Author's Note: So I'm not sure where this is going which is why the rating is at T right now and may be moved up to M for violence because eventually there will be a war. I own nothing but my OCs but you already know that ;D. This will probably only be updated once a month thus the length so enjoy.

Alternatives

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing"-Helen Keller

Cybertron was beautiful. From the ice capped mountains of Vos to the Great Desert that encompassed Kaon. The plains stretched across the center with Praxus at its core and near the flowing tide of the aquamarine ocean lay the golden towers of Iacon glimmering in the sun. Small towns scattered themselves throughout the behemoth that was the plains; Axia, Simfur, Tyger Pax, and their like. Each had their own heritage and people, each their own way of thinking. Iacon was the center of it all, the capitol of Cybertron and where all the brightest and best gathered to extol their newest discoveries.

The golden towers that adorned Iacon's outer wall were only the beginning. Streets were named after gemstones and homes adorned with them. Windows made out of the finest crystal flashed against the brilliant sunlight. Before the newest technology was seen anywhere else it was presented in Iacon before the current Prime and the council associated with the build.

Opposite of Iacon in everything from the showy towers to the technology advancements was Kaon. Built in the rocky desert cliffs of the badlands, Kaon was known for its slums and the infamous gladiator rings. Those who resided there eked out a living from the unforgiving rock and dreamed of one day achieving the funds to move away. Kaon was built along fully functional lines, there only because of the oil and precious metal found in the craggy red rocks. Buildings crumbled with disrepair and Kaon was the seat of the newest designer drugs sent out across Cybertron.

Vos rose up from other mountains, hidden in ice and snow. There the Seekers practiced their art and locked their doors from all but a few privileged enough to travel into their mountain home. Harsh winters and cool summers weathered the white rock the entire city was built on until thin cracks spread across every surface. Windows were rare because they released extra heat and warm days were considered minor miracles.

In the center of it all lay Praxus. Known for lush gardens and rich agriculture, Parxus was a sprawling hub of trade. Homes were built no higher than a second story to weather strong fall winds and heavy spring rain. Praxus may have often enough weathered the extremes but it still managed to survive and even thrive.

Traveling from one of the great cities to the next was a chore. It took several weeks of planning and several more weeks of travel to move from one to the next. Often enough the trip was slowed by wind or storms or heavy snowfall in the plains and was slowed further by a two day stop at Praxus to trade and replenish food supply. Still many braved the plains to visit family or increase trade. Or move from one military position to the next.

Day 1 of the Fifth month, 1700 hours- Iacon

Starscream was covered in dust, dry mouthed, aching, and drowning in his own sweat. He would have liked to find the nearest military barracks and take some well deserved rest but instead he was required to report immediately when he arrived. On his left side Skywarp fidgeted restlessly, strawberry blonde hair in desperate need of a haircut flopping over his eyes. The hair made him different from his brothers but the red eyes and stature confirmed their familial relations. On his left Thundercracker stood perfectly still in a military rest position. He was just as dirty as Starscream yet somehow he pulled it off better.

"I apologize for the long wait." Starscream actually had to look up to meet Sentinel Prime's eyes. That was quite an accomplishment for a nonflyer. Seekers were generally the tallest of the population but Sentinel towered over Starscream at six foot eight inches. Starscream at six foot four, felt small for the first time in his life. "One of the senators was being particularly foolish." Starscream nodded after a moment, in no mood to attempt to formulate a response. He was here and that should be enough for the current Prime.

"You'll be housed in the military barracks not far from here," Sentinel continued, not at all worried about the lack of response. "When you arrive there you'll be brough to the current commander and he will sign his rooms and shift over to your capable hands. I believe that is all unless you have any questions."

"None at all," Starscream replied with a sharp dip of his head, eager to get out of the cramped room and into the fresh air, even if it was scorching.

"Very well," Sentinel said. Starscream and his brothers turned to leave but were stopped when the Prime spoke again. "By the way, there is a state dinner this evening. I expect you, as one of the commanders to attend, your brothers as well if they wish."

"We will be there," Thundercracker said, recognizing the murderous look in Starscream's eyes for what it was. Then the three managed to leave the room without any more interruptions.

"You," Starscream half shrieked at both his brothers as soon as they were out in the sun. "I blame you two for this!" Thundercracker simply shrugged the comment off, far too used to Starscream's moods to respond, but Skywarp let out an indignant cry and hurried after his brother.

"Hey," Skywarp complained. "That's unfair."

"You're right," Starscream said in a meditative tone. "I'm being unfair to TC. After all it is your fault that we're here in this Primus forsaken heat wave." Skywarp sighed but gave up while he was ahead.

Truth be told it, was actually Skywarp's fault they were in Iacon. The more carefree of the three brothers had a tendency toward pranking that was ignited when he was bored. The final straw for Vosian command had been when Skywarp had set up a thousand bottle rockets in the training ground during a training exercise and set them all off at once. Mass injury had not been in the plan but it had been the result. After that command had been willing to sign any transfer just to get Starscream and his trine brothers as far away from the city of Vos as possible. The result had been a transfer to Iacon.

The three walked through the sweltering streets, ignoring the strange looks people were sending their way. At least it was better than the wary looks they got once people became acquainted with Skywarp, the ones that said people were waiting for them to spontaneously combust. The military barracks were simple compared to the rest of Iacon's splendor. That was a relief to the three brothers. The guard on duty, the one in charge of making sure none of the public entered the barracks unwanted, was all too willing to take them where they need to go.

