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Chapter 12; A Cry For Help

"So Bulk, what's the plan tonight?" Miko asked excitedly, the children all had their sleeping areas set up and seemed to be excited about spending the night at the base.
"Haven't they done this before?" Ouzel asked Arcee, noticing the excitement in Mikos voice.
"No, but like Jack said, it's safer now, the Decepticons appear to be going easy on us recently," Arcee knew that Optimus was right to be worried, but she tried to sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasted. Looking over at Jack, who was watching television, made Arcee disappointed.
"Go ahead, take him out," Ouzel urged, "I know I've been getting in the way of you two lately,"
"You don't mean to," Arcee replied, stroking the side of his face, taking in his delicate features, but she felt awkward somehow, she felt like she was looking into the face of Starscream, a sworn enemy of hers. Truth be told, she had lost interest, but Ouzel seemed smitten. Arcee snapped her servo away abruptly and turned back to her human companion.
"Hey Jack, you want that ride yet?" Arcee walked over and smiled at him. He turned around to look back at her, his eyes falling briefly on Ouzel who knew when to turn away.
"Maybe tomorrow,"
"Look, Jack, I…" but Arcee was interrupted, the large computer screen in their base began to sound out its familiar droning beep, signalling an incoming call.
Immediately Ratchet and Magpie exchanged glances, both of them were thinking the same thing, Starscream.
Ratchet answered the call, "yes?" he said in his usual gruff tone he used when responding to Agent Fowler or Starscream.
"Magpie," came a smooth yet choked voice that neither of them recognised at first.
Everyone in the base exchanged glances and shrugs, Magpie shook her head at Ratchet, indicating she didn't recognise the voice.
"Who is this?" Ratchet snapped.
"I need Magpie, please,"
"Knockout!?" Magpie called, running towards the screen, accidentally almost standing on Miko as she thundered over.
"Watch it!" Miko called, stamping her foot to the floor.
"Magpie," Knockout murmured again, "I need you, please,"
"Knockout, what's wrong? Where are you?"
Ratchet watched Magpie as her optics dashed from side to side over the screen, she was frantic, and extremely worried about this Decepticon that had only recently almost made scrap out of him. It made Ratchets spark sink.
"Megatron, he…" Knockout cut out with a groan and the link went dead.
"Knockout!" Magpie slammed her fits onto the computer, "Ratchet, get him back, please," Magpie was tearing up, her jaw clenched.
"Magpie, I don't think…"
"Now, Ratchet!" Magpie grabbed hold of his arms and tried to shake him, but he was too solid.
"Magpie, calm down!"
"No! He's hurt and…"
"He's a Decepticon, this could be a trap!"
"Ratchet, he's saved my life on so many occasions and…"
"And so have I!" Ratchet bellowed back, "you seem to take that for granted!"
"Ratchet, he's my friend!"
"Use your head for once!"
Ratchet grunted and walked away, envy engulfing any means of sympathy.
Optimus walked in just as Ratchet marched out of the main base area.
"Ratchet, what's…" Optimus began to ask, but was silenced by his medic storming past him, hardly noticing his presence.
"Optimus, I need the ground bridge," Magpie announced, stood at the computer.
"To contact a Decepticon?" Optimus asked, his tone reasonable.
Magpie paused, Optimus must have heared the commotion, "Yes, Optimus, he's my friend," Magpie urged again. Arcee and Ouzel rolled their optics at one another, her plea was ridiculous.
"Magpie, as much as I respect the few friendships you have formed with our enemies," there was something condescending in his voice, but Magpie let him continue; "I believe it would be wise to let the Decepticons take care of their own. I have been monitoring their activity closely these past few days, and I have come to the decision that they will be launching a strike any day now, it is unlike the Decepticons to be so inactive so I must only assume…"
"Optimus, please!" Magpie begged, approaching Optimus who kept his facial features unreadable.
"I have made my decision based on the safety of all those who are in the base," Magpie knew he was referring to the children.
"You can't do this!" Magpie called, Optimus didn't feel insulted by her arguing, instead he felt sympathetic, but he had made a decision he believed to be correct, and he had to honour that. In silence, he left, to try and track down his own medic.
