Author's Note: This mini-fic is just a litte 'testing of the waters' to see if two main GoBots could shape each other's destiny in more ways than we already know. I also want to see if some of their current personalites could show at early stages in their 'careers.' I go back into their past...to their years as Guardian cadets and see what I can stew up. :)

Escapade 1

"Hurry up! If we don't go NOW, we won't get past the pre-dawn survelliance scan!" Cy-Kill whispered harshly to his best friend who was creeping slowly behind.

"Are you sure we should be doing this?" his friend whispered back while ducking from yet another security camera's glare.

"If you're AFRAID, you can always go back to the safety of your recharge pod." Cy-Kill chided then noticed they were still moving too slow. "You know, for one who's going to be a JET in vehicular form, you sure are slower than a one-legged, blind, senior civvy!"

That got the other Guardian cadet moving. With a smooth, slick move, he slid past three more sensor relays and was beside his friend. "Fast enough for ya now?"

"Why am I leading? Isn't your name now, LEADER-1?" Cy-Kill shot back sarcastically.

The pale grey cadet smirked and winked. "Today, I follow. A good leader knows both styles."

"Oh don't get all cadet manual on me." Cy-Kill growled while checking the next corner. "All clear. Let's move."

The two cadets quietly slid along the corridor walls until the next dark nook to duck into.

"You know, I read that this building is just as secure as Guardian HQ?" Leader-1 whispered.

"You want to tell me that NOW?!"

"Just saying, if we get past this, we could get past ANY Guardian security infrastructure."

Cy-Kill thought about it and smirked. "Yessss, that has possibilities doesn't it?"

"Not that we would of course. Just a statement." Leader-1 quickly returned.

"Of courrrrse." Cy-Kill trailed while still considering the possibilities.

The two slinked along the next several corridors, ducking into dark corners whenever possible.

"Is it this one?!" Cy-Kill asked as he pointed to a doorway.

Leader-1 looked at their whereabouts from a map he had with them and compared results. "Next one over, on the left."

"This morning, we make HISTORY!" Cy-Kill excitedly whispered.

"We're not there yet." his friend reminded him "And then we have to get back."

"Must you always state the obvious and rain on my parade? Just hush and feel the thunder for once!"

Leader-1 shrugged and gazed at the map again as they silently crept to the next door. "Okay, Scoot said the door's code is 1157129."

Cy-Kill typed the code into the door's keypad. The little glowing light went from red to green. "We're in!" he exclaimed quietly as the two cadets crept in then slid against the wall. "Next security?"

"Beams...there...and there." Leader-1 said as he pointed.

"Your roommate is a genius and severe dork. You know that don't you?"

"He's a little nerdy, but he comes in very handy. Even you must admit that." Leader-1 stated as he slid to the nearest beam point on the wall and carefully popped open the beam's housing. With a couple adjustments of wiring, the beams shut off.

"You're becoming a nerd too." Cy-Kill replied. It was the closest thing to a compliment he'd give.

"Thanks! That was almost sweet, Cy." Leader-1 replied sarcastically.

"Are we clear now?"

"Yes, but be alert around the desk and storage containers. They could have a trigger too. Zemon is one of those super-organized, super-ready for anything types. It's why every cadet before us has failed in this. AND he knows every cadet class has tried this stunt on him...EVERY--"

"Not us. Not this time. I WILL go down as the greatest cadet EVER!" Cy-Kill muttered as he cut off his fellow cadet and crept forward. "Hand me the bag o tricks."

Leader-1 gently handed his friend the bag full of all sorts of interesting contents and assumed his role as 'guard' beside the door and every now and then gazing at the window and timing the pattern of the light sweeps. "They're on full alert tonight. Wonder why?" he muttered.

"Who cares. Aren't you the one who said, the more challenging, the better?" Cy-Kill stated while crawling onto the floor and rigging a couple of tricks.

"Wasn't meant in this type of situation, Cy."

"Nothing ever is with you is it? Like to keep your fingers clean. You know, maybe you should've joined a monastery dedicated to The Last Engineer instead of the Guardian Academy?"

"Not much to do in those and no neat vehicular form."

"It wasn't meant as a statement. It was sarcasm. Eeesh. You may be co-valedictorian of our class, but you sure miss a lot."

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

Cy-Kill was about to shoot off another snide remark, but was cut off by the blare of an alarm. "What's that?!"

Leader-1 calmly slid towards the window and gazed outward. "Perimeter alarm."

"Breaking in or out?"

"Rookies. Looks like they were trying to get in from a night on the town. Way past curfew. Just think Cy, they could be some of the first we command."

"Oh, I'm soooo excited about commanding a bunch of half-brain idiots." Cy-Kill returned from under the desk. "Hey, ready to set up the cameras?"

Leader-1 grabbed some of the other contents in the sack and prepared the cameras. "How was it half of our class managed to break out for weekends on the town so regularly and easily and these new classes just can't figure it out? Don't they pay attention to their upperclass 'bots?"

