Each Seeker had stayed in Vos that night, though Starscream doubted any of them rested well if they had tried to at all. He for one, after the fight and watching the interrogation, had been kept up by his running thoughts. Two days without rest and his health was jeopardized; occasionally it was a feeling of heaviness bearing him down, and other times it was a dizzying lightness with involuntary shaking.
These symptoms were worse today, the morning the Seekers warped together to the Valley of the Predacons. One after the other, they stepped out onto the plate of metal underneath the tented roof. Starscream emerged first, stepping out wearily before spying the beige and battle-scarred Seeker waiting at the table. Yet Starscream's focus, and that of the others, promptly strayed to the dull civilization that lay past the table at a certain distance.
Their eyes flickered and tracked the movement of sharp shapes below. Like it had been before, the Predacons seemed small now, but the knowledge that they were much different up close put an ominous chill in their backs.
"So which one you is the new lieutenant?" The beige Seeker's voice was gravel-rough, but meant to be friendly.
"I am." Starscream stepped forward.
"Young I suppose, but I don't care." He stood and saluted him. "Welcome, Lieutenant Moonwing. I'll tell Air Raid you're all here."
The gruff Seeker quickly notified the Air Commander, then told the group, "He'll fly here quick, he will."
A powerful red and silver Autobot rose from the valley and headed directly for them. All of them waited in a salute, but upon landing, their commander said, "Let's not waste time with formalities. Do your job and respect the orders of your superior officers are all I ask."
The group relaxed, but stayed politely quiet.
"Here is the run-down," Air Raid continued. "We are fifteen Seekers in this district currently managing three-hundred and forty-two registered Predacons as of today. With the addition of you, we will now have a tighter hold over this district. At least ten Seekers will be on duty at any given time, but for today and tomorrow, everyone will be here. As for your jobs. Firstly, one Seeker will be up here at the station at any given time."
The commander indicated the sitting Seeker. "This is Sandstorm, one of your colleagues. Prepare to become acquainted with all of the Seekers of the Valley. Fly and train together. Arrests are dangerous, as you know, and we all need to understand and trust each other."
Sandstorm nodded to the statement.
"We patrol the area and shut down all aggressive or suspicious activity we see. We protect those who come to work here, we guard the borders, and now, we have a new task. You all know the new case. So we will have three Seekers on the outskirts, usually flying around on lookout. Redwing and Barrel Roll are out there now. Three Seekers on the edge of the city. Daybreak and Airglow are there at the moment. Everyone else on duty will stay in the center, where the most problems arise. Sunchaser and Skylight are the only ones there currently, so your addition will be greatly appreciated. Near the center is where White Dragon holds her weekly speeches."
He had pointed to each area as he spoke. Now, he held his finger out to indicate the center of the city.
"Let us go there now, before we separate you."
Air Raid rushed off ahead, evidently hurrying to get back to whatever he had been doing. Starscream sprinted after him, and the rest of the group jumped off the cliff face with him. They soared down and crossed the distance that had once taken Starscream long to walk across. It was unbelievable now that he hadn't been able to fly back then. What had once pained him terribly was now a dull gripping around his T-cog. And in a fraction of the time, they tore over the edges of the city.
As they descended to the low roofs, beastly faces turned up at the sight of eight jets flying in a tight formation: a V with an extra tip at its vertex. Starscream wondered what impression they made, what emotions the sight of them brought them. The harder he looked and thought, the more he began to realize his future. From this point on, he was going to work here almost every day indefinitely. Soon, he would know these winding streets, the faces, and the dark secrets he had been oblivious to on his last visit.
For now, his greatest focus was finding Predaking, Darksteel, and Skylynx. They were of more concern to him presently than White Dragon. Darksteel and Skylynx might be working as he had assumed last time, but Predaking was almost guaranteed to be here. His spark was grabbed by a nervous quiver as he sought his massive shape among the smaller Predacons. He touched down beside Air Raid, never spotting Predaking during their flight. Did Predaking realize he was here yet? Had he even been informed of the new Seekers? Surely, he would have protested against Starscream coming, the simple mention of his false name driving him into a fit.
