7. Choosing

Starscream

He decided to open the box. Silverstorm piled together everything that he found in the quarters formerly occupied by Thundercracker and Skywarp and deposited the crate in his room without a word. Starscream had expected the pieces to evoke memories, but he didn't prepare for such a strong emotion as he felt when pulled the very first item out – a drawing of them in Vos, before the war, young, enthusiastic and full of life; vibrant colours side by side, wingtips just touching with an affection he hasn't felt for ages… his resolve to remember crumbled and shoving back the drawing on top of the other trinkets, he angrily snapped shut the lid again.

"IT IS ALL GONE!" - he screamed into the silence of his room, into the racket of his mind before he would go mad. – "Collect yourself Starscream, it won't do to lose your sanity." – not that talking to oneself in third person indicated a particularly healthy frame of processor. He seriously considered blasting the whole crate to the Pit, and preferably Thundercracker with it too and forgetting about them completely. He can't go back. Suddenly he sprang from the chair and stormed out of his quarters, intent on getting out, getting away from… from something that he didn't, couldn't even name. But he didn't get far and what stopped him was the one he definitely didn't want to see. Megatron stood on his way, looming threateningly over the Seeker skidding to a suddenly frightened stop.

"What have I heard Starscream? The Autobots suddenly have not only one but two Seekers – the ones you told me were gone, deactivated and you haven't seen fit to inform me about them? Explain yourself!"

"I… My Lord, but they were gone! I didn't know…" – he didn't get far with the explanation, as Megatron's servo closed around his neck with enough force to bend plates and shut him up.

"You told me that Thundercracker and Skywarp were both dead!"

Starscream could only choke and look pleadingly as he was shaken like a sparkling and thrown to the floor. His crushed neck hurt like hell, and of course everyone was avoiding this part of the base while the enraged Megatron taught his SIC another lesson in humility. It didn't really matter what he said or tried to say – the gunformer wasn't really interested in explanations, not when he got into one of these moods. He could only beg and plead in a hope that he wouldn't get deactivated, even if his trip was surely ending in the repair bay – yet again. But when his consciousness started to fade, he heard an unexpected voice intruding on the beating and causing it to stop. Two shapes, one whitish and one dark stood beside him, shielding his battered frame from Megatron, causing him to blink is shock too; not many aside from Soundwave dared to interfere ever with his lessons to the Seeker.

"Lord Megatron, we beg to rectify that mistake. They shall be deactivated at the first chance to redeem the honour of the Trine." – Silverstorm knew better than ask Megatron to spare Starscream – the only chance he had was if they succeeded to draw the warlord's attention from him and offer another target instead; and do it in a way to pique his interest too, so it wouldn't get them into the punishment. It seemed to work, he noted…

His words were so unexpected that Megatron could only gape at them; the silver-white and the black-and-copper Seekers standing boldly on the two sides of their Trine leader, crumpled broken on the floor; but they showed proper respect and their intrusion was so unusual that he was actually considering to let them get away with their scheme – whatever it was.

"All right, you will get one chance to redeem yourselves – and if you are willing to share your worthless leader's mistake, then so be it. But if you fail, you will all suffer the consequences." – he added in his most ominous, threatening voice, glowering at Silverstorm, who has spoken up. For a fleeting second he even admired the boldness of the young Seeker who dared to stand up to him – it took a certain character to do so and still remain respectful. The Seeker might have a future if he could keep this up – in Starscream's case he would certainly watch his back. But then Trines worked mysteriously for him, not always by the same logic as the rest of his Decepticons.

"And see to that pile of scrap that you call a leader…" – the scorn and disdain that dripped from his voice hurt Starscream a bit more than the injuries he inflicted. He was almost numb with the pain of the half-finished beating and the surprise of his Trine mates actually standing up for him, and felt the other two lifting him and cautiously help him towards the repair bay while Megatron turned and left to his quarters.

"We can solve this problem, Commander. But first we must talk, so we know what is there to know about your former mates."

Talk they did – and planned. It wasn't trust, not yet, but by supporting him they appeared to be all in the same mess, succeeding or failing together. In a way it decided the dilemma for Starscream that he didn't want to talk about; and he knew what to do with the boxful of things in his quarters. Swindle will know how to go about it.

