Author's Note:It's been a while hasn't it? Almost two years to the date that I last uploaded a chapter. There are a lot of reason why my life took a bit of a turn two years ago, a lot of which I can't really go into. The main thing to focus on is I'm back and can hopefully upload at least semi-regularly now.
I hope this chapter is worth it for you who have been waiting. Remember StarscreamxAlexis 4-Life.
Chapter 6
After Swindle's contact with the Autobots, he rushed to assist Starscream in tending to his arm and leg wounds. Fortunately, they managed to staunch the Energon leakage, preventing further complications. He'd need Red Alert to remove the shrapnel from his back later. Hopefully what he's done will help Starscream stay conscious long enough to explain everything.
When he heard the Autobot footsteps approaching, Starscream pulled himself to his feet. As the Autobots looked at what was left of the Spaceship, he could see their faces go from shock to fear.
Optimus and Hot Shot ran over to Starscream. "Starscream, what happened here?" Optimus asked.
"I'll explain everything, but we need to get to the com-" Starscream took a step and immediately collapsed to one knee. Hot Shot knelt, placing a hand on Starscream's shoulder.
"Starscream, your back is cut to ribbons!" He exclaimed. "You need to get you too medical."
"NO!" Starscream yelled, shoving the yellow mech away. "We need to go to the com room so I can explain."
"Starscream, you're in no condition-"
"They have the Starsaber! And Alexis!" The Autobots paused, a visual look of horror spread across the room. Starscream got back on his feet. "We can worry about me later, but I need to explain now!"
After a moment, Optimus spoke. "Very well. Hot Shot, help Starscream get to the Com room. Blurr, go get the rest of the children. Red Alert, Get Jetfire."
Starscream didn't argue when Hot Shot took Starscream's good arm and place it around his shoulder.
Once Everyone had gathered in the Com room, Starscream explained everything. How the battle being a setup so Thrust could steal the Starsaber, to Sideways appearance, how they destroyed their ship and captured both the Starsaber and Alexis.
Once he finished, Starscream saw dreed on the face of most of the Autobots. But the children, they looked a mixture of scared and angry. And with Optimus, Starscream couldn't summon the courage to look him in the eye.
"You just let him capture her?!" Rad yelled, being the first to speak. Starscream looked directly at him, seeing him shaking with anger. "Alexis could be dead because of what you did?!"
Starscream understood his anger, he felt even more anger towards himself. But he had to stay focused. "I don't think they'll kill her," Starscream said. "Thrust wants to use her for leverage against us."
"That's no guarantee!" Rad yelled. "Megatron could order her death at any time!" Starscream clenched his fist but didn't say anything.
"Enough, Rad," Optimus interjected.
"No, his anger is justified," Starscream ground out. "And he's right, I failed her."
"I'm just as much to blame as you are Starscream," Jetfire said, stepping forward. "If I wasn't in recharge when the power went out, I could've help you. Instead, you were ambushed with no support."
"What about what you said about Thrust and Sideways being in some kind of alliance?" Blurr questioned. "From what you said, this is unknown to even the Decepticons. Do we have even more enemies than we realise? How do we know Sideways have a special force against us on Cybertron."
"It doesn't matter," Hot Shot spoke up. "Whatever Sideways is planning, it has nothing to do with our problem right now. The Decepticons have all three Mini-con weapons and Alexis. We need to be thinking of a plan."
"Yes, and I might have one." Starscream took a step toward Optimus, forcing him to look the Red mech in the eye. "When the power went out, I wasn't able to contact you or anyone in the base. But when I used a Decepticon frequency, I was able to contact Swindle. That's how Thrust found out about the ship." Starscream looked at Sideswipe. "You're good at cracking codes, right Sideswipe?"
"Yes," he replied. "If you have an idea, tell me what I can do."
"If the Decepticon's haven't removed all my frequencies, there might be a chance, with your help, we will be able to open communication with the Luna Bases com system."
"Do you think you'll be able to do it?" Optimus asked Sideswipe.
Sideswipe gave a nod. "If what Starscream says is right, then it could work."
"Starscream, are you up for it." The red jet looked Optimus in the eye and nodded. "Then we should start now. With any luck, we will get information on Alexis and the combiner mini-cons."