Starscream assumed that Predaking did not have the power to control which and how many Seekers worked in the Valley regardless. As he looked around warily, two jets dropped to meet them. A golden-yellow Seeker popped into his bipedal form and jogged toward him.
"Moonwing!" he yipped.
Sunchaser left the white Seeker behind, sprinting ahead to yank Starscream into a hug.
"Oh, I can't believe it!" he cried. "You chose to work here! You're so brave and amazing! I saw the news and you fighting those Predacons- I'm so happy you're going to be our first ever lieutenant!"
"Sunchaser," Air Raid sighed. "Enough yapping. I have to send these Seekers to work."
Starscream's group was already getting distracted. Their only encounters with Predacons had been in the fight, so the curious Predacons coming closer were setting them off. Looking in different directions, they flexed their fingers, waiting to transform their arms into blasters at any second. Claws were beginning to peek out from one of Charred Mist's hands.
"Now," Air Raid went on. He sent a stern look at Comet and Starscream. "Before we start. I don't want any artificial colouring or jewelry here. One of my other few rules. Vanity should have no place in the Air Command. You are young, but should understand that arrogance created negative stereotypes against Seekers of the past, which we still need to eliminate. That also means no bragging and showing off, understood? There is no shame in being plain."
"Eh?" Comet gasped. "I am all natural!"
"Were you forged with such a shine too?" Air Raid still reprimanded him. "You're in the military, not a fashion show."
"But, Sir, when it comes to a fight I don't c-"
He silenced him with a stare, then looked to Starscream. "And you?"
"I was repaired this way," he answered. And, pointing at the bands under his wrists, he explained, "These are weapons."
"Then you may keep them." Air Raid extracted a rectangular device from his storage space. "We'll see, anyway, what all of your true colours really are."
He waved for the Seekers to stand in a line. Starscream watched with some interest, wondering if any of them had false colouring. His team was checked, but each one remained the same after the device was clicked at them. True to his word, Comet was just naturally made with the chilled markings of black and red. Cloudtips still had the splotches on his wings that gave him his name, and Charred Mist, similarly, still looked like black-burned rust.
When Air Raid finally clicked his device at Starscream, he felt nothing but a tingle in his gut. Despite noticing no change, there was a collective gasp that rose from those at his sides. Starscream stiffened in confusion, glancing over his frame.
No, he hadn't turned grey like his form on Earth, or red like his most recent one. He was still black, silver, and blue. At a closer glance though, he saw that they were looking directly at his face.
"Wow, Moon!" Aceflight laughed. "You sounded like Starscream, sure, but you have the optics too?"
My optics!
He widened his red eyes, his white-pink pupils constricting. The silver had been switched off, and now he could not hide his natural colour. Already, his facial structure was essentially the same as his past, but with his eyes red, this fact would be obvious to anyone. They couldn't resist a laugh, even the strict and tall Twilight chuckled at his joke.
But Sunchaser, still looking on, murmured, "Oh, Predaking won't like that."
He was already feeling a rising surge of panic, but that statement worsened his fear. Predaking especially would see so much in his face that was familiar. If he had been furious at his last visit, then the news and his face was going to drive him into a deeper rage.
"Could I change just my eye colour?" Starscream stammered. "Surely, it has no effect on how we are perceived..."
Comet protested, "What? But I think it looks great! They really pop out against all your other cold colours. Please keep it!"
This came from a red-eyed flier, and now the other, Aceflight, complained, "What's wrong with red?" He pointed at his own red eyes. "I hope you aren't hiding it because of that stereotype that red eyes means evil Decepticon."
A thunderous wing flap sounded above them. Starscream went rigid, wings stiff and pointing out like shards of ice. He certainly felt cold as Predaking transformed and landed, whirling around to face the new recruits. Yet it wasn't them he looked to. Fierce, yellow eyes found Starscream, who couldn't meet his gaze as fear splashed him. The timing could not have been worse, but it was not expected. Predaking would have needed a moment to locate the group.
