Author's Notes: I wanted to make this chapter longer, but I got pretty tired writing this so I'm posting as-is. The chapter hits all the right notes; the only thing I'm disappointed in is the short word count. Thank you guys so much for reading. I write these stories for you. Please review, favorite, and follow to see more :)

Chapter 10

No Good Deed

Silverbolt stared at his captor, and Skywarp stared back as he blocked the doorway. Silverbolt tried to calculate a way to escape not only the room but also the Decepticon warship, and Skywarp just continued to look like he was fantasizing about Silverbolt's helm on a pike. That gleeful yet sadistic look was unsettling, and Skywarp didn't seem too interested in breaking the awkward tension in the room.

"Why did you bring me here?" Silverbolt finally demanded when Skywarp continued to do nothing but look at him with a slasher smile.

"Oh, we don't want much really," Skywarp shrugged nonchalantly, but in a more sinister voice added, "Just your spark."

"If you are going to kill me then why wait?" Silverbolt asked defiantly despite the fear he felt inside, "Is this Megatron's doing?"

"Nah, our mighty leader doesn't even know you're here," Skywarp replied; clearly enjoying Silverbolt's confusion and dread, "And if you don't want him to find out then you'll do exactly as we say."

"Who's we?" Silverbolt inquired.

"TC and I," Skywarp replied, but then asked, "Or is it TC and me? I can never get grammar right. Starscream says I sound like a Silurian simpleton. I don't know what that means but I'm pretty sure it's insulting. Screamer's...got a pretty big vocabulary when it comes to insults."

Skywarp's facial expression changed in that moment. Silverbolt was surprised to see that Skywarp went from a casual demeanor to a forlorn one. He wondered what had upset the purple and black seeker so much. Silverbolt wondered if perhaps Skywarp was sensitive about his lack of intelligence. He thought that maybe if he tried showing sympathy for his captor that he could convince the seeker to let him go.

"Skywarp, I know how it feels to be looked down on," Silverbolt said in what he hoped was an empathetic tone, "My brothers and I are the youngest members of our team. The other Autobots look at us like we can't do anything right without orders. Ironhide can be especially callous because we're young, but I know we're not stupid, and I don't think you're stupid either."

"Says the guy who got captured because he's afraid of falling even though he can fly," Skywarp remarked with a snort, "Eh, look on the bright side kid, at least you aren't as stupid and crazy as the Stunticons. It's like those guys know they shouldn't exist. I'm not even sure they'll be able to change their alt modes when they leave earth. They're made out of earth cars! Fragging earth cars! At least you have wings and were built on Cybertron."

"Gee, um, thanks...I think," Silverbolt replied uncertainly; unsure if he was being complemented or not.

Just then, the door to Skywarp's room opened and Thundercracker walked through; his face plate unreadable as always. Silverbolt and his gestalt had studied the seekers for some time now (Silverbolt for battle strategy purposes and his brothers because they thought the elite trine was cool). Silverbolt knew Skywarp was easy to trick, but he also knew Thundercracker rarely gave anything away through either words or body language. Working his way around this seeker would be far more difficult.

"Is he ready?" Thundercracker asked as he gestured to Silverbolt.

"Oh yeah, I was supposed to knock him out, wasn't I?" Skywarp replied sheepishly, "One sec, TC! I think I know where to find a spare null ray..."

"You can't use laser weapons on him, Warp," Thundercracker informed him, "That might weaken his spark. We need it intact for the operation."

"Operation!?" Silverbolt shouted in near panic, "Wait, when you said you wanted my spark, you were being literal? What are you monsters planning to do to me?"

"Nothing you'll walk away from if you don't shut up!" Skywarp threatened, "Okay, maybe I could use a blunt force weapon against his helm?"

Silverbolt gulped when he realized he was surrounded and the Decepticons were definitely planning on hurting him.

"No Warp, I think it would work better if the Autobot were conscious for the operation," Thundercracker told him.

