CHAPTER NINE

Fhantom

Meg: My lap top is at the repair shop.

Emma: That's not good.

Meg: I guess I just don't have very good luck with machines, do I?

Prowl: Ahem?

Meg: *Clicks fingers*

Prowl: *Arms fall off*

Emma: 0_0

Meg: I prove my point.

Prowl: *Falls over*

Meg: *Sighs*

***

Bumblebee's P.O.V:

I was frustrated. "Why can't we get Em's energy signature?"

"Maybe it's being blocked?" Andy suggested. She and Sunny were taking it in turns to carry Kelsi, who had fallen asleep. Honey Bee was also asleep, and in my arms. Jetfire and Jetstorm were taking it in turns to carry Shooting Star, and every so often I would GLARE at them. How could they have 'imprinted' with my daughter? I understood that, if she was their spark partner, then she was their spark partner, but let's face the facts – this was my only daughter they were talking about!

We were walking through the streets of Detroit, and using our inner GPS's to find our way around. I felt like we'd walked around the entire city three times – jeez, where had I felt this feeling before?

I looked up at the sky. 'Where are you, Em?' I wondered. 'I don't care if you found the Matrix or not – I just want you back with me before my spark completely shatters…'

Andy had gotten rid of Barricade – permanently. She had taken into her possession his stasis blaster – which could really come in handy in a battle against the Decepticons.

HOW Honey Bee had known it was one, we knew not.

Obviously the All-Spark had given her a new power – to be able to name any weapon she laid eyes on.

Oh, great. She'd probably be able to use any weapon she laid her hands on.

A trigger happy two year old. Just what every Father (well, surrogate Father) dreams of.

I hoped we'd find Emma soon – very soon.

*

"So, how was your first day of school?" I asked Star, as we sat on a hill over-looking Detroit.

He glared at me, and I giggled. Obviously, he'd enjoyed it about as much as I had – and I knew what to expect!

"We're not going back there." He told me.

"We have to," I reminded him. "The, uh, truant officer…she knows where we live."

"So, we'll move."

"I like where we're living now." I said stubbornly.

Star gave me a Look. "Oh no, you're not having your way this time – even if I have to physically pick you up and get you out of here myself." He said, standing up and transforming back into his robot form.

I glanced up at the former seeker, and felt my heart-spark begin to pound. No matter what, I had missed him – he was my spark partner (well, one of two) and, let's face it, being away from him had made a small piece of my heart-spark break off and dissolve into tiny bits of nothingness.

Starscream smirked at me. "Scared yet?"

I shook my head. "No."

He reached down and picked me up (carefully). "You should be…"

I smiled.

And that was when we heard a cold, cruel, silky-smooth voice. "Well, isn't this nice?"

Star and I both turned, and my blood ran cold.

It was dark, too dark for me to make out what the newcomer looked like – but he had red optics.

It was a Decepticon…wasn't it?

I glanced up at Star, who had his eyes glued on the other guy. "Uh, Screamer – is that a Decepticon?"

"I don't think so." Star murmured, holding me closer (and more protectively) to his spark.

"Well, if it isn't beauty and the beast." The newcomer chuckled.

"That's not very nice," Star informed him. He glanced down at me. "It's only a human."

I rolled my eyes and tapped on his chest plate. "He's referring to our difference in height!"

The newcomer chuckled again. "Actually, my dear, I was referring to your looks – and you, the harbour of the incredible All-Spark…"

Which was when Star said: "You have ten seconds before I put you offline."

"I didn't come here to fight," The guy (who the slag was he!?) had a silky voice, that reminded me of something…

I squinted at him, at his mouth, and saw a flash of sharp, pointy teeth.

"Oh Primus," I whispered. "Star, that guy's a vampire."

"A what!?"

Another chuckle. "Ah, the lady is quite smart – you could learn much from her, seeker. Allow me to introduce myself – my name is Fhantom."

"I've never heard of you," Star told him. His red optics flashed angrily. "And I'm sure I never will again! Prepare to go offline, vampire!"

I knew he meant it – Starscream was so damn protective!

At times like this, it wasn't such a bad thing.

But, when it was Bumblebee on the receiving end of the brutality…

Anyway…

"Hold on," Fhantom raised one hand. "As I was saying before, I came here not to fight – but to make an offer." His optics glittered strangely. "An offer you cannot refuse."

"How the slag should you know what we can or can't refuse!?" Star was getting pissed now. He put me on the ground. "Em, stay back – I'm gonna rip this slagger's spark right out of his chest!"

I believed it too. Then, suddenly, I froze. "Oh my Primus, there's someone else here!" I hissed urgently, and both Star and Fhantom heard me. "It's an organic…I mean it's a human!" Oh good Primus, this human is seeing GIANT ROBOTS!!!!

In a flash, Starscream had transformed into his alte mode, and so did Fhantom.

His was a dragon-bat-looking thing that reminded me of Sky Dragon, except…more bat-like.

Typical of a vampire.

"We shall meet again, my dear." He said to me, and I sensed Star's anger level increase. I jumped into him and he did up the seat-belt like lightning, before taking off and jetting us to the other side of the city.

"We have to move." He told me on the way. "With that freak vampire out there…"

"No!" I cried. If we moved, it would be harder for the others to track me down. I whacked the control panel with my crutch and said: "Now you listen to me Starscream, and you listen good…" I began, and then I was cut off by myself. I yawned.

"You're tired?" Star guessed.

"Oh, excellent deduction Sherlock." I said sarcastically. "Running for my life from giant killer robots makes me more then just stick-rail thin!" I was already in the process of curling up where I now lay. "Wake me up when September ends…" I murmured.

"What?"

"Never mind."

***

Meg: But now we're back online and with no delays! Fhantom belongs not to me. He belongs to Autobot Alythia.

Fhantom: I belong to no one, my dear.

Meg: *Holds up cloves of garlic*

Fhantom: AAUURRGGHH!!