Armistice

Chapter 2: Mutual aid

Megatron tossed up a servo to shield his eyes from the light of the space bridge. Lowering his arm he could see Optimus, Ratchet, Starscream, and Prowl. The group moved apart and waited. Megatron nodded and moved below decks.

Starscream turned "Megatron will speak to you after Ratchet has seen the pod deck." Optimus would only nod in understanding of the seeker's words. "Ratchet…this way." He motioned the medic and began to walk ahead of Optimus and Prowl discussing with Ratchet the headway they had made and also failures that had come into play.

Optimus walked slowly beside Prowl. "You were never their prisoner?"

Prowl looked up "For a time…I was…Tortured interrogated…" he nodded "Kept as Screamer's pet." He said quietly.

"Then something more?" Optimus asked, they were well out of Audio shot of the scientist and medic.

"I dunno Prime…when I escaped and started heading for you….When I saw Jolt and Ironhide…its like something snapped within me…my spark hurt, it burned, and unless I went to Starscream's aid I feared it would not stop." Prowl looked up "I went to him on instinct, everything from knocking Ironhide down, was instinct."

Prime nodded. "Love is a strange thing."

Prowl nodded "Indeed…it is…" Prowl agreed whole sparkedly with his leader.

The lab door was opened and Starscream allowed Ratchet, Optimus, and Prowl enter before him. There was a small station and rows of catwalks, pods hung from the foot ball stadium sized cargo bay. The small science station had a lab berth with a small body on top.

"This is tragic." Ratchet shook his head. The microscope on the table behind began to transform and skittered over to the other table. "Scalpel."

"Ratchet…" The small decepticon said. "I vas just about to do ze autopsy."

"I'll assist." Ratchet turned to the others. "This may take some time…starscream you may wish to help us."

"Yes." The seeker said but put his attention to his bonded. "You can take Prime out of here if you like."

After a look at Optimus Prowl knew he wanted to stay, and nodded "We'll just stay here, and stay out of your way."

Ratchet turned "Walk the catwalks…" he grabbed a data pad. "Find me a Mechling…the oldest one you can if possible…We'll need to take a look at him."

"We can do that." Optimus nodded and took the data-pad. "Come along Prowl."

"Yes…Optimus." He had almost said Sir, but stopped himself.

::Still mad at me?:: Starscream opened the bond.

::Maybe…:: it was a very terse response as Prowl started to follow Optimus away.

::I have a present for you later…:: The seeker said and watched him go.

::A bribe?::

::No…I assume after I give it too you; you will still be mad at me.:: The seeker smiled over to Prowl "Good luck."

"We're gonna need it there are more than a thousand pods." Prowl began to walk the rows with Optimus. Optimus scanned each pod slowly "Femme …Femme…Mechling…too young…" he touched each pod slowly. "The poor sparks."

"I know don't like it either." Prowl put his hands on a pod at the far end of the first row and pet it slowly. "This Mech seems a bit older than the rest."

"Yes mark him." Optimus offered Prowl a digital pen. "Good." Optimus looked at the 60+ rows in the cargo bay. "Let keep going."

"Yeah." Prowl smiled and turned to the next row. His optics rose and fell slowly "This one's already dead." He touched a button above the pod and a mechanical arm came out and plucked it down, as though picking an apple, and took it away.

"This one too…" Optimus shook his head "Bless your spark little one." He sighed and pressed the button as prowl had done.

It would take Prowl and Optimus Two Joors to get through all the pods, to label a handful old enough for what Ratchet and Starscream needed.

As Optimus and Prowl were checking out the last of the pods…Starscream walked up to them. "How goes the search?"

"There are twelve that seem appropriate….we've also marked the oldest of the Femmes just in case."

"Good…" Starscream shook his head "The Autopsy showed little more than what we already know, they need a more pure energon source or they will not survive."

Optimus nodded "then we have a problem….as your energon machine on earth was destroyed….and there are no others that we are aware of."

"You wouldn't let us take the Terran Sun." Starscream spat.

