Winds of Change East
Thundercracker x Slipstream. Siblings and brotherhood. I needed a warm Megatron.
Starscream is about to speak again when the screen pings. With a few key strokes, the image is enlarged. Megatron steps behind his genius and hums, "What is it, Shockwave?"
"A Decepticon signal."
"Can you tell whom?"
With a few more key strokes, the computer files through the personal list. A few are listed in red, deactivated. The ones in purple are active, but the yellow ones are declared MIA or unknown status. There! Three signals come up for MIA officers.
Shockwave allows Starscream to push him aside. "Oh Primus… they are still alive?"
"They're alive?" The stunned Seeker gapes once again. "They didn't perish?"
Although twisting and manipulating Megatron is one of his greatest prides of any given day, Starscream has no taste for it on this one. Today, all he wants is his family back. He turns to Shockwave, pretty sure the answer will be negative, but has to ask anyway. "Can we reach them with a bridge?"
Shockwave points to another screen and Starscream stands aside giving him room to work. The elegantly deft fingers fly over the key pad. Nearly as fast as Soundwave's two, he is more than adept with one. Starscream might be a scientist in his own right, but he knows Shockwave far exceeds him when it comes to physics. There the formulas zip across the screen resulting in a diagram putting Nemesis on the far side of Earth's moon and a dotted line reaching just between Io and Jupiter.
Starscream waves a hand, "Close enough. I can fly from there." Then he sees something else to the equation he can recognize easily enough. It will take not only more energy to move Nemesis off Earth, but extra power to boost the bridge to reach out that far is going to be considerable. With both himself and Megatron being fliers, there really wasn't much of a need for Nemesis to have shuttles, unlike the grounded Autobots and their accursed Wreckers Division. To use this much Energon for Nemesis and a bridge can not be done frivolously.
Slowly and in an honest respect Megatron and Shockwave have not heard from the Air Commander since the beginning of the war, Starscream asks, "May I retrieve my trine, Megatron?" The perks antennas and optic ridges.
Thundercracker Megatron is more than willing to have back among the ranks. Skywarp on the other hand is a bit of a toss up. A warper, sure, but the prankster he could do with out. Still, there is the third one on the active board: Hook. They could really use that strong skilled medic.
"Starscream, you gather the required Energon yourself and you have my permission."
Starscream can accept that. Honest work for honest reward. It's the least he can do for his personal friends. He looks up to the taller deadlier scientist, "Are you sure about these calculations?"
Shockwave gives a soft puff of disgust, "Starscream, I created the technology for space and ground bridges. Of course I am certain of my calculations."
Starscream nods hating the fact he sounded so stupid. "That's not what I meant. What I meant to say was, will this be enough Energon? Should I gather more? I wouldn't want to get all the way out there just to not be able to return. It would be pointless."
Shockwave can respect that. Megatron actually respects it as well. "My calculations are precise and correct. Hurry, Io's rotation could mean we lose our window of opportunity this cycle."
Starscream nods, "Please bridge me out." Shockwave punches in the codes and the flyer is gone to the Energon mines.
Megatron shakes his head and then sees the dots adjust. It changes from Skywarp to Slipstream. "How can that be?"
A few more key strokes and Shockwave points out the answer: "Their signal markers are closely matched. Not precise, but with enough radiation interference, close enough to be confused with each other."
"Do we tell him?" Megatron ponders with his loyal friend.
"It won't matter much in the long run," Shockwave calmly responds.
~~
Once the Energon has been stacked and stored next to the engine and the warp drive, Starscream is warped out in his jet mode between Io and Jupiter. His spark is racing to find Skywarp and Thundercracker. He takes the finer tuned piece of equipment Soundwave and Shockwave provided for him and begins his search for his trine.
As the pinging becomes harder and closer together, the mangled piece of a cargo ship comes into view down below. Whatever are they doing in that piece of crap? Still he dives and screams towards it. As soon as his pedes hit the dusty ground he cries out for them.
