A/N: My cat is worse than troublesome 2 yr old! But I love him to death :D
Alright, this took a bit. It also didn't come out quite like I had wanted, but it gets the point across, I hope :D
Enjoy!
Soundwave watched the computer for a long moment, his hands danced over the touch screen system as he bounced a signal off several satellites that belonged to the government to get a clearer picture. There were several Cybertronians coming toward Earth. He turned from where he had been tracking them visually, "Decepticons are inbound, Commander."
Starscream looked to his CO in question. He hadn't expected anyone this soon , but then again, he was hoping they would arrive sooner. "Do you know who it is?"
"Negative. I have their signatures readily available, no designations. One Constructicon, two Stunticons, two triple-changers an Insecticon, and a Seeker." Soundwave reported.
Starscream was interested in who the Constructicon was and even more curious who the other Seeker was. The Constructicon would be helpful – especially if it was Hook, and the Stunticons would be a pain in his aft. He considered what Soundwave had said, "Only two Stunticons?"
"Affirmative."
"That's strange." He could assume who the triple-changers were. "I'm going to get them with TC and 'Warp. Keep an eye and keep me updated. Where are they touching down?"
"They've been following my beacon. Their trajectory, it seems, will bring them around 10 miles from base."
He approached the area, staring at the sky, waiting for the new arrivals. Only Thundercracker and Skywarp had joined him, and now all three circled, watching and waiting for them.
"Hey, I got incoming!" Thundercracker called from about half a mile away, "I can see 'em now!" The blue Seeker veered in their direction.
"Who is it?" Starscream asked as he banked in the blue Seeker's direction as well to find out for himself.
"Designations?" Thundercracker called to the one that was closest. He got a quick reply from the dark one that came in, "It's Astrotrain… wait a minute, there's the other," Thundercracker banked hard again with a roll, nearly getting hit by the other fireball, "…And Blitzwing." He deadpanned.
Ok, so Astrotrain and Blitzwing, the triple-changers. Who else?
"Holy Primus, 5 more over here!" Skywarp called for a little further away. Thundercracker stayed to meet with the two who had landed first while Starscream headed now in Skywarp's direction, "Where 'Warp?"
"Not far, they should touch down any minute; I have them on my scanners,"
This time Starscream hailed the others, "Gimme names," he called.
A familiar and very anticipated voice returned the silver and black Seeker, "Ah, it's good to hear your voice, Starscream… this is Hook with Bombshell, Dead End, Wildrider, Cyclonus and Sunstorm,"
"Sunstorm?" Starscream asked with a gasp, nearly falling out of the air. He swore that Sunstorm had been destroyed in the war back on Cybertron. He was link-dead.
"Yes, little brother," came the haughty reply. Starscream didn't reply, still wondering if it was true. His brother was not only alive, but had arrived on Earth. He watched the Seeker impact the ground.
"Di… did he just call you his brother?" Thundercracker asked suddenly over the Trine spread-link.
"Yes," Starscream replied evenly, still wrapping his mind around the fact his brother was alive.
"Alrighty. How could we not have known you had a sibling?" Skywarp asked.
"Our link is dead. I thought he was gone." Starscream replied. He watched the tan Seeker move over the ground while he stayed in the air, getting closer to him. He then addressed him, "Where have you been Sunstorm?" he asked.
"I have always been around. I have been watching you." Sunstorm retorted with a smirk.
Starscream was confused. "What are you talking about? Watching me…?" He trailed off.
"Yes." Sunstorm replied. "I have been around more than you think."
"What…? I don't understand… what are you talking about?" Starscream landed and looked at his brother. "I thought you were dead."
If his features were anything were to go by, Sunstorm definitely looked angry. But why would he be? "Because I made it so."
Starscream was stunned by the news, but even more bothered that his brother was now seemingly angry at him, "What's wrong with you? You deliberately severed our sibling link? Why?"
