Starscream and Alexis Series (Transformers Armada)

[Lady1Venus]

Chat With Starscream

Starscream sat on a huge rock, allowing the Star Saber to disassemble and his own Mini-con, Swindle, to detach from him. He had been thinking of why he was with the Autobots in the first place. Yeah they were his survival at first but they didn't see his views on wanting to get rid of Megatron. Suddenly he heard voices from the kids and one of them was approaching him, it was the girl.

"Hey Starscream," he heard the girl say. He looked down to find her beside the Mini-cons plus her Mini-con. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Go away," he snapped.

He was about to get up and leave when Alexis used the Mini-cons to jump up onto his knee. With quick thinking from Sureshock, him and the Star Saber Mini-cons helped her up by Sureshock lifting Alexis and Runway and Sonar getting her to Starscream's knee. The Mini-cons then left, leaving Alexis and him with Rad and Carlos not far away, but not in hearing range.

"I understand how you must feel," Alexis said.

"How could you understand?" Starscream asked a little too roughly, looking away.

Alexis ignored the tone and sat down on his knee. "Before you Transformers came, I didn't like hanging around Rad and Carlos much. But when Rad stumbled upon the beaconed, I went to the mountains to find them to find out if they were ok. And they were and then we met you."

Starscream turned to look down at Alexis. "That is a total different situation then what I'm in."

"That maybe so but the end result is the same," she said. "See, I always thought of Rad as a dork but underneath it all, I wanted to be friends with him, I just wouldn't let myself do it. With you, you want Megatron dead."

"Is there anything wrong with wanting someone dead?"

". You wanted to destroy the Autobots for centuries. But your method in wanting Megatron dead is almost suicidal. One needs a good plan to bring someone down not go into battle guns flaring. Optimus wants a foolproof plan before attempting to bring down Megatron. But he does understand, more than he lets on."

For several minutes, Starscream was silent, watching Alexis and keeping an optic out for the other two kids. "What is your name again?" he asked breaking the silence.

Alexis looked up, "Alexis," she answered. "Well my full name is Alexandra but all my friends call me Alexis."

"Alexandra, that is a pretty name," Starscream said, taking his hand and clasping it around Alexis. She jumped when his hand came around her, but soon relaxed when he was only holding her gently.

"If there is anything you want to talk about Starscream, I'm here," Alexis said.

"Alexis!" Rad called, running up to Starscream. "We have to get going. Mom is going to have a fit if we don't get back home soon. Remember about the basketball game tonight."

"Oh right, I forgot," Alexis said. "Sorry. But I have to go," she said to Starscream. With a nod, Starscream set her down on the ground beside Rad.

She jumped off his hand and started running down the hill for home, leaving Starscream alone. But he wasn't alone long. A sound of another Transformer was coming up behind him. Starscream's sensors told him it was Optimus Prime before he got to him.

"Optimus Prime," Starscream said. "What brings you out here?"

"To talk to you," Optimus said. "I seen Alexis and Rad leaving. They must be heading home to go the basketball game tonight."

"Yeah."

"I know I made you make a hard choice, the other day."

"Yeah, I was already told. Alexis said that you want to get rid of Megatron just as badly as I do but you want to have a good plan in doing it."

"That is right. I know you weren't there, but you would have heard that Smokescreen was almost killed by Megatron from the Requim Blaster. And Megatron will pay for that but there are more important things then a vendetta against Megatron and that is to protect this planet and solar system from the Decepticons."

"What is Basketball?"

"Ha, ha, ha. I was waiting for that comment," Optimus said. "In an hour be at the command center and you'll find out. The kids are going to have Lazerbeak watch the game so we can watch too. Sideswipe wants to see the game too. The rest of us have already seen what it was on Television."

/////////////

Starscream arrived in the command center of the Autobot base at the appointed time that Optimus gave him. When he entered, he could hear Hotshot and Smokescreen having a discussion about the game over in one corner off to the side of the main viewer. He ignored them and proceeded to where Optimus and Jetfire were, which was at the main viewer. Over in the other corner, the Autobots Mini-cons including Swindle, the shield and sword Mini-cons were also waiting, as were Scavenger, Red Alert, Sideswipe and Blurr.

"Starscream," Optimus said. "You're just in time. Make yourself comfortable. The game will start very shortly."

"Who has Lazerbeak?" Hotshot asked.

"Rad, Carolos and Alexis didn't get there in time so they are on the other side further away," Jetfire said. "They gave Lazerbeak to Billy and Fred since they managed to be closer to the game."

"And the best part is," Red Alert added, "this time it's Liberty high school versus the local team."

"From what Carlos says," Scavenger said, "it's a charity game. Not sure for which charity though."

Sparkplug beeped. Earlier, he had overheard Rad and Carlos talking about the basketball game and the local orphanage.

The Autobots had heard of the orphanage a few months prior and felt bad for all the children that were there. It was an organization that only helped the homeless children but also helped abused children. It was a small chain off of YMCA

"Too bad there isn't anything we could do for the orphanage," Hotshot said.

"Gentlemen, the game is starting," Optimus announced.

"All right!" Hotshot cheered. "Let the games begin."

The Autobots watched the view screen as two teams sent a player from each into the middle of the court. A referee dressed in black and white held a basketball out in between the two, and they each patted the ball once. Then, the referee blew his whistle, throwing the ball up in the air, and one of the players had hit it to another member on his team. The high school had a blue shirt while the local team had red shirt.

"Hey, that's no fair! The red one touched it first; it was his!" Starscream said.

Hotshot turned and looked at Starscream. "Uh, Starscream, just because someone touches it doesn't mean it's theirs. You have to have the ball in order for it to be yours."

Starscream folded his arms, "Oh. Whatever."

During the course of the game, Starscream found that Hotshot and Smokescreen were making a bet to see which team was going to win. The bet was whenever the next time they played tagged with the kids whoever lost was going to be 'it' first. Hotshot had betted for the high school and Smokescreen for the local team.

Every once in a while, whoever was holding Lazerbeak; the Autobots were able to get a quick look at Rad and the others and in those quick seconds Starscream would think back to his small conversation with Alexis. She was one human he couldn't understand.

At one point, the two teams had been going back and forth across the court for quite some time and finally, a shorter basketball player on the blue team got a hold of the ball and dribbled it down to the red team's side of the court. Two taller red team players then confronted the blue player, waving their arms, blocking him from getting a clear shot of the basket.

Sideswipe seemed very distressed by this.

"Hey, why are they picking on that shorter kid?" Sideswipe asked

Scavenger chuckled, "It's the object of the game, kid."

"But they're not being very nice," Sideswipe said.

Meanwhile, on the screen, a red team player knocks the ball from the blue player's hands and began running across the court.

Hotshot shouted, "Thief! THIEF!"

Smokescreen turned and looked at his comrade. "What do you mean 'thief'? That was perfectly le."

Hotshot turned and punched Smokescreen and they got into a fistfight. Scavenger and Sideswipe tried to stop them.

Optimus turned, annoyed at the little brawl, "Knock it off or no more basketball!" Everyone froze at Optimus's outburst and slipped away back to their area of the room.

By the end of the last quarter, the two teams were tied 50-50. No one team seemed to have control of the ball, as it kept on switching to both sides across the half-court line. All of the Autobots, even Starscream, were on edge, and wondered what the final outcome would be. A member on the blue team had stolen the ball, and rushed toward the net at the last 15 seconds.

When it was down to the final few seconds of the game, Hotshot and Smokescreen seemed to hold their breaths. The boy, who had the ball, stopped at the three-point line, aimed, and released the ball. Then, the camera was filled with a huge hot dog as buzzer sounded, and all of the Autobots began speaking in a panic. Questions like, "Who won?" filled the room. Optimus, who was closest to the screen, punched a button and began to speak.

"Fred, move your hotdog! Or rather, tell us who won!" The Autobots were silent, leaning forward to hear the results of the charity game.

"Uuuh, sorry, Optimus," an unsure voice could be heard over the intercom. "I didn't realize my hotdog got in the way."

Blurr in the meantime felt like punching something. Fred had always annoyed Blurr especially when he would complain about wanting to eat. And now his food was getting in the way. Jetfire placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

Suddenly a male announcer, before Fred could say anything more, was heard through the intercom, "Ladies and Gentlemen and children of all ages. The winner of the game by just a split second is Liberty High School."

Hotshot whistled out in victory.

"Well, I guess you win the bet, bro," Sideswipe said.

"You betcha I did," Hotshot said bringing his arms to rest on his head. "So that means Smokescreen."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm 'it' the next time we play tag with the kids," Smokescreen said with a disappointed face.

Everyone in the room laughed, even Starscream gave a little chuckle. He had learned through Sideways that the Autobots did things with the kids in their spare time but had no idea they would play games with the kids. He didn't even know what tag was.

"So that is how basketball is played?" Sideswipe said.

"Yup," Blurr said as he walked out of the room with Scavenger close at his heals. Hotshot, Sideswipe and Smokescreen had also left the room talking about the game, which left Starscream, Optimus, Jetfire and the Mini-cons.

"So what did you think of the game?" Optimus asked Starscream as he turned of the monitor.

"Different," Starscream said. "I had wondered what that game was. In the past few weeks, Thrust would stumble upon a live game and we would watch, that would be until Megatron caught us." Starscream balled his fists at the Decepticon leader's name.

The mention of his ex-leader's name soared his mood and he left the room with not so much more than a sideways glance on his way out, he stopped long enough to pick up Swindle and continued on his way. He could hear Jetfire speaking to Optimus about the game.

As he walked down the hall, he stopped, as something caught his optic. He turned to see a room that was clearly used as a lounge. Just to amuse himself and get Megatron off his mind he entered the room. He couldn't quite understand why there would be a lounge in a space ship that crashed four million years ago. But of course the Autobots had done a lot of work to the old ship to make it livable.

It wasn't as big as the control room but was big enough to fit all the Autobots. In one corner, Starscream noticed a human sized fridge with two tables and chairs with a sofa for the kids. Beside the corner was a transformer size table with pictures on it. To Starscream's surprise the pictures were of the kids.

He walked over to the table and picked up the picture of the human Alexis. He stood there gazing at it. *I don't understand her* he thought. *There's something about her I just can't quite figure out. She has every reason to hate me, only she doesn't*. Starscream sighed and placed the picture back down. "It seems she has put a lot of trust in me."

"She has." Starscream turned to see Hotshot approach him. "I didn't think anyone was in here. I thought it was funny the day the kids gave us a picture of each of them. Red Alert used the computer to enlarge the pictures and had frames made for them too."

"So what brings you here?" Starscream asked in his usual tone.

"To get some peace and quiet. I don't know why but I feel closer to the kids when I'm in here. Maybe it's because of the pictures and the belongings the kids brought in," Hotshot said. "Though I'm wondering why you're in here."

"For your information, I just stumbled upon the room." Starscream turned and left the room to head outside the base. He sat on a small ledge . well to a human it would have been a good size ledge but since he was a transformer . it proved to be a good seat, and stared out over the town the kids lived in.

When dark approached, he continued to stare off over the mountains. He knew Optimus was behind him against the rocks. Optimus had showed up shortly before sunset but was silent allowing Starscream to have time to himself.

"What brings you out here Optimus Prime?" Starscream asked without turning.

"I came out here to watch the sunset. I didn't know you would be out here until I arrived," Optimus said moving from leaning against the rocks and approached the ex-Decepticon.

"What's so special about the sunset?"

"It's a beautiful sight. I've never been on a planet that shows such a sight until now. By the way before coming out here, I heard the kids were coming up tonight."

Starscream turned to the Autobot leader, "Why would they be coming back here after dark?" he asked curiously.

"The kids don't have school tomorrow and quite often they stay here when there's no school the next day."

"Don't they realize you are in the middle of a war? They could be hurt or killed."

"They know the dangers but they have become our good friends and have helped us many times and I do fear for their safety."

Starscream turned away and allowed the silence to roam between the two of them and after several minutes of silence, he found it was too awkward. "Alexandra," he said. The name ended the silence.

"What about Alexis?" Optimus asked remembering when Alexis had told him and the other Autobots that Alexandra was her full name. They had heard her full name not long after they arrived on Earth.

"She has put a lot of trust in me," Starscream said. "More than what I put in myself. Out of all those human kids, she is one that I can't figure out."

"Yeah it takes a bit to understand Alexis. She is one of a kind. She is quite, how the humans put it, the computer whiz."

"I don't know why she wants to be my friend. I tried to kill her and the others a few times."

"She has looked passed that. Humans can be hard to figure out but some of the humans actually will give people second chances. And Alexis is one of those people. You risked your life to join us and she seen that. I've never seen a Transformer able to leave Megatron's services and live to tell the tale."

"Optimus!" a female voice called.

Optimus and Starscream turned and saw Alexis and the boys arrive with Hotshot. The kids had their backpacks stuffed as they usually did when they stayed at the base.

"Welcome back kids," Optimus said.

"Optimus sorry for getting my hotdog in the way earlier. I was just too excited," Fred said.

"Forgotten, Fred," he said. "Well let's get you guys in and set up."

"Alright!" Carlos shouted. "A campout at the Autobot base."

Hotshot laughed not missing the enthusiasm in Carlos's voice. Hotshot always had enjoyed the kids campout since Alexis would tell stories. They would always campout in the lounge.

As the boys, Optimus and Hotshot left, Alexis stayed behind with Starscream. For a few moments he stared at her. The evening air blew at her hair, which barely went to her shoulders. He noted to himself that she looked pretty as she stood in front of him. He broke the silence as he noticed that she had a slight chill.

"You could get sick if you stand here any longer since the air is cooler up here."

"I know," she said. "I was just wondering why you were staring at me."

"Oh," he said. He went speechless that she knew he was staring at her. He bent down putting his hand on the ground for her climb up. She took the invitation and sat down, placing her backpack beside her as he lifted his hand to eye level. "I'm puzzled by your kindness. I have tried to kill you and yet you're talking to me as if I never was with the Decepticons."

"I may never forget that you tried to kill me or the others but when you asked for our help, I just thought that you deserve a second chance. I've noticed in previous battles you seemed reluctant to battle almost as if you are questioning yourself."

"How do you know these things?" He was getting confused now. She was figuring him out and she really knew nothing about him. In a way he was getting angry with her but on the other hand, he liked the idea of her figuring him out without him saying so.

"My parents are divorced and through the years I've been able to see why my mother would get upset or be depressed. Then when I met you Transformers I've been able to know the Autobots moods just by looking at them. Mind you, with Optimus's faceplate, it's hard to tell when something's on his mind so I've gotten to know when something is wrong; Optimus will seem quiet or distant."

Starscream was silent for a few moments watching the young girl shiver more. He stood and walked into the base getting quite comfortable with her presence. When they were out of the chilled air he broke the silence.

"What is divorced?"

"Huh?" She looked at him. "Divorce . " She didn't know where to begin. "It's when a husband and wife decide to stop being married. Usually a divorce happens when one of them is either abusing the other or having an affair."

He cocked his head getting more confused.

"Ok ... Affair is when someone is sleeping around on his or her partner . or in a Transformer's case, mate. Another word for affair is cheating on someone." She was told that there were female Transformers or Cybertron and when two Transformers hooked up together they were classified as 'mate'.

"So why are your parents divorced?" he asked finally understanding. Humans were a complicated race.

"It's not like my dad was cheating on my mother or abusing her or anything. It's just my mom didn't want to relocate when my dad had been transferred to another state and they were getting into a lot of arguments because they couldn't agree to disagree."

They continued the rest of the way in silence to the lounge and when they got there, the kids already had the sleeping bags set up and Hotshot and Scavenger were laughing at Rad as he was covered in head to toe in whip cream but was laughing.

Alexis started to laugh. "What happened?"

Hotshot turned and tried to stifle his laugh with no success so Scavenger explained. "Just a minute ago Jolt, Longarm and Sparkplug grad the whip cream pies from your fridge and threw them at Rad. So what took you two so long?"

Starscream was about to make a snappy comment when he actually looked at Rad and he laughed himself. It wasn't his usual maniacal laugh but a different one that everyone in the room noticed but didn't say anything.

Starscream set Alexis down as she went to assist her friend with the whip cream. When he was cleaned off, Optimus came in the room and dimmed the lights. Soon all the Autobots were in the room listening to Alexis telling campfire stories. Some of the stories were spooky and some made everyone laugh.

At one point when Alexis was telling a scary story, Billy decided to try something and when Alexis wasn't looking he indicated to the Autobots what he was about to do. He stood up and went behind Alexis and scared her. Alexis jumped out of her sleeping bag. Starscream who was the closest to her, caught before she fell too hard. Everyone laughed.

"Billy!" Alexis said after her heart went back to normal. She peered over Starscream's fingers. "One of these days I will get you for that."

When Optimus controlled his laughter, he stood. "Well kids it's getting late, you should get some sleep as well as the rest of us."

As the Autobots started to leave, Starscream placed Alexis down and watched her get back into her sleeping bag.

"If you kids don't mind, I'd like to stay for a bit." Starscream surprised himself at what he said. Even the kids were surprised until Alexis said sure. When the kids were asleep Starscream placed a finger on Alexis, which covered her whole body and watched her. He knew that if anyone was going to change him for the better it was going to be her. She knew what to say to him and he was getting to like her. In fact he secretly liked her but now liked her even more.

[Lady1Venus]

Set after the Mars mission. Starscream is confused about Alexis. Why does she want to help him? He tried to kill her. Can Starscream and Alexis become friends?

There will be some Generation 1 dealings ex: Seaspray being in love with an alien. But, of course, it’s in a different time frame. I mean, even though in Generation 1 it happened while the Autobots were on Earth. Well what if some of the events happened while on Cybertron before the trip to Earth?

New Experience

“In my opinion you belong on the Autobots side,” Alexis said to the injured jet. She knew that his canons were gone but when she looked up and saw the damage, it blew her away. It just wasn’t the same looking at him without the canons.

“If you don’t mind I would like to be left alone,” he said. He stood and walked away being careful not to crush the girl at his feet.

“Hey guys look what Starscream left behind,” Fred yelled to his human friends. On the other side where Starscream sat, there was a huge rock that obviously came from Mars.

Alexis ran over and picked a chunk of it off the main part. “He left it for us,” she smiled.

“We should do something to thank him then,” Rad offered.

“What should we do?” Carlos asked as he picked up a small piece of the rock.

“How about since he has the Star Saber, we make a chamois so he can polish the Mini-Cons,” Alexis suggested.

“That’s a good idea,” Billy agreed. “We can all pitch in and help.”

“Good. When we go home lets work on it. Each of us will sew a small section and since I’m good with the sewing machine, I’ll take the five pieces and sew them together.”

“Ok.” They all agreed.

“Oh shoot,” Rad cursed. “I promised Hotshot that I would help him find his wrench. He lost it the other day in his quarters.”

“I guess to us, it will be easier to find.”

“You bet, since we can get into places they can’t.”

“I’ll join ya,” Carlos said.

As the boys started to leave, Alexis stayed behind and watched them leave. She felt she should go and thank Starscream personally. When the boys were gone, she thought she was alone, until a large metal finger tapped her shoulder. She jumped, not expecting anyone.

“Whoa,” Optimus said as he watched her jump. He placed his hand on the ground, as she seemed to stumble. She looked like she was going to fall into his hand.

When she had her footing, she turned to the Autobot leader. “You startled me. I thought you left already.”

“No. I was about to but saw you standing here alone.”

“Oh. Where’s Red Alert? He was here just a bit ago.”

“He’s gone to fix Starscream.”

“Ok, thanks.” Alexis turned and walked out. She walked to the exit of the base that led outside onto the mountain. She looked out into the grassy meadow that was on the other side, opposite of her town. She sat on a rock, thinking. She didn’t know how long she was sitting there until a sound of a Transformer came up behind her and had lightly touched her shoulder with a finger. This time the touch did not scare her. She turned expecting to see Optimus but it was Starscream.

“Your fixed,” she said. She looked up to see it was getting dark. “I’ve been up here too long. I should go.” She stood to leave.

“Wait.” He sat down beside her. “I would like to talk to you. I don’t know why I want to. I’ve never willingly talked to someone before.”

Over by the doorway to the upper part of the base, a tall Autobot watched Alexis and Starscream. “It would seem,” he quietly said to himself. “He’s starting to have a changed of heart.”

“If anyone can change him,” another Autobot came up beside him. “It’s Alexis. He seems to be more comfortable around her.”

“I think you’re right Red Alert.” Optimus turned to his friend. “It’s almost as if Starscream wants to atone for his mistakes and he’s asking her for his forgiveness.”

“I think it’s more than that Optimus,” Red Alert stated. “Look when the kids had that sleepover, Starscream stayed with them all night beside Alexis.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying, I think he’s falling for her.”

“Is that even possible? A human and a Transformer?”

“You should know yourself anything is possible when it comes to love. For instance you and Elita-One; you two have outwitted the odds. Even that time when she was presumed dead, you never gave up. You kept looking for her even after everyone else ended the search.”

“I knew she wasn’t dead. I was able to feel her through the Matrix.”

“Yes and after three months, you found her being held captive by Megatron. Megatron made that explosion at the base that separated the female Autobots from everyone else.”

“But we’re not talking about my love life, we’re talking about a possible relationship that shouldn’t be happening.”

“Optimus, you were the one who told everyone to leave Seaspray alone when he was in love with that alien woman. And for years he was with her, and since he was able to turn himself into an organic life form, he had a family with the woman. What if Starscream and Alexis and can do the same thing?”

Optimus sighed. “Your right. But I’m worried about Alexis. She is only a child still, a girl who’s turning into a woman. I have been watching the humans here and girls Alexis’s age go through these mood swings and it bothers me.”

“It’s called puberty,” Red Alert informed. “You almost seemed to be more of a concerned parent then a concerned friend.”

“I know.” Beneath his faceplate, Optimus smiled. “Alexis came over this morning earlier than usual. I knew the kids had no school today. When I approached her of what was bothering her, she never said anything.

“Yes, I noticed that too. I wonder what’s wrong?”

“Let Hotshot or Sideswipe to be on stand by. I can see Alexis being here late again and she will need a ride home.”

As Alexis and Starscream sat quietly, they never realized the Autobot commander and science officer watched them.

“Starscream,” she began. “You wanted to talk to me.”

“I don’t know where to begin,” he admitted.

“Anywhere you want. I know I want to thank you.”

“For what.” He looked at her a little baffled.

“For leaving that Mars rock. Fred noticed it right after you left to get fixed. How did you find it?”

“After Tidal Wave, damaged me, I fell to the ground. I found a rock and crushed it with my hand. Then I realized the rock glittered and I remembered that your three friends who wanted to go with Jetfire, wanted him to bring back something.”

“Thanks anyway, it’s beautiful.” She pulled the rock out of pocket of her knickers. “Scientists have been trying to get to Mars for the past ten or more years now and this is the first time anything from Mars has been brought back.”

“I’m glad you like it.” He looked down on her and as the final rays of the sun were starting to go behind the horizon, he noticed that the light made Alexis look beautiful.

What was he thinking? He shook his head of the thought before Alexis could notice. “I was wondering,” he said. “Why do you keep talking to me? I tried to kill you.”

“Well like I said before, you deserve a second chance.” Alexis looked away from the sunset.

Starscream noticed Alexis’s mood changed quickly. “Is something wrong? You seem sad.”

“My mom and dad,” she said. “They are fighting more and I don’t want to hear them.”

“But you live with your mother. Why should hearing your father make a difference?”

“My dad is home for a vacation and he visited us this morning. Luckily there was no school today due to a flood and when they started to argue, I left and came here. When Optimus knew I was here, he asked me what was wrong but I didn’t know how to tell him.”

Even as he said, he couldn’t believe he said it. “Well you can tell me.”

“Thanks.” Her voiced saddened even more. “I don’t know what to do anymore. My father wants to take me with him.” A small tear slipped out of her eyes and traced a line down her face. “But I don’t want to go with him. I want to stay and not because of you guys but because I was raised here.” More tears started to come down her face. She tried to hide the tears from Starscream but he caught her. He picked her up and placed her in his hand.

“Do you have a choice to stay or go?” he asked quietly, allowing his voice to be soothing.

“I don’t know.” She tried to rub the tears away but more kept coming. “I don’t want to go back there.”

“Well you don’t have to. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

She stood in his hand and hugged his thumb as she cried. Over where Optimus and Red Alert were, they heard the sobs from Alexis and it concerned them and immediately walked over to the two. Alexis didn’t even know her and Starscream were no longer alone.

“What is wrong?” Optimus asked quietly, concern flavoring his words.

“Her family,” he said quickly.

Alexis turned from Starscream’s thumb and looked to see the other two Autobots. She roughly rubbed at her tears, trying to control them. “I don’t know...sniff...what to do.”

“I told her she could stay here. She doesn’t want to go home. She’s afraid her father will take her away.”

“Alexis,” Red Alert said. “I’m sorry. Why didn’t you tell us you were having some hard times with your parents.”

“I didn’t know how to tell you.”

“That is why you have been distant today.”

“I also just found out that my father is getting re-married.”

“The boys have gone home, so you can have the lounge to yourself,” Optimus suggested. “It’s just what if there is school tomorrow?”

“I will call in sick. Thank you but I would like to stay out here a little while longer. I would like to see the last of the sunset.” She finally had the tears under control.

“All right. Do you mind if I watch with you?” Optimus asked her.

“No.”

All three Transformers and Alexis watched the sunset. When the sun was completely gone, both Red Alert and Optimus went inside.

Starscream knew Alexis wanted to be alone but he couldn’t get the will power to put her down and retreat to the base. He, some reason, was concerned about her. And he couldn’t figure out why. As dark approached, they were quiet, neither one wanting to ruin the mood.

In the distance, Alexis and Starscream could here crickets. The sound was soothing Alexis and before long she fell asleep listening to them. Starscream watched her curl up and fall asleep but he didn’t want to disturb her. After awhile he decided that the cool air was not good for her. He slowly and quietly got up and went inside and proceeded to the lounge.

