A Tie Between Two Stars

by allseer15

Strings have been pulled and lives arranged for this very time on this very planet. It has been long awaited and long expected. This would be when everything came to a head. When the war would finally end, Cybertron would be revived, and her people returned home. Everything rid on this time. On this group of humans and Cybertronians. On this girl and this mech. OP/OC T for swearing

14. Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Optimus pulled into the cavernous room he had been directed to and pulled to a gentle stop, careful not to jolt his precious cargo. Silently, the soldiers piled out of his cabin and he waited patiently as Captain William Lennox went around the passenger side without having to be asked. Slowly, the human male opened the door so as not to disturb Dark Star before carefully picking the girl up, cradling her to his chest.

"Thank you, Captain Lennox," Optimus murmured as he transformed, kneeling down and taking Star from him.

"No problem," the human replied quietly, eyeing how the red and blue mech held the girl close to his chest with one servo. "I'm going to go see what the deal and rules are for you guys while you're here."

"That would be most helpful," the Prime said, standing up straight.

"Who are you?" a high-pitched voice suddenly demanded in Cybertronian. More than one of the Autobots turned to look at the incredibly tiny sparkling that detached himself from Dark Star's hair, glaring up at Optimus. "What are you doing with my Carrier?"

Bumblebee suddenly blinked and opened a comm with everyone. ::That's right. I remember seeing the little guy with Dark Star when she and Sam and Mikaela rescued me from Sector Seven. Dark Star said not to ask,:: he explained over the comm.

"A sparkling," Ratchet breathed, staying in Cybertronian, coming over and running rapid scans over the tiny being. "How did a sparkling come to be on Earth?"

"WHO ARE YOU MECHS?!" the sparkling screeched, activating almost adorably tiny weapons and aiming them at the medic and leader. Ironhide even snorted in laughter at the sight.

"We are friends, young one," Optimus answered gently. "We mean you no harm."

The sparkling gazed up at the tall mech critically before huffing and offlining his weapons, apparently satisfied. Though he did glare up at the red and blue mech one last time. "If you hurt my Carrier I will rip your sparks out," he threatened. This time Jazz joined Ironhide in laughing.

Ratchet jolted as he recognized something. "'Carrier'? You think this human is your Carrier?" he asked.

The sparkling nodded and snuggled down comfortably by Dark Star's neck, purring gently while gazing challengingly up at the medic. "Carrier was the one that found me. Carrier was the one to make me safe and protect me. This human is my Carrier."

"You cannot come from a human, young one," Optimus explained. "Do you know where you came from?"

"Of course," the sparkling chirped as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I came from the Allspark." No one really knew what to say to that, so it was with peace that the sparkling settled down next to Dark Star's neck for recharge.

Ratchet shook his helm and shuttered his optics a few times. "Sparklings," he muttered in English before going over to 'Bee to begin repairs on his legs.

"Wha' do ya suppose we do now, Boss Bot?" Jazz asked, quieting down slightly in respect to the recharging youngling humans he held in servo.

Optimus gazed down at his human friend, watching as she shifting a bit, curling closer to his chassis, unconsciously cradling the sparkling to her neck. "For now, we repair our wounds and wait until the human government comes forth to begin negotiations for our stay here."

"Waiting," Ironhide muttered, settling down against a wall. "Rechargin' sounds better."

Bumblebee's optics narrowed slightly. ::Be careful, Optimus,:: he warned over the comms. ::I do not trust the humans that call this place their base and they will most likely be the ones to contact us first.::

It was then that the Prime took notice of the burns and chips that littered the young scouts chassis and he couldn't help but feel a slow rage build at the thought of what his youngest member suffered at the hands of the humans. "Understood, Bumblebee," he responded.

He looked back down at the recharging humans he and his lieutenant held. His scout was correct in being wary of most of the humans here in this human dam, but these young beings they carried and the soldiers under Captain William Lennox could be trusted. Nothing showed the true sides of beings, no matter where they came from or the species, like a life-or-death battle.

Humans as a whole weren't malicious. And Optimus was very grateful that he could call one of those trusted humans his close friend and ally.

It was to yelling and loud voices that I woke to.

I struggled to make sense of the angry words as I peeled open my eyes, sitting up. All I saw was blue and it took me a second to realize that I was staring at Optimus' plating. As the thought occurred to me Optimus greeted me in the Link and pet my back as Precision chirped at me before going back to growling angrily.

Sitting up more fully, I gazed over the cradle of Optimus' servo and surveyed the situation and listened to the argument.

Bumblebee was sitting against a wall, still missing his legs, but looking like someone had been seeing to his injuries. Ratchet stood right by him, arms crossed and looking more than a little angry. Ironhide was standing to Optimus' left between 'Bee and my friend and playing with his cannons. Jazz was on Optimus' right, holding a sleeping Sam and a worried-looking Mikaela, though the mech himself looked strangely neutral. And at the feet—peds—of all the Autobots were the soldiers who had fought with us and just a bit past the soldiers were a group of fiver suits, arguing with Lennox.

Optimus was vividly pulsing irritation, exasperation, and anger as I began to make sense of the words.

"That is completely unnecessary and unneeded, sir," Lennox growled in a raised voice. "None of us have done anything wrong."

"Nothing wrong?!" the Suit in the sputtered. "You have torn up half of Mission City and you say that?"

"With all due respect," Optimus interrupted easily and all eyes moved to him. "12% of Mission City was damaged in the battle with the Decepticons and Captain Lennox's men were only doing what they believed was right at the time due to the lack of communication and any further support."

Eyes narrowed and an accusing finger was jabbed in my friend's direction and I stiffened with the combined tension of Op and I. "You should not even be speaking right now," he spat and I saw Ironhide snap his helm up, glaring and charging his cannons at the insult. "To the United States of America all of you are nothing but a bunch of clever machines that were involved in a terrorist attack on a populated city," he sneered. "You have no right to speak to an upstanding politician such as myself. In fact you have no rights at all." The Suit sniffed and tugged his suit jacket. All the Suits behind him nodded and murmured in agreement.

