Getting found.
Chapter 1The halls of The Senate were buzzing or at least that was how it felt to Bluestreak. Every mech and femme in the building was talking in whispers about what could happen in the next cycle and the anxiety in everything they said was starting to make his processor spin.
For the young mech whose duties were usually patrolling the city and fighting off raiding parties a cycle at The Senate was a welcome change although all the important 'bots around him made his circuits tense. Prowl had brought him in specially, insisting that he needed mechs he could trust without question and Bluestreak was proud of that.
Eleven other mechs were stood with his but he didn't know any of them well enough to speak to so he remained silent and waited. When he could see Prowl approaching he stood as straight as he could. At Prowls side strode the intelligent and imposing looking form of Sentinel Prime.
He stood to attention as The Prime passed him earning himself an approving glance from Prowl before he fell in behind them with the others and marched on. A little further on the hall opened up into the grandest chamber Bluestreak had ever seen, tiers of seats enclosed the floor, which was designed to draw all optics to it and decorated with an exquisite mosaic worn smooth by hundreds of pacing feet over thousands of vorns.
Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were stood stiffly at opposite edges of the floor; he nodded to both of them and took his place close to the door as the others spaced themselves out amongst the crowd. Prowl was only a couple of paces away on its other post. Straight ahead of him was another entrance, Bluestreak knew that it was only a matter of breems before the leader of the Decepticons would walk through it and willed his spark to stop fluttering in fear and anger. All around him The Senate were taking their seats and their murmurs echoed in the vastness of the room.
Occasionally he shared a glance with Sunstreaker as he'd always found it difficult to look anywhere else when he was in the room but most of the time his optics roamed the crowd, there was too much at stake for him to relax his guard and a threat could come from anywhere.
A breem or so later everything fell silent as two mechs entered from the far door of the chamber and mirrored Bluestreak and Prowl beside their door. The first was mostly red, about the same size as the twins and his design marked him as a seeker, the second was much larger, dark blue and his boxy shape didn't led itself to any alt-mode Bluestreak could think of.
A third mech swept into the room just behind them and surveyed the crowd with obvious distain as he moved to the centre of the floor. "Sentinel Prime." He said with contempt but at least he was observing protocol.
"Megatron." Sentinel Prime greeted with no emotion at all in his strong voice.
"That's Lord Megatron." The nearly all white mech snapped and Bluestreak fought back the urge to grimace. It was unlikely that anyone in the room was paying him any attention at all but Prowl had told him time and time again not to take any chances.
"My apologies." Prime responded. "I agreed to meet with you in the hope that we could take our first steps towards peace…"
"You wish to surrender." Megatron interrupted.
"I think compromise would be a better word." Prime said pointedly.
Megatron sneered. "My armies grow by the cycle and your cities are falling to them one by one, soon I will have them all and Cybertron shall be mine so why should I compromise?"
"Because this war has gone on long enough…" Bluestreak stopped listening at that point and switched his concentration back to what was going on around the debate taking note of every movement and hoping that he was been paranoid. His internal systems were screaming at him that something was wrong and it was all he could do to keep himself from shaking.
He risked a glance at each of his friends, Prowls faceplate was completely devoid of emotion but Bluestreak knew his guardian too well to think that he was calm and both of the twins seemed uneasy but again he was sure that no one else would notice.
"I tire of this Prime." Megatrons voice cut through his line of thought like a laser-knife. "I give you one final choice to make, surrender or die."
"I cannot surrender to a tyrant." Prime said defiantly.
Bluestreak could only watch in horror as Megatron jumped backwards towards the large blue mech and transformed into a gun. In the same moment he landed in the mechs hand he fired. He saw Prowl move forward, Sideswipe start shooting and Sunstreaker leap at the red mech while he brought his rifle up, took aim and fired but they were all too late. Sentinel Prime crumpled to the floor without even a cry, Prowl landed at his side and opened fire in the same movement.
With a triumphant scream the red seeker threw Sunstreaker into a wall and unspaced an object about the same size as his hand before he tossed it casually into the centre of the room and signalled for his allies to withdraw.
The blast rocked the chamber, rained debris everywhere and blew Bluestreak backwards through the door he had been guarding to where he landed in a shower of sparks. With a shake to clear his sensors Bluestreak forced himself to his feet, several of his circuits burned in protest but he knew that he couldn't allow himself to stop.
The air in the chamber was thick with dust and smoke but the twins strong colours were easy to pick out. Sideswipe was crouched over what looked like a pile of rubble while Sunstreaker stood over him with his blue optics glowing furiously. His anger disappeared as soon as he saw Bluestreak and he moved to intercept him.
