Author's note. Big thanks to Curious1here for their ideas, it was a big help for this chapter.
Enjoy and please review.
"What the…?" Skywarp said in utter dumbfounded amazement.
"Hey there Skywarp," Jazz greeted cheerfully, as though the two were old drinking buddies. "Fancy running into you here."
He knew already that Mirage was reaching for a weapon and he was all set to grab his from sub space. However, he was going to take advantage of the Seeker's stupefaction and stall before he could call for help.
"How the hell did you get here?" Skywarp demanded, starting to tense up and clearly, about to make a move.
"Oh you know," Jazz said casually. "Hey, you wanting to know where Screamer is?"
This caused the Seeker to freeze and forget briefly the action he was about to take. Staring right at Jazz, he exclaimed. "You know where he is?"
"Sure do," agreed the saboteur, a friendly smile on his face. "In fact, we could take you to him right now."
"How..?" the Seeker started to say but gasping as a shot hit him in the neck, causing sparks to fly everywhere.
"Good job," Jazz complimented as the Seeker fell to his knees before slumping forward.
"Hmm, he didn't react very fast," Mirage mused, putting away his gun which had been set to stun. "You'd throw me in the brig if I let myself be caught like that."
"Ha, you'd be lucky if that's all I did," Jazz told him, walking over to the Seeker and bending down. "Well, he's going to have a good sleep."
"What are we doing with him?" Mirage asked his superior, watching as he examined the fallen flier.
"Might as well take him," Jazz stated. "Something to keep old buckethead off our backs for a bit."
Mirage nodded before bringing some status cuffs and going to cuff the unconscious Skywarp.
"Better hurry it up," Jazz ordered. "If he's looking for Screamer, there's a good chance that the other one will come poking around."
"Yes sir," Mirage agreed and they both set to work with more vigour, collecting as many of Starscream's possessions as possible. At long last, Jazz deemed they had enough items of importance and could think about leaving.
"I'll take him," the Autobot TIC stated. "You'd better stay invisible in case we run into any more late night Cons."
Mirage smiled wryly before disappearing from view. Jazz bent down and heaved the heavy Seeker over his shoulder before they both exited from Starscream's room. Everything was still eerily silent except for the very soft tread of their own footsteps. So when they detected footsteps around a corner, it meant they had advance warning.
Jazz stopped dead but Mirage continued onwards. Not long after, a new Seeker appeared and stopped in shock at the sight of the Autobot holding his trine mate.
"You….!" Thundercracker started to exclaim before suddenly stopping at the feel of a muzzle against the back of his neck.
"Good boy," Jazz said with a smirk as Thundercracker's optics widened in fear. "Now, you're gonna take your buddy and come along with us quietly."
While he said this, Mirage deftly disabled the Seeker's comm, preventing him from calling for help.
"I don't think I need to say what'll happen if you try anything," Jazz continued delicately, laying Skywarp on the ground before taking several steps back and bringing out his blaster.
"No, you don't," Thundercracker bit out, his expression cold now. Slowly, he moved forward and lifted up his trine mate, still unable to see Mirage but knowing he was there.
"Now let's get moving," prompted Jazz and they set off again.
"What are you doing here?" Thundercracker asked in a quiet voice as they walked.
"Oh, this and that," Jazz replied in a very soft tone.
Silence fell for a time before the blue Seeker spoke again.
"You'll never be able to leave with both of us."
"Really?" Jazz said, although he'd already considered this. But he already had an idea about getting safely off the Nemesis with the two prisoners.
And it would involve waking up Skywarp.
….
The grey leader of the Decepticons stalked through the corridors, ignoring the soldiers he passed. His mind was completely focused on a certain Seeker who had gone AWOL, a situation that worthless fragger had better remedy soon. Or else.
A small smile curved his lips as he thought about what he would do to Starscream if he didn't come back within the allotted time. For starters, he would question the Seeker about how exactly he ended up in the Autobot base? Had he fled there or had the Autobots captured him? For Starscream's sake, it had better be the latter.
Prime had told him Starscream was there of his own free will but Megatron was inclined to believe that wasn't entirely the case. To his mind, it was more likely that the Seeker had been brought to the Ark and then perhaps pressured to remain. So it was possible that it wasn't Starscream's choice to stay there past the deadline, he might even have been drugged to keep him docile. Megatron had not yet seen his Seeker so he only had Prime's word on the matter and he wasn't terribly inclined to trust it.
The Autobot leader could be very devious when he chose to be.
