《Transformers: Voyagers》


 Recoil

    A loud bang could be heard from one of the Ark¡¯s living quarters. A sound that had become all too familiar to the crew during their long voyage. Quickly, Ratchet and Knockout raced to the source, nearly knocking over at least 3 other bots as their tires left long black tracks along the ship¡¯s floor panels. Usually, Ultra Magnus would have given them an earful for reckless disregard for the rules, but this time, he could tell something must have been seriously wrong. Knockout carelessly almost crashing into people¡¯s legs seemed in character for him, but Ratchet? Magnus quickly followed after the two medics.


    In the residential section of the ship, people were not up and about, looking for what could have made the noise. They already knew. The eerie silence in the hallways was only broken by the sound of speeding engines.


    Ratchet, not even bothering to break, transformed at high speed, causing the old mech to slip over and land on his side. Magnus offered to help him up, but he didn¡¯t even turn to look at him before he jumped up to his feet and began frantically knocking on people¡¯s doors. Knockout didn¡¯t take long to join in the effort. Magnus now knew what had happened, and part of him wanted to transform and drive away right there, but he knew he needed to stay and help.


    Ratchet frantically banged on a door, and a bleary-looking seeker answered.


    ¡°Ugh, this better be important, Ratchet.¡±


    One look at Ratchet¡¯s face and Starscream could already tell. Without saying anything, he closed the door and left Ratchet to do his job.


    ¡°Ratchet!¡± Knockout shouted for the other medic.


    Ultra Magnus saw the scene before Ratchet did. ¡°Dear Primus¡­ No¡­¡± he muttered, taking a step back.


    He blocked Ratchet from entering. ¡°You don¡¯t want to see this, Ratchet.¡±


    ¡°Magnus, get out of my way!¡± the old medic said.


    ¡°You can¡¯t, Ratchet! It¡¯s¡­. You can¡¯t see him like this!¡±


    Ratchet had never seen Magnus look so visibly shaken before. He had known this bot for over a century and rarely saw so much of an eyebrow crease on his face.


    ¡°Magnus¡­¡± He told the larger mech in a calm voice. ¡°Let me do my job.¡±


    Ultra Magnus reluctantly allowed Ratchet to pass by and witness the horror for himself. The moment he stepped inside, he was hit with the blinding glow of neon pink splattered all over the walls. When he looked down, a red heap of metal lay on the floor, with half his head scattered around the room.


    ¡°No¡­ NO!¡±


    Ratchet rushed over to the heavily wounded mech. His color was still visible but quickly faded into that all too familiar dull grey that Ratchet was so sick of seeing.


    ¡°WHY?! PRIMUS, WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE YOU?!¡±


    Knockout had already left to get more medics, but now a crowd of bots had huddled around the doorway to see who was inside.


    Magnus attempted to block the view with his large frame, but it didn¡¯t prevent Sideswipe from catching a glimpse.


    ¡°Is that- no¡­. He didn¡¯t. He fucking DIDN¡¯T.¡± The young Autobot cried out as he averted his optics from the scene.


    Then, a blue fembot barreled through the crowd and slipped into the room, ducking under Magnus¡¯s legs. The screams from her made Ratchet feel like his spark was being torn out of his chest.


    ¡°IRIONHIDE!¡± she screamed out.


    She shoved Ratchet out of the way and attempted to shake her conjunx awake.


    ¡°HIDE! HIDE! WAKE UP! You can¡¯t do this, WAKE UP!¡±


    Ratchet tried to pull her away, but Chromia shoved him off. Her blue optics glowed so bright with emotion that her pupils were no longer visible.


    She pounded her fists against Iornhide¡¯s chest. ¡±You big idiot! Why didn¡¯t you say something!? Why didn¡¯t you just talk to me!?¡±


    Magnus, although pained by the sight, needed to step in. He practically had to pry Chromia off Ironhide. She fought a hell of a fight, thrashing and kicking with all her might. But Magnus''s strength greatly overpowered her. She eventually resorted to dirty tactics like biting and trying to bend his antennae. This caused Magnus to drop her, but not before Ironhide was taken away by medics. She was able to catch up with them quickly, but this time Ratchet warned her to stay back and let them do their thing unless she wanted her conjunx to die right there.


    Chromia collapsed and watched as Ironhide disappeared behind the med-bay¡¯s doors. She wanted to go in badly but knew it was a bad choice. Once Magnus caught up, he put aside the sore pain in his antennae and knelt beside her. He put a large hand on her arm, which she returned by falling into his arms and sobbing. He wasn¡¯t sure what to do, but he attempted to soothe her by rubbing her back. He took a mental note to request that Elita One transfer to the Ark immediately. She had been purposely avoiding any vessel that Optimus was currently on, but Magnus knew that she would never allow Chromia to suffer through this ordeal alone. And she would certainly be a much better comfort than Magnus knew how to be.


    Optimus could have practically teleported there in the operating room with how fast he showed up, which irritated Ratchet. The medical team quickly rushed him out. Optimus, the ever stoic leader, held a strong composure. But the worry in his optics betrayed his efforts to keep it. He was given special permission to wait just outside the operating room. Inevitably, Chromia was also granted this permission.


    The Prime held Chromia¡¯s hand and tried his best to offer as many words of comfort as possible, but even he wasn¡¯t sure if he believed what he was saying. He was so utterly exhausted from this happening in the fleet so often. Now, one of Optimus¡¯s oldest close friends has done it. Aside from Jazz and Megatron, Ironhide was the only other still-living sparklinghood friend that Optimus had left. Ironhide was family. Chromia was family, too. Optimus¡¯s mask of stoicism might as well have been welded onto his face. He never cried in front of others. Even Elita seldom ever saw the mech shed a tear. But this time, it was almost too much. It took him all of his will to not cry as much as he wanted to.


    Optimus¡¯s spark felt an ever-so-slight jolt of electricity about two hours in. He knew what that meant. And just as he suspected, barely a moment later, a deep yet effeminate voice rang out through Optimus¡¯s helm.


    ¡°Where is she?¡±


    ¡°Elita!¡±


    Chromia ran into her best friend¡¯s arms and clung to her for dear life. Elita stroked the top of her helm while her face was buried in her neck. Elita hadn¡¯t yet acknowledged Optimus, and he took this opportunity to slip away and sit in the corner of the room. He was glad that Elita was there to help but still preferred not to look at her or hear her voice for too long. He could already feel his spark begin to painfully tense up.


    Everyone leaped from their seats when they saw Knockout leave the operating room.


    Chromia spoke to him. ¡°So? Is my big guy okay? Please tell me he is!¡±


    Knockout scratched the back of his helm.


    He muttered under his breath before speaking, ¡°Primus, I hate that they make me talk to people.¡± He cleared out his throat and began reciting what Ratchet had told him. ¡°Er, he¡¯s not doing great, I can tell you that. But he¡¯s not dead¡­. Not yet, anyway.¡±


    Though still highly concerning, the news of Ironhide¡¯s survival made everyone feel like someone had just lifted a Unicron-sized weight off them.


    Knockout continued, ¡°He unfortunately lost his right optic, but the left one seems intact and responds to light. And it¡¯s going to take a very long time for him to heal from his injuries. I¡¯m¡­ honestly shocked that he managed to miss hitting his brain, but I won¡¯t lie to you, the brain damage is-¡°


    Knockout scratched the back of his helm again in his discomfort.


    ¡°I won¡¯t lie to you. It¡¯s bad. Real bad. Ratchet isn¡¯t sure if he will ever be the same again, mentally. Even if he completely heals, there is undoubtedly going to be some degree of extreme disability. He¡¯s likely going to need help just to-¡°


    Elita One interrupted him. ¡°Thank you, Dr Knockout. I think she¡¯s heard enough.¡±


    Chromia was inconsolable and sobbing heavily into Elita¡¯s chest as she held her.


    ¡°Thank Primus they never merged sparks¡­¡± Elita One thought silently to herself.


    Breaking a spark merge without a death involved is already one the most physically, mentally, and emotionally painful things a transformer could live through. If they had been merged and Ironhide couldn¡¯t heal, a merge break in this manner would have likely killed Chromia, too.


    The three were allowed into recovery to see Ironhide. Chromia gazed down at the hospital bed, saying nothing. The right side of the head was almost destroyed. One would be able to see the dim glow of his heavily damaged brain through the massive gaping wound. Optimus left the room, and Elita had to turn away. Chromia gently caressed what was left of the crest on his helmet. It was at least somewhat of a relief to see the deep red hue of his armor had started to return.


    ¡°May I please be alone with him?¡± Chromia asked Elita.


    The larger femme gave a silent nod and left her friend to tend to her injured conjunx.


    Outside, the crowd had dispersed, yet one little yellow mech remained. He wiped a tear off of his optic before greeting Elita with a warm embrace. Optimus was there, too, sitting down with his head down and his hands covering his face. He had already explained Ironhide¡¯s condition to Bumblebee.


    Leaning down to the much smaller transformer¡¯s level, Elita welcomed his affection with a barely visible smile. Despite the current situation, smiling for the first time in cycles felt nice.


    ¡°My little Bee¡­¡± She said softly. ¡°It¡¯s so good to see you again.¡±


    Bumblebee placed his hands up against Elita¡¯s. Due to the size difference, it was somewhat tricky for him to communicate with her via chirolinguistics. It took him a few moments to explain what had happened to Ironhide since she hadn¡¯t been there for the incident earlier that day.


    Her optics lit up in horror. ¡°What?! He¡­ He shot himself?!¡±


    She could feel Bumblebee¡¯s hands shaking in her palms. He tried to speak to her again, but he was beginning to lose his composure. Elita could see more tears roll down his cheek, and she used her finger to wipe them away for him.


    Elita stood up. She began pacing around restlessly.


    ¡°I can¡¯t take this anymore.¡± She said. ¡°This cannot keep happening! We¡¯ve lost far too many like this, and now Hide? We need to do something about this, Optimus!¡±


    She looked at Optimus, sitting in the corner with his head down.


    ¡°Optimus? Optimus, Hey!¡±


    He didn¡¯t take notice of her.


    ¡°ORION PAX!¡±


    The old Prime slowly raised his head to meet her gaze. The grief-stricken look in his optics caused Elita to soften her tone.


    ¡°We can¡¯t just let this keep happening, Optimus.¡±


    Optimus stayed silent for a few more moments before he sighed and finally spoke. ¡°You¡¯re right, Elita. We need to find some way to prevent this from continuing to happen. But-¡°


    ¡°But, WHAT? We can¡¯t afford to make excuses! There are less than seven thousand transformers left in this entire Primus-forsaken universe, Optimus! At this rate, there won¡¯t be any of us left by the time we get to Theta-3!¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have enough resources.¡± Ratchet suddenly butted in.


    Nobody even noticed him exit the medbay. Irionhide¡¯s blood-energeon was still smeared on his chest and torso, and he looked like he had aged about 50 vorns in the time it took to operate on his friend.


    ¡°We have one overworked licensed therapist on this ship, which has a crew of over 500 fucking people, might I add. And some of the fleet¡¯s ships don¡¯t have a licensed therapist, period. We also can¡¯t afford to keep prescribing medication! We¡¯re running out of the materials we need to make them! We¡¯re even running out of the chemicals we need for anesthetic!¡±


    Ratchet¡¯s volume started to rise. ¡°And we need more energon, goddamn it!¡±


    The medic slammed a fist against the metal wall, causing a loud ¡°BANG!¡± that resonated down the hallway. At this point, Bumblebee silently excused himself.


    Bumblebee, not wanting to be alone, headed towards the lounge instead of his quarters. On the way, he had briefly bumped into Jazz. He didn¡¯t look like his usual energetic and upbeat self. Though his visor covered his optics, his doorwings drooped down, and his body seemed uncharacteristically tense. Despite this, he attempted to keep a friendly tone.


    ¡°Hiya, Bumbles. How ya holdin¡¯ up?¡±


    Bumblebee gave a half-hearted shrug, but his face told the truth. Jazz leaned down and gave him a gentle stroke on the crest of his helmet with his index and middle fingers. The smaller mech closed his optics and leaned into the comforting touch. A low rumble came from deep in Bumblebee¡¯s chest, a transformer¡¯s way of purring.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, buddy.¡± Jazz said. ¡°I feel ya, I feel ya¡­¡±


    Jazz let out a pained sigh before standing back up.


    ¡°Does your brother know what happened yet?¡± he asked.


    Bumblebee gave another shrug. He hadn¡¯t seen his brother that entire day.


    ¡°Dang, well, if I see him, I¡¯ll let him know.¡± Jazz said.


    The two friends soon said their goodbyes and parted ways.


    Once Bumblebee arrived at the lounge, his olfactory sensors were blasted with the pungent scent of pheromones and high-grade oil.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Oh god.¡± Bumblebee thought. ¡°What the hell happened in here last night?¡±


    ¡°BEEBOOOOY!¡± a voice shouted out from behind the bar counter.


    It was Swerve. He had spent all morning cleaning up the trashed lounge. Usually, this was Blurr¡¯s job at the end of his late-night shift, but Swerve still had that usual big goofy smile, regardless. It is evident to Bee that he had no clue of the tragedy that had taken place.


    Bumblebee approached the other small mech. He had to tip-toe his way over trash, broken bottles, passed-out bots, and Primus knows what else. He looked at Swerve and tilted his head to the side in confusion.


    ¡°Oh, yeah, this. Er, I gotta clean up for Blurr because he got a little too into high-grade last night. He gave me his tips, though, so it¡¯s cool. And I don¡¯t think many customers are going to come in today, anyway. The usuals are all-¡° He looked across the sea of unconscious frames scattered about the lounge before him. ¡°-a little busy, at the moment.¡±


    The bartender noticed the dim glow of Bumblebee¡¯s optics.


    ¡°Hey, you okay, buddy? You don¡¯t look so good.¡± He asked.


    Bee just gave a slight smile and nod. He didn¡¯t want to be the one to ruin Swerve¡¯s happy mood.


    ¡°Okay¡­ if you say so, Beeboy,¡± Swerve said, sounding rather unconvinced.


    Bumblebee began making his way towards the rec room before Swerve stopped him.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t go in there if I were you!¡± he called out after Bumblebee. ¡°Some vehicons went in there last night and haven¡¯t come out since. Let¡¯s just say I don¡¯t think the pheromone smell is coming from inside this room.¡±


    Bumblebee¡¯s face twisted into a grossed-out expression, the sight of which caused Swerve to let out a chuckle.


    ¡°Last night got a bit wild, but I think you might have already noticed.¡± Said Swerve. ¡°There wasn¡¯t enough high grade left to last for the next few days, so Blurr told everyone in here they could go ahead and knock themselves out with the stuff. Although, I¡¯m not sure he intended for them to take his words as literally as they did, heh.¡±


    Swerve stepped out from behind the counter with a broom and started sweeping away trash to make a path between the bar and the door.


    ¡°Man, I¡¯m so pissed off I didn¡¯t know about the party. Apparently, Blaster tried to message me, but I had passed out on my couch watching TV. Sometimes, I hate being such a heavy sleeper.¡±


    Bumblebee was glad to hear that Swerve wasn¡¯t woken up by the gunshot.


