Disclaimer: As usual, Don't own Transformers nor make money off of this story.

Notes: I used a random name generator for the four Enforcers names, therefor any resemblance to a character in Transformers, or another Writers OC is unintentional. I think my veiw on Prowl and Jazz, and probably the rest of the members of the story have changed and as such it is reflected in my writing. I hope that it doesnt change the story too much. But i also think it is for the best as i have a much better understanding of their personalities.

-talk- Comm speaking.

Talk Speaking through synchronized sparks.

Chapter 5: Betrayal on Multiple Fronts.

"You can't possible mean that! The Lost City is one of the most sought after things in Cybertrons history. Do you have any idea how many credits we could make from the discovery?" BreakCharge leaned forward with a scowl on his faceplates. As the largest of the ex-enforcers, he also seemed to be their leader.

Prowl fixed a cold stare on the mech. "This has never been, and never will be, about credits. We have no intention of ever releasing the cities location to the public. You are being paid to provide security up until we make contact with the Kaelexians."

"You are paying us a token amount compared to the amount we could be getting out of this." BreakCharge snarled and stood up, followed quickly by the rest of the ex-enforcers.

Wheeljack's fins lit up angrily. "A token? You were paid a Primes ransom upfront."

Quickstorm, the smallest of the team, stepped forward. "We have no intention of going any further, unless we are going make a profit off of the cities location being revealed."

"As I said before, I will not allow the cities location to become public knowledge. Kaelex has remained hidden for thousands of vorns. It is not our place to change that." Prowl stood, his frame stiff and his doorwings raised in challenge.

The four enforcers remained silent, obviously communicating with each other on private lines. Prowl remained standing, his gaze unrelenting under BreakCharges glare. For a brief moment he was certain a fight was brewing. He was aware of the optics of every member of the team fixed on them. Tension rose in the room until it reached a breaking point and snapped. BreakCharge glared, slammed his fists down on the table and turned to stalk out of the room. The rest of the enforcers followed. As they left the room, Prowl nearly fell back into his chair with relief. He was not a confrontational mech by any means. But Kaelex and Jazz's safety was one thing he would not back down on.

Silence fell over the room for awhile until one of the twins shifted in his chair. The motion brought the focus of every remaining team member to fix solely on the twins.

"I suppose your going to leave as well?" Ratchet growled.

Sunstreaker glared at the medic. "We signed a contract."

Ratchet waved a hand at the door. "That didn't exactly stop them."

With a glance, Sideswipe stopped his brother in mid snarl. "We aren't them. We didn't join the team for just the money. And we always finish what we set out to do."

"If it wasn't for the money, why did you join the team? What is in it for you?" Ratchets voice softened from the roughened growl it had carried before.

Surprised at the question, Sideswipe fell silent, allowing his brother to speak up. The golden mech gave a shrug. "You have already paid us. We signed a contract. We intend to see it through to the end."

Ratchet studied them intently before turning towards Wheeljack. "Are two security mechs going to be enough though? We don't know for certain what type of reception we will face."

"They will have to be. I am not turning around." It was Prowl not Wheeljack that answered.

"Hey! We are more then capable of upholding our end of the bargain."

Sideswipes indignant exclamation started a round of arguing. Blaster suggesting that they try to find more adequate security in Kaon. The twins certain they could handle any opponent with out need for further security. Prowl, Wheeljack and Ratchet listening to the arguments and adding their own suggestions. It was much later that the team broke apart and headed to their rooms for a good recharge.

\-/

Sunstreaker settled onto the berth and began to do some light maintenance. Mostly polishing his already mirror-like finish. As he removed a cloth from his subspace and began to rub at a nonexistent smudge on his armor, his optics followed his agitated brothers pacing.

"Why the frag do you always have to be right, Sunny? Why can't we get a break for once?" Sideswipes voice picked up an almost hysterical quality.

"Don't you think I wish I wasn't right for once?" Sunstreaker kept his voice calm, almost cold.

His brother made it all the way to the door before whirling back to continue pacing the length of the room. The pacing began to irritate him and as his twin passed the berth again, he reached up and grabbed Sideswipes arm and yanked the mech down onto the berth. Sighing, he began to run the polishing cloth over the shoulder armor closest to him in an attempt to calm his brother. Sideswipe relaxed slightly, dropping his helm into his hands.

"What are we going to do, Sunny?"

"We either continue to do our job, contact Mirage and hand over the information, Or we stick close to Prowl and try to protect him. This is our chance to do what we want with our lives."

"Mirage will kill us for betraying him."

