Hello Dear Readers! I hope you are all enjoying the story so far. I love the theories some of you are coming up with! Whether or not they are true, who knows? Now, it's gonna get hot and heavy in this chapter and, since you all know this is still my first story, I have yet to gain much experience in this type of content. Those who are my senior with MA romance stories, I would very much appreciate your constructive feedback. Finally, the start of the side story Freedom One-Shots will be within the next week. There will be no consistent upload schedule and each chapter is a one-shot, as the name suggests. Now, I am not in love with the title so if there are any suggestions that use "Freedom" in the name, I would love to hear them.

As always, thank you to all the wonderful reviewers out there; Nevermorea, KEZZ 1, Teletraan, shelby20125, SkyenhaMarisa, Cinematronix, SolusPrimeLightblast, .Princess (X2)

WARNING: This chapter contains mature sexual content. Contains twincest.

Chapter 26

It wasn't often that the command center was used for 'autobot only' debriefings. It was much to Optimus Prime's regret that the humans, Captain Lennox especially, were in the dark over their activities. However, as time passed and there was remaining evidence of a human infiltrator, he has had no choice but to tighten security measures for the sake of the base. Although he would trust the Captain with his life, he could not risk their enemy gaining vital information through their human allies, whatever the method.

In the recent months, Third in Command, Jazz had uncovered two different types of spyware, very distinctive in build. The saboteur had surmised that Mech used a diverse range of technology to avoid universal detection. One such device was found in the Prime's own office. It was a small clear film, only a quarter inch in length and width. It blended with its surroundings in ultra violet and infrared light. It emitted no signal so a tracker could not detect it. It was only in a streak of caution that Jazz decided to flood Prime's office with radiation, destroying the device and making the grey, smoldering remains visible.

Since then, all high security meetings had been conducted in the command center where access is most limited. Jazz could sweep through the room with blasts of radiation without exposing the humans outside through the thick walls and sealed vents. Que had made a radiovoid to drain the excess radiation after each meeting. At the very least it helped put Prime's guilt at ease, even if the humans knew of his team's investigation, they could not attend such meetings without significant risk to their personal health.

This particular meeting had not been planned. Prime's TIC had sent him a high priority ping embedded with the code signifying the Mech investigation. By the time Prime and Prowl arrived, Jazz had already prepped the room.

It was immediately apparent to Prime that Jazz's news would not be in their favor. His nonchalant shell had been shed, standing in its place was the meticulous saboteur. His optics were light, battle protocols ready. He stood tall and straight, although his frame was already stressed along the poorly healed fracture lines.

Prowl, having known the silver mech far longer than Prime had, appeared concerned; as much as the regal mech could. At the sight of his friend, the SIC's door wings were lowered slightly and inched closer together. It was subtle, but Prime's trained optics could pick out the minute details.

Allowing a moment for each mech to be seated, the red mech began with no preamble. :Jazz, was have you discovered?: Comm links were solely used in these meetings, as an extra precaution.

Said 'bot's glowing optics glanced down as he considered his options. :Teletraan's systems were used this morning, without authorization.: He took a deep vent before continuing, :Autobot codes were used.:

A heavy silence weighted over the mechs, each accepting the information in their own ways. Teletraan was the unit used for classified autobot files. It was also one of the sole remaining pieces of original Cybertronian data technology. Prime adjusted into the commander he needed to be. :Jazz, what was accessed?:

:Weapon designs.: he reported cleanly.

Prime turned to his Second in Command, :Is there a possibility these were accessed with good intentions?:

Prime could see Prowl's battle-calibrated processor was searching for every possibility. :Highly unlikely.:

He nodded in reluctant agreement. All his troops knew Teletraan's data was highly only to be accessed with express permission. :Who could have done this?: he queried his command staff.

Jazz remained uncharacteristically silent, helm bent low. Prowl took over, allowing his friend time to process; what that was, Prime did not know.

His SIC, no doubt already combing through personnel files, began his report, :Que already has access to these designs, so there is no need for him to use Teletraan. Wheeljack is also clear, Wreckers use different codes than the rest of us. Ironhide is too much of a mech of character, he would never do such a thing. The same goes for Bumblebee. Sideswipe may act like his objectives don't align with ours, but he is loyal, no matter what others may say.:

:And Sunstreaker?: Prime prompted. As a relatively volatile mech who was raised in Kaon, the decepticon capital, he had an eerily similar history to Megatron. After raising between frames in impoverished conditions, he made a name for himself as a gladiator and learned to use violence as a solution to most problems. What separated him from his twin was that his own vanity blinded him to the suffering of others.

