Atonement

Chapter 14—Pale

Disclaimer: I don't own the Transformers. They officially belong to Hasbro and Takara. I'm taking them for a short spin.

First Aid's hands were shaking as he kept rearranging tools on the table beside the exam berth. He startled, feeling a hand on his shoulder, and didn't shrink back from the fact Galvatron was touching him.

"Medic, put your spark at ease," Galvatron said. "I'm not going to hurt you. Starscream might, considering his current state of mind and well-being. . ."

Galvatron watched, satisfied, as the medic's hands stopped shaking and he picked up a portable medical scanner.

"What are your symptoms, Starscream?" First Aid asked.

"Restlessness, weakness, purging and lethargy," Starscream said.

"He's been purging his tanks for almost three days," Galvatron said. "He refused to see a medic until now."

"The weakness could be caused by the lack of keeping anything down," First Aid said. "Have you been refueling adequately?"

"Trying," Starscream said.

"Is there any possibility you might be carrying?" First Aid asked.

"That is my assumption," Galvatron said. "Considering how many times we've interfaced.

Starscream glared, and Galvatron smirked back at the Seeker.

First Aid made a quick pass over Starscream's frame with the small scanner, and Galvatron felt the spike in the medic's energy field. No longer agitated, but warmth, or something like it.

"His frame density is down .05 percent, compared to the last scan on record," First Aid said. "Let me make a few adjustments. . ."

He recalibrated the scanner, and made another pass over Starscream's spark chamber. His visor brightened as he turned to deliver the good news.

"Congratulations," the medic said. "Starscream is indeed sparked."

First Aid activated the scanner's holoemitter, showing the two mechs a realtime image of Starscream's spark, with a much smaller ball of energy nestled beside it. He zoomed in, making it easier to see a small purple spark next to Starscream's blue. The medic smiled behind his face mask at the way one of Starscream's hands went to the armor over his spark, and how Galvatron twined his fingers with the Seeker's free hand. Miracles, it appeared, did happen.

"It's just a ball of energy for now, and your protoform density is down the small percentage as the newspark starts to cannibalize your frame to build its internals then its own frame," First Aid said. "You'll have to be put on medical grade energon to help with that process, and lessen any damage to your frame during the gestation. Also, Galvatron, as Starscream is a Seeker, he's going to need regular infusions of your nanites and spark energy to help the growth of the sparkling. In other words, lots of interfacing. He doesn't have his trinemates, so you're going to have your work cut out for you."

"What do you mean?" Galvatron asked.

"You had how many Seeker trines under your command in the past?" First Aid asked.

Starscream grinned at the medic, who was clearly glaring behind his visor. "Yes, Galvatron, how many?"

"They were my soldiers. It wasn't necessary to understand their biology or customs in order for them to fight," Galvatron said, backing slowly away from the medic as he noticed he was starting to weigh each of the wrenches in his tool box. Apparently Hatchet had rubbed off on his mate.

"You have Seeker coding, and Starscream is a Seeker, so he's going to need to spend time with other Seekers," First Aid said. "The energy resonance will help the growing sparkling. Seeker trines are coded to assist in the growth and development of new sparks. Call it an evolutionary glitch, I don't know. Find a willing trine, and go from there. The Aerialbots might be willing, or Skyfire. Just ask."

First Aid ignored how Galvatron twitched at the mention of the scientist's name.

"You mean my mate will have to interface with others?"

"No," First Aid said. "Just sharing sleeping space when he feels the need, or cuddling, for lack of a better term.

"There are no Seekers on Cybertron I wish to spend time with," Starscream said.

"Even for the well-being of your sparkling?" Galvatron asked. "This is not negotiable, is it medic?"

"No," First Aid said.

"Sunstorm and Red Wing are stationed in Iacon. Starscream, we've talked about this—we both know you would be much happier in Iacon, with the science division, and you would be closer to me, and better medical facilities," Galvatron said. "You could form a trine. They need a wing mate, as do you."

"I'll consider it," Starscream said. "Who would oversee Vos?"

