Short story, made from a few ideas that failed in my Armada fic, that I will someday finish, I just lost the plot bunny too it under all of it's offspring.

Ten years could be a marvelous change. Susan 'Spitfire' Lyndh reflected as she monitored the asteroid base. Peace Between the Decepticons and Autobots, A doctorate for herself, when she actually applied herself to school . . . oh, and an occasional boyfriend.

"Anything out there, Big guy?" She called out to Tidal Wave as he entered the base. The two had become friends, of sorts, Wheeljack and Sideswipe having gone somewhere else in another solarsystem to take care of business. Some of the other techs called the pair of Tidal Wave and Susan 'the brawn and the brain'.

"Negative." That's when all hell broke loose. Alarms went off as metal creatures attacked.

"Where did they come from?" She ignored the cires of pain from a few of her collegeaus, and rushed to a hangar, Tidal wave shortened the run by picking her up. In the hangar was a black, slightly bulky mech. Susan jumped up to a hatch. "See you out there big guy!" Tidal wave barely acknowldeged her. Once in the suit, Susan curled into a ball, it was a tight fit, but as she closed her eyes, and uplinked her mind to the machine, the sense of claustrophobia vanished.

The 'Mech suit' as Carlos called it, was rather simple in design. Made of cybertronian alloys and spare parts, it didn't have a vocalizer, so all her communication was in databursts, and it didn't have optics, due to how delicate they where. Red Alert and Starscream had both pressed her to choose them, but as it was just for fighting, they eventually agreed that they didn't need her to see, just use the sensors. There was a black visor over the eyes, giving the impression that the mech was blindfolded. It could transform into a car with wings, (Influenced by another Autobot named Tracks, though they would never tell him that.) but that feature had gone untested, with susan's concern of it taking too much energy, and a potential being even more uncomfortable.

The weapons system worked fine. Which was what she was using to blast the creatures. A ping sounded in her mind, a databurst from Tidal wave.

:Critical hit, need help.: That started a few minutes worth of a nightmare. Susan's weapons were running out of energy, and She could sense the creatures getting near Tidal Wave. Her powers could recharge weapons, and that's exactly what she did.

:Hang on!: She pushed her self to the limit and a little bit beyond, blasting the creatures about to touch Tidal Wave. Then her sense of the machine suddenly disappeared, and she faded into unconsciousness.

"She's dead?" Optimus watched as Red Alert carefully extracted the small form of Susan.

"She must've given it her all when Tidal Wave went down. She used too much energy, and that last blast . . ." Red Alert shook his head. "She didn't stand a chance, She pushed too hard."

" . . . Put the suit in storage and we'll get Alexis to help with the burial." Optimus gently took her in his hands. Red Alert absently fixed the panels inside the suit, a force of habit rather than any belief that it would help anything.

It was dark. That was the first thought that filtered through her mind. She couldn't see. Silently, she tried to focus. Gradually, she reconnected to a familiar computer. I'm still in the suit, must not have been out for long. She paused as she realized she couldn't move. The suit was strapped to a table. What? She couldn't find the release hatch, couldn't pull her mind out of the suits focus. Damn.

:Red Alert, can you hear me?: If there was any mech that could help her out, it was Red.

The Autobot froze as he received a data burst from Spitfire's suit. There was no way-

:Red, I'm stuck in the suit, I can't get out, there's an error or something.: He paused a moment longer. :Red, Help me!:

:Susan?:

:Red, please, I'm stuck, I can't pull back to my body . . .:

:Stay there, don't move, I'll be there soon.: Red Alert took a deep breath, and sent a quick burst to Starscream and Optimus.

"What's going on Red?" Starscream entered the room just behind Optimus. The robot on the table moved it's head. "What the Primus?"

"Susan, can you hear me? Send only to Optimus, Starscream and myself for right now."

:Fine. What the hell's happening Red? Where's T.W.? Did he make it out alright?:

"He was captured, Susan. You died."

