Sorry folks, life got in the way. Anyway, enjoy the chapter and leave a comment if you have the time!

Warnings: I do not own anything except my OCs.

Chapter 26: Settling in

…..

Kaon, Kolkular - A week later

"They look so cute! Too bad we can't touch them," Halo pouted as she poked the incubator tanks with a claw.

She has taken some time off to visit Mercy in Kaon and see how the sparklings were doing. Crossflare accompanied her as well, saying she needed to clear her head and a trip to the city would do just fine.

The sparklings were already taking shape, but they were at the early stage of the process.

"How much time do the protoforms need to spend in these tanks?" Crossflare inquired curiously, and looked at Rearview who stood by her side.

The room they were currently in reminded her of a laboratory, with all the necessary equipment hastily repurposed for the nurturing of the newborn sparklings and their protoforms. It was a part of the medical wing but only Rearview had access to this room from the medical staff. He was tasked with the supervision of the sparklings' development after the incubator tanks had been transported from Crystal City to Kaon.

Mercy sat by the tanks with a serene expression. She has barely left her stool since she arrived back and continued to watch her small ones float soundly inside the incubators. Her spark swelled with emotions, and she noted that her patience was being tested right now. She couldn't wait to hold them in her arms.

"Maybe two more weeks. Until then we have to wait patiently."

The protoforms were kept in tubes filled with energon to let the living metal of Cybertron grow on the protoforms. Their spark coding would determine how the bodies will look like. It was a slow process and the sparklings had to be nurtured for the entire duration of it carefully. Both of them floated inside unconsciously with their optics closed, their small bodies curled up in a ball.

Ravage curiously tilted his head while watching the tiny sparks pulse calmly and brightly. They still haven't fully developed their spark-chambers so their light shone through. He felt an odd sense of dejavu but he didn't know why.

"I'm proud of you," Crossflare stepped next to her sitting friend and squeezed her shoulder with a servo in a friendly manner, "They are beautiful."

"Can I be their aunt? Please! I want to be their auntie!" Halo joined them with an excited bounce in her steps.

"Of course, both of you are aunts," Mercy chuckled in response.

"And what are their names? Have you already decided on any?" Crossflare inquired.

Mercy hesitated to answer, but she was smiling.

"I wanted to discuss my idea with Soundwave first."

Immediately on cue, the doors slid open and Soundwave stepped in.

Rearview and Ravage bowed their heads instinctively and Mercy perked up with a happy expression.

"You called?" The slim mech walked over to his bondmate who rose and met him halfway. She embraced him in a loose hug.

"No, I just wished you were here."

"We were discussing names for the sparklings! Do you have any ideas, Soundwave?" Halo chimed in.

The mech tilted his head.

"I feel like Mercy already has something on her mind," he was open to any ideas his bondmate had and would share his own if he had a different opinion.

All optics turned to the white femme and she cast her gaze down in a flustered manner.

"I do, but I'm not sure if you would agree."

Soundwave nodded encouragingly for her to continue.

She was hesitant at first, then reached for his servo and gently interlaced their digits before she looked up to voice her thoughts:

"Ever since we reunited, I have been missing something. An absence has kept nagging me. I know this might be a sensitive question, but…what would you think about Rumble and Frenzy?"

Silence fell on the room and Soundwave's optics widened under the visor. His emotions stirred as memories flashed before him, remembering how he lost his minicons one by one. He couldn't protect them, they fell in battle, fighting by his side, fighting for him. Fulfilling his orders, even when the task was beyond their limits. Then an old memory from the distant past emerged in his mind: Mercy, with Frenzy in her lap, Rumble leaning his back against her side, Buzzsaw perched on her left shoulder, Laserbeak on her right, Ravage lying by her pedes. All of them recharging together, within Mercy's caring and loving embrace.

Would he really be able to call these names again? To keep their memories alive?

Soundwave squeezed her servo with his, then leaned closer and touched his forehead to hers.

"I like the names," he answered with a small smile hiding at the corners of his mouth, but only she knew.

Ravage turned his head towards the protoforms again. No wonder he felt that dejavu.

Vos, Air Command Tower - A week later

Halo caught a whiff of the whispers behind her back again. This wasn't the first time, and something told her it certainly wouldn't be the last time.

She just exited the conference room where Starscream organized a meeting with his new council and was about to follow her partner to their next stop when her senses tingled and urged her to stay behind. So she did.

Vos had been rapidly growing since aerialbots, Seekers and Neutrals began settling in. Many were displeased with Starscream's autocratic leadership style until he started showing visible results with the policies he has been stubbornly enforcing since the beginning. The city has always been rich in resources and the revival opened its fountains once more but without a working economical strategy, it would have never started making profit for its owners. Starscream had a way of swaying people to his side and thus his business associates multiplied over the last months.

Starscream created a council to aid him only for show, with no real power in their servos to speak of. Their advice however could be harvested to his advantage and they could lull themselves into the illusion of being important. Most of them eyed Halo with a hint of suspicion. She always stood beside Starscream, but added nothing to the topics that were being discussed. Governing wasn't something she had any experience of so she saw it better to stay quiet and learn.

Halo was aware that people talked about her behind her back. Her presence created question marks. They never confronted her to her face, but for some reason they thought it was safe to discuss their concerns out in the open hallways, thinking nobody heard them.

The young femme decided to fall back and eavesdrop, secretly watching out for any suspicious agenda that might target Starscream behind his back. He wasn't exactly everybody's favorite afterall.

"Don't you ever wonder why he keeps her around? I mean, she hasn't done anything of importance so far."

