Just over a full cycle later, the air shimmered and a familiar crack broke the silence that had reigned in the med bay since Jazz and Prowl had talked with Ratchet.
Jazz had drifted back into recharge, Starscream had watched Ratchet like a gyroeagle, Ratchet was researching on his computers, and Prowl was filling out data pads.
When the two other Seekers appeared, Skywarp was already flitting to Starscream, chirping anxiously, bending down and touching wing tips as he fussed over his leader fitfully.
Jazz woke up the klik Skywarp entered with the other Seeker, and despite the raping he had endure at their mercies, gave them a friendly wave and a grin.
Prowl watched, doorwings twitching, as Thundercracker walked over to Ratchet, looking more serious then usual.
Ratchet noticed his legs were trembling ever so slightly, and he sat down, offering his lap to the larger Cybertronian, knowing how the reserved blue and white flier secretly loved to snuggle.
TC melted gratefully into his stern mate's embrace, his wings shuddering as he settled himself.
Starscream began chirping and gesturing to his trinemates, and they listened attentively.
After several breems of growls, wings flicks, chirps, and other sounds and motions that made up the Seeker language, Starscream turned to Ratchet.
"You have my permission to ask any question you like of Jazz or myself, but none other." He said, and Ratchet glanced at the tri-colored seeker's trinemates in surprise.
"They rejected me." Starscream said flatly. " They do not have the right to speak of me aloud."
Skywarp hung his head, and Thundercracker stiffened, but said nothing.
"Isn't there a way to reverse that?" Ratchet wanted to know.
"That requires performing the trine bonding ritual, and I am of no condition to even consider such an experience." Starscream said sharply. "Nor would I wish to. They have a lot of proving to do first."
Skywarp crept to Prowl, who allowed the purple and black seeker to snuggle against him for comfort.
Ratchet cleared his vocalizer. "Starscream, what is the relationship between you and Skyfire?"
" We are mates. However, I require another mate, so I am still seeking."
Ratchet hadn't asked for that info, but he was glad for it anyway.
"Anycon in mind?" Ratchet asked cautiously.
"Who said it had to be a con?" Starscream retorted, his claws curling into the berth.
"I apologize." Ratchet snapped. "What bot then?"
"Bumblebee." Starscream purred, a soft look coming over his optics.
Ratchet processed that info, and almost laughed.
"What's so funny man?"
Curse Jazz.
"It's not funny!" Starscream struggled into a seated position, glaring daggers at the medic.
"No, it's not." Skywarp offered in an offended tone, cringing as Starscream hissed venomously at him, silencing him.
TC wisely kept his mouth shut, but dug his claws into his mate's leg to express his own displeasure at the old medic's mirth.
Ratchet winced. "That's not what I meant." He said in exasperation. "I just now know who will be rooming with you."
Starscream let a smile grace his faceplates. "So glad you agree with me medic."
"It's Ratchet."
"I'll grace you with your name when I feel you've earned it Ratchet."
"Did, you just make a joke?" Ratchet narrowed his optics, and the injured Seeker winked at him.
"If only Prime or Ironhide could see us now." Jazz remarked, and the whole room erupted into snickers.
"Statistically, if more Decepticons and Autobots Sparkbonded, the war may have a better chance of ending by 78.954 percent." Prowl noted. "If Optimus and Megatron would Sparkbond, a 98.657 percent."
"As if." Starscream snorted. "Neither will ever make a move on the other. Their pride won't let them."
Silence ruled as the gathered bots and cons looked at each other.
"You know, we may just have to help them." Jazz spoke.
"It has a 67% rate of success." Prowl supplied.
"If more bots and cons Sparkbonded?" Jazz pressed.
"The percentage goes up." The Autobot SIC conceded.
"How many Sparkbonds can we arrange?" Starscream wanted to know.
"Well…" Jazz drawled, visor twinkling. " I could get a list."
"Do it." Starscream ordered.
Jazz leveled a look at him.
Starscream huffed and crossed his arms across his chest, pouting.
"Keep in mind that Seekers Sparkbond two, not just one." Prowl reminded Jazz, who stuck out his tongue and got a light slap to his helm for it.
"So when do I get to room with Bee?" Starscream wanted to know.
"As soon as I say you are fit to leave my med bay." Ratchet told him firmly. "And no sooner."
"I'm thinkin' that the younger twins already spilled to Bee your little obsession with him." Jazz declared seriously.
"Why's that?" Starscream looked struck.
"The way he reacted when we brought you in." Jazz said. "He was completely still and silent the whole way back, and he ignored you as best he could until he thought I'd went into recharge, then he wouldn't take his optics off you."
Starscream nodded, then looked at the floor. "Anymore questions?" he suddenly snarled.
"Actually yes." Ratchet replied with a sigh. "I want to know more about your upbringing, and what Megatron has done to you."
Starscream flicked his wings, and both his trinemates moved to his sides.
