We start off by seeing the Decepticon warship, the Nemesis, where Starscream is currently talking to Soundwave about his new found purpose in life. Starscream: "I have been a fool, made mistakes; monumental ones. I now realize that I was never destined to be a leader or even an equal partner, and I am at peace with that. I have gained a clear understanding of my place in this universe, of who I am, of who I was always meant to be: Starscream, second in command, humble servant to Lord Megatron. Thank you for listening, Soundwave." he says before he leaves Soundwave alone and makes his way to the bridge. What he didn't expect to hear once he entered was Barricade talking about him to Megatron. Megatron: "Is this true?!" Barricade: "I'm not surprised that Starscream hasn't told you." "If he's up to his old tricks, I shall grind him into powder." Starscream had to make his presence known at this point to figure out what's going on.

Megatron: "Starscream." Starscream: "Lord Megatron, please excuse Airachnid's impertinence. Now what was it that I allegedly failed to mention?" "The Harbinger." "[gasps] What about it?" Barricade: "Eons ago, a Decepticon transport crash landed on this planet." "Oh please, common knowledge. I scouted the crash site when we first arrived on Earth." "Then I presume you recovered the experimental weapon prototype the Harbinger had been transporting." Starscream is surprised this is mentioned 'cause he for sure didn't get it. He also knows he didn't have it logged in the database. Megatron: "Where is the crash site?" Barricade: "Starscream never logged it in the ship's database. Typical." "You failed to record the coordinates of a Decepticon transport?!" Starscream: "[stammers] An oversight, master. But, I noted its exact location." "Then you can lead Barricade and Blackout there so they may retrieve the prototype for me." "I have to rely on Starscream to find the transport?" Megatron gives a low growl in response. "Yes, Lord Megatron. [comms] Blackout, meet me in the hanger. We have a mission. Starscream has to come with us." Starscream gives Barricade an angry face at his disgust tone.

We are now near the Autobot base, where Arcee is seen on the cliff where they made a memorial for Cliffjumper. She still hasn't let go of her vengeance towards his death. She hasn't forgiven Airachnid and probably never will, but knowing that Tailgate was involved with the death of her parents when she was smaller, she understands it was vengeance for Airachnid and let go of her own vengeance. But Cliff, it's obviously different. At least, she hopes so. She doesn't want a second vengeance to go away. In fact, she does want to fight Airachnid again and go all out with her. If not to kill her, then to at least best her for Tailgate. Arcee: "Hey, partner. Heck of a view you got up here. If there's even a small chance your spark is out there listening, well, we could really use you, Cliff. Seems like every day another Decepticon arrives on the scene. We're outnumbered and outgunned. Yeah, I know what you'd say: "Sounds like a fair fight." But, if that's the world we live in, then so be it. I just want you to know... I haven't given up. I'm gonna find the 'con who took you from us." she says before she notices Airachnid returning in her new helicopter form: A boeing sikorsky rah-66 comanche. She got back from her flight test having just scanned the form a couple hours ago. Arcee: "How was your flight?" "Went well. I'm surprised no one else is here to see if I would come back." "Nakala convinced them to have more trust in you." "Where is he?" "In the base working on a new symbiote." "Another?" "He thought he could use stealth on his team."

Meanwhile, in the base, Nakala is working on yet another creation. He has an eye in the sky that can see far and one on the ground with night vision. The two even got an upgrade, thanks to Soundwave helping out with some parts that Nakala needed. The two can connect with each other to share each other's eyesight, in a way. He knew it would be a good idea to have them share each other's abilities. Again, though Wingblade can see way farther than Silverfang, she doesn't have night vision like him. So, when Wingblade is trying to see something in the dark, she can connect with Silverfang and use his night vision. Same thing goes with Silver. It's another way to increase their bond as siblings. Another way to show they always have each other's backs. But now, he needs someone else on the symbiote team. He has an eye in the sky and a fierce one on the ground with night vision, but he decided that he's going to need someone that can cloak themself. Someone that can go invisible. Or, more precisely, camouflage. Not only that, someone that can crawl on the walls and ceiling. Yep, he's making a lizard. She will be the stealthiest on his team, which also makes her the best scout. Her name will be CamoZilla. Or, simply just "Zilla." (A/N: Not really a good name. I know.)

