Wing Shift

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.


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

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


Family Fun


Soundwave patiently waited for the fliers to disappear from sight. He immediately turned to the cassettes.

"Rumble, Frenzy, Lazerbeak. Search all quarters for any incriminating evidence."

Frenzy nodded as they went back inside the bays. "You mean, search all suspects."

"No, I mean search _everyone's_ quarters. Without more information we trust no one. And a mole might reveal themselves by mistake."

Lazerbeak flapped her wings gently. _Let's root out the trash. Things have been odd on this base for too many cycles._

"Yeah, plus Megatron is crazy." Rumble added.

Soundwave was annoyed. "Concern yourselves with the search for now. Report back to me with what you know at 2800 breems. That should be more than enough time."

The cassettes scattered down the aisles. Nodding in satisfaction, Soundwave returned to his private quarters.

****

The maneuvers proceeded on pace. Starscream accelerated ahead as a distraction and barked orders. Astrotrain continued to drift backwards unnoticed.

/Astrotrain./

The powerful shuttle shuddered. /Not now, Octane. We're underway./

/I know, we've started the ground maneuvers. I could've kept the original assignment./

/Not with your flight speed. Besides, you punked out./

/Bullshit, Astrotrain. Some moron convinced Soundwave to switch me over. You know I'm fast enough in any atmosphere!/

/Are you trying to bore me? Get to the point!/

A pause. /She's my youngest. Save her, and I'll give you the best treat you ever had./

Astrotrain smiled inwardly. /How very...interesting. Anything I want?/

/Anything./

/And as many times as I want it?/

/Count off./

/And in every.../

/Just say where./

/You dare say you're better?/

/Blitzwing?!/ Octane was surprised.

/Shut up, you worthless scum. I say goodbye, then overhear party plans./

/It's my treat to offer, Blitzwing. So butt out!/

Astrotrain groaned. /I don't have time for this now. I'm at the outer range of earth's atmosphere./

Octane was amused. /I'll keep the lube warm, then./

With a roar of turbines, Astrotrain blazed into outer space. Blitzwing sent out a last thought.

/I may have to kill you both./

()

[The Planetoid of Kaos 3]

Three decepticons were inside a lone installation tower atop a craggy mountainface. One in particular was losing patience.

"Well, where is he? didn't you get the transmission out?"

Rail answered while sitting at the control panels. He was eldest of the three. "I told you before, DeadEye. BloodWing informed them of RC's condition breems ago."

Weirdly mismatched optics glowed brightly. "I still say it's taking too long. Even at average velocity, pada should get to the warp bridge before too long."

"He'll get here when he gets here." Rail was annoyed.

"Yeah, it's not like he can just take off on Megatron's watch." Barrage added, looking through a telescope. "Besides, the old regime will be history soon. There's a lot going on behind the scenes."

DeadEye wasn't convinced. "Maybe so, but RC won't be around to see it if he doesn't get here." the big decepticon started pacing.

Barrage laughed at him. "You're too edgy, DeadEye. Pada will restore her, you'll see."

DeadEye stopped moving briefly. "But how? None of our treatments work. RC's disease is an unknown."

"Unknown to us, perhaps." Rail responded. "Once he examines her we'll know more."

"I just hate waiting, Rail. Every astrosecond is precious."

"If you're that damn anxious then go fly the perimeter until he arrives."

"Good idea. But we still need an attack plan for the Quintessons."

"One battle at a time, DeadEye. When the dust clears we can turn our attention to revenge."

Barrage rubbed his hands in anticipation. "Quints crushed on the ground like melons. Sweet music!"

()


Unknown to the majority of decepticons Shockwave made a quiet entry onto base at an undisclosed location. Soundwave met him in the lower levels.

The huge gun's one optic blinked. "I must admit this is a peculiar way of meeting. Why are we down here?"

"Transmissions are shielded from probing minds. There is distortion caused by our machinery."

"Interesting. Who knows of my arrival here?"

"Only myself and the cassettes. And Megatron obviously, since you saw his condition."

"It's worse than you described. I doubt he even recognized me."

"I'm attempting to treat his madness and undo considerable brain damage."

"It's good you have him hidden away. He shouldn't be seen in such a state. So what are your current plans?"
Soundwave sighed. "Megatron is clearly incapacitated for command. As senior officers, the two of us must work in concert against the conspirators."