"We have a lot to discuss," Sunstorm let it at that as he looked Starscream up and down. He noticed the marks all over him. He looked interestingly different and had more decorations than he had ever seen. Obviously, someone was compensating for something. '"So who is the actual boss around here?" He had heard about Megatron's demise, so he had been expecting Soundwave or Shockwave.
"I am," Starscream growled as he watched Sunstorm, still feeling animosity from him, but having no idea why.
Sunstorm had heard that one too many times. "No, really. Who?" Sunstorm asked again, waiting to see if the real leader would appear.
"I said me." Starscream repeated.
"You?" Sunstorm's optic ridges shot up, wondering if the markings on the silver Seeker were actually for real, "Since when?"
"Since Megatron was killed," Starscream smirked.
"Oh, so now you're the leader of the Decepticons? I never thought I would see that day. In fact, I can't believe you're actually the leader." The tan Seeker paused, "No, I lied. I can believe it. You kill Megatron yourself?" His brother thought about it a moment. Starscream couldn't do that. "No… I'll bet you weeded your way in there, just as you did in ranks on Cybertron. " Sunstorm glanced pointedly over Starscream's body, "Yes, weeded your way there indeed with all of that slag over you."
Starscream growled deeply, annoyed at the comments and attitude from his brother. He'd hoped to have been happy to see him, however he was anything but. "Oh, that's just the start of it. I'm full of surprises, just you wait."
It was when something burst from under the ground, did Starscream notice the Insecticon. He reeled back in surprise and disgust as Bombshell had come up out of the ground in his new form. He was ugly, there was no mistaking that. He looked like the cross of some sort of beetle, and that in itself disgusted Starscream, "Where in Primus did you ever find that… mode?"
Bombshell transformed, "In the ground,"
"It's revolting! You're even uglier than Skorponok." He knew Skorponok wasn't an Insecticon, but still.
"I happen to think it works."
"No one ever said you Insecticons were ever cute, that's for damned sure. You guys choose the weirdest animals to imitate, no matter what planet you befall. Disgusting." The Seeker turned, addressing the other new arrivals, "All of you go find alternate modes and report back to the base, I will be waiting for you there. And do yourselves a favor… do not get caught, do not get seen, and do not harm any of the locals – that includes Autobots. Am I understood?"
There was a round of nods, even though there was confusion. At the confused looks, he nodded, "I will explain all when you all get back. Don't make me hunt your afts down because you disobeyed a direct order. I promise you won't like me." The 'Cons that stood around read Starscream well – he'd meant what he said, and they knew it.
Sunstorm's face scrunched up as Starscream gave that order. He only nodded because he followed the rest, but in the depth of thought, Sunstorm was wondering what had happened to his brother while in his absence. Starscream lifted to the air and took off with TC and Skywarp back to base.
About 2 hours later, Starscream zoomed in on something very much out of place. He snorted at the sight of a Cybertronian jet that had begun its descent over the Decepticon base. Starscream folded his arms as he waited for it to land, his left claws slowly turning the barrels of his mini-gun. He watched it touchdown and then transform, his face creasing into a frown, "Astrotrain. What are you doing?"
"What do you mean?" the triple-changer asked.
"Why didn't you choose a flying form? Don't you think the humans are gonna be a little suspicious seeing something not of their planet in their skies?"
"Why should I care again? They'll cover it up with some silly story. I'll be a 'UFO'." The triple changer said with mock enthusiasm. "Besides, Soundwave still has his Cybertronian form."
"Soundwave sticks close to the base." Starscream shook his head at the triple-changer, "And what is your other mode? Did you even change it? Do I want to know?"
"Would you believe me if I said a Dulwich steam locomotive?"
"A what?" The silver Seeker asked after doing a quick search on what he spoke of.
"You know… a train."
Starscream gave a frustrated huff, "I know what a damned locomotive is! I wanna know why."
"Because I can?"
