Author's note. Someone mentioned how they didn't think Skywarp's encounter with Rosie had any bearing on the main plot, and was perhaps redundant. While most of you appear to have enjoyed it, you may be wondering why I wrote it. The reason is simple, there was a point that ties in with Starscream. Can any of you work out what it is? All will be revealed very soon.
I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update, what with my exams, however I am confident of fishing this story by Christmas Day. Hope you all like the ending, sob, what will I do with myself once this is over?
Should note the first part of this chapter takes place earlier in the day than the events with Soundwave and Skywarp and then we will jump to the next day. Don't worry, I'll make sure you all know when that happens.
Note that Energon refers to either transformer blood or their food source.
Enjoy and please review.
Mid-Day.
Starscream's POV.
For the rest of the morning, Starscream remained snuggled in Skyfire's arms. Earlier he had rashly tried to get the shuttle to interface with him and with Skyfire had gently but firmly refused. It pained Starscream that they could not do it together but he knew his love's reasons were sound, he simply wasn't ready.
It had never been a good idea to face with his Trine whenever he had been attacked by Megatron, he ended up in too much pain and took it out on his Trine. That was why he avoided intimacy with them if Megatron had just raped him, he simply couldn't enjoy it. But he was filled with such desire, not only to interface with Skyfire but to have someone make love to him.
That was something he had never experienced before, sure it was something of a bonding session when he interfaced with his Trine, but it wasn't the same. To have someone who loved you and only you gently interface was what he had dreamed about ever since he was a Youngling with only the barest knowledge of how relationships worked.
Starscream smiled, they would make love together and it would be the happiest night of his life. Of course it would be Skyfire's very first time, so it would have to be extra special. And that was another reason Starscream was glad Skyfire had refused him, it had to be Skyfire's night as well. Till then he would just have to wait.
Glancing over at their 'Lava Lamp' he grinned. When he had first come here, he had thought it a ridiculous human object that had no point to it. But now, gazing at the shimmering blue mass that sparkled, he found he had become rather fond of it. Skyfire had been right, it did make their room seem more homely. But at the Nemesis, nearly everything Starscream owed had a solid purpose, text he would read, tools for mending and the like.
But this was purely to something to look at and enjoy, and it gave him a sense of peace. But more than that, it gave him a sense of freedom.
Starscream took a deep breath, though he and Skyfire were quite deep within the Ark, you he could still taste the air. He had always found the Decepticon underwater base stifling, and considering what happened to him within its confines it was no wonder he considered it a prison. He and his Trine always volunteered for patrol for this very reason.
Thinking about his Trine made him remember something he had been meaning to do. Regretfully he slid off the berth and out of Skyfire's arms. Skyfire opened his optics to smile at him as Starscream leaned down to kiss him. Starscream wanted to be as imitate as possible before they went a step further.
"Where are you off to now?" Skyfire asked sleepily though to Starscream's delight his voice sounded stronger.
"I need to talk to Prime" Starscream said. "About....Joining the Autobots."
Skyfire pushed himself off the berth, his face radiating happiness as he took Starscream back into his arms. Holding him close, the large shuttle said.
"Oh Starscream, you don't know how happy this makes me. Finally you are truly leaving that bastard."
"He does not deserve my allegiance" Starscream said fiercely, hugging Skyfire tightly. Releasing him, Skyfire stared down into Starscream shining optics.
"Before I had nowhere to go and no one to turn to. But now have you and the other Autobots and if Prime will let me, I will join you properly."
Skyfire didn't answer, but merely kissed his beloved. Though Starscream didn't know it, every time they kissed with passion, desire grew deep within him, getting bigger every time. But he couldn't allow himself to succumb, for Starscream's sake. There would be plenty of time later.
Allowing Starscream to settle him on the berth once more, Skyfire smiled as he watched the red Seeker leave. Pausing at the door, Starscream shot Skyfire a cheeky grin as he exited from the room.
With incredible ease Starscream walked the Ark's corridors, heading for Prime's office. He hoped Prime was there though it was possible he was in his room with Eilta. However, he suspected that Prime would be in his office, Prime was an organised worker who would not allow work to pile up. Not to the extent of Soundwave and Prowl of course.
Answering greetings that random Autobots sent his way, he drew a breath of happiness, he knew he had reached the right decision. If you had told him more than a week ago that he would be getting on so well with these Mech's in so little time, he would have said to lay off the High Grade. But it was true, even that surely Autobot CliffJumper was no longer looking mistrustfully at him.
Once he reached Prime's office, he rung the chime and to his relief was bid to enter. Optimus smiled up at him as he entered, as Starscream had suspected, Optimus was busy with data pads.
"Ahh, Starscream how are you and Skyfire doing today?" Optimus greeted.
