Chap 17
Mob Threats
Somewhere along the way, the Seekerling slipped into stasis. Thundercracker knew based on their energy levels, it had been imminent, and he knew that his cockpit was a safe place for them until they returned. He knew that he was reacting better than his brothers had in this scenario, remembering how they immediately jumped to panicking when the little one had run their battery to the end. At least now he knew exactly what to expect, but that didn't mean that Thundercracker didn't hustle back to the Ark II.
Countless intrusive thoughts flooded his processor amidst the sudden silence on their short trip back to the ship. The Seekerlet had done well with their limited information and had flown to the outskirts of the Crystal City, having met up with Thundercracker on the precipice. They hadn't had enough time to discuss just how far they'd flown, or what they'd been through while in Barricade's care, but there would be plenty of time for that later.
His brothers emotions spun through their trine connection, making him dizzy with the severity of their feelings. Each brother was excited and worried beyond belief, himself included. They would be entering comm range soon, and Thundercracker expected a full interrogation when he returned.
Though the little one rested peacefully, he couldn't stop his spark from buzzing with worry. What if this was different from the last time they entered stasis? What if they didn't wake up? Steadying himself, he tried to focus on flying rather than the negative thoughts that were swirling within him. His thrusters sputtered slightly, his focus off. They'd be fine, focus on the task at hand.
The landscape beneath him shifted from sparse vegetation to sprawling shards of glittering crystal. Once glorious buildings embedded in the crust of Cybertron, now serving as heralds for their return. It was the third cycle since the landing, and Cybertron's sun had risen proudly in the sky, painting it in hues of orange and purple. Had Thundercracker had the processing power to stop and ponder the sights, he might have reminisced at the sight of his homeworld. But his attention remained entirely on the warm body nestled in his cockpit, their small spark pulsing gently against his own.
At the first hint of a static-ridden but clear connection, Thundercracker made his first comm back to his trine.
: On route. Prepare fuel. Seekerling in fuel-locked stasis. Injuries may require medical attention. Coming in hot. Arriving on flight deck in less than one joor.:
Starscream's clipped response was layered with ill-hidden worry. : Already prepared. Well done, Thundercracker.: Always with the 'commander' tone when Starscream was anxious. : What are your current Energon levels?:
Thundercracker hadn't even thought to check, he had been so focused on getting the Seekerling back. The last time he had properly refuelled had been before the firefight back on Earth, since then he had been in a constant state of energy conservation. Checking his own levels, they were thankfully enough to get them both back with some to spare.
: 15%, Commander.: Perhaps calling Starscream by his title would ease the frenzy in his brother's spark. Or at the very least remind him of their mission rather than Thundercracker's lack of recent self care.
: I'll see to it personally that you are properly refuelled upon reentry.: His gravelly voice did nothing to betray the frustration he surely felt.
:Yeah TC, you're fragged once you get here.: Skywarp's voice was jovial, complementing how relieved they all felt. : Screamer'll have your hide for letting it drop that low. But don't worry, I'll take care of the Seekerlet while you're being punished.: Skywarp even had the nerve to send a :) in a separate attachment.
This was par for the course of how the brothers cared for one another. Seekers relied heavily on their trine both in and out of the air, and allowing one's levels to drop so low affected all members, not just the singular entity. But it was well understood that they had all been preoccupied since the discovery of the Seekerling, so Thundercracker knew the ruse of punishment was Starscream's way of showing he cared.
: If you think I'm letting them down for an astrosecond, you've got another thing coming. They're staying with me until I've had my equal time with them.:
: That will be their decision, once they awaken.: Starscream's tone changed abruptly from grouchy to sudden concern. : How long have they been in stasis?: He rasped through the comm, softer than before.
: Half a joor, maybe less. They were on low power when they found me, and they tired themself out.:
: Wait, wait! They found you?: Skywarp's voice sounded shrill. : Y'mean you didn't have to blast through Barricade to get to them?:
: Never even saw him. Little one said he got injured trying to bring them back to the ship. Sent me his coordinates to help him.: He turned his attention towards their leader. : What do you think, Screamer? Should we tell the 'bots?:
Starscream growled low, irritated with his necessary choice. : The Seekerling takes priority. But if the Autobots want to preoccupy themselves with Barricade, I say we let them. The less optics on us the better. Let them split their resources while we focus on what's really important.:
: I hate to admit it, but I agree. While I don't want to miss my chance to shoot Barricade for what he's done, the little one has to remain our top priority. We'll get our chance.: Skywarp's ire could be felt keenly through their link.
