Chapter 15: From a Whisper to a Scream

It's been two weeks since Firespark, Solarflare, and Thunderstrike had arrived at the refugee camp and called it their home. The residents had welcomed them with open arms and tried their best to help them. During the first week, they gave the couple gifts like the mobile above Thunderstrike's crib and a blaster the weaponsmith made for Solarflare. Chromeburst and other femme's pitched in to babysit the mechling, which was a big help for them.

Solarflare slept during the morning and most of the afternoon while Firespark worked until the sun started to set. Today, Chromeburst was more than willing to watch Thunderstrike when Firespark dropped by. Trailblazer was also there and would help the elderly femme with the task whenever he could.

Firespark sighed and leaned back in her chair. Even with a small population, it seemed that everyone needed her. Dents, cuts, or a pain that bothered them was the majority of cases.

Orange optics looked at the timer on the table. The femme's thirty-minute break had started. Stiffly, Firespark stood up and walked through the open doors. Despite being on her pedes all day, she opted to take a walk, maybe go the ledge that Solarflare had taken her. She smiled at the memory of the kiss he had given her that night and the one he had given her today.

Firespark's blissful thoughts vanished as the bushes next to her started to rustle. She stopped dead in her tracks as her optics trained on the brambles, waiting to see the intruder. The femme gaped the sight of a purple frame and a familiar mech step in front of her. "Steve?!"

The purple clone stared at her, "Firespark, is that you? Everyone thought you were offline."

"Yeah, it's me. What are you doing here? If the guards find you..."

Steve tilted his helm at her, "Guards? What do you mean? There shouldn't be anyone living on this island. Anyway, I'm here upon Lord Megatron's orders. He told us to scout the perimeter while he discusses the military base formation with Soundwave and the construction crew."

Firespark stiffened, "Soundwave? Is he here?"

"Yeah, he's with Megatron along the coastline. If you're worried about me giving away your position, I won't. I'm repaying you for all you have given me," the vehicon offered, placing his servo on his chest. "You've always shown us clones a kindness that we never knew, one we'll never forget."

The pink femme smiled, "Thanks Steve, but I have to ask you something," The mech stiffened to attention. "I want you to take me to him,"

~~~~~~~

"This is suicide," Steve mumbled as he parted away pine branches.

Firespark ignored his ramblings, keeping an eye for any Decepticons or guards. If the Decepticons were planning to build a military center, the refugee camp and everyone within it would be in danger.

The vehicon suddenly stopped before turning toward the femme, "Wait here, I'll see if I can get him to come over here alone." He walked through the tall hedge, leaving Firespark in the tall grasses.

Not wanting to bring attention to herself, Firespark couched among the weeds, hoping the greens would shield her bright pink color.

It was only a minute later when Steve returned. "He's not here. I guess Lord Megatron had him return to the Nemesis." When he saw her troubled expression, the clone tried his best to comfort her, "I'm sorry, I know you wanted to reconnect with him. If it makes you feel any better, I'll see if I can let him know,"

"No, it's alright. I think it would be best to remain offlined to the world," Firespark responded quickly, "I don't want the whole Decepticon army looking for me,"

Steve's shoulder plating slumped, "Oh, alright then," he swiveled around to return to his post, "Well, it was nice seeing you again,"

Firespark watched him leave before rising above the grass. Fear flooded her spark. Her one chance of trying to talk to him flittered away from her grasp. Sighing in disappointment, she turned to head back to the camp; after all, her thirty-minute break had ended five minutes ago. Before she took a step forward, a dark purple, also black frame was in front of her.

"Steve, I thought you were just leaving," she began before her words caught in her throat. The torso of the body was slim, with purple stripes running along the navy frame. Orange optic met a dark visor reflecting her terrified expression. Taking a step back, Firespark observed the mech, her sire.

Soundwave's screen flickered to life as her voice rang out, "I want you to take me to him," before blinking out. Another video record played, "What is it?" Megatron's voice asked.

Firespark stood there processing what she was going to say, but she couldn't speak. She could understand the intimidation that everyone felt when they saw him. Soundwave was a towering figure and an aura of sharp intelligence.

"Did you even try to look for me?" She didn't mean to say it. That statement had nothing to do with her plan, but her spark had other plans. She watched as the Third in Command stiffen.

As Firespark was about to apologize, she was shocked to see him crumple to the ground and even more surprised to hear him say, "Yes," The visor looked back up at her, "Every day,"

Tears filled her orange optics as she, without thinking," rushed to his side and threw her arms around him. All her pent-up grief and frustrations poured out of her as she nuzzled her face into the crook of Soundwave's neck. Firespark could tell that he was in the same condition by the way he pulled her close, as if afraid that she'd fly away.

Her plan settled into the back of her processor. It didn't matter right now, and she couldn't speak with the state she was in. Maybe it was selfish, but she didn't care. She had her sire again, and she wanted to cherish the moment with him.