Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

...

...

When all is said and done, your life is a reflection of the things you gained and lost.

A family.

"Why did they leave us Starscream? Why didn't they want us? Do you think we'll ever find them? Will they find us?"

"Someones taking TC?"

"He's so...small."

"We can't take him Skywarp. I'm sorry. Come now. We wan't to take you to your new home."

"But why? He's my brother!"

"We can't keep you forever Starscream. It's how it works. Get out."

"How long has it been brother? When was the last time we were a real trine?"

A future.

"Welcome to the Academy! We are all very proud-"

"You were a lonely sparkling...weren't you?"

"My creators abandoned my brothers and I-"

"You have all made us very proud, and it has been an honer having you as-"

A life.

"The mech known as Megatronus continues to-"

"Good job, Starstream. You'll make a fine air commander."

Love.

"Skyfire PLEASE!"

"Eventually we did find each other again, didn't we Star?"

Freedom.

"War has been declared!"

"I'm here to join the Decepticon cause."

"Meet me at th..., at sunset"

"DECEPTICONS!"

"I'm only here to serve you...Master."

"Why do I always have to end up alone? Why do I suffer while everyone else gains respect and glory?"

"If you had the chance...would you?"

"...Would you?"

Would you go back?

And go through it all over again?

...

...

"GYAH!"

Starscream yelped, waking from his recharge, wings flaring at their highest point. Looking around, only the quiet and empty halls and rooms of the Harbinger greeted him. Echoes of thunder resonating within the emptiness.

There was a storm coming.

"Stupid flux," Starscream grumbled, standing up from his hard berth and clutching his helm. To dream about his past often brought uneasiness.

"Slag it..." Starscream groaned as he stretched out his wings and arms. How he yearned for the sky, for the wind, for something other than the empty ship, the hunger and the dirt.

He hated being grounded. Feeling so exposed and vounerable. This was no life for a flyer, let alone a seeker.

Starscream's tanks rumbled in protest as he stretched, lifting his left servo a panel opens and displayes his vitals. 30% of Energon left... He's in the red. This was bad, once it reaches 10%, the lowest point...he would probably go into emergency stasis lock, power down and die from starvation.

What a nightmare.

Spending at least six months without a T-cog had made it hard for Starscream to survive the wilds of the Earth.

Before, with the power of flight, finding Energon, escaping enemies, it was easier. Still difficult, but easier. At least he could get away, hide or defend himself against the many factions that were now either trying to kill him, find him or imprison him. Now however, trying to locate and collect Energon was even harder. When you don't have flight, you are easy to catch. When you don't have energy, things begin to malfunction. The computers of the Harbinger were starting to power down. The ground bridge was starting to malfuntion as well. Not enough power...Not enough.

It's been almost two weeks and four days since the seeker had last taken in Energon.

He was out of options.

Scrap it all...

Almost every mine and reserve he had used to store extra Energon was now crawling with vehicon troopers, all of which were either mining, scouting or keeping a look out for the grey seeker.

Starscream sighed angrily and continued to stare at his vital stats. 30% of Energon left...just enough to last another three days. Maybe less.

An alarm sounded in the distance. The control room's main computer had finally detected something, Energon maybe? Decepticon movement? Autobots?

He didn't know. Right now all Starscream could think about was how he was starving...and how exaughsted he was.

"I'm so tired..." he sighed pinching the space between his optics, wings droping low. Starscream needed to make a desicion quick.

What if it was a trap? What if Megatron was trying to lure him out?

But what if it was Energon?

Another pang of hunger passed through Starscreams tanks. His decision was made.

He needed to take the risk.

"Better to risk than to starve," grumbled the seeker, heading for the control room. Lethargic and his tanks rumbling, hurting due to lack of energy.

The computer beeped loudly as it displayed a detailed map of the Earth. A small red dot blinked somewhere in the eastern part of the land mass called North America.

It wasn't Energon.

The Decepticons were on the move. Probably found something of importance...another relic perhaps?

It could be useful!

It could also mean the death of him or a complete waste of time.

But where there is a relic, there is energon.

Energon.

Starscream needed Energon.

What to do?

Does he go and take the risk or take advantage and get one over on everyone of his enemies?

Or does he go and lose it all?

Scrap.

What to do?

Scrap.

Scrap.

Double Scrap...

"Frag it all!" Growling, Starscream quickly grabbed the Apex armor unit he had stored away and headed for the transport bay, where the ground bridge, although taking a long time to activate... was stationed and ready for use.

Ever since he acquired the Apex armor the seeker has kept it close. It was nice to feel big, strong and protected rather than weak, flightless, powerless. A punching bag and target to the Decepticons and Autobots alike.

Standing before the groundbridge, Starscream placed the armor unit on his chest, the relic transforming, twisting and quickly adjusting itself into place until it consumed the seekers body.

Standing tall, Starscream lifted his head and walked into the groundbridge's glowing light.

30% of Energon left...

Hopefully, it would be a short battle. And hopefully, there would be Energon.

Chapter Text

Heavy rain fell upon the Autobot base as thunder echoed through the halls. Lights flickering and blinking with every lightning strike and howl.

How annoying.

"Agh! Slag this storm!" groaned Ratchet, hitting the main computer in frustration as another power surge swept through the base, plunging it into darkness, "work darn you! It's too early for this!"

Rafael, paused his typing and smiled in amusement as Ratchet continued muttering. Today was Saturday, and on Saturdays Raf would come to the base early in the morning as the Autobots would sleep in or start their morning routines.

Jack and Miko, being teenagers, would spend their mornings sleeping in at their homes. Rafael loved these Saturday mornings where he could spend time inside the base instead of with the hustle and bustle of his mother and siblings. Or worse, chores. As much as he loved his mother, cleaning the bathroom at 8 in the morning and listening to classic spanish ballads was not an ideal way to spend his Saturdays. He could only take so much.

At Outpost Omega One however, Rafael could watch morning cartoons, game or do his homework in peace.

Exept for today. Today, due to the storm, Ratchet was beating up the main computer while trying in vain to keep it functional.

"Take it easy Ratchet, It's okay, I'm sure the power will come back on-" said Raf, looking up from his laptop and pausing a bit as the entire base suddenly lit up and roared back to life for the third time that morning. "See?"

"It's not that! It's just every time I get the ground bridge ready with the co-ordinates, lightning strikes, there's a black out and I have to start all over again!" huffed the CMO, giving the computer another hit,"If the Decepticon's get the relic before we do, they'll have an advantage over us! But because this hunk of junk keeps turning off the Decepticon's may already have gotten away- thank you very much you stupid piece of-"

"Uh, Ratchet?" said Raf, snapping his fingers in attempt to keep Ratchet out of his rant, "Hey! Hey! I-It's ok! Don't get upset!"

The ambulance took a deep breath and sighed, frustrated beyond belief, "Sorry," said Ratchet, slumping his shoulders. "I just hate it when things don't work like they should."

"It's ok! I backed up your work from your last attempt. Here, just refresh the data and the co-ordinates should appear again," said Raf, pointing to the screen as his lap-top gave a little *beep*, "I'm sure it will work this time."

"Thank you Rafael, that is...very helpful," said Ratchet clearing his intake, before returning his attention to the computer screen, "You humans can be useful at times - Aha! Got it! Team to the bridge!"

"Ratchet? I hear you. Is the Ground bridge up yet? It's been hours," said Arcee walking into the main room,"you found something?"

"Give me a minute...A-HA! The relic is still active! wait...hmm. " Ratchet squinted at the red dot that appeared on screen, "It's close by...Must be buried deep if its still at that location, but there's only one decepticon on site...odd."

"It could be a trap," said Arcee, folding her arms over her chest and leaning on a nearby crate,"Should we still check it out?"

"It's a risk worth taking if it means we will get an advantage, Optimus!" called Ratchet over the comms. "There's a signal near by that requires your attention."

"This is Optimus Prime, I hear you, what is the situation?"

Ratchet rolled his eyes at Optimus' insistance of confirming his designation everytime someone commed, "Looks like a relic, but there is still some decepticon activity on site, do I ready the bridge?"

"Affermative, I'm on my way"

"Readying the ground bridge for transport," Ratchet confirmed, locking in the co-ordinates into the groundbridge "Please work," he grumbled, pulling a button down.

A familiar swirl of light appeared.

"HA! Finally!" sighed the CMO in complete relief.

"Told you it would work," chirped Rafael from the couch.

"Well done both of you."

Ratchet, Arcee and Rafael turned their attention to Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots.

"Good morning!" waved Rafael.

"Morning sir."

"Good Morning everyone," hummed the Prime, "Ratchet, send me the coordinates."

"Already done. If you want to catch that relic, you'll have to go in now before the 'cons leave and the storm gets worse."

"Very well. Ratchet you're in charge of base while, Arcee will accompany me," Optimus affirmed with a nod to his fellow soldier.

Arcee grunted and prepared helself to depart.

"Very well, we await your return. Comm us for back up if anything"

"Be safe out there!" called Rafael as the duo transformed.

"Autobots, roll out!

...

"Does he need to say that everytime?"

"Rafael don't question the mech."

...

Optimus observed the landscape around him as he looked for the missing relic. Rain and ice pelting against his armor.

Trees knocked down, mud, cracked rocks, rain, puddles, wires, ripped armor that was thrown in various directions...More rain.

"Looks like a bull elephant just passed by here, look at all the bodies," said Arcee, kicking a Vehicon's off-lined body out of her way, "Seven in total."

"The Relic is still active, keep your guard up...whatever came through here could still pose a threat," said Optimus, unsheathing his blades.

"Optimus, there seems to be one Decepticon signature still there-" said Ratchet through a com-link, "Be careful."

"We're on it," said Optimus, heading towards the assigned coordinates.

Lightning laced the sky as the rain seemed to ease slightly, a roar of thunder coming after.

"uhhhhn....."

"Optimus, did you hear that?" asked Arcee, tilting her helm slightly, blasters up and ready to defend.

"It's called thunder Arcee-" said Ratchet through the Com-link.

"I know what thunder is Ratchet, I mean-" Arcee was interrupted by another roar of thunder.

"uhhhooooooo...."

"There! It sounded like a...A cry? maybe an injured 'con?"

Arcee looked up at Optimus with a confused look.

"It's just the wind Arcee," said Ratchet via Com-link in such a manner that one could practically hear his optics roll. "I doubt -"

Optimus ignored the conversation and continued onward, slowly walking through the destruction. Until he heard what Arcee was talking about...

In the distance, he could hear a soft whine, a sob of sorts...

"uuuhnnn...uhhhn..."

In the distance, near some ripped up and burned armor, was silver-blue sphere. Smoke and sparks emitted off the device.

"Optimus be careful, you're near a Decepticon signature!" warned Ratchet, "It's a trap! Get out of there!"

"Wait! If it was a 'con it would've attacked by now," said Arcee, looking around eyes scanning the area.

Raising an optic ridge, Optimus listened for some movement, only to hear more sobs and some squeaks.

"I do not sense any danger...Arcee?"

"The relic looks damaged I suggest we...hey wait a sec. Optimus underneath that door frame!" warned Arcee, her blaster aimed at a purple door frame.

Probably was ripped off a Vehicon during a fight, there were large scratches on it.

"What's going on Optimus?" asked Raf via Com-link, "Do we send back up?"

"No, I think we found the Rel..." The prime grew quiet "...By the Allspark," said Optimus, his optics widening as he lifted the door frame slightly.

Arcee gasped, blasters transforming back into servos as she covered her mouth.

"What happened?" asked Ratchet, worry lacing his voice, "Optimus talk to me. What's going on?"

"Holy Primus," said Arcee, her jaw dropping.

Underneath the door frame in a failed attempt to shield itself from the rain and covered in energon, was a small...really small red and grey Sparkling, curled up and whimpering as it's large red optics stared up in fear at the prime.

Apex armor firmly attached to the back of it's wings.

It looked...Familiar.

"Starscream?" gasped Arcee, staring down at the former SIC.

"It can't be..."

The little Seeker let out a sobbing squeal as lighting suddenly flashed across the sky with an immediate roar of thunder. Covering it's head, the creature tried to bury itself into the mud and the scrap surrounding it.

There was danger. It had to get away.

"Starscream? Is that you?" asked the Prime, stroking the creature's wings with a digit. The crature hissed and puffed out it's chest, flaring it's wings in an attempt to make itself look larger and more intimidating. If he wasn't so shocked Optimus would have found the pitiful display as humorous, but what happened next only confirmed his suspicions. Another flash of lighting lit up the sky as the Prime looked down at the sparkling. There on it's chest. That face. That mark. Those features.

It was Starscream.

"Eeee!" the tiny seeker cried as thunder loudly shook their surroundings. "Uhhhoooooo" quickly he burried himself back into the mud, trying in vain to hide.

"Oh...We can't leave him here," said Optimus, kneeling down and picking the frightened sparkling up, causing seeker to shriek loudly in fear. "Ratchet, prepare the Med-bay, you are not going to believe what we just found," said the Autobot leader, holding the seeker close to his chest, conviction on his face. The Prime's decision was made.

"What? Optimus you can't be serious," said Arcee, glaring at the little creature as it cried and clung to Optimus' chasis.

Optimus felt his spark clench as he looked down at the seeker. He was cold, wet, and obviously scared. New sparks. Sparlings. Younglins were Primus' most innocent and precious creatures.

He could not leave the sparkling behind. Even if it was Starscream, second in command to the Decepticon army.

All creatures deserved to live.

"It is the Autobot thing to do... It is the right thing to do," Optimus declared, squaring his shoulders, he was certain of his decision. "We cannot hinder ourselves from helping those in need, we can not leave him alone here. Ratchet, ready the ground bridge."

A familiar light appeared before the two Autobots.

Minutes ticked by as the rain poured harder.

The Prime's mind was made up and there was no convincing him otherwise.

"Ugh, I can't believe this," Arcee grumbled, angrily picking up the relics from the mud before quickly walking into the ground bridge. Arcee sped up her pase and disappeared before Optimus could properly respond.

He had forgotten about the relics.

The Prime sighed and closed his optics.

Primus...

Starscream cried harder as lighting struck nearby, the thunder rumbled so loud he could practically feel it in the air.

"Hush, little one," the Prime looked down at the seeker, shielding it from the rain as he approached the ground bridge.

Starscream hiccuped and scrunched his face, preparing himself for a pain that would not come. He was scared and helpless. Whoever these strangers were, he only hoped that the pain would be quick.

Optimus hummed sadly at Starscream's response, holding the seeker closer he rumbled "We'll help you, Little One. I will keep you safe...I promise."

Optimus felt the familiar pull of the ground bridge, the rain disappearing behind him as he was transported to his home base.

"I promise."

Starscream sniffed and buried himself into the Prime's chest.

He could only hope the Prime would keep that promise.

He could only hope.

Chapter Text

...

Five minutes passed after Ratchet opened the ground bridge, its glow illuminating the walls of the Autobot outpost.

"What's taking so long?" Ratchet grumbled as he nervously paced, waiting for Optimus and Arcee to walk in. Rafael and Bulkhead kept watching him, trying their best not to agitate the Medic further.

Earlier that morning, Bulkhead decided to accompany the early birds, reluctantly performing his rehab and recovery exercises while the Medic followed up on Arcee and Prime’s recovery mission.

Now the poor wrecker was sitting on a crate, desperately trying not to yawn and fall asleep. He had been excessively tired and sore since his deadly fight with Hardshell and the new exercises Ratchet had assigned him didn’t help, either.

Curiosity and irritation outweighed the wrecker’s exhaustion as he watched Ratchet panic while Arcee and Optimus were away.

Now he was trying with all his might not to get dizzy from the CMO’s pacing.

Meanwhile Raf was perched on the railings of the base's "rec" center, trying his best to monitor the computer for new information, "Do you think it was a trap?"

"I hope not," Ratchet grumbled, turning back around to look at the Groundbridge before turning again and pacing towards the computer.

"You think they found someone?"

"Well Rafael, we'll find out soon enough won't we?," turning his attention back to the ground bridge Ratchet let out an irritated sigh, "They are certainly taking a little longer than expected."

Blue optics followed the Medic’s movements…

Back and forth...

Back and -

" Oh for the -Will you take it easy, Ratchet? It's only been five minutes!" huffed Bulkhead, throwing his arms up in exasperation, "You're making me dizzy!"

Before Ratchet could respond, there was a familiar hiss as Arcee stormed through the ground bridge with angry expression, arms occupied with Relics.

"That's the Apex armor!" said Raf, adjusting his glasses to get a better look.

"What took you two so long?" asked Ratchet, watching Arcee as she walked by quickly,"Are you injured?"

"You boys are going to have a field-day with this," she scoffed, nodding in greeting at Bulkhead and dumping the Apex armor and Relic onto Ratchets work station with a loud *CLANK*

"Hey!" cried Ratchet

"Woah easy! What's gotten up your tailpipe?"

"I don't know Bulk, why don't you ask Prime "Snapped Arcee.

"Wait, so are you injured or not? Is Optimus-"

"Ratchet, if he was injured I would have helped him in, No...It's that..thing," said Arcee with a sigh, pointing at the ground bridge as Optimus walked through, both servos clutching at something at his chest.

"Optimus! What happened? Did-"

"Everything is alright old friend, is the Med-bay ready?" asked the Prime, adjusting whatever was in his servos.

"Yes, but if you're alright then why are you.." Ratchet stopped in mid sentence as he looked at what the prime was holding.

"Wh...I..."

"Ratchet?" asked Raf, walking over to the other edge of the rec center, peering over the railing to see what was in the Prime's servos.

Whatever it was, it had wings.

"What’s that?"

"By the Allspark..."gasped Ratchet, his optics wide, "A sparkling...W- What...happened out there?"

"What's a Sparkling?"

"Only one of the most annoying yet precious beings in the eyes of primus, the human equivalent of a newborn," Ratchet explained, quickly regaining his bearings, "But the Well of the Allsparks hasn't produced a sparkling in eons. Who is this? Where did it come from?"

"We found him in this condition when we found the relic,” the Prime frowned as he felt the creature in his hands shift, “he also had the apex armor attached to him, meaning he must have been in battle before this transformation happened.”

"Who's ‘he’?" asked Raf, attempting to see what the Prime was holding.

A sudden chirp came from Optimus' chest, causing everyone in the room to jump in surprise.

"What was that?!" cried Bulkhead in alarm & readying his weapons.

"Hush now little one. Everything's alright," the Autobot leader began to loosen his hold.

Peeking out from the Prime’s digits with a squeak, eyes wide and curious, was a tiny little helm with a familiar red crest.

Everyone stared...

Oh...

…

Wait. What?

"Holy Scrap! Starscream?" cried Bulkhead in a high pitched voice pointing a digit at the tiny seeker. "Is this some sick joke?"

Rafael nearly lost his balance from the rails, “What is that?!”

Starscream squeaked at the sudden noise, ducking back into the protective servos of Optimus Prime.

"This is funnier than I thought," mumbled Arcee, as she leaned against a crate, an amused smirk on her face.

"Starscream?" asked Raf, adjusting his glasses,"how can you be sure?"

"How does that even happen?" asked Bulkhead as Ratchet tried scanning the small seeker, "Is it even him?"

"Did he get hit by a shrink ray? Are shrink rays even a thing in cybertron?"

Starscream continued to chirp softly, shivering a little as he felt the cold air from the base sink into his tiny wings. He was scared, and there was so much noise.

"I don't know, I'm trying to figure it out," said Ratchet in a frustrated tone, "Hold him up more, I can't get a good reading."

Optimus carefully lifted the little sparkling off his chest, causing the little thing to squeal and squirm in the Prime's grip.

"Ep Ep Ep! Hold still!" said Ratchet in a stern tone. The little seeker hissed and swung his claws at the medic.

“I said be still!” growled Ratchet with a glare.

The seeker froze and lowered his wings as he stared wide eyed at the Medic. Maybe if he made himself small enough he could disappear and the big angry bot would go away.

"Good, this will be quick," grumbled the medic,"just a quickscan should be enough."

The Seeker let out a hiss as the light from the scanner suddenly blinded him.

"He sure is noisy, isn't he?" said Bulkhead, scratching the back of his helm. This was all too complicated to comprehend.

"It's Starscream, he never shuts up." snorted Arcee.

"Is it really him?" asked Rafael, stepping away from the railing and taking out his phone for a picture. Although he didn’t particularly like the seeker, Rafael had to admit that it was cute.

"It is Starscream...the spark signatures match perfectly. It's if his physical form has been shrunk and de-aged - oh Primus. He's in the red...Very low on Energon," said Ratchet with sudden alarm, "close to starvation. Has he been without proper doses this whole time?"

"It is probable," hummed Optimus, stroking the seekers back-struts with a finger, "Being neutral would mean operating independently and without the assistance or advantage of cybertronian amenities."

Ratchet scratched his chin in thought, as he looked over Starscream's vitals, "Hmm. That would make sense since we haven't seen him with the 'cons lately, and why he wanted to be on our side previously."

"Last we checked he wanted to be on his own," said Arcee with a roll of her optics "His own master or whatever."

“Neutral then,” Ratchet continued to examine the seeker, “make’s sense due to current events.”

Bulkhead crossed his arms and looked over at the seeker, focusing on the Decepticon insignia on its chest,"Ehh, I just think the 'Cons didn't want him, no one likes him and he's too full of himself to go crawling back. If he wasn't trying already."

"Please. Even if he did, with the amount of intel he's given us it would be too much of a risk," Ratchet said with a wave, "Leaving in the first place is bad enough. Megatron would kill him on the spot if he found out Starscream had been giving us information. Not to mention all the medical attention we've given him in return for said information."

"Pshh,the fragger probably sees us as a charity at this point." Scoffed Arcee, "Or he hasn't gotten desperate enough to actually try to pick a side or go back to sucking on Megatron's Spi-"

"Arcee, language."

"What? You know it's true."

"That or he hasn't gotten desperate enough to use us as a free-meal ticket," Bulkhead huffed, "the bloated air-bag would have the nerve to ask for our scraps."

"Well he did join M.E.C.H. that time they stole Bee's T-Cogg. He was desperate then, maybe he left them too when he was done?"

"You kiddin' Arcee? M.E.C.H. most likely left him," said Bulkhead with a wave "Well deserved honestly, he's unbearable."

"Why would he join M.E.C.H.? Don't Decepticon's hate humans?" Rafael asked, continuing to take pictures of the seeker.

"Desperate for Energon maybe. They were mining it the last time we came across them. Optimus, what's your opinion?" asked Ratchet, turning his attention to the Prime.

Optimus sighed quietly and continued to pet the seeker in his servos. From what he could feel, the seeker's armor was scratched, scuffed and dull. Despite the remains of the mud the seeker tried to bury himself in earlier while he was found, the prime could feel the remnants layered-on debris and dried energon on his tiny arms and legs. Starscream still had the scar Arcee left on him, and the welds Ratchet made while giving the seeker medical attention. He hadn't been washed, waxed or buffed in a while.

"Starscream has been without proper shelter for some time," said the Prime, continuing to feel the seekers armor, "his low consumption and improper hygienic care is evidence of such."

"Oh, you're right," Ratchet mumbled, checking the seeker's armor and wings, "Something's missing, no seeker would ever allow themselves to get this disheveled."

"Sure doesn't look like he's seen a wash rack in a while - what has he been rolling around in the dirt this whole time?" asked Bulkhead.

Ratchet's eyes narrowed in suspicion before he scanned Starscream again. Maybe there was an issue with the seekers engines or wings?

Seekers usually hated dirt. Starscream was no exception.

Something definitely wasn't right.

Maybe a virus or something wrong with…

A full scan this time revealed the truth.

A diagram of Starscream's form came into view, with a list of all his vitals, his energon levels, spark beat average, tubal pressure, electrical-nerve activity, organs...

Oh... Oh no…

"He...He doesn't have a T-cog."

"What?"

"His T-Cog is missing. It's as if it was ripped out. How did I not notice this before?" Ratchet whispered to himself, "I'm a bad medic. I never scanned him completely.... Starscream's been grounded."

The entire room was quiet as the news hit them like a truck.

For a grounder or an aerial 'bot, having a malfunctioning T-cog or a missing one was like having a missing limb. Without it, one couldn't transform. It was an embarrassment and a hindrance.

For a seeker, however, to be without flight was a complete death sentence.

"It would have been a matter of time," said the Medic, shaking his helm,"Two, maybe three days before he starved and went into stasis. Or only a few more months before Starscream's mental health would deteriorate completely. Even if he had the necessary supplies, he would have been with the allsparks by the end of the year."

Optimus shuttered his optics.

What a horrible way to go.

Despite being the worst of the worst, Optimus couldn't help but feel for the treacherous seeker. All life forms were precious before the eyes of primus.

And now...

The seeker squealed as Optimus lifted him up to optic level.

Frightened and shaking, Starscream's wide optics met the Prime's.

This seeker...This sparkling, who was now innocent and starting life was....afraid.

"Alone," declared the Prime, “He has been completely alone this whole time.”

“Don’t start Optimus, we all knew he was doing something on his own for a while now,” Ratchet huffed.

“We did not care enough to provide him with shelter or the adequate means to survive.”

Arcee rolled her optics at the Prime’s concern, “Of course not. It’s Starscream! We can’t just adopt every neutral out there, it’s assumed that neutrals want to stay out of the war or can survive on their own. He was never our responsibility.”

“Arcee’s right,” Ratchet agreed, putting his scanner away, “Knowing Starscream, of course he would survive the wilds on his own, he was always crafty, but by the looks of his Energon levels he was barely making it by."

"So he was homeless," Rafael stated before taking a seat on the couch, all this information was a lot to take in. The human suddenly started to feel bad,"That's sad...but don't you guys need Energon to live?"

"Indeed we do Rafael, Starscream however has always been an anomaly," Ratchet stared at the still shaking seeker, "even now he still surprises me."

"He's like a cyber-roach, no matter how many times you try and get rid of it, they always come back somehow." said Arcee with a gag and a shudder. She hated those disgusting bugs.

Optimus grunted in disapproval at that comment, holding the seeker close once again. The little one chirped at the sudden movement and buried himself into the prime's chest.

"Pshh. Coward," Arcee mumbled to herself as Bulkhead snickerd.

"Same ol' Screamer."

Ratchet ‘Aww’ed before quickly looking away and clearing his intake.

"But how has he been getting Energon?" asked Rafael,"Don't you guys need to find it first and mine it?"

"Well, he is an energon seeker," hummed Ratchet, "They were made to seek out Energon and Starscream is sneaky, more likely he had a hidden stash of Energon for his own personal use. Probably dug it up with his own claws too now that I'm looking at him."

"That still doesn't explain why he's sparkling," said Arcee, hands on her hips,"He could still be trying to trick us."

"I would need to do further testing for that. I have no idea how he came to be this way," said Ratchet, dragging his servo across his face in frustration and exhaustion, "Or even if his personality and memories remain intact. From the looks of it, he appears to be the same."

Ratchet reached over and ran a digit over Starscream’s wings, causing the seeker to jump and squeal, “I doubt he is acting, seems to me he’s reverted to a sparkling mind set, or something equally as feral.”

The seeker growled in annoyance and proceeded to wrestle with Ratchet’s digits. It wasn’t painful but it was an amusing sight. Ratchet made a claw with his servo before roughhousing Starscream. The seeker squealed and hissed at the sudden action, causing the Medic to let out an amused chuckle,“Feisty as always.”

"I wonder when was the last time he had any Energon since he's in the red," Rafael said loudly, typing away notes on his laptop, "He must be starving right now right? Shouldn't you - I don’t know, feed him first?”

Optimus and Ratchet gave each other a hesitant look, “uhh..”

“Don’t Sparklings usually need ‘help’ consuming energon?” Arcee teased, “You hungry Scream?”

“HA! Does the sparkling want a bottle?” Bulkhead chuckled.

A loud gurgling sound was the answer.

Starscream moaned in misery and curled himself into a little ball.

"Woah," said Bulkhead, "I guess that means 'yes'?"

"Bulkhead, go to the storage room and get me the smallest cube you can find," ordered Ratchet, helping the wrecker up.

“Aww what? Why do-”

“Because your legs will atrophy if you don’t use them enough, now shoo, get moving,” Ratchet waved the Wrecker away, "And don’t break anything."

"On it," said Bulkhead with an annoyed grunt and shuffling away, shaking his helm, still completely awestruck and confused by the entire situation.

"Arcee, I'm going to need a tow-"

Before Ratchet could finish, Arcee grunted and walked off, arms crossed as she headed for the wash racks.

"Well! Hmmph. Raf, I'm going to need some water, grab me two gallons please, and after that call Bumblebee- we're going to need him later," said Ratchet, making his way to his work station, "I'll get to the bottom of this," he mumbled to himself.

"On it," said Raf, closing his laptop before running off.

Optimus followed after Ratchet, readjusting the seeker in his servos.

Once alone with the Medic, Ratchet let out a long sigh.

"Optimus, I know what you are thinking" Ratchet said seriously, "we can't keep him."

"Ratchet, I know how most of you feel about this-" said the Prime, wincing a bit as Starscream started to climb up his windshield to his shoulder, tiny claws sinking and scratching their way into his armor.

"It's not just old resentments, Optimus. We just can't. He's a Decepticon, and there are so many things wrong wi-"

"Ratchet, Starscream may be a Decepticon but at the moment he needs help and you know that as Autobots we cannot deny help to those in need," said Optimus, letting out a grunt of discomfort as Starscream started poking and messing with this audio sensor.

"Yes, I know but there is also the fact that we are all struggling to make ends meet as it is, none of us have the time to care for a sparkling and you need to put him back wh-"

"Ratchet, my old friend...please. We leave him, he'll die of hunger or at the hands of the Decepticons, this is not the Autobot way and you know it. Megatronus might have had a sparkling under his care, but Megatron won't stand for the weak. Please, Ratchet. For the Sparkling's sake, for the innocence in his spark at the moment, please," said Optimus, optics begging the Medic to see reason, “This could be his chance to make things better.”

Starscream chirped quietly as he snuggled into the prime's neck cables, taking in the warmth and protection that the prime seemed to provide. Now that there wasn’t as much noise, the seeker was growing more confident.

