Sam was feeling conflicted at the moment. If any of the government personnel could hear his thoughts he would be branded as a traitor to planet Earth. Of course, his family and friends who know about his situation with the Allspark would be understanding towards him though they will no doubt try to advise him away from his current path of thinking. Optimus would be grateful he helped ease his brother's difficulties while Elita would grumble under her breath about how Megatron deserved to struggle. They would both feel guilty later on about it thinking Sam was showing kindness to the Decepticons because of the Allspark's influence and desire to see it's sparklings safe. What is currently happening you ask? Well, Sam is listening in on the Decepticons or rather Knockout and Soundwave discussing the low Energon reserves and how much would be necessary to create sparkling grade Energon. Sam really should not but he really wanted to share the artificial energon formula with them.
Sam murmured floating in the shared mind space, "What is the right choice in this situation? This is no game. one wrong move and someone might truly die."
Allspark, -Sam, you do not have to do this. My children made their choice. And as much as it pains me to admit, I cannot fix it. They must find a solution themselves.-
Sam sighed answering a little sadly, "I know but you know my history. You know how I feel about them and about my affection for them."
Allspark, -And I am truly grateful that you and so many others adore my children in your previous life. As odd as it is to think about, it is certainly fascinating and comforting.-
Matrix, -Sam, Allspark, I have assured my hostess you are both well and the sparklings are unharmed too.-
Sam smiled, "Thank you, I appreciate it."
Matrix, -And I agree with my sibling. You are not obligated to do anything for our foolish sparklings. Despite being a reincarnate your experiences still fall short compared to the millennia these bitlets have lived.-
Sam chuckled, "That is undeniable I suppose."
Allspark, -Just focus on surviving this situation please. I do not wish to jump hosts when I have one that is perfect already.-
Matrix, -Indeed, other organics will not be able to handle our presence very literally thanks to our constitution.-
Sam, "I suppose you are right. We will be lucky if Earth does not become a battle field over this incident."
Allspark giggled, -Your dear Knight is quiet ready to declare a war on your behalf. The only thing holding him back is the worry you might get hurt in the process.-
Sam, "Oh Bee! I would prefer if he did not get hurt instead. I hope he is alright."
Meanwhile Jazz and the Rescue bots reached the Bering sea area and looked around the place taking in the scenery of the waves hitting the shore. The sound of crashing waves being the only thing breaking the silence between them as their eyes and optics turned to a very specific area in the sky. While the ship was cloaked from any advanced detection system, the weather worked against the shield. It was pretty obvious to anyone with common sense there was something in the sky if they followed the falling rain drop pattern. The ship being as large as it was shielded an area below it from the falling rain though the wind did not help. Prowl sometimes marveled at the organic planet they were on even though most of the times it triggered his germophobic, as the humans call it, reactions from him. None of his sensors detected the ship from a far and he had worried they would be moving around like headless chickens for a moment.
Miles, "Sam and the kids are in there."
Jazz, "Elita confirmed they are okay through the Matrix."
Heatwave, "I am still surprised the Matrix acknowledged a human. I understand the Allspark being curious and interacting with a human enthusiastically. The Matrix though was very surprising."
Blades, "Yes, but it does explain a few things about his knowledge and the way he looks at us. Like he knew us from a long time ago."
Chase, "Which is logically impossible as humans do not live long and we never met him before."
Jazz chuckled at that, "The beauty and luck of being favored by the Allspark as well as the Matrix. I do not envy him however, it is quiet the terrifying position to be in if the wrong type learns about him."
Prowl muttered, "As shown by Sentinel's actions."
Miles, 'You better be alive and unhurt Sam.'
Chase, "What are you thinking Miles?"
Blades, "You look like you want to commit arson one moment and the next irritated."
Miles sighed, "It's just I have known Sam for a long while."
Jazz nodded, "Hmm.. Childhood friends."
Miles, "Knowing him he is probably putting himself on the line for the kids. And no he does not need the Allspark to do that. He has been tat way before you guys met us."
Prowl gave a wry smile at that, "We noticed Miles. He acted more like a Sire instead of a bitlet himself. The school shooting incidents did not help in the matter."
