Author's note. A little late but Happy Hogmanay and I wish everyone a good year.

Written by me and annpar2009.

Enjoy and please review.

Back at the Nemesis

Spike was in his playpen again, building a human bridge and in the colour of red. Luckily this morning he felt much better and everything was going smoothly and today's babysitter was Laserbeak since everyone else where too busy to babysit.

"There, it just need it's last pieces and it's done," Spike thought to himself as he looked for more red pieces for his Bridge, sadly there where none so he had to do with yellow.

"What is the time? Everything goes so fast at this age," Spike thought once again, as he tried to find a clock only to see that the room didn't have one.

But his thoughts started to drift to Jazz, he hoped he didn't betray his trust by jumping to Thundercrackrs arms, he had no choice the poor Autobot was too badly hurt and that was the only way for him to survive.

"Thundercracker loves me too much," he thought to himself and what a strange thought that was too. He never would have supposed any Decepticon could care about him that deeply but the blue Seeker did.

If he'd still been human, that would have been great, they could have become friends. But Thundercracker loved the sparkling Ricochet, not the human Spike. And how would he react when Ricochet was gone? He shivered slightly, he didn't like to imagine.

"Are you alright, little one?" Laserbeak questioned, seeing that he looked a little pensive.

"Huh?" he chirped, startled out of his thoughts.

Laserbeak cooed, hopping forward to give him a little nuzzle.

Spike calm down enjoying nuzzle, begin a loved sparkling with the Decepticons was not so bad, then Spike thought to himself. "Would they take care of me until I grows up again?"

It was a strange thought, but they seem to want to keep him away from the Autobots and Jazz must been alone and bored in his cell.

"To bad I can't visit him," Spike mused before getting an idea and took a paper and paint, perhaps if he asked Laserbeak or Thundercracker would allow him to visit Jazz.

The drawing started to build up all tho it was just a head drawing and a bit clumsy painted it was at least clear who it was on the painting, as his hands where sticky with paint, Spike hold up the drawing for Lazerbeak.

"I want to visit him," Spike tried to speak but as usual came out as a "Chip!"

Lazerbeak looked at the drawing and took it by her beak and put it down away from Spike, that awful Autobot had done enough damage and this poor sparkling shouldn't suffer more.

"Don't think of that Autobot little one," says Laserbeak and She took a cube toy and put it in Spike's hands "Here play, I will join you."

Spike looks at the toy in his hands and drops it to the ground, unbelievable she wants him to forget about Jazz and play with his toys to distract him.

"No! I want to see him," said Spike with came with a upset "CHIRP"

Again Spike took a paper and started to draw a cell and in there he tried his best to draw Jazz and then himself with said Autobot. It looked pretty bad if he was honest, but this wasn't about the art, but about his friend because Jazz was here because of the rescue attempt.

Spike held up the new drawing and pointing to Jazz almost demeaning to see him and said "Let me see him."

She stared in disbelief, the little one was very insistent. But it wasn't good for him to see the Autobot, he'd only end up upset. So she just leaned forward and nuzzled him, saying. "Dear, you can't see the Autobot. He tried to take you away from us and he'd try again if he could."

"That's what I was hoping for," Spike thought gloomily as she continued.

"Lord Megatron is probably speaking with him anyway, we can't interrupt him. Now, why don't we play some more?"

"Okay," he sighed, clearly, she wasn't going to relent.

He'd just have to find another way to go and see Jazz.

Getting out of this play pen was easy enough, but how to get away from Laserbeak? She seems to have her optics on him as the curious bird she is doing her job like any babysitter.

"Should I wait for later?" Thought Spike to himself, "I need her to leave the room but how?"

Again he looked down at his toys focused in thought and so frustrated that he took a toy and throw it so far away he could. The toy itself flew up in the air before landing a few feet away from his play pin.

"Bad sparkling, don't throw your toys!" Lazerbeak said before she flew over and pick up the car toy spike threw away.

"She picked it up," Spike thought as he saw he flew back and drop the toy by the other car ones, Again spike looked at his toys and a idea came to his processor. "Perhaps I can do an accident? That way she has to get them all."