    With little else to do, Bumblebee decided to help Swerve clean up the lounge. They went from bot to bot, shaking them awake. Some were out so cold that Bee and Swerve had to physically jump up and down on top of them. And some bots were so out of it that they almost looked like they were in a coma.


    ¡°Oh, gosh. I hope nobody threw up in here.¡± Swerve said out loud.


    As it turned out, somebody threw up in there.


    ¡°Aw, dammit, Seaspray!¡± Exclaimed Swerve.


    Seaspray slowly lifted his head from the floor and looked up at Swerve, ¡°S-Sorry¡­¡± he mumbled.


    Swerve stopped for a moment. ¡°Oh, wait, that reminds me! I have the perfect thing for clean-ups like this!¡±


    Bumblebee curiously observed as Swerve scurried back to the bar counter. He grabbed a large megaphone behind it and yelled, ¡°OKAY, EVERYONE RISE AND SHINE! ANYONE WHO CAN STAND UP, GET THE HELL OUT, PLEASE.¡±


    He then turned on the megaphone¡¯s siren for good measure. Before long, the lounge started to sound like one of Wheeljack¡¯s horror movies. The tired groaning and moaning reminded Bee what a horde of spark eaters might sound like. Thankfully, it was just a bunch of drunk idiots, not undead cannibals.


    Almost everyone left, save for the few who were out cold.


    ¡°Eh, we can leave them there for now.¡± Said Swerve. ¡°They¡¯ll get up eventually. That high grade was some strong stuff, so they¡¯ll probably be out for most of the day. Just try moving the ones on the floor to the couches.¡±


    Bumblebee and Swerve were both pretty small and moving the dead-weight bigger bots proved harder than they thought. They ended up having to drag most of them across the floor. Bee did not find the screeching metal-on-metal scraping sound of bodies being dragged across the floor to be very pleasant.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you half my shift¡¯s pay, Bee. I really appreciate you helping me out here.¡± Swerve said to Bumblebee.


    Bumblebee felt bad for taking some of his pay, but he couldn¡¯t really communicate that through body language, and his hands were already full of drunk people. So, he just nodded and smiled.


    The last one they had to dump on a couch was Eject. He was a teeny tiny bot, making it easy for Bee to pick him up and flop him onto the couch. But then, something caught the yellow mech¡¯s optic. Next to where Bumblebee had placed Eject, there was this pile of what looked like maybe 4 or 5 bots who were already passed out on the couch before Swerve had clocked in. Bumblebee recognized all of them. He was good friends with them, but they were a lot closer to-


    ¡°OF COURSE you would be here!¡± Bumblebee thought.


    He could recognize that yellow spoiler anywhere. It was barely sticking out from under the pile. He had to wake him up. He couldn¡¯t be just passed out in there all day, not knowing what happened.


    First, he pulled off Sunstreaker from the top of the pile. His body hit the ground with a loud metal ¡°CLANK!¡±.


    ¡°Sorry, Sunny!¡± He thought.


    Swerve questioned his actions. ¡°What are you doing, Bee?¡±


    Bumblebee momentarily stopped what he was doing and walked over to Swerve. He held his palms out. Swerve, knowing what this meant, placed his hands against Bee¡¯s.


    ¡°There¡¯s a certain dumbass I need to talk to, and he¡¯s under that pile.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± Swerve said in acknowledgment. ¡°Need any help?¡±


    Bumblebee shook his head. ¡°I think I should be the one to do this. I need to talk to him about a family-related issue.¡±


    Swerve nodded. He tanked Bumblebee for helping him with the cleanup and got back to work. Meanwhile, Bumblebee was occupied with dragging Moonracer off from on top of Inferno. They were in an¡­. exciting position. Bee didn¡¯t even see Hotshot initially, and even Wheelie somehow got buried in the pile, too. His suspicions were confirmed when he got to Drift, who was snoozing away while straddling his conjunx¡¯s lap.


    Bumblebee gently pushed Drift to the side so he could lay out on the couch instead of on the ground with Sunstreaker. He walked up to the one person left on the couch¡ªhis brother.


    He tapped Hot Rod on the helm a few times. He then moved on to aggressively trying to shake him awake. When that didn¡¯t work, he kicked him in the leg, which made him fall to his side, directly on top of Drift. Bumblebee rolled his optics and threw his hands up in the air out of frustration.


    Swerve chimed in from the bar. ¡°Maybe you should just let him sleep it off and talk to him later?¡±


    Bumblebee shook his head. He needed to get Hot Rod to wake up, somehow. He rubbed his chin, thinking of what his next move should be.


    Swerve chimed in again. ¡°Bee! The megaphone!¡±


    Bee smiled and gave him a thumbs-up.


    Swerve rushed over to him with the megaphone.


    ¡°Allow me to do the honors yet again?¡±


    Bumblebee shook his head and took the megaphone from Swerve. He held it up directly to Hot Rod¡¯s face, leaned in as close as possible, cleared his throat, and then let out an awful, high-pitched static sound. Swerve had to cover his audio processors.


    ¡°DUHWAAA!! WHA????¡±


    Hot Rod¡¯s optics shot open. He tried to get up but stumbled and landed face-first on the ground.


    ¡°B-Bee! What the hell, man?!¡±


    Drift slowly opened one optic, slightly lifted his helm, and looked up at Bee.


    ¡°mhm. Bomplebeeb¡±


    Then, he went right back to sleep.


    Hot Rod rubbed his temple.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ My head feels like Unicron chewed on it.¡±


    He tried to stand up again, using the couch as a support. He unsheathed his battle mask to shield his optics from the light.


    He noticed Drift and others. ¡°Oh, Shit! are they good?¡±


    ¡°Yea, just let ''em¡¯ sleep it off.¡± Assured Swerve. ¡°Oh, and, uh, Bee wanted to tell you something.¡±


    The reminder of what he was there for caused Bumblebee¡¯s horns and doorwings to involuntarily droop down. Swerve took notice.


    ¡°Ah, I take it that you¡¯d prefer to talk about this privately.¡±


    Bumblebee gave a slow nod, and Swerve went back to the bar. But not before thanking Bumblebee for the help once again.


    Hot Rod looked down at his brother.


    ¡°Uh oh. Am I in trouble?¡±


    Bumblebee took him by the hand and pulled him towards the lounge¡¯s exit.


    ¡°Oh, oh. Look, I SWEAR that seat inside of Magnus¡¯s alt mode was already broken when I went in there!¡±


    Bumblebee turned to look at him with a very puzzled expression but then quickly chose to brush it off and keep going.


    ¡°Wait! I forgot something!¡±


    Bumblebee let out a silent sigh.


    Hot Rod wobbled over to where Drift was lying, then bent down and kissed him on the forehead.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you later, babe. Sweet dreams.¡± Hot Rod whispered to him in a sultry tone.


    Bumblebee tugged on his arm.


    ¡°Okay, Okay! I¡¯m coming!¡±


    Bumblebee had to help Hot Rod keep his balance while walking, which wasn¡¯t very easy considering their significant size difference. Bee inevitably got tired of carrying his brother¡¯s weight, so he just let him sit down in the hallway. At least now they were at eye-level with each other.


    ¡°Dude, what is going on? That was a real dick move you pulled back there! Gah! My head is pounding!¡± Hot Rod said, rubbing his temples.


    Bumblebee grabbed Hot Rod¡¯s hands and placed their palms together. ¡°Irionhide almost died last night.¡±


    ¡°Wait, wait, wait¡ªWHAT?! I just saw him yesterday! Is he okay?!¡±


    The look on Bumblebee¡¯s face told him everything he needed to know..


    ¡°Oh no¡­¡±


    He could feel his brother¡¯s hands start to tremble. ¡°He shot himself in the-¡°


    Hot Rod yanked his hands away, the words hitting him like a punch to the face.


    Frequent suicides have been a problem in the fleet for a while now. Over the years, Hot Rod met a lot of people. Made a lot of close friends. He knew that, at some point, someone he knew personally might do it. But he had constantly shoved that thought far into the back of his mind. He never imagined that Ironhide, who practically helped raise him, would do such a thing.


    Hot Rod¡¯s ventilation quickened and his sparkbeat rose. ¡°But¡­ He- He¡¯s okay now, right?¡±


    Bumblebee¡¯s dimly-lit optics looked into Hot Rod¡¯s. The look of grief in them was almost too much for Hot Rod to bear.


    Then, Bumblebee pulled him closer in a comforting embrace. Hot Rod hugged him back tightly. He could hear the small autobot¡¯s frame shaking. Being unable to vocalize properly, his cries sounded like a toy whose batteries were running out. It was warped and choppy but still filled with sorrow. It didn¡¯t take long for Hot Rod to lose composure as well, not being able to contain the flood of emotions as buried his face into Bee¡¯s shoulder. He had already lost many comrades in the war, but this hit harder than all of them. Ironhide was more than just a fellow Autobot, he was family. He helped take care of he and his brother as a sparklings, taught him how to use a gun, helped train him to fight, and gave him some much needed stability while growing up in a world that was quite literally falling apart.


    ¡°Why¡­ why would he-¡° Hot Rod whispered, his voice breaking. ¡°Why would he do something like that?¡±


    Bumblebee pulled back slightly, still firmly gripping his brother¡¯s arms. He touched foreheads with him, which was a common act of comfort and affection between Transformers. The small yellow Autobot may have been unable to speak with words, but his pain was palpable.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t I see it Bee? Why didn¡¯t I do something?¡±


    Bumblebee shook his head rapidly and hugged his brother tightly.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re trying to tell me it¡¯s not my fault, but¡­ Man, I could have hung out with him more often or¡­ Or SOMETHING.¡±


    Hot Rod sank back against the wall. He stared at the ground, trying in vain to think of solutions. His mind  was a tangle of regret, sorrow, and fear.


    Hot Rod began rubbing his hands across his face.


    ¡°Dammit, Bee,¡± He muttered. ¡°I should¡¯ve able to notice something was wrong!¡±


    Bee pulled back and shook his head again. It wasn¡¯t Hot Rod¡¯s fault and Bumblebee wanted desperately for him to realize that. Itonhide had been fighting more than just decepticons all this time. He had his own personal battles that he refused to let anyone help him fight. Not even his own Conjunx Endura knew about the other war going on in her partner¡¯s mind.


    After a long silence, Bumblebee took one of his brother¡¯s hands and held it tightly with both of his. All he could do was show his brother that he was there, and that both of them would face this together.


    Bumblebee and Hot Rod did not split from the same spark, but their bond still ran deep. They were born in violence and chaos. The day the well collapsed into rubble. The first thing Hot Rod ever saw of the outside world was a war-torn battlefield. He had pulled Bumblebee¡ªTiny and defenseless¡ªout of the rubble and saved his life. For days, they ran around and played with other innocently unaware survivors amongst a field of death and destruction. But it didn¡¯t take long for them to start starving. When an autobot search and rescue team found them, the sparklings were in a weakened state. They were frightened by the adults, but most were too weak to run very far.


    Bumblebee was terrified. Never having seen an adult before, and being roughly around the size of a stuffed toy, all the tiny bot could see were large hands reaching down to pick up his friends like they were inside a nightmarish crane game machine. Hot Rod fearlessly defended Bee. Clinging onto the little newspark, he ran from, bit, and kicked at any of the adults trying to rescue them. When they hid in a narrow crevice, the adults struggled to reach them. This is when Hot Rod learned his first ability; shooting fire from his arms. The force of the blast was very weak, but enough to singe some fingertips. Eventually, the adults went away and Hot Rod thought it might be safe to come out. Bumblebee, however, was still terrified and clinging onto Hot Rod so tightly that it was starting to hurt. He had his optics shut tight and his face buried into Hot Rod¡¯s shoulder. They stayed in the crevice together until a new adult approached. Hot Rod bagan to charge his fire again, but the new bot didn¡¯t attempt to grab them.


    The sound of a fembot¡¯s deep, yet soothing voice broke through the fear. ¡°It¡¯s okay little ones, you¡¯re safe.¡±


    Bumblebee hesitantly opened one optic and turned his head towards the sound.


    ¡°Oh my, there¡¯s two of you! I thought you were holding a toy.¡± The fembot chuckled softly.


    The fembot slowly reached in her hand, which caused Hot Rod to inch back as far as he could. But she didn¡¯t touch them. She only held out her hand and said, ¡°Come on, we¡¯ll take care of you. You don¡¯t have to be afraid.¡± Her eyes softened with worry. ¡°You poor things must be starving.¡±


    Bumblebee¡¯s fuel processor clicked with hunger as looked at her hand. Slowly, released his grip on Hot Rod. He cautiously approached the hand. When he saw that nothing bad happened when he touched it, his instincts finally kicked in and he climbed on board. Seeing the much smaller and more vulnerable bot being unafraid of this stranger eased Hot Rod¡¯s fears as well. He too soon grasped onto a finger before both of them were lifted to meet the fembot¡¯s kind blue optics.


    ¡°Finally! I was gettin¡¯ real worried we wouldn¡¯t be able to get that last kid. Thanks, Elita!¡± A large mech said as he approached.


    ¡°There¡¯s two of them, Ironhide. What a lovely surprise this is!¡±


    Again, instinct took over and Elita opened her chest to allow the two sparklings to climb inside. Her nursery chamber was warm and padded with soft alloy that gave the two sparklings a comfort they had never known.


    Ironhide approached closer, his face lighting up with glee. ¡°Well, rust my gears! There really are two of em¡¯! That yellow one sure is tiny, ain¡¯t ya, little feller?¡±


    The large red mech¡¯s enthusiasm made Bumblebee, overwhelmed by the attention, sank down into the warmth of Elita¡¯s nursery chamber.


    ¡°Sorry! Didn¡¯t mean to give you a scare!¡± Ironhide said, raising his hands in mock surrender.


    Hot Rod noticed some movement coming from Ironhide¡¯s chest and saw several of his friends pop their little heads out to look at him. A pink and white little sparkling mech, that would grow up to become Arcee, happily waved his little hand at them. They were safe, and Hot Rod had nothing to worry about anymore.


    Hot Rod and Bumblebee were soon taken back to the Autobot base. And they had been together through everything ever since. And whatever Ironhide¡¯s fate was, Bumblebee was determined to stick together with his brother and get through it together.


    In the Ark¡¯s medbay, that atmosphere remained bleak. Ironhide was moved to a hospital bed, but then had to be rushed back into surgery within an hour after destabilizing. By the time Ratchet was able to fix Ironhide, or what was left of him, again he was so tired that he was about ready to pass out on one of the operating tables, still covered in energon. Despite this, Ratchet refused to leave Irionhide¡¯s side.


    ¡°Ratchet, go rest.¡± Optimus said firmly. ¡°You''ve Done all you can.¡±


    ¡°But Prime!¡± Ratchet tried to protest.


    ¡°That¡¯s an order, soldier.¡±


    Ratched sighed and bowed his helm. ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    Ratchet reluctantly left, frame still covered in bright pink smears.


    Chromia wasn¡¯t fairing much better. Since Ironhide¡¯s second emergency operation, all she had been doing was sitting in the waiting room, not doing or saying anything. She didn¡¯t feel happy or sad, just numb.


    ¡°Come on, Chromia. Let¡¯s go home for now. You look exhausted.¡± Elita suggested, deeply concerned for her friend.


    ¡°Alright¡­¡± Chromia replied softly. She allowed herself to be guided out.