Miles lifted his gear to check if it works without problems, "No, it exacerbated that need to protect further at his own detriment. The Allspark from what I saw mellowed it out for a while till it came bursting out and now it happened again."
Jazz, "Well from what I understood who we are rarely changes. The best we can do is protect his kindness from being exploited. You can bet your pretty little heads that is what Megatron will do."
Prowl then kneeled down and went over their plan once again. While Bumblebee, Optimus and Elita were distracting the Decepticons and Sentinel, they would enter the ship as undetected as possible. Heatwave nodded and they started to move using their Rescue status to hide themselves from the scanners. It was a risky move as they were not sure if the old rules concerning the Rescue Bots still applied to the Decepticons or not, it certainly did not for the nobles. Jazz and Prowl were Miles noticed being kind of protective over the new bots that joined them. He understood in a way, they were rescue workers not warriors and if it was not for the specialization, the couple would have preferred not to get them involved. Miles himself was a little against having a rescue worker with them, because there was a high chance they will have to battle and if that happened there was a high chance someone might die.
Miles, 'I pray we get out of this alive for everyone's sake, especially Sam.'
Heatwave signed, /Coast clear. No one has seen us yet./
Jazz signed back, /Good, let's keep it that way. Prowl, Boulder?/
Boulder, /We found Sam. He is in the med bay with the little ones./
Prowl, /Knockout and Breakdown are the ones in charge./
Miles looked at them curiously, /You got all that from using your rescuer ID? I am not going to lie, I am impressed./
Chase nodded, /Yes, it is surprising, isn't it? After this however I have no doubt things will change./
Blades, /So, we need to do this right. We only have one chance. That too we should probably ac as if we have been noticed./
Prowl nodded, /Better safe then sorry./
Miles, /Someone is coming./
Heatwave, /The three of you hide. They are probably here because of us./
Jazz, /Fine but remember to be safe yourselves./
Chase, /We will be fine. Go brother, get Sam and get out of here. We will follow after soon enough. This is not our first rodeo./
prowl looked reluctant but agreed in the end, /You better not be hurt./
Heatwave looked at the door as it opened, "Well, if you aren't a sight for sore optics."
Barricade froze in shock, "You... How? I was told.... Chase!"
Chase smiled, "Brother, it is a long story. I have missed you. Ooof!"
Barricade ignored the rest and hugged his youngest sibling, "They told me you offlined in the Hexapole sector. They did not find a body. I thought.... I thought.... "
Chase, "How about we sit down and I tell you the truth about what happened. You will not like it. We barely made it out."
Barricade tensed then relaxed, "We can talk. Come on! Tell me everything. Te rest of you come with me too. Don't worry, I told Soundwave I will be dealing with this."
Chase, "You recognized my ID an got angry someone was misusing my ID, didn't you?"
Barricade, "Yes, I was ready to deal with whoever it was permanently."
Heatwave, "Told you your brother is protective over you."
Blades chuckled, "He was nervous about meeting you again."
Chase, "We wake up and learn there is a war going on. Of course I worry about how things had changed."
Barricade was watching his youngest sibling with a look in his optics that screamed whoever was behind his brother's disappearance would pay. While the Rescue Bots were explaining their situation to Barricade, Jazz, Prowl and Miles were heading towards the med bay where their target was. Miles looked down from the vent and saw Sam was with the sparklings and explaining how some of the organic beings were born differently compared to others. The sparklings looked unhurt from what Miles saw and despite having Decepticons around they were calm and healthy. At the other side of the room, Knockout and his Conjunx Breakdown were talking about something looking at a data pad between them. Miles was honestly relieved to see Sam unhurt and unbound this time compared to the previous kidnapping where he was bound and the only reason he was able to get out sane and alive was the presence of the Allspark.
