Ch. 141

Optimus watched in a helpless horror as Smokescreen fired. The plasma blast screamed through the air and forced Starscream to hiccup, his chassis rapidly sparking through different realities as both he and Megatron were thrown away from the fatal shot and into the space bridge portal. The white mech didn't have time to comprehend what he had done. Optimus ran as hard as he could, barreling over Vehicons as he transformed and revved his engine to drive after them.

Shockwave coolly observed him from the side of the portal and walked into the bridge, giving neither a second glance nor a comment to mark the Prime's behavior. Before the truck's wheels could get him to the glowing portal, the space bridge fizzled out and Optimus transformed to force himself into a halt.

"NO!"

The last of the Vehicons retreated; their leader had gotten what he wanted. The Autobots half-heartedly chased after them before running back, each hesitant to touch or talk to their leader in any meaningful manner. The only one who hadn't moved in any way was Smokescreen. His large optics were glued to the spot that Starscream had been. The spot he had fired at. If he hadn't tried to activate the hiccup...

Arcee was shaky in her intakes but she frowned and turned to the group, "This isn't over," she said firmly, "not by a long shot."

"You're fragging right this isn't over!" Bulkhead growled, slamming a fist into his open servo, "If they think they can take Jackie and Scream and get away with it-"

"You're right, we won't let them," Breakdown nodded, "Then what's the plan? Are we gonna storm the Nemesis?"

Knockout twirled his prod, then leaned against it, "We could track it from the Harbinger. The two ships should still be connected. We have to call Soundwave and get him started on isolating its location."

Arcee nodded, "Good. We'll start with that. The longer we wait, the more time they have with our friends."

A quiet, heavy sigh stopped the femme from talking further. Everyone went silent as Optimus stood on trembling peds, his helm cast downwards. The Prime focused deeply on his intakes and shuttered his optics, trying to will all the faith and hope he had into knowing that Starscream and Wheeljack would be safe. He was brought out of his trance when Bumblebee quietly stepped forward and touched his arm, causing him to online his optics and stare down at the yellow mech."

"... I failed him... I failed them both."

Bumblebee buzzed lowly and shook his helm, saying that no one failed anyone.

Bulkhead grumbled, "As much as I don't like where Wheeljack is, he'd have it no other way. A chance to blow up Cons on their own ship during an escape? Classic Jackie."

Knockout shrugged, "Wheeljack may actually have a chance to. It's Starscream we should be worried about. And now that Shockwave has just rolled onto the scene with his garish paint job and freak optic, they'll definitely be doing some weird slag to him. I mean some really weird slag. Like, completely and utterly- ow."

Breakdown nudged his companion lightly and the red mech frowned at him as he rubbed his arm.

Optimus turned slowly back at him team, "Yes... you are right. You are all right. Arcee, the longer we wait puts them further into danger. Bulkhead, Knockout, you are both right to believe that Wheeljack will have a fairer chance to escape and create damage than Starscream. And you are also right, Knockout. Starscream will be in far greater danger. So we will regroup back at base and we will storm the Nemesis as soon as we can. Arcee, call Soundwave to bring us a bridge."

Arcee nodded and turned away to activate her COMM. Knockout idly went to his other teammates and started looking them over for any pressing wounds or gouges. It was then Optimus noticed Smokescreen, stock still and silent, continuing to stare at where Starscream had been. The Prime approached him quietly and kneeled to get closer.

"Smokescreen."

The white mech didn't flinch. His optics didn't move. They remained fixed on that one spot.

Optimus hummed gently, "Smokescreen, it is not your fault. I understand what you were trying to do. But Megatron was holding his arm. When a bot makes physical contact with him before the fatal blow can be made, they both..."

A choked sob suddenly escaped Smokescreen and the white mech quickly covered his mouth to stop more.

The Prime helped him to stand and held his shoulders firm, "You and I, all of us, we did everything we could. Do not think for a moment that Starscream does not know this. We will find the Nemesis and we will retrieve our comrades. I am proud of you, Smokescreen. I am sure Starscream is proud of you, too. In one of the most heated exchanges I have seen for some time, you made the hardest decision to fire upon your own teammate in the hopes of freeing him from his captors. I could not have made that decision. I do not believe any of us could. If the need to make that shot again occurs, promise me, Smokescreen, promise you can find the strength to follow through with that decision again."

Smokescreen trembled under Optimus's grasp, his optics trained to the ground, but he nodded and hoarsely whispered out, "I will..." the Prime nodded back but the white mech murmured softly, "Optimus?"

"Yes, Smokescreen?"

"... I... I'm sorry... I'm sorry that Starscream is... ... I want you to know that next time, I'll make sure I have Megatron in my sights. I could've made that shot. I won't make that mistake again."