Important Information

"Blah" Speaking

::Blah:: comm. link

'Blah' bonded speech

'Blah' thinking

Astrosecond- 2.5 earth Seconds

Klik- 150 earth seconds/ 2.5 earth Minutes

Orn- 150 earth minutes/ 2.5 earth Hours

Joor- 60 earth hours/2.5 earth Days

Metacycle- 17.5 earth days/2.5 earth Weeks

Vorn- 10 earth weeks/2.5 earth months

Stellercycle-30 earth months/2.5 years

Breem-slang for a moment/minute.

Night Cycle: star down to star up

Day Cycle: Star up to star down

Authors Note: Wholly crap! An update!

For a while I had lost the muse to all my stories, I wasn't writing anything and didn't have the drive to do so. But, after going to a convention recently I've got the bug again! Whoot! So I hope you all enjoy chapter 10, and chapter 11 has already been started.

Thank you all.

Disclaimer: I own only my OC's, nothing else.

Horror was etched into the faces of both Sunstorm and Acidstorm as Vortex smoothly walked deeper into their dark quarters. Sunstrom stepping back further away from the interrogator, shoving Silverstorm behind him as he did so, the blue seeker cuddling into the back of a yellow shoulder when he did.

Mia gave a sharp gasp before she could swallow it back. She refused to bow to fear despite how her hands shook while she grasped at Starscream's collar armor. The smirk that Vortex wore was not a friendly one, not the kind of smirk that an ally would direct towards them.

Acidstorm shot up, snarling at the heliformer and his bright green armor fluffing up aggressively. His lips twisting to bare his denta at the interrogator, Acidstorm hesitated, torn between charging and guarding his mates.

Vortex's helm tilted, the sharp smirk turning amused as he took another step forward. His claws flared at his sides, his steps lose and languid as he took another.

Lifting a broken hand, Starscream struggled to stand, vents working harder as he pushed himself to his pedes. Mia clung to his collar armor in a white knuckled grip and a grim face.

"Vortex wait," He rasped. The red visor flicked towards him before snapping back to Acidstorm. "Just wait. You don't have to do this."

"Loyalty program," Acidstorm hissed, his own claws flared, frame tense and ready to attack.

Vortex licked his lips, slow and somehow made it seem more like a threat. "That's right. Loyalty program. All hail Megatron, and all that." He suddenly snapped a crisp salute, before his frame relaxed and the lazy smirk returned.

Acidstorm hissed again, uncertain. Glancing back at his mates, a worried look crossed his face before the anger returned. "This isn't a joke!" the seeker hissed, taking his own step forward.

Vortex's visor flashed happily, welcoming the distress and anxiety that came just before a fight.

"Stop," Starscream tried to hiss, trying to weakly grasp at green armor with broken servos. "Stand down Acidstorm."

"Yes Acidstorm, stand down," Vortex mocked. "Like a good little mechling. So loyal to the Prime."

Acidstorm made to move towards Vortex again, and again stopped by Starscream. "He's baiting you."

Vortex faked looking hurt, hand splayed across his chest. "Baiting you? Me? Well of all the things."

"What do you want Vortex?" Starscream hissed angrily, beginning to lean heavily onto Acidstorm as his strength left him. The green seeker made no move to help his former commander stand up, red optics glaring at Vortex.

The crystal of Vortex's visor flashed, and for a moment the sharp look fell, leaving the most unreadable look. Just as quickly, the look was gone and the sharp look was back and Vortex gave a little shrug. "Was very confused to find the Hole empty. Ons want's a chit chat with you," He sing-songed. Vortex shifted his weight back and crossed his arms, suddenly no longer seemingly like a direct threat. "Wasn't hard to find you. There are only so many who would be stupid enough to do it."

"How did you get into our quarters?" Acidstorm hissed, drawing Vortex's attention again.

Vortex's smirk only got wider. "Locks are so easily hacked and broken."

"You broke my lock!"

Vortex shrugged before dismissing Acidstorm. "We haven't the time. You not being in the Hole will be noticed, eventually." Vortex lifted one shoulder in a lazy shrug. "We all know Megatron hasn't grown tired of you yet. Onslaught wants to chat."

Acidstorm sneered. "Oh. So you're a delivery boy then?"

Vortex bared his denta in another sharp smile. "I'm sorry, the adults are talking."

Making a move to attack, Acidstorm was stopped by Starscream's hand on his shoulder. It only made Vortex's smile sharpen all the more, "And sparklings should be seen and not heard."

"That's enough Vortex," Starscream snapped as crimson optics slid effortlessly towards the damaged seeker. "You said Onslaught wanted to see us? Where?"

Pouting a little that his fun had ended, Vortex muttered, "Our quarters. Onslaught is waiting."

Weakening as he took a step towards the interrogator, Starscream nodded. "Alright then. Take us. All of us."

Vortex frowned at Starscream, "Even the extra baggage?"

Acidstorm snarled, but Starscream shrugged nonchalantly, "Yes, the extra baggage too." Even as his knees began to shake from fatigue.

Acidstorm glared at the back of Starscream's head and Vortex all but whined, "Fiiiiine. They can come too if you insist."

"I'm insisting," Starscream dead panned.

Vortex rolled his optics. "Autobots making you soft Starscream." The pout was gone, but Vortex still whined in annoyance.

Mia smirked even as the seeker huffed, "Take us to Onslaught."

Vortex mirrored the women's smirk. "Very well." He sang songed again, swapping from frightening interrogator or merry assistant at a frightening speed. He wouldn't allow any of the seekers to grasp what was really happening, "This way."

