CHAPTER 13

Triangulation

The Autobots spent the next ten minutes deciding what to do with the four locations of the Iacon relics.

"If we are to have any hope of recovering the Iacon relics before the Decepticons do," Optimus began, "we must divide our resources."

"But Optimus," Ratchet protested, "when it comes to numbers, we are already at a grave disadvantage."

"Under the circumstances, swiftness of action is paramount," Optimus defended. "This is one race that we absolutely cannot afford to lose."

As they began discussing which Autobots should go where, Ratchet found something strange on the radar.

"Here's a twist," the medic informed. "It would appear that the Decepticons have retreated from Manhatten."

"They just...up and left?" Arcee replied surprised.

"It is more likely that Megatron has already set course for the second set of coordinates," Optimus implied, "having dispatched a unit to this relic's underground location."

"Without busting up a city block to get to it?" Arcee remarked with surprise.

"They used subway tunnels," Jack explained from the railings, gaining the Autobots' attention. Starscream turned to look at the boy. "New York has a whole network of them running beneath the city."

Optimus thought for a moment. "Since the human population no longer seems to be directly threatened, maintaining our disguise will be necessary. Arcee, Bumblebee," he added and looked at the Scout and the femmebot, "you are the best choices to navigate through such a densely populated area."

"Optimus," Jack said to gain the big bot's attention, "New York has more than eight million people. The odds of being spotted by at least one of them are pretty high, even if they are headed underground."

"Where are you going with this?" Arcee asked, having a feeling of what the boy was suggesting.

"You're gonna need a face-man," Jack replied with a smile.

Nobody spoke for a moment, just stared at him, apparently not sure what he was talking about.

"Someone who can speak for them on their behalf," Jack explained. "A human who can run interference if their cover gets blown."

"Well," Miko went in, "I've actually been in subway stations, I grew up in a major metropolis, unlike mister 'I've-never-been-outside-Jasper-Nevada'." She shrugged in apparent offense, despite it being her insulting him.

"I have been to Cybertron," Jack pointed out to her, apparently not able to read the girl's thoughts.

"Cybertron doesn't have subways!" Miko replied, still offended, then paused and turned to the bots. "...does it?"

"It used to, anyway," Starscream replied. "Not like anyone really needed it, though, since everyone has their own vehicle modes. Like a jet, much more effective than a simple train-"

"Agent Fowler's field experience makes him our best candidate," Optimus interrupted and looked to Agent Fowler, laid onto a human-sized operating table turned into a bed, covered by a blanket. The man was still recovering from the shock he received a couple of hours earlier that day.

"Baaaananafish!" Agent Fowler exclaimed from the bed, then lost consciousness again. The man was still delusional.

"If he weren't still recovering from his encounter with the Decepticon warship," Ratchet pointed out.

"Which we survived," Miko said and pointed to herself, "without incident?!"

Optimus gazed from Agent Fowler to Ratchet to Jack and Miko, contemplating for a moment.

"Very well," he decided. "Miko and Jack will accompany Arcee and Bumblebee."

"Yes!" Miko exclaimed in victory and punched the air. Jack looked pleased to be allowed to go as well. Arcee and Bumblebee shared glances, not sure if it was a good idea. Bulkhead looked concerned at Miko, probably worried about her safety.

"Initiate transport," Optimus told Ratchet, "and triangulate coordinates of the other three relics."

As Ratchet locked onto the coordinates of the first relic, Starscream watched Bulkhead talking to Miko before departure and wondered if he should volunteer to come with them. He decided against it, as he did not want to go from one cave to another. Plus, he wouldn't be able to blend in very well with the city vehicles.

"That was some trick, Miko," Bulkhead said to the girl as she and Jack began descending from the railings.

"You mean swiping intel from right under Megatron's nose?" Miko said with pride. "Just doing my part for Team Prime!"

Bumblebee honked his horn from the GroundBridge portal, telling Miko to get a move on.

"Ooh, gotta go, Bulk," the girl said before running eagerly over to the yellow car. "I'll tell you all about it when we get back! Wait up!"

Miko went into Bumblebee, who closed his car door before Ratchet opened the GroundBridge.

"Take care of her, Bee," Bulkhead said.

"Take care of him, Miko," Raf said.

