A/N: Yes, Soundwave is a tad useless at this whole 'making a move' thing; I've seen it so many times with most of my male friends.

Disclaimer: Original characters – mine, all others – TakaraTomy and Hasbro.

Italics denote telepathy/thoughts.

Presents: Part 6

Earth had some distinctive perks.

Easily exploitable natural resources.
Intriguing native species of animals, flora and fauna.
A highly amusing dominant species.

But the benefit which outweighed them all, Nightraider was now certain, was the atmosphere.

An atmosphere meant clouds, and wind, and rain.

It meant freedom to stretch her wings, and find peace in the heavens as she felt the sun against her fuselage.

Unfortunately, it also meant Skywarp constantly teleporting in on top of his fellow fliers and ramming a handful of snow up their manifolds, but she needed some target practice.

Peeling away from Starscream's flank, the red and black jet dived and strafed Skywarp's afterburners with a round of machinegun fire, sniggering when she heard the F-15 start to curse loudly over the radio.

'If you want me that bad, you could just ask instead of firin' up my aft!'

'Where's the fun in that?'

The purple and black jet started to whine as he transformed to his alt-mode and pulled up level with his wing mate. 'You know I dent easily.'

A few hundred feet above, Dirge performed an effortless barrel-roll and barked with laughter. 'Awww, does the poor wickle sparkling have a boo-boo?'

Ramjet sniggered as he soared past. 'You could always kiss it better, 'Raider.'

Thrust flew alongside Nightraider's left flank, the leading edge of his right wing just brushing the flaps on her outspread left wing. 'Nah, we all know who she wants to kiss better...'

The femme jet's growl of irritation was audible over the comm. link as she pulled her wings in and banked south. 'All of you can cram it up your afts sideways.'

Skywarp followed her lead and plunged into a cloudbank, emerging with fine wisps of vapour still clinging to his wings. 'Awww, you know you wouldn't have us any other-'

'If you would all kindly zip your flaps and return your attention to me, you would notice that you are deviating from your approved flight patterns!'

The Air Commander's screech brought the conversation to an abrupt end as he appeared alongside Thrust and Nightraider and steered sharply, forcing them to turn south-east.

Skywarp grumbled as he settled back into formation. 'What flight patterns? This was just meant to be a pleasure cruise.'

'Until Thundercracker returns to active duty, we need an active Seeker, one whose alt-mode has been fully tested. Sadly, this means the femme.'

A passing round from Nightraider's machine-guns streaked dangerously close to Starscream's fuselage.

'I saw that!'

The red and black jet twitched her wings in what passed for an aerial shrug. 'This alt-mode seems to have itchy weapons. Deal with it.'

'If you had scanned the correct jet as I had ordered, you would not be suffering from 'itchy weapons' as you put it.'

Nightraider growled, shifting slightly to the left as Starscream dropped back to cruise next to her. 'And as I've told you at least twice; my frame is smaller than yours, it's a different design and it was the only one which had the space for my weaponry.'

The red and silver jet snorted. 'Weaponry. Don't make me laugh. They're radar scramblers. They're a sparkling's weapons!'

'They are interceptor-class weapons, thank you so very fragging much! And the next time I have itchy weapons, I'll be sure to aim them at your spark chamber!'

'Are you threatening me, femme?...'

As the two jets continued to bicker, Thrust fell back as Skywarp moved forward to flank Starscream. The purple and black jet watched his wingmates for a few seconds, then opened a private comm. line to the other Seekers and sighed.

'Is anyone else getting a déjà vu of flight academy?'

The main monitor on the Nemesis's bridge had been temporarily commandeered by the senior officers while they watched the two Seeker trines streak across the skies, courtesy of a rerouted NSA satellite holding position over the Pacific Basin.

Three VTOL-adapted F-15 Eagle jets banked left in perfect sync, following the vapour trails of the two unmodified F-15s and the smaller F-14 Tomcat as they cruised over the Hawaiian Islands.

Megatron quietly tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair.

'She's an elegant flier, fits in with the others.'

Behind the Decepticon leader, Soundwave tilted his head as he followed the femme jet's progress.

'Nightraider: highly competent in both flight and medicine.'

On the secondary monitor, the angular purple cranium and single golden optic of Shockwave studied the image while simultaneously calling up the schematics of Nightraider's new alt-mode.

'She has had little chance to fly this freely on Cybertron. I would suggest that you let her take advantage of this opportunity as much as feasibly possible before she returns.'

The silver Transformer turned to look at his Military Operations commander, amusement in his red optics. 'Is that concern for her wellbeing I hear, Shockwave?'

'More concern for her obedience. Nightraider has a...forceful personality, and like all fliers, she can be somewhat truculent if confined to base.'

'Truculent I can deal with, not mutinous.'

Soundwave's visor flared at his commander's words. 'Nightraider: loyal. No rebellious instincts detected.'

