the current laws pertaining to Guardians and sparklings led me to dig deeper. Please peruse the file set.*

    Jazz sent back a somewhat rude glyph but obediently reopened the files. It took some time. They were just as highly classified as he had expected them to be and some predated the War itself. Jazz figured that what Prowl would be interested in were more recent though so he focused on only those files relating to the end of and after the war. The reports on the final battle with Megatron were expertly collated in Ultra Manguss signature style, though it was the rookie Smokescreen whose name was on the work. Sounded like a real fight. Jazz kinda wished hed been there. He nearly lost step when he got to the bit about Bumblebees near offlining and miraculous resurrection. And yup, Megatron was good and gone: Star Saber to the spark, meteoric deorbit, crash landing in a vast ocean of concentrated, saline-rich dihydrogen monoxide. And oh, that was odd. No final resting place for his body was recorded. Jazz felt a thrill of fear even as he laughed at some comment Ironhide had made. In a still deeper level of the file Jazz found a formal pardon from Optimus for Megatron, undated and marked to be used at the discretion of the Autobot high command. More astonishing was a formal statement, witnessed by no less than Optimus Prime, Arcee, Predaking, and Knockout. It was dated months after Megatrons recorded death, and contained a sound recording of Megatron himself formally disbanding the Decepticons and ending the war. The warlords voice was gravelly and deep as ever but somehow softened, robbed of its arrogance and anger. It rolled across Jazzs processor stunning him into silence for a moment.

    I now know the true meaning of oppression, and have thus lost my taste for inflicting it. The Decepticons are no more, and that is final.

    It had clearly been edited for time. Leaving out a few seconds that Jazz quickly determined were of Starscreams petulant whining.

    *Prowler?* Jazz sent over the comm link. *Apologize ta First Aid for me will ya? Im gonna be teaching Breaker some choice profanity now.* 

Jazz; rumored to be the most dangerous of the Autobots, friendliest most cheerful mech you will ever meet,his name spoken in hushed whispers by friend and foe alike, his name called out cheerfully down the corridors wherever there is a party to be found, able to reach into the processor of a captive mech and pull out what the forces of the Last Prime need to survive, willing to do anything in the service of the mech he serves with all his spark. 
When he is pitted against a shadowy mech rumored to exceed even Megarton in ambition and Shockwave in cruelty he is prepared to do whatever it takes to get his team out of the Seeker's clutches safely.





Many thanks to my Beta editor! www.fanfiction.net/u/1065814/n…
© 2016 - 2024 Foxbear
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Guardian-of-Azarath's avatar
Ya know, I was thinking a couple of weeks ago, and i remembered the ending to Dying Embers, how you set the epilogue 10 years after the end of the story, and one of the triplets wakes up (followed soon after by the other two i'm guessing). At the time, when i first read DE, it confused me, i was like "What? Why the ten year gap? Why now?" then, while reading this fic, i realized, it was because they sensed Jack's spark.

Which means if he hasn't sensed them waking up yet, he's going to, and when he does, he's either going to remember them, and want to go and collect them, or, he doesn't remember them, but senses them (but doesn't know who they are yet), and feels this 'pull' that tells him he has to go to earth.

Hm, I wonder how many other reviewers remembered the kids waking up at the end of DE, and what it means :P

Why do i get the feeling Prowl and Jazz are gonna go after Megs and unnecessarily kick the scraplet's nest.