Author's note: A fulgurite is a tube that is sometimes created when lightning hits sand and fuses it into glass. The inside of it is smooth and the outside is rough. Thanks for reading and commenting and favorite-ing. I appreciate it. Transformers belongs to Hasbro and Takara, not me. Enjoy.

A Blessing and A Curse
By: Quetzal1

Chapter 36
Yes, No, Maybe

The mine headquarters wasn't far from his destination and Cyclonus chose to make the trip in robot mode. He flew over the ruined landscape, adjusting his speed downward to a low level in order to get a few additional minutes to consider what he was about to do.

I should be used to this by now, he thought. And yet whenever he was on his way to see Galvatron there was the same mixture of anticipation and unease, expectation and dread within his circuits. On this particular visit it was worse than usual. Despite that, he did not lose the sense of pride he felt in his master. Galvatron was a mighty leader, of that there was no question. He would certainly be even more formidable if they were able to cure him. Cyclonus had felt a great deal of guilt over the episode on Torkulon, but it hadn't been a complete disaster. From it they knew what Galvatron's damage was which enabled them to recognize a possible cure when it presented itself. While the possibilities were stunning to consider, it didn't alleviate all of the mech's worries or answer many of his questions.

The additional processor Stormvolt carried operated as Megatron, which was Galvatron's old incarnation. As was the case with himself, Scourge and the Sweeps, Unicron had reformatted Galvatron. Without the Matrix of Leadership there hadn't been any way to oppose the planet-sized monster. Was it possible that Galvatron would not have wanted to be reformatted? It was true that he was more powerful this way, but then again, he wasn't a pushover as he used to be. In fact, under Megatron's leadership, the Decepticons were very successful right up until the battle that resulted in his being wounded and then abandoned in space. And that hadn't been a complete failure as it had resulted in the death of Optimus Prime. If not for the treachery of Starscream, Megatron may have lived and then crushed the remaining Autobots. However, that didn't answer the question of stopping Unicron when he made himself known later. Cyclonus unconsciously shook his head. Dwelling on the unknowable outcomes of events that never happened would not help any of them now.

The ramshackle headquarters slowly came into view over the horizon. Cyclonus began his descent and landed gently near the building but far enough out so that no one inside would hear him. It was a disgraceful place for the greatest of them to have to call home. Though it was invisible from this vantage point, a huge hole remained in the ceiling. The Constructicons began repairs at one point but one thing or another kept them from progressing and Galvatron didn't seem to care. As the burned out planet continued to rotate, it brought Cybertron into view regularly and it was visible through the opening now. Cyclonus wondered if having this view blocked would reduce the intensity or frequency of Galvatron's outbursts. Again, another unknowable answer, and what did it matter if they were successful? But he was getting ahead of himself again. Before allowing any manner of attempt he first needed more information. He inspected the brightly glowing energon cubes he had brought along. His arrival would not arouse any suspicions since either he or Scourge appeared daily with fuel for Galvatron. What could raise questions was the vastly improved quality of it. Cyclonus was prepared with an appropriate cover story although he didn't like to lie. Cybertron glittered in the sky. Hopefully his master was occupied with something and not concentrating on past failures and working himself into a rage.

The great hall was deathly silent, which was the way Galvatron liked it. He wondered briefly where the others were. Even Cyclonus wasn't hanging around as much as he used to. Was he plotting against him? Unlikely. He was loyal to a fault, the fool. And he feared and respected him, as well he should. But if the others were half that loyal it wouldn't be enough. Curse this entire state of existence! If only…. His contemplation was interrupted by footsteps echoing off the intact wall and ceiling behind him. He turned and glared over his shoulder. A familiar shape was headed toward him.

"Cyclonus, what is the meaning of this interruption?" Galvatron said, rising from his chair and walking over at an accelerated rate to meet the other mech halfway across the room.

"I have brought energon for you, mighty Galvatron." What was he interrupting? The Decepticon leader had been sitting on the ragged throne at the center of the room. He had turned it and was doing exactly what Cyclonus had hoped he wasn't, which was staring at Cybertron and get agitated.

