Short but hopefully sweet. :) Stay safe.
Chapter 42
Starscream strode up the steps of his fortress. His expression, clenched fists and rapid stride were enough to put off any mech who dared to approach him at this moment. Nevertheless as he moved into the main atrium, ignoring the sweeping bows of the entrance guards, a junior clerk bot leaned into his path, giving him a hopeful smile.
'Greetings Lord Starscream! Your brother, the esteemed General Skywarp enlisted me to brief you on the latest Lithonian uprising committee. He also sent me to ask you for, uh, some sky hooks, I think it was, and…' the clerk mech checked a small data pad in his hand. '... a long weight?'
A dismissive flick of the Decepticon jet's wrist sent the spindly mech flying across the vast space, to crash against the far wall. Starscream rotated his shoulders and scowled as his men, able to read his mood somewhat better than the unfortunate clerk, hurriedly moved out of his way. He raised a hand to his com link, summoning his brothers.
'Hey, Starscream.' Skywarp was the first to respond, his usual oafish grin evident even over com-link. 'You didn't give Sunstorm too rough a time, I hope?'
'Who?' snarled Starscream, non-plussed.
'The clerk bot! I told him to come and find you and ask for… ask for…' Skywarp was forced to break off as he descended into helpless giggles.
Starscream paused, turning to glance at the clerk bot, who was shakily hauling himself to his feet, much to the amusement of the loitering mechs nearby. 'Hilarious,' he said dryly.
'Come on Starscream, when was the last time any of us got to play a harmless initiation prank?'
'Gather the senior committee together. We need to talk,' growled the Deception leader. Skywarp, perhaps sensing Starscream's limited reserves of patience, managed to rein in his chuckles. 'Roger that, bro! We'll come and join you.'
On the way out of the Autobot settlement, Sari had received a call from Bumblebee, a call she had almost not answered. After a brief discussion Alexis had persuaded her to return to the Autobot headquarters and make peace.
'I'll call you later, okay? Let's both think about what to do and then reconvene.'
Sari sighed. 'Alright, fine. That makes sense. When shall I come and see you? Tonight?'
'I don't know… Maybe give it a day or so,' said Alexis. When Sari stared at her, she sighed, running a hand through her hair wearily. 'I know it's hard, but I just think it's best that we…'
'That we what? Do nothing?' Sari shook her head, her dark eyes flashing with indignation. ' And in the meantime thousands, maybe millions of humans are going to get teleported to God knows where in the galaxy!'
Alexis knew, when it came to her oldest friend, when to speak and when to stay silent. When she didn't reply, Sari glanced up at her, and sighed, her shoulders sagging. 'Sorry.'
'I care just as much as you,' said Alexis quietly. 'I'm just very aware of what happened last time I faced a big problem and I jumped right away to go and fix it on my own. You're the one who taught me we can't do everything by ourselves.'
Sari nodded, biting her lip. Alexis placed a comforting hand on her arm.
'Go back and talk to Bumblebee. We both know he'll be fretting. I'll call you, okay?'
Back at the fortress Alexis was halfway to her quarters before she remembered they had been trashed by Starscream. She groaned, putting the welcome idea of a hot drink and maybe a nap out of her mind. Aimlessly, she wandered through the soaring corridors, unsure of where to go. Her phone buzzed, and she pulled it out.
Hey, come to Warp's bar. Help me celebrate! F
Alexis smiled. Frenzy must have followed through on her plea to go and find Lucy. 'Finally some good news,' she muttered to herself. Company, however, was the last thing she needed right now. Her thumb flew across the screen as she replied.
Thanks, but I fancy some downtime. I'll speak to you soon. A
Half an hour later she was down in the main training pit. She'd helped herself to Blackout's latest new weapon - a crossbow suitable for human use. The targets were already there from another session. There was a cool breeze lifting her hair, and the clouds above scudded across the twinkling unfamiliar constellations. Shouldering the weapon and peering down the site was calming her troubled mind, and helping her think. She took in a deep breath, and released the bolt, watching with satisfaction as it sailed through the air and hit one of the targets with a pleasing thunk.
What do I do next? I don't know where to turn, or who to ask…
Some voices floated to the edge of her hearing, and she looked up at the towering, craggy walls to see Starscream walking along the lip of the pit, deep in conversation with his council. Soundwave was there, as well as Dirge, and the other seekers of course. She inwardly cursed as they began descending down the slope that ran along the inside. Supposedly they hadn't seen her.
How hard is it to get some fucking space to myself in this place?
Straightening up, she hefted the bow once more, determinedly ignoring them and concentrating on the furthest target as they approached. Dirge was speaking.
