'So much for our first grand exploit.' the all black form of
Nighthawk thought to himself as he shifted his black frame a bit. The
energo-cuffs on his wrists and ankles hummed slightly.

"If I get free, the bitches will pay for killing..." Deathwatch
began in a hoarse, angry whisper.

"You and me both comrade." the two toned brown form of Mudslinger
whispered just as vehemently.

Nighthawk had to agree also, although mutely, that the Trechercons would
indeed pay for killing their fellow Wrecker.

"Whatcha think them bitches will do to us?" the two toned brown form
of Muckraker questioned.

Nighthawk deemed to answer, "If those fem 'Cons are as bad as the
Deceps, I'd say they'll torture us and then enjoy watching us slowly slip
into oblivion by whatever devices.."

"Oh please," Deathwatch groaned, "spare us the details Nighthawk."

The Wreckers on the opposite wall shared their companions' doom laden
attitude. The green form of their commander, Springer, grimly looked at
his warriors and knew that, unless rescued, they would all indeed be
tortured and then killed by the Trechercons. As if on cue, the worst of
them walked in, Electra.

"Hope you boys like our hospitality," the silver, black, purple, and
red form said, her glee and mockery of their helplessness was evident in
her voice, "it won't last for long. If you talk right now, we'll let you
go. If not, you'll wish you were never manufactured."

Springer was the first to retort, "There's nothing to tell, so go
curl up and die."

She him a transfixing glare of absolute hatred of Autobot males, "If
that's how you all feel, then this one is the first to go." Electra
growled and pointed at Nighthawk.

"Do your worst bitch." Nighthawk spat insolently.

Electra's rose colored optics glowed dangerously as she released him from
his cuffs. She indicated the door with her left arm mounted cannon,
Nighthawk had no choice but to obediently walk ahead of her. The walk to
the torture room was silent, Nighthawk felt the close proximity of her
cannon trained on him all the way. It was rather dank and shadowed in the
torture room, the smell of death lingered, it sent a chill down his entire
body. She made sure he was firmly secured in chains, the wrist shackles
led to the ceiling and the ankle shackles to the floor.

"Keryx Noxa." Electra said.

From the farthest corner, two forms approached. The recognizable two toned
purple and black form of Draeda led the black and purple Keryx Noxa by the
hand. Draeda retreated a moment and then returned with several vicious
looking implements of torture.

"Keryx Noxa will perform your torture. She is very thorough and will
not stop her interrogation until she knows you're dead or are willing to
talk. If you wish to talk, say her name. Don't try to wile your way out of
being tortured for she hears nothing but selected words. Do not think your
wounds will stop her for she cannot see. Do not think she'll respond to
your screams for she cannot speak." Draeda stated evenly, her optics
mocked him. There was something she wasn't telling, but Nighthawk couldn't
fathom it. He did, however, feel sympathy for Keryx Noxa. He knew that
there was a reason for her having three less senses.

"Keryx Noxa, begin." Electra said and left with Draeda.

The female felt for her tools left on the nearby rack. As she came close,
Nighthawk could more clearly make her out. She had to be the most shapely
of the Trechercons by far. Where her optics should have been there was
nothing but metal, the poor thing wore a full face mask. He had a hunch
and acted, straining to a point of tremendous pain, he managed to slip
loose of his wrist shackles. The female paused as if sensing his movement,
then made a wicked slash at his side with a small scythe. Nighthawk
narrowly ducked and came up instinctively with both fists. He succeeded in
landing a blow on her chin. Keryx Noxa was totally off guard for this and
fell on her back. Nighthawk used her disorientation to his advantage and
freed his ankles. By the time Keryx Noxa stood up, Nighthawk was charging
her, he knocked her back down with his body. He wrestled her weak form
easily and pinned her down so she couldn't move. Her body shivered as if
in anticipation of a death dealing blow, he could almost sense her fear of
that. Nighthawk reached for opposite sides of her head and found where the
full face mask met her natural helmet. He pulled hard and found himself
plastered against her legs when it let loose. Keryx Noxa saw the movement,
felt and heard the contact of the other robots' body against her legs. As
Nighthawk sat up, so did she. Their optics met, Nighthawk was
flabbergasted. Keryx Noxas' optics widened in obvious surprise and
delight. She touched his mask and he realized his hunch was right.

"Keryx Noxa, can you hear me? See me?" he asked.

Keryx Noxa loved the sound of his voice, it was the most beautiful thing
to have ever reached her audios in a very long time. She worked her mouth
but no words came forth, she remained voiceless.

"You poor tormented soul." Nighthawk said sympathetically, "To be
shut out of the world around you so."

Keryx was grateful to her savior, but she couldn't express herself in
words. She settled for embracing and kissing the stranger instead.
Nighthawk was the one off guard now. Her lips were ineffective against
his half mask, but he appreciated it anyway. When she broke off, obviously
hurt by what seemed his lack of interest.

"I must free the others." he said.

She nodded affirmatively, letting him lead her out the room. They made
their way to the holding chambers.

"What in the name of Primus are you doing with that Trechercon?!"
Springer demanded.

"Freeing her, as I am you." Nighthawk replied, turning the
electro-cuffs off, "Let's get our weapons and get the heck out of here."

An alarm sounded.

"Damn!" cursed Mudslinger, "They're onta us!"

"Fuck the weapons, let's run for it!" Muckraker swore.

They ran, narrowly escaping lasers all the way through the maze of the
Trechercon base. They soon broke into welcomed daylight and transformed,
all save Keryx Noxa.

"Hop on." Nighthawk said as he transformed into his motorcycle mode, she obeyed.

The Trechercons gave chase, but the Wreckers were very good at evasion and
soon lost their pursuers. They separated and met several moments later at
their secret base.

"This is your home now, Keryx Noxa." Nighthawk said.

"I want words, Nighthawk." Springer stated firmly.

Nighthawk gave him a withering glare, "Stick it in neutral Springer,
she's staying."

The Wreckers gave into his wishes. Keryx Noxa was initiated into the
Autobots some days later and had her voice returned. Unfortunately, she
couldn't pass the tests to become a Wrecker, so was assigned to Hydro-Base
to train to be a medic. She was sworn to secrecy not to reveal the
Wreckers' base location. Nighthawk chose to visit her even though spurns
were directed at them. As it was for other mixed couples before them, they
could not deny the love they felt.