So... onto the next chapter!

Hope you enjoy!

If it wasn't Sixshot, then who was it?

Skywarp set Barricade down on the berth. He looked down at her for a long moment in thought. Thundercracker touched his wing lightly, distracting him. She could see the confusion and anger in him. "I'm gonna get the others looking for Typhoon." She said, "Stay here. 'Screamer is gonna need you."

He watched her leave and looked back at Barricade. He would kill whoever was responsible for this. It was one thing to mess with a femme, but being his friend and leader's mate made it all the worse.

In Tranquility, things were going as they should be. Two men sat near a Chevelle talking. The chirp of a cell roused Miles and he reached for his phone. He'd expected it to be from Mikaela, telling him something silly about Jazz. His heart skipped a beat when he saw whose name was there.

"Anyone but you…" he said to the phone. He knew Soundwave didn't bring good tidings. He stared a moment before checking the message.

ENCRYPTED MESSAGE: BARRICADE HAS BEEN ATTACKED. YOUR PRESENCE: REQUIRED.

Miles felt dread seeing that, "Aw, man…" he said aloud. The young man almost threw the cell phone in anger but remembered he still needed it. He hit the connect button and replied: "What happened?"

"Who is it?" Mark asked, watching the blond.

"Wait a minute," Miles replied quickly. His cell chirped again, and Soundwave's voice came through: "Breakdown has been sent to retrieve you."

"Miles?" Mark asked, watching his actions. The man watched the dread on Miles' features. The more he didn't respond, the more he worried he became, "Hey, something wrong?"

Miles motioned for Mark to hold on and went on to ask, "Are they okay?"

"No."

Miles sometimes hated how Soundwave was so short on answers. He had millions of questions going on in his head. First and foremost: Who was it?

He looked up at Mark with a frown when he didn't readily get an answer. He could see the anxiety building in him. "Listen, man, it's Soundwave. Someone attacked Barricade. 'Star needs me."

"What?" Mark paled hearing that. "Mikaela was with that creature! Is she okay?"

Miles glanced at Mark for his 'creature' comment, but let it slide. He looked around as if expecting to see the Skyline in the alley already. So far, he hadn't arrived. "Soundwave will keep me updated until Breakdown gets here."

Mark growled in worry for his daughter. "I'm going with you."

"I don't think–"

"–I'm going." Mark interrupted.

"But…"

"I need to make sure Mikaela is all right," he stated in finality.

Prowl slowed as he approached the location he'd last known Barricade to be. They saw Starscream was armed; his left hand-held missiles aimed toward them. The Seeker fired off two rounds in warning right in front of them.

Jazz swerved from one of the missiles, "Whoa, somethin's happened!"

"I know. I don't like it."

"That's 'Screamer, right? What's he shootin' at us for?"

Ratchet, who'd been forced to come to a sideways stop because of the other missile grumbled. He began transforming, his optics on the Seeker, studying him. The Autobot CMO could tell Starscream was shaking – whether it was in fear or anger, he wasn't sure. He also spied him holding Blacklight against his chest protectively. "Starscream, lower your weapons, we are not your enemy," he told him from a distance.

Starscream did not comply. Instead, he fired another shot, "Stay where you are!"

Prowl transformed and stepped closer to the Seeker, to which he got singed ground where Starscream had fired his Null ray at him, "Do not come any closer or I will shoot you. Don't fuck with me Autobots!"

Jazz transformed, an angry look to her features, "What is up wit' you? Knock it off!"

"Back off, Autobot!"

"Why you shootin' at us? We're the 'good guys', remember?"

"I trust no one!" Starscream lowered his weapon slightly, but still was ready to shoot them if they provoked him.

Prowl put up his hands in a show of being unarmed, "Where is she, Starscream? What happened to Runner?"

The Seeker was silent a moment, and then finally spoke, "Skywarp has teleported her back to base. Her damage is not life threatening but she's in a bad way." Starscream told him with a nod in said direction. He then screwed his optics shut and grimaced with a hiss, looking away. "Typhoon has been taken."

Prowl swayed at the news. "What? Who? Who took her?" He remembered his sister's turmoil after what happened to Blacklight.

