SISTER'S REQUIEM
by Kynight
and Talon

Kynight and Talon drawn by Marg. Davis

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

SISTERS REQUIEM

By Kynight and Talon

"Come on! Come on!"
"Chill, Galacterra. The pre-flight checks are underway.. give it a minicyel."
Compass glanced calmly at a display. "It takes time. You can't rush a pre-flight.... jumping dimensions isn't as simple as crossing a transitway you know. Even a simple miscalculation-- however slight-- could have cataclysmic consequences."
"I know all that," Compass shook her head in resignation. "Anyone would think this was a matter of life-or-death," she joked, but her companion didn't reply.
"Anyway, I--" she broke off as a chime sounded. "Oh, final checks completed.. I'll request clearance for launch."
"No need."
"No need?" Compass repeated, with a raised eyebrow. "But procedures---"
"Kynight knows all about my mission. If I had not already asked her for the necessary permission, then would I be here?"
"No, I suppose not." With a small frown, compass tapped a switch and the neural-control net dropped from the ceiling and attached itself to her head, linking her directly into the helm controls. "Brace yourself, engines are hot."
"Glacterra did what?" Kynight demanded in shock.
"Too the RealmScout and left Paix." Quartz shrugged nervously. "I only just learned about this myself. I didn't know you'd given anyone permission to jump dimensions. After some of our recent experiences--"
"Glacterra did tell me about wanting to visit another dimension to locate some new weapon to better protect Paix, or so she claimed." Kynight was fuming, pacing across the room and ignoring looks from a puzzled Raggletag. "I refused.. no need to make Paix vulnerable to detection by making unnecessary dimensional transits."
"Too bad no one told Compass."
"I didn't think Glacterra knew how to pilot a ship through a dimensional jump and to knowingly involve an innocent!" Kynight frowned again. "We'll have to go after her."
"Not anytime soon though." Kynight watched Quartz shiver as she stared at him. "Oh?"
"Yeah, well there's a disturbance in the dimensional barriers," Quarts explained, holding a comp-pad in front of him like a shield. "Some kind of energy storm is generating staggering radiation levels and temporal distortion waves. The Stellar Observatory has issued a request for all space travel and most especially any dimensional transits to be grounded."
"I'd heard rumors about the storm earlier," Raggletag said, "but I didn't think it's be quite this bad." He handed the pad to Kynight.
"Even the astro-physicists are surprised. I was getting some scans of it when the Observatory contacted me to learn why the Explorer, RealmScout, was lifting off without clearance or a filed flight plan."
"Well, when Glacterra sets out to violate the rules, she doesn't go about the job half-heartedly." Kynight shook her head tiredly. "Have the Explorer I-- no, it's still being overhauled isn't it? Better prep the Wildstar, and also the Orchestra, for immediate launch. As soon as the storm lets up, we're going after Glacterra and her misguided pilot." Quartz nodded, thinking how much he would hate to be in Glacterra'a place when Kynight finally caught up with her. He shared a knowing glance with Raggletag.
"We're going to die." Compass heard the grim certainty in her too calm voice, "We are both going to die."
"Nonsense," Glacterra replied with unfeigned calm. Another bout of shuddering rocked the RealmScout, rattling bulkheads and making the light panels flicker.
"I've never seen a dimensional transit like this before," Compass complained, trying to calm her nerves but giving up. "The very fabric of between space is being compressed and wrinkled.. I don't know how much longer RealmScout can survive the distortions."
"RealmScout is a good ship.. she will survive."
"Even if we survive transit, then the Sisterhood will scrap us." Compass glared when her companion didn't reply. "You heard Control: all space flight- especially dimensional flights- was grounded! They almost opened fire on us when we launched."
"What's done is done, Compass. The Sisterhood will understand that we did only what we must." Compass muttered nervously under her breath. This had to be the longest transit in history.. and she feared that things could get worse.