"Optimus." said Ratchet, his optics locking on to the little Decepticon sparkling resting on his leader's shoulder. Both he and Optimus shifted in surprise as the seeker started to purr.

"We cannot abandon him," said Optimus, turning his head to look at the sparkling.

"But it's Starscream!" Said Ratchet, trying to explain what words couldn't.

"I know," said Optimus, blinking in slight amusement when Starscream yawned, his little wings fluttering slightly, a high pitched sound escaping his throat and his little fang-like denta making a *click* sound as they smacked together. As much as it was hard to admit...it was adorable.

"Aww," said Ratchet, smiling a bit only to suddenly frown and regain his composure, "That doesn't mean that I agree to anything!"

The Prime could only humm in amusement, he knew sparklings were a weakness for Ratchet. Optimus himself did not want to admit it, but sparklings were also a weakness for him. All younglings were.

"I got the water!" said Raf walking into the med-bay with two gallons of Zephyrhills.

"Good, thank you," sighed Ratchet, "Now all I need is Arcee with-"

"Right here, Ratchet," said the Femme walking in and handing over a small towel as she glared at the sparkling.

"Thank you Arcee...there, there now Starscream," mumbled the medic, unfolding a towel and wrapping it around the seeker.

Starscream let out a whine as the medic took him away from the Prime and was placed onto a medical berth.

"Shhhh, it's okay," said Ratchet, cleaning the seeker up.

Optimus smiled slightly as the Medic cared for the young seeker.

Starscream only chirped some more as Ratchet sprayed a solution on him and rubbed the towel around his sensitive wings.

"He sure is cute," said Raf, climbing the medical berth and watching the seeker.

Starscream only stared at the human in curiosity, tilting his helm and chirping lightly. Raf laughed and imitated a chirp.

"Kiii!" said Starscream, fluttering his wings, earning another 'aw' from Ratchet, a light smile from Optimus and another 'so cute' from Raf.

"Cute?" scoffed Arcee, raising an optic ridge and staring down at the little sparkling. How can Starscream, even as sparkling, be cute?

Sparklings were supposed to be chubby, energetic and innocent.

Starscream was too tiny, looking more like a malnourished minicon, than an adorable newborn creation of primus.

Starscream, ever the proud second in command of the Decepticons, was by no means attractive in any way shape or form.

For a seeker, even as an adult Starscream was ridiculously small, frail and thin.

Seekers were meant to be beautiful, graceful, tall, sleek and colorful, with preened wings and a shiny finish.

Starscream was dull and shortcoming in every sense of the way. From his colors and now even his finish was dull and flaking. The only redeeming quality that the seeker had was his flight and his intelligence. And even his intelligence had been questionable.

“How can anyone think this thing is cute?”

Large red eyes, looked up and into the femme’s angry blue optics.

The little one shivered suddenly in a bit of fear, coolant welling up in the corners of his optics almost as if asking 'what did I do?'

"Arcee stop it, you're scaring him," said Raf, frowning.

"Hmph, we're not keeping him are we?" asked Arcee, "After this it's back to the 'Cons right?"

Ratchet paused, looking up from Starscream to Optimus. The Prime begged silently again, his optics pleading to the Medic.

"...Arcee," said Ratchet, looking down again at Starscream, who was currently entertaining himself by playing with the towel he was being dried with.

"No. No. NO Ratchet- Optimus please! Helping him is one thing but keeping him?" cried Arcee, looking hurt and angry.

"Arcee, I understand your-"

"No, Optimus he's a 'Con! A 'CON! How can you expect us to care for him? Him the 'Con who killed one of our own, who killed Cliff and brags about it! And what about Bumblebee? Huh? How could we slagging-"

"Arcee!" scolded Ratchet,"You watch your tone young lady!"

Arcee growled angrily at the medic and glared down at the seeker once again, "This is all your fault," she hissed.

Starscream looked down sadly as coolant welled up in his optics again, wings drooping and shoulders slumping. He cried silently at the anger directed towards him.

"Arcee!" scolded Ratchet once again, looking into the femme's optics, "Enough, he's just a sparkling right-...Oh Primus...I blame you little one," huffed the medic, suddenly realizing that he was defending the seeker.

Starscream continued to cry, small sad chirps escaping his lips.

Arcee suddenly felt a small pang of guilt pass through her spark, but scowled at the thought of Starscream's servos on Cliffjumper. Extinguishing his spark.

"Whatever, I'm going to recharge." scoffed Arcee walking away from the argument.

Everyone stood silent as the two-wheeler walked down the halls, the only sound was the echo of pede-steps and Starscream’s upset hiccups.

"Give her time," said Optimus.

Another loud growl interrupted the moment.

Starscram squealed in pain as he looked down at his middle in misery, coolant still falling from his optics and down his metal cheeks as he started to look pale.

"Looks like it's time to get you some fuel," sighed Ratchet in worry, poking one of Starscream's wings with a digit, "28% of Energon is not good for a growing seeker."

“What about his T-cog, won’t he die if he doesn’t get one soon?” Rafael asked, kneeling close to the currently weeping seeker, “don’t cry, it’s ok.”

Starscream hiccupped in response.

“We’ll worry about that another time, for now, let's just focus on how we’re going to feed him.”

Ratchet cleared his intakes and tentatively turned to the Prime.

“You uh…Wouldn’t have active feeding protocols would you?”

Optimus’ eyes widened in horror.

“What are feeding protocols?”

“Oh dear…”

Chapter Text

Autobot Outpost Omega One

“That better be a standard cube -” 

“Relax Ratchet, it is, don’t worry. What I’d miss?” Arcee looked like she was going to murder something.” 

“Well… You tell him!”

Optimus Prime took a deep breath, “We shall be taking Starscream into our care while he remains in this condition.”

"We're WHAT?! " cried Bulkhead, nearly dropping the Energon cube he was carrying.

Starscream squawked at the sudden noise.

"Take it easy, Bulkhead!"

"We are not keeping that 'Con," Bulkhead huffed, dropping a low-grade Energon cube a little too close to the seeker currently occupying the berth. Starscream squealed and skittered back as the cube nearly landed on his pedes. 

Rafael gasped and glared at the wrecker,“Bulkhead be careful! You nearly squashed the baby!”

"Not this again," groaned Ratchet pinching the space between his optics, "Look, Bulkhead I know you don't agree with this but-"

"Of course I don’t!” shouted Bulkhead, pointing a digit at Starscream, “What about everything that freak has done to us, to me, to Miko and to Bumblebee! And what about Arcee ?!"

Unsure of what to do to get away from the angry wrecker, Starscream tried and failed to get away, only to roughly trip over his own little pedes and ungracefully face planting. Optimus tensed and made a noise of concern as Rafael sucked in a breath and slapped his fingers in sympathy “Ay!” 

Ratchet tried and failed to hold back a snort before roughly shaking his head and redirecting his attention to the Wrecker, "Bulkhead!" he groaned, "Will you please be careful and just listen , I don't want this either but-"

"But what?! He's a no good little backstabber and a fragging-"

" KEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHEEEEEEEEEEE! "

" Woah !"

Everyone's attention suddenly turned to the little seeker, who was glaring at the wrecker with all of his might. Both Ratchet and Bulkhead stared slack jawed as Optimus blinked a few times in disbelief. How can such a loud noise come from such a tiny little thing? 

Starscream, hissed and bared his denta, puffing out his armor and flaring his wings out as much as possible. Shaking his little fists and pointing an accusing digit at Bulkhead, the little seeker angrily cursed out the wrecker in some unknown babble full of hisses and clicks.

Now here’s the thing.

As an adult, sure...Starscream would look intimidating and downright terrifying, but now as a sparkling...It had the opposite effect. 

Bulkhead snorted and covered his intake with his servo, trying to hold back a laugh as the seeker glared at him.

Unsatisfied with the reaction the seeker let out another series of angry chirps and angry stomps.

After a few seconds of silence...Bulkhead burst out laughing followed by Rafael and Ratchet.

It was just...the seeker was scolding the wrecker… And the way he looked and sounded…

Optimus was trying his hardest not to laugh, looking away and pulling up his battle mask to hide his smile. Nothing could hide his shaking shoulders however.

Rafael coughed and wiped the tears from his eyes, “I c-can’t breathe heh,” he gasped, “S-sorry.”

Starscream's wings drooped at the Autobots' response. His glare softened and his optics shut tight, coolant welling up in the corners, "Kea, hiyik," he sobbed, before plopping down on the berth and covering his audials. 

Ratchet was trying his hardest to calm down while Bulkhead had to lean against the silos walls for support.

Optimus, after regaining his composure quickly walked over to the seeker, "Easy little one it's alright," said the prime, petting the seeker's wings with his fore-digit, “Everything’s alright.”

Starscream wiped away his tears as he hiccupped miserably, he clicked a few times as another rumble came from his tanks. 

"Ratchet, please stop laughing. Please...Ratchet," said Optimus, his tone serious.

"O-okay, okay...Wow...Oh," gasped Ratchet, snickering a little.

Bulkhead continued to cling to the walls, “Oh primus.” He wheezed. 

"Please, old friend. He's hungry," said Optimus, picking the seeker up and handing him to the Medic before addressing Bulkhead.

"Bulkhead, my decision still stands,” the Prime, turned to face the wrecker, keeping optic contact as he did so, “At the moment, Starscream is defenseless and currently mentally incapable of recalling past events or taking proper care of himself. He has been seemingly wiped clean and given a new opportunity as a newspark. I am not asking for you to forgive him or to excuse his past endeavors and wrongdoings,” Optimus sighed and shuttered his optics, “I am asking, however, that you see this opportunity as a chance for him to grow. To see that…”

The Prime trailed off, looking longingly at the sparkling. 

Deep within his spark there was want. 

Primus himself was the creator of all life. The Thirteen also created life. So how can Optimus himself deny the desire to have one as well. 

“Optimus?” 

The prime blinked and shook his helm. “He is a child. A newspark…A being of pure innocence and new formatting. I am… Incapable of turning him away.”

“Pshh, what are you a seeker?” teased Bulkhead, before nodding and taking in a deep breath, “I understand. It’s him but…Not him.”

Optimus nodded and squared his shoulders, “He will be staying here until we find a way to return him to normal. Or until he is capable enough to decide for himself what he wants out of this war. Ratchet I recommend you check the relic and see if it had anything to do with all that has happened. The apex armor will be safely locked in storage and I will meditate further, consult the matrix before any further action is taken,” he declared before walking away, “I shall return when I have some results.”

"Sempu!" squeaked Starscream, stretching his servos out to Optimus.  Where was he going? Don’t leave! 

Starscream whined and squirmed in the Medic’s servos, trying his hardest to wrestle free and go after the Prime. The Prime was warm, the Prime was safe. Maybe they could provide the thing Starscream had been longing for since he woke up cold and covered in mud. 

"Woah, easy now. Come on, let's mix you a nice dose of Energon, yes?" Ratchet huffed, pinching the seeker behind the neck. 

“EEEE!!!” 

Everyone winced at the high pitched squeal. 

“Oh relax, I didn’t even pinch you that hard.” Growed the Medic. Starscream stared at him wide eyed and open mouthed as Bulkhead groaned and rubbed his helm.

“I forgot how noisy sparklings can be.”

“So how are you gonna feed him? Do Sparklings take Energon the way you guys do?”

“ Please .”

“That doesn’t answer my question, Ratchet.”

“Rafael’s right Doc, don’t sparkling’s need Energon from a feed-” 

“Ep ep! We’ll figure that part out soon enough. For now we’ll just need to make do with a diluted sampling. Now, I just need to figure out how to feed him without this becoming a mess. It’s not like I have sipper bottles available for sparklings…”

“Ever heard of a baby bottle or a sippy cup?”

fifteen minutes later...

"W-woah! Woah ! Easy little fella-" said Ratchet, pulling a large makeshift “baby” bottle away from Starscream, who was greedily sucking down the low-grade Energon mix like it would be his last meal. "Drink too quickly and you'll purge, you don't want a tank ache now would you?" said Ratchet, watching as the sparkling slowed down on his intake of Energon, wings bobbing up and down with every gulp. 

The medic couldn’t help but feel a little bad for feeding the seeker a diluted Energon mix, but it would have to do for now, until they found a more suitable solution. Sparklings need pure filtered energon from a carrier or sire. This was quite the problem indeed. 

Bulkhead, who was just standing there as Ratchet cared for the seeker, was still trying to wrap his processor around the whole situation. He could only stare with wide optics at the feeding Sparkling in Ratchet's servos.

"Do you want to hold him?" asked Ratchet.

" No ..." said Bulkhead, backing away from the medic, "No way I am holding that... thing ."

"Don't make promises you know you can't keep," Ratchet chuckled before catching himself and frowning.

"He sure was hungry wasn't he?" said Raf, watching with wide eyes from the mezzanine or “rec” area by the main computer, "So why can't he- you know eat regular Energon like you guys?"

"A sparkling cannot process Energon like we do. They need a very specific form of Energon that's been filtered through a mentor’s feeding protocols uhh like humans and their mothers I think, which is why I diluted his Energon dose with some water and supplements before processing. Hopefully it won't harm his tanks," said Ratchet, pulling on the makeshift bottle to slow Starscream down again, “I know seekers have very sensitive palates.” 

Starscream let out an annoyed grunt as he gripped the bottle with his tiny claws, trying to pull it closer.

"Oh no you don't, If you think I'm going to sit here afterwards and listen to you complain about your tank hurting you got another thing coming," huffed Ratchet as Starscream let out another annoyed grunt, his optic ridges lowering as the Medic gently pulled the bottle again, “Slow down.” 

"Aw, he doesn't seem to like that Ratchet," laughed Raf, watching the seeker, "You're cute when you're angry aren't you Starscweam?"

"Do you want him to start crying because his tanks hurt?" asked Ratchet.

"Uh no thank you, I want to recharge tonight," said Bulkhead, still staring at the seeker..

"Bulkhead you keep staring at him like that your optics will pop out," said Ratchet annoyed, "I'm sure you'll get your night's rest after you complete your set.”

Bulkhead groaned loudly.

“Ep! Don’t complain if you still have pain a few years down the line.”

“Can you guys lower your voices? I think all the loud noise is scaring Starscweam.”

“Oh please, I - wait...Did you just call him Starscweam?"

"What?" asked Raf, looking down at the seeker who was guzzling down his last few drops of Energon, "I mean come on...Look at him. How can you not baby-talk around him?"

Bulkhead snorted,"Sounds like something Miko would say- Wait! what are we gonna tell the others? What are we gonna tell Agent Fowler?”

Ratchet snorted, “Let Optimus handle him. Jackson will be no problem, he has a decent helm on his shoulders.”

“Oh yeah? And what about Miko?”

Ratchet’s optics widened. 

“He’s right Ratchet,” said Rafael, arms crossed, “Miko might not react well.”

“I mean, the second Miko see's him ," said the wrecker pointing a digit at Starscream, who was at the moment just staring expectantly at the medic, “nì'ul Sa’nok” he chirped, empty bottle gripped in his tiny claws.

"She's either gonna freak out, or probably squeeze him to death! What if he's a danger to her?! I'm not letting that thing get near my Miko!"

Ratchet snorted and shook his helm,"Don’t be rash- He reacted well to Raf didn't he?”

Bulkhead gave Ratchet a dead-pan look as Rafael coughed.

“Ratchet, this is Miko we’re talking about.”

A pause.

“... You’re right. I keep forgetting about how Miko can- Hey! HEY! Bad Sparkling!" Ratchet fumbled with the empty bottle in his servos as he tried reaching for the seeker that was currently trying to get to a beaker filled with leftover Energon. How’d he escape Ratchet’s hold anyways?

Starscream only grunted in annoyance, sticking out his glossa and tilting the beaker closer to himself.

-Ten minutes later

"Man, how is he still eating?" laughed Rafael.

Ratchet groaned and pinched the space between his optics for the second time that day.

"Jeez, where does all that Energon go?"asked Bulkhead, watching as the seeker eagerly lapped away at the spilled Energon. Most of it was gone anyway. It was a funny sight really. 

It was like watching a puppy sprawled out on the floor eating spilled puppy chow non-stop.

“Some one’s going to have a tank ache later.” 

Starscream hiccuped and continued to lap at the spilt Energon. 

It felt good not to end the day hungry. 

-Decepticon Warship: Nemesis

"What do you mean you lost the Relic?" roared Megatron, his deep booming voice reverberating throughout the nemesis. 

Everyone in the control room winced visibly from the sound, save for Soundwave. The Silent spymaster continued to type into a terminal, pointedly ignoring everyone around him. 

XL-917 ducked his helm and tried to discreetly rub his audial, he hated being the bearer of bad news. "My Lord, we really did try our best to retrieve the relic but St-Starscream attacked. We had no chance against him and the apex armor," the vehicon gulped in some air and continued, trying his best not to stutter as the Warlord seethed, "After the attack there was an unfortunate a-accident, a s-stray shot hit the relic.T-there was a-an explosion, we had no c-choice but to retreat and-"

Megatron growled. 

Knock Out rolled his optics and nudged Breakdown with his shoulder, pointing his chin at the unfortunate drone that was currently prostrated before the ever menacing Lord Megatron.

“Bet you he’ll leak.”

Breakdown chuckled quietly to himself and humored the Aston Martin with a smile. 

Dreadwing, who was quietly standing next to the duo, scoffed at their casual attitudes. 

XL-917 tensed and continued his report.

“Not all is lost my lord. We have reason to believe that S-Starscream has been terminated.”

“ What? ”

It was really hard not to leak some transmission fluid while under the heated glare of the War Lord. 

“After returning to the site for investigation we found energon-” 

“And where is the body?”

“W-Well uh…” 

“You do not have it do you? So, you mean to tell me,”rumbled Megatron,"that you failed . Not only did your team lose the relic and the Apex armor; you failed to confirm my treacherous second’s demise. Did you really think that I would accept some spilt energon as proof? How foolish do you think I am?!" His voice increasing in volume, the former gladiator punched a nearby terminal.

"But lord Megatron-"

"What?" growled Megatron, “What other pathetic nonsense-”

"Starscream."

Megatron turned around to see Soundwave, "Starscream lost."

"What do you mean, Soundwave?"

Sounwave pointed to the display on his terminal. Starscream’s life signature was nonexistent. 

“Knock Out, explain this to me,” Megatron hissed.

The medic stood at attention and fumbled with a data pad he had stored in his subpace.

“Ah- Yes my Lord, just a moment,” Knock out laughed nervously as he connected his datapad to Soundwaves terminal. 

Megatron could only roll his optics in annoyance.

“Soundwave is correct, our former commander’s life signal has come offline, however although probable, that does not necessarily mean that he is offline,” Knock out tapped his chin with a digit, tilting his helm as he looked at Starscream’s profile picture, “Knowing Starscream he has either found a way to jam his life signal, gone to an extremely isolated area underground  or he has truly kicked the bucket.” 

The medic chuckled a bit at his little joke only to find the unamused glare of the warlord. Quickly clearing his intake Knock out unplugged his data pad and returned to his previous position at Breakdown’s side, “It’s a fifty fifty chance my lord. Although, picturing that seeker underground is unlikely.” 

"How could Starscream have survived an explosion?" asked Breakdown, “looking at the evidence, a fire of that magnitude would have offlined him or injured him a great deal.”

“Starscream is like a cyber-roach, no matter how many times you try to get rid of him he finds a way to come crawling back, or get out of trouble at the last minute,” said Dreadwing, shuddering at the thought, “Disgusting creatures.” 

Megatron hummed and started to walk. Servos rested on his back as he circled the kneeling Vehicon in the middle of the room.

“You said you found spilt energon, yes?”

"Ye...Yes my Lord,” XL-917 flinched as he felt Megatron’s gaze sear into his back, “ b-but something must have happened because S-Starscream well...Screamed. There was an explosion and fire… and then when it was over... I just...Starscream was...He was gone sir, we had no choice but to retreat." 

“It is more likely that he was injured and retreated himself, sir,” said Breakdown. “It’s in his nature to run when things don’t go his way.” 

There was a long pause of silence as the warlord stopped his pacing.

"That is more likely," said Megatron, before chuckling quietly to himself, "My dear Starscream. Injured and alone. Well...It seems that we did gain some victory after all... but one thing still is bothering me, what was your designation again? XL-917?"

"Y-Yes sir?" asked the vehicon, making himself smaller as the ex-gladiator loomed over him.

Megatron raised an optic ridge, "So, my second has disappeared... the relic was lost... why should I let you live ?" he growled, his breath hitting the vehicon in the face, causing the poor drone to look up and meet the most terrifying red eyes in existence. 

XL-917 let out a silent scream as his body gave in to its instinct. He leaked. 

Knock Out tried his best to keep his laughter hidden as the rest of the crew murmured and groaned in disgust. 

Megatron chuckled darkly at the display of cowardice before promptly back handing the vehicon and sending the poor creature flying towards a wall"Get out of my sight!" he roared, causing the walls to shake. 

XL-917 did not need to be told twice. He quickly got off the floor and ran out of the control room, as fast as his pedes could take him, thankful that the mighty Megatron had somehow spared his life.

“Someone clean this mess up,” Megatron huffed, before turning to glare at the terminal currently displaying Starscream’s profile picture, "No more fun and games Starscream...I will off - line you. Keep looking for him! "

- Autobot Outpost Omega One

"Easy, easy , ow! Hold still- "

"Ratchet," said Optimus walking into the main room, "How is the-" the prime stopped in mid sentence as he looked in on the scene. He couldn't help but smile.

Starscream was happily chirping away in Bulkhead's servos as Ratchet was trying desperately to clean the little seeker with a towel. Bulkhead looked so awkward as he handled the seeker, large digits carefully trying to handle the fragile being.

"H-Hold still, Starscream! I don't wanna drop ya- Woah! Easy!" said Bulkhead, as the seeker tried to escape.

"He sure is fussy," said Raf, watching from the couch, his laptop open and downloading information.

"I guess somethings are just b- orn that way, Ow!" said Bulkhead, flinching as Starscream sunk his sharp claws into Bulkhead's servos.

"Starscream!" groaned Ratchet, trying to clean the seeker's face, "Even as sparkling, you are the worst patient I've ever. Of all time!"

"Ow, ow, ow! Hurry up Ratchet," said Bulkhead, "his claws are sharp !" he squeaked as another claw scratched his armor.

Optimus smiled and shook his head. It had been so long since any of them had taken care of or even seen a sparkling...

He himself had forgotten what a handful they could be.

"Sempu!" squeaked Starscream as he caught sight of Optimus, surprising everyone. Finally escaping Bulkhead's hold, Starscream jumped and landed rather clumsily on his pedes before taking another leap in the Prime's direction,“WOAH! Starscream on the loose!” 

"S-Starscream!" yelled Ratchet, trying to catch the seeker, "You come back here mister!"

“That was a big jump!” exclaimed Rafael getting up and running towards the railing, “Is he ok?”

"Fast for a little guy-" sighed Bulkhead, scratching the back of his helm as he watched the seeker dodge Ratchet's servo's.

Optimus, raised an optic ridge as the seeker finally landed on his pede, only to start wincing and grunting uncomfortably as Starscream started climbing all the way to the prime's shoulder.

"Starscream!" huffed Ratchet as the seeker finally reached his destination.

"Let him be Ratchet," sighed Optimus, looking at the satisfied seeker who at the moment was puffing out his chest and wings with pride. 

Optimus smiled again and let out an amused huff before taking his thumb to rub out the dried out energon on the seeker’s cheek. 

Starscream grunted in complaint before letting out a series of annoyed clicks and chitters. Pushing away the primes digits with a servo before rubbing his own cheek with his other servo. 

See? He’s a big mech, he can clean himself! 

"Yep, definitely born that way," said Bulkhead, crossing his servos and taking a seat on a nearby crate.

Ratchet groaned and shook his helm,  “I’m too old for this,” he mumbled to himself as he straightened up. 

"So, Optimus," sighed the Medic, looking up at the Autobot leader, "Any news about the relic?"

- Decepticon Warship: Nemisis

"The relic that was uncovered is a healing unit, a device that would instantly heal superficial and internal injuries once activated," said Megatron, pacing before his minions and numerous vehicons.

Knockout slumped slightly as he mumbled, "That would have saved me a lot of time."

Knock out suddenly stiffened and gulped as Megatron growled at the medic briefly before returning to his pacing.

"If the relic was lost, then we are lucky. But there is still a chance that my former second has it or is repairing it for use. Who knows what he's using it for at the moment, and we can’t have him skulking around. Now can we?" said Megatron.

"No sir," answered everyone in the room.

"Now all of you, double your efforts. whoever brings Starscream's helm on a stick will be relieved of their duties  for a month, bring him to me alive and you will be rewarded with a promotion and a proper name! I would certainly love to have the gift of making that pathetic worm squirm " Megatron seethed, balling his servo into a fist. 

"Yes sir!" said everyone, bowing before their leader.

"Good," purred Megatron, satisfied, “Decepticons! Rise up!” 

-Autobot Outpost Omega One

"What could have happened is that someone shot the relic, damaged it and activated its basic programming. Because it is a healing unit, it can even reverse aging, it must have malfunctioned and returned Starscream back to his sparkling stage, and taking his mind with it," explained Optimus, Starscream purring and chirping on his left shoulder,"I do not know however, if Starscream will remain in this state or if he will return on his own."

"Well it must have been a big blast,"said Bulkhead flexing his servo's and digits, feeling a little sting from the seeker's claw marks, “Seeing as he is all sparkling like.”

“It is safe to assume he knows nothing of his past,” hummed Ratchet, “There’s no evidence indicating otherwise.”

"Sempu, Oe tìyawn ngenga nìftxavang," Starscream clicked, cuddling into the prime's neck cables.

" What is he saying?" Bulkhead looked confused at the seeker as the little thing continued to chur and click in some gibberish. 

Ratchet shrugged, "Who knows, to me it's just baby talk, though he sure is old enough to at least talk a little, babble a little bit...unless it’s seekercant, but I don’t know how to speak it...Rafael can you search the computer's memory banks and look up Seekers? Their habits, their language-"

"On it," said Raf, typing away on his laptop, ="I downloaded something about sparklings, I hope you don't mind that I-"

"Not a problem, the more we know the better," said Ratchet raising an optic ridge as Starscream started climbing up to the top of Optimus' helm, "I just can't believe I didn't think of that first...Then again, I'm not really that focused at the moment."

"I don't think anyone is," huffed Bulkhead, glaring at the seeker, “What are you doing now you little scraplet?” 

Starscream ignored the wrecker and chirped happily as he settled on the top of the prime's helm. Optimus blinked as the seeker suddenly hung upside down from his crest, looking straight into the primes optics.

All the knowledge of the previous primes flowed through his being, but there were never any seeker primes. Even he was at a loss as to what the seeker needed or wanted.  

"Sempu, Oe tìyawn ngenga nìftxavang," he repeated, bobbing his wing's up and down playfully.

Optimus blinked dumbfoundedly at the seeker. 

Starscream’s voice was completely different...light, chirpy and sing-songy...like a birds, yet the way he mewed and squeaked was like a feline.

Seekers were strange.

"Uhhhhh...Starscream?"called Raf, looking up from his laptop and adjusting his glasses, "kaltxì?" Raf clicked, his tongue twisting in a failed attempt to copy the seeker's nonsense.

Starscream lifted himself back to the top of Optimus' helm, tilting his helm in the process.
"... 'upe?" he chirped, wings bobbing up and down.

Rafael cleared his throat and tried again, letting a clumsy series of clicks dance on his tongue. 

Starscream chirped in response and waved enthusiastically at the human, wings fluttering, “ 'ey-lan!”

"Did..Did he just understand you?" asked Ratchet, looking down at Raf, who repeated his nonsense gibberish again.

Starscream suddenly whistled in delight, wings fluttering "Oe nihawng! Oe Nihawng!" He sang.

"What?" asked Bulkhead, scratching the back of his helm.

"According to the data, Starscream's talking in...Seeker-cant, quite fluidly actually," said Raf, "I can't say everything - some of these sounds I don’t think a human can produce, but I greeted him and he responded. It’s kind of like with Bumblebee, in the end it’s all words.” 

“So can the little guy understand us right now?” asked Bulkhead.

"I don’t think he knows english yet, if not he would have responded or talked to us already. He’s been talking this whole time!” exclaimed Rafael, typing away some notes on his laptop.

"Huh, so Starscream isn't as dumb as I thought him to be," huffed Ratchet, “Rafael you are a genius.” 

“You have done very well, Rafael,” praised the Prime, trying his best to keep still and balance the seeker currently roosting on his helm. 

“So what, airplanes and jets on your planet had a separate language?" said Raf.

"Well yes and no. Not all cyberkind have the same language, neocybex just happens to be the most commonly used, like mandarin or english,” explained Ratchet, “Like the earth we had many languages and cultures. We have different classifications and races.”

“Grounders, two-wheelers, combiners, shifters, beastformers, minibots, aerialbots, seekers, shuttles -” listed Bulkhead, counting each form on his digits, "That's not counting classes like cold constructs and drones."

"We are all Cybertronian, but we have our own cultures. Seekers being the most culturally rich. It’s hard to keep up with what is true and what is a stereotype,” said Ratchet, keeping an optic on Starscream. 

“Wait, so not all fliers are the same?” asked Raf. 

Ratchet scoffed a little, “No. All seekers are fliers, but not all fliers are seekers.”

“Kind of like you and Miko. All people are human but not all humans are…wait.” 

Rafael laughed a little at Bulkhead’s confusion, “It’s okay Bulkhead, I get it.” 

"Sempu~!" chirped Starscream, nuzzling Optimus’ helm,“nga're oe sempul~”

"If Starscream is in fact speaking," said Optimus, carefully lifting Starscream off his helm, and holding the seeker to his chest, "what is he saying?"

Raf typed on his computer and paused, "What's a Sire? Is it like a prince or king?"

"It's the equivalent of a Father figure in your terms," said Ratchet, "Why?"

Raf suddenly covered his mouth and smiled, "Oh man."

"H-Hold on, you're not saying-" Ratchet paused as his optics widened in sudden realization,"...No." 

"What?" asked Bulkhead, looking between Rafael and Ratchet's grim expression, "What is it?"

Raf's smile grew wider as Starscream snuggled into Optimus' chassis. 

"He thinks you're his Dad Optimus!"

