Logged by Tempest 23 June 2001

 

The previous week, the Decepticons liberated the ninja robot Nightbird from Dr. Fujiyama and the Autobots.  Tempest immediately recoiled from the way the Decepticons welcomed the new robot into their ranks, believing that a newcomer must earn one’s right to survival the hard way—and earn it alone.  She was also immediately jealous of Megatron’s attention to Nightbird for reasons she could not explain.  Although Megatron managed to assuage some of her fears, her dislike for Nightbird holds…

 

Temporary Base

 

     The interior seems a pared-down version of the undersea base, bearing the same color scheme of cool purple metal. With space at a premium, the command center with its computer equipment and viewscreens shares a central room with an engineering and repair bay. A few living quarters have been carved more deeply into the mountainside, to provide at least some comfort for those assigned here. The stalactites that still hang from the ceiling are testament to the somewhat hasty construction of this base - or perhaps, to the Constructicons’ unique sense of aesthetics.

 

 

Megatron hears someone arrive and turns his head, to see Tempest. “Striker, there she is.”

 

Tempest is moving along the perimeter of the room, seemingly absorbed in her own thoughts, not her usual curious peering at everyone else.

 

Striker’s optics widen as bit as he turns to look at Megatron, “So she is. Hello Tempest.”

 

CatsCradle glances up again from her reader, watching Tempest walk by.

 

Megatron says, “Tempest?”

 

Tempest stops stock still and her head snaps around...only then does she realize people are looking at her. “Yes?”

 

Megatron smiles a little. “We have missed you.”

 

Tempest tilts her head slightly, somewhat curious. “How come?” she asks, moving away from the wall towards the group.

 

Striker looks back at his monitor, “Oh, no reason.”

 

Megatron gets up from his seat. “Can I talk to you, Tempest?”

 

Tempest gives a kind of disgruntled look at Striker, as if to say, “If there’s no reason why bother missing me?” though she doesn’t voice it aloud. To Megatron she replies with a shrug, “Sure, you’re the leader.”

 

Megatron says, “Let’s go outside.”

 

CatsCradle shifts slightly, wondering if this will be a private conversation and if she should be easing out. Then she relaxes when Megatron suggests going outside, and goes back to her reader

 

Tempest mutters something about having just gotten in, but doesn’t put up any objection and follows him.

 

Megatron leaves the Temporary Base.

You leave the Temporary Base.

Western Coastline

 

     The west coast of this continent is another of the more heavily-populated regions. Human cities run up and down the rocky coast nearly in tandem with a tectonic fault which is visible from space like a scar. Here two continental plates are sliding past each other - sometimes with catastrophic results. The entire region is geologically active, with a volcanic mountain range positioned a short

ways inland, around which some of the continent’s most unspoiled scenery and parkland remains preserved, despite a heavy influx of tourists. It is in this region where a majority of this planet’s entertainment originates, as well as a good bit of its technological advancement.

 

Ramjet still stands guard on the temporary base. Literally standing right on top of it.  Ramjet salutes as he sees Megatron emerging. but otherwise stays put.

 

Tempest’s optics dart this way and that. She doesn’t seem very satisfied with the security around here, Ramjet or no.

 

Megatron gestures to Ramjet, that he could take a break.

 

Temporary Base(#1281en)

 

     Half-hidden among the volcanic peaks, a giant carved Decepticon symbol rises, the stone stained purple as though to announce to all the world in this wilderness that the land has been claimed. Were one to look more closely, it might be possible to see a sealed entryway amidst the chiselled markings of the proud insignia.

 

Tempest asks under her breath, “I guess we can’t camouflage this place any more than it already is, hm?”

 

Megatron smirks. “Scrapper’s design...”

 

Ramjet says, “It’s a Decepticon emblem 400 feet high. How do you camouflage that?”

 

Tempest snorts a bit. “Subtle.”

 

Ramjet says, “I ike it.”  Ramjet says, “If the Autobots want a fight they know just where to find us.”  Ramjet nods. Scrapper’s a genius.”  Ramjet remembers he was dismissed and trudges inside.

 

Tempest crouches on a rock, her wings casting a shadow like a metallic vulture.  She doesn’t pursue the camouflage question any more.

 

Megatron takes a seat on another rock. “What is wrong?” he asks.

 

Tempest shrugs, says, “Nothing,” takes down a sword and starts tracing figure-eights in the dust.

 

Megatron sighs. “Striker told me you were worried about something... And I realised that too.”

 

Tempest’s head snaps up. “Worried?” she repeats, as if this hasn’t crossed her mind. “Not really...there’s nothing that can kill me here.”  Tempest’s optics flicker, a glowing red in the harsh shadows cast by her helmet.  With her head half bowed there seems to be almost nothing but darkness and two glowing coals beneath the spired helmet. Her optics slide over to Megatron and she says, “What makes you think Nightbird’s a warrior?”

 

Megatron picks up a stone and absentmindedly examines it. “The way she moves, the way she observes her surroundings... I’ve seen this before.”

 

Tempest snorts, “Yeah, I’ve seen it before too. Your typical Enforcer, fresh outta the Academy. They all looked and moved like Warriors too...of course, it wasn’t that long before they stopped moving, permanently.”

 

Megatron shakes his head, looking into the distance. “There is more... There is something... I can’t say. I just remember, I have seen it before.”

 

Tempest rolls her optics. “Heh...and to think you used to get after Soundwave for taking in every stray who happened along.” Ironic coming from her, eh?  Tempest follows Megatron’s glance, mutters something about something not being f air, and resumes tracing patterns in the sand.

 

Megatron says, “What is not fair?”

 

Tempest slowly looks up at him. “Nightbird. She hasn’t been in /one real fight/ and already she’s a full fledged warrior.” She hisses a little, as if this is only the start of it...

 

Megatron says, “She was basically created as a warrior, so it is no wonder.”

 

Tempest’s lip curls, and then she argues, “I’m a Seeker design, or at least a derivative of one.”  Regardless of that fact, the truth is she was not originally created to be a warrior.

 

Megatron says, “I /do/ need warriors. And I got the chance to get one more, so I took it.”

 

Tempest growls very quietly, “So where were you when Kilair burned....”

 

Megatron stares at Tempest. “You want to make me responsible for the destruction of Kilair?” No, he really doesn’t understand this.

 

Tempest says, getting agitated, “You and I learned our lessons the hard way. Everything we have, we fought for. So how come Nightbird gets a home, a family, and a job just /handed/ to her when she’s done nothing to earn it?”

 

Megatron says, “If you get a weapon that is obviously good will you refuse it only because it is new and not battleproved yet?”  Megatron says, “This way it will never get battleproved.”

 

Tempest snaps, “And where would I have ever laid hands on something new?”

 

Megatron says, “I think the laser-scalpel did good work... though it wasn’t used before.”

 

Tempest tilts her head and actually seems to lose a bit of her fury, smiling a little. “Okay, whatever you can take is good...” But then the optics slide over to Megatron again. “So Nightbird is your tool, hm?”

 

Megatron says, “More a recruit...”  Megatron says, “And someone who would be dangerous being  an ally of the Autobots.”

 

Tempest says, “I /guess/ it doesn’t matter if we let her scrap herself instead of terminating her ourselves...” The optics return to the earth, staring through it...a thousand-mile stare fixed on the ground. “Are you /sure/ she’s under control? Bombshell said...”

 

Megatron is strangely sure. “She will not turn against us.” He recalls the images of Nightbird’s circuitry... There was something so familiar with it, but he can’t say what. Only that it makes it hard to believe that it really was Fujiyama who created the mechanism.

 

Tempest says automatically, “What makes you so sure?”  Then she looks over at Megatron and blinks.  “Okay, the question isn’t what’s wrong with me...it’s what’s up with you?”  She leans a little closer, examining him.

 

Megatron looks down and shrugs. “I just know it...”

 

Tempest is about to say something sarcastic, but Megatron’s actions are still strange, in her opinion.  She goes down on one knee trying to look him straight in the optics as best she can and says softly, “It’s like absolutely everyone’s gone strange somehow since Nightbird showed up.”

 

Megatron looks back at Tempest. “You realized that Soundwave often just knows what others think or feel - even without scanning...? It is somehow like that – I just know it...”

 

Tempest says flatly, “Soundwave’s a telepath.”  Tempest sits down again. “I think we’ll just file this in the list of stuff I don’t understand,” she says rather glumly, and folds her hands in her lap. She looks somehow withdrawn...distant...pulled back into a world of her own.

 

Megatron sighs. Yes, something crazy is going on. “And then Enchantress and her stupid comments about couples, love and the fall of empires...” he murmurs.

 

Tempest looks up at Megatron with an almost pleading expression. “That’s not true...is it?”

 

Megatron says, “What? That Enchantress has read a few too much historical romance files and sees ghosts now?”

 

Tempest finally succeeds in breaking a smile and nods a little, looking a bit better.

 

Megatron rubs his face. “I have to find a way to get that world energy chip and this foolish secretary mechanism has nothing better to do to tell me about love affairs that allegedly made empires fall. She must have gone crazy!”

 

Tempest says with a smirk, “Or else hasn’t heard about your reputation already,” and gives him a bit of a wink. She sets to thinking. “I guess it’s impolitic to tell Nightbird to prove herself and go steal it herself.”

 

Megatron smirks. “Starscream meant, I should send her kill Prime.”

 

Tempest figures it’s too rude for her to back Starscream up on that one, and simply shakes her head a bit. Megatron /seems/ back to normal, but something still doesn’t feel quite right...

 

Megatron shakes his head. “This is silly... as if I’ve ever had lived abstinent in my life... I don’t know what Enchantress was thinking.”

