Warnings: Language obviously, I'm pretty sure if you've read all the chapters leading up to this then you kind of expect that by now. Also violence. They are fighting a war after all.
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Bang.
Bang. Bang. Bang-clunk.
Drooping in exhaustion, Shay let go of the water container. It bounced against the bar before clattering against the floor. Groaning, the woman sat for a breather.
Without the engraving tool to melt the bars, she'd considered trying to destroy the lock with her knife. But if she opened a panel to cut out the wires than she risked sealing herself in until someone physically ripped the door off. Which left one half-melted bar. Since the water container was of Cybertronian metal (and hypothetically stronger), Shay had resorted to smacking it against the weakened cage wall. Half an hour into this she'd made an impressive dent and the tube appeared to be stretching.
Hopefully, if she pushed it enough it would break. That should give her enough space to climb out.
"Maybe I should take another nap." A mumble that was too quiet to echo in the large space. She'd rested earlier. It didn't matter how tired or hungry she was, escape was priority.
Heaving herself up, the human glared at the offending bar and kicked it with her boots. With a growl about her stinging foot, she picked up the container and started banging again. No time to waste. There was no telling when the Cons would come to check on her and someone might hear. And testing how far Decepticon patience went was not a very healthy thing to do.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Life sucked. Her limbs shook from exertion and not enough energy. And her head still hurt. Stupid idiots gave her water but no food. At least the water was useful, if in an unconventional way.
Bang. Bang-crack!
With a loud snap, the bar torn along the weak point. Shay grinned excitedly at the progression and renewed her hammering with more vigor. Not even trying to be quiet now, she pulled back and swung until metal on metal sent reverberations up her arms. Again and again. Sweat started to drip down her face. No one had come to investigate yet. She had to finish before they did. Crash crash, bang bang. The two halves of the tube gave off groaning shrieks as they were forced out of position.
Finally, the hole seemed to be big enough. The woman dropped the make-shift club and hesitantly slid through. Sharp edges came precariously close to cutting through her clothes but she fit! Climbing back in, Shay picked up her pack and shoved it out onto the deck her cage rested on. A slide and hop later and the human was free.
No time to waste! What if someone came in and saw her? Shay found some broken stairs that led down and quickly ran around the rubble. It was hard to see in dim lighting but she found her way while quietly sprinting from one large pile to the next. It was silent. Where were the Decepticons?
As long as they were away from her, she was happy.
Films of dust tried to sting her nose, clouds rising up in tiny puffs as she snuck along. It stuck to her skin and within moments she was covered head to toe in pale powder. Scrambling out of the first room, and into the second showed no difference save for the latter room had windows. They were really small and set nearly twice as high as she was tall but windows were nice. They made things easier to see. Shay let out a breath of relief at what looked like dawn sky through the glass. Now to find a door...
Ten minutes into exploring the idiotically huge complex and still finding no people, the woman started to hear things. It sounded like shouting.
A boom sounded followed swiftly by something big repeatedly hitting the ground. It caused minor quakes that rattled the walls and sent sheets of broken concrete cascading to the floor. Hardly waiting for the shivering to finish, Shay high-tailed it to the nearest door and kept going. Another large room, another door. By the fifth entrance she'd found a very big and long hallway that looked like it had been two stories but the ceiling-floor between had been ripped out. Not a hard guess that some big Cybertronians had been through here.
By now, the noise outside had amplified into roars and that weird sound that Shay recognized as blaster fire. She'd heard it more than once when the Twins were at the practice range. A distant bellow and the shouting became more distinct. But that meant there was fighting outside.
And small squishy humans needed to stay as far away from said fighting as much as they could. At least she now knew why no one was around to guard her.
"Slagslagslagslagslag..." she chanted as she sprinted down the destroyed hall, skidding to a stop as it curved to the right sharply, "Shit. What the bloody fragging hell people...?"
The altered corridor curved and opened into yet another large factory room. However, this one actually appeared clean with a good amount of lighting and no broken piles of junk. The walls showed few patches and holes, making it stand out all the more. There was a strange most-definitely Cybertronian...thing sitting in the middle of the room. Like a citadel peering over all the other buildings, the dark thing loomed in stately posture. It gave off a loud hum that was hardly discernible over the cacophony outside. Far larger than her, the machine whirled a turbine which seemed to produce crackling colored electricity that zapped along cables and lines to run down to something unseen below.