Miles turned and signed, /Found Sam and the sparklings. They are ok./
Jazz hummed at that, /Knockout is heading out, Blades probably convinced Barricade to get a check up. We need to find a way to get Breakdown out too before taking Sam and the sparklings out./
Prowl nodded, /I have an idea. I have been observing the alarm system of the ship, I could trigger it to make a medical emergency. It would force Breakdown to move out of the med bay./
Miles nodded, /Sounds like a plan but what if someone else comes over?/
Jazz, /I will knock them out. Do not worry too much Miles. We got this./
Miles, /It is not our abilities that worry us. I just do not want the kids caught in the crossfire./
Chase and the other Rescue bots meanwhile were informing Barricade about their last mission before entering stasis. According to what they recall, the received a distress signal right as they were about to return to their post o Cybertron. They had received an urgent order demanding rescue bots to return home, as fast as possible. Barricade recalled that particular incident and mentioned it was good they did not return as many rescue bots were killed in an explosion. That made the four rescue bots stare at the Decepticon scout incredulously. They had heard the gist of what happened from the Autobots but not the details. Blades asked what happened exactly and Barricade launched into an explanation about how the Rescue Bots returned in droves but were not allowed permit to enter. They had to wait for scans and verification and while that was happening a large explosion rocked the area eliminating every rescue bot.
Heatwave, "That's... That's madness. Why? As far as I know we are a neutral group. We never had any enmity with any one,"
Barricade, "I believed it was one of the Autobots while our brother Prowl believed it was the Decepticons. We have had a lot of disagreements before. But losing you destroyed whatever affection we had."
Chase, "I am sorry this happened to you and us. Was the culprit ever found?"
Barricade, "The war became worse after that and no, sadly no one had the time or resources to investigate. Not with both sides vying for the other's spark."
Blades, "I see."
Barricade, "Now, tell me what happened to you. You said you had a detour after receiving a distress signal."
Chase nodded, "Yes, it took us to the Sector where we disappeared. We were not expecting to run into what we did that time."
Heatwave, "Want me to take over?"
Chase vented shakily, "Yes please, I would appreciate that."
Barricade, "I will call Knockout to check on you. Knockout."
Knockout, -Ah! Barricade, you are dealing with the strange intruders, I believe?-
Barricade, "It is my brother. I need you to check on him."
Knockout was quiet for a while, -I see, very well.-
Heatwave, "As Chase mentioned earlier, we were taking a detour to check the distress call."
Barricade, "Yes, so who needed help? Were they the ones behind your situation?"
Heatwave shook his head, "When we reached the location, there was no one who survived the beast."
Barricade vented, "What do you mean? Beast?"
Heatwave nodded, "By the time we reached the location, the Spark eater had already ended everyone's existence. From what we saw they fought till the end."
Barricade took a deep inhale, "Are you sure it was a Spark Eater?"
Blades, "We have the recordings with us. We had to open an unstable portal and crash landed on Earth as it was the closest planet."
Boulder, "Closest planet with Cybertronian readings. Though no one realized we were here for vorns apparently. I don't know if I should be relieved or not at this point."
Knockout, "I am here.... What the? Boulder?"
Boulder smiled, "Greetings Knockout."
Knockout, "Goodness, it really is you. Does Breakdown know?"
Barricade, "I am still processing they are alive Doctor."
Knockout nodded, "I shall inform him and ask Scalpel to watch the med bay with strict instructions obviously."
Boulder nodded, "I have missed my old caretaker."
Knockout, "Breakdown, come to me now. I have a surprise for you. Scalpel, you are in charge but behave. No touching the sparklings. I mean it."
Chase, "Brother, this war. Is there a way to end this?"
Barricade, "Little one, no one wants to fight in a campaign that leads to our eventual offlining and demise. However most of us are in too deep and cannot stop anymore."
Chase, "But, we will only end ourselves if we carry on like this."
Barricade sighed, "The loss of Rescue bots was just the beginning. After you lot went missing, Cybertron lost their sparklings."
Heatwave, "Sam mentioned that."
Barricade looked at him, "Sam as in Samuel Witwicky?"
Heatwave nodded, "The Allspark was pretty forthcoming and was the one to find us and then hide us so we could get our bearings right. They never spoke of the details however, I assume it was painful to recall for them."
Barricade muttered under his denta, "Of course it was that bitlet. The bleeding spark would try to house a Predacon if he was allowed."
Blades snorted, "He certainly gave that vibe as the kids say."
Breakdown entered, "I am.... Boulder? Is that you?"
Boulder, "Hello Breakdown, looking good still I see."