Meanwhile, in the open field of a forest, Starscream arrives with Blackout and Barricade to look for the Harbinger. Starscream transforms and looks up as Barricade drops down from Blackout, who also transforms and lands on the ground. Starscream: "Your chosen vehicle mode lacks thrust." Blackout: "It suite me just fine." Barricade: "Now, are you gonna preen or are you going to guide?" "I will reveal the exact location of the Harbinger when you tell me exactly what we're looking for." Barricade: "That information is need-to-know. And right now, you don't. Especially you." "Oh, you would do well to respect me, Barricade. Before I joined Megatorn, I was air commander of a squadron of energon seekers." "Why would we respect a Decepticon who tried to assassinate Megatron in space when he was in critical condition?" "What?! He told you about that?!" "Yes. Among other things." Starscream knew this meant that Megatron told them how he planned to have him executed in the mines. "[scoffs] The wreckage lies just beneath where we stand. I will need to find a point of entry."

After a while, they find a point of entry and make their way through the ship. Starscream, however, says that it's pointless. Starscream: "Suit yourself. I conducted a thorough search of this husk years ago." he says before he notices that Barricade turned on a console. "What are you doing?!" Barricade: "Did you not think to access the cargo manifest during your thorough search? I'm not surprised." "Idiot. The ship's systems haven't activated for eons. The Autobots could detect its energy signature." Blackout: "That won't matter. As long we get the relic, the Autobots will be out of our gears." Barricade: "Exactly. Ah, here it is. Section 23. Let's move." Back at the Autobot base, what Starscream said has been proven true as Ratchet looks at the console. Ratchet: "Optimus, our scanners have detected a Decepticon energy profile, but it's ancient." Optimus: "The past has a way of catching up with the present, Ratchet.

The Decepticons make their way through the ship to Sector 23, but Starscream knows something about that sector that they don't. Barricade: "We should be close." he says before they hit a corner to see nothing but dirt and rock. Blackout: "The rest of the ship must've broken half during the crash." Barricade: "Or a certain someone neglected to mention tell us what really happened." Starscream: "Correct. If you performed actual research, you would have learned that an Autobot battalion shot the Harbinger out of sky." "Hmph. I don't suppose you're gonna tell us where the other half is." "Not at all. That information is need-to-know." "I thought so. Blackout?" Blackout nods at Barricade before smacking Starscream away. The two actually pummel Starscream for a bit before Blackout pins him to a well. Starscream: "[coughs] What are you--" Barricade: "Quiet! Let's not make this any more complicated than it already is. You have two options here, traitor. You either tell us where the other half of the Harbinger is, or we'll have to tell Megatron that you're up to your old tricks again. What other reason is there for you not to not tell us where the other half is located."

Starscream: "How dare you accuse me!! I am your commanding officer! I may have made mistake in the past, but I have changed!  I've seen the error of my ways. I live to serve Megatron now." Blackout: "You won't be serving anyone unless you tell us the location of the crash site!" he says as he brings out his small copter blades and starts spinning them. Barricade: "I'm going to you nice, one last time. Either give us the location or things are going to get ugly." Blackout brings the blades closer to Starscream's neck, so he gives in. Starscream: "It-It's a few clicks from here, through a stone arch." "See? Was that so hard?" The three hear footsteps and look over to see the Autobots coming around the corner. Barricade: "Lugnuts!" Elita: "Decepticons!" Optimus: "Surrender." Blackout shoots a couple of rockets out of his shoulder turrets as he and Barricade charge forward while carrying Starscream. Immediately after the 'bots get out of the way of the first two rockets, Blackout shoots two more rockets while closer to them. Starscream: "Put me down! That's an order!" he yells before Blackout turns around and tosses him at Optimus, knocking him down. Bulkhead and Bee grab a hold of Starscream while Optimus and the rest gives chase to the two 'cons. They both make it outside and Blackout transforms immediately. Barricade grabs a hold as they fly away to where Starscream said the other half of the ship is located while being shot at.

