"I SAID SHE IS GONE! DID YOU NOT HEAR ME!?"

Optimus stood quietly, optics dimmed, as the enraged voice of Starscream rang through his processors.

"Starscream, yelling is not going to get her back any sooner. I would suggest calming down a bit." He looked at Starscream, gaze calm and unwavering. Starscream HATED that with a passion...that calm stare. He began pacing.

"You want me to calm down. Are you serious?" He paced back and forth in the mess hall, anxious, worried and annoyed. Mikaela was missing, and had been for a few hours. It was just past dawn now, the colors of the rising sun painting the sky outside in colors of red, gold and purple, fading slowly to blue. He couldn't help the pacing...it kept him from blowing something up. Optimus just watched him, allowing him to pace, knowing it kept him somewhat calmer.

"Yes, I am serious. We need to think here. Who would have taken her?" He asked calmly, replaying the last big battle in his memory processors.

"Um, gee, let's think here, Prime. There are four other Cybertronians on this planet. WHO DO YOU THINK?!?!" He snapped back, highly annoyed. Optimus closed his optics for a bit.

"I am aware of that. What I mean is - "

"Shockwave is the one in charge. He would have issued the order for her to be taken." He growled, his fist clenching and unclenching as he paced. He was ready to slam his fist into the wall, and Optimus saw this.

"Starscream, let's go outside...Come on." He said, waving his arm in his direction to get his attention and to get him outside. Starscream regarded him for a moment, and then grudgingly followed. Once outside, he paced more, finally slamming his fist down into a rock, splitting it into 3 pieces...not to mention the smaller shards and dust from it. Optimus watched him, having a small feeling of what it was like, to lose someone you cared about.

"...Starscream...we'll get her back..." His voice was softer now, reassuring. Starscream looked at him, worry clouding his expression, and seeming to seep into those bright red optics, now dimmed with an emotion not normally shown by the Seeker...fear.

"We are talking about Shockwave, Optimus. That mech is more sadistic than I am...there's no telling what he will do to her...and if he finds out that..." his hand raised unconsciously to his chest, right over the outer armor over his spark casing. If Shockwave found out that they had been bonded, he had a feeling that the other mech would have much enjoyment in exploiting that fact. He had to do whatever he could in order to keep that fact from Shockwave. Optimus studied him for a moment, then nodded.

"I know...we need to find her. And fast."

Starscream just looked at him, then looked to the sky.

Bonded...

She had been laying on her back, sleeping fitfully, twitching and turning every so often. She never heard the gold seeker return, but he was there now, sitting, watching her. He watched as her tiny human chest rose and fell with each breath she took, her arms moving and twitching. She kept talking about Starscream in her dreams, and he was somehow glad that he managed to keep Shockwave and the others out of there. He shifted, the metal plating of his armor shifting around a bit, making small grinding noises. The sound pulled Mikaela out of her sleep, and she bolted awake, calling out for Starscream, using her nickname for him. But the moment she did that, she remembered where she was at, and clasped her hands over her mouth. She hadn't yet seen the mech that was sitting near her, and she slowly turned around to see if there was anyone that might have heard her. The moment she saw the other seeker her face went pale. She turned back around slowly, her eyes closed.

"...Shit..." It was all she could say at the moment, instantly regretting saying anything. She heard the other move again behind her as he shifted again, tilting his head slightly. He didn't say anything, but he was curious. She brought a hand to her face and rubbed, massaging the sore muscles in her face, rejuvenating it. After a moment, she turned back around and faced the gold seeker, just staring at him. He stared back, wondering what she wanted. They stared at each other a long time before either spoke.

"..So did you tell them?" Short and to the point. Might as well not beat around the bush. Her breath hung in the air for a brief moment until, surprisingly, he shook his head no. Her eyes widened.

"You...you didn't?"

Sunstorm merely shook his head.

"Why not?" She was definitely surprised at this. She had honestly thought that, in the end, he was going to go and tell the others about her arms, and the markings that were left there. It was priceless information. Why the HELL would he not go and tell them? She waited as he sat there for a bit.

"Because you make sense."

Mikaela blinked slowly at that, staring at him incredulously, not sure what to say. Finally, after a few moments of silence, the gold mech spoke again.

"You make sense. This war has brought nothing...nothing at all. I have processed this and realized you are right." He spoke quietly. Mikaela stared in shock over this. This was truly something she had not expected. How was it her words alone could get someone to changed their thoughts? She had done it with Starscream...and he now fought with the Autobots to try and get the war to stop. She stood up, wincing as one of her bandages around her arm pinched wrong. She looked down at it and fumbled with it, unraveling the gauze wrappings halfway and then rewrapping it, making it more comfortable.

