Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Darkmount, Province of Polyhex
Earthdate: 8.5 Million Years BE (Before Earth)

Darkmount was as quiet as a military stronghold could ever be in the middle of a war. It stood over Polyhex like a guardian, protecting the Decepticon occupied territory from Autobot incursion.

The main structure of the fortress was imposing. Huge reinforced metal walls, thick with shock absorbing beams and layers of lead plating insulated it from electro-magnetic pulses as well as penetration from weapons fire. The thick walls bristled with defensive turrets and finally terminated with missile silos. These silos could fire antimatter shells that had an effect far more devastating than similarly sized nuclear warheads.

The thick walls were riddled with passageways that only the smallest of mechanoids could travel. Most were the base maintenance workers, while others were the operators of the defensive weapons. Many were looked upon with scorn by their larger brethren.

The most frequent visitor to the labyrinth within the walls were ever-growing populations of retro rats or Insecticons. These usually unwanted creatures sought out the energy stockpiles that were used to fuel the weapons. Or they chewed through the wires or cables that snaked through the conduits creating havoc in their search for sustenance.

Withered vines of some ancient Cybertronian plants clung to the base of the fortress, just barely holding on to life. These were the last remnants of Cybertronian nature that was being pushed into extinction the bouts of acidic rainfall over the centuries. They survived, only by being protected by the overhanging parapet wall. Their withered metallic leaves were so corroded that they could no longer get enough of the life giving light from the sun, and were slowly dying. Even though it was midday, the sky was black; filled with the acrid clouds of dust and smoke from war, industry and the fiery smelting pits where executions were proceeding, almost continuously.

In a higher part of the fortress there was a large flat area; a wide open space that lacked a railing. Red and blue lights flashed and blinked along the outer rim. Large lamps illuminated the gun metal grey surface. It was marked as a landing area for large aircraft, small shuttles, even some larger space-going cruisers. A row of battered cargo shuttles lined the western edge. They had seen better days; the outer hulls of the shuttle craft were tinted with a patina of age and corrosion. The once vibrant paint of the purple insignia was faded and flaked, rusting in places.

Large shipping containers were being pulled along by trucks or lifted into position by forklifts. Decepticons busied themselves with refuelling the aircraft while others eliminated scavengers or thieves that attempted to make off with the valuable supplies.

The wall of the tower still stood high above the landing platform, with openings to the inside. Within was a hangar and maintenance bays for aircraft, of the non-sentient types. One of the worst ways to insult a Decepticon Seeker was to ask him, or her, if they lived in a hangar. The person asking would likely get a fist to the nose, the best case, or a shot to the face, worst case.

A large doorway adjacent to the hangars led to a section of the tower where the Seekers resided. Each of the barracks would house from nine to eighteen flying Decepticons. Although it was not very spacious; it was kept spotlessly clean and in military order. Nearby to their quarters was a small recreation room, and a small holographic simulator for training or entertainment.

Several platforms lined the dull grey wall, each ended with a metal foot locker. Each locker was locked with a personal identification number that only the owner knew. It was considered the only privacy that a Decepticon warrior could have. Even then, his privacy was invaded by the monthly checks, or the random "cell toss" as it was occasionally called. The Seekers stood by their platform with their lockers open.

The Air Commander, black and a midnight blue Seeker, strode through the barrack looking at each warrior carefully. To his right was another Seeker, his Second in Command, a somewhat young and brash individual. He carried a datapad and took notes and nodded as the Air Commander remarked on each warrior's general appearance and the status of his weapons and possessions.

The Elite Guard was Megatron's personal air force, made up of three wings worth Seekers or nine trines or twenty-seven individuals, it could be expanded or reduced as needed. They were expected to appear polished and clean at all times and therefore were given unrestricted use of wash racks and cleaners. Slothfulness was not tolerated, and the Seekers at Darkmount were particularly pleased with their status. They maintained their superiority over the regular ground units, and their superiority over the Seekers posted at other bases.

Water was still considered precious, and it was heavily recycled and cleaned. It was requested that bathing was only done when needed and to try to maintain themselves without draining the reserve. It was quite acceptable for a cluster of Seekers to cram into the wash racks after battle. Most of the Seekers in the Elite Guard had spent too much time in nanite infested trenches so engaged in bathing frequently.

In some areas of Cybertron water rationing was in effect along major cities and some other fortresses. Natural sources of water had become tainted by the acid rain, and it was getting worse. The acid rain had killed off most of the indigenous lifeforms over the past one thousand years. The planet, which had been still somewhat bronze coloured five hundred years ago was almost steel grey. Cybertron's death was well underway and no one was sure how to reverse it. They only hoped that Cybertron, like any Cybertronian in trouble, may have a form of stasis lock.

Each unit of Seekers was quartered by their trine, and the wing they participated in. The Wingleader had his own private room, at the end of the barrack. Starscream was the Wingleader here, commanding three trines of Seekers, a step up from his initial posting of Wingsecond. He had only just taken over leadership of the wing barely a month earlier.

Starscream did not get along with his former Wingleader at all. They often engaged in arguments and fights, sometimes coming to blows. Quite frequently it was about Starscream's alleged position as the Seeker Lord. While Starscream did not pull rank with his monarchal position over the other Seekers, and followed Icestorm's lead; the former Wingleader felt him as a threat.

No one was sure what exactly happened, only that the fight had taken place inside the wash racks. Starscream was found, throat cut, dagger in his chest and unconscious, laying on the floor next to the deceased Icestorm in the steaming fog from the hot water stream behind him.

As it turned out, Icestorm had killed his previous Wingsecond and in almost the same way. He ambushed and killed him while he was showering. Icestorm had claimed it was an assassination attempt against him.

The inquest revealed that Starscream had killed his superior in self-defence only. Attacking a subordinate was a rare action, only taken by the most insecure. While it was not illegal by the Decepticon standards, it was not as favourable as a subordinate challenging his leader.

The results of such a challenge gave the victor the option of stepping up if he wished, which Starscream elected to do. He was awarded Icestorm's rank, pay, and quarters. His wing was still short a member and was waiting for a replacement. Starscream were not sure if he would choose a Wingsecond from his own trine, or if Megatron would choose it for him. Starscream would prefer Thundercracker as his Wingsecond.

It was the monthly inspection time. The barracks was swept, everything had been dusted and cleaned. Weapons were laid out on the platforms, along with their cleaning kits, ammunition, and other non-native weapons. Each Seeker, after their personal effects were inspected, was asked to stow them away and return to attention at the side of their platform.

Starscream stood by the front door of his private quarters. The Air Commander would be inspecting it closely, and it would feel much like a cell toss. He was not overly concerned, but he did not enjoy these invasions of privacy. He vowed to never put anyone under his command through such stresses, if he ever made it to Air Commander, he hoped that maybe one day he would. Starscream did not understand the need to go over each and every item in his possession.

"Wingleader, Starscream," Nightfall said in a clear voice standing in front of the door.

"Sir!" Starscream responded sharply, and he snapped to attention with a salute.

"Please stand back as I inspect your quarters."

Starscream nodded and stepped aside still maintaining a highly disciplined disposition. He knew the drill, only this time he had a room that needed to be inspected. His shelves were clean, his books were orderly, and his foot locker was open. Starscream had his weapons laying across the platform ready for inspection. One machine gun, two pistols, a pale green one he had taken from the medic at the prison, his dagger, and slingshot. The more valuable items he kept in his foot locker.

Nightfall glanced at the young Wingleader's decorations, “You have a lot of things for a flying grunt who broke out of prison only five hundred years ago.”

“I had a life before the military, Sir,” Starscream stated. “I've been moving my possessions from my home in Vos to a secure location. I thought I might like some keepsakes.”

“Sentimental are you?” Nightfall said with a hint of disgust. “You're here as a Wingleader, Starscream, not as a Primus forsaken Seeker Lord, if that is actually a legitimate title these days.”

“I'm not trying to be a Seeker Lord, Sir. I'm wanting to serve my people, these were just a few things to remind me of... never mind Sir....”

Nightfall picked up the Slingshot and shook his head then removed the glistening ruby from the black velvet bag it had been stored in. “Now explain again how these are in your possession.”

“I've used the slingshot for as long as I have memory... the gem was given to me by my sire.”

“The slingshot is such a primitive weapon to be used by a Seeker of such noble birth,” Nightfall said with sarcasm.

“My life before the war is my business,” Starscream answered. “My possessions, like anyone else's, are not yours to judge.”

"The other items?" the Air Commander demanded as he picked up several fine scientific tools that were laying on the shelf "Please, enlighten me as to where you obtained them from and their function?"

Looking over at them ever so briefly Starscream cocked his head and replied. "I was employed as a scientific explorer before the war. I scouted out various alien worlds and catalogued what forms of life existed, what metals, minerals, or other potentially exploitable resources these worlds had. The tools were what I used during those days. That is a bio-scanner, the thing there with the handles is a Geiger counter, for analysing radiation, possibly locating other remote deposits of Cybertonium ore. And the thing there, with the flaps..."

"Scientist...," Nightfall nodded with a sharp laugh, he took the instrument off the shelf and began to look it over. “Were these at your house too?”

"No, they were missing, I recently tracked them down, in the vaults. I grow weary of having to defend myself for being a scientist, it's a valid profession, it's an important profession. Will you please put that down... its delicate....”

"Does it change form or something..." he said, fiddling with the instrument.

There was an audible crack and Starscream cringed and cursed under his breath, his spark sank at the destruction of the priceless instrument.

Dropping the two halves of the now broken atmospheric sampler and locking optics with the young Seeker. "Are any of these are so extremely important to our war effort that you wasted time and energy to fly to Vos and bring them here?” he inquired, his tone indicating suspicion.

Not knowing how to answer, Starscream nodded slightly."I figure they will be of use, if not now, then maybe later."

Nightfall took the datapad from his lieutenant, and looked it over, scrolling back several pages and skimming it quickly. "Your file does not indicate that you were a scientist before becoming a warrior, care to explain the omitted detail?"

"What?! It should be in the file... I was something I did state when I joined, Skywarp and Thundercracker were present when I gave them those details, it should not be gone....” Starscream was suddenly worried that it could gain him a black mark for being dishonest on his application. He knew he had given that detail, he swore it up and down.

“We'll figure out what happened, it might be a clerical error,” Nightfall stated. “Why did you join us anyway? Why not stay in Vos as a scientist?”

“I wanted to fight for our cause, not sit back and play with test tubes. There is an erroneous belief that scientists cannot fight, I proved that assumption wrong in the Cybertron War Academy Arena. I do believe I have proven my point more than adequately in my many years of impeccable service to the Decepticons. I'll point out that it was my efforts at Eastern Tarn Front that got your Seekers back into the sky. It was my doing and my sacrifice...."

"I see. Well since I do not like your tone, Wingleader, these scientific things, the slingshot, and the jewel are now mine, throw out the rest," he ordered.

"You can't do that," Starscream protested, losing his disciplined composure. "That gem belongs to my family.”

Shrugging and smiling slightly, the Air Commander patted Starscream roughly on the shoulder. "I just did, and I honestly don't care, Wingleader." He pushed Starscream roughly to his knees. "I want to see seven hundred push-ups. That should take you about three hours, get to it."

The young Wingleader glanced at the Seekers who were gazing into his quarters as he was given the severe dressing down. He could feel the heat of embarrassment and shame rising up off his shoulders; Starscream was not sure what he was to do other than comply.

He adjusted his position on the floor, as Nightfall watched, and began to execute his push-ups.

Starscream's arms started ache only after twenty and with Nightfall watching he had no choice but to

continue.

Chapter Text

About 4 hours after inspection

The young Seeker's arms could barely function as he continued to force himself to do the push-ups. Deepsky sat near his head and counted them as he did each one. Starscream could hardly think from the burning agony that shot though his hydraulic systems. His energy felt like it was starting to dwindle.

Skywarp sat on his platform calling out encouragements, Rainjumper and Talon took bets while Acidstorm and Ionstorm invited others into the barrack to witness the spectacle.

Partying was a pleasure for Decepticons, Seekers especially enjoyed it. It meant gathering, talking, singing, and drinking. They were a gregarious species by nature, preferring the company of two to two thousand or more; they simply enjoyed the nearness of another Seeker.

As Starscream struggled with his punishment, and the masses of Seekers all entered the barrack, the party began. They pooled their rations of energon, engex, high-grade and low-grade. Skywarp even added to the collection from an unknown source. Usually it was better to not ask Skywarp where he got his stuff from, in case the original owner caught up him. Starscream could see it from where he was and wondered if Skywarp somehow had some of that engex from their time at the Academy. He was not sure what happened to that old stash, he never did ask. At the moment he did not care, he had to finish the seven hundred. Though, he desperately wished for a drink for sure, his mouth felt dry.

“If....” Starscream started, as he lowered himself into another one, “If you're taking bets.....” Starscream's arm's shook with strain and fatigue, “Then I'll put in a thousand credits that I'll make it to seven hundred... plus one,” he managed to finish.

“Nightfall and Eclipse have each bet a thousand against you,” Talon said, “Do you really want to disappoint them, Starscream?” he teased.

Starscream exhaled a snort of air, his fans kept kicking on in an effort to cool his overheating body, his HUD was issuing warnings. As much as he wanted to shut those off, he decided to let them run. He needed to see what he was able to do. He was concerned about the hydraulics warning he was getting. Starscream hoped he could put it off for a least a half an hour.

“Absolutely, I want their money. This is how I'll get the fragger back, and I want my possessions.”

“We'll get your things back, that I promise” Thundercracker interjected. “That was pretty low brow of him to take those.” The blue Seeker kept his medical scanner aimed at the younger flier, monitoring his functions.

“I just hope he doesn't try to hock them on me, the slingshot especially,” he said with a snarling grunt as his fans fired up again, blowing heat away. His wrists were aching from their position, his fingers felt numb. He wanted to stop, but he also wanted to win and prove that he could take it.

“What is it with that slingshot anyway?” Talon asked. “It is such a low tech weapon to have for mech of your station.”

“There's a lot you don't know about me, Talon.” Starscream gritted his teeth as he pressed upward, “But I did use a slingshot as a primary weapon long ago. I'm pretty good with it, and when I use it now.... it startles people.”

“Are you skilled with any other weird weapons that I should know about?” Talon asked Starscream jokingly. “Ninja stars perhaps?”

“Not those, but can easily use a long bow, a spear,” he replied, exhaling in a sharp huff, “and a bola as well.”

“Serious? What were you some sort of Cybertronian primitive? I thought you were a Seeker Prince.”

“There is no need to be insulting, Talon. Anyway, like I said, there is a lot you don't know about me and my past.” He faltered for a moment in his presses, it was getting harder to do each push-up and hold a conversation. “All I'll say just to clear things up a little, is contrary to popular belief, even though I was born a prince, I did not get to live like one, and that made me stronger for it.”

“Starscream are you sure you want to continue? There is no shame in stopping, but your systems are overextended...”

“Failure would be my shame and embarrassment, and a loss of a thousand credits. I really want Nightfall's money, Thunder.”

“I just don't want you killing yourself over this, the state would get your assets. He's not worth losing all of that which you worked so hard for.”

“The state no longer gets my belongings, Thunder, you do.”

Thundercracker's optics flashed in surprise. “That's the first I've heard of it, you've put me in your will?” he asked in a tone of extreme surprise. “Out of curiosity, what about your throne?”

“You'll have to take that up with Darkstar. It'll revert to him as I don't have an heir, though he might give it to you, I don't know. But yeah I had it revised, you and Warp are my wingmates, and are therefore in my will. Don't try to kill me to activate it because you won't get a thing; I've put in a clause to protect my estate against that, I can't quite trust Skywarp, no offence.” He glanced at the dark Seeker who smiled slightly. Then he continued with the push-ups in silence, after a while he spoke again. “Primus, I actually think I'm gonna to die...,” he said straining with each slow rise. “Who knows, Thunder you might just get my estate today....” His wings made his body feel so heavy.

Skywarp raised his head and glanced at Thundercracker.

“You should stop, Starscream. I'd rather have a friend, then an inheritance,” Thundercracker warned.

The younger Seeker said nothing and continued on.

Seekers were fliers, designed for high speed flight across the sky or into space, depending on the parameters of their build. Their bodies, were light yet naturally tough, unfortunately they were not well suited for heavy-duty work, such as what Starscream, and a few of the others had endured at the prison mine. The young Seeker still bore a number of scars from his tenure there, although many of them had faded with time and the addition of new marks.

They had a surprising amount of movement with their great wings, an ability to pick them up, or flare them back, they could pass on a great deal of information with them to those who understood how to read them. They were both their greatest strength and their greatest weakness. In spite of the difficulties they faced, with manoeuvrability and wing sensitivity, Seekers were surprisingly well adapted to life on the surface. Unfortunately if anything unexpected unsettled them, such as a planet-quake, or concussion blast, they could easily end up on their backsides, faces or stumble around like they had over energised. So push-ups for a Seeker, any Seeker was definitely a massive strain on their systems.

Starscream grunted and growled as he executed each push-up. Thundercracker, now very concerned, stood by with a medical scanner watching and worrying. The others urged and encouraged the young Seeker as he neared the seven hundred mark. Bets were being altered and changed as the others watched Starscream as he struggled with each of the remaining twenty. His normally dark grey face was coal-black from the exertion. He wore a determined grimace that was filled with strain and agony.

His earlier conversation was done, he could only focus on the matter at hand. He had a significant bet he needed to win, he wanted Nightfall to pay, if only just to hurt him financially. The Seeker muttered Vosian curses at Nightfall, and words of encouragement to himself as he neared his mark.

The issues he faced with his Air Commander and his former Wingleader stemmed from them finding out that the Seeker Lord's song actually had something to do with Starscream. The former Wingleader took it as an affront having a Seeker royal in his wing. Fearing that Starscream might seek his power for himself, he decided to try to eliminate the young Monarch, which backfired spectacularly.

Unfortunately it was not Starscream bragging that he was the Seeker Lord that got him into trouble, it was Rainjumper explaining who Darkstar was and that Starscream was his heir. And how it was great that a member of the Seeker Monarchy was on their side.

The young Starscream was mortified, and understandably afraid. He felt that his status would get him into a world of hurt, and he was not wrong, it did. He was not sure if Megatron knew, he did not speak of it around Megatron and warned those closest to him to bring it up. Starscream didn't wish to incur the wrath of the Warlord, as he would not understand. There were moments Starscream wished his sire had not passed the mantel of Seeker leadership over to him.

The young Monarch tried to remain in communication with Darkstar and his quad of wingmates, but had not been able to send out a message since he had taken Wingleader position, it was something he wanted to do, and soon.

He only hoped that Nightfall would not discuss the matter with Megatron. He was sure Nightfall would choose to avoid it unless the Warlord, himself brought it up. Nightfall appeared to be somewhat afraid of Megatron.

Starscream was determined not to stop just short of his goal. He did not wish to prove himself a failure, he wanted to show his comrades, and his Commander that he could indeed work as hard as anyone in spite of being a scientist in the past. The son of a slarg had busted his priceless tool, took his slingshot, and stolen the ruby, a gift from his sire. A small burst of energy fuelled his system as he became angry. Unfortunately as quickly as the burst came, it ebbed and Starscream shook with exhaustion as he completed the last two push-ups. Just to win his bet, he did the one extra.

"Seven hundred and One," Thundercracker said in a worried yet impressed tone. "Well done Starscream."

