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A HUGE thank you to the-writing-Mew! YOU ARE AMAZING! and a HUGE thank you to Fanfickisara! YOU ROCK!


Chapter 11 Uncle Drewan

-Nemesis 12:30 p.m.

Inside the control room:

"Sir, we have a problem," said a vehicon typing away by a console. Symbols quickly appearing on the screen of the console in various patterns.

Megatron, who was just standing there and contemplating, growled quietly and turned to face the vehicon.

"And what is this problem?" asked Megatron who at the moment was irritated to the point of...well breaking something. It was moments like this where he wished his little punching bag of a former SIC was there.

The vehicon gulped and turned slowly to talk face to face with his master.

"The troops have gone to the location but all they have found is ashes and debris, Dreadwing and Starscream have disappeared off the map entirely, although their life signals are still displayed as online," explained the vehicon, trying his hardest to sound calm, despite the fact that he was close to leaking some transmission fluid.

"They WHAT?! Not only have we lost my newest second, who turned out to be weak and was bested by flesh-bags, but we've also lost my former second as well?!" shouted Megatron, baring his sharp denta his servos clenching into tight, dangerous fists.

"Uhhhh," said the vehicon, looking for an escape route. This was not going to end well,"...Yes?"

Wrong answer.

Lord Megatron roared in anger, causing the Nemesis to shake a little and causing the poor vehicon to actually scream in terror and release his transmission fluid.


-Autobot Outpost Omega one 12:30 p.m.

"Did you guys hear something?" asked Jack, pausing a video game he was currently playing. He was relaxing on the couch in the entertainment area, trying to keep his mind off of his anger as Ratchet was busy with Starscream and Raf was having his own fun with his computer.

"I didn't hear anything," said Raf, turning his computer off, "I sent Miko an I.M., she's mad that we didn't tell her about the sleep over, but she says she'll come by later tonight to stay."

"Meh, alright. I just hope she reacts well to Starscream though...knowing her she'd either kill him or squeeze him to death," said Jack, un-pausing his game.

"Hey, that's what Bulkhead said when he found out Stary was here," said Raf, walking over and taking a seat on the couch, next to Jack.

"Their reactions must've been hilarious," said Jack, shifting a little as he played his game.

"It was. Though I am kind-of happy for Bumblebee, he's the last of his generation. He's just happy that he's not anymore," said Raf.

"Hmmm, so wait. Are we going to keep Starscream or are we going to bring him back to normal?" asked Jack, shifting on the couch and smiling when a victory song was heard from the gaming console.

"Ratchet says that we're going to try to bring him back to normal, but Optimus says that after studying the relic the chances are slim...a one in a thousand chance," explained Raf, adjusting his glasses.

"I guess we better get used to having him around then...Do the others want to keep him?" asked Jack.

"I don't know," said Raf, tilting his head to the side in thought,"I really don't know."

"Hmmm, well we all better find out soon. I have a feeling something big is going to come up," said Jack, shifting in his seat again as his thumb mercilessly pushed the buttons on his gaming controller.

For a few seconds they could hear Starscream purging his tanks out again in the med-bay.

Raf shivered as he listened to the little seekers cries and decided to change the subject, "What are you playing?" he asked, resting his head on the couch armrest.


So tired...So loud and bright...So cold...and so...

Starscream chirped angrily as he felt something bump against his derma for the third time that day. Why did it keep pestering him?

Letting out a groan, the little seeker finally on-lined his optics and glared at whatever it was that was disturbing him from his sleep. Everything around him was so foggy and he was freezing.

He wished that whatever was bothering him would just leave him alone and let him recharge. He barely knew what was going on.

"Hey there little one," cooed a familiar voice, "Time to eat, come on."

The little seeker let out a noise of complaint, but started to suckle down the energon given to him though a make-shift bottle.

"I'm so happy he's eating," sighed a new and familiar voice. It was deep and sweet.

"I'm just hoping he keeps it this time," said the other voice.

