Skywarp sat at a workstation in the small office beside the command deck, but he found it difficult to concentrate on his work. Now he had seen Starscream and Slipstream off on their scouting mission to Earth, most of his tasks were administrative. They were to rendezvous with the Voyager class starships Cocytus and Acheron, under Captains Buzzsaw and Smokejumper, and then continue toward the inner planets. The plan called for the crew of the Cocytus, led by Ravage, to set-up a new base of operations on Mars. The Acheron was to land on Luna, and its crew to set up a forward operations base for future deployments to Earth. The Lycoris itself would be positioned at the Lagrange point on the side of Luna opposite Earth, with the Scout class ship Lethe, currently within its hold, as well as the Acheron, shuttling troops as needed.
Why they didn't go directly to Earth, Skywarp didn't understand, but it probably had to do with Starscream's mission. Stopping in the outer planets meant the spacebridge could be activated as soon as they were within the Solar System, but not before the Earthlings had a chance to detect and track their vessel. The small team of two passing through Detroit would go largely unnoticed, as Cybertronians had already been known to operate in its area. Activating full dampening and stealth technology, Starscream and Slipstream would most likely succeed in contacting any Decepticons remaining on Earth, while generating no positive contacts other than a few UFO sightings. The humans would know the ships were entering the system, but with the spacebridge accessible so long as the Lycoris remained at sub-light, and the receiving bridge in Detroit was intact, they could have several cells operating on Earth before the primitive Earth craft could engage their starships.
It was probably a better plan than Skywarp had admitted to the others. The ships were a distraction from their main goal, which was getting enough Seekers deployed to Earth to properly scout for humans who could be manipulated into an alliance. The humans outnumbered them on Earth, so stealth was necessary there, if they wanted to acquire resources or supplies, but it was not likely the humans could take Luna or Mars once they gained a foothold.
Skywarp admitted to himself that he needed to remember not to underestimate the potential threat of the humans on Earth, or their current data gathering abilities.
A quiet ping drew Skywarp's attention to the workstation. Acid Storm commed from the communications station in the command area. "Contact with the Cocytus," Acid Storm reported, "They request assistance in confirming local stellar cartography for the calculations for their next jump."
"Understood. I'll assign Thrust." The smaller ships could not support the same level of transwarp technology and so multiple short jumps were employed, rather than navigation of a vessel in a transcendent state. Skywarp left the office and walked across the command deck to the navigation station.
"Sir?" Thrust said. His tone wasn't respectful as it should be, but they were all still working on getting Thrust to acknowledge that he was now a member of their team, and that it was he who had to earn back the respect of his fellow Decepticons. He was not hand-selected for the mission, but one they had gotten stuck with in the small chaos of their exodus.
"Report to the astrometric lab to assist the Cocytus with confirming local stellar cartography. I will relieve you, here."
"Navigation is yours, Sir," Thrust said. He rose and walked for the exit.
"I am so sorry to see him leave," Ramjet warbled from his post at the weapons station.
"But he finds you so intriguing," Skywarp said mockingly as he took his seat.
"Just because I look like some long-deactivated Seeker with the same name!"
"You all bear some vague resemblance to Seekers that existed before," Barricade said smartly from the pilot's seat beside Skywarp. "Except Sunstorm, I understand; that designation is specific to the clone."
"And Slipstream doesn't so much share resemblance as a designation," Skywarp added. He risked a glance at Barricade. He had been upset with Skywarp recently. Barricade appeared to be looking at his console, but Skywarp could see the play of light on the internal lenses of his optics and knew the upper lenses of Barricade's uncommon dual optics were looking toward him.
Skywarp could not imagine how Barricade's processor interpreted his vision, but he knew Barricade could gaze into another's optics and still be watching the door. Maybe they were designed to aid Enforcer work, so Barricade could look down at a datapad loaded with evidence or reports and still focus entirely on the one he was meant to interrogate. Still, dual optics seemed well suited to generally sneaking around.
