CHAPTER FOUR:

"Galaxy to base," she said over the comlink Ratchet had given her.

"Loud and clear, Xy," Bulkhead's voice returned. Galaxy grinned.

"You don't know how good it is to hear an Autobot voice, Bulk!" she said. Bulkhead laughed. "So I take it your first day was too long, huh?" he asked.

"I can just feel the evil radiating from the walls here!" Galaxy sighed.

Optimus' voice came over the intercom. "Galaxy, you have done well to get this far. All we need is to discover their next moves."

"Sure thing, Optimus. I think someone's coming, I have to go!" Galaxy whispered.

"Be careful," Ratchet added quickly.

"I will," Galaxy replied, and ended the connection.

No sooner had she done that than the door of her room swung open, and Breakdown walked in.

"Megatron wants to see you on the main flight-deck," he said. Galaxy's sparkbeat quickened. Had Megatron found her out? She disguised her anticipation with a look of boredom.

She followed Breakdown to the main flight-deck, and saw Megatron with a purple and black Decepticon behind him.

"Zenith, this is Soundwave," Megatron introduced. "He will be your personal guide for the time being."

Galaxy nodded to Soundwave, who seemed to be staring directly at her, although his optics were not showing. There seemed to be something captivating about him, although Galaxy could not place exactly what. She shook the though from her head and turned back to Megatron.

"Will that be all, my lord?" she asked.

"Yes. Leave me," Megatron commanded, and Galaxy left with Soundwave close behind her.

"So what do you do around here?" Galaxy asked Soundwave.

"He can't communicate except through recordings," Delta said, appearing behind them and making Galaxy jump slightly.

"That's... unfortunate," Galaxy frowned.

"He seems to like you though," Delta continued, sounding slightly surprised. "He never takes a liking to anyone. Count yourself lucky!"

Galaxy didn't know whether to take it as a good thing or a bad thing.

"Nice work on the flight-stabilisers by the way," Delta admired.

"I learnt how to repair basic stuff a while ago," Galaxy replied modestly. "I also learnt from the best... But I'm really missing Ratchet right now."

"Hmmm. You really are gonna be useful. But how are your fighting skills?" Delta asked provokingly.

"Good enough," Galaxy shot back.

"Then let's see!" Delta challenged, drawing two knives from her arm-sheaths and advancing. Galaxy drew her own, longer blade and readied herself. Delta whipped her arm around, aiming for Galaxy's throat, but Galaxy sprang backwards with a flip. She lashed out a kick which caught Delta in the leg, but Delta responded with a quick slash to Galaxy's side. Galaxy ducked just in the nick of time, and Delta did a low sweeping kick. Galaxy jumped it, and swung her blade around to Delta's shoulder. Delta dodged out of the way, then brought both her knives down to Galaxy's chest. Galaxy grabbed Delta's wrists and pushed them out to the sides, finishing with a hard kick to Delta's chest. Falling backwards, Delta leant her arm down and flipped herself over it, landing in a crouch on the ground. Galaxy used the opportunity to spring over her, landing behind Delta. Galaxy whirled her sword around, and Delta sprang up, parrying the blows with her knives. Sparks flew from the metal weapons, from the speed at which they were moving. Delta suddenly hit Galaxy's arm hard with her own, and spun inwards, stabbing at Galaxy's side. Galaxy twisted sideways, narrowly missing the stab. She kept going, using Delta's momentum to move her out of the way. Delta stumbled slightly, and Galaxy kicked her onto the ground. Delta stabbed upwards, but Galaxy brought her sword tip to Delta's throat, forcing Delta to lower her knives.

They both suddenly heard clapping, and Galaxy turned her head. Knockout, Breakdown, Barricade and Soundwave were standing at the edge of the room, watching the fight.

"I suppose congratulations are in order," Delta said shortly.

Galaxy shrugged. "You're a good fighter."

"You're not so bad yourself!" Delta laughed. She got up. "Yeah, you can fight. You're gonna be a really useful tool against those Autobots!"

Galaxy shuddered inwardly. "Yeah..." she muttered.

"Oh come on! You can't tell me you're not excited about battling those Auto-scum?" Delta exclaimed as they walked.

"I just... don't know if I'm ready," Galaxy lied.

"Oh, you're ready!" Delta assured her. "And it won't be much longer until we get to fight them!" she finished excitedly.

Galaxy grew anxious.

"I have to alert the others about this. Before it's too late."