When getting to the lounge, Sureshock was waiting for them. He also noticed a sleeping bag was set up for Alexis. Optimus must have told Sureshock about Alexis’s little problem. He gently laid her down on the sleeping bag before making himself comfortable in a corner beside her. He was going to stay with her until she woke up.

She woke around 9pm to Starscream watching her in the corner. “I must have fallen asleep. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he said. “You were too cute to move.” Wait a minute did he just use the word ‘cute’? He was stunned that he called her cute.

Alexis was amused at his shocked look and started to giggle, which brought Starscream out of it. He looked at her and slightly smiled. It was nice to hear her giggle when she had cried a few hours earlier.

“I’m getting hungry.” She got up and headed to the small fridge and made herself a couple sandwiches. She sat back on the sleeping bag and ate.

“You humans are a strange race.”

“Well I could say the same thing about you. You survive on Energon.”

“You got me there.”

“Do you mind if I join you?” Hotshot asked coming into the room.

Alexis looked at Starscream. “I don’t mind,” he said.

Alexis’s mood was finally started to look up. She went over and under a table she took out a game. “You two want to play Trivial Pursuit?”

“How do you play?” Starscream asked intrigued.

“We’ll show you. Alexis you and Starscream be on a team and I’ll get...”

“I’ll be your partner,” Optimus said.

Alexis got the board set up and prepared to play. She remembered the day her and the boys taught the Autobots how to play. Unfortunately the Autobots were too large to move the game pieces so the kids helped out on that. During the whole time, Alexis showed Starscream how to play. After awhile he got the hang of it and actually answered a few questions.

By midnight, all the Autobots were in the lounge watching the game be played and it almost seemed that Optimus and Hotshot were going to win when Alexis gave the winning answer.

“Ha, beat ya,” she smiled and yawned.

“damn,” Hotshot said. “We were so close.”

“Well team, we better let Alexis get some rest,” Optimus commanded.

As everyone left, including Starscream, Alexis put the game away. She knew Optimus stayed behind to allow her to get in the sleeping bag.

“Good night, Alexis.”

“Good night Optimus. Optimus I’m sorry for not telling you earlier what my problem was. I just didn’t know how to tell you.”

“Did you want to tell me now?”

“Yes, I would like that. See my father is home on vacation and this morning he visited Mom and me. Not long after arriving, Mom and him got in an argument about me. He wants to take me to Florida.”

“And you don’t want to go.”

“No. My friends are here. You are here. But mostly I was raised here. I don’t want to leave.”

“Tell your parents how you feel. You need to voice your opinion when it comes to your life.”

“Thanks Optimus,” she said as she settled down.

When she was comfortable, Optimus dimmed the lights and left for his quarters. Alexis soon fell asleep. One thing that she could never figure out was why she was able to sleep better on the floor at the Autobot base then in her own bed at home.

[Lady1Venus]

Author’s Notes: Set during the episode “Crack” after Starscream received a gift from the kids but before he leaves back to Megatron (which sucked). I’m not sure if Crack would have been in a one-day period but in this story takes place in more than one day. I believe Sureshock is Alexis Mini-Con and Carlos has Grindor

Just a little note: any - - it’s Mini-cons speaking.

Birthday Surprise

It had been a few days since Alexis stayed at the Autobot base. The Autobots weren’t surprised that Alexis didn’t visited them. She had warned them a head of time that she probably would have been grounded for disappearing and sure enough she was. But to her surprise, her parents were no longer arguing. They had agreed that she would decide if she wanted to stay or go.

It was now her 14th birthday and she was hoping to have fun. She was going to go up to the Autobot base after school and spend the afternoon there. But her hopes went up in flames when she got to school.

It all started when Rad and Carlos had both called in sick. She knew they were up to something. To top if off, before the school bell rang, some her classmates started picking on her. Ever since Alexis started to hang out with Rad and Carlos, she stopped hanging with her other friends and they didn’t like that. At least she had Billy and Fred to hang with. But it wasn’t the same. Especially since she knew they were holding something from her. She couldn’t wait for the day to end.

When it finally did, she started to walk away from the school meeting up with Billy and Fred. She knew they were heading to the Autobot base. They walked in silence until they got across the street, where they met up with Sureshock.

“Am I glad to see you,” Alexis said to Sureshock. Since things were getting a little critical at the base, they had requested that the kids Mini-cons stay at the base until after school. Of course the Mini-cons were always at the kids homes waiting for them in the morning to take them to the park across from the school but when they reached the park, they’d leave for the base.

-I’m surprised that you are- Sureshock said back. To Billy and Fred they could not understand Sureshock. All they could here was a bunch of beeps. Of course Alexis understood the Mini-con, all the mini-cons for that matter.

“Come on let’s get out of here before...Grindor? Highwire?” Alexis had heard other beeping noises ahead of her and saw Rad and Carlos’s Mini-cons coming. “What are you doing here?”

-Optimus Prime said for us to meet up with so we could take Billy and Fred- Grindor said.

“What did he say?” Fred asked, eating a bag of chips.

“Optimus sent them to pick you guys up,” Alexis said.

Both Highwire and Grindor transformed and allowed the boys to get on. Sureshock also transformed and Alexis got on. On the way to the base Alexis was feeling a little blue again, it didn’t go unnoticed by Sureshock.

-Is something the matter Alexis?- Sureshock beeped.

“Not really, just that today is my 14th birthday,” she said.

-Oh. Happy Birthday- Sureshock said. She gave a faint smile to let Sureshock know that it was appreciated. Though it wasn’t the same from hearing it from a human friend, but it did make her feel a little better. -What is a birthday?-

“It is a celebration of the day you were born. Every year when a birthday comes, the person celebrating the birthday is one year older.”

The rest of the trip to the base was quiet and when they got the entrance of the base, Alexis noticed something was up even with the Autobots. Normally there was someone waiting for them to arrive but not this time. All three Mini-cons transformed back to bot mode when the kids got off them. Suddenly the Mini-cons took off, surprising the kids.

“Sureshock! Grindor! Highwire!” Alexis called out but they were gone. She turned to look at Fred and Billy.

“I wonder where they were heading?” Billy asked.

“Where else, the command center,” Alexis said. “Come on.” Alexis turned and started running down the hall to the control room, with Billy and Fred on her heals. When they got to the control room door, they stopped and slowly walked in. As they entered, Alexis noticed it was real dark which wasn’t normal.

“What is going on?” she asked to no one. She turned to find Fred and Billy were now gone.

Suddenly the lights went on and she turned back around just in time hear and see everyone say “SURPRISE!!”

Alexis gasped in shock. The control room had balloons and ribbons decorated all over the place. Even some of the Autobots were wearing some of the decorations. The Autobots had planned a birthday party for her. Even Rad and Carlos were there. There was even a cake with Alexis’s name on it on a table that the kids used when they were there.

When she got over the shock, Alexis started to laugh; now she knew what was going on. Rad and Carlos called in sick to help decorate the room.

“Sorry for deceiving you Alexis,” Optimus apologized. “Rad figured it was a good idea to throw a party for you.”

“It was my idea for it to be a surprise,” Hotshot said. He was one of the Autobots wearing balloons and streamers. Sideswipe and Red Alert were also decorated.

“Hey Alexis,” Rad said coming to her. “Hope today wasn’t too bad for you.

“It was the worse,” she said smiling. “Terry and Lana wouldn’t stop bugging me and NO one even bothered to wish me ‘happy birthday’ except for Sureshock on our way up here.” Alexis turned to Billy and Fred.

“Sorry. We just didn’t want to ruin the surprise,” Billy came up in defense.

“Hey Alexis,” Carlos said. “Remember when I borrowed a few of your cd’s?”

“Yes. Why?” she asked.

“Well with the help from Blurr, I brought my portable cd player and your cd’s so we can make it an official party.”

“You what?!” Alexis said in surprise. Just then the music started.

Everyone turned to see that Grindor had turned on the music and started dancing. Sureshock and Highwire even joined in. Soon other Mini-cons started to dance. Everyone laughed at their display of dance moves.

“We even have gifts for you,” Fred pointed out. Over on another table, which must have been transported by one of the Autobots, was full of gifts. Alexis didn’t think there would be that many since the only ones who could give her gifts were the kids.

Red Alert bent down to Alexis. “I bet you want to open them, now don’t you?”

“You bet I do,” Alexis said then laughed. “Rad must have told you I like to open gifts first before the party starts.

“That he did,” Smokescreen said.

Alexis walked over to the table and started to open the gifts. She first started with Rad’s gift, a cd. From Carlos was also a cd and Billy and Fred chipped in and gave her a digital camera.

There were still more gifts after them and Alexis didn’t know what to do until Jolt came up. “This is from me and Jolt,” Hotshot said.

Alexis examined the parcel to find it was done up in brown paper with coloring on it. She opened it up and found it was a human sized hand made metal picture frame.

“Though I had help from Fred and Starscream,” Hotshot said, placing his hand behind his head.

She then proceeded to open the others, which were also wrapped in brown paper. After she had all the gifts unwrapped she looked over at what she had received from the Autobots with their Mini-cons.

There was a book shelf from Red Alert and Longarm, she was getting too many books stacked in one corner of the lounge; a telescope from Optimus and Sparkplug, another picture frame from Smokescreen and Liftor; a quilt from Scavenger and Rollbar with the help of the boys, so she could curl up in when she was there; a small pool like tub, or that is what it looked like from Alexis’s point of view, from Blurr and Incinerator so she could relax her muscles; a pair of candle holders made of metal from Jetfire and Commetor. Finally from Sideswipe a huge birthday card with all the other Mini-cons even the Star Saber, Sky Boom Shield Mini-cons and all the Autobots names on it. Rad and the kids had a card too from them and their Mini-cons with the Autobots Mini-Cons as well.

“Thank you everyone. The gifts are beautiful,” Alexis said. She noticed that there was none from Starscream but she disregarded it.

“Now for cake,” Fred said. Blurr chuckled at Fred. “Hey what can I say I love cake.”

“You love anything that has sugar in it. But I don’t want the cake cut yet,” Rad said. “I would like to take a picture of all of us using the digital camera. Red Alert can you help by hooking this up to the main screen?”

“Sure,” Red Alert said.

While they were doing that, Alexis walked over to Starscream. “May I ask what you did on the gift Hotshot gave me?”

“I know you humans like designs on things,” Starscream said. “Back on Cybertron I worked with architecture. I actually helped everyone’s gift with designs.”

“Well it’s nice,” she said. “Thank you.”

When the camera was hooked up to the main screen, Rad then had Optimus Prime, Jetfire and Blurr stand against the wall with Red Alert, Starscream and Scavenger in front of them, kneeling and finally Hotshot, Sideswipe and Smokescreen sit on the floor. Red Alert had programmed a command into the computer to take the picture when everyone was in place. Another picture was taken of the kids and Mini-Cons.

When the pictures were taken, Red Alert then had them printed out from a printer that the kids had brought to the base. Alexis used the two picture frames from her gifts to place the pictures in.

Finally it was time to cut the cake, which made Fred overjoyed to the point that Sureshock went and grabbed a bucket of water and dunked it on his head. The water wasn’t cold but just from the shock of it, made everyone laugh at Fred’s reaction. Later on during the party, Alexis noticed Starscream slipped out.

Nightfall came all too soon and it was almost time for the kids to head for home. Before Alexis left, she decided to see if she could find Starscream and sure enough she found him outside looking out over the cliff. For several minutes she watched him.

Starscream had felt he was starting to intrude on Alexis’s party and decided that it was time to get some air. He wasn’t use to being around human customs much less the humans. As he went out he began to think about Alexis and her breakdown. He couldn’t understand why he felt sympathy for her.

Wait! What was he thinking? He had his own problems to deal with. He didn’t have time to listen to the problems of someone else so the question remained why? Why did he stay by her side when she was upset? Why did he even care?

One thing was clear he was drawn to her and he didn’t know why. Every time he saw her face or heard her name, his spark would light up. It seemed that when she was around, his problems seemed to fade away.

For a couple hours he kept pondering about Alexis. Before he knew it dark was approaching. He lost all track of time. Suddenly a movement behind him caught his attention. He turned quickly expecting to see a Decepticon and to his surprise it was the girl who was invading his thoughts.

“Shouldn’t you be at your party?” he asked calming down.

“The party is winding down and the others are getting ready to leave. I thought of coming out. I had seen you leave a little bit ago.”

“I wanted some air.”

“I figured that is what you wanted. It must be hard to socialize with us humans when you’re so use to being around Transformers. Scavenger told me Megatron always yelled at you for the failures.”

Starscream turned away from Alexis. “Why do you know so much about me? When I don’t know a thing about you.”

“Like I already said. I can get people’s moods easily.”

“I know,” he snapped. “Why are you like this? Why do you talk to me?” He was becoming angry.

Alexis took a step back. She was a little surprised that he would get angry with her.

He turned back to her and saw a little bit of fear. Suddenly all anger was gone. “I don’t understand,” he whispered. He sat down on a huge boulder. “Why are you be so nice to me, when all I’m use to is anger.” He bent his head and allowed his hands to support his head.

Alexis slowly walked up to the confused Transformer and placed a hand on his leg. The small touch made him look at her. “You deserve a second chance. I honestly don’t know why I keep coming to you. But I do you know how you feel. You think no one cares about you because you are different. You think because you have no friends that you should stay alone. I’m an only child and it’s hard to be alone. Before I met Rad, I would always do anything to get attention, even get into trouble.”

“You actually did things to get someone to notice you?”

“And I always had to pay the price. When I started school all that changed. I started to have friends and even became popular. Now I don’t care if I have any friends at school because I have the Autobots as my friends. And you are my friend.”

“I’m your friend?” he questioned. “Why do you want to be my friend?”

“Well for starters you listened to me when I needed someone to talk to. You never did pressure me to talk about my parents. By the way my father decided that it would be better for me to stay.”

“Thank you.” He straightened up. “You better get home before your mother worries again.”

“Yeah you’re right.” She turned from his foot and began to walk away.

“Alexandra,” Starscream called. She turned at her name and looked at him as he smiled at her. “Happy Birthday.”

Her smiled brightened and she continued back to the base so she could get home at a decent hour.

When Alexis got home, she showed her gifts that she received from her human friends and she got her gift from her mother. When it was time for Alexis to head to bed, she recapped her party at the base. It was a day that she wasn’t going to forget and neither were the Autobots. It was a special day for everyone. She even thought about Starscream and how confused he was. Like Starscream she also had a million questions going through her head. Why did she keep going to Starscream? She was drawn to him for some reason and it sort of scared her.

[Lady1Venus]

Alternate Crack

“Come on Starscream,” Thrust responded. “You were created to be a Decepticon, it’s time to act like one.”

Thrust was trying to convince Starscream to rejoin the Decepticons by stealing the Sky Boom Shield from the Autobots. But Starscream was skeptical. He didn’t know what to do. He felt he was becoming soft from the way the Autobots work but...should that make his decision. Just because he was created to be evil and never show emotions, make him strong?

‘I have to act fast. What should I do?’ he asked himself. ‘I already betrayed Megatron and I promised Optimus Prime that wouldn’t let him down.’ He suddenly had a flashback to when the kids gave him the chamois. He remembered how happy they were in giving it to him. Looking down at the cloth in his hand, he remembered Alexis.

She was a good kid with problems of her own. She went to him and told him first about her parents’ argument about her moving to a new state. He remembered how upset she was when she told him.

“I haven’t got all day,” Trust burst.

Starscream growled and slapped Thrust in the face with the hilt of the Star Saber for his outburst but then flew away. At first Thrust was a little baffled but he watched as Starscream dove down towards the ground where the Sky Boom Shield was just thrown from Smokescreen to Jet Optimus.

“It’s working,” Thrust smiled. “He’s getting the shield from Optimus.”

As Starscream flew down towards the shield, he continued to argue with himself. ‘I can’t betray them. So what am I doing? I’m going after the shield from Optimus.’ He got a quick glance at the kids standing at the edge of set of trees watching him. ‘damn, she’s watching. Wait a minute. She told me I was her friend. Would friends really do something like this?’

Just before his hand reached the shield, he quickly turned and shouted. “I’M NOT BETRAYING THE AUTOBOTS! I’ll get Megatron another way! NULL LASER CANON!!!!”

His two canons suddenly turned to face the front as Swindle did his job. With great hast of maneuvering, he fired a shot at Thrust and squarely hit him in the chest. As he fired he twisted his body so the laser beam would hit Tidal Wave at the same time. As tall as Tidal Wave was, the shot didn’t knock him down but did damage him. Sparks of live wires were clearly shown, sticking out of his arm. Thrust started to fall to the ground but not before Tidal Wave jumped into the air and caught the injured bot and warped away.

“Unbelievable,” Hotshot breathed. He ran up to Starscream as the jet turned back around to land on the ground and picked up the shield. “I thought you were going to take the shield.”

“I thought of it but then seen the kids. They quickly changed my mind.” He turned to Optimus as Optimus separated from Jetfire. “Here,” he simply said as he handed the shield to the Autobot leader.

Jetfire was too baffled to say anything.

“Starscream!” Alexis shouted as she ran from the tree line. Rad and Carlos were too stunned to move. “I thought...what...I don’t understand.”

Starscream bent down to the girl. “You are right. There are other ways to get Megatron without being suicidal. Honestly, I was about to leave but looking at you reminded me that you had placed a lot of trust in me and gave me a second chance when the others wanted to leave me high and dry. Besides, I made a promise and thanks to you Alexis, I’m not going to break it.”

Alexis, not sure what to say, smiled.

“Let’s get to the base before the Decepticons decide to attack again,” Optimus suggested.

“They won’t attack,” Starscream said. “Megatron will be too furious that Thrust failed to persuade me to rejoin the Decepticons. He can yell at someone else’s failures for once.”

“Nevertheless. We should get back.”

With agreement from everyone, Optimus reactivated the Warp Gate and within seconds the Autobots were at the base, out of harms way.

“Welcome to the team,” Hotshot said giving Starscream a pat on the shoulder.

“I agree,” Scavenger responded. “You may think the Autobots are soft but that is what makes our strength. We work as a team and when we don’t, we fail.”

“I have noticed that,” Starscream agreed. “You function better as one group, unlike the Decepticons who are greedy and will do anything to get all the glory. I once felt that way until meeting the kids.”

“Well we can’t have all the credit,” Rad said. “It was your decision to come to us in the first place.”

“Yes, it was but it was you guys who convinced me to stay.”

“Well I’m glad,” Alexis said. “Guys we better get home.”

“That is a good idea,” Optimus agreed. “And you have school in the morning.”

“And homework,” Carlos finished. “Or at least I do. I hate chemistry.”

“At least you didn’t fail your last test,” Alexis giggled.

“There goes little miss perfect again,” Carlos grumbled.

Optimus laughed at Carlos’s comment. “You kids want a ride home? Or will you take the Mini-Cons?”

“We’ll take the Mini-Cons,” Rad answered. “It’s still daylight.”

As the kids left, the other Autobots decided to leave the room leaving Red Alert and Optimus.

“Optimus, sir, I still say that he’s falling for her,” Red Alert said as he crossed his arms “Mainly because he decided to stay because of her.”

“I’m starting to agree with you,” Optimus answered. “But it should not happen.”

“Well like it or not, it may. She changed him and for that, he’s becoming a better Transformer. Alexis is a wonderful friend. But I wonder if she has any feelings for him?”

“I wouldn’t doubt it. Every time she arrives, she’s always asking where Starscream is. But I don’t think either of them realize it.” Optimus sighed. “Watching her, reminds me of Elita-One. I am starting to miss her more now.”

“You could ask her to come here you know. She wanted to come with us in first place. She would more than happy come now.”

“I know but Megatron doesn’t know she is still alive and I want to keep it that way. Besides how do I tell the kids that there are female warriors?”

“I think, they probably assume that there is,” Red Alert said as he uncrossed his arms. “Well I’m off to work on the ship. If you need me, you know where to find me.”

“I’m going to go speak to Starscream.”

-------

Starscream walked into his quarters. It was a quiet room compared to the rest of the base. He turned on the light. One of the last times he came into the room, the kids were in there giving him a present.

He pondered for a few moments on the emptiness of the room. The only things in the room were a computer console and a metal slab, which used as his bed. His quarters at the lunar base were much the similar way. He had no personal objects. He knew the other Autobots had personal belongings.

Decepticons were not like that. They didn’t believe in decorating a room. They believed it was a room to sleep and that was it. Starscream glanced at his wings and looked at the purple symbols. He had no right to wear the symbols anymore. He wasn’t a Decepticon he was an Autobot.

“I don’t need these symbols,” he said as he looked at his arms. He peeled off the small symbols off his arms. When he was done, a sound chimed, indicating there was someone at his door. “Come in.”

Not to his surprise it was Optimus. Optimus looked at the floor and noticed the Decepticon symbols.

“Why have them on my arms and wings when I’m no longer a Decepticon?” Starscream said when he noticed Optimus looking at the floor.

“If you want Autobot symbols, Red Alert can get some for you,” Optimus said.

“I will take that under consideration. But I don’t think you came here to talk about faction symbols.”

“No. I came here to talk about your decision. I really thought you were about to take the shield.”

“As I already said, I was going to but the kids stopped me.”

“I believe there is more of a reason. I’ve noticed how much you are around Alexis. She is a sweet kid.”

“Yeah she is,” Starscream agreed. “She knows how I feel just by looking at me and that does annoy me a bit.”

“I agree. She knows when something is troubling me. When she’s around I feel like I can tell her anything.”

“There is still much I don’t know about her. But in time I will know her.”

“Just as she’s getting to know you.” Optimus looked around the empty room. “Since you will be staying, you might want to make this room a little more roomy. Though we won’t be staying forever but it will give this room a little more life.”

“What does one put in a room to make it more comfortable?”

“Pictures for one,” Optimus laughed. “I have a picture of the kids, the same picture that was taken at Alexis’s party. I believe all the men have the same picture.”

“Thanks. I’m not even sure why I even considered of taking Thrust’s offer. He is a conniving weasel. He’ll sometimes do anything to become the better man. I wouldn’t be surprised if he actually wouldn’t mind being the leader.”

“Megatron does have a lot of hidden enemies in the Decepticon ranks. No one here has ever tried to mutiny against me.”

“They have too much respect towards you to even think of it. I don’t think I would want to try and take leadership from you.”

“That is nice to know. I’ll leave you now so you can get some rest.”

Optimus left Starscream’s quarters and walked into his own quarters. His quarters wasn’t as comfortable as he wanted it to be but being in the room always calmed him down. He looked at the picture of the kids that was set on a desk. The desk had data pad files that he had Jetfire bring from Cybertron.

Optimus not realizing that he was going to be on Earth for a while, never thought of bringing them. But after contacting Jetfire to join the battle on the planet he decided it was time to get through some files that were piling up on his desk on Cybertron. The files had to deal with the battles on Cybertron, training missions that needed his approval, completed training missions and some small maintenance services. He sat at the desk and started to go over some of the training missions, which were completed.

[Lady1Venus]

Coming Closer in Dark Times

In the desert of Egypt, the Autobots were sent out to look for another Mini-Con, which Optimus Prime was quite surprised. But when the kids Mini-Cons all said that there were still many more lying dormant on Earth, he knew it had to be true. He also knew Megatron would also be out looking for the Mini-Con. To help in the search, the kids were asked to come alone as well. It worked out well for Alexis for she had a project in History to do dealing with Egypt.

Alexis was excited. It was her first time in a pyramid. Hopefully this one didn’t hold any ancient curses that still existed to this day.

When they neared one of the pyramids, they found the signal was coming from inside.

“We have to go in that? Well at least it won’t be out here,” Hotshot said, irritated. “The sand is clogging my circuits.”

“I know what you mean,” Jetfire said.

“Rad,” Optimus said. “Where is Lazerbeak now?”

“He is somewhere deep inside there,” Rad said. “He’s at the approximate location.”

“And there’s no way to get there faster,” Hotshot groaned as they entered the pyramid. From what Alexis had told them about pyramids, the passageways were only big enough to walk through. Luckily the Autobots were able fit.

“I could scout ahead,” Starscream offered.

“Not a good idea,” Optimus said. “If the Decepticons are in there. They will notice you and it will give them our location. Besides I don’t think this structure could withstand your speed.”

“You’re probably right,” Starscream sighed. He looked around to see where Alexis was and he couldn’t see her. “Where’s Alexis?”

“Over here,” she called from behind Starscream.

Starscream turned to find Alexis sitting on Sonar. “What are you doing there?”

“Well I have a project to do and this is the perfect way to get it done at the same time helping you guys find that Mini-Con.”

“Alexis,” Optimus said. “Maybe you should be on the ground. If the Decepticons find us we will need Sonar in a hurry.”

“Your right,” Alexis said. Sonar quickly dove down and landed to allow Alexis off. When she was on the ground, Sureshock came over and offered her a ride.

“Optimus,” Red Alert said when they came to a passage that had more than one path. “Maybe we should break into teams.”

“Good idea. Kids, you go one way. Jetfire, Scavenger and Starscream you three stay here. Hotshot, Red Alert you’re with me. Smokescreen, Sideswipe and Blurr you two take the other route.”

“Someone should go with the kids in case the Decepticons find them,” Starscream offered.

Optimus hesitated before answering. “All right. Starscream you go with them. Be careful and stay under radio contact at all times.”

Starscream went over to Optimus. “Use the Star Saber. I have my own sword if we run into trouble.”

Optimus nodded his approval.

With the command laid out, everyone started off on a different path, leaving Scavenger and Jetfire standing guard.

The passage the kids went down, Alexis led the way. Starscream had to remove his wing sword so he had more room to move, as there wasn’t much room for him to move. The further him and the kids moved down the dark passageway, the wider it became. At one point, Starscream was able to place his sword back.

“Anyone know where we are?” Fred asked.

“Let me guess,” Billy groaned. “You’re getting a little scared.”

“Why would anyone be scared?” Alexis asked. “We are with Starscream. He would not let anything happen to us. Right?” She looked up at him. Of course it was hard to see him since he was so much larger.

“Right,” he agreed.

“Well my feet are killing me,” Fred whined.

“Here,” Alexis said. “Use Sureshock. I can walk for a while.”

“How will you write out the notes for the project?” Rad asked.

