Hope everyone had a good holiday. I've had a few personal issues to deal with hence the delay. I will try and update regularly from here on out, but just a short chapter here.

I realize I keep mentioning Arcee, but she's never actually present... I've simply had no place for her in the current plot, but she's around. It's not the greatest, but I didn't want to simply ignore the fact that she was there given that she was in the previous story. I'm not sure that she will pop up save for mentions, but we'll see.

It had been far too quiet in the base since Bumblebee had left with the two humans, close on the heels of Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. After Ratchet and Arcee had successfully stored away what could be taken from the infirmary, Arcee had immediately left to patrol the base's perimeter. Ratchet's reservations about the idea had led to him protesting quite verbally, but he knew it was an argument he wasn't going to win. Arcee was capable of handling herself and besides, it wasn't his place to dictate what she could or couldn't do.

Reluctantly, Ratchet had watched her go, receiving a knock on his shoulder from the femme as she told him he was simply being overprotective. He knew it was true, but the friendship they'd built over the decades made him uneasy at times like this. To take his mind off of things, he'd resumed the work of destroying what supplies in the infirmary were either inconsequential or simply couldn't be taken. There was no sense in leaving things around for the Decepticons to salvage.

Once that had been completed, there was nothing left to do. The silence had started to grate on his nerves enough to put him further on edge. Admittedly, Ratchet had gotten used to the voices of the humans running amok (and maybe even a little bit fond of them, although he'd never admit it openly), so their absence felt decidedly wrong. He needed to talk to someone, to have a cerebral conversation with another individual to convince himself that he wasn't alone in the base. The only person not incredibly busy and not Optimus Prime was Wheeljack. While any attempts to engage Wheeljack in casual discussion usually devolved into technical debates and flailing of limbs, at this junction Ratchet was willing to do anything to break the silence. Heading over to Wheeljack's station and opening the door to the com room, Ratchet took a deep breath and entered.

Wheeljack was hunched over the central monitor station absorbed in the streaming readout on the console face before him. When Ratchet entered, Wheeljack didn't bother to look up, but simply raised his hand in acknowledgment of the medic's presence.

"All critical systems have been purged. Teletraan-1's core interface and essential data systems have been uploaded to the western facility. But you're probably not here to talk about that," Wheeljack remarked, vocal panels blinking dully against the computer console. He looked up at Ratchet and squinted. "So what are you here to talk about?"

"Anything. It's too slagging quiet around here," Ratchet said with a grunt, rotating his shoulder to work out the kinks from packing as he walked closer to the engineer at the control console. "The twins were supposed to report every hour and, as usual, they've failed to succeed at even that most simple of tasks. Have you received anything from them?"

"Reports?" Wheeljack looked taken aback. "No, I haven't received any updates from them at all." He trailed off, losing himself in thought. "Things have been quiet. So quiet, in fact, that I was able to encode the scanning systems into CAMY here so that we could continue to monitor the area until it's time to leave. All I'll need to do is pull the plug when we're ready to go." Wheeljack stopped, and appeared to be scratching at a ridge on his head. "It seems to be working. I calibrated the bundled packet sensors and tested them time and again using ghost data from the previous hits, and each time it found the anomalies before they started deconstruction. That should give us enough time to know they're here before they know we've spotted them... although we're not really going to know unless the 'Cons do decide to drop in on us. Until they drop in on us, I should say."

"How efficient will it be?" Ratchet asked, grimly, ignoring the fact that Wheeljack seemed to be dead-set on calling his invention by name.

"We'll either see it coming... or we won't," Wheeljack said, matter-of-factly. He looked at the large box that was CAMY, plugged into a series of ports at the outer edge of the massive computer. He seemed to linger on it for a moment, and Ratchet had a pretty good idea as to what he was thinking.

