Once Cyberwarp was within range of the Groundbridge, a portal opened up, clear for her to pass on through. She quickly transformed into robot mode, still holding Betamax close who was still fast asleep. Thankfully the trip over didn't wake him up or make him sick.

She patted his back and smiled. Seeing him peacefully asleep, so cute. Looking around for anyone watching her, she walked through the Groundbridge, passing right through back to Hawaii. Awaiting her on the other side was Skyjack and Spacewarp who were waiting for her.

Needless to say, the two of them were quite surprised to see that she wasn't kidding; she really did bring back a survivor.

"You actually found a survivor?" Skyjack said, flabbergasted.

"No way someone can survive an explosion so close. Especially if you're closed up in a tight space," Spacewarp shook her head.

"Yes, well, he survived!" Cyberwarp chirped, very happy.

"I guess this leads to my next question; do you know what you need to take care of that kid?" Skyjack asked, putting her hands on her hips. "Earth children are different."

Cyberwarp nodded. "I understand, believe me. But I have to try, don't I?"

"Well, well, well--"

"Ah!" Cyberwarp almost shrieked. Spacewarp and Skyjack jumped from the sudden talk, and when they turned their heads, their sparks just dropped. Cyberwarp's too.

Standing at the silo doorway was Tempest and Grubber, staring heavily at Cyberwarp.

"So you found a survivor, I presume?" Tempest asked.

Cyberwarp gulped. Without even thinking she just nodded. At this moment she expected Tempest to bark at her, or even worse attack. But Tempest didn't. Tempest started smiling. Menacingly!

"Two Decepticons were sent to capture someone, and they failed. But when you're out... you actually found someone. Well done, Cyberwarp."

Cyberwarp felt her fingers clash. "The only thing I followed through was making sure that there was still someone alive!"

"Ohohoho, but now there is! And now that we do, we're gonna... um. What are we going to do?" Grubber asked.

Tempest took a few steps forward, her feet pounding into the silo floors. The pounding was so loud that Betamax started to stir a little bit. Cyberwarp covered her hands over Betamax's head, acting on instinct.

"Tempest, I'm not letting you harm him! He didn't deserve this, he doesn't deserve any of this!"

Tempest's head leered down, making herself look tall in the process again. But Cyberwarp didn't back down. She wasn't going to let Betamax suffer Tempest's wrath.

"Let me make you a proposition, Cyberwar, whatever your name is. You give me the child... and I take him back to the humans," Tempest offered, "No human is harmed... and we can continue on our plans as scheduled."

Cyberwarp wanted to say no. But she wasn't sure what to say right now. This child was hurt for sure, but she didn't trust Tempest in this. After all, she was the one who ordered the attack on the child's home.

"But of course if you refuse... then I will still go along with the plans. With your body reduced to spare parts," Tempest sneered. "So make your choice, and make it fast..."

Cyberwarp still covered up the child in her arms, protecting him from Tempest. She didn't care what Tempest said, she'd have to pry the kid from her claw like hands! Tempest, seeing that Cyberwarp wasn't going to give up so easily, just smirked. She stood back up, and backed away from Cyberwarp to give them some distance.

"Tell you what. I'll give you half an hour to choose. By then you need to decide how his fate will go. Until then... don't try and escape the island, okay? Because I will find you. And I will take. You. Down."

Tempest walked out of the silo with Grubber, leaving Cyberwarp alone with Skyjack and Spacewarp. Cyberwarp's voice sounded stressed the moment she talked.

"I don't know what to do... I want Betamax to be safe, but he shouldn't be anywhere near Tempest's vision," Cyberwarp's eyes clenched tight.

"But if you refuse, she'll kill you," Skyjack pointed. "I don't want to lose you Cyber..."

Cyberwarp sighed. "I understand. But I can't just let Tempest take him without anyone there to help him."

"Why not just go with them?" Spacewarp asked. "Accompany them, and be the one to hold onto him when Tempest has her little negotiations."

"You're out!"

