Hi there readers!
I just want to say thanks for returning and checking back! I enjoy writing this story very much and I'm glad to have so many views! I don't own any transformers or locations, just the story line!

Starry Surprise

pt5

Optimus Prime made a rush instantly for Starscream, for that despicable Decepticon was the one who stole and now held the very life force of Elita One captive. Starscream stumbled back at first, overcome with anxiety once glimpsing the Autobot leader charging his way. But after a moment, Starscream grew bold and transforming a gun from his wrist he began to fire. After all, if he was Lord Starscream, he had to show his warriors he could put up with the best of them. However, his attempt to show bravery quickly faded. Prime blocked each one of the missiles expertly with his blades and before Starscream could stop him, Optimus was landing blows into him like a hologrammed practice dummy. Starscream shrieked after the first set of hits and quickly slipped out of the Prime's grasp to elude further punishment. Seeing opportunity in Prime's defense, again Starscream fired several charges at Optimus. The Prime took them boldly, and though the hits hurt immensely, pain did not hinder the strength of his goal. Bumblebee began by taking on the nearest drone soldier but his attention shifted to Soundwave whom he noticed was slipping off from the fray. He bleeped a few times over to Arcee who caught a glimpse of the escaping mech.

"I'll follow, you hold 'em down here!" Arcee informed Bulkhead and Bumblebee amidst the battle. After destroying the last drone she was up against, Arcee quickly slipped through the mass of chaos to follow Soundwave's last seen whereabouts. Quietly, she crept down the hall way and listened for the sounds of feet on the corridor flooring. Not hearing any signs of himArcee ventured through several of the ship's rooms. Coming into one specific construction room, she saw what looked like a sort of safe in the corner. Her eyes brightened as she recognized a blue glow emanating from the box. She eagerly stepped forward to investigate when she was caught completely off guard as a hand shot out from behind to encircle her throat. Arcee gasped as Soundwave turned her to his face and lifted her smaller body off the ground with ease.

"Release me Con!" she shouted as best she could, flinging her feet to kick and scrape at his chest and torso. He didn't even groan, (whether this was because he had no vocalizer or it simply didn't hurt, she had no idea). His grip tightened even harder and Arcee felt flushed with fear at the realization that her life was ending. With a single squish he could dislocate her head from her body all too easily. Then she heard the sound of a firing cannon and Soundwave crippled over, releasing her throat in his tumble. Arcee landed and rolled on the floor, but once shaking her head she saw it was Bumblebee who had come to her aid. Smiling she then heard Soundwave regaining his feet and she jumped to her own faster. Bumblebee made a few soft beeps in inquiry to see if Arcee was alright and she nodded.

"I'm alright," she assured him as Soundwave transformed from his chest a small combiner, known as Laserbeak. It made a metal squawked and flew at Bumblebee who fired several times in the air, each of his shots missing. Arcee aimed her weapons at Soundwave, sending laser shots his way. The mech dodged quickly and ducked behind the cover of a table he had crashed into earlier. Arcee knew she had to get to Elita One's spark and fast, but she didn't want to crush it in the process. That would be horrible. It didn't take long before Bumblebee blasted down Soundwave's minicon from the air, and Soundwave himself almost stumbled in reaction to his combiners injury. Arcee took the advantage of this moment and rushed upon the safe, blasting it open. Within was another small container which encased the spark, she picked it up ever so carefully, tucking the pod close to her side as Soundwave began firing at her. Bumblebee however provided cover for the blue femme and she made it out and to the door. Contacting Ratchet speedily, Arcee informed him of her success.

"Item is in Autobot possession, a hasty pick up might be good," she breathed as she ran back down the corridors.

"Acknowledged," Ratchet responded on the other end. Arcee came back into the room where the main fight was waging and called to Optimus.

"Optimus! Item acquired!" she informed. The Prime was only able to spare a moment in lending the femme his attention because drones were ganging up on him, in result to Starscream's obvious lack of fighting skills. However, the Decepticon Leader did glimpse what the femme held in her hands and a scowl quickly formed on his face.

"Get the femme!" he shrieked to his drones, pointing a wicked finger Arcee's direction. Arcee knew she couldn't cradle the spark and protect herself at the same time and was relieved when Bulkhead stormed over to cover her.

"I got these punks," Bulkhead grunted, unleashing his wrecking ball and smashing it into the nearest charging group of drones. They flew back like baseballs hit with a bat and flew back from the impact. Starscream was raving mad and decided to attempt his own charge.

"Return the spark femme!" he demanded, firing over at Bulkhead and Arcee.

"Keep firing and you'll destroy it!" Arcee reminded at a shout.

"If it's not in my servos, it won't be in an Autobot's!" Starscream sneered. Arcee ducked behind Bulkhead desperately, trying to keep the spark from any damage. Then across the hall, the space bridge suddenly beamed to life.

"Prime! The spacebridge!" Bulkhead shouted over to the leader. Optimus Prime noted the transwarp ray and finished his slice through the nearest set of drones before calling a retreat.

"Autobots fall back!" he commanded over the comm. Starscream perceived what was about to happen and he screamed so loud in nearly burst everybot's audio receptors.

"Noooo! Get the FEMME!" Starscream raged to his drones, "Where is Soundwave?!" he roared. Optimus ushered Arcee in first towards the spacebridge, then came Bulkhead. Optimus was about to enter himself when he noticed the absence of Bumblebee.

"Ratchet! Close the space bridge now!" Optimus issued to the medic over the comm. Drones were rushing forward like a swarm. Prime could take no chances.

"But Optimus!"

"That's an order!" Prime demanded, running back into the fray. He had to find Bumblebee. The young scout wasn't answering his comm. Ratchet, within the base, reluctantly shut the energy field down as Arcee and Bulkhead made it to safety. Miko and Jack were slightly relieved but what about Optimus and Bumblebee? Miko was biting her nails as Jack and Raff clung to the rail in front of them with sweaty palms.

TO BE CONTINUED...