Wing Shift

submission dated 6-22-08
author: FireCracker
(Italic copy bordered by_underscore_)
Archive? You'd better.
Warnings: None really, at least not here. My Transformers are overall less blocky than the ones in G1, shaped more humanoid but still with plates. Makes for easier sex scenes to imagine. They can also reproduce via the spark principle, among compatible individuals. More on that later. And yeah, they have sex.

SPECIAL NOTE: Cybertronian terms for Parenthood: Pada (parent, non-birthing) Sana (birthing parent).

Skyfire has a major falling out with Optimus Prime. He leaves the autobots and learns his true heritage as decepticon. Starscream awaits, as do many others. (Blitzwing, Astrotrain, minicon Breaker, Thundercracker, Starscream, Skywarp, Octane) H/C,Yaoi


Wing Shift

SPECIAL NOTE: Cybertronian terms for Parenthood: Pada (parent, non-birthing) Sana (birthing parent).


A Matter of Spark


Starscream eased from his sleeping bondmate and slipped out of bed. Feeling famished again, he went into the lab kitchen for a snack.

/Let's see, what's this? I'll get four of these, six of those.../

Cradling a large bowl in his left arm, Starscream proceeded to fill it with goodies. He'd barely closed the energon unit when he heard a quiet beep. A few feet away rested Breaker in sphere mode. The gleaming minicon lay cozily in a pile of thermal blankets over a sleep pad.

Starscream wondered at the minicon's nesting behaviors. He closed the food unit door and headed back. Another beep was heard.

"Good deal."

Starscream paused in the hallway. "Oh?"

"Need much nourishment. Sparklings hungry."

"They're making _me_ hungry. I'm surprised you haven't gone visiting for the night."

A quick beep. "Would do, but stay here. Need watch."

"I appreciate the thought, Breaker. But we're fine."

The sphere vibrated in a cocoon of blankets. "For now. Sparkling challenge ahead. Breaker know."

Starscream approached the minicon. "Are you the sparkling expert now?"

Tiny lights flared over the sphere. "Will see. When babies arrive, can show."

Starscream crunched his snacks. "Well in any case that won't be any time soon-"

_"Starscream!"_ a deep voice bellowed. Skyfire stood near the back entrance to the bedroom, blue optics dark.

The red seeker stared in surprise. "Sky, why are you up?"

"I should ask you the same question!"

Red optics blinked. "What's wrong with you?"

"Starscream, you shouldn't be on your feet!" the big jet nearly raced to his bondmate, picking him up.

The smaller jet gawked. "Have you gone _insane?_ Put me down!"

"You need rest. I sensed you were up a few astroseconds ago."

"Will you put me down, please? This is ridiculous!"

Skyfire reluctantly set him down. "Come back to bed, then."

The red seeker huffed. "I _planned_ to, before you went all primitive on me!"

Breaker beeped in amusement. "Big Sky crack up already!"

"I'm not cracking up." Skyfire was indignant. "Starscream shouldn't be walking so much in his condition!"

Starscream stalked to the bedroom. "How do you expect me to move around then, Skyfire? Stop being crazy!"

The agitated valkyrie jet waved his arms and followed. "Do you have enough to eat? Are you cold? I can get more food-"

Starscream sighed, rubbing a white arm. "Will you please calm down? I'm fine, and so are the sparklings."

"You aren't in any pain?"

"No, of course not. I just woke up hungry, that's all."

Skyfire held his bondmate close and nuzzled. "Sorry. Guess I overreacted."

Starscrean chuckled, flicking his wings. "Silly. Come on, help me eat this." he tugged Skyfire to the bedroom.

Breaker hummed to himself, still nestled in his own bed nearby. "Will have _chaos babies._ See it now. Good decepticons!"

****

Skyfire gently lifted his bondmate into bed and tucked him in. "Now I want you to relax."

Starscream smiled at all the fussing. _"You're_ the one who needs to relax!"

The big jet slipped under blankets alongside, wrapping an arm around. "I don't want you to sprain or pop something, that's all."

The seeker covered his mouth to keep from laughing. "I hardly think that's possible, Sky. Have I ever been frail?"

Skyfire pulled the bowl into their laps. "I didn't say you were. But you need your rest and nourishment. After all, you're eating for three!"