"Well, this still doesn't tell me why the twins have yet to report in. I'm getting the feeling that more bad news is on its way... At any rate, we'll need to tell Prime about this," Ratchet said. He was about to turn and go hunt down Prime, but he stopped, sensing the engineer's disturbance. "You haven't heard anything from Bumblebee either, have you? He's with Sari and Allison." Wheeljack shook his head, and Ratchet frowned. "Hmm. Bumblebee's not normally the sort to miss a report. He's eager, but he's a good bot."

Wheeljack looked a little hesitant, and Ratchet caught the look on his face. "What is it? Is there something you're not telling me?"

"Actually...Allison did try to contact me, but I didn't respond." It was a good thing that Wheeljack was not looking directly at him, otherwise he would have seen Ratchet's exaggerated shrug of frustration.

"You were ignoring her? I swear, sometimes you have the emotional maturity of a cyber-newt. And she's not much better. The pair of you were practically built for each other."

Ratchet had known Wheeljack for a very, very long time. They had been friends for most of their lives, albeit ones that constantly got under each other's mesh. Wheeljack was not one to be open with his emotions, and tended to keep himself more closed off when it came to matters of the spark. He had his own special methods of coping with the stress and loss war, and that generally meant he would lock himself away in his lab for extended periods of time. If keeping himself busy was what worked for him, Ratchet was in no real position to judge.

Allison however, was a special exception. Wheeljack probably assumed he was getting away with it by appearing indifferent, when in actuality it was with these matters that his emotions were more obvious. Ratchet knew him well enough to be able to ascertain that Wheeljack's stubborn behavior was more out of his own concern for her safety, rather than outright anger. He simply didn't know how to show it. All Ratchet knew, was that staying angry would only make it hurt more.

"It's complicated, all right? I just needed time to think is all. Besides, she's only going to yell at me. Just like you always are."

"What? I never yell at you," Ratchet said incredulously, voice raised.

"You're yelling right now!" Wheeljack pointed out dubiously, optics narrowed.

"I am not!" Ratchet looked a little taken back, then threw his arms up in frustration, venting air. He walked over to Wheeljack and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, wanting to instill calm. "Look, I spoke to her earlier. She was upset, yes, but I think it was more out of concern for you. I get the impression that she feels very disrupted when you're not on speaking terms. I think she would like to hear from you, at least to know you're alright."

Wheeljack looked at him pensively, venting air heavily. "You're right," he said quietly, panels a soft white. "I think I should probably call her back."

"Of course I'm right," Ratchet said, walking to the door. "And since you might not see her until we reach our new home, it'll make you feel better if you do call her." Stopping mid-stride, Ratchet turned again. "You really have nothing to worry about. I saw her down there with Starscream. She's really fine, and that's the truth."

"That's the thing, though," Wheeljack said. "As long as that pile of scrap is alive, he's going to keep coming for her. He isn't going to stop until he forces me to watch her die again. I know it." Wheeljack's eyes narrowed, underscoring his severe expression that was mostly hidden by his battle mask. "I should have killed him." His intent sounded clear, but his voice lacked the conviction. Wheeljack was a lot of things, but a killer was not one of them.

"As much as I want them all to be scrapped too... you would have regretted that, and don't try to deny it. That just isn't you," Ratchet vented air deeply, looking for the appropriate words. "Wheeljack, you're not the only one who has a stake in this. I'm the one who had to resuscitate her, remember? This is important to me too." Ratchet stopped, barely aware of the words coming from his vocalizer. He was surprised at his own admissions, not normally comfortable revealing something so intimate to anyone, with possibly the exception of Arcee. Even so, such emotional discourse was rare, and difficult for him. "I know Allison is important to you, Wheeljack. But that doesn't mean the rest of us have any less intention to keep her safe."

"I know," Wheeljack nodded in acknowledgment. "Next time she calls, I'll answer."

"Don't wait for her to call," Ratchet said. "Take the initiative, for Primus's sake. She'll appreciate it."

Wheeljack paused for a moment, then put a finger to his temple, activating his internal com system. There was a brief moment of silence before he frowned and lowered his hand.

"She didn't answer."

