Chapter 7

Starscream prided himself on his innate ability to know when an opportunity presented itself, and on his audacity to pursue such opportunities, whatever the risks; coupled with his talent in realizing when a situation was unsalvageable he found there were few situations he could not get himself into and out of. Bold moves and intricate plans could get one quite far, but cutting and running or cowering in submission could keep ones head attached…a preferable state of affairs in his opinion over glory and power. The trick of course was to have both, a set of circumstances Starscream strove the better part of his life to achieve.

The problem with this simplicity of choices being that in certain situations, such as the one he currently found himself in, none of them particularly appealed to him. He could not submit to the Autobot's wishes; he did not scrape together a workable plan with little to no leverage but his own wits to give Skyfire over to Prime and his human cronies. He COULD cut his losses and flee, ending Ratchet and Breakdown on his way out, but this would doom Skyfire, a result he was reluctant to accept for his own convoluted reasons. His final option, and that which he'd already taken a damning step toward if the weapon he was currently waving in Ratchet's face was any indication, was to force matters to his own designs. And by matters he meant reluctant comrades. And by reluctant comrades he meant his soon to be sworn enemies.

Compelling his companions into a risky medical procedure at gun point in and of itself was not a problem; Starscream's reluctance sprang from the pesky fact that if the transfusion was a danger to both Breakdown and Ratchet's lives than it too was a danger to Starscream's if he were to participate. Starscream was not in the habit of putting his life in unnecessary danger if he could help it, his fondness of the strategic retreat and or surrender stemming from such a philosophy. This of course brought him back to his first two rejected options.

He was at an impasse it would appear. An impasse which he would have to resolve in the next few moments as Breakdown finally joined them in the chamber, grimy and dented, but otherwise whole.

"Whoa!" the large mech breathed upon entering the room and laying optics upon Skyfire. Distracted as he was he apparently did not pick up upon the tensions between Starscream and Ratchet. "This guy's a bruiser isn't he; could probably end the war in one fell swoop by sitting on Prime!"

"Be that as it may, we need to get him up and moving before he can do any sitting," Starscream interjected, glancing at the gaping grounder out of the corner of his optic while keeping the majority of his attention of Ratchet and his mutinous expression. "That's what I need you for."

"Yeah?" Breakdown mused distractedly as he prowled further about the room to examine its contents. "Oh hey, you've got yourself some live ones too!" he exclaimed as he came across the small cluster of humans huddled in one corner. He bent down to peer threateningly over the cringing forms. "Don't expect your buddies to come to the rescue any time soon meat sacks…unless they can re-grow limbs with any kind of speed. Can you guys do that? Knock Out did some experiments on organics that grow pieces of themselves back, but it seemed pretty inefficient to me when you can just strap on a new one way faster."

"Forget about them!" Starscream called, an edge to his voice. "You're not here to learn about human biology."

"What am I doing he…." Breakdown's original thought trailed off as he straightened up, turning around to address Starscream directly. Taking in the seeker's raised weapon and the edgy and irritated Autobot Breakdown frowned, keeping his distance. "What's going on?"

"Ratchet here is reluctant to do what is necessary…he required further convincing."

"Starscream," he medic growled a warning.

"Shush," Starscream hissed.

Ignoring him Ratchet turned his attention to Breakdown. "He's going to force us to…" he never finished the sentence. Starscream shifted his aim slightly and shot off a round, just barely missing the medic's helm, blowing past and impacting the wall behind him in a fiery explosion. Obviously an incendiary round and one which would have unboundedly burst the medics head apart if it'd made contact at what was essentially point blank range. The message was clear.

"I said hush, Ratchet," Starscream repeated, the condescension as thick as the smoke hanging about them.

"Or you'll what?" Ratchet sniped snidely. "You need me, you aren't going to blow my head off until you get what you want, isn't that right?"

"Ready to bet your life on that?" Starscream retorted.

"No, I'm betting Skyfire's."

"How very ethical of you," he sneered.

"Yes well, I've found that my ethics are flexible depending on the situation. I'm sure you can appreciate that."

"Oh I can."

"Will you two shut up and tell me what's going on!" Breakdown yelled, stomping one large pede in the process and startling cries of fear from the nearby humans.