"I've been thinking about it as well. Someone says she isn't even a flier."

"What? How would they know?"

"She is awkward in the air, they say. I can see it too."

"You are saying she is originally a grounder?!"

They said 'grounder' like it was a curse word. Halo grimaced from behind the wall where she hid but remained quiet.

"Oh my. Why does Starscream even bother with her then?"

"The war has probably lowered his standards."

"Eugh, really? Disappointing."

"Yeah. At least she could be useful if not a good flier."

Halo decided she heard enough and left the scene quietly to catch up with her partner who was no doubt in his office by now.

She knocked out of courtesy and entered his office room without waiting for approval. It was a privilege only she could enjoy and abused on a daily basis.

Starscream, who sat behind his computer desk and a large screen in the middle of a video call, glanced up at her and welcomed her with a subtle smirk before he returned his attention to whatever his business associate was explaining.

Halo quietly wandered closer and decided to bide her time with discovering the many rows of datapad shelves that covered almost the entire wall on the right side. Starscream made sure whatever useful books he could salvage he would have, and so he already had an impressive collection.

"What troubles you, my dear Halo?" Starscream stood once his call ended and walked over to where she was picking at his datapads.

She turned to him with a perfect smile.

"Nothing! I was just wondering when you would finally have some time for me."

Starscream reached out and drew a claw over the line of her cheek with a smirk.

"We will have to work on your lying skills. Now tell me the reason you are upset."

"Is it that obvious?" she pouted.

"Yes."

Halo cast her optics down.

"I feel useless."

Starscream frowned.

"You are not useless, Halo. Not to me."

"It doesn't change the way I feel though."

"Who said this to you?"

"No one. I just…."

"Halo."

"Ok, fine! People are finding out I am no flier and are starting to question my worth."

Starscream rolled his optics.

"So it's about your old alt-mode. I will discipline them to let them know their place."

"See, that's exactly what I don't want!" she pushed his servo away, glowering. "I want people to respect me for my skills, not because you tell them to!"

"What do you suggest then? You could enlist. I know our military is under construction at the moment, but you could get your basic training done."

Halo grimaced.

"I know, but I would prefer not to have snob Seekers judging me through it all! If I fall back to the bottom of the ranking order now, it will make you look bad. I don't want your image to suffer just because I'm a total disaster."

Starscream chuckled with a smile. Oh Halo. She was more upset about him looking bad than others berating her.

"Your current contribution is enough, Halo. Do not let others dictate your feelings."

"Easy for you to say that, but I'm more worried about what I can't do. How will I protect you, if I don't have the means? I want to be someone you can rely on!"

Here it was again, her unexplainable need to shield him. A part of him knew that he was perfectly capable of protecting himself - he used to be a bodyguard at one point too to that wretched Sentinel of all bots on top of it - but another part of him eased at the thought that he was no longer alone to fend for himself.

"I feel like you are going somewhere with this," he cocked an optic ridge, urging her to say what she had in mind.

Halo grabbed the opportunity.

"Yes. Just recently Smokescreen mentioned that the Elite Guard is already fully operational and enlisting."

The moment it left her mouth he gasped with an indignant expression.

"Out of the question! When did you even speak to that stupid rookie?!"

"We keep in touch," Halo grinned, shrugging. "Anyway, it would be a good alternative."

"No way! I don't want to see you anywhere near the Autobots! They are all imbeciles!"

"The Elite Guard is an elite force for a reason, no?

"I don't care what they call themselves!"

"Hm, so what other option do I have? I don't know much about the Decepticons…"

"Forget it, Halo. Last I heard they are reintroducing gladiatorial combat in Kaon."

"What? Really?! Slag, I have to ask Mercy about the details!" Halo gaped in surprise.

"Absolutely not! You are staying here and that's final!" Starscream raised his voice with an angry growl.

"The Elite Guard wouldn't be that bad, Star."

Starscream shook his head angrily.

"We will talk about this later."

"Why not now?" Halo challenged with the rise of an optic ridge.

"Because I have an other meeting in just a few clicks."

The femme sighed, shaking her head, then moved to leave, but Starscream caught her wrist and turned her back to him. She was about to ask why, but got silenced when his mouth crashed against hers and her back was pressed against the shelves. His claws found her hips in a possessive grip and her gasp was muffled by the heated kiss. Her cooling fans kicked in immediately as her temperature skyrocketed but she eagerly reciprocated with a pleased humm as Starscream moved against her with a ferocity she didn't anticipate. Then he pushed himself just a breath away and he glowered at her:

"I want you near me, Halo. Understood?"

Halo snaked her arms around his neck and smiled with that adoring smile of hers that threatened to burst his spark if he looked at her too long.

"I know, Star. But I want to do this for the both of us. Trust me."

He didn't seem pleased by her answer but his computer began pinging loudly, his meeting calling his attention away.

Kaon, Kolkular

Dreadwing made his way through the hallways with a determined expression. He entered the closed off section of the building, the private suite of Soundwave that not many had access to. The complex was under heavy protection, both by guards and a complicated security system no one but Soundwave had full control of. The new Decepticon Lord's caution was warranted since his position was a coveted one. If one would wish to hurt him, they would start with his bondmate and his off-spring, the most vulnerable. Soundwave didn't feel like playing games so he made sure only a handful of people could get in or out of this section of the building.

Namely, Rearview, Ravage, the selected guards and Dreadwing.

While the Commander wasn't a regular visitor, the young femme hasn't emerged from there for some time now and Dreadwing was loath to admit that he was dying of curiosity.