:What?!:

"It's true, It's why you can't regain your human body. It's no longer in the cavity. I need to run some scans . . ."

:If this is a Cybertronian form of a joke, I'm not amused.: Susan burst.

"Susan, you once told me that Human ghosts leave electromagnetic pulses, right? The stronger the ghost, the more detectable the electromagnetic field, correct?"

:Yes.: A slight hesitation. Starscream smirked as he listened.

"And you yourself had a strong electromagnetic field, because of your technopathy and your creation of a spark for Midnight, remember?"

:Yes?: Now there was a mix of curiosity.

"Then your body did physically die, but because you gave a huge surge of your own energy to the suit, you bonded to it. I'm getting pulses from the chamber you were in, consistent with not only a spark, but also a human ghost."

:So I'm haunting the suit?: Starscream glanced at Red Alert, trying to figure out if he was insane.

"In a sense. You created a small spark for yourself, but since you died during the process, it became premature. It's not enough to power the suit like a normal spark, hence the limited movement. You're operating at twenty percent power."

"Holy Primus . . . now what?"

"There are ways to strengthen a weak spark, which I'd prefer to the idea of transferring. We don't know much right now. She might never be fully operational."

:Great, I'm potentially a ghost, Stuck in a large combat suit, and I'm probably going to be weak forever.: Susan stopped moving. :I knew I shouldn't have gotten out of bed.:

"Yes, that sounds like our Spitfire."

"How are we going to explain this?"

"Spitfire was a neutral that got caught in the attack and was critically injured. We transeferred the spark to Dr. Lyndh's creation. Only a few humans know Dr. Lyndh was once called that, so it will be safe enough." Optimus answered with no hesitation.

"Then let's get the rodeo started."

:I wish I had installed vocal processors and optics in this thing now.: Susan could hear Starscream laugh. He'd been the one who kept pushing for it. :I want to know what's happening, or I'll find a way to be a bad patient.:

"Don't worry, you'll get an update once a day."

Red Alert basically installed an IV drip, but with electricity instead of liquid. It was supposed to send a shock and help power up the quasi-spark that kept her attached to the machine. Since the suit ran on energon, he did only a slight recogfiguring to make it easier for her to get it.

:This is boring.: Demolisher's lip components twitched as the head turned towards him. The black visor firmly in place. :Demolisher . . . I've been thinking . . . about The Fight.: 'The Fight' was code for the moment she gave the surge to try and hel Tidal Wave and bonded to the machine.

"What about it?"

:Humans believe ghosts are people that had unfinished business, something they had to do before they moved on. Maybe the reason I stayed, was because Tidal Wave was taken, and I feel like I have to get him back.:

"No offense little one, but I hope you don't move on when we get him back." Demolisher kept an eye on the door. "He seems to have joined our attackers, we're working to protect the cities, but we might be attacked soon." He watched as the faceplates turned away from him. "Red Alert says your spark is stabilizing. You may be able to move around for a bit soon."

:I'm not sure I want too . . . that new guy, Ironhide.: She'd heard bits and pieces, but there were moments when she couldn't logically or coherently follow a conversation.

"You mean the kid, he's alright. He and Kicker are regular pals . . . if they could stop fighting like Cyclonus and Starscream."

:Kicker . . . how'd he take the news?:

"That you're a metal head? Not too badly, considering. How'd you get him to listen anyway?"

:Similar gifts.: Conversation was cut short with the alarm sounding. :Come back safe.:

She spent most of her time in and out of recharge, Midnight being her constant companion. Alexis occasionally stopped by, keeping her updated. Then there were time periods where she couldn't talk to anyone other than Midnight. Slowly, she got news of Megatron's return to the living- seemed you couldn't keep any cybertronian leader down for long- and some news of a new seeker/assassin named Nightscream that joined up with Megatron. Details were pretty sketchy as then tended to come after battles where everyone was beaten up and memory chips jogged loose.

Then one day Red Alert, a slightly damaged Demolisher and Scavenger came to the med bay.

