Lucky me! I have a four day weekend and can write! I should be doing homework but…oh well!
Starlight's View:
This cell was gross. There were rust stains and a strange liquid from an unknown source dripping from the ceiling. I could see the puddle but the drips weren't landing any where near it. I explored it, trying to figure out if there was a way out. So far, no luck. The vent was too small for me to crawl through and there didn't seem to be any other way out. If they hadn't removed my weapons, I could have sliced through the wall near the door and forced it open from the inside. Too bad the 'Cons were smarter than they looked.
What do I do? I asked myself and tried to devise a plan. The only way out was through the door. The only way to open the door was if someone opened it from the outside. No way was I going to be able to push past the 'Con that kept coming by. He had one lone red optic and didn't say too much. He would just give me energon rations and walked away. Occasionally he would say something but it was usually insulting.
"We're going to do something a little differently today." I turned around and saw the purple con standing there.
"Wow, a full sentence. That's new." I wasn't going to play nice.
"I would watch you glossa if I were you." His one optic darkened. "You will tell me some information. In exchange, Megatron will allow you to stretch your legs."
"And if I say no?" I wanted out sure, but I wouldn't give up any sensitive information.
"Then I'll move to plan B." If he had a mouth, I sure he would be smirking.
"And what, pray tell, is plan B?" I cross my arms over my chassis.
"You don't want to find out…" He leaned on the wall across from the cell. "First question, what is your designation?"
"Shouldn't you know? I am your prisoner." He glared at me. "Why don't you tell me yours. It seems unfair that you know mine but I don't know yours."
"You're quite annoying…I'm called Shockwave. Yes, I do know your name. In fact I know a lot about you. You are the daughter of Prime and my Lord's niece." I rolled my optics. Of course he knew that much. "You also have sensitive information regarding your base."
"Like?" I really didn't. I wasn't allowed to go to most meetings and most of the information I did know wasn't a secret. Well, that I knew of any way.
"Why don't we find out." Shockwave's optic brightened. "Let's start with your friend. The yellow one my comrades had fun with."
Bee… My spark sank. "What have you done to him?" I growled.
"I did nothing. What is his designation?" I didn't respond. "You seem to care for him, based on your reaction. What is he too you?" Still didn't get anything out of me. "If you won't talk to me, maybe you'd talk to your old friend."
My systems balked. He couldn't mean…before I could finish my thought, I saw his shadow coming down the hall. I felt fear take over and I backed up into the wall. For the first time, I felt utterly trapped and no one was here to help me. Once I could see him, he gave me an evil smirk.
"Well, well…my have you grown." His deep voice resounded off of the metal walls of my cell. He inhaled sharply through his nose. "Hmm…you've grown up quite a bit since we last met." Slag he could pick up on it. I trembled in fear at the thought of him getting a hold of me.
"Would you prefer to talk to Black?" Shockwave had a dark tone to his voice. I slowly shook my head. "You had your chance to talk to me." My spark started beating franticly as the purple con opened the door, allowing Black to enter. I looked around me, trying to find a way out. I couldn't believe this was happening. My worst fear was coming true.
"You smell good, little one." Black purred as he approached, cornering me and putting a clawed digit against my cheek. He caressed my cheek, leaned in and inhaled with his face in my neck. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself from crying out. "Tell me, how long has it been since we've seen each other?"
"N-Not long e-enough…" I tried to stay brave but could feel my confidence wavering. Sunshine chuckled and pushed his body against mine. I could feel the heat radiating off of him.
"Now, is that any way to greet an old friend." He purred into my audio. "I think there's a better way to greet me, don't you?" I tried to back up further but all I was doing was scraping my paint off on to the wall.
"Please…don't…" I could feel tears stinging the corner of my optics. I felt his free hand run up my side, his pointer finger slipping into a seam. I arched away but he only pushed further, causing pain to shoot through my frame. "Stop!" I cried out, loosing my resolve.
"Black, I think she's had enough for now." Shockwave warned from behind him. I couldn't see him from behind Black's huge frame. "You ready to talk?" Shockwave asked as the black mech backed away from me.
"Why are you doing this?" I moved to the other corner, away from Black Sunshine.
"Orders." The one eyed con sneered. "Now, do we need to go through this again?" He motioned towards the traitor. Black had a creepy smile on his face. I knew he was itching to get a hold of me again. I knew what he would do if he did.
