There were several small skirmishes with the Decepticons over the next two weeks, but there were few mechs involved and few injuries. Rain was still in stasis, but the rest of the femmes and mechs were repaired and functional.
The twins and Night had not yet bonded because they were either on opposite shifts or out on patrol.
"You think Prowl is doing this to us on purpose?" asked Sideswipe as they drove up to the Ark as they returned from patrol. "He could be getting revenge for all the pranks we've pulled."
"Unless Night told the other femmes and Mist told Prowl," said Sunstreaker. "How would be know?"
"I'm kind of afraid that maybe Night set it up to keep us at bay," said Sideswipe. "Do you think we asked too soon?"
"We'll ask her when we see her," said Sunstreaker.
They strode into the rec room for some energon when they were surprised by the sight of several weary mechs covered in dirt.
"Whoa, what happened to you?" asked Sideswipe.
Sunstreaker skirted around the mechs and reached the energon dispenser.
"We got into a little skirmish with the Cons at an excavation site," said Warpath. "There were large piles of dirt all over. Great for cover, but not so great for keeping clean."
"It was quite the dirty fight," said Kup. "Literally and figuratively."
"I'd take paved road over dirt fields any day," said Hot Rod. "After we fought the Cons off, we had to dig out Night because one of the Cons dropped a hill on her."
"Is she okay?" asked Sideswipe accepting his energon from Sunstreaker.
"She went to Ratchet to get checked out," said Kup. "But she made it here on her own so I think she's fine."
The twins finished their energon and headed out. Sunstreaker commed Night and found that she'd already been released by Ratchet. They found her in one of the wash racks her purple paint obscured by layers of dirt. They quickly jumped in and helped her clean. Eventually all three left the wash racks gleaming not a single smudge left.
"Did you get your energon?" asked Sunstreaker.
"Yes, Dawn gave me some in the med bay," she replied.
"We're back from patrol," said Sunstreaker. "Are you free?"
"Yes I'm free," said Night.
"Will you spend time with us?" asked Sunstreaker and when she agreed, Sideswipe started to bounce happily. They quickly entered the twin's room.
"So what would you like to do?" asked Sideswipe turning toward his shelves. "I have some games or we could put on a movie."
"Sorry," said Night stroking a finger over the back of his neck. "I'm more interested in you."
Startled by the unexpected touch, Sideswipe tripped and landed on his berth. Sunstreaker quickly moved his berth over and Night pushed him onto it as well. She climbed on top of them one knee between each of their legs. Both hands moved delicately over their chassis claws kept carefully away to avoid scratching them. The twins shivered under her touch.
"You've made me wait for far too long," she said seductively.
Their chest plates began to open activating hers as well. Two separate sparks merged into one and then reached for hers. Tendrils of sensation caressed her longingly. She sent those feelings back, but much stronger. Her spark merged with theirs and suddenly there was a rush of pleasure so intense that Night's frame collapsed onto the two mechs. Despite them being one spark, Night could clearly make out the separate presence of Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. As the bond formed, she called out to them individually whispering sweet words to them and caressing them through their spark. When their chest plates finally closed, she lay in between them on her back caressing their neck and faces by touch while they purred in contentment. Night felt incredibly good and incredibly whole, but she wasn't finished yet. She sent a strong feeling of lust through the bond and her mechs responded immediately. They were hers now and she'd make them feel pleasure for as long as they could hold out.
xxxxx
Dawn was in the med bay working on inventory. Ratchet was also there, but since he had no patients, he was hovering over the comatose Rain like usual. She noticed that he seemed to pay extra attention to Rain going so far as to repair her paint. Dawn suddenly chuckled when she got the comm from Night and looked up to see Ratchet watching her. "Night and the twins are now sparkmates," she told him.
Ratchet blinked his optics. "You're not joking, are you?" he asked.
Dawn laughed again. "No I'm not joking," she said. "I just got the comm from Night herself."
