Chapter 7
Skywarp put a hand over Sideswipe's mouth to keep his snickers in as footsteps rushed past their hiding spot. Ironhide's voice promised death for them if he caught them and she was not keen on getting caught so soon after he had been painted such a wonderful shade of green. Only when she was certain that he was far away did she carefully open the door to the cleaning room and peer out cautiously into the hallway. It was deserted on both sides.
"Coast clear?" Sunstreaker asked.
"Looks like it," Skywarp replied as she stepped out and ran a quick scan of the immediate area. "Prank number six since my return and I still haven't had to go see Ratchet."
"That's a record," Sideswipe grinned as he clapped her shoulder. "I do believe we should celebrate the return of our final member."
"Don't celebrate just yet," a voice called and they all stiffened. "I could call Ironhide to come deal with the misbehaving sparklings."
"But you wouldn't," Skywarp laughed as she turned around to confront her sister with a wide grin and a sweet look in her optics. "You love your little sister."
"Perhaps," Starscream shrugged a shoulder as she ran her stylus over the datapad in her hand and did not bother giving them any sort of acknowledgement. "Or perhaps I'm in a bad mood and feel like indulging the Decepticon nature that I have ingrained into me."
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker tensed, their optics narrowing in disdain. Skywarp's wings barely twitched as she watched her sister's movements. Starscream was tense and unhappy, her wings held high over her head as she leant against the wall at the end of the hallway. Prodding her com-link curiously, Skywarp shook her head.
"They aren't Prowl," she reasoned.
"No, they aren't," Starscream agreed as she looked up to meet Skywarp's gaze with her cold optics. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to like them either."
"Star," Skywarp started to say before her sister lifted her hand.
"Five minutes," she warned. "I'm sure you can find somewhere to hide in that time." A rather sad and painful-looking smile crept across her face. "That is, if Optimus doesn't call a meeting in the next two minutes."
Skywarp gave her sister a pointed look before she grabbed the Twins and teleported away. Starscream's misery slammed against her spark for a moment, the only indication that she wanted Skywarp to understand where she stood, and Skywarp winced. They appeared in a hallway on the other side of the Ark and quickly high-tailed it down the hall as fast as they could.
Once they had found a room to duck into; Skyfire's lab, as it turned out and they were careful to not touch anything; Sideswipe gave Skywarp a pointed look. "Sky, your sister is starting to scare me," he huffed.
Skywarp shrugged a shoulder miserably. "What do you expect me to do about it?" she asked. "Tell Prowl to leave my sister alone? He has every right to be suspicious of us."
"He doesn't mind Mirage," Sideswipe pointed out.
"Mirage also wasn't undercover for most of the war and had not managed to elevate himself to Megatron's personal command circle," Sunstreaker snorted. "I just wish she'd find someone else to take her frustration on."
The door to the room slid open and they all flew to the far corner on instinct. Perceptor blinked at them in surprise, his bright blue optics just peeking over the mound of datapads he had in his hands. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe waved enthusiastically at him as Skywarp gave him a pointed look that spoke words for her. She was still upset about his last invention that had her grounded for a week while the Constructicons tried to figure out a way to keep her systems from shorting out every time she tried to ignite her thrusters. Yes, she understood that the war effort needed test subjects to validate their weapons, but she would have preferred not getting shot out of the sky and left to fend off some very, VERY angry mechs.
Before they had a chance to speak with the mech, their com-link went off. Sure enough, it was Optimus calling everyone to the command center. Skywarp offered to teleport Perceptor there, but he refused quickly, stuttering that he would much rather trust his feet in this instant. Accepting the refusal; so many mechs were fearful of teleporting and she was largely to blame for that; she grabbed the Twins and teleported them into the command center.
She received several glares as she and the Twins appeared out of thin air and was tempted to tell them that they were lucky they had not teleported on top of them. But, somehow, she was able to keep her glossa in check. She saw Ratchet standing on the other side of the room and made a point to ignore him as well as she could while she gave Optimus her full attention. It took a few minutes for everyone to arrive, but when all the soldiers were assembled, Optimus started talking.
Skywarp was not really interested in the jargon he was spitting up and leant back against the wall to keep herself from falling over. Prowl and Jazz were giving each other looks at points during Optimus' spiel and she knew that the Autobot leader was saying things both of them would have preferred not mentioned. Particularly when he called Starscream forward to discuss her findings about the Decepticons.
Starscream was not comfortable under the numerous Autobot gazes. Almost all the looks held malice and that was enough to make even the most talented public speaking mech falter. Add in the fact that she was supposed to be the mech that had gotten the reputation for being inept under Megatron's command and her words suddenly seemed foolish.
But Starscream explained everything that she could, right down to who was likely to take over her position of Second-in-Command. Skywarp did not really think that Soundwave would accept the promotion, but she was keeping that piece of detail to herself as Starscream finished explaining that, regardless of what the spies had figured out, Motormaster did NOT have more say in the tactical warfare than Onslaught and anyone who assumed that the Combaticons were just mercenaries really did not understand what they were dealing with.