The Seeker muttered something rude in Vosian and dropped to his canopy and pushed his head against the floor. His fingers and limbs felt distant as his chest and arms burned hot. The other Decepticons cheered explosively and collected their winnings and chugged back fuel.

He watched them out the corner of his optics as he attempted to draw in strength. All his internal notifications were firing with annoying messages, warning him of impending emergency power down.

"You gonna be okay Starscream?" Thundercracker asked crouching beside the prone Decepticon.

"Yeah, I'm fine... just a little weary,” he lied, he was more than just a little weary. “I'm trying to locate some energy reserves here." Starscream tried to push himself up, but his body did not want to budge. "Ugh, not finding them. Slag, I'm just going to stay here." He exhaled in a long sigh."I just hope Nightfall doesn't consider my body as clutter in the barracks. Last thing I need is demerits. I need a drink... if you'd be so kind...."

"I don't think you will get any demerits," Thundercracker replied as he helped the younger Seeker into a sitting position and handed him a fuel bottle. "You did pretty good, Starscream, I'm impressed."

"You bet against me didn't you?”

“No, I didn't bet either way. I was more concerned with your well-being than a handful of coins.”

“Well, I think I did better than pretty good, Thundercracker," he inhaled deeply and sipped the fuel. "I excelled."

The blue Seeker shook his head. "You still have no idea how to be humble do you?"

“I don't see why I need to be humble over this,” he said between sips, he leaned back and exhaled his arms were too tired to hold the cup up. “You guys are having a party, and I get stuck feeling like a lead brick. I'm gonna to go to sleep.... get my winnings from those slags. Also, shut the door when you leave, I don't want to be on display.”

“I'll talk to them. We had almost three wings in here tonight watching you complete the set plus one.”

Starscream slowly forced himself to stand up, his legs and wings shook from exhaustion, then he collapsed onto the ground with a crash, groaning as he hit the floor. His optics flickered as his body finally went into to emergency power down. “One of these days... I promise... Nightfall is going to pay for this." The young Seeker's head lulled to the side, and he abruptly went to sleep.

Thundercracker nodded to the others, "We better let him rest."

The other Seekers in the barrack, glanced over at the collapsed Starscream, Thundercracker grabbed Skywarp and pulled him into Starscream's quarters and shut the door, to give the somnolent flier some privacy.

“Help me get him on his platform. He's probably gonna sleep heavy for the next several hours at least.”

Skywarp took his arms, while Thundercracker grabbed his legs, together they heaved Starscream onto his platform. "Meh, he's a heavy one," Skywarp grunted. "Did ya have to give him the fuel before we moved him?"

Thundercracker leaned over and smacked his wingmate. "Yes, he needed it then, he'll probably need a huge refuel in the morning."

Skywarp shook his head, surprised that moving Starscream did not evoke his usual defensive reaction. "He's gone and out. Our luck Nightfall will be back this evening with some half-aft mission, and we won't be able to rouse Starscream. He's in power down; dead to the world. Megatron'll be pissed off."

"Let Megatron be pissed. Anyway, when was the last time we saw Starscream take a good long break, outside of being in repair bay for a week? The son of a slarg's been hard at work for the last seventy days. A 'Con need to rest once in a while." Thundercracker countered. “Downtime has been harder since he's had to come up to speed with all of Icestorm's work.”

“I still can't believe that coward tried to murder Starscream while he was bathing,” Skywarp grumbled in disgust. “What sort of psycho attacks a mech in the shower?”

“Probably you, if I know you well enough, Skywarp,” Thundercracker muttered. He sat on the edge of the platform and ran a scan over Starscream, checking his vital signs. “Only a guy who does not want to be seen by his victim would attack in the shower. Everyone knows that Starscream's mastered his EM field senses.”

“Heh, you're probably right, but I wouldn't kill Starscream that way. Anyway, he'd know it's me, and he'd be scared.”

The blue Seeker, drew back the cover and leaned in to check the sleeping Seeker's canopy. “Frag he might need a new canopy again, cracked from falling over.” Thundercracker wrote in his note pad and tucked it away.

Skywarp circled and cocked his head and studied Starscream as he laid on the platform. The cogs of creation were turning and dark Seeker's optics were taking on a wild glint. "Hmm. Think he'll be out long?" Skywarp asked lightly.

"I don't know Skywarp, depends on how much his body needs to recover from this. You know Starscream's repair systems are aggressive and will sometimes shut him down for days at a time, so it could be eight hours, could be a couple of days." Thundercracker shook his head then glanced at his wingmate. "Oh no, Skywarp. No. That look scares me. That look always scares me."

"What look?" Skywarp replied innocently, yet the glint of mischief lived in his eyes. Skywarp's optics were like crimson flares, and his mouth was curled in a wry smile.

Thundercracker shook his head sharply. "That look... I'm stopping whatever you are planning with a pre-emptive no."

"Don't be such a killjoy Thunder,” Skywarp smiled serenely, “It's a fraggin' shame he's such a bright red," he remarked, ignoring Thundercracker's protest.

“Skywarp, I don't like this... I don't like it when you involve Starscream in your plans. It always ends badly for him and Starscream can't even object this time.”

"Pshaw, come on, Thunder this can be a lot of fun. We won't hang him by his feet from the mast this time... We need something to make it look like Nightfall killed him... I've got an idea...." Skywarp said snapping his fingers, grinning broadly.

Backing away from his wingmate. Thundercracker shook his head. "No, Skywarp. I'm not involved this time. The last time I took the fall."

"Awe, come on." Skywarp pulled back the dust cover and tapped Starscream. "Hey, Wingleader, you awake? Can you hear me? Screamer? Yoohoo?" Skywarp glanced at Thundercracker with a broad smile. "Almost looks like stasis lock. He's as good as dead; let's go get some stuff." Skywarp, pulled the covers up and over Starscream's face then grabbed his wingmate by the arm and teleported him out.

Lower tower of Darkmount

They found themselves in a dimly lit area deep within Darkmount itself. Shelves were lined with labelled containers, tools hung on racks and hooks, and cabinets filled with chemicals.

“Where the frag are we, Skywarp?” Thundercracker asked after they materialised from the teleport.

“Team Constructicon headquarters,” Skywarp replied looking around. “They've got stuff we need.”

“You've got us in Hook's workshop? Are you insane? If he finds us in here, then we become his test subjects!” Thundercracker warned.

“You worry too much, Thunder,” Skywarp chastised opening tins and looking into them. He found a large can marked graphite powder. “That should do, graphite and electrical tape.” Skywarp grinned, tucking the two items into subspace; he grabbed a paint brush as well.

“What do you need with the graphite?” Thundercracker asked squinting at the other suspiciously.

“You'll see,” Skywarp smiled brightly.

“If you spent half the time you spend plotting, doing your reports, then you'd be amazing,” Thundercracker remarked.

“I'm already amazing, Thundercracker, anyway reports are boring, that's why you do them for me. Okay, I got what I need here, next stop.”

“There's another stop?” Thundercracker glanced at his wingmate with worry. He feared that Hook would link the theft of materials with the only teleporter on the base, and therefore him. Another stop would only confirm this.

“There is always another stop,” Skywarp replied grinning, enjoying Thundercracker's discomfort. He grabbed his brother by arm and teleported them again.

As soon as the vortex dissipated, Thundercracker sniffed the air and gagged, “faugh, this is the morgue, What the pit do you need in the morgue, Skywarp?”

“Do you have your med kit on you?” the dark Seeker asked, grinning.

“Yeah...” Thundercracker asked slowly taking his medical kit out. “Why?”

“Give me an orb then,” Skywarp asked holding out his hand with a shake.

“An orb? Why do you want with an orb?” Thundercracker asked cautiously holding one in his hand. “These are sacred, not toys.”

“Because I need an orb to make this look real, and I need the juice from a dead body to make it work, also I need a body bag, the black shroud and a few other toys.” Skywarp listed off a number of items as he glanced around the mortuary. He opened a drawer and found a selection of syringes and chose one.

“Skywarp, are you seriously doing what I think you are doing?”

“Yeah, gimme the orb.” Skywarp held out his hand, shaking it again.

“No!” Thundercracker snapped tucking it back into his case.

“Look we want to get back at Nightfall for Starscream don't we?” Skywarp asked.

“...I don't know,” Thundercracker said with uncertainty.

“We're doing this to Starscream, for his benefit, you know he's vulnerable in this state. Someone'll kill him because he's the Seeker Lord, like Icestorm tried. Just give me one orb, and we'll get you more later.”

Thundercracker rumbled with displeasure as he handed over the sphere.

Skywarp pulled open a locker drawer and turned off the stasis field. He grabbed a syringe and dug it into a line and drew some thick gelified energon out of the corpse then inserted it into the orb. “You'll get Dirge to add the activator when we get back to quarters,” Skywarp instructed as he shoved the body back into it's stasis field.

“How does your brain even work, Skywarp?” Thundercracker asked his brother in disgust. “Where do you get these insane ideas from anyway?”

“I dunno, Thunder, I just come up with ideas.” Skywarp shrugged and handed the treated orb to back Thundercracker. “Go find the body bag, and I'll find the shroud.”

“I was wrong... if you put half the effort of this prank planning and thought into actual tactics, then you'd make Air Commander, Skywarp.”

“Yep, maybe, but I'd have to go through Starscream, and probably you first, and that ain't gonna happen, not while you're both alive. Got the body bag yet?” Skywarp asked having collected a few necessary items from the mortuary.

“Yeah Seeker sized, you've got the cloth then?”

“Yep, better jet before we get found out.” Skywarp grabbed Thundercracker's arm and teleported themselves back to Starscream's room where they would take on the next phase of plan.

Chapter Text

Five Hours After Inspection

No one had decided to check in on the trine after Thundercracker had shooed everyone out earlier. They presumed that Skywarp and Thundercracker were watching over Starscream while he slept, perhaps even chatting with Starscream if he was still awake. No one was sure exactly what had happened, only that he dropped like a rock. Nobody thought to knock on the door and ask if everything was okay, and as a result, no one had realised that Skywarp and Thundercracker had been gallivanting around Darkmount stealing supplies.

Skywarp unloaded his ill-gotten gains onto Starscream's desk and then smiled serenely. “We're gonna need some extra help with this joke, and I am sure Starscream's prison buddies would be delighted.”

“I don't think that's a good idea, Skywarp. I don't think any of this is a good idea,” Thundercracker protested.

“Pshaw, stop worrying. It'll be fine, Thundercracker, live a little, enjoy the moment,” Skywarp said as he stepped out of Starscream's quarters, wings lowered to appear distraught. Skywarp then spoke quietly to Rainjumper, Talon and Deepsky then invited them in.

“What do you need help with?” Talon asked, glancing over at the somnolent Starscream. The younger Seeker slept on oblivious to what was going on around him.

“You can't possibly want to rope these guys into this, Skywarp” Thundercracker said, sitting on the chair wishing he could simply leave.

“Me and Thundercracker want to play a joke on Nightfall....” Skywarp began, wearing a bright grin.

“Correction,” Thundercracker interrupted, “You want to play a joke on Nightfall, I have nothing to do with this.”

“You've been helping me collect supplies, Thunder,” Skywarp insisted.

“You've not given me much option to bow out,” the blue Seeker replied. “I've been dragged along the entire time.”

“Don't lie, you're enjoying it. Anyway, we, as in Thundercracker and me, want to make Starscream look like he died. No one's seen him since we shut the door, but they all saw him drop flat on his face in exhaustion. He actually did break his canopy, which means he has to go to medical bay anyway. But before that, we want to make Nightfall feel bad about stealing Starscream's stuff and his unfair punishment.”

“I'm in,” Deepsky said. “I've been wanting to punch that aft in the chops for decades.”

“How are we going to make it look convincing? Starscream's bright red colours won't convince Nightfall, or anyone else for that matter,” asked Rainjumper.

“With this!” Skywarp answered proudly holding up the tin of fine graphite powder. “We brush and rub this over Starscream, and he'll look deader than a doornail. We can put tape over his optics and shutter them again to block the glow and then boom! One dead Seeker.”

“You're missing the orb, we always have an orb of the deceased, and they don't work with living blood,” Talon pointed out.

“Thunder, gimme.” the dark Seeker said gesturing to his wingmate.

Thundercracker groaned in dismay as he handed over the still not activated funerary orb. “We have an orb, it'll work,” the blue Seeker rumbled.

“It'll glow?” Talon asked, “How?”

“It's got dead Grounder blood in it, but it'll activate all the same,” Skywarp explained.

“Where the pit did you get Grounder blood from?” Talon asked, his optics narrowed in suspicion.

“The mortuary,” Thundercracker grumbled.

“You desecrated a Grounder's body?” Talon said with disgust, “for a prank?”

“No, I just took a shot of his blood. We can leave the orb with him after we're done with it, anyway. You know how Grounders are insanely slow in their burial rites, it'll be a week before he sees the crypt, they rarely get an orb, this time he will.”

“Fine... if you give the orb to the Grounder that I'll forgive you, and I'll help.” Talon said.

“Help me get Screamer off his platform, and we'll put the body bag down and get him in... also look real sad, and the like... you know around the others.”

Thundercracker, Rainjumper and Talon lifted Starscream off his platform as Skywarp and Deepsky unrolled the body bag and unzipped it. They opened it up wide and carefully inserted the heavily sleeping Seeker into it.

"I'm not used to Starscream being in such a deep state of sleep.” Thundercracker remarked. The young Seeker was usually dangerously alert, even when he was resting. “If Starscream hasn't woken up by now, after all the moving we've done, he's likely going to stay out for at least fifteen hours," Thundercracker observed.

"Great! We might even get him as far as the crypt," Skywarp replied cheerfully.

"And what if Starscream wakes up there?" Talon asked.

"Then we get a two-for-one. It'll scare the crud right out of him as well as Nightfall." Skywarp replied, grinning broadly.

Talon nodded after a few moments. “How did he 'die',” Talon asked Thundercracker.

The blue Seeker exhaled slowly. “Pump failure, from overexertion.”

“I'll be impressed if Starscream doesn't kill either of you two when he comes around,” Rainjumper remarked.

“I can teleport,” Skywarp grinned. “Thundercracker will have to run.”

“And you see? I'm going to take the fall for this, as I always do,” The blue Seeker growled.

“I'll go and get the funerary accoutrements; if you want the face of seriousness, I'd probably be best for that, outside Thundercracker, who is busy, grieving.”

“Good plan, Skywarp said.”

Talon turned to his wingmates. “Deepsky, you're usually a bad actor, help Skywarp dust the body. I mean help Skywarp dust Starscream. Rainjumper, your job is to console the grieving pair, and answer the door if anyone knocks. Does that sound like a plan, Skywarp?”

Skywarp beamed. “I like it, you're a natural.”

“When it comes to pranks, this isn't my first rodeo, Skywarp.”

“I'll keep that in mind for future plans.”

Talon exited Starscream's quarter's and, strode quietly through the barracks. The party was still going on, but the others glanced up noticing his change in demeanour.

“What's going on, Talon?” Acidstorm asked, “is something the matter?”

“Starscream's dead. I'm going to get the gear from Dirge.”

“He's what?!” Acidstorm said nearly choking on the engex he had been drinking. “How? He was alive, barely an hour ago....”

“Yep, it can happen.... fuel pump failure, he pushed himself too hard to win a bet.” Talon said with a sad shrug as he walked out the door.

Talon continued out the hall, trying not to smile, but he was privately pleased with himself for holding the face of seriousness with Icestorm's old trine. His next challenging task would be to talk to Dirge, the gloomiest Seeker at Polyhex. Dirge was also the one who was a legitimate undertaker amongst their kind, if he could not be convinced, no one could.

Dirge took Seeker funeral rites very seriously and appeared to lack a sense of humour. They reasoned he was sad because he had to oversee the burials of so many of his kinsmech over the course of the war. Most Decepticons were permitted one foot locker, Dirge had two, he had special dispensation to keep the kit for a traditional Seeker funeral rites in his quarters. Talon would have to convince Dirge that Starscream was dead and to turn over the kit for the evening.

Talon knocked on the barracks that the Coneheaded trine resided in, Thrust opened the door. “Buzz off flathead, You've already got our credits.” Thrust hissed, trying to shut the door. He and his trine had bet against Starscream and lost.

Talon stuck his foot in the gap. “I hate to disrupt your evening, but I need to speak to Dirge,” Talon said ignoring the insult. There was also a sense of rivalry between the Coneheaded Seekers and the Common Seekers. Coneheads were usually considered less intelligent than the common types.

“Why? Did Starscream suddenly drop dead?” he asked sarcastically.

“As a matter of fact, he did,” Talon replied to the maroon Seeker with such a coldness that Thrust's golden optics flashed bright.

“Are you serious?” he said with disbelief. “Starscream's dead?”

“I'm not Skywarp, I don't prank. Yes Starscream's dead, we need the things,” Talon said acidly.

“Oh... I'm sorry, give me a moment.” He replied turning inside again. “Another one's shuffled off the mortal coil, Dirge,” Thrust called out, inviting Talon in.

“Who?” Dirge asked in a sorrowful tone, walking over to pick up the chest.

“Wingleader Starscream, of the Third Wing.”

“That's what happens when you live on the edge like he did,” Dirge said, seemingly unsurprised. “Do you need an orb?”

“Thundercracker has one already, we just need it activated,” Talon explained.

“I better, come along then,” the grim Seeker replied. He gestured for Talon to take one end of the chest, and they carried it together through the hall to Starscream's barracks.

It did not go unnoticed that the grim Seeker and Talon were carrying the kit between them toward the Third barrack. Whispers and rumours were already being passed along.

Starscream had bitten the dust.

Skywarp and Deepsky gently, but quickly brushed the black powder over Starscream dimming is bright colours to dull black-grey. They carefully moved him as best as they could to get the powder on all sides of him so that the red did not show. Only close inspection, and a bright light would reveal the deception. Fortunately for them, Starscream was in his own quarters, and the lights could be dimmed, which would make the effect all the more realistic.

Once completed, Skywarp teleported them both to the wash racks to clean the evidence of the dust off themselves.

Talon excused himself from Dirge to ensure that the mourning Seekers were ready for his visitation. He did this in part to ensure that Starscream appeared dead, and that the others knew their parts. After that, he led Dirge into the Wingleader's quarters.

To the Seekers, Dirge seemed like the grim reaper in how he did his duty.

“Second funeral in a month to be held in here,” Dirge said grimly. “I think I ought to leave the stuff hanging.”

Skywarp nodded. “Sad, really isn't it?”

Dirge glanced over at the scene with a mournful frown. “I'd have thought that Starscream might go places before ending up in the crypt. Seems too early for one to simply die when he had been full of life, only the day before.” he shook his head as he opened the chest. “What was the cause, Thundercracker?” the grim Seeker asked.

Thundercracker swallowed hard for a moment and kept his face serious. “Pump failure, he worked himself too hard. Starscream was already stressed.”

“Shame. He should have not been so stubborn and stopped before it got this far. Nightfall would not have held it against him.” Dirge began to decorate the room in a manner appropriate to Starscream's rank.

“Says all the guys who lost the bet because Starscream did push himself,” Rainjumper interjected.

“It is regretful we did put bets, considering the outcome,” Dirge remarked. “He might have not been so keen to push him beyond his limits if we just let him stop sooner. I feel sorry for him.”

