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)

8. Confrontation

The cat is out of the bag now. How do our girls respond to the truth? Is there anything they can do? Lets see.

Sincere thanks for all the feedback! :')

Enjoy!

Warnings: Grammar errors and typos may appear in the text. I do not own TFP or its characters but I own my OCs!

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Chapter 8: Confrontation

Halo POV

Mercy was sitting in the corner of our room with her knees pulled up to her chest, her face hiding behind her arms as she tightly embraced herself. She looked so defeated...Maybe I shouldn't have told her anything.

Thinking back now, I have no idea how I had fallen for the lies the Decepticons fed us. What kind of fog clouded my vision so that I couldn't see the clues? The sudden attack during the meeting, Knock Out's recent visits, Soundwave coming along...

How could I not see through those wicked optics of Megatron? How could I nod to his words when we discussed both factions? Why couldn't I see that all of this was their handiwork? It was so evident!

And I think Crossflare knew it all along. Or at least had her suspicions.

I'm so stupid...

"I was so sure he was different..." Mercy sobbed quietly, burying her face deeper into her arms.

"I know. You grew to like that creepy guy...ughhh..." I scratched the back of my head awkwardly, somewhat understanding her disappointment yet not at the same time. But still, why the Pit would she like that mech so much?! Sure, Soundwave was oddly calm and collected, something Mercy always looked up to and searched for, but...

But where is Crossflare? She should be informed as well. Just thinking of what her reaction will be seemed enough for me to reconsider my next action before I beckoned to Mercy to follow me.

She wiped her optics and shakily rose to her pedes. She looked miserable in her broken state. How I hated to see her cry. This sweet femme almost always smiled, sadness was pretty much unknown to her face. Trying to soothe her, I patted her shoulder gently and muttered kind, reassuring words to her as we left our room to find Crossflare. There were only a few places she would be at.

Working tirelessly beside her work table, we found her in the laboratory. Seeing her occupied like that reminded me of the old days. The time I spent at her workplace, watching her work herself to exhaustion just to save me...and save many others. She would never stop until stasis knocked her out. That's the kind of person she was. Crossflare lived and died for her work.

"Good morning," she didn't even spare us a glance over her shoulder. She carefully held a vial of dark blue liquid, dropping small droplets of a different substance into it with utmost concentration. Compared to her state yesterday, she looked pretty sober now. I wonder if she has some kind of medicine for hangover subspaced somewhere...

"Hi, CF," I offered a weak response.

I couldn't bring myself to smile. All the bad thoughts came rushing back and invaded my processor. This is going to be tough and I don't think I'm ready for a storm.

She looked up and placed her tools down. It seems hearing the tone of my voice was enough for her to catch onto its meaning. Her optics found mine in concern.

"Is something the matter?"

Then her gaze flicked over to Mercy's sorrowful sight and she immediately turned our way and came up to her, cradling our sobbing friend gently like a human mother would a startled child.

No matter how fierce and distant Crossflare acted most of the time, no one could offer more warmth and tenderness than her.

For a moment I hesitated to open my mouth. Then I gathered whatever courage I still had.

"There is something I must tell you CF. And this is bad news," I finally announced. She looked at me readily, nodding to me with a serious expression, prepared to listen to what I've got to tell, be it anything.

I exhaled a frustrated sigh while trying to collect my thoughts. Where should I start?

"We were deceived," great, not exactly how I wanted to start. Then I began explaining, going back to the moment we decided on which faction to choose. All through my explanation, she listened quietly, holding Mercy close, but the more she heard the worse her glare had become. Her optics burned with fury and betrayal.

"As you can see, every single action was a lie, a big charade. I...confronted Starscream about it and he offered me a deal but we can't trust him fully either. We have to be careful not to let anyone know we know," I wrapped the story up and a heavy, uncomfortable silence settled upon us.

"What do we do now, Crossflare?" Mercy asked, her voice trembling.

CF released her and stepped aside with a dark expression. I gulped, watching her come to her own conclusions with a dreadful feeling in my fuel tank.

"I should've known," Crossflare spoke up, baring her denta, "I had this nagging feeling that something was horribly wrong, and yet I pushed it aside. I was an idiot!"

Her optics omitted fire.

"We can't do anything rash for the time being," I reminded her quickly, "I promised Starscream that we will act like we are clueless. I know it sounds foolish, but there is not much we can do at the moment. Decepticons sentence deserters to death. We are trapped in this situation for the time being."

Mercy cast her optics down, fighting back more tears. I really pitied her but I couldn't offer any encouragement now.

"What a Primus-forsaken curse," Crossflare hissed and turned around to step back to her working station. She absently grabbed some empty bottles and flung them against the wall. They shattered upon impact. The shards scattered across the counter's surface and the floor.

Mercy and I recoiled in shock, but our friend stopped at that and didn't throw anything else. She placed her servos on the edge of the table and muttered something under her breath.

I couldn't make out the words but I could guess. She will need some time to get over this until she finds her calm, level-headed inner self again. Maybe it's best we leave her alone.

"Knock, knock!" suddenly someone knocked - although the doors were wide open - and cheerfully entered the laboratory.

I wished it wasn't him. Great, just the right person to interrupt at a moment like this! He has impeccable timing!

Knock Out strode closer and noted that all the three of us are in there. He nodded in greeting and went straight to Crossflare, or would have, because he halted once he stepped on a shard.

"Uh, what happened here? Nevermind, I will send someone to clean this up. I need your attention for a few minutes. I want to introduce a special formula to you..." he picked up a small piece of glass, turning it around between his digits as he talked in a carefree manner.

Knowing what he actually thought of us and Crossflare, I couldn't help but grimace. What a two-faced bastard!

My friend stubbornly stared forward, gaze turned away from him, her servos gripping the edge of the counter tighter. Even his voice made her shudder in disgust.

It seems I managed to hurt her with the truth more than I anticipated, as strange as that sounds. Her defense mechanism was different from Mercy's: she was the type to get very angry and hostile with those who lied to her.

"Not now, Knock Out," she grumbled as she bent down to pick up the shards. The mech looked somewhat confused and I think he caught the venom in her voice because he turned towards us with a questioning gaze.

I shrugged and tried to tell him with a gesture of a servo that it's better if he leaves now. Although reluctantly, he stepped back and backed off, his optics darting from us to her.

Just leave already!

"Then, khm, please inform me when you are less occupied. It's an important matter," the mech called back before he left eventually, causing me to sigh in relief. I think Crossflare needed all the self-control she had to hold herself back from throwing the medic across the room.

Her mood didn't get better after he disappeared. She was collecting the shards in tense silence as if she was about to explode any moment when she didn't have her servos busy.

"CF, please cool down, you are starting to scare us," I pleaded cautiously.
Crossflare glanced up with narrowed optics but caught Mercy's worried gaze and her expression softened by a fraction.
"….sorry. I don't know what has gotten into me..." she shook her head and stood, placing the collected shards on the tabletop.

"You feel betrayed. Just like we do. We don't blame you," I offered her a small, comforting smile. It was strange that I was the one calming her when usually I needed this from her.

"It's just….I'm mad at myself more than anything. I'm sorry girls. It's all my fault."

---

Mercy POV

Yesterday, I was filled with joy, excitement and had a new vision about our future together here on the warship. But Halo's words today destroyed them all, sending my naive fantasy to shatter on the floor. I have no idea what pained me more: the fact that we chose the bad side or the fact that I appeared to have a silly crush on an officer of the said faction.

I was easy to manipulate, I can't deny. When it came to others, I always tried to see the good in them and when I found something good about them I gave my trust freely. I've been warned more than once that such a view on socialization is bad for me, but I failed to understand why my need for friendships was so dangerous. Now I knew: because there were people desecrating this trust.

I was naive to think the Decepticons aren't so bad. Soundwave was no exception.

The truth was out now but it felt like barely anything changed. Halo and Crossflare returned to their jobs, no matter how much they despised even the thought of working for someone who had lied to them. I had to do the same and keep silent. My spark felt heavy.

I shook my head on my way back to my work station while thinking about how to behave next to the mech who had manipulated me this whole time. It was more painful than I'd ever expected. Has he ever considered what we would feel knowing of his real role? Was there no remorse in his spark?

I can't say he lied to me because he never uttered a word. I can't say he forced me to do anything I didn't want either. Yet it felt like I had been moved by strings all along, like a type of doll human younglings like to play with.

When I reached the door of the Communications Room, I swallowed hard before I entered. I was determined to stare at the floor and not look at my superior as I walked up to my little screen and turned on the computer. I was sure Soundwave looked up and probably noted my presence with a nod, but it was impossible for me to say anything or look at him.

Get to work Mercy, act normal….!

Trying to focus on my work while being busy struggling with emotions was starting to make me feel sick. I have never been good at thinking with a clear head when emotions overlapped. The silence between us also began to suffocate me for the very first time since I have met Soundwave.

I never minded his quiet demeanor because it provided some calm and comfort. When we stood side by side, I was the one who initiated conversation and as a result abandoned my work for minutes out of need to express my thoughts to him because it was easy to talk to someone who always listened.

Everything changed so suddenly. From day to day, from hour to hour... I wasn't good at dealing with changes so fast.

Soundwave stopped typing after a while and turned his head towards me. I noticed his stare and focused my gaze on the screens with a tense stubbornness. Please, please don't look at me! I can't communicate right now. Just do your work and give me time to calm down!

He didn't turn away.

Soundwave abruptly raised a servo and took mine, pulling it away from the keyboard. That managed to gain my attention. He startled me so much that I jerked my servo away and glanced up with wide optics, afraid.

His servo froze. As if he didn't understand my reaction.

I cursed myself. I shouldn't have been so jumpy, I must be looking suspicious now! I tried to come up with a good excuse as I caught my gaze away. I had to say something, but words escaped my reach.

Soundwave tilted his head to the side and slowly lowered his servo. It seems he accepted the fact that I won't talk. Without pressing it further, he turned back to the screens and continued his work, albeit slower than before.

I closed my optics for a moment and sighed quietly. This is not how I meant to behave. But I couldn't help it.

I was afraid of him.

---

Crossflare POV

I pretended to be busy. But there was only so much I could do to keep the medic out of the laboratory. It was his right to come and go as he pleased, being the Chief Medical Officer and Head Scientist of the ship. The second time he visited he had Breakdown by his side. Fortunately they didn't bring any of the 'assistant-candidate' Vehicons like the other day.

Breakdown made himself comfortable on the closest seat and tapped a digit on one of the perfectly organized containers with variously colored glowing substances inside. I would rather not have him break any of those, but my attention was completely elsewhere.

Knock Out. That manipulative self-absorbed bastard.

I turned my back to them and closed my optics. Just leave me alone. I didn't even want to look at them after hearing everything they had done...or rather Knock Out did. I doubted Breakdown had as much to do with it as his boss.

That still didn't change the fact that both were part of this well-crafted theatrical play. Everything was fake. They played a role in Megatron's plan to turn us against the Autobots. I hated to admit that I grew to like them a little. Yesterday I thought that I had 'fun'. Not because of their presence in particular but it was really a good night. Now I wished them to the Pit. Knock Out, mainly.

I don't need pretty but empty smiles. I don't need pretty but false words either. I'm not that stupid.

"Hey, Crossflare! I'm back. The formula I'm going to show you is top secret, and it will be the center of your research," Knock Out stepped up to me and placed a datapad on the table for me to see. I didn't reach for it. I was in no mood to even look at it.

The mech noticed my tense posture and leaned forward with a questioning glance as he waved a servo in front of my face. I pressed my mouth into a thin line, trying to hold my temper back.

But he is a fragging liar and he is not worthy of my time or attention anymore!

"I'm not interested," I hissed out involuntarily.

"Huh?" The face Knock Out made was indescribable and I found myself feeling unsatisfied with his reaction. I wanted to slap him right there and see his face afterwards.

"What are you..?" he took a step back in confusion as I finally looked at him with a piercing glare.

"I told you not to disturb me! Will you never leave me alone?!" I demanded, raising my voice to a threatening level.

I regretted it the next moment. I went too far. I should have kept my mouth shut. He will know that I learned of their little dark secret in a minute.

Knock Out stared at me as if I handed him a chunk of tox-en and raised his servos innocently as he cast an uncertain look in Breakdown's direction.

"What is it, Crossflare? Did something happen?" he asked when he looked back at me, utterly confused. He looked sincerely clueless. Like there was nothing to be mad about! It only infuriated me even more!

I didn't answer immediately and an uncomfortable pause settled in. Breakdown raised a servo to his audio-receptor abruptly, frowning as he listened to someone talking over the comm.

"Umm, doc!" His interruption caused the tense atmosphere to lighten but just for a moment, "We have an injured Vehicon taken to the med-bay. Some kind of accident happened in one of the mines. You are requested to take a look at them."

Knock Out didn't know whether to be relieved or annoyed. He frowned in thought for some time until he finally straightened his back and placed his servos on his hips, ready to open his mouth.

"Knock Out, aren't you coming?" Breakdown was already in the doorway, ready to leave.

"Just a minute, go forward," Knock Out answered without any emotion in his tone as he held my gaze, but then I suddenly turned on my heels and went back to my research.

"Khm, are you angry with me? I don't remember doing anything wrong," he followed me with an expression I assumed was meant to be placating.

"Tch..." Unbelievable. That's bold of him to say!

"What was that? Hey, look at me! Be a little bit more straightforward with me, please?" he tried again, stepping closer with more confidence.

Something snapped in me.

"Oh? OH? You want that?!" I spun around, losing the grip on my temper completely. I pointed an accusing finger in his face, "But you did nothing wrong, didn't you?!"