I was reminded that my fury mixes well with Optimus'.

"Oh Hell no!" I shouted, moving out of my sitting position. Sensing my intention, Optimus quickly lowered me to the ground and I immediately stalked up to the politicians, passing the angry soldiers as I went. "Who do you think you are?" I demanded. "Who do you think you are to insult and put the very beings who saved our world lower than garbage?"

The Suit drew himself up, standing to his full 5'6", looking down his nose at me even though I was taller than him. "I am head of Sector Seven and in charge of this facility."

I froze mid step, stopping right by Lennox. "You are the one leading Sector Seven?" I asked quietly.

The Suit smiled maliciously, thinking that he had scared me with his power. "That's right, little brat."

Taking a very deep breath so I didn't haul off and deck the Suit, I closed my eyes and imagined happy things like watching Pewdiepie on YouTube. Stupid crude humor and jump scares. Once I had my temper under a little control I looked the Suit in the eye. "So you are the one responsible for killing all the sparklings?" I asked.

"WHAT?!" Ratchet and Ironhide shouted. This time it was Optimus' fury that almost made me attack the stupid Suit. Jazz was still strangely silent.

"Sparklings?" the Suit repeated in confusion. Wordlessly, I pointed to where Precision perched on my shoulder. Understanding dawned before the God-awful sneer came back. "Ah. The little machines. Yes, I'm the one to give the order for experimentation and study on the creatures that come from the Box. In fact, that thing is S7 property. Return it immediately."

Furious Cybertronian broke out behind me as I took another breath before turning and passing Precision to Lennox. Gathering all of my wits on politics and not bashing assholes into the ground, I responded, "The little machines you speak of are sentient beings no different from a human being." I began and rushed when the Suit opened his mouth to refute me. "And if you can't see that than I would like to speak with your superior."

The Suit smirked. "I don't have a superior." Stepping forward, I grabbed the Suit's shoulder and pulled him along with me as I walked towards the massive door to the hanger. This guy was seriously asking to get hurt. "What do you think you are doing?" he demanded, backpedaling to try and keep up with me. "Hands off, you street urchin! This suit cost more than your life."

"Your suit is going to be the least of your worries once I get Sector Seven shut down," I nonchalantly answered, pulsing reassurance to Optimus' worry and anger.

"Who do you think you are?" he snarled, yanking his shoulder out of my grip once I let him. The other Suits followed us, muttering unhappily.

I smirked over my shoulder as I continued to walk down the hall. "It doesn't matter who I am. Only that you take me to the Secretary of Defense, John Keller. You know, your superior? I know he's still here."

"Defense Secretary has no time for a civilian with no appointment!" one of the other Suits protested as they speed walked-jogged to follow my fast pace.

"I think he'll make an exception," I replied blithely before turning to the smallest of the Suits and the most nervous. "Now do you want to waste more of my time or will you take to Mr. Keller?" I demanded hotly. The Suit gulped before speeding up and leading the group. The man I still held grumbled and tried to shake my grip, but I wasn't letting him go.

A minute later and a few turns down hallways, we emerged in the hanger Megatron used to be in. It was now thoroughly destroyed and men were trying their best to clean up and some were even carting away body bags. A frown found its place on my face as we entered the office room that had over looked where the cube used to be.

Secretary Keller looked up at our entrance and put away the phone he was texting on. I noticed that sitting in the chairs were Maggie, Glen, and Simmons. Mr. Keller raised an eyebrow at how I held the lead Suit but nodded to the man I just now released. "Martin," he greeted before smiling at me warmly. "Star. It's good to see that you're alright."

I nodded in greeting as well and ignored the glare Martin was sending me as he straightened his suit. "Hello, Mr. Secretary. It's good to see that you made it through all this as well."

"Thank you. And I assume you are here for a reason," he urged, glancing between Martin and I.

Martin flushed red and childishly jabbed a finger at me. "This unauthorized minor has overstepped her boundaries beyond any recognition and I would like your approval to escort her off the premises."

The aged, blue eyes of John Keller immediately cooled. "Denied," he replied nonchalantly before looking back at me and ignoring the spluttering. "I understand that you might have done this for a reason, Miss Star."

I nodded and relaxed a bit. At least I already had Mr. Keller on my side a bit. "You're right, Mr. Secretary. I wish to bring several things to your attention."

"Then we'd best sit down for this," he suggested, motioning to the extra chairs. There were only two. I took an immature pleasure in making the Suits remain standing while nodding in greeting to Maggie and Glen and regarding Simmons briefly. We still weren't on the best terms and it was mutual.

I heaved a sigh and ran a hand through my hair before focusing back on the upstanding Politician before me. "I guess the first thing I'd like to bring up is the Autobots' position and status in regard to the United States' government."

John Keller was already nodding and pulled out his phone to wave it at me. "I'm already on it," he assured me. "I'll be talking to the President in half an hour about getting the Autobots U.S. citizenship and a comfortable place to stay." I smiled a bit in relief. My respect for this old man was growing by the second.

Simmons shot out of his chair and the five Suits began talking all at once. Put all together they seemed to be saying that the Autobots weren't human and were just robots and didn't deserve to be called a citizen and should be shot or experimented on.

I was just about to shut them down when Keller spoke first. "That is enough!" he exclaimed, looking furious and glaring at all the Sector Seven personnel. "I do not care if these Autobots aren't from Earth," he hissed, emphasizing every word while standing up to his full height. "Those Autobots just saved our planet and I am for God damn certain that they are going to be treated like heroes! Is that clear?" There were quiet answers of yes and the Secretary sat down with a huff.

