For the Sake of Justice

[Deleted]

Wing smiled in the shadow of his hood, optics squinting slightly. He extended one servo, a genuine gesture of camaraderie. Even if they had just met, and even if they didn't fully trust each other, if was good to go into a dangerous situation with at least some sort of backup for once.

"Watch for when I slip aboard. Then, make your way to the ship. I'll clear your path. Be as stealthy as possible," he paused, tilting his head slightly, "Best of luck to you as well, Cyberwarp."

He stepped back, turning away quickly. He moved to the edge of the cliff again, looking down into the valley. Everything was still calm. And the shadows were lengthening. Sticking to them, he scaled down the cliff wall, his clothes nearly the same color as the brownish rock and hiding him from detection. He was silent and graceful in his descent, slipping down the rock face like a serpent. Then, he was on the ground.

Moving slowly and carefully, he crept toward the enemy ship, a large transport settled in the middle of the valley. Fortunately, the crew who had emerged were sitting around a fire, cooking some sort of food and engaged deep in conversation. All organics, slightly smaller than Wing himself. No one was guarding the ramp. He easily slipped aboard, keeping a watchful eye on those outside. No one glanced up.

The first guard he met, a bored-looking male scrolling through a tablet device of some sort, was caught unawares. Wing did not bother drawing his blades. A swift blow of the servo brought the creature down in an unconscious heap. Wing quickly moved on, working toward where he believed the helm to be.

[Cyberwarp]

Cyberwarp looked to Wing's servo as it was extended to her briefly.  It'd been awhile since she'd experienced such a gesture, and took it into her own servo with a faint smile.  One of the first true one's she'd had in some time.  For the mech to get even that much out of her went to show just how much he was beginning to impact her.

"I will.  I'll use my Light Bender to keep me out of sight, but.. it won't stop them from hearing me or bumping into me, so I'll still need to proceed with caution.  Maybe it's for the best that it's one of the few tools I took with me."  She opened her subspace, pulling a rounded object out before placing it on her heel.  Once activated, it removed Cyberwarp from plain sight.

Even if Wing couldn't see her, especially given that he was distracted by the mission before them, she followed his instructions to the letter.  The femme followed the cloaked mech, making the occasional small sound as they started their trek just to ensure him that she was still there.  Once they grew close enough that they could be spotted, she stopped making the sounds all together.  She didn't dare to enter the ship until Wing had, following behind him quietly and being extra careful not to make any noise.  Soft pedfalls would be heard, but only to one actively listening.

She didn't know how far in the prisoners were, but she hoped that Wing would be able to pull through and get her there without a hitch.

[Deleted]

Wing worked quickly and efficiently. Soon, there was a trail of unconscious bodies in his wake. This was going along too smoothly...
He rounded a corner and barely managed to duck to the side as a guard at the end of the hall pulled the trigger on his weapon. A second and then a third fired, shots echoing as they struck the corner, leaving scorch marks. Wing vented, flipping his daggers from within his cloak. Well, at least this wasn't boring. Hopefully, Cyberwarp would take care of her end without issue. Another round of fire struck the corner. He listened. The first footfall came. They would cautiously approach, wondering if he had run, guns ready. As they neared the corner, they would swing wide, just in case he was there. He had to time it just right.

As expected, they neared. When they were a short distance from the corner, he moved, rolling from around it. Their shots missed as he sprang forward, slamming the hilt of one knife into the organic's head with enough force to drop him. The others, surprised, fired a few wild shots before he managed to bring them down as well. He landed in a crouch, slamming his daggers back into their sheaths.

Then, the alarms sounded.

His lip components pressed into a thin line, Wing took off at a sprint. Stealth was lost to him, which meant that speed was the next best thing. Hopefully, Cyberwarp's Light Bender would keep her hidden despite his blunder.

[Cyberwarp]

Cyberwarp continued to follow after Wing, making sure to be extra cautious with her movements.  While she was invisible with the use of the Light Bender, that didn't mean she was free to stand wherever she wanted.  In the event one of the slavers came barreling down the hall, she needed to get out of the way so that they didn't bump into her.

That, or knock off the Light Bender.

