Starscream walked into the racing stables after returning back from the rescue. He did feel better after seeing Flare and hanging out at such a wonderful place. He wanted to go back there again soon. Maybe, one orbital cycle, all his friends from the farm will be there. He really missed Lightning, Arrow, even Traveler…
He raised his wings when he saw Shamelessly Rich standing outside his stall, one wrist cuffed to a metal bar, while also being tethered by a halter. The stall door was open, and he could hear someone sweeping inside. A few other racers down the hallway were also tied outside their stalls as the stalls were being cleaned.
Starscream approached Shamelessly Rich, who was busy chewing one of the bars, obviously beyond bored. His wings perked when he noticed Starscream, and immediately he began to purr his engine.
"Hey, big guy." Starscream greeted softly.
Shamelessly Rich nuzzled Starscream's face with his own, wings fluttering. Starscream kissed him on the lip plates, his arms wrapping around the racer's neck.
"What did you do that they are having to clean out your stall with you still in it?" Starscream teased.
Shamelessly Rich snorted, his free servo wrapping around Starscream's waist, pulling him close.
"You… Dirty stall." Shamelessly Rich whispered, smirking mischievously.
"No, you." Starscream poked his olfactory sensor.
Shamelessly Rich fluttered his wings, kissing Starscream on the lip plates. "I love you."
"I love you."
"Awwww! You guys are so cute!"
They both turned simultaneously to see Silverstorm standing there holding a broom, his wings fluttering and smiling.
Shamelessly Rich snarled and flicked his wings, but Silverstorm didn't budge. Starscream bit his lower lip plate, not sure if he should ask Silverstorm about what he had seen or keep it to himself.
"Do you want to finish cleaning so you can like… Be with him or…" Silverstorm gestured his question.
"Um, I-I can finish cleaning, yeah." Starscream nodded, having to push himself away from the racer who still held him. "What is left to be done?"
"Just need to add new bedding. I cleaned most of it already. Were you guys getting it on? It smelled like it." He winked.
Starscream swallowed, his wings lowering. He felt very uncomfortable now remembering the brood Seekers who had been brought in for Shamelessly Rich to cover. Silverstorm noticed the change.
"What's wrong?" His wings lowered now.
"I-I… Nothing. Um, I-I got it." He took the broom from Silverstorm and went into the stall.
"Did I say something?"
"It's fine. I'm fine." Starscream started to sweep the last of the old bedding, wishing Silverstorm would just walk away.
"No, I said something that upset you. What was it? I-I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Can we not talk about interface? Please?"
"Oh, do you just want to keep it private between you two?"
"I am not fragging him!"
"Then why… Because there was… Is he masturbating…?"
"Why are you so interface obsessed! Everyone here is! It's really annoying!"
Silverstorm stepped back. "Sorry, not all of us are virgins. Some of us like to frag."
"Yes, you seem to get it from everyone…"
"The hell is that supposed to mean?"
Starscream rolled his optics, getting angrier now. "Fine, because my own curiosity is killing me…" He turned to Silverstorm. "Why the frag are you interfacing with Offroad?"
Silverstorm froze, his optics widening as he swallowed. He was silent a moment before speaking. "When… When did you find out?"
"Last night… Saw you two behind the barn."
"It's not… He's not a bad guy."
"He just beats us all the time. Yeah, sounds wonderful." Starscream rolled his optics.
"I… You know what, you don't need to know." Silverstorm flared his wings as his optics narrowed. "What I do with my own time is none of your business!"
"And what I do with my own time is none of your business!" Starscream shouted as he pointed a claw at the other Seeker furiously.
Silverstorm hissed as he flicked his wings before spinning on a heel and storming out of the stall. Shamelessly Rich watched him stomp off, his wings perking. He then turned to Starscream confused.
"Why anger? I… Not understand this."
Starscream flicked his wings, glaring after Silverstorm for a moment before resuming sweeping the stall. He then filled it with new bedding before untying Shamelessly Rich and leading him into the stall. The racer sat on the berth, not sure why everyone was angry. Starscream closed the stall door before sitting on Shamelessly Rich's lap and hugging him.
"I… Still confused."
"I don't want to talk about it." Starscream grumbled. "Just… Hold me and tell me I'm pretty."
Shamelessly Rich smiled. "I do. You pretty. Most… Beauty is in you. I see only the-the… What word? G… Ggg….. Gargh…?"
"Gorgeous?"
"Is word! I see only gorgeous in you! And I have this pretty, too, eh? I too pretty." He smirked as his wings fluttered.
Starscream smiled up at him. "Yes, you're very handsome."
"Most handsome?"
"Most handsome."
"We kiss and cuddle, now?"
"Yeah, we kiss and cuddle."
Shamelessly Rich smiled as he cupped Starscream's cheekplates and began to kiss him a little too passionately on the lip plates. Starscream just allowed it to happen. At least someone wasn't mean to him.
Starscream winced when the whip lashed Shamelessly Rich across his back. The racer powered his thrusters to the max, the screaming of them overpowering all else. The racer was wearing a harness over his body which hooked him to a large stone. He was being made to pull this heavy rock behind him to build his engine strength, an exercise technique the racers had to do every so often. A speedster on a walkway like bridge would lash the racers on either side of him, both having to pull a heavy stone. The Seekers barely inched along; their immense strength still not strong enough to move the boulders with any ease.
There were other racers in this training area being forced to fly in circles carrying heavy stones beneath them or on their backs, depending on what the masters decided they needed to work on. While racing around the track was good to build their endurance and work on speed, the strength building was here beneath the track lifting and moving heavy stones.
Starscream hated this exercise, as the racers could barely move with their loads while being brutally whipped to keep going. They couldn't get away from the pain, they tried not to be harnessed or tied to these rocks, but they always were forced into it. It was just torture in the disguise of exercise.
Shamelessly Rich whimpered when he received another lash, trying to push himself so hard to keep moving the stone. The air was burning hot from his thrusters, but Starscream still stood by, wings low, feeling so helpless.
He heard a young racer screaming, and looked over to the fenced in area where they broke in the new racers. They were often only 10 stellar cycles old and being forced to wear bits and learn how to be ridden. The Seekerlets were all taken from their carriers and were scared, but Opulentus and some other speedsters still forced them to wear the bridles and learn what the lash of the whip meant.
Starscream felt coolant in his optics, not understanding why they were so harsh with the sparklings. When Vertex trained him, it was slow and they took it a little each orbital cycle. He didn't mind his training because he was rewarded so much. It was no wonder that the adult racers still fought and hissed whenever they were to be geared.
"Starscream, come help me."
Starscream perked his wings as he looked over at Whirlwind who was leading a racer over. Starscream glanced at Shamelessly Rich, then turned and walked over.
"Yes?"
"I need you to do work and not be fetishing over one of the racers." He snapped, his optics narrowed.
Starscream lowered his wings, not expecting that tone. "I-I-what? I wasn't-"
"I know you've been recharging in his stall. We've seen you two. You're disgusting." He pointed an accusing claw at Starscream. "You want to do your bestiality do it at night when no one is around to see it. But while we are working try to act decent."
"Besti-What the frag?! H-he's a Seeker! We're all Seekers!" He shuttered his optics, surprised by the accusation.
"These creatures are not like you and I, Starscream. They share some of our CNA but are not actual Seekers. They're abominations created by the masters. Just like the mounts! They are animals."
Starscream didn't speak right away. "I… I don't know how to respond. W-we may look different but… We're all Seekers."
Whirlwind shoved the reins of the racer he was leading into Starscream's chest. "Keep your fetish to yourself and away from my daughter and the rest of us. Take this beast to the stone lift."
With that said, Whirlwind walked away. Starscream swallowed, his wings low, feeling coolant pooling in his optics. He looked up at the racer he was given, the racer seeming confused himself.
