Chapter 8

Supermarket Sweep

"W... We are almost there."

"Good! My bladder is about to burst!" Rachel was wriggling in her seat trying to hold it all in. This was making Thundercracker uneasy. One, because she may soil his cockpit and two, because her constant motion in there felt... Pretty interesting.

"Uh... Uh... Th-there it is. D-down there." His flying was rather erratic, nearly causing him to plow into a building and the rain was not helping matters either. He landed and opened his cockpit.

"Ah good stuff." Rachel smiled as she climbed out and watched him transform. They were outside of a huge supermarket, the lights glowing brightly.

He pointed to the toilets. "There. I'll go in and get food."

"OH THANK PRIMUS!" She dashed straight for the door, before peering her head out again. "And NO DOG FOOD!" She dashed back in.

Thundercracker laughed loudly before stomping off to the front entrance of the supermarket. He eyed the doors and the humans screaming at him with a look of disgust of equal measures. The door was small, but it looked like he may be able to fit if he ducked down. So, he tried. So far so good... KLANK. His wings got caught.

"You have GOT to be kidding me. Oh well, so much for the nice way." He rammed his way through, showering passers by with glass and twisted metal from the doors. "OK, nobody is to make any moves, you hear me? I'm here for food and only food!"

The humans obviously ignored his request and set about screaming and running around in a panic. He rolled his optics and stomped his way into the store, grabbing things that looked nice from the shelves and piling them into his cockpit.


Rachel was sat on the toilet, a satisfied grin stretching almost from ear to ear. She was so glad to finally have a bathroom break, as it had been bordering on the painful stage for quite a while.

"Mmmm..."

She sat a little while longer, enjoying a minutes peace, when all of a sudden she heard a crashing sound, followed by the shrill screams of humans. Her grin grew wider. "Atta boy, Blue."

The sounds of screaming increased in volume as she heard more crashing sounds. "I guess he's not one for subtlety then."

A short while later, she heard loud, metallic, stomping footsteps coming towards the toilet block, so she peered her head out, only to see Thundercrackers face staring right back at her. "Eeek!"

"I got the food, let's scram!" The sound of sirens almost drowned out his frantic voice.

He transformed and opened his cockpit, some of the food items avalanching out.

"Wow, Blue. You sure I can fit in there?"

"Quickly!"

"Ok. Ok. Keep your, er... Helm on."

She scrabbled up, received another amusing shudder and somehow squished in between all the food items. "OK, in!"

He slammed his cockpit shut and took off quickly, leaving a mass of humans shaking their fists at him and police aiming guns.

"Good job."

"...Thanks." Thundercracker flashed his lights on his control panel in gratitude and dipped his wings a little. "That was... Fun."

"Yeah. You should do it more often. You are a natural born supermarket destroyer."

"Hehe. I don't think I should make it TOO regular. I hurt my wings a little getting through those annoying doors."

"Aw, poor you. Does it hurt?"

"Like you wouldn't believe."

"How are you still flying?"

"Hey, I'm no femme. I can handle a bit of pain, you know."

"Ok, ok. Sorryyyy." Rachel snuggled down under some of the food items and laughed to herself. "This'll keep me going for a bit anyway."

"It better do."

"Shush. I may hog it all now just to spite you."

"Puny legs."

"Supermarket Sweep!"

"I'm a... whatnow?"

"Hah. Nevermind." She stroked the seat, causing him to shiver again.

"Can you stop that, please? It's bad enough trying to concentrate through the pain from my wings."

"Stop what? Oh, this?" She rubbed it again, this time slower.

"Nnnnghaaaahhh!" He nosedived, causing her to shriek a little as cans clattered around her. He pulled out of it just in time as they nearly plowed into the ground. "I TOLD YOU NOT TO... Wheew. Primus... I... N-no more! P-please."

"Well, ok. Since you said please." She chuckled loudly and eyed the food items before her. "I think tonight I'll haaaave... You and... You." She picked up a can of beans and a packet of crisps.

"You sure that's gonna be enough?"

"For now. I can always grab more, right?"

"I guess..."

"So, I'm curious." She stared down at Thundercracker's control panel through the mass of crisp packets. "Where am I sleeping?"

"I... Don't know. I guess I will have to ask Megatron."

"OK. But, just be sure to tell him I like a mint on my pillow."

"Wh... What?"

"Earth humour, don't worry."

"Explain."

"Humans stay in places called hotels, right? And in some hotels they put mints on your pillows."

"Ok. Right. But, what are mints?"

"They are little sweets that freshen your breath."

"In case it stinks of energon, or something?"

"In your case, probably. Haha."

"Wow, the trip back didn't take long, look." Thundercracker dipped his nose as if to point. Decepticon HQ raised from the sea in all it's glory.

"Yeah, you probably put a spurt on because of your injuries."

"Possibly. I must get them sorted."

He landed inside the HQ and opened his cockpit. Rachel climbed out, sending more food items tumbling out, landing in a heap on the floor. Thundercracker transformed and eyed his wings. "Only small dents."

"Let me see!" Rachel jumped up and down attempting to get a better look.

"Er... Ok." He leaned down and showed her the dents in his wings. They were only the size of a golf ball, but they hurt as if he'd had them ripped off.

"Ooooh, ouch." She screwed her face up. "I mean, I THINK they are ouch. I'm just trying to imagine what it must feel like."

"Imagine having your legs broken."

"I'd rather not."

"Well, that is probably what it feels like."

"Yeah. Ouch." She flashed a sympathetic look, before gathering up some of the food items on the floor.

"Right, let's head to see Megatron about where you'll sleep. I just hope he's not recharging yet. Leave the food here, I'll collect it later." He started to walk off, but remembered that she had a hard time keeping up, so stopped and lowered a hand. "This doesn't mean I like you, so don't get any funny ideas about friendship, yeah?"

She smiled, dropped the food and hopped up onto his hand, only to be swiftly placed on his shoulder. "Wow..."

"Hold on tight. I don't want you falling. I'm not getting my aft handed to me because you broke your neck."

Rachel didn't say anything. She just nodded and put her arms around part of his helm to steady herself as he began to walk.


Megatron was still in his quarters. He was briefing Starscream about the following days events, when Thundercracker entered.

"Megatron, pardon my interruption."

"What is it Thundercracker?"

Rachel and Starscream were already glaring at each other, as Thundercracker attempted to get to the point as quickly as he could. "I am merely requesting information."

"Proceed."

"Where will the human be sleeping?

"Megatron! The human has been off base!" Starscream interrupted the conversation, all the while frowning at Rachel. "So has Thundercracker."

"What? What is the meaning of this?" Megatron's optics narrowed.

"The human needed food."

"What was wrong with what Starscream was ordered to get?"

"It was dog food!" Rachel glared at Megatron, before switching her gaze back to Starscream.

"Your point?" His placed a hand on his hips.

"Dog food is unfit for human consumption," explained Thundercracker.

"And you did not know this Starscream?"

"I... I... She should be greatful I got her anything at all!"

"What a waste of time..."

"I blame the human!" Starscream grinned, his optics flashing with spite.

"I blame you, Benderjet!" Rachel stuck out her tongue.

"YOU IRRITATING LITTLE..."

"Starscream..." Megatron was not pleased.

"Sorry, Megatron."

"For that outburst, she will share your quarters until we can find a more suitable place for her."

"WHAT!"

"DO NOT QUESTION ME! DO AS I COMMAND!"

"Woah, no. Nuh-uh. I'm not sharing a room with him. He'll try and kill me during the night!" Rachel folded her arms and frowned.

"You have no say in the matter, prisoner. Now go. I grow tired."

The three exited the room, Thundercracker sniggering to himself.

"Oh, you think this is so funny, don't you?" Starscream eyed him and frowned. "You think this is sooooo funny."

"Yeah, actually. I do. I suggest you go sort out a bed for her then."

Starscream didn't say another word. Instead he turned on his heels and vanished into his quarters across the way.

"I can't believe this..." Rachel put a hand to her face and rubbed it.

"Don't worry. He can't hurt you."

"He better not either..."

Thundercracker picked her off of his shoulder and placed her on the floor. "Well, I'll be back in a second with your food. Go see if your bed is made." He walked off leaving her in the corridor.


Inside Starscream's quarters, the wing commander was busy preparing a sleeping space for his unwelcome guest, while muttering angrily to himself.

