>>”You missed. How could you miss, Brawl? I gave you exact firing solutions! Ugh…Onslaught, the Autobots are getting away. I can still make them out. I’m going to fire on them.”<< After all, the boss had let Brawl out for a walk. His sensors darted to the edge of the forest that Vortex was presently grounded in as he registered movement. Two vehicles going into the forest? Closer inspection determined that Autobot transponders came from them.
Frag.
Vortex had a lot of back up as it was, but a little aerial support didn’t hurt. Frag these Autobots. Did they think they could attack one of their own and get away with it? Firing an x-ray laser down at Prowl and Rook in two short bursts, he turned his attention back to the other group of Autobots who had fled from the road. Another barrage for them. All the while, Blast-Off transmitted more firing solutions.
>>”Here are the Autobots, Brawl. Don’t miss again.”<<
Forest
When his comrades didn’t immediately follow him, it confirmed Red Alert’s worst fears. They had deserted him. Left him to die. This was a trap, and he had just flung himself headlong into it. Stupid! He should have been more careful. He should have…
>>Red Alert, we are going to race as hard as possible to the ranger station so we can get you and the package bounced out of here. After that Pinpoint and I will stick around to deal with the Cons. Once you secure the ordinance then you can return if you choose.<<
Primus help him. He was playing right into their hands. D-Did they do something to the missile that he was carrying? Impossible! Red had made sure of that. H-Hadn’t he? Indecision crippled him as he raced through the trees.
"Red Alert, I've got your back. Concentrate on getting to base and I'll cover you. Hot Shot, should I engage if fired upon?"
They were coming. There was no time. Wh-what should he do?! F-Focus! Remember your training! As he tried to calm himself enough to make a decision, Prowl’s reply cut sharply through his thoughts.
>>”Of course I sent her, Red, and no one’s keeping you in the dark. In case you haven’t noticed yet we need reinforcements because we’re outnumbered. Can’t you just accept help without complaining about it or assuming that someone's out to get you? Stow your paranoia for once and focus on the mission!”<<
Why would Prowl say that?! Of course, Pinpoint was sent by him. She was in league with him. He could tell she doubted him. Disrespected him. They all did. Red wasn’t wrong. Oh Primus, how he wished he was. They were all out to get him. Get the Autobots. Prowl and his minions. He just knew Prowl had something to do with the Fallen. Something to do with everything fishy and wrong that had happened recently. How many had he turned to his side?!
>>Red Alert, Pinpoint, slight change to plans. Red is taking the missile with him back to the Ark-22. Pinpoint and I will disassemble the computer terminal we brought down and then bounce back. We fire on the Cons only in self-defense. Remember this mission is supposed to be an in and out mission. Hopefully the Cons will remember the infiltration protocols as well.<<
Hot Spot had fought with Prowl earlier but now he seemed more than happy to cooperate. Had that all been a ruse?! To gain his trust?! No. No! No, no, no, no…! What should he-
“Augh!”
He was hit. Red was hurt. Where?! Where had it come from?! Red didn’t have much time to ponder that as he skidded and spiraled out of control. Transforming, Red clutched the missile to his chest and crashed through the trees at speed before sliding to a painful halt. Biting back the pain, Red staggered to his feet, lifting his gun and pointing it. Right at the two oncoming Autobots.
>>”Stop. B-Both of you! Now. Which of you did that?!”<<