If some of this doesn't make sense, read Dragonsketcher's The only one he ever loved. Also, more will be explained in the next chapter.

Chapter 7: Soundwave's POV

I suppose I always should have known Megatron would find out what I was doing. Playing both sides of the war is a dangerous game for anyone. I just never thought Hyperjump would be put in danger because of it. Because of me.

Of course he had tried to defend me. I would have done the same in his place. If only I could have been the one to take Megatron's attack.

Now, after seeing him fly away with Megatron in pursuit, I was more terrified for his life than I had ever been. And his message only made things worse. What could have happened to make him send such a message? Why not explain?

Hyperjump, hold on, I thought, accelerating down the road. I will find you. I will not lose you the way Starstrike was lost.

I pulled to a stop just outside of the small forest. This was where his signal had come from…was he still there? Only one way to find out.

Transforming after a quick scan, I made my way through the trees. I could pick up a residual signal from Hyperjump easily; I was so familiar with his particular signature that I could have found him almost anywhere. But as I got closer to the location of his original comm call, I picked up another signal.

Autobot. There was an Autobot here…

Alarmed, I practically sprinted toward my son's last known location. I didn't believe the Autobots were pure monsters, but still, I could not expect them to simply let a Decepticon go his own way. As I ran, I picked up more information: a small Autobot, a flier, not someone I was familiar with. In other terms, an unknown quantity.

I skidded to a halt as the trees thinned out, revealing a deep trench carved into the ground by a plane crash. There was no debris, but the prints in the ground indicated at least three Cybertronians…and I could identify the third.

"Bumblebee. Always Bumblebee," I growled, studying the ground. Energon stained the grass. Concern welling in my spark, I knelt and examined it.

Energon poisoning.

"No!" I struggled upright and desperately looked around. Three Cybertronians here. Two tracks leading away. "NO!"

I transformed on the run, knowing exactly where I was going.

Optimus Prime! I've helped you. Now it's your turn. If any of your soldiers harm my son…

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