So, guys. Last chapter for now.

Chapter 16

"Precision, call one of the Autobots now," I ordered as I stood out of my chair and place my sparkling on the table.

"Carrier?" he called questioningly.

"Now," I growled quietly, tracking the progress of my destroyed cameras with large unblinking eyes. "Tell them that the Decepticons have found us." My sparkling trilled in fear before going still, optics dim as he called for help. "Son of a bitch!" I whisper-shouted when I realized that the Decepticons—there were two of them—were on the most direct route to my cavern.

"Dark Star?" a voice suddenly called and I looked down at Precision, who was acting as a speaker. "What's going on, lil lady?" Jazz asked casually.

"Jazz, we need help now. The Decepticons have found us," I told the silver bot tersely before gently and quickly scooping up my charge and backpack to go to my supply shelves.

"Decepticons?" the Autobot repeated seriously. "Alright, Star. I've sounded the alarm and we'll be wheels up in ten minutes but it will take us—"

"Hours to get here," I cut in. "God damn it! We don't have that amount of time, Jazz! They're going to find us in less than two minutes." Hurriedly, I shoved my entire cache of money into my bag along with my two pistols. I was just zipping up my backpack and slinging it on when I saw my tarp wrapped sword. I hadn't touched it in the four months since I'd returned home.

Without a second thought I grabbed it and spun to sprint for the entrance to my cavern. "Star, we need you to get out and away, alright?" Jazz soothed. "Do what you can and just get away from them."

"I'm working on it right—Shit." If my heart was still pumping I'm sure it would stopped right then as the ground shook with a heavy step. Precision and I chorused in scared clicking before I got a hold of myself. Desperately, I ran and slid under my computer tables, holding still as the thumping and voices got louder.

"Star?" Jazz called, though Precision muted him to where I could barely hear him. "Star? What's going on? Where are the 'Cons? We can't find them on our scanners."

"They're underground," I hissed. "They're here. Jazz, get to Chicago. Precision." My sparkling didn't have to be told to end the call and we sat in silence. As I watched the entrance to my cavern, hearing the approaching 'Cons, I couldn't help but curse myself for not choosing a place that had more exits.

Finally, a huge ped appeared in my line of sight and I unconsciously sank back, wanting to stay as much out of sight as possible. The two 'Cons entered my cavern slowly, speaking rapid angry Cyber that I couldn't keep up with very well. All I knew was that they were talking about a squishy, Autobots, and killing. My hands tightened on my sword and Precision pressed harder into my neck.

Suddenly, one of the 'Cons broke out into gravely laughter, lifted his arm, and fired at the back wall of my cavern. I couldn't help that choked whimper that escaped me at the explosion and following rumble of collapse. The 'Con that hadn't fired sneered something at his comrade and his friend barked something back, speaking about burying themselves.

The two continued to talk as I sat in absolute stillness, wandering around my cavern, crushing and destroying everything. There had even been a close call when one of the 'Cons had decided to stomp on my computers and had missed me by only two feet, causing the table above me to fall at an angle almost on my head.

About half an hour had passed before the talking became arguing and arguing became shouting. The two began to shove each other, shaking the ground with their heavy stumbles until it dissolved into an all-out brawl from there. Seeing an opportunity, I carefully slid out from under the table, watching the rolling and cursing 'Con's before lightly running for the exit.

"There it is!"

I understood that perfectly. Turning—Why did I turn?—I saw the two 'Cons glaring at me, one pointing a cannon at me. "Shit!" I shouted before turning and sprinting for all I was worth out of the cavern, ducking instinctively when a shot was fired and dirt and dust began to rain down. The sound of thundering running footsteps followed me and nearly made my knees lock in fear. What scared me worse was that the rumbling of collapsing earth soon drowned out the footsteps and shouted cursing. Only problem now was that I was still in danger of being squished, only by a cave in instead of aliens.

Precision's keen of fear rang in my ears as my feet pounded and I couldn't see where I was going. It was so utterly pitch black and I was so panicked that I just ran where my feet took me, tripping and stumbling on falling debris, but going and going and going until something crashed into my head and everything disappeared.

It was hard waking up.

Harder than anything I could foggily remember.

I groaned and tossed my head, furrowing my eyebrows in an effort to open my eyes when they were opened for me. A bright red light blinded me and I blinked stupidly.

"Carrier?" a high-pitched voice whispered worriedly.

"Pri?" I called back. Raising my head and looking around, I thought I was blind for a moment with how black everything was, but I soon remembered that I was in my tunnels in the dark.

Being chased by 'Cons in collapsing tunnels.

"Precision, are you alright?" I asked quietly, sitting up stiffly.

"Yes," he clicked. "You were knocked into stasis. It's been an hour. Are you okay?"

I touched the back of my sore head and felt a warm liquid, but nodded and patted the two glowing red dots. "Yeah. I just got bumped in the head is all. Have you heard the Decepticons?"

To my horror, Precision nodded and glanced around fearfully. "A lot of the tunnels are collapsed, but I heard them digging themselves out not too long ago."

"Shit," I whispered, gaining my feet quickly and wobbly. "Where's my sword, Pri?"

After being directed, I skulked along the tunnel walls, holding my sword close. It had been quite some time, but I could hear the 'Cons ghosting around the tunnels.

I was playing fucking hide-and-seek with two murderous Decepticons.

