A Little Side Intervention

AN: THANK YOU ALEXLUKE for your continued support and feedback!

AN2: After some serious, let's have some fun again. Can Sideswipe ever stay out of trouble? ;) No wonder we love him so!

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Wheeljack hummed softly to himself, singing in his lab. He had several projects he was working on, and several others awaiting parts. Pieces left over from other projects were being thrown together to see what kind of chaos they could cause.

Ratchet called Wheeljack over comms, ordering him to get his can to the rec room to refuel before he slipped into stasis again. Wheeljack offered a sheepish answer, putting away his tools and exiting his lab with a whistling step. He was glad Ratchet served as an alarm for when his systems were running low.

Primus only knows he learned how to reroute his alarms years ago so they no longer functioned. And a few were fried due to accidental explosions.

Sideswipe waited until the coast was clear and crept down the hall. He made sure to stay out of the line of sight of Red Alert's security cameras, though two of them had been shorted out from a recent explosion. Hurriedly, Sideswipe slipped into Wheeljack's lab.

Wheeljack's lab was notoriously unkempt, and it was difficult to discern anything of value. Except to an ornery Lamborghini.

Sideswipe scanned the room, looking for something to play with, but everything seemed partially built, or potentially unsafe, due to frayed wires and corroded circuits.

A new device sat on the table, innocently beckoning the Lambo to it. Sideswipe sidled up, eyeing the jumbled collection of parts. It looked like any other of Wheeljack's projects.

Unfinished. Disarrayed.

Possibly dangerous.

One could never tell when something was going to explode.

Some didn't even need an off and on switch to detonate.

Sideswipe stared long and hard at the unfinished project. Something felt... off. Like something was missing. After several long minutes he smirked, realizing what was wrong.

There weren't enough red wires leading from the grey box to the circuit board that served as the controls.

Sideswipe needed to fix such an oversight.

He located a few frayed wires from a box, and with precision learned from watching Ratchet work over the eons, he grafted the new lines into place. There were only three, but what harm could three wires do? Certainly there needed to be more, but Sideswipe was running out of time. He had been in Wheeljack's lab now for nearly an hour.

Time to make a discreet exit.

He noted where all the objects of interest were located, every intention of revisiting the workshop and tinkering with Wheeljack's experiments. The inventor needed all the help he could get.

Plus, Sideswipe enjoyed it.

Half of Wheeljack's projects didn't explode because of Sideswipe's interventions. Honestly, for such a smart mech, Wheeljack's calculations left a lot to be desired. Sideswipe sometimes wondered if Wheeljack was a sadist, enjoying the casual infliction of pain on himself by blowing something off. He seemed to enjoy self-harming, and rivaled Sideswipe in such tallies.

Mischief done for the time being, Sideswipe sneaked out of the lab. He tiptoed to the opposite corridor and pretended to be coming from anther direction.

He was causal. Smooth.

Definitely a seasoned pro at evasion.

Maybe he should take Jazz up on his espionage offer? Who knows. Could be fun.

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It was three days before Sideswipe would sneak into Wheeljack's lab again. The inventor was currently recovering in the med bay from trying to sup up his own engine and accidentally fired himself into the bulkhead. Wheeljack learned that he was not built for supersonic speeds and lacked the ability to steer his direction.

The bulkhead still bore the mech's helm prints.

Sideswipe thought the impression looked like an "A" with wings on either side. So that meant Sideswipe was free to enjoy the laboratory, unhindered by dull things, like rules, restrictions, limited time, Wheeljack's interruptions, Red Alert's announcements, and Prowl's inevitable punishment.

Now, Sideswipe was left free.

And he had a lot of work to do.

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Several hours later, Sideswipe felt a pull along his spark. He stopped what he was doing and opened a comm. to his twin. 'Whats wrong?'

'You're unusually quiet. Thought you terminated,' Sunstreaker replied 'What are you up to?'

'Just some tinkering in Wheeljack's lab.'

'Again? Didn't you learn the last time?' Sunstreaker sounded annoyed. Course, he was always annoyed when conversing with his brother.

Sideswipe was a carrier of annoyance. He was the Typhoid Mary-Mech of idiocy and agitation.