"Thundercracker! Skywarp! It's me, Starscream! Please, please acknowledge me."
Movement from within the ship brings him racing faster to the mangled doorway. Just as he is about to push in, a blue tipped missile is pushed against the Air Commander's chest center pushing him back out into the dust. "You have some COGS to come here!" There is no disguising the icy cold voice of Thundercracker.
Starscream backs up concerned that Thundercracker didn't recognize him, "Hey, it's just me Thundercracker. You know, Starscream?"
Limping, Thundercracker hangs onto the decaying ship with one hand pressing the missile again, "I know EXACTLY who you are, coward."
Starscream gulps down his pain. Why is Thundercracker so angry with him?
"T-"
"Shut up! Do not dare call me that!" He jabs out again making the stunned one wince.
"Thundercracker, please, go see to our patient, I will handle this," Hook lays a soft hand to the battered blue and black/white stripped shoulder. Without another word to Starscream, the flier turns his tattered back and does as recommended.
Hook steps out of the ship with his own slight limp, "What are you doing here?"
"We got your signal I'm hear to rescue you." Hook just stares which hurts Starscream more. "Why is that so hard to believe?"
"Who is we?" Hook pushes out further.
Now Starscream is furious. "Lord Megatron, Nemesis and crew. Even Shockwave is back. Why the interrogation?"
"You left at a bad time," he jerks his helm towards the bots inside.
"I left when my trine had been shot down by that blasted-"
"You didn't check, did you?"
"There was nothing-" He stalls when Hook points back to the ship where clearly there was something that did survive.
Hook takes a deep sigh seeing Starscream really is penitent. "Before I take you in there, I want you to be warned. Do not say anything to tick Thundercracker off."
"I have a feeling my mere presence is enough to set him off."
"Just… keep a level head, alright?" The older Medic tries to calm the high strung Commander. Wisely the younger just nods silently.
They step back into the damaged shuttle. Thundercracker is sitting on the floor bathing another's forehead with a cool and dirty rag. From the lumps under the thermal blanket, Starscream knows it's another Seeker. He smiles and comes to swiftly to the head.
"Skywar-" and stalls in mid-name seeing the true pale face, "Slipstream….," he gapes and his spark plunges.
Thundercracker flicks a finger to the back of the ship where a dead-grey Seeker is sat-slumped against the interior hull. It takes a few moments for Starscream to get this through his head. The last battle they were in together did not end like he thought.
Thundercracker hisses again quietly, "Where were you?!"
"I was taking down-"
"NO! I called to you! But you wouldn't listen. You never do, you arrogant piece of-"
"Thunder-cracker…," a soft whisper cuts through the anger.
Thundercracker turns from wrath to compassion in a whip and with a shaking hand strokes her brow, "I'm sorry darling. Shh, just rest. It's nothing. Just rest. I'll get you home soon enough."
"Did I hear… 'Warp?"
That sends a stave to the remaining Seeker's spark as if hearing his Lieutenant call the femme 'darling' wasn't enough of a shock to his spark.
And then the ping comes in, "Starscream, report. The window is closing."
"Yes, Shockwave, understood." Starscream takes a deep breath gathering his wits. "Hook, obviously she can't fly and nor can you. Is there any one else?"
"No, Starscream, there is no one," Hook is sad to report.
"No thanks to you," Thundercracker snaps once more.
Taking a deep breath, Starscream reports back over the comm. line, "Shockwave, we are going to need an additional boost. Only two of us can fly but one is quite injured."
"Understood. Five, be ready in five, but you will have to get to the stratosphere."
Thundercracker nods and moves to lift his burden. Starscream reaches out, but Thundercracker shakes his head viciously. Disregarding Hook's warning, Starscream reaches out, "She's MY sister!"
Thundercracker snarls, "She's MY MATE! I lost my brother saving your sister!"