Starscream stared a long moment at Astrotrain before finally throwing up his hands, "Oh yeah, no one is gonna suspect that at all,"
Dead End and Wildrider both had found alternate modes. Wildrider had chosen a white Ferrari 612 Scaglietti while Dead End had picked a red Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. Both of them joined up with Breakdown and Drag Strip. "What have you guys been doing while we were away?"
"What we normally do. Trying to take over the world. It's not going so well, though." Drag Strip joked. "We have like… this softie for a leader."
Dead End and Wildrider laughed, "I agree. I think I like this new 'Screamer."
"So do we." Breakdown admitted. "Even Soundwave respects him."
"That's really funny." The white mech laughed. "Soundwave respecting Starscream,"
"Hey, is Motormaster around?" Dead End asked, curious where their leader had disappeared to. Perhaps he had already made landfall, since he was not with them.
"What do you mean? He was with you guys when we got separated." Breakdown suddenly said with surprise.
Dead End tilted his head, "He was, but he veered off. We thought he was following you guys in."
"Well slag." The blue mech muttered. "That complicates things."
Sunstorm hadn't returned quickly at all. In fact, he was still flying around in his Cybertronian form, perfectly happy with staying with that. Starscream had seen him once or twice and even got a call about a 'UFO' near Nellis AFB. "Sunstorm, pick a mode and get back here."
"Shut up, I don't think I will."
"Don't give me a hard time."
"What are brothers for?" The tan Seeker asked, taking on the same mode as Starscream, an F-22.
Blitzwing had come to the base after he had chosen an alt mode, which was a MiG-25. Starscream watched him as he came in, his optics furrowing. He pointed to the grey mech, getting TC's and 'Warp's attention, "You think the government is gonna let that one fly?"
"Why? What is he?" Skywarp asked, seeing the unusual jet mode. It wasn't listed as American.
"We are going to find out." Starscream headed for the triple changer as he went erect. He stopped in front of him, "You do know your particular choice isn't found here, right?" Blitzwing glanced to Starscream and then shrugged. "Where did you find it?" Starscream asked, very curious. He'd not seen it anywhere.
"Was completely random." Blitzwing replied.
"What about your other mode?"
"Abrams tank." The triple-changer said simply, leaving it at that as he walked past and toward the building.
"Yeah, if Keller doesn't question me about the aircraft, he is surely going to have questions about him."
"I wanna be there when you try explaining a Soviet jet in US skies." Skywarp chuckled.
Starscream frowned at the black Seeker, "I don't."
"I hope this doesn't become an issue." TC noted.
"With Blitzwing, there's always an issue." Starscream muttered.
The last one to return to the base was Cyclonus. Starscream had been waiting for him for hours now. When he called him over the spread-link, Cyclonus responded that all was fine and he was due back in a few earth minutes.
Starscream's arms fell to his side as he watched the rather strange looking jet appear on the horizon as it came in for a landing. It was mostly white with red and black stripes. His optic twitched as it touched down and approached. Clearly there was someone a little backwards somewhere on the planet, "What the hell is that thing supposed to be?"
"What?" Cyclonus transformed to his full height. Clearly NASA could be seen on his left shoulder, broken up into three parts, but still NASA.
"Your alt mode?"
"I went to a place called 'Edwards Air Force Base' for this, I refuse to change it."
Perhaps another troublesome mech other than his brother. "I never asked you to change it," Starscream retorted, not liking the attitude coming from the white 'Con. "I want to know what it is,"
"They call it an X-29."
"I can't wait for them to start questioning me on all of the different aircraft in the sky." Starscream muttered to himself as he shook his head and walked off. "What is with all of the weird aircraft? Surely you guys can be more secretive."
Starscream looked up when the mech entered the office, "I was waiting for you."
"Problems with Skorponok," Soundwave replied simply.
Starscream nodded, "Would you let Keller in on our new arrivals? I'm still debating on telling him their alternate modes, so don't just yet."
"Why?" Came a droned, yet curious question.