Starscream let out a grunt as he felt a small pain start at the pit of his tanks.


Med-bay: 2:00 p.m.

"Uh oh this is not going to be good," said Ratchet as he watched Starscream stretch his wings out and purge the energon he just took.

The seeker let out a cry as he finished, his little wings flaring as coolant spilled out of his optics.

"Is Starscream alright?" asked Optimus, quickly grabbing a rag to clean up the mess. He had just come out of the hallway and into the med-bay.

"Not really, he's healing but he keeps purging all the energon he takes and I'm not going to try again. If I do he'll only damage his esophageal tubing," sighed Ratchet, tilting the sparlkings helm up with a digit, "What's worse is that he's showing signs of exhaustion."

Starscream chirped in pain and drew into a fetal position, his only working servo kneading the med-berth.

"He did suffer while at the hands of M.E.C.H. probably causing a reason for negative fluxes," suggested Optimus,"But there's also the fact that he's been purging all of his energon, that counts as a factor in his exhaustion."

"Well, maybe his exhaustion might be a factor for his ...Or... Ugh, Optimus I'm so tired...I don't know what to do," groaned the CMO, pinching the sides of his helm with his servos,"his energon level is depleting and if he doesn't hold down his energon he wont be able to replace what he lost when he was with M.E.C.H. or the energon he lost during surgery he's down to forty percent, Optimus! I-"

"Ratchet calm down," said the prime,"Everything will be alright...It's alright. We don't want to worry the others."

"I'm sorry, it's just...I know it's Starscream...but...How long has it been since any of us heard a sparkling laugh o-or cry-"

"I know the situation is hard old friend, I know you're worried for the little one. All of us are, what you need is rest," said the prime, resting a servo on the CMO's shoulder, "You've been awake all night looking over the little one. Go recharge...I'll look after him."

Ratchet huffed in response, crossing his servos over his chassis.

"Ratchet," said Optimus with a serious tone.

"Hmm?"

"Ratchet," said Optimus again, "I know you can hear me, you need your recharge. Starscream will be alright."

"Optimus...Starscream is my sparkling as much as he is yours. As his..."Carrier" I'm going to stay," said Ratchet, "As much as I hate to say it...I have grown fond of the little one. I don't want to lose him. Even if he is a Decepticon."

"I know...As his "Sire", I don't want to lose my sparkling either, not again," said Optimus, caressing one of the seekers wings.

Remembering the prime's past Ratchet raised an optic ridge, "How are you taking it by the way? Are you alright with being called a Sire?"

Optimus sighed and shut his optics, "I miss them...Elita...Elita would have approved."

"Optimus are you sure-"

"The Matrix may put a limit to my emotions, but they do not limit my desire and my right to be a Sire to a sparkling," said Optimus, continuing to caress Starscream's wings,"Right now...Starscream needs a sire, and I will not deny him the right, the protection and the love he needs at the moment. The Starscream we know is gone for now, Ratchet...We need to focus on bringing this one up well."

"Primus is kind," said Ratchet, starting to caress the seekers other wing only to suddenly pause.

"What is it?" asked Optimus, looking at his old friend in concern.

"Starscream is a seeker and seekers naturally protect and care for the young...Optimus, Dreadwing is a seeker...DREADWING IS A SEEKER!" shouted Ratchet with sudden relief and joy.

"Aw Ratchet! You made me lose a game!" groaned Jack.

Optimus only gave his CMO a confused look.


Brig- 3:45 p.m.

The second the Autobots put Dreadwing into their box-shaped cell, the seeker felt immediate displeasure. No windows, no signs of sunlight or skies. Just three grey walls, a small berth that was pushed up against the third wall and the cell doors that displayed the boring halls of the base.

Grounders, always assuming that Seekers were like them. Seekers needed a specially made berth, a large berth or a large space to recharge since they could not lie on their wings. Too uncomfortable and painful, which was why they slept on their sides, bellies or in their alternate form.

