Author's note. Written by me and Mrs Bumblebee.
A fun little piece with some serious themes.
Enjoy and please review.
The little Seeker huddled into the little alcove as a hardened looking Mech glared up at him. Once again, he wished that there was not currently a chain around his ankle, preventing him from flying off. But at least there were no clamps on his wings, he'd already had a taste of those and they had been terrible. Right now, he was on a little ledge some metres above the ground, he felt less claustrophobic up here and thus, less panicky which was basically the reason why his captors were allowing it.
"So this is the new one?" the new Mech stated flatly, examining the young and rather dirty Seeker. "His panels better be intact."
"They are," the other Mech called HardShoulder said defensively, he was in charge of this batch of slaves. "I ain't messed with them."
"You better not," the other warned. "You might not be that stupid but I've had bots that thought it was alright to 'sample' the merchandise. Except those slaggers don't seem to appreciate that for every sample, I lose a LOT of credits. Clients want clean, untouched products, I don't want a reputation for tainted goods."
"I ain't gonna do anything like that," HardShoulder declared hotly. "I got better sense than that, I want to get paid."
"Good, cause it would come out of your pay," the other stating coldly. "Well, is he trained?"
"No, completely untrained boss," HardShoulder informed. "No modifications, add ons or code manipulation. Just a normal, pure Seeker, with just the standard blocker."
The boss nodded, looking slightly less confrontational.
"I'm glad to hear it, a clean slate is always the best. Means we can give the customers exactly what they want. Now, since this is a Seeker, we don't want flight fever set in so make sure he's able to hover for a good part of the day. Give him instant discipline if he acts out or tries to escape but be proportional. If you go overboard, then he might become too damaged."
"You got it," HardShoulder assured him. "He's had the wing clamps once already, just to let him know what'll happen."
His boss nodded approvingly, maybe this Mech did know what he was doing. Meanwhile, the young Seeker shook at each word, he couldn't believe this was happening to him. He wanted to scream at them, to rage but he felt frightened. While he was glad that none of the bots here were going to rape him, it was clear what he was going to be sold for. If only he could escape but he couldn't break the chain on him. And he feared being put back into a cage, he couldn't stand cages.
All he could do was huddle on his ledge and dearly hope that something saved him.
….
Meanwhile, in the centre of the enforcer compound Ironhide, a war scared weapon specialist of the Autobots was in a meeting with the chief of the enforcers Prowl and his second in command and deputy Jazz as they made up plans for their raid.
"From our source, the main camp is here," Prowl said as he pointed to a holo map of the area they were heading.
"That is where all the new slaves and slavers stay. The buildings here and here," He pointed to two builds near the location.
"Are the places they set up shop and sell. They are planning to open up tonight to sell more slaves again," He added and looked up at Ironhide and Jazz.
Ironhide growled, cracking his knuckles but not commenting. He hated slavers so much, profiteering in sentient beings suffering and enabling abusers to fund their sick fantasies. What was worse, they tended to target young bots and that really made his life force boil.
"So we're going to gate crash?" questioned Jazz. "Might be nice to catch some of the buyers, otherwise they'll just go to someone else."
"That is a good point," Prowl said with a nod as he brought up the information they knew about this camp. "I was thinking that if we did catch any buyers, they might already have slaves we can set free."
"And see if they'll give up any of their sick buddies," Ironhide added grimly.
"Dig up enough dirt and they'll all sing," Prowl added with a sneer.
In fact he already had a list of potential buyers that be knew bought slaves and was hoping they will be showing up tonight so he could bag them along with their suppliers.
"I have the hospital on standby for patients," he continued. "From what we've learned, these slavers prefer their slaves in good condition, to get a higher price but there's always the chance there will be those who are badly hurt. Especially any we take that have been in slavery for a while, in this camp or at a buyer's home."
"As long those we release get priority," Ironhide said darkly, he was personally hoping that some of these slavers or buyers would give him a good excuse to crack their heads together and get in a few good punches. All within the law naturally, he had no intention of giving them any way to get out of the charges.
"Ratch and his medics are waiting for us with everything we'll need," Jazz spoke up and Prowl nodded in approval.
He then looked at Ironhide.
"Ready to do this?" He questioned the war hard mech.
"You got it," Ironhide growled and with that, the meeting was over. It was time to move out.
...
Starscream whimpered as he tugged vainly on the chains forcing his arms above him. He was hanging limply from the ceiling, suspended so that buyers could get a good look at him. The auction had started not long ago and bots had already been ogling the roughly cleaned, trussed up flier. Several of them had already touched his panels and each time they did so, a sick feeling shot up him. His tanks rumbled, he hadn't been fed recently so that he couldn't purge all over a potential owner.
