I'm surprised I actually managed to finish this chapter earlier than I had expected. I've had an awful lot of crap thrown onto my plate as of late, and I expect I'll have more shoved on soon enough. Hopefully that explains the hiatus, for which I'm deeply sorry.
peppymint; Yes. Yes I am trying to drive you all insane. That's my job, isn't it?
Field Empathy; Wonderful, wonderful! I'm glad I was able to portray that with a sense of accuracy.
Scarlet Thorrn; I'm glad I'm still able to enthrall you with so little!
11SnowLeopard11; Don't mess with a shuttle while at point blank range. :) Glad all these cliffhangers are still able to keep people's interest too!
And without further ado, here's the next chapter!
Four Million Years Later:
Chapter Eight:
Bargain
"Do you really think we should go through with this?"
His partner gave him a quizzed look, and then smiled. "You're having second thoughts?"
He flustered. "No, I mean, all we've done is work towards this. This is everything we've ever dreamed of! We've been planning for this for the entirety of our careers – hoping, wishing for it. Now we're finally getting the chance to get out of here and –! …and I'm having horrible premonitions." He paused to collect his words and thoughts. "Skyfire, we'll be out in the middle of nowhere in the grand expanse of space! Not to mention completely alone, with only basic and limited supplies. What if something goes wrong?"
Again, the shuttle smiled, and the worry suddenly dissolved. "Starscream, you tend to over think things far too much sometimes. We'll be absolutely fine, I know it. Besides, the two of use, both explorers, out alone in the frontiers of the galaxy? Won't that make for something interesting?"
Starscream awoke to voices. Muffled, they sounded distant at best, and Starscream didn't dare open his optics. His systems were sluggish, hazy, and he found little would respond. Maybe he didn't want them to respond either, as he found himself quite content to drift off once again – no, no, he traced the anesthetic plaguing his systems and cut off its direct link, leaving his processor to miss the languid sensation.
Everything hurt, his frame stiff and sore from being confined to what felt like a slab. His systems read out their reports on his HUD, and Starscream was surprised to find his energy levels at a higher capacity than they had been in a long time. His internal repair systems were busy working away at damages that had already been partially mended. With the anesthetic still lingering in his fuel lines, it took longer than it should have for Starscream's processor to fit the pieces together, and the previous day's events finally coursed through his mind.
Skyfire.
He'd found Skyfire again, alive and well, and finally after so many vorns had the chance to fix what had happened so long ago. Then his previous master had found him. Megatron. Starscream was well aware that it had been his own fault for the Decepticon Warlord's arrival, as he had rashly and stupidly gone back to the Nemesis for supplies. What else could he have done? Skyfire's life had been in danger, and his own supplies were stark in numbers at best. Besides, the Decepticons had always managed to resupply themselves by whatever means they deemed necessary, and it wasn't as if he could ever turn to the Autobots for help –
Oh Primus, the Autobots. Starscream's systems finally jolted awake, in fear of a looming threat. How could he have been such an imbecile? He'd been repaired, refueled, and had been left peacefully alone for his systems to adjust and recover. Megatron would have scrapped him. The Autobots had taken him. Starscream was in the Autobot base, surrounded by potential enemies.
Every fibre in his frame reacted, and Starscream's weapon systems pulled to reactivate, despite the obvious blocks against them. He was injured, defenceless, and he had the sneaking suspicion that the medic had blocked his thrusters as well. Starscream checked. Flightless, yes.
Still, the matter remained whether he was a patient or a prisoner. He sincerely wished it wasn't the latter of the two – he didn't think he could fight them all of at once, nor did he have anything to barter with.
The Autobots were soft sparked – or Prime was at the very least. He would have died earlier otherwise, from his wounds or by a forced euthanasia. As a patient, he could see certain freedoms, certain allowances given to him in a time of injury. However, Starscream pondered how long that would last. Once fully repaired and functioning, it was very likely that the Autobots would throw him into their brig. It made little sense for them to kill him after the effort they'd made to save him. A patient and prisoner then, he concluded.
Next begged the question of escape. At the moment, Starscream was stuck where he was until he could manage to purge and remove the blocks in his systems. It would take a while, as he understood his injuries had been fairly severe. Those would obviously be taken care of first, then any other impurities. Starscream also realized the Autobot medic would still be checking over his systems for quite some time, meaning he would have to remove the blocks at an even slower pace to avoid alerting him. Starscream stopped himself from growling in annoyance. Fragging Autobots and their fragging meddlesome –!
Skyfire! That was right; he had a partner to worry about again. He'd spent so long solely looking out for himself that the instinct to do so again had almost become second nature. Starscream mentally kicked himself. This added another variable, one with higher difficulty. In some respects, Skyfire was still a civilian – a scientist, yes, but still a non-combatant (of course, their previous run in with the Decepticon Warlord could have fooled him!). It wasn't as if Skyfire could simply hide in plain sight either – his frame size and type prevented that, unlike Starscream's own. Skyfire would be a liability until he was properly brought up to speed in both skill and current events. However, getting them both out of this mess was Starscream's first priority.
