Chapter 3:Schwester

He was in a warm embrace. Those same arms from the previous dream held him close, lovingly, as if he were to vanish if he was let go. He closed his optics, feeling incredibly drowsy. One arm came up to his helm, tilting it until his neck was exposed and sharp fangs dug into the sensitive metallic skin-

Starscream's head shot up quickly. He blinked, taking in his surroundings. Looking at the time, he saw that it was still too early for the others to wake up. Good thing, since he fell asleep on the desk again. Last time he did that, Megatron wasn't too happy about it...

Checking for anyone who decided to wake up early, Starscream grabbed his violin and snuck into his room again, hiding the instrument in its secret ompartment again. He suddenly felt someone staring, and turned around quickly. The half-organic femme leaned on his door frame casually. She smiled.

"Aren't you supposed to be out there keeping a lookout for nothing in particular?" He let himself smile at the femme's joke.

"I should, but I think the desk can handle another speck of dust, don't you?" They shared a small laugh. It was always nice when Blackarachnia was social. Though friendships were not recommended in the Decepticon ranks, he was glad he made friends with her.

"I never knew you played the violin." The seeker smirked. He stood up, walking out the door. The femme followed.

"There's a lot of things you don't know about me..." He winked at her. She rolled her optics, gently smaking him on the head.

"Oh, shut up..." The pair reached the monitor room. They both sat at a distance from each other, in case someone decided to wake up early.

"So...had any 'dreams' lately?"

"Sort of... I mean, it's nothing important, so we're all okay." She had learned about his 'ability' one day when he stopped her in the hallway a few years ago, warning her about an accident that was to occur. Since then, she felt nothing but loyalty towards him.

"Oh." She said." I heard yelling earlier...what happened?" He turned towards the monitor, hearing someone's footsteps down the hall. Blackarachnia turned towards her own monitor.

" Just had a small argument with Blitzwing." He stated, avoiding the subject. Blackarachnia quickly caught the hint, and didn't press him on further. They fell silent as Lugnut entered the monitor room. Both Decepticons turned towards the newcomer.

"Starscream, Lord Megatron ordered me to inform you that you are no longer on the night shift." If Starscream could jump in the air and dance without having to worry about his image, he would. He'd also make Blackarchnia do it, but he didn't have a camera with him like last time.

"May I ask with whom I'm switching with?" the larger mech shook his head.

"You will have to ask our wise leader. He did not mention who." Lugnut left as quickly as he had come. Starscream rolled his optics at the other's praise and started his way towards his room. The night had been exhausting.

"Don't recharge too much, baby-bot!" She smilled sweetly. TOO sweetly. He scoffed at the femme's teasing.

"I'll try not to, darling!" He called back as he gave her a sly wink. In turn, she flipped him off. She hated being called 'darling.' He snickered.

As he dropped himself onto his berth, his recharge made him dream again. He was on a cold, wet floor, staring at the ceiling. Two pairs of hands tried to hold him down as one of his arms was raised up. Seeing it bleeding, he struggled against the hold until those dark red optics looked into his own and he froze, relaxing-

"Star." His head shot up as he felt a hand on his wing. He shivered at the touch, which thankfully moved away. As he adjusted his optics, Blackarachnia leaned over him, gently running her hand ove his back. He groaned.

"You almost over-recharged again." He pulled himself up, still grumpy from lack of rest.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to touch my wings? They're sensitive..." She rolled her optics, giving the mecha playful punch to the shoulder.

"Love you, too." If there was one mech Blackarachnia would take a hit for, it would be Starcream. He was like a brother to her, and a true friend, despite her...difference.

"See ya." She said, waving a hand above her head. She left the room, giving the seeker pivacy to wake up properly. She made her way down the hallway, humming a little tune to herelf. As she made her way down, her shoulder bumped roughly with someone else's.

"Watch where you're going." She hissed without turning back. She really didn't want to start an argument with ihim/i.

"Vhatever." came the reply. She stopped in her tracks and looked back at the retreating mech. Strange...he usually insulted her or yelled at her for something else. He had been acting differently lately, as if something Starscream said or did affected him. She knew something was up, and she had a suspicion it was more than that.

"Vhat are you vorking on, bruder?" the colder persona looked back, watching the youngest of them balance a small glass sphere with his fingers. He turned off the monitor.

'Nothing. Just tinkering vith somezing..." Feeling a small gust of wind, he turned to the other side, not wanting to argue with the middle sibling.

"Zhere's no vay of avoiding it und you know it!" he yelled at the oldest. " All ve can do ist secretly feed off everyvone...vell, everyvone but him...." Random decided to join the conversation.

"I zhink Starscream's becoming suspicious...so ist Blackarachnia..." the angrier persona rolled his optics.

"Ve can take care of her easily." Random shook his head.

"Nein. Zhey trust each other and vould share information."Then Icy sighed, making the others look back at him.

"Ve need to feed, szo let's jus combine und-"

"Nein" sensing an argument, the youngest backed away to his corner again.

"You know ve can't just set it aside for later-"

"Ve can survive vithout blood for a good while und you know it!" The youngest looked up, shocked. The oldest of the three never yelled, even in an argument. It was deathly silent, until Random spoke up.

"Our bodies may survive..." He started, "but out bloodlust vill grow." Hothead agreed with Random.

"He's right, you know...Chances are, we'll cave und attack a teammate."

"Chances?" the eldest asked," I icontrol/i chances.."

Throughout the week, Starscream noticed the triple-changer's change in character. At first, he blamed it on monitor duty; staying up all night took quite a toll on you. But even he, who had his visions, did not look or become as weak as Blitzwing was. He tried asking, wanting to see what was the matter, but his questions were ignored and twice he almost faced Hothead.

"Psst! Li-Li..." he whispered. The femme glared at him. She hated being called that, especially in public. Lugnut shook his head, returning to his work.

"What is it?"

"Have you noticed anything...iodd/i about Blitzwing?" Blackarachnia podered for a moment.

"Now that you mention it, he ihas/i been a bit...off lately." He raised an optic ridge.

"How so?" she shrugged her shoulders, facing her desk.

"He hasn't argued with me or insulted me this whole week."

"Whoa, that IS odd!" She laughed quietly at his humor and he smiled back. He always knew how to make her laugh. Checking the time, the femme stood up and began to leave.

"Maybe you should try talking to him one more time; try to amend the argument you had last time..."As she left, he gave her a sad smile.

"I think we've said enough..." he whispered to no one.