:I don't see a reason why he would do it.: Prowl objected, :The decepticons are too weak to offer him a place among them, besides, he would never betray Sideswipe.: Nothing, though, was said in defense of the mech's character.

:What about Mirage?: While Prime tried to remain unbiased concerning his troops, Mirage had always been considered a security risk. He chose a faction late in the war, right as their planet's last dying light was extinguished. It was only the deceptions' apparent violence towards the higher castes that swayed Mirage towards the autobots.

:That is the highest possibility.: Prowl grimly replied. :However,: he continued, :There is another factor to consider. If the infiltrator we've been tracking managed to copy these codes, he could have used them as a distraction. Or alternatively, a means of showing off his skill.:

Prime felt troubled to consider any of the mechs whom he led to be capable of betrayal- it was far more convenient to pin the blame on this unnamed enemy- but this was his duty. :We also must consider the motivation behind such an action. It could be a personal betrayal, or done in service of Mech or the decepticons.: he added.

:Prime, sir.: Jazz spoke up after his long contemplation. Without waiting for a response he continued, sounding mournful, :I would like to be removed from command staff and this investigation.:

Prime and Prowl both visibly jumped at this admission. Disregarding protocol, in favor of a more personal approach, Optimus Prime placed a servo on his TIC's shoulder plate and spoke out loud, "What troubles you, my friend?"

Jazz did not look up as he addressed his commanding officer, instead his downcast optics held shame. "I can't trust myself right now." H explained. "You discussed who could and couldn't have done this, but you never considered me."

"Jazz," Prowl stated firmly, "Ratchet assured us the dampeners are protecting your processor."

The silver mech snapped his helm up, "Do you even know what this is?" he asked accusingly. "Cause I don't! Ratchet's only guessing!" He turned to Prime, not daring to speak his next words out loud, :No one knows exactly how the allspark works and no one can know how Megatron got his influence over it! That's why you shouldn't trust me. We. Don't. Know. I could be a decepticon walking among you!:

:That's enough.: Prime commanded. Wisely, Jazz ceased his argument, allowing the commander to speak. :It is true that we have never before seen such an effect by the allspark;: he conceded, :however, I have always trusted you as one of my most loyal officers and I will continue to do so until clear evidence persuades me to do otherwise.: Jazz lowered his helm, not daring to speak against the words of a Prime. He stated more likely, :You will continue to serve as my Third in Command, Jazz. Your expertise and loyalty are invaluable and I would trust you with my own spark.:

:And I need you as well.: Prowl added, :Your knowledge in spy tactics is essential to this investigation.:

Jazz glanced between the two of them, appearing unconvinced, but said nothing. So, Prime continued, :You're request is hereby denied, Jazz.: The mech nodded numbly.

Prime felt guilt flow through his conscience. He was the one who gave the order to bring Jazz back from the Well using a tainted allspark. And his friend had been suffering ever since that disastrous day.

"You fucking idiot!" Mirage reeled back at his accomplice's sudden outburst, but the agent wasn't done. "I told you not to make a single move without orders!" 56 was seething, this ruined many of Division's upcoming plans and Mirage was not the one who would face the fallout.

Appearing to steel himself, the flashy red mech leaned in threateningly, "Watch it, umano. You are speaking to a member of casta d'élite." He narrowed his optics as if to challenge the human before him, "You asked for intelligenza and I gave it."

"No, you fucking trash can! You just compromised yourself over data I could have taken months ago!" The agent wanted nothing more than to shoot that machine in the faceplates. That would be nothing compared to what Division would have planned for 56 should this mission turn south.

Mirage blinked in surprise, " Cosa intendi?"

"Division copied the autobot codes straight from their main server." 56 explained, still bubbling with anger. "We've been waiting to use them because we didn't want the autobots to suspect a mole among their ranks."

The situation finally seemed to dawn on the mech. His optics widened with what the agent could only assume was fear. "Primus." He muttered to himself, then to 56, "They'll know ho commesso tradimento!" He looked at his coconspirator pleadingly, all pride washing away in favor of survival instincts. "Devo andare via! What do we do?"