They all leered at him, making lewd comments and discussing what exactly they'd do to him. His price seemed to keep climbing which made the slavers very happy as they kept reading out his specs.
No one seemed to care how scared and distressed he was as he started to let the tears fall and streak his face. His body shook and hitched with each hiccup and sniffle as he begun to pray for some form of freedom from this living nightmare.
"Please," he mumbled but if his tears had had no effect on them, then his pleas certainly didn't.
"Good body," yet another one complimented, touching his front panel. "I know what I'd..."
There was a sudden explosion of sound at the front and Starscream looked up to see bots pouring through the door, all of them brandishing weapons. And then the words they were shouting hit him and lifted up his spirits in hope.
"Enforcers, everybody freeze."
"Slag," someone said close to him. "Run for it."
He started to smile, maybe he could get out of this. But then someone who wasn't an Enforcer was releasing him and trying to run off with him and with a stab of fear, he realised he might still be lost.
With that horrifying thought planted in his mind, Starscream could not resist the urge to start screaming, wailing, and kicking his legs. But the bot that had him cuffed him across the helm harshly. Stunning and dazing the winglet.
"Shut your mouth you price of slag," The mech snarled viciously as his helpless prisoner.
The mech worked on trying to slip away within the chaos but his attempt to escape didn't go unnoticed by the sharp optic of one mech.
Ironhide's bright blue optics blazed as he spotted one slagger trying to sneak off, a young flier on his shoulder. Shoving a slaver he'd just arrested at one of the others, he set off after the fleeing Mech. There was no way that fragger was going to get away, especially not with a bot he'd either abuse or try to sell at a later date. Completely ignoring all the chaos around him, he charged forward, dodging fallen bots and hanging chains, his blaster at the ready.
He quickly gained on the fleeing Mech but could see he would soon be at an exit, so he raised his blaster and fired a warning shot.
His target yelped in shock and turned slightly to see the enforcer bearing down on him.
"Surrender," Ironhide ordered as the Mech clutched his victim closer.
The mech snarled and glared.
"Not a chance." And turned to keep going but before he could get any further Ironhide fired again but this time caught the fleeing mech in the leg.
"Argh!" he screamed in pain and stumbled, dropping his hostage and crashing to the ground, clutching at his wounded leg.
"Ah warned yah," Ironhide said with contempt, pouncing on the wailing Mech and cuffing him up. The wound wasn't fatal and while it was leaking life force, it wasn't as bad as it looked. The red Mech prided himself on being able to bring down fleeing criminals without doing too much damage.
Turning back to the flier, his hard gaze softened and he said gently. "Don't worry, yer safe now."
A moment later, he was almost sent sprawling to the floor as the Seeker jumped at him and wrapped his arms around his neck.
Starscream sobbed and wailed in relief. He was so emotional he couldn't form words to shout to the mech who just saved him.
"Hey, it's okay," Ironhide said, once he'd recovered his surprise and realised that this flier definitely wasn't attacking him. "Ah told yah, yer safe."
The young seeker just shook and wept, clinging to him desperately as though someone else might try to carry him off.
Sighing, Ironhide reached up and awkwardly started to pay the young seeker's back, being careful with his wings so he didn't accidents hurt him.
"Shh, ya're okay. Come on now," He whispered gruffly.
The Seeker's response was to wrap his legs around Ironhide's middle, startling the older Mech. He was starting to get worried that some serious harm had been done to this youngster. Seeing that he couldn't do anything more to help the others physically, he sighed and started looking around, making sure they weren't missing anything. Spotting someone else trying to sneak off, he commed Prowl and told him about it and soon, the would-be buyer was arrested.
Meanwhile, Starscream continued to cling to his saviour, with no desire to release him.
Ironhide sighed again as he looked down at the small seeker and reached to try and pull him off.
"Ok little guy, ya need to let go so I can stand up and take that scum that was trying to take yah to the brig," Ironhide said as softly as he could or at least tried.
Starscream shook his head, he couldn't bear to let go.
"Yer okay," Ironhide tried to assure him, he'd never been in this position before. "Ah told yah, no one will hurt yah. But I need tah make sure he's locked up tight."
The young Seeker just tightened his grip, he had no intention of moving.
Ironhide sighed hard in frustration and then called Jazz over his com to come find him and give him some assistants.
"I'll be right there," Jazz replied.
"Thanks," Ironhide said gratefully before turning his attention to his young charge.
"Kid, are yah hurt?" he questioned. "If yer in pain, let me know."
The seeker made a whimpering sound and seemed to curl up. Ironhide wasn't sure if this was a yes or a no so he said.
