Optimus groaned as Megatron kicked him in the chest, and he staggered a few steps back before parrying the Decepticon leader's attack with his axe. Megatron, however, attacked with his mace, denting the plating on Optimus's shoulder. Optimus knelt at the force of the hit, trying not to think of the pain that surged through his systems. Seeing the opening he had been looking for, Megatron held up his fusion cannon, aiming it directly on Optimus's head.

"Well, Prime. It looks like I have the upper hand this time," he declared. "Any last requests before I finish you off?"

"Only one: give up!" Optimus said, and he charged at Megatron with all the speed he could muster, throwing him against a thick wall.

Megatron tried to catch his breath at that impact. "Interesting tactics, Prime; but futile," he said with a smirk, then used his legs as leverage to throw Optimus off his feet again before activating his communication frequencies. "Megatron to Starscream. Report." He paused, listening to everything that his second-in-command said via the communication link. "What? You fool! How could you let this happen?!"

"Sounds to me like you lost, Megatron," Optimus said, optics flashing brightly.

Megatron ended the transmission angrily and glared at Optimus. "There are many roads to victory, Prime. I will prevail."

With that, Megatron sounded the retreat and took off, his silver plating glinting under the moonlight. The rest of the Decepticons obeyed the order and followed their leader without bothering to look back and, in a matter of moments, all the Decepticons were swallowed in the dark veil of the night.

Optimus watched the Decepticons go as the sound of cheering filled the air; his subordinates were more than glad to see their enemies leave. Prowl, however, walked up to Optimus, a thoughtful expression on his features.

"Should we have them followed?" he asked. "Tracks can find out if they have a temporary base nearby."

Optimus shook his head. "Let them go, Prowl. There will be another time."

"Very well," Prowl answered. "With your permission, then, I'll rally our troops and make preparations for our return to Base."

"Permission granted," the Autobot leader replied. "Meanwhile, I'll contact the director of the plant and the mayor; they have to be notified about the attack and the damages."

"That would be best," the tactician agreed, and he turned on his heel to start gathering the Autobots.

Just then, Optimus's audios picked up the low whistle of an incoming transmission. Suspecting who it was, Optimus activated his communication frequencies to hear Jazz's voice.

"Jazz here, Prime, We stopped the Decepticons and we're ready to come over. Do you read?"

"Loud and clear, Jazz," Optimus answered. "What about Skyfire?"

"Wheeljack's patched him up. He's still got a busted arm, but he can transform."

"Good. ETA?"

"Not more than five Earth minutes."

"Then we'll meet you here. Optimus out."

"Gotcha. Jazz out."

Five minutes later, Optimus and the other Autobots heard Skyfire's engines, and it didn't take them long to see the flier himself, descending. Though Skyfire felt uncomfortable because of his injuries, his landing was smooth and flawless. He even tried to play down matters, saying that he was ready to carry all the Autobots back to the Ark if necessary.

Even so, Optimus decided that the Valkyrie shouldn't burden himself. He told Ratchet to put all the Autobots who were injured and unable to transform inside Skyfire, while the rest would drive back to Base. The only exception would be Faera, who would sit inside Optimus's trailer, and Blaster, who would ride inside Hound.

It was a welcome arrangement. And so, in less than a quarter of an hour, Bluestreak, Tracks, Ironhide, Trailbreaker and Ratchet flew away in Skyfire, whereas the rest of the Autobots followed in their alternate modes. Now that the Decepticons were defeated, everyone drove in a relaxed manner, and even exchanged small talk concerning the battle. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were particularly talkative, describing in detail every fighting technique that they used, as well as the effect it had on their adversaries.

"You guys should have seen Thundercracker's face when I kicked him in his aft," Sideswipe said. "His glare was priceless!"

"It was nothing compared to Soundwave's indignation when I avoided his sonic attack and gave him two punches that almost broke his face-plate in half," Sunstreaker said, chuckling almost maniacally. "Who knew that he actually had feelings?"

