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 3

Concordia thought through her plan one more time. Then suddenly realized they needed one quick trick before the main event. While she didn't want to put the cadets on-guard for potential trouble, she did want to rattle the cages of the two lead bots--distract them, throw them off their game just a little bit. And she knew just the GoBot to do it.

The call entered the quarters of the drill master while he was going through his pre-morning preps. Breaking from his routine, he stepped over to his desk to respond.

"So, you say I've got a little 'pest' problem eh? My star cadets?! You're kidding! One I can believe, but the other...he's squeaky clean, by-the-book to the point of annoyance. Wonder what that crazy motorbike-to-be has on him that enticed him to go along with something like this? No matter, as good as done ma'am, Dredge out!" Dredge looked at the time before converting to his vehicular form of an old model US Marine Amphibious assault vehicle and utilized the main corridor to the cadet barricks. On his way, he stopped, converted back to GoBot form and knocked upon the quarters of his assistant. Once briefed on the 'situation' his assistant quickly joined him on the quick little trip. "Time to wake the babies." Troller chuckled as he converted to his vehicular form...a Bell "Huey" helicopter and followed Dredge, in vehicular form once again, out the door and down the outdoors corridor towards the cadet barracks.

It was only 0322 when the sound of metal slamming onto metal resounded through their audio sensors and bright light blinding their opticals. Scooter yelped and rolled out of his charge pod and onto the floor in a heap. Leader-1, bolted upward from his pod and slammed his head onto the low ceiling. He fell back onto his pod grasping his head in pain. He already had a headache, now it was nearly a migraine.

"C'MON CADETS! TIMES 'A WASTIN' GET YOUR SORRY SCRAP UP AND OUT! PT'S EARLY TODAY!" Troller yelled with an obvious amused hitch to his voice.

Both cadets of room 315 groaned, but naturally, obeyed. They began to move as Troller exited.

In room 343, a similar event was occurring, only with Dredge, he was a little more well, physical. Turning the room lights on, barking explatives where the words were not as important as the sounds made, he ripped both cadets from their pods, thrusting them onto the floor.

"YOU'RE ALREADY LATE CADETS!

Blaster was utterly confused. Cy-Kill, though stunned, was already plotting a 'get even' scheme with this instructor's name upon it.

"PT's NOW! GET THOSE SECOND RATE BITS OF SCRAP YOU CALL BODIES ONTO THE PT GROUNDS BEFORE YESTERDAY!" Dredge barked then departed to meet up with Troller. The two instructors turned the corner beyond the cadet quarters and broke down into a deep chuckle.

"I don't think they've even had an hour's recharge." Dredge snickered.

"They ain't happy, that's for sure." Troller added.

Dredge then used his internal communicator. "CC201, task complete. Shall we continue with PT or just let them stand out there, shivering, waiting for nothing?"

"Just give them some 'busy' task, but observe. Let's see if they realize that the rest of the cadets aren't joining them? I'd like to see just how far-advanced their own thinking and rationalization is and what they may do or not do. It may determine our next course of action in foiling their little scheme. I KNOW they've got something setup for today's ceremony. I'm just not exactly sure what or to whom."

"Understood ma'am. Dredge Out."

Down the long corridor that led to the outer PT grounds, four Guardian Cadets scampered. While each had his own version of complaining about the present ordeal, not a single one voiced it audibly. Leader-1, however, was already smelling a rat...and it wasn't of the organic type. Something just didn't fit right and now two coincidences...first smacking into Concordia and now the two instructors changing the 'routine.' Why bother when graduation was today!? While he couldn't quiet piece it all together, he just had a feeling that these coincidences were coming in threes and one more was yet to occur.

As they reached the outer PT grounds, they looked about and realized they were the only four upon it.

"We get a private session?" Blaster asked.

"Maybe they woke us first? Or--since we are the top 4 in our class, we're getting something 'special?'" Scooter added.

Cy-Kill and Leader-1 exchanged glances. They both had a bad feeling of being taken for a ride.

"Doubt it's anything good, Scoot. Can't do anything about it though." Leader-1 muttered.

"The game's afoot and merely an additional challenge. Will make our little 'gift' all the more worthwhile. It's their move." Cy-Kill returned.

"But what I'd like to know is how the ball ended up in their court to begin with?" Leader-1 spoke to no one in particular as he scanned the entire area for whatever was to occur next.

"Guess you aren't the Ladies' bot you thought you were, eh buddy?" Cy-Kill shot back.

"HEY--I'm better than you'll--hmm, Concordia?! You think--nah, she wouldn't...would she?" Leader-1 spat back as he interrupted himself suddenly realizing she would have the rank and authority to alter anything and order anyone within the Guardian Academy. She wasn't just a Council member afterall. She was also the Academy Dean.

"You of all bots should know? You're the only one who has tallied a score with her." Cy-Kill continued.

"This sucks!" Blaster exclaimed for no reason at all. The other three nodded in agreement as cold shivers shot up their systems for more reasons than just the chill in the early morn air.

