Starscream awoke with a start. Scrap he had dozed off with Magnus and had to get back to the Nemesis before he was missed. Wait, this wasn't one of the places they usually met in. And then it all came back, he was in the Autobot base with Magnus and their seekerlet.
There would be no raging call over the shipwide comm system from Megatron. Soundwave wouldn't be lurking around, watching, listening. Checking his internal comm., he found multiple messages from the warlord and disregarded them all. He'd check them later and perhaps turn them over to Prime. Never again would he be at the beck and call of Megatron. Although, Starscream doubted he could ever swear any form of allegiance to Optimus Prime, he was more than willing to give the Autobot leader information that would help him defeat Megatron and thereby ensure the safety of Magnus.
The big mech was still solidly in recharge. He'd need energon when he awoke. Starscream figured he'd go back to the main room and find the medic. Careful not to wake his mate, he slipped from the berth and left the room. His turbine heels echoing in the hall as he walked.
"Well, well, out for a little mischief, are we?"
Ugh, it was the two wheeler.
"Not unless looking for your medic is considered mischief." He wasn't going to back down from her. He had been facing down Megatron for millennia, this little Autobot paled in comparison.
"You're a murderer," she hissed approaching.
"I'm a soldier in a war. Tell me there's no energon on your servos. Tell me you never snuffed a Decepticon spark." His wings flared.
Arcee opened her mouth but snapped it closed as the heavy footsteps of Optimus Prime reached them.
"Starscream. Arcee." The red mech said, nodding to them. He looks at Starscream, addressing him. "Is Magnus in recharge still?"
"He is, I was on my way to get him some energon and ask your medic if supplements or minerals are needed," Starscream answered.
"Arcee, don't you have a patrol with Bumblebee?" Prime asked.
"I do." She spun on her heels and stalked down the corridor.
"I don't think she likes me," the seeker quipped, a sardonic grin on his faceplates.
"Starscream, don't antagonize Arcee," Prime warned, his voice firm but gentle, as he led the way to the main room.
"I know this isn't easy for you, Prime, but I will care for Magnus and our seekerlet. I have a series of messages from Megatron, I haven't checked them yet, but if I feel any will be beneficial to you I will pass them along. I'm sure he knows I'm missing, though I doubt he knows I'm with the Autobots. Although I have no idea what that insufferable Soundwave knows. Pit spawned scrap eater."
"Optimus, Starscream," Ratchet greeted as the two entered the main room.
"Prime, annoying seeker," Wheeljack quipped.
"Medic, insufferable Wrecker," Starscream returned, with a glint in his optic. Wheeljack's tone held no malice.
"Oh joy, now there's two of them," Ratchet groaned, drawing a chuckle from Wheeljack.
"I will be needing seeker grade energon for myself and energon for Magnus. I am unsure what supplements or minerals he will require."
"There are standard supplements that will be beneficial, however the sooner we know if Magnus is carrying a grounder or seeker will help. I can use minerals and supplements for the specific frametype."
"A blend might be best now given Magnus' size and probability of multiples," Wheeljack added.
Starscream raised an optic ridge at the Wrecker.
"Wheeljack was a renowned engineer in Iacon before the war. His help will be invaluable," Ratchet said.
"It may be possible to know soon. Seekers sparks are faster than grounders. In another few solar cycles the difference should be noticeable on scans," Starscream said.
The three looked at him
"Youngest graduate of the Vosian Academy, double major in science and weaponry." Pride laced Starscream's voice.
"That was you," Ratchet commented.
"Yes."
"I'm impressed."
"Understandable, I'm impressive."
Ratchet huffed and pointed to the minerals and supplements. While he and Wheeljack mixed them, Starscream listened to the messages from Megatron. Each filled with more vitriolic ranting and hate than the previous. Maniac. None would be of use to Prime, since they were little more than threats consisting of various ways the Decepticon leader would remove Starscream's wings if he didn't report to the bridge immediately.
"Prime, I believe it is safe to say Megatron has noticed my absence and is displeased. I'll spare you his charming dissertations, but should I leave the base it would be a fatal mistake, and I do mean fatal."
"Very well. When you need to fly, myself and another shall accompany you for protection. Is this alright?"
"Yes, I'll need to fly tomorrow at the latest. This base being fully enclosed is a nightmare. However, I want Magnus kept inside at all times. I will not risk him or our seekerlets."
"Chief, I may be able to make a signal dampener for the irritating tinfoil kite. Should keep the 'Cons from getting a fix on his location outside the base," Wheeljack offered.
"That would be most helpful, Wheeljack."
"Why, yes, thank you ever so much, scraplet spawn."
"Are you two going to keep this up?" Ratchet asked, handing Starscream the enriched energon.
"Yes," they answered in unison.
"I hate everyone on this planet," Ratchet muttered and turned his back on the pair.
Starscream smirked, nodded at Optimus and walked back down the hall. Reaching their room, he opened the door and crossed to the berth.
"Magnus." He stroked a final. The big mech turned slightly and blinked.
"Star." Magnus rolled toward him.
"I've brought you some enriched energon, it will help the seekerlets."
Magnus sat up, took the cube and drank heartily, while Starscream sipped his. Looking at his mate, the seeker smiled softly. He was going to be a sire. He couldn't wait to take his little ones on their first flight.
"Star, will you be disappointed if it's a grounder?"
"I won't lie, I'd love to have seekerlets, the seekers of Vos are all but extinct, but I will love a grounder no less. Seekerlet or grounder, our sparkling will be the first in millennia."
"What about Megatron? He must be looking for you by now?" Magnus finished his cube.
Starscream offered his without hesitation. Magnus smiled, accepting the cube and taking a few long draws, then returned it.
"He has left messages demanding I report to him. Megatron is not my main worry. He is predictable. My big concern is Soundwave, that mech is the real danger. I hate to admit it but I wish that irritating Jazz, or Red Alert were here. Jazz frustrated and foiled Soundwave to no end and Red Alert's security was a nightmare for us."
"I don't know if they even still function. They left after me with a small crew Prowl, Bluestreak, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and Perceptor. By the time I left Cybertron, they were all but the last Autobots there. Truth be told, I never knew if they even made it off planet."
"Who would have thought I'd actually wish to see them?" Starscream chuckled ruefully and leaned into Magnus, kissing him. "We have plenty of time," he purred.