Soooooo sorry this took so long! Life happened, and well, y'know how it goes!
Good news is the next chapter is already half-written, so it won't be long my lovelies~!
Okay, so I'm sure most of you are aware with the drama and trouble with last chapter, and I want to apologize for that (I'm still going back and fixing mistakes.) I also am aware that I haven't really been giving you guys what you came here for: Steve and Starscream goodness!
So here's chapter four, and I promise the lovely SteveScream will come soon after this in full! (Chp. 6 or 7 probably!)
Warning: Plot ahead!
4
"Let go of me!"
But the eradicon David would not release Steve until he'd dragged him safely to his quarters. There he relinquished his grip and his frantic partner jumped back.
"Why did you do that? !" Steve shouted.
"Steve, please, try and calm down—"
"Calm down? ! Did you not see what…what that monster did to him? !" The drone balled his servos and moved to return to the brig. "I have to go back."
His partner blocked his way. "I can let you do that, Steve; it's for your own good."
"I can't just leave him there!" Steve pushed against the eradicon's arm.
David gripped Steve's shoulders. "And what will you do, fight Megatron?" He shook the bot, "There is nothing you can do for him now!"
Steve stopped and became still, frame shaking. After a minute he settled down and his helm dropped a little in defeat.
His friend kept his servos on him. "Steve…?" When he did not move, he pulled his face up so he could see him.
Drones were the only ones who could tell each other apart; they were also the only ones able to sense each other's emotions.
Steve was crying silently.
David softened and rubbed his shoulders. Steve leaned forward into his friend's chest.
"I…I…" the bot couldn't find the right words. His spark was being ripped to shreds; all he could see in his processor was Starscream falling painfully to the ground, and the satisfied look on their master's face.
The other drone gently placed a servo on Steve's head. After a moment, he said quietly, "You probably saved his life, y'know,"
Steve looked up at him. "W-what?"
"You distracted Megatron at the last minute; you saved his spark, Steve."
The eradicon absorbed this. He took a step back from his partner. If he were a human he probably would've hiccupped. "I…I think I'll go to the berth now,"
David cocked his head worriedly. "Will you be alright?"
Steve nodded and retreated down the hall into his quarters, bidding his friend goodnight. He tiredly crawled into his berth and lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.
"You probably saved his life, y'know."
Steve woke from recharge the next cycle groggily holding his helm. Memories of the previous night filled him, causing him to hug himself to stop shivering; he'd had nightmares. He cycled one large intake before crawling out of his berth and stumbling to his feet.
The eradicon exited his quarters out into the halls of the Nemesis. David was probably just now getting his recharge, assuming he stayed up most of the night watching Steve's door.
He watched as other drones exited out into the hall, all eventually turning and moving off in the same direction. Steve followed them into the mess hall, where several refueling stations were set up. He noticed with slight disdain as some of his comrades were already dipping into the high-grade this early in the morning.
The drone waited patiently in line to receive his cubes of energon. These cubes were of smaller, more manageable size than those in the actual energon vault, like cups of water from a large cooler.
Each drone received two for every refuel, which were two to three times a day. Today Steve took three cubes, thinking he'd need the extra energy since he hadn't recharged very well.
He sat at one of the tables with benches around the mess and tiredly sipped down two of his cubes through the slit in his faceplates he called a mouth. Before he could start on his third, a chamber-master announced for drones on bridge-duty to report immediately. Steve rose quickly and tucked the extra cube away for later in one of the storage compartments in his chest.
He arrived on the bridge as per usual. He sat at his station and quickly became busy entering data and codes. Soundwave would send the drones more files of data to organize, so Steve rarely had a break.
The drone did pause a few times in his work, however, to stare off into space; his concentration splintered with stray thoughts of Starscream.
He wanted to help his commander so badly, but he had no idea how to go about it. He considered enlisting some help, but he didn't want to put any of his friends at risk, nor did he think many would help anyway.