Irritation was felt on all sides, but their mutual concern for the sparkling triumphed over their petty thoughts of vengeance. But one of Thundercracker's worries hadn't been addressed yet. He'd barely had the time to think about it with how focused he'd been on retrieving the sparkling.
: Have those Autobot's been treating you both alright since I left?:
: Nothing we can't handle.: Another clipped response from Starscream, obviously deflecting. : Though Skywarp here has gotten a little chummy with one of their femmes.:
: Hey, it was a mutually beneficial exchange! You'll thank me later.: Their purple brother made no effort to defend himself, which Thundercracker found odd. Normally he would go on a tangent defending himself whenever he was caught compromised, and Thundercracker found it odd that he would interact with an Autobot at all, considering everything. He had no time to dwell on it however, for the Ark II was in sight.
: Destination reached, see you both in a klik.: And with that Thundercracker closed the call.
Wind in his audials, he banked left for a smoother landing, manoeuvring around the fallen debris surrounding the ship. It hadn't moved from its landing location, nestling half-submerged beneath the rubble of the surrounding structures. Dust clouds that settled from the landing covered the nearby surfaces in a thin layer of dirt, with the only clean areas created by the numerous pede prints of the Ark II's passengers. From his vantage, Thundercracker could make out a few shapes on the flight deck, the massive form of Optimus Prime being among them. As he approached, the white glint of the Autobot medic became hard to ignore, his form surrounded by various equipment and a large basin filled with glowing liquid. Next to him was a large pink shape, no doubt the femme Elita-1 that Thundercracker had heard so much about.
But his optics were trained on the two figures that were awaiting him most, the purple and primary coloured Seekers. As soon as he caught sight of them, he steered his nose straight for them, ignoring all other interference. He descended quickly, his engines deafening the landscape amidst the surrounding silence. Activating his thrusters in reverse to create a bit of drag, he landed gracefully, kicking up some of the residual dust; his wheels barely touching the deck before transforming.
Without pausing, he rushed to his brothers, Skywarp being supported by their wing leader, his knee plating silver with fresh welding. No doubt they had the medic to thank for that. Information of the status of the injury trickled into his processor, but all three knew their minds were elsewhere. With steely looks on their faceplates, Thundercracker knew his own was the same. Not even sparing a glance at the Autobots, he reached a servo inside his cockpit and retrieved their treasure for his brothers to see.
To say that the relief in the air was palpable was a drastic understatement. Starscream crumpled to the ground at the sight of the prone Seekerlet, Skywarp barely emitting a sound of pain as they both collapsed to the ground as if gravity had suddenly increased on them. Both their pedes lowered until their knees hit the deck, the sound echoing off the surrounding structures, all other noises silent to their audials. Thundercracker joined them in an instant, lowering both himself and their charge to a lower level so that the small form was more visible for the three of them to see.
Curled up in his dark palm was the still form of the Seekerlet, wings relaxed and expression calm. They must have slipped into stasis fully relaxed, a far cry from the abrupt deactivation that had occurred before. Their biolights were offline, optics dark, but they were here. For the first time since the very beginning, the four Seekers huddled together as the world fell away around them.
Starscream let out a noise that sounded like a wheeze, his talons clenched painfully in a fist. The look in his red optics were furious…no. Thundercracker knew him better than that. His optical ridges were furrowed in a deep line, ruby optics glittering with something other than rage. Primus, was Starscream trying not to cry? His denta were gritted, peeking out of his intake. His breathing was steady, but heavy; each breath raising shakily from his chassis as if it could be the last. Fluid welled in his optics, but stubbornly refused to fall. Ever the Commander, putting on a false front.
