Ratchet wiped his forehead, and turned to look at Starscream. His breathing was still raspy, but he was stable for now. Ratchet looked back the screen, the energon tests coming back. Tainted energon spread fast, and started attacking the most essentiel parts of a bot. For a Seeker, it was his wings, as Starscream's wings were badly discolored and looked like they were rusting. It wouldn't attack the spark, which Ratchet found strange. It would destroy everything else, but left the spark.
Ratchet heard Starscream moan in pain, and walked over to him. He reached over to the table, and took a cube of energon. He placed the protective gloves on his hands that Optimus had gotten him, and helped Starscream sit up. He brought the cube of energon to the Decepticon's lips, and Starscream began to drink it greedily. He coughed, and spat up more energon, "Small sips," Ratchet said, as Starscream drank a bit, and swallowed.
"More," he wheezed, and Ratchet gave him a bit more. Another side effect of tainted energon is the victim became very thirsty for more energon. Ratchet gave Starscream another little sip, and placed the cube down. He leaned down, and examined his optics. The color was still dull. He lid Starscream back down, and walked back over to the computer, "Any...luck?"
"Save your strength Starscream," Ratchet said, typing on the keyboard, "But not yet," Starscream looked up at the ceiling.
Megatron had called him three times on his com link, but Ratchet wouldn't let him answer. Megatron was pissed at him. He hadn't returned yet, and he was getting impatient. Why Ratchet wouldn't let Starscream tell Megatron what had happened was a mystery.
However, Starscream liked it that way.
The less Megatron knew, the better.
There was a knock at Ratchet's door, and the medic stopped, "Who's there?" he asked, taking off the gloves.
"It's me Miko!" Starscream looked at him, "Optimus wants to see you for a minute!"
"Give me a minute," Ratchet said, and disinfected his hands. He walked past Starscream, and unlocked the door. He quickly slipped out before Miko could see in his room. Miko looked at him.
"What are you doing in there that's such a big secret?"
"Stuff," he answered, and they walked towards the main part of the base.
"What kinda stuff?"
"Stuff a teenage girl like you wouldn't understand," he said, and nodded at Optimus. Arcee was sitting down, coughing. Jack was sitting next to her, a look of concern on his face, "What's the matter Optimus?" Optimus brought Ratchet over to a corner, and leaned in close.
"It's Arcee," Ratchet looked over his shoulder, and saw the bot cough up energon, "I think that she got infected."
"How? Everything is contained in my room! Nothing gets in, nothing gets out," he hissed.
"I know, but...she hasn't been feeling well since you brought Starscream in," Ratchet looked at Arcee again.
"Keep an eye on her. If she gets worse, I'll examine her," Optimus nodded, and walked over to Arcee. He placed a hand on her shoulder. Arcee looked up.
"I'm fine Optimus," She coughed again, and Jack grabbed her hand, "Jack."
"Arcee, please. Let Ratchet examine you."
"Starscream. Starscream, answer me you fool!"
Starscream opened his optics, and looked around. He sighed, and opened the com link with Megatron.
"Yes, Lord Megatron, what is it?"
"Where are you? Why haven't you returned? Have you found the base yet?" Starscream closed his optics, his spark pounding.
"Yes...I have."
"Well? Where is it?" Starscream sat up, and pulled himself up off the examination table, his legs wobbly.
"It's...best I show you...where it is..." he said, and began walking to the door, "I will...need a...ground...bridge."
"Starscream, what is wrong with your connection?" Starscream grimaced, and clutched his side, a pain shooting through his veins.
"I'm...tunnel," he said, and grabbed the door handle.
"Call back when you need a ground bridge," Starscream grimaced again, and opened the door.
He heard the Autobots and their humans in the main part of the base. Frag, he couldn't go that way. He looked back towards Ratchet's room. He should just stay, but he couldn't. Megatron was already pissed off at him for not returning right away. Starscream limped down the hall towards the back of the base. If he could get there and request for a ground bridge, there was a chance to escape and get back to The Nemesis.
Starscream froze when he heard Bulkhead's voice, and his loud footsteps coming towards him. Starscream looked around, and saw a supply closet. He pulled open the door, and crept inside.
Bulkhead walked down the hall, and stopped at Ratchet's door. He frowned, and gently pushed open the door, "Uh Ratch? You left your door open," Ratchet came down the hallway, and stopped. Ratchet looked in, and saw drops of energon on the floor, "What were you hidin..."
"Bulkhead, do not step on that energon," Ratchet said darkly, and cautiously stepped into his room. Bulkhead leaned in.
"Why?"
"Get Optimus. Now."
Bulkhead nodded, and left the room. Ratchet leaned down, and looked at the trail of energon. Yes, Starscream had definately gotten up. But where he went was a question. He couldn't have gotten far with tainted energon flowing through his veins. Bulkhead came back with Optimus, "What is it Ratchet?" Ratchet pointed at the table, then the floor. Optimus looked up at him, "Do you think he's still here?"
"I highly believe so," Ratchet said, standing up, "We need to find him."
"Find who?" Bulkhead asked, as Ratchet and Optimus left the room, "What's going on?" Optimus and Ratchet looked at each other, then Bulkhead.
"Noth..." Optimus began, but Ratchet cut him off.
"We're doing emergency 'what happens in the case of...' drills. Right now, we're doing missing person or bot. I hid a dummy somewhere and myself and Optimus are trying to find it, simulating a rescue. You'll all get turns at it, don't worry," Bulkhead looked at him.
"Uh, ok."
Starscream felt pains in his sides, and grimaced, holding his hand to it, "This is...Commander...Starscream...requesting...a ground bridge...to my current location," he wheezed.
"Ground bridge activated."
The ground bridge appeared, and Starscream managed to pull himself through the bridge. He leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. Knock Out walked over to him, arms crossed.
"Where have you been for the past three days?" Starscream looked at him.
"It's been three days?" Knock Out nodded, "I need to see Megatron," he pushed past Knock Out, clutching his side.
"Starscream, you don't lo..."
"I feel fine Knock Out!" Starscream snapped, "Just...need to recharge and get some energon. I'm fine," He continued to limp down the halls of The Nemesis, Knock Out behind him.
"You color is..."
"I suggest if you want to keep your paint job scratch free, you better just SHUT UP!" Starscream yelled, turning around to face Knock Out. Knock Out held up his hands, and took a step back.
"No...no need to get...violent Starscream," Knock Out said nervously. Starscream growled, and limped past him. Knock Out watched him limp towards the control center, where Megatron was, and opened his mouth to speak again.
"NOT ANOTHER WORD!" Starscream yelled. Knock Out fell silent. Breakdown walked over to Knock Out.
"What's shoved up his aft?"