Bulkhead and Bee bring Starscream out and make sure he doesn't flee. Bulkhead: "Move it!" Starscream: "No need to use force." he says before he's pushed to his knees as Airachnid traps him in her webs. "I'll tell you anything you want to know." Bulkhead: "Is that right? And what do you want in return?" "I want to be on your side." Airachnid & Bulk: "On our side? [laughs]" Airachnid laughed a little longer than Bulkhead. Bulk: "Yeah right. And I've been lobbing with the fallen." "Yeah. That has the to be the best joke I've ever heard." Arcee: "You wouldn't betray the Decepticons." "Wouldn't I? What have they done for me lately besides humiliate me, spy on me, demote me? Megatron tried to extinguish my spark in cold blood then all but replaced me with that traitorous wretch Barricade. He and Blackout abandoned me, left me for scrap! So, why not rat them out?" Optimus, Arcee, Bulkhead and Elita walk away to talk about this in private while Bee and Airachnid stay behind to keep an eye on Starscream. Arcee: "He's telling the truth about Megatron trying to scrap him. Me and Airachnid saw it with our own eyes." Bulk: "You're not saying you actually trust Starscream?" "Trust him? Never. But this may be the one time our objectives align." Optimus: "You're right to be wary, Bulkhead, but I agree with Arcee."

Short time passes and Blackout and Barricade are still making their way to where Starscream said the other half of the Harbinger is. Barricade: "We should be getting close. Hopefully Starscream didn't mislead us again. If he somehow escapes the clutches of the Autobots and returns to the Nemesis, he will be punished." Blackout: "I somehow doubt that Starscream would lie at that moment." "Perhaps, but we can never be too careful with him." Blackout rounds a corner and they both see the other half of the Harbinger. They both enter the ship and made their way to Sector 23 where they found a capsule that the weapon is in. Blackout opened it and Barricade took out with such pleasure on finding it. Barricade: "[evil chuckle] With this, the Autobots defeat is assured." Blackout: "What is this thing, Barricade?" "It's the Immobilizer, and it lives up to its name." "Does it still work?" "We're about to find out. No doubt Starscream told the Autobots about the wreckage as well."

And he is right, 'cause as of right now, the 'bots are on their way to the stone arch. Optimus is pulling a trailer that has Starscream in it 'cause they'll need him to tell them where to go from there. They transform in their bipedal forms as they look at the stone arch in a bit of disbelief. Airachnid was expecting it, though, knowing how much Starscream values his life more than anything. Bulkhead: "What do you know." Arcee: "Could still be a trap." Optimus: "Starscream's loyalty to Megatron has always been questionable. If he has truly split from the Decepticons, our prisoner's knowledge of their agendas could make him a valuable ally." Bulkhead: "You don't mean permanently, as in keys to the base and everything?" "However unlikely that scenario, every sentient being deserves an opportunity for redemption. Airachnid is proof of that."

Airachnid looks away while feeling a bit embarrassed as Bulkhead goes to get Starscream out of the trailer. Bulkhead: "Rise and shine, Screamy." he says as he drags out of the trailer. Starscream's out of the web and in cybertronian handcuffs. His wings are also cuffed so he won't fly away. Arcee: "We're here. Where's the ship." "It's through the arch, among the stones." Optimus: "Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Elita, you're with me. Arcee, Airachnid, remain with our prisoner." he says before he leaves with the group. Starscream: "[grunts] Is the clamp really necessary? I promise not to fly away. It's really giving me a crick." Arcee: "We can shove you back in the trailer." "Aw."

A short time later, Optimus and the rest are getting close to the other half of the Harbinger with their blasters out. They are walking cautiously and look around frantically 'cause they don't know what it is 'cons are looking for here. Optimus: "Be alert. Whatever the 'cons are after, it could be deadly." Bulkhead: "Right." They eventually find the other half of the ship and make their way to it, carefully. What they don't see is Barricade on the ship with the Immobilizer and Blackout just above them on the cliffs. Blackout: "Surprise!" he yells out as he shoots a few rockets at them. This knocks Elita back and down on the ground, which gives Barricade, who's standing on top of the Harbinger, to use the Immobilizer on her. She turns to see it, but it's too late. Everyone watches as she gets hit by it and is completely motionless. Barricade: "[evil laugh] The Immobilizer, true to its name. Now, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Surrender, and I just might bring you in mobilized. Megatron will most likely kill you on sight, which will be a fate better than what Elita is experiencing." Optimus looks over at Elita before looking back at Barricade and blasting at him. Barricade: "Hmph. I didn't think you'd accept." he says as he readies up the Immobilizer while Blackout jumps down to fight Bulkhead.