Just as easily as he had come into their room, Vortex breezed out as though nothing were wrong.

Acidstorm came to stand beside Starscream, "This is a bad idea. How can we trust him?"

Starscream snorted, glancing to Mia, "How can I trust any of you?" he asked, swinging his very pointed look to the green seeker.

"But, the loyalty program,"

"Is only a concern if they are given a direct order," Starscream interrupted, his damaged frame taking shaky steps after the helicopter. "Onslaught has more resources and is a tactician. If anyone has an escape plan it's him."

The green seeker groaned and slid an arm under Starscream's to help support his weakening frame. "But why would Onslaught want to help us?"

"Come on traitors!" Vortex called happily, practically bouncing on his toe-plates.

Acidstorm snarled, and Starscream just sighed. "Let's go find out then," He grumbled, leaning heavily onto the green seeker.

Frowning, Acidstorm nodded, and motioned for Sunstorm and Silverstorm to follow. "Fine," The green seeker hissed. "But he better stop calling us traitors."

Starscream snorted. "Might as well get used to that."

Mia couldn't help but chortle at the response as they slowly followed Vortex from the room and she laughed again at seeing the mangled mess of wires of what was left of Acidstorm's lock. Starscream gave her a surprised look, it had been the first time she had laughed since they arrived only days ago.

The green seeker sighed and Vortex laughed at his dismay. "What? It's not like you're coming back here anyways." With that, the interrogator spun away and practically floated down the hall.

Acidstorm growled. "I hate him," He muttered, sparking a tiny flicker of amusement in Starscream. He glanced again to Mia, and he thought about how Onslaught had sent her food and water and how Vortex had begrudgingly brought it.

"I don't think they're all that bad," Starscream shrugged, leaning heavier into Acidstorm as they followed Vortex. "Could be a hell of a lot worse."

Acidstorm begrudgingly accepted Starscream's response, despite his muttered words, "I dunno Starscream. It can't get much worse than Vortex."

"He is a bit of an ass," Mia agreed suddenly, drawing Acidstorm's attention. "But he's an ass who's helping us."

Glaring at the human, Acidstorm could see why Starscream was fond of her. She had a certain moxie that a lot of humans lacked. Grumbling, Acidstorm followed Vortex and his too light of a walk.

The walk to the Combaticon's Nemesis issued quarters had been uneventful. The whole walk there Vortex had been light and unhurried, not once seeming nervous at what they had been doing. By comparison, the seekers were jumpy and anxious. They flinched at every noise, and peeked around every corner before fully committing to walking down it, much to Vortex's ever growing amusement.

"You seekers are soooooo jumpy," Vortex mused as he opened the door to his quarters, and stepped aside to let them in. "It's like you've never broken the rules before."

Acidstorm glared at him as they slipped through the door, "It's not like you were tortured Vortex. We have reason to be jumpy."

Vortex's smirk got wider. "Sparkling," He mocked.

"Vortex may have not been this time, but I certainly was." Onslaught shrugged as they came into the room. The massive commander was standing still with thick arms crossed over his chest. His frame was relaxed and almost board looking, "What are they doing here?"

Before Starscream could respond, Vortex answered lightly "Oh, Starscream wants to bring rift raft with us."

Acidstorm hissed back, "We are not rift raft! Why do you have to be such a glitch!"

Suddenly becoming serious, Vortex asked "Have you actually met me?"

"Enough," Onslaught snapped, his patience already running thin. Vortex leered at the green seeker before moving around Onslaught to tend to something behind his commander.

Both Acidstorm and Sunstorm glared at the interrogator as he moved out of sight, optics flashing as they complained over their bond.

The gold visor passed over Acidstorm, Sunstorm and Silverstorm, moving to Starscream and Mia. "You two alright?"

Mia nodded finding herself relaxed with the large commander and Starscream. They had shared pain and a horrifying moment, and that meant something. Starscream frowned at him and asked, "What do you want Onslaught?" yet there wasn't the usual bite to the seekers tone towards the commander he had freed so long ago.

Snorting, the Combaticon commander tilted his head lazily, "We want to come with you. I am even willing to bring them," he nodded towards the brightly colored seekers as though he were doing them a favor "with us, if that's what you want. We want immunity from Autobot prosecution, or whatever deal you have worked out with the Prime. In exchange we will fight for you and will give you the power of Bruticus."

Starscream's optics narrowed in suspicion. "What about the loyalty program? How can you even conspire to leave?"

A full frame shiver ran down Onslaught's body, and he tightened his hold on his arms. "We have found a way to manipulate it, temporarily to gain certain freedoms back. We tend not to draw attention to it when we are doing it, or else the control will slip."

Starscream snorted, still uncertain. "And what about in battle? What use would you be to us then?"

Another shiver ran down Onslaught's spinal struts, this one much more controlled. "Through our research we have discovered that the loyalty program cannot be removed, not without damaging our personality components."

"That would be a fragging shame," Acidstorm hissed from between clenched denta as he glared at the commander.

Onslaught ignored him, focusing on Starscream. "However, the individual that we are loyal to can be changed."

"You're certain?" Starscream asked slowly, suddenly feeling woozy and light headed.

Onslaught nodded. "Hook guaranteed it. It would take a medic who specializes in programing and processors to do it, but it can be done."

Starscream scowled. "A medic like Ratchet?"

Onslaught nodded again. "He is one of the best."

Optic narrowed, Starscream demanded. "Why should I believe you? Why would you want to leave now? If you've had all this information before, what makes now so special?"

Pausing, Onslaught glanced behind him and they could hear Vortex sigh.