At the thought I had to lean against a wall and take several deep breaths while holding Precision closer to my neck in comfort. "We're going to get out of here," I whispered so quietly that even I could barely hear it in the suffocating silence. Precision nodded and trembled in response. "Can you get a signal to the Autobots?" A helm shake. I took a shaky breath. "A few hours. That's all. I'll get us out of here."

Flipping up my hood for shallow courage building, I moved again, trying to track the Decepticons as best as I could in the silence. I knew these tunnels better than anyone and I could use that to my advantage once I gained my bearings.

Of course there's a chance you can't get your bearings, my internal logical voice pointed out. And the Decepticons can most likely see in the dark. Not to mention downloading the schematics for the tunnels online.

Not helping! I snapped and forcefully changed my thought track to getting to familiar ground. Using my elbow to lightly trace the wall, I followed it to a turn, freezing when I heard metal on concrete sounds. It was so unsettling to know you were being hunted and not being able to see your hunters. I resolved in that moment to never ever hunt if I had the opportunity. I swear if I still had my heart it would be continuously and painfully beating a mile a minute.

A terrified gasp escaped me when I bodily brushed something and it took an insane moment of panic to realize it was a collapsed wall. Realizing I was trapped and had possibly given away my position, I spun and quickly retraced my steps, only going to the opposite wall I had followed to go somewhere new.

I froze when there was a rush of air and a suddenly loud clack of metal to my left. I could feel Precision practically vibrating against my neck as I stiffened and held perfectly still as the Decepticon stepped right over me, missing me by mere inches. When the sounds of clicking and hydraulics hissing were behind me, I dared to move cautiously forward.

My path of travel was changed when a pair of red optics appeared in the darkness above me, letting the 'Con pass me to his companion without detecting me.

This pattern was continued for an indefinable amount of time as I continued to search for a way out or a something to remind me of where I was. But with this frickin' collapse all of my landmarks were ruined and I was going on distance between turns and trying to compare them to my mental maps, but it wasn't working! I could be clear on the other side of the city from my cavern. I didn't know how far or in which direction I'd run in my blind panic.

By now I was getting somewhat used to the terrifying life-or-death game of hide-and-seek, but I couldn't completely fight off the knot of dread building in my stomach. I was lost underground in the darkness with two 'Cons and no way to know when I was getting help. The dread just made me want to curl up in a corner and hide, but I could hear the 'Cons following me, following my 'scent' as they muttered few times. I don't know where the sudden 'grounding' for my emotions came from, but I took it and used it to my advantage.

I swear to god I nearly fainted with fright when Precision suddenly unlatched from where he was trying to become a part of my neck. Before I could even ask what was wrong he hummed excitedly and jumped off my shoulder. "Pri!" I whisper-shouted, diving to catch the invisible sparkling. I didn't realize I'd made a sound until I heard a triumphant rumble.

"There you are, insect."

My teeth ground together as I saw two looming shadow figures approaching slowly, knowing they had me in a corner. I took an aggressive stance, readying my sword, making the two 'Cons laugh. I'm sure I would've been slightly embarrassed at the absurdity of it as well if I didn't know I could possibly die in the next minute.

I watched as the glowing circle of a cannon was raised and pointed at me. "Where is Lord Megatron, fleshling?" one of the Decepticons ground out.

I couldn't stop the sneer that came to my face. "Didn't you two hear? He's dead. And you two can join him in hell!" I rolled to the right just as the cannon went off before rushing forward. "You filthy Decepticons will die!" I yelled as more cannons went off, hitting where I had been a split second ago and singing my back even through my heavy jacket.

"Insolent—" The Decepticon's insult was cut off as I reach his massive ped and swung my sword down, cutting it in half with surprising ease. Glowing energon spurted everywhere, illuminating the darkness in a sickly way as the 'Con bellowed in pain and rage. I flew through the air as the other 'Con kicked me aside, feeling that nauseating sensation of falling once more before crashing on to the ground painfully on my back. A shout of pain escaped me before I rolled to the side, barely avoiding going squish via a massive ped.

"Insect!" the injured 'Con roared as I desperately scrambled to put space between myself and him. "I'll exterminate you!"

"This human's not up for extermination, thank you!" I shouted hysterically before changing tactics and charging the glowing ped. This was so stupid to attempt in the dark, but I jumped on the 'Con's leg and began climbing. Knowing that I couldn't see if plates were moving or where my next hand-hold was, I just threw myself up and to the side in an erratic sloppy climb until I felt something close around my body and yank me away from my perch.

I screamed my pain at the rough grabbing before looking around desperately, only one thought on my mind. "Precision!" I screeched. "Precision, RUN!" For some reason, my eyes looked to the left and down. The pressure was increasing on my body and time slowed down as I spotted Precision. Somehow in the dark I could see his little body jumping up and down by a collapsed wall, shouting something I couldn't understand at the wall. Brief confusion filled me on what he was doing until there was a sudden explosion of sound and light and my world began to spin.

A shout escaped me as I was thrown through the air, crashing uncomfortably on my leg and wrenching my knee. Gunfire, explosions, and shouting broke out around me as I pushed myself up and blinked against the sudden, but dim, light to see giant, colorful, metal forms crashing into giant, dark, metal forms with trails of smoke leading back to nearby army soldiers.

The Autobots had shown up.

I was just beginning to smile in relief when a 'Con began to tip towards me. Scrambling, I threw myself forward just in time to avoid the crushing form of a now dead 'Con.

