Usual disclaimers; Skystorm and Riella are all I own! A huge thank you to Dragonsketcher for letting me use Hyperjump and writing the chapter from his point of view!

Chapter 3: Skystorm's POV

The Decepticon crumpled back against a tree, optics offlining. I stared at him, curiosity and concern – concern? Why was I concerned for him? – warring with my fear. Slowly, I reached out and touched his arm, poking at him to see if he responded. He's really just a kid, I thought, looking at the wounds on his arm and wing. My age…

I jerked away as he stirred slightly, but he didn't wake up. Energon dripped from his wing, and my own tensed in sympathy. He had to be hurting so much…and after all, he hadn't done anything to me. What if he had been just as scared as I was, and the gun had been because he didn't want me to hurt him?

A sudden, daring idea popped into my processor. I could help him…maybe if I helped him, I could question him. Find out why he was here. Maybe he would answer willingly if I helped him.

No! Skystorm, femme, you've got to be kidding! What would Riella and Prowl say?

I shook my head, pushing away the nagging voice that wanted me to give up. Riella and Prowl always told me to do what I knew was right, and helping another flier was definitely on that list. Even if he was a Decepticon.

With that decision made, I pushed myself upright determinedly. Looking down at the fallen 'Con one last time, I took off, transforming and speeding back toward base.

Luckily, both my creators were out on patrols, and no one else paid much attention to me as I ran down the hall and into their office. Riella kept a medkit under her chair – yes, there it was. I subspaced it and ran back out of the room, taking off the minute I got out in the open.

Hoping the Decepticon hadn't woken up and left, I circled once over the trees before landing. Sure enough, he was still there, and still unconscious. I quickly knelt down beside him and pulled out the medkit. "Hey, you," I said quietly, taking out the patches that would cover the cuts. "You're gonna owe me one, okay?"

It didn't take long to finish patching his injuries – I had a lot of practice, because my brothers are always getting hurt somehow and they come find me or Riella when they don't want to go to Ratchet. It was well after dark by the time I finished, and I realized I wasn't going to make it back to base that night.

"Skystorm to NEST base," I commed. "I'm going to stay out tonight, but I'll be back tomorrow, alright?"

My femme creator's voice answered. ::What's wrong?::

"Nothing," I half-lied. "Just have some things I want to do."

::Okay, but comm if there's a problem. See you tomorrow.::

That done, I sat down to wait for the Decepticon to wake up. It was a long wait; thankfully for me, the sunrise was pretty.

I was just about to call in and let my creators know that I would be later than I planned, when I heard a voice behind me. "Why?"

I turned to see the Decepticon sitting up, looking at me with a confused expression. I sighed a little and stood up. "You…you spared my life," I pointed out awkwardly, a little nervous now. Cautiously, I sat down beside him. Without the injuries and the pained scowl he had worn earlier, he actually looked…friendly. I found myself smiling.

"I have some questions," I began nervously, hoping this would go well. He nodded.

"Okay…"

I swallowed hard. "Who are you?"

"Hyperjump," he replied promptly. "Code breaker and foot soldier. And you're…Skystorm."

"Yeah," I shrugged. "I work Intel, but I told you that. How'd you get hurt?"

He frowned, but it didn't look like he was angry; it was more like he just didn't want to answer. "That's my business, okay? You helped me, and I appreciate it, but that doesn't mean I have to tell you everything."

I sighed. Okay, wrong question. Let's try something else. "Okay…I guess. Why…why didn't you kill me?"

He studied my face for a long moment before answering. "I'm not prejudiced like the other Decepticons. I understand the power of being merciful…and besides, you weren't a threat. I had no reason to kill you." When I tensed, he added, "And I have even less reason now. Whatever you believe about us, I'm not going to kill the one who just helped me."

I relaxed. "Thank you. I…I know most Decepticons would kill me…but I don't think they're completely sparkless."

Review please!