Eventually the seeker lay down on the floor and recharged on his side, his clamped wings facing the wall and berth as Dreadwing's spark was filled with worry for the young sparkling he once thought of as a threat to his master.

Sometime in the morning the seeker was given a rude awakening.

"Dreadwing! Wake up!"

Dreadwing groaned as he awoke from his recharge. His entire frame ached. Oh how he wished he could stretch out his wings. If only they didn't have that humiliating clamp on them. At least his servos were not bound.

Standing by the doors was the Autobot Medical Officer Ratchet and their Wrecker Bulkpede.

"What do you want Bulkpede?" hissed Dreadwing.

"It's Bulkhead."

"Wake up you giant piece of scrap-metal come on!" shouted the CMO.

"What in the name of the allspark is going on?" groaned Dreadwing turning to glare the two mechs, "You take away my victory, you take me to your brig and humiliate me by putting this primus forsaken clamp on my wings, and now you wake me from recharge-"

"You're our prisoner, Dreadwing not our guest. Besides what we're doing to you right now pales in comparison to what your kind would do to us, so why don't you shut your mouth," said Ratchet with a huff.

"Well I have to agree with that," sighed Dreadwing, "Though I will warn you, I will not release any information on my Master, Lord Megatron."

"I'm not here about Megatron. I'm here because you said earlier to our soldier Bulkhead that Starscream told you what happened between him-"

"Sílron`zem?! How is he?" said Dreadwing, suddenly alert.

"Uh...Who?" asked Bulkhead, looking confused.

"Starscream, is he alright?" asked Dreadwing full of concern for the sparkling.

"What's it to you?" asked Bulkhead, giving the large seeker a look, "Why do you want to know so much about 'scream?"

Dreadwing scoffed, "You certainly have not studied your history, or you grounders are more ignorant to seeker coding and behavior than I thought."

"Answer the question 'con," said Bulkhead in a threatening tone.

Dreadwing growled and only glared at the wrecker in response. Bulkhead growled in return, his servo instantly transforming into a mace.

"Dreadwing, I suggest you cooperate," said Ratchet,"Even though we are ignorant of seeker coding and behavior, we are aware that your kind are well-known for being care takers and protectors of the young."

Dreadwing's optics widened in sudden alarm. Ratchet smirked and continued to speak "So...either you help us, or your guilt for failing to protect and care for a sparkling will torture your very spark until you off-line. I know how seekers get when they fail to live up to-"

"Enough!" hissed Dreadwing, "You win Autobot, but I will only do this for the little one. Do not expect favors from me."

"Good, since we can't trust you to go free throughout the base-" Ratched put a digit to his Audio's, activating a comm-link to his leader, "Optimus, bring Starscream here along with a data-pad and medical supplies."

"Ratchet what are you-"

"Trust me Bulkhead, Dreadwing won't be of any danger to Starscream," said Ratchet, "All I plan to do is take notes and have Dreadwing help heal Starscream."

"I don't know..."said wrecker, scratching the back of his helm and giving Dreadwing a hard stare.

"I don't know if you recall wrecker, but I was the one that came to the sparkling's defense before all of you arrived," said Dreadwing, grunting a bit as he got off the floor and stood.

"That still doesn't mean you wont try to escape or take 'Scream to Megatron!" shouted Bulkhead.

"As if my Master would-"

"ENOUGH!" shouted Ratchet, losing his patience, "No one is taking Starscream to Megatron!"

A small chirp suddenly caught everyone's attention. Walking down the hall was Optimus, holding a small grey sparkling close to his chassis, behind him was Bumblebee, carrying a data-pad and all sorts of strange tubes, wires and tools.

"Sílron`zem," cooed Dreadwing, shocking everyone. His voice sounded so inviting and sweet, it was... unnatural.

Coming up to the cell door, Dreadwing held a look of worry, "He looks terrible," he whispered in sudden despair.

