Chapter Two
I onlined to Thundercracker stretching and sitting up, making the berth move. I snuggled into Skywarp's chassis, and he snuggled right back. Thundercracker looked around, then noticed the smell first. He looked down, seeing the dried energon, scorch marks, and filth covering us from the battle, and how the berth was now covered in it as well. His optics widened, remembering.
"Oh… My… I KILLED PEOPLE!"
Skywarp and I both startled, quickly sitting up, wings hiking. We noticed the filth, the wounds on our bodies, and the stench of death, smoke, and burnt metal. The memories raced through our processors, and we too had to take a moment. We had killed. The Senate was dead. The Decepticons had taken over Kaon. And we were in the middle of all of that.
"We…" I swallowed, my throat feeling like it was coated in ash. "We should clean up." I said softly, my processor only able to concentrate on what may happen now.
"We might have been filmed. What if our creators saw?" Thundercracker said quickly. "Oh, frag, sire is going to murder me."
"Heh, TC is gonna be killed by his sire." Skywarp giggled.
"Yeah, and what will your carrier say if he sees you murdering innocents?" Thundercracker glared at him.
Skywarp was about to answer with a confident smile, but that quickly faded to a worried expression. "Carrier is too innocent to know such things."
"No one tells my carrier. She'd kill me." I piped up. "We keep this under wraps. No one ever finds out we were part of that. Understood?"
They both nodded with mutterings of agreement.
"Alright, then," I slapped my servos together, keeping the palms pressed. "First order of business is hiding the evidence. Let's take a shower and then we will-"
I wasn't able to finish that for the door was slammed open and Unicron himself, destroyer of worlds stormed in holding up a datapad and screaming with the fires of hell bursting from those furious, murderous optics.
"WHAT IS THIS?!" My carrier shrieked, the datapad she held displaying an image of me with a price on my helm. My very first wanted poster.
"Good luck." Skywarp blurted before immediately teleporting.
"You can't just-!" I turned to my carrier giving up on finishing my sentence to my trinemate. "Carrier, dearest," I smiled so innocently. "You seem a bit riled this morning. May I take you for a morning flight with a cup of-"
"STARSCREAM, I ASKED YOU A QUESTION!" She rammed the datapad into my visage, her wings flaring. "Stay put, Thundercracker." She snapped when he tried to sneak off the berth. He quickly sat back down.
"Ahem," I pushed the datapad down, wings perked, smiling, noticing Asperitas and my advisors in the doorway. "Clearly this isn't me, carrier. Look at that. The olfactory sensor is all off."
"I created that olfactory sensor. I know this is you, son." Her denta grinded together as she said the last word with venom.
"What do you want me to say? I could be wanted for anything, simply crossing the street at the wrong intersection." I grunted, glaring at her now.
"Read it." She shoved the tablet into my chest.
I took it and read it. "Wanted: Seeker Starscream of Vos. Extremely dangerous, armed, deadly. Wanted for murder, theft, illegal arms sales, kidnapping, blah blah blah… Reward is one million Shanix… Oh my goddess! I could turn myself in and be rich!"
Carrier slapped me across the faceplates. "This is serious, Starscream."
"Clearly, if you are assaulting your favorite creation." I rubbed where she had struck me.
"Starscream, you are all over the news right now." Rainfall spoke as she and my other advisors approached. "There was a-a war in Kaon last night and three Seekers were caught on security footage, and you were identified as being there."
"This is… Big, sir." Silverstorm spoke up. "The Alpha, the leader of the Seekers and ruler of Vos just… Killed people in Kaon. And part of a terrorist group."
"The Decepticons aren't a terrorist group." I stated firmly.
"What is this then?" Carrier held up the datapad now showing the news, which displayed the footage of an all out war. People dying, explosions, slaughtering of police and innocents.
"A riot." I said it not entirely sure myself.
"Starscream, this is going to effect Vos and Seekers big time." Astral added. "Trade could be cut off from Vos, it could be attacked, Seekers in other cities thrown in prison-"
"You might get arrested." Silverstorm said.
"Forgive me, sir, but your carrier told me to be honest with you. You're an idiot." Asperitas said it so nonchalantly.
I only spared him an angry glare before turning back to the lynch mob of advisors and carrier.
"You're a fragging fool, is what you are!" Noctilucent exclaimed, waving his cane. "The dumbest Alpha I ever had the dishonor of serving!" He then struck me on the helm with his cane.
"Hey! Ow! Can't we just calm the hell down?!" I held up a servo to defend myself from anymore blows from the ancient Seeker.
"We can't, Starscream!" Carrier shouted. "You are wanted across Cybertron, and as our leader this puts all Seekers at risk!"
"Are my trinemates wanted?"
"Yes!"
"What the frag?!" Thundercracker snatched the datapad, searched on it, then gasped. "Nononononono! Oh, frag, no… No, carrier can't see this. Sire will murder me, carrier will cry, a-and-"
"What the hell!?" I yanked it from him. "Why is his picture better than mine?! What does Skywarp's look like?"
"Can you not realize the severity of the situation?!" Fireflight exclaimed furiously.
"I recognize the severity of the situation just fine! They got a bad photo of me! This is a crime within itself! Ow!" I yelped when carrier slapped me again.
"You need to stop making jokes, Starscream, and take this seriously." Carrier growled at me. "What if Vos is attacked because of what you did? What if we are hunted down? What if-"
"Carrier, Vos is safe."
"How are you so sure?"
"I'm sure." I flicked my wings at her, optics narrowed.
"Vos is awakening with the news of what you have done, my liege." Asperitas spoke. "I advise speaking to them."
"I second that." Fireflight inclined his helm in agreement.
"Be wary, not all the Senators were slain." Silverstorm spoke. "Senator Dai Atlas was found alive, but wounded in his home. His legs shot. And Senator Shockwave also has confirmed he is still alive. If they choose to take action against you…"
I narrowed my optics as I thought, then I smirked. "No one will take action against me. Look at all this footage. It's grainy, and we barely appear on it. These could be any Seekers. You can barely make out the colors."
"But you were identified by the prison. They put you on record."
"No, they made a mistake." I then leaped up off the berth. "I have some calls to make." I then ran out the door, onto the balcony, and transformed.
"Hey, hey! Look at what the cybercat coughed up. Little runt with his face plastered all over the news."
I spared him only a glare. "Bitstream, I need you to hack for me. I have someone I wish you to meet."
"Oh?" Bitstream leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Hack what and who am I meeting? And how am I being paid? Do I get to frag the Alpha?"
"Stop that. No, you're coming with me."
"Oh? A little hide-away to have our forbidden affair?" He smirked so… disgustingly. "Better have lube on you, I am curious how tight both your holes are."
I slapped him across the faceplates, ensuring my sharpened digits cut him. He didn't make a sound, his face turning with the blow, optics offlining. They slowly onlined narrowed, just as droplets of energon bubbled out from the four clean cuts I left across his cheekplates. He slowly shook his helm, as if I had greatly disappointed him, before looking at me.
"Watch how you speak to your Alpha." I growled, flicking my wings. "Come with me Bitstream, and I won't tear off your arm."
"As my Alpha commands." Bitstream sardonically grunted, closing the door as he stepped out.
I leaped off the balcony, transformed, and flew off, the disrespectful Seeker following me. I led him into a nearby alley where we were suddenly joined by my trinemates. Skywarp opened a warp portal, and we all flew through it. As we exited, Bitstream tumbled some, not use to the sensation of instant teleportation. It can make you queasy when you're not use to it. I vomited on Skywarp my first time.