* * *

"Dark Fist Station," Glacterra said as the spiky, torus-shaped station filled the main monitor. "A veritable hive for the scum of a hundred worlds." Squat towers rose at odd angles from the ring-like main hull. "A place where law enforcement is a dirty word." The red dwarf start gave the station's hull the color of dried blood.
"And THIS is the reason we came to this dimension?" Compass took note of the carbo streaks and patched-over scars of weapon's fire. "This is why we risked though distortion waves?" She was still surprised that they had survived.
"The black market is very active her, Compass. It's got samples of almost everyone known fuel source, weapon, technological innovation, and scientific discover in the inhabited space. We've come here for a special weapon." She paused. "Last time I was in this dimension, I picked up some rumors about this place. There's a military dealer on the Station.. with access to all the weapons we could ever need to defend Paix from attack."
"But why do we need defending? We're not at war with anyone. For the love of Primus, we're not even in the same dimension as any potential enemies!"
"The weapons are more of a bluff.. with them in our possession, who would dare to attack us?"
Compass opened her mouth to question that theory, but was cut off by a beep from the com-system. "This is Dark Fist Station to approaching vessel. Identify yourself at once or be destroyed."
"This is the RealmScout," Compass replied over the channel. "We request docking clearance."
"Lifeform types? Number of passengers? Purpose of visit? Failure to respond, or lying in your destruction." The locals were too fond of that threat, Compass thought. A monitor pinpointed weaponry emplacements on the station's battered hull.
Glacterra replied: "We're two Transformers visiting the station to acquire some much needed supplies."
There was long moment of silence. "Clearance granted.. follow docking beacon nine one seven four point three six with no deviation or you will be destroyed. Dark Fist out."
"See, no problem." Compass did not share her companion's assurances. The corridors of Dark Fist were dimly-lit, humid, and littered with trash and unidentifiable debris, and not a few drunken vagrants.
"What a dreadful hold." Compass shuddered as she stepped past two small organic fighting one another over a scrap of cloth. "This place is awful... there's nothing like it on Paix."
"But it is an effective place for finding things." Galacterra walked with a purposeful gait...and Station inhabitants hurriedly stepped out of her path; most were of less than Transformer height, and no doubt feared being stepped on. "We want a shop called "The Clenched Fist"."
"What is with this weapon we're after anyway?" Compass tried to project an aura of grim menace to fend off the watchers she sensed lurking in the shadows. Her mask of indifference, however, was just an illusion and she kept sending frightened glances into the shadows.
"It's a resonance torpedo. One hit can vaporize a ship, a space station, even a continent...maybe even an entire planet." Galacterra shrugged. "With it in our possession, no one will dare attack Paix."
"But that's horrendous." Compass couldn't imagine such a weapon being used. What kind of being could so casually talk about destroying untold innocents...what kind of childhood had Galacterra experienced if she could be so casual about it? "A weapon like that-."
"Belongs in our hands." An annoying voice whined.
The Paixans stared at the speaker as he stepped out of the shadows ahead of them. "Starscream?"
"At you service...Galacterra, isn't it?" The tall red and silver Decepticon smiled at them. "You were the last beings we expected to find here...but once we did spot you, how could we pass up the chance to get together and visit?"
"This is so sweet," A blue and silver Decepticon announced as she stepped out of a side corridor. "Starscream, you never told me you had such beautiful lady friends."
"This doesn't concern you, Talon!" Animosity was plain in Star Scream's voice. "So go away!"
Talon only smiled. "All things concern me, Star Scream. We both-."
"Compass, go!" Galacterra pushed her friend into the corridor opposite Talon.
"Run for it!" She started running herself.
"Don't let them escape!"
Compass cringed at the shriek. "Nothing like the voice of anger to encourage an escape." She muttered.
"Or the voice of Star Scream." Galacterra ran with a steady pace as energy bolts whined past them, splattering against the walls and unwary inhabitants. "With luck, we can find a crowd to hide in." She didn't fear a fight with those Decepticons, but the Paixans were outnumbered and Compass was no warrior...and the Decepticons did not seem to care about the innocent bystanders. The two Paixans skidded to a startled stop as the corridor ahead of them was abruptly blocked by a grinning Thrust, Ramjet and Dirge. Star Scream, Skywarp, and Thundercracker slowed to a stop as they saw that the two Paixans were trapped.
"Well, well..." Star Scream chuckled as he slowly stepped forward. "Two prizes for us to return to Megatron. Two Paixan fembots and a resonance torpedo with which we can destroy our enemies." He laughed. "This will show the others!"
"Show them what?" Talon asked as he unhurriedly joined his fellows in the open space formed by the junction of four corridors. "How pathetic you really are." He ignored the station's inhabitants who were lurking in the shadows around them.
"How only sheer luck enabled you to spot these two after the Chromite you were suppose to catpure eluded you?"
"Shut up, Talon!"
"Make me, Screamer!" Starscream raised a clenched fist.
"Now!" Galacterra swung arond and punched Dirge. Compass gasped as Galacterra proceeded to knock the Seeker holding her into a confused clump.
"Stop her!" Star Scream shouted. Skywarp fired his weapons, the shots going wild as Thrust slammed into him after Galacterra punched him. A light panel exploded, casting the corridor into darkness A fire started in one mound of trash. By its flickering light, the mercenary Paixan bashed her way through the Decepticons, sending them reeling and tumbling into one another...until a pulse laser knocked her reeling.
"Must I do everything?" Talon demanded with a sneer as the Seekers hurriedly regained their feet.
Starscream stood as straight as he could. "Hold her this time" he snapped as Skywarp and Thundercracker gripped Galacterra's arms. She moaned softly, letting her head loll to the side loosely. A smoking crater marred her right leg.
Talon grinned. "Now can we get back to serious matters?"
"You have no right to take us captive" Compass protested.
"True," Talon agreed, "but you aren't prisoners...you are guests of the glorious Decepticons. Right, Starscream?"
"Of course," Starscream replied with a forced grin. The look he gave Talon could have vaporized stone. "And as our guests, you simply must accompany us back to our local base and stay for a few days."
"But..." Compass looked at Talon who simply shrugged in reply.
Starscream gazed around at the figures lurking in the dim corridors. "This is no place for us to be."
"I agree completely," Talon said, "for once." He offered his arm to Compass who grabbed it like a life preserver. "Come along, my dear."
Starscream sneered at the display, "Bring her!" He stalked down the corridor, ignoring the Seekers who dragged Galacterra behind him.
"You'll like our quarters," Talon told a shivering Compass., "The locals respect us---they know how to treat their superiors, knowing that we could wipe them out if they challenged us---and we occupy the upper decks of one towers. The quarters are small but far more pleasant than Dark Fist's external appearance leads you to think."
As the armored door hissed closed, Compass slumped into a chair next to where Galacterra had been unceremoniously dumped into a recharge pod. "We're doomed." she told her semi-conscious friend, "I knew it. We'll never see Paix again."
"Are ... are our ... hosts gone yet?" Galacterra asked weakly.
"Yes." Compass remained slumped in her chair. "Good." Galacterra slowly stood up and then stretched with a loud sigh. "I was getting tired of that act." Compass stared at her.
"It takes more than one laser to put me out of action." Galacterra looked around the room. "There's what I want." The wall-mounted computer terminal was one of the few furnishings.
"But won't it be locked down?" Compass asked, "We are in Decepticon territory."
"Maybe...I know a few tricks though.." Galacterra typed a few commands into the computer. "Neat things you don't learn in any school. I'm trying to open up an in-station link to RealmScout... I don't think in-station communications are being monitored. Now, if I tried transmitting off-station, then that, probably would set off alarms...but we need the ship's com-system to contact Paix.". A faint shudder rocked the deckplates underfoot.
"Now what?" Compass whimpered as light panels flickered.
"Trouble." Galacterra listened to the faint wail of alarms in the corridors outside their quarters.
"Your work?"
"No, I don't think so." If it was in response to her actions, then Decepticons would have shown up by now, so this was something else. "Maybe I can...yep, there's the Internal station net." She adjusted her scan slightly. "The station-has been boarded by hostile forces...Space Wolves, according to Security, with fighting in at least twenty locations." Then she started laughing.
Compass looked at her in confusion. "What's-the Joke?"
"The pirates are attacking a place where almost every inhabitant has a weapon." She explained as she sobered. "It'll be a slaughter." She turned back to the com-system. "There, I've linked with Realm Scout... now to contact Paix."
Compass glanced at their locked door. "Hurry up." She started shivering again.
Kynight blinked...someone was knocking at the door. "Who could it be this early in the morning?" she muttered to herself as she moved, quietly so as to not disturb a still-sleeping Raggletag. Coming to the end of the staircase, Kynight noticed Sin and Eolian standing just outside the Manor.
"What's this?" she began as she opened the door and Sin blurted out: "Galacterra's dead!"
"What? That's a poor joke." Kynight responded with shaky smile.
"It's no joke," Sin cried as she grabbed Kynight and Eolian burst out crying.
"No." Kynight whispered as reality struck home. "No! No!" she screamed as she grabbed Sin. "It can't be!"
Tears flowed down her face as Raggletag came running down the steps. "What's wrong?" he demanded.
"Galacterra's dead!" Kynight wailed as she fell into Raggletag's open arms. The Autobot couldn't believe his audio sensors. Could this be right?
"Mommy?" Kytag called as he and his brothers stood at the top of the steps.
"Oh, my babies come here!" Kynight cried.
"Mommy, what's wrong? You never cry?" Kyslip asked as the three boys came down off the steps.
"Why is everyone crying?" Kywave asked.
"Something bad happened, didn't it Dad?" Kytag asked as he looked up at his father. Raggletag swallowed hard as Kynight began to gather her children around herself, crying as if the world had ended.
"It's true and yet I can't believe it!" Sin wailed as Eolian sat crying just as hard as Kynight.
Sin went to Eolian as Raggletag bent to his knees. "Boys...something bad happened to Galacterra. She died...and she can never come back." Kytag, Kyslp, And Kywave looked with big, round optics at the adults...and then all three began to cry.
"I want Aunt Galacterra back!" Kywave screamed as Kynight rocked her children. *Why!* Kynight thought as she looked at Eolian.
Eolian caught her optic, knowing that they needed to talk. Everyone cried until the boys fell asleep. Raggletag lifted Kywave up as Kynight carried Kytag and Sin took Kyslip. Raggletag opened the kids' door and entered their room with Kynight and Sin right behind him. Raggletag laid Kywave down as Kynight laid Kytag and Sin laid Kyslip down on their beds.
"They'll need help with this," Sin said as she stood beside Raggletag. Kynight slipped out of the room as Raggletag and Sin talked of counseling for the kids. Kynight walked across the hallway to where Eolian stood in front of her bedroom door. Without a word, Eolian followed Kynight into her room.
"Galacterra was talking to me," Eolian reported. "She was on Dark Fist Station, and said something about her and Compass being prisoners, and that the station was under attack by unknown attackers, but they were ready to escape. Then the screen went black. I reestablished the link, and saw Galacterra's body...she was too far gone...I was only off-line for two or three seconds..." Eolian's voice trailed off as she broke down.
The door opened and Sin stepped in. "Eolian, I've ordered extra care for the boys. Raggletag is with them now."
"Eolian, go with your ,other and send Raggletag here." Kynight's voice was devoid of emotion. Eolian stared at her for a long second, then quickly got up and left with her mother.
Kynight slumped down onto the bed and let her tears flow. "How could this have happened?" Raggletag paused at the doorway, then hurried to Kynight and sat down beside her, rubbing her back. There was little to be done except try and comfort her. Kynight turned into Raggletag's arms and cried...she fell asleep from exhaustion in minutes. Raggletag followed her.

* * *

Eolian walked down the staircase and went to the Manor's study. Once inside, she activated the com-system.
"Eolian dear, I just got the news! What's going on?" Slee asked from the view-screen, looking as if she had just rolled out of bed.
"Galacterra is gone and I'll need you here at the Manor. Kynight and I need to retrieve Galacterra's body and return it home for the services." Eolian made her reply with hollow optics.
"I'll be there shortly! Slee out!" Slee was rushing away before the screen had darkened. Eolian sighed as she rubbed her face. Gods, she was tired. Opening additional com-lines, she contacted Fact and Steel. The Wildstar would be ready for launch, as would her own ship, Orchestra. Eolian stared at the darken screen, feeling herself slip into a shut-down cycle.

* * *

Kynight opened her optics and smiled slightly. The sounds coming from behind her told her that Raggletag was still asleep.
"Raggletag, wake up. I need to talk with you." She shook his shoulder.
"Mmmm...I'm awake." Raggletag looked up as Kynight leaned over him.
"I need to go...someone has to collect Galacterra's body." Kynight whispered as Raggletag sat up, looking distraught.
"Kynight..." He began, stopping as she leaned closer and kissed him.
"I need to go." There was purpose in her voice as she stood up and strode toward the door. "Remember," She started, stopping and turning back to him. "...I love you."
Raggletag stood up and hugged her. "I love you too...now go, before I change my mind." He released her. Kynight gave him a watery smile as she turned and left.

