Thorns In My Side

AN: Yes, I know its been ages and I figured it was time to update this fic. Sorry I have been remiss. Super busy. But I hope to get back on a schedule. Trying to get my creative juices flowing again. I'm sure my fellow writers can understand the problems with writer's block and lack of motivation.

I missed you all and I sincerely hope I didn't lose anyone. *big hugs to all*

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Sunstreaker sighed, sitting at the entrance to the ARK, his engine idly on high. He was losing his patience. His ire died down when Optimus Prime exited the crashed ship and joined the Lamborghini.

"I hope you don't mind the slower pace," Prime said as he transformed and flanked Sunstreaker.

"Sir?" Sunstreaker asked, his frustration now gone.

"I'm afraid you're stuck with me for this patrol," Prime said, rolling forward ever so slightly to show his readiness for the task.

"You? On patrol?" Sunstreaker asked sounding shocked.

"I have been known to go on the occasional patrol," Prime said. "With our forces in quarantine, I'm afraid you're stuck with me."

Sunstreaker still didn't move. He was either stunned or shut down.

"I'll try to keep up," Prime said, his engine rumbling as he took a fair lead and Sunstreaker's instinct to travel kicked in. The duo took to the highway a moment later.

"We can go at an easier pace," Sunstreaker said, feeling very uncomfortable with Prime at his side. It was different when all were charging into battle. Being alone with the Prime was something else entirely. And Sunstreaker wasn't sure how to act.

"What do you normally do while on patrol?" Prime asked.

"Depends on who I'm with," Sunstreaker answered, feeling exhaustion creep into his frame. He was glad Prime needed a slower pace. The double shifts and extra duties were starting to wear on Sunstreaker. He was going to demand a month off when everyone was back to normal. Course, with only seven mechs able to function, everyone else being quarantined to their quarters due to a nasty virus the Decepticons transmitted last time they fought, there wasn't a high probability he would get his demanded down time.

No one was sure who had transmitted the virus, but footage showed the Cons were struggling when they were caught stealing energon from a power plant, and were too weak to put up a fight. They limped away from the battle, their shoulders slumped and emanating total defeat as they escaped with their meager rations.

Concerned, Prime had ordered Wheeljack to load up a drone with energon and anti-virus programming, and sent it down to Nemesis. If the Cons were infected with the same virus that started dropping the Autobot troops, then it stood to reason, they were just as vulnerable. Very few personnel had the anti-virus ware. The rogue program had been dormant for eons, until some unknown event triggered its coding to start. It was doubtful Hook knew how to combat such a debilitating sickness.

"What do you and Sideswipe talk about?" Prime asked, knowing that was who was able to tolerate being around the little ball of violent sunshine for any length of time.

Sunstreaker was quiet for a moment, unsure how to take the question. If it was Smokescreen, he would have told the fragger to mind his own business and stay out of his processor. If it was Red Alert, he would have told an elaborate story that would send him to med bay and Ratchet screaming like a medical banshee to crown the two prince's of chaos.

But Prime? His question seemed more curious and interested instead of nosy and deliberate. He wasn't trying to get Sunstreaker to talk about his feelings or to decrypt some long forgotten memory that would somehow, miraculously, make his entire life make sense and his choices become clear. Prime was only being his usual self when talking with his troops. It was just hard to see him as a patrol partner and not the one leading your cause.

"Mostly about what goes on at the ARK," Sunstreaker said, knowing Prime wasn't tying to be invasive or mocking. It was a chance to steer the conversation into territory that Sunstreaker was familiar with. It was a very thoughtful gesture.

Typical of Prime.

"Just pretend I'm Sideswipe," Prime said, then gave a low hum and added. "When you don't want to throttle him."

Sunstreaker chuckled. It was nice to know the leader of the Autobots wasn't so far removed from the warrior class. Prime would slough in the trenches with everyone one of them, not holding himself exempt for any reason. That was something that Sunstreaker could respect. It was such an attitude that had him gravitating toward the Autobot side before Sideswipe made the decision for him. As soon as Sunstreaker learned that an ordinary dock worker had been claimed by the ancient artifact, his views changed.