"Let it be a surprise." Starscream smirked, imagining the questions.
Starscream was more than relieved to know Hook was the Constructicon that Soundwave had mentioned. The Constructicon was probably the most useful out of them all besides Mixmaster. After all, full-blown medics were rare to begin with.
Hook had made himself right at home in the medical bay that had already been built. He was quite pleased to have found it fully functioning and even a little used. At least all the training Ramjet had received from him on Cybertron was paying off. When Ramjet finally joined him, he shut the doors, "Been taking good care of them in my absence?"
"Of course," Ramjet nodded. "The Autobots had no idea, either."
"Is Ratchet here as well? I thought I had heard someone mention him."
"Yes, Ratchet is planet-side."
Hook smiled with a nod, "That is very good news. I would like to speak to him as soon as possible."
"Weren't you his apprentice at one time?" the black and white Seeker asked. He had heard here and there, off and on, so he was never entirely sure, and Hook never truly answered him.
A knowing smile graced the Constructicon's features, "I learn from the best, 'Jet." The medic moved to another part of the bay, looking where Ramjet had put everything. It was all readily available and not used much, "I guess no real casualties?" His optics fell on some crystals in a corner. Each looked different and there weren't many. "What are these?"
"Not really, though I wouldn't jinx it." Ramjet stepped closer to see what Hook was referring to, "Check out what they're made of."
"Don't blame you there. It's good to see you again." Hook nodded and scanned each crystal for contents. His optics ridges shot up in surprise and he looked to Ramjet, "Where did you find them?"
"This planet. They're not exact, but the quality of them is almost better than Cybertron." He paused, "The humans value them like crazy, though I don't think it's for the same reasons."
About a week later, things were finally starting to calm at the base. Sunstorm was watching what was going on the base. Watching others move about as they wanted, doing things without permission, leaving without permission, picking on each other like Sparklings. The list just went on.
What had happened to the Decepticons? There was no order anymore! Even the 'Cons that had come in with him settled in rather quickly with the way Starscream was leading. In fact, they seemed to approve of the way things were going.
His optics followed Starscream as he contemplated what had happened to his brother while he was here. By the looks of things, it was a lot. He had watched his younger brother from the sidelines as he shot up in rank rather fast. The last he knew, Starscream was studying under a scientist in Kalis until he was recruited into the Decepticons.
Sunstorm felt then, that Starscream would amount to nothing. Of course, he wasn't all that happy to find the young Seeker promoted faster than himself. Starscream was a nerd and here he had discovered that the mass of inanity was not only trined with the most infamous pair of Seekers, but was the Supreme Leader of the Decepticons. The Leader! The only thing he figured Starscream had going for him was his Air Strike Patrol – which was laughable in itself – and his intelligence.
He had remembered when his young brother was brought to the Decepticons in the first place as a top-notch scientist. He had heard about it, but remained quiet, not even bothering him, only watching him. When Starscream was granted Second in Command for the Decepticons, Sunstorm made himself scarce to the point Starscream believed he was dead.
How his brother had managed to land Thundercracker and Skywarp was a whole other story and was just as shocking. He didn't even know about it until he had arrived here. They were both the top of their game in the Decepticons and worked as a pair. He had noticed Starscream hanging around them, but he was never told of any bonding ritual his brother would have done, and surely, he would have felt something. He had thought they were just close, and that was it. Wasn't he surprised – and pissed – to find they had become a Trine.
When the Allspark had been shot from Cybertron, he waited to see what would happen. Megatron took off after the cube as the wars continued. At some point after that, Sunstorm lost track Starscream. He tried to find out why, only to find Starscream gone.
He was brought back from his musings by something nailing him between the optics and he scowled, looking for the idiot who had done it. Something needed to be done about this youngling's lead of the Decepticons. Something needed to set this boatload of 'Cons back on track the way Megatron had them. He reached out and snatched the cat that was trying to slink by and lifted him to his face by his shoulders, making him look like a kitten in trouble, "That was unacceptable. Apologize."
