Decepticon Warship: Nemesis, 14 miles off the coast of Alaska
4:13 AM, December 24th 2019

Starscream watched as the Stars Trine giggled in the corner of the room, grouped together like the young cluster of sparklings they were. Behind him, Soundwave, Megatroid and Megatron stood on the catwalk, whispering amongst each other. Naught but two cycles ago Soundwave picked up a stray Decepticon signal flying over the Arctic Circle. At first, Starscream was quite hesitant to say anything, he had nothing but bad memories of that place - what with nearly losing both Skyfire and Megatron in the area just a few million years apart. The last thing the Air Commander wanted to do was send out a patrol to survey the area, especially in weather such as this. Snow storms were quite common this time of year and the weather was no doubt in a hazardous condition. Still, Soundwave was adamant that they should at least try to check out what the signal was and where it was coming from. If it was maybe one of theirs and if it had been a distress signal of some sort. The Stars Trine were awake because as soon as Soundwave raised the alarm concerning an airborne Decepticon signal flying over the Arctic, Starscream had flown into a panic and ordered all Seekers to be awake and in the Under Deck as soon as possible. They had all been accounted for, which helped ease his spark, yet now he had to send out a patrol to go looking for that signal and that was the new cause for his current anxiety.

Standing in the shadows of the Throne Room were Whirlwind, Skywarp, Thundercracker and Skyfire. All former Lieutenants at his beck and call, all ready to rise to Megatron's call. But Starscream refused.

"Starscream," the Air Commander's grey wings perked up hearing the low growl from behind him. He turned and glared slightly up at his leader, already knowing what the order was. "Send out a patrol to go find that signal -"

"I cannot," Starscream shook his helm, fear prickling his backstrut as he noticed Megatron narrow his red optics at him. "The weather is too unstable." He tried to explain as neutrally as he could. "A blizzard could sweep in and take any flyer I send out, including Skyfire."

Starscream could feel his former partner stiffen at that mention. His red optics narrowed in the shuttle's direction, prompting him to remain quiet. It didn't matter how many years of experience Skyfire had under his belt now, that memory forever haunted Starscream and Skyfire was the last person he'd risk losing again in this way.

"We could go!" Starsinger squeaked from where her group stood, huddling together with wide and curious optics. "We're like a whole patrol of four all on our own!"

Sonic Boom was the next to eagerly add as he nodded. "Yeah! You won't lose any of us if there are four of us going!"

"I've been out before, I'm good at flying!" Skylight stated with a twinkle in their optics.

That earned a chuckle from Whirlwind which served to irritate Starscream even more as his right wing tip twitched in annoyance. Starscream vented quietly as his gaze remained on Megatron, examining how his ruler surveyed his forces one by one.

"No," Starscream quietly stated, refusing to look at the Seekers he helped build.

"Starscream is right," Megatroid's voice was next to be heard as he stood tall beside his Creator on the platform. "The weather is too unstable at this time to go anywhere near the Arctic. We could risk losing a whole patrol if we send them out."

"And what would you suggest we do?" Megatron hissed quietly, the words intended for Megatroid but his gaze burned through Starscream.

Megatroid was quiet for a moment before he glanced out over the elder Seekers, the more experienced. "We could wait until daylight. With proper vision, we could send out Skylight and Skyfire for a quick flyover observation. If they find anything, they'll report it back. Starscream, Soulscream, Whirlwind, Skywarp and Thundercracker should go to retrieve what - who - ever it may be. Unless it's a trap, then I suggest we send in Sonic Boom and Thundercracker after the main party."

Starscream's brow ridge twitched as he heard Starsinger's quiet pout from the shadows. "Aw, I'm not going?"

"You're too small," he heard Soulscream inform her sister. "The winds will be too brutal for you so close to the shoreline. Stay here and monitor with Soundwave."

"It'll be fun!" Skylight tried to cheer her up but Starscream knew it was in vain. Separating the Stars Trine once again just seemed to have become a normal reality recently.

"Have we tried establishing a communication with the signal?" Skywarp stepped forward, tilting his helm up at the three as he raised his vocals to be heard from the crowd.

Megatron lifted a brow ridge as he glanced over at Soundwave.

"Negative," Megatroid spoke for him. "There's interference regarding the weather. We're unsure if it's a ship or a lone con."

"Someone needs to investigate," Thundercracker spoke, Whirlwind standing beside him as she nodded in agreement.

Starscream's wing tips drooped ever so slightly; now having his servo forced in the matter. He hung his helm slightly as his optics searched for any strategy or plans he could come up with.

"I'll go," Skyfire stepped forward, bravely staring up at Megatron. "I've been to the Arctic before. Whoever is there is going to need urgent help, now, before we lose them beneath the ice."

Skyfire paused to glance over at Starscream, they both knew what it felt like to be trapped with the ice and completely hopeless.

"I'll take Thundercracker with me," Skyfire tried to ease his ex-partner's worries with a small smile.

"Nuh-uh," Whirlwind shook her helm, servos placed on her hips. "I'm the best flyer in the entire Decepticon army. Navigating those winds will be easy, Thundercracker doesn't have much experience in cold weather. I'll go, and I'll bring Skywarp with us just in case something does happen. He can teleport us all back."

"What's wrong with the Ground Bridge system?" Soulscream lifted her helm to boldly ask.

Megatroid's optics seized her before he spoke. "Soundwave feels as if it's too risky. We're sending in Seekers because our GAT can't drive on the ice, and we don't know where exactly the signal went - ocean or land. We can Ground Bridge you in but the blizzard might interfere in finding your coordinates, you'll have to fly back."

"Sounds easy to me," Whirlwind muttered as she glanced over to Skywarp.

"Alright, let's go." The purple and black jet nodded. "'Scream, you comin' with us?"

The trio glanced over at the Air Commander who had his backstrut turned to them. Starscream never faltered in his glaring at Megatron who was staring quietly back down at him. "No," the Air Commander slowly shook his helm. If it weren't for Megatron, none of them would be going, and having to relive a very horrid memory regarding Skyfire, Starscream wanted no part in this mission.