"He can still get you where it hurts the most," Blaster pointed out. "Those scratches and dents are all over you chassis, man."

"He was lucky!" Sunstreaker said dismissively. "I'll get him next time."

Optimus couldn't help but smile inwardly as he listened in on the banter, for it was at times like these that he felt like his Autobot leader position was truly worthwhile. Still, he could also sense that Faera had become awfully quiet, and she hardly acknowledged her surroundings. Even Roller got curious and he approached her to examine her; but she simply placed a hand on him in a motion to pet him and she remained there, lost in thought.

Optimus knew what was wrong with her, of course. Jazz had already filled him in on her encounter with Starscream. A part of him even wanted to talk to Faera about it, hoping that he would be able to help her somehow. However, Optimus was also aware that the best thing he could do was leave her be till she cleared her mind. She would open up to him when she felt ready.

"Hey, Bumblebee, Mirage has just told me an interesting story," Hound said in that moment, cutting into Optimus's train of thought. "You actually took on Astrotrain on your own?"

Bumblebee's engine made a small chocking sound, a sign that the minibot felt very self-conscious all of a sudden. "It… it was nothing really…" he murmured.

"Nothing?" Cliffjumper exclaimed, laughing. "I'll now have to think twice before I pick on you again."

Brawn hummed his agreement. "I always knew you had bolts of steel, little buddy."

"I had good help, that's all!" Bumblebee blurted out in embarrassment. "Faera was there with me!"

Hearing her name snapped Faera out of her reverie. Optimus sensed her looking up, her eyes bright and with life once more.

"It wasn't me who knocked him out," she corrected, a playful lilt finally audible in her voice. "You did that on your own, Bumblebee."

"But…!"

"Sorry, Bumblebee, but the lady has spoken," Wheeljack declared, and Optimus was sure that the engineer was positively grinning.

"Indeed she has," Faera seconded. "So no arguing with me, got it?"

If Bumblebee had been able to, he would have blushed right then and there. "Got it."

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen," Sideswipe sniggered, and Sunstreaker bumped on him, as if nudging him meaningfully.

"Come on, guys, cut it out," Jazz said, even though it was obvious he was amused. He paused for a moment, as if another thought occurred to him just then, and he drove close to Prowl. "You know, Prowl, my man… Faera did good out there. She kept her cool the entire time and she worked well with Skyfire and Bumblebee."

Prowl made a small noise in thought. "She's also proven her worth in fighting, reconnaissance and stealth."

Faera tilted her head, hearing the two Autobots only too clearly. "Flattering as those things may be, I'm not sure where you're getting at."

Optimus, however, understood perfectly. "Congratulations, Faera. You've just become an Autobot," he said, smiling.

"I have?" Faera asked, quite surprised.

"In Special Ops division, to be exact," Prowl pointed out. "You'll be able to apply your abilities to the fullest in that position."

She raised an eyebrow as she processed what the tactician told her. "Will I still be a soldier then?"

"Sure thin'. We just specialise in other stuff other than standard fighting," Jazz answered, happy to explain matters to her. "I do the sabotages, Mirage spies and Bumblebee scouts."

"You mean…?" Faera started, though something in her tone showed that she already suspected the answer.

"Yup. We'll be working together," Bumblebee said, and it didn't take a great mind to see that the yellow minibot was beaming at the news.

"So it's official," Wheeljack said. "Welcome to the team, Faera!"

"Welcome!" the other Autobots said, glad that the Sadjen would stay with them. As for Faera, she smiled, and Optimus managed to pick up the soft 'Thank you' she murmured.

"Great!" Sideswipe declared, "This calls for a celebration!"

"Sideswipe…" Prowl said. If the tactician had been in his robot mode, he would have certainly shaken his head.

"What?" the red Lamborghini said innocently. "It's a special occasion!"

"He has a point man. You guys threw a party when Smokescreen, Perceptor and I joined the Ark group," Blaster said. "Besides, it's been a while since we had a little fun."

