Author's note. The Autobots try to figure out how best to protect and look after Starscream. For Decepticon fans, yes I am going to be using some, but remember not much time has past, most of the Decepticons are still enjoying their day off and won't notice Starscream's missing till later. Also in this story mechling means young adult. Sparkling is of course young child and youngling is older child/teenager.
And if any one's a fan of Transformers Armada, maybe you'd like to check out the story I'm writing and leave me a review if you like it. As always enjoy, and please review.
"Megatron. It was Megatron" Bumblebee said in a trembling voice.
"Megatron" Optimus repeated slowly while Jazz said.
"Megatron? You serious?"
"What makes you think Megatron is responsible" asked Prowl quietly.
"Something I said to Starscream before he attacked me." replied Bumblebee.
"What, that comment about Starscream's circuits blowing" said Jazz in confusion.
"No after that" Bumblebee said looking miserable. "He just ranted when I said that about his circuits, so then I said."
Bumblebee swallowed, looking sick and deeply ashamed of himself.
"I said 'Has Megatron finally whacked you one too many."
Everyone in the room gasped in shock as they realised what Bumblebee's words meant.
"He froze, and had this awful look on his face" Bumblebee continued almost in tears. "And that's when he lost. I can't believe I said something so stupid."
"There was no way you could know, kid" Ironhide said gruffly while Optimus and Ratchet nodded. Jazz slung a friendly arm around Bumblebee's shoulders and gave him a grin which the small yellow bot returned weakly.
"That fragging pit spawned aft-hole" Optimus suddenly snarled, fury emanating off him in waves. "One of his own men, little more then a mechling. When I get my hands on him."
"You're going to have to get in line" said Ratchet grimly, waving his wrench in a menacing fashion.
"Hold yer horses" Ironhide said holding up his hands to calm the angry mechs.
"Although it probably is that no good slagger, we don't know for sure. And I'm afraid that only Starscream can tell us for definite."
"Ironhide's right, and we can't exactly march over to their base and demand satisfaction." Prowl cut in.
"So what's going to happen?" Skyfire asked. "We can't let Starscream go back to them. I won't let that happen."
"Don't worry Skyfire, we will protect Starscream and we will not let the Decepticons take him. They won't even know he is here." Optimus replied turning to Skyfire. "I will issue orders to ensure his safety."
"Starscream needs time" Ratchet stated grimly. "His physical wounds will heal quickly enough, it's the mental trauma that will be difficult to mend."
"Which means that we can't let the Decepticons know that Starscream is here." said Prowl flatly.
"Er isn't that what Optimus just said?" Jazz asked.
"No I mean we really can't let them know. As in, the next time we battle them we cannot go charging over to Megatron and start trying to beat the living spark out of him" said Prowl and he gave everyone an intense look before continuing.
"Forget about the fact we have Starscream. We have not engaged the Decepticons for several cycles therefore we have no reason to be angry at them. But if we enter the next conflict guns blazing, they'll immediately know something's up with us. And how long before they figure out what that something is?"
They all looked at each other for along moment but they knew Prowl was right.
"So we've got to pretend it never..happened" whispered Skyfire. How could he do that.
"Not exactly" said Optimus. "Outside this base and in the presence of Decepticons yes we will have too, but we are certainly not going to forget this. Skyfire you will be responsible for Starscream's care with Ratchet's help. Ironhide will assist with protection and ensure no one interferes with you."
Optimus turned to Prowl and Jazz.
"I know I don't have to for your discretion in this matter, what I want you to do is ensure that no Decepticons are able to infiltrate this base and discover Starscream. It's only a matter of time before Megatron sends one of Soundwave's cassettes to spy on us."
"What about me, Optimus?" asked Bumblebee.
"Just keep your optics open Bumblebee, you spend the most time away from base and will likely be the first to know if the Decepticons are searching for their missing seeker."
Optimus looked at Skyfire and smiled under his mask, the shuttle was almost dancing with impatience to return to his friend. Ratchet to looked to be on fire to ensure his patient was okay.
"Ratchet, Skyfire your dismissed. Jazz, Bumblebee will you see about suitable quarters for Starscream and Skyfire? Optimus said.