"I-I don't think that of you…" Starscream said softly before grabbing the racer by his servo. "I-I'm sorry you heard that."
He led the racer away, glancing back at Shamelessly Rich who was still being whipped to keep pulling the stone.
Whirlwind was just a jerk…
Starscream silently watched Shamelessly Rich as the racer paced back and forth in the stall. The smaller Seeker remembered his carrier did the same, and even the mounts from the farm did this. He wasn't sure what it was, but he knew it was because they always were locked up. There was something going on in their processors and he didn't know enough to help. He hated seeing Shamelessly Rich succumb to whatever it was that did this to the trapped Seekers.
"Shameless?" Starscream finally spoke up from where he sat on the berth.
The racer seemed to notice he was there, his wings perking and pausing in his pacing. He snorted, flicked his wings, then walked over to Starscream. The large flier purred his engine, muzzling his faceplates against Starscream's.
"You alright?" Starscream asked softly.
Shamelessly Rich whined as he flicked his wings, then started to resume pacing before catching himself and going back to Starscream.
"Hurt."
"What hurts?"
Shamelessly Rich whined as he pressed his face into Starscream's chestplates. Starscream lifted his head up and kissed him on the lip plates.
"Talk to me. What hurts?"
Shamelessly Rich whined. "It… Hurts." He pointed to his chest.
"Your spark?"
"No."
"Is it in your chest or is it your fuel pump? Show me exactly."
"Here." He pointed at his chest again, but below the spark.
"What's there? Your engine? Is it your engine?"
"Inside. Hurts."
Starscream vented a sigh. "Maybe you just have an upset fuel pump. It happens. When did it start to hurt?"
"Training."
"Maybe you pushed yourself too hard. You should recharge. You'll feel better once you have rested."
Shamelessly Rich snorted, then nuzzled Starscream. "Love you."
Starscream smiled. "I love you, too."
Shamelessly Rich nudged Starscream on the arm, then nuzzled his faceplates against Starscream's as the smaller jet held the lead. Starscream smiled, beginning to love how Shamelessly Rich showed his love more and more each orbital cycle. The large Seeker wrapped his arms around Starscream, having to loop them over due to his wrists being chained, and gently hugged the grunt Seeker. Starscream bit his lower lip plate, feeling Shamelessly Rich kiss his nape.
"The hell?"
Starscream didn't even look at Grit when the speedster walked over. He wasn't sure if their relationship would get him in trouble or not with the masters.
"Hey, stupid, you're not breeding him." Grit snapped his digits at the racer.
Shamelessly Rich snarled and hissed at Grit, his engine growling and wings flicking. Grit rolled his optics as he walked to the door of the breeding barn. Starscream vented a sigh, not looking forward to seeing Shamelessly Rich and the other studs in the room breed more Seekers. There was the dummy in the corner meaning someone was also going to get their nanites collected and Starscream just knew Shamelessly Rich was one of those.
Could Be a Rumor and War Prince were also in the room, the latter not looking thrilled about being there. Several race Seekers, mostly femmes, were then led into the room by a few grunt Seekers and a couple of speedsters. Starscream perked his wings when he noticed one of the femmes looked to be only about 16 stellar cycles old. She looked terrified and confused, darting her optics around and tugging at the lead. Her and two other femmes were taken to the rape racks in front of Shamelessly Rich. A couple of others were tied for War Prince, the racer whining loudly.
Shamelessly Rich snorted, beginning to get excited. Starscream bit his lip plate when the young femme struggled not to be chained down, obviously panicking as she kicked, flapped her wings, and began to scream. The speedsters and other grunts wrestled her down, and Grit lashed her a few times with his whip while shouting at her. She shrieked louder, thrashing herself about, but they managed to get her tied down.
Starscream felt his spark drop when the young femme began to cry, coolant leaking down her cheekplates, and then started to call out. Starscream had heard that same call from the race Seekerlets who had been taken from their carriers.
"It's her first time." Grit grunted at one of the other speedsters. "Glitch doesn't realize she's finally losing her virginity!" He laughed as he gave the young femme a slap on her aft, eliciting a yelp from her.
Starscream felt himself trembling, feeling sick now. He looked up at Shamelessly Rich who was whining softly, eager to begin.
"Shameless…" He whispered so only the racer could hear. "Be gentle on the first one… She's scared."
Shamelessly Rich looked at him, not sure what he meant. Starscream pulled his helm closer to whisper in his audio receptor.
"The first femme. It's her first time. Please, be gentle with her. Don't hurt her. Please, be gentle." He softly begged as coolant filled his optics.
Shamelessly Rich looked over at the femme, then back to Starscream. He nodded, then hugged Starscream, wanting to comfort him. Starscream bit his lip plate as he watched the brood Seekers start to get prepared, the young ones screaming and trying to kick as her intimacy was touched.
"Get him ready." Grit pointed the whip at Starscream as he snapped the command.
Starscream turned around and tapped Shamelessly Rich on the codpiece. The racer folded it away and loudly purred his engine as Starscream stroked his spike. He hated this. Hated this stupid breeding and no one getting a say who they breed with or who got to touch their bodies. Why couldn't they just release the studs in a field with the brood Seekers and let them interface as they wished? Why did it have to be so controlled and monitored?
"Get him lined up."
Starscream walked Shamelessly Rich to be behind the youngest brood Seeker. He removed the manacles from the racer, feeling himself trembling harder now. Shamelessly Rich snorted and stomped a ped but looked at Starscream to give him a nod.
Starscream vented, hating himself for this as he stepped forward with Shamelessly Rich. But, the racer didn't leaped forward like he usually did. He stepped calmly behind the crying femme, and very slowly and carefully entered her, his wings lowering as she screamed and kicked. He carefully wrapped his arms around her, giving her a moment before he began to thrust slowly. Starscream stroked the crying femme's helm, his own coolant leaking down his optics. She kept crying out for her carrier, but was ignored.
"Come on, hump her!" Grit lashed Shamelessly Rich on the aft, causing the racer to shriek and snarl at him, his wings flaring. Grit only laughed as he walked over to War Prince who was fighting to not mount the femme before him. "You are such a glitch!" He lashed War Prince on the aft as well. "Why are you always a brat about interface?! You're supposed to like it! Get on her!" He lashed War Prince again.
War Prince cried out and whined, his wings as low as they could go. He got behind the brood Seeker and entered her, looking so upset by this. Starscream watched him for a moment before turning back to Shamelessly Rich. The racer was being careful with the femme still, not even biting her. Starscream stroked his arm, silently thanking him for being kind to the scared femmling. If only the masters were as kind as Shamelessly Rich…
Shamelessly Rich continued to be slow and gentle with the femmling until they finally overloaded and spark bonded. The femmling cried, but not as hard as she had been before, becoming exhausted from the bawling and panic. Shamelessly Rich waited a moment after overloading before he slowly pulled out. Starscream led him over to the second brood Seeker, venting loudly before he started to prepare the racer for the next one. Shamelessly Rich nudged him, trying to comfort him, but Starscream didn't react.
Shamelessly Rich mounted and bred with the other two brood Seekers meant for him, while the other two studs also were forced to breed. Starscream felt his fuel tank drop as he led Shamelessly Rich back over to the adolescent Seeker for the second round. The young Seeker was still crying, and began to bawl when she saw Shamelessly Rich being brought back. Starscream swallowed, his servos trembling as he reached down to prepare Shamelessly Rich. The racer Seeker saw coolant leaking down Starscream's cheekplates and how upset he was. He snorted, flicked his wings, then pushed Starscream's servo away.
Starscream looked up at him as the racer folded his spike back in and closed his codpiece. He stomped a ped down, making it clear he was done.
"Get him to cover the brood Seeker!" Grit shouted at Starscream.
