Between death and eternity - Part 1 - 2/3

[silberstreif]

Universe: Between death and eternity
Beta: Starfire 201
Continuation: Pre-war
Genre: Adventure, drama
Characters: Prowl, Jazz, Optimus Prime

Summary: Sometimes, a war is decided by chance encounters and extraordinary persons. Optimus Prime's new consultants definitely fall into the latter category, but their harmless surface hides dark and terrible secrets that are better forgotten..

Between death and eternity

Part 1: Iacon
Chapter 2: Negotiating



When Jazz entered the seminar room two joors later, the tactician was already there and waiting. In front of him lay the maps of several cities and on the wall was a hologram of Cybertron with highlighted flight routes.

Prowl looked up, when he heard the door. "Jazz."

"Prowl." Jazz was determined not to show any insecurity. "You have already worked on it?"

"Yes. I calculated how long you would need to fly from Vos to the other cities under various conditions."

Jazz put his own data pads on the table. "Do they need long enough that we can react?"

"If we watch Vos from the orbit, the answer is yes in every case."

Jazz grinned, even though he saw no true humour at this situation. "The Vosnians wont be happy about this."

Vosnians thought a planetwide orbit observation traditionally as a limitation of their freedom. In these orns, such a step could be the spark that led to an inferno.

"If they join with the Decepticions, they are a danger and we have to act accordingly," said the tactician, not inclined to accept the argument.

"But we still have the possibility to negotiate with them and at least to turn some of them to our cause. If we built such a huge surveillance system which is nothing more than a sign of mistrust, then we have no chance to convince them of our good intentions. They would claim this as an aggression against Vos."

Prowl didn't answer and just looked at him. The intelligence agent resisted the desire to show how nervous he was. Did he already make a mistake? But it had been his honest opinion... Politically, the surveillance of Vos was a radical step, and they both knew it.

"It's the only way to guarantee the safety of the other cities." In the voice of the tactician was a hardness that surprised Jazz. "This planet's safety is the highest commandment for us Autobots. Every other way holds untold risks."

Jazz had to give it to him, that he was subtle, even as he blamed Jazz for acting outside of the moral conduct of the Autobots.

"Orbital surveillance has its own risks. The Decepticons could use it as political dynamite in their propaganda and we could lose every single neutral Vosnian."

Did Prowl really not see this? Or was all this just a trap for Jazz?

"And what do you propose then?"

Huh? He hadn't even half of all the relevant information yet! And Prowl knew that. Every opinion Jazz had would be wrong...

"If we improve the defence of the cities against ground and air attacks generally, how would the safety look then?"

Prowl nodded, Jazz had passed this test.

"In most cities this would be satisfactory, but in the cities near Vos we have too short of a reaction time. Additionally, this option would take more time than an orbital surveillance."

"Time we could use to slow down the takeover of Vos."

"How?"

"Negotiations?"

"The risk is too high."

Jazz stared at him surprised. That was it? Just like that the proposal was removed from the table? "Too risky, why?"

"We don't know if Vos is even interested in negotiations. And we have nothing significant to offer them, are hated by them and in the worst case scenario, the Decepticons will use the talks to either increase their influence or to win time before we can activate the orbital surveillance."

"But if we don't even try, we would send the worst signal imaginable to the public." Surely Prowl couldn't ignore that they would hand over a whole city-state without any fight!

"It's the decision of the Vosnians, not ours," Prowl replied.

After this, they couldn't find a compromise. Prowl insisted on the orbital surveillance because he thought that this was the only way without risking other cities. Jazz, however, couldn't help himself and thought this idea was slag. They would give up on Vos, be the aggressors thanks to the surveillance, and even strengthen the Decepticons in their conviction too!

Finally, Jazz couldn't take it any more. He jumped up and put both hands on the table in front of Prowl.

"I know your arguments, Prowl! But sometimes in life you have to take risks!"

The tactician gave him an acidic look. "Not if your risks are the lives of other Cybertronians."

Jazz flinched back as if slapped. "My risks?"

The spy's thoughts raced. Was Prowl so stubborn because he didn't trust Jazz' evaluation of the situation? Because he suspected a trap?

"Yes." Slowly Prowl stood up and stepped around the table, just to stop a few centimetres away from the spy. He was bigger than Jazz and built more powerful.

