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Chapter Text

Username: Starscream
Password: **********
Personal log for: STARSCREAM
Earthdate: 12.26.1985
Subject: The Forbidden Planet

Greek mythology describes a story of a woman who was given as a wife to a Titan named Epimetheus by the God Zeus. She, in turn, was gifted a box as a wedding present, and was warned never to open it. Her curiosity led her to crack the box open in order to take a peek. Misery, disease, and death was unleashed upon the world.

Humans, for all their faults, can be remarkably wise for their species young age.

It came down to a strange energy signature that was detected early to mid-November coming from the star known as the Eye of Praedarex on Cybertron, or Sirius on Earth. Megatron was not usually interested in exploration, unless it would have some benefit to him and his cause- our cause.

I admit I have done a fair amount of exploration myself, but never in that direction. Chances are, had Skyfire and I explored that region ourselves, neither of us would be alive today.

This energy signature was of interest to Megatron because as far as he knew, there were no Cybertronian colonies in that part of the galaxy. Perhaps it was an unknown colony that had set out in secret. Or maybe it was simply a case of convergent evolution of mechanoid life. Or the wildest theory yet, the rumoured Seeker home world- Shockwave's theory, not mine. He thinks we're alien because we're too strange to make logical sense. Anyway, as far as Megatron was concerned, we ought to investigate it because it could be a source of unlimited power, a deadly weapon, or someone we could conscript into our unending war.

Now, had I taken more time to think about it, and returned to my collection of historical documents, maybe even poked my nose into the Covenant of Primus, I might have learned what that place was, and why we should never have gone....

It was our own Pandora's Box.

Chapter Text

Lately, pre-mission briefings were a farce. They were mostly composed of Megatron outlining some asinine scheme for unlimited energy, the defeat of the Autobots, or conquest of the universe.

These plans were usually unnecessarily complicated, requiring far too many steps to achieve results. Which invariably meant the Autobots would have time to come in and defeat us. If I didn't know better, then I would think he was purposefully trying to sabotage us. I honestly have no idea what is going on in that head of his, and I'm not sure that I want to. I admit, still I wonder if he may have suffered major head trauma when we crashed into the Earth all those years ago.

Megatron stood at the head of the table in the Wardroom off the main control center of the Nemesis. Soundwave and I sat at the table opposite each other, we had to angle our chairs to see him directly.

He was explaining what the telemetry engineers had discovered. I quickly wrote down notes, while Soundwave recorded everything that was said, he hardly ever missed a beat.

“We'll use Astrotrain to travel to the Sirius star system and investigate the source of that signature ourselves.” Megatron said.

I placed the stylus on the table and shook my head in irritation. “It's a colossal waste of energy, Megatron,” I stated. “It would take years at sub light to make it there and, unless Astrotrain had a set of warp engines up his aft, we don't have the ship, or the energy reserves.”

Our energy supplies were being rapidly depleted, in part because of the activities of the newly freed Stunticons. They're a group of psychopaths that were, until recently, incarcerated in the Decepticon Detention center. I was in the infirmary at the time of their parole, undergoing intensive repair. I was unable to protest their release, not that my opinion mattered to Megatron.

“Your idiotic plans and projects have been using more energy than we've been collecting. We need to focus on energy collection....”

“Silence Starscream! A signal to reach Earth from such a distant place must be powerful!”

“Not really, Megatron. Sirius is only 8.6 light years away, it would only take that long for....”

“I never asked your opinion, Starscream.”

I shut up, it was pointless to continue arguing with a mech who had already made up his mind. Megatron hardly ever listened to me these days. There was a time when my efforts, opinions, and thoughts were valued and desired. Now all missions and strategies were planned by him, and him alone. He rarely listened to anyone except Soundwave, and Shockwave, and they usually agreed with his every word. He believed both were absolutely loyal to him, that was laughable, they weren't. Megatron lost the ability to see the truth and look past the lies they spun.

Soundwave served him, only as long as it served Soundwave. I wasn't quite sure what was going on in Soundwave's head, but he knew what was going on in almost everyone else's mind, including Megatron's.

Shockwave was a different beast. He was extremely dangerous, and he wasn't a mech to be trifled with. He lacked ethics and a sense of morality, he cared about no one; only his dangerous science. I knew that he did not give a slag about Megatron. And I understood that he had his optic set on ruling Cybertron himself. I also knew that he did not like that his four million year reign of terror had ended by our unexpected reappearance.

How did I know that? I had recently hacked into Shockwave's computer on Cybertron. I tried to inform Megatron about the incriminating details I found, but got pain as my reward. It might be better if I just stand back and watch the fur fly. But if Shockwave defeats Megatron and gets in control of the Decepticons, then we're all in danger, us Seekers especially.

Megatron continued to speak, and I paid half-aft attention to his words, stuck deep inside my own thoughts. I took up my stylus again and began to doodle his face on the datapad, pausing only to take some notes. I have to admit, it was quite a nice drawing. I thought perhaps I might print it up on a plasti-film sheet and throw darts at it later.

Every now and again, I could feel his optics burning holes through my spark- he knew I was ignoring him.

Honestly though, I'm fed up. I really don't care what Megatron thinks of me anymore. Not after the brutal abuse I have been suffering this past year. It has been a great disappointment for sure. I was once his star student, his apprentice, his most loyal and devoted Decepticon. But we're too alike at times, and I think that's why he has grown to hate me, and why my own hate for him developed.

“We'll muster on Cybertron in two weeks, from there we will travel through the Third Warpgate and arrive near Sirius.”

“I thought that Warpgate was permanently offline,” I say. I was genuinely curious about that. I had to wonder if someone had made efforts to fix it. It was ancient technology well beyond our understanding, or so I thought. We didn't dare touch the existing functional Warpgates out of fear that they would cease to work. Another concern we had, was that the Autobots might choose to shut them down. Earth history often suggests that barbarians, who don't understand something, will seek to destroy it out of ignorance. In my experience, many Autobots were little better than those barbarians.

It was most fortuitous that the Telemetry Engineer had discovered the Warpgate parked just inside the Oort cloud of the Sol system last year. I knew of this one from when I was an explorer with Skyfire, but I didn't argue. I allowed Megatron think he discovered it. He sent a probe through that to find the hidden Warpgate near in Cybertron's asteroid belt, in a dust cloud. It did allow for larger ships to travel between Earth and home, ferrying goods to us..., but we still lacked energy. The third disabled Warpgate was discovered in a different sector of the Cybertronian system. I would suspect there are more hidden amongst the asteroids.

“Shockwave has been dissecting the two active gates and has learned some of their secrets.”

I was wrong... it seemed that someone was stupid enough to try to frag around with an active gate. “He opened up a functioning Warpgate? That could cut us off from other areas of the galaxy. We have to protect them, they're priceless.”

“His study of the gate has allowed him to repair the broken one. It is active now, your fears are unfounded, Starscream.”

I sighed. I, sure as the pit, would like to get hold of that research myself. “Then, I was in error, Lord Megatron,” I reply. “The benefits to the Decepticons may outweigh the presumed cost.”

“Indeed they have. This knowledge has given us space bridge technology and has sped up our ability to travel between the stars.” He answered.

This was new and very interesting to me. I did not realise that was how Shockwave learned how to build the space bridge. I wanted that research more than ever.

“Soundwave, you will remain on Earth to oversee the Decepticon base, I'll take Rumble with me. Starscream, I want you to come along, so I can keep an optic on you.”

I glanced up at the ceiling and shook my head. “Sure, leave the fox guarding the hen house...,” I mutter, under my breath. Sometimes human idioms and metaphors were apt.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Nothing, my Lord. Good plan, well done,” I praise, instead.

Megatron didn't buy my praise for an instant. No, he simply narrowed his optics and growled at me. “You're dismissed.”

My wings prickled... I really should have paid attention to that signal. I've always found when that particular sensation was ignored, disaster strikes. I realise now that I should have looked into the legends of the Warpgates, and the Covenant of Primus... I tried to ignore those as they were 'unscientific'. But even I have to admit, that some of those legends were based on truth, no matter how stretched or exaggerated they were.

So the plan for this trip was made possible by a madmech's obsession with how things work. A deep space telemetry engineer, and a team of four Decepticons who barely got along. What could possibly go wrong?

Immediately after the meeting, I spoke to my wingmates about the upcoming mission. They were disappointed that they were unable to participate. Skywarp even asked me to see if I could swing it, he wanted off Earth and an opportunity to go home was too hard to resist. Somehow I doubted Megatron would agree.

Since we had been out of stasis lock, Megatron has been trying to separate me from my trine. He has been forcing a wedge between us for some time now, a tactic in destabilisation. He's insisting that I live apart from my wingmates and take up residence on the Quarter Deck. His words, 'I want to keep an eye on you.' I know he wants Soundwave to ensure that I'm not plotting to overthrow him.

That's the weird thing. I haven't quite figured out why Megatron fears me. If I'm entirely useless, then why does he insist on watching my every move? Perhaps it's because I have won every rank I've fought for, and defended them multiple times. I suppose he is afraid I'll take his. The day will come when I'll challenge him in the future, but not right now. I'll make my true move only when I'm ready.

As for the moment, I simply do what he expects of me. A few failed coup attempts, a couple loose words here and there, or asking questions about things I already fully understand. It makes him feel superior, and I get to sense his weaknesses better. Megatron seems to have forgotten that I'm a competent strategist; therefore every move I make, a fail or otherwise, has been carefully calculated and planned for.

The week prior to the mission, Megatron brought me, Astrotrain, and Rumble into a meeting. He wanted to go over the travel plans. It was simple enough, logical enough even. We'd muster at Darkmount, take off from the flight deck at the old Seeker hangar, then fly to the Third Warpgate. This should take nearly three days for us to get to it, then we would fly to the planet that orbited Sirius.

