I don't own Transformers, with is really the sad truth of it all.
I only own, Strike, Rave, Cross
080
It was such a calm day. The wind was blowing a gentle breeze past the tall patches of grass and the sound of rolling waves hitting the beach below filled the air. Cross just sigh at the sight. She had never seen anything like this before. Cybertron and Zephyr where never like this. It was so full of life and colors. How could anything be like this was beyond her understanding?
"Hey, are you coming?" called out Alexis.
It had been a couple of days since Rave and Cross had arrive to the Autobots base. At once, Alexis connect herself to Cross. It seemed to make the young human more at ease. It somehow made her feel more relax to have another female around the base instead of being surround by a bunch of males. Now, they were pair up for their first Minicon hunt with Red Alert. The four human boys had to go to some kind of baseball game and couldn't be here. Hot Shot and Blurr for some reason beyond Cross' understanding were auguring over that fact with Optimus. She just didn't see what made the younger Mechs so angry. Now, Optimus was heading off with Hot Shot and Smokescreen took Blurr in the opposite direction. Rave and Scavenger headed off on their own, no real reason to worry about the oldest Mechs in the group. They would just spend most of their time catching up more then they all ready have.
"Coming!" called out Cross then ran up to where Red Alert and Alexis were waiting for her, "Is the Minicon around here?"
"We can never be sure, but it is in the general area," said Red Alert.
So, that began their grand search. The two giant robots and one human were going over the area with a fine toothcomb. Slowly, they move all over for the small panel. While this was taking much longer then predicted, it was nice to not having to worry about the Decepticons. There seemed to be no sign of their enemy. Still, they couldn't let their guard down.
"Hadn't any luck yet?" asked Red Alert as he struggle to place another rock back having check under it.
"Nope, nothing," mumble Cross as she wipe the sand off her armor.
"Man, this one choose a great spot to hide out,' commented Alexis.
/ Don't worry about it Alexis. I am sure we can find it. If not us, the others will/ said Grindor.
"Yeah, I can only hope that we won't have to run into the Cons," mumble Alexis.
That's when there was this loud rumbling sound coming towards them. They looked to see this huge green and purple tank coming towards them. Red Alert knew at once who it was and they were going to be in trouble.
"Optimus, we need back up, me…"
Red Alert didn't have enough time to respond. The huge tank swung his giant cannon and pointed right at Red Alert. A huge ball of purple energy appeared on its end and fire towards the medic. Cross would have pushed him out of the way, but it just happen so fast. Red Alert was sent flying across the beach and crashed into the rock face. Cross ran straight over to see if he was ok.
"Grindor, take Alexis and get help!" shouted Cross.
The Minicon beeped in agreement. He grabbed a hold on to Alexis and the two of them ran away from were the action was. Cross looked all over Red Alert to see that he only gain some major cuts, nothing life threatening. A chuckle erupted from the tank, a chuckle that Cross knew so well. One that haunt her very sleep all this years. This couldn't happen. Yet, the tank transformed into the object of all her pain and misery; Megatron.
"Well, it seem Optimus is quite in need if he brings in femmes to fight in battle," chuckle Megatron.
Cross was just about to say something when she felt something on her shoulder. Red Alert had came back into the world of the living. He slowly got back on to his feet and pulled up his laser. Megatron just laugh at this attempt. What did this fool think he could accomplish against him.
"Get out of here, Megatron," hissed out Red Alert.
"I don't think so, Autobot," said Megatron, "I want the Minicon and you are going to hand it over to me."
"We don't have it, so get lost!" shouted Cross as she stood back up and joined Red Alert's side.
"Spunky, aren't we?" chuckle Megatron.
That just made Cross feel the need to barf. Talk about gross. Quickly, she pulled out her own weapon pointed towards the Decepticon leader.
"We have you out number, Megatron," stated Red Alert.
"That what you think," laugh Megatron.