:What's happening?: She missed being able to see. Then she'd be able to check on her friends.

"We've got a way to fix you . . . Permanetly into being a transformer."

:How?: She let Demolisher pick her up. Midnight also chirped.

"Well, you're not going to like it, but," Scavenger told her.

:I don't care anymore, I just want out of the medbay.: She sensed his nod.

Megatron had rebuilt Tidal Wave and Cyclonus into two different Mechs. The use of Unicron's body that Alpha Q had might be able to do the same. It could also strengthen Cybertronian sparks, as seen with the ghostly Nightscream.

The next time she fully woke up, she was in a chamber, with the Decepticons and Autobots. She slowly onlined all her systems, more systems appeared than she originally had, so it took a few moments. Then she got up, almost laughing when she realized that her visor was now retractable. Removing it, she onlined her optics.

"They're red." Ironhide spoke up. "You couldn't pick gold or orange?"

"They look good on her." Demolisher defended. This time she did laugh. It sounded like a slightly mechanical version of her own voice. (Later she learned they had played a recording so Alpha Q could calibrate her vocalizer)

"We've got Megatron in control of Unicron, and you're arguing my optic color?" She tilted her head. A click got her attention, and she stared at a small blue opticed youngling with a black paint job and some navy blue tints. "Midnight?"

"Sorry we didn't get your input, but . . . Highwire said we should do it." Kicker spoke up. She glanced at him and his girlfriend, before picking up a happily clicking Midnight.

"I don't mind. Just going to make fighting a little difficult." She sighed. "I can't rush in, now, can I?"

"No . . . need a mirror to see yourself?"

"Please." Her body was now more streamlined, more in regard to the 'femme' style of cybertronians, she still had all her weapons systems, and she could still transform into the ground vehicle with wings, (Influenced by the Autobot Tracks, though no one was going to tell him that) but had a feeling she was a little smaller and better looking than before. The wings were still visible when she turned into her mechinoid form, as there was nowhere else for the two panels to go, giving her the look of a real flier. Her helm was black and looked like short hair that was swept back to frame her face. It also looked a bit like a widow's peak in the front.

"You're going to be turning some heads." Demolisher chuckled. "Not many cybertronians with that design left."

"I can get a new paintjob eventually, right?"

"What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing, Just wanted to know if I could change it up later."

"Yes, you can. And if you all can stop staring at Spitfire . . ." Optimus was clearly amused. "We can start with what our strategy should be."

It was a simple sounding idea. But Optimus, as always, insisted that they try to negotiate with Megatron one last time.

"And we're expecting them not to shoot us, why?" Spitfire absently checked her gun as they waited on an out of the way moon.

"We're not. We're just trying to make sure Optimus and Starscream don't get killed." Demolisher rumbled. "I'd recommend getting Decepticon insignias."

"Gee, Bias much?" Hot Shot piped up. "I vote Autobot."

"And you're not?"

"I think the red Autobot symbol would look better with her optics." Starscream smirked at the stares. "Of course, we could change the decpticon symbol to be painted Red for her instead."

"You guys are having way too much fun arguing over me. Why?"

"Nice design, sleek body in both alt and bi-pedial mode, you're pretty much eyecandy to them, Spitfire." Jetfire looked at her. "Heck, that's how the 'Femme' style started. But when the war broke out, that particular style couldn't always adapt to weapons systems." Scorpinok nodded in agreement.

"Not to mention most decepticons find any femme with the ability to shot a gun and fight as even more attractive." Starscream's smirk widened.

"Want to test my aim?" Spitfire held up her gun. "You all keep arguing over my paintjob, I'll knock you all into the middle of the next millennium." She knew that they didn't have a sex drive, their youglings were generally from Vector Sigma, and those that weren't were results of an adult transferring spark energy to a protoform (which she had done unknowingly to Midnight, sometimes that was dangerous and two or more adults contributed energy to the protoform to stabilize the new spark and cut down on the energy needed from each adult). But that didn't mean they wouldn't enjoy having a 'bond mate', whatever that was. She needed to get more information from Red, when this was all over.