Turning his attention back to Starscream, Onslaught's hands tightened again in frustration as Vortex came back around his commander. In the interrogators arms was a tiny sparkling, sucking on his own digits.

There was a collective gasp, and Mia muttered, "Is that a baby?"

The three seekers in the room froze as old protocols snapped online, and nothing was suddenly more important to any of them then protecting the sparkling. The dark grey sparkling giggled and a weeks' worth of tension and torture unwound from Starscream's spark.

"That is a sparkling," The seeker all but sighed. "Who does he belong to?"

"Me." Vortex said aggressively, suddenly holding Ace a little tighter as though to protect him. "He's mine. Ons is his surrogate."

"What…what about his other creator."

"Doesn't want him." Onslaught said more calmly then he felt, his tattered EM field rippled with annoyance and anger. "So he's mine."

Starscream, still stunned into silence and mouth dropped open in shock, simply nodded. "O- Okay." He gave his helm a little shake to clear his processor, "I take it then you have a plan?"

Onslaught nodded. "Blast Off and Brawl are on duty on the command deck, and Swindle is heading there now. They can raise and lower the control tower to have access above the ocean. We cut off all of our comms so Megatron can't order us back and we go to the Ark flying in Blast Off."

Starscream nodded. It seemed simple enough…too simple. Too easy.

Shaking his head no, Starscream groused, "Megatron will know immediately that you've left and grow suspicious." He glanced to Mia and the sparkling. "He will come after me."

"Then what do you propose we do?" Onslaught asked, sounding suddenly uncertain, the gleam of his visor glancing to the giggling sparkling.

Starscream hesitated, his protocol's screaming to protect the sparkling at all costs. "You take your team, Mia and Silverstorm and get as far from here as possible. I will lead Megatron away, I'm not as fast as Blast Off, but enough to draw Megatron's attention. He will be too concerned with me to go after you. Have Mia use Blast Off's communicator and get a message to Prime." He nodded towards Acidstorm and Sunstorm. "I'll take these two with me to help draw them off."

Onslaught snored "I didn't take you for a self-sacrificing fool Starscream. Autobot's are making you soft."

"I don't like this plan," Mia said softly, worry etched deeply into her face as she cast uncertain glances between the two Cybertronians.

"I don't either," Onslaught barked. "You can barely stand, never mind fly."

Starscream glared at him. "I know Vortex has to have access to some kind of stimulants," He glanced to the interrogator. "Right?"

Onslaught glanced to his interrogator, the gestalt bond pinging in question. Heaving a sigh, Vortex nodded. "Yeah, I got stimulants."

Starscream nodded. "Good. I need enough to keep me air borne until the Prime can come collect us."

"Yeah, I can do that," Vortex nodded, looking back down at his sparkling, bouncing Ace in his arms.

Sunstorm's orange optics followed Ace's gentle bounce up and down. "That is too weird," He muttered to his bond mate as Acidstorm nodded in agreement.

"You get used to it," Onslaught groused and he gently eased Ace from Vortex's arm to cradle him in the crook of his arm. Ace giggled and kicked tiny feet against Onslaught's thick armored arm.

Starscream couldn't help but to be in awe at how natural and how easy Onslaught cradled the sparkling, how he didn't look any less intimidating as he shifted his weight to one side to compensate for the tiny frame. Starscream was sure he still could have beaten them all in a fight and not disturbed the sparkling in the least.

"It's amazing how he still looks like he could kick your ass," Mia mused, eyes sparkling with an amusement not seen in days, practically reading his processor.

Onslaught snorted as Vortex disappeared behind his commander again, digging under his berth for a small box.

"You've got a high functioning system right?" Vortex asked as he stood with the small box he retrieved.

Mia's smile fell and she worried at her bottom lip. "Are you sure about this?"

A broken face titled down to Mia and Starscream forced a confident look. "This will be fine." He reassured.

"Suuuure it will be." Vortex shrugged, smirking at the seekers as he pulled a needle from the case and a small vial of neon green liquid. "Just like Silverstorm is gonna get all better when Ratchet sees him."

There was a snarl and a flash if green as Acidstorm launched himself at the interrogator, Starscream almost fell as he was jostled having to use a wall to catch himself before he hit the ground.

Vortex easily slipped the needle and vial into subspace and easily side stepped Acidstorm's sloppy attack, spinning around him in an elegant manor and coming to stop defensively in front of Onslaught.

Acidstorm slammed into Vortex's berth with a crash, and he quickly shoved himself up with an angry snarl. He spun around, and he again charged at the smirking heloformer who was ready for his attack.

Mia gasped as Vortex moved with a frightening grace that reminded her of a predator as he swooped down to grab at Acidstorm's legs and yanked them up hard. Falling onto his back with a rage filled cry, Acidstorm was pinned to the ground as Vortex stomped onto his throat with an easy smile, his claws flared and tapping against his thighs.

Hissing, Acidstorm grasped at his pede and struggled beneath Vortex while spitting out Cybertronion curses.

Silverstorm whimpered at Sunstorm's side, pressing a pale face into his shoulder, and the yellow seeker looked torn between protecting one bonded over the other.

Starscream looked desperately to Onslaught to get control over his subordinate, and was dismayed to see the larger Combaticon making no motion to stop him. Onslaught continued to gently rock Ace in the crock of his arm, carefully putting his heavily armored frame between the seekers and the sparkling.

Annoyance pricked under his chest, and Starscream snarled despite his lack of strength. "Enough," He snapped, his voice strong and irritated.

