= Sweet Vibrations =

By Ayngel

Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers or any of the characters or concepts within. I make no money from this story or any other about Transformers.

Warnings: Adult themes, course language, slash, sexual references and descriptions. I feel obliged also to warn for some non con 'advances' to Bumblebee from Gears. It's pretty light hearted and doesn't get far. I'm not a non con person, so my attempts at it are comparatively lightweight - but if any non con at all upsets you then I suggest you don't read.

This moves us quite a bit closer to the approaching romantic encounter. Thanks to all who've read and reviewed *hugs.*

~ Chapter 6 ~

"Turn that darned thing off!" Megatron roared. Frenzy sprinted over and flicked a switch on the wall. The alarm ceased; then everyone was staring at Ravage, as her ruined paw dripped energon on to the rec room floor.

Soundwave stepped forward. "Come here. Kitty kitty kitty." He intoned. Starscream rolled his optics. "Ridiculous!" he muttered as Megatron's optics flared in apparent agreement.

There was a pregnant silence, accompanied by stares as the cat limped laboriously over to her creator, in such a way as to suggest that although she was hurt, she was not that hurt, and that the scene was being played for maximum dramatic effect.

"There there there!" Soundwave intoned, stroking her head. She gave a sad little 'mew' and leaned into his touch.

Megatron's patience wore thin. "Hook!" he snapped. "Fix the paw!" The medic looked at the other Constructicons, who shrugged. With a sigh, he started across to the injured cat.

As Hook examined the shattered limb, Megatron was at his side, looming over her, hands on his hips. "Well Ravage?"

There was a hissing sound, as Hook applied a small solder gun to the leaking energon conduits. A restless stirring went through the Decepticons. Ravage looked up at Megatron with tortured red optics. "Mirage is here," she wailed. "He set me up. He ambushed me in the corridor!"

At once, the stirring became an excited ripple. Hopeful lecherous grins appeared on faces, and then there were whisperings and mumblings: "All right ... piece of Alpha aft – nice ... first one to get him gets first pick …. lets get outta here first so we can get a head start …"

"Mirage Mirage!" the insecticons chittered excitedly. "Finish what we started ….!" Shrapnel cackled.

"Silence!" roared Megatron, his optics flaring murderously. But by now, the half drunken Decepticons had had to 'behave' for too long, and the fearsome leader's command did not have quite the clout it might otherwise have enjoyed. The murmurings increased, voices rising rapidly in volume as the click of weapons started again.

Megatron stared at them, his face a picture of astonishment and abject fury. Starscream looked at him, and then at the recalcitrant Decepticons, and laughed out loud. "Well Megatron – you know what I always say about too much R and R. Your authority seems to have – failed!"

The voices reached a crescendo "Well what are we waiting for?" yelled Ramjet. "There was an immediate roar of: "YEAH!" and movement started towards the door.

The Decepticon leader's optics blazed like coals. "It has done nothing of the kind!" he croaked.

Soundwave remained, stroking Ravage's head, the cat now lying on her side with her optics shuttered whilst Hook silently tended the paw. The other Constructicons gave him a hopeful glance before joining the exiting throng.

"Starscream – this is all your fault. Get out of my sight!" Megatron wasn't sure why this was, exactly. But it just had to be. "Shrapnel!" he bawled.

...

Amid the scramble and excitement, Rumble stood his ground. The hell with Mirage – Rumble had trouble understanding at the best of times why, the spy did one of his sneak attacks like this – which weren't that rare after all – everyone acted like a rock star had come to the school fete.

But hey – Mirage had stopped the show. Rumble decided that, much as he thought the guy a complete tosser, he would have to buy him a drink sometime. Or something. Maybe.

Hell - there was no time to think of it anyway! The crucial thing – what he absolutely had to do right now - was make a break for the video room without Megatron or Starscream or Soundwave seeing. And the chances looked good! Sounders was 'tied up' - and mech was that cat bunging it on – the other two were arguing. Everyone else was about to exit. Now was his big chance!

But – alas – getting to the door to the video room would mean going right past them! The cat would likely wail that she wanted him there - for whatever stupid reason. Worse, he could get roped into 'helping' Hook – the slagger delighted in getting mechs he didn't like in the medbay, making them look at things which made one's circuits squirm. 'Mechs Hook didn't like' extended to most of the Cons on the base – and definitely to Rumble.