Judging it safe enough to take his optics off the medic, if not his aim, Starscream craned his neck around to look at Breakdown. "Skyfire here needs an energon transfusion. We're all going to donate. You're going first." He quirked his mouth. "Clear enough for you?"

Looking to Skyfire's immense frame and back to the standoff between Starscream and the Autobot Breakdown's countenance dimmed. "Funny," he deadpanned.

"It's no joke, I assure you."

Frowning Breakdown cast his eyes toward the medic for verification.

"He really isn't joking," Ratchet confirmed bitterly.

"Riiight," Breakdown drawled. "I'm out of here," he said, turning to leave, dismissive hand raised in mock farewell.

It was a serious mistake.

Starscream twitched, his free arm extending toward the large grounder as he began to pivot, voice like ice. "I might need Ratchet's head in once piece, Breakdown, but I certainly don't need yours."

Stilling, Breakdown's shoulders hiked up as he curled forward slightly. "So it's like that is it?"

"Unfortunately," Starscream replied, motioning him over to Skyfire's side with a flick of his wrist. "Now step up and let Ratchet hook you up or I'll drop you here and now and we'll drain you dry. It matters not to me, but I think you have your own preference."

"I'd prefer knocking my fist through your treacherous chest but I didn't hear that alternative," he growled as he stomped over, Starscream backing out of his way and keeping a respectable and defensible distance between them.

"Ratchet, if you would be so kind."

Wearing an expression of mulish defiance the medic purposefully clasped his hand behind his back, refusing to move.

"I'm not performing a risky procedure on an unwilling subject."

Starscream's face took on pinched expression. "You'll like the alternative quite a bit less I'm thinking. Those oh so flexible morals you were expounding upon a moment ago…flex them."

"No."

"Ooooh, that is it!" the flyer snarled, darting forward with lightening speed to deliver a none too gentle backhand to the Autobot's startled face.

Ratchet rocked to the side with the blow, unbalanced and falling to the floor, while Breakdown took Starscream's momentary distraction to make his own move. Lunging toward the agitated seeker he made to grab one angular wing, intending to rend the thing clean off, only to find his own wrist encircled by five deadly sharp talons just as his hand made contact with its objective.

Starscream tilted his face close to Breakdown's, disdain clear. "You should have shot me you fool," he said, digging the points of his fingers in and swiftly wrenching his grip upon Breakdown's joint, tearing through metal, wires and fluid lines with practiced ease. Wasting no time and allowing Breakdown to recover from the shock of having his servo severed, the flyer snapped a sharp kick to the large mech's torso, sending him staggering. Taking advantage of the breathing space he brought both arms back up, one weapon trained on each of his companions respectively.

"I know for a fact that isn't going to grow back," Starscream calmly addressed Breakdown, pointedly peering down at the lonely hand near his feet, "so I suggest you behave from here on in. If you do you might get out of this with the rest of you still attached." He then turned to the Autobot who was levering himself to his feet, jaw working as if still feeling the sting of the blow. "I've tried to be accommodating, I really have, but I've had enough of this stupidity. You'll conduct the transfusions, you'll get your precious energon, and we'll call our collaboration an admirable but failed experiment. Understood?"

"I get it," Ratchet replied stiffly, moving toward Breakdown, sparing a cool look to the severed servo on his way by. "You really should think about getting those trimmed, they seem a bit hazardous."

Starscream spared a grim grin, flexing his fingers as he tracked Ratchet's movements. "I find the pros definitely out way the cons."

"Cute," Ratchet replied, face pained.

Approaching Breakdown cautiously the medic gave his leaking stump a cursory glance. "Want me to patch that up before we get started?" he asked.

Before the other could reply Starscream interjected. "Stop wasting time and get on with it!"

Clenching his denta Ratchet pulled out his uplink cable. "I'll need to plug in to monitor your vitals, make sure I'm not drawing off too much. Alright?"

Breakdown straightened to his full height, looking blankly past Ratchet to Starscream as he answered. "Yeah, whatever. I've seen this done before."

Ratchet nodded and he busied himself with linking up. "Good, then you know what to expect."