"Already said it. Half-brains. Our class has all the best talent. We will be the finest Guardians ever. The rest will pale in our wake."

Leader-1 didn't reply. He busied himself with setting up a couple of cameras in locations where they could record, but couldn't be detected. "Cameras set, Cy-Kill."

"Desk set. Chair set." Cy-Kill added as he stood and brushed himself off.

"Time...one hour twenty minutes until morning call." Leader-1 added.

"Check. Operation Fling Machine a go! Next ops?"

"In motion. Let's move!" Leader-1 replied as both cadets slid back towards the door. Leader-1 rewired and reset the beams before departing.

Sliding back along the walls and down the empty corridors, the two star cadets prepared for their next 'mission.' Grabbing his shoulder, Leader-1 reeled Cy-Kill back and took lead. He directed them to a special service corridor. "Short cut."

"Think or know?"

"Know. Been here before." Leadfer-1 replied matter-of-factly.

"Without me?"

"I don't do everything with you, Cy."

"Oh, do tell."

"Sorry. Don't kiss and tell." Leader-1 replied with a wink.

Cy-Kill's brows lifted in utter curiousity. "I didn't think you were into that kind of stuff! I thought you dated your studies and your duty."

"And I didn't think you knew what a book was, yet I caught you with one the other day."

"Well, wonders never cease! There's hope for you yet, Mr. Goody GoBot!"

The two chuckled softly while they were forced to a crawl once the corridor narrowed from ceiling downward.

Leader-1 loosened a couple of bolts on a panel and peered out. "All clear! Let's move! Signal, Blaster!"

Cy-Kill grabbed a remote device and pressed it. A little light quietly flashed in constant motion. Its color eventually changed from yellow to blue. "He's set."

"Good! Now, we have work to do!" Leader-1 enthusiastically shot back.

Cy-Kill growled. "I wish you wouldn't say that corny line."

One more corridor later, the two cadets reached a large gaping entranceway and double doors. "This is it! The entrance the Guardian High Council will use during the ceremony!"

"Why do you know so much about the High Council?"

"That female? High Council relations."

"Interesting way to get to the top. Not a card I'd expect you to play, but commendable nonetheless."

"I'm NOT using her to get to the top, Cy. I can get there EASILY enough on my own accord."

Suddenly a light beamed on within Cy-Kill's brain. "HER?! YOU?!" He shook his head in disbelief.

Leader-1 smirked. "Oh yeah, she turned down your advances didn't she?" Guess she's into fliers, ground-hugger."

"We'll settle THAT one later. Let's get back on track."

Leader-1 nodded and knelt beside the doors. Cy-Kill handed him several devices with special extra thin wiring as his friend installed them.

"Should be amusing to see our pompous and mighty High Council go boom down these stairs." Cy-Kill muttered, breaking the silence.

"As long as nobody gets hurt." Leader-1 added.

"Naturally." Cy-Kill uttered as he kept watch on the corridors. Suddenly a noise. "We have company!" Cy-Kill whispered as he nudged his friend.

"Figures. Doesn't matter. All's set. Let's go!" Leader-1 said as he stood only to realize Cy-Kill was already gone. "Cy-Kill?" Leader-1 whispered as he looked about. The sound of footsteps grew ever nearer. Leader-1 scanned the area for a nook or something to hide in, but found nothing. It was too late to duck into the next corridor as a shadow of the oncomer appeared around upon the wall. Shoving the bag o tricks inside the doorway and closing the door, Leader-1 calmly prepared himself for a new plan of action. As the GoBot appeared, the identity of this newcomer sparked Leader-1's interest. It was a High Council member...and not just any High Council member. She was sleek and form with beautiful curved delta wings and her vehicular form's sleek tapering nose cone just added effect that she was the perfect essence of speed and elegance. She was a beautiful GoBot that many a male cadet drooled over.

"My, my...what have we here? A lost cadet perhaps?" Concordia purred softly.

"Uh, yes ma'am. I seemed to have taken a wrong turn somewhere."

"You've been here before...remember hmmmm?"

Leader-1 felt a little nervous this time. There was too much at stake and time was running out. He had to return to his room before the start of the day! He nodded innocently, but tried to find a way to end the conversation...quickly. Concordia looked the senior cadet over carefully...pleased with what she saw. "I can't wait until you're a full-fledged Guardian. You're such a handsome GoBot. You'll do great things for us and this planet. I just KNOW it."

"Uh thanks ma'am, but uh, I really need to get back to my room. Could you spare a free tip in directions?"

"Free? Surely you've learned by now that nothing's for free. Everything is earned, especially here. I expect a visit after graduation ceremonies. Can you manage that?"

"Before or after the party?"

"Preferrably while you're still sober. How's that?"

"I'm not into that stuff. Not my thing."

"You're not? Your friend is. Where is he anyway? You two almost seem attached. Where there's smoke there's usually fire. And he's already developing a repute for fires." Concordia asked while she began to look about.

Leader-1 feared she was beginning to unravel the little plot. It couldn't go down like this. It just couldn't! He had to do something and fast!

to be continued...