Chapter Text

Two: The Plan

“Ugh... no... no... he knows where we are... he knows...” Perceptor’s processor was not taking well to the situation at hand, at least when in charge. As much as he was calm and controlled on the outside, it seemed his processor could not help but find the current need to hide from the Quintessons as similar to the last time he’d been hiding from a very different monster. He could hear the huge pedes, could see the look of anxiety upon his companion’s faces as they’d tried to remain still and quiet before that hand had reached out for him! “Can’t... he’s got me...”

“Mew... mew...” Just as the nightmare would end the way it always did, with Perceptor being pulled into the giant’s mouth, the horrifying face of Overlord suddenly turned into a large cat. It was still wearing the blue helm and still giant, but it released him to lick at its smooth white paw as it purred away.

“What... a...” Perceptor was perplexed, this dream had turned into something surreal and though at first he’d heard the voice of Overlord making feline sounds, now he was becoming aware of a deeper voice making the ‘mew mew’ noises. Reality was starting to eek through and as Perceptor’s optics began to blink, the horror of Overlord’s laughing face remained replaced by some rather dumbfounded cat. “...cat?”

It was going to take a few minutes for him to understand what had happened, especially as his optics narrowed and widened as they came online. For a moment, he was still afraid that he was going to wake up back in the depths of hell with that monster stalking him and the others... but there was no sign of him. In fact, he was aware of the sound of sultry music on a low setting, an intoxicating perfume that heated up his frame and the varying bottles of scented oils and flavoured lubricants that were lined along the shelf. Perceptor blinked a little, recalling he was at Maccadam’s but he was a little worried he was starting to get all heated up, until he heard the soft mewing again and turned to his side.  

“Oh, Dead End... heh, you’re thinking about cats? I didn’t think our kind could ever really dream like that.” Perceptor’s face could not help but suddenly wrinkle up into a smile, he had forgotten he’d not been alone here and as he turned to look, he could not help but give a sudden little titter hidden by his hand. Dead End was making purring sounds and kneading with his hands at the air. There was the sound of a cat video playing, probably being played on Dead End’s HUD but Perceptor just vented. The anxieties and fear of that memory was gone, instead he found himself looking at this bot with a shake of his head.

Perceptor had noted that Dead End was not an eager student, but the first time he’d seen him studying, he’d realised that it was not that Dead End didn’t understand, more that none of the teachers seemed to be able to engage with him and how he wanted to learn. He was very practical but also pretty good at reading, however being lectured to seemed to make him antagonistic to the point he starts that ‘I hate this’ and ‘get out of my face’ stuff that made it very hard for the others to cope. Perceptor though had tested the waters, given him a special assignment and that had been it, he did the work but... he still did not seem to want to apply himself and Perceptor wondered why.

“Oh... uh... Dead End?” Perceptor was surprised how relaxed he was feeling thinking about it, how comfortable he was to and then rather suddenly Dead End’s kneading hand had pressed to his shoulder. The EM field coming off it seemed to vibrate with the purring sound and smother Perceptor’s own EM field enough he had to beam. He had never thought Dead End could be this cute, but then again, he did notice that Dead End tried to emulate his reading... whether he ever got any of it was another idea. But Perceptor rolled onto his side and brought his hand up to hold the kitty’s paw as it purred away and he smiled. “I... I don’t think I’ve ever felt so suddenly relaxed. Hmm... thank you Dead End.”

“Well now... someone might think this is quite cute, good thing none of them can see this.” Macadam strolled into the room with a steady hum of amusement as he looked towards the scene and couldn’t help but keep smiling. He looked awfully smug as Dead End gave a groan and rolled onto his back, servos out and venting heavily. As he went to sit up, reality slammed into Dead End as he recalled the hell they were in and that he was stuck being one of the few alive when the damn Quintessons were around!

