A/N: Our apologies for that nasty little cliff-hanger, but what can we say, both Bumbee and I have a viciously dramatic side ;)

A quick and hearty thank you to all of our readers and reviewers! I can't express through words alone how humbled and how grateful we are for such warm and encouraging responses this piece-as well as our other works-have been receiving. Remember, without you, dear readers, all of these would have remained obsessive word files, collecting virtual dust in our computer. So, as always, thank you! These stories are ultimately for you, dear readers, without whom there would be no reason to write.

Enjoy!

~~~Epsilon Pax & Bumbee

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Darkness engulfed him, while an inexplicable crushing weight pushed down upon him.

All too aware that too many of his sensors had been catapulted into disarray, slowly, carefully, Orion on-lined his optics.

Rock.

He was trapped beneath a comparative mountainside of rock.

Tentatively, the events from that morning came back to him: the energon mine, Megatronus roaring a defiant cry against their attackers. Their attackers. They had been attacked, not by any Cybertronians—of that he could be sure—but by the native creatures of this world. He had yet to get a proper glimpse of what Megatronus had called humans, but Orion would not soon forget that these humans had enough firepower to take down nearly the entire cliff, and them with it.

It was in that moment Orion remembered the fall, remembered the other Cybertronians who had tumbled down the cliff face with him—the larger hunter green warrior, the slender blue femme, and the younger yellow bot—all of whom had tried to help him. They would be trapped in the rubble with him, too. Determination surged through his servos, as the need to defend, to protect rose to the forefront of his processors. Wincing as bits of gravel found their way between metal panels and plates, Orion began to dig himself out. The sooner he could get free, the sooner he could reach the Cybertronians who had helped him. Whoever they were—he had never seen them aboard the Nemesis before—they deserved at least that much.

As he dug, pushing aside great boulders that had collected directly over him, Orion tried to reach Megatronus through a comm. line, but when he was met with interference—presumably from the surrounding rock—he tried for Knockout instead; those other Cybertronians might be hurt, might be in need of Knockout's medical expertise.

Whether it was because Orion had already dug himself nearly free, or because Knockout was potentially closer than Megatronus, the Decepticon Medic was quick to answer.

"I'm a little busy here, Boss Bot." Knockout's irritation was clear as he replied, and Orion thought he could distantly hear the sounds of a pitched battle being fought.

"Knockout, there are Cybertronians here who may be in need of your medical expertise."

"Pft, the vehicon's take care of themselves, they don't need me."

The vehicons.

Orion had forgotten about them. Making a mental note to check on the miners as well, Orion once again signaled Knockout.

"Oh what is it, Orion?" Knockout snarled, "Unless you're hurt I really can't—"

"There are Cybertronians who were caught up in the avalanche with me, they're trapped here and need help." This time frustration at the medical officer's unwillingness to help colored Orion's tone, dropping it a full octave. Megatronus had told him that as the second in command, Orion had the authority to pull rank over other Decepticons such as Knockout.

"Other Cybertronians?" This time there was genuine interest in Knockout's tone, though as to why Orion couldn't fathom, "What other Cybertronians? What did they look like?" The Decepticon Medic practically purred into the private channel in unabashed enthusiasm now.

"A larger green mech, a smaller yellow bot and a blue femme, all of the warrior class." He responded simply, again unsure of the importance of such information, that is unless Knockout knew who these unnamed Cybertronians were.

"Ahh, you don't say?" There was a considering pause, which only served to fray Orion's patience further; the Decepticon Medic was up to something, of that he could be sure, and he was tired of whatever game or scheme that Knockout appeared to be cooking up.

Once more Orion worked a commanding bite into his tone, "Knockout! I order you to come to my location at once; there are Cybertronians here in need of aid. That is your priority; understood?"

Still unused to hearing that particular timber through a Decepticon comm. channel, Knockout was quick to respond, "Of course, Herr Commandant. Breakdown and I will be there shortly."

"See that you are."

