"Stormstrike, any sign of that traitor yet?" Wildshot snarled through the blue and gray mech's communicator.

"Negative Wildshot. Wouldn't I have told you if I found anything?" Stormstrike asked growing weary of the red and white Decepticon.

A low grumbled was the only response Stormstrike received, making him chuckle to himself. He was beginning to enjoy tweaking the high strung Decepticon. Even if it did mean he could get beat up later on if he wasn't careful. He was confident his reflexes would save him though.

Stormstrike examined the forest below him again. Yes, Stealthblade had definitely been there, but it seemed the moment he landed in the clearing, he took back off again. At least that meant he wasn't severely injured. The hologram Wildshot had shown him though concerned him. He had been slammed into the ground pretty hard, and the solid rock had left an imprint of his brother behind when he stood back up, which was never a good thing, but would have been slightly humorous if Stealthblade wasn't in danger.

"Hey Wildshot, I think he altered course. He may have turned somewhere along the way." Stormstrike said through his communicator.

"Hmph. No good stealth soldier. Lord Ultracon should have realized their programming is too self serving to trust." Wildshot growled back.

"Takes one to know one." Stormstrike teased.

"Shut up Stormstrike." Wildshot snarled, but only succeeded in making the mech laugh in triumph.

"Primus you're annoying!"

"I try." Stormstrike replied, for once being perfectly honest.

"Argh! Just return to base." Wildshot finally gave up.

"Roger that." Stormstrike quickly muttered and then transformed and took off back towards their base.

Stealth, where on Earth did you go? Stormstrike wondered to himself.

Are you planning something? Or are you lost and confused? Hmm, knowing you, you're up to something, but what? Stormstrike didn't bother to slow as he dived down into the volcano mouth, and swiftly transformed and land perfectly on the ground below.

"Ah, you've returned. Anything to report?" Ultracon asked walking over.

"No Sir, it appears my wayward brother took off immediately after landing in a clearing. There's no physical evidence of his presence anywhere else." Stormstrike quickly reported.

"Hmm, honestly I expected no less from a stealth soldier such as Stealthblade. I've a feeling we'll only find him when he wants to be found." Ultracon muttered.

"Then what are we to do Sir?" Stormstrike asked, just to keep up his Decepticon image.

"We'll prepare him a greeting party." Ultracon's golden faceplate twisted into a dark smile.

"Sir?" Stormstrike asked confused.

"There are more elites that need, activating." Ultracon's grin grew.

"You mean there're more of us?" Stormstrike's mouth would have dropped open if he had one.

"Of course, I've just been waiting for the right time." Ultracon explained.

Okay, this isn't good. If he plans on more elites, than does that mean more changed humans? Stormstrike was glad only his optics could show any emotion, because he narrowed them quickly before Ultracon could pick up on his concern.

"How soon until they're online?" Stormstrike asked hastily.

"Depending on my…resources, probably early morning." Ultracon suddenly didn't look entirely confident.

"Do you need assistance?" Stormstrike cocked his head wondering how the leader would respond.

"No! I mean, I'd prefer if my elites see me first after being reactivated. I did the same thing with you after all." Ultracon smirked after regaining composure.

"Sorry Sir, I understand Sir." Stormstrike stiffened.

"It is quite all right, you are just curious about your brethren after all." His smirk grew to a twisted grin.

Stormstrike nodded. Then Ultracon waved his hand, dismissing Stormstrike. He turned and walked back to his chambers quickly.

Crap, tonight? I need to do something, but what can I do? If I'm noticed, they'll attack me too, and I'll be no better off than Stealth. Ah, if only they hadn't caught you bro, then we could come up with some kind of plan. Golly you're snooping skills would be really handy right now. Wait… maybe you're not out of the equation?

Stormstrike sealed his chamber doors quickly, and used his special ability to detect energy signatures to ensure no one was nearby. He walked in front of his pod, wired up into the wall. Grabbing the cord, he quickly yanked it out, sending a crackle of energy flying out the broken end. Stormstrike flinched as a bit of the unrefined power singed his fingers.