“Starscream's got stubborn pride,” Thundercracker said quietly. “He'd have done it with or without our gambling.”

“Indeed. Talon says you have the orb, may I have it, Thundercracker?” Dirge asked as he brought out his kit. He set it on the desk by the wall, placed a small acrylic ring down.

“Warp's got it actually,” Thundercracker said grimly. His fear made it possible for him to sound upset.

Skywarp handed the sphere over to the grim Seeker. Dirge placed the orb on the ring then opened the reagent bottle. He dipped the dropper in and allowed three drops to fall onto the orb. A moment later the sphere flared bright violet and emitted a steady glow. Dirge and the others bowed their heads.

“Pity, I had hoped it was one of Skywarp's sick jokes.” Dirge remarked. The grim Seeker reached into the chest and took out the ornate sconce and placed the orb within it and hung it on the hook just above Starscream's head where it glowed with its ethereal light. He then hung a pair of sconces on the hooks that hung on either side of Starscream's platform and placed small dimly glowing torches in them.

Dirge stepped over then drew back the shroud then unzipped the body bag. “It's disrespectful to Starscream to have him zipped up already, Thundercracker,” Dirge admonished. “Allow his spark freedom, he should not be in the bag at all at this point, its meant only to transport the dead. Hiding the body is how Grounders treat their fallen.” he said with barely contained disgust.

Dirge spoke a short prayer in Vosian, anointing Starscream's helm with a fragrant oil, and then he draped the translucent shroud over the Seeker again; the shroud masked Starscream's features well, helping to hide the dust job.

Candles, and a censor filled with incense were placed on the shelves then lit. The fragrant smoke wafted through the Wingleader's quarters and into the barracks. He helped put the decorations up in the main area of the barracks as well. After two hours, the place had taken on a completely different image from the merriment that had occurred during Starscream's push-ups.

A violet banner with the Decepticon insignia embroidered on it in gold was hung on the wall outside of Starscream's chamber. Thundercracker hoped that the young Seeker would not wake up suddenly from the incense smoke.

Dirge finally draped a spider-silk cloth across Starscream, the material was intense black shot through with fine gold threads. Dirge said it was a suitable treatment for someone of Starscream's actual station as the Seeker monarch. After that they were done. Starscream's room's door was swung open to allow for visitation.

“And I'll be back in the morning for Ritus Mortem,” Dirge said, “I will need to inform Nightfall of the situation.” A few moments later the grim Seeker left.

Skywarp called Ionstorm and Acidstorm over. “We need to talk, can you keep a secret?”

Thundercracker shook his head. “The more people you tell harder it will be to keep the secret,” he whispered.

“Thunder it'll be great we just keep it in this wing only, the others can think what they want....”

“What secret?” Acidstorm asked.

“Starscream's not dead, he's just... very asleep,” Skywarp replied.

“Seriously? You fraggin had us!”

“Yeah, and now we're gonna have the other two wings visiting, so get closer, and I'll run our plan past you all, so we can get onto the same page.” Skywarp and the other Seekers drew into a huddle while their Wingleader lay innocently asleep.

The other Seekers, bored and stressed from the fighting, or the long lulls between major battles, desired just a little deviation from routine. As much as they enjoyed parties, they enjoyed a good prank. As long as the prank did not involve them as the target. But if scaring their stuffy Air Commander was the way to alleviate the frustration borne of uncertainty, then all the better. They were more than happy to keep up the charade.

Every Seeker in the room had attended a funeral of a friend killed in combat. It had only been a month earlier when they attended one for their previous Wingleader, who had died by Starscream's hand.

They all knew that any major battle could expect one or two critical injuries and possibly one that would result in a death. They understood that any given day could be their last, so they wanted to enjoy life as much as they could. Usually after a battle, the roll call and a bath, there was some sort of celebration. Depending on how that battle went would be what that party stood for.

If no one was lost in combat and no major injuries were sustained, then they would unwind with energon and engex and celebrate their glorious victory. A variety of drinking songs would be sung by the fliers, including some songs that usually made Starscream want to cringe. It was often a celebration of survival and that their friends would remain together for yet another day.

If there were those who had been seriously wounded, then it was a way of trying to boost moral and trying not to worry about the victims of war. They would drink to the health and fast recovery of their injured friends.

And finally, if they came back with friends who had been slain in battle, or the wounded had succumbed to their injuries then they would throw a party in an effort to celebrate the lives of their fallen. They would hold an all night vigil, drink, eat and tell usually humourous or embarrassing stories about the deceased. Sometimes, albeit rarely, they would sing songs. It was not a rowdy event, but people frequently got drunk, drinking in honour of the fallen. The funeral party was quite ritualistic and followed a certain set of steps until the next sunrise.

It was said by the Grounders that Seekers partied because they were simply energonaholics, perhaps this was true, there was a long-standing rivalry between Seekers and the Grounders. However, as a species, the Seekers had suffered some of the greatest tragedies of any group on Cybertron. Their death rituals were likely brought on as a method of dealing with constant loss.

Starscream slept heavily, his body had gone into a complete power down, even his vital functions slowed. Usually sleep would involve him in being in an alert standby; however, not tonight. His body recognised the need for intense rest to recover from the stress that had incurred, and the need to repair important systems that were damaged.

Starscream's power down was not stasis-lock, but a deep state of sleep that would be very difficult to rouse him from. If the handling of Skywarp, Thundercracker and the others had not woken him up, then nothing else could. This put Starscream at his most vulnerable, his mind understood this, but it forced him to rest, and rest he did, albeit uneasily. It allowed him to think about things that weighed heavily upon his mind, particularly his rise through the ranks.

Promotion within the Decepticons happened a few ways. It was assigned by the units commanding officer. Or in Starscream's case it had been originally given to him as a reward for outstanding performance as a Cybertron War Academy cadet. He was made a Flight Second, A level six rank. An award that was usually granted to those who fought and defeated a professional gladiator.

His exhausted thoughts went to his progression up the military ladder. It had been rapid for someone so young having taken five ranks in the span of only five hundred thousand years, and the last three in the span of only six hundred years. Starscream, arguably, had one of the fastest rises through the ranks of the Decepticons of any Seeker alive. It worried him knowing did not go unnoticed, by those who were above him, and as it was, there were not many left that out ranked Starscream.

About 250 Thousand Years Ago

Starscream's mind drew forth some memories.

“This is a very bad idea,” Shadowline said to Starscream as the young Seeker left the repair bay recovery room, “You've only just been repaired, Horizon will kill you.”

“He's already tried to kill me, and he failed. That mission he sent me on was about sending me off to my death.” Starscream snapped with a tilt of his head. “And I'm not that easily slain.” The young Seeker took out his service pistol and checked to see if it was loaded and closed it again. He felt around for his dagger and nodded.

“Starscream this is not the Academy Arena, there aren't any rules here.”

“That's where you are wrong, there are always rules, most just don't follow them.”

“Same slagging meaning, Star, arguing rules of engagement with Horizon won't matter if you're dead.”

“Have some faith in my abilities, Shadowline, I can fight.”

“You haven't fought like that since the Academy, you might be rusty.”

“Don't worry about me, I can handle myself...,” Starscream replied balling his hand into a fist.

“Starscream don't be brash!” Shadowline warned, “brawling won't help you.”

“You haven't seen brash, yet,” the younger Seeker said as he flashed a fleeting smile. “And this won't be a brawl, it's a challenge.”

Starscream flared his wings as he entered the community area of the bunker, his optics blazing crimson with fury as he sought out his target. He walked up to Horizon then gritted his teeth so hard that others could hear the grind of steel tooth against tooth. He balled his fist and slugged Horizon so hard that the Flight Leader hit the wall.

“You slaggin scrap pile!” Horizon screamed launching back at the younger flier.

Starscream stepped aside dodging him. “I'm sorry, I must've forgotten to issue my challenge to your position,” Starscream said with a snarl. “You're unfit to command a unit of retrorats, let alone a unit of Seekers. And you are unable to make informed decisions regarding the lives of those under your command. You sent me out there to slagging die, in a flack field!” The younger Seeker's wings quivered in barely contained rage.

“You're a warrior, it's your duty to die when ordered to do so. You wonder why you've been overlooked for promotion, it's because you can't make those difficult choices.” Horizon circled and Starscream kept his opponent facing him, so he rotated on the spot watching him closely.

“I can't make the difficult choices?” Starscream bellowed with laughter. “How fraggin' little do you know about me. Accept the slaggin' challenge, or forfeit your position, coward.”

“You cannot issue that challenge or that demand, Starscream,” Horizon snarled, lunging for him.

The younger Seeker stepped aside and then grabbed Horizon flinging him over his hip to the ground with a crash, smashing a nearby table.

“Wanna bet? You can take a few minutes, before I kill you, to review the battle codex, I have a copy of it in my locker. But I somehow doubt you have the intellect to read, let alone understand it.”

Horizon picked himself up off the floor, then drew his pistol and aimed it at the younger Seeker. The spectators scattered. “I accept your challenge then, Starscream. If you want to die you can die right here, right now.”

Starscream drew his pistol as well, and pulled back the hammer. “Truly, a proper duel is done back to back. We take ten steps at one second interval, then we turn around draw and shoot to kill, is this what you want? Because I'm more than game for an old-fashioned duel.” Starscream said having practised duelling while he was at the academy. “It's a bit tight in here for a proper duel though,” the younger Seeker remarked.

“We should do this outside, so everyone can watch you as I blow your smug little head off.”

“Very well, since you've chosen place, I will choose the weapons. Hand-to-hand combat, no firearms, I want to see if you are capable of killing someone face to face like a real mech.” Starscream tucked his pistol away, hoping that Horizon would not take advantage of his lack of weapon.

The thunder of steps echoed along the hallway as Windrazor strode out into the common area. . “What's the pit going on here, Horizon, Starscream?”

“Legal challenge, Sir,” Shadowline said. Starscream's declared Horizon's unfit to lead, we must do nothing to stop them.

“Then take it outside immediately,” the Flight Commander ordered, “I don't need this place getting wrecked.”

The two Seekers stared at the door neither one wishing to turn his back on the other.

“Now! Before I shoot you both!” the Flight Commander ordered.

Starscream flicked his wing in such a way that any Seeker there would easily read the insult that was projected as he stepped past the threshold. As soon as he did, Horizon ran through and slammed into Starscream, grasping at his throat.

The much younger flier delivered an uppercut to the bottom of Horizon's jaw so hard that the other must have bitten his tongue. Violet blood coloured his lips and teeth, running down the side of his jaw.

Horizon snarled, and the two rolled through the dirt trying to wrap their fingers around the other's neck.

“It's shame those idiots you fly with brought you back, but you're right, I wanted you to die. I never liked you, I wanted you to go out there, crash into the trees and become sustenance for scavengers. By the way, are daggers legal by your books?” he asked briefly.

“Quite,” Starscream replied his optics narrowed.

Horizon drove the dagger down at Starscream, and the young flier twisted avoiding the strike. The other repeated his attack, finally he struck Starscream in the chest. Horizon only splintered the glass and struck nothing of importance.

The younger flier snarled, then purposefully bit his own tongue with his razor sharp teeth so that he might bleed to suggest a greater injury than he had actually sustained. He allowed some to seep from the corner of his mouth.

“I've got you now, maggot,” Horizon growled as he raised his dagger over his head to drive it into Starscream's Spark.

The younger flier flicked his dagger out of his subspace then flung it with his fingers upward. The blade spun end over end until it sank into the chest of Horizon. Starscream then punched the hilt of the blade driving it in, until only the pommel showed.

Horizon gasped in surprise as he dropped his blade, which sank into Starscream's shoulder. The younger flier kicked the other off onto his back and then stood up. “Clearly you've never heard of the Silver Snake from the Academy have you, you mongrel.” the young flier pulled the Horizon's dagger out of his shoulder and flung it into the head of his opponent and pierced his brain. The other faded to grey.

Starscream reached down and plucked the insignia badge off Horizon and slipped it to his shoulder. “Now, unless Horizon miraculously can survive that, I am now your Flight Leader.” Starscream announced as took the two daggers out of his victim. He wiped his blade off then tucked his away into subspace and then placed the other one into Horizon's hand. “Any objections?”

No one said a word, and the young Seeker strode purposefully into the bunker, not looking back at the body he left behind.

It was his first promotion, and the only one that actually involved him issuing the challenge.

Chapter Text

Seven Hours After Inspection

Decepticons, contrary to Autobot belief, did mourn their dead. They had feelings like any Autobot when it came to their friends and families. Autobots found it barbaric that a Decepticon would terminate one of their own who was damaged beyond repair or was faced with an excruciating death. Such acts were not out of hate or anger, it was kindness, care, and a display of compassion.

Seekers and Decepticons who had high positions of power, within the faction, were granted some perks, such as accommodation choices. They could stay in the barracks with a wing, or move to quarters elsewhere at Darkmount. Nightfall had home on a level above the barracks and well away, so that the noises the Seekers below made did not disrupt his rest and quiet. He shared his quarters with his wingmates, Eclipse and Newmoon.

Because of his location, One unit up and three units over, and the fact he was with his wingmates playing a some board games, he was unaware of the activities in barrack three.

Nightfall glanced up when they heard the knock on the door. It sounded like the key master's ring, which he immediately knew was Dirge's calling card.

“What does Dirge want?” he said quietly to himself. His wingmates glanced at each other for a moment and shrugged. “I suppose I'll get that?” Nightfall said, disgusted that Newmoon could not be bothered to see what the Dirge wanted.

He opened the door and studied the grim Seeker who stood in silence before him. “What do you need Dirge?” Nightfall asked after a moment.

“I've been tasked with informing you that there is a funeral currently in progress in barrack three this evening, and the wing will be down until the completion of Ritus Mortem tomorrow.” Dirge replied in a formal tone.

“Who the pit died, was there a fight? Why couldn't Starscream tell me this himself?”

“It was Wingleader Starscream who has joined the allspark this evening,” Dirge answered.

“Is this a sick joke Dirge?” Nightfall asked, not believing a word he said.

The grim Seeker shot Nightfall a baleful glare. “I don't joke,” he answered curtly.

Nightfall felt a jolt of cold wash over him. “How?”

“You'd have to discuss that with Thundercracker. He'd have come up, but he's with his brother and the remains of Starscream. Ritus Mortem will commence at sunrise, be on time, Nightfall, you are expected to attend,” Dirge said as he turned away and went downstairs to return to his barrack.

Nightfall glanced at his wingmates. “I think I may have to bow out of our game this evening, looks like we've got problems.”

“Starscream's dead? This has to be some kind of joke, Nightfall,” Eclipse insisted.

“I've never known Dirge to make jokes, though. Not on purpose anyway.” Nightfall exhaled slowly and shook his head.

“Still seems strange. It's not like Starscream is very old either, he's probably the youngest Seeker in the whole of the Elite Guard,” Eclipse stated.

“I'll check it out and send for you if I can confirm it,” Nightfall answered in a low voice. He left his quarters and hurried along down to the Barracks. The door to the third wing was open, several Seekers from the other units were already in attendance.

Thundercracker, being the medic, was faced with the unpleasant duty to inform Nightfall with the details the situation. He was the only one of the group who was remotely qualified to declare a Seeker as deceased. As a result he believed that when the charade was over, he would bear the brunt of the blame for having been the linchpin for the whole prank. It was Skywarp's idea, but it would be his confirmation. He mentally held the image of being stood in front of a wall and being shot at sunrise.

He did not find this joke particularly appealing. He took his work, and his wingmates seriously, even though his half brother did not take much of anything seriously. Sure Skywarp followed orders well, but when he had spare time, he became a menace. What made it worse was Starscream's friends were more than happy to join in. he had expected Talon, of all people to refuse to be part of it. However, it seemed that the level-headed Seeker had an interest in pranks himself.

Thundercracker wished Starscream would just wake up, and this whole insanity would end. Starscream would be pissed off, but then he would likely get away with his wings intact, he did not know what to do other than to reluctantly go along with the plan.

Sadly he sat next to Starscream's head, guarding his heavily sleeping wingmate, while staring at the orb. It made him wonder why they did the orb ritual, when all it started and where.

The Covenant of Primus had a passing reference stating that sometime in the distant past or future, that a spark would return from the well, and the orb would glow gold. No one was particularly sure how to interpret that prophecy. Was it only one spark to return, could it be anyone, was it in the future, or was it something that had happened in the past. Whatever the reason, it was such an important part of Seeker tradition, that the thought of not having an orb at a funeral was frightening.

Of the trine, Thundercracker had some faith, in Primus, but it was passing, he did not pray, he did not go out of his way to read the book, he was just aware of the old tales. Skywarp as far as he knew did not care either way and Starscream had once mentioned that he was agnostic and would only believe in primus if he stood face to face with him. He did not blame Starscream for his mindset. The younger Seeker was a scientist and wanted to see evidence to such things; Starscream tended to question everything.

That was not to say that the youngest Seeker of their trine did not believe in Primus; Thundercracker had heard Starscream muttering prayers when he was in dire situations, when felt he was not being observed. Thundercracker supposed it was better than nothing, perhaps something was out there and could rescue him just in time. He shook his head glancing over at the heavily disguised flier.

The younger Seeker had a better than average score on surviving critical hits. Even the last conflict between him and Icestorm should have rightfully killed him, he did survive. His recovery took a solid week of fluid transfusions and finding compatible donors to make up part of that was difficult. Fortunately for Starscream his wingmates were also his cousins and had similar fluid-types.

Thundercracker sat and stared at the engex in his glass. It was a special vintage, meant for funerals. He swilled it around and took a sip. The older Seeker did not drink much of it as he could not stomach it well. Skywarp was well into a second bottle of engex, and he glanced at Starscream, the younger flier would probably be well into his second bottle too if he were awake. Thundercracker figured he ought to save what remained so that Starscream could drink it when he was able to.

The chatter in the barracks fell silent as Nightfall entered. Thundercracker rose to his feet, and Skywarp did as well.

“Sir,” Thundercracker said, saluting.

“At ease Thundercracker,” Nightfall said glancing around, “exactly what is going on, Dirge just visited me.”

“I.. ugh... I regret to inform you that our Wingleader, Starscream has joined the well of allsparks.” he said swallowing. “I've prepared a death certificate,” he said fumbling the datapad as he tried to pass it over. Fortunately he had been drinking otherwise Nightfall might find his nervous sloppiness suspicious.

“You're kidding, it is real? Starscream is actually dead?” He glanced at the Seeker laying on the platform under the glowing orb and the shrouds.

"I rarely, if ever, kid," Thundercracker replied acidly. "Starscream is gone. Who leads our wing now?"

"You've checked for everything? Spark, fluid pressure, pulse, and energy fluctuations?" the Air Commander asked, still disbelieving.

“Yes, do I look like a first year medic?” Thundercracker snapped, shooting Nightfall a nasty glare. “Starscream died of a pump failure.” He knew when the joke was revealed, he would be the fall guy and Skywarp would get off, scot-free. Even though Skywarp reassured that he would take the blame, Thundercracker somehow seriously doubted it.

"If you don't believe me, Nightfall, take a look at the body," Thundercracker said, hoping the other would choose not to.

"I will, if you don't mind," Nightfall stoically replied.

Stepping away from the platform. Thundercracker gestured invitingly. "Be my guest."

The Air Commander stepped over to the still form laying on the platform. He reached out for the edge of the shroud at Starscream's head. Nightfall paused for a moment before drew back the thin fabric to stare at the darkened body of the Seeker. Starscream unknowingly played the part well; his mouth, wearing a neutral expression, hung slightly open. The Air Commander shuddered and turned away.

