Chap 7
First Flight
Walking through the halls on your own two legs for once, you're mindful to stay out of the way of the giant pedes that step gently behind you. You don't know the way to the flight deck per se, but there are only so many hallways to go through and the vague feeling of 'up' leads you forward.
Before long, you remember the important question that you still haven't asked the Seekers, so you make a promise to yourself that you'll ask once flying practice is over. Yes, of course you still want to go home, but to miss this opportunity? Your wings are literally shaking with anticipation and you can't stop them. Isn't this what kids dream about? The opportunity to fly? You sure as hell aren't gonna miss out on your chance.
You're a little nervous to leave the room, even with the two titans following closely alongside you. You didn't exactly leave Ratchet under positive circumstances, and you can't imagine that breaking the one rule that Optimus gave you has placed you in his good graces. (Why were the Seekers bad news anyway? Optimus had been worried they would mistreat you, but they were treating you better than anyone else on this ship). Before you can even voice your worries to your two flying guardians, they reassure you that they'll never let the Autobots take you away from them. You're not sure what authority they have to make such a promise, but it makes you feel better anyhow. And that Arcee bot seemed to listen to their requests, so their command seemed to have some weight on this ship.
The Seeker brothers walk behind you, extra slowly to match your miniscule pace. You have no doubt it would be faster for all of you if you were carried to the exit, but they seem to humour you and let you walk on your own. (The fact that your collective room is nearby an emergency exit means your walk is thankfully brief, but a touch of happiness wells up in you that they don't pick you up without permission and that you can walk by yourself, thank you very much)
Opening the emergency exit doors makes you expect to feel a breeze or anything that can be considered as 'outside air', but in space there is no air movement, and it's decidedly darker outside than it is inside the ship. The doors close with a soft noise (how is there sound in space?) and the wide flight deck is exposed to your vision.
You're not sure how long it's been since the battle, but you glance up to the Seekers to see if they are affected at all by the place where their brother passed not that long ago. (How long it's been exactly, you're unsure). You are once again surprised by the lack of emotion on their respective faceplates, and you envy how their coping mechanisms seem to be working very well for them, considering.
Skywarp takes the lead the moment you're all outside and runs a bit ahead of you. His steps are quick with excitement and he easily sidesteps you to turn and face expanse of space ahead of you all.
He takes a deep breath (that you're not sure he needs) and puts his servos on his hips. "Ah, space. I sure didn't miss it, but it's a good place to fly without anything getting in the way." He gestures with his arm out and up into the surrounding void. "You see that? Nothing to fly into, or teleport into - nothing but open skies and plenty of practice space." He turns and looks at you.
"Y'see that light sheen overhelm?" You look up, having not noticed the blue/grey film that seems to be floated a few hundred feet overhead. You nod and he continues. "That's the gravity shield. It keeps the Grounders on deck without flying off into space." He chuckles a little. "We don't have that issue." An engine whirring sound is heard and before you can even take note of where it's coming from, rockets blast out from under his heels, and he begins to hover slightly in the air. Small scorch marks are left on the flightdeck, but you barely notice them.
Your mouth is agape. Is it that easy? Skywarp strikes a few poses (making you giggle though your awe) and Starscream groans, still behind you.
"Sound doesn't travel in space, but the shield emulates gravity so that the Grounders don't have to magnetise their feet while they're out here. It also simulates enough air movement to allow vibrations to pass through, creating a kind of bubble. It's why we can still hear each other while we're out here. We usually use comms while flying through deep space, making communicating more efficient.``
The purple brother hovers a little higher, and the vague heat you can feel from his thrusters ebbs a little as the distance grows. He stands one one pede and then the other in midair, flexing his arms childishly. He flies up a little higher and touches the sheen and it ripples, his servo passing through it easily.
"See?" he says, from all the way above you. He sticks his whole arm through. "A flimsy shield like this could never stop me." He then pokes his helm through, followed by the rest of his body, and passes through the film completely.
The moment he's through, he deactivates his thrusters and you have to hold back a gasp. Rather than plummeting to the ground as you expected, (you vaguely remember that you've seen them do that on purpose during the battle, dropping from midair and slamming down hard on the ground) instead you open your optics to see him float idly through space as if nothing is holding him down at all. He even has the audacity to fake a yawn, as if nothing could keep him from falling to the ship's deck.