Sunstreaker remembered Megatron from the pits. He agreed with a lot of the ex-gladiator had to say, but there was something about him. Mysterious and dark. It was like he was hiding something from the world and after his campaign was in full force, Sunstreaker realized what it was.

Vengeful dominance.

It wasn't an uprising to bring equality. It was an uprising to destabilize the world and allow Megatron to gain the ultimate power. He didn't realize that the matrix of leadership didn't ALLOW itself to be claimed.

It claimed YOU. Not the other way around.

Megatron still thirsted for the matrix, threatening to rip it from Prime's chest and plant it into his own. Little did anyone know, Megatron had orchestrated the last Primes demise and had tried to take the Matrix for himself.

And he ended up flat on his aft, waking up many cycles later. His dreams were haunted, showing him the lives he had taken and the sickening joy it had brought him. When he'd awake, ghostly images of the dying mechs surrounding him, their sparks flickering in their transparent bodies, crying for the mech who had terminated them. But Megatron paid them no heed. He ignored those ghosts and allowed them to fall into silence.

"…You.. Sunstreaker?" Prime said, breaking Sunstreaker's nostalgic thoughts.

"Sorry, what?" Sunstreaker asked.

"I said, I don't think I've ever heard you laugh before." Prime repeated for the fourth time.

"Not much to laugh about." Sunstreaker said, feeling a little surge of pride that the Prime would notice such a thing about a lowly commoner.

"You should laugh more often," Prime suggested.

"I'd glitch Prowl," Sunstreaker snorted, earning a hearty laugh from Prime as well.

"Then Ratchet would step in," Prime added, "And you know how Sideswipe loves to be in the thick of things and instigate another wrench fit. Which would culminate in Sideswipe getting his aft beaten."

"And then I'd laugh at that," Sunstreaker added. "Sometimes I wonder why Ratchet and Prowl don't loosen their plating. They're so uptight, it's unhealthy."

"I can mention it in the next officers meeting," Prime supplied.

Sunstreaker was glad he was in vehicle mode. He stated laughing, the mirth making him waver on the road.

"So, what do you talk to your brother about on these drives?" Prime asked. He was enjoying the exercise and the scenery. He may have to put himself on the schedule more often.

"Whatever is on our processors," Sunstreaker said, shrugging by lifting his chassis off the road a little higher. "Mostly we just complain. Who's slagged us off. What we'd like to do to them."

"Sounds therapeutic," Prime quipped, "Go on."

"Like Gears," Sunstreaker said, forgetting the identity of his partner and focusing on the normal routine. "He kept rattling off about how many aches and pains he has and here Ironhide's been limping all month because of a busted knee joint Ratchet doesn't have the resources to replace."

Sunstreaker indicated his exit, Prime following behind, surprised at the sedate pace and continued explanation from Sunstreaker.

"I'd like to tape his mouth shut and tell him if he can't find anything positive to say, then shut the slag up. The rest of us are tired of his griping when some of us are in worse shape. At least he can get his parts replaced because he had a basic model. Those with modifications are stuck enduring make shift repairs and ill fitting replacements. But we make do. "

"I didn't know how annoying that could be,' Prime said in a soft tone.

"And Mirage, the simpering little Tower Brat," Sunstreaker fumed, taking the exit and turning left to the outskirts of the city. "He thinks everyone is below him. He doesn't know what its like, having to scrape for every bit of energon you can find and having your tank so empty, it rattles. He's never been hungry, homeless, and alone."

Prime thought about reminding Sunstreaker that he was never alone, but something stopped him. There was an edge to Sunstreaker's voice. It was bitter with memories. Prime didn't want to reopen old wounds.

"Maybe if the slagger had lived like some of us, he'd have better respect for those who's seen the Pit and survived," Sunstreaker grumbled. Another turn, three blocks and turn again and Prime noticed the buildings and the pedestrians drastically changed. "I'd like to see him spend one Earth month living like I had to in Kaon."

