Bluestreak gave a sigh of relief as the first hint of daylight began to filter through the trees. It had been a long night, and Bluestreak hadn't slept a bit. Unlike Starscream, who was still curled up in a ball on the other side of the clearing, snoring. Bluestreak stood and stretched. It was probably around five in the morning, they might as well get started again. He really hoped they would reach some sort of town or something today, he definitely didn't want to spend another sleepless night out in the swamp with Starscream just a few feet away.
A turbofox gave a far off cry. Bluestreak walked over to Starscream and gave him a kick.
Snorting, Starscream sat up quickly. "What?!" he snapped upon seeing Bluestreak.
"We should get moving". Bluestreak replied.
"It's still dark!" Starscream huffed.
"It won't be much longer". Bluestreak said, starting off.
Starscream grudgingly fell into step beside the Autobot. Neither of them trusted the other enough to get in front.
"How big could this swamp possibly be?!" Starscream said, after they had been walking for half an hour.
"No idea, I'm beginning to wonder if we're just walking in circles". Bluestreak said.
Starscream groaned and rubbed his hands over his face. "If we are, it's your fault".
"How could it be my fault?!" Bluestreak asked. "You could lead the way as easily as I can!"
Starscream gave no response, probably because he had no idea which way to go either.
The two walked along in silence once more. Bluestreak felt fidgety. He couldn't stand long moments of silence, which was why he really hated it when Prowl or Optimus Prime sent him on scouting missions. He had to say something, he couldn't stand it.
"Is your comlink working yet?" Bluestreak asked.
Starscream shot him a look. "No. And even if it were, it wouldn't do you any good". He paused. "I suppose yours isn't either?"
"No". Bluestreak sighed. He should have just left Starscream alone in the swamp. What had he been thinking? Offering the Seeker help? How many times had Starscream caused trouble for the Autobots? Maybe everybody was right, Bluestreak was too soft-sparked for his own good.
"Where'd you learn to shoot like that?"
Bluestreak was startled by Starscream's voice. "Huh? Oh, I dunno. When I started training, my commander told me I had a knack for it. Sometimes I wish I didn't".
"I hate to admit it, but you're good". Starscream said. "We could use a sniper like you. How about it?"
Bluestreak ignored the question.
Starscream shrugged and tried his comlink once more, still not getting a response. "We're stuck out here". he mumbled.
Bluestreak sighed. He was beginning to think Starscream was right.
"That wilderness training you bragged about doesn't seem to be doing any good". Starscream said. "You should have been able to find a way out of here by now. You Autobots always act like you're so superior. I don't even know how you got in, you're soft. You're more focused on making 'friends' than winning battles, all talk and no action. You - "
"SHUT UP!"
Starscream looked startled by Bluestreak's outburst. It wasn't often Bluestreak told someone to stop talking, but he'd had it with the Seeker's constant criticism.
"My biggest mistake out here was trying to help you!" Bluestreak snapped. "I don't know what I was thinking! I guess I always felt you Decepticons would come around if you were ever shown some generosity, guess that's another one of my faults. You'll never change, none of you will, you don't want the war to stop. So I'm done trying to help you! You're on your own!" Bluestreak stormed off, ignoring the fact he was now turning his back on Starscream.
Bluestreak had been walking for an hour, and he still left hopelessly lost. This was ridiculous, there had to be a way out of this swamp! Bluestreak had a knack for looking on the bright side, but right now, that was a very difficult thing to do. He should be trying to find something to eat, but he didn't want to waste time looking for anything. He wanted out of this swamp.
Suddenly, the mud beneath Bluestreak's feet gave way, and he slid down into a ditch. Bluestreak sat up and looked up. The side of the ditch was steep and slippery, a very difficult climb. He sighed and rubbed the sides of his head. Maybe he'd just sit here for a while and wallow in his self-pity.
Bluestreak jerked to attention when he heard a low growl. An alligaticon was slowly swimming toward him. Bluestreak jumped to his feet and reached behind his back to pull out his rifle, but his hands touched empty space. With a sinking feeling, Bluestreak realized he must have lost the gun when he slipped in the mud.
Scrap. There was no way he'd be able to fight off the alligaticon by hand. Trying not to excite the creature, Bluestreak started slowly backing toward the side of the ditch. There wasn't much of a chance he'd be able to climb up the slick sides, but he had to try.
Bluestreak reached the side and was surprised when a hand dropped down next to his head. Looking up, Bluestreak found Starscream leaning over the edge of the ditch, reaching a hand down to the Autobot.
"I don't want to lose my only asset out here". Starscream said, shaking his hand to get Bluestreak's attention.
Bluestreak stared at Starscream's outstretched hand, then, hearing the alligaticon's growls getting closer, grudgingly took it.
Starscream pulled Bluestreak up the side of the ditch and the two looked down at the frustrated creature as it turned and swam back into the deeper water.
"You dropped this". Starscream handed Bluestreak's muddy rifle to the Autobot.
"Thanks". Bluestreak said, taking the weapon. "Really. You didn't have to help me".
"Like I said, I don't want to lose my only asset".
The two then continued their trek though the swamp.
Dusk was falling, and Bluestreak was preparing himself to spend another night in the swamp when he suddenly caught sight of something through the trees. "Is that a light?" he asked.
Starscream ran ahead and Bluestreak took off after him. Bursting through the brush, they saw a row of rundown buildings.
"The outskirts of Kaon", Starscream muttered. He turned to Bluestreak with a broad grin. "We made it!"
Bluestreak couldn't help sharing Starscream's glee. After two days, they had finally made it out of that swamp!
"I suppose you know the way to Iacon from here". Starscream said, now turning his attention to the old buildings.
"I think so".
"Then I suggest you get going. I'll spare you just this once".
Starscream made his way up the dimly lit sidewalk and Bluestreak wasted no time entering vehicle mode and starting up the road he was pretty sure would lead to Iacon.
Bluestreak sighed with relief as he walked into the Autobot base. It felt great to be back. He opened the door into the control room and nearly walked into Prowl.
"Where have you been?!" Prowl demanded. "Why haven't you been reporting over the comm like you're supposed to?"
"My commlink's messed up". Bluestreak replied. "The space bridge blew up and I got stuck out in some swamp for two days with Starscream".
"I want a report. Now!"
Bluestreak obediently followed his twin to his office, trying to hide his grin. Most bots would have been cowering on the walk to Prowl's office after being yelled at by him. But Bluestreak knew that Prowl's crankiness was due to the fact that Prowl had probably been beside himself with worry about his twin.
Bluestreak gave Prowl a punch in the arm.
"What was that for?!" Prowl yelped.
"I'm just glad to see you!" Bluestreak said.
After a moment's pause, Prowl returned the punch, and the two continued to Prowl's office to discuss Bluestreak's report.