Soundwave's Quarters, the Nemesis.

(Cecilia's POV)

I ran to the familiar door and slammed my hand on the scanner that Knockout installed for me to grant me access to Soundwave's room. The human-sized door slid open and I rushed in immediately.

"Fraggit." I hissed as I looked around the room.

It was messy, Soundwave's personal belongings fell onto the floor. Datapads, holopads, figurines, Ravage's huge yarn ball I asked Soundwave to buy, stylus', the twins' game console, my bed. But I can't find Ratbat anywhere. I climbed up onto Soundwave's berth, Ratbat likes to take naps here so he would probably be around this place.

"Ratbat!" I shouted.

Miko stopped behind me and looked around. Is she actually helping me?

"No worries CC! I'll help." She said with a smile.

I smiled back at her gratefully and the both of us ran around in the room, looking underneath the berth, desk, fallen datapads, debris.

After a few minutes, the ship began to shake once more, a bit more violently this time.

We held onto each other for support.

"We need to find Ratbat. Fast." I gasped when the gradually shaking stopped.

"Gotcha CC. I'll look over there and you'll-"

A loud alarming squeak that came from the other side of the room startled us both. We looked at each other wide comically wide eyes and went in that direction.

I cupped my hands around my mouth and shouted, "Ratbat!"

A few shaky squeaks and chirps answered me back.

We dug around a pile of debris and finally found him. He was curled up into a small ball, wings around his trembling body. Once he saw me, he flapped his wings and clung to the front of my shirt tightly.

Big sis, where Sire and bwothers?

"I... I don't know. But we'll find them."

I gently hugged him back and let out a relieved exhale.

Was scared.

"It's okay buddy. I got you."

Who other squishy femme?

I glanced at Miko, who was looking at me and Ratbat with a huge grin on her face. She met my eyes and she winked.

"She's... My friend." I said.

Ratbat wriggled in my hold to perch on my shoulder, wings holding onto the side of my head for balance. He chirped happily.

"Alright," I said. "Now, we have to get off the ship."

Miko nodded and followed me out of the room and into the vent once more.

"Where do we go now?" She asks.

I looked at her with one of my eyebrows raised.

"Didn't you go with the Autobots?" I asked. "That's how you got on the ship."

She chuckled nervously but her step never faltered. "Umm... I didn't tell anyone I went here remember? And I don't even know where everyone is. Even if I do now where they are, I... Don't want to get banned from the base again."

Again? Primus, this girl sure is a troublemaker.

I shook my head. I guess she has to follow me out then. When we got out of the vent, we arrived in the Command Centre. I winced at all the damage I see. Wires, sparks, and... Energon? Sure looks like the battle had been here.

The ship shakes once more. I held on to Ratbat and make sure he's secure on my shoulder before gesturing to Miko to follow me up one of the consoles.

I climbed up with little difficulty and jumped on the buttons to enter the coordinates and opened a space bridge. I tugged on the large lever to activate it but it won't move. It's too heavy for me to do it alone.

"Miko, please help," I said to her.

She stood beside me and grabbed hold of the lever. Then we both pulled down the lever and watched as a spark start to form on the platform. It flickered weakly, colors and lights flashing to life. Then it formed into the normal portal I used to see.

"Let's go, we need to find the others."

- - -

Jasper Highschool. Jasper, Nevada.

"Whoa!" Miko stumbled out of the spacebridge. I hoisted her upright and glanced around. The portal took us to the alley behind the only high school in Jasper.

Ratbat gave a squeak as he looked at the new surroundings.

Suddenly, a loud thunderous explosion startled us. Then all became chaos. Pieces of metal started to fall from the sky. Miko gasped and shook my shoulders as she pointed at something in the sky.

I followed her finger and I let out my own gasp. But mine sounds more terrified than awe.

The silhouette of the Nemesis could be seen from the roads of Jasper. Soon, the warship came to view. No one could miss a sight like this. The large ship parted through the clouds as a heavy trail of black smoke followed behind it. It fell from the sky, slowly.

When it finally crashed down to earth, another explosion rang out, along with a larger burst of smoke. The ground shook for a few minutes then all became silent once more. I held back my emotions, I won't show my weakness while Miko is here. And I need to stay strong for Ratbat.

Ravage... The twins... Buzzsaw... Laserbeak...

Soundwave.

I inhaled sharply. Soundwave was the only mech on the ship that I could freely talk to. He acts like a father/older brother to me. When he accepts me into his small family with Laserbeak and the others, I felt happy.

My past wasn't a happy one. But that's for another time. I need to focus on what's happening now.

The Autobots really did manage to bring the ship down. They must have captured the Decepticons as well. Or maybe some of them managed to escape? Or they deactivated them on the spot...

H-home gone?

I felt Ratbat tremble against my neck and I quickly placed him in my arms and under my chin so he would stop looking. He buried his face into the neck of my short-sleeved turtleneck and let out a few chirps. I felt his claws dig into my shoulders but I could care less. Rubbing my fingers gently along his back, I silently thought to myself. I can't even compare my feelings to what Ratbat is feeling right now.

Want Sire to come back. And big bwothers.

He lived there since the day he was created. Soundwave made him over a few years ago. But Cybertronians age slower than humans. He's literally a baby. All his memories were made there. The Nemesis was his only home. Ratbat wasn't alive yet when they escaped from Cybertron.

The Nemesis was his home.

Our home.

"Hey. Cecilia." Miko said quietly. I turned my head from the devastating view to look at her.

She rubbed her arm. She looks guilty.

"I'm really sorry. Even though you were with the Decepticons. But that was your home."

I gave her a tight smile in response and said nothing.

We stood in silence. Standing there while watching the smoke rise up to the clouds and the sounds of alarms and sirens pierced through the air. A few helicopters flew by, along with a large plane.

Suddenly, my necklace gave a bright glow I moved Ratbat away from the gem as I felt it heat up. Then it all disappeared in a few seconds.

"Miko! There you are!" A voice I don't recognize called.

Both of us turned to the source of the voice. Miko visibly paled while I narrowed my eyes on the large figure approaching us.

It was a Cybertronian. I didn't recognize him.

"We knew this was going to happen! But I can't believe you disobeyed Optimus' direct order to not follow us through!" The green mech started.

"W-well I-"

"This was a highly dangerous mission, Miko! What if you got hurt? Or worse? I don't even want to start thinking about worse!"

Miko gave a nervous laugh and fiddled with her fingers as she lifted her head up to look at the mech.

The large green mech with friendly blue eyes stared at her with what could possibly be the Cybertronian version of 'resting glitch' face. Then he seems to finally notice me next to Miko. I tensed up and held Ratbat tighter as he turned to look at me.

Miko pulled my shirt until I stood close beside her as she gave a smile at Bulkhead.

"I can explain. I swear."

This is going to be one hell of an explanation.