"Alright," Skywarp activated his thrusters to hover in the air as the Ground Bridge opened up. He watched as Whirlwind gently held Skyfire's massive servo in her tiny one, pulling him away from the crowd and through the Ground Bridge. It closed once they were gone. Starscream then turned on his heel and marched out of the room, holding his helm up high despite the fear engulfing his spark. Thundercracker stared after him, wondering if he should follow.

Up on the platform, Megatroid turned his helm to look at Soundwave. "Keep them in your sights, the nano-cycle they go off-grid, contact everycon."

Soundwave nodded and quietly returned to the control panel. Megatroid then glanced at his Creator with a hesitant look.

"It's not like Starscream to turn down an opportunity to find a missing comrade," Megatron mumbled quietly between them.

"He was frightened," the black and silver mech quietly stated - he could see it clear as day.

"Mm," Megatron narrowed his red optics in thought, servos clasped together behind his backstrut.

"Do you know why?" The younger pressed but only received a small shake 'no' in response.

......................................................................................................................

Northern Canada, 183 miles inland.
4:25 AM, December 24th 2019

Whirlwind's wings spiked as her entire frame seized at the sudden blast of cold air once she stepped out of the Groundbridge. She couldn't help but quickly hug herself as her frame shivered from the shock drop in temperature.

"Oh..." Her red optics were wide as she gritted her denta and scanned the frozen plains expanding before them. Behind her, Skyfire walked out and glanced around before he heard her shivering. He bent slightly to gently grab one of her arms and open the panel lying beneath.

"There's this small trick I learned since the last time I was here," he began to explain as he carefully thumbed down her sensor dial. "Turning off your sensors won't save you from the cold, however, it does make you immune for a short time."

"Wait," Skywarp frowned as he flew out of the Ground Bridge next. "Is turning off your sensors a good idea out here?"

"If you don't want to feel the cold, yes." Skyfire turned to nod at him after closing the panel on Whirlwind's arm.

Her frame eased slightly as it became numb and her wings drooped down into a dopey-relaxed, state.

"But she can't transform or feel anything." Skywarp panicked as he gestured to their friend.

"She'll be fine," Skyfire narrowed a glare at him. "It's just for a short while. I'll turn them back on if there's any danger or when we need to head back."

He then opened his own panel and lowered the dial, venting with relief as his frame went inactive and the cold ceased to bite at him. Skywarp seemed wary, however, he eventually opened his panel and did the same. He hovered to the ground and scanned their surroundings. "Alright, which way is it?"

"To the South-East," Skyfire stated as he pulled out his scanner. "Forty-two kilometres that way. Stay close and stay behind me, shout if something's wrong."

"Yes sir," Skywarp gave a lazy salute as he walked beside Whirlwind.

......................................................................................................................

Decepticon Warship: Nemesis, 14 miles off the coast of Alaska
6:37 AM, December 24th 2019

Starsinger smiled as she hugged her kneestruts to her chassis, her amber optics were sparkling as her Trine-mates sat in their shared quarters, all huddled around the strange device Soundwave had set up for them. They had only just figured out how to properly work it a few weeks ago and already it was becoming Starsinger's favourite activity in her downtime.

Skylight usually joined them during their downtime and was quite happy to spend time with their Trine - as a whole. Sonic Boom was seated beside Starsinger, staring happily at the TV screen while Skylight nodded as Starsinger explained what the film was about and how it was made. She'd seen "Santa Paws" at least 67 times and knew enough about it to brag. Behind them, however, Soulscream was pacing back and forth with a dark look on her face plates.

The eldest of their trine was muttering darkly to herself with a scowl. Her wingtips twitched when she heard that stupid, white puppy bark again and she paused. She glared at her siblings' backstruts before she finally snapped.

"We should be out there!" She shrieked suddenly which caused the others to wince and servos to rush to their audials to lower the volume roaming.

Sonic Boom was the first to turn around as he stared up at her expectantly.

"It's not fair!" Soulscream hissed as she twitched in anger. "We should be out there in the snow! Finding this lost comrade of ours! I mean, what if they're in danger?"

"Wouldn't it be cool if we brought them back?" Skylight piped up with an excited look on their face plates. "Megatron could reward us!"

"Starscream would love us!" Starsinger beamed, not daring to turn around and witness the heated look her sister had.

"Forget Starscream," Soulscream scowled and shook her helm. "He's not important. Today should be about us! We've learnt how to fly, everycon trusts Skylight enough to go on patrol with the bigger jets."

She pointed a digit at them before Starsinger finally craned her helm so she was squinting back at her sister. "Can I come?"

"Nuh-uh," Sonic Boom shook his helm as he swiftly interrupted their leader. "Screamy was right, the wind'll be too strong for you."

"That and Megatroid said everycon but you would be just fine out there," Skylight nodded.

"If we lose you, you'll just slow us down by wasting more time trying to relocate you." Soulscream huffed as she crossed her arms and looked down at her sister.

Starsinger's amber optics dimmed as her wing tips drooped but she reluctantly gave a submissive nod. "Ok."

"You can stay here with Soundwave," Sonic Boom began.

"No!" Soulscream held up a servo as a wicked smirk blossomed onto her face plates. "I have an even better idea."

......................................................................................................................

Decepticon Warship: Nemesis, 14 miles off the coast of Alaska
20:14 PM, December 24th 2019

Starsinger checked that the television was off before she ran to the door of their shared quarters as Skylight switched off the lights. Ahead of her, Sonic Boom and Soulscream were peering around the corner of the hallway just up ahead.

"C'mon!" The purple and black jet hissed over her shoulder at them.

"My favourite scene was on!" Starsinger hurried to join by their side where she was hushed by her big brother.

All four of the young Seekers waited patiently until the patrol had passed before Soulscream took the lead and led them right back to the Throne Room where the controls for the Groundbridges were. Skylight was at the back of the pack, constantly peering over their shoulder plates to check for any unwanted optics.

"You know Soundwave can see everything, right?" Starsinger popped up behind her sister, grinning over her shoulder. "There's no point in hiding from him."