Starscream bit his lower lip plate as he reached for Shamelessly Rich's codpiece. The champion stepped back as he made an awful neigh-like sound, then flicked his wings. Starscream wasn't sure what was happening, but then realized Shamelessly Rich was trying to make him happy when the racer nuzzled his face against the smaller Seeker.
"Shameless, get on the brood Seeker!" Grit snapped as he started to stomp over.
Shamelessly Rich hissed as he flared his wings at Grit. The speedster snatched the lead from Starscream's servo and gave it a brutal yank, eliciting a whimper from the racer.
"Why are you being a glitch? You love breeding!" He yanked the lead again, trying to pull Shamelessly Rich over to the adolescent Seeker. "Get over here, Stupid!" He then began to lash Shamelessly Rich with a long whip. Shamelessly Rich tried to back away from Grit, but the speedster kept a firm hold of the lead. He kept lashing and lashing the racer, causing Shamelessly Rich to begin to scream from the pain. "You stupid animal, get over here!" He kept shouting and calling Shamelessly Rich awful things.
Starscream couldn't take it anymore and grabbed Grit's arm to stop the whip. "Please, sir, stop! He's scared!"
"Don't touch me!" Grit jerked his arm away before swinging the whip at Starscream, striking him over the chest. "You want to be flogged?!"
"No, sir!" Starscream cried out feeling like he was about to panic, his spark pulsating faster and optics leaking coolant. "I-I am just trying to-"
"Shut up!" Grit then turned back to Shamelessly Rich. "Get over here!" He lashed the racer again and again as Shamelessly Rich kept backing further and further away.
Starscream ran back over and tried to take the lead from Grit. That set Grit off who immediately dropped the lead to grab Starscream by the neck and struck him in the faceplates with the whip. Starscream cried out as he was then punched in the face.
"You're going to get the flogging of-" Grit was cut off as a furious Shamelessly Rich suddenly grabbed him and threw him to the ground with ease.
Starscream's optics widened as he watched the massive Seeker effortlessly pin down Grit and started to claw at him. Grit was struggling to stop the attack, and soon the other speedsters in the room ran over, hitting and pulling at Shamelessly Rich to get off. Starscream saw Grit open a subspace pocket and start to pull out something just as he ran over and grabbed Shamelessly Rich's arm.
"Shameless, stop! Stop it!" Starscream desperately screamed.
Shamelessly Rich immediately looked up at Starscream, then slowly stood up and followed Starscream as the smaller Seeker pulled his arm. The racer purred his engine as he nuzzled the grunt, his wings fluttering, glad Starscream was safe. Starscream hugged him, his spark racing, and his entire body trembling. He watched as Grit got up with the help of the other speedsters, his spark feeling like it had been punched when he saw what Grit had grabbed from subspace. In his servo was a pistol, ready to be fired. He knew what those did from all the movies he had seen. He felt himself beginning to panic, not sure if Grit was going to use it.
"You alright?" One of the speedsters asked Grit.
Grit spat out energon, looking murderous, his optics narrowed and a claw on the trigger of his pistol. "Take Shameless back to his stall." He snapped, unsubspacing his communicator, ignoring the damage to his frame, his rage overpowering the pain.
The other speedster approached Starscream and grabbed the lead. Starscream didn't let go of it, following the speedster into the breeding stables. Starscream never had been inside the stables before, and quickly looked around at all the stalls, seeing most were open, but some had race Seekers inside. The speedster led them to a small room where he grabbed a new set of manacles and placed them on Shamelessly Rich, then a muzzle. Starscream, with trembling servos, helped place the muzzle on Shamelessly Rich, who didn't fight back at all.
"Get him loaded in the trailer. I'll drive you back over." The speedster said.
Starscream nodded, still feeling himself panic as Shamelessly Rich continued to purr and snuggle against him.
They got back to the race stables, and Starscream led Shamelessly Rich to his stall. He locked them both inside and sat on the berth. Shamelessly Rich acted like nothing unusual had happened, simply drank some energon, then started to toss one of his balls around the stall. Starscream looked down at his servos, still shaking, his wings low. Shamelessly Rich seemed to finally notice Starscream was upset and brought his ball over to him.
"Why sad?" He asked, his massive wings perking. "I did good. I not… Word? I not… Not listen to you. I do as you say. I… Not hurt brood Seeker as you tell me. Why sad?"
Starscream finally looked up at him. "Y-you almost got shot!"
"Shot? Is needle that make me feel much energy and pain?"
"No, not the… The stuff they give you before a race. I mean with a gun, Shameless."
"What's this?"
"A gun? You know… From the movies I've shown you? The thing that kills people!?"
"I not know. Oh, no, I remember! The… Boom sound! Yes, is gun?"
"Yes, those are guns, and Grit had one. He was going to kill you."
"Masters not kill me. I am fast. I am champion. I make them have Shanix. They need me. I am… Prize. I… Am fastest."
"He had the gun in his servo and was ready to shoot you! Are you stupid!?"
Shamelessly Rich flicked his wings as his optics narrowed. "Not call me what Grit calls me. I am not stupid. You hurt me."
"I'm not trying to hurt you, I'm just… Frustrated! You don't seem to understand the severity of the situation!"
"I not understand you. I do good and listen to you. Then I not do good and you mad. I not make you happy."
"No, listen, I'm glad and very proud of you for what you did for that young femme. Seriously, you're the best for it."
"Thank." He smiled.
"But after it… Attacking Grit and him… Almost shooting you… That is what has me upset and scared. I-I… He could have shot you…"
"Not shoot. I am fast. They need me." He purred his engine as he snuggled against Starscream. "Is pain?" He pointed to the injury on Starscream's faceplates.
"It hurts a little…"
"I make better." He kissed Starscream on the lip plates before handing him the ball. "Is better?"
Starscream took the ball. "I love you, but you really need to learn more about the world…"
"I learn from you. I learn from your movies. We watch? I watch movie." He nudged Starscream, his wings fluttering. "We kiss?"
"I need a moment. I'm still… Worked up."
"How many moments? Two?"
"Can you… Play with your ball and just… Let me think?"
"I play with you."
"No, you play with yourself."
"I no play with myself. I play with you." He pushed the ball into Starscream's chestplates. "Is make you better. Make you not angry at me."
"Shameless, I'm starting to want to really punch you right now."
"Punch is mean. You not be mean to me. I is… You love me." He smiled innocently.
"Come here, I'm going to punch you because you are not-"
He stopped when he heard the door to the stables open and pedfalls approaching. He heard vocalizers getting louder, then the stall door being unlocked.
"Sir, I really don't think you should go in there." Offroad pleaded as he stood outside the stall.
"My Seekers won't attack me." Opulentus replied casually as he walked into the stall with Shamelessly Rich's halter and lead. He noticed Starscream and raised an optical ridge. "What are you doing in here?"
Starscream swallowed, and opened his mouth to speak when Offroad interjected.
"Sir, that Seeker has attacked two people, now. It's dangerous."
"They're all dangerous." Opulentus grunted. He then looked up at Shamelessly Rich and clicked his glossa.
Shamelessly Rich obediently lowered his head and didn't fight at all as Opulentus placed the halter on him. Starscream had seen the other racers be this obedient to Opulentus before. They hissed, snarled, and gave trouble to everyone else, grunt Seeker and speedster alike, but the moment Opulentus was ordering them they obeyed without hesitation. He was pretty sure it had to do with the fact Opulentus trained them all, and given the screams he heard from the training area for the young racers… He could imagine fear was instilled into the racers for life making them unwilling to ever dare disobey this speedster.
Opulentus got the halter on the racer, then used his thumbs to pull the lip plates of the Seeker away so he could see the denta. He studied Shamelessly Rich's denta and gums, then pried the mouth open to check the inside and glossa. He released Shamelessly Rich's mouth, unsubspaced a flashlight, and shined it into the racer's optics.
