Authors' Notes: Um, I might have to change the rating of this fic from K+ to T because of this chapter. Fair warning, there's a bit of violent content. You'd think a romance would get that rating for sexiness, but that's not really my style :)

Chapter 7

Huffer had been more despondent than usual. Gears and Powerglide had noticed that Huffer seemed more than just homesick, and actually downright depressed! They were used to him complaining all the time, but lately he didn't say much of anything! A quiet Huffer was a depressed Huffer.

Last time they refueled together in the rec room Huffer just stared at his cube; barely even sipping at the contents and sighing every now and then. It was as if just being alive was taking too much effort and energy!

Nobody knew what was going on, and surprisingly few Autobots even noticed, but it was bothering those that did. Bumblebee tried to cheer Huffer up by inviting him to a baseball game he was going to with Spike and Carly, but Huffer refused to leave his room that night. To be fair though, he always preferred Cybertronian sports to earth games any day.

No one knew what had gotten into Huffer, and he wasn't willing to tell them. He felt that if he said it out loud that would make everything true. It was a stupid thought, he knew, but that was just how he felt.

His depression had come from two months of not hearing from Nova Beam. It wasn't like she was out of sensor range or had broken up with him. She was just...gone. He feared that she might've been killed in battle. He also worried that she might've been captured! Decepticons were notoriously sadistic with their prisoners, and Nova Beam was a femme. There was no telling what they could be doing to her!

It had started as just a couple days without an email. Then he tried her on Combichat, but he never got a hold of her. He had actually wasted 35 creds waiting for her to log on! He sent two more messages, but he never received a reply. It was as if she had disappeared from the face of Cybertron!

Every since the online silence, Huffer had been inconsolable. Of course, it wasn't as if his friends even knew what they were trying to console him for. No one knew Nova Beam had stopped emailing him, and in fact Gears was the only one who knew about Nova Beam at all!

On this evening Huffer sat alone in his room. He had long ago given up logging onto his terminal right away, and just sat on his berth staring at the wall. He might check for an email eventually, but it was more out of habit than actually expecting anything to appear. He guessed that was one thing about living on earth that was good. The casualties were ridiculously low. On Cybertron however...A friend could be there one day and gone the next.

Tremor, Nova Beam, and Laugh Riot strode down the streets of Tarn with grace and purpose. Tremor was in the middle of the formation, Nova Beam on her right, and Laugh Riot on her left. It didn't matter if they were flying or walking, their formation never changed. Nova Beam was the right trinemate. It was as much a fact of life as her wings and her spark.

The crowd moved around them and almost seemed to crowd the Seeker femmes. Some in the crowd were eager to get to their destination, and others were walking with the same solemn dignity as the trine, but they were all heading to the same location: an Autobot execution.

The scout had been captured by a neighboring Decepticon unit, but since the Autobot was from Tarn he would be killed before an audience in his home city. This was to send a message to all Autobots that their rebellion would not be tolerated.

Tremor's optics scanned the crowd and she let out a bored breath of air. Normally the Seekers would fly to wherever they were going, but they were in no hurry to get to where they were going today. Despite being efficient killers, none of the three enjoyed watching a chained animal die. That was all this was. A glorified slaughter of captured prey. It was disgusting.

"After the execution can we go to that bar with the simulation chamber?" Laugh Riot asked like a child asking to go to the toy store, "I hear you can rent a program that lets you date any celebrity you want!"

"You are so easily entertained," Tremor sighed wearily, "I suppose we could stop and get some high grade. We'll probably need it after our unit cleans up the energon they spill tonight."

"I wonder if they have Skywarp programmed there," Laugh Riot said to no one in particular, "He's the dreamiest!"

"You like Skywarp?" Nova Beam giggled with incredulity.

"Sure, he's clearly the most attractive of the elite trine," Laugh Riot said as if it were an obvious fact, "Plus he's black and purple. Those are my favorite colors!"

"Gee, I wonder why…" Nova Beam deadpanned as she looked over Laugh Riot's reddish purple and black frame, "I don't know why you bother. The Elite Trine all look the same. They're Seekers just like we are. They all three look like Starscream."

It was a little known fact that when three Seekers trined the two lower ranked Seekers would change their appearance to reflect that of their leader. It was a sign of great respect and also a physical reminder to others of the intense bond they shared. That was why Nova Beam and Laugh Riot had helmets that resembled the human bob 'do hairstyle; because Tremor had been built that way.

"So what if they do?" Laugh Riot asked defensively, "Starscream has a handsome design. I mean, if you could interface with any celebrity you wanted, who would it be?"

"I don't care about that stuff," Nova Beam said unconvincingly, "Love and attraction are just a big waste of time."

Laugh Riot snorted derisively, but didn't say anything else about the subject. She could tell that Nova Beam hadn't been quite right for some time now, but she didn't know why. If Tremor could feel Nova Beam's distress as strongly through the bond as Laugh Riot did, she didn't say anything.