"Then it's settled?" Sideswipe said hopefully.

Prowl didn't say anything, as if he contemplated matters carefully; then directed his sensors on Optimus.

"What do you think, Prime?"

Optimus pretended to think about it as well, figuring that he and Prowl should keep appearances for a few minutes longer; they were officers, after all. In the end, though, he smiled.

"Well… Why not?"

Starscream crashed against the wall, then collapsed on the floor with a heavy clanking sound. He could still taste the fluid in his mouth, and he winced when he probed his jaw with cautious fingers. Megatron always knew how to throw a mean punch.

"You were supposed to steal that energy, Starscream," Megatron said, towering over his second-in-command. "Soundwave had prepared thirty energon cubes for that very purpose, and you returned here empty-handed!"

"The Autobots saw through the diversion, Megatron," Starscream replied. "There was nothing Astrotrain and I could have done."

Megatron narrowed his optics, red light flashing through them. "Are you suggesting that my plan was flawed?"

"I wouldn't dare, mighty leader," Starscream said, not wishing to get another punch in the face. "But it wasn't easy to keep an optic on the Autobots and our slave."

"I hope that you will make things easier next time, Starscream, or you will pay the price," Megatron declared, holding up his fusion cannon.

"It's already done, leader," Starscream replied at once, holding up his hands up in a gesture of peace. "The energy magnet works perfectly!"

That certainly caught Megatron's attention. "Perfectly, you say?"

"Oh, yes," the air commander said, smiling inwardly; he had saved his neck again. "Ebon is yours to command, Megatron."

Megatron regarded Starscream hard. "I'll believe that when I see the Sadjen himself."

"Of course, wise leader," Starscream said, nodding emphatically, and he motioned his hand to the exit. "Follow me."

Megatron did just that, and Starscream guided the Decepticon leader into a small room that was empty of equipment. It was quite dark, but both Decepticons could still see a humanoid form huddled at one of the furthest corners across from them.

"No cage?" Megatron asked. Indeed, Ebon wasn't confined.

"There's no need for that anymore, leader," Starscream explained, and he walked up to the male Sadjen to cup his chin, forcing him to look up. "The magnet is currently absorbing his energy, making him as weak as a protoform."

Ebon clenched his jaw and grabbed Starscream's arm, yet nothing happened.

"You see?" the air commander continued, unfazed. "He's harmless."

Megatron frowned in disbelief; nevertheless he examined Ebon with quite the scrutiny, even going so far as to touch the flesh-like hand. But still nothing happened.

"Excellent," the Decepticon leader finally said. "And what of the status of the energy container?"

"It's currently 5% full."

"Good." Megatron turned on his heel and headed for the exit. "When it reaches at 30%, prepare some energon cubes. We need the… replenishment."

"You shall have it, leader," Starscream said, bowing his head.

"Oh, and Starscream?" Megatron stopped on his tracks.

"Yes, Megatron?" Starscream asked, curious.

"Why settle with one Sadjen when we can have two?"

Starscream caught on at once, and he smirked knowingly. "I'll start building a second magnet."

"Do that," Megatron said, and he continued towards the exit once more.

"She's not worth it, Megatron."

The Decepticon leader stopped in his tracks and looked back at Ebon. The Sadjen was glaring at him in pride and defiance in spite of everything.

"On the contrary, Sadjen; I think she's worth every drop of energy that is in her," Megatron said coldly. Ebon opened his mouth to speak, but Megatron proved faster and continued on. "I know what it is you want, Sadjen. And I know you want to live long enough to see her die before your eyes. But…" at that, Megatron's lips tugged to a cruel smile. "It doesn't have to be a swift death, does it?"

Ebon remained silent for many long moments, his lips pursed and his brows furrowed in thought. Starscream and Megatron watched as Ebon weighed all his options; and then, to their grim satisfaction, they got their answer.

"Just tell me what to do."

To Be Concluded...