Sept. 11, 2015

On the fourteenth anniversary, I have no desire to light off fireworks and celebrate as is my norm when updating, nor listen to politics (both north and south of the border [*although where applicable, if you can vote, do so]).

Instead dear readers I should wish to use this medium, today, to send out my utmost respect, and heartfelt thanks to the men and women who sacrificed, and continue to sacrifice their time, and their lives to ensure that we can live in freedom.

~K

Chapter 199 – The Slag Brides

(SkPOV)

Skywarp hovered carefully beside the Delta trine, watching the hatch through which the little two-wheeler femme had disappeared a half joor ago.

The flight had been the easy part, the young femme's build so much like that of the flier hatchlings' that Stormchaser had been visibly reluctant to release her. Particularly on the point that releasing her also meant lightly directing her into the hatch over which they now hovered.

She was the one going in, however, for one key reason.

Of the four of them, Wingnut was the only one actually capable of fitting through the hatch.

::. Wingnut where the slag are you!?.:: Slashfyre sent irritably.

::. D'you have any idea how hard i'tis tae sneak aroun' when ye kip doin' tha!?.:: the femme sent snappishly. ::. Scout sniper takes patience, an' jumpin' out me exo every five breem ain't helpin' me patience!.::

::. Ugh, fine, you win 'Warp.:: Slashfyre grumbled.

But not one of the three fliers moved, motionlessly camouflaged against the stars.

::. Won what?.:: Wingnut asked curiously.

::. The more we irritate you, the more like a Wrecker you sound, little femme.:: Stormchaser sent tensely.

::. It's gonna be okay 'Chase.:: Wingnut sent soothingly the next second.

::. Are you sure you didn't bond them?.:: Skywarp asked with a chirping laugh.

::. No, we have not bound the little femme into our trine.:: Slashfyre grumbled, again.

::. But it's still sweet... oh...:: Wingnut trailed off, a sense of horror crossed the line.

::. Wingnut where the slag are you!?.:: Slashfyre demanded flatly.

::. I found them.:: Wingnut sent softly.

Instantly, the three fliers sent bursts of emotional support to the femme facing the horror of her sisters' fate. Starscream jerked out of his half-stasis, ninety degrees from Cracker and eighteen hundred twenty four light orn away. A remarkably short distance, really. Skywarp lightly nudged his dominant trine member into action, and felt relief as Starscream immediately began the preparations for battle.

::. Starscream is calling to the Primes now, they'll be here soon.:: Skywarp murmured. ::. Hold tight Wing, are you properly concealed?.::

::. They won't find me...:: Wingnut sent softly.

::. Where the slag are you Wingnut?.:: Slashfyre demanded.

::. Do me a favour, quit saying slag.:: Wingnut sent in a quietly strained tone. ::. The security panel is twenty units away, it looks like there are forty mechs on base guarding the area.::

::. Where are you located, Wing?.:: Stormchaser asked worriedly.

Skywarp scowled slightly and quickly switched frequencies.

::.=Report-Scout=.:: Skywarp chirped to the scout.

::. =I'm runnin' dark in the slag-pit=.:: Wingnut sent softly. ::. =If I can get to that security panel over there I can let you lot in once everyone gets here=.::

Skywarp looked at the two fliers beside him and redoubled his efforts in watching their backs as they became deeply concentrated, emotionally supporting the little two-wheeler femme the best they could as she sat in forcibly controlled horror.

(MPOV)

::. PRIME! Boot up your slagging processors!.::

My optics snapped online.

::. Are you awake yet!?.:: Starscream demanded irritably.

::. I'm awake, what's wrong?.:: I demanded flatly.

::. Skywarp is requesting backup.:: Starscream stated worriedly. Instantly, I forgave Starscream for waking me up so rudely.

::. Meet you at the space-bridge first.:: I commanded immediately. "Optimus, they've been found." I stated aloud. In an instant, my mate was sitting bolt upright, sending out the all-call. We were both on our pedes and summoning our armour before my link to Starscream was even fully disconnected.

Through our communications link, Air Commander Starscream was rousing the Hightower clan, along with whatever aerial-bot wished to join the excursion, I could feel the edges of his relief that my Optimus and I were already moving.

I followed my mate, diagnostics whirring high speed as my weaponry settled properly into place, cannons fully charged, blades prepared to accept the plasmic edge.

"Sentinel," I stated firmly, nodding to the older Prime.

"Archangel," he nodded sternly. I looked around at the bots already lined up, waiting for the bridge as Lena patiently began activating it.

I almost laughed aloud to hear her muttering, though.

::. You started it.:: I murmured.

