CHAP 30

Evil Emperor Zurg was waiting for Warp and Shadowstar on the landing pad. On the way down Darkmatter had informed him that they would be arriving soon and he'd gone out to greet them. When the blue skinned alien touched down and turned off the ships power the evil emperor walked toward them. He was smiling.

"Ah Shadowstar," he said, walking toward the femme with his arms stretched out wide as she disembarked. "You're back sooner than I thought you would be. How was the hunt? Did you catch anything?"

The fembot smirked. "If I hadn't I wouldn't be here now would I?" she asked.

The vampire femme set Nimrod down and allowed him to join the other Grubs that had followed the evil emperor to the landing pad. They were holding his cape up so it would not touch the platform. She turned and pointed to the ship. "He's in the brig, waiting for somebody to come and get him." she looked back at him, smirking. "Want me to bring him out for you or do you want to do the honors?"

"Oh no," he said, waving his hands. "I'll leave that to you." he turned around. "I'll wait for him in my throne room. Don't have too much fun with him on the way. Hahahahaa!"

Shadowstar glared at the back of his head, disgusted by what he was insinuating. "Why in the Pit would he even think such a thing?" she muttered, climbing back into the ship and heading toward the brig. She caught warp's eye. He smiled at her in a funny way. She bared her fangs and growled. He quickly moved to follow Zurg into the palace.

Shadowstar opened the door and stepped inside the brig. When she reached the door to the cell she stopped and stared down at the energy vampire who lay sprawled on the floor, unmoving. She thought she heard him snoring. Was he in sleep mode?

For some odd reason the fact that he was sleeping made her hesitent about waking him. She stared down at his form, undecided. Should she really do it now or wait? Was he the kind of being that was crabby when rudely awakened? She herself was and would often lash out at anyone who decided to bring her out of sleep mode before she was ready. Starscream was he witness. He'd gotten many a bite for doing so.

Would Nos-4-a2 bite her if she tried?

"Oh no, there's no way I am going to let that happen," she muttered. "He's not going to bite me." She would just stay out of the range of his teeth when she did it. Right here was fine.

Shadowstar reached up and rapped her hand lightly on the bars. "Hey, Nossy," she said, in a loud voice so he would hear her. "Wakey wakey."

Nos-4-a2 moaned and rolled onto his back. His optics blinked on and she felt them resting on her sleek, black and red frame. "What do you want?" he growled, clearly unhappy that she'd woken him out of recharge.

"We're on planet Z, my pet," she said in a sarcastic tone. The femme rested her arms on the bars and smirked. "I've come to get you so I can take you into the palace."

"So we're here," he stated flatly. The fact didn't seem to really bother him. She wondered why but didn't ask. "I guess this means you will be getting your petty revenge then."

"Petty?" she snapped, grasping the bars so hard her servos whined in protest. "How dare you call it petty!"

"They are petty," he stated, sitting up. He would have pointed at her but his hands were cuffed behind his back and he could not move them. "You only want to get rid of me because I ate your lunch, which was really my property anyway. You would not be doing any of this if I had just given it to you. If I had.." he smirked. "I bet you and I would have become partners."

"Don't count on it," she snapped, opening the door and stepping inside. She loomed over him, black hands resting on her red pelvis. "I don't do partnerships. I would rather work alone."

"Funny," he said as if remembering something. "You seemed to work well with the blue skinned organic."

"Shut up!" she snapped, clenching her hands into fists. "You have no idea what you're talking about. I only worked with that flesh bag because he was helping me get to you. If it wasn't for the fact that he was my only source of transportation through this pit forsaken dimension I never would have worked with him."

"Yes, indeed," he agreed spitefully. "Or maybe you're just telling yourself that to deny your true feelings."

That did it. She grabbed his neck and shoved him roughly against the wall. "I would advice shutting your trap, you stupid wannabe," she growled. "Unless you have a thing for pain." She raised her other hand, flexing her talons. "Do you like pain because I enjoy inflicting it."

He wasn't even intimidated by her words. He returned her gaze without flinching, though her grip was hurting his neck. "Do you actually think that works?" he questioned. "Has anyone ever listened when you ordered them to be quiet?"

She didn't want to get into any kind of discussions with him about whether people obeyed her or not. Instead she lifted him up by the neck and threw him roughly to the floor. He landed outside of the cell on his stomach. She followed him out then knelt down and grabbed his shoulder, manhandling him roughly. "Time to go, Nossy," she said, wrapping an around around his neck. "It's time to pay the piper."

He did not respond because he was sending an urgent mental distress signal to his current servant who lay resting in the LGM's lab on Star Command.

