Yay! Two weeks before Disney!

I am in the symphonic orchestra for my school and for over a year now, my parents have been steadily making payments to send me to Disney World in Florida to play in front of an actual audience! I'm so excited!

But yeah, beside my secret desire to ride TF The Ride at Universal...

I'm pretty sure this story isn't going to be less than 70 chapters like I'd hoped XD

Actually, I never even planned for it to go over 50 0.0

For us to get this far, with such incredible readers as you guys...makes me feel humbled.

Let's get this thing going and stretch it till it stretches no more :D

Enjoy!

Of The Spark And Heart

Part 2

Chapter 61

Exploring the base had been a fun idea at first. Ever since leaving the safety of that room, following behind curiously after he had specifically told her to stay put, wandering around was becoming more daunting. The walls were longer here, offering other paths that would only confuse her and make her lose her way. The ceilings were higher, giving each space an endless expanse of emptiness that left her feeling exposed. Here, there was no warmth of the medbay in all its familiar glory. Nor was there sight of a recognizable profile in sight. Every human whom saw here merely stared as she went by. She had yet to see an Autobot, but that was merely because each had been assigned patrol duty as far as she could assume.

Stratis would be looking for her as well by now, she was sure. Solas Kaon had told her that the black fembot was supposed to come in and keep her company while he went to meet with another comrade of his that she didn't know. Of course, she had obeyed...for about a minute or so. However it seemed that staring into the silver screen of a boring door had merely been begging for her to breach past it. Over the weeks she had gotten some bravery under her armor. This being said, she had already met with Optimus Prime, the astoundingly noble Rethalia Prime, Hound -otherwise known as the sweetest mech on the planet-, and Bumblebee. The yellow scout had quickly become a favored companion of hers, seeing as he was a good push on her shyer personality. It had taken coaxing from Ratchet to get her to initially meet Bee, but when she had, the CMO could barely manage to get her away. Chatting with him had been more fun than she'd had since awakening.

Perhaps she could find him here while she strayed. As her arms crossed over her chassis after being startled by a slamming door, she severely hoped as much. At least then there would be a 'Bot she knew.

Fera paused when she drifted into a massive room. It was incredibly wide, stretching out on either side of her in an explosion of space. Cold, concrete walls barred all four sides, running along the length of the endless area before cutting off at the back. Charred-black spots adorned the front of the grey stone in an odd fashion randomly about. More of these giant holes or spiky circles littered amongst the floor or pillars, scaling at some points to the ceiling above. Pillars were lined up through the center of the room, also seemed dreary and cracked from abuse. Intervals of metal slabs stood randomly about, each a different height or thickness, and each peppered in scorched dents. Lights were installed into the roof as long, rectangular fixtures that spanned from the doorway Fera stood at, to the very rear wall. A chilled draft came in from the ventilation shafts overhelm and made her shiver slightly.

A shape abruptly emerged from behind one of the farthest pillars, toting a stunningly tremendous frame, with forest-green paint covering their armored hide, and a hefty rifle that sat leisurely on their shoulderbolt. They hadn't the slightest concern of the fact of a barrel big enough to blow their processor straight off their shoulderbolts sitting at the crook of their neck, as their attention was solely focused ahead of them. Their faceplates were in a stern scowl, though, it wasn't an overly threatening gesture that would instantly signal anything. Fera still was put at unease in seeing it despite that. This mech wasn't one she knew of as of yet, and his optics were a startlingly bright red color. Solas had always told her that red optics meant they were Decepticon, and not to trust them.

She turned to hurry out of sight before the other 'Bot could spot her, however, she knew she'd spent too much time gawking at the stranger to think they wouldn't notice her presence. And her assumptions were right.

"Fera? Fera, is that you?" the rough, steady voice called. Fera winced at the sound of her name and her helm ducked into her shoulderbolts. She stopped walking, well aware that even if she did walk out the entrance, this newcomer would certainly follow. All of her instincts were telling her to leave here - that it wasn't safe alone with a Decepticon. She had yet to know, or should she say remember, all that there was about Decepticons. From the things she had been hearing and the answers to her ceaseless questions, they weren't a friendly bunch.

A shadow barreled over her body, covering her in a shade of total grey. She froze, unable to move in the sheer fright she felt at that moment. Her spark was beating rapidly in her chassis with pulses hard enough that she was afraid the mech behind her would hear. This enormous figure didn't attack her when he stopped, which Fera had been expecting when he was close enough. Instead he waited patiently from behind her spinal support, maybe awaiting her response to his arrival. She could see and sense him lean over to better look at her and she tucked further into herself.

"Fera?" he murmured again, softer this time. "Is that truly you?"

She nodded with a short, jerky movement. In one action, she swiftly flipped around and backed up a few yards to put land between her and the Decepticon. He had to of been a good thirty-five feet. He had to at least be optic level with Optimus Prime. Those wide faceplates of his were twisted into a mix of surprise and confusion. The mere broadness of him made Fera feel tiny and vulnerable. That wasn't one of her more liked feelings.

But his expression seemed genuine enough. He was watching her without hostility, but pure worry. It was a response she had seen Solas or Ratchet give her when she fell and needed help up, or if she was in pain and Solas was trying to comfort her through it. Fera relaxed, although marginally, and studied the mech deeper past his disturbing scarlet gaze.