"I didn't!" he snapped back, pushing my servo away from his oh so cherished, flawless face.

"Knock Out," Breakdown called back again.

"I told you to go! One minute!" Knock Out yelled over his shoulder impatiently, "Can't you see I'm busy?!"

Breakdown looked abashed and shrunk slightly from the sudden change in his friend's mood.

Knock Out was less friendly or ready to make peace when he looked at me again.

"Okay, we can play this game. I don't understand why you are suddenly being difficult, but just to remind you, I am the reason you and your friends are still online! How rude and ungrateful of you to still act like a glitch!"

"Really? Says the one who I put blind trust into but it turned out that his every action and word is fake! I don't need your pretty smiles! Show me who you really are or get away from me!" The fury rose in my optics as I declared loudly, making him recoil.

"What are you talking about...?"
"Knock Out, the minute is..." Breakdown interrupted once again, probably trying to separate us as soon as possible, judging by how he caught his gaze from him to me and back. Maybe it's better if he takes the medic with himself, far enough from me.
"I'm coming," Knock Out muttered in a frustrated manner and made his way out. He took a last glimpse behind before he disappeared from the laboratory and I was left to fume in myself.

I'm so stupid. I felt so bad after this pointless confrontation. I managed to do everything I promised Halo not to. I didn't intend to throw these things into Knock Out's face right now, so soon, like this... but I just couldn't hold myself back. I loathed lies and liars. Speak honestly and straightforwardly, no hidden secrets.

But as always, my unbearable nature made me fail again.

---

James POV

The feeling of resignation that my girls joined the Decepticons just didn't want to settle with me. No, there must be a misunderstanding. I must have read the message in the wrong direction.

But who am I kidding? Facts are facts.

Ever since I found them, broken and bruised in the dust, desperate for energon, protection, home, I've been feeling responsible for them. Not as if they couldn't care for themselves. All of them were unique people and even though they originated from a different planet, they shared a lot in common with us. Maybe it's foolish to say, but I found humanity in those mechanical eyes.

It has been a while since I retired from duty but I still remember and know well what war is. I wish no one would need to experience it in any circumstances and I had sworn I will keep these girls in the shadows, protect their neutrality at all costs. The beginnings are never easy. There is mistrust and caution, suspicions and confrontations. Many and many sleepless nights and fights are behind us. During the years, I managed to get close to these mechanical wonders, getting a look behind the cold and hard armor and seeing lonely, hopeless children. I know they are thousand times older than me, but that didn't hold me back from thinking about them as kids. Sometimes they even acted like ones.

Back to the present, the arrival of three Autobots one evening was as unexpected as a meteor crashing into the neighborhood. After attacking my girls, they would have done better staying home. Thinking about it, why the hell would they attack them? Or us?

As ridiculous as it was to hold a rifle pointed at metallic giants, I wouldn't have welcomed them any other way.

Surprise came when the Autobot leader, obviously he was the one, standing tall on the front with all his incredible height, descended on one knee before me, appearing to be everything except hostile. I did not lower my rifle however, knowing nothing of their intentions. They arrived just as peacefully to the meeting with my girls, and I know well how that ended. Obvious worry shot through when I thought of Crossflare and her wound. But every other thought was pushed into the back of my mind when the Prime spoke with unexpected apology and caution in his voice:

"You are James Barrow, human ally of Crossflare, Halo and Mercy?"

Hearing their names sent a terrible chill over my spine, my muscles tensed and my finger on the ricochet readily curled.

"Came to attack my home too? Like shooting my girl across the chest wasn't enough for you," I blared, staring down the Prime with all the courage I had. I never had the opportunity to meet a male of the Cybertronian species before but I presumed I will be able to handle them. They weren't the first aliens to cross my path nor was I a beginner in that matter.

"I'm afraid there is a misunderstanding that must be cleared as soon as possible. May I speak to Crossflare and offer a proper explanation of the incident two days ago?" The Prime was looking at me with expectations, as if he didn't even question if I would comply. That didn't sit too well with me.

"What if she or neither of them wants to see you?" my voice was sharp, hinting at more than I would have liked to.

The other two Bots, a white and orange male and a sapphire blue female, exchanged a concerned frown, the female's more of a guilty look.

"While I can see why they wouldn't like to talk to us, knowing that they haven't responded to any call or message since yesterday, I'm not intending to leave until we have spoken to them."

"Too late guys," I finally lowered the rifle but still holding it ready while also having a hunch that I won't truly need it, "They sought help from the Decepticons."

Their expressions were one of which I expected. The Prime rose to his full height and his anxious gaze fixed on the empty hangar which once housed my Cybertronian guests who eventually became part of the 'family' over the years. Their absence has changed the atmosphere around the house, bringing forth something I couldn't really identify. The hangar stood silently, vacant of life.

"It's my fault," the female hissed under her breath, lowering her head and clenching her fists tightly beside her thighs. She appeared to be blaming herself, "I should have listened to whatever explanation they had and not have jumped to conclusions so quickly."

"In such a situation, any of us would have misread the circumstances. We weren't sure the attack wasn't their doing," the Prime turned to her, eyes not stern but forgiving.

"Whatever we thought that time doesn't matter right now," the other male, sounding older than any of them finally spoke up and shook his head in frustration, "The three of them were obviously there to join us, not to lead us into a trap, but the Decepticons ruined the meeting and confused both party to believe the other had turned tides. No surprise they naively turned to the Decepticons for help. Crossflare's injury, from what I've seen, was screaming for a medic."

"They returned afterwards," I pointed out, halting the Prime and the female from replying anything to their comrade, "They tried to contact that girl called Miko after you-" I jabbed a finger in the blue female's direction, "-rather angrily left the perimeter before any of them could have made things clear. But she wasn't responding."

The ambulance car rubbed his forehead as a very annoyed sigh escaped his lips.

"Miko should have picked up the phone. We should have ordered her to do so. But she was too furious and disappointed after hearing what happened and she threw a hissy fit by not answering Halo's calls."

"Whatever, my girls concluded they are not welcome anymore. So they left abruptly and haven't returned ever since. They sent an apologetic message yesterday however. They had joined the Decepticons."

My voice was as casual as it could be in such a situation, but my last words hung in the air heavily for a long time after I finished the last sentence.

---

Halo POV

"They know," was all I said the other day and Starscream's expression morphed into a very deep frown. He knew very well what I meant. Whatever was on his mind though, didn't leave his mouth this time.

I shifted my weight from one ped to the other, my arms folded over my chest and my gaze expectantly hung on the seeker's face who was occupied with incoming reports from one of our mines. Two Autobot signals have been detected and the miners asked for reinforcements in case of an upcoming battle. The mine, positioned somewhere in Canada, was one of the energon-richest places in that country and a perfect target for the Autobots for an energon supply-raid. The area was large enough for the miners to miss the enemy stealing some of the crystals and while the loss to us wasn't of any significance, Starscream had explained that stopping the Autobots from obtaining any means their supplies would be shortened. That is a disadvantage for them and a win for us.

I pitied the Autobots, imagining how hard it must be for them. Of course these thoughts were pushed away in fear anyone had the ability to see into my processor. On this ship, Autobots were the enemy. As much as I hated the whole ordeal I was currently trapped in, I had to think of them as foes, no matter what.

Just keep up this role play for a little longer and I will find out how to get our trio out of the clutches of Megatron and the Decepticons. The problem was that I had no ideas so far.

A red message flashed up on the screen and I questioningly glanced at Starscream after reading it. The miners and some soldiers were tailing the Autobots who didn't seem to engage them in a fight but were leaving quickly with precious cargo.

"You come with me," Starscream wasn't pleased with the situation and beckoned to me before he turned on his heels to leave the command deck. My optics opened slightly wider and I found myself following him in awe, surprised by the order. I just made a short detour to catch up with him a moment ago and was about to return to my tasks immediately after, but now he takes me wherever he goes? Now that's new!

"Is there a reason I have to come?" catching up with him in the portal he requested from Soundwave, I wondered what was going on in his complicated processor.

"It's best for the time being that I keep my optics on you, fe-Halo...I don't trust you," was all he muttered, straining my name like expelling it took great energy.

An involuntary grin crept to my face and I muffled a particularly amused chuckle.

"Oh. If you wanted to stare at me, you could have just asked," I swayed my hips teasingly and I burst into a laugh at the expression he made, one of a mix of shock, anger and obvious disgust.

"H-how dare you...!"

"Yeah, yeah, I heard that a couple of times. I dare a lot of things," I waved dismissively, deciding on calling a retreat instead of getting on his nerves. We were supposed to be allies afterall. But how can a femme like me help it when it has been eons ago I had a mech staring at me? Right or not, I enjoyed the attention. Upon second thought, I figured Starscream is hard to impress, no matter what you do. Not as if that was anything new, since he had very high standards in general.

Starscream turned his attention to the Vehicons coming in our way, ignoring me for the time being though there was an obvious scowl on his face. I stood slightly behind, knowing that allies or not, I was still nothing more than a simple energon-delivery bot and walking beside him like a confident equal would only raise suspicions. It bugged me nevertheless.

"You let them ESCAPE?!" Starscream roared - or rather shrieked - when the Vehicon reported that the Autobots were gone.

"T-they bridged themselves out, Commander Starscream, there was nothing we could do...!"

Slap.

My optics opened wide and I actually flinched in unison with the five other drones when Starscream's servo collided with the reporting Vehicon's face. D-did he just slap that poor mech in the face?!

"I sent you here for nothing then?!" the Seeker's optics were burning, his servos clenched in fists and his wings perked up, dangerously widening. He could look intimidating when he wanted to I had to admit, and for a moment I exchanged startled looks with the other Vehicons. Was this behavior common?

Before I could have interrupted with the intention to soothe the tension, blasts could be heard from a short distance which echoed through the tunnels of the mine.

We all turned to look at the entrance to the dark room on our left when a drone flew out and landed painfully on the hard ground, groaning in misery from a fatal shot in the chest.

"Miko! Where are you?!" Bulkhead's booming, worried voice grabbed my attention from inside as the fight continued and the Vehicons standing beside us all dashed through the entrance to help out their miner brothers against the Autobots who seemed to have returned in an unexpected hurry.

"What the pit do they want now?" Starscream growled with malice, transforming one of his arms into a spectacular blaster and cautiously edged closer to the rocks that framed the room. I didn't hesitate to scoot after him and peek out from behind to see the fight that unfolded inside. Somehow I wasn't surprised to find Bulkhead and Bumblebee running around and crushing drones one by one while yelling Miko's name all around. I had a very strong idea about what was going on.

"Is it safe to shoot in an energon mine? I mean, the whole ceiling can come down from a stray blast or the crystals might overcharge and explode!" I frowned, sparing a glance at my commander's focused expression.

"No, but do we have an option when those stupid Autobots shoot at us?" he growled back, and extended a servo which forced me to step back, "Stay here and try not to..."

But I wasn't listening to him anymore when I caught a glimpse of a small figure dashing across the room in hurry to cover behind a smaller rock and shield herself from an incoming blast. My spark skipped a beat when my pedes moved from themselves as I ducked into the room without thinking, leaving the fairly safe spot I've been watching the whole scene from. I heard Starscream's angry yell from behind, but I let that slip by as I skidded the last few meters to the small rock, gaining a few bruises before coming to a halt.

Tiny, shocked eyes stared up at me and I allowed a quick grin to spread on my face before I caught her in my hands and held her close. Miko was such a troublemaker. We had that in common!

"You just can't stay out of trouble, can you?" I whispered as loudly as possible, already looking for an opportunity to move.

"Halo?" was all she could mutter, her hands gripping my fingers to keep herself steady. I practically leaped across four fallen bodies before I took cover behind a larger crystal, a bad choice of hideout.

Bulkhead rushed past us and I grabbed the chance to close the distance, swinging my servo to punch into the green Autobot's back hard enough to get his attention. It worked. Bulkhead spun around with speed I'd never expected, ready to smash down with that impressive wrecking ball of his, only to stop when he recognized me and I quickly tossed Miko into his other servo.

"Keep her at bay or she won't be this lucky next time!" with that I leaped away, just in time before a blast flew past between us. Turning, I caught a glance of an enraged Starscream aiming straight in our way. Oh, right. I'm supposed to be hostile with the Autobots. Scrap.

Then I saw his expression change and seeing how the other Vehicons and Bumblebee backed off, I suddenly had a good guess about what they were staring at with such frightened looks. Bulkhead and I moved at once when we realized that the blast from a moment ago hit a blue crystal, causing it to overcharge.

Oh joy.

I managed to get to the entrance but the explosion threw me out, my back arching in an unnatural way as I flew against the opposite wall, then landed hard on the shaking ground. Orders were shouted through the air, I heard Miko shriek, then a green light illuminated my bruised figure and I felt servos helping me up.

A Vehicon flung one of my arms over his head, supporting me on his shoulder as he helped me limp into the swirling ground-bridge. I had no protests, my processor barely registered anything until we were on the other side.

"Are you okay?" the Vehicon asked with concern and I wondered if we'd met before. Maybe at the party...

"U-humm," I nodded, almost immediately deterred by coughing and I needed a moment to recover before I could finally stand on my pedes by myself once again. The dizziness faded and my full consciousness returned. Just in time to hear Starscream yell at me.

"What was THAT?! I ordered you to STAY BACK!" he was fuming as he threw his servos up, continuing to curse me as if I've committed the greatest sin in my life.

"I took care of the problem," I wiped my mouth and dusted myself off. I was covered in dust from top to ped but fortunately I didn't suffer any serious damage aside from a few scratches. Luck was with me this time.

"When I order you, you do what I say!" the Seeker stepped closer, his wings throwing me in their menacing shadows. He jabbed a finger against my chest as his ruby optics stared me down with murderous intent. For the very first time, I felt truly threatened by him.