That small smile made it to my face even with my efforts as I went on to the next topic. "And on that note I'd like to discuss the shutting down of Sector Seven." Protests and shouts went up again and Keller looked at me curiously while waving the others into silence. "Sector Seven has proven themselves to be a threat to the Autobots with absolutely no provocation at all and continue show hostile prejudice against any and all Cybertronians," I continued carefully, subtly watching the Secretary of Defense's reaction. "The Autobots do not feel safe with the thought that the very men who have already done harm to their own is still left unpunished and on a free reign. I also suspect that they have been experimenting and torturing and killing innocent Cybertronian sparklings for years now with no thought that they might actually be sentient and that their screams of agony and fear might mean something." I clenched my fists and ground my teeth to keep as much of my anger and fury in before looking up to meet John Keller's eyes. "It is my belief that, if left standing, Sector Seven can and will attack the Autobots again."

Mr. Keller leaned back in his chair and silence reigned in the room as he regarded me seriously.

Simmons suddenly leapt up from his chair again. "You can't really be taking this girl seriously, sir!" he protested, waving a hand at me as he looked incredulously at the Secretary of Defense. "She's a civilian! A criminal, who has already assaulted several of my men and showed that she is a threat to everybody here."

"This 'criminal'," Keller started slowly, switching his gaze from myself to Simmons. "Has proven herself to be a good and capable soldier that pulled through when we needed it most. I have read the reports that have been submitted so far and know what has happened in South Gate, California and in Mission City."

"My men are in the hospital because of her!"

"You will show respect!" Simmons paled and looked away. Keller turned to Maggie and Glen. "I want you two to go through all of the Sector Seven files and report to me every single bit of information there is." They nodded mutely with round eyes. The aged man then turned to one of the Suits. "Show these two where your files are and give them full access. If I find out your holding back information I will make all of your lives miserable." The man nodded and immediately went to the door, Maggie and Glen following. Keller turned and glared at all of the Suits in the room. "I am very much considering shutting down Sector Seven right here and now and if you all don't start behaving that will become a reality." When no one spoke up, Keller nodded, satisfied, and turned back to me. "I will bring this up to the President when we speak and I have a hunch that he will agree with you. When I spoke with him a short while ago he seemed to be very concerned about keeping the peace with your Autobots."

I nodded. "And the last thing I would like to ask is what do you expect the Autobots to do now?"

"A justified concern," Keller agreed, sinking back in his chair. "I expect them to rest and heal from the battle firstly. After that I will begin coordinating the arrangements between the Autobots and the United States government. I will do everything in my power to make sure they get the best accommodations as possible."
"And Captain Lennox and his team?"

"They will be given awards for their bravery and will be given no trouble. If they wish in the future they could work with the Autobots, but for now they'll be let go by the end of today to go see their families and friends."

"Do you think you could have someone talk to Ratchet or one of the Autobots about getting supplies?" I asked. "They need them for repairs."

"Of course. I will send an aide down immediately unless you wish to bring me a list instead. I'll give you my number so you can reach me at any time." The Secretary then pulled out a business card and I took it with a bit of shock. I just got the phone number to THE Secretary of Defense. Who'd have thought?

"I'll be in touch. For now that is all the points I wished to bring up." Standing up with the older gentleman, I shook his hand. "Thank you for listening and taking me seriously. The Autobots will greatly appreciate this."

The man smiled warmly. "It's no problem. I need someone to tell me when our guests aren't being treated properly. I'll keep you updated as soon as I get your phone number."

A bit of relief spread through my chest and I smiled honestly. "Thank you very much. Drop by the hanger any time," I replied, gesturing out the window where the bots and soldiers could be seen milling about.

"I will," he assured before turning to the Suits and Simmons. "Now I believe I need a complete and total debrief on all of Sector Seven's actions."

Taking that as a dismissal, I left the room and looked down at the business card in my hand. An ally, willing to help. Already making progress.

It took me about five minutes to get back to the hanger and I smiled as I entered again. Optimus was already looking towards me, knowing I was nearing him. "Dark Star," he greeted, coming forward.

"Kid!" Lennox exclaimed, rushing forward and beating Optimus to me. He grabbed my shoulders and shook me gently. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you could've gotten into? You're not in trouble, right? What did they do to you?"

"Chill, Will!" Epps chided with a grin, coming up and grabbing his friend and pulling him away from me. "She wouldn't be here if she was in trouble, now would she? Now you need to save all your protective daddy instincts for when you go home, alright?"

"How can you just brush this off like it's nothing?"

I rolled my eyes and covered the rest of the distance to Optimus, who picked me up and placed me on his shoulder. "How did everything go?" he asked as he went over to where the other bots were congregated.

"Yeah, lil lady," Jazz chimed in, grinning at me as he stood by a sitting Ironhide. "Ya left in a lil bit of a tizzy wit' da big guys o' dis place."

"Everything's fine. Secretary Keller is going to be arranging everything and maybe even shutting down Sector Seven. I think everything will be alright."

Bumblebee started bouncing in place, careful not to jostle his legs, which were being worked on by Ratchet, or the teens he held to his chassis. "Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" he played on his radio, blasting it loud enough that a few soldiers turned to see what was going on.

Ratchet glared up at the yellow bot before a wrench appeared out of nowhere and he wacked the injured bot with it. "Hold still, youngling," he growled.

I blinked, staring at the wrench as it disappeared again. Blinking, I frowned. "Where'd the wrench go?" I asked, looking on the ground and around for it in case I missed it. "You 'Bots know how to do magic, too?" I joked.

Ratchet snorted and Jazz laughed while Optimus pulsed amusement. "Hardly, lil lady," Jazz answered before reaching to the space just to his side and suddenly he had his pistol in hand. He waved it before putting it back in the same area and it disappeared. I gaped unashamedly. "It's a subspace. All bots have 'em installed fur storage." The small bot then reached to his opposite side and pulled something else out.

