Atonement
Chapter 19—High voltage
Disclaimer: I don't own the Transformers. They officially belong to Hasbro and Takara. I'm taking them for a short spin.
Vos, Cybertron
Galvatron found Starscream in recharge, but he wasn't alone. Another Seeker, Galvatron recognized as Red Wing, sat on the edge of the berth.
"I've been guarding him," Red Wing said. "He refused to return to Iacon with me."
"I'll talk with him in the morning," Galvatron said. "Go back to Iacon. I imagine you're needed there, with the potential for unrest after what happened today."
Red Wing stood, nodding. "Starscream would be safer in Iacon, or on Earth. "I don't want to lose another wingmate."
"You won't," Galvatron said. "You have my word."
The Seeker raised an eyebrow in disbelief at that, and Galvatron watched as he walked to the balcony, flying off into the night.
Finally alone with his mate, the Lord High Protector laid down beside Starscream.
"'Bout time you returned," Starscream quipped.
"Now isn't the time for your wit, Starscream," Galvatron warned.
"You can't fault me for trying. Much," the Seeker said. "Did the investigation yield any useful information so far?"
"The Enforcers have several promising leads, but it will take time," Galvatron said.
"That's what Ultra Magnus said during his address to the High Council," Starscream said. "It was quite amusing to watch some of the council members gaping like Earth fish out of water while Magnus talked. I think some of them don't like being reminded they're not on the council for their own benefit."
"Who?" Galvatron asked.
"Gauntlet and Xenon," Starscream said. "But if you're thinking they could be connected to what happened in Polyex, you're probably wrong, however, it might be worth looking into."
"Do you know something I don't?" Galvatron asked.
"I think those two dolts were more impressed with the fact they were getting a show of Ultra Magnus being Ultra Magnus, all noble and stoic and showing off his knowledge of the Tyrest Accords and reminding them he is their enforcer," Starscream said. "And he said Optimus was unavailable. What was that about?"
"We recovered one of the sparklings," Galvatron said. "Optimus took it to the medical center and he stayed with it. I think he's going to end up becoming its caregiver."
"It'll be good for him if he does," Starscream said. "I'm surprised he hasn't sparked up that aft-head Hot Rod yet."
"Why do you say that?"
"Have you seen the way they look at each other? Optimus isn't very good at hiding his feelings, or at least how he feels about that brat," Starscream said.
"They've finally admitted there is something between them," Galvatron said.
"Good," Starscream said.
"You approve?"
"Why wouldn't I? Who Prime frags is his business," Starscream said.
"Speaking of business, I think setting up quarters in Iacon should be our priority tomorrow," Galvatron said.
"Skyfire said the Promontory still has space," Starscream said.
"We should stay at the Citadel," Galvatron replied.
"No. I know what you're thinking, and having the Lord High Protector isolating himself behind the walls of a former military installation will not well with the population, considering the unrest over what happened today," Starscream said. "And no matter I go, you can't keep me completely safe."
"I could send you to Earth," Galvatron said.
"I need you and you need me," Starscream said. "I'll have Sunstorm and Red Wing also."
"You could take them to Earth with you," Galvatron said. "You need to initiate the trine bond as soon as possible, and you would be safer on Earth."
"Can't we finish this discussion in the morning?" Starscream asked. "Please?"
"Yes," Galvatron said, smiling to himself when Starscream settled closer to him.
88888
Hot Rod sat in his office, waiting for Blaster to patch Optimus through to his terminal. He was relieved to see Optimus looked fine, but the look in his optics showed how weary he was.
"Hot Rod, I'm going to have to stay here for a few days," Optimus said. "I'm currently at the medical center, and there's a. . .situation I'm dealing with that requires my attention."
"Beyond what happened in Polyhex?" Hot Rod asked. "Are you all right? Is it Jazz, or Kup?"
"No," Optimus said. "I'm fine, I just need to get some rest, and Jazz and Kup are unhurt. How is everything there?"
"The EDC higher ups are on my aft, wanting to know if they need to recall their personnel on Cybertron until things cool down, and I've got a little good news—Springer's been released from the med bay, and Echo will be out by the end of the week."
Hot Rod was grateful Optimus' optics brightened a little at that news.
"I'm glad to hear it," Optimus said. "As I said, I'll be back in a few days, and I'll explain everything then."
"OK," Hot Rod said. "See you then."
Optimus nodded, and the transmission ended; Hot Rod sighed, going back to work. He'd just have to trust Optimus.
88888
Optimus spent an uncomfortable night with the sparkling in the critical care unit, drifting between bouts of worry about the tiny little life he'd been entrusted with, and nightmare-filled fitful recharge. He'd watched the news feed of Ultra Magnus' address of the High Council, and he owed his friend for running interference for him. After that, he'd contacted the Omnitronian High Council, offering his condolences, and told them they were doing what the could to find who had attacked the transport.
Expecting anger, he was met with an offer of assistance. It was more than he could have hoped for, and he accepted it. He was also surprised they didn't want back the rescued sparkling. Their reasoning was he was safe, and would be well cared for, and if the others were found, the Prime had their blessing to find worthy caretakers for the others, as it was the will of Primus, and as Matrix-bearer, he would understand. He did. He was just too exhausted to consider it at the moment, watching Remedy talk with Flero, the medic who cared for the sparkling overnight.
A few moments later, the medic approached him.
"Long night, I bet," Remedy said. "You can come see him, if you like. He's stable, so you've got nothing to worry about right now."
"Yesterday you said you're going to have to create a bond between us. How will you accomplish that?" Optimus asked.
"A hard-line connection between you both, and your nanites rewriting some of his code," Remedy said. "It'll take time and patience. I've done this before. I know you're used to Ratchet, but he's not here, and I'm what you've got. How is ol' Hatchet anyway?"
"You know Ratchet?"
"Know him? We were in the same class at the academy," Remedy said. "The parties he used to throw. . ." He trailed off, seeing the look of disbelief in the Prime's optics. "You don't believe me? Just ask him. His parties were legendary, and part of the only reason why a bunch of us survived our training. Flatline, our mentor, pushed us so hard, but that's a tale for another time. I heard Hatchet's respectable now, CMO of the Autobot forces, and he's gone and got himself bonded to Wheeljack. Like nobody saw that coming."
"Hatchet? I thought that was something the Decepticons called him," Optimus said.
"He earned that name during his residency here," Rememdy said, optics sparkling with mirth at the memory. "One night we were up to our optics with patients from a huge brawl at Maccadam's that spilled out into the streets. One of the High Council members, who I won't name, was slumming it that night, and ended up in here, leg hanging off, two of his staff members holding him up, while he's screaming about how important he is, and how he shouldn't have to wait for treatment. Ratchet was at the end of a two-megacycle shift, and he'd had it. He has the bots place the council member on a berth, grabs a hatchet, which we'd use for amputations, chops off the bad part of his leg, says 'no charge' and goes back to what he was doing."
"Do you know how many of my troops were terrified of him, and still are?" Optimus asked. "Of course, it's only if you make him angry."
"I look forward to seeing him," Remedy said, dragging Optimus toward the sparkling berth. "Hold him, will you? You two are going to be spending a lot of time together from now on, so it's time you get used to each other. I'm going to go get you some energon, and more for his energon. I'll be back in few minutes."
The medic clapped him on the shoulder, and Optimus picked up the mechling. "Bitlet, what have I gotten us into?" he mused.