Thank you for reviewing, Rainspiral, whitedino, Rob Lockster, THe KiKO PeRsON, Anasazi Darkmoon, autobotgirl12328, and Riku's Music Lover!
THe KiKO PeRsON-- Well, if you look at a picture of Bluestreak (http://en . wikipedia . org/wiki/Silverstreak), then you see that the chevron is split in half and spaced apart. A chevron is a "v" shape. But I guess Prowl's got what I called a "split chevron," too . . . Anyway, and Kate calls it familiar because she's seen pictures of Bluestreak and Prowl back in the Other Dimension. Hope that helps, and thank you for reviewing! (By the way, Happy Birthday!) [Edit note: Removed the reference to a "split black chevron." It is now just a "red chevron."]
Anasazi Darkmoon-- Are you kidding? Vor's the one who got the idea in the first place. XD
autobotgirl12328-- Maybe not . . . But they sure can get a whole lot worse! *cackles evilly*
Riku's Music Lover-- Don't know. I'd need the information requested in the note to everyone at the top of chapter ten. For sure not in this story, as I've got it planned out, characters and all. Second one, little chance. Third one's always an option, though, as it's to be set after RotF after the first chapter. :-P
I am so evil . . . As for the term "lapbot," it was first used by LyricaBelachium in one of her reviews. And as for the altforms, you knew it was coming, since Sideswipe is a Stingray in the new movie. Then the case against the Reventón as an altform kept building, and the points are made below. And I finally figured out how to fill in a major plot hole! XD I'll tell you what I mean later . . .
Now onto introducing the Decepticons and making the lot of you hate me . . .
Chapter Twenty-Five – About-Face
Blastbeat hated Starscream. Yes, he had done what any good little loyal follower of the Fallen would have done, and had run back to the ship after Megatron's death – to regroup, the twisted scientist would say. That didn't excuse the fact, though, that he had abandoned the Decepticons already on Earth. The so-called Prime's group was growing; already, two more had been added to it, and more were doubtlessly on their way, based on the two protoforms that had crashed to Earth the night before. Add to this the humans with their Sabo rounds, and they were actually a force to be reckoned with, scattered as the Decepticons were.
This particular Decepticon pondered the dilemma of the two newest Autobots. Investigation had yielded that they were the thrice-cursed twins, the former gladiator champions: Sunstreaker and Sideswipe.
Blastbeat pulled a face at the names, or would have if he had been in mech form. As it was, he sat alongside a deserted backcountry road in Nevada, posing as a normal Ford Shelby GT500KR, with red pin-striping on his black chassis. He was nondescript, or would have been, had he been in a city or even a small town. Still, he did nothing that would raise attention, and a holoform could be produced at a moment's notice.
The twins were a notable problem for Blastbeat, as no ill will was wasted between him and those slagging twins. It traced back to the gladiator days, of which he had been a part. Then he went to join Megatron and the Fallen, and the twins had been recruited to the Autobot cause.
They never had liked each other.
Someone signaled him, interrupting his moody thoughts. "Blastbeat, are you still parked on that dust trap they call a road?"
He grumbled, a perfectly good rant ruined. "Yes, Deathcall, I am. You still at the warehouse?"
"Duh. Now get back here, Junker's getting antsy."
"Soon. I want to- Whoa."
"What? What is it?"
"I felt- That was- No way . . ."
"Blastbeat, what?!"
"I thought the All Spark was destroyed!"
"It was. Why? What happened?"
"I felt its energy. Someone just used it on something. Oh, here we go . . . There's Autobots a few miles away from here. You don't think-"
"They might." Deathcall's voice was tense, excited. "So . . .?"
"They have a human with them. When it's alone, I'll grab it and bring it back there. We can ransom it for the All Spark."
"They would never go for that!"
Blastbeat snickered. Evilly was a given. "If they want the fleshling alive . . . they won't have a choice."