Sleek fingers plucked a snack from the bowl. "Sometimes I feel hungry enough to feed an army."

"You metabolism will probably fluctuate at times. Are you sleepy?"

Starscream cuddled, nibbling a snack. "Not right now. Put a movie on, hmm?"

"Can do." Skyfire pressed a control button releasing the flatscreen. "Have a preference?"

"Anything with action is fine. Maybe even an undersea adventure."

Skyfire clicked channels. "Got it. How about _"The Deep?"_

"Sounds good." Starscream molded into Skyfire's arms. He crunched away at the food.

Skyfire smiled against a silver gray helmet. "You're so cute when you eat like that."

"Then you'll find me adorable in a few astroseconds. I plan to eat everything in sight."

"I'd better get a piece now, then." Skyfire pulled a snack from the bowl. "So what do you think?"

"About what?" Starscream stared at the screen and ate.

"Our sparklings. Who do you suppose they'll look like?"

"Oh, any combination of us both I suppose. Either way they'll be perfect."

Another nuzzle. "Of course. I can't _wait_ to see how they come out! Their colors should be spectacular."

Starscream paused in his eating. "I'm not a geneticist, but I remember reading that coloring can be unpredictable at times, even reverting to an earlier generation. Recessive genes often make strange combinations."

"I know what you mean. When I studied at the academy there was a student there named Scudd, a triple winged carrier jet. He got hooked up with an earthmover geologist named Stonebreaker. Scudd was bright blue and green with black wings. Stonebreaker was mostly orange with white accents."

Starscream made a face. "I'm almost afraid to ask what the kid looked like."

"It was wild. Their sparkling had red arms, blue legs, green foot pods, a purple faceplate and orange helmet. His optics were golden."

Starscream stopped eating and stared. "You're joking, right?"

Skyfire laughed. "I wish I were. They couldn't even figure out a name for nearly four breems."

"And what did they finally call the little circus clown?"

"I think they settled on Nosehammer."

"Well hopefully the kid's grown up into something appealing. I'd hate to think he's going through life as a rainbow."

Skyfire sighed, remembering the past. "Hard to say. I have no idea what happened to any of the family."

Blue fingers squeezed a white hand. "Sky. This is a celebration of the future. I don't want you brooding about the past."

White arms held tightly. "I know. Sometimes it's hard, Starscream. I lost so many years in the ice. Periodically I still feel disoriented. My hardwire is clear and yet I still don't sense a complete balance."

"That will come with time. There's so much chaos in our lives right now you haven't really settled into it yet. But once our plan succeeds...we'll have everything we could ever wish for. The universe will be our toy."

Skyfire smiled slightly. "At least _our_ colors are compatible. I'm not particularly worried about psychadelic babies."

Starscream snickered in amusement. "Perish the thought! Although your academy associate should have known better than to pick a bondmate with clashing color scheme. Why subject innocent sparklings to ridicule?"

The big jet roared with laughter. "I don't think that was on their minds at the time. They sparked impulsively, if you know what I mean."

"Been there, done that." Starscream smiled up at glowing blue optics. "So I'm hardly in any position to talk."

Skyfire grabbed a snack. "I expect things in the lab to be busy over the next few cycles. Perhaps I should test the safeword."

"Be cautious, Sky." Starscream warned. "Breaker is our mole. He'll have freedom throughout the base and can disappear quickly as needed. The less traces to our real activity the better."

"Good idea. Has anyone approached you yet?"

"Thundercracker and Skywarp. Thundercracker doesn't surprise me, I know how he thinks. But Skywarp is a bonus. In the past he's always supported Megatron no matter what."

"Thundercracker may have convinced him otherwise."

"Maybe, but Skywarp's not overly political. Generally his philosophy has been to join the winning side."

"Things change, Starscream. They may sense the growing restlessness in the ranks. Any war needs a conclusion at some point."

"True. And far be it from me to look a gift seeker in the mouth." Starscream stretched against his bondmate, vibrating as tight cables loosened.

Skyfire munched. "We'll start testing the ore samples once Octane brings them to the lab."

"Excellent. Do you need any assistance with the mixing tanks?"

"Send the battlechargers. They're annoying but efficient. Besides, moving those tanks will take muscle and they're perfect for the job."

Starscream sniffed. "Provided those simpletons can stay focused. Their pathetic attempts to get you in bed irritate me no end."

