were-cars seven
Jun. 15th, 2008 08:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dragonofdispairsummary: 2007 movieverse. mostly pre-earth: some archetypes are universal. some legends transcend species. and sometimes there's nothing left to do but out race the moons.
disclaimer: names, places and concepts that are recognizable aren't mine. since i shamelessly raided a list of mini-cons from armada for names, i don't even own the oc's. i do own the plot, though.
warnings: battle violence. cussing. lots of weirdness. eventual male pronoun robot / male pronoun robot romance.
Were-Cars of Cybertron: part seven
Prowl and Skyfire both started a bit when the door to the lab almost slammed open and Rhythm stomped in, trailed by Red Alert.
"Are you done with your questions?" he growled at Prowl.
Prowl was slightly taken aback by the tone. Granted, this was closer to what he'd expected when dealing with the lesser were-cars without confronting their leader first, but it was very different than what Rhythm had been using in Prowl's presence to this point. "Nearly."
"Good. I'm going driving."
With that, the were-car about-faced and stalked out, slamming the door behind him.
Red Alert sputtered and tried to follow, stuttering that he needed to keep him under observation. Prowl caught his fellow police mech and let Rhythm go. Skyfire was revving something amusedly behind them.
"Let go of me! We've got to follow him!"
Prowl didn't let go until he was sure Rhythm would be far enough away not to be followed. Nevertheless, Red Alert stomped out into the corridor after the were-car. Prowl waited.
A short time later, Red Alert stomped back into the lab and glared at Prowl. The black and white simply gazed back, waiting for Red Alert to say something. He didn't, just glared for a bit, then turned away.
Skyfire snickered and handed Prowl's datapad back to him. "Done. Was that all?"
"For now, yes. Thank you."
A small but noticeable hesitation. "If he expected you to stay here, he wouldn't have asked if you were done here." That sounded like the scientist wanted them to leave, so Prowl thanked Skyfire, wished him a good day and turned to do so. "I suppose I'll see you tomorrow."
Curious, Prowl turned back to ask why -- since it wasn't his habit to harass shapeshifters, especially ones who were not suspects -- but Skyfire elaborated without prompting. "Rhythm and Perceptor," he gestured to the smaller of the two desks in the room, " are friendly. I assume he'll bring you back tomorrow to introduce you."
He made a non-commital gesture with the panels on his back. Prowl couldn't think of a reason why he would need to meet the other scientist -- if Perceptor were a were-car he wouldn't have been able to go to Praxis today -- so he didn't think he needed to come back, unless he had something else to ask the were-jets. Why a scientist was friends with a low-ranking were-car wasn't any of his business.
He thanked Skyfire again and went to the door, Red Alert following somewhat sulkily. Just as he reached to open it, he caught sight of the occupation schedule for the lab. It was shared between Skyfire and Perceptor with an assistant to keep tract of their experiments when needed. Prowl immediately noticed the discrepancy -- the days neither Skyfire nor Perceptor would be present in the lab. Combined with Skyfire's earlier remarks, it meant --
"Perceptor's a were-tank."
He didn't need to see either Skyfire or Red Alert to know they were both surprised -- he heard both Red Alert's armor scrape as he stiffened in incredulous surprise and the clicks and clacks from Skyfire nearly shifting show his were-jet features -- claws, wings and thrusters -- from that same emotion.
"Yes," Skyfire cautiously confirmed, not sounding sure that doing so was the best decision.
"Which one?" Prowl thought he knew, but needed the confirmation if the scientist would give it to him.
"The one that recharges through the moons."
Prowl only nodded -- that was what he'd thought. He decided he would need to talk to Perceptor, but likely all he would need to confirm was that the were-tank had indeed recharged through the nights in question. He left the lab.
As they walked, Prowl and Red Alert conferred over the information Skyfire had given them. The scientist was obviously observant and willing to help. Prowl carefully avoided the idea that that willingness came from Skyfire having the idea that Rhythm liked him. He'd analyze that thought another time. Meanwhile... this was the route used by the were-cars for the race between the second and third, and this was the one used by the first and second. Here were the roads used for just driving around. There was the area used by the two tanks, with the note that they hadn't been there the last month and a half -- which meant they hadn't been seen those nights since just after the first set of murders. Some of the streets used by the motorcycles were marked, this one with a note that since he and Starscream didn't stay in the city long, it was likely far from accurate.
Prowl brought out a second datapad, this one with a map of Iacon with the locations of the murders marked on it. Comparing the two -- all the murders had taken place in or just outside the city. Two had been in the area used by the two were-tanks. The rest had happened in areas not marked as being used by any 'shifter group, though there were another three that had happened fairly close to streets used by the motorcycles. That didn't mean they were witnesses -- the murders could have easily happened well after the were-motorcycles had moved on in their races. Still, at this point it looked like it would be helpful to talk to them.