::. I know, I was rather hoping I wouldn't have to leave Jolt glitched in our quarters at the last minute, though.:: the femme murmured with a snort, glancing up at me. "Ground bridge is stable!" she announced. Sentinel lightly patted her shoulder plating before the lot of us charged through. No thought was necessary, no last minute planning, the away team had already been decided.

"About fragging time," Sunstreaker growled. I glanced at the predator and narrowed my optics somewhat.

"Try to keep your wits about you," I muttered in Killspeak, Sunstreaker flinched and glared at me.

"An unnecessary reminder if we didn't have to wait so long," the predator snapped back idly. I didn't take offence, it was simply a characteristic of the frequency.

"So next time I'll just keep the details from you until the moment I'm rousing you from your berth?" I asked him innocently.

Sunstreaker rolled his optics at me, and re-synced his processors as the bridge energies dissipated behind us.

"Excellent timing, Grounders," Starscream drawled airily, landing with a dozen fliers around him.

"How long have you been circling?" I asked in a mildly interested tone.

"Not long enough, but you knew that already," Thrust piped up cheerfully.

"I would recommend reserving your strength for the oncoming battle," Sentinel announced patiently.

"And while we're flying to the bridging zone you can brief us on whatever intelligence Skywarp has passed on to you," I added firmly.

Starscream nodded, the fliers behind him shifting restlessly.

"Air Commander..." one began with a frown.

"The Prime is correct, Camber," Starscream stated flatly. "Reserve your strength for the battle ahead."

"Can I at least ride in the open?" the bot asked in a wheedling tone.

"What, don't want to be stuck in the same ship as grounders?" Ironhide demanded flatly.

"Nah, Cam gets ship-sick," Thrust chirped, dodging the swipe Camber aimed at him. I shot Thrust a tiny, approving smile as Ironhide snorted in amusement.

"Permission to come aboard?" Starscream gritted out impatiently.

"Granted. The ark is more than capable of launching with passengers on the outer hull," Sentinel announced patiently before reaching out and lightly catching Starscream's shoulder. "We will bridge to your mate's co-ordinates in short order, Air Commander, never fear. Camber, should you so desire I would suggest the forward bowstruts, they endure the least shearing force during liftoff."

I smiled at the old Prime as Starscream relaxed somewhat.

"What're ye waitin' for!? Let's get a move on!" Turbine bellowed from one of the upper hatches. "Ye can gossip while yer movin' bots!"

"I never thought I would ever say this: but I agree with the Wrecker," Thundercracker announced with a broad grin, turning and leading the way.

I laughed as my Optimus immediately flumped down into one of the seats circling the bridge. Starscream was looking at him curiously as his optics offlined.

"I hate this part," Ratchet grumbled beside him, resignedly offlining his optics as he settled beside my mate. Arcee rolled her optics at me.

"It's easier when you're standing," Starscream informed my mate in an amused drawl.

"Away team loaded up!" Tread called out the second Sentinel stepped onto the bridge.

"Launch the Ark," Sentinel commanded firmly, aloud and over the comm.

I rolled my optics slightly and lightly tugged my mate onto his pedes as the engines began firing.

"Kae-" Optimus began in consternation.

"Trust me?" I murmured innocently, stretching up to press a kiss against his jaw. Automatically, he straightened slightly.

Facing into the wind, so to speak.

~See?~ I whispered gently, caressing his spark as the gravity became heavier.

::. Easy when you're standing with a femme in your arms.:: Thundercracker murmured in amusement.

::. Far easier still when I am combined with my mate, directly feeling her fierce joy of flight and watching the atmosphere give way to the stars.:: my Optimus rumbled in amusement, bringing a single optic online to look at the laughing fliers as the last of the atmosphere drained from the ship.

::. To business.:: Starscream announced firmly. ::. Skywarp reports there are forty-.::

::. Just forty?.:: Sideswipe demanded.

::. That's barely two bots a piece!.:: Thrust pouted.

::. Focus mechs.:: Ironhide growled softly.

Silence.

::. I find leadership to be much like trying to command younglings.:: my Optimus rumbled quietly. ::. Have you not found the same?.::

::. Which is where Optimus Prime's legendary light-vorns of patience comes in.:: Starscream drawled. ::. Now I understand why you always appear so slagged off on the battlefield. Skywarp reports there are forty mechs guarding the base. The femmeling snuck in through an unguarded hatchway and is hiding near the other femmes and the security panel, supposedly she is in place to open the door if we can actually get there.::

::. They have her hiding near the femmes?.:: Arcee demanded indignantly.