Back with Arcee, Airachnid and Starscream, Arcee is pacing back and forth in front of Starscream while Airachnid is sitting on top of the trailer. Starscream: "I'm not really so bad, you know. Megatron -- he's the evil one." Arcee: "Tell it to someone who cares." "Like whom, Barricade? What I wouldn't do to get my hands around his and Blackout's wretched throats. They, along with Brawl and Bonecrusher, showed up one day, and the next thing you know, Barricade's acting like he runs the place. He whispered lies into Megatron's ear, maneuvered to rob me of my rightful place. Speaking of "rightful place," what's your story, Airachnid? Why is that you, a high ranking officer of the Decepticon ranks, joined up with the Autobots?" "None of your business, Screamer." Arcee: "Let's just say someone changed her after getting to know her past. It's because of that I no longer seek vengeance for her terminating my partner."

Starscream: "What?! She's taking credit for scrapping him? That was my doing!" Arcee: "What?" It was at this moment that Starscream realized his mistake and felt his usual fear. Airachnid: "You weren't there, Starscream." "Of course I wasn't. I don't know what I was thinking." Arcee: "Who are you talking about?" "No one. Who are you talking about?" "Tailgate." "Uh, who's Tailgate?" Arcee and Airachnid both realized who Starscream was talking about. Arcee: "[anger rising] You were the one. You extinguished Cliffjumper." "Cliffjumper?!" he yells as Arcee raises her fist for a punch, which of course causes our typical Starscream to try and defend himself. "No! No, no, no. You misunderstand." Airachnid: "It's no misunderstanding, Starscream. I was told where they found one of Cliffjumper's horns. You obviously had the troops injure him so much that way and finish him off yourself in his weakened state. You always were the type to scrap someone in their sleep." "Well, yes, the troopers mortally wounded him, but I was trying to help Cliffjumper -- put him out of his misery. He begged me to." Arcee growls as she smacks him away, with Airachnid chuckling in amusement. Starscream may know how much of a fierce warrior Cliffjumper is, but he doesn't know his character as well as Arcee does.

Starscream: "Okay, okay! It was a mistake! I've made many, but I've changed! You wouldn't terminate a defenseless prisoner, would you?" Arcee steps back a bit before pulling out something and throwing it in the ground in front of Starscream. "What -- What is that?!" "The key to your cuffs." "What for?!" "Cliff would have given you a fighting chance." "No, please! I-I don't want to! What's past is past. I'm one of you now!" Arcee didn't accept this answer as she aimed her blasters at him. "[crying] No! No! Please! No!" "Take it!" Starscream reluctantly picks up the key but drops it before cowering away again. Arcee: "You're pathetic." she says as she kneels down to pick the key and do it herself. Little did Arcee know that it was all part of his plan, which Airachnid caught on to as she notices Starscream smile.

Airachnid: "Arcee!" she tries to warn, but it was too late. Starscream lets out his claw and stabs Arcee's right side, just above her hip. She drops the key and backs up to look at the wound before dropping to her knees while holding the wound. Starscream takes this opportunity to free his hands from the cuffs. Starscream: "Something wrong, Arcee? I thought you wanted to fight." he says before he quickly aims a missile at Airachnid. The missile doesn't explode on impact with Airachnid. It pushes her to a nearby mountain, then explodes. Arcee: "Airachnid!" "[evil chuckle] There. No distractions" he says as he reaches for Arcee.

Back with the others, Barricade fires a blast of the Immobilizer at Bulkhead, who was distracted by his fight with Blackout. Blackout turns his attention to Bumblebee while Barricade turns his attention to Optimus. The two hide behind rocks to avoid the blaster fire and Immobilizer. Barricade: "Give it up, Prime! You can't win!" he says as Blackout fires more rockets at them and destroys the rock they were hiding behind. Barricade takes this opportunity to freeze Optimus, much to Bee's surprise. He's still determined to fight and find a way to win. Back with Arcee, she's been put on the defensive because of her stab wound. She's not able to attack much, which is how Starscream likes to fight his prey. Eventually, after a few more strikes are blocked, she knocks him back with a kick in the face. Starscream: "You're tougher to scrap than your former partner -- At least the one I scrapped. Was Tailgate weak like Cliffjumper?" Arcee: "...Just keep talking, Starscream." she says before striking him again.

