As Tobit climbed higher up the rocky wall, he heard the Predacon's roar echo nearby. He glanced down below to check on his grandfather and the Wreckers, Ultra Magnus was commanding WheelJack and Bulkhead to make their stand and fight. The empty Forge of Solus Prime in her servos, WheelJack and Bulkhead transformed their servos into blaster guns. He glanced over at Miko, her thin arms held on tightly to his shoulder pad. Tobit wondered, even though she was a thrill seeker, if she was just as scared as he was.

Finally, he reached the top and saw Ultra Magnus's ship in the distance. He crawled out of the hole and glanced down at the three Wreckers. Ultra Magnus was standing in the center where the beast would see him. WheelJack stood at one side and Bulkhead stood at the other, out of the view of the Predacon.

Tobit stared worriedly at WheelJack, remembering what happened the last time he was forced to leave without his best friend. Tobit didn't know if WheelJack had survived when the last base went down, and he hoped he did. For days, he annoyed his father with constantly asking questions if WheelJack or his carrier were online. He didn't want to leave without knowing if WheelJack was going to be alright.

This time was different. WheelJack was the one telling him to leave, and he wasn't fighting alone against a bunch of Decpeticon Seekers. With that in mind, Tobit knew he should feel a bit more relaxed since WheelJack had good warriors at his side. But at the same time, he was terrified if this would be the last time he would ever see him. That fear was still there for both times.

"Tobit, come on!" Miko shouted, pulling on his smallest servo digit. Tobit looked between her and WheelJack, his disobey part of him begging him to turn back. Then he looked back at Miko, knowing he had to keep her safe. Leaving the young mech conflicted. "Kiddo, listen to me. They'll be fine, all of them, ok? We'll call for help, they'll just have to hold on until then. But we've gotta get to the ship first!"

Tobit stood still for a moment. Then he nodded in agreement, quickly he scooped up Miko and ran to the ship as fast as he could.

Please, Optimus, be home, Tobit prayed in his thoughts.

"Tobit!"

Tobit screamed and felt something ram into him, knocking him and Miko down. Adrenaline shot through his system, his legs kicked and struggled underneath the thing that toppled him.

"Ow! Get off, Decepticon freak!"

"Tobit, don't go!" Finally, Tobit scrambled out and onto his back. He looked ahead of him and a small, familiar silver gray bot sat on his knee pads in front of Tobit.

"Steele?" Tobit wiped his optics, stunned to see the young sparkling. "How did...where did...why..."

"No time!" Mike whispered roughly, pointing to Ultra Magnus's ship as three Decepticons appeared on the ramp.

Tobit gasped and scooped up Miko again, and he and Steele dashed behind a couple of boulders. Once he heard the ramp reach the bottom, Tobit cautiously glanced over the top. Since both mech's were so small, it didn't take much effort to look over the boulders and the Decpeticons wouldn't think to look behind those. At first, he saw two silver and black vehicons and a much larger, metal gray bot glowing a bright, energon blue around the crevass's. With a large servo digit, he pressed the small, white-blue circle in the center of it's chest plate. The bot shrunk into itself like a human removing a metallic fat suit, revealing a much thinner human being on the inside. Only this human being was Starscream. The 'fat suit' shrunk into an oddly shaped device fell into his servo and he placed it on a nearby rock. Sighing, he stretched side to side like he just woke from a deep power down. Then he turned his back, facing the two vehicons.

Tobit slowly lowered down to his knee pads. More than anything, he wished he could be as brave as his creator or as smart as Ultra Magnus. And not the cowering, terrified sparkling wanting to be cuddled by his carrier. He stared at Steele in wide optic horror, his system turned ice cold, and his mouth valve dangled open. Steele wanted to glance over himself and see what was so terrifying. But the more he watched Tobit tremble in terror, he knew it was best he remain still.