::. Skywarp says Stormchaser and Slashfyre have most of their concentration focused on maintaining links of comfort to the femmeling.:: Starscream replied quietly, nodding respectfully to the femme ::. Hence our not having waited for the Primes to rouse of their own accord.::

I nodded patiently, watching the Ark's readouts as we approached the safe zone for the space-bridge, idly switching my engines from air pusher to spacer charges.

::. All bots stand fast, prepare for departure.:: Sentinel called out sternly, ejecting a few pillars from the Ark's frame. I pressed somewhat more closely against my Optimus and turned my helm into his chest, I could feel the soft vibrations as my mate's spark hummed his gentle reassurances. It was a space-bridge, yes, but we weren't going far; we were together in the Ark, besides. I didn't have to look to see the space-bridge coming online, I watched it through the optics of my mate.

He always found the violent, spinning vortex fascinating.

::. Bridge is stable. Advance!.:: Sentinel commanded.

::. Here we go bots!.:: Throttle called out cheerfully, the forward motion pressed me ever so slightly more tightly against my mate. Then, everything began to vibrate, I cracked an optic and grimaced at the light for a moment until it disappeared. The stars weren't the same, but that didn't matter.

We had work to do.

I pulled away as my Optimus turned, immediately striding after the terror twins as they scrambled toward the hatchways.

Phase two.

Starscream and Thundercracker were already halfway to the base, Skywarp in formation with them. I shook my helm somewhat and cycled my optics. Yep, Skywarp was already in formation with his trine. I logged that image for good measure, though.

Something to tease the bot for, later.

I took a few quick steps along one of the primary bowstruts of the Ark, easily catching up with the terror twins as they eased their way toward the 'prow.'

::. Ready?.:: I sent with a grin, I couldn't help it. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe demagnetized themselves from the hull the next moment, catching hold of my wings in the zero gravity as I lightly directed the three of us toward Slashfyre and Stormchaser's position. The twins could accomplish it with their own boosters, but mine were far more efficient.

::. You try to take point from us...:: Sunstreaker growled menacingly.

::. We'll trade off.:: Slashfyre snapped back ::. Hurry up!.::

I glanced at Sunstreaker as he started somewhat on my right wing.

::. I was talking to Archangel.:: He stated in a surprised tone.

::. We'll keep the Primes out of the battlezone, no worries.:: Thrust called out cheerfully. The base doors opened. I glanced around at the Hightower clan surrounding us as the twins followed my vectors for a moment more before they pushed off of my frame; caught in the asteroid's light gravitational pull they landed quickly, storming down the corridors and watching the aft-plates of the Delta trine the second their pedes were on solid ground.

I glanced over my shoulder, for some reason, I could have sworn the presence of my advisor primary had been close. As though Soundwave had been hovering on my right, just barely within my peripheral view. I shook that feeling off, he was on Cybertron, in Iacon. It had to be the disorientation of bridging.

Skywarp was grinning at me the next moment as I landed lightly on the entrance pad, scanning the area and listening to the quiet sounds of battle.

Weird.

Battle was never quiet. Not when Sideswipe had anything to do with it.

A quick scan of the helium atmosphere and I shook my helm. A thin atmosphere, evidently the asteroid base didn't have enough of a gravitational pull to capture much more, and even then the majority was still free of that pull as it floated amidst the massive, concealing gas-cloud.

::. Am I gonna have to restrain you Prime?.:: Skywarp asked in amusement. I rolled my optics at him and he patted my shoulder plating. ::. As nice as it is that you wanna protect everybot, it's no fun if you run ahead stealing everybot's kills.::

::. Quit tempting me.:: I stated flatly. Skywarp laughed.

::. Oh no you don't!.:: Ironhide growled, landing heavily where the fliers aimed him, cannons already half cycled and aiming at me. I caught my uncle's optics as Skywarp automatically ducked behind me somewhat.

::. Flier humour, Ironhide.:: my Optimus rumbled in amusement.

::. I still promised her.:: Ironhide growled softly, holding my optics. We both saw the optics of killers, but neither of us would pull the trigger in cold blood.

We were not murderers.

::. Promised what!?.:: Starscream demanded.

::. She made me promise her, that I'd shoot her dead the orn that murder don't leave her optics.:: Ironhide growled shortly, switching his aim. ::. Ratch, Chrome, 'Cee, Flare, let's move.::

::. Fair enough, grounder. Camber, Redcowl, scout the area.:: Starscream commanded.

::. Yes Air Commander!.:: was barked in unison. I watched the six fliers scatter amidst the backdrop of strangely positioned stars as more filed into the corridors of the base, interspersed with grounders. I shook my helm as my Optimus glanced back at me. His spark caressed my own for a moment before he began striding into the depths of the asteroid base.