The sparklings have been taken out of their incubators and were fully functional now, so he wanted to see them with his own optics.

The Seeker looked around carefully while trying to navigate his way in the spacious hallway that had many doors leading to rooms he wasn't privy to. He could only hope his Lord wouldn't take offense to his unannounced visit. Soundwave was away on duty so he wouldn't run into him, but Ravage must be around since the cat never left Mercy's side.

Dreadwing turned his head when he heard noises from one end of the hallway and his optics opened wide when he spotted two small bots running into the corridor while chasing each other.

Two of them. Equal height and stature, but different frames. One femme and one mech. The first light blue and teal, the other white and a darker blue.

They stopped abruptly when they spotted him. He was about to greet them but they ducked behind the closest cover they could find and carefully peeked out with fear in their optics.

The Commander felt bad for frightening them, it wasn't his intention.

"And where are you going my dears….?" Mercy appeared from behind them, but upon noticing the behavior of her sparklings, she looked up in surprise.

"Commander? What do we owe the pleasure? Do you perhaps need something?"

Ravage emerged from behind her and swished his tail with clear suspicion in his optics, but said nothing.

Dreadwing took a few steps closer but it only resulted in the younglings scrambling to hide behind the legs of their carrier. A natural instinct. They feared strangers and clung to their sole guardian. The sight set him back in eons to a time where seeing carriers with their sparklings wasn't such a rarity. Especially among Seekers.

Mercy was visibly glowing, happy, her whole countenance even warmer than usual. Has she become more beautiful than she already was?

"Please pardon my obtrusiveness, but I wanted to see them with my own optics," Dreadwing bowed his head respectfully and lowered to one knee. He reached an encouraging servo out towards the small ones. They barely came up to the femme's waist. Their armor was still underdeveloped, but they had clear shapes. They would grow to be fine bots in no time. "It has been far too long since I last saw any younglings of our kind."

Mercy offered a soft smile and patted the heads of her little ones.

"Do not be afraid, this is Commander Dreadwing. A friend of ours. He won't hurt you."

Only one of them was brave enough to come out from behind her. Rumble, the mech, took tentative steps towards the large Seeker while Frenzy, the femme, looked on with wide, frightened optics.

Dreadwing couldn't help but smile when the youngling curiously peered into his palm as if expecting something to be there.

"They are twins," he remarked, his voice soft and nostalgic, and Mercy heard a tinge of grief in it.

Mercy wondered if seeing the small ones with a split-spark bond made him think of his late brother. Her spark squeezed slightly, her empathy compelling her to speak.

"Yes, although they look very different."

"It is no surprise when one is a femme and the other a mech," Dreadwing answered, then rose to stand. Rumble quickly ran back to his carrier, deciding he had no courage left to face the large Seeker when he was standing.

"Seekers come in trines, do they not?" she asked kindly.

"Most of the time. My brother and I were an exception. Our bond was strong nevertheless."

He looked proud and she was glad grief wasn't the only thing defining his memories.

"I will try my best to keep their bond strong too," Mercy smiled, and Dreadwing reciprocated.

"Rest assured, I will ensure your safety within these walls to the best of my ability, I can promise that. The new generation shouldn't be subjected to the cruelties of the past. One almost forgets we fought the war with their future in mind."

He did mean it. He might be a military leader, but the war hasn't erased all softness in him. He would make sure the little ones were shielded when Soundwave wasn't around to protect them. It was the first mission in eons that he was looking forward to with genuine care and pride.

She looked happy by his proclamation. That's all he needed to see to know he was doing the right thing, honoring his fallen brother with a new purpose Skyquake would have surely agreed with.

Just a few days later Soundwave stopped him in his tracks while he was heading out of the building.

"Yes, my Lord?" Dreadwing bowed his head in respect.

"I have settled for a departure date with the Prime," Soundwave shared, "Searching for the Allspark will take a while. In the meantime, I need you to watch over Mercy besides fulfilling your deputy role."

Dreadwing felt honored to be asked.

"I live to serve."

"See to it that the more restless subjects are occupied while I'm away."

He was talking about the more disagreeable Decepticons, who were still fanatically loyal to Megatron and weren't convinced that Soundwave was the rightful heir to the throne. They were diligently monitored, so far haven't caused much ruckus, but their intentions remained questionable at best. Dreadwing knew the constant instilling of fear could keep them at bay for now, but if Soundwave leaves for an undefined time, some of them might grab the opportunity to do something reckless.

"Certainly, my Lord."

Crystal City, Scientist Council Chamber

Crossflare was dreaming of him again. His white paintjob with red and green decor gleamed in her imagination, unlike in reality. It was unusual. She had never dreamed with Sidewire while they were bondmates. But then again, she barely had dreams back then, aside from nightmares.

So what prompted these anomalies now with Wheeljack?

Her ever rational mind began making up theories, but thinking more about it only strengthened the longing in her spark.

Maybe that was the issue. Distance makes the spark grow fonder, they say. There might be some truth to the saying.

She was missing her bondmate because she wasn't seeing him. His lack of proximity was unusual. Unhealthy, a part of her supplied, but she forced the voice down.

Everything about them was unusual. This was to be expected. She should be filtering her thoughts. Forcing her spark to quiet down. She had made a decision to follow her own path just like Wheeljack had too. They just needed to stick to their resolve.

But saying that was easy. Reality begged to differ. She knew he was missing her too.

Crossflare pulled herself out of her trance and focused back on the task in her servo again.

