Chapter 7

The rest of the day and the night went without a single hitch. SAW merely spent the rest of the day heavily supervised outside with Honeydew, then returned back inside and then recharged in Bumblebee and Barricade's room while the latter two made repairs on his room. They ended up recharging on the floor next to SAW near midnight.

At ten in the morning, Ratchet made rounds, waking everyone up and telling them to get up and get ready. 'Get ready' meant getting themselves somewhat clean and putting on their holo-forms to get comfortable with them, since Mikaela and Nathan would be there in less than an hour.

SAW activated his holo-form, which was basically himself before the change, just 25 years old. There really wasnt that much of a difference, to be honest. Honeydew's holo-form was an over-form. She compacted her size to make herself the height of a normal five-year-old, with white-blonde hair and very light brown--almost golden--eyes.

Barricade's holo-form was his usual; around six-foot-four, looked about to be in his late twenties, black hair, sharp reddish-brown eyes, and whose entire physique seemed to announce that he was one who could kick your ass. He agreed on the alias of "Cade".

Ratchet's was quite different. He looked about forty or forty-five, with dirty-blonde hair, a stern, no-nonsense face, and very dark blue piercing eyes. Since his name wasnt too far-fetched, there was no change to comply to the holo-form.

Perceptor--aka "Percy"--was the epitome of 'scientist'. He was tall, thin, had dark reddish-brown hair, and had an added bonus of large glasses on his intelligent, well-meaning face.

The Twins--Sunny and Sides--looked exactly alike; young, twenty-or-so-looking, mischievous-looking expressions. The only difference was Sunny had bright blonde hair that was spiked up, and Sides had dark red hair that was slicked back.

Ironhide--"Hide"--looked like one of those old war veterans that was still in prime shape with a gun fetish. He had black hair with streaks of grey, and greyish-blue eyes. He was the second-tallest, next to Barricade, but twice as broad. Out of everyone, he looked the oldest.

Bumblebee--"Bee"--looked the same age as SAW (Sam), and had blonde hair with occasional black streaks and had vibrant blue eyes.

Optimus didnt have to have an alias name since Nathan had already heard of him and assumed 'Optimus' was a Greek name. He looked to be about in his mid fifties, and had salt-and-pepper hair and bright blue eyes.

Overall, everyone looked normal, and besides the jubilee of colorful vehicles that inhabited the area, everything looked alright. Right before the time for Mikaela to come over arrived, Sgt. Epps, Captain Lennox, Maggie, and Glen came over and reintroduced themselves to the holo-forms. After getting somewhat reacquainted, Mikaela finally arrived with Nathan.

Nathan first greeted Sam, since he had met him first some years ago, then made some sweet talk with Honey before being dragged around by Mikaela to be introduced to her friends.

SAW stood back against a wall and watched as Nathan hit it off with everyone easily; even Ironhide, who was the hardest Autobot to get friendly with. Mikaela was laughing and chatting away, showing off her engagement ring with Maggie, answering Perceptor's subtle questions about marriage, the like. He was so happy for her. He really was.

It took about five minutes before he realized that his hand was clutching the front of his chest, where his spark-heart would be if he were still human. He was absently thinking about Frenzy...about how he would have been enjoying this right now... He felt a rising feeling in his spark back in his Pontiac form; it was a sick feeling.

Feeling like he was going to vomit his own spark out the engine, SAW debated dropping the holo-form and going into a forced stasis when something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. He turned and saw someone he'd never seen before; a man who looked to be in his mid-twenties, like him, but looked very shady and un-inviting. SAW was about to alert the others for help when he noticed the man's eyes.

They were an orange-red color that locked with his own light brown ones, and SAW had an epiphany. He made sure everyone was occupied before slipping out and pulling the stranger out of sight with him.

"Thundercracker, what the hell are you doing here!?"he demanded as harshly as he could without having the others hear him. Thundercracker looked around for a moment before pulling SAW's holo-form further from the base.

"I needed to talk to you," he replied urgently, finding a free spot--which was next to his true form in jet form. He ran a hand through his holo-form's hair, a gesture SAW recognized as a sign of distress. SAW suddenly felt a bit frightened.

"What's wrong, TC?" he asked, stepping closer. Thundercracker let out a sigh and SAW heard the jet form next to him crank softly.

"I'm here to warn you that Starscream has new allies," he finally said. "More Decepticons arrived just days ago. Two of them." He leaned against his jet form. "I'm letting you know so you can warn the others, because these are two you dont want to cross, SAW..." He looked around again, as though someone were listening in, then continued.