Starscream takes a step forward until he's in line with you, his gaze also following Skywarp a few hundred feet above you both. His scowl is present, but it looks good natured. They really do act like brothers, probably because they are brothers. Only siblings get annoyed at each other like that. You don't know how long they've been alive (hell, you don't know how long Cybertronians live), but you guess this isn't new behaviour. Starscream looks down at you without kneeling and gestures a claw at his frittering brother.
"Skywarp has chosen a far more advanced technique that takes vorns to master." He shoots a particularly annoyed scowl at his flying sibling, who outright ignores him. "The best way to learn to fly is by transforming into your alt-mode, which is more aerodynamic and thus easier to fly. Your alt-mode is specifically made for flying, thus it makes sense to become familiar with those parts first before attempting to use them individually."
You can feel your eyebrows crease at the information. Alt-mode? What is he talking about?
As if sensing your confusion, he leans down and explains more clearly. "Your alt-mode is the flying vehicle that your T-cog chose; that which makes you a Seeker. Judging from your frame size and colouring you must have recently chosen your alt-mode. And your wings suggest you've chosen one of human design." You don't miss the way he hisses out the word 'human' like it's a bad taste in his mouth.
"Grant me access to your alt-mode's schematics, or send them to me, whichever you prefer."
Oh, that makes sense. You almost forgot you were a robot. You pull up the visual schematics for the Scorpion on your HUD and scan over them briefly yourself. Looking at Starscream closely, a pop up window appears that reads 'Air Commander Starscream: Grant Access?'. You press approve and the file swoops away, probably sent over. Starscream grunts in approval, having received it. You try not to focus on the fact that you just sent a bluetooth file with your mind. Being an alien robot is weird, but cool.
Starscream clicks his tongue and mutters to himself, as if reading under his breath. After a while he speaks more clearly, directed at you. "Not a bad choice for a first frame, and with plenty of speed. I can see why you chose this model, even for an Earth vehicle, its overall balance isn't bad." He puts a servo on his hip and leans into it. "We'll focus our lesson today on getting a feel for your alt-mode; familiarising yourself with your thrusters, your engine, your landing gear, and your panels. There isn't any wind out there so there shouldn't be much interference."
You droop a little at his words. It doesn't sound like you'll be flying on your own yet. So much for that childish dream. But he looks down at you with a smile anyway.
"You'll get a better feel for flying if we take you up anyway."
You do your best not to light up at his words but fail spectacularly, a grin already forming on your faceplate. Starscream takes a few steps forward in front of you and gestures for you to stay a few steps back. He rolls his shoulder plates languidly and then changes before your eyes.
During the battle you had noticed the Cybertronians shifting into other, more recognizable forms. So this is what he meant by alt-form. Reading the comics in the hangar, they had informed you that these aliens could shift forms, but half of you suspected it was just an addition to embellish the story. You didn't fully believe it was real.
Before your eyes, the form of Starscream shifts into a sleek looking jet, much larger than the small Scorpion you remember seeing in the hangar. His wings shift into place with a click, his form completely changed but he's still recognizably him; his colours are still present and bright, and you can see why he's chosen this model. The jet itself looks sleek and powerful with an emphasis on speed. Two proud missiles glint menacingly underneath his wings and there's definitely some guns under there too. Part of you wants to take a closer look, part of you wants to back up further.
Information floods your HUD the longer you stare, with images of a jet labelled F-22 Raptor that bears a striking similarity to the one in front of you. You peruse the information as best you can, most of it being too complex for you to fully understand, when the bright yellow cockpit opens invitingly. Starscream's voice is heard in a pop-up communications window.
: Hop in, little fighter, it's time to show you how we Seekers really fly.:
Your pedes are running towards the hatch before you even have time to close your HUD. Servos clambering towards the open hatch, you only belatedly notice that it's still too high off the ground for you to get up by yourself. And in this form Starscream doesn't exactly have hands to lift you.
But your worries are brief, because Skywarp swoops down near silently and gently places you within the cockpit, a sly wink disappearing on his face as the glass closes around you. The yellow tinted glass pressurises with a small almost inaudible sound, and you barely have enough time to thank Skywarp before the engines hum from all around you.