"And what of Starscream? He won't allow you to usurp his position."

"Starscream is a traitor, and I will see him fall."

"You believe he's responsible for Megatron's condition? This sounds personal."

"It isn't for you? The two of you were close, once."

Shockwave made an odd sound. "Too much has changed between us. Neither of us are the mechs we used to be. Besides, I'm not the one having a sparkling. How do you expect to do battle with pregnant decepticons?"

"It's an awkward tactical problem, which is why I may need troops from Cybertron."

"Agreed. I'll return to my office and see what I can do. When will everyone return from maneuvers?"

"Not for another 400 groons or so."

"Good, that will give me time to make a quiet exit. The best trail is an unmarked one."

()

Barrage stared out of plexisteel panels at starry skies. "I almost have to agree with DeadEye, Rail. The jump to spacebridge 9 is still unoccupied."

Rail nodded, pressing control buttons. "I know, it's odd-"

A loud whoosh up the boom tube as DeadEye entered, folding his wings. "Anything yet?"

"No. Work off any excess energy?"

"Some. All quiet though, I don't sense-"

"Wait!!" Barrage yelled, pointing. Twenty nine degrees, asmuth four."

They all stared in silence. A split in the fabric of space revealed a familiar outline approaching like a blazing comet.

Rail headed for the tube. "Let's go."

The others followed him out the hatch quickly. They immediately transformed and flew to the landing platform.

Astrotrain sensed them prior to visual, but saw no reason for pointless conversation. A lightning fast transform had him touch ground astroseconds later. He patiently stood and waited as the others arrived quickly.

"Pada!!" DeadEye shouted first, dropping out of flight mode. He grabbed Astrotrain in a hug.

Astrotrain smiled. "Stop bellowing, boy. I'm here." Rail and Barrage approached next.

"It's good to see you, pada." Rail said.

Astrotrain freed himself from DeadEye. "Let me look at you, children. You seem well." he appraised them openly, approving.

Barrage patted his shoulders. "There's no time to lose, RC is-"

"Relax, Barrage. I sense her condition remains constant for now. Where are the sparklings?"

"At the recreational towers on the south side."

"Just as well. I won't have time to spend with them, anyway. The coup could happen at any time now, and I'll have to get right back."

DeadEye was agitated. "RC's on the fifth level of the med center."

"Then let's get going." Astrotrain transformed and flew off. The others followed his wake.

()

When they arrived on the main level Astrotrain was once again engulfed by family.

"Pit take it, have I been gone so long?" he detangled himself from kissing, embracing offspring that stroked his spark chamber. _"Crazy spawn!"_

Monger snickered. "We only wanted to get warm, pada. It's been too long!"

Astrotrain glared at his son. "I know exactly what you're doing. My strength is needed for your cousin. This is not the time!"

Bloodwing pointed down a corridor. "Stop complaining, pada. Come on, we'll take you to RC."

"I sense her more strongly now." Astrotrain noted. The group headed through the hallways.

"By the way, your sana sends his regards. He misses you greatly."

Raker stepped up a bit. "Is that why he couldn't come, because of what's happening on earth?"

"Too much to say at this time. We can talk later, after your cousin is healed."

"Her room is over there." Nighttrain explained, indicating double doors. Adjacent to them was a wide pane of plexiglass. RC's still form lay across a thickly padded bed. Tracker stood over several monitors inside.

Astrotrain paused, not liking what he sensed. "All of you stay out here. Don't interrupt or be alarmed at anything you see. Ruckus, stand ready."

The handsome decepticon stepped up. "What should I do?"

"When I signal, throw the strongest contain shield you can manage on the entire area."

The others all shouted in protest.

"Silence! This isn't open for debate. The room will be filled with raw spark and it must stay contained."

Everyone fell silent. Nodding in satisfaction, Astrotrain entered the room. His youngest son turned in shock.

"Thank Unicron you made it in time!"

Astrotrain squeezed his arm briefly. "You've done an excellent job maintaining her systems, Tracker."

Tracker handed his elder a notepad. "This is the information on the curious disease. Symptoms, appearance and molecular structure."

Ancient optics widened as he read. "By the pit..."

"What, pada?"

"Tridethium Clormaldahate."

"The combination sounds odd, almost archaic."