“I’ll help.” Starscream picked Alexis up and placed her on his shoulder.

“Thanks,” she said.

They continued down the hallway into a large room. Upon entering the room a laser blast was fired. Starscream was knocked down, which also knocked Alexis off. But with quick reaction, Starscream caught Alexis and placed her on the ground.

“Darn I missed.”

Starscream stood and looked to see Cyclonus.

Cyclonus had his arm laser gun aimed at him. “Well I guess I can expel the traitor.”

“I don’t think so,” Starscream hissed. “Kids get out of the way.”

He watched with one optic as the kids ran for cover but kept the other one on Cyclonus.

“Maybe I should get rid of your human friends first,” Cyclonus laughed.

“You leave them out of this. It’s me you want.” Starscream got in a fighting stance ready to attack Cyclonus.

“True, but getting rid of the kids would be a big help to Megatron,” he laughed again.

Over Cyclonus’s laugh, Starscream could here Optimus say he was close by. Through Starscream’s audio receptors, he had an instant radio transmitter. When he didn’t want anyone to overhear what was said over his communicator, he would turn it on.

“Hold it Starscream.” Starscream turned to see Megatron with his fist around...Oh No...Megatron had Alexis.

Starscream gasped.

“If you don’t want her hurt, you will surrender and make Optimus Prime give up the Star Saber,” Megatron smirked. He noticed that the traitor didn’t have the Star Saber so her presumed Optimus did.

Starscream clenched his fists. Megatron had Alexis and Cyclonus had his gun aimed on him. What was he to do?

Before Starscream could react, Megatron was hit from behind. He caught a quick glimpse of Optimus before he realized that Alexis was in the air, screaming.

“Alexis!” Starscream dove for her but not before Cyclonus fired. Luckily for Starscream, Cyclonus’s aim wasn’t very well. Just as he caught Alexis, the laser fire hit the ceiling and it fell on top of the red jet. Starscream cupped his hands as a barricade around Alexis so she wouldn’t be killed. When they were covered, he looked and noticed Alexis unconscious, and then everything went black.

A while later Starscream woke. He took a quick look of his surroundings. Once he was completely aware of where he was, buried under rock, he did a quick systems check to make sure there was no major damage. When the diagnostics were complete, and no major systems were damaged, he looked for Alexis. He found her lying unconscious beside his hand. But what he found beneath her was a bit disturbing. Both their legs were buried under rock. He started to try and work the rocks with one hand, off her legs.

He could hear distant noises from above him and knew the Autobots were working hard to get them out until he heard a sound from Alexis. He looked down at her as she began to wake. As she woke, he noticed she was bleeding.

When Alexis was completely awake, she felt around her head and found a nasty bump. As she opened her eyes, she was met with complete darkness. Before she spoke, she recollected her thoughts of what happened.

She remembered Cyclonus had his gun aimed at Starscream and was making remarks about firing on her and the others first and then...she was in the hands of Megatron. Remarkably, he wasn’t holding very tight but tight enough so she couldn’t get out. But then she was flying through the air and Starscream trying to catch her. She did remember him catching her but after that, was blank.

“W...where am I? What happened?”

“We are buried under ruble from Cyclonus’s laser,” Starscream said. “Careful, you are bleeding.”

“How long have we been here?”

“I’m not sure I just came back online. I’m assuming it’s been about thirty minutes or longer. I can hear the others trying to get us out.”

Alexis tried to move but something was stopping her. “I...I can’t move.”

“Your legs are trapped and they could be broken. I’m trying to get you out.” Starscream thought for a moment. “Here, I’ll brighten my optics so you can see.”

No sooner said, the little tavern, they were trapped in was now lit in a dim orange glow from his optics. Alexis was able to see the predicament she was in. Her back was supported by Starscream’s hand and her legs were stuck under fallen rock. Starscream’s other hand was slowly working at one of the huge boulders, trying to free her left leg. She also noticed that he was buried too. She was surprised that her legs were not crushed.

Suddenly a sharp pain went through her left leg. Alexis bit her lip, trying not to scream. She didn’t want Starscream to see her in pain. He had already seen her cry once and she didn’t want him to see it again. At least one thing was for sure she wasn’t paralyzed.

“Starscream please stop,” she said in a small whisper between clench teeth.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“It’s...” she couldn’t say it. The pain was too great and finally she screamed as tears came down her face. Starscream stopped immediately as he realized that trying to move the rock was digging into her leg. He didn’t know what to do for the injured girl. From the dim light he could see her uniform pants torn and a deep gash in her leg, which was bleeding.

When her cries were down to a whimper, he began to speak again.

“Is there anything to stop the bleeding? I don’t know much about humans, but I do know a human could die if they lose a lot of blood.”

Alexis slowly looked at her buried legs and seen the gash in her leg. She soon realized it was there that the pain was coming from. “Place...a cloth...” she managed out quietly. She knew if she were to start panicking, all hell would break loose. “On the wound...and press down as hard as possible.”

“Swindle!” Starscream commanded. He knew that his Mini-Con was still attached to him. When the little bot was in front of him, he continued. “We have to help her. Alexis what can we use for a cloth?”

In response to Starscream’s question, Swindle gave the answer. -Use your gift from the kids-

Starscream brought out the chamois from his subspace pocket. He hesitated about giving Swindle the chamois but one look at Alexis made his decision. “Press that on the opened wound and hold it there.”

Swindle did what he was told but Starscream was still worried. Though her leg was being tended to, there was still the cut on her forehead that was bleeding. “What can I do about your head?”

Alexis slowly lifted her hand again, touching the wound. Alexis took a deep breath before unzipping her jacket revealing a tan spaghetti strap shirt, which revealed the straps of her white bra. She had little difficultly getting the jacket off since Starscream was supporting her but when she did, she immediately pressed it against her head. She shivered as she felt cool air hit her arms and shoulders.

For several minutes both Starscream and Alexis were quiet but that soon changed as another sharp pain emitted from her leg. Swindle jerked at her scream but quickly replaced his hands on the chamois.

Starscream, not sure what to do, did the first thing that popped into his mind. Though his finger was large enough to cover her body, he used one of his fingers to rub up and down her back. He watched as she cried, helpless. There was nothing he could do to help the situation.

When the pain started to slow, she started to relax allowing the rhythm of his finger to calm her down. But to her relief and Starscream, a light suddenly appeared. Starscream switched off his optics, allowing the light above to light the tavern.

“Are you two all right?” Optimus Prime said through the crack.

“I am but Alexis needs medical attention,” Starscream said. “She’s bleeding on her head and leg. Plus both her legs and mine are trapped under rock. Hers may be broken.”

“We’re hurrying as fast we can. Rad and Carlos are coming to help.”

For several minutes, Alexis waited for Rad to arrive and when him and Carlos got to the bottom from Sonar and Jetstorm, they immediately checked out Alexis’s injuries. Alexis was too worn out from the pain to speak.

Rad looked at Swindle holding the bloodstained chamois against Alexis’s leg. He quickly looked at Starscream and was about to ask a question but Starscream interrupted him.

“Alexis told me what needed to be done to help the bleeding.”

Rad nodded and then looked up. “Optimus,” he called out. “I think Starscream is right that her legs are broken.”

“Smokescreen. Scavenger. Pick up the pace. We have to get them out of there now,” Optimus commanded.

Optimus turned from the ruble of rock, which had his human friend and Starscream, who was now classified as one of his men, to allow Smokescreen and Scavenger to work better. Worry was clearly visible on the leader’s face. But he wasn’t the only one worried, everyone was.

Red Alert walked over to Optimus. “Sir, I have the warp gate ready to warp us out of here from this position when we get Alexis out. But one thing that keeps going through my mind is how will Alexis cover this up from her mother.”

Optimus sighed. “If her mother has to learn about us, so be it, just as long as Alexis is ok. I knew I shouldn’t have had Starscream go with the kids.”

“Don’t blame yourself,” Red Alert said. “If Starscream didn’t go with the kids, they probably would be dead or with Megatron.”

Optimus clenched his fist and slammed it against the wall.

“Optimus,” Sideswipe called out. “The kids Mini-Cons just linked as Perceptor. He took my gun and jumped down the hole.”

“What?” Optimus moved back over to the ruble. He couldn’t believe what he just heard.

Jetfire snapped his fingers “Since Starscream can’t use his guns, for fear of hitting Alexis, Perceptor is sending down Sideswipe’s to blast the rocks off Alexis’s legs so we can get her out of there.”

Perceptor jumped through the hole and landed beside Alexis. –Starscream- Perceptor beeped. -Use this to free her-

“Good idea,” Rad said.

Rad, Carlos and Swindle backed away as Starscream took Sideswipe’s gun without hesitation and aimed it at the rocks. His other hand cuddled Alexis as best he could. Within moments Alexis was free, she passed out from the pain.

“Alexis?” Starscream called to her.

“She fainted from the pain,” Rad said in a worry tone. “Starscream, we’re going to get her out of hear then tend to you.”

“I don’t care, just as long as she is safe,” he said quietly.

Carlos looked up. “Could someone throw down a rope or something? So we can get out of here. Alexis is free,” he yelled.

“Here’s something better and faster,” Hotshot yelled down.

No sooner said, Runway and Jolt suddenly flew down. Perceptor carefully picked up Alexis and walked over to Jetstorm. -Be careful in taking her up, she’s badly injured-

Jetstorm beeped his acknowledgement as Perceptor gently laid her down. When she was on the Mini-Con, he slowly started to rise up to the hole.

“Would you like us to stay here?” Rad asked.

“No,” Starscream said. “Swindle go with them and make sure Alexis is ok.”

Swindle beeped his answered and then climbed onto Sonar. Rad and Carlos grabbed onto Jolt as Perceptor went up with Runway.

As Jetstorm emerged from the hole with Alexis, Hotshot quickly grabbed her. He gasped at her appearance. He couldn’t believe how badly she was injured. Her face was tear and dirt stained. Her clothes were also dirty. He could clearly see the gash in her legs as more blood seeped out through the chamois. He also noticed that her jacket was gone and her bra was visible. “Where’s her jacket?”

“She took it off to press it against her head wound,” Rad answered as he emerged from the hole. Him and Carlos jumped off Jolt.

“Hotshot, you and I are heading back to the base, stat,” Red Alert stated quickly. “I’m going to see if there’s anything I can do first.”

-I’m going with you- Swindle beeped.

“Who else wants to go?” Hotshot asked impatiently.

“We will,” Rad said for all the boys.

“Let’s move,” Red Alert commanded.

-

Dim light was the first thing she noticed as she weakly opened her eyes. The last thing she remembered was Starscream aiming a gun at the rocks covering her legs. When her eyes completely focused she realized she was in Autobot headquarters.

Someone beside her noticed she was awake. “Don’t move too much,” he said.

She recognized the raspy voice. “Starscream?” she whispered. A familiar face suddenly came into view. “How did you get out?”

“Soon after Red Alert and Hotshot brought you back here, Scavenger and Smokescreen got me out. Red Alert was able to stop the bleeding and stop the infection that had started to get into your blood stream.”

“Did we get the Mini-Con?”

“Yes, it was actually in the ceiling when it fell on us. Apparently after we were buried, Megatron ordered a retreat, which doesn’t surprise me.”

“I guess he thought it was in another room.”

“No, after the ceiling fell on us, the Mini-Con signal changed its location to under the ruble and Megatron didn’t want to dig it up. I found the Mini-Con just as Scavenger punched a big enough hole to get me out.”

“My mom is going to kill me after she finds out that I broke my legs.”

“Perhaps not. Red Alert is hoping to fix your legs by this evening. Your friends are working out an excuse in case it doesn’t.”

“My life has turned into lies and excuses.”

“I wouldn’t say that. You are an honest person. Let me tell you a little secret. From being trapped in that pyramid, brought back a lot of memories. You reminded me of someone I once knew.”

“Who was it?”

“Kiaudica. She was one in a million.”

“So there are Transformers who had girlfriends.”

“Yes. Kiaudica was an Autobot. Being with her was forbidden but I didn’t care. She loved me and I loved her. We knew that one day she would either die by a Decepticon or I by an Autobot but that didn’t stop us.

“Finally one day Megatron killed her. How’s the irony in that? The one bot I’ve always hated kills her. When she was alive, I was tempted many times to switch sides.”

“When did that change?”

“After she died, there was no more meaning to change, until now. You remind me a lot of her. You have a lot of spirit, you’re friendly, and you’re willingness to help others. It’s as almost as if you bare her soul.

“No one ever knew I cared for her, not even Optimus. I think she probably would have been banished from the Autobots if Optimus had known that she loved me.”

“And I suppose no one knew you loved an Autobot.”

“No. You are so much like Kiaudica. Maybe that’s why I feel so comfortable around you, why you know how I’m feeling.”

“What did she look like?”

“Most of her armor was blue and she transformed into a hovercraft. Her head looked like a human style of hair...high up on the head.”

“A ponytail. I’m sorry you lost her.”

“That was over three million years ago. I had learned to accept it. Anyway you should get a little more rest before you leave.”

“I don’t want to leave.” Alexis tried to get up but with a light push from Starscream’s finger, she wasn’t going anywhere. She noticed she was still wearing her uniform, though the pant legs were cut into shorts. She quickly scanned over herself of what she could and could tell that she was quite dirty. Her tan shirt was more grey as was her bra.

“Don’t over exert yourself. Why do not want to leave?”

“I don’t want to explain my injury and besides I already told my mom that the guys and I are camping this weekend so she’s not expecting me until tomorrow. I would like to stay until then at least.”

“I’ll mention it to Optimus. Right now get some rest and I’ll come and see you later.”

“One more question. How long have you been in here?”

“Since Red Alert was done, which was an hour ago.”

“Thank you,” she whispered as she started to close her eyes again.

“Your welcome.” Starscream walked out of the medical bay, with a slight smile. He had finally told someone about the love of his life who was killed. His relationship with Kiaudica was sacred and secreted. It felt comforting to have finally told someone about his forbidden love.

-

AN – Kiaudica is my creation. I thought it would have been really nice for Starscream to have a past love. It does explain a bit why he likes Alexis so much

[Lady1Venus]

Realization
Alexis woke to a sound of machines running. She turned her head, looking over to see Red Alert with his back turned to her. She noticed he was working on something. At first she wasn’t sure what he was doing but a few minutes of watching him, she remembered that he was hoping that she would be able to walk by the end of the night.

“I suppose you are ready to operate?” she asked.

Red Alert turned. “You’re awake, good. Actually I already have.”

“It didn’t take you that long.”

“Luckily we had the technology that reattached the brake in both your legs. However, your bones now have some titanium alloy to keep the bones together.”

She looked a little fearful at this discovery.

“Don’t worry, there will be no way to detect the alloy. Not even through X-rays. I’ve also read, to ensure there’s no excruciating pain, doctors uses anesthetic.” Red Alert walked over to the table where Alexis lay. “I used it on you when you fell asleep. I didn’t want to frighten you.”

“So I now can walk again?”

“Should be able to. But I would wait a few more minutes before trying to sit up. You just woke from the anesthetic. When you get up, I must insist that you don’t over exert yourself.”

Alexis heard a door swish open and turned to see the red jet walk with a slight smile. She smiled back. He walked over to her. “How do you feel?” he asked.

“Groggy.”

“The others are waiting for you in the other room. I could let them know that you are awake.”

“Yeah.” She tried to slowly get up but something was holding her down. She didn’t realize it until she noticed Sureshock was holding her down.

-I don’t want you to move right just yet-

Alexis sighed and gave no more resistance. Starscream chuckled and left to get the others. When he returned, Optimus was the first to approach her. She noticed the boys weren’t with them.

“I’m glad you are ok. Red Alert says you should be able to walk. You did have us worried.”

“I was worried myself. I didn’t know what would happen if Red Alert couldn’t do anything.”

“We...” Blurr stood beside his leader. “Were more worried that you could have been seriously injured or worse killed.”

“You are lucky that Starscream was trapped with you,” Jetfire said when he was close enough.

“I know. I probably would have bled to death if it weren’t for Starscream and Swindle,” Alexis said.

“Gentlemen may I have a word with Alexis alone for a moment,” Optimus said. “Blurr why don’t you find the kids.”

“Yes, sir.” Blurr turned and left to find the boys.

When everyone left, Alexis weakly sat up since there was no one restraining her. “What’s wrong?”

“You know I worry about your safety,” Optimus started. “Today was the first time, I lost control. I wanted so much to rip Megatron’s optics.”

Alexis noticed Optimus clenched his fist. “Well I’m safe now. And from what Starscream said, you got the Mini-Con, which got buried with us.”

“That isn’t the point. I rather see you kids out of harms way more than the Mini-Cons. A life can not be replaced.”

“Optimus, you’re sounding like you experienced it.”

Optimus knelt down to the girl. “I have a girlfriend back on Cybertron. Elita-One. She was lost to me once but I found her after a few months, alive and well. Megatron doesn’t know she is still alive.”

“Starscream told me that there are female Transformers.”

“Yes but not many. Many Transformers, Decepticons and Autobots believe the girls should not be warriors.”

“Something is more on your mind than me being injured today.”

“How do you do that?” Optimus sighed. “I’m a bit troubled that you’re with Starscream a lot.”

“Is there something wrong with that?” Alexis was getting a little defensive.

“I’m going to ask you a personal a question. You don’t have to answer but I would like you to think about it. You are real close to Starscream. It seems to me that you seem to care more for him more than you should.” He was no longer going to keep this from Alexis. He wanted her know how he felt about it.

Alexis looked away and fell silent. She never thought about it before. It never occurred to her that she could have feelings for the jet. She stayed silent for several minutes and before she could answer, the boys came running into the room.

“Alexis,” they all called at once. “You’re ok.”

“Yeah, thanks to Red Alert and Transformer technology.”

“So you have alloy in your bones. I hope you will never have to worry about having a bone marrow transplant,” Rad said.

“Even if I did, I don’t think there would be any one with my blood type. I have a very unique blood type.”

“Now more than ever,” Carlos said.

Billy turned to Optimus. “Now that Alexis is ok. Can we stay the rest of the weekend?”

Optimus laughed at Billy’s enthusiasm. “All right. You all can stay.”

“All right!” Fred cheered.

“Let’s get out of here,” Alexis smiled. “But it’s going to take me a bit. I may have wobbly legs since I just came out of the anesthetic.”

“Here we’ll help you,” Rad offered.

Rad helped Alexis as the other boys started to leave the room with Optimus in tow.

--------

It was well after dark as Starscream stood in his usual spot, looking out over the town. He couldn’t believe how the events went. Alexis got injured, he tells her about his secret love who died a long time ago and Red Alert had to operate on her.

His thoughts were all confused over the human girl. At first he was happy that he told her about Kiaudica but now he wasn’t so sure. Talking about her brought back old memories and wounds.

In the back of Starscream’s mind, he knew why Kiaudica had finally been brought up. He felt it was time to tell someone about her and Alexis was the perfect choice.

Beside him Swindle sat high up on rock. -What has gotten you so down?- he asked.

“Huh?” Starscream looked at the small bot. “An old girlfriend of mine. She died at the hands of Megatron.”

-Is that why you hate him so much?-

“No. I’ve always had a dislike for him. But what happened to Alexis brought back her memory.”

-You care for the girl- Swindle stated bluntly. -It seems to me that you care for her a great deal. Especially since you demanded that I stay with her until you arrived back-

At first he felt like hitting his Mini-Con but then thought for several moments of what Swindle said. Not to mention he remembered that the Autobots treat the Mini-Cons as equals and he didn’t want to revert back to a Decepticon. He had come too far to revert back.

Starscream looked away for a moment then turned back. “When I see her or hear her voice, I can forget who I am. She makes me feel like I can do anything, almost like Kiaudica did. She used to do the same thing.”

For another few minutes they were both silent. “You’re right,” Starscream admitted. “I do care for her.” But the fact was he not only cared for her but he was falling for her. But was that possible? Could he love Alexis the way he loved Kiaudica and would she return the same feelings?

-Well the kids are staying. You could tell Alexis how you feel-

“Are you crazy,” Starscream blurted. “Tell Alexis that I care for her.”

-Why not. Optimus already suspects that you care for her-

“Where did you hear that?”

-From Sparkplug. He says almost everyone has noticed how close you two have become-

“But you don’t understand,” Starscream lowered his voice. “I not only care for her but...”

-You’re in love with her- Starscream turned back to Swindle. -Being a Decepticon, you don’t think we Mini-Cons listen. We remember our fight back on Cybertron. But with the Decepticons, they have brainwashed the Mini-Cons so they couldn’t rebel. But they did. You on the other hand, never brainwashed me. You allowed me to be independent-

Starscream sat down, allowing his head to fall in his hands. “You are like Alexis. You can see through my defenses.”

-I’ve been learning from the best-

Starscream sighed. “How could I ever tell her that I love her? I don’t even know if she shares the same feelings.”

-As humans put it. ‘You must take a leap of faith’-

“I suppose you’re right. There have been some Transformers who were able to have relationships with other species. But Alexis is different.”

-How could she be different? She is bright, beautiful-

“And only a kid.”

-From experience of seeing, age doesn’t matter-

--------

In the lounge where the kids camped out, the boys were immersed in a small game of cards. Alexis didn’t feel like playing. She was laying on her sleeping bag, when she suddenly felt a small pain emitting from her ribs.

She passed it off at first. Then finally after a half hour, the pain became too much and she squealed out in pain. The boys stopped and rushed to her side.

“Alexis,” Rad said. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. I...there’s pain in my ribs,” she panted out as she was cuddled in a ball.

“Fred get the others,” Rad blurted to his friend.

Without hesitation, Fred went over to one wall and pushed a big red button, which turned on the com-link. He held in the button as he spoke. “We need help in the lounge. Alexis is in pain.” Fred then moved back to Alexis.

Sideswipe was the first to arrive. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” Rad said. “We were playing cards while Alexis watched and then she just screamed out in pain.”

“Where is the pain emitting from?” Red Alert asked as he rushed into the room.

“From her ribs,” Billy said.

“How can that be?” Red Alert asked. “The alloy would take days to go through the bones.”

Alexis screamed again in pain then fainted. Red Alert quickly picked her up and headed to the medical bay. When he arrived, he placed her gently on the Transformer operating table and started to do some scans on her.

After several scans he took some blood samples, which were difficult. He got Longarm to help out by taking a needle with a tube attached to abstract some blood.

“That is odd,” he said to himself.

“What is?” Optimus asked as he entered into the room. Red Alert was in the middle of analyzing them through a microscope when Optimus walked in.

“Optimus,” Red Alert looked up. “Here take a look at this.”

Optimus walked over to his science officer and looked through the microscope. “What is that?”

“Titanium alloy running through her blood stream. And from my calculations it’s been in there for over a week.”

“A week? How is that possible? Alexis was only injured today.”

“That is a puzzle. I also did some scans on her and found two hearts but one of them isn’t human.”

“Are you saying that Alexis somehow has another being living inside her?”

“I’m not sure. It’s inhumanly possible for a human to have two beings.”

“What is going to happen to her?”

“It almost looks like she is going to be half human and half mechanic.”

“Until we know anything further, I want this kept between us.”

“I agree. Who knows what would happen if Alexis or the others finds this out. Until then we could say that the accident caused her ribs to crack.”

As Optimus and Red Alert were discussing their options, another being was now fearful that they would be discovered. They knew it was time for her to communicate with the body that she was sharing.

She didn’t know how long it would take for her to get Alexis’s attention but she knew she had to move fast. Alexis was changing and if she didn’t do something, the human would lose all her humanity. She didn’t expect Alexis’s body to react as quickly as it did. She knew that someday it would happen but thought it would take quite a few years.

[Lady1Venus]

Kiaudica
Sitting on a deserted beach, a young woman sat, watching her friends swim. Beside them were their mechanical friends. She didn’t want to join her friends, as she wanted to get a tan. As she lied down on her blanket with not a worry, she felt very relaxed. Not even the Decepticons worried her since there was no enemy. It was peaceful for the Autobots.

Suddenly a shadow appeared over Alexis. Alexis opened her eyes to see who the intruder was and to her surprise it was a female Transformer the same height as she was. Alexis quickly sat up and was about to ask who the Transformer was.

“You know who I am,” she said. “But I should let you know that you are dreaming Alexis. Though this is a nice dream of the Autobots.”

“How do you know my name?” Alexis questioned.

“I know everything about you as you know a bit about me.”

Alexis looked more closely at the woman robot. The features on her looked a lot like what Starscream had described to her. “Kiaudica?”

The female bot nodded. “Yes.”

“But how can that be? Starscream said you died three million years ago.”

“I did but my spark survived.”

“How can you be human height?”

“Your dream allowed me to any size I wanted. And I chose human size. I have much to explain to you.”

“But how can you be here?”

“After my death, I wondered around Cybertron. Then finally I suddenly felt drawn to leave Cybertron and headed to a distant planet. It took a long to time to travel there. After arriving on the planet, I learned that it was called Earth and soon enough realized that the Mini-Cons were also here.

“Fourteen years ago, I started to go weak and I had to do something. I found myself at a hospital and saw a newborn baby. Since time was running out for me, I entered her body and has lived in her since, which is you.

“I had no idea that I would see Starscream again. I still love him. But my love for him is nothing like yours. I may know what you know but I can assure you my feelings for Starscream doesn’t affect in how you feel about him.”

Alexis sat down on the sand and looked at her friends. She was in shock. As she watched her dream friends, they began to disappear and she found herself in a field with white mist all around. She was no longer sitting but was standing in her usual outfit. Alexis looked at herself, confused.

“Since I live in your mind, I can change the scenery and I thought this would be more appropriate.”

“Why is this happening?”

“When I first met you, I felt some sort of power emitting off of you. And I knew that someday in the future, you would meet the Autobots.

“Unfortunately my spark living in your body is now starting to change you. I didn’t expect that to happen right now. I figured it would happen around the time you would die but now that it has, it was time for me to reveal myself.”

Alexis looked up at the Transformer. “What is going to happen to me?”

“You are turning into a Transformer. I don’t know why yet but I do know that Red Alert has now detected me. You must stop him from trying to separate my spark from you. It will kill both you and me. I’m hoping that I can help to keep you human as well as being a Transformer.” Kiaudica started to fade away.