Agent 56 did not miss the mech's sudden turn in attitude. 56 never wanted to recruit Mirage, but that was the task handed down by Division, and Division's orders were absolute. They would be furious when they found out what 56 allowed to happen. "We will pull you off base." The agent explained, quickly calculating the best plan of action. "There's a cargo plane leaving tomorrow at 0400 hours. You must sneak onboard. Another Division agent will meet you at the landing spot." 56 would have only twenty six hours to arrange this, but there was no other choice. "You will stay at one of Division's headquarters. They will employ you as an intelligence officer and you'll be supplied with energon and whatever else you need." This could be true, but 56 was merely fibbing in order to convince Mirage to go through this the plan. While the recipe for energon that 56 uncovered was in Division's hands, there was no way of knowing whether or not any had been produced. Division was, after all, an intelligence agency first and foremost.

Technology development was, unlike Mech, not their main objective. 56's own assassination sector was mainly used as Division's enforcers, to prevent any organization or country from gaining more power or political advantage. And, after all the agent's promises, Division could turn around and tear Mirage apart and sell the pieces for profit. Or give him to CTech. Neither fate would be in the mech's favor and 56 could face similar circumstances if the agent did not appease Division's watchers. "Also," 56 added quickly, "you will deliver something to Division headquarters, it may after all, convince them of your standing as a capable partner." And hopefully that will be enough to save 56 as well.

Sideswipe chuckled lightly, having just received images sent from Rin's data pad. The prank had been her idea. She seemed to excel in simple mischief. It didn't cause as much of an uproar as Sideswipe's more grandiose schemes, but she never got caught. Rin did not really seem like the kind of femme to engage in such antics. Usually, she would just roll her eyes and ignore him whenever Sideswipe played more on his younglingish side. But, sometimes, what Sideswipe could only assume was her old self rekindled with youthful mischief.

Sideswipe was pleased with the result of their latest endeavor. He had been the one to supply a rather convincing metal autobot symbol which Rin had attached to the coffee maker inside the mess hall. In the images, Sideswipe could see several soldiers eyeing it suspiciously, but not approaching. The best part was, Prowl couldn't blame it on him since there was no possible way for him to fit through the doors, thus why Rin targeted the coffee maker in the first place.

Simple and brilliant. Sideswipe sent a message asking her to come out. He was waiting in his alt mode, not an unusual sight at that hour.

His spark was warmed when, not a minute later, Rin stepped out, already looking in his direction. Her playful smile grew as she approached.

Before she could get a couple steps forward, though, another human came up from behind and planted a hand on her shoulder. It was one that Sideswipe recognized. He liked to hang around Rin every so often, and he always seemed a bit too close to Rin for the mech's liking.

Sideswipe turned up his audio receptors to pick up what the male was saying.

"Brook," his voice sounded overly friendly, not the formal tone most males addressed her with, "I got a few beers and some free time tonight, wanna help me with them? Your place?"

Sideswipe felt a hot injection of anger in his fuel lines. This human was making it apparent of just what he planned to do with this 'free time'. He rolled forward to meet the pair.

Rin, attention now on her fellow human, asked incredulously, "Again?" she shook her head, "We both know it's not my help you want. No thanks, Franky." She sounded exasperated. Usually, Rin seemed to at least somewhat enjoy spending time with the male, however things had taken a turn in the past few weeks. Sideswipe never asked about it, Rin had the right to keep her friends private. So he just watched while she didn't notice.

"Aw come on, it's not like that." His tone was still sleazy, "I just wanna hang out. Though, if you're interested in other activities, I'm always game." his eyes flicked over her body appraisingly.

That was it. Sideswipe transformed, as loudly as he could, catching both humans' attention. He wheeled forward, perhaps a bit too close, since Franky took a few large steps backwards to avoid being crushed. Sideswipe's leg nearly brushed against Rin's arm but she didn't flinch. The mech's face, however concealing what he felt internally, remained upbeat. "Hey sweetspark, ready to go?"

The male shifted uncomfortably under the glare Sideswipe shot towards him, good.

Rin answered slowly, "Yeah… sure." Sideswipe didn't see what kind of face she was making, but her tone was guarded.

The male chuckled nervously, "Always training aren't you?"