Suddenly, they found themselves surround by the sound of clicking. Looking around it seems Demolisher and Cyclonus had joined this leader. This wasn't so bad. They could be able to take them on…at least that what Cross hope.
"Hey, lets keep the Femme," suggested Cyclonus with a giggle, "It been so dull back at the base."
Cross could barely keep herself from hurling right there on the spot. Red Alert looked at the Femme and could see the distress on her face. He could only think about what trouble she would have up on the moon and none of it was very pleasant. The three Decepticons started to advance on them.
"Give up now, and I might spare your life," offer Megatron.
"Never!" shouted Cross as she took a swing at him.
It never made contact. Megatron caught her arm, inches before she would be able to hit him. He expected to see fear in her optics, but only met her blazing fury. Her knees bend and Cross jumped into the air. The force made Megatron let go of her. Once Cross was in the air, she deliver a spin kick to his head. This cause Megatron to come crashing into the ground.
"Take that, you piece of Slag!" she spat in his face.
For the small time that he had know her, Red Alert never would guess that Cross could be so aggressive. She didn't seem to show any remorse for attack Megatron like that. Then again, after what he had done to the young Femme's life it really wasn't surprise. Megatron on the other hand, didn't seem to enjoy it. He growled as he wiped away a bit of energon that spilled from his lip. The other two Decepticons goons joined their leaders. They never seem anyone much less a Femme hit Megatron like that.
"You'll pay for that Femme," growled Megatron, "Get her!"
Demolisher and Cyclonus charge right towards Cross and Red Alert. The Autobot and Neutral got ready for battle. They weren't going down with a fight. That was until a familiar yellow blur jumped over the cliff. Hot Shot quickly transform and deliver a quick kick at Demolisher's head.
"He certain knows how to make a entrance," said Cross to Red Alert with a whisper. The medic could only chuckle because he knew that Hot Shot was only trying to impressed her.
"Don't you losers know it's rude to hit a lady?" said Hot Shot, "Why don't you tried taking someone else?"
Now, they were barrage but the Decepticons' firepower. Red Alert grabbed a hold of Hot Shot and pulled him behind a pile of rocks. That would only last them for a while. What Red Alert wanted to know is where Optimus was? He was supposed to be with Hot Shot. So, he should have been here by now.
"Hot Shot, where is Optimus?" shouted Red Alert s he tried to shoot off Cyclonus' rotor to land the insane chopper
"I don't know, he was just behind me," answer Hot Shot.
"Guys, we are kind of in trouble!" shouted Cross as the last of their rock wall was blasted away, "We're definitely in trouble."
"Ha, now you shall die, Autobots!" laugh Megatron as he pointed his cannon right towards their heads.
"Not while I am still kicking!" shouted Hot Shot as he fire a blast into the Decepticon leader's face.
Megatron roared in pain as he grabbed a hold of his face in pain. Large amount of energy was fired off from his cannon and blasted the rock wall behind the Autobots and femme. They cover themselves from the falling rocks so that they wouldn't get serious damage. That when Cross saw something falling towards. Reaching out her hand, she grabbed a hold of a glowing green pentagon shaped panel. Once it made contact, it glow more brightly and active. Everyone seem to stop what they were doing at this. Cross just watch as the panel in her hand and take form of a smaller light brown and black with golden optics. He seem a little rough in area, like almost the metal was trying to show fur. There were what seems little ears coming from his helmet. She couldn't but her finger on it, but there seem something…wild about him.
"Get me that Minicon!" roared out Megatron.
"Cross, you get out of here with the Minicon!" ordered Red Alert, "We'll handle these guys."
"But…" she started to protest.
"No buts! Get out of here!" shouted Red Alert as he went hand-to-hand with Demolisher.
There really so no time to argue it seems. Taking the time now, Cross with the new Minicon to run. She could hear the shouts and firing after her. Man, the Decepticons really wanted the Minicon. All that matter was to get out of there and find the others. They needed help. Still, where was Optimus?
