Chapter 14

Primus, did every slaggin' bot drop what they were doing to stick their noses out in the hall? Flashback walked alongside his sister, blue optics slightly narrowed in agitation. They'd been walking through the autobot base for little over ten minutes, and so far they hadn't gone more than a second without having a pair of optics planted on them. First, when they arrived in the bridge room, it had been Red Alert. The mech had looked relieved at first, probably because no one came back without so much as a scratch on them, and then his gaze had fallen on Flashback and his family, and had widened.

Apparently, Optimus hadn't warned him, or anyone else for that matter, about them tagging along. Flashback was pretty sure that the entire autobot population in the area was there, in the hallways, staring at them like they were criminals being walked to the court room. In a way, Flashback mused darkly, they were.

He glanced at his sister. She was the picture of calm, head high and shoulders rolling gracefully with every step. Ash and her brat were still seated on her back, giggling and whispering to each other. It was odd seeing Sundance in her beast mode. The last time she'd been in it this long was on earth, before they were shipped off to the moon. He wondered absently if maybe she'd stay in this form now that she was here, or if she'd go back to her bi-pedal mode.

While watching her, he caught Backlash's hand squeeze into a fist. Flashback looked to his brother then, realizing that the mech was tense. It wasn't an obvious tension, not the kind that locked up the joints and tightened cables. Because Backlash never showed that much emotion or wariness. No, this was just a little bit of tension, in his hands, in his footsteps, which were controlled and even quieter than they usually were. His face was carefully impassive, like it usually was, but Flashback caught it when his lip plates twitched marginally, the corners of his mouth tilting down just a tiny bit. He didn't want to be here, but he suffered through it anyway.

Flashback turned his optics ahead again, settling them on Optimus' back. The mech was leading them to some kind of conference room where they could all talk without a bunch of optics on them. They walked for a few minutes more, and Flashback found himself once again annoyed by all the stares. He was half tempted to call the mechs and femmes out on it, but decided against it when Prowl shot him a look like he knew exactly what he was thinking. Flashback bit down on the urge to vent childishly loud. Instead, he met the mech's optics and frowned deeply, the expression pulling his face plates down. When Prowl kept looking at him, he crossed his optics and made a face.

"Flash!" Sundance hissed beside him, stepping on his foot. Flashback stumbled slightly, then shot her a glare. Her optics were narrowed at him, but he could see that they were bright with laughter. Her lip plates twitched a little, like she wanted to smile. His glare faded, and he smiled back at her before looking up again.

Optimus and the mechs beside him, namely Ironhide, Jazz, and Prowl, turned suddenly into a room. Most of the mechs that had been in their party broke off then, all but Optimus and the ones walking beside or behind him. Sundance stepped ahead of Flashback and Backlash, following them without a word. Once the doors closed behind them, Optimus and his lackeys turned to face them.

Ironhide spoke first, "What the pit happened today?"

"Burrowers," Sundance answered. She bent her neck and carefully lifted the humans on her back to set them on the floor at her feet. She shook herself out, like she was trying to knock out dirt and dust from her armor before she shifted back a few steps and began to transform. Flashback crossed his arms, noticing the look of curiosity on Jazz's face as she emerged out of the twists of red and gray alloys. She stood up, raising to her full height, "we've been monitoring them on the moon since we arrived. We realized a few days ago that they were disappearing, so we went underground to search and found a functioning autobot warp gate."

"A what?"

"A warp gate," She repeated, glancing down when Ash leaned against her toe claws. "Backlash was the one that discovered it. We have no idea how long it's been functioning or how long the burrowers have even known it was there, but they've been using it to go to earth."

"You've mentioned Driller," Optimus said, "do you think Shockwave has a hand in this?"

"We know he does," Backlash spoke up unexpectedly. His voice was soft and toneless, but it seemed to grab everyone's attention. He continued, "Earlier this week I came to earth to track down one of the burrowers, and when I caught her, she mentioned Shockwave. Today, Driller appeared in the middle of the assault. Once he left, so did the burrowers. Its the only reasonable explanation we have at this point, considering that hardly any of the burrowers have a processor sound enough to actually plan an attack."

"A ringleader to the circus," Jazz repeated Backlash's earlier words, "I get ya, now."

Backlash gave a single nod, "He's using the burrowers as a small army of sorts."

"What exactly are the burrowers? We couldn't identify their signatures," Prowl asked slowly.

"Burrowers are mechs and femmes that were driven insane by the war," Flashback explained, "they're made of 'cons and 'bots. When the war started, or whenever they decided to drop out of it, they buried themselves underground and stayed there until they went looney in the processor. Over the years they've been collecting on the moon, and thats where we've been keeping them. Until now, anyway. But we had no idea there was a slaggin' warp gate there."