"Will you shut it?" Soulscream hissed as they crept closer, an annoyed look on her face plates as her wingstruts spiked upward. "I know he sees and hears everything -"

"Including our thoughts," Starsinger reminded as she tapped a digit against the temple of her helm. "So what difference does it make if I'm talking or thinking about this?"

"Wait," Sonic Boom paused slightly with a frown. "Does this mean he can hear our bond?"

"Well he did build us," Skylight shrugged as they monitored the hallway behind them. "So probably."

"Look, let's just not worry about Soundwave for now, alright?" Soulscream huffed as the Throne Room's door entrance came into view. "He can try to stop us all he wants but we've got Starsinger to keep him distracted."

The purple jet turned to smirk down at her sister who gave a timid thumbs up as she grimaced. "I'll... Try my best."

All four of the Stars Trine managed to reach the door and soon broke their way into the Throne Room. Hiding in the shadows, Soulscream protectively fanned out one of her arms to group her siblings together as she squinted up at the catwalk. With no sign of Megatron or his clone, she then scanned the controls by the large window.

"No one's in here," Sonic Boom mumbled as they all stood in the now empty, large room.

"That's weird," Starsinger frowned.

"It looks so big without everycon in here," Skylight added as they gazed around with wide, blank optics.

"This is perfect!" Soulscream smirked as she released her siblings and hurried over to the control panel that Soundwave had occupied earlier. "If they're gone, that means that they're either in stasis or busy. Star, come help me with this."

The narrow, grey jet nodded as she swiftly came to stand beside her sister.

"Which buttons do I press to get the Groundbridge up and running?" Soulscream turned to size her up as her servos paused in their pursuit.

"Uh," Starsinger blinked before she reset her voice box and went on to explain how a Groundbridge worked. "You need to lock onto some coordinates first - preferably a non-moving target, above sea level, on the ground. Once you've picked your coordinates, you enter it into this system here on the monitor and we check the weather-"

"Look I don't need to worry about what the weatherbot says every morning," Soulscream huffed as she placed one servo on her hipstrut. "We need to get down there, find this 'con, and be teleported back. Do you think you can do all of that?"

Starsinger felt a swirl in her fuel tanks but she gave a brave nod. "Of course."

"You got this," Soulscream's face plates softened as she gently placed a servo on her little sister's shoulder. "You'll be doing the easy job. It's us that'll have to deal with the cold."

She smiled as she gestured to the other jets, the bigger jets, of their trine. Starsinger's optics lost their sparkle as that anxious feeling soon returned to hassle her networks. "Y-yeah..."

"Just stay in contact with us through our trine bond and beam us back if there's any trouble," Soulscream instructed. "We'll be fine!"

"If you say so," the grey jet frowned, watching as her siblings stood by the Groundbridge portal. She fixed the coordinates to match the previous location where Skyfire's patrol had gone and gently pulled the lever down. She turned and watched with a heavy spark as her siblings clicked in glee and flew through the portal.

When they were gone, the green light vanished and Starsinger was left alone in the Throne Room. The eerie quiet soon gnawed at her wings as she gazed about in the darkness.

"I should've brought the TV in here." She muttered to herself, but seeing how she was far too paranoid to stray from the Groundbridge controls, she settled on going back over her clicks and rehearsing them in the meantime.

......................................................................................................................

Northern Canada, 183 miles inland.
21:36 PM, December 24th 2019

"We've been searching for over an hour," Sonic Boom began to complain as the chill winds picked up and roared at them loudly. There were flecks of ice beginning to chip at his thick armour, however, he ignored it. He squinted up at the sky, watching as Soulscream hovered about in her bipedal mode.

"I know," she sounded annoyed, yet they could barely hear her voice from on the ground. "But we'll find them soon."

"Who are we looking for?" Skylight huffed from where they stood shivering beside their brother. "Santa Claus?"

"I thought his name was Santa Paws?" Sonic Boom raised a brow ridge at them, watching as Skylight rolled their purple optics.

"No, that's the name of his dog, idiot."

"Oh."

The sun had set hours ago and temperatures were beyond freezing. The wind continued to howl consistently, ice being thrown this way and that. The snow underped felt strange - soft at first until one sunk through and was trapped in an icy tomb. There were no signs of life, no trees, no buildings, only rocks and ice and far off in the distance, even mountains. But the blizzard had obscured their view the moment they had arrived, so the Stars Trine were forced to walk on ped instead of fly. Skylight warned them that flying in this weather would leave them vulnerable to the elements and take them astray by the strong winds.

"I'm going to be right back," Soulscream hovered just a little above them - seemingly unphased by the sheer power of the weather. "Scream if it's important."

"Wait!" Skylight perked up and watched with a fearful expression as their sister transformed and took off into the heavy, grey clouds towards the Eastern horizon. The two remaining jets squinted as best as they could to see the distant twinkle of her thrusters until it eventually vanished from sight.

"Now what?" Skylight huffed, glancing around as the two huddled together to keep their systems warm.

"Uh," Sonic Boom blinked, unsure of the situation they had landed themselves in.

"Is she crazy?"

......................................................................................................................

Northern Canada, 183 miles inland.
16:52 PM, December 24th 2019

After twelve hours of searching the Arctic, Skyfire's patrol had finally stumbled across the wreckage of the stray Decepticon signal. Whirlwind's legs had frozen up five hours earlier so Skywarp had offered to stay with her while she recovered. In the meantime, Skyfire had continued on alone. Though not entirely. He'd been getting constant pings on his HUD from Starscream and Soundwave checking in on him. His spark felt tight and icy whenever he felt Starscream reaching out for him. Skyfire had to halt his trek a few times and focus on settling his spark. They hadn't really used their bond in a while so Starscream's ghastly presence on him was uncomfortable. Not unwelcomed, but not pleasant either.

Skyfire had urged Starscream to send him nice things, to be less timid, so Skyfire's spark felt warm. This, of course, hadn't worked. Starscream had only panicked and caused Skyfire's circuits to seize temporarily as he froze up at Starscream's questioning. Push came to shove when Skyfire told him to back off and just let him do his job.