'Wheeljack got some calculations wrong. I'm fixing them,' he said, returning to work. He had tinkered with eight prototypes, and there were still a few more parts left to rearrange. He was having a blast with these latest projects.

So to speak.

'Well, try not to have too much fun. You'll ruin my concentration and I have a showing in two weeks.'

'Will do,' Sideswipe said cheerfully. He smirked at Sunstreaker's disgruntled noise before ending the comms.

Sideswipe continued to work throughout the day and into the night. Sluggishly, he plodded to bed, waking up early and sneaking back into the lab.

Perhaps being in the lab changed his disposition? He was feeling rather giddy. Strong. Accomplished. Like he was on a creative roll and nothing could go wrong. Had one asked, he would have stated he was invincible.

Then the base alert went off for a Decepticon attack. Sideswipe didn't bother hiding his tracks as he escaped the lab and shot down the hall toward the entrance to the ARK. He was ready to tear the Cons new aft plates. Mostly because he was struggling to get a device to work, and it had been vexing him all morning. He knew the answer was close. He only needed time to think.

But this skirmish was going to distract from that. Inconsiderate Cons.

"Ready to roll?" Sunstreaker asked his twin when Sideswipe gained the entrance to the ARK.

"Aren't I always?" Sideswipe smirked before transforming and leading the convoy.

By the time the Autobots made it to their destination, there was only search and rescue to perform. The Cons had hit an armed forces base hard and fast, taking out all of their aerial support and making off with a few jets.

"Probably needed the parts,' Sideswipe said, a part of him feeling sorry for the Cons who had to scavenge for parts.

But the Autobots didn't fair much better, relying on the generosity of a human government to allot them parts for their survival. One would think with the billions spent in foreign aid, the Cybertronians would qualify.

Apparently, since they were there on the continent before the first humans, their claim on any soil was voided. Sunstreaker often said the Autobots should play cowboys and Indians, the Cybertronians acting as cowboys.

It was mere amusing conjecture until Sideswipe took it upon himself to smear war paint all over his chassis and attempt to scalp mechs. His battle cry scared many mechs into fleeing the opposite direction, including Prime.

Sunstreaker thought the situation was hilarious until he realized his brother had used all his paint. Then it was Sideswipe who was scalped.

And hobbled to medbay with a piece of his helm protruding from between his aft plates.

That was a very uncomfortable day. For Sideswipe and Ratchet, who had to extract the piece.

It took all day to clean up the airfield. There were scorch marks from laser fire, burns from thrusters, and mech-sized palm prints everywhere. A couple of buildings had holes punched through them. The black paint meant Skywarp had exercised his agitation by punching the human building.

It was dusk when the bots returned to base. Prowl greeted them with his usual air of indifference.

"Sunstreaker, your monitor duty started half an hour ago."

"I've been clearing rubble all day," Sunstreaker snarled, transforming and hovering inches from the Praxian's olfactory sensor.

Prowl was unperturbed. "Then I suggest you grab a cube and assume a seated position for the next six hours. Surely your optics are still functioning at top efficiency."

Sunstreaker narrowed his gaze. "You're an aft."

"Noted," Prowl said, adding the nickname to the growing list. He knew Sunstreaker had lounged around until he was called out to the front lines. He may have helped in the clean up efforts, but he was still capable of performing monitor duty.

Sideswipe trudged by without Prowl having to order him to the other monitoring station. The twins always took the shift together. Prowl gathered that Sideswipe's meek nature meant he was already in trouble with his brother. Sideswipe would spend the monitor time buffing and cleaning his brother, trying to get back into his good graces.

Sunstreaker hated to be dirty. The way to his good side was through his shine.

As expected, both twins were negligent in monitor duty, concentrating on Sunstreaker's finish more than the screens. Since the Cons just performed a raid, the odds of them attempting another one were astronomically slim.

Dawn found both twins traipsing back to their quarters and falling heavily into charge, Sideswipe occasionally snickering in his sleep.

The next day, Wheeljack was released and immediately went into his lab. Five minutes later, he called Sideswipe to join him. Sideswipe acted like he was going to the executioner. He lowered his helm and marched to his termination. He knew Wheeljack had been informed by Red Alert when he had raced out of the lab for the Con incursion the day before. He had been waiting for such a call.