As time ticked agonizingly slow, the four cadets remained at attention to await whatever the heck it was that was to occur. In the silence of the pre-morn hours, both Leader-1 and Cy-Kill could've sworn they heard the faint muffle of a Command Center's engines locked in a hover.

"Standard ops?" Cy-Kill whispered to his best friend.

"Not this late, err, early and not over the city like this. Something's up."

"Renegades?" Cy-Kill asked almost licking his own lips in anticipation of a real fight.

"We'd have picked up their frequencies by now and the city's security forces are quiet. Nah, I think we're being observed...by more than just our instructors." Leader-1 softly spoke while glancing around subtly.

"But why?" Scooter asked in an almost whine.

"Same reason we're out here and no other cadets are. If only I could piece it all together..."

"No time, friend. Guess we'll find out something--one way or another." Cy-Kill uttered as he nodded his head towards the oncoming instructors. All four Guardian cadets snapped back into full attention. But Leader-1 was extremely bothered by the unseen Command Center.

Just beyond the Academy grounds...

"That one has instincts that are NOT normal on a GoBot!" Trudy exclaimed aboard their Command Center, NiteSite.

"He doesn't freakin' see us does he? He's glanced this way twice now!?" Electra asked.

"Special indeed. Concordia briefed me on that one. He's the one they've named Leader-1 and probably to be destined to become what his namesake is. Well gals, I think we have to be extra careful. His buddy is a little slower, but also on the same page. These two cadets are indeed something else. Let's hope Dredge and Troller can do their jobs so we can do ours." Rocksie replied.

"Their sidekicks would be easier to deal with first. Y'know, take out the 'hired help'." Trudy recommended.

"What's to say the whole class isn't in on it though? Lose two sidekicks and gain two more." Electra returned.

"Ya got a point there. But something tells me, it'd be more fun to see what this class has in store for graduation. They've obviously had too much time on their hands to think up whatever it was. Judging by their final exam scores...perfect...Academy training was a breeze for them." Trudy mentioned while bringing up some additional info on the two class 'stars.'

"It's why both of them are going Advanced Elite. They're going to be graduating as sub level commanding officers rather than just officers. That's three promotional steps without even having served an hour on duty yet." Rocksie continued.

"Hey, they'll nearly outrank us right out the Acadmey?!"

"Give 'em a year and I bet they WILL outrank us, Trudy." Rocksie chuckled.

"Oh, I dunno, I think I'd rather enjoy being commanded by them, especially the motorbike." Electra shot in.

All three giggled uncomfortably.

Back at the Academy PT grounds...

"Welcome to your 'special' PT session, cadets! Aren't you thrilled to be chosen for this select event?! Sure you are! Graduation Day isn't all about fun and doing nothing. A Guardian must be ready for action, anytime, anywhere, anyday, and doing anything. And we decided to let a couple crews have the day off with pay so we need replacements. Let's see, you and you...to the cafeteria kitchen...NOW. Troller will escort you two to your stations." Dredge spoke as he pointed to Cy-Kill and Scooter.

Cy-Kill raised his brow. Dish duty?! Him?! Yeah right! But, not wanting to potentially derail his own scheme, he played along and obeyed.

"And you two are going to be Academy garbage collectors this morning! Bet you two never realized how much crap we generate here until you actually have to deal with it. And today, we're having an organic breakfast!" Dredge continued.

Cy-Kill had heard what his friend had to do. That had to be the worst job you could give to a GoBot who likes to stay clean...in many aspects.

Leader-1 and Blaster obediently followed Dredge to their new 'duty.' As the two sets of cadets went in two different directions off the PT grounds, Leader-1 and Cy-Kill both glanced back at each other. Both was giving the same "v" finger signal behind their backs and smirk upon their faces.

Back aboard NiteSite...

"FREEZE THERE! THAT IMAGE!" Trudy exclaimed as she directed Electra at the camera.

Rocksie joined them at the console for a closer look. "So we DID see something there. Those two have their own CODE already?! They're good...real good."

"Should we forewarn Dredge or Concordia?" Electra inquired.

"Let's wait a bit. I'm sure Dredge may already be aware or at least expecting some new trick from them. I don't want to expose us just yet. We're only supposed to observe right now to better acquaint ourselves with our quarry."

"Then how about Trudy and I do a little close up 'investigation' hmm? Let us personally take those two out of the whole equation. We'll bring them back just as the graduation ceremony begins." Electra suggested.

Rocksie thought about it. It would definitely thwart any pre-existing 'plans' if the two were separated from their class and away from the vicinity. "I'll contact Concordia and see if she agrees and can give those two cadets special passes off the Academy campus."

Electra and Trudy 'high-fived' each other.

Rocksie laughed. "You think you two ol' ladies can keep up with those two?"

"The one already flies with one of our generation. I don't think it'll be an issue at all." Trudy added.

"Heheh, so you heard about that too! Wow, that grapevine sure travels far in a very short amount of time." Electra laughed.

"It's not often a lowly cadet scores with a High Council member. I wanna see what this studbot is all about...well, I mean, not like that, but in a professional, interview type of way of course." Trudy stumbled, embarrassed.

"Sure, what other way is there?!" Electra and Rocksie replied in a unified laugh.

to be continued...