"Sunstorm...why...why don't you talk to the others? Who else would really begin to see this? To see that the war needs to end?" she asked, her face showing actual interest in the idea of the war ending. She tilted her head at him and watched him, waiting for any kind of sign. After a moment, he shifted slightly, his intakes making a soft hissing noise as he sighed.

"I do not know if any of them would be partial to the idea of ending the war," he said slowly, watching her. He had thought about it, though. He had spent about 4 hours pacing, flying and making rounds near the base, just thinking about everything. He wanted to see the war end, now that he thought about it. Mikaela gave him a look.

"You should ask. Talk to one that you trust the most, then go from there." She said gently, looking up at the other. She still found it eerie that he looked almost exactly like Starscream, save for the coloring. She shook her head lightly. "You really sh-"

Her words were interrupted by Thundercracker coming around the corner, large metal feet thudding across the floor, causing small shockwaves to reverberate through the floor of the cavern and up the walls, until the vibrations softly intersected at the top and crossed, resounding back down along the walls continuously until the vibrations faded within a matter of seconds. His optics seemed to glare a very angry red, more so than before. She slinked back against the wall just as he entered, his height and harsh edges that made up his body creating a very imposing figure. She found herself staring up at him as he came to a stop and turned to Sunstorm.

"Has she released any information yet?" He growled out, his red optics flaring at her glaringly. She steeled herself and stared right back at him, not backing down. She waited, her face covered with a look of determination and nervousness, afraid that Sunstorm would just break down and tell Thundercracker.

"No."

That answer made her want to stare at the golden seeker with a look of pure shock, but she refrained. She knew any shocked look would give his lie away. Sunstorm, she thought, I owe you. She stared right back at the black form of Thundercracker. He stared at her, his face crossed with several emotions, most of them hate and disgust. He turned to Sunstorm.

"Hnn...really now?" He sneered at him, leaning forward to stare down the other Seeker. The only thing that happened as far as Sunstorm was concerned was his wings twitched slightly, a mere sign of annoyance. Sunstorm stared right back at Thundercracker, a low growl filling his frame.

"Yes. Really." He glared back, his optics betraying nothing that would reveal the truth. Just a dark, red-lit stare right back at the other seeker. Moments passed as each stared at each other, neither trusting of the other. Such was the Decepticon way. Anyone could betray anyone. But this time, Sunstorm prevailed in his fight, and Thundercracker backed down finally, growling darkly as he backed off.

"Fine. The moment she says something useful, get me." With that he whirled, creating a soft breeze that wafted through the cavern, sifting through Mikaela's hair and messing with it slightly. Other than that, she didn't move as Thundercracker thudded back down the hall, each step resounding softer than the last. Mikaela looked at Sunstorm, and smiled softly.

"Thank you...Sunstorm."

"Do not worry yourself over that. I am merely waiting on the correct time to inform him."

Mikaela grinned at that, knowing better, but she didn't say anything. She would rather keep her words on the subject, than press the matter further. She watched as Sunstorm stood up, and then headed out, making similar resounding sounds across the hall of the cavern as he disappeared. He was one of the quiet types, she decided. She leaned back and let her head rest against the cool rock behind her, then slid back down to the floor and just sat there. She reached down to the floor and splayed her fingers across the tiny crevices and groves in the floor of the cavern. So many scars, she thought, even though this place was once never touched by anyone until recently. She traced a finger across one of the small lines, finding herself getting lost in thought. Her thoughts took her back to the Autobot base, back to Optimus, Sam and the others...and back to Starscream. Her eyes welled up at the thought of him, and she wrapped her arms around herself. She bit back the sensation in the back of her throat, threatening to force it's way to her eyes and force out the tears that were held on the brink. She shook her head. She would not cry. She missed him, yes, but she would get through this. She would see him again.

Of that much, she was certain.