He hadn't heard from Starscream in six hours and forty-eight minutes. Despite the worried feeling in his fuel tanks, Skyfire pressed on and tried to push his former friend out of his processor. He was thankful that Starscream was worried and didn't feel all that intimidated to commune with him, however, it was a struggle to keep going while fighting the tightness in his chassis and squint against the icy winds that frosted his outer armour. He blinked his optics once more as yet another breeze threatened to frost them.

Skyfire came to a swift halt as he felt a dip in the earth and glanced down to find himself at the edge of a snow-covered ravine.

"Odd," he mumbled to himself, his lip plates frozen and his glossa feeling heavy. Yet despite his exhausted state, he looked curiously at the spacecraft lying in shambles just below - no doubt having crash-landed in the ravine.

He swirled his glossa and licked his lip plates to soften his clicks as he tapped his comms unit and reported to Skywarp first - giving the Decepticon his coordinates so he and Whirlwind could catch up via teleporting. Then he closed his optics and placed a gentle servo over his chassis where his spark chamber lay just beneath.

Starscream was in recharge so the shuttle thought it best to gently wake him to report.

Star, Skyfire found himself reaching through the darkness to gently cup the Seeker's face plates. Star.

Are you alive? Starscream's spark sprang to life as the Seeker slowly came back online. Please tell me you're alive.

I am. Skyfire couldn't help the smirk on his face plates. He soon lost it however as he felt a pang of cold sadness wash over him. He fought through the heavy waters to cling to Starscream yet again. I'm here. I found the ship. I'm sending you the coordinates.

Are the others alright?

Yes, Skyfire nodded with his still frame, projecting himself inside Starscream's processor to show him. Whirlwind's legs are frozen but Skywarp stayed with her. They're on their way now. Channels indicate that the weather is only going to get worse.

Come home then, Starscream vented as he tried to relax back into his pod. Don't stay out there.

But the ship isn't far. Skyfire reopened his optics to gaze at it, projecting what he saw so Starscream could see.

It's a mercenary ship. Starscream informed, his own crimson optics opened yet they weren't seeing the inside of his stasis pod. If there are any survivors, they'd be smart enough to stay inside.

Unless something has gone wrong. Skyfire pressed.

You're cold, Starscream narrowed his optics. Come back. Come lie with me.

You'll get cold, Skyfire smiled. We can't have that.

He felt Starscream vent heavily before the connection eventually faded and with one final pull, the Seeker melted from his grasp with; Stay alert.

With the connection now gone, an empty coldness soon returned to Skyfire's spark. He vented as he stared down at the ship in the ravine. He didn't have long to contemplate that feeling, however, as he heard the air crackle with electricity before Skywarp popped into existence, carrying Whirlwind. He smiled as she waved at him before Skywarp gently set her down.

"Legs are still frozen?" Skyfire frowned.

"No," the blue, lithe jet shook her helm. "Just numb."

"I used my thrusters like you instructed," Skywarp stated as he looked over the femme. "It seemed to work."

"Naturally," Skyfire waved it off. "But now our energon levels are running low."

"Do you think they'll have some inside?" Whirlwind nodded down to the ship.

"If they do, I doubt they'd be willing to share," Skywarp huffed, placing his servos on his thin hipstruts.

"Skywarp is right, that's a mercenary ship," Skyfire informed them.

Whirlwind huffed. "And we came to rescue them so are we sure they wouldn't share?"

"Only one way to find out." Skywarp glanced at the shuttle. "I can go down there, I feel fine. You look tired."

Skyfire nodded solemnly. "I am a little... Tired, but you need to stay here and safeguard Whirlwind."

"I'll be alright!" The blue jet huffed defensively. "Send Skywarp down, he's more likely to escape from an ambush."

Skyfire hummed disapprovingly as he thought of that possibility. "It seems like everycon's paranoid nowadays with this stupid war." He mumbled but the wind caught it and Skywarp smirked at him.

"Tell me about it."

......................................................................................................................

Northern Canada, 183 miles inland.
21:54 PM, December 24th 2019

"Do you think she's dead?" Skylight asked as they followed behind Sonic Boom who had taken up the lead. They were trailing after Soulscream on ped, heading East. But after what had felt like forever, Skylight couldn't stand the anxiety and had begun to babble to help relieve the tension they felt in their spark. "What if she left us?"

"What do you mean?" The wind caught Sonic Boom's voice and let it whip to Skylight's audials. He halted to turn and face his sibling suspiciously.

"Like abandoned." Skylight paused as they gestured. "She left us and now we're going to die all alone out here."

"You're not alone," Sonic Boom chirped, narrowing his blue optics at Skylight. "We have each other."

"But like..." Skylight began to panic as they twitched and moved their arms sporadically. "No one else knows that we're out here. No one else can reach or contact us! She abandoned us, Boom!"

"No she didn't," the black and silver jet frowned. "She said that she would be right back!"

"Yeah," Skylight blinked as lubricant began forming in their optics. "But what if that was a lie? What if she lied?"

"To us?" Sonic Boom blinked frost away from his optics before raising a brow ridge.

"Yes!" Skylight nodded and began to break down. "She's just like Starscream! Don't pretend that you don't know it!" Skylight's voice screamed to the wind as they pointed a harsh digit at Sonic Boom.
"If he could, Starscream would leave us! Just like he left Skyfire and the Decepticons."

Sonic Boom stayed quiet, carefully watching as Skylight broke down into an anxiety attack.

"And now Soulscream has left us! She's not coming back! Well..." They sniffed. "She might, she might go back to the Decepticons but she's not going back with us. She brought us out here to kill us!"

"How so?" Sonic Boom asked with a hint of confusion.

"She's going to leave us out here to freeze or rust where no one will find us and then she's going to trick Star and kill her when she gets back and for what? So she can lead the Decepticons!?"

Skylight watched as Sonic Boom looked away, trying to process the information - the accusations regarding their leader - their sister - and what path they should follow if she were to deceive and abandon them.

"We should have never, ever, trusted her!" Skylight sniffed as they turned away and began screaming and stomping the ground. "We should've just stayed at home! Kept watching those stupid movies and not worry about anything!"

