Chapter One Hundred and Six

Reluctant Partners

In an isolated forest area under dark grey skies, Starscream and Airachnid arrived at the co-ordinates of the crashed Decepticon ship provided by Soundwave.

Starscream flew down in his jet form then hovered for a moment then transformed into his Bepedal form landing on the ground, then looked up to see Airachnid's helicoper form lower down before she transformed and landed next to him.

"Your chosen vehicle mode lacks thrust." he pointed out, hoping to have one up on the once rogue Decepticon who managed to slither her way into his Master's good books.

"Are you going to preen?" Airachnid challenged glaring a him "Or are you going to guide?"

"I will reveal the exact location of the Harbinger, when you tell me exactly what we're looking for!" Starscream demanded.

"That information is need to know, and right now, you don't!" The Spider Bot snapped.

Starscream narrowed his red optics angrily.

"Oh you would do well to respect me Airachnid!" he shot back "Before I joined Megatron, I was air commander of a squadron of Energon Seekers!"

"On Cybertron!" Airachnid reminded Starscream "And how many eons ago was that?" she asked mockingly.

Starscream felt the frustration building up inside him as he tried once again to get one up on Airachnid.

"Just recently!" he quipped "I personally vanquished one of Optimus Prime's fiercest warriors, Cliffjumper!" he added with a growl and clenched fist.

"You snuffed an Autobot?" Airachnid asked in fake surprise and awe.

"Yes I did!" Starscream replied proudly with his servos on his hips "Without mercy!" he gestured as he emphasized his pride.

"Oh." Airachnid smirked "Even Megatron showed you mercy when he planned to terminate you at the mine."

Starscream was alarmed when he heard the femme's words.

"What!?" he squawked as the memory of the humiliation in that mine returned to him.

"He told you about that!?"

"We talk." Airachnid smirked.

Starscream gasped exasperated then gestured to the ground.

"The wreckage lies just beneath where we stand!" he admitted "I will need to find a point of entry."

He turned away from Airachnid and as he did, the femme jumped up and pointed her spider legs down to drill into the earth and she started spinning like a top and drilled herself into the ground.

Starscream turned around as he heard that and he looked into the hole that Airachnid had made.

"Show off!" he snarled then jumped down the hole to follow her.

The Seeker soon caught up with Airachnid and it was easy to see where she had gone due to the tittering and tinkling noises her spider legs made on the surfaces and he soon identified them from earth to metal, showing she had made it to the long buried Decepticon Warship the Harbinger.

"Suit yourself." he called after her "I conducted a thorough search of this husk years ago."

He turned a corner and he saw Airachnid standing before a control centre typing on a keypad and many screens lit up on the crashed ship they found.

"What are you doing?" he demanded walking over to look.

"Accessing the cargo manifest." Airachnid replied without looking up "Or didn't you think to do that during your thorough search?" she added looking over her shoulder.

"Idiot!" Starscream snapped "The ships systems haven't been activated for eons! The Autobots could detect it's energon signature."

"Ah!" Airachnid said as if she hadn't heard Starscream's warning "Here it is, section twenty-three." she typed on the keyboard a few times to find the exact co-ordinates...

Back at the silo, The Hamato Clan, Tyroth and Sephie were still talking to Culpepper whilst Pandora, Kemeko, the twins and the Autobots looked on.

Culpepper was standing before the sofa where Tyroth and Raphael were sitting and they were asking him questions about who he was and how he knew Agent Fowler as so far they had only known what Pandora told them.

At first they were going to have Culpepper sit on the sofa but Tyroth decided that it would be too much of an intimidating interrogation so he and Rapheal sat down whilst Culpepper stood before them and the rest of the Hamato Clan and Sephie stood behind the sofa.

"...So you're Agent Fowler's pilot?" Raphael asked looking up at the human man who stood up straight and to attention.

"Not his personal one sir." Culpepper replied "But me and my dad fly him sometimes, he likes it when we fly with him, we're good friends."

"Your father's in the Air Force too?" Tyroth asked.

"Yes sir." Culpepper said with a salute, "Richard Culpepper, he took out his wallet and showed the turtle and Dragon the photos he had shown Pandora, Sonia, Kemeko and the twins last week.

"I see." Tyroth mused as he looked then saw the family photo.

"And your mother?" he asked, even though he knew that she was dead, he wanted to know more.

"She was medical secretary at the hospital in the Town of Jasper, about four miles from here." he said "She died of breast cancer when I was five."

The Hamato Clan looked sad and and Monalisa especially felt sympathy.

"My mother died from Cancer too." she said.

"Our condolences young man." Tyroth said.

"Thanks." Culpepper went on "After she died, I was often looked after by my grandparents when dad was stationed at the military base or abroad, I attended Memorial High School in Jasper then after I left school I trained to be a pilot in the American Air Force, basically following in my dad's footsteps."

Donatello and Michelangelo looked rather impressed.

"And you've been a pilot since you were eighteen?" Raphael asked.

Culpepper nodded.

"Yeah, and I'm twenty-one now."