"A little touchy today aren't we—"

This time it was Orion who cut the communication short, abruptly ending the conversation. Unbeknownst to Orion, on the other side of the plateau, Knockout turned to Breakdown with a feral smirk.

"He's learning quickly," He remarked, "Almost reminds me of dear old 'Screamer."

Not having heard the conversation, but guessing well enough it's origin, Breakdown chuckled, "Who Orion? Remind you of 'Screamer?"

"A little, he cut me off mid-sentence. Nice and demanding and rude, just the way I like my Decepticon Commanders." There was an appreciative grin from Breakdown, which turned vicious as Knockout added, "Oh and our new Commander informed me that none other than Bulkhead, Arcee and Bumblebee are there with him, trapped under the rock slide that MECH was kind enough to trigger."

Transforming his hand into his beloved hammer, Breakdown turned back toward the collapsed cliff that was no small distance away, "Well then, I think we should go help, our Commander."

Yet, scarcely had they made the transition into their terrestrial guise when a comparative roar assaulted their audio receptors through a shared comm. channel, "Knockout! Breakdown! Where in the name of the Allspark do you think you are going!" There was no denying the displeasure that vibrated through that fearsome timber.

Megatron was still engaged with the swarm of MECH helicopters that had seemingly spontaneously appeared and it frustrated the Decepticon Lord to no end that these human insects had managed to construct a force field for each of their crafts, making them more effort to shoot down than Megatron was comfortable admitting. Yet, even embroiled as he was in combat, Megatron still had an excellent view of how his troops were fairing on the ground, and he had been quick to note what appeared to be the retreat of Knockout and Breakdown. With Orion returned to him, Megatron needed to remain even more vigilant of his troops and could not afford for anyone to turn traitorous.

"My Lord Megatron! Orion signaled us, he along with the Autobots are trapped under the rock slide back in the canyon." Knockout was quick to answer, the note of fear in his tone going a long way towards soothing Megatron's formidable temper.

For the first time in many centuries, concern for another being flitted through his circuits; he hadn't tried to save Orion before, he had figured that his long lost companion would have been able to avoid the tumbling fall. That Orion would have become injured or trapped was a possibility he had not calculated for. With deft movements, Megatron fended off a MECH fired missile, flying in amongst the throng of human piloted machines, he expertly clipped the offending helicopter, sending it spiraling to the ground, trailing plumes of smoke and flame. Even as he did so, Megatron desperately tried to contact Orion through their private communication line, yet, just as it had for Orion, Megatron was hailed by only static and interference. That Orion had been able to reach Knockout was pure chance.

Computing quickly, Megatron abruptly drove toward the ground, causing yet another MECH helicopter to collide with another, as he did so he barked to Knockout, "Go to him, quickly. The longer he is with the Autobots, the greater the chance he will regain his memories."

"Of course, Lord Megatron," Knockout returned, "And we'll take care of the Autobots as well."

Megatron's shouted reply of, "NO!" stopped both Knockout and Breakdown in their tracks, yet again, "No! Orion must not witness you attack the Autobots, not after he has tried to help them. No, get Orion away from them first, only after he is back aboard the Nemesis, may you go back for the Autobots."

"You want us to let the Autobots go?" Breakdown was aghast at the prospect of letting his archenemy just walk away.

"You will do as I say, the both of you!"

There was a resounding chorus of, "Yes, Lord Megatron," before Knockout spoke up again, "And after Orion is back aboard the Nemesis? What then?" Knockout couldn't help but prompt.

"Then you may go back for the Autobots," Megatron growled, "and finish them off as quickly and quietly as you can."

"With pleasure, Lord Megatron."

"And Knockout?"

"Yes, Lord Megatron?"

"Do not fail me, or else I will make what I did to that traitorous Starscream look like, as the humans say, child's play."

At his leader's last words, Knockout couldn't help but think about his precious paint job. Grimly he started his engine up again, snarling to Breakdown, "C'mon, we're getting Orion back to the Nemesis if we have to knock him unconscious and drag him there."