    The room grew silent. Optimus was the last bot remaining in there. He hadn¡¯t seen Irionhide since before his latest surgery, and scolded himself for being too cowardly to face his friend¡¯s condition. Nevertheless, he forced himself to see him. To Optimus¡¯s surprise, Iornhidelooked better than before. He was still in very rough shape, but at least now the exposed part of his head wound had a temporary protective metal plating framing screwed onto the area. A small relief in an otherwise grim situation.


    Optimus gently held Irionhide¡¯s limp hand and rubbed it with his fingers, as if to give some kind of comfort to the unconscious autobot.


    ¡°Hey buddy.¡± Optimus said quietly.


    The only thing to break the medbay¡¯s eerie silence were the beeps and hums of the machines keeping Ironhide alive. It pained Optimus deeply to see his friend in this state. Irionhide was a strong, indomitable bot. He was tough as nails and only exposed his soft interior to those he trusted most.


    Optimus tightened his grip around his friend¡¯s hand, unsure of what to say. He wasn¡¯t even really certain if Ironhide could hear anything or if he would even understand anyone if he did, for that matter. Optimus had known the mech ever since he was very young and had fought countless battles by his side. Now, the mech who once stood tall and proud was a far cry from the warrior he once was. Deep down, Optimus couldn¡¯t help but feel like he could have done something to prevent this. He could have been more observant of the warning signs, spent more time with him on the ship. or maybe even convince him to open up to Optimus or Chromia about his struggles.


    ¡°I failed you, my friend. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    He knew what Ironhide would probably say


    ¡°Just another battle scar, Prime. Barely even hurts. Quit worrying about me so much, ya rusty old screw!¡±


    But it wasn¡¯t just a battle scar. It never was. The war had deeply affected the warrior in ways that no one saw, and that even he likely didn¡¯t realize either.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you, I promise. We¡¯ll all help you.¡±


    Being completely helpless, in that moment, to do anything to ease his friend¡¯s pain greatly frustrated Optimus. But he couldn¡¯t lose faith that Ironhide would recover. Optimus just needed to be patient. It was one of the only things he could do for him. Wait, and hope.

 Rip and Tear

    "AGAIN! DO IT AGAIN!"


    Blood-energeon sprayed from Starscream''s mouth when Barricade''s fist came ramming into his jaw.


    "Where''s the shanix, Starscream?"


    Starscream spat out a broken denta. "I can''t remember. Maybe if you hit me again, it''ll jog my memory!"


    Barricade obliged, striking him again. Starscream''s optics glared bright red as he smirked through the pain.


    "Was that a light breeze I just felt?" Starscream taunted, earning himself another punch that was a little harder than the last.


    A black and purple seeker got up into Starscream''s face. "Give it up, Star! You ain''t wriggling your way out of this one! Now let''s wrap this up before things get real'' ugly!"


    Starscream''s energon-streaked lips twisted into a grin. "Oh, I''m shaking. You think I can''t handle getting a little roughed up, Skywarp?"


    Another blow landed, sending Starscream reeling.


    "HAHAHA! AGAIN! HIT ME AGAIN!" His laugh was that of a crazed lunatic.


    The red seeker doubled over when Skywarp''s knee struck hard into Starscream''s abdomen.


    Starscream defiantly raised his head and sneered. "Weakling!" Starscream grunted, earning him another knee to the abdomen.


    Barricade, dent barred in frustration, violently grabbed Starscream''s throat and squeezed until the Seeker''s frame shuttered.


    "We don''t have to do this the hard way, you know. All you gotta do is give Skywarp the 400 shanix you owe her."


    Starscream responded by spitting in his face.


    Barricade let go of Starscream''s neck and took a step back. Calmly, he wiped his face.


    "Okay.... I think we''re going to need to have a little Spark-to-Spark conversation about this situation before it gets out of hand."


    Barricade''s right index finger transformed into a small knife.


    "Hey, aren''t we not supposed to have those?" Thundercracker asked as he struggled to keep hold of Starscream.


    Skywarp rolled her optics. "You''re a dumbass, T.C."


    "No, YOU''RE a dumbass!"


    "Nuh-uh, YOU''RE a dumbass!"


    "YOU''RE A D-


    "Will you two shut up?! I can''t hear myself think!"


    "Cade..." Skywarp said, looking at the knife. "You better not do any crazy shit!"


    Barricade let out an irritated huff before continuing. He used his other hand to shove Starscream''s helm back and hold it still. His lips twisted into a sadistic grin as he traced the knife down Starscream''s jaw, causing the seeker to hyperventilate and clench his fists. When Barricade found the soft spot where there was no metal bone framework to get in the way, he slowly began to press the knife in. Starscream let out a shriek of pain as energeon to started dripping down his neck.


    "Barricade! Don''t make him scream! we could get in huge trouble if we get caught!" Thundercracker warned.


    "Shut your trap and hold him still!" Barricade snapped at Thundercracker.


    His tone then suddenly softened, as if someone turned a switch. "Besides, he won''t scream, will he?"


    He pushed the blade in further.


    Starscream clenched his jaw and tried as hard as he could to free himself from Thundercracker.


    "WHERE IS IT?!" Barricade roared.


    Skywarp slapped her hand against her face. "Primus, could you be a little louder, maybe?!".


    Barricade pushed the knife in a little more. Starscream still managed not to scream, but tears began to well up in his optics.


    "Don''t make me ask again!"


    Speaking was excruciating with the knife inside Starscream''s lower jaw. "Okay, okay, okay! I-I''ll get it for you! Just stop!"


    Barricade wasn''t satisfied, and the small blade went in deeper. Starscream was now letting out small whimpers.


    "Uh, Cade?" Thundercracker laughed nervously. "This is starting to not be fun anymore."


    Even Skywarp was beginning to wince at the sight.


    "Cade, maybe we should do this another time? This is Prime''s territory! Remember?"


    "You want the shanix or not, Skywarp?!"


    "I mean, yeah. But you''re being a bit intense for 400 shanix."


    Starscream began pleading. "I swear I have it! I swear! Please let me go! A-And I won''t tell anybody you were here! Honest!"


    Barricade shoved the knife in and pierced through the bottom of his mouth. His pleas were choked out as energon dribbled down his mouth and flooded his throat. His fists were squeezed so hard that his talons were now digging into the armor of his hands, causing them to bleed.


    "Primus, barricade! Are you out of your mind?!" Skywarp exclaimed. "I don''t want the damn shanix THAT bad!"


    Starscream was groaning in agony, and optic lubricant was now freely flowing down his face. Barricade slid the blade out just enough for him to speak again.


    He wailed, "I-I don''t have it! I''m sorry! I''m sorry! Please don''t hurt me anymore!"


    Enraged, Barricade thrust the knife in and scrapped the metal palate at the roof of his mouth. A blood-curdling, gargled screech filled the air. Thundercracker immediately dropped Starscream.


    "That''s it! I''m done with this!" Thundercracker shouted at Barricade. "I know Star may be a jerk, but he''s still our brother!"


    Skywarp''s right hand raised slightly. "Um, actually, I don''t care about him because he sucks. I just don''t want to end up in the Ark''s jail. I heard Slips is in there, and lemme tell ya, we''ve got BEEF."


    "Skywarp!" Thundercracker scolded his sister, who responded with a half-hearted shrug.


    "When I start a job, I intend to finish it!" Barricade snarled, his yellow optics glaring.


    Skywarp and Thundercracker took a few steps back.


    When Thundercracker let go of him, Starscream successfully pulled away from Barricade, far enough to un-impale his jaw on the knife. But Barricade still had his other hand tightly grasping onto Starscream''s helm. When Starscream lifted up his arms and tried to use his talons to pry away his hand, Barricade sunk the knife right into his armpit joint. He screamed again.


    "Cade, stop! He''s had enough! Let''s just go back to the Nemesis!"


    Thundercracker''s words went ignored as Barricade pinned Starscream on the ground and began to savagely beat him. One of his punches landed hard enough for Starscream to momentarily black out. When he came to, he found himself lying on his front with Barricade pinning him down with his foot. He had Starscream''s injured arm in his grasp and bent it back.


    "I promise! I promise I''ll get the shanix! I promise! Just stop!" Starscream desperately pleaded.


    Skywarp threw up her hands"Bye! I''m out! Not staying for this!"


    "Skywarp! Help me, sister!" Starscream pleaded.


    Barricade leered at the fembot with blazing optics. She scurried out of reach before Barricade could grab her. She darted to the door, looked back at Starscream for a moment, then left.


    Thundercracker stayed behind.


    "Cade! You''re gonna kill him!"


    In a desperate act of self-defense, Starscream clawed at Barricade''s face and nicked him on the bridge of his nose.


    Without hesitation, the enraged Decepticon dazed him by punching him in the eye and then flipped him around so he was lying on his front. He placed a foot on his back and kept him down while he grabbed his right wing.


    "Scream, and I rip off both of your wings. Got it?"


    "Y-Yes, Barricade! I won''t scream! J-Just have mercy on me!"


    Thundercracker turned his face away from the brutality.


    "Cade- Please.... Let''s just go home!"


    Barricade felt around the base of Starscream''s wing until he found a gap in its joint. He then began to pry Starscream''s armor layer away from the smaller, susceptible protoform layer underneath. Starscream''s entire frame shook. He bit his tongue and dug his talons into his armor, trying to find a distraction from the sensation. It felt like one of the most sensitive parts of his body¡ªhis wing¡ª was being slowly dipped in acid. The micronerves that gave his armor sensation snapped as Barricade pulled the armor back. It made sharp stings shoot to the tip of his wing, increasing the burning sensation to an unbearable level. Terrified of screaming, he resorted to sobbing uncontrollably. But this was still too loud for Barricade, and he used all his strength to violently yank back as much armor as he could in one powerful tug. Starscream''s wailing only increased.


    The sound of metal being torn, mixed with the sounds of his triplet brother''s agony, made Thundercracker''s entire frame tense up. He may not have been looking, but the sound alone was enough. Memories of Megatron began to flash in the blue seeker''s mind.


    "T.C... T.C., help me..." Starscream''s voice was weak and shaky.


    "You touch me, Thundercracker, and you''re next."


    "Please make him stop, T.C.!"


    Thundercracker refused to look.


    "T.C., PLEASE!! MAKE HIM STOP, MAKE HIM STOP!"


    "Shut up!"


    Barricade ripped off another piece of Starscream''s armor and threw it at Thundercracker. When it hit Thundercracker in the leg, he didn''t realize what it was at first. When he did, he stumbled back in revulsion. Barricade laughed sadistically at the blue seeker''s reaction.


    Thundercracker''s red optics glowed with anger. "That isn''t funny, Cade!"


    Barricade had to stop for a moment. His arm had become tired and sore from pulling.


    The armor on the back of Starscream''s wing was almost entirely ripped off, exposing the smaller protoform wing underneath. Barricade brought out his knife yet again and dragged it along the soft metal alloy surface of the bare protoform. Starscream couldn''t hold it in any longer. He screamed so loud that it took Barricade a bit off guard.


    Barricade tried to cup his hand over Starscream''s mouth to keep him quiet. Starscream, seeing an opportunity, was able to bite him. His sharpened canine denta hurt enough for Barricade to let go momentarily. Starscream tried to crawl away, but Barricade grabbed him by the damaged wing. This caused him to scream even more. Barricade let go of him again.


    "Thundercracker! Help me shut him up!"


    "No! You''re real'' sick in the head, Cade. And I''m not hanging out with you anymore! Now, can we PLEASE get the hell out of here before- Oh no..."


    The sound of thunderous footsteps came rapidly approaching from outside.


    "It''s HIM!"


    Barely a moment later, Skywarp''s unconscious body came bursting through the door, completely destroying it.


    Starscream scuttled under his table and watched the chaos unfold from there.


    Barricade nervously smiled as he addressed the towering mech that had just entered through the broken doorway. "Heeeey Sky! We were just messing around like old times! Right? T.C?"


    The mech picked Barricade and Thundercracker up by the helms and bashed them together, knocking them out instantly.


    When the coast was clear, Starscream pulled himself out from under the table. He looked up at the massive mech with a scowl.


    "I didn''t need your help! They were cowering before me!"


    "I''m sure he was, Starscream. Can you walk?"


    "Of course I can!"


    "Good. Then you''re perfectly capable of walking to the medbay yourself."


    "I am!"


    "Don''t forget to bring all the pieces that spontaneously fell off your body as Barricade and Thundercracker were kneeling before your greatness. "


    "Don''t tell me what to do!"


    Starscream hobbled over to the piece of armor that was thrown at Thundercracker and picked it up. One side of it was slimy-textured and drenched in blood-energeon. Starscream dropped it.


    "Hmph. I''ll send the medics to come get this."


    "I can take them for you if you''re too grossed out by it."


    "I am NOT "grossed out," you bumbling fool! I am completely desensitized to these sorts of things! I just happen to have a badly injured arm, if you even care to notice!"


    "B-B-But- Isn''t the great and powerful Lord Starscream more than capable of carrying things with ONE arm?"


    "Piss off, Skyfire."


    He turned his back to the giant Autobot and stormed¡ªor rather, hobbled¡ª out of his damaged living quarters.


    Outside, a crowd had already formed, murmuring as they noticed Starscream''s battered frame limping past them.


    "Please tell me it didn''t happen again!" Kup said as he limped over to get a closer look. "Oh, it''s only Starscream."


    Starscream tried to ignore every one and just kept on walking.


    "By the Primes, Starscream!" Magnus said. "You''re bleeding everywhere!"


    Jazz zipped past and nearly knocked the injured seeker over.


    "Watch it!"


    "My bad, Scream!"Jazz quipped before he leaped over the rubble and slapped stasis cuffs on all three perpetrators.


    Starscream tried to press forward, but his legs soon gave out. As the adrenaline wore off, he began to feel the full brunt of his injuries. He was unable to hold back his cries as his wing flared up in pain. He could hear Knockout''s voice but couldn''t process anything he was saying. He faded in and out of consciousness, unable to comprehend anything he was seeing or hearing. He could only feel searing pain as the flash of colorful armor rushing by reflected in his optics. The entire ship spun around him and caused partially-processed energon to force itself out of his mouth before blacking out.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    The broken mech came to in a hospital bed with a raging migraine, a wing that still felt like it was on fire, and a horrible aching pain that was under his arm joint and radiating throughout his entire face.


    As if only to increase his distress, the medics placed him right beside Ironhide. Starscream didn''t know how long he had been out, but it was long enough for Irionhide to have woken up, and he did not sound happy. Or very lucid, for that matter. He wouldn''t stop switching between incoherent babbling and agonized groaning.


    "Alright, I think I get it now! I''m in hell. I''m in hell!" Starscream thought. "The moment I agreed to go along on this Primus-forsaken voyage, I entered hell. I hate this fucking ship, I hate those two good-for-nothing wastes of energon I was unlucky enough to split a spark with, and Barricade... I''M GONNA RIP BARRICADE''S HEAD OFF WITH MY OWN HANDS!!"


    Starscream roared with a vengeful rage and used whatever strength he had to get up.


    "Ohhh no you don''t!" Knockout scolded his patient.


    He pushed him right back down.


    "Trust me, we''re not thrilled about you being here either."


    Starscream opened his mouth to shoot an insult at the doctor, but only ended up wincing in pain.