Starscream watched as Opulentus thoroughly checked the race Seeker all over, moved his arms, legs, and wings to check the joints, and looked for any injuries. He lifted Shamelessly Rich's legs one at a time, checking the knee and hip joints, and even checked the peds. But he couldn't find any sign of pain or injuries.
"Hmm." Opulentus thought, trying to figure out what had made Shamelessly Rich snap earlier. "Come here." He pulled the lead, making Shamelessly Rich step out of the stall.
Starscream got up and followed, standing in the doorway of the stall. Opulentus held the lead at the very end and started to trot down the hallway. Shamelessly Rich trotted after him, the speedster studying the racer's gait. He trotted him back over, seeing nothing wrong with the racer's gait.
"We'll have to scan him. I don't see anything wrong." Opulentus grunted, still holding Shamelessly Rich's lead as he looked over at Offroad.
"Or maybe he's just a glitch." Offroad stepped closer to Starscream so he could lean against the wall.
Shamelessly Rich immediately flared his wings and snarled, his engine loudly growling. Offroad stepped back, not wanting to be near the racer, which caused Shamelessly Rich to relax. Opulentus raised an optical ridge.
"Stay there." He ordered Offroad before leading Shamelessly Rich over.
"No, please, keep it away from me." Offroad stepped back as Shamelessly Rich was brought closer to him.
"Just stay there a moment." Opulentus grunted, walking over. Shamelessly Rich didn't react, but kept his optics on Starscream. Opulentus glanced over at the grunt, then at Shamelessly Rich. He then walked Shamelessly Rich over to Starscream. The racer immediately purred his engine and nuzzled his faceplates against Starscream's. Opulentus slowly nodded, thinking. He then led Shamelessly Rich a few steps down the hallway and turned him to face Starscream. "Offroad, step closer to Starscream."
Offroad raised on optical ridge but did so. Shamelessly Rich immediately snarled and flared his wings.
"Touch Starscream. Just his arm."
Offroad reached and placed a servo on Starscream's arm, instantly causing Shamelessly Rich to shriek a warning and stomp a ped.
"Starscream, come over here." Opulentus gestured him over.
Starscream approached, and as he did so Shamelessly Rich ceased his aggressive stance and began to purr, his wings lowered, and he brought his head down to press it into Starscream's chestplates.
"I see what's going on." Opulentus concluded as he watched Shamelessly Rich. "He's not sick, he's protective of Starscream."
"If he's attacking people because of that slave we should separate them." Offroad grumbled.
Starscream optics widened.
"No, Shamelessly Rich listens to Starscream." He paused to watch as the racer hugged Starscream close to him, his engine purring louder now. "I've seen this before. Racers sometimes bond with grunts. Starscream will be his primary caretaker for now on. We'll bring him to all of Rich's races and he'll tack and otherwise care for him."
"You're encouraging this kind of behavior." Offroad grunted.
Shamelessly Rich began to rub his face against Opulentus' upper arm to scratch at the halter, not wanting to release Starscream to do so. Opulentus just watched, used to how racers behaved.
"I'm not encouraging anything. I need my champion to be focused and happy, so he wins for me." Opulentus grabbed the lead just under Shamelessly Rich's chin and forced his head up. He then grabbed the halter with his other servo and made Shamelessly Rich look at him. "Isn't that right, my champion? You will get to keep your little friend so long as you behave and keep winning for me." His smile then faded and something dark came over his faceplates as he gripped the halter tighter with his servo as the other ubsubspaced a remote. "But if you ever attack anyone in my family again…" His vocalizer was lower, threatening as he glared dangerously at the racer. "If you kill my son or any of my employees you will suffer like you never have before."
He pressed a button on the remote causing the collar Shamelessly Rich wore to immediately shoot electricity into the racer's neck. Shamelessly Rich let out a horrible shriek of pain as he leaped back, stumbling and hitting the wall before losing balance and falling. He never stopped shrieking, clawing at the collar as he thrashed about on the floor. Starscream watched in horror, his optics wide, wings low, and servos covering his mouth, terrified of what was happening.
Opulentus calmly walked over, ceasing the electric shock, and grabbed the lead. He yanked it hard, forcing Shamelessly Rich to stand. The racer whimpered, his wings low, trying to step away from Opulentus, but the speedster pulled the lead and kept him close.
"Worse will happen to you if you attack anyone else. Understand?" He snapped.
Shamelessly Rich quickly nodded, coolant pouring from his optics as his entire frame trembled. Opulentus smiled, petting the racer on the top of the helm.
"Good. Glad we had this talk." He grabbed the halter by the cheek straps, making Shamelessly Rich look at him. "Tomorrow you will have your nanites collected and you won't make another scene. Then, we will do some endurance training. You have another race coming up and you will win it. Right?"
Shamelessly Rich quickly nodded.
"That's my good champion." Opulentus smiled proudly at him. He led him back into the stall then removed the halter. "Rest well, and I'll see you in the morning." Opulentus patted the racer again before stepping out of the stall and locking the door. He turned to Starscream. "You will be his primary caretaker, but you will still be expected to care for the other racers. Understand?"
"Yes, sir!" Starscream replied quickly, his claws touching his own collar, now terrified of it shocking him.
"And that's it." Opulentus turned to Offroad. "See? That was easy."
"I wish you were more cautious…" Offroad grunted as he and Opulentus walked away together.
"There's no need for that. They fear and respect me." He smirked.
Starscream watched them leave before unlocking the stall door and going back inside. He approached Shamelessly Rich who was sitting on the floor in the corner softly crying. Starscream hugged him, and Shamelessly Rich quickly grabbed him and held him close. Starscream kissed him, realizing why he heard the screams from the Seekerlets being trained and why the racers obeyed Opulentus.
"I love you." Starscream said softly.
Shamelessly Rich pressed his brow against Starscream's not loosening his grip. "I love you."
"Hey, stupid." Grit smirked evilly as he was covered in healing slabs. "I'm going to make you fly so hard you'll be vomiting. Don't like that? Shouldn't have attacked me!"
Shamelessly Rich snorted in Grit's face as the speedster held the reins tightly in one servo the other holding a whip. Starscream stood by, his wings low, scared for Shamelessly Rich.
"Come here, stupid." Grit yanked the reins, ignoring Shamelessly Rich's whine of pain and mouthing at the bit. The speedster led him in front of the starting gates, then yanked the reins downward. "Transform." Shamelessly Rich hissed before doing so, whimpering when Grit kicked his side. The speedster attached the reins tightly to the drone, then put the nastiest whip he could in the drone's back arm. A whip that wasn't even allowed to be used on the racetracks.
Starscream helped Grit clamp the claws over Shamelessly Rich's wings and walked away as the racer was loaded into the starting gate. Grit shoved Starscream and forced him to sit beside Wheelfire.
"It is so tempting to give you a flogging right now." Grit growled at the grunt.
"I-I didn't do anything…" Starscream swallowed, feeling his spark sinking.
"You turned that slagheap into your trained attack dog!"
"I didn't do that!"
"Uh huh. You're lying."
"I'm not!"
"Don't shout at me." Grit threatened with gritted denta.
"I'm sorry, sir." Starscream swallowed.
"Know what, frag it. I hate you so, lean over the railing."
"You can't beat a Seeker just because you hate them." Wheelfire grunted as he messed with his controllers.
"I own them. I can do whatever I want."
"Your sire owns them. You work for him."
"They're Seekers!"
"Who are owned by Opulentus. You're already pushing it with what you're doing to Shameless…"
"My sire doesn't care."
"He does too care. You're on strike what now? For abusing his property? Don't make me have to snitch on you again."
Grit glared at Wheelfire. "This is between me and the property."
"I've been working for your sire long before you were born. Stop beating the Seekers unnecessarily. That's Offroad's job for a reason." He put his headset over his optics.