 

Tempest gives Megatron a roguish grin. “Ruse had to come from somewhere,” and giggles. She shakes her head. “Some people have some big issue with that, and I don’t understand it at all.”

 

Tempest opens her storage compartment, bringing out the laser-scalpel mentioned earlier...embedded in a half-carved figure. She isn’t interested in working on that now, setting it down in the sand, and instead starts spinning the little carved jump-jet around her index finger, its nose swinging from Tempest to Megatron and out into the desert, then circling back to Tempest again.

 

Megatron smirks. “I’d like to have met him.”

 

Tempest startles. “Huh?”  Tempest blinks at Megatron. “You mean Harrier?”

 

Megatron nods.

 

Tempest laughs a little. “He would give Enchantress someone else to tell stories about,” she says, watching the little jet spin.

 

Megatron chuckles. “Yes, but you wouldn’t “endanger” the empire.”

 

Tempest smiles indulgently. “Not me, Harrier...and I suppose a dukedom is smaller and therefore less interesting than an empire...” she looks down at the little jet somewhat sadly. “A kingdom, or a dream....”

 

Megatron put his hand calmingly on her shoulder. “Sometimes dreams come true...”

 

Tempest looks down at the little jet and shakes her head sadly. “Not this time.” Wanting to get rid of the mood she puts it away again, and rests her head on Megatron’s arm.

 

Megatron carefully embraces Tempest, trying to comfort her somehow.

 

Tempest tries to relax--and yes, she feels better than yesterday--so she does her best to forget the small note that still seems off-key somehow. After a million years of ignoring her feelings this is relatively easy to do, despite what she has learned during her time with the Decepticons...and she’s able to fool herself into believing everything’s fine.

 

Tempest says, somewhat dreamily, “The past...the past is gone...”

 

Megatron says, “It won’t come back.”

 

Tempest wriggles loose, takes up her current statue, tosses it into storage and slams the door. Then she tries to curl up with Megatron again…though part of her wonders if he will let her.

 

Megatron smiles a bit and wraps his arm around Tempest.

 

Tempest settles in looking quite contented.

 

Megatron says, “You were a good team, Harrier and you, weren’t you?”

 

Tempest nods a little, her optics focused back in the past. “I think...he was the first that I could count on...maybe like you and Soundwave, sort of...”

 

Megatron smiles. “I think it was a bit more than that,” he supposes.

 

Tempest pulls away a little so she can get an angle on Megatron’s face and tilts her head curiously, and says “Hm?” as if wondering what he means.

 

Megatron says, “He estimated your life being more valuable than his.”

 

Tempest sighs. “Yeah, he always thought a little too much of me.” She pauses. “Ever tell you where I found him?”

 

Megatron says, “You haven’t yet.”

 

Tempest says, “I mean the first time...” She sighs as if reminded of what she’s lost.

 

 Megatron says, “Tell me.”

 

Tempest says, “It was a low-rent back-alley bar called the Last Best Place...my night to strike at Backfire.” Her fists clench at the thought of /him./ “Only I...I...” She seems a bit ashamed. “...Bit off more than I could process, since he had these two big guards with him...and all I needed was a distraction...and I got it. Harrier, stupid fool. For no reason at all he opens up with this laser pistol and gives me my chance...” A quieter confession, “saves my life.”

 

Megatron says, “I don’t think he was stupid... Just realized that he found someone worth it.”

 

Tempest says, “I’d never seen him before in my life and you know he didn’t look like much...hardly more than a kid, kept as waiter and cleaning staff by this huge, crabby Rokkan who ran the bar. Orphan with a head full of dreams and a willingness to follow me through hell and beyond if only I’d let him.” She snorts...as if finding the whole thing really stupid...but also that she was /glad/ to have someone do something so foolish for her.

 

Megatron simply states: “He loves you.”

 

Tempest doubletakes, “That’s impossible!”

 

Tempest laughs. “Megatron, he’s got a reputation worse than /yours/ and all of it is true!” Though that laugh is a bit hollow....

 

Megatron says, “Just interfacing and loving isn’t the same.”

 

Tempest looks curiously at Megatron, somewhat sadly. “I...never understood that really...I mean...I know what you can do without getting attached but...the love part I never really understood....”

 

Megatron says, “It’s more like being friends... You feel good when the other one is near... save... It is as having found a missing part of one self...”

 

Tempest nods a little, very slowly....seeming both happy, and sad, to be figuring this out.

 

Megatron looks in the distance again. Why does he just remember that all as if it was yesterday? He thought he had forgotten all those memories a long time ago.

 

Tempest shakes her head rather unbelieving. “So that wasn’t just a stupid crush he had...he really...oh, slag.” She sniffs a little. “I didn’t want a mate...why wasn’t that enough to end all this...and why do I have to figure it out /now/?” she adds, a little angrily.

 

*** time interlude ***

 

Temporary Base

 

     The interior seems a pared-down version of the undersea base, bearing the same color scheme of cool purple metal. With space at a premium, the command center with its computer equipment and viewscreens shares a central room with an engineering and repair bay. A few living quarters have been carved more deeply into the mountainside, to provide at least some comfort for those assigned here. The stalactites that still hang from the ceiling are testament to the somewhat hasty construction of this base - or perhaps, to the Constructicons’ unique sense of aesthetics.

 

Tempest comes into the room...where has she been? No answer is forthcoming...she isn’t slinking, instead stalking into the base like it’s hers....

 

Soundwave looks over at Nightbird as she speaks, and notes, “Perhaps what is required here is an official entry into the ranks by means of a trial of ability. Be that combat or some other method.”

 

Enchantress says, “Within twenty miles of our base, completely unnoticed by us. No patrols had been scheduled, none were set. If we hadn’t gotten lucky and encountered them while I was scavenging for resources to remake my wings, they would’ve discovered the base and attacked, and quite probably caught us all by surprise.”  Enchantress says, “They would’ve found our troops lounging around, because they have been given nothing to do, and no direction.”

 

Tempest listens to Soundwave’s words? Formal trial? Interesting...but not her style.

 

Soundwave says, “And you were not maintaining regular patrols? Just because we are at a temporary base, does not mean we are on vacation here. I can monitor this planet’s broadcasts as well from this computer as from the undersea base. Just as the rest of you can perform your functions from here.”“

 

Tempest says, “I was...patrolling. Yes. The area is currently clear.” A smug, satisfied smile.

 

 Megatron turns to Soundwave. “Soundwave, tell me, for what do I have a second in command when I in the end have to surveille regular duties myself?”  Megatron says, “I really should replace him...”

 

Enchantress sighs. “Starscream has spent his time in his usual hijinks - plotting. And he may very well actually be bold enough to lead a mutiny this time...”

 

Tempest sits down and starts tinkering with a sculpture and her laser-blade...one of Megatron this time...seeming not really interested in the conversation, but still within audio-shot....

 

Ravage arrives from the outside.

 

Soundwave looks at Megatron and says, “It would appear Starscream’s attention has been on other matters.”

 

Striker smirks at the sound of Megatron’s saying he should replace Starscream, “And let me guess, you would replace him with Nightbird?”

 

Ravage squeezes himself into the base and trots on into the command center to look around before he shakes off some dust..

 

Soundwave’s optic band flashes momentarily brighter as his thoughts touch Ravage’s mind in acknowledgement of his return.

 

Megatron shakes his head. “Obviously. If things go on like this I will never have the time to work on a proper plan again because I have to watch over every single action of my troops that nothing goes wrong!”

 

Enchantress sighs in defeat. “I’m sorry, Emperor.”  Enchantress slinks off, her arms and shoulders slumped. She then heads outside, to do who knows what.

 

Striker glares at Megatron again, “You would replace your second-in-command with someone who you just recruited?! Much less just met!”

 

Ravage hops over to Soundwave and rubs his mid section up along the big mech’s leg... then sits down looking at Megatron giving the magnificent leader a yawn.

 

Tempest actually does seem to show a little bit of interest in Striker’s words...but /only/ a little.

 

Soundwave’s optic band shifts shade again slightly, this time in a trace of amusement. “That would be ... an interesting proposition, Striker.”  Soundwave looks to Megatron again to see if his leader picks up on the notion, perhaps to teach this crew a lesson.  Soundwave’s optic band darkens now a little. “Careful of your tone, Striker.”

 

Ravage idly ponders.... Mindless glorified windup toy... or Starscream as second.... both have the same Mental ability... same silent charm.. only this dark one is quiet.... doesn’t talk... did he mention not talk.. ahhhhh well maybe she wouldn’t be such a bad choice.... the feline’s optics glow dimly as he listens to the room... thinking his part.

 

Megatron looks over at Nightbird. If he could be so sure that they really know each other for just a few days... “If obviously someone who has been in my army for so long as Starscream is not able to fulfill his job properly, maybe someone I just recruited is...” Suddenly he grins. “I think I have a better idea: the treat of being replaced may possibly bring him back to mind.”

 

Tempest’s optics also flicker over Nightbird, but the yellow Seeker is...reserved today, and resumes carving.

 

Ravage heads over to where Tempest is and glances up at her.... silent...observing what she is doing...

 

Tempest does notice optics on her...she meets Ravage’s gaze, nods slightly, and starts carving out some of the detail around Megatron’s helmet.

 

Nightbird breaks into the silence saying, “I’m prepared to undertake a mission as you suggest Soundwave.”

 

Megatron walks over to Nightbird. “Do you agree if I use you to teach my second in command a little lesson? Maybe he puts some more efforts into his actual business if he thinks that a... newcomer could take over his position.”

 

Nightbird nods once to Megatron. “If you think it’s a good idea. I don’t know him well enough to say.”

 

Tempest’s optics glitter enigmatically as she continues her work. Listening?

