Duplicity Chapter 1

"Is that understood?"

Stinger looked over to his two best friends, practically family in more ways than one. Blaze and Muse were his whole world, and he wouldn't let anything get in the way of that. Sharing a look, the trio nod and bow to their leader. Who was there leader? None other the Decepticon leader, the only bot in their world who would bother to take in the three of them. Despite him being open to their existence, they still felt outcasted among 'their own kind.' Stinger cringed slightly as their leader placed a servo on his shoulder plate.

"Very good. I've trained the three of you well. Now you three will be placed under the care of Shockwave. He will teach you the basics of shifting your forms. For now you three are dismissed."

The trio nodded once again and left the room. Stinger sighed. The femme next to him placed a consoling servo on his shoulder plate, while the red and black bot place an arm around the both of them.

"He's going to separate us isn't he?" the femme asked, purple optics looking up at the other two.

"He's an intelligence bot. He'll want to get it where ever he can. Of course he'll separate us Muse. I don't like it anymore than you two do," Stinger sadly responded. "Blaze, what are we going to do? We've been together since before our first upgrades."

"Sting, bro, we'll make it through this. I promise. No matter what they can't stop us from contacting each other. Sure we can get in trouble with the boss bot, but that's never stopped us before. We're the 'Con's triple threat," Blaze smiled, keeping his arms wrapped around the two younger bots. "Nothing will stop us." The duo smiled and leaned into his comfortable touch. None of them noticed the eyes following them as they left.

Starscream watched as the younglings walked out of the room. He couldn't help but feel bad for them. It was in his programming, not that he would ever say that aloud. No one else was to know about it for a variety of reasons. However, Starscream had a feeling Megatron was getting suspicious. No matter. He worked with the 'Con leader for stellar cycles, alongside with many different companions. As time passed however, many of the Decepticons were assigned jobs outside of the Nemesis ship leaving him stranded with the insane triple changer, Miss Stings-a-lot and their leader's most loyal servant. It annoyed him to no end. When was this ever going to end?

As if his problems couldn't get any worse, Lugnut was heading right his way rather fuming. He must have finally learned about what the youngling's purpose was. About time in all honest.

"Those three will be sporting a problem. Especially when Shockwave joins them on their little mission," Lugnut said. "What is Lord Megatron thinking by sending them in? They have only been with us a few vorns. Far from being ready for a dangerous task such as this."

"There is no need to worry about the younglings Lunkhead. As long as they follow Shockwaves orders they will be fine. They will be no thorn in our side yet. This is their test, to see if they're ready to carry the Decepticon name," Starscream responded. In the back of his processor he was hoping the younglings would fail or use this chance to escape. They had yet to have the energon on their hands as he and the others did. But the rest of him knew, if they were to fail then they would be offlined within a cycle.

"I have my doubts about those three Starscream." Lugnut kept his voice low.

"Do not doubt me. Right now, this is none of our concern."

Nemesis was surprised when he received a call from Megatron. He wasn't due to report for another decacycle. Making sure no one was around he answered the call. "Nemesis here. What do you need Lord Megatron?"

"Nemesis, I understand things are going well on your end."

"Of course my lord, these pathetic Autobots don't suspect a thing."

"Very good. Now listen, this is of the upmost importance."

"Yes my lord?"

"Within the stellar cycle I will be sending four more agents in to infiltrate the Autobots. Three of which will be heading to the camp which you reside at the moment. Shockwave is one of the agents. I expect the both of you to keep an eye on our young agents. Understood?"

"Understood. Is that all my lord?"

"Stop calling my Lord. You and Lugnut are getting on my last circuits with it."

Shockwave looked at his three new 'students'. He had less than a stellar cycle to teach them about shifting forms, and gathering intel without being caught. Along with that he was to further their combat training with the new weapons they picked up. This was either a reward for all his hard work or punishment for making fun of Megatron during that one party a few centuries ago. It honestly had been a mistake. He had one too many energon drinks that night.

Snapping out of his thoughts he changed his focus to the three younglings. The bots that no one else would take in because of their heritage. Why Megatron took them in was a question. Sure they had potential, but they only worked with them for a while. They couldn't be trusted on the field yet. It was just too soon.

"Yo, Shockwave. Are you gonna teach us anything this solar cycle or should we just return to our berth rooms?" Blaze asked, waving a servo in front of Shockwave's optic. Shockwave slapped him away and glared at the young bot. Muse and Stinger were giggling in the background.

"Enough of that. Megatron has asked me to train you and that's what I'll do. You are expected to know everything before being deployed. And I will not fail him. Is that understood?"

The three bots' were quiet, but Shockwave could see Stinger roll his optics at him. He'd get him back for that later. "I expect answers to my questions. Is that understood?" Shockwave growled.

"Sir, yes sir," The trio mumbled.

This was going to be a long stellar cycle.

Strika growled as Cyclonus told her she had a call coming from Megatron's ship. The last thing she needed was that rotten slagger to ruin a good day. Walking into the room she noticed two things. One, that every other bot that was assigned to be in the room left, and two, that it was Lugnut on the scream. A smile covered her mouth plate.

"It's been too long Lugnut," She said.

"I must agree. How have you been Strika?"

"I've had better stellar cycles. But the team is good. How are you and the others?"

"Star is getting annoyed. Then again, he's never been a patient one."

"That is true. So why did you call?"

"Megatron's scheming again. He's sending in new agents to spy on the Autobots. Star believes that we shouldn't worry about it. I believe that you should at least know about this."

"That little slagger doesn't know what he's doing."

"He never has."

"So who is it that Megatron has sent?"

"Do you remember the group of younglings we picked up before you were sent off with your team?"

"Them? Is Megatron serious?"

"Yes, he is. They'll be in training for the stellar cycle and then sent off."

This was just great. Fan-fragging-tastic. Now they had to make sure not to hit the younglings in a chance of an autobot and decepticon fight. A stellar cycle was far too little time for those three.

A/N: Units of time are as followed: Cycle (1 minute), Solar Cycle (roughly the equivalent of a day), stellar cycle (approximately one year), Vorn (approximately 83 years), megacycle (1 hour), Nanoklik (about one second)

Reviews are welcomed.