"Well give it here," Galvatron said, crossly. Already he saw that this wasn't the usual allotment of fuel. Instead of the dim, cloudy trash normally provided, this energon was bright and translucent. He held a cube up to one of the dim lights that rung the large room and then drank half of it in a few huge gulps.

"This is excellent," Galvatron said and then scowled at Cyclonus suspiciously. "Where did you get it?"

"We obtained it from a freighter that had wandered off course. Unfortunately that was the only item of value aboard."

"I see." Cyclonus watched as Galvatron finished the first cube. "It certainly has more of a jolt that the usual garbage you bring me."

Galvatron tossed the empty cube away and eagerly snatched another one from the outstretched hand of his second in command before turning and walking back toward his throne. Cyclonus didn't fail to note that halfway back, the tyrant had to make a minor correction in his balance. The plan was beginning to work. He waited briefly and then followed, feeling a bit guilty but reminding himself it had to be done for the good of Galvatron and the Decepticon cause. Perhaps he should have brought more than just the three cubes.

Mixing energon wasn't a difficult job, but it rapidly became tedious. Shockwave, Soundwave and the other cassettes had all left to begin delivery of rations while Rumble and Frenzy stayed behind to continue production. Because they were down to the last batch, they had recently sent Stormvolt on her way too.

There was such an obvious difference in the new fuel compared to the old. Rumble wondered what would happen if they ran out of the weak stuff. The old refinery was very slow and prone to breakdowns, which often led to raids against cargo vessels in space. Would they keep stealing? The risk would be greater than the reward. In his opinion it would be better to go ahead and let them all get good and over energized and get it over with. After that they'd have a little resistance and if they didn't get too much it ought to be fine. But he wasn't calling the shots. Cyclonus needed to loosen up.

"That's the last of it," Frenzy said, stacking the final cube.

"Now what?" Rumble asked.

"I dunno. Wait for Soundwave ta get back?"

I guess. Somebody will find another job for us soon enough anyway. Might as well take it easy while we can."

"Yeah. We'll need all the energy we can get when it comes time ta make a move on Galvatron."

"Don't remind me."

"I know. I can't imagine it either."

"I mean, how can we possibly get him and not get slagged in the process?" Rumble mused.

"Beats me. What I worry about is not gettin' him, but what'll happen to us later if it don't work. You know he'll be all kinds of torqued about it afterwards," Frenzy said.

"Right. I didn't think about that."

"So what we need is way ta do what we gotta do without none of us takin' a beatin' and then someone ta blame it on if it don't work."

"Good luck with that."

"No kiddin'. And besides, we can't do nothin' till Cyclonus does whatever it is he's gonna do and says one way or the other."

"I still don't know if we shoulda let him in on it, but he took it better than I expected."

"Man, I was waitin' for him ta take Shockwave's head off," Frenzy said with a snicker.

"I know. Too bad he ain't got a faceplate. I woulda loved ta have seen the look on it."

The duo sat there in silence for several minutes.

"This is boring." Frenzy complained.

"Too true, but there's nothin' ta do out here besides work."

Silence descended again until Frenzy's natural curiosity gave him an idea.

"What's in all those crates?"

"Junk mostly. Parts for the refinery that we didn't need or ones that were busted," Rumble replied.

"Nothin' good?"

"I don't think so."

"I'm gonna check it out anyway. It's better than sittin' around."

The ranting continued for a long period. During all of it, Cyclonus waited for the opportunity to broach the subject he wanted to discuss. Oddly enough Galvatron wasn't becoming particularly violent, at least not yet. For that, Cyclonus was grateful. He searched his memory banks and couldn't come up with a single instance during which his leader stayed relatively calm for so long. He was concerned that Galvatron would get to an over energized state and then slip offline but that thus far it had proven a groundless fear. Instead he was slouched down on his throne and leaning to one side, staring out toward Cybertron and expounding at length about what was wrong with the Decepticon army and why, despite their issues, they should have the planet. Cyclonus was about to consider this plan a failure and give up for the day. In his processor he was fabricating a reason why he needed to go in case he was asked for one when he requested permission to depart. That was when he finally caught a break.

