A/N: Thanks to all of the great reviews you guys keep giving me! In this chapter we find out a bit about the 'project'. Dun dun dun! Mostly from Seeker and Prowl's view points. My philosophy on Starscream and the Seekers is that they are actually good friends but play it off by acting like the whiner, the loner and the dumb one. They're badass and they know it. And you just know with all the crap TC and 'Warp give 'Screamer when the other Decepticons around, that there is something behind it.. and I don't mean slashy stuff. But dun dun dun! Can you figure out just what the 'project' is? - evil grin -

Story Arc 4

Chapter 29

Starscream sent in the radio signal requesting permission to land at Nemesis, but instead of receiving a confirmation, Soundwave informed the trio to head directly to Hook's lab, as per Megatron's orders. It was utterly out of the ordinary for protocol to be completely ignored, especially in the wake of the attack by the Autobots, and that femme's creation that Megatron desired so much that it almost caused him permanent shut down. Starscream couldn't even remember a time when landing protocols had ever been ignored. But that didn't faze him as much as hearing that aft-kissing communications officer's voice on the radio. He knew it was only a matter of time before the annoying monotone mech would come out of hiding in Hook's lab. When it was first announced that Soundwave was one of the many causalities from the attack, The Seekers were overjoyed. They were almost as overjoyed at finding the Coneheads on the list of the deceased as well as seeing Soundwave's name. Never again would they need to worry about having their thoughts violated for Megatron's enjoyment.

All three Seekers left their latest delivery of energon on the floor of the landing bay and headed straight to the lab. They knew if Megatron demanded their presence that took precedence over anything else. And it was not like there was going to be anyone using the landing dock again today. The bundles of energon could sit on the floor for however long it took for Megatron to order them about, or for Starscream to frag him off enough to send the Seeker to find medical attention. "Looks like our Glorious Leader has decided to show himself finally." Starscream crossed his arms over his chest and scowled. He had gotten used to raids and the small attacks being so successful under his command.

"Try not to slag Megatron off in the first couple of minutes, 'Screamer." Thundercracker warned his wingmate.

"Yeah, you definitely do not want Hook to work on you while he's busy with what ever this project thing is." Skywarp shuddered remembering his last visit with the engineer who didn't take his pain sensors offline before working on him.

"Yes, but look how successful we were without Megatron leading. The three of us kept Nemesis running on a skeleton crew while we made multiple energon raids and attacks on the Autobots. Had we been able to keep going at the pace we set, we would have started on repairs by now and had the base completely functional. And we even brought all those materials back for Hook and Megatron, but there hasn't been a single repair done. Everything was working smoothly until the Mighty Megatron showed his ugly afterburner." The Air Commander's scowl grew wider. "I bet a months worth of energon that we will be back to running away in battles and rationing again in a week."

Thundercracker snorted. He followed the orders given to him as best he could, but he was still unsure of the Decepticon cause, "You spend all your rations in Hook's lab. You wouldn't have enough to cover that bet."

"But you agree with me on what will happen."

Thundercracker crossed his arms over his chest and didn't answer. He knew that the Air Commander was right, but he kept his opinion to himself.

"Anyways, everything was going well except when Skywarp got his afterburner handed to him."

"Hey! You guys were getting the slag beaten out of you too!" Skywarp turned on his wingmates.

"Excuse me. I believe you were the one that attacked without us there and you were the one that fragged off that one Autobot and you were the one who teleported behind TC for protection." Starscream glared at the black and purple mech. "And TC got the slag beaten out of him while he tried to protect your afterburner."

Skywarp narrowed his optics at his wingmate, "You let that yellow Autobot stomp you into the ground."

"You weren't the one who had that Autobot pull you out of the sky while trying to fire on the Second in Command." Starscream sneered at Skywarp. "He slammed me into the ground before I could transform. At least he didn't have the red one with him."

"Enough." Thundercracker stopped in the middle of the hallway and glowered at his wingmates. "We can't go in there acting like spoiled sparklings. If Megatron is around, then that aft kissing Soundwave will be too. We need to be on guard in case he tries to scan us."

