Disclaimer; Transformers characters, movie plots and merchandise do not belong to me. I have two oc's in this story; Livie/Firebird and Hornet.
This chapter is a bit longer than the others but that's the way it went.
Enjoy!
Chapter 20.
How to deceive a Decepticon.
Jazz walked into Optimus Prime's office with a worried look on his face,
"Prime, I have been trying to reach Livie but she is not responding,"
Optimus Prime looked up from the data pads he was finishing before his meeting later with Charlotte Mearing,
"How long has it been since she was in communication?"
"About twenty four hours ago, I really don't like this Optimus,"
"No, neither do I," the Autobot leader replied, "Keep trying to contact her and let me know if there is any change, we need to also consider the possibility of rescuing her."
"Yes sir but what about Charlotte?"
"I will not let Charlotte interfere when it comes to the life of an Autobot. We will rescue her despite what the humans think," Optimus replied resolutely
"Yes sir." Jazz replied.
Meanwhile in the med bay on the Decepticon base Hook was finishing off the treatment he had done on Livie's processor. The medic was convinced he had done it properly and called Barricade back.
"It is done." Hook replied as the hunter walked through the doors, "There is nothing left for her to remember herself as an Autobot, it has been changed so that she sees herself as a Decepticon,"
"Did it work?" Barricade asked,
"We shalln't know until she wakes up," Hook checked the machine for her vital signs, it pleased him to see they were stable. He turned around and smirked at Barricade, "But what I do know is that she was intended to become the spark mate of Sideswipe, I have removed those memories completely,"
A smile broke out on Barricade's face and a low rumble emanated from his chest, "I can't wait to see what happens when Sideswipe sees her fighting beside Soundwave as his spark mate,"
Hook grunted, "You're going to have to do something about Ironhide and Chromia too. They have a bond with her, I don't know how they did it but it's there,"
"I thought you had done it all," Barricade growled,
"Changing her memory doesn't stop the bond," Hook snapped,
"Can't you close it?" Barricade asked.
Hook scowled, "No, it's not my place to. You know we can't touch bonds between Cybertronians. You are going to have to deal with them."
Barricade smirked, "That would be a pleasure," he snarled.
Livie was just coming around while Hook and Barricade were talking.
She continued to lie on the berth and pretend to be still in recharge so that she could work out what was going on. She knew they had done something but she wasn't sure what it was and whether or not it had worked. Livie went through her memory files to work out what was happening, but they were all jumbled up and bits of information that really mattered to her were missing completely. She knew somebody had been through them, they had left tracks, "Creepy!" Livie thought.
A single tear rolled down her cheek, she quickly and discreetly wiped it away before it plopped onto the berth. Whoever it was that had interfered with her memory banks was going to pay dearly. With his life. Nobody did that to her.
"I don't understand why Hornet would pass her onto Ironhide, I was her spark mate," Barricade snipped,
"Ironhide? who's Ironhide?" Livie thought, "I need to work out what is going on here,"
Hook shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe because we killed all femme and sparkling," he replied, "A creators bond is very strong, especially the femme's. Her protection protocol would have told her what to do to protect the hatchling."
Barricade growled.
"What is her name now?" Hook asked,
"Firebird," Barricade replied without hesitation, "Are you sure she'll see herself as a Decepticon,"
"Yep,"
Firebird narrowed her optics, "So I'm Firebird am I?" she thought, "And I'm a Decepticon. What was I before? Autobot?"
Firebird decided it was now time for these two to give her some answers one of which was why they'd changed her Designation...hadn't she always been Firebird the Decepticon?
"Nng," Firebird moaned as she held her arm over her optics,
The two mechs looked in her direction and watched her for a while before Hook spoke, "Well, she's your daughter, aren't you going to speak to her?"
Firebird pretended to have fuzzy optics,
"D-dad?" she asked.
Barricade smiled, believing it had worked, "Yes, I'm here," he purred smoothly,
"My head hurts a little bit"
"That's just the after effects of her treatment," Hook replied, "It will settle down after a while,"
"Treatment?" Firebird asked,
"You had a very nasty virus," Barricade snarled, "But you're okay now, Hook has cleaned your processor out," Barricade replied,
"Oh," Firebird replied, "Well I'm glad I'm okay now. Can I have some energon?"
Barricade turned to Hook, "Get her some energon," he demanded, "My daughter and I need to get...acquainted," he looked back at the sixteen foot femme lying on the berth and smirked. She was his now and no Autobot would ever lay a hand on her.
