[ti]Ep 3[/ti]White Flag (Optimus, Prowl, and Sundance)

[Sundance]

Episode 3 | Week 4 | Day 7 | Closed

Now was the time. Sundance sighed at her own dumb joke forming in her head. Technically the time was always now. But this particular now – according to her clock – was the time she was to meet her elder superiors. She paused for just a second, she assumed both of the people she was meeting with were older than herself but with her species, it wasn’t so simple to tell. They were certainly wiser and more mature, she had no doubt there. Without further stumbles to her focus, Sundance rolled down the halls in her newly fabricated just-for-her one-of-a-kind wheelchair.

As a flier with zero undercarriage, Suni had never possessed wheels of her own. The few times she had ever had wheels at all were the strap-to-your-feet kind for sports. They had been hilarious fun. Now thanks to her own ineptitude, she was rolling around as a faux grounder, and would probably be doing so for one or more months. It was a novel experience now, but even her airheaded spirits knew such humour would eventually fall back down. It was difficult for her to not think about not being able to fly.

As she rolled to a stop just outside The Door, Sundance straightened up her composure and brushed aside distracting thoughts. The challenge to face here and now was one of her own shame, and face it she would. She vented air for a moment, and proceeded to knock twice.

[Optimus Prime]

After Sundance's knock, there would be a momentary delay, before a sound of scraping could be heard from within the room. It was of metal against stone, more likely than not a chair being pushed aside, this motion quickly followed by an all too recognizable thrum of heavy footfalls. It was always interesting how distinctive each soul's steps were. From lighter hollow clicks, to the steady crush of weight dropping upon unlined hinges, all the way to the plastic dampened strides of those more stealth oriented... The owner of these would be well known to those who lived within the base, it stopping just within the doorway after traversing the relatively short distance.

A grasp of metal... a heavy pull...

When Ratchet's last message was relayed, and Optimus had been set off into a panic lined rage, he hardly had the patience to work with the sticking door that had been giving him issues up until that point. The metal had been slammed aside within its pocket with violent force, the grip upon its edge crushed in with a vaguely shaped hand indent in his desperate movements. While this door wasn’t moved by violence this time, its scraping internals could still be heard rattling.

Optimus took the place of this as it was opened, looking down to see the battered femme who had gone through rather notably rough times in recent history. A sentiment that was severely understated. He need only look for a brief moment to confirm it was Sundance, before taking a single step back and aside to clear the opening, waiting for her to make her way within, watching to see how she maneuvered with her newfound handicaps. A passing glance was placed outside this threshold however, seeing how she had no aid, being set out to fend on her own. This was only held a moment, before he looked back down.

"Do you require assistance."

The room beyond, was anything but what one may expect for The Prime.

Roughly put together, it appeared as though it had once started out as one of the more simplistic cubbies each of their soldiers obtained, only to be expanded out in order to fill more than the role of a resting point for Optimus. A ragged line ran along the concrete flooring, marking out a weathered seam that separated old from new where the original wall had been initially. Beyond it sat a newly formed divider, an even more simple door that concealed his personal space and barred it from what had become an office so that others were not looking upon his bed and whatever modest possessions were placed aside.

Which were effectively nonexistent anyway.

The ceiling was in equally as rough repair. The original portions were as apparent as the floor, and the new backmost chunks were easily distinguished, however on top of this was a mangled patch. The materials used appeared to be varied, and a rough coat of paint was attempted at some point or another. It seemingly was of no real importance, no additional effort made to blend it out or make it look presentable. This hung directly overhead of a table that acted as a centerpiece.

This desk appeared to be salvaged from the Ark itself. It was simple despite this source, having been clean and in good shape until something notable seemed to have occurred that destroyed this. Fresh mars striped over its uppermost surface from back to front, a couple indents as well as some scuffs of white, with a single fleck of red standing out against the dead silver it had once been. Just as the ceiling, no attempt had been made to clean off and repair its surface as of yet, it not being a priority given how much had been going on.

Lastly, across the room was a computer terminal of sorts, similar to the Control Room, only having one screen rather than multiple. A workstation, a place away from others where he could consider and plan things, without another peeking at the screens or distracting him with senseless chatter or questions that could wait for another time.