That voice came from Barricade, outside of the silo. Turning their heads, they went to see if he was there standing at the door. But he wasn't.

"Were you listening to us the entire time?"

"Yep! And Cyberwarp isn't coming along, she specifically said me, Shatter, and Dropkick would be going with her!"

Skyjack rolled her eyes at the blunt response.

"What do I do?" Cyberwarp panicked.

Spacewarp snapped her fingers. "I got an idea!"

"Oh, please tell me its something good!"

Spacewarp nodded.

"Few Decepticons and Autobots know this, but I have a little friend that's currently imprisoned with the Autobots here on this planet. I tried to rescue him when he escaped from his stasis chamber upon awakening, but unfortunately there were too many Autobots and then, well, he was captured. Buuuuuttt... if I can convince Tempest to free him, I think I can fill him in and get him to help protect this little guy."

Skyjack and Tempest stared at the masked Decepticon.

"How do we know we can trust him?"

"You trust me, don't you?" Spacewarp asked. "I can guarantee this Con can help us, he's one of the nicest Decepticons you'll ever see."

"You have a name, or a picture of him?" Skyjack asked.

Spacewarp held her wrist up and projected a small holoscreen of her and the other Decepticon together. The two of them were a little goofy looking, taking a picture together on the edge of a mountain cliff.

"Wait... is that--"

"Yep."

"But he's--"

"Yes."

"... do you know this Con's nothing but a punching bag to the Decepticon army?"

"Yes, but unlike the rest, he's got some actual brain cells to think before doing," Spacewarp pointed out. "So. What do you say?"

Cyberwarp stared down at the picture yet again, staring off into space as she pondered all possible outcomes of the option presented to her. Meanwhile, back outside...

"So tell me Barricade... you say you know the exact coordinates of the Autobot headquarters?"

"Mmmhmm. Before I was left stranded here on this rock, I was a part of Lord Megatron's Decepticon forces. We raided an assault on The Ark, thanks to placing a tracking signal on one of their allies. And to this very day... I still kept hold of it." Barricade grinned. "Find The Ark..."

Tempest's face was neutral. "Find the location of the remaining Decepticons on the planet."

"Oh yeah," Barricade snickered. "All of them. Bludgeon, Slashmark, Thunderhoof, many others! We rally them together, we can finally destroy the Autobots!"

Tempest turned her head, staring off at the beach and the open water. Their base operations were so close that she could just walk a few steps over, and she'd be on the beach!

"All in due time. Let us get some Decepticons freed, then we'll see about finishing them," Tempest said, staring off into the blue skies. Grubber stood by too.

"You think the Autobots will actually give you some Decepticons?" Grubber questioned, nibbling on a small piece of steak that he brought along, all from the supplies of food that were packed into the firetruck.

Tempest scoffed. "They'll have to. They wouldn't let a child suffer, now would they?"

But as she stared off into the distance, gazing at the beautiful atmosphere that they were lucky to be homed in, a light-bulb flickered in her head. Something she didn't ponder before. She turned around and she walked towards a small open workstation where Shockblast was, who was organizing some parts and tools around.

"Shockblast."

Shockblast's head titled up and the horns on his head moved much like an ant's antenna.

"That special cargo that the Autobots were holding... I don't suppose you can make good use of it? Perhaps turn whoever is in that pod into one of us?"

Shockblast stomped around, his only green eye swiveling as he gazed to Tempest.

"Your request is sonorous, desirable. But... scintillating."

"In English, Shockblast. What are you telling me?" Tempest groaned, rolling her eyes.

Shockblast's body didn't respond. But only for a second.

"I find your request to be, logical", Shockblast answered, still sounding as cold and emotionless as ever. "I have an adequate amount of supplies, Dark Energon included, that can turn this once virtuous Autobot..." Shockblast gazed at the robot that was locked in the stasis pod, now strapped onto his workbench table, arms and legs restrained. "... into, a cold, heartless, Decepticon."

"Then get to work. I may need him on standby, in case our little negotiation should go a little... awry."

