Shattered

Chapter 1

"Where's my intelligence officer?" the Autobot leader bellowed angrily.

Hesitating, his two bodyguards shared a glance.

The white and black one, the more favoured of the twins, was the one who dared to speak.

"Which one, Sir?"

The self-declared Prime tapped his clawed digits on the arm of his throne. "Who do you think? The older one!"

Jazz opened his mouth again to answer, but the purple and black mech beat him to it.

"Actually," the leader said with a growl, "Get them both in here now!"

The white and black coloured bodyguard bowed low, smirking as he did. "Yes, my liege."

On the other side of the door, the red and white twin sent a glare toward him.

Jazz pretended not to notice, turning and sauntering out of the throne room.

"Sorry, Rico," he sent through their bond. "If ya wanna get the boss' favour, ya gotta be quicker than that."

///

Soon after, Jazz returned with one of the intel officers following behind him.

The bodyguard entered the room, neatly bowed, then stepped back to his post beside the door.

Ricochet glanced at the solo Autobot that had followed his twin, then smirked. "He said get both, didn't he?" he sent through their bond.

"Couldn't find the other one. But this one should know where he is." Jazz replied sullenly.

Optimus Prime ignored what seemed to be a silent conversation between his two bodyguards. Instead, he leveled his dark glare upon the mecha that had been brought before him.

The young mech knelt on one knee and bowed, keeping his helm lowered as he waited.

"Where is your useless brother?" demanded the Prime. "Get up and tell me!"

The purple intelligence officer rose quickly and steadily to his pedes.

"He's out," came the quiet reply. "He should return shortly."

Optimus growled. "He had better be. Another one of his unauthorized missions or a race?"

"A mission, Sir."

"Fine. At least he's doing something somewhat useful," the purple and black warlord snapped.

Continuing, he leaned forward in his seat. "Ratchet has located moving energon. I want you to investigate what the Decepticons are up to. Don't let them see you."

"Yes, Sir. They won't know I am there. I will leave immediately," replied the purple mech swiftly.

"Very well. You had better not fail me. You seekers and special operatives have been lacking as far as performance lately. You are supposed to be my elite team. Not some group of pathetic petrorabbits that get too scared when the Decepticons show up.

"Smokescreen and Ratchet will brief you. Now go!"

The mech dipped his helm again and turned to leave. "Yes, my Lord."

As he strode swiftly out of the throne room, the Prime yelled after him.

"And take your idiot brother with you!"

After the purple mech had disappeared, Optimus Prime settled back into his throne.

"For so called intelligence, they're not very bright," he muttered.