I was not looking forward to this trip. It was bad enough being in the same base as Megatron these days. The thought of being stuck inside Astrotrain and have him taking some offhand comment out of context was too great a risk. Unfortunately I had no choice, I went where I was ordered to. I only hoped it would go to plan as I was the only Decepticon there who regularly doubled as a medic. We could have brought Thundercracker, or even Knockout, but no, he just wanted to keep the team small.

Our plan was as follows: Supply Astrotrain for our trip going out, then find and survey the planet in question. Honestly, Laserbeak might have been the better choice for surveillance, he is small and agile. Collect or capture any weapons or energy we can get our hands on. Conscript, or conquer the population. The latter being possible if we return with a larger army.

I did field my request for a first-aider to be on hand. In case, for some unforeseen reason, I was knocked out of commission. Megatron ignored my request- as usual, stating; “You're always so paranoid.” There is a difference from being paranoid and being prepared. Any time I've been unprepared, I've been in trouble.

A week after that meeting, we arrived on Cybertron. Shockwave greeted us at the space-bridge with his usual charming personality.

“Greetings, Lord Megatron,” he said. He did not bother to acknowledge the rest of us, as far as he was concerned, we were nothing. As far as I was concerned, I was happy for it.

I turned and walked off without saying a word while Megatron and Shockwave discussed a few matters. Cybertron was as we left it; in other words, Shockwave did little to nothing to improve or fix it. If it were me who was left behind.... I'd have had the planet restored to its original orbit. I would probably have worked to energise it too.

I couldn't stand listening to them pontificate, they were both trying to out praise the other. It was disgusting, so I left the control room, going out to the balcony overlooking Polyhex.

Cybertron was getting darker. The sun was very dim in the sky. I remember the days long ago when Cybertron had brilliant blue skies, warm summers and life. Now it was dead, cold, and dark. Daytime was as bright as twilight on Earth, stars could be easily seen in the sky at noon. Soon Cybertron would spiral away from its sun, every orbit took it further out. It would only be a matter of time before the pull of our star was too weak and Cybertron would be flung into space to become a rogue planet.

“Hey Screamer,” Rumble said, drawing my attention back to reality. He had the door slightly ajar and his head peaking through.

“What do you want Rumble?”

“We're going up to the hangar, you comin'?”

“I better. I don't want you morons destroying the Air Command.”

“It's already destroyed, Starscream. It can't get any worse.”

“It won't be forever. One day....” I replied.

“Yeah, right. You Seekers are what, down to few thousand?”

Four-thousand three hundred and seventy-nine, I answered in my head. I wasn't going to tell him the exact number. I checked, the old timers were still where they were hiding out. It was possible there were pockets of Seekers on other worlds, but our population was almost gone. I kept a regular check on the death records- it was my duty as the Seeker Lord.

“Yeah, I'm coming...,” I said reluctantly, then followed him out.

Astrotrain was in the hangar, being loaded and fuelled, it wouldn't be long before he would be ready for take off. Just a few more supplies were being hefted on board. I kept myself scarce to avoid being conscripted into that mundane slag.

As soon as we boarded, he was off. Astrotrain and I had an agreement. It would be a long trip, and he needed an opportunity to rest. He requested that I would pilot him while he was in sleep-stasis- if it was necessary.

The fact that Megatron allowed himself to sleep while I was still awake, surprised me at first. Normally he does not trust me and to be honest, I did have to quell the urge to assassinate him at least once. I'm fully aware that he sleeps light and if I tried to take his life, he'd more than likely take mine. And that made me realise I should not have been so surprised he slept. He understands that I'm not that stupid.

Like Megatron, I also sleep light, and only for short bursts. Particularly when I'm around potential threats. Most people don't bother to wake me unless I've missed a duty shift, and even then, they are cautious. Once I nearly shot Rumble in the head when he was sent in to rouse me; I likely was having a nightmare at the time.

Since we've arrived on Earth, I've slept poorly in general. I'm not sure what it is exactly. Perhaps it's the gravity, the atmosphere, or even the general humidity of this planet. Although I have to wonder if it might be due to the lack of the sounds that we have on Cybertron. The Sonic Canyons, no matter how damaged they are, still send subsonic vibrations through the planet that we are all aware of on a subconscious level. Scientists think that the damage to the Sonic Canyons caused the extinction of the creatures in the Sea of Rust, just prior to the Great Evaporation.

The only time I've found rest easy is when there is a pod of the aquatic megafauna, known as whales, swimming nearby. I find their haunting calls rather soothing. The other time I get a good solid sleep is when I'm sent to repair bay, and with Megatron's temper these days... that's far too often.

Unfortunately I was asleep when we passed through the Warpgate and no one dared to wake me. I was a bit disappointed that I was unable to see it first hand. I was curious if I could view what Shockwave did to repair it.

Megatron and Rumble were asleep when the Sirius system showed up on the radar. I roused Megatron first. He and I stood for a long moment staring at a what looked like a gas giant that resembled Jupiter, with a rocky ring similar to Saturn. Instead of a great red spot, the planet had an enormous Autobot emblem emblazoned upon the clouds.

“Decepticons, aim your guns here,” I said, taking my station. I seated myself and activated the long range sensors.

Megatron chuckled slightly. “They are not being subtle, are they?”

“No, they must either be very isolated, stupid, or overconfident.” I didn't think to add extinct to that list.

I pressed Astrotrain's wakeup button, and the Decepticon grumbled in irritation for a moment before he realised we were at our destination. He shook himself, causing Rumble to fall off of his platform. Rumble joined us and leaned over the console then stared in awe at the planet.

The sensors were scanning the surface. In spite of its initial appearance of being a gas giant, it wasn't. Sensors indicated it had a solid rocky surface and hot molten core, possibly of an iron composite. This was verified by the presence of a magnetic field, which was already deflecting solar particles. The northern atmosphere was aglow from the Aurora Borealis.

The clouds themselves seemed to be mostly made of super fine dust particles and some water molecules. A chain of highly active volcanos in the southern hemisphere was filling the atmosphere with gases, ash and dust. High concentrations of sulphur and hydrogen sulphide were being emitted from those volcanos. Acid rain was a possibility here. I shuddered at the thought.

My scans continued to reveal that it had no free water on its surface, there was potential for it to be underground as I did detect organic vegetation. It was also a very hot planet, with an average surface temperature of nearly forty degrees Celsius- likely why there were no icecaps or free-standing water.

I detected very little in the way of useful metals, other than dense pockets of aluminium, bronze, brass, copper, gold, silver, and electrum. The bronze and brass was evidence of some sort of civilisation, but my scans were grim. I was getting little- no, I was getting zero signs of actual life, organic or otherwise. As far as I could tell, the planet was dead and abandoned. And without the usual metals that made Cybertronian life comfortable, I wasn't surprised.

“Paint me red and call me Optimus... take a gander at that, pipsqueak,” Astrotrain remarked. “Autobots!”

“How are the Autobots all the way out here?” Rumble asked.

“Warpgates, obviously,” I reply. “But I'm not getting any signs of life on sensors. However, the energy signature is very strong. It's coming from the northern hemisphere.”

“Hn, proceed with caution,” Megatron warned. “The Autobots might be deceiving us.”

“I don't see how. Outside the limited pockets of vegetation, there is no life, I can't even detect insects.” Megatron was right though, Autobots could be shielding their energy signatures, it was not unheard of. The lack of any animal or insect life felt rather ominous. Further, scans indicated the complete lack of microbial life as well. It seemed that the planet had been somehow irradiated at some point in its history. It was entirely possible that a radiation burst could have wiped out mechanical life, but unlikely. A burst of radiation that would be strong enough to kill Cybertronians, would have burned the vegetation to a crisp.

If Cybertronians were on the planet, dead or alive, then I'd have detected the basic elements that made up their bodies. The lack of any elements that made up our physiology or technology was concerning. There were a number of unknown elements present, and I wished to collect some.

“Watch for those big asteroids,” Rumble remarked, as one rolled along in front of us. Astrotrain, now flying on his own made the necessary adjustments to avoid collisions.

“I've programmed our landing co-ordinates. It should bring us within a kilometre of the energy signature.”

“Not closer?” Megatron inquired.

I brightened an optic in amusement. “Is a kilometer too far for you to walk, my Lord? I could program it closer, if you're that tired.”

Megatron growled, saying nothing. Astrotrain proceeded to follow my landing directions. As we punched through the Autobot emblem, we could see a beam of crimson light emanating from the same area as the energy signature. Swirls of clouds followed us down as we cut through the atmosphere.

Soon a large metropolis appeared before us. It was the size of Tarn, Vos and Polyhex combined. The giant spires appeared to have similarities to Cybertronian buildings. A rounded structure bore the powerful flood lamp that shone the symbol into the sky. I had to wonder what purpose it served.

As Astrotrain landed, his engines kicked up clouds of red dust until he finally slowed to a stop.

“Readings?” Megatron asked me.

“Same. The energy signature we seek is ahead of us, but now I am reading smaller energy pockets. I still don't get Autobot life signs, but the atmosphere is having an effect on our sensors.”

“I told you...”

“You warned us to be cautious, we were. There are no Autobots here, I admit I'm curious as to why.”

“Too bad,” Astrotrain, grumbled. “I'd have enjoyed shooting a few.” He extended the ramp, and the three of us stepped off. Astrotrain shifted to his root mode and stood looking around.

The sky was a deep orange, and the sun shone with a scarlet fire, typical of light being diffused through sand or dust. I've seen it a few times on Earth during dust storms. I hoped no such storm would whip up while were here. It there was enough dust and sand lying around to be problematic to my air intake system. Much of it mounded in short dunes around the buildings, some were buried entirely.

“This looks like some sort of ghost planet,” Rumble remarked.

“Ghost... or long abandoned...” I agree. My wing twitched, perhaps the strange energy interference prevented my ability to sense the situation we were walking into. The buildings were positively ancient, and crumbling. A few of the spires had fallen to their sides crushing the structures under them.

Ahead of us was a large monument with a towering monolith carved from stone, armoured in bronze. I paused and scanned it. It contained a weak energy signature, primitive electronics, similar in nature to the types humans used on Earth. Silica, gold, Silver, and a form of strange plastic.

