Another update – in the same year no less. Oh well, at least it's not the same gap as last time.

Thanks to all who are still keeping up with this what with reading, favoriting, following, reviewing etc.

Italics: Thoughts/Emphasized words

Bold: Bond/Spark talk

"Quotations": Normal speech

-Dash thing- : Comm Links

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Transformers or its affiliates. I do, however, own up to my incredible ability to procrastinate beyond belief. But, more on that later.

"Welcome home, Sunstreaker."

The words echoed across the silent courtyard, startling Sunstreaker from his silent contemplation of the photo file. His optics searched the courtyard until they met with the kind, amber optics of his aunt's holoform.

His vents shuddered and he stumbled towards the holoform, arms outstretched. With a wordless cry Sunstreaker fell into the embrace of the one femme who had been a constant for his entire existence. IronStar surrounded him in a field of gentle comfort and support as she hummed softly to calm him.

For just one moment, Sunstreaker let himself pretend he was still just a child. That all his worries could be soothed by simple comfort and the knowledge that someone else was there to take care of him.

"Shhhh, child. It's okay.. just breathe." She kept up a litany of soothing words as Sunstreaker slowly began to come back to himself.

He looked up at her, "He's okay? Carrier? He's fine right? I know I felt it but…" He couldn't stop his worried rambling as she began to lead him towards the doorway he had spent time much time contemplating.

"He's alright now, just resting." A tiny whirring sound was heard as the doors swung open into a softly lit hall with vaulted ceilings. Sunstreaker reached out a hand and brushed the walls and felt as the walls warmed up and playfully sparked in the wake of his touch.

IronStar led her nephew back towards the central temple where her brother rested. The room lit up and the statue in the centre alcove shone, its features illuminated by the candle flickered gently on the altar below it. Sunstreaker stepped towards it and unbeknownst to him, knelt in the very spot his carrier had attempted to take his own life.

Bowing his head, the mech greeted Primus and prayed for both forgiveness for his actions and the strength to continue in the war that ravaged their people. A distant feeling of warmth washed over him that left as fast as it came.

With one last glance at the statue, Sunstreaker smoothly got to his pedes and turned towards IronStar who had made her way over to the warmed alcove where Prowl rested. The mech relaxed as he saw the slumbering, uninjured form with his own optics, desperately searching for any signs of harm. He sighed in relief when none were found and slumped next to the bed, joining IronStar on the step she had raised out of the floor.

He closed his optics and felt IronStar begin to softly rub his helm, allowing himself to lean into and bask in the comfort 0f the small gesture. IronStar herself felt soothed by the gentle motion as it worked to settle her own inner turmoil. She couldn't bring herself to mention the events that had occurred earlier – it would break the sparks of her nephews and turn their ire towards their wayward sire. No – it had to be kept between Primus, Prowl and herself – as much as she wanted to she couldn't interfere.

He opened the bonds with Ratchet and Sideswipe and immediately relief lit up both ends of the bond as they read his emotions. He deftly opened an existing commlink with the two and IronStar and they began to discuss what to do next.

Red optics cut harshly into the datapad in front of him.

The series of reports in consideration described the city-states of Cybertron and which faction had control of what – something that was very important in planning the next steps in the war.

The Autobots had firm control over Iacon, Altihex and the surrounding areas, while the Decepticons were in control of Kaon and Vos and the nearby mines. Day by day Polyhex was slipping out of Autobot control and Megatron figured it would be in Decepticon hands by the end of the cycle of the 3rd moon.

Praxus had been destroyed long before and was now a debris littered ghost town with tiny pockets of Neutral parties. Hmmph – inconsequential.

The Decepticon warlord picked up another datapad and leaned back thoughtfully, drumming the clawed tips of his other hand against the desk as crimson optics narrowed at the information presented in the report.

Tyger Pax.

The last major Cybertronian city that was supposedly neutral.

Supposedly.

Megatron huffed, his wayward brother Optimus Prime had dedicated about a fifth of his total forces towards protecting the city and the temple that resided there. The temple that housed Megatron's next and very important conquest.