She ducked out of the way as the mech began his game of stealth as he took out the guards, not wanting to be hit by a stray shot.  Even though the guards didn't know where she was, Wing didn't either.  It would have been just as easy for him to accidentally bump into her or strike her.  Though she had to admit.. he was an amazing fighter.  Maybe after this if she chose to stay, then she could watch him train or something.

...no that just sounded creepy.  She shook that thought right out of her processor.

Her attention returned to the mission at hand as the alarms began to ring, watching as Wing took off down the hall.  Cyberwarp was going to have a much more difficult time staying hidden, and if she couldn't keep up then who knew what was going to happen.  The femme did her best as she chased after Wing, being extra careful not to be hit by incoming fire not intended for her.  She wanted to yell out to him to slow down so she could keep up, but she couldn't.  Not if she wanted to be caught anyway.

The only thing she could pray for now was that the prisoners weren't that much further ahead and that she could keep avoiding everyone else as shots grew dangerously close to her.

[Deleted]

Wing hoped that Cyberwarp was close behind as he ducked around a few corners. Slave ships were usually built similarly...with the cargo being held near the middle rather than a hull in the bottom. This, he supposed, was meant to stop them from escaping easily.

He was nearly there when he came upon another group of guards. One of them rushed him and he spun, dodging gracefully before charging forward to deal with the other three. The first one, thrown off balance, staggered forward until he connected with something...solid. He blinked at the 'empty' space before him, making a noise of confusion.

Fortunately, these guards were armed with blades, not guns. Wing swiftly disarmed them, much more versed in fighting someone using a melee weapon. Then, he left them unconscious, as he had the previous guards. As he fought, he spoke in Neocybex, knowing it was unlikely that the slavers would understand.

"The cargo should be just up ahead. I'll lead you to the chamber, then I'll continue on to the bridge."

He couldn't see Cyberwarp, but, he trusted her to do as she had said she would. He had sensed honor within her.

[Cyberwarp]

Oh thank Primus she was starting to catch up as some more of the guards began to head in Wing's direction.  She kept on going, but didn't anticipate the mech's dodge that sent one of the guards flying right into her.

She fought hard not to shriek as she was knocked onto the ground, quickly reaching for the light bender to make sure it was still on.  If they'd only hit her a little more to the right..  Other than that, she stayed perfectly still.  If she moved too much, the guard was going to know something more was up than just his imagination.

Once Wing had had the three disarmed, Cyberwarp knew it was safe to get back up.  There weren't any other guards around that she could tell, and she didn't want to leave the white mech hanging.  She wanted to give him a sign that she was there and that she was listening.  Very gently and quietly, she tapped on the wall with her servo twice to signal her agreement.

She was glad that they were closing in on the chamber, but that meant she would have to reveal herself before too much longer.  The femme couldn't just hide herself from those they were rescuing.  The real question was how were they going to react to someone with a Decepticon symbol on their chest?

[Deleted]

Wing relaxed when he heard the tap. Good. She was there. And she was smart. He was liking this femme more and more the more he was around her. She'd kept up with him, which was impressive, and, so far, she'd done exactly as he'd asked. For that, he was grateful.

The alarms were still blaring overhead, but, he couldn't be bothered with that now. The ship was large enough that the party from outside would take a while to find them. That said, he doubted there were many more guards. In his experience, a transport of this size, not expecting an attack like this, carried a crew of no more than twenty to thirty. He'd counted fifteen outside, and had taken down seven since entering. That left eight, and he doubted they would group up to attack. As long as they didn't, he could handle them.

He led Cyberwarp down the hall and around one last bend. As he had suspected, in a sort of cargo bay, were the cages. He paused in the entryway, just long enough for his yellow optics to sweep the 'cargo'. A large number of diverse species were crammed into the space. Few rose to regard him. Some were well enough, but chose to lay back and watch him warily. To majority were too malnourished, ill, or injured to do so. Sadness swept through his spark and he vented softly. This was why he did this. For these poor creatures who had no champions left.

He spoke softly to Cyberwarp, just in case someone may be listening

"Look after them, please. But be careful about it," despite their good intentions in rescuing them, the desperate could be dangerous, "Once you're inside, shut the door and lock it. I'll return for you once I clear the ship to help free them."

The door of the cargo bay was made to withstand a good deal of damage, and would hold well. Fortunately, it was made to be engaged manually, and the slavers hadn't realized what a threat they were dealing with.