"Ah know yer scared but ah'll look after yer."
As reluctant as the little guy seemed, he slowly and very hesitantly pulled his head up and lifted his optics to look at Ironhide. The old mech smirked at this.
"Hello little one," He whispered gruffly.
The only response he got back was a loud and wet sniffle and wobbly whimper from the tiny terrified seeker before he pulled his head back down and tucked it back into the space where he had it before.
Ironhide sighed, at least the youngster had actually looked at him. But it was becoming very clear he wasn't going to let go any time soon. Meanwhile, the bot he had cuffed was still moaning about his shot leg, causing Ironhide to growl.
"Shut yer trap!"
"I'm bleeding out," the other complained, his voice making the young Seeker tremble and dig in deeper against him.
"Rubbish," scoffed Ironhide, he knew perfectly well the Mech was fine.
"This is enforcer brutality!" The wounded mech wailed and started thrashing around.
Ironhide snarled and glared at him before levelling his gun at him again.
"Yah better shut your good for nothing trap before ah shut it for you. And believe me, if ah do it you'll never being opening it ever again," The war mech roared.
The Mech's optics almost popped out of his head at the sight of the gun, he looked like he couldn't believe what he was saying. Ironhide glared at the Mech, he was moaning about his treatment and yet he had no problem enslaving an innocent young bot. The irony was overwhelming.
"Y-you can't," the Mech stammered and Ironhide grinned grimly.
"Ah not only can, ah really want tah," was the cold reply.
"But I'll let you decide which way yer jaw will go. Closed, broken to the left, the right, or just completely gone?" Ironhide added, charging up his gun and watching as the mech's face turned to horrifying and terror as the charge from his weapon glowed across his face plates.
"I...I," the Mech said in a choked voice, static filling his voice causing it to break up.
"Well?" Ironhide said, enjoying the fear he was seeing. "Better decide quick...mah finger's tiring..."
The Mech's mouth snapped shut and he seemed to almost lock it in place. Leaving the weapon there for just a little more, Ironhide smiled triumphantly before letting it power down.
"Good choice," he acknowledged, feeling his Seeker shift against him.
Ironhide looked down at the tiny winglet and felt him curl, if it was possible closer to him and whimpered fearfully to what was happening around him. Instantly the strict mech felt guilt rip at his spark when he realised he was scaring the traumatized little guy.
"It's okay," he said soothingly. He rubbed the place between the wings carefully, wondering where Jazz was...
"So what's happening there?" came the smooth voice of his friend and he looked up in relief.
"Jazz," he said. "Ah caught that scumbag trying to make off with this young Seeker."
The other enforcer glanced over at his prisoner, seeing that he had a leg wound and had his mouth clamped shut. He could guess that this slaver or buyer had tried to mess Ironhide around which had not been tolerated. He didn't particularly care but he noticed how much this young Seeker was clinging to his friend.
Jazz's optics widened behind his visor at the sight of how young, tiny, terrified, and fragile the seeker was.
"Oh primus," He breathed and walked over to kneel down beside Ironhide to see the little guy better.
"Hey little fellow, everything okay?" he asked gently but the Seeker just trembled and shied away from him.
:Hasn't let go of meh since ah rescued him: Ironhide explained over the comm. :And ah think ah freaked him out a bit when ah was dealing with that slagger over there:
Jazz nodded in understanding and smiled gently at the sparkling.
"Hey, come on little buddy. I ain't going to hurt ya. I'm one of the good guys that works with the mech you're clinging to," Jazz said gently and tried to encourage and reassure the sparkling to come out of hiding.
But the youngest refused to budge, he just hid his face from the rest of them.
"See why ah asked yah over," Ironhide said wryly.
"Yep, I think so," agreed Jazz thoughtfully. "Probably be better off taking him somewhere else so he can relax and feel safe. Need a hand getting up?"
"Ah'll manage," Ironhide said. "Ah just need someone tah take out the trash."
Jazz glared over at the mech and snorted.
"Looks like I'll have to get sterilised after handling him," Jazz remarked.
The mech became frantic again.
"What!? I don't have any virus or bug you slagging copper!" He snarled.
"No but there's clearly something wrong with yah," Jazz said in contempt. "If you think enslaving other bots is okay, I don't want to catch whatever you've got."
This caused the other to seethe in rage and seemingly forgetting all about Ironhide, he snapped.
"We provide a valuable service, we take bots off the streets and give them a home along with employment. The strong dominate the weak!"
Jazz growled in rage and disgust to this mechs beliefs and was about to shout at him what he believes and thinks about scum like him before suddenly a shot rang out.