"Keep away Blue." He warned as he spoke Bluestreak realised that Sideswipe was frantically digging something out of the heap with a couple of the other guards helping him.
"Prowl!" he yelled, he tried to dodge round Sunstreaker but his lover was too fast for him and caught him firmly in his strong arms.
"Bluestreak take it easy." He ordered.
"Sunny he's alive." Sideswipe called.
At that Bluestreak struggled harder and probably more because Sunstreaker didn't want to damage him than anything else broke free. "Prowl?" He asked quietly as he knelt down next to his guardian.
"He's off-line Blue." Sideswipe told him. "We've gotta get him to a med-bay."
"Ratchets' isn't far." Sunstreaker agreed. "I'll carry him." He didn't give any of the others time to respond before he scooped Prowl up into his arms and double-timed it out of the room.
"I'll catch you up." Sideswipe told Bluestreak and he gave him a shove in the right direction.
As he left the building he activated his comm-link. "Ratchet. It's Bluestreak. Sunstreaker is on his was to you with Prowl. Clear the decks." He ordered surprising himself by how calm he sounded. Maybe vorns of Prowls training hadn't been wasted after all.
"Copy that Blue." Ratchet barked.
By the time Bluestreak arrived Prowl was laid out on one a berth and Sunstreaker moved to block him again. "Let Ratchet do his job." He soothed as Bluestreak tried to push past him.
"Sunny please." He pleaded.
"Blue." Sunstreaker said in a tone he only ever used when he was talking to his lover and he wrapped his arms around him protectively.
Bluestreaks steadiness faltered and he buried his face in Sunstreakers shoulder. "I can't lose him Sunny. I just can't." He whimpered.
"You're not gonna Blue." Sunstreaker soothed him. The two of them stood together for a while until Sideswipe strode in.
"How is he?" He asked glumly.
"Still with us." Snarled Ratchet from the other side of the room.
"The Senate?" Sunstreaker asked.
"Most of them are fine just a few dents and scrapes but there was nothing anyone could do for Prime."
In Sunstreakers arms Bluestreak shuddered and pushed himself closer. "Oh Primus." He whispered.
"Which medic did they get in?" Ratchet asked briskly, he didn't seem shocked and Bluestreak guessed that Sunstreaker had told him everything before he arrived.
"Alpha Trion." Sideswipe answered.
Ratchet nodded and went back to his work. Sideswipe shuffled uncomfortably and looked to his twin. "We should get out of here and let the doc work." Sunstreaker said firmly.
"No. I'm staying." Bluestreak snapped. "I'm not leaving Prowl."
"Blue."
"You all know that I hate to agree with him but Sunstreaker's right." Ratchet growled. "This is going to take a long time and I need to concentrate." For the first time he met Bluestreaks optics and his tone softened. "I swear I'll comm you as soon as I have some news."
Bluestreak nodded to him and keeping close to Sunstreaker he walked out.
"Is it just me or does he get grouchier every time we see him?" Sideswipe commented in an effort to lighten the mood.
"He has to stay angry when 'bots he cares about are injured or he can't handle it." Bluestreak responded.
"What makes you say that?" Sunstreaker asked in an effort to keep his lover talking and thinking about anything other than Prowls condition.
"I didn't, Jazz did." Bluestreak said sadly.
The fact that this was the first time Bluestreak had said the name of the other mech who had raised him in ten vorns wasn't lost on Sunstreaker and he took Bluestreaks hand as they walked towards their barracks. "Do you think he should know about this?" he asked softly.
"I don't know." Bluestreak shrugged. "But even if he should I've got no way of finding him."
"Sorry Blue." Sunstreaker apologised. "Primus what a slagging mess."
Neither of the other two disagreed with Sunstreaker and both lapsed into silence for the rest of the short walk. Once they back at the apartment that they also shared with Prowl. Sideswipe slumped into to a chair and sat looking at his hands, which were scratched from digging Prowl out and only served to remind him of the horrible memory. Sunstreaker released his grip on Bluestreaks hand and set about getting the three of them some much needed shots of high-grade, when he turned back his lover was still stood in exactly the same place he had left him, he set one of the drinks down within easy reach of his twin and returned to Bluestreak.
"Don't let it eat you up Blue." He whispered softly. "We did all we could."