* * *

"Fact...everything is ready here." Steel called as Fact emerged from Eolian's ship. Steel noticed Fact's tears.
"I'm ready..." Fact choked out, trying to pull herself together. Steel grabbed her and both began to cry. "I can't help but worry about my own children and what I would do if something happened to them." Fact cried as Steel nodded.
"It's not fair." Steel cried as the solar moon reached its highest point.

* * *

"Eolian, it's time." Kynight gave Eolian a shake. In the chair, Eolian blinked as Kynight walked towards the Manor's main door.
"Slee, come in. The children are upstairs with Sin. Please go up with them."
"As you wish...." Slee paused as if to say something more, but then quickly ran upstairs.
"Kynight?" Eolian whispered as she came up beside her. "Are you sure you want to go along? Any of us would..."
"She...Galacterra was my sister...and I need to know what happened." Kynight said with little emotion.
"Okay then." Eolian paused as if she wanted to say something more, but couldn't think of the right words. "The ships should be ready by now." Eolian followed Kynight out the door.

* * *

"Dimensional transit log report." Kynight sighed. "Eolian, myself, Fact, and Steel have jumped dimensions in pursuit of Galacterra's Realmscout, and have followed its beacon to Dark Fist Station. I must admit that I'm scared. I don't know what we'll find...how she'll look...." Kynight choked down tears as Steel looked at her.
"Kynight, I have detected several other ships in the area...we need to hurry." Eolian looked nervous on the com-screen as she broadcast from the other ship. "Dark Fist is surrounded."
Kynight stared at a second monitor. The ring-shaped station had obviously been through a battle...blackened craters pock marked its hull, jagged holes opened into depressurized corridors and rooms, at least one tower ended abruptly with the upper levels missing. The attacking fleet had also taken damage...many of its ships had damaged hulls, and clouds of debris provided evidence that not all attackers had survived.
"Life signs from the station...organic and mechanoid." Fact reported. "No signals from the station or the fleet. I'd say they're ignoring us."
"Good." Kynight said. "The Wildstar will stay here...I'm going to beam over."
"Is that wise?" Eolian asked. "If the attack is still going on..."
"I'm going over." Kynight said grimly. A flash of light surrounded her, and when itfaded, she had shifted into her Decepticon form, embracing the facets of her darker heritage...a personality better fitted for Dark Fist and all that it contained.
"Lock onto Realm Scout's energy signature if you can." Fact shivered. She could pity anyone who got in Kynight's path. The corridors of the station were oppressive and unpleasant. Kynight paced through them with a steady pace, ignoring the piles of heaped trash, drunk or dead sentients, the flickering light panels, the half-hearted wail of distant sirens, and the sounds of ongoing fighting between station inhabitants and the invaders, or between groups of inhabitants fighting each other.
As she stepped through one corridor, a panel popped off the wall and clattered into the floor. A small figure, with dirty fur and dressed in rags, emerged from a ventilation shaft and looked around.
Kynight grabbed him before he could run away and picked him up in one hand. "I'm looking for others of my kind." She started. "Have you seen any other Transformers?"
"Don't terminate Liaison!" The figure wailed. "Visioned mechs I did. No interface with mechs. No business plans. Liaison know mechs not want outsider contract."
"Where are they?" Kynight pressed, tightening her grip slightly. Her unwilling informant was barely as big as her finger. "Interface with me."
"Tower upper six. Visioned them going there. Big mechs...same forms. Two fems...pretty. No accompany...upper six restricted. Mechs terminate on vision." The figure was shaking.
"Mechs let Liaison go? Must hide. Home under siege." A boom echoed through the corridor.
"Terminate patrol!" With a jerk, the Liaison broke free from Kynight's grasp and scampered down the corridor. With a grim expression, Kynight walked toward the nearby transit-tube.
Kynight forced the tube's doors open, hoping that the power systems hadn't given out before she'd reached her destination. From the laser bolts streaking around the corridor, she wasn't sure that being trapped inside a powerless transit-tube wasn't such a bad thing after all. The majority of shooting seemed to be further down the corridor, so Kynight decided to risk it. She jumped from the tube, rolling across the debris-strewn floor to avoid stray fire. A jagged hole in a nearby wall provided her with cover so she threw herself through it. A scream greeted her arrival.
Rolling to her knees, Kynight stared at a battered, dirty, terror-stricken face., "Compass?" she asked the figure sitting huddled in a corner, shaking violently. Kynight moved closer to her fellow Paixan. "Compass, are you all right?" Compass didn't answer, merely stayed huddled in the corner and kept on shaking, flinching at every explosion from the corridor.
Kynight's gaze caught on something in another corner. "No." She stumbled away from Compass, towards a limp body sprawled on the floor, crumpled like a discarded toy.
"Galacterra!" She dropped to her knees beside the body of her friend. "No, this can't be." She moaned, reaching out to cradle her. Galacterra's faceplate was broken, part of it melted away, her chest plate was burned through in six places... much of her was simply missing.
"No..." Her mind pulled another fact together: she was inside the Realm Scout...a severely damaged vessel from the look of the tears in the walls and the debris on the floor.
"Compass, my dear, I fear that we must flee now." A blue-and-silver Decepticon stepped backwards through the hole in the wall. "We cannot hold them off for much longer so we must withdraw." The pulse laser on his arm fired an energy bolt into the corridor.
"The Seekers are already falling back." Another shot. "I don't want to leave you here." A trio of lasers impacted nearby. "Compass, are you---oh." His voice trailed off as he finally turned around. "Greetings, I am Talon."
"Nightstrike." Her voice was cold. The two Transformers stared at each other for a long moment. Two figures appeared in the hole in the wall. Robotic humanoids, gray-and-blue in color with a skull-and-crossbones insignia on their chest plates, and both carried laser pistols.
"Space Wolves!" Talon shouted, aiming and firing his pulse laser in one motion. As one of the humanoids toppled backwards, part of the far wall exploded inwards. Talon whirled around, seeing more figures storming into the room. "Wolves behind our lines!" he shouted, shooting the other Wolf.
"Defend yourselves!" A laser sword glowed to life in his hand as he charged the new arrivals. Kynight watched in shock as that one Decepticon fought half a dozen Wolves...and seemed to be winning. Their laser pistols fired, but he danced around the bolts, his sword sparkled as it sliced through limbs and torsos with apparent ease.
"Not a bad challenge." Talon announced as he looked down at his slain opponents after the last one had fallen. "But if they got here, then we've been out-flanked. Again." He turned to the Paixans. "Ladies, may I offer you assistance in leaving this station?"
Kynight stared. "Why would you want to help us?" she demanded.
"Why would I not?" Talon asked, equally blunt. "There's no honor in leaving you to be slaughtered by the Wolves... and they are slaughtering their opposition." He shock his head tiredly. "Has it only been hours since they boarded?" he muttered.
"What happened?" Kynight demanded..
"Their ships came in from a dozen directions, surrounded Dark Fist, and then they attacked." Talon shivered. "They blasted the defenses, burned through the hulls, overwhelmed any opposition, murdered anyone they caught...all for their pleasure and booty." He shrugged. "Or at least it was for pleasure and booty last time we 'Cons encountered these pirates. I heard one Wolf mention something about following orders, but he didn't live long enough to say more."
"Talon, we have to get out of here." A silver-and-red Decepticon stuck his head through the first hole in the wall. "The Wolves are---you!" he shouted.