"They don't bother me. I can deal with their nonsense." Skyfire gave a sly grin. "Unless you'd rather have the triplechangers help out."

Starscream stared up at his bondmate. "The _battlechargers_ it is!"

Skyfire was smug. "I thought you'd say that."

****

Megatron paced anxiously in his private quarters. Soundwave relaxed in their living room and watched him fret.

"Your examination went well, Soundwave? I know you were experiencing some systems issues."

"I am fine for the most part." the harmonic voice echoed. "Many others were in the medbay for similar symptoms."

Dark gray fingers tapped over a table surface. "Something rankles my processors, Soundwave. Something I can't quite get ahold of yet."

"I have been about the base casually." Soundwave stated. "There is evidence of collusion."

"I knew it! My instincts have never failed me in these matters. But more is going on than that. I sense a move to disrupt my power base, and that must never happen!"

"Why do you conclude this so quickly?"

"Something Frenzy mentioned the other cycle." Megatron sat next to his bondmate. "There are rumors about the base that factions are forming. Rumble also reports that various decepticons are spending a great deal of time in seclusion."

"I myself have noticed such gatherings during shift times. I have yet to classify it as suspicious activity, and yet..."

Megatron narrowed optics in curiosity. "Have you seen evidence of conspiracy?"

Soundwave handed him a drink. "Not precisely. However, an incident the other cycle aroused my concern."

Megatron sipped. "When was this?"

"The other cycle when the triplechangers were released from stasis. I happened about the base and saw Starscream visit their quarters a few breems later."

"I will keep him in sight. Who else?"

"I picked up several transmissions before a jamming frequency was activated. There was a brief exchange between Octane and myself in the hallway."

"Octane! What does he have to do with anything?"

"Uncertain. I reminded him of shift policy on gatherings. He threatened to break my nose."

"He dares?!"

Soundwave waved it off. "Nothing came of the threat."

"I'll have _him_ in stasis next!"

"Unecessary, love. However, I have a better suggestion. Allow me to discover what plots may be festering. Once we find the truth behind the rumor, all rebellion can be crushed."

Megatron sipped his drink again. "Yes. An _excellent_ suggestion, Soundwave. Deactivating Octane won't get me the answers I need. If there is a conspiracy, I want to know the players involved."

"And then..._deal_ with them."

"Of course. Odd." Megatron looked off into space.

"Something?"

"Just...this is unrelated on the surface, what I am about to say. What do you think of Skyfire?"

Soundwave swished his drink. "As I stated before, he is extremely intelligent. His microprocessor rate-"

"Yes, I know all that. Now tell me something unusual!"

"A mental or personality profile?"

"The situation with his hardwire has been discussed. What are his characteristics that should concern me?"

"Ah. You notice his charisma."

"I'd be a damn fool not to, Soundwave. He's done nothing threatening or out of the ordinary. I recall the day I accepted him back. His arrogance was worthy of any decepticon. Still, it galled me."

"His physical charms are obvious."

"Don't remind me! I've heard all I can stand about the base."

"Personality wise he is stubborn and analytical."

"Not to mention insolent. But he is careful to conceal it to me."

Soundwave nodded. "Skyfire's no fool. There is nothing to be gained by your animosity."

"He confuses me somewhat, Soundwave. He follows orders without question, yet I never sense he sees me as true decepticon leader."

"It hardly matters, Megatron. You are in control."

"Everyone had best remember that. I have no patience for idle ambition."

"No one is foolish enough to threaten you openly."

"Anyone can fall to treachery, Soundwave. We've both been around long enough to know that. Go about the base, watch everything. Have Rumble and Frenzy discreetly make inquiries. And keep on optic on those triplechangers in particular! I know of their abilities to twist and manipulate."

"Why were they not terminated years ago, Megatron?"

"Initially I thought to have it over and done with. However, the decepticon cause takes precedence over petty vengeance. If I were to kill every soldier that attempted sedition, there would be no army. True strength is shown by control. Besides, their skills are of great use to me."

Soundwave sipped his drink. "I've often warned you that it's never wise to keep ambition in your midst."

"If you're referring to Starscream I can assure you he's all bluster. His pathetic attempts to seize control have met with failure time and again."

"But not for lack of trying. Before his attempts were rash and impulsive with no plan. But now..."

