#wflt

[fantasticalwolf]

The new chapter of With Friends Like These is an absolute gem! Oh my gods it is such a delight to get all Alastor's girlfriends confronting him with equal compassion and sas. Mimzy being a delight as always. The second I read the hug this image was stuck in my head, I love these two so much

[drsmokescreen]

thebestdecepticonleader Starscream was already nodding before the statement was finished. Some of his mechs had already approached him with requests of a similar nature, "Agreed. May I also suggest medics as a priority? I feel that those are the two professions we will need most urgently after the war ends. Rebuilding might not be as deadly as war, but construction accidents were known for being mass casualty events before the war."

That causes some confusion to the Autobot side. 'Fatal construction accidents are rare. Injuries are frequent and frequently minor. Explain your statement further,' Dockside asks.

[drsmokescreen]

thebestdecepticonleader The first problem was apparent to both teams when they first arrived at the base, before they even stepped foot inside. When a Unity greeting party came out to greet them (weapons stowed and friendly) Starscream, and several others, were visibly disappointed to see that Smokescreen wasn't there. Still, they couldn't refuse peace talks until one mech arrived, no matter how important he is. The diplomatic mission would discover that Starscream had spared no expenses in making the base as comfortable for them as possible. It was still wartime, so the amount of comfort was limited compared to civilian life, but it was still nicer than anyone had seen in a long time. An entire wing of the base was devoted to the team for downtime, separated from the Unity members areas in hopes of preventing fights and other diplomatic disasters. Everyone had their own room, to be distributed as the Autobot commanders in the mission saw fit. Each room was a little bare, but they all had a sturdy desk and clean, decently comfortable berth. Their wing even had a rec room, complete with an energon dispenser and vid screen. There was space for the military team too, though they weren't expecting to spend much time on base. Starscream offered the military team the use of the armory as well. The meeting room for the diplomatic team joined the two sides of the base, allowing mechs to easily retreat to their own sides, to cool down if needed. Once the tour of the base was finished, Starscream suggested that the Autobots have three hours of downtime to find their rooms and stow any equipment they brought, before the first peace meeting. Before parting, he took the Prime aside and insisted that, even if Smokescreen couldn't attend in person, for whatever reason, he needed proof that he was being treated "with the respect he deserves". 0.So, at the end of the first afternoon, Smokescreen got the call he was only partly expecting, into a room with a long table. On one side was the diplomatic team, on the other was presumably Unity's equivalent.

Smokescreen borrowed a small conference room for the meeting. He needs to see the body language as well as hear the tones to discern deception. When the signal came in however, the room presented itself in a very familiar way: Conflict resolution. Smokescreen's expectations suddenly fell apart. He's not here for the Autobots; he's here for Cybertron, just as he had told Optimus. Now he must take his own advice. He shifts about in the chair as if slightly uncomfortable as he shifts mindsets.

Smokescreen, as advisor, is in a listen-not-talk position. Since Optimus is present, by default he is the one to do all the talking. 'If we are ready to begin, we would like to first offer a full exchange programme, to help facilitate friendly relations and integration. As some Autobots will be staying here for a time, we'd like to invite some Unity members to stay and work with us in Iacon. Perhaps some technicians that need updating or certifications for immediate employment after discharge,' Prime laid down before Starscream could begin one of his long, pointless speeches.

[drsmokescreen]

metallightningbug He had all but admitted to not only killing this Autobots two companions on his own, but also to having eaten part of them. And yet... No obvious fear, no panicking, no looks of terror or disgust! Instead what he got was a pokerface and weirdly polite words spoken in a calm and even tone. It was downright irritating! When the weird bot tried to step around him Shrapnel took the opportunity to topple him by kicking his leg out under him mid-step. One could say he'd chosen to take a leaf out of Kickback's book.

Smokescreen didn't see what happened but he did sure see himself flying into the ground. He clattered about the gap, settling on Shrapnel's legs. His fingers acted reflexively, pulling the trigger and firing a shot into the rock, spraying him with fast-moving pebbles. When it all seemed to be over, Smokescreen turns his head to give the mech a hard look of unappreciation.

[drsmokescreen]

thebestdecepticonleader "You've already been punished enough Smokescreen. You shouldn't be in this situation in the first place."

After Prime left, Smokescreen called Ratchet, said he won't run now. Some hours after being released from the bed, he was released as a patient. He of course had to stay in the infirmary to work, which was disinfecting and scrubbing the floors and walls because he was not actually assigned yet.

Smokescreen did get his transfer orders—dual orders actually, since he would not be leaving. He was assigned quarters, his things transferred in, and lots and lots of introductions to 'his team', whom Smokescreen will not be leaving with and really doesn't expect to have any contact with the diplomatic team despite his orders, so Smokescreen is more concentrated on keeping up with his existing patients and making sure he sees them or they see someone closer that Smokescreen refers them too.

The shuttles carrying Optimus and the loaned personnel left eventually, leaving Smokescreen behind and out of the action, as expected. With Ratchet and several of his staff gone, Smokescreen takes on nursing duties under First Aid's supervision. He expects things to be quiet and normal.

[drsmokescreen]

thebestdecepticonleader "I don't expect you to be perfect Smokescreen, many people will be working hard to keep emotions in check. I believe it will require some white lies about a contagious but non-fatal illness, but it should be okay."

'No, no lies,' Smokescreen said, trying to turn up a finger as an exclamation point but it was awkward with his wrist tied. 'No more lies. Lies and deception are the ways of war. You must now be the Prime of Cybertron—of all Cybertronians, not just Autobots. Tell them the truth. Tell them I was arrested or imprisoned or whatever, for disobeying your order.' And that's a truth Smokescreen will still have to face. He was willing to take a quick death in Highgate rather than go back to the Decepticons, he must now be willing for however Prime sentences him. Optimus can't have people telling him 'no'. In fact...

'Use me, Optimus. Make an example of me in front of the Decepticons, to shew you are the Prime of Cybertron and can govern without iniquity. That is going to be critical for holding the peace.'

[drsmokescreen]

thebestdecepticonleader "I understand why you feel that way Smokescreen. I don't think you are as incapable as you say you are, you clearly did well at manipulating him once already, but I understand your concerns." There was a very long pause, "Would you be more willing to attend, if you could attend via a comm link?"

Smokescreen stares at Optimus in disbelief. Instead of walking off or shooting the traitor where he lays, Prime offers an alternative. 'You mean stay in an Autobot base and sit in on a conference call?' Refusing that would make Smokescreen as smart as a cog worn flat. 'Absolutely! Though I can't promise civility at all times. He makes me angry every time his vocalizer clicks on.'

[drsmokescreen]

thebestdecepticonleader "I'll have the order sent immediately. For what it's worth, I will be attending with you. I refuse to send my mechs where I wouldn't go myself. I will be helping with both the fighting and diplomatic mission. While I do not expect you to be in any danger, you will be fully protected, just in case. You will not be alone or abandoned."

It doesn't ease Smokescreen's mind any. This is a decision that is going to affect the rest of his life and he knows the answer already. Smokescreen looks at Optimus as straight as he can prone. 'Optimus, I do not want disobey you, but I can't go back. I absolutely can't go back. It's not you or the order—it's perfectly legitimate—but I'm unwilling. I cannot make myself do this. You have this entire plan hinging on the one mech that can only fail at it.'

There, he's said it. Smokescreen feels better, and now he will be transferred to a high security cell. He could be sent to Highgate but most likely he will be dumped at Starscream's feet in chains, since he's already part of some trade deal.