Sunstreaker vented a sigh. He could feel his brothers jumbled emotions. From despair, worry, and anger to a fragile hope. The fact that Prowl shared a spark synchronization with a mech in Kaelex had thrown their plans for a loop. Their own split spark was synched and required regular merges to keep it that way. If they went for too long their sparks would begin to pulse in different rhythms, causing both brothers to feel pain until they merged again. He didn't know how being separated would affect two sparks that had never merged and yet were synched, but he could imagine it would still be painful. He paused in cleaning his brothers armor, waited until he had his full attention and stared into the confused optics.

"We take back our lives. We stick as close to Prowl as we can, and if Mirage makes a move, we make sure we stop him."

Sideswipe nodded, smiling slightly at the conviction in his brothers optics. The smile slowly vanished as he thought of something else.

"Why does Mirage want Kaelex so much anyways?"

Sunstreaker pulled a datapad from his subspace and tossed it to his brother. "Power. The known history of Kaelex before it vanished states that the city's power was based off of a more powerful source then energon. If Mirage can harness it, there is a good chance that he would be able to usurp Lord Megatron and become the next Prime."

Sideswipe flicked through information on the datapad, surprised to find a rather detailed history on the city and its occupants. His brother had never been much of a reader, so he turned to shoot a rather amused look at his twin. Sunstreaker grinned and raised a hand to smack him upside the helm, which he ducked. He sobered quickly as something else occurred to him.

"What would happen to the people of Kaelex if Mirage somehow manages to take their power source?"

"If Mirage has the resources, and he probably does, He would likely kill any opposition."

"Should we tell the team about this?" Sideswipe stood and began to pace a little again.

Sunstreaker returned to polishing his own armor. "No. If we tell them, they wont trust us. If they don't trust us, that means we wont be able to keep close enough to protect Prowl. Now I suggest you stop pacing and worrying and try to get some recharge."

Sideswipe bounced across the room and landed with a thud on the berth next to Sunstreaker. The golden twin growled as he scraped a freshly polished arm, and turned to give him a shove. Sideswipe landed on his aft on the floor.

"I meant on your own berth!"

Sideswipe laughed as he made his way to his own berth. He could feel a lightness pushing aside all the other emotions clouding their split sparks. For the first time in a very long time they were going to do what they wanted, because they believed it was the right thing to do. He had a feeling that this recharge period would be one of the best he'd gotten in a very long time.

\-/

Jazz leaned into the turn, shifting into a slightly higher speed as he came out of it. He weaved in and around the early morning traffic quickly, smoothly. His processor was only half way focused on the road. He could travel this road in his recharge. May have actually done it once or twice... No, his processor wasn't on the vehicles that seemed to be crawling as he rocketed past them. His processor was on the summons he had received this morning, and its possible meaning.

A summons from the Prime was unusual as their leader trusted his advisers and council to handle any problems that might arise. Jazz's first thought had been that the summons had something to do with his job. But he had checked in on the systems and everything had been fine. Almost absently he realized he had arrived at his destination. He transformed and entered the palatial-like crystal building and followed a guard as he led him through one of the many hallways. Bowing respectfully, the guard opened a door and stepped back to allow Jazz to enter.

Several things jumped out at him as he entered the room fully. The Prime wasn't alone. First Aid, the Primes head medic, was present standing off slightly to the side. Jazz frowned slightly as he sent a curious comm to the other mech in the room. Bluestreak ducked his head, refusing to answer the comm and avoiding his gaze. A vocalizer was cleared, and Jazz turned his attention back to the Prime.

"Jazz. Bluestreak has informed me that you share a spark synchronization with a mech from outside the city. Is this true?"

Shock flooded through his frame as he sent an accusing glare towards the bot that was still refusing to look at him. Turning back to the Prime he did his best to stop the fear coiling through his frame.

"Yes, Sir. It is correct."

"And you did not see fit to inform me of this matter? Nor of the fact that an outsider is even now looking for Kaelex?" Prime asked coolly.

Jazz shifted uneasily and tilted his helm to look at the floor, suddenly certain he was not fit to look at their Prime. "I was afraid, sir. I love him and I was worried that I would not be allowed to be with him."

Primes voice gentled. "Jazz, you know our outlook on bonds and such. You would never have been in danger of that. But I need to be informed on these matters so that it can be decided how best to deal with them. I would like First Aid to run some scans on your spark, would that be alright?"

"Y-yes, sir." Jazz stuttered slightly, shocked to actually be asked.