"But he'll just scream and distract the Constructicons," Skywarp pointed out.

"Wait!" Silverbolt cried out desperately, "Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?"

"You didn't tell him?" Thundercracker asked Skywarp.

"Why should I? If he thinks he has a choice he'll just say no," Skywarp shrugged.

Thundercracker sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose cone. He walked toward Silverbolt, and the young jet reflexively backed away from the menacing blue seeker. Thundercracker kept walking closer into Silverbolt's personal space until Silverbolt was backed against the purple wall, and Silverbolt stared up at the Decepticon feeling cornered.

"Starscream is dying," Thundercracker said without preamble, and Silverbolt looked up at him in shock, "Our brother and air commander won't survive without a spark energy transplant. We only need a small percent of your spark energy, and if all goes well there should be no side effect for either of you after the surgery."

"That makes sense I suppose, but why do you need me? Why can't one of you do it?" Silverbolt asked suspiciously.

"Because you are the only one on this miserable planet that has the same energy signature as Starscream," Thundercracker lamented, "You're the only one that can save his life, and you'll do it even if we have to rip that spark from your chassis. We won't let Starscream die this way. Now, if you want to get out of this alive I suggest you do as you're told and give us what we want."

"I must admit, I don't relish the idea of saving the life of one so cruel," Silverbolt replied thoughtfully, "However, I can only imagine the pain you must be going through right now. I have brothers too, and I would tear apart the matrix itself to save them if they were in the same position," Silverbolt then sighed deeply before saying, "Alright, I will help you in any way I can, but I expect you to keep your end of the bargain. I'm allowed to leave after the surgery is over. No tricks."

"No tricks," Thundercracker agreed, "Now, follow us. We need to hurry if we're going to make it in time."

Silverbolt nodded resolutely, and then followed Thundercracker to where Skywarp was standing and waiting for them. The purple seeker then grabbed hold of both of them and teleported everyone to the medbay.

Long Ago

Starscream tripled checked his subspace to make certain he had everything he needed. The Kaon branch of the Decepticon recruiting office was right there. All he had to do was walk through those doors and there would be no going back.

Was he ready? Did he really want to join the faction that was ruled over by the evil Megatron? Yes, he was, and he did. Starscream knew from personal experience how the council was trying to make his kind weak and dependent on them for survival. He saw the starving Empties in the streets, he saw seekers with bright futures turned away because they didn't have the credits or connections to do any better. He saw his grandsire unable to afford medical care when he became old and frail.

Starscream nodded to himself and then confidently stepped forward to meet his destiny. Megatron would need to die, but someday the Decepticons would pave the way to a truly glorious future where the strong could be strong, and the weak would no longer use money and tradition to cow them.

Starscream looked around the poorly lit room. He knew the Decepticons were not the type to waste valuable resources on excess electricity, but the dim lighting and gunmetal furnishings made the place look foreboding.

He walked over to the burly green gun-former mech standing behind the front desk, but before he could say anything the mech asked "Designation?"

"Starscream, of Vos," Starscream answered, "I'm here to join the Decepticons."

"Vos...That city was recently invaded," The mech noted, "Are you certain you are not merely attempting to save yourself from our wrath?"

"I'm not, but I don't really think it would matter if I was," Starscream argued, "Victory comes from numbers. You need every mech you can get your servos on, and that means you need me. So, where do I go to get sworn in?"

"Heh heh, you're a piston, I'll say that much," The gun-former chuckled with amusement, "Alright, Starscream, what are your fields of expertise?"

"Cybernetics, energon scouting, weapons design, and organic studies," Starscream rattled off.

Of course, he was lying about the weapons. He theoretically could make weapons, but he had never actually tried to before. Still, there was nothing wrong with padding one's résumé.

"Very good," The mech nodded approvingly, "One final question: Is your trine with us or against us?"

"Um, I don't have a trine yet," Starscream admitted, deflating at the reminder.