Jazz felt herself sink into the ground at the news.

"We don't know." Starscream had no doubt it was Shockwave. He just didn't know how quite yet. "Supposedly, it was a mech that has a beast form,"

The mention of a beast form brought only one mech to mind. "Are you tellin' us that Sixshot did this?" Jazz asked with confusion, but then again, he couldn't be trusted and Starscream had admitted he didn't trust him.

Starscream thought about it a moment. His trust in Soundwave was all he had right now – even if doing so had gotten him into this predicament. In which case, he needed to talk to her about that, still. She had said he was out of the state. Blacklight had attested to that by telling him that the mech had red optics. "No. It wasn't Sixshot." The Seeker looked upwards, and then to them, "It was someone else. They had red optics. Blacklight saw them."

"Other 'Cons?" Jazz asked curiously. "Who?"

"We don't know yet," Starscream said. He then looked at Prowl, "I believe it had something to do with Shockwave,"

"None of the ones who came wit' him had beast forms, 'Screamer," Jazz told him.

"I know." Starscream replied. "Obviously some else is here and working with him. Actually, I'm going to kill one of them when I return to my base."

"How in the pit did Shockwave find out in the first place? I thought you took precaution against that?" Prowl asked.

"You got one at your base?"

"A traitor…" Starscream growled. "The reason this happened."

Breakdown arrived in record time for Miles. Mark headed for the passenger side and the Skyline locked the door, refusing him.

"Who do you think you are?" Breakdown asked, a bit offended.

Miles sighed in frustration. "Come on, 'Down, that's her dad, Mark, we don't have time for this,"

There was a moment of silence and then Breakdown said, "Fine, explanations later, get in,"

Miles got into the driver's side while Mark got into the passenger side. It was then that Mark felt weird. He hadn't ever ridden in one of these living machines and now one was driving down the road with him in it. He watched the car shift and the wheel started turning by itself. He watched as Miles only sat comfortably, "What happened, 'Down? Do you know?"

"Not really. Barricade is in the med bay and I have no idea where 'Screamer is. They're keeping it real hush, hush. Soundwave just told me to get you."

"Is ' Cade okay?" Miles asked, watching a nice red car pass by.

"She's sedated. That's all I know." Breakdown replied, turning down a side road to get out of town quickly.

"W-where's Mika?" Mark asked, knowing his daughter was with Barricade.

"She's at the base as far as I know." Breakdown told him.

"I want to see her."

"I don't think that's a good idea. She's pretty shaken up."

"What do you mean? She's my daughter."

"The humans…" Breakdown paused, trying to figure a way to tell the man. "They're different… around us. And they're very different when one of us are hurt."

Mark stayed silent, trying to interpret the words. He opened his mouth to speak but thought better of it. He knew he had a lot of learning to do. He stared out the windshield, wordless as the world passed them by.

"New directive: Stop Shockwave. He is presumed to be on his way to the Laurentian Fan in the Atlantic Ocean."

"What's he up to?"

"Probability is high that he will try to revive Megatron," That had to be the reason why he took Typhoon. He had to know something about how to use her Allspark energy.

"Come on, Sounders, really? Can he do that?"

"The Sparkling has a substantial amount of Allspark radiation."

"There's no way that Starscream's luck is that bad…"

"Luck is not associated with this,"

"Megatron can't stand up to Starscream's forces. Just from what I have seen, they're loyal… or most of them are."

Dread crossed Soundwave as if there was something she was missing. She would analyze the feeling later. "Go. There isn't much time,"

"You know I ain't that fast…That slagger's gonna beat me to the punch."

"Do whatever it takes."

There was a sharp blip at him, and he grumbled something to himself, taking off into the air to hunt Shockwave. He already knew he wasn't going to be able to catch him, but he could still find him, and they could possibly intercept him.

She couldn't help but feel guilty for Barricade's condition. Mikaela explained to Hook what had happened. "It's my fault…"

"Not necessarily."