Skywarp had no such reservations. The fluid that remained stubbornly in Starscream's optics flowed freely from Skywarp's, his servos trembling as it looked like he was afraid to touch the Seekerlet. Normally, Skywarp was the loudest of the three, but in this moment he was absolutely silent, the only clue to his emotional state being the tears and the shudders of his wings. In fact, his whole body seemed to tremble with suppressed feeling, and Thundercracker didn't stop himself from putting spare servo on his pauldron to support him. Skywarp barely looked up, unable to tear his optics away from the object of their concern, but let out the barest shuddering breath at the contact. A brief thrum of thankfulness touched his field, and Thundercracker knew gratefulness when he felt it.
They seemed almost afraid to touch them, both gripping their servos in a way that looked painful. Thundercracker lifted the small body incrementally, testing, and watched as his brothers flinched at the movement. What?
From the outside it must have been impossible to look in, all that could be seen was three sets of wings spread to combat the optics of any outsider. This space was meant for Seekers and Seekers alone; a single delicate bubble holding the future of Vos at the centre. Grounders and Autobots had no place here, and the outside world held no meaning outside this circle of wings. Words weren't spoken, just rushed and heavy feelings brushing through their mixing fields. The Seekerlet's field was understandably silent, given their state, but the trio welled in emotion surrounded them. The air surrounding them was warm and heavy, creating the illusion of cushioning around their little treasure.
Thundercracker could scarcely remember ever seeing his brothers so vulnerable; the looks of grief and relief painting their faceplates in colours he hadn't seen since they were newsparks. For the first time in millenia, their expressions were unrestricted, pure vulnerability shown in this moment where the object of their obsession lay unmoving in Thundercracker's servos.
Their intimate moment was interrupted far too soon by the Autobot's medic. "Are the three of you rusted? That sparkling needs refuelling now!" Thundercracker barely noticed Ratchet's gesture at the Emberstone liquid-laden basin to his left.
He felt like his body was made of a leaden alloy, his exhaustion bearing down on him for the first time in cycles. His task had been simple: play dead, retrieve sparkling, return sparkling. Now that he'd completed his duty, the overwhelming fatigue took over his body in a crash. Suddenly unsteady, he commanded his body to turn his helm, code unwilling to look away from the Seekerling for even a moment. All focus in his exhausted body remained on the bud of heat in his servos, where his brothers seemed too scared to touch.
Unable to stop himself, Thundercracker raised his wings higher as if to block out the medic's presence. His pauldrons flared, making him seem larger than usual, a protective stance. His spark jumped to his throat when he felt the Prime take a single heavy step forward.
"I understand this is an emotional moment, but the sparkling desperately needs refuelling." He paused, his deep voice vibrating into the surrounding metal. "You both do."
Thundercracker crumpled under the command, the Prime's voice feeling like a hot brand on his processor. Right. Refuel the Seekerlet, that's the next task.
His plating shook, but Thundercracker broke the circle and got to his pedes. His brothers immediately followed suit, Starscream rising and pulling Skywarp up with him. All three Seekers kept their optics trained on the little one in Thundercracker's servos, looking like they were merely recharging rather than a sudden state of stasis. The only clue was their lack of blinking biolights, their body unnaturally dark and still in Thundercracker's palm.
Step after shaky step, the trio made their way to the glowing basin, Starscream's instructions pouring into his processor wordlessly. The Seekerlet refuelled in an odd way, needing to be submerged or splashed with the liquid rather than ingesting it like he would with Energon. The fuel must be absorbed through the plating, perhaps that was why their armour was so thin?
Lowering their charge into the liquid, three Autobots and three Seekers held their breath
and waited.
Coming to is always a weird experience as a robot. Sure there are some similarities, the grogginess, the stiffness, the bleariness; but others are drastically different, especially after awakening from stasis.
Waking up from recharge was exactly like waking up from sleeping. It usually takes a few moments to fully gain consciousness, the waking world seeming strange and unfocused (sometimes even scary, especially waking up in space).
Waking up after stasis, on the other hand, is like waking up after a nightmare, but without the heart-battering fear. It feels like waking up after ten cups of coffee with no side effects; one minute off and the next abruptly on.
Your sense of touch comes back first, the familiar feeling of the Emberstone's basically battery-like liquid surrounding you and trickling through your innermost cables. You feel like a fully charged battery–no. An overcharged battery. Like the energy within you is spilling out your seams, and your thin plating is doing everything it can to keep it contained. The ache in your wings is still there, but duller, as if your healing suddenly has been supercharged as well. Which, based on your lack of fuel, is probably the case.