I slumped my shoulders, aware of how I messed up big time this time. I should have stayed out of the fight. I shouldn't have helped Miko. I should've listened to him.

"Yes, sir..." I muttered, casting my gaze down. Submission was an unnatural response from me, one which I never took lightly. But at the moment pressing things any further would have just ruined the thin hope of our fragile alliance and I didn't need Starscream on my bad side. I have to constantly remind myself of that.

A drone coughed, gaining our attention.

"Commander Starscream, sir, the mine has collapsed on itself. Energy signatures are blocked by the rocks and we don't know how many miners are trapped underneath."

The Seeker snarled, raising a servo to slap this Vehicon too but I stood between them, blocking the way. Starscream didn't hesitate to hit me instead however. Only my words stopped him from doing so.

"Is there really any need for this? We should organize a rescue team and dig the trapped troops out!"

"We? I organize things, you do better shut your mouth while I'm still patient! But you are this close to crossing the line, femme!" The Seeker leaned closer, his raised servo now flexing before my neck cables, forcing me to swallow whatever I had on my tongue.

Silence was the right action now, no matter how the word 'femme' sent an outraged fire through my energon lines. He was back at it again, and I could do nothing but nod. Maybe allying up with him didn't change anything. Maybe no matter what I do, I will never get any tiny insignificant show of respect out of him.

I hated the thought because I knew he had every right to be angry with me.

---

Mercy POV

The tension between us lasted longer than I would've expected. Even on the next day, my optics wandered elsewhere, my digits drummed on the keyboard mindlessly, my spark felt tight. How long will this uncomfortable silence last? Soundwave held longer pauses than usual, looking in my way more often than needed in my opinion. My odd, reserved behavior was starting to fill the room with unspoken questions from his direction. I could feel it.

But he didn't ask.

He handed out silent instructions with short messages on my personal datapad and I eagerly fulfilled any task which had me outside the Communications Room. Talking to Vehicons felt somewhat relieving. They appeared to be clueless and they were exceptionally helpful. I assumed they liked me enough to help out with my tasks.

"Query: distracted?"

My optics forgot to blink when I read the message on my way back to my work station. The silence broke. Soundwave wanted to know what's wrong. My servos gripped the datapad tighter, my gaze sweeping over the two simple words twice more like it contained my death sentence.

What should I answer? I can't tell him I know it's his doing that we abandoned the idea of joining the Autobots. Or that it hurts me to think he played with my naivety even if it wasn't intentional. I was also a fool in the whole matter.

Things spiraled out of control in my environment before I could've figured out how to proceed. Crossflare dashed past me with a look of obvious horror on her face and judging by the course of her run, she was heading towards the med-bay. She hasn't visited the med-bay since yesterday after her confrontation with Knock Out. The two weren't on speaking terms with each other and I had a good guess why, although she hasn't told us what the issue was all about. I remember how the whole thing upset Halo, but she was silently fuming, knowing that arguing with Crossflare about the topic would do nothing good to us right now.

Crossflare was still angry with the mech. And with everyone else to be honest.

But her sudden shift from mad to sickly worried caused me to follow her without minding my own problems, hurrying to see what the source of her distress was this time. I didn't expect to stumble upon the scene that greeted us in the med-bay when we stepped inside.

"Then what should I have done?! Just watch the whole thing and stand idly by like the others?" Halo's strained, harsh voice filled the atmosphere. She stood beside the table where Starscream sat, pointing an accusing finger at him like she was lecturing him. That setup wasn't what made me gasp though.

The Air Commander was beaten up, his frame covered by scars and dents all around, his mouth leaking energon. His broken, slumped posture suggested he wasn't up to anything Halo was throwing at him.

The next thing I noticed: four large scars lined her front chassis across her chest, energon oozing from the wounds, her other arm hung limply at her left side with wires sticking out. That she and Starscream were both covered in dust and dirt only raised more questions.

By Solus, what happened here?

"Sorry to interrupt, but that was indeed a stupid thing to do. Your circuits must be fried. No one interferes when Megatron is beating Stasrcream, for a very good reason," Knock Out stepped beside her with a judgmental expression and put some distance between the two as he examined her limp arm, reattaching the severed sensory cables. She stood with a stubborn scowl but allowed him to work on her nevertheless.

"What happened to you?!" Crossflare flew across the room and ignored Knock Out's sound of protest when she grabbed Halo by the shoulders and turned her around to face her and take the damage in.

Halo's reluctant grimace told enough. She cast her gaze aside and shrugged our friend's servos off. There was an almost touchable tension in the room. Starscream and Crossflare were obviously focused on Halo while Knock Out couldn't take his glare off Crossflare. Things were about to get even worse.

---

Halo POV

This was my fourth day on the warship, recruited as a Decepticon, and I already got my first hand experience in why the Cons are afraid of Megatron's wrath so much.

Not long after Starscream and I made it back from the collapsing mine, we were summoned by our Lord to report on the incident which obviously didn't escape the always watching Soundwave's attention. Wait, correction: Starscream was summoned. I just tagged along for no particular reason except feeling partially responsible for what happened.

Megatron was seething in the command center, demanding to see Starscream right in the moment or else the ones present in the room will be all beheaded. Hearing his voice fill the large room sent horrible shivers running down my spine and I already regretted coming along. Glancing at Starscream, he flinched but showed no fear when we strolled in, immediately gaining attention. Without further instructions I slowed my pace and stayed behind beside a Vehicon who abandoned his work at his station just to watch what was about to play out.

"They are going at it again..." he muttered, almost inaudibly but my audio receptors picked up his words and my expression morphed into a confused frown. Again...? What again?

"Y-you called me my liege," Starscream stopped hesitantly in a small distance from his Lord whose optics roamed over the Seeker's sleek figure like a beast ready to tear its prey apart. I didn't like that look and I had no idea how Starscream could even stand in the focus of those terrible optics.

"Yes, I did. Explain to me, how could this happen?!" Megatron suddenly took a mighty step closer, pointing behind himself as footage of a collapsed mine came into view on the large screen behind the deck.

Oh scrap. There was a large crater in the place of the once hill-covered terrain, vast smoke trailing up towards the gray sky. Many miners must be trapped underneath the boulders and debris. It will be a lot of work to get them out of there.

"The Autobots found an entrance inside and caused a ruckus, it's all their fault...!" Starscream tried to reason, his voice sounded nervous and his posture suggested he would run away at any given moment. Somehow I could relate to that.

"According to Soundwave's report, you sent a security squad to help out. Why couldn't they deal with the threat?" Megatron stepped closer, slowly closing the distance between them, but Starscream's reply was backing off with his wings lowering behind his back.

"I-it appeared that the Autobots left after my squad assumed chase but they returned...that was unexpected and..." the Seeker was only gabbling at this point, reduced to a puddle of trembling energon. The proud, confident and superior mech almost completely gone. The change was more than a surprise for me. I've already seen him act similarly when around Megatron, but I've never seen him so...scared.

Pity and a familiar sense of empathy emerged to the surface of my spark. This wasn't right. Nothing that was going on felt right because I had this suspense that something even worse is going to happen.

"Unexpected? Unexpected?! This is the second mine you have lost to Autobot tricks this week! You don't have any excuses, Starscream! I could pardon one failure, but two? Next week we lose another two or three of our most resourceful territories?!" Megatron's harsh words echoed back from the walls and my tank felt tight from anticipation. I must say something. I must do something. It was partly my fault the mine collapsed. Starscream shouldn't be the only one yelled at, this is not fair.

"But Master, I..." the Seeker hunched, wishing the floor would swallow him, his wings almost flat against his back.

"I heard ENOUGH! Now I will make sure you remember not to fail me again!"

Before I could've figured out what to say and soothe Megatron's anger, Starscream's slim figure crashed against the cold floor meters behind where he stood a moment before. My spark jumped from the sight and I took a step back in terror when the robust warlord grabbed the pleading Seeker's helm and lifted him only to toss him against the closest wall, screens flickering and consoles beeping when Starscream bounced off the counter helplessly.

There was no time for him to regain composure or get up because Megatron's large fist collided with his face and chest, sending sparks flying as circuits buzzed with electricity.

Astonished, frightened and disgusted by what I was seeing, I turned to look at the others standing in the room. I don't know what I wanted. Maybe help. Someone to interrupt. To say it's enough, that it's not right. But no one even flinched.

I couldn't believe that everybody was just simply watching, some Vehicons weren't even interested, they continued typing like nothing of significance was happening. Or maybe just out of fear they would get their share of Megatron's wrath.

Before it registered what I was doing I found myself between the menacing warlord and the broken Seeker on the floor. There wasn't any plan in my mind, nor a prepared speech or a good excuse. I caught surprise in Megatron's optics when I appeared at Starscream's side but it quickly vanished as soon as he noticed I was shielding the second in command with my short figure which wasn't exactly doing a very good job at it.

"Please, my Lord..." I started, my voice dry and strained with audible fear, "There is no need to..."

"Out of my way," was the angered answer, the raised volume only indicating there was no place for me to resist. I would have obeyed without further objection if I wasn't firm in my decision. I'm not going to let this continue.

"There is no need for this!" I held my servos up in a placating manner, hoping I will be able to stop his rampage. Judging by the stunned silence and tense attention from everyone else in the room, there was very little chance of that. Oh Solus save me...

"You forget where your place is, Halo. It would be wise of you to stand aside and learn that I do NOT take such failures lightly," Megatron leaned close, all that filled my vision was his scarred face and those scarlet, invasive optics. The way he spelled my name caused my plating to tremble and my intake got caught in my throat. There was no confidence or courage left in me, yet I didn't make a move. I couldn't. I was cemented there, hearing Starscream's pained groan as he tried to get up.

"But my Lord it's my fault..."

There was no time for me to end the sentence, a pitiful plea that wouldn't have been acknowledged anyway. Megatron's large servo slapped me aside like I was just a small object in the way. His sharp claws cut into my armor and a silent scream escaped my lips when I crashed against the wall. The impact was greater than I expected. My left side cracked painfully and I knew my arm was somehow half-detached because I couldn't feel it anymore.

"There is no 'but' when I order you!" I heard Megatron's disdainful voice but I couldn't look up. Not like this. I was defeated, just as helpless and miserable as Starscream was, but inside I was fuming. My spark screamed for justice.

Megatron had no right to do this to any of us.

But finally I knew the rumors were true. That I had a good reason to be afraid and that I better be cautious and well-behaved, because there is no way I can fight back. Not to him.

I hated the very thought of it.

When the warlord finally felt satisfied after one last threat barked at the Seeker, he released Starscream and let him crawl into the med-bay and have his wounds tended to. I also made my way out, away from Megatron and his burning red optics. When we reached far enough I stepped beside Starscream and took his left arm to put it over my shoulder in an attempt to help put some of his weight on me but he snapped with a loud growl and pushed me away.

I blinked in bafflement and hurt.

"I just want to help...!"

"Nobody asked for your help!" Starscream bit back harshly, baring his denta, scarred wings flaring in warning, "Why the pit did you even interrupt anyway!"

"You were being beaten for no good reason!" I threw my healthy servo up and followed his stubborn figure.

"I failed. That is the punishment I get for it. Get used to it," he snarled, sending a cold chill over my frame. What? How could he say something like that? Was this really common? Something you can just 'get used to'? I'm sure as pit never will.

"You just shrug it off like this? You can't be serious!" I caught up to him, trying to get him to look at me.

"Stop nagging me femme, your obnoxious voice hurts my audio receptors," was all he grumbled.

I was starting to get angry with him too. Was everybody on this ship this senseless? This dumb, arrogant, selfish? No, I wasn't asking for gratitude or respect for standing up for him. I just wanted him to see how wrong the whole concept which he had already accepted was, though how, I had no idea.

"Halo! My name is Halo for the sake of Solus!" I yelled, losing my temper, then quickly fell into silence. There was no point in arguing. We were a slagged duo and none of us were in the mood to pick up a pointless fight.

After limping through corridors in complete silence, I quietly muttered in a sulking manner:

"No matter what you say, you didn't deserve that. And Megatron had no right to do that either. This just sucks."

The momentary calm changed into another argument when we stepped into the med-bay. Knock Out didn't look surprised to have Starscream as a patient (again), but he appeared stunned to see me.

"Halo? What a surprise...What did you get yourself involved in?" The medic ignored Starscream's complaints while the Seeker sat upon the table and tried to get attention for himself, pointlessly.

Knock Out examined my limp arm, moving it up and down and just shook his helm in disapproval at the sight of my dents and scars.

"I tried to stop Megatron," I rolled my optics, expecting him to laugh at me. I wouldn't really care at this point.

There was a pause in his movements, then he straightened and stared at me with optics wide and his mouth slightly agape.

"Come again?"

"I tried to stop Megatron. From beating Starscream," I huffed, avoiding optic-contact on purpose.

"Idiot," Starscream growled, probably saying what was on Knock Out's mind.

"Oh just shut up you ungrateful slagger!" I pointed at him with a swift movement, my gaze burning with anger and frustration, "Someone wants to help you once and this is how you treat them!"

"I owe nothing to you. Your actions, your problem."

"Then what should I have done?! Just watch the whole thing and stand idly by like the others?"

The doors swung open but I didn't notice my friends barging in worriedly. I was too focused on the two mechs who were too comfortable with this whole situation and I wasn't about to let this matter slide. No. I will never get used to it.

---

Crossflare POV

"What happened to you?"

Although the injuries were obvious - and I heard most of the story from the Vehicon who contacted me from the command center - I still wanted to hear her side. Why did she do something that stupid? When would she ever learn to keep her mouth shut? To behave and have self-control? To realize when she has no chance to stand up for herself? When will she grow up and get some sense beaten to her?!