"Sunstreaker and Sideswipe with Night," said Ratchet. "Now I've seen everything. I know Night is level headed, but I was unaware that the twins had affection for her. I thought they were simply training her. To think that they could be serious about anything other than themselves is astounding."
"Is it anymore surprising than Wheeljack or Prowl?" asked Dawn.
"I've known Wheeljack for ages and despite his ability to land himself in the med bay, he's a good mech," said Ratchet. "I knew he'd find someone someday. Prowl's logic circuits won't allow him to fully express his emotions and when those two clash, he glitches. He does have emotions though and I'm glad to see he has an outlet for them now. Ever since he bonded, he hasn't glitched once so it's a double blessing. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe on the other hand are loyal to each other and the Autobots in that order. Sure they flirt a lot, but I've never seen them form a deep attachment to anyone else. You obviously don't realize how much has changed and changed for the better since the six of you came online."
"I'll let Prowl know to take them off the patrol rotation for a few days," said Dawn smiling. She left to continue on with other duties and Ratchet was left to watch over his patient that would not wake.
xxxxx
Echo had wandered outside the Ark after coming off her shift in communications. She wanted to watch the sunrise, but she barely made it a few steps from the Ark's doors when she was grabbed by the throat and lifted. She came face to face with the red visor of a Decepticon. Echo froze at the sight. It was Soundwave.
"What is the location of Acid Rain?" asked the Decepticon in a monotone voice. The cannon on his shoulder started to fire up. "You will tell me."
Echo desperately tried to comm anyone inside for help, but her signal was blocked so she tried to buy time. "There are no Autobots called Acid Rain," she said. "I don't know who you mean."
Soundwave projected a hologram of Rain in her black paint and Echo tried to control her reaction, but the mech's presence itself was terrifying. "Where is she?" said Soundwave again tightening his hold on her.
Echo knew that she could simply tell him that Rain was inside, but she highly doubted that he'd just let her go. The glow from his weapon was confirmation of that. When he got his information, she was as good as dead.
"Speak," commanded Soundwave shaking her.
Echo resigned herself to her fate. At least she would go down without betraying anyone. Suddenly a blast hit Soundwave causing him to shift his attention. Echo quickly pulled out her dagger and plunged it into the arm holding her. Soundwave threw her to the ground his cannon aimed at her, but he didn't have time to take the shot because Ultra Magnus suddenly rushed from the Ark sword at the ready. He was quickly followed by Jazz who yanked Echo to her feet and back into the safety of the Ark. Several other mechs ran by and out of the Ark to engage the enemy. Jazz stood protectively between her and the Ark door while she leaned against the wall trying to compose herself. Bluestreak entered the Ark and ran up to her.
"Are you okay?" asked Bluestreak. "I was up on my post when I saw you and Soundwave so I sent out the alert and I had a really good shot so I took it, but the grip he had on you looked painful so I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"I'm okay Bluestreak," said Echo reassuringly. "Thank you for distracting him. You saved me."
"Blue, take her to the med bay for a check up," said Jazz. "I've got some recon to do."
"Sure thing," said Bluestreak. He took ahold of Echo's arm, led her to the med bay and explained to First Aid why they were there. Bluestreak left soon after to resume his post. It didn't take long before First Aid cleared her and Echo headed straight to her room. Not long after, Jazz stopped by to check on her.
"It wasn't a planned attack," said Jazz. "It was only Soundwave by himself and unfortunately he got away. Do you know why he was here?"
"He was looking for information on Rain's location," said Echo looking down. "I didn't give him any, but I think he'll try again. He seems to have a vendetta against her."
"I'll add that to my report," said Jazz. He suddenly moved to her side. "Echo," he said tilting her head up so he could see her optics. "Are you okay?"
"I'm a trained soldier," said Echo. "I go into battle and it doesn't affect me, but today was different. I only went outside barely three steps from the door to see the sunrise when he caught me. I wasn't prepared and he was blocking my comm signal. I was barely able to keep it together and I was so scared. I knew he was going to offline me."
