Haha, if I hadn't stopped, it'd had gone on forever!
Crush stood, looking out across the desert. He was at odds with himself after he'd spoken to Shockwave. He regretted what he had done after he'd thought about it. After he'd told Shockwave about Barricade, he'd gone on to tell him about the Sparklings, and what he'd heard about the Allspark power and Jazz coming back to life. Everyone knew the story. He had even told him of the unintended white Sparkling called Typhoon. It was mostly just babble to him, part of the conversation. He'd missed Shockwave's pique of interest at that information.
After spilling the beans on the Sparklings, he'd also gone on to mention Thundercracker's pregnancy by Skywarp, and how messed up and strange that ordeal was. He also admitted a little jealousy, something he'd never tell anyone else about. All of the mechs were a little jealous over the femmes, but none said anything about it, respecting the chosen mechs and knowing they would be destroyed if they tried anything.
He, however, hadn't mentioned Soundwave to Shockwave. He wasn't entirely sure why he didn't want to mention her, he just got a bad feeling about it. And the bad feeling was probably well placed.
Acid joined him when he felt his friend's anxiety down their link, "Something's up. What's bothering you?"
Crush refused to answer, but another pang of regret hit him hard, and he looked down. He remembered Shockwave's remarks after they were finished talking. Especially when he walked off with that grin and the Matrix. The yellow Seeker didn't want the femmes to get hurt. What was disturbing was Shockwave had also said something about wanting to get the white Sparkling. He certainly didn't see that happening, since no one knew where Barricade was but Starscream, and he undoubtedly wasn't going to tell.
He was mused from his thoughts by Acid. "Crush?"
The mech knew then and there that he'd pretty much damned Thundercracker and Barricade. The last real femmes, and both of them belonged to Starscream. "What?" he snapped in slight surprise and annoyance at himself. He was also annoyed because Shockwave had given him that item to supposedly block Acid. Must've lied about that too.
"What is up with you?" Acid approached, "I can feel something is wrong." He watched his trine mate's optics, seeing the look of regret and indecision. What had he done?
Crush never looked to his leader, ashamed of the fact he'd been tricked. He wondered if there was time to salvage the damage. "You asked me earlier where I was… I was… talking to Shockwave."
Acid's optic ridges immediately furrowed at his Trine-mate's admittance. He already knew Crush's thoughts on Starscream. He didn't like him very much at all. Acid hoped Crush didn't betray him like he felt he'd done from his guilt… "What did you two talk about?"
The yellow Seeker looked back to the horizon, "He asked specifically about Starscream and Barricade… And I told him."
"No," Dread filled Acid's Spark as he thought about what he was going to hear. A growl came from the green Seeker. "I know you don't like him…what did you tell Shockwave, Crush?"
Crush continued to stare across the horizon; he screwed his optics shut as scenarios went on in his processors about what could happen to the femmes. He frowned deeply, becoming afraid of even telling Acid what he'd done. He'd damned them.
"Crush… Tell me what you told him. Now." Acid Rain demanded.
Crush flinched at the rising anger in his trine leader's voice. "I told him all I knew… them being a mated pair… Jazz and the white Sparkling's story…" his head went down, "The messed-up thing between TC and Skywarp. He said something about using the Matrix. I'm sorry, 'Rain."
"No…" Acid repeated is disbelief. Rage boiled in his Spark upon hearing that. "You told him what? How could you…!" he snarled angrily, not even really paying attention to the mention of the Matrix. He grabbed the other Seeker on his wing and squeezed very hard. He then pushed the yellow mech back, making him stumble backwards and onto his aft so he had to look up to see his leader, "Why? Why would you do something like that? I can't believe you would do something so… so…! What was going on in that processor of yours!"
Crush thought about it. He wouldn't tell what was going on, "I was stupid…"
"I'd say," Acid agreed. The green Seeker's voice then turned rigid, "Starscream and Skywarp are going to tear you apart when they find out; you know that, right? Primus knows you have it coming. I trusted you bringing you here!" Acid growled, "What was I thinking?"
Perhaps warning them could help. "I think he's going after Barricade fir…" his voice was cut short by a strong and painful lash straight from Acid down their link. His optics widened and he looked at his Trine-mate who didn't look away and continued to attack the yellow mech's link, beginning protocols to sever it. "Acid…" the mech flinched, knowing what he was doing, "Acid, no! Please! I'm sorry!"
"Not yet, you aren't," Acid said grimly. "But you will be."
Off to the side, where neither had thought to look, a small mech's jaw was nearly on the ground in shock and anger. Ravage stood at the doorway as he listened to Acid and Crush. He slinked back behind the building and booked for Soundwave's quarters.
Lightstream felt something hit his Spark. It was somewhat painful, and he knew it was his trine. Something bad had happened. He bound from the Seeker's lounge, looking for Crush and Acid Rain. He literally used a larger mech as a vault to get him over a group. Something was horribly wrong. He had to get to them. Fast.
"I have the target on my scanners."
"Get me that Sparkling. I don't care what you have to do." Shockwave lifted into the air and left for good. He didn't care who saw him leave and made sure he was not followed.
He was unsure how to tell her. He knew Soundwave was going to be pissed and he lowered his head as he walked into the room, not even looking up to her visor.
His presence caused the telepath to look over at him. Immediately Soundwave knew something was wrong by how he was holding himself. "Ravage," she droned.
Ravage stopped, his tail went between his legs much like an earthen cat or dog, and his audios or what appeared as ears, drooped, "I… I overheard something real bad, boss. You're not gonna like it."
Soundwave's optics narrowed behind her visor. It wasn't often Ravage had such bad news to report that he would act this way. "Explain,"
"Crush… he was talking to Acid. He's told Shockwave about Barricade, Starscream and Thundercracker… Barricade's Sparklings… Jazz… He… mentioned Shockwave using the Matrix but I didn't hear what for."