Grit rolled his optics and stomped over to the control panel. He punched the button to open the starting gate, releasing Shamelessly Rich who shot out and sped down the front stretch. Grit crossed his arms as he watched the racer, thinking about how much he hated that race Seeker in particular.
Starscream looked over when Silverstorm neared, leading another race Seeker by the reins, ready to be exercised. Starscream lowered his wings, not sure if Silverstorm was still mad at him or not. The other grunt Seeker glanced at him but didn't say anything. He walked by, taking the racer to the starting gate. Starscream looked back, watching other racers being prepared for their exercise, how they weren't cuddling or being sweet with the grunts and speedsters who were handling them.
Whirlwind stepped off the elevator with War Politics and gave Starscream a sideways glare. Starscream shrunk back, turning away to look back at the track where Shamelessly Rich was on his second lap. The racer Silverstorm was leading was released, flying down the straightway and breaking the sound barrier. Starscream swallowed when Silverstorm walked over to the other jockey who was controlling this second racer on the track, needing to pass him. He hated not being able to talk to his friend…
Shamelessly Rich completed his third lap and Starscream stood up, ready to go grab him once he came off the track. But Grit had other plans.
"Keep him on the track." He ordered Wheelfire.
"I'm not going to torture him." Wheelfire grunted.
"Endurance training. Another lap."
Wheelfire rolled his optics as he pressed the button to whip Shamelessly Rich. The racer sped by, starting his fourth lap, three other racers also on the track. He turned the fourth corner, and Grit spoke.
"Another lap."
"I'm slowing him down for it."
"Whatever."
Shamelessly Rich started his fifth lap, passing by another racer. Starscream bit his lip plate as he watched, knowing Shamelessly Rich was not doing well. He was overheating and pushing himself at this point.
"Another lap." Grit ordered as the racer entered the final turn.
"This is the last lap." Wheelfire grunted, watching the readings of Shamelessly Rich closely.
Shamelessly Rich started his sixth lap, being passed by War Politics. He entered the final turn, and Wheelfire began to pull the reins to slow him down. Grit walked over and pressed the button to whip the amber racer again.
"Grit, stop!" Wheelfire jerked the controller away from him. "You're going to kill someone." He pulled the reins harder, giving the poor racer mixed signals.
Grit rolled his optics as he walked back to the control panel. Shamelessly Rich was made to fly over and land on the platform. He transformed as Starscream approached, mouth lubricant covering his mouth and dripping down his chin as he panted heavily, his cooling fans whirring. His wings were low, and he sat on the ground, supporting himself with his arms. Starscream began to remove the saddle as another Seeker hosed the racer down. Shamelessly Rich moaned before lying on his side, panting hard still.
"Get him up and take him for his hot walk." Grit ordered.
Starscream grabbed Shamelessly Rich's servo. "You need to get up. I'll help you." He said gently.
Shamelessly Rich continued panting, not getting up, his optics dim as his body worked on sending more power to his cooling fans and pushing coolant through his systems. Starscream crouched beside him, stroking the racer's helm.
"I'm sorry… You need to get up…" Starscream softly, but desperately said. "I-I don't want you hurt again."
"Here, we need to push him up." Silverstorm said suddenly beside Starscream. "I'll pull one arm and you the other."
Starscream bit his lower lip plate, but did as Silverstorm said. They grabbed the massive Seeker's arms and both tried to pull him up, but he was too heavy for them to lift. Grit grumbled angrily as he stomped over with his whip, ready to beat all these Seekers for not obeying him.
As the speedster neared, the roar of a different jet engine sounded above. They all looked up to see Reckless transforming and landing with a loud thud on the platform. He roared, announcing his presence with his shrill cry, which earned angry hisses and cries from the racers all on the platform. Reckless approached Grit, tossing his helm and pulling at he bit, his claws grasping at nothing as he held them close to his chest.
"What are you doing here?" Grit snapped.
"Happy to see you, too." Knock Out sardonically replied. "Sire told me to keep on optic on you and if you do anything that you normally would do I need to tattle on you. Which I'm happy to do. He also promised me Shanix for snitching, so…" He smiled like such a little brother would when getting their older sibling in trouble.
Grit glared at him. "Take Reckless away. He's scaring the racers."
"No, you're the one scaring people with that hideous visage of yours." Knock Out gave the reins a tug and Reckless lowered himself down. "They don't mind Reckless. Everyone loves him!" He giggled as he hopped off the saddle.
Grit flipped a rude gesture at his sibling before walking away. Knock Out gave him a symbol meaning love before turning to Shamelessly Rich.
"Hey there, what's got you down?"
"Grit made him do extra laps." Silverstorm explained. "He's too tired to get up."
"Don't worry, I'll tell sire. Who's this again?"
"Shamelessly Rich."
"Right, okay." Knock Out turned to Reckless. "Hey, come here. I need you to pick up Shamelessly Rich.
Reckless said something, shaking his head then snorting.
"I will give you goodies."
Reckless perked his wings, then approached Shamelessly Rich. The Blazer Seeker easily picked up Shamelessly Rich and helped him to his peds. He held him there until he got his balance back, then walked back over to Knock Out.
"Good job!" Knock Out handed Reckless several goodies. "You're so smart sometimes. Good mechling." He patted his helm.
Shamelessly Rich was still panting, but not as hard as he had been. Starscream grabbed the reins, glanced at Silverstorm, then led the racer over to the elevator. Knock Out was skipping around following his brother, so happy to have been given permission to be a nuisance for the orbital cycle. Reckless eagerly followed him around, ready to assist in nuisance duties.
"You alright?" Starscream asked when he and Shamelessly Rich were alone in the elevator.
Shamelessly Rich whined. "I hate racing…."
"I know…" Starscream vented. "I hate this, too…"
The next few orbital cycles were hard training for Shamelessly Rich, preparing him for the next race. Starscream recharged with him every night, and avoided the other grunt Seekers who he was positive all knew he was with the racer.
He was going to go to the racetrack tomorrow, but the masters demanded he be brought to the breeding barn to collect more nanites. Starscream didn't understand all this nanite collecting… How much of it did they need?!
Shamelessly Rich purred loudly, hugging Starscream as the grunt tried to lead him over to the dummy. The racer made sure this simple task was as difficult as possible… Starscream finally got him to the dummy, then pried open the racer's codpiece. Shamelessly Rich fluttered his wings and nuzzled his olfactory sensor against Starscream's face as the smaller jet began to stroke his spike. Starscream bit his lip plate, all this affection when he was trying to turn on the other being was making him feel awkward…. And wanting something more.
"You need to stop." Starscream said softly.
Shamelessly Rich didn't stop, instead he reached for Starscream's codpiece, which the grunt quickly slapped it away before anyone could see.
"Stop." Starscream whispered.
Shamelessly Rich stuck his glossa out, letting it dangle before pressing his faceplates against Starscream's ensuring his glossa got all over the smaller Seeker's cheekplates. Starscream pushed his face away.
"Get him mounted." Melius snapped, stepping away from where Notability was humping a different dummy as two other grunt Seekers collected his transfluid.
Starscream pointed to the dummy. "Get on it."
Shamelessly Rich flicked his wings, then smirked with such a naughty smile. Starscream glared at him, knowing he was about to be trouble. He pulled the lead, but the racer didn't budge.
"Shameless, you need to mount." Starscream grunted, stepping in front of the racer.
"Want me to try?" Breeze asked as he stood with the artificial valve for Shamelessly Rich.
"He's not going to listen to you." Starscream vented. "Maybe I can pull him…" He turned around to step on the other side of the dummy, but was suddenly grabbed by Shamelessly Rich and pressed against the dummy. Before he could react or struggle, the racer began to hump, his arms wrapping around Starscream. "WHAT THE HELL?! SHAMELESS!"
Breeze immediately went into action and got Shamelessly Rich's spike into the artificial valve, snorting a chuckle at Starscream's predicament. "He likes you!" He laughed.
