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Chapter 19; The way things used to be.

“June tells me you’re setting up a Decepitcon petting zoo?”
“Agent Fowler, please,” Optimus had received a call from Agent Fowler who was fuming on the screen, apparently June had contacted him as soon as she arrived home, just when the Autobots were making progress.
“I have to say, I approve of the ‘no children allowed policy’ but what the hell is going on over there!?” Agent Fowler rubbed his temples, trying to ease the pain caused by his own rage.
“We have taken on a couple of ex-Decepticons who have agreed to co-operate and be our allies,” Optimus paused and watched Agent Fowler, who looked exasperated, while he slowly separated his fingers from his temples.
“At what cost?” Agent Fowler had lowered his tone.
“Only their safety,” Optimus looked over his shoulder towards Starscream and Knockout who stood silently watching the outraged human on the screen.
“Pathetic,” Starscream whispered, lowering his helm to scowl discretely.
“What was that!?” Agent Fowler raised his voice once again.
Starscream snapped his optics up to the screen and grimaced; “do you realise how easy it would be for me to crush you?” Starscream purred, narrowing his optics to accompany his patronising smile.
Knockout slapped a servo to his own helm and sighed, “for the love of Primus, Starscream, be quiet.”
Starscream growled at Knockout, directing his scowl to the red mech.
Agent Fowler glared at Optimus, “they’re not doing a good job of convincing me this is a good idea…”
“I don’t see you coming up with any ideas…” Arcee appeared in the background of the conversation.
Starscream smiled, he hated to admit it but; the femme had made a good point in his case.
Agent Fowler looked stunned, he turned back to Optimus, “you’re falling apart.”
“Agent Fowler…” Optimus tried to protest.
“I don’t want to hear it, Optimus.” Agent Fowler paused and shook his head, regretting the choice he was about to make, “Optmus, I hoped it would never come to this, but I’m afraid my men are not going to be involved in this crazy idea of yours, you can count me and the rest of Earth out.”
“Agent Fowler, without your co-operation we cannot finish this.”
“You’ll have to. You broke our agreement when you failed to contact me about this yourself; you have lost my faith in this war that was never ours to begin with. Do what you must to protect Earth and its people, but acting this suddenly isn’t something we can be prepared for.”
“You’re not prepared for ’acting suddenly’?” Starscream spoke up again, “tell me, human, what is it your army is good for? Do you expect a one week notice before someone attacks you? Because when I lead a squadron on Cybertron during a war that tore our planet apart, we weren’t as polite to give our enemies notice of an attack,” Starscream snarled and turned away.
Optimus raised his optic ridge and turned back to Fowler, shrugging to himself, the seeker had made a valid point, one that he wouldn’t have dared to argue himself.
“Optimus, I’m sorry,” Agent Fowler closed the call, a genuinely depressed look in his eyes was the last thing Optimus saw before the screen went blank.
“I say it again; pathetic,” Starscream hissed.
“I have to agree. Fowler is just making up excuses.” Arcee shook her helm.
“But without Fowler, we have no human allies,” Bulkhead shrugged.
Bumblebee whined, thinking of Rafael.
“Who needs them? We had a plan before this happened and we still do, this could be over before another day passes by on this pathetic rock,” Starscream approached Optimus and paused, contemplating his next sentence. Awkwardly bowing before the Autobot leader, Starscream continued; “with your permission, I believe it is time for me and Ouzel to put this plan into action,” with his helm bowed low so nobody could see the strain in Starscreams gritted denta. This was an all-time-low for him. Bowing to an Autobot, or anyone, felt somewhatdirty.
Everyone looked unimpressed with Starscreams gesture, even Optimus’ optic ridge furrowed awkwardly.
“Okay Starscream, tell us when you’re close and then Ratchet will ground-bridge us to your co-ordinates.”
“Excellent.”