 

Soundwave says, “And there is still the matter of an official test of ability.”

 

Striker says, “If you want to give her a test of ability, send her out alone in Autobot territory see if she comes back alive!”

 

Megatron says, “That is exactly what she proposed me to do.”

 

Soundwave looks as though he might say more, but keeps his silence a this point in time.

 

Nightbird’s optics sparkle as she asks Striker, “Did you undertake that test yourself?”

 

Tempest does raise an optic ridge and look at Nightbird at that remark. “Confident?” she says, very quietly.

 

Striker grins, “I didn’t have to survive in Autobot territory, I survived being hunted down by Defcon... that’s a hell of a lot harder than surviving the Autobots.”

 

Tempest looks frankly curious at Striker. “When was Defcon ever mad at you?”

 

Striker turns to Tempest, “I never said he was mad at me, just trying to kill me... oh, and it was right after the bots killed my family.” Striker steps outside.

 

Ravage hops up into Tempest’s lap.. snaking his body under her arms so she is forced to carve as he is watching.

 

Tempest nods slowly. “Ah...so he was responsible for that. Interesting.” She nods, internalizing the information, and resumes her carving work....then gasps as Ravage jumps on her lap. For a second she tightens her grip on the blade...then relaxes, and consents to let the cat watch.

 

Ravage leans back into Tempest’s midsection with his back.. paws settled in her lap as his nose leans forward now and then sniffing at the object Tempest is carving... he even sniffles and sneezes *ZZZNNNEEEESSEEEttphph*

 

Tempest makes a discontented, animal like snarl and wipes cat-sneeze off her work. “You’re going to do that you can find someone else’s lap to sit in,” she mutters, resuming carving.

 

Ravage wiggles his ear in a soft apology and licks the spot he sneezed on... ahh there all clean.... he goes back to watching how Tempest carves... then looks down at his paws and could never see himself having such fine control of a blade... it would be an interesting experiment.

 

Tempest’s gaze flickers over Megatron and she continues working on the fine details of the face.

 

Nightbird looks over as Bombshell enters the room.

 

Bombshell comes in from outside, pausing a little as he sees the crowd, but then moving right into the middle of the group boldly as though to take his place there. His attention is drawn immediately to Nightbird, the facemask hiding his expression, but his optics quite obviously curious.

 

Ravage thinks the nose is all wrong... way too big makes Megatron look like he was born with nothing but nose.

 

Striker is standing right inside the entrance and glares at Starscream as the air commander enters.

 

CatsCradle slips in and silently stands near the entrance, leaning against the wall.

 

Nightbird’s attention is distracted from Bombshell as Starscream enters. She keeps a close watch on him.

 

Bombshell barely acknowledges Starscream. He finds a place for himself and watches Nightbird’s reactions intensively.

 

Megatron grins as Starscream enters. He plans to pretend nothing to know about the Air commander’s plans.

 

Starscream ignores him but notices Nightbird. Sneering slightly he heads to his console.

 

Tempest also watches Starscream enter...catches Megatron’s grin, flickers over to Nightbird...and continues her carving, absorbed in her work, or so it would seem.

 

Starscream glances to Megatron and remembers what Tempest said to him before.  Starscream glances to Tempest for a moment.

 

Tempest pretends to be too busy to notice Starscream.

 

Ravage feels safe in Tempest’s lap, knowing she is the only one in here who could spot a bad situation starting remotely close to when he would.. so he relaxes.. watching the carving finding it... interesting.

 

Soundwave watches all these silent exchanges without comment.

 

Nightbird does glance over at Tempest from time to time, perhaps wondering why she’s sitting in the middle of the base carving and not off in her quarters.

 

Megatron says, “It’s about time you came, Starscream. You are about to witness the use Nightbird will have for our ranks: she will steal the World Energy Chip for us - without help.”

 

Starscream says, “Well ..Megatron, are we ever going to continue with the mission of retrieving that energy chip or has it just become one of your passing ideas?”

 

<Admin> Nightbird pictures them both speaking at the same time and then glaring. :)

 

Megatron says, “I think I just mentioned what the plan is.”

 

Tempest lays down her scalpel and strokes Ravage’s ears as she turns the carving, deciding what part to work on next. The upper arm, perhaps...

 

Nightbird seems to stand a bit straighter as Megatron reveals the mission she’ll undertake. She doesn’t appear frightened or nervous, but her masked features don’t reveal much.

 

Starscream says, “ She’ll burn out quick enough after this so what’s the point? The way you had Bombshell over-torque her circuits, we’ll be lucky if she will even get this done.”

 

Bombshell speaks up, “You want to send an untested - erm, warrior, into the Autobot base *alone*?”

 

Tempest speaks at last and says softly to Bombshell, “Why not?”‘

 

Bombshell snaps at Starscream, “And who asked you?”

 

Ravage thinks it would be a tested warrior after.

 

Nightbird glances from Starscream to Bombshell, seemingly expecting objections and doubts.

 

Megatron nods. “Exactly, that is the plan.”

 

Striker narrows his optics, “That’s what it’s for, insect, test her abilities, see if she’s really worthy of being Megatron’s... favorite.”

 

Starscream looks to Bombshell, “I wasn’t aware I needed your permission to speak, Insecticon.”

 

Bombshell suddenly becomes defensive of Nightbird, perhaps only in order to disagree with Starscream. “Don’t question my abilities - she’ll do just fine!”

 

CatsCradle glances around, watching all the hostility between team-members, at an all-time high level. She remains silent, outside of the discussion and flying comments.

 

Starscream says, “We shall see.”

 

Tempest’s optics rest on Striker, at first questioningly...then the lip curls... She gets ahold of herself, looks back at Megatron and seems to take some reassurance, then goes back to work.

 

Megatron nods to Nightbird. “You have the permission to go.” He resists the urge just to walk over to her and hold her for a while. “Show us what you can.”

 

Starscream notices Tempest’s fleeting expressions and follows her gaze to Megatron, then he looks to Nightbird and a slow smirk forms on his lips.

 

Bombshell watches Nightbird. “This should be interesting.”

 

Soundwave in turn watches Megatron and Nightbird both.

 

Nightbird bows at the waist to Megatron in the formal manner and takes her leave. She doesn’t even acknowledge Starscream as she departs the base.

 

Starscream could care less if the android sees him or not.

 

Nightbird has left.

 

Striker glances at Tempest and doesn’t let her bother him, “You’ve got nothing to worry about Tempest, you’ll always be his friend, Megatron said so,” he says before looking away.

 

Soundwave steps over to the computer system and activates the main screen. “We will view her actions through the optic interface, Bombshell,” he says to the nearby Insecticon, “and track her by means of our satellites.”

 

Tempest nods a little and says with a note of satisfaction, “I thought so,” to Striker, and continues work.

 

Starscream thinks a game of Tetris would be better right now.

 

Bombshell stands near Soundwave and watches the screen expectantly. It’s as though he’s decided he wants the ninja to succeed after all. “Let’s see what she can do,” he murmurs to himself.

 

Striker glances back at Tempest as she speaks, the looks at her carving before turning his head to look at Megatron.

 

Starscream gets up and eases toward Tempest

 

Tempest senses someone nearing her and looks up at Starscream.  Interest, curiosity...and the sense she’ll bite if you get /too/ close.

 

Soundwave tunes a few more dials, and a recognizable image comes up on screen.

 

Ravage starts to eye Starscream because he is getting close and this is Ravage’s lap for now.

 

Tempest glances down and abruptly kicks Ravage off. “That’s enough Ravage...go ask Soundwave for a cuddle.”

 

Starscream’s annoyed the cat’s there.

 

Megatron turns his attention to the screen. He is very sure, Nightbird will show them what she’s made of.

 

Starscream smiles.

 

Striker watches Starscream for a second.

 

Tempest also sets down her little carving of Megatron. She looks around, waiting to make sure everyone else is otherwise occupied.

 

Soundwave steps away from the screen to give everyone a good view.

 

Starscream gives striker a disinterested look and looks back to Tempest.

 

Bombshell remains right there in front of the screen, being short enough that most everyone else can look over his head easily.

 

As the optic interface activates, the viewscreen flickers to life showing a long shot of the Autobot base. The camera pans over to show Nightbird on the outskirts, ready to proceed with her mission. She looks at the camera, then points to her optics. The screen goes blank for a moment, then reappears. The Autobot base is seen shaking somewhat and it’s instantly clear this is a direct video feed from Nightbird’s own optics. She rapidly approaches the base.

 

CatsCradle remains silent in the back of the room

 

Starscream says, “Perhaps we have similar ideas eh Tempest?” he whispers that quietly.

 

Ravage of course lands on all fours like any non drunk cat would do... he looks up at Tempest a little upset but that’s ok.. he just sits down where he landed.

 

Ravage ‘s ears pivot towards Starscream’s whispers.

 

Starscream says, “Go away.”  Starscream looks at Ravage.

 

Nightbird arrives at the entrance to Autobot Headquarters. The sensor net doesn’t detect her presence, as expected. The front security camera however is not so easily bypassed. She ducks behind a rock outcropping, considering. It might be possible to run past the camera as it rotates, but there’s a better way to handle it. She launches a grappling hook from the base of her three-pronged weapon called a sai that’s attached to her wrist. She climbs the cable up to the top, where the elevator shaft leads to the corridors of the bas lee. Nightbird gets on top of the elevator as it proceeds down with an Autobot and a flesh creature inside.

 

Megatron folds his arms in front of his chest, watching.

 

Soundwave watches the action on screen calmly, but of course he can hear everything in the room, much as Ravage can.

 

Tempest replies, also quietly, “I’m not supporting your bid for leadership if that’s what you’re thinking.”

 

Bombshell says, “Exterior sensors missed her completely.”