"What's so different? No one followed him before because they sensed his ineptitude."

"Not exactly. They merely felt he was too emotional and temperamental to be a dependable leader. However, I note a change in his demeanor lately. A change that coincides with Skyfire's return to the fold."

Crimson optics narrowed. "Are you saying they are in collusion?"

Soundwave paused before answering. "As you know, they bonded not too long before Skyfire was lost on earth."

"There are no secrets, Soundwave. And I'm fully aware of the bolstering effects of a bondmate. But that alone won't usurp me!"

"True. But despite his annoying and somewhat erratic tendencies, Starscream has a brilliant mind. Sooner or later he will reach his potential-"

"Why do you think I've kept him at my side so long, despite his open treachery and insults?" Megatron nearly shouted. "I orginally thought he had the ability to be my successor in case of the unexpected. But he's disappointed me time and again."

Soundwave shook his head. "The strength of your personality prevents him from exerting any true control. His own desperate grasping made him appear weak to the others, too impulsive. But there is a new dynamic at work with Skyfire here."

Megatron was silent for a bit, weighing his words. "Do you have evidence, or is this merely speculation?"

"Call it a...sense if you will. As you know, I can scan brains. Perhaps a determination of motive can be verified."

Megatron eased back on the couch. "As you will, Soundwave. But make certain they have no knowledge of your actions. Secrecy is our greatest ally."

"Naturally. Now come, let me give you a massage."

****

Octane paid Blitzwing and Astrotrain a visit after shift. He'd dropped off the ore samples at the lab hours earlier.

"You guys got anything to eat? I'll have to restock soon."

Astrotrain pointed to the kitchen. "In there, we've got plenty. But don't take all the salad."

"Good enough." Octane headed down the hall. "What did you find out?" he nearly shouted.

Blitzwing stretched against Astrotrain in the living room. "I didn't see Shrapnel today. I think Megatron has him off base."

Octane returned with a large plate. "Yeah, I went past our unit earlier and he wasn't there." the decepticon tanker flopped down on the other couch and started eating. "The suspense is killing me! Who's expecting?"

Astrotrain snickered. "Who _isn't_ is more like it. It's a crazy list..."

"So tell me already!"

"We're waiting for Breaker. He was at the lab awhile ago but seems to be lost in transit."

"Probably taking the slow route." Octane surmised. "Or he's peeping somewhere."

"Did you get the ore samples to Skyfire?"

Octane crunched his meal. "Yeah, some of the pieces are pretty sizeable. We left everything in the crates until tomorrow. Skyfire told me the battlechargers will help with the mixing tanks."

Blitzwing grinned. "And what was Skyfire doing in the meantime?"

Octane chuckled. "Heh, what do you _think?_ Looked like he'd been busy, if you get my drift. I think Starscream was in the back."

"What makes you say that?" Astrotrain wondered.

"Let's just say Skyfire was anxious to get back to the bedroom. And I don't think he was dusting furniture!"

Blitzwing lit a flashstick. "Those jets are hopelessly oversexed."

"Like _you_ can talk, Blitz. It's only hopeless because you couldn't cram your aft in bed with them."

"Ha!"

"And for crying out loud, where's Breaker? You've been waiting how long for him to arrive?"

Astrotrain glanced at the wall chronometer. "Eh, about seven breems. I think he's-"

A loud clanging sound overhead interrupted the conversation. A polished sphere dropped from the ceiling air vent and landed on a floor cushion.

"It's about time you showed up." Astrotrain chided.

A quick beep. "Overhear much this cycle. More malcontents!"

The triplechangers were attentive. "Really?" Blitzwing sat up straight. "I'm surprised so much is happening quickly."

"Not quick, more vocal." Breaker transformed to bot mode. "Give stick."

Octane handed him one. "Okay, light up and tell us what's going on!"

The minicon hopped into Octane's lap and made himself comfortable. "Go through vents, overhear good stuff."

Astrotrain lit up a stick. "I presume that's what took you so long to get back."

"Is so. Even peep on Megatron. Is suspicious."

"Now _that_ we don't need."

"Talk long time Soundwave. Speculate on events since Skyfire arrival."

_"Damn."_ Blitzwing swore. "This means Megatron is trying to piece things together."

