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AT2 chapter 1
I'm posting this in the hope that it might encourage me to get it finished. I used to write a lot of fanfic (not for Transformers though) back in 2003-05/6 ish, but then fandoms generally decided fanfic was 'srs bsns' and I gave it up and took up drawing instead as I lost confidence in my ability to tell a story. I started writing again because the musou meme is anonymous and as I love writing I'll do it anonymously all day long if I've got something to write about.
Pre-fic ramble.
In ref to this story, it's a AU G1 cartoon/IDWverse setting. It's only based loosely in IDW up to about Sideswipe's spotlight because the rest hadn't come out when I'd written this. I might incorporate elements of later issues if they fit when I pick this up again.
I get tempted to loosely sketch out the ideas for the rest of it and re-do it completely as a comic but I'm undecided as of yet.
The story doesn't ever really rate higher than a young teen at best, as I can't/don't write smut and any rating is more for language/violence, but that's kind of general and as everyone swears in a Cybertronian fashion I'm not sure if it counts anyway. But this fic is very Hound/Sideswipe if you squint. Because I'm the only person in the universe that ships them godamnit.
There is one '.....' in this chapter. I'm nerdy enough to actually want to work out the genuine distance between Cybertron and the Algol System. Did I ever mention I have a passing interest in astronomy? I'll fill in the detail when I've got it, until then just add a random number or something.
It'd been a while since he'd seen the wide city state streets of Iacon. He'd been off planet for so long now that the metallic gleam of his homeworld felt almost alien now. Hound found the building he was looking for and stepped inside. Cybertron had changed much since he'd last seen it; the devastated husks of buildings and bodies of Cybertronians were gone, replaced by towers, homes and busy streets.
He approached the door with a slight trepidation. How long had it been since he'd last seen Prime? Though Optimus wasn't as inaccessible as some of his predecessors or the members of the senate, he was still not seen by lower orders frequently. Not that Hound had tried to gain an audience; on the contrary, his presence had been requested by Prime.
Thoughts of what he could possibly be wanted for circled in his mind. Prime hadn't given any more information than stress that time was an important factor. The door opened automatically as he neared, admitting him to the spacious room beyond.
His optics automatically scanned the room, taking note of its lack of other occupants as he was warmly greeted by Optimus.
"Thank you, Hound. Your quick response is appreciated."
Hound shook the outstretched hand offered to him. "No problem, Prime. It sounded urgent." He took the seat gestured to him and patiently waited for Prime to speak.
"I'm going to come straight to the point. I need your help."
"My help?" The concern in Prime's optics did little to help alleviate the initial trepidation, it heightened it. Something was wrong.
"We lost contact with the scout ship, the Anaxagorus, in the Algol System two deca-cycles ago. The last communication we received from them contained an incomplete data file on what appears to be a small derelict ship on Algol Three's second moon." Optimus handed Hound a small data pad. "We believe from the communication that an geomagnetic storm knocked out some of the ships systems, forcing the crew to crash land somewhere in the Algol system. Probably on one of her moons or on Algol Three itself."
Hound looked at the data pad, taking in the information on the lost ship's schematics, mission, crew and cargo. "This is a rescue mission then?"
"I hope so, Hound. " Prime softly shook his head. "Which just leaves the question, will you go? I know you left the military ranks, but when..."
"You know I will, Prime. Jetfire's a good 'bot. If he's out there, I'll find him."
"Thank you. I've assembled a small team to accompany you."
On those words the door opened admitting Hound's team members into the room. Hound's reaction to seeing Perceptor again after all this time was one of warmth. On the other hand, Hound internally groaned when he saw the flash of red that emerged from behind Perceptor. Sideswipe.
His first impressions of Sideswipe had, on serving with him, been turned around. However, this didn't mean he didn't think the 'bot wasn't a pain in the aft to work with. He was greeted with a handshake from Perceptor.
"Hoist is waiting for us at the spaceport. I have determined the probable trajectory of the Anaxagorus' flight path based on the little information we have received. I surmise that following that trajectory would lead to having most likely caused them to crash on the far side of Algol Three's largest moon. Providing they haven't sustained a significant hull breach then the ship should withstand the moon's violent storms for up to and possibly exceeding half a stellar cycle, though if there is substantial damage, what remains of the hull will only provide them adequate protection in the very short term."
Hound smiled. "Good to see you too, Perceptor." He turned and nodded acknowledgement towards the other newcomer, who looked bored. "Sideswipe." He received back an equally short greeting.
Perceptor turned to Prime. "Time is of the essence, Optimus. So now our final party member has joined us I would suggest we embark immediately. Jetfire may not be able to wait much longer."
Optimus nodded. "Report to me as soon as you know anything, and good luck." He turned back to Hound. "Perceptor will bring you up to date with everything."
Taking his leave, Hound followed the other two out of the door down into the streets of Iacon to a waiting transport. As they travelled to the space port to meet Hoist and board their designated ship, Perceptor filled in the gaps. "I presume Optimus has filled you in on the basics what has happened and what we know so far?"
"Yes."
"In that case, I can fill you in on the more sensitive information now. The Algol System is located ...... from Cybertron. Initially forays into the system yielded little of interest and is inhospitable in the extreme."
Even though he'd not seen it for a long time, Hound recognised the particular look that Perceptor's optics got whenever he launched into one of his long winded lectures. He shifted slightly to get comfortable and envied Sideswipe's lucky escape in the control cab of the transport. Though if there was sensitive information he needed to know, it explained the transport rather than getting there under their own steam. He forced himself to concentrate on what Perceptor was telling him, though it was hard when the 'bot used fifteen words to explain what five could adequately cover.
"...shortly after Jetfire, Skids and I set up the new Cooperative Science Institute in Praxus a small unmanned surveyor craft was sent out. Before the war we used to send them out regularly; standard procedure. So we started up again.
"This one had been out, transmitting data back to the institute for just over half a vorn, showing nothing out of the ordinary until it reached the Algol System. The readings that were sent back on the scan of Algol Three's moon had a shadow. Obviously we analysed all the data to determine what was the cause. We could find no obvious answer, so we looked beyond the possibilities of atmospheric or geological conditions. Every observational method we could think of yielded no concrete results. It was therefore concluded that we should send a small team with an adequately equipped scientific vessel to investigate.