Megatron wasted no time and strode toward it, he was as curious as I was. “Strange. The Autobots are not the type to leave an entire city to decay,” he said.

“A cataclysm perhaps?” I suggest. “There is enough evidence to indicate that the world was irradiated at some point in its history. The local star is putting out some strong energy pulses.”

Megatron ignored me and carried on up a short flight of stairs. The bronze monument was inscribed with Ancient Cybertronian-like writings. An early Iaconian-Vosian hybrid as far as I can tell. Many letters seemed similar to ancient Vosian. Whether or not they meant the same thing, I wasn't exactly sure. At least not until I spent a few moments seeing if it made any sense and, to my surprise, it did. I translated some of it, at least the areas that were not completely weathered. I spent a few minutes going over it, and finally I had a rudimentary understanding of what was inscribed, based upon what I knew of Vosian, early Vosian and Iaconian.

The site was called Antilla, that was either the city's name, or the planet's name- I couldn't be positive. It gave a year, which... I wasn't sure if they had the same Cybertronian system or something much older and different. If it was the same, it would peg the site at anywhere between fifteen and twenty-five million years of age. Remarkably ancient and positively intriguing.

I would have killed to have been able to ditch my less than useful companions in order to take a closer look around. This place would have been a fascinating site to explore... the inscriptions also indicated how to operate the machine set into its base.

I glanced over at my cohorts, they appeared to be confused by the monument and unable to read the writing. I decided to play dumb. “It's covered in inscriptions!” I say, realising I was stating the obvious. I wanted to muddy the waters a bit, just to be sure, so I added. “Too bad none of us can read ancient Autobot.” I leaned in then began to manipulate the dials as instructed, pushing a few other buttons when the power did not come on immediately. I tried to make it look as if I had no idea what I was doing.

My activities freaked Megatron out. “Starscream! What do you think you're doing? Has it not occurred to you that it could be a trap?” He seemed to forget one of my favourite subjects was ancient history, and I used to explore alien worlds. Watching him squirm was one of the highlights of my day. The fact he couldn't read it, proved to me that he was not as all knowing as he liked us to believe.

I laughed, “A trap? What trap? It's an ancient communications device you uneducated dolt.” I glanced up at the inscriptions and finished the sequence.

We were scanned and then a moment later a beam of light shone down in front of the main monument. A rusted mech holding a staff appeared.

He began to recite a poem, which sounded ominous. I'm sure Dirge would have loved it. I can't recall the words exactly as it unnerved me. There were only two words that managed to seat themselves solidly in my head, one regarding Cybertron and another about rust. To me, it had qualities of a warning, but I could not figure out what the warning was about. I took it for granted that the language he spoke was modern Decepticon. I suppose there was a translation matrix at play.

“Was that.... a curse?” Rumble asked, as soon as the recording finished.

“Yes, the omens are ill,” Astrotrain replied, warily.

I snorted in disgust. “It's neither an omen nor a curse. It was a warning at the very least for something that happened a very, very long time ago.” I checked my hand held scanner. It seemed the monolith's power cell was drained. I was surprised that it had energy at all. Most batteries or energy storage systems did not last for the long run. I wanted to explore that further, thinking that if the ancients had something that lasted upward to twenty-five million years, then we needed to find it and learn from it. But as usual, Megatron was not thinking long term.

“Superstitious fools,” Megatron snapped, shoving me aside. “Can't you see that it's something designed to frighten us off?”

I looked at the device and then back at Megatron. With reluctance, I had to agree with him, in part. Most things that sounded like that, were usually to frighten would-be thieves. In the short time we've been active on Earth, I've learned that the entrances to the ancient tombs of great leaders and kings were almost always adorned with a curse of some nature.

It rarely stopped the modern humans from gleefully digging them up, taking out all the grave goods, then displaying the crumbling remains in one of their museums. I may not be superstitious myself, but such desecration of a tomb is honestly repellent to my kind. As a scientist, I understand the need and desire to study the ancient people in order to understand our present. As a Seeker, we simply don't do that.

A quick glance at my scanner indicated that strong energy signature was nearby. “Yes, he's absolutely right. If there is a curse on the lintel, then there is treasure inside.” I gestured past the monument at the city center. “It's that way.”

Megatron nodded, then strode toward the buildings across the plaza. Here were pockets of the plant life I had detected. Great vines, with trunks as thick as my arm climbed the building walls, some so strong that it seemed that they kept the structures from falling apart. I was concerned because it appeared that it was one of these dilapidated, vine supported buildings, which contained our objective. I had to admit, my claustrophobia was starting to set in and for good reason this time; the walls, or even the ceiling could collapse.

The structure ahead of us was huge. Enormous buttresses supported the long vine covered walls, tapering into verdigris-bronze-capped pinnacles- I presumed it was bronze. Copper was far too soft to use this way. I'm not saying it can't be used, it would keep the acid rain off one's head. It's just soft. A pair of flying buttresses supported a single wall layer on an upper level, covered again by a peaked roof made of tiled bronze. The walls themselves appeared to be made of layered stone fastened together with a lime-mortar that was heavily weathered.

Near the top of each wall was a carved gargoyle, stained green from the verdigris that leached from the roof. Each one had their own menacing pose, and as far as I could tell, none were alike. They grimaced and roared in silence, as if to deter those who ignored the monolith's warning.

I stopped dead in my tracks, something about the design of the structures struck me as familiar, and then it clicked. These had the essence of Ancient Seeker structures, and early Vosian. My home in Vos had such attributes- It was a low rise building, with gargoyle statues and vaulting structures that spread like the span of a dragon's wing. Part of me had to wonder if the theories could be true, that the Seekers were not indigenous to Cybertron, but from some other alien world. It was plausible, as there were other mechanised lifeforms in the galaxy. Some even transformed like we do.

Megatron stopped and glanced at me as I stared up at the structure. “Starscream, get your cowardly aft over here!” He could tell by my wing posture that I was not comfortable going inside. He interpreted my signals wrong though. I wasn't afraid of a curse, I was just afraid the roof would collapse. I walked over to him and stared at the huge ornate bronze door, similar looking to the one that closed the Decepticon Crypt.

I gave the door a tug, the hinges were corroded shut. Even with bronze, the passage of time would have a detrimental effect on it, and no one here thought to bring a can of oil. “Do you have a key, My Lord, or perhaps try saying 'open sesame'. It worked for Doctor Arkeville.”

“You are trying my patience, Starscream.” Megatron raised his arm as if ready to strike, I backed off then kept my mouth shut.

He stepped to the door and searched around until he found some places to grip it. Megatron dug his fingers in, then wrenched it from its hinges. Small plumes of dust fell from the structure, and I stepped back a few more paces.

Foul smelling air escaped from the building, which indicated it had been airtight until now. Megatron was unconcerned and strode inside, followed by Rumble and then Astrotrain. I trailed in behind, not eager to enter. But if my scanner was reading things right, I had nothing to fear about a collapse. The structure was remarkably solid.

The ancient Vosian-type architecture was very pronounced inside. This seemed to lend credence to the theory that Cybertron was a Seeker colony.

Above my head were graceful arching structures carved out of solid stone, spanning from pier to pier. Vaulted arches supported the heavy ceiling, quite similar in style to the gothic structures within many human churches. This was no ordinary building, it was a temple. A temple to which god? Primus? I wasn't sure- I didn't really care. I don't care about religion in general, but it does shape people and their ideologies. Had I looked for writings, I'm sure would have soon figured things out, but I couldn't. If Megatron had any idea I knew more than I let on, then he'd want me to translate everything.

There were curious mounds of reddish dust that was piled haphazardly along the floor. I wanted to reach the raised platform near the end of the hall, so stepped through the piles. If I knew then what I know now... I wouldn't have barged through them so carelessly. I realise that this wasn't just a temple, it was a tomb.

Coloured light shone through stained-glass windows, illuminating an enormous lightning bug in a spectrum of colours. The bug itself was resting on a raised altar. I knew it was a Lightning Bug- it had to be a Lightning Bug. That insect was predominant in ancient Vosian artwork, architecture, and mythological stories. The Lightning Bug design in Seeker architecture eventually fell out of use on Cybertron and was replaced by the Vosian mini-dragon.

I recall some of the stories themselves, and I'm hard-pressed to find any surviving texts which contains the tale of the legendary Lightning Bug to confirm- I'm still looking. I vaguely recall that it was said to be a weapon of terrible power, designed for planetary defence....

“How quaint. There is an insect here after all; a Lightning Bug.” I remark.

Astrotrain glanced at me for a brief moment. “I'd hate to see a dragon fly,” he responded. He clearly thought I was referring to the Earth insect of the same name, sometimes called a firefly. It looked nothing like a firefly from Earth. It did resemble the scarab beetle in general shape. Interestingly the scarab beetle is used in Egyptian writings- I do believe it means renewal and rebirth there. For us, the Lightning Bug meant death and destruction.... That likely was why it was switched for the mini-dragon motif in our architecture. The mini-dragon was seen as a symbol of life and vitality.

It was a weapon, I knew it. The energy readings coming from it were absolutely off the scale. It had a small opening between its mandibles, likely for firing of an energy projectile.

“I'm going to see if we can make it work.” Being familiar with the stories of an ancient weapon, I threw caution to the wind and walked up the platform to try figure out how it operated. I tugged its legs, pulled its wings, pushed its head to no avail. The legends only said what it did, not how it operated.

“Need help, Screamer?” Rumble asked as he ran up the platform. He tried to tug the wings alongside of me. Neither of us could activate it. Megatron chuckled.

His quiet chuckle quickly transitioned into mocking laughter from the ground below. He slowly walked up the stairs to join us. “Step aside, weaklings,” he bellowed, elbowing us out of the way, I nearly stumbled off the platform's edge.

Megatron is brutish. He lacks grace, eloquence, and manners.