And the reason it was unseen was because there was a creepy gray fog in the way.
"Nope. No way. I'm not going through that." The woman growled. "No fragging way."
But that machine what-ever-it-was looked bad. And the Decepticons were probably using it for something that would be a threat to the Autobots. Which meant it need to be taken care of. But Shay was not going through the vapor. It hovered from the floor up to her shoulders and moved slightly, billowing out in silent and serene waves. Act all innocent, yeah right. For all she knew, it was meant to guard that machine and would melt the flesh off her bones!
An infinitely of 'No's. Shay readjusted her backpack and turned away to start marching resolutely in the other direction. She was not going through there.
"Dammit."
Snarling, the woman whirled around and skittered up to the smokey haze. With a mulish glare, she picked up a broken pipe and poked the fog. Nothing. She moved even more slowly now as she carefully let the dense growing cloud brush against her fingers.
Tenser than a strung bow, Shay hunches her shoulders and winced but felt only a cool mist tingle along her skin. Okay, maybe it wasn't lethal. Maybe it was just a byproduct of that machine thing and didn't actually have a use. Sighing in relief, Shay moved into the fog and started to make her way into the room.
This was good, she could do this. Just get past this weird stuff and shut off that machine. Easy as pie. Until spikes of burning pain rushed along her chest.
Letting out a surprised cry, the human stumbled back clutching her ribcage until she bumped out of the slowly growing mass and fell on her butt. "Shitfraggingshit. Damn you stupid deceptive... ah, why do I even bother?"
Unsteadily, she got back to her feet and rubbed her chest. The pain inside curled into a hard cold ball before fading out to a low ache. That felt familiar. A sense of de ja vu had the woman death-glaring at the fog before she realized what it felt like. It was when she was away from the Twins for too long and her body started shutting down. But Ratchet had said she shouldn't be feeling pain anymore!
"You are attacking the link, aren't you?" She snapped out loud. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. But the woman had no better ideas. Either way, she still had to get through to turn off that machine before someone she cared about got hurt.
The cloud moved forward another inch. Shay rubbed her face. This was going to hurt so bad.
Music: Les Friction – Louder than Words
Seventeen minutes earlier.
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'Everyone in position?'
A growl rumbled through the comm links, 'Yeah, we're all good. Can we go now?'
'Watch it kid. We go when we go.' Ironhide snapped back at Sideswipe.
Optimus intervened before it could turn to insults, 'Any sightings Prowl?'
Silence for a moment. The teams crouched behind the treeline shifted uneasily and stared at the seemingly abandoned buildings. Fingers of dawn speared the sky at their backs but there was not enough light to make them easily visible. A static-filled cough as the tactician replied calmly. 'The seekers are within the buildings. Buzzsaw and Lazerbeak just went back in. They know we're here.'
'Then why aren't they doing anything?' Cliffjumper straightened a bit to raise his guns but didn't fully stand.
'They want us to go in there. Get back down.' Reprimanding, the Praxian settled himself deeper in the rock crevice he'd found up on a hill. It covered his back and was easily defensible while leaving a clear view of the area. As soon as the Decepticons found out where he was he'd need to move, but until then Prowl could survey and deliver orders. To his left, Bluestreak wiggled onto his midsection plating and set up his sniper rifle.
Optimus nodded at the weapon specialist several yards over and stood, stepping out of the tree and making himself a very presentable target. 'Time to throw a bolt in the works then. 'Hide?'
'With pleasure Prahm.'
Moving forward as well, Ironhide raised his cannons and fired a heavy blast at the closest building. Shay's tracker showed she was much farther in the complex so there was little worry about destroying the outer buildings. Optimus shouldered a heavy gun mount he normally didn't use and fired as well. Walked onto the field, Warpath let off rapid shots.
"BLAM! How to you like that? Ha! KABAM!" Several volleys hit a larger wall and the concrete collapsed under the onslaught.
'Seekers moving toward your position.' Prowl forewarned.
Even as he said it, the jets shot up and out. Spiraling in tight formation, the cons fired back as the bots stepped into the tree line and waited.