Wing turned again to the empty hall, steeling himself. It would get more difficult now. They would be more ready to kill him. But, he would do his best to avoid slaying them in return. With that thought in mind, he would take off at a steady jog, down the hall.

[Cyberwarp]

Cyberwarp fully planned on following Wing's instructions, but not simply because he wanted her to do so.  There were people here that were suffering, and she genuinely wanted to help them in any way she could.  After everything she had done with Cyclonus and the others.. it almost felt like she was setting things right, even if just a little at a time.

As soon as Wing began to move, the femme tailed after him.  Unlike the mech, she didn't know how many guards there were on this ship, and needed to be prepared should any more try to flank them.  She'd leave it all to him to get her to where she needed to go, and he'd kept his word about making it so she didn't have to fight.

Once they went around the bend, Cyberwarp stopped to stare directly at the cages in the cargo bay.  She was completely and utterly mortified.  These poor creatures..  There were no words for this, and her spark immediately filled with sorrow and regret.  Regret in that this was what the Decepticons did to others who were captured..  She'd never seen it herself, but heard from others.

As Wing spoke softly to her, she whispered back to him.  "You too..  Please be safe."

The first chance she got, Cyberwarp immediately shut the cargo bay door and locked it.  She gave herself a moment, and then removed the light bender.  It would be as if she teleported right into the room for those in the cages.  With sad optics, she turned to face them, Decepticon insignia in plain sight.  "Don't worry..  I'm here to help with a friend of mine.  Please stay calm and we'll have you out of here before you know it.  We'll help you escape."

Friend..?  Was Wing really her friend?  The way it sounded when it left her vocalizer.. it sounded right.

[Deleted]

Wing couldn't help the smile that pulled at his features under his hood. How long had it been since he'd been able to trust someone like this on his missions? Well...never. It was a good feeling. To know that someone had his back. Normally, he would worry about the possibility of the slavers doing something to their cargo in order to keep it from being stolen. But, now they were protected.

He would return to the hold approximately an hour later.

As expected, they had divided their forces, making them all the easier to handle. Unfortunately, a poorly timed maneuver had gotten him a glancing blow to the shoulder. A hole in his robes revealed scorch marks on the top of the joint, where the blast of phaser fire had skimmed over it. Still, they were all incapacitated. He had then dragged the unresponsive figures outside, dumping them beside their fire. What they did when they woke up, and how they let this planet, was up to them.

As for the ship, it was locked down and ready to be prepped for takeoff.

He rapped on the door, just loudly enough to be heard.

"Cyberwarp? The ship is clear."

[Cyberwarp]

Cyberwarp did her best to not only keep the captives calm, but herself as well.  This whole thing was unsettling to her, and so strange.  She'd been used to having to harm others, and here she was actually getting to help those in need.  It was progress in the right direction, at least.. that's how she had felt.

She gasped lightly as she heard a knock on the door.  Cyberwarp stayed silent, unsure of what to do.  Was it Wing?  Oh she hoped it was Wing.  Opening the door without knowing could cause problems for them all, especially if it was an enemy on the other side.

Thankfully, Wing had been smart and spoke up, proclaiming that the coast was indeed clear.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Cyberwarp quickly opened the door back up so that Wing could come inside and help free the prisoners.  It'd be the first time since they started this impromptu mission that he'd be able to see her now that she didn't have the light bender activated.  "I'm glad you're alright, Wing.  Now to move to the escaping part of the plan?"

[Deleted]

Wing gave her a smile, pulling his hood back so that it fell behind his helm. He looked her over, checking for damage. Then he gave her a nod, moving into the room.

"How much fuel do you personally have? We are both capable of flight, so it may be wise for us to free them and leave the ship to their care after getting them somewhere safe. Though..." he paused.

Walking into the Crystal City with a former Decepticon would not please Dai Atlas. Wing rarely paid much mind to that sort of thing, but, he had no desire for Cyberwarp to be treated badly by his fellows. She was a sweet, gentle creature from what he had seen so far. He feared that the dogmatic pompousness that had crept into the Circle would have ill effects on one working so hard to find a new place of acceptance.

"For now, I would prefer that we not return to the Circle. I am...an oddity among them in my desire to reach out and help others. Where outsiders are concerned, particularly those who have been involved in the war at all, they are unwelcoming at best...and can be vocally abrasive. I do not wish for you to suffer that from my brethren."