Why did I come here? He forgot the honour in the mission now that Predaking stood before him. Starscream kept his eyes turned away from him, but even so, Predaking was sure to see the red glow of them from the side.
Air Raid gave Predaking a halfhearted glance. "What is it? You came to see the new Seekers?"
"Indeed," Predaking rumbled. Starscream suppressed a shiver.
"Anyway, Lieutenant," Air Raid continued, turning his wide back to Predaking. "I will go to the outskirts and you will manage the center."
He walked up to Starscream, not noticing how he was petrified. He put his face by his head and murmured so that only he could hear, "We're putting cameras out there to catch Predacons from leaving in their beast forms."
The Air Commander stepped back and continued, "Organize your team to the areas. Tomorrow, we'll have you all switch areas so that everyone is more familiar with the district."
Starscream nodded stiffly, finding it increasingly more difficult to speak with Predaking watching him. Without looking at him, he could sense his malice. Here was Air Raid flaunting Starscream's new responsibilities, but like this, Starscream could hardly perform this simple duty.
It took all his energy to command audibly, "Aceflight and Cloudtips to the outskirts with Air Raid. Twilight and Soft Breeze to the city's edge. Comet, Charred Mist- stay with me here."
Once they had the chance again to look at the circle of Predacons, Comet and Charred Mist grew anxious. As they stared around themselves at the circle of monstrous faces, they were no doubt remembering that dark night. The smallest Seekers did not stand up to the shoulders of most of the Predacons here, and some claws were the length of their forearms. Comet was likely reliving the sensation of being grabbed, and both looked to the sky- an escape, with flashing gazes. They were clearly nervous to be within pouncing distance of them all.
So, if they stayed with Sunchaser, Starscream was sure that he could calm them down. The only Predacon here radiating aggression was Predaking, but not towards them.
"Have Skylight and Sunchaser show you around," Air Raid said. "Now, Sunchaser- be serious for once. No playing around."
"O-okay, Sir," the golden Seeker answered.
The Seekers flew to their assigned areas, leaving five to remain in the center now. Without Air Raid around to hear, Sunchaser then laughed, "But I still have to introduce you though. Don't you think it will be useful?"
Starscream snuck whatever steps he could take backwards, turning his back to Predaking. His instinct was not to do this; he tingled with anxiety, but he did not want Predaking to see his face or seize any chance to address him.
He moved over to Sunchaser. The white Seeker, Skylight, huffed in reply, "No, it isn't important. You better not start encouraging these guys to like, have their own posse of Predacon friends. They just listen in on what we say!"
The five Predacons around them emitted low, whispery growls. There was a hiss that made Charred Mist jump, and when he landed, his claws were fully unsheathed.
With more ferocity than ever expected, Sunchaser rounded on her. "If you don't want anyone listening to you, then just leave!"
Starscream would have been more shocked that the jovial Seeker was capable of aggression. But he could not be now. He heard a heavy footstep as Predaking came closer, distracting his attention.
He was moving further away as Skylight snapped, "Fine then! I'm going for a flight!"
When he edged closer to his Seekers, Predaking did not seem to want to approach him. Clearly, he didn't want to attract too much attention to himself. Starscream hoped he could keep milking this advantage.
After Skylight took off, Sunchaser sighed.
"Finally," he said. "Ack. Now then, here is the ruler of the district, Predaking, and some of my friends who seem to want to meet you."
Two questions came at once. Comet asked, "Is she alright by herself?"
And Charred Mist echoed, "Friends?"
"She always goes by herself and sulks on her phone," Sunchaser replied. "Any excuse to write her dumb blog, she takes it. She is a terrible Seeker who only came for the pay. Skylight doesn't care about Predacons at all."
He reached Charred Mist and touched his wing.
"Really, it's fine," Sunchaser said with a look at his claws. "These are my best friends. Moonwing, you remember them? We played with them and you took a nap with Windstorm."
Comet and Charred Mist's faces scrunched up in confusion. It was hard to accept that they were safe, and they expressed doubt, trying to understand what they had just heard. But Charred Mist pulled back his claws and flicked his wings in discomfort.