"Even terrified, you didn't give up otherwise I wouldn't have recovered this," said Jazz pulling her dagger from his subspace. He handed it to her and she subspaced it. He reached forward tentatively and embraced her and she leaned into him in response. "From now on, I don't want you stepping one foot outside the Ark unless you're with a group," said Jazz. "You're in communications so that means you're more useful here. I know that seems like you're being caged, but I worry for your safety. In the future if you want to see the sunrise or sunset, I will gladly accompany you. There is no one else here that I'd rather spend time with."
"Can you stay with me a little longer?" asked Echo.
"I really want to, but I have a meeting," said Jazz. "But I promise to come back when I'm done."
"I'll be waiting," said Echo.
xxxxx
"Soundwave seems to have it out for Rain," said Jazz. "She did offline the majority of his cassettes so maybe that's why he's so focused on her."
"What is Rain's status?" asked Optimus.
"She's still in stasis," said Ratchet. "She's completely repaired so there must be another reason she won't online. I'm just glad that Soundwave wasn't able to make his way into the Ark to find her."
Optimus rumbled in agreement.
"Red Alert has assured me that the security in the Ark has been tightened," said Prowl. "There should be fewer opportunities for the Decepticons to successfully infiltrate. Grapple also reports that the internal repairs have been completed and that they will be starting on the external repairs shortly. The Ark should be ready for departure in another month."
"Will we be leaving when that happens?" asked Jazz.
"We will have to monitor the Decepticons in order to decide," said Optimus. "I do not wish to leave the Decepticons alone on this planet and drawing them off is also part of the plan. I'm also concerned for Sam and Carly's safety."
"We could take them with us," said Prowl. "If they come with us as Earth's ambassadors, we would still be able to protect them."
"How difficult would that be?" asked Optimus.
"Requirements for human life are easily found on the Internet," said Ratchet. "Between myself and the science division, we could easily stockpile the necessary supplies and construct more human sized facilities for them. It wouldn't take long. The entire Ark would not have to be oxygenated so they will require spacesuits when they aren't in their quarters. Of course they are married so we would have to prepare for any surprise additions."
"Additions?" asked Optimus.
"Human younglings," said Ratchet. "Humans tend to procreate very quickly."
"Of course, this is only contingent on if they agree," said Prowl.
"Any other updates?" asked Optimus.
"The twins and Night will now be assigned to the same patrol and schedule," said Prowl. "I recommend not separating them for an extended time period to avoid activating the twin's gladiator mode."
"Why is that?" asked Jazz. "Are they courting?"
"They're sparkmates," said Ratchet.
"Night seems to have the same calming effect on them that Dawn has on the younger twins," said Prowl. "Since Night arrived, the amount of pranks the twins have executed decreased by 50%. I believe that now that their attention has a focus it may decrease even more."
"Less headache for all of us," said Ratchet.
xxxxx
Echo was sitting in the dark and barely acknowledged Jazz when he entered her room.
"Where's Night?" he asked looking at the empty berth.
"She already moved in with the twins," said Echo.
"Ah, I just heard about them being sparkmates," said Jazz. "Why isn't Justice with you?"
"She's still keeping her old room and she's on patrol right now," she replied looking up to meet his gaze. "Thanks for coming back. I didn't want to be alone."
"Anything for you," said Jazz moving to sit next to her.
She snuggled up against him putting her head in the crook of his neck. "Would it bother you if I said that I see you as more than a friend?" she asked softly.
"It doesn't bother me," said Jazz stroking her back. "To be honest I was interested in you from the start."
"But that was when I was suppressing my real personality," said Echo. "Now that you've seen what I'm really like, I'd understand if you only want to be friends."
"I'll admit that I was surprised by the change, but not discouraged," said Jazz. "If you're willing, I'd like to start officially courting you."
"Casually or are you interested in becoming sparkmates?" she asked.
