A/N: In this chapter, I introduce Starscream into the mix. For all you comic book fans out there, my characterization of Screamer is based off the 'Reign of Starscream' series. He is much more calculating and considers Prime and Megatron both at fault for starting the War. With the AllSpark destroyed, he is mainly concerned with saving all Cybertronians--Autobot and Decepticon, from extinction, then ruling over them as their new Lord. It's a good series to read, and gives an unique twist to Starscream's dreams of taking power.

Disclaimer: Don't own TF's; Hasbro does.

Enough rambling...Onwards!

Chapter Four: From Bad to Worse

"Miller! What is the meaning of this treachery?!I was under the impression that you were going to use the Autobots to get the girl back under our control; not have her declared dead by suicide!"

"Relax, Commander," Miller interjected. "It's just a little change in plans; that's all. You did say to 'use any means necessary.' I just feel that this means is a little "safer." And on second thought we don't need any more outside involvement than necessary, right?"

"You're trying my patience, Miller." A pause. "Fine. I'll agree to this deviation, just this one time; however, do not, I repeat DO NOT cross me again or the next deviation you take will be to your own grave!"

CLICK.

Sheesh. And I thought my ex-wife was a pain in the ass, Miller mused to himself, as he placed the receiver back on the hook. Everything had gone according to plan, albeit even if it was hasty. At the last minute, Miller decided to abandon his earlier plot to use the Autobots, feeling that their involvement would encumber his movements. He didn't want to answer any more questions than necessary about the Richards' family's disappearance, especially the girl's. And the Autobots would have questions. It was best to try and deal with one set of alien robots, rather than two.

Phase One of the Commander's master plan had been executed without a hitch—raid the Richards' family home and secure the members. But it was at Phase Two where things began to fall to pieces. He had hoped to kill the daughter and to gain all necessary information from the mother, but she had committed herself to death before revealing any information. Miller had reached the end of his rope with Mrs. Richards when word came back to him that the daughter had escaped. A thought had struck him; if this thing worked like his scientists theorized then he could get all relevant information from the girl. With that, he had ordered Anaba Richards executed. Now he needed to recapture the brat before the Decepticons discovered who and what she really was. He had decided that the best way to continue this game of catch (and cover his tracks) was to have both women declared dead by "tragic circumstances". It was mainly to keep the local authorities from becoming entangled in this mess. Anaba Richards had been a particularly tricky murder to pass off as an "accident." A fake car crash was staged, his crew had "dressed" the body to appear as if it had been in a car accident, and finally a "concerned citizen" called in the incident. It was a nice, neat, and tidy way to cover up a murder. Not that the local police would be able to discover the difference anyway. Deception was Miller's specialty and it was why he was second-in-command of the world's most powerful terrorist organization.

A figure approached Miller's office door. "Come in," he announced before the figure even raised a hand to knock.

"Ahh, you're just the man I wanted to see," Miller said, lounging back in his oversized chair.

"Glad to hear it, sir," the stranger answered.

"I have to say, if you hadn't known that forger, we would have been hard pressed to cover up Dezba Collin's disappearance. Thank you for stepping up to the plate on such short notice," explained Miller, an icy smile creasing his handsome features.

"It was nothing, sir. I had a couple favors to call in and, well…you know how things go."

"I'm sure your friend will be glad to get out of the federal pen a few years early. Anyways, with the help of your little note, it appears that our poor Dezba was decimated by her mother's sudden death; they were very close, from what you tell me."

"Yes, they were. I never could completely understand what would go on between those two," the stranger added, almost to himself.

"Well, the police will spend days of fruitless effort looking for a body that doesn't exist in that damnable river. Once again I commend you on your quick thinking," Miller praised his subordinate. "And might I add, on your acting skills as well?"

"Well, thank you, sir. I was only doing my job, sir."

"And it's that kind of loyalty that will be rewarded when this is all over, Richards."

"May, I ask you a question, sir?"

"Go ahead."

"Just how do you plan to re-capture my stepdaughter? You and I both know that with her capabilities…"

"I have everything under control, Richards. Just ensure that the Autobots do not get upwind of this situation. I have gathered a strike team together of our Commander's finest. Once we pinpoint the Decepticon's base of operations, we'll kill two birds with one stone—them and her." Miller then added as an afterthought, "After we interrogate her of course." An evil glint came into Miller's eye. He wanted that girl dead, but only after she surrendered her mind. Everything he had worked for hinged on her knowledge and her death.

