Chapter four – Alliance

Optimus Prime looked on in disbelieve as the Allspark shard and the Matrix flew back to him. As soon as they returned to their place Optimus felt himself fall into a trance.

"The Sparkling will be the new hope of Cybertron."

Optimus whirled towards the voice, seeing nothing he asked, "Whose Sparkling is it?"

The voice that seemed to contain more than one voice replied, "He is ours. He was chosen to unite the fractions and end the war destroying Cybertron."

Something tickled Optimus memory, "Is he Starscream?"

"Yes, he was destined for great things the first time he came into existence, but Megatron interfered with his destiny."

Optimus snorted in disbelieve, "You can't mean that! He was cruel and loved to kill!"

"But he wasn't always like that. Eons ago he was a scientist and when he lost his best and only friend he remained alone until he was found by Megatron. The youngling was eager to please, until one day his trust was betrayed."

Now curious Primes asked, "What happened?"

"Megatron forced himself on the youngling."

Horrified the Autobot leader gasped, "You mean he forced him to interface with him?!"

"Yes. Starscream was too young and naïve to know what was happening. He only knew that his leader was hurting him and that it wasn't something a leader should do."

Swallowing his grief for the loss of innocence Optimus asked, "What do you expect of me?"

"To care for the seekerling. He is your hope and future, Prime. Take care of him and let him grow up without hate and betrayal."

Before Optimus could question the voice further he felt himself fall.

Gasping Optimus saw the others looking at him worriedly.

"Are you alright, Prime?" Jazz asked seeing the confused look on his leader's face. Prowl stood on his right side and looked at him worriedly.

Nodding Optimus looked at his Autobots and the Decepticons, "Yes. Let's go home."

Taking a step towards the still cooing Seekers Prime registered tension flowing from them as soon as he got within reach. Looking down at the little helpless sparkling he mourned for the happenings of the past while rejoicing the fact that this little one would get a new chance at live.

Slowly raising his arm he saw Skywarp ready himself to warp himself and the sparkling away and Thundercracker preparing for an attack. Both were left dumbfounded when Optimus gently stroke the sparklings head and whispered low enough for only them to hear, "You're save now, little Starscream. Your creators will take care of you, and the Autobots will take care of them!" With a look full of hope and promise Prime turned away and relieved Ratchet of playing Ironhide's crutch.

The two stunned seekers could only stare after the leader and knew that the future would certainly be very interesting.

Arriving at the Ark and taking care of the still offline Soundwave, carried back by his smaller but determined mate Blaster, took up most of Ratchets time.

Now finally able to lose himself in the act of healing and caring of another mech he found himself working more hurriedly at Ironhide. The gunner worried him as he still hadn't spoken much.

Optimus had told him what had happened with Megatron and they both had known that this was something the gunner wouldn't be able to forget, or figive himself for letting it happen.

Admistering a sedative seemed the best for now and Ratchet was finally able to take a look at the one mech he had longed to have on his table the whole time.

Skywarp and Thundercracker were standing outside his medbay with Jazz and Prowl 'keeping them company' as Prowl had said. But the two seekers knew that they were guarded, whether from the Autobots or from doing anything rash was left to be seen.

When the door finally opened and Ratchet looked at them expectantly just to glower at the two 'guards' when they moved to join them, "You two will stay outside!"

Prowl almost growled, "Ratchet, this is a matter of security and you have no say in it…"

Jazz cringed when his bondmate uttered these fateful words and took a step back, "Prowly, you better leave with me in one sexy peace or find yourself humiliatingly nailed to the wall, and I don't mean the good kind!"

Ratchet snarled in fury before grabbing his ever present wrench and shucking it at the startled SIC. Turning around he ushered the seekers inside and locked the door with a medical quarantine code. "See the dumbafts come though this!"

Whirling around Ratchet found himself facing two very confused but amused seekers, "What?!"

Skywarp laughed, "Is it always like this around here?" Thundercracker snickered in agreement.

Trying to act unaware of what they meant Ratchet grabbed his other wrench, "Like what?"

Now both seekers were laughing when a cooing and gurgling sound distracted them from the discussion.

coo…squeak…gurgle….

Ratchet's optics softened as he looked down at the fully awake seekerling. He had seen back nubs before while dealing with new sparked flyers and knew that Starscream would probably attain a similar form as he had possessed before his demise.

Clearing his throat from the emotions rising within him when thinking about the many lost sparklings he stated gruffly, "Set him down on the table so I can examine him."

Knowing that Prime had given them his word to protect not only them but their little Star, Skywarp reluctantly released the tiny form from his arms finding himself immediately encircled within his mate's embrace.

Eyeing the small white, red and blue form Ratchet picked up his scanner.

Working silently for more minutes the medic was finally convinced that the sparkling was healthy enough to be able to stand Ratchet's invasion into his system.

Connecting their processors Ratchet activated the command that would open the little ones sparkchamber to let him take a look at it and make sure no damage had been done when he had been subjected to the electrical discharges.

But nothing could have prepared him for the sight that greeted his optics when the chamber opened.

"What the frack…!"

tbc