Ghost listened to Jazz singing, breathing in time to his strides around the room, her eyes tracking him.
He paused then smiled, "Sing along, love. Got ta give ya audience a thrill."
She cocked her head, raised an eyebrow at him.
"Sing 'World on Fire' with meh, love."
"Born in ninety one in the native sun," she started, smiling as she recalled the words of her favorite song, "Like a falling star transcending, it had just begun when the west was one, and the olden ways were abandoned, and there was no light and we were ok, and there were machines that'll keep us safe."
Jazz joined her grinning, losing his accent, "And we had our bums, and we had our peace, and were like gods, we were living like kings, in our glory, the eagles flew up, in our glory we gave ourselves a way. We set the world on fire, we set the fire standing right in the middle of it, we let the flames grow higher, we light the world on, we light the world on, we set the world on fire."
The door opened, a visibly shaken James snapping, "Stop it."
Ghost grinned, Jazz laughing the next words, "When the rockets flew, when the bombs, they blew, when we hid away in a canyon, no, we can't pretend, cuz we know our sin, but we just keep taking our chances, and there was no light and we weren't ok, and there are machines here to take our place, and there is no-one, and there is no peace, and we were playing god, we were living like kings, we set the world on fire, we set the fire standing right in the middle of it, we let the flames grow higher, we light the world on, we light the world on fire."
Her eyes narrowed on James, "Who's gonna comfort me? Oh now oh now oh now, who's gonna cry for me? Oh now oh now oh now, when I'm on my knees, calling out, calling out, oh now, who's gonna set me free?"
She stopped singing, glaring defiantly at James, "Til death do we part was meaningless to you. That is why I went to them, James. How does it feel knowing you drove me into their loving arms?"
Balding grabbed James wrist, halting James from drawing the gun.
"We need her as a hostage. Come."
James slammed the door.
"That man spooked when ya sang the same song as Flame, love. He'd jump for meh if Ah had a body," Jazz knelt, faced her, "Be strong, love. Ya be in their power a while longer."
"Power of men have no hold over me," she smiled, "only mechs."
"They know about Cade infiltrating KSI. They are moving their toys ta China."
She wanted to ask why she needed to be in China, but he turned his helm as if listening to someone she couldn't see, grinned.
"Soon, love."
He vanished as a squad of men came in with guns pointed at her.
Maggie swore, "The blokes are moving."
"Ghost and Flame?" Optimus asked, kneeling.
"Them and KSI's drones," she spat, "Earthpride says they are packing up. He has details for a China flight."
"Hel is going with them," Shiva stood, "Shiva fly her chariot to their hovel."
"I have some ex-military who can help, but we'd have to have passes," Maggie typed furiously, "China won't welcome us with open arms."
Ratchet fondly remembered NEST's ability to go anywhere they wanted and needed without such concerns.
Jazz would have solved it easily, but they didn't have him.
Maggie sat back, then reached into her bag, pulled out a headset, muttering about weird blokes.
Plugging in she typed then waited.
"Earthpride, what the hell bloke? What do you mean you can get me and mine in?"
Ratchet tuned in, noting the other Autobots focused on Maggie.
A guttural voice on par to a Decepticon replied, "You need to get into China to stop them. We are everywhere."
"Why help, bloke? Anon has declare itself non-aligned on this debate."
"Fools in the higher circles. They haven't suffered at the hands of CIA wearing blinders," rage filled the line, "They haven't lost family to CIA goons hunting the gentle and kind."
"Lost me, bloke."
"You heard of Autofans?"
"Early group of Autobot fans, mostly grannies and housekeepers," Maggie sounded cautious, "They went silent after Chicago."
"Silence of the grave, Sinbat," the voice stated with arctic tones, "They were declared by the CIA to be enemies of the state."
Maggie paused, "Mother or grandmother?"
"You figure it out, Sinbat. They called themselves Cemetery Wind when they left."
Maggie closed her eyes, "Earthpride."
"I will get your group to China. CIA crossed them too many times. Take out this cowardly snake's head and lay the dead to rest."
Disconnect signal sounded.
Maggie unplugged.
"This Earthpride, can we trust him?" Drift asked.
Maggie sighed, "I trusted him before this, I'll continue to trust him. We've all been hurt by the Winds. They need to be removed."
Optimus Prime nodded, "How soon will we know we can leave?"
Maggie looked at her computer raised an eyebrow, then clicked something, "Earthpride says we can pick up our passes in an hour."
Ratchet leaned down, "Will Ghost and Flame last long enough for us to reach them?"
"I trained all my Furies in counter interrogation and torture techniques. Flame is more volatile so she may crack first. Ghost," Maggie smiled, "If Jazz stays near her, she has something to focus on. She'd last longer and may turn the tide on the Winds."