Breakdown did not say anything and hugged the younger bot instead getting a chuckle from Barricade. Breakdown placed Boulder down and started to question him about what happened and how they were here. Boulder repeated what they had just told Barricade making the ex - wrecker and medic tense at the mention of a Spark eater possibly following them to Earth. Despite the fact the Rescue team managed to escape there was no guarantee the beast did not follow them. Spark eaters were known for being a silent and deadly hunter capable of waiting for vorns before attacking it's target. Then came the questions about the war and the same reasonings as Barricade's came though the personal reasons were different. The talk went nowhere and the bots felt a little frustrated as it meant the people they cared about would be fighting each other if a fight breaks out.
Bumblebee, "Sentinel Prime, Megatron Prime, return my sparkling and the young ones."
Sentinel who was about to retort turned to Megatron, "Prime?"
Elita gave a sharp smile, "Ah yes! The Matrix of leadership acknowledged Megatron as a Prime of is own right."
Sentinel, "Interesting development. We shall talk about this later. For now I demand the Matrix returned to me."
Optimus, "Do not be foolish Sire. No one can order the Matrix around."
Sentinel bit out, "Except a human you mean?"
Optimus looked exasperated, "Sam does not order the Matrix around either."
Elita placed a servo on Optimus's shoulder plate, "It is alright, Optimus. Sentinel, if you want the Matrix so badly then prove yourself worthy of it."
Megatron, "A challenge for the Matrix, how fitting!"
Bumblebee, "Loser does what the winner wants. Which means you return Sam and the sparklings unharmed."
Sentinel, "Very well, and if we win. Optimus and the Matrix are coming with me."
Optimus frowned at that, "I am not an object Sentinel."
Sentinel, "No but you are my sparkling. No one is worthy of standing by your side."
Elita glared her servos shaking in fists, "You mean no one you do not approve of. Am I right?"
Sentinel, "So, you know where you stand, street turbo."
Optimus glared this time, "Do not call her that."
Bumblebee muttered, "I can see why the Allspark was angry with him."
Elita smirked, "Indeed. Very well Sentinel, let's spar. I will show you what this poor and wretched street turbo can do."
Optimus, "Elita, do not let his words get to you. He does not know what he is talking about."
Elita softened before nodding seriously, "I know Optimus. I know the Matrix chose me for a reason. I will not allow anyone to undermine me that easily. Never again will I make that mistake."
Sentinel took a stance, "That human has the key to our planet's revival. Are you really going to let him be when we can get our home back?"
Elita fired back, "That is not up to us to decide. The Allspark has a mind of their own and they are disappointed in all of us. How much more are you going to disappoint the Allspark Sentinel Prime?"
Sentinel snarled, "Says a mere human. Do you truly believe what a mortal fleshling has to say?"
Elita summoned her sword, "That mortal fleshling as you call him gave us a home when we were drifting aimlessly through space. That mortal fleshling showed us, especially me kindness, warmth and acceptance."
Sentinel spat as they sparred, "How he mighty have fallen indeed! Going after an organic pet for acceptance and love.", he kicked her back spitting, "Are you truly worthy of being a Prime?"
Elita grinned menacingly as she attacked again, "Oh! I know I am worthy of it. In fact, the Matrix speaks to me sometimes when I focus hard enough I can hear them speak to me about other Primes.", Elita pointed her sword at him, "What about you though Sentinel? Are you worthy?"
Sentinel growled using his rust gun, "I will destroy you and claim the Matrix."
Elita, "You are welcome to try."
Optimus clenched his servos, "You truly have gone too far Sentinel. No one would insult another Prime in the past."
Bumblebee muttered, "Even the Fallen did not insult his brothers despite the conflict between them."
Optimus turned to his brother, 'Megatron is planning something.'
Bumblebee, 'He has been quiet from the start of the battle.'
Megatron was watching the fight with amusement dancing in his dark red optics. The Decepticon Warlord may not have said it but watching his Sire get called out on his nonsense was very hilarious. He hated to admit it but after being frozen and watching humans he had come to a few realizations about his own relationships. Optimus and Ultra Magnus were the only ones who were honest with him, despite their opposing views and ambitions. If Megatron could count on one thing to never change is for his siblings to always be honest and straight forward with him, no matter how cruel the facts may sound. The Allspark was angry, he went to the Well of Sparks to make amends by rebuilding the temple. The Decepticons were the reason the main temple was destroyed in the first place after all. Cybertron was not stable or safe enough for the sparklings to thrive yet, that was fine. Megatron knew how to be patient and wait his targets out, in fact that was what he was doing right now.
