Author's note. It's exam time so I won't be able to update very often. But once their done, I'll be back updating my other stories more regularly.
This chapter was written by me and Mrs Bumblebee.
Suggestions are welcome.
Enjoy and please review.
It was early morning on Earth when Sideways arrived. The Autobots may have been able to hide from the Decepticons, but they couldn't hide from him. He knew where their base was already. However, it wouldn't do to go bursting into it, not when he wanted to make a good impression. He needed to win their trust and for that he must appear to be one of them.
But how to go about it was the thing.
As he arrived when the Autobot's base was he saw movement above the entrance to their base. He looked up and saw a small group of mini-cons playing around. He watched them for a few seconds until he saw one of them lose his footing and start to slip down the rocky side.
Its fellows didn't notice and when they did, he was already tumbling towards the sharp, rocky ground. As they, and the unfortunate Minicon cried out, sideways acted. Transforming into a motorbike, he sped forwards, using a boulder to propel himself into the air.
As he fell, he transformed back into robot mode and seized the falling Minicon. Holding it protectively, he kicked out from the rock face and landed heavily some feet away on a ledge. They all watched as a resulting land slide thundered down on where the Minicon would have landed. Without a doubt, he would have been crushed if Sideways hadn't saved him.
"You okay?" Sideways asked roughly.
The mini-con looked up at him shakily and nodded and then hugged his Chassis in great thanks.
Suddenly the entrance to the base opened.
"Hey, what's going on?" Hotshot asked as he rushed out.
"We heard yells...hey, who are you and what are you doing with that Minicon."
He looked ready to shoot Sideways but the Minicons quickly surrounded him, protesting Sideways innocence. Hotshot stared dumbfounded at this. Finally, he said.
"They said you saved him?"
Sideways nodded.
"He fell off that cliff," he said, nodding towards the landslide.
Hot shot looked up and saw how high the cliff was and a mini-con falling from that height could offline him. Hotshot turned back to the Sideways.
"I appreciate you helping him. What's your name?" Hotshot asked.
"Sideways," the Mech replied as he carefully put the Minicon down. The Minicons still crowded around him, in case Hotshot tried to hurt their new friend.
"What's your name, friend?"
"Hotshot," Hotshot said softly, looking sheepish.
"Hey listen, I'm sorry for the rude greeting, we're only used to enemies calling.
Sideways chuckled and nodded.
"It's okay, I know just how you feel. I have to deal with the slaggers 24/7 at where I use to be," Sideways said.
"Oh, where was that?" Hotshot asked with interest.
"Beta 7 near Alpha Prime. I worked there for a while, always seemed to be under attack," Sideways said with heated passion.
"I heard of that colony, they're near a trade route," Hotshot said slowly.
"Yeah, and sadly that makes them a prime target for the Decepticons," Sideways said with a nod. "I work as a sort of freelance bounty hunter, I helped them fend off quite a few attacks.
Hotshot then smiled and motioned Sideways in.
"Well best come inside so everyone else can meet ya," Hotshot said.
"Thanks," Sideways said warmly but behind his mask he was grinning. Everything was going perfect so far.
"Hotshot?" Red Alert said in surprise as Hotshot led Sideways into the Rec Room with the Minicons bringing up the rear.
"Who's this?"
Smokescreen also looked up.
"This is Sideways. I thought he was intruder at first but he's one of us, I guess he's here trying to get away from the Con's that keep trying to fight him," Hotshot said.
"You're an Autobot?" Red Alert questioned to which Sideways shook his head.
"I'm actually a Neutral but I'm no friend to the Decepticons. They drove me from my head a long time ago so I like to repay the favour when I can."
"So then what are you doing here?" Smokescreen asked.
"I wandered into this Solar system and this was the only habitable planet I could find," Sideways explained.
"I needed to try and gather some supplies so I came here. And then I detected some of my own kind of I sought you out."
Red Alert and Smokescreen just stared at Sideways and didn't say anything.
"I know it seems kind of odd," Sideways said softly. "I'm sort of a loner mostly but...it's been so long since I've had company, I couldn't help myself."
Smokescreen then smiled and walked up to him.
"Well then let's get you comfortable no shall we," Smokescreen said.
"Thanks, sorry to crash in like this," Sideways said but Smokescreen only smiled.
The Minicons beeped in delight that he was staying with them and did a little dance. Hotshot laughed as he indicated that Sideways follow him.
"You've sure made an impression on the Minicons," he said, chuckling.