........
" . . . and that is why you should always be careful about what you look at on the internet. Aside from all the bugs or viruses a site could give you, there's plenty of stuff you don't need to see."
"Like por-"
"Exactly," Kate interrupted, blushing. "So if you see humans without any clothes on, don't look."
Bluestreak had the feeling of one weirded out. "I'll keep that in mind. Hey, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, I like your altforms. Really cool, and-"
"Thanks," Sunstreaker interrupted, in no mood to hear a longwinded compliment, as much as he liked compliments in general. But with Bluestreak, you had to be careful not to let him talk quite so much sometimes.
Kate grinned. "You know, Sides, Sunny, if you were trying to blend in, you're not exactly doing the best job."
There was a long, silent pause. Then, "How so?"
"Well, for one, less than two dozen Reventóns were made for America. Second . . . They only come in silver."
"Oops."
Kate smiled at Sideswipe's communique. "I love your altforms, I really do. It's just . . . Well, you're conspicuous. Even more so than Jazz, who has a discontinued model for his altform – though apparently he's one of the only hardtops in existence. It baffles me to think that, out of all the cars in the country, you managed to get the one car that would make you unique."
"And we look good, no?"
"Regardless," Prowl answered, "you will need to change altforms."
"Aw, man!"
"Spoilsport!"
"Good goin', Kate!"
Kate rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry that you have to change, guys, but really. You stick out like a sore thumb. But if you want my opinion on what new model to choose, go with something American. Chevrolet makes an awesome Corvette. Cameros are awesome, too, but Bumblebee's got that already. If you want something sleek, Corvette is the way to go. The Stingray concept car, maybe?"
She could tell they were looking up images by their silence. Then Sunstreaker said, in an admiring tone, "Girl, you know your cars."
"Hot dog, that's sweet! What do you think, Sunny?"
"I don't know . . ."
Kate shrugged. "Well, it's not like you have to keep it forever. If you insist on being the Lambo Twins, then you could always make it a temporary change until you find a Gallardo or something. Reventón, unfortunately, is too rare of a car, and red and yellow is unheard of in that model. No idiot would risk ruining their new Reventón with a paint job."
On her lap, Clap brought up a picture of a Corvette Stingray, and Vor whistled. Tell them it's sexy.
"Heck, no! I'm not saying that!" Kate blushed hard. She never, ever had spoken the word, and she wasn't going to start now. "For real, Vor? These are your kids."
All the more reason for them to look good. Can't have them bringing shame to the name by dressing up all shabbily, like a rusty old Buick.
Okay, I can understand the sentiment that you want your children to look good. But I'm not saying that word! I'm only just into the stage where I occasionally describe guys as hot instead of cute.
You've got a late start on girlhood.
Growing up with boys, what can you expect?
Well, there's that aunt of yours.
We never talked. Much. At all. Hardly ever. Maybe for a few years, but then I got kidnapped and . . .
All right, no need to visit painful ground right now. Just tell them in a roundabout way.
Kate frowned. "Fine," she muttered. "Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, Vor wants me to tell you that the Stingray is the 'S' word."
"Sweet?"
"No," she answered, and blushed.
" . . . Oh . . . Sexy?"
Kate scowled. "You didn't hear it from me."
Jazz chuckled. "Of course not."
Prowl signaled for her attention. "Who is Vor?"
"Ah . . ." Kate sent a panicked glance at Jazz's steering wheel. "Long story," she answered lamely. "We'll tell you later. Basically, she's a sentient voice in my head. Don't glitch!"
"I will not," the SIC answered, already stewing over the snippet. "And it can wait until I am repaired, I suppose."
"Oh, look it, look it, look it! What's that brown creature with the antlers and hooves and that looks like a deer?"
