Further Complications.
Chapter Nine.
Sam didn't even have to think about his next words and actions, for they came naturally.
"Give him here! Carefully!" he said, cupping his hands and walking towards the two mechs. Barricade lifted the pale human, carefully placing him into Sam's hands.
"See, this one is special to Lord Starscream, unlikely as it may seem, Swindle." Barricade chided the smaller red mech.
"I don't know why, it's only a squishy." grumbled the mono-optic mech. His gaze wandered over to where Dr Syn continued to work on Bumblebee, checking connections and putting armour back in place.
"He cares about a squishy and has the medic repair the Autobot: is Lord Starscream going soft?"
'Oh no!' thought Sam. He didn't need dissent and uncertainty about Starscream's loyalties and suitability to lead the Decepticons. Thankfully, Sam had been thinking, and had an answer to Swindle's remark.
"As usual, Swindle, you only see what is in front of your optic, and not the reason for it. If the Autobot is to answer my questions, it is better that he be healthy to start with, in case stronger persuasion is needed to encourage him to use the vocal processor he was built with. That is if I do not find a better use for him, which I believe I will, and this squishy will also prove useful." He bent his head to look at Miles, who was still half-terrified, but half-awed at Sam.
Sam looked back up at Swindle, very glad that Soundwave had that morning told him he would be pursuing a new project and why.
"Perhaps you are unaware of the fact that all fuel is becoming scarce: luckily for you, Soundwave is pursuing a new source of fuel for you groundlings. However, for my wing-brothers and I, until a suitable alternative is found, we must either steal the air fuel – which is becoming increasingly difficult – or trade for it. Trading with humans would be fairly fruitless, but trading with the Autobots may be possible – especially if we have something they want."
He could see from Barricade's face that the Police cruiser had caught on, but Swindle still appeared puzzled. Sam inclined his head to look at Miles again. He now needed to explain why he wanted Miles kept alive, and the good thing was that Sam had an advantage over Starscream: he knew a good deal about Miles. Such as that Miles had seen how Sam interacted with Bumblebee, Miles had envied Sam his Cybertronian friend, and that Miles was a quick learner.
"This is no ordinary flesh-creature, this squishy is called Miles Lancaster. He is a close personal friend of the Witwicky squishy, who is effectively an honorary Autobot. As such, he, like the youngling scout, is more valuable to us alive and intact. I propose to contact the Autobots and offer to swap the two for a certain amount of aircraft fuel, groundling's fuel, and anything else we need." He raised Miles up to his face, inclined it towards him.
"In addition, I have personal reasons for claiming this fleshling as my own."
As Sam had hoped, Miles had caught on, raising his hands to caress and stroke Sam's face the same way Sam often stroked Bumblebee's: Sam could understand now why Bumblebee enjoyed it so much. He allowed it to continue for about thirty seconds, than reluctantly returned the hands to chest-level, holding them out from his body.
"Medical supplies, too." Spoke up the medic, who was putting his equipment away. "We could use some components that I can work into spare parts we may need. I can give you a list."
Sam inclined his head.
"Very well, we shall add that to the list." He said.
"How about some energon?" suggested Barricade, his glossa slipping out to run over the edges of his dermaplating. "I have heard that Ratchet's energon brewing skills are second to none."
"Then we shall ask for some of his best then." Sam said.
"I think the scout may benefit first from a couple of hour's recharge." The medic said. "I also think the squishy may benefit from something to eat."
"Then take the scout to recharge, and I will join you with the squishy in a while." He said. Miles look worried.
"What're you going to do to me, sir?" he fretted. Sam raised a finger to stroke Miles' long blonde hair.
"You are my claimed. Just call me by my name, Starscream." He told Miles. "I believe you have an interest in aircraft of all kinds, but particularly of the military variety?"
"Yeah." Said Miles.
"Then I am sure you would not object if I went for a flight in my F-22 mode, and took you along as company?"
A big grin spread across Miles' face and his eyes lit up.
"Cor, yes please, Starscream!" he said.
"Barricade, I believe the human would appreciate assistance in getting into my cockpit. You will assist."
"Yes my Lord Starscream." Barricade stated. Sam took a step towards the door, then paused to regard the smaller red mech as the medic stepped past, leading Bumblebee by an arm.
"Oh, and Swindle? I suggest that no harm come to either of these two from you during their brief stay here: they will be useful bargaining chips, and well bargaining chips are the best sort. I will not tolerate you disobeying my direct orders: you will stay away from both of them. You asked earlier if I was going soft: should harm come to either of them you will find out how erroneous that assumption is, for if you are lucky you will live to regret it. If you are not, the doctor will soon have a source of spare parts to salvage. Do I make myself understood?"
"Perfectly, Lord Starscream, I won't harm them!" Swindle said, fear evident in his voice, before turning and almost fleeing from the room. The doctor and Barricade turned to look at Sam.
You enjoyed that, didn't you? Commed Dr Syn with a grin.
Just a bit. Sam commed back.
The doctor continued to lead Bumblebee over to the medical bay as Sam headed for the Decepticon base's makeshift runway with Barricade following behind.
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Sam used his half-hour in the air with Miles to catch up on what news there was since his impromptu visit to the Autobot base care of the Twins. Miles thoroughly enjoyed the experience, but after half an hour Sam decided to land: Miles could do with some sort of upper body covering, something to eat and probably some sort of rest after his earlier capture.