"Prime!"
A deep bellow rolled across the space and instantly had everyone's attention. Dropping out of the cloud cover like a meteorite, a huge gray shape landed on the ground with a heavy and deep thud. Fiery blood-red optics bore right into the Autobots as Megatron stood. Lips pulled back in a smile that was more a baring of denta. "So nice of you to join us this morning. Although I am surprised to see you participating in such trivial matters as a rescue mission."
"Starscream's toxin will not work." Optimus replied quietly. Above, an indignant screech disagreed.
"You will still die Prime." The warlord sneered. "BRUTICUS! DEVASTATOR!"
'Combiners from the West. His forces are moving from the opposite side of the dry river.' Several blaster shots peppered the trees as the jets tried to drive the concealed bots out. They fired back from their cover. Minor quakes vibrated through the ground.
A monolithic Decepticon burst from the trees and charged full tilt toward the Autobots followed by a second combiner. Optimus raised his voice, "AUTOBOTS! Charge!"
Roaring a war cry, the bots surged forward. In the lead, the Twin frontliners met Bruticus halfway and tore into him. Plates of armor went flying as they circled and lunged to tear at wires before retreating. In seconds, the line of Autobots crashed into the Decepticon army and held.
Shrieks and howls echoed over the flashes of gunfire and trembling ground. Energon splashed to stain the dirt as Soundwave ducked a punch from Inferno and stabbed him with a short blade. Swinging a leg back, Devastator kicked several people into the air. The battle line waved. Skidding into the frey, Smokescreen zipped past in altmode. A thick black cloud followed in his wake. It made the battlefield appear hazy and dark with only their shots to light the way.
'Wheeljack?' Quierried Prowl from his position.
Down on the battlefield, the inventor used the fight to hide his movements. He quickly dug into the ground and left a charge in the hole. Rapidly dashing a few feet over, he repeated the process. Ratta-tat-tats peppered the air. Several of the seeker's shots nearly grazed his shoulders. Hissing at the volley, Wheeljack spat through the comm link, 'Done!'
Bluestreak shot at the jets until they backed off from 'Jack's crouched form and Prowl sent out a swift order. 'Retreat.'
A victorious cry came from the Twins as the lambos managed to tear the Combiner's left leg off. As Brawl fell to the ground, the combining locks disengaged and the Combaticons tumbled down.
Following orders, the bots started to back up. Blasting at their advancing enemies, the Autobots started to withdraw toward the trees. Trailbreaker dragged Huffer who'd taken a heavy wound to the shoulder. Air whistled as someone set off missiles that only added to the confusion and din. Small grenades flew back and forth from both sides. Megatron dodged a swing of the Prime's axe and yelled, "Follow them! Finish them off!"
Just as a good majority of the Decepticons crossed the invisible line between the holes, the ground exploded.
Metal shrapnel went flying in all directions. Bright yellow flames reached up with hungry teeth to devour the titans who cried and screamed in pain. Devestator fell backward in surprise as the flaming barricade grew higher and stretched most of the way across the battlefield. The stench of ozone and heated metal got stronger. Optimus raised his blade high and thundered to be heard above the yowls and booms.
"Dinobots!"
"Me Grimlock SMASH!" The roaring tyrannosaurus charged forward from the trees with his team at his back. Stampeding right through the fireline, the beast-like warriors collided with the enemy in a terrifying clamor and spewed out more fire. Armor crumpled under heavy feet and claws. Above, the Aerialbots left the dogfight to drop down and transform into Superion. He threw a massive punch at Devastator that left him spinning. There was a time in battle where plans meant nothing and it was an all out slaughter. By now, everything was rapidly descended into complete chaos.
Inside the building and trying to calm her panic, Shay clapped her hands over her ears. It was so loud out there! Giving off a low whine of frustration, the woman rubbed her face and let out a shuddering breath.
There was no time to focus on what might be happening outside. Right then, all that mattered was getting past the fog. Closing her eyes and not thinking too hard, Shay stepped forward.
She pushed through the light vapor and kept moving. Even when pain flared in her chest, she didn't stop. Dizziness swamped her body and caused boot-clad feet to stumble but the human only opened her eyes a crack to see where she was going. "One foot in front of the other," Shay murmured as lungs worked harder to draw in air.