Jazz didn't have time to flinch when the charged shot zipped just inches from his helm and hit the criminal square in between his legs. His pelvic plating melting and pooling on the floor under his aft from the intense heat of the blast.
His scream of agony echoed through the room, causing just about everyone to turn and stare. Jazz blinked in disbelief before stating dryly.
"Ratchet is gonna chew you out, you know,"
"Let him," growled Ironhide, his gun smoking.
Folding his prized weapon away since it was now no longer needed, still glaring in hate and disgust of the vile mech in their custody.
"Just one less slag bag to worry about getting his frags from unwilling and enslaved bots," He added.
"Hmm," Jazz mused. It wasn't that he didn't agree but nonetheless, there was a certain protocol to follow. And like he said, their medic wasn't going to enjoy treating an injury that didn't have to happen. Still, it was done so they just had to get on with it.
"Here, let's get you up," he said, offering a hand so Ironhide could finally get off the floor.
"Thanks," Ironhide said gratefully, spying one of the medics hurrying over. "I'm gonna take the kid away from here, let him calm down."
Jazz nodded.
"Good idea but have one of the medics see to him as well," He suggested.
"Don't worry, ah will," Ironhide said, walking off with his charge, ignoring the weeping behind him. Served the slagger right, teach him to kidnap young bots.
"Okay kid?" He asked the young seeker but received no response. He sighed, he hoped he could at least learn his name.
"Hey, we're going outside to get some fresh air. Doesn't that sound nice?" Ironhide added, hoping but to raise the little guy's spirits that they were leaving that building he was found in.
"Ah know Seeker like nice open spaces," he continued when the Seeker didn't immediately say anything. "Yah actually get a great view of the stars from there, can't believe that."
Again, the Seeker didn't respond but he did shift slightly so that he could see better rather than hiding his face against Ironhide's armour. It was progress the older Mech mused but he was still hoping the young Seeker would talk soon.
Very slowly the little seeker angled his head so he could look up and see the sky. His optics locking onto the twinkling and flickering stars like they were welcoming him.
As he stared, Ironhide could feel the tension in the seeker's body relax but not completely.
"Beautiful, ain't they?" Ironhide murmured softly.
The young seeker nodded agreement, staring upwards. It had probably been a while since this kid had seen the open sky like this. The older mech stroked his back, wondering when he could put the other down.
Ironhide soon became a bit antsy from just standing there and started to slowly pace around, keep his steps smooth and not bouncy so he didn't upset the sparkling, gently hugging him closer and patting his back now and then.
While he paced he could feel the seeker relaxing even more and soon if not for where they were and circumstances he would have believed he was just a sire trying to help his sparkling go back to recharge by using the night soothing air and sky.
"How's that now, better?"
The Seeker nodded, he did feel better.
"So what's yer name? Ah'm Ironhide," the old Mech introduced.
The Seeker looked up at him, opened his mouth and...
"IRONHIDE!"
With a terrified squeak, the little guy buried his face back into Ironhide's chest plates once again and started trembling in fear of the voice that just shouted.
Ironhide growing in frustration. Scrap he was so close to having a name for the little guy.
"Ratchet, why'd yah have tah do that?" he demanded grumpily. "Look yah scared the little guy."
"My apologies," growled the medic as he marched over, looking furious. "Why am I treating something with melted pelvic plating and extreme damage to their interface casing? Got any ideas about that?"
Ironhide snorted and looked back down at the sparkling.
"Spike sucker was trying to get away with this little guy and claimed that all the weak have to serve the stronger and wealthier. Ratchet you can tell what that slagger was planning for this sparkling and I refused to let him get away with it," Ironhide growled, reaching up to pet the tiny helm pressed against his frame.
Ratchet sighed heavily.
"Hide, you know perfectly well that I agree but those were only words. Actually, the more he would have spouted off, the better for the prosecution. You know his defence will claim 'enforcer brutality' at trial?"
"Ah know," Ironhide grimaced, slaggers always used that excuse. "But he was scaring the kid and needed tah be taught a lesson."
"I know but now we've got to fix him up," Ratchet said in half exasperation.
Ironhide raised an optic brow.
"You planning on replacing everything?" He questioned.
Ratchets snorted in disgust.
"Only what is needed to. I think he'll function perfectly without his interface equipment," Ratchet replied grimly.
Ironhide grinned evilly, the slagger would need to get it replaced himself...once he got out of jail.
"Well, least he can't hurt anyone like that where he's going," Ironhide mused. "Maybe he will learn something."
"We'll see," Ratchet said with a grim smile before turning his attention to the Seeker. "Have you noticed any injuries on this little one?"
Frowning, Ironhide shook his head.
"Unfortunately no, I haven't really had the chance to look since he won't let go of me. Poor fellas terrified and really traumatised," He informed.
