Trigger Warning: dark/mature things ahead!
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BOOM!
The ship sways, soundwaves and shockwaves reverberating throughout the vessel. In the Lupicon brothers room, Starscream and Knockout are sent falling on their afts. Moonracer, Steeljaw, and Bumblebee dig their pedes into the floor, attempting to keep themselves in place.
"Blasted Pits, what is going on now?" Starscream cursed.
"Well, either we hit another storm, or we're being attacked, again," Knockout replied.
"I hope it's the former," Bumblebee said.
"I hope it's the latter," Steeljaw said at the exact same time.
"What? Why?"
"Because I feel like tearing someone apart and I can't do that here."
"Steeljaw, you aren't killing anyone."
"Why not?" Phantomjaw asked, leaning against the open door. Everyone turned to stare at him.
"What do you mean by why not?" Bumblebee asked, incredulous. "We don't need to kill, simple as that!"
"Speak for yourself," Steeljaw grumbled, moving to join his brother.
"Steeljaw, I'm serious!"
"I know, Lieutenant. Unfortunately."
Bumblebee remained where he was, an irritated expression alight on his faceplates. Steeljaw and Phantomjaw ignored him and left.
Moonracer and the others struggled after them. Luckily, the femme and Starscream were having an easier time of keeping their balance, practically dancing on their pedes to coincide with the ship's movement, and thus held the equilibrium to help Knockout and Bumblebee. Once out the door, the group clumsily made their way to the bridge to get some answers. They had to stop every so often to make room for hustling-bustling Vehicons running every which way and that to get wherever they had to be…
And it didn't take long before a familiar, neutral/red figure nearly ran right past them.
"Wait, Fodder!" Starscream called out. The mech skidded to a halt and backtracked. "What's going on?"
"Ship's under attack, duh!" Fodder retorted. "If it was Sunstorm's bad piloting, then we wouldn't be freaking out like this!"
"My brother is really that bad at flying a ship?"
"Starscream!" Knockout snapped.
"Right, off topic," Starscream muttered, shaking his helm. "Do you know who's attacking us?"
Fodder quit jogging in place and stood still. He looked at each of them before speaking.
"Our old friends, the Star Seekers."
The mechs stilled, optics wide and mouths agape.
"I have to stay out of the fight this time, Shockwave's orders, so kick their afts for me, okay?"
"Gladly," Moonracer hissed.
Satisfied, Fodder nodded and rushed off. Meanwhile, Bumblebee and Starscream turned their still shocked gazes on to the femme, not expecting to see her seething with so much rage. That side of Moonracer… Knockout has seen it before, and after experiencing it once, he swore he would never cross that line ever again.
"Ah, Moonracer…" Bumblebee tried to calm the femme down.
"Bee, don't!" Knockout hastily interrupted. The yellow and black mech raised an optical ridge.
"But…"
"Trust me, it's better if you don't say anything right now."
Bumblebee and Starscream looked quite confused, and a little concerned, – as they should be – but before they could dwell on Knockout's warning any longer, Moonracer was yelling at them to hurry along, as she was already at the other end of the hallway.
"Come on, you guys, hurry up!"
Then she immediately disappeared around the corner.
"Eager, isn't she?" Starscream mumbled.
"I mean, right now, Moonracer is far more likely to kill someone than either Steeljaw or Phantomjaw," Knockout admitted.
"Seriously?" Bumblebee gasped. "But, don't medics have a code against killing or something?"
"You're thinking Cybertronian, or maybe Earthling. Either way, Moonracer kind of has her own personal set of rules that may or may not tie in with the medical code."
"What do you mean by that?"
Knockout fidgeted. It's not like he didn't want to tell the others; he just cherishes living more.
"You'll find out, eventually," Knockout decided to say instead. He didn't wait for another question before running after Moonracer.
A few minutes later finds Knockout and company on the bridge, along with Wreck-Gar, Sunstorm, and Shockwave. No sign of anyone else, except for the constant stream of Vehicons.
"Where is everyone?" Knockout asked, scanning the room for Moonracer.
"Steeljaw and his brother went with Slipstream to get rid of our unwelcome guests. Moonracer wanted to go, but Slipstream said no. I don't know why…" Wreck-Gar tried to explain, only half paying attention to the newcomers.
