And there it is - the longest chapter so far, though Astrotrain-lovers will gut me for this. I warn you that I was graphic in his description. Thank you for your patience. :) Shall we celebrate Predaking's first transformation? ;)
IX.
Dawn withered along the waves over the Base and painted the sea in sparkling gold. It was truly a beautiful sight to behold and Soundwave let it mesmerize him for a moment like it had done so many times in the past since they arrived on Earth. Just for a moment of peace before he told himself to concentrate again. He had woken early and got out to clear his processor a little. A new wave of excitement surged up in him as he recalled Blaster's agreement to help him and he kept his comm. open for everyone - especially the other dual-spark - if they wanted to reach him.
Even if he did not succeed, Soundwave was eternally grateful to Blaster for helping him. They both knew that it wasn't about them; Soundwave was sure if Blaster had called him to help with his creation - if he had one -, the Decepticon third would not have hesitated either. Long ago, back on Cybertron, in what seemed like another life, Blaster told him he thought being a dual-spark, being able to bring life to the world by their spark alone was a unique blessing. Soundwave remembered how much the other tape decker wanted creations of his own, but with the war coming into their lives, it devoured all their energies and Blaster's spark hadn't split ever since. Soundwave already had his cassettes when the first rebellions broke out, they grew up in the war, trained to be spies and soldiers.
It didn't matter now. All he could think of was how much time they had left before they stepped over the line where there was no return. He was just thankful he had all the information about the disease to hopefully convince the Autobot medics that they couldn't go on without them. It was fortunate that Starscream had provided him with everything he needed...
Starscream woke to less pain than he expected. He couldn't feel his leg, couldn't feel his wing; but his vocoder - or what remained of it - was blazing. The heat was all he felt for a long moment, it took longer for his systems to reboot than ever and at first, he didn't even know where he was, but it all came back to him slowly. Astrotrain.
He turned his head over to the left, but only saw the empty berth where Astrotrain used to lie beside him. The reality of this emptiness gripped the Seeker's spark - had Astrotrain made it through the night?
"Don't worry, he's still with us." it was Scavenger's voice from his other side and the Constructicon helped him sit. He must have seen the look on Starscream's face when he was starring at the triple-changer's berth.
Starscream nodded, he couldn't get his vocoder to work. It frightened him how horribly weak he felt; when Scavenger offered him a cube of energon, it took him a moment to will his hand to rise and grab it. There was a hole just above his wrist joint, he could see wires and bundles of micro-circuitry, mocking him about his failure to come up with any solution they could use. The only good thing he could arrange was the Insecticons' nanites that slowed the disease a little.
It was hard to swallow.
"Do your optics hurt?" he heard Hook ask at the other side, from Rumble's berth and soon the mini-mech's answer followed.
"No." he whispered. Starscream saw Hook nod to that and when he moved aside, he could see Rumble's face; the colour of his optics seemed to have gone even lighter than the previous day, which explained why the Constructicon was questioning him like that.
"Would you recognize me from this far?"
Rumble frowned, it seemed he was concentrating hard, but eventually shook his head, "No. It's all blurred."
Starscream sighed. Malfunctioning optics were easy to replace, under different circumstances, it would have been a ridiculously tiny problem. But these days the world seemed to have turned upside down, and the most insignificant things were gaining value. Starscream would have never thought he'd be so worried about his commrades, especially those he had never been the best of friends with. For example, this strong need to see how Astrotrain was doing.
"Help... get up." it took all his strenght to say those words, and still it was hardly a whisper. Scavenger nodded.
"I'll get you a hoverchair."
Starscream frowned and that was when he looked down on his body. It was true he could hardly walk with his rusted leg, but he was sure he could still make this short distance
He did not have a leg. His right leg was entirely missing, there was nothing below his pelvic plating. Starscream's intakes hitched and his optics flashed in bright, angry red; yes, he knew that leg would not function for long, and would have eventually fallen off even if they did not cut it down, but how dare they do it without his permission?! It was still his body!
"Calm down, Starscream." he heard Hook's voice from Rumble's berth. He must have seen the look on his face and his digits curling into a fist, "That leg was hanging on only by a few wires and cables. The circuitry have shut off by this morning. It would have just dragged your systems down even more. You didn't even stir when we removed it."