Sideswipe smiled. "Actually we're going to hang out all night, it's a team thing." He transformed into his alt mode earning a hard recoil from the well intimidated human. He popped open his passenger side door and growled a bit too harshly, "Come on, Rin."

She stepped in but not before adding a 'see you later' to Franky. Sideswipe slammed his door harder than he intended and darted off the other side of the base.

After a few moments of silence, during which Sideswipe shifted through a myriad of emotions, Rin finally spoke, "Alright." She glared down at his steering wheel, which seemed to be the choice place for her to look while in his alt-mode. "What's going on?"

Sideswipe didn't miss a beat. "That's some friend you got there." he snarked, engine growling. "Why would you let him speak to you that way?"

Rin raised her brow questioningly, "He's just playing around." She shrugged it off, "All guys do it, it's something I'm used to."

"Who?" he growled. Who would dare address her so disrespectfully? She obviously wanted nothing to do with them.

Rin seemed to finally catch the seriousness in his voice. Her eyes widened suddenly and her lips jerked a bit, a sign of her thinking carefully. "Sideswipe, there's no need to get all defensive. If Franky ever made a problem, I'd kick his ass and you know it." She spoke in calming tones, trying to placate the rage boiling in his spark. It didn't work.

"You shouldn't have to." He argued.

"Sideswipe."

Quickly he added, "And what if he isn't joking?"

"Sideswipe."

"You can't just let him get off that easily." Sideswipe was already planning on what he was going to say to Sunny, his twin wouldn't want that organic trash messing with their human either.

"Sideswipe, slow down!"

His focused snapped back to the road. Sideswipe braked quickly to avoid hitting the tree line. In his flash of anger, he'd lost track of his speed. A quick scan showed Rin was unharmed but her heartrate had accelerated.

Sideswipe was silent, trying to gather his thoughts, but Rin, taking deep breaths to calm herself, ordered, "Open the door."

The mech didn't want to follow her command, but he also didn't want holes in his upholstery, so he opened it for her and undid her seatbelt. When she stepped out, her warmth was instantly missed.

"Sideswipe." She addressed him in a calm, authoritative tone. He transformed and kneeled down in front of her. He had a feeling he was about to be scolded. "What is going on with you?" Her words were clipped and harsh.

"You don't get the respect you deserve." He started. "Joking or not, he can't just say whatever he wants to you."

"Like you?" she stated flatly, but her eyes seared into his optics.

Sideswipe recoiled at the accusation, "I don't sound like that!"

"Really, sweetspark?" She spat back venomously.

He flinched. He didn't sound like that. He really respected her. There was definitely something different between him and that Franky creep, but Sideswipe knew he couldn't explain it. Not yet anyway. Maybe once Sunny came around, he'd be able to tell her. That way she could see they both were dedicated, and not just using or messing with her.

"Rin… Erin," he corrected, seeing her scowl deepen at the mention of the nickname, "I'm sorry. I just-" his processor racked. How could he possibly defend his actions in a way she would understand. His optics darted around as if looking for an answer. This was different. He was unsure. He felt insecure. That wasn't right.

"Hey, Sideswipe, calm down it's ok." Rin raised her arms as her gaze melted into that of concern. Why did she look that way? Did he seem angry? No, worried? Yes, he was worried. Something was off with him and none of his self-diagnostics could identify the source.

"I… I need to find Sunny." He transformed and shot off towards his berth room where his twin would be. On the way, his brother pinged him, no doubt catching on his distress. Sideswipe responded with his proximity, telling Sunstreaker he would meet him.

With the hanger door open to let out the built up heat, Sideswipe could drive all the way to his berth room. He transformed and shoved the barrier open. On the other side, Sunny was standing, waiting expectantly for him.

"What is going on?" he questioned, concern flowing through the bond.

Sideswipe knew he couldn't tell his brother everything, but his spark called for some kind of comfort. Why did it hurt so much? "I don't know." He answered weakly, sliding the door closed behind him. Everything seemed to be moving too fast, he couldn't catch up.

"What the frag does that mean?" Sunny wasn't the best at staying level headed but he tried to sooth his twin over their shared bond. "Just relax." He stated, not sounding so calm himself.

Sideswipe, unable to find words for his worrying distress, sent a data pack, hoping his brother could decipher it.