The Air Commander and the black and purple mech glared at each other one more time. Their wingmate walked up to them, "Stop it, now. No more bickering out of either of you, and we need to hurry or we'll get shot at because we're running late to the lab." The angry looks stopped between the two. Yes, the Seekers bickered and sometimes fought with each other. But they were too good of friends to allow minor arguments damage the friendship. Others would be hard pressed to even consider the three Seekers as friends due to their outwardly hostile nature, but when no one else was around, they goofed off and had their fun as friends for millennia would.

The trio continued to the lab in silence, walking side-by-side through the hallways. No matter where the Seekers were, they were always in formation; Starscream in front followed closely behind with Skywarp to the right and Thundercracker to the left, their wings almost touching. They were a formidable presence anywhere they went, sending the other mechs scurrying for cover. Anyplace where there could be other mechs watching they held their heads up high, chests out and wings straight. All three carried the same facial expression, cold to the point of a sneer with a malicious glint in their optics. They were proud. They were the elite. They were the Seekers, and no one would dare stand up to any of them. No one but Megatron, and the warlord took great pleasure in humiliating them; knocking them down whenever he desired. Yes, he acknowledged Starscream as the Air Commander and his Second in Command, but he would never use the names of the other two. Demoralizing your best soldiers was the only way to keep them in line, according to Megatron. Many wondered why the Seekers allowed the warlord to treat them that way, but no one dared to ask.

Some of the hallways were still stained with energon from the attack and the only working elevator complained as they entered and traveled down to the level where the lab was. The door to Hook's domain was locked and Starscream had to open a com link to Hook for admittance. The purple metallic door slid open to reveal Megatron leaning over the main computer console and staring at the monitor. Hook looked like he was micro-seconds away from total CPU meltdown. His optics boring holes of pure outrage into the back of Megatron, as if he was trying to kill the warlord with his poisonous stare. The green and purple mech's fists were opening and closing rapidly as he raged silently behind the warlord. The air radiated pure hatred from the engineer and the Seekers were both glad they didn't need repairs right now and curious as to what had transpired between Megatron and Hook.

Thundercracker opened the private link the Seekers used and groaned, "This does not bode well. 'Screamer, please for the love of Primus, don't aggravate the situation."

"Trust me. I won't. As mad as Hook looks, I'd be afraid to be in need of repairs right now." The snarky voice had toned down the constantly irritated edge. "Keep your eyes down and toe the line."

"Gotcha."

"No problem."

The three walked into the dark lab. The stasis pods no longer radiated with the sickly green light as they had before. Many of the pods had cracked and broken covers, the ground in front of them covered with glass and shrapnel as if something had tried to break out of them. The lights above and around the lab where the pods leaned were still dark with the only illumination coming from the monitors and a few gleaming buttons on the still functional stasis pods.

The Air Commander walked in between his wingmates, Skywarp to the right and Thundercracker to the left. They stopped a ways behind the warlord, each dropping to their right knees and thumping their right fists over their sparks with heads bowed. "You called for us, Lord Megatron?" Starscream announced their arrival.

The imposing black and silver mech did not turn from the monitor he was watching. "I want all three of you glitches to be ready for battle tomorrow."

"Yes, Mighty Megatron." The red Seeker kept his optics on the floor, "Where do we attack?"

Megatron smirked at the monitor. "You are to draw the entire Autobot force to the human city called Portland."

He's sending us on a suicide mission. Starscream scowled at the floor and fought to keep his anger out of his vocalizer, "We cannot fight the entire cadre of Autobots by ourselves."

The warlord turned on the kneeling Seekers, "You three glitches won't fight alone. I am generously supplying you with... back up." Megatron fixed his optics on the insulted engineer.

"Have more troops arrived from Cybertron, Lord Megatron?" The Air Commander scowled again. He is Second in Command and the Decepticons were to report all activity to him.

