'Origin'

Chapter 7.

'New place'

---

"Jazz!"
The loudness of the common area was impaled with the eccited voices of the base's new youngest inhabitants. The small bots rushed at the newly appeared figure of their friend who had just entered the room with his guardian.

All optics in the room were immediately directed at this group knocking the grey-armored mechling down, as the joyful laugher continued and was followed with the uncontrollable flow of sentences each describing their short and, as it seemed, satisfying experience in Iacon.

The room was rather busy. Mechs had come to enjoy the presence of the sparklings on the base and even had managed to get used to them. Some kept watching the mess of youngsters on the floor still hiding the newly appeared one with their figures, others gave a laugh at some comments of their comrades and returned to their talks, amused glances returning to the site. Though, soon, the most realized that the mech standing by the sparkling's side was Prowl and their glances changed from the amused to interested and suspicious ones...

The white and black armored mech stood straight and patiently watched the young group. He waited till the moment the sparklings calmed down, which happened to be faster than expected, and met the optics of his charge, who was still being squeezed by one of his youngest companions. Other mechs now saw the mechling's optics as well and despite of having been informed of the youngling's origin, the red optics were not something that could be met with a neutral expression...

"Just look at them, 'Rage, all Blue's emotions I have seen so far put together are nothing compared to that happy face he has right now. Guess, they really like this Jazz guy."

Mirage did not hold his grin back but then directed his deep knowing look at Blaster, "Sadly, but we both know that some mechs will not consider that fact... Just look around."

And Blaster did. His optics quickly yet carefully scanned the room and his smirk turned sad, "Yeh... And he might not be such a bad kid, actually. Troublemaker, yeh, that's for sure, but he's a youngling- "

"A Koanian and that would be enough for others..."

Blaster signed, "Wouldn't want to be in kid's place... And Prowl ended up as his guardian. Mech, what was Optimus thinking. Kid's life went upside down and he was given to the most stoic mech on the base."

"That might actually be a reasonable decision. Jazz will need a strong guidance."

"A guidance, not a commander..."

"I think you're underestimating Prowl. He's not that bad. Plus, knowing that he is the guardian of the mechling, bots might be more comfortable with the idea of kid's possible education."

"Hope, you're right, 'Rage..."

"If not, we can always talk to Prime. You know, he's the one to listen."

"Yeh... By the way, have you told lil' 'Cee the grand news?"

"Not yet. Don't want her to be too exited or worried about that today. I'll tell her tomorrow."

"We will actually miss this femmeling but that's for her own good... 'Rage, what if she won't want to go?"

"Arcee is a clever femmeling, she will understand."

"And will you be okay with her leave? You kind of seem to already have attached to her..."

"I am perfectly fine and, as you said, it's for her own good. Plus, I still have Smokescreen to take care of."

"Good luck with that turbo rocket, mech. Bet he's worse than that kid Prowl got..."

Mirage looked back at his charges and Arcee caught his sight. The once-noble gave her a playful look and nodded towards the unfinished energon cubed still on the table by his side. Arcee giggled and pulled still talking 'Smokey back to finish the meal. The group of sparklings moved followed by Prowl, who met Mirage's optics. Both mechs nodded their greetings.

---

After arrival, the reunion with his friends, crowded reck room, energon and the constant suspicious glances that did not go unnoticed by Jazz, it was time to be separated. Again. However, the journey had indeed been long and tiring. Plus, he was finally at the same place as his friends, which was more comforting.

Shortly saying, Jazz accepted having a recharge.

He followed his guardian through the endless corridors of the Iacon, entered elevator and the corridors led further again. Walls were metal of different colours which could be used in a faster navigation. That was good, he would learn the place fast. The in-wall was still to be investigated...

They finally stopped and a door panel slide open in front of them. Cool and monotones colours blinded. At first Jazz did not notice any items as so still they were, each organized and blended at their coordinates. Practical organization of the minimal number of objects emptied the room. The exact number of seven data pods stood on the shelf in the ordered row; on the desk, in the upper right corner existed a small magnetic displayer with an indigo coloured crystal floating over it; opposite, in the left corner stilled another datapod; right in the middle of the desk awaited a inactivated 3D-map.

The warm light was too weak to break the stillness and blended in the cool air of the room. Berths were located by two opposite walls, one being behind the desk. The window- transparent- seemed unexisting and framed the darkened site of the outside.

These were Prowl's quarters.

"What was your rank again..." Jazz asked after having scanned the room.

"I am the head of the Tactical Department."

"You are the The First Tactician...- wait. A Lieutenant?!"

Jazz froze his optics going wide and bright. Prowl raised an optic ridge.

"Are they not providing you with the basic information about the Autobots?" He had suspected that Jazz had not been aware of the exact rank he had and now the mech hoped that it will not cause any negative affect on the youngling.

The mechling seemed hesitant for several clicks. He was in thought but returned rather quickly answering Prowl's question though not meeting his gaze but looking around.

"Nah, they prefer repeat how corrupted you all are... So you're the head guy..."

Prowl stood still and patiently ready to answer mechling's questions.

"You can name it so."

"You plan stuff."

"Yes."

"Did you plan the attack on my base too?.."

And so the topic was brought up. Prowl knew that this would arise sooner or later and, despite wishing to avoid the discussion which was rather dangerous due to the affects it could cause on the young mech, Prowl was going to be honest with him.

"It was mostly planned by my team. But I made the corrections."

Jazz's gaze stopped on the corner of the room, thoughtful. His figure seemed so out of place in these quarters and Prowl couldn't but notice that.

When mechling spoke the tactician heard teasing.

"Guess you did not calculate our existence."

Prowl watched a bit longer.

"No. I did not."

The mechling looked at him and walk to the berth, jumping on it as if it always had been his own. He crossed his peds and put servos under his helm with a knowing and satisfied grin written on his faceplate.

"And now, we are stuck together."

The young's optics sparkled with a rebel light causing Prowl give a light smile and shook his helm in amusement.

"Guess, we are indeed."