As he guessed, Wheeljack was standing at his main workstation, his hands on hips, optics observing the device that was sitting on its surface.

"Sideswipe, do you have engineering training?" Wheeljack asked without preamble.

"No. Why?" Sideswipe had already plotted a quick exit, in case Wheeljack wanted to throw something at him for fiddling in his lab.

"Because the changes you made have been remarkable." Wheeljack looked up, his helm fins flashing a rainbow of colors with happiness.

"Really?" Sideswipe was skeptical. He didn't want to be lured into a false sense of security, only to have the mech wail on him when he was within striking distance. Ratchet tried that tactic a few times. Sideswipe was now wary of such deceit.

"Yes. I don't give false praise." Wheeljack looked mildly amused.

"So, what's the big deal?" Sideswipe asked, coming to stand next to the engineer. "If you're not going to hit me, what do you want?"

"I would like your input," Wheeljack said, then gestured to the device on the table. "I had been working on that for two months. And yet, you have it nearly completed within a few days."

"Yeah?" Sideswipe asked slowly.

Wheeljack knew he had been tinkering with the device? Slag!

"How do you determine where a wire or circuit goes?" Wheeljack asked, genuinely curious.

Sideswipe shrugged. "Don't really know. Just think it looks... asymmetrical, and try to balance it out."

"Symmetry," Wheeljack muttered. "Interesting." He nodded to the collection of wires that had not been there when he had left it. "But why these particular colors and patterns?"

"Variety?" Sideswipe hazard. "I don't know. I think something needs a little... color and add whatever seems missing. Isn't that how you do it?"

Wheeljack didn't rise to the jibe. He took it in stride. He always took it in stride. It was difficult to get him riled up. He was harder to piss off than Prowl. Well, Prowl was developing a shorter fuse. Wheeljack? Probably was sitting on the fuse and oblivious to potential dangers.

"What did you do to this device?" Wheeljack asked, pointing to a machine that had eluded him for several months.

"Added a couple wires, maybe a circuit board or two." Sideswipe offered a one sided shrug. "Is it finished?"

"I don't think so," Wheeljack muttered, rubbing his chin in thought. "It will need to be tested."

Sideswipe pointed to the blast door. "Pick one of the guys to practice on. A minibot. Don't try it with me in here."

Wheeljack frowned, though it was hard to tell because of the bright red lights along his helm fins. "I wouldn't test it on anyone until I'm certain it's safe."

Sideswipe stared incredulously at the engineer.

"Do you even hear yourself?"

Wheeljack looked unconvinced.

"You've self harmed more than myself due to 'laboratory accidents.' You can't tell me you experiment by a code or set of rules. You usually just flip the switch and watch the pyrotechnics." Sideswipe gave Wheeljack a tender, adoring look. "I've always admired that about you."

Wheeljack chucked. "Yea, well sometimes I miscalculate, or something doesn't mix well, but that doesn't mean I ignore all safety parameters."

"Really?"

"There have been several things I wanted to turn on, but I've avoided them because you've been sneaking in to my lab to fiddle with them." Wheeljack gave a flash of green and blue, his usual colors of happiness. "So I haven't bothered anything so you could work."

"Wait. You knew I was coming in here?" Sideswipe narrowed his optics. He had been very careful in his sneaking. He wouldn't be a good prankster if he didn't know how to cover his tracks.

"I know the location of every nut and bolt in this lab," Wheeljack said, flashing an orange and yellow mosaic. He was being serious.

"How?" Sideswipe asked. He looked around at the assorted junk, not finding any order to the chaos.

"I have my system," Wheeljack insisted.

"So, when do we get to try out the new 'lock up' device?"

"Lock up?" Wheeljack asked slowly.

"Well, you already had something called the Immobilizer," Sideswipe argued. "I think this one should lock people up. You know, make them freeze."

"A freeze ray," Wheeljack muttered.

"That sounds like something from a human science fiction show." Sideswipe crossed his arms over his chassis, pouting. "That ruins it."

"And the 'Lock Up' sounds better?" Wheeljack countered.

