War Paint

by Zsocca

Three Neutral femmes run into Team Prime on Earth. Getting friendly with the Autobots turns out to be a bad idea because they get stuck on the Nemesis by accident. Now they are forced to pick a side. They think they can survive among their manipulative Decepticon hosts, but will they? - TFP canon-divergence (SWxOC, SSxOC, KOxOC)

7. Choose wisely

Now let's see how our trio decides: which faction is more appealing?

Most events happen before and during the 17th episode.

Warnings: The text may contain wrong grammar and misspellings. Oh, and I only own my OCs. The other characters and TFP belong to their rightful owners!

---

Chapter 7: Choose wisely

...

Crossflare POV

"Did I make a mistake?" I wondered mentally. I've regretted my decision a thousand times during the last ten minutes and it felt like I just walked voluntarily into a trap. I had every right to be anxious.

Knock Out was driving in front of me, faster than the pace I'm used to, but slow enough for me to keep up with him. We were heading east and the setting sun cast long shadows ahead of us on the dusty road. The terrain was tinted with orange and amber and it made me wonder how much our flashy paintjobs stood out from the distance.

I turned my rearview-mirror to see behind my back, for the fifth time so far, and while I was aware that I can't see my home from here, I still kept looking. Leaving the house behind like that was so unlike me. I can only hope everything will be fine when I return.

Taking the next turn, we headed towards the hills and mountains where a town appeared in the distance. I knew this place but I rarely paid a visit.

Thinking back to the recent topic that has been clouding my processor, I mused over the implications of this 'hang-out'. What would Team Prime say seeing this?

"Don't you worry that your location would be detected by the Autobots?" I asked suddenly, breaking the silence that has settled on us for a while.

"Not really. I've raced all around the continent before and they've never come to stop me."

"What if they did now...?" I thought, but kept such musings to myself and asked something else:

"Wouldn't your friend come along to race with you?"

"Breakdown? Nah. He's not fond of it. Never been. Besides, he is the one who covers for me while I'm out, I need his help aboard the ship," Knock Out replied.

"Covers for you? Are you sneaking out without permission?" that one caught me off-guard.

"Well, racing isn't exactly on my official schedule, as you can guess. So I sneak out whenever I find a quiet moment and nobody would notice."

"And you leave poor Breakdown behind to cover for you," I chided him with a sigh. If I were in bi-pedal mode, I would shake my head.

"What are friends for, if not to have your back, my dear?" he laughed light-heartedly, but as always, I didn't find his train of thought funny. He had a very questionable morality based on his remarks. The way he spoke of other people made me slightly troubled. So I kept my mouth shut, dismissing it as a rhetorical question.

As we approached our destination, I got a glimpse of many cars parking under a bridge over a 'U' shaped tunnel. Some of them had uniquely designed sports-cars with colorful paintjobs. Humans chatted in groups around the vehicles and their carefree laughter somehow made me feel like I'm already an outsider.

"Knock Out...Knock Out!" I hissed as quietly as possible and slowed down behind his back before we rolled too close.

"Hm? Is something wrong?" he asked, moderating his speed as well.

"Do you have a hologram? We can't just show up without a driver!" I was sure a Decepticon would never bother to think of that but I couldn't be careless like them.

"I don't need one, my windows are dark enough not to see inside," the mech chuckled, clearly amused by my worries.

"Good for you, but I need it," I activated mine and it flickered to life. It was a young woman with shoulder long chocolate brown hair and green eyes. The most average appearance you could find around here. Maybe she was a bit stiff so I added a little bit more life into her by moving her eyes and head like she was looking around. It's pretty hard to use such holograms and pay attention to your environment at the same time so I almost bumped into Knock Out's rear when he came to a halt.

An incoming message popped up in my processor then, and asked for permission on a short frequency channel. I hesitantly accepted it, transmitting my comm-number. A new contact number appeared on my list in response with Knock Out's smug face as a small icon paired with it. Great, now we have access to each other's comm-links. I don't know if it's for the better or the worse.

"Don't you want to scan a better running alt-mode?" he asked through the comm and the question surprised me more than it should have.

"What do you mean?"

"A car with better aerodynamics goes faster."

"That might be true, but I'm fine with what I have. Anyway, can't I just sit here and watch you win? Seriously, I'm not sure this is going to work for me."

"Hey, no venture no gain!" he rolled up behind the other vehicles already in line and I followed reluctantly. I wasn't familiar with these circumstances. Back in the day, I rarely took part in competitions of any kind, and even if I did, I wasn't among the talented ones who had a chance of winning. Games, races, fun...these were alien concepts to me. Participating in them made me nervous and agitated. I wanted it to be over as quickly as possible.

The noise, including excited human chatter and car engines, got louder by the second as I wondered how I could possibly make an escape from a situation like this. Knock Out revved his engine loudly, as if he was ready to surge forward in any second. Of course he wanted to be the loudest. Typical domineering mech attitude. And I wasn't going to admit that the sound automatically powered up my own engine's sound as well. Stupid instincts.

My spark began to race like crazy. Oh Solus, I shouldn't have agreed to this. If I get to live this through, I swear...

A young woman standing on the front abruptly dropped the sign and the cars broke out of their places. The impulse itself was enough to thrust me forward and force me on the track to follow the others.

How did Knock Out enjoy this? Surely he has self-preservation instincts too? Or am I the one with too many fears coded in my processor?

My companion overtook the cars in front of him from right and left and gradually increased his speed, slowly getting out of my sight in the next turn.

"Where are you?" he suddenly asked through the comm and I growled in discomfort. I was trying to concentrate here.

"I'm at the rear...trying not to get myself killed."

"Oh come on! Speed up, you know our engines are a lot more powerful than theirs!"

"I know but I can't risk..."

"Are we racing or not, femme? Just chill and catch up to me. I'm showing you how it's done," he was getting impatient and I reluctantly increased my speed, overtaking one car in front of me from the right. Oh, I'm going to regret this so much...

The road stretched into a conveniently straight line and I took my chances. I sped up and tried to get behind Knock Out. It took me a few seconds but I was there, much to the surprise of many humans. They had no idea I was no average car and my driver was no human at all.

"Took a while," he mocked.

"I told you I'm not an experienced racer. I never drive at a speed like this! It's dangerous!" I defended myself with a huff and he laughed out loud, much to my embarrassment.

"Seriously, you need to let go, dear. Try to catch up!" Knock Out unexpectedly accelerated, creating a great distance between us once again. I struggled to do the same and show him I wasn't a helpless mess on the road. Our surroundings and the landscape outside my windows lost its shape, the lights stretched into long strikes as if I was in another universe without a solid environment. The sound of his roaring engine was all that filled the air as he tried to dominate the track, keeping me strictly behind himself.

There was a turn ahead and I slowed down, ignoring his complaints. Race or not, I'm doing it carefully. We were closing in on the finish line where the humans were shouting loudly while waving their arms in excitement, waiting for the winner to cross the line. There was no doubt that Knock Out would be the winning one.

I moderated my speed but Knock Out still drove ahead as if the finish line wouldn't stop him.

"Knock Out, it's time you slow down, there are humans over there..." I warned him in concern.

"They have legs, they can run away," he responded and I could've sworn he was grinning.

"Wait! Don't hurt them!" I pressed on my breaks and I watched in horror as he zoomed past the finish line. The humans jumped aside barely in time. He spun around before he came to a halt way behind the human crowd, leaving black tracks in his wake.

"Did you see that?!" he exclaimed loudly and I needed a moment to find my voice.

"Yes...you almost hit them!" I roared angrily, feeling the urge to transform to bi-pedal mode and slap him in the face.

"I told you they have legs. And see, they moved away," he chuckled, absolutely ignoring my fury. Before I could have responded with something rude, humans gathered around him and cheered, celebrating the winner.

"Thank you, thank you, autographs next time," Knock Out started his engine and carefully rolled forward, driving up beside me. I think he sensed my shock because he started explaining as we drove away from the scene:

"I usually don't hurt these fleshies, save for those who hurt me first. They keep me entertained. If they give no reason, I don't do anything to them."

"That sounds...surprisingly decent compared to your display from before," I mumbled, unsure whether to mark this experience positive or negative.

"Your human called me an 'it' while knowing I was a sentient being. It was rude. Of course I got angry."

"Then practice some patience with her as well from now on."

Suddenly our link was cut when Knock Out got another incoming call. I questioningly tilted my rearview-mirrors in his direction.

"Well, I hope you enjoyed this trip, but I must return to the ship now or I'll be busted," Knock Out excused himself curtly and drove away, disappearing from my sight in a ground-bridge portal ahead on the road.

Taking it as my cue to return home, I mused over what to think of this experience. It wasn't particularly bad, especially when compared to what I expected, but it wasn't the best outside trip I've ever did in my

life.

Somewhere between the two. To be honest, I expected something worse, like an accident, a collision, humans revealing our secret and such things. But none of that happened and I was quite impressed with how Knock Out behaved in a human filled environment, contrary to how he behaved with Amy just before.

He was full of contradictions….

Then I looked up at the horizon and realized that night has fallen and I have been away from home for longer than intended.

---

Halo POV

James was pacing nervously outside and I checked my inner chronometer for the twentieth time now. It was unusual for Crossflare to disappear without contacting us and she always makes sure she comes home before night falls.

The whole story Amy just told us sounded alarming, so I wasn't sure what to do. When her fiancé arrived home, she tackled him with the news and James immediately called CF to make sure she was okay. But she wasn't picking up, her comm was busy with another call from someone else.

Mercy and I exchanged helpless glances and eventually settled down for the time being and had a glass of energon for dinner. We were too exhausted to deal with anything else at the moment.

However, the moment CF's engine sounded from the distance all of us jumped at the ready and ran outside to the main road, watching Crossflare's arrival with mixed feelings. She transformed when she reached the yard and raised both servos in a defensive manner.

"I know, I know. You all have questions."

"Yeah, like where have you been and why did you go with KO and such things," I pointed out with a curious raise of my eyebrow. Mercy nodded along on my side.

"And who is this Decepticon and what did he want and where did he take you?" James continued with his own list of questions.

"Well...Knock Out hadn't got better things to do and he wouldn't go away until someone races with him so I went along and here I am now. I'll tell the details later, now I'm too tired for this," she lowered her servos and sighed. She clearly wasn't in the mood to tell more and that frustrated me. She is keeping so many things to herself nowadays!

"CF, why was he here? For real. I want to know," James stood in her way, stopping her attempt to leave towards the hangar.

Crossflare looked down at him in silence. Her expression unfathomable.

"I don't know. Truly," she answered quietly, then stepped over his tiny form and left us all behind for good.

I put my servos on my hips and shot a very suspicious frown in Mercy's way. She stared back in concern.

"Shouldn't we leave her alone?"

