A/N: Fodder the Eradicon is my OC. Also, this chapter and the next are going to include a ton of character interaction, so to make things a little less complicated, I have decided to temporarily change my writing style. This style was used in the chapter "Past Doubt".
Enjoy!
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Knockout, Bumblebee, Starscream, and Steeljaw quietly followed their rescuers further into The Daytrader. It was a large ship, around the same size as the Tidal Wave, but the newcomers couldn't ignore the glaringly obvious fact that it is constructed from scrap metal.
BUMBLEBEE: Uh… interesting place you got here.
"Like it? My friends and I put it together from scratch! We didn't have all the proper parts, so we had to improvise, but don't worry! I can assure you, it works perfectly!"
BUMBLEBEE: That's always good to know. By the way, thank you for the rescue!
"Of course! Not a problem!"
The lead mech twirled around on his heel and bowed before his guests, who stopped in their tracks, confused.
WRECK-GAR: My name is Wreck-Gar of Junkion, and the Captain of this ship! Pleasure to make your acquaintance!
BUMBLEBEE: Wreck-Gar? I should've known! I've heard of you and seen you before, but we've never formally met. My name is Bumblebee. I was part of Optimus' team during the war. I only remember because we were on Junkion once.
WRECK-GAR: Oh, yes, I remember, too. I'll try not to hold your war against you or the Air Commander.
STARSCREAM: Former Air Commander, actually.
Starscream did not sound happy when he responded; he hated when others brought-up his failures and shortcomings, especially if the reason, intent, or role behind it was something he cared deeply about.
The femme started laughing, causing everyone to turn to her.
"By the Allspark, that is rich! Never thought I would be online long enough to see the day, but here we are!"
The others waited for the femme to calm down and continue. They wanted to know who she was and how they're related to Starscream; the silver Seeker himself already has his suspicions.
"What's the matter, Scream? Too much of a coward to face the past?"
And there it was: confirmation. A new frame and color palette couldn't erase her personality, mannerisms, or how personal her words came out.
STARSCREAM: Hello, Slipstream.
SLIPSTREAM: Oh, sure, now you remember me!
Starscream averted his gaze for a minute.
KNOCKOUT: Wait, Slipstream? As in the Decepticon Seeker?
Slipstream nodded her helm.
KNOCKOUT: I thought you were supposed to be offline! The database says you were Killed-In-Action!
SLIPSTREAM: Missing-In-Action. Your information is wrong…
The femme walked over and stopped just in front of Starscream, arms crossed, optics narrowed.
SLIPSTREAM: And all because of you. Figured you were lucky enough to be rid of me that easily, were you?
STARSCREAM: Last anyone saw you, you were buried under a pile of rubble! As far as we were concerned, you went offline!
SLIPSTREAM: Don't act like any of you were concerned for my survival! I know we both hate each other, not to mention we were in the middle of a war, but we were still family! Did any of you even bother looking for me?
Starscream took a step back, optics wide and mouth slightly agape. He was expecting to get yelled at, but he wasn't expecting how upset Slipstream was. There was anger, yes, but also a hint of sorrow, something Starscream isn't used to from the femme.
SLIPSTREAM: Well?
Her voice snapped Starscream out of his stupor. He shook his helm and took another step back.
STARSCREAM: We… we didn't have a choice! Megatron wanted us to move on! Anyone who couldn't make it onto the ship had to be left behind! We weren't given any time to look for survivors, let alone collect the dead or injured, not unless they were within the immediate vicinity of the ship at the time!
Starscream would have continued trying to explain himself, but the femme raised her servo and silenced him. She vented before she spoke.
SLIPSTREAM: Of course none of you came back. I should have expected that. I don't know why a part of me hoped for such a thing.
Slipstream moved away from Starscream and back over to Wreck-Gar. The Junkion opened his arms and embraced the upset femme. Seeing the usually aggressive Seeker be so openly affectionate with someone was another thing that surprised Starscream, but he knew better than to open his mouth now.
Also, he is just plain not in the mood.
Bumblebee, Knockout, and Steeljaw remained where they were, becoming quite unsettled during the awkward silence. After all they just heard, they didn't want to interrupt, but at the same time, it was driving them crazy just standing there doing nothing while they waited for someone to say or do something.
FODDER: As interesting yet depressing as that history lesson was, I have to get these bodies to med-bay. They're starting to get a little heavy.
Everyone turned to either stare or glare at the Eradicon as he walked away with an armful of Vehicon corpses, plus two on his shoulder plates.
KNOCKOUT: What's his problem?
SLIPSTREAM: You mean aside from his attitude?
Starscream failed to silence himself as he snorted in amusement. He immediately realized what he did, and once he heard a blaster powering-up, ducked just in time to avoid being shot. His comrades were startled by the action, but were more surprised than anything else when he radiated annoyance instead of fear as he turned to face Slipstream.
STARSCREAM: You missed.
SLIPSTREAM: That was a warning shot.
STARSCREAM: Sure it was.
SLIPSTREAM: Are you doubting my ability to kill you?
STARSCREAM: You've been saying that ever since we were created!
SLIPSTREAM: Says the one who wanted to kill Megatron and vice-versa.
STARSCREAM: Don't compare that relationship to ours!
KNOCKOUT: Whoa whoa whoa! Hold up!