"I'm really not in the mood to explain this," she countered, shrugging my servos off her shoulders, "I know I'm an idiot, I've heard that enough already."

"But Halo..." I reached after her, unable to hide my worry. She had no idea what kind of danger she was putting herself into with actions like this.

She turned, lifting her gaze to meet mine questioningly, her features softened momentarily just to put my spark at ease. Halo had her own tactics to avoid further interrogation when she wished to.

"It's okay CF. Really. I was just being stupid, like usual."

"This is not like usual at all. Why couldn't you just leave?" I forced the conversation to go on, no matter how she tried to get away from it. The responsibility for her life weighed on my shoulders and having Megatron on her bad side wasn't something she or any of us could afford. In spite of the circumstances, we still had to hold onto our posts and keep up appearances, even if all lies were starting to fall apart. Illusions never remained standing for long enough, that was something I've learned in my youth.

"Because that big jerk was hurting this small jerk and it wasn't fair!" Halo pointed at a beaten up Starscream who was already laid back on the table and treated by Knock Out who hadn't spared me a word since I entered.

Although it's not like I offered any time or need for that since I stepped inside. My spark felt regret for what I've done but it couldn't erase the grudge that still lingered. At least Knock Out wasn't pretending as if everything was okay anymore. But that didn't mean I liked his new attitude.

"Why can't you just stay away from trouble...?" I sighed, huffing in resignation. There is no way I will be able to handle so many stressful matters at once. Not while Knock Out was basically killing me with that radiant furious stare of his he didn't even try to hide.

"That's not exactly her strength," Mercy muttered, her silent and observant demeanor now appearing to be different from what I was used to. There must be other things on her mind. She could never hide well how distracted she was. But investigating her will be postponed for later.

Halo sat down on a farther positioned medical berth and swung her pedes with a sulking pout on her face. She was stubbornly staring at Starscream, for reasons unknown to me. Mercy and I took places beside her with the intention to stay until she is taken care of properly. I had one more reason to stay and I couldn't tell I was eager to get over my plan. But some things must be cleared, grudges must be resolved.

It's never as easy as it sounds.

Starscream was one of the loudest patients I've ever seen. His constant complaining and hisses, shrieks when something hurt was the least pleasant thing to listen to. Yet it somehow kept both Halo and Mercy focused during the whole time. Knock Out nodded, hummed and responded once or twice to the Seeker's whines but didn't really pick up the conversation. He let the second in command drift into long monologues about how things just never work smoothly on the warship and how everybody else is responsible for the mistakes he made.

Only once, I caught Knock Out's gaze. He looked up but just for a moment to check on us, then quickly returned his attention to the troublesome Seeker in hand. There was coldness and venom in that look. Far less pleasant than the bright, cheerful atmosphere that usually filled the air when he appeared. It troubled me more than I thought it would.

When Knock Out put Starscream in stasis to quicken the Seeker's self-repairing ability, he finally beckoned to Halo who hopped off and nudged me slightly with her good elbow before she jogged to the medic. I guess that was a way of saying 'come on, talk to him'. She was right, it was time to talk and I couldn't keep my voice back any longer anyway.

Watching as the mech cleaned off the dried energon from Halo's front and sterilized her wounds completely, I finally took the opportunity to talk to him while he was occupied.

"Knock Out."

He froze momentarily at the mention of his designation but didn't look up, probably with the intention to ignore me. But I wasn't going to let that happen.

"I'm sorry for the way I confronted you. Even though I have every right to be angry, it wasn't exactly right to do as I did," I continued without acknowledging his stubborn silence.

"She is talking to you," Halo whispered, staring suggestively at him from up close.

"I know," Knock Out growled with his voice held back but I could hear him clearly. He finally looked up and his gaze locked with mine as he took in my regretful but still disappointed expression.

"If you think looking at me like that will do any good, then you are wrong," he focused back on Halo's wounds and frowned even deeper than before.

"Then let's talk this over and not just stare each other down," I suggested, pushing myself away from the table to step closer, ready for another confrontation if needed.

"I have no excuses. If you seek apologies or regrets, you won't find any here."

Those cold words halted me, unsettling something in my spark.

"So you don't even feel any regret about deceiving us all this time?" I barked, my voice sharp and demanding.

"Dear, I am a Decepticon. This is my job. I do what I'm told without questioning the morality of it. If you can't understand that, I can't help you," Knock Out finally turned to me, one servo resting on his hip, the other holding the microfiber cloth like he was ready to throw it at me.

I cast my gaze aside because I had to admit there was some truth in his reasoning. He was fulfilling his duty. He obeyed orders. What would three femmes and their feelings on the matter mean to him? Probably nothing.

"I understand. But that doesn't change the fact that I feel betrayed."

"Hmph. Betrayed," Knock Out chuckled at that, looking genuinely amused as he stepped over to me, his red optics practically drilling holes into mine. Something in his gaze shifted. A strange kind of curiosity I couldn't name was suddenly directed at me.

"Did you truly think you can trust me? Or you just wanted to? Do you think I was ever honest with you?" he leaned in close, a daring smirk creeping to his face.

I felt threatened. Betrayed. Mocked.

Hardening my features, I finally snapped. That was it.

"Yes! I thought you were different! But frag it, I am the stupid one, aren't I?! You want to mock me for it now?! Go ahead!"

Pushing at his front with both servos I shoved at him, making him recoil in surprise and confusion, lifting his servos in vain attempt to calm me. He was late with that. I cornered him against the computer panel while the others looked on with wide optics.

"Come on, laugh at me till your spark's content! Why aren't you Knock Out? Isn't it funny?! I really wanted to rely on you just a little, but you had to go and mock me about it in decent Decepticon fashion, didn't you?!"

"Hey, hey, calm down for a nanoclick…" he tried to interject but I revved my engines loudly in his face, silencing him entirely.

"Don't you 'calm' me when I'm venting at you, slagger! You deceived me and you just admitted it and I have every right to be mad at you!"

Deep silence followed the outburst. Nobody dared to say a word. There was a touchable tension in the air as we stared each other down from close. I don't even remember getting this close. A bolt of electricity rushed down my spark. Stupid. You are so stupid Crossflare. Get out of his face!

I bounced back on my pedes to get more space between us.

Knock Out was awestruck for a few more seconds but then the look in his optics changed again and a new smirk crossed his face. This fragger seemed to be enjoying my fury! Ugh, how could he still mock me?!

I wanted to yell more, but I just shoved at him again, then stepped away.

"And here I thought you had some sense of empathy! When you told me about your home, I felt that you were honest. I could feel homesickness in your voice and I could entirely relate. I thought you empathize with us a little bit too."

Knock Out only scoffed.

"And what now? You are betrayed, so let's just go and announce you want to desert?" Knock Out finally spoke, in bitter mockery.

I hated him at that moment.

"No. What has been done is permanent. For now. Whether we like it or not. We won't cause a ruckus for now."

Knock Out only shook his head with an incredulous look.

"What is going on here?" Suddenly Breakdown broke the tense silence of the room. We haven't noticed him coming in and I don't remember hearing the doors sliding open.

Knock Out stepped away, finally calling for retreat and I did the same. Whatever had been on his mind a moment before never left his mouth and I felt like this conversation was far from over.

"Hhh...Breakdown..." the medic sighed and spared a brief glance to his assistant before returning to a stunned Halo who was looking at me with a perplexed expression I couldn't read properly.

"...Just when she was starting to get interesting..." my audio receptors caught Knock Out's quietly mumbled words which he probably meant for himself and my spark jumped slightly at the sight of his mysterious smirk. It wasn't smug, malevolent or cocky like many times before. I haven't seen that smirk so far. And now it unsettled me because I had no idea what to make of it.

I felt a servo gently brushing my arm from the left and I glanced questioningly at a hesitant Mercy beside me.
"Is everything ok?" she asked, her jade green optics analyzing my confused expression thoroughly, only to make her feel more anxious.

"I don't really know," was my short reply. I had no idea what to think and I locked my gaze with an equally puzzled Breakdown in search of some sort of help. For me it wasn't even clear that Knock Out and I had made up now or not.

---

Mercy POV

At first I didn't really know what to make of what happened, but it appeared that Crossflare wasn't sure herself. She left the med-bay rather abruptly, knowing that everything is going to be fine with me and Halo from now on. We could consider that fortunate because what Halo said after a few moments of silence was something CF would have surely been against.

"Uhh, moving on, Knock Out, remember when I asked for a little upgrade?" she expectantly stared at the medic who glanced up briefly but didn't turn his attention from the buffer he was working with, finishing the last touches on her fixed armor.

Breakdown strolled over to me and his single optic sent me a series of unspoken questions but I could only shake my head and offer him nothing but questions myself.

"Yes. Now that you are an official member I have no excuse not to serve you. What do you need?" his voice sounded somehow distant, like his mind already drifted elsewhere.

"A complete makeover."

Knock Out halted his movements and straightened himself, his optics quickly roaming over her figure then he raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"In what sense?"

Halo's serious expression didn't disperse completely when her mouth curled into a confident, determined smirk that suggested she already had a picture in her processor. I knew her well enough to see, she had a plan.

"I've made up my mind. I know what I need to become and if I want to make the most out of being a Decepticon, I'm going to take what needs to be changed. Give me wings."

Silence followed her demand and my mouth was left agape. After all these eons I should've expected that sooner or later she will grab the opportunity to have herself upgraded into an airborne vehicle. But just imagining that it could actually come true was thrilling. Halo with wings? With me in the sky?

My enthusiasm soon came to a halt when I thought of what Crossflare would say. She wouldn't approve, probably. But to be honest, did she have the right to stop our friend?

"Wings...? You mean you want to be airborne?" Knock Out was astonished and somewhat concerned as if Halo had just announced she would jump out of the ship without the ability to fly right now.

"Isn't that obvious? What are wings for?" Halo enjoyed the shock on everybody's face and she puffed her chest out prouder than usual.

"R-right, but you don't have the programming. The procedure of your upgrade will take time and learning to adapt will take even more. Complete makeover by my measures can take one to three months," the medic counted on his digits, already frowning at the amount of work and time he will have to kill into this project if he agrees.

"Like I said, I will take it," Halo's determination was admirable and I flashed an encouraging smile at her, nodding in agreement. It would be nice to fly together.

"Or is it too much for you to handle?" she asked in a challenging tone and Knock Out stiffened. His digits curled into a fist and he straightened himself, optics flaring with a hint of warning.

"There is nothing I can't do. Give me a few days to complete a design."

"Excellent! Can I have a saying in the design-part?" Halo giggled triumphantly and clapped her servos together.

"If you wish to."

I was happy for Halo. Truthfully. But as soon as I left the med-bay to return to my own tasks, I was cruelly reminded of the short message I got from Soundwave. Crossflare and Knock Out's confrontation left me questioning many things, doubts stirred in my spark and I didn't really know what to do. Now we know about the Decepticons' lie which they fed to us. But do I have the right to talk about that with Soundwave? Everybody, even his own comrades were afraid of him and were desperate to hide even the smallest secrets they had from him, for a very good reason.

Silly me. Silly crush. Silly problems.

There wasn't anger in me anymore, not as if I had any in the first place. But my disappointment grew with each moment because all I remembered and saw was generosity when it concerned Soundwave. I had no idea how he would react if I told him I know everything. But I wanted to talk about it.

How can something simple like that be so hard? The hesitance between the two options, staying silent or voicing my opinion, was driving me crazy.

Leaving the route I was heading on I found shelter in the mess hall. I sat at one of the tables with my head resting on my folded arms on the table's surface. My wings twitched once or twice when these troubling thoughts rushed through my processor. The seat felt uncomfortable and no position I sat in felt relaxing. I must have looked miserable.

The room was vacant save for three other Vehicons who were apparently enjoying their breaks and refueled quietly. One of them came over to check on me but I just shook my helm, refusing to open my mouth. He even offered to bring me some energon. I refused silently. My tank felt almost empty but I felt no hunger.

Glass clinked with the surface when it was placed in front of me and my hazy optics first focused on the crystal clear blue energon, not the type which we simple subordinates are usually allowed to drink. This one was definitely a better grade. Then my gaze wandered up, only to widen and I sat up abruptly when I realized Soundwave stood by the other side of the table.

"S-s-sou..." I stuttered, unable to put a coherent word together.

"Let's talk about it," Starscream's unpleasant recorded voice resonated through the air and I clasped my digits in my lap, casting a look down at them when Soundwave seated himself in front of me.

So he knows about it. Am I under interrogation now? Is he angry?

The silence stretched and I chased nonexistent words to somehow express myself until I noticed him pushing the glass closer to me carefully. Then he retreated his servo and waited, his visor reflecting my shorter figure. I looked frightened although it wasn't exactly what I felt.

"Why did you do those things?" my voice was quiet, almost inaudible and I feared I would need to repeat. Risking a glance up at him again, I waited for some kind of response. Of course, he sat still and his visor remained blank, void of answers. No tension or frustration could be detected in the air and I cast my gaze aside shyly.

"I know. You probably fulfilled orders."

Again, silence.

"Would you've ever told us you all misled us?"

No response.

"Probably not. Sorry, I know you haven't lied, but...hiding the truth is almost as bad as lying."

His figure appeared like a statue. No sound, no movement and no reaction. At this point I could easily just talk to myself, answering my own statements without thinking much of the consequences.

"Maybe I'm the wrong one. I must have projected an image I created and thought it was you. After all, nobody knows you. Not even your comrades."

When I expected another pause of silence, a recorded, unknown voice to me asked, driving me out of my reverie.