"It's...me," she confirmed after noting the bulky plates of his plates and the strange scratches over his upper chassis where the Autobot insignia usually went. The faded outline of another emblem was etched behind the scores.

Titanios grinned at her and shamelessly stepped up to place a heavy servo on her shoulderbolt. The weight of it made her sag to the side and nearly tipped her over. He had to bend over a large amount to reach her far shorter height comfortably, however, he said nothing against it while he observed her.

"This new form suites you. I believe a Cybertronian frame fits your persona better off than that of your corporeal human body from before," he complimented. Or, at least she thought it was a compliment.

Fera managed a grin and wrung her servos. "Thank you..." she mumbled. There was no hiding the uncertainty in her voice. It mainly streamed from the present problem that she still had no idea who this mech was. She was afraid to ask.

"I don't think...I remember you..." she muttered hesitantly, her optics stubbornly avoiding the mech's. Stealing a glance next to her allowed her to witness the disappointment that caused a frown to mark his faceplates. Instantly she felt guilty, and she wished to take her words back. It would have been easy to simply talk to him and avoid his name until it came up somehow, later on. That was how she usually gained information without sounding offensive. However she wasn't sure if she was supposed to trust this mech or not. Solas had told her to be careful. "I'm sorry..."

The newcomer did not scold her or become angry, and he didn't appear the least bit ridiculing. Instead there was a hollow sadness there that made her spark drop into her tight tanks. He walked up to her and placed a gentle servo on her upper spinal support, making her tense at the unexpected contact. He either didn't notice her anxiety or ignored it. He then angled his mandible at the door and led her back to where she had came.

Together they walked, through the entrance and down the halls which Fera had been strolling down. Not once did his touch lift. It remained attached to her in a supportive and friendly gesture. It was quite a workout trying to stroll with him, as three of her steps matched one of his own. But she could tell he was treading slower for her, and she appreciated the thought.

Any instance a human or 'Bot would stare at her passing, Fera would duck in embarrassment and turn her optics away. Her mech comrade would then glare until the onlooker averted their sight or glared back. They didn't seem trusting of the mech completely from what Fera gathered in their walk. That made her curious.

"My designation is Titanios," the mighty mech next to her informed evenly. Fera tested out the name silently on her lip plates, digesting each syllable thoughtfully. "I was a former Decepticon warrior under the command of Megatron, and later Arachnid. It was when I evicted yourself and the Autobot Rodimus from the Decepticon stronghold some quartexes before this that I first met you. Afterwards, I defected and aligned myself with the Autobot cause."

Fera gasped and stopped on the spot. Her faceplates snapped up, a wide grin stretching over her lip plates. The information clicked in her memory core, and she was easily able to remember what Solas had told her. Titanios had been the mech he had talked about - the same one that she and Rodimus owed their lives to. Solas apparently trusted and liked the mech, so Fera did the second she recognized who he was. Titanios paused mid-step and inclined his helm downward to see her better.

Fera's arms shot out to grab Titanios' servo with both of hers. Even then, they were half the size of it. "You're Titanios!" she exclaimed unnecessarily. "You're the one Solas told me about! I owe everything to you." Her smile turned into a warm grin. This being had given her the chance to keep living and without him, she may not of been standing where she was. If he hadn't rescued her, she could very well still be in Decepticon control.

Titanios returned her happy gleam and closed his free servo around the both of hers. "No, it is you who I owe everything to. You granted me the clarity I needed to see the error of my ways and succumb to the nobler side of myself," he told her with a return grin. His digits squeezed her servos and tugged on them softly, and the two begin walking again. They passed through the corridors, still holding servos, caught up in the comfort of respectable company.

"It is merely discouraging for me, as my brother is still in ranks with our adversaries and has blocked all communications through our bond since my arrival here..." Titanios trailed off, gazing into the distance with a sorrowful look. Fera could almost make out the figure of the giant's sibling standing before him as a ghostly apparition. It tore at her spark to see him feel pain like this by being separated from his brother. "He feels I have betrayed him."

"Why don't you try talking to him again?" Fera wondered hopefully, trying in whatever way she could to take that solemn expression off his features. She'd had enough of doom and gloom these passing weeks to last her a lifetime.

Titanios shook his helm from side to side and gestured an open servo for her to lead them into the next set of halls. She didn't know where they were going, but she trusted Titanios.

"Both sides of the bond must be open to receive communication between the two connected," Titanios went on as he stepped slowly beside Fera while she fought to keep up. "Bekos had blocked me off and thus hasn't perceived my hails."

"He can't just cut you off, you're his brother."

"He can, and he has," Titanios sighed. "Perhaps it is for the better. Bekos hasn't need of my essence where he is, and neither I of him."

Fera mentally gawked at the idea that Titanios would simply throw his brother aside simply because they were on two separate sides of the war. It didn't feel right. If she had a sibling -and at the moment, she wasn't yet informed if she did or not- she would have left it all to be by their side. But Titanios and Bekos were split down their center...and they were ok with it. No, that couldn't be right. Though Titanios was obviously saddened in talking about his brother, Fera could tell he wouldn't change a thing. That was the saddest fact of them all.