"Jetfire and Skids were given permission by the Science Council to continue investigating the anomaly." Perceptor paused, as if he was scanning the small transport in case their security was compromised. He started to speak again. "From the limited data that Jetfire could send back before they disappeared, it would appear they indeed did find a ship."
"Prime mentioned it," Hound said. "Though I was told it was derelict."
"Ah, that's where Optimus was not entirely accurate. It's purely in the interests of security you were told that originally. The only way we were able to discover what the ship was at all was with direct visual contact. The ship is seemingly abandoned, or at least all attempts to establish contact have so far failed. What's so interesting is that we have no instruments of any kind that can register it exists beyond a vague shadow.
"To be honest, if it wasn't for Skids seeing a pattern in the what appeared to be random energy shifts surrounding it, I would have passed it over as being just some kind of weather front. Algol Three's moons have an atmosphere similar to Algol Three itself and have inclement weather to say the least.
"It's fascinating as it would seem the ship has shields beyond our capabilities. I'm excited by the prospect of possibly getting to study them further."
Hound smiled to himself. "You may get a chance. Finding Jetfire and Skids is our first priority."
"Yes, yes. Of course." Perceptor looked mortified that any one would think he though otherwise.
Hound laughed at Perceptor's expression. "Don't worry, I know what you mean." In all the years he'd known Preceptor, the only way he'd not have learnt Perceptor's habit of getting totally immersed in his work to the exclusion of all else would have been to spend the last at least six million years in stasis lock.
The vessel they'd been assigned was a small but capable ship, the Secutor. A well armoured attack vessel from the war that was modified and still in service. On arrival they were told be a 'port worker that Hoist was already aboard and waiting for them. Walking onto the ship's small bridge, they were greeting warmly. "Hound! It's been a while." Hoist grabbed his hand and shook it enthusiastically.
"It's good to see you again, Hoist. It's been too long."
"Well, you will spend your time on a completely different planet from the rest of us." He laughed. "How is Earth these days anyway?"
"Same as ever, still the mudball it's always been."
Sideswipe pushed past them, taking his place at the helm. "I don't know if you noticed, but we've got to get this rustbucket underway. We're not here for a social."
Hoist nudged Hound good naturedly. "Still in love with the place then." He took his place on the bridge. "Well, Sideswipe's got a point. Let's get moving."
Hound took the central command seat when gestured to it by Perceptor. "It's your mission, Hound."
Even at transwarp, the journey wasn't quick. Hound had spent the time acquainting himself with the ships capabilities and the conditions of the Algol system. He was worried about Jetfire and Skids. Were they injured? How much damage had their ship taken and could it protect them? Were they even alive?
Hound attempted to distract himself from contemplating the worst by spending as much time with his team mates as possible. Despite their differences, he spent quite some time with Sideswipe more than the other two. Hound had come to the conclusion that under the circumstances, getting used to a less relaxed atmosphere and way of working was a practical approach. Out of all of them, Sideswipe seemed to retain more military habits
Sideswipe reminded him of this on a daily basis, which mildly irked him. He wasn't sure whether to give Sideswipe the benefit of the doubt and appreciate what he was trying to do, or be irritated with him for taking a constant dig every day. It was coming out of recharge into the second mega cycle they'd been travelling that Sideswipe finally confronted him as he was leaving the small crew chamber.
"How long's it been since you last had to give or follow orders?"
Hound turned to face him. "What do you mean?"
Sideswipe looked like he was going to sigh. Instead he almost glared straight at Hound's optics. "Look, I know I was a glitch in the cerebro's the last time we served together, and though I never said it, you made a pretty good commander. But how long's it been since you lead an operation?"
"Obviously not recently enough if your comments are anything to go by."
If there was an edge to Hound's voice, it was so faint that Sideswipe didn't notice it. "I'm not saying you're not up to the job, Hound. I know you are, and if Optimus believes you're the best for the job then I'm not going to argue." He grinned. "Well, not too much anyway." The smile disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared. "What I'm saying is, is that I've got concerns to the smooth running of this mission."
Hound did sigh, then realised as Sideswipe looked at him like he'd just turned blue, that he'd spent so much time around humans he was picking up their body language; as much as a mech could. "Do you think you could do a better job?" There was no sarcastic tone, just a genuinely honest question.
"To be honest? In some ways no, in others, yes. But this is your call. I can't make it for you. I'm just concerned that so much time spent as a civilian, and not even on Cybertron, may have 'compromised your efficiency' as Perceptor put it."
The ship took that moment to shake slightly causing Hound to brace himself against the wall to regain his footing. Sideswipe just used Hound's shoulder as the nearest available hand hold. The shaking eased enough for them to stand straight, so Hound took off in the direction of the bridge with Sideswipe hot on his heels.
"Report." Hound barked as he stepped onto the bridge.
Perceptor turned to answer. "Nothing serious, a minor collision with a small asteroid that seemed to come out of nowhere. However, our sensors should have picked it up so I'm running a diagnostic to ascertain if there is a problem with them and Hoist is making repairs to the minor damage we took."
"Good." Hound paused for a moment. "Perceptor, once you've finished with your diagnostics, can I speak with you?"
Perceptor nodded. "Of course. I am at your disposal as soon as I'm finished here."
"Thank you." Hound took his seat and turned his head as he noticed Sideswipe on the bridge standing near him. "I thought you were off to recharge?"
Sideswipe shrugged. "I'll get there when I get there."
"Then go now. I need my crew at their peak, we don't know what we might find." Hound turned to look back at the viewscreen in front of him.
"Looks like someone's picking up old habits fast. Needn't of worried about you not being able to give orders." Sideswipe muttered as he stomped off the bridge.
The repairs went smoothly, Perceptor had found no sign of malfunction with the sensors so it had been written off as a one off dip in sensor efficiency. All was noted in the report Hound prepared to transmit back to Optimus Prime, and given no further thought to. Hound was back to planning out the most efficient search pattern with the information Perceptor had given him on the system. The scout ship wasn't large enough to afford separate quarters and as there was nothing in the crew chamber except individual recharge chambers. The only place on the ship affording him room to work was the small recreation room which would have been crowded if they'd all been in there at once.
Hound had been working without break for longer than he cared to remember. The Algol System was a binary system and the solar activity was high, giving rise to increased solar flares which meant the interference to electrical and radio equipment and communication was quite high. Hound was also aware of his own vulnerability to electromagnetic interference, which meant when he wasn't working or in recharge, he was working with Perceptor and Hoist in tweaking his own systems to cope with the increased electromagnetic waves.