"No." I ducked my head and looked away from them. I wouldn't tell him anything important but I resolved to tell him old plans. They wouldn't know the difference.
Bumblebee's View:
A bright light blinded my optics when I came back online. Everything was still slightly blurry and I could hear voices around me. One sounded familiar but it wasn't coming in very clear. I tried to ask where I was, but only static came out.
"Easy little bro. Don't try to talk." I looked over to where the voice was and saw a very worried looking Hot Shot. "Hey, can you hear me?" He asked. I nodded.
-Why can't I talk?- I asked over our bond.
-Bee…I'm so sorry…- He looked down and took a hold of my hand.
"He awake?" I looked over to see the red and white medic approaching. "Welcome back to the living."
-How long was I out? - I asked my brother.
"You were out for three megacycles." Hot Shot said out loud. I tried to sit up but was pushed back down. "Hold on there. Don't get up." Ratchet came forward and released me from the cords that were feeding energon into my tanks and taking my vitals. Once free, they allowed me to sit up, slowly.
"How you feeling kid?" I tried to talk but again I only got static and a few whines out. "Right, I should tell you. Megatron…has done some thing to your vocalizer. I'm afraid I can't fix it." Ratchet said sadly. I looked to my brother for confirmation.
"Bee, I'm sorry…" I shook my head in disbelief at Hot Shot's words. "You can't talk. I know it's hard but…we can get through this right?"
"I'll do my best to find a way to fix it, I swear." Ratchet put a hand on my shoulder.
Optimus Prime's View:
I sat outside of the med bay again. Prowl had told me there wasn't a point in sitting here, worrying my days away. He didn't understand that Bee was like a son to me.
I looked up when the door slid open and reviled the medic.
"Prime, I thought I told you not to worry and stay away." Ratchet chided me. He sighed giving me a soft smile. "He is back online but there is something you need to know before seeing him."
I stood up when he said Bumblebee was awake but was halted from going in. "What is it, Ratchet?"
"He…he can't talk." The sorrow in his optics told me it was serious. "I tried to fix it but, it's like it was melted from the inside out. I cleaned it out but the damage is too severe I'm not sure if he'll ever be able to speak again."
The guilt I felt for Bumblebee was the worst I have ever felt. "I should have never allowed them to go out there. I should have made him come back." I hung my head.
"It wasn't your fault Prime. Slag, we all would have gone after her. Don't blame yourself for this." The medic put a hand on my shoulder. "You can go in, just know he won't be able to respond to you. Hot Shot is helping to speak for him." He stepped back and allowed me to enter the bay.
Bumblebee was sitting up, his newly repaired legs hanging over the side. He looked as good as new, everything was repaired but I could see sadness in his optics.
"Bumblebee." Both he and his brother looked up at me. "How are you feeling?" Bee shrugged. I got the hint that he didn't really want to "talk," but there wasn't much choice. "I'm sorry about what happened to you. I never meant for you to get hurt." I said as I knelt in front of him. Bee made a noise of acknowledgement. "I hate to ask you, but we need to know what happened."
Bumblebee looked down at his hands for a click before he turned to Hot Shot. I watched them communicate, Bee's door wings fluttering every so often. I couldn't tell if he was frustrated or what, but they continued to flutter.
"Bee doesn't remember everything but he does remember Megatron was the one who disabled his vocalizer. The rest of the injuries were caused by his men." Hot Shot was looking at Bee the whole time he was talking. "Right before they started their assault, he saw Megatron take Starlight south east. Sir…that's towards the 'Cons base." The eldest looked up at me.
"I figured he would take her there…" I sighed. Bee nudged Hot Shot to get his attention.
"Bee…and I both want to know, what is the plan?"
"I'll have to run a few things by Jazz and Prowl but we need to move as soon as we can. Primus knows what he has in store for Star…" Bee made a furious clicking noise at me and I looked to Hot Shot for the answer.
"He…said he knows Megatron is your brother." Had I truly neglected to tell them who Megatron really was? Hot Shot knew, I knew that much, but maybe I truly had forgotten to tell the younglings.