"Not quite." There was an evil glint to Megatron's blood red optics. "Hook has graciously... procured troops for us."

"I was unaware that we had new recruits." Starscream was bordering on the brink of angering the warlord.

"I would not call them 'new'..." Megatron crossed his arms over his chest. "You three glitches will be assigned four squadrons, Soundwave will receive three and I will command the final five. I am expecting you, Starscream, to not fail me tomorrow. If you screw up, I will take you offline personally. Do you understand, Starscream?"

"I understand, Lord Megatron." The red mech bobbed his head once in acknowledgment.

"Good. Now rise and let us meet the... 'new' recruits." The warlord swept past the four mechs. The Seekers stood and followed in his wake, with the still furious Hook behind them. They took the only working elevator down to the storage areas an headed towards the final rooms on the level. Megatron stopped in front of the door crossing his arms in front of his chest again, "Show me my new army, Hook."

The infuriated green and purple mech pushed through the Seekers to the door and entered his pass code. The door slid open and the mechs were greeted with the overpowering stench of ozone and acetone. The whole room glistened in a crystalline sheen and Megatron's smirk took on a malicious snarl while the three Seeker's optics widened in shocked surprise.

"I expect complete annihilation of the Autobots from the three of you." Megatron turned and faced the stunned Seekers. "I hope I will not be disappointed Commander Skywarp and Commander Thundercracker." His red optics glaring at the two Seekers. "And you know what is expected of you, Commodore Starscream. Do not fail me."

Three heads bowed as they answered in unison, "Yes, Lord Megatron."

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It was just another raid by the Seekers for energon. Yet Prowl wondered why the jets, who normally would raid power plants and small energon sources as to not draw too much attention to themselves, were attacking Portland outright. There were a few Autobots out on patrol in the area and easily made it to the tactician's coordinates quickly. Bluestreak, Windcharger, Cliffjumper and Hound were patrolling either the outskirts of the city or the outlying roads. Ironhide was in the city proper picking up supplies with Spike for Ratchet but left to assist in the fight. Six Autobots against the trio of Seekers would be a quick battle and if everything went well, would not compromise the Autobot presence and keep the city and its residents out of harms way.

Prowl and Ironhide were the first to arrive on the scene of the oddly out of place attack. The Seekers were diving in and out of range of the outskirts of the suburbs strafing the area then retreating back beyond the hills to the east. The two Autobots transformed on the scene and watched the Seekers fly back beyond the hills, "Jus' what are those slaggin' jets doin'?"

Prowl watched the Seekers bank over the hills and head back to where him and Ironhide stood. The tactician's battle computer picked up on the somewhat lame attempt the Seekers were trying to bait the Autobots. "They want us to follow them."

Hound and Bluestreak pulled up as the Seekers came back in for another strafe. All four of the Autobots took defensive positions and readied weapons to fire on the jets. But instead of another strafe, Skywarp and Thundercracker transformed just out of weapons range and laughed at the mechs. "What have we here, Commander Thundercracker?" Skywarp's voice oozed mischievously at the Autobots.

Thundercracker laughed. "Looks like we have a couple of Autobots hiding from us, Commander Skywarp. What do you think, Commodore Starscream?"

The red Seeker was hovering still in his jet mode in front of his wingmates. "I think you are quite right, Commander Thundercracker. Shall we give them a warm welcome?"

The other two Seekers busted up laughing, "Yes, lets give them a warm welcome. Maybe then they'll come play with us." Skywarp sniggered.

And if on cue, all three attacked; Starscream sent a volley of cluster bombs at the Autobots, while Skywarp dropped four heat seeking missiles and Thundercracker sent a controlled sonic boom straight at the group. The cluster bombs hit the ground in front of the Autobot's position and reflexively they dove for cover. Bluestreak rolled to a stop and knocked all the heat seeking missiles out of the sky. The sonic boom hit the mechs dead on and deafened their audio receptors. Starscream transformed laughing with the other Seekers and aimed his null ray rifle at Prowl, "Lets see how your logic sensors fry, Autobot!"