"Lord Megatron," greeted Soundwave as their paths crossed on the way to the command centre.
"Soundwave," Megatron replied, adding. "If we receive no word of Starscream, prepare to attack a human settlement."
"As you command," his loyal telepath intoned, bowing his head.
Strange how he could count on his Third in Command rather than his Second. Why was his Seeker so incapable of pleasing him? Well, in his capacity as a solider anyway, there was a certain area he was extremely efficient.
The former gladiator smiled as he recalled the last time he had seen Starscream. How he'd begged so sweetly for mercy, his wings fluttering with fearful anticipation. This time, Megatron had taken him on his berth, looming above the Seeker as he cried on his hands and knees. It had been a thoroughly enjoyable experience, dominating the weaker Mech and knowing that there was nothing he could do about it.
Oh, Starscream had attempted to get his revenge but it had failed so miserably that Megatron could not help but be amused. Foolish Seeker, each attempt was more pathetic than the last. Well, the worthless brat should be grateful he chose a comfortable venue for their coupling. Unlike the previous time when he'd discovered Starscream trying to poison his Energon with a rather nasty corrosive acid.
So he'd grabbed the snivelling coward and slammed him face first against a wall and fragged the circuits out of him. It was proving to being an effective discipline method for the treacherous seeker. Perhaps all that was required was a few more sessions to bring his Second into line once and for all.
With these thoughts in mind, he took out a data pad and paused to read it while Soundwave went to the main computer. The blue Mech always did that, making sure everything was in order and that no one had been up to anything. Goodness knows, plenty of idiots liked to mess about, not necessarily to harm the Decepticon cause but usually because they had a gripe with another comrade.
Scanning his data pad, he decided to read it more in depth later, right now he wanted to contemplate the attack he'd be launching on the Autobots. It didn't matter if Starscream came or not, he still felt it worth his time to plan for the latter. After all, he would eventually attack his nemesis's base so he might as well plan. With this thought in mind, he went to sit down on his throne.
BANG!
The concentrated but powerful explosion sent him almost across the entire room, causing him to land heavily on his front and sliding a few meters. His head was ringing furiously and for a few moments, all he could see were bright spots of light. He gasped, fighting against the blackness that threatened to overwhelm him as his body burned with pain.
With no idea of how long he lay there, he started to struggle up, dimly wondering why Soundwave had not come to his assistance. His arms shook violently as he pushed himself up and he groaned. Before he could properly assess what had occurred, his comm suddenly activated and a voice exclaimed in alarm.
"Hnn?" he muttered, not immediately understanding.
"Lord Megatron, several Mechs have started purging," Hook exclaimed over the comm. "I don't understand this at all, I think it might be contaminated Energon."
"Alert: Virus detected," Soundwave bit out in a tight voice, almost bent double, his head sparking as he clutched it.
His face a growing storm of rage, Megatron hauled himself to his feet and roared a single word.
"Starscream!"
…
"Starscream?" Ironhide gently murmured, giving the sleeping seeker a careful shake. "Wake up."
He received a grumble in reply as the Seeker shifted.
"What?" Starscream snapped, barely opening his optics.
"Yah wanna go fer a flight?" Ironhide asked and that had the young Mech sitting up in a flash.
"A flight?" Starscream exclaimed breathlessly. "You mean it?"
"Ah do," the red Mech confirmed. "It's still real early, not many bots will be about. It's a perfect time fer y'all tah get rid of some of that cabin fever."
"Well what are we waiting for?" Starscream wanted to know, scrambling to his feet. "Let's go."
"Hang on," Ironhide said before the Seeker could rush out of the door. "We gotta wait fer our escort."
"Escort?" Starscream exclaimed, staring at him. "What are you talking about?"
"Yah need someone tah fly with yah," explained the red Mech. "Just in case Megatron's on the watch, y'all need backup then."
"I don't need backup," declared Starscream, folding his arms with contempt. "I already told you, I can outfly any flier on this planet."
"Ah know but this'll be safer," Ironhide argued. "Old Megatron is probably expecting yah tah be flying on yer own, this might throw him off guard."
"And just who is going to fly with me?" Starscream asked with no small amount of sarcasm. "As if I didn't know."
"Skyfire knows yer flying patterns very well," Ironhide reminded him. "And he's big enough tah provide cover. And as yer so fond of saying, the Arielbots don't have the experience fer this kinda thing."
"That is certainly true," smirked Starscream.
"So?" Ironhide said expectantly.
The Seeker huffed before snapping. "Fine, he can come too."
