Ch. 75

"Arcee, Bumblebee," Optimus began, "both of you are to travel to the subway tunnels. Find out what Megatron's troops are doing there."

Starscream pointed at Knockout, "You should go with them."

The red mech gasped loudly, "What? Why?! You said before, you said that I get my paint scuffed in a subway tunnel! You said it was like I swam through sandpaper! I get defiled!"

The seeker glared, "Things have changed. There's no relic, only Megatron's insanity. Go there and keep whatever Vehicons and perhaps..." he glanced at Arcee, "Did any of the Insecticons escape from the main hive?"

Arcee nodded, "Quite a few."

Starscream grumbled, "We may not have seen any during our escape from the Nemesis, but if they had been on the way, Megatron may have a few of those running around, too."

Knockout grimaced and pointed at Bulkhead, "You! You come with me! You'll be my barrier!"

Breakdown frowned, "Doc, it's best not to start picking a new favorite."

Optimus looked among the bots and hmmed lowly, "Neither Bulkhead nor Breakdown will be able to move efficiently in the tunnels, Knockout. It would be in your best interest to join with Arcee and Bumblebee. The three of you will easily overtake a heavier class such as an Insecticon."

Knockout groaned but relented, the decision handed to him when Soundwave opened a bridge via the Harbinger console. The three walked through and the bridge dissipated, the silent mech nodding gently in satisfaction.

Optimus looked over at Bulkhead and Breakdown, "Both of you are best suited to tend to the Decepticons on the mountain in Hawaii. Will you be able to handle the task?"

Starscream smirked lightly, "They'll be fine. Give them a target and it'll disappear."

Both mechs nodded and a new bridge opened for them, the pair running through and the portal closing behind them.

The Prime then turned to the seeker, "The other two locations?"

Starscream took a closer look at the global map, "As I stated before, the mountain region is similar to where the Resonance Blaster was hidden, but it's nowhere near the actual location. I recall Ratchet and Wheeljack battling Soundwave for the relic at the time."

Optimus nodded, "Very well. Then if the three of you would be comfortable working together...?"

Ratchet scoffed, "Me? Work with Wheeljack? Optimus, he's a loose cannon! He lacks discipline!"

Soundwave watched Ratchet's reaction, then nodded slightly.

Starscream had to bite his glossa to keep from laughing, "You'd prefer Soundwave's solitary company to Wheeljack's?"

The silent mech stared at the medic and Ratchet shuddered only for a moment, "Soundwave commands and delivers respect. Despite the," he coughed lightly, "lack of communication, he is far more bearable."

Optimus shook his helm, "I understand your concerns, old friend, but I would prefer we have every able bodied Cybertronian ready for whatever may come."

Soundwave scuttled to the console and began typing quickly while Ratchet sighed and looked over his shoulder, "Don't make the message sound too desperate... And make it clear that this was not my intention to begin with!"

The Prime finally settled on Starscream, "The final location?"

The seeker felt his wings stiffen. This previous, past encounter between himself and Optimus had not gone well. The Apex Armor may have fallen into his possession at the time, but that didn't stop the chill from seeping into his very core. The bottom of the ocean had not been pleasant.

"Starscream?" Optimus said firmly, "Is something wrong?"

The seeker quickly shook his helm, "Ah, no, no! Just... remembering," he cleared his throat, "There's a sizable human installation a few clicks north of the location point. I had gone there of my own accord, as did you, and so did... Dreadwing. It was not a pleasant scuffle."

The Prime hmmed, "I see. Do you think Dreadwing will be sent to this location a second time?"

Starscream shrugged, "This is still Megatron. If he was sent there before, I wouldn't be entirely surprised to find him there again."

Optimus glanced at the map for a moment before speaking again, "Ratchet, has Wheeljack responded?"

The medic nodded, "Yes, he wants to know where to meet us."

The Prime pointed to the location point, "Send Wheeljack these coordinates, then the two of you will bridge back to base to meet with him and inform Agent Fowler and the children of our predicament. Rafael will need to commandeer our ground bridge should anything go as planned or even awry."

Soundwave buzzed as he typed and Ratchet sighed, "It will be done, Optimus. Are we to send you and Starscream to the tundra while we complete these tasks?"

Optimus nodded, "We will take care of whomever Megatron has sent to the Antarctic. Soundwave, would you please-" a bridge opened and the Prime smiled, "Thank you, Soundwave. When the others call for a bridge, let Rafael know to bridge them back to our base. Starscream?"

The silver mech had his servos clenched tight, glaring into the portal that would take him from his snug, little base into the cold wastelands he dreaded. His frown told Optimus everything; he was hesitant.

The Prime stood in front of Starscream to break his line of sight, "Starscream. Are you ready?"

The seeker glanced up at the larger mech, then back at the ground bridge. Without a word, Starscream ran through the bridge and into the frozen wastes, the cold of the air already bringing up a memory that he hoped wouldn't end the same way as it had before.