Breakdown spared him a fleeting look. "Not really, we'd just sap whatever prisoners or irreparable casualties who were on hand. Never bothered monitoring nothing."

Ratchet suppressed a cringe. "Well if it's all the same to you, I think I'll do things my way."

"Knock yourself out," Breakdown offered, disinterested.

Once he had a connection established Ratchet removed the appropriate tools for the energon transfer. He maneuvered Breakdown to sit beside Skyfire's head, he himself positioned for optimal access to both his patients.

"I'm going to insert a catheter into one of the main lines in your neck," the medic explained. "The tip has a laser so damage will be minimal and a flange will open once it's in the place, so there shouldn't be any seepage. Once that's done I'll hook up the opposite end to Skyfire and start the transfusion. As it progresses you might feel a little dizzy and weak, but I'll be keeping an eye on things and hopefully disconnect before you go offline."

"I'm not some fresh faced recruit," Breakdown griped. "Just do it. The sooner you stick me the sooner I can get the pit out of here and away from you malfunctions!"

"Charmed," Ratchet grumbled, reaching down to tilt Breakdown's head to the side, elongating and exposing the side of his neck. A quick scan located the nearest line and a steady and precise jab found the catheter inserted. He repeated the procedure on the still form of Starscream's old partner, enjoying a distinct lack of clever remarks for once.

The room fell into silence.

After a time Starscream began to see subtle signs of the energy drain from Breakdown. The large grounders optics began to dim, and his body slump. Just as he began to sway Ratchet moved to disconnect the catheter.

"Alright, enough," the medic said. "How do you feel?"

"Fine," Breakdown replied slightly hoarse, bringing his remaining hand up to rub at the puncture wound on his neck.

"When you get back to your base I suggest that you top up. Not all at once, do it in stages, or you'll end up just as giddy as you are now but for the opposite reasons."

"I've never been giddy in my life," Breakdown groused, hauling himself a little unsteadily to his feet. "Can I go now?" he tossed Starscream's way.

The flyer shook his head. "Not just yet. As soon as Skyfire's back online."

"Don't trust me not to stick a knife in your back on my way out?"

"Something like that."

Breakdown snorted. "That's really more your style, not mine."

"Says the bot who tried to tear my wing off not that long ago."

"Hey, you're the one who started it!"

"Precisely the reason why I want to keep you in my sights. Now go stand in the corner and stay out of the way."

"Are you quite finished?" Ratchet interjected, face solemn. "Because I thought you wanted to get this over with?"

Starscream sniffed. "Nothing's stopping you from hooking yourself up dear doctor; you are our next volunteer after all."

"You want me woozy and unfocused when you're turn comes? Didn't peg you for an idiot, but have it your way."

"I DO want you woozy and unfocused, but if you think I'd allow you anywhere near me with a laser scalpel, or depend on you to unhook me before I pass out, clearheaded or not, you're the idiot. I'll do my own procedure. It doesn't appear too complicated."

"You could very well kill yourself," Ratchet pointed out.

"A possible outcome I'm sure you're dreading," Starscream mocked.

Deciding it wasn't worth arguing over the medic began to process of inserting the energon transfusion line into his own neck. The procedure appeared slightly more complicated when self administered and Starscream paid close attention to Ratchet's technique as he would be required to duplicate it on himself in the near future.

Again the room's occupants quieted and it didn't seem long before the stillness was disturbed by Ratchet clumsily fumbling at the catheter, removing it with a sibilant hiss.

"You're turn," he told Starscream. "But I'm not guaranteeing it'll work. I've recalibrated all his systems and they're at the ready. He should start to wake as soon as he has enough energy. If he doesn't then it just wasn't enough, or the mix of donors have sludged up his internals."

"We're about to find out then," Starscream stepped up, holding out a hand for the catheter. "Don't think I don't appreciate your heroic efforts, Ratchet. I'm sure, whatever the outcome, you did everything you could."

"Oh stuff it!" Ratchet bellowed. "I did no such thing…you wouldn't let me!"

"I'm grateful all the same."

"You know," Ratchet said casually as he shakily moved out of the flyer's way. "I think I'd much prefer another punch in the mouth than have to listen to any more of you phony courtesy. It's less painful."