"More than you know, boy. _Space rust!"_

"I thought that disease no longer existed!"

Astrotrain stared down at RC grimly. "Apparently the Quintessons have a new viral strain."

"They _also_ have soft brains that burst easily." Tracker snarled.

"We'll break them all, in due time." Astrotrain replied coolly. "But fun comes later. For now, I need you to leave the room."

"Is that wise? What if something goes wrong?"

"Then I don't want you harmed. Trust me, I know what I'm doing. Join the others outside in the observation area. Ruckus will throw a contain shield to prevent explosion. I don't expect this to take long."

Tracker appeared to hesitate momentarily.

"Go, I said." Astrotrain insisted.

"This time only. Remember, it's been too long since we've tasted allspark. You should favor us here!"

Astrotrain smiled to himself as Tracker stalked out. /Such insolent children. No wonder I love them so./

()

The cassettes went through every private room on base. They carefully placed everything back in order after searching for evidence.

Meanwhile, the exhausted troops returned. Soundwave held them up with a brief meeting before releasing everyone to a free cycle.

Skyfire and Starscream went to the lab and literally fell into bed, too weary to move. The red seeker flopped over his valkrie jet.

"Well for all that, I'm not any thinner. What was the point?"

Skyfire shook his head slowly. "I have no idea. I have suspicion, but can't focus on it. Too tired."

Keen red optics stared about. "Does anything in here seem different to you?"

"Not necessarily. What do you mean?"

Starscream sat up slowly. "I'm not sure...I seem to recall those beakers being out in the main lab area, not back here."

Skyfire shrugged. "I don't know, there's so much stuff lying around. We could probably use a storage room."

"Hmm." Starscream frowned in silence. Skyfire observed him.

"What are you doing, Star?"

"A seeker's senses are impeccable." Keen red optics glanced about slowly. "Someone has been in here."

Blue optics brightened in alertness. "Oh? You know this for a fact?"

"Down to the last micrometer, I can memorize any area. And I tell you that objects here have been moved and placed back. It's a very careful, professional job. But whoever is behind it is foolish to think a seeker wouldn't know."

"Soundwave." Skyfire guessed, sitting up. "This has his name written all over it!"

The two bondmates arrived at the same conclusion.

"Skyfire..."

"It was a setup."

()

Two other seekers with equally sharp senses were arriving at the same conclusion. Skywarp and Thundercracker walked slowly about their quarters, appearing to analyze every micron of area. Wings twitched in agitation as they moved.

Skywarp was in the kitchen, Thundercracker the living room.

"Conclusion, TC."

Thundercracker nodded, repsonding in analysis mode. _"Hardwire designation Thundercracker. Have determined ninety two percent probability of room tampering. Minute shifts in object and furniture position by a factor of .0073 billidons."_

Skywarp likewise stood very straight. "Variance from .0073 to .0015 billidons by distance. Your conclusion is valid."

Thundercracker sighed, pulling his bondmate into the living room. They sat on a couch.

"It doesn't take a genius to figure the maneuvers were a diversion, 'Warp."

Skywarp held his helmet in exhaustion. "And that we'd be too tired to notice coming back."

Thundercracker leaned into him. "A reasonable assumption."

"It's also reasonable to assume Soundwave ordered this search. And I bet we weren't the only ones."

Sleek black fingers squeezed a purple wing. "But what in slag is he looking for? Something is going on behind the scenes!"

Skywarp appeared to stare into space.

"What. Something?"

"Just a thought, 'Cracker. You know I can see and sense displacement fields. When we returned at the bays, I felt extra field static at various locations. But I never focused on the signature. It's odd, I almost didn't pay attention at all."

"Anyone you've been around lately not on base?"

"Feels familiar, but I can't get a grip on it yet. Give me time."

Thundercracker noticed his bondmate shivered. "You're cold again. Hold on, I'll get a blanket." he grabbed one from the closet and wrapped Skywarp.

The purple seeker sighed in satisfaction. "That's better. Don't get me wrong, but I'll be glad when our daughter arrives. These crazy symptoms are a pain in the aft. _Literally."_

Thundercracker nodded. "I can imagine. But one thing worries me most."

"What's that?"

"What if you give birth during battle? Look at what happened today, you couldn't even fly at first."