"Megatron's going to kill me," he whined. "We needed Starscream's uncanny tactics for the upcoming mission, I hadn't spoken to him about his ideas yet." He glanced over his shoulder at the body behind him and shuddered again. "What am I going to do?"

Skywarp shook his head. "I am sure no one will tell him that you made Starscream do seven hundred push-ups when the guy was already overtired, from spending several late nights going over Icestorm's reports and planning." Skywarp shook his head. "You know, Starscream did them all; then he collapsed of exhaustion moments later; cursing you out. Few minutes after that, his spark left him." Skywarp said in a calm but mournful tone. "We'll sure miss him."

“We won't miss his arrogant attitude, but we must not speak ill of the dead," Thundercracker added.“Speaking of his seven hundred, you and Eclipse owe us credits, you bet against him, he succeeded.”

“He's dead now though... how do I know you're not just saying he won,” Nightfall asked suspiciously.

“Because most who are in here now, were in here when Starscream finished his set, and were here when he collapsed.” There was a murmur of assent through the room. “So as you see, better cough it up,” Thundercracker warned.

“Yeah, right,” Nightfall said, “I-I'll get it to you later this evening, Eclipse's as well.”

“While I'm at it,” Thundercracker said with a glare that was pure ire, “You should surrender the items you stole from Starscream as well. They'll need to be returned to his sire. I'm sure you don't want to suffer the wrath of Lord Darkstar when he finds out you murdered his son, over a gem and a slingshot,” Thundercracker said, slowly easing into the prank.

“Yeah, that might be a good idea...” Nightfall said. “I'll return them with the money.” the Air Commander realised the tone being delivered by the mourning Seekers was accusatory. He glanced at the darkened body, then at the funeral decorations and back to the Starscream's wingmates. They were pinning the blame squarely on him.

Starscream blithely slept on, oblivious to the efforts of the Seekers around him trying to get his possessions back.

"You know what bugs me, is that Starscream's end was not even in battle," a green Seeker concluded. "We all half expected Starscream to be returned to us in a biscuit tin after he was gloriously disintegrated by an anti-aircraft missile; not literally drop-dead at our feet."

"Acidstorm is right," Thundercracker agreed. “I'd have expected him to be shot down in battle, serving his Seekers.”

Wings flaring, Acidstorm continued his rant. "And you actually had the gall to take the few things that were precious to Starscream because you felt it was a waste of energy to go look for them or bring them back. Since when was seven hundred push-ups ever a good use of energy? It's no-fragging-wonder he died. You murdered Starscream."

"But, of course, we won't tell Megatron," Skywarp finished, “but Darkstar will have to be informed, after all, Starscream was his son.”

Nightfall looked at the Seekers slack jaw. He opened and closed his mouth trying to find some words to say. "M... Megatron needs to be informed..." he stammered. "It'll be necessary to get the paperwork filled out to get... Starscream a plot...in the crypt.

"But what plot can a Decepticon get when he died out of battle?" Acidstorm asked. "He's no war hero today, he did not go out in a glorious kaboom, he just....dropped."

“Even Icestorm got a burial plot, even though his actions were dishonourable at best,” Ionstorm said, to Acidstorm.

Nightfall shifted his wings and feet uneasily. "I'll see to it. I can get Starscream placed in the hall of Air Warriors... he's done enough heroic acts in the past that it should be granted to him without question." Without further ado, the shaken Air Commander turned and hurried out, wringing his hands. Semi-verbally going over, how he was going to explain the situation to Megatron or even Darkstar.

Thundercracker let out a long windy sigh. He had been holding his breath and trying to maintain his composure. His knees bent like they were made of rubber, and he slugged Skywarp on the shoulder.

"You have no idea how much slag we're gonna get over this, when he and Megatron find out the truth," he snarled.

Skywarp chuckled, and made himself look as if he was overcome with grief in an effort to hide it. He smiled ever so slightly as he turned away to draw the shroud over Starscream's face. His mind was already turning to the possible explanations for Starscream's upcoming unexpected revival.

"I am working on the plan already for that time," The dark Seeker reassured.

“I hope it's good, because Megatron isn't an idiot.” Thundercracker warned.

“Did you see Nightfall's face when we said Darkstar would have to be informed?” Skywarp said in a low whisper. “He looked terrified.”

“He was not much happier considering Megatron either,” Acidstorm remarked.

“Yeah but Megatron doesn't really care if Starscream dies... it's a minor setback, But Darkstar would care, and would want revenge. Look what happened to the Autobot prison when they nearly executed Starscream.”

Thundercracker nodded. “Darkstar and the others levelled the place.”

“Exactly, he doesn't have to tell Megatron why Starscream died, but he'd have to tell Darkstar, and Nightfall's just realised that Screamer's got someone who'd give a slag and that gives Starscream actual fraggin' power.”

Thundercracker never really thought of it that way. Starscream always had deferred to the will of those above him; however, Starscream could, if he wanted to, pull his rank as the Seeker Lord and Nightfall would be forced to answer to him, whether he wanted to or not.

“I wish Starscream would just wake up already, this joke's gone too far, it might even be dangerous to him.”

"Pshaw, too far? Come on, Thunder. With our funeral plans already underway, we should be seeing Starscream in the crypt by morning. Anyway, it doesn't take long at all to get a Seeker's marker made, just chisel in his name."

“He won't get a marker, Skywarp. He's not a Commander, he'll get a drawer with a small name tag,” Thundercracker corrected.

“Either way, I can't wait to see Nightfall's face when he wakes up!”

Thundercracker said nothing. He knew that he would have to be present to explain why or how Starscream was suddenly alive. He felt nothing but dread for that eventuality. Part of him wondered if he should murder Starscream in his sleep himself. He'd not get the will, but he was fine with that.

Back upstairs in the Air Commander's quarters.

“It's true,” Nightfall said as he ran into the barracks sounding breathless. “It's fragging true, all of it.”

“You mean, Starscream is dead?” Newmoon asked.

“I saw the body myself.”

“That's... going to be problem, isn't it?” Eclipse asked.

“Between the anger of Megatron and the wrath of Starscream's sire... Not sure, which one I would prefer,” Nightfall grumbled.

“Starscream's sire?” Eclipse asked, “Why would you be worried about Starscream's sire?”

“He's the Seeker Monarch, and I may have accidentally killed his heir.”

“You don't actually think they still hold power over the Seekers after all this time do you?” the Wing Commander asked. “The Monarchy has been largely inactive for the past million and a half years.”

“I wouldn't want to test that, But Starscream seemed to have had been respected by many Seekers. See how many have had the insignia reversed these days? Even Icestorm's trine flipped it around two weeks ago. Starscream's power was gaining, and he may have had those who would follow him.”

“Then it's just as well he's dead now,” Eclipse remarked. “I'd have imagined Starscream would have eventually come after you. Once he had gained Air Commander, he would have full uncontested control of the Seekers.”

“He would have had to go through you before me,” Nightfall remarked. “Would you have been ready for that?”

“I was never afraid of Starscream, Nightfall. I had watched every pit fight he had ever done. I knew what his usual strategies were; he did not deviate much. Even Icestorm nearly had him with his own kill strike. Unfortunately he slagged Icestorm with that exact same move he pretty much killed everyone with.” Eclipse held his fingers up like a pair of fangs “the silver snake bite,” he said with a slight tone of sarcasm.

“Dangerous or not, I needed his skills, Megatron's going to be furious. I need to go to Megatron and inform him of what has transpired, we're going to be facing another delay.” Nightfall said heading out once again.

“Good luck,” Eclipse replied as Nightfall closed the door.

Back in Starscream's Dreamscape.
His mind was still trying to sort out its recent past.
Five hundred Years Earlier

“Medic's on his way, Flight Commander,” Starscream shouted above the thunder of heavy shelling.

Shadowline was manning the machine gun trying to hold back the Autobots as they approached their area. “Autobot regiments are nearing,” Shadowline called out over the explosions that surrounded them.

Firestorm, their wingmate and leader was critically injured. “We need to get him out of here quickly,” Starscream called back.

“We better because we're about to be overrun, Starscream,” Shadowline, warned.

“Then we fall back, help me with Firestorm.” Starscream grabbed the crimson Seeker and tried to pick him up, but he had to drop him again because the heavy shelling had resumed.

Shadowline grabbed one arm, and the two tried to drag him through the mud.

“Stop! Stop, please stop!” Firestorm screamed out in agony. “I can't go on, the wound's lethal, I won't last much longer.”

“We gotta get you out of here, Firestorm. The medic's going to be with you soon,” Starscream reassured. The younger Seeker hunched over Firestorm as a bomb exploded nearby. “Just hang in there for the moment, sir.” Starscream said as had his hand pressed to the gaping wound. He wondered how they were going to get Their Flight Commander across the field with the shelling that was going on.

Firestorm reached up and grabbed Starscream's arm, and pulled him in close. “I won't make it until then...” he whispered. Firestorm removed his insignia badge and slapped it to Starscream's shoulder. “I promote you, Starscream, but I have a last request... get our boys into the sky again, Promise me, get them into the sky... and now leave me!” Firestorm dropped an activated grenade at his feet. “Run!”

“Frag, Shadowline... RUN!” Starscream cried as he repeated Firestorm's last word. The younger Seeker grabbed Shadowline as he bolted along the narrow trench wings flung back. Starscream glanced at his Flight Second as they fled along the trench, then dove to the ground. A few seconds later Firestorm blew up.

The young Flight Commander looked behind him at the smoking crater that had once been his friend. “I promise, Firestorm, I'll get us into the sky again, or I'll die trying,” he swore.

“Come, Starscream fall back,” Shadowline said tugging at the younger Seeker.

“Yes. We need to fall back,” Starscream agreed as he rose to his feet, and activated the communications. “Starscream to all Seekers, Firestorm has fallen, I am now the Flight Commander. Fall back to the bunker, this site is lost, we need to regroup and count our loses, roll call in fifteen minutes.”

The young Seeker turned to his flight second; he had removed his old rank insignia and studied it for a moment. He wondered if he should throw the position open to contest then decided against it. Starscream slapped his Flight Leader's badge onto his friend's shoulder, “Congrats, Shadowline... now you get to choose your second. Now let's get out of here!”

Shadowline and Starscream fled along the trenches back toward the bunker, to try to figure out that they need to do next.

Starscream was disturbed by the method Firestorm had chosen to go out, it was not pretty, it was violent and little could be retrieved to be interred. Starscream was absolutely sure he could have been saved. It seemed to him that Firestorm felt he was dead weight. Perhaps their friend feared the three of them would be captured by the Autobots and decided to sacrifice himself, to save two. Starscream knew it was a noble sacrifice, but he felt it was wasteful. He hated losing another close friend.

Years later Starscream would understand the need to sacrifice himself for the greater good. He had led a dangerous mission that had succeeded. Ultimately he, and several others, were shot down in an acid rainstorm. Rather than be burned alive from the outside in, Starscream opted to suicide; he failed in his attempt. His subsequent capture, then escape was why he had been promoted to Wingsecond at Darkmount by Megatron himself.

Chapter Text

Eight Hours after Inspection

Darkmount was the heart of the Decepticon empire, where Megatron oversaw the war efforts. It had two control rooms, one more open near the top of the great tower, and one within Megatron's private quarters, which doubled as a war room.

While Megatron was not the largest, or even the most powerful of the Decepticons; there were indeed bigger, stronger warriors out there. He did boast one of the most powerful weapons amongst the Decepticons: the Fusion Cannon. A weapon that could tap into the power of a singularity and use that energy it has absorbed to level entire cities. Megatron never tried to use it at full strength, save only once when he vapourised an asteroid the size of Vos that would have struck Cybertron. It required a lot of time to reach full power, so he rarely wanted to use it. Still the fact he could use it was enough to keep most people in check.

As an accomplished gladiator, he had rallied people to his banner, a cry for freedom against oppression. Seekers flocked to his call because they had suffered the hardest at the hands of the Grounders in the past. While many Decepticons were indeed Grounders most understood, at least in part, the pain felt by the Seekers and supported them.

Seekers made up a full third of the forces and tolerated the ground based Cybertronians providing they could operate under their own leadership. In an agreement, it was decided that an Air Commander, a Seeker General, would act as third in Command of the Decepticons, and they would work closely with Megatron and his lieutenant. It was a system that seemed to work for the most part.

Megatron was well respected and feared by almost everyone. He led the Decepticons into the war, waving the flag of freedom from the oppressive ways of the old government. The same government that caused the six great Seeker cities to fall from the sky nearly three million years ago and denied freedom of choice for people to pick their field of work. The only group that was largely free of this restriction was the Seekers, who somehow managed to keep the oppressive Grounders from meddling with their lives. That was probably why they were so heavily targeted and why the Seeker Grounder wars were usually fast, violent, and bloody.

There were only two surviving Seeker civilian populations from the fallen six cities, the great city of Vos and the much smaller village of Cetagon, which were protected under the Decepticon Banner.

Unfortunately for the Seekers, repeated attacks against them whittled them down. Their monarchy vanished, then faded into history. Without true leadership and guidance, the Seekers were drawn to the one who shared their fight. The trade-off was that they found themselves being exploited similarly to the old school government, and their lives were treated as expendable by those who commanded them.

The closest to a ruling power the Seekers had was Nightfall, who found the foundations of his own station severely rattled by the sudden rise and popularity of the lost Seeker Prince, Starscream. He was in part relieved that the young Seeker monarch lay dead in his quarters, and a little guilty at the same time for feeling that way. He was also deathly afraid of how the Decepticon Warlord would take news that the young Seeker strategist/tactician had died unexpectedly.

Nightfall knew how short-tempered Megatron was for inconvenient occurrences. Starscream had only taken command of the wing a month earlier, it took him over a week in repair bay to recover from his conflict that had nearly killed him. It then took him a week to come up to speed with his new position, and then it took two weeks for the young flier to read up on all the mission reports. Then read the plans that Nightfall had provided, and then the young flier was supposed devise a strategy.

Nightfall was not entirely sure why Megatron wanted Starscream to do this himself and felt a little threatened by the young flier having gained such favour from the Warlord. Megatron had requested that Starscream to be sent to Darkmount when he was rescued from the Prison. Then he promoted him to Wingsecond and Megatron heartily approved of his rise to Wingleader. In fact Megatron seemed unusually concerned about Starscream's life-threatening condition after his confrontation with Icestorm. Insisting that the young Seeker get the best possible treatment available and even visiting him in the intensive care unit after his surgery.

The Warlord had little tolerance for inconvenient occurrences. Nightfall was sure that announcing that Megatron's new favourite was dead would be considered... very inconvenient. Nightfall felt a peculiar flipping in his fuel tank as he approached the massive heavy metal blast door, which separated the heavily shielded control room from the rest of the base. There was a sense of foreboding; Nightfall was almost certain that the Decepticon Warlord would be furious.

The huge fortress itself had a very sturdy construction, the control room boasted something even more complex. Many times the Autobot forces had launched attacks against the great structure and had blown out massive sections; Yet the primary control room remained intact and unaffected; the product of the Constructicon's engineering genius.

The power supply to the control room was in the room itself, it was a separate system from the rest of the base. Should power be cut off to the fortress the command centre itself would remain fully operational, with an extensive energy bank and battery backup systems. Even attacks against the master computer would end in failure; they had ample backups and several fail-safes to prevent damage from power surges or electromagnetic pulses. The windows and portals to the outside world overlooking the Province of Polyhex were made of thick blast proof glass. They were seated in equally thick walls, which were honey combed with tridium and trinuium alloy crumple zones layered in lead panelling. Over which was an ultrathin skin of teflon-like material and finally a force shield to reinforce any weakened sections.

The door itself was made of reinforced steel alloy several metres thick. Layered with a honeycomb structures and solid alloy plates and lead shielding. Rumours had it, that Autobots had attacked during the time of its construction, and they were sandwiched between the layers, adding a sort of 'personality' to the structure. The locking mechanism was a combination between primitive bolt and tumblers and a more modern electromagnetic seal. There was also a rumour that should Darkmount be destroyed the control room could disengage and through Decepticon technology reform itself into a shuttle.

Nightfall came to a stop before the entrance and placed his hand lightly on the security pad. The machine hummed gently as it scanned his palm with a beam of light and sampled his energy signature. It then compared that information with what was in the files.

"Welcome, Air Commander Nightfall. Please enter your access code," the machine asked.

Fingers moving quickly, Nightfall entered the ten-digit number before the computer had finished its request.

"Access confirmed."

The doors whined from within followed by loud clanks; the heavy alloy bolts retracted releasing the primary seal. The secondary seal, the electromagnetic lock, was released. A screeching grind and hiss of air being pulled into the momentary vacuum as the door cracked open. Ancient bearings along the track cried out for oil as the door slid into the massive walls; pulled open by an enormous counterweight. Within a few moments, the door finally came to a rest, fully open.

A menacing power exuded from the figure in the middle of the room. An authority that should never be questioned or toyed with; Megatron.

The Warlord's attention was fixed on a messy conflict that was panning out on the vis-screen. With his arms crossed he gazed upon it with a glowering glare that showed his burning dissatisfaction with the entire affair. "So, are your warriors ready to fly, Nightfall?" he asked sternly and without shifting his gaze.

Nightfall could see that Megatron was not going to take his news well. He only hoped the Decepticon Leader would not fly off the handle. Nightfall took a deep breath.

"We have a problem sir," Nightfall announced, barely keeping the nervousness out of his voice.

Megatron optics flickered from the screen, and he slowly turned to face Nightfall, uncrossing his arms.

"I beg your pardon?" he asked dangerously. “A problem? These are not the words I want to hear at this time, Air Commander.”

Nightfall glanced briefly at the Warlord's massive weapon. His wings quivered, shifting back into a slightly submissive posture. "We have a serious problem, Sir. The Wings won't be ready to fly until at least noon tomorrow."

Clenching his fists and grinding his teeth Megatron narrowed his optics. Nightfall could almost feel his leader burning holes into his being.

"Care to explain this delay?" he growled, stepping toward the Seeker, head raised and optics hot with internal fire.

"Uh... one of the guys died suddenly, and the others are attending to the funeral rites," he explained meekly. He could feel the energetic ire of the other Decepticon through his wings and Nightfall wanted to run. He wanted to run far, fast and not look back.

“They're going to cause a delay over a single worthless carcass?” Megatron shook his head and waved his hand as if it was a moot point. The Decepticon Warlord considered funeral preparations for the regular warrior a waste of time, resources, and energy. Their lifeless remains could be put to better use melted down and then used for other more constructive purposes. Megatron, however, permitted the Seekers to hold their funerals, if only to help their moral. Only this time the funeral could not have come at a worse moment.

“It won't be a long funeral, I promise sir, but we cannot deny them this.”

"Then find another warrior to replace your dead Seeker. Now! We must get this situation rectified immediately." he snarled gesturing to the vis-screen, and the action that was being displayed.

"It isn't so easy as that, my Lord." Nightfall replied in a worried voice.

"And why not?" Megatron demanded. “Do you not command thousands of Seekers?”

"I do, but the warrior who died was the Wingleader, Starscream. I'll need to promote a warrior from the unit to fill his place and get him up to speed."

That got Megatron's attention quickly. The Warlord frowned, his fury momentarily tempered by the news.

