Author's Notes: I want to thank Melral CT-3718 for helping me come up with that funny part involving Bumblebee (you guys will know it when you see it). Anyway, a lot of stuff happens in this chapter, but I must admit that nothing feels complete here. This chapter pretty much shows the beginnings of story arcs that are important to the plot. Also, I did not forget the miner couple subplot, but they don't appear in this chapter. They will come back later though. Anyway, thank you for reading and/or reviewing and I hope you are enjoying this story so far :)
Chapter 15
Out Cold
Chromia, PR-35, and VS-5000 drove through the space bridge at record speeds, though for different reasons. Chromia drove quickly to see if Ironhide was alright. The Vehicons drove quickly to keep up with the worried femme.
When they made it back to base everything was utter chaos. Ratchet was frantically working on Bulkhead on the ground while Optimus lifted Ironhide onto a berth. Both of the former Wreckers were unconscious, and judging from everyone's reactions they could be dying before their very optics.
"Ironhide!" Chromia screamed as she rushed over to where her sparkmate lay unmoving, "Prime, what happened? Who did this to my mech?"
"They have both suffered tox-en poisoning and were attacked by Insecticons," Optimus explained as gently as he could without holding back.
"Bluestreak! Go to the medbay! I need you to stabilize Ironhide now!" Ratchet demanded as he shocked Bulkhead's systems for probably the tenth time.
"On it!" PR-35 shouted as he rushed to the medbay toward his patient.
VS-5000, upon seeing PR-35 heading toward the large black unconscious Autobot, decided to follow him.
"Whoa, so it's all true?" VS-5000 whispered once they were away from the other Autobots, "They really let you perform surgery?"
"This is my first real patient," PR-35 replied quickly as he prepared a cleansing fluid using various chemicals Ratchet had taught him about, "Ratchet doesn't have any help, so he has nothing to lose by training me."
"Yeah, nothing to lose but an Autobot," VS-5000 pointed out, "I can't believe how much they trust you. You've only been gone from the Nemesis for a couple weeks, if that long! This is so bizarre."
"I know. I think so too," PR-35 admitted, "However, I won't do anything to betray them, and it isn't just my fear talking anymore. I know something could go wrong but for right now...I have a home, I have a purpose, and I have someone in my life that cares about me. I know I'm probably too old to care about my sire's approval, but I do care. I want this life, and I'll be whatever they need me to be to keep it...even if it means going by that stupid name."
"I dunno, I think the name Bluestreak is kinda cool," VS-5000 shrugged, "So uh...You need any help stabilizing the big guy?"
"No offense VS-5000, but I've seen you in simulation training," PR-35 replied cheekily, "You bump into walls and you break other drones' tools. If you don't mind, please leave the medbay so I can work."
"Eh, fine by me," VS-5000 shrugged again, "I've got some networking to do anyway."
As VS-5000 left the medbay Ratchet rushed past with Chromia carrying Bulkhead. As soon as she could she rushed over to where PR-35 was working on Ironhide. She alternated between concerned longing looks down at her mate and quick suspicious glances at the Vehicon apprentice. PR-35 was nervous, but he had a job to do. He knew that if Ironhide died then he would probably die as well; Chromia would see to that.
Meanwhile, outside the medbay VS-5000 took a look around at the busy control room of the base. He couldn't believe he was really inside the Autobot's secret headquarters. He knew that this could be his best chance to relay the information to Megatron and be a hero among the troops. He also knew however that as a Vehicon he would still be expendable to his superiors no matter how many Autobot bases he tore down and burned to the ground on their behalf.
Bases. Burning bases were often a big part of VS-5000's dreams. Sometimes he would be running from an enemy destroying a base, and sometimes he would be the one burning a base to the ground. Hunter and hunted, and the sneakiest always won the game. These dreams were bad, but somehow they weren't even the worst of his nightmares. No, that would go to that dream he had where he was at a party and had too much high grade, only to enter a berth room to throw up and catch two members of his unit interfacing. Yeah, there wasn't enough processor-wiping technology in the universe to get rid of that one.
While he was still unnoticed he took inventory of those present in the room. He saw two humans, both young males. They looked like fun. Most Decepticons considered organics nothing but filthy vermin, but VS-5000 was curious about them. Not in a peace and love sort of way like an Autobot, but more in a I-wonder-if-I-should-touch-it sort of way. He also saw Arcee and Bumblebee talking quietly to each other, and he had to suppress a shudder.
Scrap, two of the deadliest Autobots in one room! VS-5000 thought to himself. Stupid yellow troublemaker. He killed Skyquake, not to mention countless others. It's weird to see him acting so calm right now. He doesn't even look that dangerous up close, but I know he's practically a one-Bot plague! Heh heh, side effects of a Bumblebee encounter include anxiety, nausea, decapitation, a feeling of approaching doom, spark explosion, headache, diarrhea, erectile dysfunction, dismemberment, and death. Please consult your nearest Decepticon officer before attempting to attack Bumblebee. Hah hah! Medical humor...I've gotta tell PR-35 that one!
