A/N: Another nice long update, we got lots happening now, things are going to start getting heated.

Warnings: Mild violence, kissing mech x mech, angst

SG Earth

Jazz glared out of the window of Prowl's vacant office. His optics stared out onto the human slaves working under the watchful, harsh optics of his fellow Autobots. His mood was sullen, dissatisfied. Prowl's last communiqué had been an order to retake the spacebridge from the Decepticons and also to inform him of his twin brother's recent punishment.

Ricochet had been sent to the ARC for assaulting a senior officer. Jazz had blocked his sibling bond a long time ago, the animosity the two brothers felt for each other was no secret amongst the Autobots, but something about Prowl's message had seemed off, out of place. Jazz knew his twin well enough to know that despite his insanity and lust for absolute power, he was no fool. He would not have risked his spark in such a way. Jazz's optics narrowed with suspicion behind his visor, there was something Prowl wasn't telling him.

A soft knock at the door broke him out of his darkening mood. "Yes what is it?"

The mech gave a half bow and stepped into the room. "I have the report from the latest scout Sir."

Jazz moved away from the window and headed over to Prowl's desk, where Inferno waited patiently. "Go ahead."

"The Decepticons seem to have split into two smaller factions. Both are still located in the vicinity of the space bridge but their forces are weakened now they are divided."

Jazz's mouth curled up at the corner; this was promising news.

"There does seem to be another development. The scout took an image recording of the faction that appears to be following Starscream."

"Starscream? That flybot couldn't lead if his spark depended on it." Jazz snapped his loathing for the seeker fuelled with the knowledge that the scientist had once been in Prime's favour and had betrayed it. Despite all of Jazz's displays of loyalty and dedication, he had still been overlooked in favour of his twin in the end. Even now, the fool that Prime had become still wanted Starscream within his ranks, by his side as his most trusted.

"Yes Sir but you should see this." Inferno insisted holding out the data file.

Jazz snatched it from his hand and plugged it into Prowl's console. The image flickered and cleared. Starscream did appear to be directing the small contingent of Decepticons. Where Megatron was and why had they had split was a worrying loose end. He watched closely as the image zoomed in and re-focused on a small group close to Starscream.

Jazz felt a low growl escape his vocaliser, he vaguely recognised their frames, one of them could only be Ironhide but red rather than black. They had two Aerialbots with them and he recognised the small yellow mini-bot as the mech who had escaped their clutches. There was another he wasn't sure about and a much taller mech stood beside him. Jazz frowned at the screen, the red and blue mech's back was visible as he spoke to another hidden from view. The image wobbled and changed angles revealing the mech's face as he turned.

"It can't be." He whispered, the paintwork was vastly different, the armour less oppressive but that face, that mask and those optics could only belong to one mech. "Prime." His optics were suddenly drawn to another 'bot stepping into view. Jazz's jaw fell slack as his optics locked onto the familiar blue visor.

"What are your orders Jazz Sir?"

Jazz sneered, the Decepticons had forces they hadn't accounted for, a Prime no less. "Prepare the others fer attack, we don't move until I give the order."

Inferno dipped his head with obedience and marched from the office. Jazz continued to stare at the image and sat down slowly into Prowl's chair. Lacing his fingers together in front of him Jazz leaned forward and a dark smirk spread across his lip components. "So you follow Prowl even across universes?" Jazz spoke to the image and froze it, studying the distinct black and white armour of what could only be his counterpart. "I suppose some things remain a constant. Your weakness for him will be your undoing... Jazz."

Jazz was all too aware of his weakness, his one fatal flaw that blindsided him and left him unable to think straight. Prowl knew it too and played on it. Jazz didn't, couldn't expect anything else from the cold-sparked mech, but knowing that didn't stop him wanting, waiting and hoping that maybe Prowl would entrust him and take him as his own. He hated himself for it, but maybe this time it would work to his advantage.

He remembered how strongly the other Prowl had reacted to him when he'd been left to watch over the mech and he had taken advantage of the situation. It had taken Jazz completely by surprise, yet had given him a glimmer of hope for his Prowl. If one Prowl could feel so strongly, then maybe the other could too.

Sitting back, he folded his arms across his chest, Prowl needed to be informed of this development; they were going to need reinforcements from Cybertron to retake the spacebridge. To stop a Prime from any 'verse they were going to need Prime himself.

****

SG Cybertron

Starscream watched through narrow optics as the golden Autobot was appointed a Master by Prime. Ironhide had not been gentle with him and Sunstreaker was currently on all fours his intakes deep and erratic energon staining his armour from Ironhide's blows.

"Looks like there are kinks in the programming Ratchet." Prime stated with twisted amusement.

"My apologies Prime. I can rectify the fault just..."