"Put me down." Ravage glared at the tan Seeker.
"You should know better than to throw things like a Sparkling. What has gotten into all of you?"
"I said put me down."
"You also are not one to give orders around here."
And that was when Skorponok made his presence known, idly walking up to Sunstorm and standing there. His tail was swaying almost dangerously. Sunstorm paid the scorpion-look-alike little attention.
"Sunstorm!" Runabout suddenly called, "He said to put him down. Put the fucking cat down!"
Sunstorm glared at Runabout a moment, debating on if he should or not. Then he smirked, lifted the cat to optic level and onlined a weapon, targeting him, "It's a simple drone! Since when do drones give orders?" There was a hiss below him as Skorponok became agitated and stilled, his claws clicking.
Everyone had stopped what they were doing to look over towards Sunstorm, only it wasn't him who caught their attention. It was the one behind him, "You shoot the kitten, and you deal with me. And being under Megatron as his Second in Command so long, I have learned ways to hurt you very slowly. Now… Put. The. Non-fuzz. Down." His voice was even yet playful. On second thought, perhaps it was a little too even.
Sunstorm froze. He knew he had lost visual of him, but nothing ever registered he was behind him. He dropped the cat unceremoniously and Ravage clattered to the floor. He then chuckled, turning, "Can't you take a joke little brother?"
Starscream snorted then turned away. Sunstorm turned to everyone else who were only staring at the exchange, "What? Can't a 'Con have a little fun around here?"
After that, everyone went back to their business. Sunstorm wasn't entirely sure why they stared at him like that.
Astrotrain and Blitzwing both were curious of Starscream's threat. For some reason, they felt more on his side, however. They watched Sunstorm. He reminded them of Megatron a little and how he demanded order. Even though they'd had their time, the war was meaningless. There was no more need for order, right? They felt Starscream's rules and filters were a lot better and a lot more lax, and if he asked so little, they were sure they could abide by it.
They did wonder why Starscream was sticking up for Ravage. Ravage was only one of Soundwave's many pets.
Perhaps it was because Sunstorm had been wrong about the pets. Did he think that they were mindless when he called them drones? Even though pets were extremely rare, if not unheard of, they were around and acted off of their boss' orders. They certainly had minds of their own.
Soundwave, knowing he could have done something about it the entire time, stood back and watched what Sunstorm was doing. His arms were folded across his chest while he chided the other pets to stay still and observe, even though Ravage was quite peeved. Even Skorponok was told to stand down. Sunstorm had no idea how close he came to getting the scorpion's lance through the leg.
His visor and facemask hid the scowl that crept up on his face, wondering why this idiot was acting the way he was. Had he not downloaded Starscream's programming or was he toying with his brother?
He was pleasantly surprised when Starscream had gone up behind Sunstorm without him knowing. A smile crept onto his face when he watched how Starscream handled the situation. He was firm, and he wasn't malicious in any way. He had done very well. Soundwave knew Starscream's brother was going to be trouble from a telepathic tendril he had used before, but he wanted to see how Starscream handled it before he stepped in.
For now, he would keep quiet and observe.
Cyclonus had watched the exchange as well. While he realized that the Decepticons were a bit calmer than they had been before, he saw nothing wrong with it. Personally he could care less if Sunstorm died because of his own stupidity. The only one that really mattered to him was… you guessed it. Him.
He would see where this thing with Starscream was going because he knew the Commander was young. He knew of Starscream before Starscream knew of him. He'd never worked with him or fought with him, being in a completely different sector on Cybertron, but he still watched him excel rather quickly in ranks. He also found it rather interesting that the Seeker was allowing organics to mingle with them. Apparently, the organics were having an effect on how the Decepticons were acting, even among themselves, not that it was necessarily a bad thing.
Yes, things would certainly prove entertaining, for sure, with Starscream as a leader.