Nearby, they heard a loud screetch from the Predacon, blaster fire and sporadic crashing. Steele couldn't tell what the animal like screech was, and he was beginning to wonder why Tobit and Miko were climbing out of a hole without Bulkhead or any of the other Wreckers. And with the treat of Decepticons dangerously close to them, they needed the aid of the grown ups. Vehicons were one thing, Starscream was another. Steele had heard many stories about Starscream and his own reign of terror being similar but also different from Megatron.

Then everything fell silent, and Tobit stared in frozen fear. Images of corpse's flowed through his processor, Starscream and the Predacon would have the bone and Ultra Magnus's ship. Leaving both young mech's and Miko trapped and alone, no way to get ahold of their caretaker's, or a way to get home. He slowly sank all the way down to his hide, his fuel tank boiling hot, his vision became dizzy and fuzzy.

"Tobit, what do we do?" Steele asked in a hush tone, grabbing Tobit's servo. "Can't we help? Isn't there something we can do?"

Growling softly, Tobit's optics shot an angered glare at Steele. An irritated feeling sparked in Tobit's gut. Once again, Steele was asking stupid questions like 'can't we help', trying to be brave.

'You're basically his big brother', Tobit heard WheelJack's voice print in his memory bank. Somehow, the irritation faded and the fear in his spark slowly melted. Somehow, he felt a bit more brave. At least brave enough to think of a plan.

He placed Miko on his shoulder pad, and grasped Steele's servo firmly.

"When I say so, make a run for it." Tobit whispered to Steele. He crawled around the other side of Steele, and brought himself to a knee pad and a landing pad, like a human racing on a track. Starscream still had his back to them, the two Vehicons had their attention on Starscream. And with their sizes, they should be able to sneak around them and get on board without being spotted. He braced himself, making sure Miko was safely on his shoulder pad and Steele's servo was still in his. "Alright kiddo, stick close to me and you'll be just fine."

A loud explosion caught their attention, Tobit looked behind them at the hole watching smoke and dust rise out. He felt Steele's servo squeeze his, helping him focus again. Tobit looked back at Starscream, realizing he was completely distracted.

"Now!" Tobit quickly ran around the boulder and dashed to the ramp with Steele closely behind. A proud smile formed on Steele's mouth valve, his legs ran faster, and his spark buzzed excitedly. He reached behind him, and grabbed Steele's servo ensuring the smaller bot was keeping up. Suddenly, a metal stiletto heel blocked their path. Shouting, Tobit skidded to a halt, causing Steele to bump into him and both of them to fall over each other. Landing on his knee pads, Tobit looked up to see Starscream's ruby red optics staring at both him and Steele.

Tobit and Steele froze like two teenagers caught by a police officer, icey cold fear shot down their backs feeling trapped and scared. Starscream's thick brow arches went up, utter surprise spread across his gray faceplate. The flyer wings on his back came to sharp points like knife blades. He stood with an arm over his knee pad in a casual manner. Tobit watched Starscream's talon-like servo digits, and the red rocket's on both of his arms. He remembered over hearing stories about those talon's and rockets from both Bumblebee and Arcee, and what kind of damage they could do to a bot.

Neither one knew what to do but sit still and await what Starscream was going to do.

"What is this?" Starscream wondered with a menacing voice print, his optics observing the mech's with slight interest. After the exodus, he seriously doubted if he would ever see a sparkling again. "Not one, but two sparklings? On Earth?"

"How can that be?" One Vehicon wondered, then chuckled. "I'd laugh if Arachnid had something to do with this."

"Who cares? They're kids and Megatron doesn't need bratty sparklings running around." The other added in a snide manner.

"Perhaps not." Starscream paused and stood up straight, his porcessor in deep thought. "Maybe Megatron doesn't have a use for such small creatures. But then again, if pushed in the right direction and with the proper training, these sparklings maybe new recruits, or simple tiny decoys to bring the Autobots out of hiding. A simple cry for help would bring out any noble Autobot like Optimus Prime." Starscream studied them, smiling at the fear on their faceplates. He walked over to the ramp and pressed a button. Trembling, Tobit and Steele watched ramp slowly ascend, and Starscream's lips formed a dark, sinister grin. "And even better, I don't see a sigil on either one of them, which can easily be fixed."