"Planet Z?" Prowl asked, unfamiliar with the name. "What is that?"

"It's the home of Evil Emperor Zurg."

The Autobot did not know who that was either though he remembered the Space Rangers mentioning the creature before. When they thought she and Sari were working for him. That clued him in that this guy was evil, that and his name. "Evil" was never used for nice people. That would be a contradiction. "Why do you think they went to the home planet of this Zurg?" he questioned.

"Well for one thing Warp Darkmatter works for Evil Emperor Zurg." Commander Nebula explained. "and for another Zurg is responsible for Nos-4-a2's existence."

"What?!" Prowl stared at him.

"Yes, he built him."

"He built him!?" the cyber ninja exclaimed. "Why would he do that?"

"He tried to use him to take control of Star Command," Nebula explained as they walked down the hall. "But thanks to Buzz Lightyear and XR he was stopped. Ever since then Nos-4-a2 has been causing problems." he shook his head. "I thought all that ended two years ago when Tye Parsec destroyed him but, when we found out he was rebuilt well..."

"What could Zurg want with him?" Prowl questioned. "Does he want to use him to take over again and what does that have to do with Shadowstar?"

The human shrugged. "I don't think Zurg is going to use Nos-4-a2 to take over again," he told him. "Especially since Nos-4-a2 dethroned him."

This was getting worse and worse. "Oh really?"

"Yes, so I doubt he wants his cooperation again. As for why your vampire would be helping Zurg.." he gave a helpless gesture. "Your guess is as good as mine."

Prowl looked away. Shadowstar had always been very hard to figure out. Even when she was causing problems for himself and the other Autobots, her motives had always been fuzzy. He knew she wanted to become a normal transformer who didn't have to feed off of other robots.. even though most of the time it seemed she enjoyed doing that, especially if it was him she was feeding on. But she'd refused the help she was offered and accused him and Ratchet of doing to her exactly what Perceptor had done. When she'd mentioned working for Megatron he'd seen she had not liked that either. It was obvious she didn't like authority figures having some kind of hold over her.

So why would she agree to help Zurg capture Nos-4-a2? Had he promised her something? Had he told her he could help complete her spark? Not likely. There was no way Zurg would be able to know why Shadowstar was the way she was, if he even knew she was a vampire.

So then what's this all about? he asked himself. What's her motive? What's his motive?

"So what are you going to do?" the cyber ninja questioned the Commander. "How soon are you planning on sending somebody to planet Z to get him back?"

"As soon as possible."

"I'm going too."

Commander Nebula paused. He looked at the Autobot for a moment then said. "I am sorry, Prowl, but I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Why not?" Prowl asked.

"It might not be a good idea," he replied. "You haven't been very rational since she was taken and we can't chance you making the situation worse."

"You do know that if you don't allow me to go I will just do it anyway," he stated stubbornly. "Or maybe I should just go myself, seeing as Shadowstar is my problem."

"She's not your problem anymore if she's working for Zurg," Nebula said. "Zurg is our problem."

"But Shadowstar is mine."

"Yes, I am aware of that," Commander Nebula consented. "But in the state you're in I don't think it's a good idea. Maybe if you calmed down a bit and did something about your anger then I would change my mind."

My anger? The Autobot stopped. He had been acting out of character lately. It wasn't just the incident with the LGM's either. But other stuff as well. If he kept this up he wouldn't be any good to anyone, most of all Sari. "You're right," he said, shaking his head. "I haven't been myself." he started to walk away.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I wish to be alone for a bit," Prowl replied, looking back at him. "Don't worry I am not leaving the Space Station. I just wish to find a quiet place where I can do some thinking."

Commander Nebula moved to follow him. "Then come with me" he said, grabbing his arm. "I know of just the place."

"Ah the prodical son has returned," Zurg said, walking over to Shadowstar who held tightly to a struggling Nos-4-a2 when they'd entered the throne room of Zurg's palace. He stood in front of the energy vampire, his hands clasped behind his back, and smirked. "How nice to see you again."

Nos-4-a2 didn't respond but the look on his face said the feeling was not mutual.

"What's the matter?" Zurg taunted, cocking his head to the side. "Have no words for your dear old daddy?"

The energy vampire still didn't bother replying. It wasn't because he had nothing to say, it was mostly due to the fact that he had so many things he wanted to say that they could not come out.

"So you got nothing?" Zurg continued, poking Nos' face with a slender gauntleted finger. "No insults, no idle threats?" he made a face. "I'm disappointed. Surely you have something."

Nos-4-a2's only come back was a cat-like hiss escaping from teeth clenched in fury.

