Hello again!
So, as usual, I don't own any transformers or scenery, just the story idea! I'm doing my best to tackle all the transformer's personalities and keep them in line with who they are supposed to be. I don't like taking perfectly good characters and then making them more into OC's. Anyway! Let me know if you think I'm doing them all justice!

Enjoy!

Starry Surprise

pt3

Ratchet's optics fell dolefully at the first sight of the limp femme in Optimus Prime's arms. He knew what that meant, and the impact it would leave upon Optimus. Bumblebee had never met Elita One before but the radiation of sorrow from both of his Autobot companions was enough to set the lugubrious mood. Raff, who had ran up to see this new femme, looked confusedly at the limp body then to Ratchet.

"Is she...?" he ventured. Optimus did not reply audibly but simply closed his eyes slowly in silent sorrow before bringing the shell of his former friend to the nearest platform.

"I'm so sorry Optimus," Ratchet comforted, coming to stand beside the Prime. Together they looked down on the femme's lifeless frame. The emotions which swelled within Optimus none could quite distinguish, but they bordered on the countenance of utter defeat.

"I failed her Ratchet..." Optimus grieved lowly. The pain in the Prime's now unmasked face was almost too much for little Raff to bare. Never had he seen the Autobot Commander in such aguish and sorrow. This new scene nearly brought the boy to tears. Bumblebee himself looked down at his human charge with half lowered optics and let out a soft moan.

"How did she die?" Ratchet inquired carefully after looking the body over, "She displays no sign of exterior damage," he informed.

"We arrived too late; I did not perceive the means of her demise, though I assume this was issued by the orders of Starscream," Prime replied. A flicker of anger glimmered in his optics as Optimus entertained thoughts of revenge.

"Perhaps I will investigate further," Ratchet suggested, starting to tamper with Elita One's shell. Optimus Prime simply nodded and turned away, not able to withstand seeing the face of the friend whom he had failed to protect, failed to save...

Location: The Nemesis

Starscream's optics glimmered in anticipated indulgence to that of a power which had no equal. Ever since Starscream issued out the outrageously high reward, he impatiently waited many cycles for the news of Elita One's capture. Lockdown was simply a lucky mech to have happened to track her down first. And from what Starscream understood, Lockdown didn't even have much of a struggle in the process. Under the order of an ancient Autobot elder leading a small band of surviving Autobots, Elita One had been locked in stasis, deep beneath the surface of Cybertron's decaying remains. In order to keep the secret of her power concealed and safe, hidden away was the body of the femme for many stellar cycles, but the knowledge of her existence had not yet been buried. By chance, it so happened that Soundwave, who was searching through files of Cybetronian history, fell upon the records of this important femme, whom held this particularly rich secret. Starscream grinned wider at the delicious realization that Megatron, whom had never bothered to search through history files, should miss something so important.

"With this new weapon being constructed, the possibilities are endless. Imagine Soundwave! The capability to slow time! Whenever and where ever I, Lord Starscream, find necessary," Starscream chuckled. Soundwave simply stood back, remaining silent as Starscream continued to marvel at Elita One's spark which had successfully been reserved and transferred to a case that preserved its life, and most importantly the power embedded within.

"Starscream!" a drone called from the door way, heaving in exhaustion.

"How many times do I have to emphasize this!? LORD Starscream!" Starscream roared as he spun to face the drone.

"A thousand apologies, my Lord," the drone pleaded, "There's been an infiltration," the drone informed.

"What?! Who dares?!" Starscream barked angrily. The drone looked almost hesitant to reply.

"Autobots; Optimus Prime has stolen the frame of the femme," it quivered.

"WHAT?! KNOCK OUT!" Starscream shrieked. Knock Out came limping in shortly after, holding his left shoulder and grimacing.

"My Lord..?" he answered timidly.

"What...happened?" Starscream growled, "Do you realize that now there is a chance our plan will be discovered?!" he screamed. Knock Out winced as his audios rang from the loud squeal.

"There is still a chance they will not investigate. If the femme is offline, she's offline. What would they have to pursue?" Knock Out ventured in reply.

"Try revenge," Starsceam hissed,"Optimus Prime's relationship with Elita One extended beyond common comradeship," he snarled. Never the less, Starscream mulled the statement over, still glaring back and forth between the drone and his medic. It was highly unlikely Optimus Prime would seek vengeance since it was not the Prime way and too far from his noble standards. Yes, it was possible they'd escape punishment from this misfortune of losing the femme's shell. Just maybe...

TO BE CONTINUED...

Thanks for reading! I know this one was much shorter but the next chapter won't be!

-Stokin D Embes