VS-5000 was pulled out of his thoughts when he finally saw the one Autobot he had actually been looking for: Optimus Prime. This was his chance! If he was going to get out of Megatron's control, then he would need a new master. If he could prove to the Prime that he was indispensable then he would be protected and appreciated by the Autobots forever. Yes, this could work. He had a plan.
Optimus was worried about Bulkhead, Ironhide, Miko, Wheeljack, Arcee, and Chromia. They had the potential to lose two Autobots, and he had sworn to himself that he would not lose another comrade to Megatron's tyranny. Cliffjumper dying had lowered morale for everyone involved, and the near death of Rafael at Megatron's servo a mere two months prior was still fresh on everyone's processors. Then they learned the potential conspiracy involving the Vehicons. So many innocent sparks corrupted and snuffed. He had to find some way to stop Megatron once and for all.
"Excuse me, Optimus Prime sir?"
"Huh? Oh, I did not see you there Bluestreak," Optimus greeted the Vehicon apologetically, "What can I do for you?"
"I'm not Bluestreak, I'm VS-5000, and this is actually about what I can do for you," VS-5000 introduced himself in a way he hoped was confident and friendly, "Sir, this is your lucky orn! I have defected to the Autobots, and now I am here to serve as your personal butler!"
"Um, I'm sorry, but I don't need a butler," Optimus replied politely.
"You don't have a choice," VS-5000 quickly retorted, "So, can I get you a cube of energon sir?"
"Listen, I am grateful that you have decided to leave Megatron," Optimus replied patiently, "However, this is not the best time for us to have this conversation."
"I understand sir," VS-5000 nodded dutifully, "No one feels like talking without a refreshing beverage. So, just tell me where the energon cubes are kept and I'll get you one right away."
"You're not very good at taking orders, are you?" Optimus deadpanned.
"Oh I'm the best at taking orders sir, but you haven't given any," VS-5000 countered, "Come on, test me! I'm great at this! I'm a newer model than PR-35, so my gun can transform into a hand. You've gotta give me a chance, Master! I'm practically a collector's item! I'm the last Vehicon built in Vos before they switched over to Eradicons. Tell me that's not worth something to you! No wait, don't tell me that!"
"Alright, you want an order?" Optimus asked slowly, and the Vehicon nodded vigorously, "Alright then, your first order is to not call me master again. You may call me Prime, Optimus, or sir. Understand?"
"Yes, my liege!" VS-5000 declared, and at Optimus's withering look added, "Hey, you didn't say I couldn't call you my liege."
"Bumblebee!" Optimus called out, and the scout approached immediately, "Bumblebee, this new Vehicon has defected from the Decepticons. Please set him up with a berth in the same room as PR-35. I'm sorry young Vehicon, but we do not have any more spare rooms."
"That's okay sir, I shared a room with 24 other drones back on the Nemesis," VS-5000 replied cheerfully, but then with a worried expression asked, "Um, incidentally, does Bumblebee read minds? I've thought some things I really wouldn't wanna have to explain."
Bumblebee looked at Optimus with a puzzled expression, and the Prime's own face plates echoed that confusion. With no answers forthcoming however Bumblebee just shrugged it off and led their newest drone to his room.
VS-5001 had flown for hours before he detected the harbinger. This ship was well concealed and its location was not documented in the Decepticon database. It was a wonder VS-5001 found it at all, but he knew he needed to be here. He knew Starscream would be here, and for whatever reason he felt that this rogue 'Con might be the only one left who would listen to him.
The drone landed as quietly as he could. He didn't want to sneak up on his former commander, but he also didn't want to announce himself before he found cover in case of an attack from the unstable seeker.
VS-5001 walked carefully inside the ship. It wasn't very big, but there were many interesting things to be found. He saw scattered remains of what looked to be protoforms, claw marks on the walls, and faint glowing lights in the distance of the hallway. VS-5001 could feel the spark in his chassis thrumming, but he would not give up now. He had come too far and risked too much to not see his madness through to completion.
The room with the lights had a clear trophy case with a new addition recently placed inside. It looked to be some sort of portable armor, if VS-5001 guessed correctly. He looked all around the room, and down on the floor was where he saw Starscream; passed out cold.
The Eradicon scanned the stasis-locked seeker and found that his energon was at a merely 10%. He was starving to death, and at this rate it wouldn't take long for him to terminate.
VS-5001 didn't have any energon in his subspace, but he did have energon flowing through his fuel lines. If he was going to save Starscream, he would need to connect their fuel lines together to share his energon with the rogue. It would probably deplete VS-5001, but he knew a mech's life was worth far more than his own.
The sky was so chilly on this overcast morning. Starscream couldn't remember what planet this sky was from, but he knew he hadn't been here in a very long time. Below him was a turquoise colored jungle and above him were dusty pink clouds against a purple sky. The last time he had been here-
"Hey Screamer! Watch out for that rock!" Skywarp shouted from his left.
""Yah!" Starscream yelped as he overcorrected and crashed into a collection of stringy vines.
