Chapter Twenty: Comrades…

The Exodus wasn't the cleanest ship in all the Autobot fleet, but Primus be damned if it wasn't the best. The ship had more weapon capability then any other vessel voyaging charted space and even with all the extra bulk, it was one of the fastest. Large cannons positioned just below the vessel's body and the position and shape of the command center's port view, gave it the illusion of an enormous monster with large fangs charging at you. It was an impressive display of brute force with a feeling of 'get out of my way or I'll kill you' kind of vibe. It wasn't necessarily an Autobot commissioned vessel…but then again, its occupants and crew weren't exactly fully Autobots either.

Grimlock ran his hands over the rail of the consol in front of him. Just below him on a lower level was Snarl as he navigated the Exodus. The command room was dark, its only light coming from the various read outs and glowing monitors positioned around the room. It was quiet. No one spoke. Idle chatter wasn't their game. If there was nothing to discuss, then don't talk. Grimlock wasn't one to waste anything; be it time, energy, or patience; all of which he had a very limited supply of.

The silence was broken by Snarl's consul. A light beeping noise caused the Exodus's crew to look up in interest as Snarl identified the source.

"Incoming transmission from the Wreckers," Snarl reported, not bothering to mask his disgust.

Grimlock scowled.

It was no secret that the Wreckers and Rebels weren't the best of friends and even father then on speaking terms; which made it such a surprise that of anyone, it was them contacting the Exodus.

Grimlock grunted his authorization.

Snarl nodded as he proceeded with the order. A projected holographic screen popped up before them; the face of the Wrecker's captain scowling back at them.

"What an honor that the great high and mighty Springer," Grimlock mocked the green Mech on the screen. "Should be calling on us; we, the weary band of misfits."

"Look Grimlock," Springer sneered. "You don't like me and I don't like you. We have a bad track record, I know, but this is important. I'm sending you a set of coordinates now."

Snarl nodded as he received the coordinates and sent the to Grimlock's computer screen for their leader to go over. They meant nothing to the rebel leader. He looked back up at the Wrecker expectantly.

"Those are the coordinates to where the Federation's signature was last picked up," Springer said sternly. "Not that I expected you to know this, but the Federation is a group of organic refugees Prime made an alliance with a cycle or two ago and a quarter of a cycle ago we received a distress call from their communications officer. The Sweeps found them and they may have already been shot down. So get over there!"

Grimlock's scowl deepened. "And you want us to do what? Go save the little squishies? Let them burn. They are of no concern to us, allies or not. Besides," Grimlock smirked. "How much help could they be to us…except a distraction perhaps?"

Springer cursed loudly and slammed his fist down, causing the video to flicker and pixelate. "Primus Grimlock! Madelyn's on that ship! The Sweeps could have already gotten her! But if you want to be the one responsible for allowing the 'Cons to take repossession of the Fourth key be my guest!"

Grimlock growled. "You said nothing about one of the Keys being onboard."

"If this wasn't absolutely important do you really think there would be a chance in the pit I would ever call you for help?" Springer yelled. "Primus, I don't even trust you with this, but you're the closest to the location! So get your afts down there!"

The screen blinked once and the Wrecker's captain's face winked out of existence. Silence reclaimed the command center's interior.

"Action sir?" Snarl asked.

Grimlock didn't reply right away. His inner workings clocking away as his processor did its intended job. He couldn't decide what he hated more; Springer hollering orders at him or the thought of the Decepticons taking possession of the Fourth Key. He momentarily recalled the time he had offered the little femme a spot on his crew. Her power…was impressive.

"Set course based on coordinates," Grimlock replied finally, walking away from his computer and down the small flight of stairs to the lower level. He stood over Snarl's computer and pointed. "Initiate warp gate via this point. Sludge, bring primary weapons systems online and route full generator power to thrusters." Turning Grimlock walked back to his station. "Come on Mechs, let's go save some squishies…"

((((((((((((((((((((0)))))))))))))))))))))

"Incoming message from the Wreckers sir," Blaster announced from his perch.

"Transmit onto view screen Blaster," Optimus replied. The command room was relatively active with so many things having happened in the past few cycles; the Fourth key's abduction and the Federation's alliance to name the big ones. Optimus expected an update from Springer on the retrieval of Madelyn, but not so soon. It worried him.

Springer's face winked into existence on the view screen.

Optimus nodded. "Springer."

"Optimus," Springer said, sounding uncharacteristically worried. "We got trouble…big trouble."

Optimus Prime's optics flashed. "What's happened?"