"I can't believe Megatron would have me lower myself like this... This is disgusting. My room will stink for weeks."

There was a faint knock at the door. "Hello?"

"Ugh..." He walked over and opened it for Rachel, who was stood on the other side scratching nervously at her arm.

"Is... Is it ready?"

He didn't say anything. Instead, he just stood to one side to allow her entry.

"...Nice room." She eyed it thoroughly, a small smile on her face.

"You will not touch anything, understand!"

"Yes, yes. Fine."

"I mean it!"

"OK, I got it! Yeesh!"

Just then, Thundercracker walked in and handed Rachel the food items she had chosen earlier. "Enjoy, yeah?"

"Thanks Blue. I will, believe me."

"Any crumbs and I'll squish you!" Starscream eyed the packet of crisps with particular suspition.

"Now Starscream. Remember. You are not to harm her!" Thundercracker shoved him with a hand.

"You oaf! How dare you!"

"You'll get worse if you go against orders."

"Hmph. FINE! Just leave! NOW!"

Thundercracker leaned down to Rachel and muttered a quick 'night', before heading out. The door closing behind him.

Rachel stared up at Starscream, a grin on her face.

"What!"

"Nothing. Just amused, is all."

"Well, I am NOT amused, puny fleshling. Far from it." He slammed a fist down on the work station next to him and cycled air.

"Now now. I'm sure this won't be a permanent thing."

"It better not be either." His optics narrowed. "I'd sooner be a dock worker than do this"

"I take it that is a low ranked job then from the tone of disgust in your voice..."

Starscream let out a 'fleh' noise, before walking to his recharge berth. "You will be sleeping there." He pointed to a small drawer that he had added makeshift bedding to. It was at eye level from his sleeping area. "I will be watching you carefully. So, no tricks."

"How can you watch me if you are asleep?" She grinned at him and folded her arms.

His optics narrowed even more. "Keep one eye open, fleshling."

"Should I? Oh Starscream, surely you don't intend to go against orders." She gave him a little wink before attempting to scrabble up to her bed.

"Is your eye malfunctioning?"

"Ngh... A little help?" She dropped the food items by mistake, as she flailed.

"NO! Do it yourself!"

"Please! I... I think I'm going to f-fall."

"Good."

"STARSCREAM!"

"Ugh, fine. Just stop with the screeching. It's late and it's giving me a processor ache." He frowned and reluctantly reached out a hand allowing her to climb on.

"Thank you." She grabbed hold of his finger to steady herself as he lifted her to her sleeping area. That made him grimace with disgust.

"Must you? I'm going to have to have that finger decontaminated now!" He handed her the food items and cycled air with frustration.

"Oh, stop pouting." She hopped off and dived under the make-shift sheet, which was actually part of a Decepticon flag. "I am not going to give you cooties!"

"What are... cooties?" The look on his face changed from one of disgust to alarm.

"Oh man..." She opened the can of beans and poured some in her mouth, chewing. "You... You really don't know anything... about humans do you?"

"Why on Cybertron would I need, or even want to know about you filthy creatures?"

"Who knows." She watched as he hopped up onto his recharge berth and reclined, pouring more beans into her mouth. "I thought maybe you might be curious, being a scientist and all."

His head whirled round to face her. "WHAT! How did you..."

She wiped her mouth, put the beans down to one side and pointed to the small work station in the back of the room. Experiments and chemicals lay strewn about on the top of it. "That?"

"Well..." He frowned at her again. "That was long ago. I am a Decepticon warrior!"

She opened the packet of crisps and rammed some hungrily into her mouth. "That looksh like reshent shtuff to me, chook." She crammed more in.

He huffed a little before turning his head away and offlining his optics. "Silence. I'm not even supposed to be defiling my vocal processor by talking to you."

Rachel chuckled to herself, poured the last few crumbs left in the packet into her hand and licked them off, enjoying the flavour. Smiling, she snuggled down, and closed her eyes. "Whatever you say, Benderjet."

His optics onlined instantly, as his head swiveled round to look at her again. "STOP CALLING ME THAT!"

"I thought you weren't talking to me?"

"RAAAGH!" He offlined his optics once more and turned his head away, forcing himself to go into recharge.

"Night to you too..."