"Okay now, when you meet Predaking walking around, you should do this." Sunchaser smiled at Predaking and did a sweeping bow. Predaking only glanced at him for half a second before glaring back to Starscream. The golden Seeker stood back up, sensing the atmosphere.
"Your Highness," he murmured. "What is wrong? Was it Skylight again? I'm sorry."
And although Predaking was looking in the direction she had gone, it was not there where he looked.
"No," Predaking answered. "I was merely thinking of something unpleasant."
That something was a someone. Starscream knew this, and he also knew that Sunchaser didn't realize that the animosity towards Moonwing, who resembled Starscream in a few ways, still remained. Since he believed that Moonwing was a separate bot entirely, he thought that by now, Predaking was smart enough to realize the difference.
For Predaking, there was no difference. He could track Starscream by his blood, and now the strength of his presence here, on his land, made it hard to keep his composure. All his senses buzzed with Starscream, an utterly frustrating feeling that couldn't be ignored. He had come to drag Starscream away for questioning, but it wasn't easy with the others around. It was not his wish to attract suspicion; furthermore, the way Starscream moved made it seem as though he was nervous and would flee if necessary.
Nervous of what? What is he planning? was how Predaking interpreted it.
Sunchaser pointed to each Predacon and announced their names. When they stalked closer, the young fliers flinched, feet sliding on the ground.
"Why aren't they transforming?" Comet demanded in his fear.
"They don't feel like it," Sunchaser shrugged. "This form is less compact and more comfortable for them. But you don't need to worry."
Predaking hardly cared what was being said, and he tried to gain distance on Starscream. Without looking, Starscream heard him, and stepped back into the group deep enough that his Seekers gave him a barrier. Predaking clenched his fists in irritation. He was going to have to be vocal, since he was being given no choice.
"Moonwing," he uttered.
Starscream's wings tilted back, pressing together. He slowly turned to him.
"There is something I wish to discuss with you."
He lost his voice. He knew what Predaking intended, but he couldn't think up a way out of this without acting strangely. Realistically, he should accept and listen to the ruler with the seriousness expected of his position. It was the only reason he had turned, so that it would not appear that he was ignoring him. But Predaking had full view of his face, and Starscream felt trapped where he stood.
"It will have to be alone."
Starscream didn't think he could move his feet. Predaking was waiting, eyes hard and cold. This had been a long time coming, and Starscream had just recently decided he would try to explain everything to Predaking. Here now though, Starscream saw in his expression that he hated Starscream for more things than he presently remembered. Was Predaking one to fall into his emotions? Starscream only remembered being cornered and chased by the Predacons in the past, and long ago when he had last visited, Predaking had snatched him in his claws.
He assumed because of these things that Predaking was a rageful character who, once alone with him, would show his true personality. But surely, he wouldn't dare injure him? Everyone would know he had done it if Starscream returned with dents and claw marks. Thinking this, he forced himself to abandon the protection of his group. It was unusual for the others when he did not speak, but they let him walk off before listening to Sunchaser again.
Starscream wordlessly followed Predaking, squeezing his arms tight. He went with jerking wings and quick blinks. A warmth began to spread through his body, a faint singe of the particular pain he knew well. Nothing was said by Predaking, but he kept turning a suspicious eye on him as they continued on.
They did not go as far as Starscream had expected. Predaking led him into a house very near to where they had left the Seekers. Starscream ultimately decided that if he were to be attacked, his scream would be audible from here to the next neighbourhood. He stood as Predaking unlocked the place, which Starscream started believing to be his home, then he moved in after him. Once the sky was blocked off, a worse feeling of desperation came over him. Yet Predaking had wanted him held in a private location where he could not fly out of. Now, they could speak freely.
"Why have you come here?" Predaking whirled on him, voice now rising into a snarl. "I made it clear that you are not welcome!"
After the first address, Predaking was already striding towards him, backing him to a wall. Starscream threw out his hands, waving them to signal the need for calm.