The bot and boy looked at each other in wonder. They didn't dwell on it though. The two Autobots and two humans went through the GroundBridge, to arrive in Manhatten to hunt for the first Iacon relic. As they disappeared, Ratchet closed the GroundBridge behind them. Starscream wondered if he would get to go to the next location.

"Bulkhead," Optimus said and turned to the Wrecker, "prepare for departure."

"You are headed for the Equator," Ratchet declared.

"I'll prep for tropical weather," Bulkhead said and slammed his fists together in eager. "Wrecker style!"

Starscream decided to pass on this one too. He definitely did not want to go with Bulkhead, although it sounded nice to be in the tropics, out in the open. As he was not allowed to fly yet, though, it didn't matter where he ended up, so perhaps it would be better to not go somewhere hot and scorching - like a certain desert.

Ratchet locked onto the coordinates of the second relic and opened the GroundBridge for Bulkhead.

"Rafael and Agent Fowler will be your communications and transportation hub," Optimus informed.

Bulkhead glanced at Rafael. The boy gave him a thumbs-up. Both turned to look at Agent Fowler, who was still talking in his sleep.

"I can haz cheezburger?" Agent Fowler exclaimed to the air before falling unconscious yet again. Hopefully he would come out of it soon.

"Communications, huh?" Bulkhead remarked at the delusional human. Without further ado, the Wrecker walked through the GroundBridge to arrive at his destination.

"Be on your guard, Bulkhead," Optimus warned the Wrecker before he disappeared, followed by the closing of the GroundBridge behind him. Now there was only two locations left to dispatch teams to. Two locations, three bots and two humans left, the humans of which could not be spared. Pit, Starscream couldn't even be sure if he counted as one of the bots yet, in which case there were only two bots left to go to two different locations. Perhaps the Seeker would go to the next location with the next bot.

"Rafael," Optimus continued, turning his attention to the boy, "lock onto the remaining coordinates. I will embark for the Antarctic."

Rafael turned in his desk chair and began locking onto the coordinates for the relic located in the Antarctic. Certainly didn't sound like anyplace Starscream wanted to go to. If it was anything like the Arctic, it was bound to be cold. And given it was at the bottom of the world, it was certain to be cold. Although he would be out in the open, and he didn't mind Optimus' company as much as Bulkhead's. Regardless, the prospect of a cold environment prompted him to stay silent until further notice.

"As for you, old friend," Optimus said, turning to Ratchet, "I would prefer that you have company on your mission."

"No one is left to join me, Optimus," Ratchet said, "except for Starscream. Even if Agent Fowler were alert..."

Agent Fowler groaned, seeming to regain consciousness again. Sadly, he was still delusional.

"Oshahogaboga..." the man said, before losing consciousness again.

"...he's human," Ratchet commented.

"Now that was just sad," Starscream remarked at the gibberish.

"I was considering the only remaining Autobot alternative on this planet," Optimus continued.

Ratchet didn't need to think for long before knowing who he meant.

"Bu-wha-you can't be serious," Ratchet blabbered before regaining his composure. "Wheeljack is insubordinate, a ruffian! Besides, he's Bulkhead's partner."

"Your expertise is scientific," Optimus explained, "but Wheeljack is a highly capable warrior. You would be wise to welcome the temporary alliance."

Ratchet sighed and face-palmed, really not wanting to team up with Wheeljack. Neither did Starscream, so he decided against going with Ratchet. Which, shockingly, would leave him alone in the base with the boy and delusional man.

"What about me?" Starscream finally spoke up, having heard all his options. "I don't suppose you want me to be alone with the humans, do you?" He added a malicious smirk at the end, falsely suggesting he might harm them while they were gone. He could, but he probably wouldn't, given how long he's stayed with them.

Optimus and Ratchet shared gazes with each other, contemplating their situation. Starscream was right. If Optimus left for the Antarctic and Ratchet left with Wheeljack for the last location, Starscream would be left alone in the base, the humans being at his mercy. While they didn't exactly expect him to gut them while alone, he could escape through the physical entrance or the GroundBridge, provided he found a way out of the cufflets still attached to his wrists. Besides, Ratchet wasn't exactly sure Starscream was yet mentally fit to be left on his own, given everything that had happened today.

"I don't suppose you'd want to come with me and Wheeljack, do you?" Ratchet asked, knowing the answer.

