New World Chapter 11: Scraps and Splinters, a transformers fanfic

Part 11 - Scraps and Splinters

Sideswipe was in the best mood he'd been in for at least four millennia and wasn't afraid to let everyone know it. Sunstreaker glowered at him.

::It's too early to be so cheerful::

Sideswipe thumped his shoulder with a loud clang. ::You're back. And while admittedly we could have done with your help in the last battle, I'm sure there's still plenty we can do::

::Right now, where's the range? I need to recalibrate::

Sideswipe rolled from the hanger, his twin following eyeing his wheels.

::Those look useful... I suppose I'll need an alt form::

::Could use the same as mine. Corvette. Stingray. Fast, sleek and stylish::

::It'll do. Where do I find one?::

::When we get back to what passes for civilisation on this mudball:: Sideswipe glanced down as a small figure peered around the undercarriage of a nearby C-17. "Hey, scraplet. What you doing?"

Sunstreaker stared in disbelief as Starwind edged out of the big plane's shadow and warily approached them. ::Is that... a Seekerlet?::

Sideswipe reached down and hefted the sparkling up to optic level, 'smiling', then gestured to his brother. "This is my spark-twin, Sunstreaker."

The sparkling stretched out a tiny servo and patted Sunstreaker's chest a little nervously. "H'lo. I Starwind."

Sunstreaker was still staring. "How the frag do we have a Seekerlet?"

::It's a bit of a long story. I'll tell you later. For now, all you need to know is he's shaping up to be a right little prankster::

Sunstreaker 'chuckled'. ::Is he now?:: He stroked the sparkling's helm. "Hello Starwind. I hear you like playing tricks?"

Crimson optics sparkled slyly. "I drawded doc-bot on Optimumses arma."

Sunstreaker stared for a moment, then burst out 'laughing'. Admiringly. "You little horror!"

Starwind 'pouted'. "But he maded me cleaned it off."

"Yes, well, we have to accept the consequences of our actions. Sometimes." Sideswipe settled the sparkling on his shoulder and 'grinned' at his twin. "I think Starwind might like to watch us train, if you don't mind."

Sunstreaker shrugged. "As long as no-one else minds and he doesn't get in the way, I'm fine with it."

Sideswipe 'commed' Jolt - he was pretty sure Starstream might object if he knew - who said it was OK as long as they were careful and on the understanding that if the sparkling got even as much as a scratch their lives would be worth less than a dead herring. After he'd established what that meant, Sideswipe mentally saluted and assured that they would treat the little Seeker like a princess. And after Jolt had worked out what that meant, and chucklingly advised them not to tell Starwind unless they wanted a repeat of what was currently happening with Starsong, the twins made their way to the range, Starwind chattering happily to them both.

xxx

Starsong was sulking. In the last few days he'd turned sulking into an art. Even Ratchet was impressed.

Starstream was agitated over his eldest's state of mind (otherwise he'd have been more suspicious of Starwind's absence, though to be fair the second eldest Seekerlet was a gregarious and adventurous little thing and often spent his days away from the nest. It had taken his creator a long time to stop worrying: it was only when the Prime assured him that no-one would dream of hurting the infant - not after what happened to Walker - but that nevertheless one of them would keep an eye on him at all times that he began to let go a little).

Starsong was refusing to talk to anyone right now.

Starstream was trying to cuddle his hatchling: Starsong refused to unstiffen. Finally the jet, his wings quivering unhappily, turned Starsong to face him.

::Please tell me what is wrong, little one. I can't make it better until I know::

Starsong pouted.

"You din't tell me I'm called after an 'orse."

Starstream blinked. ::I don't understand::

"Is human toy thing. My Tiny Horsie. Is one called Starsong." His engine growled. "Is silly an' pink."

Utterly confused, Starstream quickly accessed the human 'net...

::Oh. My Little Pony:: He nuzzled his resisting infant. ::Sparkling, I didn't know. I don't think anyone knew or we would have said::

Starsong relaxed minutely. ::You promise?::

::I promise::

"Want new name."

Starstream hesitated, and the hatchling stiffened again. "Don' wanna be called after a toy!"

::I understand. What would you prefer?::

Starsong slumped and nestled closer to his creator. ::Don' know...::

Jolt, who had been 'comming' the whole incident to his fellows on the island, was just about managing to restrain his amusement. Keeping his field grave, he knelt beside the jet and eyed the hatchling.

"A name is an important thing. You should take your time in choosing. We could call you... NotStarsong in the meantime."

Starstream glowered at the warrior. ::That's not very helpful::

::Maybe not, but if it keeps him happy...::

And indeed, it seemed to be working. The hatchling had noticeably cheered up and was nodding.

"NotStarsong. Is good for now."