    "Just lay down and be quiet for a few clicks so I can get this over with, please."


    Starscream''s optics rolled.


    Knockout held out a datapad and read it to his patient out loud.


    "You took one hell of a beating, but as per usual, you somehow managed to survive without any life-threatening injuries. The medical team retrieved your missing armor plating at the scene of the attack and wielded them back in place. I patched up your wing with some protective padding. I know you''ll say it looks stupid, but trust me, anything touching your wing for the next month or so will hurt like hell. Got it? Oh, right, you can''t speak. Speaking of which," The doctor continued, "You should be able to in a day or so, but the pain won''t go away as quickly. I sutured the hole in your lower jaw closed. You had a small scrape on the roof of your mouth, but that should quickly heal on its own."


    Knockout paused briefly to scroll down on the datapad before continuing.


    "Your left underarm joint was in rough shape, but I was able to wield it. It was very difficult, by the way, so you''re welcome."


    "I wonder if it''s too late for me to jump ship and fly back to Cybertron?" Starscream so wished he could express his irritation verbally."


    "You lost a denta, again. A new one should just grow in a few days. Unfortunately-" Knockout let out a sigh. "You''re going to be here for at least 2 days."


    "TWO D- ACK!"


    "I told you to stay quiet. You could tear those suiters and mess up my beautiful handy work if you run your mouth as excessively as you typically do."


    "Asshole," Starscream muttered through tightly gritted denta.


    Knocking lowered his datapad down a little to look at Starscream and give him a little shit-eating smirk.


    "Before I can send you home, we need to examine your brain case for any possible damage. Don''t worry, this doesn''t mean anything serious. This is just normal protocol for patients with numerous head injuries."


    Knockout paused to scroll down the datapad again. "Before Chromdome can take a look in that noggin'' of yours, you need several hours of rest. So get comfy!"


    He put down the datapad and asked, " On a scale of one to 10, how severe is your pain? To save you the effort, I''ll count from one to ten and then you can just grunt on whatever number-"


    "TEN YOU IMBECILE, TEN!!!!!!"


    "I told you to take it easy, Starscream. Tsk, tsk."


    When Knockout turned his back to leave, Starscream used his good arm and held his hand up to his optic. He positioned his visual of Knockout''s head between his index and middle talon and pretended to squash it.


    The anesthetic supply on the Ark was currently being rationed due to low supply until the Nemesis was able to ship in part of their share of resources. So, for now, Starscream had to try to "relax" with only half the painkiller he needed.


    The pain made the hours feel like an eternity. The only recharge Starscream was able to get was when he eventually became too tired physically stayed awake and lost consciousness. Starscream was abruptly awoken when medics came rushing in after Ironhide had fallen back into a coma. He was too preoccupied with his own discomfort to have any emotional reaction to what was going on around the bed next to him. He could hear Chromia crying and Ratchet calling for the other medics. The gravely wounded Autobot was successfully stabilized and ended up surviving. But he remained in a coma.


    The pain kept Starscream awake all night while Ironhide''s friends drifted in and out of the room.


    "The hell happened to Scream? He looks awful!" Hot Rod whispered to Jazz.


    "Owed money to some cons and got beat up pretty bad."


    "Bee told me he got his face sliced off by Barricade." Said Arcee.


    "Arcee, he clearly still has his face." Hot Rod pointed out.


    "Knockout could have glued it back on."


    Ratchet corrected them. "He did not get his face sliced off!"


    "At least SOMEONE around here is willing to spare me of humiliation." Starscream thought.


    Ratchet crossed his arms. "It''s not appropriate to be openly discussing patient information in here!"


    Jazz apologized for the group. "Sorry, Ratch"


    Knockout stepped through the entrance of the room and addressed his patient.


    "Morning, Starscream."


    Starscream just looked at the ex-con medic and grunted.


    "Rough night? Well, you''ll be happy to hear that I''ve been able to use my stunning charm to talk the other medics into letting you have a little extra painkiller."


    Starscream''s optics narrowed with a suspicious glare.


    Knockout sighed. "You know, Starscream, you may not be my favorite patient but you are still my patient. As long as you''re under my care, I''ll do my best to ease your pain."


    Starscream''s wings instinctively rose as an aggression display, which hurt the joint at the base of his left wing. Starscream winced at the sore sensation.


    Knockout filled a syringe with a glowing green liquid. He held it up to eye level and tapped it with his claw to get the air bubbles out.


    "I''m not Megatron." Knocked remarked. "I''m not just going to dump you in a hospital bed after being brutalized without any- Ah, okay. You''re look you''re giving me THAT look."


    Starscream''s optics shot daggers at the doctor.


    "I can take a hint! It''s a sore subject."


    There was a hole that had been temporarily drilled into the base of his sternum so that drugs could easily be administered directly into his spark.


    "Open wide!"


    Starscream let out a mean hiss and batted Knockout away with his uninjured arm.


    "Starscream!" Knocking grunted as he pushed back his patient''s flailing arm. "I''m not going to hurt you!"


    Everyone on Irionhide''s side of the room just watched in bewilderment while both ex-cons wrestled with each other.


    "Would you quit acting like a sparkling?! Hold still!"


    Starscream took a swipe at Knockout and missed.


    "ARGH! Watch the paint!"Knockout had had enough. "I am going to make you feel better whether you like it or not!"


    Knockout jammed the syringe right into the hole in Starscream''s chest.


    "AAAAAAAAAAH! WHY YOU LITTLE- I''M GOING TO RIP YOUR OPTICS OUT AND MAKE YOU EAT THEM! THEN I''M GOING TO CLAW YOUR FACE OFF! AND THEN AFTER THAT, I''M GOINGTOuuuuaaah..."


    Starscream felt immense relief as the solution flushed through his system. The painkiller had the side effect of making him a little high, but he was now at ease enough to no longer be a nightmare for the medics to deal with. Well, for the time being at least.


    Ratchet''s optics narrowed towards his coworker. "Knockout! How much did you give him?"


    "Enough."


    "You know we can''t be liberal with the painkillers, Knockout!"


    "I''ve already discussed it with Optimus. After explaining the nature of Starscream''s injuries, he said it would be alright."


    "Ratchet."


    "What?! Ugh, that bolt-brain is too much of a big softie for his own good." Ratchet remarked. "None of Starscream''s injuries are severe enough to maim him or be lethal and we can''t afford to use too much anesthetic on bots who will recover within a few days."


    "Hey, Ratchet."


    "Do you have ANY idea how much pain he''s in?! Part of recovery is recharging, and my patient isn''t able to go into recharge. He needs this just as much as he feels like he needs to be a constant aggravation to everyone in his general vicinity.


    "Oh, Raaaatchet~"


    Ratchet grunted in frustration. "I understand that he''s in pain, and if we had the normal amount of resources he would probably be on even more painkillers. But we have several more cycles to go on this trip. We need to ration our supplies!"


    "Hey, DOC!"


    "Do you have ANY idea how painful a flayed wing is? I don''t even have wings, and just looking at this poor heap of scrap makes me want to shield my tires!"


    "RATCHET!"


    "WHAT is it, you obnoxious bird?!"


    Starscream held up his good arm and stuck his middle talon out at Ratchet.


    Ratchet vented deeply. He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his optics. Arcee let a snicker escape from her, which Ratchet returned with a side-eye.


    Chromia finally said something. "Why did you guys place him next to Hide? There really wasn''t ANYONE else you could room him with?"


    Ratchet answered her. "All the other beds are currently taken up a bunch of Vehicons that passed out in the rec room. Trust me... You won''t want to know."


    "Ohhhhho, YEA." Hot Rod added to Ratchet''s statement.


    Knockout turned back to his patient. He leered down at him.


    "Hm?"


    "So?"


    "What do you want?"


    "Don''t you have something to tell me, Lord Starscream?"


    Starscream stared at the medic, cluelessly.


    "Magic words, Starscream? Did no one teach you manners as a sparkling?"


    Starscream kept looking at him.


    Knockout bent down next to the seeker''s audio processor and whispered, "I didn''t tell Optimus scrap. I took a big risk getting you this by doped up, so you better say thank you!"


    Starscream genuinely didn''t expect this type of courtesy from Knockout. Or anyone else for that matter.


    "Er, thank you?"


    "Aw Starscream, there''s no need to thank me!" Knockout made sure everyone in the room could hear him. "I''m just doing my job!"


    He patted Starscream on top of the helmet, which made him pull his helm away in annoyance.


    "I didn''t say you could touch me!"


    "Hah! You have such a unique sense of humor, Starscream." He patted him again.


    "Keep wearing out your welcome, and I''ll bite you."


    "I''m sure you will Starscream, I''m sure you will."


    "I''m serious!"


    "Tsk, tsk, Starscream. I told you that you should take it easy with the yapping. Don''t want to open that wound back up now, do we?"


    Chromia interrupted. "Pardon me, but could you two please stop before I start punching someone?"


    "My apologies, Ma''am." Knockout addressed the blue fembot. "I should be getting out of here, anyway. One of my other patients is this vehicon that got his spike stuck in a-"


    "Knockout!" Ratchet cut him off.


    "Oh! Silly me. I forgot about patient privacy and whatnot. Opsies.


    "Would you just leave already, Knockout?"


    "Patience, darling. I need to inform my patient of one last thing."


    "Just make it quick!"


    "Alright!" Knockout looked back down at Starscream and muttered, "He can be so rude!" before telling him, "Anyhoo, Chromedome will be here later this afternoon to do your examination. And tomorrow afternoon the ship''s therapist will ask you a few questions before you''re cleared and we can finally kick you out of here."


    "I''m not talking to a therapist."


    "Yes, you are."


    "Um, no, I''m not.


    "Starscream, you were just tortured. That''s not exactly known to be very good for one''s mental health."


    "Pah! What do you think I am, a newspark? I''ve had worse done to me more times than I can count!"


    "Are you seriously bragging about how often you get your ass beat?" Arcee commented.


    "Mind your own business, Autobot scum!" Starscream hissed.


    Arcee rolled her optics. "God, even when he''s doped up he''s loud and angry."


    "Whatever." Hot Rod said. "I''m gonna go get high on something. You in, Cee?"


    Arcee answered without hesitation. "Hell yeah."


    "Take it easy this time, Roddy!" Jazz warned.


    "Sure thing, Jazz." Hot Rod said.


    A new voice spoke out from directly behind Ratchet. It nearly startled him out of his armor.


    "I could also go for an increase in my vibrational frequencies."


    "DAH!" Ratchet yelped and spun around to see a white and red Autobot standing there.


    Jazz, Arcee, and Hot Rod snickered at the medic''s reaction.


    "D-Drift! I didn''t even see you there! When did you come in?!"


    Drift smiled at him. "Been here the whole time, Doctor."


    "Oh, well... Don''t be so quiet next time!"


    While the three younger bots said goodbye to Irionhide and the rest of their friends, the two ex-cons in the room were still arguing.


    "You''re seeing a therapist."


    "Sorry, I think I had something stuck in my audio processor. Come again?"


    "Doesn''t matter how annoying you are about it, Starscream. You''re seeing a therapist."


    "I''d rather get the rest of my armor ripped off than talk to a therapist."


    "Oh, I can arrange that."


    "Knockout! Don''t threaten the patients!" Ratchet shouted."


    Knockout turned around and yelled back."It was a JOKE, Ratchet!" He turned back to Starscream and shook his head. "Ah, Autobots. They''ll never get Decepticon humor."


    "Primus have mercy!" Exclaimed Chromia. "Are you done yet, Knockout?!"


    Knockout let a comically exaggerated "Hmph!" and left the room.


    Starscream yawned and nestled down in his covers. "Finally! I can get some rest." He muttered.


    The alloy pillow and sheets seemed to feel more comfortable than usual, soothing his broken frame. He was still pretty sore, but the pain was now bearable thanks to the painkiller. Starscream closed his optic lids and took in a deep vent. He had no idea what Knockout gave him. His tolerance was way higher than it should be and it was rare for painkillers to have this strong of an effect on him. But he wasn''t exactly complaining. With a sigh of relief, he closed his optics. A good recharge was just what he needed.


    But the light on his side of the room was still on.


    "I need this light turned off, Ratchet. Ratchet? Ratchet! Hey, old timer!"


    Starscream''s optics flickered open and looked around the room. It was completely empty. Ratchet, Jazz, Chromia, and even Ironhide¡ªgone. Starscream''s expression twisted in confusion.


    "Where the hell did all the Autobots go?"


    He stayed there for several moments, a sense of unease slowly creeping in. Still more concerned about his sleep, Starscream forced himself to get out of bed with great effort.


    "This place has terrible room service." He muttered to himself, the sarcasm doing little to lighten the unsettling nature of the situation.


    "Now, where''s that damn light switch?"


    The room held the kind of eerie silence that made Starscream''s servos twitch. He brushed it off, blaming it on whatever Knockout pumped into him. Once he finally found the switch, which was curiously on the floor, he flicked it. Instead of the lights shutting off, the Ark was bathed in bright red. The warning lights had come on, and an unbearably loud siren blared over and over.


    "FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, WHAT DID I DO?!"


    He rapidly flicked the switch on and off repeatedly to no avail.


    He ran out of the medbay and looked for a place to hide from Optimus.


    "FUCK, HE''S GONNA KILL ME."


    The thought of enduring what Megatron had done to him again, this time at the hands of a Prime, filled him with a cold terror. He hyperventilated while his processor raced and his spark pounded against his chest. With the red lights and horrible wailing sirens, on top of being high, the seeker was heavily disoriented. He stumbled through the hallways, crashing into things as he went. The drugs were certainly not contributing much usefulness to this situation, as they only worsened Starscream''s disorientation. He eventually found a vent. He ripped off the cover and crawled inside, squeezing his wings tightly against his back.


    To his horror, he felt a cold, steely grip on one of his legs. He dug his talons into his claustrophobic surroundings as he tried to crawl away. Yellow sparks came out from the vent''s steel walls as the seeker''s talons tried to cling on in vain as he was violently dragged out. He kicked and thrashed while the much stronger mech dangled him upside down. At first, he thought it was Optimus. But then he heard the mech''s frighteningly familiar monotone voice speak to him.


    "Starscream located. Now executing objective: Break Starscream."


    "S-SOUNDWAVE!" The frightened seeker stuttered. "You''re not supposed to be here!"


    The powerful deception grabbed Starscream''s other leg.


    "No! I''ll do anything! Please! I won''t tell Optimus, just leave!"


    Soundwave said nothing. He grabbed Starscream''s other leg. The seeker could hear a sickening crack as his armor began to bend, along with the sound of wires snapping. He could see energeon start to drip and pool beneath him. Soundwave tore him apart, causing sparks to illuminate the Decepticon''s battle mask as blinding hot pain slowly crept up to Starscream''s abdomen. The seeker screamed in agony and desperately tried to claw at anything. But he could feel himself getting weaker by the second.


    Lazerbeak poked his head out of Soundwave''s chest and said, "Can we restrain him while I do this so he doesn''t bite me, please?"


    Starscream then launched out of his hospital bed and attacked the bird.


    "Hey, HEY!"


    Starscream snapped out of it once a metal fist came in contact with his cheek. The force knocked him back and he fell and crashed into his bed.


    Knockout, alarmed, rushed in between the fight.