Skywarp liked sneaky things, right after Thundercracker, cute things, and games.
Skywarp focused on his station. He was qualified to tend any of the bridge stations, but on this voyage, he had usually been in the command chair, if not the pilot station, where Barricade now sat, pretending not to be bored out of his processor. They were in a stable orbit, about a known planet, with no known enemies in the this part of the system. Acid Storm might receive an incoming comm from another ship in their fleet, or from Slipstream, but otherwise there was not much to do this shift but monitor for changes.
Thrust had left the console focused on Saturn and its natural satellites, which had been his recent base of operations, but had little, if anything, to do with their current assignment. This might warrant some later discipline. Skywarp wrote himself a reminder to take up the matter with Thrust. When he had to handle discipline, Skywarp prepared by asking himself: "What would Starscream do?". It would do no good to cower in front of subordinates.
Skywarp shifted in his seat as he refocused the sensors and console on Neptune. He disliked the warmth the seat retained from the last mechanism. It was not scary, just slightly creepy, like a strange mech getting too close.
"Is the Navigator's seat not to your liking, Skywarp?" Thundercracker asked.
Skywarp turned and looked over his right shoulder and wing. Thundercracker was absolutely resplendent in the raised command chair. He took care with his appearance, but even more than the rest of the Seeker clones he put effort into looking different; the swords and helm were trophies from others he had defeated, and he had reprogrammed his nanites to maintain a chin stripe to decorate his faceplate. But, sitting there with steepled claws was suspiciously like role-playing Megatron.
"Nothing wrong with the chair, Sir," Skywarp reported.
"I thought you might prefer the pilot's seat," Thundercracker suggested.
Skywarp looked toward Barricade.
"What's his angle?" Barricade muttered.
Skywarp smirked and turned over his shoulder again, "I was thinking more command, Sir."
"Of course, My Dear Vice-Admiral," Thundercracker said. He stood and retrieved a sword, which he had lain across the arm of the command chair. "But I actually do need to borrow Barricade for a few kliks to discuss tactics, before the end of his shift. I am confident you can multi-task...or delegate."
Skywarp wondered what Thundercracker really meant to speak to Barricade about. "I will do my best, Sir."
"Barricade, with me," Thundercracker said as he walked past, toward the office.
"Helm is yours," Barricade notified Skywarp. Then, he commed privately, 'Something happen in the engine room?'
'Nothing you need to know.'
Thundercracker waited for Barricade in the office. The both of them glanced back at Skywarp as the door closed.
"You are so in the clear," Ramjet snarked.
"There is nothing going on," Skywarp hissed.
"Yeah you don't love Thundercracker and Barricade doesn't think you look like a valuable ally and Thundercracker hasn't figured out someone else is likely to get physical with you before he gets around to it."
Ramjet was completely out of line, if Skywarp considered him addressing his commanding officer while on duty, but he was also Skywarp's older brother. "Do not show such flippant disregard for the reputation of those in your chain of command, and especially do not do so in front of other subordinates and while on duty!" Skywarp said, trying to think how Thundercracker or Starscream would handle the situation.
Ramjet laughed at him. "Please, like anything is not secret to 'Cid here?"
"I heard nothing," Acid Storm called softly from his communications post.
Skywarp sighed and looked toward the shut office door. Acid Storm's primary function was intelligence gathering; he knew everything. But, Skywarp was not very concerned about that. He might have been anxious with another mech in 'Cid's place, but he knew very well that Acid Storm had some fierce and apparently genuine loyalty to Starscream. He pretended to share secrets and gossip, but his real secrets were kept strictly confidential and reported to Starscream only. That was fine, because Starscream had chaperoned Skywarp and Barricade and would vouch for them that they did nothing more than sit in the same room and talk about physics.