Optimus waved a hand in dismissal. "No need, they obey and are submissive for the most part. Where is the entertainment if we have them break so soon?" His optics narrowed as Ironhide knocked Sunstreaker to the ground once more. The golden mech couldn't fight back due to the programming, but he could answer back and earned himself a thorough beating from the impatient Ironhide. "Enough Ironhide. You may take him he is yours. Do try to keep him somewhat online until we iron out the programming flaws."

Ironhide snarled and bowed sharply. He grabbed the back of Sunstreaker's neck and dragged him from the room.

"Prowl you and your slave may leave us. Ratchet keep the other seeker for yourself as reward for your work."

"Yes Prime."

Prowl frowned and turned to his leader as Ratchet ordered Thundercracker to follow him. "My Lord are you certain this is wise? This is not the Starscream you know and there is still the matter of the Decepticons on Earth that have gained control of the spacebridge. Is it not more prudent to concentrate our efforts on acckk..."

Prowl's voice cut off as Prime swung round with a snarl and enveloped Prowl's throat with one hand, lifting his SIC from the floor he growled with growing ire his face a finger's width from Prowl's.

"Do not dictate to me what we must do Prowl. Know your place... unless you wish to take Ricochet's place in the ARC."

Prowl squirmed in Prime's grasp his hands clawing at the powerful arm. "I merely... suggest...that we guuuh...Pri--ime please..." Prime's grip tightened, threatening to crush the cables and vital energon lines in his throat.

He snarled dangerously. "You are trying my patience..."

Across the room, Starscream and Prowl were still kneeling on the floor. They had been ordered not to move by Prime and could only watch as Prime violently punished his SIC for daring to speak out of turn. Not wanting attention drawn to them, they kept their voices to a low whisper and hoped that Prime's ire wouldn't be directed towards them.

Starscream watched the scene closely. "Interesting." He mused. He felt Prowl shudder beside him and a whisper of air escape his vents.

"How many?" He kept his voice low, optics still concentrated on the struggling SIC in Prime's grasp.

Prowl fell forward slightly, supporting himself with one hand. "I have managed to reactivate five secondary firewalls and one primary firewall." He pushed himself upright and sat back onto his legs, as they remained kneeling on the floor.

Starscream frowned as Prime flung Prowl to the floor as the tactician dared to speak up once more. "How many left?"

Prowl glanced at him with concern. "Twelve."

"Twelve!" Starscream started before catching himself, lowering his voice. "You have thirteen primary firewalls?"

Prowl's door panels twitched up once. "I am the Autobot tactician Starscream, it is only prudent to protect the knowledge I possess."

"Lot of good it's done you, they took everything you have with the mind probe." Starscream answered dryly his optics catching the subtle droop of Prowl's door wings. Without Prowl's battle computer and logic centre in operation the impact of Starscream's words cut the dutiful tactician deeply, he considered it a personal failure on his part and Starscream's scowl deepened as the Autobot's resolve wavered. "How long will it take you to override the programming?"

Prowl frowned and ran the calculations. "I'm not certain; the firewalls are of varying strengths. Starscream... it may not be possible to entirely override the program."

"Don't start doubting yourself now Autobot." His red optics glared at the tactician. "You want to redeem yourself for your failings?"

"My failings?" Prowl glowered at the accusation.

"Allowing Autobot tactical secrets to fall into the hands of the enemy, two enemies I might add."

Prowl's optics widened, of course Starscream had been present when Prowl had used the mind probe on him, he had heard everything.

"You want to redeem yourself, then you must break the programming, my trine link can only do so much and it is of no use to you or your Autobot friend. They plan on attacking our 'verse unless we can stop them." Starscream drew closer and hissed with fierce determination. "So do not tell me that it may not be possible because that is an option we do not have."

Prowl stared at him, knowing his words to be right. They needed to escape these Autobots' clutches, needed to warn the others.

Their attentions snapped back to Prime and Prowl at the far end of the room. Prowl was being punished for daring to question his Prime's motives. The two slaves stared as Prowl took the punches without so much as a whimper of defeat, he simply submitted to his Lord's will, to do anything else would mean deactivation, especially when Prime was so frustrated.

Prowl was heaved off the floor with one sweeping motion and slammed into the wall, his legs scrabbling for purchase to ease the fist pressing onto his chest.

"Why do you question me?" Prime leaned in closely to his second. "Why must you always challenge me?"

Prowl gasped as Prime grabbed his face with his free hand and demanded he answer. "I am your servant my Lord...your most loyal, I only wish to serve and have you triumph over your enemies." His voice cracked, into a hoarse whisper as Optimus leaned closer and leered at him.

"My most loyal." Prime repeated with a heated murmur. The submission of his second fuelled his desire for power and control and filled him with a burning lust as the mech who prided logic and control above all else, relinquished both for him but never without challenging him, never without putting up a fight, forever reminding him of his greater role as commander of an empire. "Mine." He whispered.

