Ch. 200

Starscream wasn't entirely sure what to expect when Shockwave dragged him and Predaking to the Nemesis flight deck to stand in front of an open ground bridge portal. The purple mech said this was another installment of one of his gifts, specially requested to be made by Megatron himself. The warlord had already proven he had poor tastes in that department. But it was hard to fathom he had commissioned or allowed anything else to be made and presented to the seeker, especially after the way Starscream had reacted before.

Predaking rumbled and chuffed softly behind the silver mech, butting the end of his muzzle against the smaller mech's back. Starscream reached his servos up as high as he could and felt the Predacon rub against his digits; the larger mech was obviously confused and growing anxious.

It was only a few moments of waiting later when the portal released from its other side a badly shaken and trembling C.Y.L.A.S. The black mech avoided optic contact with the others before him as he stumbled to the side and waited. It was clear that whatever was happening, not even the parasite had been ready for. Starscream felt a twinge of pity, knowing at one time that was him... The seeker frowned, trying not to let a pit form in his fuel tank.

Predaking stiffened and pulled his helm away from Starscream's touch to sniff the air, a heavy exhale blanketing down from his maw as he growled. One of the beast's large clawed servos reached out in front of him, his optics not leaving the ground bridge, and he directed a surprised Starscream to huddle beneath his chestplate. The Predacon was not being subtle.

The next form to come through the shuddering green portal was none other than the sharp chassis of Megatron. He had an expression of pride and the exuberance of victory shrouding around him. He didn't even seem to see the way Predaking was guarding over Starscream. He only saw the seeker staring back with concern.

"My dear Starscream," he chuckled, "I am pleased to see you are here to bear witness with us another momentous occasion," he stepped to the side as he gestured back into the ground bridge, "Another gift for you, my dear Starscream. After all..."

A hard shake rattled the metal of the ship beneath them and Predaking growled, holding his helm down low to block the seeker from sight. Starscream was already trembling. He didn't need sight or sound, even his towering guardian's sense of smell to tell him what may have been coming. He didn't want to think or believe it... but...

A clattering of claws and flurry of shrieks, snapping maws and squealing chortles came through the bridge before their owners. The first was a light colored helm with a darkened blue frame. The beast's wings were tight against its back as it stomped roughly against the metal of the ship. Following close behind was a black helm with a white and blue chassis. This beast was vocalizing louder and was hardly hesitant when it came to shrieking up at Predaking. The larger Predacon roared back, flaring his wings wide.

Starscream could hardly intake as he stared from beneath Predaking, disbelief evident in his faceplate, "N... ... But... we're on..."

Megatron's large grin grew, "... nothing is too good for you, my Starscream..."

It was hard not to be emotional. Considering the multitude of pain and suffering already endured, it was a wonder this hadn't come sooner. In other words, he'd been through so much already and this had finally sent him plunging over the edge. He was lucky he didn't care who saw him break down right now. Exhausted, happy, ecstatic, drained, everything started flooding into him at once and Knockout let himself lay on the floor as a whimpering sob came up from his throat.

Breakdown carefully stepped over the red mech and directed Smokescreen away from him, shaking his helm as he turned the scout in the opposite direction, "No, no, just leave him, it's fine... No, just let him cry it out..."

"But he looks really upset; you sure he doesn't need a pep talk or something? At least let me prop him up against a wall..."

Optimus smiled over at the small portion of his team that he had with him. Everyone was processing all of this differently and he was somewhat thankful that Knockout was finally releasing the pent up emotions he had been bottling up for so long. The Prime would be lying if didn't admit he was in a similar state of exhaustion and relief. This was most notably evident when couldn't help the excited tremble he had in his servo as he activated a console in front of him. Optimus allowed silence to fill the open airway and static to invite itself into his audials.

When he finally found a grip on his voice once again, he spoke into an old vocal relay on the console, "Autobots. This is Optimus Prime."

It was a good collection of seconds before Ratchet's excitedly shaky voice responded back, "O-Optimus? How are you contacting us? Where are you?"

Knockout's wails came through louder and Breakdown was finding it increasingly more difficult to keep Smokescreen from consoling the emotional mess that was the red medic. It must have been loud enough to register on the relay because Ratchet's next question sounded more worried.

"Is everyone alright? Has anyone been injured?"

Optimus glanced back again to smile wider, "No one has sustained any injuries; we are fine. It would appear at least one among us is simply a bit more elated than the rest of the us..." the Prime paused before continuing, "Ratchet... prepare the rest of our team for transport to our location. We have found our new base. We have uncovered the Ark."