It was Mirage first time in his alternate to feel the road underneath his treads was intoxicating. Jazz told him he could practice driving here with Blurr. Blurr is fast. Amazingly fast even in his thought processes and speech not just driving. The Terror Twins attitudes shifted. Instead of tormenting him like usual they tend to chase anyone who had showed interest in Mirage. Cliffjumper was even threatened by the twins.

The feel of the road is relaxing and learning his systems and programming. Mirage being to focus on other things to notice his two mentors have joined him in training track of the base. His alternate mode is that of the racer and it was new series of sensations.

"Shoving your spark chamber through you intake valve until fuel tank explodes." Spoke Mirage in awe

"What?" ask DataTraks smooth voice

"Nothing, Sideswipe said to someone." Spoke Mirage surprise to see both Ricochet and DataTraks. "I had never seen your alternate modes before."

"Before the war it would had been more common." Spoke Ricochet sadly "It is not like the younglings can go out in the open much. "

"We drive out here to spend time." Spoke DataTraks

"So I am interrupting something?"

"No not at all." Answer DataTraks

"Ah the first time being in alternate form is so freeing , Raj."spoke Ricochet

Elsewhere

Hound watches Mirage in his alternate mode as Jazz stood with him. Mirage is growing up, thought Hound, he wondered why that thought is exhilarating and yet scared him. Mirage's frame is light and is built for speed as a sprinter but long rough roads that were created by conflict is hard to say. Tactically he had to learn these roads. Jazz summoned him in and he had conversation with Prowl. Prowl expressed concerns about he could teach Mirage to navigate. Jazz was less than polite to Hound on the relationships mostly the saboteur in clear cut terms not to act on his attraction. Hound knew that Mirage is a mechling and still is underage. Hound mind drifted back to Mirage racer frame again. It is not as fast as Blurr but it had high maneuverability. It means that he can dodge whatever is thrown at him.

"So DataTraks and Ricochet are going be part of this." Spoke Hound

"Ricochet is a negative." Smirk Jazz in playful grin. "Mirage will need to be train by Traks to bypass the security."

"I see." Spoke Hound

"Any how it is also chance to train Red's recruits in security breaches." Smile Jazz

"So you want me train Mirage survive on his own." Nodded Hound

"Ah yah." Smiled Jazz "Yer tha best. Raj, lived here on tha base pretty shelterd fer reasons."

"Any others students?" spoke Hound.

"Nah. Raj is special case." Spoke Jazz "Rico, is takin Bluestreak fer trainin. Most likely Blue, will part of group. Raj is going be on solo missions."

Hound notices a visible tick in Jazz which means it did not sit well with the saboteur. Mirage, drove up to them and transformed to the root mode. Mirage face has look of pure bliss. Hound smile a bit how beautiful Mirage has grown into.

"Hound, it is good to see you." Smiled Mirage

"Driving is great isn't it Mirage?" ask Hound

Mirage's optics merely lit up excitement at mention of the road. "Jazz, why are you here?"

Jazz merely watches DataTraks and Ricochet driving. It is the same with him and Prowl. "Ah yah the next aspect of trainin, Raj, is learnin to survive on the road. Hound is an expert in tha area."

"What of Trailbreaker?" ask Mirage

"It is jus Hound and you." Spoke Jazz

"I failed to see why?" ask Mirage

"Mirage, when it comes to spying it is usually a solo mission." Spoke DataTraks

Mirage frown at DataTraks and looked at Jazz. "Why more training, Jazz, when are you going let me do a mission, already?"

Jazz sighed he remember that newly mechlings are just a pain in the aft. Mirage is going be a difficult one according to Ratchet. That old medic said that with such glee it was almost hard to believe he was a grouch. "Tha Decepticon base in not next door to this one."

"In other words, Jazz." Spoke Mirage "There are expanse of territory to cross to reach it. I would be traveling with Hound alone."

Jazz sees the grin on Mirage's face and just groan. "Raj. let's go over the ground rules about this trainin session."

Ricochet smile amuse as his brother took his adoptive offspring to his office. Hound look at the two speculatively and knew that Mirage is going be a handful.

"It looks like Jazz has his servos filled." Smirk Ricochet

"I am sure the twins were pretty bad at that age." Spoke Hound

"The twins not really." Spoke DataTraks "In some ways they are mischievous pranksters but there are lines even Sunstreaker and Sideswipe tried to bend."

Jazz's Office

Mirage could tell his adoptive carrier is irritated but first time he didn't care. It would be first time he would have a chance to get to be Hound alone. Jazz gestured again to have a seat.

"Ah know tha ya feel old enough to get intimate wit Hound." Spoke Jazz without preamble "Yer frame may be mature enough to do so. Raj, Ah also know tha yer not emotionally mature enough for Facin."

"How can you?" demanded Mirage

"Ah was like this when I was yer age." Spoke Jazz in a smirk. "Ah needin Hound to teach survival skills when yer out there. If there was someone else Ah woulda asked."

"Yer nothing like me Jazz." Spoke Mirage angrily

Jazz smile at the memory of Ratchet discussion about mechlings and maturity and how Primus gave him revenge for his misbehavior. "Ah gave the exact same statements to mah creators, Tha is why for the ground rules. Ah also know tha you will try to do it on yer own."

"I care deeply for Hound." Spoke Mirage in a small voice

"Do yah love him." Spoke Jazz

"I don't know. I will never hurt him intentionally."

"Perhaps yer time with him ye can explore tha feelin." Spoke Jazz wisely.

"What are the ground rules?" spoke Mirage knowing that he will never leave the office without hearing them.

"Mirage, you will listen to Hound." Spoke Jazz grimly. "Ah know you well enough to try to do something. Now don't protest because Ah would do the same thing. Ye will stop when Hound says to stop. The second rule this is not a romantic getaway but survival training. Yah do well remember tha. If this does not work out I will find someone to teach you. Yah will have two cycles of energon and Hound will show you how to procure it."

"After training?" ask Mirage

"Well Traks will show how to break into places."

"So Hound's job is to train me from one point to the next."

"Yah." Spoke Jazz. "Trailbreaker will be takin Traks and Rico to some areas where we can use it as new base."

"Time to move on isn't it." Nodded Mirage

"Now remember what the trainin about." Spoke Jazz cheerfully. "Raj be good."

Jazz merely watch as Mirage leaves the office. Mirage was such a good sparkling and youngling how he can be handful as mechling. Mirage, decided to pick his fight and rebellion at another time. "Ah'm doomed."

"Now, Jazz he is like you." Spoke Prowl

"Watchin things?" spoke the Saboteur "Yer certain he will try to seduce Hound?"

"About 90%." Smirk Prowl quirks an optic "Really, Jazz, you tried to seduce a mech when you are alone multiple times."

"Tha is the real reason to speak with Hound private." Spoke Jazz

"I know all my sparklings love interests are." Spoke Prowl in a grin. "Mirage, is always candid in his infatuation of Hound and lesser extent Trailbreaker. Unlike the Twins he is not a player and most likely will have few lovers that he is truly intimate with. Don't look at me like that, Jazz. I want the younglings to have good lovers that won't abuse them. Mirage, tastes are excellent in choosing Hound and Trailbreaker. Of course, I did a background check on them and who ever caught the twins' fancy."

Jazz looks at Prowl in shock. "You make it sound like a battle tactics and warfare."

Author Note:

I will be gone for two weeks and will not be posting any time soon. It may be longer since I may be moving to another city.