Author's Notes: So, I sure didn't make my weekly deadline. Sorry about that… it has been a rough week. I have been fighting off Bronchitis and have not found the strength to do much more then lay facedown in my bed and moan. But, better late than never I suppose. In this chapter we get to see our dear characters finally have a moment to breathe, the first of their many challenges conquered. Please drop a comment and tell me what you think, and I will hopefully finally have the strength to respond to all of you wonderful people! And of course, as always, please enjoy!
Location: The Renegade
Soundwave
Just as Soundwave ordered, the medic was ready for their arrival as they stormed into the Med Bay through the open Groundbridge. He collapsed the portal behind them when the last Autobot came rushing through. The cacophony of the Predacons violent retribution in the Iacon Prison halls cut off when the last whisp of Groundbridge energy disappeared into oblivion.
The Autobots helped the still limp Knock Out onto the awaiting medical berth where the Renegade doctors swarmed him. They all took a tentative step back, allowing the medical professional and her newly acquired team to do their work. Despite the success of their mission, the Autobots were humorously silent as Knock Out was hooked up to life support. Without the chaos of battle, the gruesome details of the red bot's injuries came to light. It was apparent in the gaping hole where one of Knock Out's expressive red optics once existed.
"Is he going to be ok?" Came the worried question from Miko, still in the protective box in Soundwave's grasp. He glanced down. Rhea and the others were staring worriedly at the Ex-Decepticon doctor. "He did all that just to buy us time. I had no idea Doc Knock had it in him." She added somberly.
"He, he'll be ok." Bumblebee tried to assure Miko, though his tone was far from convincing. Seeming to need reassurance of his own, he glanced Soundwave's way. "Soundwave's team will do everything they can, right?"
When the focus fell to him, Soundwave offered a quick mechanical nod. "Though a traitor to the Decepticon cause, Knock Out's actions assured our mission's success. We have retrieved you four, eradicated the New Council's control over the Predacons, and probably dismantled the two major threats in the New Council. This grants him a pardon for any crimes of treason, and access to our medical resources."
Soundwave wasn't sure the meaning behind the smile Bumblebee offered, but it made him uncomfortable. Did the Autobots assume Soundwave was going to just toss Knock Out into the nearest Spacebridge portal predestined for the nearest star? In truth, he meant every word of what he said. Before, Knock Out was a traitor. But without him, Soundwave wouldn't be holding Rhea. Any animosity he held for his former teammate was long gone. But in those soppy blue optics belonging to Bumblebee, Soundwave could almost hear his inner thoughts. 'You really aren't like Megatron,' he was sure the naive Autobot was thinking with a mixture of surprise and pride. As if the Autobot's actions had anything to do with Soundwave's leadership decisions. He was both confused and offended.
A quick scan revealed the Renegade's air quality was still ideal for organic life. Soundwave took the quiet moment to finally let the box down. He typed in the code and the transparent walls of the box shifted away, freeing the humans for good.
In the somber silence, each human took advantage of their newfound freedom by running to their respective bots. Soundwave lifted Rhea from the ground. Once she was in arms reach, she clung to his chest plating. Every anxiety that plagued his thoughts over these past horrible cycles melted away. He wanted to speak openly to her, apologize and beg for her forgiveness. Confess the depths of his feelings, the good, bad, and everything in between. But he had an audience. It didn't matter. They didn't need words right now. Rhea was content to remain affixed to him, unspoken and at peace.
She was safe, and that was all that mattered.
So focused on Rhea's presence, Soundwave only half listened to the others. "Bee, is Ratchet ok?" Raf wondered in a meeker than normal tone. "He tried to protect us, but he was totally overwhelmed… We didn't want to leave him."
"Yeah, he's ok." Bumblebee promised. He gave one of Raf's shoulders a pat with a single finger to cheer him up. "He's with the refugees and hasn't stopped asking about you guys since he woke up."
"We need to go see him." Raf insisted. "Whenever it's safe to go home."
"I'll need to call my mom too." Jack added. "I can't imagine how worried she's been this whole time. Will it be even safe to go back home, or will we have to watch out for more of those goons coming after us."
That was enough for Soundwave to check back into the conversation.
"That's a good point." Arcee said. "We don't know how much of Decimus and Sigil's loyal followers survived Predaking and the other Predacons. They may cut us off from Earth again if they have the chance."