She was in her new office. Scarce but practical for now. She held a box containing her Synth-En samples. It was a miracle Soundwave even let her take it out of Decepticon territory but he trusted her to keep the formula locked away from other scientists while she was working on completing it. Unless she wanted to be labeled a traitor to the cause, she would oblige. Technically, she was still a Decepticon. The moment she chose to stay with Knock Out that much was sealed.

She had eventually joined the Scientist Guild like she planned to and Knock Out decided it would do them good to be just a block away so he joined the Medical Academy. They needed an experienced medic in their directory and he could hardly pass up the chance to become a big name with a lot of money at the same time. Any doctor's dream career, really. He also agreed to become a consultant to the Scientist Guild to stay updated on the newest discoveries.

Crossflare smiled softly. He was happy. Excited about their prospects. Eager to have her move in with him as quickly as possible. He did his best to monopolize her free time. She realized he was acting possessive, but it was understandable. His enthusiasm often drew her in, making her forget all her doubts. Like the dream he painted for her could become reality just as easily as he told her so.

The plum colored femme sighed and shook her head, trying to quell her anxiety. They all needed some time to adjust to this new life. This new reality. She should give herself some leeway…most weren't as lucky as her.

She was given a third chance at life, she shouldn't be squandering it.

So she quit moping and got to work. Setting up her office was the easy part. Her adjacent laboratory was the real deal. It lacked some equipment still but the Guild promised to supply every scientist with appropriate tools for their projects. She just needed ro make up a cover-project that she could show to the public while she worked away on the Synth-En in secret.

Were there any new viruses? Maybe she should recreate the Cyber-Plague antidote she acquired from Ratchet back when Optimus got infected, for safe-keeping. Yes, that would be a good start.

Her mood improved as her laboratory began to look more and more like she imagined it should. There is no better feeling than looking at a tidy, organized lab!

Her comm-link pinged and Crossflare answered it with a satisfied smile:

"Yes?"

"Someone is in a good mood, I hear," Knock Out chuckled at the other end of the line. "I'm at your door. Let me in!"

"You are here?" Crossflare gasped, her spark jumping, and ran back to the office, realizing she had the auto-lock on her entrance door. At least she knew her security settings were working.

The femme found herself facing a rather smug-looking Knock Out once she opened the door and he sauntered in with a big smile, like he owned the place. He looked around and whistled.

"Wow! Not a click wasted since you moved in, it seems."

She followed him, hushing her spark to stay quiet, and shrugged.

"I have my own lab. I can finally decorate it in my style."

He chuckled as he gestured to the rather scarce decoration.

"And what do you call this style, my dear?"

"Oh, shut it!" She folded her arms and turned her head with a mock-pout. He came to her side and drew her closer by her arm. She let him, despite her spark's warnings.

"You know, maybe this will liven up the place a bit!" he reached into his subspace and produced a shiny object. He held it up for her to see and her optics locked onto it curiously.

It was an ornament of sorts. Made of purple and red crystals but in the form of a spiraling cloud. Its bottom was a stainless steel block. She hasn't seen anything like it in a while. All pretty things were destroyed in the war. Hardly anyone made an effort to save worthless pieces of art when one could barely hope to get energon to live another day.

So where did he get it? Craftsbots have already begun production? So soon? Was it possible?

"From where…?" she carefully took it from him, studying it in awe.

He seemed rather satisfied with her reaction and put his servos up in an innocent and mysterious manner.

"Who knows? I have my ways."

Crossflare squinted at him suspiciously.

"Nobody lost an arm for this, right?"

Knock Out touched his chest-plates in mock-hurt.

"But sweet cherry! Do I look like someone who would amputate bots for their shiny goods?"

The femme cocked an optic ridge and they stared at each other for a long nano-click until they both burst into laughter.

Crossflare didn't remember the last time she allowed herself to laugh as much as she did recently. She couldn't help it. Knock Out's laugh was contagious. She didn't know how she earned his impossible patience, especially in a predicament they were in, but she was grateful. It made her want to return the effort he has put into saving their wacky relationship. If he knew of the turmoil in her spark, he would probably frown, but she did her best to conceal all of that from him. She needed to be stronger, for him, for the both of them.

Her optics instinctively fell to his lips. She tried to catch her gaze away in time but he took notice, his laughter died and suddenly the air crackled around them.

Oh no. Crossflare wished she didn't do that, suddenly horrified. Once you kiss someone, the possibility of doing it again will always be there. It's frightening.

Knock Out leaned closer with amusement in his optics.

"Is there something on your mind, my dear?"

"N-no, I just wanted to say thank you… This is a really nice gift!" she countered while shrinking back from him, but a digit of his found her chin and guided her gaze back to his.

"I accept thankyous only in kisses!" he wore a shit-eating grin and her faceplate went up in flames. The nerve! He knew her defenses have been weaker since he kissed her. If he had found amusement in her denials before, now he was thoroughly entertained because there was nothing to deny anymore and she still didn't want to face her reality. She wanted him to kiss her just as much as him her, the only thing holding her back was her consideration of Wheeljack and how it might affect him through the bond. So she vowed not to do it again until they somehow resolved the issue with the connection. Knock Out didn't seem to care though. Crossflare wanted to murder him for being such an aft. He wasn't making her struggles any easier.

"You know we can't do that!" she backed away but he followed and even had the audacity to suggestively rev his engine, making her head reel. He eventually backed her against her desk. She bumped into it with a thud, and her servos gripped the ornament tight against her frame, afraid of dropping it and damaging the precious gift.

Knock Out gently pried it from her grasp with a chuckle and placed it on the table's surface in a perfect position, for all to see who entered.