"One of them is called Shockwave. He's incredibly intelligent, and a genius strategist. I've yet to hear of a tale where one of his planned attacks went wrong..." He paused. "He's incredibly powerful, and is the most likely to find a way to capture you. You'll most likely not encounter Shockwave in battle...he prefers to fight on the home front...

"The second that arrived is called Bludgeon. He's a ferocious warrior, and prefers to use physical combat...but that's his strong point. He's a master of metallikato."

"Metalli-what?" SAW cut in. Thundercracker thought for a moment.

"...I suppose it's what humans would call a 'martial art'," he replied. "It's an ancient art that focuses on physical and spiritual strength, and Bludgeon is a master at it. He's honed it to the point where he can use psychokinesis now...he is most likely the one who will try to overcome you. He can knock you out without harming you in at least ten different ways, so if you ever see him, I would remain close to Barricade, because he can counter-attack with his master grappling."

"How will I know it's him?" SAW asked.

"Oh, you'll know," Thundercracker said. "It's...in the way he moves. The way he holds himself...you'll notice it right away." He suddenly looked around again with, SAW noticed, an air of paranoia.

"...TC, how do you know this, if you left Starscream?" he asked. Thundercracker looked at him a little sadly.

"The two of them arrived right before...what happened to me," he replied. "I was going to tell you a few days ago, when we last met, but I didnt really get the chance to. But fortunately for me--and you--Starscream was too much of a rushed fool to disconnect the comm. link that all Seekers share when in the same basic squadron." He tapped his temple with his finger. "I heard every word of his conversation on how best to abduct you." He suddenly looked slightly sobered. "...I'm very sorry...about Frenzy."

SAW felt that same lurching sickness in his spark, but it seemed slightly quelled when Thundercracker put a hand on his shoulder. "...Thank you," SAW replied. Thundercracker's holo-form squeezed his holo-shoulder.

"It was a lucky thing that Barricade was there," he said. "...I hope you dont find it a horrid thought that I'd have done the same for you....but I had to get out of there....." He lowered his orange-red eyes. "It was my fault that you were attacked in the first place...he was coming for me, not you, that time."

"...Then why was Soundwave there, then?" SAW demanded. "And for that matter, what happened to him!?" Thundercracker squeezed SAW's shoulder again, sighing.

"...Soundwave was coming to warn me," he finally said. "He was already beginning to disfavor Starscream for harming one of his children, and now that...Frenzy is gone..." He paused. "...I dont think he's going to go back. Soundwave was loyal to Megatron, and that was partly because Megatron respected the relationship Soundwave had with his Cassettes, and in return for Soundwave's services, vowed never to harm any of them for any reason. Starscream respects no one or nothing but himself. As for where Soundwave is now...I dont know. All I do know is, he took what remained of Frenzy with him and disappeared."

SAW nodded and remained silent for a moment. "...TC..." he began softly, "...could you please...just join us?" Thundercracker shook his head immediately.

"I cant," he replied. "I already told you this, SAW; I cant join them. They wont accept me."

"That's what Barricade said!" SAW cut in desperately. "But now...now he's a full-fledged member, and happy! He has allies! He has friends, Thundercracker!" SAW's holo-hands held onto Thundercracker's holo's shoulders. "Please! At least...consider it for me, would you?"

Thundercracker stared down at SAW's golden-brown eyes with his orange-red ones for a moment, then lowered his head with a sigh that was heard in both the holo-form and the jet. "Alright," he finally replied. "I'll think about it. That's all I can promise. Nothing more."

SAW heaved a sigh of some relief and smiled. "That's all I ask," he replied. "Thank you." Thundercracker nodded, then suddenly pulled SAW's holo-form to his tightly. SAW let out a surprised sound, but then relaxed in Thundercracker's hold.

"I worry about you, SAW," Thundercracker said softly, his voice taking on that low, almost seductive tone it usually slipped into whenever he and SAW were alone. It always made shudders go down SAW's form, and now was no exception. Thundercracker gently caressed SAW's back and neck, making soft sounds in his jet form that were unpronouncable in his humanoid, holo-form. "It causes me pain each time I think about Starscream getting his filthy hands on you..."

SAW practically purred, hoping his real form wasnt attracting attention in the base. He leaned into Thundercracker's holo-form, which leaned them both against his true jet form next to them. Those gentle touches and soft words were slowly settling him into a sense of pure loving security; and that was a feeling SAW had been yearning for for months...

"SAM!!!"

SAW jerked away from Thundercracker and whipped around to see Mikaela jogging up toward him, looking worried. She paused a few yards away and eyed Thundercracker warily.

"...Sam, who is this...?"


Well, it's a bit of a cliffy, and I wont be able to update until at least June, so bear with me, I have more!