Vortex's visor lifted and he huffed an annoyed sigh before he moved off the green seeker. "Party pooper." He all but pouted, shifting from deadly interrogator to annoyed subordinate.

Acidstorm pulled himself back to his pedes with an angry snarl, moving to once again charge at the interrogator.

"Acidstorm!" Starscream barked, and age old training has the seeker frozen in place. "Back in line."

Acidstorm hesitated, denta bared in rage and hate flickered through his EM field and for a moment Starscream think's he will charge again.

Vortex and Onslaught seem to think the same; Vortex's razor sharp smile grows and he shifts his weight to ready for another attack while Onslaught shifted Ace further against his frame.

"Now. Acidstorm," Starscream's raspy voice hisses, and he feels his knees begin to go weak.

The steps were hesitant and slow, and Starscream could feel the rage that licked through Acidstorm's EM field and how still Mia had frozen on his shoulder. Yet, Acidstorm backed up next to his mate, his optis burning with hate.

Once within reach, Sunstrom grabbed at his green mate and hauled him against his brightly colored armor, effectively pinning the green mech against himself.

Heaving a sigh, Starscream felt his knees give way and he fell into the wall in an attempt to catch himself. His knees hit the ground hard, jarring his frame and rattling his helm. His vision faded to black and his helm spun, and he felt sick to his empty tanks. There was a roaring in his audials that blocked out all other noise, but he could feel Mia shaking on his shoulder, and he was sure she was calling his name.

Everything came back slowly, first his hearing came back and he could hear his own ragged panting through parted lips. The spinning of his helm faded and he suddenly realized he couldn't feel his servos, and the sensors came back online slowly, tingling their way up his arm. His vision came back last, hazy and full of static and he dismissed the plethora of warning messages that popped up in his hud.

"S-Starscream?" Mia's small voice called his name in question, and he found himself nodding in response.

"Fine," He rasped, his vocalizer spitting static and he struggled to even get that single word out.

"Liar," Onslaught's deep voice boomed over him, and Starscream was certain the Combaticon commander wasn't even raising his voice. His adudial's tried to adjust to the sensory input, but finding it difficult for his energon starved and damaged sensors to adjust.

Lifting his damaged face, Starscream tried his best to offer a glare to Onslaught as he stood over him and offered a hand out to assist. Not letting up on the look, Starscream reached out with the arm that Mia was not perched on to take the offered servo.

He didn't dare look at Mia or her frightened face.

Onslaught reached out and grasped at Starscream's upper arm and with a surprising gentleness hauled the seeker to his pedes. Starscream swayed and fought to keep upright, and Onslaught quietly held up still until he found his balance.

Only when Starscream's knees stopped shaking did Onslaught move slowly, guiding him to Vortex's berth to sit him down.

Vortex now had Ace in his arms, bouncing the sparking, carefully watching the other three seekers in the room, who had all frozen in a shocked awe to see such a gentleness from Onslaught.

"You control your rift-raft well," Onslaught mused out loud once Starscream was seated, earning a snarl from Acidstorm and a glare from Starscream.

"Really?" Starscream asked, vocals cutting out part way through the word and fading to static.

Onslaught lifted a shoulder in a lazy shrug and offered a servo out to Mia. "Are you really going to be able to fly? You can barely stand for short periods."

Starscream offered a deprecating laugh. "So long as Vortex can get me as high as he says he can, I won't be feeling much." He turned to Mia and her pale face and deep frown. "I'll be fine," He tried to reassure, and he nodded his head towards Onslaught.

Mia huffed at him, eyes flickering to the commander and back to him before she slowly moved from his shoulder to Onslaught's waiting servo. "This is a shit plan," She stated firmly, arms crossed and voice defiant.

Onslaught nodded. "Perhaps. But it's our best options all things considering. Those three wouldn't have gotten you far before Megatron caught you. Starscream's right, he will hunt Starscream down at all costs."

"And what about Starscream!" Mia burst up at the commander, hands balling into fists as her shoulders dropped and she managed to stay standing despite her own injury.

"Get into the atmosphere and out of Megatron's range," Starscream rasped. "Contact Prime." He managed a twisted smile. "He's a hero type right? Prime will come if only to save us poor abused Decepticons."

Mia bit her lower lip and her eyes looked worried. "I hope so," She muttered.

"He will." Starscream wasn't sure who he was trying to convince, himself or Mia.

He shifted his gaze from Mia and Onslaught, and shifted it to Vortex and his sparkling. "Well, let's hurry. I'm eager to leave."

The smirk came back to Vortex's face and he easily handed Ace off to Onslaught as easily as he took him back. Ace yawned and cuddled into Onslaughts chest, optics slipping off line and falling into recharge.

The needle was pulled from subspace and the vial too was back in Vortex's hands. He sat across from Starscream and carefully drew the neon liquid into the needle. He took Starscream's arm and popped open a medical port.

"You're gonna feel reeeealy good soon." Vortex smirked as the green liquid slipped into Starscream's line.

Starscream was pleasantly surprised by how good he did feel and how quickly the stimulant kicked in. His vision sharpened and his pain was dulled, and he felt so good. He walked with a spring in his step and a smile on his broken face, and it was only Onslaught's order that kept him quiet as they slipped silently down the halls of Nemesis. Starscream had to hold back giggles, and stopped the building of laughter that came in partnership with the stimulants.

Onslaught lead them quietly and quickly through the halls. They had to make it to the control centre before Swindle and Brawl were off of monitor duty.

Vortex followed closely behind Starscream, who was tight behind Onslaught. Vortex had Ace tucked tightly against his chest, and Mia on his shoulder, he was carrying her in Starscream's stead due to a very real fear of the seeker dropping her.

