Intelligence

The buzzing sensation at the back of her mind continued. It was beginning to interfere with her enjoyment of the surf rolling in! Would it ever truly stop! She silently complained.

At first she had thought that this 'buzzing' was just part of her vast sensory array input, and that it would straighten out and become second nature like the rest of it had. But it hadn't, it was getting obnoxious! And since their 'lessons', the relationship between her and Scream had settled into an almost equal partnership type deal. Nope, no romance (in human terms), but at least some kind of unspoken mutual agreement had been unconsciously made. This made tolerating the boisterous arrogant Geek, just a little easier.

She leaned back against the cliff, watching the seagulls peck the ground at her thrusters. "Commander?" she inquired, wondering if he was close enough to talk.

"What" he answered from his perch higher up the cliff.

"I've had this strange buzzing sensation for weeks, it won't go away. What IS IT?" she asked.

"A buzzing sensation, kind've at the base of your sensory awareness?"

"Yep."

"Oh, that's just the satellites beaming down data to the internet and other systems."

"You mean; I've got DSL?"

"A-huh, now you're not going to go rantin' and ravin' that you just CAN'T have internet connection in your head – are you?" he snickered, reminded her of her initial reaction to her radio.

"No." she mused "So how do I go about accessing the internet from 'my head'?"

"I guess, just picture a computer screen – and go with it.." he snickered, having gotten used to her human need to visualize everything.

Websurfing

She sat back, thought about it for a while, then decided to try it. It didn't take long for the Internet access to open in her meta-processor. And then she was surfing the news data on Yahoo. Several stories caused her to jump in concern. Then she read them further, then searched the web, cross-referencing.

"Um, Scream, do you bother with the Internet much?"

"Only when I'm lookin' for something, boring research was always Soundwave's job title. Air Command had better things to do.." he snickered as he thought of the big blue Mech with the lack of personality.

"Well, hate to tell you this, but our little party at the military base is all over the net!" she informed him. "And both the Autobots and US military have put some pretty big incentives out there for information in finding me!"

Scream jumped down, laughing hysterically. Even Galvatron couldn't outdo his little creation! Then he thought about it. If it's all over the net, then Soundwave's bound to have come across it. At first the idea of Galvatron starting a hunt for her worried him, but then, Galvatron couldn't sneak much of a force past Earth's security perimeter. So he may have sent one or two to investigate this little story! Probably, that fool Cyclonus!

"So how does it feel to be this world's most Wanted Transformer?" he snickered

She snorted, and used his leg to help her get on her thrusters. "I guess it's to be expected, hmm?" her brilliant red optics met his. "So what's our next little party going to be?"

He knew that she'd been getting more and more impatient about testing herself in a real battle, and he knew whom she wanted to do that with. He grinned. Yes, the Autobots will make for good training for her! Then he put his hands on her intakes, rubbing them almost lovingly. "Are you ready to learn how to spy? Learn how to be unseen as an assassin?"

She grinned, "Any time"

He rolled his optics like he was considering a good target. "How about studying the layout of Autobot city? Think you could do it – without being detected?"

She actually shrieked in happiness! Damn, if all Decepticons were as eager as this one…Starscream thought. "Now, I want you to understand – we take no direct action against them – just watch them!"

She laughed, "You cannot fight an enemy – until you know that enemy"

Damn, this femme could possibly make him Hetero! He grinned at her and informed her they'd leave at dusk.

Target in sight..

They flew high over the Pacific, their target locked in. Raptor having to slow down, since her cruising speed was much faster than Scream could maintain, without using his afterburners. As they approached the Western plains and deserts of North America, Starscream peeled off and angled towards his original hangar base on the Plateau. He was not equipped for the stealth capabilities that she had. Before they separated ways, He reiterated the no-attack order, and gave her advice about spy tactics. Though most of the tactics she would have to develop on her own – since no Decepticon in history had her combined capabilities.

She flew on, unafraid, and full of anticipation. As she neared the Autobots earth base, she activated her cloaking – and cruised in with muffled engines. She circled the city like a vulture, her highly focused IR vision picking out the individual Mechs and humans – as they slumbered unawares. Not quite ready to set foot in the city, she picked a location on a cliff face, overlooking the entire valley.

She settled into her perch, got in a position which would be comfortable for hours on end, making sure to keep her cloaking on at all times – and began to scan all frequencies as well as internet connects. She was so close, that she could even listen in on verbal conversations!

Frustration..

"Any leads?" Optimus Prime asked from his base on Cybertron.

"Nothing, the Raptor-con's disappeared like a ghost!" Rodimus banged his fist on the console in frustration. "The Aerialbots have searched every quadrant they can, and so have most of this planet's countries – nothing!"

"Eventually, the Raptor-con will make another move. Be patient, we'll find it!" Optimus consoled his Earth Commander. But he was worried; no Decepticon had ever shown this much talent and stealth, and the ramifications of not catching this one worried him.

