Thank you for all the reviews that I have received. I enjoy them so much. I am going to try to finish this story because I have other projects that I need to work on. I hope that everyone will continue to review to the end. Thank you.
"Are you sure?" Soundwave asked as he held Arcee's hand while they waited for Ratchet final results on the medical check on their sparkling. It had been a week since the femmes had been revived and though Arcee was upset to not be allowed to see her sister, Soundwave patiently explained that Shockwave would not allow Chromia to integrate with the soldiers until he had some assurance that the femme would not run away.
"Yes, I am sure Soundwave because Arcee is from Polyhex and most Polyhexians have what they created as flexible programming. You have to remember, Polyhex was a major trading city-state and as such, their people would bond both politically and socially to outsiders. Arcee is unique in that she is true Polyhexian and her programming adjusts so that any sparklings that she may have reflect the culture and size of her bond mate. What that means is that Polyhexians are at a size where they can bond with large bots or mini-cons with ease. It used to make them valuable to our society because it is where our size differences originate. Polyhex is an old city–state like Kaon. It also is where a lot of our flexible programming was created. I am not at all surprised that this is a large sparkling." Ratchet explained to both parents to be patiently. He would have loved to take a picture of Soundwave as he intently concentrated on every word the medic said as if his very life depended on it. "The sparkling is taking after you in size, Soundwave. It will place Arcee at a higher risk during sparking, but otherwise the rest of her carrying cycle will be normal."
"Thank you doctor. Is there anything that we should be doing to prepare for her sparking?" Soundwave asked. Though he was disappointed that there would not be twins, he still couldn't be sad that their sparkling was healthy and large. Lord Megatron would be pleased that this sparkling would have superior programing.
"Ratchet, how high risk will I be during sparkling?" Arcee asked worried. She rubbed the itchy plating that was swelling from the growth of the little one as she listened to her medic and friend.
"It might be high risk. I am not sure because usually the gestation chamber will accommodate the size by stretching; however, the sparking itself can tear too much and cause much damage if the sparkling is large so we will have to monitor it very carefully. I may have to surgically make an incision to help the sparkling along in the sparking process. It takes timing and that is why I said it might be high risk."
"What kind of surgical incision?" Soundwave asked.
"The humans call it an episiotomy. It is where the doctor will cut the entrance for the baby so that it will not tear the mother. It is common for biologics. It is not as common for Cybertronians but there are exceptions. When the sparkling has programing that takes after its sire who is larger is one of them." Ratchet turned away a moment as one of the machines beeped and alerted him that it was finish with its analysis. He turned back. "Your energon report looks well. The sparkling is absorbing the nutrients well. I do recommend that you increase your nutrients and additives."
"I will make sure that she does, doctor." Soundwave said as Arcee looked at him sulkily.
"I can increase them on my own just fine." Arcee glowered at him while crossing her arms in front of her chassis. She slid off the berth to come and stand next to Soundwave as he placed his hand on the small of her back plates.
"She will also need to cut back her shift to just four hours a shift instead of the usual ten hour shift. The sparkling will begin placing pressure on her joints and the cables where she will have problems with numbness and losing control of a limb at times." Ratchet stated while he never looked up from the report.
"That will be no problem."
"Ratchet, no I like working!" They were both heard at the same time and Ratchet smiled. Carriers never liked having to cut back as their gestation chamber expanded. It was never a new argument between the two.
"I do the scheduling. She will cut back." Soundwave stated with no argument and Arcee stuck her glossa out at him. Ratchet did all he could to hold the laugh in as he watched the two banter back and forth.
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Shockwave looked worse for wear. It had been a week and between the dents, escape attempts, and the hostile screamed words, there was no letting up from the fiery blue and white femme. Megatron almost gave him permission to enslave her at one point except that it would make it worse with his own problems with Optimus. The Cyclops retreated into his lab each morning and did not come out until late at night for the last three nights, and even Ratchet was starting to feel somewhat sorry for the logical scientist, maybe, if only a micron bit. Chromia was a handful, her ways honest to the point of being offensive, and Ratchet knew that when she stood for her beliefs, then she would refuse to compromise.
