"Alright, enough's enough. Let's get off this planet before we become some subterranean creature's next meal."
Slipstream ushered everyone inside the Daytrader. They all followed, with Starscream and Octane – carrying Sandstorm – trailing only slightly behind.
"Commander Starscream…" Octane began in a low tone of voice.
"Eh, just Starscream, Octane," Starscream interrupted awkwardly. "No need for such formalities anymore, especially with the War over."
"Oh, okay. Sorry. I just… well… you and Lord… um… Megatron. You and Megatron were always scary. I mean, to me, anyway…"
Octane continued to anxiously splutter out more and more. Starscream couldn't get a word in edgewise, but in this situation, he is willing to be patient and wait all the unnecessary dialogue out.
Eventually, the whole thing became an unintelligible string of words that required someone to intervene.
"Octane, calm down!" Sandstorm kindly reprimanded, tucking his helm just below the other's. "I'm sure Starscream understands the meaning behind what you're trying and failing to explain."
"S…Sorry!" The triple-changer exclaimed, vocalizer cracking. "I'm just…"
"Nervous," Starscream said, empathetic. Octane looked at him, confused. "I understand."
"You… do?"
Starscream didn't blame the triple-changer for not believing him. He knows he's well-known for his lies, deceit, and treachery. So he shrugged the skepticism off and laughed.
"Believe it or not, yes, I do."
It looked like Octane was about to ask Starscream to elaborate further, but thought better of it and kept his mouth shut.
.
. .
. . .
"Let's get you to the med-bay," Sandstorm suddenly spoke-up, startling Octane and Starscream.
"Huh? Why? I'm fine!" Octane tries to defend, but Sandstorm is persistent.
"I don't think I need to explain why."
"Well what about you? I still don't know what happened while we were apart!"
Sandstorm opened his mouth to argue…
"Okay, how about this? Octane, Sandstorm will answer your questions, if you do as he suggests and check-in with the medics," Starscream mediated, attempting to diffuse the oncoming verbal confrontation…
And, surprisingly, it worked.
Before long, Starscream escorted the reunited couple to the med-bay, where all three medics were standing around, acting as if they didn't just have their sparks tugged at on some level or another.
"Doctors!" Starscream greeted, strolling into the room. Two out of three medical officers faced the new arrivals.
"Hi, Starscream!" Moonracer waved over. In-turn, the silver Seeker waved back.
"Something the matter, Screamer?" Knockout teased.
Octane was appalled that someone would dare risk the former Air Commander's wrath, but was beyond surprised when all Starscream reacted with was an irritated vent.
"Seriously, Knockout, aren't you ever going to get tired of that?" Starscream asked.
"Nope!" The red medic declared proudly. "You know, you really should know better by now, Screamer!"
"I really should. Anyway, care to give Octane here a check-up? Primus knows when he last had a proper one."
"Pick a berth and we'll be with you in a moment," Dead End replied before either Knockout or Moonracer could open their mouths.
"Thank you," Octane vented, voice barely audible. He chose a berth close to the medics and settled upon its surface, being careful not to jostle Sandstorm too much in the process. "Thank you all so much! If there's anything I can do to repay you…"
"Whoa whoa whoa, slow down! You don't have to do anything for us! If anything, we're even!" Knockout exclaimed, holding his servos up to get the other to stop. Octane raised an optical ridge, confusion written all over his faceplate.
"How?"
"Ah… well… you see…"
"I'll tell you later," Sandstorm interrupted.
"Oh, okay."
.
. .
. . .
"But…"
About 5 minutes of silence had passed when Octane spoke again.
"I still want to help. I feel like I owe you regardless. So, please, isn't there something I can do?"
Sandstorm tightened his grip on his lover and pulled them ever closer.
Starscream and Knockout shared a look, unsure of how they could possibly get Octane to drop the subject.
Meanwhile, Moonracer appeared deep in thought, her sights firmly set on the triple-changer.
"Were you on Chaar this whole time?"
Everyone looked at the femme.
"Uh… you mean… since Sandstorm and I were separated?" Octane stuttered.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring-up bad memories. But, can you please answer my question? I promise to explain why. I just need to know first."
.
. .
. . .
"Yes."
.
. .
. . .
Moonracer dashed forward and embraced Octane – and Sandstorm – in a great big hug. All of the mechs were both surprised and confused by the femme's overly enthusiastic reaction.
"I feel like I'm missing something," Octane choked-out.
"You're not the only one," Sandstorm admitted.
"Moonracer, what is up with you?" Knockout questioned. The femme released the mechs she was holding and spun on her heel to face her team-mates.
"Don't tell me you forgot!" Moonracer exclaimed. "It's the whole reason you, Starscream, Steeljaw, – especially Steeljaw – and Bumblebee are all out here in the first place!"
.
. .
. . .
"Oh, right!"
It took longer than it should have for Knockout – and Starscream, too – to figure out where Moonracer was going with this.
The aquamarine medic stared at the red medic and the silver Seeker, then face-palmed.
"Un-fragging-believable."