Starscream and Prowl watched on as Prime retracted his facemask and claimed his second's mouth roughly. Starscream quirked an orbital ridge as the black and white beside him tore his optics away and glared at the floor unwilling to watch. Welcome to the life of the oppressed he thought bitterly.

Prowl was dropped onto the floor when Prime released him. Pushing himself up from his knees, he stood before his leader, impassive as always, awaiting his next command.

"Take your slave, contact Jazz and inform them that they will await my signal before attacking the Decepticons."

"Then we are to travel to Earth?"

Optimus towered over his officer. "It is the most prudent course of action."

Prowl bowed his helm and turned away from his Leader's glare.

"Prowl, instruct my guard that I am not to be disturbed until further notice, under any circumstances." Prime sneered down at the kneeling seeker.

"Yes Prime." Prowl ordered his namesake to stand and follow him before Prime called out to him.

"If I am interrupted Prowl, I will hold you personally responsible."

Prowl didn't turn back and pressed his lip components together in a grim line, he could feel Prime's mocking optics burning into his back. Silently seething he took hold of the black and white's arm and marched from Prime's personal office, leaving his crazed leader with his new seeker slave.

****

Prowl found himself shoved to the floor in his counterpart's office. The darker mech was quite obviously fighting his anger at the humiliation suffered at the hands of Prime. The black and white found himself wondering how often it happened, how often Prowl was forced to submit to his leader, humiliated by him and for what purpose. Even if Prime was as insane as Mirage had told him, it still wouldn't explain why Prowl allowed such actions to occur, what motivations drove him.

He watched his captor from his position on the floor; his processor was beginning to ache with the effort of trying to reactivate his firewalls. He shifted and leant uneasily against the wall and listened.

"I have a message for you Jazz."

Jazz's distinctive vocals sounded through the speakers, causing Prowl to flinch and his spark to jump with an aching pang in his chest. He couldn't shake the feelings he'd experienced when he'd been at the mercy of this 'verses Jazz, it disturbed him, rattled him and he fought against the urge to think of the Jazz he knew. He didn't want the depravity of his memories to be in anyway associated with the one he deemed a close friend, possibly his closest.

Prowl's intakes caught in his vents as he checked himself, Jazz was his closest friend. The reality of Jazz's death was all the more raw without his battle computer active to contain his emotions. Forcing his concentration, he tuned his audio back into Prowl's conversation and simultaneously resumed his attempts to break the slavery programming.

"Prime has informed me that you are to wait for his signal before attacking the Decepticons. I suggest you prepare our forces, set up your positions beforehand, and thus gain a tactical advantage. Ensure that someone remains behind to maintain communications."

"Understood." Jazz answered. "I have information yer gonna' need. It seems that the Decepticons have split into two factions. Starscream is the closest t' the space bridge and he has help."

"Yes I am aware of the Autobots from the other universe; I encountered them before I travelled to Cybertron."

"And you didn't think we needed t' know? They have fraggin' Prime with them!"

Prowl's optics narrowed. "Prime knows and may I remind you Jazz. I don't need to inform you of anything. You are under my command. You will be given any and all information you need to defeat the Decepticons." His tone softened. "Do you really think me so shallow and twisted as to leave you vulnerable and unable to defend yourself Jazz? After all this time, do you not trust me?"

Jazz stammered on the other end of the comm. "Of course I do, I apologise Prowl I didn't mean t' imply..."

Prowl lifted his hand to silence him. "It is of no concern. Jazz do I have your trust?"

The mech on the other end of the comm hesitated, Prowl had put him through so much, tortured him, belittled him and yet Jazz had always remained by his side, bending to his will yet unwilling to break for him. "Yes. Always." Came the reply.

Prowl dipped his helm and peered at the screen from beneath his chevron. "I am relieved to hear that." He paused. "It is time for a change Jazz; you know Cybertron is suffering from Prime's blind lust for power and his overwhelming desire to defeat Megatron. It can continue no longer."

"What are you sayin'?"

"I'm saying or rather I'm asking for you to trust me and await my next signal."

"Is this why my brother is being punished? Did he find out, get too close t' you?"

Prowl's face remained stoic, revealing nothing. "Ricochet has completed his allocated punishment and was released by the medic five cycles ago." His avoidance of the actual question spoke volumes to Jazz.

"Yer the one he assaulted aren't you?" He hissed.

"It is of no co--"

"Don't Prowl, you maybe my superior but some things I won't just push aside and ferget. He'll suffer fer anything he's done t' you I swear it."

Prowl's door panels flicked up once and settled. "I have your loyalty?"

"You've always had it. You know that."

"Await my next signal; it will be on an encrypted line. Speak of this to no one."

"Got it and Prowl..."

"Mm."