All right Storm, you can do this! I can only communicate with Stealth from great distances if one of us is in pain. And it's not like this'll cause permanent damage!

Stormstrike braced himself, and then lifted a tentative hand. Before he could get any second thoughts, he quickly grabbed the sizzling end of the cord. Raw energy coursed up his arm, and it took everything in him to keep from crying out.

Oh please work!

* * * * *

Stealthblade transformed midflight, frozen momentarily by a strange tingle coursing up his right arm.

What the… okay, what's wrong with me now?

Stealth…can you hear me? A pained thought entered Stealthblade's head.

Stormstrike! What's wrong, are you injured!?! Stealthblade asked panicked.

Well, not really. There's something important I gotta tell you. He weakly replied.

Wait, so you're hurting yourself to communicate with me over long distances?

Maybe. He shamefully mumbled.

Good grief, you're going to end up killing yourself like this. Stealthblade muttered unhappily.

Anyways, my personal problems aside, Ultracon is planning to activate more elites! Stormstrike exclaimed both worry and dread filling his mind signals.

WHAT! Stealthblade's spark felt like it had leapt from his chest.

And that's not even the worst part! They'll be done by tomorrow morning!

Awe shit. If he activates them, then not only will another person be altered, but you could be discovered! Stealthblade shook his head in despair.

Oh, I didn't think about that. Stormstrike mused.

No, of course you wouldn't. You're always too concerned about others.

You say that like it's a bad thing. Stormstrike chuckled.

Okay, you're in pain, and now you're laughing, did you lose a screw in the head or something? Stealthblade asked half serious.

Na, I've just finally gotten used to liven like this.

I don't see how. Stealthblade shook his head.

Well, of course you wouldn't, you're older than me, so you're experiences are just a tad bit different. Stormstrike explained.

I'm not following.

Ah forget it, what's important is that we figure what humans Ultracon is targeting so we can stop him! Stormstrike stated getting back on topic.

You mean me; I don't want you to get caught. Stealthblade quickly told his brother.

Yeah but you can't possibly… Stormstrike began to protest.

I'm fully capable of taking care of myself. Besides, I've got a stealth mode, and you don't. Now drop it, I promise I'll be fine. Stealthblade assured his stressed brother.

But how will you know where they are? Stormstrike asked sounding victorious.

Because he's already heading this way. Stealthblade whizzed his head up and immediately dropped his energy signature, becoming transparent as well.

Stealthblade! Stormstrike's thoughts surged with emotion.

Sorry bro, I've got to disconnect, or they'll detect me. Stealthblade murmured.

Just be careful. Stormstrike muttered.

Hey, careful is in my programming. Stealthblade laughed.

Then the tingling disappeared in his right arm, and he knew Stormstrike had disconnected. Stealthblade quickly turned his attention to the fast approaching Decepticon signature, and easily identified it as Ultracon's. He carefully flew higher, painstakingly slowly to ensure his own energy signal didn't spike up. Luckily his hover generator produced almost no outward energy currents.

Far below Ultracon flew by, completely oblivious to the stealth soldier hovering above. Stealthblade carefully transformed, uncertain if his morph would cause his energy to spike up. To his relief it didn't, and Stealthblade took off after the clueless Decepticon.

In Ultracon's alien jet mode, he was spectacularly fast, and Stealthblade found himself struggling to keep up with him while at the same time ensuring his energy signature didn't rise. The effort actually began to physically drain him, and he knew if Ultracon didn't stop soon, he wouldn't have enough energy to defend any human he decided to capture.

Ultracon finally began to slow, and he descended towards a rather large county, located along the outskirts of an old city. Stealthblade couldn't place where they were, but he hadn't exactly been designed for identifying areas.

Ultracon landed along the back of a shabby run down neighborhood, while Stealthblade hovered from above uncertainly. Apparently Ultracon had a thing for taking the desperate and less fortunate. Maybe it somehow produced better soldiers, but Stealthblade couldn't know for sure since he was one of those soldiers.

Ultracon approached a particularly looking run down house, which would probably have been better off being called a shack. He reached out a tore the door right off its hinges, and a scream echoed from within. Stealthblade tensed ready to intervene at any moment.