Magpie hadn’t bothered trying to make small talk with Dreadwing while she fixed up his wing brackets, instead she just enjoyed doing a task that had once been ‘normal’, a task she had done before the war had started.’Primus’ she hadn’t realised how much she’d missed it.
“You’re done,” Magpie announced, regrettably, releasing her servos from his wing brackets slowly.
“Thanks,” Dreadwing purred again, he didn’t move of the berth as he let his wings make a few clicks, testing his movement; the femme had done a good job.
“So now what?” Magpie smiled fondly at Dreadwing, before backing away and folding her arms across her spark chamber, slowly easing her weight onto the wall behind her.
This took Dreadwing by surprise, “well, you’ve done me a favour, so I will do you one by letting you walk away from here unharmed,” he sat up on the berth and looked once more into Magpies burning optics, they were cutting into him, intimidating him somehow…
“Gee, thanks,” Magpie sighed, failing to see the favour. Although she wouldn’t admit it, the favour to her had been the young handsome mech allowing her the honour of servicing him.
Dreadwing scowled, “hey, I’m serious,” his usual gruff voice had returned as he rose from the berth and turned one servo into a fist, shaking it in front of him as a warning, “if Megatron asks, I roughed you up! You’re just lucky you had a skill I was in need of…”
Magpie didn’t change her gaze or posture, instead she just stared into Dreadwings optics, now she was finally seeing the mech. Before she had been distracted by fear, and then by her own lust. With contact she now had in their gaze; there came the sudden memory of him from Cybertron.
“Don’t you have a brother?” she asked, finally allowing her gaze to fall, losing herself in another comforting memory.
*Magpies memory*
It was eons before the war and every lab in Kaon was heaving, suddenly Sentinal Prime had ordered the testing of new flight upgrades for his fleet, turning his seekers into stronger and more challenging foes should they ever need to fight, Magpie was Hook’s choice of assistants. It was unusual for a test subject to be used as an assistant, but in this instance, Magpies extensive knowledge and eagerness would come in use. Hook’s particular lab had been sent a set of volunteer twins to take part in the upgrades. One would be fitted with the upgrade, while the other would act as the control. The twins that had been sent were called Skyquake and Dreadwing, they shared a split spark and were alike in every way imaginable. To Hook they were the perfect test subjects.
Both mechs were put into stasis, but only one of them would be given the procedure, so when they awoke, neither of them had a clue who had been granted the upgrades.
Once Hook had completed his initial evaluation, he passed on his notes to Magpie to analyse and break down. Unfortunately for the twins, Hook needed to conduct one last experiment that would take place before Sentinel Prime himself, this involved the twins going against each other in an arena.
Sentinel Prime seated himself beside Hook in the viewing platform of the arena, Hook was trying to keep him occupied until the twins were ready to be brought out.
“I assure you, you will be impressed Sentinel Prime.”
“We’ll see.” Sentinel Prime responded impatiently.
“Now, remind me, if this experiment proves successful, I get upgraded to a better lab in Iacon? Limitless supplies, further research opportunities…” Hook trailed off, it was his dream to get out of the dusty labs of Kaon and make something of his spark.
However, while Hook was looking into his new promotion, Magpie was having a few troubles with the twins …
“No way,” Skyquake shrugged, turning away from Magpie, “I won’t fight my brother,”
“Didn’t Hook tell you?” Magpie was in a panic, it was up to her to prepare the brothers and bring them out for the show before Sentinel Prime, “it’s part of the tests,” Magpie protested.
“I don’t care, it’s not going to happen,” Skyquake then stormed out into the arena.
Dreadwing saw him approach, his brow furrowed, would Skyquake really be willing to fight against his own sibling?
“Ah, here we go,” Hook said proudly, “I think it will become clear who has the upgrade early on…”
Sentinel Prime surveyed the twins, they were alike in every way apart from their colour, he could see no cosmetic differences.
“Who has the upgrade?” Sentinel Prime finally asked, narrowing his optics.
“Wait and see if you can guess,” Hook then leaned over and pushed a button that was linked up to the arena speakers, “when you’re ready, both of you, start off with some simple hand-to-hand combat,” Hook sat back and waited with an eager smile on his face.

“I won’t do this,” Dreadwing whispered and shook his helm.
Skyquake nodded, then turned to Hook, “get scrapped,” he snarled up and made sure he was looking straight into Hook’s optics as he spoke.
Sentinel Prime furrowed an optic ridge, “hmm,” he was clearly unimpressed, he hadn’t travelled all the way from Iacon to hear cuss words tossed back and fourth.
“Sentinel Prime, please, give me a moment,” Hook pressed the speaker button again.
“Listen here mech, this is for the sake of all seekers on Cybertron, I’m not asking you to kill one another…”
“The sake of all Seekers on Cybertron?” Dreadwing interrupted.
“Last time I checked, it was just the seekers in Iacon that were granted the upgrades,” Skyquake added, “they can get scrapped too.”
“We’re out,” Dreadwing announced, turning towards the arena door and leaving with Skyquake following.
Magpie watched them leave, then shortly after she saw Sentinel Prime get up and leave the viewing room, Hook was left alone sobbing into his servos.
*End memory*