"Yes, he is. He and I share the same Sire. I meant to tell you both but…I apologize for not telling you sooner." I put my hand on Bee's helm like I did when he was little. "I never thanked you for going after Starlight. It took a lot of courage to chase down a 'Con alone." Bee made a happy noise and patted my other hand, his new way of saying "You're welcome."
Starlight's View:
I told them what they wanted. Names, places, all sorts of other stuff but with my own twist. None of the "facts" were real and names didn't match up with the jobs they had. I was let "free" on the condition that I would see Megatron. It wasn't like I had a choice in the matter, seeing as Shockwave cuffed me and dragged me out of the cell.
"My lord in anxious to see you again." I didn't bother asking why. I didn't really care and was focused on looking for a way out. For a Decepticon base, there didn't seem to be a lot of bots around.
We entered a room that I couldn't help but compare to a throne room. Someone had a huge ego…said bot stood from his seat that was a top a set of stairs and started to descend towards us.
"Ah, Starlight, my little niece." I was shoved forward by the bot holding me. "Shockwave, is that anyway to treat her? Remove the stasis cuffs." The leader waved his hand and Shockwave did what he was told. I rubbed my wrists and stepped away from the one opticed monster. "Much better. Come." The silver mech waved for me to follow him.
He lead me back the way we came but instead of going straight, took a turn to the left. All the while, I was looking for a way to escape.
"I wouldn't bother if I were you." I looked up at the large mech leading the way. "There is no way you can escape with out us knowing." His tone told me he was smirking. "Besides, I'm not going to hurt you. You're my family." I knew that was a load of slag.
"Why am I here?" I asked as he entered when looked like a mess hall but had only one table and two chairs.
"I wanted to meet you." Megatron motioned for me to take a seat. He went over to an energon dispenser and got a couple cubs before he came back and sat across from me. "Here, you must me starving." He set the second cube in front of me. I tentatively took it and waited for him to take a drink before I did. "I know we didn't get off on the right foot but let's try again, shall we?"
What is his motive? I wondered to myself as he called cheers and clinked our cubes together. "I don't understand, what is it you want from me?"
"As I've said, I don't want anything from you." He set his cube down, lacing his fingers together and resting his head on them. "Tell me about yourself. What are your likes, dislikes? I want to know about you." I resisted the urge to squirm under his gaze. His bright red optics told me he was after something.
"I'd like to go home." He barked out a chuckle.
"My, you are a funny one. Shockwave was right about that. So much like your Sire." He stood and started circling me. "You can consider this your new home." He raised his arms and motioned around me. "That is, if you want to. There is…one condition to joining, however." There is was, the ultimatum. "You'd have to give us some information in exchange for your loyalty."
"I'm not interested." This was the mech who killed my grand-Sire, my creator and Bumblebee and Hot Shot's creator and Sire. "Not after what you have done." I knew it was dangerous to challenge the Decepticon war lord, but I wasn't going to join him.
"Me? Little one, what have I done to upset you so?" His concerns were false.
"You killed my creator." I looked him dead in the optics. "You've murdered countless innocent bots!"
"Sacrifices are necessary in war my dear." His optics darkened. "I'm guessing you've heard of Praxus then?" That place sounded familiar but didn't ring any bells. "Don't worry, there was one survivor. He was selected specifically to live."
My spark sank when it finally clicked as to why that place sounded familiar. There were tons of neutrals living there and if memory served me right, Prowl was from there. Didn't he have a brother too?
"Who?" I asked.
"I don't remember his name." Megatron shrugged. "Praxus had to go. They were still stuck in the old ways of life. There is no such thing as true peace."
I was beginning to panic a bit but wouldn't allow it to show. There was no way I would show weakness in front of my "loving" uncle. I played with the little that was left in my cube, trying to think of something to say. I noticed from the corner of my optic that he put his hand up to his temple. He was talking to someone.
"So, you think you can pull a fast one?" I looked back up and had never felt more fearful of my life, even when I was in the cell with Black Sunshine. "You dare lie to me?"
"I-I didn't lie to you." I wasn't sure what he was talking about. He ran towards me and slammed his fist onto the table, crushing the cube I had been playing with.
"You gave false information!" He snarled. "You lied to Shockwave, which is the same as lying to me." His logic was flawed but, ok. "We will talk again after your punishment…Soundwave!" A bot entered from the shadows. Had he been here this whole time? "Take her to Shockwave. She will give us the correct information, even if we must force it out of her." So much for not wanting to hurt me.