My trinemates stayed in perfect formation behind me, as Bitstream took his position to the right and just behind Thundercracker, so we were making a V shape. We were flying over the still smoking remains of Kaon, it was quiet below despite the fires still burning. I took them to a large, rectangular building, nearby the courtyard of the central city. I had been here before.
I transformed as I landed, the others doing the same behind me. I walked over to the far end where others were gathered, my wings held high.
"There was a flaw in your master plan, Megatron. But, perhaps this is what happens when you get ideas from someone who spends his time speaking to birds."
Soundwave's visors brightened, his birds perched on his shoulders, Ravage and the twins who I would learn to despise standing beside him. The others who were there, as I would get to know them better, were Grimlock, Turmoil, Tailwhip, Jetblade, Razorclaw, Horri-bull, Fangry, Needlenose, Dreadwing, Blackjack, Bombshock, Skyhopper, Sledge, Grit, Motormaster, Scrapper, Bonecrusher, Hook, Wildrider, Straxis, Crucible, Scissorsaw, and others.
"Was there, Starscream?" Megatron sarcastically grunted, already revealing how our relationship would be for the rest of the war. He sat upon his throne, which had been created using Sentinel Prime's apex armor.
"When the officers took our designations, their systems were not destroyed fully. I onlined to find wanted ads of myself, my mates, and a few others you might recognize besides yourself." I continued, standing before him, wings raised, no fear of him.
"Yes, Soundwave has been working on removing the files. He has succeeded in suppressing footage, but the computers have proven to be difficult to access."
I smirked. "I suspected. So, I bring you a gift, my lord. One of my beloved Seekers, Bitstream." I gestured to him, the rude aft standing there, optics a little wide, not sure what was happening. "Bitstream is a hacker of sorts. He was employed by my sire before I killed him and took the throne. Bitstream is highly trained in the art of data retrieval, hacking, and all manners of technological access. He has more knowledge and skill than just what the Vosian War Academy trains for. I offer him to assist Soundwave in removing all our designations and info from the files, and cover up the broadcasts. The only footage of my trine and I is a blur, and they only have our designations to go by on the file. It will be covered that it was Seekers who testified wrongly due to being traditionalists seeking to harm my reign. I was never present during this out of control riot. I have a city to run. I cannot have a warrant out for my arrest."
"Is there anything else he can do?"
"Fight and run his mouth." I curtly replied.
"What other skills do your Seekers possess?"
"Oh, anything you need. We all can fight and have our own special abilities. Some of my Seekers are outliers, like my two mates, some hackers, some weapon experts, some medics, and I myself am a scientist with sixteen masters from the Iaconian Science Academy. And I have a good friend who also is a brilliant scientist. Oh, and there's a Seeker who literally turns into a fiery ball of electrical furry and can blow up everything and everyone around him. We are valuable assets."
"Indeed." Megatron leaned forward in his throne, digit tips pressed together to form a steeple as his elbows rested on his knees. "We should talk more, Starscream."
"At my place or yours?" I smirked.
He smirked back.
"Iaconian Newsfeed Service. Why were you present in Kaon during the riot?"
"I was not present, nor have I been in Kaon for some time." I spoke as I stood in my royal garb, a crown on my helm, and my trinemates in formation behind me. We were all blemish free, clean, and buffed, not looking like we had been in a war just the previous orbital cycle. I was now surrounded by reporters shoving cameras and microphones in my face, shouting endless questions. "The wanted posters do not even depict me from there. They are old images from my coronation."
"What about the Seekers caught on camera at the fight?" Another reporter demanded.
"Clearly not my trine and I. It's grainy, colors blurred, could be any Seeker."
"Your designations were recorded at the police station in Kaon."
"Clearly, whoever these Seekers are, the three of them since only they were witnessed, are traditionals trying to ruin me. It's rather clear how many enemies I have within the Seekers. This is an attempt to get me arrested and subvert me." I calmly replied, not a single sign of lying on my visage or body.
"You are a Decepticon sympathizer. Why would this not be you?" Yet another reporter asked.
"I am. And this belief puts me at much risk from the Senate and Functionist Council. But, I am a peacekeeper, not someone involved in ruffian riots. I became Alpha to change the Seekers into a modern era of peace, the end of domestic violence, and no more traditionalism. Going off to fight is against my views. I follow Megatron's beliefs as he wrote in After the Ark. Peace brings about change, not violence. I have spoken about this hundreds of times before in interviews, on camera, my own personal writings. Why would I suddenly cease this belief?"
"If this was not you there, what will you do about the Seekers who were?"
"I will find them and punish them accordingly."
"What are you thoughts about the situation in Kaon and the death of Sentinel Prime?"
"Devastating. It's absolutely unbelievable that this callous act was carried out. That the situation turned to such violence and so many lost their lives. Brave officers, innocent bystanders, those who believed they had no other choice but to fight, and of course the Prime himself. I am not a fan of Sentinel Prime, nor the Senate, as I've stated numerous times before, but I do not concur that death was the appropriate action to have taken. This is what democracy is for."
"Will you be present at the funeral?"
"Unfortunately, no, I won't be able to attend. Due to what happened in Kaon I now must ensure the same does not happen in Vos. I will also be transporting energon and medical supplies to Kaon, and offer refuge to those now homeless. For anyone in Kaon watching this, Vos welcomes you with open wings. Come here and be safe from the villains who turned your city into one of chaos and depravity. Regardless of your political views, we are all Cybertronians and all require a roof over our helms, energon in our tanks, and warmth for our joints. I shall provide for you, if you so ask for it." I smiled, not lying about that, but also playing into my innocence.
"Starscream, do you believe a war is coming?" Yet another reporter asked.
I didn't speak immediately. "To be honest, I don't know. But Vos will be prepared for anything. We are protected in the mountains and have the resources to last us vorns. If need be, we can hold off any conflict until a resolution is agreed upon. But I will not be leading my people into war. Not while I have grandcreations still learning to walk. This is a time for solving political unrest and inequality, not confrontation that leads us nowhere but death and the tribal cycle."
"When the new Prime is selected, will you stand by him?"
"I stand by my people and doing what's right for them."
"Several Senators survived the attack. Will you be meeting with them?"
"Ah, yes, Senator Dair Atlas, Senator Shockwave, and Senator Crosscut. It is my understanding that Dai Atlas is in medical care so I will have to postpone any meetings with him, but Senator Shockwave and I have had communication. We will speak about what has happened, and mourn the deaths of Senator Decimus, Senator Proteus, Senator Ratbat, and everyone else. I may not have liked nor agreed with them, but a life loss is a life loss. Regardless of how we look or how we think."
"Starscream, after this do you believe that the Decepticons should become their own political party?"
"I do. Despite the actions of a few, the true belief of the Decepticons is one of peace. Unfortunately, hooligans have taken that designation and smeared it with their own vile convictions to cause this… unfortunate outcome. If we allow them to have their own say in the political front, we can avoid further detrimental anarchy from betiding."
"Do you consider yourself a Decepticon?"
"In some ways, yes. I want equality for all and to bring about it peacefully. I think that is the true Decepticon way. Not what we saw last night. I may not be religious, but I will pray for Megatron and whatever was his reasoning for what he did last night. I will also be donating for a memorial to those who fell."
"No one must know that I was present at Kaon. I didn't kill anyone, anyway." I grunted as I sat at my desk, my trinemates in formation behind me, and my advisors and carrier before me. "The records have been cleaned by Bitstream. What happened was not supposed to go the way it ended up going. If I hear any of you speaking about this I will take action. Understood?"
My advisors and Asperitas all nodded and respectfully said their "yes, sirs." Carrier spoke once they had finished.