"Why does it matter?" Shadowstar questioned, looking from her prisoner to his creator with distaste. "It's not like anything he says will change what is going to happen." she frowned and her expression looked vulnerable for a view seconds. As if she was having some kind of internal conflict. Youy want to kill him. I don't want that. Not right now. I want to have some fun. I haven't had any fun since I made Prowl my slave. "After all you're just going to kill him."

"On the contrary, my dear," Zurg said looking over at her. When her optics flickered in startlement, he pointed into the air with the same finger he'd used to poke Nos with. "I intend to kill him after I have a little fun."

Now that sounded better. "Mind if I ask what kind of fun?" she questioned, hoping she did not sound too eager.

"I don't know," he replied, waving his hand. He turned away."Whatever kind I can think of."

You mean what I can think of. Now she was grinning. "Oh I think I can come up with a few things, if you're interested."

"Oh really?" Zurg looked back at her, curious. "and what kind of things would that be?"

The fembot let go of Nos body. He was unable to keep himself suspended and flopped painfully onto the floor. She probed him suggestively with the toe of her foot before replying. "Oh nothing too drastic. Just something that will make him regret ever crossing either of us."

Zurg watched what she did and listened to what she said before asking. "How do I know what you're saying is true?" he looked her over, doubtful. "How am I even going to be sure you're good?"

Shadowstar smiled. "Oh trust me, Zurgy," she replied, walking over to him. She reached up and poked his forehead with her taloned index finger. "I am very good at what I do." the smile widened into a grin, her optics dimming as she bared her small, white fangs. "Would you like me to show you?"

The femme's closeness and the strange, sadistic expression that crossed her face made Zurg nervous. He backed away, out of reach of her probing finger. "Uh no, I don't think that will be necessary." he waved his hand again, forcing himself to keep his composure. "You just do what you have to do."

She frowned, looking disappointed. "Excellent," she said dryly. She turned away and returned to Nos who'd been watching. As she reached down to pick him up he smirked. "What?" she demanded.

"It's a shame we couldn't have met on better terms," he commented. "It might have been interesting."

Shadowstar made a face. "Don't get cute," she growled, dragging him toward the exit door, staying a few steps behind the evil emperor. "You won't be thinking that once I'm through with you."

"Oh, I'm not so sure," he said, looking away from her. His optics focused on the high ceiling. "There might just be plenty of time to find out, my dear."

Little one....

The voice echoed in Sari's head as she lay unconscious on the examining table. The LGM's had closed up her chest and then left the lab, going back to their other tasks. They figured, since she hadn't woken up at all during the examination, that she would be fine by herself.

Little one... Hear me, Little One, Nos-4-a2 calls to you.

"Master," she whispered, stirring.

I need you. Come to your Dark Master..

"Dark... Master.." Sari's eyes flew open, glowing blood red. She sat up and looked around herself, squinting in the darkness. The door.. where was the door?

Ah! Across the room. She grinned. "Yes."

Without even setting her feet on the floor she launched herself into the air and landed right in front of the exit. She reached out and touched the metal door. It did not open. It was locked. A precaution the LGMs had taken in case she did wake up while they were not there. Maybe shackling her to the table would have been a better idea.

Well no matter. One little door wasn't going to stand between her and her master.

Sari stepped back, opening her hands and creating an energy orb twice the size of her head. She took a few more steps back to give herself the right amount of room then let it loose. The orb crashed into the door, exploding it off its hinges and sending it flying out into the hall, crashing into XR who'd been wheeling to the lab to check on her. It slammed into his chest and knocked him into the wall.

"Ow," he moaned his optics only half functional. "What hit me?"

A shadow fell over him and he looked up, startled. Sari stood in the doorway. Her blood red eyes slowly scanned the hall. XR went still, not wanting to alert her of his presense. Her gaze fell on the spot where he lay. For a moment it seemed her eyes were locked on his and he felt a chill go through his frame. Was she going to do something to him? He almost panicked.

The robot need not have worried. After a few seconds Sari's eyes left him and she turned away, heading down the hall, both of her hands glowing ice blue.

Prowl sat cross legged on the floor of the Danger Room( I can't exactly remember what they called it anymore. It was the room the space rangers train in) in deep meditation. As it turned out that was the only room currently not being used at the moment and Commander Nebula assured him that he could have it to himself as long as he wanted. The cyber ninja had thanked him then the man left him to himself.

It was a good thing too. The Autobot needed some time to just think things over and calm himself and the presense of another person would only hinder that. As he'd realized earlier he was too tense and wasn't acting like himself. He figured out why just awhile ago. He cared deeply for Sari as far as a friend could and didn't want her winding up like Master Yoketron. Dead.

That was one thing Prowl could not reverse.