He frowned, he wasn't sure if that would work, if Laserbeak just gathered them up one at a time, she would easily spot him exiting. This was very frustrating, why couldn't she be busy with something like Starscream had been? Something needed to really distract her so that she would not be looking at the play pen for quite a long time.

He huffed, holding up a toy, tempted to throw it again.

"Play nicely," Laserbeak cooed and he almost groaned, why did she find him so interesting?

Feeling a little defeated, he started to build a wall as though he could hide himself away. Laserbeak seemed satisfied with this and settled herself down on the top of the play pen to watch over him.

Spike sighed, he was just doing this mechanically, not really paying attention to what he was doing. Funny, he never thought he'd miss Starscream but he certainly did at this moment. He did smile slightly as he recalled the Seeker's reaction to what he did to Megatron's canon, now that had been hilarious. He still couldn't believe he'd gotten away with it, everyone knew he'd done it but believed him to be too young to realise what he'd done was naughty.

A sudden noise made him look up, he'd become lost in thought and wasn't sure how much time had passed but his wall was looking a lot bigger than he remembered. Peeking around it, he saw a Decepticon he didn't really recognise walking by.

"Hey Laserbeak," he greeted. "I need your help with some footage..."

"Very well but whatever it is, will have to be done here," she told him, gesturing towards Spike.

"No problem, that console will do," he stated, going over to it and Laserbeak followed him.

Spike's optics widened, was he finally getting the distraction he needed. Carefully, he hauled himself to his feet, his wall currently hid him from his careful watcher. He glanced around before spying a blanket and dragging it over. If Laserbeak thought he was being too quiet, maybe this blanket would convince her he was having a nap. She would be upset when she discovered what he'd done but he had to do this, he had to see Jazz and make sure he was okay.

Feeling determined, he crept over to a section of the play pen he could climb and began his escape.

Outside his play pen spike looked over again the door, it was open and his babysitter seemed busy. So quietly but fast Spike made his way to the door by hiding be hide objects in the room and before he knew it he was outside in the hall.

"Which way?" Spike thought, he didn't know if he should go left or right, somehow he got a feeling to go left.

Now crawling his way on the hall, he passed by many doors until another corner came and took a right turn, this continued for a bit and all the crawling was exhausting.

"Prisoner fed, check" said a voice and continued. "Now I need to clean the training dock, just great."

Spike moved to the voice location with meant taking a left turn and saw a purple con walk away on the other side taking another way.

"Is this the prison?" Spike questioned, the con did just say he fed the prisoner. "This must be it then."

Crawling in front the door it open automatic and Spike continued his way in, it was a bit dark in here, but all that didn't matter as he saw the white Autobot sitting in his cell drinking his cube.

"Jazz!" Spike squeaked in delight, happy to see his friend well, Jazz almost spit out his energon of the surprise visit.

Coughing furiously, he stared in utter disbelief at the beaming sparkling kneeling before his cell.

"T-taser?" he spluttered, just managing to avoid blurting out 'Spike'.

"Hi Jazz!" Spike greeted although of course it came out as a chirp.

"Little buddy, how did you get here?" he asked, putting aside his cube and coming over to the bars. "This is no place for sparklings."

Spike just beamed up him before looking carefully at the bars. Obviously, far too close together to allow a Mech to pass between them but there might be just enough for him.

"Hey...hey!" Jazz yelped in alarm as Spike went on his front and started wiggling his way through a part between the metal divider of the next cell and the energy bar. "Primus!"

He quickly lunged forward to protect the Sparkling's delicate plating from the corrosive heat of the energy bars and pulled him through, lifting him up into his arms. The cheeky Sparkling just clapped and giggled with pleasure.

"Little menace," Jazz declared but fondly. He took him back to his bench and sat down, cradling the happy Sparkling close.

Cuddling close to Jazz, Spike looked up at him and tried to grab Jazz visor.

"Why do you wear those?" Spike asked and wanted to take them off see his optics. "Come on, what are you hiding?"

"No Taser, not the visor," Jazz tired as he moved one free hand and caught Spike's small arms.

