IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE! PLEASE READ!
Due to the recent uproar concerning sexually explicit material on the site, this story has been edited from it's original state to conform to FFnet's ToS. I hate doing this, but I like keeping my stories here. The full, unedited version of this story, as well as those I cannot post here at all, will be available shortly on my Y-Gallery account (Takashidaimao, same as on here). Those who do not have a Y-Gallery account or do not have access to the site, feel free to drop me a PM and I'll see what I can do for you. I will fix this up a little better later, so please forgive the sloppy chop job for now. If by some miracle the petitions change the site owner's mind, I will put all the good bits back in. But, until then, this is what you get for now so I don't get banned.
Also, those who have read/favorited/reviewed my oneshot "I Wanna Hear You Scream" I greatly appreciate your support, but I will be taking the story down shortly as there is no way to edit it to conform to the ToS and still have a viable story. A copy has already been posted to my Y-Gallery.
"For the last time, I'll be fine! I can do this in my sleep!" Starscream insisted, swatting at his pestering mate with his servos. Megatron vented a sigh, taking half a step backwards and holding his servos up defensively. "I know, I know... Just... Look, I just want you to be careful. Stay with the Vehicons at all times. If anything happens, anything at all, I want you to contact me immediately. I'll have Soundwave send you a ground bridge if you need it." The Seeker rolled his optics as the warlord continued to lecture him. "And you'll be checking on me every hour..." he recited in a very rehearsed tone, giving his mate a small smirk. He could have quoted this entire speech if he wanted to.
This had become a daily routine for the two of them. Starscream had grown tired of sitting around doing nothing, and had started badgering Megatron to give him something to do. The warlord eventually gave in, reluctantly putting the Seeker in charge of the space bridge rebuild, but only after making him promise that he'd just be supervising. Starscream had readily agreed, grateful for anything to keep him busy. Megatron still wasn't very comfortable letting his expectant mate out of his sight for so long, especially after what Airachnid had done not long ago, but couldn't justify keeping him confined to the ship if there were so many Vehicons there to watch over him. Besides, the Seeker was the only one who really knew what he was doing with space bridge technology. Starscream stood up on his toes, placing a kiss on his mate's lips. "I'll see you in a bit, love." he whispered out before turning to leave with the rest of the Vehicons.
"Umm... Commander Starscream?"
The Seeker let out a frustrated growl as yet another Vehicon approached him, holding up some random mechanical component that he couldn't figure out where to put. He rubbed his temples with the tips of his digits, trying to ease away his quickly growing headache. Honestly, you'd think by the third time around these idiots would have learned how to put this damned machine together! He vented a sigh, pointing ahead towards one of the half-built arches that would make up the gateway of the spaced bridge. "Next to the main fuel line. And don't you dare try to force it if it doesn't go on properly the first time! If you break it, I'll make the replacement out of your hide!"
The Vehicon nodded before quickly darting off to place the part where it supposedly went. Starscream rolled his optics, shaking his helm as he turned in his chair back to the control panel he'd been programming. At least he was getting plenty of practice dealing with children... They couldn't seem to connect a simple circuit without his help. Meanwhile he had to try to remember where he was in his coding amidst constant interruptions in addition to his already strained attention span... Needless to say, sitting around doing nothing was starting to look pretty good right now.
"Hey, come out here for a second." Starscream ordered, tapping a digit loudly against the surface of the next console over. Another Vehicon crawled out from under the panel, catching on a few hanging wires as he went. Once he was on his pedes the Seeker held out a servo to him, but avoided optic-contact. "Help me up..." he mumbled out, clearly embarrassed to have to ask for help, but he knew better than to try to stand up on his own. The Vehicon bit his lip under his mask, resisting the urge to laugh or make some smart ass comment. He managed to keep his bearing as he helped the unbalanced Seeker up to his pedes. Starscream thanked him under his breath before wandering off. "Wait, where are you going?"
"For a walk." Starscream replied rather plainly, not bothering to stop or look back. The Vehicon followed after him a bit. "But Lord Megatron said he wanted you to stay at the space bridge." he reminded the commander hesitantly. "Well, Lord Megatron isn't here, is he?" the Seeker retorted immediately. "Look... I have a headache, my back is killing me, and I'm about two seconds away from ripping someone's vital circuitry out with my denta! If I don't get up and move around, preferably somewhere where I'm not being pestered every ten seconds by incompetent imbeciles, I'm going to go insane! And I don't know if you've noticed, but you happen to be working right within the blast radius of that particular explosion of inevitable rage! So, you can either go back to work and pretend you never saw me wander off, or you can tag along and shut the frag up while I continue to bitch at you for the next couple of hours! Now which would you prefer?"