 

Starscream continues his soft tone, “At this point I’m not so much interested in leadership as I am in eradicating the likes of a certain earth machine in our midst.”

 

In the elevator, Spike says “I don’t understand it Prowl. Why would the Decepticons steal the ninja robot? They already have a formidable fighting force.” Prowl responds, “I don’t understand anything the Decepticons do.” Spike says, “Yeah, it’s over my head too. But if we’re gonna to find her for Dr. Fujiyama, we have to get a fix on what the Decepticons have done with her.” Prowl answers, “Well, we can’t expect her to come to us. We’ll have to find her.”

 

Bombshell’s voice holds a note of triumph and he shoots a look at Starscream.

 

Ravage gives Starscream a look that says it all... (As if!) then yawns boredly.... looking at the screen.. his ears miraculously stay pivoted though towards Tempest and Starscream.

 

Megatron narrows his optics. Starscream shouldn’t be so certain, Nightbird was an Earth machine...

 

After leaving the elevator, Nightbird makes her way cautiously down the corridors of Autobot Headquarters, avoiding the enemy. She’s nearly to their command center now. She stops as she encounters some kind of new security measure. Glowing panels presumably used for detection cover the floor. She looks at them carefully, considering her options.

 

Tempest murmurs back, “I’m sure Soundwave is not in the least surprised to hear that,” with a glance towards Ravage. “Same old, same old...” But for a brief second her optics flicker towards the door as if to say, “We discuss this in private”....an unvoiced message.

 

Starscream catches the flicker and looks back to the screen and to Nightbird’s view on the monitor.

 

Nightbird seems to make up her mind and goes over to the wall. Her boots emit a glow and a low hum, and she climbs up the smooth metal wall. She attaches her feet to the ceiling and simply walks across it, avoid the panels. If they’re set up to detect objects above them, such as a flying Decepticon, her natural invisibility to sensors shields her.

 

Starscream then walks out quietly.

 

Megatron murmurs: “Unbelievable.”

 

Soundwave leans a little closer to the screen as he notices the panels. “Something new at the Autobot base since Laserbeak’s last reconnaissance,” he notes.

 

Ravage heaves a mental sigh... and guess he can’t watch the Ninja action flick.... business calls...or a little while...pretending mild interest in the action on the screen. 

 

Tempest lingers for a little while...pretending mild interest in the action on the screen. Oh, she’s got nice stealth moves, true, but when the Autobots open up a can of fire-fight....

 

Passing the Bot repair bay where most of them are gathered, Nightbird at last reaches her destination - the command center. Working quickly, she opens the access panel for Teletran-1 and rips out the world energy chip she came for. This causes the lights to go out, but Nightbird is unconcerned. She looks at the chip for a moment, waiting for her night vision to adjust, then places it in her backpack and hurries out. The whole operation takes less than five seconds.

 

Starscream leaves the Temporary Base.

 

Ravage idly gets up and slips into the shadows under a table... probably going off to hide near Soundwave.

 

:Bombshell grins under his mask. “She’s got it.”

 

Tempest feigns misplacing something, just in case anyone is watching, and leaves several minutes after Starscream does.

 

Megatron says, “Now phase two is about to start...”

 

You leave the Temporary Base.

Western Coastline

 

     The west coast of this continent is another of the more heavily-populated regions. Human cities run up and down the rocky coast nearly in tandem with a tectonic fault which is visible from space like a scar. Here two continental plates are sliding past each other - sometimes with catastrophic results. The entire region is geologically active, with a volcanic mountain range positioned a short

ways inland, around which some of the continent’s most unspoiled scenery and parkland remains preserved, despite a heavy influx of tourists. It is in this region where a majority of this planet’s entertainment originates, as well as a good bit of its technological advancement.

 

Starscream looks at her, “Well?”

 

Tempest saunters out of the base and leans against a rock, regarding Starscream.  Tempest says, “I want Nightbird to get a taste of reality. I will pretend not to notice what you are doing. But if you get caught...I’ll deny everything.”

 

Ravage quietly slips out of the base after the two who just planned... keeping in the shadows where his form isn’t seen he watches and listens.

 

Starscream says, “Oh, and how is that suppose to help me? Surely you don’t want me to do all the work yet you share in some of the personal satisfaction, now do you?”

 

Tempest says, “I should think having an alibi willing to look the other way instead of stop you, would help.”

 

Starscream thinks for a moment.  “I think it’s too late for that.”  Starscream says, “But no matter....would you by any chance have a system scan of the earth robot?”

 

Tempest adds, “Opportunities always rise...if she survives this mission, there will be another chance. Now I would get back in there before I were missed by Megatron...and...sadly no. I’m not a tech. I’m a killer.”

 

Starscream says, “Damn.”

 

Tempest advises, “I’d go for the middle of the back...just a killer’s opinion.”

 

Starscream smirks, “Indeed.”

 

Starscream disappears into the portal of the Temporary Base.

 

Ravage continues to listen in the shadows.. laying down on his tummy to keep from being spotted.

 

Tempest is going to be boring for Ravage to watch...she takes a seat on a rock in the sun, outside the base and obviously intending to stay there for a while, because she picks up her little carving and resumes work on it, looking quite contented.

 

 Ravage silently crawls down the rock face.. keeping his stealth mode active as he sneaks up from behind and lays down... still interested in watching Tempest carve.. he probably didn’t care much about the conversation because he feels like things will be settled as they should.

 

Tempest every once in a while looks around, or scents the wind...if anyone other than the master of stealth Ravage were there, odds are she’d know.

 

Ravage flops over onto his side on a rock and soaks up the UV rays of the sun.. Letting them heat his armour.. if she where to glance there now she would see a kitty enjoying the hot sun of the day.... as he was watching her carve.... he is like a shadow.. there one second.. gone the other.. always following.

 

Tempest carves out Megatron’s arms on the statuette, then sets it down and lies down herself...also enjoying the sun, and seeming actually happy.

 

Ravage studies Tempest.... he has never seen her happy before and now realizes she takes joy in being alone just like he does... they seem to have some things in common.

 

Tempest does indeed enjoy being alone, and takes the opportunity to get up and wander around the area. She’s not doing anything in particular, just wandering...and her path takes her farther and farther away from the base entrance.

 

Ravage continues his role as a silent shadow... following not too close.. but still following.

 

Tempest in a sudden move, leaps up on a rock...did she see you? No...the red optics don’t pin you in their gaze. She’s looking outward, a challenging stance, lord and master of all she surveys...this is a very different side from the timid, cringing creature who first arrived at Earthbase all those months ago. Has she changed...or is this what she truly was all along?

 

Ravage sits down once again watching her.. he has nothing to say really because the area is best enjoyed in a cold silence.

 

Temporary Base(#1281en)

 

     The interior seems a pared-down version of the undersea base, bearing the same color scheme of cool purple metal. With space at a premium, the command center with its computer equipment and viewscreens shares a central room with an engineering and repair bay. A few living quarters have been carved more deeply into the mountainside, to provide at least some comfort for those assigned here. The stalactites that still hang from the ceiling are testament to the somewhat hasty construction of this base - or perhaps, to the Constructicons’ unique sense of aesthetics.

 

Tempest enters the base, noticing Starscream in the cage.

 

Tempest saunters over to the control panel and chuckles a little at Starscream.

 

Starscream manages to look up and stare at her. Starscream says, “Release me...”

 

Tempest presses the button to deactivate the cage and glares down at Starscream. “So...you were asking how much use a person willing to look the other way was?” she says coolly as the cage vanishes.

 

Starscream darn near bowls her over as he bolts from where the cage was.

 

Tempest grabs him by the arm, digging in her fingers. “Not so fast...”

 

Starscream spins and grabs her arm roughly. “LET ME GO!”

 

Ravage arrives from the outside

 

Tempest does so, but doesn’t seem particularly bothered by him.

 

Starscream says, “WHAT do you want?”

 

Tempest leans back against the console, smugly, and folds her arms. “You /could/ be a little more subtle,” she says, not seeming in the least bothered by the fact he’s Air Commander. “Regardless...once again, if anyone asks, you managed to shoot the button with a rocket and get out...and I was nowhere around. Clear?” 

 

Starscream looks at her for a moment as his thoughts slowly return to their normal state of chaos....”Thank you...for ....freeing me.”

 

Tempest smiles at that. “Oh, it was my /pleasure/, really. I just want little Nightbird to realize that the world can be a very nasty place. Wouldn’t want any substandard warriors in this base, would we?”  Tempest adds...her tone ice cold... “Of course, if you tell anyone I had anything to do with this, I’ll deny it, and I /do/ believe Megatron will believe me instead of you...that would be the problem with having a reputation like yours...”

 

Starscream looks to Tempest for a moment not sure exactly how she meant that comment but then decides it doesn’t matter. He’s free and he can now go after Nightbird. Then he remembers her look earlier toward Megatron and smiles, “No, we can’t have that at all, Tempest.”

 

Tempest gives him a smile devoid of any warmth. “Now...happy hunting, Starscream. And remember....if I were you, I wouldn’t get close enough for her to swing a sword at me, no...I’d ambush her...a shot in the back.”

 

Starscream nods to Tempest and starts for the door.

 

Tempest follows Starscream, apparently intending to pretend that she never went back into the base at all.

 

You leave the Temporary Base.

Western Coastline

 

     The west coast of this continent is another of the more heavily-populated regions. Human cities run up and down the rocky coast nearly in tandem with a tectonic fault which is visible from space like a scar. Here two continental plates are sliding past each other - sometimes with catastrophic results. The entire region is geologically active, with a volcanic mountain range positioned a short

ways inland, around which some of the continent’s most unspoiled scenery and parkland remains preserved, despite a heavy influx of tourists. It is in this region where a majority of this planet’s entertainment originates, as well as a good bit of its technological advancement.