"Fair enough," Sideswipe waved a servo. "When do we test?"

"I run a one hundred point inspection on it and then I place it in the blast zone and aim it at something non-sentient."

Sideswipe snorted. "Non-sentient? Cons?"

"Of course not!" Wheeljack look scandalized. Oh, he was fun to rile up.

"Alright," Sideswipe digressed. "We'll use a minibot."

"Absolutely out of the question," Wheeljack scolded, going so far as to shake his finger at the red Lambo. Sideswipe thought it was endearing. "I find appliances that suit my needs."

"Is that why you had a waffle iron stuck to you aft plates that one time?" Sideswipe asked.

Wheeljack sputtered, his helm fins flashing colors so fast they made Sideswipe dizzy. "That… was an accident."

"It always is," Sideswipe rolled his optics. He was a little suspicious as to why Wheeljack looked suddenly embarrassed.

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The next day, Wheeljack commed Sideswipe to let him know he was ready to begin testing. The two stood behind a double insulated blast shield, Sideswipe now feeling very nervous and anxious. Wheeljack used a remote to trigger the device they concocted together.

It hummed, a ray of yellow light shooting out from its miniature dish and striking a toaster oven that had been baking a potato. The machine dinged, multicolored sparks erupted, and the door flew off. Wheeljack cut power and hurried to the toaster, inspecting it for damage.

Sideswipe stood staring at the little device, not sure if he should be proud of his contribution or disappointed the thing didn't blow up.

"Promising," Wheeljack said, more to himself than his lab partner. "I have a blender that's scrapped. Let's see what it does to it."

Sideswipe grinned and scampered back behind the partition. He waited eagerly for Wheeljack to set up the next experiment. The blender emitted a few sparks from the electric ray, but didn't fully perform a pyrotechnical display like with the toaster oven.

Wheeljack inspected it, finding no burns or defects other than what they started out with. He loved that blender. It had taken quite the proverbial beating.

"Ready for mech testing?" Sideswipe asked eagerly.

"No, not for some time," Wheeljack said, delighted with Sideswipe's exuberance.

Sideswipe assisted with exposing the new immobilizing device to several objects, including some organic materials. The citrus and steak showed no outward sign of response to the beam, but Wheeljack noted there was some slight discoloration in the nectar, like being frozen and then thawed.

The lawn mower, sacrificial computer gifted by Chip when he upgraded to a newer model, and a leaf blower were all quieted by the new beam. Though the leaf blower worked in reverse when turned back on.

Wheeljack had a polishing rag sucked up into the long tube, where it got stuck in the motor and overheated, catching fire and scorching the scientist's hands. Sideswipe was able to extinguish the fire, seeing how Wheeljack had brought it for such emergencies.

Hit with sudden inspiration, Sideswipe waited until Wheeljack was spraying a disinfectant on his burnt hands before he placed the half full fire extinguisher in place. He took a few steps away and activated the beam, which shot out, struck the extinguisher, and exploded the release valve at top.

The extinguisher imitated a torpedo, shooting across the room, bounced off a table, ricocheted off the wall, bounced on the floor, before angled off and striking Sideswipe upside the helm. He fell unconscious to the floor, a triumphant look still etched on his face.

Sideswipe awoke some time later to hear Wheeljack humming as he adjusted the device with a screwdriver.

"How long was I out?" he asked, rising to his pedes.

"About an hour or so," Wheeljack answered without looking at the red Lambo. "I think this will just about do it."

"Really?" Sideswipe asked, rubbing his helm where the fire extinguisher had struck. He had a sizeable dent.

There were a collection of items sitting off to the side that apparently Wheeljack had already tested. A ticking clock, a black boombox that resembled Blaster, a timer, and a blow dryer were placed in the path of the beam. Wheeljack motioned for Sideswipe to follow him, which the Lambo did with a slight stagger, and the beam fell across the electric devices, rendering them silent and still.

Sideswipe hooted and high fived the engineer

"I'll have some more stuff to test by the end of the week," Wheeljack said, knowing he could get some drones from Ironhide, and maybe Ratchet could donate a few medical scanners. Wheeljack had already proven the device immobilized anything electronic. The effects lasted fifteen to twenty minutes without any residual side effects.