There was a dark growl from the femme; One that made Ravage scamper back from her. Immediately Soundwave stood, her left hand poking at different things on her arm. "Did he say what he told him?" There was rising concern after he mentioned the Matrix and the information Sixshot had gotten from Hot Rod. Soundwave stood.
"I'm sorry. I didn't hear. Acid has initiated Trine expulsion by the looks of it," He quickly moved away from Soundwave's feet as she stepped past him. He looked up at his brothers sadly, fearing what could result from this.
They'd been headed to the Autobot base to talk to Prowl. After he found he couldn't go into Barricade's garage, he requested she come to the Autobot base and talk to him. Their safety was ensured there.
"Holy shit, 'Cade, what is that!" Mikaela asked suddenly, seeing something big and unusual coming up in the rear-view mirror. She already knew it was too large to be a car and it was running on four legs, so her mind instantly went to Cybertronian. The girl turned quickly to get a better look. "Who is that?"
Barricade searched where Mikaela was looking. Immediately she zoomed in on what the girl was speaking of.
Mikaela's features became a look of confusion and fear, "What? 'Cade… That…" she hesitated with confusion as the mech got closer and the resemblance was uncanny, "That looks like…" as realization hit her, she nearly yelled, "Oh my God, that's … Barricade, that's Sixshot!" She also realized the mech looked like he was headed right for them. Somehow, she knew it wasn't for a friendly bump. "He's coming right for us! W-what's he doing?" She didn't know why she was so afraid, but something about the situation screamed danger.
"I don't know…" Barricade said lowly, increasing her speed to try to outrun the mech. "Hold on," she told the girl. The bumps and uneven terrain made her a little slower. She did not know why Sixshot was suddenly after them nor did she have time to think of a reason, because he was coming up fast on her. Of course, she shouldn't have been so surprised, given his reputation.
The mech fired something that looked like a white flare in their direction. Barricade's body slid slightly when she swerved from whatever it was. Even though it didn't hit the femme, it had done its job. Fearing he was going to catch them, Mikaela nearly yelled, "He's coming right for us! Go!"
"I know, I'm trying!" Barricade exclaimed when she found outrunning the mech would not do. He was fast – too fast. There was no time for her to react as he started coming at them in a diagonal fashion.
Barricade had been suddenly caught as of what to do. Slamming on her brakes would send Mikaela and Blacklight through her windshield, no doubt. She also couldn't transform to fight off the incoming threat, even though she knew she had little chance versus the assassin. She had no choice but to take what was coming. "Hang on!" the femme said grimly as the mech got closer. She prepared for impact as best she could. The hunter hoped that her Sparklings and Mikaela would be all right.
They were going fast. Way too fast.
"Barricade! No!" was all the girl could get out before she felt herself holding her breath, feeling deep in her gut that there was no escape. Her last thoughts were on the Sparklings and the femme as the mech's optic could be seen out the window. She didn't even have time to realize it was the wrong color before she felt her body jolted hard and painfully first into the driver side door as it buckled and then away from it into the passenger side hitting her head. Her world went dark.
"Attention all officers:" Soundwave's voice called over the Officer Spread link, "Security breach. Communications: locked down."
Soundwave abruptly headed for Starscream. Others, who hadn't been watching Acid and his trine, were watching her with interest as she did. She wasn't a fast-paced 'Con, so when she was walking like that, there was a problem, or it was really interesting. Those that had heard her on the link were already watching toward Crush and the goings on out there, now believing it had to do with him.
"I don't believe it! He's expelling him!" Thrust pointed toward the other Trine. Trines of Seekers didn't often do this. "What did he do?"
"Wow, he must have done something really bad," Thundercracker noted as she and Skywarp both joined them while Starscream was coming out of his office with an annoyed look to his features. He just heard Soundwave's thing, he had no idea what was going on otherwise. He'd been doing his best to ignore everyone until he heard Thrust and the talking on the internal coms. "Just one, Primus… Just one day without the stupid! Please."
"Wow, what did he do?" Skywarp asked, wincing as sparks began flying from the yellow Seeker's chest.
Lightstream was standing beside them both watching with confusion. "What's going on?" he asked. He got no response from either Acid or Crush. "What did he do? Why are you expelling him?" he asked a little louder, looking between the two with fear.
"I don't know, Soundwave's announcement has something to do with it," Thundercracker said.
"I figured it'd be Shockwave or the Combaticons that caused this," Ramjet stated as he nodded toward Crush, "not him."
When the telepath found Starscream, she reached out without even looking, grabbed him by the arm and proceeded to walk him toward the exit. He would need to know immediately. She felt the Seeker stumble in her grip as he was forced to keep up with her, but this was no time to stop and worry if he'd scratched his paint.
"Hey! What gives?" Starscream asked, catching himself and walking with her.
"Come," was all she said.
He growled; not like he had a choice in the matter.
His optics were still on what was going on with the three Seekers. At first, he was unsure of what was going on and tried to pull away, but the femme didn't let go, nearly dragging him out of the building.
The telepath stopped not far from Crush and Acid. "Stay," she told him and let his arm go. Starscream watched her walk off toward the Rainmaker trine. He was so confused at this point. He'd heard her on the link, but she didn't give a reason why. He rubbed his now sore arm, wondering what it was with others dragging him around lately. Watching the telepath stop at other Seekers, he got a better view of Crush. Giving a soft 'hn' as to what was happening, now he was curious why. The leader tilted his head slightly, wondering what he could have done to incur a delinking and Soundwave's obvious and very scary wrath.
With the delink complete, Acid stilled when he saw Soundwave approaching. "Didn't think it would be too long," He knew very little got by Soundwave. "Looks like you're about to meet Primus personally." He said darkly.