"Well, thank you, Skyfire is recovering nicely" Starscream replied before saying slyly. "Not with Elita?"
"No" Optimus chuckled. "She's having a lie in while I try to get on with a few things. You know how it is, I never seem to have enough time to finish everything."
Starscream nodded as he sat down in the chair Optimus had indicated. Suddenly he was very nervous, this was after all a life changing decision. Optimus regarded him kindly, sensing that Starscream was choosing his words.
"Prime, Optimus I've come to a decision about something" Starscream started hesitantly.
Optimus gave him an encouraging look as Starscream paused before squaring his shoulders and looking him straight in the optic.
"I wish to join the Autobots."
Optimus beamed broadly from behind his mask, he had been hoping against hope that Starscream would join but hadn't wanted to press the Seeker. Aloud he said.
"That is wonderful news Starscream, I'm so glad you've decided to stay with us. I hope though you don't feel you're obliged to stay though."
"No Optimus, I truly want to join, I want to bring peace and Energon back to Cybertron."
Starscream paused, gathering his thoughts before saying.
"That has always been by goal, as hard to believe as I'm sure that is, except I chose the wrong side to fight on."
Optimus shook his head as he said.
"You didn't necessary choose the wrong side, Starscream, I do know something of the history of the Decepticons. I know that the miners including Megatron protested peacefully at first about the way they and other poor citizens were treated. In the end they had little choice but to change their methods to more violent ones."
Optimus sighed heavily.
"Though it pains me to admit it, nothing short of the anarchy that descended on Cybertron could have gotten the Senate's attention. And if Megatron had kept his original goals then maybe we could have talked and ended this long ago. As it is I doubt we ever will and frankly after what I have learned about him this week I don't think I want to."
"This is one reason I wish to join" Starscream said earnestly. "You're willing to listen and if the other Decepticon left Megatron you would take them in. Megatron will never see Cybertron united once again, he means to enslave the Autobots."
Starscream snarled as he said.
"I've heard what he plans to do, the pretty ones will be made into sex-slaves while the big ugly ones will be made to supply Cybertron with its Energon. Any who resist will be either tortured or slaughtered. And of course any organics will be made to serve the Decepticon Empire."
"Does he plan to do anything with me or just kill me in front of my men" Optimus asked softly.
Starscream shook his head as he replied the disgust clear in his voice as he said.
"No, he would only kill your officers in front of you. Then he would keep you, fight you, and rape you."
Starscream trembled as he finished, causing Optimus to stand up and go round his desk to stand behind Starscream, gripping his shoulder in comfort.
"He would separate Elita from you and keep her for himself. I shudder to think" here Starscream broke off, as Optimus squeezed his shoulder.
"Hush, Starscream, do not dwell on what could happen. I will never allow anything of the sort to happen."
Starscream smiled up at him before saying.
"On the subject of joining the Autobots, I was wondering if you would consider....my Trine."
"You think you can convince them to join?" Optimus going back round his desk to sit down again. Starscream nodded ersnestly.
"I'm sure I can, Thundercracker has never liked hurting innocents especially organics and Skywarp will go along with whatever his mate does. Not that Skywarp ever particularly been enthusiastic about that sort of thing anyway. They only joined because of the bombing of Vos, they believed like I did that Megatron was the best thing for Cybertron."
Optimus nodded.
"I have witnessed Thundercracker's reluctance and I believe you are correct in your assumptions. I doubt they will stay with Megatron once they hear what happened to you."
Starscream sighed sadly.
"It will pain them that I never told them what was happening, but I just...couldn't."
"It's in the past" Optimus said before saying. "We will try to talk to them and convince them to come back to the base and I will gladly welcome them if they wish to join."
Starscream gave Optimus his gentle smile, one he had never been allowed to show while he was in Megatron's clutches. Everything was going to be okay.
Morning.
Soundwave's POV.
Soundwave sighed heavily as he and the other Decepticons stood on a rocky cliff overlooking a quarry. Below humans were working away, mining precious metals, unknowing of the danger they were in. The electric storm had abated just enough to allow them to leave the safety of their underwater base, though Soundwave suspected it would not last.
He shifted uncomfortably. He was painted entirely grey, had a large cannon on his right arm and was also wearing a mask. Of course he was used to covering his face but this felt distinctly strange and uncomfortable. But orders were orders and no one else could convincingly pass for Megatron.
He hated having to do this, he knew he was condemning Starscream to more abuse but what could he do? He had to protect his children. He prayed to Primus, something would foil Megatron's plan, but until that time. With an even heavier sigh he gave the signal for Rumble and Frenzy to start the earthquake.
If only there was some way of alerting the Autobots without disobeying his orders.