Firebird looked around the med bay, she couldn't remember being brought here, actually she couldn't remember anything since...since...she didn't know when. She looked up at Barricade,
"What happened?" she asked, "I can't seem to remember much?"
He looked down at her and smirked, "You had a nasty virus which scrambled your memory banks but don't worry Hook cleaned it out and put everything back in place,"
"Yes my dear," Hook replied, "Don't worry everything will settle down soon."
Firebird looked around the med bay once again and at the hunter leaning over her and holding her claws down on the berth, something wasn't quite ringing true. Why didn't she feel like she knew herself anymore? Firebird tried to remember who she was and where she had come from but she couldn't find any memory at all except that she was a Decepticon. Anger surged through her body and she was about to find out what had happened when another idea came to her. Lie low, let them think that whatever they have done has worked and then she can figure out who she was and what has happened,
"If you don't mind, I'd like to go back to my quarters to rest."
"That would not be a good idea," Hook replied, "You've been through some massive treatment,"
"I'm fine," she argued and started to sit up,
"I'll take care of her," Barricade replied, "She'll be okay and I'll let you know if anything happens that shouldn't have happened."
Barricade grabbed her by the arm and took her to her quarters before Hook could protest; she walked slowly through the base feigning weakness. Others watched her and scowled at the hunter,
"What's happened to her?" Thundercracker asked Skywarp,
"I don't know," Skywarp replied, "Perhaps she's ill."
"Probably, but you know our track record with femmes,"
Soundwave watched while Barricade pushed her into her quarters and locked the door. He watched the hunter leave and turned back to her door. Firebird faced the berth and looked around her room, it was peaceful and quiet in there so now she could gather her thoughts and fathom out where to go from here.
On the floor was the empty syringe Hook had used to drug her. A flashback shot through her processor of her screaming while Barricade held her down, "So they did do something" she thought to herself.
Livie slid down the wall clutching at her crest and whimpering as the flashback kept repeating itself over and over again,
"Stop it!" she cried.
All of a sudden there was loud ping which made her jump,
"Hello baby, Jazz here," Firebird repeated the word over and over again, the name was familiar but she couldn't remember who he was, "Livie...are you there?" he asked with a voice laced with concern.
She wasn't sure why but Firebird believed she could trust this mech, "Jazz, help me. Something has happened to me and I'm scared,"
The expression on Jazz's face darkened and he extended the link to Ratchet, "Okay, sweetspark, tell me what's happening now."
"I'm sitting in my quarters and I keep having flashbacks of something that happened not so long ago but I don't know what, Hook mentioned something about a nasty virus,"
"Nasty virus indeed," Jazz snarled, "I'll give them a nasty virus,"
"Livie, you're speaking to Ratchet..."
"Who are Ratchet and Livie?" she asked,
Ratchet growled, they had done it and by the sound of what he was hearing it hadn't worked,
"Livie I'm the Autobot medic and you are Livie," Livie stopped and thought for a moment, "So I was an Autobot, but what am I doing here?"
"I was an Autobot?" she asked, she'd already worked it out bu neded conformation that she was on the right track,
"You still are," Ratchet replied, "Tell me about your flashback, Livie,"
"I was in my quarters and Barricade is holding me down while I'm screaming. I hear something about being new but that's all."
She heard muttering over the line and started panicking,
"Ratchet, who are Ironhide, Chromia and Sideswipe?"
"Ironhide and Chromia are your parents and you are intended to Sideswipe," Jazz replied.
Tears slipped out of Firebird's optics, "I am intended?" she thought. Whatever her and Sidewipe had must have been beautiful and now it had gone. Firebird started to cry hysterically, "I have nothing of Sideswipe he has completely gone from my memory banks, and I don't even know what Ironhide and Chromia look like... they're just..names,"
"Livie calm down and pull yourself together," Ratchet barked, "We are going to help you get through this but you must be strong until we can work out how to get you back."
"Jazz, can you tell me how you fit in my life?"
"I trained you for a mission which you are on now, the Decepticons..."
"The Decepticons were being silent so I volunteered to come here and find out what was going on." the clarity of that memory amazed all that were communicating with each other, "Hang on a minute, why has that memory not been touched?" she asked,
"They know who you are," Jazz replied,
"No they don't because I didn't tell them that it hasn't worked; they believe I have nothing left."
"That was a good idea, Livie. Keep doing that until we get you out of there," Jazz replied.
Suddenly Firebird groaned and clicked in pain as another flashback flashed across her optics. This time it was the image of a grey mech with horns and a visor flashed in front of her optics,
Jazz became alarmed by the sound of Livie's painful moaning "Livie, what's the matter, sweetspark?"