"Sunstreaker, where are we?" Prime asked,

"Bad part of town," Sunstreaker supplied, forgetting it was Prime rolling along behind him. "I video the buildings and people and relay it to the local police departments so they can monitor any illegal activity."

"That's…. ingenious," Prime praised though he sounded surprised.

"It was Sideswipe's idea," Sunstreaker offered, his cameras catching every little detail and transferring it to a datachip. "He thought if he sucked up the human police, they'd stop pulling us over."

"Has it worked?"

"Haven't had a ticket in four months," Sunstreaker answered, weaving a pattern through the streets and collecting tons of data.

"So what else bothers you with your comrades?" Prime asked.

Sunstreaker continued his recording, oblivious to his audience.

"Inferno mopes around for Firestar all the time and it's annoying, listening to him pine for his femme," Sunstreaker said, not remembering he was talking to a bonded mech.

"Blaster and Jazz have competitions at all hours of the day and night, inconsiderate of those who don't want to hear the racquet in the first place. Then you have the humans who hover around the base, and make it to where we can't enjoy ourselves in case of upsetting or stepping on them. Not to mention their rules, regulations, arguing nations, differing cultures, outlandish biases and prejudices and over stupid things like… colors!" Sunstreaker huffed, sending his radar further into a building and scanning its contents before moving on. "I mean, you would think the human race was full of aspiring artists. All arguing over who has the most abundant colors. It's ridiculous and a waste of time! I don't know why we put up with them, but Prime says we have to."

Prime rolled silently along. It was amazing how quiet he could be, being such a big truck.

"Then Hoist and Grapple keep arguing over what to build and keep asking for permission to build something and yet they keep being denied because Prime doesn't want to hurt the humans feelings when all he's doing is making his own troops miserable and not allowing them to do what comes naturally to them." Sunstreaker lead the way through the bad part of town and took the first exit to get back on the interstate for the seaside route before doubling back. He didn't realize he was doing a perfect imitation of Bluestreak. "The Dinobots are too young and immature to know what's really going on. No one looks after them, like the younglings they are. The Aerialbots are just as naïve, and though they have decent processors, they have the emotional range of a sparkling. Slag, even their leader is terrified of flying! How mentally stable does one have to be to be in the Autobots?"

Prime kept his vocalizer off, allowing Sunstreaker the chance to vent. He was certainly providing a whole new perspective on the crew. Prime didn't realize how much infighting there was amongst his ranks. Apparently they were well skilled at hiding it from him. Or Prowl had dealt with it, and that thought didn't make Prime feel any better. Surely the mental and emotional health of his crew was worth his notice? Had he fallen so distant from his troops?

"Then you have Red Alert, who's processor is fried," Sunstreaker babbled on, his soap box holding him while he crowed on the road. "Then Wheeljack's crazy aft, blowing himself and everyone else to the pit and back."

On and on Sunstreaker ranted, winding the way back toward the base. Prime didn't get a chance to mention Bluestreak and his strange omission from the conversation. Considering he talked so much it annoyed everyone around him, Prime was sure that Sunstreaker would find fault with the young gunner. But Bluestreak's name wasn't mentioned.

"And then Prime!" Sunstreaker fumed, the last stretch of highway opening up before the exit that led to base.

"What about me?" Prime asked, more than a little curious as to his artistically perceived faults.

Sunstreaker slammed on his brakes and fishtailed in compensation. He had completely forgotten WHO was patrolling with him. Prime braked to keep form hitting his partner and as one, both transformed. Sunstreaker stared with wide optics and mouth, unsure how to finish his sentence.

"Please, tell me what is my transgression," Prime prompted.

"You can be too nice," Sunstreaker said with reluctance.

"Too nice?" Prime asked.

"Yeah, even when a bots done something bad, you are nice about it and give them an easy pass," Sunstreaker said, feeling as if his tanks wanted to rebel. Now he knew what Sideswipe felt every time he drank too much. It felt vastly different than his second hand suffering.

"You think I should be violent? Perhaps brutal, with my troops?" Prime asked, curious as to how he was to rule over his people. "Be more like Megatron?"

"No, I wasn't saying that," Sunstreaker said, frown creasing his face. "I mean…. sometimes you need to be a little more…" He paused unsure how to put his thoughts into words.