"Oh my gosh, Shameless you better let me go!" Starscream kicked at his legs and elbowed him, but only was pressed against the dummy more.
Others in the breeding barn started to look over at all the commotion, some very confused, some shocked. Even the other racers in the room weren't sure what was happening. The speedsters raised optical ridges, but so long as they were getting the transfluid from their prized champion they didn't care too much how it came about.
Shamelessly Rich purred his engine, humping harder, ignoring how much Starscream was struggling to get away. It was easy to hold him in place. He then bit Starscream on the neck.
"OUCH! STOP! THAT HURTS!" Starscream flicked his wings and tried to twist around to punch the racer. "Shameless! Stop it!"
"No, no, we need him to do this." Breeze tried to hold in his laughter. "You're a pro at this, Stars!"
Starscream shot him a murderous glare before resuming his struggling against the much larger jet. Shamelessly Rich bit him again, but gentler now, his wings fluttering, so proud of himself for getting Starscream in this position. He might not be inside of him, but it still felt good to him.
"I will kill you!" Starscream managed to kick the racer in the shin, but he didn't react. "You're being such a slagger!" He pulled the lead, but that didn't do anything.
Shamelessly Rich hung out his glossa, smiling so proudly. Starscream eventually gave up on trying to escape, the racer far too strong. He crossed his arms, angrily glaring ahead as he was dry humped, the racer's groin still hitting his aft quite hard with each thrust. Then, after a while, Shamelessly Rich clawed at Starscream's chest plates. Starscream swallowed, pushing the unwanted servos away. Shamelessly Rich whined, trying to pry them open as his own chest plates parted. He snorted in Starscream's audio receptor, panting loudly, the heat of his frame caressing Starscream's. Starscream reached up for the spark collector and pulled it down. Shamelessly Rich groaned loudly, his climax nearing. He kept clawing at Starscream's chest plates, managing to actually cut him. Starscream winced from the pain, but kept his chestplates closed, scared what a sparkbond would feel like.
Shamelessly Rich managed to pry his claws into a couple of seams, and move the plates. Starscream grabbed at the servos, trying to make them stop. Then, Shamelessly Rich overloaded, loudly groaning as his wings flicked. While Starscream felt nothing below as it was happening to the artificial valve, some of Shamelessly Rich's spark energy managed to creep inside the cracked plates and seep into his spark. It wasn't strong or much of a bond, but it was enough for Starscream to notice it. He jumped some, feeling a small rush of love, excitement, and joy entering his spark.
He bit his lower lip plate, not expecting such a pleasant burst to enter his body like that, and that it didn't hurt at all. Shamelessly Rich removed his claws from Starscream's chest and hugged him gently around the waist. He purred his engine, softly panting, then nuzzled his face against Starscream's. He stayed there a moment, savoring this feeling, then slowly released Starscream and stepped back.
Starscream quickly jumped away and glared furiously at Shamelessly Rich. The racer only smiled at him, fluttering his wings. Starscream glanced over and saw all the other grunt Seekers and speedsters giving him looks, some confused, some disgusted. He swallowed, his wings lowering, feeling so embarrassed. He turned and quickly walked through the door into the breeding stables and sat on the floor outside a stall. A speedster soon followed after him.
"Hey, you still need to work." The speedster said, but not harshly.
"I'm sorry. I-I just need a moment. I didn't expect that to happen."
The speedster paused. "I'll give you a moment. But you can't stay here. I'll switch you out with Vertigo."
Starscream nodded. He was left alone for a klik before the speedster came back to resume his work. He walked by Shamelessly Rich and was given the lead for War Prince and Vertigo went over and grabbed Shamelessly Rich's lead. The amber racer was confused why Starscream wasn't with him. Starscream ignored Shamelessly Rich as he went about his work, making War Prince mount the dummy and keeping him in place. Shamelessly Rich shrieked and made a bit of a scene before Vertigo and Breeze managed to get him to mount his dummy again. Shamelessly Rich kept glancing over at Starscream, but Starscream avoided looking at him.
Once the masters were pleased, the racers were loaded onto the trailer and returned to their own stalls. Starscream led Shamelessly Rich to his stall and locked them both inside. He sat on the berth and glared at the racer. Shamelessly Rich cocked his helm, not sure why the little jet was so angry.
"Why look at me like dis?" Shamelessly Rich so innocently asked. "You need kisses? I give!" He fluttered his wings.
"Shameless, do you know what consent is?" Starscream demanded.
"Consent?"
Starscream rolled his optics. "Of course, you don't know what it means… You are forced to interface whether you want to or not…"
"I know word! Consent! I know dis."
"What is it?" Starscream raised an optical ridge.
"Consent is when they…" He moved his digits like he was messing with something. "With the stuff to music."
"What?"
"The music! The nice noise! With the many people and there's many people all…. Around them."
"Where are you going with this…?"
Shamelessly Rich flicked his wings, getting frustrated. "Consent! The music! It be… Movie! You have movie and it had consent!"
"Which movie?"
"The movie with… He went to his… As you say…. Skrool."
"School."
"School! He went to his school! And they…. Music! They consent!"
"Music… What the hell are you-Oh, that movie. That was a CONCERT."
"No, consent!" He stomped a ped and flicked his wings. "Was consent!"
"No, Shameless, that was a concert. Consent is different from a concert."
"Stupid words! What is consent if not concert? Is music?"
"No, consent is when you have permission, or give permission, to someone to do something. So, I consent to you giving me kisses means I allow you to give me kisses. If I don't consent to kisses it means I don't want you to give me kisses. You understand?"
"I understand. Consent is not music. Consent is… Yes."
"Yes, it is giving someone a yes. And I did not give you consent to hump me." He flicked his wings.
"I not ask."
"I know you didn't, and you should have."
"Why dis?"
"Because I didn't want you to hump me!"
"Why?"
"Because I don't!"
"I not… Understand. Is not… I not in you. I hug. I always hug."
"Shameless…."
"Skycutter."
"Skycutter… I was really uncomfortable, and you got rough and hurt me."
"I not mean hurt! I… Sorry. I sorry." He lowered his wings. "Where hurt? I make better!"
Starscream vented. "You can't hump me, interface me, or touch my codpiece unless you ask and I consent. Understand?"
Shamelessly Rich nodded. "I understand. No hump, no breeding, no prepare unless you yes it."
Starscream gestured him over, which he did. Starscream took the racer's servos in his own and looked into those large, golden optics.
"Thank you, Skycutter. I really appreciate you listening to me, acknowledging me, and doing better."
"I make better. You I make better." He nodded as he smiled.
"Yes, you do make me better. But only when you don't hump, or interface, or touch my private area in front of people."
"I no do anymore."
"You won't do anymore."
"Yes, is words. I won't do anymore." He fluttered his wings.
Starscream smiled up at him as he held his arms out. "You may hug me now."
Shamelessly Rich purred his engine as he hugged Starscream, his wings fluttering. "I love you."
"I love you, too, big guy."
Starscream led Shamelessly Rich out of his stall and outside where a trailer was waiting. He walked up the ramp, stopping when Shamelessly Rich began to whine loudly, his wings low. Offroad started to approach with his whip up, ready to strike the racer.
"Wait!" Starscream shouted. "Give him a moment. Please!"
Offroad stopped, glaring at Starscream, but allowed the grunt to continue. Starscream held out his servo and Shamelessly Rich took it. The racer whined, but slowly stepped up the ramp and into the trailer. Starscream smiled, leading him to the back of it and tethering him.
"Good job." Starscream held his arms out and Shamelessly Rich hugged him. "You're so brave."
Shamelessly Rich fluttered his wings, liking that.
Two other racers were loaded onto the trailer, both Whirlwind and Breeze accompanying them. The trailer door was closed. Opulentus stood by his Blazer, Flightline, as he kissed his mate goodbye.