Magpie slammed her helm down on the computer in frustration and groaned.
"I think it's a good idea if we left you guys to sort this out," Jack announced, walking down the flight of stairs, past Arcee without comment, and towards the room where he had set up his sleeping area.
Miko and Rafael exchanged glances, both silently agreeing that Jack was right, they too left the room.

Knockout winced from the cold, he could feel it killing him slowly, contacting Magpie had been a long shot, and that had been ages ago, now there was no hope of him being rescued, he had to rely on Megatron.
"Primus," he croaked, "have mercy," his optics closed, his limbs went limp and he allowed the cold to get to him, killing him quicker.
Just as the pain got to the point where he knew this would be his last few moments, he heard a noise, not unfamiliar to a ground bridge, but he didn't care, it was too late. This was probably Megatron coming back, the sounds of engines roaring, getting closer to him, but before they got to him, his hearing shut down, everything went blank. He struggled to open his optics to see what was going on, but he felt something warm engulf him, slowly seeping into his systems, the feeling was unpleasant, but it was almost like he was being snatched from death…

"Knockout, please be okay," Magpie urged as she lifted his helm from the floor, the warm oil she had poured over him had warmed up his armour for now, but the ice cold wind was working its way slowly back to his now fragile body.
Luckily his spark stayed warm, he was alive.
Magpie looked around, keeping in mind what she had been warned about with the ambush, but it seemed safe, now her only concern was saving Knockout.
The ground bridge had already closed, she needed to contact someone back at base to open it, for some reason her thoughts turned to Ouzel.
"Ouzel, I need your help," Magpie spoke clearly into her communication link.
"What now?" Ouzel barked.
"Are you alone?"
"Yes,"
"Send the ground bridge to me, it's urgent,"
Without thinking Ouzel tapped onto her co-ordinates, just how Ratchet had taught him, and lazily triggered the ground bridge.
"What's wrong, you get lost again?" he sneered.
Magpie ignored his response, she saw the ground bridge open beside her, there was already warmth coming from the base, emitting through it.
As Magpie rose to her feet, she grabbed hold of Knockouts arm, as she was about to lift him onto her shoulder there was a sudden weight added to Knockout, causing Magpie to drop him, a groan escaped his lips.
Magpie turned, "Knock…" she stopped, her spark turned icy and her optics widened in panic.
"Hello again my dear," Megatron was stood with his fist on Knockouts back, holding him down, stopping Magpie from pulling him away.
Something went wrong in Magpies spark, she dropped Knockouts arm and ran for the ground bridge, but before she got there, she heard a chuckle from Megatron before he landed in front of her.
"It would be so easy to kill you now, especially after you brought down my ship,"
"I didn't…" but Magpie was interrupted, it was Ouzels voice ringing in her head.
"Magpie, you're wasting energon, you coming back or not?" he snapped.
Magpie choked, she couldn't respond. She saw the ground bridge behind Megatron, she was so close to home and yet so close to death all at once.
"How did you do it? First you bring down Tripticon back on Cybertron, then you bring down the Nemesis here on Earth, how?"
"I didn't touch the Nemesis," Magpie glared, suddenly feeling brave considering this may be her final words.
"Well, never again," Megatron raised his fist in the air, and grabbed hold of her and paused, "any last words?"
Magpie was silent, there was ice falling around them, being blown from the glaciers and hitting against their armour, this was a beautiful scene to die in and Magpie wasn't about to sully the moment by begging for mercy.
Before Megatron brought his fist down, something seemed to pull it backwards, widening his eyes in shock, Megatron growled. Magpie used this opportunity to struggle from his grasp, whatever was distracting him, was a blessing.
Magpie still hadn't remembered Knockout, instead she made a break for the ground bridge, looking back to see what had startled the gladiator, Ouzel was highlighted in the green hue of the ground bridge, clinging onto Megatrons wings. "Magpie, go!"
"My blessing," Magpie whispered, "I'm not leaving you, Ouzel!" Magpie stormed towards Megatron, with her blades exposed, the irony of the situation didn't sink in until the blade managed to slice effortlessly into the armour on Megatrons shoulder. Megatron didn't feel it, but he saw the blade, he recognised it as his own, back when he was a gladiator.