"Not a chance," Starscream rejected at once. "If I can't fly myself, I'm not going into a thing that can."

"That means you will go with me," Optimus decided. "To the Antarctic. Are you sure you want to go there?"

Starscream didn't speak for a moment, contemplating. The others had already gone, it would be pretty dull in the base with a boy doing all the work and a man that was out of his mind, and he couldn't even get free from his shackles to escape for freedom. And he had no intent of occupying the same space as that moron Wheeljack. Optimus, on the other hand, had saved the Seeker on more than one occasion, and he was never threatening or insulting the Decepticon. Despite the harsh environment they were going to be in, perhaps it would be best to go with the Autobot commander?

"Alright," Starscream replied and stood straight on the floor, moving away from the railings. "I'll go with you. As long as I get to keep my missiles and my claws free."

"Very well," Optimus said, satisfied they had come to a conclusion. "Open the GroundBridge."

Ratchet opened the GroundBridge to allow the Autobot and Decepticon to pass through, whilst staying behind to wait for Rafael to lock onto the last set of coordinates, so he could go find the last relic with Wheeljack.

As the two mechs appeared from the GroundBridge, they were met by a cold breeze, sending shudders through Starscream's frame.

"Brrrr," Starscream remarked by the coldness. "What is wrong with this planet?! Either it's a scorching desert or it's a frigid wasteland!"

"Come on," Optimus said and started walking. "The relic seems to be in this direction."

Starscream snapped out of the cold and scurried after the larger mech, trying to keep up the pace with the Autobot's longer strides.

"Eh, why aren't you transforming?" Starscream asked curiously. "It would go much faster that way."

"You are currently unable to transform," Optimus said, as if he had lost his T-cog or something, "and I am currently not in possession of my trailer. And I am not going to leave you behind, even if we are searching for a dangerous weapon. Like I said before, we Autobots do not leave a comrade behind."

Starscream felt his cheekplates blushing slightly. It could be because of the cold, of course. He was not as well armored or isolated as Optimus was.

"So, why not release me from these shackles?" Starscream suggested and held up his wrists, still free from the energy string, but the cufflets still attached firmly. He noticed faintly that they had gained some cracks in them, probably from Megatron's strong grip. The Seeker wondered if it had affected the cufflets' endurance.

"While it would go faster," Optimus replied, "we are still contemplating the right time for you to regain your wings."

"You still don't trust me?!" Starscream exclaimed in irritation. "I haven't flown in almost two months! And I haven't tried to escape once since I brought you back from the Decepticon warship, while flying! What do I have to do to convince you Autobots to allow me to fly?!"

"The time will come soon, Starscream," Optimus assured the Decepticon while studying the radar. "I promise. We seem to be getting close to the coordinates."

Starscream sighed and pouted. He was beginning to think he would never be allowed to fly. He realized he had been thinking this several times already. And given how much time had passed since he was taken in by the Autobots, perhaps he was right.

They arrived at the top of a hill and looked out. They didn't see the relic, but they did see something up ahead. A squadron of Decepticons, searching a glacial wall. Perhaps they had found the relic?

"Four Vehicons," Starscream counted, "and, if I'm not mistaken, the one called Dreadwing."

"Dreadwing," Optimus repeated, remembering the last time he had encountered the mech. "I will go on ahead."

Without further warning, Optimus transformed and began driving towards the Decepticons. Starscream found himself perplexed as he began running after his 'bodyguard', not wanting to be left behind - as Prime had apparently lied about it not happening with the Autobots, or perhaps he had forgotten in the heat (or cold) of the moment? Either way, Starscream ran as fast as he could to catch up with Optimus, before he could get picked off by any scouts that might have been looking out nearby.

It took several minutes before he got to Prime, and by that time he had already engaged Dreadwing in pre-fight talk. The four Vehicons had gathered around Dreadwing, two on each side of him, covering larger ground for an attack.

"Optimus Prime," Dreadwing greeted. "I will request only once that you surrender the relic."

"I was going to request the same of you, Dreadwing," Optimus replied. Starscream was just a few meters away from reaching the Autobot but could hear what they were saying.

"Then I would say that we are on equal footing, were it not that there are five of us, and only one of you."

"Two, you mean," Starscream huffed as he finally appeared next to Optimus, somewhat worn out from his running after the Prime.