"Ratchet I hope you know what you're doing," said Optimus as Ratchet keyed in a code on a key pad next to Dreadwing's cell.

"Don't worry Optimus," said Ratchet, as the cell doors moved aside with a groan, "Everything will be alright, go do your job Dreadwing."

Dreadwing let out a low croon as he reached out with his servos, indicating that he wanted the sparkling. Hesitant, Optimus complied, carefully handing the little seeker to Dreadwing.

Starcream chirped as he felt something new handle him, on-lining his optics he looked around groggily his wings hanging low due to exhaustion. Dreadwing crooned again and caressed one of Starscream's wings, catching the seekers attention.

"Tsmukan Drewan?" croaked the little one, lifting his helm to look at the larger seeker.

"Srane hì'i 'aw oe ma fìtseng oe hawnu nga," purred Dreadwing, cradling the little one. Starcream only let out a groan and shut his optics in pain, snuggling into the warm servos of his current protector. Dreadwing smiled and started to rock the little one gently, cooing as he did so.

"Well?" asked Ratchet, watching uncomfortably. To see a Decepticon being gentle, cooing at a sparkling...Impossible.

Dreadwing looked the sparkling over," His internal systems are healing themselves, you've done an exceptional job, Medic. He'll most likely start crawling around in a few hours,"said Dreadwing lifting an optic ridge and sniffed the air a little "Has he been purging?"

"Yes he has, he's been showing signs of exhaustion and has been recharging constantly," said Ratchet, watching as Starscream started kneading Dreadwing's chassis with his good servo causing the larger seeker to flinch slightly at the sharp claws, "He's been doing that a lot too," said Ratchet pointing at the seeker with a digit.

"That is a form of self comfort," said Dreadwing worriedly, "He's in pain and recharging is his only means of escaping it. Tell me, what have you put in his energon?"

"We've used the lowest grade of energon and Ratchet mixes it with a little water," said Bulkhead, his servo transforming back into its original state. He was calm now that he saw Dreadwing handle the seekerling carefully.

"Is that bad for him?" beeped Bumblebee, walking past his superiors and Dreadwing to get into the cell, setting down the supplies he was bringing on the small berth.

"I'd prefer it if he wasn't but none of us- I assume, has carried or activated your feeding protocols. Purified and filtered energon is better for a sparkling, but I think Starscream suffers from a sensitive tank. When he purges is there a more bile than energon?" asked Dreadwing.

"Yes actually, I was afraid that if I tried feeding him again he would damage his esophageal tubing due to the acid contained in the bile," said Ratchet suddenly feeling guilt, "Could it be that the foreign substance in the energon might have hurt Starscream?"

"Most likely," said Dreadwing," a little water won't affect much but I believe Starscream just couldn't take it. He just has sensitive tanks, I remember the vehicons saying that Starscream would complain about having tank-aches sometimes, especially when he drank high-grade, and that he prefers having a mix of low-grade and mid-grade of energon. But then again, Starscream is known for complaining in excess."

"Oh Starscream, I'm so sorry," whispered Ratchet sadly, reaching over to pet the little one's helm.

"How do you know about sparklings so much?" asked Bulkhead, confused.

"Seekers are protectors of the young. How can we protect them if we don't know how to care for them? Carriers would practically kill in order to hire a seeker to care for their young." said Dreadwing glaring at the wrecker.

"Okay, I get it. Best baby-sitters ever," said Bulkhead, raising his servos in defense.

Dreadwing growled.

"What can we do to help?" asked Optimus.

"Starscream at the moment needs pure filtered energon," said Dreadwing, "If not he'll continue to purge or get tank-aches if he manages to keep it down."

A few seconds of silence followed.

"Boy this is awkward," sighed Bulkhead, scratching the back of his helm as Bumblebee let out an agreeing whistle.

Ratchet and Optimus looked at each other in concern.