Barricade: "Give it up, scout! You know you can't beat the two of us by yourself." he says as he and Blackout shoot at the rock Bee's hiding behind. Bee watches some of the blaster fire hit the taller rock in front of him, and it gives him an idea. He shoots at the rock to create a dust cloud so he won't be spotted and fool the 'cons. The con's watch as Bee's blasters come out of the dust cloud and at them, so Barricade immediately fires back with the Immobilizer. Once the dust cloud fades away, Bee is seen there motionless in a running position. Barricade: "[evil laugh] That wasn't too difficult." Blackout: "What now?" "Hmm. Let's scrap the bug and big guy. Optimus and Elita should be left to Megatron." he says as he makes his way to Bumblebee while Blackout makes his way to Bulkhead. Barricade looks at Bumblebee for a bit before unsheathing his wrist claws and prepares to end his life. But just as Barricade swung down, Bee surprises him by catching his hand.

Barricade: "What?!" he yells in confusion before Bee headbutts him then jump kicks him in the face. Blackout turns around to see this and sees Barricade lose hold of the Immobilizer, which Bumblebee breaks by shooting it. Barricade: "Hmph. Well played, scout. I clearly underestimated you." he says before running toward Blackout. Blackout got the message and transformed to carry Barricade out of there. Bee tries to stop them, but there is nothing he can do as he watches them fly away. With that and the Immobilizer destroyed, Bee makes his way back to Arcee and Airachnid.

Back with Arcee, she's losing her fight against Starscream. The cheap attack he did before the fight even began makes it easier. After a few more strikes, he kicks Arcee down a small slope. She groans in pain as Starscream continues taunting her. Starscream: "You should've finished me when I was helpless to fight, just like I finished Cliffjumper." he says while walking towards her. Arcee tries to get up to defend herself, but the pain and energon loss is too much. "Now, prepare to reunite with your partners." Before he could finish her off, drilling is heard and Airachnid's spider legs come out from below and pull him underground. Piles of rock  dirt fall on him as he's now trapped under there. Airachnid drills back out next to Arcee and checks on her. Airachnid: "Are you alright?" "[groans in pain] Nice to know you care." "Don't give me that. [comms] Nakala, Arcee needs a ground bridge. She's hurt badly." Nakala wastes no time and opens the ground bridge and runs on through. He's angry at the state she's in but settles down for her. Bee is on top of the hill and sees what's going on as Starscream tries to get out.

Nakala: "Where are the others?" Bee gets their attention and explains how they're immobilized. Airachnid: "The immobilizer. Go get them. I'll bring Arcee back." Nakala nods as he runs toward Bee so he can bring him to the others. Airachnid looks over to see Starscream manage to get one of his hands through. Starscream gets the rest of himself out and looks to see the ground bridge portal closing. He looks around and realizes that he's alone so he walks away with nothing else to do. Starscream: "I can't go back to the Decepticons. Megatron will most likely have me terminated for treason if I do." Speaking of Megatron, he was just told of what happened by Barricade and Blackout. He is not thrilled. Megatron: "You left Starscream with the Autobots?! Do you have any notion of the consequences of your blunder?!" Barricade: "Lord Megatron, it was Starscream's incompetence that cost us the Immobilizer." "I don't care about some trinket!" he responds as he gets in his face. "My second in command is a prisoner of the enemy... which means all Decepticon intelligence could be at the fingertips of the Autobots!" "That won't happen, Lord Megatron. Starscream may be arrogant and cowardly, but even I have to admit that his wits are his sharpest weapon." he says remembering him and Blackout sticking around enough to see Starscream dig his way out of the rubble and walk away.

Back at the Autobot base, Ratchet has repaired the Immobilizer and freed everyone that was zapped by it. Ratchet: "The damage looked bad, but it was a snap to repair, allowing us to reverse its effect on you. You should regain your full range of motion before long." Optimus: "And Arcee?" "She's rather resilient for a two-wheeler." Everyone looks over to see Nakala comforting Arcee with Airachnid. Optimus: "It is the external wounds which heal the quickest." Arcee: "I thought settling scores would allow me to move on. Instead, I chased away our hope of winning this war any time soon." "Wisdom cannot be granted, Arcee. It must be earned...sometimes at a cost." Arcee looks away a bit as Nakala gives her a hug, which she accepts with one of her own.

With Starscream, he's trying to get the clamp off his wings so he can fly again.  After bashing it against a big rock a few times, the clamp falls off. He pants a bit while holding his right shoulder and thinks to himself before he flies away. Starscream: "*I have been a fool, made mistakes -- monumental ones. But I have gained a clear understanding of my place in this universe, of who I am -- Starscream... aligned with no side, servant to no one.*"

TO BE CONTINUED...