"Hook, if I hadn't been there, she would have been able to transform." If she hadn't been there, Barricade would have been at least able to defend herself and her Sparklings. The femme had absolutely no defense against that attack because she couldn't transform. Mikaela watched Barricade as she lied on the berth offline. Ramjet was working on her, repairing internal injuries, and hooking up other lines such. It saddened her to see her friend harmed but what bothered her the most was the fact that Typhoon had been taken. She felt it was all her fault.

Hook leaned down and went to work on her own injuries, using what magic Cybertronians had for repairs on humans. "Listen, Mikaela…" he said gently, "Don't blame yourself." Her injuries are bad, but not life threatening.

"But Typhoon," she said softly. "They took her baby…" Her eyes never leaving the black and white hunter, she barely felt the sting of Hook's work, perhaps a needle of sorts. She moved from it and looked up at the giant, "Is she going to come out of it?"

"When I bring her out," Hook looked to where Ramjet was working on the femme. "She isn't as bad as she looks. I say her processors are shaken up pretty good and she's going to be a hurting unit because of the internal damage, but she's in decent condition for what you said happened."

"What about Blacklight? The other Sparklings?"

"The Sparklings are fine." Skywarp said, stepping closer. "The youngling's got them."

"Blacklight sustained minor injuries, but he will be alright," Ramjet looked up from Barricade to Mikaela. Moving to the femme's side and abdomen, he continued to speak, "Unfortunately, no one has found Typhoon yet,"

Mikaela's heart sank through the floor. "Is there any chance she will be found?"

"It's looking grim…" the black Seeker told her. "I'm sorry," he said, watching tears well in her eyes with renewed vigor.

Soundwave had made her way back to the brig and was now standing inside the cell with Crush. He was up against a wall, trying to back away from her. How the hell he had gotten on the way here seemed to be only the start of it. The yellow mech knew that she wasn't here to chat about Kaon. He tried once to get by her to the still open door and failed. He did not try again, for when he tried, she nearly destroyed his wing sensors.

Soundwave stared at Crush. "Tell me everything you told Shockwave."

She wondered what prompted him to do what he did and think he could get away with it. Because of him, she lost her chance to get the Matrix. The telepath frowned behind her stoic faceplate.

Crush went to move again to get further away. Before he got far, the mech let out a scream as the telepath slammed him against the wall and made a fist, as she aimed to punch, a long conical sword appeared and went through his torso.

"Don't move," she said darkly. "And don't lie."

He'd spoken quickly, getting as much information as he could out, fearing if he didn't, she would kill him. If he gave her all of the information, perhaps she would let him live.

Because of him, Shockwave had gotten away and there was no telling what would happen next. She wished she'd had a better warning. Soundwave saw the fear in Crush's features, but she did not care. His optics caught a glimpse of her other arm, which was aligning with his head. He tried to move away from them, but the way she'd pinned him made moving painfully impossible. "Struggling will only make it worse," her voice droned.

"Wh-what are you gonna do to me?" Crush asked. He wasn't sure he really wanted to know. Looking to her wrist in fear where two small cables emerged, he saw their tips glowing lightly.

"Make you wish you were never sparked." There was a tone he'd never heard from her before. It frightened him even more.

In the middle of the desert, Starscream swung around, aiming his weapons in the direction he sensed someone coming. A loud landing caught all of their attention. Starscream pushed Blacklight into his hold and his other weapons emerged and pointed at the dust billow as he tried to see who it was.

"Ooh, Decepticon leader and Autobot Second in Command meetings, some of the things I wander into…" Sixshot's voice came from the dust.

Starscream considered firing on the mech, but knew it would probably only piss him off, which was the last thing he'd want. Mikaela had said Sixshot attacked his mate, yet Blacklight had said it wasn't him. Perhaps they were mistaken. The Seeker held his weapons firm, "What are you doing here?"

"That's a secret, my friend," Sixshot told him as he stepped out of the billow he'd made. "Don't tell anyone. I'm supposed to be hidden."

"Don't 'my friend' me." Starscream hissed, "My mate was attacked, and my Sparkling was taken. They are holding you responsible."

"They can hold me as responsible as they want, but I didn't do it."

"You didn't!" Blacklight agreed quickly. "I saw them! They had red optics!"

