Alpha 'verse. Iacon. Start of the story.

[random_xtras]

Ratchet had just gotten back from the bar in that nexus between realities, but even a rousing good poker game with his alternates hadn't helped him to feel better. The murder of his friends Bladewing and Skystriker was just too recent, and the uncertainty over the fate of their newly sparked Seeklet worried him so much that his energy wasn't sitting properly in his tank.

He sighed as he turned into an alley that was a shortcut back to his clinic, and then froze and scanned his surroundings as he thought he heard something. "Hello? Is someone there?"

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[random_xtras]

Skyfire shook his head. "She's safe, but I won't tell you where she is. I've let Prime know."

[alpha_prime]

Starscream's wings drooped. "So you are going to just take my Cousin away from me?" Starscream asked getting upset.

[random_xtras]

"Alpha Prime is also a cousin, and she has agreed to my decisions," said Skyfire firmly.

[alpha_prime]

"Fine, fine, I will just see her on Earth." Starscream said, and headed for the door.

[random_xtras]

"That will be up to the Prime," returned Skyfire quietly, sadness in his eyes as he watched his former best friend go.

[alpha_prime]

Astra woke during the argument and chirped.

[random_xtras]

Thankfully, she couldn't be heard there inside her safe cubby.

Skyfire turned to Ratchet, who was frowning darkly at Wheeljack as he thought.

[alpha_prime]

Wheeljack looked over at Ratchet and asked "What?"

While Astra tapped at the door of the hold.

[random_xtras]

Skyfire activated the speaker inside the cubby. "Shhh, Astra. Please be still for a little longer."

Ratchet, meanwhile blinked and focused on his brother. "What what? What are you talking about, 'Jack?"

[alpha_prime]

"You're looking at me like I did something" Wheeljack said.

Astra chirped and gently bit at the taps, wanting Energon.

[random_xtras]

Ratchet looked confused, but then brightened slightly and shook his head. "I'm sorry, buddy. I wasn't even looking at you. I was thinking."

Then he startled slightly and glanced over at Skyfire as the ParaSeeker meeped and squirmed. "She's just hungry. And I think it's safe for you to let her out now."

Skyfire winced one eye partly shut, but rumbled soothingly as he took a moment to redirect a bit of his energon to where Astra could get it.