080
He was on his way after getting Red Alert's call. He only wished that Hot Shot didn't go running off. Now, Optimus was bleeding out energon from all the cuts gain from his opponent. Strike walked in from of the Autobot, never taking his optics off of him. It would take a few more moments and his insignia would be his. Sure, Megatron would be pissed off that he had finish off Prime. But he never said that he was off limits. What his only question was why Optimus hadn't thrown anything back at him. The Autobot leader was only blocking. There had been plenty of times for him to go on the offense. Why wasn't he?
"You are making this much too easy, Optimus," chuckle Strike as he withdraw his blades on both wrists and started to stalk Optimus, "I wanted a challenge from you."
"Strike, you don't have to do this," answer Optimus.
"Now, who do you think you are by telling me what I can and can't do," chuckle Strike.
"I know you don't want to do this, that Megatron force you into slavery," said Optimus, as he didn't show fear within his optics.
That was enough to stop Strike in his tracks. There was no way that he could have known that. It wasn't possible. Only the Decepticon High Command knew about it. So, how did he find out about it? No, it had to be some kind of a trick. Just to get him off guard. Strike started to refocus on the Autobot and took a step forward.
"You don't have any idea what you are talking about," hissed out Strike as his pointed once of his blades at Optimus.
"Strike, I know the whole story," said Optimus, "I know about Planet Zephyr."
"You don't know anything!" yelled out Strike as he slashed at Optimus in rage, "You know nothing!"
The Autobot leader never saw so much rage within one being. He could see the flames of fury blazing bright and in full force inside Strike's optics. It was in each attack in launch towards Optimus. How could one being have this much anger within their spark? It was not right. Energon was pouring out of all the cuts Optimus had gain from trying to block the onslaught.
"Why don't…you just die!" roared out Strike.
"Optimus! The others need your help!" shouted Alexis as she came into the area.
The two giant Transformers looked to see the small human and Minicon coming at them. They stopped in their tracks and silence gripped. Alexis was jaw struck as she saw Optimus standing, looking extremely injure. She never saw him like this, while his opponent was standing there without a scratch.
Strike stood there growling to himself. Why did that female have to show up? He almost had finish the job, but now… She could get hurt in this. Strike could get away, as long as no Cons show up. Those fools were still thinking that he actually tried to protect those others human. Maybe he did, but didn't these years of slavery prove anything to them. He would get rid of those blasted Autobots. Why would they care if he just didn't want to hurt the innocence? Taking a few steps back, the blade slipped back into place. Strike glared at Optimus then at Alexis and Grindor.
"You were lucky Optimus," hissed Strike, "Next time, your mark is mine."
With that said, Strike transformed into his vehicle mode of a silver Ford Mustang. Revving his engine, the Mech turned around and drove off. Leaving a cloud of dust in his trail. Sighing in a little bit of relief, Optimus collapse on to his knee from the exhaustion of trying to hold his own against Strike. For such a young being, he certain had a lot of experience and skills. If only they were use towards an evil purpose for a good cause.
"Optimus, are you ok?" asked Alexis as she ran up to Autobot leader.
"I am fine, nothing a trip to CR Chamber can't fix," he said, "How are the others?"
She had almost forgot about them, "Megatron had showed and started to attack Red Alert and Cross. They need some help!"
Optimus frown. He knew Hot Shot would be there by now, so they had a little help. He just knew that Megatron would have some of his own back-up. Possibility Demolisher and Cyclonus. Starscream, Strike and Sideways were strong enough to handle Autobots by themselves and they surely work better alone. Reaching up to his comm. Link, Optimus sent a signal to the rest of the Autobots.
/ Optimus are you all right/ asked Smokescreen.
"I am fine, have you heard anything from Red Alert, Cross or Hot Shot?"
/ No, nothing / respond Blurr.
/ Knowing Hot Shot, if he is fighting he had forgot to use it / commented Scavenger.