"Do you know who I am?"

Strange question, especially from him. I mused about how to interpret it. Soundwave couldn't express himself very well, dependent on recordings and prefabricated sentences so his intended words usually wouldn't come out as he meant them. I learned that quickly after I noticed he sees that sometimes I don't understand him properly. But I was happy to hear at least some kind of response. Silence was a way of rejection when used for too long in a conversation.

"Just vague information. Mostly rumors. I...asked some subordinates under your charge. But they couldn't tell much," catching myself telling such a thing turned the whole situation awkward. I remember being greatly intrigued by him after we first met and I made an attempt to discover all there is known about him. But it wasn't much really. The Vehicons I asked were unsure about what to say or if what they told me was true at all.

Some facts were widely known of course.

"You are Lord Megatron's third in command, his right hand Con and the so-called 'minicon deployer'. Rumors say you were the first Decepticon who joined our master and that he considers you a friend. It is also said you have no failed missions and that you never recharge. I heard...I heard that you deleted your emotions only to have more room for data..."

"Perceptor."

"Um...who?"

"Heard about it? Perceptor has deleted his emotions to process information faster..." another unfamiliar voice I couldn't recognize, but this time the message was clear, and I allowed a small, relieved smile to form on my face.

"So it wasn't you. That's just a fake urban legend."

Finally, he nodded. Relief washed over me and I felt more at ease than a moment before. The thought of him having no emotions has troubled me for a while but now that he confirmed it was false, I had no reason to be concerned anymore. With the thick atmosphere now lightening, I reached for the glass he brought for me and pulled it closer, cupping it with both servos.

"Kaon," was all he said, this time with Megatron's easily recognizable voice. Kaon was a city's name, that's all I could think of.

"Kaon...was the capital of Decepticons. Right?" I knew very little about that part of Cybertron because I lived on the exact opposite side of the planet and I never left Praxus until it was raided by Decepticons. Kaon was also the city where Megatron hailed from. If rumors are true, Soundwave might have called it home once too.

His nod was slow and I awkwardly rubbed the side of the glass, averting my optics elsewhere. This conversation has gone into an unexpected direction and I wondered why I'm not forcing him back to the original topic. Maybe because for the very first time he was willing to tell me something about himself and my silly curiosity and desire to learn about him just got the better of me.

"Paid—a visit?"

My optics found his visor again when I heard Halo's voice from his records. I almost chuckled. So he was recording our voices as well. I wonder how many of my sentences are stored in his record banks. Quickly running over my own memories, I shook my helm hesitantly.

"No...I don't remember ever visiting Kaon. I..." my voice trailed off. Crossflare's warning sounded in my processor like an alarm. Girls, do not talk about our pasts to anyone. Especially you, Mercy. I had no idea why. But if she insists, it must be important. So I closed my mouth and turned my gaze to stare at the wonderful, blue energon in my glass.

Something stirred on Soundwave's chest. At first I believed it to be an illusion of mine, but then I heard quiet chirping noises. Raising my look, I stared intently at his upper body. It stirred again.

"Is that...?" before I could have asked, a small bird-like minicon separated itself from Soundwave's chest and flew into the air. Gasping, I followed its movements with my gaze until it landed on the table with furious chirps.

"A minicon?" I heard myself exclaim in delight. The very first minicon I've seen in my entire life. My servos were already itching to touch it and pet it but I realized it might seem rude and I withdrew them awkwardly.

"Um...sorry. This is the first I've met one and...it looks cute."

The chirps got louder and the minicon fluttered its wings, only to be calmed by Soundwave when he placed a servo on its back gently.

"Laserbeak."

I guess that would be his name.

"Oh. Hello Laserbeak," I flashed a bright smile and the minicon squirmed slightly under my gaze. Maybe he didn't like me.

When I looked back at Soundwave, I noticed he was staring at me intently. There must be something on his processor. But like always, I had no idea what. Perhaps it was time for me to call for retreat and leave Soundwave alone. I must have asked too much, took his time and...and I didn't really solve any problems at all.

He was still the one who arranged everything in the Decepticons' favor. Not like he could be blamed for that, it was his job. And I became a part of this game, there is nothing I can do but go by the rules they set.

Maybe Crossflare was right. What has been done is permanent, whether we like it or not. It's time to step over it and continue what had been started. But this time, I will have to be careful with whom I trust.

Standing up abruptly, I almost caused the glass to spill.

My mouth pressed into a thin line as I offered an apologetic look to the mech. Soundwave has abandoned his duties only to listen to my petty questioning. I should be grateful he didn't go immediately reporting me now that I know about the truth.

"Sorry for taking your time with this. I promise it won't happen again."

"Still upset?"

"No, I'm not angry anymore. I wasn't really. Maybe only with myself because I...I wanted to know more about you. To get to know you...from a bit closer. Now I'm not so sure anymore."

Biting down on my lower lip, I scolded myself for saying the last part aloud. It was true and heartfelt, I wanted to learn about him and see who he really was. But now I know that there is very little chance he would let even a small glimpse of himself be shown except the loyal servant he proved himself to be.

"Wanted to—get to know you—from—closer," my words were replayed and mixed together, directed right back at me.

My optics opened wide, meeting a blank visor when understanding hit. He felt the same way.

---

Crossflare POV

As we looked up at the constellations of the night sky from the upper deck, we all sighed at once, then a small smile crept to our faces as we exchanged amused glances among each other. Today was...let's just say exhausting. I sat beside my friends at the right side with Mercy in the middle and Halo on the other end. The deck vacantly stretched before us and the only living bot in the area was a guard who roamed way farther, checking the antennas as he passed by. The ship's loud humming and the relatively strong wind's whistle somehow relaxed my sensors and I found myself enjoying the night air and the gentle brightness of the moon.

"So...is everything okay now?" Mercy spoke up first, her voice uncertain but hopeful.

"You mean between us and the Decepticons?" I muttered, my optics half-closed as I stared into the vast distance.

"Well, we are Decepticons," Halo pointed out and leaned forward, her expression somehow excited, "And I think nothing is lost yet. I mean, I know they lured us into a trap and lied and all, but let's just think about our possibilities now. I say, let's make the most of our allegiance and get to the bottom of it with everything it comes."

"Speaks the one who was just beaten by our supposed-to-be-boss today," I remarked harshly and she puffed her cheeks, her eyebrows coming together in a frown.

"That was exactly what set my course. I'm determined now. I'm going to become a warrior and will stand up for myself. Megatron will respect me and you two as well. We have to show them we are not just three disposable femmes who can come in handy on occasions! Crossflare, you already are a brilliant chemist and Mercy isn't just a pushover either!"

"But I..." Mercy wanted to cut in, only to be interrupted by a dramatic Halo who appeared to be in a very epic state of mind tonight.

"You remember during our first check-up, Knock Out complimented how capable and useful your sensory arrays are when it comes to deep and detailed radar research! There is more to us, we just have to discover and expand our abilities. That's why I'm taking that upgrade we talked about today. Maybe the Decepticons are not as good as we believed them to be, but they can definitely give us what we need: power and knowledge."

Silence fell upon us, both of us absorbed by her words. She was right. In a sense. And none of us could have said it any better.

"So are we Decepticons now?" Mercy raised an eyebrow, catching her uncertain look from Halo to me, "Like...like for real?"

"Seems like it. But I'm not enthusiastic about it," I huffed in resignation, then I caught a small glimmer in her optics like she had just been given permission.

"But it seems Mercy is," Halo chuckled and Mercy slumped her shoulders, turning her face away nervously, "Let me guess, this means a pass for Soundwave."

"Why do you always come up with him..." Mercy mumbled in response, obviously flustered.

"Girl, have you seen yourself lately? You can't talk about anything but him ever since we joined and after it turned out he did all the scrap that happened to us, you had a mental breakdown from forcing denial on yourself. Correct me if I'm mistaken," Halo poked Mercy's shoulder and our friend quickly hid her face behind her servos, her wings fluttering in shame.

"Is that so obvious?" she muttered.

"Yes, it is," we replied at once, Halo with some enthusiasm, me with bitterness. Soundwave was one of the few mechs I couldn't stand on this ship. First reason being his constant eavesdropping hobby and the insecurity and lack of privacy that haunted me from the slightest thought of him.

A very short pause settled in, then Mercy finally looked up, her servos clasping and falling in her lap.

"But...I think he likes me."

In a moment of stunned silence, Halo and I exchanged troubled looks.

"You are just imagining it. Like you just made up this silly crush of yours."

"No, I'm not!"

"Mercy, I know you admire him but admiration is not equal to..."

"It's more than that."

"No, it's not, you are just being sentimental and..."

"Hey, hey, don't we start arguing about this!" Halo waved her servos frantically, trying to stop both of us from saying something we would regret later.

Maybe I should just close my mouth. Mercy's feelings were always a delicate matter. She was a fragile person, easily shattered. But for this reason I wished to protect her from anything that could hurt her. And having a crush on a Decepticon officer would surely end in nothing else but pain. She could be spared from that if only she listened to me.

I turned my optics away, returning to watch the stars above us, knowing that I had no right to control her feelings. I may guide her but I cannot tell her not to feel. Like I do with myself.

"Sorry Crossflare, I know you are hurting but..." Halo searched for words, only to get tangled in her own choice of expressions. What she said though gained my attention and my spark clenched as I looked at her with a stunned frown.

"Who said I'm hurting?"

"I...we...well, let's just say your last outburst just told it all."

"Outburst?"

"Yes, when you went at Knock Out with brutal force earlier. At first I didn't understand why you would do that but I guess you didn't mean it that way. You just went a little overboard..." Mercy looked at me just as sadly as Halo beside her.

Was I really that upset? Did I scare them? I have to get my emotions under control…

At least that's what I told myself I would be doing for the time being. Control, calmness, focus. My routine helped in reinforcing these rules again in my behavior.

The following days flew by quicker than I thought they would after that. Resigned to our current positions, we surrendered to the fact that there is not much we can do for the time being and that the Decepticon symbol will more than likely stick to us. Sometimes I recalled our interactions with the Autobots, with Optimus, and I couldn't help but regret our rash actions. The attack confused us so much we actually believed the Decepticons were there to help. Meanwhile, everything was their doing and we acted exactly as they predicted we would.

Knowing this and feeling utterly betrayed was one thing, accepting it as something said and done was another. Halo's words kept ringing in my mind, convincing me of the fact that this can still be profitable for us on the long run.

Surprisingly, Starscream had kept himself to his deal with Halo. He uttered no bad word about us and occasionally showed up, checking on us to make sure we are behaving well. Observing the two from closer, I could notice a change in their behavior. I was almost hundred percent sure that Starscream was silently measuring Halo but for what purpose, I had no idea.

Mercy, the one the most affected by the truth, quickly regained her cheerful manner and I had a bad feeling about it all. I could only hope this childish crush of hers won't last long, but just the other day I saw her trotting next to Soundwave with a big smile and I sourly reminded myself of the fact that this was Mercy I was thinking about. She wouldn't get over him for a long while.

As for my work, I felt determined to sink into the depths and secrets of the new formula I was tasked to bring to life without stopping.

Knock Out came around too. He was back to his usual snarky self and remarked that my enthusiasm over the project is quite amusing to look at. I shrugged off the supposed-to-be-compliment, and focused my attention only on the data provided to me.

The mech had already occupied himself with Halo's new upgrade but he also spent lots of time in the laboratory afterwards. His behavior was...questionable at best. At some point he acted like his usual carefree, narcissistic self, then sometimes shifted back to superior mocking Decepticon-mode. I had no idea what he wished to accomplish with that, and it became harder to ignore his jabs.

"Crossflare."

His serious tone caught me off-guard one time, and I don't remember ever hearing my designation so clearly from his mouth. Suspecting that something wasn't okay, I looked up and placed the bottles full of green liquid on the counter. Knock Out strode closer from the doorway, holding a datapad tightly in one servo.

"You haven't checked in for your thorough medical examination for the fifth time. You had promised you will come this time," he looked at me with a hint of disapproval and a very suspicious glare.

"I forgot about it. Sorry. I've been too..."

"Busy, I know," Knock Out finished the sentence with annoyance in his voice, "You always come with that."

Shifting to avoid his invasive stare, I turned back to my tools and closed my optics for a moment. What now? He had become angrier with each time I refused to go and have myself examined. Mercy and Halo were already over the procedure, both of their medical files have been updated and registered. Only mine was missing because I escaped the examination whenever an opportunity came. Some would say it's foolish, but I didn't want anyone to know my true condition. Suffering alone has been hard enough on its own. Thorough examination meant taking a sample of your innermost energon as well. But to let anyone see that horrible, disgusting darkened orb which could be hardly called a spark...no. I wasn't about to let that happen. No matter who threatens me, I would never.

"You can make a new appointment for later and..." I started, only to be interrupted when he stepped beside me and bore his brilliant red optics into mine.

"No. You come and we get it over with now."

My spark jumped in panic, but only for a moment because my usual self-defense protocol kicked in. I stepped back, creating a distance and glared back resolutely.

"No."

"Why not?" Knock Out leaned closer, forcing me to take another step back, "Are you just not...afraid?"

That naughty glimmer in his optics only deterred me even more.

"I'm not."

"Then why do you resist so adamantly?"

"I have my reasons," was all I muttered, starting to feel threatened while he appeared to be amused by my reaction.

"Your friends can tell you for sure that I stayed professional from the beginning to the very end, there is nothing to be afraid of," his voice came out as a low purr, taking me aback. What has gotten into him again? Trying to create a bigger distance, I backed off but he continued to advance stubbornly, ignoring the warning glare I shot him.