"It wasn't enough though was it?" Bluestreak whispered back his vocaliser shaking with regret and anguish. "Not for Prime, not for Prowl and not for The Senate. Every one of them could have been killed today and us with them because all that we can do isn't enough."
Sunstreaker ducked a little so that he could rest his forehead against Bluestreaks and pulled the rest of his body as close to him as he could noticing at the same time that his lovers whole body was trembling. "They're built for war and we're not." He pointed out.
"Prime agreed to meet with Megatron because he knew that we couldn't win." Sideswipe said despairingly from his seat.
With one last shake Bluestreak pulled himself back up and glared at both of the brothers. "We can't keep thinking like that." He informed them. His voice was calm again but he didn't seem to be able to stop his hands twitching. Sunstreaker caught them, holding them tight to steady them for him and he gave his lover a grateful look. "I can't think like that." He told them his tone softening again. "If I do I'll fall apart." He looked up at Sunstreaker and forced himself to smile before he stepped away, picked up the energon Sunstreaker had set aside for him and downed it in one long swallow.
The twins exchanged worried glances behind his back but said nothing. Neither of them would dare risking pushing Bluestreak anymore.
Things settled down for a while after that, the three mechs did their best to carry on as usual although there was an awkwardness between them that had never been known before.
As they sat down for their evening energon the door chime rang and Sunstreaker stood again to answer it. Ratchet strode in a few moments later having exchanged quiet words with the yellow mech that the other two didn't hear. Sunstreaker poured him a ration too and he joined them at the table before he spoke.
"I've done all I can for Prowl." He said quietly. "And put him in stasis for the time being to give his systems a chance to get over the shock of what they've been through."
"So he's going to be alright?" Bluestreak asked.
Ratchet studied the table for a moment. "He took a lot of damage Blue." He said slowly. "The best I can do is keep him alive for now but I've asked Alpha Trion to come and take a look at him tomorrow, we'll know more then but I want you to know that I'm not giving upon him."
Unsteadily Bluestreak stood up and left the table without a word and walked into his room. Sunstreaker glanced at Ratchet and followed his lover. Bluestreak was lying face down on their recharge berth when he walked in. he sat down on it's edge and laid a hand on Bluestreaks shoulder, which trembled as he touched it. "Alpha Trion is a miracle worker." He said firmly. "I'm sure that he can save Prowl."
"I know." Bluestreak whispered. "I just couldn't stand to see Ratchet like that."
"He was being nice." Sunstreaker said in a slightly confused tone.
"My point exactly." Bluestreak said raising his head just enough for Sunstreaker to see that he was smiling. "Last time it was you on his table he threw a wrench at me."
Sunstreaker smiled at the memory. "Are you gonna come back out?"
"Not for a while. You go. I'll be fine."
"You sure?"
"Yes Sunny."
Before he left Ratchet arranged with Sunstreaker to bring Bluestreak back to his med-bay late in the next cycle and thanked them for their hospitality. Bluestreak was recharging when Sunstreaker went back to him so he lay down close to his lover and allowed himself to do the same.
The sun was beginning to set when Bluestreak nervously knocked on the door. "Come." Barked the medic and with a glance to Sunstreaker he walked in. he was surprised to see Alpha Trion himself was sat with Ratchet in a corner but he tried not to show it as Ratchet made hasty introductions.
"Thank you for coming." He said as he shook the mechs hand.
"Not at all." Alpha Trion replied. "It's been a welcome change to get out of the workshop for a while and I'm glad we had a chance to meet. I wanted to talk to you about Prowl."
"All I need to know is can you fix him?" Bluestreak asked firmly.
"He could be repaired." Alpha Trion answered. "But that would only be prolonging the inevitable, he has chosen to be a soldier but in his current form I fear that sooner or later he would be destroyed."
"Current form?" Bluestreak repeated with a confused frown. "I don't understand."
"Then let me explain." Alpha Trion offered. "After the attack at The Senate I returned to my workshop to start repairing the injured. I had only been there a few breems when a group of mechs brought another mech to me, he had been badly wounded in a fight at the docks, I told them that I was too busy to help but they insisted so I took a look at him and an idea struck me. I could use his spark to create the next Prime, unlike Sentinel he could be built for war and maybe give us a chance at winning."
"Where does Prowl come into this?" Sunstreaker asked impatiently.
"I am hoping that you will give me permission to use a similar procedure on Prowl and let me use him to create a second in command for Prime, a tactician, skilled in the arts of war with a battle computer and all the military know-how he could ever need." Alpha Trion explained.
"Would he still be Prowl?" Bluestreak asked.