"Warriors don't sit around watching films all day," Sonic Boom frowned as he tried to jump to his sister's defence. "We're just being tested."

"This is a test!?" Skylight shot back up with an angry and flustered look. "Is being stranded out in the open just waiting to die a test to you!?"

Sonic Boom quietly held his sibling's gaze but said nothing more. Skylight winced back and continued to weep, shaking their helm as they apologised. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry..."

Sonic Boom glanced down at the snow-covered ground - lost in thought as he tried to carefully choose his next words. "Starscream's not gonna leave us. He loves us, Sky, all of us. Even if... Sometimes he... Doesn't know how to show it. And Soulscream would never leave us! She's nothing like dad -" Sonic Boom winced as he said the word. He was trying his best to step up and be in a family role, even when that family was seemingly falling apart. "Starscream is fine, Soulscream is fine, we're gonna be fine."

"No, we're not!" Skylight groaned as they tried to wipe their face plates clean. "We're not..."

"We are," Sonic Boom nodded as he took a step forward. "Starsinger won't let anything bad happen to us. If we're in trouble, she'll get help. And Soulscream is the bravest warrior I know, she's not ever going to give up on finding a way out if we're ever lost. We're gonna be ok, Sky. Everything's going to be fine because we're still here. We're still together. As long as we're all together we're all going to be ok!"

"But we're not," Skylight shook their helm. "I don't know where they are, i-if they're even safe!"

"Ask them," Sonic Boom frowned as he stood beside Skylight, looking at them as he placed a servo over his chassis. "Any time you feel scared, just reach out and ask them where they are."

That seemed to calm Skylight for a moment as they sniffed and gently placed a servo over their chassis where their spark chamber lay beneath. They warily glanced up at Sonic Boom. "We haven't... We don't know how to properly do this yet."

"That's alright," Sonic Boom shrugged. "We won't have to." He smiled as he heard the screeching of an F-35 jet engine rapidly drawing closer.

Upon hearing it, Skylight glanced up at the sky and watched with wide, wet optics as their sister transformed and landed on the ground just a few meters from them. She narrowed her ruby, red optics at the pair in annoyance.

"Where did you two go? I said that I was coming right back and you weren't there!" She huffed with one servo on her hipstrut.

"SOULSCREAM!" Skylight shrieked and happily bounded over to embrace her. The purple jet grunted as she was crushed by them before she chuckled and gently hugged them back. "You came back! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you."

"H-hey!" Soulscream grunted as she tried to keep her balance. "What's gotten into them?" She asked as Sonic Boom neared, looking up at him.

"We were just worried."

"Yeah," Soulscream blinked frost from her optics as she carefully pried Skylight off of her frame. "So was I. You dorks, next time I tell you to stay somewhere, you stay put. Got it?"

"Ok," Skylight nodded as they sniffed.

"Good, now," the purple jet turned to show off her dazzling smile. "You'll never believe what I found."

......................................................................................................................

Northern Canada, 183 miles inland - the crash site.
18:02 PM, December 24th 2019

Skyfire turned his helm to glance at the setting sun along the horizon. The blizzard had stilled for a brief moment to allow the golden rays to wash over them.

"It's beautiful," Whirlwind muttered softly before she grunted and using the shuttle as a support, managed to pull herself back up to her peds once more.

"It is," Skyfire nodded, gazing at it before he turned and swiftly caught Whirlwind, helping her to stand beside him. "A shame that we didn't get to see it the last time that we were here."

Whirlwind chuckled, thankful that Skyfire's large servos were keeping her safe from the cold for a brief moment. "You'll never understand how much Starscream loves you."

The white shuttle narrowed his blue optics down at the snow as she said that. "Loved. Whirlwind."

The blue jet narrowed her red optics as he said that and bit her lower lip plating in thought. "I'm not sure... I think there's still some part of him that's too scared to let you go."

"And you would call that love?" He gently asked her, looking down on her while still keeping a hold of her so she was sheltered by his larger frame.

"I wouldn't call it 'obsession' either." She huffed. "I've never had the best examples of a relationship."

"Thundercracker seems to take quite the liking of you." Skyfire teased.

"Heh," Whirlwind barked out a sharp laugh and shook her helm. "Don't take this the wrong way but there are days where I wish he hadn't saved me."

"Don't act so lowly, Whirlwind." Skyfire scolded. "It was an honourable thing to do - stepping in to save you from that crazed Autobot."
Skyfire's wingstruts spiked as he hissed, the memory of that certain Autobot was met with scornful loathing.

"I used to love that crazed Autobot," Whirlwind quietly reminded him with a sharp look.

"And do you still love him?" Skyfire raised a judging brow ridge at her.

"No," Whirlwind's grip tightened along his arms as she frowned angrily. "Never again will I ever trust any Autobot the way I trusted him."

Skyfire nodded in understanding. "So what of Thundercracker?"

Whirlwind's wings spiked. "Do not forget the horrible acts of murder he committed, brother. Savior or not, he still has blood on his servos."

"Which no doubt he's trying his best to make up for?"

Whirlwind's frame eased with a vent as she looked away and did not continue the conversation. Feeling guilty over the silence, Skyfire glanced back at the setting sun as he asked.

"About Starscream," he reset his voice box warily. "What did he look like while I was out?"

"I still remember all those years ago," Whirlwind's face adopted a distant look. "I've never seen him so scared. He was going to stay here with you, keep flying around in search of you - he didn't care if his systems failed or went offline. All he wanted was to bring you back home."

"And he did," Skyfire nodded. "The story has a happy ending."

Whirlwind shrugged. "Remember the time he first collapsed and you had that huge fight over it?"

Skyfire frowned as his wings drooped a little at the memory. "Yes."

"You said he woke up a different person." Whirlwind's optics became watery as she replayed that memory in her processor. "There are times when Starscream feels, or looks, like a different person."

Skyfire glanced down at her, gently stroking her cheek in comfort with his thumb. "Yes, but he's still our Little Star. No matter how much time passes, we'll always have them in our sparks."

Whirlwind gently pressed against Skyfire as the sun dipped below the horizon and vanished from view. Its fading rays bled out into the sky as darkness rapidly approached.