You bolt upright in an instant, forcing your optics to online at the same moment. You take a huge breath as if you were drowning, a bit of the charged liquid entering your intake and brushing against your glossa. It's tasteless like water, but shocks your systems like a live socket. The sudden movement splashes the water around you, some dribbling through your deep cabling like tiny waterfalls.
But you look up, and your spark fizzes in your chassis like soda. Three sets of red optics greet you, each wetter looking than the last. The three Seeker brothers overshadow the sun above, haloing their helms, making them look ethereal. They were like angels in a way, flying creatures of myth with devastating powers.
None of them are smiling, each showing a different expression of grief. Starscream looks fierce, his expression harsh and his frown sharp. But you can sense (somehow) that he's beyond relieved. You're not sure how you know that, maybe your supercharged state has something to do with that.
Skywarp looks…wet is the best way to describe it. Liquid pours out of his optics, and though he doesn't make a sound, his chin trembles as if he's trying not to cry more. It's endearing, and kind of cute, but you don't comment.
Turning your helm, the third set of optics meet yours and Thundercracker too, has a look of concern on his faceplate. The surface beneath you shakes lightly until you realise, oh, you're laying on his servos. He must've lowered you into the pool and refused to take his servos out. Stress pulses out of his servos like tiny earthquakes, and you realise the tense mood can only be broken by you.
So you do the only thing you can to ease them, and you smile softly at each one, growing as you bare your denta in a cheery expression.
"Hey." You try to infuse as much gratefulness in your tone as possible. "I'm…back?"
The effect is immediate. All three Seekers lurch forward, the bubble bursting. Digits are stroking your helm, your cheek; you can barely see the sky with how much is obstructing your vision. Each touch feels like a zap of joy to your systems, it even feels slightly ticklish. They all speak over each other in a rush.
"And you're never leaving again, do you hear me? I swear, we're going to place a tracking device on you until you're big enough to fend for yourself."
"Are you injured? What's your status report? What happened out there? Oh, I'm so glad you've returned."
"I heard you found your way back on your own! What a little champion! I can't wait to hear everything."
"They need further rest and recharge–is that a scuff on your wing? Oh Primus, please tell me it's not broken."
"Pass them here, you've held them long enough."
"Not on your life, I meant what I said earlier. You'll have to pry them from my servos."
"And I meant what I said, it's their choice and it's clear they want to be with me."
"Yeah? And what gave you that impression?"
The arguing chatter of three giant birds is interrupted by a familiar deep voice that makes your spark skip briefly in fear. You didn't notice Optimus Prime's present until he made his voice known, and you realise belatedly that he's not the only Autobot present. From underneath the trio of Seeker helms and the endless amount of giant servos surrounding you, you can make out Ratchet's relieved blue optics and a hint of familiar pink plating. Elita-1 must be here too!
"We're glad to see you returned to us, little one." Optimus' booming voice carries even though he doesn't raise his voice. It echoes off the surroundings and ripples through the liquid you're still soaking in. " As you can see, many of us were worried."
Your optics snap to his as the servos surrounding you fall away. You remember urgent business that needs to be addressed. As much as you hate to admit it, Optimus is the best person to help in this scenario. If he agrees, then it'll be his first step in making his way back into your good graces.
"Barricade is hurt, he needs help!" You're proud of the way your voice carries without shaking. It even sounds authoritative.
The Prime's usually neutral expression changes before your optics. The quizzical look is back.
"He was taking me back, and he got hurt. You've gotta send someone to help him." You look at him pleadingly. "He realised he made a mistake, please. He doesn't deserve to be stuck out there alone."
Optimus Prime looks understandably at a loss. You never got a full explanation as to what the Autobots would do once they landed on Cybertron, but you know that his small crew was stretched thin as it is. It would be understandable if he didn't want to send one of his vital crewmembers after Barricade. But if your voice has any weight, now is the time to use it.
"I have his coordinates. Don't leave him to die out there."
Optimus looks to his medical officer with an unknown expression. Ratchet glances furiously between the two of you. "What's the state of his damage? Do you know what happened?" The medic's tone is gentle, but fiery.