"That will not be possible for them, even if they are still alive." Soundwave promised them all. He elaborated when curious stares demanded more of an explanation. "I have a means of assuring control over all Spacebridge frequencies surrounding Earth. But that can be dealt with after the humans have re fueled and recharged. I've contacted my second in command to bring provisions. She should be arriving shortly." He glanced from the Autobots down to Rhea who was perched in his hands.
"In fact, I need to discuss the current frequency around Earth with you personally, Rhea. If I can borrow you away for a moment." Soundwave stated, keeping his tone flat so he didn't rouse Autobot suspicions. Luckily, they were busy reuniting with their own human wards. The vague excuse was enough for the Autobots not to make a fuss when he whisked her off into a supply room, Laserbeak buzzing right alongside them.
The door behind him closed, and Soundwave's knee joints collapsed, relief overwhelming him. He cradled her close to his faceplates, the last few days a haze of panic, rage, and fear all set aloft into oblivion.
"I am so sorry, Rhea." He said after forcing his mind to come up with something meaningful to say in defense of his sudden loss of emotional control. "This was all my fault. I should have anticipated the New Council's intentions. You never should have been put in harm's way."
The large, selfish part of him feared she would be angry at him for all she had suffered. To protect herself from further risk, she could decide to go back to Earth and never return. It was his fault after all. She could have died, and it was because of his own inadequacies. She had every right to hate him.
She trembled against him, leaning hard into his armor for support. It took him a moment to realize she struggled to release a nearly breathless laugh which produced little sound. She probably didn't have the strength to. "I think I put myself in danger, when I decided to track down an alien SOS frequency in the desert and jump headfirst into this, whatever it is we have going on between us."
Laserbeak, who had been uncharacteristically quiet between them, swooped down in front of Soundwave and Rhea. He shifted so he could dock into Soundwave's torso, though left enough room to avoid crushing Rhea with twisting metal plating. Instead, he had sandwiched her between them in his best attempt at an embrace. 'Just say the word, and I will track down and terminate anyone of your choosing. Be it members of the New Council who remain or your previous Foster Parents. Anything to make you feel better.' He offered with a whimper.
Rhea responded with her snorting laughter. The familiar trait reassurance she was still her old self despite all that had happened. "Thanks for that. But you know what? All I can use right now is some food. After that, I want to see the rest of Cybertron. That'll do better then vengeance." She said, petting Laserbeak along one of his wings.
"I can arrange that." Soundwave promised her gently. "We need to talk… It's regarding my poor attempts of communicating to you my intentions for your future. It can wait until you are better… but please know I intend to rectify my error in judgment. I did not intend to place you in a difficult position. Your acceptance of my offer would not mean the termination of our bond. You mean too much to me for anything to do that."
"It doesn't need to wait." Rhea insisted.
Through the door he erected to shield their intimate moment, he heard his second in command arrive in an over-the-top fashion in the med bay. "Your immediate health is more pressing an issue. Allow me to make all this right. Please." Soundwave took a final moment to collect himself and get his emotions back under control before he had to face the others. He got to his peds, Rhea safely clutched between his chest and Laserbeak. With his expression suppressed back into a mask of self-control he opened the door and joined the others.
Thunderblast was trying to snatch Miko from Bulkhead's grasp with her free servo. Her other servo clutched a large metal container. "I knew you'd give those fraggers hell, Firecracker! Here, this may cure what ails you lot." She dumped the contents of the container on the ground, which in reality was the trailer portion of an Earth semi-truck. It was an assortment of nonperishable food from Earth. "I learned from the last time Firecracker was here, and I didn't have anything she could eat. Soooo, I may have Bridged back to Earth and, appropriated this along one of your many highways. The human who was driving it had walked away from it. I figured he wouldn't miss it."
The story of how Thunderblast had illegally procured the food did not seem to bother the humans at all as they snatched the first thing they saw. Soundwave gently placed Rhea before the food so she could indulge in the bounty. Miko ripped into the packaging with her teeth, Jack helping Raf who's shaking hands couldn't get into his portion.
In the silence of the human's feast, every optic found Knock Out once more. The urgency in the Renegade's medical staff had waned. The equipment attached to him beeped at an even pace. The attending medic slipped away from her team to walk over to Soundwave, giving him a slight bow. "He's stable. We have him in stasis to assist in self repair. Unfortunately, there was not enough of the right optic to be salvaged. But his inner organs and T-cog are fixable."
"Well done." Soundwave said. "Staving off his termination will be sufficient."
"Will it be for Knock Out though?" Smokescreen huffed. "When he wakes up… he's going to be devastated."
"At least he will be waking up." Bumblebee pointed out. "That's all that matters."
