Omega blinked. "WHAT?! Alpha wouldn't unless either she owed him or something happened. WHAT HAPPENED?!"
"Alpha!!!" Jade ran up, panting.
"PrimeandtheothersarehereandProwltole'emI'matraitorHELP!" she said all at once.
Hammertread blinked. Then started laughing.
"So, they're not such good friends after all, are they?" He got up.
"We'd better find someplace to hide before they come stomping through here."
He started to walk away, as Prime could be heard from the clearing. "Search the area."
"Calm down, Jade." Alpha said softly. "Brother'll explain everything to 'em!" She said, but pulled Jade to follow Ht.
"Prime, you can't believe that Alpha and the others would really betray the Autobots! That's...crazy!!" Omega yelled. Prowl looked up at him.
"I never said Alpha had betrayed anyone. I believe Hammertread is somehow misleading her." he said calmly.
"Then we have to find them. If Hammertread is misleading Alpha, there's no telling what he's capable of." Prime replied.
Jade looked over her shoulder constantly as they walked. "what's wrong, afraid they might find you?" HT sounded smug. Jade gave him a flat look, then glanced at Alpha, and over her shoulder at the way they had came.
Omega growled. "You did too, you-" He shut up when he spotted Prime.
"Never mind. Let's just find her. I'm not letting anyone hurt her."
Alpha hurried behind HT. "Alright...this may take a while..." She closed her eyes as she walked, careful to stay close to where she sensed HT.
"Bro"
SIS!
"What's going on? Why are they saying that we betrayed them"
They're not! they're saying-
"It's not true! Alright, I want to talk to Prime"
But sis-
"NOW"
Alright.
Omega looked at Prime. "Alpha wants to talk to you"
HT ducked behind a boulder at the edge of the treeline as Sunstreaker and Sideswipe carefully made their way into the forest. Jade ducked behind a log beside it. HT looked up, and grabbed Alpha, putting her between himself and the rock so the two Lamborginis wouldn't see her.
Alpha let out a quiet curse as she was pulled. She felt Ht push her against the boulder and muttered something.
"Sis. He's gonna talk to you"
"Okay."
Omega looked at Prime and pulled off his visor. His red optics shone brightly and an image of Alpha appeared in the mech's outstretched hand.
"Prime. Whatever Prowl says is a lie! He's...loosing it because of the blood lost. HT's not a bad guy." The image said, looking at Prime.
Alpha shook her head as she leaned against the boulder. "Fr-Frag this is exausting"
"Whatever he has done to convince you he's your friend..."
Prime stopped for a second, re-thinking his trategy.
"Perhaps we should discuss this in person." he suggested.
"No! Not until you SWEAR that he won't be locked up." The image put her hands on her hips. "And listen to me for once! I'm tired of every single one of you thinking he's bad just because he USED to be a 'Con."
"But, sis." Omega sighed, "He kidnapped.."
"So WHAT?! I've forgiven him for that. Listen to me and listen to me good, guys! I'm the only way you're going to get to him. Only Omega can track me and that's IF I decide to contact you again." The image huffed.
"And by the way, he saved my life TWICE! He had nothing to gain from doing it! So if you don't mind, give Omega your answer and he'll tell me!" The image disappeared.
Omega snapped on his visor. "Well then..."
Alpha slumped to the ground as she looked up at HT and then over where Jade was. "There. I talked to them. Omega'll give me their answer..." She leaned her head back.
"Remind me to KILL Prowl"
HT cackled softly. "I'd be happy to do that for you, my dear." He grinned at her.
Alpha shot him a look.
"what? I was only joking."
The tank glanced around the rock, then let go of Alpha and sat down . Jade looked over the log at the Autobots, who were standing around talking. Jazz turned around and looked straight at her. "Hey Prime."
the red-and blue Autobot leader turned.
"I think we're bein' watched." Prime turned towards the rocks and Jade ducked before she could be seen.
"I'm sorry, Omega, but there's no way I can promise amnesty to a crimnal. However, if Hammertread is a human as Prowl says he is, I can meet with him alone. " He looked back at the rocks.
