DON'T COUNT MISTAKES I LOST TRACK OF THEM

[tilallisoverused]

( He's in trouble. He's Rodimus, the younger of Nova's two candidates for Prime, and he is absolutely in trouble. It's not his fault. He just happened to be somewhere where trouble results, although okay - that part isn't new.

And he knows exactly how he got here in the first place, it's the same as it always is.

Orion frowns at him every time he leaves the Primal Basilica dressed in a cloak - knowing full well that he's going to go to those places that Nova finds unlawful and unruly. Sure, the other Prime in training had attempted to stop him before, to no avail. That makes something twinge in Rodimus because he likes Orion, he really does.

Then again, most people like Orion 'Super Cop, Future Prime' Pax. Because apparently some people like having a career that's pointless once you know you'll carry the Matrix. He guesses that has to do with Orion having spent some of his life from out of Nova's influence - maybe that made you like police work.

Not that Rodimus would know what that's like - Nova snatched him up two days after he was forged, as if he knew exactly where to find him. Must be a 'wisdom of the Matrix' thing. Find your replacements before someone else does and what not. But it boiled down to the fact that he'd never really got to know or experience life outside the basilica walls and for every time Nova told him he shouldn't or couldn't go out - he did.

Which is how he ends up standing over someone he punched into a wall - thanks Galvatron and Cyclonus for teaching him that one - inadvertently starting a bar fight that he is determined to win. Rodimus is pretty sure that as a mysterious cloaked and hooded figure, he definitely looks awesome which negates the trouble.

Mostly. )

Comments

[thesurpriseinside]

[ The sarcasm gets a slight, disapproving frown. ]

No, everything should be taken care of. We will contact you if there are any complications in the matter, but I highly doubt it will be necessary to involve either of you.

[ He'll show them to the door, part of him feeling that this is all ending a bit anticlimactically, but that part is very small and generally not allowed to make important decisions. He resolves to go back to work and put the whole matter behind him. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( Orion makes the final goodbyes and then they're off. And, just as Rodimus surmised, all he gets is a disapproving look from Orion and a small lecture about responsibility and staying out of trouble but there's no mention of letting Nova know.

Which is why two weeks later Rodimus is out again - very specifically avoiding the area he figures Minimus patrols. It's underground gambling this time, and he doesn't go to make money as much as he does the atmosphere. It's different from the Primal Basilica in that there the celebrations are always about remember the 'old ways' that never really went away. Here, at least, it's about the high that comes with winning. That's something he's always been good at, which is why he's got a hefty pile of Shanix in front of him by the time the police arrive.

Or at least one law enforcement officer arrives, and Rodimus finds himself on the ground, staring up into the one face he really honestly hoped never to see again. Mustache and all. )

You've got to be kidding me.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ A few might suggest that breaking up gambling rings in this sector is pointless. They reform almost faster than Magnus can break them up and even before he's all the way in, the ringleaders have already vanished in the chaos.

And he's left staring incredulously back down at Rodimus. ]

What in Primus' name are you doing here.

[tilallisoverused]

If I don't admit to anything can you still arrest me?

( What do you think he's doing here? He's at least not making a move to get away - instead there's just an annoyed expression on his face that veers into cocky when a corner of his mouth twitches upwards. )

[thesurpriseinside]

No, but I can bring you in as a person of interest. Get up.

[ Because they both know Minimus has no qualms picking Rodimus up. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( He does, sulkily pulling his hood almost down to his optics to make sure his distinctive helm is covered. Because this is ridiculous and completely unfair. )

I'd ask if you're serious, but I'm getting the feeling that you don't know how to be anything else.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Minimus has zero time for this. ]

This will be brief unless you choose to make it otherwise, Rodimus.

[ And he will start hustling Rodimus out the door and into his cruiser right about now if Rodimus doesn't start moving. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( Muttered: ) Didn't think you were capable of 'brief' either.

( But after the first not so helpful push, Rodimus picks up the pace and doesn't need any more encouragement to get into the cruiser. )

Do I at least get my cell?

( He's claiming it. It's going to be his from now on if Ambus is going to continue dragging him to the station. )

[thesurpriseinside]

Your cell.

[ When did it become his cell and are they really have this conversation. ]

If it will help you cooperate, then yes. You can have your cell.

[ He shuts the door on Rodimus and goes around to climb into the driver's seat. Which is. A mild inconvenience. It was necessary to rig up a special contraption so that Minimus wouldn't have to rely on one of his deputies to drive him around, but it is not especially graceful or dignified. ]

[tilallisoverused]

Cool.

( It became his cell the moment he sat in it, honestly. But Rodimus watches from the back through the middle of the seats - seeing as he hasn't been handcuffed - one elbow on either seat and his chin resting on the bridge his arms make. )

They didn't make this with you in mind, did they?

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He pauses at that and glances back at Rodimus, warily. He's accustomed to hearing insults and sneering at the contraption. ]

Of course not, I'm a minibot.

