Author's Notes: I actually had several ideas for the latter part of this chapter, but it was hard to pick which one I wanted to go with. I think it turned out well, but I admit it's kind of intense. Only a couple chapters of this story left to go! Hope you enjoy it :)

Chapter 12

Forgiveness

Bumblebee woke up to a sore helm and paralysis lingering in his arms and legs. That null ray wasn't set to kill, but it certainly did a number on Bumblebee's systems. He couldn't believe that he had allowed himself to think for even a second that Starscream could change! Even the dark glee with which Starscream shared his so-called secret was chilling. Bumblebee couldn't imagine killing his own creator, yet Starscream treated the confession as if it were the story of his first kiss!

Bumblebee onlined his optics to get a better look at his surroundings. He realized he was in cell #6; the one directly in front of two cameras. First Aid was in cell #1 all the way on the other side of the room. Bumblebee could barely see anything of him. He also noticed that Starscream wasn't guarding them anymore. Their new guard was Thundercracker, and he looked thoroughly bored standing next to the door.

Thundercracker turned when Bumblebee tried to move his body to a sitting position. Bumblebee didn't quite make it, and fell down again with a thud right on his back!

"I see you're alive, prisoner," Thundercracker said as he approached Bee's cell, "I am surprised you have lasted so long under Starscream's care. Oh well, no matter. Starscream has requested permission to execute you and the medic, and Megatron has granted it. You only have half an orn left to live."

Thundercracker's tone wasn't caring by any stretch of the imagination, but neither was it malicious taunting. He mostly just sounded like he was playing a part; as if he were forced into an awkward situation and was reading cue cards to push through it. Bumblebee sighed. He was too weak to do much more.

When Thundercracker turned to go back to the entrance, Bumblebee found himself saying "Wait!" before he even even had a chance to think about it.

"What do you want, Autobot?" Thundercracker groused.

"May I ask...I mean, what method of execution was chosen for me?" Bumblebee asked nervously.

"You and the other Autobot will be crushed into cubes. The Constructicons are working on the device as we speak," Thundercracker replied.

"Alright then," Bumblebee muttered; resigned to his fate, "There is just one more thing I want to say to you, Thundercracker."

"You might as well," Thundercracker replied.

Thundercracker had dealt with countless Autobots on their death berths, and he was used to hearing every insult and plea that could possibly come from their mouth plates. They cursed the Decepticons, Megatron, and Thundercracker personally. He had heard it all...or so he thought.

"I want to say I understand, and I forgive you," Bumblebee said solemnly, "I know this war has made us all do questionable things to survive. I know that both Autobots and Decepticons have their reasons for why they fight. I don't know what yours are, and in the end it probably doesn't matter, but I just want you to know that I don't hold this against you. I hope you survive until this war is over. I hope you can find peace in whatever life you choose whenever Cybertron is restored. I hope...someday…"

Bumblebee was going offline again. His poor body was trying with all its might to counteract the effect of the null rays. Thundercracker just stood there and stared at the little mech recharging on the floor. He really did look peaceful despite all he had been through.

Thundercracker wondered what Starscream did to him. Was the Autobot's processor fried beyond repair? Did he think Thundercracker was someone else? Why would this ground pounder wish Thundercracker peace? He didn't understand, and he wasn't sure he wanted to understand.

The blue and grey Seeker turned his attention to the second prisoner. First Aid was in a huddled position with his arms around his knees. He didn't move when the Seeker came close to the energy bars. He just stared with a wide yet uncomprehending visor. Thundercracker wasn't surprised. Starscream had foregone the null rays and instead had forced the medic down and opened his helm; playing with whatever wires he found. It clearly left an impression on the Protectobot.

"Hey, prisoner!" Thundercracker called to First Aid, "You only have half an orn left to live. Do you need any help getting your affairs in order?"

Thundercracker didn't know why he even asked. Normally he showed no pity for the Autobot prisoners they condemned, but something about the way the yellow one had spoken to him made him want to at least give them some measure of comfort before they died.

"They're going to salvage me…" First Aid whispered cryptically, "...They're going to take me apart...I saved him...why did he do this?"

Thundercracker returned to his post without a word. He knew it was pointless. The Autobot was just muttering to himself at this point.

