Warnings: this and that.

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Transformers.

The swirling vortex that was their entrance to the planet system that was to be their home for the foreseeable future was an awe-inspiring sight. The bright colors of green yellow white melting together shown clearly into the windows of the observation deck that the lights need not be turned on. Prowl had been able to sneak away just so he could see it.

At their last stop, Blaster received one last message from Megatron and Orion. Half of the Autobot forces plus the Prime were still on Cybertron but smaller forces of the whole had splintered off and one group was targeting the main Decepticon group. But another if a little bigger group had been seen heading after them. Starscream had brushed it off stating that they were be across the vortex and into their new system before that group had found them. Prowl though had noticed that his mate had a backup plan in place. If push came to shove the mechanism that power the vortex would be blown up effectively trapping the Decepticons on the other side. If they wanted to return to either the main army or their home planet. They would have to take the long way back.

His mate had kept that plan secret knowing that many on board would not like it. Prowl being one of them. he did not enjoy the idea that they would be cut off from help if something happens to their group. Not with them having to take care of younglings and sparklings. But he supposed that was the reason for stopping at that disgusting planet.

Prowl had to question his mate's choice of resupply stops. The one time he and the other Praxians went off ship they were accosted by some of the less desirable locals. Their door panels gathering too much attention and it was only because of their enforcer training, and that they had some effective soldiers nearby, that they could get away and back on ship. They never left again no matter what assurances others gave them.

"Shouldn't you be on berth rest?" a voice asks after the doors hissed open.

Prowl turned to Thundercracker. The large seeker not even trying to sneak up on him as he came to stand next to the Praxian, his large wings covering the smaller mechs back.

"I can still stand. If I get tired there are seats I can rest on." he did not shrink under his mate's quirk eye ridge. "I will return to the berth soon. staying in one area for long starts to feel to enclosed." He places a servo on his bulging middle. It was still early in his carrying but finding that he was carrying three sparklings had cause his middle to start making room for the growing sack.

Thundercracker sighs but smiles fondly down at his mate. "Stay as long as you wish. I'll just carry you back."

"You have a shift in a few joors."

"Yes, but I just informed them I'll be late." The blue seeker settled down on a bench, arms cross. "Take as long as you want."

Prowl mumbles something that Thundercracker couldn't hear but he did get a wisp of a feeling over the bond. He didn't comment on it though instead he stayed quiet and watched his mate's door wings bob up and down occasioning weaving side to side. It had taken some doing but he had managed to get things to where both Starscream and Skywarp were too busy to interfere with his time with Prowl. Both he and Skywarp had been trying to get some alone time with Prowl ever since Starscream did.

Thundercracker was just now getting his.

After a few breems, Prowl's panels stilled and Thundercracker went to stand when the Praxian turned, he didn't leave but instead came and sat next to him. Prowl leans on the larger mech and Thundercracker wraps an arm around him. his servo close but not covering the little bulge, though he wants to.

Prowl whispered a chuckle. "You can you know. it's partly your fault anyway."

TC didn't have to be told twice, his large servo covering and rubbing over his and mates sparklings. They may be too small to feel, but he could imagen the three little lives that would soon be old enough to start causing their carrier trouble.

The attention to his frame had Prowl purring. They stayed there for joors before Thundercracker saw that his mate was in recharge. He carefully picks him up and carries him back to their room. He sits on the berth leaning against the wall with Prowls helm in his lap. He made sure that those sensitive panels were leaning over the edge of the berth.

oOooOooOooOooOooOo

Starscream stood next to Red Alert in the security room watching his trine mate take Prowl back to their room. Now that their carrying mate was safely back in their shared room he can order the ship to enter the vortex. Traveling through vortexes were tricky and if mechs or objects weren't held down the ones going through usually ended up with some injuries.

Skywarp was at one end of the ship, Ratchet had the med bay and engineers taking care of, Smokescreen had tactical, ops had their own under control, and everyone else was strapped down. Bluestreak and Kup were watching over the younglings.

The red and blue seeker headed towards the command deck. He would be directing everything from there. Blaster nodded towards him as he stepped behind him. with another silent nod, the ship angled towards the center point of the vortex. They needed to time just right to appear where they wanted. Any deviation from that and there was no telling just where in that system they would end up at or how far. Or in a worst-case scenario in how many pieces.

"Thrusters at 50 percent."

"Good, angle them to the left we're still off center." Starscream ordered.

{Medical and any mechs that needed to be in stasis are ready.} Ratchet's voice echoed over the speaker.

{engineering ready.}

{Frontliners, gunners, and tactical ready.}

{Bitlets secured and ready.}

{Security room staff ready. No breaches yet.}

"I doubt there are any-

{You can never be sure!} Red Alerts shrieked.