 

 

Starscream once outside SNAPS into jet mode and launches into the air as fast as he can

 

Tempest watches Starscream go, looking quite smug....

 

Ravage emerges from the portal of the Temporary Base.

 

Tempest is watching Starscream vanish into the sky.

 

Ravage remains in the shadows not wanting to let anyone know Tempest’s alibi is about is water proof as the Titanic.

 

Starscream streaks along the sky muttering, “I’ll show that Megatron what his precious Ninja is all about.”

 

Tempest returns to a place farther down the canyons where she can see the entrance to the base from a distance, sits herself down, and resumes work on her little statuette, humming to herself.

 

Ravage follows after Tempest

 

Tempest hums happily, now hewing Megatron’s torso in miniature out of the rock, smiling to herself.

 

Ravage lays down in the shadows of the rocks and snoozes a bit.. it being a time for a nap.

 

Striker flies in looking very angry at the loss of his ability to fly at high speeds, he softly touches down outside the base and looks around at his surroundings.

 

CatsCradle flies in shortly after Striker, transforming and landing.  CatsCradle transforms into her Robot mode.

 

Enchantress has arrived.

 

Striker looks to Cats, “Did they catch the traitor yet?”

 

Tempest is sitting down a short distance away. At the sound of engines, she puts away her carving and walks closer to the base entrance to see who it is.

 

Enchantress lands in the distance, her expression one of pain. She warned them... But does that make her just as culpable in the events that happened? She doesn’t know.

 

CatsCradle shakes her head. “I don’t know. Diver hasn’t radioed to me that he has.” She rubs at her arm absently, as if not noticing the fluids streaming from a wound from one of the last Autobot shots.

 

Enchantress transforms into her Robot mode.

 

Ravage yawns and wakes up from his lap... sitting up in the shadows of the rock.

 

Striker glances at Tempest and says, “Missed quite a fight Tempest... and you’ll be happy to know that Nightbird isn’t a problem any longer.”

 

Enchantress crawls into a little ditch and starts to cry.

 

Tempest seems kind of disappointed. “I missed a fight?” She looks curious. “What happened to Nightbird? Heh.  I guess that many Autobots were too much for her after all, eh?”

 

Striker says, “Well, no, our dear Starscream was the one to do her away.”

 

Tempest snorts. “Yep, that’ll do it every time....it’s always the one who’s /supposed/ to be on your team, that you have to worry about.”

 

CatsCradle watches their exchange impassively, no expression on her face.

 

Skywarp has lost Starscream’s trail.

 

Ravage strolls on out from the shadows and heads over to Cats... looking over her damage.

 

Tempest glances over at Ravage...there’s a hint of an unreadable flicker in her optics...gone just as you’re beginning to wonder if it’s really there...and then she sits down, leaving the observer to doubt they saw anything as she says, “Heh. Where’s Starscream now?”

 

CatsCradle says evenly, “Being chased down by my mate.”

 

Skywarp has arrived.

 

<Earth> Soundwave says, “Divefire, is there visual contact with Starscream?”

 

<Earth> Divefire says, “There is.”

 

Tempest’s face takes on an expression of concern. “And Megatron?”

 

Ravage sits down and listens to cat... finding it curious how a transformer refers to her close friend or companion as mate... it is a strange way to class someone...

 

CatsCradle meets Tempest’s gaze. “What do you think?”

 

Striker sighs, “Still back at the battle site mourning over Nightbird I suppose.”

 

<Earth> Soundwave says, “Explain.”

 

Skywarp lands back at the base.

 

Tempest shrugs at Catscradle and Striker. “He barely knew her,” she says, as if confused.

 

<Earth> Divefire says, “We are in orbit of Earth. Starscream hasn’t said a word or made an aggressive movement towards me. From appearances it looks as if he’s heading back towards Earth.”

 

<Earth> Soundwave says, “Can you disable him?”

 

Striker says, “I know, it was surprising how much he cared for her...”

 

Tempest looks at Striker. “Where the slag did /that/ come from?”

 

Striker looks at Tempest, “Where did /what/ come from?”

 

CatsCradle says softly, “It doesn’t matter the length of time. Sometimes... you just know how much you care in a matter of hours.”

 

<Earth> Divefire says, “... I could try ...”

 

Tempest says, “That comment about Megatron and Nightbird...” She looks at Cats.  “You’re doing it again...saying things that make no sense to me...and don’t you tell me it’s nothing, either of you!”

 

<Earth> Soundwave says, “Can you stall him until assistance can arrive?”

 

<Earth> Divefire says, “I’ll let you know if you need to pull me out... Divefire out.”

 

Striker glances at Tempest, then at Cats, “I’m not saying a word this time. Ask Cats what it means,” and he walks a few steps back to lean against the outside of the base.

 

CatsCradle shakes her head, looking infinitely sad. “I can’t say it’s nothing... because to Megatron, she was far from nothing.”

 

Tempest looks at Catscradle curiously, waiting for her to explain it.

 

Striker looks at CatsCradle, “Good answer.”

 

CatsCradle buries her face in her hands. “Ah, Temp, you’re asking me to explain something there’s no words for. It sometimes does not take long to realize how much you can care for someone. It was an even shorter time for Diver and I when we knew we were right for each other.”

 

Tempest tilts her head and laughs weakly. “Are you trying to tell me Megatron was in love with Nightbird?”

 

Striker says, “That’s exactly what she’s saying, Tempest.”

 

Skywarp says, “The poor boss...”

 

Tempest shakes her head. “No way...that’s not happening, Megatron himself told me so.” She looks at their faces, hoping to find confirmation...and not getting any.

 

Striker says, “If you would’ve arrived at the base a little earlier this afternoon, you would’ve heard him say it as well.”

 

CatsCradle looks up at Tempest. “I think so,” she says softly. “I did not see much of them together, but I saw Nightbird’s expression once, and she looked like I feel when Diver walks into the room. And I saw Megatron’s grief.”

 

Tempest’s jaw drops and she stares at Striker. “Aw...slag...you can’t mean that.”

 

Striker sighs, “Yes, I do, Tempest.”

 

Enchantress sighs from the ditch. She lost her sister and her life... And she failed... If she’s lucky Megatron will let her live. Now, she has failed in her duties to the Empire, to the Emperor, and to herself.

 

Skywarp slumps down to the floor leaning on the wall.

 

Tempest shakes her head as if not wanting to believe that.

 

Striker says, “If you’re in love with Megatron just tell him.”

 

CatsCradle chews on her lip. “Dammit, the radio’s too quiet... where are they?”

 

Skywarp looks over at Tempest and Striker.

 

Tempest snaps at Striker, “I am /not/ in love with Megatron!”

 

Enchantress walks out of her ditch, silent, heading towards the main group.

 

Skywarp is sitting on the ground ...ashamed he was unable to keep up with Starscream...and feels sorry for his leader.

 

Striker looks at Tempest, “Good.” And he walks away from the main group to go sit by himself.

 

CatsCradle shrugs. “Starscream’s jealousy was feeling that his command was in jeopardy. What was your excuse, Temp?”

 

 Skywarp looks at Tempest.

 

Tempest grumbles, “Romantic attachment is nothing but trouble...” She jerks her head to look at CatsCradle. “Once again I must ask you to spell out what that is supposed to mean.”

 

Enchantress rejoins the main group, and finds a large boulder that she begins hacking at, slowly trimming it down to nothingness with her blades. She is furious with Megatron for letting things come to this, Starscream for committing treason, and with herself, for she knew that something like this was coming, and she should’ve done more to prevent it.

 

CatsCradle says, “Why did you hate her so much?”

 

Tempest shrugs. “Nothing personal...it’s a nasty world, Cats.” Her smile is a predator’s grin. “You and I /earned/ our stripes, the hard way. Nightbird had earned nothing, until today...”

 

Skywarp looks at Enchantress hacking away...”Hey Babes you had better cool it... You’ll end up dulling something.”

 

Ravage gets up quietly and heads off looking for something

 

Skywarp stands slowly.

 

Enchantress turns to look at Skywarp. “Not with these.” And she goes back to hacking without a word.

 

CatsCradle thinks Tempest’s answer over. “She was untested, at least by us, true. But I never saw Megatron shelter her because of it. He sent her out to earn the right for his attention.”

 

Tempest shrugs. “As would be expected. I mean, I would respect her if she’d been able to handle everything the world threw at her...but it seems she couldn’t. Ah well. A moot point now.”

 

Skywarp walks over to Enchantress and gently places a hand on her shoulder. “There’s nothing more you could have done...Y’know.”

 

Enchantress says, “I knew about this... Starscream tried to enlist my aid in this. I warned Soundwave and Megatron. I should’ve done more. I could’ve stopped this! If I just hadn’t sat around on my skidplate and TALKED... I should’ve taken action, done anything besides what I did.”

 

Skywarp says, “You didn’t help Starscream...You did your best.”

 

CatsCradle laughs sharply. “I don’t think many of us could have stood up against the entire Autobot Earth forces and survived.” She shrugs. “I guess the tables are turned, Tempest, because I don’t understand the theory of proving myself worthy of someone’s love. I never had to prove anything to Diver, nor he to me. In fact, he has never asked anything of me --” She breaks off suddenly. “Except for one time,” she finishes in a murmur.

 

Tempest snarls, “/Love/ has /nothing/ to do with it!” She sucks air into her intakes, optics narrowing reflexively. “It’s a matter of proving the right to your continued existence...”

 

Enchantress says, “I could’ve tried... Watched him, told him not to do it, ANYTHING but what I did...”