"We already had this dance, sweet cherry, and I won. How about you close your pretty optics, hm? Just one kiss? That stupid Autobot doesn't have to know."

"But he will know!" she hissed. "In fact, he already knows! He feels what I feel!"

Knock Out's smirk turned into an annoyed frown.

"I swear to Primus, he is the most irritating cock-blocker I've ever met."

"Knock Out!"

"What? It's true."

Crossflare shook her head, pushing him an arm away.

"L-let's just talk normally."

"Hm, I would, but it's hard when you ogle me like that. I know I'm attractive, but you haven't paid me much attention before now. It's kind of unfair."

Crossflare bit into her lower lip and cast her optics down. Slag, he had a point. Why did she see him attractive now when she could easily ignore it before? Was this her being desperate?

Oh, Solus, she was a mess. Ever since he confessed to her on the Nemesis on their way home to Cybertron. He undid something in her on that day. She didn't know what or what to do about it. She wanted to scream in frustration.

"How was your meeting with the directorate?" she switched topics instead and turned to the side, idly touching the beautiful ornament on her desk.

Knock Out huffed.

"Oh, it was dandy. I met no one I used to work with. Luckily, most of them are Neutrals. I wouldn't have been able to put up with a bunch of stuck-up Autobots."

"Well, Crystal City is Neutral," she smiled.

"I can live with it. Autobots wouldn't appreciate the beauty of the city and Decepticons would destroy it in a century. But! What's more important, I managed to set the deal and we can move into our new place in a week!"

Crossflare's spark jumped at the news but she schooled her expression.

"Really? That's sooner than expected."

"Not soon enough! I want my stuff moved from the Nemesis as soon as possible."

"Well, I have everything I want here already…"

Knock Out tutted and shook his head.

"No, sweet cherry, this much won't do. You need more stuff to live! All you have here is work material."

"I'm not very materialistic…."

"It's not a bad thing to own things for yourself, Crossflare. Once we move in, we can go around shopping! I want to see what the city can offer," Knock Out waved her words away, already making up plans in his processor.

She figured she wouldn't be able to talk him out of it, so she relented with a sigh.

The two of them left the office, Crossflare locked the door with her password, then they wandered around in the Scientist Council Chamber some more. Knock Out made sure to introduce himself to every higher ranked scientist so they would remember him later.

Once outside, they figured they could go to a bar and have some drinks, but her comm pinged and she halted immediately as if struck by lightning. She caught her servo to her audio-receptor quickly and answered the call with a hammering spark. Knock Out cocked an optic ridge as he waited for her.

"Yes?"

"It's me, darlin'."

"I know, do you need something? Can we meet?"

"Yes, I wanted to meet up with ya before I left."

Crossflare's spark stilled.

"W-what…? You are leaving? Where? For how long will you be away?"

"It's a mission, but I can't share the details like this. Let's talk in person. Are ya busy right now? Ya're with that Con, right?"

"Yes, but I can make time for you. Just tell me where to meet, I'll be there."

Knock Out folded his arms over his chest with a disapproving frown. Oh, he knew who she was talking with, even if she didn't let him hear the mech's voice.

She seemed distraught when she ended the call and he couldn't help but sneer.

"Must you run to him? Now?"

"He is leaving…. It must be important," she looked up with a guilty expression, but her optics begged him to understand.

"Nothing new, he has been doing that ever since he did his noble deed," Knock Out glowered.

"I must go," Crossflare pressed.

The mech rolled his optics and unfolded his arms.

"Of course, you must. But I will go with you."

She looked at him with a horrified expression but he waved her worries away.

"Don't worry, I won't cut him up. Not yet, anyway."

Unknown location, Undergrounds

Airachnid had very few reasons to stay, but those reasons were pressing enough. If it weren't for her insatiable morbid curiosity, she would have already moved on. She was, as far as she was concerned, a fugitive now. Running from both Autobot and Decepticon law forces, who would either throw her in prison or decapitate her, were she ever to be captured. It was common sense to hide under Neutral territory now, although she doubted Starscream would be any more lenient with her after what she had done to him. That pompous Seeker would make a show of humiliating her if she ever ended up in his clutches.

So, her best chance was staying out of sight for as long as she could endure. The Underground tunnels were an endless maze of labyrinths, and only those knew their way around who have lived their whole lives here, without seeing the sun.

Typically beasts, not the civilized kind.

And Shockwave, who had repurposed many parts of this Underground maze into his personal laboratory. He had many, scattered across all of Cybertron, all carefully hidden and cloaked well. He used to traverse between them while he was stranded on the planet alone, but since his newest pet project has arrived to its last stage, he chose to occupy his largest lab out of necessity for a longer time. Doing everything by himself was a hassle, but Airachnid was there to help - not out of the kindness of her heart, of course.

He offered shelter and energon, she offered aid. A fair trade. For now, at least.

Airachnid was looking for ways to reestablish her freedom, or get vengeance. Whichever she manages to fulfill first.

Her curiosity drew her gaze to the enormous tanks again. They were filled with yellow liquid and housed ancient monsters that she couldn't help but admire. She had this in common with the mad scientist: enjoying putting creatures in tubes and containers of any kind, the only difference being that she preferred hers dead while he preferred his alive.

Airachnid sat on a large metal box, idly dangling her legs as she watched said scientist work. He was silent, efficient and straightforward. He didn't participate in chit-chat, and although she wasn't one for small-talk either unless she had an agenda, it began to irritate her. It appeared like he completely ignored her presence unless he needed her to fetch something from his other labs.

Shockwave connected the tubes on the floor with one servo, making the femme wonder how he was able to function with only one servo at his disposal. She had six and she still thought she could use more.