Prowl

It took Jazz a long time to explain to him what ticked Bumblebee off during that night. He didn't mean to say that Bumblebee was not interesting to other mechs; he said that Thundercracker was interested only to see Skywarp in him – and he really thought that so. But as Jazz elaborated on it, he was forced to admit that someone with self-confidence issues could take that statement in a broader meaning than he intended it with – which apparently Bumblebee did. It left them both sad and as the yellow Seeker started to avoid them Prowl got very frustrated by not being able to explain what he meant and clear the issue. Jazz still said that things would work out if they didn't push, but he was not as sure of it as his mate. Since Bumblebee was a flier and under Silverbolt's command, neither of them saw him as often as before, and he could quite effectively disappear from them if he wanted to. Apparently he started to avoid the rec-room too, if the twins were any reliable source of information on that; he couldn't be sure of that though, as they surprisingly liked the former minibot and often took his side against anyone else.

But unlike Bumblebee, the neutral Seeker was under his jurisdiction, so he had a perfect excuse to check on him as often as he wanted. Granted, he did nothing suspicious so far, but if it was just a deception Prowl wouldn't have expected anything else. So, when the entrance guards notified him that some humans turned up with a big crate, addressed to Thundercracker, he was immediately leery of it. Arriving to the entrance, he saw the Seeker turning up too, and tensed as he saw Bumblebee with him, like he belonged to his side... But his attention remained on the crate still.

"Thundercracker, I must ask you what is in that box. I cannot allow you to bring unknown materials into the Ark."

"I have no idea. I didn't expect to receive anything and no sender is marked on it." – the Seeker actually looked honestly bemused; he was either a good actor or the package was really a surprise to him.

"Then you agree to open it so we can see what it is?"

"Of course. You can scan it for anything dangerous too."

He commed to Wheeljack, who then scanned the crate for explosives or unstable materials, but found none. When they unlocked and lifted the lid Prowl heard a sharp intake from Thundercracker – leaning over the box he saw assorted junk and personal belongings, including a drawing on the top, which presumably caused the distress for the Seeker. Lifting it out he saw a beautiful sketch of three Seekers – marred only by a very real hole, complete with slightly burned edges, where the spark should be on the purple and black one. On closer inspection he also noticed the painted-on target on the blue figure, with a small Autobot symbol as the bull's-eye. If that was not a clear-cut message then he didn't know what was; and Prowl felt a twinge of sympathy towards Thundercracker for a nanoklik – until he turned towards the Seeker and saw Bumblebee's servo slowly, soothingly stroking the drooping blue wings…

Thundercracker

"I shouldn't have expected anything else from Starscream…" – he murmured, silently appreciating the gentle caress from Bee, for once not giving a scrap to what Prowl thought of it. - "It wasn't like we were a real Trine for a long time." – they were leaving, going back to Thundercracker's room, bearing the crate with them that passed the examination.

"Still it was particularly cruel to send you that… I know little about Starscream, but I wouldn't have expected such theatrics from him, like that target. I mean, we knew that he would be angry at seeing you alive and here, but this is… almost childish. I can't imagine Starscream, the Decepticon SIC, Air Commander and whatnot painting a target on somebody to threaten…"

"Yeah, it is not really like him. I mean, I fully expected him to just destroy my belongings, or not even think of them at all. I wonder what caused this…"

"Was this drawing made before the war? I guess it had a significance…"

"Yes… just after we met and formed the Trine. I met Skywarp and we looked for our third for a while before he visited Vos from the Academy and we saw him first. He was just disowned by his creator for not going to the Military Academy but choosing sciences, and he sat at one of the high balconies, his brilliant colours vibrating in the setting sun, standing out from the grey metal of the building – we both knew at once that he was the one we were looking for. And he was." – Thundercracker paused a bit, checking unobtrusively how Bumblebee was taking the reminiscence about the other Seekers, and saw with pleasure that he was listening truly interested and not in the very least uncomfortable of hearing about his lover's old lovers. - "We became the best Trine because we supplemented each other perfectly; in abilities, temperaments and function. After the Trine ritual, we went back to that spot, and had this drawing made. I kept it because 'Warp wasn't interested in sentimental keepsakes and Star couldn't bear to look at the Vos cityscape after it was destroyed. I managed to keep it undamaged through all these eons and now he simply… shot it…"

"I think Sunny can repair it… if you'd like I can ask him."