Azure optics dimmed slightly as Sunny reviewed the information. "The squishy did this?" he quirked an optic ridge. "I don't get what's wrong." He state flatly, worry slowly vanishing, knowing his twin wasn't in danger. "What, she doesn't want that stupid-aft nickname anymore? Is that what you're so fragged up about?" Sideswipe got a sense his twin felt a prickle of awareness as to what was actually going on, he just wouldn't accept it.

"It's not the nickname." Sideswipe responded. "I'm just not sure…." He trailed off, lost for words.

"Not sure about what?" Sunny was starting to sound irritated. Sideswipe couldn't blame him, he was sounding pretty nonsensical.

"I don't know." He sighed, unable to elaborate any further.

"Gearhead." Sunny muttered. "It was probably nothing. Maybe you're just stressed or," he poked his twin's silver chassis, "glitched like I always said you were."

Sideswipe batted the servo away playfully. "Alright. Thanks Sunny."

He cocked an optic ridge, "I didn't do anything."

"You're here." Sideswipe replied, sounding more steady. In a flash of longing, he pushed his chassis up against his twin's.

Sunny instantly recognized the situation and reciprocated by wrapping an arm around his brother's silver waist and pulling his as close as possible. Their bond opened wide, allowing the quick exchange of love, passion, and lust to pass between the two warriors.

"Sunny…" Sideswipe moaned.

"Don't call me that." The response was weak. His glass-like optics glowed a darker shade of blue. He growled softly, possessively.

Sideswipe felt a content rumble in his own chassis as his Sunny leaned forward and ran his glossa over the side of Sideswipe's neck cables. The silver warrior bent back his helm to give his brother more access. While Sunny had his fun, nipping at every exposed cable, Sideswipe did his own exploration.

He'd felt this frame thousands of times, and knew it as well as his own. Every groove, cluster of sensory nerves, armor gap, he could map it all out in his processor. His servo ran up Sunny's chassis. One digit dipped into the armor seam right above his headlight, and brushed against the wires there. Sideswipe couldn't help but imagine what effect much smaller hands would create. He was rewarded with a gentle, but needy bite to his neck. Sideswipe slipped his digit behind the bundle and rubbed them lengthwise. It was one of Sunny's most sensitive spots, and if he put just enough pressure on it…

Sunny growled into his audio receptor and pushed his brother towards one of the berths. Sunny's was closest to the door, perpendicular to the wall. Sideswipe gladly fell on it, servos raised over his helm, legs spread and waiting. Sunny's optics brushed over the silver frame appreciatively.

Sunny was the kind of mech who liked to feel in control, and Sideswipe was all too happy to give it to him. There was no place safer, or more comforting, than his own brother's arms. With a spark beaming with trust, Sideswipe closed his optics as his twin climbed over him. He needed this. It would get Rin off his processor.

His cooling fans turned up as a glossa ran over his interface panel. The words that escaped his vocal processor were mixed with a lustful moan, "Not much foreplay today?" Sunny quickly shut him up as he hooked a digit around a coil in the junction of Sideswipe's hip and leg. A hard pull caused him to gasp, interface panel sliding open as he felt too much compression build up, revealing a fully pressurized spike.

Sunny ran a digit down the spike, causing Sideswipe to moan. One servo started pumping it while Sunny planted kisses and quick licks to the base. Through the bond, they exchanged deeper feelings of longing.

Practically writhing with pleasure, Sideswipe had one servo clamped to the side of the berth. The other was stroking Sunny's audio fin, another sensitive spot, and in Sideswipe's mind, one of his most attractive features. The feeling caused Sunny to purr contently, the rumbling vibrated up through Sideswipe's spike. The chain reaction led to an overload and Sideswipe shouting Sunny's name though their bond.

They hardly ever spoke out loud while interfacing, they didn't need to. The bond was far more intimate than any other form of communication. That, and they didn't want Prowl to come knocking on their door because of noise complaints.

Sideswipe felt himself relax slightly, but his charge wasn't over and Sunny, not being the most patient of mechs, was more than ready to go forward. He climbed back up to kiss and nibble at Sideswipe's chin, his servo massaging the base of his spike, silently demanding he transform it.

While some mechs, such as Sunny, had both a valve and spike, Sideswipe did not, although he sorely wished he did, considering their own preferences. Luckily, they found a way around this issue. Sideswipe sent an internal command to invert his spike.