Thundercracker paced back and fourth in the smaller cavern that he had claimed as his own room for the time being, thoughts racing through his processors that he normally kept very well hidden from everyone else. Of the entire war, he had never been more bored. More distracted. Ever since Megatron had disappeared, he had wandered, still following the Decepticon banner, and yet, his wanderings still felt aimless. He had always wondered why he had continued to follow it. Was it the feeling of actually being useful? Was it the feeling of being in control? Over the millenia, he had been coaxed very gently and quietly into staying with the Decepticon cause. Control. It was what he ultimately desired. Or was it? He paced more, growling to himself. He wasn't exactly sure that they should even be here. What had this war turned into? It seemed like a simple game of cat and mouse nowadays, the Decepticons chasing the Autobots like cats chasing mice, never satiated with the catch, always needing that cruel endless cycle. The chase, the capture, the destruction. Then there was nothing, and the cat needed another chase. What happens when the mice are all gone..? he found himself musing. What do we do then? Who or what do we chase? Or do we find a new pastime..? He paused at his own thoughts. A pastime. Was that all this war was anymore? Just a pastime? Just something fun to do? He shook his head as he paced again. Too many died because of this so-called pastime. He paused at the back wall of the cavern, and placed a large metal hand against it. He looked up at it, staring at the shadows that his hand made against the wall. He had gone through and installed soft lights in each of the rooms previously, but his only had a couple, making the room have a dark air to it. Not a heavy air, just a dark and mysterious feel to it. It was how he liked it.

Right now, his hand seemed small and insignificant against that wall, even though it was, in reality, rather large. He could push, but that wall would not give in. He could punch, but only a bit would chip away. He sighed, his intakes whirring softly as he did so. Control. He was never in control, no matter how much he led himself to believe it. He wanted control, yes. But not over the universe, not over a planet or race. No, he wanted that control..but over his own life. Ever since joining the Decepticons, he felt like he had been in control, but he never was in control. There was always someone on the outside, forming and molding reality to make it seem like he had perfect control of everything in his life. He was slowly beginning to realize that he didn't. The past few weeks leading up to their planet fall and afterwards just proved as much. At least Megatron knew how to work the strings, and do it right at that, so I never noticed, he thought to himself.

He pulled his hand away from the wall and turned around, leaning against it and crossing his arms. These were thoughts that he generally kept to himself, never wanting anyone else to know how he truly felt about all of this. He would rather pretend he still had control than show anyone he had doubts. He found himself wondering if anyone had the same thoughts...besides Starscream.

He put himself into such a deep thought process that his sensors didn't even register Sunstorm's appearance at the entrance of his little cave.

"Thundercracker."

His head jerked up and his optics flared as Sunstorm's voice bit the air and through his thoughts, and he banished those thoughts that had been chasing themselves around and around his processors like a feedback loop gone out of control. He pushed himself off the wall and uncrossed his arms, assuming a commanding -controlling- stance, letting that mask of control and harshness fall right back into place as easily as ever, having been perfected by millenniums of practice.

"Yes?" His own voice sliced through the air, but it seemed to leave a thick, heavy feel behind it's wake. Sunstorm didn't waver.

"I wished to speak with you about something." he said, taking a step into the room. Thundercracker gave a soft growl, but not a warning. More of general annoyance. Sunstorm ignored it and moved over to one of the walls, and then sat down, leaning against it. The cool feel of the stone at his back was welcoming, considering his body was almost always warm because of his fusion core. He waited a few, letting Thundercracker calm down. Finally the other seeker leaned against the wall, one foot up against the wall, arms crossed.

"Well? So talk already." He said, sounding irritated and annoyed. But in reality, he welcomed the company. Not that he would let that be known, of course. When Sunstorm didn't respond right away, he growled softly, but Sunstorm still didn't talk. That DID infuriate him. "Sunstorm, just fragging talk already." He shifted, getting a bit annoyed. Sunstorm looked up at him, with a strange bit of calmness to him.

"Calm down, Thundercracker. Matters such as this need to be approached carefully." He replied calmly, optics dimmed. Thundercracker stared at him.

"Don't start with that mystic slag again. It's irritating." He grumbled, not hiding his apparent irritation at Sunstorm at all. Sunstorm glanced up at him for a moment, then looked back down, staring across the dimmed room.

"Where do you feel this war is going, Thundercracker?"

Thundercracker started, uncrossing his arms. He stared down at Sunstorm, fully shocked. Had he been reading his mind or something? But that was impossible for the sun-hued seeker. Sunstorm looked at him, reading the other like an unsecured datapadd. He tilted his head slightly, waiting for Thundercracker to respond. But the black jet just stared at him for a good few minutes, letting that question meld its way into his previous thoughts, realizing just how close to home that question slid. He looked away from Sunstorm for a bit, then finally spoke.

"Why...?"

