A/N: Hello, all! Been a while, but finally Chapter 21 is ready. Hope you all enjoy. This chapter brings us to the launch, and definitely into the final leg of our journey through Pariah. This one was a difficult one to write, specifically the first scene, but I am pleased with how this has turned out.

Also, to those who follow it, I will be posting for Pariah: Outtakes in a few more days. ^_^

Anon review replies: NCISWarriorCats - His reaction is certainly going to be unforgettable, I'll say that much. :) Guest - Thank you for the compliments. If you're still reading, I hope this chapter too is to your satisfaction. mariarose - Mirage is treading on thin ice, but does believe that it was worth the consequences, if it means helping his own faction. However, he does know his boundaries, and he'd not likely to challenge Jazz in any way anytime soon.

A longer reply for Seeker3:

I received both of your reviews, left for chapters 8 & 20. Chapter 8 reply: Concerning your comments about Prowl, I had read said issues of IDW. However, there are several examples of his actions in IDW that can't be explained by the Cerebro-shell and which do come before said infection. He had long since proved himself ruthless and calculating even before the Decepticons laid their hands on him. As for your suggestion concerning rewriting Prowl, I'm afraid I can't do that, as I would have to do a complete, fundamental rewrite of the story, which I simply do not have the time to do. While I might rewrite some of the weaker sections after the story is completed, I am not going to rewrite it in its entirety. However, I'm sure the original bunny poster for this story would have no objections to someone else taking it up, if you would like to write your own version of events as you think they should go.

Chapter 20 reply: Yes, I was still there, but I can't really respond to an anon reply other than author note. No, I am not going to have the Aerialbots appear. They are not important to this particular story. And truly, I'm trying to figure out how you came to think Pariah is similar in any way to Kiyoko Michi's Tangled Destiny. While I won't deny that yes, I did read her story, mine began in April 2011. She started hers in March 2012, by which time I had already released 7 chapters of Pariah. Not to mention the story summaries themselves indicate the plots are very different, something bolstered by the plot bunny I listed in the prologue. My story is about an Autobot Starscream, who became such after being pulled out of prison by Optimus Prime. A prison where he'd been serving out a life sentence after wrongly being convicted of murdering Skyfire. Tangled Destiny is about Skyfire's life after Starscream ends up trapped in the ice, and has him eventually becoming a Decepticon.

However, I do thank you for your compliments on how I characterized Mirage and TC. If there is one thing I've always tried to do, it's stay as true as I can to the characters' core personalities.

Time units (as found on TFWiki):
Breem - 8.3 minutes
Orn - 1 Cybertronian day (2 Earth weeks)
Joor- 1 Cybertronian hour (6 to 6.5 hours)
Vorn - 1 Cybertronian year (83.3 Earth years)
Klik - 1 Cybertronian minute

"Once you'd resolved to go, there was nothing to it at all." ― Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle

"Who knows when we may meet again and where?" - Alexandra Romanova, 1896

Autobot Base - Optimus Prime's office

"So this is your decision?" Optimus Prime asked the mech in front of him.

Starscream nodded. "It is."

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

The Autobot leader frowned behind his mask. As much as he'd found himself hoping that the jet would accompany him, he'd also known it wouldn't be a good idea to force the issue should Starscream decide otherwise. Nor would he have blamed him if he had decided against going, given the memories of his last expedition and the aftermath. His hatred of the Senate and Science Council (even after all this time) had been clear to Optimus when he'd put the question to Starscream for the coordinates of those worlds. Forcing the Seeker to go, he'd known then, would break the trust that Starscream had placed in him so long ago. He might forgive the manipulations Optimus had used from time to time to get him to see the big picture or calm his rage, but forcing him to do what he didn't want to do would certainly be seen as an unforgiveable offence. Plus, there was still the matter of how the other Autobots saw him. While some had come around over the vorns to at least respect his fighting ability, many still hated him and the fact he was allowed to remain in the core army. Removing most of them from Cybertron would likely give the Seekers some peace while they were away. He'd related his thoughts on the matter to Jazz when the spy had asked about it, and after some discussion, the spy had agreed it was best not to force the issue.

