This fic is courtesy of me and Sentinel Prime/StarscreamSkydancer and I only own my OCs.
Disclaimer: Transformers belongs to Hasbro/Michael Bay.
A few hours later, Sentinel bridged Ironhide and Akane back to base, and they brought along Kirsten and her mom. Mearing stood outside the hangar as if she was anticipating their arrival. Akane, Kirsten and her mom hopped out of the pickup truck, allowing him to transform into his robot mode.
"Auntie!" called Kirsten.
Kirsten sprinted towards Mearing, and she gave her niece a hug in response.
"Thank God you're ok," sighed Mearing.
"About time you got back, Ironhide," said Sentinel.
Kirsten immediately recognized the red mech, despite the various metallic bandages on his injuries that were all over his body. She let go of the embrace and sprinted towards Sentinel.
"Hi, Mr. Sentinel!" chirped Kirsten.
"Hello, Kirsten," smiled Sentinel, "I'm glad you remember me!"
"Kirsten," warbled Kirsten's mom, "you know that thing?!"
Sentinel gave a slight growl.
"Yep," nodded Kirsten, "he is called Sentinel Prime."
"Honey," warned Kirsten's mom, "that thing could step on you!"
"'That thing' can hear," interrupted Sentinel, "you know."
"I'll be fine," assured Kirsten, "he knows how to watch his step."
"If I planned on doing such a thing," added Sentinel, "I'd have already done it. But I don't, and anyway, I still hurt too much to do that."
Ironhide set down the luggage next to Kirsten's mom.
"Should I show them a place where they can sleep?" asked Ironide.
"Yeah," replied Sentinel, "sorry, Kirsten, I don't think your mother likes you being near me."
"I could have beds set up for them in my room," offered Mearing.
"You guys sort that out," suggested Sentinel, "I'm going to the Lake to loiter."
Sentinel left the hangar while Mearing beckoned Kirsten and her mom to follow her. The elder Prime slowly groaned his way down until he was sitting on the ground beside the pool, leaning against a building. A few minutes later, Bailey appeared and approached Sentinel.
"I saw Kirsten in the base," said Bailey, "but I'm rather confused. Why was she brought here?"
"Why else?" replied Sentinel, "Decepticons. The fraggers don't just quit."
"They're targeting humans now?" warbled Bailey, "does that mean they would be after my family next?"
"We've already notified them to be on the lookout," assured Sentinel.
"Thanks," smiled Bailey, "I still don't understand why the Decepticons would do such a thing."
"Because they can't reach us directly," answered Sentinel, "they're trying to weaken us."
"I can't believe this," gasped Bailey.
Bailey sat down next to Sentinel and rested her head on his leg.
"Megatron is planning something," murmured Sentinel, "he's not stupid. He knows he can't wait us out."
Bailey didn't say anything, but she perched her hand on Sentinel's leg. He grunted softly, as she put her hand on a sore spot. Upon hearing the noise, Bailey snapped her head up and removed her hand.
"I'm sorry!" blurted Bailey, "did I hurt you?"
"It's just sore," assured Sentinel, "not serious at all."
"Oh," said Bailey.
Bailey climbed into Sentinel's lap, careful not to step on any sore spots.
"How am I supposed to explain this to Clayton and the others?" asked Bailey.
"Explain what?" paused Sentinel.
"About the recent Decepticon attacks," clarified Bailey, "I don't think they know about it."
"If they know about us," advised Sentinel, "just tell them that the Decepticons are up to no good."
"Thanks," Bailey smiled softly, "I hope it helps."
"Hope what helps?" replied Sentinel.
"Maybe the information could help them warn their families," explained Bailey, "so they would avoid such attacks."
"Yes," agreed Sentinel, "I hope so, too."
"Can I have a hug?" requested Bailey.
Sentinel activated his human sized holoform next to Bailey. She quickly wrapped her arms around the holoform. He rested his chin on her shoulder while he gently stroked her hair. He just stayed there, and he would, for as long as she wanted him to. After a while, Bailey released her embrace and slid off of Sentinel's lap while he deactivated his holoform.
"I'll see you later," said Bailey, "I'd better go warn Clayton."
"Okay," nodded Sentinel, "you do that."
Bailey sprinted back into the building in search of Bumblebee.
Meanwhile, Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp managed to reach the outskirts of a city without getting caught by the human police force. However, they were anxious to the fact that they were still being pursued.
"Starscream," requested Thundercracker, "since you're the only one of us who can fly, can you go make sure we aren't being followed?"
"All right," nodded Starscream, "just lay low until I get back."