[ It doesn't come out bitter, it's just the truth of the matter. He doesn't quite fit in this world and certainly not in the life he had chosen for himself. ]

[tilallisoverused]

Still. They could at least make sure the guy who actually does his job doesn't have to do that.

( A vague handwave at Minimus before he leans back, stretching out as much as he's allowed in the back. He's still bitter about being arrested or 'taken in for questioning', but hey. He can at least recognize that Minimus is doing what he's supposed to be doing. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Minimus glances back at him again. That's not really the sort of thing he has come to expect from the young Primeling, it's surprisingly decent. ]

I'm the only minibot on active duty, it's unnecessary to make modifications just for me.

[ Which even as he says it, he feels somewhat positive Dominus is somewhere out there glaring and muttering about the rights of all bots. The cruiser still handles just fine, regardless of the undignified seat. ]

[tilallisoverused]

You still could tell someone to do it.

( Rodimus - absolutely incapable of understanding that some people don't just have most of their whims answered as soon as they have them. So don't worry, Minimus, he's still an asshole. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ This feels like it's edging into alarmingly personal territory. ]

It's not necessary. [ He says that firmly. ] I wasn't expecting you to be so concerned about my welfare.

[tilallisoverused]

You're not the only one that's going to end up a twisted pile of metal and energon if you can't see over the wheel enough to drive.

( He absolutely just ruined it. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Back into familiar territory. ]

I assure you, I can see perfectly fine.

[ And look they're almost to the station, Rodimus! No accidents or anything. ]

[tilallisoverused]

How do you know if you haven't experienced anything different?

( HE'S JUST SAYING. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN RODIMUS. Minimus exvents a sigh. ]

The only way this vehicle would crash is if something else hit it and that's-

[ Before he can finish the sentence, however, there's a loud yell and a blur of motion. Too late to react and impossible to avoid the huge mech slamming into the cruiser at full speed, nearly tearing the cruiser apart on impact before he puts his hands to the task, ripping Minimus out of his seat. ]

Gotcha now, you half-pint slagger!

[tilallisoverused]

( Rodimus thinks, for a moment, that the reason they've been attacked is him - and so he's surprised when there's no hand closing around his middle when the other voice comes. That's... weird, and he opens up one optic to stare at Minimus and the larger bot.

So Rodimus just scrambles out of what's left of the cruiser to stand on the wreck. )

Hey you!

[thesurpriseinside]

[ The hulking mech turns towards Rodimus, his grip still tight on Minimus. ]

Stay outta th-

[ Minimus slams both hands down, hard, on the bot's wrists. He is never one to miss an opening when given half a chance. The metal dents under the impact and the bot drops him with a pained snarl. ] Fragging-!

[ As soon as he hits the ground, Minimus kicks out, aiming for the shin of the bot. The bot stumbles back, lessening the force of his blow, but it gives Minimus enough time to get to his feet and dodge the stomp aimed for his leg. ]

Hammerfist. Didn't know you were back in town.

[tilallisoverused]

( Rodimus is going to be vastly unhelpful in this situation - getting in the way rather than steering clear. One of his arms comes up, tips of the exhaust glowing white with the promise of releasing a volley of shots. )

Friend of yours?

( As if he can imagine Minimus having friends. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He's half surprised to find Rodimus beside him. Granted, Minimus should have known he was the sort of bot who wouldn't say no to a fight. ]

One of the old gang leaders. Disappeared a couple months back during a murder investigation he was the main suspect in. [ He strides towards Hammerfist. ] Nice of you to come back and save me the trouble of hunting you down. Why don't you save both of us a little time and come along quietly?

[ This doesn't seem to go over well with Hammerfist, who lifts his arm where the hulking canon is mounted. ] Hell with that! I'm going to kill you!

[ Minimus will have a moment to regret housing his own weapons in the crush compartment along his side before Hammerfist starts firing. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( This is Rodimus. This is Rodimus about to do something really stupid which involves tearing off his cape and throwing it at Hammerfist's face in an attempt to obstruct his vision right as he begins firing, followed up with a swift round of shots into the gun arm. )

Why don't you pick on someone your own size, huh?

( He thinks of all his sparring rounds with Cyclonus and training with Galvatron and then just casually throws all their advice and training to the wind. He's got this, he's totally got this. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ The ridiculous thing about it is it works. Almost. The gun backfires, tearing a hole up Hammerfist's arm and searing the side of his helm as he tries to rip the cloak away. ] You slagger! I'll kill you!

[ It gives Minimus enough of a chance to slip in close again, putting the full and deceptively powerful weight of his fist into Hammerfist. ] No, you won't.

[ Hammerfist staggers back, but doesn't go down, one flailing hand wrapping around Minimus' fist. There's a sickening crunch of metal and a bitten of cry from Minimus before he manages to grab the hand that's holding him and use it to plant a kick to Hammerfist's face, which finally takes him down.

Minimus will need a moment to focus before he's able to offline the nerves in his crushed hand before standing, forcing open one of the dented compartments in his side to retrieve the cuffs. ]