"Am sorry little man, but this face is private," Jazz said and Spike seemed a bit sadden by that.

"I bet you showed Prowl," Spike said a discontented chirp.

"Hey hey, no need to cry," Jazz tired and thought of something to make Spike happy. "How about a story? About ... Primus the life giver and Unicron the destroyer?"

That did it, Spike optics open wide and curious and chirped excitedly over the mention of the story.

"Alright, alright, calm down, now at the beginning there was no Cybertron, Primus had not yet created any of us. Why? Because he was battling Unicron," Jazz started off with the story.

"Unicron disliked Primus even though he was his split spark twin brother, created together but two opposites. We don't know how they came to be but we do know they both travelled the universe together. Both yearned to learn more about the cosmos and what it contained. They witnessed many amazing things together and their knowledge did grow. However, Primus noticed how corrupted his brother was becoming over death and all things that where evil."

"Not only that, Unicron was not just content to observe, he wanted to interfere and cause chaos in different star systems. It gave him enormous pleasure to destroy, to cause death and misery."

"It needed to stop, but Primus alone couldn't defeat Unicron as he was more superior over him"

"Nooo, what did he do? What happened to Primus?" Spike chirped, worried over the story.

"Primus used his intra-dimensional abilities and managed to trap Unicron within a metallic planet-toid. But by doing so Primus sacrificed himself as well in a planet-toid from and became the Cybertron we know today."

"Unicron was still out there, trapped and for how long no one knew and so Primus created the first 13 Primes to battle Unicron in his new from as Primus himself had now become the core of Cybertron and our life giving creator. They fought many incredible battles but eventually, they prevailed."

"Yeh!" Spike cheered happily but sleepily.

"After Unicron was defeated, new Cybertronian's showed up and for many years our people prospered and lived happily together, the end."

Jazz finished his story only to see Spike leaned into his frame and optic's half awake.

"Already sleepy little dude?" Jazz asked and as an answer Spike yawned.

"No," Spike chirped automatically but it came out as more of a sigh.

"I think you are, little bud," Jazz chuckled, adjusting his hold so he could gently rock the little sparkling.

"Don't wanna," Spike complained, he wanted to spend more time with his friend, not sleep. But after all the excitement of escaping from Laserbeak and then relaxing with a story, he was ready for a nap.

"Come on, you'll feel a lot better," Jazz coaxed before starting to hum a soothing tune.

Spike yawned again before cuddling into his temporary guardian as he fell into recharge. Jazz smiled to himself, what a cute sparkling the former human made. But he did wonder how long it would be until the Cons discovered where Spike was, they had to be searching by now.

"Hope you don't get into trouble," he sighed, Sparklings were mischievous and very prone to wandering off but the likes of Megatron might not excuse that. Hopefully, Thundercracker got there first, he clearly would allow no harm to come to his charge.

Back at the Rec-room.

"Thank you for your assistance, got everything I need," The Decepticon said taking his stuff then waved a good bye as he exited the room.

Laserbeak smiled then flew back at the table looking down at the play-pin seeing that the Sparkling have built a wall made of large Lego. But next to the wall she saw a blanket.

"Aww the poor Sparkling, he must gotten tired," she thought to herself before realising it's been hours since Ricochet had his Energon.

Flying over to the shelf she managed to get the Energon for the sparkling, heating it up a bit so it would be warm. Then she flew over with it over the playpen landing close to the sparkling.

"Ricochet, it's time for you Energon," She said and tried to wake him, but when she touched the blanket it felt cold which was strange. Taking off the blanket from where it was she only saw toys under it.

"What!?" she exclaimed in complete shock. How could this be, where was the sparkling?

She frantically searched the rest of the playpen but there was no sign of him. Somehow, he had gotten out, no one could have snuck in and stole him away. Well, perhaps one of her siblings could but they would not do this to her. She flew up high and looked around for any sign of little Ricochet but there was none. She couldn't believe this had happened, how could she have failed in her task?

While she needed to go searching for him, she couldn't do it on her own, he could be anywhere by now. So with a heavy spark, she quickly contacted her creator.