“I Hate This! Macadam?” Dead End groaned, recalling the voice and then pausing for a moment. He was waiting to hear the sound of Wildrider sniggering and realising the pair were up to things when he’d been sleeping in this room. It had looked like the room Wildrider had once described along with the hideous phrase of ‘a bit of rough riding with an interface machine’... Dead End was used to the universe spitting on him so why would this be any different? But then he realised someone was holding his hand quite tightly and he feared it was someone weird like Hot Rod before he turned and his spark fluttered. “UH! Perceptor’s holding my...”

“Seems you calmed his processor flashbacks of Overlord. You also make the cutest kitten, I see why Wildrider flashes that picture of you as a baby in the cat hoodie so much.” Macadam was cooing as he was carrying a large vat of what looked like lubricant and filling up the piping nearby. Dead End really didn’t like the reference or indeed the things this old bot was doing... did Macadam realise how unnerving that was?

“I hate that!” Dead End scowled, not sure why he was surprised that this guy would say that, if Wildrider fragged someone twice then she showed them the baby pictures. That included the horrible picture of him covered in his own oil, sobbing heavily and grabbing Knock Out’s leg, it was the most humiliating picture ever… but he was quick to remember that he’d been hooked up swiftly and cleaned up, giving loads of kisses and fuss, so it hadn’t ended with him being tormented for making a mess. All the same, he was shaking his helm in fury as he then turned to peel his hand free of Perceptor and calmly shook his shoulders to bring him around. “Perceptor... Percy... time to wake up.”

“Is it? Oh... oh yes.” Perceptor queried, very slowly straightening upwards and rubbing his optics. He blinked and then gave a sudden gasp of surprise that he was still blinded, before realisation came and then he scanned the room, scanning Dead End who turned his head away and was blushing whilst Macadam gave a soft little chuckle. “We must gather all our companions and discuss what we have learnt. Macadam, will you join us?”

“Of course... I’ll brew my best blend for everyone.” Macadam chuckled thoughtfully, although Perceptor was not too sure if it was not the usual blend. He slid off the berth, Dead End grabbing him to help him stabilise himself as he thanked him and then paced back to where he thought to go. Dead End quickly found some cleaning implements and wiped down the berth to be respectful, which made Macadam give a soft pout as he patted Dead End’s back with his heavy hand. “You look troubled Dead End?”

“I can’t exactly handle my feelings right now. But the problem is, I can already see that no matter what happens in the here and now, it’ll only stay here.” Dead End stated, he was a defeatist and a pessimist, but what else could there be for him? His interest in Perceptor was not really appropriate, it did not matter that Perceptor was not directly his teacher, but he was a student and there was a power imbalance. Besides, Perceptor already did so much to help him out at the best of times and… it was obvious that he could get Perceptor in trouble. Worse still, he knew damn well what happened in these situations… he and Freefall were the result of one of those ‘heat of the moment’ situations after-all. “When disasters are over, you suddenly realise the only reason you had a sense of friendship was out of a sense of survival, you have nothing in common bar the event and trauma bonding can lead to toxic relationships. I’m just being realistic here… besides, we’re talking as if there’s something mutual here and there’s only my infatuation. There’s no proof, personally that’s something I need.”

“That’s the Starscream in you talking, it’s the same part that tells you time and again that nothing is worth it. But he wouldn’t want to hear you like that, he’d want to hear you have hope, especially in a time like this.” Macadam stated, knowing as he knew everything just about, just what Dead End feared most and what he hated to hear. Motivation might be lacking in him, but only because he’d decided on something very young and it had soured him to everyone. It was hard not to comprehend; he was more unique than others as were all his siblings and Macadam liked him with all his quirks as he patted his back firmly. “Disasters are also the best time to admit your true feelings... maybe you should think about it.”

“Yeah? But right now feelings haven’t got anything to do with solving problems and that’s where we all stand on things.” Dead End scoffed, trying to shrug the conversation aside to something that he felt was much more important… surviving these Quintesson things. They had no idea if other colonies were affected or could come and help them and they had no idea where important bots who’d been visiting like Ratchet, Optimus, Bulkhead and Ironhide could be… let alone where was Prowl? But Dead End felt that calm face boring into him and he gave a groan. “Besides, it’s bad enough I won’t leave him alone... he probably thinks its because he’s been blinded... he would probably think its all pity because he’s now blind and it’s not.”