I was silently amused to watch as the great Megatron struggle to move the Lightning Bug's wings. He grunted and strained until finally the wings spread outward, the inner wing edge horizontal to the floor. As it did, its abdomen began to pulsate, building up energy. I could feel the air crackling and prickling as it generated power. It almost seemed as if it sucked energy from the atmosphere itself. Then it fired a stream of lightning through the roof, vaporising it as it did. The abdomen of the lightning bug ceased its rhythmic pulsing, and the wings lowered. The weapon was at rest.

“Vaporised,” Astrotrain said, in awe.

I swallowed hard as I stared out the hole into the sky, the legends were true... such a weapon existed. I was afraid, and I wanted to know why it was left behind. I wanted to know more about these people and their seeming connection to early Seekers. I hated the thought that the emblem on the clouds was possibly of Seeker origin. The thought we'd have some actual connection to the Autobots was repellent to say the least. I knew it was a very ancient symbol, the Decepticon insignia was a more recent development.

“Wow, they don't make them like they used to....” Rumble said.

“No. How Ironic. The Autobots will be annihilated by a weapon they created.”

“Indeed,” I mutter. “I assume it we're going to take it back with us, Megatron?” I didn't anticipate anything less than taking the weapon, that was why we came here to begin with. I would prefer if we explored it as an energy source as opposed to a weapon. Unfortunately Megatron was blinded by his hate for Optimus, and he failed to see the big picture... or a better use for it.

“Yes. You assume correct. Astrotrain, Starscream move the lightning bug down to the floor.”

I glanced at Megatron, smiling. “Surely this weakling cannot possibly lift such a heavy weapon.”

Megatron growled in reply. I nodded to Astrotrain, and we both hefted the Lightning Bug down the stairs. I felt as if I was about to pop a cog, it was so heavy. Rumble stepped behind me, and I tripped over him, then lost my grasp and stumbled. Megatron was close enough to grab the base of the weapon before it came to harm.

He shoved me back, and I fell to the floor. “You fool, Starscream! Another mistake like that, and I'll have your wings as wall hangings.” Megatron and Astrotrain set the weapon down. Astrotrain transformed quickly without being asked.

I exhaled sharply, returning to my feet. “You twit, Rumble... don't get that close behind me in future.” Megatron's aggression toward me was increasing almost by the day, so I did not take the threat lightly. I knew Megatron would murder me long before he ever laid a hand on Rumble.

“Sorry, Starscream....”

I glanced at Megatron. “I will need a hand lifting this into Astrotrain.”

Megatron snorted at my request, then helped me. He figured I would probably wreck it. There was little hope that Rumble could move it, in spite of the amount of strength he had for his diminutive stature. Even with Megatron bearing the brunt of the weight, the weapon was still incredibly heavy.

Once it, and the three of us, were loaded, we left the planet. I wish I could have explored Antilla further. Maybe found a library and taken some texts back with me. I also have to wonder about the ancient saying: 'When lost; follow the eye of Praedarex you will find home.' What did they mean by that Vos or... Antilla?

We left that strange, desolate world behind us; Megatron had what he wanted, the weapon of his dreams. While I had far too many questions that begged for answers. Questions that I'm unlikely to ever have answered.

I know we were not to blame, it was Shockwave who had opened Pandora's box by activating that Warpgate.

Chapter Text

Humans have a phrase pertaining to their idea of perfect vision- 'Hindsight is twenty-twenty.' Meaning: That, by looking back as I am, I can see every error we made that led us down this path. And any mistakes I've managed to survive, I've learned from. This has been true since I was a hatchling. Some have the capacity to learn from their errors. Others, like Megatron, refuse to admit they made a mistake and are condemned to repeat them.

Rumble and I took our stations as we flew out of the system.

“I'm glad we left that place, it sure was givin' me the creeps,” he said. He shuddered to emphasise his dislike of the world.

“I have to agree with you, something about that place was just not right,” I replied.

“Perhaps it's haunted..., you know, with ghosts!”

I didn't dignify that with a response. I don't believe in ghosts or take much stock in the concept of the Well of Allsparks. I believe that the spark, is a form of complex energy that is simply extinguished upon death. Sure, I've prayed to Primus, who hasn't in dire situations. For me, praying has never resulted in salvation. If I wanted to change a situation I didn't like, then I've made a concerted effort to alter it- or die trying.

Even the Seeker death rituals, and the obsession with the orb is ridiculous, no one's ever come back. But... it's tradition, and even I hold to those antiquated rituals that it is part of an ancient Seeker custom... and that's all we've got left. Megatron does not believe in Primus either, how could he. A being that is more powerful than he? Perish the thought.

Megatron snorted. “You two disgust me. How can you be scared of a lifeless rock?”

“You were frightened of Autobot subterfuge in spite of me telling you that it was a lifeless rock,” I snap.

“Watch your tone with me, Air Commander,” he snarled. “You also stated the atmosphere could have affected the scanners.”

I wanted to say more, but I managed to stifle it. I had nowhere to flee should he take extreme offence to my words, not inside Astrotrain.

A small red blip blinked onto my radar monitor with a ping. “Megatron, we have a bogey on our six.”

Megatron glanced at his monitor. “Indeed... Astrotrain, pick up speed, we've got an asteroid on our tail.”

“I see it, but I can't seem to shake it.” Astrotrain replied, flying in a zigzag pattern.

“Strange, but it also seems to be picking up speed,” I remark. I did further scans on the approaching rock. It was spherical, almost like a micro-planetoid and of a previously undiscovered element. It tracked us as if it was attracted to Astrotrain, like a magnet might be to iron.

Now I think about it, the asteroid probably was not attracted to us, but that infernal weapon we had taken. No matter how Astrotrain tried to evade it, it remained on course.

“At this rate it's going to collide with us,” I warned.

“Why not give it a taste of lightning, so we can see our new acquisition in action,” Megatron stated, gleefully.

I stood up, and shook my head, “I don't think it's a wise course of action, Megatron.”

Megatron, as usual, ignored my warning and proceeded into the back. At first, I thought Megatron would ask Astrotrain to make a sharp starboard turn, so we can aim directly at the rock through his cargo door. Instead, and before I could protest, Megatron wrenched the wings of the lightning bug up then fired through the aft end of Astrotrain.

I couldn't believe it, and neither could Astrotrain. It seemed that Megatron had entirely forgotten that the shuttle we were in was in fact a sentient being, a fellow Decepticon.

Astrotrain screamed in pain as the stream of energy burst through his back end, creating a massive hole before it struck the rock. Instead of vaporising the asteroid like we had expected, it blew it up. Shards of rock flew out in all directions, much of it slammed into the aft end of Astrotrain who screamed once more in agony. He was being torn to shreds.

“You imbecile! What ever possessed you to fire that thing inside Astrotrain, you saw what it did to the temple!” I had my wings flared in the customary way of a Seeker about to challenge for leadership.

Before Megatron could answer, a shard punched through Astrotrain and struck him in the chest with the force of a missile. Megatron was slammed back against far wall, bellowing in pain. It couldn't have happened to a nicer person. I was probably fortunate that Megatron had been wounded, because I probably would have been murdered by him if he wasn't.

“Astrotrain, your condition?” I ignored Megatron's moans. As far as I was concerned, Megatron got what he deserved for that act of idiocy.

“I'm severely damaged... but, I can fly....” This was good, because if he couldn't, we'd have been royally slagged. Partly because we'd be stranded on the wrong side of a Warpgate and by that time, we were not close to any planet.

“I'll try to effect repairs in the meantime, fly us home.” I directed, stepping into a leadership position.

Megatron countermanded my order. “No... Astrotrain, fly us to Earth, now!”

That single command of Megatron's probably saved more than just our lives. It probably saved our home world too. I still would not call him a hero though.

“Take the second Warpgate, it'll take a day or so off our flight and bring us directly into the Sol system,” I directed.

“Starscream....” Megatron said, reaching out to me in an effort to get my attention.

I wanted to ignore Megatron, I was angry at his idiocy. I wanted to laugh in his face, he was pathetic. I clenched my teeth, then I turn to the wounded Warlord and shook my head. “Keep that rock in, and your wound will hold. Now I have to undo damage you did to Astrotrain.”

“You need to attend to my wound first....”

“There is nothing I can do about your wound right now....” I answer. I turned to the Cassetticon. “Get your aft here!” Rumble has always been a loyal toady to Megatron and would pander to his needs.

“Yeah?”

“Attend to your Master, make sure he doesn't pull the rock out.” I instruct. Mentally I was begging him to pull it out and hope that it had compromised something like a major artery. I could just see it.... shoving a dying Megatron out of the airlock and into the black void of space.... if wishes had wings, Cybertron could fly.

I set up and began to attempt to close Astrotrain's injuries, ignoring Megatron's demands for my attention. Whether they believe it or not, I'm a trained medic, I know how to triage. As far as triage was concerned, Megatron's condition was low priority. On top of that, we needed Astrotrain, we don't need Megatron to get home. When I had most of Astrotrain's leaks patched, then I was able to turn my attention to our wounded leader.

I felt that Megatron was behaving like a hatchling, and I could not imagine the rock hurting as much as he suggested it did. Even after we had him laying on a platform, he continued to grumble and moan.

Megatron doesn't fake injury, he usually shrugs it off as a show of strength. The display of weakness had me confounded. Because of what I know about him, I kind of thought he was attempting to bait me into following through with my earlier accidental challenge. Had I realised the situation that lay under the surface, I might have been less annoyed and far more concerned.

In spite of his injuries, Astrotrain was quieter about his wounds and whimpered less. I urged him to go into sleep-stasis, in order to save his energy, and I would plot the course home. Unfortunately I had to rouse him for our re-entry, because I was not exactly sure how his Earth-shuttle mode would handle it. (Note to self: learn how to fly Earth style shuttles.) I felt sympathy for Astrotrain because the heat from atmospheric re-entry was tremendous, and he had many open wounds on his exterior. It must've hurt.

Once he landed on the Docking tower, and we disembarked, he transformed, then immediately collapsed. I helped him to his feet, and he used me for support, and we took the lift down to the control room leaving Megatron, Rumble, and the Lightning Bug behind.