The cassette despaired, looking helplessly at the door. But no - he must get that footage!

Rumble swallowed hard. Right – just make a beeline for it and don't stop! An expression of determined resolution appeared on his faceplates, and he started towards the door. But he didn't get far.

There was a blinding blue flash, and Rumble's body 'lit up' as searing heat crashed through him and electric charge ripped through his circuits.

Rumble fell to his hands and knees. "What the frag …" he gasped. He looked up just in time to see Shrapnel 's antlers deliver a second bolt. Electricity fritzed around the room, missing him this time but zapping others still standing, who fell to the floor by the door.

The smell of ozone and singed circuitry filled the room. But then there was a change in mood, as sounds of surprise and appreciation began. "A freebie from Shrapnel? Cool!" somebody muttered. "Hey - if that's on offer we're staying right here…." "Awww yeah, nice!"

Meanwhile, Megatron was striding to the front of the room. "Thank you Shrapnel!" He snapped. "Very useful. I think maybe you should become my second in command …."

"Megatron, I must protest … he shouldn't do that in a confined space!" Starscream was stumbling after him. Their backs were to Rumble. The cassette saw his chance.

As he passed his creator and Hook, Soundwave opened his mouth to speak, and Rumble was uncomfortably aware of Hook's optics boring into him. "Gotta sort something out!" he muttered as he shot past. The cat opened one optic which glinted at him, knowingly.

Meanwhile, back on the Ark …..

Bumblebee thought he had not heard right. His optics widened with horror. "It can't be!" he whispered.

Gears grinned, lecherously. "Ah – but it is!" A compartment on his arm came open and he whipped out a chart, which Bee could see, to his utmost dismay, was a family tree of sorts. "Here – see for yourself."

Bumblebee didn't need to. He had absolutely no doubt that his ex-cousin had meticulously scoured the records, and that what he had uncovered was the truth. He shrank back, a cold spear going through his core, his new 'equipment' diminished to a cold lump between his legs.

Inwardly, he chided himself. He should have been more self assertive! He should have not waited for arrangements to be made for him. He should have stood up to Ratchet, told Mirage that thank you very much, but he could look after himself. Made his own selection. Why – other ' popped' mechs decided for themselves!

He should have called Spike. Yes - Instead of lounging uselessly in front of the TV. The human would have told him to get his act together. He was always telling Bee he let the others walk all over him!

Gears was leaning up against the door frame. Bumblebee positioned himself as far away as he could, his back to the TV, hands clenched on the table which supported it. He watched, horrified, as something which looked like an attempt at empathy appeared on Gears' faceplates. "Say," the red minibot said. "This is as much of a surprise for me as it is for you!"

Then the terrible smile was back. "But hell, Bee! Ever since I found out the news I been thinkin' of nothing but you! You know what? I was so horny last night I couldn't leave Brawn alone. We went at it like a couple o'mechelescents!"

Bumblebee did not need that information. Oh he sooo did not need it! He did everything in his power not to picture it. Visions of the other Autobots ran through his head. Any of them would have been better than this! Into his mind came the cassette with the piledrivers again. That was better than this! In fact – that would be one helluva lot better than this.

Gears was moving towards him. "I gather you ain't quite ready yet," he said. "But how about a little warm up?"

There was a faint rattling, and Bee could not help but glance down. Then his optics widened like saucers. This could not be happening! Gears had his hand on his codpiece - and Bumblebee noted with a sinking spark that it was, indeed, gargantuan compared to the rest of the minibot - and the whole assembly was vibrating. Heat poured off the other minibot and then – something even worse. Gears' energy field flared.

Sparks scattered over Bumblebee. Gears chuckled. "Wey - hey!" he exclaimed, his voice now horrendously husky. "I may not be the youngest and happiest mech on the base but I sure ain't lost my touch!"

Bee recoiled in horror. Pushing back against the TV table so it pressed against the wall, he tried to think fast. Presumably this 'revelation' meant Windcharger would be 'available,' and Cliffjumper. Whilst it still took some effort to think of his 'cousins' in that way, it was infinitely preferable also to the predicament before him now.