She didn't say anything, it was just too painful, "Help me," she cried as she fell to her knees, "Someone please...help me," her voice weakened and Ratchet started to worry about her state of mind and health,
"Livie," he said calmly, "Tell me what's happening," she said nothing, "Come on Livie, you've got to speak to me," Ratchet implored,
"It hurts!" she screamed down the comm. Link, "What have they done to me?" she cried as she rocked backwards and forwards on her knees,
"Alright, alright, just calm down." Ratchet soothed,
He could hear her whines and groans' subsiding with the pain and it was a little while before he heard anything else from the femme. There was a long pause of silence, both mechs waited anxiously for her to say something,
"Jazz," she said quietly, "Tell me you have horns, a visor and grey in colour,"
Jazz smiled, "That's me baby," he replied.
Ratchet thought for a moment, "Livie when did you have your first flashback?"
"When I came back to my quarters," she replied, "It happened in here; there is an empty syringe on the floor,"
"Hmm," Ratchet replied thoughtfully, "It sounds like the flashbacks are happening when there is something that is jogging your memory. The sound of Jazz's voice must have registered somewhere in your processor." Ratchet shut off his link to Livie, "Jazz we need to get her back quickly if Livie is to have any chance of surviving this." he barked.
Jazz shot him a look, he knew that, "I'm going to speak to Optimus Prime, the mission has failed."
"Jazz are you there?" Firebird asked, "Can you ask Sideswipe to send me anything that will help me remember the relationship I had with him? I want that back!" she stated,
"I will do that Livie," he replied.
Another idea came to Firebird's head, "I'm sending you a holoform of myself so you know what I now look like."
A holoform sprang in front of Jazz of a formidable looking midnight blue and black femme. Hard and cold ruby optics which were once warm and full of gentleness now shone from an ebony black face. Her main body was midnight blue and her claws and feet were ebony. On her chest was a Decepticon symbol which stood out like a sore thumb and for some strange reason offended Firebird further convincing her she is in fact an Autobot. She sent the file to Jazz and Ratchet who then sent it onto Optimus Prime,
"Livie, I have to say you look gorgeous darling," Jazz said,
There was a moments pause before Livie replied, "Thanks but can you call me Firebird?"
"No, we'll call you Livie, it's the only way you will get better,"
Livie just ignored Ratchet, "I overheard a conversation about Barricade killing Ironhide and Chromia," she told the two mechs.
Ratchet shut his link off to Livie again, "They're going to break her bond with Ironhide and Chromia. We need to work fast," he said.
"I'll tell Optimus," Jazz replied.
"Somebody is coming, I've got to go," she whispered and got up from her position on the floor to lie on the berth and cut the link.
Soundwave walked into her quarters with Laserbeak on his shoulder and stood over her for a minute. A hand felt her face and head before a blanket was placed over her body, Laserbeak watched with intrigue at the kindness his master was showing this femme after hearing her desperate pleas for help. He knew what had happened to her and by the sound of it Hook hadn't done it properly. He could sort that out, but not now; she was going through enough trauma and pain. She purred as he stroked her face once again, the feeling of motion was soothing on her sore head.
"Hmm dad," she purred,
"Soundwave," his deep voice replied.
Livie opened her optics and looked up at the mech alarmed, "How did you get in here?"
"Master can work out the codes," Laserbeak replied,
"Don't be scared," Soundwave said, "I heard you calling for help,"
A tentacle appeared from Soundwave and made its way towards Firebird; not to harm her, that wasn't his intention at all, he wanted her to learn to trust him...love him. Barricade had allowed her to be harmed and the 2IC was annoyed with that, she was the hunter's creation. Barricade thought Soundwave didn't know about Firebird, but he did, he made it his business to know everything in the base so he could report back to Megatron.
Firebird tried to fight the tentacle but another one appeared and started to wrap itself around her wrists, she struggled as the first tentacle connected itself to her head,
"This isn't going to hurt," he said, "Just relax,"
The condor jumped off of Soundwave and stood next to Firebird, "Master wants to help you," he said.
There was a hum as a warm current flowed through her processor and systems and ever so slowly she could feel the pain subsiding and she was going into a peaceful recharge. Soundwave could feel her starting to relax and released his tentacle slightly.
"Rest well," he said as he left her quarters and placed Laserbeak in charge over her,
"Guard her, she's mine!" he instructed Laserbeak gruffly. "Nobody can be allowed in or out of her quarters until she is well enough to be up and about herself,"
"Yes Master," he replied and lay flat on the wall.