“He’s dead,” Dreadwing announced bitterly.
Magpie raised her helm, looking back towards Dreadwing who was hunched over the berth with his back to her. “I’m sorry,” Magpie whispered, and she meant it.
“Yeah well,” Dreadwing tried to find himself again, tried to channel his sadness into anything else, hate, envy, wrath, anything…
“I was there y’know,” Magpie started, “that time in Hook’s lab, before the war.”
Dreadwing turned around, “Yeah?” raising an optic ridge, smiling. After that day he and Skyquake had gone to the local bar for a few drinks.
“You know who was given the upgrades, don’t you?” Magpie said, smiling.
Dreadwing thought, he never did find out who had been given them, after they left the arena neither of them thought about it again. “Who?” Dreadwing frowned.
“It was you.” Magpie whispered, holding her smile, she had expected Dreadwing to smile also, but instead his features fell…
“Maybe if he had had them, instead of me, he would still be alive today,” Dreadwings shoulders drooped and felt heavy under their own weight.
Magpie suddenly wished she had never brought it up.

“Ready, my Sparkling?” Starcream asked via communication link as he enjoyed soaring through the skies over the pathetic rock called Earth.
Ouzel was tailing not far behind his Sire, he could see the canyon up ahead where the Nemesis had allegedly crashed.
“Ready,” Ouzel said hesitantly.
“Remember, we will just have to pick off a few Eradicons, you can leave that to me, and then while they chase us, you give the go ahead for Prime and his pathetic crew to attempt their ambush, while the battle goes on we will search for Magpie and have enough time to make it off this rock before anyone can trace us.”
“It all sounds so easy,” Ouzel said in disbelief.
“That’s because it is,” Starscream purred, “here we go,” Starscream dropped into the canyon and fired his first rocket at the Nemesis’ hull before quickly darting back up into the sky and waiting for the mediocre pieces of scrap that Megatron called his army.

Red lights flashed in the stasis room where Magpie and Dreadwing had been sat in a solemn silence. Dreadwing frowned before opening his communication link to Megatron, glancing at Magpie wearily as he did so.
“Megatron, the alarm is…” Dreadwing stopped and listened to the gladiator on the other end of the communication link. Magpie couldn’t hear what was being said by Megaton, but she caught the odd word from Dreadwings responses; “Right. Really? Starscream?” this made Magpie perk up.
“What about Starscream?” she tried to keep her distance, but something in Dreadwings defeated optics was pushing her forwards.
Dreadwing turned his back to Magpie, ignoring her question and continuing to speak to Megatron, “two of them? I see, I understand. Yes Sire.” Dreadwing closed the communication link but didn’t seem willing to look at Magpie.
“What?” Magpie growled.
“You have a sparkling?” Dreadwing asked, still refusing to look at Magpie.
“Ouzel?” Is he alright?” Magpie panicked.
“He’s with Starscream, it would appear they are on a rescue mission for you,” Dreadwing sounded dry.
“Oh,” Magpie paused, how did they know she was here? That didn’t matter, right now she needed Dreadwing’s help but he looked unsettled, like he was holding something back.
Dreadwing spoke, his voice back down to the lingering purr; “when you had your sparkling, you…” Dreadwing trailed off, battling with a thought ringing in his processor.
“Split my spark. Just like the connection you and your brother shared.” Magpie sounded stern as she tried to control her emotions, “now tell me, what is happening with my spark-mate and my sparkling?”
“Megatron sent his army for them, if they pursue, they will be destroyed,” Dreadwing sounded bleak, guilty. For the first time in a long while, he had found someone else who bore the pain of a shared spark.
“I have to contact them, Dreadwing. I have to tell them to stop.”
“I’m not stopping you.” Dreadwing suddenly sounded angry, this time it was with himself, but he would have expected to be granted the same favour if the tables were turned and Skyquake were still alive, perhaps trying to rescue him… Turning his back to Magpie; he let her make the call.