"We will," replied Thundercracker.
Starscream gently laid Skywarp to the ground before taking off. Thundercracker crouched in order to avoid being seen by any humans.
"Well, this sucks," grumbled Skywarp.
"We can't take him back with us to the Nemesis," replied Thundercracker, "Lord Megatron would probably kill him if he sees him."
"And us," added Skywarp, "for lying about it. Although, the last time anyone saw us, the Autobots had guns on us. They probably think we're dead, too."
After a short while, Starscream returned, not paying attention to the motorcycle going off the road and straight towards the Seekers.
"I think we lost them," reported Starscream.
"Oh, good," sighed Thundercracker, "now we just have to worry about Skywarp's legs."
"And your wings," added Skywarp.
"Yeah, that," agreed Thundercracker.
Unbeknownst to them, the man riding the motorcycle stopped just a few feet closer to the Seekers and disembarked.
"There you are," crooned the man, "I was wondering where you two have been, and I see that you brought company."
The Seekers snapped their heads at the man, who removed his helmet. It turned out to be Saburou.
"Oh scrap," gasped Thundercracker.
"Star, run!" warned Skywarp, "he's working with Megatron!"
"What's the rush?" assured Saburou, "I would just like to chat with you. I won't turn you in to Megatron."
"You better not, meatbag," snarled Thundercracker, "talk to Starscream. He's the trine leader."
"So, Starscream," asked Saburou, "I heard that you and Megatron do not get along at all. What do you hate about him?"
"I should be the Decepticon leader," clamored Starscream, "if I were, we would've won the war by now!"
"So you're saying that Megatron is a lousy leader?" clarified Saburou.
"Yes," nodded Starscream, "can't you tell? He had to have a human find the Autobot base for him!"
Saburou let out an ominous chuckle.
"I think you might be referring to me," smirked Saburou, "but of course, I will do whatever it takes to make my empire become a reality."
"You," scoffed Starscream, "run an empire? No, that would be me."
"He's gonna pitch his dumb ideas to Starscream now?" paused Skywarp via com-link to Thundercracker, "doesn't he get that we will eliminate all humans once the Autobots are gone?"
"I'll bet he's trying to circumvent that," replied Thundercracker over the com-link.
"What do you mean?" asked Skywarp over the com-link.
"He might use the technology he has against us," answered Thundercracker over the com-link, "that is, if he thinks we stepped out of line."
"You know," offered Saburou, "I could be your little advisor."
"And what is it you want?" demanded Starscream.
"I want to bring back the traditions where women exist to serve men," explained Saburou, "and the minorities of the humans could be slaves for your empire. My own empire will take away the freedom that women gained over the course of a couple hundred years."
"Are you a woman hater?" asked Starscream, "and if so, may I ask why?"
"I hate my sister the most," snarled Saburou, "I would do whatever it takes to get rid of her!"
Starscream scratched his head in confusion.
"I believe that every woman should be an obedient one," continued Saburou, "those who disobey the commands of men deserve to be beaten."
"Where did you get such ideas?" insisted Starscream.
"When I was an exchange student in America as a high school student," explained Saburou, "I learned these traditions from the Goulds, a Christian host family. Dylan dreamed that the entire world would someday return to the power of men, and I agreed to help him make that dream a possibility. He even offered to make me the leader of this Patriarch Syndicate that exists today."
"Hmm," pondered Starscream, "what's in it for us?"
"You could run your empire while I run mine," suggested Saburou, "we could help each other make our empires a reality, right?"
"It's tempting," agreed Starscream, "but there's still the issue of Megatron."
"In that case," replied Saburou, "we can just eliminate him."
"I'm listening," said Starscream.
"How do we do that?" asked Thundercracker.
"We can use the weapons Dylan has created against Megatron," answered Saburou, "but first, we make sure he lets his guard down."
"Do you have a plan for how to do that?" pestered Starscream.
"I'm sure we'll find a way to make him lower his guard," replied Saburou.
"All right," nodded Starscream, "if it means being rid of Megatron, I'll do whatever it takes."
"And making you ruler of your empire in the process," added Saburou.
Meanwhile, Bumblebee stopped at the apartment building, prompting Bailey to hop out and step towards the door to Clayton's apartment. After knocking on the door, Bailey waited for a moment before Clayton opened it.
"Oh, good," sighed Clayton, "I thought it was either more Decepticons or another door to door salesman."
"Yeah," explained Bailey, "but I came here to warn you that the Decepticons could go after you, Olive and Fred at any time. I heard they attacked Lennox's family and Mearing's relatives, including Kirsten."