"Not surprising, they pretty much all are," the Medic said heavily. "I'm just glad we arrived when we did, there's a better chance some of them escaped the worst abuse."
Ironhide nodded, he knew some of the kidnapped bots would have been kept 'pure' so they could fetch a higher price.
"Ah took him out here so he'd feel safer," he explained. "Ah was just about tah get his name when y'all came along."
Ratchet frowned in apology, knowing it was his fault for the seekers silence again. Slowly he reached up and strokes the sparkling's helm.
"Hello little one, my names Ratchet. I'm a medic, will you allow me to check you, are you hurting anywhere?" Ratchet softly asked the shaking sparkling.
The seeker shied away a little from him causing Ironhide to stroke his back.
"It's okay, Ratch's a good friend of mine," he said reassuringly. "He's just a little mad because he'd rather fix up good bots like you than bad ones like the slagger back there. Ah always let him handle mah repairs, he's the best there is."
The Seeker looked at him as though searching for any hint of deception but seeing now, relaxing into Ratchet's gentle touches.
"You don't have to talk, just nod or shake your head," Ratchet offered. "Now, are you hurt anywhere?"
Starscream whimpered softly and looked up at Ironhide who smiled back and nodded.
"It's ok, you can tell him," His whispered reassuringly.
Starscream hesitated before nodding slowly.
"Okay, does is it a pain inside of you or have you hurt something on the outside...like your wrist?" Ratchet questioned. "Just nod once for the first and twice for the second."
Ironhide was glad Ratchet was here, he knew how to deal with a sparkling like his charge.
Starscream glanced at Ratchet and Ironhide before he nodded twice. Smiling gently, Ratcjet reached out but silently asked him if he could see.
Again Starscream hesitated but timidly pulled one hand out of hiding and held it out for the medic.
The wrist was damaged from holding almost all of his weight by a chain, it was bleeding from several cut and torn wires. The delicate armour plating on his hand and lower arm was also dented and looked quite painful. Ratchet took it gently, examining it closely, he knew what had caused this. The young one would need to get these tears sealed up and probably a cast on his wrist to allow it to heal properly.
"You're quite brave," Ratchet suddenly said. "This looks quite painful and it's a joint we use a lot."
Starscream only whimpered in pain as the mech gently moved his wrist to check it over more before he pulled out some of his medical tools from his subspace. But before he started to work he held up each piece and explained what it does so is not to frighten the sparkling.
"I'm going to use this to take out any debris that maybe stuck in between your wrist plates."
Starscream nodded, watching closely as the medic used some tweezers to carefully pull out the various pieces that had become embedded there. He whimpered slightly, several were buried rather deeply and stung quite badly when pulled out, even though it did feel better to have them gone.
"Yer doing well," Ironhide said encouragingly. "Ah'm proud of yah."
This made the sparkling smile ever so slightly which made Ironhide smile in return.
"Now then, since you know now yer really safe and being taken care of, think you can finally tell us your name?" Ironhide added hopefully.
They couldn't keep calling him little one or sparkling all the time.
The young Seeker hesitated as Ratchet carefully wiped away the life force bleeding from his cuts. And then he mumbled.
"Starscream."
"Starscream...good tah meet yah," Ironhide said with a smile.
Starscream smiled back shyly before hissing when Ratchet accidently poked a really tender spot.
"Sorry little Star," Ratchet apologized and rubbed his thumb over the spot to help sooth away the sting.
"S'kay," Starscream murmured, leaning his head against Ironhide but not hiding his face.
"When I'm all done, you'll need some fuel," Ratchet said briskly. "Then you can get a good sleep."
Starscream smiled at that idea and couldn't wait to do them. The scary mechs before were so mean, never giving him any fuel or let him recharge peacefully, always waking him up roughly and taunting him cruelly with their cubes of fuel that he couldn't reach.
He felt safe with these two, especially Ironhide. The red Mech's reactions had been incredible and while he'd been rather scared at the violence, it was at least good to know his saviour would defend him from anything. The Mech who had tried to carry him off had said such horrible things and what's more, he'd meant every word. He shivered at the thought, he never wanted to be in that situation again. He wanted to stay with these Mechs who'd protect him.
Starscream watched Ratchet as he reached into his subspace again and pulled out a syringe and tiny veil before filling the syringe with that was in the veil.
"Okay now Starscream, this is something to help with the pain in your wrists so they don't hurt as much," Ratchet explained and showed the seeker the needle.
Starscream shied back a little, he didn't like needles but Ratchet was treating him so nicely and his wrists already felt better. So he decided to trust the medic and held out one of his wrists.