---

Spitfire held her face as she just tapped her fingers against the keyboard. She was having an exhausting morning, which she only imagined would turn into an exhausting day. First she had to make sure everyone was still accounted for which took heaven knows how long. Secondly, she had to make sure all weapons, gears, gadgets, and prisoners were still in their cells which was more than enough of a hassle to begin with! Third, dealing with an uncontrollable and unstable woman who just groundbridged out of nowhere? Dear lord, how did Sunset handle all of this stuff!?

Her finger tapping continued to drone on until her face just slammed into the control panel. She moaned into the boards, out of frustration. Just then, someone walked into the room. Wheeljack, to be exact.

"You okay there, Spitfire?"

Spitfire just moaned and slammed her first into the panel.

"Mmm. I see. Can't balance Sunset's work, can you?"

Spitfire leaned her head back as she spun around in the rolling chair she was sitting in. She spun herself in circles, not even caring if she would get dizzy. Not that she could, having done tons of work like this when she was in the army.

"How did Sunset even manage to balance all of this crap? No one should have to balance all of this stuff!" Spitfire slapped her forehead.

"You want my advice, and I know you didn't ask for it. You just gotta take it nice and easy; don't rush into it, or else nothing will get done."

Spitfire sighed. "Yeah... I get it." She titled her head to look up at the scientist. "How's our newest guest holding up?"

"She's currently on a treadmill, trying to burn off all the calories from the hordes of ice cream she dug into last night," Wheeljack said. "Is it normal for someone to eat through an entire tub of it?"

"For some, yes. For others, its an unhealthy eating desire that they use as a coping mechanism to get through something depressing," Spitfire nodded. "At least she's getting the exercise. Though if I can be honest..."

The captain in chair got out of her chair to wake up her legs.

"I think Sour just needs a friend right now," Spitfire said. "Maybe I should talk to her."

"There you go. Take a break, you need it just as much as Sunset does."

"Do you mind monitoring Teletraan-1 in the meantime?"

"I don't mind at all. Just help that--"

Their thoughts were interrupted. A small series of beeps flashed on the monitors, alerting their attention. Nearby Autobots and Wonderbolts gathered as well; the newest recruits too.

"Who is it? Cons?" Flareup asked with some excitement.

"Not sure," Wheeljack said, typing onto the keyboard. On screen, they could see four visible red dots flashing. "Cybertronian signals, that's for sure. Although..."

One of the glowing red dots grew bigger, and a small square image appeared on the screen. Inside the screen was an old picture, a headshot of Pyra Magna.

"That's strange... Pyra Magna's life signal is back online. But that's impossible, Pyra Magna was... was..."

"Was what?" Flareup asked.

"Killed," Strongarm droned.

Flareup and Blastwave's faces blanked with dread.

"But if she's dead, then how come her signal is back online?"

"It could be a malfunction, perhaps a loose wire or panel that's out of place," Wheeljack said.

"And if its not a malfunction, then we have to go find out," Spitfire said. "Arcee, Strongarm, we're going. Newbies!"

Flareup and Blastwave clenched from the yelling. So much so that they stood straight like they were about to get chewed out by a superior officer at bootcamp.

"If you two want to see some action, then I suggest you come with us! We may be dealing with incoming Decepticons posing as Autobots, we've had that happen a few times!"

Flareup and Blastwave flashed grins, ready to hit the field. Now was their chance to see some real action for the first time. Spitfire, ready to move out, quickly jumped into a fighting outfit and swung two pistols into her holsters.

"Autobots! Lets transform and roll out!"

Arcee and Strongarm transformed, and Spitfire climbed on top of Arcee in vehicular form. Flareup and Blastwave transformed into their respective vehicles as well, forming a Cybertronian sports car and tank. All together, they roared out of the open doorway of the base, driving right onto desert sand. But to their surprise, their trip was ended real quickly. The four signals that were on the radar screen were all right there in front of them, feet away from the entrance of their base.