Jazz sat in Optimus Prime's office with Ratchet and Prowl and told them everything Livie had told him. Optimus Prime put a hand over his mouth the expression on his face showing the concern he was feeling. Optimus turned to Ratchet,
"Can you do anything for her?"
"I can try, but without running a thorough scan and diagnostic on her I can't tell how much damage has been done."
Optimus nodded in understanding, "Well our first priority has to be getting her out of there so that she can have the proper medical treatment. Prowl can you call Bumblebee and Mirage for me, we'll get them to do a recon." Optimus said, "In the meantime let's get Sideswipe in here,"
"It probably isn't wise to do that due to the pain level she is going through every time she has a flashback. If somebody finds out what is happening to her they could attempt the procedure again and that might kill her," Ratchet replied,
"But she wants us to speak to Sideswipe," Jazz argued,
"Somebody needs to be with her," Ratchet replied,
Optimus Prime could see this getting heated and put up his hand, both Jazz and Ratchet stopped arguing and looked at their leader,
"I can see where you are both coming from and I want to make sure that whatever we do it is best for Livie. Ratchet if we leave this too long will it have any detrimental effect upon her overall recovery?"
"Yes, the longer we leave it, the harder it is going to be for her to retrieve the memories, that is as long as they haven't been wiped out."
"And if they have been wiped out?" Optimus asked,
"Then Sideswipe and Livie will have to start again," he replied sadly, "That is if she isn't a different femme," a heavy silence fell upon the room,
"We need to tell him what has happened to her and let him know how he can help her. Sideswipe would want that and so does Livie. If we need to help them get back together now is the time to start." Jazz insisted
"I agree with you, Jazz. I'm sorry Ratchet but on this occasion Jazz is right. She needs to know Sideswipe is here and he plays a big part in her life. What right do we have to not give them the chance to fight for what they had?" Optimus Prime replied.
"But..." Ratchet went to argue.
Prime raised his hand to stop the medic's argument, "It will be that way, Ratchet" Optimus replied firmly,
"Yes sir," Ratchet replied, "But I don't agree with it"
Prime chuckled, "I know old friend,"
The frontline warrior sat in front of Optimus, Jazz and Ratchet not quite sure what to expect, or why he was there,
"Is there a problem?" he asked,
"Just come and sit down," Optimus said gravely
Sideswipe didn't miss the glance between Ratchet and Jazz, "He's not going to take this well," Jazz said,
"I know," Ratchet replied.
A pained expression crossed Optimus Prime's face,
"Sideswipe, there is no easy way to say this but we have just heard some bad news regarding Livie,"
Fear coursed its way through Sideswipe's system, not Livie, his beautiful Livie, surely she hasn't died too? "What sort of bad news. What's happened to her?" Sideswipe asked,
"She is alive but the Decepticons have interfered with her memory banks but they haven't done it properly. The other problem is any memories you two shared have been taken from Livie's memory, she doesn't know who you are."
There was a stunned silence as Sideswipe sat there and digested the news,
"There is a way you can help her," Ratchet continued but Sideswipe didn't hear him,
"I'm gonna kill him," he roared, "Nobody harms Livie like that,"
Sideswipe got up but he was pushd down again by Jazz, "Let go of me!" he bellowed,
"No! You need to listen," Ratchet barked, "There is a way you may help her. She has asked you to download anything that will help her remember who you are; a memory of time you spent together and then we will deal with the Decepticons. Help her Sideswipe, she needs you," the medic pleaded.
Sideswipe sat for a moment and considered what Ratchet was saying, "Alright," he said, "I will help her but Barricade had better be looking over his shoulder because I will be after him."
"We will all be after him," Prime replied.,
Jazz looked at Sideswipe seriously, "For Livie's sake, do not do anything stupid tonight," Jazz warned, "You are no good to Livie dead or locked in a cell,"
Sideswipe left the office and walked silently through the base angry at the Decepticons for what they did and himself for letting her go. He punched the wall and swore colourfully. He met Ironhide's optics and looked down shaking his head. He had promised the weapons specialist he'd look after Livie but he hadn't.
Prime looked the saboteur, "Watch him," he said to Jazz as he gave them the high grade, "I don't want him doing anything rash tonight,"
"Yes sir," they both replied.
"Come Ratchet, it is time to rescue Sentinel Prime," Optimus said.
