Well, it seems we've kept you waiting for too long once again; we apologise, life has been rather busy lately. Hopefully this chapter will compensate for our absence! Thank you as always for your reviews, although we don't have the time to reply to them all, we really do appreciate them.

Chapter 26

The Arrival

Bumblebee couldn't help but smile as he watched his leader sink down on one knee to welcome their newest human guest, the gesture meaning so much to the young mech looking on. Since their arrival on Earth the Autobots had had the honour of being able to mix among the inhabitants of that strange planet, befriending many, but their newest ally...wow, he was something else.

The Autobot knew what it was like to fight Ravage without backup, being amongst the smallest Cybertronians he always seemed to make the perfect target for the feline. And it was never an easy battle either, as much as Bumblebee hated to admit it, the strength and sheer ferociousness of the beast always proving to be a frightening challenge.

Yet that was what made Sean's actions even more remarkable; there was such a huge difference between his own stature and that of the human's, and yet he had been able to fight off Ravage almost single handedly, saving Carly in the process. The yellow Beatle turned his attention to the floor; he couldn't help but feel the slightest hint of shame ripple through his spark.

But now wasn't the time for such selfish thoughts, not while he was surrounded by his friends, celebrating an incredible victory. Swallowing his discomfort, he looked up at his companions again, forcing the smile back onto his faceplates.

"For your bravery and fearless actions, Sean," Optimus Prime spoke, "we are all truly grateful. I am sorry that the actions of our enemies have left you both injured and without a home, but I assure you that we will do everything that we can to repay you for your sacrifices."

"It...it was nothing, really," Sean said. "I mean, when you see a creep attacking women and children, you can't just stand there and do nothing. I'm sure others would have done the same in my place."

Sean seemed rather uncomfortable standing before Optimus; Bumblebee doubted it was nervousness – Sean came across as a rather confidant human – but still, something was bothering him. Maybe he was just feeling overwhelmed.

"Perhaps, but that should not overshadow what you have done today. You are a true hero, Sean, and you have my thanks."

"And mine," Spike chimed in, palming Sean's shoulder amicably. "I would have lost the love of my life today, if it wasn't for you."

Bumblebee was somewhat surprised when Carly remained silent; that wasn't right, she should have been singing Sean's praises. He rubbed the back of his head, suddenly feeling the need to speak for her.

"Heh, you should have seen him, Optimus!" Bumblebee said, his awe more than evident in his tone. "I mean, using himself as a shield...and that was after he'd already trashed that Decepticreep pretty bad! We should make him an honorary Autobot!" Bumblebee's statement was followed almost instantly by cheers as the throng of Autobots made their support for the idea more than clear.

Optimus raised his hand to silence the crowd; Sean laughed almost nervously. "Look," the young human said once the noise died down. "It's one thing to step in and help when an attack is happening right in front of you, but seriously, it's not my intention to make a habit of fighting these...Decepticreeps...on a daily basis. I'm just glad that I was able to help."

"You did more than just help, Sean!" Spike said. "Seriously, we owe you...I owe you."

"Indeed...well, like I said..." Sean muttered uncomfortably.

"I have already discussed your situation with my Second in Command," Optimus continued, taking advantage of the momentary silence and gesturing at Prowl, "and we have decided to grant you shelter within the Ark, for as long as you need."

"That is very kind...thank you," Sean said, looking to Prowl before turning his attention back to Optimus. "I...I am very honoured."

"The honour is mine. We have spare quarters designed to suit human needs, consider them yours. If you need anything, please ask and we will see to make sure that you have it."

"Thank you, really, I...I don't know what to say..."

"I'm sure that many of my fellow Autobots would like to get to know you a little better, but it would be remiss of me to ignore the fact that you have suffered a great deal of trauma today; no doubt you will be wanting to get some rest. I am concerned, however, that you have chosen to act against Ratchet's medical advice; I would prefer it if you would allow one of us to transport you to a human hospital so you may receive the proper treatment for your injuries."