No way! Steele screamed in his thoughts.

"RUN!" Somehow finding courage, Steele shot up and shoved Tobit.

Running as fast as they could, Steele and Tobit ran up to the ramp, dodging Starscream's sharp servos. Suddenly, Miko jumped off Tobit's shoulder pad and landed hard on the device Starscream left on a boulder. With a growl of agitation, Starscream turned his attention to Miko. When Tobit looked back at her, the device grew around her, nearly entombing her like it did with Starscream. To both his and Starscream's surprise, Miko fitted perfectly into the suit and stood tall and ready for battle.

"Come on!" Steele shoved a stunned Tobit to the ramp. "Jump!"

Both mech's climbed onto a nearby boulder and jumped up. Their servos grasped the edge of the ramp, they hoisted their husk's onto the ramp and scrambled to the center. Tobit glanced up just as the two Vehicons approached. One of them was much closer to an oblivious and exhausted Steele, a dark claw reached out to him. Tobit felt the sudden burst of adrenaline and bravery shoot through his system again. Before he knew it, his legs moved and he put himself between Steele and the Vehicon.

"Leave my brother alone!" Tobit shouted bravely.

The Vehicon chuckled at Tobit's valor. Raising his other servo, he began to reach for both mech's. Tobit's processor scrambled, thinking of an escape, somehow get away from the Vehicon. He knew running would only prolong their abduction, but they also didn't have a chance at fighting. Suddenly, he leaped onto the tip of his landing pads, and his mouth valve digits bit down onto the claw. The Vehicon screamed in pain, struggling to pull Tobit off. Tobit shut his optics, focusing on the metallic taste while allowing the Vehicon to punch him. Tobit countered the punches by biting down harder. His system cringed at the disgusting taste of a warm, liquid substance filled his mouth valve. But he refused to budge. The ramp came to a sudden stop, and the Vehicon's scream's escalated to begging the other one to help. Then Tobit felt servos grab his waist and pulled Tobit in the opposite direction of the Vehicon. After much tugging, pulling and screaming, Tobit was hauled away from the Vehicon. The Vehicon screamed much louder in agony as his servo digit separated from the rest of his servo. Tobit and Steele fell backwards, the servo digit still in Tobit's mouth valve.

"Poo-ah! Eew!" Tobit exclaimed, spitting out the servo digit.

The ramp reached the top of the ship and came to a stop, everything became quite except for the hum's of the machine's on the ship. Both sat in wide optic disbelief. Not only because they somehow made it to the ship, but that Tobit faced off, in a way, against a Decepticon. His shaky servo's touched his burning, sore faceplate, sobs gradually escaped his voice box, and lubricants poured from his optics. Every now and then, he would hiss as the lubricants stung the open wounds on his faceplate.

Then, a pair of small arms wrapped around him and his chin piece rested on a shoulder pad. In a way, Tobit felt ashamed for his tears. Steele comforting him, acting like the older brother allowing him to cry on his shoulder pad. Tobit didn't want to be the one who needed comforting, he wanted to prove that he was just as brave a his creator and fearless like WheelJack. But his fear was much overwhelming.

"Is this what our dad's deal with, Tobit?" Steele whispered, then he heard Tobit chuckle slightly. He gently pulled Tobit away, and looked at him with a baffled expression. "What's so funny?"