Shockwave placed the experimental beaker down before turning to a CNA machine. He and Ratchet were working on and antiviral experiment since some of the troops had returned to Cybertron with a strange viral plague and Megatron requested a cure. It was stressful and monotonous but at least the Decepticon regimen were isolated and the virus not highly contagious. Megatron ordered the soldiers to stay on Cybertron within a Kaon bunker until either Shockwave or Ratchet had a breakthrough with the cure.
'At least I am doing what I always wanted.' Ratchet thought. He enjoyed seeing Arcee this morning and though she and Soundwave were not in perfect harmony, they were doing well. The only contention was that she had not seen her sister, but then right now it would be better that no one was to see Chromia.
"It looks like we may have results at last." Shockwave turned to show Ratchet the results. "This is only a first step."
"It's a major achievement. It could be worse. It has only taken a week so we should be successful within the next few weeks." Ratchet said as he looked over the results that Shockwave handed him. "Are your results better with Chromia?" Ratchet tentatively asked hoping that the larger mech would not be angry with him.
Shockwave looked at him silently for the longest moment, an air of defeat starting to encompass the large mech. "She is impossible! Last night alone, she tried to stab me with a piece of metal that she tore off from my berth. How can she find and make something so trivial into a weapon?"
Ratchet smirked at his exasperation because he knew that Chromia had been trained to be a last resort soldier, a warrior not much different than a wrecker, but one that was undeterred and successful no matter what the cost. She would find a way to make Shockwave's life miserable no matter the cost to her own life.
"She is a strong one. She will not give up easily." Ratchet finally said though he was proud of Chromia. It would take a while for her to accept the large grey and purple mech as a mate. "I raised her and Arcee when they were younglings."
"Well that would explain their stubbornness." Shockwave said dryly making Ratchet laugh out loud.
"Yeah that would explain some things, though Chromia makes me look like a saint sometimes." Ratchet mused thoughtfully.
"A what?" Shockwave asked looking over his shoulder since he had turned back to his experiments.
"It's a human term. A saint is one who is righteous and has infinite patience." Ratchet explained to the scientist.
"Oh, I am not surprised. It is logical to approach her with patience. She is not easy." Shockwave said not quite comprehending what a saint was but classing himself as one. Ratchet snorted. A saint was not what Shockwave is or was and no one would ever mistake him for it.
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"How is your day?" Ultra Magnus asked lowly on the flight line. Starscream had just landed from a patrol on a clear cloudless sunny day and he couldn't help but admire the fine lines of his lover nor how the yellow sun made his armor glistened in the setting of the sun. He was truly beautiful and it made Ultra Magnus nostalgic for when the flyers were rampant upon Cybertron.
"My day is wonderful. We have a new energon deposit that is being explored. Patrol was standard, though the humans tried to shoot at us; we had no difficulty in forcing them down. How was your day on the command bridge?" Starscream smirked. He wondered briefly if he could shake that stiff reserved veneer that Ultra Magnus had if he reached over and kissed him senseless. His body still tingled from the previous night and Starscream could not complain about his lover's eager desire to dominate him night after night. They were in a holding pattern and both did not want to ruin the tentative peace that they shared.
"I can't say that working alongside Megatron is wonderful, but my day was not bad on the command bridge. Optimus and I had time to discuss a few things. He is not happy at the moment with the situation with Chromia, and the humans are working his last neuron." Ultra Magnus said stiffly, formally as he nodded to the other flyers departing the tarmac and powering down from their flight. "We both wish that Shockwave would at least bring her in the mornings for energon so that we can see for ourselves the condition that she is in."