"For one, I was never properly named." He said, speaking bitterly. "Seekers give a carrying name, a carrying singing name, an emergence name, a seekerlet sparkling name, a seekerlet youngling name, a seekerlet wingling name, a seekerlet mechling name, a clawing name, an interface-ready name, a trined-name, a sparked name, a mated name, a Sparkbonded name, and lastly a dying name. I only retain my seekerlet sparkling name. And I cannot give you my carry name, singing name, or my emergence name; those are trine-only."
Ratchet stared, processor spinning.
"And of course there's our name we go by for others to call us outside trine, which we choose for ourselves, versus the other names, which we are given." Starscream licked his lips. "I chose Megascream, but am known as Starscream, since it is the only name I know, besides my trine-name, Sparkbonded name, Leader name, and Air Commander name."
"The names stack one upon another, except the ones that are private. A Seeker's true name never changes." Jazz supplied for a slightly confused Ratchet.
Starscream's optics glowed. "And I never accepted my rejection name, so that doesn't count."
"So what is your true name?" Ratchet asked hesitantly.
Starscream snapped out of his glare. "The one we choose for ourselves, as Newsparks. A Seer Trine is called when a Seeker is sparked, so as to assess the Newsparks life path, and help the Newspark choose its name. My path was destined to be one full of suffering, by the Con called Megatron, so I chose the first part of his name along with the sound of my suffering, also my given natural weapon. Then the Seer Trine inputs the Seeker's destiny into his or her coding, so they may follow their path freely. "
"Shall we call you Megascream then?" Ratchet wondered.
Starscream shook his head. "Not until I earn it, by leading the Decepticons."
Ratchet looked confused.
Starscream vented loudly. "You have to earn the name you choose, and I decided I would never take my chosen name until I led my own faction, as is my coded destiny."
"But what if peace is achieved first?" Ratchet wanted to know.
"Then I'll stay as Starscream." The flier responded with a flick of his claws.
"Could you tell me your other names?" Ratchet was curious.
Starscream nodded. " My Trine name is CometTrail, my Sparkbonded name is Dragonfly, my Trine Leader name is FireFlame, and my Air Commander name is NovaFire."
Ratchet nodded. "Thank you." He said respectfully.
"Starscream, I believe we should give him an example on how to use those names." Prowl stated.
Starscream nodded, then looked at Skywarp. "Use the Trine Leader name." He commanded crisply. "And I do give you permission to speak."
Skywarp came forward, kneeling on one leg and bowing his wings in respect. " FireFlame. Please, I beg your forgiveness for rejecting you so rashly." Skywarp lifted his face, and they could see there were tears streaming down his gray cheeks.
Starscream hissed. "Forgiveness not granted. Return, and do not speak again."
Skywarp ran to Prowl, falling into his arms with a sob.
Starscream then spoke tersely to Thundercracker. "Use the Trine name."
Thundercracker didn't move from his position. " CometTrail, reverse your rebuke on your Trine Brother."
"Trine Brother?" Ratchet asked as Starscream winced.
"Most Seekers if not mated in a trine, will form brother bonds. Only Warp and Screamer formed them, since TC and Scream have…differences." Jazz supplied.
"Rebuke not reversed." Starscream said. "Now Jazz, use the Air Commander name."
"NovaFire, please cleanse my Sechren's wings. They have been defiled by one not worthy to touch them." Jazz spoke softly.
"It shall be as you wish, Nameless One." Starscream spoke with affection.
"Nameless One?" Ratchet was bewildered.
"Sechren can have two bodies. Prowl has Barricade, Jazz was a Seeker, but Megatron killed him while still being formed, rendering Jazz nameless among Seekers, but much loved." Starscream responded.
"More and more confusing." Ratchet rubbed his helm.
"Now I believe you wanted the remaining of my years as Megatron's adopted sparkling." The Seeker asked.
Ratchet nodded once more.
But before Starscream could say a word, Thundercracker's radio buzzed to life.
"Pit-slaggin' seeker!" Megatron's throaty roar came through, and Starscream cowered. "Get your blue tail pipes over here, or I'll have them on a plate for my refueling!"
"Yes my lord." Thundercracker replied dutifully, and looked at Starscream hopelessly.
Skywarp buzzed unhappily as well, then rushed over to kiss Prowl farewell.
Prowl hugged him tightly as Ratchet stroked down Thundercracker's face, knowing how the more reserved Seeker did not enjoy much public displays of affection.
"We'll be back." TC promised, and a tearful Skywarp nodded, entwining his claws in Starscream's briefly.
Then the two disappeared with another crack, leaving the four alone in the med bay once more.
"Any chance you'll talk to me without your trine?" Ratchet asked Starscream, who had slumped down on the berth once more.
His wings sagged and he shook his head mutely.
Then he looked up with moist optics. "Megatron is going to force them to trine with another Seeker." He said faintly as a spasm racked his body. "Which means they have to dissolve our bond as I am supposed to be dead."
"The fragger!" Jazz cursed from his berth.
"Get-get Skyfire." Starscream whispered as lubricant began streaming out of the sleek armor of his lithe body. "I-I can't let go alone."
Prowl was already on it. "Skyfire, med bay-now." He ordered.