"Burrowers, warp gates, why didn't you report this to us?" Prowl continued, blue optics narrowing.

"Because it didn't concern you," Sundance said simply, crossing her arms over her jagged chest plates. When he turned to her with a frown on his face, she explained, "The burrowers were our responsibility, so we didn't see a need to contact you about it. You mechs have enough on your plates as it is, the last thing you need is to be worrying about a moon full of psychos."

"Sundance," Optimus said softly, "you and your family are still a part of this faction."

Backlash snorted audibly. Flashback glanced at him but didn't call him out on it. Optimus glanced at the younger mech, but finished, "If we had known this was happening, we could have helped you and possibly prevented all of this."

"We never needed help with the burrowers," Sundance countered, "none of this would have happened if we'd known that there was a warp gate on the moon."

"And how could you have missed something that big?" Ironhide asked.

"We don't know," Flashback shrugged, "we're still trying to figure that out. The only thing we can really think of is some type of cloaking that Shockwave put on it."

"Is anyone guarding the warp gate now?"

"Mom and dad," Sundance answered.

"Do you know how many are here?" Jazz started, "it looked like you already took outta handful in New York."

"Last count we took," Backlash answered, pausing like he was thinking, "there was about forty of them on the moon. We offlined three or four when we found the warp gate while trying to stop them from escaping..." He glanced at Flashback and Sundance, "how many today?"

"Fourteen," Sundance answered, "so there's still a little over twenty left. They're all of average strength and speed for burrowers, all but Viral. Did you see her, 'Lash?"

"Not today. I don't think she's gotten through the gate yet." He vented softly, "but she won't stay out of the action for long. Eventually, she's going to show up."

"That the femme you were huntin' down in the caves?" Jazz asked curiously. Backlash nodded again. Jazz raised an optic ridge, "What? Did ya just let 'er go?"

"He always does," Flashback said, giving Backlash the same look.

"Why?"

"Because we can't hold her," Sundance said, "Viral is by far the nastiest of the burrowers. She's completely unpredictable, and she gets out out of just about anything, even stasis cuffs. We can't hold her on the ship, so he does what he can to keep her under control on the moon."

"...Interestin'. You said earlier that you thought there was more to this attack," Jazz continued, still looking at Backlash.

"I think it was a test or a lure," Backlash began when the others looked at him, "there was only three of us there to defend the city. Shockwave has a small army of burrowers and Driller, if he had wanted, he could have overcome us."

Flashback blinked when he felt something on his sister's side of the sibling bond. He sent her a curious look, but she was focused on Backlash. The taller mech was still talking, "Shockwave is a strategist. If he really has managed to manipulate the burrowers, then he has a purpose for them. He wouldn't just waste their numbers in a 'hit and run' unless it was part of his plans."

"Why would he want to test or lure us?" Optimus picked up the interrogation.

"...I don't know."

An awkward quiet fell over them as the autobots processed the information. It was Prowl who asked, "Why are you here?"

Flashback narrowed his optics. Sundance remained calm, and answered simply, "Because the burrowers are our responsibility."

"I understand, but why not your creators."

"Because we're better at fighting them," Flashback said, "Mom and dad are badass in their own right, I would hate to be anyone that pissed them off, but since we kinda grew up fighting them...we've adapted to it better."

Prowl looked at Optimus then, "Sir. Something needs to be said about this."

"About what?" Backlash said, voice colder than it was before. Flashback narrowed his optics at Prowl, half tempted to smack him.

Optimus vented softly before looking Sundance in the optic, "You understand, Sundance, that I appreciate everything you've done today, but it doesn't excuse the fact that you disobeyed your orders."

"I understand completely," Sundance said.

"Now hold on a damn minute!" A voice called from the floor. Everyone looked down to see Ash, pale eyes narrowed and fixed on the autobots, "you knew it was the wrong call to make in the first place, but what the hell? If it wasn't for her, I'd be gone, and so would my son and everyone else in that city! She was there waaaay before you were, and you're going to punish her for it?!"

"Ash," Sundance said softly, "please."

"No! I'm not gonna let them send you away again!"

"She's right," Flashback said.

Backlash added, voice frigid, "If she had followed her orders, you would have been the ones to suffer. New York is under your protection, after all. How well do you think the Government would react if you had failed to defend it?"

"They did fail to defend it," Flashback corrected, "we were the ones risking our afts out there."

"Enough!" Sundance vented softly, "Primus, you three. Optimus, I came myself because I wanted to fight for my planet and my faction. I knew then that I would be going against the order, but I could not just sit there and let this happen! Orders or not, I'm going to stay here until I know this threat is under control."

"We can handle this," Prowl argued.

"No," Sundance argued, optics narrowing and voice hardening, "you can't. You have no idea what the burrowers are capable of, you've never seen them in action."