“I’ll leave all of it to you to figure out when you’re ready, Dead End. But you won’t be able to stop me having a bit of fun.” Macadam smirked thoughtfully, wrapping his servos around the young bot who gave a grunt of frustration. He then strolled off towards the main room and Dead End scowled, only to worry about what he’d meant by that! With a groan he shrugged his shoulders and then marched after him, meeting everyone only to learn that whilst they had all been sleeping, Wildrider and Astrotrain had gotten back in the air to try and scout the extent of the problem and hadn’t been heard back from. Dead End groaned as he tried to sit beside Hot Rod for something different, only for Perceptor to pat about in search of him and then to settle beside him as Macadam chuckled thoughtfully. “So, we’re all the ones out of the loop on Iacon thus far... but we won’t be alone for long... someone should be returning from a journey soon.”

“Wildrider and Astrotrain... hang on, I might be able to send them something that would make them careful about coming here and confuse the Quintessons at the same time, something that we can scatter about in case they intercept signals.” Dead End groaned, knowing that communicating down here to anyone outside was a problem as no one had come out of the loop and seen any space bridges working or indeed any of the flying bots willing to go outside bar Astrotrain and that wasn’t always a good thing. The others were looking towards him thoughtfully, suggesting if he could use that as an emergency signal perhaps that would be recognised by those outside Cybertron and Dead End’s brows lifted. “Yeah.”

“What would that be? If they’re told to stay back then the Quintessons will react, not only that but what will stop them from intercepting let alone tracking us?” Clobber queried, sounding smarter than she let on but also making a point that there was no way they could send any messages out that could actually get them anywhere important. Perceptor was the one that made a sound of interest and then turned about, scanning near the doorway and then Hot Rod seemed to get the idea, making a sound of interest and then grinning.

“You can try from the doorway, just lean a little out and send it.” Hot Rod beamed, thinking if it came from where they were able to hide away from these things, then surely it could work? But then he was confused as he watched Perceptor slowly hop off his seat and march towards the doorway.

“That is a smart idea... I will check how far the boundary is...” Perceptor queried thoughtfully and strolled right to the door, opening it as the others flinched to look out at the Quintessons still shuffling around in the dull streets where the lack of artificial sunlight, which helped keep Cybertron controlled, was gone. Everything looked like it was still the middle of the night and Dead End scowled as he watched Perceptor step right into the doorway as he gave a grunt to Clobber’s sudden question of confusion.

“He’s going to get himself scrapped... fine with me…” Dead End grunted, thinking if he said it aloud it might just make it easier for him to not care. But he was still getting pretty anxious as he turned his head to look towards Perceptor and then found himself tensing even with the energon offered. He didn’t want Perceptor getting hurt…

“QUINTESSONS HERE I AM COME AND GET ME!” Perceptor called out, stepping just outside of the building and suddenly the Quintessons were lunging towards them as both Hot Rod and Clobber both shrieked in horror.

“…or getting all of us scrapped!” However, Dead End lunged forward, leaping to Perceptor’s side as one of the beasts came flying towards him, about to yank him back in, but thankfully Dead End stepped back. As he stepped back the Quintesson just froze, right in front of his face as Clobber stepped over to stare and Dead End just vented in utter relief.

“Pfft... PERCY!” Clobber giggled, stepping right to Perceptor’s side and waving her hand in front of the creature’s face. The creature was clearly confused, trying to figure out what was happening, scanning for them and yet finding nothing, which was not only confusing but also kind of cool and Clobber was intrigued, even in Perceptor just gave a soft sound of appreciation. “Whoa... it’s like inches from your face... this the cloaking range you were talking about?”

“It would seem so... now Dead End, send your message.” Perceptor did not care much for Clobber’s presence, but he felt Dead End’s hand near his own, how he had been on the edge of pulling him back and it amused him. He stretched his hand back though, grasping Dead End’s in a gentle squeeze he heard made the other’s vents stutter, before he tugged Dead End beside him. Dead End groaned then sent the message, feeling pretty embarrassed by it, but knowing if it went out then it would be picked up by others too. “What did you send?”