What bothered Skywarp was that what Ramjet had suggested was true, from a certain point-of-view. He did love Thundercracker, even though he was very guarded about revealing the activities and emotions they shared, because that was Thundercracker's wish. He was well aware he would make a convenient friend for Barricade – such alliances were common among Decepticons. He had almost suggested Barricade as a team member himself, until circumstances had led Acid Storm to volunteer to join the mission, and Barricade had come along as one of Acid Storm's current subordinates. He knew Barricade could be as provocative as Ramjet, and other times as manipulative as Starscream, still Skywarp had been considering him as a potential third, even before Thundercracker had kissed him and confirmed their need.
Not that any of this mattered much now. As far as Skywarp understood, Barricade had made it clear he was no longer interested. Either that, or it was a rather twisted tactic in some manipulation to get what he really wanted, whatever that was. Barricade didn't want to be strung along as a mere potential third to a coupling Skywarp would not even confirm existed. He wanted to hear Skywarp confess some true, deep emotion for him. And manipulative and coy as Skywarp himself was, he was not going to lie to someone whose spark he was potentially going to merge with, so the lies could all unravel.
He could not tell anyone he loved them most of all, except Thundercracker. And if what he felt for Thundercracker was love, then nothing he felt for anyone else compared. He could not promise anyone it would be more than using them to conceive a newspark.
Scalpel said there was a way, a secret way he was not supposed to tell Skywarp about. Before Scalpel and Thunderblast had gotten back together – Skywarp had been surprised to learn they had previously courted – Skywarp had been considering Scalpel as a third. Sometimes Scalpel had recharged with them, settled inside Skywarp's cockpit. He had seemed he might be willing, and not made any demands. But after that night Thundercracker kissed Skywarp, and Scalpel had been with them, hidden in Skywarp's cockpit, Scalpel had become distant.
Skywarp had even suspected Thundercracker had scouted Thunderblast as a third, but that interest had been revealed to be entirely professional, and once Thundercracker approved her joining their team, she had gotten back together with Scalpel.
BB had been Skywarp's first consideration for a third, but in that case, it seemed BB had realized his own attraction to Skywarp had been based entirely on his resemblance to a past partner he had lost. BB was content now to work with the crew of the Acheron.
Skywarp suspected, based on what Scalpel had said and a few thing he had overheard Starscream say about sparks and protoform cultivation, that the secret other way involved some method of collecting and retaining another's spark energy for future use in conceiving a newspark. None of them had said such directly, but Skywarp feared this was something that certain mechanisms were equipped to do whether or not the one 'donating' spark energy consented. It would explain how Ravage and her own offspring had increased in number while Decepticons in general decreased: they were able to collect and store spark energy without relying on recognizable breeding activity or having any known partners.
Thundercracker would never agree to use such a method. He was just too honorable. Skywarp liked this about him, that his ego and need to prove himself superior had given him a strong personal code of honor. He was thoroughly Decepticon, but he would not bother to attack those who were compromised, unarmed, or weak. He would not cheat in a duel. He would not steal supplies if he had currency or goods to barter. He would defend his allies reputations, as well as give physical support in battle. He acknowledged when his subordinates performed exceptionally, and gave out just punishment when they performed badly.
What were they talking about? Skywarp wanted to know. Maybe he needed to know. It was making him anxious and distracting him from duty.
"'Warp," Ramjet called.
"Yeah?"
"Red wanted me to ask if you had any update on what season it will be on Earth when we arrive. You know, to get an idea of road conditions, with all the weather they have."
"Give me a klik," Skywarp said, glad for the distraction from his worry. He suspected Ramjet had provided the distraction on purpose, but then Ramjet was a lot kinder, at least to his own kin, than most would guess. Skywarp would not mind having some general estimate of the weather patterns they would be facing. Even their science could not accurately predict day to day surface conditions, but knowing the time of year and location on the planet would narrow possibilities significantly.
Skywarp used the nav console to check on the telemetry they were receiving from the Cocytus and Acheron, to estimate their arrival in Neptune's orbit. Then he checked the positions of the other planets in the system to calculate the best approach to the inner planets. There was some margin to account for in whether the Lycoris actually escorted the Cocytus to Mars, which personnel would be cleared to use the spacebridge, how many shuttle trips the Lethe would need to make.