Carefully, Spitfire stepped off of Arcee, allowing her to transform into her robot mode. Strongarm, Flareup, and Blastwave all followed, each of them taking fighting stances just in case.

Spitfire stomped towards them, her boots making some trails into the sand.

"Ahem? Pyra Magna, is that you?"

The turquoise and red firetruck sat still, its engine humming idly. The exterior of the truck looked very grotesque; rusted parts, faded paint, it was a wonder how that thing was still functioning after all of this time. It was even more of a wonder when the firetruck transformed to reveal the once alive Pyra Magna before their eyes. Still as disgusting and grotesque looking as she was in vehicle mode. A small piece of plating falling off one of the shoulders being clear evidence.

"Pyra Magna, ma'am? Are you okay?" Spitfire asked.

Strongarm and Arcee felt themselves throwing up inside.

"Pyra? What happened to you?" Arcee queried.

The tall mech didn't say a word, but instead just glared down at the human with a blank face. It was a little painful to stare at Pyra's face, what with the giant hole where her eye should have been, and the degrading outlook she had on her body.

"I don't recognize you. You are new. But you might remember... them."

One by one, the three cars beside her began to transform. The first one, the police car transformed to reveal himself to be Barricade looking as nasty as he was the day he was sent to prison. Next to follow was Dropkick who pounded his fists into the ground, creating a soft explosion of sand to show he wasn't messing around. Last to transform was Shatter who took a little longer to form, but not too long to show that she had a hostage with them. In her hand was none other than the little boy that Cyberwarp had brought back; Betamax.

Spitfire and both Arcee and Strongarm took a step back.

"That's not Pyra," Arcee clenched her fist, "Who are you and what did you do to her?"

"Whoever this Pyra was is long gone," Tempest looked down at where her spark would have been with Pyra's head, smirking all the while, "But she makes an excellent freezer to keep me safe."

"You dissected her!?" Strongarm gasped.

"No. We found her dissected, we just simply put her back together," Tempest grinned at Strongarm.

Strongarm reached for her weapon, but not before Tempest continuing to taunt them.

"I wouldn't advise taking another move. Any more, and the child would be in more danger than he should be," Tempest insisted, pointing at the hostage in the red triple-changer's arms.

Spitfire hissed. "Who is that kid, and what do you want?"

Tempest chuckled before taking a few steps forward to make herself the center of attention. “Here’s the deal ladies. I need some Decepticons out of your prison, and I need them now,” Tempest instructed.

Spitfire’s crew took a few steps back, cautiously. And one by one, they slowly started to put their weapons away.

“Look, there’s no need to hurt the child, we can talk this out,” Strongarm said, keeping her attention.

“So are you all going to listen to my demands then?”

Flareup sneered. She moved forward like she was about to attack, until Arcee held a hand in front of her, keeping her from trying to make any moves.

“Let me make this clear. I have no real burning desire to hurt this brat, I never even wanted this brat as a means of a hostage for our negotiation. In fact, I like to return him to you all as soon as possible. But I can’t give him back until you all give me what I want. Understand?”

Everyone slowly put down their weapons and nodded. Tempest smirked.

“Good. Now listen up. My associates know you have many Decepticons in stasis. I am in need of five of them. If you don’t have the Decepticon I desire, I suggest you demand proof that you do not have them in custody. Or, if you so much as refuse… I will only make things much harder for this boy.”

Betamax whimpered, feeling the hard steel of Shatter's fingers press against him.

“Look, just stop. We’ll listen,” Spitfire said.

Tempest stared down at Spitfire. “Good. Now let’s talk. We have very much to discuss…”

---

After some time to alert the Autobots and let them know of their current sitation, everyone back at base stood by to prepare for when Tempest made her choice of Decepticon to be freed. As they stood to get Decepticons ready, Tempest and her crew stood close together, huddled like a pack. They stood by Tempest, all the while Spitfire and some Wonderbolts set up a small table with their computers, ready to look into any files for any Decepticons that they would be requesting. Strongarm and Arcee stood by their sides, prepared to take any evasive action they could, but also so they could carefully get the child back in their palms.