"Megatron will not let him until she either bonds with Shockwave, or at least he has a firm control on her. Chromia is not the more reliable among your Autobots and she will not hesitate to escape." Starscream stated dryly as he flexed his wings. He looked at his lover smugly knowing how much he hated to be under Megatron, and to some extent Starscream could relate. He had only come back in desperation, tired of surviving on his own, and wanting to have others of his own kind near him.
"It would ease some of the tension." Ultra Magnus said insisting that he was right on the issue.
"Then you tell him." Starscream said sarcastically. It would be the quickest way to end their problems because Megatron would kill Magnus is a fit of rage as a response for Ultra Magnus commanding him to change a decision.
Ultra Magnus leaned in very close. "You would wish." He whispered and smirked back at his partner. "I value my life, but there has to be a way to reach him so that we could at least see Chromia."
"If you make it look like it is Megatron's own idea he will relent." Starscream said thoughtfully. "It is not easy though. Megatron can be unpredictable. Can you talk to Optimus? He may be able to help you."
"Optimus is under a lot of stress and this is not helping." Magnus said as they began to walk toward the blast doors that headed to the officer's hallway and their quarters.
"Then it will help change Megatron's processor quicker if our Lord realizes that this stress is not good for his mate." Starscream said rubbing his chin plates thoughtfully. "Maybe we can use this."
"I concur. I will try to talk to Optimus again tonight before I retire. If you will excuse me, I have to return the command bridge. I will see you later?" He asked as he started down the hallway to the right that led to the command bridge.
"I have finished my duties for the day. I will be joining Knockout to work on a few projects that we have together." Starscream said as he turned to the left to head toward the med bay.
"I will see you later then." Ultra Magnus said and nodded as they both parted and left for their respective places.
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It was late when he returned to their quarters. He walked in and Megatron was sitting at his desk filling our reports and posting them for the day.
"How is everything with the humans? Have they accepted my terms?" Megatron said not bothering to look up.
"They have not and plan to oppose you." Optimus replied tiredly. He walked over to the chair opposite of his mate and sat down rubbing the bridge of his nose plates. "They are going to die." He said quietly.
"It is inevitable." Megatron said finally looking at his mate. "I will rule with or without their acceptance."
"But how will that benefit you?" Optimus asked quietly looking back. "What does that accomplish other than making you a monster? Are you really that cold?" Optimus asked defeated by his attempt to make the human governments understand or hope that Megatron would change his processor.
"This planet has vast resources, and yes I don't care for these insects that think that they are the gods of this universe." Megatron stated. "I have no interest in their well-being."
"They are a young species and have not had a chance to see the universe like us. Is it really necessary to destroy them?" Optimus persisted.
"I will not destroy all of them; only the ones who think that they can manipulate us. After that abomination that Knockout dealt with I have no use for them." Megatron stood up and stretched out his hand to Optimus. "Come; let us retire for the night." Megatron walked around, took Optimus' hand, and pulled him to his feet.
"Megatron…" Optimus started to say as he was led to their berth.
"Now, now Optimus, you are much stressed. Just this afternoon Ultra Magnus commented to his mate as I caught the conversation on video." Megatron said softly. Optimus looked at him startled.
"You know." He said with sudden realization.
"That they want me to change my processor concerning Chromia? Yes, I know what was discussed. Don't worry my dear Optimus; I will not punish Magnus or Starscream, although I find it highly amusing that they want to try and manipulate me."
"Megatron, please…" Optimus said worried for his friend.
"I am serious. I have no intention of harming them. I even thought about their concerns. You are stressed as well and that can't be good for any potential sparkling." Megatron pushed Optimus back to lie down and Optimus grabbed at his mate's arm to steady him as he fell back against the soft silvery pillows and linen. "Soundwave will take over any dealing with the humans…."