"Well, keep trying," Ratchet said. "I'm going to have a word with Optimus."

Wheeljack watched Ratchet as he exited the room, then raised his hand to his temple and tried again.

"You did what?" Bumblebee was yelling, feeling a perplexed fury unlike any he had ever known. He was finding it impossible to wrap his processor around the stupidity of the other Autobot before him. Sari had long since removed herself from the immediate vicinity, now sitting silently on a fallen log some distance away from the three Autobots for safety's sake. Safety, just in case any wanton fisticuffs started to fly.

Sunstreaker was leaning against a tree with his arms folded, looking far too smug considering the argument was directed at him. Bumblebee had caught up to Sideswipe easily, as the Autobot had been lazing around watching a group of teenagers vandalize a closed-up coffee stand. The humans had ultimately been ignored, for the two of them had set to hunt down Sideswipe's other half who'd seemingly vanished, only to appear as if by magic like nothing had been weird about his absence. Allison's absence however, was immediately clear, though the Autobot acted as if nothing was particularly amiss.

"You heard me." Sunstreaker had been far too proud of himself after announcing his little stunt, but what had made Bumblebee even more uncomfortable was the Autobot's seeming lack of empathy. The twins pulled many pranks in their lifetime, but despite their hazards, they were generally directed at other Autobots; Ratchet mostly. In hindsight, they would almost be safe when compared to what Sunstreaker had apparently thought was an amazingly brilliant way to haze the new human. In this matter Bumblebee did not agree, and he had a pretty good idea that Wheeljack would not approve either.

"She needed some time to cool off and learn her place. I gave her that opportunity."

"Wh-why on Cybertron would you do that?" Bumblebee raised his hands to his head in disbelief. "What the Pit were you thinking?" His eyes flitted around as he tried to come to grips with what Sunstreaker was saying. What disturbed him the most, was the fact that Sunstreaker was acting with a persistent, nonchalant indifference about the whole affair. Normally after a prank, the twins couldn't stop laughing and congratulating themselves over their success in wreaking havoc.

This was different. This almost didn't even register with Sunstreaker, given his bland, uninterested scowl. It was obvious Sideswipe had not been privy to his brother's actions this time around, as the red Autobot was uncharacteristically silent. Sideswipe was looking at the ground with an expression of detachment, avoiding any sort of eye contact as if that would somehow remove him from the conversation.

"She's just in a little box, it's no big deal. She's probably going to be fine." Sunstreaker was looking at his hands, as if bored. Sunstreaker's attitude was always a source of irritation, but right now it was simply fueling Bumblebee's growing rage.

"She's probably going to be fine? This wasn't something you thought about, was it? You're not serious are you?" Bumblebee stopped, realizing that he was firing off questions too fast. Sunstreaker was starting to look at him in a way that made him think he was about to start throwing punches, if only for the fact that his integrity was being threatened. Not wanting to start anything with Sari present, Bumblebee tried to soften his voice. "Sunstreaker, that poor girl is probably hysterical right now. She doesn't know you like we do, and she certainly doesn't know that you two clowns pull this kind of crap all the time."

"Hey, it's not my fault she frightens easily," Sunstreaker snickered.

"You're the one who put her there. And you've still yet to explained why you thought kidnapping Allison was a good idea." Bumblebee put his hands on his head and pulled at his horns in frustration. "Wheeljack is going to kill you. I kind of want to kill you right now. But I won't be able to because Wheeljack is going to kill me first. Did you even think about that? Did that thought even pop into that tiny processor?" He looked at Sari, who was watching him with an absorbed, attentive look. He thought for a moment what he would have done if Sunstreaker had done this to her, and came to the conclusion that he would in fact maim the other Autobot. He was getting close to that already, if only due to the terror of what was going to happen to all three of them if they didn't have an Allison with them when they went back.

"Don't care..." Sunstreaker huffed, looking up at the sky. Sideswipe finally looked up at his brother, startled, but he didn't say anything. He simply watched him with a wide-eyed look of shock, and Sunstreaker merely glanced at him before turning back to admiring his own hands.