"And despite the failings and weaknesses of you and the others, there is the main reason for our predicament!" Galvatron leapt out of his seat and pointed skyward, swaying back and forth. Apparently the energon was affecting him more than he'd indicated.

Cyclonus stepped back out of habit, expecting to be hit, and looked to where Galvatron was pointing. It was Cybertron. That was nothing new, but then he zoomed in his optics and saw that the head of Unicron had completed another orbit of the planet and was also visible. Now was his chance.

"Unicron is responsible?"

"Everyone is responsible," Galvatron snarled. "But Unicron more than most."

This was new. Cyclonus couldn't recall much of the blame being placed on the destroyed planet eater before. Himself, Scourge, (whom Galvatron hadn't asked about, despite how close to deactivation he'd been) Starscream, the Autobots and the other Decepticons, took the bulk of the responsibility at varying intervals, but never Unicron.

"How so mighty Galvatron?"

"How so? How so? Are you serious? Cyclonus, now and then I think you're even more impaired than your behavior implies," Galvatron said, turning awkwardly to face his lieutenant. It took a while, but the energon was definitely affecting him. Fortunately, or possibly unfortunately, depending on one's point of view, rather than making him physically violent, it only provoked his mentally cruel side.

"But being a carcass at the time, you would not have seen what transpired and are only aware of the end results."

"I would be most grateful if you would enlighten me," Cyclonus said, bowing slightly. He was extremely close to finding out what he needed to know he would do almost anything to make it happen.

It didn't take all that long to relate the events especially when Galvatron saw fit to leave out crucial details such as who Cyclonus and the others used to be. As usual, the despot was concerned only with himself.

"But don't make the mistake of thinking I couldn't have destroyed him had I not been in such a compromised state," Galvatron warned.

"No. Of course not," Cyclonus replied. Inwardly he was disappointed. The entire discussion had yet to yield any useful information. And as much as it pained him to do it, he doubted the veracity of Galvatron's claims. He was more powerful now than he was before and still hadn't been able to do any damage to Unicron without the Matrix.

"Oh no, if I had been at full strength I would have blasted him to dust at our first meeting. But instead

I was forced into his service." The mech was beginning to pace in his standard agitated fashion. "And as if that wasn't bad enough, I wind up trapped inside this ridiculous shell," he raved, banging a fist against his chest plate and then turning to shake the same fist at the dark sky.

Ah! This was the chance Cyclonus had been waiting for. But he needed to be careful. Galvatron had begun to revert to his usual violent demeanor.

"But…you are more powerful this way. Are you saying you would have preferred to remain in your old form?" Cyclonus asked. Contradictions were nothing unusual where their leader was concerned. Before Galvatron had only spoken disparagingly of his old identity but now he expressed nostalgia for it.

Galvatron spun and advanced on him. "Of all the moronic questions! If he'd wanted to, Unicron could have repaired my wounds and added power and left me as I was, but he didn't do that. No, he had to remake me into an image he desired as if to show he owned me. But no one owns Galvatron!" He said, drawing close to Cyclonus and then suddenly speaking in a deadly quiet voice.

"So what do you think?"

Was it a rhetorical question? Cyclonus couldn't tell and remained silent.

"I'm waiting."

No, it wasn't, and whatever answer he gave would likely be wrong but he had to reply.

"I… think you would have preferred to remain as you were," said Cyclonus.

"RAAAAAHH!" Galvatron snarled and then delivered the punch Cyclonus was expecting. The larger mech blocked the hit with one arm but the force was enough to make him fall backward off the raised platform and slide to a stop. He looked up soon enough to see his master leap into the air, landing on top of him. He prepared for the beating to continue by immediately trying to get into a more defensive position. It was extremely difficult with the many tons of Galvatron's weight mashing him into the floor. At best he would be able to protect his head from more strikes. But it was unnecessary.