Optimus' POV.
The call came in just as everyone was finishing their morning Energon. There had been a severe earthquake right under a mine some miles away and apparently several humans were trapped. Luckily for the humans, the storm that had trapped the Autobots in their base had calmed down enough for them to leave and help.
Leaving Bumblebee, Spike, the twins as well as the Dinobots to look after Starscream, the Autobots headed off in Skyfire. Starscream had convinced his mate to be to go, he could easily come back once he had dropped the Autobots off. Red Alert assured Optimus that no Decepticon would enter in the mean time. And so they had set off, the remaining Autobots waving them off.
Megatron's POV.
With an almost casual air, Megatron strode towards the Autobot base. It had actually been tough going getting here, the weather was still very stormy and Megatron knew it would worsen again. But all the better for him as long as it held long enough for him to reach his base....With Starscream.
Megatron smirked as he got closer to the Ark, those pathetic Autobots had no doubt engaged his men by now. He briefly wondered if by some chance they would discover his little ruse and try to hurry back and stop him. It didn't matter of course, they were not going to stop him, he would enter and leave with what was his.
And what made this little raid particularly delicious was the fact he was just going to walk right into Prime's base. Because this is what made his plan extra brilliant was it was an Autobot who was letting him in.
Pausing at the door, he gave a wide smile to the Mech waiting for him.
"Hello, Red Alert."
Skyfire's POV.
Skyfire ducked a shot sent his way as he covered Ratchet who was trying to see the humans to safety. Barely ten minutes after they had arrived, the Deceptcons had appeared out of nowhere and attacked. Skyfire had meant to after dropping his friends off but after seeing the task ahead of them had lingered. And now that the Decepticons had arrived he couldn't leave them, even though his Spark ached for Starscream.
But it wasn't too bad, Megatron was here which meant that Starscream was safe back at the base. Megatron's top spy and his Cassettes were also there, they were the only ones capable of infiltrating the base. No one else could get past Red Alert, no one.
Megatron's POV.
Megatron grinned at the Mech in front of him, who stood unmoving by the Ark's entrance. Megatron chuckled at the Red Alert's lack of response and moved past him. Pausing just beyond the still Autobot, Megatron said.
"I am not here, you are still guarding against possible intrusion."
Prime's Security Officer didn't answer but continued to stare blankly ahead. Megatron continued.
"Nothing gets past you Red Alert and nothing will. Only Autobots are in this Base so anything you might hear is only your fellow soldiers messing around. Carry on Soldier."
Again Red Alert didn't answer but this didn't bother Megatron who started down the corridor. The Lamborghini had been programmed not to notice Megatron's presence, though he would still react to other Deceptcions. But as far as Red Alert was concerned, Megatron was nowhere near the Ark and if Prime commed him, he would tell Prime that everything was fine.
Which of course it wasn't, for Prime or Starscream.
Optimus's POV.
It was funny, Optimus mused how he always ended up in this position. As with nearly every battle he had fought while on Earth he had ended up coming to grips with his greatest enemy Megatron. With a grunt he tried to wrong foot the large grey Mech and force him to the ground, but Megatron held his ground.
"Give it up Prime, you can't last in this weather" Megatron sneered as he shoved the blue and red Mech away from himself.
"We'll see, Megatron" Optimus retorted, shoving back. Optimus had been so releaved that Megatorn was with the Decepticons when they had attacked, for a moment he had feared a trap. But it seemed Megatron was content to simply fight them, maybe he knew it would be impossible to attack the Ark with the threat of the storm looming.
It was strange but Megatron was remarkably quiet, beyond insulting Optimus and answering his challenges, he hadn't said much. But before he could dwell on it Megatron broke away from his grasp and stood back, sneering.
"Tell me Prime, are you enjoying having my Seeker at your base."
"He is an honoured quest, Megatron" Optimus replied, narrowing his optics.
Megatron's sneer widened.
"Oh yes, Prime, I think I can guess just how much you 'honour' his presence."
Optimus's hands balled into fists, he would not be baited. But Megatron next words shattered his resolve.
"Pity your dear little mate can't be around to satisfy you, isn't Prime. Still at least you have Starscream to fuck..."
With a roar Optimus lunged forward and punched Megatron squarely in the face. The impact knocked Megatron off his feet and he crashed to the ground. This got everyone's attention and they paused in their fighting to see what would happen.
Optimus was just about to punch Megatron again as he got up with he saw something that made him drop his fist in shock. Behind grey fingers covering his face, Megatron's face was crumbling.
Megatron's POV.
The first Autobot he ran into was that insolent Youngling with his human pet. It was quite funny how the Youngling's jaw dropped at the sight of him. He only had time to squeak Megatron's name before Megatron was upon him. With one hand smothering the yellow's bots mouth he grabbed the human with his other hand.