Thrusters activating and panels shifting into place, Starscream lines himself up on the runway with you inside and announces, "Witness the best of the best, little one." And then he takes off.
The suddenness of acceleration makes you clench your denta, but a smile is visible there. Barely a moment goes by before you exit the gravity field and suddenly there is nothing but the stars and planets surrounding you. They move slowly, which is odd at first, but then you remember that they are literally light years away and that you're actually moving incredibly fast.
Starscream banks left hard in a sharp turn, and you get a good look at how far you've gotten from the ship. You didn't even register leaving the gravity shield. It already seems so far in the distance, and you can vaguely spot a purple dot getting bigger from that direction.
Before you can get a closer look at Skywarp's alt-mode, Starscream does a few scream-inducing barrel rolls and you can feel your body mould to the seat in the increased g-force. He exhibits a few more tricks, getting faster and faster (each time you think this must be the fastest he can go) and childish glee works up your chassis and out your intake. You giggle loud and freely, the joy in this moment untarnished and pure. You can't remember the last time you felt such freedom. The heaviness in your spark is gone, replaced by sheer happiness, and the excitement that fuels your giggles propels Starscream's speed in turn.
The chilled feeling is nearly gone at this moment; the cockpit warm and cosy surrounding you, even in the depths of space. Tension leaks out of you like melting ice cream and for this brief moment you allow yourself to just be. No thoughts or worries about getting home, or being kidnapped, or the strange body you were stuck in. Instead you get to experience this dream-like moment of zipping through space in a fast jet and watch the stars around you twinkle in real time. You feel safe here, and while the thought surprises you, it also comforts you.
Your laughter wanes slightly, the huge smile never leaving your face, as a purple jet approaches your right side window showing off with a few spins and twirls. You wave brightly at it, knowing it to be Skywarp, when it disappears from your vision suddenly and you're left looking at open space. Wait, where'd he go? The smile drops from your face and you look around desperately, only to find him on the left side of the window this time. You stare intensely at him, trying to make sense of how he's done this, when he disappears again, this time with an audible vwop reaching your audials.
Right! He can teleport! Your intake wide and smiling, you cheer from the inside of Starscream's cockpit. They're so cool, and for whatever reason they seem to like you. Pure joy wells up within you as you know this will be a memory you'll never forget.
Starscream slows down incrementally with Skywarp at his side, and the leader's voice echoes warmly from around you.
"Are you ready, little wing?"
Ready for wh-?
You don't have time to complete the thought before you're shot violently out of the cockpit without any warning.
A scream dies in your intake as you try to take a breath, tensing your body for some kind of dire consequence. Can robots breathe in space? You're about to find out. When the moment before falling seems to take too long, you open your optics (that you didn't realise you shut) and observe your free-floating body as it spins through space.
Starscream's yellow cockpit hatch closes and he transforms (smugly, you think) into his bipedal form. He lounges languidly in space like he's on an invisible armchair, gravity affecting neither of you.
You want to scowl at him, or yell at him for scaring you, but you're too busy processing the fact that you're floating in space right now. The ejection out of the cockpit has put you into a bit of a spin, but there's no sick feeling of being upside down even though you feel there should be. You stare at the transforming Skywarp (who is also upside down) who gives you a wave back, presumably a response from when you waved at him from inside Starscream's cockpit.
Testing your limbs, you try a swimming motion to get yourself more upright to no avail. You continue to spin slowly, not going very far, and you can see Starscream laugh a little judging from the small movements of his chassis and his grinning faceplate. He speaks over comm since sound doesn't travel well in the void of space.
: So? What'd you think? Best of the best, right?:
You continue to spin instead of responding. You have more than given up on your swimming motions. Waiting until you face him, you shoot him a look that you hope conveys 'what the hell, man?' but you're still smiling so it softens the expression.
Activating his pede thrusters, Skywarp vaults to your side. He drags a little, slowing down as he gets closer. When he's in close enough range he pokes you gently with one massive digit and spins you in the opposite direction.
: Oops! Did I do that?: His chuckles should be infuriating, but you don't have the heart (or spark) to be mad. This was by far the coolest thing you've ever done and you're never gonna forget this.