After a few breems Thundercracker was relieved of duty by Rumble and was allowed to return to his quarters. Thundercracker found himself wandering the corridors with the little Autobot's words still buzzing around in his processor.

This war has made us all do questionable things to survive…

I hope you can find peace after the war in whatever you choose to do…

I understand...and I forgive you…

Thundercracker walked until he found himself in the main hangar. He activated the switch that lifted the Nemesis out of the ocean and into the open air. Then he opened the door and flew away. The sky was calling him, and a sense of purpose drove his direction as he contemplated his enemies and the unexpected words of kindness from the yellow scout.

Starscream lied on his berth and sighed a contented sigh. He had never been so happy to be back in his room! Still, all was not well within his wretched soul. He had been a fool to bring up his creator to those slagging Autobots! Now they would likely try to use this information to blackmail him. To be fair, war crimes weren't exactly new to the Decepticons, but to Starscream this information was personal; it was, after all, his first kill.

Oh, his memory banks weren't what they used to be, likely due to the processor switch, but he clearly remembered the events that led up to that fateful day…

His creator was a lower-ranked soldier for the High Council of Cybertron; back in the days before the Decepticons rose against the oppression the council wrought upon them. War-makes were expected to obey without question, and were often treated as second class citizens in favor of the more intellectually inclined higher class.

His father had tried to create many times before Starscream (and many times after as well). The old Tank's spark was erratic, and every time he tried to create he usually wound up losing the protoform before it could even form a sparkling. This was highly dishonorable to a war-make. They were expected to create many sparklings for use by the High Council.

One would think this mech would appreciate Starscream all the more due to his rarity. Well, one would be wrong. It was true that at first his father was pleased with what he saw. Starscream's creator was a Tank; a mere ground pounder. The idea of giving life to a Seeker was enthralling to the older mech. However, when he saw how weak little Starscream was and how irritating his voice was, the charm eventually wore off and he began to try to create another spark to replace him with.

Of course, since Starscream was his creator's only gift to the council the old mech pushed the little Seeker's training to its limit. Sometimes Starscream would go to his rudimentary school lessons leaking coolant and energon from his father's beatings and his own systems giving out on him. From birth he had been taught that his only purpose was to serve the council and that his mind wasn't made for anything more advanced than aiming his weapons.

When Starscream was fitted with his adult form he was expected to apply to the Vos Military Academy, but he didn't. He flew in the opposite direction to Iacon; the city of opportunity! He knew that was where the council seat was, and where the higher caste Cybertronians lived and worked. He would find his way to prominence.

That ambition had led him to the world of scientific pursuits and eventually a job as a stellar cartographer. Iacon University had been where he met his friend Skyfire and where they studied together and eventually became one of the most dynamic teams on staff. It was true that Starscream was never truly welcome there, but his hunger for adulation and knowledge would never allow such trifles as social consciousness to bother him. He and Skyfire were unstoppable!

Well, they were...Until that day.

Starscream heard the whispers around Iacon. Everyone was sure the 'bloodthirsty war-make' had killed Skyfire on some desolate planet where no one would ever find him. His honor should've been hurt, but he honestly didn't care anymore. He was so tired of living under the pedes of those bureaucrats in the High Council! His father had been nothing but a tool for their use, and that's all they wanted him to be too! Skyfire had been the only half-decent mech he had ever met and now he was gone. Starscream felt dead inside and wanted something to make him feel alive again!

That something came in the form of Megatron. Starscream was impressed by the insatiable appetite for change burning within Megatron's spark! He spoke of overthrowing the council and uniting the lower classes to take what they rightfully deserved! He spoke of uniting the universe under his banner! Starscream wanted nothing more than to be a part of that.

Several Vorns Later...

The council lay in ruins and their supporters, who called themselves Autobots, were scattered and nearly eradicated. Starscream was in command of the strike force that was sent to retaliate against an Autobot safe zone in Vos. He relished the opportunity to give payback to the Autobots for daring to try to control the skies where Seekers flew free!

Starscream was combing the streets of an Autobot neighborhood when he saw a very familiar Tank-Former digging through a scrap heap.