"Then I'll make sure everyone knows."

xxx

::Physically, everything is in near-perfect running order - better than any time since the beginning of the war:: Ratchet unjacked from Prowl's ventral port and reeled in his diagnostic cable. ::All the damage is repaired and your systems are optimal::

::Thank you::

Ratchet 'shrugged'. ::Can't have you at less than 98% operational if you're to resume your old post:: He tapped the tactician's helm gently. ::How are things in here?::

Prowl considered the question for a moment. ::Functional::

::That's not really good enough:: Ratchet vented quietly. ::What do you need to purge the residual stresses?::

::Time. Self-recalibration. And...:: He hesitated uncharacteristically. ::I believe I need to speak to Starsc... Starstream. If he will endure my presence::

::You spoke with Skyfire?::

::As you instructed. There was much I did not know. It does not excuse the Seeker's actions during the war - but it does mitigate them somewhat::

The medic nodded. ::He was not entirely sane, nor operating within correct parameters. I believe forgiveness is in order::

::Much as I would like to say otherwise, I agree::

Ratchet nodded, satisfied. ::I'll set up the meeting::

xxx

At Ratchet's request Prime had been present when the medic spoke to Starstream. As soon as Ratchet mooted what he had planned the jet had started to tremble, and Prime had reassuringly laid both servos on his shoulders.

::Shall I stay with you?::

Starstream thought about it for a moment, then reluctantly shook his head.

::I need to deal with this by myself, my Prime:: He glanced nervously at Ratchet. ::You are sure he won't attack?::

::I'm sure::

::And you'll look after the hatchlings? I don't want them here for this::

::Of course::

::... very well...::

::Do you want time to prepare?::

::I think... I would rather... 'get it over with', as the humans would say. I don't like feeling afraid all the time. It's disrupting my work::

Prime squeezed the jet's shoulders gently. ::We will not be far away. Comm us if it becomes too much to cope with::

xxx

Prowl stared at Starstream across the tarmac - and across millennia of wasted time.

::What do you remember?::

Starstream was flinching, wings low and shoulders hunched submissively. ::Not... not very much... I remember pain. I... I think I was... lost?:: The Seeker shivered. ::Lonely. So lonely. But mostly the pain::

There was such a hopeless vulnerability about the Seeker. It was hard to hold onto the hate, given what Prowl had learned in the last few days.

This was not Starscream. Not even a pale echo of him.

Prowl 'sighed' and slowly relaxed. Their war was over. The spark may be the same, but this being was new, and full of potential. He slowly stretched out a servo, open and welcoming, and after several fraught seconds Starstream clasped it, lightly, digits shaking, fearful but willing to trust.

It was an excellent augury for the future.

xxx

Poppy rubbed her eyes and yawned, gazing blearily at the mug of coffee Phil was offering. He smirked.

"Late night?"

She nodded and took a slurp of coffee. "Talking to Jacinta and Saroj, trying to decide if there's any way we can do anything to ease Australia's asylum seekers problem."

"Any joy?"

"We couldn't come up with anything. It's not really something our transformers can help with - it needs some sort of joint political aid and agreement, and getting the relevant authorities motivated is a major issue. We'll address it again when we've had a chance to reflect, but it may well be we simply don't have the clout to help."

He rubbed her shoulder consolingly. "I know you want to save the world, love, but it will take time."

"I know. I don't have to like it though!"

He chuckled and seated himself. "And in the meantime Muncher wants to speak to you."

She finished her coffee and inclined her head, now a little more awake as the caffeine kicked in. "What about?"

"You'll have to ask him, he wouldn't tell me."

Poppy frowned. "That's worrying. I'd better find out what the problem is. He's in the greenhouses?"

"Where else?" Phil grinned. "While you're out there, take a look at the new bananas he's trying. He thinks he may have made them cold-resistant enough to grow over here."

"Oh, that would be nice!" Poppy chuckled as she rose and headed for the affectionately named 'veg bed' - currently consisting of over half an acre of raised beds and three large greenhouses. Since they'd constructed the little lab next to the largest of the greenhouses Muncher, helped by Livewire who had decided he needed a useful hobby, had been tinkering with hybridisation. Only on a small scale, of course, but so far he'd produced a new tomato with twice the nutritional value of the best earth had to offer, a variety of rice that retained its vitamins when polished, and a way of processing cattle feed that lessened the amount of methane the animals produced. There were several agri-businesses already very interested in his work, but he was so far refusing to deal with any but those with ethical credentials.

As Poppy entered the greenhouse she saw the convalescing transformer - the pretty blue one from Diego Garcia - watching Muncher at work. The lawnmower was keeping up a quiet almost one-way conversation with Bluestreak, who was murmuring monosyllabic replies. Poppy sighed. She only knew the bare minimum about the newcomer, but that was enough to be heart-breaking. He was still very twitchy around humans, but at least he was interacting with the other Cybertronians at the Consulate. That was very encouraging: for the first three weeks he'd stuck to 'Beat and Stronghold like the proverbial glue...

