Transformers: Chimeras and Blunders

Rating: G
Pairings: None
Universe: Headcanon/IDW
Length: Short

“It's the wave of the future!” Lionair exclaimed.

The red and gold engineer converted to his lion mode and rushed after Prowl as the angry policebot stalked down the corridors of the Kimia research facility.

“Just think about it,” Lionaire continued desperately, coming up alongside his supervisor. “Everyone wants the Big Three: combining, triple-changing, and beast modes. The Chimeracron initiative combines all three into one perfect package!”

Prowl continued to ignore him, not looking up from his datapad, which was full of essential information for his upcoming meeting with Optimus Prime. He was really getting sick of this job. The constant pestering for a grant from every half-bright engineer who thought he'd discovered the Onyx Equation, or the Nexus Principle, or Adaptus' Boon was more than even a titan's patience could stand. But while the robots claiming to have unraveled one of the great mysteries were irritating enough, Lionaire was the first one brazen enough to claim a discovery of all three at once. He converted into his vehicle mode and raced towards the elevator, hoping that Lionair would take the hint.

To Prowl's surprise, Lionaire transformed again, but rather than return to his robot mode, the engineer converted into a small jet and rocketed over Prowl's head, beating him to the elevator.

“Triple changing was the easiest to figure out,” Lionaire returned to his humanoid robot form and attempted to block Prowl's path. “All I had to do was study the workings of the transformation cog in the same way I would a branched spark, and it all made perfect sense!”

“Would you kindly move?” Prowl attempted to muscle past the red and gold triple changer as the elevator doors opened, but Lionair somehow managed to sqeeze his way in alongside him.

“Beast modes were much more difficult. If it hadn't been for us uncovering shockwave's notes on the dinobots, I never would have figured it out. And of course he didn't really have the proper solution. I had to figure out a way to keep my intelligence in all three modes, you see?”

Prowl growled, still not listening. If this made him late for his meeting with Prime, so help him...
The elevator jerked to a halt, and Prowl quickly sidled out. Lionair gave chase.
“If you'll just look at the notes, you'll see!”

Prowl tranfsormed back to his police cruiser mode and put on the gas. Lionair followed in his  beast mode, upsetting a nearby droid pushing a trolley full of energon.

“Combining was the hardest part,” persisted Lionair, not to be daunted by Prowl's complete lack of interest. “The problem was, of course, the issue of multiple consciousness combining into one. It really sped things up when I figured out that the consciousness of the participants SHOULDN'T combine! The component parts retain their individuality and shift control for different situations!”

Prowl was forced to return to robot mode to continue examining his data pad. Lionair followed suit, keeping in step with the policebot. “For example, when the combiner needs to fly, the robot forming the wings or thrusters can take control, whereas in a marine environment-”

“SHUT UP!” Prowl screamed, rounding on the engineer at last. “Shut up! I'm sick of hearing about your crackpot theories! I don't care about beast modes, triple changing, or your freakish fusions! Now, if you don't get out of here before Prime show's up, I'll-”

“Too late, old friend,” a familiar voice said from behind them both.

Prowl and Lionair both spun around to see the autobot supreme commander towering over them, larger than life, his red and blue armor glinting mangificently.

“Prime,” Prowl said, stepping in front of Lionair, as if hoping to conceil the other autobot, “I hope I haven't kept you waiting.”

“Not at all,” Prime said, raising a hand placatingly. “Did you get a chance to read that file I sent you on the new Chimeracron initiative?”

“No, I'm afraid I've been busy being interrupted by-” Prowl stopped short, his face frozen, as if unable to process what he had just heard. Several seconds later, he found his voice. “The what?”

“The Chimeracron initiative. One of our engineers was supposed to meet with you.” Prime turned to the red and gold autobot standing behind Prowl. “Excuse me, do you know what's keeping Lionair?”

Prowl said nothing, his face frozen in an expression of dull surprise. He wanted to savor this moment of peace before the humiliation set in.