A/N: Ta-da! Another one! Back on track with the writing now! Hope you like, both our heroes have a difficult decision to ponder! O.O Go sit on my review couch and pour out your heart if you like, I'm a good listener!

Chapter 24

The passage was narrow, and very dark, if Alexis stretched out both arms, her fingertips brushed the walls, but on tilting her head back the ceiling receded to cathedral-like proportions above them. Wires hung down in the gloom, and panels lined the walls, some gaping open to show spewing, tangled wires, or dark shafts leading into unknown parts of the base. At first they had tiptoed forward tentatively, fearful of debris tripping them up, or holes in the floor, but the way seemed to be clear, and they forged ahead more confidently now.

"What's so special about the Requiem Blaster anyway?" asked Sari as they walked. "It's a weapon, right? 'Cos they all seem to have plenty of those already."

Alexis shrugged. "I don't really know. It's special somehow. I think Starscream might know more about it than we think."

"You really think it could bring down Megatron?"

"We both saw it wipe out an entire hillside, so I'd put my money on it."

Sari fell silent, walking along beside her. Even in the dark, Alexis could sense there were many other questions troubling her friend. She couldn't blame Sari for all the doubt and bewilderment she must be feeling. What the hell am I doing, Alexis wondered as they trudged ever deeper down the passage. I must be insane. I'm aiding a decepticon. I'm viewed as a decepticon for crying out loud! I'm endangering our lives to ensure the success of a huge murdering, possessive, narcissistic psychopath! I should just cut and run whilst I have a chance.

You're not going to though, are you?

Alexis clenched her fists as she walked, willing the inner voice to shut up.

Are you?

No.

Why are you doing this? Why did you return? Why are you still here?

To save the world, to get the decepticons off the planet.

And?

And nothing.

Are you sure? Is that your only reason?

Alexis let out a small yelp as she collided with something, quickly realizing they had come to the end of the passage. Mentally extinguishing the inner voice, relieved, she felt in the dark for a panel, and pushed, gritting her teeth and praying. The two girls let out simultaneous sighs of relief when the door hissed and glided smoothly open.

The stepped out into a another huge corridor, seemingly identical to the one they had left, but on the other side an enormous arch gaped, leading into another huge space. Along the back wall were lines of cages the size of shipping containers, stacked all the way up to the ceiling.

"The slave quarters!" she exclaimed. "Which means the armoury is not far away. We did it!"

Faster faster faster I am Ravage where are you my two I am coming I feel your heat I want to hunt…

Ravage skidded around a corner, grinding his claws into the floor. He emitted a series of snarls and clicks, his head swishing from side to side. The rapid scan took in walls, floors, stretching into the distance, cold and empty… but no, not empty. Over there, two vivid blobs of heat, tiny, in the distance, moving together away from him….

Two humans…

"There might be something here we can use." Sari jogged over to the cages, her eyes moving over the discarded contents. 'I don't know, a tool, a rope, whatever."

"You're right," Alexis said. "Thundercracker made retrieving that thing sound easy, but I'm betting it won't be."

Sari stooped and picked up a small object off the floor. It was a tracker bar. "Hold that thought, I'm actually starving," she said, proceeding to tear off the wrapper. She closed her eyes in bliss, filling her cheeks. "Make that absolutely starving. Oh wow, I never liked these before, but now they taste of heaven!"

Alexis smiled, rolling her eyes. Then suddenly, a sound reached her ears and she wheeled round.

About a hundred feet away from them, in the vast doorway, was a… Alexis squinted. A panther? It was black. Facing her, it was half crouched, narrowed crimson optics boring into her. A long, barbed tail swished steadily from side to side, like the swinging watch of a hypnotist. Alexis felt cold dread seep through her limbs inexplicably. Her instinct screamed to get away from this thing. She cleared her dry throat.

"Sari?"

"Mmph?"

Sari turned, still munching happily. Her expression froze on sighting the big metal cat, and she swallowed her mouthful fearfully, staring at it.

"Who's that?"

Alexis shook her head. "I've never seen it before…"

Megatron smiled, a deadly calculating expression that had nothing whatsoever to do with happiness. "Poor Starscream," he said softly. "This is all about Cybertron, isn't it, and the obsession you harbour with our wasted planet? Mm?"

When Starscream did not reply, Megatron began to pace the room, staring into the optics of each mech in turn. "All of you want to return home, is that it? A touch of…" A sneer pulled at his lips. "…Homesickness? Well. Perhaps Megatron is not as unfeeling as you all think. A little excursion home would perhaps do some of you some good. Blast some of the autobot refugee camps, what's left of them. Regain your fighting spirit. For we are all warriors, are we not?"