"Nooo …." Squeaked Bumblebee. His optics darted around the room. "You're right. I'm not ready. Why don't we – uh – watch TV?"

But Gears kept coming. He wagged a finger. "You naughty little devil, playing hard to get, eh?"

Bumblebee fought frantically for a solution. And then, it came to him. Tell Mirage, of course! The spy would be here in a jiffy. He would 'deal' with this and put right whatever ludicrous chain of events had led to this state of affairs. Yes, he would – especially since Gears didn't like him, and said rude things at every available opprotunity.

Leaning back over the table, Bumblebee activated his comm.

/Mirage?/ he squeaked.

And at the Decepticon base again ...

/This is not a good time, Bee. I'm – a little busy!/

Mirage tried to sound as calm as possible. Shutting off the com, he looked at the leaking half-paw on the floor and sighed. Trust Ravage to make things more difficult!

He had tried to not hurt her. "Ravage!" he'd said cordially when the cat appeared, deactivating the shield and withdrawing his weapons into arm compartments. "Good to see you!" he'd held his arms wide. "Hey, I'll never forget when I was a mechelesecent and we used to go turbofox hunting!"

But Ravage was in no mood for nostalgia. And. Of course, the cat always had to be a drama queen.

"You're a traitor!" she'd hissed. "You didn't join the Decepticons!"

Mirage had groaned inwardly. How many times had they had this conversation? "Ravage we've been through all this!" he'd said. "Now look – if you help me out today – well, you never know. I might reconsider my decision."

But the cat was not easily fooled. "You're a liar!" she'd cried. "And not even a good one!"

"Yeah!" Mirage had had to agree. "Well that's kinda the reason why I'm not a Decepticon, isn't it?"

The cats optics had arrowed to slits. "Soundwave will deal with you!' she'd hissed. And It had been at that precise moment that Bee had commed him. In the second it had taken him to identify the caller, the cat had sprung.

All the same, Mirage had been faster. In an instant, he'd extracted the dart gun. He dodged and fired, missing her body but shattering the paw. The cat had given an agonized yelp and leaped away up the corridor, a trail of energon lingering in her wake.

Now, Mirage briefly contemplated calling Bee back. He looked at the mangled piece of paw on the ground. He knew exactly where Ravage was going. No – the minibot's rising passions could wait until he was out of here.

Which was exactly where he intended to be, post haste. He'd figure something else regarding this 'footage.' There was no way he was putting up with Soundwave and a Decepticon interrogation routine. Especially not if insecticons were here too!

Mirage turned quickly back to the airlock door, just as the inevitable alarm rang out. To his dismay, he found himself unable to shift it. Damn! The alarm must have automatically barred all possible exits!

Quickly, Mirage retrieved the map Seaspray had provided. He saw that he was close to Megatron and Starscream's quarters, and that the noise had obviously been coming from the rec room. He strained his audials. Apart from the alarm, things seemed to have gone quiet. Then the alarm ceased as well.

Mirage looked at the map again. Beyond the rec room lay the main exit. And the elevator may be defunct, but Mirage was certain he could make it up the lift shaft ...

Except that the noise just started up again.

Damn! Mirage assessed the map. Corridors to more quarters lay to either side. But just a little way from the control room was another corridor, leading to a separate enclave away from the rest. Soundwave and the cassette's quarters!

The last place Soundwave would go first would be his own quarters. Swiftly, Mirage took off in that direction.

...

Behind the closed door of the video room, spark wrenching caws came from the recorder, which Rumble interpreted as: 'Let me out, slagger!' He had forgotten that Lazerbeak herself was still in the machine.

"Shut it, Lazerbeak!" he hissed.

"Soundwave! Help!" the bird cried.

"He can't hear ya! He's fixing up Ravage an'Mirage has shown up. You know what that means."

More unhappy sounds came from the machine. Lazerbeak knew as well as Rumble that Soundwave's entire focus would be on the blue and white Autobot spy. But right now, Rumble didn't need this. Not when so much was at stake!

"Look – just put a lid on it!" he hissed. "I'll let you out in a minute – provided you shuddup!"