"I won't say anything because you're my son and I want to protect you, but, please, Starscream, be more careful and don't go near those Decepticons anymore."
"I can't promise I'll stay safe, carrier, but I will promise you I'll be better about my actions." I assured her.
She didn't look convinced. "I hope so, my love."
"Trust me, carrier. I'm doing what's best for all of us. You're dismissed."
They all inclined their helms and departed, while my carrier bit her lower lip plate, uncertain. She then nodded and walked out, her wings low. I vented a sigh once they had left, rubbing over my faceplates.
"That was a close one." I muttered.
"It was." Thundercracker grunted. "We need to not commit crimes."
"I doubt anything will happen for a while, regardless. A new Prime will be elected soon, the remaining Senators are probably making plans to control the lesser forms, and the Functionist Council… No idea what move they may make next. Especially with this energy crisis upon us. Vos is safe, but I fear they may want what we have."
"Perhaps we should-"
He paused when there was a knock on the door frame, and a welcomed face greeted us with an awkward smile.
"Hey, can I come in?" Skyfire asked.
I smiled. "Of course. Leave us. I'll see you two sexies later."
"As you command." Thundercracker inclined his helm before he and Skywarp simultaneously kissed me on either cheekplate.
I watched them go, waiting until the door hissed shut before smiling up at that shuttle. "Hey, sexy."
"Hey, gorgeous." He leaned over and kissed me on the lip plates. "You are smoking hot."
I giggled, wings fluttering. "Back at you, fatty."
"So, that wasn't you?" He raised an optical ridge as he sat on a chair before my desk.
"Negative. It was someone claiming to be me. I suspect one of my traditional enemies. I'll find them."
"What happened has me worried, Starscream. Like, The Decepticons are all about peace, right? That's what I believed when you told me all about them. That's why I thought about joining them and-"
"Sky, they still are about peace. I think what happened last night was just too much heated tension and people… losing control of themselves. I think now since that has been released and the wild ones brought back under control, it will continue as peaceful protests and reform from here on out."
"You honestly believe that?"
"I do. You know I admire them and want to be involved."
"Yeah… And I want things to change as well. But peacefully."
"Same. And that's why we need to speak up because so long as us peaceful mechs show what the Decepticons are truly about, the fakes, the hooligans, the troublemakers will not be able to take over nor use this growing movement for their twisted ways. I'd like to join."
"Yeah… If it stays about peace and equality, I'll join. I'm sick of the Functionists and what they have done to all of us, especially to you."
"Yeah…" I was silent a moment before continuing. "Hear anything back about that internship?"
"Not yet, but soon. Will you miss me?" He faintly smiled.
"Immensely, my love. But Iacon is a nice city. You'll do well to return and help out."
"Yeah, I'm excited. I'll be gone a while for it."
"Just be careful. Many there are not too keen on Decepticons."
"If I join by then, I'll be careful."
"Promise?"
He smiled. "I do."
"And promise no matter what you'll come back and be my Conjunx Endura?" I smiled, wings fluttering.
He leaned over and kissed me on the lip plates. "I promise, my little star. I can't wait to join you, make you all mine, and we make some sparklings."
I giggled. "I look forward to it. Just need my trinemates to agree."
"They will."
"Why do I love a big, fat, dumb shuttle so much?"
"Because I'm your everything?" He sheepishly smiled.
I stood up and walked around the table. I sat on his lap and curled into his chassis, my arms wrapping around his neck. "You are. I love you more than anything, Skyfire." I kissed him on the lip plates. "My Sky."
He kissed me back. "My Star."
"We are going to have so many sparklings." I cuddled into his frame as he hugged me.
"Hmm, maybe. But I'm fine with just two."
"So long as you frag me every night I'll be happy. I only love you for what's between your legs."
"Not for my winning personality?"
"Psshht! As if!" I gave him a dismissive wave. "Cocks are in, personality is so last era. I'm a simple mech, Skyfire. I see big cock, me like." I shrugged. "Me likey big, fat, juicy spikey between your thick thighs." I giggled at the expression he made.
"You are so weird." He lifted my chin and kissed me on the lip plates. "I got so lucky with you. So, damn lucky. I never thought someone could make me be interface crazed like you do. But only for you."
I giggled, wings fluttering. "Aw! I make you hard."
He kissed me again. "You do. And I only can talk about this with you."
"So pure."
"I am."
"I love you, big guy."
"I love you, little guy."
"No, I was talking to him!" I patted his codpiece. "That big guy. Who else would I speak to?"
He rolled his optics, kissing me on the neck cables so to tickle me. I giggled, grabbing his face and pushing it away.
"You want to see him?" He asked quietly.
"Eeeee!" I squealed, jumping on his lap. "Yes, please!"
He pulled out a tablet, onlined it, took a moment, then showed me an image of his spike from one of our sexts. "There you are."
I glared at him. "I want an in-person interaction."
"Only if you make me a promise."
"Yes?"
"Promise that whatever I do to you, you won't bite me, kick me, threaten me, or otherwise act like a turbofox in heat."
"I can't make that kind of promise. You know that's how I am during sexy time."
"Then I guess no big Skyfire for you."
I flicked my wings. "How about this: You remind me you're in charge," I poked his olfactory sensor with a tip of a digit. "And I'll obey my master." I lustfully smirked.
He thought for a moment before smirking back. "Deal."
I hugged him, wings fluttering. "Love you so much, fatty."
He hugged me back. "Love you more, short stuff."
"Love you most."
"Love you mostest."
He then did take over, grabbing my helm as he firmly kissed me on the lip plates. I wrapped my arms around his helm and let him have full control of my body, never fighting him once. All our forbidden love for each other overpowering our bodies. We were madly lost over each other, and didn't even care. He was mine, and I was his, and it was always going to be this way.
If only.
A Few Orbital Cycles Later:
"You worry me." Zephyr's crimson optics judgingly fell on me as I stood on the balcony, overlooking my city.
"How so?" I inquired, not even looking back at her, wearing my royal garb and crown, my red cape billowing in the wind behind me.
She leaned against the banister, arms crossed. "Your involvement with the Decepticons. I agree with their movement for equality and going about it peacefully, but what happened in Kaon has everyone scared. Some are now questioning if it is a peaceful movement, or something else."
I looked at my eldest, wings hiking. "What happened in Kaon would have happened regardless of Decepticons or not. That city was on the precipice of chaos."
"Perhaps."
"If you have something you wish to vocalize, now is the time."
"I just worry about you, carrier. You're Alpha now and have so much to deal with, let alone sire who is still an aft."
"I am so done with you talking about your sire negatively." I glared at my city, wings flicking.
"I don't trust him."
"I know. I have heard you air this distrust a thousand fold. Anything else you wish to let off your wings besides the mech I chose to recharge with?"
She rolled her optics. "The energy crisis."
"Vos is safe from it for the foreseeable future. I have been discussing alternatives with Skyfire, but as for the rest of the planet, I have little faith they will make the right choice."
"That's why Skyfire is leaving for Iacon, correct?"
"He's leaving for Iacon to meet with someone who has promised to help him. Since Skyfire is a shuttle he, like us, can't get a job at a lab or any research facility. This grounder, Ratchet of Vaporex, was impressed with the research Skyfire was doing here in Vos so invited him to be his student. He'll help Skyfire into a new career, proving these damn Functionists that he can be a scientist despite his body. Skyfire does hope to look into the energy shortage, but I have been promised a meeting with Senator Shockwave who is also working on this issue. At least, he was before he was empurata-ed on." I flicked my wings.
"I worry about that happening to you…" She said slowly. "You're so vocal against the Senate and Functionists. Everyone else who is always end up dead or… Changed."