He checked his internal chronometer. Oh on. Two weeks? He'd been out of it for two whole weeks? This changed things even further. The Autobots could have easily swayed Skyfire to their side by now. It was possible. Skyfire could never be a Decepticon; Starscream knew that for sure, but an Autobot? Yes, the possibility was there, and that's what troubled him. Two weeks was everything.
"You may as well open your optics; I know you're awake."
That surprised him, and Starscream grimaced. At least his audials were looking again. His response came out hoarse, more so than he wished. "Observant, much?"
The mech replied with a grunt of agreement. "I heard your systems come online ages ago."
Unwillingly, he finally complied, a haze of bright white blocking his focus. Eventually, it passed, and Starscream realized he was face to face with the Autobot medic, a pinprick of light being shined into his optics.
"Well, you're certainly responding better than I had expected," the medic stepped back – Hatchet, was that his designation? – moving out of his field of vision. "Don't try anything, don't get any ideas. Heck, don't even bother trying to move."
Starscream did so anyways, another grimace in place. Everything hurt, and he could finally see why; the armour of his chest was matte and uneven, welding lines and patchwork littering its surface. His frame showed signs of other injury; deeper scars and nicks, all closed off, leaving a lighter finish in their wake. Gingerly, he reached up to his helm, finding and tracing the welds on the back. The medic had repaired him to a functioning state, nothing else. Nothing more than he'd expected. He would finish the job himself upon return to the Harbinger. Starscream found he was hooked to an energon drip, and promptly ripped it from his frame.
"Hey, didn't I just tell you not to –!"
There was a low chuckle from his far left, and Starscream turned in surprise to find his partner, alive, sitting on the edge of a storage unit. Everything still felt as if it were surreal, the shuttle's presence included. It was still as if it could all suddenly disappear, and things would revert back to their normal place.
"He's always had a problem with authority."
The medic merely scoffed. "I think we've all figured that out by now." He then turned to the Seeker. "Stay put."
Starscream glared at him. "I don't plan to for long."
"Duly noted."
Starscream chose to scan the immediate vicinity in the meantime. The Autobots had set up a quaint little base for themselves, full of what he believed to be salvaged parts. Human technology catered and tweaked for Cybertronian use. They had a ground bridge, that was for sure, and he imagined the controls were at the other end of the silo. A few screens for telecommunications and tracking – wait a klik, was the medical slab propped up on cardboard boxes?! – and little else. Starscream had truthfully been expecting more. They were fighting a war for Primus' sake, and this was all the Autobots had? This was what the Decepticons had been fighting against for all this time here on Earth? It seemed pathetic now that Starscream thought of it, that the Decepticons had yet to crush their foes. Of course, he couldn't see past the hallway in the back. Perhaps they still were hiding something of use after all.
Next, Starscream looked over to his partner, glancing over his frame. Two weeks was long enough for any Autobot propaganda to sink in and a long enough time for Skyfire to come to any decisions. Prime had managed to pull many to his side throughout the course of the war, and Starscream was still aware of the many promises and reassurances he could give; Megatron could do much of the same when he wished. A few choice words here and there and one could become easily bound to a side. Starscream know that all too well from experience.
Skyfire looked well; a familiar gleam in his optics, and Starscream could find no trace of an insignia. Maybe, maybe he hadn't chosen to join them? Refused? It seemed unlikely, considering the options Starscream was currently weighing in his mind. At last, his gaze caught with the shuttle's own.
Skyfire's expression softened as he addressed him. "I thought I'd almost lost you there for a moment. That you'd go and leave me before I could ever come to terms with anything."
When Starscream didn't respond, the shuttle continued, "And while I'm aware things have changed greatly during my absence, I hope there are some things that still haven't."
Skyfire still obviously didn't understand much – he expected the Autobots had told him the basics – as his words were bordering on the danger line. Starscream knew not the say much, not in front of the Autobot medic, as it could possibly bring them both down. The Autobots knew too much as it was, and Starscream worried what Skyfire had already told them in his naivety. The indifference had to be kept up, for the sake of their future survival.
"It's as if everything has restarted, been thrown into a parallel universe where I don't belong."
The medic answered before he could. "You're among the living, that's real enough. It'll take some time, but you'll eventually adjust." Again, he looked to the Seeker. "You're off the hook for now, but I expect Optimus will want to speak with you soon enough."
Starscream only narrowed his optics. Of course, he thought. Just what he needed. He pretended to ignore Skyfire as the other aerial tried for basic conversation. A one sided affair.
Starscream didn't know how long time ticked by, but eventually; the light of a ground bridge flooded the silo and robbed him from his thoughts. Prime.
Immediately, he spoke. "I don't have anything to barter with."
The Autobot leader looked at him in surprise. He was drenched from helm to ped, mud caked into the threads of his tires, and a puddle of water already beginning to form on the floor of the silo underneath. "I'm glad to see Ratchet's efforts were not in vain."
