Author's note. What does Optimus do now that he thinks Starscream was abused? Read on to find out.
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All the way back to the Ark, Optimus comforted the poor Sparkling. Starscream was still trembling badly and wouldn't come out from Optimus's arms. He had just got the Autobot base in sight when First Aid appeared.
The Medic transformed and quickly scanned the shivering Sparkling.
"He's in shock," First Aid announced, looking very worried.
"I'll need to give him a mild sedative to calm him down."
"Would that be okay, Starscream?" Optimus gently asked, knowing it would be the worst thing to do if they didn't ask.
Starscream peeked fearfully out at First Aid but he gave a very hesitate nod. Optimus rubbed his back, saying softly.
"Good Mechling, Starscream, you'll feel much better. I'll hold you while First Aid does it."
"Okay daddy," Starscream whimpered, hiding his face against Optimus's warm armour.
First Aid wiped out a sedative and quickly injected its contents into Starscream's neck. The Seekerlet flinched but soon relaxed as it took effect. Optimus lifted him more securely into his arms as the Sparkling went limp and gave him a kiss.
"There we go Starscream, what a brave Mech you were," he said, smiling down at Starscream who managed a weak smile back.
"And since you were so brave," First Aid added, bringing something from sub-space.
"You get an Energon Treat."
Starscream's optics lit up at the sight and he struggled to reach it. It was in the shape of a blue lollipop, a very sweet, very sticky treat. With a chuckle, Optimus popped it into Starscream hand and the Sparkling immediately started sucking on it.
"You like that?" the Autobot leader teased as they neared the Ark entrance and Starscream nodded eagerly.
"Well, maybe we could make a batch for all the whole Ark. What do you think, you could help with tasting the flavours," First Aid suggested.
Starscream's optics nearly popped with excitement and Optimus had to quickly rub his back to calm him. With another chuckle, Optimus said.
"I take it you like that idea, Starscream?"
"Oh yes, daddy, I'd love to do that, I'd be a good taster."
"Oh, I bet you will," Optimus said, lifting Starscream up to rest against his cheek.
As the Sparkling giggled, they were suddenly greeted by Prowl and Jazz.
"Hey there, how's it going?"
Despite Jazz's cheerful tone, it was clear to Optimus that he and Prowl knew the situation. He'd actually forgotten to call them, he'd been so focused on Starscream. But no doubt either Bumblebee or First Aid had informed them.
"Everything's going fine," Optimus said softly as Starscream yawned widely.
"I'm just going to give Starscream his evening Energon and then a bath, he's tired out from today."
They nodded, and accompanied Optimus as he took Starscream to the Med Bay. There, Starscream got the promised Energon which he gulped down eagerly. He then had a nice, warm bath where he was giving a proper cleaning.
By the end of this, the Sparkling was very sleepy and looked ready to drop off. Optimus leaned back on a berth, with Starscream wrapped up snugly in a fluffy blanket and reclined on his chest. Slowly, Starscream's optics drooped and finally they closed indicating that he was asleep.
"What happened, Prime?" Prowl softly asked as First Aid scanned the small Sparkling.
Optimus explained about the rabid dogs and how Starscream had wondered off. He explained about how he'd fallen into a hole and had suffered an extreme panic attack. And finally his suspicions about that this meant.
"I am convinced that Starscream was abused why he was younger."
"That seems a logical if grim assumption," Prowl said, nodding as Jazz looked ill.
"Hell, how can someone abuse a cute little guy like him? I mean," he said gesturing to the sleeping Sparkling.
Optimus's optics flashed.
"That," he said in a serious and deadly voice.
"Is what I intend to find out."
Meanwhile on the Nemesis.
To Megatron infinite displeasure, when he entered the Rec Room, he saw Skywarp had set up a table. This in its self wasn't bad except for the fact said table contained his little brats. It seemed Skywarp wanted them to socialise with the other Mechs during evening Energon.
He shuddered slightly, as long as he didn't have to interact with them at all, perhaps he'd manage. Ignoring the corner that contained Sparklings and Seekers, he headed to his usual spot which had a view of the whole room.
Normally, Starscream would be sitting with him along with Soundwave but of course, his wayward Second was with the Autobots. He still hadn't decided whether or not he'd promote someone else to that role. As whiny, backstabbing and devious as Starscream was, he had made a good Second.
He kept Megatron on his toes and made sure no one tried to assassinate him. Because that was Starscream's job and he wouldn't allow anyone to steal that glory from him. Not to mention how brilliant Starscream was, he designed and built the Sparkling device. Along with many other, infinitely more useful things.
Not that he'd ever tell that to the Seeker's face.
He nodded at Soundwave who was feeding his offspring. At least they served a purpose and weren't as annoying as the Autobrats. He had gotten used to their existence and they didn't even bother him now.
Just as he was about to help himself to some Energon, his optics focused on a certain section of wall and he nearly choked. Several Mech were glancing at it and chuckling. His face twisted in a snarl as he got up and strode over to it.