“Wait! Don’t go!” Alexis shouted.

-------

Red Alert was working on a way to get the spark out of Alexis when he heard Alexis yell out in her sleep. Her scream startled him. He stopped what he was doing and went over to Alexis as she suddenly bolted up with a gasp.

“Alexis!” Red Alert blurted.

Alexis quickly looked around, as she waited for her heart to stop racing. She placed her hand over her heart trying not to panic. She didn’t want to believe her dream but after feeling her heart race, she knew her dream was real. Kiaudica was real and living within her.

She looked over at Red Alert and seen the concern registering on his face. “Red Alert,” she whispered. When her heart was back to its normal rhythm, she continued. “You mustn’t take the spark out.”

“What?” he questioned. “Why? How do you know what I’m doing?”

Alexis took a deep breath. “A female Transformer is living in my mind and if you detach the spark from me, her and I will die.”

“So I was right. How do you know this?”

“She was in my dream and for some reason I believe her.”

“Optimus should hear this.” Red Alert moved away and called for Optimus to the medical bay.

When Optimus arrived, Red Alert told him what Alexis said. Optimus then went over to Alexis. “Who is this female Transformer?”

“Kiaudica.”

“Kiaudica?” Red Alert questioned. “But how can that be? She died a long time ago.”

“Three million years ago. But her spark survived. She traveled to Earth and integrated herself into me.”

“How could she do that?” Optimus asked. He looked at Alexis and decided to believe what she was saying. “Did she say what was happening to you?”

Alexis’s voice saddened as she spoke. “She said I’m turning into a Transformer.”

Both Red Alert and Optimus gasped.

“I need to go for a walk.” Alexis stood up and jumped down from the table and left. She had to find Starscream and tell him this new information. Most often there were two places where one could find the jet, his quarters and on top of the mountain. But she looked in both places and he wasn’t in either one. She started to look for Swindle and found him in Mini-Con training room.

“Do you know where Starscream is?”

-Yes- He looked at her and knew that she wanted to speak to him. -Follow me- Swindle, with Alexis in tow, left the training room and proceeded to the far end of the base.

“Where are we going?”

-Starscream has found a hideout down below. He goes there when he doesn’t want to be bothered. I’m the only one who knows this spot-

He pushed a button, which opened a secret door. They walked down a dark, long corridor then reached a stairwell. Alexis couldn’t even see how far the stairs went. After a few minutes of walking down the stairs, they finally reached the bottom where there was a door.

They entered the door to a huge room that was dimly lit. Well it wasn’t a room; it was actually an opened tavern under the ship. Alexis guessed that the door was actually one of many hatches on the ship that led out. In the center of the room, Starscream was doing some sword techniques.

As soon as Alexis entered the room, he noticed her presence. He stopped and looked towards her. “What are you doing here?” he asked a little too gruffly.

“I needed to speak with you,” Alexis said. She turned to the Mini-Con. “I don’t mean to be rude but could I be alone with him.”

Swindle nodded and left.

“You need to know something. I understand that you want to keep Kiaudica a secret. I have to tell you something about her.”

“What do you need to tell me that I don’t already know?”

Alexis walked over to Starscream as he sat down. “After I passed out from the pain in my ribs, I had a dream. In that dream, I saw Kiaudica.”

“How’s that possible?”

“Apparently she didn’t die completely. Her spark survived and she traveled to Earth and embedded herself into me when I was born. Starscream I’m trying to tell you that Kiaudica is alive inside me.”

Starscream stared at her for several seconds in shock.

“She also told me that her spark is turning me into a Transformer.” Alexis looked as if she was going to go to tears again. “If that happens I will never see my mother or father again.” A single tear slid down her cheek.

“You’re serious?” he asked with concern.

“Yes. She can hear everything I can. I now sense her thoughts. She misses you.”

“Why is she living in you?”

“Her spark was starting to die. And the only way for her to survive was to embed herself into a human. She knew that someday during my lifetime the Decepticons and Autobots would come to Earth in search of the Mini-Cons. But she did not expect to, well indirectly, see you.”

Starscream was stunned. He couldn’t believe that Kiaudica was still alive and that she knew that one-day the war would start back up again with the Mini-Cons. Now he wasn’t sure what to think about his feelings for the girl. He knew he was in love with her but how could he tell her.

“Where are we?” she asked trying to change the subject.

“Below the base. Probably when the Mini-Con cargo ship crashed the heat from the ship melted the ground which left this crevice.”

“This is hard to comprehend. All I know is that I’m scared. I really don’t want to become a Transformer but it’s happening.”

Starscream snapped his fingers. “Now I remember. Kiaudica had a special power that no other Transformer had. Megatron tried to harness that power and when she resisted, he killed her.”

“What power was that?”

“The power to turn into another being. To us Transformers it’s not unheard of. After her death a few other Autobots found that power.”

“How did it work?”

“There’s planet that has a pool of water that can transform anyone and anything to what ever they want to be. Kiaudica was once on that planet and she was able to bring back enough water to transform her. If we could get a hold of some of that water you would be able to be human or Transformer anytime you wish. However there is a catch. One is only transformed for so long.”

“And it would work on me?” Alexis sounded a little excited.

“Yes because the people who have the water pool of transformation are humanoid.”

“But the question remains,” Alexis’s voice saddened again. “How to get it.”

“That I don’t know. Well I better get you back up on the main levels of the base before everyone gets worried again.”

Starscream stood, taking Alexis into his hand and walked back to the upper part of the base. When they were back in the main area, Starscream stopped at the lounge and was about to leave Alexis with the boys when Optimus was heard on the com-link.

“All personal, report to the command center at once.”

“Wow that sounds serious,” Carlos said.

Alexis remained quiet.

“Since Optimus has asked for everyone, why don’t I give you boys a lift as well,” Starscream offered.

“Sure,” Billy said.

-------

When everyone was in the command room, Optimus began. “As you all know Alexis was injured today and then a little while ago she collapsed. Well we found out why.

“Alexis somehow has a female Transformer spark embedded within her and if it’s removed, Alexis will die.”

“Unbelievable,” Blurr said. “When did this happen?”

“When Alexis was first born,” said Red Alert.

“Anyone know who the Transformer is?” Jetfire asked.

“Kiaudica.” Optimus turned to the vice commander.

“Kiaudica!” Jetfire exclaimed. “But she has been dead for three million years.”

“Her spark survived Megatron’s wrath. And she traveled to Earth.”

“Wasn’t she the one who discovered the pool of transformation and used it to sneak into Decepticon headquarters,” Hotshot asked.

“She’s the one. That day she had put a major blow to the Decepticons. And she was only a rookie,” Scavenger said. “She was young. Younger than you Sideswipe. But she had talent. It was amazing how well she worked and was devoted to the Autobots.”

“Were you around then?” Rad asked Starscream.

“I was also a young bot at the time, though older than her. I had even crossed paths with her a few times.” Which was the truth but not all.

“What is going to happen to Alexis?” Billy asked.

“She’s turning into a Transformer,” Red Alert stated. “And there’s no way to stop it.”

Everyone gasped.

“Oh Alexis.” Rad turned to his friend as she sat in Starscream’s hand.

She couldn’t handle it anymore as a few tears slipped out. She tried to stop them but they kept coming until finally she started to sob.

Rad grasped Alexis’s shoulders and pulled her to him as she cried. Starscream felt disturbed by Rad’s reaction. He did not like the idea of Alexis being comforted by her human friend. But he knew that he couldn’t do anything, well not yet anyway. In a way he felt ok about Rad holding her but he wished that it was him and not Rad.

[Lady1Venus]

Taking Over

Notes: This may sound stupid but I don’t care. Some of you may be having difficult pronouncing Kiaudica. I know I sometimes have difficulty saying new characters names. Well if you want to know how to say Kiaudica just think of it like this Key-awe-da-ka.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had been a week since Kiaudica was discovered within Alexis. In that time Optimus sent a message to his troops on Cybertron and ordered a group to find the planet that had the pool of transformation. He wanted to help Alexis as much as possible. And he knew that when the transformation was done, there would be no way to stop her and Starscream to be together if they wanted to be.

Alexis in the meantime tried her best to act like nothing was wrong but was failing. All her teachers and mother were concerned about her. Her mood wasn’t normal and she wasn’t even doing her homework anymore. She figured why bother when she wasn’t going to have a need for it anyway. Starscream tried his best to convince her that keeping up with school was still important.

It was a Friday evening and Alexis had returned home early from school. When her mother asked her what was wrong, all Alexis said was that she wasn’t feeling good. Alexis walked into her room to try and complete her project in History. The project was going to be handed in on Monday and she hadn’t even had the outline done.

Eventually Alexis got frustrated and threw her notes all over the floor and started to sob at her desk and soon fell asleep into another dream with her Transformer companion.

“Alexis, this is not healthy for you,” Kiaudica said.

“Why is the sense of doing schoolwork, when I won’t have a need for it?”

“Even if you don’t need it, it’s still important.”

“You’re starting to sound like Starscream.”

“Well maybe you should take his advice. He obviously cares for you but how much is what I keep wondering. If the Decepticons figure this out, they will be after you in a moments notice.”

“I have a question for you. You said that you knew I was going to change and thought it would be when I would die but I’m changing into a Transformer and you don’t know why. I’m confused.”

“I was wondering when you were going to ask that. What I meant by changing was when you would die; my spark would take control of your body and make sure it lives. My spark would take over your heart.”

“But somehow your spark is turning me into a Transformer.”

“Yes. But look at it this way. You will be able to help the Autobots find the Mini-Cons better than you could when you are human.”

“But I won’t be able to play with my friends or go on family trips with my Mom or Dad.”

“That is where the pool of transformation will come in. I know Starscream already told you about its power.”

“It can turn anyone into whatever they want.”

“There are some robots who cannot use this power. They have no will of their own.”

“What am I to do until then? It could take days, months, even years for me to change. I could wake up one morning and never be able to go to school again.”

“Yes that is true but until then you should make the most of it. You have wonderful friends who are doing their best to make this transformation as comfortable as possible. I remember the day I met Optimus Prime. I felt small compared to him when it came to experience. I was fresh out of the Academy when I was asked to join his troops. Many of the men didn’t want to give me the time and day but he did.”

“Why did the others not want to be around you?”

“I made myself a bad reputation while in the Academy and it’s because I messed up on an assignment. Later I had learned that it was Optimus himself who allowed me to join. He saw potential in me. You must have heard by now that I blew up a Decepticon compound that had two hundred Decepticons.”

“Yeah I did hear that. After that day, you had respect from the Autobots.”

“That’s right.”

“How did you meet Starscream? He says he wasn’t much older than you.”

“We had ran into each other on the battlefield. But he was injured and left for dead. I felt bad for him and secretly took him to an underground bunker that was nearby and nursed him back. He went back to the Decepticons and told everyone that he was able to fix his damage systems. We became friends shortly there after that and soon it became more.”

“I believe Optimus knew about our relationship but never said anything to anyone. Maybe you should ask him about it sometime. I would love to know if he actually did know about us.”

“Optimus knew about you?”

“Perhaps but there is only one way to find out. Right now I can hear your mother calling you. Return back to the waking world and think about what I said.”

Kiaudica faded away as Alexis woke and not to her surprise she could finally hear her mother beside her, trying to wake her up.

“Finally you are awake,” her mother said.

“What is it?” Alexis asked, yawning.

“Your friends are here and would like to go up to the mountains.”

“Ok. Tell them I’ll be there in a couple minutes.” Alexis stood from her desk after her mother left. She took one look at her room that was a mess of her History project and then walked out.

--------

When kids arrived at the Autobot base, they were greeted by Smokescreen who had now decided to change his name to Hoist. Smokescreen thought it was better to change his name after having a new overhaul done to his body.

“Hey Smokescreen, what’s up?” Rad asked getting off of Highwire and watched him transform.

“Nothing much. Oh by the way I’m called Hoist now.”

“Hoist?” Carlos repeated. “How come?”

“Isn’t it obvious,” Alexis said. “Since Smokescreen was damaged to the point that he had a new body made, it’s understanding to change names. They have doing that for millions of years.”

“That’s right,” Hoist said. “Where did you learn that?” Hoist then thought for a moment and remembered the Transformer who lived in Alexis. “Oh right.”

“Where’s Red Alert?” Billy asked.

“Where else, working on the ship.”

“Let’s go see him,” Rad said and started running towards the hanger where the Autobot spacecraft was being built. The other three boys were soon following him.

“I’m surprised you are not going with them?” Hoist asked.

Alexis sighed. “Lately I don’t feel like doing anything.”

“I know how you feel. When Red Alert was finished with my new armor, I was upset that Red Alert couldn’t do anything for my old one. I even got to see the remains of the body and boy was I mess. I didn’t think I could work this body since I was used to the old one but I had no choice. I’ve learned to accept this body and now I can do things that I couldn’t do before.”

“But you are still a Transformer. It wouldn’t matter how many times your spark was transferred to a new body. Me on the other hand, I’m turning into a different species. I’m going from organic material to metal and computers.”

“I know it’s going to be new and everything but you have all of us to help you. Well Optimus would like to speak to you. He’s waiting for you outside.”

“Thanks.” Alexis started to walk towards the hatch that would lead outside on top of the mountain and when she got there she saw Optimus alone waiting for her.

“What do you think of Smokescreen’s new name?” Optimus asked. He didn’t even turn around. He knew Alexis was within reach. Besides he was able to sense the warmth from her body.

“Different,” she answered. “You wanted to see me.”

“Yes,” he turned. “We are doing everything we can to find the pool of transformation.”

“I know. Can I ask you something that is private?”

“Of course, you can ask me anything.”

“It’s about Kiaudica.”

“What about her?”

“She told me that you had personally asked her to join your troops. Why did you?”

“She had potential. She was honest. When she messed up on her assignment at the Academy, I noticed that she wasn’t telling the whole truth and when the truth came out, she was one of the ones to actually confessed.”

“What was it?”

“Maneuvering through an Asteroid field in a one-man shuttle. At the time it was necessary to know how to maneuver through the field in case of a Decepticon attack. It was a mission of ten cadets. I don’t think that is really what you want to know about her.”

“No, not really,” Alexis confessed. She lowered her head so Optimus couldn’t see her face.

“Alexis,” he said with concern. “What is wrong?”

“Nothing really just something that I like to know but not sure how to ask.”

Optimus went silent allowing her to collect her thoughts.

“I was wondering if you knew if she was seeing someone?”

“Ah so that is what you want to know.” Optimus sat down, taking Alexis into his hands. “I suppose she would like to know.”

Alexis nodded still not wanting to make eye contact with the Autobot leader who would soon become her leader. That thought gave a slight shiver up her spine.

“She was having a secret love affair. It went on for a few thousand years. I had always known about it.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“She knew the risks but I didn’t condemned her because she was a loyal Autobot. She never lost sight of what the Decepticons were or our goal to make peace. See one day I hope that the Autobots and Decepticons can co-exist together.”

“Who was she in love with?”

“I believe you already know. Since she exists within you.”

“Starscream.”

Optimus nodded.

“Starscream told me that if you ever knew about him and Kiaudica that she would have been banished.”

“No. That is the Decepticon talking. Only Decepticons would outcast their troops.”

Suddenly a laser beam came out of nowhere and knocked Alexis and Optimus to the ground. Optimus checked to see if Alexis was ok then looked up to see Megatron not far away.

“Time to take back what’s mine Optimus Prime,” Megatron smirked.

“Decepticons attacking,” Optimus said through his com-link. “I don’t think so.”

“Want to bet,” Thrust laughed floating in the air. He looked past Optimus and saw the rest of the Autobots running towards his leader. “And here comes the rest of the idiots.”

Starscream leaped into the air, Star Saber in hand, ready to attack Thrust.

“We have to get out of here before we are noticed by the town,” Optimus yelled to his men.

“Why would you care if we are seen by the pitiful humans?” Megatron asked. “They are nothing but weaklings. They don’t even know that there are more intelligent life forms then them.”

“You leave them out of this!” Alexis yelled.

Optimus turned back. “Alexis get back!”

“Optimus,” she said suddenly in a softer voice. “Trust me.”

Optimus recognized the tone as Kiaudica. Kiaudica took over Alexis’s body.

“Megatron you are nothing but a jerk. You can’t even see the danger of the human population seeing you. There are nuclear warheads around this region and one shot could destroy you. Destroy us all.”

“I don’t care as long as Optimus is gone for good.”

“You don’t care about anything but yourself. You think just because you are the leader of the Decepticons that you are invincible.”

“You better watch it human. You are walking on thin ground,” Megatron warned.

“Alexis,” Starscream said. “Back off. Let us handle this.” He knew Kiaudica took over his friend’s body but he didn’t want Megatron to know that. Alexis had to get out of the way so Optimus could fight.

“Why don’t you listen to the traitor and back away before you get hurt again like you did in that pyramid,” Megatron said.

Alexis stood very still and started to glow. Slowly she took out the rock from Mars as she began to change. Everyone stared in awe at the girl, no one tempting to move. They watched as she grew in height. Suddenly she was engulfed in a yellow glow. But something was emerging from her shoulders.

Two identical wings stretched out from her shoulders as other attributes started to form as well. Starscream could barely see a cockpit forming on her chest, with a slim figure behind it. When her transformation was completed. The glow faded to reveal a light bluish green jet, identical to Starscream. Two Autobot symbols were clearly visible on the wings. Alexis was the same height as Starscream.

---------

Alexis was scared as she felt herself being stretched and started to change. She continued to look at the rock that she pulled out of her pocket as she changed.

“Alexis don’t worry. I have taken control of your body to fight. Allow me continue and help Optimus. He deserves that much from me. This is not permanent, yet. I am coping Starscream’s design.”

---------

“Now you cannot say I’m standing on thin grounds now can you?” she said.

“Thrust?!” Megatron burst.

“I don’t know,” Thrust shrugged, ignoring Starscream, who was beside him.

At the sound of Thrust’s voice, Starscream quickly got over how beautiful Alexis had become. He slightly smiled as he seen his advantaged.

Starscream fired his lasers from his chest, hitting Thrust, which threw him off guard. The rest of the Transformers then started to fight. Hotshot and Sideswipe went up against Wheeljack; Blurr went against Cyclonus as Hoist went against Demolisher. The rest of the Autobots, Red Alert, Jetfire and Scavenger went up against Tidal Wave, leaving Optimus, Alexis and Megatron.

Megatron was in shock at Alexis’s new appearance. “You think just because you change your look, however that was accomplished, you will defeat me.”

“How I changed is none of business and no I probably won’t defeat you but I sure can put a dent in your life style.” Alexis jumped up towards Megatron.

Megatron smirked and got his canon ready to fire at her. Optimus tried to stop her but she was out of arms reach before he could even grab her.

Just as Megatron fired, she leaped into the air. “Optimus duck!” She jumped over the canon fire; Optimus looked in the nick of time and saw the beam coming towards him. He ducked just as Alexis’s leg connected to Megatron’s face and then landed behind the Decepticon.

“You little...” Megatron hissed.

“I’m not so little now,” Alexis said, turning around. “Come catch me if you can.” She leaped up into the air, transformed into a jet and was gone like a bullet.

“Decepticons! Retreat! For now.” Megatron ordered then warped out.

“Already?” Cyclonus asked just before getting hit by Hoist’s gun. “Hey!”

Thrust was the last to warp out. “I guess your girlfriend has some amazing power.”

When the Decepticons were gone, Starscream landed down beside Optimus and helped him up. “Where’s Alexis?”

“She just took off. Kiaudica is taunting Megatron. She is going to get herself killed.”

“So Kiaudica was behind the change.”

“That and the Mars rock you gave the kids,” Red Alert said.

“What makes you say that?” Blurr asked.

“I watched as Alexis brought out the Mars rock as she transformed. The rock had a brighter glow than her. When this is over, I want to check out the rock. We have to find her before Megatron does. He will go after her.”

“My thoughts exact. He ordered a retreat so they could track her.”

“But Optimus,” Rad said as he ran out. “Alexis left to get away from the town.”

“We still have to find her, now!” Starscream said.

“Optimus,” Alexis was suddenly heard over the com-link. “I’m heading to the nearest deserted freeway. I did this to get Megatron away from the town.”

“Let’s go!” Optimus yelled to his men. “Kids you stay here.”

--------

Alexis landed on a deserted freeway, ten miles from the town where she lived. She stood and waited for either the Decepticons or Autobots to arrive. She wasn’t waiting long before the Autobots arrived. She felt relieved that they arrived first.

Optimus went up to her. “Why did you do that? There was a better way to get Megatron to follow rather than tempt his anger.”

“I know but I didn’t want Alexis’s family to see this. She’s already scared enough as it is. Don’t worry, I will not be careless.”

“Kiaudica?” Starscream. “Where’s Alexis?”

“She’s safe. She fainted when I attacked Megatron.” Even though it still sounded like Alexis, her voice had a metallic sound to it and was softer.

“How did you change like that?” Red Alert asked.

“Somehow the Mars rock is affecting Alexis. I realized that she carries it around with her everywhere she goes. I had her take the rock out to transform. It feels good to be a transformer again.”

“Be ready the Decepticons will soon arrive,” Optimus ordered.

-------

“Thrust! How could she do that?” Megatron yelled after getting off the warp gate pad.

“I don’t know sir,” Thrust answered. “But we can track her.”

“Good. Find her. She is not going to live to see tomorrow. That girl has driven my patience. It amazes me, though, that she would go up against me, against Optimus’s orders.”

“What did the Autobots call her?” Wheeljack asked.

“Alexis,” Megatron answered.

“Megatron,” Thrust said after typing some numbers into the computer. “I’ve found her coordinates. She’s not far from the Autobot base and with the Autobots.”

“Move out,” Megatron commanded, grabbing the Requim Blaster. He had left it behind for the time being. “Leave Optimus and Alexis to me.”

---------

The Autobots were in position when the Decepticons arrived. Megatron looked around and found the girl beside Optimus. He smiled at seeing his prey standing side by side.

“ATTACK!” Megatron shouted.

Each Decepticon ran towards the closest Autobot at Megatron’s order.

“You will pay for the humiliation girl,” Megatron growled.

“Give me your best shot. I’ve watched you fight Optimus. So I know when you will fire and when you won’t.”

“You might have watched me fight but you haven’t seen me use this.” Megatron revealed the Requim Blaster.

“Oh no,” Optimus cursed under his breath. “Alexis you must back off now.”

“No,” Alexis said. Alexis jumped into the air, to attack Megatron.

Megatron knew she was going to do that. He readied himself, letting her have the advantage and in the last moment before she was about to hit Megatron, he swung his arm up, grabbing her leg and slamming her to the ground.

“That takes care of that,” Megatron said aiming the gun at Alexis. “Say bye to your human friend Alexis, Optimus Prime.”

“No!” Optimus shouted.

Alexis slowly looked up and saw the barrel of the blaster pointed at her face. Megatron, however, was not looking at her. He was grinning and looking at Optimus. He believed he won.

She didn’t bother to look at Optimus as she did her next move. What Optimus didn’t know was she wanted to be knocked to the ground. She slowly stretched her arm towards Megatron’s leg. As she grabbed his leg, she shouted. “Don’t underestimate me, Megatron.”

Megatron was flipped into the air, blaster flying out of his hand. He landed on the ground as Alexis stood back up. She grabbed the blaster and aimed it at Megatron. “Decepticons! Stop or Megatron will be a memory in your memory bank.”

Everyone stopped their fighting. Starscream who was fighting Thrust cursed to himself. He remembered Alexis telling him not to be suicidal and here was Kiaudica doing the exact opposite.

Thrust, noticing Starscream no longer was paying any attention quickly teleported to behind Optimus, getting ready to put the pressure on the human Transformer.

“You will surrender and leave planet Earth and never return again,” Alexis said.

Optimus was in total shock, this was something Kiaudica did once before but it wasn’t to Megatron. Suddenly he could no longer move. He quickly glanced and found Thrust holding him.

“I think it will be you doing the surrendering,” Thrust called. “Or you will never see Optimus Prime again.”

The Autobots gasped. Starscream now felt like kicking himself as he let Thrust slip out of his fingers. He couldn’t believe he didn’t notice Thrust had teleported.

Alexis growled as she looked up, still having the gun pointed at Megatron. Megatron on the other hand smiled but decided to stay where he was just to see how it was going to play out. He knew at anytime he could kick the gun out of her hands and take her hostage. But he wanted to get rid of her for getting him to the ground like she did.

After several moments he got tired of the blaster pointing at him. He got up from the ground, snatching the gun from Alexis.

“Well I guess you lose,” Megatron smirked. “Well Optimus once again I have the upper hand.” Megatron pushed Alexis aside and aimed the blaster at her once again. This time Starscream came flying down knocking Megatron off guard. Alexis moved out of the way as a blast from the blaster came towards her.

Megatron turned as he seen Starscream lifting himself to the air once again. He aimed the blaster towards the traitor.

Optimus took his chance and grabbed Thrust, throwing him over his shoulders and then went towards Megatron. Megatron and Optimus started to wrestle for the gun as Thrust picked himself up from the ground and jumped into the air to attack Starscream.

As Thrust started to get in firing range to Starscream, he seen Alexis coming towards him. He aimed his guns towards her and fired. Alexis didn’t have time to move out of the way as she was hit. She went crashing into a nearby forest. She could weakly hear Starscream shouting her name and watched him attack Thrust.

--------

“Well Optimus, your human friend is now out of the fight,” Megatron said, struggling to get the blaster away from Optimus “Now give me back the blaster.”

“I don’t think so,” Hotshot said. He fired his gun towards Megatron. “I think maybe it’s time to pick up your pieces and go home.”

Megatron looked around and saw his miserable excuse for men lying on the ground, trying to weakly get up. He looked up and saw Starscream and Thrust still at their game of cat and mouse. He turned back to Optimus, kneed him the chest, and then backed away, with the blaster in hands. “Retreat!”

When the Decepticons were gone, Hotshot ran over to Optimus. “Optimus are you ok.”

“Yes,” Optimus said getting up. “We have to find Alexis.”