"No! I don't like it when she shuts us out! Here we are with a huge decision ahead of us and she won't talk to us? Unacceptable!" I clenched my fists and stomped after my plum colored friend with a determined expression, ready for a conflict. I heard Mercy hurrying after me.

"Halo, let's think about this first…" she tried but failed to get my attention.

"CF, you can't do this now! What was this all about? Are we making friends with the Decepticons?" I inquired forcefully as I caught up with her behind the hangar and I heard her sigh and mumble something to herself.

Crossflare sat down on the small hill and pulled her knees up to her chest. I dropped down beside her and Mercy did the same on our friend's other side. We sat together in silence, undisturbed, joined by our human companies at our pedes. Crossflare turned her gaze up towards the sky which was decorated with millions of stars and constellations as the night settled in darker.

"Girls...we shouldn't let anyone manipulate us," she whispered and we stared at her questioningly, waiting for some kind of explanation but she stayed silent.

"What are you talking about?" Mercy asked quietly.

"Both sides would win something with us. But I don't want any of you to suffer because of a bad choice. We can't be choosing naively. You saw the lists we made. All rationality says the Decepticons would be the winning faction but my spark tells me to choose the Autobots because that's the right thing to do."

Silence followed her statements and I nodded slowly because I couldn't agree more. Yes, I've also thought about this: Decepticons had all the tools, the numbers, everything to win. Yet, for some reason they couldn't take a small team of Autobots down and that must be due to the cohesion between the team members. Optimus and the others were not an army, they were a family. They cared for each other, they protected each other. It was something important and powerful which was absent from the Decepticons.

"Then let's do what's right to do," Mercy spoke up and we both looked at her in surprise. She wasn't the one usually making the first vote. Her confident smile spoke of another thing though, like she had just made up her mind, "Power is not in the numbers of our enemies but in the trust of our comrades. If I want to be honest, I felt more welcomed and appreciated at the Autobot base, unlike at the Decepticon ship."

Crossflare seemed to be doubtful and concerned so I straightened myself, put on a brave face and hit a fist against my chestplate:

"She is right! We follow the right path! Numbers mean nothing as long as we are together!"

Crossflare couldn't hold back a soft smile and she shook her head and huffed in resignation.

"Autobots then?" James asked, seemingly satisfied with where the conversation was going and Amy hugged him from the side with a big smile.

"Autobots then," we nodded in unison, determined and confident, as the weight of our choice settled in our sparks.

Neither of us noticed a small bird-like drone soaring over the sky above us.

---

Mercy POV

I've never been so excited in all my life before. After we chose a quiet and safe enough place in a relatively close forest, we called Miko to give a message to Optimus. We wanted to have an audience with him and I think Miko knew well what the whole privacy and secrecy was all about because she sounded cheerful and happy when she ran up to the Prime with her phone.

While waiting for them to open a ground bridge I bounced from one leg to the other, giggling light-heartedly. The thought of belonging to people soon caused this joyful feeling in my spark. New friends, new chances, and many new memories ahead! And finally it will be allowed to hang out, to share old secrets and make new ones. I didn't even think about the negative side of our decision, like the consequences and struggles of war - that part I still haven't comprehended fully yet. I refused to believe anything bad could come out of this.

Halo was grinning at me from her spot beside a tree as she leaned against it in a casual manner. She shared my enthusiasm but in a calmer way. Crossflare stood between us with her arms folded and her expression firm yet calm in spite of the seriousness of the situation.

The portal appeared suddenly out of nowhere, making my spark jump in excitement. This is it! We are finally meeting them to tell them our decision!

A moment later the familiar, well-known figure of the Prime stepped through and greeted us with a smile of his own, seemingly hopeful at our sight. He was flanked by Ratchet on his right and Arcee on his left.

Halo pushed herself away from the tree and stood tall beside us, straightening her back and looking confident with that satisfied smirk of hers.

"Welcome, Optimus. The reason I called you here is the fact that we have finally made our choice," Crossflare started, her expression neutral.

I could see Arcee's brows arch higher and a smile curling at the corner of her lips. Ratchet on the other hand frowned in concentration, snapping his gaze from one of us to the other with a judgmental stare.

"After taking everything into consideration, we decided to..." Crossflare continued on, but she couldn't end her sentence because she was taken down by a shot.

It happened in a second.

I remember watching her figure fall with my optics wide and a cycle of air caught in my throat. My spark missed a pulse and time seemed to stand by for the moment she crashed against the ground and we cried out her name at once. Halo clenched her fists and her shocked expression transformed into betrayal and rage as she turned in the direction of where the shot came from.

The last thing I saw were the Autobots standing with their blasters and blades ready before an explosion between our groups blinded everybody and I hit the ground as well with a painful cry. Flames reached up high and smoke filled the air. I clawed into Crossflare's arm who was trying to get up, coughing rapidly and holding her other servo on the left side of her chest. There was a burn mark under her servo and I choked on my breath at the sight.

"Don't let them….!" the Prime's commanding voice came from somewhere farther behind us. It made a terrible shiver run down my spine.

"...cy! Mercy!" I was shaken back to my senses by Crossflare who was back on her pedes, struggling and staggering, but still had the strength to pull me away from the burning trees.

I nodded shakily, signing that I heard her and she grabbed my wrist and pushed Halo forward, breaking into a run away from the scene. Blasts hit the trees and the ground beside us as we made an escape and we soon reached out of the shooting range.

"CF what happened?!" Halo transformed into her alt-mode and drove forward at higher speed, making zig-zags around the trees and bushes with a precision I've never seen her accomplish before.

"A...a trap...kh...akhh..." she coughed, her steps getting unstable and wobbly as she eventually stumbled forward. I caught her just in time and let her weigh on my shoulder. Her frame was tense, stiff and trembling. The burning hole on her upper armor looked terrible and felt hot to the touch. She was probably in a lot of pain.

"T-they...deceived us...khh, khg..." her words stung my spark and I stared at her in disbelief, then at Halo who came to a halt beside us, kicking up the dust.

I didn't want to believe what they were implying.

"No! Why would they! This must be a misunderstanding!" I cried out in despair and denial.

"The shot came from their direction!" Halo snapped as she transformed back to bi-pedal mode and my grip tightened around Crossflare when my optics fell on the small tears at the corner of Halo's optics. No, that can't be. The Autobots would never...

"I don't get it either..." Halo's voice trailed off, trying to find the good words and stop her tears, "I thought they liked us. I thought we were friends."

"It doesn't matter what we think anymore," Crossflare wiped her mouth where she leaked energon and straightened herself as much as she could, "We have to get out of here before they follow us."

"But..." I was still unable to believe them. This was absurd. Impossible. Optimus would never hurt us, nor the others from his team. What would change their minds so suddenly? Why would they want to offline us now? Now, when we were about to join them?

"No time for arguments, Mercy!" Crossflare started ahead and I followed after her and Halo. We skidded down a sharp angled hill and hid under a large cliff. We cuddled close to each other and Crossflare pressed a servo to her burning wound with a hiss.

Another explosion shook the ground and I hugged myself tighter while my spark picked up a quicker pace. Why was this happening to us?

"What now?" Halo mumbled quietly and we both stared at our older friend helplessly, unsure.

She closed her optics in remorse and reached to her comm-link with her other servo. We watched her in tense silence. She was hesitating. Then she hardened her expression and made the call.

"Hello? Missed me already?" an exceptionally smug voice responded.

"Knock Out...I need your help..."

---

Halo POV

"How unfortunate. Prime is not exactly the aggressive type," Megatron commented with an amused chuckle and I grimaced behind his back. I didn't like that tone in his voice. It sounded like he knew something.

The three of us plus Knock Out and Megatron were present in the med-bay. The medic immediately sent a ground-bridge for us when we called for help. The warlord of course wished to see and know what exactly happened and also demanded an explanation. So we told him what happened, leaving out the main reason for the meeting itself. We didn't want him treating us as enemies.

Crossflare winced once in a while but didn't make any sound while Knock Out was busy trying to fix her wound. Her burned upper armor was taken off and she sat strictly in a position no one could take a glimpse at her uncovered front except the medic himself.

Knock Out mumbled something like his hard work on her had already been destroyed but CF said nothing to him. Her optics were focused on something else in the distance, her thoughts completely elsewhere.

Mercy hiccuped again and I looked down at her. She was sitting on the floor beside me, slightly calmer than before but still wiping the rest of her tears. She wasn't taking the whole situation very well.

"It might be a misunderstanding," I spoke up, earning attention from everyone, "I mean, we can't be sure they were trying to hurt us."

"So shooting your friend is not considered hurting someone?" Knock Out pointed at Crossflare while sending an 'are you really that dumb?' look in my way.

"I-I don't know! They have never acted like this before! Why would they?" I snapped back, throwing my servos up in the air.

"Make no mistake femme, the Autobots, as friendly as they try to appear, also have energon stained servos. They can be just as ruthless as we are, for their own cause," Megatron put a servo on his hip as he turned in my way and I frowned at him with displeased optics.

"That doesn't exclude you, does it?" I bit back bitterly.

"No, it doesn't," he admitted, actually surprising me with such a calm answer, "But we Decepticons don't tend to act like we have committed nothing wrong."

I fell into silence and glanced in Crossflare's direction, seeking for help, but she only cast her optics down and shook her helm.

Maybe it would be better if I just shut my big mouth now before I escalated things.

"My apologies," I hissed quietly and clasped my servos behind my back in a guilty manner.

Megatron simply nodded, his heavy gaze not leaving me until he turned to leave. His mighty steps echoed back from the walls as he went for the door. He casually called back over his shoulder before he disappeared from our sight:

"You three may stay for the time being, but you are not allowed to go anywhere without supervision anymore."

Almost as if on cue, Soundwave stepped in and replaced his Lord without a word. The door shut behind him and the silent mech swept his invisible gaze over us. He didn't make a move in any direction. I guess we just got someone to guard us. A creepy guard. Great…

I glanced down at Mercy and noticed that she wasn't sobbing anymore but listening and looking intently, more or less in Soundwave's direction. I had no idea what she saw in him, but now it started to bug me. Mercy was known to be too eager to offer her naive trust to anyone who has ever shown any form of kindness to her so I can only assume what this mech did to earn her dedicated attention.

Creepy.

"Thank you, but that's enough," Crossflare's voice shook me out of my musings and I saw her hop off the table she has been sitting on, pushing Knock Out out of the way.

"Hey, I'm not done yet! Don't put that back, it's of no use anymore!" the medic was of course angry to be shoved away like that but he couldn't stop my friend from placing her upper armor back, the clicking sound signaling that it fit back to place just right. She seemed to ignore the black edged hole in it, like it wasn't even there.

Crossflare turned in our way without minding Knock Out's complaints. Mercy stood up and dusted herself, her hopeful gaze clinging to our friend with desperation. Maybe CF knows what to do, what's the next step. She always did.

"We must return home," she stated firmly, surprising me and Mercy as well, "I can only hope James and Amy are alright."