Of course, they didn't know about Huffer. She never found it within herself to forgive him for what he said about Seekers. At times she wondered if she was being petty, but how could he possibly justify such a sweeping prejudice with no basis in logic? Nova Beam had to admit to her own spark though that she loved him. If she didn't love him then it wouldn't hurt so badly. He had sent a couple more emails since that last one, but she never opened them. If she never opened them, then Huffer wouldn't have to pay the 10 credits. It was a kindness to him, or at least that was what she told herself.

The femme trine made it to the round central street that was the heart of Tarn. There were many mechs and femmes there to see the execution. It would probably be a long and drawn out process since they hadn't had an actual Autobot there in many vorns. Nova Beam almost pitied whichever condemned spark managed to find its way to this desperate place.

A stage had been erected with a wide screen monitor to project the executioner and his victim. Many cried out for energon to be spilled, and others stood stock still to avoid turning away in sorrow and disgust. Attendance to this ritual was mandatory, and therefore this meant there were many who did not actually want to be there. They simply had no choice but to watch a mech's life end.

An enforcer called for quiet, and the crowd hushed immediately. A large dusty blue mech with spikes along his arms and legs lumbered onto the stage. He carried a set of weapons in a transparent case. He was quickly followed by a group of four other Decepticons as they pulled the prisoner along; the Autobot struggling all the way. Some in the crowd laughed at his pathetic attempt, but Tremor's face remained impassive. Tremor's emotional strength was transmitted through the bond to her sisters, and Nova Beam tried to concentrate on that feeling.

"That's a pretty small Autobot," Laugh Riot whispered to Nova Beam, "Is this even worth dragging us all out in the cold night air for?"

Nova Beam wasn't listening to Laugh Riot, however. Her eyes were transfixed on the screen above the stage, and the close-up shot of the condemned Autobot. She knew that face! It was Wordplay! He was the mech that had saved Laugh Riot's life!

"Citizens of Tarn!" The spiky mech boomed as he faced the crowd, "We have before you a traitor to Lord Megatron and the Decepticon Empire!"

Boos and hisses could be heard from the crowd, but Wordplay's face was defiant even in the face of a mob of his enemies! Nova Beam remembered the scared young mech whimpering into his comm link all those decacycles ago, and was impressed by how quickly he had adapted to his role in life. Still, his features reminded her of Huffer even now, and it was more than a little disconcerting.

"The Autobot has denied the charges of treason, but we are not fooled by his profession of innocence! The Autobot will be executed by spark removal!" The spiky mech informed the crowd of spectators, "Prisoner! Do you have any final words before you go down to The Pit where you belong?"

Wordplay looked up at the sky, and then looked out at the crowd. Nova Beam knew she was too far back for him to see her, but it really almost looked like he was looking at her as he spoke.

"You can take my spark," Wordplay said slowly, "But you never took my freedom. You may be the ones who have chained me down, but I am the one that is free! Megatron doesn't deserve your wings, your wheels, or your sparks! We all deserve better! I may die, but if even one of you is listening...Freedom is the right of all sentient beings and that includes you!"

"Enough!" Spiky mech roared.

With that Wordplay was forced onto his knees and leaned back so his chest was exposed. Spiky mech pulled out a vibroblade, and Nova Beam turned away so she wouldn't see the moment of impact! She could still hear it though: the grinding and crunch of metal being torn and ripped away! She could also hear the last screams of agony from Wordplay as his spark was ripped out of his chest and crushed before his eyes!

The crowd was pleased, but Nova Beam just felt sick. She always hated it when she saw someone she personally knew die in battle, but this was even worse! He was gutted like a broken down shuttle! Wordplay was a kind mech, a scientist, and he didn't deserve that! Nova Beam was so angry and hurt, and that was when it hit her...So was Huffer! This was what he felt when his friend was nearly killed, and he had no other place to direct his anger except at anything related to the soldier that hurt his friend!

That night as she helped her unit wipe away the uncharged energon from the street Nova Beam thought about what she should do next. Her processor was confused, but her spark only wanted one thing.

It wanted Huffer back.

::Message from: NovaBeam,via,cyberdate,trn 3 cycles ago. 5 creds to view message. Do you accept the charges? Y/N?::

Huffer had to do a double take as he saw the text on the screen. He hadn't checked his messages in days knowing he wouldn't get anything, but today he checked it and there it was! Nova Beam was alive! She was alive and had sent him a message! He was confused as to what took her so long, but so relieved to receive the email he didn't dare question it!

Y

::Hi Huffer.

I know I've been away for a while. A lot of things were bugging me, and I didn't know how to express them to you. I still don't, but I want you to know I'm sorry I ignored you. I hope your friend survived. Death is slag, and I'm so sick of it all! Things are bad for the Autobots here in Tarn. If you check the news you might know about Wordplay. He was terminated. I only met him once, but I thought he seemed nice. I'm so glad you're not on Cybertron! I know how much you want to be here, but it's not safe! I would worry every day if you were here. Pit, I worry about you now because I know Megatron and his elite forces are there with you. Please just be safe! I'm sorry I was away for so long! Don't die, Huffer! I promise I won't leave you again. Just be safe! BTW, when you get this message, if you forgive me, then let me know when we can get on combichat,abt together. I love you :3

Nova Beam::