Optimus watched the exchange quietly. He seemed to be studying Sundance, optics soft. Ironhide grunted, "They can't be that difficult to destroy, if these two are taking them out."

Sundance sent him a slight smile, "Don't underestimate my brothers, 'Hide. Backlash is the fastest mech I've ever seen, and Flashback is a dead-eye shot. He never misses his mark."

Flashback grinned, spark swelling up with pride. Jazz chuckled, "You've got that much faith in 'em?"

"There's no one else I trust more in the field," Sundance confirmed.

"This isn't necessary," Prowl continued, "we've taken care of any other of earth's threats ourselves-"

"Then you were there to fight Galvatron, huh?" Flashback challenged, grinning, "and what about Darkfire and Havoc? I guess you took care of those threats yourself, too, didn't you?" He yelped slightly when Sundance elbowed him. "Ouch, sis!"

'You're not helping,' Sundance told him through the bond. Out loud, she said, "You honestly think you can fight them?"

"Yes. We're more than capable of adapting to fighting a different enemy."

Sundance turned her optics to their younger brother who, feeling her gaze, focused on her. She smiled at him, then returned her attention to Prowl, "I want you to spar with Backlash."

"What?" Prowl and Jazz said at once.

"Backlash trained himself to move like a burrower when he was younger, it's one of the reasons why he can keep up with them so easily. If you can hold your own against him, then I'll go."

Prowl stared at her with raised optic ridges, "You can't be serious."

"I am," Sundance raised a hand to rest against Backlash's arm, "I'm not asking for anyone to use weapons. I just want you to see first hand what it'll be like fighting them. One match, that's all I want."

Prowl hesitated before looking to Optimus, "Sir?"

"Sundance makes a valid point," Optimus said slowly, "until now, we've known nothing about the burrowers. Perhaps it would be an advantage to learn from the ones who have experience fighting them."

"...Alright. Just one match." Prowl fixed on Sundance again.

"That's all I'm asking for." Sundance said, "if you can't defeat him, then I stay, orders or not. If you can, I'll leave quietly."

"Fair enough," Prowl said. Flashback met Backlash's optics behind Sundance. Flashback said, tugging at his brother's spark, 'He has no slaggin' idea what hes just gotten himself into.'

Backlash's face cracked into a rare smile. Flashback grinned back. Sundance shifted her feet, mindful of Ash and Axel, "You can decide the time and place."

"It would be best to get this over with as soon as possible," Prowl muttered.

"Well, none of us are busy right now," Flashback offered, "how 'bout now, outside?"

Prowl sent them an overly cautious look, almost like he was going to decline, but nodded stiffly in response. Backlash shook his head, "No. Everyone needs to rest and settle. We're still recovering from injuries we took while trying to stop the warp gate."

Sundance blinked, glancing at him. Flashback frowned slightly, "I thought you'd jump on the chance to beat the slag out of 'em." Prowl sent him a look, but he easily ignored it.

"Injuries," Backlash repeated. He looked at Sundance, "We're lucky we didn't take any more damage today."

Sundance considered with a soft hum before nodding, "Tomorrow, then."

She looked to Optimus when he said, "There are enough spare rooms for each of you to have your own. Flashback, Solaris and Warhammer are in the rec room with Hotshot and Bumblebee." Flashback grinned wide. Optimus added, "They've been asking about you since we arrived at base. Backlash," Optimus focused on the tallest of the three siblings, who quietly shifted his attention to him. "It's good to see you, youngling...You take after your mother."

Backlash said nothing, but Flashback could feel a shift in his spark, something like a brush of pride at the Prime's words. Optimus finished, "Everyone is dismissed, feel free to make yourselves at home here."

"Thank you," Sundance said, smiling. Flashback was already turning to get the pit out and go find Solaris and Warhammer when Optimus added softly,

"I'd like to speak with you, Sundance."

Oh, pit. Flashback stopped, sending his sister a worried look. He caught a glimpse of Backlash, who had tensed a little. On the floor, Ash squared up to start yelling again. "Would you three cut it out?" Sundance shot them a look, "just get out of here, Primus."

Flashback shot her a wide grin, "Stop bein' so bossy!"

"I'm about to show you 'bossy'."

He laughed before crouching down to open his hands for Ash and Axel, "Come on, Ash and mini Rex!"

Ash opened her mouth to argue, but one look from Sundance and she was climbing up into his palm with a huff, tugging her son with her, "Alright, alright!"

Flashback straightened and walked out with Backlash right behind him.

Sundance waited until the doors hissed shut behind the line of mechs before she looked at Optimus. At first, neither of them said anything, content with just studying one another. Optimus looked the same as she remembered; tall, strong, and calm. His optics were still the same bright blue, and they were soft with emotion. Suddenly, she remembered the way how he'd looked at her when she'd told them that she would go quietly years ago, that she would accept her exile.