But it won't happen, he promised himself. Not this time. I'll make sure of it.

How are you going to do that? the little voice of doubt questioned. Are you going to kill Nos-4-a2? If you do you won't be any better than he is.

No, I'm not going to kill him. I can't do that. Autobots aren't murderers. But he had been entertaining the idea which bothered him. He should not have allowed himself to lose so much self control that he would let himself think of doing such a thing, even if Nos-4-a2 did deserve nothing less.

It's not going to happen either. I can't let myself lose control. I'm not a Decepticon.

That thought made him uncomfortable. It reminded him of the time he and Lockdown teamed up and he'd been so brutal to the Starscream clones when he'd worked hard to capture them. The light red one had asked him if he was sure he didn't have Decepticon programing. No.. he wasn't sure. The earliest part of his life was foggy and he'd been through so much he couldn't remember everything. But.. even if he didn't ,even Autobots were capable of doing such things.

Not me. It won't happen. I will save Sari.. without resorting to such brutality.

The faint sound of an alarm going off alerted him to his current problem. He turned his head, his optics brightening to full brilliance under his visor. What was that? What was happening?

His curiosity got the best of him. The Autobot stood and moved quickly toward the exit. As soon as he drew near, the large metal doors hissed open. He dashed out into the hall and came across two space rangers running in the opposite direction. The two he'd met earlier when he was looking for the LGM's lab. They were running toward him, looking panicky. Right away he knew something was wrong.

"What's happened?" he questioned. them when they were near enough to hear him.

"The techno organic girl," the dark skinned ranger replied, glancing nervously over his shoulder. "She's awake."

Sari's awake? Somehow that knowledge didn't make him feel any better. Yes it was a relief that the LGMs probing hadn't caused any ill effects, but that did not mean she was herself. "Did she say anything to you?"

The two space rangers looked back the way they came. Prowl too looked down the hall. He thought he heard laser fire. A horrible feeling washed over him. "No.. this can't be."

The rangers looked at him questioningly. Prowl didn't look at them. Instead he took off down the halll, leaving them both with confused expressions. As the Autobot drew nearer to the chaos he heard another sound that was more familiar to him than laser fire. The high pitched noise of Sari when she activated her battle armor. Oh no!

Then he'd reached his destination. Before him crouched a group of Space Rangers all aiming their arm lasers and firing at Sari who stood in full battle gear. The red blast didn't seem to effect her much, almost as if she was impervious to them. Suddenly she opened both her hands and fired energy orb after energy orb at them assembled group. The rangers ducked in cover. The moment they did she rushed them, activating her hammer and brutally hitting the rangers in the chests. It it wasn't for the light yet strong armor of their suits she would have killed them all.

The rangers flew across the room, landing at Prowl's feet.

"Ugh, that girl hits harder than she looks," one commented, pushing himself up off the floor. He noticed Prowl standing over him. "Mind dealing with your friend?"

"I..." Prowl looked back at Sari. She looked at him and their eyes locked. For the briefest moment her expression changed and her eyes flickered to blue then back to red. She let out a banshee like scream and charged, activating both her blades.

Prowl readied himself for the blow that was likely to come but at the last second she seemed to change her mind. She twisted around and dashed down the hall, ignoring him. Prowl watched her go, surprised and confused. Why hadn't she tried to kill him?

"Prowl!" a voice called to him.

He turned around in time to see Booster and Mira running toward her. They all had the same urgent look on their faces. "Sari's awake!"

"Yes, I know," he responded as the space rangers at his feet slowly got up. "She just ran past me.":

"Well didn't you try to stop her?" Booster asked.

The Autobot did not answer. He looked down the hall. "I think we should go after her," he started, purposely changing the subject. "before she causes anymore damage."

Sari made her way to the hanger where all the space ships were docked. One the way she ran into a lot of opposite which she took out easily thanks to Nos-4-a2 lending her some of his power. If not for that she would not have made it that far. Still it was a chore. Those space rangers were stubborn soldiers and didn't go down easily, except for the rookies. But she didn't mind too much. It was fun to put those wannabes in their place.

Sari walked down the platform in the hanger toward 42, her senses on alert in case there were more space rangers waiting for her in there. She looked around the docking bay, studying the many ships. I should do something about them, she thought. I don't want anyone going after me. Master would not like that. she created two energy orbs and threw them at the ships.

The spheres crashed into two of the ships, exploding on impact and sending the machines crashing to the floor. She moved around the hanger, doing the same to every ship she could find. It too took some time but still nobody was interfering which could either be good or bad. Were they just going to allow her to destroy their ships without trying to stop her?

All well.

Sari had nearly finished when she was hit in the back with laser fire.