Onslaught paused at another corner, glanced around it, before leading the group of seekers around it.

"How much further?" Mia whispered to Vortex, clinging to his collar armor. The light behind his visor flicked down to her before coming back up to the back to Starscream's helm.

It weirded Vortex out that Mia was not afraid of him. "Not much further." He whispered back. "The control deck is just ahead. Swindle and Brawl will abandon their posts once we get there, Blast Off is already above the ocean."

Mia nodded, frowning at Starscream as he nearly skipped down the hall. They had gone over the plan multiple times, and Mia knew that Blast Off was above ground and they would join the others once they got to the control centre. She wasn't sure if Vortex told her again to provide comfort to her, or himself.

Mia nodded and clung a little tighter to his armor.

Onslaught half turned. "Keep quiet," He hissed before walking into a solid frame with white armor and wings.

Onslaught stumbled with the white frame, almost falling over in a tangle of limbs. The flier he walked into hit the wall and groaned, struggling to right himself.

It was Ramjet who tried to shove Onslaught's much larger frame away from him, but ended up shoving himself away from Onslaught.

The white conehead sneered, trying to look down at Onslaught's much larger frame. "Onslaught," He scoffed. "Watch where you're going!" Ruby optics slipped from Onslaught to the tight knot of mechs behind him.

"Starscream? Onslaught what are you doing?" his voice was tipping from arrogant to shocked. "Why do you have Starscream….and. And is that a sparkling?"

Mia felt her heart jump into her throat and fear made her take a breath and hold it.

"Onslaught," Ramjet's voice became breathless with realization. "You're a trai-" Ramjet was cut off by Onslaught's fist slamming hard into his face.

Ramjet's helm snapped back and blood energon spewed from his broken nasal structure. The seeker stumbled backwards, and Onslaught's massive servo shot out to grasp the front of his throat before Ramjet could even cry out. Mia gasped as Onslaught hit him again, crushing the seeker's nasal structure further into his cranium, and didn't stop hitting him. Even as Ramjet went limp and fell back against the wall, Onslaught kept hitting him, even as energon smeared up Onslaught's arms and all the way up to his shoulder, he didn't stop hitting. Even when Onslaught pinned Ramjet to the wall, Onslaught continued to hit him as hard as he could, determined to smash his way through Ramjet's helm.

When Ramjet's legs gave out from under him, Onslaught held him up right and grasped his broken face with one massive servo. His digits indented into Ramjet's face, and with barley a grunt of effort Onslaught ripped Ramjet's head from his shoulders.

The white frame fell to the ground with a metallic thud and energon pooled under the greying frame. Onslaught made an annoyed noise at the back of his throat before taking the decapitated helm between both hands and pressed inward as hard as he could. Ramjet's helm caved in, crushing his brain module and processor in one swift move.

He dropped what was once Ramjet's helm and casually stepped over it and didn't bother to look back.

"Holy shit," Mia gasped from Vortex's shoulder, her mouth fell open in surprise. "He just fucking crushed his head."

Onslaught glanced back, not bothering to try to wipe the energon from his hands. "Come on. We've got to keep moving." And he disappeared around the corner of the hall, as though he had not just brutally killed another mech.

Starscream burst out laughing, his voice high and slurred from the stimulants. "Primus! That was so anticlimactic!" he giggled as he followed Onslaught around the corner, stomping through the energon on the floor. "Hated this mech. Should'da hit him a little longer."

Vortex shook his helm and followed Starscream and Mia shivered.

Decepticons, she decided, were odd, violent creatures.

Brawl and Swindle were nervous, purple optics kept glancing uncertainly around the room and Brawl's red visor kept seeking Onslaught out for reassurance.

Onslaught walked around the command hub like he owned it, like he should have been in command without question, "Raise the tower."

Brawl and Swindle jumped to his command without hesitation, digits typing frantically into the controls to raise the tower. Mia glanced to Starscream who was looking oddly bright eye'd and excited as the tower rose.

Behind her and Vortex, Acidstorm and Sunstorm were quietly reassuring Silverstorm in hushed voices. The touches were soft and quick as they pet his and each other's armor, small, chaste kisses were pressed to the sides of helms and along shoulders quickly as though they were trying to hide their good bye.

"Towers up b'oss." Brawl's thick voice called and that was when Mia felt her stomach drop and tighten in fear mixed with excitement.

They were going home.

She took a breath to steady herself and that broken thing rebilled against her fear and reveled. The ride up to the surface took too long, and everyone but Starscream was tense.

The doors peeled open far too slow for Mia's liking, but when they did she was hit with a bright sunny day out on the ocean and a cool breeze that smelled like fresh air and salt.

Starscream pushed his damaged wings out and basked happily in the sun as Mia took a deep breath. A smile, wide and bright broke through the haze of stimulants and Starscream beamed. "It's a perfect day to fly."

Mia laughed and agreed. "We're going home." She whispered.

"We need to go." Onslaught said firmly, already radioing Blast Off down to their location. "Say your good byes and go."

Starscream huffed at him, sticking his glossa out like a sparkling before he turned to Mia and Vortex.

He leaned down towards her and Mia reached up to press a hand to his cheek. "Be careful."

Starscream nodded, his drug induced smile was oddly bright. "Onslaught," he said suddenly, nuzzling into her hand. "If anything happens to her while she is in your care, I will kill you."

Onslaught looked unconcerned by the threat and he barley nodded at Starscream as he wiped the energon from his servos. Vortex huffed in annoyance and looked back at Ace and ignored Starscream and how close he was to his frame.