Talon stared at him...then he turned back to face the green Paixan. "Oh, so you are that Nightstrike." he said.
"What's she doing here?"
"I came for my friend." Kynight stood up and stepped towards Starscream. "And if either of you had anything to do with Galacterra's death, then there is no place in this universe where you can hide from me." Starscream flinched at the cold tone of her voice.
"This is no time for threat's." Talon's calm announcement brought their attention back to the growing whine of laser fire.
"Your friends were imprisoned here." He admitted. "But they broke out after the Wolves attacked. They tried to flee from the station, but their ship was rammed by another vessel, and it crashed back into this tower. Which killed several Decepticons and station personnel I might add. Your one friend did not survive the impact and I am sorrowed for you--and the Wolves were upon us before we could get Compass out."
"There's only one route still open to our ship." Starscream told them. "We leave to get going!"
"Then let's go. Nightstrike, will you accompany us?"
"You can't be serious! She's---"
"I will arrange my own transport," Kynight told them. She activated her comlink. "Eolian, I found Compass and Galacterra...beam us back."
"I'm working on it." A shimmer of light surrounded the Paixans ... when it faded Kynight stood alone with the Decepticons.
"Eolian, what happened? Eolian respond?" There was no answer.
"Distortion field." Talon told her. "Blocked our teleporter too...and our com-link. We're cut off I'm afraid." He frowned. "The technology reminds me of some thing."
"We're. not quite cut off," Starscream replied coldly, "but we soon will be."
"True enough. Twice in one day we are in agreement. Recall your Seekers ... we'll fall back to the hanger." Talon stepped towards the hole, following Starscream. "You are welcome to come, Nightstrike. Dark Fist is no place for unescorted ladies...at any time."
"Fine." Kynight agreed "I'm coming." She'd retrieved Galacterra's body, but her mission was only partially completed. She would find those responsible for killing her sister and make them pay. The trash strewn corridors of Dark Fist were a battlefield....dimly flickering light panels and raging fires illuminated vicious firefights and riotous brawls, with shifting shadows playing over lost possessions and broken bodies.
"Our hanger is just down here." Talon followed Star Scream, Thundercracker, and Skywarp. Nightstrike trailed after him, with the other Seekers bringing up the rear and firing occasional shots to discourage pursuit.
"Sounds like it won't be an easy run." Skywarp sounded nervous as explosions echoed distantly.
"It could be worse," Thundercracker reminded him. "When that ship rammed the tower, most of the locals evacuated it."
"Several hours of fighting off the Wolves certainly sent most of the others packing." Talon added. "This place isn't deserted yet."
"There's one." Starscream fired and a Wolf collapsed out of a patch of shadows ahead of them. Nightstrike eyed its face slitted optics above a stubby muzzle still vicious in death.
"Enemies!" A pack of Wolves came into sight, running down the corridor towards the Transformers.
"Good shot Screamer." Talon raised his pulse cannon. "You warned the ones up ahead that we're coming." He fired at the approaching Wolves. "Brilliant strategy."
"I didn't hear you offer a warning before I tried it!" Starscream opened fire.
"You wouldn't have listened anyway!" Thundercracker ducked lasers as the Wolves returned fire.
"Why are they so persistent?" Thrust demanded. "Last time we fought them, they broke and ran if the fighting got too hot. They wanted easy plunder, not battles."
"Who can say?" Talon snapped off another pulse. "The Wolves seem to want some thing on Dark Fist badly."
"What do you mean?" Nightstrike asked as she followed the Decepticons down the corridor, pushing back the Wolves.
"The Wolves should have never attacked such a big target as Dark Fist." Talon told her seeing that no one else spoke up. "They lost a dozen ships before boarding and at least two hundred of them have died so far. Course, they've killed at least that many inhabitants." He shrugged. "And while they've taken stuff from the rest of the station, most of their activity is centered around the upper decks."
"Right where we have been." Starscream commented sourly. He stood straighter as the last Wolf collapsed.
"There's our bay doors." Talon stepped over a dead Wolf. "I don't think they..." a laser bolt hissed overhead from behind them.
"We've got company!" Dirge shouted as Wolves appeared behind them. "Open the doors!" Starscream shouted to the DARTs standing near the controls. Three still stood guard with another dozen sprawled on the deck plates amid dead Wolves. "I command it!" The airlock hissed open and the Seeker commander was the first one through.
"The Dragonfire." Talon said as he stepped into the hangar. "Not too fancy, but it's serviceable."
Nightstrike stared at the ship. A command section mounted on a short yet sinuous neck, an angular aft section with folded wings curled around it, red and gold paint designed to look like scales. "It's beautiful."
"My private ship." Talon told her modestly as he keyed the controls beside the sealed hatch. "This is the last time I give you a ride anywhere, Screamer!" The hangar doors hissed closed, cutting off the sound of laser fire.
"You owe me..." Starscream snarled. "...for the time on...."
"That debt is paid Whiner!" Talon smirked as Starscream flinched at that name. "Now, shall we go on board?" He hurried up the boarding ramp. "Draconis, power up!"
"Confirmed." A deep voice growled from a hidden intercom as the deck began to tremble slightly from underfoot. "There have been two attempts to penetrate this vessel...all have been repulsed."
Talon stepped onto the bridge, still followed by Nightstrike. "Status?"
"Engines ready, weaponry and force fields standing by."
Nightstrike looked around for the speaker but saw no one near any of the consoles of displays. "A computer?"
"Draconis is an advanced AI." Talon agreed. "When we aren't so rushed, I'll let you talk with him. Is everyone here?"
"The DARTs are still outside." Skywarp said as he settled behind the tactical station.
"Leave them to cover our retreat." Talon said. "Open bay doors."
"Door sealed...station is denying departure clearance." Draconis sounded rather irritated.
"Targeting locks confirmed...firing." The ceiling light panels dimmed slightly as the whine of weapons fire sounded.
"Get us out of here!" Talon ordered. DragonFire lunged through the hole in the external bay doors. Once in space, the wings unfolded and the landing gear retracted slightly, making the ship look even more dragon-like.
"Set course for Decepticon space."
"Understood."
"We've got two Galleons moving to intercept us." Skywarp sounded nervous. "And another hundred or so nearby."
"Makes life interesting." Thrust turned back to the helm.
DragonFire shuddered. "Direct hit to forward screens." Draconis reported. "I dislike being target practice!"
"Arm the dragon's breath." Talon ordered.
Nightstrike stared out of a viewport...she could see two angular Wolf Galleons coming straight towards them. "They're getting closer." She didn't see the Wildstar or the Orchestra anywhere though.
"Not for long." Talon smiled. "Fire." The forward edge of the DragonFire's prow gaped open and plasma fire streaked out. The Galleon's seemed to melt slightly under the barrage, and then both exploded.
"It's energy draining." Talon said as the lights brightened. "...but effective."
"Targets slagged. Awaiting instructions."
"Engage FTL drive." Talon ordered. "Set course for the nearest Decepticon base."
"Confirmed." The DragonFire accelerated to FTL. Nightstrike smiled, and silently activated her homing beacon to alert her fellow Paixans of her location.
"Kynight has activated her homing beacon!" Fact cried as the ship abruptly rocked under another burst of weapon's fire. "Those ships...those Space Wolves...are coming closer!"
"Good! Let's get out of here!" Eolian made sure the Wildstar was linked into the com-grid. "Contact Paix...we'll need help." She begun to access the dimensional grid. A quick getaway was the only thing on her mind at this point.