They reached another open area before she could speak up again, cutting off conversation for the sake of curiosity. It was surrounded in the same, monotonous grey, concrete walls, as the rest of the base thus far had been, with strange steel webbing crisscrossing along the ceiling, humans walking along them, and more of these standing amidst the floor. Bulbs hung from long cords on the ceiling, swinging in the slight breeze of the ugly ventilation shafts attached to the roof. Computers adorned each desk or table, flashing images foreign to Fera as the Cybertronian language had been the first time Solas had shown her. A large, layered, silver door was in the center left of the main wall before her, left wide open to expose the world beyond.

Fera found herself staring at it in pure awe. The colors, the smell of incredible freedom, the sky...all of it was so different, yet so achingly beautiful compared to what she had known until this point. Since awakening, concrete and metal had been a constant, hovering factor in her life. It was becoming stifling to her rather than reassuring as of late, leading her to question if there may be something beyond a cold, ashen boundary. From wake to recharge, it was constrictive, caged forces holding her back. Through the endless cycle, she had began to doubt if there may be something else out there for her. Yes. The answer was yes.

Slush from the melting snow was saturating the grass, flattening it with puddles of chunky water in glistening dimples dotting the saturated hills. Grass was beginning to revive between the clumps of dying golden strands. Ice hung off the naked branches from the trees across the field. Spring's clouds were prowling the skies, promising rain, and bringing with them a well-anticipated taste of warmth, and volatile springtime storms. A biting chill still clung to the atmosphere and swirled lightly about the space to give it a less stuffy air. A vent-taking sunset was sending flames of crimson and gold to lick at the band of where the earth kissed the heavens. It was better than anything Fera could have possibly imagined in her visions of longing. It was exactly what she could have hoped for and more. With the taste of freedom on her glossa, it took all her willpower to stay by Titanios' side and merely stare out into what could be.

There were too many witnesses around to run out there. If it had been only Titanios and herself, she knew she could have out-ran him. However, countless humans and a small group of Autobots were milling around, making it impossible to do anything brash. Not just that, but among those Autobots standing on the floor, was Solas Kaon. That mech could bring her down no matter the distance. Still, the thought of a chase between her and the intense Guardian was intoxicating.

Solas was situated with his arms crossed, facing Bumblebee. Leaning against the wall nearby was Mirage, stoically silent, as was normal of him. Fera had been informed of what had happened to the mech - of how he went on a solo mission to recover the Galvanizer and Punch from the Decepticon base, but had failed to bring his peer back. Fera was deeply in debt to this mech as well, for it had been him who gave her the ability to live again. It seemed as though the entire base had somehow participated in getting her back on her fee- er, peds again.

But at what cost? They had each lost an unimaginable amount of themselves in helping her. Mirage had lost an old friend and God knew what else. Solas had stories of tragedy to tell for days on end. Optimus and Rethalia Prime was old enough that they could probably go on for years, listing one name after another of the lost they knew in their ranks. But what had she given in return? What good was she to offer that they would sacrifice all they had to save her? And was it worth it?

Mirage caught her attention again when she noticed he was painted a haphazard splash of powder blue, with messy splotches of crimson poking through. It looked to of been a hasty job, probably meant solely for the mission he'd done. Why didn't he wash it off? And why had he chosen to go mute afterwards? No one had gotten a word out of him as far as she knew.

"What happened to us out there was a complete mockery. We should have gotten them both if it weren't for my foolish mistake," Solas bit in Cybertronian, making Fera jerk from his abrupt, dark tone. Anything Solas had said to her had been kind or patient. This was a first for her experiencing such a hostile side of him. For reasons beyond her, it sent a thrilling tingle down the length of her spinal relay.

Bumblebee clapped a servo on Solas' shoulderbolt and shook him slightly in support. "They may have Punch, however, they are far from reaching their desired goals now that we have Fera and the Galvanizer in our possession."

"We still don't know yet how, or if at all, we are to use the Galvanizer. Face it, Bumblebee, we are mortals fighting a God's war," Solas said, pulling away from Bee's servo. "Whatever it is we have, the Decepticons manage to collect twice its value. They still have those Russian nuclear scientists under their discretion, which means they have immeasurable potential in weaponry or defense capabilities."

"We can't just give up now, not after everything we've been through!" Bee insisted, his servos opening wide in desperation. Yet there was an edge, past the determined wall of his expression, that betrayed his doubt. Fera was finding a trend building within the base of weary optics and sullen attitudes. Those who usually bounced back in the mornings were trudging through the halls. Autobots whom previously stopped by the medbay every day after Fera's checkup slowly disappeared. When she did manage to see them again, they were on their ways to the barracks or patrol, sagging with a mix of exhaustion and gaunt grimness.

Fera felt the churning of her tanks and the bleak twist of her spark at Bee's uncertainty. Up until this moment, Fera had only heard of the war and how it wore on the others. But in seeing Solas and Bee sulking over failure made her realize exactly what a battle, or a choice, could reap on a spark. Solas was supposed to be the rock that gave her a solid perch in this world. He wasn't meant to break like that. What would she do if he shattered before her very optics? Her venting quickened and her spark pattered in her chassis.