Blastoff's blasters blew how air around them as he dropped down to hoover in front of them. His hatch opened with a hiss and Swindle scrambled to get inside. Mia could see Acidstorm and Sunstrom give Silverstorm a final, soft good bye before handing him off to Brawl.

The Combaticon quickly ushered him inside, and Onslaught turned to Vortex. "Let's go!" he roared over the sound of thrusters.

Starscream paused once more, a suddenly clarity fought through the fog and he realized that this might be the last time he saw Mia.

"Be careful." She whispered again, and Starscream nodded.

"I'll get in touch with Prime." She promised, her eyes sparkled in the sunlight and she did not cry. "I'll get you help."

Starscream nodded. "I'm glad we became friends." He whispered to her, and her bright smile and the return of her happiness had been worth his pain to protect her.

"Me too."

Vortex huffed. "For Primus sakes. This is gross, it's time to go."

Starscream nodded and didn't stop the interrogator from leaving. Sunstrom and Acidstrom came to flank Starscream, looking nervous, and he watched as Vortex left. Mia gave him one last simile and she waved before Vortex disappeared into Blastoff's cargo hold.

Onslaught looked at him once more, and nodded. "Good luck." He called out to the trio of seekers before he too disappeared into the cargo hold.

Starscream watched Blastoff go, he stayed longer then he should have to watch the shuttle until he became a small black spot in the sky and disappeared.

"Starscream?" Sunstorm asked softly as alarms began to go off deep inside of Nemesis. "We need to go."

Starscream nodded, and the fog in his processor didn't lift. "Yes." He said breathlessly. "Let's go."

He then turned away from the two seekers and stepped off the edge of the tower and let himself fall. Wind rushed past his damaged frame and he laughed. Transformation was painful as he fell, and he screamed even with the stimulants dulling his pain as injuries tore and the plating in his side finally gave out.

His thrusters fired hard as he skimmed the smooth ocean surface and shot back into the sky. Pain radiated to every inch of his frame, knocking him back momentarily to a completely sober state before the stimulants kicked in. He was going to make it back to the Ark in several pieces or die trying.

Acidstorm and Sunstorm following close behind.

Mia had always wanted to see space. Had always wanted to feel what weightlessness felt like and see the stars up close.

As Blastoff tore into the upper atmosphere and she clung to Vortex, she changed her mind. She could hear Onslaught's calm voice ensure that Blastoff kept the life support systems functioning for an organic life form on line, but that cold comfort didn't stop the feeling of nausea creep into her chest.

She jammed her eyes shut tight and she clung to Vortex's shoulder and hoped for the best. She didn't dare open her eyes or try to see beyond the darkness from behind her own eye lids.

"Mia?" it was Onslaught's deep voice that finally forced her to risk cracking open her eyes to look up at him. "We are in low orbit, and blocked out all Nemesis communication. You need to send a message to the Arc if you are hoping Starscream will live."

Mia swallowed and nodded, feeling nauseous. "Okay. Right." She slowly pushed herself to stand, and she heard Vortex make an annoyed noise at her side. When she released her white knuckle grip of his shoulder, she gasped as she floated upward and it took longer than it should have to realize what low orbit actually meant.

"We're in space." She said breathlessly as Onslaught carefully scooped her tiny frame up and carried her to the control centre. "How are you not floating?"

"Magnets." Onslaught said in way of explanation, his steps heavy on Blastoff's deck.

Mia nodded and twisted around, gripping at Onslaught's thumb to look out the window and gasped.

The Earth was large and blue and green. A beautiful orb of life and hope, and the sight of it smoothed the edges of the broken thing in her chest. Her home was beautiful.

"It's so pretty." Her words were breathless and in awe.

Onslaught made a non-committal noise in the back of his throat, and a screen popped up that covered the image of Earth. "Blastoff, contact the Ark."

The screen went to static as Blastoff reached out to the Autobots, and Onslaught looked down at the tiny human that all his hopes hinged on. "You need to speak to the Prime and ensure we will not be shot down the moment we enter their air space."

Mia nodded as there was a connection made and Red Alerts face appeared on the screen.

Blue optics were drawn to the Combaticon commander first, and they darkened with rage and hate. "Onslaught." Red Alert said coldly. "What do you want?"

Mia's brow furrowed a little and she remembered that they were still the enemy. She took a breath and allowed her eyes to fill with tears, and it was years of practice that allowed her lower lip to tremble so easily.

"R-Red?" Mia whimpered, and she was always surprised how easily this came to her. "Red is Prime around?"

Red Alert froze, blue optics widened to see soft, little Mia in the hand of the war machine that was Onslaught. "Are you hurt!" he demanded, small fists slamming into the control table and he stood. "What did you do to her? Why is she crying!"

Onslaught looked down confused, helm tilting to the side and Mia heard the unsure "Uhhhhh?" muttered under his breath.

Mia's breath hitched and she allowed a tear to slip down her cheek. "Red, we were captured by Megatron, Starscream and I. They've tortured him for the last five days, and he's leading them away. I need to talk to Prime!"

Red Alert stared at Mia, audial horns flashing blue. "Ummmm and…the Combaticons?"

Mia paused for effect, and she bit her lip. "They saved me." She whispered.

Onslaught glanced from Mia to the screen, taken aback by Mia's tear stained face.

Red Alert looked uncertain from Mia to Onslaught and back. "I ummm. Prime isn't here right now. I'm…I'm going to get Prowl. Just…Just a second."

The screen went black and Mia rubbed at her face to wipe away the tears. She tilted her face up to Onslaught, who was disturbed by how quickly she was able to stop crying, and gave him a smug look.