 

Skywarp pats Spells’ shoulder... “Hey, don’t worry ‘bout it...I think you will be the least of the Boss’s worries once he catches up with Starscream.”

 

CatsCradle shakes her head. “I’ve proven my right to exist. I did it centuries ago. But living is more than... than scraping out an existence. And there are other things to starve for than for fuel. But that’s something you have to find out for yourself. Nothing I or anyone else can say will ever help you to understand. You have to live it for yourself. And then you realize you can’t ever go back to the way you were.”

 

Skywarp says, “So stop blaming yourself...No one else does...Ok?”

 

Enchantress sighs. “Thank you milord. Can you do me a favour? Slap me?”

 

Skywarp blinks.  Skywarp says, “Err...why?”

 

Enchantress says, “My emotion circuits are overloading a bit. I need to jump start my adrenaline circuits to compensate.”

 

Tempest hears that last comment and her lip twitches in the hint of a....smile?  She simply regards CatsCradle. “It seems to me that this...” a gesture around at the base and the other Decepticons... “is all very unreal to me...that the real living was out there.” She points skyward. “Ice and hellfire. Don’t blame me if I don’t choose to go back, but I /could/ if I had to...make no doubt about that.”

 

Skywarp ahems.....”Well...ok..If you’re sure.”

 

Enchantress says, “Yes, milord, please do.”

 

Skywarp says, “Uhm..Ok”...”Skywarp slaps her kinda hard.

 

Enchantress face rocks sideways, and she smiles. “Thank you milord. I needed that.”

 

Skywarp !!!!  Skywarp smirks a bit....”Sure..anytime..Babes.”

 

Enchantress walks up to Skywarp, a sultry look on her face, and a sway in her hips. “By the way...” She grabs Skywarp and flips him into a rock, then has her sword at his throat. “Never call me babe.”

 

Tempest chuckles lightly. “Skywarp...you just have to learn the hard way....”

 

Enchantress walks off to the main grouping.

 

Skywarp watches her...and gives an evil smirk.

 

CatsCradle shrugs. “I could go back to starving, fighting for fuel. But I can’t go back to what I was before I met Diver. I won’t outlive him.” She smiles very slightly. “Because all of this..” and she gestures at the base and the other Decepticons, “is now unreal to me. He and I are what’s real. And I don’t expect anyone else to understand it, and I don’t care if you do or don’t.”

 

Skywarp stands watching her walk away....”Woah...”

 

Enchantress turns around, winks a Skywarp, and then throws a half dozen throwing knives that whizz past his head, millimetres from coming into contact with the armour.

 

Tempest looks rather sad, gazing at Cats. “It might be nice to...” she admits, somewhat wistfully....then her expression settles back into the usual war-mask.

 

CatsCradle lets out a sharp breath. “And then we have moments like this, when he’s out chasing a traitor and I have no idea if he’s all right, and I just go insane /waiting/, dammit.”

 

Enchantress says, “The next one goes between the optics. Is that simple enough for you, flyboy?”

 

Tempest says, in an attempt to be comforting, “Divefire is a good soldier, he’ll be fine.”

 

Enchantress says, “Divefire will be fine milady. Your mate does you credit.”  Enchantress says, “And you do him credit.”

 

CatsCradle sits down with a plop. “He doesn’t know how to be careful,” she mutters. “And the worst part is, our son is just like him...”

 

Skywarp quickly teleports out.

 

Tempest shrugs. “He’s still alive, that counts for something.”

 

Enchantress sighs, and draws her quantum-edged katana. “Which limb should I chop off first?”

 

CatsCradle adds, “Or will be, anyway.” She buries her face in her hands again. “ Damned time travel...”

 

Enchantress says, “I know what you mean, milady. I know what you mean...”

 

Tempest grins at Enchantress. “Megatron told me not to gut his troops, I believe that stands for you as well.”

 

Skywarp has disappeared from sight...but she can hear his echoing laughter.

 

<Earth> Soundwave says, “Status report on the hunt?”

 

CatsCradle perks up, listening to the radio. “I don’t even dare radio him,” she says ruefully. “I don’t want to distract him.”

 

Striker looks over at Skywarp and says to Tempest, “Let Enchantress kill him, she’ll be the one who has to face Megatron after all of this.”

 

<Earth> Divefire  reply comes through in a deeper then normal voice as he pushes everything to keep with Starscream. “We’re in the Pacific Northwest of America as of now. He can’t shake me. I think I may be denting his ego.”

 

Enchantress says, “Who said anything about killing him? All I was going to do was chop off his limbs, and then reprogram his vocal units...”

 

Tempest raises an optic ridge at Striker. “Megatron’s already upset enough, he doesn’t need any more trouble in his troops today.”

 

Enchantress says, “But it can wait for another time.”  Enchantress says, “There goes the call.”

 

Striker says, “You’re right, he doesn’t. Enchantress, you slice Skywarp and I’ll kill you so Megatron doesn’t have to.”

 

CatsCradle looks up. “Pacific Northwest... They’re almost here.” She leaps into the air, transforming and pushing her engines hard.

 

Striker says, “There, problem solved. Megatron won’t have to mess with it.”

 

Enchantress transforms into her Sabrecat mode.

 

Tempest says, “Another time. We’ve been called.”

 

Tempest transforms into her CF-18 Hornet Jet mode.

 

Divefire has pursued Starscream for miles on end, finally driving him back towards the temporary base.  The other Decepticons take off, and after a heated battle, finally succeed in bringing Starscream back to Decepticon Headquarters to meet his fate…

 

 

Command Center

 

        This circular room was formerly the bridge when the base was a viable spaceship. Now used as the Command Center, it is dominated by the large central viewing screen. The screen is linked to the main computer system, and can display anything from energon production reports to tactical updates to topside weather information. The various other bridge control stations have been converted to monitor and control the various mechanisms and activities of the base. They curve around the room from the door to the central viewscreen.

 

Enchantress enters, pushing Starscream in by the point of her blades.

 

Tempest walks in behind Starscream, her swords held in an honour-guard position...ready if needed, but not making any outwardly threatening gestures with them.  She’s the very picture of businesslike composure.

 

Enchantress shoves Starscream to the ground in front of Megatron, and then steps back to the assembled crowd.

 

Soundwave steps back a little and simply watches, his expression neutral - at least until he notices Tempest enter, then his optic band darkens a little. He returns his attention to Megatron and Starscream.

 

Starscream looks up on his knees.

 

Striker looks at Starscream, then Megatron. “Starscream, the mighty air commander being escorted in by two femmes?”

 

Divefire walks in with the rest of the group, a small vapour trail of smoke being left behind him as his fusion engines cool down from the most intense work out they’ve had in two million years or so. His frame is pot marked with the scares of damage similar to that of a cluster bomb, but that’s the only damage he sports. His face tells a picture of a mechanoid who has just danced a duel with the Devil, and lived to put it in his memoirs.

 

Striker looks at Tempest, “I didn’t mean anything by that so please... don’t bite my head off for it.”

 

Starscream glances to striker hatefully, then mutters. “They did what you could not.”

 

Tempest was looking rather dryly at Striker, but stops when he apologizes, and returns her attention to Starscream.

 

Megatron’s optics glow even more dangerously as he sees the traitor in front of him. He says nothing, but hate is clearly written into his face.

 

Starscream looks back to Megatron. “Leader…”

 

Enchantress moves back into the crowd, her expression one of pure hatred directed towards Starscream, and she sheathes her blades. Megatron gets first dibs...

 

CatsCradle walks in by Diver’s side, her optics varying from blazing in anger at Starscream to softening in concert looking at her mate.

 

.Striker says, “Oh really Starscream? I just let them have the pleasure of bringing you in.”

 

Starscream says, “..M-Megatron....I can explain...”

 

Tempest watches Megatron, Starscream and the others with the usual amount of interest, but nothing else on her face. There’s nothing at all unusual or out of the ordinary in her expression or her action. It’s as if the whole thing were her usual curiosity, plus a measure of concern for Megatron...though, as usual, she avoids attracting the attention of anyone in a bad mood.

 

Gryphus gets out her datapad to note this occasion. Probably one of many SS and Megs have had.

 

Megatron grasp Starscream with one hand by his throat, forcing him onto his feet. Then he smashes the other hand as fist right into the other’s face.

 

Enchantress stands impassively. Starscream deserves this.

 

Tempest’s optics flicker only slightly at the violent action...her usual coming on guard in the presence of violence.

 

Starscream cries out slightly and grabs at Megatron’s hand...”No...don’t do this!”

 

Striker winces slightly as Megatron smashes Starscream, “That’s gotta hurt…”

 

Starscream says, “Please Megatron....don’t....”

 

Divefire’s optics glimmer slightly. It could be at watching Starscream get hit, or at the previous hours long duel, it’s hard to say with his expression set in a neutral grimace. Really he has nothing to add, although he notes Striker’s every boastful claim.

 

Soundwave’s expression is completely unreadable now, even to those who know him.  He simply stands and watches. Even his creations catch no whisper of his thoughts.

 

Megatron doesn’t listen, but continues his work. This time he is not just threatening, this time he doesn’t show mercy, this time he just wants to kill.

 

CatsCradle had been expecting this, but even so, she steps back slightly and a little closer to Diver.

 

Starscream tries desperately to plead to any part of Megatron that will listen to him. He tries anything to get him to stop.

 

Striker takes a step back, even he wasn’t expecting Megatron to go at the seeker like this.

 

Tempest doesn’t seem particularly surprised by the whole thing, and seems very much prepared to watch a slaughter.

 

Megatron slams his fist into the other’s face again and again, brute violence guiding his actions.

 

Gryphus is taking extensive notes while observing. Detached.. clinical.

 

Striker sits watching Megatron pound on Starscream.