Solas' servos balled into fists at his sides. "Giving up is not an option," he agreed lowly, his arms vibrating slightly. "However knowing when to attack is. I had the option to give in, or attack. And I did neither. Look where that got us."

"We can do this Sol, we just need a plan."

"You're younger than I am, Bee...You wouldn't understand."

At this, Mirage burst from his spot on the wall. Fera started in surprise when the mech placed himself dead in front of Solas, partially blocking off the way between him and Bee. Solas looked mildly bewildered as well, for the mech had been completely reserved all this time. For a moment, Fera could almost forget he was there at all. She watched him intently, apprehensively, wanting to talk with him herself and see if she could do what none before her could conquer, and get him to speak. After returning from his mission to get the Galvanizer, thus by length saving her life, not a word had left his lip plates. She'd wanted to meet the brave mech, talking or not.

Mirage was scowling darkly at Solas, which both confused Fera and put her on edge. His blue plates were fluttering on his frame, raised up slightly in anger.
"You don't know frag either Solas, so quit your complaining," he barked. Solas frowned deeply at his counterpart and glared right back at him. Fera felt her energon pumping with energy, anticipating, and fearing, a spat from the mechs. Solas had a temper, she knew, and that was what worried her most.

"What?"

"Whatever you are trying to prove, stop. Every word out of your throat has been about you," he jabbed a digit into Solas' chassis and the mech curled his digits into fists. "You sorrow over mistakes, cry to your leader, and refuse consideration of others! You blind fool, you could never see what you need to. If you had been through half that of I or Optimus Prime, you would never want to speak so openly about it."

Solas snarled and threw out his arms, gesturing, and perhaps taunting, Mirage onward. "Spit it out Mirage, come on! I know you've been holding this in for awhile." The two squared up dangerously close, Mirage's optics recklessly challenging, and Solas' a fiery, teal echo of that call. Bumblebee jumped in to separate them, trying, but failing, to get them apart.

"This isn't about you, this isn't about me, or I, or us," Mirage went on daringly. "This is about we as a team. We need to do something about this and we have to figure out her." His digit snapped out to stab in Fera's direction and she went stone-still on the spot. Her spark skipped a beat and her vents shuddered nervously. Subconsciously she moved closer to Titanios to draw attention away from her.

Solas' attention drew back for a split second to see Fera standing there, and for that sharp moment, his resolve broke into the resigned character she'd believed him to be. But then Mirage shoved the warrior backwards, nearly throwing him off his peds, and Solas forgot about his charge, instead for his increasing irritation.

"We need to forget about regret and focus on the future, not the past or whatever sob tales you wish to get pity with," Mirage bit bitterly. "Wake up!"

Solas' body shot forward, shoving his faceplates into Mirage's. Fera knew that Solas was a hot-helmed mech. She knew that the day she woke up in the medbay after coming to in her new frame. But if there was one thing she knew for sure about him, no matter if he'd explicitly said so or not, he would never lay a violent servo on his comrades. These were his brothers and sisters - his family to watch out for and cherish. To promote in-fighting would bring this place down quicker than Fera fell off the berth that fateful day. Optimus would never allow it. If everything else failed, he would set it all straight...right?

Solas' oral sheets were exposed, as if hissing at Mirage. "You don't know me," he snapped, almost too lowly for Fera to hear. "You don't know where I came from or what I've been through. And as for we, I don't need anyone else to do what I could do myself."

"Idiotic fool!" Mirage shouted, planting his servos on Solas' chassis again and shoving him for the second time. This time Fera knew Solas wouldn't hold back. That much was clear by the way his left optic turned a bright shade of red. "Your pride is going to get us all killed!"

Solas shot at Mirage, fist raised. There was fury in his gaze and liquid flame along his paint. Those red stripes running along his armor blurred as a flickering torch while he swung. Betrayal and a livid swell shouted volumes from his intense optics.

Fera gasped at the rush of air that assaulted her side. A large mass had removed itself from her flank, eating the length of the floor from the space between her to Solas in the means of a sparkbeat. Fera was stunned at first and didn't recognize the thundering being until his forest-green paint registered in her processor. It was with anxious passion that she witnessed the enormous Cybertronian and ex-Decepticon cross Solas' path and literally sweep him from his peds.

In mid-swing, Titanios had stopped Solas by spearing his midsection and lifting him clear into the air. They began in reverse, a thrashing, snarling Solas beating against his captor to get free. Mirage was being held back by Bee, who was only a mere few feet shorter than Sol, and thus was able to effectively restrict the spy from starting after the Guardian he'd provoked.

Titanios threw Solas back onto his peds, sending the Guardian to stumble back a step before launching himself forward back at Mirage. Titanios managed to plant his peds and stop Solas, but only after sliding back himself a good foot before Solas was stopped. Fera was speechless during it all, standing back in the shadows as she seriously began to rethink everything and anything she may have known about the war and its participants.