It was quiet for a minute before Ironhide's familiar voice yelled out, "All clear. All the 'Cons are dead."

"Sound off!" another familiar human voice shouted. "Who's injured?"

Everyone called back okay and I stood up on shaky feet. "Jesus, you guys have great timing, you know that?" I called.

"Are you alright, Star?" Lennox asked as he and several of the men moved towards me. The Autobots also moved closer after examining the Decepticons.

Before I could answer a red light scanned over me. "Dark Star has suffered blunt force trauma to the back of her skull, bruising to her thoracic cage, and severe strain to her patella ligaments," Ratchet rattled off in a professional manner. "And . . ." Ratchet cut himself off after that and shook his helm in some odd emotion. I watched as a soldier with a white case and red-cross on it pushed through the crowd to get to me and I immediately back peddled.

"Whoa, guys. I'm fine. Nothing a little sleep won't handle," I said, waving back the medic.

"That is nonsense," Ratchet bit out with slight confusion in his tone. "Your knee alone will take a week or two to completely heal. A simple recharge will do nothing without treatment."

"Just relax, lil lady," Jazz soothed, kneeling down behind the ring of men, which was making me decidedly nervous. "We just wanna make sure that you're gonna be okay."

I finally snapped when the medic tried coming closer once more, pushing my way out of the circle, and picking up a worried Precision as he scuttled towards me. "Look, I know, but I really want to see what those 'Cons have done to my home. They've already collapsed some of my tunnels and I need to—"

"You're cavern has entirely collapsed, Dark Star," a deep and rumbling voice cut in. I turned to see Optimus Prime coming back from where he was seeing the extent of the damage to the tunnels. "I am sorry, Dark Star, but everything is beyond recovery." For the first time in forever, I felt a foreign emotion that wasn't my own and knew it was Optimus back in our link again. Except the emotion wasn't nearly as potent as it used to be. It was like hearing a noise through painful static; painful in the sense that it made where-my-heart-should-be ache.

It took me a moment to take that in. I blinked against sudden tears. "What?" I hoarsely repeated.

"I am sorry, Star," Optimus murmured and everyone was silent as I sank down to sit.

"Son of a bitch," I muttered, holding Precision to my chest. "God damn them."

This time when the medic came forth again I let him poke and prod me, letting him wrap my head after cleaning it as best as he could and set a brace he had pulled from nowhere on to my knee. The humans and Autobots moved around, more humans showing up for clean up while Lennox's team and the Autobots left, taking me with them.

"Hey," a quiet voice asked and I blinked, turning to face Lennox. "Are you alright?" he questioned softly.

I blinked hard and nodded. "Yeah," I answered after clearing my throat. "Yeah. I'm fine."

"You just lost your home, Dark Star," Optimus rumbled and I realized we were in his cab. I was confused for a moment on how I had missed being put in Optimus' passenger seat, but let it go. "It is normal to feel at loss and upset about that."

I only hummed in agreement before looking down to where Precision was hooked to my filthy torn jacket. "Did Ratchet take a look at Precision?"

"Your sparkling is in perfectly good health," Ratchet's voice answered, coming over Optimus' speakers. I turned and looked out the windows, realizing we were driving through early morning Chicago. In front of Optimus I could see Ironhide, loaded down with soldiers as well as well as Jazz in front of the weapon specialist.

"Good," I mumbled before looking down and giving my sparkling a reproachful look. "If you ever think about pulling another stunt like that down in the tunnels I will personally make sure you regret even thinking about that. Clear?"

"Clear," Precision replied, blinking sleepily up at me. "I'm sorry, Carrier. I heard the others on the other side. I just wanted to . . ."

I sighed as he trailed off uncertainly, looking for the explanation to his actions. "I understand," I told him. "Just don't do it again."

"Your Cybertronian has gotten better," Optimus pointed out.

I sat back against the seat, easily cradling a nodding-off Precision, glancing back at Lennox and the other soldiers in Optimus' cab. "Quite a bit has happened. For you as well it seems. What have I missed?" I looked between Optimus' radio and Lennox, directing the question at both of them.

"The president wanted a team that could fight the Decepticons," Lennox said simply. "So the team was formed. We're called NEST. Non-biological Extraterrestrial Strike Team."

I smirked a little. "The government is always good at coming up with names."

"Lately, we have been monitoring for any Decepticon activity, setting up NEST infrastructure, and setting up diplomatic relations with your government," Optimus added, lighting up his radio and absently searching through the radio stations. It didn't appear that his amusement with human radio waves has changed at all.

"And the good Captain Lennox is leading NEST?" I asked, glancing at Will.

Will smiled a bit and adjusted his rifle to rest more comfortably. "It's Major now," he corrected and I raised an eyebrow in honest surprise.

"Really? Congratulations, Major. I'm surprised I didn't hear about it. Why didn't you tell me? Hmm? Already keeping secrets from me?" I teased light-heartedly.

Lennox blew a raspberry and looked at me with twinkling eyes. "Keep secrets? Pfft. I'm as innocent as the day I was born."

"More like spawned," I retorted and the soldiers in the cabin chuckled. It was a bit of a jolt, but I felt Optimus' amusement as well. I smothered a yawn and wiped tears away. "So I hear you guys are stationed at Diego Garcia."

"That's classified information," a nameless soldier pointed out, sitting forward to look at me. "How'd you know that?"