Then the mech rose and returned to his control panel to initiate the awakening sequence which would suck away the yellow liquid and prod the first beast awake. It was the most dangerous part. It's one thing to stare at ancient predators that could swallow you whole inside a tube while they are unconscious and another thing when they stood before you with their optics open. A part of her was thrilled to witness the awakening of the first specimen, but another part of her warned her of the dangers.

A chill ran down her spine when the machines began to work and the liquid slowly lowered inside the tank. The beast moved, its biolights shining bright as it opened its optics for the first time. It looked confused, squirming inside the tank that was too little now to house the unfolding creature.

Shockwave waited a nanoclick before he let the walls of the tank emerge from the floor to the ceiling, finally freeing the beast from its glass cage.

The creature hissed, clicking its divided mandibles as it tried to find its balance, shuddering in the air of the outside world.

"The first specimen appears to be a success," Shockwave remarked, and Airachnid could trace a hint of pride in his otherwise emotionless tone.

The beast tried to open its wings and shake himself to clear the remnant of the liquid off itself but his appendages clanked against the walls and ceilings. It drew them back with a displeased screech and turned its head towards the purple bot standing before him.

Shockwave didn't flinch when the deadly predator leaned closer to inspect him. The scientist had full trust in the programming he installed in the creature's processor. He would never be harmed.

Airachnid watched on in tense silence, waiting for the moment the beast turned on its creator and tore him to shreds, but none of that happened. Instead, the beast lowered its head and let Shockwave pet it like an obedient, tame turbo-fox.

She was beyond shocked by what she witnessed.

"The very first Predacon since the extinction. This will change everything," Shockwave noted with a sense of foreboding, and the femme rose from her seat uneasily.

If this changes everything, where should she place herself on his table of chess pieces?

Iacon, The Central Hub Station, Western Dock

The Hub was busy, with countless transportation vehicles docking and leaving at the same time. It almost looked like the old Iacon. Flourishing with life, glowing bright in the afternoon sun. The Autobot Capital couldn't have been any more flashy.

Knock Out could admit that much. He did like shiny things after all.

Crossflare wasn't too focused on the exterior though. Her optics fervently surveyed the docks in search for a familiar small ship that was close to her spark for more than one reason. Bots walked by them, some alone, some in groups, newcomers and business delegates and every other kind you can think of.

It looked chaotic from afar, and not any less from closer.

"He could have met you in a less crowded place. It's like searching for a single cog in a giant machine!" Knock Out complained.

Crossflare knew why Wheeljack chose such a frequent place though. Her spark quivered slightly at the thought. The more crowded the place, the better. She had a foreboding suspicion that it would be disastrous if they were left alone in any place for long. They have strained their bond with their distance enough as it is, she didn't need to know what such longing would cause her to do when nobody was looking.

Her spark seemed to pull her as she strode ahead in a hurry. It seemed like they would walk forever until she spotted the Jackhammer and her spark jumped in elation. Finally!

She quickened her pace and couldn't hide her happiness when she saw Wheeljack exiting the ship as if he had known she was close. He probably knew. The emotions stirring in his spark verified so.

Flashes of her dreams with him passed before her and her processor began to reel.

"Long time no see, darlin'," he chuckled in greeting and nodded his head with a smirk.

Crossflare wanted to hug him and feel his frame against hers, it was a strong urge, but she forced her spark to stay quiet. She needed to concentrate.

"It has been a while. It's good to see you," she smiled, beaming, and Knock Out couldn't help but frown at the way her tone instantly changed to soft and caring. A tone she only reserved to a certain number of people. He wished she would direct that tone at him more often. It was the most soothing sound he has ever encountered. It made his spark feel appreciated, aching with warmth. But seeing her do that to another mech? Oh, he was seeing red.

"I see your Con friend has come along as well," Wheeljack tipped his head in his way and Knock Out grimaced.

"You interrupted us again, Autobot! I advise you to tell us your business and let us go on our way! We have more important matters to attend to."

"Hm, anxious, are we?" Wheeljack smiled mockingly, then gestured to Crossflare. "Give us a click in private, will ya?"

Knock Out gasped in offense, right about to start an argument, but Crossflare stepped in.

"It's okay, it will be just a minute."

He looked appalled by the idea but didn't stop her from going along with the Wrecker who led her back into his ship. Knock Out momentarily considered if there was a chance the mech would whisk her away, and the thought only made him angrier.

The two didn't completely disappear from view. They stopped in the door and Wheeljack turned to her to quietly explain the reason he had to go. The two conversed quietly so that no one else could hear.

Knock Out folded his arms over his chest-plates with an ugly frown because if he didn't his servos would have transformed into dismantling weapons. He hated everything about that stupid Autobot. From the way the mech looked to the fact that he was the legal bondmate of the femme that was his, and his alone. He felt robbed. At first she was mad at Crossflare for betraying him, but then his fury quickly changed target. She was dying, of course she latched onto the first person who offered a way out. Knock Out figured he would have done the same. It still hurt nevertheless. He had had something special with Crossflare. She was the first he put any real effort into building a relationship with. She was stubborn and hard to crack, but what he had glimpsed underneath was worth the trouble.

He wanted it all back. The only thing keeping him from her was this stupid Autobot. Knock Out wanted to murder him. Tear him apart. Piece by piece. Rip his spark out. Paint his dissection table blue with the mech's energon. The only thing keeping him from doing so was Crossflare. And so it became a devilish circle he couldn't escape from.