"And possibly convince Alpha and Jade what they are doing is wrong."
He opened his comm. "Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, return to our position. Ratchet, take Prowl to get medical treatment, Jazz, Omega, and I will stay here."
The medic nodded and transformed, and Prowl climbed in. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe appeared, looking none-too happy.
"No sign of them anywhere, Prime." Sunstreaker frowned.
Prime nodded. "I want you to return to base with the others"
"But Prime..."
"Just do it, Sunstreaker. Skyfire, I want you to come back for me as soon as you have doropped the others off."
"Will do, sir." the jet replied.
Alpha sighed as her brother touched her mind.
"What now?" She snapped.
Easy, sis. I was just-
"Just coming to tell me they said no." Alpha said, still snapping.
"Snappy, are we?"
"Shut up and get to the point"
Okay, Okay, Prime wants to meet with HT...personally."
"NO!" Alpha jumped to her feet, but regretted it. She let out a groan and sank to the ground, leaning against a wall.
"I don't...I mean"
Al.
"I'll talk to HT"
Alright. Be careful.
"I'm as safe as I'll ever be, bro."
Omega looked up at Prime. "She'll talk to HT."
Prime glanced over at the rocks as the brunette's head popped up over the boulder, then dissapeared again. Skyfire took off, and dissapeared into a speck.
"Well? what are they doing?" HT demanded.
Jade glanced over the log. "Leaving. All except Prime, Omega, and... EEp!" the blonde squeaked as Jazz glanced at her.
HT lifted his eyebrows at her.
"and Jazz." she amended. "Don't worry, he didn't see me." she finished.
HT nodded. "Forget it. I'm not going anywhere near that giant metal moron Prime." he said, crossing his arms.
"You don't have to." Alpha said breathlessly as she looked up at him. "Give me your hand. This'll be the last trick before I pass out." The femme took HT's hand and then touched her brother's mind.
Omega whipped off his visor, but instead of Alpha, Ht's image appeared in his hand.
"What are you doing!?"
Bro, trust me.
"Alpha? What are you...why is he"
This is the only way I know how to make this work...please hurry.
"Alright. Prime. Alpha says HT'll talk to you, but only like this." Omega held out his hand so Prime could see the holo-HT.
Alpha whimpered as she closed her eyes. "Hurry, HT"
HT folded his arms over his barrel-chest and glared at the Autobot leader.
"It's true. I'm not who you think I am. Alpha..."
He paused, then cleared his throat.
"Your femme friend saved my life. And I also would like to say in my defense, that
your second-in-command tried to kill me!" he spat.
"I'm not saying I want to join your happy little troupe or anything."
he waved his fingers for emphasis.
"I just want to be turned back to my normal self and left alone."
He frowned.
"I promise no harm will come to you if you let Alpha and Jade go." Prime returned.
HT snorted arrogantly. "They're with me of their own free will. Talk to them"
Prime glanced up at the rocks, and HT noticed.
"If we could discuss this in person, perhaps we could come to a better understanding of the situation"
"And let you step on me? I don't think so." HT shot back.
Prime looked suprised. "I promise that will not happen. You have my word." the hologram turned and looked at Jazz.
"Huh? Same goes here." Jazz looked shocked the ex-tank would even suggest such a thing.
Omega looked at HT. "I won't step on you." He promised.
"O-Omega...hurry."
"Alpha's getting weak." Omega stated, his rarely seen optics wide.
"Oh dear...Hurry!"
HT growled, and said "I'll think about it." He took his hand back from alpha's.
"So, what now?" Jade said.
"I suggest we find a new hiding spot. I saw your leader looking in this direction while we were talking." HT replied, an accusing undertone in his voice.
"Why not just talk to him?" Jade suggested.
"They may have promised not to step on me, but they can still reach out and grab me." he said.
"Ya know, talking things out is better than running and hiding like a coward." Jade pointed out.
HT was instantly on his feet. "I am NOT a coward!" he spat.
He turned around and froze when he realized he was visible.
And the Autobots were all three looking straight at him.
Jade stood up. "Hi." she half-waved.