Starscream slumps back out of the anger's way as he makes his way carefully out the door. Hook shakes his head, he warned the kid. Starscream looks back to the dead body in the corner. There is no way he can lift both Hook and Skywarp's dead body. It will have to be left to rust here. Not even time for a proper burial. With a head hung in shame, he exits the ship and puts his hands around Hook in order to lift him to the waiting vortex high above. Hook gives him a soft pat to the hand letting him know that not only is he ready, but he is sorry too.
~~~
Shockwave has them arrive directly inside the med bay. Megatron is waiting as is Knockout. Starscream steps back from his charge and waits to see what they have to say. Knockout is swift to see Thundercracker is more than protective of the bundle in his arms. With a touch to the med table, "Thundercracker, here."
Megatron gives Hook a respectful nod, "Doctor Hook, good to see you. As soon as your patients are stable, we need to debrief."
With a bow, Hook agrees, "Yes My Liege," and the leader and scientist leave seeing there is a lot to be done here in the med bay.
Hook turns to Starscream, "Help me get some of my systems fixed up so I can see to her better." Silently Starscream does as told with a couple glances to the other table containing his sister and one he considered just as close in brotherhood.
Knockout knows that right now he can stabilized and get deep readings for Hook before the actual work begins. Once he has Slipstream settled as best he can, he sees to Thundercracker burn-scars and damage.
Hook turns to the primary patient as quickly as he can starting with looking over the notes and readings Knockout hands over. Thundercracker won't leave her side. Starscream takes his place on the opposite side of the berth looking down on the sister he thought he lost.
"It's alright, Slipstream. We've got real medical equipment now, you'll be just fine," the blue mech croons to her.
Starscream tries again softly taking her other hand, "Thundercracker, what happened? Please, I need to understand…" Neither notice Megatron returning due to Hook's silent comm.
With a deep sigh, Thundercracker won't look at his trine mate and Commanding Officer. "We were dog-fighting. The chemical plant erupted in flames threatening a full explosion, but you knew that, right?" Now he casts a glance toward the silent mech who only nods slowly. "We told you we needed help. You were the best Starscream. A crack shot and with one precision strike you could have… Where were you?" It's his turn to ask again.
"Powerglide was heading for Nemesis as she lifted off. He had intel on her vulnerable spot and made it clear he would hit her there. If he succeeded in bringing her down… all hope would be lost." Carefully he tries to explain his position about the ship containing their leader and other key officers headed for a rich Energon sight.
Thundercracker inhales deep, that was information he didn't know. Angrier than ever but now at two mechs, he continues, "The plant exploded. Sunstorm and his trine were vaporized in agony. I couldn't go to the right and left at the same time. I had to make a decision. Skywarp or Slipstream. Skywarp laughed and tried to warp away telling me to take her. So I went for her. Skywarp tried to warp over, grabbing us both in the process, but… the final burst….," his helm shakes sadly turning back to Slipstream.
Starscream looks up to the medic for clarifications to the damage and death of his friends. Hook looks to the Seeker knowing his words will also answer the Leader. "The chemicals through their intakes poisoned them. Thundercracker wasn't directly over the first explosion. Skywarp took it the worse obviously, Slipstream a more minor dose but still damaging."
The Seeker Commander looks back to his blue aching friend. Both he and his brother sacrificed their lives to save his sister while he dashed off to save their faction's greatest weapon.
"Thundercracker…"
Thundercracker won't turn to him. Right now he is too busy focusing on the sick femme beneath him. "He asked for only one thing with his dying wish. He begged me to be happy." He strokes Slipstream's cheeks again.
Now it Starscream's turn to be hurt, "So you took my sister's spark to appease HIM?!" He completely misunderstands the purple and blue brothers' intentions towards his own dear teal sister.