"You dare to try and defy me with my own weapons!?" Megatron bellowed, shaking off Magpie and Ouzel, both of them cowering backwards towards the ground bridge, Megatron approaching slowly.
Ouzel took hold of Magpies servo, "I admire you, coming to save the medic," he swallowed hard, "I'm sorry," he announced.
"I'm sorry too, Ouzel, please, go into the ground bridge, this is my war, not yours,"
"But,"
"GO!" Magpie ordered, shoving him into the green tunnel, so that he disappeared almost immediately.
"How sweet," Megatron whispered, "he didn't need much persuading to abandon you though, did he?"
"Just like his sire," Magpie choked.
Megatron let out a bark of laughter, "You're not going into the ground bridge?" he asked, "Well then, prepare to die!" he took another step forwards and stopped, Magpie looked to the floor and she could see a shadow being cast from behind her.
"Optimus?" Magpie whispered, too afraid to turn around.
"No," Meagtron whispered, he knew this was an opportunity, but he wasn't ready, not yet.
"Have your way, Prime, and while you're at it," Megatron stopped beside Knockout, kicking him so he rolled onto his back, coughing, "have my medic!" Megatron spat as he rose into the sky, transformed and left.
Magpie fell to her knees on the ice, sobbing into her servos.
Optimus saw Ouzel at his side, and nodded at him, urging him to go forwards and comfort his spark-giver.
Ouzel stepped out of the ground bridge, as Optimus walked back into the base, this time his face wasn't the usual expressionless feature, Ouzel swore he saw a hint of anger…
"Magpie, c'mon," Ouzel wrapped his arms around her cold shoulders as he too shivered with the breeze.
"No," Magpie choked, "I came here for a reason," she looked up at Knockout who had been laying there, face down to the ice, in silence.
"Magpie, we can't, what about…"
"I don't care, Ouzel! That mech has saved my life time and time again during the war, I'm going to at least grant him that same favour just this once," Magpie marched forwards, "are you going to help me?" she turned back, looking at Ouzel, his face ridden with uncertainty.

Description
Chapter 12; A Cry For Help

"So Bulk, what's the plan tonight?" Miko asked excitedly, the children all had their sleeping areas set up and seemed to be excited about spending the night at the base.
"Haven't they done this before?" Ouzel asked Arcee, noticing the excitement in Mikos voice.
"No, but like Jack said, it's safer now, the Decepticons appear to be going easy on us recently," Arcee knew that Optimus was right to be worried, but she tried to sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasted. Looking over at Jack, who was watching television, made Arcee disappointed.
"Go ahead, take him out," Ouzel urged, "I know I've been getting in the way of you two lately,"
"You don't mean to," Arcee replied, stroking the side of his face, taking in his delicate features, but she felt awkward somehow, she felt like she was looking into the face of Starscream, a sworn enemy of hers. Truth be told, she had lost interest, but Ouzel seemed smitten. Arcee snapped her servo away abruptly and turned back to her human companion.
"Hey Jack, you want that ride yet?" Arcee walked over and smiled at him. He turned around to look back at her, his eyes falling briefly on Ouzel who knew when to turn away.
"Maybe tomorrow,"
"Look, Jack, I…" but Arcee was interrupted, the large computer screen in their base began to sound out its familiar droning beep, signalling an incoming call.
Immediately Ratchet and Magpie exchanged glances, both of them were thinking the same thing, Starscream.
Ratchet answered the call, "yes?" he said in his usual gruff tone he used when responding to Agent Fowler or Starscream.
"Magpie," came a smooth yet choked voice that neither of them recognised at first.
Everyone in the base exchanged glances and shrugs, Magpie shook her head at Ratchet, indicating she didn't recognise the voice.
"Who is this?" Ratchet snapped.
"I need Magpie, please,"
"Knockout!?" Magpie called, running towards the screen, accidentally almost standing on Miko as she thundered over.
"Watch it!" Miko called, stamping her foot to the floor.
"Magpie," Knockout murmured again, "I need you, please,"
"Knockout, what's wrong? Where are you?"
