A/N: Here is the next Chapter of "Strangers Like Me". Apologies if a certain part of this Chapter is kind of...dramatic, maybe-most-definitely cheesy. I'm not good with that kind of stuff. So...yeah...This Chapter takes place right after the last one.

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers in any shape or form. I only own the story and any and all OCs in said story. If there's someone you're not familiar with, it's probably an OC.

:Blah: = Comm. Link

PLEASE COMMENT! I NEED CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM!


Delta cruises over the sandy desert, relishing in the feeling of the coarse sand under his tires. He soon makes it to a rocky hill, a large opening in the rock face greeting him. The cave was somewhat small, but as he stepped inside, it became larger. Transforming, Delta lets a small smile appear on his faceplate at the sight in front of him.

The cavern was huge, blue crystals sprouting from every corner, every crevasse. There was a hole at the top of the hill, light shining down. It bounced off the crystals, the entire cavern glowing in a soft blue light. Delta's smile widens as he feels all his stress fade away. This is where he came when he needed some time to himself away from the busy-ness of the base. It was only about a mile from base—far enough that he had privacy, but close enough that he could get back quickly in case of an emergency.

Going over to a cluster of crystals, Delta sits down, facing the entrance of the cave. He leans against the cluster, feeling the crystals press against his back, the pressure making his plating relax completely. He feels his optics grow heavy, his visor dimming as he rests his helm back. Soon, his systems are lulled into a light doze.

He's jolted out of his dozing when the ground shakes, a rumbling explosion coming from outside. Delta's optics widen as he sits up.

"The base."

Getting to his feet, he bolts outside, the sight of alien-looking jets flying above the distant base dropping missiles searing itself into his mind. He races forward, his plating shifting. A vehicle appears, tires spinning as he blasts forward, his tires gripping the sand with ease as he heads to the low buildings in the distance.


Making it to the base, Delta transforms, immediately being surrounded with the smoke and explosions. He runs into the blazing fire, panic enveloping him.

Where was Kris? Where was his team?

A shadowy form appears through the smoke, the robotic figure aiming a weapon in his direction. The form fires, Delta moving to the side. The beam grazes his side, but it doesn't register as the turquoise Mech lunges, whipping out his knife. He plunges the sharp blade into the other's chest, the thin visor flickering before going dark. The two hit the ground, Delta rolling to his feet.

Suddenly, an explosion behind him throws him forward. Delta hits the ground, his vision fading to darkness.


Warning…Energon levels critical...

Power…50% and decreasing…

Damage…Critical…Seek Medical assistance…

Error…

Error…

The whine of systems coming online is accompanied by a deep groan, the prone figure slowly moving. Delta's visor flickers on, the amber light continuing to flicker madly. He props himself up, coughing, trying to rid his systems of the foul smoke. He takes a shaky vent, looking around at the destruction. He shakily gets up, holding his sparking left arm as he limps forward, favoring his leg. Everything was…gone. Some of the buildings were still on fire, the tents burning as well, and the other vehicles were nothing more than warped chunks of melted metal. There were bodies everywhere, the rancid smell bombarding his senses.

It was a nightmare come true.

His ped catches on the edge of a melted jeep, his ankle dislocating with a snap. Delta falls to his knees with a yelp, his back burning with pain. Getting back up, he continues, trying to find his partner. He had to find him. He needed to find him.

"KRIS! KRIS, WHERE ARE YOU?"

"Delta…"

The turquoise bot freezes at the voice, his name nothing more than a whisper. He turns in the direction, his optics widening at the sight of a familiar form.

"Kris!"

He rushes over, kneeling down and clearing the debris from on top of his partner. The soldier was lying on the sand, the remains of a tents wrapped around his torso and legs. Delta's shaking servos hover over the man, fear coursing through him. It was dark, but he could see how injured his friend was. Clothes torn and bloodied, more blood still pouring out from multiple gashes on his body, as well as burns. The worst injury though, was the large piece of shrapnel in his chest.

"Kris. Stay with me. Y-You hear me? S-Stay with me, partner."

The man coughs, blood dribbling down his chin. His eyes flicker closed, opening again as he struggle to breathe.

"K-Kris, y-you gotta stay with me, okay? Remember, y-you were gonna take me home with you. I-I was gonna live with you and-and Miranda and little Katie. Rem-Remember?"

Kris smiles, placing a hand on a digit.

"T-That's…not gonna happen, Delta…we both…know that…"

Delta shakes his helm, lifting his partner up with the utmost gentleness.

"D-Don't…don't say that. Y-Your family needs you, Kris. W-Who…Who's gonna take Katie to school? W-Who's g-gonna see h-her grow up?"

Kris coughs again, weakening.

"M-Miranda…K-Katie…they…need…you need…to go. Take care…of them…f-for me…"

Delta shakes his helm again.

"N-No. I…I can't."

Kris smiles.

"Yes…you can…Delta…y-you're more than…than a…partner. You've become…my brother…I…need you to…I trust you…to take…care…of them…"

Delta feels his throat begin to close up.

"I-I will. I…I promise, Kris."

Kris smiles once again in reassurance. Taking another breath, his body shudders before going still. Delta slowly lowers his servos, placing Kris's body on the ground as what happened begins to sink in.

"It's…it's all gone. My friends, my home. All of it is…"

Delta's shoulders begin to shake.

In the darkness of night, a single voice cries out, full of pain.


The bright, midday sun hangs in the sky, beating down on the sand dunes. A lone figure walks, limping heavily, staring at nothing, focused on nothing but slowly putting one foot in front of the other. Delta had been walking for hours in the harsh heat, his injuries from the base attack preventing him from using his vehicle mode. The base. He shudders, his optics closing at the still fresh memories.

His ped slips over the edge of the sand dune and he tumbles down the sandy hill. He comes to a stop at the bottom, his plating shuddering again as he lets out a faint whine of pain. His vision begins fading out when there's a strange whir, a figure appearing above him. The figure reaches for him and, unable to fight back anymore, Delta finally welcomes the sweet relief of darkness.

:Ratchet, prepare the MedBay…: