All's Fair
Chapter 28
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.
Ironhide walked the corridors of the Ark, unable to recharge. He sighed, resigning himself to what he was about to do. He'd kept his mouth shut the past few days, stayed out of Prime's way, but he couldn't any longer. He switched direction, made for Prime's quarters. Ironhide keyed in the access code, let himself in.
He was greeted by the sight of Prime sitting on the edge of his berth, head in his hands.
"Y'know, I could have shot you dead," Ironhide said. "You're slipping."
"Ironhide, I don't feel like talking right now," Prime said.
Ironhide glared, hands on hips. "I don't care if you don't feel like it, but damn it, we're going to talk," he said. "I've stayed out of your way, thinkin' that you know best. . .but in this case, shutting everyone out that you can count on is just plain crazy."
"I don't need anyone right now," Prime said. "What I need is to be alone. I've giving you the chance to leave on your own, Ironhide. Don't make me order you."
Ironhide snorted. Like that would make a difference.
"You've always been a stubborn pain in the aft, you know that? I should knock you on yours the way you've been acting. I know this thing with Megatron has you in knots, and it's bothering everyone else, too. How could it not? Everyone's worried. Don't they have that right? You're our leader, but you're also our friend," Ironhide said.
Optimus started to protest, but a look from Ironhide silenced him.
"Don't say a word," Ironhide said. "You may be the leader, but you're not a martyr. I know you'd sacrifice yourself in an instant to end this war, but sometimes. . .sometimes I think you're a little too ready to put yourself in the line of fire, just because you are Prime. You're not infallible."
"Are you done?" Prime asked.
"Not by a long shot," Ironhide said. "But I know anything I have to say won't make a damn difference. I know your mind is made up and there's nothing to do now but ride it out. Just one more thing--whatever you decide, you know you can count on me."
"Thank you Ironhide," Prime said.
"Well, that wasn't all. If you had any sense, you wouldn't be alone right now," Ironhide said. "I've seen you with Hot Rod and Sideswipe."
"Ironhide. . ." Optimus said, warning in his tone.
"Like I said, stubborn. . .try and get some rest," Ironhide said, taking his leave.
-----
Starscream lay awake in the berth he shared with Skyfire, contemplating the possible outcomes of the coming day. A part of him hoped Optimus Prime would just reduce Megatron to a puddle of molten slag instead of gratifying the Decepticon leader with an answer regarding his proposition. No one, not even Optimus Prime deserved what Megatron was asking. Well, maybe Shockwave, but that was another matter. If anything, Starscream felt a little guilty about the whole thing. If he had any backbone, as the humans said, he knew he should be the one going before Megatron with the intention of renouncing their ties to the Decepticons, but unfortunately, it did not work that way. He and his trine mates were tied to Megatron by duty and tradition, to the Decepticons by loyalty.
Loyalty was one thing--one could change their mind but tradition and oaths could not be broken so easily. Starscream's loyalty was to Cybertron and his people, not Megatron. He'd thought for a very long time the Decepticon way was the only way, but he knew now he was wrong. He'd let his ambition blind him, Megatron distract him from what mattered most--restoring their planet and giving their people, all of them, a chance to be heard. But no. Instead, he'd failed. Not completely though--he'd managed to protect his trine mates and the other Decepticons from Megatron's wrath at the expense of his own health and safety. When Megatron's own plots failed, he blamed Starscream, who willingly accepted the blame, if only to keep his lord and master from lifting a finger to harm the others.
Now, among the Autobots, reunited with Skyfire, he was slowly realizing there was a better way. The Autobots weren't perfect--they were fighters because they had to be, but they chose to fight, it wasn't their way of life. War and conquest had become the Decepticon way. Every aspect of life among them was dedicated to it, unlike the Autobots, who still managed to have some level of "normal." They maintained friendships based on trust and respect, not status and and just trying to stay alive.
Skywarp had done his fellow Seekers a favor by blackmailing Prime--they were safe, but for how long, Starscream couldn't guess. Because Megatron would come for them if their ties weren't broken. And he couldn't do it, not unless Skywarp managed to pull off an interface with Prime. He would not, could not interface with Prime--it would mean bonding himself to the Autobot leader, and again, he would not do that. If he was going to bond with anyone, it would be Skyfire. Only if he was free of Megatron could he do so.
And Prime. . .Prime was treating them fairly, with respect. Megatron deserved to roast in the Pit for all eternity for what he was doing to Prime. Yes, Prime could be a sentimental, emotional fool but no one could question his integrity. When he gave his word, you could count on it. If Prime decided to agree to Megatron's terms, he was a far better bot than Starscream would ever be.
-----
"Do you think he'll change his mind?" Ultra Magnus said.
Kup shrugged, sighed. "Hard to say," he said.
They were in the old bot's quarters, sharing high grade and waiting out the night now their shifts were over. Kup knew the situation was just as hard on Ultra Magnus as it was Optimus--they were best friends, had been rebuilt by Alpha Trion along with Elita-1, were more like brothers than anything else.
"Lad, all we can do is support him, no matter what he decides," Kup said. "I've got a bad feeling about this though--every instinct I have is tellin' me he shouldn't even think he can trust Megatron. And if he does go through with it, can Optimus live with himself? We've both watched him make some damn difficult decisions through the years. . ."
"And this is a difficult choice indeed," Ultra Magnus said. "I only wish it were a choice he didn't have to make."
-----
Thundercracker flew, reveling in the freedom of flight. Skywarp was just off his right wing, positioned slightly behind him. They were flying patrol. For the other side. And it felt good--damn good. Ultra Magnus had finally given in late that evening, giving them permission to help out, and Thundercracker was glad he did. That wasn't all. He knew about Prime's decision about Skywarp, and he was relieved the Autobot leader agreed to it. Once it was done, it meant they would no longer be tied to the Decepticons. Prime wouldn't back out and Thundercracker knew Starscream couldn't either.
Then there was the matter of Megatron's proposal. Only a few hours left until the deadline. Not an easy choice facing Prime, but Thundercracker knew the Autobot leader couldn't afford to at least consider the chance Megatron was offering an end to the war. But it was Megatron. And he was as treacherous as they came.
-----
Morning. Deadline time. Optimus Prime hadn't rested at all. He rose from his berth, ready to give Megatron his decision.