"Heads up." They all straightened, as Megatron landed.

Everything happened quickly after that.

A few months later:

"I can't wait to see Susan again!" Sideswipe grinned as he and Wheeljack got on the warp pad. "I wonder how she looks now?"

"Probably older . . . organics have such short lifespans." Wheeljack said nothing more as they warped to earth. "Looks like everything is still standing . . . oh." Two femmes were walking past. "I thought that style got eradicated?"

"Could be making a comeback. Hey, Hotshot!" Sideswipe waved the yellow mech over.

"Prime and Starscream want to see you two."

"Aw, can't I see Susan first?" Sideswipe caught Hot Shot's sudden stiffening. "HotShot? Did something happen to her?"

"They'll explain." It took a few moments, but they entered the shared office of Starscream and Optimus Prime. Both were surprised to see Optimus playing with a youngling. The youngling happily clicked as he built a tower. Starscream was clearly not working either.

"Uh, Prime?"

"Wheeljack, Sideswipe, sit down." Prime got up, and Starscream took over playing with the youngling.

"Hey, did something happen to Susan?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Hotshot froze up when I asked."

"What do you know, he does have a logic processor." Starscream muttered.

"Yes, something did happen . . . you're aware of the attacks and Megatron's temporary revival?"

"Yessir." Wheeljack nodded.

"In the first attack, Tidal Wave was captured. He and Dr. Lyndh, who was in a battle suit roughly the same size as medium height transformer, were battle partners."

"She died, didn't she?" Sideswipe looked stricken.

"Temporarily, yes. In her final moments, she pushed most of her energy into the suit. As a result, she created a spark for herself, though her human body died in the process." He glanced at Starscream, "through a combination of the matrix and Unicron's head, which we used, we were able to strengthen her spark and upgrade her new body."

"Can we see her?" Sideswipe looked anxious.

"Of course. She should be in the rec room by now." Prime scooped up the youngling. "Oh, and as she was upgraded to a fully alive transformer, we also upgraded Midnight to a youngling protoform." The walk to the large recreation room was quicker than either of the younger mechs wanted. Three femme styled cybertronians were talking. One was a gray green color, and another was blue, the third was painted black with red flames.

"Spitfire." The one with flames turned to look at Prime, and smiled. She had two insignia's on her wings, but both were painted red.

"Get tired of watching him?" She got up and took Midnight.

"Hardly, but it does cut into my work." She glanced over his shoulder, a little surprised. "Wheeljack and Sideswipe were asking about you, I told them the story. Both of them."

"Glad to see us?" She smiled and hugged Sideswipe.

"You bet. Have fun in the middle of nowhere?"

"Spitfire, shouldn't you introduce us?" The gray-green femme smiled.

"Right, these are my friends, Moonracer and Chromia." She smiled. "And these two lugnuts are Wheeljack and Sideswipe."

"Pleasure to meet you." Moonracer smiled at Wheeljack.

"Likewise, I'm sure . . ." Wheeljack smiled back.

I couldn't remember if G1 Wheeljack went with Moonracer or not . . .

Yes, this is a story of an oc becoming a transformer, and a female one at that, but I really don't care. She never truly fit back into normal human society, and I based her technopathy off of Circuit Breaker, in the Transformer Classic comics, and the whole gaining some attachment to the body from the G1 episode, Autobot Spike. So she is based in some form of canon!!

I will finish her story at somepoint, so consider this the epilogue of sorts, yeah, slight spoilers but who really cares?

Starscream's survival . . . I like Armada Starscream, so he's alive in this fic. Might be changed later on.

Who is Nightscream? According to various sources, and some reviews, the supposed 'Starscream' in Energon was actually named 'Nightscream' in the Japanese version. He was supposed to be a completely different mech.

I got the idea that the femme style was more looks than function from half a dozen other stories where it has one of the main characters as a femme who was rebuilt due to some problems with their original body. Please, read and review!