Thundercracker leans over the sickly femme they are fighting over and sneers in the other's face. "You FOOL! No, I didn't TAKE her spark! I GAVE her mine hoping to save her life!" Starscream's optics shoot wide understanding better. "That's right, Starscream. I finally told Slipstream my deepest desire: her. I always loved her and he knew it! I did nothing because of YOU. With you… out of the way, I gave Skywarp his last smile to see her say she loved me right back." He tries to hold his angry face but it cracks to a shiver of grief, "She had confided in him her feelings as well. So his dying wish was to force our hands together finally."
With a crack of the fist to the berth he snarls his deepest threat, "Don't even dare think of getting between us."
"Enough, Thundercracker," they all turn to the Leader who has been silent during this revelation.
Thundercracker is panting in emotional and physical rant but clenches his jaw to state respectfully as possible what he can. "Sir, I am back under your command. I do not care where you assign me: cleaning Nemesis' exhaust ports, guard duty, mining, I don't care. All I ask is that I never be put under his command again."
Starscream flinches and looks to his leader for an answer. Megatron only takes a deep breath and keeps his hand raise to keep both of the mech Seekers quiet. "Thundercracker, your first duty is to heal and see to the needs of your mate. It will do me no good to assign you until you have been medically cleared by Hook. Therefore, I will not answer that request." Breaking optic contact with the blue one, he looks to the CMO, "Anything I should be made aware of?"
Hook figures airing it all right now will be best. "She's carrying."
Starscream gapes, Thundercracker hisses to what he already knew but was hoping the medic would keep secret a bit longer. Knockout sputters but Megatron is not surprised after seeing Thundercracker's passionate release. "Of course she is. How do they both fair?"
Hook blinks surprised that Megatron is not surprised or upset. So it takes him a moment or two to get his statement out. "Uh, exhaustion, anemia, a bit of starvation. It's too early to tell exactly the fate of the little one."
Megatron pats Thundercracker's shoulder, "Stay with her. Starscream, leave him alone. That is an order. I have no time for further blood bath on our ship." With that, he turns and leaves with Starscream sulking right behind.
Hook sees the way Knockout is pouting for the slumped Seeker. With a thumb and nudge, sends him to see to Starscream. With the med bay now cleared, Hook shoves a stool under Thundercracker and pushes him down upon it. "You were a bit harsh on him." The battered blue one only grunts. Hook gets to work giving both of them mineral shots and infection fighters. "He loves you both."
"He certainly made himself more important on that day. We lost two trine and then nearly his own and his sister," he snorts while holding Slipstream's fingers to his warm mouth.
"Thundercracker, you don't believe that for one moment. What really has you upset?"
Instead of responding to the question, Thundercracker pans a hand out over his love's chest. "Are they going to make it?"
Hook sets down his tools and tugs the chin to look into his older and wiser face, "Thundercracker, don't lose your logical side now. I know you feel you have lost a lot and seeing Starscream face to face is a returning slam to that moment, but please. Slipstream needs you whole and focused. It certainly wouldn't hurt if you at least TRIED with Starscream. You may have lost your brother, but does that mean she has to lose hers? Or worse, make her chose between her mate and brother?"
"It hurts to breathe. I can't imaging losing her and our sparkling only to be left with him and all that caused this."
Hook lets his thumb caress the younger mech. "He didn't cause this. You and he both know it deep down. War caused this. Look, I know how long you have been up, you need as much sleep as she. Go."
This time Thundercracker is adamant. "No, I will not leave her side. I…can't."
Hook takes a deep breath. Yes, actually he can understand that perfectly. "Alright." He knows the layout of Nemesis med-bay, after all he did designed it, and goes to into the quarantine room shoving a few things around to make room for two berths directly side by side. With a roll of his wrist, he has the bonded pair settled and nestled together in this sterile and quiet room.
As he brings the extra large thermal blanket over them both, it melts his spark to see Thundercracker cup her to his chest where she can hear his spark beat and he can feel hers as well. "Thunder-cracker?"
He nuzzles into her, "Yes my love. I have you safe and secure. We've been rescued and are Nemesis."