"Enough you two!" Titanios roared, pushing Solas backwards and stepping back to put a servo on Mirage's chassis to help Bee. Solas went for Mirage again, however Titanios' palm halted him in the spot and kept the violently hyped-up Autobots at bay. And what had started this all again? Fera was unsure if she was simply dull, or right in her reason to be utterly lost in Mirage's sudden, and pretty uncalled for, outburst.

Humans around Fera filed from the room in a practiced manner. They'd been through this situation before apparently, and as she watched, she knew they weren't ready to suffer the consequences of staying again. She deliberated whether to follow. Should she leave too? Did this even concern her?

Titanios forced Solas and Mirage back, hovering his servos before both 'Bots in case they would charge again. "It is ridiculous that you both are fully upgraded mechs, capable of controlling yourselves, and yet you chose to fall to such pitiful levels and attack each other. We are equals here - brothers in arms. You need to behave as mechs and treat each other as your own iron and energon," he scolded hotly.

Solas pulled back, as did Mirage. Nonetheless, they still locked agitated optics from across the gap separating them. Fera wasn't certain if Titanios was to step aside that Mirage and Solas would keep apart. It wasn't a preferable sensation she gained from having her Guardian, a figure meant to be immovable, deviate her views on him and showcase a seemingly different mech altogether. Now she knew he wasn't invincible. She knew he was like her. He could bend, he could falter, and -though she denied it with all the terror she could- he could fall. Heaven forbid she be here to see the day that happened.

But if it did, she would be right there to fall with him.

Fera walked forward and lifted her arms to wrap around Solas'. He started, his helm ripping around with a snarl. That immediately cut off when he saw Fera standing there. She withheld the startled tense of her body and stared right back into his optics. His expression softened when he saw her, but hers hardened in contrast. The hold on his arm increased while she fought to bring him down from his angry high.

"Arguing over Punch's capture will not bring him back here," Titanios went on, lowering his arms and tone. "We must devote a plan to preform in recovering Punch. I believe I have such a plan."

Solas paused, looking back to Titanios along with Mirage and Fera. She pressed close to Sol, feeding from the steadily falling wrath of his essence. They said nothing, too engrossed in the curiosity of any remote chance of saving their brethren to possibly be interested in anything else. All lasting lingers of their spat seemed to dissipate as fast as it had befallen them.

Titanios shifted to place Mirage and Solas in his sights without having to constantly shift his helm from mech to mech. "Whatever it is we discuss here, it does not leave this room. Optimus Prime and Rethalia Prime shall not know of this, nor any other peer of ours until the mission requires their participation," he commanded, setting a piercing gaze on both mechs.

"What plan could you possibly have that we must keep it from our superiors?" Mirage demanded, standing straighter. Solas nodded but said nothing in response.

Fera placed her free servo on top of Solas' arm, focusing solely on Titanios with increasingly uncomfortable optics. "I'm not sure if that would be safe..." she murmured beside him. Solas continued his silent vigil, but folded his arm to keep Fera's in place through her unease.

"Your concerns are noted, and understood, however," Titanios crossed his arms over his chassis, "you may trust me that I may retrieve your comrade."

Fera had only met the mech again today, but he seemed genuine enough. Mirage and Solas didn't appear that ready to deny him either. Was it because of the supposed debt Sol owed Titanios for saving her those forgotten many months ago? If that was the case, what reason had Mirage for believing Titanios? Maybe their fight hadn't broken their respect and trust of each other. That made Fera feel a bit better, knowing that they their relationship wasn't totally brandished in this skirmish.

Beside their reasons, Fera didn't remember anything about Titanios except that he had saved her when she was still human. She had been a captive by the Decepticon forces for some time apparently, and following that event, things had never been the same. That was all she knew. Solas refused to tell her more, or why there was a strange itch at her collar armor right above her spark. Solas simply told her that she had had a scar there when she was human and not to think anything about it. After that, conversation was cut short.

Titanios set his optics on Solas, which made the Guardian and his charge tense. "Listen to what I have to say before you refuse anything," he requested hopefully.

Solas after a moment of hesitation nodded, allowing Titanios on.

"We must infiltrate the Decepticon ranks," before Solas could interject, Titanios quickly went on. "I still am able to establish communications with my former faction, so I perhaps could draw them out and provide a distraction where I may take you inside the Nemesis and retain Punch," he finished. He then looked to Mirage. "You would have to stay here and keep contact with us in case an event of unexpected circumstance came up. You would also be providing us with aid when my mark requires you to do so."

Fera stared, optics brimming with anticipation for the mech's answer. Mirage would surely have wished to rescue Punch after leaving him behind to secure the Galvanizer, but abandoning him on the ship may have been the wiser idea, though she hated herself for thinking it. Surely Mirage was broken from everything that had happened to him, and like those around him, it was beginning to show. That had no effect on Solas' decision, whom she knew as a life-betting fact that he would agree to volunteer. Touching the plates of armor on his arm granted her the feeling of the tiny, exhilarated tremors his body gave off. He had been thirsting for a chance like this. She was unsure if anything, or anyone, could change his decision.

As expected, the red and black warrior briefly revved his engine in determination. "I do not see a reason to deny a quest like that. Punch deserves at least a single recovery team. And if we fail, Mirage hasn't the need to inform our Primes," he surmised certainly.

