Chapter 3

'You have got to be kidd'in me', thought Will as he stared into Sunstorm's face. "Listen, Sunstorm is it? I don't know what it is you think I can help you with especially since you have access to all kinds of data. It would appear that I'm a little redundant, not that I'm complaining about that. I enjoy begin online."

Sunstorm's optics narrowed at the diatribe, "True, you have little value; however that little value is necessary to my objectives. You will carry out tasks that I cannot while I am in camouflage mode."

Will grumbled "Why me" lowly, but Sunstorm heard. "Because of your cunning nature. That is a natural ability that I will need to make use of."

Will was in shock; forget being brave, he had only been spared because he was sneaky! That didn't do much for his ego. Will shifted again in the grip of Sunstorm trying to appease his injured ribs. Before he could ask exactly what those objectives where Sunstorm tensed up and then hurriedly carried him to the edge of the holding facility.

"We must go. Now." The large mech made a running jump and the whirls and hisses filled Will's ears and metal moved around him, encasing him within Sunstorm. He had wondered what kind of mech this was and know he knew, 'Oh wonderful, traffic cams won't touch this one.' When the whirls and clicks had stopped, the only sound was that of a cybertronian jet making its way through the sky.

Meanwhile…

Check-in for Will Lennox's assignment had come and gone. At first, some assumed it might have been an oversight him part, that he was so engrossed in the assignment that he had forgotten to check in. When Epps had learned of his tardy friend, he had another idea all together.

Will Lennon was in trouble, and he sought out someone who would listen the first time. "Yo, Optimus, Ironhide! I need you guys to do something for me." Optimus and Ironhide were at what everyone called the 'Big Guys' desk. "What can we do for you." Both large mechs were reviewing the data from Ironhide's earlier work and he was pointing out to Optimus where they could make improvements and increase efficiency.

"Will hasn't checked in and nobody in his detail will answer their freaking phones. The holding area has this policy about cell signals interfering with their work so that's mostly restricted. I would understand that if not for the fact that no one and I mean no one is responding to any calls to that facility."

Ironhide flexed his arms and the guns began to spin. Will was his charge, and he had wanted to go with him in the beginning. "Optimus,…" "Now settle down old friend." Optimus put a reassuring hand on Ironhide's shoulder. Epps looked on and continued, " I need you guys to go with me to check it out. I know there was some freaking Cybertrony or what-not stuff there, but I think something's happened. Will would never miss a check-in unless something bad has happened. Never!"

Ironhide spun to come about face to face with his leader and friend. "Permission to search and rescue, Sir! …and defend and destroy if needed was the underlying comment echoing off of Ironhide's frame.

Optimus regarded both man and mech before him as he made his decision. "Permission granted. Take Prowl and Cliffjumper with you. Remind Cliffjumper to be cautious; he's still impulsive and the situation is unknown." "Got that Prime, I'll send a communication as soon as soon as we have learned what's happened to Lennox's team." Ironhide turned and in mid transformation began called the team members he would need. Epps hurried to catch up. He had no doubt that the big mech would leave him behind at the safety of the base if he didn't hurry.

In another part of the planet…

"What are we doing here?," Will inquired after Sunstorm had allowed him free movement about the observatory. They have landed at an observatory that was either closed for the season, in need of desperate repair, or both in Will's opinion.

Will found a position that didn't grate upon his ribs too much as he watched the mech set to work. Sunstorm connected with the antique-dated machinery, and it suddenly popped to life. He could hear the processors humming inside the little, faded gray computer cases.

'What a weird mech', thought Will as he studied his capture. As he studied him, one question kept coming up over and over again. "Do you have a brother?" Sunstorm turned from his work and regarded Will for a mere second or two before turning back to his work.

'Hmmm, that was interesting,' "I was just wondering, cause you remind me of someone I've met before." Will didn't want to add that it was someone he had 'shot' at before. If they were brothers, that might not go over too well in his situation.

"You know, he's build like you, have wings, flying, just doesn't talk as much, but hey that could be a good thing in families." Sunstorm spun around, "Yes, it's very good advice. I suggest you heed it. NOW!" 'Hit a nerve did I', Will smirked.

An hour or two passed before Will noticed much movement from Sunstorm. He had watched him constantly and every time he shifted or made a move get near an exit, Sunstorm tense and stopped what he was doing. It wasn't coincidence; Will had tested it several times over the hour.

Now Sunstorm was coming toward him. Will wondered what was up. "It's time to repair you so that you are useful and not a security risk." "Hey, if you didn't get it when you dumped all that data into that mech brain of yours, humans need time to heal. We just don't repair instantly like you mechs do."

Will's concern was growing as Sunstorm made no attempt to release him, nor did he appear to be pondering what Will had just told him. "I am aware human of your biological limitations." "I have a name you know. It's Will. William Lennox, not human, not hey you, just plain ole William Lennox and most just call me Will." "Then designation William Lennox…Will you will need…," Sunstorm tilted his head for a moment before proceeding, …"upgrades in order to continue to assist in the tasks for which I need completed with another's help. You should be grateful. These upgrades will benefit your model considerably."

Horror filled Will's face as the implication of what Sunstorm intended to do dawned on him. "No, no, no, no, no now wait just a minute. You can't do that."

Will was grasping for anything that would convince this oversized mech to stop. "You don't have to expertise on my kind. You don't know what you're doing. You're just a decepticon." That stopped Sunstorm in his tracks. "Just a decepticon? I imagine to you, that's what I would appear. However I assure you that I am quite more than that. I am more than Autobot, Decepticon, or even the Quintessons. I am what Vector Sigma has made me and that is more than what any can comprehend at this time. You will be grateful in time."

Will could not believe it. Not only did he get kidnapped by a decepticon, but it was a decepticon that was insane!