“I love you Astrotrain.” Dead End stated, which made everyone, even Perceptor turn their heads around to face him in disbelief. Then Macadam gave a cackle, insisting it was brilliant as Dead End gently led Perceptor back to his drink, not even realising the pair of them were still holding hands as they went over to settle down. “Trust me... it’ll make him and Wildrider do a proper check before arriving. Now back to business, we’ve got a loop that looks to have all of Iacon’s bots in it and we know its draining their energon steadily....”

“Using us as batteries for whatever they require and we also know that there is someone called the Judge controlling it all... thanks for learning that Hot Rod.” Perceptor stated, turning towards Hot Rod’s side and Hot Rod just gave a smirk and puffed out his chassis as if it were a good thing, although Dead End and Clobber did not quite agree to such things.

“Hey, I’m useful... except they really didn’t want to listen to me.” Hot Rod groaned in frustration, he couldn’t quite get that Judge guy to listen and learn that they were actually a reformed group. In fact it had been weird, they’d been wanting to punish them for something similar bots had done to them in a different universe and certainly, they had been pretty pissed to see Hot Rod again. They’d also insisted if he tried to use a titan on them, he’d regret it. Hot Rod had been confused by it of course. “But I think we’ll have luck going back in and trying to convince bots to transform, especially considering there are very few Decepticons so Clobber can do that...”

“Yeah, I gotta convince them to have a fight or something, that might work!” Clobber thumped her fists together, hoping to get Lockdown out at least because he was her best friend even if he was a jerk at the best of times. Still, as she looked to the others they were all pondering it over and nodding, it seemed they might have some luck if they try that… but if there was widespread panic upon getting out, how would all of them be able to cope and fight together.

“Excellent... we have to cut off the power draining capabilities and the best bet is to release bots. With them we can then build up an army to fight the bailiffs and maybe even take on the judge.” Perceptor stated firmly, quite sure that whatever was the problem it was all to do with need for the batteries. They could not seem to drain the bots easily either, as if there was something incompatible in this universe compared to the others and that could only be used to save the others. “We should focus on the academy building first, those younger bots in the dorm might be less affected...”

“Freefall was there... if we get her out then we’ve got someone with some medical understanding to help and someone who can fly.” Dead End noted, knowing his sister would probably be much better at dealing with what was going on than he was. Not only that, but also Freefall would give him a distraction, someone else to go to and he could let her fix Perceptor’s optics and then he would not have to be feeling as frustrated as he was right now.

“Excellent... flight would prove useful, so let’s all head that way now!” Perceptor stated, surprised to be taking the leadership role in this whole situation. He was surprised that Hot Rod was not trying to make a point of the fact he was the more qualified leader here. However, even though he could tell that Hot Rod should be in this situation, he turned around to look to Macadam with a soft grunt. “Macadam, we need you to keep us a sanctuary.”

“Of course, this old titan’s here for you all to live in, but he’s not for anything else.” Macadam stated firmly, which startled them all but Hot Rod made a sound as if he did know what he meant. Dead End just groaned though, knowing he was not going to get the chance to just hide away and ignore all of this.

“Talking is a costly activity Hot Rod... please shut up.” Perceptor was annoyed, they were all quite annoyed, they’d managed to get around Iacon thus far without too much trouble, but Hot Rod had to keep talking. When they’d reached an area where it was faster to drive, although hot Rod had expected Perceptor to ride him and had made a few jokes about it, Perceptor had then firmly decided that he was going to ride Dead End, which had made the younger bot startled but obedient even if Clobber kept sniggering at him. When they’d driven on, they’d reached the academy and Hot Rod still was not quiet as they reached the high, fancy academy that now looked more like some kind of crypt!

“I was just saying the academy feels like a horror set!” Hot Rod had insisted, all of them transformed and now pacing carefully into the passage. As they’d moved around, there were many of the masks hanging down, as if some bots had either escaped or were still to be attached. They’d seen a few of the guards thus far attached to the masks, just standing there looking numb and quiet, but Dead End had clipped the few spare masks from the cables, thinking about what they might need to blend in when Hot Rod had practically screamed at the Quintesson being shuffling past. “SQUID THING!”