"Oh, great, so now you're telling me Moonracer is all set and primed for exploding in rage. How wonderful."
"Sounds like sis to me, and we aren't even talking about her!" Sunstorm piped.
"Sunstorm, please pay attention to the controls!" Wreck-Gar begged.
"Sorry."
"Well, we're going to help the others," Bumblebee stated, already running out of the room. "Knockout, Starscream, let's go!"
Knockout double-checked to make sure he had his Energon prod before tailing Bumblebee. Starscream was just about to rush off, too, until someone stopped him.
"Starscream."
The silver Seeker felt a servo grasp his shoulder plate. He turned and was surprised by who grabbed him.
"Shockwave?"
Starscream had no idea what to do or say. Of all the bots to delay him… Shockwave? Really?
"Do you need something?" Starscream asked.
"Just… don't do anything illogical," Shockwave hesitantly replied. "I already had to put you back together after the Predacons, and while I have extra servos around to assist, I would rather not go through that again."
The scientist's words left Starscream speechless.
". . . You're telling me to be careful?"
"Yes."
An awkward moment of silence passed.
Starscream smirked and leaned closer.
"Are you saying that you will be worried about me?"
He was immediately shoved closer to the door.
"Logically speaking, you should keep from talking so much," Shockwave said, already turning back to his terminal. "Based on past experiences, you are more likely to survive that way."
Starscream was about to make a counter argument, but immediately scrapped the idea. If he stood there any longer debating something with Shockwave, then absolutely nothing would get done other than creating the biggest headache known to anyone. So, for once, he listened to Shockwave and did exactly what he told him to do.
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Meanwhile…
"Hello, little Lupicon. Miss me?"
He wasn't entirely sure how he would feel or what he would do if he ever came across Thundertron and the Star Seekers again, but now, standing in front of them, being taunted by them, Steeljaw didn't feel scared. Okay, he would be lying if he didn't hold a little fear for the ones who tortured him, – in more ways than one – but those memories also fueled his rage.
His anger and fury outweighs any fear he has by a large margin.
"Don't tell me you forgot already? How could you after I left such an impression?"
"Silence your vocalizer, Thundertron!" Slipstream snapped, unsheathing her swords.
"It's alright, Slipstream," Steeljaw interjected rather calmly. The bots in the room turned to him, not expecting him to not lose his temper, or break down into a whimpering mess.
"Oh, I sense you're still defiant. I like that."
Thundertron laughed, taking great pleasure from the whole thing. Then, Bumblebee and Knockout appeared.
"We're here!" Bumblebee announced.
"You guys haven't started killing each other yet?" Knockout asked, sounding and looking confused.
"Knockout…"
"What? Just because the no killing rule applies to us, doesn't mean it applies to them as well."
"I know that!"
Their argument was cut short by Thundertron and two very familiar mechs laughing.
"Seems like they haven't changed much, which I can honestly say I appreciate," Brimstone chuckled from beside Cannonball. "It would be so boring if you were all doom and gloom and scared for your lives."
"Yup, same old same old, no fun at all," Cannonball agreed.
"Unlike Sandstorm, the arrogant little traitor."
Right after Brimstone said that, Steeljaw, Bumblebee, and Knockout all stiffened. Noticing their reactions, Thundertron grinned and laughed.
"Ah, yes, our dear little pilot. It didn't take us long…"
"You mean me, right?" Starquest interrupted, appearing out of nowhere. Thundertron didn't yell at his first mate, as he was having too much fun at the moment to care.
"Yes, you, of course. It didn't take long for Starquest to figure out what exactly happened. You didn't escape because of a stray shot or a system malfunction. Sandstorm let you all escape. Too bad, really. He did everything I asked in order to protect his lover, but then we kept the lot of you online…"
Thundertron never got to finish. Steeljaw made sure of that as he lunged at the Captain, digging his claws into his armor and fangs into his neck. Thundertron cried out in frustration, surprise, and a little pain, all the while trying to remove Steeljaw from his plating.
"Okay, then, time for Round Two!" Slipstream stated, immediately going after Starquest.
"Ready for another beat-down?" Brimstone challenged. Both him and Cannonball encircled the remaining two bots.
"You're the one who's getting beaten down today, Brimstone!" Bumblebee responded, while Knockout brought out his Energon prod and activated it.
"We'll see about that, Autobot. Cannonball, you get the little red one."
