::Chapter Eleven::

The Decepticon second-in-command snarled in anger as another shot, courtesy of Elita, barely grazed his arm. He had known that the thickchipped Prime would send one of the femmes to escort the younglings to safety. So he had carefully followed the femme in question before attacking, and thus provoking her. Putting as much distance between himself and the guardian had been the original plan, but he had forgotten to remind himself that femmes were hardwired to protect younglings and the like when said beings were in danger. And now, he was trying to fend off one pissed femme. Oh, he was very screwed. Quickly, Starscream took to the skies, and sneered when he realized he had the advantage. Elita only looked up in rage."You coward! Come back down and fight like a true mech!", she snarled in feral rage. Starscream smiled."It was nice seeing you, Elita. But I'm afraid I must be going now. Oh, do tell Prime that Megatron sends his regards...and wishes for his sudden death.", he taunted.

Elita scowled, and she aimed her arm cannon, which glowed and crackled with a blue light. Then she fired, hitting Starscream squarely in his chest area. The Decepticon screeched in pain and rage, and glared at the femme, who was already charging up another shot. How dare she! The shot had barely missed his spark, but he knew that if he stuck around any longer, the femme commander would eventually strike jackpot. Not wanting to risk his life further, Starscream hissed in outrage and vowed revenge in Cybertronian, before he transformed to his alt mode and blasted away.

~TRANSFORMERS~

Bumblebee panted, as he slowly came to a stop. Likewise, Sam dropped to the floor, exhaustion taking over him. Both of them were tired, but the little scout knew that if they stayed put and relaxed, Decepticons would find them and capture them without a second thought. Not wanting that, Bumblebee picked up Sam, surpised on how heavy he felt despite his size."Ugh...'Bee...so tired...need rest...", he moaned. The sparkling only whirred his gears in concern for his friend. He didn't want to let him know, but truthfully, Bumblebee was running low on energon reserves. Pretty soon, he would have to enter stasis lock (which he did not want), or find a way to replenish and refuel himself, lest they wished to succumb to the Decepticon forces.

Resisting the urge to rest, the scoutling continued to drag his small feet pads down the hallways, stopping every now and then to rest. Unfortunately, this was not enough, and eventually, Bumblebee had to stop permanently. Beside him, Sam sighed dejectedly."You did a good job 'Bee.", he said. The mechling vented air and dimmed his optics."I...need to eat.", he played faintly over his speakers. The teenager cursed under his breath, and Bumblebee could have sworn he said something like "...this is my fault...". Trying to make the boy feel less guilty, Bumblebee lightly punched him on the shoulder. Even though it was meant as a joke, the human boy could only grimace slightly as he hung his head helplessly.

Bumblebee was about to do something else to cheer him up when he detected a glimmer of movement. Whatever it was, he couldn't tell, and he wasn't going to take a chance to find out if it was friend or foe. Quickly placing a digit over where his lip plates would be, he motioned for Sam to stay quiet. Too tired to contradict his friend, the human boy followed his lead and stayed still. Slowly but surely, they edged towards the nearest door and quietly opened it. They were about to go in when a shadow suddenly loomed over them, making Bumblebee curse ever so silently. Not wanting to feel like a coward, the mechling turned to face whoever was overshadowing them.

The scoutling almost squealed in relief when he realized it was Cliffjumper, another fellow scout and Autobot. "Bumblebee! Geez, Opt's been worried sick about you, wondering if you and Sam were all right. What are you doing anyway?", the mech asked in a strained voice. The sparkling made a running motion with his digits, then pointed to Sam, who was now trying to stand up. Then he made a hunger motion, which made the mech chuckle slightly."Ah. Low on energon reserves, are we? Don't worry, Ratch'll give ya something that'll have to do for now. Now follow me. Decepticons are still attacking, though, thank Primus, it's a small group. But they're still annoying and thickchipped.". he said. Bumblebee nodded, and slowly, he began to walk, relieved he no longer had to carry his human friend.

A joor later, they arrived to the makeshift medbay the Autobots had created. The place was very empty, with only Ratchet, Elita, Prowl, and a few human soldiers who were wounded. The CMO sighed in relief when he spotted them, obviously grateful they were safe."You thickchipped sparkling! You know better than to venture beyond the base walls! Suppose Wheeljack hadn't been there. What would you have done? And with a very important human ally, no less!", he growled. Bumblebee dimmed his optics and felt his face plates heat up in embarrasment."Ah...you see..well...", he said dully through his speakers. Ratchet snorted in disdain."I thought so. Now here, drink this. It'll have to do for now. Cliffjumper told me you were low on fuel.", he grumbled, holding out a small cube of energon.

The mechling took it an d quickly began to drink it greedily, thankful for finally having something to eat. After he was done, he handed the cube back to Ratchet, who only crushed it and placed it aside. Suddenly, Bumblebee winced in pain, and he collapsed to the floor, his small hands tightly grasping his helm. Sam noticed, and he cursed inder his breath before shaking him." 'Bee? Are you all right? 'Bee! Bumblebee, look at me!", the teenager yelped. The scoutling whirred his gears, and tried to resist the growing headache that slowly seemed to be winning and expanding. A voice in his head was telling him to submit, and that wasn't helping either. Let me out. I wanna play for a while! Please, lemme out!, the voice coaxed softly and persuasively.

Ratchet swore in Cybertronian, and picked up the youngling, holding him tightly as the youngling began to shiver uncontrollably."Bumblebee! Stay online, little one. Optimus and the others will be here. Just stay online and don't give in.", he murmured. Then he began to bark out orders to the mechs and femme, who rapidly went and fetched everything the medic would tell them. Meanwhile, Bumblebee was really trying his hardest to resist the urge to shutter his optics and recharge, but his headache and the pressure he was recieving weren't helping. Finally, he gave in, spent out from resisting whatever was hurting him and messing with his processors. Before he lost himself in deep recharge, however, he could have sworn he heard the voice of a sparkling giggling, as if it had won some big prize or plaything. It's playtime..., it cooed softly. Then everything turned to nothingness.

Yes! I got another chappy done! Thank Primus this one didn't take as long to complete. But yeah, its over. In any case, poor BB seems to be suffering many fainting spells, for lack of better terms. He's just still not used to being in the body of a sparkling. He burns through more energy, and needs to refill more often. That, plus the stress makes him go loco. Not to mention, he has no weapons or alt mode. It's not like sparklings can be fully developed. They have to acquire new frames every so often. It's like going through puberty and stuff. But, hopefully, he will have adjusted by the next chapter, if not later. Not much humor so far, I'm afraid, but one tries her best. Maybe suggestions could help? And in case you're wondering, the next chapter will be mostly angst...As if that was neccesary to add to a story that's supposed to be humorous.*snorts at self* Alrighty, remember to review, people!