Appearances were never profoundly huge issues as far as Optimus was concerned. He lived in a way that past Primes would likely scoff at, given the regality that often came with the title. This was even more so true when said individual served as the centermost point of an entire faction of the war. It was frivolity however. Useless bloat for no good reason at all. The only thing that he took note of, was not looking completely ragged himself, while preserving the Autobot emblem on each shoulder, resotring it from damage.

Yet even this was marred.

The incident with Starscream and his two soldiers had left its mark, one that was garish and ugly, which was putting it lightly. His entire left pauldron was absolutely obliterated, heavy indents and blast points punching in its surface upon numerous spots, while a sharp laser etched line cut down its length before burning into his upper arm. One of the red prongs that adorned its side was canted down, while the Autobot emblem was nowhere to be seen. Black char of blistered paint and raw silver shone within, creating a painful looking wound.

Luckily, the interior shoulder hinges and components were mostly protected by the heavy armor, the plating having served its role well, though that did not mean he couldn’t feel it. What he could feel more, however, were the cuts and punctured bits of armor that peppered from front to pack from shrapnel. A couple of the largest ones had an adhered mesh line, to protect it from open elements. One of the more notable of these mars were a series of four stripes, what appeared to be claw marks, that raked from his front right makeshift ribcage, down and around his torso to rip off at his lower back, a continuous pattern only broken by the rise and falls of his plating.

While Sundance would be blind to these ailments, Prowl most certainly would not, though Optimus was in no mood to speak of them and would have disregarded any discussion on that front.

There was nothing to be done.

Cyan optics watched the femme closely.

[Prowl]

For every bright light, there was an equal or greater amount of darkness. For Optimus Prime, that darkness was called Prowl. And he was not happy.

Tangling with a seeker...what could have possessed Sundance to get into a fight with a Decepticon seeker? And that wasn’t even the worst part of it! Nevermind that said Seeker turned out to be Thundercracker, aka one of the ten most dangerous fliers Cybertron had created! Prowl had flipped his desk upon reading that after-action report. Sundance was lucky that Prime was on Earth, else Prowl would have torn her a new exhaust vent for her stupidity.

The fact was that the Decepticons had air superiority, meaning that Prowl was anxious for the welfare of every single Autobot flier that made their way to Earth. Would they be enough to turn the tide of the air war? No, but having them made Prowl feel better to some extent. Having lost one so casually...it irritated him because now he had a piece that was off the board for the foreseeable future. Add this to the scrap pile that this month had been. First they effectively lose Ratchet, this happens, and now Patch is missing. On top of that, Optimus went off half-cocked and got injured fighting Starscream.

Did they even listen to him? Or was everyone too wrapped up in the delusions of grandeur to pay attention to the realities of war?

Prowl stood in the corner of Optimus’ office, staring at Sundance with his arms folded over his chest and a massive scowl on his face plate as he stewed. He never appreciated Prime’s self deprecating nature, he felt that it undermined the majesty of his position. Optimus might refuse to realize it, but the fact was that his position was the closest to a god that many Cybertronians would see. Therefore it was essential that he present a certain image of grace, elegance, and propriety. Instead, here he was in a cave, battle damaged...

It was aggravating to say the least...

Regardless, Prowl kept his opinions to himself for the moment, content to stew in his own thoughts for now...

[Sundance]

“Thank you for the offer but I can see myself in.” Sundance replied to her leader, voice still a touch more raspy than her norm and despite, well, everything, her tone was warm.

The sight she presented as she rolled herself into the room was a long way from her best. She had actually been worse on other occasions but those were stories for another encounter. From head down, she was a quiltwork of very fresh scars, medical plates and bandages. The one covering half her face had not been touched since Patch patched. What lay underneath was much too delicate for the combined medical abilities of those available. What covered what was left of her legs was fresh however, the chance of infection was worse than the chance of greater injury. To any and all, it would be a long time before Sundance would live up to her moniker again, but anyone sensitive enough to fields could tell that Sundance was willing to rise to that challenge.

She was somber and serious, a little embarrassed too, but underneath even her obvious discomfort was still that defiant spark that had challenged a true king of the sky.

What Suni saw of the others, Prowl and Optimus, was seen with radio instead of light. Radar went a way to absolving one of her obvious predicaments. Cybertronian forms, all metal and emf, stood out like very little else in the room. The angles of every plate and edge reflected radar in different ways to light. Surfaces flat on to her were bright and solid, surfaces edge on were wispy and harder to detect. So when she looked directly at Optimus, she took an extra second or two to stare at his shoulder. Sundance had heard something about what had happened. But it wasnt news intended for her, so she put certain contemplative thoughts aside.