While pondering and discarding ideas, he looked up to see one of the drones receiving an order from Soundwave. The drone then climbed down from the helm to the lower deck of the bridge where Steve worked.
He approached, handing Steve a small stack of data-pads. "Deliver these to Officer Knockout in the medical bay."
Steve nodded, taking them and leaving the bridge. His fantasies continued, and by the time he dismissed the idea of filling Megatron's quarters with scraplets, the eradicon was in the medical bay.
He looked around for Knockout; the bot was nowhere to be seen.
"You there!" Steve turned to come face to face with the medic's assistant.
"Officer Breakdown!" the eradicon stood at attention. "Soundwave wished for me to deliver these to officer Knockout."
The bulky mech scowled. "Oh he did, did he?" Breakdown reached out with clumsy servos and took the data-pads from him. "In that case, I'll take those,"
Steve reluctantly let them go. "Um…sir…he was specific—"
"I'll get them to him!" Breakdown snapped. He tossed the data-pads on a—presumably Knockout's—messy desk. He turned back to the drone. "I need you to help move equipment into storage," he said.
Steve stumbled again, "But, sir, I have to return to my station…"
"I'll comm. the bridge that you're needed more here. Now move!" Breakdown snapped again. Steve quickly saluted and moved to where some other eradicons were lifting heavy boxes of supplies.
They worked together in silence, a few sending dirty looks toward Breakdown, who lazed about doing nothing.
Suddenly the doors to the med bay swished open to reveal Knockout with a strained expression. He smoothed it back into his customary smirk as he entered before his assistant could notice. Said assistant straightened up when he saw him.
Knockout went to his desk and flopped down on it dramatically, crossing his legs.
Breakdown waited expectantly. When the silence was obviously too much for the mech to bear, he let out a huff of air through his vents. "So, how bad was he?" he asked eagerly.
The racer stretched languidly before answering, "Megatron really did a number on him."
Steve strained his audials to hear their conversation; they must have been talking about Starscream.
"Oh?" Breakdown shifted from foot to foot excitedly, "So, did he still have both his wings?" Knockout gave him an exasperated look before nodding. Breakdown scowled. "Scrap."
Knockout rolled his optics at him; Unlike Breakdown, he was one of the few who didn't bet on Starscream's damage level.
Steve, who was aware of the betting, felt a wave of anger fill him. He forced it down, accidently shoving a crate onto a shelf a little too hard, causing the whole structure to wobble.
The noise attracted the stray attention of Knockout, who merely glanced his way before returning his gaze to his assistant. The mech then hopped off his desk and rolled his shoulders. "I'm going for a drive." He announced and began to walk from the med bay.
"Knockout?"
The racer paused and glanced over his shoulder, "Hmm?"
Breakdown frowned. "You seem distracted…is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine, Breakdown," he replied, continuing out.
"Was it something Starscream said?" he guessed.
Knockout stopped again and halfway turned to look at him. He gave his signature smirk and put his hands on hips to hide the slight shake in them all of a sudden. "Don't worry your thick little head about it, alright?" he said blithely before he turned away again with a wave of his hand. "I'll be back soon."
"But, Knockout—"
"Goodbye, Breakdown!" His voice floated through the doors and then the mech was gone.
Breakdown huffed in irritation and stomped over to his own work station to tinker with something, grumbling about fickle racers.
Steve gazed curiously after Knockout, wondering why the flamboyant officer was indeed acting a bit strange, but his thoughts were interrupted when another heavy crate was shoved into his servos.
Knockout was through a bridge and tearing down an abandoned highway before anyone could stop and question him. Frankly, he wasn't in the mood to be questioned; his processor was still churning from the conversation he'd had earlier that cycle.
o0o0o
Megatron had ordered Knockout to attend to "the prisoner". Naturally, he did, but when he saw Starscream, the racer was a bit stunned.