Hound sat back and shut off his optics, giving himself a breem to organise his thoughts. The sound of the door opening made him cut off his quick respite and bring his optics back online.
"Sorry to disturb you, Hound."
Hound straightened himself up. "It's okay, Hoist. I wasn't exactly resting."
Hoist sat down opposite. "Sideswipe's informed me we'll be at the Algol system in approximately three breems. We'll begin a sensor scan of the system, try to pick up some kind of trace of the Anaxagorus. Though after this length of time I doubt there will be much to pick up."
Hound had expected to feel a certain amount of trepidation on reaching the Algol system as this was where the real work started. But instead he found himself feeling relieved. He was concerned for Jetfire and Skids. The time he'd taken to get here was just more time he felt he couldn't afford to lose. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll go and programme in the scanning pattern and set the autopilot to follow the flight path. Tell Perceptor I'll need him to keep monitoring the sensors and sensor diagnostics. Sideswipe I'll need at the helm to override the autopilot should it become necessary."
"That leaves us."
"It does. I need your help to make a few modifications to the small shuttle. One we've got a lock on the crash site, I want us to take the shuttle down and scout the area, treat any casualties and start affecting repairs."
They left the recreation room, Hound feeling better than he had done for days. Maybe Sideswipe confronting him had helped. Hound was not one for a crisis crash, but he felt when it came to command of a team, he was certainly a little rusty. The shuttle was just about big enough for two medium sized 'bots. The small bay it was crammed into was barely enough room for them to work in, but then their vessel had been designed for war, not comfort. Hound had recognised the class of vessel as soon as he'd seen it. A small ship used for short range attacks and planetary defence. Not a lot of use for a rescue mission in some ways, but chosen for the strength of it's hull shielding. The solar wind of the Algol system was not to be taken lightly.
Hound left Hoist working on the shuttle while he temporarily left to programme in the scanning pattern and programme the autopilot then returned to help Hoist finish up the work on the sensors and shuttle's shields.
"Finished up here. Are you ready?"
Hound looked up from the small console he was working at. "Very nearly. Just a few nano-klicks. There." He closed the small access port and pressed a few buttons in sequence. "Now we need to see if the main scan will turn up anything."
They returned back to the bridge. Sideswipe instantly updated them. "Perceptor hasn't managed to isolate any trail that could lead to the Anaxagorus but on our second sweep of AT2 we not only picked up the 'shadow' of that ship, but we think we've located what could be the Anaxagorus."
Hound looked hopeful. To find them this quick was more than he could have asked for. "Any idea of the ship's condition?"
"We've only just picked it up on scanners. I can give you better readings but only if I take the ship down below the ionosphere."
"Leave it," Hound said. "Me and Hoist will take the shuttle down to take a closer look. There's no point risking the entire team on trying to land possibly blind." He turned to Perceptor. "How's it looking out there?"
Perceptor double checked his readings. The sensors appear to be functioning within acceptable parameters, and the solar activity is currently low, but how long this will last I cannot say right at this moment. I will need to observe the stars for longer before I could give an accurate prediction of the next likely increase."
"How about a best guess?" Hound asked.
"Guess? Oh. With the little information I have currently, I would hypothesise the next significant increase in solar activity will be approximately twenty four cycles, with a margin of error of about a mega cycle. Without more detailed information, I can't be any more accurate."
"Thanks, Perceptor." He nodded to Hoist then turned his head to look back at the other two as he was leaving. "Watch the front and we'll contact you as soon as we've got anything."
After Hound had left, Sideswipe complained to Perceptor. "I should be going down there with Hound."
"Why? Do you not think Hoist is a capable partner?"
"We're in a system we barely know, investigating a crash site we have no idea how it was caused, trying to find a missing science team. As I'm here as security and being the big guns in case of running into something unexpected, you'd think Mr 'I can find a laser diode in a slag pile' would have the mental circuitry to work out that maybe he should have taken me with him first."
Perceptor turned back to his readouts. "You could have just told him you're bored. However I feel he probably would have disregarded your personal feelings as he would have come to the very accurate conclusion that he can handle danger himself quite well and you are far more qualified to fly this ship in adverse conditions than the rest of us. Therefore it makes sense to leave you here."
Sideswipe narrowed his optics in bored annoyance and went back to watching the tedium that was the autopilot.
The shuttle was cramped, but the descent down to Algol's moon, AT2, had been smoother than expected with no interference of communications or instrumentation. Hound pointed toward a large escarpment to the south. "Focus a sensor scan over there, I'm picking up faint energy readings."
"I think we've got them." Hoist smiled.
Hound piloted the shuttle, covering the distance quickly. At the base of the escarpment, they landed and disembarked. The wind was strong but not unbearably so, though the dust it whipped up was gritty and uncomfortable. "There it is!" Hound transformed and set out, with Hoist close behind him.
The Anaxagorus lay crumpled at the end of a trail where its impact path had chewed a deep scar across the landscape. The sudden rise of the land was what had brought the ship to a sudden halt, crumpling the front end. Hound and Hoist hurried to find a safe access to the ship, making note of the ship’s hull damage as they searched. “The wind’s picking up!” Hoist called.
“We need to get inside for cover.” Hound called back, as a stronger gust of wind picked up a larger lump of grit, nicking the armour on his arm with the sheer speed of it. “I’ve found it!” He wrenched the jammed door to one side, helping Hoist inside as he joined him, then pulled himself up into the raised opening and jamming it shut behind him as best he could.
The inside of the ship was a mess. Data pads spread about by the impact, loose wiring coming from open access panels and damaged console lights flashing. The emergency lighting was dim, with the main lighting flashing intermittently and weak. “Jetfire? Skids?” Hound called out, following one of the access doors into the walkway beyond and signalling for Hoist to follow him.
They were greeted with more of the same, damage and disorder everywhere, but no signs of any life. After they had thoroughly checked the whole ship, with no sign of anyone on board, they returned to the main bridge. “We need to know what’s happened here.” Hound said as he started pressing buttons on the largest console. His initial concern for the two scientists had jumped up a few notches and dismay set in as the console proved unresponsive.
Hoist got to work on the console, attempting to patch it up enough to get any information it might contain. “We’ve possibly got another problem, Hound.”
Hound crouched down to Hoist’s level to look at the wiring.