Crush, still shaking and sparking from the separation, whipped his head around to find Soundwave stopping right behind him. "Soundwave, wait…" He begged, knowing she was coming for him. The stoic gaze of the femme was enough for the yellow mech, and he shied from her, stumbling and crawling back. He knew he was in for it. "Please, don't do this," he pleaded with her.
Ignoring his pleas, Soundwave reached for the frightened mech as he scampered away, but she was too quick. She was unkind in how she grabbed the yellow Seeker, taking him from behind at the wing, squeezing with a grasp so tight the mech buckled and screamed. She yanked him back with such force he slid on his aft. Crush, surprised and alarmed at the sudden attack, went to go to his feet, but before he could, Soundwave grabbed for his other wing and proceeded to drag the mech across the asphalt, ignoring his protests and cries in pain.
Those that were alerted to the security breach or knew of something going on with Acid's Trine were now looking to where Soundwave as walking toward Starscream. The others that didn't know what was going on became very interested in what was happening. They watched Soundwave's treatment on Crush, wincing. "Wow… that's the wrong 'Con to piss off…" a random mech commented.
"Someone's in a heap of slag…"
"Wonder what he did to deserve that?"
"Shut up and we might just find out!"
Of course, Starscream was concerned and started for the accused. By now, he was agitated that he'd done something that drastic to get the punishment he had from Acid and then Soundwave. The telepath dragged the Seeker to Starscream and threw him out on the ground in front of Starscream. Her sensor moved from her shoulder and up, formed into some kind of barrel and pointed toward the yellow mech. "Tell him." she demanded.
Starscream looked at Crush and for some reason, a fear he'd never felt before traveled up his body from his feet and clenched his Spark. He actually started to fear what was going on. For Soundwave to drag him and place him in front of this mech, who was cowering was not something she would do lightly. What had this mech said or done?
Crush was shaking in fear. He was also a little pissed at the rat who'd squealed on him. He knew he was in deep trouble. He didn't speak at first, only looking up at Starscream and a stoic Soundwave. Acid stood back, watching with angry optics.
Starscream wondered if he was feeling Crush's fear, but reconsidered it. What was he suddenly so afraid of? "Soundwave?" The young Seeker looked between the telepath and the other Seeker, "What's going on?"
"Tell him why Acid has expelled you." The SiC demanded again.
Crush went to stand meekly, kneeling before his leader. He knew he was not getting out of this. The most he could do was hope that Starscream had mercy. "I… I have wronged you and yours."
"Trines don't separate and Soundwave doesn't get mad unless there's a reason," Starscream stated with a soft tone. "What'd you do?" Dread filled his Spark more. What had this mech done?
Crush told Starscream what he'd told Shockwave and before he could mention about Barricade, he found himself suspended in the air by Starscream's claws around his neck. He'd never seen the leader so angry.
Those that were watching gasped in shock and horror.
"You did what?" Starscream hissed, unsure he should believe what the mech had just told him. Crush didn't look at him, and that's when he knew he was telling the truth. "Do you have any idea what you have done!" Starscream reached out with his other hand and backhanded the mech with enough force Crush flew from his grasp and hit the ground. His optics flashed dangerously as he went for the yellow Seeker again, pulling him to his feet by his wings, which his claws were sunk deeply into, his optics furrowed at the pain in the yellow Seeker. "Do you have any fucking idea what Shockwave will do to them? Any?" This time Starscream threw him. Before the mech had hit the ground, Starscream had his mini gun trained on his chest. He hissed darkly, "I should kill you."
The Seeker looked up, regret was evident, but it was too late. "I'm sorry!"
"No… you're not sorry," Starscream snarled with an ominous calm, "not yet. But you soon will be, this I promise."
Thundercracker and Skywarp began approaching slowly. They felt the dangerous anger from Starscream's end and knew he was furious beyond words. They were going to stand by in case they were needed, still unsure of what had caused it.
In the middle of the desert, there was a painful scream from a Mustang as an unknown mech slammed into it as hard as it could. Barricade's left rear quarter panel, using his head and body to jolt her sideways. With his strength and the rate of speed the femme was driving, Barricade went out of control, her back wheels left the ground in a twist first then her front end dragged on the ground for a moment as her body spun. Her right tire caught under her from the move, snapping something and twisted the wheel. As it separated, Energon and Tardicain flew as sparks erupted where they'd been separated. Connection lines and Energon that attached it could be seen as it flew. The momentum flipped the rest of her off the ground and up into a wild spin. She'd tried to catch Blacklight and Mikaela in her seat straps, but they flew out of her reach too quickly. Her body rolled in the air, and she landed on her side in another painful cry.
Mikaela, being unconscious, didn't feel her body tumble and be thrown throughout the car. Barricade let out another loud cry from hitting the ground for a second time. The impact itself smashed her windshield and much of her armor that wasn't lost as she tumbled over the ground. Still being online through the onslaught, she hoped Mikaela wouldn't fall out of her busted windows. Sliding, her nose caught a rock and sent her tumbling through the air again only to land and roll a considerable distance away. When she finally skidded to a stop, she was on her roof and barely online. Mikaela dropped down onto the roof of the upside-down Mustang, unconscious and beat up, but alive. Barricade saw the mech sitting there and he was watching them. That wasn't Sixshot.
Barricade couldn't move. She was afraid now. Afraid for her Sparklings. Afraid for Mikaela. Afraid for herself. What was this mech going to do to her now that he'd disabled her? "…'Screamer!" Barricade heard herself scream before her processors took her offline.
The mech hunting Barricade had watched something that could have been a part of her armor fly from her and land further away.