"What in the pits was that?"

Mia shrugged. "I was always bait. I had to be as helpless as possible so Danny and Callie could steal cars." Her smile beamed up at him. "Nothing is more helpless then tears."

From behind Onslaught, Vortex barked a laugh, and Onslaught shook his helm. "You were car thieves?"

Mia nodded. "Some of the best. We ran a huge enterprise, once upon a time." She gave a shrug. "But tears won't work for Prowl, and if Prime's away we need him to send help to Starscream.

The screen blinked again, and Prowl was looking back at them. His face didn't flinch but his wings rose up high above his head. "Mia," his words were slow and careful. "Are you alright?"

Mia nodded, paused then shock her head no. "Starscream and I were captured five days ago by Megatron. We have been trapped in Nemesis." She said, much calmer with Prowl then Red Alert.

"The Combaticons and a group of seekers helped us escape. Starscream, Acidstorm and Sunstorm are making a run for it, but Starscream is badly hurt and I don't know if he will make it to the Ark. You need to send someone after him. A lot of someones."

Prowl glanced up at Onslaught, blue optics narrowed. "And what about them? What do they want?"

Onslaught opened his mouth to speak when Mia jumped in. "Immunity. The same deal that Starscream and the seekers got. And Ratchet to do something about the loyalty program."

Prowl rose a brow to give Mia a look. She simply planted her hand onto her hip and gave him a firm look back. "It's only fair. Aaaaand they saved us."

Prowl ex-vented, and even such a small noise Mia could tell he was annoyed. "Very well." He said slowly, "As Starscream is in need of our immediate assistance, I will contact the Prime and send help to his location. Do you know where he is?"

"No." Onslaught said firmly, before using his free hand to type something into the console. "But based on his flight trajectory, these are the most likely locations he will end up."

Prowl accepted the data packet that Onslaught sent him, blue optics quickly taking in the information. "Good. We will find him and get assistance to his location. Stay in orbit until we can get Starscream back onto the Ark." He glanced again to Mia. "I trust you can keep her safe until then?"

Onslaught nodded. "I will keep her alive." His gold visor flashed. "We have a deal? Access to Ratchet and immunity?"

"Keep her alive and we'll talk." He looked back at Mia. "Stay safe. As soon as we have Starscream we'll bring you home."

Mia nodded, her eyes softening. "Prowl, Starscream really needs you. He's…it was bad."

Prowl's door wings lowered, but his face remained cold and hard. "I've seen Megatron's work before. We will find him."

The line cut out, leaving Mia alone with the Combaticons. She sat down in Onslaught's hand as he sat down at the console, his EM flickering with relief that washed over even Mia.

Mia relaxed in his hand, and from behind them Vortex laughed. "Primus that was tense!" he burst out laughing. "You think Prowl will make it to Screamer before Megatron catches up?"

Mia turned slowly to try to glower at him, but couldn't see passed Onslaught's bulky shoulder.

Vortex laughed again. "I sure do hope Prowl can get to Starscream before Megatron does." He mused and bounced Ace on his knee.

Mia sighed and worry filled her chest. "He is a brat, isn't he?"

Onslaught nodded and settled in to wait.

When the screen clicked off Prowl pushed away from the console and turned from the security room, Red Alert on his heels.

"Red Alert, get me every Autobot and N.E.S.T soldier not on mission and have them meet me at the main entrance in five minutes. The aerial bots, Ratchet, Blaster are all on base, get them now."

"Right away." Red Alert said quickly, already typing into his data pad to scramble their fighters.

"Then, contact everyone in training, break radio silence and send out an SOS. Get them to the location I will send to you once I know where Starscream is." Prowl's orders were clipped and clear.

"Yes sir."

"I will contact Prime. Tell him that we will need his assistance to collect Starscream. Chances are Megatron will be on route." Prowl ordered, opening a communication line to Starscream, hoping that it would connect. If he was now out of Nemesis range, it should.

"Right away Prowl." Red Alert said again as alarms began to blare overhead and red lights flashed.

::Prowl?:: Came Starscream's slurred and exhausted words.

::How badly are you hurt?:: Prowl demanded as he stepped into the armory.

Bitter laughter reached his audios. ::Mia is safe?::

::Yes, how badly are you hurt?:: Prowl asked as he picked up a blaster and ensured it was charged.

::Onslaught is keeping her safe while you come get me?::

::Yes.:: Prowl said again as he began to load a second weapon into his subspace. ::Answer the question. How badly are you hurt?::

::Badly. Tank is cracked, my hands are mangled, lots of internal bleeding. Vents are wet. Vortex gave me a stimulant to not feel much anymore.:: Starscream muttered. ::We didn't stay to check, but I'm sure Megatron has figured out we're gone and is on his way.::

Prowl paused, and he was certain that Starscream was leaving things out but he didn't press. Instead he sent an information packet to Starscream. ::That is where Optimus is going. Can you make it?::

::I don't know.:: the voice sounded tired and weak. ::But we can get close.::

Prowl nodded and took a handful of grenades and tucked them into his subspace. ::Get close and send me your location when you land. We will get to you. Hunker down and stay safe.::

There was a pause and static, and for a moment Prowl's spark froze in fear that he had lost the connection or worse. ::Starscream?::

::I'm here. Don't shoot Acidstorm and Sunstorm. They need our help.:: there was another long pause and Prowl could practically sense the damage Starscream carried with him. ::Don't hurt the Combaticons.:: he wheezed. ::Send Thundercracker to take care of them when they land. He'll know what to do with them. How to handle them.::

::I will.:: Prowl promised softy over their line.