    "Chromdome! It''s a night terror; don''t hurt him!"


    "Oh, I see. Apologies, Starscream." Chromedome said, stepping back and offering a hand to help him up.


    Starscream blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the remnants of fear that still clung to him.


    "What the?!"


    He looked at Chromdome''s hand. "Don''t touch me, Autobot scum!"


    Chromedome swiftly pulled away his hand. "Jeez, I can tell this will be a fun one. You sure we can''t restrain him?"


    "Don''t you DARE!" Starscream snarled.


    "It''s probably not a good idea," Knockout said, patting Chromedome on the side of the arm.


    Making sure to keep a safe distance, Chromedome guided a very reluctant Starscream to his office.


    Chromedome held out a hand towards the examination chair like he was offering him a seat in his house.


    Starscream cautiously inched his way onto the chair, not taking his optics off Chromedome. "You better not go poking your nose in places you shouldn''t!"


    "I don''t do mnemosurgery anymore." Chromedome posited.


    "Hmph!" Starscream narrowed his eyes at the surgeon. "That''s what all of them say!"


    "I''m just checking to see if anything is damaged. Luckily for both of us, you''ll need to be out for a short while. When you wake up, you won''t even notice any time has passed."


    "You must be out of your mind to think I''m going to let you poke around at my brain while I''m unconscious!"


    "Alright, but you''ll have to sit perfectly still for up to an hour while being fully aware as I open your skull and stick needles into your brain."


    Starscream gulped. "Fine! But I swear if-"


    Starscream''s eyelids groggily blinked open. He rubbed his bully optics and confusedly scanned his surroundings. He was back in his bed.


    "Wait, wasn''t I in the?" Starscream drearily asked no one.


    He could hear Chromedome''s voice from beside his bed "See? Told you. Didn''t even notice."


    Starscream found himself genuinely taken aback by how quickly he went from sitting in Chromedome''s office to lying back in his bed.


    "But¡ªWhat? How?" Was all the seeker could say in his still sleepy state.


    "Just a little concoction Brainstorm made. But it''s difficult to manufacture and we don''t have much on the Ark." Chromedome crossed his arms. "So don''t keep going around and getting whacked in the helm by Decepticons!" Chromedome cleared his throat before continuing. "Luckily, you did not receive any damage to your brain. Er, not from any recently acquired injuries anyways."


    "Good. So you can go and leave me alone now, yes?" Starscream said.


    "Not quite, Starscream. There were some things I noticed that you might want to know about."


    Starscream felt a flicker of anxiety in his spark.


    Chromedome may have sensed this, as he reassured the seeker, "Don''t worry, it''s not what you think. You''re not sick."


    Starscream let out a small vent of relief.


    "If I may ask," Chromedome started. "Have you ever gotten a memory cell removal procedure done?"


    "No!" Starscream''s optics darted away from Chromedome''s. ".......alright. Maybe once or twice."


    "Once or twice? That''s interesting. Because you have an extremely high number of memory cells missing, and all of them look surgically removed."


    "What? That''s absurd!


    "I''m very being serious here. Entire cycles worth of cells appear to be completely missing from your memory bank."


    "Shit, how hard did Barricade hit me?!"


    "Not hard enough to do this. Like I said, these are surgically removed. You must have gotten the cell removal procedure done several times throughout your life."


    Starscream sat himself up with a groan, the painkillers starting to wear off. "I can''t believe this. You better not be lying to me!"


    "You could see for yourself with a cortical psychic patch, you know," Chromedome suggested.


    Starscream thought for a moment. "Hrmm" He grunted. "I''ll consider it." He took a moment to stretch out his uninjured left wing. "Right now just want to get out of here."


    "Just hang in there for one more day. And try not to kill anyone in the meantime." Chromedome gave his patient a thumbs up.


    Chromedome soon left, and Starscream was once again alone with an unconscious Ironhide. It was already nighttime by the end of his procedure and he was still quite tired, but he could feel the painkiller wear off as the minutes ticked by. He wanted to go into recharge mode before the pain became too severe, but he was kept awake by his racing thoughts.


    "If I got rid of all those memories, then it must have been for a good reason! I should trust my past self. I am impressively intelligent, after all. There is nothing to worry about. Why would I hide anything from MYSELF? Hahahaha ...................Aside from maybe a few of the times Megatron bested me...... And perhaps some regretful interfacing.... And the memory of Skyfire leaving...... But those memories are gone for a reason! This does not bother me at all in any way whatsoever!"


    Starscream shut his optics and tried to relax, but it was hopeless. Between the sounds of the machines keeping his roommate alive, Starscream''s restless mind, and his increasing pain, the seeker could tell this would be another long night.

 A Day in the Life

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

 Troubled Minds

    Elita One sat stiffly on Rung¡¯s couch, her face in her hand, not saying anything.


    ¡°If you¡¯ll allow me, Madame,¡± Rung began gently, ¡°I could start if you¡¯re finding yourself unable to.¡±


    Elita ex-vented, dragging her palm over her optics. ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    Rung adjusted his posture. ¡°Very well, then,¡± the doctor started. ¡°Do you have a clear memory of what happened last week?¡±


    Elita¡¯s gaze dropped to the floor. ¡°It¡¯s fuzzy¡­ I just know that my behavior was unacceptable.¡±


    Rung nodded. ¡°Acknowledgement is a good first step. Not everyone is as introspective.¡±


    Elita sat up slightly, rubbing the side of her sore right upper arm. It had been welded back on, but still needed to heal internally. It had to be in a sling for a few weeks. She looked to the side, avoiding the other bot¡¯s optics.


    ¡°Can you remember what triggered the episode? You don¡¯t have to answer if you can¡¯t, but it might help me get a better understanding of the incident.¡±


    A bitter laugh escaped her. ¡°What DIDN¡¯T set me off?¡±


    Rung lowered his notepad and looked at Elita. ¡°Could you elaborate?¡±


    Elita sighed. She took a long pause, deciding if she wanted to answer or not. ¡°I felt¡­ Like I was in the same damn place I was back at home.¡± Elita stood up and began pacing around the room. ¡°Ironhide isn¡¯t the first friend I¡¯ve had to watch die on a hospital bed. Nor is it the first time I¡¯ve had to comfort a loved one while doing so. And every time I see Chromia¡­¡± Elita halted mid-step, ¡°Whenever I look at her I just.. I see myself. And when I look at Ironhide I think of when Optimus was critically wounded by Megatron and I- ¡°She sighed again, ¡°I¡¯m being selfish, I know. I need to be focusing on being there for Chromia and my kids, not on my past woes¡­¡± She sat back down on the couch, landing a bit too hard. She grabbed her arm and winced in pain from the mild impact.


    Rung scooted over a little closer to his client. ¡°You¡¯re not selfish. You¡¯re just a person like the rest of us are. And a lot¡ª I¡¯d even dare to claim all ¡ªof us, are deeply traumatized people. Be easier on yourself.¡± nm


    ¡°Still not an excuse for my behavior.¡±


    ¡°Do you think there was any one specific thing that might have triggered a PTSD episode?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ Well, maybe it was just the sight of Starscream and his stupid smug face.¡± Her brows furrowed at the thought of the former high-rank Decepticon. ¡°Why does he defend them?¡±


    ¡°Come again?¡± Rung adjusted his glasses.


    ¡°Optimus! After all, we¡¯ve been through, after all that animals like Starscream and Megatron did to us!¡± Elita¡¯s optics glowed brighter as she continued ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, Rung. There are many well-reformed ex-cons on the fleet. But some people can¡¯t just¡­ UGH! Who shouldn¡¯t be offered any kindness from us? It¡¯s like Oppie can¡¯t even remember what has happened in the past several billion cycles! I don¡¯t get it! Why does he have to be so relentlessly forgiving? WHY is he allowing Starscream to run loose on the ship and letting Mebatrom just waltz on in whenever he wants?! He didn¡¯t even take my side when our own kid started dating Deadlock!¡±


    ¡°Drift.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°His name


    Is Drift, now.¡±


    Elita squinted her optics. ¡°Right¡­¡±


    ¡°Apologies for interrupting.¡±


    Elita rubbed her hand against her face. ¡°look, Rung, I know Dead- ugh, DRIFT is a lot more well-mannered than someone of the likes of Starscream. But it doesn''t matter how much he tries to repent. Doesn¡¯t matter how often he meditates or how spiritual he¡¯s become. It doesn¡¯t even matter if he feels genuine remorse! He still has more blood on his hands than most of us do. I mean, is Hot Rod even aware of how many people he¡¯s harmed?¡±


    ¡°Oh, he knows.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no way he knows.¡±


    ¡°Elita, trust me, he knows. And he certainly knows a lot more about Drift than either of us do.¡±


    Elita leaned back in her seat and let another long vent. ¡°Shit¡­ He¡¯s just like his father, isn¡¯t he?¡± She sat there for a few moments, looking down at her legs, saying nothing.


    ¡°Elita One? Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­No.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to talk about it?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Rung could see her free hand gripping her thigh. ¡°Are you certain, madame?¡±


    Her shoulders began to shake as she tried and failed to choke back on her tears. She covered her face with her hand, turning away.


    Rung brought the chair in closer. ¡°Hey, hey, it¡¯s okay to cry. If there¡¯s anyone you don¡¯t need to hide your tears from, it¡¯s me.¡± He reached out a hand, but she didn¡¯t take it.


    ¡°I miss him.¡± Her voice cracked, barely a whisper.


    ¡°Optimus, I take it?¡±


    Elita silently nodded, wiping tears away from her optics.


    Rung leaned back in his seat, thinking of what to say next. He wasn¡¯t trained as a relationship counselor, but neither was anyone else in the fleet. ¡°Elita, no one comes out of a merge break unscathed. It causes permanent physical damage to your spark. Your tears are more than justified. Never having been part of a merge myself, I can¡¯t even begin to imagine-¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re still merged.¡±


    ¡°You are?¡±


    ¡°Of course we are. We¡¯ve been merged for the majority of our lives. We are bonded for life. Even if we tried to break the merge, we¡¯ve done it too many times. We have far too much of each other¡¯s sparks in our chests to break without killing each other in the process.¡±


    ¡°Wait, so, You two are split up¡­ but still merged? Elita, you do know that-¡±


    ¡°YES, I know!¡± Elita blurted out louder than she intended. ¡°I can¡¯t even hear the sound of his voice without my spark practically trying to leap out of my chest to join his!¡±


    ¡°And you also know that it¡¯s going to get worse.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ I miss him every day of my life.¡± She looked at her injured arm. ¡°I know he¡¯s probably feeling it too, but, we can¡¯t merge again. We¡¯ve grown too far apart.¡±


    Merge breaks were potentially deadly, but there was at least a chance for survival. But unsuccessful merges were always fatal, hence why very few conjunx endures attempted to merge.


    Merging was Primus¡¯s gift to Prima and Megatronus, two of the original 13 primes. The Allspark said to hold a piece of Primus himself¡¯s spark, was what gave Transformers the ability to create offspring without the well. But one Transformer¡¯s spark was not powerful enough to create another without killing the parent. There needed to be at least two. The more people who are a part of the merge, the stronger the resulting offspring will be.


    Spark merging was exactly what it sounded like it was. Two or more transformer sparks temporarily merge into one. For a few moments, the merged become the same person. Sharing all thoughts, emotions, and memories. Afterward, much of it fades away like a dream. But each merge results in leaving a little bit of you in your partner¡¯s spark chamber. Legend says, that if you merge enough times your bodies combine permanently. But no Transformer has been able to prove that as true.


    Elita and Optimus merged a few cycles after the war had started. Both knew it was a horrible idea at the time, but the spark doesn¡¯t always ask for permission. Sometimes the merge just happens accidentally while interfacing. To create new life, it couldn¡¯t just be one merge. It was a very complicated process that involved both recreation interfacing and spark merging. Elita and Optimus had planned to have a sparkling after the war, but they never got the chance to. Sometimes, Elita allowed her mind to wonder what their child would have looked like. She missed having children, but both she and Optimus refused to bring a new spark into a world that may not have even been there by the time they grew up.


    Rung was genuinely at a loss for words. He desperately wanted to offer advice, but even he wasn¡¯t sure how he¡¯d handle the situation if he were in Elita One¡¯s place. But alas, he tried his best. ¡°If you don''t mind me asking, how is your relationship with Hot Rod, currently?¡±


    Elita let out a groan. ¡°I think he¡¯s still angry at me. I also think he¡¯s been deliberately avoiding having to see or speak to me.¡±


    ¡°And why do you think that might be?¡±


    ¡°He knows I don¡¯t want him around Drift.¡± She began absently fidgeting with one of her antennae, ¡°I know he¡¯s far more than old enough to be making his own decisions. And I know he¡¯s confident about Dea-Drift being reformed. But dammit, that¡¯s my KID! How could I just smile and nod while watching him put all his love and trust into someone with a past like Drift¡¯s!¡±


    Rung took off his glasses and removed a cloth from his storage space to clean them. ¡°Correct me if I¡¯m out of line here Elita¡­ but have you ever considered trying to get to know Drift yourself?¡±


    ¡°Hah! I''d sooner adopt a scraplet!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m serious. You should consider it. It may ease the tension between you and Hot Rod. And hey, if you find some current dirt on him, you¡¯d have the satisfaction of proving your point.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one of the things I¡¯m afraid of. I¡¯m already on bad terms with Roddy, the last thing I want to do is be the one to break his spark. I can¡¯t always be the bad guy here!¡±


    ¡°Elita, I¡¯m going to be honest with you. We live a VERY long time. We¡¯ve all been through more pain than we can measure. The one thing keeping all of us sane, and therefore alive, is family and camaraderie. We need to fight for the people we have in our lives now before we end up having to spend the rest of our long, painful lives without them. And I think it would be a great benefit to you and Hot Rod to have you both here, but he would have to agree to come along.¡±


    Elita stopped for a moment to think. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll have civil a chat with Drift¡­ but I doubt Roddy will agree to come to therapy,¡± she murmured.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. Perhaps you may even start to understand Prime¡¯s view on things a bit more.¡± Rung gently set his glasses back on, pushing them in with his index finger.


    Elita turned sharply, antennae twitching. ¡°The only way I¡¯m ever going to understand Oppie¡¯s reasoning for being so easy on dangerous ex-cons is if I merged with him again. And like I said, the resentment that has grown between us¡ª It¡¯s too risky.¡±


    ¡°Then maybe¡­¡± Rung tried to sound like he knew what he was talking about. ¡°Maybe you could try to start over instead? I think what you have in mind is jumping back into the relationship right where you two left off. But lovers don¡¯t always work out that way. Sometimes, starting over slowly is the best way to rebuild a relationship with an ex-conjunx.¡±


    Elita waited another moment, then stood up and began pacing around again.