I spluttered at the sight of the item. "How'd you get a rubber chicken?" I demanded.

"You have my chicken?" a voice demanded across the hanger and I pivoted in my place perched on Optimus' shoulder to see the Hispanic soldier stalking forward in righteous anger and shock.

"Chill, lil warrior," Jazz soothed, kneeling down to hold out said rubber chicken. "Ah jus' found it laying 'round." The Hispanic soldier was very much blushing and embarrassed as he walked back to his team as they jeered and taunted him good-naturedly.

Blinking, I turned back to the bots. "Subspaces are cool," I murmured, getting back on track.

"I want one," Sam blurted, turning to Mikaela.

"No," she said instantly.

"But—"

"No."

Shaking my head, I looked towards a grumbling Ratchet. "I got permission from Secretary Keller as well, Ratchet," I announced and the medic raised an optic ridge at me. "Any and all supplies you need will be acquired to the best of his ability."

"Really?" Ratchet perked up, dropping the irritated-medic aura for a moment. Then he looked thoughtful, optics fading a bit. "If that is the case I could use about…" He then began to rattle off a series of types of metals and materials that even I struggled to keep with and I had more than a few projects going. Speaking of projects, I would have to see if I had my wireless up and running again.

I nodded dumbly as he stopped listing and looked at me expectantly. "I'll text that all to Keller as soon as I find a phone. I'm sure I can scare—"

"Carrier!" a high pitched voice cried almost right next to my ear and I jumped, spitting a curse as I spun to see Precision climbing like the spider he was half-modeled after across the back of Optimus' helm to finally jump on to my shoulder. "Are you okay, Carrier? You left looking mad."

I froze, translating the blurts of static and whirs as quickly as possible before nodding in reassurance and petting Precision's back and focusing on wording my Cyber correctly. "I am fine… Those…mechs were very…rude."

Precision cocked his helm to the side as he gazed up at me. "You talk funny," he pointed out innocently and I swear I almost sweat-dropped. I knew that phrase almost by heart seeing how Optimus had said it more than once back in Chicago. In fact, I could feel the amusement coming from the mech.

I sighed. "Screw my grammar," I muttered in English and Optimus chuckled before he spoke in rapid Cyber with Precision. Precision had a look of understanding on his face as he replied.

"I told you!" 'Bee suddenly played through his radio and I could see the other three mechs looking at me in varying degrees of shock, surprise, and impressed-ness.

"You really know how to speak Cybertronian?" Ratchet asked.

I shrugged and instinctively reached for the hood that wasn't there. "Optimus has been teaching me even since he landed." Waving a hand, I looked over my shoulder at the hallways branching from the hanger to see if any Suits were passing by. "Now, I'll just need to borrow a phone and we'll be great."

Precision made the sound of a blender being thrown into a washer and I wished I never had to mimic that noise before he jumped, transformed, and landed in my lap as an innocent Nokia. His screen lit up with life and text scrolled across. I am phone. Apparently I wasn't the only one with grammar problems.

I raised an eyebrow. "You sure?" I asked in English.

The Nokia-former vibrated before he clicked, "Yes."

I glanced at Optimus and he nodded a little before I pulled out Keller's business card and held it up in front of the Nokia's screen. "Can you text Ratchet's list to Keller and tell him he can reach me through you?" I asked and got another affirmative click before he went silent. With a sigh, I leaned against Optimus' helm and his servo came up to gently cradle me in that place. "So, anything new happen?" I asked.

Jazz sighed dramatically and sat down hard with a pout. "No. Ah almost wish something had though."

"You're the only one who does," Ironhide pointed out as he collapsed back into his alt mode, revving his engine slightly before going quiet. "I would like some decent recharge before something else happens."

"Primus forbid if he starts using his cannons," Ratchet muttered and Bumblebee was absorbed in a conversation with Sam and Mikaela.

My amusement was met by Optimus' in the link before I looked over my shoulder at the soldiers who were lounging around, still filthy and tired looking. Frowning, I turned to Optimus and quietly asked, "Have Lennox and his men been anywhere but here?"

Optimus shook his head slightly. "Since our arrival they have remained here. I am not entirely certain if it is of their own free will or under orders. Do you plan on doing something about the problem?"

I nodded before sighing and setting my shoulders. "Set me down and I'll go straighten out another Suit."

"If you need help you know where to find us," he said as he set me on the ground and I jogged over to a hallway, holding Precision to my chest.

It was 20 minutes and three thoroughly chewed out Sector Seven agents later that I came back into the hanger and looked at the exhausted group of army soldiers. "Well?" I called out and all heads turned my way. "Are you coming?"

"For what?" the bulldog soldier asked, shifting the heavy gun on his chest.

I shrugged nonchalantly with a pleased smile on my face. "Oh, nothing much. Just barracks, showers, and a mess hall."

"We were ordered to stay here in case of radiation exposure," Lennox told me, smiling tiredly. "But we appreciate the thought."

"New orders," I corrected, pulling out the sheet of paper from one of my many pockets. Clearing my throat dramatically, I read the formal words. "'The army soldiers under Captain Lennox's command, Captain Lennox himself, and the three civilians Samuel Witwicky, Mikaela Banes, and Dark Star have full reign of the Sector Seven facility and supplies for as long as they need and are fully released from detainment by 1000 hours on the 23rd of June in the year 2007.'" Folding up the sheet of paper, I looked expectantly at the soldiers. "So?"

Despite being so tired and bogged down by heavy supplies and weapons, all the soldiers were up and moving towards me and I staggered back as I was suddenly embraced by an overjoyed Hispanic soldier. "You are a miracle sent from God," he exclaimed in Spanish, rocking me back and forth as I struggled to get out of the uncomfortable and unwelcomed grasp. "You are the best woman I have ever met! 100 times better than all these uncultured beasts."