Turning your helm to meet Ratchet's optics, you nod. He too, looks like he's at the end of his rope. "We got too close to the Rust Sea, I think. One of the geysers shot him while I was inside. He said he was going into an emergency healing stasis or something, told me not to leave him alone." You break contact for a second, your sight flickering to your Seekers. "But I did, and I'm not sorry."
"You made the right decision, albeit a risky one." Optimus interrupts. "We're glad you've returned with minimal damage. I will send Arcee with some supplies to patch him up as best we can, but we can't have Ratchet leave without attending to both of you first." He looks pointedly at Thundercracker. A shiver makes itself known beneath you. "Upon their return he will receive proper medical treatment, you have my word."
The Prime then breaks into a small smile. "You did well to recount his coordinates. This is extremely useful information, well done."
You try not to warm at his easy praise, remembering what he's done to you. But it creeps up your faceplate anyway, heating it. You hope no one notices, especially him.
Feeling embarrassed, you continue. "Don't hurt him!" Your voice breaks a bit at the increased volume. "He's been through enough, he shouldn't be punished further." You hold onto hope that your vocabulary might help sway the conversation further in your favour.
Optimus doesn't lose his small smile, but it does lessen a bit. "But you admit he did something wrong, and in ordinary circumstances would be deserving of punishment?"
You nod again, processor working overtime. Is this a test? "If he needs to be punished, then it should be my decision what his punishment is." You look over at Skywarp, who's faceplate is still wet. "Our decision. As the ones he's wronged."
Skywarp seems surprised to be brought into this conversation, but he looks at Optimus expectantly, wings flared and high. From his posture, it's clear he agrees with you.
Optimus closes his blue optics, giving you a brief relief from his piercing stare. "I cannot deny that is a fair judgement. Very well, you and Skywarp may discuss what Barricade's punishment shall be upon his return. But it must be first approved by myself or one of my Autobots, clear?"
You try not to beam, instead folding your lips into a firm line. One final nod, strong and sharp, is shared between the two of you. His smile fades away as he turns to address his medical officer.
"Ratchet, if you would kindly look over our returnees to ensure they are performing optimally. I will leave you to your duties as I attend to mine." He puts a digit up to his comm unit and (presumably) notifies Arcee of her task. He leaves the flight deck with heavy pedes, and is out of sight before he's out of audial range.
The medic turns his attention towards you before his leader turns to leave, evidently fussing from a short distance, the Seekers making it impossible for him to get close. You're still in the basin, and if you were still a human you'd surely be pruney by now. His optics scan your body with a frightening intensity, but you can tell he's just worried. Using your newfound confidence to your advantage, you utilise your 'I'm a baby of your species' superpower and catch his gaze.
"My wing does hurt a bit. I fell."
The servos beneath your surge upwards like a rocket taking off. You bounce a little in Thundercracker's servo, fighting back a laugh as he gets upright in a flash, the glowing water splashing beneath you. Suddenly dripping and considerably higher up, your optics crinkle at the sides as you smile at your Seekers. They all hover around you, digits peppering your plating like confetti.
Ratchet leans forward with a failed attempt to not seem too eager. His servos are outstretched and open, waiting for the pass off. Thundercracker doesn't move from his upright position.
"If it's okay," you start, optics on Thundercracker, then Ratchet, keeping your voice bright. "Can they stay for my checkup?" You gesture with a nudge of your helm at the three hovering Seekers.
The Autobot medic breathes shakily and nods, bringing his servos closer to Thundercracker's where you're laying. You smile at Ratchet with a small "Thanks" and slowly crawl closer to the doctor's grey servos. Thundercracker doesn't move, but he doesn't pull away either. None of the Seekers budge as you gently lower yourself onto the medic's palms, but all optics are trained on you.
The air surrounding you is tense, but you're oddly not afraid. Ratchet hasn't done anything recently that would make you mistrust him, and if Optimus deserves a second chance at redemption then you guess Ratchet does too. You catch the edge of a fierce look that Starscream shoots at Ratchet, and feel his answering grumble beneath your knees. Besides, you've got three giant predatory metal birds looking over you right now, nothing bad's gonna happen.
Ratchet centres himself with a curt vent from his chassis, and with an air of professionalism, begins the checkup with a scan. The red light tickles as it passes over your body, but it doesn't hurt. Muttering quietly to himself, Ratchet opens a panel on his opposite arm and reads off a few lines.