Ouzel was flying close to Starscream, the first wave of Eradicons were closing in.
“Watch how it’s done,” Starscream said as he deliberately fell back, allowing the Eradicons to fly ahead of him so they were in the perfect line of fire.
Ouzel was looking back the whole time, ready to dodge any incoming bullets, when suddenly he heard Magpies voice.
“Ouzel, listen to me my dear, you need to back down. I’m fine, I will get out of this.”
“Mother?” Ouzel almost lost balance mid-flight hearing her voice again, “where are you?” Ouzel looked back and saw his Sire busy fighting off the second Eradicon wave; he waited on his spark-givers response.

Magpie looked puzzled, Dreadwing noticed this and stepped closer, wondering what she was being told.
“You don’t know where I am?” Magpie asked back into the communication link.
“N…No, we don’t, we were going to go looking for you after, after…”
“After what!?” Magpie asked, hurrying a stuttering Ouzel along with his words, hoping Dreadwing wouldn’t catch onto something being out of place.
“The Autobots are planning an attack on the Nemesis, Starscream and I are just a diversion. Now where are you? Starscream has a plan and…”
“I’m on the Nemesis!” Magpie called back, “Ouzel, you have to leave, now!”
“That’s enough!” Dreadwing cut in, “close the call”, Dreadwing readied his weapon and Magpie froze. “What’s going on? Why are they here if they’re not here to save you?” Dreadwing pressed on with a threatening tone, but Magpie remained silent.
Dreadwing pushed his weapon into Magpies helm, one of his large digits from the other servo pressed uncomfortably against her chin, forcing her optics up into his deathly glare.
“Goodbye Ouzel,” Magpie whispered, closing the call.

“Mother?” Ouzel gasped, hearing the low frequency of a closed communication link.
“Did you see that?” Starscream flew alongside Ouzel, “given team-Prime the go ahead yet?”
“Sire, Magpie just contacted me…”
“Where is she?” Starscream sounded pleased, if they knew where she was it would be an easy pick-up and they could be gone before sunrise.
“On the Nemesis, a prisoner,” Ouzel sounded dry, “we have to go fetch her…”
Ouzel started in the direction of the Nemesis, expecting Starscream to follow, but looking back, Starscream was still hovering in the same place, silent.
“Starscream! You coming or not!?” Ouzel was pleading for his Sires help, but his response was still a stern and unbroken silence.

Description
Chapter 19; The way things used to be.

“June tells me you’re setting up a Decepitcon petting zoo?”
“Agent Fowler, please,” Optimus had received a call from Agent Fowler who was fuming on the screen, apparently June had contacted him as soon as she arrived home, just when the Autobots were making progress.
“I have to say, I approve of the ‘no children allowed policy’ but what the hell is going on over there!?” Agent Fowler rubbed his temples, trying to ease the pain caused by his own rage.
“We have taken on a couple of ex-Decepticons who have agreed to co-operate and be our allies,” Optimus paused and watched Agent Fowler, who looked exasperated, while he slowly separated his fingers from his temples.
“At what cost?” Agent Fowler had lowered his tone.
“Only their safety,” Optimus looked over his shoulder towards Starscream and Knockout who stood silently watching the outraged human on the screen.
“Pathetic,” Starscream whispered, lowering his helm to scowl discretely.
“What was that!?” Agent Fowler raised his voice once again.
Starscream snapped his optics up to the screen and grimaced; “do you realise how easy it would be for me to crush you?” Starscream purred, narrowing his optics to accompany his patronising smile.
Knockout slapped a servo to his own helm and sighed, “for the love of Primus, Starscream, be quiet.”
Starscream growled at Knockout, directing his scowl to the red mech.
Agent Fowler glared at Optimus, “they’re not doing a good job of convincing me this is a good idea…”
“I don’t see you coming up with any ideas…” Arcee appeared in the background of the conversation.
Starscream smiled, he hated to admit it but; the femme had made a good point in his case.
Agent Fowler looked stunned, he turned back to Optimus, “you’re falling apart.”
“Agent Fowler…” Optimus tried to protest.
“I don’t want to hear it, Optimus.” Agent Fowler paused and shook his head, regretting the choice he was about to make, “Optmus, I hoped it would never come to this, but I’m afraid my men are not going to be involved in this crazy idea of yours, you can count me and the rest of Earth out.”
“Agent Fowler, without your co-operation we cannot finish this.”
“You’ll have to. You broke our agreement when you failed to contact me about this yourself; you have lost my faith in this war that was never ours to begin with. Do what you must to protect Earth and its people, but acting this suddenly isn’t something we can be prepared for.”
“You’re not prepared for ’acting suddenly’?” Starscream spoke up again, “tell me, human, what is it your army is good for? Do you expect a one week notice before someone attacks you? Because when I lead a squadron on Cybertron during a war that tore our planet apart, we weren’t as polite to give our enemies notice of an attack,” Starscream snarled and turned away.
Optimus raised his optic ridge and turned back to Fowler, shrugging to himself, the seeker had made a valid point, one that he wouldn’t have dared to argue himself.
“Optimus, I’m sorry,” Agent Fowler closed the call, a genuinely depressed look in his eyes was the last thing Optimus saw before the screen went blank.
“I say it again; pathetic,” Starscream hissed.
“I have to agree. Fowler is just making up excuses.” Arcee shook her helm.
“But without Fowler, we have no human allies,” Bulkhead shrugged.
Bumblebee whined, thinking of Rafael.
“Who needs them? We had a plan before this happened and we still do, this could be over before another day passes by on this pathetic rock,” Starscream approached Optimus and paused, contemplating his next sentence. Awkwardly bowing before the Autobot leader, Starscream continued; “with your permission, I believe it is time for me and Ouzel to put this plan into action,” with his helm bowed low so nobody could see the strain in Starscreams gritted denta. This was an all-time-low for him. Bowing to an Autobot, or anyone, felt somewhatdirty.
Everyone looked unimpressed with Starscreams gesture, even Optimus’ optic ridge furrowed awkwardly.
“Okay Starscream, tell us when you’re close and then Ratchet will ground-bridge us to your co-ordinates.”
“Excellent.”