"The Functionists are scared of Seekers. So long as I stay in Vos and am well guarded when I leave I will be fine."
"I know. That's why Vos is so different from the rest of Cybertron. Us Seekers have control over this city."
"Mostly, not fully. I hope to make it absolute. I would prefer the shadow of the Functionist Council to not be cast over my people."
"Same."
I studied my daughter for a moment before speaking. "Any luck with a trinemate?"
"Carrier, I'm not trining. It's just me and Sierra."
"All your siblings have trinemates."
"Good for them. I want something else for my life."
"Alright, but I still want more grandcreations."
You're not getting them from me."
"Fine. Maybe you'll think differently once you-"
"Seriously, carrier, stop it."
"Yes, ma'am." I vented a sigh. "How is Sierra?"
"She's good. As happy as cyberdogs can be. Recharges on my berth all orbital cycle, enjoys a walk, and back to recharge. Living the good life."
"Lucky. I wish I lived that life instead of dealing with drama."
"Any plans?"
"I have a few meetings to attend out of town. Nothing big."
"Senator Shockwave, I would say 'good to see you,' but you lack the face to be pleasant on the optics." I sarcastically greeted with a smirk, my trinemates in formation behind me.
Shockwave spared me a disdained look, well, I think it was. "Your attempt at humor is wasted, Delegate Starscream." He said in that stupid monotone vocalizer of his.
I chuckled. "Ah, Senator, I would say you never change, but… You changed."
"Enough flattery." Megatron grunted, approaching us with Soundwave. "We have business to get to."
"As you command." I gave a half bow, arms outstretched to show I was unarmed, as was custom for Seekers.
Megatron smirked, liking how I was submissive towards him. Although, he probably saw it differently than us Seekers do. "The new Prime will be announced in Iacon during a Senate meeting. What's left of the Senate." He growled the last part.
"I also understand some of the Functionist Council members shall be present as well. Should I prepare for my removal for being a 'beast?'"
"Your removal would be unwise at this time." Shockwave droned. "You are a valuable asset for controlling Vos, and therefore the Space Port."
"Yes, my coveted Space Port. I wonder when they will just assassinate me and be done with their chivalry." I placed my servos on my hips.
"Starscream, I need you to find out what you can about this new Prime and his plans for the Decepticons. Find out anything you can about everything." Megatron ordered.
"Is Soundwave not your designated spy?" I raised on optical ridge.
"He is, but the more optics and audio receptors the better."
"Ah."
"The Decepticons will lay low for now, waiting for our time to strike. We must recruit more, and gain as much political momentum as we can."
"I'll set up a corner for leafleting." I replied.
"Soundwave will be in charge of recruitments. He will also join you in Iacon. While Shockwave will continue to build my combiner."
"In time." Shockwave intoned.
Megatron eyed the Senator before turning to me. "I wish to speak to you in private."
"No trinemates?"
"Private."
I snapped my digits and both my trinemates instantly transformed and flew away. Because I have them that well trained. Soundwave inclined his helm before departing, and Shockwave silently walked off. I stepped before Megatron's throne as he sat on it, wings perked, servos behind my back.
"Well?" I raised an optical ridge.
"Half of the Decepticons want to use violence to remove the Senate, the other half want to use peaceful protests." He leaned back in his throne, optics narrowed as he studied me. "You're trained in military matters. What is your educated opinion?"
"Ah," I didn't speak immediately. "Under normal circumstances I would say peace is best. But as a Seeker, and under the foreboding and dire circumstances we are faced with as a civilization on the brink of an energy crisis and a mad Functionist Council turning all our minds into goo, violence may be our only option. The calculation given to me by a dear friend, a scientist like I, and what Senator Shockwave has reported in the past before his brain was… raped irrevocably, the energy crisis is rapidly nearing. Perhaps only a few stellar cycles away. And with our actions in Kaon now having the Senate on edge… I find it difficult to believe that any change will occur without force before it's too late."
"So, you propose war?"
"I propose necessary action. An all out war is not necessary, but the removal of the Functionists, Senate, and corrupt Prime would be necessary. And any of those who would otherwise oppose and be in a position of power. But I advise against total war. There's not the energy for that, and as a grandcarrier I wish not for my grandcreations to grow up in a time of death and turmoil."
"Ah, but they already are, Starscream. The Senate and Functionists murder those who do not agree with them almost every orbital cycle, and torture the ones they don't. If a quick war were to bring about a truly equal, peaceful world for your grandcreations, would you not prefer that over what we have now?"
I was silent a moment. "So long as the war harms no innocents, I would agree."
"And we shall not harm innocents." He studied me a moment before continuing. "I want you to smuggle more weapons for the Decepticons."
I raised an optical ridge. "Where?"
"Iacon."
"I am not sure I can-"
"You will, Starscream." He snapped. "Use your business trip as an excuse to travel. Horri-bull and Needlenose have agreed to help. Soundwave is trying to persuade for peace, but I don't see any other way."
"Who else has told you that war is the logical path?"
"Why does it matter?"
"Curiosity." I replied innocently.
"Razorclaw, Scorponok, Shockwave-"
"Ah, that makes sense. Senators and their energon lust." I gave a slight flick of my wings, looking back up at him. "I shall do my part, my lord."
"See that you do, Starscream."
"Anything else I am to be apprised of?"
"Work with Soundwave. I trust you two to see to my will."
"As you command."
"They probably got some cranky truck to be the new Prime." I grunted as I walked down the halls of my palace, my trinemates in formation behind me and Soundwave to my right. "It's always the trucks or some other stupid ground vehicle. No offense."
"None taken." Soundwave replied.
"I just don't get why fliers are viewed as lesser when we can fly, you know? Something that has always puzzled me."
"I think it's because of the history of how fliers developed."
"You think?"
"Seekers stayed pretty primitive for a long time before catching up with grounders."
"Sometimes, I would say most of Cybertronians are still quite primitive…"
"Agree."
"Is that you?"
"They're wiggling." He put a servo over his chest panel. "Still getting use to all fitting inside. Ratbat has been difficult to persuade."
"Give him to a traditional trineleader and he will be listening within the orn." I grunted. "Have you tried treats? It does wonders with sparklings."
"Ratbat is not going to-"
"Grandcarrier!"
"There's my little stinker!" I reached down, catching my grandcreation just as she reached me. I lifted her up, tossed her, then hugged her. "How is my little princess doing?"
"Good!" She proclaimed before wrapping her arms around my neck and hugging me.
"That's good." I kissed her on the lip plates. "Where's grampy?"
"Dere!" She pointed at Thundercracker, then giggled.
"Want to give grampy a hug?"
She quickly nodded, smiling so adorable.
"Alright, little missy, here's grampy." I handed her over to Thundercracker, who finally smiled, taking her from me.
"Hey, Nightstorm," He hugged her. "You're so cute as always."
She giggled, her tiny wing stubs twitching in an attempted flutter.
I looked over at Soundwave, wings perking. "You have any?"
"Hmm?"
"Creations?"
"Negative."
"My I prod as to why?"
"I'm not joined to anyone."
"Any candidates?"
"I'm not dating."
"Interested?"
"Negative."
"Sure?"
"Positive."
"Would you be interested in a blind date? My daughters have some very hot grounder friends who are still single."
"I'm not interested, Starscream."
"Fine, fine." I shrugged, continuing on, my entourage following. "Maybe one orbital cycle you'll be a sire, or carrier. I've pushed out five myself. From a different hole than where you push out your… friends."
I'm sure the look he gave me was not amused. I think this was the sign of our long relationship of disagreements was always meant to be.