"Akkkk, I know Optimus" the large orange Mech sighed, "I just don't have your patience, and I can't believe this 'con is able to disappear into thin air like that!"

"Keep me posted.."

"Sure thing, Earth out".. Rodimus swung around the consol, pacing in his frustration. He felt like such a loser, not able to even find one obnoxious 'con – and how had this one even gotten past Earth Security in the first place?!

"Is the Raptor-con still getting your goat?" Kup's old voice entered upon his anger. The old Autobot always seemed to know what was in Rodimus' mind!

"Ya, can't believe we can't find the con!" he whined.

"You want to know what's even more Ironic?" Kup asked in that – I-know-you're-going-to-ask-and-then-kick-yourself- for-not-thinking-it-yourself tone of voice.

"Not really, but you're going to tell me anyways.."

"What's even more Ironic; is that no one here seems to want to admit that it's a female Decepticon!" he laughed, "Back in the day, there were femmes who could fight. Like Elitta One, Night hawk – "

"I get it – I get it!" Rodimus interrupted him. "But the Decepticons don't DO femmes! It's not their game!"

"Well, it appears that time maybe changing – my boy!" Kup said, almost gleefully. He slapped the younger Mech on the shoulder. "Maybe you should go take a drive, get your mind off things…"

Planning Mischief.

Raptor heard and saw the whole conversation between the two Autobot leaders. The reaction of the orange 'bot was highly entertaining to her, and she struggled to stay silent on her perch. They're calling me the 'Raptor-con' – now that's so funny! If they only realized how close to my true name they'd accidentally gotten….She snickered. Then, she spotted some movement overhead. Some strange aircraft she'd never seen before flew high above.

Interested, she focused in. As the UFO filled her optics, she studied it's smooth, rounded form, then noticed the Decepticon symbol. Ah, so more hunters have indeed joined the party! She thought smugly.

Then, headlights coming out of the city caught her attention; it was the orange Commander out for a drive. And from the looks of it, he had a slight case of road rage. She laughed as she watched him fly up the mountain pass – rubber peeling. From her location she could smell the odor of burning rubber. I know I've been ordered not to have any direct conflict? But indirect could be interesting.

She jumped off her ledge, transforming in a blink – always careful to maintain the cloaking. Couldn't forget that Decepticon up top! As she flew silently after the frustrated orange Autobot – who would've never believed that the one he was so frustrated in NOT finding – was tracking him, less than half-a-mile behind.

She thought about some of the fun pranks that humans did. What could she do to him? She wanted at little fun, at his expense, of course. But preferably fun that couldn't be traced directly to her. Hmmm, ideas for pranks rolled through her mind – then she found the perfect one! She banked hard starboard – and headed for that old factory she had seen on the flight in.

She landed near its old buildings, Yep, a machinery company. Should have what I'm looking for! She quietly entered one of the main buildings, she had been right! Rusted bolts and screws were strewn around and heaped in waste barrels. Ahh, PERFECT! She purred to herself as she grabbed a few handfuls of sharp screws and stored them in a small bin within one of her bays.

Accidental Encounter..

As she teleported out of the factory she almost slammed into the Decepticon Sweeps. He was shocked at the swift, sudden wind that blew by his port side. But his sensors detected nothing of the cloaked Seeker, which confused him. Raptor thought she'd have some more fun with the confused Sweeps – seeing as how Scream hadn't said any orders about directly messing with Decepticons, just Autobots.

She circled silently, coming up under the unwary Sweep. Then she floored her afterburners and flew straight up in front of him. She was careful not to go supersonic – the Autobots would surely here the sonic boom – but the turbulence from her plasma engines caused the Sweep much sorrow. He was barely able to right himself and stay aloft.

"Now what in the slaggin' was that?" Scourge griped. "I hate blasted Earth air currents! Sloggin' things are so unpredictable!"

'Not as unpredictable as a Decepticon femme' Raptor said to him over his internal frequency.

"Sloggers!" he stammered "Show yourself!"

'Why should I bother to do that, when watching you make a fool outt've yourself is so MUCH fun?'

'If you call yourself a Decepticon, and then show yourself – I am part of the mighty Galvatron's elite guard!'

Feminim laughter filled the frequency. 'You poor fool, if Galvatron's army was so mighty and feared – then why is your base on the dead planet of Charr?'

'I will kill you for your insolence!' Scourge screamed.

'It's not insolence; it's the facts that are quite obvious to all who care to look'

her voice began to have a consoling ring to it. 'So tell me, why has a lone Decepticon warrior come to Autobot city? And what is the name of the one Decepticon who had the guts to do it?'

Was she actually complementing him? 'I'm Scourge, and I've come to bring you back to Charr.'

'And if I'm more than happy where I currently am?'

'Well, um..' Scourge couldn't think of what to say.

'Meet me at these coordinates, in 3 days, at midnight – we'll talk.' the female voice said. Coordinates transferred and then she was gone.

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