"I would love to become your sparkmate someday," said Jazz.
"When is someday?" she asked. "I know that what you do is dangerous, but are you the type to wait until after the war is over?"
"The others already have sparkmates and the war hasn't stopped them," said Jazz. "Whenever you're ready."
"What if I said I was ready now?" she asked.
"I'd wonder if the situation with Soundwave scared you into this," he said. "I will be your support any time you need me, but when you decide to be my sparkmate, I want all thought of Decepticons to be gone from your mind."
"I understand, thank you Jazz," she said hugging him tighter. "Will you stay with me until your shift?"
"Of course sweetspark," he replied.
xxxxx
Justice glanced over at Smokescreen from where she was sitting in his office. He'd called her in for a session after her shift finished.
"You haven't been yourself lately," said Smokescreen starting. "Inferno has reported that you've been almost as jumpy as Red Alert. Will you tell me what's going on?"
Justice looked down and sighed.
"It has something to do with the last battle, doesn't it?" he asked gently. "I noticed how withdrawn you were on patrol afterwards."
"Sorry, I've never reacted like this to a battle before," she said. "It was Rain's fault. No, not Rain, but Soundwave's fault for putting her offline at my feet. I didn't know if she was gone for good and I had to face the one that made her that way. That was the first time a battle has ever felt so real. I've always been emotionally detached during the fights. It lets me do what needs to be done and blocks out the fear so I can function. That was the first time it leaked through during a fight."
"First of all, you don't need to apologize. It's natural to feel fear during a battle because it keeps you alive," said Smokescreen. "You maintained control over it and you still fought. It wasn't like it impeded your actions. Secondly, someone you're close to was injured or possible killed right in front of you. It's a trauma that few can overcome so easily take it from someone who knows. There are methods to try and cope with this and we'll go through them step by step together until we get results."
"Thank you Smokescreen," said Justice sincerely. "I'm glad I have a friend as reliable as you."
"We'll walk this road together Justice," he said. "I'll be with you every step of the way."
"Then we'll face our pasts together," said Justice. "Because from what I just heard, I'm not the only one who needs help overcoming it."
Smokescreen blinked his optics suddenly realizing his earlier accidental admission. He vented. Justice was too sharp sometimes. He wasn't angry at his slip since she was the one he wanted to be with and her finding out about his past was inevitable. He knew that facing the demons in his own past was something he would have to do eventually and perhaps they could heal together.
xxxxx
The monitor hooked up to Rain in the med bay began to beep erratically and Ratchet rushed over running a scan as he approached. Rain was having a spark attack, but he didn't understand why. He had repaired all the damage and her spark had been intact. He'd swept her systems for viruses and found none. He didn't know what was causing this attack, but he knew there were only two outcomes. Rain would suffer through the attack and stabilize or she would offline if she couldn't stabilize. If Dawn was here, she could use her spark energy to stabilize her, but she was currently out on a mission. If he used his own, there was no way to prevent a bond from forming. Of course, this would be a creator bond and not a sparkmate bond, but it was still forcing a bond on her regardless of the way she felt. The monitor beeped again and he looked at the readings. Rain was worsening and he made the split decision to save her. He activated the med bay door locks and turned back to his patient. He pressed against the clasps on her chassis causing her chest plates to slide open and activated his own. His spark reached out gently to her fluctuating spark. Feeling his calm energy, her spark started to settle down returning to a more natural state. He reached out tentatively offering the creator bond, but her spark reacted differently. It rejected the creator bond and latched onto his spark wholeheartedly causing his to gasp. Ripples of pleasure streamed through his spark. Even unconscious Rain was not going to allow the creator bond, when what she wanted was far more. Ratchet tried to pull back, but the incessant call of Rain's spark broke his concentration. The sparks merged sending sparks of energy coursing over their frames. Euphoric eruptions of pleasure pulsed between the two and the sparkmate bond was formed. The sparks resisted the pull to return to their bodies preferring to stay melded in each other's embrace. When their chest plates finally closed and before Ratchet could collect himself, he heard a voice.