Optimus' optics went wide... "Oh..."

A moment of silence passed between them as Starscream purred contentedly in Optimus' servos, nuzzling the Prime's chassis, "Sempu," he squeaked. 

"Okay. Now we're really not keeping him!" said Bulkhead.

Ratchet could only shake his head and sigh in frustration. He was getting to old for this.

...

...

"So...Who's the mom?"

"For the love of Primus Bulkhead!" 

Chapter Text

Autobot Outpost Omega One

“Sempu, Sempu, Sempu - Wai!” 

Ratchet groaned and put a servo to his fore-helm, 'Of all the things...' he thought, pinching the space between his optics.

"Okay I'm out of here, there's no way I'm going to end up playing 'Mommy' for a 'con," said Bulkhead, hobbling away from the situation as best as he could.

"What the- Oh no you don't! Bulkhead, come back here!" said Ratchet, grabbing the wrecker by the arm,"you, my friend, are going to help me give that “'con” a good cleaning."

"Scrap," groaned Bulkhead, slumping.

"Oel ngati kameie!" squeaked Starscream, poking Optimus' chassis. Optimus did not respond at all. 

'Oh, Optimus,' thought Ratchet, watching as the prime looked shocked.The poor Prime seemed to be frozen in place. 

"Optimus, are you okay?" asked Raf, adjusting his glasses.

"Don’t worry about him. He'll be fine," said Ratchet, taking Starscream from Optimus' servos, earning an annoyed chirp from the seeker, "Come on, Bulkhead. I'll need someone to hold him while I give him a... bath ." said Ratchet whispering the last word, knowing full well that baths were the dread of most sparklings.

Not that it mattered, because Starscream heard anyway.

"Wai~! Laro, Laro!" cried Starscream.

"Aw man!" groaned Bulkhead, throwing his helm back and looking up annoyed at the ceiling, "Dear Primus why?" he moaned.

"You clearly have spent too much time with Miko. Come on, Bulkhead. Quit your complaining and move those legs." said Ratchet, walking away with a chirping seeker in his servos, “besides it shouldn’t be that bad.”

“Alright, alright whatever… you jerk.” 

“I heard that!” 

- Two hours later…

He was wrong. 

Ratchet was dead wrong.

The bath was really bad, but try as he might, the CMO could not keep an amused smile off his face.  Ratchet was trying his best not to be. 

He should be annoyed. Furious even. 

But he couldn’t for the life of him bring himself to, despite the fact that he was a little wet and smelled of ultrashine. 

“Kyeep!” 

"Alright, alright little one," huffed Ratchet, holding a shivering and wet seeker close to his chassis. Starscream let out some annoyed chirps, his wings fluttering as his frame trembled slightly from the cold.

"Yes, yes,  I know it's cold in here. Maybe I can try to turn that air conditioner down before you-"

Starscream shivered as a sudden gush of air escaped his intakes. 

“Ah…Ahh-neep!”

A sneeze.

"Ah, there we go. Come on, let's get you dried up little one," said Ratchet with a laugh, poking one of the seeker's wings, "after that, one last Energon serving and it's off to bed."

Starscream chirped unhappily, "Ke ngeyn," he huffed, his wings twitching with annoyance and cold.

"Yes, yes, stop complaining, you little rascal," said Ratchet, bouncing the seeker in his servos, causing the shivering seeker to giggle. 

"Rafael, are you still there?"

"Yeah, I'm here Ratchet, Mom thinks I'm sleeping over at a friend's so...sleep...Jack's coming over too with my stuff and uh...Bees going to...yeah..." said Raf, his sentence dying as he continued to type away at his laptop, clearly distracted with whatever he was working on. 

Ratchet rolled his optics "Any new information we must know?" he asked, placing the seeker onto a med-berth before taking out a microfiber towel from a drawer. 

Starscream squawked as the CMO started to dry him off. 

"Uhh...well. Looking at some of the data stored in the computer and datapads, plus some stuff from the archives…There's a Seeker-cant to Standard Neo-Cybex uhhh dictionary I guess? It...helps that there’s a couple of standard things for Sparklings...An I.Q. test...Stories, songs, poems. There is also a thing about seeker habits and courting but not much really. It's like reading a summary of a book, you know the outline but not the details?" said Raf, taking a moment to stretch his arms,"It says here that they're very clean, and that they love bathing or 'preening' themselves, whatever that means. I just hope this is actual information and not the stereotypes. There are a lot of those here.” 

“Loving bathing is definitely not a stereotype,” Ratchet laughed, tossing the damp towel into a bin,"at least not for this fellow, you should have seen Starscream. He was really enjoying himself in the bath. I thought all sparklings hated bathing." 

Rafael looked up at Ratchet amused, “Is that so?” 

“Serves me right,” the CMO chuckled while bouncing the now dry Starscream in his servos again, causing the little seeker to chirp happily, "You should have seen Bulkhead, he was soaking by the time we finished."

"Sounds like Starscream wasn't the only one enjoying himself," said Raf, smiling as he continued to type away at his laptop,"Seems like you're warming up to him, Ratchet."

Ratchet froze.

“I…” 

Ratchet cleared his intake nervously as he looked down at the sparkling in his servos. Starscream, second in command of the Decepticon army…

Scap…He was in trouble. 

"Say, maybe we can give Starscream that I.Q. test I found? He can talk a little, maybe we can find out how smart he is?" said Raf, “Or maybe how old? Says here sparklings usually don’t talk fully until they reach their 2nd or 3rd vorn.” 

“Uh huh,” The medic agreed as he let the seeker climb onto his shoulder, wincing every now and then as the seeker's tiny claws dug into his wiring and armor. Why were the seeker's claws so sharp ?

"Come on, Starscream. Let's get you some warm Energon, yes?" said Ratchet with a sigh.

What did he get himself into? 

"I'm home!"

"Ah, Bumblebee. Welcome back," said Ratchet, looking up from his work, "How was patrol?"

"Patrol was fine. Though the Decepticons are on the move, something must be up," beeped Bumblebee, his left door opening.

"Hey Ratchet, Raf said he wanted me to sleep over tonight and Mom said okay," said Jack climbing out of Bumblebee, with two backpacks on his shoulder, "I got your stuff, Raf. Uh, your mom wants you to call her."

"Yo!" beeped Bumblebee, transforming out of his alt-mode.

"Hey, Bumblebee! Thanks, Jack, I'll give her a call. Oh man Bumblebee you're not going to believe-"

A loud chirp interrupted Raf, catching Jack and Bumblebee off guard.

"Uh, was that you Bumblebee?" asked Jack, looking up at the young scout.

"No, " beeped the scout, his optic ridges lowering, " That was so not me."

"Ow- OW ! No! Ow! Why do you like climbing up shoulders?" hissed Ratchet, trying his best not to squirm under the pain of tiny claws - oh so sharp - digging into his back struts.

"Holy Sh-"

“Ohh” Bumblebee let out a low whistle as he and Jack saw what had crawled up and onto Ratchet's shoulder.

"What the frag happened to Starscream?!" beeped Bumblebee, his optics wide.

"W-When did you guys have a kid?" asked Jack, dropping his bags, "Wait, no...Arcee would have told me if she was...ugh, I don't wanna think about it. I just - When did you guys have a kid ?!"

"None of us had him!" growled Ratchet, petting the seeker that was currently hiding behind his helm, "Boys, this is Starscream."

The mentioned seeker shyly poked his head out and waved meekly, “kxì.”

There was a moment of silence. 

No one really noticed Rafael roll his eyes and silently count down on his fingers. 3…2..1… and -

Bumblebee squealed in delight, “Awwww!!” 

The seeker squeaked and covered his audials “Wok!” 

“Oh my glob that is adorable,” Jack deadpanned,“Wait. What?! Raf I thought that was a filter or meme!”

“Told you,” Rafael smirked, snapping his fingers before smugly posing them under his chin. 

"How the frag did that happen?" beeped Bumblebee after regaining his composure.

"Bumblebee, calm down," said Raf, walking up to the guard rail to greet his guardian.

"Starscream?!" cried Jack, eyes widening, "Wow! But- wait when did he get...Wait you mean this is his kid?"

"None of us had kids!" huffed Ratchet.

"Okay, okay, sheesh. So...how did this happen? Oh man, what does Arcee think? OH GOD! What will Miko do?!" said Jack.

"Miko...I guess we'll have to try to do something about Miko," mumbled Ratchet, waving off the topic and returning to his work.

"Will someone please answer my question on how the frag this happened?!" beeped Bumblebee, getting angry.

"Ease up Bumblebee, Optimus thinks it had to do with the relic we uncovered this morning. It's malfunctioning, and we believe because it is a healing unit, it "healed" Starscream back into his mental and physical youth- Ow ! Starscream, your claws!" groaned Ratchet, as the seeker climbed up to the top of his helm, "Ugh, we don't know how long he'll stay like this. In the meantime, we're keeping him under our care, oka- ow !"

Starscream chirped happily as he made it to the top of Ratchet’s helm, his chest puffing out in victory as his wings fluttered.

"Ooooh...He's cute! " beeped Bumblebee striding closer to the medic and his ward, " Such a penny weeny ity bitty tiny thing~"

"Huh, I thought you of all mechs would hold a grudge," said Ratchet, “Maybe it's just Arcee.”

"What? The T-cog thing? That was then, this is now...I mean, I still don't like ol’ Screamer but…I mean, come on Ratch, how can you stay mad at a little sparkling? Look how tiny! Look at that wittle face and hansies" beeped Bumblebee, cooing at the sparkling.

Starscream's optics narrowed at the scout, his wings rising up in an attempt to make himself look bigger and threatening. Only it had the opposite effect. 

" Oh , trying to be tough now, are you? Put 'em up!" beeped Bumblebee, playfully raising his servos.

Starscream chirped loudly and lowered himself, looking like a kitten about to pounce on a slow-moving piece of string.

Wings wiggling and eyes focused the seeker pounced onto the yellow scout. 

"Starscream, what are you- Ah!"

"Oh no! He's attacking Bumblebee!" cried Jack, running up to the yellow Autobot, “Ratchet do something!”

"Relax, he's just playing," said Raf, walking back to his computer with a dismissive wave, “Sparklings like to play.”

"Ha ha! Ohhh noooo ! the sparkling got meee~! " whistled Bumblebee, playing around with the seeker who at the moment was battling the scout's servos, “ Yeah, put ‘em up, put ‘em up!”

Ratchet sighed and shook his helm, "Mechling's," he mumbled, returning to his work of mixing Energon. He sounded more annoyed than he looked. 

"How can you be sure he’s not attack-"

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaai~" squeaked the seeker as he was thrown up and then brought back down to Bumblebee's chassis, the yellow scout letting out a rumble of warbles and whistles in his own form of laughter.

"Oh...Uh... Never mind then," said Jack with a light chuckle of relief. 

"I knew Bee would like him," said Raf, with a victorious smile.

“So how did this happen exactly?”

Ratchet tuned out the humans' conversations in favor of listening to Bumblebee coo and talk to Starscream.

“I’m gonna eat me some seeker wings! Om nom nom nom!”

Ratchet smiled a bit as the seeker laughed out loud, wings bobbing up and down in joy, how long had it been since he heard a sparkling laugh? Since when have any of them ? Since the beginning of the war? And poor Optimus...Just how long...?

No. Best not to think about that right now. 

"Alright, alright, enough. Put him down Bumblebee I don't want him to get too excited," said Ratchet, picking up the makeshift Sparkling bottle.

"So you guys are really keeping him?" asked Jack, "Wh-What has Optimus said? Or Arcee...I mean, you know how she feels-"

"Optimus...Optimus understands our...Uneasiness with the situation. But he feels that it is our duty to take care of him, and as for Arcee...well let's just say she's not big on the idea," said Ratchet, taking the seeker into his servos once again, “Alright little one, nice and slow this time ok?”

"Well, I think I understand...I guess...he sure is a hungry one isn't he?" said Jack, watching as Starscream chugged down his Energon.

"Easy! Sheesh, you'd think he'd never ate!" said Ratchet, pulling the bottle away from the seeker.

"Kehe," hissed Starscream, clawing at the bottle.

"Oh, Starscream," huffed Ratchet, “You are going to get a tank ache.”

"Kehe Sa'nok," said Starscream, his voice muffled by the bottle.

"What is he saying? " asked Bumblebee, “ I can't understand him at all.”

"Look who's talking," said Ratchet, tugging on the bottle again to slow the seeker's intake, "Uh, Rafael. You said that there was a basic Seeker-cant to Neo-cybex standard. Do you think you can put that in our main computer or just help translate?"

"uhhh, what's a Carrier?" asked Raf.

"The one who “births” a sparkling," said Ratchet before his optics widened, "Wait..."

"you're not going to like what he called you," said Raf, typing away on his laptop as a playful smile spread on his lips.

Bumblebee gasped in realization and failed to hide his amused wheeze behind a servo.

"...He didn't..." said Ratchet.

"He did. Congratulation's Ratchet!" said Raf in the sweetest voice he could master, “Or should I call you Mommy Ratchet?”

Bumblebee clutched his sides as he let out a loud noise of warbles and whistles, slapping his knee-joint a few times during the process.

Jack just snorted and covered his mouth, trying hard not to laugh.

Light childish laughter rang through the silo, interrupting a certain two-wheeler from her sleep.

Arcee groaned and covered her audios. What a nightmare. She couldn't believe it. A Decepticon, in the Autobot base?! There were so many things wrong with that situation it made her processor hurt.

"Thank goodness it was just a flux," she sighed, "stupid Starscream, always ruining things and doing wrong. That slagger."

Arcee growled at the thought of that seeker being close to her family, after what he did to her partner.

'Whatever, recharge,' the thought, trying to shake her dream.

Another squeal of childish laughter rang through the base as Arcee punched her berth in anger.

"Slag it all! It wasn't a flux!" she cried, getting up from her berth and walking out of her chamber and into the hallway. Growling, she headed for the roof of the base. She needed some silence at the moment. In the distance, she could hear Bumblebee bleeping with laughter along with Ratchet's angry curses.

'I wonder what could have been that funny,' she thought walking up a ramp that led to the roof.

To her surprise, she found her leader up there, staring at the stars and the sky, a veil of sorrow over him.

"Optimus?" called Arcee, lifting an optic ridge. It was rare to see the prime on top of the base, and even rarer to see him this upset.

"Arcee," said Optimus, nodding his helm.

"Well you're looking down, why so...blue?" said Arcee with a little chuckle.

"Nothing you or the others should worry about, I'll be in my chamber if you need me," said Optimus, heading towards the opening of the silo.

"Optimus?" asked Arcee again.

"It will be alright Arcee," said Optimus, walking down the entrance.

Arcee only stared at her leader and scowled as she turned to see her partner's grave. One question ran through her processor.

Why?

Shaking her helm, Arcee looked up at the stars, "I miss you, Cliff," she sighed, taking in the night air, " I will keep my promise Cliff, If it's the last thing I do, I will not let that... Monster hurt my family."

"Shhh, easy now, come on...Shhh, that's it, nice and slow," cooed Ratchet, cradling Starscream as he fed the sparkling a second bottle of warm Energon. The seeker yawned as the bottle was brought to his lips.

Earlier he was playing around with Bumblebee and the humans. The poor thing was already tired before his second bottle was even ready. 

Good thing Bumblebee had already left to his chambers with Raf, or else they would have kept the seeker up all night.

"Alright Ratchet, I'm heading to Arcee's room okay? Don't have too much fun with the uhh...prr-n-en?" said Jack, trying to pronounce 'baby' or 'sparkling' in Seeker-cant.

Ratchet chuckled lightly " Prrnen, Jack. Speak it through your nose, though it wasn't a bad attempt," said the medic.

"Ha, thanks. Take care of him...Mommy," laughed Jack walking away as quickly as possible from the medic.

"Why you-"

A little complaining groan brought the medic's attention back to the seeker. 'I'll get him for that later,' he thought, putting away Starscream's make-shift sparkling bottle.

Starscream made a sighing sound as he stretched. Such a cute sight to see.

Ratchet huffed. Rafael was right...He was getting attached to the sparkling even if he didn't want to. 'Poor Optimus,' he thought, looking down at the seeker, 'How long has it been?' he thought again.

Starscream stopped his intake and yawned his derma clicking as his mouth shut, stretching his wings, his little servos rubbed his optics.

"Ratchet?" called a voice.

"Hm? Arcee, up and awake? Jack has gone to your chambers already, he didn't want to disturb you," said Ratchet, setting Starscream down on a berth and turning to look at the femme.

She glared at the sparkling for a moment and gave a little curt nod to Ratchet.

"Arcee, I know you don't like him, but please can't you just get used to the idea?" asked Ratchet.

Arcee scoffed, "That's like asking the fox to spare the chicken."

"Arcee-"

"No, Ratchet. A thousand deca-cycles could pass and I would never get used to him! He murdered one of our own, one of our family ! I can't Ratchet...It's like asking me to spare Arachnid her punishment right now, you said so yourself, "She deserves worse!" How..How can you tell me to get used to Starscream when you know deep down inside, that behind all the cute he is now he is a monster and deserves worse than being offlined?"

"Will you pipe down?" hissed Ratchet.

Arcee growled and looked down at the sparkling. The seeker was recharging while lying flat on his "belly", wings twitching every now and then as he fluxed.

'Doesn't that hurt him?' Thought Arcee briefly, lifting an optic ridge, 'Whatever, Seekers are weird,' she thought as Ratchet continued to speak to her.

"You of all people need to remember how it's like to be that small and hungry," said Ratchet.

Arcee wasn't paying attention. All she could think at the moment was 'Murderer.'

"Sa'nok," said Starscream with a sleepy moan as Ratchet picked him up from the med-berth.

Arcee's optics closed, shutting out the tenderness between the seeker and the medic. It was something she didn't really want to see at the moment.

'How could he?' she thought.

"Shhh, Shhh, Starscream...Easy little one," hushed Ratchet, stroking the seeker's fore-helm with his thumb. Starscream only chirped quietly as he drifted back into recharge.

"He's...You're all seriously considering keeping him here...aren't you?" asked Arcee, "unbelievable."

"Optimus' decision is final . I'm tired of explaining this to everyone. Until he returns to his original state, we're going to keep him here and...raise him as one of our own," said Ratchet, putting the seeker back onto the med-berth, "Please understand Arcee, it's not that we don't appreciate Cliffjumper, or just forgot Starscream's actions...Just understand..please, from Optimus' point of view. From the war, not just your own," said Ratchet.

Arcee bit her bottom lip and shook her helm. How could he ask that of her?
What's to understand? A murderer is a murderer and she couldn't just let that go. She had a promise to keep. And she would keep it. Innocent sparkling or not.

"Good night Arcee, I'll see you in the morning," said Ratchet, waving off the two-wheeler, and walking away to his chambers.

Arcee continued to stand there, staring down at the seeker.

She knew that the seeker would only cause pain...She knew...That something had to be done.

Chapter Text

Autobot Outpost Omega One 

Today was the best day ever.

In one day Starscream went from abandoned sparklet to having an entire family! With uncles, brothers and everything! 

An entire tribe, just for him! 

And Energon! So much Energon!

Starscream purred and stretched before snuggling back into his little makeshift blanket. Who cares if it was a towel? This was awesome! Back home he didn’t even have a berth to lie on.

For the first time in a while the seeker felt full and content! 

For the first time in a while… the seeker felt safe…

He hoped this feeling would last forever.

...

“Time to end this.”

"Huh?" Starscream let out a sleepy moan as he felt himself being lifted from his berth. Cold servos holding him close to an unfamiliar chassis.

The seeker moaned uncomfortably as he shifted, trying to free himself from the cold servos.

What’s happening? 

"Stop squirming," hissed a voice.

Shaking his helm, Starscream on-lined his optics, looking up at the one holding him. It was the femme from earlier in the day.

“tsmuke?”

Why was she carrying him? He thought she didn't like him at all.

Her touch was so cold and unloving. He didn't like it. He wanted his sire. 

“Sempu,” Starscream chirped and shut his optics as he was suddenly engulfed by a familiar light, “Sempu!” 

"Shut up," said the femme.

Arcee sighed as she walked through the ground bridge. 

She was in the forest, about 5 miles away from where she and Optimus found the seeker. There was a storm raging outside, not as strong as the one this morning. But still strong enough to make the wind howl and the rain fall hard.

Starscream squirmed in her servos as the rain suddenly hit his frame, embracing him in a blanket of cold.

"Peu nga kem si?" chirped Starscream, shivering and squirming as the rain chilled him, “tsenga lu ayoe?”

"Shut up," growled Arcee. She had made her decision, and she was going to act whether Optimus or the others liked it or not.

Arcee glared at the sparkling, her spark hurting with guilt and uncertainty as she saw the worried look in Starscream's eyes. 

Starscream. The monster that killed Cliffjumper. Crippled Bumblebee. Complicit skeemer that killed so many of her fellow soldiers and innocents. Leveled cities and scourged an entire planet. 

No...She couldn't find sympathy for the enemy. Not for a monster .

Arcee was not going to allow this Decepticon to disgrace her partner .

She was not about to stand back and watch as this monster tears apart her family .
Destroys everything she believed in.

This...This was for Cliffjumper.

“This is for everything ,” Arcee growled, dropping the seeker roughly onto the ground, and well away from the ground-bridge, "Good riddance, you pest," She hissed, walking away and quickly heading for the ground-bridge.

Starscream's spark almost stopped as he saw the two wheeler leave, "Kea," he whispered, wings trembling.

No...No...She couldn't be leaving him here could she? No! His new sire and carrier couldn't possibly do this to him!

Not again!

"kea," whispered the seeker, "Kea, kea, rutxe kea !" he screamed, getting up and running as best as he could on shaky peds, towards the femme.

Why? What did he do wrong?

What did he do wrong ?!

Arcee heard Starscream cry out to her. She couldn't believe it. Can't that 'con take a hint? 

The Autobot's didn't want him anymore. But then again...He was so helpless...no one liked to be left behind.

Arcee growled again and glared down at the seeker following her.

"Scrap, stay put!" growled the femme shoving the sparkling back with her ped, trying hard to convince herself not to feel sympathy for the sparkling.

Starscream yelped as he was shoved, falling on his aft and into a mud puddle.

"You don't belong with my family, I...You ruined everything! Go ruin someone else for a change!" Arcee yelled, walking back towards the ground bridge.

Starscream let out a wail of distress as he followed the femme again.

"Get back!" hissed Arcee, shoving the Sparkling back again, "We can't keep you."

This time, Starscream fell face first into the mud, he squeaked in fear as the mud stung his optics and blocked his view. Coolant welled up in his optics as he began to call out for the femme.

For his sire and his carrier.

For anyone. 

"Sa'nok! sempul! rutxe pongu srung oe! ani tute srung oe!" The seeker cried at the top of his intakes.

Then he heard the hiss of the ground bridge.

"Kea!" screamed Starscream, moving towards the sound, wiping the mud off his optics. " Kea! ka txìng oe! ka tx'ing oe!" he wailed. Begging, begging for the femme to take him back. For anyone to show him some kind of mercy.

Nothing. 

The groundbridge had closed. 

He was alone. 

Starscream cried harder as the rain fell and the thunder roared, unsympathetic as he pleaded for... his creators...his tribe… for anyone…

"Rutxe… ka txìng oe…"

Please.

Don't leave me.

Northern Appalachian/Acadian Forest - ME State 1:57 a.m. 

"Is there an explanation as to why I was woken up at this hour?"

"Sir, we found something. You might want to see this." 

"Very well gentlemen, lead the way" 

"Of course, Silas."

Chapter Text

Northern Appalachian/Acadian Forest - State of ME

12:30 A.M. EST.

You’re not wrong. 

You’re not wrong. 

You’re not doing anything wrong. 

“You're doing the right thing,” Arcee whispered to herself, “There is a pest in the house, you’re just getting rid of it!” 

“Kea!” 

Arcee growled in irritation as she glared down at the seeker scrambling to follow her. The poor thing looked so… pathetic and… small.

Thunder rumbled in the distance as the beginning droplets of rain started to hit the ground.

“Tsmuke!” Starscream wailed, reaching out to the two-wheeler

"Scrap, stay put!" growled the femme shoving the sparkling back with her pede. Starscream yelped as he was shoved, falling on his aft and into a mud puddle.

Damn it all.

Arcee bit her glossa, trying hard to convince herself not to feel sympathy. Not to feel anything. 

This was Starscream . Evil, conniving, manipulative commander of the Decepticon army. A mech that reveled in his iniquitous acts. The bot who took joy in snuffing out Cliffjumper’s spark and throwing that fact around in people’s faces like it was some sort of achievement. 

It was no achievement, it was a cruel and senseless act. A cowardly act. 

But this is war. Nothing is fair in war. It’s all unnecessary. All needless.

You’re not innocent either. 

Arcee scoffed, ignoring a voice in her helm that sounded suspiciously like Arachnid, and kept repeating to herself that this was deserved.

He deserved this.

And Arcee had earned her revenge. She had been patient, very patient and Primus had given her this chance to punish the seeker for his sins.

For murdering her partner. Her friend. Her Cliffjumper. 

As far as she knew, Cliffjumper was alone when he died.

Starscream will be no different. 

He deserves this terrible fate. He would never belong with the Autobots, not after all that he’s done. 

Not now, not in a million years. 

But wasn’t that the same? Wouldn’t leaving him here be the same? You’d be the same as him. 

Arcee shook her helm, optics stinging and bared her denta in anger. 

"I’m not the same. We’re not the same,” Arcee whispered angrily before turning to face the sparkling, “You don't belong with my family, I...You ruined everything! Go ruin someone else for a change!" Arcee yelled before turning and walking back towards the ground bridge. 

Starscream let out a wail of distress as he followed the femme again.

"Get back!" hissed Arcee, shoving the Sparkling back again, "We can't keep you."

This time, Starscream fell face first into a mud puddle, he squeaked in fear as the mud stung his optics and blurred his vision. Coolant welled up in his optics as he began to call out for the femme.

"Rutxe! ka txìng oe!"

The rain was starting to pick up now. 

WIth a determined growl, the two-wheeler marched towards the open ground bridge intent on ignoring the seeker’s cires.

The swirling green mass of light being the only thing lighting up the heavy darkness of the night. 

“I’m doing the right thing. This is justice!” Arcee whispered to herself. 

Is it though? Is it really?

This is revenge.

Are you really letting your feelings of revenge and resentment cloud your judgment again?

“Rutxe! ka txìng oe, Tsumuke!"

Irrational. Haughty. Foolish. 

Senseless. 

That is what you are. 

Cruel.

Arcee’s optics squeezed shut as she tried her best to ignore her growing guilt, and tried her damndest to ignore her aching spark, her heavy pedes, the stinging in her optics.

You’re doing the same thing again. Acting without thinking. 

What would be the consequences of this? 

What would the others think?

Arcee gasped as she felt a chill settle in her spark at the thought. What would the others think?

They’ll look at you in horror. 

No. They’d understand. They always understand! She would explain. This is for everyone’s benefit. This could change the tides of this war. This will change everything! She’d be getting rid of a major player in this cycle of death. She’d be a war hero! Future generations would look at her actions and call them just.

Arcee of Icon. Autobot soldier. Who took initiative and liberated the remaining remnants of the Autobot Army from the manipulative and deceptive clutches of the second in command of the Decepticons. 

Is that what you think? 

Is that what you truly believe will happen?

“Liberated?” More like executed. 

You’d be committing a war crime. 

Do you honestly believe the others welcome you back as a hero? That they would praise you and say “Cliffjumper has been avenged! No more Starscream, the tide of this war has changed!” 

No. 

There would be worse consequences than that. You’d be no hero. 

Arcee stifled a sob. Sudden fear and doubt hitting her in full force. Her tank felt odd, her knees felt weak as a memory came to the forefront of her mind.

"I thought settling scores would allow me to move on. Instead I chased away our hope of winning this war anytime soon."

Everything felt heavy and it was getting harder and harder to breathe. 

Her spark hurt.

If you do this you'll be just as bad as him. As me . What would the others think? What would Optimus think? 

You think he would really look at you the same? That you’d be rewarded for your actions tonight?

No. 

He’d look at you the same way Bumblebee did. All that disappointment, that fear and pain. 

Just think of the consequences.

You’re being cruel and selfish to everyone. 

Of what Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots has lost. And just what you’d be taking away.

You wouldn’t be an avenger of Cliffjumper. You’d be the murderer of Starscream. 

Murderer of a sparkling.

Arcee flinched as she picture’d her leader’s face. His saddened optics pierced her very spark. That look. The same one he would give Starscream that day he surrendered. The same look gave Megatron. That same look of absolute sorrow when Cybertron, their home planet, had become hollow and dead. 

Pity. Shame. Disappointment. 

Greif. 

Her companions, her family. They would look at her differently. Everyone would. 

Looking at you as if you were a monster.

They’ll all hate you. 

Arcee whimpered as she fell to her knees, her servos clamping over her mouth in an effort to stifle the loud and mournful sound that escaped her voicebox.

No.

She won't. Feel. Bad. 

She would not let herself cry. 

Not for this. 

Not for him. 

Never for him.

She will not cry or feel pity. 

And you know the funny part about this is? 

Did you really think it would just be avenging Cliffjumper and that the world would move on? 

No. 

You’d be marked now. You’d be tainted now. No longer a ‘hero’, no longer an Autobot worthy of the title. 

You’d be a rogue.

You’d be taking away something that does not belong to you. 

Funny really. 

You’d be just like the person you hate most, it is flattering Arcee or should I call you Arachnid now too hmm?

Or should I call you Megatron, or better yet, Starscream? You're like Starscream himself.

A coward on the run.   

“No! I’m not like them. I'm not like you! I’m not wrong! I won’t feel bad!”

But you do, Arcee. Do you know why?

“No.”

Yes, you do.  

“NO.”

This is wrong.

And you know it.

“Please…I can’t breathe.”

.

.

“I can’t … Breathe.”

.

.

“Someone help me.” 

.

.

“Please.”

.

.

“I’m sorry.”

Arcee clung to her helm as she cried uncontrollably; sobbing and heaving, gasping and struggling to cycle air. 

The world was closing in with an oppressive darkness. 