* * *

The bridge of the DragonFire was quiet. After the escape into the FTL, the Seekers had vanished into the main section to access the energon rations and engage in idle conversation...or whatever else passed among them for amusement...leaving Talon and Nightstrike on the bridge.
"So are you really so dangerous?" Talon asked as he idly scanned a monitor.
Nightstrike looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"Starscream would have us believe that you are a grave threat to the Decepticon Empire." Talon shrugged. "Of course, we all know how accurate Starscream usually is in his comments."
"She is!" The Seeker Commander stepped onto the bridge. "She's very dangerous to us all!"
"One female is a grave danger? No, Nightstrike, don't become angry...unlike most of my fellows, I know how deadly a female can be." Boy did he! If he lived for a million years, he would never forget being chased around Spectre by that Mistress. And then there was Raksha to deal with...and her psychotic urge to slaughter any humans she ncountered. "But still, why are the Seekers so afraid of you, Nightstrike?" Talon tilted his head to the side. "Surely, you're not still in love with Megatron?"
"I was never in love with Megatron."
"So the records say. He does talk of you...occasionally."
"It isn't an honor."
"Perhaps." Starscream snorted loudly.
"How have you stand having him around for so long?" Kynight asked.
"I've often wondered myself." Talon replied with a grin. "I've found that he grows on you after a while." He smiled at the Seeker. "Like a fungus." His smile widened as Starscream glared at him. "A point of interest to add, Screamer?"
Starscream's optics narrowed. "You should be more cautious, Talon. She is..."
"No more dangerous than you." Talon smiled. "Don't get too full of yourself, Commander, as I still out rank you! I am a former Security Commander, and currently command Megatron's personal guard...he was tough enough to take care of himself against more threats."
"And you're still weak!" Starscream sneered. "A pity that your body alterations didn't remove all traces of that human who infested you for so long!"
Talon's expression hardened. "You're trying my patience!"
"Then we are both even." With a sneer, Starscream paced toward the hatch. "If you don't like my company, then why don't you go back to your Quintesson masters? Or is it tool ate for that?" The door hissed closed behind him, cutting off the echo of his laughter.
Kynight eyed Talon with new respect. "You worked for Quintessons?"
"I was their slave for a time." Talon replied grimly. "They paid dearly for that misjudgment." His faceplates sagged and he slumped into a chair. "I used to be a Headmaster, one of the very few binary bonded Decepticons...now I am not." He lifted his head and looked at her with new confidence. "But my problems are not yours, Nightstrike. You are a Paixan, I believe. Draconis, report on Paix."
"Paix..." The computer growled. "...is a Transformer colony. Standard atmosphere and gravity. Location coordinates; unknown. Date of establishment: unknown. Current population: Unknown. Technological and military capabilities: unknown."
"Not a very popular place." Talon observed.
"We like it that way." Kynight replied with a grin.