Blacklight had been what the mech watched fly from the femme. He was lying quite a distance from Barricade, out cold. With a chuckle, the mech watched the femme's lights flicker and go off. "Score one for me; I got 'er first shot!" After the dust settled a little, the mech looked at what he had done. He smirked at the body that lied on the dirt. A real live femme… and she was right in front of him. Her alt body was badly damaged, but he knew she would probably live. She was sparking in many places and energon leaked from others. He was pleased with the result. The mech watched over the wreck, waiting to see any signs of movement. His attention was diverted by the sounds of something coming from her, but he wasn't sure what it was. He noticed the human and considered shooting her but refrained. The attacker was surprised she even lived through that. Inside the busted cabin, Mikaela was bleeding and out cold.
The triplets inside the femme had been protected enough that they were a little dizzied up, but very much awake. They were buzzing and squealing, scratching at their holds, trying to get free. They knew something had happened and their first instinct was to get free, however, the damage Barricade had sustained in that area made getting out impossible.
Regardless that the current Decepticon leader's mate was lying on the ground at his mercy, he had a job to do; he didn't have time for her to wake so he restrained himself. Shaking off the temptation, he circled the black and white femme while he searched her body for additional Spark signatures. With a sinister grin, he located them. The mech proceeded to dig at Barricade's trunk area and rip into her, breaking her open to get to them. Once he found the white one, he grabbed the small femme, placed her in his jaws, and took off in a dead run for his meeting with Shockwave.
The Sparklings hadn't had time to see much, only a body that resembled a large Ravage.
All Typhoon knew, was that someone had her, and they were moving very fast. She could tell they weren't flying because of the pounding of the mech's feet as he ran, plus the bob of his stride. She tried to dig her way free, but every time she did, the mech would feel it and violently whip his head, causing Typhoon to drop or hit the other side of his jaws. She was afraid and could feel Barricade becoming more and more distant.
The small femme curled up as best she could, hoping she wouldn't be killed and hoping someone would come for her. They had to come. Her mech creator was the leader of the Decepticon army!
At the Autobot base, Jazz watched Prowl suddenly go from talking to silent. There was a confused, yet worried look in his features, and she watched him stand. She kept watching him, knowing something was wrong with him when he stared into nothingness and walked toward a wall. The saboteur jumped from her seat and slapped Prowl on the shoulder, attempting to snap him out of whatever was going on before he face-planted a wall. "Hey, ya still wit' me, Prowler?" she asked with concern.
"Runner," Prowl replied. "It's Runner,"
"Ya, she's supposed ta be comin' hopefully today, right?" Jazz tried with a frown, distinctly feeling dread even though she tried to hide it. "I wanna get some Sparklin' fix," she said. But why did it feel like a lie?
After a pause to look at Jazz, Prowl jerked as another wave hit him. That wasn't it – it was something else. "No… It's not that," Prowl stuttered as he tried to understand. It had been a very long time to have felt this, so he had to concentrate more as if preparing to open the gates of the Pit between them. When he did, the backlash was almost unbearable, and he reached for his head with a cry. He then reached for his Spark and let out what could only have been a whimper. Giving himself a moment to realize what had happened, he looked up, "She's been hurt! Ratchet! Runner!" he immediately transformed and peeled out of the building, leaving black marks on the ground. Hopefully she wouldn't be hard to find.
Jazz was stunned still at how fast Prowl moved and the feeling of now realizing that dread was a reality. "No," She cried, realizing he was almost to the door. "Hold on, I'm comin' wit you!" The small femme leapt over her seat and dived into her form, following. All else who'd seen the exchange knew to be ready for something. "Prowl!" Ironhide called in vain, realizing the mech hadn't heard him.
Ratchet had heard his call, but by judging how fast the two took off, Prowl knew what he was doing and the best thing to do was follow.
"Prowl, report." Optimus asked over the Officer Spread link.
"Something has happened to Runner, Optimus." Prowl told him, sirens blaring, fighting his way through traffic in a direct route to Barricade.
"You don't think it was Shockwave, was it?" Ironhide asked.
"I hope not…" Prowl replied but had the feeling he already knew it was Shockwave. He also knew what happens to those in his hands. Not only was he very smart and never did anything without cause, but he was also devastating.
"We're right behind ya," Ironhide replied, already feeling the SiC would need his help.
At that, Prowl became quiet a moment in consideration. It was irrational. "No. It's best you don't. Starscream will be there, and he will be upset," he explained, "He might become dangerous. Let me handle this, Optimus."
"Agreed," Optimus then replied, understanding. "Keep us posted."
"When it is clear, I will let you know," Prowl replied, his voice soft in worry.
Mikaela came to slowly. Her eyes were unfocused, and she was dizzy. Her ears were ringing so loudly she could barely hear anything through that and her heartbeat. She moved slightly and found she was in a lot of pain, and she was on dirt and glass yet something soft. It was also strangely dark. Blinking through a screaming headache for a moment, she took few gasps of dust-filled air. The girl slowly looked around as much as she could, trying to come to terms with what had happened. "'Cade?"
They'd been attacked by who they believed to be Sixshot. She couldn't understand why at the time, and truthfully hurt too much to try to understand it now. She could barely see because of the sand and dirt all over. She did realize where she was. But she didn't feel like she was sitting on seats. She moved again and realized where she was lying couldn't be seats. It was hard and bent oddly. She stopped when she realized why it was so disorienting. Barricade was overturned. She was on her roof! That alone told Mikaela it was bad. "You awake, 'Cade?" She rasped out. Hearing small movement and then a few chirps and scratching after she spoke, the girl then thought that the Sparklings might have been trapped. At least they were alive. Which reminded her; she looked around for Blacklight. As she did so, Energon dripped down from above her from between Barricade's seats. She squinted her eyes to get a better look around, seeing light. It was light from outside! She realized how lucky she was to even be alive and able to move. Barricade's interior and hood were a shambles. "Oh my god," she whispered, noticing Blacklight was nowhere to be found. She hoped that he was one of the ones in Barricade making noise. He might have been quick enough to jump into a hold.