"What a way to wake a femme," said Rain over the bond onlining her optics. "I didn't know you had it in you."
"Your spark was destabilizing," said Ratchet gently stroking her face. "I had no choice as I wasn't about to lose you. I tried to offer you a creator bond, but you wouldn't accept it."
"I'm stubborn that way," said Rain smiling.
"Yes you are," said Ratchet looking at her with infatuated optics.
"I may have forced you a little," said Rain looking away. "You won't regret this, will you?"
"Never," said Ratchet.
"How long was I out for?" she asked.
"Three weeks," he replied.
"You will tell me everything that's happened while I've been out," said Rain. "And then I'll make you feel everything I've been holding back all this time."
Ratchet managed not to glitch this time and he carried Rain off quickly to his quarters after unlocking the med bay and calling his assistants to fill in.
xxxxx
All the femmes minus Rain were in the rec room talking about maneuvers and upcoming training when Justice got the comm from Rain. "You stupid brat," she said suddenly. "I can't believe you did that."
The femmes looked over at her in disbelief.
"Sorry, I'm not talking to you femmes," she said. "I didn't mean to say that out loud, but she surprised me."
"If you're saying she," said Elita. "I presume you're talking about Rain since she is the only one out of action and not here. Is she online now?"
"That's right," said Justice. "Except she won't be of any use for a couple of days and she's also taken down our best medic with her."
Chromia laughed. "Did she wake up fighting?"
"No, not like that," said Justice. "She became sparkmates with Ratchet."
This announcement caused a sudden chorus of excited female voices talking over each other, which caused the mechs in the rec room to take notice.
"Femmes, what is going on?" asked Ultra Magnus rising from his seat.
"Ratchet is bonded," said Flareup. "Can you believe it? That wrench wielding mech actually got himself a femme."
"To which one of you is he bonded?" he asked politely.
"No, not us," said Arcee. "His sparkmate is Rain."
"That is the femme that recklessly infiltrated the Decepticons, destroyed one their warships and rescued us," said Ultra Magnus. "That is the one you speak of?"
"Sure is," said Mist.
"That is highly unusual," said Ultra Magnus. "The contrast between the two is remarkable."
"Those are matters of the spark," said Elita. "Age, experience and function don't matter when your spark looks for someone compatible."
Ultra Magnus inclined his head in understanding.
"Geez, now the unbonded femmes are outnumbered," said Flareup whining. She quickly looked at Echo, Justice and Arcee. "Are you three planning anything soon?"
"I'm actually courting Jazz," said Echo. "Sparkmates is a future possibility."
"I have an interest," said Justice. "But we aren't even courting so I'll say no."
"No way," said Arcee.
"That's a relief," said Flareup. "I didn't want to be the only one."
xxxxx
Ratchet lay on his back on the berth with Rain cuddled into his side. "I should apologize," he said.
"What for?" asked Rain softly.
"When the six of you were sparked, we should have immediately forged a creator bond with you," said Ratchet. "It's standard protocol for all newly sparked bots, but since you had memories already, you didn't require the type of orientation most new bots need. However a creator bond is both meant to nurture and guide the new bot. It also aids in the stabilization of new sparks as well. It was something you would have benefitted from. Perhaps the spark attacks would never have occurred if we had done so."
"There is no use in dwelling in the past," said Rain tracing the lines in his neck. "You simply learn from it and move on."
Ratchet rolled over onto his side facing her. He gently pushed her visor up so he could see her optics. "I thought your behavior was brash, reckless and stubborn, but every move you made seemed so certain and it got a result so there was nothing I could do but watch as you thankfully returned each time. But you weren't certain, were you?" he asked stroking down her arm.