Sunny didn't wait more than a klick to introduce one digit into the newly formed pseudo valve. The transfluid Sideswipe released during his earlier overload was spread, allowing Sunny's digit to smoothly slip in and out. Sideswipe could feel small tendrils expand out of Sunny's digit, testing the tightness. Sideswipe always enjoyed whenever Sunny stretched him out, whether it was gentle or rough and needy, he always made it pleasurable. And while they each had personal preferences for interfacing, Sideswipe being more intimate and Sunny being more need driven, they would change things up for the other's benefit.

Sideswipe was rather adaptable in style, but at that moment, Sunny could tell his twin needed something gentler and more caring. A second digit joined the first, quickly followed by a third, ensuring Sideswipe was ready for his twin.

The silver mech's excitement perked when he felt something new poking on his entrance.

:Ready?: Sunny sent through their bond.

:Wait.: Sideswipe responded, earning him a confused stare. :I want to feel your spark.:

Sunny nodded, stoic as always, and opened his chest plates. Each piece gracefully folded away to reveal a sacred shining light. His spark was the most beautiful thing Sideswipe had ever seen. It was a deep blue, far darker than the warrior's own optics. There was no mask over the spark, no hiding.

Sideswipe readily opened his own chest plates as Sunny spread his legs further. The yellow twin took his own moment to appreciate the sight of his brother's spark, before pushing, spike and spark, into Sideswipe. Instantly, they felt each other's pleasure, comfort, and love pass between them. Each side of the bond faded until it was just them, as one complete spark, filled with the ecstasy of its two frames pleasuring each other. All thoughts were collected and their individual selves became irrelevant.

In their vorns of loving each other in such a way, neither would mind where their connected processors would drift off to. Sometimes they would focus just on the two of them, other times they would stray to remember entertaining femmes, especially back in their gladiator days. Even the occasional mech, especially seekers were involved in their fantasies. However, this time was different. They felt each of their overloads coming, and right when they climaxed, a single image popped into their processors. Both mech's optics snapped open.

Without so much as a rest to cool their heated frames, Sunstreaker shoved himself off his twin, snapping both his chest plates and fluid covered interface panel closed in a swift motion.

Sideswipe laid there, in a slight post-overload daze. Realization slowly started to arrive. Sunny saw. He remained still, trying to judge what to say to his twin, or whether the yellow mech would beat the ever living scrap out of him.

"What the frag was that?" Sunny roared, not quite surprising Sideswipe. His servo covered his chassis, as if guarding it. He seethed, furry apparent over the bond, although everything else was locked away.

"It's not like I intended to think of her. It just kind of happened." Sideswipe shrugged, trying to play it off. In fact, that one klik thought had been extremely detailed, resulting from weeks of imagining and wishing.

"That does not 'just kind of happen'." Sunny took a threatening step forward, having obviously seen through his brother's façade. "I agreed to be on a team with her, I even respect her for her abilities, but I will not accept what your glitched processor suddenly finds attractive. She's a squishy for primus sake!"

Feeling defensive of his human, Sideswipe shot back, "We wouldn't have thought of her had you not felt something too."

"No!" Sunny shot back, optics turning near white against his own kin. "I want no part of this! I should beat you to Cybertron and back for making me overload to that." He shuttered in revulsion, the sound of his shaking frame filled the near empty room.

"It's not like I planned on it. She just sort of popped in my mind." Sideswipe tried to repeat his reasoning, he really had no intention on bringing Sunny into the fold quite yet. "But I can't say it was bad or anything." In fact, it was quite the opposite. This was something new and interesting. And Sideswipe could tell it wasn't simple curiosity. He really cared about Rin. She was a friend and a teammate.

"Don't say that again!" Sunstreaker suddenly snapped closed his side of the bond, making Sideswipe feel achingly lonely. "You are going to fix whatever is wrong with you and keep the squishy out of it!"

Sideswipe, having barley heard his twin, dreamily rubbed his chassis, wondering what it would be like to feel her soft hands run across it. "Do you think she might feel the same way?"

"Wha-" Sunny's bubbling anger finally burst over. He tackled Sideswipe, throwing hard, furious punches at him.

Sideswipe's programing was pulled in as his defensive maneuvers turned offensive. As they rolled across the floor, Sideswipe used is wheeled pedes to burn off patches of Sunny's paint. Sunny mainly struck at Sideswipe's chassis, as if trying to beat the feelings out of him.

