I finally updated! Sorry to keep you guys waiting. Warning: This chapter may cause some tears. Also, the mysterious person mentioned here will be revealed in a later chapter.

Chapter 6: Secrets, Hunt, and Promise

Megatron was searching Soundwave's former quarters for anything that would give him a hint as to where his communication specialist was. Starscream, who was looking over the damaged computer, found a file that was readable. "Lord Megatron, I've found something…interesting," he said.

"Define 'interesting', Starscream," said Megatron, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Starscream wisely ignored the sarcasm and pulled the file out of the computer and put it into his portable terminal. A picture of a beautiful femme came up. "It seems Soundwave has a mate," said the flyer. "That would explain why he had two sons, though why he'd hide them from you, I don't know, my lord. They would have made fine Decepticons for you to command."

"A mate, you say?" said Megatron. "I think I've seen her before. What is her name?"

"Starsong, my lord."

"Ah, yes. I remember her," he said. "She was one who always studied and her parents and Soundwave's parents were good friends."

He now got a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "Call Shockwave and find out where she is," he said. "I have a desire for a queen and she will do fine."

Starscream chuckled darkly as he headed out to find the femme. A shadow moved and headed down a darker hallway. It was a Vehicon who made sure the coast was clear and then pressed a hand over where his spark was.

Starsong was waking up after spending all night cuddled in her husband's arms when she felt fear in her spark and tried to find out who was sending her fear through the bond, but then the one contacting her told her to hush and listen. Becoming more awake, she recognized who is was and listened closely, feeling fear fill her when the mystery person told her that Megatron knew of her and of Soundwave's betrayal and their sons. She immediately grew worried and felt the mystery person send her comfort, telling her to stay with her family and stay at the base. Promising to do so, she felt him withdraw after she begged him to be careful.

She then sat up and tried to get her thoughts unjumbled and suddenly jumped when she felt two arms come around her. "My love, what is wrong?" asked Soundwave.

"I just got an alert," she said. "Megatron knows about us and the boys."

Soundwave froze. "Oh no," he said and then hugged her tighter. "I won't let him lay a finger on you or on our sons."

"Honey, he called in Shockwave."

That made the former Con freeze in an instant. The mad scientist was called in? Now, Soundwave was scared and he hugged Starsong tightly and buried his faceplates into her shoulder. She immediately wrapped her arms around him, feeling him sob as she rocked him gently.

The reason they were both upset was because Shockwave was Soundwave's older brother and a maniac. When he had heard of his little brother marrying a femme, he had asked that Starsong be part of an experiment he was trying to accomplish. She refused and Soundwave had come barging in a moment later with Starsong's brother and Soundwave had warned his brother to stay away from them.

But the mad scientist had kept pestering them until Starsong had disappeared and Soundwave had taken his sons to Earth. Now, it seemed like the nightmare was coming back.

Frenzy and Rumble felt their father's sadness and their mother's worry and immediately ran to find Optimus. "Uncle Optimus!" called Frenzy.

Optimus, who was speaking with Ratchet, turned to see the little ones run up to him. "What is is, Frenzy?" he asked.

"It's Mama and Daddy," said Rumble. "Something's wrong. They're scared."

Hearing the worry in the sparkling's voice, Optimus and Ratchet headed for Starsong's quarters, knocking when they arrived. "Starsong?" called Optimus.

"Come in," she called and he, Ratchet, and the two sparklings entered to see Soundwave crying into Starsong's shoulder and she was hugging him in comfort. "We received bad news."

"What happened?" asked Ratchet.

"Shockwave is coming."

Frenzy and Rumble both cried out in fear and ran to their parents, clinging to them. "Not Uncle Shockwave," they both whimpered.

Optimus' eyeridges rose. "He's your brother?" he asked.

"Soundwave's brother, sadly," said Starsong. "Megatron found out about us and he's sent Shockwave to find us. No doubt Megatron wants me as leverage to get Soundwave to betray you and rejoin the 'Cons."

"And he knows I'd never do that unless he had you and the boys prisoner," said Soundwave. "I can block Shockwave from finding us, but all of us are in danger if we leave base."

"Well, those Decepticons are going to have to get through us Autobots first," said Ratchet.

"Ratchet is right," said Optimus and motioned to Arcee, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead and the kids. "We'll protect you."

"No filthy 'Con is laying a hand on my sister, brother-in-law, or my nephews," said Bumblebee fiercely.

"Agreed," said Arcee.

Bulkhead pounded his fist into his hand. "We'll hit those 'Cons so hard they won't know which way is up," he said.

Starsong nodded. "Thank you," she said.

"Yes, thank you," said Soundwave, feeling better that they had a good team to back them up and keep them safe. He then silently sent a communication to someone about a plan he had decided on after Starsong had disappeared. It was for if Megatron found out about the kids.

Now, he sent the message, receiving a reply in a moment and nodded quietly, feeling hopeful that they now had a chance to stop Megatron.

And maybe put Shockwave back where he belonged.

Oh, boy! What's going to happen next? And what is the plan Soundwave is sending to his contact? And who is the mystery person that contacted Starsong? All will be revealed in the next few chapters.

Please leave a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418