Black edged into her vision. This was not good. Growling, she shuffled forward to the machine. Almost there. Just another few feet.
Cold numbness slithered along her limbs. Which was a good thing when her world tilted sideways and she collapsed on the floor.
Thunder. Wind brushed through her being. Shay opened her eyes (if she had eyes at all) to see gray clouds roiling above. It was too high. She couldn't reach it. Stubbornly, she tried to push herself higher. Reach reach reach.
It wasn't enough. Even as she got close a pain washed through her. Burning! Cold burning. It felt wrong and hurt.
Still struggling, Shay lifted her gaze to the heavy clouds. Lightning flashed in dazzling colors through the atmosphere and gave her hope. She wanted that. She wanted that so bad. They would be up there. But then she remembered; fog, -ou're dying, -hey, it'll be okay. You'll se-, link, shut-down.
She had to let go. Looking up at the storm one more time, Shay cried and curled in on herself. But nothing would change the situation. There was no perfect answer. It was time to let go.
Shay stopped reaching for the storm and fell.
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker moved through the raging battle like wraiths. Not stopping or slowing, they barely brushed between opponents and tore out pieces as they went. They moved faster and faster. Streaks of stained color that hurled through the melee with single-minded focus.
Even when Jazz radiod back to the main force, 'Energy dampener. Can't follow the signal. Looks like the girl busted out. She's on the move.'
They missed whatever Prowl said in answer to that. It didn't matter. The possibility that Shay could be in the middle of combat just had them racing toward the buildings. Sideswipe lunged over where Windcharger and Gears were wrestling with an insecticon. They ignored the seeker's instigating remarks instead of chasing them down like usual.
Running and crushing every enemy in their way, until a brush from the inside startled them into stillness. Sunstreaker stumbled abruptly as the noise blurred to the background and the writhering monster that was battle became distant.
Other.
It flickered across their sparks faintly before fading out in what felt like a final whisper.
Sideswipe fell slightly, limbs limp and optics wide in shock. Pain/Grief/Denial swirled across their bond. His twin bowed his head and swayed. A quiet keen built up unconsciously. It grew louder and louder until a rageful scream echoed throughout the valley.
Both voices bayed misery and unchecked violence. Many froze, Decepticon and Autobot alike, as the frontliners tilted their helms up to howl at the sky. Silence stole a brief moment in the space between the tearing of plating and boom of cannons. Straightening up, the red warrior turned around slowly to face the wary soldiers. Sunstreaker flashed teeth as both sets of optics turned white.
'Autobots, remain out of the Twin's line of fire.' Optimus called across the comms while Megatron paused in trying to destroy him to see what everyone was staring at.
Empty pale orbs searched through the sea of faces until they spotted the cassettes. They were the ones to take Shay, so they would go first. Along with Soundwave. Then the seekers followed by Megatron too. It was partially his fault. He was in charge of the Decepticons after all. Oh dear, now that the Twins stopped to think about it, most of the Cons needed to be destroyed.
'Kill them?' A harsh crooning rumble from the black and red bot. His twin hissed and growled back. 'Yes. Kill them.'
Devastator chose that moment to walk into the frontliner's view, as the fighting picked up again and the shouts renewed their litany. He was the one to start this after all. Devastator was the one who almost killed them a year ago. In one move, red and yellow shifted into a fight stance and leaped forward, charging back to the fray.
Frenzied howls rent the air as they dove into slaughter.
Groaning, Shay pushed herself up. There was no time to lay down. She had to keep moving. Standing as the dizziness decreased, the woman blinked at the the gray mist that rolled past her. It no longer hurt. In fact, she barely felt the heavy air brushing against her skin.
And she knew exactly why it wasn't hurting her anymore. There was no doubt inside that the link was gone. Where the certainty came from, Shay couldn't say but that hardly mattered.
Lips quivered before she clenched her jaw and started pushing forward again. This mess could wait until later.
Easily crossing the last couple feet, the woman circled the huge machine to find some sort of pad sticking out on one side. It had buttons on it. And as everyone knows, button mashing screws things up like there's no tomorrow. She set her pack down and jumped, catching the bottom edge of the metal and blindly slapping at the lit up screen. Warnings popped up. When her arms started to shake, Shay dropped to her feet before lunging up again to hit some buttons. The spinning turbine started to slow.
