A/N: I'm a little disappointed with the lack of response, but I'll take what I can get. Not to say I don't appreciate those who have reviewed so far.
Chapter 2
In the Autobot base, Jack returned from his seclusion and waited on the plateau with Miko, Raf, and Sunny, deciding to take a break from watching the girl. He trusted her to watch out for herself and Raf to respect her space. From the lack of commotion, he could tell that he'd just missed the Autobots departure for a mission. He was glad Miko decided not to follow them; turning to Ratchet he asked, "Where are the others?"
"On a mission," he replied curtly. "Isn't that obvious?"
"What with the third degree doc bot?" Miko asked.
"It looks like Ratchet isn't too happy with the fact that Jack and Arcee are dating," Raf said. Jack frowned at this; the medic was difficult enough to deal with thanks to his usual attitude, but this was crossing the line. He knew Ratchet wasn't too fond of humans, but to outright criticize their relationship after all the emotional trauma they both went through? It was the basis form of prejudice. Rather than get into a heated argument (which would lead to Jack bringing out his sword), the boy simply ignored it.
But Ratchet didn't have the same idea, "I simply believe that such contact with another species is a danger to us and our mission. Arcee tends to be distracted enough with something like this bothering her."
"Even so," Jack said coolly. "It's her choice as well as mine, so you better deal with it." The medic merely "humphed" and return to his work, wondering what was going on with the others. He'd detected a Decepticon beacon on their frequency and considering the lengths they go to remain hidden, it could only mean one thing; stasis. Ratchet just hoped that whoever it was, the Autobots could handle it.
ShadowStrike: Terra Breaker
The sound of metal shifting echoed throughout the area as the Autobots opened fire, hoping to neutralize the Decepticons before whatever was in that pod could awaken. Dreadwing and Ironhide were already at each other's throat, the Seeker putting up more of a fight this time, determined not to underestimate the red mech this time. Arcee and Chromia kept Slipstream at bay, making sure to keep the femme grounded. Optimus engaged Knock Out, the Decepticon medic using his prod to keep the Prime at a distance. Bulkhead and Bumblebee went to secure whatever was in the pod.
If it was a 'Con, maybe they could capture it and get some information; there were few in the Decepticon camp who would ever risk their sparks to kept vital information. Starscream hid behind a tree, waiting for the perfect opportunity to escape. Without the use of his vehicle mode, he had to make sure neither side would be capable of following him. He knew that now that were more Autobots, they might actually be able to take him prisoner, and he shuddered at the thought of what Arcee might do to him thanks to what he did to Cliffjumper. As the fighting went on, Bulkhead was thrown into a tree.
Everyone stopped their fighting to stare into the direction of what could do that to a Wrecker. There optics went wide at the sight of mech before them. He was between Bumblebee and Megatron in height. He had wings spread proudly on his back, ending in a spike like fashion, like any Seeker. HIs broad shoulders also ended in similar fashion and his chest was robust at best. His frame was black with dark red stripes.
On his head was a helmet common to those of the gladiatorial arts like Megatron, save for the large, X-like, emblem on his head. His lower face was covered by a battle mask, only showing dark blue optics. On his chest were two energon pistols and at his side were two energon katana. On both of his wings was the Decepticon shield while a scratched out Autobot emblem adorned his chest. Most didn't know who this mysterious warrior was, but Arcee knew.
She could never forget the mech who changed her so much after Tailgate's death, "Sky Flash?" Chromia looked at her sister in shock; could this really be the young mech they'd met all those years ago? What was he doing working for the Decepticons? The mech didn't acknowledge Arcee, instead dispatching with Bumblebee, tossing him to the side as he met with Dreadwing.
"Captain Dreadwing," the young mech greeted.
"Terra Breaker," the Seeker smiled. "I am glad to see that you were the one in that pod. And I am 1st Lieutenant to Megatron now."