"Apparently," Sideways agreed with his own chuckle.
"I haven't seen a Minicon in ages, I didn't realise they'd established colonies of their own."
"There's a lot more you'll have to learn about these guys," Hotshot laughed.
"I bet," Sideways said with a laugh. "They certainly seem very friendly, makes a nice change from the louts I normally have to deal with."
The Bots laughed at this as they lead Sideways to the area where he could get some Energon.
Once there, Hotshot poured the newcomer a cube of fresh Energon and handed it to him. Sideways accepted gratefully and started to drink it.
"So, how long were you planning on staying?" Hotshot asked interestedly.
"Not sure yet, need to get a feel for the place," Sideways said simply.
"Well then, make yourself right at home," Hotshot said and his friends agreed.
"Thanks," Sideways said and he took a sit in order to enjoy his Energon more.
Pausing between a gulp, he asked causally.
"Is it just the three of you or is there more, if you don't mind me asking?"
The other bowed their heads and growled.
"Our leader but those slagging Con's captured him." Hotshot snarled.
"What?" Sideways said in shock.
"How?"
"They used dirty tricks to separate him from us and took him back to their base," Red Alert told them.
"Those damn Cons," Sideways said heatedly, shaking his head. "They never play fair."
"They sure don't," Hotshot said hotly. "And it gets worse than that."
"How?" Sideways asked curiously.
"They kidnapped way before they got a hold of Optimus, three of our friends that live on this planet," Smokescreen said.
"Minicons?" he questioned. When they shook their heads, he said.
"Not organics?"
"Three human children," Red Alert said sombrely. "They'd been helping us so Megatron took them."
"And what does he think he'll gain by doing that?" Sideways asked.
"He knows how much we care for them," Red Alert said quietly. "We thought he'd try and force Minicons from us, but it was in fact a plot to ruin our morale."
"Yeah, it hasn't been the same since he took them," Hotshot admitted, looking anguished.
"Even before he took Optimus, things weren't looking good."
Sideways looked grim.
"Only cowards use children as weapons," he said angrily.
They all nodded in agreement and growled at the thought.
"If only there was a way to get them all back," Smokescreen said softly. "We've tried to think of a way to save them but nothing will work."
"And what's worse is that Megatron's forcing us to give him Minicons in return for Optimus being fed," Hotshot said angrily.
"The slagger," Sideways hissed.
"Yeah," Hotshot agreed, glad to have an ally.
"So far, we've had to give him one, even though it wouldn't activate, he took it."
"But we don't know what he's doing to Optimus in the meantime, even if he's feeding him," Smokescreen said gloomily. "And we've no idea what's happening to those kids."
"We can only hope and pray to Primus that they are well." Red Alert said with his head bowed.
They all nodded solemnly though Sideways appeared to be in thought. Finally, he said slowly.
"Perhaps...I could help you."
Meanwhile, on the Decepticon base the kids were lying around bored. They'd just finished a long nap and wanted to be doing something.
"This blows," Carlos complained grumpily as Rad sighed.
"I wish Megatron would let us do something instead of stay in here all day," Rad huffed.
"Yeah," Carlos grumbled as Alexis said.
"I think we should tell him, this is so boring."
"Hmm, think he'll listen?" Rad questioned but Carlos simply said.
"Dude, anything's better than this. I'll go loco if we stay here."
Suddenly, speak of the devil, Megatron walked into the room the kids were staying in.
"Hello my pets," Megatron greeted them.
"Hi," they greeted back as he grinned down at them.
"Why the long faces?" he questioned, tipping Alexis's chin up with his finger tip.
"We're bored, man," Carlos complained. "Can't we do something?"
"Like...visit Optimus?" Rad suggested hopefully.
Megatron raised his brow at this.
"And why should I let you see him?" Megatron questioned.
"Uh, so he'll..." Carlos said, trying to come up with a good excuse.
"So he'll see how well your treating us," Alexis said quickly.
Megatron cocked his head to the side but then nodded.
"Very well then," He said and offered them his hand.
Alexis and Carlos were able to get on with no problem but Rad needed help since he was still sore. Megatron didn't have any problem in holding Rad with his other hand instead of making him climb into it.
Once they were safely in his palm, Megatron set off. They clung on, eagerly looking around to see if anything was going on. To their disappointment, they didn't see anyone, not even a Minicon.
"Where are the others?" Alexis asked.
"Training," Megatron said simply.