"Well, we know you're fully refuelled after your dip, and your nanites are working hard to fix up your superficial scrapes and injuries." He pauses and squints at the panel. "Your wing panel is a bit dented, but should heal up without any need of my medical interference. If it heals out of alignment, or if you feel any pain over the next few cycles, notify me sooner rather than later so we can fix it before it becomes worse. There's some light trauma to your helm, specifically at the back, but there doesn't seem to be any lasting processor damage." He closes the panel. "Overall, a relatively clean bill of health, all things considered. I was anticipating much worse, especially considering Barricade's reputation."
He then instructs you through a few exercises, mostly flaring your wings and folding each joint intentionally to look for any obstructions or abnormalities. You follow his instructions to the best of your ability, a little tricky considering you're performing on an unstable servo, but you manage. Casting a few glances at your Seekers every chance you get, you spy Starscream wringing his talons anxiously and Skywarp rubbing the remnants of liquid residue off his faceplate. Only Thundercracker is still, which is understandable considering he's up next.
You feel emboldened by their gazes, a warm protectiveness sitting comfortably atop your spark. The frequency noise that you're used to hearing from the Seekers is louder now, stronger. It sings with a trill that makes your tanks bubble with giddy joy. But maybe that's the overcharged feeling, you're not sure.
After a few more doctorly requests, Ratchet releases you from your checkup, though he's obviously hesitant to let you go. This is the first time he's held you since you ran away, and the first time you've spoken directly since you woke up from stasis last time. Now that his professional task is over, he's more fidgety; as if trying to come up with more tasks to make you stay a little longer. But you won't be dissuaded from leaving the brothers, and Thundercracker still needs to get looked at as well. Maybe you'll make an effort to be nicer to him later, but not now.
You reach your servos towards the trio, all of whom immediately rush into action. They don't push each other out of the way, but a few well-aimed elbows are loosed amongst them, each trying to get to you fastest. It's silly, and it lightens your mood considerably. Baby super power indeed.
Starscream gets to you first, his talons reaching longer and faster than his brothers. You idly notice that he straight up drops Skywarp, whom he'd been previously supporting, hitting the deck in a slump. Thundercracker notices only a fraction too late, and rushes to your side shortly after. You climb into Starscream's palm as gracefully as you can, giving Ratchet a quick "Thank you" over your shoulder. Both servos, both the one you're leaving and the one you're going to, are shaking a bit, both feeling similarly. They're big huge robots and you're a tiny little robot, there's no doubt in your mind everyone on the ship went bananas while you were gone. You'll make it up to them sometime soon.
Your full weight now on Starscream's palm, he brings you higher, reverently. A rumble of his engine turns your body to mush, like a warm hug surrounding you. He turns from the doctor, not saying a word, and turns toward Skywarp, evidently showing some pity on his brother. Thundercracker is motioned over by Ratchet to begin his checkup, but you've stopped paying attention in lieu of Starscream's pestering.
The metal surrounding his chin is bunched and tight, like he's holding some deep emotion in. You let loose a happy chirrup and he positively melts, visible relief coursing through his systems.
"Do you have any idea–" he cuts himself off with a sound like a choke. He makes a motion like shaking his helm, venting warm air around you. "No matter, you're here now. And here's where you'll stay, I will not hear otherwise concerning this matter."
You chirp again. "Thundercracker said I'm not allowed to leave until I'm big."
The flight leader nods sagely, his earlier emotion still visible. "For at least ten vorns."
You fight back a smile and fail. "And do you agree with him?" Skywarp is close now, Starscream having lowered to the ground in a kneel next to him. You address them both with your question, biting your lip plate somewhat nervously.
"Make it twenty vorns and we'll see." Skywarp is trying his best to look casual on the ground where Starscream dropped him in a heap. The visual is incredibly funny and it's taking everything you have not to laugh out loud.
The budding warmth blooms into a full flower in your chassis. You kinda knew they'd stick with you, if that's what you wanted, but it feels amazing to hear out loud.
"Good for you, little one." Elita-1's voice cuts in warmly, she must have been watching for a while. Both Seekers turn but Starscream's expression is more steely. "Welcome back."