Activating a single thruster on his pede, Starscream joins you both, his smug look closer now with his proximity. He too, takes a digit as if to poke you, but instead he gently grabs one of your servos and stops your spinning. You grin up at him and squeeze back with a free servo.
Before he releases you however, you use this opportunity to surprise him by grabbing his plating and kick off into space, doing a spin of your own. Your rough, space assisted backflip continues for a few more rotations than you'd expect to achieve on Earth, and you laugh aloud even though no sound is heard.
Both Seekers are looking at you with a fond look on their faceplate, the Ark II a distant bright shape in the distance. You have no desire to go back there anytime soon when space is so much better.
You hadn't realised how much you needed to be out in the open, that feeling of freedom was turning into a vital aspect of your sanity. There was something about being surrounded by nothing but possibility around you; you could go anywhere, do anything. It was freeing, and it had become more important than you realised. A few days locked in a box and then blown up had made a big difference, it seemed.
The Seekers seemed to share your sentiment; they too looked more peaceful out here. There were lines that you hadn't noticed on Starscream's faceplate that smoothed out a bit, even he seemed more relaxed out here. Skywarp's expression was much the same, but he was more energetic out here, like nothing could hold him back.
You try to fight that vague feeling of connection, (happiness? fondness?) that you feel for the Seekers. Maybe it was because you were spending this time with them and you finally felt safe (until recently, a foreign concept), or maybe it was something to do with your weird alien biology, but you liked the Seekers. They were nice to you even when they were dealing with their own, bigger problems. It was a feeling there that was hard to name, but it felt nice and you don't think you wanted to stop it.
Skywarp's comm pops up in your HUD.
: Ok little one, now's the real time for practice.:
You nod, signalling silently that you hear him. You try not to seem too eager, but you absolutely are.
: Try wiggling your rear thrusters. You know, the ones on your pedes.:
Starscream shoots him a glare and you presume he says something over their private channel.
: Don't listen to him, that's far too advanced for you right now. Try moving your wing panels instead.:
Both seem impossible to you in theory, like trying to move something telekinetically or astral projecting. But then again, robot telepathy is real so why not at least try? Your servos clench into fists and you try to strain your wings. Nothing moves. You try again with your thrusters and are further disappointed with that result as well. It's hard to move things that you didn't previously have. There are new parts on you unlike the arms and legs you were born with; these parts were maybe a week old! You aren't used to having them yet!
You struggle visibly for a few more moments (your face would be red with effort if you still had blood and skin) before giving up, shaking your head at your interstellar escorts. Starscream has a claw raised to his faceplate, clearly pondering, while Skywarp looks visibly deflated. He perks himself back up quickly (for your sake, it looks like) and shoots you a double thumbs up like he doesn't want you to give up. Feeling disappointed with yourself (and for disappointing them), you can't stop yourself floating limply through space. You disassociate slightly, unable to meet their gaze with an expression that's positive, and you let yourself float aimlessly, all the while trying to stop the frown that is carving its way onto your faceplate with a dull knife.
: Aw, don't be disappointed, it's only your first time! You gotta keep trying!: Skywarp's vote of confidence falls of deaf, frustrated audials. Briefly you try to activate your thrusters one more time, but again you fail which only frustrates you further.
: Maybe try transforming. Your alt-mode is better suited for flight and it's easier to block out unnecessary distractions.:
You take the advice, only the concept is just as foreign to you now as it was a few moments ago. You don't know how to transform, you don't think you've ever done it. It was like asking someone to ride a bicycle before they knew how to walk.
Straining a few times, servos clenched so hard they hurt your palms, you try to have something, anything within you move. Your spark flutters within your chest, nestled deep within the spark chamber, but other than that nothing happens. The frustration within you builds to higher levels, disappointment souring your previously joyous mood. What a failure of a robot.
The Seekers share a look, maybe even a comm, and jettison their way over to you slowly. You don't look at them when they use their huge servos to tuck you into their neck cables, and you don't look at them when they pat you gently with the ends of their giant fingers. You fight back a sniffle, the emotion making you more angry with yourself than sad, and you stare fiercely into a small pocket between their cables and armour. Maybe if you stare hard enough you'll stop feeling so bad. Your fingers grip the corner of red armour and you don't let go, the small pressure fighting the tension that's building within you.