"A quarter of a cycle ago, we received a distress call from the Federation," Springer explained.

'Allies for less then a rotation and already there's a problem,' Optimus thought absently.

"Our scanner revealed that a Sweeper Unit was on approach to their vessel," Springer added. "Their ship's energy signature disappeared from our scanners a breem afterwards. We believe they used he escape pods to descend onto a nearby planet seeing as the Sweeps don't usually obliterate their targets right away. They like to play a bit. Also, scans revealed that the Sweeps descended onto the nearby planet's surface. I'm too far away to get their quick enough so…"

Springer hesitated.

"Springer?" Optimus urged, voice grim.

"I contacted the Exodus," Springer finally replied sounding as though just saying the name made his circuits twitch. "They're the closest to the red zone. Grimlock's heading out there."

Optimus lowered his head. The Rebels? Why would they agree to that? They cared not for anything beyond themselves and fighting Decepticons. Grimlock detested organics…so why? He thought back to when he had tried to abduct Madelyn himself. He had spoken to her about something…an offer of some sort. Perhaps Madelyn's power impressed the Rebel leader. Grimlock was a gladiator like Mech who responded well to strength and force of will. Could that be why? Could he be saving Madelyn purely for the hope that the Decepticons wouldn't have her?

At times, Grimlock seemed to be a blank sheet, easily readable and predictable, but every now and then he did something that surprised Optimus Prime. One could only hope this was one of those times and the Rebel leader would somehow save the key. As for the Federation…they would have to hold out long enough for the Wrecker to show up.

"Springer I want you to get there as fast as you can," Optimus told him. "Grimlock's only motive is to get Madelyn out of there. The Federation representatives will be your responsibility. Understood?"

Springer nodded curtly. "Yes sir."

As the Wrecker's face blinked away out of existence, Optimus turned and pinched the bridge of his nose just above the faceplate, sighing.

Prowl came to stand by his leader and put a supportive hand on the Autobot's shoulder. "Never a dull moment with her around is there?"

Optimus managed a small chuckle. "When she's returned to us, she's confined to the med bay."

Prowl tilted his head with a smirk. "Why?"

"Every time we let her out," he replied. "Someone tries to abduct her."

Prowl nodded, grinning.

"Let's just hope," Optimus added; his tone noticeably more concerned. "That she is able to return safely so that we get such a chance…"

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((0)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

The world seemed to erupt in a fiery ball of flame and screaming. Korek cursed loudly as a wall of sand fell upon him. Rifle in hand, he turned from the cover of the rock shelf and fire two returning blasts, their light illuminating the darkening surroundings. Turning around and slamming him back against the rock he cursed again.

"They're playing with us!" He sneered. "They'll wait till we run out of ammo and then hit us hard."

"Dammit…"

The Yasurrian turned to look down at the little girl next to him. She looked angry. Her face was hard as she gripped the rock with her small hands, forehead pressed against the surface.

Korek sighed.

She wouldn't be much help. There was no energy around there for her to channel. He was her only hope. Whatever it took…the Sweeps would not get her. He promised.

Madelyn's ears were ringing annoyingly as laser blasts and shots were exchanged over and over in a never ending pattern of noise, smoke, and an acrid smell of burning dirt. But she knew it would end soon enough…and then the fun would really begin. There was nothing she could do…and that's what she hated.

'What good is this damn power,' Madelyn scolded herself. 'If every time I really need it I can't use it?'

Momentarily surprised at how calm she was, Madelyn began to think of how they were ever going to get out of this. The only way she could see was if the Wreckers got there soon. Their distress must have been received. It had to have been received; because it wasn't going to end like this…it couldn't end like this. She refused to die here, so far from home, alone, and useless as those who were trying valiantly to keep her safe fell one by one, leaving her as the spoils for the victor. She would be brought back to the Decepticons and not doubt die very soon after. Zandrex had risked a lot for her by releasing her…she wasn't going to waste it. She owed him that much at least.

A familiar presence touched her mind softly causing Madelyn to flinch.

'Madelyn,' a smooth voice said to her. 'I am glad to see you are alive.'

'Zandrex,' Madelyn replied…her throat tightened as she recalled Optimus's words.

"I regret having to tell you this, but Megatron had Yasurr obliterated vorns ago. There's nothing but a field of debris left."

Zandrex didn't know.

'I missed you,' Madelyn thought, admittedly. 'Megatron…he didn't hurt you did he? For helping me escape?'

'I was…punished for my action,' Zandrex replied. 'I am alright though. I do not regret it,' A pause. 'I do wish our reunion could have been under more…peaceful conditions.'