Making sure the action went unnoticed by Soundwave, Megatron silently chuckled at the spirited defence offered by his third-in-command. He was fully aware that within every rumour flourishing in the Decepticon base, there was at least a grain of truth.

In the case of the potential relationship between his communications officer and the Seeker medic, it seemed as if said grain of truth was actually a boulder of fairly hefty proportions.

Perhaps it was time to consult Swindle on the size of the betting pool currently running on the romantic potential between the pair. A little...outside interference on his part might prove to be both entertaining and highly profitable.

Not to mention finally ridding the two Decepticons of their...what did the humans call it?

Ah yes.

Unresolved sexual tension so thick that you could slice it, spread it with mercury and dip it in hot energon.

The image of Shockwave flickered as he nodded his head in agreement at Soundwave's words. 'Indeed she is, and her loyalty is not in question.'

'Then why ask of her wellbeing and interactions with the crew? Out with it, Shockwave. What has come up now?'

'...Space bridge repairs.'

Megatron growled and offlined his optics. 'Dare I ask what happened?'

'Damage sustained to the main controls during a routine maintenance check seems to have accidentally reset the default fusion settings along the inverse-'

The Decepticon leader held up a hand. 'In plain Cybertronian.'

'Whatever travels via the space bridge seems to be turned inside out upon dematerialisation. We could certainly transport Nightraider, but whether she would be online and her inner mechanicals not scattered across the void when she rematerialises would be a matter of sheer chance.'

Under his visor, Soundwave's optics widened in alarm.

'Chief Engineer Dreadnought is currently working to repair the damage. Estimated time for repairs is six orns.'

'Too long. Make it four orns.'

'My lord, it must be six. We have to allow for testing and recalibration, in addition to the time differences between Cybertron and Earth. It would be disastrous to risk a medic, let alone a femme, in untested conditions. Any adverse effects to her, or indeed to any member of the forces, would not be rectifiable.'

Megatron frowned slightly as he slugged back a mug of tepid ener-nog. Time differences, a medic-femme, adverse effects to-

Oh.

...Alright. This was serious if Shockwave had noticed the situation, and on a universal par with the return of Unicron if the purple gun-former was doing something to rectify said situation.

One little part of his CPU was pointing out, in rather vulgar binary, that he shouldn't even be considering granting the extra time.

The rest of it quickly stamped on the rebellion, pointing out that some amusement over the next few days would be much appreciated.

Coming to a swift conclusion, and making sure to keep his thoughts from Soundwave, Megatron nodded in concurrence.

'Very well. You have your six orns. Make them count and keep me updated. Megatron out.'

The screen flickered and went dark as the silver Transformer turned to study his Communications officer.

'Inform Nightraider of the change in circumstances. She will continue to make repairs on the Cassettes and other troops as needed, and will fly patrols as required, but she will not take part in any form of offensive action between now and the time of her departure. Unless said offensive action is against Starscream, in which case not only will she have my wholesparked support and gratitude, but that of the Empire itself.'

Soundwave snapped off a brief salute, his spark doing something closely related to a triple back flip at the knowledge that the femme jet would not be leaving the base any time soon.

Six orns. Just over six Earth days.

Christmas would be falling in four days.

He had to make those days count.

On Cybertron, Shockwave's single optic dimmed in satisfaction to a deep gold. Silently reviewing the changes to his femme colleague's...situation, he turned away from his communications screen and stood up to view the repairs.

'If your calculations are not correct, Dreadnought, you do realise we will be forced to sit through another 40,000 vorns of their seemingly never-ending unrequited affection?'

From his station next to the space bridge entrance, the giant grey battle cruiser flipped up his welding mask and flashed a smirk at the purple gun-former.

'The only other option was drugging them both and sticking them in a holding cell until they worked it out. This way is more subtle. Different planet, a native holiday, new customs, an atmosphere...it's more romantic than back here.'

Shockwave narrowed his optic into what could, for him, possibly pass for a deadpan expression. 'Romance is both highly illogical and most impractical.'

Dreadnought sighed and returned his attention to his welding job, running a broad black finger down a cooling seam. 'Hmph. Speaks the mech without a single romantic relay in his chassis.'

'Romance does not keep the Decepticon Empire running without fault. Logic does.'

'Yes, well, can logic please make sure it keeps Crossfire away from the space bridge controls in future?'

Both mechs shot a brief glance at a small playpen next to Shockwave's main console. Inside, a small lavender and silver gun-former mech sat on his aft, little legs sticking out in front of him and both hands clutching a battered cuddly cybercat to his chestplates. A look of sheer grumpiness radiated from his single amber optic as he stared up at his sire. (1)

'Just wanted to go see 'Raider.'

Shockwave let a small gust of air out of his vents as he settled back into his chair and called up his security programs.

'Unfortunately, logic does not seem to govern the actions of younglings.'

He raised his voice enough to catch his creation's attention. 'Even those who have been warned about their behaviour on previous occasions.'

Crossfire's mutinous expression deepened. 'Want 'Raider back. She's nice. She gives me treats. You're mean.'

