Disclaimer: Well, how embarrassing. My disclaimer from the last chapter was seen by a neighbor and I was forced to get a rabies shot. I tried telling them that it was only coffee foam but after mentioning Primus and his amazing ways and how I wanted to be a Cybertronian and own them as their ruler... let's just say the shot was the least of my worries.
Disclaimer for the Disclaimer: NO this ISN'T TRUE! It's just a bit of role playing and making fun of the disclaimer process. Like a mini story within a story.
Disclaimer for the Disclaimer for the Disclaimer: Just because I can. -Sticks out tongue-
Chapter 21!
It was wasn't long after the Autobots retreated that I realized that I was in trouble. Not only had I 'attacked' one of them but I had displayed behavior that was highly unusual for a drone. The medic was old, age came with knowledge and from his reaction, he now knows about my Alpha status. It was common knowledge that Vehicons are solitary soldiers, unlike Eradicons. For a Vehicon to have such bonds for another Vehicon was very unlikely. It was also common knowledge that Eradicons stayed away from the Vehicons outside of battle. So, that eliminated the trines. The only other Decepticons that could possibly be in his Pack are...
Dear, Primus! Our secret is dangerously close to being discovered! Before panic could settle in my processor tiny voices could be heard coming near my prison.
"What did Ratchet mean when he said Sideswipe had an accident?"
"I don't know but it must've been serious if Ratchet was that worried."
"Did you see Goldy-Aft lying next to him? Serves him right for being a jerk to everyone."
"Miko! Nothing about an injured teammate is something to be happy about!"
"Aw, come on Jack! You know he deserved to be knocked off his high horse!"
"Well, either way, Ratchet says they'll be okay after a good recharge cycle."
"Huh?"
"Sleep, Miko, they'll be fine after some rest."
"Oh. Hey! I just remembered something."
"Oh, boy. I thought I saw steam."
"Jerk. Anyway, I was snooping around the supply closet for some paint remover for a prank involving Sunshine, when I overheard Ratchet and Optimus talking with Mirage. Seems like he's going on a mission aboard the Con's ship, though, I was discovered before I could hear why."
"Maybe they plan on a surprise attack?"
"I don't think so. Otherwise, Bumblebee and/or Arcee would be going as well."
"Sabotage?"
"Maybe. Though, I have to wonder-"
By then the little voices reached the end of the hall and turned the corner, out of audio range. Dread filled me. Surprise attack, sabotage? More like Information gathering. They were sending in a Bot to look for other marked Con's. I have to let them know! I close my optics and open the bond tentatively. I was immediately overwhelmed with worry, relief and anger.
-Darkwing, do you have any idea how worried you've made everyone?!- Starscream screeches.
I wince, -I'm sorry, Starscream. I... I didn't want to hurt you with the backlash.-
-Dark... Please don't ever do that again.- Starscream sighs exhaustively, -I understand but you need to learn to rely on us when things like this happen. A trine is supposed to support each other, pain or no.-
-Besides, it's not healthy to close the bond for this long.- Skywarp spoke up quietly. I could tell that he had been crying, much to my immense guilt. -It's fine. I'm just glad you're okay.-
-You are okay, aren't you?- Thundercracker asked with worry.
-Yes, however, we have a problem.- I then relay what I've heard and seen since the last time we had spoke across the bond.
-Okay... first, HOT!- Skywarp moans. -Why was that so... so... arousing?! An Autobot should NOT be that attractive.-
Thundercracker chuckles while I get the impression that Starscream just smacked the purple seeker over the helm. -More importantly, Megatron needs to know as soon as possible. I have no idea when this Mirage will arrive but he is coming.-
-This is perfect!- Starscream cheers. -If we can somehow trap this Autobot, we can use him to trade for your return!-
-But what about keeping up appearances? If you trade for my freedom, it will surely tip off that I'm 'special'- I frown.
-Dark, even Megatron is frustrated and just plain done with the act.- Skywarp snickers.
-It's true. He's willing to trade his own helm for your return at this point. He feels so alone right now and wants you at his side again.- Thundercracker says gently.
Realization hit me like the Nemesis. Of course, he's lonely. I've been so stuck in my own self pity that I never even thought that perhaps Megatron needed me in our time of mourning, I thought he would be stronger than I and push past the loss. I thought he would be furious with me, blame me for the loss of our sparkling when it truly was my fault.
-It was NOT your fault!- Starscream shouts. -None of this is your fault! These things happen and you had no control over the events that caused occurred.-
Exhaustion filled me. I wanted to believe Star, I truly did, but at the same time, I couldn't. However, an acute feeling of 'scrap' and 'what the pit' caused me to sigh. -Fine. Do what you think is best.-
-You... you won't close the bond again, will you?- Skywarp hesitantly asks.
Warmth and amusement filled my spark, Skywarp had his moments, that's for sure. -No. I'll keep it open but you must promise not to distract me. I can't show any signs of a sparkbond just yet.-
-Thank you.- Starscream sighs gratefully.
I dull the bond slightly and open my optics to see Skyfire standing over me with a curious look and a cube of energon. I sit up with a little of his help and take the cube. I sniff at the liquid and immediately notice the sedative.
"I see." I hum and take a sip. "The medic is smart. To send the sedative with someone that I show trust to, it shows that he assumes I take everything you give a face value."
"Sedative?!" Skyfire jumps startled, "I didn't, I swear-!"
"I know. Calm." I shush him. "He was right. I wouldn't have taken energon from anyone else at this moment. As soon as I detected the sedative, I would've thrown the cube at his helm."
"Yet you still drank it?" Skyfire fidgets his servos together worriedly, "Why?"
I finish the cube and I could feel the sedative working quickly, so I beckon him to kneel in front of me. I pull him into a hug and whisper into his audios, "Because, soon, all will be right."
He pulls back to look into my heavy optics, "What do you mean."
I give him a honest, happy filled smile and pull him down. I gently press my derma against his in a chaste kiss. He shudders and his vents hitch in surprise. I could feel the trine watch what was happening vividly. I could feel my processor start to shut down as my movements got slower and slower. I pull back and hug him again, "I'm going home. Thank you, Skyfire, for all you've done. Your debt to me is paid. I hope we never meet on the battlefield."
The next thing I saw was darkness, feeling the assurance and safety of my trine sending warmth through my spark.