Starscream trudged through the ankle-deep swamp water, muttering some colorful Cybertronian. That stupid Autobot! This was all his fault! Hiding behind the control panel like a coward, then blasting Starscream's wing, rendering him unable to fly. Now Starscream was stuck in this swamp, with no idea which way to go to get back to Kaon. Stupid Autobot!
Starscream nearly fell down when he stepped into a deep spot in the swamp. Growling, he found his foot was stuck in the muck, refusing to budge no matter how hard he pulled.
Starscream reached down and tried to pull his foot out by hand, but no luck. He was so absorbed in his dilemma, he didn't notice an alligaticon was swimming slowly up behind him.
Suddenly, a laserblast flashed behind Starscream, and the startled Seeker swung his head around to find the alligaticon, frightened away by the blast, diving under the water and swimming away. Starscream stood gaping at the retreating creature, then noticed the Autobot - Bluestreak, was he called? - making his way through the swamp.
"Gotta remember to watch your back out here". Bluestreak said, swinging his rifle onto his back.
"I knew it was back there, I just wanted to catch it by surprise". Starscream sneered, even though the Autobot probably knew that was a lie. "Are you following me?!"
"Didn't I say it would be a good idea if we stuck together out here?" Bluestreak said. "And you should be glad I was following, if I hadn't been, you would be gator food right now".
"I don't need anyone's help, Autobot!" Starscream snapped. "You'd best be on your way before I lose my temper!"
"Whatever". Bluestreak walked around Starscream and continued along the swamp, while Starscream once again tried to pull his foot out of the mud.
Starscream sighed and closed his eyes tightly. This was going to hurt. "Wait a minute, Autobot".
Bluestreak paused and looked over his shoulder.
Starscream opened his eyes then turned his head away from Bluestreak. "I could use a hand getting out of this mud. But then I can continue on my own, understand?"
Without a word, Bluestreak walked back over to the Seeker and offered his hand. Starscream grudgingly took it and Bluestreak began pulling backwards. After a few tugs, Starscream was free, but lost his balance and landed face down in the mud. To Starscream's surprise, Bluestreak once again offered his hand. Glaring, Starscream swatted it away then stood on his own.
Bluestreak turned and started heading out of the swampy water. Starscream watched the Autobot curiously. Did he by any chance know a way out of here? There probably wasn't any harm in following the creature, he may prove useful after all. For a while anyway.
"Just a minute - Bluestreak, is it? - Maybe we can work together after all, there's safety in numbers right?"
"Yeah", Bluestreak agreed. "If we work together, hopefully we'll be out of this swamp before dark".
"You have an idea of how to get out of here I suppose".
"Actually, I was hoping you did". Bluestreak said.
Starscream sighed. Clearly this Autobot wasn't going to be much use after all.
"I'm guessing if we just keep walking, we'll eventually find our way out". Bluestreak said.
"Eventually", Starscream repeated. "If we don't starve or get eaten by an alligaticon".
"I know a few things we could try to find to eat". Bluestreak said as he started off, with Starscream falling into step beside him. "I took a survival course when I was training, did you ever take one of those? They take you out in the wilderness and show you how to find resources. Of course, sometimes you can't find anything, then what do you do? Nothing you can do really. You just have to do your best and try to find your way back to civilization or hopefully someone can find you. But if your a flier then you can just - "
"Would you please stop talking?!" Starscream spat.
"Sorry, I start talking too much when I get nervous". Bluestreak shrugged.
"Oh, you're nervous?"
"A little".
"Well, you should be". With that, Starscream quickened his pace, walking ahead of Bluestreak.
The plan of getting out of the swamp before dark didn't work out. Bluestreak and Starscream had come to a clearing and with both of them being too tired to continue, had decided to stop for the night. Bluestreak sat on one side of the clearing, adjusting the sight on his rifle. It didn't need it, but it was giving him something to do. Starscream sat on the other side, repeatedly trying his comlink. By the way he was acting, the explosion must have damaged his comlink, too.
Starscream stood and marched toward Bluestreak. "This 'stick together' stuff really works doesn't it?" he yelled. "We're still stuck out here with no food, no energon and no sign of any way out of here!"
"I'll admit there hasn't been much working together". Bluestreak said. "I've been the one helping you out, but you haven't made any effort to make yourself useful".
"Why don't you come over here and tell me that to my face!"
"Whydon't you come tell that to my face!"
Starscream grit his teeth. "You miserable excuse for a - "
Starscream stopped speaking abruptly when Bluestreak raised his rifle and aimed it on the Seeker. Starscream would have returned the aim if his blasters hadn't been damaged when he had fallen. Instead, there was nothing he could do but duck out of the way as Bluestreak fired the rifle. Starscream swallowed as the Autobot stood and started walking toward him, but instead of continuing to fire, Bluestreak walked past Starscream and headed toward the bushes.
Confused, Starscream watched as Bluestreak bent down and retrieved a Skitter.
"We've got dinner if you're hungry". Bluestreak said.
So the Autobot hadn't been firing at him after all. Starscream hated to admit he was impressed. He wasn't sure how the Autobot had managed to see the Skitter in the darkness surrounding them, let alone be able to get a lock on it. Starscream eyed the Skitter Bluestreak carried. He had never in his life been forced to eat such a rodent, but given the circumstances, he'd try it.
The Skitter wasn't much, but at least they wouldn't completely starve. Starscream sat and watched the fire Bluestreak had started. His tank had turned at the thought of taking a bite of the creature, but after eating his share, he had to admit it wasn't that bad, a bit like cyber-chicken.
"I suppose they're probably looking for you". Starscream spoke up.
Bluestreak looked up. "The Autobots? Yeah, I imagine". He paused. "I'm sure your team is looking for you, too".
Starscream snorted. "Doubtful. Those self centered idiots couldn't be bothered".
"Why do you stay with them?" Bluestreak asked.
"I have my reasons". Starscream said dismissively. "What about you? You're clearly not a fighter, so why join the Autobots?"
Bluestreak shrugged. "I dunno, guess I thought I would be able to make a difference, help people out".
The two sat in silence for a few minutes.
"The only ones who might be wondering where I am would be Skywarp and Thundercracker". Starscream spoke up. "They're the only ones who actually care about me". Starscream stood. "Let me tell you this, the only reason I haven't tore you apart yet is because I think you might be of use out here. But I'd watch my back if I were you".
"Did you ever consider the fact you should watch your own back?"
Starscream leaned into Bluestreak's face. "Autobot, you are no threat to me or anyone else".
Starscream then made his way back to his side of the clearing.