"Good bot," Ratchet said soothingly. "It'll sting a little but you'll feel much better after."
"And if yer really good, he'll give you an Energon goodie," Ironhide said slyly, knowing Ratchet generally carried a few of those.
Instantly Starscream perked up at the thought of getting an energon treat which made both mechs laugh at his excitement. Carefully, Ratchet stuck the needle into one Starscream's exposed lines.
The seeker winced and hissed from the painful pinch but soon relaxed and sighed in relief as the painkiller took effect right away.
"There we go, it's not so bad," Ratchet said with a small smile.
Taking the needle out and carefully storing it away in his sub space where he put all medical waste. He then took out a blue Energon treat and presented it to Starscream who eagerly took it.
"Careful," Ratchet warned. "Don't put too much strain on your wrists."
"Yes sir," Starscream whispered shyly before putting the sweet treat in his mouth to suckle and savour.
Ironhide ad Ratchet smiled at the seekers manners.
"You're a good kid," Ratchet said and Ironhide nodded. "Yah certainly are."
Starscream's wings fluttered in enjoyment, he loved the praise. He was feeling so much better.
"We'd better get going," Ratchet told Ironhide. "No point in staying in this place any longer than we need to."
"Right, the enforcers already have all the trash loaded?" Ironhide questioned.
"I believe Prowl was very clear about how quick he wanted the clean up to be done so yes I believe so," The Medic answered and looked towards the building in question.
"What about the others?" Ironhide asked, meaning the enslaved bots.
"My people are treating them," Ratchet assured him. "Thankfully, none of them are in a critical condition but they'll all need treatment."
Ironhide nodded grimly. "Ah know y'all do a good job with them."
"Thanks," Ratchet said wryly. "So...you're looking after Starscream?"
Ironhide looked down at Starscream and shrugged.
"If the little tyke wants me all though he hasn't let go of me ever since I took him," He replied and gently hiked Starscream up in his arms to help make him more comfortable.
Starscream just cuddled against him, he had no intention of leaving his protector. Seeing this, Ratchet smiled but didn't comment, he simply made a small gesture for them to follow him. They walked over to where other bots were being treated, Ratchet didn't want Starscream seeing any of those who had captured and abused him.
"Ironhide," a voice called and they turned to see Prowl approaching.
"What is it Prowl?" Ironhide questioned as the chief of the enforcers walked over.
"We are almost done here. We need to head back to headquarters," Prowl ordered.
"Alright," Ironhide said with a nod. "I'll file my report later, yah can probably see ah've got a kid to take care of."
"Jazz informed me about that," Prowl said, looking at the sparkling in Ironhide's arms. "He said he won't release you?"
Ironhide grunted and nodded.
"Yeah, little tyke seemed to attach to me. But I never really tried to force him off. Seems only right to let him have his comfort and feeling of protection from the ordeal he was in," He answered.
"As long as he's not needing serious treatment, that is acceptable," Prowl said, this little one was only peeking out at him. Understandable, most of the ones they'd rescued were in a bad way emotionally. "I will still require your report of the raid at some point."
"Ah know, ah'll get onto it later," Ironhide promised. Reports weren't his favourite part of enforcing but he understood how important they were. You needed to get all the facts down, clearly and concisely. Prowl run a smooth ship and he would allow no one to say that those under his command did not do their job. In the past, too many enforcers had been too sloppy, allowing lawyers to come in and argue negligence.
"I'll be expecting it Ironhide," Prowl added before he looked at Starscream who was still timidly peeking out at him.
He smirked at the little one and leaned down some.
"Hello there, my name is Prowl. I'm chief of the enforcers," Prowl greeted and introduced himself to the shy little seeker.
"What is your name?"
"Starscream?" the young Seeker said, he was feeling much better now that Ratchet had given him some treatment and didn't feel afraid of giving out his name.
"Starscream, my, that's a very strong name. Tell me Starscream, can you remember where you are from?" Prowl asked slowly and gently.
The young Seeker perked up at the compliment, he was very proud of his name.
"They...they took me from my learning centre," he managed to say. "I...I..."
He broke off, shuddering as though he'd remembered something horrible.
"It's alright, don't try to speak," Ratchet said soothingly before looking at Prowl. "He might have been given blockers to prevent him remembering where he comes from. Handy, in case slaves escape, they can't go back home."
Prowl frowned and growled deeply in his chest.
"A very illegal program," He added.
"Slaggers," Ironhide snarled in rage, accidently upsetting Starscream who thought he was angry at him.
"Ironhide," Ratchet said sternly.
"Oops, sorry Starscream," Ironhide apologised. "Ah just can't help getting mad when ah think about them."
