Starthief followed the vehicons to the med bay. Knockout and breakdown were already there ready to repair her injuries and give her a full medical exam. "So you're who was in that stasis pod. No wonder Megatron went to open it personally." Knockout commented as Starthief walked in.

"I must apologize. I have already calculated nine different ways to kill you." She said as she sat on the exam table.

"Why would you do that?" Breakdown questioned readying himself for a potential fight.

"Whenever I meet someone new I immediately calculate how to kill them. Unfortunately I can't turn it off." She explained. "I have no intention of killing either of you though."

Breakdown relaxed a bit but was still a little weary of Starthief. "That must make it hard to make friends." Knockout commented.

"I've never been concerned with making friends."

"Of course you haven't." Knockout was really hoping that Starthief would be more sociable than the others on the ship, but no such luck. He got started on her repairs. "My name is Knockout by the way, and the big guy is nurse Breakdown."

"I'm not your nurse." Breakdown protested. "I'm your assistant."

"Not much of a difference big guy."

"You two are this ships medical staff?" Starthief was not very impressed.

"I'm the finest medic any Decepticon could ask for." Knockout boasted.

Starthief turned to Breakdown for confirmation of Knockouts claim. Breakdown of course agreed with Knockout.

Jack, Miko, and Raf were outside their school waiting for their Autobot companions to pick them up. Arcee and Bumblebee arrived. "Hey where's Bulkhead?" Miko asked when she didn't see him with the others.

"He's still being repaired by Ratchet." Arcee told her. "Bumblebee will drive you today."

"What happened?" Miko was very worried about her best friend.

"We got in a fight, and we lost." Arcee hated admitting that they lost, but that was what happened, and there was no point in lying.

Miko nodded. She saw no point in asking about the details of a fight the Autobots lost. She got in Bumblebee with Raf.

They drove to the Autobot base in silence. As soon as they got there Miko rushed to where Bulkhead was being repaired. "Bulky are you okay?" She asked.

"I'll be fine Miko. It's just a busted up knee." He reassured her.

"Just a busted up knee?" Ratchet spoke up. "If it isn't repaired properly you won't have full use of this leg again."

"You'll get the guy who did this to you back next time you meet him." Miko attempted to cheer him up.

Bulkhead smiled. "Of course I will Miko." He wasn't going to admit he didn't think he could do that. He has heard about what Starthief was capable of, and it maim unsure if he had any hope of beating her. Maybe all those stories were just hype. Spread by the Decepticons to strike fear in the sparks of Autobots. Sure she was good, but no one could be that good. Right?

"Who were you guys fighting anyway?" Raf asked.

"A new Decepticon named Starthief. Megatron released her from a stasis pod." Bumblebee told Raf. Raf translated for the other two.

"What's the big deal about her? She's just another Decepticon that Bulkhead can kick the scrap out of." Despite how flawed Miko's logic was it helped to cheer Bulkhead up.

"You don't get it Miko. Starthief is one of the most dangerous Decepticons out there." Arcee snapped at Miko.

"So what if she is. You said that about Airachnid and you've always been able to beat her." Jack finally spoke up. "Other than today have you ever faced her in battle?"

"No I haven't, but I know of her reputation."

"Reputations can be exaggerated. Just because you lost today doesn't mean you will always lose to her."

Optimus was happy that the kids were helping to cheer up the others. Even though the initial reason for bringing them here was for their own protection. They have helped them in the past and will continue to help in the future. The way they best helped though was they helped keep morale up, and Optimus would be forever grateful for that. Even Starthief was dangerous they were already facing difficult odds. Her addition to their forces would not change that, nor would it change the fact that he will not give up.

Knockout had finished Starthief's repairs, and she had been given a tour of the ship. She walked to the bridge of the ship. Soundwave, Starscream, and Airachnid were there. "Soundwave, it's been awhile." Soundwave gave a nod on response. "Nothing to say?"

"He took a vow of silence when we left Cybertron." Starscream explained to her.

"Of course he did." She looked over at Airachnid. "And you must be Airachnid."

"My reputation precedes me." Airachnid loved it when others had heard of her work. "And you are the supposed great warrior Starthief."

"Supposed?" Starthief hated when people doubted her ability.

"I haven't seen you in battle, so as far as I know the stories about you are just that. Stories."

"Why don't I give you a demonstration then?" Starthief unsheathed her blades ready for a fight. Airachnid also prepared to fight. Before either of them could throw a punch however, Megatron entered the bridge.

"There will be no infighting." He said sternly. "Both of you desist. Starthief you will not start any fights with your fellow Decepticons."

Starthief sheathed her blades. "Yes, Lord Megatron."

"I believe now would be a good time to make the chain of command clear. Starthief will take her orders directly from me, but she has no authority over anyone else." He looked straight at Starthief when he explained this last part. He had to make sure she understood her position. "Any questions?"

"Yes I have one." Airachnid spoke up. "It sounds to me like she is getting special treatment. While I have heard of how she is a great warrior I have my doubts. Is she really as great an addition as you're saying she is?"

"She doesn't need to prove herself to you, but if you have your doubts then you can go with her on her first assignment."

Neither femmes were happy with this. First impressions did not go over well for either of them. Both also knew what would happen if they questioned Megatron's orders so they had to go along with his order.


If I owned transformers Optimus would stop dying.

I own Starthief.