'All is going well with the transfer negotiations on Lithone. We have a few voices on the council trying to stir up resistance, but I anticipate these can be dealt with swiftly, my lord.'
'Good. Primus knows they don't have a hope in pushing through their ridiculous agendas.'
'What about Earth?'
Alexis released the bolt as Starscream made a dismissive noise. 'Optimus is dealing with that side of things. I've no desire to waste any further time on those snivelling…'
He trailed off as they reached the bottom of the slope, and the footsteps behind him came to a halt. Alexis felt the hairs on the back of her neck go up, but she didn't turn, reloading the bow and raising it in front of her.
'What's next on the agenda?' she heard Starscream say quietly.
'You're due to visit the new training camps on the Darkmount peninsula, my lord.'
'Go on ahead and start without me,' he ordered.
There were various murmurs of compliance from the assembled mechs, followed by the sounds of transformation and engines roaring into the sky.
Alexis released the catch, watching the bolt soar towards the next target. She frowned when it hit the outer edge, missing the centre. The ground behind her shook.
'Alexis.'
She let the crossbow fall to her side, passing a hand over her eyes. With an effort, she managed to smile, and turned, looking up. 'Yes?'
Starscream narrowed his optics, before lowering his hand. She climbed on, the familiar vertigo enveloping her as she tucked her legs beneath her.
'Are you well?'
She nodded, doing her best to keep her voice light. 'Yes. I'm fine.'
'Hmm.'
Starscream narrowed his optics once more, his gaze sweeping through her whole body as if he could see right inside her. 'You don't want to talk to me about what was said back at the chamber,' he said simply.
Alexis looked down, fiddling with the crossbow. After a long moment she dragged her gaze upwards. 'There's not really anything to talk about, is there?'
'You're angry,' he said, the faintest hint of a grin playing across his mouth.
'Starscream, I'm not angry!' No sooner had the words left her mouth, she felt a flush rise in her cheeks - her raised tone of voice belied her words.
'Why not?' he asked. 'You've just been forbidden, specifically and publicly, from doing the very thing I know you are itching to do. I'd be furious.'
He brought her slightly closer to his face, grinning. 'I have to admit, I am somewhat revelling in the fact that Optimus Prime has practically gift-wrapped the opportunity for me to keep you safely tucked out of harm's way…' He curled his fingers inwardly slightly, his optics glowing with familiar, possessive intensity.
She raised her eyebrows. 'I should point out that I am holding a crossbow,' she said icily. 'Which optic would you prefer I aim for?'
He laughed loudly. 'Oh, how I wish I could spend more time sparring with you, my one, instead of attending to boring matters of state!'
Her expression remained serious, and she shuffled forwards in his palm. 'Starscream?'
'Mm?'
'Did you really mean what you said back there?' Alexis raised her chin, searching his features intently.
'What, that you are forbidden from attempting rescue? Yes, of course,' he said without hesitation. 'Alexis, has it occurred to you that any of the brainless individuals stupid enough to ignore Optimus' warnings deserve whatever fate awaits them? Actually, don't bother to answer. Of course it has. Why was I destined to pair with someone so sickeningly merciful?' His tone was heavy with amused disdain, though suddenly his expression became serious. 'However, in case there is any doubt, I meant every single word. I will not allow the peace of Cybertron to be threatened, not by anyone. Not even you.'
'I know,' she said in a low voice, her eyes meeting his. 'You don't need to doubt me.'
He nodded, satisfied. 'So what are you going to do?'
She frowned, confused. 'What do you mean?'
He regarded her wryly. 'Oh, so you won't give voice to your intentions? Very well, I will then. Obviously you are going to try your best, along with the prattling Sari, to find a way to subvert my command. You're a Decepticon, after all. Your very nature means you won't stop at finding some loophole, some plan that means you get to have your own way.'
'But I don't have a plan,' she said, her eyes wide. 'I swear I don't!'
'Ah, so that's why you were in a bad mood when I arrived,' he said, grinning. ' You weren't avoiding me, you were grappling with that pesky sense of intolerable helplessness. Now I understand.'
'I wasn't in a bad mood!' she snarled, which only made him grin wider. 'I just needed to come somewhere to be on my own, to think!'
He dipped his head courteously, showing no sign of offence. 'A hint which I shall take wholeheartedly. I have tiresome duties to attend to, anyhow. Will you come and see me tonight?'
Alexis nodded. 'So… you're not going to coop me up or place any restrictions on me?'