Oh. The thought hit me in the chest like a punch. Who knows what happened after we lost sight of the Autobots? What if their next destination was our home right after they realized they can't find us? What if...? No! How can I even think of such things? This is not right! The Autobots wouldn't hurt humans! Miko and the others wouldn't let them do anything bad, would they?

I wasn't so sure anymore.

"We need a bridge Soundwave," Crossflare walked up to the mech without fear and the silent con nodded without much resistance.

"Are you sure you are..." Knock Out started but my friend's cold glare silenced him mid-sentence.

"Enough. Mind your own business," she hissed, before turning back to us and the portal opened in the middle of the room.

Okay, even I admit that was really rude. The face Knock Out made told it all and I would have laughed at his expression if I wasn't concentrating on following my friend quickly through the ground-bridge. Crossflare was in no good mood, I could see and understand that, but she was the one calling the medic for help - and he helped without a single complaint - so her current behavior was making me confused. Shouldn't we be grateful?

Warm sunlight greeted us on the other side and I sighed in relief at the peaceful sight of our home. Nothing seemed amiss, damaged or messed up, so a big smile immediately crept to my face.

"Never in better shape!"

"It seems they didn't pay a visit," Crossflare also let out a relieved sigh, running a hand over the roof of the wooden house and she stopped for a moment, "Maybe I thought too much into the whole incident..."

"I don't see why you would even think about such things," Mercy spoke up from behind me, "Optimus and the others always respected our choices, decisions and the discretion of our home too."

"Right, but how do you explain..." I turned towards her, only to stop and gasp when I realized she was standing beside Soundwave. How did he get here?!

"Soundwave?" Crossflare wasn't exactly happy to see him here either and she frowned in suspicion, "Why did you follow us?"

"Not allowed to go anywhere without supervision," he replayed Megatron's words and we all stared at him in shock and disbelief.

"I'm pretty sure he didn't mean it this way!" I snapped and folded my arms, "On the ship I can see why but we don't need monitoring here! Go home!"

"Maybe he just wants to make sure we won't get attacked again?" Mercy pointed out, sending a questioning glance in his direction.

"We don't need a Decepticon's protection Mercy. It would suggest that we are affiliated with them," Crossflare seemed to agree with me.

"Then why did we call Knock Out?" Mercy's question came out innocently, but she hit the nail in the head and my confidence instantly vaporized. Slowly turning my helm in Crossflare's direction, I suddenly questioned all of our previous actions. Were we lying to ourselves? Or was this the inevitable outcome? Were we victims or the party at fault?

Crossflare seemed to realize her own mistake as her optics widened for a second, then she closed them and rubbed her forehead, trying to think of a suitable answer.

"Listen, this is complicated and I..." she started, but she was interrupted as we heard steps approaching and they were too heavy to be caused by humans. Spinning around, we all stared in shock at a familiar blue armored short femme coming in our way from the hangar while talking to our human company, Amy, who was probably the only one at home.

What was Arcee doing here?!

In the next moment both of them noticed us and before any of them could greet us in relief, they realized we had an outstanding company. There was no time for quick explanations, Arcee shoved her blasters in our face faster than any of us could react.

"I should have known!" she hissed, her optics burning holes into Soundwave, who stood in absolute stillness as if her sudden appearance didn't even surprise him. Maybe it truly didn't, no one could tell.

"Wait, wait, hold on! We can explain!" I held my servos up, trying to get Arcee's attention but she only glanced in my way for a sec before she focused on Soundwave again. Amy slowly retreated, holding both of her hands up innocently and she wisely chose the back-door to get away. At least she won't be in the way.

"Surely you can. A Decepticon at your side explains more I was curious about."

"This is a misunderstanding," Crossflare stepped in the femme's direction, keeping her calm as much as she was able in this situation but Arcee was too tense to listen.

Mercy caught her nervous gaze from the Autobot to the Decepticon at her side, torn between messy emotions, thoughts and possible decisions. For some reason I could relate to her. I had no idea what to do because whatever I do or say now will cost us dearly: our alliance will be settled here once and for all, I was sure of it.

"So you mean, you three hanging out with the Decepticon Communications Chief after the attack today is not more than enough proof of the secret alliance you've been hiding?" Arcee was quite intimidating when she wanted to be, her small size ignorable compared to the hostile aura she emitted.

"Secret alliance...?" Crossflare repeated, her thoughts circling wildly to put the picture together while Arcee quickly put a servo to her comm-link , probably calling the base.

Scrap.

"Whoa wait! Were you testing us?!" I snapped, pointing an accusing digit at her but she was already backing away and ignoring me completely.

"Yes, it's what Ratchet has suspected. Soundwave is here with them. Send a bridge to my location," she was talking loudly enough for us to hear her every single word and they all punched me in the face. What? So Ratchet was suspicious of us? Did they truly believe that we are Decepticon spies? That we lied to them all along?

"I thought you trust us!" I yelled after her, fury, disappointment and a small blink of hope boiling inside me. Why did things turn this way? I didn't want this. Isn't there a way to fix this?

"And I thought you were playing fair," she answered, her gaze mirroring the anger and betrayal of mine, then she disappeared into the portal and we were left behind with whirling emotions and conflict in our sparks.

"Frag it all!" I kicked into the closest container and sent it flying over the yard. Why did things go wrong? We had so much fun together! I've never laughed this much in a millennia! I was feeling at ease with the Autobots, with the kids... Why couldn't they trust us? What wrong did we do?!

I continued the rampage, kicking and punching things that stood in my way, until Crossflare put a stop to it.

"Enough of this Halo, this won't help us now."

I clenched my fists and took a deep intake. My whole frame was tense and hot from anger. This was my fault. I knew it. Who else was to blame? I felt the responsibility weigh on my shoulders and I didn't want the burden. I never wanted to get my friends involved in this mess. If I listened to Crossflare and my processor instead of my stupidity, I wouldn't be in this situation right now!

But...I thought I'd made friends with the Autobots. We saved Optimus for Primus' sake! That surely counted as something? And the kids? They loved us! We even exchanged comm-numbers. Wait. I have Miko's number!

I quickly put a digit on my comm-link, nervously calling Miko in hope she would listen to my explanation. Maybe I can convince her and prove our innocence. She will surely listen, then tell the truth to Optimus and the others and the misunderstanding will be cleared.

The beeping sound got longer and longer and I paced up and down anxiously, escorted by confused stares of my friends. She wasn't picking up. I ended the call and tried again, still nothing. The third time she declined the call. I stopped abruptly, shaken by the refusal. What? She just...she just declined my call. She didn't pick up on purpose!

"Well?" Mercy tried to get a word out of me in frail hope but I just shook my head, lowering my servo.

"She is refusing the call...I don't think I will be able to speak to her anymore..."

Mercy and Crossflare exchanged glances, hope lost. So our fate was determined.

"We did what we could," CF sighed in resignation, then looked at Soundwave, who had barely moved during the whole incident as if he was determined to be just a decoration in the background, "Take us back to the ship. We need to have an audience with your Lord."

---

Mercy POV

When I opened my optics the next day, I found myself facing the dark ceiling of our new room. Blinking rapidly to adjust my optics, I sat up and rubbed the sides of my wings gently. They still ached from the procedure of yesterday. A glance over my shoulder was enough to see the mark on the smooth white surface of my left wing. It screamed for attention with all its spiky edges. It reminded me of Soundwave's head design a little bit. It was the Decepticon symbol.

I squirmed a bit. The berth was uncomfortable and I didn't like its angle, it reminded me of a medical berth. I should have chosen my alt-mode for recharge just like CF did. She and Halo were still asleep in the other two corners of the room. It felt so...unnerving to see us all here. It wasn't exactly right. But it wasn't exactly wrong either.

Yesterday, our fate was sealed with the ceremony, the vow and the badge which Knock Out planted on us with precision. I've never ever imagined that I would wake up one morning on a Decepticon warship, with a Decepticon symbol on my wing, as a Decepticon.

After a long discussion with Megatron, Crossflare asked for our votes. And so we voted for the faction we didn't choose. At spark, we were more Autobot-like, all of us knew. But we couldn't change the circumstances. We were going with the flow, wherever it was taking us.

We sent a message home, so that our humans would not expect us back. This is not how we imagined our farewells to go, but for their sake, it was better this way. I can imagine how upset or worried they were right now. But it can't be helped.

The ceremony itself was simple and quick. We had to stand before the warlord and recite the vow while descending to one knee, then we were taken back to the med-bay by Knock Out who planted the badges on us and it was official from then on. We became Decepticons.

Those words were still ringing in my audio-receptors. Live to serve...destroy the enemy...rise up...conquer...

I still couldn't comprehend the whole significance of this. We joined a war. The war we have been running away from all this time. I thought I would never have to face it. That we could hide from it forever. But here we were, right in the epicenter of it.

Halo was the second to wake up. She sat up on her berth abruptly and released a loud yawn just like she always did. Maybe she was the one getting used to this new setup the fastest. She hadn't complained about anything yet.

"Ugh, good morning Mercy," she stretched her arms and pedes, then rubbed her optics and jogged over to Crossflare's alt-form and poked her hood, "Strange of you to be early."

"I know...I just couldn't sleep any longer," I mumbled, glancing in the door's direction. Soon, we will start our first day aboard as official members. I wasn't sure I'm ready.

"Oh, don't worry," Halo grinned at me with a mischievous glint in her optics, "If anyone says a rude word to you, I'm kicking them in the aft."

"I don't think that would be wise," Crossflare, awakened from her slumber, transformed as well and made a short stretch before her thoughts shifted into focus and she headed for the door.

Her front armor was still damaged, the burned hole still a sore sight to see. I wished she would get it treated soon but after her snap at Knock Out the previous day I felt like she owed an apology first.

We followed her to the empty corridor and I wondered how we would even get to the meeting room. The one week we spent here wasn't enough to learn the full map of this mysterious and complicated place. Then my unspoken question was answered when Crossflare took a datapad out of her subspace. There was a map on it with an already set route to our destination.

"When did you get that?" I curiously caught up to her and stared at the map intently.

"Yesterday. Starscream said he doesn't like to wait so he gave me this to find our way there quickly," she replied, the tone of her voice suggesting she wasn't impressed with Starscream in any way.

"I bet he makes others wait though," Halo grimaced cheekily, like she was already looking forward to meeting him and making fun of him. I had no idea why she liked doing that.

Looking around, I noticed the eerie silence. Were we really that early?

Nobody greeted us in the dark meeting room. We entered carefully but no alarms sounded so we guessed it's okay to go in. The room was a big circle, screens decorating the walls and the main computer was a large, flat and round machine in the middle with a holoscreen over it. We wandered around, searching for something that could turn on the lights.

The main computer hummed quietly and I walked in a circle around it, observing it with caution. I pushed some buttons out of curiosity but nothing happened.