“Look.” Hoist held out the end of a small wire, neatly severed and not showing the same scorched, ragged damage typical of the rest of the damage to the ship.
“What does it run to?”
“The auto-distress beacon.”
Hound silently cursed. This implied a bigger problem than initially believed.
Hound helped Hoist get the main bridge’s power running and the console working again. It was less than optimal, but sufficed for the immediate needs. “Can we get a reading on how the hull’s holding up?”
“Surprisingly well, considering the damage to her front. And considering the damage taken from the elements due to the shielding being down.”
“That’s good news, at least.” Hound felt a tightness in the connective cables in his neck and stretched them reflexively. “Can we get the shielding back up?”
“By the looks of it we can, but I’m going to need Perceptor down here ideally.”
“I’ll have a look at getting the communications up, save me having to risk a trip back to the shuttle with the weather as bad as it is. But we’ll have to wait a while, as I don’t want them risking a landing in this. In the meantime, we need to locate the data recorder. We need to find some clue, any clue, as to what’s happened to Jetfire and Skids.”
The communications had proved easy to get back online much to Hound’s relief. Hoist had found the ships data recorder and was trying to piece together the damaged and fragmented data in the hope it would give them something to go on. Some hours later, Hoist came up to the maintenance access Hound was half buried under looking frustrated. Seeing his feet Hound pulled himself out of the mass of wires he was working on and stood up. Seeing the look on Hoist’s face told him most of what he needed to know. “Nothing of any use?”
“No. I’m not ready to give up yet but I’ve got nothing so far. The most I can get from it, is nothing we couldn’t have worked out ourselves.” Hoist moved over to a chair and sat down. “They were hit by a geomagnetic storm which was powerful enough to knock out a lot of systems ship wide, which is what got them here in the first place. After ascertaining the damage to the ship they sent out a distress signal, which it seems they thought they might got an answer to judging by Skids' log, but it turned out to be interference. At some point after that I would imagine, came the cutting of the cable to the distress signal and their subsequent disappearance.”
“So we’re no closer to finding them now than we were before.”
“Not really. I’m sure once we can get Perceptor and Sideswipe down here, we can start making some progress.” Hoist said, keeping his tone upbeat.
“Once we can get them here and it’s safer to go out for short periods, I’ll scout the area. I think the ship on the other side of the this moon is a good place to start.
“I want us to be as prepared as possible, we don’t know what, if anything, we could be up against and the natural elements are against us.” Hound leant uncomfortable against the wall.
“Speaking of being prepared,” Hoist said as he looked at the nick in Hound’s arm. “Let’s patch that up for starters.”
It took another eighteen cycles before the weather had quietened enough for Sideswipe to attempt a landing. He touched down as close as he could get to the Anaxagorus. They were greeted by Hound. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and I’ll fill you in on what’s happening but first things first, Sideswipe, I need you to pilot the shuttle back into the Secutor. I’ll open the bay doors. But be quick, the wind’s picking up again.”
Sideswipe transformed and drove off in the direction of the shuttle. Hound boarded the Secutor with Perceptor following behind. “What is it, Perceptor?” Hound asked when he’d reached the bridge, activating the bay doors for the fast approaching Sideswipe.
“The landing went smoothly, but I felt I should warn you that there has been a significant increase in solar activity, much sooner than I anticipated. Which means that we’ve a distinct possibility of having most of our systems in danger of damage.”
Hound closed the bay doors at the signal the shuttle had boarded. “This is not what we need. Perceptor, work with Hoist to find a way of protecting our equipment and the ships. If they’re knocked out we’ve got even less chance of finding Skids and Jetfire any time soon.”
Perceptor nodded. “I’ll get on to it. I think the first thing to do would be to find a way of utilising the resources of both ships, if we can find a way to link them up together then we…”
“I don’t care how you do it, Perceptor. Just do it.”
“Yes, of course.” Perceptor left to join up with Hoist just as Sideswipe joined Hound on the bridge.
“Shuttle present and accounted for. Now what’da we do?”
“Not much, Sideswipe.” He brought Sideswipe up to date on what they had so far, which wasn’t much.
“Then why don’t we get over there, bust that ship wide open and see if our guys are in there?”
“How? We can’t detect it on any instruments we have, so we’ve no idea what kind of technology it has, or possible danger to us it could pose. We don’t even know if it’s connected to the disappearance of the team.” He paused, attempted to get the tightness out of his neck again and gave up. “Also, we’ve the problem of how do we get over there? Its the other side of the moon. What do you reckon your chances are of making it over there in one piece?”
“That’s what the shuttle’s for.”
“So you want to fly an unarmed shuttle into possible hostile territory? Look I know it‘s not your idea of fun, but if they’re alive somewhere we’re not going to help them by getting ourselves into stasis lock or worse.” Hound felt there was every chance that tight feeling in his neck was in for the long haul at this rate.
After taking a chance to recharge, Hound left Sideswipe with Perceptor and Hoist and took a chance to get a layout of the surrounding area. The moon supported no life, there was little in the way of protection from the wind that howled constantly, they were already in the most protected place they had found and the dust was sharp. Hound had to limit the time he could scout and even then he arrived back at ship with his armour plating covered in scratches. This is nothing compared to the dust particles that got in everywhere, cleaning it out had been a long and uncomfortable experience.
When he felt somewhere near like himself again, he joined the others. They had for the time being taken up residence aboard the Anaxagorus, with the constant repair work and it being the larger vessel. Meeting the team on the bridge he asked for an update on their status.
“Perceptor believes that we can connect the two ships together giving us more energy. We can then get the shields functioning at full capacity for longer should we need it,” Hoist said, gesturing for Perceptor to take up where he’d left off.
“We’ve also been working on ways of modifying the shielding so we are better protected from the electromagnetic interference.”
“Great, but as you know we’ve got two ‘bots out there who are relying on us to get them back home. . Where do we start looking? I need some answers here.” Hound was happy with what they’d achieved so far, it’d been no mean feat, but he needed more from them, and himself. “Reconvene in the lab in two kliks, we need a better plan.”
“We need any plan at all.” Sideswipe grumbled as he headed in the direction of the lab.
Hound turned to Hoist. “First plan is to shut off his vocal processor.” He pointed a thumb in the direction Sideswipe had gone.
Hoist laughed. “Failing that we’d better come up with a plan to keep our impetuous friend very busy.”
