Chapter 4: Barricade

Blackout had left earlier in the day. He needed the time to get away from everything. His life was changing too quickly. He was flying over death valley when a glint caught his sensors. The small car was racing fast in his direction. He didn't need to scan it to know who it was. His spark sank in its chamber, and he wasn't sure if he should land, or continue on his way. However if the car had scanned his new signature he was as good as dead.

"Land you parasite." The car dodged the rocks on the road and kept driving seeing the chopper turn and transform landing and crossing his arms. The mustang transformed and walked up to him "Where have you….." the mustang paused walking up slowly lifting his claw and touching the symbol on the helicopter's chest "You've deserted…"

"The Autobots have treated me fairly, they have repaired Scorponok, I am in their debt. I am certainly much better off." Blackout said quietly his emotion not betraying him for once in the presence of Barricade.

"Better off? Now you are going to be slag!" The mustang grabbed his arm and pulled him down to eye level. "They will kill you, Starscream, what am I to tell him….My bonded is out of his mind!?"

"I'm not going back." Blackout turned pushed Barricade back. "Tell him whatever you want to tell him."

"And us? What about us?" the police car looked exceedingly hurt. "What are you doing to me?"

Blackout kept walking "There is no us…you made that perfectly clear…you left me out there with the Autobot." He sighed "And you made it clear you never wanted to see me again. So Scorponok and I will stay with the Autobots."

The mustang followed reaching out grabbing his hand "I thought it had slagged you both! I still do not know what exactly happened out there…I was trying to save myself. Scorponok ran off and I was trying to find him." Barricade came around to his front and pointed a metal claw at the autobot symbol on his torso plate. "Come back with me right now…" it was a plea. "You and the little one belong back at the base with me."

"I can't." Blackout pulled his rotors up a move he did when he was about to transform. "I have no reason to believe anything you have told me. You are a decepticon and a liar. I would rather spend my time with the Smallish Autobot Insect."

Barricade looked hurt a moment but dismissed the statement. "Meet me here tomorrow and Bring Scorponok." Barricade said to him. The helicopter gave a quiet nod and transformed flying away.

Barricade turned and sat down on a large rock "What is the matter with you Black…it's like you don't know who you are anymore?" he kicked a small rock and stood looking around deciding it best he just wait here until the next day for the helicopter. "Frenzy is gone…I cannot lose you too…not after I put you back together."

Blackout landed back at the Autobot base and sat down on the large rock that sat just inside the gates. He hung his head, and looked up only once as Scoponok drilled himself out of the ground and crawled up next to him on the rock. "I saw him, and we will go back tomorrow and see him." He sighed. "But after that…" He looked down to the small scorpion "We do not return."

"See who?" Prime walked up to him and looked him over. Blackout was about to speak but Prime raised his hand and sat next to him on the rock "I've known for many many vorns about you and Barricade."

"After tomorrow we shall not see him." Blackout said quietly.

"That would be best." Prime stood and turned "Offer him the chance to meet me ..I will offer him what I have offered you." Blackout nodded and looked down at Scorponok.

"He won't come and join us…." Blackout sighed looking around he decided he had something else in mind. "Prime." He stood chasing after the leader of the Autobots. "Sir…I have an idea."

Prime looked down at him "I am listening Blackout."

"I will need the smallish insec…." He caught himself and sighed. To prime's surprise he let his guard down. He had fully put down the Decepticon façade he was using. "I will need Bumblebee's assistance."

"What's your plan?"

"To bring him here." Blackout said quietly "He is in desperate need of repair…and It's how you got me to stay." He leaned down and lifted up Scorponok. "This will get him to remain here…I promise you prime."

"I will do this one favor for you, after this …I'm all out of sympathy." Prime turned and walked back into the base without another word.

"Very well." Blackout turned and looked up at the moon. "Primus please let this work." He looked down at Scorponok who chirred in his hands "I know little one….soon." he pet the small bot and set him down on the ground. "Soon everything will be better."

To be continued.