Megatron was waiting for Samuel to die naturally, no one could stop him from reclaiming the Allspark once the host dies naturally. Megatron noticed Optimus was looking at him with a knowing look in his optics and he smirked at him. The blue helmed Autobot leader looked ready to be done with everything and everyone and punch them all to the pits. Ah! He annoyed both his brother and Knight prodigy by doing nothing this time, perhaps he should apply human tactics about delegation more often as it gives him time to observe and dissect things better. He was no fool, he did not become a leader to some of the most treacherous, backstabbing idiots in the Universe by being one. No, he knew how to be patient and he knew how to hunt and manipulate others around him. Megatron did not win in the pits by being a mindless brute, there was strategy and tactics involved in those fights or he would be dead ten times over.
Megatron was no fool and he knew exactly what was happening inside his ship. He has Soundwave as his third in command for a reason and everyone is a fool if they think they can hide from Soundwave. He will admit to being shocked by the presence of the Rescue Bots but he is not shocked it was the Allspark holder who found them. In fact he was actually very amused and pleased by this sudden change and addition to Cybertronian ranks, so much he ordered every Decepticon to not interfere with what was happening inside. Unlike Sentinel who looked down on Rescue Bots, Megatron adored them. They were the true representatives of equality as Rescue Bots never cared what your background was, whether you were a noble or commoner or criminal or a slave. You could even be a blasted Quintesson and the Rescue Bots would still rescue you because that was how they were raised and trained.
Elita, "Face it Sentinel, your time as a Prime is over. Let Optimus or even Megatron take charge."
Sentinel, "Never! Cybertron is mine to rule. Mine to control. MINE!"
Just as he was about to attack a blast rocked above them on the hull of the Decepticon ship making Bumblebee nod at Optimus and rush in that direction. Starscream went after him cursing under his denta about strange orders and rules a leader is forced to follow seeing Megatron refuse to move. Megatron was a Prime now, so of course he could not move nilly willy in the middle of a match up. Starscream grumbled if all these troubles were worth becoming a Prime for. They could not extract the Allspark without killing the host. They could not kill the host lest they anger the Allspark. They could not anger the Allspark or their race was dead, there would be no more Cybertronians. As if things could not get more complicated, Starscream could not contain his shock on seeing a group of Rescue Bots race away with the host and the sparklings. He would have flown after him but Megatron forbade it for now. Starscream wondered exactly what his Prime was thinking but decided to go with it for now.
Starscream, -I need answers, my dear glorious leader.-
Soundwave, -All of us do.-
Megatron, -Elita Prime was not lying... -
Shockwave, -My Lord, please explain yourself. Since when do you listen to others. Do I need to check you for viruses?-
Megatron sighed, -If you will let me finish.-
Shockwave, -Continue, it better be a good reason.-
Megatron, -Elita was not lying about the Allspark being angry at Sentinel. I had been planning on disposing him to please the Allspark.-
Starscream, -I see. So, you decided to let the Autobots destroy him? How malicious and manipulative of you, my Lord! I do not think they will kill him though.-
Megatron, -Kill him? No. Weaken him enough for us to exterminate him? Yes. Patience is the key here.-
Starscream, -I did not get the chance to spend with the sparklings. I expect to next time.-
Megatron, "I am afraid the fight has been interrupted, brother. The prize was Samuel and the sparklings. Since they are stolen, Decepticons attack."
The Decepticons attacked the Autobots while Megatron pulled his sword and started to battle Optimus. Sentinel and Elita jumped away as more Decepticons joined the fray only to be shot at by Jazz and Prowl. The two informed Optimus that Sam and the sparklings were fine and safely secured, Megatron used that moment to stab Sentinel through the spark making the old bot stare at him in shock. He spluttered but Megatron claimed that as his victory exclaiming his right as the winner and next leader of Cybertron. Optimus was highly unpleased by it as one of the oldest ways to become a ruler was to kill a previous one. Sentinel was the last publicly recorded ruler and by killing him Megatron was now asserting his right as a Prime.