As they walked in the direction of the science lab, leaving Perceptor to finish up his work, Sideswipe’s voice rang out. “I heard that!”
Hound laughed. As serious as their mission was, he’d learnt during all those years at war, that even in the most urgent of times, there needed to be a place for humour.
Pre-fic ramble.
In ref to this story, it's a AU G1 cartoon/IDWverse setting. It's only based loosely in IDW up to about Sideswipe's spotlight because the rest hadn't come out when I'd written this. I might incorporate elements of later issues if they fit when I pick this up again.
I get tempted to loosely sketch out the ideas for the rest of it and re-do it completely as a comic but I'm undecided as of yet.
The story doesn't ever really rate higher than a young teen at best, as I can't/don't write smut and any rating is more for language/violence, but that's kind of general and as everyone swears in a Cybertronian fashion I'm not sure if it counts anyway. But this fic is very Hound/Sideswipe if you squint. Because I'm the only person in the universe that ships them godamnit.
There is one '.....' in this chapter. I'm nerdy enough to actually want to work out the genuine distance between Cybertron and the Algol System. Did I ever mention I have a passing interest in astronomy? I'll fill in the detail when I've got it, until then just add a random number or something.
It'd been a while since he'd seen the wide city state streets of Iacon. He'd been off planet for so long now that the metallic gleam of his homeworld felt almost alien now. Hound found the building he was looking for and stepped inside. Cybertron had changed much since he'd last seen it; the devastated husks of buildings and bodies of Cybertronians were gone, replaced by towers, homes and busy streets.
He approached the door with a slight trepidation. How long had it been since he'd last seen Prime? Though Optimus wasn't as inaccessible as some of his predecessors or the members of the senate, he was still not seen by lower orders frequently. Not that Hound had tried to gain an audience; on the contrary, his presence had been requested by Prime.
Thoughts of what he could possibly be wanted for circled in his mind. Prime hadn't given any more information than stress that time was an important factor. The door opened automatically as he neared, admitting him to the spacious room beyond.
His optics automatically scanned the room, taking note of its lack of other occupants as he was warmly greeted by Optimus.
"Thank you, Hound. Your quick response is appreciated."
Hound shook the outstretched hand offered to him. "No problem, Prime. It sounded urgent." He took the seat gestured to him and patiently waited for Prime to speak.
"I'm going to come straight to the point. I need your help."
"My help?" The concern in Prime's optics did little to help alleviate the initial trepidation, it heightened it. Something was wrong.
"We lost contact with the scout ship, the Anaxagorus, in the Algol System two deca-cycles ago. The last communication we received from them contained an incomplete data file on what appears to be a small derelict ship on Algol Three's second moon." Optimus handed Hound a small data pad. "We believe from the communication that an geomagnetic storm knocked out some of the ships systems, forcing the crew to crash land somewhere in the Algol system. Probably on one of her moons or on Algol Three itself."
Hound looked at the data pad, taking in the information on the lost ship's schematics, mission, crew and cargo. "This is a rescue mission then?"
"I hope so, Hound. " Prime softly shook his head. "Which just leaves the question, will you go? I know you left the military ranks, but when..."
"You know I will, Prime. Jetfire's a good 'bot. If he's out there, I'll find him."
"Thank you. I've assembled a small team to accompany you."
On those words the door opened admitting Hound's team members into the room. Hound's reaction to seeing Perceptor again after all this time was one of warmth. On the other hand, Hound internally groaned when he saw the flash of red that emerged from behind Perceptor. Sideswipe.
His first impressions of Sideswipe had, on serving with him, been turned around. However, this didn't mean he didn't think the 'bot wasn't a pain in the aft to work with. He was greeted with a handshake from Perceptor.
"Hoist is waiting for us at the spaceport. I have determined the probable trajectory of the Anaxagorus' flight path based on the little information we have received. I surmise that following that trajectory would lead to having most likely caused them to crash on the far side of Algol Three's largest moon. Providing they haven't sustained a significant hull breach then the ship should withstand the moon's violent storms for up to and possibly exceeding half a stellar cycle, though if there is substantial damage, what remains of the hull will only provide them adequate protection in the very short term."
Hound smiled. "Good to see you too, Perceptor." He turned and nodded acknowledgement towards the other newcomer, who looked bored. "Sideswipe." He received back an equally short greeting.
Perceptor turned to Prime. "Time is of the essence, Optimus. So now our final party member has joined us I would suggest we embark immediately. Jetfire may not be able to wait much longer."
Optimus nodded. "Report to me as soon as you know anything, and good luck." He turned back to Hound. "Perceptor will bring you up to date with everything."
Taking his leave, Hound followed the other two out of the door down into the streets of Iacon to a waiting transport. As they travelled to the space port to meet Hoist and board their designated ship, Perceptor filled in the gaps. "I presume Optimus has filled you in on the basics what has happened and what we know so far?"
"Yes."
"In that case, I can fill you in on the more sensitive information now. The Algol System is located ...... from Cybertron. Initially forays into the system yielded little of interest and is inhospitable in the extreme."
Even though he'd not seen it for a long time, Hound recognised the particular look that Perceptor's optics got whenever he launched into one of his long winded lectures. He shifted slightly to get comfortable and envied Sideswipe's lucky escape in the control cab of the transport. Though if there was sensitive information he needed to know, it explained the transport rather than getting there under their own steam. He forced himself to concentrate on what Perceptor was telling him, though it was hard when the 'bot used fifteen words to explain what five could adequately cover.
"...shortly after Jetfire, Skids and I set up the new Cooperative Science Institute in Praxus a small unmanned surveyor craft was sent out. Before the war we used to send them out regularly; standard procedure. So we started up again.
"This one had been out, transmitting data back to the institute for just over half a vorn, showing nothing out of the ordinary until it reached the Algol System. The readings that were sent back on the scan of Algol Three's moon had a shadow. Obviously we analysed all the data to determine what was the cause. We could find no obvious answer, so we looked beyond the possibilities of atmospheric or geological conditions. Every observational method we could think of yielded no concrete results. It was therefore concluded that we should send a small team with an adequately equipped scientific vessel to investigate.
"Jetfire and Skids were given permission by the Science Council to continue investigating the anomaly." Perceptor paused, as if he was scanning the small transport in case their security was compromised. He started to speak again. "From the limited data that Jetfire could send back before they disappeared, it would appear they indeed did find a ship."
"Prime mentioned it," Hound said. "Though I was told it was derelict."