Soundwave came back into Firebird's room and looked at the sleeping femme, she looked contented and pain free. He held out his arm for Laserbeak to settle on it and took him out of Livie's quarters as Barricade walked in. Soundwave turned to Laserbeak,
"It is time, you know what you have to do," he snarled, "And so do I,"
The two Decepticons flew off to their perspective duties while Ratchet and Optimus Prime were on their mission to the moon.
Firebird woke up from her recharge and looked around her quarters. Barricade was standing above her with Hook checking over her systems,
"Everything is working normally," he said, "She has rested well and can be up and about a bit today."
"That is good, she can begin training, get her used to destroying those human loving Autobots,"
"There will be a reckoning for this. You will pay!" she snarled darkly under her breath.
"I need to recharge," Barricade said, "She can wonder freely through the base and get acquainted with the others."
Hook growled lustfully.
Just as Barricade and Hook left Firebird received an incoming message from Sideswipe. She opened the transmission and read it,
::You may not know who I am anymore but I know you and love you deeply. I am here waiting for you my love and when the time comes we will spend the rest of our lives together. Stay strong sweetspark because I'm coming to get you. Here is something to help you find your way back to me. All my love Sideswipe::
She opened the attachment, a tune to a song played and she watched as a crystal blue femme and a silver mech danced together. They both looked happy as the femme's head laid against his chest. The words "I love you" scrolled across the screen but the whole scene meant nothing to Firebird. She didn't even know who the crystal blue and white femme was until they stopped dancing and ruby optics shone brightly and full of love from her white face, "She looks like me," Firebird thought as tears rolled down her face.
She sent another message back to Sideswipe, ::You're right, I don't know who you are nor do I know the femme you are dancing with. I assume it is you anyway. If that femme was me then please help me find my way back to you so that I can have back what was stolen. I am going to send you a holoform of me now so that you will recognise me. Please...don't give up Sideswipe. If I can't find my way back to you as Livie then I will learn to love you all over again as Firebird. I promise,"
Sideswipe almost jumped at the quick return to his letter, he was also stunned at the gorgeous looking femme standing in front of him. She was stunning!
"Oh Livie," he moaned quietly, "I really hope it is as easy as that,"
Sunstreaker entered their quarters and scowled at Sideswipe, "What are you doing? Livie needs you and you're checking out other femmes,"
"This is Livie," he replied sadly.
"What? She's beautiful, I'm surprised Barricade let her choose something like that. Shame about the con badge, "
Sideswipe growled angrily, "She doesn't know who she was before this and she can't remember me. We have to help her Sunstreaker,"
"We will help her Sideswipe, but you need to be patient. It will take time and you two can make new memories," Sunstreaker replied.
Firebird silently moved through the base and up to the main entrance, it was open and the sun was shining brightly. She stopped at the door and held the lentel while she looked at the scene in front of her and enjoyed the warmth of the sunlight. Out there somewhere were friends she once knew and family she loved but she had no idea where. There was a sound of footsteps coming up behind her,
"Planning an escape?" Thundercracker asked.
Firebird turned around, "No," she replied with annoyance at the distubance, "I was just looking; I haven't been outside for a while."
"I'll take you out, we could fly,"
Firebird thought about it for a moment, It has been rather stifling just lately and it would be good to get away for a while, "Yeah...okay," she replied.
Thundercracker transformed and hovered just above the ground, Firebird clambered up his frame and into the seeker. It was a bit tight but once she was comfortable the seeker took off. The seeker enjoyed the sensation of her touch on his armour and the feeling of her lightly slipping into the cockpit. His cooling fans spun as he felt his systems overheating, Firebird smiled wryly.
"Feeling a bit hot there, Thundercracker" she teased,
"Thundercracker laughed, "Can't I enjoy you so close by,"
"Yeah well don't go getting any ideas and don't go bragging to your mates about me being with you either. I'm not a conquest!"
"And what would you do if I did," he asked,
"Rip your vocal processor out," she replied.
Thundercracker took off as a comfortable silence fell between them. She looked out of the cockpit the sky was clear and she could see everything around her. She saw the freeway down below and Bumblebee with Sam, Mirage and Sideswipe but from her height she couldn't recognise who was who. She watched as the dreads tore through the human vehicles, and Bumblebee transforming into his bi pedal mode and jump over the road sign. He caught Sam in the process.
She also saw Sentinel Prime's right in the middle of the Autobots, "Who is he?" she asked,
"Sentinel Prime," Thundercracker replied, "You should know him what with being an Autobot."
