Chapter Text
Opposing Forces: Processor vs. Spark: Prowl ( Approximately 6 million Earth years ago)
It had been a painfully long orn. In fact the whole vorn had been painfully long. The second in command and chief tactician of the Autobot army looked at the data pads on his desk, trying to ignore the slow ache that was starting in the back of his helm. It was as if his processor itself was beginning to ache. “That is physically impossible and completely illogical” He told himself shuttering his optics and trying once again to focus on what he was doing. It seemed to be all in vain. He had been reading through reports for breems now and they all seemed to say the same thing. It appeared they were losing this Primus forsaken war. They won their fair share of battles but the Decepticons were ruthless and Megatron was not one to give up. It was clear he would rather rule a planet that he had a hand in destroying than to give up and let the rightful prime, who not to mention was honorable and valued all life, to have control of a competent governmental council. The thought alone caused near glitches and he had to destract himself with things as elementary as statistics. It was so absolutely illogical that he had a hard time stopping the glitches. Now he simply refused to let himself think about it due to the fact random calculations to stop his “weakness” were a waste of time. The fact was however, and Primus knows that is what Prowl liked to stick to, that they were running out of energon sources and without energy they would indeed lose the war and they would lose quickly. He was considering how to present to Prime the idea of seeking a supply off world when Special Operations officer Jazz walked in, or rather came dancing in, as Prowl would describe it. Either way this was one bot Prowl really didn't want to see today for so many reasons. The first being his whole attitude about the war and the gravity of the situation they were facing. He was so, nonchalant and almost indifferent to the sure to be destruction of their home world. “Focus Prowl,” he screamed at his on computer. He tried but could not hide the expression of distaste on his faceplates.
"Hey Prowler. Here's my report. Yep" he paused clearly aware of the look on his superior’s face, "don't look at me that way my mech, I did it right this time, but you still won't like it. Optimus didn't."
“Prowler,” He thought. That was another reason he didn’t want to speak with Jazz this orn, the absurd nicknames. He gave them to most bots so he tried not to take it personally. He shook off that thought and his computer lead to another, the third reason he didn't want to see Jazz. He knew the news would not be good. He was having a hard time this particular evening keeping his emotions under control. He inwardly shook to make himself focus. He couldn't glitch now.
"Well. Let's hear it. What did you find out? I am already considering suggesting we look off world for energy. It can't be much worse." He should have known better than to assume that.
Jazz vented in an exasperated sigh. He then proceeded to give details about Shockwave's latest experiments with energon and how it seemed to him they were going through their supplies faster than normal. The cons were close to turning on themselves.
"And just how is that bad?" Prowl asked him. "if the Decepticons take themselves out then we will no longer be outnumbered and we should have an easier time ending this war for good."
"Like I was trying to say, Prowl" Jazz continued with some annoyance now showing on his faceplates, "it is the experiments themselves. Sure they seem to be going through it rapidly but they may be close to finding ways to double or even triple their supply. If they do that then…"
"We've lost" Prowl finished for him.
"yes. What was this you were saying about looking for energon off world?"
"Nothing" Prowl answered softly. "Just an idea. It may be vorns before it is necessary if at all. If we can find out what technology the Decepticons are using and how close they are to being successful then we won't have to."
Jazz just shook his helm. He knew where Prowl was going with that idea. He knew that it would be his responsibility to get that information, and Primus he didn't think he was going to get out alive with the information he had this time. Prowl hated him. He was convinced of this. He left Prowl's office in a less than upbeat mood. He had one more place to report to before he would go temporarily lose himself in the other mechs laughter and high grade in the rec room. Med bay to make sure they didn't infect him with anything.
“So Illogical but how much better?” the tactician wondered as he watched him leave. Sure most of the time Jazz's attitude toward the war angered him but most of the time he just wished it was physically possible for him to be more like Jazz, to have an illogical thought without worrying about how to process it or waking up in the med bay with a processor ache from glitching. He reminded himself he would not be Prowl without it but it changed nothing. He longed for a moment when he could really laugh and not think so much about work, but Primus he wanted this war to end and as long as there was fighting there would be no play. As much as he wanted to not like Jazz and despite all the logical reasons he had to not like him he simply couldn't. He didn't know why. He shook his helm again. This trail of thought would lead to glitching. "Listen to your processor, Prowl not your spark. That will do nothing but cause trouble. Besides Jazz hates you anyway. You are far too different." He told himself. He picked up Jazz's report and read it, gathered his notes and headed to his CO's office.
Opposing forces Processor vs. Spark : Jazz
Third in command and special operations officer Jazz was on his way back to Autobot Headquarters and radioed Optimus to let the CO know he was returning and needed to see him. "Optimus I am back. I have my report. Afraid I have bad news as well as good and I don' think ya gonna like it. "
"Acknowledged, Jazz, and thank you. Come on by and give me the report as soon as you get in."