Starscream sighs not in the mood to argue. "Fine thank you Red."

: I got Prowl secured:

: I get him next!:

: Not now Warp:

"Our mechs are ready and are covering the sections their holding in." the leader of the ops mechs said from behind Starscream. The seeker gave him an unimpressed look over his wings.

"I hope that means that your newest won't be slaking off without supervision." The ops mech grins.

"You be surprise. I can't thank you enough for handing me a gem like him."

"Keep him." the ops mech snickers before stepping back.

Starscream watches him for a klik ten turns back to the view screen. The image of the vortex had taken up most of the screen. If this was one of his exploratory missions he would hover there in awe, but this was not one of those.

"How long till we are lined up?"

"Engine room reporting that engine two is starting to give them fits."

"About a few kliks." Two ensigns said at the same time.

"Tell them to keep that glitch running and get ready for a full throttle push." Starscream leaned over the railing. "Once we're line up with the center we need all engines on full power."

"Yes sir!" a chorus of yells answered him.

: Prowls starting to wake:

: just keep him calm. It's too late to take him to Ratchet:

: You could have just told me to begin with: Prowl sent a mental scowl at his mates.

: Why are you mad at me: Skywarp whines.: I wasn't in on it:

: it doesn't matter who was: Prowl said.: this may be my first time going through a vortex while carrying but if I was aware that it could be dangerous I would have had TC take me to Ratchet:

The bond was quiet and Prowl huffed: I am not that fragile, please stop treating me like I am going to break with the slightest touch:

: sorry: three sulking voices said.

The mental conversation only took breems and not once did Starscream's total focus leave the view screen. His wings were giving off little twitches and he felt that Skywarp was getting antsy. If Thundercracker adding anything then he would begin to worry. Once all three of them felt something that could go wrong. It usually went wrong.

"Have your mechs on high alert." He told the ops mech behind. "Red Alert have all sensors focus on the outside. Watch our engines."

The silent mech nods while the red and gray mech snorts over the speaker. {I told you. Didn't I Inferno I told them that shiszzzzzp}

The seeker cuts the line before he would have to endure the security mechs full rant. "Sometimes I wonder why I let Prowl talk me into keeping that mech."

"Sir, we lined up and ready." Blaster called out.

"Good, tell the engine room on my count ignite full thrusters." The seeker said. "Ready? In five; four; three; two—

The ship rock forcefully as the command deck was bath in red lights and high pitch sirens.

"What happen!"

{Engine one been hit we have a breach!}

"Scanners showing two ships behind us both have a target lock on us."

"Contain that breach!" Starscream ordered. "bring up the shields. Helmsmen gets back on track we can still get through."

"Aye Sir!"

"Shields at 50 percent."

{one ship attacked us while the other is moving in.} Prowl said over the speaker. {get some gunners to the aft of the ship and start forcing those ships away with the rear guns.}

{I'm almost there!} Bluestreak yells.

{we're close behind him.} Sideswipe added.

"Blaster as soon as we back to the center tell them to fire the engines!"

"Got it. Fire them up!"

Just as another round of fire was shot at them the Decepticon ship gave a violent jerk before rocking into the vortex. The two ships behind them made to follow and Starscream waited until he was sure that some part of them was half way in the vortex before setting off the explosions. Whether it work they wouldn't know until they reached the other side and see if any others came after them.

But Starscream didn't care at that moment. His glitch of a ship decided to start tearing herself apart. He ordered all mechs out of the compromised areas. He had the bitlits placed with Prowl and Thundercracker.

"Skywarp get any that can't get out, I am given you full authorization to warp in the ship."

"Alright. Hero to the rescue."

"To all Decepticons batten down and strap in. I repeat batten down and strap in." he opened the ship wide comms. "Prepared for an emergency crash landing as soon as we exit the vortex."

: Star:

: TC keep Prowl and the others safe. If you must; get him in an escape pod and turn on the locater beacon:

: Only if I must:

Starscream scowled at the damage reports blinking on the screen. He cursed, slamming his servos on the key board breaking several keys in the process. He got a very bad feeling that something more was happening and wished that he had other options. With another curse, he comm the one mech he wished he could keep away from his mate and sparkling.

{Meister get your aft over to Thundercracker and help him!} he shut off the comm line before the red mech could answer.

: Are you sure Star: Skywarp asked.

: There isn't anyone else that can be spared. I've got nothing but praises from those mechs about him:

: But:

: I know I don't like it, but…but he's the best choice now. And it's only temporary:

: Do I want to know the reason why Meister's join me: the other two could feel the quirked optic ridge from their third.