The creature gave a screech, turning down the corridor towards them when Dead End responded. He quickly hooked a mask over his face and Perceptor’s, passing one to Hot Rod and Clobber. Perceptor was then pushed to stand by Dead End and one of the guards, beckoned to remain still. They held hands as the creature slid down towards them, shrieking in annoyance as it scanned them with its weird optics and all they could see was the mask. It then flew off, frustrated and moving away as Clobber vented and Dead End then carefully took the mast off Perceptor’s face as the scientist gave a grunt.

“Good use of the mask there Dead End...” Clobber scoffed, thumping Dead End’s shoulder gently, making Dead End give a grunt of ‘I hate this’ almost as a reflex. Clobber just chuckled over it before Perceptor grasped hold of the mask, feeling it in his hands then scanning it, giving a soft tut of amusement and surprise at it all. He turned to face Dead End with his brows raised and that expression that insisted he was surprised.

“Is that what that was?” Perceptor queried almost to be praising the student but Dead End was looking embarrassed and quickly pointed towards the direction of the library as if on instinct. Even Perceptor could feel that they were heading that way as Dead End still gripped his hand and led him onwards. The others then followed patiently, guessing they were aiming to get out whomever they could but that didn’t mean it was any less embarrassing for Dead End to be here right now and like this with the wounded teacher.

“What about the others?” Hot Rod queried randomly, clearly pointing out the fact that the guards were all in different places and he didn’t like the thought they were going to just leave them. There was no possibility either that all of them were being sent to the same parade ground either and there was always the chance that some might never get out unless the battery itself was turned off!

“The library has a spacious layout where the majority might have been collected... it’s been campus security we’ve met so far... but no doubt they’re all attached to the same part.” Perceptor stated calmly, feeling the way Dead End was squeezing his hand so protectively and feeling rather enamoured by it. He’d not been held like that before, not felt someone’s warmth like that, their determination to keep him safe either. It was very sweet and he was starting to find himself more and more surprised by how nice it was to be around Dead End in this moment. However, as he scanned the passage up ahead, he noticed that another was due. “One’s coming.”

“Scrap... there’s a wide hall being navigated by them and no way for any of us to get through...” Hot Rod groaned, poking his head up the hall and watching a couple of them doing circuits. The increase in guard probably meant there were a lot of bots being hidden there and so Hot Rod was feeling more confident in all of this. However, he was suddenly grabbed by an interesting idea as he turned towards the other three with a smirk. “Diversion needed... Clobber, you wanna make a lot of noise?”

“What’s the idea?” Clobber questioned before Hot Rod gave her a few instructions. Clobber nodded, waited until the next gap in the guards and managed to sneak across to the stairs, climbing up them and finding the thin upper levels of the library were empty of patrols but filled with a lot of computer material and things to smash. She didn’t waste time in blowing one thing up, dropping another collection of fragile things over a banister and then scuttle off to get out of the way as the patrols launched up in her direction.

“She’s very loud, isn’t she?” Perceptor queried but Dead End took control with a growl.

“No time to question that, keep holding my hand. Hot Rod – take the right corridor and we’ll take the left, when you get the chance, hack in! Keep the mask on the whole time if you think you’re in danger.” Dead End barked and Hot Rod made a sound that insisted he’d been the one in charge. Dead End didn’t care, taking the left hand corridor, glad the noise from Clobber was continuing to lead them up and away as none noticed the movements below. He got around to the first section of familiar shelves that made an intricate maze and he could see the cables running ahead and hanging down near the study tables as he tugged Perceptor on. “Hopefully our thoughts on where bots are in the parade is right...”

“Dead End, one’s coming this way...” Perceptor noted, sensing one of the beasts turning back around to double-check things. There was no way they could fake being attached to the computer here, but then Dead End noted his favourite corner. It always had the datapads and even stacks of actual books around it so he could sneakily charge there if needed. But more importantly there was that little section between two shelves that was only big enough for one bot but certainly dark enough with all the lights being covered that they could edge into it and no one would see them.