"Time for fuel and relaxation for a job well done today," Wheeljack said, motioning toward the door. He escorted Sideswipe out of his lab and locked the door behind him before turning down the hall toward the rec room. "I'll see if I can get a few cars to practice on, too."

"Cool,' Sideswipe grinned, his giddiness flooding the bond and making Sunstreaker retaliate with a pang of annoyance.

Unfortunately, Sideswipe was unable to stand the tension. Long after everyone returned to their quarters to charge, Sideswipe was found hacking the lock and slipped inside, giving the new device a cynical look.

Surely he could give it a little tweak and extend its paralyzing properties?

Fifteen minutes wasn't nearly enough time. An hour would be better. It just needed a slight adjustment…..

Sadly, one little tweak turned in two, then three, then six, and Sideswipe lost count with the number of adjustments he made. When he exited an hour later, he was mighty pleased with himself and sure the device was in perfect, functioning order.

He couldn't wait to try it out.

Early the next day, Sideswipe returned to the lab. Wheeljack was seen being berated by Ratchetin the rec room, so Sideswipe was free to come and go unhindered. He picked up the device and headed toward the entrance to the Ark, where several of the Autobots were waiting to spend the day leisurely driving around the countryside.

"Hey Sides, what do you have there?" Bumblebee asked when the red Lambo came into view.

"Just a little something that needs a good test subject," Sideswipe said with a smile that meant no good.

Several bots shifted, their tanks falling with the realization of what Sideswipe had planned. Bumblebee was clueless and only smiled pleasantly at the sports car.

"You want to come with us? We're going to log about five hundred miles today. It's going to be great exercise."

"No thanks," Sideswipe said, his grin getting broader. He motioned toward the open road. "I suggest you lot get a move on." He hefted the device in his hands and aimed it in their direction. "And try to make it hard to target you."

"You can't be serious," Tracks said, looking warily at the device. If Sideswipe and Wheeljack had anything to do with it, there was a chance it was going to end badly… for someone.

Sideswipe adjusted a knob on the side and started a countdown. "Ten…nine…"

Every bot at the entrance transformed and raced toward the highway. Sideswipe laughed, wondering why they even tried. The only one who would be a challenge to his engine would be Tracks, and that was because he had an augmented intake.

Sideswipe transformed, the device landing perfectly in his seat, and took off after the others. When he neared the first bot, Bumblebee, he swerved around the Volkswagen and transformed, performing a beautiful elegant maneuver that had him spinning, hitting Bumblebee with the beam before dropping back down into his guise.

Bumblebee emitted a choking noise and stalled, his engine cutting out, his spark doing strange little flips. He rolled to the side of the road, incapable of conscious movement.

Sideswipe cackled evilly, chasing after the handful of bots, each one getting zapped and rolling to the side of the road, where they griped in their native language. Tracks was a little harder to catch, and when he took refuge in the city, Sideswipe followed him in without hesitation.

Tracks was able to gain some distance, thanks to convenient red lights. Sideswipe transformed, earning several startled beeps of car horns and screams from motorists, as he stepped over the cross traffic and pointed the device at Tracks.

In a panic Tracks turned off just in time, the beam narrowly missing his trunk to strike a hot dog stand. Hot dogs exploded out of the vendor's cart, the umbrella shooting upward like from a high wind. The customers yelled and shook their fists at the giant alien who snickered and ran down the street, still after his target.

Little did Sideswipe know there was a police officer nearby who had witnessed the incident. He radioed into dispatch and got the direct line to the Autobot base, where he was informed it was a training exercise and Prowl apologized for any inconvenience.

Meanwhile, Prowl was preparing Sideswipe's usual cell.

Sideswipe tiptoed down the street, looking for his prey. A blur of blue in an alley caught his attention, and whirling around, Sideswipe fired.

Tracks was partially transformed and landed in a heap, his planned assault ruined by the dumpster he had kicked that alerted to his presence. He lay flat on his back, transforming and falling strutless on the cracked pavement.

Sideswipe smirked and transformed, redirecting his attention back to base, where there was a Praxian he wanted to zap before he was inevitably incarcerated. Sideswipe was almost to the base when his comms erupted with Prowl's voice.