Firebird growled, "I was never an Autobot,"
"Yes you were, Barricade brought you back just a few days ago," Thundercracker replied,
"You're talking out of your afterburners Thundercracker," she snarled, "I was never an Autobot,"
"No I'm not it's true and you know it,"
Firebird frowned, he was going to spoil everything, "You're delusional Thundercracker," she snarled, "No such thing happened," she retorted angrily, "I was never an Autobot so shut up!" she growled.
They flew over NEST, she saw a black truck driving along the road at full speed and it bore some resemblance to her. She could feel her processor tingling, "Oh no!" she thought,
"Thundercracker, please don't take me back yet?"
Thundercracker heard the desperation in her voice, "What's the matter, Firebird? What's happening?" he asked.
She clutched her helm and clicked desperately as the pain intensified. Firebird clenched her fists and punched the side of Thundercracker desperately,
"Owww, Firebird, what are you doing?" he bellowed in a scratchy voice.
Thundercracker didn't know what to do; the femme had made it quite clear she didn't want to go home. Below him were the Central plains so he thought it best to land there until Firebird had managed to compose herself. Firebird felt the descent,
"I told you not to take me back," she snarled through her pain,
"I'm not," he snapped.
He hovered just above the ground and opened his cockpit to let her out. Firebird crawled out and fell on the ground in a writhing heap. Thundercracker transformed and stood over her with his hands on his hips. What was he supposed to do with her? He sat down and gathered her into his arms and tried to soothe away the pain but it wasn't working. Firebird could feel Barricade moving through her bond impatiently adding to her pain. She quickly shut him out before he could get any idea something had gone wrong with the treatment for the so called "nasty virus."
Finally the pain started to subside but it would come back with a sharp jab as the image of the black truck flashed before her optics. She clung to Thundercracker, squeezing his arm as the pain intensified and releasing it as the pain subsided. He heard her whines and clicks of desperation quieten suggesting that whatever was happening to the poor femme in his arms beginning to stop,
"What happened?" he asked,
"I dn't know, I get these pains every now and then," she replied,
"Then you must tell Hook," he replied,
"No," Firebird yelled and sat up to look the seeker squarely in the face. She grimaced as the sudden movement caused another jab of pain in her processor, "You must promise me never to tell anybody about this."
Thundercracker smirked at her; he could use this as a bribe whenever he wanted something from her, "I promise," he purred sweetly,
"Thank you," Firebird replied as she rested her head against his chest.
Thundercracker looked down at her, he hesitated before he moved his hand but he couldn't help but stroke her helm with one hand while still holding onto the femme curled up against him in the other. The motion was soothing Firebird, she purred quietly as he continued the action. Thundercracker looked down at her again. Who was he kidding? How could he bribe this femme?
"Your secret will be safe with me," he whispered to her. She squeezed his arm in appreciation.
After a couple of hours Firebird felt much better and sat up, "Let's go back before my father sends out a search party,"
Thundercracker got up and transformed again, he waited for Firebird to clamber in and then took off,
"I'm sorry if I hurt you Thundercracker," she said, "I was quite offensive and rude and then I punched you."
Thundercracker laughed, "I'll forgive you" he replied.
They arrived back to an angry looking Barricade who was prowling the front of the base awaiting the return of Firebird. He saw Thudercracker land and Firebird clamber out of the seeker and growled darkly as the seeker transformed,
"What were you doing with my daughter?" he bellowed as he strode up to Thundercracker menacingly, "I should rip out your spark you useless...,"
"Dad, stop it!" Firebird bellowed, "I asked him to take me out. I felt like I was in a prison and it as beginning to get stifling," she said as she moved between Thundercracker and Barricade, "I'm sorry I should have asked you first and I promise you next time I will."
It wasn't the truth and she knew Barricade knew it wasn't the truth; he stood there staring at her before finally backing down, "Alright," he said, "I should learn to trust you more,"
"Trust, now there's a new word for you father. You broke that trust before it even formed when you allowed my memeories to be stolen." She thought sarcastically,
"Come daughter, we are going to train together,"
"Awesome," Firebird replied as she rubbed her hands, "Let's destroy Autobot afts together," a rumble emanated from Barricade as he laughed.
She turned around to face Thundercracker, "Later TC," she teased. Thundercracker chose to ignore her this time.
Barricade and Firebird stood in the holoform room together, Firebird looked around the room, it was just a plain room with scratch and scorch marks,
"Now let's see what you can do?" he snarled.
A holoform sprang up in front of Firebird, he smirked as she baulked a moment. The holoform seemed real, his blue optics narrowed as he onlined a cannon and went to fire a shot at Firebird. The midnight blue femme rolled as she fell to the ground and swung around, her blade appeared from her arm and she slashed at his back ripping through armour plating and wires. The mech fell to the ground and disappeared. Firebird could feel her tank bubbling and she wanted to purge but she managed to hold it down. Barricade couldn't be allowed to know Hook's treatment didn't work properly.