He had found the jet lying in a large pool of his own energon. His intakes were labored and slow and his shook with each rise and fall of his chest. He hadn't moved when Knockout came into his cell, the attending drones remaining just outside to give him room.
The medic kneeled at then former SIC's side. "Starscream," he had said, placing a light servo on his chest. He shook him a little, "Starscream!"
The seeker's optics snapped open and his body lurched away from his touch on instinct. The movement caused him to cough and sputter, his intakes coming out as a horrible wheezing.
Knockout's medical training kicked in and he restrained the mech. He pulled from his medical kit a small welder and began to close the wound on his abdomen, but not before welding a few bleeding valves shut first. He'd been instructed only to keep the seeker alive; no cosmetic repair, no replacements or installments.
"Wow, Screamy, I've seen you in better shape," Knockout said conversationally, halfway done closing the hole in the mech's frame. All he received in return was a pained grunt.
Starscream's talons were curled against the metal floor, the tips making an awful screeching as he worked against the pain. Knockout wasn't allowed to administer painkiller either.
When the medic finished, he tried to help Starscream sit up so he could work on his arm. The jet's movements were stiff; his shoulders and wings were locked up from not being able to move properly.
Knockout got to work closing the valves on his arm and capping some wires, kneeling still at Starscream's side. The seeker's stare was glassy until he finally seemed to register the other mech's presence.
"Knockout?" he asked as if addressing a mirage. The medic hummed in response. Starscream stared at him for a moment. "What are you doing here?" his voice was terribly raspy.
Knockout chuckled, "Megatron doesn't want you dead just yet,"
"Fabulous," the seeker groaned and winced as Knockout tweaked a nerve.
They sat in silence while he worked. Starscream seemed deep in thought, glancing at the medic every so often. Soon he began to fidget.
"Screamer, hold still!" the medic complained, trying not to electrocute them both.
They settled and were silent until Starscream asked again, "Knockout?"
"Hmm?"
"I…I know you're not loyal to Megatron," The seeker said slowly, as if he were revealing a secret.
Knockout's only response was a casual, "Oh?"
Starscream's ridge-plates drew together. "You're not loyal to anyone."
He paused in his work to look dramatically at the seeker, opening his optics wide. "Oh, please don't tell anyone, I might lose my job!" He snorted and resumed his work. "Please, Screamer."
A talon suddenly closed over his wrist and he looked up into desperate, red optics.
"Help me." Starscream said, his grip firm. He glanced once at the drones behind him.
"W-what?" Knockout managed. "Are you nuts?"
"Help me," the seeker repeated with an edge of desperation in his voice, "Help me out and off the ship; you won't be caught if you come with me."
Knockout shrugged him off and stood, backing away. He stared at Starscream for a moment before going for his medical kit. The jet's ruby gaze followed him.
"Knockout, please-" The medic ignored Starscream actual use of the word please to shove a cube of energon into his servos.
The jet, although starving, set the cube aside, "All you would have to do is just get me a bridge—to anywhere! I just need to get out."
Knockout shook his head and turned away from him. "You're a fool, Starscream. Now, drink your energon,"
But the seeker refused. "Knockout, I can't stand it in here anymore!" He burst out, "I can't see the sky! I can feel the very walls closing in on me! Besides who knows what Megatron plans to do with me next!"
The racer turned toward him angrily. "I can't just help you Starscream!" he snapped, pacing back towards the other mech at his feet. "I can't help you, much less go with you; I have a mate to think about!"
Starscream's tones became more pleading, "Then bring him with us!"
Knockout looked at him incredulously. "Megatron put more dents in your head than I thought!"
"At least convince him to help us. Knockout, plea—" He was cut off by a stormy glance from the medic. "I just need an opportunity within the next two cycles; that's when he'll be back."
Knockout became curious despite himself. "How do you know?"
"It is his pattern," Starscream spat, "You don't think I'm aware of every click I spend in this cage? He comes after three cycles, and I fear what he has in mind next."
"You're afraid?"