The man Starscream was replacing had grey hair and a defined limp. He greeted them almost cheerfully at the door and informed them he was retiring before he got injured again doing his duty. He had already signed his part of the papers and moved his things up, leaving Starscream to sign as well and move he and his brothers in. Starscream signed where he was supposed to and the man promised to take the papers to Sentinel before walking off whistling cheerfully. Starscream sighed once the man was gone and sank down in one of the functional wooden chairs, leaving his brothers to survey their new living arrangements.

There were three rooms, the main one which contained a square table and four functional chairs. A large map of Iacon was posted on the wall and a scruffy brown couch sat underneath an open window. If you went to the left when you entered there was a small bathroom and if you turned to the right there was a bedroom with three army cots. It was smaller than their other quarters at Vos but in much better shape and, according to what the door guard had informed them during their walk to the quarters, a five minute walk from the command center. Skywarp summed it up by dropping down on the old couch and declaring, "It's nice." Neither brother could argue with that. They stayed where they were in silence for a few moments before Starscream sighed and stood up.

"We had better get cleaned up," he told his brothers. "Otherwise we'll never make it to the dinner on time." The cold water felt heavenly on his hot, dirty skin and Starscream sighed in contentment as it poured over him. He was clean in fifteen minutes and slipping into his dress uniform, grudgingly admitting that even their summer uniforms weren't light enough for this weather. They would have to buy lighter wear. Thundercracker cleaned next, seeing that Skywarp had fallen asleep on the couch, and Starscream had the delight of coaxing his youngest brother awake.

It took a half an hour and a combined effort from Starscream and Thundercracker to wake Skywarp. Their brother grumbled all the way to the shower but came out considerably cleaner and in a much better mood. The messenger summoning them came two minutes after Skywarp was presentable. They had made the deadline. Now they had to make it through the meal.

Despite Starscream's initial worry and frustration the evening progressed smoothly. The fare was light and reasonable to eat in the unseasonably hot weather. Skywarp behaved himself and Thundercracker, as usual, was silent. As people began drifting away from the tables Starscream began wondering if they could escape any time soon. "Be patient," Thundercracker urged softly. "Wait until others are heading out before you take your leave."

"I know," Starscream growled back at his brother and Thundercracker sighed. The long day had worn on his brother's nerves and Thundercracker knew he could do nothing about the mounting irritation, even if he was the eldest. Finally, after another hour of chatting and Starscream attempting to be pleasant people began to filter off into the night, allowing the Seekers to take their leave before Starscream blew a fuse.

"There," Skywarp said as they entered their living quarters. "That wasn't so bad was it?"

"Skywarp," Starscream groaned and Thundercracker just shook his head, walking toward the bedroom to avoid the argument threatening to break out. It didn't last long before the two younger Seekers dropped down on their cots on either side of TC and drifted off to sleep with the windows directing the cool night breeze over their fevered skin.

Day 1 of the Fifth month, 1900 hours- Axia

Nyana flipped black hair over her slim shoulders as she forced her eyes to focus in the dark night sky. Axia was almost completely still, the hustle and bustle of the day washed away. Now evening had fallen, staining the sky a barely there pink color that was quickly being overshadowed by the dark wash of night. She let out a soft breath and would have tapped her foot impatiently would it have not given her away. She was currently hidden in an alley next to two merchants' temporary stalls. She had been there since midafternoon and her patience was wearing thin.

She shifted sore muscles in a vain attempt to find a more comfortable position. No such luck. That was when eyes snapped directly to hers; feral blue ones that shouldn't have known to look here in the shadows for her. Someone had given her away. She forced herself to her feet and bolted. She knew the streets of Axia the same way she knew her face in a mirror. She should have been able to lose her pursuer. Tonight was different. Tonight she was betrayed and outclassed. Tonight she went down and as the world faded to black she wondered if she would ever get back up.

Day 1 of the Fifth month, 1950 hours- Syntach

Ravage ran a rueful hand through short mink brown curls and let out a soft sigh. Her skin was darkly tanned from the intense sunlight. It was a relief that the sun had set almost an hour ago, letting the cooler evening breeze bring welcome relief. "Enjoy the fresh air?" Ravage snorted, a smile hooking up on her mouth at the innocent question.

"Actually the quiet," she replied. She tilted her head back so she could catch Steejaw's fleeting smile. "Are you going to sit down or hang around like a stranger?" He sat and Ravage forced down a smirk.

"It's almost too hot to hang around outside, even with the breeze," he said after a moment.

"Mm-hmm," Ravage agreed and they sat in comfortable silence for a minute. Both had three younger siblings so neither minded sitting for long periods without speaking. It was actually considered a blessing though they loved their siblings.

As if on cue a childish voice called, "Ravage!"

"What?" Ravage called down. Luna, tiny with the same curls as Ravage though in blonde, stared up at her older sister. She paused, her small face scrunched up as she tried to remember what she was going to say. Then her face lightened as the knowledge showed back up.

"Mommy says you need to come home," Luna reported dutifully.

"Tell her I'll be there in a minute," Ravage said with a rueful smile.

Luna turned to go and then hesitated, turning back. "Will you read me a story when you get back?"

"Mom will want me to help her," Ravage said and Luna's face fell. "But," Ravage hedged. "I'll make up one to tell you at bedtime." Luna's face brightened and she darted off. Ravage turned to Steeljaw with a smile. "Tomorrow?" she questioned.

"Tomorrow," Steeljaw confirmed. Ravage climbed down from the roof and paused to smile and wave at her friend before turning toward home and the duty that awaited her there.

So next chapter you should see the following characters; Optimus and Megatron, Starscream, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Nyana, and Jazz. Check out my blog (sunlightonthewater. blogspot. com) for any updates about the next chapter.