"You must be Starscream," Dreadwing remarked at the arrival of the small Seeker. "Former commander of the Decepticon warship. I will show no mercy to traitors."

"Oh yeah?" Starscream said with strange confidence. "Well, I will show no mercy to a...uh..." As he failed to come up with a good insult, he simply decided: "Go get him, Prime!"

Not paying attention to Starscream's rambling, Optimus instead focused on Dreadwing, who stared back at the Autobot. The Vehicons drew their guns, ready to attack. Starscream looked at his claws, wishing Optimus would release him so he could use his lasers. Instead, he held up his arms, readying his missiles.

Optimus and Dreadwing stared each other down for what felt like mega-cycles. Everyone was tense. Starscream and the Vehicons waited for one of them to make a move, which would start the upcoming battle. It seemed neither large mech was willing to be the first to attack, as the first attack often decided the victor. Starscream gulped, starting to get worried. The longer it took for the battle to start, the more likely it was that they would lose. Not to mention whoever had taken the relic might get away...

Suddenly, Dreadwing drew his cannon and started shooting at Optimus and Starscream. The Vehicons started firing their own lasers as well. Optimus transformed his right arm into his ion cannon and started shooting back. Starscream jumped around to dodge the lasers, trying to aim at either Dreadwing or the Vehicons. As Optimus seemed to be engaging Dreadwing in direct combat, Starscream decided to take on the Vehicons instead. They were easier prey, after all.

Starscream aimed his left missile at one of the Vehicons, and after dodging two lasers, he clenched his fist and fired it. The missile zoomed through the cold air, hit the Vehicon and exploded, taking the Vehicon down with it. Afterwards, Starscream decided to engage in close combat, readying his claws.

The Seeker dodged several lasers before approaching a Vehicon, dodged to the right and punched a hole in its chest with his left claws. He retracted his claws and watched as the Vehicon fell together and leaked out.

His small victory was quickly interrupted when one of the Vehicons' lasers managed to land a hit on his left arm, earning an exclamation from the Seeker. He continued to dodge the other lasers until he found a good place to stand. He lifted his right arm and aimed at the closest Vehicon. He clenched his fist and fired the missile. This Vehicon managed to dodge the attack, however, getting out of the way just in time to not get caught in the explosion. The missile kept going until it hit the glacier, exploding.

The explosion was the start of a chain reaction. The glacier started to break up and make the ground below them rumble. Starscream struggled to keep himself on his pedes, and he wasn't the only one. The Vehicons fell onto the snow, unable to keep their balance. Starscream watched as the crack in the glacial wall expanded and started to create a crevice, heading directly towards Optimus and Dreadwing!

"Prime! Look out!" Starscream called, managing to avoid falling into the crevice himself.

Dreadwing jumped out of the way, but Optimus was not so lucky. Just as he was about to dodge, Dreadwing shot him with his quickly drawn cannon, making Optimus gain over-balance and fall to the ground. Only, the ground disappeared below him, making him fall into the crevice. Starscream shrieked and ran over to the crevice.

"Prime!" Starscream shouted and reached down just in time to catch Optimus' servo, preventing him from falling.

"Starscream..." Optimus grumbled under his battle mask.

"Don't worry, Prime, I'll get you out of there," Starscream promised, and pulled and pulled, but Optimus was so heavy, he struggled just keeping him from falling.

Suddenly, someone pulled Starscream by the leg, making him shriek. He felt himself getting pulled away from the crevice, loosening his grip around Prime.

"No, let go!" Starscream shrieked as he felt Optimus' servos slipping from his own. "Prime!"

"Starscream!" Optimus shouted, knowing it was Dreadwing who was pulling Starscream's legs.

Starscream couldn't hold on any longer. Dreadwing pulled him away from the crevice, the small Seeker losing his grip on Optimus' servos. Optimus fell into the crevice with a roar, watching as Starscream disappeared from his view point while screaming.

Not again! Optimus thought anxiously just before he hit the bottom. Not again...

Starscream screamed as he was being pulled away from the crevice and lost the Autobot commander, the only one who could really protect him from his enemies.

"Prime! No!" the Seeker screamed, but silenced as he felt something hard pressed against his helm.

"Rise, traitor," Dreadwing grumbled. "Or I will blow you to bits."