"Do not mock me! I was speaking abstractly,"
Knockout rolled his eyes at the seeker. He looked down at him; an arm missing, his plume gone, his entire frame scarred and bruised; the claw marks on his face. He looked pathetic and more than a little desperate.
"It would bring me nothing but trouble," Knockout challenged, "What's in it for me if I help you?" Starscream flinched.
He looked away from him. "I'll admit it isn't much," Starscream muttered, "But I'm asking you to look into your spark-"
"I don't think you deserve it," Knockout muttered, thinking on what the other officers had been saying.
"No one deserves what has happened to me!" The seeker suddenly howled. "Have I not suffered enough?"
The medic looked at him again. Deliberation tore at his features before he sighed, kneeling down to the seeker's eyelevel. "I swear to Primus, if something happens!..."
Starscream looked up with surprise which quickly changed into relief. He was about to thank him, when the other mech held up a servo.
"Not. Another. Word." The medic growled. Starscream couldn't help but smirk.
Knockout straightened with his hands on his hips. "Do you know where your missing parts went?"
The jet shrugged, the motion causing him to wince as it jostled his stiff wings. "I would assume they're still where Megatron threw them, out in the room there."
The medic then turned to one of the drones behind him. "See if you can find Screamer's missing parts," he said nonchalantly. He then looked seriously between the two eradicons. "Nothing said here is to be repeated, or I'll use you for spare parts, understood?"
The drones straightened up. "Yes, sir!"
Knockout then turned and retrieved his medical kit. She straightened and looked down at Starscream. "As soon as something goes wrong, you're on your own," he warned, backing out of the cell and activating the bars. "I will not put my mate at risk."
Starscream simply placed his servo to his chest and lightly bowed his head. Knowing the medic couldn't stand any more gratitude, he simply said, "I understand," with a small smile.
Knockout huffed and strutted indignantly from the brig, the eradicons' following quickly after, one of them holding a box of Starscream's parts.
o0o0o
The sports car suddenly had to serve to avoid colliding with a deer that had bounded into the road, breaking his reverie. He braked on the curb as the creature sprinted into the woods with fright. He cursed about Earth organics and continued his drive; from then on, his thoughts were no longer of Starscream.
"…and so Knockout has agreed to assist him!" David was saying eagerly. He'd set down the box of seeker limbs and was leaning forward as he retold what he'd heard in the brig.
Steve stood before him, stunned, leaning back on the storage room wall for support. "Why would he…?
"I don't know, but, Steve isn't this what you wanted? Starscream might have a chance now!" David was animated.
The cogs were turning in his partner's head. This was the opportunity he'd been waiting for! Steve thought silently.
The other eradicon shifted in the small space. "So what're you going to do?" David asked.
Steve shrugged. "I don't know," he answered honestly, "But I will make sure the commander gets out safely." David nodded, expecting as much.
He then gestured for them to leave. "C'mon; it's time for refuel," The bot hit the paneling, opening the door and exiting. Steve followed close behind.
As they entered the mess, evening refuel was already in full swing, the high-grade flowing in greater quantities than it had that morning.
While waiting for their energon, a drone came up to them, speaking to Steve. "Steve, have you got a minute?"
"Sure, H.M.," he replied, stepping out of line. H.M. jokingly stood for what humans called a "house mother"; it was his job to make sure everyone had their assignments and duties and were doing them, as well as settle any disputes amongst the soldiers.
H.M. folded his arms and nodded seriously. "I have taken into account your recent actions…" Steve's spark almost stopped; had he noticed how much time he'd been spending in the brig? Did he know his plans about Starscream? "…and I've noticed you have worked extra time on your shifts."
The eradicons was taken aback. "Sir?"
"I'm giving you some time off, Steve," he slapped on the shoulder and leaned in seriously. "Use it wisely." H.M. then turned and walked away to join the others in energon shots.
Later that evening, Steve was wandering around the commonplace contemplating what his next move should be.