Arcee felt like she was going to die. Like nothing in the universe could save her now. 

She was unaware of everything, except her pain. 

Unaware of the closing Groundbridge and its fading light, the darkness that surrounded her, of the cold and heavy rain that had started to hit her frame. 

Or of the small sparkling that had eventually settled - muddy and wet on her knee, their tiny clawed servos patting the joint, the hiccups and tears they cried for her sake. 

The turmoil in Arcee’s spark was too much for her to handle. 

A piercing cry escaped her, echoing around the forest. Louder than the thunder that accompanied the heavy rain or the wind howling and rustling the trees. Louder than the spark broken seeker’s cries. 

A sound full of rage and centuries of sorrow. 

Of Pain.

Northern Appalachian/Acadian Forest - State of ME

Decepticon Dig Site #7071842 

Dreadwing sighed quietly to himself as he observed the multiple mining class Vehicons toiling away at an underground dig site. A cavern, full of rich energon. 

But something didn’t sit right with the seeker. 

“You seem tense Lieutenant, nervous?” 

Dreadwing huffed and gave his companion a reassuring nod,“Not in particular. I keep hearing something, but I believe it to be some kind of animal. Not somethinng of concern.”  

“Hmmm, could be a bird or the wind. Earth’s forests are full of noise," Breakdown yawned, stepping away from the large seekers side to look behind him, "Wow, it’s really coming down. Do you think we’re at risk of flooding?” 

“I sincerely doubt it. It’s just a little storm, it’ll pass,” Dreadwing said with a dismissive wave.

Breakdown made a dissapproving noise,“Mmmm...Still, we should warn the vehicons down below of the water - you know how clumsy they can be.” 

“Hmph, suit yourself,” Dreadwing huffed, straightening his spinal struts and stretching his wings before another faint noise made the seeker frown.  

Something was amiss.

Maybe it was the noises from the forest that had put him on edge, or maybe it was the mind numbing boredom of observing a mine finally getting to him. 

Or maybe it was just dumb seeker instincts. They didn't like to be underground after all. 

Who knows. 

Still, all this mining and supervising was such a waste of time. 

As much as it was an honor and a privilege to serve Megatron and his cause, it was a little upsetting that the high-minded warlord was reducing Dreadwing’s talents and abilities to the mere stereotypical role of “Energon seeker.” 

Yes, that was their purpose. One of the reasons for existing. To seek energon, and act as scouts, protectors, and providers for the Cybertronian populace. But it was still oh so stereotypical and disappointing to say the least.

Dreadwing was much more than that. He was a capable warrior and a strategist. He deserved to be out there, serving the cause by hunting down those disgraceful Autobots and restoring glory to Cybertron.

Literally anything else other than the mediocre task of seeking out energon for the Decepticon army, or supervising the mining process. 

Dreadwing yawned again and clicked his denta in frustration.

“Bored Lieutenant?” hummed Breakdown, typing away at a terminal.

Dreadwing stifled another yawn and straightened up, “It is late, and we’ve spent the last few hours surveying the mining of this energon deposit. This rain isn’t exactly helping.” 

“That doesn’t exactly answer my question.” 

Dreadwing sighed and stretched his wings, “I am not bored, I am simply…disinterested in this particular mission.”

“Disinterested?”

Dreadwing hummed tiredly, “Yes. I may be an Energon seeker, but I do not find the seeking and mining of Energon crucial on my part or particularly interesting. I’m more than that.” 

Breakdown smirked up at the seeker, “I see, and what would make this mining mission interesting?”

Before Dreadwing could even reply a piercing cry echoed in the distance. Loud and painful. 

Dreadwing’s wings flared at the noise as he instinctively bared his denta. “Be careful what you wish for, soldier. Looks like this night just became interesting.”

 Breakdown laughed nervously, “What was that?”

“That was definitely not an animal or the wind. That was one of ours - An Autobot?” 

“I don’t know, it could also be one of ours, but whatever is happening something must have hurt it or it got caught in something - Arachnid maybe? or  M.E.C.H.?” Breakdown said nervously, readying his blaster cannon and a hammer.

“Whatever it may be, we're going to investigate. If it’s that damned spider she’ll have my wrath,” Dreadwing hissed, picking up his chain gun, “After all the stunts she’s pulled, that treacherous wretch deserves to be snuffed. Call the head Operative and inform the others to get on the defensive and keep this site secure. We can’t afford to lose any mines to the Autobots or any other faction. 

Breakdown nodded and opened his comms, “This is Breakdown to operative one, there’s a ruckus going on outside, the Lieutenant and I will be going up to investigate. Keep an open comms and keep your wits about you, set up a perimeter to keep things secure, and report back if anything got it? Let Soundwave know what’s happening down here.” 

The comms came alive as the head vehicon - J0N45 or just Jonas responded, “You got it boss, be careful out there.” 

Breakdown smiled and nodded with a hum, “Thank you, Jonas, we’ll keep in touch.” 

As odd as it was for Breakdown to be friendly with the vehicons, Dreadwing couldn’t help but like the young soldier. He was rough around the edges, but he was a respectful fellow, honorable even. 

Dreadwing smirked down at Breakdown as the stunticon nodded, “I’m ready. Take the lead Lieutenant.” 

“Stay close to me, and don’t go off alone. I’ll cover your right,” Dreadwing ordered, walking ahead of the stunticon. 

“I won’t leave you, Lieutenant. After all, who knows what would have happened if I chased after that femme last time? I probably wouldn’t be here.” 

“A good lesson learned soldier. Let’s go.”

Although not as heavy as before, the rain continued to fall from the sky, blanketing the dark forest with cold and mud. 

Starscream shivered as he snuggled up to his “sister.” If he could even call her that anymore. 

When he had finally calmed down enough to assess his situation the femme had started to hyperventilate and become erratic. She had started to talk to herself and clutch at her helm, shaking and hyperventilating. 

Wiping away the mud and his tears, the seeker approached the femme and tried to comfort her the way his siblings would comfort him. 

Slowly the seeker settled on her knee, patting away at it tentatively as more tears fell from his optics. 

It was obvious she was in pain, but whatever triggered her episode, it had gotten worse before it got better.

The femme seemed to finally give in to her turmoil, crying out loudly enough to make Starscream’s audials ring and collapsing, clutching her helm as she heaved and sobbed. 

Starscream didn’t know what in the world was happening, but something was obviously wrong, and the femme was very, very, very distressed. 

Between the sobbing and gagging, he could hear the femme whisper, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry” over and over. Mumbling nonsense and words he couldn’t yet understand. 

But he understood. 

People often do very irrational things when they are upset. 

Though he wished that the pain these episodes caused could be less…impactful. 

Every time something like this happened it would leave another traumatic scar on Starscream’s psyche. 

But he knew better. It was his fault for hoping so much and getting so comfortable in the first place. 

However, although his new sire and carrier did seem to like him, they were a little cold. Distant even. He should have seen it coming. It was too good to be true. 

He had to be more vigilant from now on. 

Starscream let a rush of air escape his vents - a sneeze. Shaking his helm the seeker glanced over at the distressed femme. 

She could have been acting on behalf of his new caretakers…but then again, her actions spoke of remorse. She wouldn’t have left him. Not really. 

Though for a moment there he really did think she would abandon him. 

Maybe she wanted him? Or maybe she’s just sad?

Starscream didn’t know, but for now, he had to help her. She was not in a good state. She needs comfort more than he does. 

His bio-carrier did the same to him multiple times before finally leaving him and his brothers to his sire. He always knew when they didn’t mean it.

This was the same.

He knew in his spark the femme didn’t mean it. 

As the two-wheeler continued to sob, Starscream continued to wipe away her tears and tried his best to ignore the numbness in his wings. 

If they didn’t find shelter soon the seeker would soon start to freeze to death. 

Starscream shuddered at the thought. Something about the cold always made him uneasy. 

As Arcee continued to sob and struggle to catch her breath, Starscream snuggled into her chest - trying to keep warm. 

The seeker would whisper words of encouragement and calm, both for himself and for his “sister.”

After what seemed like an eternity, Arcee started to calm down. Slowly becoming aware of her surroundings as she lay in the mud. 

Her vision was blurred and her helm hurt. What happened? 

A sorry-sounding squeak got her attention. 

“Wha?” 

Snuggled up against her chest and trying his best to stay warm was the reason why she was in this mess in the first place. 

“Starscream,” Arcee coughed. 

The little seeker chirped at the sound of his name, “Aye!” 

“Little brat…” Arcee mumbled with a puff from her vents, “Why can’t I get rid of you? You took something away from me and invaded my home. So why? Why can’t I just avenge my partner?” 

Starscream sneezed and fluttered his wings, sending droplets of water into Arcee’s face. The two-wheeler of course was not amused and growled quietly as she wiped her own face and flicked the water back at the seeker. 

Starscream squeaked at the action and buried his face into the two-wheeler's chest.

“What the? Hey, get out of there! I’m not your snuggle buddy!” Arcee blanched, moving the seeker away from her as she sat up and looked around. 

“Scrap,” Arcee groaned to herself, “I’m so stupid. The groundbridge closed.” 

After many incidents, specifically with the kids, Ratchet installed a failsafe program into the main computer, one that would close the Groundbridge automatically when it remained idle for more than twenty-two minutes. From what Arcee could see on her HUD, she’d been out here for forty-five. 

“Damn,” Arcee cursed under her breath, pinching the space between her optics, “I’m such a fragging idiot.” 

Why did she always act without thinking? 

Now If she wanted to get back to base she would need to call in and share her location. Something that she was actively trying not to do. Arcee didn’t want anyone to know exactly what she was doing. With good reason. 

Now she’ll have to face the consequences of her foolish actions. Face her team. And her Prime. 

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. 

How can she be so - 

“Ow!” Arcee yelped as she felt something sharp dig into her thigh, “What the?” 

Looking down, Arcee’s jaw fell open. That little son of a - 

Comfortably settled on her lap and kneading away at her armor was Starscream. 

When the hell did he get there?

“What are you doing?” the two-wheeler sneered, glaring back down at the seeker, his tiny little claws pinching her protoform, “That hurts you little glitch, stop that!” 

Starscream let out a little whine as he continued to knead, squinting up at the two-wheeler, squeaking out some gibberish, Arcee could not understand.

“Huh?” Arcee blinked.

“Ngaru lu fpom srak, tsumuke? Oo feehl bettah?” the seeker asked again, tilting his helm while patting the two-wheeler’s knee in a gesture of goodwill. 

“tsal lu alright. Kea cry,” Starscream chirped, “Kea cry.” 

As if Arcee could understand his nonsensical babbling.

“Kea cry,” the seeker repeated, “kea aggro.” 

“Aggro? That - Wait…Are…Are you seriously trying to comfort me?” Arcee scoffed, “You think acting all cute and sweet will work on me ? Come on, you can’t fool me you manipulative slag, I know you are still in there,” she hissed, pointing an accusing digit at the seeker, “You can fool Optimus and the others but you can’t fool me! I know you! I know the second we all put our guard down, you’ll do something. You may have fooled the others but I know who you are! You are a -” 

As Arcee continued to gesticulate and rant, Starscream began to tune her out. 

After a few minutes, it was obvious that the seeker was not even remotely close to being interested in whatever it was that Arcee was yelling about. 

Starscream was too busy sucking on his knuckle and doing his best not to flutter his wings in an effort to remove the cold water droplets that had settled there.

As much as Starscream enjoyed bathing in water, this water was too cold and there was way too much dirt and mud coating his frame. It made him itchy.

However, the two-wheeler didn’t seem to like that he had accidentally sprayed her the last time he fluttered and he didn’t want to be scolded again.

But he really, really, really needed to shake this water off.

But if he does that, he'll upset the two-wheeler.

But its wet and cold. 

What a very uncomfortable and challenging predicament. 

Starscream whined loudly in frustration as his wings twitched involuntarily, prompting him to knead at Arcee’s thigh again for comfort. 

“Are you even listening to me?!” 

“Uh?” Starscream squeaked, looking up at Arcee confused. Oh no, did he mess up? What was she upset about now? 

“I’m talking to you and you’re just ignoring me - what do you have to say for yourself?” Arcee shouted. 

Starscream’s optics began to well up with tears as he cowered under the femme's intense gaze. Wings pressed tightly together. 

“Speak!” Arcee barked, prompting the seeker to audibly hiccup and click in distress. 

Arcee’s expression involuntarily softened as the seeker cried. 

“Oh come on don’t cry,” the femme groaned, pinching the space between her optics again. 

“Are you really faking or are you being for real right now?” Arcee asked, her angry tone wavering.

Starscream sniffled. 

“You…You don’t understand what I’m saying do you?” Arcee asked, her anger visibly deflating, “Say something, anything at all? Can you understand me?” 

Starscream’s answer was to give her a teary-eyed look before sucking on his knuckle again and churring what she interpreted to be nonsense and broken neocybex.

"Well come on say something!" Arcee shouted, transforming her servo into a blaster and sticking it in front of the little seeker's face, "I know you're in there, you're a liar and a manipulative little turborat! Come on! Speak!" 

Starscream's only answe was to cover his audials and hiccup. 

Arcee growled and shot at a nearby tree in frustration, cursing and gnashing her denta, "Primus - Fragging...Come on, please! Just say something! Anything!"

A flash of lightning lit up the night sky as a deafening boom immediately followed. 

Arcee yelped and crouched low to the ground as the little seeker screamed and leaped onto her pede, burying his little face into the femme's shin guard.

"That was too close for comfort," Arcee whispered before looking down at the clearly overwhelmed sparkling hanging on to her pede, "You're not really there...Are you?" 

Starscream whimpered and shivered, his little wings fluttering again and flinging water droplets about. 

“Slag it all. Look at me, arguing with a sparkling of all things,” Arcee quietly and bitterly  laughed, her spark suddenly feeling very burdened, “I’m so dumb,” she sniffed angrily, “I fragged up royally and I’m taking it out on a sparkling of all things. I don’t know what to do. You really don’t understand me Starscream?” 

Starscream gave the two-wheeler a watery smile, as her anger fizzled into something dissappointing and sad.

Slowly the two-wheeler let herself fall back into a sitting position, ignoring the literal pain in her aft in favor of appearing vournerable. 

Starscream moved in what she hoped would be an attack. Instead the little creature just jumped onto her lap. The seeker sneezed as he cuddled up to her again, kneading away at Arcee's thigh. His little claws pinched but they didn't harm the protoform. He was not being malicious. Just trying to comfort himself in the few ways he knew how.

This included latching on to someone, even though they did not like him.

This time the two-wheeler didn’t even try to stop him or try to further interrogate him. She was too mentally and emotionally exhausted.

“Holy spilth,” Arcee said with an angry sigh before looking up at the sky, "I'm so stupid." 

It was still cloudy and the rain was a steady drizzle now.

Whatever she wanted to see or perceive at the moment. It wasn’t there. It was gone. 

The creature cuddling up to her, the monster she wanted to kill and take vengeance on was not Starscream. Not really. Starscream was gone. 

All that was left was this small and helpless sparkling and her bitter resentment. 

“I hate you,” Arcee mumbled while glaring up at the heavens, knowing full well that Starscream would most likely ignore her statement.  Whether it was because he didn’t care and was playing the long con or didn’t understand, she didn’t know. Arcee just needed to get that statement out there, because it made her feel better. Even though deep down she knew, the seeker did not and will not understand her plight. 

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive you or get over this grief," the femme continued, "I wanted to have some form of justice - some way to get even with you. And now this? What am I supposed to do, just accept it? I can't!" Arcee shouted to the skies. 

"I can't just accept that you may be gone, that I'm being dumb and selfish and out of line by bringing you out here to die of starvation. FRAG! I don't even know if you're just really good at acting and are just waiting for and opportunity. Well here I am!"

Arcee growled and spread her arms wide, exposing her chassis and neck cables, "Do it! Take me down! Or is Megatron's lapdog too much of a coward?" 

Sparkling babbles, chirps, and squeaks. 

Arcee lowered her arms and stared at the little seeker on her lap. Her spark heavy.

"But you’re not in there are you?” Arcee asked the seeker while poking a wing, “You're not you...?”

Starscream’s wing flicked at the light touch, causing the little seeker’s face to scrunch up. 

Arcee silently huffed in amusement at the seeker’s expression. Arcee hated to admit it, but something about this skinny little sparkling was endearing. Sparklings in general are always endearing. With their chubby cheeks and large optics. 

“Damn you, Starscream,” Arcee chuckled bitterly, "Frag you. Frag you for doing this to me." 

Poking Starscream’s wing again Arcee jumped in surprise when the seeker let out an irritated whine. “Keeee!” Starscream fluttered his wings rapidly, sprinkling water everywhere.

Arcee was not as amused. 

With a frustrated grunt, the two-wheeler wiped away the water from her face. Not that it did anything. It was still raining. 

She glared at the little seeker. Her processor racing with a curse filled eulogy at the memory of what Starscream was less than a day ago. The two-wheeler spent several moments fantasizing about what she would do, what she would say.

And finally she began to think of all the posibilities, emotions and consequences. 

The consequences of what she did this night. 

The femme cycled some air and let the tears fall again. 

“I’m sorry, little one. I’m sorry I hurt you this way and acted like a total glitch. Ratchet is right. I do act before I can think,” Arcee sniffed, petting the seeker’s head for a moment before picking him up and bringing him close to her chest, “You don’t deserve that. At least not right now. I never should have brought you out here, and I never should have intended to leave you here.”

Starscream squeaked in surprise and clung to the two-wheeler’s armor as she got up to stand.

“Too late now,” Arcee said while clearing her intake, “But don’t think I will let things slide. I still haven’t forgiven you, Starscream. I just decided not to kill you while you’re this helpless. While you aren’t… you , I guess. I may be stupid and impulsive, but I’m not a monster. I’ll get better,” she said with a resolute nod.

“We’ll figure it out once things go back to the way they were. For now, truce. Deal?” Arcee huffed, poking Starscream’s cheek with a digit, "As far as I know, the old you is dead."

Starscream squeaked and made a face as Arcee continued to poke his cheek, “Tsumuke!” he squealed, leaning away “Kehe, tsumuke!” 

Arcee rolled her optics and bit the inside of her cheek in an effort to stifle a smile, “I’ll take that as a yes,” she mumbled, “Well if we’re calling a truce. I can’t really call you Starscream, now can I? It’s too weird. So what do I call you, you little tyke?”

Starscream squealed as Arcee continued to poke his cheeks, “Wai!” he clicked, batting away the femme's finger before hiding his face on Arcee’s palm. 

Arcee snorted in an effort to stifle a chuckle, “Ok, drama queen. How about Star, for now, since the scream part hasn’t kicked in yet.” 

The seeker shot up and sneezed in response. 

“Star it is then,” Arcee sighed, “Come on. It’s been a long night. Maybe we can make it before the others realize we’re gone.” 

Checking her HUD, Arcee planned the fastest route to home base.

The Rescue Bots we're near by, maybe she could use thier space bridge real quick. 

Satisfied, the two-wheeler guided the seeker onto her shoulder.

“Come on kid, let’s go home.” 

“Aw, leaving so soon?” 

Arcee gasped as she heard the charge up of a blaster cannon, “Scrap!” she hissed under her breath, taking out her blaster and  covering Star with a servo, stifling his surprised squeak.  If they discovered him or if they captured him now, Arcee would be in even greater trouble. 

“Now what do we have here?” Breakdown hummed, “Ahh the two-wheeler, long time no ‘Cee.” 

“Wow,” Arcee said, giving Breakdown a dead-pan look, her blaster humming to life as she took aim, “How long did it take for you to come up with that one?”

“Ouch, so salty,” Breakdown chided with a tsk,“Didn’t your Prime teach you to appreciate good humor?” 

“Not really, Prime’s aren’t exactly into humor,” Arcee scoffed, slowly inching away from Breakdown’s approach, “And you’re not that humorous to begin with.” 

“Megatron would disagree with you but then again, they say humor is a sign of intelligence,” Breakdown shrugged, “I guess you and your precious Prime aren’t that smart to begin with -” 

“Listen here you overused exhaust pipe -” Arcee hissed as Breakdown laughed. 

“Breakdown stop toying with the prisoner.” 

Arcee cursed under her breath as looked over her shoulder. Behind her was none other than Dreadwing, with a chain gun aimed at her back. 

“Put away your weapon,” Dreadwing ordered,“And don’t try to act coy, I heard you speaking to someone. Who else is out here with you? Prime’s little scout? Or your human pet perhaps?”

Arcee tried her best to keep her features schooled and silently prayed to Primus that Star would remain quiet and still. Desperately keeping pressure on him, she could already feel the little seeker shifting under her servo and trying to peek his little helm out, “keep still,” she whispered desperately, trying to ignore the pain of Star’s little claws digging into her shoulder.

“I said put away your weapon,” Dreadwing growled, thunder roaring in the distance, “Don’t make this difficult.”

Arcee’s optics kept darting between Dreadwing and Breakdown, desperately looking for some means of escape,“We don’t have to do this. I’m not even out here on a mission - I just wanted fresh air. Let me go and I’ll look the other way on whatever you two are doing.” 

“Not a chance sister,” Breakdown chuckled, “We both know you’d never do that if it was the other way around. Now, be a good girl and put away your weapon. Now,” he said menacingly, “Or we’ll blast you down.” 

Arcee swallowed and tried her best not to panic as Star started to audibly complain, “Please,” Arcee pleaded both for Star to remain quiet and for the ‘Cons to let her go. It’s not like she could just transform and put some metal to the pedal. There was no way Star would be able to hang on to her without falling off or even be protected if these two mechs decided to shoot at them. At least she had one advantage, they believed she wasn’t alone. 

“No negotiating. Surrender now  and I may spare your human pet, I know you have him,” Dreadwing growled, “So be reasonable and stand down. Before I lose my patience Auto-” 

“Kee?” 

Arcee cringed as Star squeaked, his little helm finally poking through her digits, “Damn.” 

“Holy Scrap! What is that?!” Breakdown yelped, “How - Did you get busy?!”

“Nawm tsa-sempul io ayoe,” Dreadwing whispered, optics wide and wings flaring. 

“Kxì!” Star chirped, enthusiastically waving at Dreadwing, the older mech flinched in surprise and dropped his chaingun, wings suddenly dropping. 

“Lieutenant!” Breakdown cried, concerned for the large seeker, his aim suddenly dropping.
They were distracted. 

At that moment Arcee saw her opportunity - and she wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth, “OPTIMUS!!!” she screamed, running as quickly as she could away from the two cons and shooting behind her. 

“What the - Stop her!” 

“Keep an eye out for Prime! I’ll get her -” 

Arcee ran as fast as her pedes could take her, her shoulder and audial hurt as she felt Star tense his claws and scream in fear at the sudden noise and movement, “Hang on, kid!” she shouted, dashing through the trees as the rain decided to pick up again. Blurring her vision and muddying up the forest’s uneven ground, Arcee tried her best to keep her footing while dodging Dreadwing. She could hear his pede-steps loudly thumping behind her - catching up. 

“Scrap, scrap, scrap!” Arcee hissed, desperation clinging to her spark.

“You can’t run from me, woman! I cannot be fooled that easily!” Dreadwing shouted, sprinting after Arcee with righteous fury, “I know your Prime is not here you liar!” 

Arcee cursed repeatedly, weaving through the trees as her vision started to blur due to the rain, branches snapping against her armor and the heavy thumps of pedes closing in behind her. 

“Primus please,” Arcee begged as she felt Dreadwing’s claws swipe at her back, the very tips of his claws nearly scratching into her spinal struts. He missed his target. Good.
She could hear Dreadwing loudly screaming in anger, the sound causing her audials to ring and for Star to shriek in utter fear and confusion. 

Thinking that she had been able to get some distance away from the large seeker, a burning hot static swiped against her leg from the side - A blaster shot. 

“PIT!” Arcee yelped, as her leg burned and armor charred. She barely noticed Breakdown coming in from the side, his blaster cannon aimed straight at her. Arcee willed her legs to move faster but in her lack of concentration, she barely noticed that she had run onto uneven ground. 

The sudden drop caused Arcee to gasp loudly, the ground rushing in to meet her. Thinking quickly she pulled Star to her chest and braced herself. 

Arcee could feel her left shoulder and winglet crack as she landed on the hard ground. Sharp, burning pain radiated into her side and raced through her neck and collar. Arcee couldn’t help the pained sobs that bubbled past her derma, “Oh - Oh Primus, pits, pits, pits,” Arcee cried as she tried to sit up and nurse her now sparking shoulder. 

Arcee swallowed a sob as she felt something hitting her abdomen. Star was squawking and chittering madly, in her lap, “Rahn!”Star cried, “Tsumuke, Tul - Rahn, RAHN!”  

He was unharmed, but by the trembling of his wings and the desperation in his optics, Arcee could tell that Star was essentially telling her to get up and run. 

“Star -” Arcee managed to choke out before the sound of a powered up blaster interrupted her. Arcee tensed and looked back to see Dreadwing and Bulkhead, looming above her and Star while aiming their weapons at her helm.

Baring her denta, Arcee raised her right arm to transform her blaster - Only for Breakdown to shoot out a blast in warning, singing Arcees forearm. 

Arcee cried out in pain as she turned away from the two mechs, and hunched over Star, “Frag,” she cursed, her gaze darting between the frightened seeker in her lap and the sizzling scorch mark where the blaster shot landed. Star made a sad sound as the two-wheeler trembled. 

Next time Breakdown wouldn’t miss. 

“Frag,” Arcee, hiccuped, her shoulders slumping as she lowered her helm.

Arcee knew she had been beaten.  

Breakdown and Dreadwing looked at each other for a moment as Arcee’s shoulders slumped. No one had to say anything.

Both mechs knew they had won. 

Breakdown made a motion with his helm, signaling to Dreadwing to go ahead and approach. 

Dreadwing didn’t need to be told twice. 

“Show me what you’re hiding,” Dreadwing barked, his wings flaring as thunder boomed above them. 

“Don’t hurt him,” Arcee hiccuped as Dreadwing stepped down into the ditch where she had fallen. Arcee shifted and hunched over in a last ditch effort to protect whatever she was carrying from harm.

Breakdown frowned at the display and growled, “Don’t resist, two-wheeler.” 

“Please, I’m sorry - Just don’t hurt him! No, no - Please!” Arcee sobbed as she tried and failed to stop Dreadiwng’s approach. Helplessly clawing at his frame, Arcee wailed helplessly as the Larger seeker pushed her back and picked up something no cybertronian had seen in centuries. 

Breakdown let out a vent he didn’t know he was holding and let his jaw drop at the sight, “Holy father of Solus,” he whispered, optics wide.

 Spitting, hissing and flailing in Dreadwing’s grip was a very small and very angry Sparkling. 

The creature let out a loud squeal and flailed angrily as Dreadwing lifted it up to optic level.  

Growling, the sparkling spat and swiped angrily in Dreadwing’s direction, glaring with every ounce of intimidation it could muster, denta bared and little wings flaring. 

No one had seen a sparkling in centuries, not since long before the war. 

Dreadwing let out a wheezing breath of disbelief before breaking into a booming laugh. Not a malicious cackle or a crazed maniacal laughter, but one of joy and relief. 

“Nawm Olo'Eyktan io ayoe,” Dreadwing said reverently in a language Breakdown could not understand.  

Seeker-cant.

“Lieutenant?” Breakdown asked, worried, confused and awestruck as Dreadwing’s wings started to tremble, “Lieutenant are you alright?” 

It was rare for a cybertronian to speak outside of local planetary linguistics- If Dreadwing was speaking, let alone in his native tongue…

“Primus Magnus Pater, beati sumus cum puero!” Dreadwing cried out, “beatus sentio metallico, beatus scinfanti!” 

Breakdown gasped as he heard his mother tongue spoken. He had forgotten how wonderful hearing his own language was. 

Now to a human, all this noise would be considered nonsense. A mixture of low and high tones mixed into various incomprehensible sounds incapable of being made by anything human or earthly. 

But to Breakdown and Arcee, neocybex was as clear and as comprehensible as glass. 

Great Father Primus, we are blessed with a child! Blessed living metal, blessed child!

Chapter Text

Northern Appalachian/Acadian Forest - State of ME

2:05 A.M. 

Great Father Primus, we are blessed with a child! Blessed living metal, blessed child!

.

.
Her spark was pulsing too loud. 

While trying to catch her breath, Arcee could hear her spark beating in her audials. Rapidly pulsing and muffling the rain and distant thunder, along with Star’s irritated growls and hisses. 

She had screwed up, big time. 

Never in her thousand years of living did the two-wheeler feel this afraid. 

‘What in the pits do I do?’ Arcee thought to herself, ‘Primus help me,’ she prayed, her breath catching in her intake as Dreadwing brought Star close to his chest, inspecting the little seeker thoroughly.  

Wings and claws. 

Then denta, which caused the little seeker to yowl loudly as his jaw was forced open.

“STOP! Leave him alone! Please! Do what you want with me but let him go!” Arcee shouted, struggling to get up from the mud, “He’s done nothing to you and he doesn’t know anything, please just give him back!” 

“Stay down, two-wheeler!” Breakdown growled, his fist forming into a hammer, “Don’t make me tell you twice!”

Arcee cursed quietly to herself as she knelt back down into the mud, willing her spark to calm down as Star hissed and yelled nonsense at the larger seeker. 

‘Damn it Starscream,’ Arcee cringed internally, forgetting that Starscream - Star… Star had very little sense of self preservation. Sparkling or not, the decepticons would not hesitate to harm him. Dreadwing was no exception, he was still dangerous.

As Star continued to squawk and click angrily Dreadwing began to click and chuff. The larger seekers' voice was harsh, deep and commanding.

Fearing for the worst, Arcee adjusted herself, bringing her knee up to stand and pounce if she needed to.

“Don’t even  think about it,” Breakdown warned, “I’ll be on you before you could even make it to the Lieutenant.” 

Arcee gave Breakdown a sideways look, “Bet,” she said quietly, not changing her stance.

Breakdown growled and revved his engine.

But Arcee did not budge.

She was determined to fight tooth and nail for that sparkling. Not just to preserve her own spark but the little one’s as well.

All Arcee needed was the right time.

“Primus help me,” she whispered.