After another strained minute or two, she said, "Flash and 'Lash are overprotective of everyone in the family, so I'm sorry for the way they acted."

"It's alright, youngling. No need to apologize," He paused, then said, "I've missed all of you."

"We missed you, too."

"I'm glad you came today."

Sundance blinked at him, spark curling with surprise. Seeing it in her expression, he went on, "Your brothers are right, if it wasn't for you stepping in, the city would have been overrun and destroyed. I...will admit that seeing you was the last thing I expected, but I'm not disappointed in you. Not at all."

She kept staring at him, processor trying to piece together some kind of response. She'd expected a thank you, possibly a halfhearted lecture, but not this. He continued, "You always had a strong spark, Sundance. It's good to see that it hasn't changed."

"...So you're not mad."

"No."

Sundance raised an optic ridge at him. He smiled at her expression, "You saved lives today. There's no reason to be mad or upset about that."

Sundance loosened slightly, then said, "I never blamed you for what happened, Optimus."

This time, he was the surprised one. He met her gaze with the same look she was pretty sure she'd been wearing just seconds ago. Sundance continued, "I don't know if I ever told you or not...but I understand."

"Thank you, Sundance."

"I'm going to go check out our," Backlash paused, visor darkening a little in reaction to the change in lighting as they entered the rec room, "'rooms'."

Flashback wasn't listening though, bright optics scanning the room. When he spotted his targets, he threw a hand up in the air and shouted, "Hey! What the hell kinda welcome is this?!"

Backlash vented softly, stepping back as every head in the room snapped up and turned to them. Flashback continued, "I haven't seen you two in twenty-"

"Thirty five," Backlash corrected quietly.

Flashback cut him a look, "Really, bro?"

"Would you be careful?!" Ash called, "you almost threw us clear across the room!" She huffed, holding her son tight. Flashback glanced at them before handing them to Backlash.

Someone called, voice filled with disbelief, "Flashback?!"

"The one and only!" Flashback turned and opened his arms again just in time to be attacked. He yelped in surprise when one of the bots that had been in the room rushed him and hugged him tight. Backlash stepped back smoothly, carrying the humans close to his chest as Flashback scrambled to find his footing before he fell over. The older of the brothers sputtered, "Slag, Solaris! Easy, mech!"

Solaris stepped away quickly, a huge grin on his face, "Primus, I thought I'd never see you again!"

Warhammer shouldered his way over, "Why the pit haven't you called us?"

"I've been busy," Flashback said cheerfully, smacking the heavier mech in the arm, "Damn, wide-load, you really took after your daddy, didn't you?"

"Like you should be talking," Solaris laughed.

"And you, friggin' giant. Frag, Solaris, if you get any taller, you won't fit through the damn door." Flashback looked around for a minute before he spotted Backlash, who had been trying to walk away unnoticed. He reached out and snagged a hand around his little brother's arm and slung him back around to stand next to him, "He's taller than you, 'Lash!"

Backlash vented softly when the two younger mechs looked at him. Solaris blinked owlishly at him, "Wow. Backlash? Is that really you?"

"Unfortunately," Backlash said tonelessly.

"Don't be such a killjoy, baby bro," Flashback draped an arm over his back since he wasn't tall enough to put it over his shoulders. He puffed himself up with pride, "Yep, this is Backlash. Hard to believe, isn't it?"

"No kidding." Solaris muttered, "he's huge."

Backlash pointed behind him, back at the hallway, "I'm going."

"Where?" Flashback asked, perhaps just now actually paying attention to him, "we just got here, man."

"I already told you," Backlash answered, moving back.

"When did you tell me?" Flashback frowned.

"While you were busy ignoring me," Backlash tossed over his shoulder as he walked away.

"Little shit," Flashback mumbled, watching him go. He turned back to his best friends and grinned, "So, what do you guys do for fun around here?"

Solaris and Warhammer grinned back.

Another one of those agonizing chapters that just doesn't want to come out or flow right. asdjfasdjfasdfghasdjfasdflj fuck. It probably didn't help that I was bawling while writing some parts of it because I was watching Million Dollar Baby...shit, that movie is SAD.

UGH The little talk between Optimus and Sundance bugs the hell outta me. OH WELL. *Throws it up anyway*

Can't wait for the sparring match between Backlash and Prowl.

Love how protective and proud Flashback is of his brother and sister. He's so cute.

WELL I HOPE YOU ENJOYED READING IT MORE THAN I ENJOYED WRITING IT.

Much love to you all!

Sundance and her family and friends, the burrowers, and the story belongs to me. Transformers does not.