Taking him into the med bay, he handed him to Dr Syn, who assured Sam that he had some food suitable for human consumption somewhere plus a few items of clothing they had found here and there: the medic had had the foresight to gather human clothing and vacuum-packed and tinned food in case human prisoners were taken at some point. As the medic took Miles out to get some food and a T-shirt or shirt, Sam approached Bumblebee, who was recharging on the floor, recharging wires clipped to his body.
Sam carefully got down onto the floor next to the little yellow scout: Sam was getting used to moving around in Starscream's body. Reaching out one of the big hands, he reached out to caress Bumblebee's rounded silver face.
Bumblebee's optic shutters fluttered a bit, and then shot open: the scout's voice rose in a keen as he scrambled to a crouch and began to bring his cannon online. Sam belatedly realised that in his post-regenerative confusion the Autobot scout had forgotten that this was Sam and not Starscream.
Sam backed off, speaking hurriedly.
"Bumblebee, Bumblebee, it's me, Sam, buddy, don't you remember? I'm in Starscream's body and he's in mine, don't you remember, it happened after Mikaela and Optimus were returned to their own. Starscream tried to kidnap me, got hit by lightning, switching both of us over, remember?"
Sam watched the scout anxiously but it seemed his words at least served to trigger Bumblebee's memories, as the little scout calmed and stopped keening.
"Sam, you scared me!" he said. Both Dr Syn and his subordinate, Headfixer, came into the med bay at a run from two different directions, both comming urgently, wanting to know what was happening.
"I touched him unexpectedly, he was startled." Sam said, not knowing how much the other medic did and did not know, and not willing to gamble that Headfixer knew as much as Dr Syn, and was as tolerant as the senior medic.
"Please don't do that too often, Starscream." grumbled Headfixer. "I nearly shorted the memory chip I was working on."
"It's okay, bring the squishy, I will now contact the Autobot base and negotiate with them for the supplies we need." Sam said. "I believe the communications desk is in here?"
"Indeed it is, Lord Starscream." Stated Dr Syn. "I will bring the boy. Headfixer, you start up the array and contact the Autobot base." Headfixer dipped his head in acknowledgement of both the order and Dr Syn's seniority, and walked towards the back of the med bay. Sam commed reassurances to Bumblebee, taking his arm and leading him gently in the smaller doctor's wake.
Headfixer brought the communications system online, and Dr Syn brought Miles as Headfixer opened a channel to the Autobot base. Mirage's face appeared. He blinked in surprise as he registered the source of the communication and the presence of 'Starscream'.
"I have called Optimus Prime, so he can speak to you as leader to leader." stated the softly-spoken one-time noble. "I am transferring your communication to his office now."
There was a brief flicker, and Sam was facing the familiar figure of the Autobot leader. Sam realised that Optimus could not know about Dr Syn and Headfixer's presence, and acted quickly to unobtrusively warn him.
"Ah, Optimus, Prime, this is Starscream, I am contacting you to arrange a little trade." He pulled Bumblebee into the frame and picked up Miles in the other hand and brought him into view as well. Sam knew that Optimus would surmise from the mode of address that he was not alone.
"We were aware that Bumblebee had been attacked, it was not difficult to guess who by." Optimus replied. "If either Miles or Bumblebee are harmed, we will be forced to act against you." The Autobot leader stated.
"Do not be concerned on that point, I am well aware that damaged goods are of little use in a trade." Sam replied. "The human has a few scratches and bruises that I am assured will self-repair, and I myself personally supervised the repair of the damage caused to your scout during his capture." Sam replied.
"Now, I am proposing this: that we generously return these two to you in return for a month's worth of air and groundling fuel, plus half of your medic's latest brew batch of both high and low-grade energon, plus a list of medical supplies and raw materials my medic will provide you with."
"It seems you want a lot for the return of our scout and the human left in his care." Optimus stated. "We will discuss how much of each commodity can be bought, but I think we will need more than just the two standing there. Trade can take many forms: perhaps time can also be used as currency, for example, I am willing to consider it a fair bargain if you throw in a month-long cessation of hostilities against both the humans and our forces."
"Then let us negotiate and come to a settlement that pleases us both." Sam stated, knowing that to accept too quickly would be suspicious to the Decepticons.
Half-an-hour later, Sam and Optimus had come to an agreement: the medical supplies they wanted, plus a third of Ratchet's latest batch of both low and high-grade energon, and three weeks worth of fuel for the flying and non-flying contingent of Decepticons. In return, they would hand over Bumblebee, Miles, and call a two-week ceasefire, effective immediately.
"If you bring in Bumblebee and Miles, you will be made welcome, covered by Protocol Five of the Treaty of Iacon." Optimus stated. "Under that Protocol we are obliged to provide you and any who accompany you with any fuel and repairs necessary."
Sam nodded.
"I would like to bring my wing brothers, Thundercracker and Skywarp." He stated.
"Very well, Starscream. When will you be returning Miles and Bumblebee?" he asked.
"Tomorrow morning, when we have all had an opportunity to recharge." He stated. "Miles and the youngling will be well cared for."
"Then I look forwards to seeing you tomorrow, we will be at the gate 0900 local time tomorrow. Ratchet would also like to speak to you at some point tomorrow as well, he has something to show you. Optimus Prime out."