Prowl tried to dodge the attack but was hit in the side. He tumbled to the ground in a roll and came right back up on his feet. The corners of the tactician's mouth curled ever so slightly, as he took aim at the Air Commander. "Not very warm. More like a tingle and a very small one at that."

Starscream's optics widened in surprise. How was he able to shake the null ray off? The red Seeker took evasive action and dodged the acid pellets from Prowl's rifle before firing again.

Windcharger and Cliffjumper had arrived then just in time to witness Prowl take a hit head on from the null ray. Both ran to protect tactician from another attack but stopped in their tracks as the hit didn't have any affect Prowl. By that time, Ironhide was laughing and slapping his leg. He was able to control his laughter enough to taunt the other two vultures into attacking him, "Why don' ya come on down 'ere an' I'll give ya a good ol' Autobot welcome."

The two minibots looked back and forth at the others as if they'd all lost their minds. What in Primus was wrong with the others? And just why was Prowl smiling! The black and purple Seeker was taking aim at Ironhide who just stood there and laughed ignoring the danger. "Ironhide! Watch out!" Windcharger dove to protect his much larger teammate from taking a face full of bullets from the Seeker.

Ironhide grabbed the minibot and pushed him back behind him. "Now there, kid. Don' ya be messin' up yer skidplate on my account. Ya jus' let this ol' 'bot show ya how t' skin a jet proper."

Windcharger fell on his aft and yelled at the others. "Are you all slagging nuts?"

Prowl walked calmly over to the fallen Windcharger and helped him up. "You and Cliffjumper stay back and let us handle this."

Windcharger gaped at the tactician before turning his head to stare at Ironhide who was laughing as Skywarp sent another volley at him. "What is going on, Prowl?"

"Just stay back, we're not in any danger."

The little red Trans Am stumbled back towards Cliffjumper, his optics still wide in wonder. The other minibot scowled, "We should get in on the action here."

"How are they able to stand up to the Seekers like that?" Windcharger was still completely awed by the whole situation.

Cliffjumper just 'Harrumphed' loudly.

Bluestreak was grinning madly as he was shooting at the Seekers. He was going to huggle Rachel when he got back to the Ark for making his new armor. He'd huggle Wheeljack and Ratchet too, but he was afraid of getting hit by them. Not like it would hurt him now, but he didn't want to get hit by either of them. He wasn't very fond of war or battling, but it was rather fun to shoot at the confused Seekers.

Starscream was seeing red. How come his weapons weren't doing any damage? He ran a quick internal diagnostic scan to make sure his weaponry was working. He dodged another round of fire from Prowl as the scan completed. Everything was working properly. Just how are the Autobots not taking any damage? Starscream's optics narrowed and he scowled tumbling out of way of a missile from the other Datsun. The nanotechnology that femme created actual does work! The Autobots were completely immune to any weapon attack! He opened the radio link between his wingmates. "The nanotechnology that femme created works! That's why we can't damage them!"

Skywarp somersaulted backwards in the air, "Retreat back to the hills?"

"No, we have to get them to follow us. If it looks like we're retreating they won't pursue." Thundercracker shot a missile aimed for him out of the sky.

"We'll have to draw them back. Start taunting them, especially the big black one. He'll be the easiest to rile up." Starscream hovered in the air and smirked at the Autobots. "Here we are hitting you with out attacks, but you can't hit any of us, even if you have the nanites. Six Autobots can't shoot the Seekers out of our domain. How pathetic."

Thundercracker grinned as he righted himself. "And here I am wasting my ammo on you Autobums when all I really need to do is dodge a bit."

"When did the Autobots start hiring mechs that can't shoot straight?" Skywarp chortled, "Well it's good to practice my aerial maneuvers once in awhile. Even if its just dodging shots that couldn't hit the broad side of a space scow."

"Why don' ya come down 'ere an let me teach ya some manners, ya yeller bellied jet." Ironhide stepped towards the Seekers.