"I-I mean no harm…" His voice shook. Stringing the words together was difficult. "I came to work on the case. You want it solved too, no doubt…"
"You?" Predaking muttered. "You would never put yourself in danger. You could have let anyone else come here. But I see your ulterior motives. You saw an opportunity to raise your rank."
"Th-that's n-"
Predaking stomped two steps forward and raised his shoulders. Starscream crouched down, interrupted as Predaking snapped, "What are your intentions for the Predacons and the Air Commander? You will do nothing but wreck havoc here. If you even think of hurting any one of my citizens, know that I will find a way to end you with no one knowing it was me."
Accompanying the snarled threat, he shot out a hand and pinned Starscream to the wall by the shoulder. He yelped in response, and when he felt his fingers curl, Starscream stammered, "I-I have no such intentions…"
Yet it could all be up to Predaking's interpretation. How would Starscream be able to make any arrest with that kind of threat? He had stabbed the eye of Thunder Talon in their fight. If he acted out of defense again, would Predaking really seek to kill him?
The weight of the death threat sunk in. Starscream's neck tightened and he pleaded, "Listen to me. I have changed! I was asked to come here by Jetfire, t-to help you…"
"You use misleading words, trying to pin yourself on my side," Predaking growled. His grip tightened. "By your nature, you are selfish and deceitful. But you will never be on my side. I see your fear and know that you remember our last true encounter. You killed Skylynx and Darksteel, and now, you will kill more Predacons in revenge. All this while finding a way to kill Air Raid, framing a Predacon and taking his position."
"Wh-what?" Starscream stammered. "What do you mean… I killed them?"
Predaking boomed, "You did! Do you not remember leading them into a trap? I found their bodies blasted by the weapons. The only two living Predacons I thought would ever be, and their short lives were ended because of you!"
The sudden connection was made. He remembered the end of the chase, but not only that, he realized the tragedy Predaking felt was the same Starscream felt for Jag. Skylynx and Darksteel had barely lived for months, far shorter than the Newspark Jag before he was murdered. Yet Starscream saw the rush as he sprinted through the unfamiliar turns of the fortress Darkmount. His spark was only occupied by terror, such that he could hardly think.
Something had been stepped on, a trap for intruders. Starscream barely threw himself out of the way before lasers shot down the hall. His reflexes had hurled him low to the ground, and he had covered his head protectively while the dying shrieks of the Predacons ended abruptly.
"It was an accident!" Starscream gasped. "I didn't know about the defensive systems-"
"An accident?" He ground his teeth. "You killed them to save yourself."
To Starscream, intentionally killing them still would have been justifiable. Predaking hissed this statement as though it was wrong, something nefarious- and Starscream was wrought with confusion. He didn't know what logic to provide now, and hoped that the truth of his accidental killings would be enough.
Predaking yanked him into the air. For a moment, it seemed that he would throw him, but then Predaking held himself back. Starscream was dropped and crushed back into the wall again. The sudden action startled him into thinking there could be no discussion. Everything was turning sour so swiftly, and now it felt certain Predaking would not listen. Being alone with him had been a mistake. He needed a third party, Optimus, to protect him.
"What do you want from me?" Starscream gasped out. This felt the same as it had been with Arcee, but much worse now. He tugged at the one arm holding him still, but he couldn't make it move even a centimetre. Predaking was not using his full strength, reeling Starscream into a cold realization that a vastly powerful being had him cornered. How had he allowed this? He tried to wiggle to the side, but Predaking pressed harder. He had put too much faith into the belief of a positive conclusion.
"What do I want?" Predaking uttered. "I want you dead, but there are many who do not. So, as a compromise, I want you out of my life. But how will that happen, when you make a show on the news, when you scheme and snag higher Seeker positions?" He shook Starscream in a way that his limbs flapped limply like a ragdoll's. "But you will never become Air Commander. This is the last straw. You shall not have such power over anyone, especially not over my brethren."