The old mech was stiff from acid rain getting into his joints. He had clearly been living outdoors for some time now. He wore no symbol. He wasn't with a faction. He was a neutral; an Empty. Where once his form had been blue, now it looked dull and grey.

The mech looked up at Starscream with wonder in his optics; as if he had seen a beautiful apparition. His helm quivered as he made his way to his creation. His frame rattled with each strained movement. The old fool was practically broken!

"Starscream…" His father whispered his name reverently as he approached, "You have no idea how pleased I am to see you!"

Pleased? Is he kidding? Starscream's thoughts turned from anger to disgust as he eyed the battered form of his creator.

"Starscream, my son...I need your help desperately!" The Tank continued, "I wish to join the Decepticons. Please Starscream, help me! If you put in a good word for me then they will surely let me in. Please! I need protection! Vos will crumble to ruins, and I do not wish to be here when it happens."

That was when Starscream noticed it...There was a patch of paint on the older mech's right arm that was slightly brighter than the rest of his coat. It was where his Autobot symbol had once been.

Starscream saw what was going on now. His father had continued to support the council, but now that it was clear the Decepticons were winning he wanted to join them to save his own afterburners!

"So, you want my help?" Starscream asked innocently.

"Yes Starscream!" His creator replied adamantly, "Surely your faction could use more soldiers? You remember our training together, right, son? All the wonderful times we had? I'm also sure you remember how capable I am on the battlefield? Right, Starscream?"

"Yes, I remember perfectly," Starscream smiled as he spoke; as if indulging in the reminiscence, "I remember how you used to always say I was a failure and could never compare to your military prowess. I remember you ripping into my wings and then repairing the damage yourself rather than taking me to someone who actually knew what they were doing. Oh, and there was that hilarious incident when you tried to rip out my vocal processors because I was crying during one of our training sessions."

The Tank-Former fidgeted at the overly-sweet tone Starscream was using as he spoke. Deep inside his spark, he knew this didn't bode well for him…

"I also remember staying up for orns on end because you felt my flight pattern wasn't good enough or wasn't fast enough," Starscream continued; not even looking at the uncomfortable mech he spoke to, "Whenever I would fail a maneuver you would beat my faceplate in, or break a ball joint in one of my knees, or threaten to offline me and replace me with a better model. You would say that repeatedly, Father. 'Some day I'll scrap you and use your body for a creation that isn't defective'. Oh, those were such happy times! I also remember begging for you to not hurt me. Begging for you to not kill me. Well, guess what? Now it's your turn…"

Starscream then set the null ray to its highest setting; the hum of the device nearly deafening amidst the quiet streets of the conquered Vos. He then pointed it to the shivering older mech.

"On your knees, Father."

The Tank complied as quickly as his damages would allow. He stared up at his creation hoping that this was only a joke; hoping the Seeker would have his fun and then let him go. His miserable blue optics looked up at the focused red optics of his son and realized that no reprieve would come. There was nothing in those optics. Not anger, not sorrow, not even joy...Only contempt.

"Please, Starscream! I'm sorry!" The Tank thought complying with what Starscream wanted might at least convince the Seeker to only take him prisoner instead of executing him, "I'll do anything to make it up to you! Just tell me what you want!"

"What I've always wanted, Father. To make you happy!"Starscream said in an eerily chipper tone, "All I ever wanted as a sparkling was your approval. Well, that and a crowbar to remove the dents. Anyway, you said you didn't want to be here when Vos is leveled to the ground, and I have decided to grant your wish. Maybe now you'll finally see me as something more than a failure!"

With that Starscream pressed the trigger of his null ray and evaporated part of his creator's chest! Starscream shrieked as he continued to fire; emptying his weapon on the empty shell!

A weird realization hit Starscream in that moment. Even though he had fought with the Decepticons for vorns, he had never actually killed an opponent before. His null rays were, for the most part, non-lethal. This was by design. He had always wanted to be seen as more than just a mindless war-make. He paralyzed Autobots on the battlefield but had always left the killing blow up to other Decepticons.

Now, though...He had finally taken a life, and it was his own father! Little did he realize how quickly one spark would become thousands. Little did he realize what kind of monster he had awakened in that moment. Nothing was ever good enough, and little by little he began to feel more empty as time went on. All because he couldn't forgive the mech that had stolen his sparklinghood.