"I'm ok, honestly," Sean said, looking slightly awkward. "Ratchet did a great job rep...healing me, I really do feel better already."

"And as I told you earlier," Ratchet interrupted, a little too harshly in Bumblebee's opinion, "repairing humans is not my specialty. It would be best for your welfare if you would at least seek advice on whether you need some kind of antibiotic treatment to prevent infection."

"Hey, Carly weren't going out tomorrow?" Spike asked. "You could take him to the hospital."

"Yes, of course," Carly said, breaking her silence.

Bumblebee couldn't help but notice the slight smile that appeared on Sean's face.

Thundercracker ignored Skywarp for the third time in the last breem. Skywarp was his best – best as synonymous of only – friend, but it was very hard to achieve the patience necessary to stand him sometimes, especially when Skywarp made all those obvious, childish attempts to call his attention.

Eventually, Thundercracker decided to open their private channel and save Skywarp from being slagged by Megatron, who was sitting on his throne and talking with Soundwave in low voice and who would certainly not take kindly to the fact that his Seekers were chatting instead of attending to their work stations.

"What?" Thundercracker snapped through the comm link. "Stop waving your arms at me, you idiot. I'm sure Soundwave already saw you!"

"So what? It's not like we're actually doing something interesting here… It has been pretty boring, if you ask me. We should at least be outside on some patrol duty."

"Megatron sent the Coneheads instead."

"Duh, yeah! That's exactly what I mean! The slaggers have all the fun while we bore our afts to the core in here!"

"I have to agree with you on that one."

"By the way, TC, do you have some news about Ramjet and his gang of loser slags? They were supposed to give Screamer the cover he needed to get into the Ark, but so far we haven't heard anything."

"I suppose their mission is already over. They returned to the Nemesis some breems ago."

"What? Why didn't you tell me?"

"For the Primary Program, 'Warp, are you isolated on one of Cybertron's sub levels or what? Didn't you notice that the launching tower opened for them, you slag head?"

"Uh, yeah… but I thought Ravage had returned."

"He hasn't. Your work station is connected to the main computer. Maybe you should try using it for a change."

"Alright, alright, stop lecturing me like the blasted creator I never had… It's just that I'm kind of worried, you know? Because of Screamer. Do you think he's already inside the Ark?"

"I hope for his own sake that he is."

"If I were those Autobots, I would have him dissected. If he was such a pest in here, imagine him in the Ark!"

"I thought you said you were worried about him… Never mind, I know how 'worried' you can get about our dearest Air Commander."

"Former Air Commander, you mean… sir!"

"Don't be such an aft head about it, you know my current position is only temporary."

"Not necessarily. Have you thought that Screamer may not come back to claim it? That would mean you would be Air Commander for good, and rightful Third in Command! Doesn't that tempt you? Oooh, slaggin' Primus knows it would tempt me… for less than that I would step on Screamer without thinking about it twice."

Thundercracker didn't reply immediately. He would like to lie to himself and pretend he didn't care about his sudden position as commander of the entire Decepticon aerial forces. But he did care… and a lot. He had aspired to that position ever since the first cycle he joined the Decepticons, and had caressed it when he had been became part of the Aerial Elite… but he had his very own code of honour to follow. He wouldn't climb that remaining step in such a filthy way… Sometimes he hated himself and his Autobotish ways so much…

"Well, I won't," he finally said. "Screamer will fall because of his own mistakes, not because of my treachery – or yours. In the meantime, we have to help him. He's living through the worst time of his life and... well, he's our wingmate after all."

"Yeah right, worst time you said? I bet you a hundred energon cubes that right now, as we pity him, the slagger is getting laid and laughing at our expense, that's what he must be doing! Slag, that's what I would do if I were among such a huge female population. Did you know that this slagging planet has more females than males? Gee, those humans must have a lot of fun!"