Dreadwing smiled as he looked down at the smaller seeker in his servos. As if the little one was some sort of treasure.

He was transfixed.

“Hello, newspark,” Dreadwing greeted, his voice quiet and gentle as it contained an air of awe.

Star however, was not amused. Not in the slightest. Instead, he was distressed and wanted very much to be put down. 

Against his better judgment the little seeker looked up to glare at the larger seeker. 

“How did you come to be, little one?” Dreadwing said breathlessly. 

Star responded by growling and swinging his claws at Dreadwing’s faceplates. 

“Relax,” Dreadwing said firmly, pinching a spot between Star’s wings.

Star loudly squealed as his frame involuntarily went limp. 

Turning Star around to inspect the little seeker’s claws, Dreadwing’s digits carefully put pressure on Star’s servo, forcing the little seeker’s claws to flex. 

“Kehe!” Star spat, trying in vain to pull away and while exposing his fangs at the larger seeker. 

Dreadwing couldn’t help but chuckle at the action.

“There, there, little spark,” Dreadwing cooed, “He is a feisty little fellow, aren't you? Come, now open up. Let me see your fangs, little one.” 

Carefully, Dreadwing squished Star’s jaw with his thumb and forefinger, forcing it open and exposing the little seekers denta and fangs. 

Not enjoying the treatment or the pain that came with it, Star yowled. 

The loud cry caused  Arcee to panic and yell before being pushed back to the ground by Breakdown. 

“Rä'ä 'ampi oe! Oe frìp nga!” Star hissed, snapping his denta at Dreadwing’s digits while his wings flared and shook. 

Do not touch me! I’ll bite you!

Dreadwing chuckled at the little seeker’s threat, “Oe rä'ä txopu nga, 'eveng ,” he purred, his wings bobbing up and down in a mirthful display.   

I do not fear you, child. 

Star’s demeanor immediately changed, “...pesu lu nga?”  he asked, his little face serious. 

Who are you? 

“Drewa’n,” Dreadwing said with a chuff, feeling a little pride at speaking his name in Seekercant, “Ulte Oe lu a 'eylan, a 'eylan nìt'iluke.”

And I am a friend, a friend forever. 

Star stared up at the large seeker, optics narrowed in suspicion and caution. 

He was angry.

Initially he was excited to meet another mechs. He thought the big seeker and pirate would be friendly.

However, his excitement quickly died when he realized that his sister did not like them at all. 

They were bad.

She was right to run. 

because now his sister is distressed and is being bullied by the big pirate it seemed. 

And this Drewa'n or Dreadwing.

Something about him is...off.

Despite being a seeker and knowing his tongue, Star did not trust this Dreadwing. 

Something about him seemed familiar, and that familiarity made Star uneasy. 

Despite identifying himself, Dreadwing was invasive and proddy. People who prod are inspectors, and inspectiors are bad. 

They would inspect and then take away. 

And Star knew better than to speak openly to a stranger.

And although he knew he had done something wrong, Star knew his sister would try and defend him. No one will take him away from his sister or his new family. 

He just had to behave. 

Thankfully, Star knew exactly what to do in these moments. 

Stay quiet. 

“Don’t even think about it. I’ll be on you before you could even make it to the Lieutenant.” 

“Bet.” 

Breakdown revved his engine in warning at the two-wheeler.

“Enough, Breakdown,” Dreadwing grunted, “Don’t agitate her more than what we need to.”

Breakdown made a displeased noise as he eased off, “Fine.”

Dreadwing humphed before turning his attention to the muddy two-wheeler currently kneeling on the muddy ground.

Primus, she was young. 

“I have many questions for you, Child,” Dreadwing stated, a frown on his face as held on to the struggling sparkling in his servos. 

Arcee’s optics narrowed, her derma pressed into a tight line.

“However,” Dreadwing continued, pushing an irritated  puff of air through his vents,“The most pressing question at the moment would be the following.” 

Arcee quietly gasped as Dreadwing knelt before her and looked into her optics. Her spark pulsed faster as Star squeaked and tried to reach out to her, only to be stopped by the larger seeker’s servo.

“Why are you really here?” Dreadwing asked, “where did this sparkling come from?”

Arcee felt her anger flare up again, “I don’t have to explain myself to you,” she answered. 

“Hey!” Breakdown shouted, smacking the femme on the back of the helm with a servo, “Watch the attitude.”

“Breakdown,” Dreadwing sighed.

“What?” Breakdown asked irritatedly, “We need to show her we’re serious. Either she tells the truth or she gets it.”

Dreadwing groaned and let out a long vent. Trying his best not to chide the stunticon too much. 

“Besides, how do we know this isn’t some elaborate Autobot trick?” Breakdown huffed, “Are you sure it’s not some kind of minicon or drone, Lieutenant?”

Dreadwing let out an irritated sigh, “Negative. I know a sparkling when I see one,” he replied,  before looking back down at Arcee’s muddy form.

“Child,” Dreadwing said, his voice firm as his claws scratched the underside of Star’s chin, much to the little seeker’s irritation, “ Who is he? What is he to you?”

“Leave him alone,” Arcee repeated, “If you’re going to harm him -”

“You truly believe I would harm this child?” Dreadwing asked angrily, his wings flaring, “Do you not know who I am two-wheeler? What I am ?”

Arcee growled, “You are a Decepticon.”

“Functionalist fool! I am a seeker! ” Dreadwing shouted, causing Star to cover his audials with his servos.

“You Autobots are truly ignorant, and you call yourselves defenders of cybertronian kind without truly knowing it’s people!” 

Arcee and Breakdown jumped at Dreadwing’s shout, a clap of thunder booming in the distance.  

“I cannot and will not go against my programming or instincts. It is Primus’ will,  it is how all seekers are made! As a Seeker I am bound to protect and provide, to go against my programming would mean to choose death or insanity!”  Dreadwing hissed, “To harm the young, especially the innocent, is a sin .” 

Arcee stared wide-opticed and fearful at the large seeker. Derma trembling, she couldn’t bring herself to speak. 

Shit.

She was so screwed. 

Noticing the two-wheeler's distress, Dreadwing lowered his wings and shook his helm, “Forgive me, to frighten you even further was not my intention.  I may be your enemy, but I am no monster. I will not harm this newspark, Child.” 

With a semi-relieved sigh, Arcee finally managed to move her glossa, “Then let him go. Let us go and I promise we won't be any trouble.” 

“No,” Dreadwing said, his voice serious as he looked down at the sparkling in his servos, “Not until you answer. Who is he?” 

Arcee tensed up at the question momentarily. 

Thinking quickly, Arcee squared her shoulders, “He’s mine ,” she finally growled.

Dreadwing’s brows shot up as Breakdown let out a snort. 

“Wow Arcee,” Breakdown scoffed, “I never thought you had it in you, I guess congratulations are in order.”

“Frag off,” Arcee spat, her  gaze fixed between Dreadwing and the smaller seeker in his servos, “I demand that you give me my sparkling back.”

“I cannot allow that, Child,” Dreadwing asserted, "You may play the part of a concerned carrier convincingly but I will not release him. Not until I know you are being truthful and that this sparkling is truly safe. If you refuse to comply I will be forced to take him.”

“Absolutely not!” Arcee shouted, getting up to stand, “You take him from me and I’ll -” 

“Hey!” Breakdown shouted, grabbing Arcee’s arm and forcing her back onto the muddy ground, “Stay down!” 

Landing on her knee’s Arcee grunted, “I swear to Primus, Breakdown. I will -”

“Can it sister,” Breakdown barked, squeezing Arcee’s arm with his servo to the point of causing pain, “Don’t be stupid.” 

Arcee cursed under her breath again in frustration. She couldn't find it in her to even argue as the feeling of defeat washed over her again. 

“Why are you two outhere, alone in the rain and in the middle of the night?” Dreadwing rumbled, slowly trying to connect the dots in his mind, “Are you running away from something or someone?” 

Arcee stubbornly kept her mouth shut. 

After a long pause of silence Dreadwing rolled his optics and drawled, “Although it is plausible. The possibility of you being this newspark’s mentor is certainly unlikely.” 

Arcee balked at the statement, “He is mine.” 

“Child, I know this sparkling is not your spawn,” Dreadwing huffed, his wings twitching in irritation, “Your former partner was a grounder , and last I checked - two grounders cannot make a seeker sparkling, and he” Dreadwing continued, motioning to the little seeker in his servos, “he is a seeker.”  

Arcee cursed under her breath and mentally kicked herself for thinking she could successfully pass Star off as her own. With vehicons maybe her plan would have worked. With Breakdown, maybe, he wasn’t the sharpest tool in the toolbox. Dreadwing on the other hand, was intelligent and knowledgeable.

She needed to think of something quick. Something plausible and believable. Unless…

Arcee internally cringed at the idea, but she had to go through and swallow her pride if she was going to survive this mess and return Star to the base. Hopefully Dreadwing will buy it. 

“He is very small. However, his denta and wingspan indicate that he is at least a few millennia old,” Dreadwing spoke, looking down at Arcee while cradling the frustrated but calm sparkling to his chest, “Too old to be recently forged. Even his protoform has hardened and been equipped with armor. ”

“A Seeker ?” Breakdown scoffed incredulously, “A seeker sparkling? Here? On Earth? Psssh - That seems unlikely.” 

Dreadwing hummed in agreement as he stared at Star, his wings twitching, “Are there more seekers on this planet that we’re unaware of?” 

Breakdown shook his helm, “Other than the seeker drones, I don’t think so. The only remaining seekers in action on this planet are you and ol’ Screamer. Though I don’t think any of you have had any action since we arrived on this planet.” 

“Breakdown,” Dreadwing chided, while making a noise of disapproval, “Don’t be vulgar.”

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” Breakdown laughed while he clicked his denta, “But in all seriousness. We don’t have any other active seekers or reports of new mechs arriving on this planet. Last I knew, we didn’t even have any reports of anything foreign or sentient entering this planet's atmosphere.” 

“You’re wrong.” 

Dreadwing blinked and returned his attention to the two-wheeler, “Come again?” 

“You’re wrong,” Arcee repeated, “he is mine.”

“Child stop -”

“Stop calling me child!” Acee shouted, interrupting Dreadwing, “I know you may think it unlikely, but I am capable of making mistakes. I lost two partners, Dreadwing. I was lonely and now this sparkling is my consequence.”

Despite trying to subdue her fears Arcee felt tears gather in her optics, “He is mine,” she insisted, “Look at him and you’ll see my mistake.” 

Dreadwing’s jaw loosened and dropped at the two-wheelers implication, “You…” he hesitated, “You don’t mean to imply that one of our own could be -” 

“I am his carrier,” Arcee spoke with conviction, “I am sure you can guess who is the Sire.” 

A long silence engulfed the group.  Save for Stars little chirrs of concern and the rain, all three mechs remained quiet.

“The Sire,” Dreadwing said slowly, “Is a Decepticon?”

“Yeah right,”  Breakdown scoffed, unbelieving, letting go of Arcee’s arm to go and take  a closer look at the little sparkling.

“Holy primus, she’s right,” the stunticon chuckled, “The little guy doesn’t even look like anyone else on your team.”

Star glared up at Breakdown, growling audibly as his little wings flared.

“He looks oddly familiar,” Breakdown hummed, “Hey ‘Cee, if this is true, that would only make you the biggest hypocrite on this planet. Did you really merge with someone from our ranks? Who?”

Arcee glared up at Breakdown defiantly, “Frag you. I don’t owe you any of that information.” 

“Frag you too,” Breakdown chuckled, pinching Arcee’s chin playfully before shoving her back. 

Star cried out in distress at seeing Arcee fall back. Dreadwing quickly shushed the little one, carefully stroking Star’s helm to calm him. 

“Son of a -” Arcee cursed, as she landed on her aft, “You disgusting spikeheaded slagheap!” 

“Careful now, there is a sparkling present,” Breakdown teased. 

“Enough,” Dreadwing commanded, “You’re scaring the sparkling!”

“She started it,” Breakdown mumbled under his breath. 

“What was that?” 

“Nothing!” Breakdown said quickly. 

Dreadwing contemplated for a moment, weighing all the information he had just received  before making his decision. 

With a resolute nod, Dreadwing flicked his wings and made his choice “Breakdown, call for a groundbridge.” 

Arcee froze as the sudden weight of dread and panic filled her tank. 

No. 

No. No. No. No - 

“You - You can’t take him!” Arcee cried, “He’s mine!”

“You have tried my patience for long enough,” Dreadwing growled, “And due to the uncertainty of all the information you have given us and your unwillingness to cooperate. I’ll be taking the sparkling into my custody.” 

“Maybe we should just leave her and take the sparkling back to the ship,” Breakdown suggested, causing Arcee’s vents to hitch, “Have Knockout run some CNA tests.”

“Please,” Arcee said quietly, her optics wide as she looked at Dreadwing, “Please, give him back.”

“Why should we? No one has seen a sparkling in centuries,” Breakdown chuckled, “ I’m sure everyone back on the Nemesis will get a kick out of seeing the little guy.”

Walking a little aways from the others, Breakdown turned on his comm, “This is Breakdown to operative one, we need a groundbridge to our current location.” 

Arcee looked over at Dreadwing pleading, “If you are truly a mech of honor you wouldn’t take a sparkling away from their mentor! You wouldn’t take him from me and put him in danger! If you take him to Megatron he’ll die! I know there is no room for weakness in the Nemesis - Please!” 

“Child,” Dreadwing sighed, “I have already made my decision. Above anything else, his chances of survival are greater on the nemesis than here in the forest with you. Primus has given us a gift. I will not squander it.” 

Arcee could feel the tears fall before she could even do anything about it. She could feel her spark pulsing and vents opening, cycling air faster and faster. 

She could barely hear what Dreadwing was telling her. 

“I pray that you are telling the truth. The consequences that will come if you are not -” 

“Lieutenant - We need to get out of here, right now! ”

“Breakdown?” 

“I can’t get a signal - it’s all static! Grab the sparkling, we need to go! They’re coming!” 

“Who?”

“M.E.C.H.!”

Chapter Text

“Ready your weapons!” Dreadwing ordered, drawing his sword while clutching the sparkling to his chest, “We must protect the sparkling at all costs!” 

Said sparkling let out a series of protesting squeaks at the sudden man-handling, “Kehe!” Star hissed, clawing at Dreadwing’s servo. 

“No!” Breakdown said desperately, feeling panic rise at the sound of approaching engines, “They’re not like normal humans! They hunt people like us!” 

“Dreadwing please - my sparkling,” Arcee begged, feeling more and more desperation as the sound of engines drew near, “They’ll take my sparkling!” 

“Calm yourself two-wheeler,” Dreadwing growled, “I will not let anything happen to the child. Breakdown, ready your weapons. Watch my back.” 

Breakdown’s denta ground together as bright headlights came into view, the sound of helicopters and electric nets sending shivers down his spinal struts. 

“Forgive me, Lieutenant,” Breakdown said solemnly, “But I will not join you in this fight.” 

Directing his gaze to Arcee, Breakdown made sure to look at the femme in the optic and make his message clear. 

“Run.” 

Arcee did not need to be told twice. 

As Breakdown transformed, Arcee sprung into action, throwing a punch at Dreadwing’s shocked faceplates with all her might. 

Disoriented, the large seeker’s hold on the sparkling faltered. 

Taking advantage, Arcee grabbed her prize and ran as fast as her pedes could take her. 

“Take them down! Take them down!” 

Arcee could hear the sound of engines behind her, and the outraged cry of “Cowards!” from Dreadwing.

She didn’t care. All she needed to do at the moment was to get away. She needed to get away.

She needed to take Star home. 

From the corner of her optic Arcee could see Breakdown’s form driving away into the forest as a series of lights followed after. She could hear the stunticon blaring his horn. 

Breakdown was luring MECH away. 

In her spark, Arcee admired the mech. She may not like the ‘Con, but she will always be grateful that he was not a truly evil mech. 

“Thank you, Breakdown,” She panted as she ran, clutching a very irritated and frightened sparkling to her chest, the sound of choppers and engines growing louder behind her. 

“This is Arcee to base! I need a ground bridge at my location -” Arcee choked, tapping into her communication system, “This is Arcee - I need an emergency bridge!” 

Willing her legs to move faster, Arcee weaved through the forest. 

Jumping over bushes and ignoring the tree branches that hit her face as she held onto Star. 

“This is Arcee to base! I need help! Requesting an emergency ground bridge!” Arcee tried again, coughing as her cycling stalled. She was starting to lose stamina and losing her breath. She was overheating. 

“Tsumuke!” Star cried, pointing a digit to the sky. 

Too late the femme noticed the light. 

They found her. 

Arcee gasped in alarm as she felt the heat of a blaster shot graze her shoulder. 

“Shit!” the femme cursed, covering Star’s helm with a servo as another blast whizzed above her helm. 

Arcee changed directions and tried her comms again, “Ratchet please! I need help!” she cried, dodging another series of shots, “Please! I need help!”

The light blinded her temporarily as it followed, catching her and losing her as she weaved through the trees. Noise followed her every step as desperation continued to climb. 

Arcee prayed for a ledge, a ravine, anything she could use to take cover and hide. At least someplace where she could hide Star. Maybe that way she could lure MECH away and the seekerling could be safe. 

Oh how she regretted coming to this forest. Plotting vengeance or even thinking that something like this would not have consequences. 

Dreadwing was right. To harm an innocent was a sin. And now she was paying for it. 

“Primus, please!” Arcee begged, changing directions again to shake off her pursuers. 

For a moment it did seem like she was able to shake them off. 

Unfortunately, she did not notice the trap. 

Before the pain could even register, Arcee heard a sickening crunch. Something had taken hold of her pede, causing her to stumble and fall. If she hadn’t turned to land on her shoulder, she would have crushed Star.

What the hell even - 

The scream ripped its way out of Arcee’s voicebox before she could stop it. 

The trap was barbaric in nature, it resembled one of those traps humans used to hunt. A clamp with teeth that sunk deep into the femme’s armor, down to the protoform and nerve. 

For a moment, all logic and reason escaped the femme as she dropped Star in favor of holding her pained leg. Screaming out curses, Arcee gasped and tried to recollect herself. To think. 

She could hear Star crying next to her as she sobbed. 

“Primus - Damn it!” She coughed as she took a deep intake, bracing herself for what was going to come next. Grabbing the sides of the clamp, Acree screamed in agony as she pulled the contraption apart. Putting all her strength into it, she managed to free herself. 

“Frag!” Arcee flinched as the contraption snapped shut again. The femme gulped and sobbed as she looked down at her leg. The damn thing snapped over her ankle joint, leaving a mess of crumpled metal, exposed wires and protoform.

The femme whimpered and sniffed as she tried to get up. Frag that hurt. She could barely stand before falling to her knees again. 

By then the world seemed to catch up to her, and she could hear the cries of the hurt sparkling in front of her. 

“Star,” Arcee coughed as she looked over at the sparkling. The poor thing was crying, their wings low as they nursed a bruised elbow. Star looked terrible. Dirty, scuffed and scratched all over. 

It reminded Arcee of the habless mecha who roamed the lower level streets of Iacon. Dirty mecha, full of grime and grease, trying to make it through the day. 

“I’m so sorry,” she hiccupped while reaching out to the sparkling. With a grunt of effort, she was able to bring the little creature to her chest, wiping away their tears as she opened her comm one last time, “This is Arcee, I’m on an open channel. I’ve been caught by mech, and I have a sparkling here with me. I need help, we need help… I’m sorry. Please…Please someone come help us.” 

With a sob, Arcee held on tight to Star as a bright light shone from above. 

Arcee felt her spark sink as she looked up to see one of MECH’s helicopters hovering above her. She could hear the revving engines of approaching trucks, the squeaks of their breaks and the mechanical buzz of blasters and rifles. Radio static filled up her audials as all forms of communication were cut. 

Transforming her servo into a blaster, Arcee shot at the approaching soldiers. Trying to at least cause some form of damage before trying to get away, even if by crawling. 

She managed to shoot a truck and take aim at the helicopter before something hit her shoulder. 

“We got her! We got her!” a soldier shouted. 

Arcee cried out as her frame seized, electric currents dancing on her frame before disappearing and leaving smoke. She heard Star cry out in pain and begin to loudly wail as she fell on her side once again. 

She had been caught. 

And there was nothing she could do. The world was starting to go dark, and she could barely hang on to Star. 

She was starting to lose consciousness. 

“Hang on, what is that -” 

“It’s a kid!” 

“These things have kids? ” 

She could only pray that whatever these men did, that it would be quick. 

That somehow her desperate attempts at contact had gone through and reached the base. 

Reached anyone really. 

It was getting harder to stay awake. 

“Stop gawking at it you idiot! Restrain it!” 

"N..o.." Arcee tried to hold on tight, but she could feel the men moving her servos with little resistance. 

She could hear Star sluggishly hiss as he was moved.  As he was taken. 

"Strr.." Arcee mumbled, moving her digits to reach out to the sparkling. He was so far away.

"Mmm...srry," The femme whispered as she powered down and lost consciousness.

“Blue team to Red team we have them.” 

Chapter Text

Dreadwing groaned as he gathered his bearings. Bright lights and the sound of radio static caused him to wince as his senses adjusted. 

He couldn’t believe that Breakdown would run away with that femme, because of some stupid fleshbags. 

Stupid glitch. 

That two-wheeler really did know how to throw a punch. Then again, she was only defending her supposed child. 

Idiot. 

The child would have been better off with Decepticons than the Autobots. The child would have wanted for nothing…Wait. The child.

After a moment of confusion, anger began to build up in Dreadwing as he realized what had happened. 

The femme had taken the sparkling. 

“Those fools,” Dreadwing hissed as he regained his bearings, “COWARDS!” he shouted, his wings flaring out as he glared at the two retreating mecha. 

Dreadwing hated cowards. An honorable warrior would fight his foes head on, without fear of injury or death. He knew that these supposed mech hunting humans would not stand a chance against his might. 

Growling, Dreadwing unsheathed his sword and turned to face his foe. 

The humans that had surrounded him. 

“Follow the others, don’t lose sight of them!”

Fools! They did not know who they were messing with! 

“We got him surrounded, take him down!!” 

Dreadwing growled audibly as he swung his sword, causing a few MECH soldiers to shout and start shooting in alarm. 

Haughty, Dreading snorted as the bullets bounced off his armor, barely leaving dents.  

With a swipe of his mighty claws, Dreadwing knocked a few soldiers off their feet. With his sword, he managed to slice the top of a truck. 

Many soldiers cried in alarm as the large mech laughed and continued his assault. 

“Shoot him! Shoot him!” A soldier cried, aiming his rifle at the large seeker. 

A series of shots rang through the forest as the radio chattered and rain fell. Dreadwing’s laughter echoing throughout the surrounding trees. 

Seekers did like to play with their prey after all. It was fun. 

In his spark, Dreadwing of course thought nothing of these humans. They were little organic flesh bags. A weak species. To a fully formed and tanky Cybertronian, humans were mere insects.

 Easy to dispose of. 

He was confident that he could easily defeat these humans and wipe their disgusting remains from his pedes.

As he swiped at the little humans, injuring them and making them squeal, he barely noticed the radio. 

“Female apprehended ------ carrying a package. Notify ---- It’s a child. Subject ----child.” 

Dreadwing froze. 

They got to the Sparkling.

In an instant, Dreadwing saw red.

Now, Seekers usually never let their primal or feral instincts and tendencies show unless prompted. They are a proud race after all. 

However, whenever they would lose control and go feral. It was terrifying. 

Dreadwing roared in fury. 

He was done playing. 

The feral sound shook the trees as the humans winced. 

“Stop playing around with him and take him down - Attack form Morpheus!” an angry voice shouted through the radio. 

One soldier cried out in a panic, “Attack from Morpheus! Take him down - Take him down!” 

Dreadwing hissed as he flipped over another truck, a series of explosions lighting up the dark as Dreadwing abandoned his sword in favor of his claws. 

With growls and hisses his claws swiped and denta snapped.

Energon and flesh stained his digits and frame as he tossed humans and machines aside.  

It felt good to make these monsters hurt. How dare they threaten a blessing of Primus!

But in his rage, Dreadwing never noticed the lone soldier taking aim. 

As the projectile electrode-probe made contact with the Seeker’s armor, a burst of electricity enveloped his frame. Dreadwing made a pained noise as his body seized. 

Before the seeker even knew what was happening he was already on the ground. 

“No… Not possible,” Dreadwing groaned as he felt a human step onto his back. Baring his denta and exposing his fangs, Dreadwing growled, “Get your filthy pedes off me you insect!” 

“Didn’t anyone teach you not to underestimate your enemy?” a voice said through the radio, its tone condescending, “Well allow me to be the first to teach you. Never underestimate the ingenuity of the human factor.”

Before Dreadwing could respond to the disrespectful human, he felt something pinch his neck cables. 

Incensed the large seeker hissed, attempting to swipe at the human at his back. Only his movements were sluggish and the world was starting to swirl. 

“He’s like a giant cat. You think that has anything to do with him having wings instead of wheels?” a soldier asked, squatting in front of Dreadwings face and poking at one of his optics. 

Dreadwing sluggishly hissed at the human in front of him, growling as his optics started to get heavy, his frame going limp. 

“Who knows, that’s for the doctor to find out. Pack him up and take him to the boss, make sure he doesn’t wake up throughout the transport. We have a ways to go.” 

“Understood,” the soldier said, standing up, “Night night big guy. Thank you for your donation.” 

With that, Dreadwing’s world went dark. 

Chapter Text

Silas sighed as he drank his coffee, thanking whatever deity in the universe that inspired humans to create the bitter drink. 

“Did you get in contact with the Blue team Novo? What’s going on?” 

“Yes, Silas” Novo said, furiously typing away on a tablet. He was a young man, looked to be in his mid twenties. 

“They took heavy damage but they are on their way along with the agents to reinforce. The female subject was apprehended but It seems that she was carrying something,” Novo paused his typing as an image popped up on his tablet. 

“And whatever that thing was carrying is causing all this commotion? What is so important about it?” Silas asked as he sipped at some hot coffee from a thermos cup.

Novo paused as he looked down at his tablet,“It…It appears to be a child.” 

“A…Child?” Silas asked in disbelief, turning to look at Novo, “I was woken up at this ungodly hour over a kid?” 

“It’s not what you think, sir,” Novo said nervously, before clearing his throat, “This seems to be a transformer child.” 

Silas stared at Novo in disbelief, nearly dropping his cup, “A child? A Transformer child?” 

“Yes, sir,” Novo confirmed, showing Silas his tablet, “It has a few injuries, but its behavior and actions are similar to that of a toddler. It was crying when the team apprehended the female.”

“Impossible, it has to be some kind of miniature or …Wait, I’ve seen this thing before…That looks like…No. Not possible.” Silas scoffed, dismissing his initial thought,“How small is this thing?” he asked, staring at the image of a small transformer. 

“Hard to tell, but it looks to be at least 6 feet tall. Weight is approximately 574.3 pounds,” Novo responded “The subject is currently sedated and at alpha base. Due to its value it was taken directly despite orders.” 

“I can see why. Good. We can’t afford to lose a possible asset like that,” Silas hummed, looking over the little creature’s scans,“Armor is bullet resistant. That’s good, we could use that. Request the team to run tests on it, but keep it alive.”

“Already requested, Sir,” Novo said with a smirk. He did love being ahead of things. 

“Mmm, good,” Silas hummed, sounding satisfied, “I’ll talk to them about disregarding direct orders later. In this case they did well.” 

Scratching his chin, Silas glared down at the image, “Have them run a comparison too.”

“Sir?” Novo asked, lifting a brow. 

“Run a complete comparison panel with this creature. I want to see the DNA- er…CNA or whatever results and whatnot. Particularly with subject M2-S. Notify me once the tests are complete. I have a hunch about that creature, not that it matters,” Silas coughed. 

“If you don’t mind my asking, sir. Why run the tests? Our resources are already thin -” 

“I need to satisfy my curiosity,” Silas said plainly, waving Novo off, “Either way. All that matters is its frame. But if what I think is true, then its leverage will also be of value. Offspring are of value. No matter what kind of genetic kingdom they come from. All sentient life likes to keep a legacy. If this creature is the offspring of one of them, then they will do whatever it takes to keep it alive. And If it is valuable to the adults, it could be a bargaining chip.”

“I understand. I’ll send out your requests, sir,” Novo nodded, tapping away at the tablet. 

“Good,” Silas yawned, taking another sip of his coffee, “Oh and Novo?”

“Yes, Sir?” 

“Notify the “Doctor” of my orders, would you?” 

“I already have, Sir.”

---------------------------------------------------

Arcee felt like absolute slag. 

Everything…Hurt.

“Approaching first stop. Notify the team.” 

Arcee groaned as static filled her audials. Her helm hurt and her frame felt heavy. 

Ugh and her leg was killing her.

Where was she? What happened? 

As she stared at the sky, Arcee tried to recall what had happened. Everything was blurry.  

She was upset…Yes. She was angry. Something - a pest was in her home, and she had to get rid of it… She had stepped out of the base and…She was in a forest?

 No. Why was she still here? She was supposed to be back at base, safe and warm in her berth as Starscream got what’s coming to him. 

Arcee squeezed her optics shut as a bright light shined on her face, “Go ‘way,” she mumbled, trying to swat wherever was holding that light. Only she couldn’t, she was …Stuck?

Groaning, She could feel something tying her pedes and wrists down, keeping her bound and hindered. Frowning, Arcee searched her mind, trying to fit the pieces together. 

She was supposed to have her revenge, but she was still here. She was still in the forest. She had…Done something. Something awful. Why was it awful?

Then the ‘Cons found her and…She had to do something…Something important. 

“Blue team to Cross team, approaching with payloads.” 

Shaking her helm, Arcee’s world began to clear. The static in her audials fading, she noticed that she was moving. Whatever she was on it would at times jump or swerve. It reminded her of one of the slower rides at Six Lasers over Cybertron. 

Arcee frowned and tried to focus. Blinking, she stared at the dark clouds passing by. It was still night time.

“Identify.” 

Slowly, her memories started to come back to her. 

There was rain. She was running away from something. Someone. ‘Cons? No… No… It was humans. 

and then…

“One female, two males. One male subject appears to be an infant. All subjects are sedated. Original subject M1-B escaped. Freelance team is in pursuit.” 