"All speculation, no fact." Breaker continued. "Has funny sense, paranoia about decepticon troops. Think treachery behind back."

Octane snickered. "Eh, what the _hell._ We do treachery! And backbiting, and sedition."

The others laughed. Breaker continued.

"Soundwave snoop around, follow suspicious activity. Follow _us."_

"Really?" Astrotrain puffed. "Now that's curious...does he have any idea about the sparkling situation?"

"Was weird. Soundwave start tell, then stop. Vague."

Octane laughed out loud. "He's _afraid_ to! He knows Megs will blow his brainbox over a sparkling epidemic."

_"I_ say let's run his aft in circles." Astrotrain snarled. "If the old queen wants to spy, let's give him something to chase!"

"Good plan." Breaker beeped. "Peep at stunticons next. Conflict. Motormaster support Megatron, others fuss about new leader and reform. Big fight down in engine bay."

Blitzwing rolled his optics. "Those simpletons can't agree on anything. It's no wonder Menasor is psychotic."

"And why the hell aren't they in stasis?" Octane wanted to know.

Breaker dragged on his stick. "Disperse before Megatron catch. Beat up, though."

"So much for their part in the revolution." Octane stuffed more food down. "Either Hook or LongHaul is bound to report their injuries."

"Hard say." Breaker answered. "May offer treat for secrecy."

"That's a mental picture I can do without." Astrotrain complained. "Besides, Wildrider and DeadEnd shouldn't be brawling in their condition."

"Which brings us back to the original topic." Octane started up again. "So who's doing who? Inquiring minds want to know."

Blitzwing put his feet up, smug. "It's a sizeable list. There were so many decepticons at the infirmary I thought we'd waged an assault on Unicron himself."

Octane tapped his fingers impatiently. "Quit blowing and spill it!"

"Well, there's Wildrider and DeadEnd. You already know about Skywarp and Starscream. Mixmaster..."

"Say _what?_" Octane nearly choked. "Word was that he's nearly celibate!"

"He took a hiatus." Blitzwing continued. "Runamuck has a sparkling. So does Frenzy..."

"Now _Breaker_ laugh! Dumb, have _teeny weeny_ baby."

"Mmm...who else? Oh yes, Thrust, Bombshell, Brawl, Onslaught, Bonecrusher..."

"The whole slagging base is knocked up!" Astrotrain grinned.

"I still haven't checked Shrapnel. Did I leave anyone out?" Blitzwing smoked his stick again.

"Think so." Breaker scratched his head. "List incomplete?"

Blitzwing smirked. "How could I _forget?_ The old sound queen herself, Soundwave!"

They all exploded into laughter. Astrotrain strained to control himself. "Unicron take it, that's gonna be one _ugly_ sparkling!"

"Put bag over head." Breaker snickered.

"Well, maybe a sparkling will soften Megatron's attitude a little." Octane chuckled.

"Assuming it's Megatron's sparkling at all." Astrotrain instigated.

Blitzwing disagreed with the comment. "I hardly think Soundwave has a lot of options. He's not exactly prime mainframe."

"We could start rumors, Blitzy. And around here, that's all you need."

"Provided we aren't shot first. We can't make any brazen moves until numbers favor our side."

"These pregnancies...are any sparklings due before the next ten groons?" Octane wanted to know.

"No, apparently the sparking surge coincided with the _notes and candy_ incident." Blitzwing frowned at Breaker.

The minicon puffed his chest with pride. "Breaker take credit. _Love doctor!_ Cause sparklings everywhere."

"Decepticons hardly need encouragement in that area."

"Should know. Not talk."

"And keep your comments to yourself!"

Astrotrain was thinking. "This could work out even better than we'd hoped. If the pregnancies are all close, that means the earth base will be fairly inactive for some time. Megatron will have to make a decision on deployment of troops."

"He might bring in deceps on Cybertron." Octane mused. "Which would bring Shockwave into the picture."

"Ugly one eye." Breaker beeped. "Support Megatron only. Must eliminate."

"We'll deal with that when we have to. He's pretty neutral, despite his support of the current regime."

"I hear Shockwave has pretty dependable lieutenants in his ranks." Octane commented. "Everyone remember that cute number Sunstorm?"

Astrotrain smirked. "The gold seeker? He's a pretty thing. Oh, I _remember_ when we-" he howled as Blitzwing stomped on his left toe pod.