"Move back some." Starscream said over the radio link. "I'll come down there when one of you can actually hit me," the red Seeker sneered.

"This is going to take forever. There has to be an easier way to get them to follow." Thundercracker radioed back to his wingmates.

"I'm open to any suggestions you care to make."

Thundercracker looked over the scene while dodging some stray shots. There had to be some way to get the Autobots to follow them. Yes, taunting the big one will draw them forward slowly, but there had to be another way. His optics fell on the two smaller 'bots behind the others. They hadn't fired on him and his wingmates. There had to be some reason why they weren't joining in the battle. Maybe… maybe they weren't immune to weapons fire. That had to be it. Why else would they be hiding behind the bigger 'bots? "I think I found an easier way." He couldn't help but grin.

"What is it?"

"What?"

"Let me test my theory." The blue Seeker raised his arm powering up his rifle and sent an incendiary round at the minibots.

The charge sent a minibot flying backwards twenty feet. The four bigger 'bots turned as Windcharger screamed in pain. When the dust cleared Thundercracker saw his theory had worked. "The smaller ones aren't immune. We should target them."

Ironhide was the first to get to Windcharger who was laying flat on his back in the dirt and holding what used to be his right shoulder. A little distance away was the still smoldering remains of his right arm. "It's ok 'Charger, I've got ya. Ahm gunna move ya back out o' t' way, 'kay? I'll knock that buzzard out o' the sky fer ya. Y'all be ok. The Doc can fix ya up easy." The bigger mech had grabbed Windcharger's arm and picked him up. "Let's git ya somewhere safe." Out of the corner of his optic, Ironhide saw a volley of bullets heading straight towards him. He turned his back quickly and blocked the hits to protect the minibot. There was a concrete channel not far from their position and Ironhide made a run to there. He set the smaller 'bot down and out of the way of another attack. "Ya sit yerself here fer a bit an I'll call the Doc." The smaller Autobot nodded as he grimaced in pain while Ironhide got up and ran back to the battle, incensed that the jets attacked the little ones.

"Bah. Your plan didn't work, TC. They're still staying put and the bigger one moved back." Starscream was getting irritated. He wasn't mad at his wingmates; his irritation was at the Autobots who weren't letting them follow through with their plan. And if they couldn't lead the Autobots forward soon, Megatron would be there to deal with him personally. And Starscream was going to avoid being on the end of the fusion cannon at all costs. It had been a few pleasant months of not being shot at by the warlord and he wanted to keep it that way. "I say we change tactics. Keep attacking the smaller ones and I'll bring up the rear with a present for out 'bot friends. Let's see how they'll deal with more than us."

"Gotcha."

"Already on it."

Starscream transformed, turning midair and flying back to the hills, leaving his wingmates to deal with the angry Autobots.

"Looks like yer buzzard friend left ya two alone." The angry black Topkick was back up front and taking aim at the Seekers again.

"How long do you think it will take for him to get back here?" Skywarp dodged another volley that was a little too close for comfort. "Now that they're mad, their aim has improved."

Thundercracker rolled to the left trying to shoot a missile headed for him, "It's not him I'm worried about returning, 'Screamer can move, but I'm not sure how fast those things can travel."

"How far back are they?"

"Seven clicks. I'm really amazed that the Autobots didn't pick up on their presence." Thundercracker barely moved in time to avoid a volley of acid pellets.

"Hook made them, what do you expect? He's the only one with any intellect in the base. Besides you and 'Screamer, of course." Skywarp grinned mischievously at his wingmate.

"Flattery will get you no where, especially now."

Thundercracker and Skywarp took aim at the other minibot, but the little 'bot tumbled out of the way just in time. Cliffjumper scowled and as soon as he righted himself, he took aim at the two offending jets, "You think you can pick on me, eh? Eat this, Deceptiscum!"

"Cliffjumper! Get back now! That's an order!" Prowl yelled back to the minibot over the sound of weapons fire.