"I'm the all-knowing God," I answered drily.

"Then we're all going to hell," another muttered with a small smile to tell me he was joking.

"Damn straight," I agreed and yawned again while the others chortled to themselves.

"Get some sleep, kid," Lennox ordered-yet-didn't-order. I seriously had no idea how he managed that tone. "You've been through hell tonight."

"I will never look at hide-and-seek the same," I muttered, blinking hard as Optimus drove through some gates and out on to an air strip where a military plane that I was too tired to identify waited. "Though it's safe to say that I'm the best at that game now. 'Cons couldn't find me until the last minute."

A soldier in the back whistled. "That was five hours of playing, girlie." At the nickname I looked back again and recognized the bull-dog of a soldier that had tried to stop me from helping with the guns back in Hoover Dam.

"Five?" I repeated as Optimus drove slowly up the cargo ramp. "Jesus. Didn't feel that long. Course I was out of it for an hour."

"Our apologies for not coming sooner, Dark Star," Optimus rumbled as he came to a stop, opening his doors.

I waved a hand as I jumped out and shakily stood on one leg, the brace on my knee making it awkward to move. "You guys showed up when it counted. I'm not dead."

"And a sad day for all of us to find that out," Epps called as he finally approached me, pulling me into a bear hug and squishing poor Precision between us. "Sorry, lil guy," he apologized when he realized what he'd done. "It's good to see that you two can get your asses shot at by aliens and still make it out."

"I thought we figured this out in Mission City already," I pointed out while following the black soldier's example and going to the seats that lined the sides of the cargo area and strapping in while the Autobots were secured as well further into the cabin.

"No," Epps argued as he reached over and tested my straps. "We figured out that we all hate being shot at by aliens."

"And just so happened to survive?"

"Hell yeah."

I snorted tiredly and pet Precision from where he slept still clinging to my shirt as the pilot came over the speakers and asked that everyone be belted in for takeoff. My mind was passing into a kind of daze when the plane suddenly left the ground and I couldn't stop the instinctive tensing. "Whoa," I mumbled.

"Something wrong?" Lennox asked from my right. Epps looked up from my left and pulled an ear bud out.

"Never been on a plane before," I explained, looking around to see the bored reactions from the other soldiers and relaxed a bit as well.

"Really?"

I nodded and tightened my straps again when the plane shook a little. "Yeah. Never even left Chicago until the whole Mission City thing either."

"Sheltered life?" Epps asked absently, scrolling through his iPod.

Lennox reached across and smacked his friend. "Weren't you listening before?" he demanded in disbelief. "Dark Star is homeless."

I winced at the term. "I wouldn't say homeless," I muttered and glared tiredly at the two raised eyebrows I got. "I made a home for myself thank you. I was much better off than a lot of other people. A lot better off. I was even comfortable. You should've seen it. My place was completely designed to what I wanted and liked." I blinked back the sting of tears at the reminder that my home was gone once more.

Lennox nudged my shoulder. "Hey," he whispered, leaning in close but not close enough to trip my personal space alarms. "Don't worry about anything. We'll set you up before you even know it."

I forced a smile without looking up and glanced at the quiet Autobots. "Sure, Will." When the plane finally leveled out I relaxed even more and rested my head back on the seat rest. The overly-loud-but-not-loud-enough-to-disturb engines of the plane soon became the only thing I could focus on and my eyes were sliding shut.

When the plane shook from even more turbulence I felt Optimus' soothing emotions once more reach down the link and wrap around me as best as it could, lulling me further and further into sleep until I was gone.

I jolted awake at the sound of screeching and the feel of the plane moving up and down like a effin' rollercoaster.

"We're just landing, Star," Lennox explained suddenly from my right and I whipped around to see him and the soldiers comfortably resting in their seats. It was still a bit disconcerting, but I followed their examples and fully relaxed when the plane just rolled down the runway until coming to a stop. "Alright, boys!" Lennox called. "Pack up everything! We're home!"

I unbuckled my straps and stood uncertainly when the other soldiers busied themselves with who-knows-what around that cabin until a loud beeping sound could be heard. Turning, I saw the ramp of the plane jar into motion, letting in a bright stream of light and a wave of heat. I grimaced at the heat and instantly broke out into a sweat when it only increased, squinting against the light until my eyes adjusted. Lennox nudged me into exiting and my sight only cleared when I stepped foot on tarmac and looked around to find an extensive air strip surrounding me with buildings not that far off and even more things on the horizon.

"Welcome to Diego Garcia," Lennox said happily as I looked around. "Head Quarters of NEST and current home to the Autobots." I hummed in acknowledgement as the soldiers made their way over to the buildings and hangers, letting the Autobots finally roll down the ramp and out into the sunlight. Precision scurried from my arms and up my hair, perching on my head like a bird and looking around with curiosity and chirping nonsense. "Cute little guy," Lennox complimented.

I rolled my eyes and yawned. "Oh, he knows," I said and got a laugh in return. Obviously Annabelle knew she was cute as well.

"Follow me," Will called as he began to walk towards the buildings. "My superiors want to meet you and get a debrief everything that happened before we got there."

"Sure." I glanced over my shoulder at the sound of transforming and looked curiously—I swear to god it wasn't in longing. I swear—at the standing Autobots. Optimus sensed my gaze and waved me subtly after Lennox, pulsing faint comfort. Swinging around, I followed the Major through the hussle and bussle of the military base, watching as men opened crates and supplies, deliver papers, talk on phones, and exercise. It didn't escape my notice that there were no women in sight.

