Safe Escape

Safe Escape

"Optimus, something's flying toward Autobot City," Springer reported. His intake system gasped for air flow, since he'd run as fast as he could when the report had come in. He didn't know what it was, but since it was unannounced, he didn't think it was good…

Nodding to the mech to transform the city into battle fortress mode; Optimus, Ultra Magnus and Rodimus went outside the walls. With their weapons ready, they scanned the skies, waiting for the bogie to come into range. All of them warming up their hydraulic systems, preparing for battle…

The big white jet came into view, his fuselage showing heavy damage, only one engine still functioning. Waves of thick black smoke flowed from his remaining engine.. He was in critical condition… He was going down.. And going down fast! In shock, the Autobots put away their weapons and ran towards where Skyfire was crash landing.

"Sloggers Skyfire, what in the slaggin' name happened to you?" Ultra Magnus asked as he scanned the Autobot's extensive damage. He pulled out his fire extinguisher and began to put out the flames from the flyer's overheated engine. The sound of the Protectobots' sirens filling the air as they were dispatched and heading towards the scene…

"And why are you on Earth?!" Prime added, knowing where Skyfire had been currently assigned. It didn't make sense. How in Primus's name had he gotten here without them knowing? And how had he gotten into such a damaged state?

The white jet groaned, "You all didn't warn me about a certain Seeker. The sloggin' femme took me by surprise." His wings trembled slightly. "The Con teleported my aft here after she blew me out of the sky," he grumbled.

"So she can teleport that far?" Ultra Magnus stated more than asked, his optics widening in shock. That was millions – MILLIONS – of light years! Totally unheard of!

"Apparently, she doesn't think logically like us. Through some rather creative modifications, she's increased her range far beyond what's ever been flown," Skyfire told them. Because he was a scientist by nature, it made sense for him to have made such an observation.

"Sloggers! Darned Seeker!" Springer cussed. Now none of their installations would be safe from her. She wasn't limited to Earth anymore.

Rodimus patted his wing, his expression one of great concern for the big jet. "Can you transform?" he asked.

"I think so, but I carried someone with me," Skyfire grunted, "And he's in far worse shape than I am." He couldn't very well transform with passengers in him.

Alibi

After the two jets were repaired, they were debriefed fully. Starscream amazed the Autobots at his willingness to answer all of their questions this time.

According to the two; Raptor had kidnapped Skyfire and presented him as a 'present' to her master. There had been an argument between the two Seekers, since Starscream had not authorized her actions. This argument ended when the femme went into a blind rage and went after Starscream with everything in her arsenal.

After she had left, Skyfire had gotten loose of his bonds and had brought Starscream to Autobot City, figuring they'd repair the Seeker if he'd talk. Starscream was more than willing to talk, since he now believed that his creation was completely out of control, and not even he was safe. He did not know where she was, or what she'd do next.

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Leaving the two jets to recharge in the repair bay, Ultra Magnus and Prime walked towards the Control center. A dark black cloud of dread hung over the two commanders. This Seeker was far more dangerous than they had first suspected. No one, not even her own creator, was safe from her fury.

"From what we've seen of her, their story makes sense," Ultra Magnus mumbled to his leader. Dread was in his voice, as he watched the dust from their footsteps rise lazily in the dry air. Would they all eventually become dust now? As this enraged Seeker targeted one-after-another?

Prime nodded, "Unfortunately she's now even more of a danger than ever, since she's free of any control." He wondered where she'd turn up next.. Where she'd strike next.. He doubted that Autobots would be her only target now… Maybe they'd get lucky and she'd attack the cons – before the cons could convince her to join their ranks?

"Wonder what she'll do next?" the big blue Mech pondered. She was unpredictable this one.. And very effective as well.. He hated both traits.

"I'm afraid we'll know soon enough.." Optimus said with dread in his voice as his blue optics met those of his old friend…

Accepted

As the two Commanders left the repair bay, the two lovers looked at each other with hidden grins. Their story had been fully accepted, and now Starscream would be allowed to stay with Skyfire as Raptor performed her mission.

Leaning into the big Jet's side, Starscream stretched. "You didn't have to hit me with quite so much laser fire," he muttered. His whole chassis stung from Skyfire's strafing. Ya, they'd had to make it 'believable' that Raptor'd done it – but sloggers it hurt. He had a sneaking suspicion that Skyfire had used the excuse to punish him a little bit for the last time they'd met..

Skyfire grinned, "Had to make it believable. Next time don't take out one of my engines, ok?" His optics met Starscream's.. He almost thought he saw an arrogant smirk pass over the Seeker's face. Maybe Scream had used the excuse for a little payback?

The two chuckled, for they had purposefully damaged each other in order to create their alibi. For both themselves – and Raptor; for Galvatron would never accept her, unless she'd tried to destroy her own creator. And now, it looked like she had done just that very thing.

Decepticon Eavesdropping

Cyclonus listened in on the Autobot frequencies. With much interest, he listened to the recent reports of Skyfire's abduction and Starscream's near-termination. Now the Autobots were in a panic, for this Bounty Hunter was truly out of control and free to target any of them.

So Starscream's lost control of yet another one of his creations, just like the Combaticons. The purple mech chuckled at the sheer irony, for this creation far exceeded the Combaticons in her craftiness, and would be a perfect addition to the Decepticon army. He just had to locate her and negotiate the terms… Since she so obviously hated Autobots, it should be relatively simple to turn her to the Decepticon cause.. And she'd fit so perfectly into the ranks..

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