"See you in a couple of orbital cycles." He said as he mounted Flightline.
"Stay safe." Pulchra ordered, taking Knock Out's communicator from him so the adolescent had to pay attention.
"I don't make any promises." Opulentus smirked, strapping himself to the saddle.
"I won't complain if you crash and burn." Knock Out grunted.
Pulchra gave him a hard look before turning back to her mate. "Keep Grit out of trouble."
"That I can't do." Opulentus grunted, grabbing the reins in one servo and his riding whip in the other. "Knock Out, I love you. Stay safe and listen to your carrier."
"I always listen to carrier." Knock Out rolled his optics.
"Bye, my everything!" Pulchra waved at him.
"Bye, my entire world!" Opulentus blew a kiss at her before lashing Flightline.
The Blazer transformed and took off as the trailer also began to drive down the road. Starscream and Shamelessly Rich hugged each other, ready for their long trip.
And it was a long trip. They were in the trailer for nearly eight joors before they finally arrived at the track. The racers were unloaded and placed into stalls, where grunt Seekers gave them energon. Starscream stayed in the stall with Shamelessly Rich, this stall in better condition than the last racetrack's stalls. They didn't have a berth, so recharged on the floor snuggling each other.
The next morning Shamelessly Rich was taken to the racetrack and practiced with several other racers from different owners. Starscream leaned on the railing as he watched, occasionally looking around to study the grandstand and everything else about the track. There were people sitting in the grandstands, and more were gathering. Eventually Shamelessly Rich and the other racers were removed as that afternoon there were going to be races.
Starscream and Shamelessly Rich cuddled and stayed in the stall. The next morning, Shamelessly Rich was taken to be tested, his waste and energon collected to ensure he wasn't drugged. The racer, just as before, was embarrassed by this happening, but Starscream did his best to reassure the racer. He then practiced more around the track.
The next couple of orbital cycles were just practice and rest. There was a big race where a couple of Opulentus' racers competed in, but the one Shamelessly Rich was going to race in wasn't until tomorrow. And then tomorrow came.
Shamelessly Rich stood in his stall as Opulentus held the lead and Starscream held the racer's servos. The other vet employed by Opulentus was giving Shamelessly Rich one last physical, making sure he was fit for the race in a couple of joors. Breeze kept lookout, then signaled with a wing flick. Grit saw the wing flick and tapped the vet on the shoulder. Then, with such quick ease as he had done this so many times, the vet unsubspaced a syringe, plunged the needle into Shamelessly Rich's fuel line on his neck, and immediately subspaced the syringe once the contents were in the racer.
Shamelessly Rich snorted and stomped a ped, his optics widening. He knew what had just happened and knew the effects of the circuit booster would be kicking in soon. He whined, his servos squeezing Starscream's tighter. It hurt the grunt, but he kept quiet, knowing Shamelessly Rich was not doing well.
"He's good." The vet commented after finishing up. "I see nothing wrong."
Opulentus nodded, stroking the racer on the helm. "You hear that? You are going to go out there and win for me, aren't you?"
Shamelessly Rich whined. Opulentus was handed the bridle by Grit, then he pushed the bit into the racer's mouth.
"You will win, you will show all the others that they are nothing compared to you, and you will then go home and have a reward. You want that, don't you?" He buckled the bridle on, then began to remove the halter.
Shamelessly Rich stuck his glossa out, the bit pinching his lip corners from how tight Opulentus had made the cheek straps.
"You ready to kick aft?" Opulentus made the racer look at him.
Shamelessly Rich only snorted, tossed his head back, and flicked his wings. Opulentus handed the reins to Starscream.
"Get him saddled and put his blanket on. I need him to look his best when he steps into that starting gate."
"Yes, sir." Starscream nodded.
The grunt Seeker waited until the masters had left before he grabbed the blanket, more like a jacket, and placed it onto Shamelessly Rich, covering his body and wings. It was black and red with Shamelessly Rich's designation written on it with the name of Opulentus' ranch, Winstar Ranch, also printed on it. Above the words was the logo for the ranch which was a calligraphy like drawing of a race Seeker in jet form with a minibot jockey. An old logo, but it was very simple and easy to print.
Starscream led Shamelessly Rich out of the stables, the rain coming down on them not too heavy, but enough that they were soon wet. Shamelessly Rich snorted out water from his intakes, they were so large that the rain easily got inside. Starscream could hear the protestor's megaphones not far away on the other side of the fence. He walked Shamelessly Rich to an elevator, and they ascended to the track's platform. The roar of laughter and drunks talking soon filled his audio receptors. He made his way to the shed and was handed Shamelessly Rich's saddle for the orbital cycle. Wheelfire was there making sure his controller was connected before the saddle was placed on the racer.
Starscream removed the blanket, placed the saddle onto the racer, tightened the girth, and put the blanket back on. He walked Shamelessly Rich to an area with a roof where Opulentus and his family were watching the race currently taking place.
"Hey." Nacreous smiled when he saw Starscream.
"Hey." Starscream smiled back, happy to see a friendly face.
"Haven't seen you in a while. Doing alright?" The hybrid asked as he handed Starscream a glass of energon.
"I'm alright. I've been kept busy." He took the glass and drank some.
"I imagine. They've kept me busy, too. It's nice to get out and see something new, even if it's all raining and gross outside."
"Why do they race in the rain?"
"They race in any weather. They don't care. They have Shanix to gamble." Nacreous grunted. "How is he doing?"
Starscream glanced at Shamelessly Rich who was rubbing the side of his face against a support pole, trying to loosen the bridle.
"He's… Alright. I think he's nervous."
"Nervous or angry about being here…"
"Hey, don't do that." Knock Out spoke up as he approached, noticing the racer. He grabbed the reins and pulled him away from the pole before making him lower his helm. "Did my sire do this? He always makes this too tight." He started to unbuckle the cheek straps and loosen them. He made sure the bit wasn't making folds in the lips before securing the straps again. "Is that better? Yeah, it is. I know it is." He petted the racer who softly purred his engine.
"He appreciates that." Starscream said softly.
"I know he does. Here, Shame-shame, look, I have goodies!" He started to unsubspaced goodies and give them to the racer. "Yeah, they good? That's a good Seeker."
"Opulentus doesn't like you giving them treats…" Nacreous warned quietly.
"Sire can kiss my aft. I will give the Seekers all the goodies they want, and he can't do slag about it. Soon, I will rise up with my Seeker army and conquer the world." He giggled, handing Shamelessly Rich even more goodies.
"How would you make a Seeker army?" Starscream perked his wings.
"I make you guys addicted to the goodies so you do anything for them. Duh!" Knock Out smiled, scratching Shamelessly Rich on the chin. "You'd kill for me, won't you, Shame-shame?"
Shamelessly Rich snorted, not sure about that. He pawed at Knock Out's servo until it released more goodies to him. His wings fluttered, enjoying this endless supply of sweet treats.
"Knock Out, stop giving him those." Opulentus grunted once he finally noticed what was happening.
Knock Out rolled his optics. "When you go on your own diet then you can restrict the diets of others!"
Opulentus was about to say something when Pulchra made him stop. Knock Out flipped his sire off with a rude gesture, then gave more goodies to Shamelessly Rich.
"I won't pressure you to win. You just do your best. Okay?"
Shamelessly Rich snorted as Knock Out patted his helm. Starscream almost got knocked over when Shamelessly Rich swung his helm and pressed it into his chestplates, purring his engine loudly. Starscream smiled, gently hugging the racer, his wings fluttering.
They all looked up when they heard what sounded like a gun, a horrible loud bang. One of the racers on the track was quickly slowing down and flying to the side as he was pulled up by his jockey. Half of a wing was missing, and he was having trouble staying in the air.