"Don't touch anything," Crossflare warned me from the other side of the room and I quickly hid my servos behind my back. Oops.

"Why, maybe we can look into some juicy stuff," Halo was quick to step beside me and push every single button she could reach. Why wasn't I surprised?

But before we could tell her to stop, the holoscreen lit up and many status reports popped up from various sections of the ship.

"Whoa, didn't expect that!" she muttered in excitement.

"I don't remember giving permission to use our computers yet," an annoyed voice from right behind us caused both of us to jump in fright.

Crossflare on the other hand straightened herself as Starscream strolled closer and simply turned the computer off while shooting Halo a glare of warning. She quickly retreated but I could see the urge in her optics to say something like a smart comeback or a jab. I hope she won't though.

"Let's get this over with," the mech lifted the datapads which he brought along and briefly glanced at them before he spoke again.

"Since you are new recruits I'm in charge of you until you are given a position one by one. Your awfully vague files made me think of one or two options, but honestly, I have no idea what Megatron expects me to do with you..." he growled like dealing with us was the worst thing on his schedule.

"So you say we are useless?" Halo cut in, folding her arms over her chest in offense.

"You and Mercy are quite an interesting duo, yes. Crossflare's position on the other hand is almost unquestionable," Starscream kept his voice even while gesturing towards our friend. We all stared at Crossflare in surprise but she seemed to understand what the mech meant.

"How have you learned that I'm a chemist?" she asked calmly and Starscream chuckled, perking his wings up in a proud manner.

"We have our ways."

"And what do you know about them?" she pointed in our direction and I curiously glanced at Starscream. Really. What more do they know about us? We haven't told them anything about our pasts yet, so how would they know where we are coming from and what we did before the war?

"Hm, lets see..." Starscream scrolled down the file, "Halo of Uraya. Student of the Academy of Economics, but without a degree."

"There was a war coming in between, you know," Halo bit back, not appreciating the mocking tone of his voice.

"Still a very poor accomplishment. No special training in anything, nothing truly practical learned."

"I had no other options! The caste system told me what to learn, not myself!" she was on flames now. It seems Starscream enjoyed making fun of her just as much as she did of him.

My thoughts wandered back to what she said and I smiled faintly. True, Halo never liked her studies. She always ventured out, skipped classes and chased adventures and challenges whenever she had the chance. I remember what she said to me all those eons ago. She felt like she wasn't meant for the things her caste forced on her. She also envied the Military Caste, sometimes wishing to be part of an organization like the Elite Guard. But her dreams remain dreams.

"Too late now to complain," Starscream opened a next file and one of his eyebrows shot up when he looked my way. Why was he glaring at me like that? I surely didn't do anything bad!

"You, on the other servo, are suspicious to me. We have no information about you. Not even a dot of record. What was your function before the war?"

"I was trained in Praxus..." I started, but Crossflare cut in unexpectedly:

"She is a linguist and specializes in all kinds of languages."

Starscream's frown deepened as he measured my friend with a glance. I had no idea why she found it important to answer instead of me and emphasize only one of my abilities, but I quickly closed my mouth. She surely had a good reason. It's best I go along with it.

"Yes, I speak almost all versions and dialects of Cybertronian, plus at least thirty alien languages," I nodded, casting my optics down to avoid looking into those radiant red optics.

"Really? What about ancient Cybertronian?" he asked as if he was doubting our credibility.

"I have an excellent certificate in speech and writing."

This was no lie, it was the truth, although I never understood why I had to learn so many languages.

I often asked my creators, but they remained silent. They told me to keep to the shadows just like them, be invisible, learn what I have to learn and stay inside the walls of our residence. I could never comprehend why. I had everything, I had fun in what I was doing - singing, dancing and literature, yet I never knew my purpose, or when I would leave those walls.

"That could be useful," Starscream typed up something on the other datapad, then held it out to me and I took it in relief. It seems he is not going to investigate any further. Whatever the reason was for Crossflare to be worried about me, I hoped she would tell me later.

"I assign you under Soundwave. He will tell you what you have to know," the mech herded me out and I blinked in surprise.

"Tell me? But he never talks!"

"He has his methods. Learn his body-language. For a linguist, that can't be hard," he pushed me out of the room and I remained alone in the corridor, with a new task in hand: find Soundwave.

---

Crossflare POV

I couldn't hide my relief once Mercy was out of our circle. Like always, she would be honest if no one stopped her, and now wasn't the time to discuss what her Caste determined her future to be. Her skills in arts would do her more trouble here than good. I had no idea what our superiors would do with a femme who was supposed to entertain them. We better keep this a secret.

Starscream continued his task as he handed out a datapad to me, similarly to how he did to Mercy, then dismissed me as well.

"Wait, where will Halo be assigned to?" I just briefly glanced at the instructions on my file, keeping my attention rather on the mech and a quite nervous Halo.

"She will have to go through some tests before I can decide," Starscream growled, "Maybe logistics would be the best option under Soundwave's supervision, based on her studies. But I must know if she is qualified enough."

"And what if she is not?" I sent a doubtful look in Halo's way and she forced a grin. This will be much harder than I thought.

"Or if I don't want to deal with logistics?" Halo piped up.

"Can you suggest anything else that you could do?" Starscream glared at her. He was getting impatient and I knew we shouldn't get on his bad side anytime soon so we better keep our questions short.

"I-I..." Halo was about to say something, but she quickly trailed off, finding nothing of significance to say.

"I thought so," Starscream grumbled, then pushed the last datapad into her servos, "You come with me and I put you to the test. Whatever your results will be, you have exactly five days to come up with a good idea to make yourself useful. If you have nothing and you fail, you are going to be assigned to the Vehicon ranks. I'm pretty sure that would be humiliating, even for you."

Halo's optics opened wide and her servos gripped the datapad tightly.

"B-but hey! That's not fair! I'm not a drone!"

"Then prove it," Starscream turned around and beckoned to her as he left the room. He considered this conversation done.

I followed them out but almost immediately departed from them. Halo looked at me before she went on and I offered her a reassuring smile. She must do her best and show Starscream what she is capable of. When adequately motivated, Halo can fulfill many tasks at once and deal with them precisely. I could only hope she will prove well.

Now focusing on my task, I glared at my superior's name highlighted on my datapad with mixed feelings. Knock Out wasn't exactly the boss I was looking for and I wasn't sure he had forgotten our last encounter when I rudely told him to frag off and leave us alone.

Well, this will be interesting….

Finding my way back to the med-bay was an art itself and I flinched when the door shut behind me. Breakdown looked up from his seat on the right side and Knock Out conspicuously grimaced, then turned his attention back to the drill of his servo, professionally cleaning it with a microfiber cloth.

"Good morning. Commander Starscream has assigned me under you," I tried to sound light and calm when I walked up to them and held the datapad out for the medic.

"Hmph. Suddenly nice now, huh?" he transformed his drill back into servo and took the device. His optics dripped of grudge. Maybe an apology due…

"I'm sorry about that Knock Out."

"Oh, are you now?"

"I was...stressed out, anxious and snapped. I didn't intend to talk to you like that," I tried to look remorseful, truly regretting the way I behaved, and hoped our relationship won't turn for the worse. I would hate to work under someone who despises me.

Knock Out observed me silently, his optics narrowed and his mouth tightly shut, then his features slowly softened and he turned to the side, looking at the datapad.

"Apology accepted. Very well, then. Let's look at what you can do."

Huh. A great weight was taken off my shoulders. Breakdown showed a thumbs-up and I smiled at him gratefully as I followed the medic to the main computer of the room.

"This datapad will be your personal one so keep it safe. I'm sending you the password so you can log in to our database here. You will get access to most of the medical files but I think you understand that there are drives you won't be able to use for the time being."

"It would be foolish of you to grant me access to everything," I nodded, looking over the data on the screens he was showing, "What about computers and machinery outside the med-bay?"

"The laboratory will be the base of your operations most of the time. Same goes there as here. If you think you need to see special files, you ask for permission first and I will determine whether you can take a look at it or not. As for the other computers, the public network is available on any of them but communications, ground-bridge and other channels can be accessed through Soundwave only. Just a little advice: don't try to hack anything or do anything in secret because Soundwave likes to keep an optic on any suspicious activity."

I arched an eyebrow and he nodded with a big smirk.

"So he knows about everything that happens or is said aboard?"

"Quite literally, dear."

Great, I will have to keep that in mind before I say any of our secrets aloud in between these walls. Upon hearing these information, like many times before since the incident, I felt like something was not okay but I could not figure out why I felt this way.

I have to be more attentive. Or else I'm going to miss all the important cues.

---

Halo POV

"Well, you are not completely useless afterall," Starscream glared down at me from over his notes and I felt the urge to stick my tongue out again. It was evident he wanted me to fail and probably make fun of me for the rest of my life. But my score was what determined my results and yes, I passed his damn tests!

I triumphantly grinned, straightening to my full height with pride, much to his annoyance. He acted like a sulking sparkling all through this one hour. His questions weren't too complicated but I had to strain my processor to remember certain things.

"Don't be so happy. Passing my tests doesn't mean you are good enough. Judging by your results, you are not good enough."

The grin disappeared from my face and I narrowed my optics. He can't say anything without being a jerk, can he?

"I would do better with a better boss!" I bit back, but recklessly.

Something clicked in his helm because he leaned in suddenly, wings spread threateningly and his optics radiating venom as he growled at me.

"Watch what you say because you will regret it quickly, femme. Be grateful to have me as your direct superior for the time being. Unlike Megatron, I'm exceptionally generous."

I was taken aback, and even though I should have nodded and kept quiet, I couldn't hold my mouth shut. His behavior prodded me to rebel and I wasn't the type to just let anyone control me against my will.

"Really? Prove it!"

His frown darkened and my boldness stirred only more irritation in my direction.

"I will ignore your disrespectful behavior for now. Take that as proof," Starscream straightened himself and beckoned dismissively, "Now go and make yourself useful."

"Yes...and how?" I questioned with a daring pout and raise of my eyebrow.

I shouldn't have been so bold, I know now. Before it could register in my processor, I was already packing energon cubes on a smaller cart and wheeled it to destinations listed on my datapad. Oh joy.

The Vehicon group working in the energon supply room was welcoming and friendly enough but that didn't change the way shame filled my spark. Such a humiliating job! I was surely more qualified than this and not meant to be a delivery drone! While cursing quietly during my little turns, I took the opportunity to ask some questions when I returned to the supply room to pack my cart full.

"Hey guys, what's it like to work here?" I leaned on the handle of the cart casually and the Vehicon beside me looked up in surprise.

"Quite...dull," he mumbled, uncertain or just shy, I couldn't determine.

"Hm. What about your superiors? Do you like them?"

This question surprised him even more and now the other three stopped in their work as well and listened with curious tilt of their heads.

"You mean the high command?" the Vehicon nervously folded and unfolded his servos. I asked very simple things, he had no reason to act like that so I raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Yes, but chill, this is not an investigation or anything. I'm just new and curious, that's all."