At that hour, there would be no one else in the barracks, so they were able to fight uninterrupted, until their programing stabilized. Neither had much energy left after interfacing, so once they were both scratched and leaking from minor wounds, they broke apart.

Each mech leaned against opposite walls, cooling fans blasting, staring at each other. Sideswipe could feel his other half's sparse control.

"I don't wanna hear about this again." The yellow warrior growled. He stood shakily and inspected his armor with a grimace. Aside from the missing patches of paint and scratches, he had transfluids on his thighs and lower abdomen. He unsubspaced a cloth and tried to wipe away the mess. "I'm going to the wash racks." He muttered, mostly to himself. Sideswipe stayed on the floor, watching ad his brother stepped out. He paused and half turned, "I don't hate the squishy, but if being around her is going to make you sick in the processor, then this team will be over." Then, he left Sideswipe alone to his own thoughts and the heavy threat.

Erin huffed irritably, breathing hard and fast after her lengthy run back to base proper. The last thing she had expected was to be dumped on a far off corner of the island.

The dust kicked up by Sideswipe as he abandoned Erin caked to her sweaty skin, making an irritable itch crawl across her face and arms. Her attempts to contact either Sideswipe or Sunstreaker fell short. Not even the yellow mech would ignore her hails, though whether or not he would abide her request to pick her up was anyone's guess. Erin should have headed back to her barracks to shower off the film of filth covering her or find something otherwise productive to do with her day. After all, she had a feeling her plans to hang out with the twins were undoubtedly canceled. Sideswipe had always been the driving force behind their get-togethers, and with him acting the way he was, it was doubtful Sunstreaker would extend any kind of invitation.

Instead of remaining on a logical course, though, she headed for the autobot side of the base. Erin was not entirely sure what scared the silver mech off, but she had a feeling she was at least partially to blame. And against her better judgement, she felt guilty for whatever she had done. So, Erin intended to first check on the twenty foot idiot to make sure he was alright, then, given the opportunity, would apologize.

The young soldier had made it all the way to the autobot barracks entrance when she saw a certain yellow warrior stomping from the other end. His optics were set on the far distance as he paced faster than any human could keep up with.

Before he reached the threshold, he, what Erin could only describe as angrily, transformed; engine revving before all four wheels touched the ground. His tires screeched painfully on the concrete before gaining traction, shooting him through the open hanger door. Before he could get out far enough, though, the yellow mech seemed to have finally noticed Erin's approached, because he braked hard, spraying Erin with another layer of dust and loose pebbles.

The soldier closed her eyes and raised an arm defensively against the thin barrage. She heard the telltale signs of the mech transforming before her. A wave of heat permeated through the air as she blinked her eyes open. Mere inches away, a large yellow leg towered over her. She tried to look straight up into Sunstreaker's optics but the high sun blocked her view. Instinctively, Erin quickly stepped back, taking in more of the mech's frame.

His normally brilliant armor was scuffed and some parts even looked torched. Also, he was speckled with water spots. Battle signs aside, Sunstreaker must have left the wash racks without fully drying off. Something was definitely wrong.

The yellow warrior sneered menacingly at her, "What are you doing here?"

Erin was so taken aback by his hostility, she lost her train of thought. His optics, each consisting of a single glass-like pane, normally held less intensity than his brother's detailed optics, which displayed various moving mechanisms, showing every emotion he chose to share. However, the now glowing slits, with only a slight darkening of light to indicate 'pupils' seemed to burn through Erin with emotions she couldn't even comprehend. One, though, that she could recognize, was hatred. The scorching blue glow coming from his high up faceplates were eerily reminiscent of the deadly look he held as he tore away at Mirage three weeks prior. Only this time, all focus was on Erin.

Steadying herself, Erin stood as tall as she could under the towering giant, and spoke smoothly, "I'm looking for Sideswipe, I owe him an apology." The air around them seemed to shift. All familiarity with the 'bot had faded away. She glanced around, hoping to find any autobot nearby who could come to her aid. The last thing she wanted was to defend herself against this mech.

Sunstreaker showed no sign of caring for what she said. As soon as his brother's name was mentioned, the searing optics lightened to an off-white. "Stay away from him!" he seethed, taking a threatening step forward. "Don't talk to him." He took another step towards Erin, who scooted back in turn.