"Imagine that," Galvatron said, reverting back to the soft voice while leaning forward. "But then, even a broken chronometer is right twice in a cycle." He sat back and then continued angrily. "Yes, I would like to be as I was, idiot."

Cyclonus watched him closely, but kept quiet.

"Do you have any more questions?"

"No, I do not." Any further queries might prove suicidal.

"Good. Now go bring some more of that energon and then get out of my sight," Galvatron ordered, getting to his feet and turning away to stare out the broken roof again.

Broken parts and scraps were piled all over one side of the room. Soundwave wasn't entirely surprised to return to the mine headquarters and find it a shambles. Shockwave, however, would be agitated when he returned.

"Hey Soundwave," Rumble said, when he noticed the mech's presence.

"Your purpose for this?" Soundwave asked.

"Aw, we got bored and decided to see what was in here," Frenzy said, popping up from the interior of a large crate.

"You will return it all to its previous state?" It wasn't really a question and the twins both knew it.

"Don't worry. Nobody will be able ta tell we touched it," Rumble said.

Soundwave nodded and turned to inspect the remaining energon cubes. Good. He wasn't in the mood to endure a lot of complaining from Shockwave. And speaking of Shockwave, did his sudden appearance and interaction with the others raise any sort of suspicion? He would have to ask when he got the chance. Before he could consider it further, his thoughts were interrupted by engine noise. Someone was approaching fast and with purpose. Soundwave let his telepathic ability drift outward and quickly knew it was Thrust. He had been gone for a long time considering that his task wasn't that difficult. Was he unable to find his target? Would there still be opportunity to recall Laserbeak or Buzzsaw and have them do it?

Thrust strode into the room without what had become his normal hesitance.

"Status report," Soundwave said.

"I found the place and got a tracker planted. Here's the rest," Thrust said, handing the remaining devices back to Soundwave. "There was only one huge cannon. They must have hidden the rest of it already."

"Did you encounter difficulty?"

The seeker smirked. "Yes, you could call it that. I was nearly discovered by Vortex and Brawl."

Soundwave noticed the contempt present in his comrade's voice when he spoke the others' names.

"How did you avoid detection?" He asked, thinking Thrust must have quickly fled.

"I found an opening in a rock face and I concealed myself there."

Interesting. The telepath was reasonably sure that Thrust would have chosen the word "hid" and expressed relief at not being discovered. The seeker's whole demeanor was different than it was in the mine earlier.

"You are certain they were unaware of your presence?"

"Yes. Neither of them had the smarts to look around, and so what if they had found me? That rust bucket Brawl couldn't catch me on my worst cycle nor could that loser Vortex.

'Rustbucket?' 'Loser?' What had gotten into the flier? He was acting a lot like his old braggart self and it didn't make any sense.

"But none of that is important. I heard the dolts discussing their plans and Vortex suspects that Cyclonus may be onto them so he wants to move faster with whatever they're plotting."

That wasn't good. "Anything else?"

"Not really. Oh, wait, I did hear Vortex say they needed to locate Swindle and then go see Onslaught, but he said it like they were going to do something bad to Onslaught. Perhaps he doesn't wish to be a part of the scheme. But that is nothing next to what is planned for Motormaster.

"Which is?"

"Vortex intends to eliminate him once they've successfully taken control of the Decepticons."

Typical. It was all useful information but Soundwave couldn't get past this remarkable change in Thrust.

"Were there any unusual occurrences?"

"No." Why would Soundwave ask a question like that? "Listen, I'd better get back to patrolling the perimeter before Cyclonus catches me. I'm not interested in having that slagger on my case."

Hmmm. Also typical of the Thrust of old. He knew when another 'bot was stronger but he would hide it with disdain or braggadocio. "Affirmative. But be advised that Cyclonus is aware of everything."

"He is? And he didn't malfunction and kill you all for treason? Amazing," Thrust replied, and then headed for the door. "There was one more thing," he said, stopping suddenly.