 

Enchantress sighs. She lost a sparring partner today, and someone that she would’ve been honored to call “friend,” if she hadn’t been so caught up in her own make believe world. She suddenly feels tired beyond her years.

 

Starscream finds himself trying to block out what he can and with every hit he gets he thinks of the earth robot and what the bots will do to her.

 

Striker then remembers all the things Starscream has said to him and everything he’s done in the past and he looks content in watching Starscream get beaten.

 

Starscream then realizes something...”She’s....not...dead....

 

Divefire folds his arms across his chest in his typical fashion, as if it blocks out the rest of the emotions of the room. His optics narrow as each impact of metal against metal echoes off the walls, he’s seen enough massacres in his time.

 

Enchantress takes in every blow, committing it to her memory. This will be her penance - if she had taken action, she might have prevented this.

 

Ravage idly sits and watches Megatron beat down one of his troops... About time since he seems to never do anything to troops who misbehave... he glances to Striker and some others to see their reaction and finds it sad how they take pleasure in Starscream’s acts of desperation.. when many of them have committed many crimes to the Empire and gotten off much simpler.. then he glances to Tempest, who helped Starscream escape.  If she hadn’t.. he would never had a chance to interfere with Nightbird in the first place.At a final glance he looks to Soundwave and just finds the whole situation a sad event.

 

Megatron grasps the windshield of Starscream’s cockpit, ripping it of. “Liar!” he hisses. “Trying to save your worthless life.”

 

Starscream squelches....”no...no...  Starscream says, “..stun...it was..only set...on ..stu..nn”

 

Enchantress looks to Soundwave with a pleading in her optics. Please, do something to stop this, she thinks. We’ve had enough losses for one day.

 

Gryphus continues her fastidious note taking.  Oh, this will be one for researchers to be shocked over later…

 

Starscream whispers hoarsely, “The Bots have her.”

 

Tempest’s optics flick a brighter red for the tiniest fraction of a second, as Starscream says the last, and then the light is gone almost as soon as it arrives...though the yellow Seeker begins watching the exchange a little more closely than her previous detached semi-interest.

 

Starscream says, “She’s...only....stunn..e.d”

 

Enchantress shoots up when she hears that. But does Megatron?

 

Soundwave watches impassively for a while longer, no trace of his usual compassion evident, though what he thinks and feels, he keeps entirely to himself. He finally speaks, “The effects of a null ray on a living being, might potentially freeze any energy emissions from her.”

 

Megatron’s hand around Starscream’s throat tightens. “Soundwave felt no sign of life...” he snarls. “And soon he will get the same impression from you.”

 

Gryphus pauses and looks a bit shocked a moment.

 

Soundwave says, “If it was indeed a null ray.”

 

Striker mutters, “Starscream can’t do /anything/ right...”

 

Starscream gags and desperately claws at Megatron’s hand. “no....she...lives....I ...swear…”

 

Striker says, “Well, Soundwave, you can read minds, is our air commander telling the truth?”

 

Enchantress murmurs a prayer to a god that she doesn’t believe in, “Please, Primus, let it be so... Let him be telling the truth...”

 

Starscream says, “I only...nulled her...to let...the bots...get her”

 

Megatron sets his jaw plates. He doesn’t continue, but he also doesn’t release Starscream. “Soundwave, scan him!”

 

Enchantress optics blaze with a renewed fury. Bad enough to kill a comrade, but to let her fall into enemy hands...

 

Gryphus blinks?

 

Striker says, “Then again…Megatron... letting her live might be just as bad as killing her in this situation.”

 

Tempest says quietly, “A null ray...doesn’t make any sense. Any warrior worth the name would shoot to kill.”

 

Soundwave does not move forward to scan Starscream’s mind until Megatron so orders. At Megatron’s words, he takes a step toward Starscream and regards him – to an outsider, it would look like he’s simply looking intently at the battered flyer, except for the brightening of his optic band that indicates a telepathic scan.

 

Enchantress says, “The Autobots will almost certainly either disassemble her or attempt to reprogram her.”

 

Striker adds to Enchantress’ words, “And they’ve had more than enough time for either by now.”

 

Enchantress says, “Or give her back to the Dr. for study and observation... I wonder where his alternate labs are located...”

 

Divefire glances to Enchantress and Striker and glowers at them, growling. “Enough. This is not the time!”

 

Tempest shivers a little at the idea of a mind scan...this behaviour is not unusual, considering her original opinion of Soundwave and his abilities....

 

Enchantress bows her head to Divefire in acknowledgment of the correction of his words, and in apology.

 

Striker says, “Well Divefire, don’t you think that if he’s telling the truth that we shouldn’t try to get her back?”

 

Gryphus makes some notes about this mind reading for ‘Wave and a few other notes to check into.

 

Megatron says, “Well…?”

 

Divefire attention shifts solely to Striker. “I think in the time it took for Starscream and I to solely duel are way back down to the pacific ocean, someone like you could have mounted a rescue operation and we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”

 

Enchantress murmurs, “We are in no condition for an assault on the Ark, and the time has been lost. She will almost certainly be moved elsewhere, or in deep storage by now.”

 

Striker glares at Divefire, “If I would’ve known she was still alive I would’ve done that!”

 

Enchantress wanted to go after the Ark, but was dissuaded from it.

 

Divefire matches Striker’s glare, reassured that today at least he matched the highest ranking air commander in the Decepticon army. “Then stow your cynicism for another day and be grateful that Nightbird may yet live!”

 

Tempest’s face is mostly expressionless as she watches what’s going on.

 

Enchantress murmurs, “Milord Divefire was the primary reason that we successfully hunted down Starscream. He deserves some reward for that...”

 

Striker smirks, “Yes, Divefire did excellent. But... why should I care if Nightbird’s alive? All she’s done since she’s been here has caused trouble.”

 

Tempest growls at Striker, “You have no tact--has anyone ever told you that? Slag, you’re worse than me.”

 

Enchantress sighs. Her opinion has shifted again. “She proved her place to join us. I sincerely doubt that any others of us except Megatron could hold off that many Autobots, including Prime? I think not.”

 

Striker looks at Tempest, “Excuse me Tempest, I didn’t know that would upset you that much, forgive me.”

 

Soundwave’s optic band shades back to its usual slightly lower intensity as he withdraws his thoughts from Starscream’s mind and looks to Megatron. “Starscream did not kill her,” he confirms.

 

CatsCradle glances at Striker. “Did she cause trouble? Or was it the jealousy directed at her that caused so much trouble?”

 

Tempest gives Enchantress a sweet smile...like a shark. “Is that a challenge?”

 

Soundwave leaves unspoken the notion that they Autobots may well have done so by now.

 

Gryphus makes some more notes on the social interaction going on here too while she’s typing away.

 

Enchantress says, “I am saying that I could not do it, but you could certainly do so, milady.”

 

Megatron simply open his hand, letting Starscream drop to the floor like a piece of scrap.

 

Tempest’s optics flicker over Megatron....then she settles back to her previous watching.

 

Starscream falls to the ground limply as so much twisted metal.

 

Tempest nods to Enchantress. “That’s better.”

 

Striker doesn’t bother to answer Cats, instead, he watches what’s going on between Tempest and Enchantress.

 

Soundwave’s gaze passes over the others ... even in the midst of a telepathic scan, he was not completely unaware of what was being said and done around him. The look lingers a moment on Tempest, then he looks away, at Starscream on the ground.

 

Starscream’s in pretty fierce condition and is leaking badly.

 

Megatron whispers: “Alive...”

 

Starscream coughs painfully and wonders if anyone will help him

 

Gryphus hmms as she taps into some secured channels to look into some data on the whereabouts of Nightbird on the Autobot side of things.

 

Striker walks over and stand in front of Starscream, “Can’t believe I’m doing this.” And he grabs Starscream’s arm.

 

Enchantress says, “The Autobots will have either placed her in deep storage, reprogrammed her, disassembled her, or shipped her back to her “creator.”“  Enchantress leaves out the notion that they would’ve simply executed her.

 

Starscream cries out a bit from the movement but is grateful for the help...”Striker?”

 

Striker snarls, “Yes... Starscream?”

 

Tempest looks at Enchantress, as if to say she’s as bad as Striker, then back to Striker and snorts.

 

Soundwave says, “Silence, Enchantress. We do not yet have the facts for such pointless speculation.”

 

Starscream says, “You’re...helping me?”

 

Striker says, “So... don’t get used to it.”

 

Divefire glances down at Starscream’s twisted figure and shakes his head slightly. Slowly he levels out his gaze onto Megatron and studies the commander for a moment, then asks a simple question that’s probably on most peoples minds. “Orders, Megatron?”

 

Enchantress nods her head in acknowledgement.  “Just stating the logical possibilities for the Autobots now that Nightbird is in their possession, Lord.”

 

Tempest says sweetly to Enchantress, “Be quiet before you die, hm?”

 

Soundwave says, “It is inappropriate at this time.”

 

Megatron doesn’t respond to anything. He just knows he has to find her, but he also knows he can’t order anyone to help him. The entire trouble would start from the beginning... “You are dismissed...” he just says to those present. “Take your extra ration of energon from the storage. And...” He gestures at Starscream. “Get him out of my sight.”

 

Enchantress sighs. And then she shuts off her vocal transponder.

 

Striker grins at Tempest’s words, not really the words, more the way she said them.

 

CatsCradle tugs Diver’s hand. “You need repairs,” she murmurs, lacing her fingers in his.

 

Divefire optics glow slightly, but he nods to Megatron, then looks to Cats. He gives her a silent nod and lets her pull him back slightly as he grips her hand in turn.

 

Soundwave speaks a name before she leaves with the others, to get her attention: “Tempest.”

