Author's Note: Thanks to SJSGirl (They do indeed!), Gina Ichimaru's girl (Good observation! And I'd say the group was probably mechs Megatron wanted out of his base), Lovely Rain Dancer (So would I!), shadowhaseo (:D), Starfire201 (Shockwave is dangerous when he's angry), 1Timberwolf (I think a few is putting it mildly), Iwanita (Don't we all? I'd love to find a way to kill that thing!), Autobotgirl2234 (In a way-yes. If work involves self preservation), Firestorm152 (No kidding!), electro moonlight (definitely), lisa, and Lynn Jones (That's the only way he gets any sympathy-lol) for reviewing the last chapter! I own nothing of Transformers you recognize.

Battle of the Cops

What started as a suggestion turned out to be an all out war

Sunstreaker figured out quickly enough why Barricade wasn't laughing. The ground seemed to erupt underneath their feet as a massive serpentine shape rose out of the dirt. A flick of its tail sent Knock Out and Reverb flying. Skywarp let out a startled squawk but didn't take off fast enough to avoid being hit to the ground. Barricade yanked Sunstreaker out of the way as the Driller's head emerged from the dirt so the body could flash through the air before vanishing.

The ground seethed as the monster prepared to make another pass. Barricade growled, frame tensed as he watched the ground. "Enough," he rumbled, glaring darkly at Shockwave. "You've made your point."

"Oh really?" the other Decepticon replied and Barricade growled again.

"Yes," the cop mimic spat. "And Megatron will have your head if you irreversibly damage your retrieval team. That's his job." Shockwave seemed to study the younger 'Con as Barricade stared back with cold optics.

"No more pushing?" the one eyed 'Con questioned.

"None from me," Barricade promised grimly, nudging Sunstreaker with an elbow.

"I'm not promising," the Autobot fronliner spat, letting out a yell when the Driller rose up practically under his feet.

"Stupid Autobot," Barricade hissed, shoving Sunstreaker out of the way of another strike. "Just agree to it before Shockwave decides you're expendable and disposes of you."

"Fine," Sunstreakerspat. "No more pushing." Instantly the Driller vanished with a hiss into the sand. Shockwave gave a mocking, satisfied smile and Barricade warily relaxed next to the Autobot frontliner.

"Good," Shockwave said, turning his dark gaze to his companions. "Get up!" he barked sharply. "We need to get back to Megatron before sunset." Skywarp pulled himself off the ground with a whining moan. Reverb was already on his feet and humming as if nothing had happened and Knock Out clambered up, checking his paint.

"They're all insane," Sunstreaker said in an undertone. "Especially the humming one."

"Sometimes," Barricade replied in a hollow tone. "It's safer to be insane."