The minibot ignored the tactician's command and kept firing on the remaining jets. Ironhide growled and moved to guard the petulant minibot. He was going to have words with the mech when this was over and done about obeying commands. "Git yer sorry aft down 'Jumper. Prowl gave ya an order, ya better follow it."

"Not until I knock those jets out of the sky! No one does that to one of us and gets away with it!" The minibot kept firing at the blue Seeker. He was going to punch holes through that Decepticon, orders or not.

Skywarp barely missed a hit from Prowl getting the edge of his right wing singed, "Primus 'Screamer! Where the slag are you," he winced into the radio.

"I'm almost there, hold out just a bit longer. These things don't move very fast."

"'Warp just took a minor hit." Thundercracker announced over the link.

"Just a small singe, nothing to worry about."

"I'm coming! I've almost got them on the last ridge. You should see me any moment now."

Skywarp tumbled to avoid another acid pellet only to see a missile coming straight up behind Thundercracker. "TC! GET DOWN!"

The blue Seeker ducked just in time as Skywarp shot the missile out of the sky. The hot shrapnel from the remains hit Thundercracker's back.

"Slag it. 'Screamer! We need your help NOW!"

There was a boom behind the jets as the Air Commander shot between his wingmates and darted over the Autobots. Starscream drew their fire from the other Seekers and dropped a large array of cluster bombs behind the larger mechs. The ground exploded from the bombs sending showers of rocks, dust and shrapnel into the air. "Looks like you didn't bother to guard your rear, Autobots!" The red Seeker sneered at the mechs below.

"Just in time, 'Screamer." A relieved sounding Skywarp said over the radio.

"No. This is just in time." There was no hiding the smirk in the Air Commander's voice. "Look behind you."

The Seekers turned to look behind them with knowing smiles spreading across their faces. "Here comes the cavalry."

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Prowl coughed as he tried to make his way back to Ironhide and Cliffjumper. The dust was thick and there were rocks and shrapnel falling all around him. There was a red glint in the clouds of billowing dust. The tactician ran to where he saw the glint and skidded to a stop next to Ironhide and Cliffjumper. The weapons specialist gave him a worried look. The smaller 'bot took a direct hit from the attack and had gaping wounds across his back. The dust was clearing quickly and the energon was starting to pool under the mech.

Ironhide shook his head, "We need the Doc."

"Agreed. I'll radio the Ark." But before Prowl could open a channel, Ironhide grabbed the tactician's shoulder. "Ah think we're gonna need more than jus' the Doc."

Prowl turned to look at what had drawn Ironhide's attention and felt his battle computer kick into high gear. "We are vastly outnumbered. I'm calling for back up."

"When in Primus did they recruit all those mechs?" Ironhide asked incredulously.

"I don't know. They must have had more coming when we attacked." The tactician said calmly. "Prowl to Jazz."

"Jazz here, Prowly whatcha need?"

"We are under fire. I need all available mechs to our position ASAP, coordinates 445-726. The Decepticons are attacking." There was laser fire nearby causing Ironhide and Prowl to duck for cover.

"Gotcha, Prowl. Radioin' everyone in the area now."

Another round of cluster bombs sent debris raining down on them, "We need Ratchet as well. I've got mechs down."

"Sendin' everyone y're way. I'm headin' t' y' as well. ETA 15 minutes. Jazz out."

Ironhide looked back at Prowl. "How many ya think there are?"

It took Prowl under two seconds to answer him, "Three hundred."

"We ain't gunna last long against that, new armor or not."

"I know. Let's regroup back by Windcharger. We'll have some cover from there."

Ironhide picked up the broken Cliffjumper in his arms and ran over to where he had left the other mech. He skidded down the concrete slope, "'Kay ya two, Doc's on his way. So don'cha worry none."

Bluestreak came sliding to a stop next to Ironhide, his optics wide in absolute terror, "Did you see how many are there we won't last against that did Prowl call for backup should we retreat back more are the others coming I don't see Hound or Prowl are they okay should I go look for them Primus is Cliffjumper okay what about Windcharger is Ratchet coming will they be here soon I still don't see Prowl or Hound what should we do Ironhide?"