“Quick in here!” He yanked Perceptor in, grasping him and pushing him in sideways before then dragging one of the trolleys of data pads in front of them and pushing back. He told Perceptor quickly to turn all his bio lights off and he did the same to himself, squeezing in front of Perceptor into the tight gap. Their chassis were rubbing briskly against each other, their groin plates chaffing as Dead End put one hand to his weapon and then waited for the creature to come through.

The Quintesson slid cautiously around the maze of shelves, sticking its head this way and that but not giving anything a firm look. With optics offline and bio-lights off, the pair of bots practically in sleep mode, there was not obvious light for the Quintesson creature to sense. The low light that seemed apparent from the huge machines blocking the artificial lights made more shadows and so the Quintesson just gave a soft sound of confusion, irritation even before slowly slipping off back to do whatever it intended to do. As it disappeared, Perceptor gave a soft vent and then found himself feeling oddly not only excited but there was something else… something he hadn’t really expected to feel at all.

Dead End was frozen, his hand having lifted to Perceptor’s chassis, ready to push him back and fight if he had to, anything to protect him. However, his hand seemed to be sitting over Perceptor’s steady and calm spark, feeling the way it was rolling with a steady sort of beat it was almost soothing. The hand was so hot to him that Perceptor almost thought it could melt, but there were other areas that were hot, their groin plates for one. Perceptor was startled, he could feel the way his own insides were starting to heat up, he found himself more than a little surprised because he was actually a little aroused to find Dead End pressing against him like this. But he knew this was not appropriate and so he scanned him, the only way it seemed to make Dead End jump in surprise.

“I think it’s gone now Dead End... your temperature is quite high again... your hand on my chassis is very...” He was about to say it was pleasant, but Dead End pulled his hand back immediately with a blush of embarrassment. He was quick to slip out of the gap and then jump when Perceptor stroked his back, ready to ask if he was alright but Dead End’s pride seemed to make him growl again.

“Shut up!” Dead End growled, not ready to hear him say anything more to wind him up right now. But he vented in relief as he led Perceptor very carefully over to the nearest computer. Here they could see where the set up for the library’s own systems had been converted to a plug-in point for the Parade. Perceptor was thankful to have found a few of the cables they needed to plug in initially with Clobber and Hot Rod, courtesy of what had been taken and developed from the Nemesis and displayed in the museums. Perceptor had calmly plugged one part into the matrix and then offered the other part to Dead End. He’d given him a blink of disbelief. “I am not doing that.”

“It would be the only way to contact the other Decepticons and find your sister.” Perceptor stated calmly and noticed the growl from Dead End. He did not like the thought of it but he didn’t like the thought of his sister in danger either. He groaned, lifting up the mask and putting it firmly on Perceptor’s face as he gave a soft vent. “I suppose this is a wise idea.”

“Right, plugging in now...” Dead End groaned, surprised and even a little irritated that he was going to have to do this as he put his mask on and then plugged in. He just hoped that nothing bad would happen to Perceptor whilst he was in… or he wouldn’t forgive himself. But very quickly, he was in the parade and looking at the really crappy floats and everyone making hooting sounds like they were drunk and watching a fight at Swindle’s. Rather suddenly, Dead End turned and bumped right into Soundwave. “...oh crap, Soundwave?”

“Soundwave Superior!” The being messaged and Dead End’s optics widened in horror… this guy was supposed to be in jail! He looked around quickly and spotted Shockwave, Motormaster, Needlenose… all sorts of beings that should have been in prison. Dead End gave a mutter about wishing he were dead when suddenly, he was given a firm push by the figure. Dead End swung his hands up, looking towards the group of fliers in front of him as he gave a sigh of relief to see them.