"I'm not afraid of you," I blared, coming to a stop when my back bumped against the wall. Great. Now where can I go?

"Aren't you? I have a very good reason to believe you are avoiding my examinations because you have problems with me touching you."

"That's a way to put it, but for an entirely different reason than what you believe," I hissed through bared denta and I considered grabbing something within my reach and just punching him with it, then make an escape as long as he recovers.

"Is that so?"

I had a very vague assumption about what was going on. His servos found the wall at my two sides, uncomfortably close to my waistline. The tension was nothing like the heat his frame emitted and my processor spun erratically at the very thought of what he wanted. This mech sure had the balls to come up to me like this. How would such an approach convince me of his professional distance during the examination?! Is he out of his processor?!

During the short time I prepared to say something harsh and tell him to frag off, Knock Out reached for my chin, directing my gaze to look into his crimson red optics that surely had many femmes mesmerized.

"Come on dear, don't be shy. I know you are frustrated. It's not healthy to keep it piling up. I can help you feel better," his voice was smooth and velvety. I could feel a soft rev vibrate through his chest. The worst part was that my body responded with a deep rumble, something which I wasn't about to admit myself. By the Allspark, he can't be serious...

Lets just say your last outburst told it all.

So it wasn't only Halo and Mercy who were taken aback by my burst of emotions. I practically threw everything on Knock Out and it appears he completely misinterpreted it and now he thinks it's actually a different kind of frustration. I was an idiot for lashing out like that while acting the way I did. I should've known he would misjudge it altogether. This whole thing is probably my fault.

Finally finding my strength to retaliate, I placed both servos on his chassis and pushed him away. Not as rudely as I meant to at first, but still strong enough to inform him, it's best he keeps a respectful distance.

He looked surprised at last.

"You have no idea what you are talking about so you better stay away from me with such intentions. I'm not interested in you and I'm in even less need of you. I will forget you tried to seduce me and in exchange you leave me the pit alone."

What I said however, finally got through, judging by the mix of disappointment and shock in his expression. He didn't understand, it was obvious. His mouth opened to say something but then he closed it into a thin line and I pushed myself away from the wall, making sure I'm not touching him anywhere when I passed by him to leave the room. After this spark-attack I'm in need of some fresh air.

Yes, Knock Out surely looked like the kind of mech capable of doing such things, but I never would have expected him to try it on me. But at least I know now why he has been behaving so weirdly these days.

---

Halo POV

Starscream was watching. I could surely tell that. What or why exactly, I felt uncertain. It must be related to my little stunt I pulled a few days ago. Megatron's wrath knocked me out of my usual self-confident self but not for long enough because after I made up my mind, it was no question I'm not going to repeat such an incident once again without having the means to retaliate.

The process of rescuing the trapped troops from the collapsed mine had started and I volunteered out of guilt, knowing that I better just go and fix whatever I can. The rescued Vehicons were grateful and I tried encouraging them with hope for a swift recovery. They had gone through some serious slag and it's partly my fault. Meanwhile I had Starscream's tireless glare stabbing my back, like dealing with his annoying behavior wasn't enough itself. It's not that he hated me now, the contrary: I appeared to have picked up his interest. I could only guess why he was silently judging me.

Knock Out and I spent a minimum of two hours a day with designs, mostly because my imagination hardly collided with his. He couldn't stress enough how little knowledge I had about airborns and I better shut my mouth when he points out something important. Sometimes he snapped out of the blue and I had a very good assumption why. He and Crossflare weren't exactly on talking terms - again - and this time it seemed to bother him more than usual. I didn't ask though, hoping that somehow they would smooth their opposition out.

All I wanted from him was a good job done on my upgrade, I didn't need the extra drama.

"What is that?" A strident voice pulled me out of deep thoughts one morning during my way to the training room. Crossflare, Mercy and I may have proved ourselves useful in certain fields but our Master wasn't pleased with our lack of training in combat. Therefore we were scheduled to have one hour training in the morning with some higher ranked Vehicons who showed the basics of servo to servo combat. Something I was always looking forward to, unlike Mercy who would never hit anyone in this world by free will.

I looked up and slowed my pace as Starscream caught up to me and conspicuously stared at my arms.

"Ah, these," I lifted my servos and clasped my new ebony black claws in delight. I was so proud of them. The new arms were the very first installments of my new upgrade and I already loved them and the feeling of those blasters stocked under the dark blue panels and the energon circulation that now buzzed through it, ready to boil and explode once charged. It provided a sense of power.

Some time will be needed though to adjust and to have my body reprogram the material and make it my own. My original frame and protoform weren't made of the ordinary sentio-metallico afterall.

"My new upgrade. Looks nice, huh?" straightening my back proudly, my optics glimmered and I let my servos fall back to my sides, followed by his observant gaze all the while.

"Seems like a petty change to me."

My big smile immediately morphed into a sour pout and I shot him a mean look before shrugging off the rude response. I've already noticed that whatever Starscream says does not always match what he actually thinks so I better not take everything seriously.

"I think you wanted to say pretty," I corrected him, the grin returning to my face once more, causing him to scoff and shake his head.

"Don't try me."

I chuckled, already having some sassy replies in store, but then I just turned my gaze forward, contemplating on something else to say. For the first time in a relatively long while, we were walking together again. I might grab the opportunity to question him. Nothing much happened since we formed an alliance afterall.

"Sir, I have a question," I started, inwardly laughing at his expression because barely anyone addressed him as 'sir'. He has voiced enough times he prefers 'Commander', though rumors say he would eagerly accept the title 'Lord' as well.

"Then ask," he growled while trying to bore a hole into my helm with those disapproving red optics.

"I know you have been watching me for a while. Got some results?" I flashed a knowing smirk and he flinched, wings perking up as he grimaced and turned his gaze somewhere else.

"Results? What are you talking about?"

"There must be a reason behind your exceptional attention. The question is, what is your conclusion?"

Starscream and I walked onward in silence and I waited for his response patiently. Then he finally locked his gaze with mine, the atmosphere changing with a chilling flick as he beckoned to me and quickened his pace.

"Come with me. We shall discuss this elsewhere."

Jogging after him, I wondered what made him so tense all of a sudden and I followed him out to the upper deck, surprised to be led there. Why would he want to talk here? There was a storm raging outside and water poured down from the sharp edges of the Nemesis. Raindrops prickled my armor and I shivered at their cold touch, especially the fresh metal on my arms.

"Soundwave is less attentive out here," Starscream explained like he just read my thoughts.

"Oookay...so what's the big secret for which we had to come all the way here?" I folded my arms over my chest, ignoring the rain for now.

"There is a choice you have to make sooner or later and I think time has come for you to decide. And I warn you, what I say now will never get into anyone's audio receptor. Not even your friends are allowed to know about it, got it?" his piercing optics managed to quicken my sparkpulse, their glow even more mesmerizing in the dark and rain. That look can't mean anything else but trouble. Stiff and nervous, I nodded, inwardly scolding myself for agreeing to his terms without questions. But to the trash with caution, I wanted nothing more than to hear and know what he had to say! He made me curious!

"Your loyalty is at trial, Halo. And your choice is either Megatron or me."

I should've known. His words hit me, causing the spiteful feelings I've been trying to suppress to rise once more, setting the fire of rebellious thoughts against Megatron ablaze. Once, I was intimidated by the warlord. I respected him for who he was and might have believed he actually had great charisma and I can accept him as a leader. But ever since I saw what he was capable of doing to his own soldiers, I had no more delusions. Somebody has to show him limits.

"Is that really a question?" gathering courage from the thought that Starscream was known for his rebellious streak as well, I drew my mouth into a firm, confident smirk, "Of course it's you, Commander."

Nothing else satisfied me as much as the evil smirk that crept to his face.

We reached a new level in our alliance. I was ready to put my wits and strength into it. The prospect of an exciting conspiracy behind Megatron made me giddy. Crossflare wouldn't approve for sure but when did I ever listen to my conscience?

That evening, I was early to my appointment with Knock Out to check on my upgrade and I also intended to have a little chat with Breakdown. During my little conversation with Starscream I learned that I'm not the only one he sees as a potential ally who would fight on his side when time would come, but Breakdown also has already been put into the position of choosing. The problem was, Breakdown hasn't decided yet, or at least hasn't given any signs he did.

While mulling over my choice, secretly excited about all of this, I found my way back to the med-bay which stood empty by what I could see. Huffing, I hopped on the dissection table and decided to sit and wait until the medic returned. Swinging my peds in boredom, my audio receptors picked up voices coming from the back of the room and I narrowed my optics in concentration as I increased the capacity of my receptors to hear better.

Oh. Knock Out and Breakdown were in the spare-parts room and judging by the noises, they were organizing stuff. They might be picking the possible materials for my next installments! Immediately, a smile spread on my face. Within a month or two, I will be completely new and powerful and even Starscream will consider me a worthy equal.

"But doc, is she really worth the effort? I mean, there are the other two. You can play with them if you want."

My smile turned into a very deep frown. What was Breakdown talking about...?

"You haven't experienced that burst of energy between us, I did. And I want that."

"I did feel that there was something off..."

"Exactly. She hides her frustrations, but I will surely lure her out of her shell. No femme can deny me."

I didn't even realize I was marching towards the room, upset and angry because of what I heard and knew exactly who they were talking about. Stomping with my pede to make sure both of them were aware of my presence I folded my arms over my chest and swept a glare over them when they looked up from a pile of limbs they were picking at.

"Oh, Halo, you are early to the..." an enchanting smile appeared on Knock Out's face, ready to pretend he hadn't said anything wrong just a moment before but I wasn't going to let him get away with it.

"If you want to frag CF, you better realize you have zero chance to win her over like this," I blared loudly, my words sharp and on point, hitting just the right spot because he froze and stared back in shock.

"How do you know..."

"I heard everything."

"Look, this is none of your business," the mech turned away and waved dismissively like he could shrug me off like that. It was making me furious.

"Is it not?" I dared him to continue, "Her problem is my problem. You hurt her, you hurt me so I have every right to be involved. She is not just any femme you can play with!"

"So she isn't, but I would have no problem getting my way with you or Mercy, no?" he retorted with a knowing look and I forced my expression to remain calm although my body temperature skyrocketed in a span of a second.

"W-well, I would probably not kick you out of my berth if that's what you ask, but Crossflare most certainly would! She...She has high standards and you don't meet them!"

"Don't be ridiculous, I meet all universal criteria in the world," he scoffed, much to my annoyance. Seriously, who thinks like that? Glancing over to Breakdown, he raised his servos innocently, not wishing to be part of this whole ordeal.

"So you want to seduce CF?" I turned my piercing glare back to the medic who smugly crossed his arms over his flashy chest.

"And what if I do?"

"If it's only physical attraction, then you already lost because she is not interested," I stated harshly.

One of Knock Out's optics twitched in irritation.

"First of all," I started, pausing for a moment to think over what should be said without revealing too much, "You should go and talk to her and apologize for whatever you said to her. Then you would do better to realize that she is not fond of any physical contact. And there is that tantrum thing you misinterpreted completely. She is frustrated because she is in pain. Not the physical kind, mind you."

My words hung in the air for longer than I expected and Knock Out seemed to be lost in thoughts, probably contemplating on what to say next.

"Why is she not coming to the compulsory examination then?"

Biting on my lip, I considered the idea of telling him the truth. But knowing Crossflare, she would feel betrayed if I did that. Her secret was my secret and I had no right to brag about it if she wished to keep it hidden.

"Her problem is not you. Don't think everything is centered around you, Knock Out. If you want to know her reason, move out of your comfort zone and try to understand her. Then she might open up."

It looked like my words reached him at the moment. The medic took one or two of my advice but not exactly as I expected.

The next few days he and Crossflare remained as far from each other as possible and I couldn't help but sigh and watch as the two avoided the other like a bad virus. I tried to talk to Crossflare about it but she wasn't up to any conversation about him and spent her days and nights in the laboratory as if it provided some kind of shelter from everything disturbing her peace.

Then Breakdown got involved. Knock Out wasn't sure whether his close proximity would be a problem or not so he sent his assistant with a short message and waited for a response in hope Crossflare's ice would break.

Crossflare looked up from her notes in annoyance when Breakdown shuffled into the laboratory as carefully as possible between the fragile equipment.

"Um, the doc has a message for you," he started, rubbing the back of his helm a bit awkwardly. My friend's displeased frown didn't help him feel any better at all.

"Well?" she lowered the datapad with an expectant, impatient voice.

"He...he wants to apologize for the way he advanced on you."

"It took him some time," she muttered but her frown dispersed when she let out a deep sigh.

"And he wants to talk to you personally," Breakdown added cautiously, waiting for some kind of outburst that never came.

"No way. I don't want to see him yet," she turned away, optics focusing on the wide, glowing keyboard instead. Then she quietly muttered, more likely to herself:

"It's bad enough that I constantly hear the sound of his engine in my head."

Breakdown shifted his impressive weight from one ped to the other and observantly tilted his helm, waiting for some additions until he decided to break the silence and spoke:

"Wanna message back?"

Crossflare raised her optics and tapped a digit on her chin, her mind drifting away for a second.

"Tell him that his apology is accepted. My question is: what does he want?"

"That's all?"

"Yes. This would be it."

The mech strolled out and made his way back to the anxiously waiting Knock Out who immediately rose from his eat when his assistant and I entered the med-bay.

"Well?" the medic feared the worst but Breakdown offered a reassuring but also uncertain smile.

"She said your apology is accepted but she doesn't want to see you."

Knock Out pouted, his servos falling at his sides in disappointment. He should've expected that but it could've gone worse.

"And she mentioned something about constantly hearing your engine. That part was weird though," Breakdown added, awkwardly scratching his chin.