HT growled and glared at her.
"eh..heh.." Jade glanced at Alpha.
"He's not a coward!" Alpha yelled at Jade, but then let out a soft moan. She turned and saw the others looking at them as her vision blurred. Alpha got to her feet. "H-Hi, Prime. Bro. Oh..." She fell back, unconscious.
"Sis!" Omega pushed Prime out of his way. He bent down and nudged his sister gently.
"Alpha? Alpha, wake up! Alpha"
HT ran for better cover, a couple trees six feet away. Jazz took a step forward, but Prime stopped him.
"no, let him come to us. Advancing in a hostile manner could make him retreat back into the forest. Then we may never find him."
Jade looked up -way up- at Omega. Then backed off and ran for where HT had gone. Omega stared at the tree, listening.
"Go away!" HT whisper-hissed.
"No"
HT growled.
"You don't scare me. You're more scared of the Autobots, that's why you keep running away." Jade accused.
"I'm not afraid. I'm smart enough to retreat"
"uh-huh. Sure. chicken"
There was a yelp, and Jade appeared from behind the tree, having been shoved.
HT appeared a moment later, and regaurded Omega.
"crazy fraggin femmes." He shot Jade a look.
"Well, at least he hasn't stepped on you. yet" she snarked.
HT took a step towards her, then decided it was a waste of his energy.
"Stupid, crazy fraggin mouthy femmes are all trouble." he muttered. but only half-meaning it this time.
Omega muttered something. He looked at Alpha.
"Hang on, sis..." the mech pulled off her jecket gently and then looked at the tatoos on her arms. "Alright...I think I could get you back to Transformers, but.."
"But what?" Jazz blinked, looking at Omega.
"I need Alpha to do it since she turned them into humans. And right now... well."
Alpha let out a whimper as her brother picked her up and held her in one hand.
"She can't exactly help us out" he finished.
HT folded his arms. "And"
Jazz looked down at him.
"I am not going back to your base where you can drag me back to that tiny little cell and drug me for who-knows how long." He glared defiantly.
Jade looked up at Jazz. "I'm not going back unless he does." she walked up.
"what?"
"You heard me. Prowl thinks I'm a traitor just bcause I defended HT here."
the tank glared at her.
"I told you not to call me that."
Jade ignored him, continuing
"And, Alpha saved him from a grizzly bear while Prowl was just sitting there watching. True, he was hurt, but he could have at least provided a distraction long enough for Alpha to grab my pistol. If I hadn't been out getting firewood, I would have." she crossed her arms as Prime approached.
"He was after Prowl, because he thought Prowl tried to kill him a long time ago." HT turned wide eyed at the femme, but kept his mouth tightly shut, and tried to hold back his anger. "It's in my defense." he thought.
"Is this true?" Prime knelt so he could me more on the bulky human's level. H T looked away, then said. "Yeah. so what if it is"
"You're not going to lock him up...are you?" Alpha's voice asked softly.
omega looked down.
"Are you...going to hurt him, Prime"
Omega helped his sis sit up.
"He saved my life twice, Prime. He helped us out. Don't punish him for that..." Alpha said softly. "Just leave him alone."
Prime looked down at the trio of humans. "I will let Hammertread present his case once Prowl is recovered and able to add his perspective. Untill then, You should at least come back to base with us so you can be returned to your normal forms."
"Are you going to lock me up?" the tank countered.
"We cannot allow you to roam freely inside the base. Even if you are as peacefull as you say you are, there are other Autobots who would think otherwise. And I would rather not have any of my warriors provoking an altercation." The red and blue Autobot said.
"No!" Alpha jumped to her feet. She jumped off her brother's hand and kicked Prime's leg.
"You can't lock him up! you can't"
Omega gently grabbed his sister's wrist as she went to punch Prime.
"Sis, it's for the best"
"Best for who, Omega?! I swore I wouldn't let you guys lock him up and I mean it! Unless you promise you won't lock him up I'll..." Alpha looked around. "I'll get inside both of your minds and freeze you long enough for him to escape"
"Alpha.."
