Trying to be an Autobot
"Chapter 2: Settling In"
By Leah King
Bulkhead opened one of the large, panel warehouse doors to reveal where Starscream would be staying. The Seeker scrutinized the dark cell a moment. It had ample space but it was dirty, windowless, and stank of something old and oily.
The disgust was plastered boldly on the Seeker's aristocratic face, "Far be it from me to question Prime's orders but… REALLY? This…this hole in the wall is to be my quarters?!"
"You got it Scream." Bulkhead confirmed, prodding him inside. "Home sweet home."
Starscream made a slow turn and squirmed on his sharp feet, "Even the warship's brig has higher sanitary standards than this! Where am I supposed to recharge?"
"Huh. The floor for all I care. It's better than you deserve."
"The floor!" Starscream's voice steeled with revulsion, "I'm sickened to even set my feet upon this floor!"
Bulkhead looked at the cell, pretending to be studying it, "You know…now that you mention it this place could use something. Maybe I could find you some nice throw pillows to spruce the place up?" Bulkhead mocked, actually enjoying the mild torment the cell was giving the former Decepticon.
Starscream was about to retort when Optimus's tall figure appeared.
The silver mech gestured dramatically, "Prime! These quarters are unacceptable! Just look at these appalling conditions."
Bulkhead sighed, "Scream seems to think we're running Crystal City's Platinum Resort."
"I'm afraid these are all the facilities we have to offer Starscream. But I will see to it that you are provided with some recharge accommodations and cleaning supplies to make it more acceptable." Optimus offered.
Starscream was about to huff about the fact he'd have to clean the cell himself when Prime said, "I have come to lay down some basic ground rules for you while you reside here in our base. If you are to remain here and be trusted then you will follow our rules accordingly. Understood?"
The Seeker shrunk back, then nodded.
"Our main rule is to treat all sentient beings, human and Autobot, with civility and respect. And I expect nothing less from you."
Starscream straightened himself with a look of indignity, "And will I be granted such treatment? I find my bondage to be a gross lack of respectful treatment."
Optimus stepped toward the Seeker which made the slender mech shrink back like a dog that had been kicked once too often.
He stammered nervously, "But-but I can live with such arrangements…heh."
"Turn around." Optimus stated.
This sent Starscream into a panic. He dropped to his knees pleading, "N-No! I didn't mean it! Really! The clamp is fine! I'll gladly wear it Optimus Prime!"
Bulkhead rolled his optics at the pitiful display but Optimus felt honest sympathy. Sure he was pathetic, but Starscream wouldn't act in such a manner without prior trauma. No doubt Megatron was cruel with even his Second in Command.
With slow, careful movements the Autobot leader produced a metal key and inserted it into the clamp that bound Starscream's wings. The metal bond opened and Starscream's wings snapped back in their usual alignment. The Seeker looked around in bewilderment. Then with recovering embarrassment he gave a short nervous laugh and careful stood. He sighed with relief as he flexed and dipped his wings.
"Oh…um…Thank you, Optimus Prime." he said.
As if nothing happened he expectantly held up his bound wrists.
"The stasis cuffs will remain until you can be trusted without them." Optimus answered the silent request.
The Seeker blinked then lowered his arms with a whine of disappointment.
Optimus then continued his speech, "Until you are fully integrated as an Autobot your movements around the base will be restricted. You will always be escorted by myself or any of the other Autobots if you are to go anywhere in the base other than your quarters and the Rec Room. And you are not permitted outside the base until I deem you trustworthy."
Before Starscream could protest, Prime continued, "If our human allies are in the base you WILL keep your distance for the time being. I will tolerate no hostility no matter how small."
"So stay AWAY from Miko!" Bulkhead growled with warning. After Starscream's menacing in the cave the Wrecker was taking no chances.
Starscream lifted his chin, flaring his wings a bit, "And I would ask the same of the humans."
Optimus nodded, "Unless given permission, our tech is off limits."
"And how will I pass the time? Hmm? Sit in here doing nothing?" Starscream asked with disdain.