Within Jazz, every cable demanded to attack or to increase the distance. He kept standing there. Maybe... maybe it was time for honesty:

"You don't trust me." No reason to talk around this. "Why?"

Prowl was quiet for a moment, then he said, "Because your body speaks of battles."

So it was his body that had betrayed him. But what exactly?

"Every Autobot has been trained for battle."

"Yes," admitted the tactician and narrowed his optics. "They were trained, but you... you're living it."

"I... understand..." Jazz really understood. That what made him so good had betrayed him. His body, his experience, his own life. Though, just how had Prowl been able to recognize the signs?

"Jazz, as you said, I don't trust you. But because Prime wants it, I will work together with you. Should I find even one single hint of betrayal, I will turn you in."

So the rules in this games were clear. Jazz nodded, absurdly relieved that he now knew where he stood with the tactician. It wasn't a good situation by far, but at least he didn't have to fear any more that Autobots were waiting in front of his apartment, ready to put him in prison or worse.

"That's okay..." he answered. "Still, I think that you ignore too many other factors with your strategy of orbital surveillance."

Back to the everyday business. Even if their personal war was important, they couldn't ignore Vos.

Prowl was silent for a few kliks, then he said tersely, "Compile your arguments and proposals on a datapad. I'll talk with Prime and find out what he thinks about the risks."

What? Was he being downgraded to the secretary of the tactician? They had the same rank!

But Jazz kept his iron self-control with the knowledge that Prowl would probably only consider his opinion through this way.

"Good plan."

"Tomorrow, same time."

And again the security protocol. "Same place."

With a short nod, Prowl left the room. A bit lost, Jazz stared at the scattered data pads.

"Well, this could have gone better."

~O~

As Prowl entered the office, Prime sat behind the desk and greeted him with a smile:

"I wouldn't have thought that you would finish this fast."

Prowl's doorwings dropped a bit, a sure sign that he wasn't happy that he would have to disappoint his superior. "We aren't finished yet. Our opinions are not compatible."

"Meaning?" asked Optimus worriedly. It seemed that his fears, that their different personalities were too extreme, were justified.

"We couldn't agree what our priorities should be. Jazz thinks we should take a few risks that could later prove valuable in this conflict, while I thought them unacceptable."

That explained why Prowl was here. They saw things so differently that they needed a guiding line. At least they were trying. "What kind of risks?"

"The protection of the cities and until which point this protection has priority over advantages later in the coming war."

Indeed, this was no small problem. "I take it that you want a completely safe method?"

"Yes."

"And Jazz?"

"He wants to take risks, so that we don't lose the support of the public."

Prowl's disapproval was clear to the Prime. It wasn't just a basic question, it was a moral conflict. Should he risk the lives of his citizens just to keep support and a favourable public opinion which he needed to win the war?

What should he do?

Optimus was intelligent. He knew that behind both decisions were many possibilities, plans, and more. Whatever he would say, maybe it would be even irrelevant in the current situation... but his consultants, Prowl and Jazz, would act accordingly to his will.

Could he really sacrifice lives that were entrusted to him for a theoretical tactical advantage in the far future?

He didn't realise that his hands were shaking.

"Sir?"

He looked up. "Prowl... why are you against taking this risk?" The tactician hesitated. "I have to know, my friend."

The younger bot seemed to slump down. "I don't trust Jazz, Prime."

Many answers he had expected, this one was not among them. "Jazz?! But why?"

So far, he had thought Jazz the ideal Autobot. But Prowl obviously didn't share this opinion.

"I don't think that he was the best choice for such a position."

"His performance has always been excellent..."

"Not because of his abilities."

Optimus stared at Prowl, nearly speechless. "You doubt his loyalty?"

"Yes."

"That's... Why?"

And for the first time since Optimus knew him, Prowl avoided his optics. "It's just a... suspicion."

"Suspicion," he echoed flat, unbelieving. His tactician didn't have baseless suspicions. "Are you sure that your mistrust isn't influenced by your personal sympathy towards him?" "Silence. "I take this as a 'no'. Prowl.... I want you both to at least work together. I trust both of you. And if you trust me, then trust Jazz, too."

For a moment the tactician didn't move, then he inclined his head. "As you wish, Prime."

"Good." Optimus felt the early twinges of a processorache."What would be your proposal if you trusted Jazz? What risk would you take?"