He frowned. He disliked dealing with were-motorcycles more than the other shapeshifter types. As annoying as were-car dominance games could occasionally be, to Prowl's thinking they were nothing compared to were-'cycle in-group/out-group politics. Though, he thought as he switched to one of the pictures of a crime scene to compare the damage inflicted on the victim to what he knew of motorcycle physiology and attack patterns, he would stand by his initial deduction that the victims were killed by either a were-tank or a group of were-cars, so the were-motorcycles weren't suspects.
Carefully he explained all this to Red Alert. The other mech was his partner for this case and should be told what the significance of each piece of information was. And since Red Alert himself had admitted a distinct lack of knowledge of shapeshifter habits (though not in those words), Prowl felt he should explain what conclusions could be drawn from what information, perhaps more importantly, what conclusions could not be drawn, and as much of why as could be communicated in words.
The light quality changed slightly and Prowl looked up to realize he'd managed to wander back to the sculpture garden where he'd interviewed Rhythm.
He hadn't really been intending to go anywhere, except vaguely in the direction of the station, but in no actual hurry to get there. Vaguely he wondered why he'd ended up here -- then wondered why he thought it significant.
Flicking the panels on his back, he dismissed the concern.
The motion made a nearby mech do a double-take, which in turn attracted Prowl's attention.
A grey mech, with a body plan identical to Prowl's. That wasn't what made the officer take a second, longer and more analytical look. Rather it was the mech's companions: a red and yellow pair nearly half again both Prowl's and the grey mech's height. Granted, he'd seen plenty of red and yellow mechs in Iacon -- those were, as Red Alert had informed him, two of the most popular colors in Iacon -- but these two ... they moved fluidly together, had an awareness of each other that was both practiced and instinctive, which Prowl had only observed previously in were-jets who had flown together their entire lives.
And all three mechs had claws. They were much smaller and more subtle claws than Rhythm's or any of those who didn't hide that they were shapeshifters, but were more like Breakdown's back in Praxis, who Prowl knew had been created a shapeshifter and thus never managed to hide that one small sign.
Here, Prowl decided, was as good a place to wait for Rhythm to rejoin them as any, and he headed to one of the tech-chess tables. He didn't start a game though. Instead he and Red Alert continued discussing Skyfire's information and correlating it with that which they already had.
Besides, and he flicked his sensory panels again to make sure the grey mech was watching him and Red Alert for a moment longer, he had a theory or two to test.
tbc
disclaimer: names, places and concepts that are recognizable aren't mine. since i shamelessly raided a list of mini-cons from armada for names, i don't even own the oc's. i do own the plot, though.
warnings: battle violence. cussing. lots of weirdness. eventual male pronoun robot / male pronoun robot romance.
Were-Cars of Cybertron: part seven
Prowl and Skyfire both started a bit when the door to the lab almost slammed open and Rhythm stomped in, trailed by Red Alert.
"Are you done with your questions?" he growled at Prowl.
Prowl was slightly taken aback by the tone. Granted, this was closer to what he'd expected when dealing with the lesser were-cars without confronting their leader first, but it was very different than what Rhythm had been using in Prowl's presence to this point. "Nearly."
"Good. I'm going driving."
With that, the were-car about-faced and stalked out, slamming the door behind him.
Red Alert sputtered and tried to follow, stuttering that he needed to keep him under observation. Prowl caught his fellow police mech and let Rhythm go. Skyfire was revving something amusedly behind them.
"Let go of me! We've got to follow him!"
Prowl didn't let go until he was sure Rhythm would be far enough away not to be followed. Nevertheless, Red Alert stomped out into the corridor after the were-car. Prowl waited.
A short time later, Red Alert stomped back into the lab and glared at Prowl. The black and white simply gazed back, waiting for Red Alert to say something. He didn't, just glared for a bit, then turned away.
Skyfire snickered and handed Prowl's datapad back to him. "Done. Was that all?"
"For now, yes. Thank you."
A small but noticeable hesitation. "If he expected you to stay here, he wouldn't have asked if you were done here." That sounded like the scientist wanted them to leave, so Prowl thanked Skyfire, wished him a good day and turned to do so. "I suppose I'll see you tomorrow."
Curious, Prowl turned back to ask why -- since it wasn't his habit to harass shapeshifters, especially ones who were not suspects -- but Skyfire elaborated without prompting. "Rhythm and Perceptor," he gestured to the smaller of the two desks in the room, " are friendly. I assume he'll bring you back tomorrow to introduce you."
He made a non-commital gesture with the panels on his back. Prowl couldn't think of a reason why he would need to meet the other scientist -- if Perceptor were a were-car he wouldn't have been able to go to Praxis today -- so he didn't think he needed to come back, unless he had something else to ask the were-jets. Why a scientist was friends with a low-ranking were-car wasn't any of his business.
He thanked Skyfire again and went to the door, Red Alert following somewhat sulkily. Just as he reached to open it, he caught sight of the occupation schedule for the lab. It was shared between Skyfire and Perceptor with an assistant to keep tract of their experiments when needed. Prowl immediately noticed the discrepancy -- the days neither Skyfire nor Perceptor would be present in the lab. Combined with Skyfire's earlier remarks, it meant --
"Perceptor's a were-tank."
