A/N

Xobit: This is the chapter that's been the problem… it'll stay as it is now

Chapter 5: Stalemate

Soundwave was unhappy, to say the least. On the professional level, one of his best spy/sabotage teams was essentially useless. On the personal level… Astrotrain, the triple changer commander, had molested and nearly killed Barricade and had threatened to kill Frenzy. And Soundwave had no way of doing anything about it.

Oh, he had healed what he could of Barricade's trauma, but nevertheless Barricade and Frenzy's relationship was back at square one. Frenzy was confused and Barricade… Well, Barricade was an absolutely terrified mess, ironically not for himself and what a forced spark bonding would do to him, but rather because he believed that he would get Frenzy killed if he showed his affection.

It would maybe have been funny, if not for the fact that it was really happening. And happening to one of his creations… Soundwave didn't really want to think about it, but he wasn't too happy with it happening to Barricade either. The young mech didn't deserve this at all.

He had two options, kill Astrotrain…which would not go unnoticed, or unpunished! Or he could find a way to move Barricade and Frenzy out of harm's way. Now, the first option was the easiest in many ways, and if he had only Frenzy to worry about he might just have taken it without further thought. Even now, with all he did have to worry about, it was beginning to look like the only option. He simply didn't have any off-world missions which were high profile enough to justify sending one of his best teams.

The door hissed open and admitted a furious looking Starscream who immediately snarled, "I need a spy!"

Soundwave froze halfway out of his seat. "You… need a spy?"

"Yes, and one with hacker skills. I would request one of your creations if I thought you would let them go," Starscream was pacing, oblivious to Soundwave's shocked expression.

"May I ask why?" Soundwave sat down again, feeling a tiny ray of hope brightening his mood. It looked like he might get some options to work with.

"Our great leader," Starscream's voice was a sarcastic sneer as he kept pacing. "Has decided, in his infinite wisdom, that we need information on the Autobot's off world bases. Starting with the rumored outpost in the Ganoron star system." A loud clang sounded when Starscream's fist connected with the wall. "He has… kindly chosen me to pick the team and lead it." His optics were glowing and he literally shook with anger. He turned his gaze to Soundwave. "I have Blackout and his symbiont for stealth recon, Bonecrusher for brute force… all I need is a spy with hacking abilities, preferably one that can defend himself and is small!"

Leaning back in his chair, carefully keeping any expression out of his optics, Soundwave answered. "I don't posses a single spy who fills all of your criteria," he held up a hand to stop Starscream's words, "I do, however, have a team that just might!" Calling up the profiles on his screen, Soundwave turned it so Starscream could read. "Barricade is a warrior and spy, and his partner is one of my creations, Frenzy, a spy and hacker. They are one of my best teams, and they are uniquely suited to something like this, don't you agree?"

Starscream had a slightly suspicious look on his faceplate, but only said, "I need them ready in two joors. I trust that is possible!"

"They will be ready, Commander." Soundwave kept himself under control, although it was difficult. He had never been so happy to see Starscream in his life! He had already contacted Rumble, and the two would be out of Astrotrain's reach in less than an orn.

Barricade knew what the Pit was like now… seeing Frenzy, having him in the chest compartment, chattering and lively. Oh, the mech had scolded him for his drinking bing but, just as Rumble had warned him, he didn't know a thing about Astrotrain. It would stay that way!

Mercifully, it seemed that his little partner had dropped his advances towards a more physical relationship. For how long was the real question, how long before Frenzy started approaching again, how long before Astrotrain decided to force him, how long before he himself broke down and confessed his feelings?

Tracing the lid behind which Frenzy was currently recharging Barricade tried to wrestle his thought into less disturbing patterns… it was near impossible. He had never imagined that he would come to live in fear, not from war or a violent death, but from a spark bond.