"We'll help him through it!" Miko added with a mouth full of food. "Plus, the Predacon's totally annihilated the losers who did this to him in the first place, so there should be some comfort there. I even got evidence." She dug out her phone from her pocket and flipped it open. She held it up for Thunderblast to examine the small image of a Predacon swiping Decimus's bubble shield across the hall.
"HA!" She laughed out loud. "Send that to me right now."
With a devious grin that matched Thunderblast's, Miko fiddled with her phone to transfer the images.
"You, have her number?" Bulkhead demanded of Thunderblast. "When did that happen?"
Thunderblast rose an optic ridge at Bulkhead, then sneered. "How else can we get into hijinks together? Plus, I was the one who insisted she be armed, and you Autobots nixed that. Then what do you fragging know? They get kidnapped by Elite Guard where she really could have used a blaster. I think my, what did you call it? Oh yeah, 'terrible example, dangerous Decepticon ideas' had more promise than anything you lot came up with."
The banter died when Raf gagged. His flesh turned slick with sweat and his eyes reflected impending dread. Despite the clear internal fight, he purged all he had eaten onto the floor.
"Raf! Bud what's wrong?" Bumblebee asked in a near panic.
"He's sick." Jack explained when Raf was unable to stop coughing, Miko rubbing soothing circles on his back.
"We need to get him to a hospital." Arcee stated seriously. "They should all go. Even in a limited amount, they were exposed to Cybertronian air. And who knows what was in the water the New Council was providing. We don't know how much damage has been done."
Still wearing his worry plainly on his faceplates, Bumblebee turned to Soundwave. "You said there was a way to keep anyone from Bridging onto Earth. Even though the New Council's threat may be neutralized, Arachnid is still interested in Earth. We need to keep the kids safe from further threats."
Soundwave nodded, pulling from a subspace compartment a high frequency interference device. In truth he always had a spare one on hand, though its original purpose was too thwart Autobot interference in Decepticon affairs. This fact could be considered ironic as he placed it into Bumblebee's grasp. "Wire this into the existing shielding frequency Rhea created. After it is activated, only I will be able to open Spacebridges to and from Earth."
He expected the Autobots to voice a protest to that plan. With the Autobot New Council overturned and Decepticon numbers on the rise, and all rallying under him no less, Team Prime and their kind's authority was becoming noticeably weaker. With this new plan in place, Soundwave alone would control the Bridge to Earth. Their human wards aside, Earth was still rich with Energon. It's core still contained Unicron's body, which would be the universe's main source for Dark Energon. And most importantly to Team Prime, the organic world was one of the last Autobot outposts away from Cybertron. They would be almost totally at Soundwave's mercy. Such a scenario was Megatron's dream. The old Megatron, anyway…
Bumblebee hesitated, gazing hard at the device Soundwave had given him. He was sure the Scout had just come to the same conclusions, though it would be very bleak from his perspective. What Soundwave didn't expect, was for the yellow bot to offer him a weak smile. "Thank you. We'll call you whenever we need a Bridge."
Soundwave legitimately didn't know how to respond. He wanted to ask Bumblebee if he had sustained heavy processor damage in the fight to retrieve the humans, or if he was just a fool. 'This bot… Actually trusts me.' He came to realize after some contemplation.
'My Lord.' Demolisher's gruff voice came over the com. 'You are needed on the Bridge.'
Thunderblast, who must have gotten the same message, offered Soundwave an irritated frowned. "It can wait, I'm sure."
But a quick uplink into the ship's most recent files revealed it couldn't. There was movement from Arachnid's plagued forces deeper South. And the most recent attack on Iacon to free the final Decepticon prisoners sent the Northern Autobot City State into a full-fledged panic. Soundwave needed to get that under control.
Soundwave found Rhea's worried eyes trained on him. He wanted to carry her back to Earth himself and assure she was ok. She needed him, and the Decepticons needed a leader.
'Utilize me, Master.' Laserbeak reminded him. 'I'm more than just a fancy chassis piece to wear. And I'm sure I can be relied upon to watch over the humans more than the Autobots.'
Though Soundwave had been hesitant to separate from Laserbeak in recent cycles, the Minicon did have a point. He deployed Laserbeak, who swooped down to Rhea.
"I'm coming back the moment they let me." Rhea told him sternly.
"I will have a Bridge ready the moment you call." He promised.