"It's not what I was implying Starscream…." Optimus waved a hand. "I was saying you could go to another Solar sector in this galaxy and take a sun that would have no bearing on the lives here on earth."

"True." The seeker said "But with the matrix key gone…" The seeker sighed "which is the oldest of the Mechs?" he changed the subject.

Prowl rolled over his data pad. "Row seven ..section 12…"

Starscream turned and Prowl followed him. Optimus decided to go as well and the three made their way. "Row ..seven.." Starscream turned down the row. "Section…12" He smirked and walked up "Oh yes..big mech…" he sighed.

Optimus smiled "Military spec."

"Just like Ironhide." Prowl shook his head "Mini Ironhide in a pod…scary."

Starscream smirked and looked up at the digital panel over the pod and made to have it moved closer to the science station. "Alright Steele lets get you moved."

"Steele?" Prowl questioned.

"You think it looks so much like Ironhide might as well name him after the menace." Prowl smiled at his bonded mate.

"You are a sentimental fool." Starscream did not deny his consort's statement. He moved his hand over the pod once. "Steele it is…" He nodded "What's your plan?"

"We had a discussion…about it …Scalpel and Ratchet both agree with my assessment." The seeker turned "Prime could we take some of your Energon?" he asked quietly. "To run some tests…the matrix you possess ….the filters in which your body holds, you may have the purest form of energon amongst our people."

"Yes I would be glad to give a sample." Optimus nodded and the tree moved back to the science station as a large mechanical arm came up plucking the pod away to the science station.

Ratchet stood arms crossed looking over the scans of the mechling on the table. Scalpel was on his shoulder and they were discussing things. "No I don't think that's the root cause, it was an after effect."

"Ah zhis is very disturbing indeed hmm." The small microscope turned as a large pod appeared next to the station and the three mechs returned from the adjacent catwalk. "Ah zhis is ze oldest of the mechs?"

"Yes…" Starscream walked forward. "Prime has offered to give us a sample of his energon."

"Ah zis is Vonderful!" Scalpel jumped from Ratchet to Optimus and crawled up his torso plate. "Ah yes…ze matrix vill filter out ze worst particals…ve must take ze sample from here." Scalpel put his spiked foot into a small port between the front shields of prime's split plate.

Prime flinched. "If you want the sample now ...take it." He told the microscope. Starscram stepped forward and looked up at Prime. Optimus split his torso plate back just a bit so the seeker could reach his hand around and get the sample he needed.

Ratchet looked at the procedure. "Farther starscream."

"I know that." The seeker pressed deeper into the plate and grabbed the line around his fingers. "Got it..." Prime pulled back his engine block and opened the panel more fully "There…" The seeker reached over with the other hand and pressed the needle down into the line and started to draw out a sample into a canister that Ratchet was holding. The substance was blue, but as it hit the jar it began to turn pink. It pooled within the jar.

"That's good Starscream.." Ratchet said looking at the jar.

"Alright…" The seeker pulled back the needle and his hands allowing Optimus to close up his chest plate. "Are we going to inject it directly to the pod?"

"Scalpel and I don't think it would do any good." Ratchet walked around the pod. "We're going to put the pod into birth, rupture the sack, birth the Hatchling, and do a energon transfusion directly after."

"Will that work?" Prowl asked.

"I'm not sure…" Ratchet shook his head "If it doesn't we're not going to have many other options."

Starscream smiled "How long will it take a mech Optimus' size to replenish his energon?" he asked "if this works we may have to use him as the filter…to get the energon we need."

"A few solar cycles…you wouldn't get more than a handful of mechs and femmes in a month." Ratchet shook his head.

"At best ve vill get 5 to 10 robots out of zis hanger that vill survive ze procedure…if ze procedure vorks." Scalpel was up on Optimus' shoulder now.

"That's not a lot..." Prowl commented.

"That's better than none." Starscram took his hand standing beside him.

Optimus nodded "We will see what will happen with the first procedure."

Starscream looked down at Prowl "Megatron will want to watch it."