An outrider immediately lashed his mount who leaped down and transformed. He flew over to the injured racer, grabbed the reins, and led him back to the platform. The racer transformed, making horrible snorting, growling like sounds from the pain he was in as energon gushed from his mouth. Several grunt Seekers were around him, one grabbing the reins as another removed the saddle. They pushed him to get behind some tarps so he wouldn't be seen by the crowd anymore and led him into an ambulance, which was a small trailer that was part of a small ship. The little ship took off once the race Seeker was loaded inside.
The race never stopped, no one said anything about the injured Seeker who was vanned off. It was like he never even existed.
Starscream swallowed, hugging Shamelessly Rich a little tighter.
Soon, the last few races finished up and it was time for the big race of the orbital cycle, the one Shamelessly Rich was there to compete in. Starscream led him over to the starting gate and removed the blanket. Shamelessly Rich whined and tossed his helm back, his optics wide with fear. Starscream pulled the reins and made him lower his head, quickly grabbing the bridle.
"You can do this, Shameless. I love you." He said softly.
Shamelessly Rich only whined, not wanting to go into the starting gate knowing he would be whipped and forced to fly so hard everything hurt. He snorted and tried to back away, but Starscream held the reins tightly. Whirlwind grabbed Shamelessly Rich's wrist and pulled it.
"Transform, Shameless!" Whirlwind snapped, holding a whip.
Shamelessly Rich whined, glancing at the other racers being forced into the starting gates, one screaming as he was lashed. He whimpered, giving Starscream such a sad, pleading look before he finally transformed. Starscream swallowed, patting Shamelessly Rich on the fuselage before he attached the reins to the drone. Whirlwind attached the whip to the drone, then grabbed the claws.
Shamelessly Rich was loaded into the starting gate and the grunts all hastily exited. Starscream stood by Nacreous as he anxiously watched. The announcer went on about this next race being the second leg of the triple crown, and making a big deal about it. Starscream barely paid attention, he focused on just that amber jet hovering above the racetrack.
Then the racers were dropped.
Almost immediately fifteen sonic booms exploded as the racers shot down the racetrack. Shamelessly Rich managed to quickly get into third place and stayed there as they entered the first turn. Wheelfire bit his lower lip plate as he concentrated, keeping Shamelessly Rich from using all of his energy right away, but making sure he didn't slow down too much.
Shamelessly Rich started to pull away from the group with the two Seekers in the lead as they entered the third turn. Starscream lowered his wings, watching on the massive screen where he could easily see the drone lashing his beloved. He soon heard the lash after the racers sped by them, then the crowd loudly cheering.
Shamelessly Rich stayed behind the leaders, slowly breaking away from them. One of the Seekers in the group was pulled up and an outrider removed that Seeker from the track. Starscream glanced over to see that Seeker transform and be led away by a couple of grunt Seekers, the racer having a slight limp. He wasn't sure what caused the injury, but it worried him that Shamelessly Rich might get injured as well.
Shamelessly Rich entered the fourth turn and Wheelfire lashed him again. The racer began to make his move, speeding faster down the front stretch. He was catching up with the two leaders, and soon was flying beside the second place Seeker as they exited the first turn. The announcer was loudly calling the race, becoming excited as Shamelessly Rich made his move.
Starscream bit his claws as he watched, his owners all anxiously watching as well.
"Pass him!" Opulentus shouted.
"Shamelessly Rich is catching up on Lethal Bullet!" The announcer shouted as the crowd was becoming more animated. "Shamelessly Rich is passing Lethal Bullet as they enter turn three! Shamelessly Rich is leading the race!"
Starscream perked his wings as he saw Shamelessly Rich stretch his lead by one racer length, then two as he came out of turn four.
"Shamelessly Rich wins with four lengths! Lethal Shot is second and Generator in third!"
"Yes!" Opulentus fist pumped before kissing his mate.
"Good job!" Grit patted Wheelfire on the shoulder. "That useless scrap metal actually did it!"
Whirlwind grabbed Starscream and led him over to where the racers were being brought in by the outriders. Starscream smiled as Shamelessly Rich was finally led over, the amber Seeker transforming before them. He immediately spat out energon, his lips and mouth covered in it. His thigh was leaking energon from the whip, and his cooling fans whirling loudly. Starscream grabbed the reins and held him still as Whirlwind removed the saddle. Starscream offlined his optics when Shamelessly Rich suddenly coughed up energon, splattering it all over Starscream's faceplates.
Another grunt Seeker took the saddle as Whirlwind unsubspaced several towels. "Get the energon off him. Quickly!"
Starscream took a towel and began to wipe Shamelessly Rich's face clean. He opened his mouth and forced the towel inside, then inspected the mouth. The glossa had a small cut from the bit, but the energon was coming from the throat. Starscream lowered his wings, worried what was causing that.
Whirlwind wiped the whip wounds clean, then wiped Starscream down from the energon that had been spat on him. Once Shamelessly Rich was clean, mouth lubricant wiped away, and he drank some energon, he was led over to the winner's circle. It started to rain again, so Starscream quickly wrapped Shamelessly Rich up in his blanket.
Opulentus held the reins as the family posed for pictures, received their one and a half million check, and were bombarded by reporters. Starscream stayed next to Shamelessly Rich, the racer still so hot and panting. He had to turn the racer's face away from the camera a few times to wipe energon away from his mouth and olfactory sensor. Shamelessly Rich whined, his optics darting everywhere despite wearing blinders. Starscream knew it was the circuit booster still in his system.
"It's okay. I'm here." Starscream whispered to him. "We'll be leaving soon."
Shamelessly Rich pressed his face into Starscream's chestplates, wanting comfort, but Opulentus grabbed the reins and pulled him away for more photos. Starscream swallowed, only able to stand there and stroke the racer's arm to comfort him.
When they finally were able to leave, Starscream took Shamelessly Rich over to his stall where he was examined by Opulentus' vet. Nothing was found, so the racer was left alone to recharge.
Shamelessly Rich hugged Starscream as he recharged, which was hard for him to do with the circuit booster still in his system. He trembled for joors before he finally was able to pass out.
I know y'all love Grit. Love him as much as you love Bedlam from Screaming Silence! :P
Horses and greyhounds used for racing only leave their stalls or cages about an hour a day for training and racing. This constant being locked up and denied normal living causes them to develop zoocosis, which is the same madness that effects animals kept in zoos and marine parks. This can lead to aggression, as well,. which is why animals kept in captivity will randomly attack people. Tilikum, the orca kept at SeaWorld who killed 3 humans, is a famous example of this. He was so insane from captivity he killed humans, something NEVER seen in the wild. Horses in racing will show their madness by chewing the walls of their stalls, attacking other horses, biting humans, etc. This madness also is seen in horses constantly kept locked up in stalls and only allowed out for being ridden.
Stables only should be used to shelter horses and other animals from bad weather, fireworks, etc. Otherwise, the stables and stall doors should remain open so they can come and go as they please. Maybe locking them up at night if you live somewhere with large predators like wolves, bears, and mountain lions, but otherwise horses, bovines, goats, etc should be allowed to roam freely.
The exercise for horses in horseracing is also brutal. They will literally tie them to CARS and drive around forcing the horses to keep up! Or they tie them to devices and throw them in water and they have to swim a LOT. Horses literally drown and drop dead for training. If you look at the list of dead horses I have shared before for the US, UK, or Australia you will see a LOT of training deaths. And many horses will drop dead in their stalls after training, just as they do after racing. They can't even exercise these baby horses without killing them!
And horses being pulled up and vanned off during races is very common. It's normal for a horse to be stopped mid race with a broken leg, blood gushing from their nostrils, or something else and be either euthanized or put into a trailer and driven away. They either are taken to the vet or killed elsewhere.
Isn't Shamelessly Rich a little stinker butt? Stinker butt was coined by me to describe my foster kittens. I give you permission to use it to describe other stinker butts. :P