I sighed in relief when we stepped into a hanger and the air conditioning washed over me. Careful of the weight gently perched on my head, I looked around to see the hanger filled a long line of tables running down the center of the room and on the sides, holding military grade computers and worked on by men, constantly reporting something into their headsets. Above me was a second floor and Lennox was heading for the stairs now. I jogged up to him. "Is it always this busy?" I asked.

Lennox chuckled. "We're a bit riled by a Decepticon sighting and fight, but almost. We're a little calmer than this on a normal day." He opened a door and we entered a room that had tables and computers lining the walls, but the center of the room was dedicated to a circle of tables and the several military men around talking around it.

The men looked up as Lennox and I approached. "Major Lennox," a forty-something year old man in tan uniform with the pins of a general greeted. "It's good to see you well. We're there any casualties during your attack?"

Lennox saluted before relaxing as I stood somewhat out of sight behind him. "No, sir. The operation went smoothly." Then he stepped aside and revealed me. "If I may, gentlemen, I'd like to introduce Dark Star. She is the one who called in the Decepticon sighting. Dark Star, this is General Morshower and his aides."

I nodded respectfully to the general, not feeling that it was required of me to salute. "Sir," I greeted. Absently, I ran whatever information I had on the general through my head and huffed when I realized I didn't know much. "Thank you for allowing your men to come help me."

"It's no problem, young lady," the general responded, sitting back in his comfy chair and looking me over from Precision to my converse. "You look like you've been through a lot. On top of Mission City if I remember correctly."

I nodded again. "Yes, sir. Playing hide-and-seek with two Decepticons eventually ends up with the squishy human being caught."

The general nodded several times before waving to the chair in front of me. "Why don't you tell us in detail what happened? Major Lennox, I expect a report in my hand in an hour."

"Yes, sir." Lennox snapped another salute before turning on heel and leaving the room.

I carefully sat in the chair, resisting the urge to plop down like I would in my chair to appear at least a little professional despite my dirty appearance. "I suppose I can start with when I spotted the 'Cons," I suggested, glancing at the general for confirmation. "Well, around where I live I have several cameras," I explained, frowning at how to explain where I live before sighing and deciding to just throw caution to the wind. My home was already destroyed. Not like they could take me from it. "You could say I'm homeless. But I wouldn't. I've made my home in the tunnels under Chicago, living on my own. And throughout the tunnels are my cameras. I'm not supposed to be in the tunnels, let alone living there, so I have to make sure no one tries to come snooping. Anyway, a motion alarm went off in the middle of the night, waking me up, and I looked at my cameras to see that the Decepticons were destroying my cameras as they made their way towards me. It's pretty simple from there. I hid in my home since they showed up before I could leave and I can't tell you how long I was there. Time is kind of fuzzy and . . ." I went on to explain the whole incident, trying to be as detailed as possible and watching as the aides scribbled down notes and General Morshower nodded at certain points.

"Anything after that the soldiers could tell you," I finished, shrugging and watching as Precision, who had gotten bored and wandered off to one of the aides. It was a bit amusing to watch the flustered aide try and do his job while a tiny Cybertronian poked at him and his phone.

Morshower nodded and leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table. "You've given us more than enough information. Thank you for that. Until we can find you a more stable home we would like you to stay here on Diego Garcia."

I nodded and scratched my head wearily. "That's fine. God knows this place will be safer, especially if those 'Cons somehow found out my exact position."

"We'll keep in touch," General Morshower assured me, subtly dismissing me as well.

I clicked and whistled to call Precision and he automatically scurried over, climbing up my arm to my neck and resting there. Nodding respectfully one last time, I turned and retraced the steps that Lennox had lead me through, ignoring all the stares and curious glances I got. I had barely taken three steps out into the blindingly bright and hot sun when something closed around my body and I was flying through the air. "Holy mother of God!" I shouted, just barely holding back the urge to screech like Precision does when he's surprised or like he was now. When I finally stopped moving I clutched the thing holding me tight and glared at the equally glaring blue optics. "What the hell, Ratchet!"

"Do you want to explain to me why your organic fuel pump is no longer functioning?" he growled and I blinked at him, frowning. "Your heart," he clarified, narrowing his optics further.

"Uh," I answered intelligently before the smart ass in me came out. "Technical difficulties," I said smoothly. Ratchet's engine rumbled threateningly before he spun and began walking towards a large hanger.

"It is to my understanding that you organics cannot function without you fuel pump," Ratchet said, not even looking at me though there was a light he was constantly running over my body. He absently rattled off in Cybertronian at the still screeching Precision.

"We can't," I answered just as casually, watching as we entered the hanger to see the other Autobots there, minus Bumblebee. Jazz looked up with a grin under his sun-glasses thingy and Optimus and Ironhide looked up from where they were talking. I felt the faint emotions from Optimus and tried not to shy away from them at the thought of why he had sent me away.

Jazz jumped up and exclaimed, "Lil lady and lil 'bot! It's good to finally see you."

"Jazz!" Precision cried, crawling out on to Ratchet's servo and jumping up and down as the Autobot made for a Cybertronian-sized metal table. "Hi, Jazzy!"

"Hey, Jazz," I greeted back as Ratchet set me on the table.