The medic first only raised an eyebrow, then chuckled and a smug smirk crept to his face.

"I knew that she liked me afterall!"

"Oh, and she has a question: what do you want?"

"What do I want?"

"Uhumm."

"Well...I want to know why she refuses to have herself examined," Knock Out chose an easier option, though he had no idea what reaction he would get for that.

And so Breakdown returned to the laboratory once more.

"I don't trust him yet to share such information. I'm not going to talk about this topic so he better drop it," was Crossflare's answer.

"Fine then. Does she hate me now?" Knock Out started to doubt he can actually win this game.

"No, I don't hate him. But I don't like him either. Somewhere between the two. To be honest, I liked him better while he was...yeah, when he was pretending to be nice."

"So she wants me to act nice and friendly again?"

"I think he can be nice without pretending. But even if not, I asked him to show his true self so I will bear the consequences. If this is who he is without a mask, I will get used to it sooner or later. Probably."

"Sooner or later? It sounds like she will only tolerate my existence. I'm not that bad."

"This is not only about him. I...have my own personal problems he doesn't understand."

"Then why doesn't she just tell me what the problem is then?"

"..."

The messages continued to come and go for days long and whenever Breakdown had some free time, he was forced to deliver the messages because the two refused to just simply message over datalink. Whenever I was around I noticed the small smile that hid at the edge of Crossflare's mouth when she noticed Breakdown coming in. Sometimes a message contained only professional questions concerning some science stuff I wasn't really familiar with, sometimes Knock Out returned to the ominous 'problem' of my friend which she always refused to answer. Then one day, after a similar question she simply rejected a reply.

"Why didn't she send a message?" Knock Out angrily glared at Breakdown like he was the party at fault. I was sitting on the table, one of my new pedes was propped up and Knock Out was tending to the small scars the process of installing it caused. Of course when his assistant entered the med-bay, the medic was expecting a message, strangely excited and concerned at once.

"She said she has nothing to say," Breakdown shrugged. He was growing tired of being the medium between two people who were unable to get things cleared among each other. Somehow I could understand his annoyance.

"Why not? I just offered an audio to listen to that big problem of hers and she just shrugs me off like this? Not fair!" Knock Out threw his servos up in frustration.

Shaking my helm with a deep sigh, I started to pity him but only a little bit.

"Why are you pressing the topic? She won't talk about it. Not so soon, believe me," I dropped my chin in my palm, looking at him with an amused expression. He shifted uncomfortably under my gaze, unable to understand why he is constantly denied.

"What can be so horrible she can't talk about it?" the mech puffed his cheeks in a sulking manner.

"If you treat her problem like it was nothing of significance, don't expect anything else. It is...something that has changed her whole life. And ours too," I cast my gaze down, staring at my servos in my lap, trying to shut out the memories which wanted to flood my mind.

Knock Out narrowed his optics, measuring me with an observant gaze before he turned to Breakdown and opened his mouth to dictate the next message but his assistant quickly raised his servos, stepping back in denial.

"No way, I'm getting tired of this doc. No more messages."

The medic wanted to retort, only to realize there was no point. Disappointed, he clenched his fists and lowered his gaze like a sparkling who was just scolded for doing something bad. Breakdown and I exchanged concerned glances, then an idea popped into my processor. I think Breakdown didn't like it as much as I did.

After making sure Knock Out was in the right room, we told him to wait there and don't give any sound. He began to suspect what we were about to do and already voiced his disapproval.

"Not a great idea, she will punch me in the face. I would rather not have a dent in my jaw."

"Shut up KO. We are doing you a favor," I sat him down, much to his annoyance and he crossed his arms, tapping one ped on the floor impatiently.

"Just try to be understanding," I winked an optic before I pushed Breakdown out and we quickly left the perimeter, knowing that Crossflare can be here at any given moment because I called her over here asap. Helicopter-mom would never refuse to come whenever Mercy or I released a distress call.

---

Crossflare POV

Halo's voice sounded anything but afraid, causing me to reconsider my answer but then I just assured her I will be at the mentioned place within minutes. If it was another one of her pranks, I will make her pay for playing with my precious time. As much as I loved her easy-going attitude, I also felt irritated whenever I was involved in the stunts she pulled. Sometimes she simply forgot to think of the consequences of her actions. And who was the one cleaning up after her? Of course, it was me.

Making my way down the long hallways I passed by some Vehicons and Megatron once. I bowed my helm, casting my gaze down when I passed by him. His heavy steps died soon behind me and I reminded myself of how 'normal' he can be when not in one of his bad moods. As days passed he showed more and more of his true self, the role play and charade long forgotten. The sheer cruel truth of what being a Decepticon meant was now clearer than ever before.

Choking on the thought, I remembered Halo's request for immediate help. What did she do again?

Striding with a quicker pace this time, I practically barged into the room, calling out her name in worry and hoping she was fine. The surprise hit me stronger when I realized it's not her waiting for me but the red mech I've been trying to avoid for a good while. Knock Out looked up with a flinch, his sitting posture stiff and now tense from my obviously dubious entrance. The door slid shut behind me and I inwardly cursed Halo for luring me into a trap like this. I should've known.

"Knock Out? What is the meaning of this?" I asked, unsure about how to react. Maybe I wasn't the only one deceived into coming here.

"I told them this is not a good idea," he exhaled an annoyed sigh and shook his helm in resignation, "But I didn't stop them from trying."

"You knew about this?" now my features have hardened, expecting anything to come. With him, I would never know.

"I had a suspicion. But look, I'm here if not for anything else then to clear things between us," Knock Out stood up, rising to his full height but he didn't take any steps closer which was a big relief for me.

"Clear things? As in trying to figure out what the problem is with me?" I narrowed my optics in hope he realizes I'm not keen on talking about it.

"Ye-I mean no. Let's talk about simple things first, like we were just introducing ourselves," Knock Out scratched the back of his head, visibly anxious and uncertain about what or how to say, "Just asking short questions, okay?"

With distrust apparent in my gaze, I nodded still and leaned my back against the closest wall, crossing my arms. I was waiting for him to ask first.

"Okay, what's your favorite color?"

"Seriously?" I scoffed. He must be out of his mind to take my time with this.

"I asked first," there was persistence in his optics, something I haven't seen in a good while. It made me wonder why. Why would he keep coming after me, seek ways to talk to me when I've given him so many reasons not to? Anyone else would have already given up and considered me a lost cause. That was what I preferred, what I grew accustomed to.

Rolling my optics, I muttered reluctantly:

"Purple."

"Haha, should've known," he chuckled as his gaze wandered over my plum colored frame. That look disturbed me more than anything else because he appeared to see more than what he let on.

"And yours? Wait, let me guess: red," I couldn't help an amused smile of my own in spite of the circumstances. This conversation was just weird and pointless on so many levels.

"Doesn't it fit well?" Knock Out smugly patted his chest, puffing it out just a bit more than usual.

"If you want me to praise you, you will have to try harder," I shook my head, wondering why I'm not snapping at him or arguing, but then I simply concluded: I didn't want to.

"There was a time or two when you actually praised me!" Knock Out pointed out, his smirk growing wider and more confident. Whenever he found something to boost his ego with, he stood firmer, I noticed that.

"Those times, if I remember correctly, you were a fake, cheerful mech and not the present selfish you," my words came out harsher than intended and I scolded myself immediately after.

"Must you always bring that up? Deceiving the enemy is the basic requirement of being a Decepticon!" the mech grunted, almost offended, "Anyway, don't you dare call me selfish when I'm showing willingness to listen to whatever overwhelms your spark but you constantly reject my good will."

Confused and slightly perplexed by his answer, I frowned while rearranging my thoughts. He made attempts, indeed. But I couldn't believe they were actually true and sparkfelt. Knock Out just wasn't the type of mech who sought out people and asked them about how they felt. His attention's center was himself and no one else. I doubted his honesty and his recent actions also verified my suspicion that his advances towards me are not meant for me but only to stoke his own ego.

"I'm not going to give in to you just because you offer an audience. I'm not that cheap. If pleasure is what you seek, seek it elsewhere," my optics burned with anger at the very thought. Neither my glare or voice seemed to have an effect on him though because he threw his servos up in frustration as if he was done with me and his patience was cut short.

"To the pit with interface, I want the taste of that sweet tension again!"

Stunned silence followed his sudden outburst and I flinched under that intensive, glowing gaze of his which quickly vanished as soon as he realized what had just left his mouth.

"Oh...I just said that aloud, didn't I?" Knock Out drew a servo over his face like he wished he had never opened his mouth in the first place.

"That was my mistake," I sighed, forcing the uncomfortable tremor in my spark chamber to still, trying to appear calm and collected, "I shouldn't have shouted at you that time."

"Did you even hear what I said?" there was disappointment in his voice, as if my reaction let him down for some reason.

"Knock Out, I'm not all that interesting, I can assure you," I raised my servos as if proving my innocence. Somehow I felt like nothing I said would convince him.

"I think I am the one who defines what interests me."

Growing irritated by his lack of understanding, I pushed myself away from the wall and took a step towards him.

"Knock Out I have nothing you would want, get that clear in your processor. My personality is..."

"Difficult, yes, but interesting nevertheless ," Knock Out finished eagerly instead of me and I pressed my mouth into a thin line. The more he talked the greater the weight felt in my spark, long forgotten wounds tearing open. I didn't want to hear any of it but I had no strength to retaliate because he appeared to be just as stubborn as me when it came to beliefs. Closing my optics to regain some clarity and have a patch of clear thought, I suddenly recalled what James used to say about me when I was in a bad mood.

"Others would say I'm like a sour cherry," I sighed in resignation, small threads of memories clouding my processor for a moment.

"A what?"

"A sour cherry. It's a small round shaped fruit that humans eat. Usually it tastes sweet but when there is something wrong with it, it turns sour. My human friend always compares me to one whenever I'm being difficult."

"Anything can be helped if you add some sugar," Knock Out's playful tone caught me off guard and I spared a brief glance in his direction before turning away to avoid his optics. I was beginning to run out of arguments to convince him, I wasn't the best choice of interest.

"Oh come on, I know one or two human related things as well."

"It's not that. You keep on pursuing me when...don't you take a hint? Can't you find someone else who is easier to persuade? Save yourself the trouble."

"As much as easy catches used to entertain me before, I find myself gradually enthralled by the way you resist."

My body stiffened, plates pressing together as I processed his words which sounded way more honest than they should have. I protested because I didn't want to do anything with him aside from the professional work we have to perform. Normal people would think when you say 'no' the pursuer takes the hint and gives up. What in the name of Solus did he find attractive in resistance? My right servo absently found the edge of the counter along the wall and I gripped tight on it. Knock Out must have noticed my discomfort because he continued talking as if that would ease the piling up tension in the room.

"Anyway, surely you don't mean your dear friends when you say 'find someone else' do you? I mean, your friends are lovely but Halo is certainly not the type of femme I would stick with for long and I better keep away from Mercy because Soundwave would come to creep me out in the hallways if I ever tried..."

"What?" I jerked my gaze up, releasing the counter and standing straight and concerned. This time I had my complete attention on him, "What do you mean by that?"

"By what?" he wasn't sure what I meant and questioningly raised an eyebrow.

"The Soundwave and Mercy part. What do you mean by that?" I gestured with my servos feverishly, knowing that now my suspicions might turn out to be true.

"Oh, that. Well, anyone with functioning optics can see that Soundwave has a thing for your friend. The way he moves around her leaves no place for misunderstandings. You know, Decepticons can be pretty possessive and crossing their borders might get you into a lot more trouble than necessary," he chuckled, shrugging a shoulder casually like it was a petty issue he could simply ignore.

"Are you sure?" my spark felt heavy at this reveal and I scolded myself inwardly for not monitoring the two more thoroughly till this time. This happens when I get absorbed in my own problems and mind. And it seems Mercy was right the last time we were aboard the deck...Her special interest was not one-sided.

"Believe me, I would know," Knock Out assured with a knowing look.

Shaking my helm, I suddenly felt tired. Overwhelmed. Things were spiraling out of control and for the better or worse, my friends were becoming more and more independent. They come to me for advice on less and less occasions and they bring choices without me knowing. I know, I can't control their lives, it wouldn't be right. But I hated this feeling of not being able to predict the outcomes. Even I got tangled in a very tight situation myself. And I just wished I could free myself of this mess I fell into, with Knock Out being just one of the many problems I had to deal with.

---

Mercy POV

I would lie if I said I didn't notice Crossflare's disapproval ever since I admitted that I had a crush on the Communications Chief but because she hadn't said anything afterwards aside from some brief comments, I guessed it can't be that much of a problem. So I kept following Soundwave almost everywhere he went and he didn't seem to mind.

I remained careful when addressing him, keeping myself to formalities but sometimes his name just slipped out of my mouth. I know, not much of a sin, yet I wasn't sure I was allowed to get casual around him.

Everything has pretty much fallen back to peace and routine between us but Soundwave never came with me when I invited him to refuel. That would mean he would have to take his visor off which he didn't wish to by what I've gathered. Respecting his choice of being secretive about his face (if he had a face at all), I didn't press the issue any further. If he doesn't want to come, so be it.

As days flew over my head, I realized we have been cooped up inside the ship for more than two weeks and my wings began to itch for a little flight. Of course I would need permission for that. When we agreed to join, we were told we won't be able to leave the ship alone for the first months to ensure we don't get in contact with the enemy. It wasn't much of an issue for my ground-based friends but I was a different issue.

Speaking of which, Halo has been stuck in biped mode ever since the first installment of her upgrade was placed on her and she gradually became more and more frustrated for not being allowed to transform. For us, whose lives were based on transformation, losing this ability for a longer amount of time than needed was quite the torture. I pitied her a little, but not too much, because she was the one who chose this and she firmly assured us that she would get through it no matter how much time it would take.