Crossflare looked crestfallen by the news Wheeljack shared with her. The mech did his best to make light of it, but her saddened countenance didn't change.

"Don't look so deflated, darlin'. We'll meet again once I get back," he tried to console her.

"But…I barely ever see you, and now you leave Cybertron," she looked at him in pure pain as if he just announced his upcoming death. It made it hard for him not to step closer and just embrace her. His side of the bond was acting up again, he knew. This is why he needed to be on his best behavior. He couldn't let the bond influence his mind.

"It won't be long, hopefully," he assured, "Optimus told me the Matrix would lead us straight to the Allspark. It sounds straightforward enough. We won't have any trouble unless Soundwave does somethin'. If I wanna be honest, havin' the Chief Con on board doesn't make me happy at all."

"Soundwave always keeps his given word. At least that's what Mercy says," Crossflare noted.

"These times, given words mean very little. Peace is fragile. One misunderstandin' and everythin' is over. We all have to play this game carefully. We barely know anythin' about this new Decepticon Lord. Your little friend might know him, but we don't. He's a mystery, Prime himself can only guess what Soundwave's intentions are."

The femme frowned in concern. There was some truth to his words. Mercy stood with Soundwave and supported him, now fully integrated into the Decepticons from the outside perspective. Crossflare often wondered what was going on in her young amica's processor. Has she truly aligned her morals with the Decepticons? What was the difference between Megatron and Soundwave? What made her turn from the previous and follow the latter?

These were questions for a later time, but ones she definitely wanted to ask. Now however, she had one more to ask. She looked up, her inquisitive optics locking with his.

"Why did you volunteer for this mission? Be honest with me, Wheeljack."

He glanced away, grimacing.

"I need to move. Ya know me. Can't stay in one place for long."

"Yes. But why? I feel like you are running from me."

Wheeljack looked guilty as charged and he released a deep sigh, raising his servos in an apologetic manner.

"Can't help it, Cross. If I wanna keep my promises, I have to stay away from ya."

"Hasn't it occurred to you that what we currently experience might stem from the great distance between us? What if more contact would lessen the strength of the pull?"

He shook his head, and stole a look at a very tense Knock Out still waiting at the feet of the ship, drilling holes into him with a pointed glare.

"No chance. More contact means stronger connection. We can't afford that if we want to live a separate life."

"Wheeljack, I don't want you completely out of my life…" she began but he stomped closer and jabbed a digit in her direction.

"Stop it right now. Ya're being emotionally manipulated by the bond. Notice it for frag's sake! Ya think ya're bein' nice by sayin' such things but it's not helpin' at all!"

She flinched, even though he lowered his voice to a hiss. The ferocity in his optics was unknown to her, but the conflicting storm in his spark wasn't. The bond's pull was affecting both of them but he was stronger to withstand it than her.

"Sorry," he shook his head apologetically and stepped back to rub his forehead. "I didn't mean to snap at ya. It's just…the more I see of your memories the more I wanna know ya. I still don't regret anytin'. Ya're a treasure, Crossflare. I most certainly don't deserve ya, but Primus knows I'll respect your freedom. Don't mind me if I sometimes work myself up over it."

Crossflare stared at him with wide optics, her spark twisting and aching. The urge to embrace him strengthened tenfold, but he stepped back and gestured towards the ramp with finality.

"It's time to go. Your Con friend looks like he is about to chop me to pieces."

Knock Out was more than ready to do just that if Wheeljack reached into even as much as his proximity, but the Autobot didn't follow Crossflare down the ramp. She looked shaken, withdrawing into the confines of her processor, and the medic wanted to punch the Autobot in the face for causing her to spiral into a fit of self-doubts for the next couple of days.

"Let's go," she muttered quietly and he made a show of embracing her waist from the side as he led her away. He glanced over his shoulder to where Wheeljack watched them go and flipped the middle finger with his other servo, knowing that the Wrecker would not understand the gesture but doing it satisfied him nevertheless.

Shockwave's Lab, Undergrounds

"Are you sure it doesn't need a bigger place? I mean, it can barely move around," Airachnid gestured towards the beast that calmly lay on the floor next to the wall, its head curiously moving to inspect every corner, detail and place inside the lab. It had stopped moving a few minutes ago after it nearly knocked everything off the shelves, tables and even damaged some cables running across the floor.

Shockwave began tidying up and instructed the beast to stay put. The creature obeyed his commands, much to the femme's surprise. What kind of programming did he insert into its processor to override its instincts?

There were many mysteries revolving around the subject of Project: Predacon, and Airachnid found herself interested in Shockwave's methods. Her ever curious mind tempted her to investigate his files till her spark's content, but with him always working near his computers, it seemed near impossible.

The beast screeched, shaking its head and neck. It seemed pleased for now, having been fed with an amount of energon cubes that frightened her to an extent, but it was only a matter of time until it got bored and would start acting out again.

Shockwave looked up from beside his now more or less organized worktable when Airachnid addressed him.

"I will move it to another underground place where he will have more space. But until you are finished blocking the entrances to the tunnels I've pointed out, we can't travel anywhere with the Predacon without being detected," he replied.

"Maybe if you lent me a more detailed map, I could make shortcuts," Airachnid folded her arms, her optics glinting in a mischievous way.

Shockwave never allowed her to get access to his full maps. He only let her see what he deemed necessary. He was highly suspicious of her still, just like he was with everybody else. Ever since the news of the new world order reached him, Shockwave became even more cautious than he already was. He didn't seem to be able to comprehend how things have turned out this way.