"We will do it tomorrow …with fresh processors." Prowl stated. Ratchet nodded. "We will put you up in quarters for the night…you will need recharge soon."

"Thank you Prowl." Optimus said quietly watching Steel inside the pod moving slowly jaw fluttering with no sounds.

"You said you had something for me Starscream?" Prowl asked.

"Ah ..Yes I almost forgot." He said "Take them to the private rooms across from our room…and meet me in our Quarters." He motioned to scalpel "Get some recharge doctor."

"Of course..." The microscope jumped down and transformed on the table to sit quietly. He would stay with the pod.

Optimus and Ratchet would be put in a double bunk across from Starscream and Prowl. A lounge room with two berthrooms. Ratchet smiled "It's been so long since I recharged in a berth." He said.

"Enjoy it." Prowl smiled and turned "I will return in the morning."

"Recharge well Prowl." Optimus smiled and waved the cruiser off. Prowl let the door close behind him and moved directly across the hall to his room. He entered the key code and entered the room. He looked around.

"Starscream?" Prowl asked.

"Stay right there." The seeker seemed desperate. "I'll be right out."

"Alright…" Prowl sat down on the lounger. "What's this all about Screamer?" Prowl asked over the couch.

"You'll see." The seeker appeared in the door way behind and walked forward standing before the seated cruiser. Starscream walked forward and knelt down. "I'm sorry…I know things have been a bit …tense between us." The seeker took his hands.

"What are you up to?" Prowl asked.

"Like I expressed before I'm doing this and I'm sure you're still gonna be mad at me but …" he turned and whistled. Prowl heard something click from behind him, little ticks across metal tile. "Here…" Starscream motioned to something. Prowl started to turn his head but he didn't need to.

The metal k9 rounded the couch ears at the ready as it sat back beside Starscream on haunches. Prowl didn't know what to say. "But …Why?"

"Something for you…No good cop is without a good partner…or so I hear…" Starscream stood. "He's a mini-con, he's not got a personality and his spark is marginal at best…." Prowl nodded. "He's going to be connected to you…" Starscream smiled.

Prowl touched the seeker's face and smiled and looked back at the dog. "What do you call him?"

"That's up to you." Scarscream motioned the dog forward. He walked up and sat next to Prowl. Prowl's hand trailed between the dog's ears. "Like him?"

"Oh yes…" Prowl smiled and put his hands on the dog. "Blitz…"

"What?" The seeker asked.

"I'll call him Blitz." Prowl smiled and touched the Dog's face slowly "Starscream he's great…"

The seeker slid up onto the couch by him "You wanna tell me about this cascade failure?"

"That…." He sighed. "Yes It's been going on a long time…"

"Is it serious?" Starscram put a hand on the Cruiser's helm.

"Not particularly…if it happens and I don't get immediate care I can go offline." He nodded. "Never got that close before." His hands trailed over the dog slowly. Starscram smiled at him.

"Okay …as long as I know….as long as I know what to do if it should happen." Prowl smiled. "I just got you I don't plan to loose you so soon."

"Thank you Starscream."

"You're welcome my love." The seeker's reply was quiet. Prowl looked up and fluttered his door wings. "I will need a new decal" he looked back.

"I got K9 –unit decals for your doors and hood." The seeker nodded "I thought of that already."

Prowl smiled and turned kissing the seeker firmly; skilled hands trailed down the cruiser's sides as Starscream pulled him closer.

Blitz lay down on the floor by their feet. Offlining his small red optics and going into recharge. Looking down, Prowl smiled softly "Let him rest …lets get some recharge ourselves."

The seeker smirked "Not until I'm through with you." The seeker stood and lifted the cruiser over his shoulder and wing and then smirked. Prowl laughed.

"Screamer!" Prowl laughed not objecting to the fireman carry.

"Still mad at me?" Starscream looked up.

"Nah…" Prowl smiled and started to rub against the seeker's wings. "You tend to be nice occasionally."

Starscram turned his head back and glared "yes…Occasionally."