Gulping, Starscream oblieged, slowly getting onto his legs and pedes.

"Turn around."

Starscream did as he said. Without warning, a pair of regular stasis cuffs was put onto his wrists. Apparently Dreadwing hadn't seen the other pair of cufflets, or perhaps he simply wanted Starscream to have as little servo movement as possible. Starscream stared from his wrists to the much larger Seeker.

"What...are you going to do with me?" Starscream asked anxiously.

"Were it up to me, I would end this here and now," Dreadwing explained ominously. "But it is my duty as First Lieutenant to Megatron to render all traitors to my lord and master for due punishment."

"First Lieutenant?" Starscream exclaimed surprised. "That was my position!"

"Yes, was," Dreadwing repeated. "But no longer. You two," he added to the remaining Vehicons, "make sure he doesn't try anything funny."

"Yes, Commander Dreadwing," the Vehicons replied in unison, pointing their blasters in Starscream's back.

"Come on," Dreadwing commanded, leading Starscream and the Vehicons away from the crevice - and Optimus. "The relic must still be on this continent somewhere. We will keep searching until we find it."

Starscream let out a whine, temporarily forgetting he was held captive.

This could prove to be a really long day.

Not long after having fallen in, Optimus regained consciousness from the bottom of the crevice. He got up and looked up and from side to side, trying to figure out how to get out of the crevice. Looking behind him, he noticed the crevice was slightly lower level in that end. Perhaps it lead to the ice valley that had been just below their location? He knew only one way to get out of the crevice.

Optimus transformed his arms into ion cannons and started blasting the lower wall in the direction he hoped would be the way out. He kept his distance and his aim straight, to avoid simply burying himself under tons of snow and ice.

His improvisation did the trick. The lower end of the crevice started to collapse, but it didn't seem to have major effect on the rest of the crevice, though some chunks of ice and snow did fall here and there. He watched as an opening appeared behind the wall and started climbing out of his ice prison.

Optimus saw in the far distance a couple of small dots, just as they disappeared from his view range. Those must be Dreadwing, the Vehicons...and Starscream, he remembered with dread.

If the Decepticons got Starscream back onto their warship, the location of the Autobots' base would be compromised. And so would the human population of Jasper, Nevada, which was located nearby.

As he got out onto the open field of snow, Optimus transformed into his truck mode and started driving in the direction that Starscream was taken, hoping the Seeker would hold on until the Autobot would get there.

Most of the journey through the frigid wasteland went in silence. Starscream considered striking up a conversation with his captors, but was unsure if it would be a good idea. He didn't know what would set off Dreadwing, after all. Talking about his deceased twin Skyquake was definitely out of the question. As was talking about the fact that Skyquake was wandering around somewhere in the Shadowzone as an undead Terrorcon.

"So..." Starscream began, having thought of something. "I have heard you were once captain of a great Seeker army. You wouldn't happen to have been part of a group called the Energon Seekers once, have you?"

"My past is none of your business, traitor," Dreadwing growled.

Okay, seems this mech wasn't very keen on small talk. Better shut up then.

"You know," Starscream continued, despite knowing better, "I was once Air Commander of an armada of Energon Seekers."

"Really," Dreadwing replied absentminded while looking at the radar, still not interested in the Seeker's own past.

"Yes, so, I was just wondering if you may have been one of those while I was in command..."

"I may," Dreadwing said, "have been part of such a faction once. But even if I did, it would never have been under your command."

Starscream sighed. Well, he tried. He could have been a Decepticon his entire existence, who knew.

Eventually they made their way to the edge of a cliff. Out on the snowy field far below them, about a kilometer away, Starscream spotted something that looked like a human military base.

"As I suspected," Starscream said lowly. "Humans. That must be where the relic is located."

"Prepare for departure," Dreadwing commanded the two Vehicons.

The Vehicons transformed to jet mode but hovered in the air. Starscream looked confused from side to side.

"Eh? Are you going to leave me behind here?" Starscream asked hopefully.

"Here's a hint," Dreadwing said.

The big Seeker pushed the small Seeker down the cliff. Starscream screamed and tried instinctively to transform, but his chestplates only moved. Because of those damn stasis cuffs - both of them - he could not save himself from the fall. Luckily he fell into a pile of snow, leaving a Starscream-shaped hole in the snow as Dreadwing and the Vehicons descended in flight mode. As Starscream got out from the pile, he shook his head and entire frame in coldness, feeling his face blushing from the cold, trying to keep itself warm.