"Hey, grandcarrier!" Hellscream waved at me, he was about 7 stellar cycles old at this time.
"Hey, Hellscream. Where's your carrier?"
"Over there." He pointed to the lounge.
"Thank you." I approached, entering the room, wings perking as I smiled. "Look at my beautiful daughter. What do I owe the visit?"
"Hey, carrier." Rogue hugged me, her wings fluttering. "The little ones wanted to see their grandcreators, so we came on by."
"I'm glad you did. Love seeing my beautiful, perfect creations." I kissed her on the cheekplates before releasing her. "Come here, sons."
"Hey, carrier." Hunter hugged me, he was the trineleader. "Good to see you."
"Good to see you as well." I then hugged Warhawk, who was very sparked. "What you got in there? A tank?" I put my servo over his abdomen, feeling the gentle kicks.
"No, twins. They are killing me."
"I can relate."
I looked over at my other guest. "Soundwave, meet my fourth oldest, Rogue." I gestured to my daughter. "And these are her trinemates, Hunter and Warhawk. Fantastic mechs I am proud to call my sons, now."
"Pleasure meeting you." Soundwave inclined his helm, knowing enough Seeker culture to be respectful.
"Business?" Hunter inquired, eyeing the Decepticon insignia on Soundwave's chest.
"Of sorts." I replied just as Cumulus, Rogue's eldest at 11 stellar cycles, hugged me tightly. I patted his helm as he fluttered his wings.
"Curious what 'business' he has to do with you, carrier." Rogue gave me a look.
"He's helping me with providing energon and other supplies to the homeless in Kaon after that tribulation. And he also is speaking about the true Decepticon cause of bringing about political equality through peace, if you should like to ask more about that."
"I'm not opposed to the Decepticons if that's what you're saying." Hunter replied. "I think we all know most Seekers agree, but we are not ready for any war. We're raising families, not gathering arms."
"And staying out of a war is what I intend to do." I spoke. "My Seekers comes first, always." I took Nightstorm from Thundercracker and held her to Soundwave. "Have you ever held a Seekerlet before?"
"Negative." He replied softly, gently taking her.
Nightstorm eyed him, pressing her palms over his mask, curious why he had no face, but then again so did the royal guards. She then smiled, liking how different he was. She giggled as she slapped his chestplate, thinking the hollow sound was so cool.
Soundwave listened, understanding her, then stroked her helm. "So many questions." He quietly said.
I had been informed he was an outlier, but didn't fully grasp at this time just how powerful he was. But, he was also still trying to hone in his skills with his ability, so hadn't become as powerful as he would later in the war.
"There's someone I'd like you to have the honor of meeting." I said.
Soundwave handed Nightstorm to her sire before following me. I led him through my palace until we came to the desired room. I palmed the door open and entered.
"Skyfire, I'd like you to have the honor of meeting Soundwave." I introduced them.
Skyfire stood up from his desk, politely smiling, then seeing the insignia. "Oh, I see. Um, nice meeting you, Soundwave." He held out his servo.
Soundwave inclined his helm before shaking the proffered servo.
"Soundwave will be accompanying us to Iacon." I said. "While I'll be present for a political matter, Skyfire is going to be starting a job there that will further his career despite his form. Skyfire is a dear friend of mine who attended academy with me and helped me with many of my life's problems. Even was present for the births of some of my creations. You'll never meet a more loyal, kind, and honest mech."
Skyfire sheepishly smiled. "Thanks, Star. I try."
"Since you two will be in Iacon for a while, perhaps you could have some palaver, get better acquainted, and have a few drinks. I think we all could have some drinks and discussions." I smiled.
"Every time we come back here I am flooded with bad memories." I said as I looked out the window, seeing Iacon below us from our ship.
"I'm sorry…" Thundercracker said quietly, knowing what those bad thoughts were.
"I never want to go near that apartment again." I vented a sigh, then leaned into his chassis as he sat beside me. "We're past that, but it still overwhelms me."
"I know…" He swallowed, wishing he had never done the things he had to me in that apartment, here in Iacon.
"I think about a lot of sparkling labor." Skywarp grunted. "We pushed them all out in that hospital."
"Some good memories, mixed in with a lot of bad."
Thundercracker kissed me, wanting to make me feel better. I fluttered my wings, jingling loudly from all the decorative jewels I wore as I was in my royal garb.
Soundwave and Skyfire sat across from us, Asperitas and several guards in their armor nearby. Gearshift had also tagged along, more for moral support than anything.
"Ready for whatever they are going to do?" Skyfire asked.
"Never can be with the Senate. I have my advisors. I'll be alright." I assured him.
"We are beginning our descent, my liege." Asperitas apprised me."
The ship soon landed on a landing platform, and we finally could depart. Soundwave transformed into his recording form, and I placed him secretly within my royal garb so that he was hidden. Decepticons aren't too welcomed in Iacon.
"Delegate Starscream, this way." A security guard greeted me as I exited my ship, my trinemates in formation behind me, with my advisors, guards, and friends following.
We walked through security and soon I was in the Senate building, having been here a few times before. Thundercracker checked over my paint, making sure I was looking perfect before being seen by any Senators or a Prime. Asperitas and the other guards stayed on high alert, and my advisors wouldn't shut up about anything and everything that could happen and what I should say and do.
"Look up."
I did so as Thundercracker touched up some paint around my optics, making it darker so my optics "popped" out more. He was in the middle of beautifying me when Skyfire approached.
"Star, I should be heading to my new mentor. Not like I can do anything here."
"That's fine. I'll swing by afterwards and say all my farewells, hugs, kisses, cuddles, everything." I said, not moving as Thundercracker worked his magic. He made me so pretty.
"Okay, catch you later, silly Seeker." He smiled as he gave me a small wave.
"Seeya, Fatty McFat Fat!" I waved back, still trying to hold still.
He rolled his optics as he walked away. I knew he just left because he wanted to avoid the boring slag. Aft.
Thunder had my optics all painted, checked over my denta, and saw to small blemishes, before putting a special layer of paint polish on my lip plates to make them look sleeker and shinier. I truly was so beautiful and ready to be seen by those who think lesser of me.
"Perfect. He's ready." Thundercracker announced once finishing with me.
"Whoa, look at my sexy, little bro." Gearshift smiled as he took a picture of me. "Pose for me."
"Oh, like a model?" I slightly turned my side to him, gave him a sexy look, then kissy faced at him.
"Yas, work it!" Gearshift took another picture of me. "Sassy pose!"
I turned so my front was facing him, a servo on my hip, cape over the arm that was relaxed, mouth slightly open, and desirable optics at him.
"Yas, queen!" He took another picture.
"Alright, alright, stop it." Fireflight stopped us. "Focus, sir. We need you acting mature out there."
"Fabulousness is mature." I defended my actions with a supercilious tilt of my olfactory sensor as I flipped my cape over the opposite shoulder.
"Acting like a damn slut aint't gonna get ya anythin' in life but a hard spike in you, ya dumb, young, salacious, spawn-of-a-"
"Noctilucent!" Astral snapped, just before the old Seeker struck me with his walking cane as he threateningly waved it above his helm.
I took a step back from the old grouch. "Apologies. I'll be better." I said quickly, adjusting my cape.
"Ready?" Rainfall inquired.
"Yes, let's do this." I smiled. "OUCH!" I leaped forward, servos quickly covering my aft. "The hell!?"
"Quit actin' like a damn harlot, ya Primus-forsaken, young-!" Noctilucent continued after smacking his cane across my aft hard.
"Stop it, you senile cog!" Hurricane pulled the elder away from me.
"I'm being assaulted by my own advisors." I rubbed my aft pathetically, ignoring Skywarp's snicker. "All because of sexy poses."