A sullen rumble of assent came from the ranks of soldiers in the huge room. But Megatron knew that rebellion still lingered there. He spun round to face Starscream once more.

"You won't find me ready just yet to surrender power, my second in command," he said. Starscream merely looked at him. "But… how about I grant you the planet of Cybertron to steward, maybe even to save? If you believe such a thing is possible. You are a great scientist, as well as a fighter. Perhaps you can do it. You will still be the second in command of the decepticons, and you will still answer to me. But Cybertron is yours. You can leave this planet and it's pathetic inhabitants to me."

Thundercracker turned to Starscream, stunned at Megatron's offer. Starscream did not react.

"I will leave you to consider this for a short while, Starscream, and consider it well," growled Megatron. "You won't find a generous offer like this again. And turn it down at your peril. If you decide to take me on, this time it's to the death."

He turned his broad back on the seeker, and strode from the room, Soundwave following silently. Dozens and dozens of optics watched them leave. When the doors hissed shut, they flew back to the motionless jet, digesting this unexpected turn of events. Waiting to see what he would do.

Alexis licked her dry licks and swept her hair back. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. The thing had red eyes, leaving no doubt as to it's faction. Her eyes traveled over the sleek neck and torso, over it's haunches. Are those missiles? It was watching them, it's mouth slightly open, grinning jaws showing gleaming silver teeth. It began to move forward, stalking in lazy zig-zags towards them.

Alexis and Sari backed up, moving towards each other, slowly the space between them and the creature diminishing. It was trapping them in a corner.

Alexis slowly hunkered down as she backed up, not taking her eyes off the thing. Her fingers found a bent metal bar on the floor, amongst the detritus. Out of the corner of the eye she saw her friend looking about for something similar to defend herself with. The creature seemed not to care, Alexis fancied she caught something like amusement glimmering in its crimson, evil optics. He could just blast us with those missiles after all…

But as it drew nearer, and she caught sight of the sharp claws clicking on the metal floor, she knew it had other plans for them. Her heart threatened to burst from her ribs. I wish Starscream was here. No time for that now. She hefted the heavy bar in both hands as she straightened up, still backing up, feeling the weight of it. Her eyes still on the cat. She was trembling, her hands damp with sweat, Sari was beside her now, they were almost backed into a corner…

Sari, having found nothing to fight with, balled her fists, glaring grimly at it. "Shit," she muttered as it halted feet away from them, tail swishing, head lowered, mouth curled in a demonic grin.

"My thoughts exactly," murmured Alexis, adjusting her grip on the bar.

The thing pounced, although they were both bracing themselves for it, Alexis let out a shriek and swung wildly at it. Beside her she heard Sari yelling- "Fucking smash it's bastard face in! Kill it!"

The bar bounced off the creature's head and it reared back with a metallic snarl, circling once before lunging again. It butted Alexis sharply and she fell backwards. Sari screamed, but quickly helped her friend up. They both backed completely into the corner, Alexis holding out the bar with trembling arms.

Ravage gave a rasping chuckle as he paced back and forth in front of them, swishing his tail delightedly. Then, with the speed of a snake, he lunged again, lashing both girls cruelly with his claws. The pitiful weapon one of them had been clutching fell to the floor and he saw the organic fluid start to leak from their hands and arms- Oh how he loved the sight of that fluid! Another swipe and he had them both on the floor again, this time lashing at the their faces tearing their skin, cuffing them with his claws, not too hard, just enough to stun them and cause them to emit those noises he also loved, the noises that meant pain, and fear.

Again he went for them. This time the skinny one with the darker outer skin and sparkling black eyes rained her fists on him repeatedly, screaming curses and jabbing at his optics. He engulfed one small hand in his mouth as she punched, and bit down, relishing the terror and the high-pitched squeaking typical in organic females. Releasing the hand from his jaws, he bent his head and smashed it into the other one, knocking her back down, crunching into her ribs… he vaguely felt her feet as she kicked at him… with his tail he lashed at the dark-haired one, ripping through the layers of clothing through the skin underneath… more warm fluid flowed out onto his tail… seeping through the torn fabric, she collapsed to her knees with a moan… Mustn't be hasty… he hadn't had the chance to have fun in such a long time… he retreated back, surveying his handiwork, an insane grin splitting his feline features… The two girls lay bleeding heavily, their wet eyes glaring at him in terror and loathing, their chests heaving as their lungs struggled to take in air… A low, growling purr of pleasure escaped his mouth and he flexed his claws, ready for another attack…

BOOM.