Tears don't fall, but you're putting every ounce of concentration into ensuring that you don't cry. Crying in this situation would be so embarrassing, but you're just so frustrated. Why can't you do this? The one thing that might be cool about getting this metal body, and you can't even do that right. All the looks of disappointment are starting to get to you. You couldn't do it days ago when Ratchet asked, and you can't do it now. You'll probably never be able to fly. You may not have asked for this body, but you were trying to make the best of it, and it keeps biting you in the ass.
You're just so frustrated at how often you've been emotional lately. All these new things and questions and difficult answers, and how your body was weird now but it isn't your fault but it feels like your fault. The tears were welling up in your optics now, lingering in the weightless environment. A few tiny droplets were loosed into space, floating languidly in the small area between you and Starscream's chest armour. You hold onto that metal plating like your life depends on it, emotions welling up and being suppressed and then welling up again. You're supposed to be better than this, dammit! They probably just see you as an emotional child and you hate how that makes you feel. So much for thinking you're mature. Pathetic, more like.
The giant servos don't stop their motions though, as they help you keep the shudders at bay. You don't even notice you're making your way back to the ship until you pass through the energy shield and all of a sudden you can hear again.
There's a lot of yelling happening beneath you.
Starscream's pedes hit the flight deck with a heavy thud, followed closely by Skywarp. A few of the Autobots are on the flight deck, and they flock to you with angry looks on their faceplates. Bumblebee in particular won't stop yelling.
"How could you fly off with the sparkling without telling us? We didn't know if you were ever coming back!"
There are a few other voices you haven't heard before that chime in.
"What did you do to them?! They're clearly distressed!"
"Get them to Ratchet, they could be hurt!"
"You Decepticons are all the same, endangering innocent lives. What have you done to harm them, huh? Prime, you tell them to give the sparkling back!"
Optimus, you notice, is among them. He too, has a worried look on his faceplate, but it is far less angry than his cohorts. He looks sad, and maybe even a touch relieved. With a wave of his massive servo, the exclamations fall silent. His blue optics address the Seekers, who meet his gaze with a sneer.
"We would have appreciated some prior notification of you taking the little one off-ship." His voice is slow and steady. "My crew and I were worried about the wellbeing of the sparkling."
Starscream growls but it's Skywarp who responds. "How dare you accuse us of such filth. They came to us, they're one of us. We'd never allow them to come to any harm. Which is more than can be said about you."
With dread you notice the green and white Autobot take a step forward, and you instinctively cower. His voice is deeper than Bumblebee's, and has a southern twang.
"If you think you slaggers can speak to Prime like that in front of me, you got another thing comin'." The threat is audible in his tone. You huddle your body closer to the armoured plating of Starscream, as if the tighter you bunch yourself in, the safer you'll be. A tiny tremble works its way through your wafer thin armour.
Starscream's growl turns into a snarl. He bares his denta and hisses at the green Autobot but doesn't take a step forward. "I'll talk to him however I like, your Prime is no innocent." His ruby optics flash up to Optimus who stands unmoving. "Kidnapping a sparkling, I think you're vile."
"How dare you accuse-"
The green Autobot takes a step forward, servos raised in a fist, but Optimus stops him. "Enough, Wheeljack. Stand down." The leader of the Autobots' optics meets Starscream's unflinching. "I believe there has been some mix-up. My crew was under the impression that you were intending to leave with the sparkling. We were unaware that you were venturing off-ship and you deigned to notify not a single one of us of your intentions. Where is your decorum as a guest aboard our ship?"
Starscream sneers in response. "How Prime of you to change the subject in your favour. Which poor unfortunate pair did you steal them from to uphold your greater good?" His plating shakes slightly beneath you, as if you can feel the rage simmering under his armour. "How many monstrous things have you done in this war for the greater good? You picture yourself a just leader, but we all know you're worse than even me." You will yourself to stop trembling but it doesn't stop. You can barely tell what is you and what is Starscream's.
"What in Primus' name does the almighty Prime need a Seekerlet for? Don't think I haven't noticed you haven't had any flight forces in millenia." Optimus flinches at this ever so slightly, and Starscream doesn't let it go unnoticed.
There's a pause, and he continues. "So that's it. You want your precious Aerialbots back." The silence is so vast that the sound of your shaking panels is the only sound you can hear. Or maybe it's Starscream's.
"That's it, isn't it? You want them to choose a side."
"You've been brainwashing the sparkling to choose your side, the side of the Decepticons! Don't pretend, I see right through you Starscream." Bumblebee's voice sounds so angry, but you can't online your optics to look at him. You don't want to. "You want them to be a Seeker just like you!"
"Seekers were always neutral before the war." Skywarp seethes. "Aerialbots are and were an Autobot term. You would have them choose a side without telling them what the war was really about!"
"As if you're any different!"
"We would never force a sparkling to choose!" Starscream's resounding yell is so loud. It surrounds you on all sides and you can't escape it. "Forcing a sparkling to choose a side in a war they had no part in, you disgust me. There are acts I've committed during the war that would make a grown mech cry, but at least I can admit with honesty that I never made a youngling choose a faction!" The shakes are definitely stronger coming from Starscream now, where yours have died down ever so slightly.
Optimus takes a moment to put a servo on Bumblebee's shoulder. "Easy now, scout. Calm yourself." He turns his eyes from the yellow bot to Starscream, glancing down at you briefly. "But this youngling…" He pauses, trailing off. Starscream's hackles are still raised, his denta bared and showing no signs of calming down.
"This youngling isn't the same as the ones you remember."
Starscream doesn't calm, but you feel a tremor of tension ripple through his armour. The comment spikes your anxiety to new heights, and you just want to get out of there. Preferably before they say more things that hurt your spark. It throbs with discomfort, your processor blaring alarms to get you out of there.
You don't understand the intricacies of what they're arguing about anyway; Aerialbots vs Seekers or whatever, but you don't like the tension that's sitting heavily in your sparkchamber. In the quietest voice you can muster as to not gain the autobots attention, you squeeze the plating beneath your servos desperately and whisper. "Can we go now, please?"
Despite your attempt to make yourself as quiet as possible, all helms on the flight path whip around to look at you. You hate the sudden pressing attention, hackles raising, but are slightly relieved when Starscream holds up a claw to shield you from the oiercing stares of the onlookers. You grasp at him gently but desperately, whispering again even softer this time. "Please?" you beg, barely a whisper. You wish you could merge with the armour so you don't feel so vulnerable. You hate feeling so small.
The Autobots are stunned into silence, not a single one of the metal giants moving an inch. You can feel the tension in every joint in your body, and there's a low low hum coming from your chassis that's almost impossible to hear. It sounds just as upset as you are, and you don't think you can stop it. The sound stays at a low frequency like the crackle of a tv on mute. You get the feeling it's some kind of symptom of your metal body broadcasting your sadness.
Starscream shushes you gently, never ceasing his gentle strokes along your spine. "Shh, of course, of course. Whatever you like." He turns his wing to the Autobots, a flick signalling his minutely restrained agitation. He takes a step towards the emergency exit you remember from before you left.
"You all should be ashamed of yourselves." Skywarp hisses in a voice that sounds similar to Starscream's; low and vicious. "Your morality makes me sick." His pedes follow behind his brother's, not looking back. The door shuts behind you with a loud slam, and you descend with the Seekers into the heart of the ship once more.
Skywarp stomped down the corridor, his wings shaking off the excess tension. Those Autobots and their self-righteous delusions. War was war, and nothing could exempt any participants that contributed to its longevity. The Autobots had long had a habit of painting themselves as the heroes and the Decepticons as the villains when both sides committed atrocities in the name of their causes. Skywarp and his brothers were prideful, but they at the very least took ownership of their deeds and misdeeds. Optimus Prime and his lackeys seemed to have selective vision when it came to the good of their beliefs. They saw the war in black and white instead of what it truly was.
He could see the sparkling trembling under Starscream's chin, their tiny body shaking with fear and anxiety. Their delicate plating made small metallic chimes as it unconsciously made contact with his brother's far denser armour.
: How'd it go?: Thundercracker's comm caught him by surprise.