: I don't know how many guesses do we get:

: Shut up Warp. I assume that you have a good reason Starscream, but if he makes a wrong move I'm jettison him out the nearest port hole:

: I hope that you would:

They heard a snort over the bond before it was closed to them. Skywarp sent what he calls mental hugs before going off to do was he was doing. Starscream gave each of his trine brothers and Prowl a gentle fond poke before giving the glaring blaring bridge his full attention.

oOooOooOooOooOo

Prowl watched his mate and Meister as he tried to corral the younglings and sparklings. He had his acid rifle and another small gun at his hips and his panels on the highest level he could afford. Both mechs were watching the door and halls and muttering to themselves. He was aware of their ship being compromised, who wouldn't with the sudden lurching and blaring lights and sounds.

He was also aware that his mates had planned on shoving him and the younglings into an escape pod if worst came to worst. The seriousness of their situation was apparent with Starscream called for bracing for impact.

He was going to voice a compromise, when the ship gave a harder lurch to the side forcing him to grab on to the nearest thing to keep him steady. Th younglings cried out in surprise as they were thrown towards him and the other older mechs. He manages to catch Hot Rod and Fireflight while Meister and Thundercracker caught the rest with Silverbolt catching himself on a bar.

"What happen?!"

{One Autobot ship made it through and has latched on to us. prepared to be boarded.}

: Get them off the ship TC!:

"We need to go now." The blue seeker says he pushes the younglings and Meister out and grabs Prowl before he leaves the room. "You and the bitlits stay in the center, Meister take the front I'll take the rear."

"I can take-

"You have to focus on the bitlits and get everyone to the escape pod if something happens to me or Meister." Thundercracker interrupted. Prowl only scowled at him but didn't press the issue.

Before they even got to the section that had some of the pods. They heard gun fire and mechs yelling. Prowl held the youngest behind him and tighten his grip on the eldest. He didn't like the possibility that he would have to abandon the ship leaving everyone behind, but…he couldn't come up with another plan.

His processors and his battle computer were all focus on him, his sparkling, and the younglings at his side escaping alive. None of it was put towards the ship and her crew.

"We need to fine a different route." Meister shouted over the gun fire.

"we can't, every hallway is like this." Thundercracker shouted back. "These and those by the med bay are the closest and Ratchet has already taken most of those. This is our best shot."

"Then we have no choice." Prowl said. "Starscream and our soldiers may not like this but TC…blast them."

The seeker gave the Praxian a confused look before realizing what he was saying. Lips pressed into a thin line he walked in front of his small group while Prowl instructed the younglings to shut off their audios. Turning then transforming Thundercracker ignited his turbines and waited.

And waited.

: Prowl?:

: wait for it:

The whine of engines increasing getting louder.

Meister had a servo to his comm link. Silently order their mechs to get down and go deaf.

"Prowl anytime now."

"Hold on."

The roaring got louder.

: Locked your brakes and brace yourselves: someone shouted over the comm lines.

: Now Thundercracker!:

To those who could still hear, watched in confusion as their Decepticon foes took cover. All they hear was the whine of jet engines then nothing. That silence didn't last long as the first Autobot took one tentative step forward, only to be shoved back into his fellows as a wave of nothing hits them followed by an audio shattering boom. The ship rattle and Starscream's shriek of what happen was heard over the ships intercom.

Those not forced into stasis where clutching their helms in pain. The Decepticons took the advantage while Thundercracker transformed back and started to gently push his charges to the pods.

"Here's the coordinates for the planet we will be heading too. You'll have to type it in manually." He said once the pods hatch opens. "There's enough energon that'll last you a few orns. Maybe longer if you ration it."

"You're not coming?" Prowl asks handing off Hot Rod to Meister who busied himself helping strap in the younglings. "the pod can't be ejected while we're in the vortex!"

"This pod is too small for me." the seeker smiled sadly. "But once we are out into open space the pod will be released and I can follow and give cover until you're out of the battle zone."

"This is not enough here to let us survive long. And until this sparkling is born I can't go into stasis and the others are too young." The Praxians wings droop and fluttered in worry.

Thundercracker leaned in and kissed his mate. "We won't be leaving you that long. Nothing will keep us away not even termination."

"But you don't know that." Prowl whispers.

"I do, we do." He said firmly. "You and the sparklet won't be abandon Prowl. we will come find you."

Prowl open his mouth to speak but the sound of his voice stayed in his throat as he watched Thundercracker get rammed into and shoved further down the hall. The large Autobot had him but the throat and one servo on his wing. Prowl shot off two rounds into the back of the Autobot but the mech acted like nothing had hit him.

The fight renewed and Prowl felt someone grab his should yanking him back in the safety of the pod. Meister's frowning face peered over his shoulder. "Get this pod going Prowler. I'll keep em off ya so ya can lunch."

"We can't launch like this!" Prowl shouted back over the cries of the mechlings.