::. First time bridging a longer distance really takes it out of you.:: Skywarp commented gently.

::. I see that.:: I replied, shaking my helm again and leaning against the asteroid wall for a few moments. The stars were wrong, it'd taken a while to really process, but now it was hitting me properly. ::. How the slag do you manage it?.::

::. Helps when you see the universe as a whole, rather than focusing on the tiny-little section of space 11you grew up in.:: Skywarp informed me cheerfully. I rolled my optics at him. ::. They should have everything cleared up by now, shall we?.::

I pushed myself off the wall somewhat and strode into the asteroid, Skywarp watching my back as I began scanning in every piece of evidence that crossed my vision. Every husk, every drawn weapon. Every system in the base: and every femme, paint scratched and scarred, many devoid of all but the most vital of systems.

Delicately, I blocked my emotions from my mate.

My rage was not at him.

(SwPOV)

Soundwave scanned the screens, Ravage and Jazz were safely inside the Wrecker complex. Even if shortly thereafter he'd lost contact with Jazz's comm, Ravage informed him they were fine. The Saboteur had proven oddly protective, immediately shielding Ravage from potential Wrecker induced harm.

Ravage had it in her forward memories to bring the Saboteur a Cyber-rat or hare.

Whatever prey popped up, really. Soundwave made a note to give the mech a cube of high-grade, freeing Ravage from that process.

Gently, Soundwave accessed the entirety of the Decepticon's network; in truth, his own network. Every monitoring optic strewn throughout the various bases heeded his call. First Iacon, what few neutrals that remained were in the streets, now, strewn haphazardly throughout the ruins scrounging for energon and useable metals.

All quiet.

In the stance of every bot, the motions, the lines of every frame spoke of weariness, and wariness.

Waiting for the Decepticons to return.

But burning amidst that grief, horror and fear: hope.

It was faint, soft, a tiny, flickering light; but still it burned.

Soundwave had never gone searching for that little light; he knew full well that whomever felt that hope was likely to be resistance to the Decepticon cause. Soundwave had never gone searching for that little burning flicker of hope, because he couldn't bear the thought of feeling it extinguished.

Until this vorn. The Lady High Protector had been named, and she would be the answer of that hope.

Soundwave was certain of it.

Carefully, he accessed Iacon's data logs, the history logs, every seven orn a required check-in alarm, the redundancy to close the loop-hole. Soundwave promptly compiled the audio bytes from the past sixteen check-ins and rolled his optics.

Clearly, complacency had infected his security details. The animosity between bases solidifying the trend. Even the techs directly under his command across the entirety of the Decepticon territories avoided contact with each other for anything more than the check in minimums.

It had been a rearguard action on his part, apparently. Soundwave patiently ran the statistics. Had he not returned within another fourteen orn, the Decepticon empire would have reached the point that 'empire' would no longer apply. It was already crumbling beneath it's own weight, and due to become naught more than the handful of bickering city-states which had defined Cybertron during Nominus Prime's rule before Sentinel had taken the reigns.

The Lady High Protector needed to be made aware of this. Soundwave added it to the compilation of reports beginning to queue for the next scheduled sub-space transmission to earth.

≠This is Security base Kaon-1 contacting Iacon-1≠

Soundwave glanced at communications as it finally crackled to life. Precisely on time, because if it wasn't, that log automatically went directly to him. Fear made them punctual, if nothing else.

≠Iacon-1 responding, what's your status≠ the decoy responded automatically. Soundwave smirked, voice activated responder, oldest trick on the data.

≠Kaon-1 reports all quiet≠

≠Iacon-1 reports all quiet≠

Lightly, before Kaon cut the transmission, Soundwave activated his own coding within their systems, accessing the feeds of Kaon and solidifying his own 'back door.' An anomalous signal caught his attention, it had elements of his signature, but his logs stated he did not recognize it's presence. Automatically, Soundwave accessed that signal; another set of holoscreens activated in front of him and Soundwave started in horror.

Another base, embedded within the video-feeds of Kaon. In the corner screen a femmeling dressed in her brother's youngling armour hid amidst torn and shattered limbs in the middle of a slag-bride facility.

Outward facing optics showed the electrical fields of Sentinel's bridge forming a short distance away, three fliers flew out to meet the light. Inside the base the femmeling obviously received a comm, immediately going to the security panel.

Soundwave rolled his optics.

The security panel for operating the interior of the base. He didn't blame the little femme, the security panel was of his own design. It was another decoy, however his security panel was in a base obviously under Shockwave's control.