“Already on it,” Starscream shouted from the air. Starscream flew off to where he knew Alexis crashed. But there was no sign of her. He landed on the ground, to start a search, as the other Autobots started to reach the forest.

After what seemed like hours, Starscream had finally found her but her appearance shocked him. She was no longer the jet Transformer but her normal human self and was unconscious with the Mars rock securely in her hand. He ran over and picked her up. “Alexis, wake up,” he said.

Alexis started to stir. “What happened?” she whispered.

“Kiaudica took control of your body,” Starscream said quietly. “You fainted when she attacked Megatron. There was a confrontation between you and him.”

“I don’t remember.” Alexis suddenly looked frightful. “Where is she? I can’t sense her.”

“Perhaps Kiaudica collapsed. Can you sense her spark?”

Alexis thought for a moment. “Yes but I can’t sense her thoughts.”

“She’s unconscious.”

“Are you ok?” Optimus asked as he ran over to her. He was the first to reach Starscream but she could hear the others coming.

“Yeah I think so.”

When everyone was surrounding her, Optimus turned and said. “Let’s get back to the base. Alexis you’re with me.”

Optimus transformed as Starscream gently placed Alexis inside Optimus’s cab. He transformed as well and flew off to the base. Not far behind him was Jetfire. The other Autobots also transformed and headed towards the base.

On the way back to the base, Alexis was silent and Optimus wanted to ask her a couple questions.

“Whose idea was it to attack Megatron?” Optimus sounded angry but he knew he had no right since it was not Alexis who did the attacking.

“Trust me, it wasn’t me. I didn’t even know what was going on until it was too late. But what is with this rock?” she asked staring at the rock that was in her hand.

“Red Alert wants to take a look at the rock.”

“I don’t blame him. I would do the same thing. Optimus if you don’t mind, I would like to rest.”

“Of course,” he said. “You have a cut on your arm. Must be where Thrust hit you.”

“This is too much,” Alexis said. She closed her eyes and tried to relax the rest of the way to the base. Everything was going from bad to worse. She now turned into a temporary Transformer, no thanks to Kiaudica and the Mars rock that Starscream gave her had something to do with it. She had hoped that her other friends weren’t going to have the same problem.

[Lady1Venus]

It Begins

Notes: I’ve given Alexis a last name of MacDonald.

Alexis was in the medical bay and it was starting to become a habit on her part. But this time was for a different reason. Red Alert wanted to examine the rock from Mars and she was curious as well. Alexis now could feel Kiaudica again and remembered the battle with Megatron. She couldn’t believe that Kiaudica actually embarrassed the Decepticon leader.

Analyzing the Mars rock was taking longer than Red Alert figured. He didn’t think it would take that long. “I don’t know what to make of this,” he said to himself.

“Mind if I help.”

“Sure.”

Alexis left the room and came back a few minutes later with her laptop computer. Pretty soon she would no longer have a use for her computer. The thought put her down a bit but remembered quickly that Red Alert needed help. She placed that sad memory in the back of her mind to help the science officer.

“Red Alert,” she said after having the laptop on and plugged into the alien computer. “Send me what you have so far.”

Red Alert pushed a button that would send the information he found so far to Alexis’s computer. Alexis watched as the information was being downloaded. When it was complete, she unplugged her computer and moved it over to where she could be more comfortable.

She read over what Red Alert found for a few minutes but didn’t quite understand it. “Red Alert, mind if I take this home to see if I can’t make more sense of it. Mom is expecting later on.”

“That would be a good idea. I have to work on the ship.”

“How is that doing?”

“Slowly. I thought maybe we would be close to being down by now.”

“I need to talk to Starscream,” Alexis said.

Alexis left to speak to Starscream and found him in his quarters. When she was close to the door, she heard a chime, letting him know there was someone there and heard him say come in. As she walked in, she quickly noticed a picture of her and the kids by the computer console.

Starscream turned when he heard the door open. “How are you feeling?”

“Better now that Kiaudica is now conscious again. I can’t believe that she...I went up against Megatron like that.”

“It was something to see but very dangerous. I don’t know what I would have done if he would have killed you,” he said with concern.

“Well, Megatron really hates me now, at least he knows that I’m strong.”

“Yes and you also looked like me.”

“Kiaudica said she copied your design. When I turn into a Transformer, what will I look like?”

“That’s a tough question to answer. I’m not sure how to answer it.”

“I know when I first met you guys. You did not have large wings like you do now or the canons on your neck.”

“You had seen me from my original design and when we came here to Earth, Megatron thought changing our look, would help us to move better on here.”

“From fighting Megatron, I had the chance to see and feel what it will be like to be a Transformer. And I sort of liked that”

“Really? If you choose my design, you may have a winged sword. I could teach to learn how to use a sword.”

“That would be nice to know. But one question that keeps coming to mind and I know that you can’t answer it...my mom and dad. What do I tell them?”

“Perhaps the truth,” Starscream stated.

“We promised Optimus that we would not tell anyone.”

“I think Optimus might allow the rule to be broken for you.”

“Speaking of Optimus I had a talk with him earlier before Megatron attacked and he told me something that you will be surprised to know. See I can speak to Kiaudica when I’m sleeping and she had asked me if he knew anything about you and her.”

“She what?” He was surprised that Kiaudica would suggest something like that and worse, that Alexis spoke to Optimus about it. He started to angry with this.

Alexis noticed his anger and she quickly rushed out what Optimus had told her. “Optimus had always known about you and her. I had asked him if he if knew Kiaudica was seeing someone and he said that I knew who it was.”

Starscream clenched his fist. “Why would you ask that? That is private to me.”

“Even if you never had told me I would have known by now. I know things that were between you two that you never told me. Kiaudica is allowing me to see her history.”

“That still doesn’t make it right that you spoke to him about this before asking if I wanted it to be known.”

Alexis now was starting to get angry with Starscream. “Why won’t you let people in? You think just because you had a forbidden relationship, it makes it ok that your life stays private. Well I want to be your friend and you won’t let me in.”

Starscream stared at her from her outburst. He was too shocked to say anything. It was the first time, he ever seen her raise her voice in anger.

“I have told you things about my past that I never told Optimus or Rad. Rad doesn’t know that I ever was a trouble maker when I was a kid. You were the first person that I confided in about my parents argument...and you are the only one who calls me Alexandra and that my heart skips a ...AHHHHHH!!!!!!” Alexis suddenly collapsed in pain, curling herself into a ball and started to shake violently.

“Alexis!” he exclaimed, suddenly all anger was gone. He quickly bent down to her to place a finger on her back to comfort her, just like he did when they were trapped in the pyramid, but his finger did not touch soft flesh but instead felt something hard. He didn’t like what he felt and quickly called for Red Alert.

It took Red Alert a few minutes to get to Starscream’s quarters. Red Alert picked Alexis up and laid her in his hand as he tried to do a quick scan of her skin. “Her skin is turning into metal.” Red Alert stated.

“Would it have anything to do with her turning into a Transformer earlier?” Starscream asked.

“I don’t think so. Three days ago when I examined her, I noticed something on her back, it wasn’t metal but it seemed like a growth.”

“What’s going on?” Optimus asked as he rushed into the room.

“Alexis’s skin has now started to change,” Red Alert answered.

Optimus let out a sad sigh. “It’s time.”

Not sure what more to do, the three Transformers watched as Alexis went through her painful change. When she started to slow down in her shaking, Optimus continued softly. “Red Alert, continue on the ship. I’ll get the other men to help you. Starscream keep a watchful eye on her. I’ll get Rad to get her mother. She needs to know.”

Starscream nodded. He couldn’t believe that just a few minutes ago, he was angry with her for talking to Optimus about him and his dead girlfriend and then to find out that Optimus knew all a long.

“What about figuring out why she is changing?” Red Alert asked.

“We know why. We just to need to figure out how the rock is doing it. I do have a theory. I think Kiaudica’s spark is reacting to the rock.”

“That is a theory I have too. I don’t know why but I find the rock is somehow familiar. I’m sure I’ve seen it around in Cybertron’s library database,” Red Alert said.

“I’ll relay a message to Ultra Magnus to see if he can dig up some information.”

Alexis’s crying suddenly went to a whimper.

“Good, she’s calming down.” Optimus started to take his leave, as did Red Alert.

Red Alert didn’t want to leave the girl but he had an order to carry out. He placed the human into Starscream’s hands and began to follow his leader.

“Optimus,” Starscream said. “Could I speak to you for a moment.”

Optimus stopped and moved away from the door to allow Red Alert by. When Red Alert was gone Starscream continued.

“You knew about Kiaudica and me?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you let me know when I first arrived?”

“I knew it was a private subject for you. And if you’re wondering why I never banished her, it’s because for one Autobots don’t do that and two she never lost sight of what our goal was which was to eliminate the Decepticons. I do hope, however, that one day the Autobots and Decepticons can live in peace.”

“It’s hard to believe that you would allow her to see me when it was forbidden.”

“Starscream, I have a feeling of why Megatron killed her. I think he found out about the two of you. He wanted to give you a lesson that you wouldn’t forget. I believe he felt like you were going to desert him if the relationship continued.”

“Well I did desert him in the end and all because of the humans.”

“Yes. Now please watch her. I’m afraid while this transformation happens, she may do something that I will not approve and be prepared for a lot of questions. I don’t think it would be wise for her mother to know that you are an ex-Decepticon.”

“That would be to much for her. It’s already going to be hard for her to accept her daughter is turning into...what the humans call ‘an alien’.”

“I agree.” Optimus turned and walked out.

Starscream watched as the girl, went silent as she allowed everything to absorb. Though she was in a terrible pain, she heard every word that was said. She silently cried from hearing Red Alert say her body was turning into metal. When she was completely calm, she slowly sat up from her position and looked at her friend.

“I’m sorry, for getting mad,” she whispered.

“Don’t worry about it,” Starscream said gently. His tone did not sound anything like she ever heard before and she realized that he did care about her. “I was out of line for getting angry at you. I still don’t know why you make me feel like this, But I am glad you came into my life.”

Alexis sadly smiled. “Did you still want to teach me to use the sword?”

“If you are willing. I had always wanted to show Kiaudica how to use the sword. Mind you at the time, I was only learning myself.”

“Do you mind if I copy your design?” As much as Alexis wanted to cry that it was now happening, she had to be strong since soon enough Megatron would attack again and she didn’t want him to see her defenseless.

“No,” he smiled. In a way he couldn’t wait for her to change. He could tell her how much he cared for her...or even better show her.

--------

It was close to midnight when Rad and Carlos returned with Alexis’s mother. It took the woman that long to be convinced that going to the mountains was important. When her mother walked into the lounge, she was puzzled as to why everything was so large.

Alexis now had a hard challenge, giving her mother the truth. The Autobots stood nearby waiting in the darkened shadows.

“Hi Mom,” Alexis said.

“What is going on? It’s midnight and your friends told me that it was important for me to come here and I was in the middle of having company.”

“Trust me Mom you will be glad that you came. I have something to tell you and you’re not going to like it. Rad, Carlos, Fred, Billy and I have been lying to you. In fact we have been lying to everyone. And it’s all because we had made a promise that we would not tell anyone about this place.”

“Promise to who?”

“Before you meet them, who are standing in the shadows, I should warn you that this is a space ship that crashed four million years ago.”

“A space ship? Four million years ago?”

“Yes, this has been here the whole time. Almost a year ago, the creatures that crafted this ship came to Earth to protect another set of beings like themselves from their enemy called the Decepticons. Rad, Carlos and I met the beings and the Decepticons. Do you remember the day when a lot people said there was an Earth quake but it wasn’t recorded?”

“Yes.”

“Well that was the day the creatures came. And these creatures are not anything you ever heard of. It’s nothing like we have seen on TV from UFO sightings to Science Fiction movies.”

“What are they then?” Alexis’s mother was a little skeptical about what her daughter was saying but did trust her.

“They are called Transformers. Mechanical beings from a far away planet called Cybertron. They are here to protect and rescue Mini-cons who are miniature Transformers. The Transformers stand about fifty feet tall.”

“What?” her mother’s eyes widened.

Optimus decided at that point to reveal himself. He stepped out of the shadows.

“Mom meet Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots,” Alexis said as she watched Optimus come out.

Alexis’s mother watched the leader come from behind Alexis. She was in shock.

“Hello,” he said. “I know this is hard to handle but there is more to be said then to meet me and my men who are also standing in the shadows.”

“H...how...how many are of you?” her mother stammered.

“Here in this room, nine, including myself but back on Cybertron. Thousands,” Optimus said.

“I...I...I...don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything. Just listen to what needs to be said and try to understand. There is only one thing I have to ask of you and that is to keep our a secret.” Optimus bent down, stretching his hand out for her to get on.

Alexis saw the nervousness in her mother. She walked over to her mother and grabbed her hand and slowly pulled her towards Optimus.

“Don’t worry, we all do this all the time. Optimus finds it better to talk when we are higher up.” When the two were in Optimus’s hand. He slowly raised them to a higher area.

“Now I’ll introduce you to my men, who have all come to depend on Alexis and her friends for help in finding the Mini-Cons.”

Alexis’ mother watched as eight other giant robots came from the shadows.

“I’m Red Alert.”

“Hotshot.”

“Hoist.”

“Blurr.”

“Scavenger.”

“Jetfire, second in command.”

“Starscream.”

“Sideswipe, the youngest on the team.”

“And these...” Alexis said to the kids Mini-Cons as they came up. “Are the Mini-Cons. Grindor, Sureshock and Highwire. Mind you there are a lot of more of these guys.”

“And you have been here for almost a year?”

“Yes but that is not why we had asked for you to come here,” Optimus said. “First do you remember when Alexis went missing for the night, she was here.”

“Here?” she looked at Alexis in disbelief.

“I told you, the Autobots were kept a secret. I couldn’t say anything.”

“She’s right,” Red Alert said. “But what we have to tell you is something that happened to Alexis. A week ago there was an accident. That day we learned something that will change yours and her life forever.”

“What is that?”

Alexis looked at Optimus, then Starscream. “Mom...how do I say this?”

“Say what?”

“I...I’m becoming a...Transformer.”

“What?! How? Why?”

“Apparently,” Red Alert started. “A Transformer known as Kiaudica, who was killed three million years ago, but managed to survive by only what we call a spark, which is like your heart. She came to Earth and embedded herself into Alexis when she was first born.

“Not that long ago, Starscream and Jetfire went to Mars to retrieve a Mini-Con. Starscream brought back a huge rock and gave it to the kids. That rock and Kiaudica’s spark is reacting to each other, which in turn is changing Alexis into one of us.”

“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Optimus said as she watched woman start to panic.

Alexis also noticed her mother starting a panic attack. “Mom, take deep breaths. This is something you don’t need right now and that’s to end up in the hospital.”

Her mother did what Alexis asked and started to take deep breaths and after about ten deep breaths, started to calm down. She looked up at the Transformers when she was calm enough. “How well do you know Alexis?” she asked when she was finally calm.

“Starscream, Red Alert, Myself and Hotshot have known Alexis, Rad and Carlos from the beginning. The others have gotten to know her as they arrived to help out.”

“Ok...Even if I believe you, what will happen to Alexis?”

“She will be able to do what she wants. Either help us in our fight with the Decepticons or stay in a neutral zone. It will be up to her.”

“Mom, I’ll be ok. I have these wonderful friends to help. I’ve even come to associate some of them like family. To Optimus, I feel like he’s a father to me, Starscream a friend and Hotshot and Sideswipe, pretty much like brothers I never had. Basically Red Alert is not only my friend but he’s like a doctor to me to.”

“I never knew,” Hotshot said. “That you would considered me like a brother.”

“Me too,” Sideswipe said. “I know I consider Hotshot like a bro but never thought of you like a sister.”

“I know and I never had the chance to tell you until now,” Alexis said. “And Sideswipe, I wouldn’t mind it at all if you considered me like a sister.”

“Ok. I will then.”

“See, Mom. They are easy to get along with.”

“So that is why for the past week, you haven’t been doing your school work,” her mother concluded.

“Yes and really soon I won’t have a need for it. The changes have already started. I don’t know how long it will take. And I would like to spend what time I have left as a human to be with you. Hopefully I will be able to be a human for a limited of time.”

“How can that be achieved?”

“On a distant planet,” Starscream said. “There’s a pool of water called ‘pool of transformation’. There’s already a search to see if we can get any of the water and if we can, Alexis will be able to become whatever she wants, whenever she wants. Even you could use it.”

“Unbelievable,” her mother said. “How long have you existed?”

“Millions of years,” Scavenger said. “Since it’s late and we, as much as we don’t want to right now, have things that must be done, why don’t you stay here? We can take you home tomorrow.”

“I have one more question. What is a Transformer?”

“We’ll show you,” Optimus said. He turned to Hotshot. “Why don’t you give a demonstration?”

“Sure.”

Alexis’s mother watched in amazement how Hotshot went from a robot to a yellow car in split seconds then back to robot.

“Wow.”

“They all can do that,” Alexis said. “They all transform into something different. Optimus is an eighteen wheeler transport truck, Blurr a sports car, Scavenger a bulldozer, Starscream a jet, Jetfire a space shuttle, Hoist a construction like truck and finally Red Alert and Sideswipe also transform into cars.”

“Also Mrs. MacDonald,” Carlos said. “This is this room where we camp out. And I borrowed my parents portable cot for you to sleep in.” He pointed to behind her where there was a cot set up for already.

“I’m not quite sure if I would like to stay here.”

“I don’t want Alexis to leave,” Optimus said. “The changes has started and I want to keep a close eye on her. Goodnight kids and Mrs. MacDonald. Let’s get to our duties. Starscream, stay with the kids.” Optimus commanded.

Starscream nodded as Optimus turned and took his leave. The others were not far in following his command. When his teammates were gone, Starscream sat on the floor.

Mrs. MacDonald sat on the cot, exhausted and lost. She now knew what was wrong with her daughter but couldn’t believe that these giant beings had been hiding underground for almost a year.

“Mom,” Alexis said. “I’m sorry I never told you.”

Mrs. MacDonald looked at her daughter with sadness. “When I was told that your blood type was strange, I knew then something was going to happen.”

“The reason my blood type is strange is because of Kiaudica. Her spark is so much a part of me that if someone were to separate us, we would both die. Red Alert was going to do that but I had to tell him not to.”

“Will you become as tall as them?”

Alexis nodded. “Mom, as much as I want to talk some more but I’m tired. This is also hard for me to comprehend what is happening. I’m going to rest.” She turned to her sleeping bag on the floor. “If you need anything ask Starscream or wake me up.”

Starscream dimmed the lights and allowed the kids to fall asleep. As they fell asleep he kept a watchful eye on Alexis but also watched her mother.

For a few hours, Mrs. MacDonald watched her daughter sleep in the dim light. Sleep was not coming to her easily. Finally she stood from the cot and walked towards Starscream. She had the feeling that he was watching her.

“You seem to be watching me. Why?” she asked quietly.

“Just wondering when you were going to sleep,” he answered. “I remember the day I came to the base. Alexis was the only one who would give me the time of day. No one wanted to speak to me.”

“Why?”

“Just something that I did, when I first met the kids. Alexis taught me true friends would stick by through thick and thin. I thought I had friends before, now I know they weren’t. I had started to believe I was useless, but Alexis showed me different. Without Alexis I would have betrayed the Autobots.”

“Let me guess, you were a Decep...”

“Decepticon. Yes.” Even though Optimus said that Alexis’s mother shouldn’t know that he was a Decepticon, he felt she a had a right to know. “Try and get some sleep, it could end up being a long, hard day tomorrow.”

Mrs. MacDonald slightly nodded and slowly moved back to the cot. Though she wanted to have more questions answered, she thought it was best to try and sleep. And before long she was asleep. Starscream watched a little while longer before deciding to have some down time as well. He kept part of systems on so he could hear Alexis if she needed him.

[Lady1Venus]

Transformation Mystery

The next morning, Alexis was the first to awake. She looked over by where she last saw her mother and sure enough, she slept in the cot Carlos brought for her. She smiled feeling a lot better now that she knew the truth. Alexis then looked up and saw Starscream beside her, appearing to be asleep. That was until he smiled at her.

“Sleep well?” he asked quietly.

“Better than I have in the past week,” she said. “I’m still quite sad that I’m losing my humanity but I am glad that my mother knows. It will be a big adjustment for her as well as me.”

“But you have friends to help you and she has you.”

“That is true. I hope Megatron doesn’t find out until it’s over.”

“Me too. He could very well use this to his advantage. Especially since no one is on their guard.”

“I’m hoping my mother will still be a big part of my life.”

“If she is as understanding and friendly as you make her out to be, you shouldn’t have any problems.”

“What makes you say that?”

“After you kids were asleep, she had a hard time getting to sleep. Her and I shared a few words. She knows I was a Decepticon from what I’ve said to her about you. You have shaped my life to be a better bot now.”

“I don’t deserve a comment like that.”

“Oh but you do.”

Alexis turned to see her mother was awake. “You’re awake.”

“I really didn’t sleep much,” her mother said. “Alexis you are a very caring person. If it weren’t for your smiles and cheeriness, I wouldn’t have gotten over the divorce as quick as I did. Or even accepted your father is remarrying.”

Alexis went over and hugged her mother. “I love you so much Mom.”

“I don’t like what is happening to you but there is nothing that can be done but try to cope it.”

“Mom,” Alexis pulled away. “I don’t want to be away from you but I need to be strong for the Autobots. If the Decepticons were to find out about this transformation the Earth will be in endanger. Megatron doesn’t care about anything but himself. He will even sacrifice his own men to satisfy his own needs. He tried that with Starscream that is why he left.”

“But that is dangerous.”

“Everything in today’s life is dangerous. Just getting into a vehicle, could be your last. But that is not the point. The point is, and I’ve had the past week to think about this, I have decided to help Optimus and I’m going to be careful. I have another being within me, who will be able to help.”

“This is too much, too fast.”

“I know. I wish it wasn’t happening but the Mars rock is reacting to me.”

Starscream stood. “I’m going to see if Optimus has heard anything from Cybertron yet.”

“Ok,” Alexis said. “I hope we find out soon.”

--------

In the command center, Optimus was busy at the main computer. Or at least that is the way he looked from Starscream’s view as he walked in. But Starscream knew better. He knew Optimus was frustrated and worried about Alexis.

“Mind for some company,” he said.

Optimus turned. “No, not at all. I suppose Alexis is awake.”

“Her and her mother. She had just told her mother that she has agreed to work with us.”

“I had that feeling she would. You know this is going to complicate things. Trying to rescue the Mini-Cons, build the space ship at the same time fighting a war with the Decepticons is difficult as is. She may have some techniques from Kiaudica but that isn’t enough. She needs to be trained.”

“Yes and I’m going to work with her on that.”

“I thought maybe Scavenger could train her.”

“I want to teach to use a sword.”

Suddenly the computer started to beep.

“Good.” Optimus pushed a button, revealing the face of another Transformer. “It’s good to see you old friend.”

“Like wise,” the bot said. “I have done some extensive search on what Red Alert asked for. It’s complicated to explain so the information is being sent as we speak.”

“That is good to hear, Ultra Magnus. What about the pool of transformation.”

“We have been successful in finding the planet without being detected. The inhabitants gave us a sample and said that it could be poured into an underground lake. The surface of the lake is what will transform your friend.”

“That’s just what I wanted to hear,” Optimus said.

“Sir,” Magnus continued. “The information that is being transferred will shock you. And all I’m going to tell you is the Mars rock is not from Mars but from Cybertron.”

“Cybertron?” Starscream questioned. “How can that be?”

“We’ll find out,” Optimus answered. “Thanks Magnus. We’ll keep in touch.” The main computer screen went dead. “Starscream I’ll be in the medical bay reading this information over with Red Alert.”

“Want me to let Alexis know?”

“Wait. I would like to give her the good news myself in front of everyone.”

Starscream nodded.

Optimus pushed another button that would send the information to the medical bay then opened the com-link. “Red Alert. Meet me in the medical bay. Stat.”

---------

Optimus already was in the medical bay when his science officer arrived. Red Alert was a little confused when he already told him to continue on the ship.

“You wanted to see me.”

“We got the information we were looking for,” Optimus answered without looking up. “And you are not going to believe where the rock is from.”

“Where?”

“Cybertron.”

“Cybertron? How can that be? There’s tens of thousands of light years between Earth and Cybertron.”

“Reading what Ultra Magnus sent, will clear up the confusion. I just started going through it now.”

----------

Starscream arrived back at the lounge to find all the kids were now up and eating. Alexis and her mother were immersed in a conversation at one corner of the room.

“Hey Starscream,” Carlos said. “Alexis said that you went to see Optimus. So why did he ask for Red Alert?”

“We have found why the Mars rock is reacting to Kiaudica.”

“Really?” Alexis said in a softer voice. “That was quick.” Kiaudica had taken over.

“Alexis?” her mother asked.

Alexis turned back to her mother. “It’s alright,” she said. “I am Kiaudica. Alexis has allowed me to come out so I could meet you.”

“T...t...that...can happen?” Mrs. MacDonald stumbled.

“Yes,” Alexis said. “Depending on how you look it, it can be a blessing. Alexis told you that she...we will help the Autobots and it’s going to be me and some training that will help. I am a rookie, who was killed by Megatron.”

“That is something not to talk about right now,” Starscream said.

Alexis looked at Starscream. “Sorry. But I want my revenge.”

“Alexis told me that seeking revenge could be suicidal. One should have a fool proof plan before attempting it.”

“She said that to you,” Mrs. MacDonald said.

“Yes and it was from there that my friendship with her started.”

All to soon, Alexis suddenly keeled over in pain. Her mother jumped in shock, not sure what to do. But she quickly wrapped her arms around her daughter, holding her close as she whimpered in pain. The boys rushed over to their friend’s side.

“What’s happening?” she asked to no one in particular.

“Apparently,” Rad said. “The transformation is painful. I think it’s...Ouch.” Rad rubbed his shoulder as he looked at Billy who pinched him.

“How long does it last?”

“Varies,” Starscream said. “As much as we hate this, there is nothing that can be done to ease the pain. All we can do is sit back and watch her do this and give her comfort.”