* * *

"Sin!" Lis and Mis cried as one from the study of the Manor. "Slee!" Both of the females came running, as did Raggletag.
"What's wrong?" Slee questioned her nieces.
"Eolian called..." Lis said. "For back up." Mis finished.
"Is everything okay?" Raggletag demanded as his fuel pump raced into overdrive.
"Don't..." Mis began. "...know." Lis finished.
Sin nodded. "If it wasn't, Eolian would have called out everyone on Paix. Every thing is fine, I'm sure...they just need a couple of extra hands. Contact Density, Sky and Lark..." Sin ordered with a confident smile.
Raggletag prayed as the message was transmitted. "Please, Primus, let Kynight be all right." If anything ever happened to her...

* * *

"Welcome to Bastoin." Talon announced grandly as the DragonFire slowed to a sublight speed.
"It's just a big asteroid." Starscream sneered. "In the midst of a field of large and small asteroids."
"Thank you Mister Tour Guide. And now will you direct us to "return our seats to a full and upright position" and then point out the exits?"
Starscream glared at Talon. "This flight has worn away my tolerance for you, Talon." He snarled. "Continue to push me, and soon you'll be in no condition to push me any longer!"
"Promises, promises." Talon replied with a smirk.
"Gahhhhhhhh!" With that incoherent shriek, Starscream turned on his heel and stormed off the bridge.
"Primus knows why Megatron puts up with him!" Talon muttered. "Draconis, do you have an auto ejection system that could accidentally launch Starscream into open space?"
"Negative."
"Blast." Nightstrike giggled.
Talon froze for a moment. "Pretend you didn't hear that." He told her. "I promised Soundwave I'd try to tolerate Whiner in payback for a few favors." He sighed. "But it's just so hard."
"I know a few people who drive me nuts too." Nightstrike replied.
"Incoming hail." Draconis growled. "Bastion demands our transponder beacon."
"So signal them."
"As you wish."
"Draconis is a trifle...strong willed." Talon told Nightstrike in reply to a puzzled look.
"We are cleared for docking at bay three. Altering course now." The deck tilted slightly as the vessel changed course. "Warning." Draconis announced as alert lights began flashing. "Unknown vessel closing."
"Visual display!" Talon ordered. The main view screen lit up with schematics: conical central body, with curved wings, beat into semi-spirals. "I don't recognize it." Talon said. "Draconis, anything in your memory banks?"
"Negative."
"It's not like any ship ever reported by Paixan scouts." Nightstrike admitted.
"Bastion is hailing the intruder...no response."
"Sound alert."
"Already done...interior hatches and bulkheads sealing."
"Won't that isolate us on the bridge?"
"Yes, Nightstrike. Would you rather have Starscream here with us?"
"Pass."
"I thought you would say that." Talon grinned. "Threat assessment?"
"Incoming missiles." Draconis replied. "Force fields to full power. Charging primary weapons." The DragonFire rocked.
"Anti-matter?" Talon read from a monitor. "That's a pretty rare warhead type."
"Good thing it missed." Nightstrike noted. "Or else we'd be slag."
"Dragonfire has enhanced shields...even so..." Talon paused while triggering the lasers. "And they're tough too." His lasers impacted harmlessly on enemy shields.
"More ships!" Nightstrike pointed to a viewport.
"Reinforcements." Talon replied cheerfully. "Just in time." Even as the three War birds fired on the intruder, the unknown vessel eluded their laser bolts and fired a particle beam at the DragonFire.
"Why are they picking on us?" Talon cursed.
"Unknown."
"Quiet, Draconis."
Nightstrike took the helm and swung the ship onto a new course as more particle beams splattered against their shields. "Can't you use your dragon's fire?"
"Charging." The plasma stream consumed one of the intruder's wings, but missed the main fuselage. "Unable to achieve full lock." Draconis growled. "The Intruder is transmitting a friendly beacon...I am unable to override it."
"Let me see it!" Nightstrike replied. "Look at this." She drew his attention to an enhanced visual of a marking on the ship's hull. "That's the same crest as the Space Wolves wore."
"Are they working together?" Skywarp asked.
"How'd you get here?" Talon demanded.
"Short range teleportation." The Seeker replied with a grin. "Even without it, I couldn't stay in that room with Starscream any longer." His voice shifted into an imitation of Starscream's distinctive whine: "We're all going to die! That fleshling and crazed female will kill us all! Slag him" He swore in his own voice. "He has no sense of adventure."
"Nor do the intruders...they're withdrawing." Talon paused. "After disabling two of our patrol ships."
"Bastion is hailing us." Draconis announced. "They demand we dock immediately."

* * *

Nightstrike turned, giving Talon a sour look. Standing at the bottom of the ramp, Talon chuckled to himself.
"I told you she was trouble!" Starscream shrieked as he tried to stop the flow of fuel slowly trickling from his mouth. He'd been the first mechanoid off DragonFire when it docked in Bastion, and upon seeing Nightstrike and Talon, had accused the Paixan of betraying them to the Space Wolves...so Nightstrike had punched him.
"Oh, I'm not trouble...at least not to anyone other than you, Screamer." Nightstrike responded. "So shut up already, before I knock you out again!"
"You've both gone too far this time!" Starscream's threat was made in a quiet voice. "Mark my words!" He turned and strode into the base.
"I've never seen him so mad." Thundercracker commented. "I suggest you both stay out of his way for a while." The other Seekers vanished into the base.
"What it is to be popular." Controlled announced calmly as he joined Talon and Nightstrike. "Emotions are an intriguing collection of data to study, but far more harmful and troublesome than necessary." He tilted his head slightly. "Welcome to Bastion, Commander Talon. And your companion is...?"
"Nightstrike." She told him.
He paused, the puppet nearly motionless as the vast core on Qua'are studied its databanks. "Nightstrike...female. Paxian, non-aligned status. Several previous encounters...my, you have been a busy mechanoid. Megatron would be most interested in seeing you again...I will notify a puppet there to inform him of you..."
"Hold on that!" Talon asked. "We've had a hard time getting here and need some time to recover." He lowered his voice. "She's lost a sister."
Controlled paused, then nodded, faceplates showing an attempt at sympathy. "I understand. I will delay the notification until you are ready to face him."
"That's all I ask." Talon took Nightstrike's arm. "Come, I'll show you to some quarters so you can refresh yourself."
"Level seven, section nineteen." Controller told him. "...is the best location."
"Thanks." Talon replied. "Cause this is my first time to Bastoin."

* * *

On Qua'are, Megatron sat in his quarters a top one of the towering spires of the Imperial Palace and stared at the metallic, rock-strewn surface of his throne-world. Soundwave sat next to him, holding two goblets of energon.
"You always know just what to get ready." Megatron told him with a grin.
"This night is special." Soundwave replied in his modulated voice. "We both need this time together...to heal."
"Yes." Megatron nodded. "For though the others must always see me as the strong, invulnerable commander, you know, that it is but an illusion." He took a drink. "My heart is as fragile as that of any organic." His voice hardened. "And if Prime or Starscream over found that fact out, it would kill them."
"Maybe we should tell them then." Soundwave grinned...though only a friend would be able to tell.
"It was this night, so many years ago that is happened." Megatron took another drink.
Soundwave nodded. "We were in the Bismuth Mountains, having just eliminated a band of Autobots. Then I felt the mind touch from Selenia." He rarely spoke of his only daughter. "She was afraid, hurt, and when I tried to comfort her, I sensed the activation of her self-destruct sequence." His voice had faded to a near-whisper. "I tried to stop it...tried to save her...but it was too late."
Megatron nodded slowly. "The light died from your optics at that moment." He recalled. "..and you just stood there, motionless on the cliffside, lifeless for many endless minutes stretching into eternity."
After a long period of silence, Soundwave said. "I miss her."
"So do we both. She was special to me, Soundwave, as you well know."
"You have tasted the loss of many...I have been spared such pain." Soundwave studied his empty goblet. "But I wonder sometimes if the greater loss is to not have risked oneself in such relationships."
"Flame. Darkblade. Nightbird." Megatron whispered the names softly. "Selenia. So many of those I once loved either turned against me, or died." He shook his head grimly. "I lure them to their deaths, Soundwave, like Earthen moths to an open flame."
A console across the room chimed. "Incoming communication from Bastion outpost." The synthesized voice announced. "Combat reported against a vessel of unknown origin. Presence of female Nightstrike reported at the base."
Megatron perked up. "Nightstrike?" He repeated. "Kynight?" He smiled then, a pleased grin. "Come Soundwave!" He rose to his feet, all traces of melancholy gone. "We have a shuttle to catch."
"Oh?"
"Yes, signal the Dreadnought to prepare for immediate departure. We have very important business to attend to...on Bastion!"
"At once." Soundwave felt bewildered, but gamely followed his leader.