"Onslaught is not the thick-processored imbecile that he displays on the battlefield," Starscream warned as she gave the room a pointed glare. "He is intelligent; slag, the mech would be considered a genius if he had been sparked in the right sector! And not one of the other gestalt members is lacking in cranial activity. I know that you all like to think that the Decepticons are just chest thumpers who know nothing but violence, but guess what? THAT'S HOW THEY'VE KILLED SO MANY AUTOBOTS." She inhaled carefully and gave them a sincere smile. "I know you all hate me; to be honest, none of you are really that high on my list of favourite mechs in existence. But that does not matter; I am not going to allow the Decepticons to eliminate the Autobots because we have decided to ignore facts and instead embrace the fiction that is easier to swallow."
She flicked her wings and gave a small snort. "Does that incite the honesty you desired, Optimus?" she asked bitterly. "Because I much rather prefer the speech you said was too offensive."
"Your opinion has been noted, Starscream," Optimus nodded carefully. "And I will ensure that everyone respects your position."
Starscream's derma twitched minutely, a brief flicker of movement that translated through their com-link easily. 'He wants me to be like my role in the Decepticon army; licking his boots to keep my aft online.'
Skywarp allowed a brief grin to cross her face, enjoying the uneasy looks she received. 'Then he'd better hope you don't decide to also be the backstabber and shoot him while everyone is watching,' she purred in amusement.
"Skywarp," Optimus called, making her jump and look at him like an organic deer in the headlight, "you have also collected knowledge on the Decepticon hierarchy, correct?"
"Yes sir," Skywarp replied as she straightened up and ignored Cliffjumper's glare.
"What can you tell us of their workings?"
"Nothing that has not been in my reports, sir," Skywarp replied, masking her unease with practiced efficiency.
"How about you enlighten us about the gestalts?" Ratchet offered. "Or the workings of the Seeker trines?"
Skywarp did not even bother shooting Ratchet a glare as she let out a snort of amusement. "Really? The Seeker trines? Ratchet, with all due respect, there are five individuals here that would understand a word of what I was saying and they do not have the ability to trine as they are a gestalt unit first and foremost and I do not feel like grating programming that they have no control over."
"And why do you think that none of us will understand?" Blaster demanded.
"Same reason I can't understand the ingrained desire of tapedecks to split-spark numerous cassettes," she replied as she turned to bow her head politely to the mech that technically had a higher rank than her. "There is programming missing that is crucial to getting the inner workings of a trine."
"Skywarp, there is nothing that you can offer?" Optimus asked.
"None, sir," she replied as Prowl looked directly at her.
"Tell us how to remove Thundercracker from the Decepticon ranks."
Skywarp snarled viciously, her wings flying up in outrage as she took an aggressive step forward. Starscream mirrored her, dentas bared as her optics turned a shade of blue that was borderline black. Prowl did not move, but his optics narrowed accusingly. Inhaling deeply, Skywarp let a savage smile spread across her face.
"There's lesson one of a trine," she crooned as sarcasm dripped poison from her glossa. "No matter what side of the war we are on, you never, ever make threats against any member of a trine."
"So you are more loyal to the Decepticons," Prowl summarized.
"Let's put it this way," Starscream chuckled dangerously low. "If you told either of us to shoot Thundercracker, we would sooner turn the gun on you." Her wings flicked slowly. "But you can be assured that any other soldier is as good as dead if you order it."
"And yet Megatron still lives," Ironhide snorted. "Some assassin."
Starscream looked at Ironhide carefully and smirked. "Green looks good on you, old mech," she purred acidly. "Almost like the Constructicons took a round out of you. Bet they would love to teach you a lesson."
"You threatening me, Screech?" Ironhide snarled, ignoring Optimus order to stand down. He pulled his gun out of his subspace and pointed it at Starscream, his finger already starting to squeeze the trigger. "Give me one good reason."
There was a flash of white and Starscream grinned widely as Ironhide was pinned against the wall by the throat by an extremely vicious Skyfire. Everyone stared at the gentle giant in shock and fright as Ironhide clawed uselessly at Skyfire's arm.
"Threatening, Ironhide?" Starscream laughed as she gave her wings a sultry flutter. "I'm only telling you what it looks like. After all, wasn't it you that said I should have been sucking…."
"That is enough, Starscream," Optimus stated calmly as he walked forward and grabbed Skyfire's arm. "Skyfire, release Ironhide now." Skyfire did not argue, but his blue optics were still smoldering with hatred. "All three of you will experience brig time for this. We do not need infighting any more than we need ill-prepared soldiers. Starscream, if you…."
A siren blared through the base and Red Alert darted for the control panel, his fingers flying across the console. In the next second, the image of a smoldering wind turbine farm appeared on the screen. The Decepticons were milling about collecting energon, not even acknowledging the humans that were fleeing in terror.
"Autobots, transform and roll out!" Optimus shouted.
Skywarp darted back and forth across the sky, fighting with the mechs that had once been her comrades. They were furious and attacked without thought, but she was not a weakling and they were just as injured as she was. Starscream flew at her side, giving her all the support she could as the Coneheads, Vortex, Blastoff, and the Triple-changers threw themselves again and again at them.