"I thought that was Starscream's post," Terra Breaker responded. His optics scanned the area for the Seeker in question but found no one. "Where is he?"
"My brother seems to have run off," Slipstream spoke as she approached them, her optics scanning over the new arrival's frame. He certainly was a handsome mech, but she'd seen more attractive. "I just received a message from Soundwave. Lord Megatron wishes to meet with you."
"We best not keep him waiting," he answered as the ground-bridge opened.
"Sky Flash!" Arcee called after him; the mech flinched slightly at the use of that name, but chose to ignore her. Stepping through the ground-bridge, he and the other Decepticons disappeared, leaving the Autobots stunned by this new development.
ShadowStrike: Terra Breaker
Returning to the Autobot base, Optimus and Ironhide carried Bulkhead and Bumblebee to med bay, ignoring the frantic questions of their charges. Arcee quickly ran down another hall ignoring Jack, who called after her. As Ratchet went to work treating their wounds, Optimus was deep in thought. He hadn't expected Sky Flash to be the one in that pod, but it was to be expected considering Megatron didn't bother retrieving it from orbit. He wanted them to know that their chances of victory in this war just worsnened.
He could sense that something was amiss, but Jack chose not to bother Optimus as he received medical aid, turning instead to Chromia. He may not have known her for long, but he could tell that silence was foreign to her unless the situation was truly dire. He walked up to the purple femme, "What's wrong with Arcee?"
She looked down at him and tried to lie with a smile, "Nothing. She's just a little mad about the loss, is all."
"Why don't I believe that?" the boy narrowed his eyes.
"Don't know," Chromia turned away. Realizing that the only way to get the answers was from the source herself, Jack went down the hall towards Arcee's quarters. He wondered what could cause her to appear so frantic that she wouldn't even talk to him. Usually, she came to him or Optimus when she had a problem; Jack expected he would receive more news now that she was in a relationship with him, so this silence disturbed him. Arriving at her quarters, Jack knocked on the door.
"Arcee, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," her voice betrayed anguish and sadness. "Go away." He thought she knew him better than that; he would never simply leave to wallow in a state of melancholy like this. He decided to knock again, this time a little harder, but she only snapped, "Go away!" Rather than head the anger in her voice, Jack resorted to drastic measures. Opening the small human sized key pad, Jack punched in the combination and the doors slid open.
Each of the rooms had their own combination codes and Arcee kept hers private from everyone, even Optimus. Jack was the only one who knew; it was a privilege he never tried to abuse, but the situation called for it. Stepping inside, the doors slid shut behind him and he found his partner sitting on her berth, her knees up to her chest. She was glaring at him, but her optics betrayed a different emotion. He knew she felt like he violated a crucial part of the trust she shared with him, but Jack needed to know what had her so upset.
"I said go away," she said coldly. "What part of that don't you understand?"
"What's wrong?" he asked, ignoring her tone.
"You're invading my personnel space," she hissed.
"You know that's not what I mean," he replied, his voice remaining passive. "I know you well enough that if you don't talk about a problem, it eats away at you." He knew he had to stand his ground or else she'd fall back into that state of anger and despair she was in the first time they'd met. He knew things might get violent if he pushed her too hard, but she needed it.
"There's no problem," she answered.
"Yes there is," he replied.
"No there's not."
"There is."
Dammit, there's not!" she got up from her berth and stomped over to him, trying to scare him off. If this were a few months ago, that would have worked, but Jack was standing his ground. She kneeled down and glared into his eyes, but found only a want to help her. Jack could see an inner struggle going on in her, threatening to tear her apart and he knew she needed him.
"Please," she whimpered, "just leave."
"No," he cupped her metallic cheek. "I can tell you need me, partner. You know you can tell me anything, right?"
ShadowStrike: Terra Breaker
A/N: Sorry to make it so short, but I hoped you enjoyed. Next time: Terra Breaker returns to the Nemesis. Meanwhile, Arcee explains her history with him to Jack.