Here's the end of the War Stories Arc. Now we're getting to the good part.

Next arc is going to be Homecoming, and it will be dark. Just to warn you guys.

If you think I own either StarTrek or Transformers, there's something wrong with you.

War Stories III

Vortex scowled as she lounged in front of the window in the rec room of the Enterprise. She had taken a bath, her hair was now combed, and had been placed in Starfleet issued clothes after her meeting with Doctor McCoy. Vortex was quite happy to be away from him. After she had been escorted away from the cage by her Creator, he had left placed her in this room. Vortex understood why. She knew Optimus and her father had to speak about the situation at hand, and especially how she fit into it. That was why she was left alone in the room, staring out into the vastness of space.

Space. The final frontier as it was often called. Vortex loved staring out at it, imagining all the worlds, and thinking up new alien life forms. Her closest friend, Starfall, said that her fantasies were a waste of time and effort, especially because of her position as the Lord Protector's daughter.

But to be left out of the meeting, one which was about her, was driving Vortex insane. Megatron knew how annoyed she would be, that's why he left her in here. Not that it mattered. No, Vortex planned on driving her father insane for the next hundred vorns because of this.

Vortex stiffened as she heard the doors to the rec room open and allow someone in. She formed a fist with one hand, waiting for the intruder to come within her range. Just because Optimus said she had to be nice to the organics didn't mean she would be.

"It's nice out there, isn't it?"

Vortex turned, regarding the new human she had just come across. He smiled at her, before sticking a hand out, "Commander Robert Epps. I would have been there when Sam got you out of the cage, but the Admirals wanted to talk to me."

Vortex took his hand and shook it, "A pleasure. My designation is Vortex."

"I heard," Epps chuckled before taking a seat next to her, "You managed to get the kid in a whole lot of trouble with Will."

Vortex frowned. The human was being rather confusing, and she hated confusion, "Who is the kid?"

"Lieutenant Witiwicky," Epps said, shaking his head, "Don't give me that look. We know she's an adult, we just treat her like she's our kid."

Vortex snorted. She knew first hand how hard it was to be treated like a child by everyone she met, "She must love that."

Epps smiled sadly, starring out into the void, "She does actually. Freaked me out, I mean, she should get mad that Will tries to act like a second dad to her, and that I help him with half the stuff. But then she mentioned she didn't have that good of a home life before Starfleet…."

Vortex frowned as she regarded the man next to her. His sorrow was not false, he truly cared for the girl. Vortex chuckled softly before muttering, "I am…glad she knows how much you care for her well being. I must admit, I have never seen an organic as young as her be so open to that level of care."

Epps shook his head. Sam had been amazing when she had lived her first life as Samuel, and now she was even more amazing, even more caring than before, "She's one hell of a soldier, I'll give you that."

Sitting there quietly for a few moments, the two shared a moment of piece. The Epps grinned widely, a dangerous idea forming in his head, "Want to see Sam in action?"

Vortex frowned. Her father had told her to wait here, but he had also left her alone. Grinning wickedly, Vortex nodded, "I would love to Mr. Epps."

Standing together, the two headed out of the rec room. As they headed towards engineering, Epps began to tell stories to Vortex about his time spent in Starfleet. From the time he had broken his arm as a cadet during self defense, to the time Will got eaten by a giant slug on a planet.

Vortex hated to admit it to herself, but the stories were actually quite amusing. She had to admit, hearing stories that didn't revolve around death was quite…refreshing.

Epps offered her a weak grin as he opened the door to the engine room, "Here we are. Technically this is Scotty's lair, but he trusts Sam so she can call a few shots."

Vortex frowned as they stepped into the room, "How can Lieutenant Witwicky issue orders if she is not in command of this engine room?"

"Simple," Sam yelled to them from across the room, "I'm the only one in this group who specializes in electronic compositions."

Epps quickly explained for Vortex, who looked confused, "Sam specializes in which wire goes where, making sure all the wires work, and that the technical aspects of engineering come together."

Together Vortex and Epps crossed over to Sam, who had pulled down a panel from the bulkhead and was rummaging around inside it. Sam looked up and offered them both a big smile. Her usually dorky looks were even more noticeable because of the thick goggles she had to wear due to the electronics she was dealing with.

"Hey there Epps. I'd offer you a high five man, but I'm kind of stuck in the wall," Sam said, sharing a laugh with Epps. Her eyes widened though when they landed on Vortex, "Holy crap, Megatron actually let you out of his sights?"

Vortex snorted, crossing her arms, "I am not so helpless as to need constant watching. Barricade often tells me I'm more dangerous than older mechs simply because I am a youngling."

Sam smiled darkly, going back to the panel, "Child soldiers are always the toughest. And most dedicated."

Epps fixed her with a look, making Sam fall quiet. It was rare that she talked like that, but it always alarmed Epps when she did.