"You didn't have to be so rough," Starscream snarled before Dreadwing hauled him back onto his pedes by grabbing his back. Starscream let out a shriek of surprise and sighed as the Vehicons' laser guns once again pointed into his back.

"Get a move on," Dreadwing commanded.

They continued walking towards the human facility, Starscream dreading what would happen once they arrived.

After ten minutes of driving, Optimus eventually made it to the edge of a cliff. The blizzard was getting stronger and night had begun to fall. It was uncertain whether it was just here in the arctic or it was also becoming evening back in Nevada. Either way, it would make Optimus' search for Starscream and the relic more difficult, and increasingly hazardous due to the cold temperatures. Luckily the temperatures weren't extreme enough to affect his biology. Hopefully Starscream would be fine as well.

As he reached the cliff, he transformed to robot mode and scouted the area below. It didn't take long for him to spot the four figures making their way towards...a human facility?!

"No..." Optimus said anxiously and opened a comm. link. "Rafael, has Agent Fowler regained consciousness?"

"I'm here, Prime," Agent Fowler replied through the comm. "What's the situation?"

"I require access to a certain facility at my current coordinates. Starscream has been taken captive, and Decepticons are currently on their way here."

"I'll make a call, hang on!"

With Starscream walking with them, it took about half an hour before they reached the human facility. Just before they entered the grounds, several helicopters started taking off. It seemed the humans had noticed the Decepticons' arrival and were retreating.

"The humans are escaping," Dreadwing noted as the helicopters took off. "Good. It will make everything easier."

Starscream wondered. How did the humans manage to notice them coming their way in time to evacuate the entire base? Not to mention that it would have been more likely that the humans would have attacked the trespassers, rather than running away. He had had enough experience with humans to know this.

Starscream didn't get to wonder for long as Dreadwing pushed forward, the Vehicons pushing the small Seeker in the back.

"Search the area," Dreadwing commanded the two Vehicons while he stayed behind with the smaller Seeker.

Starscream looked around, hoping there was something that would somehow allow him to escape, but found nothing.

"Commander Dreadwing, over here," the Vehicon called shortly later.

Dreadwing pulled Starscream with him to the calling Vehicon. The other one joined them as they looked inside the building. A large chunk of ice was placed inside, with something dark trapped inside.

"The relic," Dreadwing remarked and left Starscream to the Vehicons. "It was here all along."

"I would advice you to step away from that relic, Dreadwing," a deep, familiar voice sounded from the outside. The Fliers turned around and saw Optimus Prime, back and looking angrier than ever. "And to release my comrade."

Starscream felt his spark leaping with joy over having been found by Optimus and even being called his comrade! He was going to be saved now!

"'Comrade'," Dreadwing repeated with a hint of disgust in his voice. "How odd to use that word for someone like him. I would advice you to back off and let me retrieve what rightfully belongs to Lord Megatron."

Dreadwing pulled out his cannon and aimed it at Optimus, who activated his ion cannon. "You two," Dreadwing said to the Vehicons, "guard the prisoner!"

Dreadwing started shooting as he charged out of the building and engaged Optimus again in combat. The Vehicons stood behind and watched, keeping a close optic on Starscream.

Starscream was unsure what to do or think in this situation now. Optimus was busy dealing with Dreadwing to deal with the Vehicons, and Starscream himself wasn't exactly in the position to fight back. Or was he? He was unable to access neither his lasers nor his missiles, but he still had his claws. It would be difficult to attack with the stasis cuffs on, but not impossible. He side-eyed one of the Vehicons and waited for the right time.

Without warning, Starscream turned and clawed the Vehicon on his left, killing it in one hit. The other Vehicon got surprised and started firing at the Seeker at close range. But Starscream managed to get behind the dead Vehicon and use it as a shield, then throwing it into the other Vehicon. While down, Starscream went over and punched a hole in the other Vehicon's chest with both his claws stretched. The Vehicon twisted and cramped before going limp. Starscream retracted his Energon stained claws and cackled at the sight.

"Never underestimate a Seeker," Starscream hissed at the dead Vehicons, "even if he is cuffed. Now, how about that relic?"