Epps slapped the soldier on the back and scowled at him playfully. "English, dude!"

I finally managed to pry myself free and push the ecstatic man away. "You're welcome," I replied simply in the same language. I turned to Lennox, "The barracks are completely empty and have plenty of beds and even a TV. Go down this hall, make a right, skip one turn off, and then go left. The first door on your left will be the barracks and the door across the hall the showers. There are signs around there to direct you to the mess hall."

"Can we keep her?" Epps asked as he slung an arm over my shoulders. Bristling at the even more unwelcome touch, I moved out from under it and made to go towards the waiting 'Bots when a hand landed on my shoulder.

A sweaty and tired Lennox grinned at me. "Thank you," he said honestly, shaking my shoulder lightly. "Really. If you need something or want some simple company, you obviously know where we'll be."

I nodded once before shrugging off the hand and finally going to Optimus. The huge mech picked me up wordlessly and I looked to the two teens, who were just snuggling together. "The same offer applies to you two as well," I pointed out. "There's even a girl's shower."

Mikaela wrinkled her nose and looked down at herself. "I'm definitely taking a shower. Are there clothes there too?"

"Yeah. In the first closet you see when going into the showers."

"Perfect! I'll be right back, 'Bee," she said, sliding off the lowered hand, patting the yellow mech before grabbing Sam and running after the soldiers; the boy complaining at the treatment. 'Bee waved before slumping back.

With the two gone I sat down hard and regarded the waiting 'Bots before looking up at Optimus. "Good news for you guys, too," I announced. "Ratchet, you're stuff we'll be here by late tonight or early tomorrow morning, but you'll get them. And Keller told me that the President wants to talk to you, Optimus."

"Your leader?" Ironhide mumbled, coming out of what I think was recharge. He groaned as he straightened. I nodded in affirmation and Jazz hummed.

"This is goin' much faster than ah thought it would," he mused, eyeing me. At least I think he was. It was a bit hard to tell with his…sunglasses? Optic band? on. "Ya have been busy, lil lady."

"Jazz is right," Optimus agreed, reaching up to rub my back, which I shied away from. "What is wrong, Dark Star? Are you hurt?" Ratchet's helm snapped up and I saw his optics narrow.

I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders. "My back is sore from when you and Jazz caught me during Mission City. Not to mention I probably pulled something." A blue light ran over me and I shivered at the tingling feeling before glaring at Ratchet.

"You have many abrasions and strained muscle cords as well as some cracks in your outer armor." The yellow mech frowned as he stood up and scooped me up. "Why have you not been tended to?" he demanded.

It took me a moment to decode the fancy terms into that I had a lot of bruises, a few pulled muscles, and some scratches and scrapes. "Because they aren't bad at all," I explained. "A little kid can get worse. Not to mention I've been a little preoccupied." Frowning, I looked down at my torn, tattered, and filthy clothes. "Speaking of, I'm surprised Keller didn't make me clean up before talking," I muttered. The thought of how I appeared to such a high ranking and important person made me feel a little sick. Definitely did not think that one through.

"That is no excuse to not seek medical treatment," Ratchet scolded, shaking me out of my thoughts. The yellow mech scowled as he looked around at the otherwise empty hanger. "Are your fellow humans so neglectful that they leave a youngling unaided?"

I blinked and cocked my head to the side before letting the comment slide. It was kind of inappropriate to expect alien robot to understand that I was nowhere on the "fellow humans"' radar in importance and detection. "Never mind," I said, waving a hand as if to fan away the discussion. Turning my attention back to Optimus, I said, "Keller will be here in the next 15 minutes to set up a chat with you and the president."

Warm light feelings bounced gently down the link. "Thank you for your effort and time, Star," the giant mech responded. "You must be tired. Do you wish to recharge again?"

I smiled at the thought and consideration before patting the armor beneath me. "I'm gonna clean up and grab something to eat before coming back here. If something hasn't happened by then I'll go to sleep. And, Ratchet? Keller mentioned that they found 'Bee's legs in Mission City and they'll be shipped here with your supplies."

"You need more recharge," the medic muttered as he turned back to Bumblebee. "Make sure you refuel with all your necessary nutrients and minerals."

And it was with that that Optimus set me down and I was on my way, passing Keller, Glen, and Maggie, the last two I presumed would be setting up the chat with all the equipment they were carrying.

And it was 45 minutes later that I exited the mess hall, full stomach and hair still wet from my shower and in new plain clothes. Most of my time had been spent in trying to keep the rough housing soldiers who were already eating from spilling my food or doing something stupid. It was amusing nonetheless.

I looked over my shoulder at the rowdy soldiers, who were arguing over something or another, and was turning to go back to the Autobots when I froze. A chill suddenly crept into my chest and tears came to my eyes for absolutely no reason. Breathing suddenly stopped and I listened to the other link that wasn't Optimus.

Something bad was happening. Something very, very, very bad.

Turning to the left, away from the Autobot hanger, I walked slowly in the direction I was being tugged in. In normal circumstances I would wonder what that hell was telling me all this, but this wasn't normal. I felt a dread like I never had before. Not even when I felt that Megatron was going to come through the floor and kill Sam and I or when Optimus yelled at Sam and I to shove the Allspark in his chest.

Ignoring the voices calling out behind me, I sped up. Optimus began to pulse confusion and worry down the link and I only passed on the dread in response, too focused on getting to the place I was needed in as fast as possible.

I was sprinting before I even knew it and I was led to a simple innocuous metal door. Barely breathing, I opened the door and could barely understand what I was seeing.

