Chapter 24

The wailing of sirens and red, dim lights flashing startled the old warrior awake. He jumped again when he saw the red and white seeker standing at the foot of his berth. He was staring at the berthroom door, frame rigid, his wing baring the handle of his weapon. The flier looked towards the older mech as he shifted quietly to stand.

"Quietly, Starscream",

Scavenger whispered as he slowly slid the door open, weapon bared. Starscream stayed close behind, listening intently. They froze when they came to a corner, hearing a thankfully, friendly voice.

"Jetfire," the older mech whispered, "it's us"

Rounding the corner, both mechs were pleased to find Jetfire leading an evacuation with Blurr, Hotshot and Sideswipe following him closely.

"What's going on?"

"Decepticons. They have attempted to attack the base again. The defences have got them occupied for the time being but I don't think it will be long before they make it through." The shuttle explained quickly, "now, come on. The warp gate is still clear, we need to get out of here!"

Scavenger pushed Starscream ahead of him, taking up the rear of the evacuation party,

"What of Optimus and the others?"

"I'm not sure. He gave me a quick order to get this lot out before communication lines were lost. I believe he is with Ironhide, Red Alert, Hoist and the minicons, they will meet us later."

Starscream shivered as they were transported into the thick forest not far from the base. The rain pelted down hard and a harsh wind blew up the dead leaves that lay on the forest floor. The seeker glanced around him, Hotshot and Sideswipe sat nearby, talking in hushed whispers, Blurr was standing a little further off and Scavenger and Jetfire talked amongst themselves, occasionally trying their comm. links. Starscreams' attention was suddenly drawn towards the hidden base, the flash of a warp gate catching his gaze.

"Hey, guys? A warp gate was just opened"

The others followed his gaze, jumping when Jetfire suddenly spoke,

"Sir! It's good to hear your voice," a pause, "I have Hotshot, Sideswipe, Blurr, Scavenger and Starscream. All is accounted for th-"

Starscream fought the urge to take flight and flee as a large explosion went off,

"Prime!" Jetfire growled, "get ready to fight"

Starscream snarled as Cyclonus suddenly flew overhead, "hey traitor! Long time no see!"

Starscream transformed swiftly, taking off to go after his once comrade.

"Come get me, Screamer!" Starscream growled, fighting to get a lock on the eratic helicopter.

A crack like thunder. Searing pain. The hard impact of the ground had Starscream suddenly grounded, hissing in pain, energon trickling from his back and wings. The familiar mech staring at him had the seeker scrambling to his feet, ignoring the pain and wetness on his wings. Starscream stepped back as the deadly familiar weapon rested in Megatrons' hand, it's blue glow spilling onto the ground like a waterfall. The sudden movement of the tyrants' arm had his once second in command leaping to the side, avoiding the attack, the crack of the whip echoing off the canyon walls.

"Scavenger!" He tried to transmit the private distress signal but communications seemed to be down once again. He snapped his attention back to the larger mech in front of him, snarling at the Decepticon commanders' laugh,

"It's funny how we become so dependent on our comm. systems, don't you think?"

Starscream threw himself to the right as the tyrant attacked again,

"a simple EMP can just about cripple the Autobot army! You can thank Thrust for that"

Starscream yelped as the whip caught the edge of his right wing. Megatron smirked, watching the energon drip from the fliers' wounds. He cracked the whip into the air, watching in delight as Starscream flinched violently,

"it's amazing how one, simple weapon can inflict such fear"

Starscreams' wings drooped, frame trembling, he turned as Megatron raised his hand again. The crack sounded yet he didn't feel the familiar pain as the whip split plating. He was surprised to find Scavenger standing in front of him when he slowly turned to look what had happened, the whip wrapped round the experienced warriors' arm. Scavenger ripped the barbaric weapon from the growling tyrant. Megatron yelled, preparing to launch an attack but was suddenly stopped by Jetfire who placed a gun to the Decepticons' head. Starscream watched as Optimus Prime and Red Alert appeared, dragging a displeased Demolisher and Cyclonus respectively. Megatron snarled lowly, glancing past Scavenger to glare at the young seeker. Noticing the Decepticon's gaze, Scavenger replied with a snarl of his own, his optics flaring dangeriously. With a final growl, Megatron sounded a retreat.

The Autobots sighed, slowly relaxing once the threat had vanished. Scavenger carefully approached to examine the young seeker, throwing the whip to the ground away from them. Starscream hissed in pain as Scavenger gently dabbed a cloth over the wounds, mopping up some of the spilt energon. Red Alert suddenly appeared at his side, running a soft hand over an undamaged edge of a wing.