I think I infuriated Megatron because I could hear him demanding that I obey him and get the weapon into the elevator first. As far as I was concerned that infernal weapon could drop into the sea for all I cared. Astrotrain was still a Seeker, if only in part, and I was prioritising him. It wasn't our fault Megatron decided to blast through him.

I had called ahead to repair bay just before entering Earth's atmosphere, so Knockout was on hand ready for us. He had the surgery open with all the tools necessary to remove the chunks of rock that peppered the wounded Decepticon.

Astrotrain had to return to his altmode for ease of access to those external injuries. I felt pity for him. He had multiple strikes, including the one that had torn right through him, which struck our Leader, and Megatron was the one whining?

“How long will it take?” I asked Knockout, as he pried out the fragments one by one, placing them on a tray.

“Depends on if we can get that shipment of medical supplies I requested a month ago. At this rate, it could be weeks.”

“Weeks?! Is the CR chamber is too small for him?”

“Only just, unfortunately. I can patch him with local titanium, it's not good as the Cybertronian alloys. It'll hold, and he'll have a slow natural heal. But, he won't be doing any flying until I can do proper repairs.” Knockout explained.

“Do what you can....”

My communicator tweeted, and I absent-mindedly acknowledged it. “Starscream, I need someone to attend to me!” I sighed and glanced at Knockout. “Mighty Megatron requests a medic,” I snap.

“You'll have to do it, Starscream. All of mine are busy here with Astrotrain, he's got far more damage and is our priority. Megatron's injury is tiny in comparison.” Knockout began gathering the supplies I needed- I figured this was going to happen.

“Wonderful... keep a spot open here for me. I'm sure I'll need it,” I remark, direly.

Knockout grinned at me. “Just take your time with him, and be extra careful. Okay, this is all that remains of our Cybertronian alloy patches. It should do Megatron until we get resources. Think you can handle it?”

“Not really, but I have no choice, do I?”

“No... you don't. Good luck.”

“Then I better go and take care of the old bucket head,” I snapped, then turned on my thruster. It wasn't Knockout's fault; Astrotrain needed him more.

I encountered Megatron in the hall outside the Command center. He had been fawning over his newest acquisition.

“They've sent you?” he asked in disgust, eyeing the kit in my hand.

“Yes, they're busy with Astrotrain. So if you want a medic, then it's me. If you don't like it, then suffer. I've got better things to be doing than dealing with you.”

The lack of a response should have frightened me, considering how much snark I put into my words. I expected a bit more bark from him, maybe even an argument over me being the one treating him. No, instead, he nodded then turned and walked toward the turbolift and boarded without any further word. I remained a bare step behind him.

He remained relatively silent, only grunting periodically as if he was in great pain. Once the turbolift had come to its stop, we stepped into the hall of the quarter-deck. I presumed we were going directly to his quarters. Mine would have been a bad choice, and that hole filled drawing on the dartboard would have not been easy to explain.

“You're quiet,” I stated. I was a bit concerned.

“I don't have much to say to you Starscream. This is your fault.”

“Mine? I wasn't the genius who decided to blast an asteroid through the aft end of Astrotrain. This is all on you, Mighty Megatron, not me.”

“You could have seen to my wound rather than leaving it.” Megatron growled. I didn't answer. He knew why I didn't. I had other priorities. He knew his injury was considered minor. Megatron entered his recharge chamber then sat on the platform, gesturing for me to follow. I was surprised at this, he never let anyone in there, not even me. He was either tired, or worse than I realised.

“Astrotrain is going to be down for a few weeks. Repair bay is having trouble getting the supplies...” I reported.

“I'm the one in need of repair, Starscream. Forget about Astrotrain.” he lay upon on his back, staring at the ceiling as I approached. I set the kit down on the table next to me.

“Yes, my Lord.”

It was always about him, wasn't it? That was how it's been in recent years, particularly since we woke up on this Primus forsaken planet. It was always about what Megatron wanted. Who cares about the rest of the Decepticons, who cares about the allied Seeker forces, as long as Megatron gets what he wants.

“Now get on with it.”

“Knockout made the kit and is giving you the last of the medical supplies... let me assess your injury...” I took a closer look. There was a build-up of nanites around the asteroid chunk, it was sharp, and very hard. I tapped it, which resulted in Megatron hissing in protest. Again, I was surprised, Megatron was usually very resilient. “That's a nasty looking wound,” I mutter out loud.

“Don't we have outstanding powers of observation,” he replied. “Now, remove it, before I remove you!” His fusion cannon's charge light came on indicating he would be ready to fire it.

Raising my head, I turned and looked him dead in the optics. “Do you want it removed? If yes, then cut the slag. Otherwise, I'll contact repair bay, and they'll fit you in after Astrotrain has had all of his removed. In Knockout's repair bay, you're pretty low priority- Sir.” Megatron did not reply. Instead, he looked away, it was answer enough.

What always amazed me was how Megatron was willing to trust my hand when it came to his repair. What equally amazed me, was that I never took advantage of his weakness to try to take him out. Perhaps it was a flaw, or perhaps it was that I was still somehow loyal to him at spark. I always kick myself when I pass on these opportunities. Then again, what would it get me? That I was only strong enough to take out a sick mech? No, that would never do. The only way I could ever take over from him would be to face him in honourable combat- and considering the way he cheats.... it'll never be honourable.

I selected a pair of forceps from the kit and grabbed the rock. It was too of weird a shape for my fingers to grasp and, as it was, I slipped a few times. Megatron's discomfort was great as I tried to wrench the rock out. Much to my surprise, he even swore a few times under his breath. Then it finally gave way. I suppose I could have used the hypo that Knockout had provided to dull the pain, but who am I to skip out an opportunity to 'innocently' inflict a little bit of hurt upon Megatron.

“Unfortunately, the operation is successful, you should live.” I expected bright violet ichor to be coating the end, instead it was gritty, dry, and brown. That was a bit disturbing. “I'll proceed with the patch as soon as I clean up the wound.” I placed the chunk down on the tray.

“I don't appreciate your humour, Starscream.” Megatron snapped. He glanced down at his chest then rubbed the wound, looking at his fingers. “What is this?”

“Stop rubbing it!” I snapped. “You'll make it worse.” You'd think he had never been injured before. Still Megatron's tone suggested something was strangely amiss, so I leaned in to have a closer look at what he had pointed out. The brown ichor seemed to pile up around the raw edges. I shuddered, not liking what I saw. “It looks like some type of... rust.”

“Cybertronians don't rust,” he snapped.

That was true enough, we don't. But, there were infections that did cause rust-like effects. Scraplets was one of them. This did not look like a scraplet infection, though, it was something else- something I had never seen before. “Perhaps you were forged from a shoddy part of Cybertron,” I retorted, biting back a laugh.

“You're an idiot, Starscream,” he growled, then lay quietly.

Seeing Megatron in this state, somewhat emboldened me to be a little more loose with my tongue than usual. Ordinarily I would keep it reigned in, unless I needed to distract him. I should have kept it reigned in.... He was seriously weakened, and we both knew it. Perhaps I shouldn't have been so amused about it because, as the humans say, what goes around... comes around.

I collected the asteroid piece and set it in a sterile bag, I'd have to take it to repair bay for analysis later.

I struggled to clean the area with an oil coated cloth, it just seemed to build up again. After a while I got it cleared enough then I was able to weld the patch over the wound, and smoothed it as best I could. I figured that in time, it would heal. Megatron has a robust self repair system, usually he would bounce back from injuries that would cripple or even kill most of us.

Ultimately, I was foolish. I should have initiated an alert to the rest of the base, having even thought there were scraplets or scraplet-like disease involved. But we had so few actual diseases on Cybertron, that I thought nothing of it. Nanite infestations were not uncommon amongst us. War is a dirty business, and we've all been infested with the bugs. Fortunately they die with the use of water, so a simple bath was usually enough to keep them under control. Virus outbreaks happen from time to time, Vosian flu being the most common; but nothing life-threatening.

“Your wound is patched. I'm taking the chunk to Repair Bay. I'll see if one of the medics can take a look at it, my Lord. In the meantime rest,” I said, in a gentler tone.

Megatron waved his hand dismissively, not bothering to reply.

Admittedly, a transmittable disease was not the first thing to cross my mind while I walked down to repair bay. I'm not exactly sure when I became infected. I can only presume it was the same time as Megatron and Astrotrain. Since I lacked open wounds, it took more time for it to get a foothold in me. Meanwhile, I spread it around the base without realising it.

In repair bay, it was already gaining ground. I was surprised to see two medics in protective suits, Knockout was working hard on trying a variety of treatments on Astrotrain, who was covered in the rust. It did not take long for it to spread on him. It was barely two hours since I had last seen him and Megatron. I nearly dropped the tray in my surprise.

“I've brought the rock,” I announced, trying to regain my composure.

“Put that thing in the containment drawer, Starscream,” Knockout ordered. “We've got a major problem here, and I can't find anything to stop it.”

“Did you try water?” I asked.

“Oh.... And why didn't I think of that?” Knockout replied. “Of course I tried water!”

Stupidly, I realised that was probably his first thought. He's a CMO, and has more experience in the field. I muttered a weak apology. “Megatron will likely need a new chest plate,” I stated. “Any idea what this is?”

“Never seen it before,” Knockout muttered, glancing in a microscope. “And once we find a solution, I hope never to see it again.” He stepped aside, gesturing at the microscope inviting me to have a look. As I did the specimen suddenly split and then there were two of them, and then one emitted a puff of dust. They were nanites, but nothing like I've seen before, they had some trans-organic qualities about them.

“It's revolting....” I stepped back, disgusted at the view.

“Very much, and if we don't find away to contain it, control it, or somehow slow its progress, then we may find ourselves in major slag.”

“Agreed. Has anything slowed it down?”