That needed to be rectified.

Soundwave utilized the lines, no-bot noticed his presence following the open subspace of the security feeds as he lightly commandeered the various systems. All systems heeded the command of Soundwave, he'd built them personally.

The alarm immediately needed to be shut off, before it had the chance to rouse the mechs guarding Shockwave's base. Wingnut crowed, evidently believing she'd managed the feat. Soundwave made a note in his logs to properly teach the femme, as well as the Saboteur to properly utilize his alarm systems.

On that note...

::. Soundwave: sees you.:: he murmured through the station Wingnut was standing at.

Wingnut squeaked in alarm, and Soundwave patiently locked the doors leading to the femmes.

Insurance that the Decepticon guards didn't attempt to hide there.

::. Wingnut: must remember to first ensure control panel leads to both exterior and interior security measures.:: Soundwave informed the femme patiently, logging her mechly disguising signature into the system properly and bringing up her holo-screens. ::. Wingnut: Capable of handling boxing in of Decepticons?.:: he asked patiently.

"I... I think so..." Wingnut stated weakly. Soundwave nodded as she began controlling the doors and moved to the rest of the panels, locking his former 'comrades' out of their own systems.

Then, he opened the exterior doors for his Mistress, the Lady High Protector and the fighters that surrounded her. He retreated along the lines, planting a ten orn loop-feed into Kaon's security feeds before he retreated back to his own processors.

His immediate surroundings remained as they had been. Ratbat skittered about Security base Iacon-1, the Wrecker's dome remained as signal-black as always.

Soundwave observed Kaon for a few breem more before he allowed the signal to dissipate; cutting the transmission before any undue signature was liable to be recognized.

(RPOV)

Ratchet did his best to press down his horror, it irritated his mate, but she understood why. Ratchet wasn't fighting 'Cons, this trip. No, on this occasion he was very strictly operating in the capacity of Medic. There were plenty of fighters, fliers and grounders both who were eager to chastise the bots that willingly went along with this abomination.

As First Medical Officer of the Auto-bot forces, Ratchet moved from one femme to the next, scanning them and fighting to not purge at the sheer damage that had been inflicted upon them.

Not simply the bodily harm, their bodies were broken, but functional.

He could fix their bodies.

Primus only knew if the damage to their sparks could be healed. Certainly, many of them would request the ability to go offline, to rejoin their mates.

But for now the femmes were in stasis, the consciousness regressed into the mindspace.

Until he caught scent of a particular circuit.

Then, not even the patient, steady presence of his mate stopped him from staggering into the corner and purging his tanks.

∂Please, is anyone there?∂ a voice whispered.

∂I'm here∂ Ratchet responded instantly, looking up and around. ∂Can you tell me your designation?∂

∂Are you gonna hurt us?∂

∂No,∂ Ratchet began softly. ∂ I am Designated Ratchet-∂

∂The Hatchet!?∂

Ratchet buried his faceplates in his hand for a moment before straightening irritably.

∂I am designated Ratchet of Iacon, First Medical Officer of the Auto-bot cause∂ he stated in his absolute best, grouchy medic tone.

∂Shockwave kept trying to make us think that you're the bad one, but you didn't do this to us. Are you going to hurt me?∂

∂No∂ Ratchet stated patiently, trying to find the femme's voice. ∂No, it is our intention to remove you from this place.∂

A pair of optics onlined, and Ratchet immediately moved to the femme.

∂Good∂ the femme whispered. ∂Designation Nurse Shaderacer, I'd offer you my arm but...∂

Ratchet gently touched the femme's faceplates, offering her an apologetic touch.

∂We're going to get you out of here,∂ Ratchet murmured. ∂The guards are being taken care of, but we need to transport you before I can see to your repairs.∂

∂The Medics always hated it when the Nurses told them what needs to be done.∂ Shaderacer began in hushed, broken tones.

∂I won't take offence∂ Ratchet murmured.

∂Thank Primus, please, he has them in stasis lock, we haven't even heard each other's voices.∂ Shaderacer choked out.

::. Kae!.:: Ratchet called out worriedly.

::. Shockwave has all but a few in stasis, I need a port-.::

::. Kae they have mindspace blockers in place-.::

::. Which means they've been lacking contact of any decent kind for Primus knows how long-.:: his spark-daughter finished for him in tones of tightly controlled rage.

::. Twenty Vorn.:: Shaderacer whispered.

::. The torment of our daughters cannot be allowed to stand!.:: Kae's voice snarled.

::. Kae where are you!?.:: Ratchet demanded.

Silence.