Starscream's thoughts stumbled as they tried to imagine what exactly Predaking would do to stop him. Predaking's brought his flaming, yellow eyes close, and Starscream debated how hard he should try to escape. Could he? His hands were free, but his claws could not damage Predaking in a single blow. He wouldn't have time to maim him before Predaking reacted to an attack. Perhaps he could transform an arm fast enough into a shock blaster, but what if one hit wasn't enough? He could swing his legs up and kick him under the jaw, but as with anything else, it seemed nothing he could do would be fast enough to free himself. Any resistance would only break out Predakng's barely contained wrath.
In comprehension of his helplessness, he prayed that someone would burst in. He begged for Optimus to come, wherever he was, like last time. Yet Starscream already knew it was hopeless, so his body clicked into a mode of the past. It was an automatic reflex of compliance, learned long ago once he knew to fear Megatron's wrath. Now, he understood his terrifying memories of Megatron beating him, of why he had not fought back. Starscream wanted to screech, fight, fly away- but all he could do was shiver silently under Predaking's hold.
He was so scared that if he made a threatening move, the counterattack of the powerful Predacon would decimate him.
Starscream cringed and started sinking. His knees had given up, but the force of Predaking's hold kept him on his feet. Unconsciously, he began preparatory actions. His old habits of trying to avoid more harm from coming to him. He tried to be small, non-threatening, and he dropped his wings down and widened his eyes. Such a tactic had worked on Megatron at times, making him seem weak and easy to dominate. Somehow looking weaker made Megatron feel it was not worth the effort to hurt him. But here, no pity was evoked in Predaking, who hardly paid attention to Starscream's display of innocence.
"Well?" Predaking glared with the sharpness of blades. "What have you to say for yourself?"
He didn't think any answer could be acceptable. The burning was intensifying in his chest, infecting his throat and clutching it. Starscream stuttered out with tight strain, "R-release me."
When the yellow eyes narrowed again, Starscream's regret panicked him. Yet his body still refused to move, forcing him to feel more helpless. And now, the fear and the pain in his chest was making it hard to think intelligently. A quick loop played in his mind; through his eyes, Starscream tried to beg, Don't hit me, don't hit me…
He expected Predaking to drive his other fist into his exposed gut at any moment. And if a claw got into the blow, Starscream could get seriously hurt. He already started imagining that Predaking might slash his throat if he grabbed him there. It would probably be accidental, but it could happen with Predaking raging like this. Starscream felt the memories of being constantly snatched by the throat by Megatron and lifted. He already felt like he was choking, as though the energon was not reaching his brain.
The white-hot pain scorched his veins as he panicked in stillness. He wanted to move but couldn't. Staying made him crazed by fear. Starscream imagined Predaking's clawed fingers moving for his throat. They weren't, but Starscream convinced himself that his neck was about to get cut by his claws, squirting out his blood in a fatal injury. Predaking wondered why Starscream suddenly moved his head oddly, putting his chin down to his chest. But it didn't matter so much since Starscream's silence was infuriating.
"Answer me!" he barked.
His throat was so tight that Starscream felt he couldn't speak. He tried to, but the pain stirred the pool of fear further. He tried to show it in his eyes, those tragically red eyes that he would have changed to silver if he knew how to. He willed Predaking to see the new him despite the familiar face, but Predaking did not understand his fear the way Starscream wanted. His captor felt nothing for terrorizing him, holding him against his will. It was deeply satisfying to wipe away his smugness- to put him in his place, thought Predaking, since Starscream was dangerous when he thought he could control anything.
Predaking wanted him to fear being at his mercy. Now, he shook Starscream, who emitted the softest, cut-off gasp. He closed his eyes tightly and quaked. A black hand pawed his chest, but Predaking grabbed his moving wrist and pressed it to the wall. The pressure against him was agonizing tight. Starscream's wings ground into the wall and worst of all, he truly could not move anymore. No more chance was left even of using his claws or blasters, or his feet when Predaking moved in closer.
In extreme fright, he gave a desperate yank, but Predaking clenched him in place. Still, not even a smidge of escape was possible. While Predaking tried to get him to meet his gaze, Starscream kept his red eyes closed and had started to rapidly ventilate.