"Starscream is dead?" Megatron asked in disbelief.

“I'm afraid so, Sir,” Nightfall said.

"Is this some sort of twisted joke, Air Commander?" his tone shifted from surprise to sceptical. "If so, I am not finding it the least bit amusing."

"Absolutely not. I take my job seriously, my Lord." Nightfall replied quickly. "I'm not prone to making jokes, especially not one of this nature at this most critical time," he reassured.

“This is most unfortunate,” The Warlord said, “Starscream had such promise.”

“Indeed,” Nightfall agreed.

Megatron nodded still keeping his baleful gaze locked upon the Air Commander. "Then do tell, Nightfall, how did the young Starscream die?"

Nightfall looked at the datapad in his hand. "The report clearly states he had a sudden pump failure. They say it was due to...stress."

"Stress? You scheduled an inspection today, did you not?”

“I did, Sir.” Nightfall said uneasily.

“What sort of stress would cause an otherwise healthy, off-duty, officer to have a pump failure, during a routine inspection, Air Commander? An officer who is barely one, and a half million years of age," Megatron quietly demanded.

Nightfall shifted on his feet. He was sure Megatron could see through a lie, but he decided he would try to exaggerate the story, at least in part.

“My lord, as you know, Starscream was dedicated to his work, and was usually working on projects even while he was on his rest days. In fact, outside the week spent in the infirmary, he had spent the past seventy days working non-stop,” this was not a lie. Starscream almost always worked through his days off on something.

“Was he not a member of your Elite Guard? Could you not have ensured that he would take time off?”

“Outside of tossing him in the brig, there is no real way of stopping Starscream once he starts. He likely failed to take enough time to rest and wore himself out.”

“It does sound like a lack of your leadership abilities. However, it is a problem I do see with many of my more dedicated warriors. It still does not explain why a Seeker who is barely an adult would have a pump failure.”

“There may be a legitimate explanation, my Lord, if you give me moment. I don't think Thundercracker considered it, but it would make sense.”

“What is your explanation?”

“Well, as you recall, Icestorm attacked him last month. Icestorm managed to strike a wound to his fuel pump. It's plausible that it could have taken a few weeks for Starscream to have finally succumbed to that injury. It's not uncommon for a warrior to have a delayed death due to such wounds.” Nightfall felt he could get away with not even remotely mentioning the push-ups. The delayed death idea was very possible and could have easily been the reason. A fuel pump could take a while to fully heal. He privately kicked himself for pushing the young Seeker into that punishment. He never thought about how it might trigger a malfunction in a previously weakened system.

Also, Starscream had been awake for three straight days and nights prior, working on the assignment he was now having to delay, yet again, due to his unexpected demise.

Megatron paced back and forth casting glances at the vis-screen and then to the Air Commander.

"You will correct this situation immediately, no more delays. I do not care how you do it, but you will do it, Nightfall," Megatron growled. “Your Seekers will fly by noon tomorrow.”

“I need time, my Lord.”

Megatron turned and grabbed the Seeker off his feet by the throat and locked optics with him. Nightfall grasped Megatron's hands in his and tried to gasp for air.

"If you don't get your replacement for Starscream up to speed, you will join the young Starscream in the crypt." Megatron thrust the Seeker away from him and turned his back.

“Yes my lord, I will get a new Wingleader selected shortly,” he said as he bowed and then bolted from the control room.

In Starscream's Dreamscape
Twenty-nine Days Earlier

Starscream had a handful of cleanser in his hand, and a wet cleaning sponge. He rubbed the soap into it and squeezed it a few times to get it frothing. A few moments later he was joyfully soaping up his chest, arms, and legs. He added a bit more cleanser to the sponge then mumbled softly as he lathered his neck, head, and face.

He reached for the rod to hook the sponge on to bathe his back when he thought he heard a sound.

“Is someone there?” Starscream asked, tilting his head. He was not sure, but he thought he had heard a voice or something. It could have been an announcement as well. The intercom did not work all that well in the humid environment of the wash racks. Starscream listened and shook his head then resumed trying to clean the back of his wings.

He twisted the knob to increase the heat and flow as the room filled with steam. Starscream stepped into the multiple water streams of the wash rack. It sent tickling, tingling, and prickling sensations through his wings as the powerful jets of water pulsed up and down his body taking the dirt, grime with the suds as it rinsed away. He breathed deeply enjoying the sensation of the jets of water against his body. It was something he truly enjoyed at Darkmount; free unrestricted access to bathing facilities.

Then he became aware that something, or someone was directly behind him. Too late Starscream realised he should have become alert when he sensed his wings prickling; that was always a warning. Before he could react, a sharp blade was pressed against his throat. He could feel the edge cut in to the softer metals of his neck. The blade was incredibly sharp, and he froze, not attempting to struggle and dropped the sponge.

The proximity of the other Seeker allowed him to identify his assailant, “I yield, Icestorm” Starscream said in a low yet nervous voice. The motion of his jaw as he spoke caused the blade to cut in deeper. “What do you want from me?”

“If I kill you, Starscream, do I become the Seeker Lord?” he asked quietly. “How did you get that title anyway?”

“No, you don't. It doesn't work that way. It's a birthright, not a prize to be won; I'm son of Lord Darkstar. If you kill me, then you simply end the line. My sire will take up the crown again, and then choose an heir, and it won't be you,” Starscream explained. “What's your fraggin problem with me anyway? I've not done anything to you. I've followed your orders without question.” he wanted to pull himself away from the burning blade.

“I never chose you as my Wingsecond. I just got a message from Megatron that he decided you would take that posting, I would have given it to my wingmate, Acidstorm. Then after a while I hear you're some sort trumped-up Vosian Lord.”

“Lord Megatron can promote or demote anyone he chooses. If he wanted me as your second, then that was his prerogative,” Starscream replied. “And, so what if I'm a Seeker Lord? It means nothing here. I'm just your underling, Icestorm.”

“You were my underling, I don't need you coming after me. A Seeker Lord will never be happy as a subordinate.” Icestorm snarled he pressed the blade harder into the other Seeker's throat, it cut through the armour plating and into the rubber-like skin below.

While Icestorm was not wrong and Starscream did have some ambition, he was more than happy to take his time and rise up when the opportunity presented itself. Although he did not get along with Icestorm, he had little concern over his leadership. Icestorm was quite a competent leader until this moment.

Starscream gasped, and then had his own dagger out in his hand. He spun out from under the blade at his throat.

Icestorm feeling the Seeker try to pull away, tightened his grasp, which caused the edge of the blade to slip through the rubber-skin and slice into an artery. Starscream began to bleed heavily. The young flier touched the wound briefly realising it was serious.

“I had no actual interest in killing you, Icestorm,” Starscream snarled, his voice trembling, as he drove his blade toward the Wingleader. “Up until now,” he finished.

Warm energon flowed down his neck across his chest, Starscream fully realised he would have no choice other than to use lethal force to defend himself, there would be no holding back; this would be a fight until one of them lay dead. And the way he felt himself bleeding, he was fairly sure he'd be the one to be downed. But he would not go without a fight, if anything, it would be mutual destruction, and he knew he would have to end this fight quickly, every second that ticked by meant he was closer to his end.

The steam in the wash racks reduced visibility as the two Seekers slipped and slid in the soaps and detergents. The fluid from Starscream's throat splashed onto the floor, adding to the slick as Icestorm slashed out at him with his dagger. Starscream blocked the blade with his right forearm, snarling as it cut deeply into him; another heavily bleeding wound.

Starscream reacted with a punch, sending the other Seeker back and away from him, he slipped and fell as well. The younger flier sprang to his feet again as Icestorm jumped and thrustered himself against Starscream. The two the hit the wall of the wash racks with such power that Starscream left a sizable dent behind him; his back and wings hurt, and blood from his wounds sprayed across the walls and nearby surfaces.

The younger Seeker tried to bring his blade to bear upon the older Seeker. Icestorm held Starscream's left wrist, twisting it back and applied pressure on the hydraulic tendons in an effort to force Starscream to release and drop his dagger.

Starscream attempted to break Icestorm's grasp with his free hand. Then suddenly he felt the heat of an energised blade hit him center of his chest, being driven upward from below, splintering the canopy and sink deeply into his fuel pump; the piston struck the blade. Starscream's optics flared, and he gasped in surprise as he staggered backward from the force of the mortal blow. He had been distracted and did not think to keep an optic on the other's weapon, a fatal mistake; a tactic he often used against others, now used against himself.

“I know you're an academy arena champion, and I have seen your silver snake bite finishing move, Starscream, it's a fitting way for you to die,” Icestorm snarled.

“You've thought about this for a while, I see,” Starscream said through gritted teeth, as he dropped to his knees, the Icestorm's blade still protruded from his chest. He could feel himself becoming quite light-headed. He could taste the electro-static of blood in his mouth.

“For a very long while, Starscream.” Icestorm still held the Wingsecond's wrist, glaring into Starscream's optics watching as fear flickered across their weakening glow.

The young Seeker flicked the blade down to his free right hand, and snatched it by the hilt. In a swift motion that caught Icestorm off guard, he drove it into the other Seeker's chest, twisted it and drew it out. Icestorm released his grasp on the younger flier and gazed down at Starscream, mouth open with an expression of pure shock.

“You forgot one part of that move,” Starscream explained as he dropped his dagger, then fell to his side, struggling to remain conscious. “The twisting and withdraw part... which is... the quick killing motion.”

Icestorm tried to snatch for the dagger that was still embedded in the Starscream's chest in an effort to finish the attack as Starscream had described. The grievously wounded Seeker shifted himself just out of reach. A moment later Icestorm faded to grey, as he fell to the floor, and his hand dropped onto Starscream's blood covered legs.

The young flier pushed the hand off him then stared at the dagger as it vibrated to the pulse of his weakening fuel pump, which also forced the fluid from his neck. He could not remove the blade from the fuel pump as that would be lethal. Instead, he just lay on the floor and hoped help might find him sooner rather than later.

He pressed his hands against the wound in his throat, to try to stem the flow. His HUD warned him of the critical damage he had sustained and would require immediate assistance, it could not safely recommend stasis lock.

“Starscream to repair bay... emergency help required, immediately... I'm... I'm bleeding out. I'm dying.... Seeker wash racks..., someone please... help me...,” he radioed. Starscream could hardly focus on the sound of the shower as his vision darkened. By the time help arrived, Starscream had slipped into unconsciousness from the loss of vital fluids, his colour was dangerously grey.

That was what his mind was trying to tell him; It was his abrupt rise in power that alarmed people, when would it stop? It was also his title as Seeker Lord that brought him grief.

His first promotion happened after his tussle with Thunderhead in the Arena, a large powerful Seeker with an ancient source of hatred against Starscream and his line. A Seeker so strong that the council at the War Academy decided that Starscream's victory over him could be considered a win against a professional pit fighter. It turned out that Thunderhead, whose actual name was Cumulonimbus had frequently fought in the arena on a professional level before the war, and before joining the Academy. Starscream's final fight was so traumatic, that he had been struggling for nearly five hundred millennia to forget; it was getting easier, the thoughts only dredging up intermittently.

He was posted as a Flight Second at Eastern Tarn front, or as they usually called it, Tarn Eastern. He was not sure how long he was to remain there, and he wished desperately to have remained with his trine who were posted together at Polyhex. The move to separate the trine was unusual, typically well working established trine were moved as a unit. Starscream had reasoned it was so that he would learn to lead, so he did his best. And that was where he won his promotion by taking out Horizon after he was purposefully sent into a combat to be killed.

His third promotion was given to him, as a last action from his Flight Commander, Firestorm just before he had blown himself sky-high. That was a difficult promotion to have accepted as he and Firestorm were close friends and part of a good working trine. He had to notify the High Command of the situation, and then he had to wait for it to be confirmed. Darkmount acknowledged the shift in power.

His fourth promotion, was simply because of his actions in battle. He risked his life, and the lives of seventeen willing volunteers in a daring and dangerous attack during a rainstorm. He had been shot down and taken captive during that mission, which, fortunately, had achieved its objective. Starscream organised and executed an escape from an Autobot prison, freeing over sixty Seekers who later found themselves positions at Darkmount. Starscream, himself, was recaptured and sentenced to death. A situation he narrowly escaped.

Megatron realising that Starscream had a history of strategic thinking, decided to bring him into his Elite Guard and giving him the promotion to Wingsecond. For some reason this bothered Icestorm, even more so when it was revealed who Starscream was. While Starscream was not actively Seeking a change in position, he took it when it was offered. He wondered if maybe he should have declined the fifth promotion and waited until much later.

His rapid rise in power for a Seeker so young did have those above him watching with wary optics. Icestorm was the first to feel threatened by it. Starscream wondered how Wing Commander Eclipse was feeling about his position as Wingleader or even how Air Commander Nightfall thought. Those were the last two individuals he would have to face, if he wished to become third in Command of the Decepticons.

For the moment a rapid rise in power was not his ambition, although he did entertain the thought of becoming Seeker Air Commander one day. He even allowed himself the small fantasy thought of becoming Second in Command or even Leader of the Decepticons. Fat chance, he knew, but he could still dream. As Icestorm had speculated, it would make sense for a Seeker Lord to actually have solid command over his people and to have some say in how his Seekers were utilised.

Starscream knew he would have to watch for those who wished to assassinate him for his position; the higher he went, the more real of a risk that became. He realised that this was likely how his superiors thought. Hopefully neither Nightfall nor Eclipse would want to make a pre-emptive strike against him like Icestorm. He wondered if he would consider pre-emptively taking out an upstart, Starscream doubted it; he would have to remain vigilant at all times and observe those under him for any indication of a power play and be ready for it when it happened.

For the moment Starscream was content to follow those above him, unless they made decisions that was wasteful or unnecessarily dangerous, like Horizon. He hoped that his superiors realised that he had only ever made one actual power challenge in his entire career and all other situations were different.

His mind felt like it understood his problem, only problem left was that he was stuck in a hard restoration cycle, and it would not release him until the damaged hydraulic systems were repaired. He realised he would be vulnerable to attack and hoped that someone, somehow, was protecting him from harm. He would have to have faith in Thundercracker and Skywarp.

With that thought in mind, his body set a timer for him to wake up in about fifteen hours.

The young Seeker's mind finally at ease understanding his problems, allowed himself to mentally shut down to have much needed rest, finally entering a mild-stasis lock.

Chapter Text

Sixteen hours after Inspection

Nightfall sat in his private quarters scanning the names on the screen. He was to pick a new Wingleader for his Elite Guard unit. Each of the warriors within the team had special abilities or functions that were useful if combined with one another, making them extremely effective in battle. Yet, none of them had the natural initiative or the intuitive nature of the now late Starscream.

Starscream did not boast the most powerful of weapons; but they were, in their way, useful. The null ray blasts caused the target to momentarily malfunction or drop into stasis permitting the others to have a chance to act against or capture the target. Again, not powerful, but it was very convenient.

He wondered for a moment if Starscream's past as a scientist was not as bad as he had initially thought. Nightfall admitted that he disliked scientists in general. They had their usefulness-locked away in some remote lab; but as warriors they were usually ineffective. They spent too much of their time observing and analysing a situation. Scientists would have to think on a problem, going through a multitude of steps before finding a solution.

Starscream was different, from the normal scientist types. In the heat of battle he observed then analysed, and then, almost instantly, acted upon a plan. When given more time, Starscream could think out in depth plans, even considering a multitude of possible failed outcomes and finding a solution to each one in short order, he did his job exceedingly well.

The ruby glinted in the dim light catching Nightfall's optic. He picked up the stone and glanced it over. It was finely cut and glimmered gently. Not a rare stone, by any means. They were often used within lasers, but it was unusual for its size. It seemed to lack any imperfections. It was perfect for a weapon or even adornment, he would have to return it, lest he brought down the wrath of Starscream's sire for having taken it.

He exhaled slowly as he looked at the list of names and qualifications. It hit him like a hammer. The reason it was so hard to find a replacement for Starscream, was because the former Wingleader's past as a scientist was a bonus to the effort rather than a hindrance. He realised he was not going to be able to replace the lost warrior; he would simply have to find someone to do the job effectively.

It would take too long to brief a new Wingleader for the mission and, unless dead mech could talk, he had less than seven hours to come up with an effective plan, and attend a funeral. Nightfall looked up at the ceiling as a new revelation revealed itself. He would be expected to give a eulogy.

Nightfall exhaled and rubbed his face. He wished, momentarily, that he could either extend the day, or go back in time and stop himself.

Back in Barrack Three

Continuing with their prank, the Seekers had stuck as close to the traditional funeral rites as possible and told each other humorous and embarrassing stories about their Wingleader.

Starscream, if he were conscious, would not have been amused. Luckily for him, he slept soundlessly on, blithely ignorant.

Nightfall, having momentarily given up the quest for a replacement Wingleader, chose to join the group and listen in. He had come to the conclusion, while trying to write up a eulogy, that he knew virtually nothing about the deceased warrior. He figured that listening to their stories might give him insight into who Starscream was to those who were his friends.

As soon as he had arrived the barrack he was barred from entering. Once Nightfall paid the credits to Thundercracker and returned the stolen items as well, they agreed to allow him entrance.

Nightfall, smiled as he listened to the tales. The young flier had his moments of hilarity that made him seem more personable. He had only known Starscream to be focused and occasionally hot headed and impulsive. Seeing Starscream in this light made him wish he had known the other a little better.

Thundercracker chuckled, “I have one for you guys,” he said standing, holding up a glass.

“Back in the academy, when Skywarp first started to juggle dummy grenades... Starscream had no idea he could juggle in the first place. Because Skywarp, no offence brother, could be a bit graceless at times.”

Skywarp flicked a lid from a bottle of engex at Thundercracker. “Offence taken, Thundercracker,” he said with a slight smile. “But yeah, guys, this one, you'll love it.” Skywarp said with a cheerful nod.

“So there was Skywarp juggling these three realistic looking grenades when Starscream walked into the barracks. Starscream was always the cautious type. And he just stared at Skywarp for a long moment, horrified, opening and closing his mouth as if he could not speak... speechless for once.”

“Then one of the grenades slipped from Skywarp's fingers and bounced across the floor stopping at Starscream's foot. The ring had fallen out, so it activated its countdown with a flashing red light, and that high pitch beeping like the real ones. Starscream saw that and screamed. He then ran through the barracks then shut himself into the bunker.” Thundercracker took a small sip of low grade energon and grinned. “I was not worried, I knew Skywarp's not an idiot, and he would not juggle live ordnance.”

“How do you know for sure, Thunder?” Skywarp asked teasingly. “I've juggled with live grenades before, you learn not to drop them when they're live.”

“Not around me, I hope...”

“Sure, I've done it around both you and Starscream.” He smiled sinisterly.

“If anyone sees Skywarp juggling grenades, call the bomb squad,” Nightfall said with a shake of his head. “For love of Primus, Skywarp, I hope you are kidding.”

“You'll never know, Nightfall,” Skywarp said with a teasing grin.

“Anyway, back to my little story,” Thundercracker chuckled. “The bunker door for some reason got stuck closed, and when Starscream finally realised that the grenades were fake, because there was no explosion, he could not get out. Skywarp being the aft he is, left Starscream in there. He could've teleported Starscream out at any time he wanted but nope, he sat on the platform laughing his brains out while Darkstar, Riftwing and Stellardrift forced the door open. Starscream looked fit to be tied when he came out.”