The teal mech looked down at the Sparkling when he spoke then back to Starscream. "And judging by how it's going as of right now, I'm the only friend you got at the moment…" The mech looked at Jazz, then Ratchet who was standing beside her in an obviously protective manner. He then went on to his current complaint. "I tell you what, though… Someone is gonna die!" he balled his fists and swiped the air, making everyone but Starscream twitch. He smirked at their twitch, "that is… as soon as I find out who in the pit that someone is!" All present just stared at him while he vented. The Autobots were worried he was going to shoot them, but so far, he hadn't. His optics then stopped on Prowl, "I have another irk I must confess…" His optics flicked to the Autobots standing around, "Seems you Autobots tend to hide a lot from your comrades…"

"What are you talking about?" Prowl questioned accusingly, stiffening when Sixshot began approaching him.

"How about that idiot you call Hot Rod…" the six-changer said smugly.

Jazz growled and so did Prowl, "He disappeared a while ago and we haven't heard anything from him. What do you know?"

"More than you, obviously… See, this is why I am the best at what I do-"

"-What have you done with him?" Jazz interrupted angrily.

The teal mech's voice became suddenly very dark. "Careful Lieutenant…" He warned, "You tread a thin line… Just because I haven't attacked you, doesn't mean I won't. I have no care nor loyalty to you."

"Well then who are you loyal to?" Prowl demanded.

"That's none of your business,"

"You worked for Shockwave, how do we know you're not secretly working for him again?" Jazz pressed.

Sick of their questioning, Sixshot reached out and quickly grabbed Jazz by the neck, picking the small femme up. "Sixshot, lemme go!" Jazz wiggled in his grip, afraid. He wasn't holding tight enough to do any damage. Prowl and Ratchet both prepared to fire on him and he only looked at them.

"I'm glad I could make my point. We all know how this goes." his voice turned dark once again, "Now… drop your weapons or I'll crush her."

Starscream only stared between all of them, hoping they weren't as stupid as they were now letting on to be. "Would all of you knock it off!" He finally screeched, making everyone look at him. "Now isn't the time for this!" When he was certain he had all of the attention, he spoke calmly. "Put the fucking femme down, Sixshot."

Surprising the Autobots and even himself a little, Sixshot did as told, setting Jazz down gently. Starscream nodded after Jazz had scuttled away from the brute. Ratchet was immediately at her side, checking for damage. "I'm leaving. I have some affairs that need tended to." The first thing on his mind was continuing where he'd left off with Crush after he checked on Barricade.

Sixshot grinned behind his facemask at the tattooed Seeker's surprise, "Keep in mind that those you think may kick you when you're down just might be the ones to help you get back up." He then looked at Prowl meaningfully, "I suggest you have a little talk with Hot Rod about Shockwave. Seems he is privier than your boss to some things," he told him. He then leapt into the air and left to go find Shockwave, having wasted enough time messing with the Autobots.

Starscream watched him go, wondering what he meant by all of that.

"Hook may require my assistance," Ratchet told the Decepticon leader. "With your permission I would like to accompany you at your base,"

Starscream thought about it a moment. Being out here was dangerous for all of them. If they wanted to help at his base, he could certainly use it right about now. "Fine. But don't bother me or my affairs," He looked to the other two, "None of you," The Seeker lifted into the air and took off. He didn't care what they heard or saw, as long as they didn't interfere.

Starscream returned to the Decepticon base. Ratchet had offered a hand in assisting him with Barricade and his situation. Prowl had followed because his sister was in there and Jazz was curious. Starscream turned angrily to those surrounding the area when he landed. The first words out of his mouth were, "Where is she?"

Thundercracker bent her head down with a sorrowful frown, "I… I'm sorry, 'Screamer. We can't find her." She had expected him to lash out at them, but instead, the leader turned and with a cry of frustration, and put his fist through the wall with little effort. He was becoming more and more worried that they'd killed her. The young leader abruptly looked out across the desert. He was doing all he could to not break down because of this. What would he tell Barricade? He continued to think about it as he headed for the med bay. When he entered, he felt anguish all over again. His mate was on a berth with a few lines hooked up to her and her torn armor laid beside her. "This is unacceptable!" He said as he leaned over the femme.