As the electricity stopped and the machine ceased, the fog creeping across the ground started to fade like mist in sunlight. Shay sighed, "That's either really good or doesn't affect anything. I do not want to be here when the Cons come to investigate who was messing with their stuff."
Picking up her backpack again, the human pulled it on and set a quick pace to the other end of the room. It was time for more exploring and hopefully not ending up in Decepticon hands again. Without looking back, she scrambled into another hall and fled.
If only she'd stayed a moment or two longer.
"Whoah man, everybody back up!" Jazz yelped, pushing Mirage and Hound behind with his outstretched arms. "It's here."
Hound peered around the black and white mech to frown at the dissipating vapor. "It looks like it's going away."
"Someone has shut off the generator."
Mirage pointed to the silent machine that was farther down the hall. Glancing at each other, the trio kept a healthy distance even as the last of the toxin faded and left their way clear. With an uneasy rumble, Jazz took a step forward and then another. Nothing happened. They rushed forward.
"Who the slag got here before us?" A mutter as the saboteur started to dismantle the generator. Pulling out parts as well, Mirage remained silent and focused on his work. Only their expert tracker seemed to have an answer.
Hound knelt down to study the ground they'd just walked on. There were particles of concrete dust in the middle of the hall and leading to the machine, yet the walls in here were not damaged. Olfactory plating flared to test the air before he spoke up. "A human's been through here. I'd bet it was Shay."
"Frag, were'd she go then?" Jazz studied the room but there was no sign of which direction she could have were three doors, including the one they had just entered.
Letting out a sigh, the blue and white mech tossed in, "Should we not destroy this first before continuing to hunt for her?"
All three got to work disemboweling the generator until it was merely a framework of metal plates and any parts that appeared useful were tucked away in subspace. The three toxin containers were uneasily held and then shoved into the machine before Jazz tossed in acid packets. They stood back and watched as the Decepticon's weapon was melted into a hissing pile of goo. Nodding in satisfaction, the SIC jerked his helm toward the door.
"Let's see if we can get to her a'fore the Cons do."
Little did they know that the subject of their hunt had the unfortunate luck to have found her way outside. Staring with wide eyes at the absolute chaos, Shay suddenly found it hard to breathe.
Crouched under a partially broken and sloping slab next to the building, the human watched giants fighting. Dust and smoke obscured a larger view of the combat but what was near enough to see was bad. Thundering footsteps sent dust raining down on her as the Cybertronians duked it out. Screams and roars echoed out of the veil as shadowed figures hurled themselves at each other. Red optics and visors flashed like monster eyes mixed with brief snatches of blue as the huge beings slashed and hacked at each other. Shay would have loved to go back inside but the sounds of fighting and crashes from behind stated that that way was no longer safe.
Someone with cerulean optics that she might have recognized ran into view and disappeared back into the moving mass before she could get a good look. Shay had thought the Twins fighting with those two seekers on the fireworks night had been awful. This was so much worse.
Trying to stifle her coughs and ignore the acidic stench clogging her throat, the woman was startled when a huge dark shape started to fall right at her safe zone. She lunged out of the way as the titan crashed into where she'd been settled. Still moving, Shay dashed toward the nearest spot that seemed like a good place to stay out of the fight. A half-standing ruin of jagged poles and walls sagged just a few yards to the right.
It was terrifying to run across a field when aliens four to five times your size were trying to kill each other.
She barely made it, dodging a footstep from what was most likely a Con and then sliding into the walls with a thud. A heavy crash and shudder behind her had the woman scrambling back in fear.
Clacking his beak, Swoop crowed, "Found you!"
"Swoop..." A slightly hysterical and relieved laugh bubbled out when Shay looked up, "Yes, you found me."
Behind the pterodactyl came the other Dinobots. The stegosaurus, Snarl if she remembered correctly, charged past them and tore into a large purple and black Con with a sword. Stalking out of the smoke and terrifying light, Grimlock stomped up in dino-mode and roared. The deep bellowing brought to mind the terror of a large predator standing above you, no hope of living and only mindless panic. It had the dark mech retreating and the human covering her ears. Swinging his big helm around, Grimlock nudged at Shay gently and blew air out of his nostrils.