All at once the memories rushed in. 

The pain. The MECH soldiers.

“STAR!” Arcee croaked, her world finally coming together. 

She had been captured. Star had been taken from her, and now she was strapped down to a slab, exposed and vulnerable. 

About to be served on a platter to a mad man and his machinations.

“Understood. Silas will be waiting with the Doctor.” 

Looking up Arcee could see the back of the vehicle that was transporting her. 

Two soldiers occupied the cabin, one was busy focusing on the road while the other was fiddling with a tablet and radio. 

Looking down, Arcee could see the bright lights of another vehicle. Focusing Arcee could hear multiple engines running, tires sliding and groaning against dirt, leaves and mud. 

They were traveling in a line. 

Arcee grit her denta as she heard more radio chatter, “Approaching first compound.”

“We’re ready for you.” 

Arcee could hear a commotion, dozens of voices talking at once along with radio chatter. In the distance she could hear the whirring and hissing of tools. 

“Alright, open up, take ‘em out. We have some collecting to do.” 

Arcee took a deep breath as she closed her optics and let her frame go limp, feigning sleep as soldiers approached. She could feel as they took her out of the trailer and set her somewhere on the ground. Their grunting and hushed conversations gave her an idea of what was going on. 

“Subject designation specimen F-2, awaiting letter, Female transformer. Approximately the same structure as subject F-1A, however the specimen has a different build and weight. F-2 is one kip. F-1A was 2.7 kip. Apparent association Autobot - reference branding. Scanners indicate that the subject is free of trackers.” 

Arcee could feel her protoform crawl as someone started to touch her leg, it was still tender from the trap. 

“The Female seems to be more susceptible to blunt injury, armor and make are light and flexible. Built for speed. Subject sustained injury on right leg - what could be identified as a calf. Looking beneath the first layer of metal there is cabling, wires and other materials - seems similar to the eye collected from Subject M1-B.” 

Arcee had to force herself not to groan or cry out in pain as she felt the human’s fingers poking at her open wounds. She could hear the human invading her wounds hum and haw, as their fingers made their way under her armor and shell. Feeling the cabling, fiber and mesh. 

Thankfully human fingers were too short and small to be able to reach protoform. 

If he had reached that, Arcee would have screamed her helm off.

“Mmm, trap did not rupture any major lines. That’s good. Prep sample collections and turn her pain receptors off. It seems this one is a little more delicate than the others.”

Delicate?! 

Arcee nearly failed to remain expressionless. She really wanted to frown and sass the man for daring to judge her. 

As she felt something pinch at her neck, Arcee tried her best not to squirm. 

She tried to recall what she could from her training. 

Assess the situation and act accordingly. 

“Pain receptors should be off. Sample collection of F2…Uhh…What was this one called again?” a man grunted, tapping away at something.

Arcee could feel someone tapping into the energon line on her arm, while human hands inspected and touched her armor plating and joints. She willed herself to keep still and listen carefully.  

“Hold on,” another responded, “This one is supposedly called “RC”, she’s the only female on the Autobot team it seems.”

“Alright,” the first man cleared his throat, “Subject F2-R. Good. Sample her and wait for Silas’ orders. I’m going to move on to the others until we get the all clear.” 

“Understood. Alright you heard the man, samples only.” 

Arcee felt both relief and conflict over that information. 

Others. 

That meant many things.

Earlier someone mentioned how another team was chasing after another subject. Possibly Breakdown or Dreadwing. 

The more probable outcome was the following: One of the ‘cons was caught along with Star. 

Or…

Others could mean that both ‘cons had been caught and Star escaped somehow. 

Arcee prayed for it to be the latter. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

After what seemed like an eternity of unwanted touches, pinches and stings. The MECH soldiers finished up their little experiments. 

“Alright, we’re good to go. Pack up and await orders. No one moves her until she’s cleared.” 

Acree forced herself to continue to sit still. To listen to the footsteps and the chatter. 

Arcee could hear the soldiers walking further and further away. Opening her optics just a crack, Arcee looked around as best as she could without looking too conspicuous. 

From what she could see the soldiers were walking away towards a small group of trucks. Leaving her unguarded it seemed. 

When the soldiers were far enough away for Arcee to act without repercussions. 

Arcee fully opened her optics and moved her head around.

She was at a temporary camp it seemed. 

Various tents and cars with tools and tanks, of what, Arcee didn’t know. But she did not want to find out. 

No Star in sight. Thank goodness. Which meant that MECH hopefully hadn’t caught him. 

Looking to her left she noticed a large mass in the distance, focusing her optics, Arcee paused at the sight. 

Dreadwing was knocked out cold and bound just as she was. 

Humans were surrounding him too, connecting cables into his helm and sticking a large needle to his side. 

That must have been the pinch she felt. 

She could see the soldiers and various scientists inspecting every nook and cranny on Dreadwing’s frame. Like they did with her, they checked Dreadwing’s wings, optics, joints, denta. They ran scans and poked at him with various tools and…

Was that a needle? 

It almost looked like a complete medical exam, but more primitive… it was almost as if…

“Scrap,” Arcee grunted as she put everything together, “Of course you dummy, they said so themselves.” 

MECH was taking samples from them. 

Biopsy samples of armor, mesh and protoform. Energon samples direct from lines and scrapings. 

For what Arcee didn’t know, but recalling the track record MECH held, that was not a good sign. 

At least from the looks of things they only had Dreadwing and not Star. 

Arcee cycled a puff of air, noticing the time on her chronometer, “I must still be groggy from whatever they sedated me with. This isn’t good.” 

It was 6 a.m. eastern time. Which meant the sun would be rising soon. 

It would be 3 in the morning in Jasper, Nevada. Her team would still be in their power-down cycles. 

If she acted quickly, there could still be time to fix this mess. 

“Please. Let there be time,” Arcee begged, to whom she didn’t know. But she knew she had to fix things and soon. 

“Sample collection complete. Subject M-2 cleared. Load him up. Leave the female. She’s not as useful as this one.” 

Squinting, Arcee could see the unconscious Dreadwing being taken away by a group of soldiers. With some effort and the assistance of a tow cable, they managed to undo the large seekers bindings and turn him over. 

Squinting she could see that the seeker’s armor was singed and scuffed in various places. The humans must have put up a good fight, or caught the seeker off guard to do that much damage. 

Arcee noticed that the soldiers were loading Dredwing onto an open trailer and welding on some more restraints. 

Arcee frowned, why would they add more restraints to the seeker? 

“Thank you for your donation,” one scientist said condescendingly to Dreadwing’s unconscious frame. 

Donation. 

Arcee stifled her gasp as she remembered what happened to Breakdown.

“No, no, no,” Arcee whispered, struggling to move against her restraints. 

They were going to take Dreadwing to torture him and they were going to leave her to starve out here in the wilds. 

Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. 

As much as she disliked Dreadwing, Arcee knew that she would need him. She couldn’t take on MECH by herself. Better to fight side by side with a Decepticon, than alone. 

Enemy of my enemy and all that. 

Taking a deep breath, Arcee fiddled with her bindings. Carefully, she began to push on one of her thumbs.She knew that using this method to break free would be painfully uncomfortable, but it was not like she had a choice. 

MECH was getting away and she needed to move. 

“Under attack - I repeat we are under attack!” 

Arcee heard a small explosion in the distance along with some radio chatter.

As she continued to push on her thumb, she silently hoped that her team was nearby. That by some miracle they got her message and that they were on their way to rescue her. 

But she was wrong. 

“ We got something coming in hot!” someone called out. 

“Ready your weapons!” 

“RaaaAAAAHHH!” 

Arcee felt her left thumb finally snap as Breakdown came barreling down on a nearby truck. His hammer swinging and cannon blasting away at whatever it could. 

Arcee pulled her servo out of the bindings, ignoring the pain in favor of attacking. Quickly popping her thumb back into place with the help of her denta, Arcee’s blaster transformed. 

“Breakdown!” Arcee cried out, both in pain and relief as she shot at a few soldiers. 

The large mech turned around to look at her and smirk before taking aim with his shoulder cannon. 

Arcee for a moment felt her spark sink. 

That is until Breakdown shot at her remaining restraints. 

Arcee felt herself laugh in manic relief as she quickly stood and came to Breakdowns aid.

------------------------------------------------

Fighting back to back with Breakdown, she made sure that the larger mech was covered. 

A few soldiers stood their ground and fought. Others tried to run to their vehicles and drive off. 

“Disable their wheels!” She cried, shooting at a group of soldiers and some of the tents. As things began to explode and catch fire, Arcee could smell the gasoline and chemicals from the tanks she saw earlier. 

“On it!” Breakdown growled, smashing the hood of a nearby SUV, “Free the Lieutenant! I got this!”  

Arcee didn’t need to be told twice. Running towards the trailer, Arcee began to shoot at the wheels and at Dreadwing’s bindings while knocking away some soldiers. 

“Dreadwing wake up -” Arcee hissed, shooting the wheels of the trailer as one of the soldiers revved the truck's engine, trying to drive away.

Dreadwing groaned and shuttered his optics, “Five more clicks,” he mumbled.

“Oh for the love of Primus. Wake up you slag!” raising her servo, Arcee slapped Dreadwing across the faceplates as hard as she could. 

“UH!”

Dreadwing’s optics shot open. 

His world was swirling, everything hurt and everything felt a little to loud, “M’lord, m’ unwell. I nee’ me’icle tension.” 

“Snap out of it you dink! You need to move!” Arcee shouted, shooting at the large seekers restraints.

Dreadwing shook his helm and tried to gain focus as he felt someone pry something heavy from his servos, and pedes. 

Restraining bolts.

Oh…He had been caught. 

“Shoot her! Don’t let them escape!” 

“What’s happening?” Dreadwing sputtered, “Where’s the sparkling?” 

Arcee paused for a moment. Her mind going a thousand miles an hour as she processed the question.

If she, Breakdown and Dreadwing were here. Then there was hope. Star was not here. 

Star was either captured or escaped. 

Please Primus…

Let him have escaped. 

“I don’t know,” Arcee finally answered, frowning. 

Dreadwing’s optics widened before narrowing into slits. Before he could admonish the femme, the loud sound of a starting engine interrupted him. 

“Damn it!” Arcee cursed as she glared at the front of the trailer. The truck connected to it began to huff and squeal. Whoever was driving it was really determined to take Dreadwing. 

As the truck began to move and swerve due to its lack of adequate wheels, Arcee shook her helm. Shaking off the panic and dread before it could settle. 

She had work to do and if she wanted a chance at saving herself, the ‘cons and Star, she needed to act fast. 

“No time to talk- we need to help Breakdown,” Arcee growled, crawling over Dreadwing to get to the truck. 

“Ow! Watch your pedes!” Dreadwing grunted as Arcee stepped on his shoulder. 

Ignoring the seeker Arcee pulled at the truck’s roof. Bending metal and wire as she exposed the driver inside. 

The soldier screamed in alarm as the Femme cut his seatbelt and pulled him out of the cabin. 

Tossing the human aside - she didn’t really care where he landed. Optimus wasn’t here to scold her about human life or whatever - Arcee shoot at the now disheveled pickup truck's engine. 

The vehicle began to slow down and swerve as Arcee, satisfied, crawled back over to Dreadwing. Undoing the final restraint on his waist. 

“Now is not the time to argue. Can you fight?” Arcee asked. Her tone leaving no more room for questions. 

“I can,” Dreadwing growled, he felt the truck finally halt as the engine died. They weren’t too far from the camp. 

Dreadwing hissed and growled savagely, “Those disgusting flesh bags will pay for this.” 

Focusing, the seeker flexed his claws, “Cover me!” 

Arcee smirked and revved her engine, "Yes, Sir!"

Chapter Text

As the fight continued, somewhere in the distance, a pair of shadowy men observed the fight from higher ground. 

“Subject M4 has been freed by F2. They seem to have allied together.”

“How sweet. It seems that we’ve finally become the enemy of the enemy,” one figure purred, amused, “The “flesh bags” they thought so little of are now a threat.” 

The figure smiled as the sounds of blaster fire rang through the forest. The scent of smoke filling the air. 

“They’re fighting very aggressively,” said the second figure.

The first figure hummed, “Nothing to worry about. They won't last very long. Novo, send out the order for reinforcements. I want the freelancers down there in ten.”

“They’re already on their way Silas,” Novo said with a smile, “Uh but, sir? There seems to be and issue with - Ah…there it is.”

Novo laughed humorlessly as a simple rhythmic song erupted from his tablet, “The doctor has been trying to contact us. This is his fourth call, should I answer?” 

Silas let out an irritated sigh, “What does that donkey want?”

Novo chuckled for a moment before clearing his throat and forcing himself to look and act professional as he answered the call, “Doctor -”

“SILAS!” a voice shrieked,“The subjects should have been in my lab over an hour ago! How dare -” 

“Doctor that is no way to address the -” 

The voice interrupted Novo, “I know he’s there you imbecile! SILAS! I know you can hear me!” 

“I’d watch your tone,” Silas snapped, looking away from the fight below to glare at Novo’s tablet, “We are currently in a firefight with the -” 

“I don’t care! Then send in the freelancers!” the voice growled,“They are more than equipt for it, they could easily take them down!”

“You heard Silas, we are in a firefight ,” Novo said harshly, “The freelancers will be initiating attacks in seven min-” 

“The longer we wait the more resources we are wasting!” the voice shouted, “The longer this goes on, the more likely we will attract unwanted attention!” 

Novo felt his eyebrow twitch. The doctor did have a point. However, Novo did not want to openly agree with the man or allow him to continue his rude behavior. 

“I am not a patient man “ Lieutenant ”,” the voice hissed, “I don’t like to be kept from my work or waste time on trivial tests! Send them in now!”

Silas growled and snatched the tablet from Novo’s hands before glaring down at the figure on the screen. 

“Arkeville, need I remind you that you were the one who insisted on working for us? Well, Mr. Beggar, what would you prefer?” Silas asked, their tone condescending yet expressive, “A transformer, kicking and screaming in resistance as you work, breaking your pretty little things and wasting precious little time? Or a quiet Transformer, who will cooperate because they are too exhausted to fight back? Hmm?”

Novo tried his hardest not to laugh, hiding his smirk behind his hand as Silas continued. 

“Listen to me and listen good, you sorry excuse of a nitwit. I don’t have to explain my orders to you or to anyone in this faction,” Silas smirked as he saw Arkeville’s jaw tighten, “If you value your work, you will obey my orders or you can go back to writing conspiracy blogs in your grandmother’s basement you kook.” 

The figure in the tablet, Doctor Henri Arkeville seethed.

“While you “work” on those trivial tests that I ordered you to do,” Silas cleared his throat as he  spoke,“I will be bringing the subjects to the base when and how I feel like it. Do you understand?” 

One thing Arkeville did not like was when people, especially people he considered idiotic inferior plebs like Silas, spoke or treated him like a toddler that could not comprehend the most basic things. 

Like he was stupid . 

And Henri Arkeville was not in any way shape or form stupid . 

At least not in his own egotistical mind. 

Clearing his throat in order to hide his displeasure, Arkeville kept his tone polite as he spoke through his teeth, “I see. How very gracious of you, Silas. Forgive for not seeing your intentions. I’ll try better to not question your methods.” 

Silas glared at the doctor and tsked, “See to it that you don’t, “Doctor.” I won't tolerate your insubordination for long.” 

Arkeville’s jaw tightened again, “Of course, Sir. I apologize again.” 

“Pardon my interruption -” a new voice chimed in off screen, “The test results are ready along with the scans. Should I send them in or…?” 

“Meridian you fool, can’t you see I am talking-” 

“Send them in, Doctor Meridian,” Silas said quickly, interrupting Arkeville, “I am very grateful, thank you.” 

“Silas-” 

The man lifted a finger to silence Arkeville as he looked over the report Meridian had just sent. 

When that didn’t work, he simply muted the conversation.

Novo felt his lips twitch, that for sure must have pissed Arkeville off. 

Silas eyes darted around as he quickly read the data, his lips slowly lifting up into a smug smile. 

“I knew it,” Silas mumbled to himself, before speaking up again,“Very well done, Meridian. Give those who worked on this quick and efficient report my gratitude.” 

Novo hid his snicker with a cough. He knew Silas’ was pouring salt on Arkeville’s wounded ego. 

“Of course, Sir,” Meridian purred. You could practically hear the smug smile in his voice.  

Arkeville’s face turned red, as he opened his mouth to speak, Silas rolled his eyes and ended the call, “Fucking idiot.”

Novo sighed through his nose as he took back the tablet. Looking at the time he quickly touched his earpiece, “Sir, the Freelancers are ready.”

Silas sighed and waved his hand, “Very well, Novo. Notify the teams below that the cavalry has arrived, and tell the freelancers to not mess around. Take them down.” 

“Free----. Retreat to location ----”  

The sound of static and radio chatter was overpowered by the sound of battle and blaster shots. 

“Arcee on my six!” Breakdown grunted, his shoulder cannon giving a loud whine as it overheated. 

“On it!” Arcee shouted, forming up against Breakdown’s back, blasting away at a group of retreating soldiers behind him. 

“Look out!”  A soldier cried, diving away from Breakdown’s hammer.

“Run!” another soldier cried,“Retreat!”  

The stunticon laughed as the soldier scuttled away, “Yes, run! Run away!”

“Retreat! Retreat!” 

“Cowards!” Dreadwing roared, his armor puffing out and wings flaring as he stomped on a rifle, “You think you can just run away?! Filthy flesh-bags! You will pay for what you have done!” Dreadwing spat, throwing a large stone at a nearby SUV, smashing it’s roof. 

Arcee couldn’t help but snort in satisfaction as she saw the humans run away like cowards, to the edge of the forest as quickly as they could. 

Looking around her, Arcee could see that a majority of the humans were heavily injured, some were dead.  

Normally, Arcee would disapprove at the blatant disregard of human life, but at the moment she did not care.

It was them or her. 

And for the sake of saving Star, it had to be her. 

The battle was almost over. There were only a few stragglers left. 

Energon and blood stained the forest floor. 

Arcee froze. 

Wait. 

Energon? 

Glancing at her frame, Arcee didn’t notice any open wounds. There weren’t any open wounds on the others either. 

None of them were injured heavily. 

So where was the energon coming from?

“Something’s not right here,” Arcee said before hissing in pain, her blaster’s began to overheat. If she continued to shoot they would shut down, “Boys we need to-” 

“AAAAAAAAGH!!” 

Both Arcee and Breakdown looked over to see Dreadwing seize, currents of electricity dancing across his frame. 

“Lieutenant!” 

“Stay in formation Breakdown!” Arcee warned, but the Stunticon did not listen. Running up to his Lieutenant, Breakdown ripped out the electrode probe that was planted firmly on Dreadwing’s chest, crying out in pain as he did so. 

“Now’s our chance, run!” a soldier cried, dodging a blast shot from Arcee. 

The two wheeler smirked at the sight of the humans running away, but she knew better than to let her guard down, “They’re on the run. Breakdown, status?” 

“Dreadwing’s down!” Breakdown groaned, catching Dreadwing’s limp frame before it could hit the ground, “I’m here Lieutenant, I’m not leaving you here.” 

Arcee slowly approached, her blasters still out but down at her sides.  

“Trap,” Dreadwing coughed, his optics flickering as he fought to stay  conscious.

“What?” Breakdown coughed, shaking Dreadwing by the pauldron, “Stay with me, Dreadwing. You can’t leave me hanging.” 

Arcee gasped and turned as she heard a twig snap behind her.  There was nothing there. 

But…?

The air shimmered.

Arcee blinked. 

Something was not right. 

“Breakdown, get him up,” Arcee whispered, transforming her servos and grabbing the stunticon’s arm, “We need to move! Right now!”

Breakdown frowned and glared at Arcee, opening his mouth to respond when - 

There. 

Arcee’s optics widened. A MECH soldier suddenly appeared, a weapon aimed at Breakdown’s side. As if by magic, more soldiers began to appear, their appearances shimmering in the morning light.  

They were wearing cloaking devices. 

And it was too late, they were in Breakdown's blind spot, and she had already put her blasters away. 

Scrap.

“FIRE!”

Arcee could hear a commotion around her. Sounds of opening and closing doors, trunks and clinks of metal. 

Why can’t things just work out like they are supposed to? 

Arcee groaned as she opened her optics, blinking away the discomfort. 

They had been captured. 

As much as she hoped that she was laying on a medical table, experiencing a concussion of some sort back at base. She could feel the tight bindings on her leg and wrists. The poking and prodding of tools on her wounds, and the tingling numbness that accompanied every sensation. 

It felt like the undersides of her protoform were crawling with scraplets. Like her pain receptors had been fried. 

There was only one group that could do that.

“She’s waking up. Let Silas know.” 

Oh, frag. 

She was now at the mercy of MECH. 

“Frag my life,” Arcee mumbled as she blinked, looking around at the latest MECH lab. 

She was a little relieved to find that Dreadwing and Breakdown were there with her. Dreadwing to the left of her, still unconscious while Breakdown was to her right, starting to wake up. 

As much as Arcee did not like or trust those two, she knew that it was better for them to be here than for her to be alone. In this type of situation, they’d more than likely fight with her instead of against her. That is, until MECH was out of the way at least.

That had to count for something. 

Arcee felt some comfort in the thought of solidarity as she continued to observe. 

Everything looked newer, there were more computers, testing equipment and tools. More people in coats, more hackers, more soldiers. 

All beeping, blinking or moving about. 

Tinkering away while putting their things into boxes and whispering in hushed tones. 

MECH was beginning to upgrade, and they were beginning to move. 

In the corner Arcee could see a robotic frame of some kind. Very cybertronian influenced, but still so very human, mutilated and splayed on a table with various parts. 

It was small but menacing, with multiple legs and a large head. It reminded Arcee of a scraplet. 

On other tables there were pieces of armor, tablets, tools and microscopes. 

What she saw next almost made her gag. 

Metallic frames that resembled human arms and legs. Similar to the metallic prosthetics that humans used. But instead of plastic or silicone surrounding the frames. 

There were pieces of flesh, stretched, pinned and welded into the metal.

Nerves. 

Blood. 

Dried energon. 

What the hell was going on here? 

Suppressing a gag, Arcee tried her best not to think about what was happening in that lab. 

Tried her best not to connect the dots. 

And then there were the computers. 

Loads of data were passing quickly through the monitors as men and women tapped away at their keyboards, downloading information, scrubbing information, talking to each other in hushed tones and passing around boxes and tablets. 

On one of the larger screens, one hung on the far wall in front of herself and the ‘Cons,  Arcee could see pictures of previously captured mechs.  

Cycling through each mech and femme, over and over in a repeated loop. 

All taken while the victim was dead or unconscious. 

Disgusting. 

Breakdown. Arachnid. Bumblebee. Starscream. Optimus. A Combaticon. A Vehicon. Dreadwing. Herself. Star - 

Star? 

Arcee’s optics widened as she looked at the monitor again. 

No. 

“Good morning.” 

Arcee’s denta ground as her optics snapped to look at the man who greeted her. 

Sitting comfortably on a chair and looking down from a platform was the familiar silhouette of Leland Bishop. 

“Sleep well?” the man purred, his face obscured by shadows. 

“Silas,” Arcee growled, her derma pulled back into a snarl, “Where is he?” 

Silas kept silent and rested his chin on his hand, seemingly pondering the femme’s words. 

“Answer me damn you!” Arcee shouted, pulling against her restraints, “My team is on its way, when they get their hands on you, you will regret ever messing with us!” 

Silas laughed and ignored the femmes shouts. Instead the man continued to observe the femme, like she was some sort of insect he had caught in a jar.

“Is everything accounted for? Do we have all the information we need before we move on?” Silas yawned, shifting around in his chair to get more comfortable. 

“Yes, sir! Everything has been collected and is available within our systems,” a nearby soldier replied, “New samples have been collected for subject M1-B, “Breakdown”. They will be compared with previous data within our possession. He will be unnecessary for any future collections.” 

“Unnecessary or we do not have space?” Silas asked, fiddling with a tablet he had on his lap. 

“Unfortunately it is both, Sir,” the soldier said, “We do not have the sufficient resources to keep them all. Especially now that we have reinitiated project chimera.” 

“That is unfortunate,” Silas sighed as he scrolled through some data.

Arcee’s optics widened as the light of the tablet illuminated Silas’ face. 

He looked terrible. Full of scars and right eye blinded. 

Arcee couldn’t help but think that the man looked a little more menacing now. 

“What happened to you?” Arcee found herself whispering before she could stop herself.

Silas paused what he was doing for a moment to look at the femme in the optics. His menacing white and brown eyes glaring. 

“A parting gift,” Silas said, “From your leader. See, this is what happens when you drop ten tons of metal and concrete on a human.” 

“But that’s…Impossible,” Arcee looked horrified and disgusted, “How are you even alive?” 

“The internal damage to my organs was massive,” Silas sighed, “And beyond the scope of conventional medicine. Fortunately for myself and others, MECH is anything but conventional.” 

“Don’t tell that freak anything, Arcee!” 

Arcee jumped a little at the sudden shout. 

“Ah, Breakdown. Our prodigal child, good morning. So good to see you again,” Silas said, his tone sarcastic and dry. 

“The feeling is not mutual,” Breakdown growled, glaring at the mutilated human, “What happened to your face? You look uglier than usual.” 

Silas let out a barking laugh, “Oh hush you,” he coughed, “You’ll make me blush.” 

Arcee blanched and decided to ignore the banter between Breakdown and Silas. She needed to find a way out of here, and from the looks of things, she would need to act quickly. 

She just wished she didn’t have to dislocate her thumb… again. 

From the way people were shuffling out of the warehouse and taking whatever they could physically carry, Arcee was sure that no one would pay attention enough to notice what she was doing.

Slowly she started pushing down on her thumb. 

“You sick freak, what do you got planned?” Breakdown shouted, thrashing against his restraints. 

“Oh don’t you worry about that,” Silas said, turning his attention to an approaching man in a lab coat, “Arkeville?” 

“Sir,” Arkeville greeted through gritted teeth, “Transport efforts are nearly complete. Subject M8 is ready at the new site and undergoing new tests, I recommend that we go now to-” 

“Hold on Doctor,” Silas interrupted, “There are a few things we need to finish up before we move.” 

“But - If you want project Chimera to move forward we cannot waste time! I refuse to entertain your-” 

Silas rolled his eyes and sucked in a deep breath before turning in his chair and punching Arkeville in the stomach. 

Arcee and Breakdown both winced at the action. 

The force of the punch was so strong, Arkeville doubled over and lost what little breakfast he had that morning.

There were shouts and gasps of surprise at the sudden action, but no one made a move to help. 

Arcee had to agree that the action looked painful. Silas really was a monster if he treated his subordinates that way. The man, Arkeville, was being a disrespectful brat but even he did not deserve that. 

“Gross,” Silas mumbled before readjusting himself, “I warned you, you imbecile. What did I tell you about your insubordination?”

Arkeville gagged and tried to straighten up, his face twisted with pain, anger and hate as he glared at his assailant. 

Silas wiped the back of his knuckles clean on a nearby soldier’s shirt. 

“You know for a man of science you really are shortsighted and stupid! You don’t stop and think!” Silas spat, “Go gather the rest of  your things and wait in one of the vans. Do. Not. Argue.” 

Arkeville shook as his face turned red, “yes….Sir,” he bit out as he limped his way out, angrily shoving away others as he did so. 

“The same applies to the rest of you! Grab what you can carry and get out. We’ll be moving out at 0900. Meridian!” Silas barked, his gaze over to a busy scientist on the ground floor of the lab. A young man with dark hair and…

Arcee blinked as she observed the young scientist. Was that a servo?

“Doctor Meridian, would you kindly pull up the information you found for me?” Silas called down, “I have a few questions for our esteemed guests. I would like to test out my hypothesis.” 

“Of course, Sir,” the scientist, Meridian, nodded, grabbing his tablet from a nearby table.

As the man tapped away, the sleeves from his lab coat slid back, exposing the servo. 

Arcee stared at the metal appendage attached to the man from the wrist. 

It was an ugly gray looking thing. 

Blunt metal fingers and bolted knuckles, melded together with angry red, purple and wet looking stretched skin. 

Too painful to be just a prosthetic, too smooth moving and efficient to be just a human contraption. 

As Meridian attempted to  project the requested data onto the largest monitor on the wall, he  noticed Arcee’s staring. 

Seeing the opportunity, Meridian smirked for a moment before winking at the Femme, catching her by surprise. 

Optics widening, Arcee made a face of pure disgust. 

The audacity! 

Meridian laughed at the femmes expression before returning to his task. 

“Don’t tease the thing, Meridian. We have work to do,” Silas scolded while trying to keep his expression serious.

“Sorry, sir,” Meridian chuckled as he pulled up a schematic with accompanying data, “The most recent information of subject M8, sir.” 

“Thank you Doctor,” Silas hummed, “Now if you please, before you leave. Wake up sleeping beauty. I want to see what he has to say.” 

“Of course Sir,” Meridian chuckled, making his way over to Dreadwing’s slab, “He should be awake in no time.” 

“Good. Good. Now, I wonder who this little guy could be?” Silas asked, a wicked smile on his face as he rolled his chair closer to the edge of the platform, “Would you happen to know, miss?”

Arcee could feel her spark beat faster as the image she saw of Star previously appeared on the monitor’s screen, this time with notes attached to its margins.

Notes on the little one’s weight, size and armor. 

Flexibility, pain response, heat resistance. 

Arcee could not help but make a distressed sound as she continued to read, “Please, no.”

They had found him.

And they were torturing him. 

Breakdown froze at the sight of the scan. His optic widening in horror at the sudden realization that MECH had gotten a hold of the sparkling he, Arcee and Dreadwing were fighting over.

Despite the fact that the stunticon did not care much for sparklings, he did not wish harm to them either. 

“You are a sick piece of malware, you know that?” Breakdown spat, “May you smelt in the pits for this!” 

“Am I supposed to be offended?” Silas chuckled, “Oh I’m sorry, I don’t speak binary code.” 

“Then allow me to phrase this in a way you will understand, you miserable pit-spawn.” 

“Lieutenant!” Breakdown said, his voice laced with relief as he turned his head in his best effort to see the now alert seeker, “Thank the all-spark.” 