"I did get a picture of it." Gearshift smiled. "I'm sending it to our carriers, now."
I rolled my optics. "Let's just impress these political wasteports and be done with it." I grunted.
We entered the council room, finding our seat rather high up. I had my trinemates on either side of me, my advisors sitting behind me, and a few guards around. The rest of the guards and Gearshift stayed just outside the door. Not too many people were supposed to be in here.
I admired all the empty chairs, so many of the senators slain. The ones still alive, all three, were present, along with a few delegates and brand new senators who had been selected just orbital cycles ago.
I saw Shockwave, who ignored me. I patted Soundwave where he was hidden, letting him know to begin recording.
The politicians started off mostly complaining about the Decepticons and what had transpired in Kaon. Not really worth the listening to since it was all the same about how bad the Decepticons were, lies about them being evil, and the usual discrimination against "lesser" frame types. A real bore.
My trinemates and I spent most of the time whispering to each other about how ugly the politicians were, and that Shockwave was fat. Always was fat…
It took a while before the primary reason for our coming arrived. I raised my optical ridge, not impressed by his looks, but he was big, and intimidating.
"Greetings, Senators, delegates," The newcomer welcomed us, smiling at us like a snake. "I am pleased to accept the position of Prime, and serve Cybertron. I am Zeta Prime."
I bit my lower lip plate, studying this brute, already not liking him. My instincts never failed me.
Not much happened in the meeting, just boring political talk. Zeta Prime had announced some plans of his such as allowing the lesser models having a few more freedoms with what they did in their life, a move simply to placate the tension from the Decepticons. And he had spoken about making changes to the security forces that once served Sentinel Prime to better defend against rising Decepticon forces. He had said he wanted to call this anti-Decepticon force the "Autobots."
I didn't feel like I had gained anything from that meeting, and when I left with my advisers and guards I just was more annoyed than anything. I departed with Soundwave in a less busy part of the city, for he had work of his own to attend to, and I left to find where this new mentor of my best friend stayed at.
"They better open before I kick the door down…" I grunted as I stood outside the clinic.
"Patience, Starscream." Thundercracker spoke, standing in formation behind me, servos behind his back.
"Like I have any of that. I killed it long ago. Stabbed it with a knife! Right in it's pulsating spark." I shook my fist.
Thundercracker smirked. "Why do I love you so much?"
I smiled back at him. "Because I'm fabulous."
"You are."
I stepped up and kissed him on the lip plates, then quickly turned back around when I heard the door opening.
"Can I help you?" A blue grounder asked.
"Yes, my friend Skyfire is here. I'm coming by for a quick farewell before I must return to Vos." I smiled.
"I am not sure if-"
"Just let me in." I pushed past him with my trinemates, Gearshift, Asperitas, and Nacelle following, everyone else having returned to the ship.
I walked down a few halls before coming to the room where my big, fat lump was located. Without hesitation nor invitation, I ran over and hugged him from behind.
"Guess who?" I fluttered my wings, never letting go.
Skyfire smiled. "Hey, silly Seeker. They didn't keep you all orbital cycle, then?"
"Felt like it." I spun around him until I was in front of him, then held out my arms.
He picked me up, holding my aft as my legs wrapped around his waist and my arms around his neck. I nuzzled his faceplates, purring my engine and fluttering my wings.
"You're so adorable. I think I'll keep you forever." He smiled that beautiful, loving, perfect smile of his he only gave me. Gah! I want to tear it off his faceplates and keep it for myself!
"Yes! Keep me!" I giggled.
"Thundercracker, I'm keeping him." Skyfire informed my mate.
"That's fine. He kicks and eats all goodies, and can be such a slob." Thundercracker shrugged indifferently.
I glared at him, then turned back to Skyfire. "He's mean."
"He is."
"Cuddles!" I hugged him tighter.
Skyfire smiled, hugging me firmly, his engine purring, savoring this moment with me. One of our lasts without us even knowing.
"I'm sorry, but who are you?"
I looked up at the grunted question, wings perking. "I could ask you the same thing." I sassed back.
"Oh, Ratchet, this is my best friend, Starscream." Skyfire said quickly. "Starscream, this is my mentor, Ratchet."
"Oh!" I hopped out of his arms, adjusted my cape and crown, trotted over, and slightly bowed as I held a servo out. "Alpha Starscream of Vos. It is an honor and joy to finally meet you, Ratchet of Vaporex."
"Uh, sure." Ratchet gave my servo a quick shake, which was not what he was supposed to do…
I felt insulted, but reminded myself he probably never met a Seeker before, so forced myself to remain silent and polite. I kept my smile as I stood, never looking away from him. "I thank you with all my gratitude for offering my dearest friend this phenomenal opportunity to train under your guidance and vast knowledge. I hope only for the best for you both, and perhaps more auspicious chances may arise for a lesser frame such as that of Skyfire's. He is a hard worker and skilled listener. He will do well for you and all other future endeavors."
"I know he will. That's why I asked him to be my assistant." He paused to study me. "What's with this get up?" He gestured to my garb.
"Royalty. I am the Alpha of the Seekers and a born prince." I smiled proudly.
"Just look like another bot to me." He grunted, walking past me.
My optics widened as my jaw dropped, absolutely appalled that that level of disrespect was spoken to me to my face by a grounder! I twirled around, ready to say something in a sarcastic retort or volatile insult, but Skyfire gave me a look that forced my jaws clenched, my denta snapping onto my glossa that hadn't fully retracted, and I tasted my own energon. The one problem with sharp denta…
"Starscream is royalty, despite how… playful he is at times." Skyfire said. "Oh, and these are his trinemates, Thundercracker and Skywarp, and that's Gearshift who is just an amazing mech."
"Hiyah!" Gearshift waved, smiling.
"Nice meeting all of you. Unfortunately, we can't have guests barging in like this all the time. There's security and we have work to be doing." Ratchet informed strictly.
"Don't worry, they are going back to Vos. Starscream just was stopping by to say 'goodbye.' He had to be part of the Senate meeting, so sometimes he does come to Iacon for political matters or for something at the Science Academy that we both attended." Skyfire looked over at me. "But I'm sure he'll try to come over a few times just to hang out with me, right, Stars?"
I forgot to swallow the energon before speaking, still so angry about the disrespect. "As if." I snapped, energon leaking out.
Skyfire raised an optic ridge. "Are you alright?"
I was horrified when I noticed, but kept my cool. "No, I bit my glossa." I grabbed Skywarp's servo and used it to wipe away the energon from my chin, which he did not approve of.
"Ew! I'll lick your valve, but this is too much!" He jerked his servo away.
I snarled, he snarled back, I hissed, splattering energon at him, he flared his wings, snarled, war shrieked, and held up his claws threateningly.
Skyfire's whole expression was just horror, embarrassment, and wanting to die right then and there. Ratchet was not impressed, but I also think fascinated.
"Hey, break it up!" Gearshift snapped, clapping his servos together to jolt us out of our tense stare down.
Skywarp flicked his wings, grumbling not very nice things about me as he turned to clean off his servo on Thundercracker's arm. Who rolled his optics and wanted to murder.
I snatched the cloth that Asperitas proffered me, for he was always prepared, and wiped myself off before tossing it back at him.
"Apologies, Ratchet, Skyfire. Simply tired from the trip and the meeting. We should be going. But, before I depart, another hug." I quickly trotted over to Skyfire, who got down on one knee and embraced me.
I snuggled into his chassis, listening to the hum of his large engine, feeling those strong, loving, protective arms holding me, feeling his love for me in that hug. So much love and care emanating from his being, all for me. I loved him so much.