But given what he'd been told by Jazz, Optimus wanted to be absolutely positive that this decision of Starscream's was one made freely without outside pressure. And this decision had come very soon after Mirage's actions...Too soon, the Prime thought.

With this in mind, the Autobot leader set his elbows on his desk and steepled them. "Forgive me for being concerned, Starscream. But I am more than aware of your feelings as regards the idea of leaving Cybertron again. Not to mention I also know that there are still those who have no great dislike or trust of you, and many of them have actually volunteered for the Ark mission. You wouldn't have anyone troubling you after the Ark leaves Cybertron."

"I have no desire to be put in stasis where anything can be done to me without my knowledge." Starscream said flatly. "And even if I stayed conscious...Well, while I might not have the afts of this place bothering me, almost everyone I trusted here would be gone, too. Only Hoist would be left, and I doubt he'd have much time for talking, since he'd have to monitor all those in stasis plus dealing with whatever injuries come from skirmishes while you're away."

He shook his head. "I've talked with Wheeljack, Prime. He told me almost the entire command team is going on the Ark. Something I didn't hear from you, I might add."

Ah, Optimus thought as he took in Starscream's words. He laid his arms down on his desk. "I never intended to keep it secret from you, Starscream. I did plan to speak to you about it before I left."

Starscream smiled thinly. "I suspected as much," he admitted. "But that doesn't mean I wouldn't have liked to have known for sure." He shifted in his seat. "Like any scientist, I do like to have all the information I can before forming a theory. Or in this case, making a decision."

Optimus huffed heavily. "If you suspected as much, then let me confirm that all I was trying to do was avoid forcing you into a decision, Starscream. No more, no less. Your feelings for quite a few here are common knowledge, as are their feelings towards you. I was trying to allow you your space when it came to making the call as to whether or not you wished to go. I would have informed you sooner of what was happening, but it has been hectic of late in regards to getting the Ark project completed and plans finalized, not to mention trying to find any spare resources of energy for those staying behind."

Starscream pondered Prime's words briefly before he nodded. "I understand," he finally admitted. The smile on his face shifted to a half-amused one. "I suppose that you did so much to protect me early on, that I sometimes forget you have a whole army to head up. And I know I haven't made it easy for you to approach me at times, either."

Optimus smiled ruefully behind his mask, knowing how well of an understatement that was. He'd learned how to manage the jet over the vorns, certainly, but there were vorns he just shook his head in frustration at the other mech's stubbornness. "I've managed," he replied, a wry tone in his voice.

Starscream chuckled and leaned back in his seat. "How long do I have to prepare for the mission?" he asked, changing the topic just slightly. "Wheeljack said just under a quarter-vorn when he showed me the holo-image, but I'm guessing it's going to be pushed up a little sooner than that?"

"Mirage told you, I assume? Jazz said he'd dropped a hint or two," Optimus replied. At the look of fear that appeared in the other mech's optics, Optimus raised his hand to forestall the Seeker's panic. "He's not going to come after you, Starscream. In fact, he's more irritated with Mirage for breaking his Spec. Ops. training even that slightly. I believe he mentioned something about putting Mirage into a stasis pod if you decided not to go and he pressured you further," Optimus finished, a slightly amused glint in his optics.

Relief filled the Seeker's frame, and he nodded. "He didn't outright say anything, but he did indicate the Decepticons knew something," Starscream admitted. "But the way he hinted it, I did start to suspect that they have their own means of leaving Cybertron."

The Autobot leader nodded firmly. "That seems to be the case," he confirmed.

A thoughtful look appeared on Starscream's face, but he didn't reply. Optimus went on: "I would advise having anything that has value to you to be placed in your sub-space as soon as you leave my office," he responded to Starscream's earlier question. "The way things stand, yes, things might get moved up and we may well have to leave in a hurry. There won't be time then to grab anything. I won't delay the launch for any reason, especially if it means avoiding a firefight."