It was like a scaled down version of the room Bumblebee had been in. Except there hadn't been three dead sparklings in the corner of the room. And on the middle table was the writhing form of a familiar small Cybertronian. The same one who had attacked us the night Bumblebee first revealed himself. Electricity sparked and power hummed loudly enough to almost require ear plugs, but I paid no mind. I could only try and comprehend that the dozen or so men running around the room with wicked and torturous equipment were willingly harming a young Cybertronian and had possibly killed the other three in the corner.

"Who are you?" a Sector Seven agent demanded as he finally saw me standing shocked in the doorway. He approached me with a scowl. "You don't have authorization to be here. You'll have to—"

It all finally clicked in my head and I snapped, feeling the rage and horror that just swamped me and, no doubt, Optimus. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" I screamed, charging forward towards the small Decepticon. Faction didn't matter here. No child should have to suffer through the torture being put on the Decepticon. "Stop!"

When someone tried to stop me, I threw out a punch and decked the guy while whipping around in a roundhouse kick on the other guy. Shouts and yells broke out in the room as I desperately tried to get closer to the table. Red optics flickered at me desperately as a keening, stuttering, and weak wail left the tiny vocalizer. After dispatching a third agent I finally reached the table and automatically grabbed the rig hung above the table that was delivering the agonizing shocks to the young being. Wires sparked and burned my hands as I yanked them apart, effectively shutting down the whole device.

I had just looked down at the Decepticon and saw those dim red optics when arms wrapped around me and tried to pull me back. "Let me go!" I roared, bucking and pulling against the agents. Wildly, I turned my head and looked at the Cybertronian sitting up on the table. "Go!" I ordered, jerking my head towards the open door. Despite being obviously injured, there were deep gouges on his face and the torture to take into account, the little being moved with all the speed he used on the night he tackled Sam and made for the door. Gunfire rang through the air and shouts went up to 'Catch NBE 4' and the grip on me was temporarily slacked.

The same something that directed me to the room made me look to the right. There on the wall was a yellow button with a plate above it that read 'EMERGENCY ROOM LOCKDOWN'. Acting on instinct and not thinking, I shook myself free of my captors and dove for the button, lifting its protective casing and pressing the button with all I had. Looking over my shoulder, I was able to see just in time the small lithe form of the Decepticon slip out the door and the metal door snap closed with a loud 'thunk!'.

With objective one complete, my attention immediately went to the three grey forms in the corner. I didn't remember running over to them, tuning out the Sector Seven agents and the loud noises. My heart nearly stopped at the sight before me. It was the three new sparklings from Mission City. The 7-Up sparkling was at the bottom of the pile with a blackened and torn out chest plates, empty broken crystal cases glaring up at me. All three of them, the X-Box and steering wheel included, were in the same condition. And even though I hadn't been with Optimus long, I knew how they expressed emotion and all three of the small faces had terrified, agonized looks, dark optics staring back at me, pleading with me to end their pain.

A keen came out of my throat as I realized that all three of these new lives, a day old each, had been tortured to death with no remorse or hope.

I was barely aware of hands grabbing my arms and someone cruelly grabbing my hair and jerking my head back. My eyes remained on the three dead sparklings in front of me. They died in pain.

My already potent rage turned into anger-powered sorrow and I fought blindly against the men. "You murderers!" I screeched, tears spilling down my cheeks. "Let me go! Or I swear I'll make you suffer more than you made those babies hurt! Let me go!"

Just then there was a loud explosion and the hands fell away. Turning, I saw the locked door had been blown in by a blast and Lennox and his soldiers streamed in with guns of all sorts, ordering everyone to stand down. Seeing my chance, I was pivoting to go back to the dead sparklings to make sure they weren't further damaged.

Just seeing their sightless and pained optics set me off again. "How could you?!" I screamed at the surrendering agents. "They hadn't been alive for a day! And you killed them! Murderers! Killers! They'd done nothing wrong and you torture them to death!"

"Dark Star!" Lennox shouted, coming towards me, paling when he saw what I was standing next to.

Tears continued to cascade down my face as Secretary Keller entered the room, but I hardly noticed, not even when large blue optics peered into the room. But I did take notice when Martin, head of Sector Seven, stormed in behind Keller, looking furious.

And I knew. It was all his fault. He knew what had been going on in this room. He knew he was killing these innocent sparklings.

The next thing I knew I was standing in front of a shocked Martin. Grabbing the front of his expensive suit, I hauled back and punched the guy, sending his head whipping back. I kneed him in the gut, causing him to double over before snapping out a newly booted foot, and crushing his knee cap. He went down with a scream of pain and I snarled at the man. Reaching down, I fisted his collar so he would look at me. "What kind of monster are you?" I demanded lowly. Pain-filled and dazed eyes looked back at me in fear. "What kind of monster gives orders to kill children?"

He seemed to come back to himself a bit and he sneered through the blood coming from his broken nose. "Children?" he repeated before spitting in my face. "They're nothing but unfeeling complicated machines."

Rage like I never knew filled me at the statement. I never gave credit to the thought that vision went red when someone was pissed enough. Not until then at least. My sight bled in red and an unholy scream of rage left me and several someones pulled me back before I could kill the man with the knife I had pulled out of my pocket. I don't think I've ever felt the need to kill until then and I was being taken away from my victim.

When it became clear that I wasn't getting free, I resorted to spitting curses in every language I knew, cursing the man and anything related to him.

I barely noticed when a metal servo carefully circled me and picked me up, only raged against the different cage. My mind was filled with nothing but the picture of the dead tortured sparklings and Martin's words.

"Dark Star."

I switched to Chinese and ripped into tearing apart Martin's ancestral honor and how he came from vile, mud-eating pigs.

"Lil Lady."

My metal cage was changed for another and I stalled a bit when I felt a familiar pulse against my back. Gritting my teeth, I struggled to get past my bloodlust.

"Little one."