Skywarp giggled. "It was fun seeing Screamer take a swim! He's been ribbing me for cycles about being fat. At least I could get off the ground!"

Thundercracker chuckled. "Maybe a slingshot would have worked!"

Skywarp snickered. "Heh, you're too funny. I just want my shape back."

A nuzzle. "Any shape you have is fine with me."

()

Astrotrain approached his ill niece. RC lay unconscious, her form connected to system support cables. He carefully removed them. His hands drifted downward towards her spark chamber. Energy flared briefly.

/Wake up, girl. I insist!/

A fist clanged off his chestplate, knocking him back a bit. He advanced again and touched her forehead with a finger. The pretty decepticon opened flickering optics and managed a frown.

"Watch...those hands, uncle. Why did you squeeze my chest pods?"

Astrotrain huffed. "How dare you attack me? I'm here to heal you."

RC appeared confused, dazed. "You still didn't answer my question."

"If your slagging chest pods weren't so big I wouldn't have squeezed. But my tactic worked."

"Tactic?"

"You're awake. And I sense the defiance in your spark despite it's decay."

She gripped his hand suddenly. "I don't want to die."

Astrotrain shook his head. "I won't allow it." he turned suddenly and signalled. _"Ruckus!"_

From his location with the others, Ruckus nodded. "All of you, stand back. Don't approach beyond six meters!" he gestured. A glowing green field solidified then faded around the entire area. The other decepticons moved further back along the observation platform.

Astrotrain turned his attention back to RC. "Stay with me."

Her optics still flickered erratically. "Trying...so weak. Hate this!"

_"You are Octane's daughter, and of The One._ Strength and power!!"

RC nodded. "Yes." her optics brightened suddenly.

"Release the interface lines in your fingertips and take my hands. I will join with you."

She released delicate cables and gripped. "What happens now?"

Astrotrain gave a sinister smile. _"Now_ you will experience the allspark, my dear. Prepare yourself!"

RC stared in confusion. "Impossible, not even you are capable-"

/Think, girl. What truth did Octane teach you?/

"I..." she faltered, then gaped in shock. /You mean...Tricon?!/

/Yes. You will feel many strange sensations, think very bizarre thoughts. Fear nothing, I will be at the center./

She nodded firmly. /I remember everything now./

Astrotrain began to glow. All color disappeared to stark shadows and light. Not too far away stood his amazed offspring, clustered on the deck. Hands raised to shield optics from blinding glare.

"FOCUS ONLY ON ME." Astrotrain's voice resonated like thunder as he crackled with energy. The air itself warped and distorted. Wild electrons rolled across his form and down over RC.

She felt strange, detached from all reality. Her essence danced with a far older one. A vision of ancient Cybertron appeared, long ago when it was shiny and new. A massive presence presiding over twelve elders she didn't know. In rapture they circled Cybertron, but one exploded in flame and fell to the void. Mathmatical equations struck her like weapons in a sea of confusion. Two planetoid titans squaring off in battle. Endless cycles of war and peace on Cybertron, exile and unrest.

A very young Alpha Trion leading resistance against decepticons. Factions rising, bodies everywhere. Decay and stasis. Revolution, the uprising of the new wave military. The rise of Megatron to power. The rebirth of Optimus Prime and the collision on earth of the Ark.

RC knew this was neither her knowledge nor her memories. Sight, taste and sound merged into bizarre sensation that led her to the past. The titans Primus and Unicron, battling again before exhausting themselves and returning to stasis. Cybertron drifting in the void. Creation, swirls of color and awareness. A marvelous decepticon like no other was born, his power a black galaxy. Unification and explosion, the destruction of a solar system. Few beheld this power and lived. Deactivation and capture. Lethal revenge. Freedom with the aid of a dark ancient, the Fallen. Dead elders everywhere. And the three that were their source, much younger and running loose. Pursuit and exile. Treachery and capture at the hands of the Fallen. Brief servitude with no recollection of self. Eventual revenge on the Fallen by The One.

Vector Sigma with the autobot matrix, created as a precaution and failsafe.

/What in Cybertron?/ disoriented and lost, RC held on for the wild ride. Light, Darkness and heat burned her to the core, tossing her everywhere in nothingness. She collided head first into an asteroid before crashing into Octane. He flew off with her, she was small in his arms. A blue transformer with golden optics followed them with another sparkling.