“It's fortunate I could teleport, because Starscream was royally mad at me. I had to go hang out with our engex stash for a good day,” Skywarp added. “I got drunk and missed a days worth of classes.”

“That's it for my little tale, anyone else?” Thundercracker said.

Talon stood up and raised his glass.

“Admittedly, prison was a rough place for us all, Starscream had it way worse, not sure how much he spoke of it or if he'd rather have forgotten. I'd not be surprised if he kept a lid on things,” Talon began. “But there were moments that I found amusing... For one there were two big jerk Grounders that had it in for Starscream. So when Starscream accidentally caused a cave in that revealed a cavern below, they of course decided that he would be the sorry sap to go explore it.”

Starscream managed to cause an explosion down in the cavern that sent flames shooting thirty meters out of the entrance. So we all thought that Star surely was toast, I mean who the pit survives that? An hour later we find Starscream dragging his burned aft out of the hole.” He grinned, “It was great that Starscream survived, but the guards looked disappointed. And of course Starscream is sent the repair bay to get treated.”

“It's supposed to be a funny story,” Acidstorm said.

“It gets better, give me a moment. Just putting things into context,” Talon answered. “While he was upstairs, things from deep followed him out. There were six of these giant flesh-balls with teeth and legs...”

“I thought it was four,” interjected Deepsky.

“I could have sworn it was nine,” Rainjumper countered.

“Doesn't matter how many there were... there were a bunch of these flesh-teeth balls that bounced around like Skywarp's bouncer bombs. They just bounced, if they hit something then they would go off in that direction.”

“Bouncer bombs are so much fun, maybe I should juggle those instead?” Skywarp said teasingly.

“Remove all ordinance from Skywarp's arsenal please,” Nightfall said with a grin.

“Anyway, There is Starscream, he's running down the hall, and these giant... things with teeth and legs were just bouncing off any flat surface chasing after him. Starscream's pulling on every cell door that had an occupant begging to be let inside as the toothy beast got closer. Starscream got just in front of my cell door and had his back pretty much to it as the beast bounced for him. It was close enough to bite his face off when I hauled Starscream into my cell.”

“You should have seen his face when that thing came for him, you could tell he thought he was going to die. I think he must have dropped a few ingots, I swear. Afterwards we ended up playing a game of cards... he's not very good at cards now was he?”

“Depends on the game,” Thundercracker said. “If it's pure chance he's bad, if there is some strategy, he's better.”

“Yeah, but I'm still a better player than he was any day,” Skywarp said.

“You cheat better, is what you mean, right Skywarp?”

Skywarp only smiled “My turn,” he said standing up taking a swig out of the engex bottle. He chortled loudly as he spoke.

“We all know that Starscream's the master of the sky. But on the ground, that's something else. He's not very graceful was he?”

There was a murmur of agreement.

“He can barely walk to save his life... I don't know how many of you guys sometimes take a detour to the femcon annex. But you know that lifted floor plate between barracks 7a and 7b?”

There were a few nods, but most just stared stoically at Nightfall. No one was supposed to fraternise with the female Seekers.

“So I saw Starscream heading down there for some reason. And ya'll know how he can tell who's around him with his wings alone, so I stayed really far back, but I followed him just wanted to see what he was doing. So he's got his nose jammed deep into his datapad when he tripped on that floor plate. He flew head first into the wall and got his head and intakes really badly stuck. Right through the wall, his face was inside the femcon barracks.”

Everyone began to laugh just imagining Starscream's horrified expression as he was face to face with a group of femcons.

“I can't do anything to help him as I'm not supposed to be down there. Starscream sure as the pit was not supposed to be down there...”

“Starscream was a lucky son of a slarg, I tell ya. But you know Starscream, he'd see it as a living nightmare; 'no time for girls', know what I mean? 'Duty first', he'd always say." Skywarp grinned broadly. "The girls just seem to have a thing for him, and he just does not share that feeling."

“Why was he always turning the female population away?” asked Deepsky, “He could have any femcon he wanted, and he's ignored them all.... he's not....”

Thundercracker rumbled for a moment. “I know why he won't have an intimate relationship with anyone, and it's not what you think. To preserve his dignity and his privacy, I will respectfully remain mum on the matter. But it was not a humourous situation, it was very serious, and I felt terrible when he told me about it,” Thundercracker shot Skywarp a searing glare to remind him to keep silent on the matter.

Skywarp nodded at Thundercracker, he got the message. It left the other Seekers whispering to each other and Nightfall tilted his head, curious.

"Anyway, Six femcons were either trying to push through or pull him back through. Well one femcon, Silverrose, is her name, punted him hard in the face to push him back out. It worked, it sent him spiralling back out the way he came. The other femcons had been on his wings and arms fell over. He landed on top of them just as Megatron rounded the corner, coming to check in on the commotion I think. I had to teleport out almost immediately, and I bet Starscream wished he had died just then. He was sent to repair bay to fix a broken nose. And Megatron said absolutely nothing about it, nothing at all." Skywarp finished.

"What was Starscream doing down in the femcon annex anyway?" Acidstorm asked.

“He probably got off on the wrong floor,” Ionstorm quipped.

“Or the right floor,” Talon added with a snicker.

"Beats me," Skywarp replied with a shrug. "He probably didn't know why he was down there either."

“What gets me is why the pit was Megatron down that way?” Deepsky asked. “It's awfully far from the control tower to be interested in a commotion.”

“You know, Deepsky, that's a good question,” Skywarp said with a nod, the others agreed. “I never thought to wonder about that, why was Megatron in the femcon annex?”

The group jerked in surprise as the morning wakeup Klaxon sounded. They all turned their heads toward the dim digital wall clock: 0500 it displayed.

"Geez, Dirge'll be here shortly to lead the way." Skywarp said.

The Seekers fell silent.

The foot fall's of a trio of Seekers echoed in the distance as they neared the door then stopped. Followed by a triple knock on the door then a pause, followed by two more sets of the triple knocks.

Threes were the power number of the Seeker. Three members of a trine, three trines in a flight, three flights in a Wing and Three Wings under the Air Commander's Elite Guard. For the moment the number of Seekers under Nightfall was very low. He currently had twenty-six living Seekers including himself, which barely constituted as a single wing, let alone three. The units would be expanded in future, Nightfall only wanted the best Seekers, and the war was still young.

With the arrival of Dirge and his trine the Ritus Mortem would begin.

There was a ritual conversation between the Key Keeper, Dirge, and the Door Watcher. Typically, the Door Watcher's role would be done by the leader of the unit, as Starscream was the one to be borne out, it would usually fall to the Wingsecond. As the unit did not have a Wingsecond either. The position was open to whoever wanted to face Dirge.

Acidstorm stood up to answer the door.

Dirge stood wearing a double snare drum across his shoulder, and it hung lightly at his hip. It was painted black with gold highlights. The web belt that held it to his waist was coloured in a deep midnight blue with a golden Decepticon insignia emblazoned on the buckles. Around his neck he wore a finely braided platinum and gold wire lanyard that ended in a heavy bronze key.

Dirge was flanked by his wingmates, Ramjet and Thrust; neither looked happy to be there. It was a funeral, so it was probably just being sombre. Ramjet held neatly folded gold and black velvet cloth while Thrust held a folded flag.

Dirge beat a small set of beats on his drum before silencing it with a light placement of his fingers.

"We have arrived" said Dirge.

"We are waiting," Acidstorm replied.

"As the sun rises, has Starscream also risen?" Dirge inquired in a mournful tone.

"Negative, Key Keeper," Acidstorm responded on cue. "Starscream still lays in an everlasting sleep."

The muddy green Seeker stepped away from the door to permit Dirge, and his wingmates to advance.

"We will collect him and take him to his place by the everlasting flame."

The first part of the ritual was completed. Starscream had not awakened, and the funeral would be permitted to carry on.

Skywarp barely stifled a snicker as he set up the pall next to Starscream. With the help of Ramjet and Thrust, the three moved the still unconscious Seeker to the heavily decorated board.

Thundercracker, filled with dread, held his breath as the Coneheaded Seekers proceeded to fulfil their funerary duties, he feared that Starscream might wake up. He wondered why he should fear it; the madness could end right now if the young Seeker would just arise.

Ramjet carefully tucked Starscream into the body bag and zipped it up. They removed the other shrouds and folded them then unfolded the heavy black velvet cloth that was trimmed in gold and satin, then draped it over the body bag. Thrust spread the Seeker's flag over top.

Skywarp and Acidstorm unpinned the Decepticon banner from the wall then handed it to Thrust and Ramjet. They removed the two sconces, and the purple funeral orb and hung them on hooks on the foot of the pall, with the orb at the head; then they were ready.

"We now proceed to the crypt." Dirge did not seem to mind officiating the funerals of the Seekers he found them interesting.

The Conehad Seekers, and Starscream's trine lined up on either side of the pall and then glanced expectantly at Nightfall; they had left one spot open.

"Uh...right," He inhaled deeply and took the vacant spot. It was tradition that the leader of the unit take the right-hand side next to the Key keeper. Since it was the unit leader's funeral, and he was the Seeker Commander, had the unfortunate honour.

Dirge nodded grimly and started to beat out the march with his free hand, and they all moved forward; painfully slow.

There was never a convenient time for a funeral, but this one seemed the most ill timed. It was not Starscream's fault and that had aggravated him even more. As they got closer to the crypt, Nightfall began to worry about how long it would take to finish their proceedings. It could take a few minutes to several hours, depending on the popularity and position of the Seeker in question.

While Starscream was arguably, popular, and seemed reasonably well liked; he still came off as an upper class snob. He only had a few actual friends, mostly his trine, the trine that he freed from prison, and a couple others. Starscream kept his closest friends at a safe distance. Which was odd for a Seeker as they were such a group oriented race.

Still, most who knew Starscream, knew him well enough to share a good number of funny stories. Although, Nightfall had to wonder what it was that Thundercracker knew about Starscream, that he gave Skywarp such a quelling glare. If looks could kill, then he was certain he would have been attending Skywarp's funeral as well. He could only think that it had to do something about his distance to his friends and his disdain for the femcon population.

He had to wonder why these Seekers seemed more mournful of Starscream than the previous fallen fliers. Perhaps it was understandable, Icestorm did behave in a manner that was considered an act of cowardice, he attacked his underling with intent to kill. Or they may have felt empathy for Starscream because of how sudden and unexpected his death was for them. From what they said, he was holding a conversation one moment and lay dead at their feet the next. This may have frightened them; it certainly frightened him.

Then there was that eulogy he needed to give. Even though he had sat in on the stories, he still did not know anything about Starscream. He knew that he did his job well, that he was a scientist before the war, and he had been a prisoner of the Autobots. He had managed to escape with help of Darkstar, the former Seeker Monarch.

And Starscream was the ruling Seeker Monarch, and he was not even sure he had words to do that station justice. Not to mention, as far as he knew, this was something that Starscream had tried to keep absolutely quiet about. Even though he hated the young flier for his royal lineage, seeing it as a possible threat to the command structure, Starscream had never once tried to raise himself above his military rank. He followed orders, did what was asked of him and was amiable about it. Perhaps he had misjudged Starscream.

Nightfall did not know much of Starscream's personality other than the odd aloofness. And as one did not speak ill of the dead, he could not go around calling Starscream an arrogant little snob. What were his merits? Masterful tactician, fast thinker, adept flier. Those were well known.

Nightfall abruptly paused in his march. What did the others know about Starscream? Could he make stuff up on the spot. Would they call him out later on his... 'errors'. Even though Starscream had been under his command for five hundred years he really knew very little about the deceased flier. He decided it would be enough to keep it short and to the point with what little he knew. Perhaps this funeral could be over in a couple of minutes. Hopefully his wingmates had little to say.

"Sir?" Thundercracker inquired as the group bumped to a stop, jostling the pall. They held their breaths hoping the sudden stop did not disrupt Starscream from his deep state of somnolence. Fortunately for them, Starscream was content to remain co-operative.

"Um, nothing. I was just reflecting on our... departed comrade," he replied picking up the pace once more. Thundercracker nodded, and the group resumed their tedious march.

The Crypt was located outside the Darkmount fortress. It was a long walk at a regular pace. The march easily took an hour, and a half to get to the great metal doors. The Decepticon Crypt was not a popular destination. Most Decepticons, once their friends were laid to rest, would avoid the place like the rust.

The entrance of the Crypt was reasonably modern. It was altered and adjusted as it suffered damage in the war. Massive pillars made of rare Lapis Lazuli, a deep blue stone were topped with a large tritanium lintel. It was capped by a bronze roof, that had tuned green with age and corrosion. The top of the roof was adorned with dragon-like-gargoyle statues, each holding a purple lamp in one of their clawed hands.

Putting his drumsticks aside, Dirge removed the lanyard, which the key was attached to. He walked up the heavy bronze door that was almost as old as the crypt itself. The door was inlaid with metals depicting images of ancient Cybertronians in battle meeting a most glorious, if not, messy ends. He inserted the key into the lock and turned it, using both hands. The primitive tumblers clunked loudly, which echoed through the ancient tomb causing the remaining Seekers to jump just a little.

Dirge pulled on the ring handles to open the door. It creaked ominously as if the hinges objected to the intrusion. A whoosh of escaping, musty smelling, stale air caused the Seeker's wings to prickle. Even though several of the group realised there was a sort of prank in progress, they still felt uneasy.

The structure's original foundation was incredibly old and none of the Decepticons knew its actual age. Even Archaeologists who studied the ruins of ancient Cybertron were unable to get an exact date; the oldest tombs were so old that the metal had become terribly corroded as to be unreadable. Archaeologists and scholars argued that the crypt structure were originally built by the earliest Cybertronians, likely monoformers. Tomb robbers and hoodlums had vandalised the writings, which was likely why the oldest tombs were not legible.

The deeper a Decepticon would wander within the catacombs, the older and more primitive the statues became. Many of the visitors to the structure wondered if the ancients actually looked like that, or the artisans were not particularly skilled. The one thing that stood out to anyone who entered the ancient building was, the statues of the oldest warriors lacked any possible form of alternative mode. Which was why it was speculated to have been designed by the ancient monoformers. They almost appeared to have a basic protoform design.

While religion was a personal choice, and many Decepticons chose to ignore it, most believe in luck, some believed in fate or destiny. They all tried hard to not believe in ghosts. Yet within the crypt the Seekers found it very difficult to not let their imaginations run wild.

The group of Seekers drew nearer to each other. Even Dirge slowed his step until he was bumped into by Ramjet and Thrust. Nightfall, gripped the pall so hard that his knuckles flared with purple sparks. The effect caused him, and the others to let out a sharp gasp of fear. Even Skywarp's optics skittered around the room nervously as if he was second guessing his initial idea; he wasn't supposed to be the one afraid.

The troop finally arrived at a large circular room with a vaulted ceiling. One of the most ancient rooms in the crypt contained the fountain of the everlasting flame. The floor was marked with words, and a star that resembled the points of a compass. It was correct once, but over time, the magnetic north moved its position. Also on the floor, surrounding the fountain were words in a language that was no longer used.

Scholars believed it to serve as a warning as translated:

The fountain itself flowed with purple fluid, which was often called the blood of warriors. Decepticons, who felt it best to not push their luck or test the curse, chose to leave the fountain well alone, deciding the fluids within was, most likely, very toxic.

And finally, the top of the fountain contained the everlasting flame; a bronze chalice that burned with a hot golden light, illuminating the chamber. Some said that if one stared into the flame, they could see the faces of the warriors who had drunk from the fountain. Twisted expressions screaming in silent agony as they burned for all time.

Thundercracker tapped on Nightfall's shoulder as the Seeker stared intently into the flames. The distracted Seeker jumped and shook his head as if to clear it.

"Commander, it's just fire, nothing more," the grizzled blue Seeker assured.

Along the perimeter of the room were more statues. These were larger and more ornate. Adorned in thin metallic leaf of precious metals, and some even had exquisite jewels inset into the optics. The statues all had a single violet orb glowing in a small aperture at the base of the monument. These were the grave markers of the Cybertronian leaders from times long past. They had met their ends in battle or by the cunning of their successor.

After every second statue, was a door leading to a different burial hall. The hall of heroes, the hall of warriors, the hall of Air Warriors and finally a small, grungy, unmarked door the hall of betrayers and traitors. A place where the bodies of the unwanted dead were unceremoniously deposited along the back wall. A procedure that was long since abandoned in favour of recycling the traitor in the smelting pit.

Once again, Dirge disengaged from the group and stood at the door marked with the insignia of the Air Warriors. He removed a ring of keys from his subspace pocket and selected a key much smaller than the one that he used to open the crypt entrance. Again the door opened, this time it was smoother and a little less noisy. The Hall of Air Warriors was too frequently used.

Inside the hall, great statues marked Air Warriors of status; while the lessor fliers had small vaults in the wall. Each occupied vault and statue had a glowing violet orb set in the

socket. It gave the mausoleum an appropriate atmosphere.

Nightfall realised that Starscream probably should have had a proper statue to fit a Seeker of his royal status. Unfortunately Starscream would get a small vault next to Icestorm.

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the crypt, and the Seekers stopped to look behind them. Much to their surprise Megatron stood in the threshold gazing at them with an intense, dissatisfied expression.

"So... it is true," Megatron said in a stern tone. "I still find it difficult to believe that it is possible for a hot headed young Seeker like Starscream to abruptly drop dead after a minor inspection."

“Sir,” Nightfall said, “As I said it was likely a delayed dea...”

“You don't need to give me excuses, Nightfall, I'm here to pay my respects.” Megatron was both irritated and disappointed. Disappointed in that he had hoped to take Starscream on as his protege.

“My apologies, my Lord Megatron,” Nightfall said with a graceful tilt of his head.

"I hope we can get this little... ritual of yours out of the way. I have a mission we need to get done very soon, and our window of opportunity grows very small."

Nightfall quailed. He had forgotten to choose a Wingleader for the mission. He realised the only thing he could do, was lead the mission himself, at least he had some idea of what needed to be done. Later he would select a new Wingleader and Wingsecond for the Elite Guard after the mission was completed.

The pall bearing Seekers placed their burden upon the heavy metal altar in the centre of the room while Dirge, and his wingmates pulled open one of the vaults in the wall and made it ready to receive its occupant.

Nightfall glanced at the shrouded Starscream. Did he hear a moan coming from the inert Seeker, he wondered. None of the other Seekers appeared to have heard it; perhaps it was just a draft.

It was time. Dirge and the other Seekers arranged Starscream on the alter carefully. Resting the orb at his head. Thundercracker and Skywarp stood at Starscream's side, they held their rifles at the ready. They were the Honour Guard. Dirge took up his position and beat the drum and then glanced over at Nightfall. It was time for the Air Commander to speak.

Nightfall glanced at the fallen Seeker and pondered words. He really did not know what he should say. What did he know about Starscream? The warrior was a War Academy graduate of significant standing. But that was in his official records. He knew little about the private life of the Air Warrior. He knew there was history to the flier, his body bore marks from being a prisoner and scars from recent and ancient wounds that remain poorly healed.

“I-uh.” he stammered, “I admit I don't know much about our departed comrade even though I worked with him a great deal. He never spoke much about his past, or even said much about his desires for the future. He kept to himself and focused on his work. His efforts will be missed. I know he was one of our most accomplished fliers, his agility, skill, and tactics will be sorely missed.” Nightfall stood to the side and glanced over at the Warlord.