 

Tempest seems about ready to leave, at Megatron’s command, but she pauses at Soundwave’s calling of her name. “Yes?” Still nothing unusual showing...

 

Soundwave looks at her, no hint of anything showing in his eyeband, no clue of anything in his tone. “You mentioned something about shooting to kill,” he says simply, and then turns away, offering nothing more.

 

Tempest eyes Soundwave and laughs a little. “Would you expect anything less from me? But my ways...the law of the Spaceways...aren’t your ways, I know that by now.”

 

CatsCradle glances back into the room again, then gently tugs Diver’s hand once more and moves silently towards the door.

 

Enchantress steps in front of Striker. “That is my doing, milord.”

 

Starscream is leaning heavily on Striker.

 

Striker glares at Enchantress and whispers, “Don’t you dare say /anything/.”

 

Soundwave doesn’t turn back to look at Tempest. Of course he heard her. But he gives no indication of such. He instead seats himself at his communications station.

 

Enchantress whispers to Striker, “The blame is all mind milord. You are blameless in this. The fault rests entirely on my shoulders.”

 

Divefire features frown but he lets himself be taken away by Cats. This is not the time or place to mention about gratitude. “I’ll get myself repaired.” He murmurs to who ever listens and then slips out of the room.

 

CatsCradle has left.

Divefire has left.

Gryphus has left.

 

Tempest doesn’t seem to notice anything too strange...yes, she’s a cool one...but for just a second she glances back at Soundwave as if some instinct is stirring deep inside...then once again, back to normal. She looks over at Megatron, concern evident in her features now, but she isn’t going to force her attention on him now, unasked....

 

Enchantress stays, ready to accept her responsibility in this debacle.

 

Striker says, “Megatron, I’d like to you help look for her. Because if your feeling good then so does...” He pauses, “So, would you like help? Or not?”

 

Megatron says, “Nightbird is not only meaning a lot to me, she is also a Decepticon. Find her, Striker, and now get Starscream out of here!”“

 

Tempest raises an optic ridge at that as she gets her energon ration. Means a lot, eh? A brief frown...then back to neutral.

 

Striker walks over to Starscream and grabs his arm, pulling him out the door muttering, “I said I’d /help/ look for her, not look by myself.”

 

Enchantress is quite willing to take an extended leave of absence to search. She owes it to Nightbird, and to herself. It is the only way to quiet her own demons. She has to at least /TRY./

 

Striker drags Starscream out by his arm. “Soundwave, when you get the time, could you repair my wings... once you get this piece of junk fixed.”

 

Megatron wordlessly turns to the computer and activates the satellite channels.  He will find her... And if the Autobots killed her? Then she should at least rest among the fallen in the Decepticon crypt.

 

Tempest is about ready to walk out too, nibbling on the corner of her energon cube.

 

Soundwave is connected up to the communications system, but then seems to recall something. He supposes someone has to fix Starscream, seeing as Megatron let him live.

 

Megatron continues his work, saying nothing.

 

Tempest hesitates in the doorway and looks back at Megatron, worry on her face.

 

Megatron says, “I just want to know one thing, Tempest: why have /you/ betrayed me as well?”

 

Soundwave sighs a bit to himself, thinking it would be counterproductive now if Starscream were to leak to death. He stands, and says to Megatron, “I will be back shortly.”

 

Tempest whirls around and looks at him, head tilted...for all the world looking like she doesn’t know what he’s talking about...

 

Soundwave moves past Tempest, as though not even paying attention to her.

 

Soundwave has left.

 

Tempest finally folds her arms and says quietly, “Where did /that/ come from?”

 

Megatron is not facing her, instead his optics are concentrated on the data that is showing up on the screen.

 

Tempest is showing no signs of guilt, fear, nothing...just watching him with those intensely burning ruby optics.

 

Megatron says, “Ravage watched you and Starscream plotting against Nightbird and... you freed my traitorous second in command.”

 

Tempest nods slowly as the accusation is made. “Ravage...ah, nicely played.” No point in denying it now.

 

Megatron says, “Well, I hear.”

 

Tempest says, still in iron control and her voice cool, “I didn’t give Starscream any ideas he didn’t already have.”

 

Megatron jerks around, hissing: “Don’t try to find excuses, Tempest!” He looks at her - not in anger, but in disappointment. “I trusted you... But as you told me... I have to watch my back.”

 

Tempest retorts...the slightest hint of anger showing through now, “I didn’t do anything to your Nightbird, Megatron. The stars know I would have /liked/ to but I didn’t...because of /you/...” Yes, her temper is firing up now too....

 

Megatron says, “You would have liked to do? As if that is better in any kind! Because of me...? Do you think it makes me happy to lose the woman I love?”

 

Tempest doubletakes as if hit. “So...you lied to me too.” She snarls at him. “I suppose all those rumours were true then.”  Tempest’s optics glitter with hurt and then the expression wipes...a light as if a fire burns faraway behind the optic glass takes over, and for all its furious flickering the light is cold.

 

Megatron says, “So I lied?”

 

Tempest retorts, “Our discussion the other night? “Nightbird is a valuable warrior...” “Enchantress is talking nonsense...” She looks him right in the face. “Forget it. I suppose we see now where the truth lies.” She looks at the computers. “And now you’ll rip apart the planet to get her back.”

 

Megatron says, “Nightbird is a valuable warrior! And she did not let me forget my task as Enchantress tried to believe! Darn...”

 

Tempest says softly, “And speaking of forgetting one’s task....” Her expression grows distant for a moment...only the briefest of moments, in case a confrontation is brewing here--she hasn’t forgotten what happened to Starscream--and then is back on Megatron.

 

Tempest says, flatly...”I never lied to you.”

 

Megatron he slams his fist on the computer’s control panel. “And I didn’t lie to you when I was talking to you, Tempest,” he replies.

 

Tempest says....and her tone indicates she’s not impressed... “You fell in love with her in a couple of days.” A tilt of the head. “You don’t even /know/ her.”

 

Megatron says, “I know her... for some reason I know her... I don’t know why, but we are somehow familiar to each other. Maybe when we had the time to find out where she came from we would have known...”

 

Tempest snorts, evidently not understanding that at all. “Touching. So where does that leave me?”

 

Megatron doesn’t understand either. “Until today I thought you where my friend.  I still was yours.”  Megatron says, “But obviously you have no interest in my friendship anymore.”

 

Tempest says, “And I thought we were a /team/...standing by each other. I’m not about to take second place to Nightbird without a fight.”  Tempest smiles, weakly. “But it seems that even in Nightbird’s absence, I’ve already lost this fight.”

 

Megatron is even more confused than before. “What does that mean, taking second place in my attention? Tempest, that doesn’t sound like a friend anymore, that sounds like a jealous lover.”

 

Tempest tilts her head at him. “I don’t know what it means,” she confesses softly.

 

Megatron stares at her. “What do you want from me, Tempest? Do you want to share the same that I shared with her? Do you want to be more than just friends to me? I want to understand.”

 

Tempest looks inside, shaking her head more and more...but she doesn’t quite understand it herself. The best way she can explain it is...and though she does not, cannot cry...her voice breaks as she says, “When I was here I was able to forget what I’d lost...once again part of a command team. All the things we told each other...I’d had that before...only this time I was the junior partner rather than the leader. Fine. But when you’re the second, you always run the risk of getting replaced.”

 

Tempest’s features harden as she says, “So I did what I always do...fight for what I had...and it seems this time I lost...so be it. Perhaps I should give up pretending I belong here.” She looks at him frankly. “The truth is, it seems like I need you more than you need me. But that’s...not...true....”  She grits her teeth.  “I won’t /let/ that be true.”

 

Megatron shakes his head. “I think the problem is that you don’t see that you and Nightbird take completely different places in my life. Like you and Ruse take different places. However, I don’t know how I can explain that to you...”

 

Tempest’s optics ice. “If I had to, I could beat Ruse...this...” A helpless laugh. “Congratulations, it’s not often I’m outmatched.” She looks at him sadly. “Maybe Soundwave had a point and I liked you a little too much...I don’t know...” A shrug. “I guess it doesn’t matter now. I don’t belong here now, hm?”

 

Megatron says, “It’s up to you if you want to belong here. I still believe you do... but maybe you have to find that out yourself.”

 

Tempest says...”I think I need to get a little back in touch with reality...” It sounds like a...defeat.  Then her optics blaze.  “I don’t need you…or anyone.”

 

Megatron says, “If you see it like this... There was no need for that.”

 

Tempest turns for the door, then looks back at him. “I’m sorry you had to get hurt,” she says very quietly, and there’s no reason to think she isn’t sincere. “Affection....is a game one must always lose, in this world.”

 

Megatron looks at the depressing data that comes from the satellite scan. “In this point I have to agree with you...”

 

Tempest says, “I’m sorry I had to be right,” very quietly...and steps out, heading down the corridor, slinking off somewhere to lick her wounds.  What a mess this has been. Perhaps she only needs a couple days to cool down...perhaps...

 

In the days to come Tempest makes herself scarce.  Lying low in the aftermath of the Nightbird incident, no doubt…but days stretch into a week and still no sign of the yellow Seeker.  Meanwhile, a news broadcast announces a hijacking of the Russian space shuttle by a giant robot.  Optimus Prime of course blames the Decepticons, but this was not a Decepticon operation…at least not an officially sanctioned one.  When it’s discovered that Tempest isn’t in her room—but that she’s left two wing panels behind, the ones which bear the roughly painted pseudo-Decepticon sigils—it doesn’t take long for the Decepticons to start putting two and two together.  The yellow Seeker has vanished back to where she came from, the nebulous roads of the galaxy called the Spaceways, the darkness that is the holes between the stars.