"On it!" Cannonball piped.
Only just realizing how big the size difference is, Knockout takes a shaky step back, his plating rattling and grip on his weapon tightening.
"I think not," a new voice interjected.
It was Phantomjaw, appearing out of nowhere, as always.
"What the… how did… where did you come from?" Brimstone stammered, utterly baffled.
"All unimportant," Phantomjaw dismissed before turning his attention to Cannonball. "What is important is that I haven't had a fight like this in a long time. I may be getting a bit rusty. Care to do a mech a solid?"
It took well over a minute for Brimstone to snap himself out of his trance.
"Correction: Cannonball, you get him, and I'll handle these two on my own."
"You got it, Brimstone!"
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During the talking and fighting, Starscream overheard the part about Sandstorm and decided to go look for him. He had to know if the smaller flight-frame was safe and unharmed. He didn't feel right about leaving him behind the first time.
Then again, his believed to be dead sister turns up, alive, along with his long lost twin brother, not to mention the whole conjunx-endura thing, and his feelings for Shockwave…
Long story short: things have been a mess for Starscream since the day they were rescued. He hasn't had the time to really think or worry about Sandstorm. That is, until right now.
Being careful to avoid attracting unwanted attention, Starscream snuck past the others, through the door, and into the adjoining corridor. He uploaded the partial map he constructed of the ship, using it as a guide to find his way around. His first stop is the Planetarium…
And it is also his only stop, for when he locates the room, he has to force his way in due to the door being locked. Once he succeeds in creating an opening, he enters and looks to his right, where he's expecting to see…
"Who's there?"
Despite how weak it sounded, the voice was familiar enough to recognize.
"Sandstorm, is that you?" Starscream asked.
"Star… Starscream?" Sandstorm rasped.
"Yes, it's me. I thought you said my voice is unmistakable?"
"Better to be safe than sorry. Granted, somebody can be mimicking your voice. I don't know since I can't see you."
"Speaking of which, where are you?"
Starscream's question was answered by the sound of metal against metal. He pinpointed the noise as coming from the other side of the giant holographic map in the center of the room and made his way over there. He stopped after he rounded the corner, optics wide in horror.
Sandstorm sat hunched over on the floor, covered in a myriad of dents, cuts, scrapes, and dried Energon. His servos and legs were cuffed, wings bound by clamps, and if that wasn't enough, he's chained to a metal pole. It all seemed a little excessive, especially when Starscream got much closer and noticed that Sandstorm's legs and wings were mangled.
"By the Allspark," Starscream vented, unable to take his optics off the injured mech before him. "Sandstorm, what… I mean… how are you still alive?"
"Because, I'm his best pilot," Sandstorm answered, a grim smile forming. "After Starquest found out what I had done, they told Thundertron. He didn't care what the others did to me, so long as I remained alive. Despite my treachery, I am too valuable to him. He won't let me go."
His expression transformed into a frown.
"Thundertron will never let me go."
Then, Sandstorm started to cry. Unlike last time, he didn't try to hide it. Starscream looked on, wondering what he should say next, if anything.
"Well, too bad for him," Starscream grumbled, getting to work undoing the chains.
"But, Starscream…" Sandstorm tried to argue.
It's a good thing Starscream doesn't listen most of the time.
"You're coming with me and that's final. I am not leaving you behind, not after all that's happened. You don't deserve this, and if Thundertron wants you back, then let him try. I will make him regret it."
One more slash and the chains are cut loose. Free from those restraints, Sandstorm leans against Starscream's chassis, comforted by a familiar feeling of warmth and security.
"I need to leave," Sandstorm whimpered. "I need to see my conjunx again."
"I'm sure we can make that happen… somehow," Starscream reassured.
"Promise?"
"I swear on the sparks of my brother, my sister, and my team-mates that we will do anything and everything we can to get you back to your conjunx."
Sandstorm sagged in relief after that. He closed his optics and let his frame go limp. Not wasting anymore time, Starscream readjusted his hold on Sandstorm and rose to his pedes, carrying the other mech bridal style out of the room, and, hopefully, delivering him to safety.
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"FOR THE LOVE OF…"
Frustrated and furious beyond belief, Thundertron grabbed Steeljaw by the neck and shoved him against the wall. The resounding clang was so loud that it caused all the other fighters to stop.