"I'm serious!"
"Alpha, that's enough!" Omega grabbed his sister and held her in his fist roughly, yet gently. "Alpha, please."
Alpha looked away. The burnette growled. "Prime, don't you DARE lock him up."
Prime sighed. "I'm sorry Alpha..but ..." Jade cut him off.
"What about locking him in a spare crew quarters for the time being? Prowl's probably gonna have me confined to quarters for the next month, anyways."
"You were not acting out of clear judgement when you defended him, Jade." Prime replied.
"No, I mean..well.. I kinda yelled at him."
Prime raised an optic ridge.
"Twice."
Jazz shook his head. "What for?"
"He was injured and had to rest, but kept trying to get up. I went to find these two and he followed me." she shrugged.
Jazz chuckled. "Sounds like somethin' Ratchet'd do."
"Hey, Do I get any word in this, or not?" HT stomped over to Prime. "And what about if I decide to play nice"
"I would expect your co-operation while inside our base." Prime said.
"And if you do decide I'm a threat?"
Prime didn't answer.
"HT..." Alpha growled threateningly. "Don't make me come down there"
Omega sighed and looked at his sister.
"What? I could freeze you, you know"
Omega facepalmed.
"forget it. I'd rather take my chances out here." The tank turned to leave.
"Wait." Jade glared at Prime.
"I'll make sure nothing happens, too. So you have me and Alpha.
"Hmpf. Two femmes to defend me. Aren't I so lucky." HT started to walk away again.
"Man, just come on we don't wanna have ta' take ya' by force here." Jazz came down to his level.
"we're tryin' ta be nice an' come to an understandin"
The tank looked over to Alpha. She jumped out of her brother's hand. She landed next to HT. "HT, please. I don't want anything to happen to you and there's a chance that something will out here."
Omega nodded.
"But"
Omega blinked.
"I know where you're coming from, HT..." Alpha sighed. She looked at Hammertread.
"If they SWEAR they won't lock you up, will you come with us?"
"Hey, bein' locked in a crew quarters is better than da brig. Your choice, man." Jazz looked at HT, then at the two femmes.
Prime nodded. "I can't promise you anything more than that"
Jade looked at him then at HT. "You could stay with me. I have a huge room. Used to belong to my group. Al could stay there, too. If she wants. " She looked up at Prime, who didn't answer, but didn't protest, either. "It has human-sized facilities, too. Until Alpha can get us back to our original forms." HT looked at the Autobots, then at the femmes.
"Fine." he finally growled. But I even so much as hear the word brig and I'm breaking out of there. Help or no help"
"I don't even know why I'm doing this." he mumbled under his breath, adding a few more words where no one could hear them but himself.
"you're doing it because you're not a bad guy. Now come on!" Alpha smiled. As her brother transformed, she looked at HT.
"Thanks"
Omega opened his cockpit. "Alright, in."
Alpha laughed and jumped into one of the three seats. "Come on you two"
HT mocked Alpha under his breath "not a bad guy"
"I used to be a 'con, you know." he said to her as he got in.
Jade climbed in behind them, being carefull not to hit her foot on anything.
"So? you're not really a bad guy. Well, not anymore. You've just got anger issues." Alpha laughed.
She watched Omega strap them in. "Hang on guys...and Hammertread." Omega said as he took off.
Skyfire landed, and Omega fired up his engines.
"What's that supposed to mean?" HT demanded.
"wah!"
Omega took off, catching him by suprise.
Prime and Jazz were allready inside Skyfire, and the giant white Valkyrie took off, following Omega.
HT's voice could be heard trailing back to Skfire as they took off.
"Stupid femmes... see what they get me into?" he said to Omega's dashboard.
Alpha laughed as she held on tight.
"If it wasn't for them, you'd be in the brig, dead, or worse..." Omega trailed as he flew.
HT didn't reply. But he did smirk slightly.
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nope, it's not the end yet. One more chapter/tie over to the next story. Kind of an epilogue-type-thingie.
I love reviews, by the way. You know where the button is. It only takes one finger. (hint-hint-hint.)
:-)