"Ya should shut yer trap fer a moment. Prowl is ok and Ahm sure Hound is too. So don' work yerself into a meltdown. Ahm gonna need yer help t' move these two when Ratchet shows up, got it?" Ironhide tried to be gruff with the gunner in hopes to settle him down before he completely panicked.

Suddenly Hound skated down the slope to the others, "There is no way we can hold out against that."

"Prowl called fer backup and the Doc."

Hound looked around; they weren't in a very defensible position, "Where is Prowl?"

"He should be 'round here somewhere," Ironhide looked around. "Prowl? Where are ya?"

The tactician skidded down the culvert. "They're advancing on our position quickly."

"How many?" Hound regretted saying that as he looked at a near hysterical Bluestreak.

Prowl needed Bluestreak functional and not in full panic mode, "Too many for us to handle. Support is on the way." Right then Prowl's radio crackled loudly, "Where are y', Prowl?"

"We're at 475-741, Jazz."

"I've got the Doc. The Twins and Optimus are on the way. What's the situation?"

"We've got 300 Decepticons heading straight for us. Cliffjumper and Windcharger are badly damaged." Too late to keep the gunner from near meltdown.

"'Kay, jus' hold on a little more, we're almost there."

Prowl looked at the other Autobots, "I'm going up to look and determine if we need to fall back again. I need you two to grab the wounded and probably Bluestreak if necessary."

Hound and Ironhide nodded at him and the tactician crawled up the embankment. Prowl peeked over the top of the culvert quickly; the advancing Decepticons were less than half a click away. Prowl dropped back down to the others, "We need to move now. Ironhide, transform, we'll load Cliffjumper and Windcharger. You are to get them to safety no matter what and that's an order."

"Ah don' like that idea. Ya'll need my help-"

"That is an order, do I make myself clear, Ironhide."

"Yes sir." The black Topkick grumbled.

Hound tried to shake Bluestreak back to reality, "Come on, Blue. We need you to help us get to the Doc." The gunner turned and stared at the scout before nodding, and saying slowly, "Get to the Doc, ok."

Prowl shut the tailgate on Ironhide, "Get them to Ratchet, Ironhide."

"Yes sir." The Topkick took off down the culvert towards the location Ratchet radioed to him.

"You two follow him, he'll need backup support."

"What about you, Prowl?" Hound looked at the tactician worriedly.

"I'm going to take a better look at what's coming towards us."

"Be careful."

"I will. Go on now. Blue, go protect Ironhide. I need you to do this, alright?"

"Got it, Prowl." The gunner seemed a little more coherent as he transformed and took off after Ironhide.

"You too, Hound. Don't worry, I won't engage them."

"Good luck." The green mech transformed and sped off down the culvert as well.

Prowl watched them leave as he slowly climbed back up the concrete slope. Peering over the side he took a good look at exactly what was heading towards him. Row after row of mechs were closing in, but there was something odd about the ranks. None of them had a Decepticon symbol anywhere on them that he could see, and they only seemed to have military issue rifles; there wasn't any specialized equipment that he could see. Then he saw something that sent his logic circuits spinning. There were jets in the ranks of marching mechs. Since when does a Decepticon jetmarch He raised an optic ridge as something else caught his attention. In the very front line of mechs marched Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust. How in Primus? He knew he saw their twisted and very dead bodies in the Decepticon base. The whole situation was bizarre.

Prowl looked upwards wondering where the Seekers had disappeared to, only to feel the muzzle of a gun press into his back. "Looky what I found." The mischievous voice of Skywarp echoed slightly in the concrete culvert. "Hand over your weapon slowly, Autobot."

Prowl disengaged his acid pellet rifle and handed it to the Seeker over his shoulder. He should have paid more attention to his surroundings instead of focusing only on the marching mechs.

"Turn around."

Prowl kept his cool attitude and did what the Seeker demanded. This is the Seeker that doesn't think about his actions first, all he had to do was wait for this one to do something rash. The tactician's icy blue optics looked at the Seeker calmly; he'd just bide his time, for now.