“Yeah I know... hey Freefall, wait... Ramjet, Dirge and Thrust? What are you three doing here?” Dead End began, grasping his sister in a hug as she turned to cuddle. She looked to him in confusion, her expression showing just how panicked she was and then the three coneheads turned to look towards them. Not only that, but Soundwave was pressing close to them again, which really was freaking the younger bots out as even Freefall suddenly reacted, aware that they were looking at someone who should not be around with them, but Ramjet was just pointing at the floats.

“Watching the parade!” Ramjet grinned, although he also then turned around to face Soundwave with an expression of utter disbelief upon his faceplates.

“No... it was something else...” Dirge stated, suddenly tapping his chin and then waving to Jetfire who was strolling over comfortably. He looked just as happy to see them although Skybyte was hurrying  behind him, insisting they hadn’t had a chance to discuss their poetry properly although Jetfire looked frustrated about it. However, immediately Dead End got a good idea of what might just be able to help them all out as he turned to Dirge with a smirk.

“You know uh... I think Sunstreaker went into labour... we should transform and get back to the apartment.” Dead End stated, making a point that they should go and automatically there was panic from Dirge and Jetfire as they both bleated in shock.

“What! Then its early!” The coneheads, Skybyte, Dead End, Freefall and a few others hanging around suddenly transformed and it seemed to trigger more to transform. They realised just how important it was for them all to get over to learn what it was like when a sparkling was born. The ripple of excitement seemed to cause the ripple to make others transform and well, it was just what Dead End had hoped for as he gave a gasp and came out hearing the roars of horror and firing all about the library.

“That was easy!” Dead End grunted, looking towards Perceptor who was standing there rather patiently. Dead End turned to him with a look of surprise before then gently taking the mask off. Perceptor smiled, scanned about but then made a note of the sound as Dead End shrugged, about to tell him that it went down well but being unable to. In the end, he was interrupted when Freefall launched right over to him, chased by a Quintesson and the coneheads running after her screaming like human children as they galloped over!

“Dead End... help!” Freefall bleated and so Dead End hooked his gun upwards, swinging it around and aiming it at the creature. Freefall was startled but ducked and tripped the coneheads onto her just as Dead End let rip. He managed to shoot into the creature a couple of times, knocking it back for a little while before then hooking a bomb out from his back and throwing it at the Quintesson. There was a sudden explosion and the beast fell on the ground dead as the others shuffled over to Dead End and Perceptor as Perceptor then gave a soft sound.

“You have freed several bots, well done Dead End… but I think we need to get everyone back to Macadams and meet up with the others.” Perceptor stated firmly and Dead End gave a grimace as the others sat up with looks of excitement. There was then a rush as Jetfire swung a Quintesson around by its tentacles, smacking it into another one before then guiding a few more of the bots over to them, everyone gathering around Perceptor and Dead End as he turned to the teacher.  

“Perceptor... something is bothering me, Sunstreaker could be in real trouble, we’ll need to find him soon!” Dead End began, but there was a sound as something huge crashed into the side of the building right towards them. It was an even bigger Quintesson than they could have expected and they were all staring in total disbelief as they looked towards it arming its tentacles as he gave a groan. “I hate this!”

They were all staring right up at it, ready to watch it blow their heads off when they heard a sound like some mad fool cackling. It was more than enough for even the Quintesson to flick its optics about as if looking for something. Before it then heard something charging behind it and it gave an anxious expression, turning around in time for something to hit it and make it explode utterly! Everyone unable to do anything more than scream out in shock!

“BOOM YEAH! Hiya Baby... good news, Roddy got Optimus and a load of others out by starting some kind of ‘transformation wave’ so can we blow up more of these things?” Wildrider whistled out, standing mounted on Astrotrain’s shuttle form roof with a massive bazooka in her arms. She was looking towards them thoughtfully before Perceptor gave a soft chuckle.

“Rider... thank Primus... ugh, Astrotrain...” Dead End then could feel the smirk within the EM field of the shuttle as he gave a groan as Astrotrain then gave a chuckle.

“We should get back to Macadam’s, hop on inside!” Astrotrain chuckled and then was making hilarious sounds as Dead End groaned. “Also… ‘I love you too, Dead End’, kiss-kiss! BWAHAHA!”

“I hate this.”