"Ah, that's where Optimus was not entirely accurate. It's purely in the interests of security you were told that originally. The only way we were able to discover what the ship was at all was with direct visual contact. The ship is seemingly abandoned, or at least all attempts to establish contact have so far failed. What's so interesting is that we have no instruments of any kind that can register it exists beyond a vague shadow.
"To be honest, if it wasn't for Skids seeing a pattern in the what appeared to be random energy shifts surrounding it, I would have passed it over as being just some kind of weather front. Algol Three's moons have an atmosphere similar to Algol Three itself and have inclement weather to say the least.
"It's fascinating as it would seem the ship has shields beyond our capabilities. I'm excited by the prospect of possibly getting to study them further."
Hound smiled to himself. "You may get a chance. Finding Jetfire and Skids is our first priority."
"Yes, yes. Of course." Perceptor looked mortified that any one would think he though otherwise.
Hound laughed at Perceptor's expression. "Don't worry, I know what you mean." In all the years he'd known Preceptor, the only way he'd not have learnt Perceptor's habit of getting totally immersed in his work to the exclusion of all else would have been to spend the last at least six million years in stasis lock.
The vessel they'd been assigned was a small but capable ship, the Secutor. A well armoured attack vessel from the war that was modified and still in service. On arrival they were told be a 'port worker that Hoist was already aboard and waiting for them. Walking onto the ship's small bridge, they were greeting warmly. "Hound! It's been a while." Hoist grabbed his hand and shook it enthusiastically.
"It's good to see you again, Hoist. It's been too long."
"Well, you will spend your time on a completely different planet from the rest of us." He laughed. "How is Earth these days anyway?"
"Same as ever, still the mudball it's always been."
Sideswipe pushed past them, taking his place at the helm. "I don't know if you noticed, but we've got to get this rustbucket underway. We're not here for a social."
Hoist nudged Hound good naturedly. "Still in love with the place then." He took his place on the bridge. "Well, Sideswipe's got a point. Let's get moving."
Hound took the central command seat when gestured to it by Perceptor. "It's your mission, Hound."
Even at transwarp, the journey wasn't quick. Hound had spent the time acquainting himself with the ships capabilities and the conditions of the Algol system. He was worried about Jetfire and Skids. Were they injured? How much damage had their ship taken and could it protect them? Were they even alive?
Hound attempted to distract himself from contemplating the worst by spending as much time with his team mates as possible. Despite their differences, he spent quite some time with Sideswipe more than the other two. Hound had come to the conclusion that under the circumstances, getting used to a less relaxed atmosphere and way of working was a practical approach. Out of all of them, Sideswipe seemed to retain more military habits
Sideswipe reminded him of this on a daily basis, which mildly irked him. He wasn't sure whether to give Sideswipe the benefit of the doubt and appreciate what he was trying to do, or be irritated with him for taking a constant dig every day. It was coming out of recharge into the second mega cycle they'd been travelling that Sideswipe finally confronted him as he was leaving the small crew chamber.
"How long's it been since you last had to give or follow orders?"
Hound turned to face him. "What do you mean?"
Sideswipe looked like he was going to sigh. Instead he almost glared straight at Hound's optics. "Look, I know I was a glitch in the cerebro's the last time we served together, and though I never said it, you made a pretty good commander. But how long's it been since you lead an operation?"
"Obviously not recently enough if your comments are anything to go by."
If there was an edge to Hound's voice, it was so faint that Sideswipe didn't notice it. "I'm not saying you're not up to the job, Hound. I know you are, and if Optimus believes you're the best for the job then I'm not going to argue." He grinned. "Well, not too much anyway." The smile disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared. "What I'm saying is, is that I've got concerns to the smooth running of this mission."
Hound did sigh, then realised as Sideswipe looked at him like he'd just turned blue, that he'd spent so much time around humans he was picking up their body language; as much as a mech could. "Do you think you could do a better job?" There was no sarcastic tone, just a genuinely honest question.
"To be honest? In some ways no, in others, yes. But this is your call. I can't make it for you. I'm just concerned that so much time spent as a civilian, and not even on Cybertron, may have 'compromised your efficiency' as Perceptor put it."
The ship took that moment to shake slightly causing Hound to brace himself against the wall to regain his footing. Sideswipe just used Hound's shoulder as the nearest available hand hold. The shaking eased enough for them to stand straight, so Hound took off in the direction of the bridge with Sideswipe hot on his heels.
"Report." Hound barked as he stepped onto the bridge.
Perceptor turned to answer. "Nothing serious, a minor collision with a small asteroid that seemed to come out of nowhere. However, our sensors should have picked it up so I'm running a diagnostic to ascertain if there is a problem with them and Hoist is making repairs to the minor damage we took."
"Good." Hound paused for a moment. "Perceptor, once you've finished with your diagnostics, can I speak with you?"
Perceptor nodded. "Of course. I am at your disposal as soon as I'm finished here."
"Thank you." Hound took his seat and turned his head as he noticed Sideswipe on the bridge standing near him. "I thought you were off to recharge?"
Sideswipe shrugged. "I'll get there when I get there."
"Then go now. I need my crew at their peak, we don't know what we might find." Hound turned to look back at the viewscreen in front of him.
"Looks like someone's picking up old habits fast. Needn't of worried about you not being able to give orders." Sideswipe muttered as he stomped off the bridge.
The repairs went smoothly, Perceptor had found no sign of malfunction with the sensors so it had been written off as a one off dip in sensor efficiency. All was noted in the report Hound prepared to transmit back to Optimus Prime, and given no further thought to. Hound was back to planning out the most efficient search pattern with the information Perceptor had given him on the system. The scout ship wasn't large enough to afford separate quarters and as there was nothing in the crew chamber except individual recharge chambers. The only place on the ship affording him room to work was the small recreation room which would have been crowded if they'd all been in there at once.
Hound had been working without break for longer than he cared to remember. The Algol System was a binary system and the solar activity was high, giving rise to increased solar flares which meant the interference to electrical and radio equipment and communication was quite high. Hound was also aware of his own vulnerability to electromagnetic interference, which meant when he wasn't working or in recharge, he was working with Perceptor and Hoist in tweaking his own systems to cope with the increased electromagnetic waves.
Hound sat back and shut off his optics, giving himself a breem to organise his thoughts. The sound of the door opening made him cut off his quick respite and bring his optics back online.