The small silver Autobot sashayed up to us. "What'd you do to frag off Ratchet?"

"She stopped her fuel pump," Ratchet snapped, glaring at his comrade as the other two Autobots' helms came up quickly at his words.

"Dark Star?" Optimus called quietly as he approached. "Is this true?"

I shrugged and pushed away my anxiety. "I certainly can't find my pulse so I guess."

Ratchet threw up his servos. "Then how are you still alive?" he demanded hotly.

Precision looked back at me as he finally tuned into the conversation. "They don't know?" he asked me innocently. "Are they too stupid to see it?"

I hid a snort of laughter at the affronted look Ratchet wore and scowled at my sparkling. "It's rude to call others stupid, Precision. Apologize."

"Sorry." Precision looked at the much larger bots with a tiny frown of confusion. "But you can't see Carrier's spark?"

"Spark?" Ratchet rolled his optics and glowered at the sparkling. "It's impossible for a human to have a spark. That is strictly a Cybertronian characteristic."

Pri blinked nonplussed. "It's impossible for organics to survive without their fuel pump." Ratchet jolted as his words were thrown back in his face and Jazz snickered. Feelings I couldn't identify were coming from Optimus and Ironhide crossed his arms. "Carrier has a spark." Wordlessly, Ratchet turned and ran another beam of light over my body. I watched silently as Ratchet shook and his optics flickered.

"Don't crash on us, Ratch'," Ironhide growled, watching his comrade with narrowed optics. Optimus even looked concerned, but for who was beyond me right now.

The yellow Autobot snapped around and glared at his black companion. "I will not glitch," he spat before spinning back towards me. My vision swam with the battery of light beams that ran over me. "It's impossible. You should not have a spark and yet your heart has stopped and you're giving off a spark signature."

I shrugged and forced myself not to worry. "Well, obviously it has happened and I'm still alive so it can't be that bad." Ratchet growled and glared murder at me. I sighed, becoming serious for the first time. "Look, I'm just as freaked out as you are, alright? This defies all logic and for now I'm just going with it because if I don't I'm going to have a panic attack. No offense, but I'd rather avoid having a panic attack for quite some time."

A giant gust of air came from certain parts of Ratchet's armor, the Cybertronian version of a sigh, and Ratchet relaxed, moving his armor plating in small flicks. He grumbled as he ran another scan over me. "Is there anything else I should know about?"

I frowned in thought. "Uh. I'm really good at speaking Cyber?" I suggested cautiously, spreading my hands helplessly. "I don't know. I can't remember anything."

Ratchet frowned and ran a concentrated scan over my throat. "Speak in Cybertronian," he commanded.

"You know I've never heard any of you speak in Cybertronian outside of when Optimus taught me and Precision lapses in and out of his language," I mused, obeying Ratchet.

Ratchet quirked an optic ridge and responded in kind while running other colorful scans. "That is because we have set Earth's language of English as our primary language."

"You set your default," I supplied after a moment.

"Essentially."

"Okay, I'm getting a processor-ache from all these colors." I shielded my eyes from the bright colors and opened them a moment later when the scans stopped.

Ratchet hummed as he tapped at whatever was on his forearm. "This is…odd."

I curled a lip and blew a sigh. "I love being odd," I drawled sarcastically.

"I will need some time to sort through all this data." The medic's blue optics glared at me and I held up my hands in surrender. "I expect you to report to me in exactly one of your Earth days. Do you understand?"

"I do understand perfectly good English," I retorted before changing my tone at the death glare I was getting. "I understand, Ratchet."

"Good. Off with you now."

"Dark Star," Ironhide called as I moved to jump off the elevated table. The black mech moved to help me down as he spoke. "I am getting insistent comms from Lennox about your location so he can show you your quarters. He is on his way now."

I smiled wanly up at him, suddenly feeling tired. "Thanks, 'Hide. I'll see you later, alright?"

Ironhide gravely nodded. "Of course. Someone has to teach you properly how to fight."

My smile dropped as I stared up at the Autobot as he straightened. "Why do I feel like running and hiding?" I asked seriously. I only got a chuckle as an answer as the large mech strolled off.

"Star?"

Pri jumped on my head. "Lennox!" he chirped. "Hi!"

I turned to see Lennox smiling at my sparkling. "Hello, Precision. Star, I can show you where you can sleep if you follow me."

"Sleep sounds good," I agreed, following the major. I was lead to an empty but clean building with small rooms connected to the main hall. "Women's barracks?" I asked curiously as Lennox came to a stop in front of one door.

He nodded. "Mandatory to have one though no women have qualified for NEST yet. So it's all yours for now. The signs on the walls can lead you to the bathroom and showers and your room has already been filled with clothes and the essentials."

I nodded in appreciation. I hadn't even thought about those yet. There hadn't really been time to do much of anything once the 'Cons broke into my home. And wasn't that a depressing thought that this small room was pretty much the only thing I could call my own. "Thanks," I murmured, walking into the sparsely decorated room, looking at the neatly made bed and the lone wardrobe and desk.

"You know," Will began, leaning against the door jam. "You can always come over to my house. The barracks are meant for the soldiers who are on rotation or don't permanently live on Diego Garcia. The north side of the island is dedicated to the officers and soldiers who live here full time. Anabelle is here with me. You could finally meet her."

I blinked before smiling a bit. "You're awesome, Lennox. But I think I'll stay here until I get a feel for the area and the situation. For all I know the higher ups are going to ship me off somewhere soon."