"Don't try to find polite words when coarse will suffice," Prime supplied, knowing the mental war that was going on.

"Dominating?" Sunstreaker said, then shook his head, looking at Prime. "Sometimes you're too much of a push over. You let the humans make all kinds of rules, and then demand that everyone follow them, when we ourselves don't abide by certain things. We are not human and its offensive we have to abide by their rules just to make them happy."

"We follow their rules because this is their world," Prime reminded Sunstreaker. It was strange hearing such things. He thought everyone was incorporating well with their human allies.

"But even on their planet, they respect other cultures and allow them to express themselves," Sunstreaker said, throwing his hands up and motioning to the deserted area around them. "But here, where we crashed before their civilization even existed, we're reduced to foolish slaves who aren't allowed to exercise our own cultures and freedom." Sunstreaker huffed through his vents, his expression darkening toward the sound of rumbling traffic. "We were here first and yet, we are treated as nothing more than machines for their protection and occasional amusement. We have to ask permission to do the basic, simplest of things."

"That is not how we are treated," Prime interjected.

"Oh really?" Sunstreaker asked, crossing arms over his chassis and adopting a lax pose. "So the embassies and dignitaries who ask for us to come and help them out and then parade us around like well trained automobiles, and even let their people come 'pet' us, that isn't degrading?"

"We extend the hand of friendship to all, regardless of their nationality," Prime said, not seeing Sunstreaker's point. He had ensured all cultures were included, not wanting to discriminate against any certain sect.

"There's extending the hand of friendship, then there's allowing micro-organisms to walk all over you and treat you as property instead of intelligence, sentient, living beings," Sunstreaker added. "When the humans want to show us off, they call us up, sometimes without warning, and expect us to drop everything we're doing and cater to them."

"That is.." Prime started, but Sunstreaker interrupted.

"That's exactly what goes on!" Sunstreaker snapped. "Last week, did the humans give us more than two hours to let us know they were coming and did their representatives treat us like we were their prized possessions?" Prime opened his mouth to speak but Sunstreaker raised his voice and continued. "And then these…. these… invaders…come into our home, the only place we have left of our world, and then proceed to tell us that we are going to have to share technology with them if we wish to keep their friendship!"

Prime scowled, wondering how Sunstreaker knew of such information. He wasn't privy to the officer's meeting.

"We're supposed to express our gratitude toward beings who claim to be our allies and yet when we require parts or fuel, they barter with us to gain advances in technology that they should earn for themselves and share with all of their people and nations," Sunstreaker snapped. Apparently this type of transgression had been boiling beneath the surface like an angry volcano. "We fight to protect them and their planet from Decepticons and in return, we have to beg… beg, Prime, for supplies that they ration to us. If we wish to build housing or a fuel center, they refuse, or give us regulations on what we are allowed to do." Sunstreaker glared at Prime, his optics nearly white with his anger. "We have to ask, to live. It's the old senate all over again."

Prime's brow etched in thought. He didn't trust himself to speak, giving Sunstreaker the time he needed to voice his opinion.

"We had to bow and scrape to those in power on Cybertron, and now, on another planet, we're doing it again," Sunstreaker said, throwing up his arms in exasperation. "The humans have assumed the role of lords and masters over the slaves and you wonder why I don't hold any affection toward the race."

"I never realized…" Prime muttered, lost in thought.

"I've been a slave, I know what it feels like," Sunstreaker admitted, his face heating with the affirmation. Prime's expression was shocked as he continued. "And I know freedom. I fought for freedom since joining your campaign. And now, on another planet, we're under oppression."

Prime's voice was robbed when Red Alert cut over the comms.

'Red Alert to Optimus Prime,' he said, sounding on the verge of panic. Again.

'Prime here.'

'Sir, there are several representatives of Earthen government here and they are requesting your presence,' Red Alert said.

'On my way,' Prime said, transforming and leading the way back to the ARK. Within a few moments the entrance appeared, several human limousines parked around the crashed ship.