"Sorry to disturb you, Hound."
Hound straightened himself up. "It's okay, Hoist. I wasn't exactly resting."
Hoist sat down opposite. "Sideswipe's informed me we'll be at the Algol system in approximately three breems. We'll begin a sensor scan of the system, try to pick up some kind of trace of the Anaxagorus. Though after this length of time I doubt there will be much to pick up."
Hound had expected to feel a certain amount of trepidation on reaching the Algol system as this was where the real work started. But instead he found himself feeling relieved. He was concerned for Jetfire and Skids. The time he'd taken to get here was just more time he felt he couldn't afford to lose. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll go and programme in the scanning pattern and set the autopilot to follow the flight path. Tell Perceptor I'll need him to keep monitoring the sensors and sensor diagnostics. Sideswipe I'll need at the helm to override the autopilot should it become necessary."
"That leaves us."
"It does. I need your help to make a few modifications to the small shuttle. One we've got a lock on the crash site, I want us to take the shuttle down and scout the area, treat any casualties and start affecting repairs."
They left the recreation room, Hound feeling better than he had done for days. Maybe Sideswipe confronting him had helped. Hound was not one for a crisis crash, but he felt when it came to command of a team, he was certainly a little rusty. The shuttle was just about big enough for two medium sized 'bots. The small bay it was crammed into was barely enough room for them to work in, but then their vessel had been designed for war, not comfort. Hound had recognised the class of vessel as soon as he'd seen it. A small ship used for short range attacks and planetary defence. Not a lot of use for a rescue mission in some ways, but chosen for the strength of it's hull shielding. The solar wind of the Algol system was not to be taken lightly.
Hound left Hoist working on the shuttle while he temporarily left to programme in the scanning pattern and programme the autopilot then returned to help Hoist finish up the work on the sensors and shuttle's shields.
"Finished up here. Are you ready?"
Hound looked up from the small console he was working at. "Very nearly. Just a few nano-klicks. There." He closed the small access port and pressed a few buttons in sequence. "Now we need to see if the main scan will turn up anything."
They returned back to the bridge. Sideswipe instantly updated them. "Perceptor hasn't managed to isolate any trail that could lead to the Anaxagorus but on our second sweep of AT2 we not only picked up the 'shadow' of that ship, but we think we've located what could be the Anaxagorus."
Hound looked hopeful. To find them this quick was more than he could have asked for. "Any idea of the ship's condition?"
"We've only just picked it up on scanners. I can give you better readings but only if I take the ship down below the ionosphere."
"Leave it," Hound said. "Me and Hoist will take the shuttle down to take a closer look. There's no point risking the entire team on trying to land possibly blind." He turned to Perceptor. "How's it looking out there?"
Perceptor double checked his readings. The sensors appear to be functioning within acceptable parameters, and the solar activity is currently low, but how long this will last I cannot say right at this moment. I will need to observe the stars for longer before I could give an accurate prediction of the next likely increase."
"How about a best guess?" Hound asked.
"Guess? Oh. With the little information I have currently, I would hypothesise the next significant increase in solar activity will be approximately twenty four cycles, with a margin of error of about a mega cycle. Without more detailed information, I can't be any more accurate."
"Thanks, Perceptor." He nodded to Hoist then turned his head to look back at the other two as he was leaving. "Watch the front and we'll contact you as soon as we've got anything."
After Hound had left, Sideswipe complained to Perceptor. "I should be going down there with Hound."
"Why? Do you not think Hoist is a capable partner?"
"We're in a system we barely know, investigating a crash site we have no idea how it was caused, trying to find a missing science team. As I'm here as security and being the big guns in case of running into something unexpected, you'd think Mr 'I can find a laser diode in a slag pile' would have the mental circuitry to work out that maybe he should have taken me with him first."
Perceptor turned back to his readouts. "You could have just told him you're bored. However I feel he probably would have disregarded your personal feelings as he would have come to the very accurate conclusion that he can handle danger himself quite well and you are far more qualified to fly this ship in adverse conditions than the rest of us. Therefore it makes sense to leave you here."
Sideswipe narrowed his optics in bored annoyance and went back to watching the tedium that was the autopilot.
The shuttle was cramped, but the descent down to Algol's moon, AT2, had been smoother than expected with no interference of communications or instrumentation. Hound pointed toward a large escarpment to the south. "Focus a sensor scan over there, I'm picking up faint energy readings."
"I think we've got them." Hoist smiled.
Hound piloted the shuttle, covering the distance quickly. At the base of the escarpment, they landed and disembarked. The wind was strong but not unbearably so, though the dust it whipped up was gritty and uncomfortable. "There it is!" Hound transformed and set out, with Hoist close behind him.
The Anaxagorus lay crumpled at the end of a trail where its impact path had chewed a deep scar across the landscape. The sudden rise of the land was what had brought the ship to a sudden halt, crumpling the front end. Hound and Hoist hurried to find a safe access to the ship, making note of the ship’s hull damage as they searched. “The wind’s picking up!” Hoist called.
“We need to get inside for cover.” Hound called back, as a stronger gust of wind picked up a larger lump of grit, nicking the armour on his arm with the sheer speed of it. “I’ve found it!” He wrenched the jammed door to one side, helping Hoist inside as he joined him, then pulled himself up into the raised opening and jamming it shut behind him as best he could.
The inside of the ship was a mess. Data pads spread about by the impact, loose wiring coming from open access panels and damaged console lights flashing. The emergency lighting was dim, with the main lighting flashing intermittently and weak. “Jetfire? Skids?” Hound called out, following one of the access doors into the walkway beyond and signalling for Hoist to follow him.
They were greeted with more of the same, damage and disorder everywhere, but no signs of any life. After they had thoroughly checked the whole ship, with no sign of anyone on board, they returned to the main bridge. “We need to know what’s happened here.” Hound said as he started pressing buttons on the largest console. His initial concern for the two scientists had jumped up a few notches and dismay set in as the console proved unresponsive.
Hoist got to work on the console, attempting to patch it up enough to get any information it might contain. “We’ve possibly got another problem, Hound.”
Hound crouched down to Hoist’s level to look at the wiring.
“Look.” Hoist held out the end of a small wire, neatly severed and not showing the same scorched, ragged damage typical of the rest of the damage to the ship.
“What does it run to?”
“The auto-distress beacon.”
Hound silently cursed. This implied a bigger problem than initially believed.
