Chapter 17

Trailblazer still stood rooted to the spot as Prowl relayed Prime's message.

"We need your exact coordinates. Prime is coming to you. Stay where you are. Try and keep out of sight from the general populace."

"Transmitting coordinates now. How is Prime getting here? I thought he was in orbit."

"He's bringing the Ark. Prowl out."

Trailblazer felt a cold dread run through him. Prime was coming to him. He had barely spoken two words to his leader in person the whole time he'd been on Earth. He'd always been too busy with the humans and their ridiculous politics. He didn't know which was worse facing Starscream or Prime. They both made him uncomfortable for different reasons, but Starscream was right, he had saved his life in a sense when he was a mere sparkling. He didn't kill him when he had a clear shot, now Trailblazer was unsure whether it was an actual act of compassion from the seeker or one of disdain. This was going to be awkward. Pulling himself together, he lifted Starscream's shoulders and dragged him from the highway. He was much larger than himself and he almost stumbled down the ravine with his efforts. Noticing the small human behind him just in time, he halted his progress satisfied they were now out of sight from prying eyes. Simmons simply stared open mouthed at the sight before him.

"I could have stood on you, you should announce yourself."

"Is that who I think it is?"

Trailblazer turned back to the limp Decepticon. He sat heavily on the ground. "Yes."

"Kill him! Before he recovers. He'll kill us, if he knows we're here!"

"I will not kill him and he already knows of your presence."

"You won't?! Fine then I will."

Simmons stomped forward toward Starscream's head. Trailblazer angled himself between the determined human and the incapacitated mech. "You will do no such thing. He is under my protection until Prime arrives. Do I make myself clear Seymour Simmons?"

"You can't do this!"

"I can and I will." He raised his weapon, in emphasis of his words. Simmons scowled at him angrily.

"Since when did we protect the enemy? Or are you a turn coat Autobot!"

"How dare you accuse me!" Trailblazer pointed his weapon at Simmons who immediately recoiled and ducked from him his arms raised.

"Whoa alright, he's all yours. You want our blood on your hands fine by me. Who am I to argue?"

"Nobody now return to the others."

"Prime's going to hear about this." Simmons threatened as he shifted away from the riled Autobot.

Trailblazer slumped where he sat. The humans wore him down. Sighing he glanced at the jet whose now pale red optics, watched him curiously. He did a double take and shuffled away from the Decepticon who struggled to sit himself up. His chassis was covered in coolant, oil and now energon; he was in a bad way. Trailblazer relaxed a little in the realisation that even if he wanted to Starscream could barely stand never mind fight.

"Prime is on his way. You can discuss your terms with him."

"I will speak to you now. Let Prime decide what he wants."

Trailblazer shot him a confused look. "Why me?"

"You owe me your life, so in a way, your life belongs to me. I need your help and I have a plan to stop Megatron once and for all. If Prime hears it from you, there is more chance he will listen and not think it is a trap. From me, well let us just say right now, he will not consider me his best friend. In fact I will be surprised if he does not off-line me on sight after I blew up his ship with him on board."

"You did what?!"

"He survived did he not?!" Starscream snarled impatiently. "We all do what we must in war. I had a job to do and if this is how Megatron reacts when I actually do it well, just imagine what he would do to me if I hadn't."

Trailblazer's optics widened at the thought as he glanced at Starscream's injuries. "Megatron did all that to you?"

Starscream grunted half heartedly and shrugged.

"But… why? You're on the same side."

Starscream chuckled darkly. "Nobody is on the same side as Megatron; he is on a completely separate level to the rest of us." Trailblazer could only stare in shocked silence. Starscream rolled his optics.

"This is why I must speak with you. I have a plan that will take Megatron out of the equation for good."

Trailblazer didn't respond as he processed Starscream's words.

"Will you help me youngling?"

Trailblazer's expression changed in such a way that Starscream couldn't tell what he was thinking, clearly there was an inner battle taking place within this young Autobot, his allegiances had never been predefined as one of the youngest mechs he had not been tainted by the war that had haunted the rest of them. He was a clean spark, waiting to be moulded. Starscream relished this thought. Trailblazer's piercing blue optics met his.