Sunstreaker followed at a sedate pace, his gaze drifting over the pompous aristocrats that demanded the world's attention. He wanted to step on every one of them. But, he refrained. When he made to go to the washracks and soak the road grit from his undercarriage, Prime halted his escape.

"Sunstreaker, with me," Prime said, sounding strangely formal.

Sunstreaker paused for half a spark beat, thinking that Prime was going to issue his immediate reprimand for voicing his thoughts. But Prime didn't appear to be angry. He lead the way into the main conference room that had been reformatted to accommodate human visitors. Sunstreaker had a bad feeling he was about to get a public reprimanding. There were at least a dozen nations represented, with nearly forty people. They all smiled when the Autobot leader entered the room.

"Ah, yes, the Autobot leader," the president said, waving his arm like a game show hostess toward the towering alien. "This is Optimus Prime, our esteemed ally."

"I'm sorry, Mr. President but there has been some matters that require my attention,' Prime started, giving a courtesy bow to the foreign dignitaries. "I am afraid I can not afford you any time today. Other matters are more pressing."

The president seemed taken aback. He scowled, then smiled, waving his hand again. "These are the other allies that represent the more powerful nations in the world. Our time is valuable."

"As is mine," Prime said, keeping his tone even. Now that his optics had been opened, there were quite a few things falling into place. How could he have been so blind before?

"These honored guests wish to tour your base and hear of your world," the president said, looking every bit the pompous ass showing off a prized stallion.

"A tour is not possible at this moment, but if you contact us later, we may schedule a time where we can all sit down and have a thorough conversation," Prime said, offering a bow and turning to take his leave.

"I don't think you understand," the president said, losing all pretense of politeness. "We want to tour your base."

Prime turned in slow motion, his optics becoming hard, cold.

"Perhaps it is a good thing that so many are here as witness," Prime said slowly. He turned to face the human dignitaries, "You insist we are allies and yet when my people are injured and require medical services, you are reluctant to provide such life saving charity. When the lives of my soldiers hang in the balance, you barter their lives for weapons technology."

Several faces turned hostile toward the president at this tidbit of information.

"We have reminded you many times that we do not share such technology, especially with beings who have proven they are ill equipped to deal with such advancements," Prime continued, his stare, hard and unwavering.

"You forget your place,' the president warned.

"No, Mr. President, you forget yours," Prime corrected. "According to human custom and law we can evoke our right to citizenship. We can prove that we landed on this Earth before your nation came into existence," Prime said, noting that several of the dignitaries looked shocked at the thought of such ancient beings. "To put it in simple terms, we were here first, on the planet and on this island you name as a nation."

The president looked ready to burst a blood vessel but Prime continued.

"We endanger our lives protecting your people, your property, your very lives from those who wish to destroy it, and in return, we are forced to endure the handouts that you toss our way," Prime said, coming to stand by the table. He towered over the humans, powerful and awe-inspiring and Sunstreaker couldn't help but feel his armor swell with pride. "If you believe that we are indebted to you, or that we hold allegiance to only you, then you are mistaken." Prime's optics swiveled to the other nations represented and added, "We belong to no nation but of ourselves. You forget that you are not the only representative of this planet. There are other lands who would welcome us to their shores, or we can relocate to a remote area where no one lays claim."

"But, that would leave us unprotected," the president said, his mind filled with images of damage the Decepticons could inflict if the Autobots weren't there to stop them.

"We would never turn our backs on those who need assistance," Prime said, his voice rumbling and causing a couple of the humans to shudder. "And if we are forced to relocate, we may enact another human tradition of creating a consulate so that my people would be protected and safe as they protect your people from Decepticon attack."

"A consulate is a wonderful idea," a large man said, looking ecstatic at the idea of hosting the robotic aliens. "I would be delighted to welcome some of your people to my country."

"That is a generous offer, I thank you," Prime said. "However we are currently operating with what you call a 'skeleton crew.'"

"How many more people do you have?" a woman asked. She had dark, olive skin and a gentle demeanor.

"I do not know how many has survived the war," Prime admitted, his spark feeling heavy. "We have been unable to reach my homeworld."