: Could'a gone better. Autobots ambushed us when we landed. Were worried we stole the sparkling like they did.:
: Frag, is the little one alright?: Skywarp could feel his brother's worry seep through the call.
: They're fine, mostly shaken up by the ordeal. I could kill those Autobots for what they've done to this youngling. Ignorance for flight sickness aside, they've stolen a Seekerling from their Sire and Carrier! We have to return them.:
Skywarp continued, : We don't even know where they came from. Optimus said something about them being different from a normal youngling. What do you think he meant by that?:
: He said that?: Thundercracker's voice had an edge of anger in its tone. : I can't believe he'd stoop so low, they're a sparkling for Primus' sake. Trying to get us to relinquish our claim with these weak deceptions.: Skywarp could tell he was barely containing himself in the cargo hold. But, sticking with the mission still came first. : Code doesn't lie, and that's definitely a youngling. They're resorting to unsavoury means to try and distract us.:
: Distract us from their blatant crime, no doubt. It doesn't matter where they came from or how they came to be, what matters is that they're a sparkling and they need proper care.:
: I can't stand the feeling of flight sickness emitting from them. It's horrible. How did they withstand it for so long?: Skywarp shivered at Thundercracker's comment, looking balefully at their small charge. He could tell the shivers hadn't gone away, no matter how hard the sparkling tried to suppress them.
: They're strong. But they should never have had to experience this in the first place. When they calm down, or when the time is right, we'll get the information we require.: Starscream was silent as he continued to stroke the tiny helm that huddled into his neck cables.
They all took a moment to air out their frustrations, steam whistling out of the vents in their plating. They unanimously agreed they would focus their energy on their small ward and their wellbeing. Nothing would harm the little one on their watch. After a few cliks, Thundercracker broke the silence by changing the subject.
: And flying? How were they? I bet they blasted both your expectations.: His voice oozed with pride, but Skywarp felt he had no choice but to shoot down his brother's positive statement.
: They experienced some disappointment with their flying lesson; couldn't get their wings to move on command.: Skywarp sent over a brief video he took of their spacefaring outing.
: Sounds like you, TC.: Starscream's raspy voice joined in, nostalgia warm and teasing in his tone. : I seem to recall you having trouble flying at that frame size as well. It took Skywarp dropping you via teleport to get your wings in position. Something about thinking with your processor and not feeling with your instincts:
Skywarp chuckled, : Didn't even know I could teleport with others until that clik.:
: Yeah yeah, very funny. I remember at least I landing on something soft.:
Skywarp rounded the corner that approached their quarters. They made extra sure to give the captive Barricade a wide berth; his cell was located not far down the left corridor that led to the cargo bay. It was easy to navigate the Ark II with its limited space, but it was still important to keep the sparkling as safe as possible, even if it was only by a few metres. They didn't know what would happen if Barricade sensed the Seekerlet's unrestricted EM field, and they weren't about to risk the little one's safety.
The Seekerlet's body trembled with the sickness and the latent tension, but otherwise looked undamaged. There was no lubricant leaking from their optics, but their field thrummed with sadness. Skywarp wanted nothing more than to quell those nasty feelings inside the sparkling, but sensed it was a deeper sort of trauma. To experience so much while so young, he found it was amazing that he and his brothers were even trusted in the first place. He thanked Primus for the innate bonds that Seekerlings had with grown Seekers, the ones that sought comfort. This had allowed them to be so close so quickly.
The silver sheen of their plating was just as he'd expect from a sparkling of this frame. It was so thin that when he held the youngling in his servos he could feel the steady thrum of their spark chamber. The sensation made him feel wild, both with protective code blaring and the smothering affection overloading his HUD. How in the Pit Spawned Hells did the Autobots leave such a creature alone? And for so long? Skywarp could barely last a few cliks without fighting the urge to pluck the small frame out of his brother's servos and into his own. The residual trine bond helped in spreading the contented feeling even when he wasn't the one in direct contact, and that helped a lot. He also knew it was the only thing keeping Thundercracker calm.
Skywarp wanted nothing more than to lie in the nest that they had made with the Seekerling and recharge together in peace.
He'd have a chance to do that soon, as the doors of their berth chamber grew closer with each passing step.