Sam cursed as her comm. unit went off. Pulling it off of her belt she flipped it open, "Witwicky, how can I be of service?"

Will's voice came over the line, "Kid, I need you to find Epps and Vortex and bring them to my quarters. We need to talk."

Sam nodded, knowing Will couldn't see it, "Understood sir. We'll be there shortly."

Hanging up, Sam turned and faced the two while pulling off her goggles. But she paused, staring at Vortex who was struggling with the mass of long hair.

Sam raised an eyebrow, "Um…do you want me to cut that for you?"

Vortex snarled as a strand of hair got caught in the paneling of the bulk head, "That would be greatly appreciated Lieutenant."

Sam nodded and grabbed a pair of wire cutting scissors and held onto them. Sam turned to Epps as they started to leave engineering, "You heard Will, right?"

Epps nodded as they left the room, "Of course I did kid."

Sam's eyebrows furrowed as they entered the turbolift, "Did he sound funny to you? Like…concerned or something?"

Epps frowned, crossing his arms as he began to rethink about the short conversation. Ignoring Vortex who was struggling with her hair, Epps responded, "He sounded worried about something. I'm not sure what it is, but he'll tell us soon."

Sam snorted as the doors opened, "I hope so. I hate having to guess with him."

The three walked down the hallway until they came to Will's door. Epps knocked on it while they all waited.

"Enter!" Will called from inside while the door swung open.

Entering the room, Sam quickly dragged Vortex to the bed, where the two girls sat. Will was seated at his desk, and Epps took a seat next to the girls. Sam quickly ran her fingers through Vortex's hair before she began to cut it.

Will fixed Vortex with a serious look, "Captain Kirk is explaining this to your people right now, but we decided to talk to you separately so you wouldn't be influenced into a decision, understand?"

Epps groaned at that, cradling his head in his hands, "I'm not going to like this, am I?"

Will glared at him before turning back to Vortex. Leaning forward, Will made sure Vortex knew how serious he was being, "McCoy ran your blood test, and you're not human."

Vortex raised an eyebrow, making sure not to move while Sam cut off the thick locks of hair, "I know that Captain Lennox. I am from Cybertron."

Will shook his head, "Your holoform should be human, or at least that's what Megatron told McCoy. All the other holoforms Cybertronians have are human. But yours isn't."

Sam looked up, "What is she then?"

"Enochian," Will announced. Sam whistled while Epps smacked himself on the forehead.

"Enochian," Epps grumbled, "That explains everything!"

Vortex frowned. She was feeling confusion welling back up inside of her, "What is so special about Enochians?"

Epps took over this time, out of the three Starfleet members in the room, he had the most contact with Enochians, "They're a humanoid life form from the planet Gloriana in the Deuos galaxy. They're really weak empaths, they're only considered empaths because they form Bonds with others they consider close to them."

"Their hair comes in shades of blues and violets, and they're really pale," Will continued as he fixed Vortex with a searching stare, "Their eyes are either red or violet, but red seems to be rarer. And I can't remember what they're blood is based on, but they bleed blue."

Sam chuckled softly as she finished cutting Vortex's hair, "Seems like a really goo match for you. Probably better than human."

Will continued before Vortex could respond, "But because of this, the trauma of your Bonds breaking was a lot stronger than it would have been if you were human. So we're taking you to be seen by a mind healer. Her name is Zeenia Lirrel, and she's a Beldan. Which means she is an incredibly strong empath, and most likely to be able to help you. She's agreed to meet up on a Federation colony, where Optimus decided to regroup. We'll figure out our next move from there."

Sam frowned, the moment Will mentioned a colony, she felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. That meant where ever they were going was someplace she didn't want to be.

"What colony are we going to?" Sam asked, dreading the answer.

Will groaned, running a hand through his hair, "Tarsus IV."

Sam froze while Epps let out a low whistle.

"Seriously?" the Commander asked, shaking his head, "That's just asking for trouble."

Vortex cocked her head to the side, "I am afraid I do not understand your reason to avoid this…Tarsus IV."

Will and Epps shared a look before Will responded to her.

"Tarsus IV was the site of one of the worst famines in Federation history," Will explained softly, "The problems from the famine led to a massacre of the colonists, which then led to a civil war. The situations there are still pretty dangerous right now. Which is why I want both of you," here Will gave Epps and Sam pointed looks, "To get plenty of sleep. We're getting there tomorrow, and you'll both need the sleep. Vortex, I need to talk to you about something real quick."

Sam and Epps stood, and both gave Will a salute before leaving the room. Epps punched Sam in the shoulder as a friendly farewell, and then the two went their separate ways. Sam didn't react until she was safely in her room. Once the door was locked, she fell onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Sam shut her eyes, memoires of blood, starvation, and hopelessness playing on her closed eye lids. "Looks like I'm going home," Sam whispered to the night air.

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