"A world destroyed by war," the olive skinned woman commented, exchanging looks with her fellow ambassadors. "And I believe a Consulate for your people would be an excellent idea."

"Thank you," Prime said, offering a nod of respect to the dignitaries. "Now, I do hope you can excuse me. I have much to prepare, and like your own governments, there is multicolored tape."

"Red tape," the president corrected. He wasn't too happy about losing his biggest bargaining chip when it came to throwing his weight around the national union.

"Yes, the 'red tape' associated with declaring rights and enacting laws that protect a people or nation," Prime said, hiding his smile. He noted the human's lack of empathy toward the Autobot plight.

"If you require anything, you may call upon my nation to assist," a man said, ignoring the shocked looks from his comrades before they too gathered their wits and proclaimed their help.

"It is appreciated," Prime said, raising his hand and allowing the humans to fall silent. "However, as I stated before, I am pressed for time and there are things that require my immediate attention. If all of you wish to sit with me in counsel, I would be honored."

"Of course, you have your own nation to rule," the president said, wearing a smile so false his face wanted to crack.

"Thank you," Prime said with another nod, though the action lacked the respect it reflected toward the other human.

Prowl entered the room at that time, curious as to why Prime had called him away from his duties. He was just about to rip Sideswipe a new one when Prime had commed him.

"Sir?" Prowl asked, coming to stand by his leader.

Prime sent a data packet as he answered, "Please see to it that our honored guests have been scheduled to attend a meeting with me at a later date."

Prowl absorbed the information at light speed before giving a curt nod. "Of course, Sir."

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen," Prime said with a bow and turned on his heel. He shared a glance with Sunstreaker, who recognized the unspoken command and followed his Prime out the door.

"Sir?" Sunstreaker asked after a moment. He felt odd saying the title, but it seemed necessary, given the recent events. He really didn't want to be reprimanded for speaking out of turn.

"I am giving you a special assignment," Prime said as they walked toward the command center. He didn't wait for Sunstreaker to affirm the order before adding, "You are to have Ratchet correlate a supply list and have it categorized in order of necessity. You will also speak to Hoist and Grapple about building a compound that we may use as a base and consulate. If they argue, remind them that I have commanded this task and you are authorized to keep them on maintaining an air of professionalism."

Sunstreaker grinned, liking the idea of knocking a couple of heads together. He had seen it in a movie and wondered if it was feasible with his comrades. He wondered if their helms made that 'coconut' sound.

"I will also need input on what apparently has escaped my notice since we awoke on Earth," Prime said, looking to Sunstreaker and seeing him smile a genuine smile. It looked odd, but very pleasing. "Also, I want you to assign mechs to the Dinobots and Aerialbots in a mentoring capacity."

"Huh?" Sunstreaker asked, not sure he understand what Prime was asking.

"You are correct," Prime said, continuing on his way and making Sunstreaker run to catch up. "They are young and immature. They need role models and mechs they can come to if they are ever inclined."

"Sparkling sitters?" Sunstreaker asked.

"Adults with whom they may learn to grow, emotionally and mentally, to reach their potential," Prime amended. "I expect your report by tomorrow afternoon."

Sunstreaker gave a sigh through his vents and nodded, taking his leave to go find Ratchet and get the supply list started. It was only when he heard the medic shouting at Wheeljack, did Sunstreaker realized he just took over Prowl's role. With a surly expression he entered the med bay, returning Ratchet's bellows as the medic fumed and fussed.

Wheeljack sat idly on the berth, swinging his remaining leg, watching the medic and sociopath argue. When Sunstreaker mentioned the supply list and triage, Wheeljack opened his mouth for a request. Ratchet didn't give him the opportunity. Without looking, he launched a wrench. A satisfying clang was his answer, followed by the heavy thud of a body falling offline as Ratchet continued to argue with Sunstreaker.

When Sunstreaker fell to berth that night, he was exhausted far more than what he cared to admit. But he had seen to Prime's instructions. As his system shut down for much needed charge, he smiled, feeling a sense of pride and knowing that he helped win another battle in the name of freedom.

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Reviews would be loved!