"Cyclonus," Galvatron said. "The decision is made."

"We'll see," Starscream said.

"Is there anything else, medic?"

"No," First Aid said. "I'll make sure you get some data pads on sparkling care. Will you be seeing Optimus?"

"I will," Galvatron said.

"Good. It will give me time to find the information you require," First Aid said.

"Thank you, medic" Galvatron said. "Starscream, are you coming?"

The Seeker stood, and found himself in Galvatron's arms, and kissed fiercely. He pushed the bigger mech away, who smiled serenely.

"Did I not prove myself worthy as a mate?" Galvatron asked.

"As a sire, nothing more," Starscream said.

"I gave you what you wanted—an offspring, and a chance at joining another trine," Galvatron said. "Replacing what you lost."

"Do you think it's that simple?" Starscream demanded.

"I think you're overwrought with emotion at the fact you're with spark, and I've come through on the promises I made," Galvatron said. "Don't be stubborn. You balk at the chance to claim what is yours? I have made good on your demands, Starscream. Take the opportunity you've been given—an offspring, a bond mate, a chance at happiness, then if not that, contentment? There are no guarantees in this life. We both know that."

Starscream glowered. "I'll consider the move to Iacon," he said. "If you come with me. The Lord High Protector should be in Iacon. That way you can help Ultra Magnus keep Cyclonus in check."

"You fear Cyclonus?" Galvatron asked.

"I'm not afraid of him," Starscream said. "We both know what will happen to anyone who even hints at rekindling conflict."

Galvatron met the Seeker's optics. He'd never told Starscream of Prime's threat. He didn't need to. They were both under watch, just in case. Galvatron had no desire to start another war, considering the personal outcome of the last. Nor did Starscream, who only wanted to go back to the life he once had—the life of a scientist.

"I'll be back by later for those data pads," Galvatron said. "Coming with me to see Prime?"

"No. I'm going to the city's archive. I'll meet you at the bridge when it's time to return home," Starscream said.

They exited the exam room together, and Starscream once again stopped to see the resident sparkling. Galvatron raised an optic ridge when he saw the mech holding the thermal blanket-wrapped bundle—Prowl.

The Lord High Protector watched as Starscream reached out to touch her, but drew back.

"You can hold her, if you like," Prowl said, setting Echo in Starscream's arms.

Springer shot Prowl a look, but the triple changer kept his mouth shut, intelligent enough to know the moment was significant, but not how.

Starscream touched two fingers to the crest on the sparkling's forehead, speaking a few words in ancient Vosian before handing Echo back to her sire.

"I haven't heard that blessing since before the war," Prowl said. "Thank you."

Then First Aid was running over, holding the scanner. "Starscream, it's good you haven't left. You should know. . .there's another spark, smaller, not as strong, probably a few days younger than the other I found first."

Galvatron suddenly felt weak in the knees, and Springer grabbed him by the arm, keeping him from falling face first to the floor. And Starscream was beaming.

"You're a very thorough mech," the Seeker said, taking hold of Galvatron's other arm. "Maybe our offspring will be a playmate to Echo when they're old enough, right Prowl?"

"Of course," the Autobot answered, watching the Seeker drag Cybertron's Lord High Protector from the med bay.

"Does that mean what I think it means?" Springer asked, twitching.

"Starscream is sparked," Prowl said.

"I got that," Springer said. "I'm talking about Starscream and Galvatron's kid as a playmate for ours. That's really going to happen."

"More sparklings is welcome development," Prowl said.

"Primus. . ."

"I expect the two of you will not discuss what you've just heard?" First Aid said.

"What happens in the med bay stays in the med bay," Springer said. "Primus. . .Rodi's gonna flip. . ."

88888

Optimus Prime finished inputting the message he needed to send to Marissa Fairbone, knowing he was keeping his guest waiting. At least First Aid had the forethought to comm him and let him know Galvatron was coming to see him. Done with the message, he sorted through a few data pads before finally turning his attention to the Lord High Protector.

"How are things on Cybertron?" Optimus asked. He and Galvatron were past the point of exchanging pleasantries.