/ Not in the cases of Red Alert / said Smokescreen, /You know how he is with the rules and such /
/The same is with Girly. She would have call if there were any trouble / respond Rave.
"Ok, Smokescreen, you and Blurr head towards Red Alert's last communication. Scavenger and Rave, you come to my location and pick up Alexis and Grindor, then I'll join Smokescreen and Blurr," said Optimus.
/ Are you sure, Optimus? You don't sound that well / said Smokescreen
"I am ok, just ran into Strike," he answer.
/ What? And you didn't stop him? Don't tell me you didn't try to knock him out? You don't have to go soft on the boy! He only knows fighting / said Rave.
"Ah…"
080
Cross just ran and ran, non-stop. The branches were breaking off the trees as she ran pasted with the small Minicon in her arms. All the while she was thinking that she should stay and help Hot Shot and Red Alert. She had trained all these years just to be able to take on Decepticons. Now, why was she running from them? The answer was in the smaller being in her arms. While, Cross did have personal business, she still had to protect the ones that couldn't protect themselves. She didn't have too, but Rave and herself did it. There was no way she would allow others to suffer the way she had.
What she didn't see was this blur coming in front of her. Cross was sent backward with a loud crashed. The small Minicon was also sent flying in the air and quickly grabbed a hold of a near-by tree. He looked down to see Cross that she was ok. Getting back on to her feet, Cross looked around the area for any sign of the thing that attacked her. Then, a cold metal arm wrapped itself around her neck. Cross grabbed a hold of it and tried to pry it off of her. It wouldn't come off.
"There is no way you are going to escape me, Femme," chuckle a voice from behind her.
"What do you want?" she asked the unidentified attacker.
"I want the Minicon, so hand it over," he said.
She could feel his breath going down her neck and she couldn't help but whimper a bit, but she couldn't tell this creep anything. No matter what it cost her, "I don't know what you are talking about," Cross answered.
The voice chuckle as he tighten his griped on her neck and Cross squirmed to get out, "Now, you really shouldn't lie," he said as his other hand grabbed a hold of her left arm and brought it down.
"Let me go! I don't have the Minicon! Leave me alone!" shouted Cross as she started to show the panic in her voice. There was something not right here and she just wanted to find Rave and the others soon.
"No, you are lying again," said the Mech behind her, "Lying Femmes need to be punished."
He let go of her neck and before Cross had a chance for a counter attack, her attacker grabbed her right arm and placed them both behind her back. Cross tried to kick him, but he just wrap one of his legs around her own two. This forced her closer to him. Now, she was trapped in this position and at his mercy until she could find an opening. But, no matter what he would do to her, Cross would never tell him about the Minicon. The smaller brown Transformer was still in the tree, watching as this all taking place. He just wish that he could help, that he should do something but the Femme was doing this so that he wouldn't get caught, to be free. But, seeing her like this just cause him much pain.
"Now, tell me where the Minicon is and I might let you go," he said into her audio receiver.
"I…I already told you, I don't know," said Cross as she tried to wiggle out of his grip.
"Wrong answer," he said with a chuckle, "Now, you learn there are penalties for lying to me."
Cross' attacker wrapped his free arm around her waist, pulling her body hard toward him, burying himself deep within her. She threw her head back, screaming. The Mech behind her, burying his face in the crook of her neck and started to bite and kiss hard on the sensitive metal flesh of her neck. What was he doing to her? Now more then ever, she had to escape. She wiggled and twisted, trying to free at less something free. He was too strong.
"Let me go! I didn't anything to you!" she pleaded, as tears were starting to form in her optics.
"Tell me where the Minicon is and I'll let you go," he said in a sly tone.
"I…I…I'll never tell you!" she shrieked out.
"So, you do know where the Minicon is," he chuckle as he let go of her waist and started to trace her stomach with his fingers.