Ravage froze mid snarl, his metal hackles standing up with a series of clicks, his head whipped round to the wall behind him, some eighty feet away.

BOOM.

Something smashed into the wall again from the outside, the metal surface buckling slightly. Ravage circled, agitated, a low menacing growl escaping him, tail swishing.

SMASH.

The wall collapsed, sending daylight and a group of robots tumbling into the room, their colourful limbs jumbled together. A yellow arm fought to extricate itself from a red leg… They got to their feet, complaining to each other good-naturedly, the red symbols on their chests gleaming proudly…

Ravage gaped at them for a split second. Then with a snarl and a tensing of limbs he launched himself towards the door like a bullet, his prey forgotten, opening a com link to his master.

/Alert alert autobo…/

"Oh no you don't," the red bot growled, and a blast of blue light hit the casseticon, sending him sliding across the room to slam into the wall with a screech. Blearily, through a mist of pain, Alexis raised her head. She saw the red robot sprint across the room causing the floor to shake, raise his foot, and bring it down hard on the cat, grinding his sole, causing the beast to howl and spit as it's components crunched underfoot. He stamped again, and again, the wrecked body sparking and quivering with each blow, until finally it moved no more. He kicked the mangled body to the wall with a contemptuous sniff. "Bad kitty."

"Ironhide, enough of that! There's two humans over here! They're hurt!"

Alexis felt the ground shake and everything went dark as many pairs of feet surrounded them both. Her hands and face were covered in blood and she trembled all over, beside her Sari lay still. She tried to get up and winced, her ribs on fire.

"No no no, don't try to move little one."

Alexis blinked, nausea washing over her. She felt sure she was going to faint. She felt warm blood trickling through her hair and over her face. Turning her head she saw Sari, lying still, her eyes closed. The t-shirt covering her small waist and her jeans were drenched in blood. The nausea grew worse and she reached a hand towards her friend. "Sari…"

Suddenly the feet parted and a familiar voice rang out, reaching Alexis' ears as if she was drowning in treacle. There was jostling, as if someone was shoving their way through. "Hey! Let me through, let me see! LET ME THROUGH!"

A vivid yellow figure knelt in front of them. "Alexis! Sari! Are you alright? Oh Primus, SARI!"

Bumblebee gently scooped Sari into his hands, cradling her to his chest. "Sari, Sari! I've come back, I've come to get you! Wake up! Wake up Sari!"

Another robot, this one red and white, knelt down next to him. "Bumblebee, give her to me," he said sternly. "I can't help her with you holding her like that. Come on, Bee. She'll be alright."

Alexis' head hurt. Her feet scrabbled under her, wanting to stand up, when suddenly she found herself surrounded by blue metal. Gently, something nudged her and she fell forwards onto the blue, flat surface with a groan. Then she had the sensation of rising, slowly, whoever it was being careful not to make her dizzy. Blue light bathed her and she looked up into two optics.

There was no mouth, only a visor, but a voice rumbled from behind it.

"I'm going to scan you. It won't hurt. Don't be afraid."

The voice was deep, wise and gentle, and Alexis felt the cold fog of fear in her head clear slightly. Then she heard a harsh, cracked voice answering him, and was shocked to discover it was her own.

"I'm not afraid. Put me down. I want Sari."

The optics flared and the blue light bathed her. "I am so sorry we did not get here sooner. Ratchet is looking after Sari. She is alive, and she will be alright. You must be Alexis Garner."

The optics narrowed and glowed as if in a warm smile. Then the hands lowered her towards the ground, the voice rumbling again as she descended.

"You have cracked ribs and some cuts, but nothing worse, thankfully."

Alexis blushed despite herself, as she stepped gingerly off onto the floor, feeling a small stab of shame at her rudeness. "Uh… thank you." She looked up at the huge red and blue figure.

He knelt down on one knee, placing a hand on the other. "We've heard a lot about you from Sari," he said. "She holds you very dear to her. My name is Optimus Prime, leader of the autobots." He glanced over her head towards the group of mechs surrounding Sari. "Why don't you go and see to her. You both have had a narrow escape."

Without hesitation Alexis turned to run, only to find her ribs exploding in pain every time she tried to take a step; she felt blood trickling down her legs inside her jeans and looked down to see them torn from Ravage's attack. Her arms, neck and face were cut too, and oozing blood. She settled for a half run, half limp, approaching the group and ducking under an elbow to see her friend laying flat on the floor, looking very pale, Bumblebee cradling her head. The red and white robot was finishing a dressing on her stomach, shaking his head.