First Aid moved towards him and indicated the chair with a sweep of his hand. Jazz sat, still slightly off balance. First Aid leaned over him, transforming his fingertips into scanners. A moment later he ran his fingers over his chest, and Jazz was aware of the soft tingling that came from several intense scans being run.

"Is the spark synchronization complete? Can you speak with this outsider at anytime?"

Jazz jumped nervously at the sound of the medics voice. "No. I can only hear, speak, and touch him when he has been placed into a medical recharge."

"What about when you've been placed into one? Or is it only one sided?"

"I've never been injured bad enough to require being placed that deeply under."

"Jazz." The Prime spoke, intentionally bringing the nervous mechs attention back on him, and away from the scans the medic was performing. "Even with a link between your sparks, The chances of Prowl actually finding Kaelex are astronomical. I am curious what your other plans were."

"I planned on requesting permission to find him once the other monitors were fully trained." Jazz jerked slightly and sent a glare at First Aid as a particular scan spiked sharply into his spark casing.

"As I understand it, your replacements are several vorns from being ready."

"Yes, sir."

"We don't have several vorns." First Aid leaned away from Jazz and glanced up at the Prime as he spoke. "While they may not be bonded yet, Jazz's spark is calling out to its other half. Here, Listen."

He placed his fingertips against Jazz's chest once again and activated the sensors and rerouted the vibrations until they could be heard as sounds. It sounded as if it were missing a beat.

"If his spark continues to call for the other one, it will place undue stress on him. I think that if a true merge isn't accomplished within the next vorn or so, Jazz's spark could go dark."

"Frag, why in the pit didn't I think of that sooner?"

At Bluestreaks sudden exclamation, every optic in the room turned on him. The mech was pacing a tight circle, still muttering words that could not be heard clearly. Jazz stared at his friend, having almost completely forgotten he was there.

"Bluestreak?"

At the Primes voice, the winged mech whirled to face them, a grin threatening to split his faceplates. He glanced at Jazz, who sent a glare in his direction, then turned back to the Prime.

"Don't you see? Jazz said that Prowl had put together an expedition in order to attempt to find Kaelex. If Bumblebee is still out there, he would have made certain he was on that expedition! It's his job. Of course he is probably trying to lead them in the other direction, but still, at least we would know he is safe!"

The Prime considered this and then nodded. "If we could find out for certain if Bumblebee or ShadowStorm were indeed on the team, it would greatly narrow what we need to focus on. First Aid, would it be possible to place Jazz in a medical induced stasis to see if he could find out? Or would there be problems?"

First Aid thought for a moment, pulling his fingers back from Jazz's chest and allowing them to hover above the mech as he ran a couple more scans.

"I would like for him to be in the med-wing when its done, but I see no reason why we couldn't. In fact I think I would recommend it. Jazz's spark would benefit from the connection to its counterpart. There would be a possibility of it further deepening the synch between their sparks as well."

Optimus Prime turned to Jazz. "I would like this done immediately. Tell your trainee monitors to take over for the day. It will be good practice for them. Then I want you back here in the med-wing as soon as possible. Unless you have some objection?"

Jazz shook his head quickly. The chance to speak and feel Prowl once again had his spark pulsing in anticipation. As the Prime left, Jazz glanced at Bluestreak who was now standing nervously by the door. He sighed, uncertain how to deal with the mech. While he was certain the proceedings would benefit all of them, the harsh bite of betrayal was harder to ignore. As he approached, Bluestreak stiffened and raised his doorwings slightly before allowing them to droop against his back again.

"Jazz. I'm sorry. But I did what I felt was best for you and the city. You might think you're holding up well, but as your friend I can see the stress your under. I truly feel that the Prime will do whatever it takes to get you to Prowl or Prowl to you."

Jazz studied his friend then gave a nod of his helm and continued out the door silently. He could understand Blue's reasons for what he had done, but true forgiveness would take a little while. In the meantime he had a great deal to organize.

\-/

Prowl moved through the corridors of the Xantium with an annoyed pace. Turning a corner he shot an annoyed glance at the red and gold security mechs flanking him. Ever since the meeting the two refused to allow him to go anywhere without at least one of them present. It was highly irritating for a mech that was used to being alone, to suddenly never be alone.

He turned, suddenly at a breaking point with the intent to tell them to get lost, when a sharp pain pulsed through his spark. His optics widened and his hands came up to his chest automatically. Reality faded as it felt as if his spark was being pulled away from his frame and towards another. He barely registered the concerned calls of the twins as the world suddenly went black and he collapsed.

"Frag!" Sunstreaker lunged forward and snagged Prowl's arm, lifting the suddenly offline frame to keep it from thudding to the floor.