/I've lost the sparkling, he got out of his pen and I've no idea where he's gone/

/Understood/ he said instantly, there was no point in recriminations right now. /I will send out Ravage to look straight away. Where are you going?/

She told him which direction she was planning to take and he confirmed he would send Ravage in another. He himself would make start looking through the security cameras to see there was any sign of Ricochet. Now feeling a little bit less frantic, Laserbeak set off immediately. She just hoped they could find the sparkling before he got hurt or before Thundercracker found out.

Both Ravage and Laserbeak where trying to check every edge and every room they came in their way, it shouldn't take too long to find one sparkling right? But the Nemesis was a large ship of course.

Soundwave opened every camera he could connect with, searching frantically. He didn't see Ricochet anywhere yet, there seemed to be no sparkling at the bridge of the ship nor in showers or in the training deck. Just where could a small Sparkling like Ricochet go? He couldn't go far from the Rec-room.

Looking at the Cameras Soundwave decided to check on rooms close to the rec-rooms location, as new imagines replaced the old nothing of the normal could be seen.

Ravage where running down on the hall as she just checked on a Storage Room and smelled the air and of course there was no Ricochet there, she growled a bit disappointed. But the cassette continued with her search.

Then somehow she picked up a smell, it couldn't be? She smelled the air again and it was, it was Ricochet. Quickly she run after the smell trying to track it down where the Sparkling might be now.

She soon found herself in front the Brig, this couldn't be right, what would Ricochet be here for?

Nevertheless, she entered the room and looked at each cell until her optics fell on Jazz he was sitting, but the Autobot seemed to be half asleep himself, then her optic's shot directly to what he was holding. It Was Ricochet, But how?

/Ravage here, I have located the Sparkling/ she told Soundwave. /He is in the Brig/

/The brig?/ he exclaimed instantly and she wasn't surprised at his shocked tone.

/Yes/ she confirmed and he was immediately looking up the brig cameras and finally pulled up one that gave him a view of Jazz holding the sleeping sparkling.

/Stay there, I will come/ he commanded, getting to his feet and striding out of the room at a fast pace.

She obeyed and squatted down to wait for her creator. The Autobot didn't seem aware of her presence and she wondered just how he had gotten hold of Ricochet? Clearly, he hadn't escaped, grabbed the sparkling and then marched right back to his cell, either he had been given the sparkling, or the sparkling had made his way here. She frowned, the latter was probably more likely but just how had Ricochet managed it?

The cybercat shook her head slightly, he was as sneaky as any cassette this little one.

It wasn't long before Soundwave marched right in and came to a stop at Jazz's cell. In his deep voice, he said. "Autobot!"

"Huh?" Jazz mumbled, jerking awake and staring in confusion at his guests. "Whazzat?"

"Explain yourself," Soundwave commanded, arms folded sternly.

"What...oh," Jazz exclaimed in understanding. "You been looking for this little guy?"

"Correct," Soundwave replied shortly. "How did he come to be here?"

"Well, he crawled his way here," Jazz told him, but Soundwave expression didn't change.

"Don't you Con's record everything that happens on this ship?" Jazz questioned, the blue mech was just quiet.

"Then look at the security feeds and you see," Jazz added, he supposed Soundwave would want Spike back with perhaps was the main reason why he came here.

Getting up slowly as to not wake up Spike, Jazz walked closer to the energy bars and just stood there waiting for Soundwave to turn them off with he did and kept his optic's on the Autobot all times in doing so.

Soundwave took Ricochet carefully from Jazz who went back inside his cell, he knew they wouldn't let him out and running away without Spike wasn't worth it and the energy bars came back online once more.

/Ricochet secure, returning to Rec-room/ Soundwave told Laserbeak and walked his way back to the rec-room himself.

When he entered it seemed the room was empty luckily and so Soundwave put Ricochet back to his play pin and the blanket on top on him, But the Autobot did had a point when it came to the security Cameras and indeed everything was recorded.

"Am here!" Laserbeak said as she rushed in and saw Ricochet sleep in his play pin for real this time.