"Just answer the question, then I will answer yours." Sunstorm replied coolly. Thundercracker glared again, then calmed down after a moment. He sighed, intakes whirring as he did so. The thoughts had been weighing heavily on his processors recently and now, here, was the opportunity to actually talk to someone about it...even if it WAS Starscream's clone he talked with.

"Fine. You really want to know? I hate this Primusdamned war. It has no meaning to it...no purpose anymore. I just don't see it anymore. Granted, I have put on a front of being the hardaft around here...I need to..." Thundercracker turned and faced the other. "Wait...Shockwave didn't put you up to this, did he...?" he asked, eying the other warily. Sunstorm merely shook his head gently, giving Thundercracker the opening he needed to continue. "Alright...But...I want it over. I am done with not having control over my own life. Unfortunately, there is no way I can do anything without getting slagged in the process." He fidgeted, uncomfortable with actually revealing how he felt about this war to someone. Granted, the other had come to him, first, but still...it just...it was odd. Sunstorm watched him for a few moments, then stood again.

"Come with me, Thundercracker." he motioned for the other to follow him. Thundercracker raised an optic ridge and stared at him.

"...Again...why?"

Sunstorm paused as he had started heading out the door, and just stared out that door...which was more of an archway to the small cavern that Thundercracker had made into a room, he mused. After a moment, he turned slightly, not actually looking at the other seeker.

"I think you have someone to tell that to. Do you trust me?"

Thundercracker stared at him.

"You and your Primusdamned mystic stuff. Fine. Let's go." He pushed off the wall and headed past Sunstorm. "But I will warn you, if you are taking me to Shockwave, I will slag you myself." he growled out softly, pausing right outside the archway and waiting for him. Sunstorm just shook his head.

"Don't worry." He stepped out past Thundercracker and headed back down the hall, just a few steps ahead. "Oh, and by the way, two things. One, don't damn Primus. You'll find yourself slagged moreso for that. Two, the chances of you actually being able to slag me aren't that great." he said, not turning around. Thundercracker had to laugh at that.

"Oh? Then tell me why you got slagged by the humans." he asked, annoyed at the comments. He just HAD to throw in the comment on being slagged by the humans as retaliation.

Sunstorm could sense the smirking in the other's voice.

"Even I get caught off guard sometimes." It was all he said to that. Thundercracker just shook his head and continued following, not commenting further. It was true, everyone could be caught off guard at times. Just like now, as he was caught off guard as they turned into the larger cavern that the human was in. He moved into the room and stared yet again at Sunstorm. "Sunstorm, what-?" He started to ask, but was cut off by Sunstorm raising a hand to silence him. Surprisingly, Thundercracker actually went quiet. After a moment he watched as Mikaela looked out from behind one of the pillars, and then stepped out. She didn't say anything, staying quiet with Thundercracker around. Sunstorm turned to him and held his hand out towards Mikaela.

"Tell her what you told me."

Thundercracker looked at her, then back at Sunstorm, shocked.

"Have you lost it? You want me to speak with her??"

Sunstorm just stared back calmly, and Thundercracker slowly realized the irradiated jet was serious. He looked back at Mikaela, who was now staring at him, confused. The two stared at each other for a good few minutes. Soon, Mikaela just leaned back against the pillar she stepped out from and crossed her arms, much in the fashion that he had been in earlier.

"So...what is it?" she asked, her voice holding an air of defiance and confidence. She was pulling off the fact that he was hesitating, and that hesitation was giving her the edge to stand up to him. Thundercracker stared back at her, that tone of voice both annoying and surprising him. How was it that a simple little human could have the strength to stand up to him like that? He had no idea that she gathered it from his hesitations. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he spoke.

"The only reason I am saying any of this is because Sunstorm asked me to." he growled out. But he was stopped before he could say anything else by a snide remark from Mikaela.

"I thought you were the one in command."

Thundercracker glared at her, his armor shifting slightly in annoyance, then turned away and moved to head back out. Sunstorm raised a hand, stopping him.

::Thundercracker, wait.::

::Are you insane? No, wait, don't answer that. You expect me to stand around and take that?:: he said over their internal comm systems, not letting Mikaela hear their conversation. She stood and watched, as the two stared at each other, Sunstorm with his hand out in front of Thundercracker. Hmm...they must be using internal communications systems. Interesting...She tilted her head, just watching, learning bit by bit about them, more and more each day.

::Just...tell her. She may have the outlet you are looking for, Thundercracker. Just...give her a chance. Alright?:: Sunstorm responded, his arm still out in case the other continued to want to run. Thundercracker stared at him, glaring, really not wanting to do this. Not after she had just insulted him like that.