Starscream relaxed again, resting his head against the older Mech's warm chest.
"What can we do?" Ironhide now asked Ratchet.
"We'll set up appointments for all of the ones we rescued but it'll take time," Ratchet said heavily. "These blockers are tricky, they are designed to be very difficult to remove."
Ironhide became worried that Starscream may never be able to remember anything before he was taken.
"So what does that mean for him?" he wanted to know.
"While we attempt to find out where he came from, he will probably have to reside at a youngling centre," Prowl began but a voice interrupted him.
"No."
They all stared at Starscream whose optics were bright.
"Starscream...?" Ironhide began to say but the Seeker was already speaking.
"Stay...with you."
"Wh...what? But Starscream why don't you want to go to the younglings centre? Don't you want to have others your age to play with?" Ironhide stuttered in shock of the Sparklings demand.
But Starscream just shook his head.
"I just wanna be with you. You won't let anyone hurt me again."
Ironhide blinked in shock before he reached up and petted his back between his wings.
"Are...are you sure little guy. I mean I'm not all the fun to hang out with?" Ironhide asked.
"I just want to feel safe," Starscream mumbled, cuddling into him. "You've been kind to me and protected me from that horrible Mech. If you let me stay, I'll be good for you."
"Aww Starscream, you don't have to do anything for me. I understand you little tykes need to have fun and get into mischief now and then. I know you want to stay with me but I don't think of Ratchet will let me," Ironhide said gently and comfortingly.
Starscream turned a pleading look to the medic. "Please let me stay with him," he begged.
Ratchet considered it. He wouldn't have suggested it, Ironhide was a bachelor who loved his work and kept a lot of weapons, not the first choice for a foster placement. However, it was very clear that in Starscream's vulnerable state, he had latched onto the older Mech as a protector and would not cope very well if forced to be away from him. Apart from his health, the most important thing was making sure Starscream felt safe because if he didn't, he might try to run away and in up in big trouble.
"If Ironhide is willing to look after you and check in regularly, I don't have a problem," he finally stated.
Starscream's face lit up before he fell and looked up at Ironhide.
The war mech looked down at the seeker and instantly regretted it because the little guy was now firing at him his biggest puppy dog optics and was whimpering at him, begging and pleading with him to say yes.
"Well...uh...," he stammered, how could he say no to those optics. He wasn't really sure he was up to acting as a caregiver but he just didn't have it in him to disappoint the sparkling he held. So all he could have was mumble.
"If yer sure yah really want tah...y'all came stay with meh."
Like a switch Starscream's face changed from pouting to a full out bloomed grin.
"Yay, thank you!" He squealed and reached up to wrap his arms as best he could around Ironhide's neck and nuzzled his chest plates.
"No problem," Ironhide said, trying not to look doubtful.
He caught Ratchet's small smirk and sighed, what was he getting into?
"If you wish for some time off to get Starscream settled, you are welcome to it," Prowl offered. "You deserve a break after this case and you can still write up the reports."
Ironhide nodded his thanks. He was going to need it because what he was failing to tell them was he was nervous as pits since he didn't know the first thing about raising a seeker.
Yeah he raised Bumblebee but he wasn't that hard to care for or raise. Bee was a very easy sparkling and he'd had more than one guardian.
But this was something else entirely, he was scared of missing up. Protecting Starscream from scum was easy, Ironhide could do that with one hand tied behind his back. Looking after a young seeker was completely different, they weren't even the same frame type.
But he'd said he'd do it, so somehow, he would.
But Ratchet seemed to have read his mind and stepped up to his old friend and patted his shoulder.
"And don't worry Ironhide, I'll be around to help you any where were you have questions. Surprisingly seekers aren't that much harder to care for. Only thing you really have to watch is they get enough open fresh air and the right energon for seekers. I'll send the energon so you don't have to guess," Ratchet reassured.
"Thanks, that would be a great help," Ironhide said in relief, feeling better at the prospect of caring for a young Seeker. He already knew that Starscream would need to be able to go outside, it was just all the other minor little things he needed to be educated on.
"We better find some for Starscream before you take him home, I'll make sure you get more tomorrow," promised Ratchet, he knew the sparkling would need a long sleep after this.
Ironhide nodded his thanks and looked at Starscream.
"You make it difficult for me either will ya?" He asked the little sparkling.
"No sir," Starscream said earnestly, he didn't want to cause any trouble for his guardian.
"Well, if anything does happen, ah won't ever starve or chain yah up," Ironhide promised. "Y'all always have access tah the sky, okay?"
Starscream's wings perked up at the mention of the sky and a smile spread across his face.
"Really?" He gasped happily.