Ratchet watched Magpie as her optics dashed from side to side over the screen, she was frantic, and extremely worried about this Decepticon that had only recently almost made scrap out of him. It made Ratchets spark sink.
"Megatron, he…" Knockout cut out with a groan and the link went dead.
"Knockout!" Magpie slammed her fits onto the computer, "Ratchet, get him back, please," Magpie was tearing up, her jaw clenched.
"Magpie, I don't think…"
"Now, Ratchet!" Magpie grabbed hold of his arms and tried to shake him, but he was too solid.
"Magpie, calm down!"
"No! He's hurt and…"
"He's a Decepticon, this could be a trap!"
"Ratchet, he's saved my life on so many occasions and…"
"And so have I!" Ratchet bellowed back, "you seem to take that for granted!"
"Ratchet, he's my friend!"
"Use your head for once!"
Ratchet grunted and walked away, envy engulfing any means of sympathy.
Optimus walked in just as Ratchet marched out of the main base area.
"Ratchet, what's…" Optimus began to ask, but was silenced by his medic storming past him, hardly noticing his presence.
"Optimus, I need the ground bridge," Magpie announced, stood at the computer.
"To contact a Decepticon?" Optimus asked, his tone reasonable.
Magpie paused, Optimus must have heared the commotion, "Yes, Optimus, he's my friend," Magpie urged again. Arcee and Ouzel rolled their optics at one another, her plea was ridiculous.
"Magpie, as much as I respect the few friendships you have formed with our enemies," there was something condescending in his voice, but Magpie let him continue; "I believe it would be wise to let the Decepticons take care of their own. I have been monitoring their activity closely these past few days, and I have come to the decision that they will be launching a strike any day now, it is unlike the Decepticons to be so inactive so I must only assume…"
"Optimus, please!" Magpie begged, approaching Optimus who kept his facial features unreadable.
"I have made my decision based on the safety of all those who are in the base," Magpie knew he was referring to the children.
"You can't do this!" Magpie called, Optimus didn't feel insulted by her arguing, instead he felt sympathetic, but he had made a decision he believed to be correct, and he had to honour that. In silence, he left, to try and track down his own medic.
Magpie slammed her helm down on the computer in frustration and groaned.
"I think it's a good idea if we left you guys to sort this out," Jack announced, walking down the flight of stairs, past Arcee without comment, and towards the room where he had set up his sleeping area.
Miko and Rafael exchanged glances, both silently agreeing that Jack was right, they too left the room.

Knockout winced from the cold, he could feel it killing him slowly, contacting Magpie had been a long shot, and that had been ages ago, now there was no hope of him being rescued, he had to rely on Megatron.
"Primus," he croaked, "have mercy," his optics closed, his limbs went limp and he allowed the cold to get to him, killing him quicker.
Just as the pain got to the point where he knew this would be his last few moments, he heard a noise, not unfamiliar to a ground bridge, but he didn't care, it was too late. This was probably Megatron coming back, the sounds of engines roaring, getting closer to him, but before they got to him, his hearing shut down, everything went blank. He struggled to open his optics to see what was going on, but he felt something warm engulf him, slowly seeping into his systems, the feeling was unpleasant, but it was almost like he was being snatched from death…

"Knockout, please be okay," Magpie urged as she lifted his helm from the floor, the warm oil she had poured over him had warmed up his armour for now, but the ice cold wind was working its way slowly back to his now fragile body.
Luckily his spark stayed warm, he was alive.
Magpie looked around, keeping in mind what she had been warned about with the ambush, but it seemed safe, now her only concern was saving Knockout.
The ground bridge had already closed, she needed to contact someone back at base to open it, for some reason her thoughts turned to Ouzel.
"Ouzel, I need your help," Magpie spoke clearly into her communication link.
"What now?" Ouzel barked.
"Are you alone?"
"Yes,"
"Send the ground bridge to me, it's urgent,"
Without thinking Ouzel tapped onto her co-ordinates, just how Ratchet had taught him, and lazily triggered the ground bridge.
"What's wrong, you get lost again?" he sneered.
Magpie ignored his response, she saw the ground bridge open beside her, there was already warmth coming from the base, emitting through it.