"No…"
"Knockout will also assist in any liaison capacity if necessary. I want you to relax and I might even let you help poor Shockwave. He is looking poorly and that femme is giving him all kinds of trouble. If you could get her to settle then I will allow her some privileges." Megatron pulled Optimus' leg up and over to wrap it around his waist just the way he liked it as Optimus curled his fingers into his mate's armor. Megatron went down on his elbows cradling Optimus between them. "I want you. I want you panting and writhing under me, and I want you sparked with our heir." He kissed Optimus softly, lovingly before lifting his helm to study Optimus again. "At least here in our quarters we can be equal in our passion for each other." Megatron paused for the longest moment as Optimus reflected on the strange feelings that were flowing through their bond.
"Megatron, it is late and we do this dance every night." Optimus said resignedly. He passively let the his mate run his hands over his armor before leaning in to lick him from chin plates to nose plates while watching Megatron's sly smile. It was the same every night since Megatron had cuffed him to the berth. Either Optimus comply or he would be forced. It depressed Optimus greatly through his work day and now he would be reduced to staying in their quarters once again until he was sparked. He turned his helm away, against the tyrant's attentions as weak drops of coolant left his optics. He would never be able to reach his mate. That much was sure.
"Optimus?" It was asked softly, unsure. "Look at me!" Megatron then demanded harshly. "Each night I ask this of you and I have never caused harm to you." He said gravelly. "Are you so weak that you cannot fight back?"
Optimus then looked at him with menace, outrage, and utter revulsion as he said incredulously, "How can you even say that? I have submitted to you at every turn and you still treat me as if I am nothing! You say that you have loved me, wanted me, and yet you treat me as a trophy. Now you take away even what little work I am allowed to do. Why should I not be upset? Give me one reason to relax my guard so that we may have a sparkling. Even the simplest processor mech knows that a sparkling won't form unless it can have the assurance of safety from its carrier!"
"What do you want, Optimus? What would bring equality to this bond that we share?" Megatron demanded once again, his optics glittering like the brightest fire of the most priceless ruby.
"Let the humans be. You don't need this planet. You have the Omega Lock. Let's go home and rebuild. Let all Cybertronians have a chance for peace and equality like we once stood for and preach together as lovers before everything became so complicated. You be the Lord High Protector and I will be the Prime, the spiritual leader deferring all military actions to you." Optimus stated lowly in a passionately gravel voice looking with longing at his mate, pleading with Megatron to understand.
"I cannot just let the humans be. They know of us…."
"Then leave a small post, one that can work with them and not enslave them. They are a young species. Were we not so similar when we were young?" Optimus pleaded softly as he took Megatron's helm between his hands. "I will give you anything, I have never denied you since surrendering, but what will you give me in return?" Optimus pulled his helm up and briefly bestowed a kiss on his mate's lips. "I will give you an heir, as many sparklings as you want if you would at least compromise with me on this." Optimus pulled him closer by wrapping his legs around Megatron's waist. Megatron sighed in contentment though he would not give an answer tonight. He leaned down and kissed Optimus hard and hungry, letting him know how his speech and actions affected him through their bond.
He would consider his mate's words and enter into negotiating with him. It was a start that Optimus would grasp willingly and happily to give him some measure of peace.
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Arcee was in a light recharge as Soundwave walked in late from his shift. He had sent her feelings of comfort and sorrow that he was late earlier and though she was still upset at having her shift cut way back, she understood his need to make sure that everything ran smoothly for their lord. He commanded Laserbeak to break apart and began to clean her of her grime quickly, efficiently, and very quietly so that Arcee would not wake before setting the night monitor and turning in the for night. He let Laserbeak rest on her perch by the berth which she seldom used, but Soundwave wanted her to stretch her wings and get some exercise since she was being used less since the end of the war. Maybe once they were back on Cybertron he would try to create a mate for her so that she would not be so lonely.
He quietly slid into berth next to Arcee as she shifted in her slumber. Her optics opened sluggishly as she looked at her dark silent mate in the darkness.
"I didn't think you were going to come." She finally whispered. Arcee scooted closer to the warmness of his chassis before letting out a content sigh of pleasure. "I needed you tonight and you didn't come." She whimpered into his chest plates.
"Megatron tied me up with work." He felt her expel air against his chassis warming it with her feminine body.