The red medic interrupted the quarreling Seekers, placing himself between the two and looking between them. A devious smirk crossed his faceplates. Knowing what was to come, Starscream, Bumblebee, and Steeljaw rolled their optics.
KNOCKOUT: What relationship? You never told me you had a femme friend, Screamer! Not that I would have believed it.
Both Seekers exaggerated sounds of disgust at Knockout's assumption.
STARSCREAM: Absolutely not! The wretch is my sister, Knockout! And even if she wasn't, no way would I ever want to be with her!
SLIPSTREAM: Well it's certainly not smooth soaring having you for a brother, Scream!
As the siblings continued to insult each other, Knockout, shocked by the new information, backed away and rejoined the safe circle of mechs that weren't stupid enough to open the can of worms that is Starscream's connection to Slipstream.
BUMBLEBEE: Good job, Knockout.
KNOCKOUT: How was I supposed to know?
Steeljaw just sighed and shook his helm.
WRECK-GAR: You don't know much about personal boundaries, do you?
Knockout opened his mouth to argue, but Bumblebee was quick to intercept.
BUMBLEBEE: Knockout, please, don't.
The red medic vented his irritation, but relented. Bumblebee nodded his helm in thanks, then turned back to the Seekers. The mechs waited a few more minutes before breaking up the fight and moving on. As they left for the bridge, the mechs kept Starscream and Slipstream away from each other.
The guest mechs were expecting the bridge to be closed-off by automatic doors, but the surprisingly large, wide open space possessed no doors; just frames where a door could go if one was to be installed.
STEELJAW: Why is this ship so…
The Lupicon trailed off, not being able to think of the right word to end his question on.
BUMBLEBEE: Lacking in high-tech security?
KNOCKOUT: Or any security in general?
WRECK-GAR: To build companionship among the crew! I believe in togetherness!
SLIPSTREAM: Also, it's annoying having to deal with so many doors constantly opening and closing. So, we got rid of the ones in the more communal areas.
The mechs hummed in agreement, seeing the logic behind what the leaders were saying.
WRECK-GAR: Well, we never finished introductions, since we got a little side-tracked, so let me formally introduce you to Slipstream!
SLIPSTREAM: Second-In-Command of this ship, so I suggest you behave yourselves during your stay.
STARSCREAM: Doesn't matter whether I behave or not, you're still going to torment me.
SLIPSTREAM: Are you trying to make a point?
The silver Seeker smirked.
STARSCREAM: All I'm saying is that payback is a glitch.
The femme followed-up with her own smirk.
SLIPSTREAM: Oh, so you finally grew a spinal strut, did you?
STARSCREAM: A lot's happened since we last saw each other.
SLIPSTREAM: In that case, bring it on, Scream!
STARSCREAM: Gladly, wretch!
The Seeker siblings were now standing helm-to-helm, devious smirks plastered to their faceplates. The mechs couldn't help feeling amused as they watched the long lost sibling rivalry revive.
Suddenly, Wreck-Gar's attention was caught by a faint beep. He tilted his helm and started talking to someone in a hushed tone over his commlink. The call didn't last long.
WRECK-GAR: Um, Slipstream, love?
Slipstream turned to address Wreck-Gar…
STARSCREAM: Love? What is that supposed to mean?
The femme turned back to Starscream, ready to passive-aggressively answer him…
"IS HE HERE? IS HE HERE? IS IT TRUE? FODDER SAID… AH! STARSCREAM!"
Like a fireball, the squealing, winged mass of a mech shot into the room, taking Starscream with him. They tumbled all across the bridge to the opposite side. Once they came to a stop, the new mech jumped to his pedes, clinging tightly to Starscream's frame. His fiery orange, black, and silver frame radiated an intense heat.
"I'VE MISSED YOU SO SO SO VERY MUCH!"
STARSCREAM: Sunstorm? Sunstorm, let go!
As the silver Seeker struggled in the other's grasp, his comrades turned to Slipstream.
KNOCKOUT: Um…
SLIPSTREAM: That's Sunstorm, Starscream's twin brother. They haven't seen each other since way before the war.
BUMBLEBEE: Why?
It appeared that Slipstream was debating on whether to tell them about Sunstorm's ability…
SUNSTORM: SLIPSTREAM! GROUP HUG!
The femme whipped around, optics wide.
SLIPSTREAM: What? No! Absolutely not! I am not being forced to be anywhere near Scream!
Unfortunately, the third sibling wasn't taking 'no' for an answer.
SUNSTORM: Aw, stop being so grumpy! We haven't seen him and he hasn't seen us in so long!
Slipstream continued to say 'no' as she backed away, trying to distance herself from her brothers.
STARSCREAM: For the love of Primus, Sunstorm!
SUNSTORM: For the love of you, Scream! Slipstream, wait up!
There was no malice, only joy as Sunstorm chased after his sister while keeping a good hold on his brother. Eventually, he managed to back Slipstream into a corner, and by the time she realized it, had added her to the hug.
SUNSTORM: Yay! Together again! I love you guys so so so much! Oh, there's so much we need to catch up on!
Sunstorm continued to drown his siblings in sweet baby brotherly love and infinite amounts of affection as he prattled on and on about the three of them.
Starscream and Slipstream have resigned themselves to their fate.
As for the remaining mechs in the room, this was peak entertainment.