As Magpie rose to her feet, she grabbed hold of Knockouts arm, as she was about to lift him onto her shoulder there was a sudden weight added to Knockout, causing Magpie to drop him, a groan escaped his lips.
Magpie turned, "Knock…" she stopped, her spark turned icy and her optics widened in panic.
"Hello again my dear," Megatron was stood with his fist on Knockouts back, holding him down, stopping Magpie from pulling him away.
Something went wrong in Magpies spark, she dropped Knockouts arm and ran for the ground bridge, but before she got there, she heard a chuckle from Megatron before he landed in front of her.
"It would be so easy to kill you now, especially after you brought down my ship,"
"I didn't…" but Magpie was interrupted, it was Ouzels voice ringing in her head.
"Magpie, you're wasting energon, you coming back or not?" he snapped.
Magpie choked, she couldn't respond. She saw the ground bridge behind Megatron, she was so close to home and yet so close to death all at once.
"How did you do it? First you bring down Tripticon back on Cybertron, then you bring down the Nemesis here on Earth, how?"
"I didn't touch the Nemesis," Magpie glared, suddenly feeling brave considering this may be her final words.
"Well, never again," Megatron raised his fist in the air, and grabbed hold of her and paused, "any last words?"
Magpie was silent, there was ice falling around them, being blown from the glaciers and hitting against their armour, this was a beautiful scene to die in and Magpie wasn't about to sully the moment by begging for mercy.
Before Megatron brought his fist down, something seemed to pull it backwards, widening his eyes in shock, Megatron growled. Magpie used this opportunity to struggle from his grasp, whatever was distracting him, was a blessing.
Magpie still hadn't remembered Knockout, instead she made a break for the ground bridge, looking back to see what had startled the gladiator, Ouzel was highlighted in the green hue of the ground bridge, clinging onto Megatrons wings. "Magpie, go!"
"My blessing," Magpie whispered, "I'm not leaving you, Ouzel!" Magpie stormed towards Megatron, with her blades exposed, the irony of the situation didn't sink in until the blade managed to slice effortlessly into the armour on Megatrons shoulder. Megatron didn't feel it, but he saw the blade, he recognised it as his own, back when he was a gladiator.
"You dare to try and defy me with my own weapons!?" Megatron bellowed, shaking off Magpie and Ouzel, both of them cowering backwards towards the ground bridge, Megatron approaching slowly.
Ouzel took hold of Magpies servo, "I admire you, coming to save the medic," he swallowed hard, "I'm sorry," he announced.
"I'm sorry too, Ouzel, please, go into the ground bridge, this is my war, not yours,"
"But,"
"GO!" Magpie ordered, shoving him into the green tunnel, so that he disappeared almost immediately.
"How sweet," Megatron whispered, "he didn't need much persuading to abandon you though, did he?"
"Just like his sire," Magpie choked.
Megatron let out a bark of laughter, "You're not going into the ground bridge?" he asked, "Well then, prepare to die!" he took another step forwards and stopped, Magpie looked to the floor and she could see a shadow being cast from behind her.
"Optimus?" Magpie whispered, too afraid to turn around.
"No," Meagtron whispered, he knew this was an opportunity, but he wasn't ready, not yet.
"Have your way, Prime, and while you're at it," Megatron stopped beside Knockout, kicking him so he rolled onto his back, coughing, "have my medic!" Megatron spat as he rose into the sky, transformed and left.
Magpie fell to her knees on the ice, sobbing into her servos.
Optimus saw Ouzel at his side, and nodded at him, urging him to go forwards and comfort his spark-giver.
Ouzel stepped out of the ground bridge, as Optimus walked back into the base, this time his face wasn't the usual expressionless feature, Ouzel swore he saw a hint of anger…
"Magpie, c'mon," Ouzel wrapped his arms around her cold shoulders as he too shivered with the breeze.
"No," Magpie choked, "I came here for a reason," she looked up at Knockout who had been laying there, face down to the ice, in silence.
"Magpie, we can't, what about…"
"I don't care, Ouzel! That mech has saved my life time and time again during the war, I'm going to at least grant him that same favour just this once," Magpie marched forwards, "are you going to help me?" she turned back, looking at Ouzel, his face ridden with uncertainty.