He brought her closer to his face. 'I think you've had quite enough of being caged and held against your will just lately.' She nodded fervently. His finger caught her chin, and his tone was serious once more when he spoke again.
'So please, Alexis, I implore you. Don't give me a reason to.'
She shivered at his tone, but when she looked up he saw the truth in her face. She nodded again. His features relaxed, and they smiled at one another.
'I must go,' he said regretfully. He lifted her hair gently in his fingers. 'You didn't get much sleep last night.' The side of his mouth curled upwards. 'I'd have thought you would be resting.'
Alexis folded her arms. 'And where am I supposed to do that? Someone, if I recall, smashed my quarters to bits…'
He grinned roguishly, clicking his fingers. 'Of course! I knew I was forgetting something. You'll have new quarters within the next cycle, I swear. I'll assign some drones to the task straight away.'
'I want a new bed, a king size one this time,' she said firmly. 'A divan, with a quilted headboard. And new furniture. And I want…'
'Whatever it is, you will have it, Alexis,' he interrupted. He leaned in close. 'You're rather appealing when you're demanding,' he growled. 'It makes me want to hold you so tight it hurts, and never let you go.'
'I know,' she replied, meeting his intense stare with one of knowing triumph. 'But what fun would there be in that? You need me to be free. You need to be second-guessing me, it's what keeps things fresh.' She glanced at him from under her fringe. 'You trust me, right?'
She was kneeling in his cupped hand, so close that she could feel the heat coming from him.
'No. I don't trust you, Alexis. Do you trust me?'
'As far as I can spit,' she said softly. He smiled, and lifted her hair once more, letting it fall through his fingers.
'Well. At least we understand one another.'
The air between them was tense, electric.
'I'm going to find a way to help those stupid people,' she said softly.
'I know you are,' he said. His voice was so quiet it was almost a whisper, and he leaned in close, so close she could almost touch her forehead against his.
'Can I at least ask why?'
Alexis smiled cryptically. 'You want to know why I might empathise with people who jump into dangerous situations without thinking?'
Starscream considered her question for a moment, before shrugging concedingly. 'Fair enough. However…'
His glowing optics filled her vision. 'The fact remains that you have to stay within the parameters I have set. And the truth, my Alexis, is that I don't know how you're going to be able to do that.'
'I'm going to have fun finding out,' she said, lifting her chin, tilting her head. His grin returned - a calculating, appraising grin.
Alexis inhaled slowly, drinking in his expression, wishing more than ever that he didn't have to leave. 'The others will be waiting for you,' she said.
Starscream scowled, but he nodded, lowering his palm to the ground. She stopped off, turning to watch as he straightened up. 'Enjoy your shooting.'
With a roar of booster fire he was gone, leaving her in swirling dust.
Frenzy frowned, lowering his hand from his com link. 'Huh. She's not coming. Wonder what's up?'
Music blared across the bar - a playlist of Alexis' favourite songs. Feeling slightly crestfallen, Frenzy shrugged. Beside him, Rumble lifted a fresh cube to his mouth, gulping hugely. He clapped a hand on Frenzy's shoulder. 'Cheer up brother. I'm alive, you've found your human… whatever-she-is. We have plenty to celebrate. Now, toast with me. To a life on the straight and narrow! Heh-heh!'
He clashed his cube against Frenzy's, lifting it up once more. Frenzy grinned, unable to deny it was good to see his sour brother so cheerful for once. 'Yeah, I guess so.'
Rumble thumped his empty cube down, gesturing cheerfully to the bar-bot for more. 'Hey! Over here! Two of your finest…'
Suddenly he stopped, his expression altering completely. His optics flashed nervously around the bar. Frenzy frowned. 'Brother? What's wrong? What is it?'
Rumble stared at him. 'Stritho is making contact over the com-link.'
'Who?'
'Stritho! The one I was talking to back when I…'
Understanding dawned on Frenzy's face. 'Rumble, you gotta tell Starscream,' he said urgently. 'Like, now.'
Rumble was still staring straight ahead, his optics wide with fear. 'He still thinks I'm on his side… he wants to talk… Oh Primus, Soundwave has received an alert. He's coming to get me…'
'Well, that's good,' insisted Frenzy, internally shrugging aside the fact that he was as nervous in his master's presence as when he was with Starscream.
'Frenzy…' Rumble turned to face him. 'When he gets here… Uh…' he rubbed the back of his neck, forcing his words out. '...S-stay with me,' he finished gruffly.
Frenzy started to laugh, but stopped at the look on his face. He nodded, pushing his cube towards him. 'You got time to drink that before they arrive. Take it. I reckon you need it more than me.'