Alexis weakly reached her arms up to mother’s arms and hugged then tightly. Several minutes went by and then Alexis started to calm down. She weakly lifted herself up but never left her mother’s embrace.

“All personal report to the lounge, Stat.” Optimus’s voice suddenly heard over the com-link.

“Why here and not the command center?” Billy asked.

“Red Alert and Optimus has gone over the information sent from Cybertron,” Starscream said. He bent down to Alexis. “Are feeling alright to hear some news?”

“Yes,” she said quietly. “The sooner the better.”

“Anyone mind telling me what this is all about?” Hotshot asked as he walked into the room. “I was just getting ready to work on the ship.”

“I’ll give you a quick answer,” Carlos said. “Mars Rock.”

“Wow. That was quick.” He looked over at Alexis and his mood saddened. One look at her and he knew that she just went through another painful change.

Before long, all the Autobots appeared one by one into the lounge. The last to arrived was Optimus and Red Alert.

“As you probably know this pertains to the Mars Rock,” Optimus said getting to the point as he entered. “I had asked Ultra Magnus to do a search and what he found is quite remarkable but at the same time, unbelievable. He learned the rock is part of Cybertron.”

“Cybertron?” Scavenger asked. “Cybertron is mechanical not organic.”

“Many years before the Transformers ever had set foot on Cybertron, there was a civilization of humanoids. Cybertron was once a planet like Earth. One day a huge meteor fell and buried itself deep within the planet. From the pressure of the meteor, it sent pieces of Cybertron into space.

“After many years, when the humanoids started to rebuild, they started to die and the planet began to lose its atmosphere. The civilization was eventually wiped out and the planet began to change into what it is today, mechanical. As the atmosphere began to disappear, more fractions of Cybertron left. These fractions were infected but when it left the planet, it no longer continued to transform.”

“So the sparkle look,” Rad said as he pulled out his rock. “Is actually the infected parts of the rock from Cybertron? Will it affect us like Alexis?”

“No,” Red Alert answered. “In order for the rock to continue it’s change, it had to reach a mechanical source. That is where Kiaudica comes in. Kiaudica’s spark has change the path of the rock’s infection and turned to Alexis.”

“So what Starscream brought back,” Jetfire said. “Is not really a Mars rock after all but remains of a rock that once was on Cybertron as an organic planet? That I never knew.”

“Not many people do,” Optimus said. “Only the Matrix holders have this knowledge. The Matrix was in the process of being developed when Cybertron transformed. But it never knew the meteor had sent fractions of the planet into space. It is rumored that some of the inhabitants had survived but were transformed as well. Just like what is happening to Alexis.”

“Anyway we could try and figure that out?” Sideswipe asked.

“Not sure,” Red Alert admitted. “But on the other hand, we have found some real good news for Alexis.”

“What is that?” she asked.

“The pool of transformation has been found and a sample has been collected,” Optimus said.

“Awesome,” Carlos smiled. “Alexis can be a transformer and a human.”

“Too cool,” Fred added in.

Alexis’s eyes brightened at this new information. And she suddenly had renewed energy. She jumped from her mother’s arms and began to dance, smiling. Her new dream was coming true. Everyone smiled as they watched their friend danced, displaying her happiness.

----------

Later Alexis was looking out over the town. Her mother had just left the base to head for home. She didn’t want to leave, knowing that it could be the last time seeing her daughter as a person. But she had a few things to do and needed some time to think.

“I thought I’d find you out here,” Starscream said as he came up to her and sat. “Your life has been turned upside down but now you can live in both worlds.”

“Yeah, but I’m still worried about Mom. She isn’t taking it well. I knew I shouldn’t have allowed Kiaudica to come out when she did.”

“She will. Finding out about your rock is something.”

“I wonder how much more Cybertronian rocks are scattered all over the universe.”

“I wonder the same thing. But that is not something we need to discuss.”

“Can I ask you a personal question?”

“Sure.”

“What was your real reason for joining the Autobots? Was it because Megatron tried to destroy you?”

“A little bit of everything but more because I was used by Megatron and being an Autobot was the only way to keep my distance from him. At first I found you were pest. At the time, I didn’t understand or want to know why Optimus was friends with you. But now I know why.”

“What about the others? How do you feel when you’re around them?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Curious.”

“I’m honestly not sure how I feel about them but they are ok to get along with. Your friends were easy to figure out. They like to play video games and eat.”

“I know they can be pests at times but they do have their good qualities.”

“Are you planning to keep your name?” Starscream decided to change the subject.

Alexis looked at him and thought for a moment. “I haven’t really thought about it much. Will you still be my friend?”

“What type of question is that? Of course I will. You are my friend as I am yours.” Starscream placed his hand to ground.

Alexis smiled. She stood and walked on to his hand. “You are a great friend. I told you, you belonged on the Autobot side.”

“That you did. And I have decided to wear the Autobot Symbols and with your help, I’d like them put on.”

“You want my help?” she asked. “Can’t you do it on your own?”

“On my arms yes but it’s more difficult on the wings.”

“Sure. I’ll help you.”

The two walked inside and went to his quarters. There he set Alexis down on his bed and then proceeded to put the symbols on his arms. When that was done, he laid down on the floor and allowed Alexis to place the bigger ones on his wings. It was a bit difficult for her to do, since they were big but she eventually got them on.

She felt a bit surprised that he asked her to help him with the symbols but didn’t really question it. She just felt honored to help him. He was now officially an Autobot wearing the symbols. At first it was weird looking at him, just used to the other ones but it was defiantly better then none, which is how he had it from the day he decided to stay with the Autobots.

[Lady1Venus]

Getting Out

After two days of being cooped up in the Autobot base, she decided to disobey Optimus’s orders and left. She didn’t tell anyone where she was going. She had to get out and see people. Her body had started to change inside. Some of her important organs were no longer there. In place of them were circuits.

She ran quickly out of the base and down the hill before someone could catch her but that was short winded when Sureshock came up behind her. He quickly grabbed her arm, stopping her from running.

Alexis stopped and bent her head, knowing who held her arm. “Sureshock. I need to do other things then sit in the base, waiting for the pain to come. I want to do some things that I haven’t had the chance to do yet. Please let me go.”

-Only if I go with you- he beeped.

She turned to her Mini-Con. “I’m always up for company but you’ll have to remain in vehicle mode. I’m going into town.”

Sureshock nodded and transformed. Alexis smiled and got on her scooter and sped off before she was seen again.

High above on the mountain, she was spotted. But her watcher did nothing to stop her. He felt that she needed a break from the base. He knew that Optimus would disapprove.

He jumped into the air, transforming into vehicle mode before speeding off high into the air so he could keep an eye on the girl without her knowledge.

-

Alexis strolled into town on her Mini-Con, which nobody knew it was actually an intelligent being. They all thought it was a regular scooter. She had put on a fake smile, pretending nothing was wrong.

“Alexis!” someone shouted.

Alexis looked over on the sidewalk and saw an old friend of hers. She quickly maneuvered Sureshock over to her friend.

“Sandy,” Alexis said. “It’s been awhile.”

“Yeah. You haven’t been at school lately. Why?”

“I’m moving,” Alexis lied. But in a way it was the truth. She was sort of moving, moving in with the Autobots. “My Mom and I are moving out of town to another district. But I’ll still be around once in awhile.”

“Moving? When is this happening?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve also been sick too.”

“Are you feeling better know?”

“Depends. Sometimes I get a real strong pains.”

“Have you seen a doctor about it?”

“Yes. Would you like to do something?”

“Sure. I was just about go shopping. Would you like to come?”

“I guess,” Alexis saddened. She knew she would never have the need to shop again. But there were still things she could still get like CDs, DVD’s and such. All she would need to do is download them to the Autobots computer.

High in the sky, a red jet soared through the air, heading back the way he came. Where Alexis was going, he couldn’t follow. He decided it was time to head back to the base and explain Alexis’s absence to the others. Optimus had a right to know that she left and why.

-

“Where’s Alexis?” Optimus asked.

“Not sure,” Hotshot said. “I had seen her earlier outside.”

“Sureshock and Starscream are missing too,” Red Alert said. “Sureshock must be with Alexis but what about Starscream?”

“It’s not like he can stroll down the streets,” Sideswipe said.

“I’m not worried about Starscream. It’s Alexis that I’m concerned with. Her spells are happening more frequent. Eventually she will no longer be human size. We have to find her now.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Starscream said as he walked into the room.

“Starscream,” Optimus said. “You know where Alexis is?”

“Yes and I did nothing to stop her. She needs a break. She has been cooped up here in the base and soon she will no longer be able to do human things. I did follow her for a while but she has gone shopping with her friend. I overheard them talking.”

“Is Sureshock with her?” Hotshot asked.

“Yes.”

“Thank you for telling me,” Optimus said. “When she gets back, I want to speak to her. I’ll be in my quarters reading over some data from Cybertron.”

“You still haven’t gotten through the files?” Jetfire asked.

“Dealing with Hoist’s damage, Starscream joining and now Alexis’s situation, I haven’t had much time of anything.” Optimus turned and left.

The others meanwhile headed off to the hanger where the ship was being built. The ship was now near completion, which Red Alert was pleased about.

-

At the mall, Alexis and Sandy were out shopping. Sandy was getting a bit confused as to why Alexis really wasn’t looking at much but passed it off until they came to a computer shop. Now Sandy was really getting confused. Alexis would never turn down the chance to check out the latest software.

“Alexis, something is wrong,” Sandy said.

“What gives you that idea?”

“Well for one, you are not doing any window shopping of any kind and we just past a computer shop that you always like to look at.”

“I haven’t been myself lately.” That’s an understatement for Alexis. “I don’t really want to move but I have to.”

“I can see that. You are leaving your friends. Plus you almost moved away with your father.”

“Mind you there are a couple DVD’s I wouldn’t mind getting a hold of.”

“Well lets go,” Sandy said in her cheery voice. “To cheer you up a little better, why don’t I treat you to an ice cream.”

At the sound of ice cream did not spark her interest and she realized that her desire for food was starting to fade. Alexis placed a fake smile. “Sure why not. I haven’t had a triple chocolate fudge sundae ice cream in a while.” That ice cream was her favorite of all times. It was an ice cream but had the taste of a sundae.

Later when the girls were ready to leave the mall, Alexis felt a little relieved that she was heading back to the base. She knew Optimus probably would have been worried. “Sandy, I’m sorry I haven’t been much of a companion today.”

“That’s ok. Maybe I could come by the house sometime before you leave.”

“I’m not sure that will be possible but we’ll see.” Alexis got on to Sureshock, who waited patiently for her outside the mall entrance, and drove away.

-I was starting to wondered what was keeping you- Sureshock said.

“I know,” she said sadly.

-What’s in the bag-

“A couple DVD’s that I’m going to download into the computer so I can watch them.”

When Alexis arrived at the base, a concerned Blurr greeted her. “Where on Earth have you been?”

“Trying to get a feeling of what’s left of my humanity,” she said. “I’m sorry for being out for so long.”

“Optimus wants to speak with you in his quarters.”

“Blurr, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Are you angry with me?”

Blurr was taken aback by her comment. “Just concerned. If you were to take another painful spell, we could be exposed.”

“I never thought of it that way but I needed to get out. I have been cooped up here with no other friends to talk to other than you guys and the boys.”

“I can understand why that would be difficult. When I first arrived, I didn’t want to be near anyone. I just wanted to do my job and that was it.”

“Really? What changed?”

“The fact that you kids never stopped and I watched how the others communicated. They did their jobs and in their spare time, relaxed and played with you guys.”

“There’s a saying, ‘all work and no play makes it a dull day’. I would never be able to live if I always had to work and never made time for relaxation. Well I better go and find out what Optimus wants.” She started to head off

“Alexis,” Blurr said. “He already knows where you were.”

Alexis turned back around. “How?”

“I’ll let him explain that.” Blurr then turned and walked away.

Alexis then continued to Optimus’s quarters. When she reached the door, she heard a sound and then Optimus saying for her to enter. When she was in and the door was closed, she saw Optimus at his desk, working.

Optimus looked up from his work. “Going through files from Cybertron is not an easy task.”

“Optimus, I can explain my absence.”

Optimus held up his hand. “You don’t need to. Starscream has already filled me in on where you were.”

“How did he know?”

“He watched you leave and then followed.”

“Starscream knew I left? That’s why for a short while I felt like I was being watched. I needed a break from here,” Alexis rushed on.

“I know and understand. But I wish you had told someone before heading off. We were worried about you until Starscream informed us of where you were. I fear the Decepticons may attack and we are vulnerable right now. The sooner this is over, the sooner we can train you and be prepared for the next attack.”

Alexis walked over to Optimus as he continued. “I do wish this wasn’t happening to you but there is nothing that can be done but help in any way possible.”

“You are doing the best that you can. I know when I fought Megatron, he seemed pretty mad. He could be making plans right now to try and get rid of me.”

“That is what I fear most. Right now he doesn’t know anything and I want to keep it that way until it’s over and we can be alert.”

“Is my mom here?”

“Yes, she’s in the lounge reading up on Cybertron.”

“Thanks. I think I’ll go see her now.” Alexis moved towards the door and left.

-

Mrs. MacDonald was sitting at one of the tables reading on one of the Mini-Cons data pads, which was about Cybertron. At first she did not notice Alexis had walked in until she was right beside her.

“This is pretty interesting,” she said as she looked up.

“Yeah. Where are Rad and the others?”

“They couldn’t make it today.”

“Doesn’t surprise me. I saw Sandy today and lied to her about why I haven’t been around.”

“What did you tell her?”

“That we were moving to a new district. But what disturbs me more is that she wouldn’t mind helping.”

“It has been hard to think in the past few days but I have decided that I was going to move.”

“Where?” Alexis blurted.

“Optimus has offered me to live here in an uninhabited part of the base so I would be protected if there’s an attack. But on the other hand, I’m not sure if I would be comfortable here.”

Alexis sat beside her mother. She placed her hands on her knees and hung her head. “Where would you go?”

“Maybe back to Mom and Dad’s farm. I did inherit the farm when they passed away.”

“But that’s in another state.”

“Yes but I would be safe from these Decepticons and be able to keep this secret. No one knows of you out there in Maine.”

“But that’s far away.”

“And you will be able to visit me from the Warp Gate.”

“Who gave you the tour?”

“What’s his name...he’s mostly green.”

“Scavenger.”

“Yeah that’s him. What’s his story?”

“He was once a Decepticon but joined forces with Optimus and became good friends. He also trained Optimus. Later, he went undercover to spy on the Decepticons.”

“They all seem to care about your well being.”

“Yeah, they’ve got attached to us. More so with me in the last few weeks.”

“Why don’t you come home with me and pack?”

“I’ll have to see what Optimus says. He doesn’t really want me to travel too far.” Alexis hoped that he would let her go. It would give her more time out of the base and be with her mother. She knew her mother would help anyway possible, if there was another spell.

In her mind, Kiaudica thought maybe that wasn’t a good idea but she understood that Alexis wanted to be around her mother and she thought it was quite amazing to see the world from the human’s point of view. The best part she liked was looking at all the different colors of material. It was an adventure that would not be forgotten and would be treasured, just as her relationship was with Starscream.

Thinking on Starscream, she had a feeling of how he felt about Alexis. She had to concentrate hard to make sure that piece of information couldn’t get out. At first she wasn’t sure if she liked the idea of that but what could she do? Nothing. She was dead as far a body was concerned and there was no way back. She only could take control of Alexis’s body for a short time, then retreat back to her little void. There was no way she could become a Transformer permanently.

When Alexis arrived back at the base after her outing with Sandy, Blurr had said that Optimus was waiting for her. Kiaudica thought the Autobot leader would give the human the third degree. She remembered one time she left the base without saying anything and Optimus had given her the third degree about not being careful. As much as she missed being a Transformer and couldn’t wait to be back, she did enjoy her time in a human body.

[Lady1Venus]

Last Good-byes

Alexis and her mother were at home, packing. Alexis was a bit surprised when she had asked Optimus if she could go with her mother and he said yes as long as she took two Mini-Cons to help her if she needed it. So Alexis got Sureshock and one of the other Mini-Cons who could transform into a bicycle like Highwire.

Alexis had decided that she would head down with Sureshock and her mother would take the other in her car. When Alexis arrived home, her mother was busy packing up a few things. Both Mini-Cons were already informed that if company were to show up, they would make a mad dash to Alexis’s room to hide.

“Mom,” Alexis said as she finished packing a box of CDs. “Any idea what you plan to do?”

“I’m really considering going to the farm.”

“What about Optimus’s offer?”

“I don’t know. In case I choose to stay here I am going to have the furniture that won’t be needed sent to the base so I could have a place to stay instead of on that cot. And where you will be able to be normal once in a while, you could use it.”

“What about Dad? What do we tell him? Considering I said that I didn’t want to move in with him.”

Mrs. MacDonald looked up from packing another box of CDs. “I never thought about that. He was quite upset that you didn’t want to move in with him.”

“Don’t you still have a living relative back home?”

“Yes, my father’s sister and brother Aunt Lisa and Uncle Charlie. They have actually been keeping an eye on the farm.”

Sureshock walked over to Alexis. -How about saying that one of them is sick and your mother needs to take care of them-

“What was that?” Mrs. MacDonald asked.

“Sureshock just suggested in saying that one of them is sick and we had to leave to tend to them.”

“You can understand these Mini-Cons?”

“Since I activated Sureshock, I have been able to understand him. In time I was able to understand them all. Fred and Billy can’t understand them.”

“That could probably work. Your father never did get along with my father’s family. One of them isn’t in the best of the health.”

A knock at the door broke the conversation. Alexis looked at Sureshock who was already heading upstairs with the other Mini-Con in tow. When they were out of sight, she went to the door and not to her surprise it was Sandy.

“I hope I’m not imposing,” Sandy said.

“No,” Alexis answered. “Mom and I were just doing some packing.”

“Mind if I help?”

“Not at all.”

“Hello Sandy,” Mrs. MacDonald said. “Alexis told me you might be by sometime to help. Mind you I didn’t think it would be today.”

“I know. Alexis seemed quite distracted when we were shopping earlier. So I thought coming here might cheer her up.”

Alexis smiled and this time it was a real smile. “You and I have been friends since Grade 1.”

“You bet. Where should I start?”

“How about helping us pack up some of the dishes?” Mrs. MacDonald suggested.

“Sure. When is the big day?”

“As soon as we get packed,” Alexis said.

-

It took a couple hours in getting most of the dishes packed. A few dishes remained out for meals. Alexis hoped they wouldn’t be needed especially if her mother would return with her back to the base.

“Maybe we should start on your room,” Sandy suggested.

Alexis snapped her head up as Sandy headed for the stairs. With quick action, Alexis jumped and quickly grabbed her friend’s arm.

Sandy turned, confused. “Alexis?”

“Sorry.” Alexis quickly released the arm. “I...ummmm...”

“She doesn’t want anyone to see her poor excuse for a room,” Mrs. MacDonald said in Alexis’s defense. “I was up there earlier and told her that she had to do the room herself.”

“Oh.” Sandy didn’t believe Alexis’s mother. She knew Alexis always had her room cleaned. She had a distinct feeling that both her friend and mother were keeping something from her.

Silently to herself, Alexis breathed a sigh of relief. She could sense Kiaudica’s fear. Kiaudica knew if the Mini-Cons were discovered, everyone would be exposed.

“How about...calling it a day for now,” Mrs. MacDonald suggested. “I’m getting hungry.”

“That’s a good idea,” Alexis said. She turned back to Sandy. “Thanks for coming by.”

“Ah...sure,” Sandy said. “Alexis could I have a word with you for a moment out back.” Sandy now was really bothered.

Both teenage girls left the living room and headed outside in the backyard. An old swing set was still set up outside and Alexis walked over to it and sat. Sandy remained standing.

“What is it with you today? First you didn’t want to window shop and now you freak out about your room, which I know is never a mess. So what is going on?”

Alexis released a sad sigh. “I can’t tell you. I have been sworn to secrecy not to tell anyone. My mother was just recently been told about it and not because I wanted to.”

“Does this have something to do with you being sick and missing school?”

“Everything has to do on that.” Alexis could hear Kiaudica telling her to stay quiet. “Trust me. If I were able to say anything, I would tell you. You are my best friend after all.”

“So this is a secret from someone else? Why didn’t you just tell me that in the first place? Is this moving a cover-up?”

“Yes and no,” Alexis admitted. “We have to move, yes but not to where you think. Listen what I have said you must not tell anyone. Optimus would have a cow, if I said something.”

“Optimus? That’s a weird name.”

“Sandy please, I’m begging you, on my brother’s grave, don’t say anything.” Alexis crumbled to the ground, just about in tears.

“I won’t,” Sandy said quietly. She knelt down and hugged her friend. “What happened to your brother?”

“He was my twin brother and he was hit by a car when we were six. I was there on that day. Ever since then I considered myself as an only child. I have friends who only know my parents are divorced. I told them I was an only child.

“You remember when I was young and I would get into trouble, trying to get attention. I did that so people would forget about my brother.”

The hug was soon short lived, when Alexis suddenly collapsed in pain. Sandy jumped back, at first not knowing what to do but quickly stood up and quickly ran and got her mother.

Alexis’s mother came flying out of the house, with Sandy at her heels. She crouched on the ground, taking her daughter into her arms as Alexis cried in pain. A few minutes later the cries calmed to whimpers.

“Is she ok?” Sandy asked, concerned. She knelt down beside Alexis putting a comfort arm on her shoulder.

“No,” Mrs. MacDonald said as tears fell from her eyes. “I’m losing my daughter. Just as I lost my son.”

“Mom,” Alexis whispered. “I feel like I’m being torn in half. I think it’s...” Suddenly Alexis screamed out.

Mrs. MacDonald didn’t want to leave her daughter but knew she needed to get to Sureshock. She looked at Sandy and decided to forget the secret. Optimus would understand, at least she hoped he would.

“Sandy, go to Alexis’s room. There are two robots there. She needs them.”

“Robots?” she question, confused. But after one look at her friend, she ran up to Alexis’s room. There sitting on the bed, when she opened the door were two robots; one orange and one green. The orange one turned and quickly went a little defensive. Sandy’s mouth dropped.

“I...ah...ah...Alexis has just collapsed outside in the backyard,” she rushed out.

Both little robots jumped off the bed and quickly took off past the frightened girl. The orange one turned and ran back to Sandy. He grabbed her arm and pulled her along with him. When they reached outside, the orange one quickly knelt down beside Alexis.

Mrs. MacDonald looked at him. “We need to get her out of here and fast. I couldn’t leave Alexis so I sent Sandy.”

Sandy watched as the orange one pulled something off of her friend and started beeping into it. When the beeping was done, Sandy heard a male voice say he was on his way.

Mrs. MacDonald turned to Sandy. “Sandy what you see, you mustn’t say a word to anyone. These robots are intelligent beings from another planet. This is Sureshock, a Mini-Con. He is Alexis’s Mini-Con who transforms into a scooter, which you probably seen Alexis driving on earlier. She has had him for almost a year now.”

“Transforms? Sureshock? Mini-Con?” She was in total shock.

A few minutes later, a boy came running from the house. “Alexis! Sandy!” Rad squeaked as he ran towards Alexis.

Sandy was now confused. Even Rad knew about this.

-She knows. At least part of it- Sureshock beeped. -Who’s with you-

“Hotshot and Red Alert.” Rad pulled something out of his pocket and began to spoke. “Optimus we may have a little trouble. A friend of Alexis is here too.”

“Worry about that later. Right now get her back here. Might as well bring her friend too. Has her friend seen Sureshock?”

“Yes. She’s beside him right now.”

“Get here stat!”

Sandy watched as Rad put...what ever it was back into his pocket and went up to Alexis. “Hotshot is waiting out front. Mrs. MacDonald, take Sandy to the base.”

Mrs. MacDonald nodded and reluctantly placed Alexis down. She started to walk way, taking Sandy’s hand to get her to come. Alexis was still shaking violently and her skin was starting to turn to metal. Sureshock bent down and picked up Alexis and walked towards the house. Rad and the other Mini-Con were in tow.

When Sandy reached the curb she saw a yellow car and a red and white car waiting. She gasped as she noticed there was no one in either car. The yellow car suddenly opened its door. “Get it.”

“Wh-”

“He’s a transformer,” Mrs. MacDonald said. “Who will take Alexis?” She was scared for her daughter.

“I will. You go with Hotshot and we’ll meet you at the base.”

“I...I...” Sandy tried to say as she got into the yellow car. Alexis’s mother went around to the driver seat.

The yellow car sped away just as Rad and the Mini-Cons were coming out with Alexis. Red Alert opened his door so Sureshock could let Alexis in the back. Rad climbed into the driver seat as the two Mini-Cons were in the back with Alexis. When everyone was in, Red Alert kicked into high gear to catch up to Hotshot.

-

As her eyes opened the first thing she noticed were lights. It took her a few minutes for her eyes to clear to notice that she was in the medical bay at the base. She moaned...well tried to sigh but a moan came out instead.

“Oh Alexis.” She heard a female voice say. Alexis recognized the voice.

“Sandy? What happened?”

“You fainted from the pain as you were being brought here,” Sandy explained. “You have weird friends.”

“I’m surprised,” Alexis managed out. “That Mom got you to get Sureshock.”

“I can see why you need to keep their identity a secret. If the government were to find out about them, they would freak.”

“Have you been told everything?”

“No, just what is happening to you. It must be hard to keep this from everyone. I was told why and how you are becoming one of your giant friends. Your skin has changed to metal.”

Alexis’s eyes widened. She raised her arm and inspected her robotic arm. She laid the arm back down and looked away. “Sandy, I am glad you know this. I didn’t want to keep this from you but I had no choice.”

“I understand. Your mother told me that you will be able to be human once in awhile. She also told me how.”

“Have you met everyone?”

Except for your close friend...Star...”

“Starscream. Yeah him and I have become close. He’s probably in his quarters, outside on the mountain top or in his hiding place.”

“Optimus Prime seems very nice. He is very concerned about you.”