'They made you come after me right?' Madelyn asked bitterly. Beside her, Korek turned and began returning a barrage of fire back at the Sweeps accumulating just beyond a mound a few meters away.

'Yes,' Zandrex admitted; his voice turned apologetic. 'I am so sorry Madelyn. I cannot save you from them a second time. I am so sorry…for everything I have done…and everything I am about to do.'

His words felt numb to her.

Madelyn's heart dropped as she suddenly felt someone's presence behind her. She whirled around and found herself staring up into those bright yellow optics that she had first seen that night in the forest with Jason so long ago it seemed. And just like the time before…she was terrified of them; those terrifyingly yellow eyes… those sad eyes.

Korek turned back against the rock and caught sight of Zandrex.

"Slag!" He cursed and raised his rifle…

Madelyn didn't see Zandrex lift his own rifle lift until it was too late.

A shot rang out.

Madelyn screamed.

Korek's body toppled over with a loud crash as sand jumped up, creating an eerie mist around his convulsing form as diodes melted, wires fried, and primary systems went dark. His rifle dropped from his grip.

Madelyn screamed again, covering her helmet's visor in horror.

Korek didn't get up.

Her eyes stung horribly as tears were ripped out of her. Her dry throat felt like sand paper as she shrieked again and again until all the sound she made was a hoarse mewing. She ran over to him and pressed her hands against his body, searching for any signs of life. She felt the very energy in his systems stop. Korek's optics flickered…and went dark.

"Korek!" Madelyn pleaded. "Korek! Answer me! Please…please don't die! KOREK!"

She slammed her fist onto his chest and sobbed hard.

'I do not ask for your forgiveness,' Zandrex told her softly. 'I must do what I have been ordered to do…I did all I could to give you time to run, but-'

Rage suddenly filled her, muscles clenched and locked, and teeth gritted. She whirled on the Yasurrian, pure hatred in her eyes.

"MURDERER!" Madelyn screamed. "DECEPTICON! MUDERER!"

Rage turned into heat that swept through her body, consuming her in fire and light as she allowed herself to enter the powered state. Her eyes glowed bright red.

Zandrex took a surprised step back at the aggressive display.

'Please Madelyn,' He pleaded. 'Do not make me fight you…not you.'

She wasn't listening. "MURDERER! YOU KILLED ONE OF YOUR OWN!!!"

Zandrex's face took on a horrified expression as Madelyn had never seen. His rifle shook in his grip.

'What….what do you mean?' He asked.

"Korek!" Madelyn shouted. "He was a Yasurrian! One of the last! You fool! Are you so brainwashed by Megatron that you can't see right in front of you? Yasurr is gone! It has been for a long time! YOU'RE FIGHTING AGAINST YOUR OWN KIND TO SAVE A PLANET YOU FAILED TO SAVE A LONG TIME AGO!!!!!"

Madelyn breathed hard, panting, chest heaving, and her eyes stinging. Slowly, she powered down, having not the energy or the will to maintain it. Looking up at Zandrex, Madelyn caught a gasp in her throat.

The dark form leered at her. His eyes were no longer sad, but domineering and fierce.

Almost…murderous.

"You lie," He said aloud, voice hard and dangerous; his optics flashing. "You are lying. I am not a murderer. I am saving my planet by cooperating with the Decepticons. I do what I must for my people! When Megatron has what he wants Yasurr will be free…my people will live…I will be free!"

Madelyn stares wide eyes up at Zandrex, shaking her head slowly, not wanting to believe what was happening. It couldn't be happening. It had to be some sort of horrible dream…

'Why?' Madelyn asked him mentally; her voice quivered. In the back of her mind something cried out for everything to just slow down, to rewind, to stop. Everything was going too fast. This couldn't be happening. 'Why would I lie to you? I thought you were my friend Zandrex…I thought…you cared…about me.'

Zandrex's face hardened and he dropped his rifle. With trebling hands he held his head, doubling over as if in pain. His horrid piercing cry of pain echoed through the battle field. Turning his back to her, Zandrex took to the skies, jets blasting up walls of sands.

Fresh flowing tears flowed unmercifully down Madelyn's face as she watched him leave. A long moment passed as she continued to simply watch the empty sky. Dropping to her knees she pressed her head to the ground, helmet digging into the ground. Gripping at the sandy soil, she grabbed handfuls of the red dirt, pressing the small jagged rocked deeper into her palm until she felt pain. It was quiet…horribly quiet. Even the wind seemed to have suddenly died.

She was alone…all alone.