“I don’t believe we have met,” Silas greeted, “I am Silas, and we are MEC-” 

“I don’t care who you are, human,” Dreadwing snapped, “Get off me!” he shouted, shoving Meridian back as best as he could with an elbow, causing the human to yelp and back away,  “Disgusting creatures. Do not think for a moment that you will be free from the consequences of this offense.” 

“Dreadwing,” Arcee warned, “Please don’t-” 

Dreadwing ignored the femme as he continued, “My Master knows I am here. Our forces are on their way as we speak, and you and your followers will be nothing but slag and ash when we are finished.” 

“Sure they are,” Silas said in a bored tone, “I always find it interesting how you creatures spew threats, especially when we have the upper hand.”

“I do not see how you have the upper hand, human,” Dreadwing growled, “You and all of your faction will be crushed under Megatron’s mighty heel. Have no doubts about that.”

“Sure we will, big guy,” Silas chuckled, pointing a thumb at the large screen, “But first, I would like to show you a little something I found.” 

“NO!” Arcee cried as a new window opened on the screen. 

A live feed.

“What?” Dreadwing breathed as he stared up at the monitor, “No.” 

“At this moment, this thing is being held at an undisclosed location,” Silas said, his chin resting on his hand once again as he increased the audio, “ It is undergoing various tests, some that can be and are very painful. And very deadly.” 

A scream pierced through the monitor’s grainy speakers. 

All three cybertronians reacted badly at the sight.

“Dreadwing please! ” Arcee cried, “They have him! They have him!” 

“You sick fragger!” Breakdown shouted, “You freak! Let him go!” 

“Take me!” Arcee cried, “Do what you like with me, but let him go!” 

“You want to see that thing walk free?” Silas huffed,“Then you better comply.” 

Dreadwing bared his denta and snapped, “ YOU . ”

Silas frowned and straightened himself up as Dreadwing spoke, “ NOTHUS. ”

“That means nothing to me,” Silas said, rolling his eyes, “Do we have an understanding, yes or no?” 

Arcee whimpered as another cry rang through the speakers, “Stop! Please!”  

“Enough! You win, Silas ,” Dreadwing spat, exposing his fangs and puffing his armor as best as he could while pulling his wings back, “But you will regret this vice.” 

Arcee shivered at Dreadwing’s tone.  She knew that the seeker was not messing around. 

That statement was not just a warning. It was a promise. 

Silas smiled at Dreadwing, showing all of his teeth as he did so, “Good to see that you understand. I have some questions for you all, and I would love to get the answers.” 

Dreadwing growled, “You may ask your questions.”

“Ohhh good,” Silas purred, licking his lips as he did so, “I love it when they comply. Please explain to me. What is he?” he asked, pointing at the live feed, “Why is he so important?” 

“Don’t answer him Lieutenant,” Breakdown said, “No matter what we do, even if we give in to his requests, he will never let the new-spark go. He’s playing us.” 

Dreadwing glanced over at Arcee for a moment, analyzing the femmes pleading expression before addressing his fellow soldier. 

“If I do not, then they will certainly kill him,” Dreadwing growled, glaring up at Silas, “You are a smart human. I can already surmise that you know that the creature you are holding captive has some value to us. You just do not know how much value. That is why you have us trapped here, and why you are asking us questions.”

Silas clapped his hands slowly, “Well done! You figured it out! I’m sure you know what will happen next then?” 

“Do not toy with me, you insignificant clod,” Dreadwing snapped, “I am not someone to be trifled with.” 

“Then by all means, please, cooperate,” Silas tisked, “Now, are you going to talk? Or do I need to ask the others to “test” our little friend again?” 

Dreadwing hissed angrily as he slammed his wings against the slab that held him, the sound reverberating against the walls of the warehouse, causing many of the humans inside to gasp or shout in alarm. 

“Enough!” Dreadwing hissed, “Ask your damned questions, human.”

This Dreadwing.

Despite being bound, this creature. 

Was still menacing. 

Still dangerous. 

Powerful. 

Silas shivered. 

If it was in fear or in excitement he was not sure. 

All Silas could focus on at the moment was all the many ideas and possibilities that came with the utilization of the Seeker’s frame. 

Such anger. 

Such hatred. 

“Sir?” 

Silas snapped out of his racing thoughts as his assistant, Novo tapped his shoulder.

“Forgive me, but you zoned out for a little bit,” Novo whispered. 

“Ah, I see. Thank you, Novo,” Silas cleared his throat awkwardly as he tapped something onto his tablet, “First things first.” 

The live feed shrank and moved to the side of the screen as ten new images appeared.

“Ahhh, that's better,” Silas sighed, a little satisfied smile sneaking its way onto his face as he observed the expressions of his captured guests.

Dreadwing looked confused, Breakdown seemed annoyed. 

But RC, ah what an expression of fear and desperation she had on that pretty little face of hers. 

Silas could feel his excitement growing. 

Yes. 

This will surely be interesting. 

“Let us begin.” 

“Now where did the…Aha thats it, I would need to…there we go.” 

Silas’ words faded as he began to mumble and tap away on his tablet. The images on the large monitor screen changed. 

Arcee squinted and tried to make out what she was seeing. 

There were new faded images of ten different frames it seemed, all labeled and highlighted with notes and data. 

M1-B. UNK-BEE. M2-S. M3-O-ALPHA. UNK-FLY. UNK-V. M4-NULL. F2-RC. 

M8 - NULL*

“Yes, yes, this could be useful,” Silas continued to mutter to himself, as he analyzed the images, “Perfect.” 

Dreadwing yelled in frustration and slammed his wings against the slab once again, making a few of the remaining humans in the warehouse jump again. 

“Stop wasting time” Dreadwing shouted, “If you have a question get to it! ” 

“Easy there, my large fellow,” Silas laughed dryly, as small ID images appeared beneath each schematic,  “All good things to those who wait.”

Squinting at the screen for a moment, Arcee tensed as she saw who each frame belonged to. 

Breakdown, Bumblebee, Starscream, Optimus, Combaticon, Vehicon, Dreadwing, Herself. 

Star. 

Just as she saw before when she woke up. 

For a moment the images blinked and began to disappear. One by one, until only Starscream and Star’s details were left. 

MECH was far more resourceful than she thought. 

“Those are Starscream’s,” Breakdown mumbled, squinting his optic, “why are they…?”

“What is it?” Dreadwing asked quietly.

“It looks like…A cyber-contrast scan…That’s Starscream’s, I’d know it anywhere,” Breakdown said quietly.

“What?” Dreadwing said confused, “How can you tell? I can barely see any of the lines.”

“I have his entire frame work practically memorized with how many times he’s been in the med-bay. He’s the only seeker I know with that type of frame and signature, it’s in the pattern.”

Arcee tensed and held in a gasp as the two mechs talked. 

“Impressive,” Dreadwing said in a surprised tone. 

“Not really. You can also see it on the notes,” Breakdown sniffed. “Those are clear.” 

“But what does that traitor have to do with any of this?” Dreadwing asked, “How do these squishies have that kind of information?” 

“The samples. The scanners! I don’t know how, but they must have taken information from the commander at one point,” Breakdown pointed his chin at the images displayed, “See there? That’s Screamer’s frame - see the thick lining? The energon signature reads? The second is the kids. All major lines match -” 

They were piecing it all together. 

“Why would -” 

“It looks almost like a test of some sort, see how the data is matching major alloys?” Breakdown interrupted Dreadwing, “Arcee said that she was the carrier right? She said the sire was one of ours. I thought the little guy looked familiar but, seems like MECH had the same idea and the beat us to it. Though I don’t see why they’re comparing him to Sta- ” 

“If you are all done chit chatting,” Silas coughed, interrupting the duo’s conversation, “Looking at the previous data we’ve gathered from you all, as well as the resemblance and your behaviors. There is only one obvious match and logical conclusion,” Silas smiled once again as he stared down at Arcee, “But to test my hypothesis. I would like to hear it from you first.” 

Arcee tensed under the man’s gaze.

…

Silas’ gaze was piercing. Unwavering.

…

He knows.  

“And I do love being proven right,” Silas purred. 

Scrap. 

“So he is important enough to try and defend. Enough for all three of you, despite opposing factions to fight over and bargain for,” Silas grinned, looking up and down “And from analyzing all behaviors, I believe it is safe to ask. This creature…What is it?” 

“It?” Breakdown frowned, “What do you mean, it?” 

“ He, is a sparkling. A child ,” Dreadwing answered, “But you already knew that. Therefore, you know that what you are doing is wrong, and you are aware that you will be damned for eternity for this.”

“Fascinating,” Silas hummed, “However, human morality does not extend to the alien. My conscience is clear. You are not human and therefore, you and all of your kind are a threat .  That means that whatever I do with any of you, humanity will simply not care. In fact once they realize that you are a threat, they will be grateful.” 

Dreadwing growled at Silas’ callousness, “Immoral beast,” he hissed.  

“However, that still does not answer my question. Let me rephrase,” Silas sighed, “What is he to all of you? Why is he so important?”

“No one has seen a sparkling in centuries,” Dreadwing huffed, “The fact that the child even exists is an anomaly - Anyone would be intrigued.” 

“Including your Master,” Silas mused, “And why is that? What use would your Master have with a child?” 

“It’s a child,” Breakdown sighed, rolling his optic, “Haven’t you ever seen that movie? The one where no one has kids for like, years? It’s the same thing. They’re important.” 

“So your Master would just keep it and then what? Raise it?” 

Dreadwing frowned at the question. He never really stopped to think about how Megatron would react to the news of a sparkling. Would the warlord view the child as some sort of hindrance? Or will Megatron praise the allspark and double his efforts to restore his home? 

Dreadwing wished he could have contemplated the question more.

“My Lord would…Not harm the child,” Dreadwing said, his lack of conviction betraying his words, “He would be…Interested.” 

Silas nodded his head as he processed the seeker’s response.

“Yeah right,” Arcee grumbled, “Your Master would only kill him or break him to prove a point.” 

“My Master would never!” Dreadwing hissed at Arcee, “My Master understands the importance of a sparkling! He would never hurt this one!”

“Past experience says he would,” Arcee sniffed, “Look what he did to Bumblebee! Megatron would absolutely kill my sparkling, just to spite Prime!”

“Child, you are driving on thin ice!” Dreadwing warned, “Do not insult Lord Megatron!” 

“Oh and  what are you going to do?!” Arcee growled, pointing at the Seeker’s restraints with her chin, “Get up and fight me? I warned you! Breakdown warned you and now look at what’s happened! I was right and you were wrong! You are wrong about this too, Megatron would kill him!”

“Lord Megatron knows the value of life!” Dreadwing shouted, his wings slamming against the metal slab beneath him in anger, “He would protect the sparkling with his life , no matter the build or maker!” 

“That’s interesting,” Silas said loudly, interrupting the argument, “Because the person matching the child scans assured me that your Master hated him. Tried to kill him but failed on multiple occasions. How can you be so sure that your Master won't respond badly to this child once he finds out who built them?” 

Arcee jumped as Breakdown barked out a laugh.

“Built? You actually think we’re built?” Breakdown snickered. 

“Your friend just said “no matter the build or maker,” I assumed that meant the child was assembled somehow,” Silas frowned, “Built and put together. Isn’t that how you robots are made?”  

“We’re not like you humans, idiot ,” Breakdown scoffed, “We don’t just ‘build’ new-sparks. We’re not robots or toys you and your lackeys can tinker with. We are sentient autonomous beings! We are made . Not built.” 

“You humans really are ignorant,” Dreadwing huffed, “you have very little understanding of our frames.” 

Arcee sighed a little in relief. 

If MECH understood that little about them, despite all the scans and experiments. Then there was hope that they did not know what exactly Star was. 

Better for her. 

At least with that Arcee had hope. 

“Like all living things, we are born into this existence,” Dreadwing huffed, “We consume, we live, we grow old and return to the allspark when our time has come.” 

“I see,” Silas hummed, “So there are some biological aspects to your procreation. He wasn’t built. He was made. That makes a little more sense. Interesting.” 

Scratching his chin, Silas furrowed his brow as he stared at Arcee in contemplation, “Is it the same process as our biological kingdom? A majority of the living things here on earth reproduce sexually. It is necessary to have two parties in order to conceive and reproduce. Is it the same for your kind? Or is it a different process entirely?” 

“We have many forms of coming to be,” Dreadwing snorted, “Some too complicated for your feeble organic mind to accept or even comprehend. However, there is a one in a million chance of an emergence that does require two beings, and brings forth a newspark.” 

“Is that what happened with this one?” Silas pointed a thumb at the live feed in the corner, “Is that why he is so important?”

“I do not know. Ask his supposed carrier,” Dreadwing answered, nodding his helm in Arcee’s direction. 

“Carrier?” Silas glanced over at Arcee, his eyes raking over her form, “Did you have something to do with this thing's creation then?” 

Arcee shrunk under the question and reluctantly nodded her head, “Yes. He is mine. He is my sparkling.”

“I see. That does explain why you fought so hard during your capture,” Silas smirked, “But a pretty little thing like you getting together with that freak? Sorry, but I just can’t see it.” 

Arcee growled and bared her denta at Silas, “You don’t know anything!” she shouted, “You don’t get to judge me or my choices!” 

“Fair,” Silas shrugged, “But Starscream? Really? I didn’t even think that twink had it in him.” 

Silence.

Arcee’s face changed the second Silas mentioned the seeker, her feature’s twisting to a look of utter terror. Like she had been caught doing something she shouldn’t. 

Dreadwing kept glancing back and forth between Arcee, the monitor screen and Silas, his optics wide with disbelief. 

Breakdown was practically dying with laughter. 

“Starscream?! Oh come on -” Breakdown gasped between chortles, “Him?! I didn’t know you had a sense of humor! You can’t be serious?”

“The CNA and Cyber-contrast scans are a ninety nine percent match,” Silas said, his brow twitching, “And the resemblance is uncanny .” 

“Wait. What?!” Breakdown laughed, “Nah, nah, nah - No way. I know CC scans, either your scanners are broken or your methodology is wrong. There’s no way. ” 

For a moment everything came to a standstill. 

“You…” Silas paused as he took a deep breath and brought his hands together, almost as if giving a frustrated prayer before speaking again, “You mean to tell me. That you can’t see the resemblance?” 

Another beat of silence followed.

Silas, along with whatever remaining humans were in the facility stared at the three cybertronians. Their expressions ranging from baffled, to frustrated, and shocked. 

“What, really?!” Breakdown gasped.  

“How do you not see it? It’s obvious!” Silas asked incredulously, his frustration growing as the monitor’s screen displayed Starscream and the little one’s pictures side by side,“The resemblance is uncanny! The child is practically a chubby clone of him!”

Dreadwing and Breakdown looked at each other for a moment before looking at the screen again. 

Their optics squinting and readjusting as they tried and failed to see whatever the human’s were seeing. 

“I can’t,” Silas stammered as he let his face fall onto his open palm, “Seriously, are you all color blind or something?” 

Both Breakdown and Dreadwing scowled at the question. 

“I don’t know what that means, I see colors fine!” Breakdown sneered, “Not my fault your tech is so archaic. How can you all see what’s up there?”

“Huh?” 

Arcee snorted and laughed at Silas. He reminded her of that little cat Miko liked, it made the same sound and expression that Silas was making.

“We are colorblind,” Arcee said as she regained control of herself, “At least in the human sense. Ra…Uh. One of our allies explained it to me once.” 

“Then please explain,” Silas sighed, dragging his hand across his face.

 This was going on for too long. He needed to leave soon. 

Arcee frowned as she tried to remember what Raf and Ratchet were able to explain.

It was after their last interaction with MECH. When “Nemesis Prime” was on the loose. 

Even Fowler questioned why no one on the team could tell the imposter and the real prime apart. 

“We are advanced cybernetic beings,” Arcee said, closing her optics to try and focus, “Technically we are color blind. We can’t see certain shades of what you call Red or pink. To us those colors are virtually nonexistent. It looks like what you call brown or green. However, we can see in what is a mixture of infrared and ultraviolet light. We struggle to see what’s on human computers and televisions sometimes because they use RGB pixels. If you are displaying the information with a red or white background we won’t be able to see everything. You would need to put whatever you are displaying in dark mode or on a green or blue background with white or yellow letters. That’s the best way that I can explain it.” 

Silas’ eye twitched. 

Glancing over at the screen, Silas could feel one of the veins on the side of his head pop. 

The data was being displayed on orange glass monitors. 

Everything was written or drawn in white font, with some of the notes and lines being highlighted in blues, yellows and greens.  And the pictures displayed were taken with white or gray backgrounds. 

No wonder they could barely see anything. 

But the live feed…

The live feed was coming from a security camera feed. Which had low lighting and infrared features to better record and observe the little one’s activities. 

He was locked in a dark kennel after all. 

“You mean to tell me,” Silas sighed, “That this entire time. You three couldn’t see everything that was on this screen?”

All three cybertronians looked up at Silas awkwardly. 

“I didn’t want to say anything to be honest I just thought you humans just had shitty tech,” Breakdown mumbled. 

All the humans in the warehouse groaned collectively. 

“That is so damn stupid,” someone said out loud. 

“Oh come on!” Breakdown growled, “You’re the ones that didn’t catch up on that! Didn’t you idiots learn anything from taking my optic? Of course we don’t see the way you humans do, why would we?” 

Silas groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose, “Someone change the background color so these idiots can see what I’m talking about!” 

“Who are you calling an idiot?!” Breakdown scoffed, offended.

“For someone who is so obsessed with the study our kind,” Dreadwing purred, “You are very incompetent.” 

Silas growled and sneered at Breakdown as his assistant tapped incessantly on his tablet. 

“I’m not the one relying on the mercy of my enemies,” Silas spat, “For such superior and advanced creatures, you are so easy to fool and to catch. And you talk to me about incompetence.” 

Dreadwing growled and snapped his denta at Silas as Breakdown revved his engine in protest. 

“Background has been changed sir,” Novo quietly whispered to Silas. 

“Good. See for yourselves,” Silas coughed, pointing at the screen, “You can’t tell me this thing isn’t related to Starscream.” 

The silence that followed was thick and… Awkward.

…

…

…

Silas glanced between the cybertronians and his remaining associates. 

Dreadwing and Breakdown were reading, their optics widening as their jaws went slack. 

Everything matched. 

The sparkling was related to Starscream. 

…

…

…

“Is no one going to say anything or…?” Silas mumbled to himself. 

…

…

…

The more seconds passed the more Arcee seemed to shrink into herself in shame.

…

…

…

Finally there was an explosion of sound.

“What the actual frag Arcee! Starscream is the sire?! I thought you hated the guy?!” Breakdown yelled while looking over at the femme disbelievingly, “How is that even possible? Didn’t he kill your partner?”

Breakdown paused and gasped loudly, “Holy father of Solus - Did Cliffjumper know ?!” 

“OH, Shut up Breakdown, you’re one to talk,” Arcee said mockingly, sitting up as much as she could with her restraints so she could glare at the stunticon, “ You of all mechs should know that these things can happen! Don’t think that none of us know about Knockout and his conquests, or you and Arachnid!” 

“That’s different - She didn’t murder my partner!” Breakdown wheezed. 

“Oh for frags sake, she tried to kill you! ” Arcee yelled.

 “At least I didn’t merge with her!” Breakdown stammered, “What were you thinking?”

“Listen here you slag-heap,” Arcee hissed, speaking through her denta as she glared at Breakdown, “I’m gonna tell you a damn truth about life. When at war, the line between love and hate is FUCKING THIN.” 

“Oh boy, I see that I stepped into some shit,” Silas mumbled before loudly clapping and clearing his throat, “Back. To. The questions! How long before it becomes an adult?” 

Everyone’s attention snapped back to Silas. 

Breakdown and Arcee both made a ‘huh’ noise, while Dreadwing just growled. 

“How long before it reaches adulthood?” Silas repeated, tapping something on his tablet.

Dreadwing rolled his optics and answered Silas’ question, “To reach full adulthood it would take about fifty cycles.” 

“Elaborate,”Silas said. 

Dreadwing’s face twisted in frustration. Did this fool actually believe that he, Dreadwing, a titan among humans, would actually bother to convert time units for their convenience? 

It was bad enough that he was participating in this stupid drama, now the human wants him to do math?

Really? 

“It would be about ten thousand solar cycles - er…Years?” Arcee supplied, before Dreadwing could speak. 

Silas nodded his head and hummed, “That long? Hmm. Well, evidence does show that you and your kind are very old. Several millennia actually,” scratching his chin, Silas readjusted himself again, as he thought out loud to himself, “that does put a damper on things. Oh, well. Nothing we can’t deal with. How old is this one then?” 

“Half a cycle,” Arcee said quickly, “He’s still a baby. Innocent and with soft metal. So please, just let him go! What would you need him for anyway? You have your answers, now let him go!” 

Dreadwing stared at Arcee, his brow furrowed with great amounts of confusion. 

In his mind, that made absolutely no sense. 

Just like in the forest, the story was not coherent. It made no sense when you really thought about it. 

Nothing this femme was saying did. From the sire to the age of the little spark. 

One. Because it’s Starscream. 

He was notorious for upholding his “virtue”, the mech was so self absorbed and busy scheming he never really had time to frag anyone or anything. 

Not that anyone ever would. 

Starscream is ugly. From frame to personality. 

At least in Seeker standards. 

Too skinny.  

Too small. 

Despite the seekers knowledge and excellent flight skills, physically he was nothing to look at. 

Starscream had an odd combination of femme-like and mech-like features that barely met the beauty standards of cybertronian society. 

Too unhealthy looking, no matter how pristine his finish was. 

Sure, Starscream was a little handsome in his youth, with his old armor and bulk. 

But the fool went ahead and sacrificed his once acceptable frame for speed. 

Changing his tri-colored armor for a chrome scheme and plating that practically embraced his protoform. 

That was nearly fifteen cycles ago. 

If the child was only half a cycle - that would mean that Arcee linked up and interfaced with the Seeker sometime before they all came here to earth. But after the seeker had changed his frame. 

It just did not add up. 

Arcee was a pretty femme.  Lean, with sharp edges, plump wheels and shiny armor. She could have anyone she wanted if her personality wasn’t so prickly. 

And it was well known that the femme had a type. 

No way someone with her standard would ever, willfully get together with someone like Starscream.

But a new-spark, especially one born from sparking and budding, was a one in a million. 

Born from excess energy between two sparks to form a new one. 

And a merge is a very intimate act. A consensual act. 

It can not - or rather, should not be forced. 

Starscream may be a notorious aft. But he would never stoop that low. 

He was a seeker after all. And even if he tried. the programming within him would stop him before even beginning to think of such an atrocious act. 

Which leads to the second problem. 

Two. The timing did not add up. 

Dreadwing checked the little one’s fangs, wings and claws. 

Although small for his age, the sparkling is several millennia old, at least three-cycles. The child could speak for Primus’ sake! 

Dreadwing’s thoughts paused. 

The little one spoke. 

The little one spoke seeker cant. Clearly. And with a vosian accent. 

Had it truly emerged from Arcee and Starscream’s union, if it had been raised by the femme. It would speak clear Neocybex or English. 

Meaning that the story Arcee was spinning…

Was…a lie…

Dreadwing’s optics narrowed as he stared at the femme. Noting her desperation, her little pauses and darting optics. 

Dreadwing was good at reading mecha, when he first awoke in this facility and had to play along with the human’s game, he knew to distract them. Arcee had dislocated her digit in favor of slipping free. She was just waiting for an opportune moment to strike. Like this Silas fellow, she was fishing for information. 

Now it made more sense. 

The sparkling was never hers. 

It was someone’s sparkling, just not hers. 

She was just protecting the child from them. 

But why? 

Why was this sparkling so important? 

Why was she desperate enough to lie?

Why was she in the forest to begin with? 

Dreadwing stared harder at Arcee. 

She was once again arguing with Breakdown, her face twisted in desperation and determination as she shouted, pleaded and negotiated with the humans. 

“I don’t believe you,” Dreadwing said, interrupting whatever argument Arcee was having at that moment.

The seeker’s tone was heavy. 

Deadly.  

Arcee froze. Her mouth hanging open as her optics became filled with dread.

“Dreadwing,” the two-wheeler whispered, her voice wavering. 

She was lying. 

Finally, something clicked in Dreadwing’s mind. 

The sparkling was related to Starscream somehow.

She was alone with the new-spark in the middle of a remote forest.

In the middle of the night for a reason . 

Either she planned on harming the child in order to harm Starscream in some way. 

Or she kidnapped it, to turn it over to the Autobots. 

Neither of those things were acceptable in Dreadwing’s mind. 

Dreadwing felt his spark burn with anger. 

This femme, better have a good reason for being there tonight. 

If not, Silas would not be the only one to perish beneath his mighty claws that day. 

“Child,” Dreadwing said quietly, his optics burning bright as he stared deep into Arcee’s own, “What have you done?” 

“Sir, it’s fifteen minutes to time,” Novo urgently whispered, “This has been fun and all but, did we get what we need?”

“We got enough. Who knew that being proven right would turn this whole fiasco into a daytime show?” Silas muttered back to Novo, “Start the cars and take the big one - He’ll be perfect for Project Chimera. Erase everything. If worse comes to worse, we could use the child as a bargaining chip between these idiot’s leaders or Starscream, if that smartass is still alive.”

“And if that doesn’t work?” Novo asked, motioning to the remaining staff to leave. 

“It won't matter, negotiations or not, that kid is the perfect size for a freelancer to wear or for spare parts,” Silas muttered, while putting his tablet down on the floor, “I’m sure Meridian will be thrilled.” 

“Meridian?” Novo asked, looking a little concerned.

“Let him know he got promoted,” Silas smiled, knowing that the promotion of the young Doctor would absolutely piss Arkeville off.     

“And the others?” Novo asked, nodding his head in the cybertronians’ direction. 

“Hmm,” Silas hummed, “Pity. We could use Breakdown.” 

“That would be nice,” Novo agreed, “But there’s no space in our new facility, sir. Sadly, we can’t pick and choose who we want at the moment.” 

“Then you know what to do,” Silas shrugged, frowning as he adjusted himself. Wheelchairs can be quite uncomfortable after all.

“Leave the feed on for the female.”

“Sir?” Novo blinked, a little surprised at the request. It seemed rather cruel. 

“Let her spend her last moments with her son.” 

But maybe that was the point. 

These Transformer’s broke Silas’ bones. 

Now Silas was going to break their spirits. 

“Well this was an interesting conversation,” Silas sighed loudly, “however, I’m going to need to cut it short.”

Snapping his fingers, one of Silas’ associates grabbed the handles on the man’s wheelchair and slowly started to guide it away from the platform. 

“I can’t say it's been a pleasure,” Silas called as he was pushed onto a lift, “Prep them.” 

One by one the lights began to turn off. 

The warehouse was empty now.  All lab equipment picked up, save for a few scraps and dirty glass. All the computers had been picked apart, taken or left in pieces, their screens flickering blue and white. 

The only thing that stayed on was the large monitor screen and a lonely light shining down on the captive. 

“W-wait, hang on!” Breakdown stammered as he watched the final group of humans prepare to leave. 

“You can't just leave us like this!” Dreadwing shouted, “Come back here! Release us!” 

“Oh don’t you worry big fella, we have plans for you all,” Silas purred, snapping his fingers again. 

The remaining soldiers in the group nodded and began to approach the captive cybertronians. 

Dreadwing was first. 

“Stay back!” Dreadwing roared and hissed, slamming his wings against the slab over and over again in an attempt to break free or at least scare the humans off, but it was not working. “Lay a hand on me and I swear it will be the last thing you do!” 

“Relax, big boy,” One of the soldiers laughed, taking aim with his gun, “Say good night.”

“Good night!” Arcee screamed, pulling her servo free from its restraint and transforming it into her blaster. As she began to shoot, she failed to notice the wire connected to the back of her helm. 

Then again her pain receptors were fried - whatever she could feel was dulled down. 

And whatever satisfaction or hope she felt while shooting was immediately killed when something hot and sharp passed through her processor. 

“ Arcee! ”

Arcee could feel her optics roll back and her mouth open wide as a shriek ripped through her throat. 

Her mind felt like it was on fire, sending the world spinning horribly to the point of making her gag and spit fluid. 

Just as quickly as that awful sensation appeared, it disappeared, leaving the two-wheeler gasping and twitching. 

Arcee gagged and let out a sob as her frame slumped against the slab, her free servo falling limp at her side. 

Her helm hurt, her protoform felt tight and there was so much pressure on her eye. 

Everything felt so heavy. 

She could hear Silas’ laughter, shouts of pain and anger from the soldiers she had shot, and Breakdown calling her name. 

“Arcee! Arcee! What did you do to her?! What did you do, you dreg?!” 

“New security measure. A hardware cable lock. Pull on it too hard, you get a nice shock to the brain.”

Arcee grit her denta as she looked over at Silas. Her movements sluggish and slow as sparks flew off her helm. 

The man was waiting by a door, a toothy smile on his face as the sunlight shone brightly behind him. 

“You really are a stupid girl,” Silas wheezed, smacking his knee in amusement, “Did you really think you’d be able to escape? That we didn’t figure out how you got free in the first place? HA! Yeah right. Clean yourselves up boys, and let's get a move on. We’re running late as it is.” 

A groaning sound of metal echoed through the empty warehouse as its large loading bay doors began to open. Flooding the once dark space with sunlight. 

The femme sucked some air through her denta in a pained hiss as the light hit her optics. 

As she slowly blinked, her optics began filling up with coolant. There was nothing she could do now. 

Her plan failed. She was powerless. 

All the femme could do was watch as the soldiers dusted themselves off, wiping energon and blood off of their skin as they popped their dislocated servos back into their sockets and ripped off pieces of torn skin and wires. 

If Arcee hadn’t been so tired, she would have wondered what these humans were. However, the sounds of engines and chatter reminded her that it did not matter. 

They were going to be taken away, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. 

“No! Stay away from me, you abominations!” 

Arcee sniffed as she closed her optics. There was nothing she could do for Dreadwing now. 

The second the electric prong hit Dreadwing’s chest, the seeker seized. Little arcs of electricity danced across the seekers armor for a moment before they were replaced with smoke. 