Sideswipe lead Starscream over to the computer. He plugged a cable into Starscream's good arm and began typing away on the keyboard. He told Starscream he could sit down during this, but he refused. His pride wouldn't let him.
"Ok, I've got through to the Decepticon com room," Sideswipe said. "And if I'm right, there seems to be a conversation happening. I'll put it through the speakers now."
"Nicely executed, Thrust. Your plan has proven successful, though I wouldn't expect anything less," Megatron's voice echoed through the transmission.
"Indeed, now we possess all three weapons, and as an added boon, we've acquired one of those precious humans to use as leverage against the Autobots," Thrust responded.
The combination of hearing both Megatron and Trust's voices made Starscream want to run his fist through the com screen. But he curbed his impatience, hoping that their conversation might unveil a clue about their intentions.
"I see no point in keeping the little human alive," Starscream heard Demolisher say. "With this hydro-what's-it, the whole planet of them will be gone soon."
"What?!" Starscream saying out loud.
"As I explained, it is called the Hydra Canon. There is a human Legend of a Dragon with 9 heads. Nine combiner mini-cons to make an ultimate weapon, I thought it was appropriate."
"Whatever,"
From the sound of Demolishers voice, there was still tension between him and Thrust, Starscream may be able to use that to his advantage.
"Will the Mini-cons try to rebel?" That was Wheeljack speaking. "It took force to get the Starsaber Mini-cons in that pod."
He could hear Thrust cackling. Thrust's laughter resounded. "Now that they're in the pod, it's impossible for them to awaken. After five more hours of charging, the Hydra Cannon will be operational. Earth's destruction is imminent. Following that, we'll eradicate the Autobots and claim victory. Farewell, Earth, its inhabitants, and the Autobots."
A frigid shiver ran down Starscream's frame, a sensation he was certain shared the room. This situation was graver than their initial estimation. His failure jeopardized not only the Mini-Cons and Alexis but the entirety of planet Earth.
"Then, upon returning to Cybertron, we shall celebrate the Decepticons' triumph with our newfound weapon," Megatron's satisfaction was palpable. "Thrust, you might consider bringing that human from the enclosure in your quarters. Let her bear witness to her world's demise."
"Regrettably, my lord, removing her from the enclosure would result in her suffocation. I propose we keep her alive until our return to Cybertron, presenting her as a symbol of our conquest over the Autobots."
"Enough!" Starscream's voice cut through. He seized the cable, ripping it from his arm, severing the connection.
"Starscream," Sideswipe's voice tinged with panic, "we could have gathered more information."
"What more is there to know?" Starscream retorted sharply. "Unless we hurry to the Luna Base, Earth's fate is sealed, and the war is over. Jetfire and I must move immediately!" He moved to leave the room, only for someone to grip his injured arm. He turned to see Scavenger's hold.
"Let go of me!" Starscream growled at him.
Scavenger yanked him back at put Starscream in a position, so they were eye to eye." Calm down and think. You are in no condition to fly right now; you'd fall to the ground before you left the atmosphere. Even if you did make it there and you went gun blazing at the Decepticons, how long before they use Alexis against you." Scavenger released his grip on Starscream. "I know it's painful, but we need to think of a plan."
Starscream took a moment. He knew Scavenger was right, without a plan they were going into a fight where they were outnumbered and out matched. He took a breath and gave a nod, after a moment, Scavenger stepped away.
"Even if we stop the weapon from attacking earth this time, as long as they have the nine mini-cons, nothing can stop them from attempting this again," Scavenger said. "And if I heard right, it sounds like there ship is operational to get to Cybertron, that puts us at a big disadvantage now that our ship is destroyed."
"So, all we need to do is stop the weapon from attacking Earth, save Alexis, save the nine mini-cons and stop the Decepticons from being able to get to Cybertron," Hot Shot grumbled. "This just keeps getting better."
"Even with us knowing what their plan is, I don't see how we can get the strategic advantage," Smokescreen spoke. "Jetfire and Starscream are the only ones that can fly, and they will definitely see them coming."
"Maybe we don't need to get all nine mini-cons." The room looked at Hot Shot. "If we can get one of the weapons, even just one individual mini-con, that may be enough to stop them from being able to use the weapon."