'And thus my point is proven.'

Dreadnought just shook his head.

'OK, someone remind me again why we can't just use a ladder for this?'

Hanging upside-down in Buzzsaw's grasp, Rumble made a swipe at the support beam with a tape-covered sprig of mistletoe and missed by several inches.

Frenzy simply raised an optic at his twin's actions and bit into an energon goodie. 'One, the 'Structies won't give us a ladder; two, said ladder won't reach anyway, and three; hey, you're doin' somethin' useful. Quit'cher bitchin'.'

'But all the energon's rushin' t'my processor.'

'So your CPU might drown. If the boss gets laid, ain't that worth a processor bath?'

'I'm gonna be too dead t'appreciate it!'

The red Cassette smirked upwards at his cobalt sibling. 'Bro, y'know I love ya, but this time...aw, suck it up.'

Rumble folded his arms and pouted, his face now flushed puce from the sudden rush of energon to his head. 'Bein' upside down's makin' me dizzy. If I hurl, it's so gonna be at you.'

Laserbeak cawed in mirth. Not with your sense of direction, you won't.

From his pile of blankets, Ravage carefully rolled over, making sure not to disturb a dozing Ratbat, and cracked open one scarlet optic. I would make one recommendation, Buzzsaw - connect him up to the fire suppressant systems before he purges. We could have a water feature and some silence.

The golden condor chirped in mirth. Not to mention an exhaust flush. It's not pleasant up here.

The blue Cassette made another attempt at kicking his avian brother. Failing that, he settled for glaring down at his reclining siblings, all bar Ratbat smirking and sniggering in equal measure. 'I despise you all.'

The combined feelings of schadenfreude and mock irritation filtered through the telepathic link into Ratbat's CPU even as he dreamed.

He let out a small sleepy chirrup in response and burrowed closer into Ravage's flank, just about registering the careful touch of a warm feline muzzle against his nose, and a small lick of affection between his ears before the warm weight settled against his head.

Ravage was there. Ravage would protect him when Soundwave wasn't there.

Carefully, the little bat reached into the link and searched for his creator's spark, as he had done so often since they had been reanimated on Earth.

...There!

In his mind, Ratbat chittered in delight as he felt Soundwave's presence focussing the link; an immeasurably strong mind and spark, his mental whispers always coloured with pride at his creations and his loyalty to the Decepticon cause.

He was solid, safe and warm, while keeping his distance from all those who didn't share in the peace of the link.

Underneath that strength however was the unwelcome emotion that the little bat and all of his siblings were painfully aware of, and could do nothing to help him with.

His loneliness.

Ratbat, when he had first felt the undercurrent, had no idea what it was. Having been sparked as the beloved baby out of a hugely protective family unit of six, he could count the number of times he had felt isolated on one tiny paw and still have five claws left over.

Rumble and Frenzy were always there to repeat the ship's gossip and to play with him, and he was often drafted in as a willing accomplice and lookout whenever a prank was in motion.

Laserbeak and Buzzsaw took him flying, both of them forever patient, forever loving, always acting as his wingmates and playmates in the skies.

And Ravage...cunning, vicious, cynical, morbid feline that he was, would forever act as the beloved protector, teacher and willing provider of snuggles to his baby brother.

The only way the little bat knew about loneliness was directly through the link, and the love of Soundwave's spark.

And he didn't like it at all. He liked it even less after Ravage had told him that the loneliness had been even worse for their creator before he had chosen to bring them all online.

But now...Nightraider's presence had softened that horrible sensation massively. And Soundwave was happy with her here.

So...

The little bat took care to keep his thoughts to himself while he latched onto his creator's emotional centre.

If the femme jet made his creator happy, then they had to be together. Sparkbond if they had to!

Soundwave had obviously had the same idea, since his loneliness was being tempered with a sensation that Ratbat knew well.

Plotting.

He eased himself away from the emotions and back into the link, and reached out for his creator's thoughts.

Yes, Soundwave was plotting something as he waited for the two Seeker trines to return to base, his thoughts mixed with need and jealousy.

And something else...

He'd felt it before, quite often from Rumble and Frenzy when they were plotting something.

He knew what it was, he just couldn't quite...

Oh.

Oh no.

Ratbat let out a squeak as his optics snapped open and he pulled away from his brother's side. Buzzsaw jerked at the noise, his grip on Rumble's legs loosening enough for the blue Cassette to plummet downwards.

Fast.

Ratbat?

Ravage was leaning over him, ruby optics wide with concern. Frenzy too was leaning over, rare worry etched on his grey faceplates. Across from him, Laserbeak's head had whipped round in fear at the sudden squeak.

What ails you, little glitchmouse?

The purple and yellow Cassette twitched his wings and stared at his siblings in worry, all of them studiously ignoring the crash and subsequent stream of obscenities Rumble was directing at his hovering golden sibling.

I think Soundwave's gonna do something really stupid.

TBC

(1) More on this little guy later. And I can't be the only person who's thought of this.