Shattered Glass - Perdition

/internal comm./

Solar Cycle – 1 day

Cycle – 1 hour

Stellar Cycle – 1 year

Astrosecond – 1 second

Deca-cycle – 2 weeks

Klik - 1 minute

Astrosecond - second

SG Earth

"You mean to tell me, that you have had a traitor in your ranks for Primus knows how many solar cycles and you weren't aware of it?"

Prowl's dark doorwings, held high and proud on his back, twitched almost un-noticeably at the clipped baritone voice over the comm. "I was aware of a spy, I was not aware of his identity. He has now been captured trying to help our guests leave prematurely."

"Is that so? I trust you will find out what information he has sent to the Decepticons?"

Prowl straightened. "I will Prime. You can be assured of that."

"It seems I can be assured of nothing Prowl." Prime's optics narrowed as he studied his SIC with faint contempt and ire. "I want the guests brought to me, relatively unharmed in one solar cycle, without fail. I trust you can manage that Prowl?"

"Of course Prime." Prowl spoke with a carefully measured tone. "Sir what of Mirage?"

"You can deal with him as you deem fit, he's of no use to me."

"Thank you Prime."

"Good. Do not disappoint me again Prowl, I am told that the first time you suffer the penalty for such a travesty is the most degrading and painful experience you could live through." Prime tilted his scarred helm almost too casually. "I believe it would be your first failure would it not Prowl?"

"You are correct Prime, as always." Prowl replied his voice betraying nothing, but his hands were clenched into tight fists out of sight from the monitor.

"Consider yourself warned Prowl. I am not normally so generous but I know I won't have to repeat myself to you. Prime out."

The comm. cut off. Prowl remained rigid in his seat staring at the blank screen. A whisper of air passed through his intakes, he hadn't been aware he'd even been holding them in. Shuttering his optics briefly he forced himself to relax, fighting the murderous urge bubbling within him.

/Jazz my office./

Prowl's fingers drifted absently over the patched wound in his chest. The newcomers were proving more trouble than he deemed them to be worth. He'd already forced out the information for both Autobot and Decepticon bases back in their universe; it wouldn't take too long to defeat both with a well coordinated attack, one which he was silently working on when Jazz knocked quietly at his open door.

"Come in Jazz, I have work for you."

Jazz stood to attention at the front of Prowl's desk.

"I have to interrogate Mirage so we can ascertain what information he's passed to our enemies."

Jazz nodded in quiet agreement. "What do you need me to do?"

Prowl's optics brightened as a thin smile graced his lips. "Set up the arena and take our guests to the cube."

Jazz's optics widened in surprise. "Really Sir? We haven't used it in some time."

Prowl got up from his desk. "Jazz drop the pretense and stand at ease."

Jazz relaxed a little as Prowl paced to the window, he enjoyed his superior's company when he was in a more amenable temperament, Jazz only wished that he didn't have to bear the brunt of Prowl's frequent rages.

"I am well aware of the current unrest among us. I feel that my mechs could use some light entertainment." He turned a sly quirk of his mouth caused Jazz to grin. "Don't you agree Jazz?"

"Most definitely!"

"Good." Prowl moved to stand before his subordinate, optics moving over his frame casually as he spoke. "I also want the human prisoners brought out as well."

"The ones that tried t' escape?"

"The very same. I trust all preparations can be completed in the next four cycles?"

"Count on it Prowl." Jazz grinned eagerly. "I'll see t' it personally."

Prowl returned his smile with a dip of his helm, bringing his hand up he ran a finger along the jagged black helm, causing Jazz to shudder slightly, tension visible in his frame at the unexpected contact. "I have no doubt. Get to work."

"Right away." Jazz swelled at the indirect praise and dashed from the room as Prowl folded his arms. It was going to be a very interesting few solar cycles.

Mirage moved away from the door slowly, bracing himself for whatever came through.

Starscream stood between Thundercracker, now joined by Skywarp and Prowl, both still seated on their berths. Ever Sunstreaker was sat up waiting anxiously as the heavy footfalls grew closer.

The door slid open with a hiss, Prowl noticed Starscream take a step back as Jazz entered the room. He caught a glance of his red optics and frowned at the almost imperceptible tremor in Starscream's frame. Turning back to the door he glared at Jazz, remembering his last violent and traumatic encounter with the mech.

Jazz smiled widely as he held Prowl's glare. He approached the berth and with a flick of his hand he gestured to the guards accompanying him. "Take the traitor to Prowl. I will take these myself."

Mirage hollered as the guards grabbed him roughly, Sunstreaker jumped down to try and help only to be knocked back onto his aft with the butt of a rifle. He yelped loudly as the guard struck him a few more times, ignoring Mirage's protests and struggles.

"Stop this!" Prowl demanded loudly. Jazz held up his hand, the guard stopped instantly waiting his next command; he flicked his hand once more. The guards drew back, taking Mirage with them. The spy gave a slight nod to Prowl his optics dark with anxiety and fear as he was forced out the door.

Jazz grabbed Prowl roughly, dragging him off the berth bringing their chests close to touching. Being almost the same height Jazz barely had to look up to stare Prowl in the optics. His black hand closed around Prowl's neck tightly causing the black and white mech to jerk back. Pulling him back with a growl Jazz leered at him. "Don't ever presume to give me a demand Prowl. You take orders from me or you and your friends will suffer greatly." He leaned closer their faces close enough to feel the hot air cycling through their vents. "How I'd love to hear you scream for me again. Give me a reason Prowl, I could use the enjoyment."

Prowl's jaw was clenched tightly, his repaired processor restraining his anger and loathing for this strange version of Jazz. "Consider yourself deprived." He uttered darkly. Jazz growled softly a grin forming on his twisted features, his visor locked on Prowl.

"We'll see Prowl, we'll see." He dragged Prowl out of the med bay, gesturing to yet more guards who arrived to collect the others. Prowl could not deny his anxiety as the shouts of protests and hollers of pain, responding to the guards rough treatment, echoed down the dark hallway.