Looking over his shoulder once to check if Optimus and Dreadwing were still fighting - which they were, fiercely - he steered towards the relic encased in ice. He studied the chunk of ice. It was difficult to identify the relic because of the prism effect of the ice, but it looked familiar somehow.

"Let's get you out of there," Starscream said to the relic and lifted his cuffed servos into the air.

Starscream started beating the ice with the hard stasis cuffs and cackled merrily while doing so. Knowing almost nothing could match the hardness of stasis cuffs, they did the perfect job of shattering the ice and eventually freed the relic. As Starscream brushed some small chunks away from the relic, the object's design became more clear.

"Armor," Starscream identified it as, "of Decepticon origin." It seemed the Decepticon scientists had made many weapons and devices and what not. Starscream had heard of a particular armor said to be made by Decepticons, made of the strongest metal alloy in the entire universe, making it practically invulnerable. It was said to even be impenetrable by the savage Scraplets, making it ideal to deal with infestations as well!

Without further hesitation, Starscream placed the armor onto his torso and clicked it in place. The armor began transforming around him, covering his legs, bent down wings, torso, and reached over his arms. He watched with delight as the stasis cuffs placed by Dreadwing shattered into pieces by the armor as it covered his servos, freeing his wrists. He felt as the armor expanded, lifting him above ground what he normally reached in height, until the armor ended with covering his shoulder and head, a glass-like helm letting him see out of the armor. A blue light turned on inside the helm, allowing him to see in the dark.

Starscream barked a laugh and decided to test his new toy. He leapt into the air as high as he could, feeling how he practically flew into the sky, only to land on the ground seconds later, pedes planted firmly on the ground, which rumbled upon his landing. A wounded Optimus and a near-triumphant Dreadwing both ceased their fighting to gaze at the giant armored Seeker.

"The Apex Armor," Optimus said in wonder, as well as concern over what Starscream might do with this armor in his possession.

Starscream looked down at himself the best he could and chuckled. "A perfect fit!" he declared pleased.

Starscream glared gleefully at Dreadwing and Optimus, who got up quickly, watching and waiting for the armored Seeker's next action. Dreadwing decided not to wait for Starscream to take action.

"You dare to claim that which rightfully belongs to Lord Megatron?!" Dreadwing exclaimed while pointing his sword at Starscream.

Starscream chuckled by the Decepticon's accusation. "And what do you intend to do about it," he said and clenched his new giant servos, "commander?"

Dreadwing charged at the armored Seeker with his sword out. Starscream smirked, deciding to not do anything. He wanted to see if this armor was as good as it was fabled to be.

Dreadwing swung his sword at the armor, but it did not even scratch it. Starscream laughed merrily at the armor's endurance, brushing the hit spot and swung his arm to the right, sending Dreadwing flying some twenty meters away.

"Not so big and strong now, are you?" Starscream burst out. "I haven't had this much fun since I-" He paused, remembering Optimus was nearby. "...well, since I came online!" He went over and picked up an excavator. "Allow me to reunite you with your beloved twin!"

Starscream threw the excavator at Dreadwing, but this one managed to dodge in time and started shooting with his laser cannon, but it also had no effect on the armor. He drew his machine gun and started blasting away at the armor, but it didn't leave as much as a dent.

Optimus got back onto his legs and started shooting at Dreadwing, seeing as Starscream was focusing on the Decepticon. Realizing he was both outnumbered and - because of the Apex Armor - hopelessly outstrengthed, Dreadwing growled and considered running away. But he couldn't. Megatron would never forgive him if he simply ran away without the relic, without even trying. He wasn't Starscream. He wasn't a coward. He was a warrior. And a warrior had to fulfill his duty to his lord.

"I'd rather die than let the relic in Autobot possession!" Dreadwing roared as he charged Optimus with his sword out. If he couldn't take out Starscream in the Apex Armor, the least he could do was take down the leader of the Autobots. But Dreadwing did not know Starscream.

"As you wish!" the armored Seeker exclaimed.

Starscream interfered and punched Dreadwing before he could reach Prime, then proceeded to grab the Decepticon's leg and threw him into the sky. Dreadwing was still unwilling to give up on the relic and transformed midair, zooming back towards the ground, jet cannons shooting lasers at the armored Seeker and Optimus. Even those were ineffective against the Apex Armor, and Optimus continued to dodge. Perhaps Dreadwing should attempt to use an explosive?