Octane held her close, then turned and shot at the stranger. Out of nowhere came Astrotrain and Blitzwing who opened fire next. The blue transfomer dropped the sparkling and exploded. Blitzwing caught it and flew off. Octane then tossed her into a nest of sparklings and vanished.

RC found herself in space again, bouncing off of space debris. A Quintesson ship landed in front of her and opened hatch doors. Millions of weird creatures with hooks and claws chased her. She fought uselessly as they climbed her frame, chewed and bit her hull. Sickness claimed her as the poison spread.

And The One returned, their source. He who existed, yet did not. Power crackled about his form, dark energy full of sound and potency. The creatures caught fire and burned to oblivion. An army of angry minicons appeared and stomped them into the ground.

RC once again found herself in a void, but there was no motion or visions this time. The center of her being was warm once again, her pain gone. It was strangely quiet, like floating in black liquid.

A resonating voice teased her. /Are you done sleeping?/

She looked around in the blackness. /Uncle? Where are you./

/Right next to you. Now open those pretty optics./

RC blinked, her systems coming online rapidly. "I'm...fully recovered!"

Astrotrain folded his arms, smiling. "I always do good work."

She stared up and was startled at his appearance. "You don't look normal!"

"No?"

"Your optics are_black!_ Why?!"

Astrotrain glanced at his reflection on a panel. "Don't concern yourself, child. My core has not completely settled from the matrix yet."

RC sat up slowly, still staring. "That can't be, uncle. Only the autobots have a matrix of leadership. Besides, it was established long ago decepticons can't use it! It was attempted with terrible result."

"There's more than one type of matrix. One was glorified in Cybertronian lore. The _other_...not so much."

RC searched for a memory. "Yes, it comes back to me now. I've seen pada with that look, but it was so long ago."

"Few exist that still have knowledge of it." Astrotrain grinned coldly. "By accident and design."

"Blitzwing told me it stays in the family."

"Spoken for truth."

RC held her head. "By why the weird dreams? Was that part of the healing process?"

Astrotrain looked her over. "I had to establish a restore point for your spark. Everything that you were and are, I gave back to you. All that remained was the destruction of the disease."

"I know many of those visions weren't from me. But it was odd, like seeing an existence I never knew."

"My memories merged with yours somewhat during the healing. Since the disease had damaged your cpu cortex, your interpretation of the visions were distorted and strange. The allspark contains universal values of existence that can't be qualified by reason alone."

"Crazy chaos of the all, reason and insanity."

"Exactly. You still need recuperation time, RC."

She shook her head to clear it. "Was this trip really necessary? It's like a hangover from sim energon and battery acid."

"That actually makes a pretty decent cocktail."

The young decepticon laughed loudly. "You are so _weird,_ uncle."

Astrotrain grinned back. "You have no idea how weird, my dear. Besides, your pada would shoot me through the core if I returned a failure."

"How is he, by the way?"

"Fine. Probably doing land maneuvers about now-" Astrotrain paused as impatient family burst into the room.

"Sister! You're healed." Flashpoint hugged RC.

"Woo HOO! Pada's the bomb." DeadEye slapped Astrotrain on the back.

LowGrade likewise hugged his sister. "Amazing. Uncle did the impossible!"

"Not impossible, LowGrade." Tracker said, cocking an optic. "His source powers can warm anything. Especially neglected family members with cold mainframes!"

"Neglected my _aft,_ you stubborn wretch." Astrotrain replied. "I came here to save your cousin, and all you do is pester me about getting warm. Go sit on a fusion reactor!"

Firebomb laughed. "This calls for a celebration, pada. Rest a few breems, then warm us. We can wait!"

"You'll wait longer than that, girl."

Raker stepped up. "Well, sana has no problem with it. He warms us at every opportunity. Why are _you_ holding out?"

"I'm not your sana. Keep yelling and I'll change my mind."

Monger tapped his sister on the arm. "He'll listen to _you,_ Nighttrain."

The lovely decepticon paused. "I don't know, it might seem too obvious-"

"Stop crowding me." Astrotrain was annoyed. "Now move, all of you!"

"Your optics look really great, pada." Bloodwing commented. "Black is more sinister. It suits you-"

"It's temporary and you know it."