"That's unfortunately very obvious, but it isn't up to you. It isn't up to any of us, and I think that Wheeljack is going to give you a well-deserved aft-kicking which might put you in your place. But I doubt it."

"Those are awfully big words for such a tiny Autobot," Sunstreaker observed wryly, and Bumblebee was thoroughly convinced that the Autobot truly didn't care. He wanted to think he was just too dense to really get it, but Sunstreaker was not stupid. He was insufferable, but also far too clever for his own good, and he made it known. He was now trying to bait him by pointing out his smaller stature as if that was a weakness, but Bumblebee wasn't going to let him do that, regardless of how much he bristled at the remark.

"People don't generally lock up other people just because they feel like it. Especially if they're our friends."

"We're not people." Sunstreaker's eyes narrowed dangerously and he straightened, standing upright stiffly with pride. "We're Cybertronians. And they aren't our friends. They are weak, and they are liabilities. I think you forget that sometimes."

"You don't mean that," Bumblebee shot back. When Sunstreaker didn't respond to his outburst, Bumblebee shook his head and sighed. "You know, sometimes I wonder if you've forgotten what it means to be an Autobot." He turned and looked over at Sideswipe. "Say something. He's your brother. Please tell me you can't honestly be okay with this slag coming out his mouth, right?"

Sideswipe hesitated for a moment, obviously not wanting to be dragged into the argument further as his mouth opened to speak but no words came out. It was clear he didn't approve of his brother's actions, but he didn't look particularly eager to say it to his face.

After a moment of silent pondering he placed a hand on Sunstreaker's shoulder and finally spoke.

"Sunny, tell me where she is."

"Why, so you can go run to her rescue?" Sunstreaker's face shifted abruptly to anger, violently so, as if the very question had pushed just the right button to set his nerves on edge. Sideswipe looked taken aback.

"That's not a question you should even have to ask. You took her, then dumped her somewhere. I wouldn't even do that, and I'll do just about anything." The first sign of Sideswipe's emotion could be seen on his face as a flash of anger that made his optics go white. Bumblebee took a step back, no longer concerned that he would be the one caught in a physical altercation. The twins were not afraid to get into physical, sometimes even violent fights, which always led them to Ratchet's medical bay. This was looking like it could stray very close to that.

"You've spent so long on this planet that I think you've let it corrupt you." Sunstreaker had stepped forward, and Sideswipe now found himself face-to-face with his own brother, their nose plates nearly touching as Sunstreaker snarled. "I'm sick of this place. I see you interacting with the humans, with her, and sometimes I think you even enjoy it."

"It's none of your fraggin' business what I do in my spare time..." Sideswipe jabbed his finger into Sunstreaker's chest-plate, momentarily pushing his brother back.

"It is my business, because you're my brother-" Sunstreaker growled, undaunted, as he went one step further and pushed his whole hand roughly into Sideswipe's chest. The red Autobot stumbled back a step, but immediately came back forward with a hand raised as he shoved Sunstreaker away from him.

"Look, I know you're my brother, but this is not an ideal that I share with you. I've accepted that we're stuck here, and I'll make the most of it while I can. That doesn't mean I'm going to suddenly forget who I am or where I came from. And I'm certainly not going to forget who my brother is." Sideswipe stepped back as Sunstreaker moved forward with a grimace of anger, the red brother's face softening for a moment as if begging for peace. "I need you to do the same."

Sunstreaker cast his gaze down at the ground, and his features bore an expression that Bumblebee had never seen on the angry Autobot before. It might have been regret, or sadness, though he couldn't tell for sure.

"I hate them," Sunstreaker mumbled. He didn't sound quite so confident in his own words, but it was obvious that he was holding on to his stubborn ideals. "I hate all of these humans. They're disgusting vermin. Small, pathetic, weak."