Now, Predaking started to notice that Starscream was unnaturally warm. With high heat tolerance, Predaking had taken a while to truly realize it. He grew confused and slackened his grip. As he wondered why Starscream was breathing so heavily, Starscream was expecting now the punishment of resisting. He crumpled further in expecting all sorts of horrible things to happen next. Limply, he swayed and wondered what Predaking wanted to do to him when no one was around. Would it be like what he, Skylynx, and Darksteel had intended when they had chased him?
Remembering Skylynx and Darksteel again brought fresh heat. It was a strange, painful combination of self-hate, grief, and fear. But Starscream felt now that the irrational Predaking was going to kill him. He forgot about investigations, laws- suddenly, he thought Predaking was going to slit his stomach open and pull him apart. He even imagined that Predaking would transform and bite him, swallowing his gushing blood... Hadn't he seen Predaking staring at White Dragon with a certain aspiration? Now, he had Starscream pinned like prey, his superior strength overwhelming the small flier. Or maybe, he had always intended to devour him, and would have had he, Darksteel, and Skylynx caught him…
Predaking's anger misted away at the sight of Starscream. Something was very wrong with him. He let go, and Starscream melted immediately to the floor. Reaching for his chest, Starscream trembled then set his hands over it. His breathing was awful, vainly trying to cool him down. Seeing him in this way made Predaking suddenly remember that Starscream had physical health problems. With the realization, Predaking also knew that he had caused this.
He crouched and pulled Starscream into a seated position.
"What is wrong?" Predaking asked, consciously trying to soften the question.
It had something to do with his chest. Starscream didn't answer, but the heat against Predking's hands as he held him was an indicator. Such hotness was damaging Starscream's organs, and if he was grabbing his chest like that…
His spark chamber.
Predaking's previous emotions drained away. Now, he was the one worried. It had been his last intention to do this to Starscream. He had hated him, but none of his threats had been serious. To himself, it was obvious that he would be honourable. He had only wanted to intimidate Starscream, scaring him away from plotting with his death threats. But could it be that he had been too inconsiderate? Starscream's health could not handle his panic attack.
Might this kill him? Predaking felt his own spark jump. No, this couldn't be happening. He had never imagined even hurting him, but what if Starscream died today, under his hands? All at once, he saw Starscream differently. He saw his dropped wings and thin body shaking in fragility. There was no enemy here. Only a clear feeling that he had been the aggressor, and Starscream, a victim.
Predaking surprised himself by the sudden protective urge he felt to help him. He scooped Starscream into his arms, who was too distracted to understand what was happening anymore. Bursting from his home, Predaking sprinted into the open space and sought any Seeker that he could.
He spotted Sunchaser alone, watching his friends carefully playing with the two Seekers in some kind of training exercise. Predaking charged up to him, and Sunchaser jumped at the sound of his thundering footsteps. Since his lieutenant had not been gone for long, Sunchaser was shocked to see him collapsed now in Predaking's arms.
"Something is wrong with him," Predaking rushed. "Send for help."
Starscream twitched and his head rolled. For a few seconds, he thought the strong arms holding him were Optimus'. It had been quite calming. He then heard Predaking shouting for help from someone, and he slowly drew back to the present.
He's helping me? he thought, but the burning persisted. Starscream tossed and groaned in agony.
"Ratch-" Starscream mewled. "Ge… Ratch...et."
Now he too was starting to realize what the burning was. His intense stress had activated the energy still around his organs, damaging them. The pain in his chest was more dangerous than he had realized at first. Ratchet had not been lying before when he spoke of stress being life-threatening to him. The heat was melting his spark chamber, encroaching on his very life source.
"Ratchet," Predaking ordered. "We must send him to him, now."
Without wasting a second, Sunchaser squeaked over his commlink, "A-Air Raid! Contact Ratchet! Moonwing's having a medical emergency!"