Starscream glared draggers at him, even though he knew Hook was right. Only when he locked optics with Rumble did his fist loosen up - the cassette was missing an arm, his left foot and half of his holding tanks, converters and inner tubings and wires; he had to be fed through IVs, he was going blind and the crack on his energon pump threatened him with the same fate Astrotrain had suffered. Starscream was still just starting to understand how he must have been feeling... and it was still better than his wing...
The Seeker's vents whoosed as he heaved a sigh, angry tears filled his optics, but he tried hard to prevent them from rolling down his face. The leg could be replaced, he knew, but this knowledge did not make it hurt any less. However, he told himself to concentrate on other things when Scavenger arrived with the hoverchair. Starscream swallowed down his pride and let the Constructicon help him into the chair. Seeing Astrotrain was more important now.
"Be prepared, Starscream." he heard Scavenger mutter above him, "It will not be a pretty sight."
Starscream knew; still, he couldn't hold back a gasp when they entered the room. At first, he could hardly see Astrotrain because of all the machines and tubes that surrounded him. There was one that pumped air into his battered frame; two that circulated coolant and energon in his systems instead of his pump; a spark support, and one that displayed all his vitals. Starscream was no medic, but he understood they were low, some almost non-existent since the triple-changer went into stasis lock. All his limbs were either fully or partially removed and different kinds of catheters and cables led in and out of his frame. Holes, big and small were scattered all over him, parts broken and cracked, the corroded armor left his protoform bared and unprotected. Even his left jaw was missing - Starscream saw there was a thick tube in Astrotrain's mouth, though he didn't care what for. He could not take his optics off his fellow flyer's face.
There was not a single part on him that was unaffected by the rust.
"We did everything." Starscream turned around when he suddenly heard Bombshell's voice behind him. He was so overwhelmed by Astrotrain's disturbing condition that he did not even notice the Insecticon's presence until he spoke in a tired voice, "But even though we made sure to maintain his energon circulation, his processor functions are down to minimal and at this rate, he won't be able to come out of stasis. We almost had to completely clean him out. His spark is still pulsing, but it's slowly fading. The microbes did not attack the spark chamber, but with his frame crumbling and systems shutting down, he cannot hold onto it much longer."
Bombshell took a deep vent, "At this point, maybe we could still rebuild his body, but he's practically dead, Starscream. Only the machines keep him here. Without them, his spark would expire."
The air commander buried his face in his palm. He didn't think it would hurt so much to hear that, no matter how many times he told himself to be ready for everything. He had to get some result from the last experiment. If not, they were all done for.
Starscream brushed his fingers over Astrotrain's face, the strong warrior looked delicate and fragile now; but at least he did not have to feel the pain anymore. The Seeker sighed deeply and turned back to Bombshell, he decided to activate his comm. link instead of struggling with his vocoder.
Thank you for what you have done for him. You should rest.
The Insecticon shrugged, "It's my job. And Scrapper will take my place after they're done checking you all."
Starscream nodded and gestured to Scavenger to take him out. He cast one last glance at the triple-changer before the door closed behind them and the image still lingered before Starscream's optics even when they headed back to his berth. They couldn't reach it, though, as an unexpected sight greeted them and Starscream made Scavenger leave him at Rumble's berth before the Constructicon ran off to help his gestalt mates stabilize Megatron. Now that the Seeker thought about it, it wasn't that unexpected - the Gunformer's vents finally gave up now that most of them had been turned into dust and a tiny clog was enough to stop them working.
Normally, they did not need to breath, didn't need chemicals like oxygen for their metabolism, breathing air was part of their cooling mechanism and it automatically kicked in when the body overheated. Thus, with a fever so high, the urge to get air into their systems was strong even if there was a malfunction in the ventilation system - Starscream wasn't at all surprised hear and see his leader gasping for air, there was energon on his hand and mouth that he must have coughed up.
Despite this, the Seeker was still tense as he watched the three Constructicons work on Megatron, opening up his chestplates and plugging him with cables and drains to clean him out and help him breath. It had been a long time since he saw the Decepticon warlord this scared and weak, and Starscream knew it would just get worse - even though it got easier for him now that the support machines ventilated instead of him, his cooling fans would stop working and that would lead to his thermostat failing like it happened to Rumble.