A dark look passed over Lennox's face. "That won't happen."

My smile widened as I lifted an arm when Precision climbed off my head so he could crawl out on my arm and jump for the bed. "It's always a possibility. Besides, trust me, if they tried that I'd be gone before they even knew what happened."

The major chuckled and straightened. "A hacker and an escape artist. You're a woman of many talents, Star. Anyway, my door is always open to you. And I expect you to come over for dinner in three days. We're having spaghetti."

"Sir. Yes, sir," I answered, mock saluting, and got a grin back. "I'll probably hunt you down and bug you later. See ya, Lennox."

"See you later, Star."

An hour later I sighed and stared up at the ceiling. I was dead tired and yet I couldn't sleep. I didn't think it was the time difference because I had gotten used to napping whenever I could before this whole mess. Short naps meant there wasn't much time for the nightmares to get a hold of me, but here I was bone-tired and unable to drop off. My mind just kept whirling about the Decepticons and my now destroyed home, how close I came to death and the Autobots, my spark and how the Decepticons found me.

I gave up on sleep and slowly rolled off my bed, careful of the recharging Precision in my sweatshirt pocket. He was warm there and as long as I didn't jolt him or be loud he would remain that way. I left the barracks and looked around the base in the twilight. There was noticeably less activity as the base settled down for the night and I used the new quietness to just stroll through the area. I passed hangers that house enormous airplanes to be repaired, hangers full of computers, a building that must be the soldiers' mess hall and rec area. I strolled down the air field, looking out at the darkening ocean and the beach.

Curiosity finally got the best of me and I headed to the nearest beach, taking off my sneakers before I stepped on to the sand. I almost toppled over as the sand didn't prove to be a stable and firm ground that I expected before I regained my balance and walked towards the gently lapping water. It was so strange feeling the warm sand sift through my toes and cradle my feet and the smile on my face grew as I sat down just beyond the water line.

Slowly, I laid down and stared up at the clear sky. In Chicago I hadn't been able to get this clear of a sight unless I ran as far as I had when I first met O.P., so the sight still took my breath away. All those stars and planets up there for me to see, twinkling with life. I couldn't help but wonder if anybody saw our star and our life.

Well someone had to have or else the Cybertronians wouldn't have found their way here. And that caused the Decepticons to find me. Find me and my home.

I blinked against the tears that rushed my eyes and just listened to the splashing of waves for a moment. For as long as I could remember that cavern had been my refuge. From the time I could even think of avoiding the place of my birth that place has been my haven. From the second I toddled into the overlarge place and accidentally turned on the lights it had been mine. And when I finally did run away I built my life in there. I cried, laughed, bled, healed, destroyed, and built there. My home had been a constant in a world that couldn't be depended on to be safe.

And now even that was gone.

"Fuck," I whispered as tears finally spilled from my eyes and fell uncomfortably into my ears.

Everything I had been had been there. I poured over books I had stolen as a kid to begin building and programming in the middle of those concrete floors, created my first circuit board and eventually computer there, practiced putting on makeup and doing my hair when I was old enough to notice the other women around me, and learned that in a world that didn't want me I could still help the people who live in that world. Maybe make it a bit better or easier on some people.

Everything I had been had been there. Everything I had done had been destroyed and buried. I had nothing but myself, Precision, and the soldiers and Autobots who felt obliged to take care of me.

They didn't need to. If they'd left me in Chicago I'd have moved on and found a new place to live. It would be hard and maybe that time I would've tried to live an honest life, but here I was now on a secret military base with the American government's literally largest secret. The Autobots had other things to worry about than a woman who got in over her head. The Autobots didn't have time for someone who couldn't be useful. Optimus didn't have time for someone who couldn't act the peaceful and benevolent way he believed in.

I thought back to when I had told Will that if the government tried to send me away I would disappear and amended that I would probably disappear if they decided not to anyway. Here, I would just get in the way and be useless.

My breathing became slightly easier now that I had set on a course of action I could live with and I became aware of the heavy footsteps coming closer. Sitting up, I turned to see the tall outline of Optimus coming closer. "Optimus," I greeted in a voice that I was proud to say didn't crack. I wiped at my cheeks under the guise of pushing my hair back behind my ears.

"Dark Star," he rumbled and something tight in my chest relaxed at the sound of the deep baritone and the light buzz of emotions not my own. I hadn't even known there was something that painful in my chest until that moment and I only considered it for a moment before focusing on Optimus sitting down next to me at a distance that didn't make it uncomfortable for me to look up at him. "What troubles you tonight?"

I blinked at the question before turning back out at the pitch black ocean. Of course he knew that I was upset. Despite the static in the link now I could still detect his slightly rattled emotions, which meant it went both ways. "This whole situation," I answered quietly, hand coming down to rest on Precision. "My home is gone. I don't know what to do now."

Optimus hummed, putting his arms behind him and leaning back on them. For one second, in that relaxed stance, I thought I saw O.P., but I quickly looked away. He had his memories back now and no time for small human allies he had made when he wasn't in his right mind. "I would suggest you take things one day at a time. Take care of yourself, relax, and then, when you have a clear mind once more, search for your place in this world once more."

I sighed. "Optimus, I never had a place to begin with. According to my country's government I don't even exist let alone do small technology services back in Chicago. How am I supposed to get a job or find a new place to live if I'm not on record anywhere?"