Cross shiver as he touched her. Why was she so scared? Nothing was coming into her head in plans to escape. She should have been able to escape, but she couldn't. None of her opponents as ever done this to her, used her like…like…like a pleasurebot. She just continue trying to break free and screaming her head off. Did anyone hear her? Why didn't anyone come to help her?
"There is no one to save you, Femme," he said to Cross, "Just tell me where you hid the Minicon and then you are free to go."
If she said she wasn't tempted to said it that would be a lie. Cross just wanted to get back to the base. All she wanted these past years was to have her brother back. He gave himself up for her and now she wanted to get him back. Strike didn't have to do this. They could go home and fight the Decepticons at home. There wasn't many there now as once before. They and Rave would be able to start a rebellion on Zephyr, take back their home.
Just as Cross thought her attacker was about to start again, a blur of brown came straight towards them. It was small, but fast. In one big jump, the blur flew right past Cross's head and into her attacker. Caught off but the sudden attack, he let go of her. Cross felled to the ground, thanking Primus with all her might. Staring up, her attacker, a purple Transformer was trying to ripped off what seem to a metal animal of some kind off his face.
"Get off me you mutt!" roared the Decepticon as he finally ripped off the metal beast from his face.
Cross' optics widen as she recognized what the small animals was. It was the Minicon. She didn't know why, but she knew it was it. It just had a beast mode of a wolf instead of a vehicle mode like all of the other Minicons. Now, the purple horned Decepticon had him in his hand. He was just smirking at his capturer prey.
"Let him go!" screamed Cross.
"Now, I don't think so my dear," he chuckle, "Unless you want to stop me."
"Drop that Minicon, Sideways," said a voice from behind the two of them.
A smile came across Cross' face as Blurr and Smokescreen came into the area. Smokescreen launched his hook and it wrapped itself around the Minicon, Blurr then charger toward Sideways knocking him down the ground. The brown wolf Minicon went flying in the air into the orange Autobot's arm. Cross never felt more happy in her life to see these guys.
"I suggest you leave now, Sideways," hissed Blurr as he deliver a right hook into the Decepticon's face.
Sideways pushed away from the white knight Autobot and wipe some energon coming from his optic. His optics narrowed as he glared at the group. Then with nothing said, he just warped out of the area. Seeing that the threat was gone, Blurr turned his attention towards Cross.
"Are you ok, Cross?" he asked as he kneeled down to the ground to get optics level with her.
Cross just looked at him with her orange optics. He could tell that something wrong. Suddenly, Cross wrapped her arms around his neck and started to sob into his shoulder. This was not what he except. Smokescreen was just as surprise as Blurr to see her break out like this. The wolf Minicon hopped out of Smokescreen and walked over to the crying femme. He just sat there watching as this took place, wishing that he could ease the pain.
"Thank you…I'm…so glad… monster…" sobbed Cross as the light purple tears spilled down her face.
"Cross, what happen here?" asked Blurr as he started to rub her back to get her to calm down a bit.
"I…want…to go home…Miss Ranger!" she cried out.
Smokescreen thought it would best to inform the rest of the team on their situation.
"Um...guys, I don't think me and Blurr are going to be able to give help to the others. We have to get Cross and the new Minicon back to the base" he reported.
/ What happen here? What wrong with Cross/ asked Optimus.
"We don't know. We just arrive in the area to see Sideways with the Minicon and Cross on the ground. As soon as he left, she broke down crying here," answer Smokescreen.
/ Where is this jerk now? I'm going to slam him down into the ground! No one makes Girly cry/ shouted Rave.
/ I think we get the picture, Rave / sighed Scavenger.
/ Hey, guys, talking about us/ answer Hot Shot over the comm.
/ Hot Shot? What happen with you and Red Alert/ asked Optimus.
/ Sorry for not calling in Optimus, but we were trapped between a rock and a hard place / said Red Alert, / Megatron and the rest of the Decepticons had all wrapped back to the moon /
"Well, I am just glad you guys are all right," sigh Smokescreen with relief.