And a loud boom was the answer to prove it. Megatron walked to the brig and walked to Optimus's cell and stood out in front of it.
Optimus had been resting in his cell but soon stirred when he sensed Megatron's presence. He on-lined his optics and smiled behind his mask at the sight of the kids.
"Kids' how are you?" he greeted warmly.
"We're fine, Optimus, how are you?" Alexis said with a big grin, happy to see the Autobot leader again.
Megatron typed in the code to the cell and once it opened he walked in and placed the kids on the floor but had to move Rad to Optimus's lap since he didn't want him moving too much so soon.
Optimus gently cupped the boy to him and Rad smiled gratefully. He still felt really stiff, especially as he was healing. His friends were able to climb up beside Optimus and lean against him.
"You're looking much better Rad," Optimus said softly, pleased to see Rad had far less colourful bruises on his face now.
Rad smiled up at Optimus.
"Have you been getting fed?" Alexis asked.
"I have, don't worry," Optimus said gently as Megatron sneered.
"Yes don't worry as long as those Autobots keep handing over Minicons."
The kids glared at him but Optimus didn't react. At least Megatron hadn't been given one of their free Minicons, he'd have hated that. He wished he and the kids could escape but at the moment, he couldn't see how that could be accomplished.
The kids looked up at Optimus.
"Hey Optimus can you do something for me?" Rad asked, almost like he was shy about it.
Optimus looked down.
"Hmm, what is it Rad?"
Rad rubbed his arm nervously.
"Can...can you rub my back? It's still sore and last time I had a back ach you gave me a good back rub and well it made me feel better," Rad said.
"Of course Rad," Optimus said with a smile and he gently took hold of Rad with one hand. With his other hand he began to gently rub and massage Rad's back.
Megatron rolled his optics at this but did not object.
Rad smiled at this and relaxed into Optimus's hand, sighing under the wonderful back rub. Alexis and Carlos chuckled some at their friends.
Getting bored, Megatron decided to leave. Aloud, he said as he locked the cell door.
"You may stay with Optimus for now, I shall come and collect you later."
"Okay," the kids said cheerfully, causing him to snort and stalk off.
"Mmm, thanks Optimus," Rad murmured as his tense muscles relaxed under Optimus's fingers.
Optimus smiled behind his mask and leaned back against the wall.
"My pleasure Rad," Optimus said
Alexis and Carlos now climbed onto his lap and settled down against his abdomen. Alexis looked up at Optimus and said.
"You didn't get hurt when you were fighting Megatron?"
"Not Alexis, it was just a bit of sparring," Optimus assured him. "No different than if I'd done it with Hotshot or Red Alert.
"Hmm, I'm surprised. I would have expected Megatron to at least get some dent or scratch on you at that time," Alexis said.
"Who said he didn't try?" Optimus said a twinkle in his optics. "But he wasn't actually trying to bring me down so there was no harm done."
Carlos scoffed.
"So that was Megatron being gentle?"
Optimus chuckled and nodded.
"Yes, in a way," Optimus said.
Alexis chuckled.
"It's odd to think of him being gentle in any way, especially when it comes to you, Optimus,"
"Indeed," Optimus chuckled as he continued to rub Rad's back, ridding it of the tension.
Carlos looked up at Optimus.
"Hey Optimus, do you ever imagine Megatron and the other Con ending the war and you guys live in peace?" Carlos asked.
Optimus sighed heavily.
"I don't know Carlos."
He sighed again before saying.
"What you have to understand is that the Decepticons have always been something of a fighting faction. Even when we all lived in peace on Cybertron, there were often incidents between our two groups. The Decepticons loved finding other worlds that they could conquer and fight while we liked to make new alliances."
He paused and then said.
"Then one day it all seemed to fall to pieces and we were at War with each other. Things might have died down and turned to peace but then the Minicons appeared. Suddenly, the Decepticons had a real reason for wanting to defeat us and so did we. So we've fought for the last few million years."
The kids all looked very serious at this and then Alexis said.
"So you don't think Megatron is ever likely to declare a truce?"
"It's very unlikely, I'm afraid," Optimus said sadly. "He loves fighting so much and hates admitting defeat. He would see himself as weak if he even considered patching things up between out factions."
Rad snorted at this and looked up at Optimus.
"It doesn't make you weak if you don't win. It just shows you need to learn from your mistakes and try again," Rad said.
Optimus chuckled sadly.