"Keep a tight watch over him," Soundwave suggested to her with she nodded and found a place where she could see him from above with no problem.

Soundwave on the other hand returned to his post, but this time he watched the recording of Rec-room where Ricochet escaped. To his luck after the Sparkling built his wall it had made a blind Spot, Ricochet couldn't been seen how he escaped his play pen sadly. But he appeared again, crawling his way out from the rec-room when Laserbeak help a solder.

Soundwave followed Ricochet to see he somehow managed to crawl his way to the brig where the camera changed again to another, this one showed how surprised Jazz and walked between the energy bars and Jazz quickly trying to shield the sparkling from the heat.

This was most interesting if anything it showed that Ricochet was quite intelligent sparkling, this could perhaps be a problem if he did outsmart his sparkling-sitter each time like he did with Laserbeak and Starscream.

"Incredible," he murmured to himself. He knew full well how sneaky and determined sparklings could be, his own creations certainly had been but Ricochet seemed to take this to the next level.

He sat back in his chair, pondering. The Autobot hadn't lied, he'd been very surprised to see Ricochet but the Sparkling had been eager to get to him. It seemed the sparkling recognised him as a friend and wished to spend time with him. Thundercracker would not be pleased about that, he'd been furious when his charge had almost been spirited away but it should not be kept from him.

Should he inform Megatron about this development? It would be probably wise to do so, as amusing as Ricochet's mischief with Starscream had been, it wasn't fair for others to get into trouble because of the Sparkling. Not that he thought Ricochet meant any harm, he was just doing things he thought were fun, he wouldn't be able to think about the consequences of his actions. The little one had to be guided carefully as he grew.

Glancing at the screen that showed the Rec Room, he saw that Ricochet was still sleeping soundly. With a little huff of amusement, he saw how closely Laserbeak was watching him, she was probably still in shock she'd lost him. He'd have to console her later about this.

Pressing a button, he said. "Lord Megatron, may I speak with you when you are not busy?"

"Of course Soundwave," Megatron reply and added "In fact, join me right away in the bridge."

"As you wish Lord Megatron."

Walking to the Bridge of the ship didn't take long, if anything it was pretty close. On his way there Starscream could been seen leaving the bridge at the other direction. Never less Soundwave entered as Megatron waited for him.

"Ah, Soundwave" Megatron said pleased "What was it you wished to discuss?"

"Subject: Sparkling Ricochet showed evidence of begin quite intelligent," Soundwave said.

"Hmm, what makes you think the Sparkling is clever?" Megatron questioned, a brow raised.

Soundwave quickly explained what he had witnessed, including the fact Ricochet had built a wall which hid him from view. This was the second time he'd escaped from his play pen and it was highly likely he had been the one to paint Megatron's canon, all without Starscream noticing. The little one clearly knew people he'd previously met and had very eagerly gone straight to Jazz in the brig. Soundwave was cautious about suggesting this had been Ricochet's goal when escaping the play pen but he definitely saw Jazz as someone he wanted to be with.

"Hmm, interesting," Megatron mused thoughtfully. "Do you think the Autobots are aware of this?"

"Unknown," Soundwave replied. "Suggestion: Interrogate Autobot Jazz on this issue?"

The Decepticon leader smirked. "That is not a bad idea. But perhaps we should further investigate this sparkling's level of intelligence. I would be very intrigued to see some firm results."

"As you command lord Megatron," the tape deck said, inclining his head. "I will compose some suitable tests for him. We can disguise them as games, he is too young to follow direct commands."

"Indeed, I leave this in your capable hands Soundwave" Megatron agreed.

Just how clever is this Ricochet? And what future could be given to him with the Decepticon's?

"And Soundwave, do hurry with the Interrogation," Megatron ordered and added. "Optimus want's his first lieutenant back and I have agreed to trade him for energon."

Soundwave nodded. "I will not disappoint you, Lord Megatron."

It shouldn't be too hard to get answers from the Autobot, but he had also to think of a few tests for Ricochet, Perhaps a card game could do? Or shape text where the child need to put the right shape to the place where it fits. There where so many options.