/ Ok, men, lets roll out and head back to the base / said Optimus only too glad that everyone was safe.
080
"You all failed!"
Megatron was not in a happy mode. The Autobots had gain another Minicon and it now seems there was a couple new players on the field. The was that Femme that he had encounter and from Starscream's report another Mech, around the same age as Scavenger. Now they were again up by two! Megatron finally had a level playing field, but why did Prime have to ruin it. Now, he was taking out his anger on his soldiers.
"I am sorry, Lord Megatron," said Demolisher as he bowed to his leader.
"Yeah, what he said," said Cyclonus with a giggle.
"Sorry isn't going to get me the Minicons!" roared Megatron as he bam his fist against his armrest, almost breaking it off.
"Neither is yelling at us," commented Strike as he leaned against the wall.
"If I want your thoughts, I'll ask for them, Strike!" shouted out Megatron, not in the mood for this.
Strike just shrugged his shoulders, "Hey, I am not the one that let the Femme with the Minicon escape."
"Well, we would have it, if the Autobots didn't show up," said Starscream as he entered the room after he had used the CR Chamber.
"How is that?" asked Megatron.
Starscream just smirked at his 'leader', "It seems Sideways was having a little fun with the new Femme, when the Minicon attacked him. Just as he finally caught the Minicon, two more Autobots show up in the area."
Strike wasn't paying much attention to this whole thing. It was truly boring. Only when Starscream started talking about Sideways 'having fun', did he perk up. If there was something that made Strike hate the Decepticons more then killing the innocent, it was using Femmes. He just couldn't stand the way they capture Femmes and placed Control collars on them. Most Femmes Strike saw back on Cybertron were mostly use for one thing and they were force into it.
"Oh man, lucky con," mumbled Cyclonus, "I wanted the Femme."
"Like that would happen," scoffed Starscream, "Even if we did catch the Femme by some miracle by Primus, our fearless leader would just keep her for his own entertainment. Then again…"
The Seeker looked over to see that Strike was staring at the ground. He smirked at this attempt of trying not to listen to their conversation. He knew the young Mech's style too well and knew that he was listening to every word say between them. Starscream also knew about Strike's feeling toward the treatment of Femmes.
"…We would have our resident Femme Mistreatment Specialist breathing down our necks," finish Starscream as he sent a look at Strike.
Megatron just chuckle at this," Yesss, he would," he said as the focus of the room turned to Strike.
The silver Mech looked up to see every optic in the room was on him. Yeah, this wasn't a surprise. They all knew his opinion on Femmes and were he stood. And yes, he would have say something, but he couldn't save her. There was only one of him and more of them. It happened before. There was no way to stop these things.
FLASHBACK
He was just so tired after coming back from his last mission. Strike just seemed to crawl into his stool at the Energon bar inside the Decepticons' base were he was station for now. Still, this mission was worth it. He added 20 more to his list, a new record. Grabbed a hold of a glass and drawing his facemask back, Strike took a long and hard gulp of the high-grade energon. All he wanted was to get a good high and head back to his room to sleep off the hangover. He didn't want to deal with anyone. Just then he heard a scream from behind him. Strike turned around in his stool and looked towards were the scream had came from.
There in the back corner was a group of Seekers. Strike was able to recognize the main one in the center of the circle, Starscream. He had seen the red and black Seeker many times on the field of battle and heard many things. Things like he wanted to take over and kill Megatron. Strike sat there with his glass in hand as he see Starscream fooling around with one of the Collar Femme server. The only problem was that Strike knew that Femme.
It was Petra. No doubting it. Sure, it was only a couple hundreds years since he had last seen her, but it was her. With her light purple and grey armor, he knew. Petra had survive the attack on Planet Zephyr. She had become a little more…develop in certain area such as the chest and waist. Of course that was to be except as both Mechs and Femmes got older and had more upgrades. She was there trying to take away empty glasses when Starscream grabbed a hold of her waist and pulled her down. Being drunk off the energon, the Seeker started to making out with her while his bubbies around him were just egging him on. Strike always knew this happen in the bars and tried to ignore it. But this time it was different. He knew her. The displeasure in her optics was enough for him, but other then that, she didn't show any stress.