The thoughtful expression on the Seeker's face faded, to be replaced with the harder expression Optimus Prime had become used to seeing over the vorns. "Understood," he said in a clipped tone as he focused his attention back on the Prime. "Is there anything else?" he asked.

The Autobot Commander shook his head. "There is not," he replied. "Just go about your duties and be ready for the communication when it's time."

Starscream gave a firm nod as he rose from his seat. "Thank you," he stated, then turned and walked out of the office.

After he'd gone, Optimus leaned back in his seat. After a few moments, he just let out another heavy huff from his vents and smiled wearily behind his mask. After another moment, he opened his comm. ::Optimus to Jazz.::

::Jazz here. What's up, Boss 'Bot?::

::Starscream has just left my office. He's decided to go. And before you ask, it seems that while Mirage's words did leave an impact, it was Wheeljack who gave the final push by telling him of his own and Perceptor's plans. Not to mention mine and Ratchet's.::

There was no answer for a klik or two. Then: ::Gotcha. Ah'll let Mirage know he's off the hook.:: A dark chuckle. ::In an orn or two, maybe.::

Optimus gave a chuckle of his own. ::Jazz...::, he began.

::Hey, he deserves ta stew for a while, given that stunt he pulled::, the saboteur replied, a smirk in his tone. Turning the subject slightly, he continued. ::Ya tell Screams the Decepticon Elite are goin'?::

::No, but he seems to have understood that part of Mirage's message as well. I don't know what he thinks about it, before you ask.::

::Ah'll keep an optic on him if we run across the 'Cons, then::, Jazz replied, his tone grim. ::Ya know he's been out for the Command Trine's energon ever since his capture. And he and Raj both know who led the charge at Crystal City. They both got scores ta settle with that Seeker.::

::I am aware. But don't worry about Starscream. I have other optics on him. You worry about Mirage.::, the Autobot leader said firmly.

There was another brief silence on the other end as Jazz digested what his commander told him. ::Gotcha. And ya'll have my list of those who'll be goin' by the end of the day cycle::, Jazz replied. ::Anythin' else?::

::No, that should be all for now. Just stay alert for the signal and pass that message along to those accompanying us.::

::Will do. Jazz out.::

::Prime out.::

"So you're going, then?"

Starscream looked up from the datapads he had been going through at his lab set-up, trying to determine which ones would be safest to leave behind, to see Perceptor standing in the doorway.

He put aside the datapads and stood up to greet his friend. "I am. I assume Jack told you?" He'd informed the other mech of his decision as soon as he'd returned to the labs to go through his experiment and project records. Wheeljack had been pleased to hear it, and had said to go do what Prime had asked and he'd cover for Starscream's part of the shift that day if needed. Thanking him, Starscream had gone into his lab to get started on his sorting.

Perceptor hadn't arrived in the lab just yet, having been waylaid by Beachcomber, who'd found some interesting geological specimens near the Rust Sea and had wanted to ask the scientist if he knew anything about their chemical make-up.

But it seemed he'd finally arrived. And heard the news, if his tired expression was anything to go by.

The microscope nodded. "He did. I must admit, I had hoped you would decide to go, but a greater part of me felt that the past would likely prove to great an obstacle for you in that regard. It is seldom that I am proven wrong. And for once, I am not sure what I think of that."

Starscream gave a slight smile, knowing how much Perceptor usually hated being proven wrong. "First time for everything," the Seeker said softly, an impish tone in his voice.

Perceptor snorted. "Very funny," he replied, in a disaffected way before reverting back to normal tones. "In any case, I am glad you will be among friends instead of alone here. Wheeljack and I did worry about what you'd do with no one but Hoist to talk to."

"He's not that bad, Percy," Starscream said, walking back to his bench to sit down and motioning to a chair close by. "He's good-natured, and Primus knows he manages to keep spirits up around here, something that's becoming harder to do nowadays."