Meister curses. {How long till we can launch this thing?}

{In five breems.}

Meister stood guard as Prowl went to fiddle with the controls.

{Four breems}

He twisted his helm to call out to Prowl. a shadow fell over him.

{Three breems}

"Meister watch out!"

The red mech turns just as a blade slices through one of his optics down to his neck. It misses damaging his optic but Meister still couldn't see out of it.

{Two breems!}

"Aww I missed." Prowl had stepped out of the pod and next to Meister who was clutching his wounded face. The mech in front of them smiled at them cruelly. There was something very wrongly familiar with this Autobot. The orange and white mech was an almost perfect frame copy of Jazz and Meister. Dread filled Prowls tanks. "Oh well this just means I can have more time to have fun." The mech laughs. He creepily smiles at Prowl. "Hello there, aren't you such a pretty piece of metal."

Prowl growled and shot off a few acid rounds at the offender. The orange mech flips back and away from the annoyed Praxian.

"Oh, I love it when their feisty." He says. "Ma name is Stepper and I am the new TIC of the Autobots." He licked his lips. "And I found two targets." He shot a blast at Meister. "that I want to destroy. You two for some reason make me want to just tear to itty bitty pieces." His smile doesn't reach his optics. "Though you I want to kill even more my mech. Don't really care about the poser there." he waves at Prowl then Meister.

"Yeah well I got a thing to say about that mech." Meister says. "Go drown in a black hole." He fires at Stepper nailing him in the leg and shoulder. However, Stepper managed his own hit and sent Meister to his knees.

Prowl yanked the red mech out of the next rounds of fire but his wing did get clipped. They kept to the open hatch, Meister was set to shove the stubborn Praxian in the pod and launch it as soon as they got word. Stepper however, frag up that plan.

{One breem} Blaster shouted over the comm. he stared a slow count down and everything slowed down to a crawl.

At each number Prowl saw Stepper raise and fire at Meister. His voice sounded weird to his own audios as he tried to warn his new friend.

{We're free; launch the pod!}

Prowl reached out grabbed the wounded Meister not to keen on leaving the injured mech to his doom. He slammed the door closed just as the pod was launch sending him and Meister sprawling on the floor. The cries of the mechlings got him scrambling up just as the weightlessness took hold, making it hard to get to the controls. They drifted amiss the cannon fire from the two ships and several came close to hitting them. Prowl digits were almost touching the chair when their small pod shutter violently throwing him against the wall hard.

The lights blared red as something hissed; warnings scrolled over his own vision. The pod was tumbling through the battle field uncontrollably.

: I got ya Prowl hang on: Skywarp said over their bond. Prowl would've hug the seeker if he could.

The pod sudden stop had Prowl slamming into the chair. As Skywarp somehow stopped their uncontrol spinning. Once he got himself back in control of his himself Prowl got in the chair and started the engines.

: Luckily you're out of the battle field so its smooth sailing.:

: Thundercracker:

: Is fine, but he won't be joining us in the skies anytime soon.: the younger seeker said. Prowl sighs in relief.: But we'll be coming after ya soon. just get yourself and the bitlits to safety.:

: Meister is here with us:

Silence: what's he doing there:

: Now is not the time to have this argument Warp. Go back and help the others: Prowl used his command voice to get his mate to listen to him. Skywarp grumbles but sends affection love be safe over the bond before zipping in front of the window heading back towards the ship still engaged with the Autobots.

They were alone, the pod would have been quiet if Prowl didn't have a group of younglings whimpering in fear or a groaning injured mech strapped on the floor. Once they were a far enough distance away did he set the gravity on and tended to his charges and friend.

By the time all that was done, and the mechlings were in recharge, Prowl was tired and low on energy. The temptation to recharge was strong but without someone there to fly the pod he couldn't rest fully. Rubbing his growing bump, Prowl shut out the fear he felt and placed the pod on auto pilot.

A short nap never hurts. Does it?

What was supposed to be a short nap turned out into something else. As Prowl found out when jerked awake by their pods violent movement.

Blue was what greeted him and he knew that somehow, they were off course from their destination and they were going to crash. Prowl snarled. He was not about to let that happen. Shutting of the auto pilot he grabs the controls and tried to get their pod to slow down.

Blue turned to green then green turned to darkness. Their pod hardly slowed so when they did stop Prowl nearly was flung out of the window. Groaning he tried to move, the action caused him to scream in pain as errors swipe over his optics. His panels, something was wrong with his panels.

Injured and low on energy Prowl's systems couldn't take the abuse anymore. Before he could stop it, his systems started throwing him into stasis. The last thing he saw were five shapes appearing in the window before he knew nothing else.

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Chapter ends.

Hey I survive the hurricane! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thank you for reading.