Ironhide chuckled and nodded before hugging him closer.
"Ah promise," The war mech vowed.
"Thank you," Starscream said, hugging him tightly as tears pricked at his optics. Being away from the sky was terrifying and to know this Mech wouldn't do that to him was overwhelming.
Ratchet smiled before saying. "Come on, let's get that Energon."
Starscream perked up more at the mention of getting fuel and could hardly wait to get some. Ironhide noticed his excitement and frowned and became disgusted at them slaver slaggers. They probably starved Starscream to make him weak.
"Sounds like a good idea," he said, privately thinking that he needed a serious shot of High Grade after all of this. Of course, it would have to be a small one since he now had a youngest but that didn't matter. A little buzz was all he needed.
Ratchet led them over to a station where they were stocked with different types of Energon to treat the various patients. The medic quickly found the right cube and gave it to Ironhide.
"Here you go," he said. "Seeker grade energon."
Ironhide took the offered cube and looked at Starscream to find him eyeing it hungrily. Chuckling softly, Hide opened the corner and held it to the half-starved seeker.
"You want some?" he asked softly.
Starscream nodded eagerly, making Ironhide smile.
"Alright, I'll feed it to yah but don't drink too fast. Ah know yer hungry but y'all bring it up if it goes down too fast."
The seeker's wings drooped slightly but perked up again when Ironhide pressed the cube to his lips and gently poured.
The little guy reached up to hold the sides of the cube while he sipped and slurped on it, pulling more fuel into his body. The tingle of the energized fuel made his body buzz and he wanted more.
"He'll probably need another," Ratchet warned Ironhide. "Seekers have high energy needs and since they've probably been starving him, his systems will have been struggling."
Ironhide frowned, cursing the slavers again. He wondered if any buyers would have bothered to give the sparkling the correct amount of Energon or would they have continued to stunt his development?
While Starscream finished off the first cube, Ratchet pulled out a second one and opened it for Ironhide so all he'd have to do is swap out cubes.
Starscream eagerly started gulping down that one as well, his systems were buzzing with the fresh, clean energon and his tanks were beginning to feel nicely full. However, it was also making him feel very sleepy, he'd gone too long without proper fuel.
"Good Mech," Ironhide said, the sparkling was thankfully not drinking too fast. It seemed he wanted to savour the fuel he was receiving.
Starscream could only moan softly in reply to Ironhide as he stopped drinking and let go of the cube to lean back into the larger mech's arms, yawning very big to tell them he was done.
"Tired, huh?" Ironhide chuckled. "Why don't ah transform and yah can rest in mah cab. We'll drive back tah mah habitation and yah can recharge properly."
Starscream nodded sleepily, that sounded fine. He just wanted to be warm and comfortable as he slept.
Chuckling softly at how adorable the little guy looked, Ironhide held him out to Ratchet to hold for him so he could transform. His body changed, shifted, and morphed into his vehicle mode.
His mode was bulky and very practical, there was absolutely nothing flashy about it. He was built to be able to go over rough terrain and go at a decent speed. There was a good space within him for either a passenger or supplies so when he opened the back door, it was easy for Ratchet to place Starscream inside.
"Feel okay?" Ironhide's voice asked.
Starscream hummed softly and nodded as he smuggled down into the Ironhide's interior. It felt so warm and comfortable in there.
Ironhide was glad Starscream was comfortable, he'd been half afraid the sparkling wouldn't like it. He felt that as long as it wasn't a desperately long journey, Starscream should manage fine.
"Have a safe journey, I'll bring you more fuel tomorrow," Ratchet promised and Ironhide flashed his lights in response. His friend still had other patients to treat, he needed to get going.
"Alright. I'll see you then and call ya if anything comes up." Ironhide replied, revving up his engine and getting ready to pull away.
"Alright, see you," Ratchet called and with one last rev, Ironhide left the slave auction site. He could feel the sparkling snuggling down, he really was relaxed.
Ironhide drive as fast as he could, wanting to get to the safty and peace of his own walls. But a he drove he made it his mission to keep the ride as smooth and relaxing as possible so nothing would startle his little passenger.
Starscream clung to the interior, this wasn't his favourite way to travel but it was reasonably comfy. He could still see the sky and he watched it as they approached the city. His whole body was tired and he slowly found himself dozing, especially when the sky changed to the bright lights of building all around his protector. His wings fluttered slightly, he couldn't quite sleep but he was very close.
Ironhide was monitoring his passenger's condition and was pleased at how relaxed he was. As soon as they arrived at his habitation, Starscream was going straight to bed. And hopefully, begin his recovery.
Author's note. How does Starscream's first night and day go with his new guardian? Find out in the next chapter, until then.