He didn't need to see either Skyfire or Red Alert to know they were both surprised -- he heard both Red Alert's armor scrape as he stiffened in incredulous surprise and the clicks and clacks from Skyfire nearly shifting show his were-jet features -- claws, wings and thrusters -- from that same emotion.
"Yes," Skyfire cautiously confirmed, not sounding sure that doing so was the best decision.
"Which one?" Prowl thought he knew, but needed the confirmation if the scientist would give it to him.
"The one that recharges through the moons."
Prowl only nodded -- that was what he'd thought. He decided he would need to talk to Perceptor, but likely all he would need to confirm was that the were-tank had indeed recharged through the nights in question. He left the lab.
As they walked, Prowl and Red Alert conferred over the information Skyfire had given them. The scientist was obviously observant and willing to help. Prowl carefully avoided the idea that that willingness came from Skyfire having the idea that Rhythm liked him. He'd analyze that thought another time. Meanwhile... this was the route used by the were-cars for the race between the second and third, and this was the one used by the first and second. Here were the roads used for just driving around. There was the area used by the two tanks, with the note that they hadn't been there the last month and a half -- which meant they hadn't been seen those nights since just after the first set of murders. Some of the streets used by the motorcycles were marked, this one with a note that since he and Starscream didn't stay in the city long, it was likely far from accurate.
Prowl brought out a second datapad, this one with a map of Iacon with the locations of the murders marked on it. Comparing the two -- all the murders had taken place in or just outside the city. Two had been in the area used by the two were-tanks. The rest had happened in areas not marked as being used by any 'shifter group, though there were another three that had happened fairly close to streets used by the motorcycles. That didn't mean they were witnesses -- the murders could have easily happened well after the were-motorcycles had moved on in their races. Still, at this point it looked like it would be helpful to talk to them.
He frowned. He disliked dealing with were-motorcycles more than the other shapeshifter types. As annoying as were-car dominance games could occasionally be, to Prowl's thinking they were nothing compared to were-'cycle in-group/out-group politics. Though, he thought as he switched to one of the pictures of a crime scene to compare the damage inflicted on the victim to what he knew of motorcycle physiology and attack patterns, he would stand by his initial deduction that the victims were killed by either a were-tank or a group of were-cars, so the were-motorcycles weren't suspects.
Carefully he explained all this to Red Alert. The other mech was his partner for this case and should be told what the significance of each piece of information was. And since Red Alert himself had admitted a distinct lack of knowledge of shapeshifter habits (though not in those words), Prowl felt he should explain what conclusions could be drawn from what information, perhaps more importantly, what conclusions could not be drawn, and as much of why as could be communicated in words.
The light quality changed slightly and Prowl looked up to realize he'd managed to wander back to the sculpture garden where he'd interviewed Rhythm.
He hadn't really been intending to go anywhere, except vaguely in the direction of the station, but in no actual hurry to get there. Vaguely he wondered why he'd ended up here -- then wondered why he thought it significant.
Flicking the panels on his back, he dismissed the concern.
The motion made a nearby mech do a double-take, which in turn attracted Prowl's attention.
A grey mech, with a body plan identical to Prowl's. That wasn't what made the officer take a second, longer and more analytical look. Rather it was the mech's companions: a red and yellow pair nearly half again both Prowl's and the grey mech's height. Granted, he'd seen plenty of red and yellow mechs in Iacon -- those were, as Red Alert had informed him, two of the most popular colors in Iacon -- but these two ... they moved fluidly together, had an awareness of each other that was both practiced and instinctive, which Prowl had only observed previously in were-jets who had flown together their entire lives.
And all three mechs had claws. They were much smaller and more subtle claws than Rhythm's or any of those who didn't hide that they were shapeshifters, but were more like Breakdown's back in Praxis, who Prowl knew had been created a shapeshifter and thus never managed to hide that one small sign.
Here, Prowl decided, was as good a place to wait for Rhythm to rejoin them as any, and he headed to one of the tech-chess tables. He didn't start a game though. Instead he and Red Alert continued discussing Skyfire's information and correlating it with that which they already had.
Besides, and he flicked his sensory panels again to make sure the grey mech was watching him and Red Alert for a moment longer, he had a theory or two to test.
tbc
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Keep it going!
Date: 2008-06-16 05:31 am (UTC)Re: Keep it going!
Date: 2008-06-16 05:47 am (UTC)but now i'm kinda worried to disappoint you on the bluestreak and twins front.
Re: Keep it going!
Date: 2008-06-16 02:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-16 05:58 am (UTC)I cannot give enough praise, so I'm going to settle for a "Glee!!!"
I do kinda wish Starscream had been in this chapter, but hooray for Skyfire and I shall bide my time. :D
And who are these mysterious figures loitering in the garden????
Well, I can wait. The great thing about colds is that they make you sleep more, and time goes by quicklier.
^_^; On that note, please update soon!
no subject
Date: 2008-06-16 06:23 am (UTC)