Starscream scoffed, and Skyfire remained quiet. "We both know that statement is a lie, now cut the scrap. What do you want?"
The Prime wore a bemused expression. "I don't follow."
"It's always a trade," the Seeker clarified, "The last times were intel related, and if that's what you're looking for this time, I'm afraid I'm severely lacking. Henceforth, what do you want?"
"Starscream, a bargain is not required."
Starscream found himself wanting to laugh. "Oh please, all the times I've called upon your team's aid for medical attention it was either information or nothing! I refuse to believe that you've suddenly changed your tune. You've only ever given me any aid if there was something in return."
The medic interrupted with a snort. "That's ironic coming from you."
"Ratchet." The medic silenced himself immediately and Optimus continued. "Unlike what you've been led to believe, Starscream, we Autobots are not here to profit from your misfortunes. Nor do we go out of our way to enact revenge on past grievances."
"You should tell that to your two-wheeler." Starscream growled in response. "So what, I'm supposed to believe that this," he motioned to his repairs, "Is the results of the kindness of your own sparks, then?"
"Perhaps. However, it was Skyfire's quick thinking and decisions that allowed us all to escape with our lives."
Starscream scowled silently, and Optimus took it as an opportunity to finish. "And while there are many past aversions between us, I ask you again to lay down your arms against us and join us in the struggle against Megatron and the remaining Decepticons. It would be –"
"Join the Autobots?" Starscream shook his head with a smile. "I'm afraid you lost the right to ask me that a long time ago, Prime. A long time ago. While I may be still inclined to offer some support from time to time, I will never join you."
"And if things were to change?"
Starscream could feel the unwanted tension in the air, and he sensed his partner could as well. "I already gave you my answer."
Prime looked to the shuttle. "And I assume your answer will be the same." Skyfire nodded in confirmation, and Starscream felt some form of hope dwell in his spark.
"If you were to ever change your mind, be aware that the Autobots will always have a position available for you." Prime rumbled, and Starscream wondered if he had missed something.
At last, Skyfire spoke. "That is very kind of you, but as I've said before, I truthfully know very little of what's passed during my time is stasis, and I have no place nor much content for a war. I'd rather stay with someone I know, someone familiar."
The Seeker would have smiled if he could have, and mentally claimed his victory. Skyfire was his.
"You mean a crazed murdered with a death wish?"
Starscream snarled to that. "He's already told you, Doctor, he has no intentions of ever joining you and your kind, so frag off before I do something we'll all regret!"
"Oh please, as if you could –"
"Ratchet." A simple, gentle weight on the medic's shoulder silenced him immediately. "Prepare a ground bridge."
Starscream felt his own wings perk in surprise. "You're letting us go?" he questioned.
The Prime looked to him in agreement. "While you have committed crimes and atrocities against both Cybertron and Earth and their peoples, you are not a prisoner at this time. Nor can we hold Skyfire against his will without any cause."
Despite the weakness in his knees, Starscream forced himself to stand. "Then if that's settled, I suggest we take our leave before we outlive our welcome, Skyfire."
The familiar light of a ground bridge filled the silo once again, and for once Starscream felt triumphant.
"You know you've attached yourself to an uncontrollable cosmic storm?" Ratchet still had a servo on the bridge controls.
Skyfire merely smiled. "Thankfully, I enjoy cosmic storms."
When the two exited the ground bridge, they both found themselves immersed in a downpour of rain.
"Well, at least he didn't bridge us back to the Arctic," Starscream huffed, "You could have stayed with them you know."
"Like I said, I like cosmic storms." Skyfire smiled, "Especially ones with the occasional solar flare."
Already, things were beginning to fall back into place, as if nothing had ever changed. The shuttle's smile was contagious. "Stop it before I hit you. Now, before I forget, how did we end up at the mercy of the Autobots in the first place?"
"You mean why did they save your life?" Skyfire shrugged. "I merely persuaded them to see that while under my care, you would no longer be as vindictive."
"'Under your care?' 'Vindictive?' What that frag is that supposed to mean? I'm not that temperamental!"
"Some could argue otherwise." The shuttle dodged a kick to his peds, laughing. "Besides, I was confused and still had little idea what was going on. They took pity on me."
"Of course. Slagging Autobots."
"They're not that bad, Starscream."
"Hah! Like Pit they are! There are still quite a number of things you need to catch up on." The rain was beginning to sink into his damaged frame, through the seams of his armour. The cold was seeping in, and Starscream unconsciously shivered. He was absolutely exhausted. "Besides, we need to get out of the rain before I rust. I'm afraid I can't provide the same means of luxurious transportation that the Autobots have, but the sentiment is all the same. Can you still transform?"
One more chapter left, and that'll be all folks! 'Fraid I have no idea when the next update will be however, but I hope to return to my usual length updates.
Really, the Autobots just want to get rid of them as fast as they can. Trust issues and such. I'd expect Skyfire to be the only one unaffected by fraction prejudice.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