"He would have his memories, the battle computer I've designed may change his personality a little because his logic systems would have to work differently but in essence he would still be your guardian."
For a moment Bluestreak was quiet before he turned to Ratchet. "Could I talk to him?" He pleaded.
"In his current state he's unable to communicate vocally, he could probably still use his bond to talk but I'm guessing that he hasn't been in contact." Ratchet informed him.
"No he hasn't." Bluestreak said forlornly and he felt Sunstreaker shift uncomfortably at his shoulder.
Alpha Trion nodded thoughtfully. "Well if Prowl is bonded then I can give you some good news, it is likely that the bond will sustain him to some degree and improve his chances a great deal."
"I don't know what to do for the best." Bluestreak admitted as he looked up to Sunstreaker.
"I do." Sunstreaker said softly but with confidence. "You're trying to figure out what's right and wrong but neither of them exist, there is only what must be done and that has to be giving Prowl a chance."
Bluestreak smiled and his confusion disappeared. "What would I do without you Sunny?" He said fondly earning himself a tight squeeze.
"Stand there all day and scramble your processors probably." Sunstreaker grinned affectionately.
Bluestreak turned back to the two older mechs with a new confidence. "Do whatever you have to."
"Thank you Bluestreak." Alpha Trion said gratefully. "I'll take Prowl with me now and start work. I want you to come to my workshop in two cycles. Hopefully I will have him in full working order by then."
"Thank you." Bluestreak nodded and getting the feeling that they had been dismissed he and Sunstreaker headed home.
The next two cycles were as difficult as he had thought they would be, the twins did their best to keep him occupied whenever he wasn't on patrol and the mechs he worked with did their share too but his processor never stopped worrying about Prowl. The mech had been such a huge part of his life that it was impossible not to but he told himself regularly that he was in the best possible care and slowly the time passed.
As early as he dared he travelled to the workshop with both the twins at his side. He couldn't help but notice that their concern mirrored his exactly and even Sideswipe was unusually quiet.
They were greeted at the main entrance by Ratchet who led them inside to a room larger than his med-bay but with a similar feel to it and sat in a chair reading a datapad was Prowl. He was bulkier than he had been due to his new armour but his paint job was the same so there was no question that it could be someone else.
He looked up at them as soon as they walked in and grinned. Bluestreak broke away from the others and ran to him, finding himself in a tight embrace quicker than he had expected as Prowl moved to meet him.
"I thought I was going to lose you." He admitted quietly. "I did the only thing I could do."
"It's fine Blue." Prowl whispered back pulling back just enough to look him in the optics. "And so am I."
Alpha Trion entered from a side room at that moment and smiled warmly at the scene before him.
Bluestreak let go of Prowl with a little reluctance and turned toward the older mech. "I can't thank you enough for this." He said gratefully.
"Then don't but I will ask you a favour in exchange."
"Name it. Anything you want. Absolutely anything." Bluestreak said in a rush.
"Keep yourselves safe, I fear this war still has a way to go yet and I wouldn't want to see any of you hurt."
For a moment Bluestreak looked uncertain, then glanced to Sunstreaker and seemed to make a decision. "There is only what must be done." He said almost to himself before he looked back to the older mech. "Alpha Trion could you upgrade me too?"
Before Alpha Trion had a chance to answer he felt a hand on his shoulder. "And me?"
Sunstreaker added.
Sideswipe moved up beside him. "Me too?"
"I guess that would make four of us." Ratchet said gruffly from behind him.
Alpha Trion shared a look with Prowl that Bluestreak turned just in time to see. There was no hesitation in Prowls approving nod. "It looks like Optimus Prime is going to get some of his new troops sooner than he expected." Prowl smiled. "And he couldn't ask for better mechs."
Alpha Trion nodded. "I'm going to be very busy for a while aren't I?" He smiled before he turned away to start readying his equipment.
Bluestreak looked around the rest of them bashfully. "Thank you."
Sunstreaker spoke first. "If this is what you want you're going to need someone at your back and I'd rather go to the pit than let it be anyone else." He said fiercely.
"And someone else will have to watch over both of you." Sideswipe added with his trademark cheeky grin coming back to his faceplate for the first time in cycles.
"And I'm gonna need a few up-grades myself if you three are going to be spending more time in battle." Ratchet explained.
Prowl laid his hand on Bluestreaks arm. "I'm proud of you Blue." He said honestly.
Bluestreaks spark glowed as he looked into his guardians optics and he knew he had made the right choice and how lucky he was to have all that he did.