Magpie hadn’t bothered trying to make small talk with Dreadwing while she fixed up his wing brackets, instead she just enjoyed doing a task that had once been ‘normal’, a task she had done before the war had started.’Primus’ she hadn’t realised how much she’d missed it.
“You’re done,” Magpie announced, regrettably, releasing her servos from his wing brackets slowly.
“Thanks,” Dreadwing purred again, he didn’t move of the berth as he let his wings make a few clicks, testing his movement; the femme had done a good job.
“So now what?” Magpie smiled fondly at Dreadwing, before backing away and folding her arms across her spark chamber, slowly easing her weight onto the wall behind her.
This took Dreadwing by surprise, “well, you’ve done me a favour, so I will do you one by letting you walk away from here unharmed,” he sat up on the berth and looked once more into Magpies burning optics, they were cutting into him, intimidating him somehow…
“Gee, thanks,” Magpie sighed, failing to see the favour. Although she wouldn’t admit it, the favour to her had been the young handsome mech allowing her the honour of servicing him.
Dreadwing scowled, “hey, I’m serious,” his usual gruff voice had returned as he rose from the berth and turned one servo into a fist, shaking it in front of him as a warning, “if Megatron asks, I roughed you up! You’re just lucky you had a skill I was in need of…”
Magpie didn’t change her gaze or posture, instead she just stared into Dreadwings optics, now she was finally seeing the mech. Before she had been distracted by fear, and then by her own lust. With contact she now had in their gaze; there came the sudden memory of him from Cybertron.
“Don’t you have a brother?” she asked, finally allowing her gaze to fall, losing herself in another comforting memory.
*Magpies memory*
It was eons before the war and every lab in Kaon was heaving, suddenly Sentinal Prime had ordered the testing of new flight upgrades for his fleet, turning his seekers into stronger and more challenging foes should they ever need to fight, Magpie was Hook’s choice of assistants. It was unusual for a test subject to be used as an assistant, but in this instance, Magpies extensive knowledge and eagerness would come in use. Hook’s particular lab had been sent a set of volunteer twins to take part in the upgrades. One would be fitted with the upgrade, while the other would act as the control. The twins that had been sent were called Skyquake and Dreadwing, they shared a split spark and were alike in every way imaginable. To Hook they were the perfect test subjects.
Both mechs were put into stasis, but only one of them would be given the procedure, so when they awoke, neither of them had a clue who had been granted the upgrades.
Once Hook had completed his initial evaluation, he passed on his notes to Magpie to analyse and break down. Unfortunately for the twins, Hook needed to conduct one last experiment that would take place before Sentinel Prime himself, this involved the twins going against each other in an arena.
Sentinel Prime seated himself beside Hook in the viewing platform of the arena, Hook was trying to keep him occupied until the twins were ready to be brought out.
“I assure you, you will be impressed Sentinel Prime.”
“We’ll see.” Sentinel Prime responded impatiently.
“Now, remind me, if this experiment proves successful, I get upgraded to a better lab in Iacon? Limitless supplies, further research opportunities…” Hook trailed off, it was his dream to get out of the dusty labs of Kaon and make something of his spark.
However, while Hook was looking into his new promotion, Magpie was having a few troubles with the twins …
“No way,” Skyquake shrugged, turning away from Magpie, “I won’t fight my brother,”
“Didn’t Hook tell you?” Magpie was in a panic, it was up to her to prepare the brothers and bring them out for the show before Sentinel Prime, “it’s part of the tests,” Magpie protested.
“I don’t care, it’s not going to happen,” Skyquake then stormed out into the arena.
Dreadwing saw him approach, his brow furrowed, would Skyquake really be willing to fight against his own sibling?
“Ah, here we go,” Hook said proudly, “I think it will become clear who has the upgrade early on…”
Sentinel Prime surveyed the twins, they were alike in every way apart from their colour, he could see no cosmetic differences.
“Who has the upgrade?” Sentinel Prime finally asked, narrowing his optics.
“Wait and see if you can guess,” Hook then leaned over and pushed a button that was linked up to the arena speakers, “when you’re ready, both of you, start off with some simple hand-to-hand combat,” Hook sat back and waited with an eager smile on his face.