......................................................................................................................

Northern Canada, 183 miles inland - the crash site.
18:05 PM, December 24th 2019

Skywarp carefully slid down the side of the snowy ravine and brought his servos up out in front of him as hisnull rays whirred to life. His face plates hardened as he heard Whirlwind grunt from atop the ridge and the two converse. He crept forward, rounding the side of the fallen ship as his wings spiked out behind him defensively.

He spotted the signature mercenary symbol on the side - scratched out by the flames. The fire had long since died, yet its ash and soot remained. As well as a large swath of black along the side of the ship. Upon a closer look and sizing it up, Skywarp realised that this ship was a large escape pod. It was meant to be part of something bigger. He paused as he glanced up at the sky but frowned as the heavy snow clouds blocked his vision of the stars. Skyfire noticed this odd behaviour and called out to him.

"Everything alright?" Skywarp could just hear Skyfire's accent drifting down the ravine to reach him.

The purple and black jet nodded as he glanced up at the shuttle's frown. "It's an escape pod." He shouted above the winds. "It caught fire."

"Check for survivors!" Whirlwind leaned over the edge and cupped her servos to shout down at him.

Skywarp tilted one of his servos to give her a thumbs up as he smiled before he turned and began to hover in the air as he circled the rest of the ship. He narrowed his red optics as he found a door panel and carefully placed a servo against it. He jerked his helm back as a forcefield suddenly sprang up to shield the door panel from his touch and rounded around to aim one of his null rays at a camera head that had popped up to squint at him rudely.

"Decepticon!" Skywarp timidly explained as he held up his servos in surrender. "Decepticon Dispatch and Rescue squad, designations; Whirlwind of Vos, Skyfire of Vos, and Skywarp of Praxus. We follow Lord Megatron aboard the Nemesis warship, requesting inside access to aid comrades."

The camera stared at him for a moment, its gears buzzing before it blinked and the forcefield faded away. The door slid back with a hiss and soon opened to reveal darkness.

Skywarp glanced back up at the ridge where Whirlwind and Skyfire were watching him carefully. The purple jet in-vented sharply and pulled the air around him, getting ready to teleport away if need be.

"Skywarp?" The jet stiffened as he heard a familiar voice erupting cautiously from the darkness. "'Warp, is that really you?"

"Offroad?" The purple jet turned his helm back to size up the darkness and sure enough, there was his ally - a golden face plate with glowing, red optics. The white, green and black Groundbot chuckled as he stepped out of the darkness and smiled, raising his servos in greeting.

"Skywarp! It's Skywarp!" Offroad turned around to reassure the others hiding in the darkness behind him.

Skywarp glanced down, moving out of the way as he heard car engines starting, soon followed by a flicker of a few dozen headlights. Skywarp chuckled as the cars raced out into the snow, creating a flurry of ice that sprouted everywhere.

"Guys!" He threw up his servos to be heard by the others on the ridge. "We found 'em!"

The last to leave the ship was a large, black truck who transformed and towered over Skywarp, looking down at him. "You said that Lord Megatron was here?"

The jet nodded. "He's back at the Nemesis with the others."

"We'll have to contact Soundwave and Bridge us back," Offroad came to stand beside his leader.

"Uagh," the groan of pain caught their attention as it echoed down the ridge. Skywarp's red optics widened as he watched Skyfire double over and Whirlwind struggling to hold him up.

"Scrap," the jet then quickly teleported to help his colleagues before Blackjack rushed up to their aid.

"Sky?" Whirlwind's voice shook with fear as she examined the shuttle's face plates. "Skyfire?" She carefully shook one of his massive shoulders. "Tell me what's wrong."

"It's... Star... Scream." Skyfire dragged through gritted denta, his optics barely managing to stay open as an intense pain seized his spark.

Skywarp nodded and stepped back, closing his optics and placing a servo on his chassis as he reached out to his brother.

Stop!

I can't find them. Starscream sounded calm, but Skywarp could feel the tornado of panic looming towards him. I can't find them!

Find who? Skywarp frowned as he tried to brave the swirling, chaotic darkness. Take a breem, you're hurting Skyfire.

I don't care! Skywarp visibly flinched as Starscream's spark spiked his own; creating an absolutely dreadful and cold feeling to blossom over his entire frame. Where are they? Are they with you?

Who? Skywarp grunted as his neck cables began to freeze up and pain was etched onto his face plates.

My kids! Starscream's cry howled louder than the wind around them. I can't find them! He's taken them from me!

N-no one... Skywarp panted as he tried to withstand Starscream's intense emotions. No one has taken them from you!

I can't find them!

Let us go, Skywarp in-vented the cold air around them sharply; gasping as if he needed the air and was drowning. He gasped as a cold servo gripped his shoulder and he was suddenly ripped from his brother. He stared fearfully up at Motormix.

"What's wrong?" The leader of the Stunticons narrowed his amber optics down at the jet. "Is there an attack?"

Skywarp in-vented for air again as he shook his helm. "No... Missing Seekers."

"Were there more of you?" Makeshift asked once he finally reached the top of the ridge. His white optics carefully observing the situation before him.

"Yes," Skywarp nodded, then shook his helm. "N-no... Uh... There's more of us back on the ship but this is my entire patrol."

"We should let them rest inside 'til the storm passes," Roller glanced up at the large truck - their leader.

"Hmm," Motormix turned to glance over at the horizon that was now being engulfed in dark clouds. Skyfire groaned again as his tired legs nearly gave out. "Fair enough, we won't contact Soundwave and hassle the others until they find these Seekers. We have plenty of energon, we can stay here all night."

"Thank you," Whirlwind looked up at him with genuine gratitude from where she struggled to stand beneath Skyfire's weight.

Motormix offered to help Skyfire stand while Makeshift stood on the shuttle's other side. Offroad introduced himself to Whirlwind and seemed to be hitting it off with her pretty well as she chuckled when she nearly slipped and fell down the ridge.

"By Primus," she shook her helm as she giggled, catching onto the Stunticon for support. "If only Slipstream could see me now."

