Ratchet had departed for his own berth soon after, leaving Switchshade comfortable wrapped up in a large square of incredibly soft mesh the humans referred to as a 'blanket'. How the Autobots had managed to obtain these 'blankets' of such great size was a mystery the dark mech was less than interested in pursuing as he happily snuggled down into the warmth of it. Recharge came quickly, and for the first time in a long time, the dark mech was untroubled by dark recharge-memories.

Early the next earth-cycle, Switchshade rose from his berth, stretching out his plating and cabling comfortably, and then fluttered his doorwings and rolled his shoulder plating, wondering at how loose and flexible they felt, and then froze for a moment when he realized what was different. For the first time in vorns, he felt truly and completely safe. The tension that he had grown so accustomed to, first under Megatron's reign of terror, and then here as a captive in the base, had kept him strung so tightly that now that he finally felt safe enough to relax, the difference in tension was glaringly obvious. The dark mech allowed a small, nervous smile to cover his faceplates at the realization, and then quietly made his way to the common room, just in time to hear Ratchet's agitated voice calling for the Prime.

"Optimus, you're not going to believe this. I've just pinpointed the location of the Decepticon Warship!"

Switchshade's crimson optics flickered over to Optimus as he stepped forward towards Ratchet, the powerful mech's pedesteps easily audible even all the way across the room. The dark mech silently made his way over to where Cliffjumper and Arcee had been entangled in a modest embrace but were now separated and staring at Ratchet in excitement. Cliffjumper, carefully telegraphing his movements, clapped a gentle but firm servo to Switchshade's shoulder plating, and was visibly delighted when the dark mech hesitantly returned his friendly grin.

"How did you penetrate their cloaking technology?" Optimus' deep voice expressed wariness and curiosity in equal measure.

"I didn't," Ratchet replied succinctly, "I was experimenting with the variable frequency wavelengths when I stumbled upon it."

The monitor the medic stood at zoomed in as he spoke, and a small diagram of the Nemesis' exterior came into view. Switchshade stared at the schematics of the ship that had been his home for many decaorns, and was startled to realize he felt no remorse or homesickness whatsoever. His spark twinged regretfully only when his processor wandered to Soundwave, Laserbeak, or his fallen siblings; the ship itself held no sentiment for him. He cycled his optics and returned his focus to Ratchet as the medic continued.

"Even still, their ship must be experiencing some kind of electromagnetic breach."

Arcee stepped forward as well, her icy blue optics narrowing with a dark glee as she began, "With Megatron deceased, and the element of surprise…"

Cliffjumper grinned brightly at his beloved and cut in before Bulkhead had the chance. "…we could cause some serious damage." Switchshade felt a shiver run down his struts as he stumbled back several steps on reflex and instinct alone. Despite the Autobots having proved many times over by now they meant him no harm, it by no means indicated that any of them were in any way less lethal than they had been for millennia.

His rapid retreat went unnoticed, as the Autobots began to grow ever more excited at the prospect of attacking the weakened Nemesis. Suddenly, another alert began beeping on Ratchet's monitor, and he turned to inspect it, his warm teal eyes widening in alarm as he announced to the room at large, "Also on the same frequency, an Autobot emergency beacon."

Optimus lifted his helm slightly, and declared in a voice that brokered no argument, "The Decepticons can wait. There may be Autobots in distress. Ratchet, bring your medical kit."

As the medic hurried to obey, gathering basic first aid supplies quickly and efficiently, Switchshade found himself staring at Lord P-Optimus, in nothing short of astonishment. Admiration and respect that had always been present seemed to multiply in the span of an astroklik as the dark mech realized just how worthy of his reverence Lord Prime truly was. Megatron would have had no use for any Decepticon who would fall to pleading for help or assistance. Starscream was no better, and even Soundwave was extremely unlikely to turn to answer an emergency beacon when the secondary option was to gain an advantage over his enemies. Lord Prime's instant decision to first protect and aid his own mecha, rather than turning instantly to destroying his enemies, only further cemented Switchshade's deep reverence for the ancient mech.

"You all right there, my mech?" Switchshade was shaken from his reverie when Cliffjumper clasped his shoulder plating once again, this time a bit more abruptly, and the dark mech was proud when he managed to keep from flinching. "You look like you're planning to offline right here and now. You're not still… ya know… worried about O.P., are ya? You know the boss wouldn't hurt ya. He's said it a bunch of times, but the way you were staring at him… I mean, I just wanted to tell ya again. You're safe, Switch. Promise."

Switchshade offered a sheepish smile to the bright red mech who was fast becoming a dear friend to him, and shook his helm slightly. "No, Cliffjumper, I believe I am beginning to overcome my irrational fear of Lord Optimus. I am grateful for your support nonetheless, however." Cliffjumper grinned brightly, shaking Switchshade's shoulder plating in camaraderie before releasing him, both mecha turning to watch as Optimus and Ratchet prepared to depart for the coordinates of the distress beacon.