"True," Perceptor agreed as he sat down in the proffered chair. "But there is such a thing as being too cheerful. It can be rather...disturbing."

Starscream shrugged. "So is always looking on the dark side of things, like Gears does," he replied simply.

"It can be," the other scientist agreed. "Likely just a matter of perspective, I suppose."

He leaned back in his seat. "In any case, confirming that you were going on the Ark was not the only reason I am here, Starscream."

Starscream raised a browridge. "Oh?"

Perceptor smiled a little sadly. "Yes. Wheeljack told me he'd let you know I was leaving with Magnus and his Wrecker unit."

The Seeker's vents stilled. "He did, but he didn't say..." Realization bloomed. "He didn't say when," Starscream finished in a whisper.

Perceptor's only reply was to look away, still with that sad expression.

Starscream felt his hands clenching into fists. "When?" he asked.

"In about three deca-cycles time," Perceptor replied. "I have been listed as a back-up medic and sniper. Both skills you know I have been practicing for some while now."

Starscream looked into his lap at his clenched hands, then looked up. "You came to say goodbye," he said, still quietly, but with a tinge of anger. More and more, he hated this war which seemed to have no end in sight. It had taken a good part of his soul. Now it was beginning to take his friends away.

Perceptor nodded. "I did, yes. And to give you these, just in case." He reached into his subspace and pulled out a datapad, along with a set of holoimage frames. He held them out to Starscream, who unclenched his hands and took them.

He turned on the datapad first, and a moment later his optics widened. He looked up at Perceptor in shock. "These are..."

Perceptor's smile became a little cooler, and slightly more triumphant. "Yes."

"My records from the Science Academy. Prime told me you had those, but...I never did ask about them," the jet whispered. His optics were bright.

"This is a copy of them that I made for you. In case I didn't get the chance again," the red mech replied.

Starscream nodded, and placed the datapad in his subspace. This was certainly a possession worth keeping. He switched his attention to the holoimage, and once more found himself at a loss for words.

It was a holoimage of Skyfire personally handing Starscream his degree. Both he and Skyfire were smiling. It had been one of the few times Starscream had ever felt like he'd actually come out on top after all the slag he'd had to deal with over his vorns at the academy. He'd defeated those fragheads, and they'd never be able to hurt him again. Or so he'd believed at that moment in time.

Still, he'd never had a holoimage of his mentor and friend. To receive this now...

He lifted his gaze to Perceptor. "How did you come by this?"

Perceptor's optics held a glint of triumph. "Let's just say I have my ways, and let it go at that."

Starscream eyed his friend a little suspiciously, but decided not to push the matter further. He placed that holo in his subspace, next to the datapad with his records. "Thank you for giving these to me," he said. "They mean a lot." More than Perceptor could probably ever know, he felt. He had nothing from that part of his life there with him; it has all been lost after his arrest. To have some tangible reminders, good reminders, was something that Starscream had never expected to have again.

The other scientist gave a nod, pleased to see that his gift had gotten the reaction he'd wanted to see. It had been too long since Starscream had seemed to show any joy about anything, and to give his friend this much was a suitable and fitting goodbye present, he believed. "I am glad to have been able to give those to you," he said calmly. He rose from his seat. "But now I must go about my own preparations for departure."

Starscream shook his head with a chuckle and rose from his own seat, holding out his hand. "Take care of yourself, Percy. Try not to get killed out there."

Perceptor took the offered hand and shook it. "I wish you the same, Starscream," he said with a smile. "Till all are one."

Then, without another word, he turned and left the room.

Starscream just stood there for a few kliks after Perceptor left, gazing at the doorway his friend had disappeared through. After a moment, a look of determination appeared in his optics, and he allowed a small, thin smile to appear on his face.

He owed Perceptor for the gift he'd given him. And one day, he'd pay the other mech back.

Until then...