“Thank you for agreeing to see me Optimus sir and Prowl sir.”

It didn't take her natural sight to see that while Optimus was stoically neutral, Prowl was simmering with vexation, a bottle storm if ever there was one. Suni didn’t brace herself so much as simply allow herself to flow with the coming winds.

[Optimus Prime]

"Thank you for agreeing to see me Optimus sir and Prowl sir."

"Certainly."

Optimus would always do his best to make time for any of his Autobots should a situation come up. They were not cogs in a machine in his eyes and were individuals that could have their own concerns and issues that may need to be addressed. There was also the fact that varied points of view and experiences could offer insight into something that could better their team as a whole. As such, upon her request, he was more than willing to set time aside.

Once Sundance maneuvered within the office portion of his quarters, Optimus would grasp hold of the edge of his door once more, this time pulling it closed so that anyone passing by wouldn’t be able to eavesdrop on whatever it was she wanted to speak to them about. This motion was not as gritty and abrasive as it was previously, the rolling system was more willing to close rather than open since it wasn't smashing damaged components together within the pocket. It was as this sealed, that Optimus would step around and begin walking into the room further, passing Prowl a single glance before looking back at the femme to see how she carried herself with her new disability.

Despite the grievous physical damage and mars, Sundance seemed to be maneuvering and handling herself rather well, it was one of those staple examples of how varied their own species could be. Something that could be downright debilitating for one of them, could be an irrelevant issue in the eyes of another, all based on what inbuilt capabilities they had from the onset. Optimus knew for a fact that he wouldn't be functioning as well as the femme was if he were to be blinded. He had no outward sensors to try to compensate, and would need to rely on sound alone, which wasn't an element that would work well for him in any way given that sense was on functional levels rather than specialized.

How he would have coped would be irrelevant.

In a normal circumstance, Optimus would have possibly continued to remain in place upright. He felt more comfortable doing so, as sitting at rest did not always feel the most natural to him, however, he did not wish to tower over the smaller Cybertronian, especially since she was locked down, unable to stand under her own power. As such, his stride would carry the last few steps, so that he could pull out his chair and sit, his stance rather formal.

Optimus knew better than to ask if Prowl wanted to sit as well, and in actuality was almost mentally setting him aside for the moment. It was not done with malice or any intention to ignore, but more knowing that Prowl would need little prodding to intervene and let his voice be heard should he wish to step forward. For all he knew, he would merely stand on the sidelines glaring until Sundance was gone, then bullet point list out everything he had done wrong or who knows what else. Because of this, Optimus didn't pass the mech a second look, knowing that it would be readily apparent he could participate if he wanted, or simply act as a witness.

"What is it you wish to speak of?"

[Sundance]

Sundance never liked apologizing for her dumbaftery. That is to say she didnt like being dumb. And no matter how many times she had messed up, confronting those she had wronged never got easier. At least Optimus had sat down. Opposite ends of the height spectrum didn't confer much confidence.

So it was with a big sigh she set about righting her wrongs. “I need to apologize. I want to say I’m sorry. I am sorry for how I conducted myself in your training session. I was wrong for not being open about my condition prior to starting, and again in the aftermath of my monumental screw-up with Epee.” Deep breath. “And I am deeply sorry for my recklessness with the engagement of Thundercracker. I have become at least for now a liability and a drain on very tight resources.”

With Patch bot-napped and Ratchet amnesiac, medical ability on the base was closer to nil than it had ever been.

“Though I don't know how I should have handled a known seeker, I understand my ignorance is my own failing.” She looked from Prime to Prowl, blindly meeting whatever gaze they may present. She had said what she needed to, but there was more she wanted to ask.

“Could I ask for tactical advice for a replay of that scenario?” Sundance could not change the past, this she knew from her forging. She endeavored to learn and to rise to become better however. When she said sorry, she sincerely meant to never repeat that mistake. 


(Prowl skipped with Deak’s permission)

[Optimus Prime]

Optimus sat patiently as Sundance started to articulate what was on her mind, his helm raising ever so slightly upon realizing that she was seeking a form of forgiveness for her past actions. It was a good trait to have, all things considered, the ability to recognize within one's own self that there had been an error, and then have the bravery to face the issue head-on and ask for such a thing without prompting. It was something so many others didn’t seem to hold as an option in the way they chose to live. This showed him that it was earnest, not forced out because she was cornered, nor muddled off to the side with a form of shame where things were never said verbally as though it had never happened.