"Sunny…? You mean Sunstreaker?" – Thundercracker's shock was almost palpable. He knew the warrior twins of course, they caused him many crashes and injuries with the infamous Jet Judo, which he was only happy of not being directed at him any more; but why would Bumblebee entrust one of them with a damaged drawing…?

"Ohh… you don't know of course! Sunny is a very talented artist. I guess it doesn't show on the battlefield." – he smirked at the comically shocked features of the blue Seeker.

"Uhh… I really didn't know about it. But it would be nice to have it fixed."

"Sure, I will ask him. Ummm… TC… I've bee meaning to ask… I read a bit about Trines and such, but there isn't much about it in our library. But this picture reminded me about one thing I found here: that Trines are for life. I do wonder… how is that working in your… in our… in this case?"

Thundercracker nodded to himself; he expected this question sooner or later, down to the shaky personal pronoun that he too had problems with.

"It might be why Starscream chose to send my things back and explains the picture. You see, Trines are for life, it is true, but there are some more obscure laws and traditions governing Seekers that you'd not find in an Autobot library. Or in any library, as our traditions were mostly kept verbally. Trine leaders have responsibilities that usually come naturally if a Trine works optimally; but which Starscream has systematically shirked over a really long time. For a while those only alienated us from him, and made the trine less coordinated, less perfect. But what he did in that battle was inexcusable. By Seeker law he became unfit to be a leader, and me, as his second could have challenged him – and if the third agreed disbanded the Trine. It wasn't often done… in fact almost never, but still it was possible."

"So… maybe he sent you this message, because he wants you to do it… to be free of a Trine he doesn't want any more?"

"I am not sure… it still wouldn't really be the Starscream that I knew to play psychological games for any reason. I think he would rather shoot me dead – and he apparently doesn't consider you as a Trine member. But maybe he wants a new Trine in whatever way he can manage it…"

"I think after that message you should get back your weapons. I wouldn't want you to be unarmed out there…"

"Yeah, I've been thinking about that. I don't think Prowl trust me yet… but I'll ask him."

Bumblebee

Bumblebee simply knew that Prowl wouldn't give back Thundercracker's weapons therefore he wasn't surprised when the Seeker came back scowling, quite obviously knowing why Prowl was so cold and formal with him. He grabbed the damaged drawing to take it to Sunstreaker, and after convincing him to help, he went straight to the Prime's office. Signaling him, and being bid to enter the office, he saw that Optimus was surprised by his visit; he didn't go to the top often, usually preferring the normal channels.

"What can I help you Bumblebee? It doesn't look like a social call."

"No Sir, it is not. I came on Thundercracker's behalf. Have you heard of the message that Starscream sent him?"

"No, I don't remember hearing about it."

"It was a threat… an old drawing of the Seeker Trine, with a target painted on him. Because of it, he asked Prowl to get back his weapons to be able to defend himself, but he refused."

"I see. And you disagree."

"Yes Sir. He gave no indication of anything suspicious, and the message clearly shows that the Decepticon Air Commander considers him an enemy."

"And you don't think that Prowl can accurately calculate the risks?"

"I think Prowl allows personal dislike to influence his decision."

"Bumblebee, that is a serious accusation, you know that. Are you sure you aren't influenced by things… personal?"

"Sir, with all due respect I'd rather err to the side of Thundercracker's safety. If there was the slightest indication of him being a danger to the Autobots, I'd understand the caution; but as there has been no such indication whatsoever, I cannot in good conscience consent to it."

"I see. I do think that you have a point there and I will discuss the matter with Prowl and Thundercracker. As Neutral, I still hesitate to let him go around armed, but if he is in danger outside, we will have to find a solution for the problem."