"Starscream" a thin voice called to him from his front and Starscream looked down at the cassette.
Yes?, he asked back through his comm. and clutched his abdomen when he felt a dull ache radiate from there.
"How's Astrotrain?" Rumble whispered, causing the air commander to sigh.
Not good. he replied, He may not make it.
He watched the mini-con's light optics fill with coolant and a dreadful expression cross his little face. He did not have the strenght nor enough coolant to cry, just a few silent tears escaped his optics and Starscream grabbed a cloth from the berthside table to gently wipe his face, then moved to his head and neck to clean him from the condensation that collected on his burning hot plates. Rumble relaxed somewhat under his touch and offlined his optics, the machine that monitored his pump had showed his pressure had gotten lower.
The Cassetticon whimpered softly and looked back up at Starscream, "I'm not feeling well... If Astrotrain dies, will I be next?"
Starscream moved the cloth to his corroded chest plates, careful around the sensory cables and tried to ignore the growing pain in his mid-section as he considered Rumble's question. He really was the worst after Astrotrain of the four of them, and as much as Starscream didn't want to lie to him, after seeing the triple-changer's condition he couldn't help protest at the mini-mech's words.
There can still be a solution. Have you recieved nanites yet?
"The Insecticons'..." Rumble groaned, "b-but it still hurts... You can't talk?"
Starscream shook his head and glanced towards Megatron. The Gunformer coughed one last time before he leant back in his berth, there were thick tubes in his chest plates that cycled air for him and he seemed to calm down now. Only as the Constructicons moved away to let him rest did Starscream see that Shockwave was also standing by their leader's side, clutching a datapad in his hand while his other hand rested on Megatron's shoulder. Apparently, for him, Megatron still stood above reporting to the air commander of the Decepticons, the scientist of the research that could maybe still save their lives. Starscream curled his hand into a fist and tried to brush aside a wave of dizziness before calling to the other mech.
Shockwave! Have you checked the last culture?
The guardian of Cybertron looked up and walked up to the second-in-command, giving the datapad to Starscream, "Yes. The program completed the sequencing and the enzyme tests you required."
Starscream studied the genome map the datapad displayed and spoke without looking at the other scientist, a twinge of hope shone through his words, And have you compared the genomes with the one we made before I put them in the incubator?
"I did, and it showed that the mutation rate had decreased greatly. It is within normal standards compared to the generation time."
A smile started to grow on Starscream's face and everyone around him watched him curiously. That was the Seeker's first smile in days and it must have meant good news they all were yearning for.
"So?" Hook asked and straightened up after giving Rumble an injection of suppressant nanites, "What is it?"
"The radiation..." Starscream managed to whisper, "that was... the cause..."
"Starscream, are you unwell?" Hook couldn't help notice the dimming of the Seeker's optics and the way he hunched over slightly. Starscream was taking deep vents and the datapad quivered in his hand as Hook grabbed both his shoulders, "Are you in pain?"
I caught them, Hook. the air commander sent through the comm. with a small, tired smile before his optics suddenly shorted out and he went limp in the Constructicon's arms. A thin stream of energon trickled down his chin and the datapad he held fell to the ground with a tremendous shatter as he was rushed away, once more, in what seemed like an endless cycle of defeats by now.
Soundwave, Ramjet's voice spoke through the third-in-command's comm., we have detected Autobot signals nearing the Base.
Soundwave stood up immediately, Identify them.
There was a moment pause before Ramjet answered, It's the space shuttle Skyfire and he's carrying seven other signals. They are getting closer, should we get ready for battle?
Negative, Soundwave replied, his spark was racing in his chest, Grant them entrance to the Base.
W-What? But, Soundwave–
Do as I said!
The Vosian did not answer, but a moment later the docking tower rose out of the waves. Sounwave flew down to the entrance and looked out to the sea - by that time, the shuttle's white form could be seen in the distance and the communication officer activated a broadband link to speak to the troops not to attack the Autobots and leave them all a clear passage to the repair bay. They were under his protection for as long as they needed to help them cure the four sick mechs.