"You are seriously considering this?" Mirage demanded in disbelief.

"Of course. You of all mechs should understand."

"What of Optimus and Rethalia? Why should they be disclosed from this mission?"

Titanios found his part to cut in, catching their attention by unwinding his arms to hang at his sides. His features were thoughtful, his silence pondering while he figured what was right to say. "They would never agree to it."

"I can see their reasoning as to why," Mirage commented solemnly.

"However your comrade is in enemy control, meaning whatever he may hold within his processor may fall victim to their whims," Titanios insisted. "Do you wish that upon him? Upon any mech?"

Solas snorted, causing Fera to jump when she her attention was diverted so suddenly. Solas' arm holding hers up fell down, settling between her shoulderbolts. His touch sent a line of electricity through her relay, which made her involuntarily shudder. Warmth bloomed across the meager plating she did have, and she let her optics lock avidly on the floor.

"Mirage, do you accept the mission or not? This is your friend we are opting to detain. If it is in your interests that we abandon him, I will respect your decision, but..." he paused, digits curling into Fera's waist, "I will lose respect for you."

Mirage's voice dipped into the crushing nothing, lowering with the bow of his helm while he mused seriously to himself over the stakes. Fera could imagine the indecisive turmoil broiling within him, and for a moment she considered reprimanding Sol for being so insensitive. Fear was a powerful weapon against one's self. His hesitation was understandable. But she held herself from saying so despite her initial feelings, for what her Guardian was bringing on the spy was necessary. Mirage needed to consider the difference between an essential, or needless, risk.

Although, she herself wasn't quite sure whether this was one or the latter either.

Titanios must have gotten his answer from Mirage's change in atmosphere, for he continued conversation with Solas as if confirmation was clear.
"I would like to bring Fera with us if we can," he stated simply.

There was no emotion in his words. Not a single second had gone by without Fera's spark stopping in its chamber and her tanks filling with flutters. Air itself felt to suck in its bated breath as everyone took their moment to react. The energon in Fera's lines ran cold with stark dismay and sent spikes of gripping discouragement through her very center. A million and one thoughts raced through her processor while she attempted to digest just what Titanios had told them. Solas' servo was tight around her, the pressure increased to press her shoulderbolt into his hip protectively.

She herself was at a loss, finding the shock too great for her developing vocal capacitor to handle. Syllables tumbled from her glossa in a fumble of gasps, simply denying any and all chances to form language. The Stone of Primus embedded at the hollow of her collar glowed with a misty, unsettled hue.

Solas made sure to use the mass of himself to hover, knowing it was far larger than Fera's, as to shield her away from the offer itself. Her optics merely zeroed into the distant nether, a vague half of it observing Mirage from across the way for his reaction. There was none.

"Why?" Solas finally demanded for them all.

Titanios set his gaze on the rumbling Guardian and his distant charge with earnest sternness. "She possesses the only means of tracking Punch down through the Nemesis," he explained, as if it were the most known thing in the world. "Punch bares the lingering essence of the Galvanizer, and thus may be tracked by Fera's Stone. It would recognize him as its guarding transporter, and thus use his spark resonance as a sort of beacon, if you will."

"That is ridiculously stupid, what means would she-"

"I'll do it."

Fera bit the urge to take those three words and shove them back down her throat. It burned her optics with tears and seared her spark in a white-hot burst of terror. What had she just committed to? Was she insane? She didn't even know Punch. And from the expression dressing Solas' faceplates, he believed she had lost her circuits as well.

But Punch didn't deserve to be captured, no matter if she and her Guardian believed her processor to be crazed. That mech had sacrificed so much to bring the Galvanizer to Earth and reunite it with the Stone. Why should he have to suffer?

Fera knew about the Stone, and she knew that she was its Keeper, and that it powered an ancient artifact known as the Galvanizer. What she was unaware of was exactly what it did or how she was connected to it all in the first place. She'd tried getting an explanation from Solas, Ratchet, and Optimus Prime, however, she never gained much ground through those circling conversations.

Solas ducked low, swooping in by her audio. "Fera, this isn't safe. I can't afford to lose you again, for what I'm sure would be the final time. Don't do this."

"I want to," she argued, unable to hide the minute wobble in her tone. "I want to do this. I want to find Punch and I want to help him. I can take care of myself." With every word, she gained a little piece of courage back.

Solas pulled away some, letting his optics meet hers. She willed herself to bore her sight into his, digging deep inside of herself to bring out the strength she knew she had and shoving it at him. Her spark knew this was the right thing to do...it was only that her processor felt such hesitance where she was second guessing herself.

Her decision must have settled with Titanios, for he was gone before Solas could turn around and flat out smash her commitment. One, that she was surely going to regret later.

The screen of the Com Hub shut off, leaving the light of the room to sink back into stifling black. It had been dark before the link had been established, and now, there was but the eerie reflection of armor and a malicious pair of glowing, crimson optics. They burned through the dark and fed off of the venom it emitted. Onyx plating covered the length of the lithe frame standing at the console. They were as dangerous as the dark they dwelled in. No light escaped their presence, whether it be of her paint or through the lethal darts of her gaze.