"You are so annoying. Why do you always have to ask questions? Ever heard of just shutting up and listening?" Tobit chuckled poking Steele's faceplate. His chuckles escalating into heavy laughter. "You know, this whole thing is just annoying! In fact, what the slag are we even doing here, man!? We're kids, and what are we doing?! Not playing video games, watching tv, or playing any games with my siblings. OH NO! We are trapped on Ultra Magnus's ship surrounded by Decepticons! Did I forget to mention we were facing against Decpeticons! Not just any Decpeticons, Starscream! THE STARSCREAM! WHAT WERE WE THINKING!? OW!" He shouted when Steele slapped him. "Thanks, needed that. But on an open wound? That's just cruel, bro."

"Sorry, bro." Steele smirked, which faded away as quickly as it came when a loud buzz filled the room.

Ultra Magnus? Dad, you there? I can't find Tobit anywhere on base-

"MOM!" Tobit screamed, climbing onto the chair and stopped short. His optics stared in bewilderment at the vast buttons and nob's on the control panel. "THE SLAG IS THIS!?"

Hello? Dad? Jackie? Bulk? Anybot there? I'm seriously trying to find my son.

"Mom, can you hear me!? Steele, tell me you know how to work this thing?" Tobit begged, looking down at Steele with hope. Which quickly faded when Steele shook his head.

I guess you're still out, I'll call back in a bit ok?

"NO, NOT OK!" Tobit screamed loudly, pressing nearly every button he could desperately. "Don't hang up or whatever it is you do on this thing! Mom! It's me, Tobit! I'm here! Help us!"

"Tobit don't!" Steele shouted, wrapping his arms around Tobit's, then both mech's fell off the chair.

"Scrap!" Tobit screamed, listening to the loud buzz came to a sudden stop, silence filled the room again. His spark sank like a rock, panic and fear shot through his husk.

"I'm sorry, brother." Steele apologized, uncertain if he should refer to Tobit as a brother yet. "But if you hit the wrong button, we could be in bigger trouble with Ultra Magnus."

Ultra Magnus.

I'm related to you, and the youngest of the Stinger clan.

"We're going to fight."

"What?!"Steele asked, his optics wide in heavy disbelief. Tobit asked himself the same question in his thoughts, he had no idea why he said that or where that notion came from. Now he couldn't take it back. Taking a deep breath, he managed to stand on his wobbly legs and stuck his chest out. He glanced around the ship, seeing the armory was open and, at least they appeared to be, fueled and ready for battle. He heard Miko and the Predaking facing off outside the ship, which added to his shaky nerves. But he still stuck to his words.

"Come on!" His voice box cracked. Realizing what he did, he cleared his pipes and continued. "I'm the grandsparkling of Ultra Magnus, and the son of Bumblebee. We can survive anything!"

"Please don't jinx it." Steele begged.

"Besides, we're here on a loaded ship and that doesn't make you feel brave?"

"If I knew how to operate any weapon, I would."

"Um, here!" Tobit ran over and jumped up, climbing up onto the armory and grabbed a near by blaster. "I'll show you how to use this one!"

"How do you know?" Steele asked, raising a brow arch at Tobit.

"That's a secret." Tobit whispered with a sneaky wink. "Which I'll tell you if you help me."

"B-b-but I-" Steele stammered, backing up into the wall.

"Look," Tobit jumped up and landed with a loud thud on the ground. He grinded his mouth valve digits together, hoping Steele didn't see him cringing in pain. "I took on that weird looking Decepticon just fine, right?"

"You call that fine!?"

"Again with the questions!" Tobit grumbled. Sighing, he walked over to Steele and knelt down. Playfully, he punched Steele's arm which got his attention. "Look kid, point is, do you trust me?"

Steele studied Tobit's expression. Never had he seen Tobit act so brave, like a bold leader. His words somehow settled in Steele's spark, making him feel a bit more courageous than before. "Yes, I guess."

"Then suit up!"

Tobit smiled proudly and held out a servo to Steele. "Remember, bro? Wrecker's don't call for back up!" Steele grasped Tobit's servo, and Tobit yanked him up onto his landing pads. "They call for clean up!"

Boy, Gramps is going to kill me, he thought to himself.