The temple housed the All Spark – a holy relic and reputed to be the source of all life on Cybertron.

If it was up to him all he would be that source. But he would have to suffice with just controlling it.

He opened the commlink between him and his major officers. -Report to the planning room. NOW.-

Abruptly pushing himself away from table in front of him, the former Lord Protector of Cybertron stood up and gathered the datapads he needed, storing them in subspace. Taking a long swig of a cube of high grade that was haphazardly resting on the edge of the table he slammed it back down next to the scratch marks his clawed finger tips had left and grunted, moving out of his personal quarters.

Megatron strode towards the command centre of the Kaon stronghold, optics pinning down any unlucky underlings of his who immediately got out of his way and pressed themselves against the sides of the hallways.

A series of shaky "Lord Megatron"s followed in his wake, and his lip curled into a smirk. Ahh, the sweet taste of power borne of fear. So, so good.

Having reached the command centre he moved into the chamber off to the side where his most loyal minions waited for him. The four officers stood up from a table in front of a raised dais and the ornate iron chair that sat atop it. Megatron made his way to the dais and made himself comfortable on his throne.

A bloody gaze surveyed the four mechs in front of him: Soundwave, Shockwave, Starscream, and Barricade.

Despite their petty little squabbles with each other, Megatron knew that each of them was loyal to him and the Decepticon cause. No matter how annoying they got, he grudgingly admitted to himself that they were a necessary evil.

Not as evil as him, but still.

Acceptably evil.

Mentally scolding himself for getting off track, Megatron turned his attention back to his minions who were waiting patiently (or in some cases, with ill-disguised impatience).

"What do we know about Tyger Pax?" Megatron already knew but he liked to keep his officers on his toes.

"Tyger Pax? Neutral – full of Autobot sympathizers and weaklings." Starscream said in distaste.

Megatron internally rolled his optics – the thickheaded Seeker could never see the big picture despite the scientific background he flaunted around. Starscream was about to continue his unconcerned tirade when he was cut off by Soundwave.

"Increased Autobot presence. Current Autobots of note: Ironhide, Bumblebee, Springer, Kup, Ultra Magnus. Continuous rotations in and out of city." Soundwave almost sounded smug as Starscream fumed beside him. He continued to give a quick yet detailed brief of the situation in Tyger Pax, including the importance of the All Spark in the city.

Now that was some information new to Megatron – an increased presence of Autobots within the city and especially those that the Autobot leader held dear to his weak and cowardly spark. What exactly was Prime planning?

"As per usual, excellent work Soundwave." And some damn good work it was – Megatron hadn't expected that much detail. The rarely given praise made Soundwave slightly straighten and the other three officers glowered in jealousy.

Children.

"Well, it looks like we have some work to do. I want that Cube and I want it now. Soundwave – continue surveillance and see if you can find out why there's a greater Autobot presence. Shockwave – find us a way in and out and the more damage the better. Barricade and Starscream– prepare the troops: I want the whole works – air support, ground troops – I want everything and everyone." The four mechs acknowledged their appointed tasks.

"Excellent. Dismissed." The Decepticon warlord leaned back into his throne.

At once, his four minions stood up. "All hail Megatron." They spoke in unison and filed out of the room but not without glaring at each other for speaking at the same time.

Megatron smirked to himself – Optimus Prime and his soft-sparked Autobots wouldn't know what hit them.

It was time to end this war.

Chains.

Cold, unbreakable chains.

Trapped in the treacherous landscape of his own mind, the bound form shivered in the cold and desolate embrace of his bonds.

No one could hear him here.

Jazz screamed.

And that's a wrap – drop me a line if you'd like to see anything or just want to chat. I'm writing as I go so suggestions or corrections are always welcome.

As per always, I will be taking some creative license in the way certain things or characters are portrayed so please keep that in mind. If you do have glaringly obvious concerns though, don't hesitate to let me know and I can do something about it.

Read, Review, Converse, Enjoy.

StarOfIron