"Our little one?" She rubs against his spark as if it was in his chest instead of hers.
Hook tucks the blanket around the father and mother, "Is fine. Resting like you both need to. Now, shh, go to sleep. We are safe among our fold again so no need for any of us to stand guard tonight." He does not step away though until both of them have followed his orders and gone into deep sleep. Once he is sure they will not wake up easily, he shuts off the lights and secures the door. With a relieved sigh, he plops himself down onto the remaining medical berth and goes to sleep himself.
~~
Knockout finds Starscream sitting on the flight deck looking out into the dark storm clouds. The red grounder keeps himself under the protection of the awning but still joins his friend sitting on the deck. "Starscream? I know you're not alright, but you need to relax. He'll come around."
"He's right and then again he's wrong. I left the team in his hands as my Lieutenant. Maybe I should have sent him to take down Powerglide but I already had the red pest in my sights." Starscream lets the rain come down upon him.
"And Slipstream?" Knockout presses the issue.
"I knew she was helm over rudder for him. I knew he was drawn to her strong and skilled ways." He smirks a little. "He tried not to make it obvious that his optic would trail her with his quiet thoughtful façade."
The junior medic leans on his pointed knees, "And?"
"I didn't want him getting hurt in case she was just infatuated and not truly in love. I'm really glad she didn't fall for Megatron. Damn that would be awkward!" Knockout joins Starscream's shiver in that one.
They both fall silent listening to the rain drops ping off the flyer and the ship. "You love them both, don't you?"
"What is love, Knockout? Is it this pain and agony in my chest hurting for Thundercracker for losing Skywarp? Is it this glee stirring around with it for Slipstream having a honorable mech fiercely protecting her and giving her a future? Is it this sick feeling I have that Thundercracker will gain an offspring only to lose his mate? Is it this hope I have that all will be right with them? What is love, for I am all screwed up right now?!"
Starscream sinks his face into his knees, "Knockout, I only ever talked like this with Thundercracker and now he has all but turned his back on me."
The red one feels his own spark warm in a friendship he never ever thought to have. He will have to admit, he's never had someone to confide in like he has with Starscream. "Is this what brotherhood is like?"
Starscream turns his cheek on his knees and looks over to Knockout. "You mean the wrath I'm getting with Thundercracker while aching for him?"
Knockout chuckles a little and then waves the hand between himself and the wet one. "This that you and I have."
With a soft smile Starscream sees what Knockout has never had. "Yes, Knockout. This is what brotherhood is like. In all it's pain and glory."
The red one smiles, "Pretty strong stuff. Sure seen us through a lot, hasn't it?" Starscream has to nod to that and the point Knockout is driving home. He, Thundercracker, Skywarp and even Slipstream have been a tight knit group. Sure this might be the worst fight they have ever had, but not the only one. Knockout rolls his wrist asking the wet one to join him in his shelter.
"You know, I know something that sparkling is going to need. How about we go on a little scouting mission?"
That perks the heavy helm up, "Really?!" That little lift is all the pristine one needs to beam out a bright smile. "When do we leave?"
~~~
Late the next cycle, Thundercracker slowly comes round to soft hands caressing his torso and plucking kisses along his neck and throat. Husky with deep sleep, he tries to smirk, "Careful there femme, are you sure you want to awaken that beast?"
"Thunder, I've missed you," her hands try to loosen his armor.
"Darling," a lazy hand covers hers, "This might not be a good time."
He can feel her pouty lips against the underside of his chin, "Are you not well enough to help me?" That's a question both know the answer to already.
"Slipstream, I am more than willing to consume you, but you are the one who needs to be careful. You've been poisoned, burned and now carrying."
To answer the question to her better healthy and awakening passion, she pulls away the remains of her armor, "Like I said, Thundercracker, I've missed you. Being sick has been agony. I've want you so badly and to be unable to satisfy either of our desires…" A slim hand slides under his tasset lighting a grunting gasp making it clear he is as ready as she.