"ngäng tìsrawe si? eh?"cooed Dreadwing in a silly voice, causing everyone to stare at the seeker,"What? He's a sparkling. How can you not sparkling-talk around the little one?"

Ratchet sighed and and put a servo against his forehelm, "I owe Rafael a dollar. Bumblebee, Bulkhead with me- I have an idea that can solve our problem."

"What about Optimus?" asked Bulkhead, reluctant to leave the prime alone with the Decepticon and sparkling.

"He'll be fine," said Ratchet with a dismissive wave,"It's Arcee we're going to have to worry about."


Arcee's chambeers- 5:45 p.m.

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" shouted Arcee, crossing her arms over her chassis.

"Arcee, this is not up for choice," said Ratchet,"This is something we want for the sparkling."

"No. This is an invasion of privacy!" hissed Arcee, turning away from the CMO.

"This isn't up for argument," said Ratchet, stomping his pede in a bit of frustration,"I'm not asking you to feed him, all I'm asking is that we take scans so I can build something similar-"

"And what if you fail? Obvious choice is to...UGH!" said Arcee, disgusted,"Why can't one of you guys activate your feeding protocols?!"

"look you're the only femme and femmes already have their feeding protocols developed, for mechs it would take weeks. Starscream needs the energon now. We're not asking you to activate them or anything I just-"

"Get out of my room, Ratchet!" hissed Arcee.


Bulkhead stood outside Arcee's chambers with Bumblebee, listening to the muffled sounds of shouting. He shifted from pede to pede, clearing his throat every now and then...It felt so awkward to be standing there.

"NO MEANS NO!" shouted Arcee, pushing Ratchet out of her chambers his right servo twisted behind his back.

"Ow, Ow, OW! Okay I get it!"screeched Ratchet,"Ow!"

Arcee let go of the CMO's servo with a huff and shut herself in her chambers again, "Unbelievable!"

Bumblebee let out a nervous whistle as Bulkhead simply watched awkwardly as the doors shut and Ratchet nursed his aching servo, "So...I'm guessing that went well?"


Back at the brig- 6:30 p.m.

"Okay, that should make him feel ten times better," sighed Dreadwing as he took the last of Starscream's armor off. Th outer chest-plate, shoulder guards, knee plating, the remaining cockpit glass that was on his belly, servo armor and tiny missiles were missing from the little seeker. Beneath the hard armor was a more flexible and soft inner armor that was slightly see through, underneath one could see Starscream's grey and slightly scarred protoform, some wires and a few fuel lines along with glowing energon lines here and there.

"Seeker sparkling's can't wear armor- too hard, seeker protoforms are sensitive and chafe easily. The inner armor is very flexible at this stage, so having something hard rubbing against it rubs on the potoform which can cause damage since they are growing at this stage," explained Dreadwing, "Like here for example, you see how this spot on his shoulder looks a little lighter and irritated?"

Optimus nodded as he observed Starscream's bare shoulder, "His armor was causing that?" he asked.

"Yes," said Dreadwing bringing the little seeker closer in order to preen little one. It felt good to hold a sparkling in his servos again, he just never imagined it would be Starscream.

"What are you doing?" asked Optimus, looking confused as Dreadwing started to preen the little one's wings.

"Preening," said Dreadwing, as if it was the most obvious and normal thing in the world, "It will help with his wounds and keep him clean. You're his sire, you should be doing this with him. Touch and cleanliness is important to seeker kind. Since sparkling-hood Seekers need the touch of their creators, it's always been a good communication and bonding factor. You caressing his wings is good, but preening is more intimate and shows love for family, I'm his uncle, you are his sire. Since the time of birth, all seekers crave touch. You should try it."

Optimus, raised an optic ridge,"I doubt I'll be able too. Hmmm, Starscream craving touch...Seems unlikely."

"Starscream has always been...Off. He's also uncommonly small, when I first saw him on Cybertron I thought he was a femme and the youngest of his trine," explained Dreadwing, preening the little seekers wings.