The chuckling Mechs quickly stopped and looked away. Megatron was soon standing, fuming, in front of the object of his ire. That damn ugly drawing of him had be stuck on the wall in full view for everyone to gawk at.
"My picture," Chromia chirped as she saw what Megatron was looking at.
"Did you like it?" she asked eagerly as Megatron turned to glare at her.
"Like that?" He growled as he reached forward and tore the offending bit of paper off.
"Yes, I absolutely loved it."
"Then why are you scrunching it like that?" she asked, her bottom lip beginning to tremble.
"D-don't you like it?"
"Of course he does," Skywarp quickly said, wrapping his arm around her and shooting Megatron a look.
"He just wants to keep it that's all."
"But why's he holding it like that, he's going to wreck it," Chromia said, her voice becoming higher, a sure sign she was about to cry.
"Well, he is a pretty strong Mech," Skywarp said, after some fast thinking. "It's hard for him to hold delicate things."
And with that, Skywarp plucked the picture from Megatron's grasp before carefully smoothing it out. He then handed it back to Megatron who was standing, palm open, looking utterly shocked.
"See baby, it's all better now," Skywarp said with a smile.
Chromia didn't look like she was going to cry but she still didn't look convinced. Neither did the other Sparklings who were watching very closely.
"I want to hear him say he likes it," she said mulishly.
"Otherwise...I'll scream."
Skywarp was now throwing Megatron a pleading look. All the other Decepticons were staring at him, wondering what he would do. Sure, it would be fun to watch Megatron ruin a child's hope but at the same time...they really didn't want to have to listen to a screaming Sparkling.
Megatron stood there for a moment, obviously weighing the pros and cons of his next action.
And then slowly, incredibly, his way twisted into a sickly smile. All the watching Mechs gasped and some nearly fell out if their seats. Surely Megatron wasn't about to...
"Yes...I do like it...a lot," Megatron said, smiling.
His teeth were gritted and he looked like he'd just swallowed lemon flavoured acid. But still, it was a smile of sorts. Even though his face looked like it was about to crack.
But Chromia's face lit up with delight and she suddenly jumped from her seat, lunching herself at Megatron. He started but it seemed she only wanted to hug his leg. He stared down at her as she said.
"Thank you, I'm so glad you liked it, I worked very hard on it."
"Yes well," he muttered, scowling at Ironhide and Ratchet who were sniggering.
"I do."
He held out his leg slightly, indicating that Skywarp was to remove her. The Seeker did this, a real smile on his face. Megatron backed away, no doubt worried he'd be hugged again.
"Aren't you going to have any Energon?" Elita asked innocently.
"No, I need to...contact Prime," Megatron said, easily slipping into this excuse.
"Weally? Why?" Ratchet asked curiously to which Megatron said.
"To make sure his treating my SIC right, that's why."
"Of course he will be," Skyfire said indignantly. "Optimus is nice."
"Well, you can't be too careful," Megatron sneered as he backed away. "I'd be failing in my duties as a leader if I didn't check up on him."
And with that he strode from the room, resolving to come back when it was Sparkling free. However, to keep up appearances, he decided he would contact the Autobots as he was vaguely curious about his absent Seeker.
He smiled nastily, perhaps Starscream was driving them all crazy. Yes, that would cheer him up. So he strolled to the Control Room and sent a call to the Ark's super computer Teletran One. And causally waited for a reply.
In a surprisingly short amount of time, he got an incoming call and he opened the connection. He was immediately greeted by Prime who looked strangely pleased to see him.
"Megatron, I was just about to call you."
"Really Prime?" Megatron drawled, sneering as he leaned back in his seat.
"Don't tell me Starscream's driven you to distraction already?"
Optimus Prime raised a ridge.
"Actually no, he hasn't. He'd a delightful little Sparkling and a joy to have."
Megatron scoffed, a sneer plastered across his face. Of course, the soft Sparked fool would say that.
"So why are you calling Prime?" he asked causing Optimus to chuckle.
"You were the one who called me, Megatron."
He chuckled again as Megatron glared at him.
"I'm calling to enquire about my Seeker."
At this, Optimus's while demeanour seemed to instantly sadden. Which made Megatron sit up, he had not been expecting this.
"Prime?" he questioned, knowing something was up.
Optimus looked him squarely in the optic and said.
"I've discovered something rather unsettling about Starscream's past."
"And what might that be Prime?"
"Do you know anything about Starscream's past?" Optimus questioned.
Megatron shrugged.
"Merely that he got honours in just about every academic centre in attended. I am aware of his career after the Science Academy but I know nothing about his life before that."
"So you don't know anything about his family or home life?" Optimus asked seriously.
Megatron frowned.
"No, I don't."
He narrowed his blood red optics at Optimus as he asked.
"What is all of this about Prime?"
Optimus regarded him sadly before saying.
"Starscream was abused when he was a Sparkling."
To be continued.
Author's note. What is Megatron's reaction to this news? And can Starscream's Trine shed any light on Starscream's past? Find out next time, until then.