He glanced at the cages and then back to her.

"Is there a place we can go? Away from the war? Anywhere you know of where we can be safe?"

The thought of leaving her alone had not even crossed his processor.

[Cyberwarp]

Cybewarp blinked in confusion as Wing suddenly began to look her over.  She wasn't sure what it was that he was doing at first, but eventually came to the realization that he was making sure that she wasn't injured.  It flattered her to be honest.  It wasn't something that she got with the Decepticons aside from a quick trip to a medic and then essentially being told to get right back to work.

"I.. have enough fuel to get by for a little while.  I would say.. a few days?  I honestly wasn't prepared at all..  I just was in such a hurry to leave that I wasn't thinking of a long term plan.  Just the short term one."

However, Wing's next words left a large impact on her.  He didn't want to take her to the Circle of Light, but not for the reason that he didn't want to.  It was because he didn't want her to be treated badly by the others.  He would have been correct in his words.  If she had gone to the Circle with him and received the negative treatment, she would have eventually made a run for it again, and that would have gravely upset her further than she had been when the mech found her earlier on.

If he didn't want that for her.. then he must have genuinely cared about her.  It was enough to bring happy tears to Cyberwarp's optics.

"I.. I don't really know.  I've heard.. of this galaxy called the Milky Way.  There's a few planets there, and only one with extraterrestrial life.  It's so far from Cybertron and remote that I don't believe anyone would head that way.  Do you think that's a good place?"  They would have to find fuel of course, but the more she thought about it.. the more she realized that she was already planning to do this with Wing!

"I want to go with you..  I want to see what the Circle of Light has to offer, but.. maybe wherever we go.. you could show me what could be if you take me there one day.  Once things have settled..  I really feel like I can trust you after this mission, Wing.  I'm glad I met you."

For the first time, Cyberwarp smiled brightly at Wing.

[Deleted]

Wing nodded, taking in what she told him and making his mental calculations. They could at least make a hospitable area and top off for a long flight. That could get them a good deal of distance...

His planning was cut off by her tears. At first, he internally panicked, wondering what he'd said to upset her. He vaguely registered her giving an idea for a destination, his processor still trying to compute what could have upset her. Then, she continued. And it clicked in his mind that she...was happy.

He was in awe. This little bit of kindness had made her so happy as to cry? She'd talked about a poor life before...but...was this kind of caring really so foreign? Apparently. He found himself smiling gently in return. He would do his best, he promised, to make sure that she always had at least one person to stand by. One shoulder to lean on. One friend who would always be loyal. He would continue to care.

"And I am glad to have met you, Cyberwarp," he gently reached out and took her servo, pressing it between both of his in a sign of sincerity, "It warms my spark to know that you trust me, and to tell you that I trust you as well. I hope that we can become very good friends."

It was so very difficult to find like-minded bots in this war torn time. Finding her...it had to be the will of Primus.

He released her servo.

"The Milky Way sounds like as good a place as any. We'll stop somewhere to supply for our journey and then make our way there. Perhaps we will find somewhere to settle for a bit in peace."

[Cyberwarp]

Cyberwarp watched with a mixture of amazement and surprise as Wing took her servo into his own pair.  It was a feeling she had never quite experienced before.  She'd merged with Cyclonus and the others of the Galvatronus group many a time, but to actually experience the warmth of another in such a simple way..

"I hope that we can, too.  You're the nicest mech I've ever met, and.. no one's ever been so nice to me before."

It was such a strange concept, and yet wasn't it what she had wanted for others?  Maybe there was some truth in the saying 'treat those as you wish to be treated'.  True, her comrades did care to a degree, but at the end of the day, they were all just literal parts to a much bigger machine, one she didn't even have much control over.  It was all to be done Cyclonus' way.. and it didn't matter if someone thought he was in the wrong.

The femme let her servo linger in the air for a brief moment after Wing let go, wishing that it could have gone on only a little bit longer.  Maybe they'd get more times like that in the future, especially considering he was walking away from what he knew just so she didn't have to go it alone.  Wing truly didn't need to do so much for her, but at the same time.. a part of her wanted to stay with him even a bit longer.

"That sounds wonderful.  I can't wait to see what peace is like."