"Yes, Lord Megatron." A monotone robotic voice sounded from the blue bot.
Sadly, one bot know some of the things I said were lies. I didn't know who, but had a guess. Now I found myself strapped to a table, arms above my head and legs spread slightly apart. I was completely vulnerable.
"You're quite clever. Switching some of those facts around and trying to get it passed us. There's one thing you didn't account for. Soundwave can read thoughts" Shockwave said while fiddling with some tools on a table. He was blocking my view so I couldn't see what he was doing. "Since you aren't wiling to tell, I'll just have to retrieve it myself." I wasn't sure I wanted to know what he meant by that.
"And, how may I ask will you do that?" I nervously asked.
"Oh, I'm just going to probe your mind." His voice was low and dark. He turned to me, tools in hand. I was in deep slag.
Optimus Prime's View:
We were ready. Prowl gave us the all clear on the plan, but he wasn't happy about the success rate. It was only an eighty percent success rate but we couldn't waste any more time. I feared what was going to happen.
The team consisted of Jazz, Ratchet, Hot Shot, Ironhide and me. The plan was to infiltrate the Decepticon base through the under ground tunnels. Right as we were to head out, we got more horrible news.
"Prime! I'm sorry to interrupt the meeting!" Jetfire burst into the meeting room where we were just finishing up our plans.
"What is it?" The panic on his face had me on edge.
"Praxus has fallen. The 'Cons attacked in the middle of the lunar cycle." Jetfire reported with a heavy spark. "There hasn't been a single word of any survivors…"
This wasn't what I wanted to hear. Praxus was a some what neutral zone but it seemed Megatron didn't care about those who weren't involved in the war.
"Gather a group and scout the area. There is a chance if any bot survived, they maybe unable to call for help." I ordered Jetfire. The mech nodded and took off to gather a group.
"Sir, should we hold off on…" Ironhide started but I silenced him with a look.
"We cannot risk any of the information Starlight might have to fall into Decepticon hands. I will inform Prowl that he is in charge of the Praxus case." Of course I wanted to help out, but there was a more pressing matter I had to attend to. If somehow they managed to hack into Star's processor, information that she might not have even known she had gathered could fall into the wrong hands.
The base was alive with bots running around, each finding out their jobs of where they were going and some trying to contact loved ones. We walked past a few bots who were being comforted when they couldn't contact their friends. I told my men we had a mission to carry out and there was no time to help our comrades. It was all under control with Prowl in charge.
As we left, Hot Shot stopped and turned around.
"Bumblebee, go home." He sighed at the now mute mech. Bee shook his head and was using his arms to dramatically tell his brother something. "No! You stay here and help out with Praxus. End of discussion." Bee huffed and stepped up towards us. I knew what he wanted.
"Bumblebee, we need you here." I told the youngling. "Hot Shot is right, you should help with the search for survivors in Praxus." Bee still seemed adamant about going, turning to Hot Shot and saying something through their bond.
"We know where she is Bee. We don't need you to help locate her." I paused for a moment at those words. Bumblebee and Starlight did have that strange connection that could come in handy. This thought brought me back to what Rocket had said all of those stellar cycles ago. One was now lost and we needed the other to help locate them.
"He may come." The rest of the team seemed surprised at my response. "His connection to Starlight may be an asset to us." With that, we left.
Joors later, we found ourselves just outside of Kaon. Five of us waited while Jazz scouted ahead to find a way in.
"I don't like this Prime." Ironhide commented from where we were hidden. "It's too damn quiet." I had to agree, there didn't seem to be anyone out here patrolling.
"Guys, this way!" Jazz called to us, waving us over. Once we were closer to him he told us what he found. "I found a tunnel entrance up ahead. We'll have ta keep quiet though, Ravage is out an' patrollin' near by." He led us to the tunnel entrance and saw he was right, Ravage was in fact very close. She was just up the ridge and if she was out, so was Soundwave.
Jazz gave a few hand signals and we went out three at a time. Luck seemed to be on our side and we all got into the tunnel without being seen.
"'Ight, keep goin' forward. Der's a grate up ahead that'll take us right inta the base." Jazz kept his voice low incase anyone was near.
"Take the lead, Jazz." I offered. "I'll cover us from behind." The team nodded, following Jazz.