Everyone else went back to their work without another thought. When Thundercracker finally got to Starscream he raised an optic ridge, "You were gonna shoot him, weren't you, 'Screamer?"
"You know. For a long moment there, I think I was." Starscream continued walking, irritation still moving through the bond.
Skywarp looked to Thundercracker and grimaced. Perhaps the brothers had a little rivalry going on that they hadn't noticed before.
A few days later, Sunstorm had found himself in the Seeker's lounge and found Thundercracker lying on a berth by himself. It was unusual to find only one lying down. He approached the blue mech, curious if he could get information from him, "So when is he going to make me his Second in Command?" he asked, slightly joking.
"Never," Thundercracker mumbled.
"What? At least I deserve that much," Sunstorm boasted, and yes, he felt he was right there.
"Don't you pay attention? Soundwave is his Second in Command."
"He's his Communications. He can't have both titles, can he?"
"I think Starscream makes that decision."
"He's a youngling! I can help him run the Decepticons better than Soundwave can, probably."
"Soundwave helps him all he needs, 'Storm."
"What about other officers?"
"Talk to him about it." TC flipped over on his berth, away from Sunstorm. He heard footsteps approach and only growled deeply in annoyance.
"What has happened to him when I was gone? He's like a completely different mech."
"Don't make me repeat myself." Did this mech not take a hint? "Go away,"
"How did he make it to leader of all Decepticons?" Sunstorm pressed, "In fact, how did he become your Trine-Mate?"
"I guess he was smarter than you gave him credit for," TC replied lazily, "And he was our choice."
"He was a nerd in Vos and Kalis. What could he have possibly offered you two?"
"Suppose you should have paid better attention," came another mumbled reply.
"He's a scientist, not army material, Thundercracker. I would have been better suited to have been trined with you two."
At that, Thundercracker looked to Sunstorm. His look quickly became a dangerous glare. "I did say leave me alone, right? Don't make me shoot you."
"Are you ever rude," Sunstorm scoffed. "I'll bet him being sharred into maturity early gave you an advantage and you're using him."
Thundercracker stilled for a long moment. As far as he knew, no one else knew about Starscream's early sharring except for them and the one who had performed it. "Leave me alone, Sunstorm." TC looked back the other way, content on going into recharge.
Sunstorm stared at the blue mech for a long moment before finally leaving. Had he struck a nerve? Perhaps the pair were using Starscream unbeknownst to him.
It wasn't long until talk of Barricade being a femme came around. That and Blacklight being her offspring made its way to the newcomers as well. Starscream had been dreading it, but he knew it was going to happen eventually.
And it just happened to be at a time that he had finally decided it was safe to bring around Blacklight. When Starscream brought him to the base, the newcomers caught a glimpse of the silver and black infant. They watched Starscream with him, curious what the younger Seeker had.
"What is that?" Sunstorm pointed to the Sparkling, wondering why Starscream was being so affectionate with it. It was also noted how Thundercracker and Skywarp stood in a protective way near Starscream and his little one. They didn't entirely trust the new arrivals as of yet and felt that if something broke out, someone was going to get broken.
"What does he look like to you?" Starscream asked. Blacklight clung to his mech creator as he spoke, enjoying the vibrations from his speech and the thrum of his Spark-beat.
"Who are these mechs?" Blacklight chirped.
"Is it a strange symbiot?" Astrotrain asked.
"They're new arrivals from Cybertron, little one." Starscream answered the Sparkling in simple English. He then eyed Astrotrain. Of course, they wouldn't know any better. "Wrong." Starscream shook his head, softly running his clawed digit over the tiny mech. Blacklight chirped and nuzzled into him.
"What is it-"
"He…" Starscream corrected with a glare. Sunstorm got closer to get a better look. Starscream tensed slightly and Blacklight instantly looked up to what had made Starscream put his hand over him.
"What is he then?" This time it was Blitzwing.
Hook perked and approached, watching the Sparkling carefully. His optics furrowed at what he saw. He knew what Starscream was holding – he was a medic, after all.