“Everyone is. For a few days Optimus wouldn’t even let me out of the base. And then today I needed to get out so I snuck out but was watched. Starscream followed me until I met up with you. I can’t blame him, if Megatron were to find me...I could die...he doesn’t like me...” Again a sharp pain came from Alexis.

Alexis’s scream brought Red Alert and a few other bots to her side. Even her mother came running into the room. Red Alert helped her up to Alexis.

Sandy had no idea what to do. She placed a hand on Alexis’s arm as she started to shake violently again. The pain this time was fierce. Out of the corner of Sandy’s eye, she could see her arms and legs getting larger.

“Get back!” Red Alert shouted. He picked up both Sandy and Mrs. MacDonald as he noticed that Alexis started to grow.

Alexis screamed out again and then fainted from the pain.

-

A weird feeling was emitting from all over. She didn’t feel like herself. She was standing in a white-misted room, with Kiaudica in front of her.

“What’s happening?” Alexis asked.

“It’s finally happening. You fainted from the pain. I also had something to do with that as well. When you awake, you will no longer be human. Even as I speak, your body is being stretched.”

Alexis’s head fell as tears fell from her eyes. “What will happen to you now?”

“I will still be here. You will be able to sense my thoughts but we will not be able to communicate nor will I be able to take control. I may be able to land a punch or so but that will be about it. However, I should be able to communicate with you when you are human.”

“Why do I feel weird?”

“You are feeling your body change. The last spell you took at your home was the final transformation of your insides and now the exterior is changing. Be patient with your friends. They will want to train you as fast as possible. I have the feeling Megatron is about to attack.”

“Will you help if he does?”

“I’ll do the best I can. I will only be able to help you fight. Don’t be scared. You have Starscream and me to help. Not to mention the rest of the Autobots.”

Kiaudica suddenly looked up. “It’s over. I will allow your body to relax before allowing you to return. Remember, you are a Transformer now. You still have a few more changes to go through but the worse is over. I’m not sure what those changes are. I must leave you. We can no longer talk to each other. Good-bye. It has been a pleasure.”

Kiaudica faded away leaving Alexis alone. When she was alone, she crumbled to the floor and wept. After she calmed her tears, she stood back up. Knowing that she was still in a dream she decided to find out what she was going to look like. She imagined a mirror and willed herself to what she was going to look like. But just before her change was complete...

-

Sounds were the first thing she noticed. Remembering what Kiaudica told her, she relaxed her mind and willed herself to get a feel of her new body. She could sense circuitry through her body where once was organs and veins. Wires were now in place of her veins and vital systems were in place of organs.

Knowing that she needed to see, she willed herself to know where her optics would light up. As the optics came online the first thing she noticed was Red Alert. Wow! He looked different now. She knew to expect to be as tall as the Autobots but looking for the first time at the face of a friend in a different way was strange.

“Your awake,” he said. “How do you feel?”

“Like I’ve been hit with a transport truck,” she said. She quickly noticed that the sound of her voice had a metallic sound to it.

“A what?” Optimus asked.

Alexis looked over to Optimus. “Sorry. Didn’t mean you.”

“Well she has a sense of humor,” Blurr said. “I still haven’t been able to find Starscream.”

“Don’t worry,” Optimus said. “Alexis why don’t you try standing.”

“Where’s mother and Sandy?”

“We’re here,” Sandy said. “Alexis I’m sorry.”

Alexis slowly sat up with Red Alert’s help. It really felt weird being helped up him. For a long time his hand was always used to carry her and now he was pulling her up by her arm.

“I have been monitoring your systems and you have full functions of all systems,” Red Alert said.

When Alexis was sitting up. She felt like she needed to get up. She slowly pulled her legs around the table. When she felt her legs touch the floor, she pushed herself up. She stood as tall as Red Alert.

“Try walking,” Red Alert suggested.

Alexis nodded and concentrated to feel where the circuits were for her legs. When she found them, she took a step forward and then another.

“Good,” Optimus said. “Alexis not to push you or anything but...”

“I should be ready to train tomorrow,” she answered. “Kiaudica told me that it would be best for my training to start as soon as possible. Just let me get a feel of this body.”

“Alright,” he said. He walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I suppose you would like to see what you look like?”

Optimus moved to the side as he allowed her to see a mirror. Alexis gasped at herself. She looked almost human still except for the light blue optics over her eyes. Her head was shaped like her hairstyle. She was light bluish green and white accenting the armor. She looked a bit like she did the day she went up against Megatron but without the wings.

“How do I copy a design?” she asked.

“You scan a design and your body automatically becomes that design,” Red Alert said. “I better get to work on the ship. It’s near completion.”

“Good idea and I’ll leave you with your mother and friend,” Optimus said. He left with Red Alert, as did Blurr.

“Mom,” Alexis said. “Well it’s over now.”

“Yes it is. I have decided that I am going to move to the farm. Seeing you like this is too upsetting. I hope you understand.”

“I do. I will come and visit you, I promise. Sandy, please help my mother.”

“Don’t worry I will. I will come and visit you. I’ll tell everyone that you moved away.”

Alexis gave a sad smile. “Will you guys stay for a while longer?”

“I’ll stay as long as I can,” Sandy said.

“I’ll stay until tomorrow but I have to finish packing,” Mrs. MacDonald said.

“Ok. I should go find Starscream and show him. Mom show Sandy the lounge.” Alexis walked out. She walked down the hallway hoping not to run into Rad or the others. She didn’t think she could go on if they saw her. Luckily for her, she found the doorway that led down to the bottom of the ship. She wasn’t sure if Starscream would be there and if he weren’t, at least she would have some time alone.

This time when she walked down the darkened stairwell, she was able to see. Her optics allowed her to see in the dark. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she quietly slipped opened the door but stayed in the shadows and found Starscream doing some more sword techniques.

She also noticed he was talking himself but she couldn’t make out what he was saying. For a few minutes she watched as he flexed his wing sword in ways she never really noticed before. Suddenly he stopped and looked towards the door. He couldn’t see anyone but he had the feeling someone was watching him.

“Who’s there?” he demanded. “Show yourself.”

“It’s me,” she said.

“Alexis?”

“It’s finally over.” She pushed the door all the way open, revealing her new body.”

Starscream stared in awe at the girl...no female Transformer. He had no idea that this was happening to her. No words could describe her beauty. She was almost as beautiful as Kiaudica, if not more.

“When did this happened?” he managed out without stuttering.

“Within the last two hours,” she answered. “I told Optimus that I would be willing to start training tomorrow.”

“You look...amazing.”

“Thank you,” she said sadly. “I didn’t know if you were down here or not.”

“Why?”

“I was a bit hoping to be alone. But since you are down here...I’ll go somewhere else.” Alexis turned to walk away but Starscream swiftly grabbed her arm, stopping her from leaving. Her head was turned away from him.

“Don’t go,” he said gently. “You are hurting.”

“I’ve just come to realize that I will never have the pleasures of doing other human things; like get married. I always dreamed that I would have a big wedding with a big white wedding gown, something from out of a fairytale.” Tears started to build up in her optics. “Plus my mom is moving to Maine because she can’t take my changing. I don’t blame her. And I will only see my mother when I’m human and I’m afraid to see Rad.”

With his hand still around her arm, Starscream took his other hand and placed it on her cheek. It felt soft to the touch, almost like what her skin felt like. He ignored the sensation as he gently made her face him.

“Don’t be. You know they have been expecting this. They saw you when you became a Transformer and attacked Megatron. The good thing is that Megatron is still in the dark about this.”

“But...how...” her voiced chocked. She couldn’t get the words out. Pinkish tears slid out from her optics.

Starscream stared into her face as he brushed the tears away. “Let us show you. You once said to me that I wouldn’t let you in, now it’s my turn to say the same thing. Let me help you.”

She looked up at Starscream as tears were streaming down her face. She quickly wrapped her arms around Starscream and cried against his shoulder. Starscream wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.

He finally was able to give Alexis comfort like he wanted to from the start. He knew it was a matter of time when he needed to tell her how he felt and hopefully she felt the same way. He didn’t know what he’d do if she didn’t feel the same. But he had a feeling that she wouldn’t reject him.

[Lady1Venus]

Revealing a Painful Memory

Alexis was in her ‘new’ quarters, resting from what had happened. After her little moment with Starscream, he had taken her up and showed her, her quarters. She was quite surprised that there was already one set up for her. She never knew Optimus had the quarters already for her. Starscream had told her that Optimus began working on the room, not long after hearing that she was turning into a Transformer.

As she tried to relax, she took a look around the room. There wasn’t much to the room except for a metal slab, which would be used as her bed, a computer console with a desk and some compartments. On the desk, she discovered the picture of the Autobots the day of her birthday. She sadly smiled at the memory.

A chime at her door indicated that someone wanted to come in. “Come in,” she said.

At first she figured it would have been one of the boys but it was Hotshot.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi,” she said back. The sadness in her voice was clearly heard.

“You look great. Any ideas of what you will scan for a design?”

“I was thinking about Starscream but now that I think of it, it would be better to be another type of jet. The day I fought Megatron, it felt cool to be able to fly in the sky.”

“Well we could use another aerial bot. Are you planning to have a wing sword as well?”

She nodded.

“How do you like your quarters?”

“I don’t know. This feels really weird. I can actually look at you face to face instead of craning my neck.”

“I know what you mean. I’m so used to bending down and now...it’s different. Everyone is going to have a hard time adjusting to this. You may want to pick a Mini-Con to power link with. Sureshock isn’t designed for combat.”

“In all out reality, non of the Mini-Cons is designed for combat. But Sureshock will be there when I am able to turn into a human. Whenever that will be.”

“We are working as fast as we can to get the sample here. Optimus told me that you would be ready to train tomorrow. He wants me to help out.”

“I have Scavenger, you and Starscream now.”

“What is Starscream going to help you with?” He thought for a moment. “Oh. He’s going to teach you to use a sword.”

“How did you learn?”

“Back on Cybertron, sword training is part of basic training. Mind you Starscream must have done advanced classes, but most Transformers are only taught on the basics.”

“Is that why you couldn’t do any fancy tricks when you had the Star Saber.”

Hotshot nodded. “Are you getting used to your systems?”

“Yeah. Starscream told me that for the first few hours I will need to concentrate but soon it will just become a second nature. Just like it is to automatically blink or breathe. Everything in the body is connected to the brain and it just comes naturally.”

“Maybe sometime, I’ll become human as well and see the world from a human’s point of view.”

Alexis smiled. “Well you will be able to after we get the sample.”

“I know this is too soon to ask. But I was wondering if you put any thought into wanting to stay here or go to Cybertron?”

“I have given it some thought and honestly I don’t know. I would like to go to Cybertron but I’m not sure I want to leave Earth. You guys would be going back for good.”

“I wouldn’t count on that. Some of the others are considering of traveling back and forth between the two planets.”

“You can do that?”

“Sure. All we have to do is add a new component to the Warp Gate and re-program it. I know I’d miss this place too much.”

“Hotshot, can I ask you a question? I know this is a little personal but it’s nagging at my mind. I was wondering what you thought of me when I was human? I mean if you thought that I was pretty.”

Hotshot gave a look of surprise. “Well...” Since she was being truthful he as might as well. “I will be honest with you. You are quite attracting now that you are a Transformer but that doesn’t mean you weren’t pretty before because you were. And I am proud to have known you as a human and though you are a Transformer now, I’ll still consider you human.”

Alexis walked over to Hotshot and hugged him. The embrace threw Hotshot off guard for a moment but he instantly wrapped his arms around her and relaxed his head against her shoulder. “It’s ok. You’re among friends who want to help. No one wanted this to happen but it did.”

“I know. But I’m still scared. I’m not looking forward to seeing Megatron again. He was pretty angry with me the last time.”

“We’ll make sure nothing happens to you. From the many times before, you have watched our battles and you know his way of thinking. Use that to your advantage. Until he gets to know you, you have the ball.”

Alexis pulled away. “Thanks Hotshot. I said to my mother that I consider you and Sideswipe like brothers and now those words can really be true.”

“I agree. Now I can really consider you like a sister. Sis.”

Alexis smiled and dimmed her optics at the name. “I haven’t heard that name in a long time.”

“What do you mean?”

“I haven’t been completely honest with all of you,” she said. Her optics came back on fully. “See I am not really an only child, like I said I was. But I am now. I had a twin brother but he was killed when we were six. I watched in horror as a car hit my brother. His broken body flew into a windshield of another car.” Alexis’s quivered on the last sentence and went quiet for a few moments before continuing. She did not feel like crying again.

“After his death, I decided to make people think I was an only child as it helped ease the pain. But after watching Hoist, those memories came back and it’s been hard not to say anything.”

Hotshot looked at Alexis with sorrow. “I’m sorry.”

“Not long after that, my father started a new job. Mom and Dad starting arguing but then my father got a transfer and he took it. Leaving my mother and me. He did offer us to go with him but Mom declined.”

“So that is how their marriage ended.”

“Yeah. Not to push you out or anything. But I would like to get some rest. Starscream wants to start showing me how to use the sword in the morning. Plus I have to make some time for Scavenger. I suppose you will probably show me how to aim.”

“You betcha. If you want I can get Sideswipe to help out as well. Since he’s still in the learning stage.”

“I’d like that.”

“Well goodnight Alexis.” Hotshot released the female Transformer and left her quarters.

-

Early the next morning, Alexis was woken to her human friends and mother as well as Optimus. Optimus stayed a distance away from the humans. She looked to Sandy who was comforting her mother and the boys who stood off to the side. Rad smiled at she looked at him.

“You look great Alexis,” Rad answered.

“Thanks Rad,” Alexis said. “Mom are you ok?”

“No,” she said sadly. “This feels like the day we lost your brother.”

“Brother?” Carlos questioned. He looked at his former human friend. “What’s she talking about?”

“I don’t want to get into it Carlos. Let Sandy fill you in later. What brings you all here at seven in the morning?” She had looked over at the computer console to see the time.

“Your mother wants to leave and she wanted to come to see you before leaving,” Sandy said.

“Alexis,” her mother said. “I still love you and I want you know that I will visit and maybe after this all sinks in, I may stay like your friends.”

“Be careful Mom.”

“I will.”

Alexis, after watching so many times the Autobots doing it, laid her hand out flat. Her mother took the invitation and hugged her thumb. She then climbed off and hurried out of the room. Sandy wasn’t long following.

“I’ll make sure she gets home all right,” Rad said.

“Guys for the next couple days, please keep a close watch over her.”

“We will,” Billy answered. He looked sleepy.

The three boys jumped down from Alexis’s bed and left the room. Alexis looked up to Optimus. “I’m sorry for lying.”

“Why did you?” He walked over to her and offered to sit. She sat up, allowing him to sit.

“It was too painful to talk about it, more so since Hoist was damaged. As I said to Hotshot, telling everyone that I was an only child seemed to ease the pain. It wasn’t the most honorable thing to do but it was the only thing I could...”

“I know. Hotshot already told me that a car hit your brother and you watched. You remember when I told you about Elita-One?”

“Yes. You said that Megatron had captured her and that he doesn’t know that she still alive.”

“That’s right. When I went to rescue her, Megatron blew up the compound she was in. Luckily I got her out of there in the nick of time.”

“And he didn’t see you come out with her.”

“No. In fact he thought I was gone too. But a few days later he knew I wasn’t gone. Can you do me a favor? Is there any other secrets that you never told anyone before?”

“Not that I can think of. Why?”

“Keeping painful memories deep within is not healthy for any person, human or Transformer alike. If there’s anything that you never told us, I would like to know. Anyway I’ll let you get some more sleep. In a few hours I’ll get someone to check on you.”

Alexis nodded silently and watched Optimus stood. He gave her a quick look before leaving the room. She laid back down and cried herself to sleep. Talking about her brother became too painful. She was later woken up with someone trying to shake her awake.

“Go away,” she moaned and waved her hand to brush the hand that was holding her shoulder.

“Not if I am to train you,” a raspy voice said as he caught her hand.

Taking note of who the voice belonged to, Alexis turned around. “What time is it?”

“Time for you to get up.”

“That’s not the answer I’m looking for.” She looked over at the computer console for the time. Her optics widened as she seen it was nine.

Starscream released her hand as she sat up. He decided to sit beside her. “I’ve just been informed that you lied to us about saying you were an only child. You had a brother who died from a car accident.”

Alexis nodded as she looked away. “I’m sorry for not telling you. It’s been hard for me to accept my brother’s death and then when...”

Starscream quickly placed his fingers around her chin and turned her face to face him. “You don’t need to say anything to me.”

“You’re not mad at me for deceiving you?”

“No. You have your reasons for not telling anyone and now I know why. There are still things you don’t know about me and I’m not sure I would like you to know what they are.”

In the back of his mind, Starscream had the feeling that he would some day tell her all the things that he was holding back. Most of them were when he was young and first became a Decepticon. But at the moment she didn’t need to know his struggled past before meeting Kiaudica. Kiaudica was the one who made him a better bot.

“If were to tell me, you’ll do it in your own time,” she said. “I hope I’m ready to face training.”

“We all know that you will need a lot of practice and we’ll all be here for you.”

“I know and I’m glad. Earlier Rad and the others stopped in. Mom wanted to leave and she wanted to see me. It’s so hard for her. After going through the loss of her son and now practically loosing a daughter.”

“But she hasn’t lost a daughter. You are still alive and she will be able to see you. It’s almost like me. I was a born a Decepticon but here I am an Autobot and the symbols to prove it.”

“Yeah and they do look nice on you. Red is your color...well considering you are mostly red to begin with.”

“The point is, I changed and now you have changed but you can switch. I can’t. I have to be one or the other, not both.”

“Sometimes I’m not sure why I placed a lot trust in you but I am glad I did.”

“If it weren’t for your trust, I would not be an Autobot right now or sitting here beside you as your friend, giving you a shoulder to cry on. I am not a very compassionate bot.”

“You seemed to be doing a good job at it,” Alexis giggled.

Hearing her giggle brought a smile to Starscream. “Why don’t we post pone sword training and go and see if Scavenger has anything set up for you.”

“When do you consume energon?” Alexis asked.

“Just as often as humans consume food.” Starscream stood and walked over to a storage compartment. In it was a couple cubes of energon. “Take a small portion of this. Too much energon works like a drug or what humans call alcohol.”

Alexis stood and walked over to Starscream. She noticed that he had a cup in his hand. She didn’t know Transformers had the usage of cups. She figured out what the reason for it was.

Starscream noticed that she was looking at the cup. He raised his hand, handing her the cup. He watched her dip the cup into the energon.

Alexis raised the cup to her lips and just before the liquid touched her lips, she concentrated to see if she had any smelling senses. When she found that Transformers could smell, she took a sniff at the liquid, checking to see if it smelled. When she found no smell, she took a small sip.

She could feel the liquid go down her throat with a tingling sensation. It almost felt like drinking wine or Champaign. There had been one time when she had the pleasure of drinking both. Once she was at a restaurant and she was able to take a sip of her mother’s wine and the other was having Champaign at a wedding.

“This is like drinking wine or something,” she said as she took another sip.

When the energon was gone, Starscream took the cup from her and placed it on the desk. “Now let’s see what Scavenger has in mind for you.” He grabbed her hand and walked out and to the training the room, where Scavenger waited patiently.

“I thought you were going to show her some techniques?” Scavenger said.

“I thought maybe I could show her later,” Starscream answered. He turned to Alexis, releasing her hand. “I’ll leave you with Scavenger.”

He turned and walked out.

“I’m not sure I can do this,” Alexis said to herself as she watched her friend leave.

“You can do anything, when you put your mind to it,” Scavenger said as he came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “You have a lot of pain. And for that I’m sorry. Until you get the hang of training, I’ll go easy.”

Alexis turned to her trainer. “I watched you with Hotshot when you first arrived. And I’m glad I have someone like you training me. I’m just not looking forward to facing the Decepticons.”

“You were the one who said that you would help.”

“Yeah I know. Scavenger, when you trained Optimus, was he a beginner or did he have some fighting skills like Hotshot?”

“He was more like Sideswipe, very unsure of what he wanted in life. But he became a good fighter and a leader. Are you ready to begin?”

Alexis nodded. “What are we going to start with?”

Scavenger smiled at her determination. Although she didn’t want to do this, she knew it was important and would do anything to the help the Autobots. Her willpower reminded him of some of the female Autobots in which he had the pleasure of training. They were just as dedicated in wanting to know how to fight.

He marveled her strength. She had just spoken out about her brother’s death and that she watched in horror of how he died. Him and most of the Autobots were able to sympathize. Each of them, except for maybe Sideswipe, had lost a real close friend at one time or another to a horrifying death. Alexis had a long way to go but just releasing the pain that she had been holding all these years was the first step.

Scavenger felt a tingle of jealousy, as he knew that she was getting comfort from Starscream. But he knew that he would be nothing more than a friend to her and he was happy just being friends. He had a feeling all the Autobots felt the same way as he did but were happy enough to have her as their friend. There was only Transformer that may win her heart and he was the one Transformer who stayed with the Autobots because of her. He had the feeling Starscream liked her more than any of the others.

[Lady1Venus]

Below the Base

Starscream stood outside the doors to the training room and he felt a little disappointed that he wasn’t going to train Alexis. He was only helping her to use the sword. But he knew she was in good hands with Scavenger. Scavenger would take good care of her. Of course this would give him a perfect time to have some time to himself. He hadn’t had much of that lately. And when he did, his mind was always on the girl.

He moved away from the doors and decided to sneak away before anyone noticed him to ask him to do something. That was the one thing he wasn’t use to and wasn’t sure if he’d ever. When he was a Decepticon, no one asked him to do something unless it was to find a Mini-Con. He mostly kept to himself when the Decepticons were on down time.

Unlike the Autobots, they were always busy. Their idea of down time was spending time with the humans and or watching TV. Doing either one of those wasn’t too bad. It gave Starscream better knowledge of how the humans live. But he wasn’t use to being around everyone.

Starscream stopped at the hidden entrance to his hideaway. He quickly looked around to make sure no one was around and then snuck down to where he knew there would be peace and quiet. The only ones who knew about it were Alexis and Swindle. Swindle was with some of the other Mini-Cons and Alexis...she was training. So there was no one to bug Starscream.

When get got to his spot, something was out of place. The door was opened. Starscream quickly brought out his sword, ready to strike at whoever or whatever was in the room. He quickly and quietly walked in. He stopped abruptly at the intruder who found his hideout. Over by a cave, which there was a few, Optimus Prime stood with his back to Starscream.

“What brings you down here?” Starscream asked a little too rudely, placing his sword back.

Optimus turned. “I had wondered where you would hide. I came down here to see if there is an underground lake.”

“Not to my knowledge there isn’t. Mind you I never searched the caves.”

“Alexis is with Scavenger?”

“Yes. I just left her. I came here to get some peace and quiet.”

Behind his faceplate, Optimus smiled. “It’s amazing how peaceful it is down here.”

Starscream nodded, a little confused why the leader of the Autobots would start a conversation like that.

Optimus chuckled. “I have known about this hidden cavern, since we landed here. I just never told anyone.”

Starscream was taken aback. “You knew about this?”

In the distance, through his audio receptors, Optimus could hear dripping. He held up his hand to silence Starscream. “Do you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

“Dripping. And it’s coming from down this tunnel.” Optimus turned back and went down the tunnel.

Starscream shrugged and decided to follow. “Maybe there is an underground water source down here after all.”

“Let’s hope so. I’ve been wondering where we’ll place the sample when it gets here.”

“When is it coming?”

“Ironhide, Powerglide and Seaspray are on their way. They should be here in a day or two.”

“Alexis will be grateful of that.”

“Yes she will.”

As the two bots walked further down the tunnel, the dripping was getting louder and there was also another sound. It sounded a lot like a waterfall. But how could that be? They were underground. Water didn’t flow underground did it?”

“It sounds like we’re going to find more than water drips,” Starscream said. “That almost sounds like a waterfall.”

Optimus remained silent as he led the way. Finally the tunnel had an opening. When Optimus came up to the opening, he was stunned at what they just discovered. Starscream looked up and was also stunned.

Right in front of their surprising optics was an underground waterfall, which flowed into a lake. Optimus looked up to see how far the water went up. Near the top of the waterfall, Optimus could barely make out a stream, leading away from the waterfall.

Getting over the surprise, Optimus turned to Starscream. “See if you can get up to the top and see where the water leads out.”

“Sure, I guess.” Starscream quickly transformed and slowly went up to the top of the waterfall. The tunnel was too small for him to transform but he was able to go through it in vehicle mode.

Keeping an eye on his scanners, he kept on flying until he reached the end where the water flowed in from an opening. He exited the tunnel to find himself in front of another waterfall.

“Optimus,” he said through his comlink. “The water flows in from another waterfall.”

“Where are you?”

“Five miles. I believe on the other side of the mountain, away from the city. I’m on my way back.”

Starscream turned about ready to head back when another jet came souring from the sky. Starscream recognized the jet immediately even before he transformed.

“Thrust!” Starscream growled.

“I see you are wearing Autobot symbols,” Thrust said. He watched as Starscream transformed, his wing turned into a sword. “I’m not here to fight. I’m here to give a message.”

“That doesn’t sound like you. Megatron must be using you as his floozy.”

Thrust clenched his fists at Starscream’s remark. He so wanted to rip Starscream’s head off but he was under strict orders not to fire a shot. Not even if he was attacked. “Megatron wanted you to know that your girlfriend will become a distant memory.”

“Talking about Alexis,” Starscream started. “Is what you came down here for?”

“No but she is part of what I have to say.”

Thrust looked smug and Starscream knew behind the faceplate, Thrust was smiling. What the heck were the Decepticons up to?

“Megatron will get his revenge on her for humiliating him and on you for betraying us and becoming a floozy Autobot.”

“Why don’t you tell me something I don’t know?”

“Fine.” Thrust was loosing his patience. “Surrender the girl and Megatron will leave Earth and you alone. He wants the girl.” Thrust saw that Starscream was about to snap back about not having the girl. “If you care enough about this miserable planet, I’d think about it if I were you.”

“Well you are not me and I’m not you.”