Megatron nodded. “If that is all that needs to be said, proceed with the internment,” he said impatiently.

The back wall was lined with small doors, like drawers of a filing cabinet. Each drawer was marked with a number and had a small plaque with a name written on it along with another personal ID number. Below the plaque was another hollow in which a glowing violet orb was placed.

Dirge gestured to Skywarp and Thundercracker, the closest friends of the fallen Seeker and indicated that they should slot him in.

Skywarp and Thundercracker turned to lift Starscream up and placed him onto the slab then push him into the drawer. Thundercracker stared intensely at Skywarp. He worried about Starscream should he wake up within a coffin sized box. He had not forgotten the last time Skywarp had him in a casket, and it turned out badly.

Ramjet and Thrust shut the door after they had pushed him in.

Dirge pulled out a plaque and placed it in the slot. It had Starscream's personal identification number; SSS905-1, his Vosian name; Ulchtar, and his name in Common Cybertronian; Starscream. He removed the violet orb from the sconce and placed it in the slot within the door.

The burial ceremony had been completed, and the tomb was being sealed. There wasn't too much concern about grave robbers stealing from the dead. Decepticons rarely ever had anything on them that could be stolen. Stuff that went into their personal subspace pocket was sealed with their demise. Was there a place in space where all things went?

Megatron nodded to Nightfall. “The Wingleader's burial is completed. I expect the mission to begin with no further delay,” he stated.

Nightfall nodded. “It will, my Liege.”

Glaring balefully at the midnight Seeker, Megatron snarled then turned on his heel and exited the crypt. The Warlord's heavy footfalls faded and Nightfall, Who observed the final activities followed a few moments later. Much was on his mind, particularly devising some way to complete the mission.

Chapter Text

At the Crypt

He thought could hear voices, and then a clang, then the voices were deadened. The small buzz of what sounded like a welder hummed for a few moments then it became quiet. Dead quiet. Starscream could only hear the faint hammering of his fuel pump in his aural receptors.

He was groggy and tired, and his energy levels were very low. He needed to stop and refuel before continuing with the day. Starscream thought about getting up and decided to lay there for a bit. He had spent days working on his assignment and hoped it would be clear enough to understand. He knew he would not have much time to tidy it up.

Then lay there for a few more moments thinking, listening, trying to understand what was going on. Something felt wrong; dreadfully wrong. His wings prickled, and he was not sure what it meant, he felt that he was in immediate danger. He opened his optics and then realised, he could not see. His arms flew off his chest to his sides. He met resistance, there was something wrapped tightly around him. He drew in a sharp deep breath as panic started to swell.

“Skywarp? Thundercracker?” he called out, his voice weak with fatigue, muffled by the rubber material in front of his mouth.

He reached up and felt along the material, and it fit him snugly he found a pocket that held his wings, and he felt another surge of cold. His right hand brushed along the material that was over him and found the seam of a zipper.

Coldness, like having had been dipped into liquid nitrogen, washed over him as he realised he was inside a body bag. Was he in a mortuary, or worse? He checked his HUD, then his internal chronometer and realised that nearly twenty-four hours had elapsed since he had collapsed... it was time enough. Time enough to be buried - alive.

How, he wondered. Did his colour drop, so badly they would mistake him for dead? He drew in a few sharp breaths trying to slow his panic as he attempted to think. It was barely twenty-four hours, if he was in the crypt, then there may still be people nearby; they could hear him if he made noise. He struggled with the body bag, snatching his dagger from subspace and used that to tear it open.

“Help!” he struggled to say, his voice barely had power.

“Help!” he managed to say louder.

“HELP!” he finally screamed as panic fully took hold. The young flier slashed and tore at the body bag screaming as he did, kicking. Thrashing Slamming.

His fuel pump raced at near painful speeds as he cut and clawed through the remnants of the bag. He reached out above himself and then felt outward then down past his wings. He realised he was inside a tiny vault.

He kicked and thumped on the sides of the tomb. He was worried because he could not see. The glow of his optics should shed some light in his immediate area, yet he was totally blinded in the dark.

He struggled to kick and hammer, and finally he sat upright so fast that his head hit the top of the vault, and he fell into blissful unconsciousness.

Thundercracker turned to Skywarp and dragged him behind one of the larger monuments. “Skywarp, we just put our highly claustrophobic wingmate into a burial vault and locked the door. How do you presume we're going to get him out?”

Skywarp glanced at the panel. “I actually expected him to have awakened before now,” he admitted. No problem though, I can teleport into the crypt later. You know me, I can get into anything.” Skywarp smiled brightly for a moment.

“You don't say,” the older Seeker agreed darkly.

From the end of the crypt came a startled shout came from Dirge as a muffled knocking and shrieking emanated from within the recently occupied vault.

“Thundercracker!” Dirge hollered, “I think Starscream is alive....”

“Oh slag,” Thundercracker hissed, “he's awake, Skywarp, get him out, Now!”

“Oh frag!” Skywarp shouted as he bolted from around the ancient marker. He ran to the vault and pulled on the drawer with his full strength. The drawer would not budge.

“Skywarp, I welded the drawer sealed,” Dirge explained holding up the torch and brazing rods.

Skywarp stopped pulling and looked at the edge, he noticed a very fine bronze bead around the door, skilfully smooth. He grabbed Dirge and shoved his nose into the door.

“Then unweld it you dummy. Before I rearrange your face.” Skywarp balled his fist and shook it at the nose of the other.

“I can't,” Dirge whined, “I need a cutting torch.” The hammering inside the tomb intensified. The shrieking within was beyond terror.

Thundercracker looked sickened at the sound, feeling intense empathy for the Seeker within.

Skywarp shoved Dirge and released him. “Then stop lagging around, you coneheaded moron, get one!” he snarled.

"I'll have to go back to Darkmount to get one....”

Following a sharp thud, the shrieking abruptly ended, The crypt became eerily silent. Ramjet and Thrust slowly approached the tomb.

Thundercracker hauled Skywarp up and pushed him against the wall of vaults. “I thought you said you could get Starscream out!” the blue Seeker snarled dangerously. He was angry as the pit at his brother.

“I could've, if the dumb wads didn't weld him in. I had planned to teleport into the crypt, pull him out of the drawer, teleport us back to his quarters.”

“Go in and teleport him out of that grave, now!” Thundercracker demanded, he had his hand around the throat of his brother and had considered killing him where he stood.

“I would, brother, but I can't!” Skywarp countered, struggling against the other.

“You can't, or you won't, Skywarp?” Thundercracker snarled.

“Hey, look, you saw the inside of that vault. It's a pretty snug fit for one Seeker, ya think it's gonna have room for two? I'm likely to get stuck in a wall or worse, telefrag myself and Starscream. I need a clear zone to 'port into. I got my leg stuck in a table once, ya know?”

“I don't care about your fraggin leg, find a way to get Starscream out!” he said tightening his grasp.

“I can teleport and see if I can get an unwelder or whatever it is they use,” Skywarp gasped.

Nightfall, hearing the commotion from down the hall, had returned to the scene. “What in the name of Primus is going on in here?”

Everyone froze for a moment.

Cringing, Thundercracker glanced at Skywarp he then let his brother go.

Words escaped him for a moment. Thundercracker had a plan initially for explaining Starscream's sudden return, but that had slipped from his mind. “Starscream might be alive sir,” he said weakly looking appropriately unsettled and sickened.

“Excuse me, how is this even possible? You assured me that he was dead,” Nightfall snapped with a grimace.

Thundercracker opened his mouth to speak when Skywarp shoved him aside.

Walking over to the drawers, Skywarp tapped on them. “Oh, it happens sir.” Skywarp answered quickly.

“It happens?” Nightfall exclaimed in disbelief. “How does this just simply happen?”

“Well if a person is in a sort of deep state of sleep, or stasis lock, their functions sometimes slow to an almost dead crawl. Ya know? Like about a pump beat a minute or every few minutes. So if Thundercracker has tested him for a pulse and got him between each beat. He ain't gonna get a reading. Same for his glitchy scanner. You know how difficult things are these days and Thundercracker's been asking for new equipment for months now. So it happens. I bet a few of these guys weren't dead when they were buried. There might even be claw marks inside. But I can assure you, they're dead now.”

“But he was death black....” Nightfall insisted, he glanced at the orb, it was still violet and not gold.

Nightfall looked over at Thundercracker for confirmation. The blue Seeker nodded gravely. The Air Commander suppressed a shudder. The thought of being buried alive was a nightmare realised. He looked toward the vault. “Get Starscream out!”

“We're trying,” Skywarp assured, “but the dumbaft Conies there didn't think to bring the unwelder.”

Nightfall brightened an optic for a moment at the strange term, 'unwelder', from context he understood the meaning and nodded.

“We don't expect to disinter the bodies after we put them there,” Dirge retorted. “Once they're in, they're supposed to be in for good.”

Dirge stood up checking his torch seeing if he could adjust the mix. But he did not have the right gases to make the cut.

Nightfall promptly radioed out for a cutting torch to be delivered to the Crypt, immediately.

“I need to report this to Megatron,” announced Nightfall, and he left the chamber quickly, leaving the panicked Seekers trying to break their way into the vault.

By the time Nightfall was down the hall, he was at a full run, his wings slung back to counter his weight and increase his speed. His thoughts were full of worry and fear as made his way past the various statues and tombs.

The Air Commander shook his head to himself as he was, once again, filled with dread.

Megatron was not the being to toy with, he did not take jokes very well, especially when the mission hung in the balance. And if the Wing got itself stirred up again with the possible revival of their Wingleader, then he doubted they would want to fly on a mission.

He also doubted that Starscream would be in any condition to want to lead if he was locked in a tomb, if he had passed out from the push-ups then he surely needed a solid refuel. Then again, he wondered if Starscream would be happy to do the mission, at least to feel open air around him. At the very least he could get the details of Starscream's plan off of him and fly the mission himself like he had originally decided and leave Starscream to recover.

He also wondered if he could simply drop Starscream with a bullet in his spark then leave him in his grave for the trouble he had caused. He doubted that Skywarp and Thundercracker would permit that. Perhaps he could simply just drop the trine then leave the three of them in the hall of betrayers.

He shook his head against that thought. Nightfall had a feeling that after he spoke with Megatron he would be probably be dropped into the hall of betrayers.

As soon as the Air Commander reached the area outside the crypt he transformed and flew at full throttle toward Darkmount, the control room and the wrath of Megatron. He knew that heads would roll, and he hoped that his would not be one of them.

Darkmount

Megatron was pacing, pacing the control room waiting for the sound of twenty-five Seekers returning from the crypt, so far there was nothing. Only the sound of the computers running, the quiet chatter of technicians, the squeal of a cleaning drone down the hallway, and the irritated drumming of his fingers on his hip.

His fusion cannon was fully charged, its green light blinked rapidly as if it was trying to tell him that it needed to be discharged. Megatron's optics scanned his warriors and workers frequently. He watched as the specialists worked, and the ancient janitorial drone that approached from the hall.

The small sweeper jerked through the control room with its brushes spinning sweeping any debris into a bin while other disks worked in an almost futile manner to polish the heavily worn and corroded floor panels. The pad on the buffing disk had worn itself out. The only thing it managed to do was scratch the floor and squeal as it went.

Megatron's optics followed the small drone as it went about its business. His mouth twitched, and an optic flickered in irritation. Without warning, he fired his weapon; a violet glow engulfed the small drone in superheated plasma. For a split second the drone screamed before it disintegrated into ash leaving a small smoking hole in the floor where the drone had once been. The polishing disks flew across the room embedding itself into a wall, narrowly missing the head of Soundwave.

Soundwave glanced at the disk then resumed his work.

The other Decepticons froze for a few moments then they carried on with their business. Unfortunately the tension remained, Megatron's ire was not slaked.

“I told them, we have a mission to start without delay, what is taking them so long?” Megatron demanded, eyeing the smoking hole in the floor.

Soundwave glanced at Megatron. “Seeker customs: Nonsensical and frivolous.”

“I know, but I've tried to accommodate them, to keep them happy. But two Wingleaders in the same month from the same wing. I swear Nightfall is starting to slip.

“Probable course of action: Termination and replacement.”

“I'll keep that in mind, Soundwave, but replacing him right now might be a hassle, who would I choose to replace him?”

As if on cue, Nightfall ran into the control room. He executed a sloppy salute and skidded to a halt, almost tripping over the hole and rubble.

“It's about time,” the Decepticon leader snarled, “Get your Seekers scrambled,” he ordered.

“Uh, sir.... I hate to do this, but we have a big problem in the crypt,” Nightfall spat out rapidly.

Megatron's back prickled at the phrasing. “Can this not wait?” Megatron hissed through clenched teeth. The huge Decepticon made a fist and Nightfall glanced at the polishing wheels that were stuck in the walls.

“Not really sir... It's... Starscream, he's apparently alive...” The flier raised his hands and looked as if he was ready to dive from a fusion blast.

“We have a mission... What?!” Megatron boomed. “How is this possible?” he demanded in surprise and disgust.

“I don't know, but he was screaming from inside his tomb...” Nightfall tried to say.

“You assured me he was dead!”

“I asked them the same question, but apparently...” The Air Commander started.

“I don't want your lame explanations, Seeker, exhume him, or join him!”

“We are trying, my Lord, we need a cutting torch. Was one sent? I requested one.”

“Affirmative,” Soundwave said as he glanced at the requestion sheet.

“You Seekers and your pointless rituals are costing me time and this mission, if your fliers are not in Uraya in fifteen minutes, the lot of you are slagged.”

“Yes sir! Right away my Lord.” Nightfall executed another salute, spun around and spiralled over the remains of the polishing unit.

He scrambled to his feet, to fly back to the crypt as fast as his wings could carry him.

Megatron watched and shook his head. He contemplated wiping out the entire Seeker population; at least the ones that resided at Darkmount. Their ways, their peculiar culture was becoming disruptive. The only benefit of them was that they gave him the advantage of air superiority. That was the only reason he felt they were worth keeping alive. Without that air advantage, he could lose Uraya.

Back at the Crypt.

Nightfall arrived in time to see Dirge with the cutting torch opening the welded seals carefully so as not to damage the occupant inside.

Thundercracker leaned in, he was still concerned about the sudden silence, the fact Starscream was no longer moving, he could not tell if it was unconsciousness or worse. He also feared that the young Seeker might have actually had a pump failure from terror; it was a possibility. It was well documented for people to die from fright. Thundercracker only hoped this was not the case, he wished he had thought to bring his medkit.

“I'm in!” Dirge said as he finished the cut, they carefully pulled the drawer out.

There were telltale tears in the fabric of the bag, knife marks from a struggle within. The knife itself lay loose inside.

Dirge backed off, his face blanching, while he was okay with funerals and death, he did not enjoy the thoughts of anyone being buried alive.

Even Nightfall gasped in shock. It was true, Starscream was alive. Except he wasn't moving now, was he dead? He was still blackened and that made it hard to tell.

Thundercracker reached down and unzipped what remained of the body bag and slipped it from around the unconscious Seeker's face. A thin trickle of blood seeped from a small crack in his forehead, and it tracked over his nose and across his cheek; there was likely a concussion. Thundercracker reached in and rubbed some graphite powered away from his intakes, and some red showed through. He leaned in and could feel the warmth of a slow breath against his cheek, and Thundercracker nodded.

“Starscream's still alive,” he said. “Step back and give him room, he's claustrophobic. Dirge help me extract him.”

Dirge nodded. He took Starscream's knife and began to cut away at the bag, stripping it from his wings.

Starscream moaned lightly in response to their activities and moved slightly.

“Starscream? Can you hear us?” Ramjet asked loudly, too loudly.

Upon hearing his name, Starscream panicked again and uttered a blood chilling scream of terror and launched himself up. He thrashed in the remnants body bag clawing away at it. He knocked into Dirge, toppling him over.

Everyone in the room froze. The blood-curdling scream iced their fuel lines. All the colour drained from Nightfall's Midnight black and blue body, starting at the face. The Decepticons stood back away from the drawer as the remnants of body bag exploded open, shreds of rubber and carbon fibre flew in all directions then fell to the floor in a flurry of debris.

Starscream, still painted in graphite dust, burst forth and crashed into the fright-faded Nightfall.

Still unable to see due to the tape over his optics, Starscream stumbled and fell taking Nightfall down with him. The two tumbled out of the crypt into the chamber of the eternal flame. Starscream released Nightfall then stumbled and fell backward.

“I can't see...,” he cried out, struggling to sense where he was.

Skywarp, who masterminded the joke, barely could contain himself from bursting out into hysterical laughter. The dark Seeker leaned against a marker his body shaking in mirth.

"I hope we didn't just trade a fake corpse for a real one," Thundercracker murmured as he checked the pulse of the passed out Air Commander. "Eh, he's still tickin' strong." He exhaled with relief.

Starscream still scrambled on the ground grabbing blindly for something to hold onto. He managed to get to his feet, and he tripped and fell face-first into the fountain. He flailed and gasped for a moment trying to blindly find his way out, swimming toward the central pillar before he turned around and swam back.

Everyone fell silent, and the stared at the words on the floor; they knew the legend. The only sound within the chamber was the crackling of the Eternal Flame, which now had many pairs of optics staring at it; and the splash of Starscream as he pulled himself to the edge of the fountain. He spat out the fluid and gasped, his body was shaking. He hung the edge for a moment while he tried to make sense of his blindness.

The others watched him briefly as Skywarp and Thundercracker rushed forward to pull him out of the liquid.

“It's okay, Starscream, you're safe.” Thundercracker reassured.

"Safe? I can't see, I'm blind!" Starscream wailed. “And what was that stuff... it tastes awful.” he gasped coughing up more of the purple fluids.

"No you're not blind," Skywarp said lightly pulling at the corner of the tape on the panicked Seeker's optics.

Starscream's optic flickered around the crypt, at the fountain and then focused on the slightly smiling Skywarp. They narrowed, and his mouth curled into an angry line.

"What have you done, Skywarp?" the Wingleader snarled. “What did you do to me?” he demanded, his wings raising angrily.

"Me?" Skywarp asked innocently. "Oh, nothing."

"Nothing?! You call tape over my optics nothing?!" Starscream screeched.

"We thought you were dead, and since we didn't have any credits handy, we put tape over your optics...not sure the ferrymech would take that or not...I guess if he didn't you'd have to swim across the well of All sparks to get to the other side, or at least the fountain.”

“You slagger got me buried alive in the fraggin crypt, you've blinded me, and you want to continue to laugh about it?” Starscream tilted his head and glowered murderously. “You sociopath!” Starscream whirled around and grabbed his dagger from Dirge then held it out snarling.

Skywarp looked Starscream up and down. "You're still blackish...you sure you're alive?" Skywarp asked, mockingly as he stepped back, primed to run.

Starscream snarled and lunged for Skywarp, lashing out with his blade. Thundercracker was torn between stopping Starscream and understanding it was best to not interfere with their enraged Wingleader.

The dark Seeker danced out the way. Starscream stumbled, he was very low on energy as a result, off balance. Starscream snarled as he regained his footing, then stopped his attack, his wings flared then fell. He felt humiliated and embarrassed as he glanced at his graphite streaked hands. The young Seeker growled deeply in his throat. He flared his wings again, shaking them slightly, then looked at everyone murderously, while pointing with his dagger.