Soundwave merely stared at him. What now? He watched as the mech opened a compartment and produced a large, pure Ranazite crystal.

"I found this out where the weapons were. It was growing out of the ground and I presumed you would want to see it because it is different," he said, and then tossed it to Soundwave.

The telepath caught the glowing object and examined it. Remarkable. The hexagonal crystal was the single largest piece of the element he'd ever seen that wasn't embedded in stone.

"I'm out of here," Thrust said.

"Wait," Soundwave said. Not even Rumble and Frenzy, who had stopped their rummaging to watch the exchange could tell that their team leader was excited. He walked to a nearby bench and carefully sawed the crystal in half. He tossed a chunk of it back to Thrust who caught it and then merely looked at him curiously.

"Carry this with you at all times and then locate me in two cycles," he said.

"Why?" Thrust asked.

"An experiment to test if exposure of Ranazite this pure outside of its area of origin results in deterioration," Soundwave lied.

Thrust shrugged. It wasn't any strain on him to carry it around. He stored it back in a compartment on his shoulder and went out the door. His audio sensors couldn't detect the sound but his radar alerted him to the approach of another flier. Probably Cyclonus. It was time to disappear or at least act busy.

Soundwave hid the other piece of Ranazite in a compartment of his own. If he was right it could be the answer to many of their issues. For now he would keep this possible revelation to himself. It wasn't like there weren't far larger priorities ahead of it.

As Thrust had done only minutes ago, Cyclonus entered the room at a fast walk. He surveyed the room.

"What happened in here? It - " he began to say, before catching sight of Rumble and Frenzy in a crate up to their shoulders. "Never mind."

"Greetin's Cyclonus," Frenzy said.

The mech glanced back at them. "Greetings," he said, and immediately turned his attention back to Soundwave.

"Way to kiss that aftside," Rumble muttered.

Frenzy gave him a shove. "Shut up. I only did it to see what would happen. I think we're growin' on him."

"Do we want to?"

"It couldn't hurt."

"Have the rations been distributed?" Cyclonus asked.

"14 additional cubes are required at the mine. I will deliver them momentarily," Soundwave replied.

"It can wait," Cyclonus said, raising a hand. "I wish to speak with you about the possible insurgency that is being contrived. Tell me what you know and leave nothing out."

"Affirmative. But first, what is your decision regarding Galvatron?" If they achieved the intended goal, the insurgency would become a minor problem.

Cyclonus paused, his conversation with their leader flashing through his memory. He hoped what he was about to set in motion wasn't a grave error.

"We will proceed," he said.

The display at the periphery of her vision indicated that she was at the correct coordinates. Stormvolt hovered high above the ground and didn't immediately see the objective. The crumbling headquarters building was near and she had zero intention of getting any closer than she had to be. She glanced around before checking directly beneath her. That had to be it.

Gradually she lowered herself until she was even with the top of a tall structure. From above it blended well with the natural protrusions of rock that sprang from the ground. All the entrances and windows on the lower floors had been sealed with mismatched pieces of stone and armor plating. It wasn't until one was close to the top of the structure that an opening was visible. The femme drifted closer, scanning for anything that was a possible threat before entering the doorway. She touched down lightly and began to take it all in.

In human terms the space would be considered a loft. It was all open but there were distinct areas demarcated. It was very neat and orderly and austere. The inner walls were lined with more armor plating except that they were all of the same color and variety of metal. The welds joining the plates were ground down smooth. Someone had put a lot of effort into this. She walked around a bit more and discovered an incomplete grid map of Chaar burned into the surface of the wall. A work in progress. There was another that was a star map showing Chaar, Cybertron and other nearby planets and stars. Who would…. Ah, this must be where Cyclonus called home. The realization made her regard the space with a new perspective. Stormvolt didn't know if it was what she expected or not as she'd never really considered the idea of him coming home after a hard day and relaxing. He didn't talk much about himself.