A thin figure took off from out the other side of the shack, making Ultracon smirk in amusement. The figure was a unhealthily skinny girl, that must have been in her late teens.

"Help! Somebody help!" She hollered, but the problem was she was fleeing back into the forest that stood behind her house, and not towards civilization.

Ultracon pursued at a moderate pace, just quick enough to keep up with her, without gaining. He was playing with her! Stealthblade clicked his metal claws together readily. It was now or never, and he chose now.

Stealthblade swooped down, knocking into the unprepared Decepticon and shoving him off his feet. Ultracon rolled, but quickly sprang back to his feet, his red optics narrowing angrily at Stealthblade.

"It appears you've accidentally developed a soft spot for humans." Ultracon sneered.

"What can I say, I feel for them." Stealthblade retorted steadily, though his head was actually in a frenzy.

Holy crap, I just attacked the Decepticon leader! Just one of his looks makes his followers tremble, what's he going to do to me!?! Stealthblade was once again glad he could make any facial expressions to express the fear he was feeling, but his helm spikes were firmly planted against his head.

"Well, what are you waiting for, aren't you going to protect this little human?" Ultracon taunted.

Stealthblade glanced down at the terrified girl, who was clinging to a tree like it was her only lifeline. As he looked at her, Ultracon struck, launching his platinum and gold body straight into Stealthblade's smaller one, smothering him beneath it.

Stealthblade let out a gasp of discomfort, and quickly clawed at the large mech on top of him. Ultracon snarled, punching Stealthblade across the face. Stealthblade swiftly responded with a sudden kick, shoving the 'con off of him, and he quickly sprung back to his feet.

Ultracon clicked out a laser blaster, aiming it straight at Stealthblade's spark chamber located within his chest. As he fired Stealthblade launched himself into the air, missing the laser by a matter of inches.

"You should have known you were in over your head the moment you thought of challenging me." Ultracon chuckled.

"I did, but then there's something more important than common sense." Stealthblade growled back, still hovering above in the air.

"And what could that possibly be? Protecting the weak? You're sounding more like a pathetic Autobot with each passing second." Ultracon sneered.

"At least they're honest with their soldiers." Stealthblade retorted.

"Hmm?" Ultracon inquired.

"I figured it out. When you weren't paying attention I snuck back into my activation room to do a little snooping. Let me just say I figured out why there had been human bodies lying in the room while my brother and I were being activated."

"And just what did you figure out?" Ultracon grinned.

"That you're using humans to create sparks for your elite soldiers!" Stealthblade snarled, being careful with his phrasing so Stormstrike wouldn't be suspected.

"I say, I haven't given you enough credit on your processing skills. Too bad they'll be terminated now." Ultracon lifted up his gun and fired again, barely skimming Stealthblade's armor as he swerved to dodge it.

Stealthblade swooped down, pretending to being going for Ultracon, but swerving at the last second and grabbing the horror-struck girl. She let out a scream of terror as Stealthblade turned and flew back to the county.

He set her down quickly on the main road, just as a large hand gripped his shoulder and pulled him back, sending him flying head over heels back into the forest! Stealthblade staggered slightly dazed back to his feet, only to get punched and sent flying again.

Stealthblade looked up shakily, seeing Ultracon fast approaching, having completely forgotten about the girl now.

Well at least she can get away now. Stealthblade thought as he braced himself for the next strike.

Ultracon grabbed him by the throat, slowly squeezing, and closing up the tubes within that kept energon flowing to Stealthblade's processor. Stealthblade felt his world beginning to dim, and spin around him.

His body set off an alarm to fight back, making Stealthblade jolt back to life and morph out his segmented sword, slicing through some of the Decepticon's armor. Ultracon pulled back, letting go of his strangle hold on the black mech. Stealthblade stumbled back, trying desperately not to fall over from lack of energon to his main systems.

"Huh, you're persistence is growing annoying." Ultracon snarled as he clutched the deep slice within his side.

"Sorry, afraid it's in the programming." Stealthblade chuckled surprisingly darkly.