Most seekers Starscream's age had trines of their own by now, but between his career, his imprisonment, and his picking up the pieces of his life afterward, Starscream never had time to find his own trine. He feared at this point he was too old to be considered a good wingmate.

"All Decepticon seekers must be trined," The mech informed him, "The extra energy and military coordination is essential for a good soldier. Of course, I'm not surprised an academy boy like you isn't trined. Not many seekers in Iacon, huh?"

Starscream growled at this stranger's audacity, and his optics burned in anger.

"Hey, calm down. We have a provision for trine-impaired mechs like you," The green mech told him, "You can be arranged with a trine. It's not as good as a trine you find yourself, but at least it's guaranteed. Given your intellect, I could put you down as trine commander. Does that sound good to you, academy boy?"

"Call me that again and I'll break your nose cone," Starscream threatened, "Still, you do have a good idea. As long as I'm commander, then I don't care who or what I get stuck with."

"Very good," The mech nodded before typing in some commands on his computer, "I'll put your name in the registry and...I'm gonna need your comm codes to let you know when two matches have been found."

Starscream gave the mech his code and shortly afterward left for the hotel where he was staying. He didn't expect such a barbaric bunch to have so much red tape. It would be worth it though. The Decepticon cause would give him purpose, getting closer to Megatron would give him revenge, and as an added bonus a trine would give him a new family to care about. Hopefully.

Starscream awoke feeling groggy and disoriented. He tried to think where he was and why. Oh yeah. Megatron had beaten him for building Bruticus to overthrow him and sticking the Decepticons with the Combaticons. He felt sore, and his intakes had difficulty functioning.

He onlined his optics to see what was going on. On his left against the wall were his two wingmates, in recharge in two chairs. They had probably been there for joors. Starscream was surprised they would recharge here, since him getting beaten up by Megatron wasn't exactly new.

He suddenly heard a sharp gasp to his right, and turned his helm around to see who it was. Lying there on another berth with bright blue optics looking at Starscream in fear was one of the Autobots! Starscream knew it was an Aerialbot, but he couldn't remember his designation.

"What are you doing here, Autobot?" Starscream spat in contempt.

"I saved your life," Silverbolt replied in a sharp tone of voice; clearly not happy with that fact or the position he was in, "I donated part of my spark to you."

"What!?" Starscream shouted; affronted, "Why didn't they do it!?" He demanded as he pointed to his sleeping trine.

"They couldn't," Hook explained as he came from behind a curtain on the other side of the medbay, "Your energy signature is very rare, and Silverbolt was the only one on the entire planet that was a match. Now, you will both feel weakened for a few orns, but afterward you should both be back to normal health. In the meantime I suggest you get some rest. You'll both need it."

"I can't stay here," Silverbolt replied worriedly, "I need to get back to the Ark."

"You seriously think we're just going to let you go?" Starscream asked derisively, "You are an Autobot, and a vital component to build Superion. I think scrapping you for parts is a more fitting action to take."

"But I saved you life, Starscream!" Silverbolt exclaimed in righteous indignation, "You really have no problem with killing someone who gave up part of their own energy signature to save you?"

"Not really," Starscream replied dismissively, "I've killed thousands of Autobots. You are no different than they are."

"Oh yes I am," Silverbolt argued, "What if this happens again? With Megatron's temper it's very likely that your spark chamber could rupture again. If it does, then I'm the only one on this entire planet with the right spark energy to help you. You need me to be alive, for your own sake if nothing else."

"That is true," Starscream admitted begrudgingly, "However, there is nothing that says you have to be freed to be of use. You will be of much greater use to me in the brig."

"Wait!" Silverbolt shouted as he noticed Starscream activate a comm link, "Starscream, don't do this. Thundercracker and Skywarp promised me I would be set free after the operation! Starscream!"

/Ramjet, this is Starscream,/ Starscream spoke into the comm; ignoring Silverbolt's cries, /Come to the medbay at once. I have an Autobot prisoner. Oh, and um, don't tell anyone about this. I have plans for this Autobot.../