It was while she spoke, his gaze cast to his right slightly, almost as though he intended to look over at Prowl, however, he did not turn enough to do so beyond the faintest of shifts of his helm. He didn't need to view the other mech's expression to know what was likely there. That judgmental look. Annoyed displeasure. Irritation perhaps at having his time wasted... It all spoke the same and led to the same bottom line that such 'emotional' elements did not hit the same notes with the other mech as they may with Optimus himself.

Shifting to look back at Sundance, he started to speak in his typical calm approach.

"Mistakes occur. We learn from our failures more than we ever will from another's experiences."

Lessons could be considered... seeing the downfall of another could cause a lasting impression... however, living it out was a memory that truly lanced to one's core. There was nothing that could ever compare once it crossed that line from viewing to experiencing. Bridging the gap from two separate worlds that tried to communicate, yet often left so many blanks in between.

As to her latter commentary, a slow invent shifted through Optimus' frame, considering the best way to address this scenario and all the things that could be pulled up in the process. He once more knew how Prowl would likely cut in, however, and so this time around he spoke more readily to not give the tactician the opportunity to directly intervene. It wasn't the moment for a bullet point list of what choices would have been most prudent at every step along the way. Nor a generalized 'don't be a fool' declaration like that hit the same notes. No.

"The true question is, what do you believe you could have done better?"

Optimus quickly turned things back against Sundance despite her trying to say she didn't know mere moments previously. He wanted her to think through it again and not just give up and blame it on a skill difference in ranks that shouldn't influence anything. While he felt rather certain that said dilemma had been curling around in her mind every moment since she was conscious enough to even think upon the event, there was something different about saying it aloud. Compiling thoughts into a form that had to be verbally articulated, rather than rattling around erratically in her processor jumping from one point or another in the ordeal. This new structure that would be forced onto it, would then tell him how she thought, how to proceed forward, and what advice could even be relevant.

He watched rather intently, anticipating what sort of solutions she came up with on her own.

[Prowl]

Finally, someone said what Prowl had been thinking without putting some sarcastic spin on it.

Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to satiate Prowl.

While he was grateful for Prime’s open call for all Autobots to come to Earth, especially since it had brought him back into the fight, Prowl recognized that such an open invitation had its drawbacks, Sundance being a prime example. Despite effectively representing the now defunct central government of Cybertron, many of the individuals the Autobots used to fill their ranks were merely citizen soldiers, not professionals. While some might categorize bots like Prowl, Sunstreaker, and Skirmisher as citizen soldiers, the fact was the combined combat and training experience the three of them had before the war dwarfed about three fourths of the other bots here at Omega.

He understood that it was necessary, and that desperate times called for desperate measures...but still...sometimes that lack of military discipline and common sense showed through on occasion...and landed them in deep scrap.

As much as he wanted to open his mouth and start laying out exactly what he was thinking for Sundance’s edification, Prowl kept his mouth shut for the moment. He knew Prime was having one of those “teaching moments”, causing him to roll his optics behind his golden visor. Despite whatever arguments he would make about efficiency and best use of valuable time, Prime always had a soft spark for these types of cases...

It was beyond irritating to say the least, but Prime was Prime...

[Sundance]

“Well that’s my problem, I keep thinking that what happened was inevitable because I can't think my way around this. I flew my best and was beaten by my better.” Sundance openly admitted that Thundercracker was vastly superior to her in an aerial battle. “I am better at flying hijinks around Cybertron’s cityscape but in earth's open skies, I am vulnerable to boom and zoom. I run, I die. I call for backup, I get Jetfire and..,” Suni shrugged, letting the implication hang, there was simply no polite way to really say that of all the autobot fliers, he was the only one she could name who was competent in an air fight. “Whereas Mr Seeker can call in Starscream, Dreadwing, and going by the reports, another three or more. TC and Screamer? I openly bet Skywarp is here now too. We’d lose big.” Sundance sighed. If the original Trine were back together, autobots fliers were better off grounded. “And bridging with a seeker on my six is a tactical no-go.”

“So what could I have done better? I’m not bright enough to know.” Suni lived by her spark, not by her clock speed. She tried to think what would smarter people do, but she usually came up with inaccurate ideas.