Like her name suggested, she was a fire raging in the synopsis of war. Every move she made burned in unadulterated fury; each word leaving her glossa screamed of inner ferocity. Thin, sharp digits hovered off of the keys while two equally as keen optics narrowed. Suspicion carried itself heavily off the fembot's plates as her chassis rumbled slightly with unease.

Those lasting words from the comlink message still rang clear in her audios, though she still had yet to fully believe them. Nothing about it seemed right.
Titanios, a defected Decepticon, and traitor to their cause, had sent a vocal message to the Com Hub of their Rocky Mountains base, spurring nothing but questions from the fembot. She was currently trying to decide whether to contact their leader or not, seeing as of late the hulking titan of insanity itself was not the most stable of them. He would most likely order an immediate trace of the feed and attack any whom dare speak up against him. Tracing comlink feeds from personal CPUs was nearly impossible to do. Galvatron would have her helm if she would tell him as such.

And that was if what Titanios was offering was true.

With a snort, the fembot crossed her arms and leaned back to better study the dusty, cracked screen of the Com Hub. "What a disgrace," she hissed, flashing shining oral sheets in the murky night of the air.

Flamewar knew what Titanios wanted. She was merely unsure if Galvatron was willing to allow it to happen. From the way he treated his traitors, it was not a pleasant experience. Counterpunch, now properly identified as the Autobot Punch, was currently on the Nemesis with Galvatron and his troops, suffering through Primus-knows-what in torturous interrogation. Bekos would definitely be there, along with Platon and Vortex. Who was to know if Arachnid wouldn't be present as well? The simple mention of that disgusting Pit-spawn made Flamewar curl her lip plate.

So perhaps it would be better if she did relayed the information to Galvatron after all. It would put her in his favor, since Arachnid was quickly losing her position as most favored. And if Galvatron was so distracted as to take in the offer from Titanios, he may punish Arachnid because she failed to retrieve the message before the base had. That made a ghastly smile rear across Flamewar's faceplates.

All Titanios wished for was to meet with Decepticon forces at the state known as Wyoming. A fast search through the various data resources available on the World Wide Web showed her exactly where the mech wished to meet, and it put her on edge that she would even consider going through with this. If the humans' primitive technology was good for one thing, it was the plethora of rather easily accessible bout of information. And besides, it was merely one mech. What danger could he pose? And what made it better was the fact that he was offering a form of truce between himself and his former faction.

He couldn't be trusted, that was for sure. And yet, at the same time, he could offer such valuable information about the Autobot forces. Its benefits seemingly weighed out the risks. The Autobots were so foolishly trusting that they would grant a fleshling creature like a human the secrets of their entire race, let alone a fellow Cybertronian their war secrets. Perhaps that was why they were allied with the humans - because they were afraid they would lose without a mass of seven billion or so tiny sacks of flesh.

Flamewar glided along the shadows to exit the Com Hub and start down the corridors. They were quieter than they probably should have been, considering Decepticon forces were large in number, and thus every place occupied by them should have been bustling. Soldiers were roaming along of course, however ever since the Nemesis had landed from obit with Galvatron's new frame, there were considerable less beings milling about. Flamewar preferred it this way nonetheless, as the silence was far more tolerable than noisy, drunken, foolish fliers and pompous ground-roamers.

A said soldier began her way down the hall before her, meaning to pass by without a word. His one mistake was looking up at her, only to find stabbing optics glaring down on him. Those faceplates ducked under her sight, respectively avoiding locking optics with a brazen fembot powerful enough to slice him in half where he stood.

What she couldn't avoid it appeared, was the desperate fancies of a certain mech, whom now barreled down the hall to catch up to her.

"Flamewar!"

Holding back a roll of her optics, Flamewar groaned and clenched her fists. She picked up her pace a bit, nearly jogging in her mission to get to the main communications center. Once there, she could contact Galvatron and ignore this ignorant fragger.

"Flame!"

Suddenly servos were on her shoulderbolts, stopping her mid-step and slamming her into a broad chassis. Arms pinned to her sides when the mech wrapped her in a hug from behind. His servos knitted at the base of her abdominal slips, his helm nestled in the crook of her neck. Flamewar growled loudly and yanked herself in attempts to get free. She could go no where however, as this mech was way too strong for his own good.

"Release me, you sniveling cretin!" she snarled viciously.

The mech huffed beside her cranial unit. The warmth from his vents sailed across the back of her spinal support, making her energon pump harder in irritation.
"Come on love, do not push me away," he retorted in a tough, weathered voice. His hold on her tightened a split nanoclick, making her vents hitch.

Clenching her oral sheets, Flamewar wriggled again. "If you do not let me go, there won't be a Flamewar to push you anymore!" she protested with a shriek. Two burly, black and violet arms unlocked around her, letting her stumble forward before she caught herself and began striding away again. It wasn't long before she could hear the enormous peds of her pursuer following behind her. She suppressed a sigh of aggravation. As long as he didn't talk...

"What are you doing Flamewar?" his graveled tone drifted over her aching processor. Her optic slips shuttered shut, trying to block him out. Maybe if she ignored him, he would go away. That didn't seem to be much help for her, as he reached out to grab her again, this time around the waist. Flamewar promptly snatched his servo and gave an abrupt twist, turning the limb in a way it should never bend. The mech trailing her briefly called out before yanking his servo away. In a single movement he had her against the wall, barring her path with his immense mass.