Blinking, a wave of calm and reassurance swamped over my rage and violence and very nearly drowned me. The air literally choked in my throat as I turned towards OP's distinctive voice and met those deep blue concerned optics. Tears filled my eyes as sorrow and grief replaced anger. "They're dead," I croaked, focusing only on Optimus. Tears fell again as my eyes closed and the picture of the sparklings came back. "They killed the three sparklings. The three from Mission City. Tortured and murdered."

Explosive Cybertronian went up behind me and I turned to see Jazz and Ironhide leaving the Autobot hanger while Ratchet punched the nearest wall, breaking out a huge piece of concrete, and 'Bee spat out static and fisted his servos, not able to do much without legs. Optimus' rage and sorrow, unmistakably those two emotions, flooded me through the link and my head spun from the intensity.

I couldn't recall what happened next. I know I was with Optimus the entire time as the reassuring pulse on my back never left, but words were spoken and shouted around me as I struggled to find myself in the wave of emotions.

"Dark Star," Optimus finally called and the tsunami abated for a little bit. Blinking and squinting up at my friend, I felt a smaller darker emotion come through before he spoke. "My apologies, Dark Star. I had not meant to overwhelm you."

"We're even since I think I did the same to you earlier," I muttered, finally able to tell up from down and focus on those deep blue optics.

"It is still no excuse." Optimus glanced to the side where Keller was furiously yelling in his cellphone and I could feel Precision clinging to my neck once more, apparently brought out of recharge by all the chaos. "I must speak to Keller and get a handle on the…situation." Another flash of fury and sadness before it was brought under control. "I was in the middle of a conversation when I was made aware of your distress. I was told to contact the man again at a time that is coming soon. Could you speak with this man for me while I do what I must?"

I nodded robotically as I pulled Precision to my chest and held him closely. "Of course. Whom I am speaking to?"

"Your leader, George W. Bush."

I blinked and stared at Optimus. "You want me to talk to the President of the United States?" I asked hoarsely.

"If you do not think you are up to it I can reschedule the talk."

Shaking my head immediately, I replied. "You can't just do that. This is the President. You can't brush him off like "Sorry I'm busy". You just don't do that."

"Then you will take the call?"

I scowled but nodded. "What were you two going to talk about?"

And that's how I found myself, sitting in front of a computer. I looked down at Precision from where he sat quietly in my lap. "I'm about to talk to the President of the United States," I whispered in English. Red optics blinked up at me innocently as he clicked a sound that I would bet my wireless tower meant "So?". "Someone like me usually never gets the chance to talk to him," I murmured back, eyeing the technician that was typing away on his laptop.

Precision narrowed his optics for a moment in thought before speaking in English back. "Why?" The sparkling was trying hard to understand English and he did understand most of what I was saying, but it was the speaking part that was getting to him. I would have to ask Ratchet if it was just because he was so young.

I shrugged and looked at the clock. Another minute until the designated time. "He's important and I'm not." Precision automatically made a negative protesting sound and I smiled down at the indignant sparkling as he began to rant at me.

"30 seconds," the tech called over to me, eyeing the fuming Precision.

I nodded and glanced down at the sparkling. "How do I look?"

Precision blinked at the sudden change before cuddling to my chest and crooning a word I wasn't familiar with. He did this repeatedly until I pushed him back into my lap and turned to the little web cam. The screen showed a live feed of my face in the bottom corner and I thought I might be at least a little presentable to the President with my hair quickly brushed and in a neat pony tail and in a clean but baggy T-Shirt. I was a little self-conscious of my scars out on full display along with my new scrapes and scratches from Mission City, but that was replaced by anxiety as the black screen told me a connection had been made. Taking a deep breath, I readied myself.

The aged face of President George W. Bush came online. Blue eyes narrowed at the sight of me. "Excuse me, young lady, but I was expecting to talk with someone else. Who might you be?" he asked kindly, though I could hear the edge underneath the accented voice. He didn't sound as kind as Keller.

I nodded in greeting before replying. "My apologies, Mr. President. I am a friend of Optimus Prime and he sends his own apologies at not being able to make it. A situation has come up and required his full attention."

The President sat back in his leather chair, causing it to squeak. "Mr. Prime did mention something about a problem before ending our last encounter," he mused, obviously fishing.

"Yes, sir. Optimus is dealing with the problem as we speak." I paused for a moment before adding, "You will no doubt get a report on it soon. This is not something that is being taken lightly at all."

Grey eyebrows rose a little and the man sat forward. "Oh? Perhaps you can tell me what has happened."

I debated a little. I didn't want to seem too eager to please, but I also didn't want to tell the man that it was none of his business. So what to do? "You know of the government group designated Sector Seven, yes, Mr. President?" I asked in a roundabout way, being careful not to look accusatory at all.

"I only became aware of this group just recently," he answered, a bit evasively himself. "I have men investigating the full extent of this Sector Seven as well as how much funding and reach they have."

I nodded slowly, looking at the president from under my lashes as I pet Precision's back. He looked honest and none of my alarms were going off, but it always paid to be careful. "Well, then you should know the purpose of Sector Seven." Pulling my ever present backpack from my shoulder I pulled my laptop out and spun the screen so that he could see the mainframe of Sector Seven. "Sector Seven's purpose as far as I can see is the searching for evidence, capture, and…evaluation of any and all extraterrestrial activity."
"Hence why they're involved now," the President mused, weaving his fingers together to rest his chin on. "I've seen Optimus Prime and I must say it's…certainly something else."

I bristled and Precision chirped in my lap, sensing my tension. "'He'," I corrected the man coldly, almost barely glaring at the powerful man. "Optimus Prime and all Cybertronians have enough sentience and a society to have proper pronouns, sir."

"Forgive me," the President said a bit insincerely, cocking an eyebrow.