"But is there any way for us to even get into the base long enough to grab one?" Blurr questioned. "It's already been said, there's no way they won't see Starscream and Jetfire coming."
"There may be something I can do." Everyone turned to look at Sideswipe, who was typing away on the computer. "Since Starscream's frequency worked, I decided to look through the data Starscream gave us when he first joined us. We were able to use it to use the teleporter in the Decepticon Luna base. I wanted to see if it would still work."
Starscream could feel the Energon in his system pulsing as Sideswipe said this. If this was possible, this could solve everything at once. "Will it work?" He asked, leaning down towards him.
"Unfortunately, it seems they were smarter with Starscream transport code then they were with his Decepticon communication frequency. We won't get that lucky this time."
It was as if the air left the room. The way things were going there was no way they could win. The Decepticon's had them in the palm of their hands. "Is there really no way for us to get to the Luna base?" Starscream asked, his fist clenching. He hated how utterly useless he felt right now.
Sideswipe turned in the chair to face everyone. "I didn't say it wouldn't work, I just said we won't get as lucky. If I'm right, I can get 3 transports undetected." A million thoughts went through Starscream's head, and he was sure the same ones were going through everyone in the room. But before even one could be spoken aloud, Sideswipe raised his hand.
"When I said 3, I mean 3 total. That means there and back. If I do it anymore times, The Decepticon's will know about us using their Transporter to get to their base. After that, I can't guarantee they won't prevent me from using it again."
"So, who we send, could get stranded," Red Alert said.
There was discussion amongst the Autobots, throwing out ideas of just send 3 mechs and hoping for the best, or just 1. While they all talked, Starscream stayed quiet, running scenarios through his head. After a while he had settled on a plan, but it required him being on the Luna base.
"I have an idea," Starscream announced loudly. To his pleasant surprise, the conversations stopped, and the attention was on him.
"Even if we did enter the Luna base undetected, there is a good chance that we could be spotted, and things will go crazy. I suggest that Optimus and Jetfire combined, fly to the moon, and draw their attention."
"What about you Starscream?" Jetfire asked. "We will need your help."
Starscream shook his head. "The two people who know the Luna base well enough to not get spotted are myself and Scavenger. We both know where the bases engines are, and I know where Thrust quarters are. We are the only choices to go. Once the engine and Alexis are taken care of, We can hopefully find where the combiner mini-cons are being kept. We will find the pods and get one of the weapons. Scavenger can get them back to the base and I will join you and Optimus and Jetfire in the battle outside."
The few second before anyone responded to his idea felt agonising to Starscream. "Starscream, your arm and leg are barley functional, and your back is still in bad condition." Starscream glared at Red Alert. "Even if your able to fly, I think it's a risk sending you to fight."
"Then weld me up!" Starscream snapped. "We have a few hours to do this, and you know I'm the best person to go into the base!"
"Starscream," Optimus spoke. "Calm down."
Starscream stepped towards Optimus. "Sir, you know I'm right. This is the on-"
Optimus put a hand on Starscream's shoulder. "I said calm down," he said firmly. Starscream wanted to keep talking, but he knew arguing was only going to put doubts about him. He took a breath and gave Optimus a nod.
"Starscream, I actually agree with you that you're the right mech to go," Optimus began. "But what concerns me is your mental state. There's a lot more at stake than just this war right now. I know you're concerned about Alexis, and you're angry at Thrust. If you can't control your emotions when you're in the Decepticon base, then we could be risking the planet Earth. I need to know you can stay calm."
It made Starscream angry to hear Optimus use the same words about his emotions that Megatron used when he confronted him about his betrayal. But that also proved Optimus point as much as he hated to say it. He needs to be calm if this was going to work, or everything is over.
"I understand sir," Starscream said, standing at attention. "I promise if you trust me, I won't let you down."
After a few agonising seconds, Optimus spoke. "Red Alert, get Starscream to the medical bay and weld up his wounds. Give him some Energon cubes as well. Jetfire, Scavenger, be prepared to fight with everything. We've only got one shot at this; we can't mess this up."
The Autobots in question saluted. "Sir."
Red Alert approached Starscream. "Come with me."
Starscream looked at his mini-con on his shoulder. "Swindle, get Sureshock and the two of you grab one of those space suits the human's wear. Then the both of you meet me at medical."