Soundwave opened a Spacebridge before them. Bumblebee gathered Raf in his hands as carefully as he could while Laserbeak helped Rhea onto his back. Wheeljack and Smokescreen remained behind, probably as a last-ditch attempt to retain some semblance of Autobot control. Laserbeak flew slow after the Autobots as they left towards the portal.
Soundwave tried to remain stone faced as Rhea and Laserbeak vanished into the vortex. He confirmed their safe relocation across space and saw them arrive on Earth at the secondary Nevada Military base the Autobots had on file.
He fought his want to run in after them. He had to remind himself it would be fine, even with them separated. The New Council's main threats, Decimus and Sigil were gone, and Arachnid had no means of Bridging to Earth. There was no more danger, and this time Laserbeak would watch over Rhea.
In much need of a distraction from his growing panic, he unintentionally picked up on a silent communication from Thunderblast. It was a short message that traveled to Miko's small cellular device. Bulkhead and the girl were the last one through, so Soundwave saw Miko retrieve her phone and flip it open, reading the text: [Don't worry Firecracker. I'mma get you a nice gun your size when you get back.]
Miko tried not to laugh out loud, which would only lead to her and Thunderblast's plot being foiled. Instead, she offered a confirming thumbs up before she rushed alongside Bulkhead to return to Earth.
Starscream
It was safe to say, Starscream was running out of patience regarding this seemingly growing trend of keeping humans as pets. Soundwave had returned the cycle before, thankfully without Predaking. But, he had the Autobots and a literal infestation of humans in tow. He also had the audacity to drag the half dead traitor Knock Out through the Groundbridge. They unfortunately got him to the medic in time to stabilize his condition and place him into stasis to recover.
That all would have been bad enough, but Starscream couldn't even get a word in to brag about his own mission's success. Soundwave was vacant, or more so than what was normal. It was like he was on another fragging planet.
At the very least they had destroyed Decimus, and apparently Sigil was also taken care of. And as a bonus, the Dinobots had yet to return. He was hopeful the single Vehicon squad had not been enough to help them escape destruction. If Grimlock was terminated, that would be very fortunate for him personally.
They were successful, they had dismantled the Autobot authority heads and could now move in for the kill. If there was anyone around to listen, Starscream would strongly advice their forces to continue their assault against Iacon City. They needed to wipe out what remained of their foes and send a strong message to the few still loyal to the Autobots. But here they were, idling their engines and wasting time stomping out small fires. Truly, could nothing get done without his direct intervention?
Starscream grumbled to himself along the gangway of the ship. He had meant to continue working on his personal plans of relieving Soundwave of his command. He had to think of something just incase those cursed Dinobots came back into the picture.
And to make matters somehow even worse, like a swarming blight eclipsing the sun, the winged monstrosities had returned to the Kaon Capital. He had been rendered frozen, helpless as he watched the hundreds of Predacons swarm into Kaon. For some unfathomable reason the bots in the streets did not run screaming for cover, as would be logical, but instead cheered. What were they celebrating, their eventual demise? The massive army of Predacons that returned with that brut Predaking would only stay passive towards them for so long. He was very much aware this ship had a massive, untested fusion cannon that could do Cybertron the much-needed service of returning the Predacons back to extinction. If he planned it right, he could have the remnants of Team Prime and Soundwave in Darkmount with the Predacons when the cannon went off. Starscream had to take command and save the Decepticons from this obvious path of destruction.
But truth be told, Starscream was not in the mood to plot. He was tired. All he cared to do was get the few dings he received from the previous cycle's battle buffed out before collapsing into recharge. Scheming could come later. It wasn't like the Decepticon cause was going anywhere right this moment.
He arrived at the Renegade's Med Bay and stalled in the doorway. He saw Autoclave alongside one of the assisting doctors. His old friend was in much better shape than he had once left him. Still mute, Autoclave used his communication device to babble on about scientific exploits with his audience. Starscream glanced around the room. Shockwave was not there. Good. He didn't want Autoclave to have to share a space with the one opticed mad scientist. The last time they had rubbed elbow joints it had been…unpleasant.
With a deep unease churning in his tanks, Starscream made a quick exit, intending to get his damage fixed later. He had no reason to, but whenever he glanced Autoclave, he felt guilty. Starscream had saved the old fool, there should be no reason for that type of emotion to plague him. But it did, and it was best for him to avoid the feeling at all costs so he didn't have to think about the reason behind it. Plus, Knock Out would be in the Med Bay. Starscream would have a hard time not flipping his limp chassis off the medical berth if he were presented the opportunity.
