Yeah... no really excuse except that I have been busy, had a writer's block (sort of ...hard to explain), and just not in the mood to write. But hey it's up right!
When the next morning came the Autobots got up bright and early for there move to their ship to make sure the Decepticons didn't find them. When they were all up they made no hesitation to get ready to go. Even Sari didn't fight to try and stay here anymore. Bulkhead and Optimus Prime were going to be carrying most of the important items like the All Spark fragments and some of the medical equipment that the ship didn't have. Besides that they didn't pack much of anything else. Bumblebee tried to convince Prime to take the TV and the game consoles but Prime made it clear that he wasn't going to take unnecessary items with them and that included TVs and game consoles.
Eventually, after a morning of loading themselves up for the trip they were ready to leave. Optimus was in front of the main entrance shutter door open facing all the Autobots. Starscream was on the opposite end of the room leaning on the wall facing Optimus.
"Autobots, we are about to head back to the ship. Do we have all the essential needs for us to move?" Optimus asked his fellow Autobots.
"Well I packed all the food for Sari and I have the All Spark fragments in the case." Bulkhead said answering his leader.
"I got all the essential medical equipment with me." Ratchet said to his leader.
"And I have everything else...okay then Autobots transform and roll out." Optimus ordered his men.
All the Autobots transformed to vehicle mode. Sari disapprovingly went with Bumblebee. Not because she didn't to be with Bumblebee it was simply the fact they were leaving the facility. She just got settled into her new home and now she was leaving it. And she already knew that staying at the ship wasn't going to be fun at all.
After the Autobots were ready Optimus himself transformed to vehicle mode and started his way out of the facility with his fellow Autobots following. Starscream merely pushed himself off the wall and walked toward the exit as the Autobots drove off. He then stopped and watched the five vehicles make their way out of the city. After a moment of seeing this noticed that they were already a few hundred yards away he flew into the air and transformed to his jet form and flew to them and then slowed down when he was right above them.
They used side streets and the quickest way to get out of Detroit to not attract any unwanted attention and hopefully get the Decepticons from noticing them if they were around. Most of the trip was in silence. No one had anything to say to anyone now. Everyone was simply following Optimus Prime to get to their ship.
When they finally left the Detroit and were on the open range of the forest is when someone finally broke the silence. Sari was in the driver's sit just looking out on the side window watching all the trees go by. Bumblebee noticed that she has done this for the entire ride and hasn't said a thing. He expected her to start complaining or something when they left but she said nothing.
Since that was such a bother to him he said "So...Sari...how you feeling?"
Sari remained silent for a moment and said "Fine...I guess."
Bumblebee didn't believe her and said "Oh, come on it's not going to be that bad."
Prowl drove next to Bumblebee and said "Oh, this is a new leaf for you Bumblebee. Finally realize that you can have fun with nature as you do your video games."
"What? Are you kidding me!? If you remember Prowl last time I had fun with nature it ended with a disaster!"
"You can't seriously blame that one time determine all of nature."
"Oh yes I can!..."
The argument didn't change much from that, just Bumblebee and Prowl bickering about that one trip and the whole battle between home entertainment electronics and nature. Sari didn't bother to contribute to conversation. It's not like she was on either side anyway. She just didn't want to be away from home was all. She didn't care much for her TV shows or video games she just wanted to stay home where she was born.
She shrugged in her seat with her eyes closed remembering what happened last night with Starscream. She remembered the whole ride, of seeing her home city at such a few and lit up at night and all from a view provided by her new friend. She was so thankful he did that otherwise she would probably be taking this even harder.
Starscream wasn't too high above the Autobot vehicles but he was able to here Bumblebee and Prowl bickering. Knowing Starscream's tolerance to annoyance was very low it didn't take long for them to get on his nerves. However, he knew him yelling at them to shut up wasn't going to help anything especially since he technically still wasn't an Autobot or even an ally so he tried his best to ignore them. Fortunately, he didn't need to stain his tolerance to annoyance for much longer because Ratchet's ran out before his.
"Will you too keep your mouths shut?! I can't hear myself think!" Ratchet yelled at the two younger bots.
The two younger bots obliged immediately. Starscream couldn't thank the veteran medic enough for doing that. While on his trip all he was doing was thinking over and over again what has happened the last few days with the Autobots. It was defiantly a whole new experience for him but he really couldn't say it was a bad experience. He actually gained something.