"Clearly my speaking to him in chirps and buzzes would have alerted you. This is Blacklight, my Sparkling." The young leader said proudly.
Sunstorm could only assume it was a Sparkling from the Allspark, "That's why it is so strange looking, the Allspark used the alloy here?"
"No, he was born naturally." Starscream continued to run his claw over Blacklight, enticing content chirps and buzzes from him. All the while he was eyeing the others, prepared to defend him if the new 'Cons thought it would be funny to take him. Hook only watched. By the scans he had already done, the Sparkling was very healthy. He could still see where previous injuries had occurred. What caught him off guard was the alloy on Blacklight's Spark casing.
"How is that possible? You suddenly turn into a femme?" Blitzwing half chuckled.
"No, idiot. He has a femme creator." Starscream replied as he watched when Blacklight pulled out the tools that had been brought with him and he held them to Starscream to see.
Blacklight moved until he was flat across Starscream, "Back. Can't reach."
Starscream smirked and plucked the Sparkling off of his armor and laid him out on his hand. The others watched with interest as he took the tool and began running it along Blacklight's body. It took him a minute to realize he was being stared at, "…What?" He saw nothing wrong with helping his little one shar the last bits until next time.
"You're serious?" Sunstorm asked with disbelief. "He's sharring?" It was all the other 'Cons needed to see.
"Yes,"
"No kidding," Cyclonus muttered. This little mech had the telltale sign of an actual naturally growing Sparkling. Starscream was telling the truth.
"Mine." Starscream said in finality and chirped to Blacklight. The Sparkling moved into a different position and he continued his attentions.
"When was he born?" Hook asked.
Starscream looked up at him but refused to answer the question. "Later, Hook."
"Well…" So that means there was actually a femme still alive? "Who did you spark with, then?"
Starscream lightly pulled at Blacklight's alloy, and then stopped. All the while, he ignored the question. He didn't need to answer them nor didn't he trust them enough to do so. He gave everyone one final glance before walking with Blacklight to his office where he could properly care for his thrusters.
Thundercracker and Skywarp followed and Sunstorm debated in going just to learn more. Hook had started heading with the other two Seekers. Sunstorm decided against going for now.
Instead, Sunstorm considered his younger brother for a moment. Starscream became a scientist. He had, at some point done a bonding ritual with the Elites, Thundercracker and Skywarp. Of course, Sunstorm wanted to know how or why that had occurred. Starscream had been appointed Air Commander of all Seekers and the Decepticon Second in Command at some point afterwards. Now, come to find out, Starscream is the Supreme Commander of the Decepticons and the sire of a live Sparkling that had been sparked naturally – with a living femme. So yes, jealousy was beginning to creep up in him.
Starscream sat down at his desk and laid Blacklight on his lap. Barely noticing the medic, he examined Blacklight's thrusters carefully, taking note how well they were developing and the great care Barricade was taking in helping him.
"What happened to him, Starscream?" Hook asked. Thundercracker and Skywarp entered and shut the door behind them.
"There was a problem with the humans. It has been rectified." The leader answered simply, reaching the tool gently under and to Blacklight's developing thrusters, he began chirping and clicking to the infant. Hook watched how Starscream handled the Sparkling.
"I have scanned him the most I can without holding him. I see a repaired clean fracture in his leg, some repairs to his torso and there's been severe reconstructive surgery on his Spark chamber. I want to examine him."
"The Autobots saved his life." Starscream said simply, lightly running the tool in a way it would make the Sparkling twitch, but it wasn't hurting him. "Ratchet kept him alive with his own Spark when it first happened and worked on him." He picked Blacklight up and held him up to his optics to make sure he had gotten everywhere in his thrusters and lowered him again, "It was Wheeljack who built the membrane for his Spark chamber."
Hook was pleased to hear of it. "I would like to speak to Ratchet when it is possible for more information, if that is fine with you."