"N-nobody has ever asked me for my opinion yet," he admitted, a small hint of happiness audible in his voice and I blinked in surprise.

"What? How is that possible?"

"We drones are not that important. We are easily mistakable for each other so no one really cares about our opinion as individuals," his comrades nodded sadly behind him and I must have had a pitiful look on my face because they quickly shook their helms:

"We are used to the treatment, please do not tell this to any of the officers or the high command! Especially not Lord Megatron or Commander Starscream!"

"Okaay..." I was getting confused but I was intrigued, "Which do you find worse? Megatron or Starscream?"

After thinking about carefully, they nodded in unison:

"Lord Megatron."

It seems Starscream wasn't only flattering himself when he said he is better than his Lord. But what made him better? I was curious now.

"Why?"

"Because...Lord Megatron doesn't care about pointless sacrifices. Commander Starscream is less likely to make risky decisions when it comes to deploying our troops though. However, not all of us share this opinion. To be honest the ones liking Commander Starscream are fewer. Most of us are completely loyal to Lord Megatron."

I tapped my claws on the handle in deep thoughts. Is that so. I didn't know what to make of this information yet. Now I want to know more about Megatron.

"What kind of person is Lord Megatron?"

"The type you don't want to mess with. He is inspirational and proud, a fearless fighter and hard to impress. He doesn't tolerate disobedience or laziness and if he is angered beyond reason, he might take his fury out on you..."

"W-wait, wait! Seriously?" I gaped, refusing to believe such a thing.

"You didn't know?" they stared at me in surprise, like I've just missed a very important detail.

"I know he isn't one of the nicest guys and that he has killed many but...his own soldiers? You must be joking!"

"You better be prepared then," one of the others whispered with a pitiful shake of his helm, "Failures are not taken lightly in this place."

My optics opened wide from shock and I looked over them in sheer disbelief. They must be joking. What kind of leader would hurt his own soldiers? Yes, Decepticons were ruthless, but I always thought that they treat only the enemy that way. What good does hurting your own soldiers do? Pointless injuries! Pointless deaths! Seriously, I wasn't expecting this.

"Don't be afraid. Important people have advantage we drones do not. Be important and earn Lord Megatron's respect, then he will leave you be," another one pointed out, trying to calm me.

"And what about you guys?" I started to feel sorry for them. They weren't just simple drones like I first believed. They had opinions, feelings and dilemmas. I shouldn't have underestimated them.

"We will continue to serve the cause we were created for. It is worth dying for," if they could smile, I guess they would be smiling reassuringly now, judging by the tone of their voices.

Feeling slightly better from hearing them being hopeful, a thought struck me. What if...what if I could do something for them? If what they say is true, I should just get a really good position and maybe I could make their lives a little bit easier.

"Hm. What kind of rank has the most of Megatron's respect?" I inquired with a thoughtful smirk, straightening myself like I already had a plan in mind.

They exchanged glances and nodded amongst each other before they said in unison:

"Definitely warrior class. Those with power and prowess in battle are the only ones he considers worthy of praise."

"Great. Thanks guys!" I grinned, now determined to get started with my new idea. I stepped to my cart, grabbed the handle and began wheeling it to the entrance. Before I left the room the Vehicons I spoke with called after me and I stopped to turn around.

"Hey, um, what about a party tonight?" the shy one asked.

"Party?" I echoed dumbly.

"Yes, a kind of 'Welcome to the Decepticons' party for you and the other two femmes. High-grade, music...just to ease the tension we have created by telling you these things. We are not that bad when you get to know us."

"Oh...sounds good!" my expression brightened. Finally a great idea!

---

Mercy POV

The Vehicon who escorted me to the Communication Room typed in the code and once the door opened he nodded silently, gesturing inside. I guessed he was not allowed or had no time to come in with me so I thanked him before I stepped inside and marveled at the interior.

The room was large, with a main platform in the middle and four generators in each corner. The main computer was placed atop the platform with a table-length keyboard to access it. Faint purple screens illuminated it, slightly different in hue than the rest of the ship's computers. Strange enough, the lights in this room were quite alright, making the room differ greatly from the gloomy atmosphere of the rest of the ship.

So this is where every bit of information assembles...

Soundwave looked up from behind the screens and stepped aside, calm as ever as if he was already expecting me. I wouldn't be surprised if he truly knew. He had this 'know-it-all' vibe all over him and it unnerved and relieved me at the same time. It wouldn't be surprising if he had the ability to see into my mind as well.

"Hello, again..." I quickly climbed the stairs up to him and held my datapad out with a shy smile, "Starscream sent me to find you."

"I assign you under Soundwave. He will tell you what you have to do," Starscream's voice echoed as his visor lit up and I blinked twice in awe.

"Y-yes, that's exactly what he said," I muttered. Okay, I was starting to freak out. How could he replay those words when he wasn't even there? I remember, he did a similar thing back then when we first met but I had no idea he could repeat everything that was said aboard the ship.

He seemed to sense my anxiety rise because he took the datapad and tilted his head.

"Afraid?"

"I just don't know what to expect from someone who knows everything," I took a step back but maybe it was a wrong move because now he was observing me thoroughly.

Without saying anything, he pointed at me and I frowned in concentration, trying to figure out what he wanted to convey.

"Me?" I tried, pointing at myself.

He nodded, then pointed at himself.

"You?" I commented and imitated the movement. This will be tough if all of our conversations will go like this. Does he speak sign language perhaps? I'm not an expert, but I could learn it if needed.

He now pointed at me again, this time at head-level. I had no idea what changed in his perception.

"Me again?"

He lowered his arm and shook his head.

"You've forgotten it again, haven't you?" Starscream's recorded voice sounded again and it only confused me more.

"Um...did I miss something?" I was getting really nervous and he stared at me in silence for another long, uncomfortable minute before he turned back towards the screens and looked at the datapad.

Whatever he wanted to say, he realized I can't understand him. I felt bad for not being able to comprehend simple signs. Was I that dumb?

"Specializes in all kinds of languages," he spoke with Crossflare's voice this time and I nodded along. Yes, this is why I came here in the first place.

"Yes, that's true."

Soundwave typed something on the keyboard and a text appeared on the screen. It was written in Cybertronian but in an easily recognizable Kaonian dialect.

"Oh...that is a poem!" I stepped closer, reading the words carefully, my accent barely audible. He nodded at the end of each sentence and I smiled as I finished. It spoke about freedom and hope from a view of a slave and it was an expertly structured piece, but I couldn't recognize the poet.

"Nice. Who wrote this?" I turned to him curiously.

"Megatron."

My optics widened and I stared at him in surprise. No way. Megatron? Our Megatron? The Lord of the Decepticons? I knew he had remarkable rhetorical skills, that's what made him so popular during the uprising - among many other things - in the first place. But I had no idea there was poetry in his repertoire.

"I didn't know he was into poetry..."

"Used to."

Soundwave closed the file then opened another, this one written in ancient Cybertronian. I translated it in a matter of minutes and Soundwave nodded in satisfaction as I finished. He then proceeded to download some information to my datapad and gave it back to me.

The poem and the text were probably a test of sorts.

He moved aside and let me log in with my own password. I looked into each network I was allowed to use and I found countless reports, notices and requests from various ranks. Huh, don't tell me I will have to deal with these...

Yes, I had to deal with them. I guess this was the kind of menial work Soundwave wanted to spare himself from and would rather focus on more important tasks. With simple instructions, he showed me how to categorize these in folders and how to respond to them. I had to flag emergency reports and send them over to him immediately, but the rest I could handle myself.

Beside this, I gained access to the Ancient Archives where I found countless texts in ancient Cybertronian. Soundwave tasked me with their translation and analysis for the time I would be idle. Although I doubted I would have much idle time with so much reports flooding the network every five minutes or so.

That was all. Mainly.

This must be only the beginning though, something to help me warm up to much harder tasks.

I was provided with a small space on the left wing of the computer panel, leaving most of the keyboard for Soundwave to use. With such long arms he could easily access almost the entire length without having to move. I was fine with the arrangement and I didn't intend to get in his way.

With no further instructions given and Soundwave focusing back on his work, I took my time getting acquainted with the network. While doing that, I glanced his way a few times, trying to catch a glimpse of what he was doing. The multiple screens he observed indicated that he was multitasking and paying attention to various issues at the same time. By the looks of it, he was dealing with everything expeditiously. Astonishing.

I wondered about what I could say to him. Ever since we left the Nemesis with no intention to return, I felt like I could forget the things that happened here. But now when we returned, and will stay probably forever, I allowed my thoughts to wander freely.

Unlike Crossflare or Halo, I didn't blame Soundwave for the misunderstanding with Arcee which led us to our current predicament. Being resentful only because he was part of that incident was a foolish thing to do, especially now when we were supposed to work together. So I started to weave my thoughts in a different direction.

Will we fit in? How long will it take until we gain their trust? Their real trust. I'm usually optimistic and I think of myself as a person who gets along with almost everybody so I hope fellow comrades and superiors will be satisfied with my work. I hope Soundwave will be pleased with me too.

Maybe it's a stretch to think I could befriend him, but I would surely make an attempt. Knock Out and Breakdown were the other two on my list of 'friend candidates'. If everything goes well, we will get along just fine and might even have fun together during our breaks. Who knows.

I smiled instinctively. Was I too sentimental? Crossflare often warned me not to let my spark carry me away and listen to my processor instead. But I had no reason to think of any bad things yet.

Suddenly a chill ran down my spine and I caught Soundwave watching me. I snapped back from my daydream-like state, awkwardly scratching the side of my face.

"Um, sorry. I spaced out. Does it happen to you sometimes as well?"

A firm shake of his head was the answer and I couldn't decide whether he was annoyed with me now or not.

"How much time do you spend at work?" I found myself asking, work forgotten and interest piqued.

A number popped up on his visor and I gasped in shock.

"All day and night? You can't be serious!"

A laughing smiley-icon replaced the numbers and I pouted when he raised three of his fingers. He almost got me. I almost fell for the lie.

"Three? As in a three hour long break?"

A nod.

"That is still horribly short. Hm...with me helping you out now, will that increase?"

He shook his head once again and I started to feel bad for him. Others had normal workdays with enough time for a proper recharge, refuel and rest. Why was Soundwave any different? Are all Communications Officers this busy? Will I be this overwhelmed as my tasks begin multiplying?

I turned back to my screen in deep thought. I should continue my work or else I'm not much of use to anyone. At least my first day should be marked as a success. Then I glanced in the mech's direction once more, wondering about what goes through his helm. My gaze followed his figure as he settled back to typing and connected his tentacles to the mainframes. Watching him work felt oddly satisfying. Like all of his movements, the quick drumming of his slim fingers and the flashing lights of his biolights running over the long tentacles were a complicated yet organized and harmonized unity.