“Not much. Electrum stops it on the surface, but it'll eat through if it's already present. Electrum could work to prevent it from attacking in the first place, if we could get the uninfected coated. Freezing almost stops it. But it forms an oocyte to protect itself, before it can fully freeze. But this happens only at a temperature that'll kill a Cybertronian- those are the two options. We don't have much of that electrum to coat anyone. Also, we don't know who's infected and who's not. And it's pointless to freeze my patients if it kills them.”

“It's a pity Megatron blew up the lagoon.” I had no other ideas to offer.

“Indeed. As for our beloved Leader, he's going to have to wait for the chest piece. I can't make anything until we solve our little problem and get in supplies.”

“So no time frame?”

“None.”

Good, I thought. I felt somewhat delighted by this bit of information. “I'm sure our noble Leader will be thrilled with this news. I shall return to him in any event.”

Megatron did not acknowledge me when I rang the buzzer, so I entered without his permission. In this situation, I'm well within my rights. Our leader was unwell, and I'm his second in command. My duty is to step in these situations. I just had to decide if I was going to force the issue, or be given leave.

“My Lord?” I called gently in the darkness.

The light in his recharge chamber had been dimmed, and the heat was increased. I was greeted by a rasping dry cough. He wheezed, drawing in a ragged breath before coughing again. I stopped and stared. I could feel a blast of cold shoot through me from head to foot. I had never heard him sound like this, and that frightened me.

“News?” he asked.

“Grim, my Lord. Astrotrain's condition is worsening, and your replacement part is on hold until they determine what is going on.”

“We're beyond replacement parts, Starscream.” he wheezed. “I need a scientist who knows what he's doing....”

“Sir, we've got the best scientists on hand.... Knockout is an excellent medic, and I'm an accomplished....”

“You and the medics know nothing. I need a real expert... get me Perceptor.”

“Pardon?” I wasn't sure I heard what I thought I had heard. He felt that the Autobots had better scientists? I began to believe that the rust was affecting his mental processors.

“Use the Stunticons, and bring me Perceptor,” he ordered.

“What?! The Stunticons? Lord Megatron, my Seekers would be a far better choice....” I could not imagine that a delicate being like Perceptor would last long with the heavy-handed mauling of the Stunticons.

“Do as I say!”

I stepped away from him. Even ill, Megatron would still be a force to contend with. “Yes, my Lord. I shall.”

Stunticons... I couldn't believe that he wanted the Stunticons involved. Of all the hare brained ideas he has ever had... I don't know why he chose those louts for a delicate mission. If he wants carnage, great, send them in. They're obstinate, rude, unpredictable, chaotic... can I go on? Yes I could, but I won't. I don't like them. He'd be better off sending the half-baked Vehicons after him.

“But, I hate to press the issue, Megatron,” I continue. “If you're unwell, then I need to step into command. Believe me, you don't want to be seen this way. I can be your voice, and as your Second in Command it's my duty to....”

Megatron growled at me, which ended quickly in a fit of coughs. He did not like the request, but he also knew it was prudent. “Very well, Starscream. You may step into command,” he wheezed, drawing in a deep breath. “Now go!”

I left quickly, somewhat elated. I did not get to take command often, not with his blessing anyway. I've taken over from time to time when it became apparent he was unable to issue orders.

It makes it easier for me to do my job when he keeps me in the know. There are times when he gets it into his brain to keep me out of the loop and that is when problems arise. I have to make calls of judgement based upon my own experiences. Usually what I choose to do will clash with what he wants in the end. Then I suffer his wrath, and he is swift with dispensing it. Megatron is not as infallible as he thinks, and he is mortal like the rest of us.

When the need for me to step up arises, most Decepticons seem to get it into their thick heads that I'm trying to take over as the defacto Leader. I'm not. I'm trying to keep us functioning.

Megatron no longer uses me for my tactical planning. So all that is left is my job as his second, and quite often I don't even get to serve in that capacity. But my job as a second will sometimes means being his voice. If I intended to make a power grab, then they'll know. I always make a statement of challenge, and I attack according to the battle codes. When the official challenge is issued then one of us will be dead... truth be told, it'll probably be me. As I said; he always cheats.

By the time I got to the control room there were a dozen Decepticons standing around the weapon. Some were trying to hypothesise what sort of energy source it used, I was also curious about that. Personally I would have pulled the thing apart to see if the energy cell was useful as a long term power source, or even if it could produce energon.

The two times I had seen it in operation, it had tremendous energy output. It would be far more useful to harness energy for fuel, than as a weapon. But Megatron always wanted a super-powerful weapon that was a sure-fire way to destroy the Autobots. It rarely ended well. His overcomplicated, elaborate plans have always failed, and I'm usually the scapegoat.

“Megatron's Condition?” Soundwave asked.

“Dubious,” I say, in a low voice. I don't have to speak loud when he is in the room, his hearing was incredible. I also did not want to blast it out to the general population. They didn't need to know, Soundwave did. I stepped next to him. “His condition seems to be rapidly deteriorating.”

“Cause?”

“Repair bay is looking for answers. Almost seems like a trans-organic nanite. Megatron sounds rough, so its best if he's left undisturbed. The only people allowed in his quarters are me, or a medic bearing a solution.”

“Acknowledged.” Soundwave as usual looked skeptical of my claims. As far as he was concerned, I probably have already dumped Megatron into the ocean.

“He wants us to bring him Perceptor. Unfortunately Megatron has little faith in our healers and scientists... locate Perceptor and send in the Stunticons to capture him. Have Blitzwing go along as well, we might need someone capable of taking a passenger. I want him delivered here safe.”

“As you order, Starscream.”

I left Soundwave to return to my quarters. I was tired, and I haven't had much rest since we left Antilla. I was getting the surges from the disturbing nature of this day, and I felt the need to bathe in order to wash myself free of the mental infestation and Antillian dust.

My private wash racks have always been a guilty pleasure of mine. On Earth water is plentiful, and our pump rooms heated it to high temperatures. I lingered in it's cleansing spray longer than I should, delighting in its warmth, and the exquisite sensation as the highly pressurised water pounded against my wings. I shuttered my optics and allowed myself to indulge.

The whole base vibrated, I glanced up, as if I could see through the hull of the Nemesis. It was the docking tower raising. I was glad that Soundwave felt the need to inform me that he had located Perceptor- I do like how he always kept me informed. Then again, I didn't care. I did not really want to be disturbed.

I turned the water pressure down and switched from power-wash, to the gentler setting and increased the heat. I pressed my palms to the shower wall and allowed the water to gently cascade over me, caressing my wings. The advantage of having my own quarters is I no longer have Skywarp or Thundercracker asking me why I'm taking so long. I don't want to explain my reasons... I'm a widower... not dead.

I reluctantly stopped the water and stepped out. Then I took a cloth made from an indigenous plant, known as cotton, and began to towel down. As I turned my right arm to dry it off, I noticed the reddish-brown crust of the rust, at my wrist. I couldn't believe it. I had no external wounds, it should not have infected me so quickly.

I watched in horror as it crept along my arm, almost like a termite burrowing under my chromoderm until it erupted, spilling out the rusty waste product. The worse thing was, it burned as it went. I could feel it spread over my body, burrowing, burning, erupting. I was shocked at how quickly it took hold, and how rapidly I went down hill. I rummaged through my collection of cleaners and oils; Earth types and Cybertronian. None worked to slow the spread.

My body's defensive nanites went into overdrive fighting the alien disease. I began to heat up and as I did, it spread faster. Heat, it reacted to heat... my natural defences were fuelling it, not destroying it. I realised that my pleasantly hot shower exacerbated it- that's why it spread fast here and Astrotrain only started to face problems after arriving on Earth. He was flying cold of space, and it wasn't until he heated up in the atmosphere... And Megatron had increased the heat in his quarters... it was a thermophile, it thrived in heat.

It was not long before the rust crept into my intake system, and I found it hard to get the air I needed to run my engines cleanly.

I staggered across the room to my desk, and activated my comms. “Starscream to repair bay....”

“Knockout here,” the CMO said. His image popped up, and he looked no better than I did. His usually pristine physique was marred by the tracks the rust made.

“Well... that answers that,” I muttered. The medics were also sick, “I'm just informing you I've taken ill.”

“If you want medical care, take a number,” Knockout stated. “Soundwave and the whole top five cassette collection has also been infected.”

“I'm... not surprised,” I wheezed as I spoke. “Is there anyone not infected?”

“I can't be sure... unlikely- unless those who have been off base, like the Stunticons.”

That was grim news indeed. The Stunticons as sole survivors? What a horrible thought. “I recommend lowering the heat in the base as much as possible,” I inform him. “It began to spread rapidly immediately after a scalding hot shower. It's thermophilic.” I took a breath and began to cough, doubling over as I did.

Knockout politely waited for me to finish. “We also arrived at that conclusion not long ago ourselves. I'll contact pump room to lower the heat.”

“Good...,” I wheezed.

Now the hologram's warning made sense. I really wish I had paid it heed rather than brush it off as mere superstition. How could I have known that a disease that affected mech some twenty-five million years ago would affect us now? It didn't seem possible- but it was.

“Did you want anything sent up? Some fuel perhaps?” Knockout asked. I considered it for a moment and shook my head. “No... I'm good. Warn Cybertron that Earth is under quarantine. Under no circumstances shall anyone be permitted to leave, Decepticon or Autobot. As the CMO, you have the power to declare an emergency... do it. If anyone tries to leave, I'm ordering their immediate execution, and their bodies disposed off in the smelting pit. Understood?”

“The smelting pit? Is that wise, Starscream? Considering how heat seems to increase the speed of transmission.”

I spread my hands in defeat. “If you have a safer plan for disposal, then do it. Same for any of the deceased. Their bodies are to be destroyed- that means no orbs and no ceremony. Just record names.” I wheezed between words.

“Understood, Sub Commander.” Knockout gazed at me with concern.

I drew a deep breath that triggered a fit of coughing that kept me busy for nearly a minute. As it came to an end, I spat up rusty mucus-like material. “Keep me informed... I'm going to rest... or die, not sure which.” I disconnected and then sat in my chair for a moment gazing out of the big window into the darkening sea. It spread fast, it took hold fast... it would probably kill with expediency.