With the Decepticons all he ever gained was the position of second in command and criticisms from his superior and his fellow warriors. And after that all he ever did was lose everything he gained with a matter of time. Now he has no one to blame but himself on that to some degree but even if he was loyal to Megatron and wasn't hungry for power he was pretty sure that Megatron probably wouldn't have given him anymore respect or anything else. He noticed this with his fellow Decepticons not getting anywhere with them being lead by Megatron.
But with the Autobots it was different he has to say. For one he actually gained a true friend which he never thought he would ever see in his existence. He's gained knowledge and was finally able to learn from his flaws that were so obvious to him that if he saw some else do he could realize it. And at the same time he gained some respect from the Autobot Squad leader. He isn't even an Autobot and yet he commends him on his duty to save the All Spark fragments and Sari. Starscream was so confused since none of it added up for him.
After about three Earth hours they finally made it to the crash landed Autobot ship. Starscream sped up in front of them when he saw the ship and transformed to robot mode landing a few feet away from the ship and waiting for the Autobots to arrive. When the Autobots arrived a few minuets later after the ex Decepticon made it there before them.
Optimus transformed to robot mode and turned and faced his fellow Autobots. The other Autobots transformed and faced their leader with Sari coming of Bumblebee first of course.
"Autobots, this ship will be our temporary base of operations. So don't get too comfortable. In order to make sure we stay a step ahead of Megatron and protect the humans we have to find a new building that we can use as a base in Detroit. This is too far from the city to protect it. So let's do what we can here to protect the All Spark." Optimus said to fellow Autobots.
All the Autobots understood what he meant followed him into the Autobot ship. Starscream was now just leaning on the ship away from the entrance looking at the surrounding forest of the ship. Earth was an interesting planet he had to say, had different kinds of life within the planet. It was strange to him to see things like this.
"Starscream."
Starscream looked down to see Sari looking up at him. He acknowledged her by kneeling down to her letting her in his hand. "What is it?" Starscream asked his friend.
"I was wondering tomorrow... can you take me back to Detroit and look for a new base for us."
Starscream gave a light chuckle with a smirk but he nodded and said "Alright, I don't think I will be able to stand it here too long anyway."
"Ah, come on Starscream, don't tell me you are like Bumblebee on this." Sari said in her usual cheery tone.
"I really don't care about nature but I would rather stay in a place where I am familiar to." Starscream responded leaning on the ship again.
"Now it's not all that unfamiliar. The cave where we met is close by here." Sari said as Starscream chuckled again.
Just as the conversation was about to continue, Bumblebee came out of the entrance of the ship and said "Hey Sari! I smuggled in a Volleyball let's get a game started with Bulkhead!"
"Okay coming Bumblebee! You want to play to?" she asked turning to the ex Decepticon.
Starscream gave a heavy but low groan and that pretty answered to 'no' before he could say it. "I know nothing of this fleshing game."
"We can teach-"
Sari was cut off by Bumblebee saying "Come on we can't start till you are here."
Sari was able to tell she wasn't going to convince the former Decepticon Air Commander to play anytime soon so she gave up. Starscream placed her on the ground and she ran to her friends saying "Coming Bumblebee."
Starscream made low groan again as she ran off to play with her other friends. Just as he was about to lean on the ship again he saw at the corner of his left optic that Prowl was approaching.
"What do you want Autobot?" Starscream said harshly although it was more harsh than intended. Starscream wasn't facing him either.
Prowl dismissed it and said "As I stated when I released you that I would have to supervise you. But that is not the only reason why I am here."
Starscream then turned to the Autobot ninja and said "Then what is your other reason."
Prowl opened his arm out and said "To show you further our Autobot ways and why we chose to protect this planet instead of taking over it."
Starscream was undeniably annoyed by this but he chose to listen. Prowl explained the workings of organic life and why they must protect it and why the Autobots should care for it. He also explained why they are to be protectors of this city and why they do so many other duties around Detroit. Starscream was able to take pieces of what he said and comprehend it way he could understand it but still was difficult for me see things in their perspective.
Eventually, Prowl let Starscream alone and let him be. For the rest of the afternoon all he did try to comprehend everything he learned for that day but it was still hard to see it and comprehend. The Autobot ways were far different from the Decepticon ways that he learned with so he to look at everything differently. He did this till the late night till eventually he went inside the ship get a recharge.
Nothing to special but I can say I'm happy with how this chapter came out. I was going to do like a side chapter for Christmas or something but nothing seemed soild enough. Merry Christmas everybody out there!