On this way back to his office, Soundwave started making plans for the tests. But this would also mean that he would need Ricochet for the day to run this game. It shouldn't be a problem to ask permission from Thundercracker, the seeker might even get interested in this development.

What creator didn't want to learn that their child was intelligent? Thundercracker was so loving towards Ricochet and would probably want to help his education along. Once they had Ricochet's intelligence level worked out, they could plan accordingly. Soundwave decided to focus on creating some tests that he could present to Thundercracker later.

However, once he had completed the task of creating those tests, he planned to speak to the Autobot. They couldn't keep him for much longer or the Autobots would likely reduce the amount of Energon they were planning to give. Or hang onto a future prisoner for a lot longer than necessary. It was best not to get into that habit, it never served either side well.

:Thundercracker: he said into the comm once he was at his desk.

:Soundwave: came the instant reply. :Is everything alright with Ricochet?:

Of course that would be his first question.

:Affirmative: Soundwave replied, he could explain all that had happened later. :Purpose of call, I wish to meet up later when your shift ends. Some positive discoveries to share with you:

:I see: the seeker replied, sounding intrigued. :I'll comm as soon as I finish, alright?:

:Affirmative: Soundwave agreed. :Ricochet is currently napping:

He heard a chuckle.

:I'm glad to hear it: Thundercracker said fondly. :He's still recovering. I'll see you later:

Soundwave pinged confirmation and then the call was disconnected.

The call went well, Soundwave prepared a few questions for the Autobot and walked his way to the brig. Entering the dark room he could see Jazz sitting on his cell humming a few tunes.

"Hey there" Jazz greeted and added "Did ya miss me?"

"Negative," Soundwave replayed.

"Aww really? Too bad," Jazz eyed Soundwave behind his visor and thought. 'what does he want?'

"Attention: cooperate or suffer for you actions," Soundwave said and added. "Question: has Sparkling shown any trouble at the Ark?"

This would take a while, it would be suspicious if he did ask if Ricochet did act strange with the Autobot's, hopefully Jazz would cooperate or Soundwave would need to step in. There was also the option of reading his mind with would be effective depending how strong Jazz mind is.

"Trouble?" Jazz questioned, cocking his head to one side. He supposed this was about Spike sneaking out to visit him.

"Nah Mech, he was no trouble at all," he said smoothly.

Soundwave narrowed his optics behind his visor before he said.

"No trouble?"

"Like I said," Jazz shrugged. "No trouble, he was a golden little Mech for us."

"Then again," he mused. "We didn't have him too long. Guess something probably would have happened sooner or later. Maybe when he had favourites among the Autobots, he might have snuck off to see them."

"Autobot Jazz, considers himself favourite?" Soundwave asked sternly causing Jazz to grin.

"Maybe," he said teasingly. "If you're worried about the little guy sneaking off, that's what sparklings do, isn't it?"

Soundwave considered him, was the Autobot telling the truth?

"What can you tell me about him?" he now decided to ask.

"He loves story time, eager to get his energon like any other sparkling is and let me see….Ah yes he likes to throw stuff," Jazz explained.

This was very little information to go on, but it did sound like the truth of how the Autobot talked about Ricochet.

"Continue," Soundwave said, really hopping there was more to the sparkling then just this.

"Sorry ma mech, but that is all I know," Jazz reply back and added "I only had him a few times."

Not very true since Jazz did only sparkling sit him one time, but we can't have Soundwave knowing that. But Soundwave still looked at him like a hawk.

"Understandable" the blue mech said, this was most disappointing and not the answers he was hoping for, but at least it was something to understand the sparkling.

Then a call came to him on the Comm, it was Thundercracker. He answered it as he walked away from Jazz to have some privacy.

:Soundwave, I finished my work and will be on my way to your office:

:Affirmative: was all Soundwave said before closing the call, less words as possible the better especially since the Autobot could perhaps hear him speak.

"That all?" Jazz questioned, leaning back against the wall.

Soundwave didn't bother to reply, just turned on his heel and walked out of the brig. It was a shame the Autobot didn't have more useful information but perhaps that was for the best. If they did not know how intelligent the Sparkling was, they could not plan accordingly. Plus, knowing this about Ricochet would have only spurred them more to retrieve him.