She tasted blood and went to wipe away what was trickling down her brow, realizing she was only spreading blood on herself from wounds on her face. She started to cry. "'Cade?" she tried again. "'Cade, can you hear me?"
Hearing Mikaela, the Sparklings inside the femme started calming down slightly to listen. The girl lifted up slightly on her arm, which was sore and had a pretty deep cut, and looked around. She couldn't get far because of the way she was and how close the femme had her to the ground because her roof had been crushed. "'Cade?" she asked with a half choke.
"'Cade?" the girl asked again, becoming even more scared. There was still no response. "Barricade!" she began to panic even more. This couldn't be happening. "Answer me!" She nearly yelled. Burning tears formed in her eyes. They were trapped and no one else knew they were out here. Barricade hadn't alerted Prowl to her trip and Miles and Mark would assume they were with the Autobots, unharmed. She only hoped Starscream would come for them. He had to!
The disruptor Tantrum had used prior to his attack was wearing off. It was enough to fizzle any communications or links for a short period of time. Soon, Starscream would know something was wrong.
In Soundwave's quarters, Buzzsaw, who was sitting with Ravage, shuddered hard. He rose up and looked around, to his brothers, then to the door. Laserbeak, who'd been admiring Rumble looked to his twin and tilted his head. "Something wrong?"
Buzzsaw took a moment to pinpoint who was broadcasting like that. Since Soundwave had made Barricade his surrogate femme creator, he was connected to her just as all her other Sparklings were. "Barricade's been hurt…" He became more anxious, going for the door, "I gotta tell Soundwave!"
Crush became fearful of Starscream's viciousness. "D-don't hurt me, Starscream, please! I beg you!"
How could this mech ask this now? Did he not understand how furious he was at him? "Tell me," Starscream hissed, "do you think Shockwave will be merciful on them?" Did Crush not understand who exactly he'd told?
From out of nowhere, a new feeling of dread hit Starscream hard, causing him to fumble and grab for his Spark. It hurt, physically. He didn't know at first what it was, but when he did realize it, he let out a whimper. It couldn't be. It was Barricade. "No!" His head whipped around as if he was disoriented himself, completely forgetting the mech that was trying to scramble away from him. Starscream went into a panic because something was terribly wrong. When the young leader stilled, he caught Soundwave's attention, who, so far, had been mildly listening. Her visor flashed, watching him, already surmising he'd had a Spark-attack, like the one that hit him when Blacklight had cried for him. "No, no, no!"
"What is it, 'Screamer?" his Trine-mates asked. They remembered that look from before. Already they were ready to help. Thundercracker and Skywarp went to touch him, and he flinched away.
Starscream blinked in confusion, "Something wrong! She's hurt!" He quickly started pushing his way past the two, nearly stumbling over Crush to see if he could hone on his mate. He took off where he sensed the stronger pull. "Where are you, 'Cade?" Starscream asked over their personal link. He got no response from her, which was another bad sign. His thrusters went into overdrive, "No!" One of his worst fears by far had come to pass. Shockwave had her and he'd failed to protect her. Again. Thundercracker and Skywarp tried to keep up with him, but it was hard.
Crush watched the young leader go. He looked around at the various mechs looking back at him. They all appeared pissed. He then looked back toward Acid who was glaring at him. He then looked to Soundwave, who hadn't moved a servo until Starscream disappeared. Soundwave was watching out across the horizon as the Seekers left. At that same time, Buzzsaw had landed on her arm and told her something. Shortly after, the small mech took off once again.
"All available Seekers, Guard the base from the skies." Her voice nearly thundered through the Spread Link. She now understood why she had woken from recharge that night. Deciding the mech would die for his interference, she first she needed to know what precisely he knew. She bristled, turning for the turncoat Seeker and grabbed him. Pulling him to his feet, the Telepath proceeded past everyone, ignoring the questions and looks. She stopped at Hook's bay, getting the medic's attention, "Clean a berth, you will need it." Somehow, he already knew it wasn't for Crush.
Soundwave then addressed the four surrounding Motormaster. "Stunticons: disperse and monitor radius."
The telepath continued with Crush to the brig, where she pushed him in and shut the door. She would deal with him later, now she had more important things to tend to. This was one reason why she told nobody anything. It only took one screw up to destroy it all.
Typhoon screamed for Barricade or Starscream. She became aware that whoever had her had stopped and was now standing, and she became quiet to listen, hoping for a hint as to what was going on and who had her. She then heard the mech speaking. Once he did, she found she did not recognize his voice, which made her terror stronger. "Mission successful, master,"
A cold voice made her chirp in fear. She didn't know who it was, but they scared her. "You have it, Tantrum?"
"Of course,"
"And it's the correct one?"
"Affirmative,"
"Give it to me." Shockwave put his hand out.
Tantrum opened his maw and dropped the Sparkling into Shockwave's waiting hand. Typhoon screamed and tried to get away. The mech held her too tight, making her cry out. He also held her in a way she could hardly move too.
Shockwave held her up higher as she squirmed and buzzed at him, squealing in fear. "Feisty little…" he paused when she moved just right and he saw into her little chest, "…femme. Well, well, Starscream, you certainly have been busy with that hunter, haven't you?" he eyed the runic markings on her body, "She still very young and won't mature for a long time yet. That's why your next task after we return will be Thundercracker.
"I hear the Allspark has been sucked into this one. I wonder if they knew what gem they had… We will control the Decepticons easily with our forces. Starscream will fall fast. Then I guess it's onto the Autobots and the rest of the world so we can remake Cybertron."