From the main room, metal footsteps rang on the concrete floor as Megatron paced, his hands behind his back. Rumble could hear faint metal rustlings as the Decepticons shifted in front of him. "Later," Megatron said menacingly, "I will deal with whatever incompetent fool failed to seal the airlock near our quarters - which is undoubtedly where our guest came in!"

There were low murmurs – but no titterings or suggestive remarks. Megatron had regained control.

"For now, Decepticons, you know the drill!" the leader went on. "Starscream - you and your trine will take the north corridor and the control area …. "

"Actually Megatron," came the Seeker's voice, "I think it might be better if we concentrated on …"

"Shut up!" roared the leader. "Constructicons? You will take the south side!"

"Yes sir!" it was Scrapper's voice, eager now to please. Rumble rolled his optics. He imagined the rest of them nodding in concurrence. They'd all moved into 'obedience' mode – and he'd be expected to as well. Which he would - if he could just get the slaggin' footage to safety first ….

"Reflector, you will block off the entrance to Decepticon command quarters …." "Oh absolutely, Megatron. Pleased to be of service, Megatron!"

Rumble scoffed at the sound of their sycophantic voices. But the cassette reeled inwardly. This was serious! Any minute now, Megatron would say: "Rumble, Frenzy …." And give them a station. And then there would be a silence, and the leader would roar "And where is Rumble?" And Hell! Not only would that frag up his little 'mission,' but as if he wasn't in enough trouble already!

"Thrust! You will get down to the basement and armoury! And stop looking at Shrapnel like that!"

"Yes, Starscream cut in. "The insecticon used a disciplinary measure just now, not some titillation device!"

Now, there were titters. "Silence!" Megatron roared.

The cawing started up again, a lot more audibly this time. Rumble looked despairingly at the machine. This was no good! He thought fast. Then he had an idea.

"Look Beak - if ya download that footage, give me a copy and erase it from yer own banks, freedom is yours. Right now!"

There was a pause; and then more cawing and squeaking indicated that Lazerbeak would do this.

"Good!" said Rumble. "Well slaggin' do it then!"

There was a whirring as the data was transferred. Outside, Megatron wrapped up the directions. "Anyone I haven't addressed is to go to their own quarters, where you will bar the door whilst Soundwave does a sweep. Bombshell, you may go with Soundwave. If you find our 'intruder' you may restrain him but no cerebroshells or other psychological claptrap. You will bring him to me! And that goes for everybody else. Do I make myself clear?"

Rumble waited until the transfer was complete, before unlatching the cassette deck. Relief thudded through him as he grabbed the copy. Never mind what was going on out there – his beloved, his one and only, was safe! Bee's honour was intact! More loud squawking issued forth. Rumble unlatched the other tape compartment.

At once, there was squawking and a flurry of wings in his face. Rumble felt a sharp pain in his right winglet. "Slagger!" he hissed at the bird. Why did she always have to peck bits out of him when she didn't get her own way?

But he had no time to get annoyed, because the door suddenly opened. "Rumble? Lazerbeak?" Rumble looked up to see the looming blue form of Soundwave, the insecticons beside him. The bird immediately fluttered on to the blue mech's shoulder, rubbing against his helm. He reached up to scratch her head.

Soundwave's optics went to Rumble's hand; and Rumble realized, to his horror, that he still had the tape in it. His creator eyed the tape. "Your intentions?"

Behind them, Rumble noted a more restrained exit from the room. Hook carried Ravage, an annoyed look on the medic's face, and Frenzy had joined them. Rumble glanced at the insecticons. Now they were up close again, the full impact of just how much they gave Rumble the creeps hit home. And he didn't care how good the bug with the antlers was at titillating disciplinary thingywotsits.

The cassette attempted a smile. "I'm – uh – gonna go an' put this in a safe place!" he said, indicating the tape. "Then I'll check our quarters and wait there."

The bird cawed. The insecticons bristled. "If I might make a suggestion?" Bombshell said, "Kickback should accompany you."

A predatory gleam came into the cricket's optics, and Shrapnel hissed in approval. Rumble gaped. "Uh – I can manage it myself, thanks!" he said.

The insecticons looked at each other and a hissy, wicked sounding laughter issued forth.

"Soundwave?" Rumble said weakly.