I believed her. Crossflare wasn't so happy about the changes though. But on the bright side, she made up with Knock Out. At least they weren't arguing anymore from what I've seen. Halo proudly boasted about her genius plan where she locked the two together after the messaging game had failed and now the two seemed to get along nicely, although not smoothly. I heard once or twice as the medic invited her out for a drive and although reluctantly but my friend tagged along.

I had no idea why Halo wanted to work things out between them since CF already had the love of her life and lost it. It's not likely she would get into a new relationship, no matter what kind. I kept these thoughts to myself of course, especially because Halo was positive about this despite the obvious difficulties.

Knock Out wasn't the ideal mech for our friend, I was hundred percent sure. I could not wrap my processor around the idea of him becoming decent in a way Crossflare would truly appreciate him.

But it wasn't my place to judge on that. Crossflare was more than capable of dealing with such things. More than I was with my problems anyway.

Bringing myself back to reality, I passed by two guards before reaching the bridge where I assumed Soundwave to be and I smiled when I spotted him. It had been just half an hour before he had left his post beside me and during the time of his absence my desire to fly had only grown. So I began searching for him and had his permission for a little exceptional break.

I noticed more people present in the room than usual, including Breakdown who I nodded to when I stepped beside him and he offered a similar nod of his own, then focused his attention back on Megatron and Soundwave who was standing beside his master and showing him something on his visor by what I could see. Waiting for them to finish whatever issue they were going through seemed to be my only option.

"I recognize this magnetic signature Soundwave. And it would be unfortunate to have a Decepticon invention such as this used against us," our warlord straightened to his full height after taking a look at Soundwave's findings. I could only wonder what Megatron's words meant.

"I will secure the weapon, Lord Megatron," Breakdown took a step closer with hope in his voice and I glanced in his direction with a soft smile. I've noticed he had been pretty reserved ever since he was rescued but I wouldn't be surprised if his sudden motivation was based on the desire to prove his worth.

Megatron looked up and turned towards him with amusement and disdain in his optics.

"Breakdown? Ha, if you can be bested by mere humans, what chance do you have against the Autobots?" Our Lord approached with a causal pace but his steps shook the floor beneath us and he looked the bruiser down when he stopped in front of him.

"Allow me to redeem myself master!" Breakdown's voice wavered but his determination not when he followed Megatron as he passed by, "What I have lost is a constant reminder that I must never again fail you."

That eye patch put me into deep thoughts sometimes, especially when I looked at him optic to optic. Whatever he went through, I will never understand, and his hurt pride will never truly heal if he doesn't get a chance to make up for the failure. Megatron should give him more trust than that. Not that I would dare to speak up for him. I still needed to get accustomed to the intimidating close proximity of Megatron which was a challenge in itself.

A slim figure entered the side of my vision and I looked up at Soundwave with a small smile. Blankness returned to his visor and he questioningly tilted his head in my direction, probably inquiring why I left my post in the first place.

"Sorry, I know I shouldn't be here but I need urgent permission for a break...I...I would like to have a flight outside," I clasped my servos behind my back while we turned and left the bridge to return to our workstations, "And I know you are busy and I need a supervisor so it's okay to send a Vehicon out there with me, I promise I will behave."

Soundwave walked calmly beside me, his silence my answer as usual. Then the plates on his chest shifted and allowed Laserbeak to detach. The minicon rose into the air and sped forward, then made a sharp circle and flew over my head, a gust of wind causing me to halt in my steps and recoil.

"Of course, he will do fine just as well. Thank you!" my smile turned into a wide grin as I dashed after the minicon in delight. Soon, I will feel the wind caressing my wings and I will have cute company as well. Laserbeak wouldn't be happy to hear I find him cute though.

As we disappeared from Soundwave's sight, I felt his gaze linger on me for a moment longer.

---

Crossflare POV

The swirling portal closed as soon as our pedes touched the floor of the Nemesis and I sighed in relief, processor already drifting towards the laboratory and what I left there in half, now waiting for me to get back to it and continue with deeper focus.

Knock Out's chatter barely registered in my mind, sounding more like a distant rant to me. He noticed my lack of attention because he strode forward and waved a servo in front of me. I blinked at least twice before looking at him and noted that I didn't like the knowing smirk on his perfectly shaped face.

"It's funny how you switch from adequately casual to stiff office mode whenever we return," he commented in amusement, continuing with long steps to keep slightly ahead of me.

"Adequately casual?" I repeated with a bitter undertone.

"Cooler than usual is what I mean," he chuckled and I cast my gaze aside, "You like the mountains don't you?"

"I guess," I muttered, keeping my optics strictly away from his because I knew I would have to deal with his observant gaze all the time otherwise.

"Have you ever visited the Tagan Heights?"

The question caught me off-guard and I glanced at him in surprise. The map of our dead home stretched before me as I pinpointed the mentioned location in my mind. Tagan Heights. The other side of the planet from where I lived.

"No, I haven't," was my simple answer and he kept smiling.

"What a shame! It truly has one of the most phenomenal scenery across Cybertron. Especially in the sunset."

He looked excited while recalling some memories. I suppose he had been there, or else he wouldn't be talking about it like someone who had witnessed its wonders first-hand. Knock Out mentioned places from all across our planet, referring to them as cities he had visited. Maybe he was a traveler. Or was it the war taking him to these places? Decepticons raided many of our glorious city-states, reducing them into ashes and ruins.

"Too bad the war had destroyed it all," he added after short silence, optics looking down in what looked like a pitying manner and I wondered if he felt any remorse.

"You speak as if you weren't part of it," I pointed out, colder than intended. As a Neutral, like most of the others, I always put the blame on the factions who turned our cherished world into hell.

"I wasn't. I'm a medic, remember? All I ever did was tearing bots apart or putting them together within four walls. Destroying cities and crashing buildings down has never been my cup of Engex," Knock Out bit back, parrying my accusation smartly.

Nodding slowly, I quickly regretted the way I put that into words. It must be pretty annoying to always hear me accusing Decepticons with anything that comes to mind while I joined them by free will. Speaking of the irony of life.

"Sorry. It has been...a nice drive by the way," I countered awkwardly and I hated how his pout turned into a wide grin.

"Oh, I knew you would like it in the mountains! Next time we could...!"

But before he could suggest anything, our attention shifted to the running Halo who approached with a nervous and upset expression. With a moment of delay, Mercy came running after her in a similar state. What on Cybertron could have happened again?!

"CF! CF! You are not gonna believe it!" they came to a halt with the screech of their pedes and Halo anxiously spread her arms wide, causing me to recoil.

"There is a new femme on board!" they yelled in unison.

Knock Out and I exchanged looks of confusion before blaring at them at once:

"What?!"

---

Mercy POV

Laserbeak has been quiet ever since we took off from the upper deck and I wondered why. He didn't seem to be as silent as his master but not very talkative either. I still needed to get accustomed to his preferred language. No matter how educated I was, the language minicons preferred fell out of my practice and translating it took me more time than I would have liked.

I tried to shake him up and I managed to get a chase out of him but he remained cautious. He monitored my ascends and dives, my twirls and my sharp circles but only tagged along and didn't really participate. My spark dropped at the thought that Laserbeak might not like me.

My flight came to an end when we began our way back to the Nemesis which was still in sight and I landed with a quick transformation, fluttering my wings as they folded behind my back, finally satisfied. Sky-hunger taken care of. What a privilege it is to fly freely!

When we exited the elevator I followed after Laserbeak who was most certainly in search of his master. While trotting peacefully after the minicon, I spotted Breakdown coming in the next crossing. His head hung low, optic focused in front of him, his massive shoulders slumped and his every step reluctant as he dragged himself ahead.

Breakdown passed by us without even acknowledging our presence and I watched him leave towards the bridge in what was evident to be defeat. He must have failed...But before I could have felt any sympathy, my optics locked with glowing pink ones and I gasped at the sight of a black and purple armored femme with golden highlights, hanging helplessly from Breakdown's back like she was stuck to him.

Her arms were folded over her chest and her sulking posture stiffened when she noticed me. We stared at each other with unfathomable expressions until she reached out of sight and I exchanged a perplexed look with an expressionless Laserbeak.

"We have to find Soundwave quickly," I breathed, still under shock to see another femme aside from my friends on this ship.

The minicon didn't hesitate, he turned and stormed through the corridor with me tailing him. After turning to the right and left many times, finally Soundwave's calmly walking figure came into sight and my spark felt lighter in relief.

"Soundwave!" I called his name with a bit more agitation than needed, causing him to stop abruptly and turn around with a questioning tilt of his helm. Laserbeak approached him slower and reattached himself back to his master, a show of a well-trained routine.

The mech stared down at me when I caught up as well and I vented a little before starting my speech.

"There is a new person on board and I don't know her! It's a femme, a Decepticon for sure. She arrived with Breakdown, you must know about it!"

Soundwave nodded and his visor lit up, running several files over until one highlighted image came forward. I leaned in close, narrowing my optics at the figure in the picture. The femme's profile I had seen.

"Yes, she is the one. But who is she?" I inquired, falling into pace beside him when he turned and blankness filled his face once again. His silence unnerved me this time. For all these weeks, the three of us had been the only femmes in the Decepticon ranks and even a blind could see that we weren't made of Decepticon material. Now that a true Decepticon lady has arrived, I wasn't sure if this would affect us negatively. Rumors said femmes can be worse than their mech counterparts in the military. What 'worse' refers to has yet to be figured out.

"Does this mean...will we be assigned under her from now on?" I glanced at him in worry, fearing that she might be some kind of high ranked individual and would demand us to be put under her command. No matter how positively I tried to look at the situation, somehow I had a bad feeling about this. Those optics I've seen promised nothing good.

Soundwave didn't answer and only headed straight back towards the Communications Room. I convinced myself that nothing will change in the near future. I will be allowed to stay under Soundwave's command and that's how I wanted it to remain. I didn't want to admit that I feared being placed elsewhere. Stupid crush again. As we turned to the left, an unpleasant voice cut through the air and soon its owner made her appearance as well. Soundwave and I stopped at once.

"Leave me, I can explore the ship myself," the femme was talking to Breakdown who she left far behind with a dismissive flick of her wrist, then she finally turned in our way.

The meeting was inevitable. I felt my spark tighten with doubt as I locked my gaze with the femme once again. One of her eyebrows rose, then her optics shifted and fell upon Soundwave and her mouth curled into an amused smile.

"Ah, Soundwave! You have changed a lot since we last met."

So the two knew each other. Great, now I felt my wings flattening against each other as my optics darted from her to him with many nervous questions in my head.

Soundwave didn't respond, like always.
"But you still don't speak, I see," her smile widened, then she lazily turned her attention back to me, "Is she just not what I think she is?"

Soundwave looked down at me, then back to her, once again silent and unresponsive. I felt threatened by the way the femme referred to me. What does she see, what am I? Just a simple femme like her. Though 'simple' now became a relative definition because I noticed long helicopter blades folded behind her back in a way that reminded me of an organic spider's legs. Amy used to be scared of those even though she was a thousand times bigger than those small organic creatures. One thing I knew: spiders were supposed to be scary and better be avoided.

"Interesting. I had no idea Decepticons are keeping one of these on board," she took a few steps closer, her servos placed on her hips as she measured me with her vibrant pink optics. Although she was shorter than me, her close proximity unnerved me to the point where I backed off in hope she would stop boring holes into me with her gaze.

Before she could have reached close enough, Soundwave extended an arm and cut her way from me with a simple movement, his servo standing between me and the other femme who frowned at him with a perplexed and offended expression. I felt grateful for his intervention because I couldn't find my own strength to move into action myself. Those optics of hers reduced me to submission the more I stared into them.

Then the moment of silence broke when she chuckled, mockingly.
"Oh, I see. Not a common but a personal berth-warmer she turns out to be."
Soundwave straightened to his full height, looming over the femme without giving any sound, but the message was clear and she took a step back, her look shifting to me once more. Her words confused and embarrassed me at the same time and I uncomfortably increased the distance between us.
"But where are my manners?" she smiled softer this time which didn't look genuine to me and a cold chill ran down my spine, "Will you fill me in with your experiences, dear? Maybe in the company of some high-grade in a peaceful environment. How does that sound?"

"I-I..." my mouth failed to move adequately and my answer ended in an anxious and confused stutter. What did she want? Was that an invitation for a little talk? The tone of her voice hinted at something between the lines but I was unable to get to the depths of it.

Soundwave's movement snapped me out of my helpless state when he simply turned on his heels and left without minding our new company any longer. I caught my gaze from his leaving form to the femme and I apologetically bowed my helm.

"S-sorry, I have to go. It was nice to meet you..." and with that I was already running after Soundwave in hope I could get out of the other femme's sight. When I glanced back, I saw her crossing her arms with a malicious smile on her face and my spark pulsed faster in response. This meeting wasn't nice at all. Not even pleasant. Another chill rattled through my plates. Yes, I was scared of this Decepticon.

Soundwave noticed my anxiousness and tilted his helm. I forced a small smile, trying to straighten myself and settle back to normal, but those pink optics and vicious words continued to haunt my thoughts.
"I-I'm fine," I assured him, but my voice betrayed me.

Soundwave didn't seem convinced.

"Really. It's okay as long as I don't have to meet her again," and my body shuddered once more.

---

Airachnid finally stepped on the stage. It's strange to come back to this point after having written her arc already in the third season. With time, we will catch up to that sooner or later.

Leave a comment, review, PM, anything is good and appreciated! Bye bye till next time!