"I would love to see just how he ties you up." Taking his meaning literally before Soundwave could catch her light joke. "I bet you just beg for more."
"I prefer to be doing the tying." Soundwave said suggestively feeling Arcee shiver at the deep monotone of his voice. It may have been delivered like a drone but the feelings and images he sent to her belied anything that resembled being one.
"Are we doing what humans call 'sex talk'?" She asked before looking up into his optics.
"We are doing something better." Soundwave replied before rolling her beneath him and kissing her. If Arcee needed to breathe she would have died happy being under her mate passionate embrace.
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"So, here we are drinking high grade again." Starscream said. He was propped against Ultra Magnus' chassis as the Magnus stroked his wings with long stokes along the edges. "You really like my wings."
"Yep. I like the high grade too." Magnus slurred. He felt warm and contented and with tomorrow being a late shift day for him he was enjoying holding Starscream against him. Of course if he hadn't had a cube of high grade he would never have pulled the seeker into his lap, never strokes the beautiful shiny, sleek appendages, never groped his aft, never…." his processor droned on and one and Magnus let it with a sappy smile on his face plates.
It was nice letting his mate hold and touch him. None of his trine mates had ever done this for him. It was usually just a quick interface and spark merge to keep the bond healthy and nothing else. The command trine had been very dysfunctional and if the enemy had ever known then the war would have been over quickly with the senate and the Autobots in power.
Starscream purred his contentment and Ultra Magnus smiled. "You are not so bad when not being confronted on a battlefield." Starscream laughed heartily at the blue truck formers words. It was very nice and he could get used to this as long as Ultra Magnus respected him. He feared what a spark bond would show. He truly feared to look in Ultra Magnus' optics and see revulsion. He lived with it as a youngling in Vos. He may have been the wing lord but had the war never happened he would have been a political pawn to be used or abused and Starscream never wanted to be in that position again.
"You are quite the flatterer, Magnus. Had things been different I think I would regret not meeting you." Starscream told him softly and the strokes stopped for a moment and Starscream knew he was listening.
"I would have met you, but we would not be equal." Magnus said flatly. "You would have ended up in my chamber as nothing more than a pleasure bot with beautiful wings. I would have not thought twice about taking you or abusing you." He said it with distaste as he kept petting Starscream with light reverent strokes along his silvery white wings. "I would not have wanted that for you." It was said after a long moment of thinking and deep revelation.
"Will we ever bond?" Starscream whispered.
"Not tonight." Was the answer. "I have had too much to drink." Starscream huffed and tried not to laugh too much since he was enjoying Magnus' revelation.
"You only had one cube." He said into the quiet stillness of their berth room.
"It only takes one for me. I used to hate those socials where you were expected to drink. I just knew that I couldn't keep my composure. I barely hold my high grade." Magnus said before laughing at himself. "I must seem a fool to you."
"No, you are being honest which is more than I have ever been." Starscream said soberly. Suddenly the high grade didn't taste too well as he fought to keep it down in his tanks. "I am not a nice person. I don't see what you see in me."
Ultra Magnus looked at Starscream carefully before replying to his profound statement. "Starscream, I don't know what you see but I see a bot that doesn't give up easily, one who aspires to elevate himself to greatness, one who is so stubborn and crafty that his enemies can't kill, one who invents and engineers his own weapons, and a bot that is scientifically brilliant even though his lord and master does not acknowledge it." Starscream looked over his shoulder, his optics big and surprised by Magnus' words and looking for any deceit in them. When he analyzed Ultra Magnus he looked away in awe and shame that his mate could see that in him.
"I think you are delusional." Starscream finally murmured as he stroked the arm that suddenly wrapped around his waist in protection. "I like your delusions. You can have them anytime you want."
Ultra Magnus laughed loud and heartily as he hugged the flyer closer to him. He would show him in action that he meant every one of his words later when the high grade had worn off somewhat and they could enjoy being in each other's arms.