Your good mood doesn't wane as you look up at Elita from your lower position. "Haha, thanks Elita. Glad to be back." You mean it, too. You worked your aft off trying to get back, and you did it all by yourself. Well, mostly, but the effort was always there.
She smiles gently back at you, bent at the waist with a tilt to her helm. "Prime was wise not to send me after Barricade, after what he did to you I couldn't be trusted not to shoot him outright." Her gaze rests curiously upon you, scanning for clues. "And it seems to me like you don't want him hurt, is that right?"
"He figured out I don't drink Energon, realised he didn't have the resources to refuel me, and decided to turn around." You pause. "Actually, he decided really quickly. It caught me off guard at first. He was worried we'd come back to a fight, but he was prepared to get me back no matter what." Voice quieting, your tone takes a solemn turn. "What happened to him was a freak accident. It wasn't his fault."
"Fragger still shot me in the knees though."
"Skywarp! Language!" Starscream hisses at his trinemate. Elita snickers under her servo.
"Don't worry, we'll decide on a good punishment for him. One we both agree on." You meet Skywarp's twin red stars with your green ones. "I-if that's okay with you." Feeling suddenly nervous, the confidence from earlier fizzles out slowly.
You can see that he opens his intake to say something in retort, but before he can say something, you jump a bit to interrupt him. "Actually! I have an idea I think you'll like. But we can talk about that later." He seems placated by this, knowing he'll have one-on-one time with you later. He smirks deviously, but also somehow softly, back at you, showing off a sharp denta.
"You got it, little wing. Looking forward to it."
Fighting the urge to give a cringey thumbs up, you turn back to Starscream, who seems waiting with a question.
"Barricade didn't harm you, did he? How did your wing become so damaged if he was supposed to be watching over you?"
(Skywarp mutters under his breath, you almost wouldn't be able to hear him if you weren't so close. "We knew he'd be an awful guardian, now we have proof.")
Oh! This is a fun segue. "I fell on a rock. I was pretty high up. It was my fault, I did it while Barricade wasn't watching." Seeing the pauldrons bristle on the Seekers and Elita-1 in tandem is a funny sight, if they weren't bristling over the fact you got hurt. You're mostly fine now anyway, Ratchet already gave you the all clear.
You get to your pedes a little unsteady, Starscream taking notice and stilling his servos beneath you to the best of his ability. Out of the three, his talons are the longest but his palms are the smallest, giving you less space than other servos you've been on. You try not to smile too much, biting the inside of your cheek to keep it together. You shoot a sly glance at Thundercracker to see if he's watching.
You're getting the impression that it hadn't been long between when you landed and when you woke up. Eager to share the new skill you've finally learned, you fight your own systems in an attempt to make your reveal as dramatic as possible. They're giant bird robots, you know they'll approve.
"But why did you do this? What were you doing that hurt you this way?" Starscream looks bitterly down at you, but his optics are full of warmth.
As fast as you're able, you scramble off his servo in a jump, still easily three stories high. Before you fully leave his palm you reply loudly, brightly– "This!"
Both Seekers jolt, panicked. Servos move in slow motion trying to catch your fall, Elita even moving her arms in an attempt to get to you in time. Falling from this height would hurt. That is, if you were falling. The panic in their eyes makes you want to laugh, and Starscream's servo just misses you as fall faster than he's able to catch you.
A muffled shriek escapes his vocalizer as you're briefly blocked from his view by his own servo, and you take that astrosecond to transform. Your body twists and folds around you, engines immediately coming online and hammering on your rear thrusters hard. You shoot above them with a laugh, wings missing Starscream's helm by millimetres, flying first directly above them then winding in circles in joyous laughter.
Skywarp's intake is open, shocked being an understatement. Elita's optics are so wide and bright, you can still see the blue in them despite being so high above her.
Starscream sputters for a klik, then beams. He doesn't miss a second before laughing loudly in response, optics glittering at the sight of you. You dive lower, weaving between their helms, blasting some hot air from your thrusters around them. Starscream reaches a servo up and you spin around his sharp points, showcasing your skill. Skywarp hasn't stopped gaping, though you spot a quick glance he shoots at Thundercracker, who shrugs while he's getting his checkup. Ratchet only pauses for a moment, his optics glittering with something unknown, but you pay him no mind.