Hound helped Hoist get the main bridge’s power running and the console working again. It was less than optimal, but sufficed for the immediate needs. “Can we get a reading on how the hull’s holding up?”
“Surprisingly well, considering the damage to her front. And considering the damage taken from the elements due to the shielding being down.”
“That’s good news, at least.” Hound felt a tightness in the connective cables in his neck and stretched them reflexively. “Can we get the shielding back up?”
“By the looks of it we can, but I’m going to need Perceptor down here ideally.”
“I’ll have a look at getting the communications up, save me having to risk a trip back to the shuttle with the weather as bad as it is. But we’ll have to wait a while, as I don’t want them risking a landing in this. In the meantime, we need to locate the data recorder. We need to find some clue, any clue, as to what’s happened to Jetfire and Skids.”
The communications had proved easy to get back online much to Hound’s relief. Hoist had found the ships data recorder and was trying to piece together the damaged and fragmented data in the hope it would give them something to go on. Some hours later, Hoist came up to the maintenance access Hound was half buried under looking frustrated. Seeing his feet Hound pulled himself out of the mass of wires he was working on and stood up. Seeing the look on Hoist’s face told him most of what he needed to know. “Nothing of any use?”
“No. I’m not ready to give up yet but I’ve got nothing so far. The most I can get from it, is nothing we couldn’t have worked out ourselves.” Hoist moved over to a chair and sat down. “They were hit by a geomagnetic storm which was powerful enough to knock out a lot of systems ship wide, which is what got them here in the first place. After ascertaining the damage to the ship they sent out a distress signal, which it seems they thought they might got an answer to judging by Skids' log, but it turned out to be interference. At some point after that I would imagine, came the cutting of the cable to the distress signal and their subsequent disappearance.”
“So we’re no closer to finding them now than we were before.”
“Not really. I’m sure once we can get Perceptor and Sideswipe down here, we can start making some progress.” Hoist said, keeping his tone upbeat.
“Once we can get them here and it’s safer to go out for short periods, I’ll scout the area. I think the ship on the other side of the this moon is a good place to start.
“I want us to be as prepared as possible, we don’t know what, if anything, we could be up against and the natural elements are against us.” Hound leant uncomfortable against the wall.
“Speaking of being prepared,” Hoist said as he looked at the nick in Hound’s arm. “Let’s patch that up for starters.”
It took another eighteen cycles before the weather had quietened enough for Sideswipe to attempt a landing. He touched down as close as he could get to the Anaxagorus. They were greeted by Hound. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and I’ll fill you in on what’s happening but first things first, Sideswipe, I need you to pilot the shuttle back into the Secutor. I’ll open the bay doors. But be quick, the wind’s picking up again.”
Sideswipe transformed and drove off in the direction of the shuttle. Hound boarded the Secutor with Perceptor following behind. “What is it, Perceptor?” Hound asked when he’d reached the bridge, activating the bay doors for the fast approaching Sideswipe.
“The landing went smoothly, but I felt I should warn you that there has been a significant increase in solar activity, much sooner than I anticipated. Which means that we’ve a distinct possibility of having most of our systems in danger of damage.”
Hound closed the bay doors at the signal the shuttle had boarded. “This is not what we need. Perceptor, work with Hoist to find a way of protecting our equipment and the ships. If they’re knocked out we’ve got even less chance of finding Skids and Jetfire any time soon.”
Perceptor nodded. “I’ll get on to it. I think the first thing to do would be to find a way of utilising the resources of both ships, if we can find a way to link them up together then we…”
“I don’t care how you do it, Perceptor. Just do it.”
“Yes, of course.” Perceptor left to join up with Hoist just as Sideswipe joined Hound on the bridge.
“Shuttle present and accounted for. Now what’da we do?”
“Not much, Sideswipe.” He brought Sideswipe up to date on what they had so far, which wasn’t much.
“Then why don’t we get over there, bust that ship wide open and see if our guys are in there?”
“How? We can’t detect it on any instruments we have, so we’ve no idea what kind of technology it has, or possible danger to us it could pose. We don’t even know if it’s connected to the disappearance of the team.” He paused, attempted to get the tightness out of his neck again and gave up. “Also, we’ve the problem of how do we get over there? Its the other side of the moon. What do you reckon your chances are of making it over there in one piece?”
“That’s what the shuttle’s for.”
“So you want to fly an unarmed shuttle into possible hostile territory? Look I know it‘s not your idea of fun, but if they’re alive somewhere we’re not going to help them by getting ourselves into stasis lock or worse.” Hound felt there was every chance that tight feeling in his neck was in for the long haul at this rate.
After taking a chance to recharge, Hound left Sideswipe with Perceptor and Hoist and took a chance to get a layout of the surrounding area. The moon supported no life, there was little in the way of protection from the wind that howled constantly, they were already in the most protected place they had found and the dust was sharp. Hound had to limit the time he could scout and even then he arrived back at ship with his armour plating covered in scratches. This is nothing compared to the dust particles that got in everywhere, cleaning it out had been a long and uncomfortable experience.
When he felt somewhere near like himself again, he joined the others. They had for the time being taken up residence aboard the Anaxagorus, with the constant repair work and it being the larger vessel. Meeting the team on the bridge he asked for an update on their status.
“Perceptor believes that we can connect the two ships together giving us more energy. We can then get the shields functioning at full capacity for longer should we need it,” Hoist said, gesturing for Perceptor to take up where he’d left off.
“We’ve also been working on ways of modifying the shielding so we are better protected from the electromagnetic interference.”
“Great, but as you know we’ve got two ‘bots out there who are relying on us to get them back home. . Where do we start looking? I need some answers here.” Hound was happy with what they’d achieved so far, it’d been no mean feat, but he needed more from them, and himself. “Reconvene in the lab in two kliks, we need a better plan.”
“We need any plan at all.” Sideswipe grumbled as he headed in the direction of the lab.
Hound turned to Hoist. “First plan is to shut off his vocal processor.” He pointed a thumb in the direction Sideswipe had gone.
Hoist laughed. “Failing that we’d better come up with a plan to keep our impetuous friend very busy.”
As they walked in the direction of the science lab, leaving Perceptor to finish up his work, Sideswipe’s voice rang out. “I heard that!”
Hound laughed. As serious as their mission was, he’d learnt during all those years at war, that even in the most urgent of times, there needed to be a place for humour.