Starscream's face blanked. "Duly noted. Now get in the corner with Breakdown before I decide to grant your request."

Once he was sure both of his compatriots were safely ensconced out of striking distance Starscream began probing about his neck for the appropriate spot to insert the shunt. He knew their general positioning having had his main lines crimped more than once under Megatron's unforgiving grasp. Once he was relatively sure he'd located one he steeled himself and jabbed the tip of the catheter forward. There was relatively little pain and once he slid the flange open without incident he figured he'd been successful.

He did not know what he was expecting the experience to be like, but it was definitely not this feeling of….nothing. One would think being connected to Skyfire in such a manner, literally sharing the energy which flowed through his body, would provoke some sort of intimacy. A communion between long lost friends. The reality was much more banal; a slight sense that his internal processes had been disrupted in some undefined manner, and a creeping lethargy. He was convinced he achieved more meaningful connections while sharing data bursts over a personal comm. frequency.

He did not know how much time passed, lost in contemplation as he was, but it was obviously longer than he thought as he was startled out of his musings by a voice taunt with alarm.

"…Starscream? Disengage; you're going to give too much!" Ratchet yelled.

Shaking his head in an attempt to clear it, Starscream found himself listing to the side, one hand thrust out to steady himself on Skyfire's shoulder. Skyfire's inert and lifeless shoulder.

"He's not conscious yet," he reasoned, looking to the anxious medic.

"It didn't work. It's over. You give anymore and you're finished."

There was beat or two where all Starscream could hear was his own labored ventilations, his gaze fixed on Skyfire's peaceful face. Decision made Starscream tightened his mouth and steeled himself.

"Just a bit longer," he reasserted stubbornly.

"Damn it, don't do this!" Ratchet barked, taking a step forward.

"Stay back!" Starscream shrieked, righting his drooping arm and reasserting his weapon's aim.

"Don't listen to him, Screamer," Breakdown jeered. "You give your old buddy every last drop you can give, I'm sure he'll be thankful! Just think, he'll definitely owe you one!" His words prompted Ratchet to throw him a poisonous look, which Breakdown returned with a brightly wicked grin.

"Come on, Skyfire, you big brute," Starscream pled softly as his knees finally gave out and he was forced to sink slowly to the floor beside his partner.

Warnings were beginning to flash, competing with the ever present beacon for his attention, when he finally felt it. With his senses fuzzy and slowed it took him a moment or two to realize the arm beneath his hand was beginning to shift; his sluggish reaction to the movement sending his supporting arm skidding off Skyfire's shoulder, forcing him to scramble to stay upright.

Realizing that if he didn't act this very moment he would not be conscious to see his old friend when he finally awoke he tore the transfusion line out violently, sending energon spattering about, glowing specks landing on Skyfire's face just as his optics flickered online.

The light behind those eyes, the life, stole Starscream's breath. They were confused and unfocused true, but they were as the seeker remembered them. Intelligent, kind, strong. At a time of his life when things were changing so much, in which he had very little to anchor himself, they were the same.

"Skyfire," he said, reverently.

A grinding turn of the large helm and the shuttle was looking on him.

"Starscream?" he asked roughly, bewilderment settling over his face. "What's going on?"

Starscream choked out a laugh. "Oh, my friend, that's a much longer story than we have time for." Attempting to gain his own feet he watched carefully as the large mech struggled to his elbows. "Can you stand? We need to get out of here. I'll explain everything once we're safe."

"I don't think so," a voice from the corner broke in.

Whipping his head around, Starscream glared at a positively defiant Breakdown, who stood, arms crossed over his chest, features calculating.

"I think maybe you should explain things right now. He does have options after all…you being the least attractive, if I do say so myself."

"What's he talking about?" Skyfire asked bewildered, sitting up further. "Who..?"

"Name's Breakdown," the large grounder offered lightly. "And let me tell you a little something about the Decepticons."

If he had any energy to spare Starscream would have howled with rage.

TBC

Well we're nearing the end of this one folks. One more chapter plus maybe an epilogue, but to tell you the truth I've struggled mightily with this fic week in week out and I'm not sure if I have an epilogue in me. Thanks to everyone who'd read, commented and supported me on this.