"Really 'Warp, sometimes I wonder why Vector Sigma gave you such a bad imitation of a brain module… He must have really hated you."

"Hey! Air Commander or not, you just gained a punch in the face, TC! And court martial me if you dare!"

"Whenever you want, brother..."

The silent conversation between both Seekers was interrupted when the main computer indicated that the launching tower was welcoming another traveler. Thundercracker didn't have to look at the screen to know who it was. Soundwave and Megatron had stopped talking and were staring at the elevator doors.

The new Decepticon Air Commander wasn't surprised when he saw Ravage entering the Command Centre as soon as the doors opened; but he was surprised to see that the robotic panther was limping.

And not only limping. One of his sides was partially torn, exhibiting sparking circuits.

Megatron frowned at the sight of the damaged feline. "What's Ravage condition?" he asked.

Soundwave approached his creation and sank to one knee before him. Ravage bowed his head and rubbed it against his creator's hand, expecting a caress that was immediately delivered.

"Functional," Soundwave coldly intoned. If he was disturbed about the damage to his eldest creation, he wasn't showing it. "37.43 percent of the motor functions of his right side are damaged, and one of his optics is shattered."

Megatron didn't reply, suddenly very interested in Ravage's condition. Thundercracker zoomed in his optical sensors too, noticing for the first time the dark stains on the panther's front paws.

Soundwave passed his finger over that precise spot. His voice sounded equally neutral when he spoke again, but Thundercracker was sure he could hear the hint of satisfaction.

"Starscream's blood."

From his work station, Skywarp stopped typing whatever he was typing. Two simple words, impossible until some cycles ago, but suddenly so powerful. Thundercracker could feel his wingmate's stare fixated on him. As much as he and Skywarp disliked Starscream, they still considered him their Air Commander and the wingmate that had flown with them for most of their lives. Imagining him slagged by Ravage was not a welcome image.

Megatron, on the other hand, didn't seem disturbed by the news. He smirked, with that evil smirk that was so terrible to see.

"So," he said calmly, as calm as the moment before a storm could be, "I take it Starscream was… incapacitated."

Ravage growled in response.

"Damaged, not to the point of termination," Soundwave translated.

"Good, good, just as I commanded… and just what he needed in order to obtain the Autobots' pity. Of course, the little slagger would never see it like that. And I see he didn't, as he obviously put up some resistance."

Another growl from Ravage, this time more ferocious than the previous one. Thundercracker wondered if the cyber panther was expressing his frustration.

"Don't let a little miscalculation bother you, Ravage. As always, you served me well. I have no complaints about your performance."

Ravage bowed his head as much as he could, showing his complete submission to Megatron. Thundercracker could see his soiled paws again, feeling every astro second more disgusted by that dark thing that was supposed to be Starscream's vital fluid.

"Slaggit, TC!" Skywarp said, opening their private channel again. "Do you think Ravage shred Screamer to pieces? That would be amusing… but not that much, I'm afraid… What are we going to do if he's dead?"

"Didn't you hear? He's not dead, just damaged… As for how bad, I guess we won't know until we manage to sneak out of here and see it for ourselves."

"Now that we've done Starscream's dirty work, I expect nothing but satisfactory results from him," Megatron said. "Otherwise, Ravage, you will have another meeting with him, this time without restraining yourself."

Ravage's optics shone with anticipated pleasure. His predatory instinct was certainly operating within him.

Megatron stood up from his throne and headed toward the exit of the Command Centre. "Repair Ravage and see that everybody receives their new orders, Soundwave. In the meantime, it's time for me to have a little chat with our favorite fleshling."

Thundercracker felt a shiver down his struts. When Megatron used that tone of voice, nothing good could be predicted for whoever stood on the other side of his malice.

Poor, poor Starscream indeed… Perhaps Thundercracker would be Air Commander for longer than expected, but the thought didn't give him any satisfaction.

To be continued.

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