"I dunno… He has Soundwave on his side. You know how deadly he is. He even spooks Razor,"
"I'm not so sure. Soundwave may be controlled somehow. I don't think he would have let things get as far as they have. I will deal with him when the time comes."
"What if he's doing this on his own?"
"Don't you know how it's done? We strike and kill him first – there's no chance he can stand up to your team together. Only then do we go after Starscream." Shockwave turned and forced Typhoon into one of his holds before abruptly taking off, "Stay hidden. Starscream isn't yet aware of your presence. Let's not tip him off early, hmm?" There was a small laugh from the ex-commander. "While he is busy cleaning up your mess, I will go see if this little bitch has enough Allspark juice to jumpstart Megatron. I know where he is."
"What about the others still at the base?"
"They will be notified."
Chirping and twittering quickly turned to buzzes of terror when Barricade still didn't respond. The girl could hear the scared Sparklings and continued to try to get out from under the overturned Mustang. Remembering her implant, Mikaela had to try twice to activate it and it hurt like hell. When she heard its activation, she only hoped she was within rage on someone who could hear her. "Starscream? Starscream, can you hear me?" Mikaela screamed over the link in desperation. She hoped she wasn't too far away. "Help us!"
Starscream heard Mikaela, although her voice was broken up from distance. He wasn't sure if he should be even more worried or if he should be happy that someone was talking. He had no idea that Mikaela was with Barricade at the time, but when she'd called for help, he knew. "Mikaela? I'm coming! Where are you? I only have a faint signal! What happened? Is Runner alright?"
"I… I don't know!" She coughed, "She's not answering me!" Mikaela answered, still in shock from the ordeal and scared out of her mind. Trying to squirm her way out from under Barricade, she realized her leg was pinched. She also tried to recollect what had caused this. "Listen, I know it sounds crazy, but there was this mech… that looked kinda like a giant Ravage… only its face was different." She started, "I think it was Sixshot… He… he hit us from the side!"
"You can't be serious, Mikaela." Starscream disagreed, "Sixshot isn't even around!"
"Listen, I know… I know what I saw! Who else is on the planet that can take on a beast form?" Mikaela asked him with mixed frustration and confusion.
'What?' Starscream couldn't believe the allegations. There was no one else on the planet to his knowledge that had a beast form except… Sixshot. He didn't understand. He trusted Soundwave to keep that brute at bay.
"Soundwave!" He screamed over the Officer Spread link.
Having heard Starscream call for her, Soundwave acknowledged him with a blip on the link she'd established with him prior. She already figured what was going on, especially by what Buzzsaw had told her. His information told her Barricade was injured, having been attacked probably by Shockwave.
"Where is Sixshot?" Starscream's question was cold and angry. Perhaps even a little betrayed.
All who heard suddenly looked confused to each other, wondering why Sixshot had been brought up. Even those back at base were now on high alert.
Soundwave was a tad bit confused as to why he'd ask for him. Perhaps he needed him. "I am aware Barricade has been attacked. Reasoning for your request is required,"
"I didn't ask you if you are aware, Soundwave, I asked where Sixshot was! Mikaela said it was a beast mech. Sixshot is the only one with that ability on Earth." Betrayal moved deeper into his Spark as he considered what was possibly transpiring around him.
Hearing the betrayal in his voice, she also wondered if there was any merit to what the girl said. He was indeed the only mech on Earth who had a beast form besides Ravage. Her hand flew over her arm as she typed. Realizing what Starscream was saying, Soundwave didn't hesitate to ask Sixshot for his whereabouts. "One moment," the CO replied, and then addressed the accused, "Your position?" As she asked, she began triangulating his location. She was very confused about the attack, as she hadn't ordered him to attack anyone – particularly Barricade. It was odd that they would say their attacker looked like a beast mech.
"California somewhere," The teal mech answered dully, walking around the desolate wasteland. "I think they call it Death Valley or something – I looked it up. Wouldn't have any idea as to why they would call it such a thing. Everything's… dead. Oh, look, whatta ya know, an actual live cactus. Can I come back yet?"
Soundwave went back to addressing Starscream, having confirmation that Sixshot was nowhere close enough to have been the attacker. She knew his abilities and none of them were teleportation. "Sixshot's location: Death Valley, California. Rethink your accusation."
The telepath then continued with Sixshot, "Barricade's been attacked. They said it was you in beast form."
"What?" Sixshot hissed, not very happy to hear he had been implicated in an attack on the leader's mate. He kind of liked the Youngling.
Soundwave told him evenly, "New objective: Return. Stay hidden,"
Sixshot wondered who it could have been. He didn't know many that had alternate forms like his own, in fact, there weren't any on the planet as far as he knew. "I think things just became a lot less boring. I'll bet Shockwave knows everything."
"Shockwave is no longer on the premises and communication with him is firewalled somehow."
"Not surprising… I knew it wouldn't be long. Go figure…" Sixshot took one last look around Death Valley before transforming into his jet mode and taking off for the sky. War was going to erupt, and he was going to be needed.
Starscream pinpointed his downed mate off a dirt path through the open desert. From the sky, he could see in the earth where the attack must have started. His optics followed until he saw Blacklight lying on the ground further away. The mech headed down, unfolding as he neared. His feet slid across the desert floor as he came to a stop near his Sparkling. He didn't need to see Barricade to know it was bad. He grabbed for his Sparkling first, then took a moment to take in everything around him. That was when he saw Barricade, which Thundercracker and Skywarp had already landed beside. Immediately he addressed his medic over the Officer Spread-link. "Hook, I need you to get a berth ready…"
"It's already done, Starscream." Hook replied.