Presently teaching his office, he had just enough time to sit down before Thundercracker arrived.

"What is it you wished to talk about?" The Seeker asked immediately.

"Statement: Suspect Sparkling to be highly intelligent," Soundwave informed him without preamble. "There is security footage to back up my theory."

"Really?" Thundercracker said, very interested now.

Soundwave played the clip and the seeker attention went to the screen where he watch little Ricochet build his wall before disappeared from camera view, a few new cameras did catch him on his way to visit Jazz and how he managed to wiggling his way by the energy bars and those are extremely hot. Then happily went to Jazz arms and seemed have a nap.

Thundercracker still stared at the screen even as the clip was finished it was hard to believe that Ricochet went through all of that just to visit a Autobot, it did hurt his feelings a bit. But on the other side he was proud over the little Sparkling.

"This is something, I never heard of a sparkling do anything like this before," Thundercracker admitted trying to think back on the better days, no sparkling did ring a bell of what Ricochet just did.

"Affirmative: Ricochet may endanger himself of this behaviour," Soundwave said and took up the clip on when Spike wiggled himself by those energy bars and paused it there, it was not wise to do something like that.

"I do see your point, but we both know he is a Sparkling, he doesn't know any better," Thundercracker replied.

"Affirmative," Soundwave agreed. To a small sparkling, nearly everything they did was viewed as perfectly fine, it was only when they got older did the Sparkling learn better.

"I'm not suggesting punishing him, he wouldn't understand but he needs extra care and attention. We have a great opportunity to nurture this highly intelligent Sparkling and guide him as he becomes a youngling."

"I understand," Thundercracker said softly, still looking at the now still image of Ricochet. "He seems to have a lot of focus and problem solving abilities."

"I propose some educational tests," Soundwave now suggested. "See what he is capable of. It's possible he becomes bored after a very length of time playing."

"True even Sparklings have a limit to their energy," Thundercracker smiled at the thought of how cute it is when Ricochet get tired after the hole day.

"I suppose you want to run these test soon as possible with i wonder do you want to do it today or tomorrow?" the blue seeker asked.

The trade with the Autobot is supposed to be tomorrow and today the day was almost over but not quite yet, As for Ricochet from what he knew the sparkling was still sleeping.

"Tomorrow morning," Soundwave decided, it would give enough time to the texts and Ricochet would have the energy to do them more efficient.

"Alright, he'll be more active after he's had his energon," Thundercracker agreed. "He might tire during them though."

"Understood," Soundwave assured him. "I will not force him to keep going, he'll be monitored closely. He may require time in-between some tests to play or nap."

He hoped he could make progress tomorrow, Megatron would be very interested to keep a report on Ricochet's intelligence levels.

"Well, now that is decided, does he seem better today?" the seeker wanted to know although he suspected what the answer was.

"Affirmative," Soundwave confirmed.

"Thank Primus, he won't have to suffer this night thankfully," Thundercracker said in relief.

"Risk still a chance," replayed the blue mech.

"I suppose, you wouldn't mind if I picked Ricochet up? He must missed me by now," Thundercracker asked, all day working and finally he can now spend some spike with his sparkling.

This made Soundwave smile behind his mask, the Seeker was so anxious to be reunited with his sparkling. The blue Mech couldn't blame him, it was normal for a creator to miss their little charge. It actually pleased Soundwave to see how much Thundercracker cared for Ricochet.

"You may go to him," Soundwave told his subordinate.

Thundercracker beamed with pleasure before quickly exiting. It was rather nice to see a creator fuss over a sparkling again, a bit of a shame the Autobots didn't have more sparklings with them. He stopped and then chuckled to himself, imagine the chaos all those little ones would bring.

"Thank you Soundwave, I do appreciate this," Thundercracker said as he got up and left, he couldn't wait for the result's wondering how of a great future Ricochet would have with him here at the Decepticons.

Author's note. How will Spike get on with these tests? How is Sparkplug getting on? Find out next time, until then.