Putting aside the twinges in his Spark, Starscream returned to his sorting.

ill all are one

Vorns after the war ended, Starscream, when he spoke of the launch of the Ark, would say that the event announced itself with one Pit of a bang.

It had all started when Wheeljack and Bumblebee went out on the ever more fruitless searches for energon. They came flying back into the base about three joors after they fled, having barely escaped from Stormraiser and some of his Seekers, but only with a few rods of energon. After hearing that report, plus the glum results of Jazz's own scouting mission, the Autobot leader decided that the time had come to leave the planet. By that time, the majority of the army was in stasis, with the exceptions of Ultra Magnus's Wreckers and Elita-One's own femme unit, and about one hundred others who'd elected to stay behind and monitor the situation on Cybertron while the leaders were away.

The moment Starscream received the orders, he began running towards the landing field. Just as the Ark came in sight, laser bolts started raining down from the sky from some of Stormraiser's Seekers.

Starscream hissed as some of those bolts came less than a micrometer from his wings. He activated his thrusters and threw himself into a daring series of twists and turns as he both tried to dodge around the lasers and fire on his enemies at the same time. He wasn't the only one doing that, either. On the periphery of his vision, he noted others firing on the Seekers as well. The tri-color would never really be sure later how he wasn't injured more seriously in all the confusion.
In any case, he and those others all barely made it into the Ark before an explosion came close behind them, forcing Prime to push the button that would close the door and ordered the launch to take place immediately. He couldn't risk waiting for stragglers any longer.

Moments later, the Ark was in the air, and the Seekers who'd been attacking fell back.

Many of the Autobots seemed relieved by how easily they'd gotten away, but Starscream had an uneasy feeling about it, and judging from a few of the expressions he noticed on the faces of the officers, he wasn't the only one thinking along those lines.

After all, there was still the little matter of whether or not the Decepticons did actually have a ship and were planning to come after them. If so, Starscream suspected, that attack could have just been a diversion. He certainly doubted it was anything else, since the Seekers could have stopped the Ark with a well-placed shot to the thrusters, not to mention that explosion hadn't done any damage to the ship.

Even twenty orns later, he still couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right, and not only that, he was beginning to feel restless, cooped up in the ship, so he headed for the Rec Room area late during the ship's night cycle to just see if he could clear his mind. Most of the Ark would be either on the bridge or in their berthrooms, so Starscream felt sure he'd be by himself.

It was while he was sitting there quietly, optics off-lined and enjoying the quiet, that he instead found himself to have company.

"A credit for your thoughts." came the sound of a rich-sounding, smooth voice.

A voice that Starscream knew very well. He smirked. "Hello, Mirage."

The blue and white mech chuckled as he came into view and sat down in the seat across from Starscream. "I would have thought you'd be in recharge," he said.

Starscream shrugged. "Couldn't," he replied. "And to be honest, I haven't done much of that since we've fled Cybertron." A grimace. "I just can't shake the feeling that something wasn't right with our escape from those Seekers."

The smile faded from the racer's face. "You thought it was too easy," he deduced. When Starscream nodded, Mirage leaned back in his own seat with a frown, replying as he did so, "Jazz and the rest of Command think so as well. But so far, we haven't been able to detect any Decepticons behind us."

"A waiting game, then," Starscream answered, raising a browridge.

"So it would seem," the former noble confirmed.

A few kliks passed in a companionable silence before Starscream spoke again. "So how much time do you believe we have before the Decepticons do catch up with us?"

Mirage let out a soft huff of air through his vents as he thought over his answer. "I don't know," he admitted finally. "We don't know what kind of stealth or hyperdrive technology their ship has. It could be anywhere, for all we know."

Starscream grimaced. That didn't sound good. "Slag."

"Indeed," the other mech agreed. "But perhaps we'll get lucky and find a good source before they do. Primus willing."

Starscream just looked at Mirage skeptically, but before he could voice a reply, the ship shook, knocking them both out of their seats.

Then the alarms went off.