“Oh stop your scowling Prowl, I can hear it, you'll etch in more panel lines.” Sundance didn't need sight to feel out what others were feeling, something her damned spark was good at. “I am actively trying to make amends for my stupidity.” She could feel the seething standing there in the corner of the room. She understood it too, Prowl wanted to win this war more than almost anyone, and he needed good soldiers, better than her, to do that.

That was when she felt it, a sharp pain creeping back up her nerves in her broken right knee. “Speaking of mending” she quietly growled to herself through gritted teeth. It came and went every now and again, a sign of nerves healing. Though her foot was no longer there, that’s where the pain started. It rose in intensity and for a few brief seconds, it pushed Suni to the edge of her tolerance. Despite the intense grip on the arm rest from her hands, and the tensing in her frame in her field, there was a touch of humour at the sheer ridiculousness of phantom sensations from missing appendages.

[Optimus Prime]

Optimus listened calmly while Sundance started to go over her perspectives on the situation, detailing what she believed were the best options available to her. Whether right or wrong, nobody could truly say given the fact that words thrown into open air did not always translate well on a battlefield. There were ideas, and considerations that could have been taken into account, though that did not mean it would have even worked. That was the danger with what they were and the war they were in, there was never a true black and white script where things could have been won if she had picked B instead of A. However, her comment about Jetfire made his brows furrow into a slight form of concern.

Why would she have not called upon the mech? His skill could not be argued, and he could have helped, even if it was simply flying alongside Sundance to try to guide her on a plan of escape, or playing distraction given his greater speed capabilities to facilitate such a goal. It made Optimus wonder if there was animosity between the other two Cybertronian, yet even then a difference of opinions should not have been so great as to make one forsake the other in a combat scenario. He did not care what other forces Thundercracker could have called in, as they did not need to hold their ground and fight to win, they just needed to survive...

And Sundance was lucky she did.


Then, things changed gears.

Sundance had been carrying herself with a form of grace by coming to them with concerns and a want to make amends, going so far as to seek advice so that she could learn from her mistakes. It took a good deal for someone to look inward and admit such faults, and it had not gone unnoticed. It was something Optimus truly did appreciate deeply, wanting to assist in any way he could, while others such as the mech at his side may have preferred to tear into her for her faults and how she was now a leech on their resources due to 'incompetence'... or whatever title they wished to plaster over it when compelled by rage and irritation. In rough seas, it was a breath of fresh air, only for her to then deviate hard.

Just as quickly as she had taken on such a state, Sundance appeared to jump readily outside it, turning flippant and confrontational upon a leading Officer simply due to him being understandably displeased. This caused a sort of anger to instantly creep across Optimus' features, a frown forming while the top of his lip flicked up with a momentary flash of his teeth. His tolerances were profoundly thin as of late, effectively two steps away from breaking the shell that he had carefully cultivated for himself for far too long. In some ways... he already had with the interaction with Wheeljack, among a couple of others, though he was doing well enough to keep it mostly caged. Somewhat. There was a perpetual chipping on this battered shield, and this was one more divot taking out of the surface.

Dislike of a superior did not erase a need to respect their place in the chain of order. They had earned their rank and shouldn't be spoken down to. Politely approached with concerns or frustrations? Yes. Optimus would expect ALL of his Officers to give individuals the time of day should they have something they needed to bring up, just as Prowl currently was by even attending this meeting. Yet, this was war, not a casual gathering of individuals, and it seemed Sundance was still missing this critical bit of enlightenment.

It made him suddenly question if this was all an act for formality's sake, and that he just got a flash of the reality that was still below it...

"Mind yourself."

Blunt, with a darker warning snaking within. She may not be able to see the aggression that flickered over his features, though she would be unable to miss that which wove within his voice, it far more direct than he normally was. This seemed to sharply shift the way in which he was carrying himself, his posture growing more rigid from the relaxed state he tried to be within, while his helm rose. It was done to look more formal in a way, to fit the title of Prime, however, it did hold that tension that had been shown far more since he came to Earth.

The mech at his side would likely note just how fast he had shifted emotional stances, it testament to how thin Optimus' patience had grown.

"Prowl has earned his place, and such disrespect is unwarranted."