"Thank you, Sir."

He decided to stop hiding in his quarters after that – after all it was becoming a bit ridiculous – and after coming out from the Prime's office, he made his way to the rec-room. The time being after the main shifts, he saw many groups around the tables and he waved to some of them, like to the twins and the Protectobots as he made his way towards the energon dispenser. After drawing a cube though he continued towards the back part of the room, making a beeline towards a very distinctive pair of blue wings there; nodding only with the smallest of gestures to the two black and whites who sat nearby. Making it around Thundercracker, he chose a stool on his other side facing the main part of the room, and very deliberately and visibly nudged the blue wing just beside him with a wingtip of his own, which of course elicited a similar a reaction from Thundercracker. Skyfire, the other occupant of the stools watched them fondling with a bit of a surprise and not a little bemusement.

Bumblebee knew that Prowl wouldn't make a scene in the crowded rec-room; after his insistence to keep their affair secret it would have made quite a scandal if he would suddenly try and wedge between the two Seekers. Not that he left a lot of space between them in which anyone would be able to fit. He wasn't that sure of Jazz, who was always the more impulsive of the two, but so far the two officers were not reacting visibly to his display and he stopped watching them in favor of paying attention to the topic that Thundercracker was elaborating on; about Seekers, Trines and Starscream in particular.

It was a fascinating tale really; he had always known that the Decepticon Air Commander was a controversial mech to say at least, but TC's tale shed more light in just how fragmented and colourful his meta was. The melancholic sorrow was clear from his voice as he regaled them with stories of the young Starscream and the early vorns of their Trine; but it was also clear that he considered it a thing of the past, closed, ended, finished with; worthy of remembering, but not affecting the present. By the time he finished, Bumblebee realized that half a dozen Autobots came closer, listening in to the tale; and he was glad to see that none of them reacted negatively to either the blue Seeker telling it, or at Starscream's name that usually drew disdain and insults among the crew.

Silverstorm

A routine patrol again and there was only the two of them this time. Starscream was ever so slightly more open with them than before, but apparently the mech still had a long way to go before he could really accept them. True, he was thankful of their show of support against Megatron, but still, aside from the battle last week, in which he was with them, giving orders and flying in formation together – he seemed to keep his distance from them still. Pit, he talked with Soundwave more than with his own Air Commander and the telepath wasn't a conversationalist by any stretch of the concept. But when he saw the tricolored Seeker he always got the feeling that he was for some reason still suspicious of them, albeit Silverstorm couldn't even imagine the reason why. The explanation that he gave for the two Seekers in the Autobot ranks weren't really adequate or even fully believable; he left out completely why his old Trine-mate, Thundercracker would defect to the Autobots after fighting on his side, for the Decepticon cause for eons. Maybe the rumours that he had heard were actually true for once…? Such rumours among Decepticons were usually less than half true, if not complete fabrications, created only to discredit enemies or rivals, and he learned to mistrust them long ago; but this time… he would need to gain information, because if it was true, then Starscream was unfit to be a Trine leader, much less Air Commander.

This whole mess with the suddenly appearing Seekers on the Autobot side was disturbing; on a personal level as well as militarily and now they had Megatron's threat looming over their helms too. But he must know the facts first and for that he must meet with this Thundercracker mech; obviously he would tell his side, and the truth would, as usual be in the middle. On a hunch, he opened a little-known Seeker frequency that Starscream's old Trine-mates should know about, to issue an invitation.

"Thundercracker and Skywarp/Bumblebee – I, Silverstorm invoke Seeker law over factions to seek information. Meet us?"

Of course he didn't expect an answer outright, didn't even know if they were outside flying, or in range at all. He felt his brother's curiosity exuding from his frame, but as usual, he didn't ask straight away; Silverstorm felt confident with the quiet trust behind him and would explain everything in time. He repeated the invitation a few times, complete with a set of coordinates, and while awaiting an answer, he discussed the matter with Whipping Star. A scant half-joor later the frequency opened up again with a short, gruff answer and a time-frame:

"We'll be there. Truce?"

"Seeker-kin. Truce."

They set off to the place at once.