"What do you need me to do?"

Starscream curled his mouth in a satisfied sneer. He would show Megatron once and for all.

****

Trailblazer and Starscream watched as more humans began to arrive at the scene. The highway was cordoned off from prying eyes of civilians. They both looked up as the deep rumbling of the Ark's engines vibrated through the ground. They had no choice but to land the ship on the highway. It dwarfed the road filling all lanes. It clanged unsteadily onto the concrete, still struggling against the damage it had received. It hissed to a stand still, the human soldiers flanked its sides weapons raised at the currently defenceless Starscream.

Optimus and Ratchet exited the ship. Lennox greeted them sombrely. "We found Sam, down there. He doesn't look so good Optimus." Optimus nodded to Ratchet who followed the Major down the slight slope. Optimus made his way steadily to the waiting 'bots.

"Starscream." His tone was low, apprehensive.

"Prime."

"Trailblazer report." Optimus took the young Autobot to one side. "What does he want?"

Trailblazer shrugged at a loss. "He wants a truce. Says he has a plan to stop Megatron."

"I'm sure he does." Optimus mused sceptically. Trailblazer frowned. "I believe him." His voice was quiet, meek, not wishing to upset the one who took him in. It was Optimus's turn to frown. "What hold does he have over you Trailblazer?"

"He has no hold. He… he spared my life once… back when I was sent away from Cybertron."

Optimus tilted his head questioningly. Trailblazer was distinctly uncomfortable. "I was on a sparkling ship. Escaping from the war."

Optimus didn't respond immediately, Trailblazer studied his leader's face carefully.

"Has he told you his plan?" Trailblazer nodded. "He didn't think you'd listen to it if it came from him, considering what he did to you on Mars."

"Indeed." Optimus shot a quick glance at the patiently waiting, leaking seeker.

"And?"

Trailblazer hesitated; surprised that Optimus was even willing to hear out Starscream's plan.

"He said there is a way to destroy the device that Megatron has built. Using the Matrix. For it to work the matrix needs to be plugged into the machine to provide enough power and two people are needed to be able to cause feedback into the machine. It would cause an implosion obliterating both the machine and the matrix." Trailblazer finished expectantly. Optimus was quiet.

"Sir…" Trailblazer sucked up his courage. "I think it's a good plan. I will volunteer myself to carry it out."

Optimus allowed himself a rueful smile, he looked at the small, eager 'bot and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You shouldn't be so eager to get yourself killed Trailblazer." He stated.

"I can do it!"

"I have no doubt of that; however, you are too valuable to risk on such a mission. I am almost certain that the plan is a trap of Starscream's and Megatron's. Do not underestimate him."

Trailblazer drew himself up defiantly. "I am not a sparkling Sir. I can do this. I am not much value being a chaperone to human children. I have earned the fraggin' right to fight in this war."

Optimus raised his sub orbital plating above his optic in surprise at the tone the young 'bot was taking.

"Mind your tongue Trailblazer." Trailblazer clamped his mouth shut and glared at Optimus defensively.

Optimus sighed and rubbed the plating of his nose. "I need to speak with Starscream. Please go to the Ark and wait there."

"No, you can't just dismiss me!"

Ratchet who came over the ridge carrying a limp Sam in his palm, spoke up. "You will watch your tone when speaking to your Prime youngling." His tone was commanding, steady. Trailblazer didn't dare argue. Optimus was watching him sadly. "I am not dismissing you Trailblazer; I merely wish to consider other possibilities. Please understand we have been at this war for a long time. We know what we're doing."

"If you knew what you were doing the war would be over and I wouldn't be babysitting!" He retorted petulantly.

"Soldier cease and desist!" Ratchet growled threateningly. Trailblazer looked panicked. Optimus was slightly irritated at the youngling's accusation. "Go and wait in the Ark with Ratchet."

"But…"

"Now!" Optimus snapped. "We will continue this discussion. You can be assured of that." Trailblazer allowed himself to be pulled away by Ratchet's firm grip on his arm. Optimus turned towards Starscream whose face beheld the slightest of smirks.