"Watch out fer Ricochet he always finishes what he starts."

Prowl canted his head slightly and cut the signal. Sitting back in his chair, he allowed a sly smile to tug at his lip components.

The black and white mech watched him from the floor. He was planning to betray his Prime; the thought sent a cold wave of dread through his frame. Prowl had heard Jazz mention his Prime and the others and there was no doubt in Prowl's mind that his counterpart was going to use their presence to his advantage.

His HUD flashed with the activation of a second firewall. Worry for his friends' safety and urgency to get warning to them, Prowl activated the code to the next firewall. His thoughts drifted to Jazz, the image of the knife exiting his chest plates, the look of sheer horror on his face was enough to drive Prowl's anger, remembering Starscream's words he focused all his energy on his firewalls.

Nobody else was going to die, he'd already lost the most important presence in his life and as far as Prowl was concerned, no matter the outcome, he'd already failed. His spark ached with a pain he hadn't felt before as the full impact of Jazz's death hit him. 'No one else.' He swore to himself with angry determination. Gritting his denta he pushed past his pain barrier and concentrated his efforts on the next firewall, as long as Prowl remained disinterested in him, there was a chance.

The door opened suddenly catching both Prowls unawares.

"Ricochet, I've been expecting you." Prowl stood up to greet the strange looking mech.

The black and white looked on with growing confusion as Ricochet approached and took hold of Prowl's face. This was Ricochet that Jazz had spoken about over the comm. Prowl frowned, recalling his words, 'my brother' Jazz had a brother? Prowl couldn't help but stare at the large red and black mech, who did indeed have a strange similarity to Jazz. Did that mean, Jazz had a brother in his universe? Why wouldn't Jazz have told him that?

"He's touched ya again hasn't he?"

Prowl pulled away with a growl. "Prime does what he wants."

"Not fer long." Ricochet snarled back menacingly. "Did ya speak t' my wayward twin?"

Prowl nodded. "He believes there is a traitor in the ranks and that you're planning to turn Prime against me, he is waiting for my signal."

"He thinks yer workin' with him?"

"He does."

Averting his optics from the two mechs in front of him, Prowl resisted the urge to growl at the outright betrayal. His counterpart was going to double cross Jazz? Prowl frowned it didn't make sense, he needed Jazz and the Autobot forces on Earth. To turn against him was to lose that tactical advantage, but then what did Ricochet have over Prowl that would make him work with him against Jazz? He racked his processor trying to figure out the mech's plans. The more he knew, the better a position he would be in.

A powerful, roaring laugh filled the room. "Jazz always was a gullible fragger. His blindness fer ya will be his undoing."

Prowl matched Ricochet's sly smirk as the larger mech tugged him closer. "Undoubtedly."

Ricochet's engine revved and his hand reached up for Prowl's face. "We will wipe out all our enemies with one blow. I do enjoy it when yer plans include mass destruction and genocide.

Prowl allowed himself to be drawn up close to the larger mech, with the quirk of an orbital ridge and a dark scowl. "Neat, clean with optimum results. It is how this war should have been fought and won."

"Will be won." Ricochet growled in response, leaning closer.

Genocide, mass destruction? Prowl felt a whisper of a gasp escape his vocaliser at the darker Prowl's words. He really wasn't concerned as to who was caught in the crossfire? It was messy, uncontrolled and too many things could go wrong. His scowl deepened, as he thought of that 'verses Jazz, he needed to be warned. Prowl caught himself worriedly. Why should he warn Jazz? He didn't owe anything to the Autobots of this universe, why would he choose to help Jazz? He was nothing like his Jazz, if anything Prowl wanted to hate him but for some reason he simply could not fathom, he couldn't latch onto the loathing. It rattled him, more than he cared to admit.

Shaking his head slightly Prowl tried to ignore the embrace of the two mechs before him. His optics brightened with a sudden realisation as he gave a quick glance up at his counterpart, currently in the arms of Ricochet. He was playing a dangerous tactical game with both brothers, working one against the other. It was a diversion, he narrowed his optics, but for what?

Prowl stayed low and quiet on the floor, focusing all his energy on his firewalls once more. He couldn't help the sharp intake of air when his third firewall activated. Ricochet's visor glinted in his direction and the sneer widened across his angled face. "My, my Prowl what is this?"

"That is Prowl, from the other universe. He has had the slave programming installed into his cortex."

Prowl's optics snapped up at the sudden focus of Ricochet's attention, he shrank back into the corner as the two mechs approached him.

"Why is he here?"

Prowl's scowl melted into a smirk. "I have plans for him; he will be of much use to me."

Ricochet's visor flashed as he looked over the black and white frame. "Slave program ya say?" He shot Prowl a sly grin over his shoulder before turning back to the Autobot slave and reaching for him. "Let's see how good Ratchet's programming really is."

****