She kept her movements audible, not wanting to startle him, and called out to Muncher from a couple of aisles away. The lawnmower turned and waved cheerfully.

"'Ullo Poppy!"

Bluestreak flinched, but didn't retreat, and hazarded a tremulous smile, something his faceplates managed more easily than Muncher's. Poppy smiled at him.

"How are you doing?"

"I am... fine."

Well, obviously he wasn't, but he had at least responded. Poppy nodded.

"I'm glad. If you need anything, please just ask." Not wanting to overwhelm him, she smiled again and turned to Muncher. "Phil said you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yurs." He hesitated, then gestured to one of the stools he kept in the greenhouse for just such human visits. Poppy seated herself and waited patiently, if a little worried. Muncher 'ummed' for a few moments then sighed.

"I bin asked t'help out wi' the lunar base. They'm buildin' a green'ouse t'help 'em produce oxygen an' fresh food."

Poppy grinned. "And of course you're the best to advise them! That's fantastic, Muncher!" She sobered. "How long would it be for?"

"They says mebbe thee month, t'start with. But they wants me to 'be available in case o' problems'. I said I 'ad to ask you 'fore I could say yay or nay."

Poppy nodded pensively. The human gardeners - there were ten now, they'd needed more as the garden grew in area - were perfectly capable of maintaining the place in his absence. And Livewire could deputise if anything major needed to be decided - they'd set up a private comm line between them and Ramp which, Poppy had been assured, was operational from one side of the solar system to the other, if required, although they didn't expect to be gardening on Pluto in the foreseeable future... And of course, with Skyfire and Starflare running flights between earth and the moon it was faster to get to the lunar base than to travel from the Consulate to John O' Groats.

"You must go. It's a fantastic opportunity, and you'll be able to learn so much that could be vital in the future." She grinned. "And the kudos won't do any of us any harm, either!"

Muncher rumbled a laugh. "I'll tell 'em yay, then. They'll put in official request for me secondment in the nex' couple weeks." He gazed around the greenhouse. "I'll get everythin' organised 'fore I go."

Poppy patted his shoulder. "Thank you, Muncher." She smiled at Bluestreak, who had been listening attentively. "Maybe we'll see you both later? Steamy is planning a barbecue for this evening, I gather, up at the copse. It would be lovely if we could all be together - Vault and Sinewave have already said they'll come. Perhaps you could take your evening energon with us?"

Muncher nodded, deliberating. "Not promisin', but us'll try."

xxx

At the Port of Brest in Brittany a Morello-cherry-red customised Aston Martin was being loaded into a container for shipment to America...

The nanosecond databurst had been transmitted during a time span when the chatter in European cyberspace had been intense; obviously the sender had intended it to get lost in the noise. If it hadn't been a distinctly Decepticon signal he'd have ignored it - but he was aware that certain humans were taking an extremely worrying interest in him. The 'burst contained two co-ordinates, two names, and a time - and nothing else. The first set of co-ordinates pinpointed a house on the outskirts of Paris, while the second were somewhere in the midwest of North America. The names were those of a human male, and a shipping company.

With nothing to lose, he'd found the house and waited. At the prescribed time a large trailer had arrived, and he'd been carefully but swiftly loaded inside and driven to the port. The thought of being stuck in a container for over a week was alarming - but when the alternative was capture and evisceration by humans, he'd cope with the discomfort and the claustrophobia and try not to think of everything that could go wrong...

As the ship left the harbour and headed for the open sea, Knock Out remotely checked the safety restraining straps and settled himself into stasis, internal chronometer set to rouse him in seven days.

xxx

AN - I was horrified when I found out StarSong was the name of a MLP (next time I check against google as well as the tf wiki!). Lutra thought this was a daft reaction and suggested I watch an ep on Yt. Which I did. Baby Cakes, to be exact. And yes, I can see why it would appeal even as I could feel the saccharine melting my teeth. It's not for me. If I want cute I'll watch Tf: Rescue Bots - Blades' adorable cuteness goes up to 11...). So, NotStarsong needs a new name. Any suggestions? (Preference given to ones that don't start 'Star' - or even with an S. There are an alarming number of tfs with names starting with S and poor 'Thpin is getting evertho thlightly thick of it...)

This Knock Out is the one from Tf: Prime, of course.

I have to confess I simply cannot tell G1 Prowl and Bluestreak apart, and whenever I try to envisage Bluestreak the mental image I get is of Blurr from Tf Animated. So for the sake of my own sanity I'm reinventing Blue in a form I can manage! (I'm sure he'd forgive me...)