"I had a plan and steps to complete in it in order for that plan to reach fruition," said Rain offlining her optics for a moment. "I was not certain that I could complete it and I was very scared, but I kept telling myself that if I accomplished the next step that those I cared for would be safe. It wasn't about me, but about them. After Justice transferred the last of her memories, I lost the only confidant I had. She didn't know anything beyond the infiltration setup and I knew she didn't want to be involved. At that point there was no one left to talk about my plan with. From that moment I was alone."
Ratchet tightened his hold on her and she stared into his optics. "You are not alone anymore," he said.
She smiled. "And I want to express how happy I am about that," she purred as her claws massaged his chassis.
Ratchet groaned. "As much as I wish it, we can't stay in here indefinitely," said Ratchet lowly.
"If you're needed, they will call you," she purred. "Until then, you're mine."
Their chest plates slid open and their sparks reached for each other. Rain delighted in the quiet strength that was Ratchet. Far older and certain in his knowledge, he radiated love that was both doting and so deep that it threatened to sweep her away. Ratchet found deep need in Rain which he was eager to fill, but also a hidden intelligence and strength that would support him forever. It was a constant flooding of feeling as her spark cradled his with a promise that she would embrace him until the stars burned out. Together their sparks burned with a passion that was both new and bright and old and deep. Ratchet pulled her closer as their sparks melted in wave after wave of pleasure that dissolved into a cascade of stars. Each star sending titillating waves resounding from their sparks to completely encompass their frames. It was an entire week before Ratchet left his room.
"Nice to see you again," said Jolt smirking as Ratchet walked into the med bay.
"Oh come now," said Dawn. "He was busy."
"I bet he was," replied Jolt smirking.
"What happened to your chassis?" asked First Aid examining him.
Ratchet looked down to see three small shallow scratches he hadn't noticed before. "It's nothing," he said. "Merely cosmetic."
"She didn't strike me as the aggressive type," said Dawn causing the other mechs to laugh.
"Got to watch out for the claws in the future," remarked Jolt.
"She probably marked him on purpose," said Dawn. "It's like an extra sign stating that he's hers."
"If you three are done," said Ratchet with his arms crossed. "I need to be updated on everything I missed."
"Sure thing Ratchet," said First Aid.
xxxxx
Ratchet sat listening to the meeting proceed, but he was only partially paying attention. He could feel Rain through the bond. She was still in his room recharging lightly. He had forbidden her from leaving until he was certain of her status with the Autobots.
"I've learned that congratulations are in order old friend," said Optimus. "What is Rain's status?"
"She's online and her spark fluctuations have stabilized," Ratchet replied. "I don't foresee another problem unless she's injured in battle. With the change in circumstance, I believe I can convince her to stay on the Ark if that is fine with you."
"Of course," said Optimus. "We want her to stay and we will overlook her past behavior as she has done nothing but aid the Autobots."
"We nearly met her requirements for returning anyway," added Prowl. "The internal repairs are completed and the external repairs are at 78%."
"Bumblebee has talked with Sam and Carly and they've agreed to become Earth's ambassadors," said Jazz for Ratchet's benefit.
"The science division and your assistants have already started to gather things required for them to come with us," said Prowl. "Through the liberal use of Rain's account, we have obtained all the necessary supplies including some non-essentials and souvenirs that somehow managed to find their way onto the list. Hound and Trailbreaker have already equipped one of the spare supply rooms as a greenhouse."
"We have informed Earth's governments of our imminent departure," said Optimus. "They've come to realize that getting the Decepticons off their planet is in their best interest despite what they may have planned. Sam and Carly have already been approved of as ambassadors and they're currently undergoing a week of training before they can leave."
"So we can leave as soon as the construction is finished," said Jazz. "I enjoyed Earth and I wouldn't mind returning, but it will be great to see Cybertron again. It will also be the first time our new femmes see it."
"On that note," said Prowl. "I recommend that we be extra vigilant to ensure that we all make it off this planet. Crashing the Ark once again would be the Decepticon's way of taking us all down at once which is something I'd like to avoid."
"Agreed," said Optimus.