The familiar sounds of powering down accompanied Dreadwing’s pained groans as the seeker went limp. 

Breakdown, bless his soul, continued to fight and shout for his Lieutenant as the seeker was unceremoniously covered with a large blue tarp and moved. 

“Let me go!” Breakdown struggled against his restraints and angrily shouted as he saw a lone, energon soaked soldier approach, “No! I refuse to play along with you! I’d rather die than be torn open by you again! You hear me?!” 

“That can be arranged,” Silas said with a shrug. 

As the man snapped his fingers, there was a familiar high pitched whine.

Too late did the stunticon realize his mistake.

“Breakdown!” Arcee screamed, her voice raspy and whispery, “No!” She sobbed as the mech went limp, his helm slumping down as energon leaked down his chin and onto his chest. 

He had been shot where his right optic used to be. 

“Bullseye,” the soldier chuckled, lowering his weapon and walking away. 

Arcee trembled and sobbed, “Please!” she begged her voice hoarse, “Please, why? Why did you do that?” 

“Oh come, now,” Silas cooed, “Don’t cry. You’ll be joining him soon enough.” 

Arcee looked horrified as she noticed the soldiers pouring kerosene onto the floor and walls, over empty desks and tables. 

“No,” the femme whispered, feeling panic fill her spark, “No, no, no, no.” 

“As for your spawn. He’s in good hands,” Silas chuckled, “Each and every part of him, every discovery will be utilized to further improve our weapons, our soldiers and to progress the new generation of  humanity. You should be proud, not all of your sacrifices will be in vain.” 

Arcee screamed in rage as she tried to move again, attempting to power up her blaster and take aim. But Arcee could barely lift her arm, and the weapon only whined and sputtered as it struggled to power up. 

Pathetic. 

Arcee cursed and cried out in anger, glaring at Silas with every ounce of hatred she could muster. 

“This isn’t over Silas,” Arcee hissed, “You’ll burn in hell for this!”

“I’ll make sure to visit you there then,” Silas said while nodding his head, “A parting gift for you, my dear.” 

Pointing at the large monitor on the wall, Silas gave the femme a smile. 

The live feed of the sparkling’s kennel was still there, now blown up and taking over the entire screen. 

Arcee gasped as she saw the state of the sparkling. Of Star. 

The little one was huddled in a corner, nursing an injury on his leg while he sucked on one of his knuckles in an attempt to soothe himself. He looked so scared. 

Arcee felt her tears fall again as she stared at the screen, “I’m sorry,” she sniffed, “I’m so, so, sorry.”

The femme barely noticed the closing doors, the hiss of flames or the now empty but burning warehouse. 

All she could focus on was the sparkling on the screen. 

“Estimated arrival of Alpha - 0.50. Testing reg. Approved. Commence second round of armor resistance.”  

The sounds coming from the monitor screen were dampened by the pop and roar of flames. 

With every scream that broke through the cheap speakers, Arcee would flinch. 

“I really am stupid,” Arcee laughed dryly to herself, her cycling breaths becoming more shallow as heat and smoke surrounded her, “I really thought settling the score would let me move on. Instead I ruined everything.”  

Arcee coughed as the smoke started to burn her insides, her core temperature rising to an unsafe level.  The flames were getting close now, and the heat was becoming more and more unbearable. 

“I guess I’ll really be able to move on now. I’m sorry,” Arcee whispered. As to whom she was apologizing too, she guessed it was for everyone, “I’m sorry for being so stupid. Selfish. For not thinking,” the femme coughed, “I’m sorry for failing all of you.” 

Earlier that day, Arcee would have gladly wished this type of pain onto Starscream. However, that's the thing about wishful thinking. It is just that. Wishful thinking. It’s not meant to come true.
It’s not meant to be real . 

Deep down in her spark, Arcee knew that the seeker did not deserve this type of pain, and she knew that her thoughts of “justice” were really just fantasies of revenge. 

Revenge was not true justice, and it only begets more violence. 

Everyone in this war has taken a life, done something horrible, lost someone important.

She was no exception. 

But she tried to fulfill that wishful thinking. 

Tried to act without thought of consequence. Without thinking of the pain or destruction it would cause. 

She brought about all this pain, this suffering, to something - someone, so innocent. 

All because she wanted to hurt a mech that was no longer existing. 

All because she wanted to satisfy her own need to cause harm. 

All in the name of her lost partner, who is no longer there and would not appreciate the act.

She caused all this.

And now she will have to pay the price. 

Revenge isn’t a dish served cold. 

It is a fire that consumes and destroys one’s soul.

“...Cee.” 

Arcee twitched at the sound. 

“Ar…Cee.” 

The femme gasped as she woke up and looked around, trying to locate the voice calling to her.  

Bang. 

Everything was hazy and the smoke was burning her optics. 

Was…

Was she hallucinating?

Bang. 

That couldn’t be Optimus. 

“Primus?” Arcee wheezed, “Primus is that you?” 

“Frag… You.” the voice coughed. 

Bang.

Arcee gasped and looked over to her side “Breakdown!” 

The mech groaned and coughed repeatedly, “Help.” 

Arcee blinked and stared at Breakdown. Or atleast what she thought was his corpse. As she coughed she could swear that the mech was glowing. 

BANG. 

Arcee blinked again. 

“Hey, hey!” Breakdown shouted, his servo slapping her cheek, “Come on stay with me!” 

Oh now she was definitely hallucinating. Becoming delirious. Delusional. 

Breakdown was in front of her. 

“I need you to move!” 

“Is it you?” Arcee asked, “Are you really alive?” 

“Does it matter? Move!” Breakdown shouted, “Are you a soldier or not? Move!” 

“You’re dead,” Arcee coughed, “You’re not real -” 

“Glitch, if you deny me one more time,” Breakdown growled, “I know you’re not ok. But I need you to move!” 

Arcee stared at the mech, looking into the yellow optics of her enemy, “Why save me? I’ve done something awful.” 

“Because you need help,” Breakdown wheezed, “And the sparkling? He needs help too. We need you to help save him now. You want amends? You know damn well what to do.” 

Arcee wheezed and smiled, “Primus, if this is a sign from you. Then -” 

“Damn it woman!” Breakdown shouted, light shining behind him, “MOVE!” 

MOVE. MOVE. MOVE DAMN YOU!

Arcee laughed and sobbed as she obeyed. 

Not knowing that her salvation and damnation was fast approaching. 

“Get that door open! Hammer it if you have to!” 

“On it! Blades, Bulkhead,  help me out here! 

“Heatwave! There are two individuals inside!”

“I’ll get them out! You get the kits ready! Chase, you’re with me. We get them out as quickly as we can!”

“One last hit! A big one!” 

“There! We got it!” 

“Move in!”

Chapter Text

Hey everyone. 

I have some news and the news is that I am not ok.

These last few weeks, life hase been throwing everything it's got at me. 

I had 3 emergencies hit me at once. 

Including one that saved a life by the grace of God and human kindness

I also found out that one of my pets is dying. And that I won't have much time left with them. 

So please hold on just a little while longer for me to return to my stories. I'll make it up to you guys. 

But first I want and need to get over these hurdles and spend whatever time I have left with my beloved fur baby. 

Thank you for everything.

Chapter Text

Record management, or more commonly known as record duty, was the worst possible task anyone could ever be assigned to.  Worse than sanitation, inventory or even monitor duty. 

A lot of individuals despise record management.

Arcee included. 

According to Bulkhead, being on record duty was a million times worse than monitor duty. 

Reviewing and archiving records was tedious, soul crushing and more boring than just staring at a screen and waiting for something to happen. 

Monitor duty was like watching paint dry. 

Record duty was like painting a giant wall, but with a teeny tiny brush and one dab at a time. 

However, as much as record management was boring, and agonizingly mind-numbing. It was important, because it was informative. 

To maintain all records meant that there was an archive. To have an archive that meant that there was data. Having data means having a database. And a database means information.

Knowledge. 

Knowledge such as the various individuals, bases and factions of Transformers that were available and active on Earth. 

Had Arcee just gone through her assignment of record duty three weeks ago, and not traded away her stash of rust sticks and a weeks worth of patrol duty to Bumblebee in favor of skipping it all together - she could have remembered a very important piece of information as she desperately called for her and Star’s rescue. 

Somewhere off the coast of Maine. 

There was a little island. 

Griffin Rock. 

Now this was not an ordinary island. This island was special. 

Very special. 

On the island was one of the most technologically advanced communities on Earth. 

Full of advanced scientific endeavors, research and technology. 

But it was also the home of some very special autonomous robotic beings.

The Rescue Bots. 

A special rescue task force, specifically trained to roll to the rescue whenever an emergency arises, and to protect and serve all of those in need.

--------------------------------------------

Griffin Rock, ME   5:29 AM EST 

Deep underground and hidden away from the world. 

The Rescuebots:  Heatwave, Blades, Chase, and Boulder, were recharging peacefully.

Some in their alt-modes, some in their root modes.

But all comfortable, cozy and warm. 

All was good. 

All was at peace.

That is, until the emergency alarm went off. 

Heatwave did not know what was louder, the blaring alarm or Blades’ panicked scream. 

“What's happening?!” Blades cried, his rotors flaring up and out like a cat’s tail. 

“Settle down, Blades. It’s just the emergency alarm, no need to panic,” Chase grunted, his lights flashing in irritation as he tried to calm his pulsing spark. 

“Take a deep breath buddy,” Boulder advised, his face twisted into a frown as the alarm continued to wail. 

With a groan and fighting the beginnings of a horrible helmache, Heatwave quickly transformed and stumbled over to the station’s main computer, grumbling and mumbling obscenities as he did so. 

With a press of a button on the keypad, the main computer of Fire Station Prime blinked to life.

Heatwave hissed through his denta as the brightness of the computer screen stung his optics.

Grunting and continuing to curse under his breath, Heatwave forcefully typed in a command, “ugh, shut up,” he grumbled. 

The alarm at last went silent.

Sighing in relief at the quiet, Heatwave allowed his frame to relax a little. 

“Now who could that be this early in the morning?” Chase hummed, his lights flashing in irritation, “I am used to waking up early, however I am not used to waking up to so much noise.” 

“If the alarm went off down here it must be a really bad emergency,” Boulder replied, stretching out his back and his legs. 

“It seems like a code red. Cybertronian open channel,” Heatwave hummed, rubbing his optics, “An emergency message playing on loop.” 

“Must be really bad then, could be a new ‘bot or neutral landing on this planet. They could be hurt,” Blades said, his tone sympathetic as his rotors lowered. 

“Or very lost and confused,” Boulder added. 

“I’ll go grab my med kit just in case!” Blades chirped, making his way towards his private locker. 

“Turn the lights on while you’re at it!” Heatwave huffed as  he reached under the computer's console. Hanging on a hook was a flimsy headset; large enough to fit over a cybertronian’s head but with ear cups (or what Chase insists should technically be called, “audial cups”) so small and cheaply made it could barely cover a mini-bot’s audio grills. 

And what’s worse. They were wired. 

Groaning at the sight of the archaic device, Heatwave connected the flimsy headset to the computer. As he pressed the headset’s ear cup against his audial with a digit, the firetruck squinted at the words on the screen. 

“Alright, let's see who’s calling,” Heatwave mumbled, pressing play. 

:Open Channel N- 0117: 

• URGENT MESSAGE     - 

“[---s----pl--]”

Heatwave frowned, “That’s not good,” he mumbled, adjusting the comms frequency. Hopefully that would make the message a little clearer.

“[This is Arcee ----open channel---]”

Heatwave’s frown deepened as he focused. Arcee was from Team Prime, if she was calling from an open channel something was definitely wrong. 

“[----- caught ------- have a spark-----help-----Som-----e-----hel-]”

“Lights are  on!” Blades called out. 

“Hush! I’m trying to listen,” Heatwave sighed exasperated as he adjusted the frequency, “Come on, just a little - There.” 

Still laced with static and whines, Arcee’s voice finally broke through.

“[This is Arcee…on an open channel…. been caught by M.E.C.H.]”

“What’s it say?” Blades chirped, only to be harshly shushed by everyone. “Sorry,” he said meekly. 

Rolling his optics, Heatwave continued to listen closely.

“[I have a sparkling…with me.]” 

Heatwave’s optics widened, “Oh scrud.” 

“[I need help. We need help. I’m sorry. Please.]”

“Heatwave, you ok?” Boulder asked, “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” 

“Rescue Bots!” Heatwave barked, turning to meet his shocked teammates,“Open your comms and contact Prime Base! Use their direct channels if you have to!”

“Heatwave, what’s wrong?” Boulder asked, worried.

“Chase, wake up the Chief! Get everyone on a channel - keep calling team Prime until they answer! One of their own is in deep trouble.” 

“What? Who?” Blades asked nervously, his medkit in hand. 

“It’s Arcee, she was caught by something or someone,”  Heatwave his voice wavering as he tried to remain calm and not let the shock get to him, “and she has a sparkling with her.” 

Optics widened and jaws went slack at that news. 

The shock however, disappeared within a moment. The team went full rescue mode as they prepared their things and opened their coms. The tension was thick, but there was also a sense of determination in the air. 

“This is Boulder, Rescue Force Sigma-17. Outpost Alpha, come in.” 

“This is Blades, Ratchet, come in.” 

Typing a flurry of commands, Heatwave leaned down to speak into the computer’s microphone and  opened the emergency response comms. 

“This is Heatwave, come in. I repeat, come in.  I am locking on to your signal -” 

----------------

“Chief Burns, it’s Chase, we need you to come down here as soon as possible.”

A groggy voice spoke through the intercom Chase was using, “Good morning to you too buddy. What’s going on? We could hear the alarm from up here.”

“Forgive the lack of greeting, Charlie,” Chase apologized, “But we have an Autobot emergency that is very urgent. Please call the Autobot liaison when you can. This situation is dire.” 

Charlie Burn’s tone changed to a serious one, “Has Optimus been contacted?”

“We’re working on that now,” Chase replied, putting a datapad into his subspace, “We’re preparing to leave. Estimated time of departure 15 minutes.” 

“Good. I’ll be down there in 5 minutes,” Charlie grunted as the sounds of a clinking belt buckle and rustling fabric were present in the background, “I’m calling Fowler now.”

“What’s all that noise? Is it an emergency?” a sleepy voice grumbled. 

“Go back to sleep, Kade I got it. Tell Graham to keep the radio on, I’ll explain later. Oh! And Danny’s in charge!”

“Aw what?” Kade complained. 

“No arguing! Chase I’m going down now,” Charlie grunted, clearing his throat and ending the call. 

Chase made an amused noise. He had a hard time understanding humans, however they always proved to be interesting. 

------------

“Any luck contacting Team Prime?” Heatwave called out to his team. 

“No one is answering the main channel,” Boulder replied, “Probably because everyone would still be asleep at this time.” 

“I got Ratchet on with me,” Blades answered. 

“Good, inform him of -” 

“Already on it,” Blades interrupted, his brow furrowed as he tried to concentrate on what Ratchet was saying on the other end of his comm, “ Sorry, say again? Affirmative, it’s Arcee…Okay. Stand by. Heatwave, have you been able to make contact?” 

“Negative,” Heatwave answered, gritting his denta as the communications array failed to make contact over and over, “Either the signal is lost or her comms have been blocked. I can't get an exact location of where the message was sent. Only approximate, we would need to survey the area and trace her life signal. It’s the only way we’ll have any hope of finding her and the kid.” 

“Then that’s where we’ll start,” Chase said stiffly as he picked up a nearby scanner, “Blades, how quickly can Ratchet open up a ground bridge?”

Blades stared wide-eyed at Chase as he listened to Ratchet. A good minute passed before the timid helicopter spoke “R-Roger that…I understand. We’ll keep in touch. Blades out.”

“Blades? What’s wrong?” Boulder asked, noticing Blade’s trembling rotors. 

“We’re all going to have to wait,” Blades whimpered, “Whatever happened, someone left the ground bridge open for too long. Enough for the failsafe to go off, but not enough time has passed for the energy to be restored. Which means the groundbridge is out. It will take them over an hour to get it up and running again.” 

There was another pause of shock and confusion. 

“Well,” Heatwave said, breaking the silence, “There is some good news. The last location of the call was from the mainland. Specifically near the Acadia National park. Blades, I want you to go ahead of us, search and rescue from the skies.” 

“What?!” Blades yelped, his optics widening, “But -” 

“You are a certified medic and you’ll be able to cross to the mainland faster than us all. You’ll also have the aerial advantage. Out of everyone here you are the most qualified and our best hope for finding and rescuing Arcee and the sparkling,” Heatwave growled out, before softening his tone,“Don’t worry, you won't be alone for long, I’ll be right behind you.” 

“But that message was on an open channel,” Blades said in a desperate tone. 

“So?” Heatwave pushed, raising a ridge at Blade’s concerns. 

“So?! That means the Decepticons must have gotten the same message!” Blades cried, “If they respond to it, that means that they’ll be there way before I could even make it halfway across the water!” 

“We have to try!” Boulder encouraged, “Remember blades, our job is to help those in need. Arcee can handle herself but the sparkling she has with her. That is our priority! A sparkling is helpless and vulnerable, especially in an emergency like this! I know you Blades, think of the kid.”

“He’s right, we need to try,” Chase agreed, patting Blades on the shoulder. 

The helicopter sighed and let his shoulders slump for a moment in resignation, “Okay. Get me a blaster. I can’t exactly go in there defenseless you know.” 

“I’ll get you both some energon patches and a cube,” Chase smiled, “You’ll need to fuel up before you go.” 

Blades nodded and took a deep breath, allowing his systems to cool down and settle as he moved to sit on a nearby crate, “I don’t like going on missions alone,” he mumbled, setting the medkit down by his pedes. 

“You won’t be alone, Blades. I’ll be right behind you, following on the water,” Heatwave sighed, handing Blades a handheld blaster, it was an old model, but it still worked. 

Blades made an uncertain noise as he handled the old weapon. 

“I meant what I said, Blades,” Heatwave said, giving the helicopter’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze, “You’re the best ‘bot for this job. You’ve got this.” 

“Yeah I know,” Blades sighed, “I just wish, ugh. I just wish I had a chance to change my vehicle mode like you did. Or maybe just brave - you know?” 

“You are,” Heatwave reassured the helicopter, “You are a Rescue Bot and you jump into it when people need you the most, even though you don’t want to. Sounds brave enough to me.” 

“Hmph,” Blades hummed, letting a smile grow on his face. 

“Heatwave, Blades,” Chase called, “Everything’s ready, do you have your scanners on you?”

“I still need one,” Blades said sheepishly. 

“Here, take this one. I’ll grab another one from the back.” Boulder handed Blades and Heatwave two scanners, “You have your blaster with you?” he asked, looking pointedly at Heatwave. 

“Already in my subspace. Blades you ready to go?” Heatwave asked. 

Blades cleared his intake and nodded, picking up his med-kit and placing it in his cockpit for safe keeping. 

“Yes, I’ll send you two off,” Boulder offered, “Chase and I won’t be too far behind, we’ll be taking the ferry to the mainland.” 

“Hmmm, good,” Heatwave rumbled, stretching out his neck cables, “I’m good to go. I’ll meet you three at the docs. I’m going to need to practice a bit on the water before we get going. This new boat mode still needs getting used to.” 

Boulder nodded and waved Heatwave off as he got on to the platform and ascended. In the distance the bulldozer could hear Chase speaking with Charlie Burns. From the sound of things, the Chief was catching the liaison up on the situation. 

“Thank you agent Fowler, we’ll meet up with you as soon as we can…Chase, is Captain Shaw ready with the ferry?” 

“He just confirmed, now.”

“Good,” Charlie sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, “Let’s roll to the rescue then.” 

“Very well. Rescue Bots!” Chase called out to the rest of his team, “Come, let us roll to the rescue.” 

Boulder tried not to laugh at Chase’s flat tone.

--------------------------------------------------

Griffin Rock - Docks  6:05 A.M. 

Blades stared out at the open ocean, his tank churning with anxiety.

The conditions were less than ideal. 

The waters were choppy, the skies were dark, and to top it all off. There was fog. 

That would make flying a lot more difficult. 

Add the fact that the poor helicopter already had a fear of heights and of flying…Well… The poor guy just couldn’t catch a break. 

Blades let out a whine and thunder boomed in the distance. 

“Blades. You’ve got this,” Heatwave said, quickly patting the Helicopter’s back as he jumped into the water and transformed, “There’s someone out there who needs us.” 

“Hey!” Blades whined as sea water splashed onto his pedes.

“Sorry,” Heatwave apologized. 

Looking over to his leader, Blades’ couldn’t help but envy Heatwave’s new vehicle mode. A fire-boat. Built for speed and rescue. 

“Lucky,” Blades huffed, “I wish I could get a new vehicle mode.” Looking out at the ocean again he whimpered, “I wish Danny could come with me.”

“You’ll be okay, Blades,” Heatwave said, starting his engine, “I’ll be right behind you. Keep your comms open and remember your training. Remember you are a Rescuebot, got it?” 

“Yes, sir,” Blades said uneasily, transforming and warming up his rotors, “Okay. Deep breath…Okay. I’m ready.”

“Good. Rescue bots, Roll to the rescue!”  Heatwave commanded, pulling away from the docks. 

Blades ascended and began to fly forward towards his destination, slowly picking up speed as he mumbled to himself, “Don’t look down. Don’t think. Just rescue. Someone out there needs you. Now, fly to the rescue!” 

Putting all his power into his rotors, Blades sped onward, over taking Heatwave below. 

Heatwave couldn’t help but smirk to himself as he saw his teammate.

When things came down to it Blades was always the bot for the job. 

--------------------------------------------------

“Heatwave?” Blades commed, as he flew back to the waypoint,“You there? Any news from Prime?” 

Blades whimpered as he received nothing but static. 

Ever since he arrived in this forest, Blades’ comms were full of nothing but static. 

It was a deadzone. So logically, Blades was returning to the waypoint. Back to where the comms began to go on the fritz. 

Hopefully he’d be out of range of whatever was blocking his signal and he could communicate with someone. Maybe land for a moment to catch his breath. 

Moving his flood light left and right, Blades continued to scout through the thick morning fog. 

The helicopter couldn't help but think the entire setting was similar to a horror game. 

Blades whimpered as he remembered watching Danni play a game where the monsters would jump out of the fog, screaming and spewing black liquid. 

What if there was something hiding in the fog. 

What if - 

“Blades?!” 

“ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! ”

“Primus’ beard, Blades! What’s wrong with you?!” Heatwave yelled through his comms, “Argh! I think you blew my audial out!”

“And you gave me a spark attack!” Blades shouted back, his voice hoarse, “Where are you?” 

“Follow my ping,” Heatwave grunted,“Do you see me?” 

“Yeah I see you,” Blades growled as he flew towards Heatwave’s location. After a minute, the Helicopter spotted the red fire engine in a small clearing, glaring and growling up at him. 

“Do you have any idea how worried everyone is? Everyone is on edge,” Heatwave growled rubbing his audials as he glared up at Blades’ from the ground, “And then you disappear from our scanners and go dark. Why didn’t you answer your comms? Where did you even go?”  

“Where did I go?! Where were you?!” Blades growled, his rotors spinning faster in agitation“I have been calling you all - no one answers! I’m out here in the middle of a spooky forest full of fog, doing a search and rescue with who-knows-what is out here! YOU SAID YOU WERE BEHIND ME! I’VE BEEN ALONE FOR FORTY MINUTES NOW!!!” 

“Alright, alright! Pipe down,” Headwave sighed as Blades scoffed, “I don’t need you making all this noise.”

“Well eXcUsE Me, Heatwave,” Blades snapped as he transformed and landed hard in front of Heatwave, “But it’s hard to stay quiet when you nearly gave me a spark attack!” 

Pointing a finger angrily at Heatwave, Blades spoke through his gritted denta,“You said you were behind me. I believed you when you said you were behind me!” 

“I’m sorry, I had a hard time catching up to you from down here,” Heatwave apologized, putting his servos up in defense as his optics widened, “You have the air advantage.”  

“Bull-Scrap,” Blades snapped, poking Heatwave in the chest, “This place is a deadzone , and I couldn’t reach you for forty minutes! If you really were behind me you would know that!” 

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry,” Heatwave grunted as the helicopter continued to glare at him, “I just didn’t want you to worry.” 

“Worry?! I’m in the middle of silent hill 2 here and you didn’t want me to WORRY?! ” Blades yelped.

“Shhhh! Will you - We’re supposed to be scouting the area,” Heatwave stage-whispered, “We don’t know if the ‘cons, prime or anything else is out here.” 

Blades scowled and grabbed Heatwave by the shoulders. 

“Uh, Blades?” Heatwave blinked

“Heatwave, you better pray to Primus that nothing is out there. Because, by Primus - If I find a pyramid head - you will get it from me!” Blades grit out. 

“Okay, okay,” Heatwave said, feeling guilty, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” 

Blades inhaled deeply and slumped against Heatwave’s frame, “Don’t do that to me again, okay?” 

Heatwave, patted the helicopters back, “Okay. I’m sorry, Blades.”

Blades whimpered as he ran a servo over his optics, “I’ll be okay,” he sniffed, pulling away from Heatwave and clearing his intake. 

Taking a moment to get back into ‘rescue mode’, Blades pulled out a scanner from his sub-space, “Alright, back to business. Something is obviously blocking our comms - mine went to static further from here. So most likely it was ranged or moving.”

Heatwave hummed and nodded as Blades listed his observations. 

“I’ve scouted this entire area, so far I haven’t had much luck in the air because of low visibility.” Blades turned and pointed north, “I have some places pinned that could be of interest but they could also have been a natural occurrence.” 

“Natural occurrence?” Heatwave asked. 

“Uh huh,” Blades nodded as he led the way, pulling a datapad from his subspace and handing it to Heatwave,“Yeah, it could be that a tree fell on its own due to age or due to a lightning strike, but it’s hard to tell from the air. Too much foliage and fog.” 

“Anything on the scanners?” Heatwave asked, following after the helicopter. 

Blades shook his helm, “Nope. Nothing on scanners, not even Decepticon activity. Either they don’t want to be found or they had no interest in intervening with Arcee’s call.” 

“Well, no news is good news in a sense,” Heatwave hummed as he stared at the data-pad, “They were probably hoping for her to get taken out. The less amount of effort the better I guess.”

“We still need to keep our guards up though,” Blades groaned, “They’re called Decepticons for a reason.” 

“Blades, if the ‘Cons wanted to hurt you, they would have done so already,” Heatwave said in a matter of fact tone. 

Blades made a worried noise as he walked ahead, “Did Team Prime contact you?” 

“I got a message from Prime, but he got cut off a little ways back, from what I could gather - The entire team and a few humans are going to be joining us in the search. It’s just gonna take a while for them to join us,” Heatwave grunted as he moved a branch out of his way, “You and I are just scouting ahead until they get here with the rest of the search party.”

“Hmm. Good thing I checked in the air then,” Blades said while sucking his denta, “Fog and thick forest wasn’t helping though.”

“So…Four points of interest, huh?” Heatwave squinted at the data-pads screen, “Why didn’t you scout from the-” 

Blades’ glare answered that question. 

“Oh. Right,” Heatwave cleared his intake awkwardly, “Nevermind.” 

“Just watch my back,” Blades said nervously, “And if you see anything , shoot it in the head then stomp on it.” 

Heatwave groaned and gave Blades a side-eyed look, “Danni really needs to stop showing you horror media.” 

“Hey, some horror media is great okay?” Blades huffed, crossing his arms, “My imagination just gets ahead of me at times.’ 

“You mean all the time?” Heatwave chuckled. 

“Ha ha very funny.” 

--------------------------------------------------

:Open Channel N- 0117: 

• URGENT MESSAGE     - 

“This is Arcee, I’m on an open channel. I’ve been caught by M.E.C.H., and I have a sparkling here with me! I need help, we need help…I’m sorry…Please… Please someone come help us.” 

“...” 

*click* 

“Agent Croft? General Brice just called, he wants you to meet up with Captain Fowler at Omega One Base. Says its a very urgent and confidential matter.”

* click * 

“Thank you, Sarah. Get my team ready.”  

Chapter Text

So I haven't been able to update as much as I originally intended to. In all honesty I was trying to get back into writing and creating, but putting things down into words when you have little time and little ability is difficult and time consuming.
And my ADHD riddled brain can't comprehend that writing is hard and sometimes complicated.
And that is ok.

I have also underestimated the power of events. At the time when I was working through the latest chapters of this story, my precious fur baby - my beloved dog was battling cancer. And for a while, the treatment I was getting her was working. She looked better, and it seemed that she felt better. For a while, she was my puppy again and I had some hope.
But one day, everything took a turn for the worse, and the treatment (her chemo) was not working anymore.
One day she collapsed.
And then I had to say goodbye and put her to sleep.
Its been about two months since that happened? I still cry about it and I am shaking writing this but that is the reality of things.
I can't have kids. Its near impossible so for me, pets are the closest thing I have. I can't afford to adopt at the moment, IVF is expensive, as is surrogacy and with the way my country is acting, I don't think that even if I had the ability I would bring children into this world right now. So my precious girl, my puppy waspretty much my baby. I took care of her. I loved her and now I lost her.
And then came the depression. And this wasn't the "oh my dog died" sadness, this was the "I've been staring at the ceiling and I've only slept an hour today", "I wonder what eternal sleep is like", "I can't move. I won't move.", "Nothing feels good." type emptyness.

So now I'm on antidepressants and I am slowly building myself up again. It feels good. I'm enjoying life a little more and seeing it's beauty again. I also have a new kitten. He's orange and a total idiot. I love him. I found him in a car engine.
He's like a fried chicken tender. Fat and juicy.

And he has inspired me. Thank you Spoomples. You are the best chicken tendie that's ever appeared in my work van.

And looking back - yeah the last chapter sucks I'm going to take it down and rewrite it cuz HOOOOOLY crap I was out of it when I was writing it.

So please be patient, thank you for being patient and thank you for just being here and giving this old story I wrote back in my teens a chance.

I'll update when I can. Which hopefully wont be three months from now.
I'll see you soon.

Update 10/26 - I updated a few chapters. I'm still battling depression but I'm trying my best here.