Offroad smiled, however, it soon faded away into a solemn frown. "We heard the news about High Lady Nightress." He watched as Whirlwind stiffened and chose his next words carefully. "We're very sorry for your loss."

"She was a fine warrior," Motormix called down from the ridge where he had overheard the conversation. "There is no finer Decepticon that could rival her gracefulness."

Whirlwind kept her helm bowed, wing tips twitching in silence as her numb peds did their best to traverse down to the ship. "I could've flown..."

"Your thrusters are in your peds, I doubt that." Blackjack huffed on her other side, ready to catch her at any moment. Though Offroad had remarked that she barely weighed anything.

Skywarp watched all of this unfold as he narrowed his optics in thought.

"He's still panicking," Skyfire hoarsely informed as the jet hovered beside him. "I can't get him to stop."

"Do you think Megatron might've actually done something?" Skywarp whispered, though Motormix caught it and gave him a sharp look.

"Are those two still at each other after all this time?"

Only silence answered him as they helped Skyfire inside the pod.

Once inside, the group sat and gossiped as the patrol refuelled.

"So what have we missed out on since Ethos?" Motormix asked as he took a seat on top of a few boxes.

"Ethos?" Skywarp raised a brow ridge. "I thought we split during Velocitron?"

"That was when we last saw Makeshift," Whirlwind piped up, glancing over at Skywarp with a nod. She sat in the corner with Blackjack and Offroad on either side to keep her warm as her wings remained defiant in the air.

"Makeshift was with Swindle after Ethos, you left a lot of 'cons on Ethos." Motormix nodded. "We managed to hijack an Autobot ship and save as many of our brothers and sisters as we could." He stated as he glanced over at Whirlwind.

"Megatron left you," Skyfire muttered, still barely keeping his optics online as his spark throbbed from the pain of Starscream's stress.

"We know," Roller nodded, sitting across from them.

"Blinded by his hatred for Optimus Prime and the others, it fuelled his pursuit." Motormix continued. "We managed to make it to Velocitron where we picked up Swindle and Makeshift. We had the entire Combaticons team with us and managed to imprison the crew aboard the Titan."

"The Titan?" Whirlwind's helm perked up as she stared at him.

Motormix nodded with a dark smirk. "Yes, I know what you're thinking, Seeker. And the answer is 'yes'. Your lovely friend, Whirl is aboard that ship. We beat him to a pulp for Lord Megatron."

"Did you throw in a few good hits for me at least?" She huffed.

"Of course we did!" Offroad beamed. "We beat every Autobot on that ship for sport!"

"There weren't many," Motormix narrowed his optics. "We don't know where they were going but they somehow managed to temporarily take back charge of the ship."

"That's when they booted us out as Menasor," Blackjack huffed. "Managed to trick us and separate us from Bruticus."

"That would've been some fight to see," Skywarp awed with a smirk, hugging one of his legs. "Two combiners wreaking havoc onboard the Titan."

"It's an ancient ship," Whirlwind added. "I doubt that it's still in one piece."

"With any luck, Onslaught and the others might've gotten things back under control. If not?" Motormix shrugged. "Worst case scenario is the ship crash lands here."

"On Earth," Skywarp groaned as he rolled his optics. The others nodded with a few murmurs of agreement. Roller went to speak when they suddenly heard a gentle, clanking noise coming from the door panel outside.

"Are we expecting anyone else?" Whirlwind asked as she craned her neck to narrow her optics up at the view monitor.

"We're all that's in this vessel," Motormix sounded surprised as he got up and clicked the monitor to show a live feed. There were a few gasps as Skywarp and Whirlwind recognised the face that popped up.

"Soulscream?" The blue jet looked taken aback for a minute before she flew into a rage. "What is she doing here?! How did she even get here!? That little glitch, I swear on Prima she's in so much trouble!"

"One of your missing Seekers?" Offroad asked as he glanced up at her, watching her storm off to confront the other jet.

Skywarp nodded. "Starscream's second spawn, the eldest. The worst..." He huffed before he turned and soon followed Whirlwind out.

We found them, Skyfire groaned as he tried to soothe the pain in his spark. He was watching as Megatron and Starscream fought yet again in Megatron's quarters. He didn't like to see them fighting - he hated it worse when he was watching it through Starscream's optics. But he had to make sure that their leader wouldn't hurt Starscream. No matter how hefty the accusations were, how brutal some of the insults were, Skyfire had to make sure that if Starscream did get damaged, then he knew exactly where to fix him.

He hasn't done anything to them, they're alive! Skyfire pressed again as Starscream ignored him. The shuttle winced as the Seeker raked his claws down the tyrant's face plates - Skyfire hadn't heard what he said. Please stop. Stop fighting. They're right here, he hasn't done anything wrong.

"I hate you!"

Skyfire winced as lubricant threatened to fall from his optics. He knew the words hadn't been for him but hearing Starscream say it to anyone else still wounded him deeply. He struggled to hold on and watch through Starscream's optics what was going on as the Seeker eventually turned away and left the room. It was beginning to grow darker and darker as Starscream inevitably severed the connection and cut him off entirely.

Star..?

Skyfire vented as he reopened his optics and sadly stared at the ground.

"You Seekers intrigue me," only Motormix was left in the pod, keeping a close optic on the shuttle. "You're all connected, and yet, it somehow doesn't feel that way to you, does it?"

"I suppose you could relate the mutual understanding through your combiner connection." Skyfire blinked, his own thoughts scattered and dazed for the moment.

"Yes but unlike you, I don't have a spark-attack whenever Dead End is having a bad day." The black truck cooed. "I suppose it's a design flaw - a united team is only united when they're a hivemind. Modern-day Seekers seemed to have lost the ability to care for anycon but themselves."

When Skyfire didn't take the bait, Motormix pressed. "Has it always been like this?"

"No," the shuttle quickly shook his helm, his frame heating up defensively. "No... Starscream and I are connected yes but Skywarp and I are not."

"That's because he got his connection severed." Motormix gestured to the door. "Haven't you or Starscream considered that?"

"Going through with that idea is traumatic," Skyfire hissed and stood to turn and walk away from the Stunticon leader with a dark scowl.

