Decending Wrath

[Syndicate]

(August 15, 4:44AM, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada)

Anyone nearby who happened to be awake and looking at the sky at the time may have noticed the streak of light that trailed across the sky. Most would be likely to dismiss it as a "shooting star" but those who happened to be at the local air force base were going to be in for an early morning surprise. The object that had caused the streak struck the Earth just outside the base and, after a moment uncurled itself. The large femme looked around, noting the small commotion she had caused. That was not something she wanted much to deal with at all, she just wanted to find the base of her faction and establish her med bay be it there or at an outpost of some sort. In all honesty she would likely find an outpost more preferable, less crowded that way. She spotted a jet out on display, an F-117 Nighthawk. Large, black, an obvious stealth jet, it would suffice. Promptly scanning the vehicle she transformed and took off into the air. She had no idea where she was going but at least in the air the small indigenous race of this planet would be less likely to find her. She also had stealth capabilities to fall back on even if they did manage to scramble themselves into order in time to catch up to her. All she had to do was find her way to the base, or find a Decepticon whichever came first.

[Darkwind]

An F-37 Talon cruised through the air by the Air Force base, ignoring its presence. The human military bases were of no importance, unless an order was given to destroy them. At the moment, there was no such order, allowing the Talon to remain in the air. There was no pilot within the cockpit, but the jet, bearing the Decepticon insignia, had no need for a pilot. A holoform, perhaps, but she'd never had need of that yet.

Had she been in robot mode, Darkwind would have quirked an optic ridge in slight curiosity at a nearby signal, one she was quite familiar with, yet had not seen at all in quite some time. </"Syndicate."\> Her voice was calm and even, as if merely making an observation. It wasn't that she didn't care at all, it was just how she'd always been.

[Syndicate]

The Nighthawk didn't even falter in her flight, despite being a bit surprised at haring that particular voice. </"Darkwind, it's been a long time."\> she answered calmly and evenly. As far as Syndicate knew Darkwind was still a Decepticon and, thus, could help her reach the appropriate base. She sought out the familiar signal and headed towards it, leaving her own easily detectable. She should have nothing to fear from the other femme after all. Soon Darkwind came into sight and Syndicate positioned herself to fly beside her. </"I see you've found a suiting alt mode."\>

[Darkwind]

</"And you have found one as well."\> Darkwind replied. She observed Syndicate for a few moments, noticing something very different about her trine mate. </"You have changed."\> She finally stated, saying nothing about the apparent lack of her Sparkmate being around. The war had separated many Sparkmates, willingly or unwillingly. Though, there was a different question she wished to ask about the mech that had captured Syndicate's Spark. </"Has Direwind switched sides?"\>

[Syndicate]

Syndicate was quiet for quite for a few minutes after hearing that question before finally giving an answer. </"No. Direwind is dead. The Autobots killed him. I could have saved him but they wouldn't allow me to."\> Rage filled her at the memory and an immense pain shot through her entire frame, the worst of it being in her very spark as it called desperately for that which was no longer there. She seemed to waver a bit in her flight, letting out a soft grunt as she tried to ignore the pain. Due to her traveling and her need for entry it had been a while since she was able to have any lithium, something she planned to fix once she had a safe and private place. For now she would have to fight against it, as much as it may pain her.

Her processor did it's best to help her push through in the only way it knew how. She saw a familiar figure flying alongside her opposite of Darkwind. It was Direwind, or at least it looked like it. She knew he wasn't really there, that was an impossibility, but the sight of him was something of a comfort. And yet at the same time it haunted her. She could feel her spark reaching out towards the image her processor projected but feel nothing there. "I know it hurts, but you'll get through this. I know you, Syn, the pain won't stop you when you've felt worse." She heard that voice and it sent a strangely calming chill down her frame. While she would not speak to him in front of others she would still listen, and he was right. She ha endured worse. That moment when his spark went out was the worst feeling in the universe, an insurmountable agony as you felt half of yourself ripped away forcibly in one instant, and the half you loved more than yourself at that. As her flight became a bit more steady once more she brought her attention back to Darkwind. </"I assume you are still with the Decepticons."\>

[Darkwind]

Darkwind was silent for a few moments. As much as she may have disliked Direwind for his decision to join the Autobots, which pulled Syndicate with him, she would never have wished this on her trinemate. </"Yes, I am still with the Decepticons. Cloudstreaker still is as well, last I saw of her."\> It had been quite some time since Darkwind had last seen the other femme, so she really didn't know exactly what was going on. She had, however, noticed the waver in Syn's flight path. </"The base is an hour or so flight. Are you going to be alright?"\>

[Syndicate]

</"I'll be fine."\> she told Darkwind simply. </"I just need to get to the base and find myself someplace... private. I will be needing my own med bay, that much is for certain. I can tend to be a bit particular about my work environment so I can be efficient when it is most necessary."\> That wasn't the only reason, and Syndicate was well aware of that, but it was a sufficient explanation. After all, anyone with an ounce of sense would want the medic to be in an environment where they can work to their maximum potential. No one want's to be lying on the table watching the medic who is charged with saving their life frantically search for the appropriate tools. </"How is the medical staff here anyway? Obviously I was sent out of necessity."\>

