Tai belongs to Tatyana Witwicky!

It may be a while before I post again on this one...writer's block. :( Enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 8: Skystorm's POV

I stood in front of the senior Autobots, trying not to cry. Hyperjump had been taken to the medbay, after all; Optimus had told the others that since he was here, the medbay was as good a place as any to treat his injuries and guard him. That didn't mean he was pleased with me, though. The exact opposite, in fact.

"Skystorm, you need to understand that what you have done is very serious," he told me, optics narrowed in disapproval. "You may have put the entire base at risk by bringing him here."

"Not to mention leading the others straight to us," Tai Prime added, glaring at me from where she was sitting next to Jazz. "So I have to ask…what were you thinking?"

I shook my head, blinking hard. "He's a flier, he's hurt…and I don't think he's a threat! He's just a youngling!"

"So?" Prowl frowned. "Younglings can be some of the most dangerous. We've taught you that. There's a reason Riella is on guard right now."

I bit my lip, trying not to let any tears fall. "But you always said to do what I know is right! And I know helping him was right."

"Skystorm…" Chromia sighed. "Look, kid – "

"DECEPTICON APPROACHING!" Red Alert's yells over the PA system nearly deafened me. Everyone was standing up a moment later, heading to their respective battle stations. I started to follow them, but Tai stopped me.

"Not you, missy. You're off active duty until we figure this out. So you can wait here."

I sat down again with a sigh. As soon as everyone else left, I let a tear slide down my cheek. It's not fair! They're judging him and they don't even know what happened!...of course, neither do I, but I know he wouldn't hurt us. How do I get them to understand?

I wasn't sure how long I'd waited when my comm system opened. It was Riella; apparently they'd called her as well. ::Skystorm, please report to the front entrance immediately.::

"Okay. What's going on?"

::Now!::

"Yes, ma'am." I jumped out of my seat and ran for the entrance. For Riella to not explain, it had to be serious.

When I reached the front entrance, the senior Autobots were forming a solid blockade. Ironhide had both cannons pointed at the Decepticon, as did Chromia and Tai; Optimus, Jazz, and Prowl had their weapons drawn, but not raised. Riella motioned for me to join her, over on the left.

"Who's that?" I whispered. I knew this was a familiar Deception, but I couldn't remember his name.

Riella addressed the Decepticon firmly. "Soundwave, this is the Autobot who found your son."

His son? I stared in disbelief. Soundwave was Hyperjump's father?

No wonder he was glaring at me.

"You captured Hyperjump?"

"Y-yes," I managed, at a nudge from Riella. "I mean, no! Yes…uh…I brought him back here, but it was because he was hurt! Not to capture him!"

Soundwave's optics narrowed suspiciously. "Hyperjump was injured?"

I nodded. "He had energon poisoning and some other injuries, too. I helped him…I didn't hurt him!"

"His injuries were not from Autobots." Soundwave nodded. "I already knew. They were from Megatron."

"Megatron?" Optimus entered the conversation. "Why would he attack one of his own?"

"He would not." At everyone's puzzled looks, Soundwave sighed. "Surely your intelligence officers are familiar with the Enigma code."

"Yes, I am," Riella replied. "The code indicates probable energon deposit locations. How do you…" Her optics widened. "Your son was sending it, wasn't he?"

"No," Soundwave growled. "I was."