Skywarp frowned; he wanted a reaction out of the Autobot. Instead the Second in Command just mocked him with his cool gaze. Still, the tactician was a prize catch for him. Wait until his wingmates find out that he got the Second in Command. Yet, that look from the Autobot was grating on his nerves quickly. He narrowed his optics, "You like what we brought to the party?"

"Drones."

"Huh?"

"Your army. The Decepticons made soldier drones. Do you really think that they scare me or any other Autobot?"

"Heh. They ain't drones." A knowing smirk spread across the Seeker's face. "Your logic circuits tell you that they're drones?"

"That would be the logical answer. The chances that the Decepticons would be able to flesh out their ranks again in such a short period of time is one out of two hundred and forty-five million." Prowl crossed his arms over his chest. "Add to that the lack of Decepticon insignia along with the standard issue rifles plus the jets that are marching and the odds go up to sixty-three point five billion. And if you then consider the fact that Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust are in the front lines after I saw them dead in the Decepticon base… I think you can understand where I'm going." Prowl watched the jet's confusion over what he just said.

"Whatever, Autobot. But I know they aren't drones. And you are going to get a front row seat to watch what we're going to do with them." Skywarp's smirk widened. "Actually, you can get a seat after I give you a bit of payback." The Seeker turned the acid pellet rifle on Prowl, "Let's see how you hold up with a hole in your chest from your own gun." The jet fired the rifle at point blank range into Prowl's chest.

Now it was Prowl's turn to smirk, which was a rare and somewhat creepy occurrence, as the round bounced off his armor and sprayed over Skywarp.

"Slagging Primus!" The Seeker tried to brush off the burning acid from his body.

Prowl lunged at the Skywarp trying to disarm the jet. Unfortunately, Skywarp straightened and held the rifle fast, "Close but not fast enough. I'll get payback later, but now you're going to watch what we're going to use those things for."

"I don't think so." Prowl went back to regarding the Seeker coolly.

"Huh? Yes you are."

"I think you are mistaken."

"Shut up, or I'll-" Skywarp was suddenly knocked forward by a glossy red armored foot. The jet's head hit the concrete and his optics dimmed.

"They don't make Decepticons like they used to. These Seekers aren't much of a threat on the ground." Mischief personified grinned at the tactician.

"Thank you, Sideswipe. But I think we need to fall back quickly before this channel is overrun by those drones."

The red mech frowned. "Is it really that bad?"

And as if on cue, the marching mechs cleared the top of the culvert. "At this moment, yes. You can play with them later." Prowl transformed with Sideswipe following immediately after.

"How slagging many are there?" Sideswipe asked incredulously as the Lamborghini and the Datsun sped down the culvert. "Hey! Aren't those the dead Coneheads in the front?"

"Three hundred and yes, I believe so." Prowl opened a radio link to the other Autobots. "Fall back. We need to regroup and we need to warn the inhabitants of this city of the situation."

Optimus' deep baritone voice answered back, "The city is initiating evacuation procedures as we speak."

"How are Windcharger and Cliffjumper doing?"

Ratchet came over the link with an angry grumble, "Taking both back to the Ark. Windcharger is asking for the nanite infused armor, but Cliffjumper needs some major repairs. The sooner we can get back the better."

Ironhide's gruff voice came over the radio, "Spike is still in the city."

"I've called Carly and she's got him and they're headed to the Ark now." Rachel answered over the com.

"Can you send out a signal for everyone to report directly to the Ark, Rachel?"

"I took the liberty to do that already… It sounded like you guys needed all the help you can get." The young woman sounded nervous.

"I need Perceptor and Wheeljack to meet me at the entrance." Ratchet seemed to be angrier than usual.

"I'll have them there for you, Ratchet."

"We're on route to the Ark. ETA 7 minutes, Rachel."

"I'll get everything ready for you guys."

"Thank you, Rachel. Prowl out."

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