Author's Note: Thank you for reading, everyone! Here is chapter 8. There's not much action in this chapter 'cause I'm saving it for the next one! Enjoy. All reviews received gladly!

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers :(

CHAPTER EIGHT:

Galaxy knew she had to get the chip back to Autobot base, and soon. With the Nemesis recently fixed and back to full speed, they would reach the hideout in about two days.

"Sparring practice?" Delta asked Galaxy as she passed her in the corridor.

"Um... yeah, OK." Galaxy said hesitantly.

The two sparred for a while, until Delta called it off.

"Hey, you seem distracted, Zenith. Everything alright?" Galaxy stared at the floor.

"Yeah. Just... saving my energy 'til we get to fight those Autobots, I guess!" she laughed slightly.

Delta stared right into her optics. "Yeah... It'll be soon. Personally, I can't wait to bring it down on those Autobot traitors!" she hissed. Galaxy nodded, looking up.

"I'm gonna go and sharpen my sword." Delta inclined her head slightly, as a sort of dismissal.

Galaxy exited quickly, but slowed down when she reached an unoccupied corridor. She started pacing up and down furiously.

"I can't BELIVE I could be so STUPID trusting Soundwave - a Decepticon - like that!" she thought angrily. She turned around again, and for the second time, walked straight into Soundwave.

"STOP SNEAKING UP ON ME LIKE THAT!" Galaxy snarled. She made to go around Soundwave, but he held her back.

"GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY!" Galaxy yelled. She quietened down immediately, glancing around to see if anyone had been alerted. When no one came to check out the noise, she turned back to Soundwave.

"Get the hell out of my way. Now. I was stupid to trust you, and I have to get out of here before Megatron comes to find me, because no doubt you told him about me!" Galaxy finished with a gasp.

"Actually, I didn't,"Galaxy felt Soundwave frown inside her head. Galaxy faltered slightly.

"Oh. Well..."

"And you can still trust me. I had to find your Autobot base for Megatron or he would have punished me! If I don't fulfill my role in the team, then Megatron or the others would suspect me!"

"And WHAT? You're still on my side? Forget it. You belong with Megatron. And I really don't think the others will accept you readily as one of us." Galaxy sniffed, and pushed past him forcefully.

"I DON'T WANT TO BECOME ONE OF YOU!" Soundwave shouted after her with his mind. "I just don't want to hurt you," his voice softened as Galaxy turned back slightly.

"I can't control what's going to happen to you," Galaxy whispered, out loud this time. "You might not hurt us, but they're gonna hurt you. And I can't help that."

"No one can," Soundwave projected quietly.

The Nemesis was very close to the base now. Galaxy could almost feel it. It was where she belonged, where she felt relatively safe. And it scared her how the Decepticons could reach it, but her Autobots couldn't reach the 'Cons. Overcome suddenly with a huge sense of panic and fear for her friends, Galaxy decided to act. Making sure the chip with the information was safe inside her arm, she hurried to a small antechamber leading to the escape hatch. Rather than making a grand exit, she thought, just slip away quietly. If Galaxy was to reveal her treachery in front of Megatron, chances were she would pay for it right there and then. No, she was simply going to escape without (hopefully) anyone knowing. Galaxy pressed a button on the side of a small hatch, and the door slid open, revealing clear blue skies.

"Freedom. At last."

Galaxy dived out of the hatch, which slid shut behind her. Transforming into her new jet form, she flew downwards, her speed climbing. If she was spotted on the Nemesis' radar, they would open fire. She used her homing device to lock on to the Autobot's base. After finding a weak signal, she started her swift journey home.