"So, are you ready to begin?"

"Yes, we're ready," Spitfire hollered, standing before the Autobots, sunglasses resting on her face, and staring up at Tempest's metallic masked face. "Now before we can discuss the release or not, we need names of the Decepticons you wish to have out."

"Just as I suspected," Tempest replied.

"So." Spitfire said. "Give us names."

Tempest blinked and looked down at Spitfire, spitting the first name.

"Thunderblast."

Spitfire looked back to Soarin who sat at the table, nodding. "Thunderblast?"

Soarin and Fleetfoot shared a glance, worried.

***

Inside the base, Thunderblast's cell was opened up, and she stepped out in cuffs.

"Oh, hey Autobots! Is it time for my Energon break?"

Nitro chuckled. "Guess what kid, you're getting out of prison."

"Wait wait wait wait! I'm... I'm free?" Thunderblast asked, curiously.

"You're free. Someone's made your bail."

"I'm free!" Thunderblast squeed with excitement, jumping up into the air. The rogue Decepticons just chuckled, she had the personality of a bubbly happy-go-lucky teenager. As dumb as she was, she was somehow smart enough to cooperate with the wardens and guards as they transferred her from her cell and forced her to walk out.

***

Back outside, Soarin and Fleetfoot finished logging the information. And Thunderblast was seen being escorted outside by some Autobot guards, still cuffed.

"She's clear!"

"Alright. Continue," Spitfire barked.

***

"Flamewar..."

Flamewar's cell opened up, showing the insane Decepticon struggling against her bonds. Strapped to a bed, arms and legs tied tight, and angry as ever. A mouth clamp was tightened, to keep her from screaming. Every word that would be uttered from her was nothing more than a violent temper filled with desire to kill.

Two of the guards moved closely and slapped the mouth clamp off her face, only for some tiny bits of drool to leak from Flamewar's mouth. Her anger seething from her fanged teeth.

"I'll tear your processors out, and swallow your T-cog whole!" Flamewar growled.

***

Soarin searched for Flamewar's file, and grimaced.

"Flamewar, she was arrested a few days ago. Caused several amounts of property damage, car crashes, murders, and industrial accidents on both Earth, and Cybertron. Incredibly unstable, no sense left in her mind, no."

"We're not letting her out, no!" Spitfire shouted.

Tempest snarled and she slammed her foot into the ground.

"I said, Flamewar. Do you want this boy to die?" She held her fist up, her grip moving slightly to get a little tighter, making Betamax cry out in pain.

"Okay, okay, stop! We'll let her out! Someone tell them to transfer her onto a mental cart, she's too unstable to be let out."

"Got it!" Fleetfoot and Soarin called, before burying their heads into their keyboards.

But without Tempest knowing, Spitfire whispered over to the Wonderbolts. "Tell them to place a tracking device on Flamewar, we'll need it for later."

Raising a gun up into the air, Tempest continued further names.

"Slashmark..."

***

The cell opened up, and released was Slashmark; red, white, and blue body corresponding with a red face and yellow eyes. Small glows of yellow neon on some parts of his body, amplifying his energy. A Stunticon, he was, but a lonesome one at that. And a good reason for that too;

"Keep your disgusting hands off my arms, law-bots! Or do you want me to make it difficult for your superior officer!?" Slashmark complained.

Arrogant, full of snark, and considered everyone who wasn't as fast or strong as him, deemed as lesser than him.

"Ugh, please, stop complaining," Tracks groaned as he helped escort him out. "And I thought I was the narcissist."

***

"Though we strongly request that you don't touch him, he'll just keep insulting you if you do and he never shuts up," Spitfire advised.

"I'll keep it in mind," Tempest acknowledged.

"Wait, I thought Thunderblast was the one who never shut up?" Soarin asked.

"Decepticons just don't shut up, period. Anyways... continue?"

Tempest cleared her throat and continued.