"Best estimate is somewhere between the time they refer to as fourth and first quarter, the months of November through January. We should clear hurricane season in mid-Atlantic, but it will be winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the south. We would not want to fly anywhere near the northern polar region they call the arctic."
"This prince was really looking forward to an ice coffin," Ramjet said sarcastically. "This place Italy, it's closer to the equator than the pole, right? Should be milder?"
Skywarp had to check the console for the surface maps of Earth. He knew where Japan was without a map, but was not so familiar with this Italy. "It looks like a bit of leg armor, with a little turbine heel! Cute. And, its southern tip is within 40 degrees of the equator, so not too cold."
"Not that I expect preferential treatment, but Red would like some detailed scans of the most updated models of Italian-made sports cars."
"Of course not," Skywarp agreed. "It will most likely be up to Thundercracker to decide locations for any scouting missions or posts on Earth, but I might give him a few suggestions." Then, only after he spoke, it occurred to Skywarp that Ramjet did have some basis for expecting preference. Ramjet and Red Alert were a bonded couple and had recently conceived. Skywarp had allowed himself to forget that Ramjet was carrying a newspark. And, now he thought of it, Acid Storm, on his other side, had also been carrying. 'Cid's newspark was almost ready to be transferred to a protoform. And Dirge's soon after that.
It made Skywarp feel so lacking in comparison. It must be worse for Thundercracker, he imagined. Skywarp did not dare share the information with others, but Thundercracker had been terrified of breeding for a while. Skywarp had needed to promise not to pressure him in order to remain close. He had taken Thundercracker's apparent nesting as a positive sign. And then, when they had celebrated Ramjet and Red Alert's bonding – which was not coincidentally around the time 'Cid and Dirge had conceived – and Thundercracker had tested their compatibility with a kiss, Skywarp had real hope. That had been quickly shattered.
Attempts to find a third had failed. Skywarp truly feared he would lose Thundercracker. What if Thundercracker's ego demanded he find a more compatible mate, to prove he was at least as capable, if not superior, to others, like Dirge.
Or, Skywarp worried, when Thundercracker had confronted him in the engine room and replied that he did not want something else, only for Skywarp to smile, was that some wretchedly honorable way of saying he wanted Skywarp to forget about him and find someone else more compatible?
Skywarp looked anxiously at the office door. It was still shut. He thought about coming one of them, but he could not decide which.
"You need any assistance, Vice-Admiral?" Acid Storm asked pleasantly.
"Wh-why? D-do I look like I need assistance?"
"You don't need to relax," Ramjet teased, "You should remain this tense so you can let your mood affect your work as much as possible."
"I am not scared," Skywarp said
"Did you know?" Acid Storm began, quietly, "Before Overcast and I conceived Drench, when Dreadwind was still online, we lost some little ones?"
Skywarp had known, because the memory was among those of Starscream's that had been pre-installed. Acid Storm's had previously had a trine: fully bonded service and spark. They should have been able to produce many Seeker offspring. But times had been hard on the Decepticons, and lack of energon and some poor management had caused conditions less than idea for sustaining newsparks or cultivating protoforms. Skywarp had never expected to hear Acid Storm speak of it, especially not in these circumstances. Had Ramjet also known? "I know."
"No matter which of us attempted to carry, the loss was devastating for all, every time. Even if the leadership had not eventually discouraged all breeding and emotional bonds, we would have just stopped."
Skywarp could not say that that fear of loss was why Thundercracker shied from any activity that might have led to breeding. Others expected him to be the coward, not Thundercracker. "I understand."
"But avoiding expressing our emotions or showing physical affection hurt our relationship. Even with the bond, we did not fly together as well. We did not work well together. Sometimes we could not even talk."
"But, it got better?"