The Vehicon's choice was pretty clear, as he'd practically sprinted back to where he was working. Well, that was easy enough. Now if only he could do that with Megatron... Speaking of which, he had to remember his mate would be back to check on him in about fifteen minutes, which meant he had all of about ten to stretch his legs and get back to his post. He would have liked a longer break than that, but he'd take what he could get right now.
Starscream made his way down towards the energon mine in the next cavern. Most of the miners had been pulled from that location until the space bridge was ready to be tested, so it was fairly deserted at the moment. It made the perfect place to escape for a few minutes. The Seeker leaned back against one of the excavators, optics wandering lazily around the cave over the glowing crystals of energon that had recently been dug up. Suddenly, there was a crash off to the left. Starscream let out a small yelp, darting behind the mining equipment. The last thing he needed right now was for one of the Vehicons to catch him out there on his own. All it would take is one of them to snitch on him and Megatron wouldn't be letting him off the Nemesis until their twins were old enough to drink high grade.
"Watch were you're going, Bulk..." a femme's voice scolded in a low tone. "Sorry..." a much deeper voice replied. A series of quick mechanical whirs and beeps followed, which were immediately shushed by the previous two voices. Starscream's optics widened. Oh no... The Seeker peeked around the edge of the mining equipment, searching frantically for a very familiar group of intruders. After a full minute, however, there was still no sign of them. He furrowed his brows in confusion. Where in the Pit could they have snuck off to?
He quickly decided it didn't really matter. There was no way he could let himself be caught by the Autobots in his condition. He had to get back to the space bridge and contact the Nemesis before... "Gyaah!" Starscream shouted, having turned around to the lovely sight of a rifle barrel being charged and pointed right between his optics. He immediately threw his servos up in surrender, staring past his captor's arm to the steely gaze in Arcee's optics. Well... It was steely, anyway. Before she glanced down.
"Oh... Umm... Wow..." the motorcycle commented awkwardly. Bulkhead was staring down at him with much the same expression, though his mouth was hanging open. Bumblebee's optics were about as wide as they could be, his vocalizer emitting a long, low whistle. Starscream's faceplates flushed. "Oh, shut up! You carry a sparkling and we'll see if you keep your fancy sports car figure!" he barked back at the young scout. Arcee responded to the Seeker's hostile tone by pressing her arm cannon against his forehelm, earning another terrified whimper from the Decepticon. Before she could give him a threat of her own there was a loud crash that resounded throughout the cavern, shaking the very walls.
"WHERE IS HE?"
All three Autobots flinched as the roaring voice of the Decepticon warlord thundered past. Starscream looked as if he were ready to pass out, instinctually fearing for his life upon hearing his master's irate screaming. Seconds later, Vehicons began flooding into the chamber, their leader storming in at the front of the pack. His optics immediately fixed on the three intruders surrounding his mate, the femme's weapon aimed at his head.
"Starscream!" Megatron shouted. The Autobots dove behind the mining equipment, forfeiting their hostage. Once they were safely behind cover Arcee activated her com link. "Ratchet! We've got way more 'Cons down here than we were counting on! We need a bridge out!" Meanwhile, Starscream took that opportunity to run back to his master. Before he could give an excuse for running off the Seeker was pulled forward by his arm, leading him safely behind Megatron's back. Only when his mate was out of the line of fire did the warlord arm his fusion cannon. As he took aim he activated his com link to the Nemesis. "Soundwave! Activate the ground bridge! Now!"
Seconds later a swirling green vortex opened in the middle of the cavern. Megatron looked back over his shoulder. "Go!" he ordered the Seeker before charging forward at the Autobots. Starscream nodded and ran for the portal. The instant he was through he slammed into the chestplates of a large mech, tumbling to the ground with a startled shout. "Watch where you're going, you stupi-" Starscream's scolding was abruptly cut short when he looked up to see who he'd run into. He gasped, wide optics fixed on the hulking figure of Optimus Prime.
"Prime!"