* * *

Faceplates dark with irritation, Nightstrike paced across the floor, ignoring the soft clatter her feet made on the silver and gold tiles. "I've got to get out of here!" She snapped.
Slouching in one of the observation deck's numerous chairs, Talon shrugged in reply. "I know you're feeling a bit cramped, but this base is only a small outpost."
"Talon, we've been here for almost a week." Nightstrike gestured to the sky port and the stars gleaming beyond the transparisteel. "They're out there, somewhere. I have to find them."
"I know the demands that drive your thoughts." Talon said softly, staring at the goblet in his hand. "I too have felt the thirst for vengeance." The energon rippled as he stared into its glowing depths. "But haste is not the answer." His voice hardened. "I have been pushed into seeking retribution for the loss of someone I valued...but I found that even obtaining revenge is not an answer."
"It's different for you." Nightstrike countered. "You've still got your human inside you. I've lost Galacterra forever."
Talon flinched. "It's not the same thing." He muttered almost too softly for his companion to hear. "Not the same as being bonded at all."
A twinge of guilt lanced through Nightstrike at the tone of Talon's voice. She raised her voice. "The Spacer Wolves..."
"...Are out there indeed." A deep voice agreed.
"Lord Megatron." Talon exclaimed as he sprang to his feet. "What brings you here?" His optics widened slightly as he observed Megatron's steady stare at the Paixan.
"It is you." Megatron announced in a soft, tender voice.
"Who else." Nightstrike replied.
"I've missed you greatly." Megatron smiled at her. Stepping into the room and allowing the door to seal behind him, he advanced on Nightstrike. "It's been too long my dear."
"Some of your Decepticons thing that it hasn't been long enough."
"Starscream can be ignored. You and I are meant for each other..."
"Sorry to burst your dream bubble, dear Megatron, but I have no time for you."
"The passion that drives you serves you well. It makes my own pump cycle faster with the excitement of just being near you."
'Good thing Starscream isn't here or else he'd be having fits.' Talon glanced over to see Soundwave standing near the door. He nodded his silent agreement to the telepathic comment.
"Look!" Nightstrike snapped as she pulled her arm free of Megatron's grasp and cut off his tender speech in mid-word. "I'm going after the Space Wolves and hunt them down. And if their Quintesson masters get in my way, then I'm going to kick their give-faced butts into the next time continuum."
"Well, when you state such a plan so eloquently, I can see no alternative left." Megatron agreed calmly. "It is time that we deal with the remaining Quintessons once and for all!"
"I can't believe that he's going through with this!" Talon muttered. "Sending his Decepticons out to hunt down the Quintessons for you."
"Never underestimate the power of love." Nightstrike told him with a grin. "Still, I already have someone I care for...Megatron is not my soul mate."
"Tell him that!" Soundwave announced as he turned away from the com-terminal. "He is obsessed with you. He spent the entire flight from Qua'are talking about you."
"All the more reason for me to get on with my quest. The sooner I can track down Galacterra's killers, the sooner I can go home to Paix and be away from Megatron." She ignored the voice in her mind asking if it was right to use the Decepticons to help her quest...even the Decepticons deserved better than to be used.
"And the happier Starscream will be." Talon finished her earlier thoughts.
"I'm just glad that he's on the Dreadnought." Nightstrike added. "I don't think I could take being on the same ship as him again."
"Oh, there's plenty of room to hide on a Planet Crusher-believe me, I've made use of it many times, but I'm not letting him onto the Dragonfire again."
A console chimed. "Incoming hail," Soundwave reported. "It's a coded channel." He began manipulating controls. "There."
"Kynight?" Eolian's face filled the monitor. "Are you there?"
"Yes, Eolian. What's going on?" Nightstrike felt a surge of alarm. Was something wrong with her follow Paixans?
"I just wanted to let you know that Density's ship will be joining us shortly. She's brought Sky and Lark with her. We've been looking everywhere for you." She paused. "We got a lead that a convoy of survivors from Dark Fist traveled to Omega Triffidous Prime."
"Then let's got going. See you there. Talon?"
"I'll set the course. Draconis, set course for Omega Triffidous..."
"I heard," the computer growled. "Breaking orbit and plotting the course. Now accelerating to maximum cruising speed."
"The Dreadnought is in pursuit." Soundwave grinned--in his own way of course. "I don't think Megatron will let you get too far out of his sight."
"Pity," Despite any misgivings, she had to admit that having the firepower of a Planet Crusher could be useful, especially if the Space Wolves and Quintessons turned out to be more closely allied than she had thought. On the other hand for the last two days Megatron had followed her around continuously like a love sick puppyoid. If her memory picked one particular incident...
Leaving the lounge through the main doors, mere moments before Megatron stepped through the balcony entrance, Nightstrike froze as Starscream stopped in front of her.
"Don't got too comfortable," the Seeker sneered. "He'll lose interest in you soon enough and then you'll have no one to hide behind."
"I don't need to hide behind anyone. Nor do I hide from anyone!"
"You're certainly running from Megatron...aren't you?" Rather than answer that and fearing that it was true...Nightstrike turned and fled back into the lounge...and ran right into Megatron.
"My dear..." He began.
"Look. I need some space." She told him. "Not much, but some quiet time. Girl stuff, you know." A sound reached her.
"What do you find so funny?" she demanded as she whirled around. Starscream stood in the corridor, laughing loudly. Looking at her face, he began laughing even harder, leaning against the wall for support.
"I'll be right back." Nightstrike told Megatron. "I just have to take care of one small thing." She added as sweetly as possible as she advanced on Starscream.
"We destroyed the Quintesson Technocracy." Talon said softly as he studied a star chart. "Star system by star system, Megatron led us to victory over the old Masters...we finally trapped the last of them on Quintessa and allowed their exploding star to exterminate their race."
Nightstrike had broken free from her thoughts and listened to Talon's soft voice. "But if you destroyed them, how could the Space Wolves be using their technology?"
"Maybe they salvaged or stole it from a base or derelict ship that we missed." Talon shrugged. "It's also possible that some of the Quintessons might have been off world when we attacked and have been hiding from us."
Soundwave looked at him with mild concern,. After Talon rejoined the Decepticons, he had been emotionally unstable for a long time ... it was a Quintesson scientist who had reconstructed Talon's old HeadMaster body into a new form to be used as a warlord against the Decepticons. If there was a possibility that some Quintessons might have survived the war, then Talon would bear close observation. Soundwave frowned.
"Approaching Omega Tiffidous Prime...several vessels detected in and around planetary orbit." Talon frowned at a monitor. Lots of ships were moving around the small planet and its ring of moonlets would not make achieving a standard orbit any easier.
"Any Ideas?"
"Freighters and shuttles mostly. One Autobot recon vessel."
Kynight looked at a display. "That looks like a small colony on the surface."
"It's a Chromite world." Talon told her. "Open to all visitors especially those requiring help. Probably the closest friendly world to Dark Fist."
"Megatron is signaling us...he wants an optic kept on the Autobots but otherwise ignore them."
"Okay Soundwave, but that ship already looks damaged...I doubt they offer much of a threat to us."
"It's not battle damage." Nightstrike observed as an enhanced visual scrolled across her monitor.
"Looks more like they rammed something."
"Just proves that anyone can get a license." Talon joked.
"They're powering up." Soundwave added. "They're moving into a possible attack position."
"Hail them." Talon said. "Before they try something stupid." Surely they would not risk starting a battle where so many civilians could be caught in the crossfire.
"This is Sideswipe commanding the Farstar Explorer." a nervous voice announced. "Incoming Decepticons, identify yourselves at once!"
"Spare us the false bravado." Megatron replied coldly. "If I choose, I could destroy your ship with one shot. However, my interest is not with you and I am in no mood for distractions. Do not interfere and you, and all these other innocents, will not be harmed."
"The Autobots are holding their position. Two other ships are standing by."
"That entire group of ships poses no serious threat to us." Talon replied. "Let them posture...it means nothing." Refugees were not why they had come all this way.
"Warning." Draconis growled. "Incoming vessels."
"Identity?" Talon demanded. "Ten of them are Space Wolf galleons. The other matches the vessel which attacked Bastion."
"Megatron is ordering us to hold position."
"Tell him we obey."
Nightstrike glanced over at console. "I'll power up the weapons."
"The refugees are scattering."
"So are the Autobots."
"Ignore them. Draconis, battle ready!"
"Megatron is maneuvering to intercept."
"Stand by." Talon watched the Dreadnought alter course slightly and then unleash a barrage from its forward batteries. Bright explosions tore through two galleons. "There's no threat. Megatron could handle them all by himself. We want the special ship."
An alarm Interrupted him. "Another ship detected." Draconis warned. "Quintesson cruiser emerging from the planet's rings."
"A novel hiding place." Talon agreed, eyeing the helix-shaped hull with a grim expression. "Plot intercept course."
"They're firing on the civilians." Nightstrike was sickened by the sight of unarmed and completely harmless ships being vaporized as fast as the Quintessons could recharge their weapons.
"The Autobots are calling for help." Soundwave sounded smug. "I have tapped into their communications." He explained. "It is most entertaining."
"Cybertron...this is Swideswipe. We need help. The survivors from Dark Fist are being attacked. Space Wolves and a Quintesson cruiser. We got Decepticons here too. Do you copy?" He sounded panicked. "This is just like Dark Fist all over again! We can't hold them all off!" A muffled explosion rumbled. "Cybertron, do you copy? Ah, forget it! Let's get out of here before we get blasted!" The channel died in static.
"They're running?"
"So much for the great heroes." Talon chuckled. "Draconis, lock weapons into the Quintessons. Fire at will!"
"With pleasure." The light panels dimmed as power was transferred to the weapons.
"The Dreadnought is taking damage. The Wolves are concentrating on it."
"Megatron can defend himself." Talon replied. "We've got to keep the Quintessons busy before they can join in." He knew what kind of weaponry that ship could carry. The Wolf command ship pounded the Dreadnought with a fierce barrage.
"More ships incoming!" Kynight smiled. "They're Paixan."
"How's this for good timing?" Eolain radioed. Then her ship opened fire on the Quintessons. The Explorer suddenly fired on one of the Paixans, a quick barrage of half-aimed shots which caused no major damage. Steel returned fire and crippled the Explorer. The Dreadnought unleashed a devastating salvo from its weaponry, which vaporized all the Wolves in bright fireballs. Draconis fired a blast of plasma fire, which severely damaged the Quintesson cruiser.
"They are losing altitude." Soundwave reported. "Impact on the planet estimated for five minutes."
"Let them crash!" Megatron ordered from the view screen. "We can search the wreckage at our leisure. I hope, Kynight, that you are unharmed?"
"I'm fine!" Kynight stood up and hurried off the Dragonfire's bridge. Out in the corridor, she adjusted her comlink. "Eolian, are you there?"
"I copy you."
"Loud and clear!" Density added.
"Stand by. I think my quest is almost finished." She fell silent as footsteps echoed nearby.
Talon stepped into sight. "Ah, there you are. Megatron wants us on board the Dreadnought. He's acquired some prisoners. You really must come and see!" The Dragonfire docked in one of the Dreadnought's cavernous hangers and there was room to spare! Talon, Soundwave, and Nightstrike used a shuttle tube to reach a nearby, thought much smaller, hanger where several squads of DARTs stood watch over the battered form of the Autobot scout ship.
Megatron stood near the scout's open hatch. "Ah, good timing, my dear. I did thought you should be present for this."
"For what!?" Kynight demanded.
"Frostwing?" At Megatron's prompt, a female Decepticon stepped forward. She nodded at Talon. She had assumed the position of Security Commander following Talon's resignation and then spoke: "We analyzed their navigation logs after docking. Their last stop was at Dark Fist station."
"And?" Talon prompted.
"When the Wolves attacked, they fled." She sounded scornful. "I know that it is a harsh shock, my dear, but I know how much the death of your sister means to you. I know that your quest for the truth is important to you." He sounded so sincere that Nightstrike felt her resolve melting.
"Bring him!" Megatron ordered. Two DARTs stepped out of the scout ship, dragging a battered looking Autobot with them.
"Swideswipe, the ship's commander." Megatron made the introduction. "And the crew's sole survivor. " After a moment, he added. "...though not for long I think." The battered Autobot was barely conscious, his entire body scuffed and dented. He seemed disoriented, fuel dripping from a dozen small cuts. Soundwave studied him, then shook his head slowly.
"Why?" Kynight asked softly. "Why did you run?"
Sideswipe seemed not to notice her as he was held, swaying, between his guards. "So many of them." He murmured. "They swarmed around the station...firing at everything..." He started to shudder. "We fought them...tried to save the innocents." His shaking grew worse. "But there was too many...too many." Nightstrike stepped closer to hear his soft whisper.
"We took a hit." Sideswipe continued. "Our fellow scout was destroyed with all hands. A Quintesson ship simply...appeared out of nowhere and blew it away." He was crying now, sobbing brokenly. "I...lost my nerve, gave the order to run. The others protested...so, I...I grabbed the helm and changed course myself. We hit a passing ship...damaged it badly." Kynight was frozen.
"I was too afraid to stop...had to get away...we ran from the system." His sobs grew more ragged. "I'm sorry...so sorry..." Nightstrike felt empty. She expected to feel anger...she searched herself for the rage she wanted to feel at this Autobot, but she felt nothing. She could only feel a trace of pity for this broken mechanoid being held before her.
"He will not survive long." Soundwave told Megatron. "His many injuries are minor, but his mind has broken."
"That still leaves us with the other matter." Megatron raised his voice. "Nightstrike, the Quintesson and Space Wolf survivors set down near a small ore processing facility. Given the fact that they all chose that site to regroup, I suspect the site is of some great importance." Nightstrike looked at him blankly.
"The last part of your vengeance." Megatron pressed with a charming smile. "Is waiting for you on the surface."
"Then let's go get it." But there was no emotion in her voice.