"Yes, sir." Richards said, his own smile lighting his face. He left Miller to dwell on his future plans. Things had only just begun.

Dawn had just broken over the horizon; the Rocky Mountain peaks were bathed in a red-orange fire as another day was born. Thundercracker had never felt happier to see the snow-capped peak that marked the location of Decepticon headquarters. His human passenger had grown increasingly restless, mumbling incoherent phrases and tossing in her sleep despite her injuries. Her core temperature had jumped incredibly high, too high for healthy human functioning. Skywarp had flown by his wingside for the remainder of the trip, constantly keeping vigil for any Autobot signatures and remaining quiet for once.

Slowly, he descended from cruising altitude and prepared his landing gear. "Thundercracker to Starscream."

"What is it, Thundercracker?" came the raspy reply.

"Skywarp and I are inbound with a human hostage. We're preparing to enter the base," Thundercracker's deep voice ground out as he fought the wind shear within the mountains.

"Human hostage!? What in the name of Primus…!" Starscream furiously sputtered.

"Now hear me out, Screamer. I've got something you need to hear before you blow your motherboard," interjected Thundercracker. He really couldn't blame Starscream for his reaction, after all this was the first time he had heard from him in almost an orn. He quickly sent the same databurst he had sent to Skywarp to Starscream and waited for his commander's reply.

"And this came from the human?"

"Affirmative."

"I'll meet you in the entry bay," came the terse reply as the com shut off.

"Screamer isn't going to be too happy about this," Skywarp said as they approached the mountainside.

"Warp, when is Starscream ever happy?" Thundercracker said wryly.

A chuckle came from the dark jet. "Good one, TC." By this time both jets had aligned themselves for entry into base, with Skywarp in front and Thundercracker close on his afterburners. They flew into the rocky mountainside and disappeared from sight.

The Decepticon headquarters was a testament to Starscream's ingenuity and resourcefulness. What was once an abandoned military bunker, now housed the few Decepticons left on Earth. The thick, concrete walls hid their signal from Autobots and humans alike. It was also large enough for all present to walk from room to room comfortably and it was an easily defendable position. Anyone approaching from any direction would be spotted in a nanoclick. A hologram of the mountainside concealed the runway entrance. The runway then transitioned into the entry bay.

Skywarp and Thundercracker braked to a smooth stop as Starscream approached from a large doorway at the far end of the bay. Skywarp transformed first then stepped away a few paces to stand beside his commander. Thundercracker transformed slowly then stood tall, opening his canopy and revealing his human cargo. The raven-haired girl lay limply in his hand, all signs of her previous vitality evaporated. Her skin was flushed to the color of their optics and sweat had soaked what little remained of her tattered shirt. A soft groan escaped her parched lips.

Starscream's and Thundercracker's optics locked for a brief moment, after which Starscream stepped forward and scanned the human for her vitals. "Her core temperature is at a dangerous level—104.5 degrees Fahrenheit. I need to lower her temperature or otherwise she may not live through the next solar cycle," Starscream said, his gaze never leaving the young woman. "I'm surprised this flesh creature has lasted this long with such injuries," he added, glancing up at Thundercracker and leveling his crimson optics on the blue Seeker. Thundercracker only glanced back down at the human in his palm, the images of the attack flashing through his processor. Quickly, he dismissed those thoughts and passed the unconscious bundle over to Starscream's waiting hand.

"I want a full report within four megacycles." the brown Raptor called over his back as he turned and departed, heading back towards the way he had entered.

Skywarp and Thundercracker watched as their wing commander disappeared through the doorway. With a shake of his head, Skywarp walked in the opposite direction towards his quarters, pausing only once to see if his wingmate was following.

The blue Seeker was deep in thought. A strange memory continued to play through his CPU, a memory that wasn't one of his own making. Two humans were talking amiably next to a broad river. The one was an older female with long black hair and deep brown eyes. The other had its back to him. He had never seen these humans before, or so he thought; the older female did possess an air of familiarity.

"You coming, TC?" Skywarp's voice broke through the reverie.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm comin', Warp," Thundercracker replied distractedly, still shaking off remnants of the memory as he followed after the black wings. Things continued to get more odd.