Optimus smiled as the seeker let out a pleased noise once Dreadwing started preening his wings. Wings were sensitive, "What do you know about Starscream?"

"Standard, former second in command, traitor, sneaky, angry, complaining, hates Megatron, always ends up in medical bay, makes enemies easily, the usual," sighed Dreadwing giving Starscream a final preening session on the belly.

The little seeker chirped and burst into little giggles, trying to push away the older seeker with a working servo.

"Kea, k-kea Drewan,"giggled the little seeker, his voice rasped and tired. Dreadwing growled playfully, and continued to preen the little seeker.

"Why does he end up in the med-bay?"asked Optimus, noticing a scar on Starscream's side.

"K-kea! kyaaaa-ha ha ha!" squealed the seeker, as Dreadwing blew a raspberry on his belly. Optimus couldn't help but smile at the little seekers giggles, despite the exhausted wheeze that came after.

"No one really says, some think its beatings, war injuries...The Nemesis hides many secrets," said Dreadwing, "Your team has made plenty of scars on us as well," sighed the seeker, turning Starscream's helm, revealing the scar Arcee made on the little one's cheek.

"Megatron...beats his soldiers?"asked Optimus.

Dreadwing paused his preening, his derma pressed in a thin line. He had said too much. Clearing his throat Dreadwing continued to preen the little seeker, dropping the subject. Which worried the prime even more.

Optimus frowned as he saw another scar on Starscream's upper right servo. He made that scar when he blew the seekers servo off.

"Optimus," called a voice, capturing the prime's attention, "well our plan failed," growled Ratchet, walking up the hall Bumblebee and Bulkhead following behind.

"Did you really think that femme was going to agree to your idea? You have given her full body scans. Why not use those?" buzzed Bumblebee.

Ratchet stopped and glared at the ground, "Why didn't I think of that?"

"You're under a lot of stress, its normal to have a little slip-"

Ratchet growled at Bulkhead threateningly.

"Okay," said the wrecker quickly, taking back his comment. A sudden chirp caught everyone's attention.


Starscream stirred a little as he felt the world suddenly become clearer. Letting out a loud yawn he stretched out his wings as best as he could, and arched his back. He sighed satisfied as a feeling of warmth suddenly ran through him. That was one long recharge!

His servo still felt sore, but at least now he was fully aware of his surroundings now that he felt better.

"Kaltxì hì'i 'aw" purred Dreadwing, nuzzling side, "tì'efu sìltsan?"

Starscream blinked and looked around, his optics widening as he saw the prime, the scout, the wrecker and the medic. Coolant welled at the corner of the seekers optics as a sudden surge of joy, sadness and relief flowed through his tiny spark.

"SA'NOK, SEMPU!" he cried reaching out to his sire and carrier with his working servo. He would reach out with both if he could, but the brace prevented it. He didn't care, he just wanted his sire and carrier.

In an instant warm digits started caressing his wings along with loving words which he didn't understand. He didn't care...he was home.

He was home with his brother, his two uncles and his grouchy carrier and sire.

He was home.

Home.


JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ this took FOREVER to write. I mean come on!

Okay all of you thank you for reading, I have no idea if this chapter was good or not but OKAY! It's done.

What Dreadwing and Starscream say D- for dreadwing, S- for starscream.

D-Starscream?

D-Starscream~

S- Uncle/Brother Dreadwing?

D- Right little one, I'm here, I will protect you

D- Your tanky hurt? huh?

S- No Dreadwing

S- No! Kyaaaaha-ha! (Kya: is a squeal)

D- Hello little one *nuzzle* feel better?

S- Mommy! Daddy!

Phew! I'm tired. Well I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and in the next, MIKO COMES INTO THE PICTURE! YEAH! -sigh- I'm going to rest now.

Starscream: I am the strong wind that brings the cool breeze in the morning!

Okay, Beowulf. This isn't how it should have ended.

Write in my Awesome Box!

(since its no longer a button...yeah)

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