"Honestly, it took losing one mate for Overcast and I to try again. I was...somewhat unstable when we first conceived Drench. I am grateful, now, we had resources enough in New Kaon."
"Drench is awesome! So cute!"
Acid Storm laughed. "Thank You. I think he is a terror, but without him, Overcast and I would not have even tried to conceived another, and we would not be part of this mission."
"Yes?"
Acid Storm smirked, "If Thundercracker is yours, then you need to be physically affectionate. And if you have some reason – you need not tell me – that you cannot breed right now, there are ways to ease the tension between you while avoiding that."
Ramjet snickered and Skywarp turned to glare. Ramjet schooled his expression. Skywarp turned back slowly, uncertain how he should treat Acid Storm's advice. "What ways?" Skywarp whispered.
"Do you not know?"
"Starscream was so well versed in such matters, as evidenced by his many past successful relationships," Ramjet said.
"He is a little dense about some things," Acid Storm commented.
"Do you mean just making sure the sparks do not touch?" Skywarp whispered even more quietly.
"There is that, but you might find it difficult to resist."
"Yes!" Skywarp sighed.
"I see." Acid Storm smiled knowingly.
Skywarp cringed, certain he has just unknowingly revealed something Acid Storm had not actually known. Maybe 'Cid had assumed Skywarp was the one who thought sparking would be scary. Well, it probably would have been if he considered it being with anyone by Thundercracker. Skywarp had identified Thundercracker as a suitable, and somewhat willing protector very early in his life. It was true he had wanted to share a few physical acts with Thundercracker for some time, since before they had even reached New Kaon. But, he had vowed not to force Thundercracker, or to allow anyone else to do so.
Skywarp could hear Ramjet laughing again. "There's another way?"
"Yes," Acid Storm said, "I would not recommend it casually, but if a couple is devoted enough and needs to be together, but it is not currently safe to conceive – such as having a lack of resources – they might use a spark arrester."
"A c-contraceptive device?" Skywarp squeaked.
Acid Storm nodded.
"But that's entirely against our mission parameters!"
Acid Storm shrugged and swiveled his chair to go back to monitoring comms. He called over his left shoulder, "But if you had a reason to wait, I hear Dirge's R&D team might be able to provide such a device."
And at a steep price, Skywarp thought, not to mention the embarrassment of having to reveal the type of device he needed. Dirge and his team were just mercenary. Swindle had avoided being conscripted by Megatron for the military force defending New Kaon mainly because he had evidence he was Dirge's mate.
The office door opened. Skywarp turned quickly as soon as he heard the faint slide of the door. Barricade came out first, and then Thundercracker. "I need to check on our science team," Thundercracker, 'Skywarp, you have command."
"Sir," Skywarp said, and quickly opened his comm to Barricade, who was taking his seat at the helm. 'What did he say to you?'
'Can't say.'
Can't? 'What did you say to Thundercracker?'
The upper lenses of Barricade's dual optics flicked toward Skywarp again. 'I told him we just talked about physics, that it was obvious you were with him, and I had no intention of competing with that.' Barricade snorted audibly, 'I suggested, if he didn't know what to do with you, he might try some light bondage, as you are always threatening me with velvet rope.'
"You did not!" Skywarp said out loud. He heard Ramjet snicker even as he realized he had spoken.
Barricade commed his reply, 'I did.'
'I do not always threaten you with velvet rope. Maybe twice!'
'More than twice. Want I should upload the memory files?'
'I do not slaggin' believe you!' Skywarp cursed over the comm. 'What business do you have suggesting bondage to Thundercracker?'
'He asked.'
Skywarp quivered with suppressed rage. Fraggin' Barricade didn't know what he was doing! Thundercracker was the only mech more naïve than Starscream when it came to courtship and breeding, let alone deviant versions thereof! And, Skywarp was not even considering himself very knowledgeable. He only knew because he had seen music videos from Earthling Shock Rock and Visual Kei bands; there were probably all kinds of Cybertronian deviancy he did not even know about!