There wasn't a lot as far as furnishings. In the center of the room was a big, low table. Against a wall were a couple of benches that were made with much more attention to detail than the one she had. In a far corner a wall protruded separating a smaller space from the main area. Behind it was what she presumed to be a recharge platform. It was huge but didn't look particularly comfortable. She was about to turn back when an object that seemed out of place caught her optic.

There was a niche carved in the wall where it stuck out into the room. In the niche rested a pale orange object that resembled a long, twisted stick. She recognized it immediately as a fulgurite she had created on planet no-name one day as an experiment just to see if she could. It was an unusual color but she attributed it to the alien sand. And at some point, serious, scary, no nonsense Cyclonus had retrieved it. He must like her even more than she thought to do something like that. Or maybe he simply liked it. All Decepticons expressed a certain disgust for sentimentality after all, but that didn't mean they were unable to appreciate beauty or in the case of the fulgurite, items of interest. Samurai warriors, when they weren't lopping off the heads of enemies, pursued activities like painting and arranging flowers and writing poems. But then they were human. And it was such a fragile object. He must have been extraordinarily gentle in unearthing it and transporting it back here. Maybe it wasn't as difficult for him as one might think, she mused, remembering the way he had caressed her wings. Oh, he could have a light touch when he wanted to.

I am going to be ill.

You're a processor, you can't get sick.

You understand my meaning nonetheless.

Yes I do. What brings you out?

Now is a good opportunity to discuss the future.

What about it?

I am slightly concerned about how you will conduct yourself when I am not available to provide guidance.

Now who's being sentimental?

It is not sentimentality! The voice snapped.

What, then?

When I am restored I shall have need of loyal officers.

Me?

Oh yes. I have plans for you and that is merely the beginning.

I don't know as I care for the sound of that too much. It was the truth. Not for the idea of being an officer, she presumed that was pretty much a given as long as she didn't screw up too bad. What bothered her was the sly, knowing tone the voice used.

It is immaterial.

Always.

My point is, you will need to act with more caution and be continually on your alert. I will not always be around to tell you what to do.

Where have I heard that before? Wait, what do you mean always? Once you're back in your old body, won't you be unable to get in my head? And for that matter, who said she needed his guidance?

The voice chuckled. It may be different from before, but I will still be able to contact you.

Crap! How, if you're not physically in there?

You and I have a special connection. A kind of bond, if you will.

She really didn't like that idea. Oh?

Yes. One day I'll tell you all about it. That, and the other goals I have in mind.

But this isn't the day, naturally?

Correct. Your focus should be on upcoming events that will make a suitable future possible.

And you want me to watch out because you won't be able to do it for me?

Yes. In fact, it could be some time before you hear from me. I will have much to contend with in getting Galvatron under my control and then destroying him.

I bet. And for the record, I think I've been managing fine lately.

There is always room for improvement.

She heard engine noise and instantly recognized it as Cyclonus but he wasn't headed that way. Not yet.

Remember what I said. Do not panic if I do not contact you right away.

I will. Remember what you said that is, not panic.

See that you do.

Stormvolt walked over to one of the benches and sat down to wait. She didn't want Cyclonus to think she was snooping. It wasn't a long wait at all. Sensors indicated when he approached the tower and she watched as he flew in and landed gracefully. Even after all the years living amongst the Decepticons and then becoming one herself, she continued to occasionally marvel at how smoothly and elegantly they operated.

"How did it-," she began, before spotting an anomaly. " Is that a new scrape?"

"Yes," Cyclonus replied, offering no further explanation and appearing mildly annoyed at her query.

"From? No, wait. It was Galvatron, right?"

"Correct. However it is minor damage and nothing to be concerned with."

He clearly did not want to discuss it, that much was obvious. Better to change the subject.

"Have you decided what we're going to do?"

"Yes. We will proceed, though I am not sure how."

"Me either. Did you tell the others? Maybe one of them will come up with something."

"Soundwave has been advised."

"And you heard about the rest of it from him? I mean with Vortex and those guys?"