Focus still on the ground, he entered the Bridge. Heightened instinct from eons spent dodging blows from Megatron alerted him to danger. He looked up from his peds just in time to stop the fist colliding with his faceplate.
"Primus!" he yelped, diving backwards to avoid the hit. When his Spark rate came back down to a more acceptable rhythm, he registered the laughing. His optics narrowed at the owner of the fist he had almost walked into. Slip-slagging-stream herself.
"I'm glad you dodged; I wasn't feeling this as the right moment to get my payback…" Slipstream went on to snicker. "Maybe I'll outsource the job to a harder hitter. Give my one punch to one of the dinobots instead."
"I see you have yet to mature much in my absence!" Starscream growled, trying to regain what remained of his dignity.
"I saw you comin' back from Med Bay. Did ya finally have a Spark to Spark with the other bot from your past you betrayed?"
Starscream's scowl deepened. "It's hardly any of your business."
"I'm actually really excited you have a soft spot for somebot other than yourself. Though I see that loyalty only saved poor Autoclave so much… were you the one to trash his voice box, or was that someone else's handywork?"
Starscream shoved her hard in the shoulder to continue onto the Bridge. He clenched his jaw hinge until the corners of his face plates ached. To maintain his sanity, he intended to ignore her snide voice for the remainder of eternity, or until he could shove her into the nearest smelting pit.
He pulled up recent reports logged away on the nearest console and uploaded them. He would be able to read them in the privacy of his quarters where the shadows of the past, or Slipstream, could not get past the door. Slipstream leaned against the console, shoving her snide expression back into his line of sight. "You know he's leaving, right?"
Starscream stopped mid type. "What are you talking about?" He needed to stop allowing himself to take such obvious bait.
"Your best bud Autoclave. He's heading out into the Kaon Capital soon. He's been wanting to tell ya in person, but you've made your skinny self scarce."
Starscream blinked at her. In fact he did not know that. Of course, Slipstream could be lying, but it would be a strange thing for her to make up. "I… I can see why he would leave." Was all he managed to come up with. "Shockwave is on this ship, and the two of them had an unpleasant run in. Plus, Autoclave is the farthest thing from an actual Decepticon. It is best if he leaves." He added, back in control of his outward expression of indifference.
"Ooooh, dramatic back story." Slipstream said, seemingly in the mood to gossip. "Does it have anything to do with the sorry state he is in?"
Starscream tried not to let his growing frustration show beyond his usual scowl. Eventually, Slipstream would get bored and wander away. "Were you not there to protect him when he got his voice box ripped out? Or… were you there, and you chose to do nothing, like always?"
He clenched his jaw, finding himself reading over the same line of text on the screen three times and not absorbing it's meaning. And then, as if the universe was mocking him, he saw the blip on radar. It was the Dinobots and the Vehicon squad sending a message from a far distance. For whatever reason, they didn't take a Bridge back. Starscream was sure the reason wasn't anything good. But Grimlock and the others were alive, and they would be returning by the end of the cycle. Great.
"Scrap. It must hurt when even your only friend Autoclave can't stand being on the same ship with you." Slipstream added with a vent.
It took every bit of his remaining self-control not to let the hurt from that comment show on his faceplates. "I am working, Slipstream! Maybe try it sometime?" Starscream said. He was acutely aware she was staring at the side of his helm with a great deal of scrutiny.
"When did he beat you down, Starscream?" Slipstream asked, her voice inflecting curiosity.
Primus, she was persistent. With a growl Starscream spun around to glare at her. "Who and what are you talking about?"
"Megatron." She answered simply. Maybe because he was already in a fragile state of mind, but the mention of his old Lord made him flinch. Unfortunately, she continued. "You used to not take any scrap from him, in the beginning. But then I guess he slapped you into the sniveling wretch you are now. It's too bad, really." She shook her helm, wistful as she tisked at him.
Starscream slammed a servo into the console. He didn't care how many drones startled and looked at him for the outburst. "Enough of this nonsense, Slipstream! If you continue to cross me, I'll see to it they don't find what is left of you after I am done!"
"Sure." She said, sounding far from concerned. "But, I'm just pointing out the harsh reality you have been flying away from for way to long. Really, I'm doing everyone on the ship a service. I don't want anyone who finds themselves in desperate need, like I was so long ago, to ever make the mistake of trusting in you. So if doing that will put me in harm's way, I guess I'll just be taking that risk. But if I wasn't willing to take the personal risk to do what is right, I'd…" she thought for a moment. "Well, I guess I'd be you."