Jazz peeked up from the grate to make sure it was all clear. "We're good, come on." He pulled himself up and helped everyone else in. "We need to find the brig. Dat's most likely where they're keepin' her."
"Alright, we'll do groups of three Hot Shot…" I stopped when Bee made a sign to be quiet. His wings started twitching, detecting something we couldn't ear or see. "What is it, Bumblebee?"
"He say he hears something." Hot Shot replied. Jazz activated his super sonic hearing to tune in.
"I hear it too. It…sounds like static." He took a step forward. "I think it's someone screamin', or trying ta." All of us had the same realization at the same time, it had to be Starlight.
"Autobots, move out." I told them and we all followed the noise.
We were in front of a science lab, trying to figure out a way in without the 'Con inside noticing us. Bee signaled to Hot Shot that it was indeed Starlight inside with the 'Con. Jazz was currently hacking the door to get it open while Bee and Hot Shot got ready to be the distraction. I wasn't happy about them doing it, but they volunteered before I could protest. They would meet us back in the tunnel.
Jazz signaled he was ready and we all hid in out designated spots. Jazz hit the button and the door slid open, Hot Shot stood in the door way.
"Come get me Decepta-creep!" He called out and took off in the opposite direction. Bee was waiting around the corner to give his brother cover. Not long after Hot Shot had taken off, a purple con took off after him. I recognized him to be Shockwave and worried what he had done to Starlight.
Ratchet was the first one in, I followed close behind with Jazz in tow. Ironhide stayed by the door to keep watch. The sight wasn't pleasant. Starlight's processor was opened up and hooked to some wires that were downloading information into a near by computer. Star was writhing in pain, energon dripping from the corner of her mouth from screaming her vocalizer raw.
"Jazz, stop the computer from downloading. Ratchet, can you safely unhook her from the computer?" I commanded and both got to work. I went over to assist the medic.
"I can get her out safely. She needs to understand that she is safe though. If she is released without realizing it is us, she might attack us." Ratchet was carefully unhooking her from the system. I understood and took her still bound hand.
"Star, it's me. We're here now sweet spark." I said close to her audio. "It's going to be alright." Her movements slowed down a bit but her static laced screaming didn't relent. I couldn't calm her by rubbing her helm so I tried just rubbing small circles on her cheek. "Shhhh….calm down, you're safe now." When that wasn't working, I spoke to her through our bond.
-Star, it's ok. I know you're scared but you need to settle down. It's going to be ok. We're here now little one.-
I felt her pain and fear but I also felt that she had heard me this time. She stopped her screaming and finally opened her optics. She didn't focus on anything though.
-Sire…?!- She spoke through the bond. –Sire, is it really you?-
-It's me.-
-My head…it feels like its on fire.- She was freely crying at this point. I wiped the tears up with my thumb.
-I'm sorry my sparkling. Ratchet is working on it as fast as he can. Just try to stay calm.-
"How much longer?" Ironhide asked from the door way.
"Almost done. I just need to close her up." Ratchet said as he pulled the last wire out. I watched as he closed her up and how she relaxed once he was done. "There. She's closed up. Jazz, have you deleted the files."
"Done an' done." Jazz said as the screens on the computer went red and blanked out. "All info is gone."
"Let's move before Shockwave gets the idea he's been dooped." My weapons specialist said from the door.
Ratchet released the straps holding her down and slowly helped her sit up. "Easy Star. Take it slow." She looked a little dazed still but was able to keep herself up right. I looped her arm around my neck and helped her stand. She took a few shaky steps and leaned heavily on me. She was not able to walk very fast but she could at least walk.
"Come on, we need to go." Ironhide stepped out into the hall and motioned for us to go. He covered us from the back this time while Jazz and Ratchet took the lead. "We're clear for now." The red mech said from behind me.
Back in the tunnel, we met up with Hot Shot and Bumblebee and asked them how it went.
"We were able to lose him but I think he alerted the rest that we're here. We should move out." Hot Shot kept his voice low.
"Right, come on." Ironhide took lead this time. He wasn't the stealthiest but he was the one carrying the most fire power. If we were attacked, he was the one to draw their fire.
I heard Bee try to say something again and noticed he was looking towards a half conscious Starlight.
"She's ok. Don't you worry." I reassured him. He nodded, walking in front of us and giving us more cover.