......................................................................................................................

Northern Canada, Wreckage of the Titan Pod.
22:14 PM, December 24th 2019

By the time Soulscream managed to direct her siblings and lead them in the direction of the crash site, they were all beginning to grow very tired. She had gotten quite the earful from Whirlwind when she had first shown up - quite a humbling experience, yet she didn't seem to mind. When she had returned to her siblings, she'd been very on edge to see Skylight in tears. Although they hadn't said much since they'd regrouped, it didn't go unnoticed by Soulscream just how close Skylight was flying right beneath her.

She had to wait for them to break off and transform to land in the ravine before she did. They were taken inside as the blizzard continued on horribly. She vented and hugged herself tightly to keep her frame warm, her helm bowed as she walked past the bigger cons.

"This is Motormix and Makeshift," Whirlwind introduced them one by one. "This is Roller, Blackjack, and Offroad. They're all Decepticons like us." She then turned and protectively stood in front of the Stars Trio. "This is Soulscream, Sonic Boom and Skylight. Three of Starscream's second spawn."

"They're quite impressive," Blackjack murmured as he poked at one of Sonic Boom's wings.

"How were they made?" Offroad asked.

"Cold construction," Skyfire scowled in the dark corner where he kept to himself. Soulscream narrowed her optics at him in suspicion - they'd never seen the scientist like this.

"He built them?" Offroad examined Soulscream next.

"For Megatron," Soulscream added, eyeing him.

"Lord Megatron," Motormix hissed, glaring at her slightly.

"They're still new, only having been activated a few months ago." Whirlwind stepped in to quickly defend them.

"My apologies," Motormix glanced away, energon cube in servo. "But I thought Starscream and Lord Megatron were... Estranged? Let alone, it wouldn't make sense for Starscream of all Decepticons to bring more of his spawn into this life?"

The room fell silent, Skyfire glaring at nothing, Skywarp and Whirlwind not finding the right answer.

......................................................................................................................

Decepticon Warship: Nemesis, 14 miles off the coast of Alaska
23:56 PM, December 24th 2019

"They're alright?" Megatron asked Soundwave who stood by the control panel, his communications line open and being used as a conduit between the Decepticon leader and Motormix's team.

"Affirmative, Sir. All missing children are accounted for - alive and unharmed. As well as your patrol, all three Seekers are now resting in our shelter." Motormix's voice came through clear and crisp.

But Starscream had stopped listening after that. He'd flown into a panicked rage and tore apart the entire warship trying to find his missing kids. Only when Soundwave showed him the security feed did he stop to reconsider what had happened. Megatron hadn't done anything to his spawn so that temporarily stilled Starscream's spark. But then where had they gone? And why? Were they safe?

He'd spent the last four hours rampaging through the entire warship, demanding answers, sending millions of troops out to go find them until Soundwave had brought his youngest - Staringer - forward and she had confessed their entire plan.

Starscream had broken down into tears. He was furious at her but relieved that at least one of his spawn was still alright - still within his reach. That's how they had been for the last three hours - Starscream protectively holding her in a tight grip while he glared at everycon who dared to pass by them in the Throne Room. Starsinger hadn't dared to complain, she looked on the verge of tears and knew how much trouble she was in. But for now, she remained timid and still in her mentor's arms. It was a nice feeling, physically, to have Starscream actually holding her for once. But emotionally? She felt like she was being suffocated in a forest fire. His EMF was all over the place and struck anycon that went by.

When Soundwave had pressed her earlier, Starsinger eventually came clean and confessed to their little scheme. She had remained in contact with Soulscream and Sonic Boom through their bond - sending them flickers of positive emotion during their journey. But when Megatron entered the room, her wings had drooped and she became fearful yet again, unable to meet his gaze.

"Well, it's still a good thing that we haven't lost anycon," Megatroid's voice cut through the air in a soft and reassuring manner. "It could've gone terribly."

"It could have," Megatron growled, glaring over at Starscream with fresh energon littering his face plates. Starsinger reset her voice box as she felt her mentor stiffen around her and a low growl soon emitted from the Seeker's vocals.

Starsinger's wings gently folded down as she gazed over at the Groundbridge, watching as it roared to life after Soundwave had locked onto the coordinates. She stood, watching as more Decepticons than she could count walked through. She briefly smiled as she saw Skywarp, Skyfire and Whirlwind. Their harsh and annoyed gazes softened once they saw her trapped in her mentor's grasp but they remained distant for now. Soon Soulscream and the rest of her trine walked through, escorted by the tall strangers.

Soulscream narrowed her optics thoughtfully at her sister.

"We didn't find Santa Paws," Skylight mumbled sadly once they regrouped while the adults talked.

"Or Santa Claus," Sonic Boom nodded.

"I'm guessing that neither of you brought me back a snowball?" Starsinger glanced at them.

"Santa's real," Soulscream's wings spiked as she smiled and opened her cockpit. "I was lost in the blizzard, that's why I was gone for so long."
She soon held up a shiny, well-rounded, black rock. "Santa found me and led me right back to you guys."

The trine admired the stone before Soulscream turned and held it out to Starsinger. "He said that I should give this to you, for you to take care of. Merry Christmas, Star."

The grey jet squealed in excitement as she reached out eagerly to be handed the smooth stone.

The trine were fascinated with the stone and began to pester their big sister with endless questions. Yet from afar, Starscream silently watched as his spark twisted in agony. He recognised that stone; he knew what it meant. There was a sad look in his optics as everything around him faded into the background.

......................................................................................................................

"Makeshift," Megatron growled lowly from where he stood on the catwalk beside his clone, overlooking his troops. He couldn't tear his angry gaze from Starscream even when he needed to.

"Yes, milord?" The shapeshifter bowed his helm slightly as he approached. "I must say, it is rather quite the honour to be placed under your leadership once again."

"I have a job for you." The tyrant narrowed his optics, not caring for the other to continue stroking his ego - not now, not when Starscream had publically wounded him in a fit of rage.

"Anything, Sir." Makeshift straightened up with a sparkle in his colourless optics. "What is it?"

"Autobot espionage."