Prowl walked up beside her and looked. A pang hit his Spark. He looked at Mikaela who had fresh tears in her eyes, their quaver ever staring at Barricade. Jazz also saw the girl and made her way to her. She hopped up on the berth she was sitting on, plopping right next to her. "Hey, you alright, girl?"

Mikaela was not alright as her friend lay on the berth in front of her. She shook her head as she continued to watch Barricade. Her head went down, "No," she whispered.

The saboteur frowned, "Wanna talk about it?"

She tongued her lip wondering to herself if she really wanted to talk about it. She gave a thoughtful glance at Jazz then looked back at Barricade as tears rolled down her cheeks once more.

Jazz read her look and nodded, "I'm here if ya need me, ya know." Mikaela nodded to her sadly as she made a feeble attempt to wipe the tears away. She leaned until she was resting on Jazz. Jazz was content to sit there and let her rest.

Starscream watched Hook and Ramjet, glancing at the others in contemplation. As he finally got a moment to think, and the angrier he became. He set the Sparklings down close to Barricade and then turned for the door. "Keep an eye on them," he stated as he left.

On the berth, Barricade was now lying on her back. Ramjet had hooked up a few lines to the femme and was now currently picking through what armor was on the floor to repair the more damaged parts. Beside her, three Sparklings laid in wait for her to wake.

Hook moved between the berths, waiting to bring Barricade back online. He dreaded the idea, because someone was going to have to explain where her missing Sparkling was. And no one knew. However, it was a pretty sure bet that Shockwave had her.

Starscream continued past everyone to where he found Crush in the brig. The Seeker stood on the outside of the cell doors looking the area up and down. He'd just had the stupid place finished, too. His optics then fell on the yellow Seeker who was sitting with his head down. He was twitching strangely as well. He had to admit that Crush looked pretty banged up. The Decepticon leader spied Energon leaking from the side of his head, meaning Soundwave had come by – and it was probably why he was twitching.

"Before I even get started… I want to understand something…" the yellow Seeker looked up at him, an unlit optic showed itself as he did. "Now, I have tried to be a good leader. I tried to be fair; I even tried to trust you jerks… Tried to give every Decepticon the benefit of the doubt… obviously, that was a very big mistake. I want to know what it was Shockwave offered you for you to turn your back on me." Crush didn't answer. The leader wasn't stupid. He knew what he had. "Was it the Matrix of Leadership he had on him?" At that, he got a surprised glance, "Oh, didn't know I knew about it, huh? Surprise. He took it didn't he?"

Crush nodded meekly.

"Idiot. I'll kill you."

Skywarp stood on the other side of Motormaster. He was watching what was going on, but wanted to be nowhere near Barricade. He knew she was going to be furious when she woke.

Hook stood beside the femme as he began the protocols to bring her out of stasis. Barricade's optics onlined slowly and she stared up at what appeared to be a ceiling. For a long moment, she remained silent in disorientation, trying to remember what had happened and where she was. She looked around slowly, spotting Hook first, "Slag… What happened?"

"There's been an accident," Hook replied, not looking the femme in the optic. He nodded near the door where Skywarp was standing, "Skywarp teleported you here."

Barricade continued to look around. And that was when she saw it.

Blacklight looked up at her. Sonar and Radar also looked up. Barricade noticed immediately that Typhoon wasn't there. The femme's head whipped about as she searched for her Sparkling, wondering if she had been injured and was being treated. Her optics furrowed in anger and worry, and she went to stand, wondering where else Typhoon could have been, "Where is she?"

"She's gone," Blacklight answered, getting Barricade's glare in his direction.

Hook continued to act as if he never heard her. The Sparklings were beeping and buzzing at her, telling her the same thing they'd told Starscream, but she was too angry to listen. Her anger continued on the medic. "Where is my Sparkling?" the femme asked more harshly.

"Barricade, you need to relax. Your body is not-"

"-Where is she?" Barricade picked up something and threw it at him bellowing, "Where's my fucking Sparkling, medic?"