Airachnid couldn't blame him, she wasn't any wiser either. Who would have believed in a future where Megatron is no more and Optimus, Soundwave and Starscream sit at one table to shape the world to their whims? Cease fire, peace? How? After eons of war? Just like that? It surpassed all expectations.

It baffled her, and puzzled him equally.

"You forget that these maps play a crucial part in our survival. Were you to be captured while on your outside errands, it would only take a cortical psychic patch to discover all of my secret lab locations. I cannot have that happen," Shockwave glared at her from across the room in spite of his unchanging red optic.

"Hah, you could have more trust in my abilities, Shockwave."

"We have had this conversation and I stand by my decision."

The femme made a displeased grimace. Shockwave could be quite annoying sometimes, especially when it came to how he preferred things to work. The only reason she didn't just tie him up in her webbing and kill him was that he was the only ally she had currently, and - she didn't like to admit - because he was just as unpredictable as she could be. Shockwave had a reputation for a reason.

The beast screeched again and stood like she had predicted and it turned towards the tunnels he was restricted from.

Shockwave sighed and strode over to the creature to pet its head and coerce it back with a cube of energon.

It crunched the cube between its mandibles with a sickening sound and she couldn't help but shudder. It was unlike any Insecticon or other creature she has met before. If this beast ever decided his creator and her were prey, they wouldn't be able to do anything. The size of this thing surpassed her expectations. It didn't look this big in the tank. But now…

"I will bring him more energon. Don't touch anything," Shockwave noted the Predacon's hunger and turned to head into the energon store room. He passed by the femme who followed his figure with her gaze, then her optics wandered back to the beast once the mad scientist was gone.

The Predacon turned its attention to her then. It leveled its head with her, focusing one yellow optic on her. It scanned her and she tilted her head questioningly in response.

"What was that?"

The creature screeched lowly, not threatening, just inquisitive. She figured it was only interested in her as another living being in its orbit. Thinking more on it, the beast seemed like any other simple-minded lower life-form. It couldn't talk, it's communication consisted of strange, animalistic sounds.

Could it be…?

"Oh dear, you must feel so confined here. It must be irritating," she lifted a servo to touch the Predacon's face, caressing it with her claws while her pink optics glinted in a malicious light.

The Predacon rumbled with a confused sound. She took it as her cue to widen her senses and search its mind. If she could dive into its processor like she could with the Insecticons and other simple-minded beasts, she could wrench control from Shockwave…

She chuckled when the beast widened its optics, sensing the intrusion but had no means to stand against it.

"Yes, focus on me, my dear," she whispered in an enchanting tone, relishing the way the confused beast succumbed to her control. Her telepathic abilities let her form a contact with simple-minded creatures' processors and take over the lead. The Predacon grumbled, lowering its head.

"Good boy. Now, I'm your Queen, obey me," she touched the beast's forehead and it didn't resist.

Her mouth curved into a triumphant smile.

"Come, I will show you the door to your freedom. But in exchange, I ask a very simple favor," she leaned close, whispering into the Predacon's audio receptors. It listened to her intently, her command and will filled its processor and all it could think of was fulfilling its Queen's wish.

Airachnid let go and turned to go. The beast followed her through the laboratory to the tunnel that led to various other ones and eventually to the surface.

"This way, my dear subject," she hummed in a sing-song voice while she walked ahead through the maze.

The Predacon inspected the wide tunnels leading into even deeper darkness, but it showed no fear as it continued its way out of the only place it had known since its first day in this world. Then it picked up pace once it felt a gush of air from the outside and it leapt into an excited dash and stormed through the last tunnel with the howl of a hungry beast.

"Let the hunt begin," Airachnid smirked and watched it go.

Finally done! It felt like I would never finish chapter 2. I hope it was satisfactory!

Also, I got a comment on WP Part 1 ending saying KO deserved better and I'm still recovering from the blow I got from that. Like, wow, people really do not recognize toxic narcissistic behavior. Or they just don't care? Anyway, as a person still recovering from a relationship with a diagnosed narcissist, I do. And believe me, I can spot a narcissist from miles away at this point with how much time and energy I've spent studying them. I've deliberately written KO as a manipulative, self-centered person with little actual empathy - exactly as he is in canon. What he deserves is a long therapy session and a whack in the head.

His relationship with CF is toxic on many levels. If you pay attention to what he says and not how he presents his words, you can notice the clues I've been intentionally hinting at since the beginning. He never really emphatizes with CF, his consolation is always superficial or nonexistent, he downplays her concerns and only responds to her needs when he realizes he can't get on her good side otherwise. He never apologizes for anything unless it's forced out of him but expects an apology for every single thing in return. He has a pretty face, he is charming, so he gets what he wants sooner or later and is mad when he doesn't get his way.

Like any narcissist, he is syphoning all affection, care, comfort, security he can from those around him (yes, BD is one of them). CF generally has low self-esteem but she is also a bottomless well of care and affection to those closest to her. She is the perfect target. She is drawn to him exactly because she feels like he needs her, and she is the type of person who sees her own value in how much other people need her.

If you pay attention in the show, KO always sticks close to someone for protection and jumps ship rather easily when the tides turn because he has zero loyalty to anyone whatsoever. He has no ideals or morals. He is good at survival, but not at forming a genuine relationship built on mutual care and effort - he doesn't know how it works afterall.

I'm being very optimistic and sentimental writing him change - or at least wanting him to change within his own boundaries. His story is about learning to put in the effort and learning to actually care about another person for their sake and not for himself.

Sorry for the rant, but I had to get this out.

Hope you guys enjoyed the chap nevertheless.

See ya all next time! :)