    ¡°Elita One?¡±


    She stopped pacing, biting the tips of her fingers. ¡°I doubt he¡¯d ever want me back. Especially not after what happened the other day. And even before that, the last time we had a real conversation we had¡­¡±She hesitated, looking away. ¡°It was not long after the war ended. An argument. A bad one. Intense argument over Megatron.¡±


    ¡°The war ending is what caused you to split?¡±


    ¡°not entirely,¡± Elita said quickly. ¡°At first I was elated, Just like everyone else. But then Oppie wouldn¡¯t tell me why. And then he started visiting Megatron in prison. I was just so FRUSTRATED with him suddenly not telling me anything! And when we discovered the supernova, that¡¯s when it happened. The argument, I mean. He wouldn¡¯t stop INISITING that Megatron was a reformed bot and that we should let him on the fleet instead of just executing him.¡±


    Rung tilted his head.¡°Hasn¡¯t Optimus always been highly against executions?¡±


    ¡°OF COURSE! But it¡¯s MEGATRON. There is not a shred of doubt in my mind that he is taking advantage of Oppie¡¯s forgiving nature, and has somehow convinced my sparkmate that D-16 is still in there somewhere!¡±


    ¡°Elita,¡± Rung said carefully, ¡°Megatron is also my client. I can¡¯t delve into personal patient information, and I won¡¯t claim to understand everything that goes on in his mind, but I can tell you that he¡¯s trying. I can see it He¡¯s trying as hard as he can.¡±


    ¡°Then he¡¯s lying to you, too. Do you honestly think he¡¯s not just going to shoot Oppie in the back and try to take over Theta-3 the moment we land?¡±


    ¡°And do YOU honestly think Megatron would even attempt to do that when Autobots and Nuetrals greatly outnumber the surviving Decepticons? He doesn¡¯t even have his fusion canon anymore. He left it back on-.¡± He slapped a hand over his mouth, optics widening. ¡°Scrap¡­ I wasn¡¯t supposed to share that information.¡±


    ¡°What did you just say?¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t supposed to ¡°


    ¡°He left his fusion canon back on Cybertron?!¡±


    Rung shut his optics, slapping his palm against his forehead. ¡°Uuugh¡­. Yes. But do NOT tell anyone else!¡±


    Elita Blinked. ¡°I had always assumed he at least wore it on the Nemesis¡­¡±


    Megatron¡¯s fusion canon might as well have been permanently welded onto his arm. He never went anywhere without that thing. He even slept with it on. And if rumors were true, he didn¡¯t take it off while interfacing either.


    Elita¡¯s optics darted around the floor, processing the new information. ¡°But why would he leave it?¡±


    ¡°He wasn¡¯t lying about his vow against violence.¡± Rung explained gently. ¡°I completely understand your anger and resentment towards him, but I think his actions have been speaking louder than his words. He never wants to see that canon again in his life.¡±


    Elita sank back down into her seat, her expression torn. Again, she didn¡¯t speak for several moments. Rung gave her time to think. She rubbed the back of her neck. ¡°I¡­. forget it¡ª¡°


    ¡°Come again, Madame?¡±


    ¡°Oppie¡­ I want to trust his judgment so badly but¡ª¡° her optics flared in frustration. ¡°I DON¡¯T KNOW!¡± She grabbed one of her antennae, tugging at it as she fought back the threat of tears.


    Rung offered his hand again, this time she took it. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you what to do, Elita. But I can see that you still care for him. Who¡¯s to say he doesn¡¯t miss you just as much?¡±


    Elita looked at her arm, gently placing her hand over the injury. ¡°It was¡­ it was just so easy for him to cut it off¡­ No hesitation.¡±


    ¡°And you think that hasn¡¯t been tearing him up inside ever since? You know him better than any of us, Elita.¡±


    ¡°I suppose¡­¡± She vented.


    ¡°Bonded for life, remember?¡±


    She managed a weak laugh ¡°I do still feel bad for throwing him.¡± She got up for a final time. ¡°I should go apologize¡­ Right now.¡±


    ¡°While I admire your determination, you still have a day left to spend in psychiatric care. Just be patient, we still have at least 10 cycles to go on this ride, he¡¯ll still be there when you get out.¡±


    ¡°I hope you¡¯re right about him, Rung. I want to believe you so badly.¡±


    He wanted to say ¡°I hope I am, too.¡± but decided it was unwise. Instead, he just nodded.


    ¡°Well Elita, I¡¯m glad I got the chance to speak with you. But I¡¯m afraid our time is almost up, and my next client should be coming in soon.¡±


    ¡°I understand. Thank you, Rung. Truly.¡±


    Rung reached out to shake her hand but was surprised with a hug instead. ¡°Oh!¡± He awkwardly patted her on the back. ¡°Um¡­ Thank you!¡±


    When she let go of Rung, she wiped away one last tear before saying her final goodbye. Once outside the office, she was supposed to go back to psych care with Chase. She hated having to be supervised like a child, but she knew it was a temporary policy for psych patients were were in care due to violent behavior. Chase was only doing his job.


    But Elita found herself distracted once she spotted Bumblebee waiting outside for his appointment.


    ¡°Hello, Little Bee.¡± she knelt and welcomed him into a hug. They pressed their foreheads together. ¡°I¡¯m so, so sorry about what I did, Little Bee. I must have worried you sick!¡±


    Bee took his mother¡¯s hands into his own. ¡°I¡¯m not angry at you, just worried. We all are¡ª especially Dad.¡±


    Chase walked up from behind Elita. ¡°Ma¡¯am, it¡¯s time to go.¡±


    ¡°Just give us a moment, please.¡±


    ¡°Elita-¡°


    Bumblebee separated from Elita and then placed himself between her and Chase. His horns curled back and his door wings raised as a warning. The hole in his neck vibrated with a low growl.


    ¡°Woah there, little guy!¡± Chase raised his hands. ¡°I¡¯m not going to harm her.¡±The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Bumblebee stared the officer down, juking forward at him.


    ¡°Bumblebee! What has gotten into you?¡±


    Bee lowered his wings and looked back at Elita, frowning with his big blue optics dimmed.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Chase.¡±She stepped between him and Bee. ¡°He¡¯s just being protective.¡± She turned back to Bee and gently caressed his crest. ¡°I¡¯ll be alright, Little Bee. Chase is only following policy.¡±


    Bumblebee sheepishly looked at Chase. He mouthed the words, ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± before running into Rung¡¯s office.


    Rung saw his client rush in, ¡°Woah, Bee, what¡¯s the rush?¡±


    Bumblebee lightly shook his head, signifying a, ¡°Nothing¡±


    Rung looked behind the small mech. ¡°Where¡¯s Optimus? Could he not make it?¡±


    Bumblebee shook his head again, horns curled down.


    ¡°That¡¯s alright. We can take this as slowly as you need. We don¡¯t even have to discuss your experience today if you can¡¯t do it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Bee mouthed.


    ¡°Very well. Is there anything else on your mind that you want to talk about?¡±


    Bumblebee¡¯s horns slightly perked back up. He took Rung¡¯s hands. ¡°Well, Windblade is back on the Ark¡­¡±


    Rung¡¯s big eyebrows raised. ¡°Ah! Thought I saw her pass by me in the halls the other day. How have you two been?¡±


    Bumblebee looked down, his optics glowing slightly brighter, ¡°Well, we¡¯ve been hanging out a lot¡­¡±


    Rung leaned forward, smiling. ¡°Aaand?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t told her yet¡ª It almost slipped out while we were drinking together last night, but I chickened out again. I¡¯m not sure I can do this, Rung. I¡¯ve never felt this way about anyone before¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, Bee,¡± Rung said softly.


    ¡°I know you said I should give it a shot but, haven¡¯t been the same since¡­¡± Bumblebee took a deep vent. ¡°Since the injury.¡± He paused and looked at the stars outside of Rung¡¯s window. ¡°When we first met, it was at a victory celebration where I was singing in a gig with Jazz, Blaster, and the cassettes. She said she loved my voice¡­ And when I first spoke to her, I made her laugh. A lot. She loved my jokes¡­¡± He closed his optics and dropped his head. ¡°But now¡­ I¡¯m angrier. Always, frustrated, always in pain. I¡¯m always running on low power because I have nightmares whenever I try to recharge. Maybe if I had realized how I felt much, much sooner, I would have had a chance. But now-¡°


    ¡°Bumblebee, you are the same person as before. You¡¯re traumatized, and I¡¯m certain Windblade is wise enough to understand what trauma does to someone.¡±


    Bumblebee looked back out the window. ¡°Maybe you have a point¡­ She¡¯s also had her share of scarring memories during the war after all.¡±


    ¡°Look around you. Trauma may have changed you, yes. But you are still loved. I¡¯m not sure there¡¯s even anyone else on the Ark that has as many friends as you, Bee.¡±


    Bumblebee turned and looked back at Rung. ¡°I really love her, Rung. But I¡¯m so scared.¡±


    Rung gave his client¡¯s hands a comforting squeeze. ¡°Loving someone that deeply is extremely rare. I¡¯m several vorns older than you are, and even I have yet to meet someone I feel that way about. Even if she says no, I truly think it¡¯s worth a shot.¡±


    Bumblebee took a deep vent, his optics dimming briefly before glowing steadily again. ¡°You really think so?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡±


    Bee leaned back into his seat, letting go of Rung¡¯s hands. He thought for a while, then nodded, a light smile appearing on his face.


    The rest of the session was uneventful, but Rung did give Bee a prescription for sleep-aiding medication. ¡°These are in extremely low supply, and a lot of bots need it. Don¡¯t take any more than your prescribed dose, because you won¡¯t get an early refill.¡±


    Bumblebee gave an acknowledging nod.


    Rung patted Bee¡¯s shoulder on his was out. ¡°Good luck, Bumblebee. And whatever happens, you can always come talk to me.¡± He lowered his voice to a light whisper. ¡°I¡¯ll even let you in when I¡¯m off work.¡±


    Bumblebee smiled, then gave Rung his second hug that day, this one being a lot tighter.


    ¡°Haha, Th-thank you Bee.¡±


    Bumblebee was the last scheduled appointment Rung had that day. Now he was open for walk-ins. He took the opportunity to take a break and brew himself a cup of energeon tea. He was just about to pour in his sweetener when a red, white, and black mech forced the door open, ran in, and started yelling incoherently.


    ¡°HE IS HERE. HE IS HERE AND HE HAS FOUND US AND WE SHALL BE CONSUMED BY HIS LUST FOR AGONY!!!!!!!!¡±


    ¡°Woah, woah, WOAH! Hey!¡± Rung backed up. ¡°Red Alert! Let¡¯s try to settle down!¡±


    ¡°HE SHALL PUNISH US FOR ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE OUR FATE! I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN AND NOBODY BELIEVED ME!!!!!!¡±


    ¡°How about we just sit down, and you can tell me all about it. And¡­.¡± Rung looked around the room. ¡°Where is your supervisor?¡±


    ¡°THEY WOULDN¡¯T LISTEN!!! I SAW HIM! I SAW HIM AMONGST THE STARS!!!!!¡±


    Rung pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°Oh, jeez¡ª Alright just sit down, Red Alert. I¡¯ll listen to you.¡±


    ¡°Yes! Thank you, Doctor! Thank you!¡± Red Alert aggressively shook Rung¡¯s hand with both of his, nearly lifting the much smaller mech off the ground.


    Red Alert cautiously sat down on the couch, optics fixated on the window. Rung sat down across from him.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, mate?¡±


    ¡°UNICRON, GOD OF CHAOS AND CONSUMER OF WORLDS SHALL REIN HIS VENGEANCE DOWN UPON US!¡±


    Rung blinked, ¡°Inside voices, Red. I can¡¯t understand a thing you¡¯re saying when you¡¯re yelling like that.¡±


    ¡°OH- I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s much better.¡± Rung gestured for him to proceed.


    Red Alert cleared his throat, ¡°I was looking out the window at the rear of the ship. And I-I-I saw him, Rung! I saw him! Unicron has followed us!¡± Red Alert was trembling as if he had just witnessed a murder.


    ¡°Red Alert¡ª¡° Rung sighed, ¡°we¡¯ve been through this. You¡¯re just seeing Shaula from a distance.¡±


    ¡°No, no it¡¯s not like last time! It¡¯s not a star! I saw something MOVE!¡±


    ¡°Red, did you take your medication today?¡±


    Red Alert stiffly shook his head.


    ¡°Do you think we should probably go do that?¡±


    ¡°They only make me take them to shut me up!¡±


    Rung shut his optics, rubbing his temples. ¡°We¡¯re trying to look out for you, Red.¡±


    ¡°No, no, not you too! You¡¯re the only one on this ship who listens to me!¡±


    ¡°And I am still listening to you, Red Alert. But you aren¡¯t well right now. Paranoid Personality Disorder makes it difficult to rationalize. The meds you take help you think more clearly and be less frightened.¡±


    ¡°NO NO NO NO NO! HE IS UPON US!!!¡±


    First Aid suddenly stumbled in. ¡°Come on, Red Please don¡¯t make this difficult!¡±


    Red Alert shoved First Aid over as he barreled back out the door. He could be heard outside, transforming and speeding away. Rung leaped up to stop him, but First Aid was too quick to get to his feet and hold out a hand in front of him.


    ¡°This is my job, Rung. You stay right there!¡± The medic transformed inside the office and drove after Red Alert, scraping the inside of Rung¡¯s door frame on the way out.


    ¡°Bloody hell¡­¡± Rung murmured.


    Red Alert was practically a permanent resident in psychiatric care. Always fearful and constantly on suicide watch. He was SUPPOSED to be working as the ship¡¯s security director, which was a job he used to excel at. But the troubled mech was so shaken by the war that it left him in a constant state of paranoia. The voyage had only been worsening the poor bot¡¯s condition.


    Rung was able to finally finish preparing his tea. He sat down and began sipping on his drink, trying to take Red Alert off his mind. It wasn¡¯t long before he heard someone knock on his door.


    Rung leaned his head back in his seat, exasperated. ¡°Break is in 2 hours.¡± He reminded himself before calling out to his next client to come in.


    A young fembot shyly poled her head through the door frame, the signature Camien tattoos on her face making it clear who it was.


    ¡°Windblade! Please,¡± Rung gestured towards the couch, smiling. ¡°have a seat.¡±


    The Camien jet sat down in the center of the couch, back straight and shoulders tense.


    ¡°Saw Bee earlier today. I won¡¯t go into specifics, but he always says good things about you!¡±


    Windblade nervously laughed. ¡°Yea¡­ Bee is great.¡± She forced an awkward smile, tapping her thighs with her fingers.


    ¡°Was there something you wanted to see me for?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ Checking in on my mental status. Always important to keep both mind and body healthy after all!¡± She gave another awkward laugh.


    Rung raised an eyebrow. ¡°You seem a bit tense.¡±


    ¡°Who? Me? Nooooo, I¡¯m fine! Well I mean, I¡¯m not completely FINE. Why would I be here if I was totally fine!¡± Windblade responded, still smiling.


    ¡°Alright¡­ So, what was-¡°


    ¡°I had sex with Starscream.¡±


    Rung nearly spat out his tea. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­Come again?¡± He asked, feeling his spark drop to the pit of his fuel processor.¡±


    ¡°AAARGH! I don¡¯t know what I was thinking!¡± Windblade suddenly raised her voice. ¡°I felt so awful for him after the incident with Elita. His stay in the med bay was extended due to the assault. I went to visit him in his new room, alone.¡±


    ¡°Please¡ª don¡¯t tell me you did it in the medbay.¡±


    Windblade tapped her thumbs together. ¡°No¡­ I snuck him back to my quarters for the night. At first, we were just going to have a few drinks¡­¡±


    Windblade explained what happened that night;


    She had walked Starscream to her quarters, with him still sore from the two previous attacks.