"They took her…"

"Who?!" Barricade demanded.

"I… I don't know." Blacklight responded quietly, sad he couldn't help more.

Hook, dodging the item thrown, began approaching Barricade and she brought out her flail. With an extremity much like Bonecrusher's, Hook used it to deflect the swing.

Jazz moved in front of Mikaela when Barricade went off the wall. Prowl didn't even try to calm Barricade, especially when he got the flail in his direction. Ratchet stood back, letting Hook deal with that. Mikaela watched from behind the silver femme, somehow, she felt it wasn't her place to calm the irate femme – plus, it didn't look like Barricade wanted to hear it.

Skywarp stood back then went for the door when Barricade swung her flail again. This time, however, Hook had had enough of her outburst. The femme was going to destroy his bay if someone didn't stop her. He caught the chain with that extra 'arm' and yanked her forward and off her feet, pulled her to him and stepped on her to hold her down while he administered a sedative, "Get Starscream," he told the black Seeker.

Barricade hissed and snarled at the Constructicon, digging her claws into his leg. Hook dealt with it, watching her get weaker and weaker until she finally passed out.

"Where is he?"

"The brig, I bet,"

Miles opened the door and headed in that direction, looking for his friend. "Hey," Breakdown's voice stopped him and he turned to him. The Skyline transformed as soon as Mark was out of his seat. "I wouldn't go in there if I were you,"

Miles gave a thoughtful look at the blue mech and gritted his teeth. He knew the chance he was taking. He'd just make sure he was out of squashing distance, "I gotta see him 'Down."

"Can't say you weren't warned if you wind up dead," Breakdown shrugged. He then looked down at Mark who was apparently struck stupid by all of the mechs that surrounded him. Breakdown leaned down and smirked at him, "Don't worry, they tend to watch where they're walking,"

"Where's Mika?"

"Med bay," A random voice answered. Mark looked toward the voice seeing a mech with NASA written on it, only broken apart. He hiked a brow at him but didn't say anything to him. He then looked around, wondering where this 'med bay' was.

In the brig, Starscream grabbed the yellow mech and furiously threw him into a wall. The distress his mate was under only added to his rage. The leader picked him up and held him against the wall by his chest, where he had dug his claws for grip in the hole Soundwave must have made earlier. "Not only did he attack my mate because of you… He took my fucking Sparkling!"

He could see the shamed gaze on the Seeker, and the pain he was going through but he did not care. Starscream slammed the mech against this wall hard enough to make him squeal as his thrusters were smashed beyond recognition. "Did you think about what they're going to do with her if he hasn't killed her already? Did you?"

The mech stepped closer to the brig area where he heard Starscream yelling. "-And not only that… You've endangered my Trine! Do you know what happens when a femme is carrying and there's too much stress?" He looked down at Miles, who was peering around a corner. There was another crash and a cry in pain. "If it's too early to expel… Their sparks will kill the undeveloped Sparkling! How dare you even take that chance!"

Prowl, Ratchet and Jazz all heard Starscream and the other mech. Jazz was concerned for what was going on. By the sounds of it, Starscream was beating the slag out of whomever it was that had caused all of this.

"Think we should go check it out?" Jazz asked.

"I wouldn't if I were you. He'll kill you." Hook told the silver femme.

"He wouldn't… Would he?"

Prowl looked down at Barricade then to Jazz, "Judging by how he acted when we first saw him in the desert, I don't suggest taking the chance. He's angry. Let him be."

Crush already knew he was dead. He gave a dark grin and got right into Starscream's face. "They're gonna die, Starscream!" A punch to the side of his head answered that, yet he continued goading him, "I hope they catch her and Barricade and torture them until their Sparks explode…" His voice was gargling and raspy, but he still managed to say it, if for no other reason than to hurt the already hurting Seeker more. Starscream gave a very stunned look at the audacity of his comment.

Skywarp's Spark hit a new low at hearing that. He stepped into the area and saw Starscream holding a ripped-up Crush by his neck. "You…!" he heard his leader hiss. Another crash followed soon after and then a sick scream was also heard.