"Oh, great," grumbled Clayton, "I'll call Olive and Fred. Hey, don't you usually ride with Sentinel?"
"Yeah," nodded Bailey, "but he's currently recovering from a serious injury right now."
"Poor guy," replied Clayton, "the Cons are trashing him."
"Yeah," agreed Bailey, "I just hope nothing bad happens to him."
"No offense to him," asked Clayton, "but why doesn't he just retire from fighting? He's just gonna keep getting beat up."
"Maybe it's because the nature of the war wouldn't let him," assumed Bailey.
"What do you mean?" objected Clayton, "he's going to get himself killed!"
"Then maybe I should try saving him from death," suggested Bailey.
"How?" exclaimed Clayton, "you can't exactly go out and fight the Decepticons for him!"
"Maybe not," assured Bailey, "but I can try convincing him to at least escape from battle if he gets into a situation where he could die."
"Bails," reminded Clayton, "you and I both know he's more stubborn than a mule. You'd have better luck trying to move a fountain."
"Well," insisted Bailey, "he has to take my advice somehow."
"Or you could talk to Optimus," mentioned Clayton, "he's not as stubborn, and he knows Sentinel better than anyone. Maybe he can do something."
"Thanks, Clay!" smiled Bailey, "I'll consider it."
"No prob," replied Clayton, "I'm gonna go call Olive and Fred now and tell them to keep an eye out for Megacreep and his goons."
Clayton closed the door, prompting Bailey to sprint towards the yellow Camaro and hop inside.
"Clayton got the message," reported Bailey.
"Great!" chirped Bumblebee, "now what do we do?"
"Could you look after Clayton after you drop me off at the base?" requested Bailey.
"Yeah, sure," nodded Bumblebee, "he knows me."
Bumblebee drove down the road until he reached the base. He let Bailey out before taking off. She sprinted into the hangar and began searching the building until she found Optimus.
"Optimus," called Bailey, "can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Oh," answered Optimus, "of course, Bailey. Let's go to my room where we can have some privacy."
Optimus knelt down to Bailey's level and scooped her up before sauntering through the hallway. He entered his quarters and set her down on his desk.
"What would you like to talk about?" asked Optimus.
"I-I think Sentinel is hiding something from me," stammered Bailey, "and I suspect that it has something to do with his fate."
"What makes you say that?" paused Optimus, "are you sure it's not just the fact that he's unwell? I know Ratchet put him on painkillers."
"I'm worried that he could die in battle," explained Bailey, "I'm afraid of losing him. Maybe you can help me find some way to save him?"
"You share the same fear as I do, Bailey," replied Optimus, "I'm always afraid his next battle might be his last."
Optimus let out a sigh.
"But he is determined to keep fighting the Decepticons," continued Optimus, "he's put his spark into it, probably because he feels responsible for Megatron's existence. He feels that continuing the fight for as long as he can will atone for the fact that he brought Megatron into the world."
"Do you think we should do something about Megatron?" suggested Bailey, "maybe that can help."
"What do you mean 'do something'?" paused Optimus, confused.
"What I meant is maybe we could either take out Megatron or get him to atone for his crimes," clarified Bailey.
"I think Sentinel would prefer the second option," answered Optimus, "if it's possible."
"Ok," nodded Bailey, "we'll go with that. Maybe if we disarm Megatron's most loyal followers and convince him to confront us alone, then we can try to convince him to repent."
"Do you have something in mind for how to do this?" insisted Optimus.
"Not really," admitted Bailey, "but I'm sure we'll think of a way to do that."
"Yes," agreed Optimus, "I do hope he's up again soon. If you think of a plan, let me know and we can talk it out."
"Thanks, Optimus!" smiled Bailey.
"Any time," replied Optimus.
Optimus lowered Bailey to the ground, allowing her to sprint out of the room. She wandered through the hallway and entered Sentinel's quarters, where she could see him reading an eBook.
"Hey, Sentinel," called Bailey, "how are you doing?"
"I'm stumped," replied Sentinel, "I'm trying to figure out how to start chapter three."
"Sorry, Sentinel," stammered Bailey, "I don't have any ideas relating to that from the top of my head."
"You wouldn't," reminded Sentinel, "you haven't read chapters one and two, and there is no chapter three right now, because I haven't written it yet."
"Ok then," requested Bailey, "can you show me the first two chapters?"
"I'll send you an email," suggested Sentinel.
"Thanks," smiled Bailey.
Bailey turned on her laptop and began reading the chapters from the email.