Starscream glanced at Hook and leaned forward slightly, "I don't care what you do as long as you're loyal. Have him come now if you want."
"So who is the femme you sparked with?" Hook then asked, knowing she had to be around somewhere, the Sparkling wasn't old enough to have been brought from Cybertron since he was on his first sharring.
"I got quite a surprise from that femme." Starscream muttered as Blacklight pulled from his grip and climbed up his arm. When Hook gave an expectant stare he relented, "Barricade."
The Constructicon took a moment to process that, "Bar… Barricade's a femme?"
"Yup." The Seeker answered simply while Blacklight nuzzled into his neck and curled up, content to recharge there. Starscream took him from there and offered him his hold, which Blacklight quickly climbed into.
"So you have sparking rights to her?" Hook asked.
"No. Blacklight was…" Starscream paused when he heard snickering. He lifted a data pad and threw it across the office, pinging Skywarp in the head. The black Seeker stopped. "…an accident."
Hook hiked an optic ridge, curious, "An accident? How?"
Skywarp couldn't help himself. His snickering turned into an all out laugh. "Long story that I don't feel like talking about right now." Starscream said, staring at Skywarp. He stood up from his seat and walked toward the black Seeker and punched him in the head.
He would ask him later. "When he wakes, I want to examine him and get his information." Hook said with a nod. "Right now, I want to speak to Ratchet."
Starscream only nodded.
Of course, they were all talking about events and strange happenings since Starscream had become commander. They were also talking about what had happened during the mission for the Allspark. Then Megatron's demise via a tiny human. And then…
Obviously, someone else had said something about Barricade, because Starscream could hear them all talking about her now. He listened to some of the things they had to say, making sure nothing was said that might show trouble. They were all even more shocked to hear the news of the femme being none other than Barricade.
It wasn't until he heard a particular conversation did he feel the need to warn them all off of her:
"I still can't believe Barricade is a femme. That is amazing," Blitzwing noted and then shuddered, "…and creepy."
"Yeah, and the Allspark has been destroyed, obviously, so that leaves her as the only way to continue our race, too." Dead End commented dryly. He never did like Barricade.
"Yeah, I wouldn't be too excited about going near her. I swear she turned into a monster after she gave birth." Thundercracker smirked. "Some of the horror stories 'Screamer has returned with…" he shuddered.
"So? Starscream has a Sparkling with her, right? When do you suppose she will be here?" Dead End asked.
"How about never?" Starscream finally stepped into the room after listening, eyeing them all. "She remains off of base and off limits."
"Never? What do you mean never, Starscream?" Cyclonus asked. "She's a Decepticon femme. She should be for the Decepticon Cause, right?" It was the last he knew, anyway.
Starscream frowned. "No, Cyclonus. We are not on Cybertron, anymore. Times change. We are on Earth. You all are to leave that femme alone."
"Why you take her for yourself, great leader?" Sunstorm asked sarcastically.
"No, but I will protect her and my Sparkling." Starscream replied with a deep glare. "Stress either of them and I will see to it they never find all of your parts. Any of you."
"Why? She is the only femme! She needs to be used for Sparklings if there's no Allspark, 'Screamer." Sunstorm replied. It was ridiculous, really. One femme, many mechs and a dying race, "You've lost it."
"Maybe I have, but my rule stands. She is most likely the only femme left, there is no way I will let any of you idiots near her except to speak to her."
"So… basically you've claimed her for yourself, then." Sunstorm pressed.
Starscream snorted at his brother. "No. Stop it. When she is ready to mate again, I guess she will seek a mech. Until then, you all will leave her alone or you will suffer by me. Do not undermine me, you will lose." Starscream abruptly turned and left, his peace having been spoken. A couple of the new arrivals watched him leave, wondering what Starscream was thinking saying the only femme left to their species was not to be mated with.
Yeah, who woulda guessed? Starscream has a big brother :P
Hope you're not all too confused :D