"There will be duties for you to perform to keep yourself busy. In short, don't make trouble for anyone and don't harm anyone or anything and you will earn your place here. Do you have any questions?"
"When will I be permitted flight?" Starscream inquired with a sense of hidden panic.
"You wish to leave already?"
Starscream shook his head, "Surely you know the need to fly is present in all Seekers?"
"Yeah, to fly away thrusters tucked." Bulkhead stated bluntly.
Optimus held up a hand to his warrior, "I am aware of the need."
Starscream tipped his head intently, "Then you also know my sanity would crumble without it?"
Bulkhead muttered under his vocalizer, "What sanity?"
"I will arrange you some time to fly…but under strict supervision." Optimus answered evenly.
Starscream nodded.
"In the meantime, refueling is in the next hour, I will send Bumblebee to bring you to the Rec Room to join us."
"I prefer to energize alone." Starscream said quickly.
"As you wish."
The silver mech crossed a ceremonial arm across his chest, "My sincerest thanks, Optimus Prime."
With that the two Autobots exited the room and Bulkhead shut the door with a bang. Starscream sighed with a growl. Such rules! What did Optimus Prime expect him to be, a Saint of Primus? There was no WAY he could adhere to all those guidelines he'd stated…and he was sure there were more unwritten rules he'd have to follow. Starscream was beginning to think he'd made a colossal error in judgment on this one. He was a prisoner; no matter how he looked at it he was a prisoner. This was all Arachnids' fault! If she hadn't wormed her slimy way into Megatron's favor, subverting him of his position and then abandoned him to the whims of the Autobots he'd never fallen into such condemnation.
He looked at his "quarters" with disgust. Truly this was a new low for the former Second in Command.
…
In the main atrium of the Autobot Base…
When Bulkhead and Optimus returned to the central part of the base the other three members of the team were waiting, like townspeople ready to voice their complaints to the mayor.
Optimus looked at his soldiers sensing the cloud of disapproval permeating the room, "Speak your minds Autobots."
"Honestly Optimus…I don't know what you expect to get out of this." Ratchet stated curtly, "By nature Decepticons can't be trusted and Starscream is by far the worst of them. It'll only be a matter of time before we find ourselves regretting this decision."
"I do not expect miracles. Nor do I entertain immediate, radical change in Starscream. But if we cannot see past our own prejudices then there can be no redemption for those Decepticons who seek it." Optimus sagely answered.
Arcee stepped up, "But that's just it, Starscream doesn't WANT redemption! He just wants to save his own skid plate."
"Perhaps. But we cannot turn our backs on the one thing we have been fighting for."
Bulkhead looked down, "Yeah…Til all are one. Still doesn't feel right though."
"Doing what is right is never the easy path, Bulkhead. But we will give Starscream a chance and if he doesn't follow through then I will deal with it accordingly." Optimus stated.
"You mean you'd be his executioner?" Ratchet inquired very seriously.
A dark silence reigned.
"Because IF we try him as a war criminal, that would be his sentence, given his crimes. And his crimes are many." Ratchet concluded, "Are you prepared to follow through with that?"
Optimus kept his face sterile, "I will do what is in accordance with Autobot code, yes."
Another uncomfortable silence reigned until Optimus said, "Though I know this transition will be difficult for Starscream as well as all of us, I expect you all to make it as painless as possible. I do not want negative action to poison the process. That goes for all of you. Understood?"
"Yes Sir." the Autobots chorused.
Prime carefully went over the same conditions he had put to Starscream earlier so the Autobots were aware of what the Seeker was and wasn't allowed to do.
"Great." Ratchet thought to himself, "That means I'll be stuck with him when they're all out on missions."
After Optimus was finished, Bumblebee chirped and began walking to the exit.
"Where are you going Bee?" Arcee asked.
"To get Raph." He buzzed. "School's almost over."
"Do you think that's wise given our recent company?"
Optimus spoke, "Starscream has been warned about his interactions with our human friends. Still, they will have to meet sooner or later."