“I won’t do this,” Dreadwing whispered and shook his helm.
Skyquake nodded, then turned to Hook, “get scrapped,” he snarled up and made sure he was looking straight into Hook’s optics as he spoke.
Sentinel Prime furrowed an optic ridge, “hmm,” he was clearly unimpressed, he hadn’t travelled all the way from Iacon to hear cuss words tossed back and fourth.
“Sentinel Prime, please, give me a moment,” Hook pressed the speaker button again.
“Listen here mech, this is for the sake of all seekers on Cybertron, I’m not asking you to kill one another…”
“The sake of all Seekers on Cybertron?” Dreadwing interrupted.
“Last time I checked, it was just the seekers in Iacon that were granted the upgrades,” Skyquake added, “they can get scrapped too.”
“We’re out,” Dreadwing announced, turning towards the arena door and leaving with Skyquake following.
Magpie watched them leave, then shortly after she saw Sentinel Prime get up and leave the viewing room, Hook was left alone sobbing into his servos.
*End memory*

“He’s dead,” Dreadwing announced bitterly.
Magpie raised her helm, looking back towards Dreadwing who was hunched over the berth with his back to her. “I’m sorry,” Magpie whispered, and she meant it.
“Yeah well,” Dreadwing tried to find himself again, tried to channel his sadness into anything else, hate, envy, wrath, anything…
“I was there y’know,” Magpie started, “that time in Hook’s lab, before the war.”
Dreadwing turned around, “Yeah?” raising an optic ridge, smiling. After that day he and Skyquake had gone to the local bar for a few drinks.
“You know who was given the upgrades, don’t you?” Magpie said, smiling.
Dreadwing thought, he never did find out who had been given them, after they left the arena neither of them thought about it again. “Who?” Dreadwing frowned.
“It was you.” Magpie whispered, holding her smile, she had expected Dreadwing to smile also, but instead his features fell…
“Maybe if he had had them, instead of me, he would still be alive today,” Dreadwings shoulders drooped and felt heavy under their own weight.
Magpie suddenly wished she had never brought it up.

“Ready, my Sparkling?” Starcream asked via communication link as he enjoyed soaring through the skies over the pathetic rock called Earth.
Ouzel was tailing not far behind his Sire, he could see the canyon up ahead where the Nemesis had allegedly crashed.
“Ready,” Ouzel said hesitantly.
“Remember, we will just have to pick off a few Eradicons, you can leave that to me, and then while they chase us, you give the go ahead for Prime and his pathetic crew to attempt their ambush, while the battle goes on we will search for Magpie and have enough time to make it off this rock before anyone can trace us.”
“It all sounds so easy,” Ouzel said in disbelief.
“That’s because it is,” Starscream purred, “here we go,” Starscream dropped into the canyon and fired his first rocket at the Nemesis’ hull before quickly darting back up into the sky and waiting for the mediocre pieces of scrap that Megatron called his army.