Just like the first time I saw him, I found myself staring in awe. Maybe I shouldn't stare for so long. It was definitely conspicuous. He surely doesn't appreciate it. So I forced my processor to concentrate on my task and turned back to my little screen as I let silence envelop us for the next few hours.

---

Crossflare POV

On a normal day, I would have said no. But today was a peculiar day so I accepted the sudden invitation to an abruptly organized party for the night. I think I'm in need of a great amount of high-grade just to stimulate my senses and release some stress.

Halo happily wheeled an energon packed cart into the laboratory in the afternoon and as she piled my table full of fresh energon cubes, she excitedly told me the news and tried to convince me to join in.

"Who are these Vehicons?" I frowned in suspicion.

"Dunno, some guys from the energon delivery squad. They seem like good fellas, I think we shouldn't miss the chance to get better acquainted. When do you make friends with others if not at a party?" she beamed and spun the cart around, ready to leave.

I sighed and glanced behind me to check on Breakdown in the backside of the room. He was busy lecturing some Vehicons who were supposed to help me but had done more trouble than help ever since they arrived. They were messing up all the cataloged substances and two bottles of herix were wasted on the floor, thanks to a clumsy drone.

"Fine," I relented.

"Awesome! Please let Mercy know if you cross paths with her!" she wheeled the cart out and left me to grumble to myself.

I wasn't a party-type person, but I really-really needed some high-grade. Today I speculated enough about possible future catastrophes and my processor was screaming for a little nap. I just wanted this bad feeling to vanish. It lingered in my spark, like a sense of danger, but I had no idea what warranted it. No matter how hard I tried, I didn't feel safe aboard and I couldn't help but blame it on my past memories. I should've put that tragedy far behind my back by now.

So when my inner chronometer indicated that my working hours had come to an end, I stood up from my seat and turned off the computers. Rare of me to leave the sacred chamber of my working place early, but like I mentioned, today was a peculiar day.

When I passed by the med-bay I looked inside and reported to Knock Out briefly just to let him know I finished up and I'm taking my leave. He signed my datapad and flashed a bright grin as he put a servo on one hip.

"Coming tonight?"

"So you know about that."

"Of course I know! No party starts till I walk in!" Knock Out puffed his chest out and I rolled my optics, subspacing the datapad.

"Then don't be late," I turned around and left him behind to preen in front of someone else. As much as I respected him on a professional level and maybe liked him a bit more than the others on this ship - out of gratitude of course - I still couldn't get used to his narcissistic attitude. I felt like shooting him whenever he began obsessing over himself. He was a little annoying.

After finding my way to the Communications Room, Mercy's happy smile on my arrival felt like the reward of my day. Soundwave looked up as well and I walked up to the platform to join them. What a strange room.

"Hi CF! What brings you here?" Mercy seemed to be relieved to see me.

"Good news: a party invitation."

"Party?" her face brightened like I just handed her a pile of candies. Soundwave remained silent, as always, making me frown slightly. He was one of the reasons I didn't feel safe here. He had a menacing presence.

"Halo made new friends and they decided to throw a party for us. Can you make time for it?"

"S-sure!" she excitedly clapped her hands and turned to Soundwave with an eager expression, "Do I get a break for the evening?"

Soundwave stared at her silently for a minute, then nodded without much resistance.

"Thank you!" Mercy happily jogged after me and I smiled at the sight of her enthusiasm. Anything that included music excited her and as shy as she usually was around new people, as easily she opened up at parties. Though it's not like it would be hard for her to find new friends. She was the type of person who unwittingly attracted others. Sometimes this meant more trouble for her than good.

Before we exited the room however, she abruptly stopped and gasped as if she had just forgotten something important.

"What is it?" I turned back with a questioning raise of my brow.

"I-I can't go," she remorsefully scratched her cheek, her optics apologetic, "There are many things I haven't finished yet and I can't leave Soundwave to do all the work himself..."

"I'm sure he can deal with it, like he did before," I assured her but she took a step back and shook her head.

"It wouldn't be right."

I frowned and shot a very disapproving glance in Soundwave's direction. I had no idea how he managed to get himself into Mercy's trust so quickly but it troubled me more than anything else. She was a nice but uncertain young femme, who would normally stay away from mysterious, gloomy mechs like him. Why wasn't she afraid of him at all?

"Mercy, he himself let you take a break, so why don't you..." I was about to try and convince her but I trailed off mid-sentence when Soundwave appeared from behind her and calmly looked first at Mercy, then at me.

"Are you coming too?" Mercy's face brightened at the prospect as she beamed at him.

The mech only nodded and I mentally threw my servos up in the air. It seems we are not going to be rid of him soon, although I hoped we could leave him behind. He just grew even more suspicious in my optics.

The three of us, a very interesting trio, joined some Vehicons on the way to the mess hall and I listened to the light-hearted chatter with a strange feeling in my spark. What was I doing here? It felt strange. Alien, even.

Our little group entered the huge room which was already illuminated with different shades of purple, blue and green. Music filled the air and I was surprised to recognize an old song from before the war. It was from the fifth album of a famous Iaconian singer, Remix. I liked his music although I rarely listened to any music for my own amusement in general.

Mercy excitedly grabbed my left arm.

"Remember this CF? I haven't heard this song in eons! I was so mad I didn't get a record of it!" she giggled and I couldn't help but chuckle as well. Maybe what I really needed was letting go. Just for tonight.

"Finally! I thought you got lost somewhere!" Halo hurried in our way, flanked by two Vehicons on each side. She was already hyped and seemed to have gathered friends quickly.

"Sir," the Vehicons nodded their heads respectfully in Soundwave's direction and the silent mech nodded back in response.

"They are H316 and 7D7E, the guys who invited us," Halo introduced her companies and I looked over them thoroughly. I had no idea how she was able to differentiate them, they looked exactly alike, but I smiled kindly nevertheless.

"Thank you for the invitation," I thanked them properly and they led us to a table where they had already prepared seats for us.

The mess hall was not packed full yet, Vehicons were still gathering inside and fixing the lights and the small decorations they put up. Nothing too extravagant, but a nice change still.

Looking at the high-grade on the table, I assumed Halo has ordered for us already, knowing exactly what type of taste we like. I smiled at the thought. We knew each other by spark.

"Um, I didn't expect Soundwave to come," Halo apologized, "Do you want me to get something for you?"

The mech shook his head and already departed to get a glass of high-grade for himself. I wondered how he would drink it. Will he actually remove his visor? I would like to see that.

I took my place beside Mercy, Halo did the same on the opposite side with her new two friends on her side. They seemed happy to be accepted into our circle and maybe I could tolerate the company for just tonight.

"It's a rare opportunity to have a free night like this," one of the Vehicons remarked.

"Yes, Lord Megatron is not fond of casual get-togethers," the other one agreed.

"How did you set everything up so quickly?" Mercy inquired and I also wondered as I looked around and noted that numerous Vehicons were present in the room, but none of the higher command to be seen - save for Soundwave.

"We Decepticons are quick workers," the previous one proudly held his glass high, "Cheers for the new recruits!"

"Cheers!" we all clinked glasses and sipped our drinks almost at once. Oh, right. The sweet taste of a good high-grade. A perk of joining the faction with plenty of energon resources…

"Started without us? How rude!" a familiar voice diverted our attention when two figures stepped to our table and threw us in their shadows.

Knock Out and Breakdown smirked down at our little group.

"Why were you late?" I asked in a similarly challenging tone.

"Missed me that much?" Knock Out leaned down slightly and flashed an attractive smirk.

I could feel the amused stares from both Mercy and Halo and I cleared my throat to let him know his flirtations found deaf audio receptors. Fortunately, Soundwave just returned and stepped up next to the two with a tilt of his head. The duo stared back at him in clear surprise.

"Soundwave? Whoa! Strange of you to show up!"

"Shouldn't we sit at a longer table?" Breakdown suggested as he looked first at our table then in the direction of another where a group of Vehicons sat, chatting. He seriously couldn't think that we would ask them to get up and go somewhere else, could he?

Without hesitation the two Vehicons sitting with us stood up, intending to give their seats over, much to our surprise. Halo was the first to stand and speak up:

"Hey, hey! You don't have to go anywhere! The dear doctor and his assistant can sit elsewhere!"

The faces Knock Out and Breakdown made were absolutely worth it, and for the first time, I didn't scold my friend for being harsh with her words.

"I have a better idea," Mercy stood up, raising her servos in a placating manner, "Why sit when we could dance instead?"

Oh, I should have known she would come up with such a solution. And I wasn't exactly fond of the idea.

"Somebody is finally speaking some sense!" Knock Out snapped his fingers and beckoned to us, "Come on ladies, who's gonna be the first?"

Halo and Mercy joined the mechs eagerly but I only grimaced, reluctant to leave my comfortable and safe seat. I wasn't the best dancer, and it rarely mattered to me. The truth was I didn't like anyone touching me aside from my bondmate and in a place like this, touching each other was inevitable. The whole thing just fell out of my comfort zone.

"Crossflare? Are you coming?" Halo glanced back with an expectant look but I shook my head with an apologetic smile.

"No thanks, I'm leaving this one out."

She smiled with understanding and left me to follow the others to the free space of the mess hall. I sighed and stared at the surface of my beverage with conflicted feelings. I chose loneliness, it's not their fault. But I couldn't help this feeling: to be out of place.

Then I noticed a darker figure mirrored in my high-grade and I raised my optics to meet Soundwave's visor who sat at the opposite seat. He was holding his drink similarly like me and watched me calmly, his blank visor telling nothing of his thoughts. Deciding not to say anything at first, I placed my chin in my palm and returned the stare, observing every single detail of his figure. It seems I wasn't the only one staying away from the dancing crowd.

"You are one weird Con, Soundwave," I remarked finally, sipping my drink. He did not move at all.

"Will you just sit here and stare or will you drink what you've got for yourself?" I pointed in the direction of his full glass and he looked down at it silently.

His silence was starting to get on my nerves. People like him irritated and unnerved me because I couldn't read them. Any assumption I make up can be true or false, there is no certainty when it comes to him. In my optics, he was dangerous.

Soundwave seemed to ignore everything I said because he turned his attention elsewhere. I followed the direction he looked at and I spotted my friends among other soldiers and by the looks of it they were having a dance fight with Knock Out and Breakdown. Mercy easily beat all of them and I already regretted not telling her much earlier not to attract attention to herself. I closed my optics and drummed the rhythm on the table, wondering about what to do. I can't just sit here, I should be taking part in their fun, making sure they are not doing anything reckless.

Scrap. I was being a helicopter-mom again.

"What a lovely duo," a teasing voice interrupted my train of thoughts and I glanced up to see Starscream as he took a seat right beside Soundwave without asking for permission. Strange, I thought Starscream would find it below himself to show up at an event like this.

"Did I just not ruin a very exciting conversation?"