Ultracon sneered, and then began to fire with his laser gun once more. Stealthblade barely jumped out of the way of the first few shots, still feeling dizzy from the strangle hold. Ultracon keyed in on this quickly, and began to aim his shots around him, to push him back into the trees.

Okay, the girl's probably run off to somewhere safe by now, so I should probably get my sorry butt out of here! Stealthblade thought.

Stealthblade jumped up, attempting to take off, but Ultracon sprang up after him, grabbing him by the leg and tugging him back down! Stealthblade rolled onto his back, only to stare down the barrel of Ultracon's gun.

"Ah shit." He grumbled lowly.

"Any last words traitor?" Ultracon laughed triumphantly.

"Yeah, but these aren't my last words!" Stealthblade snarled, and swiped the gun away from his head with a clawed hand.

His sharp fingers cut into Ultracon's hand, making the Decepticon drop his weapon and let out a howl of pain.

Stealthblade scrabbled back, attempting to flee once again. Ultracon drew another weapon, this time a scatter blaster! He fired before Stealthblade could crawl back to his feet!

Stealthblade shielded his chest with his left arm, letting it take all the impact.

"GAAAHHH!" Stealthblade yowled in pain as the blast pierced his armor and sunk deep into the delicate circuitry within his arm.

There was no way he'd be able to use his snipe rifle to defend himself now. Stealthblade glared hatefully up at the triumphant looking mech.

"How about giving up Stealthblade? I'll spare your life if you come along willingly." Ultracon offered.

"At what cost, Ultracon?" Stealthblade growled, sounding even darker than before.

"Smart bot, I'll give you that." Ultracon grinned, and lifted his blaster to finish the black mech off.

Stealthblade! What's going on, you're hurt!?! A worried voice entered Stealthblade's thoughts.

Oh, I'm just about to get finished off here by Ultracon. Stealthblade retorted.

Suddenly Stealthblade lifted up his legs, firing his thrusters in his feet at maximum power, making Ultracon jump back to get out of harms way. Stealthblade curved his feet down to the ground, allowing him to take off.

He soared high up into the sky, and attempted to transform. His arm creaked in agony, stopping him short of a full transformation.

"Owe." Stealthblade mentally flinched.

Okay, what happened? Are you okay? What happened to Ultracon? Stormstrike's worried voice flooded into Stealthblade's head.

I'll be okay if I can get out of here. I don't think Ultracon can transform, so he's pretty grounded. Stealthblade replied, hissing slightly as he placed his hand on his injured arm.

He turned and flew off, back to the city where Montana lived. He could hide out on the outskirts there until the following night.

Stealth, your arm's real messed up. Stormstrike mused.

Thank you Captain Obvious.

Do you think your repair system can fix it? Stormstrike asked.

Uh… let me get back to you on that one. He answered uncertainly.

Great. Stormstrike sighed.

Hey, I'm still alive aren't I? Stealthblade smirked, picking up his speed and glancing back to ensure he wasn't being followed.

That may be, but are you in one piece? Stormstrike grumbled.

Hey, I am mostly. Stealthblade weakly defended.

Sure. Stormstrike sarcastically replied.

Storm, could you just… just cool it. I'm mostly okay, and I might be able to fix this on my own. So could you please leave me alone? Stealthblade requested, growing slightly irritated.

A long pause followed, before Stormstrike finally replied.

Fine.

And like that his presence was gone. Stealthblade's spine rose and rippled back down uncomfortably. He never liked fighting with his brother. He always felt guilty afterwards for some reason. Maybe it was because he was the oldest, and was always trying to look out for him and do his best to be a good role model?

Some role model. Here I am beaten up with a busted arm all because I had to do things alone. Stealthblade sighed. Well, he can't blame me for all of this, it was the only option.

Stealthblade slowed down as he passed over the city, and quickly lowered his energy signature. He flew down and landed outside a large cave nearby, and crawled in to shut down for the rest of the night.

He glanced down at his damaged limb. There was no way he'd be able to fix it himself. Sighing, Stealthblade gave himself up to darkness.