Okay, here's Chapter 8! Sorry for the wait! (Hey, I rhymed...)

Breakdown sped down the road, following another Energon signal he had picked up after his encounter with Bulkhead. He had not been able to terminate him as he had desired; it wasn't part of the plan, and there was no doubt that Starscream would yell at him for straying from it.

Primus, how could someone have such a screechy voice? And why did he talk so much? Did he not know that his vocalizer sounded as if a sparkling had taken it and chewed on it? Did he like the sound of his own voice? Surely it must have been hinted that others could not stand him.

Then again, the heeled Seeker did like to aggravate others.

His sensors alerted him of a nearby signal. Swerving off of the road, he followed it, coming to a stop near a museum. Pondering whether he should inform Deathstrike, he dialed his line.

"What?" The Seeker's voice sounded, filled with irritation, but Breakdown couldn't help but notice the hoarse undertone.

"Deathstrike, I've found another signal. It's at the museum Commander told us about." He hesitated for a moment. "Are you okay?"

"Truth be told, I am not so sure." The assassin let out a low growl, his powerful engine rumbling in accord. "I am on my way. I need to get out of this sorry excuse for a functioning warship."

Breakdown turned his side mirrors as his scanners picked up an approaching signal. A sleek black jet shot towards him, transforming in midair into Deathstrike. The medic's wings were raised and his optics were narrow. However, as soon as he landed on the cool pavement, his weak leg gave out, and he would have collapsed had Breakdown not steadied him.

"Deathstrike, you are sure you are okay?" The massive Decepticon stared at the other in worry.

Deathstrike vented harshly, his wings twitching and batting against the other's servo. "I am fine, Breakdown. I have not refueled or recharged for some time."

Breakdown scowled. It was most likely Starscream's fault. His engine rumbled. When he got his servos around that scrawny Seeker's neck...

"I can handle this, Deathstrike. You need to rest," he assured the assassin.

Deathstrike snarled, his armor flaring slightly, or as much as it would allow with his companion holding him up. "I am going nowhere, Breakdown. You know as well as I that my condition does not show on the battlefield."

"It will if you pass out or get injured," the other snapped. "The Autobots won't give you a chance when they see your weak leg."

Deathstrike let out a low rumble, attempting to break free from his supporter's strong grasp. "Breakdown, I am able to fight, no matter my current condition." As if solidifying his statement, the Decepticon shuddered and went into a violent bout of coughing.

"Deathstrike..."

"Enough." The assassin flared his wings, purposely hitting Breakdown. "I am staying, and that is final."

Breakdown vented in irritation. "You can be such a glitch sometimes."

The other smirked slightly. "Yes, I know. You can be one, too." He shifted, standing hesitantly with his weight on his uninjured leg. "Come. We must be going."

"Optimus, an Energon signal has been detected," Ratchet stated. "In a human facility."

The image appeared on the computer screen. Raf, who had been sitting on his laptop, looked up. "That's in the local museum. But what is it?"

"It is emanating from this artifact." The medic showed an image of an immense marble Greek statue. A large golden orb was in the outstretched hand.

"That matches the picture on the slab," Bulkhead confirmed. "It's the Harvester."

At the kids' confused looks, Ratchet explained, "The Energon Harvester absorbs Energon from anything, be it living or inanimate. It would be useful in certain situations, but in the hands of the Decepticons..."

"Starscream would no doubt use it for his own personal gains. We must retrieve it before he does," Optimus rumbled gravely.

"But..." Raf looked up at the massive Prime. "If the Harvester can extract Energon from anything, and if you all are filled with it..."

"...Starscream would use it as a weapon." Jack crossed his arms, an expression that was half irritation and half concern crossing his face. "He could use it to suck the Energon right out of you."

"Like a portable vampire!" Miko shrieked, bouncing in the air. "Cool!"

"It would be catastrophic, Miko, not 'cool'," Ratchet snapped.

"Precisely." Optimus turned, addressing his team. "Bumblebee, Bulkhead, Arcee, you will accompany me. The rest of you -"

"W-Wait." Jack spoke up, leaning his arms against the railing near him. "Optimus, with all due respect, you guys can't just barge into a local museum and retrieve this Harvester thing. I-I mean, I know it was yours, but it is stored in one of our facilities, under our guard. You just taking it would be..."

"Isn't that stealing?" Raf questioned, narrowing his eyes in confusion. "That's illegal."

"Jack, I have no desire to break human laws, but if Starscream were to get his servos on this ancient artifact, the outcomes would be disastrous."

"Then send us in." When he received stares of shock, he raised a hand to rub sheepishly at the back of his head. "I-I mean, we're not twenty foot tall giant robots. We're small enough to sneak in and out without getting caught."

"That is risky," Ratchet pointed out. "We know the Decepticons will be there. Should they see the children..."

"We'll be careful," Jack assured, glancing pointedly at Miko. "We promise." Raf and Miko nodded in aquiescence.

The Prime considered the suggestion for a moment, and he eventually nodded. "Very well. I will allow this. We will be watching should anything happen."

Turning, with a nod to Ratchet to activate the ground bridge, the Prime declared, "Autobots, transform and roll out!"

Finally, an Autobot scene! And what's going on with Deathstrike...?

Hope you liked! Please tell me if there are any mistakes. I typed this on my phone, so...

R&R, pleaze!