Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed the first chapter. Here is the second chapter. I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Transformers. I own Ultra Rodimus and Jennifer Murdock.

Burning Skies

Chapter 2: The Tightening Web

"...and we will need joint cooperation for security," General Mark Johnson finished, looking up at the young Prime.

Ultra Rodimus tapped a finger against his chin. "I don't think so. There are enough hot-headed Autobots floating around to keep an optic on the station during construction. Once I let the news out, there'll be no shortage of volunteers. They'll all want to do it. It'll give them the chance to try and impress the femmes who just arrived from Cybertron."

Mark chuckled. "Males trying to impress the ladies, huh?"

"And thinking up all kinds of stupid stunts to pull in order to do it. You know what teenage human males are like. Young Autobot males are way too similar for my sanity."

The human roared with laughter. Ultra Rodimus's lips twitched. He couldn't help smiling while the human laughed.

"I am very glad that I lean the other way, and that I'm already partnered," Ultra Rodimus added. "I have the feeling that if I was still single, they'd be pulling even more stupid stunts trying to impress me."

The human chortled. "I don't doubt it. You are a handsome bot, big guy."

Ultra Rodimus mock-glared. "Can we get back on topic, please?"

"Sorry. Where were we?"

"We were discussing security for the joint space station," the Prime reminded him.

The general looked thoughtful. "Your Autobots are more able to defend any space project. You can move about much easier in space, and you aren't bothered by the extreme cold. A single second of exposure to open space will kill a human. You Transformers can stay in open space for days. I think we should use the young males as guards."

Ultra Rodimus made a note on his datapad. "That'll get them out of my hair. Like humans, Autobots can get spring fever, and some of the more hot-headed youngsters are in a permanent state of spring fever. They've been driving me crazy."

"This will give them something to do, then."

"Thank Primus."

Falcon chuckled, and Ultra Rodimus swatted at the creature.

"Talking again, is he?"

"No. Laughing. He's as bad as Magnus is."

((I resent that,)) Magnus growled.

Ultra Rodimus shot him a mental raspberry, and got an indignant "Hmph" in response. He grinned and returned his attention to Mark.

"So it's settled?"

"It is." Mark rose to his feet. "It's been nice finally meeting you face to face."

"Don't you mean face to shins?" Ultra Rodimus teased.

"I'd hit you if it wouldn't hurt me more than you."

The young Prime tapped his fingers against the side of his snakeskin boot before rising to his feet. He and the human exchanged farewells, then he walked out of the base and transformed.

((Well?)) Magnus asked. ((What did you two decide?))

(He wants to collaborate on a joint project, a space station to be positioned just outside the solar system. We decided to use that latest batch of restless Autobot males as watchdogs during construction. It'll give them something to do and get them out of my hair before I lose it.)

((A very good solution. You're on your way back?))

(Yes. I should be back in about twenty minutes, give or take.)

Magnus sent him affection, then cut the link. Ultra Rodimus concentrated on navigating the winding roads. He hummed absently to himself as he drove.

The road under him exploded.

He let out a cry of alarm as the blast blew out his tires and scrapped his center axle. Pain shot through his circuits. Instinctively, he transformed, looking around for an enemy. When that enemy finally showed itself, it took on the last form he'd ever expected.

Humans.

There were about a dozen of them, armed with strange weapons. As he stared at them, shocked and confused, they took aim at him and fired again. Most of the shots bounced off of his snakeskin jacket. Several hit his armor, stinging but not doing any damage. He flinched back, unsure of what to do. He didn't want to hurt humans, but they seemed intent on hurting him.

((Prime! What's going on?!))

(I'm under attack!)

((By who? We're not reading any Decepticons!))

(Humans!)

((Why would humans want to attack you?))

(I don't know!)

Before he could say anything else, a well-aimed stun blast caught him in the eye, his weak spot. His systems became sluggish, and he swayed on his feet, dazed. Three more stun bolts hit home. The last one put him out completely.

The shooter, a man codenamed Stinger, watched the giant robot stagger back a step, under the influence of the Transformer equivalent of a tranquilizer dart. He waited for the robot to fall onto its back. But the Autobot managed to pull out one last surprise. Off balance, it fell forward instead of backward. The humans scrambled madly to get out of its way. When it landed, one of their jeeps was crushed under its shoulder. Stinger swore and reached for his walkie-talkie.

"We have one," he reported. "And not just any robot. We got the Autobot leader."

"Excellent," his employer responded. "Bring him in."

"That isn't possible. He's a good bit larger than any of the others. And he crushed one of our jeeps when he fell."

"I'm on my way."

Half an hour later, Jennifer smirked cruelly at the unconscious robot. Her henchmen were setting up portable versions of her machine around his prone form. She held the control device.

"We're ready, ma'am," one of the men told her.

She pressed a button on the device in her hand. The portable machines hummed as they began to work. The Autobot's form began to ripple and melt, shrinking in size. When the process had finished, a tall human male lay sprawled next to the flattened remains of a jeep. His breathing was rather shallow.

"Get him into the car," she ordered.

Two of her henchmen grabbed the Autobot by the arms and dragged him toward the vehicle, grunting in surprise at his weight. He was heavier than he looked. Finally, they got him into the car, binding his arms behind his back and throwing him roughly onto the floor. He landed in a boneless heap, his unbound silver hair spreading out into a silvery 'puddle' around him. Then Jennifer climbed into the car, looking down at the helpless Autobot at her feet. She would have fun with him.

To be continued...

And here is chapter 2. Click on that review button and let me know what you think of this fic so far. If you do I'll get out the next chapter as fast as I can!