Knockout had agreed to be Starscream's temporary ally; should he approach him? The eradicon was thinking of ways of doing so without alarming the medic to giving up on the former SIC.
Steve decided he'd have to speak with Starscream first.
This thought made him nervous, as he always was around the commander. The bot fretted over it for nearly an hour before finally deciding he would go see him.
He crept along the walls of the Nemesis. It was late enough into the cycle that most officers would have gone to recharge, and drones not on duty were drinking, fragging, or doing the same.
Steve came to the brig, the two guards in front slumping against the wall. They nodded to him as he nervously entered. The doors shut behind him, leaving the room completely dark except for the glow of the energy bars.
He slowly approached, peering shyly from around the corner. Two glowing red optics found his.
"What are you doing here?" Starscream snapped, a hint of receding panic in his voice; he'd thought Megatron had come early.
"I…I-um," Steve stuttered.
He watched the glowing orbs rise and come closer, the seekers face illuminated by the energy bars. "Did Knockout send you?"
Steve's processor jumped at his. It was a perfect opportunity! "Erm…um…no, sir." Stupid, stupid!
His face fell, and then became confused. "Then who sent you? Megatron?" Starscream pressed, the panic returning.
The eradicon quickly shook his helm. "No! No, I…I came myself, sir."
Starscream considered the drone, narrowing his optics. "…why?" Probably to update the betting pool. He thought grimly. Drones only bet hours of shift-work, rather than credits, so he really didn't see the point.
"I…I…I wanted…" Steve fumbled, unable to look in his commander's face any longer and settled for his feet instead. He carefully began to memorize how the shadows danced over his stilted bases.
Starscream detected his obvious fear of the former SIC's presence. "Nevermind," he said and began retreating to the back of his cell.
Steve suddenly lurched forward after him, nearly singing himself on the bars. "Wait!" he said. He took in a large intake and blurted out, "I want to help you,"
Starscream paused and turned back to him. "What?"
"I want to help you out of here…sir." Steve repeated.
The seeker shook his head. "Yes, yes, but what reason could you possibly have to want to assist me?"
Before Steve could answer him, there was a loud bang from the brig entrance; the soldiers outside had stood up and hit the walls behind them.
"Lord Megatron! What brings you here this late?" One of them said rather loudly, causing both Starscream and Steve to tense up. There was a muffled response. "Are you sure you want to, sir? I believe the prisoner is in recharge."
Steve began to panic. What do I do, what do I do?"
The seeker threw a piece of scrap-metal at him to regain his attention. "Hide!" he hissed furiously.
The eradicon looked around nervously for a place, listening to the obnoxious chattering of the drone outside- warning him-and the increasingly angry muffled responses.
Steve finally dove into the empty cell beside Starscream's, pressing himself into the darkest shadow. He was thankful it was so dark in here. As soon as he settled, the brig doors swished open, a beam of light hitting Steve's cell a split second before disappearing again. The light had also revealed the silhouette of Megatron.
He came forward in the darkness; his slow, heavy steps making Steve's spark tighten. He stopped before Starscream's cell and the eradicon strained his audials to hear him.
"Hello, Starscream."
To be continued…
Dun Dun Dunnnnn!
Yes, have a cliffhanger. :3
Anyway, I hoped you enjoyed this; merely a filler chapter to progress the plot a bit and hopefully giving you a little insight. I want to hear your guesses on what will happen!
The usual: I hope I stayed in character, that the plot wasn't too boring, etc. etc.
I want to thank you all for your favorites, watches, and reviews! They make writing this worth it and I've been truly guilty I've taken so long to update.
I also want to thank JenKristo and the-spoon-of-doom for writing their fic and just giving me such great inspiration, as well as all the writers out there whose work I come across!
So please REVIEW&REVIEW~! I must know your thoughts! Suggestions are welcome also~
PS. I need some plot ideas for my other little fic Medic's Grief; any ideas?
