Chapter Eighteen

It had been four days since Crystal had been captured by the Decepticons and she was beginning to think that they weren't as bad as she had been told. Especially Thundercracker, he was kind to her and made sure she had all the supplies she needed. She was a little wary of the others but Thundercracker reminded her of Moongaze with the exception of letting her roam their base. The female suddenly sighed she wondered how her friend was coping with her capture, was she blaming herself? "Everything okay?" a voice asked bringing the golden brown haired woman out of her thoughts. Crystal looked over, saw the blue seeker and smiled. "Fine thank you, Thundercracker." Though her smile turned into an annoyed frown when she saw who was behind him. "What do you want?" she asked rudely.

"You know what I want, Human." Starscream said annoyed "now tell me the location of the experiment" he demanded.

"No." she said plainly.

Starscream's anger suddenly turned into a devious smirk, "Thundercracker, perhaps you should go get the fleshling some…food. We wouldn't want it to starve now would we?" The blue seeker hesitated for a moment before giving a nod and heading out. Upon hearing the door close the air commander roughly picked up the woman. "He will not defend you, femme. Now you will either tell me where it is or I'll let Skywarp have a little more…fun, and he won't be as gentle as last time." He threatened.

"Get it into your thick head, Decepticon." Crystal almost spat "I'm not telling you anything!"

Starscream growled maybe Thundercracker was right. All the pain and threats were doing nothing to get the information out of the human but there had to be some other way to get it other than being…nice. A thought suddenly occurred to him and he smirked once more.

"You may not care what happens to yourself but what about your newly found friend."

"W-What, what are you talking about."

The red seeker's smirk grew, I have you now, Human. He thought. "I would hate for Thundercracker to have some kind of accident, wouldn't you?"

Crystal's eyes widened in both shock and fear at what he was suggesting, "y-you wouldn't." she stammered "he's your own teammate." Perhaps they were every bit as mean and nasty as Moongaze had said.

"You never know when these things may occur." Starscream continued ignoring her last comment "could happen while he was in flight getting your supplies or while he walks round the base." At that moment Thundercracker walked back in and over to them he wasn't pleased to see the air commander handling Crystal so roughly, he held out his hand in a silent demand of 'hand her over'. The red seeker placed her in his hand and turned to go but before he did he looked back at her and said, "Think about what I said, Fleshling. Anything could happen." And with that he walked out.

Thundercracker looked down at the female in his hand confused, "what's he talking about?" he asked.

"N-Nothing." Crystal replied a little shaken at the thought of what he'd do to the blue seeker. He wouldn't really harm Thundercracker, right? I-It's all just a trick to get me to talk, I hope.

Skywarp, Starscream called out over communication I want you to make sure Thundercracker receives a small injury next time he goes out. He informed the black seeker as he walked down the corridor.

Why TC? Skywarp asked confused.

I believe I have found the human's weakness.

Thundercracker? The black seeker asked amazed.

Yes. It seems that she has developed a soft spot for our trinemate and I intend to take every advantage of that. Starscream told him as he walked into their room.

"What would you like me do?" Skywarp asked turning the red seeker.

"I don't care as long as it seems 'accidental' and easy for the human to spot."

"I managed ta find out what this 'secret project' Crystal and the other humans were working on." Jazz said.

"How is that possible?" Skybolt asked surprised "Crystal was the last one."

"The last one to work on it but not the last one who knew about it." Jazz informed. "This one went inta hidin' as soon as they heard about the 'disappearances'."

"What have you learned, Jazz?" Optimus asked.

"The humans were trying to develop a type of energy that never ran out."

"Unlimited energy?" the airliner repeated shocked. He looked back at the semi "could you imagine what the Decepticons would be able to do if they had that."

"Do you know where the energy is being kept?" Optimus asked the saboteur.

"It blew up." The Porsche replied "took the whole facility and surrounding area with it, only a handful survived."

"Including Crystal." The Autobot leader surmised.

"Skybolt!" Cruiser exclaimed as he ran into the command office, ignoring the glare the HIT leader sent him. "Moongaze is missing!"

"Missing? What do you mean missing?" worry suddenly lacing the airliner's voice.

"We can't find her anywhere." The Land Rover answered worried for their friend and teammate.

"Have you tried her over communication?" Skybolt asked calmly as he reigned in his worry upon hearing Cruiser's.

"She won't answer them, not even Surefire's!"

Jazz and Optimus shared a knowing look glace at this information. With the Ford feeling like she had failed in her 'mission' and the rest of the team told to hold off on the rescue until they had a 'plan', the femme had taken it upon herself to rescue the human on her own.

"That's not like her." The HIT leader said.

"Surefire seems to think that she's gone after Crystal but she wouldn't do that, would she? I mean, it's Moongaze." Cruiser said.

"Why not?" Jazz asked.

The dark red mech was surprised to hear a voice that wasn't Skybolt's he looked around the room and saw Jazz and Prime. He looked back at his leader and comm-ed him not realising they heard the entire conversation. Do we really want them to know?

Crystal they can deal with but Moongaze is our responsibility. Skybolt told Cruiser not answering the mech's question contact the rest of the team and meet me by the entrance.

So you do think… the Land Rover began.

Not now, Cruiser, just do what I asked. The dark red mech gave a nod and ran out. "Excuse me, I have to…see to a problem I've been having with one of my wings." He lied and headed out.

Jazz looked at Prime, "they're goin' ta get themselves killed."

"Moongaze is one of their own, Jazz. I'm sure you would do the same if it were one of your team." Optimus replied.

"The difference between them and me is that I know what ta expect, they don't."