"You would have died if we had arrived just a klik later…" he was saying.

Sari turned her head and caught sight of Alexis. "Ali!" she croaked, tears leaking from her eyes. "Thank god!"

"Are you okay hon?" Alexis knelt beside Sari, wincing as she did so, brushing her fringe out of her face.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

The red and white robot snorted above them. "You're not fine, tiny. You're badly hurt." Blood was already starting to seep through the dressing across Sari's abdomen. Sari tried to sit up, only to be restrained by Bumblebee, gently. She winced in pain and sank back down. "Yeah well, I'm fine now you're here, Ratchet." She punched his knee joint affectionately.

Alexis looked up to see the red robot who had killed Ravage, the one referred to as Ironhide, standing over them. She recognized him as the one who had questioned her the night she had arrived at the autobot base. "We need to move fast," he said grimly. "I don't think Ravage had time to sound the alarm, but we're not safe here. I say we take the humans out of here and hide them. Bumblebee can be in charge of that. (Bumblebee nodded fervently) The rest of us prepare the ambush and find the weapon. Right Prime?"

Prime had followed Alexis over to the huddle. As he approached, they all stood up attentively, apart from Bumblebee, who remained on the floor with Sari.

"No, wait! Ali and I can stay! We have a job to do…" Sari yelled up, and tried to sit up once more, only to sway and sink back down again. "We're on our way to get the Blaster!"

Ironhide tilted his head. "The Requiem Blaster?"

Sari nodded, gulping in air as a fresh wave of pain from her injuries hit her. Beside her, Alexis stiffened. The only one who noticed was Prime, who stood silent, his blue optics unwavering.

"So he has got it, then," Ironhide growled. "The filthy slagger. We can't let Megatron use it, no matter what…"

"Megatron doesn't know it's here." Alexis spoke up, quietly, and all heads swiveled to her. "Starscream plans to use it to kill Megatron, to overthrow him."

"Megatron, Starscream, they're both the same," Ironhide snorted. "Whichever of them has it, it's bad news, for the humans and for us. Let's get these girls out."

Alexis stood up, with difficulty. "I'm staying here," she said.

Ironhide looked down, his eyebrows raised. "Sari said you were tough, and she's right," he grunted. "But now you need to get…"

"I'm staying here, I'm going to do what I set out to do."

Alexis stared at Ironhide, her mouth set. Optimus was watching her carefully, his expression unfathomable.

"I'm going to retrieve the Blaster." She held the red bot's stare, stubbornly.

Ironhide grunted, and turned to Optimus. "Well, I guess she is small, and she knows the base better than any of us. When she's got it she can bring it back to us. Got that, kid?"

Alexis didn't answer, turning instead to Sari and dropping down beside her.

"Are you gonna be alright?"

Sari nodded, managing a smile. "Only pissed off I can't join the fun. I told you they'd come, didn't I?"

She indicated the autobots behind them with a gesture, her eyes shining. Alexis nodded slowly. "They'll sort everything out Alexis. You don't have to worry about the decepticons any more. When you've got the gun come and find us. Prime can use it to defeat the decepticons. It's going to be alright!"

Alexis nodded, but Sari sensed her oldest friend's gaze was somewhere else. She searched her friends face, then reached out and touched her arm.

"Ali? Hon?"

Alexis took a deep breath, and smiled. "Of course it will Sari. You're right. I'll see you very soon, okay?"

The girls clung to each other tight, ignoring the pain of their injuries. Alexis hauled herself to her feet. "You had better get out of here, like that one said." She jerked her thumb towards Ironhide.

Without further comment she began to limp past the line of autobots, her hands jammed in her pockets, towards the doorway. Behind her the robots began to move, hurriedly and quietly. She looked back to see Sari being placed gently inside Bumblebee, who had transformed into car mode. He reversed, and rumbled towards the hole in the wall. Some of the others followed him. Ironhide and a few others she didn't recognize drew their various weapons and stood, looking towards Optimus Prime.

Optimus watched the small human limp towards the archway alone, her shoulders hunched and head bowed, looking tiny in all that space. He stepped forward. "Alexis."

For a moment he thought she wasn't going to stop. Then she did halt, and turned, expressionless, towards him.

"I am glad to have met you. Be careful."

She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze. Her mouth opened, as if she were about to speak. But she merely nodded, and turned away, round the corner and out of sight.