Even I knew that it had been far too easy getting her out and worried there was more to this. Again, I cursed myself for being right as we heard the screams of jet engines above us. Everyone quickly formed their guns and prepared for a fight.
"Prime, get her out of here!" Ratchet called. I, like Star, didn't want to leave my friends behind, but I also had to get my youngling out of harms way. "Go!" Deciding it was best to get her out of there, I tried to make a run for it but was stopped by a silver form landing right into my path.
"Long time no see, brother." Megatron smirked. "I see you've got her back. To bad it won't last." He aimed at me, leaving me no choice but to grab Star and jumping out of the way as the shot hit the ground near us.
"Sire…I-I can stand." She said softly. I set her down, made sure she really could and went after my brother.
"Cover Star!" I called to Bee. The yellow bot quickly ran to her side and guarded her.
Starlight's View:
I was still a little out of it but was able to figure out what was going on. I was out of that horrible room and away from the crazy scientist, but I can't remember how. I stood back to back with Bee as Cons descended from the skies.
"So, how did we get into this situation?" I asked my friend. I knew something was wrong when he didn't respond. "Bee?" I turned my head to look at him he had a sad look in his optics but he still wasn't saying anything. He made a motion towards his throat, signaling something that I couldn't quite understand. "Can…you not speak?" He nodded and it clicked. When Megatron had him he must have done something to his vocalizer.
Before I could try to ask how, another Con landed by us forcing us to break our conversation and fight.
In the chaos I was grabbed again. My "dotting uncle" had a hold of me and had his blaster aimed at my helm.
"Enough of this Prime!" Everyone halted their movements, including the 'Cons. "Surrender, or you little sparkling gets it."
I heard a pitiful whine that had to have come from Bee while the rest gasped in surprise.
"Let her go." My Sire growled.
"Bow down to me and I will." He tightened his grip on my neck, causing my intake systems to stall. I could feel the heat of his gun against my temple. He was distracted at the moment but there was noting I could do. If I had my swords, I would have been able to stab him.
"I will never bow down to you…" Sire formed his swords. "You're fight is with me. Not with her. Come after me."
"Oh, I don't think you understand how this works." I felt the gun heat up more and knew a blast was coming. "You have five nano seconds to decide." I felt my optics widen as I realized the dire situation I was now in. I closed my eye and expected the worst but it never came.
Suddenly, Megatron was jolted from behind, making him let me go. The force made me fall forward, landing hard on my arms. I scrambled to my feet and ran behind my Sire. I realized who had cause the jolt and smiled. Bumblebee had snuck up behind the 'Con leader and shot him point blank. Some how this didn't offline him but allowed me to get away and the rest of our team to transform and get the frag out of there.
Back at base, I was rushed to the med bay to get checked up and weapons put back in. Everything was fine. My processor was fully functional and nothing and really been tampered with. I was given an all clear and released with in a few joors.
Sire was outside and the moment I came out, he took me in his arms and just held me.
"I was so worried." I could hear the strain in his voice and how hard he was trying to hold back tears. I wrapped my arms around him, burring my face in his chassis and tried to keep from crying too.
"I'm sorry, Sire. I should have listened to you. If I had gone back…none of this would have happened." I sobbed.
"Shh…you did nothing wrong. In fact you did exactly what I would have done. I shouldn't be so overly protective and trust in you abilities." I looked up at him and saw he was crying too. "I can't help it though. You're all I have left. You are the reason I keep fighting." It was my turn to comfort him. I allowed him to hold me as long as he wanted.
"I won't disobey again." I promised.
"I know you won't. But I also don't want you to stop protecting those precious to you. Don't let yourself be controlled by others and always go with your spark." He rubbed my helm like he did when I was little. I found myself purring softly from his comforting touches. "Other wise we are no better than the 'Cons. They follow Megatron blindly."
"So…am I allowed to question you judgment now?" I teased.
"Only if you deem it absolutely necessary." He squeezed me one last time and let me go. "I love you Starlight. Please be careful out there."
"I will if you will Sire. I don't want to lose you either. I love you too much to see you go."
Chapters are getting longer and longer! I love hearing your comments, they give me more motivation. This might be the last one for a little while but not to worry, it's not the last chapter!
If there are any errors let me know! I'm still working off of my old computer.