"You Shay okay? Twins mad."
She reached out to pat his nose gently, and gave a weak grin, "I'll survive. Any idea how I can get out of this battle and out of everyone's way without dying?"
Apparently the leader of the Dinobots had a solution to that, "We get you out. Swoop."
Giving a happy squawk, the smaller bot used his beak to pick Shay up by her bag. The human yelped in uncertainty as Swoop settled her on top of Grimlock. Not sure what was going on, she clung onto the platelets where the back of T-rex's helm met his neck. Sludge snickered at the scrambling and stretched out his long neck to nudge her when she started to slide. Really confused now, Shay wrapped her fingers around the edges of plating and held on for dear life, "Um, Grimlock? Why not just... have Swoop drop me off outside of the fighting?"
The bot below her rumbled a chuckle as the other dinos moved forward to push their way through the mass of bodies. "Me Grimlock show Autobots us Dinobots good warriors."
Shay's mind snapped back to the earlier conversation of them discussing the strong protecting the weak. Tucking her head down so she couldn't be seen as easily, Shay closed her eyes and blocked out the noise.
"You guys are some of the best warriors."
He seemed pleased with that but didn't answer as they shoved through battle. Every movement and head turn had the human tightening her grip but she didn't open her eyes to see the discord. Shouts and bellows were enough. Thudding footsteps and banging metal painted a good enough picture for what she would see if she looked up. At one point Swoop's screech rose above all the other noise and a heavy torrent of wind brushed past. Grimlock pulled his head back and roared. The plates below her heated slightly but not enough to become uncomfortable. Her limbs started to shake from the exertion and sweat made her grip weaker.
Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, the noise became quieter. Grimlock slowed down and lowered himself. Maybe the fighting was almost over?
"You Shay good. Get down now."
Risking a look, the human lifted her head to peer around. They were in a large empty area with only grass and a few small hills to garner attention. Behind them, the smoke was clearing from the fight and it looked like several of the jets were flying away. Shay swallowed a shuddering breath and slid carefully down the big dinobot's neck until she was on his back.
He settled onto his stomach plates so she could jump to the ground. Landing on shaking feet, the human wobbled for a moment before deciding that standing was overrated and sitting worked just fine. Swoop bumped her with the tip of his beak.
"You Shay injured bad?" His wings twitched up slightly in concern.
She waved him away, "No no, I'm okay. Just really tired. Oh." Sometime between leaving the building and running into the dinobots she'd gotten a rather large cut on her arms. Shay hadn't even felt it. Blood trickled in slow drops down to her palm."That's not too bad. I'm not bleeding to death."
One of the others growled from the right and stomped a clawed foot, "Me Slag not done fighting. Snarl come too?" Grimlock transformed back to bipedal mode and stood, pulling out a scary looking orange plated sword. He shook himself once, as if to make sure everything felt right before nodding.
"We got back to finish fight. Swoop, watch human Shay."
Still seated on the ground, the woman called a 'thank you' as four of the five dinos ran back to the definitely finished fighting. Swoop changed to root mode and sat down with her. Frowning at the dazed expression on the female's face, he used one finger to rub the top of her hair gently. "You no worry. Me Swoop call Twins."
A small smile in return but she said nothing more except to draw her knees up her chest and watch the conflict. Now they could only wait.
Across the land and into the trees where the fighting had spread, Sunstreaker had finally managed to corner a cassette. He didn't even know that this particular one had hurt his human. All that mattered was the gun aimed at Frenzy that was about to send the minicon to the Well of Allsparks. Still, some strange unidentifiable reason had him ask as his finger tightened on the trigger.
"Why did you take her?" The yellow and blood splattered frontliner growled lowly, heat pulsing under his words.
Rumble sneered in surprise, "It cracked my visor. It was fair payback!"
The gun barrel rose an inch, pressing against the littler con's chest plating as he stood with rock to his back. Sunstreaker's hand trembled and the trigger started to pull back. A comm link made the murderous bot pause.
'Me Swoop have Shay. East side, off battlefield. Twins come get her?'
'We'll be right there Swoop! Don't move!' Sideswipe immediately replied with a gasp, 'Sunny! Get over there now!' Waves of relief and hope slammed into Sunstreaker with a force that him straightening. It was impossible to tell what was his or his brothers and he didn't care.
