Okay, so we're gonna stray from cute baby robots for a bit, but we'll be back at the end of the chapter. So, this part is toned down, since this is a K rated story. Sorry for the delay in updating!

~/~

Meanwhile, deep in the woods, in an old mine shaft, a more threatening conversation was taking place. "Are you certain it was a stasis pod, Lugnut?" "Yes, lord Megatron! There is no mistaking it, oh glorious leader!" "Of what Origin?" This time it was Blitzwing who answered. "Zat, ve cannot zay. But, it emitted a flier signature."

"A flier..." The warlord trailed off thoughtfully. "Interesting. Where did it land?" "Zomeplace on ze outskirts of ze zity." The gray mech was silent for a moment. "Investigate the signal." "Yes, lord Megatron!" The two Decepticons flew out, leaving their leader to ponder the situation.

A flier. Perhaps a creation of a neutral. A Decepticon with any sense would not waste a stasis pod able to give off such a strong signature, obviously an escape pod meant for long distances, probably from farther reaches of the galaxy surrounding Cybertron. Plus, it gave off no distinct indication of the origin, other than small clues such as that.

Then there was the disturbing thought of the Cybertronian inhabiting the pod being one of the Elite Guard's experiments. The warlord recalled the repulsive things they did, in the name of science, they said. But Megatron knew better.

It was all in an attempt to create the perfect solider, a weapon that could be used to annihilate anyone who might stand in their way. They had kidnapped Decepticons who showed special abilities to experiment on. They even framed innocent Autobots with crimes, so they could be used as a tool towards that goal.

He remembered when they had dragged Skywarp into the ship, beaten into unconsciousness.

He remembered Starscream and Thundercracker vainly chasing the ship, the desperation as their Trinemate was taken too far for them to reach, angry screeches, empty threats that could not be heard. Megatron had to call them back himself, knowing they would chase that ship until they offlined if someone didn't talk some sense into them.

The command Trine had not been that much older than the required age to join the army, and had been serving for as long as they had been of age. Skywarp had been the youngest of the three, and wielded the rare ability of teleportation.

Thundercracker, the most rational and philosophical of the three, had lost his grip on reality without the purple Seeker there to remind him to stop thinking and just enjoy life. Without that reminder, the blue mech drove himself into the ground worrying over the younger Seeker, often forgetting to refuel, sometimes not even leaving the berth.

Starscream, who had already had a slight rebellious streak, began to act out more, questioning orders and sneaking out on flights, scanning the sky for his Trinemate. Though Megatron reminded himself repeatedly that grief was driving the maroon Seeker to commit this insubordination, a mech only has so much patience. The next time the younger mech mouthed off to his leader, was the first, and certainly not the last, beating Starscream received from him.

Finally, a source had revealed the unfortunate fate of Skywarp. He had been experimented on and tortured for information that he refused to give. He eventually offlined from the multiple drugs and tests they had forced on him.

The two Seekers had went ballistic when they heard the news. Sharp claws ripped apart walls and anyone who dared come too close. Screeches of agony and rage rang through the entire base, and every mech and femme knew that sound too well. Pity, anger, loss. These emotions and more, rolled off in waves from the inhabitants. It would have made Soundwave short circuit, had the telepath still been online.

They had to get the Combaticons and Stunticons to hold down the grief crazed mechs while the medic gave them a sedative. Even them, is took a good half a megacycle for the effects of the adrenaline in the fliers systems to wear off and let the drug take effect.

Once back online, the rage passed, all that was left was grief. Under the agony of their loss, it was suspected that Starscream would do something drastic, as the maroon Seeker had shown signs of a slight loss of sanity even before the news of his Trinemate's death. Afraid that he might do something horrible, he was never left alone.

But, their assumption on who needed help was wrong. Thundercracker was snapping, he could feel his sanity programming corrupting, his Spark turning from it's majestic silvery blue color to a sick, poisonous purple. But, grief was the only thing he could focus on. He had stopped caring, the world had stopped for him, nothing mattered anymore.

It was the last straw for Starscream when he found his remaining Trinemate offline, curled into a loose ball on what was once Skywarp's berth. Instead of falling into despair, the eldest of the Trine felt his Spark start to burn. He searched blindly for someone to blame. He came up with two. The Autobots and Megatron. If the old fool had treated the Autobots as a serious threat, not like Younglings with attitude problems, his Trinemates would still be online!

That was the Solarcycle Starscream decided He would rule the Decepticons, and watch as the Autobots went down in flames.

~/~Back to Baby Robots now, shall we?~/~

Since Bumblebee had patrol, and Optimus had said that just because the Minibot had new responsibilities, didn't mean he was entitled to ignoring his old ones, the young flier was left in capable servos, meaning the team remaining at the base.

Ratchet had been first to leave, the old mech remembered all to well his days when he was a Medic in Training. He had been assigned to one of the lowliest jobs, the youngling care center. Despite how cute they could be, Younglings were all from the Pit as far as he was concerned.

Then Optimus, who though he would never admit it, was intimidated by the Youngling. Despite the orange optics and the lack of that nightmarish purple insignia, the orange and white mech was still a Flier. Fliers were, and likely would always, be linked to the Decepticon name. With the excuse of having to check on Bumblebee's progress, the young leader tried to look as if in no hurry to leave the room.

Lastly was Prowl, who had no real desire to watch over the small mech again so soon. He retreated to his room, leaving Sari and Bulkhead in charge of the Sparkling.

Blades was very interested in Bulkhead's can of paintbrushes. The large green mech had taken the opportunity the rare quiet offered to paint. Too caught up in his work, he didn't notice until it was too late.

The orange and white Sparkling let out a wail as he was covered with blue paint from the open can he'd knocked over.

"I'm never having kids." Sari mumbled, covering her ears.

~/~

Thanks for reading!