“Yes that is true. The Decepticons will win.” Thrust laughed and disappeared.

When Starscream knew Thrust was gone. He transformed back to jet mode and seared off towards the base. He didn’t want to go back through the tunnel, in case Thrust was watching. He couldn’t trust the viper. The water flowing in the tunnel was Alexis’s only source to keep her humanity and as much as he wished she wouldn’t go back to being a human once in a while, he did want her to be happy.

When he got back to the base, he quickly walked inside to find Optimus. He first checked to see if he was in the command center. Sure enough, Optimus stood at the main viewer, waiting. He knew Optimus heard every word that was between Thrust and him.

“They will not get Alexis,” Optimus said trying to remain calm.

“I agree,” Starscream said, coming up beside his leader. “And even if we did, I know they would go back on their word. They want you, me and Alexis.”

“You for betraying, Alexis for humiliating Megatron and myself for the being the leader of the Autobots. Luckily Alexis’s change is now complete.”

“Yes. But they will wonder why she did it the first place.”

Optimus turned to Starscream. “I’m going to my quarters to relay a message to the shuttle. In few more hours, Alexis will be done for the day.”

“If you need me, I’ll be by the lake.” Now that the lake was discovered, he wanted to check out a few things about it. Starscream turned and headed towards the hidden cavern. When he entered, we walked down the tunnel to the lake and sat on a nearby rock to think.

He needed and would protect Alexis at all cost even if it would cost him his life. He had let Kiaudica down and allowed her to be killed and he would be damned if he allowed that to happen again with Alexis. She was too special to him. He was in love with her and now he needed to tell her. It was time to tell her but how? He was never good at talking about his feelings.

He looked at the waterfall and noticed that the sound was calming his nerves. He had heard from Rad that a lot of humans found the sounds of a waterfall or river or even waves on the ocean were quite soothing and now he understood why.

He looked down at the lake. There was hardly any light for him to see how large the lake was or even how deep. Even with his optics brightened, it didn’t help much. Staring at the water, he lost track of time.

Suddenly his quiet thoughts were interrupted as he heard a Transformer approach. His sensors reached out and were able to identify the intruder.

“Your back,” he said.

“The shuttle will be here in a day. They will soon reach the warp coordinates that will send them to here. They should be here about nightfall tomorrow.”

“Good. For Alexis to see when she’s human, I would suggest in having some light down here for her. Though I don’t like the idea of it since everyone will know where I like to hide out.”

Optimus chuckled. “I’ll send Red Alert down here to put something in. If you want this to remain as your hideaway, I’d suggest not to be down here when he comes.”

Starscream turned to the Autobot leader. “Why do you act like this towards me? I have tried to kill you and if it weren’t for Alexis I don’t think you would try to be this nice.”

“Where Alexis has placed her trust in you, I don’t see why the rest of us should keep a close watch on you. From experience, I know what it’s like in wanting to be alone. Why do you think I go to my quarters?”

“To get some filing done.”

“That and to get away from everyone.”

“You don’t seem to be the type in wanting to be alone.”

“That is part of the reason why I’m such a good leader.”

“That and you treat your men with respect and dignity. Unlike Megatron who will insult the nearest bot that’s closest to him.”

“I’m also a very understanding bot,” Optimus said. “If it weren’t for all those qualities, I don’t think the last leader would have handed me the matrix of leadership.”

“I suppose. An Autobot leader must be understanding and have respect towards his men and more.”

“Are you regretting your decision from joining the Autobots?”

Starscream seemed a little taken aback. “No. Why would you ask something like that?”

“You seem a little distant.”

“I just can’t stop thinking about Alexis and how far she has come since I’ve met her that day in the desert when we first arrived.”

“Yes she has come a long way. I admire her strength to continue on without her mother.”

Starscream looked towards the lake. “I wonder how far the lake goes down.”

“There’s one way to find out. Go and take a look. I’m going to head back up before I’m missed. Red Alert wants me to inspect the ship.”

“I don’t know why but I have the feeling, building the ship is going to end up being a waste of time.”

Optimus sighed. “I’m tending to agree with you. From Thrust showing up is just the beginning.” He placed a hand on Starscream’s shoulder. “Oh and Alexis has decided that she isn’t going to copy your design. She wants to be a jet but not completely like you.”

“That’s understandable. She’d probably get tired of the look, if she were to know about my brothers back on Cybertron. Now that I think about them. I wonder if they know that I’ve switched sides.”

“Oh I believe Thundercracker and Skywarp know. In the Decepticon ranks there are always snitches.”

“Yeah and I believe Thrust is one of them. Well I’m going to go and check out how deep the lake is.” Starscream stood and walked towards the water. He slowly stepped in and to his surprise the lake had a gradual grade. Through his sensors, he could tell that Optimus left.

He was quite amazed how deep the lake was. When it was over his head, he still had a ways to go. He calculated about a hundred feet, to a Transformer, to the surface when he reached the bottom. Deciding on how deep the lake was, he walked straight about a hundred feet and then started his climb back up.

“Well,” he said to himself out loud when his head was above the surface. “I’d have to say this lake was made from a meteor that crashed here either before or close to the time the Mini-Cons landed. But the question is how did a waterfall make its way down here?”

He got out of the water and decided to head up to the main part of the base to speak to Optimus about his little discovery.

“Optimus,” Starscream said as he entered Optimus’s quarters. “I’m guessing the lake was made from a meteor that crashed before or close to when the Mini-Cons arrived.”

“How large is it?” Optimus was intrigued.

“Hundred feet down with a gradual grade and hundred feet across.”

“If it was a meteor that was a pretty large meteor. And probably around the time when the Earth shifted off its axis the meteor was destroyed.”

“Wouldn’t Alexis know more about it? She likes to study up on ancient Earth.”

“More so since the Mini-Cons were discovered. Alexis’s training should be almost done, why don’t you go check on her.”

Starscream nodded. “But first I should get some energon.” He left for his quarters. He knew Alexis probably would be overheating from training and would need to know how to cool herself down.

The discovery under the base was defiantly relaxing after his run in with Thrust. Just the thought of his name boiled his circuits. It also fumed him at the thought of the Decepticons wanting Alexis. He had a feeling though, killing her wasn’t what they wanted from her. He knew one of the Decepticons had a liking towards her and would give a lot to brainwash her to the Decepticons. But as long as Starscream was alive, Alexis would remain unharmed by the Decepticons influence.

[Lady1Venus]

Personal Advances

Alexis and Scavenger were working hard. They had been training for the past five hours, with the occasional stop for some energon. Alexis was quite impressed how strong Scavenger was. She tried her best though there was really nothing to show for it except a bit of heavy breathing on her part. If she were human still, she was sure sweat would have been dripping down her forehead. That was one thing she was going to like about being an Autobot. She wouldn’t have the problem of body odor.

For the first hour, Scavenger showed her how to do a few kick moves. Some of the moves she had already known from watching TV and watching the Autobots when they would train with each other. So those were no brainer. The second was a little tougher as Scavenger tried to get her to knock him down. The only way she knew how to knock a man down was by kicking him in the groin, but that definitely did not apply anymore.

All too soon, time was no longer an issue. They lost track of time as Alexis was trying to knock her friend to the floor, with no luck. She knew it was possible as she watched him fall several times before in training and on the battlefield.

“Come on,” he said. “You can do it. At least get me to one knee.”

“I’m trying but you’re so big compared to me.”

“Size doesn’t matter. Look how many times I have been knocked down from a bot who is smaller than me.”

“Yeah I know. But this is getting too frustrating.”

Unknown to her but Alexis but they were not alone. Scavenger had watched three of the Autobots walk in almost an hour ago. And since then, he was more determined to get Alexis to knock him down. Scavenger also noticed that she was losing energy and could use a rest.

“Come on, one more time. Think of me as Megatron.

Without saying a word, she tried to think of him as Megatron. An image popped in her mind of him standing in front of her. With the thought in mind, she struck out with her fist.

Scavenger easily saw this and dodged. After a couple swings and totally missing from Scavenger dodging, she thought back to when Kiaudica had taken over her body. Kiaudica had seen what Megatron was going to do and quickly dodged and then did something that he didn’t expect.

Alexis slightly smiled, which Scavenger noticed. As she swung again at, knowing he was going to dodge, she quickly swung her leg, kicking him in the back of the leg. The move surprised him as her fist connected with the side of his face and he went to the floor. A clang was heard throughout the whole room.

“Well done,” Scavenger said as he stood back up. The two hits were not hard but getting him to the floor was the goal.

Alexis at first stood there like a deer caught in the headlights but then realized that Scavenger was smiling at her. She stood back to her full height as she heard clapping behind her. She snapped her head to find Jetfire, Hotshot and Sideswipe behind her.

“When did you guys come in?” she asked with strain in her voice.

“About an hour ago,” Jetfire said. “That was a good move. It’s always good to have a counter attack ready.”

“Lesson done for the day,” Scavenger said. “You should get some rest. I believe you’re starting to overheat.”

Alexis turned her head to the green Transformer and nodded then took a step towards the door. Suddenly she felt dizzy and wasn’t sure if that was normal and felt her body starting to loose its balance as she started to fall. Somewhere in the room, a voice was heard to catch her, but she couldn’t register who said it. Expecting her body to hit the floor, she braced herself. But it didn’t come. She weakly looked up to find herself in the arms of Scavenger.

“I should have ended the training sooner,” she heard him say.

“I didn’t say anything when I should have. Just let me rest here for a while.”

Scavenger nodded and gently sat her on the floor but stayed close to her side until she could move again. Once she was able to move, he stood and took her hand. Jetfire walked over and took her other hand and both helped her to her feet.

“Thanks,” she said. “I have the strength to move now.”

“Ok. Tomorrow we’ll train some more. You just take it easy for the rest of the day. Let Hotshot give you some target practice later on.”

“Is that a suggestion?” she inquired, smiling. She wanted to joke around.

“Since I’m your trainer that answer is no. That’s an order,” he stated sternly but then smiled.

“Yes sir,” she saluted mockingly, trying to stop herself from laughing.

Scavenger noted her humor. “You being here is going to make the base be more livelier.”

Jetfire looked at Scavenger. “Well someone has to keep everyone on their toes.”

“You can say that again,” Alexis said. “If anyone needs me I’ll be in my quarters, resting.” She slowly, at first, began to walk but by the time she got to the door, she was walking at a normal pace. She wanted to make sure she wasn’t going to fall again.

When she reached her quarters, she laid on the bed. She knew that the guys would treat her differently then they would treat a regular member of the Autobots and it was probably due to the fact that they knew her as a human.

Once she was relaxed, she was able to feel her body heating up. The electric currents were new to her but it wasn’t much different then when a human body would sweat. Guess this was the Transformers way of sweating.

She wasn’t resting long before someone wanted to see her. She knew it wouldn’t have been the boys since they left early in the morning. She sat up and welcomed her guest.

“How are you feeling?” Starscream asked as he walked into the room.

“Warm,” she answered. “Is there anything to cool the circuits down?”

“Energon. This is when energon can become addictive. A long time ago, Decepticons were once hungry for more Energon but after the Mini-Cons arrived, there was no longer such hunger for it. Their hunger was for strength and power.” He walked over and filled a cup of Energon and handed it to her.

When it was gone, she started to feel cooler. “How can one become addicted?”

“By consuming Energon until all circuits are completely cool. After nightfall I’ll start you on the sword. Right now. Whatever you do, don’t have anymore Energon. I’ll leave you alone to rest.” Starscream turned to leave.

“Why did you come here?”

“To see how you were doing. I figured you’d be overheating and wanted to get cooled. Plus also to tell you that Thrust was around earlier and he demanded that we hand you over to Megatron to protect Earth. But I don’t buy it.”

“Does Optimus know about it?” Though she felt scared, she did not show it. Like she had said, she needed to be strong.

“He overheard it over the comlink. We also found the spot where the sample will be placed for you. Just need to get Red Alert to place some lighting there.”

Alexis nodded and watched her friend leave.

-

After Starscream exited Alexis’s room, he walked outside to get some fresh air. Just as the sun hit his body, he saw Scavenger near the edge of the cliff.

“I’m surprised to see you out here,” Starscream said, bringing up conversation.

“I came to think. Training Alexis will be hard. She will have to be treated much different than any other Transformer.”

“With her getting use to her body and no longer being human is tough.”

“Yes but she has potential. I shouldn’t have trained her as long as I did. Her circuits are overheating. Though she did get me to the ground.”

“How did she manage that?”

“I dodged her punch but she turned and kicked me in the back of the leg.”

“It surprised you enough that you couldn’t dodge the next punch,” Starscream finished.

“Exactly. It was a good move. She’ll be a valued member of the team.”

“Maybe try and train her for an hour then let her take a break, then again for another hour.”

“That is what Optimus suggested. He also told me that you had a run in with Thrust. Do they think we’d be that foolish to give Alexis to them.”

“And I’ll be damned if they get a hold of her.”

“I agree. She has a long way to go and I’m afraid that she will be too weak to fight when Megatron decides to attack. Anyway I should get some rest. Enjoy what’s left of daylight.”

-

After Alexis was rested she went and found Hotshot and wanted her first target lesson. She had the feeling it was going to be more fun then training with Scavenger. To start off Hotshot wanted to see how well she could hit with the target still. She was able to hit quite well. She hit the bull’s-eye every time.

“Wow,” he breathed. “Where did you learn to shoot like that?”

“I just finished archery in phys. Ed. class,” she giggled. “I’ve been doing archery for the past three years.”

“That’s using a bow and arrow?”

“Yes. Last year, just before you arrived, I entered an archery contest and won first place.”

“Well if Cyclonus or any of the other Decepticons are standing still. You will have no problem and getting them out of the way.”

“Thanks.”

“Now for some harder targets.” He turned to a button that would make the target move around.

This time it was hard to get any hits. In fact she only managed a few hits. Hotshot knew it was going to take a bit to master but he had the patience. Even more patience than he had with Sideswipe. Of course with the younger bot, he was annoyed that he had to keep an eye on him. Alexis on the other hand was something he wouldn’t mind training.

After about an hour of mostly missing, Hotshot decided to call it quits. “Let’s stop here. You’ve done well for the first day.”

“Thanks,” she mused. “I’ve had some fun too. I’m getting frustrated that I’m not hitting well.”

“Don’t worry,” he said placing a hand on her shoulder. “It takes time to get it. I know I’m wondering when Megatron will attack again especially with Thrust showing up.”

“Me too. This silent streak by him is very unnerving. I think his dispute with me has got him on the ropes.”

“Hopefully for not too long. The longer we don’t here from him that worse it’s going to be when we do fight him.”

“I don’t even want to think about that,” Alexis said. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.” Hotshot took the gun Alexis was using and placed in its spot against the wall.

“Are you guys going easy on me because just yesterday I was human?”

“Yes and no,” he sighed. “We usually do go easy on first timers but we are being more gentle with you. And it’s not because you were a human. We know what your body can take but you don’t and you are just getting used to the body. So going gentle is essential. We want you to get a feel for everything.”

“Yeah. I am still getting use to this body.”

“And with your knowledge in fighting will help. You’ve watched a lot of martial arts and action movies. Plus the fact that you are good at some sports will also help.”

“But some of the defense moves I was taught will no longer apply to me.”

“What type of moves is that?”

“Poking someone between the eyes to help get away from your attacker, or kicking him in the groin. Other than those two moves, pretty much almost everything I’ve learned can still be done. There might be a few others but I can’t think of any right now.”

“I’ve heard about kicking in the groin and I must say that must hurt.”

“Brings the guy to his knees in a hurry and sometimes can render him immobile if one hits him hard enough,” Alexis smiled. “Anyway I should get going. This will be the first time watching the sunset from an optic point of view.”

“Ok. I’m going to help Red Alert put the final touches on the space ship.”

Alexis left the room and made her way to the mountaintop. Being on the mountain was going to be strange. She’ll be able to see things on the mountain that she couldn’t see before.

As she exited the base, she took a quivering breath. It was different than what she expected. Before she could take in the whole scenery, she noticed Starscream was already waiting for the sunset.

She smiled and walked up to him.

Starscream noticed her approach but didn’t give any indication that he knew she was there until she was beside him. “I hear you got Scavenger down.”

“Yeah after five hours, I got him down. And it was hard.”

“Scavenger is going to be more easy on you for now on, until you get use to your body.”

Alexis looked over the horizon and a gasp escaped her lips. All the years she had seen the sunset, she had never seen one quite like the one she was looking at. The golden colors of the sun, mixed with the sky and pink of the clouds were amazing. She was able to see more than she ever could.

“I never realized how much more of the sunset, you guys could see,” she breathed.

“You should see the sun from space.”

“I could imagine. And I will be able to now. It will be strange being able to go into space without needing a space suit or helmet.”

Starscream suddenly held out his hand. “Come. I want to show you something.”

Alexis looked at him as her hand slowly covered his. He squeezed her hand and then jumped into the air. Alexis gasped and held on tight to his hand. She turned off her optics as she felt the wind around her body.

Starscream maneuvered his body to be above hers and then grasped her other hand. “Turn on your optics and take a look. Trust me. You will not fall. I won’t let you.”

Alexis did as he asked, trusting Starscream. When her optics came on line, she gasped. They were flying towards the sunset at slow speed. It was more beautiful in the air watching the sunset then on the ground. She looked to her to the sides and saw her hands were securely in his. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She was speechless.

When her speech finally returned, she spoke. “Why did you...bring me up here?”

“I wanted you to see this before you became a seeker like myself.” Starscream started to pull Alexis’s arms in, cuddling her arms to her body. She tensed as she felt him doing this. His head bent down where her audio receptors were and whispered. “Trust me.”

She forcefully allowed herself to relax. Deciding to forget that Starscream’s arms were close to her body, she looked out for a vast valley, still heading towards the horizon. But there was a huge mountain coming into view. It was a higher mountain than the Autobot base.

Starscream suddenly stopped in mid air, standing straight up. They were about hundred feet above the mountain.

“Why...”

“Turn around,” he said gently. “You’ll see in a minute.”

“But...”

“My arms are around you. You will not fall.” Starscream sounded a little amused by Alexis’s fear.

Slowly Alexis turned in Starscream’s arms until she was staring at him face to face.

“Good,” he said. With one arm tightly around her, he took his other and rubbed his fingers over her cheek, caressing it. “I’ve been waiting for the this moment for awhile.”

“What moment is that?” her voice trembled. She noticed how close she was to his body and was getting nervous. Other than hugging her friends on the occasion, this was the first time ever being this close to someone.

With his fingers still brushing her soft metal skin, his head leaned in closer. Alexis’s optics widened as she realized what he was doing.

When his lips were a breath away... “This,” he whispered with dimmed optics and then kissed her.

At first she didn’t respond back but within moments, her optics dimmed and she kissed him. Although it was the first kiss ever in her life, she wanted to kiss him. Her arms wrapped around his waist as he let go of her and placed his other hand on the other cheek.

All to soon, Starscream backed away. Alexis seemed a little disappointed but didn’t show it. His fingers were still against her cheeks but she didn’t dare to let go. She didn’t notice that Starscream maneuvered them to be on the ground.

She looked at him and went to say something but was speechless again.

Starscream softly chuckled. “Since the day I found out you were becoming one of us, I couldn’t wait to kiss you,” he began. “And now I can. As well as tell you how I feel.”

Alexis finally found her voice. “You’ve wanted to kiss me?” This was like a dream come true. She always dreamed of having her first kiss during sunset.

“I’ve had these strong feelings for awhile now. When it occurred to me about these feelings, it was right after you were injured in the pyramid. But now that I think about it, I’ve felt like this towards you before then. Basically when Thrust tried to manipulate me into rejoining the Decepticons.”

“What-” she tried out but was hushed by his finger on her lips.

“Let me finish.” He traced his finger from her lips down to her chin and then up over her head and landed back on her cheek. “What I’m trying to say is that...” For a second the words got stuck in his throat. He was never good at expressing his feelings. “I fell in love with you. I fell in love with a human and now I can express it.”

Though Alexis figured he loved her, it still made her gasp. She, instinctively, took a step back and realized they were on the ground. With a mind of their own, her hands slowly released him and her fingers traced up his arms to hold his cheeks.

Starscream felt his spark jump as her fingers touched him. Her fingers were delicate to the touch and much to his surprise, were softer than he expected. He quickly had the overwhelming urge to kiss her again. He tried to hold back, but couldn’t and leaned in again, optics dimming.

Alexis saw this and with optics dimmed, met him half way. This time when they kissed, it was more than soft and had longing and love to it, their hands never leaving the face. The whole world was forgotten and time seemed to stand still for them in that moment.

After a few minutes, Alexis pulled away a little breathless. She looked into Starscream’s optics, as she was aware of her feelings for him.

“I...” she stuttered. “I’m in...love with you too.”

Starscream smiled. He let go of her cheeks and placed his arms around her. He pulled her to him in a hug, forcing her arms around his neck. His head leaned in the crock of her neck. “I honestly didn’t think you felt the same,” he whispered.

“I’m the same way,” she whispered. Pink tears trickled down her face in happiness. Suddenly reality came crashing down. “We should get back before we are noticed by Megatron. Besides you said you would start showing me how to use a sword and sunset is over.”

“That and you also need to scan for an Earthly vehicle.” He pulled away and looked lovingly at her. “Let’s head back before we are missed too long.” With his arms still tightly around her, he lifted off the ground and headed at top speed to the base.

Before reaching the base, Starscream saw an airport with a small two-man jet fueling up for take off. He quickly took a scan of the jet, storing it in his databanks and kept on towards the base.

When they landed, no one was waiting for their arrival. Starscream let go of Alexis and she walked a few steps before turning. “Good, no one is waiting.”

“We’re you expecting someone to?” he asked.

“Optimus already suspects how you feel about me and I really don’t want to see the others right now.”

Starscream nodded. “Well let’s start sword training.”

Over in the shadow, two bots stood.

“I knew she was with him,” one said.

“Sir. They were gone for awhile.”

“Red Alert. It’s safe to say that I can’t say anything to them.” Optimus turned to his friend. “I knew the end result would happen. Especially when I heard that he was going to help train her with the sword and that she was going copy his design but decided to have her own design.”

“Anything you would like me to say to the others?” Red Alert asked.

“Tell them not to get on their case about it. They’ll come to us in their own time. I will have a talk with both of them.”

“I heard from the boys a little while ago. They are helping Alexis’s mother pack and tomorrow has asked for your help in moving the furniture to here.”

Optimus nodded. “Did you go below the base?”

“Yes and the lake is huge. First thing in the morning I’ll set up the lights down there. A couple of them are ready to be placed up.”

-

After getting inside, Starscream led Alexis towards his quarters. He wanted to download the scanned image into his computer for Alexis. When they entered she turned to him.

“Why are we here? I thought we would start training.”

“We are but first...” He walked over to the computer and downloaded the scan. A picture of a jet appeared on the screen. “Download this into your CPU and it will do the rest.”

Alexis walked up beside Starscream and saw the picture. “How did you know?”

“Optimus said that you felt it would be better to be a different type of jet. Keep in mind of the extras that you want.”

“How do I download?”

“Just look at the image and CPU will do its job.”

Alexis looked at the image and she instantly felt something inside her move. She guessed it was her computer chips. The image was quickly sketched into her mind and she felt herself starting to change.

Two wings quickly appeared, with a cockpit over her chest. As quickly as the wings appeared, the wings folded in half so they didn’t stick out as far as Starscream’s. She wanted them to be able to bend so they weren’t in the way. But unlike Starscream, she had no canons on her shoulders. When it was complete, she looked like Starscream except for there was no canons.

“Impressive,” he said.

“I’m glad I didn’t copy your design. It would have been annoying with those canons on the back.”

“Oh but I have a little secret to them,” he smiled. “I can lay them against my back.” Just as said, the canons quickly were against his back.

“Cheat,” she giggled.

“Let’s start training,” he smiled, avoiding her comment. Starscream moved away from the computer and headed out of his quarters.

Alexis had to quickly catch up. She had no idea where he was heading until he reached the secret door, which led down. When they were in the main part of the cavern, Starscream removed his wing sword to start.

Before Starscream could say, Alexis concentrated in allowing her wing to move sideways and the handle of her sword to slide out. When she grabbed the handle, the wing stretched out into a sword.

Starscream nodded his approval. “First things first. Holding the sword. Every sword has a unique way to hold it. For instance the Star Saber. It can be held with one hand or both. While our swords is only held with one. It’s when striking that it can be used with both hands. Using both hands will make the sword slice all that much harder.”

“Like this,” she said.

“Almost but you need to tighten your grip or your opponent will be able to snap the sword out of your hand.”

“Is that why yours always ended up being sliced in two?”

“Don’t remind me of that,” he half growled with a smile. “But yes. I held the sword too tight. But if I didn’t I may not be here right now.”

Alexis tightened her grip.

“Good. Now I’m going to see if you have a good grip.”

“How?”

She never got her answer. With the flick of the wrist, Starscream slammed his sword against hers. Her sword clanged to the ground.

“See,” he said. He bent down; picking her sword up and handing it back to her. “You must have a steal grip. Now with the gripping out of the way, which is rule two. We’ll practice in fencing. I won’t go strong. But in time I will.”

Alexis nodded a little shaky at how fast her sword fell to the ground.

“Lets begin. First off.” Starscream placed his sword back as his wing and walked over to a long piece of metal. He broke two pieces off and gave one to Alexis. “We’ll use these like swords so neither one us is injured. I don’t need a lecture from Scavenger or Red Alert about you.”

“That’s a good idea.” Alexis placed her sword back and readied her self with the metal beam.

“Now I’m going to advance you with the sword. You must block, with your sword, at my advances. Then you’ll do the same to me. I would like to see what you know from watching previous battles.”

Starscream quickly came up to Alexis and started swing his sword in which she easily countered each attack. An echo was heard every time the two pieces of metal clanged together. After awhile the roles were reversed. She advanced on him and he dodged very attack.

For a few hours the small duel went on. When Starscream noticed that she was getting tired, he called it quits. He was quite surprised at how well she did. He didn’t think she could do that well after watching battles. The more he got to know of her, the more he was in love with her and now she knew how he felt.