"Affirmative. They are filthy mutineers, unfit to call themselves Decepticons." His voice slipped into the dangerous tone she had become so familiar with. "If circumstances permitted I would deal with them myself right now." His posture became aggressive and then suddenly relaxed and resigned.

"What are you going to do about them?"

"For now, nothing. Ratbat will be dispatched to observe them. Ultimately, what punishment they deserve is Galvatron's decision, but it would be better to wait until we have repaired him before we advise him of the situation."

"If we get Galvatron feeling like himself, I don't think they'll be a problem for long." Stormvolt said, attempting to calm him.

"Perhaps not, but they are planning to accelerate their efforts. As to what degree is unknown." Cyclonus said, as he walked to the bench and sat tiredly next to the femme.

"What? Since when?"

"Recently, it would seem. They fear that I merely suspect them of treachery. They have no inkling of the real truth."

They sat together in silence, each of them contemplating all that had recently transpired.

Finally Stormvolt asked, "You don't have any ideas as to how we should go about this? At all?"

"No. And I do not expect to until after I've had an opportunity to recharge." It was true. He'd been going non-stop for many cycles and badly needed a rest. He rose and extended his hand to the seeker.

"Yeah, you look like you could use one" she said, allowing him to help her to a standing position. "I guess I'll get out of here and let you-," she said, and stopped when he didn't release her hand as she started for the door.

"No, you will remain here," said Cyclonus, in such a way that declared argument would be futile.

"I will?"

"You possess the means with which to restore the Decepticon Empire. Consequently, you must protect the processor and be protected yourself."

Why did everyone act like she couldn't handle herself? It was becoming annoying. She frowned at him slightly.

"These are uncertain times and risk must be minimized," Cyclonus said, sensing an argument and attempting to eliminate it before it started.

Stormvolt wasn't afraid of any Stunticon or Combaticon. But they were sneaky and could be up to more than they knew. He was right. It would be smarter to not risk it, but he didn't have to be so damn grave about every single thing.

"Oh, so it's the processor that's keeping me here. And I thought it was my charm," she said.

Cyclonus appeared to consider the matter before pulling her closer by the hand he continued to hold.

"Yes, there is also that," he said, with a hint of a smile. Recharging could wait a little longer.

"C'mon, get up," Rumble said, roughly shaking his twin.

"Alright, I heard ya," Frenzy grumbled, swatting futilely at Rumble. Someone had to remain at the mine headquarters to guard the new refinery. The pair, along with Ravage, had been assigned the task. To alleviate boredom, they continued their survey of the contents of the many crates until they were too run down to continue. Ravage then stepped in to maintain watch until they came back on line.

"We gotta get this junk put away before Shockwave comes back."

"Pffft! I ain't afraid of him."

"Me either, but we told Soundwave we'd take care of it before we left, and I'd like to get outta here."

"Fine," Frenzy said, as he slowly got to his feet.

Ravage watched as they worked in silence, cramming the many and varied scrounged objects back into crates and replacing the lids. He had no involvement in making the mess and didn't feel obligated to help clean it up. They were halfway finished when another box aroused Frenzy's curiosity. It was over in a corner and somehow they had managed to overlook it. Eh, big deal. It was probably more junk. He went back to the task before him, but kept throwing glances at the nondescript box. If it was more rubbish, why was it in a different style of crate and off by itself like that? He continued to work before inquisitiveness got the better of him.

The small mech found a prybar and approached the box. Once he got close enough he saw that it wasn't sealed. Carefully he opened the hinged lid and peered inside.

"Hey Rumble!"

"What? Hey, what are ya doin'? Ain't we got a big enough mess ta clean up?"

"Quit yer squawkin' and come here." What was it? It was far different from all the filthy and deteriorated items they had spent hours examining.

"What's the big deal?" Rumble asked, as he walked over to stand beside Frenzy.

"What is that?" He watched as Rumble peered into the container and began to smile. "Well?"

"Frenzy, ya know what ya said about gettin' Galvatron and havin' somebody else ta blame it on if it didn't work?"

"Yeah. So?"

"So I think ya just found the answer ta the problem."