Kate laughed at Bluestreak's excitement, but well appreciated it. This was the first time she had seen one, as well. Clap looked it up on wikipedia, and she glanced through the information briefly. "Well, first, those are called horns. Not entirely sure what the difference is from antlers. Anyhow, that's a Pronghorn Antelope. If you see a big animal that looks like a very fluffy cow, that's a buffalo, or bison. I know you guys have much stronger frames than regular cars, but I wouldn't recommend letting one ram you."
"Why would we let it ram us, anyway?"
Kate shrugged. "Just sayin'. Ooh, Jazz! There's a gas station!"
The Pontiac snorted. "Run-down looking place. You sure you want to stop here?"
"If it's got a bathroom, yes. I know, icky, but it beats peeing in the bushes. Look, it's open, see? Cars parked in front."
Jazz sighed. "All right. Guys, we're pausing here. Sharp lookout, remember."
"Move quickly, Katherine," Ratchet advised. "We are uncertain whether there are any Decepticons around, and I want to get back soon so I can finish up on Prowl."
Kate nodded as Jazz came to a stop in front of the gas station, holoform activated. "Will do. Clap, no! You can't come."
The little lapbot, as Sideswipe had joked, gave Kate the biggest puppy-eyes she had ever seen. Giving in, she sighed and held out her bag. "Fine. Transform and get in. Whatever you do, though, you can't be seen or heard! Got it?"
Clap nodded obediently and did as he was told. Kate slid him into the computer pocket, then zipped up the backpack and nestled the straps around her shoulders. Clap was the only thing inside, so it didn't weigh much at all. "I'll be right back," she told the Autobots, and went inside.
........
Blastbeat spotted the SUV at the gas station easily, and guessed immediately as to its passengers' intent.
This could get interesting, he mused, inwardly smirking. Perhaps he could use this to his advantage.
That thought in mind, he raced past the gas station at full speed, drawing the gathered Autobots' attention easily. Slag it, there were two more. How many were there, now, anyway?
Two of them, the Lamborghinis, gave chase, and he knew immediately that these were the twins. And the others were so focused on him, they didn't notice the SUV pulling away, heading in the opposite direction as his inspired Wild Goose Chase.
By the time they realized what had happened, it was all too late.
........
Kate hefted her backpack once more, puffing air into her cheeks. She hadn't quite counted on the little sparkling's attachment to her, though she did rather like it. At least he'd had the decency to stay in the backpack. Just being close, she supposed, was enough for him.
She could sense Vor's sudden mental stiffening, but didn't wonder at the sensation. Instead, she asked, What's wrong?
Decepticon, Vor answered. Quickly, get outside to the others. He's gone off, but something's wrong. Hurry!
Kate obeyed, taking five quick steps toward the front door. Before she could take another, a hand clapped down over her mouth, and she was jerked backwards.
The girl's fight-or-flight instincts kicked in, and she immediately started struggling. "Mmm-mmph!" she cried, the words muffled by the hand. Let go!
Whoever now had her was so much stronger than her, however, and Clap certainly had no room in which to transform. The arm wrapped around her middle pulled her toward the back door, and she did her best to slow them down, feet scrabbling for purchase on the linoleum. The Autobots were so focused on the Decepticon that had breezed by, they were oblivious to the kidnapping occurring right there. She doubted the kidnappers were aware of them, however. The Decepticon probably saw an opportunity to get her away from the group and took it.
The man holding her hauled her outside to a black SUV, the windows tinted against the world. The door popped open, and she was tossed inside. Struggling upright, she quickly found that she had a gun pointed right at her head.
"Scream," the voice of her nightmares hissed, "and you die."
Kate's eyes were wide open in horror as she froze, panic setting in. Her throat closed up, choking down any sound, and she suddenly found it very hard to breath. She was hardly aware of the fact that they had just left the gas station, leaving an unaware team of Autobots behind. All she knew was the pistol and the cold, dark brown eyes set in a stony face framed by black hair.
Everything had just gotten a whole lot worse.
Edited 5-5-10