"You be good, silly Seeker." He said gently, patting my helm, being careful of my crown. "Stay out of trouble, don't kill anyone, and behave."
"You know I can't." I giggled.
"I know, but try. For me?"
"Always for you." I nuzzled my olfactory sensor against his, wings fluttering.
"You're the best." He smiled at me, all his love pouring out in it, and how his optics glowed with this pure love and desire to show his love for me right then and there, but holding back. "I love you."
"Love you, more."
"Love you even more, my little Seeker."
"Love you mostest, my big, fatty mcfat fat! And your enormous aft!" I snickered.
"You are the silliest. Stop being perfect."
"You stop."
"Be good. I'll see you next time you visit. Give me a call when you get home safely."
"I shall." I wrapped my arms around his neck, tightly. "I wanna eat your face!"
"Don't. I need that."
"Kiss then?"
"Kiss is fine."
I kissed him on the cheekplates, wishing I could kiss his lip plates, then plunge my glossa in his mouth, then we frag there in front of everyone, but, alas, my trinemates hadn't accepted him yet so we needed to refrain from adultery in public.
"Be good." He said as I cupped his faceplates, pressing my brow and olfactory sensor against his, optics offline, grinning broadly, and my wings fluttering madly. I couldn't help but bounce some on my thruster heels. "Shhh, calm down. Don't do the aft wiggle."
"Yes, aft wiggle!" I giggled as I did just that.
"You have too much energy. If I had half the amount of energy you had I could power the entire city. Star, sweetie, don't bite me. Your denta are very sharp and it hurts me. You know I'm a delicate flower. Star, sweetspark, no bites." He said it so gently and calm despite me snapping at his faceplates in extreme close proximity. "Okay, if we prolong this anymore you will explode or succeed in biting me, and I don't want either outcome. No biting. Stop biting. Seriously, stop biting." He now was holding the sides of my helm, keeping me back as I was getting more aggressive with my biting, but his vocalizer stayed the same calm, steady tone.
"Is love bites!" I proclaimed proudly.
"No, love bite. Love hugs and kisses only. Primus… Don't snarl. I get it, they are sharp. So sharp and I really don't want that chomping down on me, gorgeous." He sweetly informed me, still holding me back. I knew he was getting embarrassed. "Okay, I'm going to let you go and you aren't going to bite me, nor are you going to punch my abdomen, nor karate chop my neck, nor knee my codpiece, nor inflict any pain to my person. Okay? We are not at home, we're in front of people. Star, sweetie, I saw that. Peds on the floor. No kicking, no punching, no hurting Skyfire. We love Skyfire. Right? Love him. Peds down. Thank you, darling." He was starting to sound mildly exasperated, but trying to stay sweet and calm.
"I won't hurt you."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Skyfire did not seem convinced, but he needed to end this. "Alright. I'm going to let go of you, and only hugs and kisses. Understood?"
"Understood." I smiled innocently.
He was so not believing me, an optical ridge rising. But he slowly let go of me. "Okay, Star, I'll see you-OUCH! GODDAMMIT YOU LITTLE SON-OF-A-WHORE!" He jumped back, covering his faceplates as energon oozed out where I had rapid bit him on the bridge of the olfactory sensor. Right at the sweet spot. "ARGH! WHY ARE YOU THE WAY THAT YOU ARE?!"
"Love you! I'll call you tonight, Skies!" I smiled, waving at him. "Definitely treat that. I might be diseased."
"Just go." He growled, glaring away from me.
"Fine, grumpy." I rolled my optics with a flick of my wings. "Talk to you later, Sky. I'll see you later."
"Mhmm."
"Bye!" I used my incredible speed to quickly punch him in the codpiece, then trot away with my entourage. "Byessss!" I waved so sweetly, watching him crumble in a heap on the floor, clutching his codpiece and groaning.
Ratchet waited until we had gone before speaking to my best friend who I loved more than anything. "He's… Quite the character." Was the grunted comment.
Skyfire's optics were narrowed, so pissed. He slowly sat up, energon now dried on his olfactory sensor and cheekplates, little Skyfire still throbbing down below.
"He is an aft." He growled. "And for some reason I'm madly in love with him and want him to have my sparklings. He's not always like this. He does this when he's stressed. He was pissed when I told him about this apprenticeship, and he doesn't handle goodbyes very well. So, he hides his feelings by biting and punching me." He vented a sigh. "Sorry about them bothering you."
"No, I'm sorry." Ratchet grunted. "Let me look at that." He gestured to the facial wound.
"Please, do."
I lied. I wasn't going back to Vos. Not yet, anyway. I had some other business to attend to. Secret business.
I led my trinemates down the rougher streets of Iacon, my guards, Gearshift, advisors, and royal garb all left on the ship. It was night, the unpleasants of the city making their way to where we were headed.
"I don't like this, Starscream." Thundercracker averred, wings flaring, watching the drunks and Syk addicts we passed closely.
"You don't like a quaint saunter through the red light district, dearest brother?" I smirked.
"No." He curtly growled.
"Red light district?" Skywarp perked his wings.
"You know, my love." I rolled my optics, not looking back when he didn't speak, waiting for me to tell him. "Bordellos."
It took him a moment. "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" He loudly vocalized when realization dawned upon him. Then, his tone changed drastically as he devilishly smiled, wings fluttering, optics narrowing. "Oh…"
"We're here." I announced after a bit.
"'Sinner's Paradise?'" Thundercracker crossed his arms as he read the sign. "Pfft, I would prefer more imagination…"
"There's only so many options, Thunder." I palmed open the door and we entered. Our first time in a brothel.
It was well lit, expensive sofas, cushions, tables, lamps… Looking more like a parlor for the rich than somewhere when desperate for pleasure. And the femmes we saw… Very thin, lacking most of their outer plating, enlarged breastplates, very pronounced rear ends, and the most winsome of visages with large optics. They were stunning.
I glanced back at my trinemates, their optics wide and jaws open just as mine were. We had certainly been missing out.
"And how may I service you, my lords?"
I snapped back to reality, turning to her instantly and smirking. "Hello, my dear, where is the owner of this fine establishment?"
"Right this way, my lord." The prostitute gracefully turned and led us away, her hips salaciously swaying, her body so voluptuous. As were they all.
We followed, passing rooms where we heard the illicit acts, the groans, the moans of well trained whores, the creaking of berths, clanging of bodies, and all the more intimate sounds of two people being connected with a lot of gooey fluids being rubbed tightly around. Despite us being very open with interface, especially our own, and witnessing it so much, we couldn't help but exchanged disturbed and slightly grossed out expressions with each other. Especially when we smelled it…
We came to a room where several of the young femmes still in training were being spoken to by their pimp. I waited until our guide informed the business owner of our arrival.
"And what brings Seekers to my whorehouse?" The mistress inquired, standing before me.
She was about my height, very thin, black, her optics purple, lip plates ebony, large hips, and stiletto heeled peds. Her digits were long with claws, her helm adorning horn-like structures, and a coiled energy whip attached at her right hip, as she held a long crop.
I pushed back the fear of the whip, the memories of the past flooding my processor. She wasn't going to hurt me, it was for the whores. I composed myself, and forced my smirk that would soon become infamous, and let my honeyed vocalizer purr.
"An honor to be meeting you, ma'am." I slightly bowed, holding out my servo to her.
"Hmm," She grinned, placing her servo in mine, as that idiot Ratchet should have done but the dolt didn't because he's an idiot… "Madam Phrynaira is what I am called. And you, my lord? What are you called?"
"Starscream of Vos, but for you, whatever you deem befitting." I then kissed her knuckles.