"A young pilot, and a trusted friend of Agent Fowler." Tyroth mused "That ticks my boxes, yet..." he stared at Culpepper from his position on the sofa, and despite the fact that him sitting down didn't intimidate the young pilot was much as he was now at his level, his eyes were still on him and it still made him nervous.

From their place at the side, Pandora and the other kids watched and Pandora chewed her lip.

"I wonder what dad's gonna say?" Loki asked.

Freya shrugged.

"We still need to learn more about you and that we can trust you with the younguns."

"Younguns!?" Pandora squawked along with Loki and Freya and Kemeko looked at each other almost appalled at being called younguns.

"I'm seventeen Uncle T!" the hybrid shot over only to have Loki clap his paw over her mouth making her narrow her eyes at him.

Culpepper bit his lip as he tried not to laugh and looked at Pandora.

"My dad still refers to me as his little boy." he said helpfully only to have Tyroth cough to get his attention again.

"As we were saying." Tyroth said "We want to make it very clear that I hope to trust you with our son and daughters, and that you will look after them and not betray their existence, our existence to the world."

"Sir." Culpepper said "As a military man, and a confidant of Agent Fowler, I am under oath just like my superiors who are also under the same Oath to keep the Autobots existence a secret and I would never betray anyone, or go back on any promise I make."

"I believe you young man." Splinter spoke up as he looked at Culpepper.

Tyroth and Raphael looked over.

"I trust my gut." Splinter said and winked and Raphael soon remembered that day they first met April and how she promised not to reveal their existence.

Tyroth was about to speak but before he could, a bleeping noise came from Ratchet's screens making him and the others look over.

"Optimus." the medic called over and the Autobot leader walked over followed closely by Ironhide.

"What's come up Ratchet?" Donatello asked walking over to have a closer look.

"Our scanners have detected a Decepticon energy profile." Ratchet reported as he anaysed the data.

"But it's ancient." he added.

"The past has a way of catching up with the present Ratchet." Optimus said looking at the screens.

"What is it?" Tyroth asked as he opened his wings and flew over to look yet he couldn't read the cybertronian data.

"A crashed Decepticon ship." Donatello said "Buried under the surface for thousands of years."

"How do you know?" Michelangelo asked.

"It said so!" Donatello said pointing at the screens.

"Whoa Donnie!" Monalisa exclaimed "You actually learned the Cybertronian language?"

"Well, I decided to study the language in my spare time." Donatello shrugged "I'm not fluent yet though."

Culpepper blinked.

"Smart dude." he muttered.

"He sure is kid!" Raphael said "Sometimes a little too smart."

"Wow." Bulkhead muttered.

"Who do you think set off the alert?" Ironhide asked.

"More than likely the Decepticons are on the move again." Leonardo said.

"Then we best head over there and find out what's going on?" Ironhide suggested to which Optimus nodded.

"Bumblebee, go and alert Arcee." he said to which the yellow scout nodded.

"Autobots, prepare to roll out."

"Present Optimus." Arcee's voice was heard before Bumblebee could go and find her.

"Ah there you are." Ratchet said "When you're ready, I'll bridge you to the location."

"Thank you Ratchet." Optimus said.

"What can we do?" Leonardo asked the Autobot leader.

"Remain here with Ratchet." Optimus replied.

"If it's not too much to ask." Tyroth spoke up "I would like to join you."

"Tyroth?" Optimus asked and the Hamato Clan were shocked, as were the other Autobots.

"My son, daughter, and my nieces and friends have seen what you can do, and I for one am curious to see what you're hoping to find."

"You sure about that?" Ironhide asked "It's gonna be dangerous for an organic like you!"

"He's no ordinary organic!" Michelangelo called over "You should see him in action!"

Optimus frowned as he looked at Tyroth then held out his hand to which the dragon landed in his palm.

"I am aware that you have powers and abilities we would not expect an Earthling, whether they be human or mutant, and we have only seen a small fraction of what you can do, but do you have the necessary means to use them in the field?"

Tyroth nodded.

"Should the opportunity arrive," he said "I can show you."

"I'm coming too!"

Tyroth and Optimus looked over to Sephie who had run down the stairs from the raised platform, the Hamato Clan, Culpepper, Pandora, Kemeko and the twins not far behind them.

"Sephie?" Tyroth flew out of Optimus's hand and lowered himself to the ground.

"I want to see observe as well, I may not be able to assist but I want to be there with you my love."

Tyroth sighed.

As much as he knew Sephie was strong, even stronger than the Hamato Clan, he knew she didn't have his powers or strength but he knew how stubborn she could be when it came to fighting or being by his side anywhere he went if it involved danger.

"Okay." he said "But if there's trouble..."

Sephie nodded.

"I understand." she said.

"What about us dad? mum?" Freya asked as she and Loki went over to hug their parents.

Tyroth looked up.

"You two stay here, and keep an eye on him for me!" he pointed towards Culpepper as he hugged them.
"Me?" Culpepper asked.