I got up and stepped into my quarters then glanced at my platform, finally I dropped into it. I thought about writing something in my datapad, something profound, but I chose not to. There was no point. If I die, then its gone with me. And, for the moment, my precious datapad was safe in subspace. I had not taken it out since before we left Cybertron. I honestly didn't want to risk it being destroyed by the rust.

It was hard to rest. It was difficult to ignore the creep of the disease as it crawled across my body, erupting, sending out spoors and spreading again. I can't describe what it was like waiting. Waiting for either death to claim me as I slowly disintegrated, or a cure to be found. I must've dozed off because I became aware of the vibration of the docking tower as it raised again seven hours later. I only hoped that they had Perceptor. I hoped that he would have an answer to what infected us and some idea of a cure.

Fleetingly, I felt the urge to greet the returning Decepticons then I abolished it. Still, I sat up taking my time to move slowly. Regretfully, I glanced behind myself, and saw the strange rusted outline of a Seeker on my platform. Morbidly, it reminded me of the chalk outlines humans draw around murder victims- in a way, it was the same thing.

Then I realised that was me, decomposing into dust. That was when I connected the dots- the strange dust piles I had seen in the temple were the remains of the ancients who rusted where they fell. If this disease was allowed to progress unchecked, then that fate will become ours. I needed a cure... we all needed a cure.

Voices in the hall announced the arrival of Perceptor who protested the entire way, while Ramjet and Dirge forced him along. They knocked Megatron's door, and he likely granted them admittance.

The path to my front door was not difficult under normal circumstances. With the rust, moving, walking, or even thinking was arduous.

By the time I got there, I found Rumble with his head against Megatron's quarters listening to the discussion inside. He smiled awkwardly, having been caught red-handed spying.

“You look like slag, Starscream.” he said, greeting me as stepped out.

“You're not looking much better, Rumble. Anything interesting?” I asked, ignoring his activities.

“Not really, just some talk about an ancient space-borne plague that destroyed mechanoids millions of years ago.” Rumble explained. I would have loved to know where Perceptor got that information from. “Megatron's having a fit about being infected with cosmic rust- or at least that's what the bot calls it.”

I don't remember exactly what I thought of the name, only that it made the disease sound more benign than it actually was. “As if he's the only one,” I snapped. “Does Perceptor have an answer?”

Rumble pressed his head to the wall again and listened for several minutes. “He says he thinks he knows what is spreading it, but he won't help us until he's had a chance to verify.”

“The bot is stalling, it's spread by heat.”

“No slag he's stalling. Why would he want to help us, Screamer?”

“To save himself. Because, if he doesn't, no one will ever see home again- including the Autobots- Perceptor has been exposed by being in here.”

The door to Megatron's quarters swished open. Ramjet and Dirge stepped out wearing an expression of abject terror on their faces as they passed us. I shook my head. Neither were infected, but I guaranteed they already were.

“Dirge!” I said.

Dirge stopped and almost tripped over Ramjet trying to back away from me. I hadn't had a chance to look in the mirror since I left the wash racks. I didn't want to see what he saw, it couldn't have been good. For an Undertaker who thrived on the Seeker funeral traditions, he hated being faced with the prospect death.

“Starscream...” Dirge said, stepping away from us.

“I want you to quarantine yourself in the empty quarters down the hall. I hope you're not infected.” the pair nodded. “Medical override three-three-one will gain you access there. Keep the heat off and avoid anything warm. Rumble and I will play host to our Autobot friend.”

“We will?” Rumble said, in dismay.

I didn't answer him. Every movement and word spoken was pure agony. It made me wonder if Seeker physiology, which is different from many Cybertronians, made us more susceptible to the disease. Megatron seemed to be moving fine, although his body creaked with every step.

Perceptor and Megatron were discussing options for peace. Perceptor was trying to drive a hard bargain; destroy the weapon, and the cure would be his. From what it sounded to me, there was a viable solution, and the Autobot was withholding it. I shoved him forward, ensuring he knew that I had infected him with my very touch. It would be in his best interest to have a cure, or to produce one quickly.

As soon as we made it to the control room, I could see that others there were also infected heavily.

Perceptor made his way over to the Lightning Bug. “Yes, this is causing the disease to spread,” he said, scanning the device. I wasn't surprised at all with his verdict. He seemed hell-bent on its destruction, and using it to explain spread was a valid strategy. He was likely right though. The weapon did generate a tremendous amount of energy, and it seemed that everyone in proximity of it was affected by it. I could feel the crawling spread of the disease on myself and witness it on Rumble.

“Destroy it now, and then I will cure you.”

“That wasn't our agreement! Cure me! Cure me now!” Megatron cried out, as he did, his hand made a horrible sound, and it dropped to the ground. I stepped back, my optics were locked on the appendage. Humans had a disease called leprosy, my knowledge of human ailments was limited to only what I had heard, and some said that it caused body parts to drop off. Was this like that?

Perceptor, having witnessed the abrupt deterioration of Megatron, dispensed with the push to have the weapon destroyed. Perhaps his compassion for other Cybertronians won out, but his next move was a tactical error. He did indeed have a cure, and he had it on hand. Some chemical called Corrostop... it sounded cliche, as if he had watched far too many human infomercials.

He took out a small bottle- a test tube, barely enough to coat one Decepticon, let alone one hundred. He poured a couple drops on the disembodied hand. Within seconds the hand was clear of the rust, it glistened in the light. Perceptor handed the appendage back to Megatron who quickly reattached it. He wiggled his fingers and stared at it in awe. It functioned normally once more.

I cannot begin to explain how the stuff worked. I can hypothesise that once it coated Megatron's infected nanites, that they returned to doing what they were supposed to do, protect, repair, and restore.

Elated, Megatron snatched the tube from Perceptor and rubbed it all over himself. I was amazed and eager as well. Within a few minutes, Megatron was glistening. The welts and channels from the rust were still present, but the restored nanites were already repairing him.

“Decepticons, we have the cure!”

Before I could get my hands on it, Megatron handed it to Rumble. The small Decepticon rubbed a few drops over himself and in moments, he too was glistening.

Then there was chaos. The other Decepticons practically mobbed each other for it. By the time I could get hold of it, there was barely a single drop left. It was gone. Some were cured, others, like myself... remained diseased. I was one of the longest to be infected, and my disease was progressing apace.

My earlier excitement at the prospect of being cured was abruptly ripped away. I realised that if we could not get more, then some of us, myself included, would be dead soon.

The single drop was not enough to cure me, so I stashed the bottle into subspace before some other desperate spark could snatch the tube from me. I left the celebrating Decepticons and made my way to repair bay, highly disheartened.

Repair bay was a dreadful sight. There were many Decepticons who had gone there seeking help. None received it, just experimental treatments and pain relievers. There was nothing Knockout could do for any of us there, only try to make us comfortable.

Astrotrain was dying and Knockout was crumbling over medical documents valiantly searching for answers. I explained to him what I had heard and that some of us, not all, had been cured. He appeared surprised when I handed over the test tube with the single drop.

“You're not going to use it?”

I laughed, shedding rust-dust as I did, wishing I had not. Laughter hurt like the pit. I ended up pressed against the wall coughing. “And what would a single drop do for me, Knockout? Preserve a finger?” I asked. “It would be better used to synthesise more. Somehow learn its formula, create more and save us,” I ordered.

“You could've saved yourself,” he said, taking the bottle, tilting it from side to side. He fetched a microscope and slide to examine a sample.

I reluctantly sighed, hating his use of past tense. “Not with a single drop.” I admit that I was fed up with outliving others. I survived being near ground zero when Vos was destroyed, and a number of other dangerous situations. I suppose in part I acknowledged I may not live. “Don't get me wrong, Doctor. I don't want to die to this alien disease, so reproduce the cure and save me too, that's an order.” I hoped it was not my final order.

There were no platforms available in Repair Bay, so I chose to leave I before could change my mind and take the bottle back. I avoided everyone then took one of the turbolifts directly to the Quarterdeck and sequestered myself in my home, I felt isolated and terribly alone. I missed my trine, and I wanted them near but, I couldn't risk it. Not if they had not been exposed. I wanted to throw a fit of rage, but I thoroughly lacked the energy and willpower. This was not how I envisioned my end- somehow I always thought it would be in the heat of battle.

I stood for a long moment in front of my desk, looking out the window into the inky ocean. The glittering lights of the undersea base were particularly spectacular, and the shimmer of a school of fish as they swam nearby. Earth, as much as I hated it, was strangely beautiful. I think part of my hatred was how it reminded me of what Cybertron used to be. Beautiful, vibrant and full of life... the way I used to be. I refocused from the shimmering fish to my own reflection in the window. It was faint, but I could see how the disease encrusted my body in that reddish-brown rust. I looked away, I didn't want that to be the last memory of myself.

I exhaled sharply, then coughed, spitting more of that mucus, this time tainted with ichor. I was bleeding internally, my clock was rapidly ticking down. My only hope was that Knockout would have the sense to treat me sooner rather than later.

I forced myself away from the serene scene of the ocean and lay down on my platform. Setting myself into the outline of the dust Seeker. I was afraid to allow myself to shutter my optics, fearing it would be the last time. In spite of my misgivings the fatigue won out, and I slept.

Death from disease was virtually unheard of on Cybertron and, much like Pandora lifting the lid of her box, we released something we could barely control into our existence.

Chapter Text

It's times like this, that you'll learn who are your true friends, and who are your mortal enemies. Friends will be willing to help, in spite of the risks they may face. Whilst the enemies, will turn their backs and leave you to your fate. When this happens, you'll know who deserves your loyalty and who does not.

A dreamless sleep was what I had until I was awakened by my wingmate, Thundercracker. He was standing next to my platform gently dabbing my face with an oily cloth. My engines felt as if they were about to seize, everything was sluggish. My wings and legs seemed non-existent, it was distressing. I feared that I had lost them to the rust already.