    He walked up to her mirror. He hadn¡¯t seen his own reflection since before the first attack. His armor was covered in scratches. The soft alloy that made up his face was scarred and still very sore. ¡°I look like shit.¡± He huffed.


    ¡°You can borrow some of my makeup if you¡¯d like.¡±


    Starscream¡¯s optics widened. ¡°Really? Where is it?¡±


    ¡°First drawer under that mirror.¡±


    ¡°Ooooh!~¡± Starscream opened the drawer, seeing various containers of face polish and lip paint.


    Windblade walked up next to him. ¡°I think you should use the medicated faceplate polish. It won¡¯t irritate the cuts on your face and might help soothe the pain a little.¡±


    Starscream held up a tube of deep red lip paint, smiling at it. ¡°Mind if I borrow this one too?¡±


    Windblade playfully giggled, ¡°Sure, Star!¡± She took her entire makeup kit out of the drawer and set it down on her window-seal. Then sat on it with Starscream after she brought two pints of low-grade. The lights in the room were off, save for one lamp. This way, they had a clear view of the gorgeous stars and nebulae that painted the black backdrop of the void.


    ¡°You know, as much as I hate this goddamn trip-¡± Starscream started gazing out at the universe as he rubbed polish around his cheek, ¡°I¡¯ll never get tired of this view. Even the clearest nights on Cybertron didn¡¯t look this spectacular.¡±


    Windblade leaned back against the wall with her arms crossed. ¡°Neither did the nights on Caminus.¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes¡­ forgot about that colony.¡±


    ¡°Windblade furrowed her brow¡± You certainly wouldn¡¯t be the first.


    ¡°Sorry about the whole er¡­. The whole thing about your planet running out of resources and everyone dying¡­ thing.¡±


    Windblade raised an eyebrow at the red seeker and snickered. ¡°You aren¡¯t very practiced at consoling people, are you?¡±


    Starscream half-heartedly shrugged, looking into a hand mirror as he painted his lips. ¡°Oh, I look absolutely delectable in this color!¡±


    ¡°It does look great on you! You can keep it if you want. I have a spare, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Why think you, darling!¡± Starscream turned his face from side to side, admiring himself in the mirror. His expression changed for a moment.


    ¡°Something wrong, Star?¡±


    The seeker slightly narrowed his optics. ¡°Why exactly don¡¯t you hate me just like everyone else?¡±


    Windblade looked into the mech¡¯s optics. ¡°I guess I just figured you needed someone to have your back.¡±


    ¡°I can take care of myself!¡± Starscream snapped, immediately regretting it and softening his tone, ¡°But, er¡­ thanks for not despising me, I guess¡­¡±


    Windblade tilted her head. ¡°Can I be honest, Starscream?¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I think you have trust issues.¡±


    Starscream gasped, clutching his chassis in mock surprise, ¡°NO, do I?¡±


    Windblade smirked, taking a sip of her drink. ¡°I can¡¯t exactly say I blame you. But I do think you should try to be a bit more open about making friends. It¡¯s not gonna be as easy making it to Theta-3 with your sanity if you spend the entire trip alone. We all need each other right now.¡±


    Starscream creased his eyebrows and batted his optics. ¡°But aren¡¯t WE~ friends?¡± He lightheartedly exaggerated.


    Windblade laughed. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d say we are.¡±


    They sat in companionable silence for a while, watching the stars. This distance between them seemed to shrink when Starscream slowly turned back and looked into the optics of the other jet. ¡°Windblade¡­¡± he started, his voice barely a whisper.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Windblade whispered back.


    ¡°Those markings on your face¡ª did you emerge from Caminu¡¯s forge with them?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re tribal tattoos, actually.¡±


    Starscream softly smiled. ¡°Very interesting! Your pain tolerance must be something to admire.¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t even REMIND me.¡± Windblade exaggerated, making Starscream slightly giggle.


    ¡°I think they¡¯re beautiful.¡±


    Winblade blushed and bashfully averted her optics. ¡°Th-Thank you!¡± She mustered up the courage to look back into his optics, softer than she had ever seen them before. ¡°Did you emerge with the black tearstain markings?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and so did my siblings. Faceplate markings are very common in seekers.¡±


    Starscream had thick black markings covering his optic lids, like permanent mascara. Markings known as ¡®tear stains¡¯ ran down from his optics to the start of his neck. Markings like this were often considered physically attractive in many cultures.


    ¡°You¡¯re very handsome. But I¡¯m guessing you are already aware of that.¡± Winblade complimented, her spark fluttering.


    ¡°I am aware of that, thank you.¡± Starscream took a long sip of his drink, still looking at the fembot.


    The air felt thicker and a subtle scent of pheromones began to emanate from both bot¡¯s bodies. Starscream and Windblade bridged the gap between them, pressing each other lips together. The kiss was far more gentle than Windblade would have expected from Starscream.


    Once they pulled apart, both seemed at a loss for words. They stared into each other¡¯s optics for a few moments before going back in for another tender kiss.


    Windblade ended her story there, sparing Rung the more intimate details.


    ¡°After we¡ª Ahem, did our thing¡­ we lay in bed for a while and shared a joint. He opened up to me a little bit more.¡± Windblade fiddled with a loose thread on the arm of her chair. ¡°I think there¡¯s a lot more to him than people think.¡±


    Rung shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his one antennae twitching. ¡°¡­¡­uh-huh.¡±


    ¡°He mentioned he used to be conjunxed with Megatron. Can you believe that? And they were together for a long time, too. I think that relationship really hurt him¡­¡± Windblade looked down at her thighs, the memory of Starscream¡¯s lip paint smeared all over them making her blush. ¡°Rung, I know he¡¯s older than me, but I¡­¡±


    Rung forced a smile, trying to ignore the voice in his mind saying, ¡°Oh good heavens, please don¡¯t say what I think you are going to say, PLEASE.¡±


    ¡°¡­I think I have deeper feelings for him. But I¡¯ve never had feelings for someone before, so, I¡¯m not sure what to do next. Especially considering who he is¡­¡±


    Rung¡¯s optics squinted, still forcing a smile. ¡°Oh my god, what have I done? Bumblebee is going to be crushed!¡± he thought silently to himself.


    ¡°I¡¯m also a bit concerned that he won¡¯t want me. I mean, he obviously finds me attractive, but everyone knows he usually prefers larger mechs over fembots.¡± Her leg restlessly shook, heel tapping on the metal floor. ¡°He said Megatron used to carry him around on his shoulder. Used to call him his Lucky Star¡­ I think Starscream really misses that kind of affection, but I¡¯m not sure I can give it to him. I¡¯m a lot smaller and weaker than Megs, after all.¡±


    Rung scratched the back of his neck. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t think you should rush into things.¡± He paused for a moment, rubbing his temples. ¡°But I also don¡¯t think it¡¯s useful comparing yourself to someone¡¯s Ex.¡±


    ¡°Yea¡­ Maybe. I guess I¡¯m just nervous about asking him if we could be conjunx enduras, or at least test the waters for a while and see how things go.¡±


    ¡°D-Don¡¯t you think you may be going too fast?¡±


    ¡°Romantic love is so rare in this universe, Rung. I¡¯m not sure I¡¯d want to risk wasting this chance. Would you?¡±


    Rung leaned back, steepling his fingers in thought. ¡°Windblade, it¡¯s perfectly natural to seek romantic connection, especially after facing so much loss. But I think you need to consider what you¡¯d be getting involved with. Starscream, by his own admission, is a rather complex individual. And you can¡¯t enter a healthy relationship based on trying to fix someone who doesn¡¯t want help.¡±


    Windblade frowned, wings dipping slightly. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to fix him. He just¡­. He just needs someone who believes in him and has his back. I can see that he¡¯s always scared and tries to hide it. He¡¯s spent most of his life being hated and has gone through so much abuse. Nobody else seems to see what I see in him¡­.


    Rung slowly nodded. ¡°That¡¯s not a bad start, but are you even sure HE¡¯S ready for a connection like that? The turbulence of his past relationships is not exactly a secret.¡±


    ¡°Uugh! That¡¯s because he was abused in nearly all of his past relationships! He still has chronic pain from his damaged voice box, for Primus''s sake!¡± Windblade snapped. She lowered her voice. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! Sorry¡­ I shouldn¡¯t have yelled.¡±


    ¡°His voice box is damaged? Well, that sure explains a lot. Should¡¯ve been obvious in hindsight.¡±


    ¡°Rung!¡±


    Rung held up his hands a little. ¡°Apologies! That wasn¡¯t appropriate of me.¡±


    Winblade ex-vented. ¡°Look, I get it. Nobody on this fleet likes him. But you¡¯ve personally seen Drift¡¯s reform, as well as Megatron¡¯s of all people. If a monster like Megatron could be a better person¡ª I think¡­ ¡ªThen why couldn¡¯t Starscream?¡±


    ¡°Megatron and Drift WANTED help. That¡¯s the difference. Starscream is an extremely stubborn person who refuses help from anyone who offers it. He¡¯s very well known for this.¡±


    ¡°Well then maybe he just hasn¡¯t met anyone who makes him feel safe enough to trust.¡±


    ¡°Windblade¡­. You can¡¯t fix someone who doesn¡¯t want to be.¡±


    ¡°But- I want to help him. I¡­ I think I¡¯m in love with him. And because of that, I don¡¯t want him to be in pain anymore. I care about him.¡±


    ¡°DOD DAMN IT,¡± Rung thought to himself, still trying his best to be professional and supportive. He couldn¡¯t lie to his client, she had a few solid points. If Megatron could learn to cope with his issues, then it theoretically should be possible for someone like Starscream. But Rung personally did not have the slightest bit of confidence when it came to that bot. His stubbornness and arrogance were legendary. Rung had also formally diagnosed the seeker with a laundry list of mental illnesses. Narcissistic Personality Disorder, CPTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and whatever the hell else he didn¡¯t have time to test him for. And Primus almighty, was he a combative patient.


    Rung gently set his tea aside and clasped his hands together. ¡°I understand. Love is elusive, and you want to bring out the best in him. You¡¯re a good person, Windblade. But I think you need to be approaching this with caution¡ª¡°


    ¡°THE GOD OF CHAOS IS UPON US!!!!! KNEEL AND PRAY THAT PRIMUS HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SPARKS!!!!¡±


    ¡°Oh no.¡±


    ¡°YOU CANNOT ESCAPE YOUR FATES!!!¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ What is going on outside your office?¡±


    ¡°HIS TEETH WILL GRIND OUR METAL INTO DUST AND HIS EYES WILL BURN THROUGH OUR VERY SPARKS!!!!¡±


    Rung let out a long, exasperated sigh, ¡°Red Alert.¡±


    Red Alert forced the door open again and ran in, startling Windblade and causing her to jump out of her seat, wings fully extended.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay Windblade! He¡¯s harmless! He¡¯s just confused!¡±


    First Aid stumbled through the door again, this time followed by Ratchet and Jazz.


    Jazz attempted to rationalize with Red Alert, ¡°Come on, man. We¡¯re your friends! You¡¯ve known Ratch and me for vorns!¡±


    ¡°You two have just been playing me for a fool all this time and you know it!¡±


    ¡°Red, you¡¯re sick! Please come back, we¡¯ll help you!¡± Ratchet said.


    Rung tried to step in. ¡°Now Red, I know you¡¯re scared and frustrated right now. Being medicated will take that away.¡±


    ¡°Sure! But then it will just come back? Won¡¯t it?! This is the real me, Rung! And I¡¯m not crazy!¡±


    Rung could see First Aid quietly sneaking up behind Red Alert, small syringe in hand. It was the kind used to inject through the neck or a joint. ¡°You¡¯re right, Red. You aren¡¯t crazy, you¡¯re just unwell.¡±


    ¡°JUST SHUT UP, SHUT UP¡± Red Alert grabbed the sides of his helmet and screamed, curling over on the floor.


    Rung, nor anyone else in that room, had ever seen Red Alert get this bad.


    Windblade felt obligated to help settle the frantic mech down. She slowly approached him, ¡°Hey, you¡¯re gonna be okay buddy. Everyone here wants to keep you safe.¡± She knelt next to him.


    Ratchet was quick to warn, ¡°Windblade! I know you¡¯re trying to help, but you need to stay back and let us take care of this!¡± But he said it too late. The moment Windblade placed a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him, his gut reaction was to strike her in self-defense. She was hit directly in the optic and was knocked out. Rung, Ratchet, and Jazz rushed to her side as First Aid used the distraction as an opportunity to jab his syringe right into Red Alert¡¯s neck. The effect was instant, and he passed out. He was unharmed, only having fallen asleep.


    First Aid rolled the unconscious Autobot to his back. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, friend. I didn¡¯t want to do it.¡± First Aid¡¯s voice cracked.


    Rung¡¯s composed demeanor was thrown out the window, ¡°Oh my God! Oh my God- Windblade! Can you hear me?!¡± He lightly but firmly shook her by the shoulders.


    Windblade¡¯s optics were dim and half-open, the injured one was flickering. A little bit of bright pink blood trickled down from it like a tear.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Jazz yelled, ¡°Ratchet, is she gonna be okay?!¡±


    ¡°Everyone get back!¡± Ratchet pushed Jazz and Rung aside. He knelt next to Windblade. ¡°Jazz, go get more medics while First Aid takes care of Red!¡±


    Jazz left for the medbay without hesitation.


    Ratchet took a look at Rung, who was trembling and hyperventilating. ¡°Rung, you look like you¡¯re about to have a panic attack!¡±


    ¡°I-I am having one!¡±


    ¡°Shit¡ª Just go sit down and try to relax, I need space!¡±


    Rung stepped back, his legs threatening to give out from how much they were shaking.


    ¡°She isn¡¯t going grey and I can feel her spark beating. She¡¯s alive.¡±


    While Ratchet was trying to take a closer look at Windblade¡¯s damaged optic, a low groan came from her frame to everyone¡¯s immense relief.


    ¡°Oh thank heavens!¡± Rung exclaimed.


    Winblade¡¯s optics fluttered open. ¡°Augh! What just happened?¡±


    ¡°You were knocked out. Take it easy.¡±


    ¡°What happened to Red Alert- OH MY GOD! Am I missing an optic?!¡± She felt around the side of her face that was hit. ¡°I can¡¯t see out of this one!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re fine!¡± Ratchet firmly reassured. ¡°It probably just came a little loose. I¡¯ve seen it happen more times than I can remember.¡±


    Her face and the back of her neck were very sore from the impact. Thankfully, the hit wasn¡¯t strong enough to have likely caused serious injury, and it took a lot more than being knocked out to cause real brain damage in a Transformer.


    ¡°Hold still, this is going to hurt like a motherfucker.¡± Ratchet warned Winblade.


    ¡°WAIT WHAT ARE- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!¡±


    Within a second, Ratchet had used his thumb to forcibly push her optic fully back into its socket. He released when he felt the ¡®click¡¯ from it setting in.


    Rung looked away, nearly losing his tea. ¡°Ratchet! Was it REALLY necessary to do that right here?¡±


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t have at least sedated me first?!¡± Winbladed added, rubbing her optic.