She heard the hunter growl with satisfaction at the move as two more Autobots appeared, Firebird slashed them all sending sparks and energon everywhere. An evil smile appeared as Barricade produced a holoform of Ironhide, Firebird nearly squealed at the sight of the massive black mech in front of her, his sapphire optics narrowed and cold and hard. Why was this mech so familiar? The familiarity astounded her and she hoped that she wouldn't have any side effects from her processor.
The midnight blue femme knew that this one would take more than her sword, she needed her cannon too. She felt physically sick as the holoform of Ironhide's cannons whirred to life, the midnight blue femme stood there rooted to the ground,tears in her optics as the reality of who this mech was came back to her. This was her father...Ironhide...and she was pitched against him. Firebird shuttered her optics, "He's just a holoform," she said over and over again with every shot and swipe at the mech. He was good she had to give him that and it wasn't long before he was starting to overpower her.
Barricade watched her and decided that his daughter couldn't have all the fun, he onlined his battle computer and swung into action. Together they rolled and swerved to avoid the weapons specialist's shots and for a brief moment a bond formed between them as they battled it out together. Finally the holoform was no match for either of the Decepticons and he fell to his knees and then his head hit the ground as his body lay there lifeless.
Firebird could feel her tanks bubbling again and this time she wasn't successful at keeping her energon down. Barricade growled with frustration at her,
"You disgusting femme, what's the matter with you? Maybe I should take you back to the med bay,"
"No!" Firebird yelled, "No, I'm fine," she said calmly, "I have just never experienced anything like that before,"
Barricade looked at her for a moment suspiciously but then his expression changed, "Ah, you'll soon get used to it. Get some rest daughter, you have trained well."
Relief flooded Firebird's systems but it was short lived when she could feel the pain in her helm arrive with vengeance. Her optics paled and she stumbled but Barricade caught her,
"Are you okay?" he asked,
"Yeah," she replied weakly, "I just need to lay down for a bit; I guess I've overdone it," Barricade watched her as she suffered, air hissing through his vents impatiently. How long was it going to take her to get over this treatment?
She lay on her berth and clutched her helm and her crest as hard as she could. This was going to be a bad one and she wondered if she was going to survive as she writhed in pain on her berth. She kept her screams subdued, she couldn't let the Decepticons hear her or she would lose what was left of her memory; but she was sure that the power of this one was a sign that it was getting worse and if she didn't get back to the Autobots soon she would die. Blackness infringed on her vision and she could feel herself fading into unconsciousness.
"Sideswipe help me," she mumered as her optics faded, she couldn't be bothered to wonder where that came from, she hardly knew the frontline warrior. Or did she? Her body went limp as Firebird became unconscious.
Ironhide had been resting with Orbit when he felt a pang of pain pierce his spark. He yelled as he quickly stood up and doubled over, something was happening to Livie and whatever it was, it wasn't good. Mirage was just nearby and he heard the weapons specialist yell out in pain. He looked in Ironhide's direction and became alarmed,
"Ironhide!" he yelled, "What's happening?"
Other mechs heard him and raced to the weapons specialist's aid, "Take him to the med bay," one of them said but Irohide wasn't sure who, by now it was about all he could do to stay conscious.
Jolt had just left the med bay when he saw Ironhide being carried up the corridor,
"Ratchet!" he bellowed urgently.
The medic raced to Jolt's side to see what the junior medic's urgent call was about. They both raced to the help of Ironhide, Bumblebee and Mirage,
"What happened?" Rachet barked,
"I don't know, Ironhide yelled and doubled over," Mirage replied.
Ratchet led them into the med bay and onto the nearest berth, "Lay him here," he snapped, "Ironhide, are you alright?" he yelled as he shook the weapons specialist,
"What's wrong with him?" Bumblebee asked,
"I don't know yet," Ratchet replied in a voice laced with concern.
Ironhide's optics brightened and he went to get up but Ratchet held him down, "Got to help Livie," he rasped. Hands came from everywhere to push him back on the berth, he fought at the hands holding him down but he was too weak and flopped back on the berth,
"Ironhide," Ratchet bellowed as he shook him, "Ironhide!"
"Where's Chromia?" Ratchet yelled,
"She's out on patrol with Elita," Bumblebee replied,
"Well call her back!" the medic barked at Mirage, "Whatever is going on with Livie is going to affect her too."