"Yes sir," Swindle said, leaping off his shoulder. Starscream then followed Red Alert to the medical bay, not a word being spoken to each other the entire time.
When they got to the medical, Starscream sat on one of the benches while Red Alert grabbed the necessary equipment.
"You might want to shut down," The Medbot said. "This will be painful. I'll wake you when it's over."
Starscream nodded. He began the internal process of shutting down. After a while everything went black.
"I made a choice. I'm joining the Autobots."
Starscream was in disbelief. He grabbed Skyfire and said, "What has gotten into you. You could get executed just for saying that."
Skyfire looked at Starscream dead in his eyes, showing he was serious. He brushed Starscream's hand off his shoulder. "Screamer," he said, taking a step back. "Megatron has gone mad. Way too many Decepticons lives have been wasted in recent battles. I can't follow a bot like that."
Starscream stepped forward, getting his face right in Skyfires. "So, you'll join those stupid Autobots? They don't have the will to win this war. Megatron is the only one fit to rule Cybertron."
"That's not true!" Skyfire said, glaring back. They were locking eyes for a while, before Starscream stepped back.
"Why are you telling me this?" The Red jet asked.
"Come with me," was all Skyfire said.
Unbelievable, Starscream found himself laughing. Skyfire thought he'd go along with this? After working his way to Second in Command, he thinks he'd just throw it away?
"I'll give you one chance to change to take back those foolish words." Starscream stared right at him as he said his next words. "If you don't, I will take action."
He looked at Starscream and said, "My mind is made up."
"Then your fate is sealed."
Starscream froze. Slowly turning back, he saw Megatron. The Red glow of his eye burning right through him and at Skyfire. There was a rush of air. Starscream turned and saw Skyfire taking off. Before he got very far, a blast shot right through Skyfires wing, sending him descending to the ground.
"Skyfire!" Starscream shouted.
"Starscream." The Red Jet froze again at the cold voice. "Finish him off and bring me proof of his death. Understood?"
After a small hesitation, Starscream Responded. "Yes sir." He heard Megatron's footsteps as he left.
After a moment, Starscream began moving slowly to where he saw Skyfire land. The image of him getting blasted still played in Starscream's head. When he found him, he was back in robot mode, but one of his wings were completely destroyed.
"S-Starscream," his friend said with a pleading voice.
This is his own fault, Starscream told himself. He's a traitor and no one betrays the Decepticons and lives. Starscream reached for his wind sword.
Starscream's eye's shot open, the Energon in his body rapidly pulsing from the memory. He made sure to have a good look around Medical to make sure he was awake. After he was satisfied, he looked at both his arm and legs. They had been fully repaired. He could also feel the searing ache of the welding done on his back.
He looked up and saw Red Alert at his desk. He turned to face him; he didn't appear shocked that Starscream was awake. He walked over and presented 4 Energon cubes in his hand. Starscream accepted them, placing them within a compartment on his person.
"Where's Optimus?" Starscream asked.
"He and Jetfire made their way towards the moon half an hour ago. They will arrive soon. You and Scavenger should transport to the Decepticon base. He, Swindle and Sureshock are waiting for you at our transporter."
Starscream nodded and stood up to leave the room. Red Alert grabbed Starscream shoulder before he could pass him. "Starscream," he said. Starscream turned his head to look him in his visor. "Alexis is very important to all of us. But what's going on is even bigger than her. If we screw this up, then the human race could die because of our war." There was a pause before Red Alert continued. "If it comes down to a choice, one life isn't worth all the entire human race."
It felt like a weight was dropped on his spark as Red Alert said that. He understood what he was saying but hearing an Autobot speak so callously about Alexis like that felt wrong. Starscream knocked Red Alert's arm off his shoulder.
"Don't forget, if you Autobots hadn't made the choice to let the children get involved in this, Alexis wouldn't be in this situation," Starscream growled before stepping past.
As he made his way to the Transporter, the implication of what Red Alert said went through his system. And horrible as his words were, he knew why Red Alert said them. But he didn't give a damn. One way or another, he was going to save Alexis and the Earth, no matter the cost.
Author's Note: So next Chapter will be the infiltration of the Decepticon Luna base. Hopefully you won't have to wait 2 damn years for me to post it.