With a moan and a growl, he gives her a light shove. He hasn't the strength to hold himself over her and he knows nor does she for him. Oh she knows what he needs and rolls to her side tucking her wings to his chest. His arm comes over her waist and strokes up and down her torso panning and teasing her. He just needs to feel her fully alive and warm. Her hand reaches back and dislodges his tasset clunking it to the floor with the remains of her own armor.
He leans over and melds into her passionate turned lips. Within moments both are drowning in the feeling of their aching bodies joined again. They just hold onto that feeling for a moment breathing deeply and soaking in 'them'.
"Oh Slipstream, I love you so much."
"Thundercracker… Thundercracker…." she just loves the sound of his name curling off her tongue.
With the next pant of his name, he moves. She clamps his hand tight to her belly helping to roll into their joining. Her other hand reaches under hers own helm to grab his nape and force his face into her neck. "Please, Thunder, please… bite me."
The gentlemech lets out his more primal side and holds his mate tight in his maw. This brings out a wanton cry from her that neither cares if anyone else hears. With more of his primal side grunting and burrowing his passion into the love of his life, her claws stab at his neck and panned out hand just as feral in her need to join them once again.
One crests and the other drowns joining the other. This tight and close, neither knows nor cares who fell first. All that is known, is that he remains buried as he squashes her to the berth beneath his slumped form. Her hand is still curled around and in his nape with her other hand tangled and squashed with his under her pressed own belly.
This is how Knockout finds them when he comes to check their vitals (Hook still passed out). He smirks and tugs the blanket from their tangled hips back up over their shoulders. Starscream is silently smiling from the doorway. Slipstream tucked protectively and romantically under Thundercracker swells his spark.
He did always admire Thundercracker's honor and dignity that exceeded his own. Sometimes Thundercracker had been a better protector of Slipstream than he, but it hadn't been easy with her fighting against him for her own right to fight in this war.
Thundercracker is snoring away in his own gentlemech way. She smiles and opens and optic seeing her brother. With a soft nod, she welcomes him closer unable to dislodge any of her limbs. Starscream leans down and strokes her face. "Hey there, sister."
She smiles groggily, "Hey there, brother."
"So, you let him in finally?" He strokes again adding his acceptance.
"Thank Skywarp for calling us fools."
Starscream has to chuckle to that. They were always calling the purple one the fool. "Yes well, sometimes I think he was far smarter than any of us."
Neither has noticed that the snoring has stopped. Respectfully, Thundercracker pretends to be still asleep and just listens. It's comforting to hear the praise to his dead brother.
"I'm going to have a sparkling. You are going to be an uncle." A tear slips down hoping her brother will be happy with that.
Starscream chokes, "Be careful. You need more than one. Sparkling's need siblings to keep them sane." Both of them know how having a sibling can also drive you insane.
Slipstream's optics begin to waver so he leans in and presses a kiss to her forehelm. "Shh, I'll catch you later. Keep an optic on him for me, will you?"
"I'll try," she yawns and Starscream tucks the blanket under her chin.
Rising up, he can't stop himself from laying a warmed hand over the blue mech's cheek. "Welcome to the family, Thundercracker."
Starscream turns and is almost out the door when he hears his name softly spoken from the sleepy blue mech. The younger one turns back to look, but the blue one can't speak. Instead, Starscream just gives a soft tender smile back and turns the soft light back off plunging the lovers back to sleep.
Knockout puts an arm around his friend's shoulder and pats. It makes his day to see the family beginning to heal. It could be just what the Decepticons need to quell a lot of tension onboard the ship.
Starscream turns to Knockout, "You sure that will be enough to make a couple blankets for their sparkling?"
Knockout beams. "Starscream, we have quiet a few sparklings on the way. We need to make a few more runs."
Jogging down to the bridge room, Starscream smiles, "What are we waiting for?!"