"Yes sir" they saluted and followed Skyfire and Ratchet out the door.
"I like you stand guard outside the new quarters for now Ironhide." Optimus said.
"No problem Prime" Ironhide said gruffly. "Ah know he'll be real vulnerable, and if by chance those Con's find him, Skyfire'll need backup."
"Shall I call an emergency briefing for all Autobots" Prowl asked.
"Yes thank you Prowl, have everyone meet in the Control Room." Optimus replied and the three of them headed out of the room.
Optimus took in the assembled Autobots. He had his second and third flanking him, as he gave out the order.
"Men, as you will all undoubtedly be aware we currently have the Decepticon second in command Starscream in our base. I am afraid I can't go into details about why he is here, but you should all know he is no threat. But his presence here must be kept a secret, that means no idle gossip around the base."
"But this is most important, you are not to mention Starscream outside of this base, if anyone, human or Decepticon asks you have you seen him, you will reply not since the last raid or any other previous time you have seen him. I cannot stress this enough. Is everyone clear?"
There was a chorus of 'yes sir's' but there was still a bit of muttering among the ranks about the presence of the seeker in their base. Jazz cheerfully spoke up from his position on Optimus's left side.
"Anyone who disobeys will be handed over to Ratchet, I hear he needs some target practice for his wrench throwing arm. Not to mention he's been grumbling about getting some new spare parts."
A lot of mechs winced, the idea of angering the Hatchet was enough to quell their mutterings.
"Oh yeah" said Jazz, still cheerful. "If any of you fancy trying to sneak in and get a look at Screamer, don't let Ironhide and his extra big guns put you off."
This last cleverly given threat was enough to squash any thoughts of disobeying Optimus's orders.
Skyfire signed sadly as he looked down at his still sleeping friend. Ratchet had already mended his fractured arm before they had left for the meeting. Ratchet was now patching up Starscream's numerous dents and scrapes, while Skyfire stayed close to his friend.
"I'm afraid I can't do anything about his port" Ratchet as he cleaned his hands on a old rag. Starscream had also been carefully cleaned so that he almost looked his pristine self.
"It's still too delicate, and besides it make seriously alarm Starscream if his port was touched without his permission, he could have a relapse. His systems should take care of the damage, no doubt their use to it." Ratchet said this last part with a growl.
"I have some nice oil you can give him, to help soothe his port. And also some sedatives if you feel he needs them, but only if he really needs them. We don't want him becoming reliant on them."
Skyfire nodded his understanding and let Ratchet do one last final check up. Once he was done, Skyfire was going to take Starscream to the quarters they were going to be sharing. They were located at a secluded part of the base to give them privacy.
When Ratchet was finally done, Skyfire reached down and scooped Starscream into his arms, still wrapped in a blanket. He was about to head off, when Ratchet put a hand on his arm and stopped him.
"This isn't going to be easy. I know he's reached out to you and that's a good sign but don't be surprised if he try to push you away. He's likely had to deal with this for a long time on his own and it will be hard for him knowing that someone else knows his shame."
"It's not" Skyfire began but Ratchet cut across him.
"I know it's not" he said softly. "But that's how he will see it and you will need to be prepared to deal with it."
"I will" Skyfire promised though he knew it would be hard. He set off with his friend Ratchet following to make sure everything was alright. Once they reached the quarters that Ironhide was standing guard over, Ratchet left to finally talk to Wheeljack and Perceptor. They weren't going to get the whole truth, yet, they were simply going to be told Starscream had been abused without going into details.
Ironhide smiled at Skyfire as he entered his new room. He didn't pay much attention to what was inside, he simply laid Starscream carefully on a berth. He felt completely drained, it was almost too much to take in. His poor, poor friend had been raped and the monster who had done this was unsubtly charging peaceful, without a shred of guilt.
It make Skyfire fume inside as he tucked the blanket more securely around Starscream. He should really go and recharge himself but he didn't want to leave his friends side. So he knelt beside the berth intending to watch Starscream, just for a while. He didn't remember putting his head in his arms and falling into recharge.
Several hours later he was woken by a soft voice saying.
"Skyfire?"
Author's note. And so it begins, Starscream road to recovery. And it will not be easy. Luckily he has such good protectors.