Optimus looked to the side as a very familiar human voice bellowed his name. He watched as Agent Fowler marched up to the guardrail of the raised platform next to him, folding his arms across his chest. "What's this I hear about you taking a pregnant woman hostage? Are you out of your mind? I had to jump through hoops to keep this project open after the brass found out about the kids being here! I can't even begin to imagine the shit storm this is going to cause!" The Autobot leader calmly turned to face the liaison, unfazed by the tiny man's shouting. "Agent Fowler, I believe you may have misunderstood. Our prisoner is not a human, nor was he purposely captured. Starscream came through our ground bridge by accident. Given his condition, I am prepared to arrange for his return to the Decepticons."
Fowler furrowed his brows in confusion. "You're just going to give him back? Wait... What condition?" he asked, leaning forward against the guardrail. Optimus nodded, replying as calmly as ever. "We haven't the means to secure prisoners effectively. Normally, I would suggest bridging him to a neutral location and leaving him to contact his faction on his own. However, that is not a practical solution under these circumstances. As for his condition... I suggest you discuss that with Ratchet once he is finished examining Starscream."
"Would you just hold still!" Ratchet growled out for what had to be the twentieth time. Honestly, Starscream had to be the single most difficult patient he'd ever worked on! Even with the stasis cuffs on, the Seeker was batting at him every time he tried to get close enough to examine him. He'd managed to get the plate covering his patient's gestation chamber off, but that was about it. "No! Just get away from me!" Starscream screeched out, slapping the doctor's hand away from his abdomen. Ratchet vented an aggravated sigh. "That's it! Bulkhead, hold his arms down."
The Seeker tried his best to evade the former Wrecker's servos, but soon had his own pinned above his helm against the medberth. Coolant began to well up in his optics as he let out a soft sob, which made Bulkhead feel like a complete ass for holding him down like that. "I want to go home..." he whined out as Ratchet placed a scanning device against his side. "You will be returned to the Decepticons in a few hours, so long as Ratchet declares both you and your sparkling healthy enough to go back." Starscream looked up as Optimus made his way into the med lab, Fowler following closely behind. The Seeker looked away somewhat embarrassed as the human agent let out a startled "Whoah!" no doubt staring straight at his bare protoform. Obviously the Autobots didn't much care to give their prisoners any sort of privacy.
"You got a hold of Megatron, I take it?" Arcee asked, leaning back against the upper platform's guardrail where the three human children were gawking down at the captive Seeker. The Prime gave her a small nod. "Yes. Megatron has even taken it upon himself to offer a sizable supply of energon in exchange for the safe return of his bondmate." That last part caused even Ratchet to look up from his work. He wasn't sure which was more surprising; that Megatron was willing to give up some of his energon to the Autobots, or that he actually bonded with Starscream. Well, at least he knew who the sire was now...
"What do you care about my health? Last time I checked, we were enemies! And she still wants to kill me!" Starscream growled, nodding his helm in Arcee's direction. Optimus vented a sigh. "You may be our enemy, but your sparkling is an innocent life. I will not deny a child the care it needs simply because it's carrier chooses to walk a path of destruction." he stated firmly, folding his arms across his chestplates. Bulkhead let out a chuckle. "Hey, I'm not normally one to correct someone on their math, but wouldn't that be sparklings?" he commented with a smirk. Everyone looked up at the display screen next to Ratchet, which showed a grainy black and white image of two tiny Seekerlings curled up against each other. Starscream couldn't remember a time where he was more embarrassed. He didn't want the Autobots seeing all this! And Arcee's comments weren't making it any better. "Huh. That explains why he looks like he's about to pop..."
"They seem healthy enough. It doesn't look like they were injured at all when he knocked into you." Ratchet announced, turning back to look at Optimus. The Autobot leader responded with a small smile, glad he hadn't hurt the sparklings. He didn't stay much longer, soon heading back to the control room to monitor the scanners in Ratchet's absence. As soon as the imposing mech was gone, the human children began asking all sorts of questions, much to Starscream's dismay. "So... Does this mean Starscream's a girl?" Miko asked as tactfully as usual. The three younger Autobots in the room all stifled laughter. Ratchet vented a sigh, shaking his helm.
"Cybertronian genders aren't the same as humans. While a human's gender dictates how they reproduce, a Cybertronian's gender is almost purely cosmetic in nature. Both mechs and femmes are 'equipped' the same. It's just our body types that differ." Ratchet explained dryly, removing the scanning device from the Seekers abdomen once he was finished examining the sparklings. Jack raised a brow, giving Arcee a sideways glance. "So... Does that mean Arcee has a-" "Don't start with that..." the motorcycle interrupted quickly, a deadpan expression on her face. Of course, Starscream wasn't about to miss an opportunity to deflect some of this unwanted attention to someone else.