"Megatron hates admitting he's made a mistake and he's extraordinarily single minded. It's nearly impossible to get him to change his mind about anything."
"We know what you mean," Alexis said seriously. "We tried to ask him why you guys fight, he just got mad and told us not to be nosy."
"I don't think he's really knows why you guys fight," Rad said thoughtfully.
"I don't think so either. I think he's just in it for the fighting," Carlos joked.
Alexis rolled her eyes as Optimus and Rad laughed.
"I suppose he'd find it hard to live in peace if he loves fighting so much," she said slowly.
"He's addicted to it like an addict on drugs," Rad chuckled.
This made Carlos snort with laughter. As they all looked at him, he grinned, still laughing as he said.
"Just trying to imagine Megatron in rehab, wouldn't that be a sight?"
Alexis and Rad now laughed as they got the joke.
"Or in an AA meeting for addicted to fighting," Alexis suggested.
"I think he'd also need a session in anger management," Rad added.
Suddenly Optimus got all their attentions and placed his finger over his mouth a sign to be quiet and pointed at the door. They didn't understand until they heard and saw Megatron step in front of the door.
The kids all went still instantly, wondering how much he'd heard. Or if he'd heard. His face was in shadow, so they couldn't tell.
"Time to go," Megatron said without a hint of emotion in his voice.
The kids glanced up at Optimus but he didn't say anything. He did however scoop them up before carefully placing them on the ground so they could run over to Megatron. He unlocked the door so that they could climb onto his hand and then he straightened. He locked the door and without a word to Optimus, turned and walked away.
Megatron didn't say a word as he walked back to the throne room but the kids stiffened up when they saw the cage sitting on the table across from the thrown. Megatron walked right over to it and put them inside.
He then stalked away to an Energon dispenser to pour himself a cube.
"I think he may have heard us," Carlos hissed, very quietly to ensure Megatron didn't hear that.
"I think you're right," Rad said just as quietly back as Megatron returned.
"I did," Megatron growled making the kids jump.
He was glaring down at him and they ducked their heads apologetically.
"Sorry," Alexis said in a small voice.
"Too late for that," Megatron said.
They hung their heads again, Megatron hadn't raised his voice but he sounded far from happy.
"A-are you going to punish us?" Alexis asked in a whisper, knowing he could hear her fine.
The boys flinched at this question, trying not to think of whatever punishment Megatron would likely bestow on them. They braced themselves, waiting for Megatron's answer.
"No, you'll just be staying in that cage for a long time now," Megatron said.
"Okay," Alexis said softly.
Like the boys, she didn't relish the idea of being locked up but at least he wasn't giving them another spanking. They never wanted to go through that again.
Megatron gave them a side glace before walking out of the room.
They sighed heavily as they settled on the floor of their cage.
"Well, that could have been worse," Carlos said softly. "I thought he was going to go ballistic."
"So did I," admitted Alexis.
Rad however looked thoughtful.
"Maybe this is his way of showing us he can control his temper. I mean if he spanked us, that would have just confirmed what we were saying."
Meanwhile, Megaton walked back to the brig and stood in front of Optimus's cell.
"Is it true?"
Unsure of how much Megatron had heard, Optimus said gently.
"Which bit?"
"That you all think I'm addicted to fighting?" Megatron asked.
Optimus paused for a moment which seemed to confirm this view but then he said.
"That's probably the wrong word Megatron. You have to admit you enjoy it a lot, and it's hard to imagine you not fighting."
Megatron sighed and looked away. He almost looked ashamed as he did this.
Optimus wasn't sure what to say, he didn't think his nemesis would welcome comfort. So instead he said.
"The kids weren't trying to mock you Megatron, it's just their type of humour. I've heard them say things that seem disrespectful but apparently aren't."
Megatron looked up at Optimus and glared.
"But that does not give them to right to judge," Megatron hissed.
"No, it doesn't," Optimus said softly.
"But I'm sure they didn't mean to, they just got a little over enthusiastic. I know they'll be sorry for their words."
"Sorry they got caught, you mean," Megatron said bitterly.
He sent Optimus a sideways glare before suddenly stalking away. Optimus sighed heavily, Megatron really did have issues. And though he hoped the kids weren't about to get punished, he realised he'd need to talk to them about respect and things.
If he got the chance, that is.
To be continued
Author's note. What does Megatron do after leaving Optimus? Will the kids end up getting punished? Find out next when we also find out what's happening with Sideways and the other Autobots. Until then.