Bumblebee noticed that Sari had shrank back from her seat on the log, eying them all apprehensively as she tried to make herself look small. He was compelled to take a step closer to her to protect her from Sunstreaker's line of sight, even though he knew that the Autobot wouldn't ever physically harm her. He hoped.

Sideswipe looked at his brother with pity. "Please," Sideswipe pushed, looking at his brother with a mixture of urgency and pity in his eyes. "Do it for me."

"Alright. But only since you asked so nicely," Sunstreaker said after a moment, emitting a deep rush of air as he vented heavily. Sideswipe was smiling with approval, and while Sunstreaker had managed to attempt a joke, Bumblebee was not yet convinced that this was going to magically make things better. He was concerned that Sideswipe would once again become disillusioned to his brother's more aggressive means of dealing with things, sometimes going completely against what they had swore to hold sacred as an Autobot. Bumblebee watched Sideswipe with a little bit of sadness as he seemed proud, putting a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Thank you Sunstreaker," Sideswipe said. "See? You're not a complete lost cause."

"I don't know about that," Sunstreaker said, sourly.

"Well I do," Sideswipe said. "Trust me, I'm your brother. I know these things."

"She's a little ways east of here, just a few kliks," Sunstreaker said, looking up at the sky "There's an old rail stop that looks like it hasn't been in use for a long time." To Bumblebee, it looked like he was having great difficulty admitting what he'd done, and where he'd taken Allison. "I had intended on going back for her. At first... maybe I had thought of leaving her there indefinitely. But..."

"You're not that cruel, Sunny," Sideswipe said, interrupting him. "Stupid, hotheaded, and a host of other things. But you're not cruel."

"I don't know," Sari said, finally piping in, causing Bumblebee to turn around with a start and look down at the girl. Sari was standing on top of the log, hands pressed against her hips as she frowned at Sunstreaker. "Kidnapping Allison then locking her up in an old train like that sounds pretty cruel to me," the girl added, voice high with emotion. Bumblebee waved his hands at her shyly, afraid that she was going to single-handedly rile Sunstreaker up again, possibly convincing him to change his mind about doing the right thing.

"Listen here you little twerp," Sunstreaker rounded on Sari with hotly glowing eyes, leaning forward as if he was going to step in her direction. "You're barely sparked, so what the frag do you know? You don't have a brother to protect, but if someone came around and made eyes with this little runt you'd want them gone!" Sunstreaker waved an arm at Bumblebee, who decided to ignore the insult hurled at him in the interest of moving between them to block contact.

"Your impulse was to lock her up in a train just because she was getting along with your brother? How stupid are you?" Sari was smart enough to not allow Bumblebee to simply stand in front of her to stop her. She had jumped off the log and shot past Bumblebee's leg as if to make a run for the other Autobot. Bumblebee had the foresight to anticipate this, and was fast enough to grab the girl and scoop her off the ground. Sari squirmed in his hand, breathing heavily as she flailed. It shocked Bumblebee to see the girl so heated up.

"This isn't my fault..." Sideswipe muttered, his expression once again one of stone-faced shock. Sari was still hurling half-focused, uncoordinated insults at Sunstreaker as she struggled to break herself out of Bumblebee's hand. At this point, Bumblebee realized that things were quickly spiraling out of control, and he was going to be the only one to bring back order if they hoped to find Allison before the others realized something was wrong.

"You two can work out your personal problems later. Right now, we have to find Allison." Bumblebee said through gritted dental plates, feeling his systems heat up with anger. He hadn't initially felt it, but now that the shock had worn off, he was starting to feel, angry, furious even, that Sunstreaker had the nerve to do something so dangerous to one of their own as if it was his decision to make. "You had no right... no right at all to decide what happens to Allison, and I guarantee you Wheeljack and Optimus Prime will agree with you." Sari had finally calmed, hands pressed tensely against his finger as she looked up at him, flushed from her exertions. He glanced down at her and at the behest of her frown, worked to calm down his overworked systems.

"Now, let's go get her."