"I think both of us know Soundwave is not very talkative in general," I retorted.

"Uh-uh, only for those who don't know him well. Right Soundwave?" Starscream flashed a bright grin at his colleague who spared him a glance before continuing to stare into the crowd.

"Pay attention to me when I'm talking to you!" the Seeker leaned into the mech's view with an offended pout and Soundwave turned his gaze away, focusing it on his drink instead.

"What do you mean you don't care about me? You should! Party or not, I'm still the second in command!"

When the silence grew too long, I cleared my throat.

"Anyway, what brings you here Commander?"

"I deserve a little break too, do I not? And there is a special high-grade served tonight as well," he lifted his glass, looking at the bright pink fluid inside, "It would be foolish to miss a chance like this."

"Where could Megatron be now?"

"Somewhere in his quarters. He rarely visits any get-togethers, because whenever he shows up the air freezes. Even he knows. So he stays away. Not like I'm complaining," Starscream smirked malevolently, shrugging.

He seemed to be rather happy to know Megatron is away. I wondered why.

I sipped my drink at the same time he did and I realized he took two gulps at once. Oh, are we having a competition now? I took another gulp while keeping an optic on him and he similarly did so. With only a few seconds of advantage, he dried the glass and triumphantly hit it on the table.

"You like drinking a lot?" I raised an eyebrow in a challenging way and his grin widened in an evil manner.

"Not really, I have a very sensitive fuel tank."

"Then why did you make it a competition just now?"

"I didn't."

Maybe it was pointless to argue with him so I stood up and went to get another glass full for myself. While heading carefully in the counter's direction, I searched for my friends with my gaze and found them still dancing with their partners. I smiled faintly at the sight. Halo was laughing while being twirled by Knock Out and Mercy professionally led Breakdown, teaching him a new figure with incredible patience. These careless, naive younglings...

Minutes later when I got back to the table Mercy and Halo were already there, trying to convince Starscream and Soundwave to join. The latter was surprisingly easier to persuade, especially when Knock Out mentioned that Soundwave was an excellent disk jockey. Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected that, but Mercy immediately jumped on the idea with bright optics.

Starscream on the other hand didn't even want to hear of it.

"No! I don't dance! Is that so hard to comprehend?" he growled at Halo who pouted like an angry sparkling as she threw a tantrum and I quickly stepped in to prevent an unnecessary fight.

"Don't force it if he doesn't want to go," I cut in and Halo looked at me like I just betrayed her.

"How unfortunate. Heir Commandant has the most fabulous hip-moves and you will have no chance to witness it," Knock Out commented while sliding into his seat, already laughing at the flustered expression Starscream made at the remark. I just made a face-palm and sat down beside him, watching as Mercy enthusiastically led Soundwave away by taking his servo. She won't sit still until the party ends, I was hundred percent sure.

"What? No way! Show me!" Halo kept tugging on Starscream's arm who tried to shrug her off, pointlessly.

"Where is Breakdown?" I noticed him missing and turned to Knock Out who pointed somewhere in the crowd casually.

"Stopped to chat with some friends of his."

"Aren't they your friends then too?" I inquired.

"I don't build friendships with drones. They are just...out of my league."

That was a rude thing to say but I could see why he would say that. Vehicons also seemed to know that their place in the hierarchy and Decepticon society is at a very low level. I started pitying them a little.

"Fine then!" Halo finally gave up pestering Starscream, who was more than relieved when my stubborn friend left to find company with her new acquaintances.

"Another round?" I glanced expectantly at the Seeker who simply took Soundwave's untouched glass and clinked it against mine.

"At three."

"Three, two, one!"

I remember having about five more glasses after that one. The music got louder and faster under Soundwave's servos and I know that I won because Starscream dropped flat on the table after the third round. He truly didn't deal with high-grade very well. Halo and Mercy danced and sang through the night, having fun among our new comrades while I managed to get myself and the second in command drunk. Knock Out wasn't helpful with his constant chatting either and most of the time he just laughed at us. Very nice, really.

How I got back to my room, I had no idea though.

---

Halo POV

Next day I was greeted by many when I passed by Vehicons. I returned the friendly wave of servo and enjoyed the attention. Much better like this. I knew many more people now than a day ago and I already felt like I'm much closer to fitting in. Knock Out was pretty sweet yesterday and I have to admit he dances just as well as he looks. Breakdown is actually a shy guy behind a very solid and intimidating armor, and Starscream is still an afthole. The Vehicons are all cute in their own way. They are curious, more or less polite and all appreciate the attention.

The morning was quite funny when I think back. Crossflare was a total mess when she woke up, having difficulty remembering anything from yesterday - from the admirable amount of high-grade she had consumed.

Seriously, if the chance is given, she can't stop drinking. It's a bad habit and I should have stopped her. She doesn't even know that she started singing along to the songs while drunk. Now that was a funny thing to see and hear!

Mercy on the other hand was hyperactive through the night, and barely recharged afterwards. It didn't matter that she had danced her pedes to exhaustion, she would have still continued all day and night long. She was also obsessing over Soundwave's newly discovered disk jockey talent. The guy was seriously good, but I wouldn't have thought that he would sweep her off her pedes with that. But he did, and now she couldn't talk about anything else but him.

It seems I was the only one awakening with a clear head and I found that quite ironic.

Wheeling my cart carelessly, I was already planning another get-together in my head and as I turned to the corridor leading to the supply room, a guard stopped me.

"I'm sorry but you can't enter," he said, almost apologetically. I recognized his voice from yesterday but didn't remember his code so I only raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Why is that?"

"There is an exclusive staff meeting there. Until further instructions nobody shall pass."

I leaned to the right to see behind him, narrowing my optics suspiciously at the closed doors. What was going on in there?

"Why not use, you know, an actual conference room?"

The Vehicon shifted his weight from one ped to the other, visibly uncertain of what to answer.

"They come here only when they are hiding," he leaned in close and whispered cautiously, "Official staff meetings are announced beforehand. When it's top secret or urgent, they keep it here."

I stared at him with dumb astonishment, trying to digest the information he just dropped. Oh. So that's how it is.

True, maybe this room had the thickest walls and it provided a good hiding spot among the energon stocks, but... Something suddenly struck me.

"Hm, sounds serious. I will do better to avoid this area then," I straightened, flashed a bright smile and quickly wheeled the cart away.

When I reached out of sight I broke into a dash. There was a clear plan forming in my processor and oh, how smart it sounded! Who would dare sneak into a top secret meeting and listen in? I bet not many!

This mystery was screaming for attention and I was ready to satisfy my curiosity's cravings.

I turned on another corner and practically flew over the distance to the elevator. It was going upwards painfully slowly and I was tapping one ped nervously all the way up to the next level until I finally stepped out and hurried another great distance, then passed by a guard casually at the entrance of the second floor of the supply room. I wheeled my cart like I actually had business around here. The guard followed me with his gaze and I beckoned to him with a friendly smile. I could only hope he was familiar with me.

He waved a servo in response and I sighed in relief. We are good. I continued my way towards the other, smaller door in the back. It led to a little control room where you had two other doors to choose from: the one opening to the supply room, the other opening to the storeroom full of machinery, repair tools and spare-parts.

Haha, times like this I actually feel happy about working here. Secret entrances are my favorite things to explore. And I wasn't even doing anything wrong if we look at my job description.

I left the cart at the small control room and entered the supply room, cautiously looking around to see if anyone was guarding in here. No one in sight. Excellent. I sneaked in, listening intently as I edged closer to the big circle of the energon-transporting elevator, which was practically a hole between the floors when not used.

The discussion from underneath could already be heard and I grinned like a little devil, lying down beside the hole to peek over the edge. I hoped I remained silent and invisible enough not to be detected. Who knows what I would get for listening in...

Down there stood Megatron with Knock Out and Soundwave in a circle. Starscream was slightly aside, pacing nervously here and there and complaining about something very loudly. Great, all the higher-ups in one place.

"...hate to repeat myself Master, but I can't stress it enough: they were about to ally with the Autobots! We can't ignore the fact! They do not share our conviction! You can't just let them walk around in your ship! Please reconsider your choice! Do we really need them?" the Seeker threw his servos up in the air with a frustrated growl.

"Starscream, you still fail to comprehend that the more new recruits the Autobots gain, the greater threat they become. Optimus and his team make enough trouble with their current numbers, and I'm not giving them any more help by pushing these three into their arms."

"We could have simply just killed them. Problem solved," Starscream huffed in annoyance and my optics opened wide. They were talking about us...Crossflare, Mercy and me...

"They can still be of use, Starscream. Crossflare for example is a promising chemist in her field," Knock Out interrupted casually, like the topic itself was nothing of great interest. They were talking about our life and death as if they were having a chat about the weather!

"We don't know that for sure yet," Starscream bit back with a low growl, sending a hateful glare in the medic's direction, "Maybe she is the only one out of the three worth something. But I don't see any fantasy in the other two. They are only in the way."

Hah! I gripped the edge tighter, fury rising as I imagined to be down there and punching him in the face. No fantasy, huh?! You little scrawny prick! I will show you, oh boy, I will show you how I'll be the most efficient soldier the war has ever seen! I swear you will deeply regret your every fragging word!

Megatron sighed and I felt irritation in that sigh. Yeah, I am not the only one losing my temper it seems.

"They can be used as a distraction. The Autobots have shown peculiar interest in them and even if we managed to create confusion with our little incident, I think Optimus has already realized that we interfered last time," he explained slowly and the more he said the quicker my spark pulsed.

What...? What was he talking about...?

"The Autobots will make attempts to win them over and will continue to trust them. That is an advantage we can make great use of."

Starscream still didn't seem convinced and kept pacing. I was starting to feel dizzy. What are they talking about?

"You mean...you want to blackmail the Autobots with them?" the Seeker stopped, considering the idea.

"In secret, I suppose," Knock Out added, raising an eyebrow in Megatron's direction, "I don't think they would be happily playing along if they learned that we tricked them."

"They won't learn of this," the warlord towered over the small grounder threateningly and Knock Out immediately put his servos up as a sign of surrender, "You will make sure of it, Knock Out!"

"O-of course, my liege! I managed to earn their trust and I had done everything as you ordered!"

"Really? Your dear chemist still seems to be rather reluctant to get along," Starscream chuckled mockingly.

"Argh, don't even mention her! I can't deal with that femme, she is like a stone!" Knock Out threw his servos up in frustration, "Nothing I do impresses her!"

"What a shame," Starscream's grin grew wider and Knock Out stepped closer to him with clenched fists like he was ready to pick up a fight with the Seeker. Before it could have escalated into something worse, Megatron growled at them and raised a servo.

"Enough of your pointless bickering. Deceiving those three can't be this hard."

"They are all hard-headed, stubborn younglings. What do you expect from us? We are not sparkling-sitters!" Starscream grimaced like even the thought of our sight disgusted him. Now I was seriously thinking about hopping down to beat the life out of him. How dare he!

