Chapter 4: Separation Anxiety
Disclaimer: I still don't own the Transformers.
Pain was all Starscream could focus on during those last few nanokliks. He remembered ordering the Decepticons with him to retreat, a searing pain in his left wing, losing altitude and now he and Skywarp were prisoners in the autobot base. He was outraged. It didn't help that Skywarp was unusually quiet and offering no ideas.
"You very well may get your wish." Starscream told Skywarp. "You want me out of the way don't you. Too bad you are coming with me. Even if we get past the Autobots now we don't have time before Lord Megatron returns. He will destroy us both. "
Skywarp simply refused to acknowledge. He was trying to think around the pain. Starscream was always so negative, things were never hopeless and that was the main reason he always believed he was the better mech to lead the Trine and eventually the rest of the Decepticons. "Simply reversing the device should remedy the situation, assuming we could get it. Between the two of us that won't be hard to figure out."
"My wing, thrusters, and leg are damaged. Besides if you haven't noticed the energon restraints are there to prevent movement anyway genius." Starscream argued the pain subsiding. Arguing took his processor of the situation.
Wheeljack was holding his invention when he, Ratchet, and Optimus entered, interrupting the seekers' thoughts. "…So one of them will be lost. Not that I am complaining. They have been problems from the beginning but I would be better if it…" Ratchet noticed they were conscious and stopped talking. Wheeljack 's optics widened. Still not believing what happened he fought back laughter. Prime was stoic.
Ratchet scanned them. "Seekers do heal quickly, no doubt you are still in pain." He walked closer.
"Don't touch me. I, we, are fine." Starscream grunted.
"Speak for yourself! I want my undamaged body back!"Skywarp screamed. "Give me that pit spawned device."
"Let us go. I refuse to be your lab rat" Starscream demanded.
At that Wheeljack could no longer hold back his amusement. "Someone is about to 'go bananas'" he laughed face plates lighting up with amusement. He knew he was about to be asked to leave and thought it better for his own sake. He turned to go.
"Bananas? I am not becoming an organic fruit" Starscream said.
"It is an Earth expression meaning losing your sanity. You shouldn't complain though. You compared yourself to a furry disease carrying organic creature. Ok I am leaving to go reverse this device" Wheeljack looked at Optimus. "…or destroy it"
"You are hardly in a position to make demands." Optimus calmly told them. "We are trying to help you, despite the fact that your initial attack and later the attempt to steal the device got you into this situation." He turned to Ratchet. "Have you determined if separation is possible?"
"Possible, yes, but I am still uncertain that the second laser core, Skywarp's, would still function. Especially considering we are not certain exactly what happened to his body. If his core functioned long enough of course one could be rebuilt" Ratchet couldn't believe he was actually having this conversation. Part of him wanted to just blow them both up but the medic, the scientist, in him wouldn't allow it.
Skywarp felt his anxieties grow. He tried to hide the feelings from Starscream. He was decepticon after all. Even termination meant being freedom he told himself.
"I think I may have found the reverse switch if you will, but I need to test it on something before I try it on a living transformer. Even if it is a con" Wheeljack radioed Ratchet and Optimus. "With permission of course, Optimus"
"Granted," Optimus relunctly told him. "If you get it to work bring it here. Then I will destroy it."
Meanwhile on Cybertron…
"Shockwave, I must admit when you summoned me back this was not what I was expecting, however it looks promising. Double Cybertron's limited resources and what we harvest from that primitive planet and well will have enough energy to rule forever terminate the Autobots and anyone who stands against use and rule Cybertron forever! I want to see this device!" Megatron told his scientist. "I commend you for your loyalty and devotion to the cause. "
"It is still in the preliminary stages but my prototype is finished and successful. With your permission I will begin construction of a larger device that will do as you requested." Shockwave informed him.
Shockwave showed Megatron the cube shaped device. It was small and unassuming. Shockwave loaded a cube of energon into it. There was a hum and the readings showed the usable energy in the cube had doubled while still retaining its size.
"Wonderful, Shockwave! Continue your experiments and inform me when you are ready to launch the final test."
"As you command. Lord Megatron, there has been some minor conflicts with certain autobts remaining here. There have been a few skirmishes and attempts to steal our reserves. It has slowed and continues to slow progress I am dealing with it however."
Acknowledged. You may use whatever means necessary Shockwave. I will return to Earth shortly."