::Keep Mia safe.:: Starscream whispered, his voice starting to slur and it caused Prowl to hurry.

::We will.::

::Thank you.:: then the line went dead, and Prowl nearly stepped on Danny as she too was running to the armory.

"What are you doing?" he snapped at her. "I don't have the time today Danny."

Danny frowned up at him and jogged to keep up. She was wearing her combat uniform and had a rifle slung over her shoulder. "Uhhh Sir?" he was surprised that she went formal. "I think you need all the help you can get right now." She sounded nervous. "Let me help with whatever is going on."

Prowl gave her a withering look, but didn't slow down and Danny jogged to keep up. "You are still grounded."

"And you need steady hands for combat Prowl." She countered. "I may not have been in a war zone like you have been, but I've been in enough gun fights to know my way around. And! And I've been working with Epps and Lennox."

Prowl frowned at her and his wings lowered. Damn. She was right, they need every abled body to come with them.

"Alright." He said. "But we need to get you properly armed." He frowned down at her again. "You need to keep this a secret Danny."

Her eyes went large and she nodded. "Okay. I'm in."

Prowl nodded. "Follow me. Time to let you into the best kept secret in N.E.S.T."

Danny nodded and stayed tight to Prowl as he headed for the human's armory and he sent a comm. request to Optimus.

::Prowl?:: Optimus's words were slow and careful.

::Sir we have a situation. Mia has just reported in, she and Starscream were taken by Megatron. Starscream has been injured and I have him heading to your location. He will need extraction.:: he went directly with facts and what they needed, and Starscream needed them to move quickly.

Optimus paused. ::We have nearly reached the Wreckers. What is Starscream's ETA?::

::Thirty minutes.:: Prowl said as they came to the humans armory. ::That is if Starscream can make it to you. Currently two of the three rainmakers are escorting him to you and reported as friendly.::

::And Mia?:: there was a hint of fear in Optimus's voice.

::Onslaught and the Combaticon's assisted their escape. Onslaught has her in low orbit around the Earth and waiting for further directive. I do not suspect they will hurt her, they are looking for immunity.::

Optimus was surprised to hear those words. ::Understood Prowl. Break radio silence. Have every Autobot out on the training mission report to my location. I will prepare the Wreckers for battle and bring them up to speed.::

::Already done Sir.:: Prowl cut the line as Epps came out of the armory. "Sergeant." He nodded. "Arm Danny. Let her into our little…secret."

A smirk curled around Roberts's mouth, and beamed at Danny. "Was wondering when we could get the kids in on the secret. Come on Danny, let's find you something fun."

Danny gave Prowl an uncertain look before a smirk replaced her own worry. "Secret from who?" she asked as she followed him into armory and Prowl turned and headed for the command station.

"Mearing." He laughed. "Anyone not in with the team." He lifted a shoulder in a shrug and pushed aside what she thought was a wall and punched in a code.

"We don't want Cybertrionan weapons falling into the hands of people who would hurt them. It's powerful tech, and unless you're hunting Cybertrionians, like we are, they don't need it." Robert explained as he pulled a row of weapons out of the hidden wall.

Danny snorted. "I've seen what people will do to other people. They don't need weapons like they've got."

Robert nodded and carefully looked through the weaponry. "Exactly. We, on the other hand, spend a lot of time going toe to toe with some pretty nasty 'Cons. When nearly half our troops died in a fire fight with Megatron and his buddies, Optimus knew that we needed to be better armed. Sooooo, we got these." He said as he pulled out a rifle with an eerily green glow to it.

"Newbies don't get in on the secret until a little later on, but if Prowl thinks you're ready, then you're ready." He turned and handed the weapon to her. "You're one of Prowl's buddies, so he'll appreciate this. Acid shell rifle. No need to reload, bring it back to the armory to be recharged."

An eye brow rose as she carefully took the blaster from Epps. "Acid? As in, it will melt armor?"

"And skin. So be careful who you shoot at."

Danny nodded and shouldered the weapon. "Alright. So. What's happening?"

Robert gave Danny a sympathetic look before clearing his throat. They both knew that Mia and Callie were out on a mission, and either one of them could be in trouble. "Come on, we need to meet Prowl, then we'll find out which one of our boys need saving."

Danny smirked and nodded, following Robert from the armory. "It'll be easy as cake."

Robert laughed. "I like your enthusiasm Danny. Let's get a move on."

Danny and Robert met with the rest of the humans on the mission, Babyface, Chapman, Nelson, Hooch and Stone, all being led by Lennox. Danny and Robert quickly joining the others, Liz running to catch up to the group, throwing a smile at her older sister's concerned one.

"What are you doing here?" Danny whispered to her younger sister, eyes glancing around the gathering team.

Mirage came in behind her, blue optics casting an annoyed look at the tiny human. Liz offered a small smile to Mirage and Danny, whispering back. "Mirage is watching over me so I can help keep communication operational."

Danny looked uncertain as Blaster, Hound, Trailbreaker, Ratchet, and Tracks gathered into the small area. The minibots, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper and Brawn were close behind them, Prowl bringing up the rear.

He took a position at the front of the group, back struts straight and tall, shoulders back and wings high. His face was cold and optics gave nothing away.

"We have just received radio contact from Mia and Starscream, both of whom are in danger. We will be engaging in combat with Optimus and the Wreckers shortly."

Danny's face fell and paled as Prowl went into more detail of who was hurt and what had happened. Her eyes hardened, she gripped her weapon tightly, and determination filled her.