-Ratchet!- Sideswipes frantic comm was sent as he leaped forward to assist his brother in supporting Prowl's frame between them.

-What is it?- The medics sleepy and slightly annoyed voice returned almost instantly.

-Prowl collapsed. We don't know what happened! One moment he was turning to speak with us and the next he was clutching his chestplates and going offline! We are taking him to the medic now.-

-No, Bring him to his quarters. I'll take a look. It sounds like it might have something to with the spark synch and it would be best to avoid questions about it. I just hope something didn't happen to Jazz- The medics voice was no longer sleepy but worried.

-Understood, we will be there in a click.-

The twins gently lowered Prowl onto the berth and stood back to allow Ratchet and Wheeljack to move in. The medics servos already spinning to change into scanners. Running them over the mechs frame he relaxed slightly.

"He is in a deep recharge. I think something must have happened to Jazz, causing his spark to call out for Prowls. There is not much we can do but wait for him to come out of it."

Wheeljack leaned forward and brushed a hand over the white helm softly before pulling a chair up next to the berth to sink down into it. Ratchet mirrored him on Prowls other side, and he was vaguely aware of the twins taking up a position on either side of the door. He glanced at them with a smile, grateful they had been there for Prowl.

Ratchet ran a few more scans, checking to make sure Prowls spark was indeed alright before leaning back. There wasn't much more he could do at this point but wait. And he hated waiting.

He groaned, his essence quivering with left over pain at suddenly being jerked away from his frame. A moment later a familiar and welcome presence was surrounding him. Confusion drifted up. He hadn't been injured, did that mean that... Confusion quickly turned to fear and he turned all his attention to Jazz.

"Jazz?" He snaked a tendril of himself out over the warm presence nearby and let out a delighted sound when the presence curled itself around him.

"Shhh, I'm here, Little one."

"Not a little one." Prowl rumbled. "Are you alright? What happened?"

The connection between them was different, stronger. He could feel more of Jazz, could actually feel the mechs systems and subsystems nearby.

"I'm fine." Jazz hurried to assure, content to simply remain curled around Prowl, his presence snaking out tendrils to pull him closer. "A friend told the Prime about us and it was decided that I needed to contact you about a couple of things."

"What things?" Prowl could feel the surface thoughts and feelings running through Jazz where they touched and was happy at the closeness.

Jazz leaned away slightly, eliciting a murmur of protest from Prowl. "I need to know if there is a yellow mech on your team."

"Two actually. Though one is more golden then yellow." Prowl attempted to pull Jazz closer once again.

"What are their names?" Jazz had wanted to put a bit of distance between them for the part that would be coming after this, but the almost needy way his spark called out forced him to gather Prowl close again.

"Sunstreaker and Bumblebee." Prowl purred as more of Jazz curled about him, though he was slightly startled at the sudden intensely happy feeling the mech gave off.

"Oh thank Primus! Bumblebee is Kaelexian, Prowl. He is a scout whose mission is to debunk and detour those searching for Kaelex. He was supposed to return home some time ago, but we think something happened to his replacement."

"He hasn't tried to lead us astray yet. But I will speak with him. What else is bothering you?" Prowl could feel the happiness their closeness brought out in Jazz, but there was an underlying darkness that bothered him.

"Tell Bumblebee this: The Crystal glows brightest at dawn. He will understand. Its a code for the scouts." Jazz avoided Prowls question for the moment, contenting himself to running tendrils over the presence nuzzling against him..

"Jazz."

Jazz's confident exterior collapsed and with a whine of pure need he pulled on Prowl. Wanting, needing to be as close as he could be. With a soft keen from the both of them, they writhed around each other. Parts of the very essence of their sparks merging until neither could be certain where one ended and the other began.

A new connection formed between them, slightly deeper then before, but not as deep as a true bond. Prowl could sense what was truly bothering Jazz now, and sent a wave of reassurance.

"I will find you before that happens."

"Or I will find you. Prime is considering sending a team after Bumblebee, and I think he will allow me to go along now."

"Jazz, it could be dangerous." Worry flooding through him.

"I can handle it, Prowler. I trained with the scouts. Mostly for fun, but I can take care of myself."

"I know. I'll still worry though. I love you." He was not certain when the feelings had solidified into the deep love he felt for the bright presence within his own, but there was no way he could deny it.

"And ill worry about you as well until you are truly in my arms."

Both could feel the recharge that Jazz's frame had been subjected beginning to lift and spent the rest of their time curled about one another, making plans and reassuring each other.