"Is that so? Soundwave seems to have no problem with his subordinate. While you two could only come up with excuses, he had successfully monitored our new recruits, ruined their meeting with the Autobots and manipulated the events flawlessly to make them side with us."

Both Starscream and Knock Out looked away with wounded pride, sulking over how Soundwave enjoyed all the spotlight of Megatron's praises, even if the mentioned silent Con did nothing but stood still and continued to listen.

I was furious. I wanted to scream at them, tear something apart...I felt like I'm going to explode. No way. I must be hallucinating. It must be the aftereffect of the high-grade from yesterday. That can be the only explanation.

How could they deceive us so easily? How...?

I wanted to cry.

I got up, feeling this awful churn in my fuel tank and I turned on my heels, running without a look back. They lied to us, stopped us from joining the Autobots and made us lose our trust in them only to choose the Decepticons instead. They are going to brainwash us and use us as blackmail-objects. Mercy was already smitten with Soundwave and I'm sure Crossflare was also giving in to the lies we have been fed to. I have to tell them! We must do something!

I stumbled into the small control room, grabbed the handle of the cart and abruptly stopped to think over what I'm going to do next. Everything was a lie. Last night was a lie. I can't trust anyone here. I'm...I'm trapped.

Taking a deep inhale, I tried to focus on looking calm and collected when I exited the room and had to pass by the same guard I met just minutes ago. I forced a smile and waved a servo, but this time he only followed me with his gaze as I continued my way at a casual pace. I could only hope he didn't notice anything suspicious. I will be doomed if anyone learns I've been eavesdropping on the high-command's secret meeting.

The thought itself was enough to make me feel like I'm ready to throw up. And this has been only the second day on this damned warship since we joined. Can this get any worse?

I was trying to find a good excuse, a good reason for being so blind and dumb, but I found nothing. As I walked farther and farther, without destination or will to go anywhere after this experience, I caught a glimpse of a familiar gray wing from the corner of my optics and I turned my gaze immediately to follow the figure, who had probably just left that cursed meeting moments ago.

Rage boiled through my energon tubes. Starscream.

Without thinking about the consequences, I left the cart and broke into a dash down the corridor. With the intention to beat the slag out of this glitch, I jumped at him from behind and he failed to act in time.

He yelled loudly in surprise but almost immediately in pain because I began clawing into his armor wherever I touched him, kicking and tugging him down like a wild animal.

"What in the name of...!" he grabbed my arms and threw me over, sending me against the cold floor and I heard my plating crack.

I cursed under my breath and when I looked up my optics met with Starscream's murderous glare as he leaned into my view.

"What is the meaning of this, you crazy femme?!" his piercing optics should have scared me but I went too far to be afraid now.

I collected all my strength and jumped to my pedes, charging against him once more but he was prepared this time. He blocked my hits and got a hold of both of my wrists, holding them firmly and tightly while trying to withstand my furious kicks.

"You son of a glitch! Let me go! I will beat you into a pile of scrap! Get fragged you damn liar!" I yelled, losing almost all control over my emotions, and he cut in loudly:

"How dare you! End this rampage immediately! This will cost your position!"

"Who cares?! You want to kill me anyway because there is no fantasy in me, isn't that right?!" I screamed into his face while struggling to free myself. Who cares if anybody hears me after this? I'm slagged anyway.

Starscream's posture suddenly changed as a whole and his optics opened wide, his wings shutting with a snap.

"Where have you heard that?!" his claws dug into my wrists and I hissed in pain, stopping my struggle, but only for a moment to glare into his shocked optics fiercely.

"Does it ring a bell, perhaps?"

Starscream's optics narrowed dangerously and he suddenly moved, dragging me along. I protested, yelling and kicking, but pointlessly. He practically threw me into the closest empty room and looked around to see if anyone had seen or heard us before he closed it behind himself and locked it with a code.

I was totally fragged. A hint of regret entered my spark but I was ready to face the consequences. Maybe I was rash and irresponsible, but I'm not going to be deceived anymore. I will stand up for myself and he won't scare me.

"You eavesdropped, didn't you?" Starscream hissed out, watching me as I struggled to stand up. I supported myself by leaning against a counter at the side of the room while glaring daggers in his way.

"Seems like it," I spat.

"Listen you troublesome femme," he took a few steps closer, but only earned a warning growl from me in response, "I don't know how much you have heard, but if you think you can get away with it then you are highly mistaken."

"You don't say! And what are you going to do with me? Imprison me? Punish me by death?" I mocked, knowing that I can't win this battle so I have nothing to lose.

He looked over me in disdain, his clenched fists indicating that he had very little patience left with me. Maybe one or two more words and I'm crossing the line. His silence was growing longer and I began to lose my confidence. What the heck was he thinking about?!

"If you know what's best for you, you are not telling anyone about this," he narrowed his optics at me and I scoffed.

"Uh? Really? What is stopping me?"

"The fact that you are going to be offlined and you got me involved as well, you idiot!" he snapped, losing his temper, "Do you have any idea what Lord Megatron is going to do to us?! I'm as good as dead if it turns out I let you listen in! Got it?!"

"You have no part in what I did at all," I frowned in confusion.

"Who do you think is in charge of you?! Me! Everybody likes to blame everything on me anyway, I don't need you to make it worse!" he pointed an accusing finger at me furiously.

"Like I care. You said those words. I have no interest in anything you say anymore!"

Starscream growled in response, his posture tense like he was ready to slap me in the face. Fortunately he was standing in a bit of a distance and would have to catch me first. But instead of charging at me, he released a long sigh and crossed his arms.

"You are running into your death, femme. And I'm not going to let you take me along, so I propose a deal."

"Why do you think I'm interested? You lied to us. I'm quitting and my friends will as well," I huffed, like I could solve things easily just like that.

"I don't think you understand your situation. Once a Decepticon, always a Decepticon," his cruel optics bore into mine, sending a horrible chill down my spine, "You either live or die for the cause. There is no in between. Don't you understand? Deserters are slain, no matter who they are or once were."

"That-that is…no...!" I wanted to retort, deny his words but deep down I knew he was saying the truth. And now it was clear that there wasn't a way out of Megatron's clutch. Our lives were in his palm, crushed or left for good by his will alone.

"You can lie anything you want to yourself, the facts don't change. Think about your friends. You might not care about your fate but theirs?"

Crossflare and Mercy...no, I would never risk hurting them. But they should know about this! We must do something...but can we? Are we late?

Seeing my hesitation and lost expression, Starscream flashed a smug smirk.

"So here is my deal. You act like nothing happened and I will make your miserable lives a bit easier."

I angrily clenched my fists.

"That's very generous, but I will tell it to my friends and you can't stop me!"

He didn't seem pleased with such an answer.

"Use your processor, femme. I'm not offering such things twice! Just think about it: neither of us like Megatron, we both have something to hide and we can help each other out. I'm proposing a secret alliance. If you support me, I'm going to support you. How does that sound?"

I sank into deep thoughts. If I listen to him, I can survive this incident unscathed, and if he keeps his promise, maybe I can reach my original goal much easier. But what is that worth now when it is clear that everything was a lie? What do I win with this?

"Why would I trust you?" I asked my last question, knowing that I'm going to give in eventually.

"Because you don't really have a choice."

Yeah, because I don't have a choice. He has spoken the truth.

"I have some conditions," I spoke up, refusing to give up the fight still.

"Oh Primus, what in the pit do you want yet?" he drew his claws over his face dramatically. I thoroughly enjoyed making him suffer, in any way possible.
"First: stop calling me 'fool' or 'idiot' or 'femme' or 'youngling'. I'm Halo."

"You have forgotten the 'glitch'."

"Okay, that one as well. Learn my name."

"Is that all?" he sighed.

"Hm...possible additions later," I smirked, knowing that everything is up to me now.

"What?!" Starscream glared daggers at me but I just shook my head cockily.

"No other way, Starscream."

"You little...!" he clenched his fists.

"Halo," I pointed out with a wide grin.

"Ugh, fine. Deal. Then make a believable role play or we will be fragged!" he gave in eventually, though not happy with how everything played out.

"It's always fun to make deals with you," I was satisfied with how this turned out. I mean, it could have gone much worse.

Starscream muttered something under his breath and unlocked the door which hissed open when we exited together. We went in as enemies and came out as allies. Strange how fate works.

"I hope I'm not going to regret this," I heard him mumble and I shot him a glare.

"I should be the one saying that."

"Just keep yourself to what you promised and keep your friends in check as well. I'm going to do my part," he pointed at me in warning and I mock-saluted him.

"Understood, Commander!"

Starscream rolled his optics.

"You change behavior quickly."

"Only when circumstances change quickly."

Rubbing his forehead in an annoyed way, he could only sigh once again.

"I can't understand the way femmes think," Starscream left it at that and I was more than satisfied with my little stunt. I not only eavesdropped on a secret meeting and learned dark stuff but rightfully attacked Starscream and allied up with him. I felt a little proud. But only just a little bit.

Wile taking our way towards the mess hall, my processor sank into an ocean of worries and doubts. What if I'm doing the wrong thing? What will Crossflare say to this? And first of all: what are we going to do next? The Decepticons were clearly not the people we believed them to be. What now?

We entered into the almost empty mess hall, only a few Vehicons and Mercy were present. It was early for extra rations and it seemed like Mercy had just arrived here as well. She placed her glass and a little snack on the table she intended to sit by. I beckoned to her and she smiled happily at my sight.

She seemed surprised at the sight of Starscream beside me though. Yeah, odd, I can admit that. I forced a smile and wondered about how to share such bad news with her. Maybe the timing and place wasn't the best.

"Where is Soundwave?" I asked when we reached her. Starscream didn't seem to lose track of me, as if he wanted to monitor my every single move and make sure I'm not saying things I shouldn't.

"He was summoned by Megatron and hasn't returned since then. I thought I should take a break and refuel," she answered with a small shrug and a shy smile.

"Maybe it's best I make sure he hasn't heard anything troublesome," Starscream muttered and finally departed from us. Before he left, he looked back and pointed at me strictly, his gaze locking with mine.

"Don't forget what I said!"

"You neither!" I pointed back.

We nodded in unison then he disappeared.

"What was that?" Mercy asked curiously with a mix of confusion on her face.

My casual mood dispersed as I remembered what I had to tell her.

"Mercy...we have something important to discuss..."

---

Huh! Took me forever to do the proofreading. I bet it's still full of mistakes, but…nevermind. Ignore them.

In case you don't recognize places I mention, I took liberty to incorporate places only seen in the game (Transformers Prime The Game). The Nemesis is also far more interesting like that, given that it's a huge ship with many levels and more facilities than it is shown in the show.

Yes, the Cons are all manipulative assholes. Nothing new. Conflicts and emotional roller-coasters next time!

Thank you for reading and don't forget to leave a comment or review!

See ya all later! :)