"Deceptions at the Allton power plant," Prowl barked. "Humans report extensive damage, possible casualties."

Sideswipe gained the entrance to the Ark and found Prowl running out, followed by Smokescreen, Bluestreak, Ironhide, Ratchet, Jazz, and Sunstreaker. Prime was standing at the entrance, frowning at the ensemble.

"Where are the rest of the Autobots?" Prime asked, totally oblivious to Sideswipe's latest scheme.

"Probably busy," Sideswipe said evasively, Prowl shooting him a dangerous glare. Sideswipe had some explaining to do when they got back.

Prime sighed in resignation and transformed, the others following suit. The twins took point, as always. A mile down the road they encountered Bumblebee.

"What's going on?" Bumblebee asked, his engine finally turning over and allowing him to pull alongside the convoy.

"Cons," Prime stated, driving past.

Prowl sent a databurst to the Volkswagen, and with obvious lethargy, Bumblebee joined his comrades. Ratchet and Smokescreen took up the rear and both noted the little Beetle was humming.

"Is there a reason why you are humming?" Smokescreen asked.

He thought it strange the normally docile mech was apparently humming a tune as they rolled to battle.

"Sideswipe's doing," Bumblebee reported, his engine struggling to keep up. He was having a hard time shaking off the beams effects. "He hit me with a beam thing and it knocked me out for a few minutes."

"He what?" Ratchet yelled.

Sideswipe was at the lead of the convoy and winced, knowing the tone of that particular exclamation from the medic. Oh, he was going to get it when they got back to base! He may survive the Cons, but Ratchet may do him in.

Maybe he could put some of the blame on Wheeljack as well? Spread the pain. And Ratchet's temper.

Cliffjumper joined the group, his engine ticking along like a bomb. Ratchet ran a scan over both minibots and found that their timing was off. He'd have to recalibrate them… after he dismantled a Lamborghini.

The power plant was one mile out of the city. By the time the bots arrived, it was as they feared. The Decepticons had trashed the place, making it resemble the twins' quarters.

"Prime!" Megatron called with a sneer. "I wouldn't come any closer if I were you."

Prime transformed, followed by the others. Bumblebee wobbled and hiccupped, sounding like a sparkling. Several of the Cons arched their brow ridges at the noise.

"And why would I do that, Megatron?"

Megatron gestured toward Soundwave's cassettes. Rumble and Frenzy held a human in their arms. Ravage growled at three humans pressed against a wall. Buzzsaw and Lazerbeak each held a human in their talons, high above the battlefield.

"If you don't want human causalities on your processor, I suggest you drop to your knees and bow before me," Megatron sneered.

"Ego much?" Sideswipe quipped, his new toy held in his hands. He had a mischievous smirk on his face. He waited until Megatron's gaze was on him before waggling his brow.

Megatron scowled, not liking the idea the infamous prankster was giving him a look that made his plating crawl. Bad things happened with that look.

"I have your word you will let the humans go if I comply?" Prime asked, prepared to do whatever was necessary to ensure there were no human casualties.

Starscream exited from the main warehouse carrying a stack of energon cubes. He sneered over the glowing surface before depositing his burden in Astrotrain. Skywarp and Thundercracker followed, putting more cubes in the awaiting transport.

The command trine used the moment to gloat over their enemies.

"You Autobots are so predictable," Starscream taunted. "Willing to degrade yourselves for the filthy humans."

Skywarp snickered, knocking his wings against Thundercracker, who offered a smirk before going back into the building to retrieve more cubes. The Constructicons were nearby, loading up Long Haul, their optics wary in case they needed to form Devastator upon command.

By the way the Autobots were remaining at a distance, they may not have to empty their considerable haul. Since Megatron held captives, their brute strength wasn't needed. When Long Haul was filled, he took off, leaving his comrades to go fill their subspace pockets with what they could carry before forced into the inevitable retreat.

The Coneheads exited the building, depositing their armloads into Astrotrain, filling him to capacity. Astrotrain took off as soon as his door was shut, heading back to their base with a considerable load. The Coneheads offered sneers before going back inside to stuff their own subspace pockets.

