The Life of a Commander (TFP)

chapter 12

"What brings you here?" I asked once the three had settled into my lap, still alert to any danger the Autobots may pose.

"We thought the energy signal was you. We wished to see what had become of the children. The others were too angry, and I do not wish there to be a battle today," Optimus said.

"Well, these are them." I pet Windstriker between her ears.

"At least we can still tell who they are...were," Ratchet corrected himself. "do they still have the same names?"

I shook my head. "They're the Storm Triplets now. Thunderfang, Lightningfang, and Windstriker." I gestured to each.

"Hmm." Optimus looked at each cat, as if judging whether their names matched them.

"How does Megatron deal with Miko's rebellious nature?" Ratchet asked curiously.

"Windstriker always stays with me. The other two stay with Megatron. she's not rebellious, though. I guess Shockwave took it out of her programming."

"If they stay with Megatron, they why are they here with you?" Optimus was always the one to ask questions.

"It is my responsibility to take care of all of them. I feed them and they recharge with me. I came out here to let them get some sun and exercise."

"It...appears they are in good hands," Optimus said slowly. I could tell from his expression that it pained him to say that.

I acknowledged his words with a "Mm." I looked up to the sky as a flock of birds flew by. due tp the silence that surrounded us, I soon began to fall into recharge.

"Nightstrike, report," Megatron's voiced called through the comm link.

I jumped up from where I sat, the cats falling to the ground. They crouched, ready to pounce on the two Autobots.

"Report!" He was growing impatient.

"All is well," I finally replied.

"There are two Autobots very close to your location."

"I see them. The cats are on edge."

"Shockwave's processor cleansing was a success then. Who are the Autobots?"

"Prime and the medic. They've come to watch the cats. They're no threat today."

"I don't care if they're no threat in the next century! Prime is mine. Eliminate the medic!"

"It will be done, sir. What about the cats?"

"Shockwave installed battle software, but I don't wish for them to risk an injury yet. Order them back to the ship. Soundwave will send a ground bridge. I'll be there shortly." He cut the link.

I sighed as I looked down at the cats. I ordered them back to the ship in an old Decepticon language as I pointed in the direction the bridge would be in. I kept my optics on them until they were out of sight.

I turned to the Autobots and took a deep breath. "Sadly, I have orders to eliminate the medic. Megatron is coming."

Their optics held anger and hurt. "It doesn't have to be this way," Optimus said.

"I know." I walked towards them. "Just hurry and stab me and knock me out. I want it over with. Megatron's already going to punish me for not reporting you when you first arrived."

"You're letting us go? No conditions?"

"None. I don't wish to fight today. Just put me out of my misery so you can leave before he gets here."

"You could switch sides. You wouldn't have to face his wrath."

"Perhaps another day, Prime. I have the cats and...something else to attend to." I was thinking of Cybertron. Once Shockwave was done with the bombs, I would surely be the one to destroy the Autobots' A.A. guns. And these Autobots, I couldn't leave them here to rust. They were so kind. They hadn't destroyed me while I was in recharge. This is how I would repay them. "Just be on the lookout for my signal."

Heavy footsteps came from the trees.

"Hurry!" I quietly urged them.

"But-"

"Do it, Ratchet," the Prime ordered.

Without another word, the medic's hands changed into his circular surgical saws. They then spun into motion. He then used them to cut across my chassis. They didn't go deep enough to hit any important energon lines, but pit did it hurt! I let out a scream of agony as energon began to seep from my wounds. I didn't feel the pain much longer because Prime knocked me out with a hard, and perfectly placed, punch to my head.