Her hand twitched towards her energon pistol. "What happe-"

Sunstreaker cut her off, "Stay away from our berth room, and the rec room! If I see you anywhere near Sideswipe outside of the training grounds, I will grind you to paste!" Erin paled at the ferocity of the threat. "We want nothing to go with a repulsive flesh-bag like you."

His wild optics darted around the ground, practically blind with rage as he paced around her, like a lion assessing its prey. "Primus damnit, you've ruined everything!" he spit at her, "You are just a filthy organic! I should have never agreed to work with you. It's disgusting."

His cold words shook Erin as unfamiliar tears stung her eyes. Her chest tightened painfully with a sense akin to mourning.

But Sunstreaker wasn't done. The disgust in his optics showed that he meant every word. "You are nothing to us, got that?" he left no room for a response, continuing his tirade, "This is all your fault."

Desperation ripping at her mind, Erin pleaded for answers, "What happened?" Her eyes were wide and fearful. "Please, Sunstreaker, just talk to me!" the composure of her voice was lost; all her confusion, shock, and fear could be heard.

The look on the yellow warrior's faceplates informed Erin that she had just made a huge mistake in speaking. She felt her pistol slide between her fingers as her thumb brushed the energy dial to full power. This was not a close combat weapon, but Erin feared it was her only way out of the situation.

A long paused was accompanied only by Sunstreaker's heavy steps around the small woman.

"You aren't worth our time." He hissed in response.

His pacing stopped as he stood behind Erin, who remained frozen in place, head down to hide her losing battle with tears. "Get out of here." He ordered.

Erin did not need any other indication, she shot towards the east end of the barracks, the shortest path to get out of the mech's line of sight. In those few yards, though, the gravely earth seemed to stretch farther before her. She felt like she was falling with no parachute, and no one to catch her. As soon as she rounded the corner, she heard Sunstreaker's quick transformation and she momentarily feared he would pursue her for something worse than verbal punishment. Instead, his roaring engine soon faded in the opposite direction.

She let out an unsteady sigh. Erin's throat felt like it had been stuck with itching cotton and her legs had the sensation of being filled with molten led. Weakly, she collapsed, back sliding against the hot metal structure behind her. She fisted her hands, scraping her roughened skin against miniscule pebbles and grit. None of this she noticed.

Erin's full attention was trained on tracking whatever she could hear. Waves from the nearby ocean crashed against each other, pushing and pulling lose sand along the shore. Jeeps traversed unpaved earth in an organized fashion, following designated paths. Large avians squawked and shrieked at each other over whatever pitiful pickings they found on a distant beach.

There was no smooth engine shooting across the training fields and no heavy footsteps clambering towards her. She could not be sure how long she sat there, head up, back straight, focused solely on finding that one sound. But her instincts were confused, crashing with startled emotions.

Various scenes played out in her mind, all trying to explain what had just happened. This was not one of Sunstreaker's moods. He was serious, he actually could have killed her without a second thought. And even worse, she was not prepared, mentally or physically, to stop him. She always had a longstanding jealousy for his strength and ferocity in particular, something she always viewed as an asset. But even when she first entered the twin's circle, and Sunstreaker actively tried to crush her, his battle trained mentality had never been aimed towards her. Whether it was because he thought she wasn't worth it, or he knew better than to act in such a way towards humans, Erin did not know. This time, however, was different. He looked at her with the same optics with which he beheld Shrapnel. To him, she was somehow a threat to his brother, and had to be destroyed, no matter the cost. That was what Erin saw in his optics. And it terrified her.

She tried to remember what happened between her and Sideswipe. He acted oddly before driving off. It may have had nothing to do with their argument. The distant look on his faceplates could have been an indication of his focus being elsewhere, likely on Sunstreaker. All Sideswipe wanted, to his credit, was for Franky to treat Erin with more respect, something she couldn't exactly argue against. Was it possible Sunstreaker was upset because she called Sideswipe out? She didn't think it was anything significant. Was the way she acted particularly insulting for a Cybertronian? She felt so confused. Erin had actually grown to like Sunstreaker's presence, and she thought he had learnt to like her in return. Perhaps she was wrong all along. Was he just pretending to get along with her?

*Umano- human

Casta d'élite- elite caste

Intelligenza- intelligence

Cosa intendi- what do you mean

Ho commesso tradimento- I commited treason

Devo andare via- I must get away