"Deliciously evil, I'd say." Rail added. "But I guess it's considered poor manners to compliment parents these days."

Astrotrain blinked. "I never said _that."_

"Then show your appreciation and warm us. Surely you can spare a small touch? I can't believe restoring RC depleted you that badly."

"I don't know, Rail." Ruckus said innocently. "After all, he's quite old..."

_"Old?!"_ Astrotrain was indignant. "Who are you calling old. What's my age have to do with anything?"

"Nothing. But after a few eons systems tend to break down..."

"I can break your head much faster."

"My apologies. I overestimated your power."

Barrage interrupted. "Don't pay attention to him, pada. Not all of us are so disrespectful."

"I could always count on you, Barrage. Unlike your annoying siblings!"

"We merely love you. And in turn, we expect love back. Bloodwing is correct, by the way. Black optics on you are quite striking. They set off your headstripe so well."

_"Idiot!_ Don't scrap talk me."

"If your strength has truly gone, simply say so."

"What nonsense is this?"

LowGrade shrugged. "We only wonder, uncle. Pada often warms us with no hesitation. But with you we have to ask. Why are you being so difficult?"

"I dislike rude spawn."

"Clearly, saving me sapped his strength." RC smirked from her bed. "He won't admit it, but-"

_"Enough!!"_ Astrotrain bellowed. "No one calls me weak. Come, all of you." he spread his arms with extended fingers.

Eagerly, the younger decepticons gathered around. Hands gripped and held on Astrotrain. They shivered in bliss as pure spark energy suffused their forms, warming essence itself. Processors and relays soaked on liquid joy, systems boiled over. Astrotrain watched them overload and collapse on the floor.

"Oh...oh, this is _wonderful."_ DeadEye sighed, optics flashing. "Better than dope!"

"Sweet perfection." Tracker agreed dazedly.

"I'm...floating...see the universe.." Bloodwing gasped, wobbling.

"Decep heaven, here..." a groggy Ruckus giggled.

"I am...sooooo high." Nightrain staggered.

"Who moved my head?" Raker wondered numbly.

"Raaaptuuure!" FireBomb shrieked happily.

"I wanna sing, wanna sing..." LowGrade hummed. He fell over DeadEye.

Flashpoint said little. "See the pretty dots." she toppled into the pile.

And Rail simply drooled on himself.

Silly smiles and glazed optics matched equally blank expressions. RC laughed wildly at her siblings and cousins as they lay unconscious.

Astrotrain shook his head. "Why didn't we get our cogs snipped?"

()

"Do you smell it, Octane?"

The decepticon tanker glanced about the room. "As much as you do, Blitzwing. I had this discussion with Shrapnel in our own quarters."

Blitzwing nodded. "Minute static charges from Frenzy and Rumble. Not only is Soundwave desperate, he's also reckless. Apparently he's forgotten some of us can detect his attempts at 'survelliance.'

"I nearly popped a muscle cable today for no slagging reason."

"What are you talking about?"

Octane was angry. "Maneuvers! Scrapper insisted I haul tons of boulders to a selected pit."

Blitzwing stretched a leg unit wearily. "I don't think even war takes a worse toll than this nonsense."

Octane groaned. "At least I had a good distraction, Blitzwing. I didn't want to focus elsewhere."

"I sense success, Octane. That much should calm your spark."

A nod. "Yes. I'd like to know the particulars, though."

Blitzwing handed him a drink. "We'll know more when Astrotrain returns."

()

Astrotrain stood on the spacewalk and prepared to leave. The others had recovered and went to see him off.

"I had hoped to see BlackBolt before going back."

Ruckus looked at his chronometer. "He should have been here by now. That test installation probably held him up."

"He wasn't alone?"

"No, he was working with some associates of ours."

Nighttrain edged up. "It was good seeing you again."

Astrotrain squeezed her chinplate affectionately. "Hopefully when we return it will be permanent."

Firebomb was excited. "Add to that, we get to meet Skyfire. Is he as impressive as his holos?"

"You won't be disappointed. Plus, we'll have seekers here."

"Fabulous." Tracker gave a thumbs up. "We'll stay in touch."

Astrotrain briefly embraced them all before transforming. "Stay alert and signal only as needed. When hostilities start, we'll contact you."

They all waved as he flew off and shrunk to a pinpoint against space.


to be continued