The sparkling barely looked up as the berth doors opened. Skywarp tried to get their attention by wiggling his servos in their direction.
"Somebody's had a long cycle, haven't they?" His cheerful digits approached the small form. "But I've got just the thing to cheer you up."
His fingers reached closer, but the Seekerlet grasped the tip once it came within reaching distance and gently pushed it away. They huddled closer into Starscream's armour and didn't meet his optics.
Skywarp willed his wings not to droop, excitement deflating a bit.
"Aw, come now. Don't be so mopey. I promise you'll like it." The Seekerling mumbled something in response but Skywarp tried again. "What's that now? What'd you say?"
"'m not in the mood."
Starscream rubbed the small helm with the tip of his talon. He said nothing, but knew Skywarp well enough to know his next move. The sparkling looked up for a brief glance, green optics wide and watery.
"There you are! Come to me for a clik, I promise you'll love this."
The tiny helm met Starscream's optics for a moment, mutely asking for permission or maybe some answers to Skywarp's behaviour. But Starscream only gestured minutely with a tilt of his helm and the Seekerling released their iron-clad grip on the Seeker's armour.
Sharp servos passed the small Seeker over, and their tiny pedes touched Skywarp's purple digits. They looked up expectantly, if not a little nervous (how cute!), and the purple Seeker fought every urge to coo at their display. Their wings were downturn, signalling their still-persistent anxiety and their finials were pinned back as far as they could go. Their green hued optics were huge, contrasted by their black mask-like colouring, and their tiny tiny servos were fiddling nervously.
"You may want to sit for this." The Seekerlet shot one last glance at Starscream, who offered a small smile in return. They sat delicately, and Skywarp got into position. He took a few steps back, with his spinal strut facing the wash rack. The nest of blankets hadn't moved from their recharge session earlier, and it was straight ahead with its piles of soft blankets. Skywarp bent his knees, tucked the Seekerling closer to his chassis, and tossed the small body into the air.
The ensuing scream was loud and bracing, but both Skywarp and Starscream looked on in satisfaction when the Seekerling's wings shot out into proper flying position and minutely slowed their descent into the soft nest. The both chuckled as the scream died off in a muffled whump as the youngling made contact with the soft linens. A few moments later, the small silver and black helm of the sparkling shot up out of the blankets, optics glittering, with only one word on their lips.
"Again."
The Seeker brothers and the sparkling spent a few more moments plucking the smaller body out of the nest and tossing them back in from various distances. The scream of shock from earlier dissolved into shrieks of joy and Skywarp couldn't help the warmth that grew in his spark chamber. They even experimented tossing the sparkling at each other; the combination of the sparkling's flared wings slowing their descent and the fact that they'd never allow the little one to fall aided in the continued enjoyment of everyone in the room. Unable to contain his enjoyment, he allowed a small flux of joy to leak out of his bond for Thundercracker to feel. He even added a small live feed to both make his brother jealous and to ensure he didn't feel too left out.
Starscream looked like he was enjoying himself too. Sometimes he'd pretend to stumble and miss the sparkling, limbs flailing in a dramatic fashion. But he always caught them, and the ensuing giggles would bring that small smile back to his faceplate. Skywarp couldn't remember the last time he had fun with his brother like this. Maybe next time Thundercracker could join them.
The sparkling began to tire, and they knew that it was soon time for a quick recharge. Nothing like a reset to release any lingering tensions. One last throw into the nest, Skywarp noticed the Seekerling positively melt into the blankets, their optics wide and expressive. The last time they laid down in the nest they had been too overstimulated and exhausted to fully appreciate its softness. Now Skywarp could feel clearly through their EM field that the Seekerlet was fully content, maybe even a little bit shocked by it. While in the nest, the flight sickness frequency was nearly gone, and the warmth of the surrounding blankets mustered a yawn from the tiny creature.
Both Skywarp and Starscream knelt down to snug blankets into the youngling closer, ensuring they were tucked in tightly and securely. The green optics drooped, the lines of energy flowing through their plating dimming in imminent recharge, and they mumbled something before relinquishing their hold on the waking world.
"gotta tell you both… sumfing…" But they were already gone. Whatever it was could wait until they woke up.