But to his horror, Soundwave turned to him. "Rumble, you have failed to make a decision. You will proceed with the insecticon."

"What - now? But we're in the middle of a pitspawned crisis!" was all Rumble could say.

The Ark again ...

/Mirage! Come in. COME IN! I need your HEELLPP!/ Bumblebee wailed down the com. But there was no reply. Instead, Bumblebee found himself pressed hard against the table as Gears came closer.

"C'mon!" Gears intakes were rasping. "How about a nice little kiss?"

Bumblebee could only look at him goggle opticed, shaking his head as, to his horror, a red hand found its way on to his chassis. "Always did think you had a nice little grill!" Gears chuckled.

Fingers ran along his bumper. Bumblebee shuddered. It was horrendous! And worse, he actually felt guilty! Because however obnoxious he found Gears, the red minibot had been like a cousin, and Bee was certain he had his best interests at spark, and that about the grill was really quite a nice thing to say. It was just that –

"I just don't fancy you!" Bumblebee gasped as Gears face loomed closer. "I – uh – I can't! I've got my optic on another!" And then, it was too much. With both hands, he shoved Gears firmly away.

For a moment, the red minibot merely looked disappointed. But then, he darkened. A scowl appeared on his face, a look very unlike what had been there when the Decepticons had reprogrammed him and very much like what was there a lot of the time. "Well, pipsqueak, you know what?" he snarled angrily. I am your superior. And I order you to make me your first!"

"I can't!" Bumblebee gasped. "I promised Mirage!"

Gears went as black as thunder. "Oh – so that's the problem, is it?" he roared. "I heard Fancy Pants had been tryin' for a piece of the action! Cliffjumper obviously wasn't enough. Seems those insecticons didn't teach him enough of a lesson either!" and with that, he made a grab at Bee.

But the minibot was quick. He lunged sideways, shoving the table into Gears. The TV fell to the floor with a crash.

"Mirage has my best interests at spark!" he shouted.

"Mirage is history, pal! These are Prime's orders!"

Not wishing to believe those words, Bumblebee cowered in the corner. He glanced across the room, noticing that the door was not shut properly when Gears had come in.

Gears looked at the fallen TV. Then he seemed to relax. A soporific smile replaced the scowl. "Now look - I don't wanna be asking you to do this under orders!" he said. "Hell - I understand you're nervous. But you gotta like me just a little bit – hell – I was a real stud on Cybertron!"

He started towards Bee again. "C'mon – I don't mind the 'hard to get' thing. It's turnin' me on!"

That was it. Bee's ex-cousin was nearly upon him, all compact, tough red steel. Bee knew that his size belied his strength. If Gears actually got hold of him, he'd have no chance.

Bumblebee delayed no longer. Flinging himself at the door, he hauled it open and dived out, taking off up the corridor in a flash of yellow.

And finally ...

Mirage realized too late that he had misread the map. There were footsteps coming down the corridor. It didn't sound like Soundwave – but if they used their usual methods they'd be covering every centimetre of it to make sure he couldn't get past.

A dead end lay ahead, with five or six doors leading into what were obviously Soundwave and the cassettes' quarters. He had to go into one of those rooms. And he had to make a decision – now!

He looked at the doors. A larger, grander one than the others was formally shut with a 'no access' sign nailed firmly to the door. Must be Soundwave's. The next two were closed also – but the one beyond was wide open. Mirage crept up to it.

Obviously, this was Ravage's lair. There was no berth as such, but a large basket type affair strewn with Cat type things took up most of the room. Mirage saw half eaten toy cyber-mice, bowls of her special cat energon and frayed pieces of rope. Well this was no good! If Ravage was brought back here, she'd spot him straight away. Besides – he shuddered – it gave him the creeps.

The footsteps and voices came closer. They were arguing. Now, Mirage recognized one of the voices as most definitely belonging to that reprobate, Rumble. And the other? The other was clearly - an insecticon.

Mirage swallowed hard. He steeled himself, shutting out all thoughts of the cerebroshell incident. He'd gotten out of situations here before, and he'd get out of this one.

The door at the very end was ajar. Sprinting the final length, the spy pulled it open and slipped in.

…

Thanks for reading. I should be able to update this fater now – the Bee and Rumble meeting draws closer!