Prowl looked far away, as if he was seeing something else entirely, a sure sign that he was doing a few entirely new calculations. Eventually he said:

"Jazz' arguments are not entirely wrong. If we calculate within ten cycles, I advise taking no risks. In a war, though, which can easily last a vorn or more, I would take risks to a moderate extent and give the Department of Communication precise instructions.

"I understand." Deep down Optimus felt as if someone had hit him. Revulsion against himself bubbled up. Would he, the protector of Cybertron, really fall so deep as to put lives deliberately in danger? He wasn't aware that his face betrayed his thoughts.

Prowl's wings twitched and he took a step forward. "Prime.... sometimes one has to do things, that are not the best."

"Yes..." His voice sounded constrained. "Still..."

It was rare that Prowl let his professionalism fall away and became a bit more... emotional. Though nowhe couldn't really appreciate it. Too much he felt as if the words he had to speak would destroy a part of himself.

Prowl understood his dilemma. "I know. Just say... Must we Autobots do what is the best for all Cybertronians in the long term?"

A simple answer. "Yes."

"Understood, Prime. In an orn the report will be completed. I wish you a good orn."

Optimus could only look amazed after the tactician left. Prowl had saved him from saying it. Of course, it would change none of the facts, but it was a big difference between giving an order which denied everything you stand for or to follow your own morals. This difference would only mean something to Optimus, but maybe this was the reason he felt a wave of gratitude for the tactician.

Prowl had made sure that tomorrow he could still look at himself in the mirror.

Now, he only had to trust in Jazz and Prowl, that they would find the way that was the best for all.

~O~

To say that Jazz was startled as Prowl entered his office without any warning (what happened to his door ping and lock?), would be an understatement. Reflexively, he pushed his chair backwards to put distance between his visitor and himself and grasped the laser pistol he always had with him. Only as his fingers slid themselves around the handle, he came back and froze.

With a blank expression, Prowl still stood in the door, then let it slowly slide close. They were cut off from the outside world.

Jazz cursed in his thoughts. No mistakes! If this hadn't been a mistake, he could call himself Unicron! He nearly had shot down the right hand of Prime. Good work, Jazz. Really. Before this, he hadn't realised how much the tactician had unsettled him, but now that his old instincts came back...

"If I had any doubts that you're more than an Autobot, they have now disappeared." Prowl sounded cold.

"Will you bring me before Prime?" And announce me a traitor? Kick me out of the Autobots?

"No."

"No?" Surprised, Jazz looked at him. Hadn't that been his goal?

"No... under one condition."

Condition sounded bad. But still better than his other possibilities. He already saw himself as a branded traitor being chased out of Iacon. "What do you want?"

"That you wear this from now on." In a single fluent movement, Prowl threw a small round microchip towards Jazz, who caught it with ease. "I wanted to put it on you without your knowledge originally, but this way is better."

Jazz examined the chip in his servo. It was the newest technology of the Department of Science, nearly untraceable if you didn't know where to search. On a secret frequency the chip sent the location and frame workload non-stop. Through this, one could determine where the Autobots where and more importantly, if they were fighting. Jazz gave the chip some of his agents, so that he would be able to help in an emergency.

There were probably worse punishments for nearly shooting the tactician.

"I won't be able to wear it on certain sensible missions in Kaon and Vos," offered Jazz with some concern and put the microchip beneath his armour.

"Acceptable. By then I will have gained clarity about you."

Jazz nearly made a face. Was that good or bad? But Prowl was already talking again, as if the whole incident had never happened:

"I have considered your information and spoken with Prime. In my opinion the orbital surveillance is necessary, but your arguments shouldn't be overlooked." He gave Jazz a data unit. "These are my proposals and calculations. Please read through them by the next meeting, so that we can come to a decision fast."

The spy took the data unit and viewed it. Prowl had really deviated from his radical standpoint and took up a few of Jazz' arguments. None of it was perfect, but now a compromise was at least possible.

"Has Optimus Prime said something important?" Jazz asked

"Yes." Prowl got, if possible, even more serious. "Prime's command: do what is the best for all Cybertronians in the long term."

Jazz was silent as he processed the order, then he said quietly: "Even if there are avoidable victims?"

"Yes. The best in the long term."

He saved the command of his Prime in his deepest and safest memory file. "Order accepted. For Cybertron."

Prowl nodded and for the first time, Jazz saw behind the cold façade some of the warmth of the true mech. "For Cybertron."

The tactician left the office.

~O~

~silber