Seldom did words cut him so deep. Of course, Slipstream always had a knack for biting insults, almost always at Starscream's expense. But this was different. She was serious, no humor or nicknames to soften the blow. Despite Predacon activity in the sky, Starscream had to get away from the ship. He remained in the shadow of the Renegade, shielded from the bright moonlight, and prowling Predacon optics above.
He should be planning. The Dinobots would arrive back soon. He should be scheming. Soundwave was corrupted by the human pests and was an unfit leader. He should be doing something.
He was witness to the communication from Grimlock. They had taken Sigil alive. It was a good bargaining chip if they ever needed one. It was also good for Starscream personally. If he ever fell from the Decepticon graces, as he tended to do when things got particularly bad, he could use Sigil to gain favor with what remained of the Autobots… And though it was the perfect emergency option for the worst-case scenario, Starscream hated the very thought of it. Slipstream had gotten far to close to his Spark. He was wounded far more then he wanted to admit, even to himself.
Starscream had once been the commander of so many fierce arial warriors. In those cycles, not even Megatron could talk down to him. Then over the course of the war, one by one, they were terminated. What remained of them was Slipstream, Ramjet, and Autoclave. Two were hostile to him. The other should have been but wasn't. Autoclave had far too much forgiveness in his Spark, it really was a good thing he was leaving the Decepticons. He did not belong among them.
Ped steps came down the lowered ramp of the ship. Speak of Unicron the Destroyer Himself, it was Autoclave. The Seeker scientist spotted him in the shadows, despite Starscream's best attempts to remain silent and invisible. He assumed his bright red optics gave him away. For reasons that still illuded him, Autoclave offered a friendly smile as he walked into the shadow of the ship to stand beside him.
"Off already?" Starscream assumed.
[Macadam offered me a place to stay for a while.] Autoclave's device said for him. [An old friend of mine. There are so few familiar faceplates left. I'm grateful for him.]
"He is Autobot aligned." Starscream felt the need to remind him. "And the Autobots tried to fry you on a stage like some sort of side show attraction at the old theme parks. Doesn't that bother you?"
Autoclave shrugged. [Macadam wasn't the ones who tried doing me in. I'll change my mind if he pulls a blaster out on me I guess.]
"Hm." Was all Starscream could offer. He returned his gaze into the distant streets. Even more refugees had made their home in the cramped Capital. Despite the bleak surroundings, spirits were high. Starscream felt like he was the only one in the entire Southern hemisphere who was contrary to the upbeat attitude.
[Come with me.] Autoclave said.
Starscream startled, not having predicted the almost demanding statement from the frail old bot. "W-What?"
[I'm worried about you.] Autoclave admitted. [You're troubled, and you always tended to make rash decisions when you were upset. The war is basically over. A blind bot can see the Decepticons are bound to retake Cybertron. You have done enough for this cause. I want you to do what is best for you.]
If only he knew. Autoclave was a smart bot, and he should have known Starscream better than that. He was always doing what was best for himself. He did what was best for him, even at the expense of his Seeker armada. It was the same reason he could not speak up to stop, or even face the horrors Shockwave, in the name of the Decepticon cause, inflicted upon Autoclave and the other Seeker scientists. He sought out what was best for himself. Autoclave lost his science team, and his voice box because of it.
He did not force Megatron to turn around and collect a stranded Slipstream. He gave up his pride to survive alongside Megatron. He even lost an ally in Knock Out when he could have retained that with some general, well, equal partnership. Starscream wondered why 'doing what was best for him' had failed to pay off after so many eons. Scrap, Slipstream was right. Damn her to the Pits…
"I still have work to do." He said simply. "You should avoid the spotlight for the foreseeable future. Just in case the cause wants to utilize your scientific knowledge… as they did before. It's best if you avoid it all. With that being said, we can consider this goodbye for good." He went back to glaring into the moon painted streets, wishing Autoclave would just hurry up and leave so he could wallow in peace.
Then a frequency code appeared in his head.
[That's my personal commlink frequency.] Autoclave explained. [When your work is done, I will always be here to talk.]
Starscream staired at him, unsure how to answer as Autoclave flitted his wings and smiled before he turned to leave into the cold evening. The motion was a very old, probably extinct, Seeker gesture. Its meaning represented a simple fond, but not forever, farewell.
Starscream studied Autoclave's personal commlink frequency long after the Bot had vanished between twisted buildings and refugee tents. He mentally took hold of the code, ready to drop it into deletion.
Instead, he filed it away with the others in his permanent memory files before he stood and returned to the ship.