I drew a shallow breath, and discovered that the air was cold, extremely cold. My optics flicked open, and they felt dry as the protective shield raised, almost grinding as it did. I could barely see through a fine coating of dust, which impeded my vision. Thundercracker gently blew this dust away as if sensing my blindness.

A cold wind blasted across me from two large freezer units that had been placed either side of the platform. Chilling both myself and the room. I wasn't sure what the temperature was set at, but it was painful. Probably toward minus twenty-five degrees centigrade or less.

Thundercracker looked uncomfortable as he dabbed the cold oil on my surfaces. He had the tell-tale sheen of someone who had been given the cure, everyone who took it appeared unnaturally glossy. I felt relieved, at least he had been treated. Unfortunately I realised I was not being given the cure, just oil and the deep freeze treatment.

“The cure?” I asked. My voice was strange, weak, crumbly; it sounded unnatural to me. My mouth felt dry and full of dust, I wanted to drink the oil he was using.

“Everyone has had it,” he replied. “The Decepticons are saved, thanks to your sacrifice. Knockout was able to use a medical replicator to create more from the drop you gave him.” Thundercracker's voice was surprisingly gentle as he spoke.

Everyone he says... everyone... somehow it seems as if I had been forgotten, or was I beyond saving? It seemed they were trying to extend my life by keeping me brutally cold....

I realised I would be better off whispering instead of using my vocalisers. “My... sacrifice? What about me...?”

He dipped the cloth into the basin of oil and gently rubbed it along my neck and chest. Thundercracker was almost ritualistic about how he was treating me. Much like Dirge would anoint a body before... internment.

“Megatron won't let Knockout dispense it to you, and he won't let us near it. He has confiscated the cure and all files relating to it. He wants to prevent replication- Knockout protested this order, and was ignored. We convinced Megatron to allow us to see you....” Thundercracker paused for a moment as if he was debating on something. “... He's allowing you die. ”

Thundercracker's words made my lines run ice-cold. I didn't think that was remotely possible as I was so numb all over from their chillers. “Why?” I asked. Not that I was surprised by Megatron choosing this as a convenient way of getting rid of me and at the same time, I was surprised. I guess my usefulness to him was over.

“We think he's punishing you....”

“Whatever for? What did I do this time?” I was genuinely confused. “Didn't I fulfil my duties... and ensure that his orders were carried out?”

“I don't know, Starscream. Did you do something to piss him off?”

“My existence pisses him off.” I replied. “Did he say anything?” I tried to take a deep breath but all I could muster was a short, shallow pain-filled gasp, followed by several harsh coughs.

Thundercracker made a few shushing sounds as if to try to ease my discomfort. “He's under the impression you tried to take over the Decepticons....”

I remained silent for a very long time. So silent that Thundercracker shook me, thinking I had died. I could only presume I was so rusted at this point it was hard to tell if I were alive or not. “I told him I needed to step into command until he had recovered. I was in no way, stealing the Decepticons from him.” I glanced up at the ceiling, and coughed, exhaling a small cloud of dust as I did. “When I took the rock out of his shoulder I was, perhaps, a bit flippant with him.”

“He's got a short temper these days, that was probably it,” Thundercracker agreed. I tried to move, and Thundercracker once more made his soothing little sounds, holding me down. His oil did little to help my situation, I was too far gone.

“So you are here to see me out? Where's your brother; where is Skywarp?”

“On a mission,” Thundercracker said, in a voice that was barely a whisper. “He's doing a dangerous job for me.” He kept bathing my face in the oil.

“What sort of mission?” I asked. “What could be so important now that it couldn't wait?”

“He's on an errand of mercy,” Thundercracker reassured. “He's out to get something for me to take care of you.”

A second later we were blasted by a jet of air that usually announced Skywarp teleporting in. He also had that glossy sheen of life. I glanced away, envious. My optics felt heavy, and I was growing weary. In spite of my desire to have them both near at this time, I also wished the pair would leave and spare me this humiliation; I didn't want to be seen like this. I shuttered my optics, conflicted.

“You've got it?” Thundercracker asked, impatiently.

“Yeah, it was fraggin' tricky... Do you know how many layers of encryption Megatron's got on that vault? You know how I hate doing maths....”

“Shut up and give it to me! Did you bring the hypo like I asked?”

“I got one from your kit.” I flickered my optics open long enough to see Skywarp handing something over to Thundercracker. A second later I could hear a hiss just behind my head- clearly a hypo being loaded. Then Thundercracker pressed it to my medical port and injected something in my lines. A numbing sensation radiated along the length of my body. For a second, I thought I was in the final stage of dying.

Thundercracker gently raised my head and poured a liquid into my mouth. It tasted awful, bitter, yet it pleasantly moistened my parched tongue. An errand of mercy... It made sense that they might choose to euthanise me in this situation. They are my friends, I would expect it. A moment later I could feel both Seekers carefully rubbing their hands along my arms, face, wings... everywhere.

I opened my optics and glanced over at them. To my surprise, my previously rusted extremity was glossy. I was confused for a moment then it hit me. They weren't trying to euthanise me, it wasn't a poison- it was the cure! They had the cure!

It took some time for me to understand what was going on. I finally made sense of their words. It seemed that Skywarp had snuck in and stolen the cure out of Megatron's vault. That was a huge risk, but Skywarp had long since mastered sneaking into our Warlord's quarters to steal things. But the vault... If Megatron learned of this.... then slag would hit the fan.

Thundercracker administered the cure in every way possible. Internally, intravenously and externally. The damage was so severe, that they also had me in a stasis field, hence my inability to feel my legs or wings. After a few minutes they flipped me over and proceeded to treat my back before righting me once again. They worked hard for nearly an hour pouring the cure into every possible joint and crevice.

The cure calmed the burn and cooled my wounds, I was in dire shape still, but I felt so much better. “Megatron's going to be pissed with us,” I said, after a while. I was still exhausted, and my body had been fighting a losing battle until now.

“We'll deal with it,” Thundercracker replied. He fitted me with a shunt and began to load me with liquid energon. “You've been sicker longer, so we think it'll take you longer than others. Astrotrain took a couple of hours before he was able to sit up.”

“Did we lose anyone?”

“Three, they've been incinerated, as you ordered,” Thundercracker said.

I winced. I didn't want to find out who had died, I'd surely find out in the reports soon enough, “So I'm the last one to be cured?” I wanted to be sure.

“Yes. Megatron tried to infect the Autobots, and they managed to get some off one of the monuments they coated and used a replicator for its reproduction. They're all cured,” he explained.

“Megatron's master plan, to destroy his enemies has once again gone to pieces, it seems....” I said. “We better be spraying the base down anyway, we need to eliminate any chance of bringing it to Cybertron.”

Thundercracker nodded, agreeing with me. “We will.”

“Megatron lost the weapon too,” Skywarp added. “The bots destroyed it.”

“What a waste,” I groaned. “We could have used its power-cell for our own gain.”

My wingmates leaned down and put their arms around me as Skywarp teleported us to the Repair Bay. My damage was extensive, and I would need the aid of a CR chamber for full restoration.

I was expected it seemed. Knockout had the CR chamber primed and ready for me. He was happy that they had managed to acquire the cure and was glad that I was finally treated. He had no issues with defying Megatron's orders, which he felt was unusually cruel.

I spent two days asleep in the CR chamber and then another twenty-four hours in recovery. My wingmates remained close at my side the entire time. We think if Skywarp had been delayed even a few minutes, I would not have survived. Megatron's attempt at separating our trine may only serve to strengthen our resolve.

As for the cure, I'm keeping the portion Skywarp stole. If the replicator can reproduce it, then we can make more should we ever have another outbreak, and I hope to the pit we don't. From what Thundercracker explained, that once the cure was reproduced, Knockout had seen to it that every live specimen of the disease we had, suffered an unfortunate lab accident and was destroyed. He, like the rest of us felt that this would be too dangerous to keep around with people, like Megatron, or even Shockwave, who would seek to weaponise it. As it was, Megatron already tried to.

I have one theory, and I cannot prove it either way. I speculate that we only had the asteroid follow us because of the presence of the Lightning Bug. For some reason the asteroid locked onto the energy signal it produced. When we destroyed it, it gravitated to us as opposed to being flung away. The energy it emitted may have been bait that attracted it into a firing line. Due to the unknown composition of the rock, it wasn't vaporised as intended, instead it was shattered and spread the infected asteroid further. That may have been what happened to Antilla as well.

Since we detected the energy signature here on Earth, and that energy has been going out into space for upward of twenty-five million years. I feel it's plausible that this caused the cosmic rust infected asteroids to be attracted to Antilla. Had the weapon not been destroyed, we may have found the infected asteroids being drawn here.

If Antilla is the Seeker home world, or the home world of the beings that gave rise to Seekers, then I can hypothesise that they fled Antilla sometime when the rust started, or just prior. They escaped through the Warpgate then disabled it on our side, cutting Antilla off from our sector.

This would protect us from future incursions of this disease until Shockwave opened Pandora's box by reactivating it. I think this is the most logical theory I can make from the pieces of the puzzle, such as the disabled Warpgate, and the Seeker-like architecture and the Lightning Bug. One final question I have is; who made the Warpgates, was it the Antillians, or someone else?

In keeping with my theory of why that Warpgate was originally disabled. I'm ordering it, not only shut down this time, but destroyed entirely. I suppose that makes me one of those fear driven barbarians. My wingmates and I will be seeing to this personally, and we will be doing this without Megatron's knowledge or permission. We will permanently shut the lid on Pandora's box.

Cybertronians will never return to Antilla. This will forever cut me off from ever getting the answers to the questions I desire, unless they are somehow preserved on Cybertron. I can live with that loss, as long as I never see the rust take hold of us or Cybertron again.

Megatron's whole handling of the situation is what made it worse. His current mental instability does have me questioning his ability to lead the Decepticons in future, only time will tell.

Until such time as I have a clear advantage, I will remain on hand to mitigate problems and try to keep the Decepticons on the correct course.

~ Starscream