"What did you do that for?!" Astrotrain rubbed his sore foot.

"I've had just about enough of these distractions. We aren't discussing fun right now!"

"Well you don't have to get an attitude about it. Besides, Octane mentioned him first."

"Playtime is for later. Right now there's buisness to take care of. We have to meet with Starscream and tell him what we know."

****

Starscream wondered if every morning was going to be like this. He'd spent most of the early cycle wrestling his way out of bed. His horny bondmate refused to let him leave.

He'd finally managed to wriggle free of Skyfire's determined strength. A quick oil shower warmed his sore spots and improved his temper.

Skyfire watched as he walked past the bed. "You look dazzling this morning, Starscream."

"Hmpf." the gleaming seeker placed hands on hips. _"You_ stay over there. I'll barely make shift on time as it is."

"It's a busy day for me too. As soon as Breaker gets here we'll start on those ore samples."

"Good. It will give you something _else_ to do with those big mitts of yours!"

Skyfire lounged on the bed, smiling. "Cranky, aren't we?"

_"Who says I'm cranky!"_

A deep chuckle. "Let's just say I've seen better moods. A breem ago you were all over me."

"That was then, this is now!" Starscream stomped over to a mirror. "Do I look different?"

"Just fabulously beautiful."

"I don't mean that. Do I look...wide?"

"Come on, Star. You said yourself the babies don't even have protoshells yet. And I only detect a 2 percent increase in your overall mass."

Starscream turned about at the mirror, looking at himself. "Yes, but the question is how _much_ will my mass increase?"

"This is all new to me too, Star. I'm not an expert on the specifics of sparklings. If we had access to Cybertron's database of records it would help."

"Huh. That would have to go through Shockwave, and I can't explain anything to him for obvious reasons."

"No." Skyfire was silent a moment. "Anyone else you can think of that might know more about the process?"

Starscream stopped his restless pacing, optics darkening. "It has to be someone who knows of ancient times before the Quints brainwashed us into thinking we needed Vector Sigma."

"Soundwave is obviously out of the question because of his alliance."

"Yes. So is Shockwave. The Constructicons can be trusted, but not in this."

"Why not? Their technical expertise is second to none."

"True, but Megatron has some sort of mind control over them. His influence waxes and wanes depending on need."

"He uses a controller?"

"At times, but I hear rumors of other devices also. In any case, that eliminates them."

"I almost hate to bring this up, but..."

"I know what you're going to say!" Starscream snapped. "Those _three faced,_ lying, scheming, conniving-"

"Are you done?" Skyfire was nonplussed, sitting up in bed. "Go ahead and ask them. Why waste a good resource when it's there in plain sight?"

"You know the issues with them!"

"So? Look at the larger scheme of things, Star. We need them, they need us. Those 'issues' will be dealt with in time. For now, we have bigger things to consider."

Starscream stared at his bondmate. "You want Astrotrain. _I should have known!_"

Skyfire blinked in stupefication. _"What?!_ Where'd that come from!"

The angry seeker pointed. "Don't give me that. You're here, loving me up now. But once I'm huge you'll start sleeping around!"

Skyfire gawked. "Have you blown _every cerebro circuit in your head?"_

_"I'm perfectly fine!"_ a screech. "You seem to have a taste for old perverts!"

Skyfire climbed out of bed quickly. "Do us both a favor and go on shift, Starscream."

"Lame! Cog sucking, loose aft shuttle!"

"Blow it out your boron compressor, you screaming queen!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

The bondmates glared at each other. "Why are we fighting?" Starscream appeared perplexed.

"I don't know."

"Me either."

"Is this what having sparklings means?"

Skyfire shrugged. "I don't know, but we'd better find out."

"I agree." Starscream paused, optics brightening. "Sky, don't you _get it?"_

"Hmm?"

"It's our first fight!"

Skyfire grabbed him in surprise, optics widening. "You're right!" white lips crushed silver ones.

/Not bad. You still taste good./ kissing.

"Well, I suppose we could fight some more later."

"Only if we make up."

"Sounds like fun."

_"Damn._ I've got to go." Starscream eased out of massive white arms.

Skyfire watched him leave reluctantly. "Remember what I said, Star. Don't waste good resources."

The seeker headed out. "Provided they keep their hands off."


To be continued