Red lights flashed in the stasis room where Magpie and Dreadwing had been sat in a solemn silence. Dreadwing frowned before opening his communication link to Megatron, glancing at Magpie wearily as he did so.
“Megatron, the alarm is…” Dreadwing stopped and listened to the gladiator on the other end of the communication link. Magpie couldn’t hear what was being said by Megaton, but she caught the odd word from Dreadwings responses; “Right. Really? Starscream?” this made Magpie perk up.
“What about Starscream?” she tried to keep her distance, but something in Dreadwings defeated optics was pushing her forwards.
Dreadwing turned his back to Magpie, ignoring her question and continuing to speak to Megatron, “two of them? I see, I understand. Yes Sire.” Dreadwing closed the communication link but didn’t seem willing to look at Magpie.
“What?” Magpie growled.
“You have a sparkling?” Dreadwing asked, still refusing to look at Magpie.
“Ouzel?” Is he alright?” Magpie panicked.
“He’s with Starscream, it would appear they are on a rescue mission for you,” Dreadwing sounded dry.
“Oh,” Magpie paused, how did they know she was here? That didn’t matter, right now she needed Dreadwing’s help but he looked unsettled, like he was holding something back.
Dreadwing spoke, his voice back down to the lingering purr; “when you had your sparkling, you…” Dreadwing trailed off, battling with a thought ringing in his processor.
“Split my spark. Just like the connection you and your brother shared.” Magpie sounded stern as she tried to control her emotions, “now tell me, what is happening with my spark-mate and my sparkling?”
“Megatron sent his army for them, if they pursue, they will be destroyed,” Dreadwing sounded bleak, guilty. For the first time in a long while, he had found someone else who bore the pain of a shared spark.
“I have to contact them, Dreadwing. I have to tell them to stop.”
“I’m not stopping you.” Dreadwing suddenly sounded angry, this time it was with himself, but he would have expected to be granted the same favour if the tables were turned and Skyquake were still alive, perhaps trying to rescue him… Turning his back to Magpie; he let her make the call.

Ouzel was flying close to Starscream, the first wave of Eradicons were closing in.
“Watch how it’s done,” Starscream said as he deliberately fell back, allowing the Eradicons to fly ahead of him so they were in the perfect line of fire.
Ouzel was looking back the whole time, ready to dodge any incoming bullets, when suddenly he heard Magpies voice.
“Ouzel, listen to me my dear, you need to back down. I’m fine, I will get out of this.”
“Mother?” Ouzel almost lost balance mid-flight hearing her voice again, “where are you?” Ouzel looked back and saw his Sire busy fighting off the second Eradicon wave; he waited on his spark-givers response.

Magpie looked puzzled, Dreadwing noticed this and stepped closer, wondering what she was being told.
“You don’t know where I am?” Magpie asked back into the communication link.
“N…No, we don’t, we were going to go looking for you after, after…”
“After what!?” Magpie asked, hurrying a stuttering Ouzel along with his words, hoping Dreadwing wouldn’t catch onto something being out of place.
“The Autobots are planning an attack on the Nemesis, Starscream and I are just a diversion. Now where are you? Starscream has a plan and…”
“I’m on the Nemesis!” Magpie called back, “Ouzel, you have to leave, now!”
“That’s enough!” Dreadwing cut in, “close the call”, Dreadwing readied his weapon and Magpie froze. “What’s going on? Why are they here if they’re not here to save you?” Dreadwing pressed on with a threatening tone, but Magpie remained silent.
Dreadwing pushed his weapon into Magpies helm, one of his large digits from the other servo pressed uncomfortably against her chin, forcing her optics up into his deathly glare.
“Goodbye Ouzel,” Magpie whispered, closing the call.

“Mother?” Ouzel gasped, hearing the low frequency of a closed communication link.
“Did you see that?” Starscream flew alongside Ouzel, “given team-Prime the go ahead yet?”
“Sire, Magpie just contacted me…”
“Where is she?” Starscream sounded pleased, if they knew where she was it would be an easy pick-up and they could be gone before sunrise.
“On the Nemesis, a prisoner,” Ouzel sounded dry, “we have to go fetch her…”
Ouzel started in the direction of the Nemesis, expecting Starscream to follow, but looking back, Starscream was still hovering in the same place, silent.
“Starscream! You coming or not!?” Ouzel was pleading for his Sires help, but his response was still a stern and unbroken silence.