"I still wish to learn more about you!" Tyroth said pointing at his eyes then at Culpepper.

"As do I." Raphael agreed from behind, making Culpepper jump a little.

Ratchet then fired up the Ground-Bridge.

"Autobots." Optimus said "Transform and Roll out!"

On his command, the Autobots transformed and Tyroth and Sephie climbed into Optimus's truck form.

"Be careful out there!" Leonardo called down.

"We will!" Tyroth called back as he closed the door and the five autobots disappeared through the Ground-Bridge.

As soon as they disappeared and the Ground-Bridge closed, Culpepper looked at the twins.

"Is your dad like that often?" he asked.

"Yeah." Freya said nodding.

"Dad's one you wouldn't want an an enemy, mark my words!" Loki added.

"So you better keep to your word what you said up there." Raphael said, his voice low.

"Of course, yes." Culpepper said, sweat forming on his forehead.

"Dad." Pandora whined "Please ease up! If Fowler trusts him, we should to!"

Monalisa placed a hand on Raphael's shoulder and smiled softly at him.

"I'm sure he realizes what he's up against love." she said then looked at Culpepper.

"Come," she said "How about we talk some more over some tea until the Autobots, Tyroth and Sephie come back?"

"Um, sure." Culpepper said feeling a little more relaxed at Monalisa's softer tone "Thanks m'am."

Pandora smiled at her mother then looked at Culpepper as they walked to the stairs to get back up the raised platform.

"You got one protective uncle there!" he said to the hybrid.

"Oh boy." Pandora chuckled "You don't know the half of it! And I thought my dad was bad enough."

Culpepper laughed.

Meanwhile, Freya, Loki and Kemeko walked behind them and observed how the hybrid and human man were interacting.

"There's no doubt about it sis, Kem." Loki said "Pandora's got a crush."

"Yeah." Freya said softly "No doubt at all, I know very well what's like to have a crush."

Kemeko looked at Pandora then at Culpepper.

"She likes him, that's for sure, but does he like her in the same way?" she asked "That's what I'm concerned about."

"Well from what I've observed, he seems to, but friendly or something else?" Loki mused.

"I guess we'll find out soon enough." Freya said "And if by chance he does like her more than just a friend," she thought to herself "I hope he treats her right! Or he'll answer to me!"

Meanwhile, back at the location of the crashed warship, Airachnid was scuttling on the ceiling as she explored the wreckage, Starscream walking behind her.

"Section 23 should be right about..." Airachnid paused as she came to a dead end of a rock wall.

"Here?" she asked "The Ship just ends." she frowned "It must have broken in half during the crash."

Starscream chuckled.

"Or in the air." he suggested mockingly "If you performed actual research, you would have learned that an autobot battalion shot the Harbinger out of the sky!"

Airachnid turned to face Starscream.

"How far away in the other half?" she demanded, her purple eyes flashing.

"I'm afraid that information is need to know!" Starscream smirked using Airachnid's earlier words to him on her, yet what he didn't expect was a furious Rogue Spider-Bot growled and shot her webbing at him and pinned him to the wall!

Starscream was alarmed and furious.

"What are you...?" he shouted yet Airachnid spoke over him.

"You trying to make me look like a fool before Megatron?" she snarled "Have me return empty handed while you locate that weapon yourself?"

"How dare you accuse me!" Starscream shouted "You are nothing but a scavenger, an opportunist!"

"Aren't you one to talk!" Airachnid snapped.

"Perhaps." Starscream hissed "But I've changed, seen the error of my ways, I live to serve Megatron now."

Airachnid leaned forward close to Starscream's face.

"You won't live to serve anyone if don't tell me where to find the rest of this ship!" she threatened "Now!" she added.

Starscream knew better than to refuse Airachnid's request as he knew very well how she followed through on her threats and promises.

"A few clicks north of here, through a stone arch." Starscream told her "Now release me!" he ordered.

Airachnid got off Starscream and stood up.

"When I find the weapon in hand." she answered then smirked "That is if I can find my way back without my guide!"

She then turned to walk away leaving Starscream in her webbing.

"This is not funny Airachnid!" Starscream shouted after the Spider-Bot "Come back here right now and cut me loose!"

But Airachnid ignored him and kept on walking.

"Airachnid!" Starscream yelled "That is an order! I am your commanding officer!"

Airachnid chuckled as she continued to walk, yet as she turned a corner she stopped in her tracks as she came face to face with the Autobots who appeared at the end of the other side of the tunnel!

So Starscream and Airachnid have arrived at their destination and both are reluctant partners in this mission.

Meanwhile Culpepper's gone through a first round of grilling from Pandora's family, that was the starter, but there's the main course and even a dessert to follow.

Also Tyroth and Sephie have joined the Autobots on their current mission, and Airachnid's realised she's got company after abandoning Starscream!

Note: For those who've seen the TMNT 2003 show, you may have noticed the reference to the episode 'Attack of the Mousers' where Splinter tells Culpepper he believes him, like he told April he belives her when she said she wouldn't reveal she knew about the Turtles.