But there was still a problem to deal with.
"RUMBLE!" Both heard Frenzy's panicked shout but neither looked away from one another. Sunstreaker glared, hate and vengeance itching to finish the job. The purple cassette just glared back defiantly. He wasn't going to cower like wimp. Hovering between the bot and con, the gun wavered the slightest bit. Letting his denta show, Sunstreaker hissed another question.
"Is your brother going to live if you die?"
The slightest fear that flashed across Rumble's expression told the bot all he needed to know for an answer. Spitting in disgust, Sunstreaker pulled back and lowered the gun. Slag him, it would be cold to kill another pair of twins if he had a choice about it. No matter how bad they were. Still, he was only doing the right thing because Shay was alive.
As he backed up a safe distance and turned away, the con yelled after him, "I don't owe you any!" Frenzy skidded in from the right and stood next to his brother, staring at the retreating Autobot in confusion. A reply was tossed over a shoulder.
"Next time I see you in battle, you're a dead cassette. Soundwave be damned."
The fighting was over. As Sunstreaker trotted quickly across the torn up grass, the last of the Decepticons took to the air. Funny, he hadn't heard Megatron call a retreat. The Autobot wounded were limping (with or without help) toward where the medics had set up camp behind a large hill and the others were hauling over prisoners. Ignoring them all, the frontliner transformed as soon as there was open space to drive and practically flew to the other side.
Sideswipe was already there, arms curled to his chest as he hugged Shay like she was about to disappear and tucked her under his chin. He could hardly see the human behind black digits. Neither were talking. Getting up, the gold bot placed a hand on Side's shoulder pad and leaned in a little. "Shay?"
Pulling the woman away just a bit, his twin smiled a truly happy grin. Shay opened her eyes and looked up at Sunny. Faded blue gray rings stared at him. "Hey."
"Hey." He replied and then snickered.
Chuckling, she looked him up and down. "You guys are okay. I was worried. That battle did not look fun."
"She looks like a crested raccoon." Jumping in suddenly, Sideswipe spat out the first thought that crossed his mind. Shay blinked at him while Sunny just gave his brother a look.
The human did indeed have small resemblance to the masked robber. Both eyes were dark and slightly puffy while a large deep bruise sat right between her brows and stretched upward in painful yellow-green. Beyond that, she looked horridly exhausted and too thin in the large stained tee-shirt. A long scab on her arms cracked a little and started to seep with red. They all looked as they felt; beat-up, and needing a good rest.
A callused hand stretched out and trembled slightly as her fingers brushed against Sunstreaker's hand where it rested on his brother's shoulder. "You guys felt...?"
Silence as they looked away and then Sideswipe spoke, "Yeah."
"Oh."
Shay felt the need to apologize. Causing pain for them was not what she'd wanted. Scrunching her face up from too many shell-shocked emotions and not enough rest or food, the woman drew her knees to her chest. Arms hid her bruised face.
One of them rubbed her back carefully as she let it out. It wasn't loud. Shay never made noise when she cried. Silently, tears poured out until the twins started murmuring silly things in Twinspeak to make her laugh. After a few minutes, she calmed down and wiped away the waterworks. Pale dust came away with the drops. "Sorry."
Sideswipe blew out a breath to make her hair poof up, "No apologizing. Just... don't leave."
"I'm not leaving. I promise." She said, while Sunstreaker wiped the energon off his armor. The red and black bot carefully handed her over to him as they headed back toward the Autobots. Shay leaned her head against warm front armor and shifted so her backpack wasn't crushed. The sunlight from above was nice. Laying there safe was nice. Today would be okay. "Sunstreaker?"
"Yes?"
She was really tired. The edges of her vision were going fuzzy now that the adrenaline was wearing off. "Can you tell the others... tell them that they have to wait... talk to me later." A yawn. "I'm staying with you guys till I wake up..."
The woman fell asleep in seconds and didn't see the red and yellow bots grin as he answered. "Yeah, you're staying with us."
.
.
Cybertronians have a tendency to blow air out of their vents and onto others for a variety of reasons. One of them is marking someone with their scent to say "this person is mine".