As he reached the ground, he transformed to robot mode and landed on the armor just in the right angle to place a proximity bomb onto the back of the armored Seeker. Doing a few somersaults upon landing on the ground, Dreadwing turned around and pulled forth a detonator, turning it on.

Starscream shrieked as a loud beeping sounded on his back. He started to panic, and Optimus jumped out of the way to dodge the explosion, hoping the armor was thick enough to hold against the explosion. A large smoke cloud covered the base, making Starscream's fate uncertain.

As the smoke cloud dispersed, however, Optimus saw to his relief - and Dreadwing to his horror - that Starscream was still standing, alive, and the armor still whole and unscathed. Upon the discovery of his unharmed self, Starscream laughed out loud.

"Not only am I intelligent," Starscream roared, "I - AM - INVINCIBLE!"

Optimus saw with concern how Starscream side-eyed the Prime with an expression he did not like. Surely the Seeker wasn't thinking of double-crossing the Autobot?

The glance was brief, however, as Starscream returned his attention to Dreadwing and ran towards the Decepticon, who began to run out of ideas to fight against the seemingly invincible Seeker.

"Dreadwing!" Optimus called out, stopping Starscream in his tracks. "Return to Megatron and let us leave with the Apex Armor, or I cannot guarantee your survival!"

Starscream stood by, apparently awaiting the okay from Optimus to continue beating up Dreadwing like Megatron used to beat up Starscream. Dreadwing growled while standing with his sword out, thinking.

"I will rather join the AllSpark than let you walk away with this relic!" Dreadwing shouted, but seemed reluctant to fight any further, knowing his situation was hopeless. "And even if it was not for the armor, we still have other unfinished matters."

Optimus retracted his weapons and held out his arms. "I bore Skyquake no malice," the Autobot leader spoke. "And I regret the role I played in his demise. So I will appeal to you as I did your twin. Turn your back on the Decepticon cause and help us end this war. For his sake, and for all who have fallen."

Dreadwing didn't respond, simply looked from Prime to Starscream and back, thinking, contemplating. Starscream stood straight, trying to appear non-threatening - which was difficult with that huge armor on - getting tired of this endless battle. Dreadwing knew his chances were slim, probably even non-existing here. Had Starscream been alone - Pit, had Optimus even worked together with him to fight the small Seeker, he could have probably at least launched several explosives to trap Starscream in the ocean below them. But with Optimus in the way, he was unable to perform this movement. There was no way he could win this fight.

And despite his honor, his duty to Megatron, he imagined Megatron would be more cross losing yet another second-in-command than losing an item they could probably win back later, if they managed to locate the Autobot base somehow.

Dreadwing sighed and made his decision. He made a few movements with his sword, followed by him putting it back in its sheath on his back, regrettably surrendering victory to the Autobots.

"I will terminate you the next time we meet," Dreadwing growled and transformed to jet mode, taking off into the dark sky, heading towards wherever the Nemesis was currently flying.

Optimus and Starscream turned to look in the direction which Dreadwing flew, and moped. A giant Aurora Australis danced along the sky before them, like a stream of sparks and Energon, lighting up the sky and the ground. It had become nighttime in the Antarctic. Optimus gazed at Starscream, who continued to stare at the sky with longing.

"You did well today, Starscream," Optimus praised, earning the Seeker's attention. "It has been a long day. Perhaps we should call the base for a GroundBridge so we can return, rest and recover."

"I think that would be a good idea," Starscream said and smiled. He looked down and pressed a button on the armor's chest, which made it initiate the slow transformation back into a small disc. While he was doing that, Optimus called the base.

"Rafael, we require a GroundBridge back to base," Optimus said.

"On it," Rafael's voice sounded, strangely anxious for some reason.

A few seconds later, a green GroundBridge portal appeared in front of the two mechs. As Starscream's armor's transformation was finished, he gazed at Optimus, who gazed back.

"I think I'll call it a day, what do you think?" Starscream said with a chuckle.

"You have earned your rest," Optimus replied. "Let us go home."

But as they stepped through the GroundBridge portal, they learned the day was still far from over.

There was a crisis back in the Autobot base.

A crisis that changed everything.

Everything for Starscream.