“I can tell you are all in on this, each one of you...which makes you all very lucky; because I can't hope to kill all of you and get away with it. But, boy do I want to kill you all, over and over, namely Skywarp because he's the only son of a slarg who'd plan to do this to me."

"Look at it this way," Ionstorm started, "Nightfall's never going to force you to do push-ups like that again. Anyway, he's fallen just like you wanted."

Starscream spun and strode over to him and jammed the point of the dagger at his throat. "I'll take care things my way, Ionstorm, when I want to take care of them!" Starscream snarled.

“Yes, sir....” Ionstorm replied uneasily, drawing back from the blade.

Starscream turned to Skywarp and grasped him by his throat, holding the edge of the dagger to it. “I'd kill you right now, but if I know you, coward, you'll just port away. I swear to Primus, one day I will kill you.”

Starscream glanced at his hands then ground his teeth. "What is this grime you have me painted in, will it come off?"

“Graphite, it'll wash off, Starscream,” Thundercracker explained. “Just water and some detergent.”

“I take it then you were also part of this madness? Of course, you were...”

“I opposed it,” Thundercracker countered.

“Clearly not enough, it seems. The only way I could have gone this far is for you to have declared that I was deceased. Am I correct, Thundercracker?”

“Unfortunately... you are,” the blue Seeker replied.

Their heads all turned to Nightfall as his communicator buzzed angrily.

“Nightfall?” Megatron's voice echoed in the crypt. “Nightfall? Where's my fraggin Seekers? Nightfall, respond!”

Nightfall groaned as he sat up, he rubbed his head trying to figure out what happened.

“Air Commander, respond!” Megatron's voice demanded.

“Nightfall here,” he said groggily.

“Finally! You were supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago with your Seekers, what on Cybertron is the delay this time?”

Nightfall swallowed hard unsure of what to say. “We'll be there momentarily, the problem has been cleared up,” he stated.

“Meet me in the hangar, with your entire Elite Guard. STAT!” Megatron snarled angrily then cut communications.

“If we are done here,” the midnight Seeker said with irritation, “then we need to report to Megatron immediately, all of us. Skywarp you will be cleaning up this place... alone, when we get back from the mission.”

Nightfall stared at Starscream for a moment. The young Seeker was holding his dagger defensively and his optics burning with fury. However, had an unnatural glow about his body. The Air Commander's optics tracked the wet footprints from the fountain to where the young flier stood, he was covered in thick violet goo.

"He who drinks from the fountain of slain warriors, will burn for eternity in the everlasting flame and be unable to find peace after Death," Nightfall whispered. 'Starscream is likely cursed,' he thought, wings prickling. Although Nightfall did not normally believe in curses, he truly was worried about this one.

“We return to Darkmount. Megatron wants us in the hanger, immediately. We have a mission to attend,” Nightfall ordered. He glanced at the filthy, weary looking Wingleader. Starscream did not look like he could fly, let alone lead a mission to Uraya. Like Megatron, Nightfall was filled with fury. He stormed out of the Crypt with the Seekers following close behind.

Chapter Text

Darkmount

They arrived at Darkmount, but instead of Megatron they found a number of armed guards at the entrances and exits of the hangar where they were ordered to meet their leader.

Nightfall, as well as the others, wondered what was going on. He approached one of the guards to speak with them when the Decepticon Grounder levelled his weapon at him and ordered him away. Nightfall raised his hands to indicate compliance and backed off.

The other Seekers grouped themselves into the middle as a cluster, each one keeping their backs toward the center looking outward in concern. This was unusual, not typical, and they were worried.

Nightfall was not sure what to make of it either, so he decided to get the units in order.

“Elite Guard, fall in!” Nightfall's voice commanded. After a few moments the Seekers formed their three small units, in three by three blocks, with the leading command trine in the front rank of each unit.

“Attention!” the units snapped straight, and their left heels struck the ground with a uniform snap.

“Seekers, right dress!” The units raised their right arms, and gently touched a knuckle to the shoulder of the flier next to them. The ones behind the front rank, momentarily pressed their knuckle to the one in front to get the spacing between rows then they adjusted themselves until they were perfectly spaced.

“Seekers, Optics, front!” the entire Elite Guard arms dropped to their sides, and their heads snapped forward. Nightfall nodded.

“Stand at ease,” he said in a lighter voice. “I understand it's been a crazy twenty-four hours, we're all tired. I don't understand exactly what was going on other than it appears to be some elaborate prank. I don't understand what possessed you guys to pull off a prank of this nature, but understand it's not funny, and its probably getting us into a world of hurt - all of us.”

He laid his optics of the third wing, which was little more than a small Flight of Seekers. The entire formation before him could barely be called a Squadron it would take three groups this size to truly make up a single proper wing.

Starscream was pitiful, covered grime, grit, and sticky from the energon of the fountain. He hardly looked as if he was in command of anything other than a garbage scow. He appeared confused, frightened, exhausted, and worried. His optics flicked around observing every detail of the armed Decepticons. Nightfall could tell he was already analysing the situation. At this point Starscream probably understood more about what was going on than Nightfall did.

Thundercracker, stood next to Starscream, looking equally worried and nervous. Skywarp was not as nervous, however, he did have the expression of worry on his face.

Rainjumper's trine stood behind the lead trine in the second rank, each one wearing a guilty expression and finally Acidstorm and Ionstorm, appeared terrified.

Dirge's Trine, the second wing was still decked out in its funeral regalia, and the ranks of Seekers that had fallen in behind them all looked equally confused. Nightfall's personal wing also appeared confused as well.

Going off expression alone, Starscream's wing was entirely responsible for the fiasco. Starscream was likely the only innocent member amongst them.

Nightfall could hear the approach of Megatron, there was a definite style to his cadence.

“Elite Guard, Attention!” He barked, and turned about to face Megatron as he stepped into the hanger.

The Warlord was flanked by heavily armed guards as he arrived. He nodded at the readiness of the Seeker units, but his face was impassive for the moment. The only indication that he was displeased... very displeased was the green light on his fusion cannon that blinked furiously. And the violet glow that emanated from the muzzle.

Someone was probably going to be shot. Nightfall glanced at Skywarp; he would prefer it to be him.

Megatron strode up to Nightfall, and the Seeker saluted sharply with his fist to his chest. The Warlord nodded.

“Hail Megatron,” Nightfall said.

“Do you understand why I've assembled your Wing here?” Megatron asked in a tone that was cold.

“We're to fly the mission to Uraya,” Nightfall replied.

“The mission has been scrubbed Nightfall, you and your band of misfits managed to frag this up royally.”

Megatron stepped around Nightfall to address the Seekers in front of him. Nightfall executed a quick about turn and faced the wings.

“I have been patient with you Seekers, and your traditions. But there was a stipulation that your practices do not disrupt with the workings of this military. Today a window of opportunity has closed on something that had been in the plans for months. Needless to say, I want explanations... the absolute truth.... Now!”

Megatron's optics fell on the filthy Wingleader for a long moment, who was alive and reasonably well.

Starscream's trine looked at each other. Starscream stood silently facing forward not moving a wing.

Skywarp took a single step forward. “Sir I was the mastermind behind this... prank,” he said locking his gaze on the wall in front of him.

Skywarp admitting to it surprised Thundercracker and the surrounding Seekers. Skywarp usually stayed silent, often allowing someone else to take the blame, this time he spoke up.

“Skywarp, do explain your reasoning for this... prank of yours.”

“I was bored. Starscream had collapsed from stress then went into deep sleep, and I just wanted to...” he considered admitting why but decided to take the blame himself... “I wanted to play a small joke on Nightfall and Starscream. It was not supposed to get out of hand.”

“That is putting it very mildly, Skywarp. Do you call this, not getting out of hand?” Megatron gestured to everyone around him. “Did you think of the ramifications of your actions?”

“No Sir, I didn't,” he admitted.

“I'll ask what I asked Nightfall earlier, Why would a Seeker, who's barely an adult collapse from stress, what the pit was going on that Starscream would do that?”

Starscream winced at Megatron's remark, he did not like being referred to as a child.

Thundercracker stood forward. “Overwork sir. Starscream's been hard at it for over two months, not to mention the scrap with Icestorm did not help. He spent three days and nights, straight, working on the Uraya mission for you....”

“Thundercracker, stop,” Starscream ordered as he tipped his head in defeat and exhaled a tired sigh as he reluctantly stepped forward. “As the leader of this trine, I will take the fall,” he said quietly. “I was not taking proper rest as I knew this was and important mission, I wanted to get it completed. I was behind because of the incident with Icestorm, yes. And having to come up to speed on my....”

Megatron shook his head. “You are likely the only one in your group who is truly innocent, Starscream, step back in with your wing,” Megatron said in a tone that was kinder than he meant to have it sound.

Starscream shook his head. “I mean no disrespect, my Lord, but I will remain at the side of my Wingmates. I'll suffer the consequences along with them.”

“And, should that consequence be death?” Megatron asked dangerously, twitching his weapon arm.

“Then I shall fly with them to the well,” Starscream said, wearing a brave face.

Nightfall shook his head and then stepped forward. He would have expected Starscream to have fallen back into position after being ordered to do so. “Sir....” Nightfall Started.

“So you were party to this prank after all?”

“Not exactly, I was as deceived as you were. Dirge came to me about the death, I went to you...”

“Dirge? Dirge, what exactly was your part?”

Dirge's engines rumbled in a nervousness that cause the other Seekers in the room to nearly panic from the ominous vibrations he caused. “I was told that Starscream had died, by Talon, I was not part of the prank... I went to the barracks as requested.”

“Did you not confirm the death, Undertaker?”

“I did, well I thought I did. I asked Thundercracker... he's not usually one who pulls jokes, Thundercracker said Starscream was dead, so I took him at his word.”

Thundercracker bowed his head in guilt.

“Indeed. So if I go by what I see here, the entire Wing of Starscream's was somehow involved in this disruption, is this correct?.”

The remaining five stepped alongside their teammates.

“I take that as a yes.” Megatron said. “Seekers of Wing three, take two steps forward. All other Units take six steps back.” Megatron separated Starscream's unit well away from the others. The three Wings did as ordered leaving Starscream's wing in the open.

“I have terminated one, or two Decepticons before, but never have I needed to eliminate an entire Unit...” the guards around the room levelled their weapons and aimed them at the now isolated Seekers.

“Starscream, I'll give you one last opportunity to fall out of your unit. I know you are innocent of this,” Megatron said.

“I choose to die alongside them,” he said in a quiet voice, his wings quaking. “Anyway, there's already a box in the crypt with my name on it.” Starscream mouth curled with a wry smile. He inhaled a deep breath, then swallowed hard before exhaling slowly. This was not his first execution threat, but he wondered if three was the charm. The youngest Seeker glanced past Thundercracker and glowered at Skywarp, who finally appeared terrified.

“Very well, Wingleader Starscream.... Guards!”

Nightfall, now understanding the purpose of the guards, turned to the Decepticon Warlord. “Megatron, you cannot execute this entire Wing,” Nightfall snapped. “The fault with what happened likely lies with me here.”

“Did you not say you were not part of the prank?”

“I am not part of the prank, but I may have been the reason the opportunity for it happened. I ordered Starscream to do 700 push-ups. The activity is a strain on our body-type, which was why I ordered it. I did not expect him to get passed 100.... he did the entire set and then from my understanding, he collapsed. The rest is unfortunate history.”

“Starscream is this true?” Megatron asked of the young Wingleader.

“Yes, my Lord. I did the seven hundred and went into shut down shortly after,” the young flier explained. His voice was sharp from his nervousness.

“What did you do to warrant this?” Megatron asked curiously.

“May I speak freely sir?” Starscream asked.

“You may.” The Warlord nodded.

“I had taken my personal time off to close my home over the past decade or so. I had left some things behind that I wanted to bring here with me, eventually. When I had my own private space, I returned to Vos to get them on one of the days off. I don't often take my days to myself, but this time I did. Nightfall did not approve of me retrieving these items. He confiscated some of my possessions, declaring my that endeavour to collect them was a waste of valuable energy or time. I stepped out of line and argued with him over it. I was justifiably punished for my transgression.”

“Air Commander... so you caused this whole fiasco?”

“Sir? Yes, I believe so,” Nightfall replied with a nervous nod.

“I shall spare the Wing, and execute you instead.You've cost me Uraya, Nightfall... I wanted Starscream's tactical information, and you sent him into shutdown!” Megatron roared aiming his weapon at Nightfall. The Air Commander froze terrified, his wings were drawn back and down.

“My Lord Megatron!” he said backing away. “Please! Be merciful!”

Starscream, jerked his head toward Nightfall and then suddenly fell out of formation and as quick as lightning he stood between his Air Commander and the furious Warlord; his hand outstretched.

“Megatron please, no!” the young Seeker cried out flaring his wings high and wide defending Nightfall.

The Seekers in the hangar gasped momentarily.

“Starscream?” Megatron said. “Do you wish to die in his stead?”

“No sir... But... you can't kill Nightfall.”

“I believe I can do whatever I choose to whomever I want,” The Warlord roared. “Or am I mistaken?”

Starscream shook his head, “You are not mistaken, My Lord, but this is a gross tactical error,” the young flier declared.

“Starscream, what are you doing?” Nightfall asked quietly from behind. “You'll get yourself killed.

Starscream twitched his wing sending a clear non-verbal message to Nightfall to be silent.

“Explain?”

“We need Nightfall as our Air Commander, no one else here currently has the skill set to do it.” The young flier locked optics with Megatron.

“Why would you, his underling, presume you can stay my hand,” Megatron demanded.

“Because, technically speaking Lord Megatron, Nightfall is my underling, and I am asking you to please spare him.”

“Starscream!” Nightfall hissed in a low voice behind the defensive Seeker.

Again, Starscream, twitched his wing demanding silence from the other.

“Do, explain your illogic?” Megatron asked Starscream. “How does a Wingleader outrank an Air Commander?”

“When the Wingleader is also the Seeker Lord,” Starscream replied through gritted teeth. He did not want to do this, but also he did not want the possibility of Eclipse in command of the Seekers either, he could not trust him as he felt that he was more like Horizon.

“Explain yourself Starscream,” Megatron said for the first time sounding dangerous toward the young flier.

“I am Lord Ulchtar of Vos, son of Lord Tarnagh. You know my sire as Darkstar. Formerly Sergeant Darkstar, of the Cybertron War Academy. You can verify my claim with the Vosian hall of records, the Iaconian hall of records, and the hall of records of Kalis.”

He raised his head trying to appear noble and brave, although his current appearance made him look more like a guttersnipe, than a Vosian Lord or Prince.

“Darkstar. Yes. I remember him, he requested that I have your life spared when the council chose to end it. Interesting.”

“And I am eternally grateful for your mercy, my Lord.” Starscream said dropping to a knee before Megatron. “I do not presume I have power over Nightfall in military matters, but in this case, the Seeker Monarchy is happy with who is currently leading us, and we wish it to remain as it is.”

“By we, you mean you?” Megatron asked.

“In a sense,” Starscream replied. “I speak for my sire as well and the remaining Seeker Nobles.”

Nightfall glanced at the younger flier surprised. He had misjudged Starscream.

“I heard there was a Seeker who presumed he was of the ancient Vosian Monarchy among us. I was not sure who it was or if it was true. So it's you, young Starscream, you are of that lineage? Do you not wish Nightfall's position for yourself? You could have full power over your Seekers in civil and military matters if I eliminate him now, it could be all yours,” Megatron baited.

“In time, perhaps, but not right now, no. The Decepticons need Nightfall.” Starscream said, remaining bowed down to the Warlord. He did not want Megatron to take his declaration as a personal challenge to his authority. He was in no position to fight Megatron, and he understood that the Decepticon would likely kill him instantly.

“Why would the Decepticons want someone who cannot control his troops?”

“He has many thousands of years experience. You do not want to have to bring up a new Air Commander to speed, the Air force will be crippled, even if it were me taking over. Now if you think losing Uraya today is bad, then wait until you kill your Air Commander. You'll find more cities that will fall, and you don't want that. Uraya will be recaptured soon, I promise this, I just need time to recalculate once I see how the Autobots set up.”

Megatron lowered his weapon. “Indeed, Starscream. How do you propose I discipline the individuals here?” Megatron appeared to be testing Starscream's leadership abilities and trying to understand how he thought.

“Sir, I think the very real prospect of being set in front of the firing squad for execution is punishment enough. I speak from personal experience, my Lord, it's very sobering. If you must discipline then at the very least, a reduction of rations may be in order. I can tell you that Skywarp, as my subordinate and mastermind of this prank will be dealing with me personally, and I won't be very kind. Sparing the Wings, Nightfall and myself, will go far to solidifying the loyalty of your Seekers, my sire and the Seeker nobility, now and into the future. As for punishment, perhaps you should allow Nightfall to make that decision, we will comply.”

“Well spoken, young Starscream.” Megatron nodded in approval. “Very well. Nightfall, get your Seekers in line and deal with the lack of discipline around here.” Megatron snarled then he left.

Nightfall exhaled a whoosh of air in relief from behind Starscream. “Primus me...” he said crouching for a moment, resting his shaking legs.

“Frag me sideways,” Starscream muttered as he stood up, his wings quaking, and settling to their resting position. He lowered his head, now Megatron knew for sure who he was. He was not sure how this would affect their working relationship going forward. Furthermore, he hoped that Megatron would not think of himself as a threat to his authority. Starscream exhaled slowly, relieved that they all survived.

Starscream turned to return to his trine. “Command of the Seekers are all yours, Nightfall, Sorry to pull rank,” he said as he did, stepping back from the power he was forced to wield. He was surprised Megatron had even listened to him and even more surprised that he still lived. “Sorry you went through that, Nightfall. It sucks, I know,” he finished.

Nightfall hesitated for a moment then dropped to his knee. “Lord, Ulchtar of Vos... Thank you.”

“Nightfall, my name is Starscream and drop the lord. I prefer the Common Cybertronian version of my name anyway. You also don't need to take a knee to me. I'm your subordinate here so please Nightfall, get up.”

Many others took to their knee as we well. All of Starscream's unit, all of Dirge's Unit and a few of Nightfall's unit. Eclipse and Newmoon remained standing. Starscream did not expect anyone to bend a knee to him, though he made a mental note of those who did not. He knew those were likely be his enemies. He stood unsure what to say or to do. Not only that, but he was once more fearful of what Megatron might think if he saw this.

“Please don't... Megatron'll kill me....”

Nightfall and the others stood up.

Starscream gestured at Skywarp and Thundercracker “I'm not done pulling rank with you guys though. You, and Thundercracker are to wash this slag off me, when we get back to quarters.” Starscream fell back into place next to his wingmates.

Nightfall nodded at the Wing and took a deep breath. “Half rations for the day, myself included,” he said. “Starscream, you're in a weakened condition, your rations will remain the same as you need to recover. You are also not to pull all-nighters like you have been, understood?”

“Yes, Sir.” Starscream nodded.

“Everyone is dismissed.”

All the Seekers stood to attention then relaxed. Quickly dispersing to their quarters.

Starscream alone remained behind in the hangar. He walked to the edge of the launch strip to look out over Polyhex. He stood on the edge as the Cybertronian winds buffeted at him, and a ray of sunlight broke through the black clouds and bathed the ledge where he stood. Starscream glanced up at the sun and tilted his wings, feeling the rare warmth that it provided. Moments later the cloud shifted, cutting off the warming light. The young flier returned inside to get himself cleaned up.