Oh yeah. The last time he had flown through these skies had been with Skywarp and Thundercracker. He really missed them sometimes, but that was all in the past. He had survived just fine without them and even became Lord Megatron's second in command. He didn't need them.
"You need some help to get out of those vines?" Thundercracker asked as he flew close to where Starscream was tangled up.
"No, I don't need you," Starscream replied in a strangely hollow tone of voice, "I've been doing fine since you died. By the way, I sold your favorite vase, the one with the red flower painted on the front. It clashes with the decor, not to mention universal domination."
"Whatever you say Starscream," Thundercracker said in a patronizing tone as he cut away the vines from his trine brother.
"Next time you should watch where you fly," Skywarp chided him, "You could fall. In fact, you could fall so far down that you'll never get back up again. Of course, you already know that, don't you Screamer?"
Starscream divined that Skywarp wasn't actually talking about flying. No, his dead trine brother was talking about Starscream's foolish decision to leave the Decepticons and go rogue. He fell. He fell from grace, he fell to the lowest position on the Decepticon food chain, and he was constantly starving and humiliated. He couldn't even convince the Autobots to grant him asylum. He had nothing. He didn't even have his trine.
When Starscream looked around him the jungle was gone, his trine was gone, everything was gone. He could see blackness and nothing else, not even the ground beneath his feet. Everything was gone. This was it. He would forever be condemned to this blackness; to the utter nothingness within his own spark.
Starscream awoke feeling weak but slightly warmer than he had when he went into stasis lock. He groaned and rubbed his helm, only to notice the tube sticking out of his arm. He looked at the tube, but it was no longer connected to anything. Was he in the medbay on the Nemesis? No, this still looked like the Harbinger. Then how did he get medical attention he never asked for?
Suddenly he heard pede steps entering the room, and Starscream saw that it was an Eradicon carrying a tray with various tools and implements. Starscream knew what this was about...
"Freeze!" Starscream shouted as he aimed his missile launcher at the Eradicon, "You're not taking me back to Megatron! I won't go and you can't make me!"
"I don't intend to take you back to our master," VS-5001 replied stoically, "I am here to ask you to aid the Decepticon cause one more time, not as a warrior but as a scientist."
"Oh? Did Megatron send you?" Starscream asked suspiciously.
"No sir, Lord Megatron does not even know I am here," VS-5001 informed him, "I know this is sudden, and that I am out of line by even approaching you now, but the Decepticon military fleet is dwindling and we need your help. You might be the only one left that can get the Decepticons back on track, and I can only hope that you are reasonable enough to at least attempt to help us."
"I see. So you believe I would be a better leader than Megatron," Starscream posited; looking for any opportunity to stroke his own ego.
"This does not require leadership. This situation requires intellect and experimentation," VS-5001 corrected him, "To put it bluntly, the Vehicons and Eradicons are all going crazy. I have figured out the problem, but I cannot get the medic to devise a solution."
"Crazy huh? What kind of crazy?" Starscream asked; curiosity piqued.
"Well sir, the drones are dreaming and gradually believing they are alive," VS-5001 explained, "The problem is a corroding of our secondary processor chips due to the atmosphere on the planet. We need new chips or the old ones repaired, but Knockout refuses to do anything more than kill perfectly viable drones and scrap them for spare parts."
By this point VS-5001 had gone from placid and obedient to trying to hold back his simmering anger at the incompetent medic. VS-5001 was responsible for the Eradicon forces, and many of his troops were being killed for no reason! It didn't even serve the Decepticon cause! All it did was fill the medbay with dead frames.
"The secondary chips, you say?" Starscream asked for clarification, "Tell me drone, are you experiencing any...unusual symptoms?"
VS-5001 knew that by confessing his weakness to Starscream he was sealing his own doom, yet he could not stop himself. This was a mech that might be able to save the rest of his brethren, and he had to try anything for them; even if he was killed for his deficiency.
"Yes sir, I have experienced dreams," VS-5001 replied solemnly, "Many involve an incident at a space station. The dream is always a little different each time, but each time there is always a black and white Praxian Autobot. I do not believe the content of my dream is important, however. I know what I am and I will not defy my protocol. My processor is yours to do with as you see fit, but I implore you to find a cure for the chip malfunction. Megatron needs those drones, and Knockout is an unfit surgeon that is not even good enough to file your claws."
That final statement earned a crooked smirk from Starscream. VS-5001 wasn't really that devoted to Starscream, but he understood the former commander's weakness for flattery. He needed Starscream to say yes, and he would do whatever it took to restore what was left of his fellow Eradicons.
Starscream, however, already knew exactly what was going on. Only a select few Decepticons including Megatron, Starscream, and Shockwave knew about the true nature of the Vehicon project. Starscream knew that the drones were made from the captives taken from Autobot and Neutral territories and that the chips were used to suppress memories of their former lives. If this Eradicon remembered Prowl so clearly then there was only one explanation that Starscream could see. This Eradicon was the late Autobot Prowl.
Starscream smiled a conniving smile at VS-5001 and said in a silken voice "Of course I'll help you, my loyal Eradicon soldier. I know just what to do to get you and every other Vehicon back to normal."