The Decepticon leader took another moment to gather himself before lifting his Sparkling to optic level and looking him over, "…Blacklight?" he asked quietly with a frown. When the Sparkling didn't respond, he lightly nudged him until he roused a little. Starscream felt instant relief that he responded and proceeded checked his little body over. As he did so, immediately he noticed that Blacklight was bleeding slightly from his back. When Starscream turned him over, Blacklight screeched painfully and squirmed. As he did so, Starscream noticed a rock wedged into one of his newly developing thrusters. His anger only grew, and he realized he would not be able to remove it without a medic. Whomever did this would pay severely – and he would find out.
Noting how Blacklight seemed all right beside the rock, his optics wandered to Skywarp and Thundercracker, who were still standing over Barricade. They looked to be searching her over or looking for something. It was then he could see what had their attention. Mikaela was struggling to get out from under Barricade. "I can't move! She's on my leg!" he heard her cry.
Mikaela let out another sound as Thundercracker leaned down to find where she was caught. She gently put a digit into one of Barricade's windows to un-crumple her roof and free the human. "When I relieve the pressure, move," the blue Seeker told her. She didn't want to damage the femme more than what she already was. Mikaela painfully moved her leg and began dragging herself along Barricade's roof and out onto the dirt. After Mikaela was out of the way, Thundercracker released the femme to help her. Skywarp began rolling Barricade onto her tires and checking her over.
Skywarp frowned. He doubted for some reason that this was Sixshot's work. He knew something others didn't. Why would Sixshot do something like this? To put it frankly, killer or not, this was strangely out of character for him. He didn't know him well, but well enough, especially when he had that confrontation with Soundwave.
Starscream stepped closer to his Trine and his mate, worry rushing into his Spark. He was shaking, afraid of what he'd find or be told. Even though Mikaela was not as injured as she could have been, Barricade had suffered extreme damage. The girl limped on a bloodied leg to Barricade's side, crying out for her, apologizing over and over. Thundercracker had to stop moving, "Move, girl!" she said sternly, forcing Mikaela to back up in a little confusion and fear.
The two Seekers continued to roll the black and white femme until she was set down softly on the three tires she had still connected, so they could all have a better look. Starscream stilled as he saw the extent of damage to Barricade's body. There were obvious signs that she had been hit from the side. Her roof had been caved in a lot worse than she looked when she was on it and her hood was buckled up, revealing her faux engine. The membranes that made her windows had been shattered completely. One thing struck him as bizarre. The damage to her trunk didn't look like it had been a part of the accident, it was torn at.
Dread hit him once again even harder. They'd taken his Sparklings. "Hurry, find the Sparklings; make sure they're alright." he ordered, not taking his optics off the femme before him.
Mikaela struggled to stand. As she put weight on the leg that was pinned, she felt sharp pain. She looked down at it, wondering if it was broken, but she didn't care. It could still hold her weight. "Barricade!" she cried, getting no response. She began trying to walk toward her again, guilt setting in her heart as she thought the worst. "Barricade, answer me!" Watching the Seekers work over the femme, she asked, "Is she gonna be okay?" They continued to work around her, checking for any severe bleeding or leaking from Barricade. They did not know Barricade's condition and Starscream was too distraught to even try to assess her. Neither Seeker answered her, which terrified her, "Oh my god, I'm so sorry! It's my fault! She-she couldn't transform to protect herself! She-"
"Stop!" Starscream's voice came from over her, cutting her babbling off and making her stop her cries of guilt. "Stop blaming yourself!"
"But-"
Starscream gave her a stern growl, his voice raising as if he were addressing one of his soldiers, "No, Mikaela! I need you coherent!" he bit roughly.
He'd never spoken to her like that before. She did as she was told, trying to clear her mind of the fact she still felt this was her fault. At odds as for what to do, Mikaela silenced, biting her lip and staring teary-eyed at Barricade.
Skywarp continued to look over Barricade. He quickly moved things around and looked. He'd found two of them… But… "Typhoon is missing…" he said, his voice was more in thought than anything, wondering what had happened to her. The black Seeker looked up and around. He didn't think she would run off that far from her femme creator, even if she had followed her instinct. No… the little femme had been taken. He began wondering why Sixshot – if itwas even him – would take off with Typhoon.
As if it wasn't bad enough… Starscream could have sworn he felt his Spark die the moment Skywarp told him that. Immediately he began looking and calling for Typhoon. His upset had gotten the other two Sparklings still in Barricade crying for him. "No…!"
Mikaela heard the words uttered from Skywarp and a bloodied hand went of her mouth, and she immediately burst into more tears, "No!" she heard herself cry. "No, no, no!" She felt it was her fault completely since Barricade couldn't transform, she couldn't protect her Sparklings. "Oh my god," she went to her knees, her knees giving out on her from her inability to cope. She leaned on Thundercracker's foot, which was closest.
The femme stood still to give the girl support. Starscream reached for Radar and Sonar. They were both shaking and wary, looking around as if they were looking for something. They also began calling for Typhoon.
Immediately Starscream began chirping to them, tying to soothe them. Blacklight was only watching them, unsure of what to do. They went to seek Starscream's holds. They were scared and worried for their sibling. Starscream continued to look around, hoping he'd see Typhoon. He was hardly listening as the Sparklings told him that a mech that looked like a beast had taken her.
Starscream couldn't believe what had happened so quickly. He should have been there. He continually called for Typhoon using chirps and beeps. Mikaela could hear the difference in his tone from a normal call tone. It was in a way, sad. Skywarp and Thundercracker internally cringed at the feeling that went up their spinal structures for a short second. In fact, Starscream looked as if he would collapse. They could see the pain and anger in his features as he stared down at his wrecked femme. They could also see his loss. Starscream turned with weapons armed at the sound of someone incoming that he hadn't called for. Just before he fired, he noticed it was Ramjet and quickly relieved the energy that he prepared to fire.