"Bludgeon..."

***

The Decepticon was found sitting cross-cross on the floor, meditating in silence. The guards pointed their weapons towards the sitting Con who didn't flinch.

"Your bail has been made, time for you to get out, dude," Nitro barked.

A soft glow of red eyes emitted from his face and he got off the floor. Turning around, he revealed a neutral face. A skeleton looking face covered by a samurai helmet, and samurai armor dressing the body.

"So I have been freed? By who, Nitro Zeus?" Bludgeon whispered.

"You'll see when you get out there. Come on."

***

"Can't believe we're bailing him out, him of all bots," Soarin moaned.

"We have no choice," Spitfire said, knowing the outcome if they would refuse.

By now, all four of the Decepticons that were chosen were now huddled together, freed from their cuffs and weapons given back to them. Barricade and Dropkick standing beside them, awaiting further orders.

“—And… last but not least… Lugnut.”

Both Soarin and Strongarm glared at Tempest.

“Absolutely, not!”

“No, uh-uh, no, sorry, not happening.”

“Yeah, no, no… you’ve got limits!” Spitfire yelled.

“I said, Lugnut! If you—“

“Hey, hey, Tempest, chill out. No need to keep ranting. Besides, I know just who you can get instead…” Spacewarp sing-songed through the radio.

Tempest rolled her eyes, and then looked back. “Very well. I will settle for someone else…”

“Your last one,” Strongarm chewed out.

“My final Decepticon… last but not least—“

***

The cell opened up inside the paddock, and out came a normal looking Vehicon drone. Purple colors, tires built into his shoulders and legs, and a red visor for a set of eyes.

“—Steve!”

***

Tempest blinked and sat in complete silence. She put her finger up to the auditory sensor, talking to Spacewarp again.

“This is an actual—“

“—This is an actual Decepticon, yep!” Spacewarp chirped on the other line.

Tempest sneered and turned her head so she could take the call.

"Spacewarp, is this your idea of a joke? Because I am not laughing."

"Hey, Tempest, chill. I swear, this guy's worth it."

And right at that moment, Steve was seen being escorted by some Autobot guards right up front to where Spitfire and the others were. As their heads turned, some small grins came onto Strongarm and Arcee’s face.

“Hi Steve!”

“Hi Strongarm!” Steve waved hello. He would be smiling right now, but there was no visible emotion or expression to be seen on his face. Especially since a Vehicon's face was nothing more than a red visor and gray head.

Tempest stared in complete silence as she looked at this Decepticon, still trying to comprehend why he had such an Earthly name.

"Spacewarp, you said he was worth it. Well I am staring at a completely generic Vehicon troop, where is the value in collecting him?"

"Just talk to him, you'll find out!"

Tempest groaned, rubbing the little bridge on what would have been her nose.

“Well then… Steve, do you have any special abilities or powers…?”

“Uh, no… I uh, I don’t have one,” Steve shrugged. “Most of the time I end up getting shot, blown up, ripped to shreds, decapitated, shanked, grinded, melted, or any other forms of death you can think of. But yet somehow, I always find a way to walk it off. Use me as a punching bag all you want, I'll just keep coming back.”

“So you’re immortal…” Tempest blanked.

Steve paused. "That's not exactly how I would interpret it, but sure, whatever makes you happy."

And with one sentence, she made her choice. “You’re in.”

Steve paced to the rest of the freed Decepticons and was greeting by a squeeing Thunderblast.

"Hi Steve!"

"Hello Thunderblast," Steve greeted. "And very nice to see you guys. Bludgeon, Slashmark."

Slashmark scoffed. "Why on Earth did they settle for a common Vehicon?"

"Hey, I'm not complaining," Steve protesting.

While Steve and his freed collaborators talked, Tempest was ready to finish her little meeting with Spitfire. She had all she needed, now she just needed to toss the little brat back to them. His use was over.

"Now, can we please have the child back?"

Next Chapter: Chapter 13: Fighting New Faces Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 24 Minutes