Dragging them into a side room he bound and gagged the Youngling to a chair before wrapping the human in tape, making sure to smother any cries for help. Mockingly patting them on the head, he exited the room and continued down the corridor.
He paused at the sound of those annoying Autobot twin's voices which were coming from behind a corner. One twin was brash while the other was vain, he smiled, he knew exactly how to deal with them.
Optimus's POV
Optimus stared in shock at the sight in front of him, Megatron clutching his crumbling face. There was no way he had hit him that hard and even if he had, the metal would only crack, not crumble.
"Megatron" he asked not able to believe what he was seeing. There was a flash of red optics from under Megatron fingers before he suddenly drew something from sub space. And to Optimus's growing horror, he saw it was a face mask and visor.
Still hiding his face Megatron, swept the crumbling pieces away from his face and fixed the face mask and visor before turning to look at Optimus properly.
"Soundwave" Optimus breathed in horror as he stared at the Mech in front of him.
"Affirmative" Soundwave said quietly as everyone stared at him.
"Where is Megatron" Optimus said as he glanced at the fake Soundwave now standing still.
Soundwave didn't answer but there was no need to, everyone could see the answer in his face. And one lone Mech screamed what every Autobot was thinking.
"Starscream."
Megatron's POV.
Megatron smiled at the sight before him, Starscream with his back to Megatron was pouring something into a cylinder. After dealing with those pathetic Autobot twins, Megatron had continued exploring the base. He didn't have to worry about anyone else stopping him, Red Alert had kindly drugged the Dinobots for him. He admired Starscream aft for a moment before saying.
"Hello Starscream."
The Seeker spun around, his face frozen in pure horror as he saw who was before him. The cylinder dropped from his slack hands and smashed on the floor but Starscream didn't notice. Backing away as Megatron started to advance, his form trembling violently, he said.
"H'h'h'how did you get in? Optimus said you were" Starscream stuttered almost crying in fear.
"A decoy" Megatron simply replied drawing nearer to Starscream.
"But Red Alert" Starscream protested, his optics wide with disbelief. "How did you get past him?"
Megatron smiled widely as he stopped right in front of his lovely trembling Seeker. Tracing a finger down the cheek of his whore's face that shivered at the touch, he said.
"It's amazing how cooperative that Mech is with one of the Insecticons Cerebro Chip in his processor."
Skyfire's POV.
Skyfire flew as he had never flown before, the Mech's inside him hanging on for dear life. If Megatron got his hands on Starscream, he'd never forgive himself, how could this have happened?
As soon as they reached the Ark, he ejected everyone out and transformed. With the others they charged for the entrance to find Red Alert lying prone on the ground just inside the entrance. First Aid pounced on the still figure, they could see he wasn't dead as the rest of them charged into the base.
Running along the corridor they found a trail of Energon which led to the battered form of Sideswipe who lay broken on the floor. Ratchet immediately shoved past Skyfire who had skidded to a halt to examine the wounded Lamborghini.
"SideSwipe" Ratchet said, his voice breaking as he took in the damage. The red twin stirred and one optic opened, the other was cracked.
"Sunny" he croaked. "Hurt, just, over, there." He weakly pointed in the direction of a closet some metres away, it seemed he had been trying to reach it when he had collapsed.
Quickly Skyfire and the others went over to the closet and opened it expecting to find a beaten Sunstreaker. What they found made several Mech's purge on the spot.
The yellow Lamborghini lay propped up his hands bound tightly above him. His mouth was gagged and he was blindfolded. What had made the Mech's purge was the way his legs had been tied, they were splayed apart so that everyone could see his open Port. And written with his own Energon that was sluggishly leaking from the open Port were the words 'Fuck me' written on his once clean chest. And as they watched, he moaned softly, helplessly straining at his bonds but unable to move a muscle.
"STARSCREAM" Skyfire howled as he charged from the scene and sprinted towards Wheeljack's lab. Behind him came Optimus and Elita, the others were too horror struck to follow. As he neared the door, he prayed to Primus that Starscream had gotten away, that he was safe, and that he was hidden.
"NO" he screamed as he burst into the lab and to found it wrecked. Optimus and Elita skidded to a stop just beside him as they took in the scene.
"No" Optimus whispered hoarsely as his optics found a spot on the wall right in front of them.
Written in Energon were the words.
"Too late, Prime."
Author's note. Oh no, what's going to happen now? Can the Autobots save Starscream? Will the Trine finally work out what's going on? Find out in the next chapter. Warning, Megatron is going to be a total bastard in the next chapter, I think Elita will next to use her spaecail move again. Till next time.