The yellow Seeker was bleeding Energon and other fluids severely and there were also fluids all over the ground. By the looks of the Tardacain and Energon, the black mech knew he didn't have long to live, even if he was really considered alive anymore. He wasn't even sure he wanted to interrupt Starscream. "You're… ah, needed in the med bay,"

Starscream spied Skywarp from the corner of his vision; he also saw Miles in his hand. He looked back at Crush with a glare of hatred. "Whatever it is, it can wait,"

Miles had never seen Starscream so irate. He'd never seen him wearing someone else's energon like he was wearing now. His eyes moved to the other one he was tearing apart. He'd never seen him tear someone apart piece by piece. It was almost revolting how he clutched the internals of this other mech in his hand. He chose not to say a word as he looked at the young leader.

Skywarp darkly eyed the mech at Starscream's mercy. He deserved whatever Starscream was doing to him, but… "'Screamer, It's Barricade… She's out of control. Hook had to pin her down and sedate her."

Starscream stopped and put his head down a moment and then looked up at Crush. "I've had it!" With an angry yell, he retracted his arm and put his fist through Crush's Spark chamber. The body dropped to the floor, twitching as it died. He turned for the door and stepped near Skywarp, his optics falling on Miles for a moment before going back to Skywarp's, "Keep a close optic on Thundercracker. I don't doubt Shockwave will go after her. She doesn't need the stress."

In the med bay, Hook picked the femme up off the floor and set her down on the berth she had gotten off of. Jazz watched, wondering if there was some way to help. If Barricade woke swinging, she would most likely be caught in the crossfire. She remained where she was with Mikaela behind her.

Starscream was quick to come. Skywarp remained behind him, following cautiously. He could still feel Starscream was highly agitated and ready to snap. He entered and he stopped, looking down at the sedated femme. He felt a little better after beating the life out of Crush, but he still knew there was one more hump to get over. His mate. The leader shut his optics and let out a gust of air in a sigh, "Bring her out of it,"

Hook nodded, administering what was needed to negate the effects. It took the femme a second or two, but she woke, just as pissed as she had been when Hook had grabbed her. She immediately went to stand and Starscream pushed her back, "Stop," he told her, "You need to listen to me very carefully." There was a look to him.

If Barricade could have paled, she would have. "Where is she, 'Screamer?"

Starscream gave her a pained expression at the tone of her question. "Everyone's looking for her. They can't find her," It wasn't often that sorrow could be heard in him, but now, it was.

"No…! Sixshot! He took her!" Barricade growled.

"It wasn't Sixshot!" Starscream reached for her, and she pulled away. She had already suffered from nearly losing Blacklight and now she was faced with this. She pushed the Seeker away roughly, making him stumble back in surprise. He approached her again and she put her hand out.

"Don't, 'Screamer," she went to stand, "I know what I saw. I'll tear him apart!"

"No, you don't! It wasn't him!" Starscream tried to reason, "He'll kill you!"

Keeping her optics off of him, she then glanced at her Sparklings who were depressed and made up her mind. If there were any chance… she would try.

Starscream watched her head for the door, "Where do you think you're going?"

"To find my Sparkling," Barricade rumbled. Trying to remember from the accident, she did see that the optics of her attacker were red. Maybe it wasn't Sixshot, afterall.

"You can't! It's not safe out there! Shockwave is Primus knows where!"

Barricade flipped him the bird and continued on.

Grasping straws, Starscream thought of the only thing that could make her stay, "Soldier, I order you to stay!" He began to calm when Barricade paused as if she were going to listen. The femme glanced back at him, and he saw the look, making him growl. "Don't you do it…"

She looked down at the floor and back to the door, and then she walked out.

Starscream stomped in frustration. His voice was heard throughout the base as he screamed as loud as he could, "Barricade! You disobedient femme! Get back here!"

Thundercracker caught Barricade by the arm before she had the chance to transform and stopped her, "You're in no condition to do anything. I don't think you should leave. 'Screamer needs you right now."