"Oh no, by all means... Jack, was it? You're Arcee's partner, aren't you? Don't you think that entitles you to ask her these awkward questio-Ahh! Don't touch that!" The Seeker's teasing was cut short as Ratchet pressed a servo against a small port just above his gestation chamber. The medic pulled away at his own leisure, examining the small amount of energon on his digits. "Feeding protocols are active. That's good." he mumbled mostly to himself. Starscream let out a small groan, knowing exactly what was coming next. "What's that mean?" Raf asked curiously, leaning over the guardrail a bit. A smirk spread across Arcee's face, amused at how quickly the tables had turned back on the Seeker again.
"Infant Cybertronians can't handle normal energon. They have to have it filtered through one of their parents' bodies first or it'll make them sick. It's not all that different from the way humans feed their newborn children." Ratchet replied somewhat dismissively, quickly growing tired of answering all these questions. Unfortunately, Starscream didn't feel he was trying hard enough to change the subject. "Enough! I don't need you poking at me any more!" he screeched out, trying to yank his arms free of Bulkhead's strong grip with no success. Ratchet vented a sigh. "Fine. That was all I needed anyway..."
It wasn't long before it was time for the children to leave for the night. Starscream had agreed to be somewhat cooperative, which meant Bulkhead was free to take Miko home. He still had to wear the stasis cuffs, though. It got very quiet after everyone left, Ratchet being the only one to remain with the Seeker. As the deadline for the prisoner's release approached, Optimus made his way into the labs, taking one last opportunity to talk to him. "Starscream..." the Prime began, standing next to the medberth and leaning his servos against the edge. "I have a proposition to make."
Starscream looked up hesitantly, unsure of what the Autobot leader was planning. He was made all the more uncomfortable when Ratchet came up to stand at his other side, boxing him in a bit. Still, he tried to keep his attention on Prime. "I can tell you care for your sparklings very much, as does your bondmate. Surely neither of you wish to have them grow up in the midst of war."
"What exactly do you want me to do about it? As it stands, I won't be on active combat duty for at least a year. I'm no threat to anyone right now." Starscream growled out. Optimus gave him a small nod. "I am aware of that. However, I believe that you are the one most capable of changing the tides of the battles to come. All I ask is for you to talk to Megatron. Convince him to end this war. If you can help us end this conflict peacefully, I can guarantee both you and your children will be granted amnesty, and I will personally ensure they are safe."
Starscream didn't reply right away. He looked away, thinking. He couldn't deny it was a tempting proposal. Except one thing... "What would happen to Megatron? Would he be allowed to stay with me?" he asked finally, his optics staring off into the distance. Ratchet glanced up to his old friend, giving him a stern look. Optimus vented a heavy sigh. "I am afraid I cannot guarantee the same for Megatron. However, if he makes the effort to bring this war to an end with minimal conflict, I will do everything in my power to keep the two of you together. I have no intention of breaking up your family if I can avoid it."
Starscream remained silent once again, and Optimus was fairly sure he wouldn't be getting an answer this time. The Prime rested a servo against the Seeker's shoulder. "All I ask is that you think about it. The offer will remain open so long as I still function."
Optimus soon found himself walking through the ground bridge back into the Autobot base. Bulkhead followed close behind, pulling a dolly stacked with energon cubes behind him. Ratchet immediately approached the Prime, a mildly concerned look on his face. "How'd it go?" he began in a low tone. Optimus gave him a small smile. "It went well. Megatron was quite relieved to have his mate back." he replied, though he felt it may have been a huge understatement. Megatron hadn't let his enemy's presence stop him from showing his affection for the Seeker. He'd immediately wrapped his arms around Starscream, holding him close and frantically asking if he was okay, not even caring that he'd had to give up a good stash of energon to get him back. Optimus was glad to see the two had grown so close. He wasn't at all worried weather or not their two sparklings would be well taken care of.
"So... What are the chances Starscream will actually talk to Megatron like you wanted?" Ratchet asked, folding his arms across his chestplates. Optimus' smile faded slightly, venting a sigh. "I am not sure, old friend... But I have hope. I know everyone has the potential for change, and those two have already proven they can change for the better. I get the feeling that perhaps there is some room for a little more..."