The black and white Seeker transformed and landed a short moment later, "Hook sent me." Getting a good look at Barricade, he assessed her, "What happened here?"
"That's what we are trying to figure out." Thundercracker answered. Starscream was still far too devastated to speak. "Mikaela said it was Sixshot."
After getting initial readings on Barricade, the pseudo-medic's optics went to the Sparkling in Starscream's hand, and he checked him externally. Nothing was broken… however… He reached for Blacklight. Starscream didn't stop him when he took the small mech and eyed his back. He then offered the Sparkling back to Starscream, "Hold him still,"
Blacklight was barely awake, but he knew he'd been restrained. He went to move when he saw Ramjet's hand going to his back from the corner of his optic. He knew he was after what was causing him pain and started to move to get away. If it hurt now, it was going to hurt a lot more when the Seeker-medic pulled it out. Starscream held him tighter, trying to soothe him through this. Suddenly, he let out a screech as the rock that had been wedged in his undeveloped thruster was pulled out.
Checking the Sparkling for any damage to his propulsion system, Ramjet commented, "Nothing lasting, thankfully. He will probably be sore for a while, though."
Blacklight was now buzzing from pain and reached for Starscream, who held him close to his Spark. He slowly calmed, holding on tight to his sire's chest.
Soundwave had said Sixshot was in Death Valley. Could he have been lying? Starscream was mused from his unanswered beeps by said telepath. "What is Barricade's status?"
"Typhoon is missing,"
The news of the Sparkling was grave, but it pointed Soundwave in the only direction she could go. Shockwave had taken the Sparkling. The only question remained, who was the assailant? There were only so many reasons that Shockwave would want that particular Sparkling. He wasn't stupid by any means. She turned to the smaller mech next to her who had been waiting for orders. "Find them."
Skorponok nodded once to Soundwave in acknowledgement. He was her best for gathering location information. Heading for the door, he leapt, transformed into his scorpion-like mode and dove underground. If there was anyone within his range, he'd pick up their vibration immediately.
He'd studied the mystery mech since he first knew of his existence. Sixshot was a curious creature even if he technically didn't exist until now. "You know… I am not so sure Sixshot did this," Skywarp suddenly said over the Trine-link.
Wondering, above all, why Skywarp would side with Sixshot, Starscream snapped, "You question what all of them saw?" Already upset from Typhoon's disappearance, he didn't want to hear what others had to say about it. "What is wrong with you?" He pointed to his mate's wrecked body, saying aloud, "Sixshot is an assassin! This is what he does!" He was solely going off of what he was told by Mikaela.
"No… I just… I have reason to doubt that it was him." Skywarp replied in kind.
Both Thundercracker and Starscream glanced at him. He even looked torn.
There was a lash down the link at the black Seeker, making him wince. "Who else was it, then, know-it-all, hmm?"
Skywarp definitely wasn't about to tell why he felt what he did. "I dunno." He wouldn't tell him that Sixshot was more of an ally to him than what he thought. Not that it wasn't important to know, but…"Would you… would you just trust me on this? Don't be surprised if it's proven it wasn't him."
The mech couldn't understand how he didn't know about this until now. He couldn't understand why. He knelt down, lightly running his hand over Barricade's bent hood as he looked her over. The more he looked, the angrier he became… at himself.
"I sent them away to protect them. I knew I should have kept them with me…" his head went down. He had let them down… This time not only were there injuries, but one of his little femmes was missing. "This is my fault… isn't it?" At that, both Thundercracker and Skywarp glanced at him with concern. They'd never felt so much from him and even though it was sad, it was awe inspiring.
Ramjet didn't say a word, leaving the Trine to work it out. He knew better than to step into such a touchy situation. He checked over Barricade and as soon as he was sure she would live, he activated her transformation protocols. Starscream winced at the sound of her body popping, grinding and cracking as she transformed.
The real damage was evident now. He could see where Barricade had sustained the most injuries. He glanced at her torn up holds and then looked to Skywarp, "Is the base within your teleporting range?"
Skywarp looked toward the base gauging the distance. "Ah, almost," he put his arms out, "Give her to me."
He was so confused… so hurt. "Where is she…?" Starscream watched his trine mate lift into the air. "Why did they take her?"
"I'll get as many as I can on it, 'Screamer." Thundercracker told him with a nod. "We'll find her."
"I'll take Mikaela back for treatment." Ramjet told the leader, "They were very lucky. I'll fix her up the best I can, for now. Nothing is mortal as far as I can tell. I'll have Hook look her over after he's done working on Barricade."
As soon as everyone left, whatever held Starscream on his legs gave way and they buckled under him in defeat. He crashed to his knees, staring across the horizon, wondering who did this and for why. He didn't know anyone else who had such forms! Things were going so well.
Blacklight calmed down and looked to his sire, who seemed so lost. As if reading his processors, he frowned. "She gonna be okay?"
"I hope so, 'Light," He knew he had to go back to base. He needed to see Barricade.
There was a small pause from the smaller mech, and he shifted in his sire's hand. "Mikaela's wrong. It wasn't Sixshot,"
Starscream looked down at Blacklight, "What do you mean?"
"I think… I think someone else is here."
"Why would you say that?"
Blacklight looked at Starscream thoughtfully. "Sixshot's optics are blue. I saw the one who attacked us. His optics were red. He wasn't the right color either. He had brown on him. I saw."
Starscream stared a moment longer at Blacklight wondering who could possibly be on the planet and how the hell they got by Soundwave. "Soundwave, someone else is here." He told the Psion. The Seeker frowned as the sound of engines caught his attention. Not even looking at who it was, he prepared to fire on them.
Poor Typhoon!