Thundercracker rolled his optics. He would soon learn better that I took what my carrier told me seriously. When carrier says to over do an act, I fragging do as she says!
Her smile grew. "And how may I serve you, Starscream of Vos?"
I released her servo and straightened myself. "Brothels serve many purposes other than just pleasuring the minds and bodies of those seeking their forbidden treasures. Throughout history they have aided those in war with not just keeping the morality of soldiers high, but providing valuable intelligence to the generals of the conflicting armies."
She raised an optical ridge. "Espionage?"
My smile grew. "Whispers in the darkness. Your establishment is the best in Iacon, and hence is visited by the politicians who congregate within this metropolis. Along with their security, advisors, friends… And your escort service provides the chance to be within their dwellings." I paused to see if she would say anything, but she remained silent. "They speak as they indulge in the forsaken feast, whisper secrets that they know not to say, brag to hide what they lack, attempting to impress with confidential knowledge, shouting and screaming their greatest crimes into their climax." I leaned closer to her. "And I wish to hear these words. The forbidden whispers, the sacred secrets, the tales that depart adulterating lip plates in the midst of the clandestine kiss."
"What do you wish to learn about?" She inquired, an optical ridge rising.
My smile grew. "Everything."
Yay, second chapter up! I'm sorry this one took a while to write, but I am closely following the IDW G1 Transformers comics (2005), just as I do with all my fics since those are the legit real deal of all TF universes, and just the mistakes in it... Like I said before, a lot of mistakes were made especially with the timeline in this period. So many writers working on this series and some not caring too much about what other writers already put in stone. One thing is several writers had Starscream doing like 20 things at this time, and in the time period of when Starscream meets Megatron up till the events of Primacy just... No, he couldn't do that. Like, they had him recruiting for the Decepticons before even meeting Megatron, which makes no sense, then have him recruiting and trying to kill Zeta on the same day, and also doing the events of Megatron Origin while also being a delegate and yet not even being caught, and... Ugh.
So, there's a lot and I am being forced to make changes because he could never do all these things, especially being in a place of power as a delegate (or as a King) and needing his identity hidden, and just... It's too much.
So, I am making it that he's not a recruiter. He did not recruit Shockwave because he hadn't even met Megatron yet to even introduce him to Megs, as what happened in Shockwaves, the opening issue to Dark Cybertron.
Basically, I am having to dig through flashbacks in Optimus Prime, Dark Cybertron, while also following Megatron Origin and the Autocracy trilogy. It's so confusing. Thank goodness I need only to follow wherever Starscream appears, otherwise it would be hopeless.
So, anyway, the things I had to fix/change was making Starscream not recruit Shockwave, and figuring out how Starscream's name wasn't on file. Clearly, everyone had their names filed since Starscream's name was spoken by Proteus as he listed his crimes. So, how did that get lost? Cameras can be destroyed and Soundwave did go in and remove footage and whatever he could. But if names were taken, they would of been stored, and leaked to the news or otherwise accessed by someone who could of gotten a copy of the files before fleeing Kaon. So, having an excuse made up that it was the wrong Seeker, and going in to change existing files would be the only way Starscream could sneak out of this one. He needs a big coverup.
Dai Atlas survived because Shockwave had shot his legs to wound him, knowing the plan of the Decepticons. Further evidence he was recruited before Starscream even met Megatron, and yet Starscream was there when Shockwave first met Megatron and... Ugh. Continuity errors galore. Just go back and reread the issues I listed above. You'll see what I am talking about with how Starscream appears on the panels, the pacing, everything. Blech.
The energy crisis is also happening at this time, another push of the war beginning. Kinda like what we are going through now with destroying our own planet, but it's primarily because of animal agriculture! Watch Cowspiracy on Netflix or find it free online. And check out the website of the same name. We are all dying because of animal agriculture...
Phryne is a famous prostitute from Greece. Hetaira is the Greek word for courtesan. I'm sure you see what I did there. Phryne is best known for being sent to court for some crime, probably selling her body, and she proved her innocence by stripping naked before everyone and like making all the guys lose their shit and they couldn't punish her because she was so stunning. True story. Look it up.
Throughout history brothels were used to gather information. Generals, leaders, soldiers, etc. would go and while doing things to the prostitutes they would talk, often about the war, plans, etc. Probably to brag, probably because they would drink, etc. This is a real thing, not just something in Game of Thrones. Where you think George R. R. Martin got the idea? Prostitutes have done a LOT throughout history, even built the west. Without brothels the west would of never been taken over. At least, not for a much longer time. Documentaries are on this so look it up.
You can still find maps of the red light district (where all the brothels were in a town. Red light refers to the lights prostitutes would use to signal they were open) in Washington DC for visiting politicians. They are stored in the Library of Congress, but are accessible online.
All the characters I named, minus some Seekers, are actually canon characters. There are multiple canon Crosscuts, so I'm not being lazy there. The guy who hurt Zephyr in the prequel is different from Senator Crosscut who in the comics never died and even was on the Lost Light.
Skyfire in the comics did work for Ratchet because Ratchet saw that he was a smart guy that couldn't get a job due to being a shuttle. So, he made him an apprentice. This is in flashbacks in the Optimus Prime comics so go back and read them for that.
Hellscream was a name originally thought up for Starscream.
Starscream and Skyfire's relationship is definitely the way I write it. XD Starscream can truly be himself with Skyfire, and right now Starscream is still very young. He's like around my age, 23 or so. His babies are moved out so he doesn't have to be so responsible, and just relax. He is so young, he lived so much of his life being pampered and protected in a palace so he didn't have to grow up fast mentally, and then Thundercracker provided for him almost immediately afterwards, and he's coming out of the hole he had been in during the abuse from Thundercracker, so free now that it spills out in goofiness, being loud, and no filter. And of course the culture differences, him being so energetic, and wanting to annoy those he cares for makes him so silly and the way he is with Skyfire. He's free now and life is looking so good. He's happy, he wants to be happy, and he's starting to recover from the abuse.
And you know this won't last so enjoy silly Starscream while it lasts! Because Megatron has to come around and fuck everything over with his poop head and everything. Shit head is over used. He's a poop head. :P
So, yeah, Starscream's silly, energetic, and bites with those very sharp denta he has. The adaption made them sharper so just like imagine super sharp denta, sharp canines and all.
And Starscream already knows some about manipulation due to his carrier. Moonlight, if you recall from A Prince of Vos, would use her body and words to manipulate Skycutter to do things for her or her babies. And then Starscream repeated these things on Thundercracker, like when baby Zephyr wanted friends over, TC denied her, and so Starscream took him in the other room and gave him a blow job and other sexual acts and got TC to change his mind. Also, when you are in an abusive situation you often learn how to lie and plan things. I did with mine and now I'm a terrific liar and can search through a room, take it apart, and put it back exactly as it had been prior so no one would know I was in there. I had to be able to do this in order to survive. So, Starscream also learned tricks to survive. So, that's why he already has some knowledge on how to play a honeyed voice, manipulate, and get his way. But he'll of course learn more and improve over time until he become that great manipulative snake we all love.
Bear with me, everyone. We'll get to the war soon and then things will quickly escalate and be insane. Just gotta get through how the war begins and the rising tension!
As always, comment, share, fave, draw me fanart or commission someone to draw fanart, GO VEGAN, don't do drugs, look both ways before crossing the street, and don't get eaten by zombies. That would suck...
Until the winds guide you to my next chapter, stay safe and true, and tear out the eyes of your enemies, lest they watch you in your sleep. Hunt in the shadows, and let the wind forever be at the back of your wings, and carry you far.