"Hey, let her go!" he shouted at them.
That was enough to have the attention of the room come to him. Starscream looked up at him and send a death glare. Petra looked over as well to see Strike standing there. Her yellow optics widened to see him here. The Seeker let her go and rose to his feet. Strike was rethinking this plan out as Starscream and his group started to circle him.
"Who do you think you are by telling me what to do?" chuckle Starscream as he looked down on Strike.
"That doesn't matter, you shouldn't use her like that. She a Transformer as well," protested Strike.
The group just smirked down at him, just like a bug. There was five of them all in totally, so he was outnumber. As well, they had way more fire power then himself. Strike only had a duel laser cannon and an energon dagger. That wasn't going to do much against five skilled Decepticons flyers, one who was one of the top dogs.
"Do you know who I am?" hissed Starscream as he reached for his wing saber.
"Yeah, and I don't like jerks that do what they want with whom…Argu,"
Petra popped up behind Strike and quickly pulled him back from what going to turn into a brawl. With a fast smile on her face, she just grinned at the Seekers as she pushed Strike out of the way.
"Please excuse my friend here," she said with a chuckle, "He is a one of my best patron here. I think he had a little too much tonight."
"But, Petra…" mumble Strike from behind her hand.
"Shut up, Strike," hissed Petra as she sent him a death glare, "I am trying to save you tail pipe here."
He just stared up at the older Femme. From what he could remember of her, she was the only one beside Miss Ranger that could meet his own tempter. Now, when he was trying to save her, Petra was ending up saving him. Starscream looked at her for a moment and just smirked. It seems he would be able to accept that for an answer.
"Fine, just make sure he doesn't get out of hand again," he said, but it sound more like a demand, "But I going to require something later."
"Thank you, sir," answer Petra as she gave them a little bow. Now with Strike's neck in her hand, the lilac Femme dragged him into the hallway.
"What are you doing here?" she shouted at him as they found an empty hallway where they could talk in quiet.
"What I am doing here? What are you doing here? Cross and I thought you were all dead," said Strike.
"The Decepticons took all us from the house before they brunt it down with Miss Ranger inside it still," she answer him and letting go, "What about you? Where is Cross and why in the name of Primus do you have that Decepticon mark on your shoulder?"
"Straight to the point aren't we?"
"Just answer the question, Chrome dome,"
So, seeing that she was an old friend, Strike told her the whole story. From the start to the very end of his tale, she didn't say anything. Petra stood there listening to the words that were coming out of his mouth. There were no comments said until the end of Strike's storytelling.
"So, you're going bounty hunter on me," Petra said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, you could say that," respond Strike, "Are you holding up ok here? You wearing…"
"Yeah, I know," said Petra as she pointed toward the black spike collar that was warped around her neck, "They took a bunch of us younger Femmes to get Collared. I was luck enough to end up here. Just serve drinks, clean up, and actually get tips…"
"Have Cons use you like their play toy," hissed out Strike as his own optics narrowed.
"Look, what you saw is usually how far it goes," said Petra as she placed her hands on her hips, "They can find their own floozies at the brothel house. I have never ended up in some other Mech's recharger. The others Femme servers might do it just to stay on their good side or to gain something, but I don't. I'm staying alive my way, not theirs."
This was the Petra that he knew from all those years ago. She was hard headed in their childhood. It was always her way or the highway. If she wanted to play house and you said no, your nose would be broken. Strike just stood there with a smile on his face. She would survive this whole thing. He knew once he got Planet Zephyr free and found Cross, he would come and get her. He would find all his friends again.
"So, I have to get back to work," said Petra as she started to head down back to the bar.