Flamewar fought like a feral animal against the triple-changer, beating his chassis and smacking her peds into his shin struts. He easily grabbed her arms with on large servo, holding them above her. She exposed her oral sheets at him in a primitively threatening way. Any other mech would have been shaking in their armor at this point. He apparently, didn't seem affected in the least.

With a hiss, Flamewar scowled at the mech. "Let me go!" she barked. Her captor smirked and roamed his free servo over her hipbolt boldly. This mech had a pair of steel ball bearings to be touching her! His mischievous expression only made her angrier...and interested.

Flamewar had never been one for soft play. It took some mech to dare come up to her, let alone try throwing around at her level. "I will have your interface cable on my wall, you vexpa," she snared.

"I would like to see you try," he challenged playfully, grinning down on her and hovering close. "Now, can you answer my question?"

Flamewar pursed her lip plates and curled in her digits as they were kept above her. What a stupid mech. He left one important variable out of his capture. Flamewar's leg swiftly shot upward, effectively knocking into the mech's interface panel and causing his optics to pop wide. He let go of her arms and doubled over himself, his vents shuddering. Flamewar smiled herself in amusement. For once, he was actually being fun. In mocking fashion, she waltzed around him and slowly circled him to his side. When he looked up at her, she bent down to his height.

"If you must know," she began, cocking her helm to the side, "I am going to contact Galvatron. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

She turned her spinal support on the 'Con with a victorious swing and sauntered her way to the communications corridor without thinking about him otherwise. That pride may have been her fatal flaw. She hadn't made it five steps before she her world swept aside. The walls vaulted around her and the ceiling rushed above. Her legs whipped into the air and her helm snapped back in recoil. A short scream escaped her lip plates, as she believed she was falling. Instead, she stopped in the empty space, her frame supported by the mech that only moments before had been mourning his mechhood.

Stunned, she was unable to do anything at first by hold onto whatever she could, which was at the time a set of chassis plates. A chuckle floated from his throat, vibrating her in the process.

"Off to the Com center we go, lovely Flamewar," he opted as they began for the correct door. Flamewar gasped and began to flail again, absolutely hating that she was no longer winning. This wasn't right - she always came out on top!

"Astrotrain, if you do not put me down this instant-!"

"You'll tack my interface cable onto your wall?" he finished. Flamewar snorted, crossing her arms with a grunt and averting her optics. Her frame had quit fighting, for she knew that it was of no use. He was going to win in the end, for his brute strength was too much. However...

Flamewar smiled to herself and, out of the blue, lifted a single servo to cup Astrotrain's cheekplate. He paused for an astrosecond, sending her a confused glance. She ignored it, instead leaning up in his arms to get closer to his faceplates. The length of her side stretched to its limit to get high enough, but she brushed the strain to the back of her thoughts. Digits trailed along the line of Astrotrain's mandible softly.

"Please put me down?" she purred, so close now that their chassis touched and her lip plates were but an inch from his chin. When he hesitated, she pressed a gentle kiss to his chin, which made him sputter and halt on the spot.

Conflicted optics settled on her. "What are you...?" he couldn't finish as Flamewar stroked the front of his chassis. A quick, tiny shiver wracked him, and she smiled with the knowing that she was once again getting her way.

Flamewar lifted herself as high as she could and flung her arms lazily around Astrotrain's neck. "You want to put me down, because..." she placed a kiss on his chin, right below his lip plates, "there are things..." stopping again, she fully kissed the mech. The fiery language she displayed through her melding to him made his arms fall slack, lowering her down onto her peds so he may set his servos on her lower spinal support. When she pulled back, he was ventless and obviously flustered. "That I would like to do with you."

His cheekplates brushed with blue, Astrotrain followed each contour of her features. His studying made her internally smile in accomplishment. And when he leaned in to kiss her again, she nimbly dodged by lunging low and out of reach. The door to the main communications center was already open and waiting. When she made it in the frame, she put her servos behind her spinal support and flashed a cheeky spread of her lip plates at the shocked Astrotrain. The fembot lifted a servo to wave her digits at him as he stood straighter, his faceplates twisted into annoyance. The doors closed out his image soon enough, and when she locked the door, it stayed that way.

Flamewar's smile fell and she ran the back of her bracer across her lip plates, trying to rid them of what remained of Astrotrain's sloppy technique. She then turned in finality towards the viewing screen and console that spanned the entire width of the wall.

"That fragger is lucky I find him interesting," she muttered to herself while she crossed the barren expanse of the empty room. "Or else his cable wouldn't be the only thing adorning my wall."

Let me be nostalgic for a second, ok?

Flamewar has been in exactly one chapter mono-a-mono

Yet she is probably one of my favorite Decepticon characters.

Don't question my logic XD

Anyways, Fera is being reckless again, big shocker!

And I just love pairing up every single character I can get my too-powerful hands on :D

This is romance for a reason, and there's definitely gonna be some romancing people ;)

*Chapter Inspiration: The Man Who Can't Be Moved= The Script*