* * *

The ore processing facility, set into a wide and shallow valley, was mostly underground. The domed structure seemed far too small when the Decepticons had teleported to the planet's surface. The Paixans landed nearby and hurriedly joined the Decepticons. The dome gained proper perspective when the Space Wolves emerged from its doors and charged toward the Transformers.
"Decepticons, and ladies of course, destroy them!" Megatron fired his fusion cannon and blew one of the Wolves into half-molten debris. Soundwave and his cassettes fired a steady barrage.
Talon observed this growing battle. "No air cover?" He mused. Then a swarm of shapes caught his optic. "Skyroarers!" He shouted. "Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, with me!" He transformed to his jet mode and launched himself skyward. Nightstrike looked up in time to see one of the Skysoarers--a huge reptilian bird, diving toward her. It opened its fang-filled beak and screeched, and then lasers flashed from its wings.
"That was too close!" Eolian muttered as she rolled out from behind a boulder and stared at the smoking crater. "Way too close."
"Take cover!" Nightstrike shouted. She spotted fresh figures emerging from the dome.
"Sharkticons!" Talon radioed as he engaged Skysoarers. "We've definitely got Quintessons to deal with!"
"Fight on!" Megatron ordered. "Power to the Decepticons, forever!" His fusion cannon roared and a group of Sharkticons blew into scrap.
Soundwave picked his shots more carefully. "The Dreadnought reports that an energy field has formed over this region. The dome is now protected from orbital bombardment."
Megatron nodded. "Very well. We'll just have to gain access the old fashioned way. With brute force!" He punched a Space Wolf who had stepped into range. "Take the dome!" He shouted, sparing time for a fusion blast at the structure.
"Who are they suppose to be?" Starscream demanded in that shrill voice of his as he transformed and landed behind Nightstrike. "I mean, look at them!"
"Sky and Lark are my friends." Nightstrike told him.
"They're traitors!" The Seeker pointed to their emblems...which mingled parts of both Autobot and Decepticon insignias...and his voice was even more shrill than usual. "Traitors to one faction or another!"
"By Primus! Slee has a male counterpart!" Destiny announced as Eolian began to chuckle. Starscream sputtered incoherently.
Talon chuckled too as he landed nearby. "The enemy have been destroyed. The dome is ours for the taking."
Megatron nodded. "Excellent."
"However," Talon added."...I strongly suspect there is some form of trap waiting for us."
"OF course there must be." Megatron grinned. "We do not want things to be too simple." He offered his arm to Nightstrike. "After you, my dear." Talon gave him a strange look.
"Oh, Primus." Eolian muttered. "Does this guy have it bad?"
Sky nodded. "But that will..." "...Raggletag say?" Lark finished. "When he finds out..." "He'll blow a gasket!"
The dome's main doors hissed open, cutting off the conversation abruptly. A figure hovered into view. "So," it announced a voice, which shrilled like a small animals being tortured. "Once again my home is infested by the bothersome decedents of our former slaves." Faces rotated until a red-horned one could leer at the Transformers. "But such interesting specimens this time." A tentacle lifted in greeting. "It has been too long, Warlord."
Talon shivered under the baleful stare, then abruptly he straightened. "It's over, Sorel-ta-Lak! The Technocracy is no more. The Quintessons are extinct!" Soundwave watched Talon closely. He nodded to himself.
"You are entitled to think that. We have existed since the dawn of time. Our race, even in decay, possesses more power than your species ever will. In time, this minor defeat will be forgotten by the toil of your once-again enslaved race."
"Idle threats." Megatron sneered.
"Perhaps. Perhaps not." Nightstrike stared at the Quintesson.
"Dark Fist was but the first target to suffer under the Lash." Sorel-Ta-Lak then chuckled, a cold laugh like the call of a grave. "With the Wolves to serve us, our grip will once again stretch across the galaxy! No mechanoid race can withstand the Lash." A tentacle help up a metal cylinder. "The Lash is our finest creation...it instills perfect obedience in any mechanoid...for no mind can withstand its finely tuned application of terror." His tentacle brushed the stud.
With cries and shrieks, the Transformers reeled. Terrors...dredged up from the darkest corners of their minds...assailed them, tore at their very sanity. They fell to the ground and writhed in the dust.
"You would beg me to turn it." Sorel-ta-Lak chuckled. "You will promise me anything...do anything...to prevent yourself from suffering its lash again." He drifted forward. "Talon, you will destroy your own home world at my command. Megatron, you give me your Empire, then grovel before me for eternity." His cold gaze locked onto another mechanoid. "And you...you female are a special prize indeed." Nightstrike writhed under his gaze, under the Lash. "Sideswipe lost control under the briefest caress of the Lash...and he cost you your sister."
"No!" Nightstrike forced herself back to her feet. "He was unable to control himself. It was your fault!" She staggered toward the Quintesson, rage on her faceplates. "Galacterra died because of you!" Energy burst out of Nightstrike's body as lightning flashed across her wings.
With a wail, Sorel-tal-Lak vanished in a blinding flash, leaving only a steaming puddle of molten metal behind him. With a moan, Kynight crumpled to the ground, and began to change back to her Autobot form.
"That's my woman." Megatron chuckled as he stood up and shook his head to clear it. "And that was too merciful a fate for the creature." His expression darkened. "A few centuries suffering the caress of his own Lash would have been just."
"She's back to normal." Eolian noted as she stooped down beside the unconscious body of Kynight. "The power surge turned her back to her Autobot side." She shook her friend gently. "Damn, I warned you not to this kind of thing!"
"It...was...necessary." Kynight whispered as her optics flashed.
"You nearly got yourself..."
"No time to argue ladies." Megatron bent down beside them and scooped Kynight up in his arms. "We've got to leave." The dome shuddered and smoke billowed out of one smokestack.
"Things are going to blow!" Talon shouted as he ran toward the ridge around the valley. "Take cover!"
"Typical!" StarScream whined. "We win and still things blow up in our faces!"
A Paixan ship set down just over the ridge. "Kynight!" Raggletag shouted as he stepped out of the hatch. "Where are you!"
"More interlopers." Megatron muttered. "Such bad timing." He quickly glanced at Soundwave. "Eliminate the Autobot. Now."
Kynight struggled in his grasp. "Wait!" Megatron fell silent. "Let me handle this!" She made her voice sound sweet with promise.
"I don't trust her." StarScream said as he threw Kynight a heated look.
"Shut up Screamer!" Talon kept his pulse laser aimed toward the newly arrived ship. "Let her prove herself."
"Thank you." Stepping away from Megatron, Kynight smiled. "I call this ability, my special gift, the Siren." Then she sang a piercing note, clear as crystal, soft as the dawn breeze. The male Transformers stood immobile, their expressions identical looks of bliss.
"Let's go!" Eolian hurried toward the ship. Density, Sky and Lark were already half way there.
"A very nice trick." Talon admitted as he stepped into their path.
"How?" Kynight demanded in shock. The aftereffects of the Siren would last on the others for a while, but Talon merely looked at her with an amused grin on his face. "You should be under my spell."
"Call it my own special gift." He answered. "Perhaps there is more of my Human self left than I had thought? I assume they will recover in time?" He smiled as she replied. "A few minutes." Then he lowered his pulse laser and stepped out to her path. "Have a safe flight home, Nightstrike."
She paused a moment longer. "Why?" She asked softly.
He shrugged. "Maybe I don't want you around to distract Megatron. Maybe I agree with Star Scream that you are a threat to us. Maybe because you're simply leaving and not taking advantage of Megatron's immobility to hurt him. Perhaps I am simply being used by Fate to keep you free for some other destiny. Does it really matter?"
"I don't suppose it does." Kynight stepped toward the waiting ship and the still out-stretched arms to Raggletag. "But thank you. Maybe we'll meet again."
Talon rolled his optics. "Not any time soon I hope." And he waived.

* * *

Torches burned on the roof of the Manor. The Sisterhood stood assembled, a circle of silent, sorrowful figures.
Kynight, face grim, approached the gleaming coffin holding her friend's now lifeless body. She thought that Galacterra would have liked the Crystalline Titanium alloy which had been used in the coffin's structure...shiny and translucent, it was perfectly suited to contain the which filled the space around Galacterra, a cushion of her favorite element, shielding her forever.
Memory flooded Kynight's awareness: Her anger when she learned that Galacterra had borrowed a dimensional ship and left Paix...being awakened and told by Sin that Galacterra had been killed...her journey to Dark Fist Station and the discovery of young Compass huddling in a corner near Galacterra's lifeless corpse...the hunt for her murderer, the alliance with a group of Decepticons, seeing Megatron again...and the final confrontation with the Quintesson responsible.
Kynight's Autobot heritage took control of her and she slumped to her knees next to the coffin. While she was seeking vengeance, Galacterra had been returned to Paix and repaired. She looked like she was resting in a stasis cycle...not like she was dead. Despite her best offers, tears leaked from Kynight's optics.
Torchlight flickered off the coffin's sides, and from the assembled Sisterhood. The stars and Paix's moons glittered in the dark sky overhead.
"Sisters, we have assembled here to mourn our fallen comrade." Kynight intoned as the others began softly humming a dirge...the sound of the ancient theme was mournful enough to make even a Dark God weep. "Galacterra had a difficult life, no stranger to adversity and challenge...yet she was strong and dedicated to her friends to her home world."
"So we say." The others stopped humming to intone. "Lord Primus accept her life essence into His hand." The humming resumed.
"Lord Primus grant you the peace which you never knew in life." Kynight told her friend. "And may your next Cycle of existence be all that you could wish it to be." The humming trailed off into silence.
"There are many kinds of sisters." Kynight continued, forcing the words out in spite of her overwhelming desire to simply break down and weep. "Many of us see it only as a relationship born in sharing the same creator...being a sister of fuel." Her voice wavered and cracked, but she pushed on. "Galacterra was one of the other kinds...a sister of the Spirit." Her tears flowed faster, trickling down her cheeks and dripping onto the edge of the coffin. "And I loved her as much as any sister of shared fuel-heritage. She...Galacterra...was truly my...sister." And then Kynight found that she could not continue. And all of the other members of the Sisterhood began sobbing too.

THE END

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