"Good," Ironhide said, inwardly relieved that he wouldn't have to face a major argument from Starscream on this issue. "Anyways, he won't be long."
"He'd better not be," Starscream said impatiently, now pacing. "I need to get out."
"Just relax," Ironhide advised gently before inwardly sighing in relief as the door chimed, letting him know Skyfire had arrived. Thank goodness for that, Starscream looked as though he was about to start pacing the ceiling.
The Seeker jumped at the sound of the door and his impatience turned to fear. Seeing the way he shook, Ironhide came over and said softly. "Hey, it's gonna be okay."
When Starscream looked at him, he added.
"Remember, he's yer friend, he ain't gonna judge yah. Just think of the flight, that's what's important, ain't it?"
"Y-yes," Starscream swallowed heavily. "The flight, yes."
"Let's get going," the red Mech nudged, waiting wasn't going to do them any favours.
He took a few steps over and opened the door, revealing the massive form of Skyfire. The shuttle smiled warmly, especially when he laid sights on his old friend.
"Are you…?"
"Yes, yes, we are," Starscream interrupted, wings held high. "Are we going or what?"
"Of course," Skyfire said soothingly, moving aside to let them both out.
"At least," Starscream muttered but before he could shoot along the corridor, Ironhide said.
"Ah'd better go in front in case anyone's about."
"More delays," groaned the Seeker. "Fine, just be quick."
"We'll feel the wind soon Starscream," Skyfire stated as the young Seeker sent him a grumpy look. However, he didn't say anything, he was too impatient to start flying.
"Let's get going," Ironhide stated, knowing his charge wouldn't last much longer. He sent off at a smart pace, listening out for any approaching comrades. Behind him, Starscream was cutting a quick figure and Skyfire had to encourage him to slow down slightly.
"Stop fussing," hissed Starscream, batting away at the larger flier.
"I'm sorry," Skyfire apologised. "I'm just so happy to be doing this with you again."
The young Seeker just mumbled something that Ironhide couldn't understand but it didn't really matter. If this went off without a hitch, then Starscream would be left in a much more relaxed mood. Something which would be incredibly important after it was revealed the Seeker was living at the Ark and Megatron attempted to take him back.
They made it through several corridors before Ironhide held up a hand.
"Wait," he murmured softly.
The fliers behind him stopped dead, Starscream's wings moving anxiously. Ironhide carefully watched as Gears and Huffer passed by, not really talking. They looked like they'd just come from patrol and thus, were exhausted and just wanted to get to their berth. Which was just as well as they were some of the worst bots that could possibly come across Starscream.
"It's alright," Ironhide said softly once they were gone from sight.
He heard Skyfire murmur some words of comfort to Starscream as they moved off again. The base's lights were mostly dim to converse energy while most of the inhabitants were sleeping but there was still enough light to prevent enemies from sneaking in. And so no one bumped into a wall.
"How much longer?" hissed his charge.
"We're almost there," both Ironhide and Skyfire whispered at the same time.
"Oh dear," chuckled Skyfire while Ironhide cracked a small smile. "I believe we've jinxed ourselves."
"What in Primus's name are you talking about?" Starscream said with contempt.
"I'll explain later," his fellow flier said with another chuckle.
"Hmm," Starscream mumbled, sounding a little suspicious. He probably deduced that this was some kind of human thing and he was not impressed.
"Now, we're approaching the entrance," Ironhide now said a few minutes later. "Ya'll soon be in the air."
He received no reply but that didn't matter. Like the careful bodyguard he was, he surveyed the area as he stepped outside and detected no problems. As far as he could tell, there were no Decepticons in the area but even if there were, that was one of the reasons why he'd asked Skyfire to be with Starscream. Together, they stood a far better chance of fighting off any threat that might appear.
"Yah can come out now," Ironhide murmured and he stood aside to allow the two fliers to walk out.
Starscream let out a low, keening sound that Ironhide could have sworn was relief but he didn't know much of the Seeker language. Heck, of even flier language in general. But even a simpleton could detect Starscream's sheer joy at being outside, in the open air as he prepared to take off. Even Skyfire was looking excited as he activated his flight systems, hovering just behind Starscream.
And then a barely a moment later, they were in the air, gaining speed as they rose higher and higher into the dark sky. Ironhide watched them go with a smile on his face. A free flight for the young Seeker, he couldn't ask for more.
Author's note. How does Starscream enjoy his flight? What about Jazz with his prisoners? Find out next time, until then.