[Prowl]

Prowl had just been about to offer exactly what Sundance had asked for, a walk through of what she could have done better. Despite his understandable anger towards the situation, the fact was that he was a professional first and foremost who did not let petty issues get in the way of discharging his duties. While how he executed that duty might seem a bit insensitive, it was his duty to discharge that obligation as a part of both his primary programming and the oath he had sworn.

At least he had been, until Sundance had crossed a pretty big line without a second thought.

And he had been about to tear a new hole in her when Prime spoke up, causing him to pause with his mouth open and look over at the larger bot for a moment with his mouth hanging open before he caught himself and closed up. Honestly, he should have expected that from Optimus Prime. While the two of them disagreed on many things, the Prime still saw fit to keep Prowl around on the command staff. And despite these disagreements, Prime would at least listen to Prowl’s recommendations before he made a judgment, even if it was against Prowl’s advice.

He made a mental note to thank Prime after this meeting. But now it was time to get back to the matter at hand.

“Your initial tactical appraisal of the situation is correct. Assuming that your opponent was indeed Thundercracker, because there is always the chance that this was someone else who was using his designation, you were indeed outmatched.” Prowl replied, his voice not as sharp as it might have been but still clipped and professional. No two ways about it, Thundercracker was one of the top fliers in the Decepticon military, and it was doubtful anyone here short of maybe Jetfire stood a chance at beating him in a fair fight. But just because her report said the seeker confirmed his name without visual contact, Prowl was not going to jump to conclusions just yet.

“However, there were options that you could have employed to enable you to live and fight another day.”

[Sundance]

Sundance visibly flinched at Optimus Prime’s - rightful - condemnation. Two words but landed with a thump on her spark.

Once again, she had messed up. She felt like a butterfly forever trapped in a hurricane of her own making.

She had not meant to be disrespectful but the words were spoken and she could not change them. Sundance had come to Prowl and Optimus because she respected them, and in a sparkbeat she had spoken out of place. The little damaged flier briefly wondered if she was still a little high from the painkilling, but such a feeling was purely subjective and impossible to pin. No she had not meant to disrespect Prowl, but her sentiment was unchanged. The air in the base felt stale, she knew why so many broke rank and sought adventure, Cybertron was lost, their collective home of umpteen million years brought to ruin by war, but now a new planet had rekindled hope and wanderlust. Yes they had brought the war with them, but not everyone felt consumed by it.

Sundance felt that Prowl was utterly consumed. There were times he seemed to be just filled to overflowing with hate and bitterness. She wished she could help. Some light in the darkness was needed, but apparently the only levity in the room was inside her own spark. That light in the darkness she clung to? That was just a reflection of herself and she alone didn't shine bright enough to help someone in such dire need of a smile like Prowl.

Given the gravitas in the room, there was only one real option in front of her, apologize and shut the heck up…and mind herself.

“I am very sorry.” She solemnly spoke.

[Optimus Prime]

When Prowl began to speak once more, Optimus partly expected him to add to the warning that had been given to Sundance, yet he found the tactician opting to go into a critique of events instead. This was good in Optimus' opinion, for there was nothing to gain in overly shaming for how poorly she conducted herself, knowing his words had struck hard due to her subdued response, though at the same time he would not have stopped the other mech if he had chosen to do so. He was perfectly in the right to defend himself, asserting rank when it was fitting so long as it was not done in an abusive manner. Whatever the case, he would sit patiently.

"However, there were options that you could have employed to enable you to live and fight another day."

"First of all would be reaching out for assistance."

The fact Sundance did not call for help until she was already in a critical state of danger and injury troubled Optimus. While he did not expect every fighter to contact base and ring high alarm for even laying eyes on a Decepticon, once the tides started to shift in an unideal direction where their life was readily on the line, it should have been considered greatly and not written off simply because the enemy could do the same in turn.

"You must embrace that we are a team, and even those who could not take flight could still aid with guidance to terrain best fitting to your skills, or would facilitate escape."

The Ground Bridge controls were more than just that and served as the primary information terminal when putting together missions and researching elements to help. The ability to pull open a topographical map could have given Sundance a direction to go where spire-laden rock structures or even deep ravines would give her an area to tuck down within, inviting Thundercracker, should it have even been the mech, to risk stepping foot into her field of battle.

"Accepting your limitations is not equivalent to accepting defeat. You cannot win a fight playing by another's strengths."