Prowl knocked on Optimus Prime's door, "Sir, we have another problem,"
Prime pushed air through his vents, what could possibly be worse than what Sentinel Prime did to the base yesterday. He growled, things were going from bad to worse,
"What has happened Prowl?" he asked,
"Ironhide has gone into stasis, Ratchet thinks it's because something is happening with Livie."
"Noooo," he said as he sprung up and left his office with Prowl.
Prime raced into the med bay to find Ratchet frantically trying to revive the weapons specialist, he walked toward the berth Ironhide was lying on and looked at Ratchet concerned,
"Prime," he said, "I can't revive him, I believe Livie may be unconscious because he is stabilising but as long as she is out we will not be able to revive him. It is quite possible she had a serious flashback and it has put her into stasis." Optimus Prime looked at Ratchet and then back at Ironhide, "We have to get her back into the safety of NEST if she is to have any chance of survival,"
"I agree Ratchet; I will rally the Autobots together so that we can rescue her,"
"Sir," Ratchet said as he moved closer to Optimus, "Before Livie left she asked me to rescue her body and bring her back so that she can be laid to rest as an Autobot,"
OPtimus Prime looked at the CMO with compassion, "Then her wish shall be granted," he said kindly and quietly, "You may go but let's hope we are not rescuing her body,"
"Yes sir," Ratcher replied.
The call from Sentinel Prime came and the Decepticons hiding on the moon rose out of the dust, Hornet was among them. She looked toward the space bridge which was forming and turned to the rest of the newly resurrected army,
"Our master calls," she snarled viciously, "Let's go."
She jumped through the space bridge closely followed by the others. Humans who were making their way home from work had no choice except to watch as monstrous behemoths jumped out of the space bridge and run for their lives.
Meanwhile Firebird came round to the feel of Barricade prodding her,
"Firebird!" he snapped, "Get up, it is time to go,"
Firebird looked at him confused, "Go where,?" she asked,
"We are going to Washington, the world as these scrawny humans know it is going to come to an end. Already Decepticons have arrived, your mother among them and they are hiding and awaiting Megatron's next command."
Firebird looked at her father, alarm bells were sounding in her processor, something was amiss here. Something was not quite right. She needed to tell Jazz except there was one problem, she didn't have his call code.
Firebird was led to the rec room where they downed a cube of energon and then they transformed and left the base. She could feel her battle computers humming as she sped through the prairies toward the direction of Washington.
They arrived at the outskirts of the city just as daylight was breaking and parked in inconspicuous places where they would wait until Sentinel Prime gave the demands for the Autobots to be exiled. Barricade took Livie further to an awaiting vehicle sitting silently in the disused building where Jazz brought Livie back to him. Hornet had been waiting for this opportunity to meet Firebird for a long time and she instantly transformed at the sound of the saleen police car and Celica's arrival.
Firebird saw the black and yellow femme standing there with her arms folded and her ruby optics glowing menacingly. She transformed and stood in front of the femme who looked her up and down condescendingly,
"Sooo, we finally get to meet!" Hornet snarled,
"Who are you?" Firebird asked
"Your mother!" she replied in a deeper voice, "I trust that weapons specialist took good care of you," she said with disgust.
Firebird looked at Hornet, she had no recollection of being brought up by any Autobot actually the more she thought about the more she realised she didn't have any recollection of being brought up by anybody...not even Barricade. Firebird turned around and glared at Barricade,
"Who raised me?" she asked.
Hornet laughed, "It doesn't matter who raised you my dear, what is important is that you and I have been reunited,"
She then scanned the femme focusing her attention on Firebird's proceesor. Firebird scowled at the intrusion and moved out of the Decepticon femme's way. Hornet turned her attention to Barricade,
"I can still pick up remnants of her Autobot memory. You didn't do it properly,"
Suddenly everything fitted into place; the purging of her tanks, the balking at Autobot holoforms. He glared at Firebird and narrowed his optics as he growled,
"You deceitful femme," he snarled,
"It doesn't matter we can complete the treatment when we are finished here if...she survives." Hornet replied as she circled around Firebird to complete her inspection.
Firebird turned around to face the Decepticon femme and narrowed her optics, "I will kill you first!" she snarled, "And when I'm finished with you..." Firebird turned around to Barricade, "...I will kill you slowly and painfully for everything you put me through."
A transmission came across Firebird's comm. Link from Sentinel Prime bribing the humans into exiling the Autobots,
Hornet laughed, "And so it begins!"
Will Firebird take part in the destruction of earth or will the Autobots rescue her in time?