She saw the image of her sparkmate smile beside her. "We'll have our time together soon. They sent you here so they should be expecting you and have arranged a private quarters." He was right, her landing should have been anticipated for some time now, surely preparations had been made. She may not have her own private med bay prepared but she should have a private quarters at least. If they, for whatever reason, tried to deny her her own med bay she'd build it herself in her own quarters if she had to. She would have what she required, that she knew for certain. She would allow nothing less. </"I assume by your wording that it has been quite some time since you have seen Cloudstreaker."\>

[Darkwind]

</"Knockout is currently in charge of medical, which is quite a step above having Scalpel or Flatline."\> Darkwind replied. </"As far as a personal med bay, I'm not sure. It has, however, been quite some time since I last saw Cloudstreaker."\> She did have to wonder what was going on with their third trine mate, and when they would see her again. </"I have not heard anything of her death, so it would be more likely that she is still online."\>

[Syndicate]

</"Knockout, hmm? I've not really heard of him but I suppose I will be meeting him soon. You say he is better than others, how so?"\> She had to admit, she was curious. She had never heard of a medic in the Decepticon ranks by the name of 'Knockout' and had to wonder how he had come to be in charge. She hoped they were not so bad off that they had put a novice in such an important position. If that was the case she'd see to it that that changed. </"I assure you I will have my own personal med bay, even if I must construct it in my own quarters with my own two hands."\>

She saw the way her Sparkmate seemed to react to her frustration beside her. It was no surprise, he could feel everything she felt as she felt it. No, he couldn't, it just appeared that way. The image only reacted that way because of her own processor. It knew how she was feeling and that, were her sparkmate alive, he would feel those frustrations from her. It made him react accordingly, he could not feel her, just as she could not feel him. </"I do hope Cloudstreaker is still online, losing a sparkmate was enough."\>

[Darkwind]

</"He only does the repairs needed, for one."\> Was Darkwind's response. </"And I do not think the other Decepticons would object to you having your own Med Bay. Efficiency is key in a war."\> The sniper knew the sentence to be completely true. After all, if a sniper wasn't efficient, then they were likely to be discovered, and killed. </"I'm sure she's fine. She can take care of herself."\>

[Syndicate]

</"I assume that means he also does not make repairs as painful as possible or do any further damage."\> Syndicate knew well the nasty habits some other Decepticon medics. It frustrated her, but there was no changing it and she knew that. It would be something of a relief to have another medic on their side who did not have any of those nasty habits. </"And no one wants an inefficient medic when they're the one under the knife. Refusing me what I require does run that risk."\>

</"I know Cloudstreaker can handle herself but this is a war, there are casualties. We can be sure of nothing until we have some form of verification, and the best verification we could get would be to see her face to face once more."\> She glanced to the image of her sparkmate again as he seemed to smile reassuringly. Would seeing her really be enough to verify she was alive or would it just be another trick of the mind? No, seeing her should suffice. She only saw this image of Direwind because of the bond she had with him. She had no bond with Cloudstreaker and, thus, her processor shouldn't create a false image of her trinemate.

[Darkwind]

</"As far as I have heard. I have not had a need to visit the med bay."\> Darkwind responded. </"And I would daresay that refusing you what you require would set the offender on the path for objects getting thrown at them."\> There was no change in tone that would indicate that she was joking, but those who had spent time with her knew that this was light humor for the sniper. </"It would be best. Hopefully, she will find her way here quickly."\>

[Syndicate]

</"Yes, it certainly would run that risk."\> Syndicate answered simply. She did find the comment slightly amusing, though not enough to make her show it outwardly. </"Hopefully whoever I need to see about having my own med bay will be reasonable without having to endure any physical... discomfort before being so."\> She was quiet for a moment, the haunting image beside her reacting accordingly by showing concern. </"I do hope to see Cloudstreaker again soon, it's been too long... How much further is the base?"\> Even with her sparkmate's image there to comfort her she was still feeling the pain and overall strain on her body. She needed her lithium, and soon, but she would not allow anyone to know of her addiction, not even Darkwind.

[Darkwind]

</"Just up ahead. You can get ready to land."\> Darkwind replied, decending and decelerating as the base came into view. When she was close enough, she transformed and landed before turning to wait for Syndicate. She had a neutral stance, her face neutral as well. Her wings were not folded completely up behind her, though were still held a bit higher than most airframe wings would be.

[Syndicate]

Syndicate followed Darkwind's lead, descending as well and reducing her own speed as the base came into view. Her frame began to become unsteady once more before she too transformed as she came in to land. She hit the ground and went into a crouch, wincing for just a moment after the impact before standing, watching Direwind land gracefully beside her as she did so. There was one thing her processor never did get right about that image. If she was suffering and in as much pain as she was he should be effected by it, but he never was. He remained without pain, unaffected by their separation. Part of her felt it was better that way, knowing how much more it would hurt to see him suffer, but at the same time it served as a bittersweet reminder that he was not real. She turned away from Direwind to address her trinemate once more. </"So this is our base here? It is not of standard Cybertronian architecture. In fact it seems to resemble the building I landed near. Are we allied with the dominant race here?"\>