Some of the softness was returning to Optimus' voice, the cold hard edge that had swiftly formed beginning to taper off gradually as he eased away from the hostility he had felt. He believed his point had been made well enough, and to keep digging it down would do nothing but cause greater damage. The rigidity of his posture remained, however, locked into the more formal stance of a Prime rather than the calmer leveled state he had been in previously.

"Is there conflict between Jetfire and yourself?"

This thought had struck him before, though he had been sidelined momentarily by what Sundance had said after. Now that things were wrenched back in line with the choke chain, he wanted to see if there were issues that he should be aware of. While Optimus' words had indeed begun to lighten in severity, these truly seemed concerned on some level, wanting... no... needing to know if there was animosity between individuals that would require restructuring of patrol plans. While he hoped despite arguments Autobots could rely upon one another, forcing two clashing souls together had the potential of cultivating a dangerous poison.

Knowing that Sundance could not see finer details, Optimus' gaze would drift back over in Prowl's direction, almost silently asking if he knew of anything from his perspective.

[Prowl]

“Agreed. If you had called for assistance, enough of us with blasters could have been scrambled that we could have thrown up a field of fire that would make even the greatest flier think twice about approaching.”

And if Prowl had been involved, there was much more that could be done beyond throwing up a field of fire. Ever since the beginning of the war, Prowl had two portable fire and forget anti-aircraft missiles installed on his back for situations such as this. It was one of those things that he wished everyone had installed even with the limited resources they had, because if they could throw up enough anti-aircraft missiles it would negate the Decepticon’s flier advantage, thus robbing them of a key strength.

He would be quiet as Prime gave his lesson on teamwork and accepting limitations, but he nodded along to show that he agreed with what Optimus was saying. Despite his many, many different rants on the subject, what made the Autobot cause so successful was the fact that it brought together many different types of individuals who each had their own strengths and weaknesses. These strengths and weaknesses could complement each other on occasion, allowing success where it might otherwise not be possible. The only problem was that sometimes individuals allowed their individualism to cloud their judgment.

"Is there conflict between Jetfire and yourself?"

Prowl’s head suddenly snapped towards Optimus, caught somewhat unaware at the Prime’s shift in topic. He hadn’t heard anything about there being any issues...but then again he didn’t pay much attention to the rumors that seemed to work their way through the base, leaving that to Jazz and Sunstreaker to deal with.

If there was a problem though, they needed to handle it fast.

[Sundance]

Sundance listened intently to the and certainly under most circumstances she would have agreed, but she been up against exactly “the greatest flier” or near enough. The mention of terrain best fitting her skills lodged solidly in place in her memory banks. It was a point she had hoped to further discuss later.

The mention of Jetfire made her gasp in surprise. Suni quickly surmised that this sidetrack to the main topic would be best disqualified quickly. “There is zero conflict between Jetfire and myself, sirs. Kind of, maybe, hopefully, the opposite.” She stammered out the admission. For eons she had had a celebrity crush on the great red and white jet, now that she had met him and flown wingtip to wingtip with him - and been nursed by him - the crush had dissipated and been replaced with a little bit of something more resilient. Again, she focused back on track. She was finding the focus harder today than usual she realized, but that could be the halfway functional painkillers she was riding.

Though she was speaking to both her leader and the tactical master of the Autobots, Suni still could not bring herself to believe that they were suggesting her spark was worth enough to risk the sparks of others.

“With all due respect sirs I absolutely embrace the team ethos.” Suni thought of herself as someone who fought her hardest for her comrades. “I'm just not sure of this particular incident. Maybe, hopefully, I’m just plain wrong, but a field of blasters aint gonna cut it against mach capable missile slinging from 5 miles out fliers. It’s just more targets if a battle escalates. It’s thundercracker right, one high speed pass sonic boom and everyone is stunned, he calls for help too? Starscream for sure, and if it’s those two then good bet Skywarp is already behind you. I can count at least three more fliers, plus an armada of vehicons. My spark ain't worth risking so many others in an all out escape run.” Sundance realized she was rambling and paused to let her climbing emotions settle back down.

Taking a moment, she glanced at Prowl, and then looked a bit longer at his silhouette. She noticed something that she had probably seen a million times and never registered. Now looking with radar, the familiar conical shapes were harder to make out, but still there.

“Or maybe I'm just blind dumb. Those two missiles, surface to air? What’s their range and top speed?” Blasters versus jets, last place. But surface to air missiles? That was podium.