"This isn't working," Skywarp growled as she dodged just in time, feeling Vortex's sharp rotors graze her shoulder. "Star, any ideas?"
Starscream twisted out of Blastoff's reach and snarled at him. 'Only one; keep fighting,' she replied bitterly. 'They can't fight forever.'
'Neither can we,' Skywarp replied as she willingly changed to com-link as Vortex charged her again. A brief flash of an idea and darted out of Vortex's way at the last second. 'Star, want to live up to your name?'
Starscream whipped around in time to avoid getting caught in Blastoff's arms. Her optics were wide in shock but a twisted smile crossed her face as she gave the heaving mech a look that Skywarp almost purred at. She darted out of Vortex's path again, but not before he scored a deep gash into her leg that sent tendrils of hot pain shooting through her.
"Skywarp, behind me now!" Starscream shouted as she squared herself up with the Coneheads and Triple-changers as they rose into the air.
Skywarp teleported behind her sister, ducking her head down as she started getting shot at. Her own gun was firing below them as Astrotrain charged them, his optics narrowed furiously. Starscream's hand touched Skywarp's for a moment before she opened her mouth.
It was wrong to call it a scream. The sound was too primitive, too internalized to be called a scream. But there was no other word for it and that was what the world saw it as. Starscream screamed and the other Seekers fell to the ground far below. Their limbs were locked and their optics were wide as static crackled through their processor. It was chilling, especially the look of horror on the ground troops faces as the flight-capable slammed into the ground hard enough to crack struts.
Starscream's scream cut off suddenly and Skywarp looked up fearfully. Thundercracker floated a short distance away. He was gazing at them silently, the pain and anger in his optics prevalent enough to make Skywarp keen weakly against her sister's shoulder.
"Why?" he finally growled. The hurt and pain transmitting openly over the trine com-link was hard to shoulder, but Skywarp lifted her head and did her best to meet his optics.
"We had to," she replied simply.
"Spies," he snarled, flaring his wings in outrage. "Liars, traitors, deceivers…!" His optics trembled as he lifted one of his null-rays, the ones that Starscream had designed specifically for them. His arm shook horribly but he did not fire. He could not fire. "I wish I could make you pay," he snarled.
Starscream shifted minutely and Thundercracker bared his dentas fearfully. "I do too," she replied softly. "We never should have gone this long; who knows, maybe you would have followed us before." Thundercracker gave her a dark look and Skywarp keened again. "Is there still a chance, Thundercracker?"
"No," he spat. "The Autobots…there is nothing there for me. You know that." His optics darkened for a moment and he lowered his gun. "Shoot them," he hissed. "If either of you are the mechs I knew, shoot them!"
Skywarp looked down at the Autobots and, regardless of her want to go to Thundercracker and pretend nothing happened; it was so much easier than dealing with part of her being that was tearing itself apart because this was not how it was supposed to be; she shook her head. Everyone was watching them, no doubt judging, but they were not shooting for some odd reason.
"Thundercracker," Starscream murmured softly, "I know. But we cannot change what we are."
Skywarp gave her sister a confused look, sensing the hidden meaning under her words. Thundercracker blinked in confusion before they all darted away as a huge gray shape flew up between them. Starscream snarled and brought her null-rays up, glaring at Megatron as he hovered in between them. His red optics bore into them, but Skywarp shifted enough to get her own null-rays on him.
Megatron did not say anything, but Skywarp heard, distantly, the sound of the Decepticons retreating with their haul. Starscream was tense, waiting for the swift movement of his fusion cannon rising. It would be faster to teleport and she rested a hand on her sister's hip in preparation.
"Thundercracker, fall back," Megatron ordered with such a clear, calm voice that all three of them jumped in surprise.
Thundercracker only hesitated long enough to throw them a sad, longing look before he followed his orders. Megatron turned his head to watch Thundercracker leave and Starscream shot him. He snarled in surprise as the shot pinged off of his shoulder, leaving a scorch mark on his armor and he twisted his head to look at Starscream.
Skywarp teleported them away but not before she saw the confused look on the Decepticon leader's face. They materialized a short distance from the battlefield and Skywarp gave Starscream a hard shove.
"What were you thinking?" she demanded. "He could have killed us! And since when did your null-ray only leave a scorch mark?"
"Since I put it on its lowest setting to make sure I did not deplete any more energy," Starscream sighed as she rubbed her face. "And because it was enough of a distraction to make him forget that he had a fusion cannon."
Skywarp hissed as she rubbed her face with both hands, letting her frustration out that way rather than grabbing her sister and shaking her. "Warn me next time!"
Starscream smiled sadly before she took Skywarp's hand. "Come on; Optimus will want a full report on that whole incident. Then I get to spend brig time with my mate and Ironhide."
Skywarp let out a weak laugh as she teleported them both back to base. Her spark settled down once she was out of range of Thundercracker's energy signature, but it still hurt and she collapsed onto Starscream's berth immediately. She gave a short sentence about doing the report later and let herself drop into recharge.