After saying this, Sunchaser pelted over and started petting Starscream over his head and wings. He yanked back his hands from the heat, unable to hold them for too long on Starscream. By now the others had noticed the scene, and the Predacons bounded over with Comet and Charred Mist. All their eyes widened at the sight of Starscream's fever-gripped body. They were too shocked to find their voices in this stressful time. For a silent minute, Starscream writhed weakly and panted in Predaking's arms, and for him and Predaking, it was like an eternity.
Worry struck Predaking as Starscream stayed untreated, perhaps about to perish at any second. Though Starscream didn't seem scared now of him, he seemed afraid in recognizing what was happening to him.
Word hit Ratchet very quickly, and a groundbridge portal was authorized before them. When a small team of paramedics tore in with Ratchet backing them, Predaking was relieved. Seeing that he already had Starscream, Ratchet commanded him to follow. He bore Starscream through the portal into an Iaconian hospital room. As he set Starscream onto a berth, Ratchet saw Starscream's hands laying over his chest, and instantly understood. He gruffly waved Predaking back towards the portal, clearing him from the room.
He hadn't wanted to leave, but Predaking obediently stepped through and teleported back to his land. The portal closed soon after, and a collection of eyes stared at him. At first, he thought there was accusation in their gazes directed at him. With a swell of guilt and denial, he was about to defend himself.
Then, he realized they were only worried, just as he was inside.
Sunchaser gasped, "Will he be okay?
The Predacons transformed, shrinking down and looking to their leader. He sighed, "He should be, now that he is in Ratchet's care."
"What happened?" Charred Mist whispered.
Predaking would have been willing to admit his mistake, but the Seekers would not take it well. They would not understand why he had harassed who was supposed to be a Newspark. To hide Starscream's identity from them, he said, "There was a problem with his organs, due to his health condition."
It was not a lie at the very least.
"Oh…" Charred Mist breathed. "He mentioned it before, but… I forgot."
"Right." Comet dipped his head. "We never see him in pain."
"But that's why he recharges so much," Charred Mist remembered. "His body shuts down…"
The brown Predacon, Fangblade, said, "Is this the first time this happened?"
The two Seekers nodded solemnly.
"Do you think his health is getting worse?" Comet fretted. "Is he fit for work?"
Charred Mist mumbled, "I hope Ratchet can fix him."
Predaking straightened himself up. "Ratchet is the most capable doctor known on Cybertron. Moonwing will be in good hands."
With that, he needed to escape them before they asked too many questions. Predaking walked off, then once he had room, he transformed and expanded his massive wings. The initial, powerful flap still gusted them with wind as he lifted up into the sky. In the air, distant from them, he felt more relief. But not complete relief, since he kept imagining himself cornering Starscream with his questions. He remembered Starscream again and noticed finally how he buckled into submission instantly, so scared that he was going to be punished.
Was I wrong to do it?
He wondered whether holding back would have been better than not threatening Starscream at all. However, the whole idea felt sickening now. Starscream was supposed to be the danger, the evil one, yet now Predaking felt that he had adopted that role unintentionally. Still, he did not know why it felt so wrong to abuse Starscream. The malicious Starscream he remembered did not seem to be the same one panicking in his unyielding grasp.
Predaking let out an uneasy growl to himself, then turned his head at the sound of a distant jet. Stiffening his wings and gliding, he watched a yellow Seeker rise into the sky. There was only one jet of that colour here, therefore it could only be Sunchaser. And from his height and direction, Predaking knew that he was heading for Iacon.
Should I go there too? he wondered.
Optimus and Ratchet would suspect him, since he had carried Starscream in. Shifting his fangs, he realized it would be best if he explained his regret and actions to them. Yet unlike the Seeker, Predaking was not legally permitted to fly outside of this district. He spun around, diving back towards his home. If he was going to have to take the groundbridge back to Iacon, then he would need the money to pay the fee.
Then, he considered that he could do more than speak to the Prime and the doctor. Perhaps he could listen to Starscream, to better understand what had happened today. If he at least gave Starscream the chance to explain himself, could something be learned? That remained to be seen, but in visiting him, Predaking could possibly negate some of the damage he had caused.