At least, Soundwave hoped they came with that intention.
"You called them?" the tape decker heard Blitzwing speak next to him and turned to the triple-changer who was also watching the approaching space shuttle.
"Affirmative." Soundwave replied quietly.
"Finally someone sensible. I'll help you make sure the others stay away from them."
"Thank you."
They both moved back to give Skyfire enough space to land and stood motionless as the bigger mech's door opened. Soundwave's energon pump skipped a beat when he saw the first 'bot step outside; it was Blaster, the other dual-spark wore a small smile on his face as he walked up to Soundwave without fear, holding up one hand to show Blitzwing that he meant no harm.
"They all agreed immediately, 'Wave. You don't have to worry now." he said, his tone serious, "I hope we're not too late."
Soundwave just shook his head and watched in awe as Ratchet, the Autobots' Chief Medical Officer was followed by other medics he recognised as Hoist and First Aid, the scientist Perceptor and, to his utmost surprise, the Dinobot Swoop and finally Optimus Prime himself. When everyone exited, Skyfire transformed back to his robot mode and Soundwave walked up to the Autobot leader and bowed his head - they may have been enemies, but he still held respect towards the Prime.
"Thank you to all of you for coming. I propose calling a truce for the time being." Soundwave said and cast a glance at Swoop's direction. He couldn't imagine why the Dinobot would be part of their group - maybe to be some sort of bodyguard?
"Swoop is a medic-in-training." Ratchet stepped forward when he noticed the tape decker's look, "He came to help, too. Let's not waste any more time here, show us the way."
Soundwave nodded, "Follow me." he replied and noted that he was grateful for how straightforward the medic seemed to be. He knew the Autobot was a professional doctor and thus could remain objective enough to agree to help them. They all followed Soundwave down the corridors with Blitzwing coming last; Decepticons on the way starred at them in utter shock, but each of them was silenced by a hard glare from either Blitzwing or the third-in-command. However, there was something - or rather, someone who forced them to a halt.
Shockwave stood before them, his weapon lowered but ready, and his single optic burnt angrily as he took a step forward.
"What is the meaning of this, Soundwave?"
Soundwave stood his gaze and he sounded relatively calm as he replied, "The Autobots agreed to give us medical assistance in dealing with the Cosmic Rust infection."
"We have come close to the solution now." Shockwave replied, "And Lord Megatron's order was clear. The Autobots are not to enter the repair bay."
"Lord Megatron is in no condition to make rational decisions. In his and Starscream's absence, I am in charge."
Blitzwing walked quietly up to stand by Soundwave's side and crossed his arms over his chest, optics hard as he glared at Shockwave. However, the purple mech did not tear his optic from the tape decker.
"Need I remind you, Soundwave, that I am above you in rank?"
Soundwave stood straight and his tone turned ice cold with his determined words,
"Not on Earth."
Shockwave started to raise his gun and his other hand curled into a fist, "This is your last chance; stand do–"
"No, you stand down, cyclops!"
Everyone turned in surprise at Skywarp's voice and a moment later, the teleporter stood at Soundwave's other side, his null ray raised and ready to fire. His trine mate, Thundercracker followed close behind, his weapon trained on Shockwave as well, who took a step back in shock, "I don't care if you are my superior," the blue Seeker growled, "you will let them through, and if any harm comes to these robots, we won't give it a second thought to turn anyone into slag, is that understood?"
By that time, Blitzwing had also pointed his gun at Shockwave who ran his optics frantically from one mech to the other and was almost trembling with rage, "I'm warning you, this is mutiny!"
"We won't be any more traitors than you if you deny Megatron and the others proper treatment." Thundercracker replied and nodded to Soundwave, "You can go on, we'll hold him back for you."
"How dare you..." Shockwave muttered, but he still couldn't do anything, he was outnumbered by the three flyers who held their weapons unwavering in his face and he could only watch as Soundwave led their enemies up to the repair bay.
Bombshell sighed wearily as he stepped outside the repair bay. Scrapper had finally come to take his place by Astrotrain's side and the Insecticon was grateful for a little time to recharge. He had been up all night cycle, monitoring Astrotrain's condition, but all he could do was watch as the triple-changer's vitals were getting lower and his spark fainter. Though, he found himself strangely concerned and he didn't mind staying with him, but he also remembered how emotionally taxing these things could be. Helplessly watching other transformers dying was a part of his long-lost medical career that he did not miss.