"Yes sir" he answered. In a couple of breems he approached the hidden door and entered his security code.
"Autobot Jazz recognized." came the computerized voice as the door opened and Jazz transformed and entered. It had been a long few days and he was glad to be back alive. He wanted nothing more than a cube of high grade and to relax on his berth for a good joor at least but that would happen any time soon as he would be required to write up the report and get it to Prowl who would no doubt not allow him to just drop it off. Then as soon as that chore was over it would be off to medical for clearance. He was sure he wouldn't be able to get through all that without having to be moral boost to someone in the rec room.
Jazz was so lost in thought he nearly walked right past the Prime's office. He went in and after a few klicks of small talk Jazz filled him in on the events of the last decacycle. Optimus simply shook his helm. "It is definitely leaves much to consider. If they are successful in the experiments before they destroy each other chances for success diminish greatly. We need other options. We also need to stay appraised on what is going on." Jazz looked at the floor. He knew too well what that meant but his job was to get intel to stop the cons and any thought of taking back his planet from the made him smile. WE need to find other sources. I still have hope. Complete your report and send it to Prowl. You are dismissed." Jazz turned to leave. "Thank you Jazz. Good job out there. Welcome back."
"All in a decacycle's work" he answered laughing but not feeling amused in any way. No time like the present to put up the act. It was a good thing to because the door to the rec room was open as he passed by. "Hey my mechs! Watcha up to?" He asked the twins who looked suspiciously like they were plotting something. Jazz liked to participate in at least the planning of the pranks. He was good enough to get away with it. He looked at it as part of special opps training, staying under the radar while doing something that should be obvious. However, today he wanted no part of that.
"Nothing" Sideswipe answered grinning.
"Nothing important at least" Sunstreaker felt the need to add.
"Go ahead then" Jazz told them. "if you think you can stay out of the brig this time. I have work to do."
"You're not going to snitch on us to that ole boring buzz kill, humorless friend of yours are you?"
"Why would I do that?" He asked them and when were we friends he thought. Prowl hates me. "What makes you think he won’t come to you two first. You still haven't learned. It is fortunate you don't have my job. I have a report to write anyway. Have fun. I'll come by the brig and cheer you up."
It bothered him to hear the twins insult Prowl like that. He certainly didn't see it like that. If only all of the autobots were as dedicated. He thought. He did agree that he should lighten up some and enjoy his friends and time he had outside the well. He might relax then. Jazz couldn't help but laugh. He approached Prowl's door with an odd mix of emotions on everything from his report to what he wanted in life to his feelings about Prowl himself. His spark started racing. Why had he been thinking about the tactician so often was beyond him. Suddenly the door opened. Primus, he didn't even remember knocking. Prowl was sitting at his desk with reports everywhere. He gave Jazz a look of dismay.
" Yes I have my report ready.” He didn’t understand why Prowl looked at him as if he were Unicron himself. He didn’t think he had done anything wrong. Pit, he had been behind Decepticon lines for decacycles. He tried not to be offended. He would ask about it later though. “ Don't look at me that way my mech. It is correct but you won’t like it. Optimus didn't." The exchange went much like the one with Optimus but without the emotion. Prowl informed him of his idea about the possibility of going off world to find energy sources. and Jazz knew too well what that meant. It will get me off his hands a while. Jazz thought as he looked at the second in command. He stood there longer than he intended.
"Dismissed" Prowl told him.
He shook his helm and left. After all he still had places to go, but there seemed to be something in Prowl's optics. Jazz was sure he didn't imagine it. It was a look of happiness to see him alive and the hesitancy to mention needing more information and sending him. Did Prowl care? Was it more than just caring for the life of a fellow officer? Jazz wasn't sure. Something was there. He didn't want to believe he simply imagined it. He turned to go. He had to see Ratchet and get some recharge before he started losing it. Maybe he was infected. That was it. That was why he couldn't let himself believe there was anything there. He didn't want to infect anyone. That is why he was friendly but never close to any one bot. He didn't want to endanger them.
In a nanoklick he found himself at the medcenter where Ratchet was waiting.
"Tell me doc bot, am I gonna make it?" he asked laughing.
"Let’s see."
After a breem and a half of poking and scanning Ratchet gave him the all clear. "Yep you're good physically but why do I get the feeling something is bothering you? You seem to not be yourself. Did the cons mess with your head or something?"
"No, Ratch not the cons." Jazz gave a brief explanation of things and mentioned without using names his situation. Frag. Doc could be a shrink at times. It boggled his processor at how perceptive Ratchet could be and how he just dumped everything on him like he did.
"Jazz," Ratchet told him with a gleam in his optics. "Don't sell yourself short. Anything can happen in a few cycles. Don't disregard complementary relationships between bots. after all opposites attract. Go get some recharge. You need it."
"Gladly doc!" he could almost dance to his quarters. He had a lot to think about.