Consciously, I relaxed my shoulders and glanced down at Precision reassuringly. "Sector Seven had in their possession an ancient and powerful Cybertronian artifact called the Allspark along with Megatron, the leader of the Decepticon faction, the enemies of the Autobots, and now deceased," I explained. "They examined the Allspark and Megatron for many a decade, reverse engineering Megatron to give us our modern day technology, cars, computers, and much more. But the Allspark was the focus of their studies. The Allspark was sacred and coveted to all Cybertronians because it was what gave all Cybertronians life. Without it, none of them would be here today."

"'Was'?"

"It was destroyed in the battle in Mission City. Nothing remains of it." I purposefully thought back to the shard Optimus had pulled from Megatron's chest, but chose to remain quiet on the subject. Optimus would reveal it in his own time.

"And what does this… 'Allspark' have to do with everything?"

I resisted the urge to look down at Precision. "Sector Seven was aware of the Allspark's life-giving capabilities and used it often, creating young Cybertronians. Babies if you will. After that they mercilessly experimented on the sparklings, torturing them until their sparks finally gave out and they died."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," the President cut off, sitting forward and waving a hand to cut me off. "I want an alliance with Mr. Prime and his 'Autobots', but these are serious accusations against a government agency, young lady. How do you know Sector Seven has experimented and tortured as you say? And these 'Cybertronians' are machines! How could they possibly have babies?"

Before I could even do anything Precision jumped up on to the table and glared at the President. "I would…be dead with…no…help," he spoke in broken English. "Box bad. Humans in black, hurt. Hurt me. Hurt Carrier. Hurt Carrier's…friends." The President blinked, eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

Sighing, I tapped Precision's helm in reprimand before pulling the sparkling back to my chest. "This is Precision, Mr. President. He was created from the Allspark just before Mission City and is, by all accounts, a sparkling, a baby." The President could only stare. "Before we all got involved, Optimus Prime and the Autobots I mean, I could understand that they had the same mindset you do. That they're just machines and can't feel. But even when I expressly told one of their top agents what they were doing they did so again, killing three sparklings and nearly killing a fourth." Silence reigned and I waited, if a bit anxiously.

Finally, still regarding the now purring Precision, the President covered his mouth and nose in almost disbelief. "I cannot condone child murder," he murmured, muffled by his hand. "Human or otherwise."

I resisted the urge to give the man a dry look. It was maybe a bit dramatic, but I could get the message, though it did make me kind of wonder why this man was being so willing to cuddle with the Autobots when he was incredibly against terrorists. Didn't he see that the Autobots could easily exceeded the danger those terrorists posed? Or maybe that was why. Anyway, I didn't want to delve too much into the President's mind: the man confused the hell out of me and I gave up a few months into his term.

"Believe me, I will handle Sector Seven as soon as possible," Mr. President assured me, still coming off a bit dramatic.

I nodded and put Precision back in my lap, trying to decide if I should be supportive of his act or scolding him. "Now that the most pressing matter is dealt with," I prodded, "I believe the last topic you and Optimus were discussing was base location?"

"Yes. We were thinking of removing the Autobots from any nearby civilian population."

"Alright. The Nevada deserts are pretty removed. As are areas in Wyoming."

We discussed base locations, which ended with the statement that ideas would be brainstormed and narrowed down on a later date with a temporary base for the Autobots by South Gate, California being prepared as we spoke, citizenship for the Autobots, which was agreed upon along with human aliases should it ever be needed at my insistence, reaffirming which Autobots were on Earth, and future actions for the Autobots. The President seemed hopeful for a team of Autobots and humans who would fight Decepticons.

But for now it was just talk.

"Thank you for speaking with me Mr. President," I said, nodding in good bye as our long talk came to an end.

"A pleasure, young lady," he replied, fixing his tie. "What was your name again?"

"Dark Star," I answered after a little hesitation. I couldn't tell the President that my name didn't matter after all. "I will pass on any information mentioned here on to Optimus Prime."

"I hope to speak with you again, Ms. Star."

"Have a good day, Mr. President."

The second the screen clicked off and the tech gave me the all clear I slumped slowly in my chair and looked down at Precision. He chirred up at me in a questioning tone. "My life has gone crazy," I muttered. He giggle-clicked as I stood up and left to find Optimus.

It took a bit of time because while the other Autobots were in their hanger Optimus was in Megatron's old hanger. It looked like it had been mostly cleaned up with only damage to the walls needing repairs. I didn't even have to call to get his attention as I entered with Precision: he sensed me coming and waited for me. I smiled up at him as I tried to evaluate his emotions. They were surprisingly…closed off. Like something was blocking me, but I could tell that he wasn't in a happy mood right now. And he shouldn't be after the sparklings.

Which brought my mood down a bit. Deciding to try and brighten Optimus' mood, I began to inform him on my meeting with the president. Now there's a weird sentence. "Hey, OP," I greeted after getting on his servo to be raised to his level. Precision clicked his own hello. "I think the meeting with the President went well. He really seems to want to help you guys, though I think that's more from not wanting more enemies than he already has, but it works out in our favor anyway." And so I filled him in on all the topics we discussed, saving Sector Seven for last. "The President is on our side with the sparkling incident. He said he'll deal with them, but didn't elaborate. We'll just have to wait on whatever he's going to do."

Optimus nodded and looked elsewhere, lost in thought. "Secretary Keller is pushing to have Sector Seven shut down. But his is not the only voice speaking up." I began to get a sinking feeling when he looked back down at me. "The head of operations here at Sector Seven wants you incarcerated for assaulting his men on two occasions as well as himself. He is stating that you are a danger to any and all operations involving humans and should be…dealt with."

I was quiet, taking this information in as Precision chirred in confusion, looking between the mech and I. "What do you want me to do?"

His next words hurt. "I think it would be wise if you left the base and went back to Chicago."

Here it was. The time where my usefulness was gone and I was no longer needed.