"I'll see you later, once the Seekers leave," said Strike.
"Ha, fat chance, after the big victory those boys are going to get themselves drunk into the morning," laugh Petra, "Come back tomorrow, around the same time. I'll give you the special."
"Yeah, sure," laugh Strike, for the first time in years.
"Oh, and Strike,"
She turned around and faced him. There was almost a serene look on her face. It was something he had never seen before with Petra. There was something up.
"Don't change, don't let them corrupt your spark. I would hate to see you become like them and see the face on Cross when she sees her 'big bro' turned into a monster," she said in a calm tone.
"I won't,"
"Promise me, Strike,"
"I promise, Petra,"
END FLASHBACK
He was unable to see her the next night. They found her dead inside one of the quarters the next morning. Her body was all cut up, like she was hacked away with a knife. Strike knew what happen. He knew whose room that was and why Petra would be dead. It was Starscream's chambers. He wanted something in return and it was Petra. Well, he never except for her to fight back, to flat out refuse him. There must have been a fight, but the Seeker had the upper hand with the Control Collar on her neck. The electrical shocks must have weakened her. What happened next was no surprise with disobeyed Collar Femmes. Strike would make Starscream pay, pay with his life.
"So, what is our next plan of attack, oh mighty Megatron," said Strike with a sneered behind his facemask.
"Those aren't any of your business," respond Megatron, "Just do what you do best."
With only a snort, Strike left the room. The other four Decepticons just stood there as they saw him leave. There were looks of consideration, disgust, confusion and finally, pity.
"I don't see why we just can't get rid of him," said Demolisher.
"Please don't focus on the present problem, look on to tomorrow, Demolisher," said Megatron as he leaned back in his chair.
"What are we doing tomorrow," asked Cyclonus.
"Not what he met," said Starscream, wondering if Cyclonus functioned on a processor from a toaster but turning to Megatron, "You aren't going to let that…kid actually success in his little venture? You would be showing weakness."
"I don't show weakness, but I certain don't plan on breaking my deal," said Megatron as he glared at the red Seeker, "But things do happen…"
As they spoke, Strike was storming down the hallways toward his room. The anger was rising up inside his body again and he didn't wanted ended up like last time. Stopping in place, he just glared at the wall. Images of the past were flying across his vision. Slamming his fists in the wall, Strike started to beat dents into it, non-stop. He didn't care if her got into trouble. This was making him feel better.
"At it again, I see," said a voice from behind him.
Strike looking behind him to see Sideways standing there. His red optic flashed as he turned around to face the purple motorcycle. There was something wrong with this Con. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it was there.
"What do you want, Sideways?" asked Strike as he lower his fists.
"When you heard someone pounding a wall to death, you what to know what is up," said Sideways.
"Why don't you mind your own business," growled Strike.
"Maybe, maybe not," said Sideways staying his usual calm tone, "You just seem very wound up, more so then usually. I just wonder if it because of tales of the…"
Strike was blinded by his rage for a moment. He grabbed Sideways' front and ran the motorcycle in the other wall. The fires of hates where blazing into an inferno in Strike's optics as they just stood there for a second.
"How can you hurt the innocence, with no feeling?" asked Strike like a wild animal.
"I could say that same to you," answer Sideways, "You killed more then I have, yet are lecturing me about hurting the innocence. What difference is there between you and me?"
For once, Strike didn't have anything to say. He didn't know what to say to that. This idiot was right. There was no difference between the two things. He killed the innocent Autobots just because he wanted to free his home world. But, both Decepticons and Autobots did that. At least the Autobots treated their Femmes right…at least that what he thought.
What if they didn't? No… it could not be true. Rave always spoke proudly about the Autobots, saying they were the heroes of the universe. Heroes wouldn't treat beings badly. But things change, everyone change. Look at him. Needing time to think, Strike let go of Sideways and stormed away down the hallway. The purple Decepticon just stood there with a smirk behind his own facemask.