"FINALLY!" Thundertron roared, panting from the unexpected amount of energy he just spent trying to apprehend his little plaything. "You're certainly tougher than you look."
"Easy to underestimate someone when you have them locked up," Steeljaw growled, struggling to get a good grip on the servo that held him in place.
"True, but even then you showed surprising resilience."
"I have been through more than you could possibly imagine, and most of it was worse than what you did to me."
"Which part? The torture, or our little frag fest?"
Steeljaw's guard fell a little after that. His companions were appalled by the gall that Thundertron had to bring up that incident.
"Ah, did I hit a little soft spot?" Thundertron teased, moving closer to Steeljaw.
"Maybe, but like I said, I've been through worse," Steeljaw said, remaining strong. "I will get over it, especially after I separate your helm from the rest of your frame, then pull you apart piece by piece until there is nothing left."
Steeljaw flinched as the pressure on his neck increased. His fear came flooding back, hitting him like a wave when he felt the Captain's frame press up against his.
"Still defiant? Well, let's see how long you can keep that act going while… GAH!"
Thundertron cried out in definite shock and pain this time, and let Steeljaw go. He landed not so gently, but he wasn't paying attention. Everyone's focus is on Thundertron, and the fact that he is now missing a servo.
"Don't. You. Dare."
The room fell dead silent. When they looked up, they saw Moonracer standing in the doorway, and she did not look happy.
"Excuse me?" Thundertron seethed. "DON'T YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'VE JUST DONE?"
"I severed your servo, and I didn't even need to enter the room to do it," Moonracer answered, her tone uncharacteristically low and cold. She then brought out a pistol and pointed it at Thundertron. "If I could hit you from a distance with what would normally be a close combat weapon… Well, let's just say I can and will kill you without a second thought if you even try to move from where you stand right now. Remain there and let us go, and I promise not to make your punishment fatal."
Suddenly, out of the blue, Moonracer laughed. Not a good kind of laugh, more of a creepy, unsettling kind of laugh.
"However, by the end of it, you will be wishing, hoping, praying that I take you offline. Now, it is not a medic's job to hurt. It is our duty to help. No killing, except the occasional mercy kill, and even then it is still considered questionable. Which I understand, don't get me wrong, but don't expect me to follow through with that. Not because I won't kill you, – I will admit, I have performed a few mercy kills – but because of what you did. You deserve to feel the pain, the hurt, the anger. All that you have inflicted upon others, so shall I now inflict upon you."
Nobody moved, not even the pirates.
On some level or another, they were all afraid of her.
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Once they somehow managed to escape the clutches of fear that held them in that room, in that moment, Slipstream, Steeljaw, Phantomjaw, Bumblebee, and Knockout returned to their ship, where they were promptly greeted by Wreck-Gar and Shockwave. They wanted to know what happened, but they didn't get any answers. They weren't going to for a while as they sat around waiting for Moonracer to return, attempting to come to terms with what just happened with her.
And so they waited…
And waited…
And continued to wait…
Until…
"Where is Starscream?" Shockwave asked. Bumblebee and Knockout immediately lit up.
"Oh scrap, I don't know! I don't remember seeing him with us. Did you?" Knockout exclaimed, looking at Bumblebee.
"If he was, he wasn't fighting. I definitely would have remembered that," Bumblebee responded, looking at Knockout.
If Shockwave had a normal face, it would be pinched in anger and frustration right about now.
"You mean you lost him?" Shockwave demanded.
At least a slight tonal shift in the vocalizer gets the point across just fine.
"Well, not exactly," Knockout tried to reason.
Fortunately for him, he is saved by the proverbial bell.
"Guys!" Moonracer calls out, running over to the group, carrying her weapons in her arms. Her optics and vocalizer were back to normal, except for the part where they're full of worry.
"Moonracer, what happened? Are you alright? What's going on?" Knockout stressed, looking over his friend for any injuries. She's covered in Energon, but none of it is leaking from her, so it's clearly the result of whatever she did to the Star Seekers.
"No time to explain. We need to get to the med-bay, now!"
Knockout didn't need convincing. The second they rounded the corner and out of sight, Starscream appeared, holding something in his arms. Once he got closer, everyone realized that it wasn't something, but rather someone.
Both Bumblebee and Steeljaw recognized them almost immediately.
"Sandstorm?"