"Well, considering the protests in Altihex and Simfur the past few days," Galvatron said.

Optimus frowned.

"Prime, it's been taken care of. The mechs responsible have been apprehended," Galvatron said.

"What happened?"

"A team of mechs posing as medical personnel stole supplies and energon meant for both cities," Galvatron said. "They also attempted to blackmail the lead Enforcer in Polyhex."

"They were all connected?" Optimus asked.

"As far as anyone can tell," Galvatron said. "Kup wanted to know if we could send one of the gestalts to help keep order."

"Send the Aerialbots," Optimus said. "They're getting bored with routine patrols in Iacon. It'll give them something worthwhile to do. Why didn't Ultra Magnus tell me about this?"

"He's been too busy trying to figure out why I've been spending time with Starscream," Galvatron said.

Optimus sat back in his seat, steepling his fingers, regarding Galvatron.

"I made Starscream an offer of courtship, and we found out this morning his is sparked," Galvatron said. "That isn't all, Prime—he would like to transfer to Iacon to work with the science division, and Starscream thinks my presence there would also be beneficial."

"Congratulations," Optimus said. "And Starscream is correct. I can't be on Cybertron all the time, and having you in Iacon would be an advantage. The council needs to be reminded they exist to carry out the will of the Prime and Lord Protector for the benefit of all Cybertron, not their own interests."

"Maybe we should abolish the council," Galvatron said.

"We need to give it more of a chance first," Optimus said.

"What if they step out of line?"
"Hopefully we don't have to deal with that," Optimus said. "So. . .you and Starscream. . .it took you two long enough."

"What do you mean?" Galvatron asked.

"Do you know how many bets we had riding on how long you two had been fragging each other?" Optimus said.

"Who won that betting pool?" Galvatron said.

"Apparently I did," Optimus said. "I just need to tell Smokescreen."

"You're going to trivialize my personal life with a bet?" Galvatron said.

"Smokescreen can be discreet," Optimus said. "Never gamble with him. You will lose."

"Prowl's sibling?"

"Yes," Optimus said. "That's going to be quite a pile of credits. . ."

"Maybe you can retire to a tropical island, and take Rodimus with you," Galvatron said, a slight smirk on his lips. Two could play this game.

"What makes you think I have an interest in Hot Rod?"

"The way you look at him, how your energy field spikes when you're in the same room," Galvatron said. "He's your match, Prime. I thought you would have taken him to your berth by now."

Working on it, Optimus thought.

"We're trying to work out things between us," he offered instead.

"You want him or you don't," Galvatron said. "Prime, you'll never get anything you want if you don't act on your desires."

Optimus frowned, and he was tired of being civil. "Hot Rod has nightmares about you," he said. "About what you almost did to him."

"What do you mean?" Galvatron said.

"His fight with you, inside Unicron. Hot Rod said you had him pinned, hands around his neck, and he thought you were going to. . ." Optimus trailed off, unable to bring himself to say it.

"For a moment, Prime, I considered it. But that was not me in control of my body at that moment. It was Unicron, but I fought him off. All I wanted was the Matrix, to destroy my master, be free once more," Galvatron said. "I know nothing I can say or do will ever make up for any of the pain and destruction I caused, the blood on my hands. And for the record, I'm many things, but I've never forced myself on an unwilling mech or femme."

"Your honesty is appreciated," Optimus said. "Let me know if you or Starscream need anything. I assume you'll want First Aid as your attending for the sparkling?"

"Sparklings," Galvatron said. "There are two. I'll have to ask Starscream. First Aid is much calmer than Ratchet, but he is the more experienced medic."

"The pair of them, then," Optimus said.

"I trust them," Galvatron said. "This will be a safe place for Starscream and their emergence. Speaking of Starscream, I need to go drag him out of your archive. You'll be back on Cybertron in a few days?"

"I'll let you know," Optimus said. Galvatron nodded, taking his leave. And Optimus ex-vented, laying his head in his hands. Primus. Galvatron was going to be a sire.