Barricade gave Thundercracker a good, hard look. "You have a life growing in your Spark… You know the feeling… So, what if someone took it away?" Barricade hadn't realized what she said. Thundercracker grew angry at Barricade; being reminded of what Soundwave had done so long ago. Thundercracker thought about it and then her look turned into anger. She pushed the femme away so hard she nearly stumbled and walked off. Barricade watched her go and then looked out across the open desert. She considered going and then realized that Starscream had told her that no one found Typhoon. For a moment, she wondered how many had actually looked.

"Runner,"

"Leave me alone, Prowl," the femme demanded harshly.

"You can't go out there. It's dangerous."

"I don't care anymore,"

"Well, you should. You have a mate and Sparklings to care for, now. You can't go out and risk it all like you used to,"

"It wasn't Sixshot…"

"He took my Sparkling…"

"It was confirmed. It was someone else. Until they find out who, its best you stick around where you can be watched."

She continued to stare at the horizon, refusing to look at her brother. "I want her back, Prowl…"

"I know you do,"

Barricade was at a loss. She continued to stare across the horizon. Barely hearing Starscream walk up behind her, she felt Blacklight start climbing up her leg. Following him was Sonar and Radar. The femme took them all close to her and turned, looking up at Starscream. He only frowned, unsure of what to say to her. She hook her head and walked back into the base to her quarters and locked the door.

About an hour later, Starscream was glaring at Soundwave. He'd barged right into her quarters and stood there until he was sure he had her attention. He didn't care if he'd pissed her off right now; he wasn't done bitching and he hadn't gotten to her yet. "I trusted you bringing Shockwave here…" He furrowed his optics. "Look what it got me…"

"You were wise in sending them away," the femme replied calmly.

"You think so?" he asked harshly, "You think they wouldn't have been better protected here, surrounded by my 'Cons, Soundwave?"

"Yes. Chances would have been higher than Typhoon would have gone missing."

"You're proficient in what you do, that's why you are my Second in Command. How could you have let this happen?"

"The situation has taken an unexpected turn,"

"Unexpected turn?" Starscream echoed disbelievingly, "Don't give me that nonchalant answer, Soundwave!"

"It is not nonchalant." Soundwave replied.

"You wanted to Matrix of Leadership, fine, but why?"

Soundwave stared at the young leader for a moment. She had wanted to stop all of this, actually. She was a hair's breadth from getting the Matrix to stop the very thing that was happening, but Crush had ruined it all. "There is enough energy to successfully ignite a mature Spark, much like Jazz' resurrection," she told him.

"What? Why didn't you warn me, Soundwave? I could have protected them!"

Her hand flew over her arm as she typed, several beeps came from her, and she turned to her computer. "At the time, Typhoon was secure in Tranquility. The threat was minimal."

"It's past that time and Shockwave obviously is thinking what you're thinking and is probably well on his way to Megatron as we speak – with Typhoon! What if he's killed her already?"

Soundwave stared at the Seeker. He would know if his Sparkling had been killed. He was close enough still, "Shockwave will need Typhoon alive,"

Starscream's features softened with slight hope, "So he won't kill her…?"

"Negative. Her live Spark is required."

"Live Spark?" Starscream gave her a thoughtful look, "Soundwave, you understand what you're telling me?"

"Affirmative."

The Young Seeker thought about it for a moment. "Will she live through that?"

Soundwave silenced at his question. It was hard to answer, either way. She tried to imagine someone using one of her own Sparklings like this, and it made her Spark twinge with anger and pain.

Starscream could almost feel her answer. He knew he wouldn't like it either way, but his mind demanded to know. "Answer me, Soundwave. Can her Spark live through that?"

"The outcome is unknown," the femme replied evenly.

He imagined Shockwave would resurrect his old pal Megatron. He wondered briefly if Megatron would be turned into a femme as well. It happened once… "If that's his plan, then how late is it to stop him? Tell me you have come up with something for when that happens,"

The femme gave him a good hard look. Sixshot was already on it and hopefully he could at least deter Shockwave. "Shockwave may be close to his destination. They will likely return here."

Starscream stiffened, "I guess I'll be getting everyone prepared to take those two on, then. There's no way they could stand up to the Decepticons, and I am sure the Autobots will gladly lend a hand…"

Shockwave is a jerk!