This display is for your Seekers. No longer a Seekerling in only name, you're a real flyer now. Gravity means nothing to you, and the ground is a temporary reprieve from the skies. Flying comes as naturally to you as breathing, maybe even moreso. Every second you're up here convinces you further that you were never meant to remain on the ground. Wings in your spark, you're at home up here. The sound that erupts from your chassis is similar to the one you released when you told the Seekers about your origin. It's light and bold and melodic, like a song on the tip of your tongue. It's happy and joyful, just like you feel, and it spreads around you like a cloud of happiness. It feels so good to be up here, why would you ever want to go back down?
But your Seekers are down there, and soon you'll be able to be up here with them. Skywarp's probably still too injured to fly, so you'll wait a bit until you can all fly together.
You're bold enough to attempt a barrel roll now, and you spin while the planet spins against you. Laughing bright and cheery, you transform in midair, falling gleefully back to the surface.
You've aimed well, and on purpose. Above the flight deck still, but a little ways off from where the Seeker brothers and Elita are still huddling. Starscream catches on first, a smile momentarily breaking from his faceplate, and he scrambles to a stand while you continue to fall. Absolutely certain he'll catch you, you watch as he dives with arms outstretched and lands with a heavy thud, sliding on his chassis. You land in his servos like a gentle cushion, plating barely rattled while you laugh happily, giggles overtaking your vocalizer.
Their expressions had been priceless, and Starscream's catch was kind of silly. The look on his faceplate now is one of awe, joy, and mild irritation.
"We really will have to put a tracker on you, won't we." His rasp is annoyed, but fond. It only makes you giggle harder, you clutch your sides as you double over. No doubt his chassis is scuffed from the slide to catch you. You're not even worried if his cockpit is cracked, you know that thing's durable, probably made of some alien-grade bullet-proof glass. He lets out a huge vent, as if the act exhausted him. The warm frequency wraps you in a tight blanket, feeling a bit ticklish around you. The giggles lessen but don't abate, happiness flutters in your fuel lines.
Skywarp lets out a whoop in the near distance, both arms in the air, cheering loudly. "Did you see that?" He's practically shrieking. "The finest flyer Vos has ever seen! Is this a dream? Elita, quick, punch me so I know this isn't a dream."
Elita-1 reeled her fist back without pausing, a smile on her faceplate. Skywarp immediately balks, clearly regretting his choice of words, raising his servos in a placating manner. She laughs at his antics, and punches him in the pauldron anyway. The hit is good natured, you can see that clearly even from this angle, and Starscream gets to his pedes and makes his way back to the comedic duo.
Thundercracker's voice is heard, slightly louder than his speaking volume due to his moderate distance away. "Oh yeah, didn't I tell you? They flew back." He's sitting on a raised vent on the flight deck, a cube of Energon in his grip. "They're pretty good too, I'd say."
Starscream makes a sour face in his direction, but you can tell he's delighted. The leader of the trine turns back down to face you. "Maybe next time you'll tell us before you jump."
You beam up at him, a devilish look peeking out at the corners. "Nah, it's more fun this way."
He groans, his armour creaking. "Why am I not surprised that's your answer?" Spare talons touch the space between his optics. "I suppose I have this to look forward to for the next ten vorns."
"Twenty!" Yells Skywarp, still cheering. One servo is rubbing his pauldron where Elita-1 punched him.
Shutting your optics and grinning diabolically, you flash your denta in a facsimile of a wry smile.
Surprisingly, Ratchet chimes in to the conversation, currently in the midst of clearing up his tools. "Actually, we don't know how long they'll take to grow up. They're a new entity, we have no actual point of reference." He grumbles as he packs his tools into his subspace. "Could be thirty vorns, or they'll stay that size forever." He shrugs, standing upright and meeting Starscream's optics. "Who knows?"
The news should be shocking to you, but the look on Starscream's faceplate in this moment is too funny. Later this might hit harder, but right now you're too full of the giggles. You're too happy right now to care.
He looks stunned at the doctor's words, wings drooped and optics wide. He slowly turns his helm down to meet you and you shrug gleefully back at him.
"Could be forty vorns." You scrunch your optical ridge, smile unbreakable. "Also hey, what's a vorn?"