But all exhaustion was forgotten in shock when he saw Soundwave approach the bay with the eight Autobots following him close behind. He froze before the glass that separated them from the repair bay and Soundwave raised up a hand to reassure him that everything was alright. Bombshell turned back with a questioning look to Hook, who was standing on the other side of the glass with an equally surprised expression - however, his features soon smoothed into tiredness and he sighed, pointing to the cabin that contained the coveralls and masks. Ratchet gave him a curt nod and walked over to the cabin, followed by the three other medics and Perceptor and soon, only Optimus, Skyfire, Blaster and Soundwave remained outside.
"Soundwave" Bombshell called to the third-in-command and he turned around, waiting for the Insecticon to continue. Bombshell still eyed the Autobots warily, but he went on, "You may not yet know about it, but the previous evening, Astrotrain's energon pump failed and we had to hook him up on spark support. I don't think he has much time left." he paused for a deep vent, "Megatron also had to be put on air support and Starscream had a circuitry misfire from inner bleeding, though the others said he had finally found something. Rumble's condition did not seem to change as of this morning."
On the other side of the bay, a door opened to reveal Hook, the Constructicon did not even look at them as he stormed around the corner and was gone in an instant. Soundwave turned back to the ex-medic and nodded to him in gratitude. "Thank you. Have some rest."
Bombshell starred at the corridor where Hook had hurried off and gave a tired sigh before he replied, "Just one more thing."
With that, he strode calmly to the direction where Hook went. He had a wild guess as to where he could have gone and it was proven correct when he found the Constructicon sitting on the floor just in front of the repair storage, his knees pulled up to his chest and he buried his forehead into his palms. His optics were offlined and he was taking deep vents, he looked just as tired as the Insecticon felt - though, Bombshell thought, it must have been more of an emotional exhaustion. He crouched down next to the crane and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Tell me about it." the older mech told him and Hook raised his head up with a snort.
"What, you're a psychologist now?"
"I'm not one, but I know quite a bit about how the processor works." Bombshell replied, "You feel that you have been replaced now that the Autobots came?"
Hook vented heavily and leant his head back to the wall, gazing up at the ceiling. He slowly shook his head and his tone grew much quieter when he finally answered, "I feel that I... failed them. They're dying and Soundwave was right in summoning their medics, because we couldn't do anything for them. I failed as a mechanic, I failed as Megatron's approved medical engineer... I failed in every way possible."
Bombshell couldn't say anything for a long moment. They had spent enough time with the Decepticons to know most of them personally, and the former neurosurgeon knew that Hook in particular was a perfectionist. He did everything with absolute precision and care and now he must have taken it all as a personal defeat, a blow to his expertise. Bombshell had seen many medics, mostly interns suffer nervous breakdowns because of a failure to heal or save someone and he understood Hook was having something similar now in addition to being physically wiped by the past four days of endlessly trying to stabilize the four mechs' ever worsening conditions.
"Blaming yourself shows that you really care about it all." Bombshell found the words at last, "You did everything you possibly could, even if it's hard to believe at the moment. And anyway, the arrival of the Autobot medics doesn't mean you're useless. You have treated these mechs for several stellar cycles, you know them and their inner workings more than anyone. They'll need your help - you'll only fail if you give in to your despair now."
Hook was looking into Bombshell's deep red visor as he contemplated his monologue, frowning in thought before he let out a small chuckle, "Tell me where you have gotten so much sentimental wisdom."
"I learnt it the hard way." the Insecticon stood up, "So? Will you go back to where you should be?"
"Just give me a few more breems to sink in my self-loathing."
Bombshell nodded and turned around to walk away, but felt the Constructicon's large hand grab his own and he looked back down to meet the younger mech's optics as Hook murmured, "Thanks."
With a curt nod, Bombshell finally walked away to the quarters he had been given to have a well-deserved rest. He couldn't help feeling that the next time he would wake and go down to the bay, they would regain some of the hope they had lost.
Apologies for all the errors... as always...