With that the three guardians transformed and drove off to retrieve their charges.
Optimus looked at Ratchet, "Ratchet, if you would please bring a ration of Energon and some cleaning supplies to Starscream's quarters, I will see about a berth for him."
Ratchet blinked, frowning, "I would prefer to watch the monitors." Optimus gave him a stern look before the medic huffed, "Fine! Fine."
Optimus sighed, knowing this was going to be a rough time indeed.
…
Later…
Starscream remained standing in his cell, unwilling to touch his body or his beloved wings to any of the "contaminated" surfaces. He soon heard footsteps approach from the corridor. In a few moments the red and white plates of the Autobot medic filled the small windows. The door opened up halfway and an Energon ration along with a bucket, several mops, and some cleaning solution slid under the door.
"What is this?" Starscream demanded before the medic could leave.
"What does it look like?" Ratchet shot back, "You want a clean room there's your supplies."
Starscream looked at the objects and then to the window with befuddlement, "You're telling me you Autobots don't have the simple convenience of sanitizing drones?"
"No we don't." Ratchet snipped, "We don't have a lot of conveniences here, thanks to you Decepticons destroying all of that on Cybertron."
The Seeker sighed and rolled his optics, "Of course, blame it on the Decepticons. It's not like you could BUILD a simple sanitizing drone or anything."
Ratchet snorted and began to leave, "Get to work cleaning…unless you enjoy standing in the middle of that room for all eternity."
"Me? Clean this?"
"Unless I'm talking to the wall, then YES you." Ratchet growled.
Starscream gave his most indignant look but Ratchet was already leaving. He looked down at the cleaning supplies. No…THIS was his lowest moment.
…
Even later…
The three Autobots decided together to tell their charges about the situation once they'd reached the base. That way all the questions would be answered in one meeting. But even though they didn't mention the situation, the kids were getting a hint that something was amiss. When they all pulled into base and transformed it was Miko who broke the ice.
"Ok Bulk, you didn't say five words the whole way up here. What's the sitch?" The girl accused with a tapping foot.
The three Autobots shared a look, all trying silently to decide who would explain the situation.
"Starscream's in the base." Ratchet called bluntly over his shoulder when the silence was too awkward.
"WHAT?!" all three kids chorused in unity.
"How'd he get in?" Jack asked.
"Can you track him?" Raphael jumped.
"That creep?! Let's go get him Bulk!" Miko shouted.
Ratchet made his 'shut up' noise, "Gab-gab- We know where he is and he's not going anywhere."
"Did you trap him?" Miko asked with excitement.
Again the medic sighed, "No…he's a guest."
"GUEST?!" the kids chorused again looking to their guardians for confirmation.
The less than enthused looks told them it was the truth.
Jack waved his hand to slow his thoughts "Whoa. Time out. Don't you mean he's a prisoner?"
"More or less. Starscream claims he defected from the Cons and made a plea for asylum. And Optimus granted it." Arcee explained with a tone of resentment.
Bulkhead nodded, "We're keeping the cuffs on him until he's trustworthy…which should be…forever."
Miko seemed completely outraged, "Um aren't we forgetting that that freak tried to kill Bulkhead AND me? Not to mention torturing Fowler and trying to kill all of us at some point? This is totally whack!"
Bumblebee buzzed then beeped.
"Bee says Optimus wants to give him a chance to redeem himself." Raphael translated for Jack and Miko.
"Phht! As if." Miko crossed her arms.
"Where is he exactly?" Jack inquired.
"In our storage wing. You children will stay well away from there." Ratchet stated and then gave Miko a pointed stare, "That means YOU Miko."
The girl flipped her fox tails, "As if I'd WANT to see that freak again."
With that she moseyed up the stairs and plopped down on the couch to play a video game.
Raphael looked to Ratchet, "Does Optimus really think Starscream can be reformed?"
The medic nodded, "He seems to hold out more hope than the rest of us, yes."
The small boy pushed up his glasses with thought, "It would be great if he'd turn Autobot."
"Don't hold your breath kid." Arcee mentioned.