Love is a Battlefield
Chapter 10
Starscream made multiple failed attempted shots with each of his arm mounted weapons before Ricochet calmly said "Oh knock it off. With that nasty blast ya took yer weapons are probably as fried internally as yer legs are externally."
Hissing in pain, Starscream got a good look at his legs as he slowly and painfully sat up. The femme wasn't exaggerating. His legs, however, weren't the only part of his body that hurt. The dent from earlier was currently causing him a killer helm ache making him groan and clutch the offending area.
"Hey mech, are ya felling okay over there?" Ricochet asked as she moved as if about to approach Starscream.
"Why should I believe you? Stay away from me Autobot!" Starscream yelled while he eyed Ricochet with suspicion.
Ricochet sat back in her original position, brought her servos up in a placating manner, and in a comforting tone of voice said "Okay. Okay. Just take it easy. If it makes ya feel better I'll stay right here in this spot and not come any closer. I only asked 'cause I was worried about yer condition. After all, I saved ya before you were buried alive since you were in no shape ta save yerself."
Starscream listened to Ricochet's speech pattern noticing some slight similarities to the Autobot Jazz. Yet, the only thing that puzzled him was why she saved his life instead of saving herself.
"So Autobot? Why did you even bother to save me? Why didn't you just save yourself?" he asked resting his servos on the cave floor.
"Why did I save you? That's simple, I saved ya because I couldn't just leave ya ta die. My creators raised me better than that." she replied then said "One more thing, would ya please stop calling me Autobot. My designation is Ricochet."
'How can this, Ricochet, seem so kind and compassionate towards a Decepticon like himself despite the war going on?' Starscream thought.
"Do you take me for an idiot Autobo-er, Ricochet? I've experienced your ferocity on the battlefield first hand more than once. Ferocity that seems most unusual for even the most battle hardened seeker. Can you, or will you, explain that?" Starscream said in a scrutinizing tone looking at her with narrowed optics.
With a smile, Ricochet replied "No I do not take ya for an idiot, Starscream. As for my ferocity on the battlefield, that is simply a matter of programming inherited from my Carrier, Solarwind. A small part of me is, in fact, not seeker at all."
"What?" Starscream interrupted "What are you talking about?"
"Like I was sayin' before ya cut me off, my great great grandsire on my Carrier's side was a gladiator from the Pits of Kaon. As a result of bein' one eightth Kaonian I inherited gladitorial combat programmin'." she said laying down on her back shuttering her optics.
"Explains alot." he muttered as he lay back shuttering his optics as well. He figured a nap might ease the pain he was in.
-Meanwhile Outside the Cave
Lightspeed and Hawkeye walked along, side by side, looking for the cave their sister was currently trapped in.
"I can't believe you threw that weapon 'Hawk. Who knows what could have happened. You could've ended up blowing Ricochet to shreds with that Primus forsaken thing. It's a miracle that she's still online." Lightspeed ranted his arms waving angrily.
"Calm down 'Speedy. You've been ranting like that since 'Chet contacted us. We'll find her and everything will be fine." Hawkeye said in a calming tone.
"Sorry 'Hawk. You know I'm just worried. I hope we find Ricochet soon." Lightspeed said as the two continued on.
-A few hours later back in the cave
Starscream and Ricochet were peacefully napping then Ricochet slowly woke sitting up. Even if she was found by her brothers, her current concerns were for Starscream. He was in no shape to return to the Nemesis on his own meaning she couldn't just leave him behind. Then an idea shot through her processor that would solve the problem. She looked over at Starscream noticing how surprisingly peaceful he looked while reacharging. Groaning in pain, Starscream began to stir awake and slowly sat up.
"Hey there! Are ya feelin' any better, Starscream?" she asked.
"What do you think?" he snapped in an annoyed tone.
"Sorry mech." she said "I was thinkin' that if my brothers find us you wouldn't have ta rot in this cave."
Staring at her with an odd look in his optics, Starscream asked "And why is that? You planning on taking me prisoner when and if they find us?"
"No, Starscream, I'm not plannin' on taking you prisoner. I was thinkin' that I could ask my brothers ta fly ya back to the Nemesis so you can be repaired."
Before Starscream could say anything in response digging was heard from the other side of the cave in. Then two mech voices were heard yelling for Ricochet as well as assurances that everything would be fine. Though Starscream was doubtful, Ricochet sighed with relief.
It took the boys nearly an hour but they soon cleared the boulders blocking the cave entrance. Ricochet stood, walked to the entrance, hugged her brothers quickly then said "I'm glad ta see you guys. Come with me I need yer help."
"What are you talking about, Ricochet?" Lightspeed asked as he and Hawkeye followed Ricochet into the cave. Soon the three of them came upon where Starscream was laying.
"Could you two help me get Starscream back ta the Nemesis? He's injured and needs help." Ricochet pleaded as she was hoping her brothers would help Starscream. Said Decepticon was looking their way with suspicion and doubt.
"No offense, 'Chet but I'm beginning to think that you've been going crazy over all these vorns." Hawkeye replied folding his arms across his chassis. "But I'll help him. I just hope this won't end up biting us in the aft at a later date."
"I'll help him too." Lightspeed stated ignoring the comment about his sister being crazy. Hawkeye effortlessly scooped up Starscream, holding him in his arms 'bridal style', and walked out of the cave with Lightspeed right behind. Upon reaching the outside of the cave they took to the air.
Hissing in pain, Starscream yelled "Will you watch what you're doing you idiot? I'm not cargo."
"Would you perfer I drop you?" Hawkeye inquired with a growl. With that statement Starscream's mouth clicked shut his red optics glaring nastily at the brothers.
As they flew Hawkeye's specialized optics allowed him to spot two familiar Decepticons a few miles ahead of them.
(B)" 'Speedy, I see Thundercracker and Skywarp ahead of us and they're heading in this direction. Looks like we don't have to fly all the way to the Nemesis. Let's set him down here and head back to Ricochet."(B)
Lightspeed nodded then the boys gently lowered Starscream to the ground laying him on his back before flying off to rejoin Ricochet. Thundercracker and Skywarp soon spotted Starscream laying on the ground. With utmost care, they lifted their trine leader and carried him the rest of the way back to the Nemesis.