"Perhaps your place is here." I blinked as the red and blue mech replied before looking up at him. His glowing blue optics met mine. "The men here do not care if you are not legally acknowledged by your government. You have proven yourself to them to be strong and useful. They won't turn you away."

The words were coming out of my mouth before I could stop them. "But I haven't proven myself to you." I resisted the urge to slap a hand over my mouth or curse as I realized what I had said. I shook my head and quickly stood up. "Forget it. I never said anything."

A huge silver servo came down gently in the sand in front of me, blocking my escape. My eyes shot up to Optimus as he frowned in confusion. "You have proven yourself to me, Dark Star. Why would you think otherwise?"

I spluttered for a moment, fighting on whether to just ignore him and keep going or to finally get the answers I've been needing to hear. It was a long moment before I growled to myself. "Obviously I haven't or else you wouldn't have sent me away." Optimus blinked and I stared down at my hands. "If I had proven useful you wouldn't have asked me to leave. If I'd proven that I was not only strong enough to keep myself safe but to keep out of trouble I wouldn't have had to go back to Chicago."

"I asked you to return to Chicago for your own protection."

"From what?" I snapped, glaring up at Optimus. "From the Decepticons? 'Cause that didn't work out very well. I don't even know how they found me."

"I was trying to protect your from your own species."

I didn't know what to think at Optimus' solemn tone as I stared up at him. My own species? "What do you mean?"

Optimus looked away for a second and I clearly felt a heavy swirl of emotion reach through to me. "When we were still at Hoover Dam I picked up a communication from the Head of Sector Seven to dispatch several of their agents to…neutralize you."

The silence stretched between us as I mulled over his words, resting my hands over Precision once more. "They were going to kill me," I said, not asking. Optimus nodded wordlessly, watching my reaction closely. A self-deprecating smile worked its way across my lips. "It's not like people haven't tried to kill me before, but I can see why you were worried. But what I don't understand is why you didn't tell me what was going on."

"Would you have left if I had told you?" Optimus asked in return.

I propped a hand on my hip and returned his tired look. "If you had truly wanted me to, yes."

Optimus stared at me, a small hurricane of emotions coming through the static in the link. Our eyes never strayed from each other as we stared down each other, evaluating and thinking over the recent turn of events. Finally, the Cybertronian looked down in something akin to shame. "My apologies, Dark Star. I've done you wrong."

I shifted my weight and crossed my arms, very uncomfortable with having an apology directed at me from someone I highly respected and held close. "Don't worry about it, O.P.. No harm done. Let's just move on, okay?"

Optimus straightened and looked me over critically. "You called me 'O.P.'."

I startled, shocked that I'd let that slip. I looked away briefly, tracing the weight of Precision in my pocket, but remained silent. What was I supposed to say to that?

A giant metal finger gently traced down my back. "I know our friendship before I regained my memories will never return," Optimus rumbled quietly and I listened raptly. "A part of me mourns that. But another part is looking forward to exploring our new…companionship. You are here now and I hope to count you as a close ally and companion."

My eyes were moving to meet his optics before I even knew what I was doing. A long beat of silence stretched between us before I managed to reply. "I would be honored to be counted as your friend, O.P.." And something in my chest relaxed. The static from the link became less painful and I could even watch as a slight tension in O.P.'s massive shoulders melted away. So the separation and link hadn't only bothered me.

"And I would be honored to be your friend, Dark Star," O.P. murmured, optics drilling into mine as he straightened and removed his servo from my path. "You should return to your quarters. You are still recovering from your encounter with the Decepticons."

I smiled a bit. "More like I'm just tired all the time," I drawled, but nonetheless began to hike up the beach before a thought occurred to me. For a second I froze, debating if I wanted to test this recent peace between O.P. and I with my question, but when I glanced over my shoulder and saw O.P.'s gentle gaze I knew I should ask. "Why did you give me that flower?" I asked, straightening my shoulders and resolutely looking back for an answer.

O.P.'s optics brightened for a moment as he recalled the flower that I meant. "I knew you would understand," he answered after a moment.

We froze there for a long minute before I nodded, mind buzzing, and turned back for the woman's barracks.

Understand?

A yellow tulip meant hopeless love. I never bothered to give the meaning much thought back in Chicago because I just couldn't find it in me, but now I couldn't think of anything else. Hopeless. I could think of two ways that could be meant.

Hopeless. Nothing could stop it. It was inevitable and there was nothing any party could do about it. Something in me squirmed at the thought of O.P. being hopelessly in love with me. That was a bit of a stretch for my realistic mind set.

Or he could've meant hopeless. In that the love was literally hope less. Nothing could ever come of the love. This made more sense to me. No relationship could conceivably come from a human and a Cybertronian.

But a little voice whispered in the back of my head. It doesn't change the fact that it's still hopeless love. And you're not exactly human anymore. No heart. Only spark.

I reached my room and laid back on my bad, throwing an arm over my eyes and a hand over Precision.

I didn't understand.

Alright. I want to be really clear on this. I am not killing this story. You hear that? It's still alive! Just…in a coma or on vacation. I'll come back to it eventually. I'm just going to focus on Chasing the Flame story and its sequels. I totally recommend you go read it or at least go check out the creator of the Chasing the Flame AU sleepyoldvamp on DA. Be warned, there are some inappropriate pictures, but he is awesome. Thank you for reading so far and I'll see you all in the future!