Ironhide made a move to intercept, but Ravage growled, his huge paw swiping at a human and cutting a gash into the man's leg. He fell to the ground, groaning and bleeding, clutching his leg to stem the minimum flow of blood.

"Not so fast," Megatron chided Ironhide. "You attempt to interrupt my supply line, and I'll terminate a human."

Starscream snickered, standing so tall and proud, his wings held aloft in a superior manner.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen," Starscream sneered, placing his hands on his hips, his nose curled in distaste.

Sideswipe wanted to wipe that look off the jet's face. And he held the device that could do that. Starscream wasn't in the supply line, so Sideswipe thought it safe to target him. Surely Megatron wouldn't endanger a human over having his wing commander lock up and fall over. Knowing the history between the two, Megatron would probably enjoy it.

So Sideswipe aimed and pressed the trigger.

Unfortunately, Starscream didn't lock up like Bee and the others. The jet emitted an ultrasonic noise that warbled in the high range, his wings arching wide, hips thrusting in a violent gesture. With a fading keen, Starscream collapsed to his knees, hips still thrusting. He trembled and fell backwards, mindless of his wings.

Everyone stopped and stared.

Skywarp gave an audible purr, drawing attention to him. And shocked didn't quite describe how both leaders were feeling when they saw the goofy expression on the black jet's face. He looked like he was drunk on high grade, his face relaxed into a serene, almost sated, smile. He lifted a shaky hand toward Sideswipe. His normally gruff voice was gentle, smooth, cultured.

"Can I get one of those devices?"

Skywarp offered a low hum of satisfaction before keeling over, his systems running on high, fans struggling to cool his overheating frame.

Thundercracker was fairing no better. His wings vibrated in a deep timbre, his optics half shuttered as the lingering aftereffects still coursed through his lines.

Starscream had unwillingly sent the sensations he was bombarded with into his trinemates, effectively sending them into the same kind of system wide shut down.

Thundercracker tried to remain conscious, but with both his trinemates out of it and the delicious electricity caressing every raw wire, he emitted a broken, disjointed laugh before dropping, his hips twitching spasmodically.

Megatron frowned at his command trine, all currently unconscious, their wings twitching, hips jerking even in shut down mode. He turned to Prime with a hateful stare.

"What did you do to them?"

"No idea,' Prime said, mystified to the trine's reaction. He turned to Sideswipe who grinned, holding up the device.

"I guess it works differently on seekers."

Ratchet stormed over and swiped the device from Sideswipe before smacking the Lambo upside the head.

"Slagging idiot! You could kill someone with Wheeljack's inventions!"

"Hey, I've been helping with the construction," Sideswipe said, ducking another blow.

"Oh, that's supposed to be make it better?" Ratchet shouted.

Ratchet chased the squawking Lambo around, the Decepticons forgotten. Prime and Megatron exchanged looks.

"Soundwave, retreat. Dirge, Ramjet, Thrust, retrieve Starscream and his wingmates and return to Nemesis." Megatron barked, nodding for the two flying cassettes to drop their cargo. As he expected, Prime and Ironhide raced to catch the falling humans.

The three coneheads stared in wonder at the prone jets, hoisting them into their arms and igniting their thrusters. Without Skywarp to teleport or Astrotrain to haul, it was going to be a long trip home. Soundwave exited a moment later, his chest compartment open for his cassettes. They abandoned their threatening jobs and jumped into their slots.

Megatron offered one final sneer for departing.

When the bots returned to base, those who had been zapped were ambling toward the medical ward to fix various malfunctions.

Sideswipe didn't get the opportunity to explain, or prepare for the dose of medicinal iron that clanged off the side of his helm. He woke up several hours later, confined in his usual cell. He snickered, putting his servos behind his head and smiling wistfully at the ceiling.

Oh, if only they knew of the devices Sideswipe had hidden away in his subspace pockets.

o-o

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o-o

Reviews are loved and signed reviews are answered. Have a great weekend everyone! I'm going to be spending it WRITING! Had a couple more ideas for Take Two, and of course, my Ninja Turtle stories will be updated as well! Look forward to getting everyone's feedback!

XOXOX

PJ