::She just insulted me!::

"Fine...I'm sorry..." Mikaela suddenly blurted out, sighing. She hadn't known that was what they were talking about, but she had a feeling considering he turned to leave after her last comment. Thundercracker and Sunstorm both turned in shock at that, Thundercracker's armor shifting back to its original position. Sunstorm's hand lowered slightly, his own optics displaying a stunned sort of surprise.

"What? Wait...could you..?" Thundercracker started, but was stopped by Mikaela's shaking head.

"No, I can't read your mind. I can't read any minds, human or...mech alike." she looked up at the other, her tone of defiance gone, and just the confidence remained. Thundercracker still stared at her.

"Then how...?" he tilted his head at her, his faceplates moving slightly to display confusion. Mikaela grinned lightly at that.

"How you responded. You got mad after my last comment, and went to leave. I figured I had insulted you, so I apologized." she replied, shrugging as it was no big deal. Thundercracker shook his head and moved to sit down. Sunstorm lowered his hand fully, and stood behind and to the left of him. Mikaela stared at Thundercracker as he sat down, more or less kneeling down to get a better look at her. He stared at her for a few minutes again, and then leaned back a bit.

"Fine...I accept your apology." he said grudgingly, but calmly. Mikaela raised an eyebrow at him, then looked up at Sunstorm, who nodded slightly. She had an odd feeling that she understood what was going on here, that Thundercracker had something to say.

"So...what did you want to tell me?" She asked, tilting her head a bit. Thundercracker watched her for a moment, then spoke finally.

"...What...do you know of our war...?" he asked slowly, unsure of where to start. The question caught her off guard.

"You...your war? Well, enough to know that I see it as pointless. Why?" She kept her arms crossed as she watched the other, who seemed to be having a mental war with himself. She looked closer at him. "..You feel the same way, don't you?"

He looked at her in surprise. How in the Pit was she able to do that? Was he really that readable? He sighed and raised a hand to his face, covering it and rubbing slightly.

"...Yes. Sunstorm suggested that I speak with you about it...though why you, I don't know." he said, growling a bit in contempt at speaking his mind to a human. Mikaela smiled softly.

"Because he feels the same way about your war. As does...Starscream." she said softly, watching the other. He looked up at her, his hand dropping.

"Starscream?" he leaned forward, trying to get a better look at her. She nodded.

"All three of you think this war is pointless. So...why not end it? Why not stop all the fighting...? Your Allspark is gone...there's no reason to fight over power anymore." she said, making a point. She unconsciously fingered a loose end of her wrap on her left arm, pulling at it slightly. Thundercracker watched her, and tilted his head. He was getting a sneaking suspicion that he was right, but he kept that to himself, at least for now. He sighed softly, intakes making a soft hissing noise as he did. He regarded her for several minutes, knowing that she made sense. But why was it that a mere human could do this? How was it that she was able to bring to light the truth that remained hidden in all of them? That the war was pointless? After a few minutes, he stood.

"...Skywarp won't agree to this, I can tell you that much right now. He is devoted to the war. Whatever you are planning, you had better do it soon." he said, crossing his arms. Mikaela glanced up at him with a wry smile.

"How much can I trust you?" she asked, eying him, watching his every move. Thundercracker stared at her, then turned back to Sunstorm, who nodded slightly in support. He turned back to Mikaela, hesitant again. I'm a Decepticon...trust isn't generally in our vocabulary...but...perhaps...just this once...

"You have my word. I won't go to Shockwave or Skywarp about this." He fidgeted again, nervous. Mikaela smiled.

"Alright. But if you betray us...forgiveness will not be forthcoming." She smirked and took a step forward as Thundercracker merely nodded. "Alright. I know you guys have internal communications systems. Can you open a link to Starscream?" She grinned, with a plotting look on her face. Thundercracker eyed her for a moment.

"I can try...the distance might interfere. Though..." it was his turn to smirk now. "A bond is much more efficient..."

Shocked, Mikaela just stared at him, unable to say anything else...

END CHAPTER 20

Author's Note: Okay, I know...I don't have Sunstorm down at all worth a shit, but I added him in here before I really knew what he was like. I found out later that he is a hell of a lot different than what I portray him as here, so...forgive me, Sunstorm fans. XD. As for Thundercracker fans...I am sorry if I completely miss him here. I need to watch more G1. But bear with me, and I hope you all are enjoying so far! And...I apologize for the delay. ILU ALL! (lessthanthree!)