    ¡°Sorry¡ª field medic habit. But can you see now?¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Winblade¡¯s optic blinked open. ¡°It¡¯s blurry but¡­ Yea, I think l so.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s normal. You¡¯ll be okay, kid.¡± Ratchet patted Windblade on the back after she sat up.


    Jazz and Knockout came back just in time. Ratchet sent Windblade with them to get an optic patch. She wouldn¡¯t need to stay in the hospital, but the optic still needed to be examined in a less chaotic environment.


    Ratchet made sure to check on Rung. ¡°You okay, pal?¡±Rung was still venting heavily. Ratchet held him by the shoulders and rubbed them. ¡°You¡¯re okay, buddy. You¡¯re okay. I think you should take an early break and get some rest.¡±


    ¡°Yea¡­¡± Rung took in a deep vent. ¡°Okay... I¡¯ll do that.¡±


    ¡°Need me to get you anything?¡±


    ¡°Plain liquid energon, please.¡±


    Ratchet luckily had a tube of some in his storage compartment. He gave it to Rung, who thanked him. Ratchet stayed with his fellow doctor till he was finished drinking and calmed down.


    Rung took Ratchet¡¯s advice and took an early break. He pressed a button on his terminal, changing the sign on his door to read ¡®closed¡¯, and list what time he¡¯d be back.


    His tea was cold by now, so he quickly drank the rest of it, not wishing to waste the energon. He turned the radio on¡ª anything to help him shake off the lingering anxiety gripping his chest.


    The voice of Rewind, who had been substituting for Blaster ever since Iornhide¡¯s suicide attempt, could be heard on the radio. He was saying something or whatnot. Rung wasn¡¯t paying attention, he just needed the background noise.


    He set his alarm for an hour and a half before laying down in his bed to take a much-needed nap. It took him about 30 minutes to go into recharge mode, his mind fixated on what he had just seen. He was only able to relax after resorting to his very limited supply of anxiety medication. It was a small tube of liquid that had to be injected into a port on his wrist. It offered near-instant relief.


    When he woke up, he didn¡¯t feel very well-rested but knew he didn¡¯t have time to keep recharging. He had slept through his alarm and only had around 20 minutes left of his break.


    He turned to his side, reaching for the datapad on his nightstand. He needed to see who his next client was. When he read the next name on the list, he sat up, grabbed a pillow, and screamed into it.

 Missing Piece

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 Starscream Violates Ship Code

    Windbalde dragged her fingers down Starscream¡¯s back as his hips met hers with a deliberate rhythm. A sharp cry escaped him, mingling with her own soft moans, filling the room with their shared passion.


    Starscream pulled away, venting heavily. ¡°You¡¯re the most gorgeous fembot I¡¯ve ever seen, you know that?¡±


    Windblade smiled, her optics flickering as she averted them.


    ¡°Oh, really?¡± Starscream teased with a sly smirk, ¡°You¡¯re being bashful NOW?¡±He cupped her cheek, guiding her gaze back to him, ¡°Look at me, darling. I want to see those beautiful optics of yours.¡±


    Her optics glowed brighter under his intense focus.


    ¡°Good girl.¡± The seeker purred, pressing his forehead to hers as his movements quickened.


    The shift in energy caused her to gasp. This was in stark contrast to the last night they had been together. Windblade had the seeker bound to her bed as she did everything she could to make him live up to his namesake. With him being so submissive, she didn¡¯t expect him to be this dominant when they swapped roles that night. She was pleasantly surprised.


    ¡°Agh! Fuck! Starscream, you¡¯re doing so good!¡± Windblade¡¯s optics rolled back as pleasure consumed her. Starscream kissed her again, keeping his pace. Windblade had to slightly readjust her valve to be looser.


    Starscream felt the change in tightness. He snickered mischievously, ¡°Hope I¡¯m not too much for you, dear.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re perfect,¡± Windblade said, panting, ¡°Just¡­ give me a moment.¡±


    Starscream slid out, ¡°Want me to ride you for a while, darling?¡±


    ¡°Phew! Just give me a minute or two, okay?¡±


    ¡°Anything you ask, beautiful.¡±


    Starscream sat up and got off of his partner, spike still exposed. Windblade sat up soon after and kissed him, steadily stroking it. Starscream leaned into her and whimpered.


    ¡°You know, Star, before our previous night together, I never thought you¡¯d sound so cute.¡±


    Starscream balked, ¡°Cute?!¡±


    Windblade laughed at him, ¡°You are! You¡¯re cute when you whimper like that.¡± She then went in to nibble on the seeker¡¯s neck cables. His engined purred loudly.


    ¡°Hmmmm. Are you complimenting or insulting me?¡± Starscream asked in an unserious tone.


    ¡°Would you have been up in my fuel processor a second ago if it was an insult?¡±


    ¡°Heheh, I suppose not.¡±


    ¡°Oh! I almost forgot!¡± Windblade took her hand off Starscream¡¯s spike and hopped off the bed.


    ¡°Heeey!¡± Starscream whined dramatically, his wings drooping.


    ¡°Oh, hush up you! Unless you don¡¯t want some of the high-grade oil I snuck on board when I transferred from Omega Supreme.¡±


    Starscream¡¯s wings perked up immediately, ¡°High-grade?! Thank Primus! Those fools who hang around the lounge all day drank every last drop on the ship.¡±


    ¡°Omega Supreme¡¯s stock is low. So I took some with me just in case I didn¡¯t get the chance to have any again.¡± She looked back and smiled at him as she prepared their drinks, ¡°It¡¯s the fancy stuff, too, so be careful how much you drink¡± She felt Starscream¡¯s hand on her waist as he came up behind her. One hand slid down and grazed the tip of his talons against a hot spot in one of her hip joints, causing a soft moan and a purr from her engines, ¡°Ugh! You are so impatient! You¡¯re gonna GET IT next time I top¡±


    ¡°Promise?¡± Starscream teased.


    ¡°Shut your mouth and take a shot.¡±


    Starscream happily obliged, downing the shot Windblade handed him. His nose crinkled as his optics squinted, ¡°YIKES! Haven¡¯t had one that strong in a while!¡± He poured himself another.


    ¡°Easy there, Star. I don¡¯t want you passing out on me, now!¡± Windblade said before downing her own shot, ¡°Oh¡­ WOW, okay this really is strong.¡±


    Starscream was already pouring a third shot. Windblade quickly downed another to keep up with his level of intoxication. They shared a moment of silence, just gazing at each other up and down, admiring the other¡¯s anatomy. Starscream felt a familiar feeling began to increase his sparkbeat. A feeling he hadn¡¯t felt in a very long time.


    ¡°So,¡± Windblade started. ¡°How¡¯d that therapy appointment go?¡±


    Starscream crinkled his nose.


    ¡°Uh oh. You didn¡¯t give Rung too hard of a time, did you?¡±


    Starscream took another shot, ¡°He just asked a bunch of pointless questions. Like my feelings and all that crap.¡±


    Winblade took a small sip of her shot, ¡°Baaabe it¡¯s not pointless! Everybody needs Winblade to point a finger at Starscream¡¯s chassis.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine on my own.¡±


    ¡°Noooooooooo~¡± Winblade leaned into him, resting her chin on his chassis. ¡°Rung is such a nice guy, give him a chance!¡±


    Starscream shook his head, smiling at her tipsiness. ¡°I suppose it wasn¡¯t as bad as I thought. Though I sort of zoned out while he was giving me treatment recommendations.¡±


    Windblade playfully slapped him on the arm, ¡°Listen next time, dummy!¡±


    Starscream laughed at her a bit, ¡°I remember him saying I was a candidate for cortical psychic patch therapy, but he¡¯s not properly trained to do it and neither is anyone else on the fleet.¡±


    ¡°Why would you need CCPPT?¡±


    Starscream downed yet another shot, ¡°Eh, Chromedome found an egsessif- exces- A LOT of deleted memory cells in my brain.¡±


    Winblade¡¯s mouth fell agape, ¡°Starscream oh my GOD that¡¯s bad!¡±


    Starscream scoffed, ¡°Probably deleted for a reason.¡±


    ¡°Noooooooo Staaaaaaaar, your past is what makes you YOU, babe. Not knowing it makes it harder to heal!¡±


    ¡°If I don¡¯t remember it, it can¡¯t bother me.¡± Starscream took another shot and placed the glass down a little too hard.


    Windblade punched him in the arm.


    ¡°Hey! That one actually hurt a little!¡±


    ¡°Moron! If you lost memory of getting your ass beat the other week, you¡¯d still feel it, right?¡±


    Starscream cocked his head, ¡°¡­¡­¡­ Huh?¡±


    ¡°What I¡¯m SAYING is that just because you don¡¯t REMEMBER something bad, doesn¡¯t mean it won¡¯t still evefect- affect you!¡± She pointed at his chassis again.


    Starscream stood silent for a moment, then shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m fine! Besides, Rung said not to do it alone. Or at least not without someone to watch you. But hell if I¡¯m going to let someone watch me while I¡¯m out!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡± Starscream looked back into Windblade¡¯s big, blue, pleading optics. He looked away when his spark felt a small jolt of energy.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there for you, no matter how painful the memories get.¡±


    Starscream felt a lump in his throat, ¡°I¡­ I think I¡¯m supposed to have a certified therapist with me.¡±


    Windblade stopped to ponder for a while before saying, ¡°Then fuck it, I¡¯ll get certified.¡±


    Starscream chuckled, ¡°Really, now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll just look up some tuterals on Vector Sigma.¡±


    Starscream chuckled again, ¡°You certainly are entertaining while intoxicated.¡±


    Windblade poured another shot and downed it before surprising him with several kisses laid over his face, her red lip paint smudging onto him in the process.


    She pulled away to catch her vents, ¡°You need to take care of yourself, okay Starry?¡±


    Starscream kissed her on the tip of the nose, causing her to giggle. It had been a long, long time since his spark felt so¡­ warm.


    ¡°Hey babe,¡± Starscream started, optics beginning to dim a bit from the drinking, ¡°You wanna get high?¡±


    ¡°Got something to smoke?¡±


    ¡°No, better.¡± He bent down and pulled two vials of neon green liquid out of a secret modded-on compartment that was modded on his leg.


    ¡°Starscream! Is that synth en?! Where the hell did you even get that?!¡±


    ¡°Payed Swindle 400 hundred shanix for it.¡±


    Winblade smacked a palm on her hand, ¡°Oh, Starscream¡­ Please don¡¯t tell me that¡¯s why Barricade beat you up!¡±


    Starscream grinned, his sharpened fangs becoming visible, ¡°Once you get a taste, you¡¯ll see why it was worth it.¡±


    ¡°N-No- No. That shit is SO bad for you, Star!¡±


    ¡°One drink won¡¯t hurt you. Trust me, it takes more than a few times to get addicted,¡± he tried reassuring, ¡°Besides, this is pretty diluted with regular energon. Swindle is a cheap-ass, lying, scamming little bitchboy. Which reminds me! I need to punch him in the face next time I see him.¡±


    Windblade raised a brow, ¡°Star¡­ his name is LITERALLY Swindle.¡±


    ¡°That jackoff is the only one on this ship who sells it. You know how much of a hardass Prime is about the harder stuff.¡±


    ¡°One of his closest friends used to be a synth en addict. He¡¯s not being a hardass, he just doesn¡¯t wanna see any more of us go through what Ratchet did.¡±


    ¡°I promise you¡¯ll be fine. You won¡¯t get addicted to synth en on the first try. Especially not on this cheap shit.¡±


    Windblade shook her head. ¡°No. I¡¯m sorry, Star, Can we please just go back to fucking instead? Please?¡±


    Starscream let out a soft sigh, ¡°Alright, alright.¡± He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he gazed into her optics again.


    Winblade took his hand, kissing it, ¡°Please be careful with stuff like that, Starry.¡±


    Starscream quickly downed one last shot before scooping her up unexpectedly, causing her to laugh. He jumped onto the bed wither her and pinned her down with her wrapped around his waist. He pushed his spike into her still-wet valve and slid in and out while his fangs dug into the side of her neck.


    ¡°OH GOD!¡± Windblade cried, ¡°Faster, Star! Faster!¡±


    Starscream¡¯s lips curled into a smile and he happily obliged.


    ¡°Fuck! Fuck! YES!¡±


    Starscream sat up to see her squirming, still keeping his pace.


    ¡°S-Star¡­. C-Can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°Anything you desire,¡± Starscream replied between his grunts and moans.


    ¡°Can¡­ Can you choke me? Just a little.¡±


    Starscream¡¯s optics widened with excitement as a mischievous grin appeared on his face. Without saying a word, he wrapped a hand around her throat, making sure not to squeeze too hard. The sights and sounds of Winblade¡¯s utter enjoyment drove the seeker wild. He started thrusting as fast as he could as she grasped his slender waist, placing pressure on his hot spots. It had been a very, very long time since he had gotten this much arousal and enjoyment out of interfacing. He had forgotten what it was like to actually have chemistry with one¡¯s partner.


    ¡°Tighter¡­¡± Windblade managed to grunt out.


    Starscream tightened his grip around the fembot¡¯s throat, still making sure not to hurt her. ¡°You¡¯re turning me into a goddamn animal, you know that?¡± He panted, ¡°Fuck, just looking at you is driving me mad!¡±


    ¡°Keep talking like that, Star.¡±


    Starscream had to momentarily slow his pace so he wouldn¡¯t overload right there. ¡°You look so pretty with my hand on your throat and my dick inside you! Fuck, I need you!¡±


    ¡°You are so fucking hot!¡±


    Starscream fluttered his optics, ¡°I know, thank you. And you aren¡¯t terrible to look at either.¡± She really was gorgeous to him. Her chest and hip armor were the exact shade of red that he liked, combined with a sexy black waistline. The tattoos on her face, as well as the natural facial markings contouring her cheeks, intrigued him even more. He also had blue accents like he did. He wondered if camien bots in general were this attractive, or if Windblade was just particularly beautiful. ¡°GOD, your valve feels so good! I love fucking your tight little hole!¡±


    Windblade¡¯s optics flashed, back arching ¡°You dirty talk so good baby! Yes! Tighter¡­¡±


    ¡°Baby If I squeeze that pretty neck anymore, you might end up sounding like me.¡± He said with a weak laugh. He knew from their previous time together that the fembot had quite the kinky side to her, but with the dominance she displayed then, Starscream didn¡¯t think she¡¯d make just as excellent of a submissive. Maybe a little TOO submissive at times. ¡°How about we try out one of my mods instead, huh?¡±


    ¡°You have mods? Why didn¡¯t you say so before!¡± Windblade gasped out.


    Starscream released his grip on the fembot¡¯s neck just a little so that she could speak easily.


    ¡°I should warn you, these aren¡¯t rookie mods.¡±


    Winblade grabbed him by the helm and pulled him close to her face, ¡°You may be the first mech I¡¯ve fucked, but you¡¯re far from the first bot. Let¡¯s get going.¡±


    Maybe she wasn¡¯t as submissive as Starscream thought. Still, the interaction excited him even further. He switched on a mod that allowed his spike to eminent a mild electric pulse. He could feel Windblade¡¯s legs tighten around him and her fingers dig into his sides. The amount of noise coming from Windblade¡¯s quarters made it apparent that the sensation pleased both of them. Starscream kept going as fast as he could, mind completely overtaken by lust and¡­ something else.


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    ¡°FUCK! FUCK!¡± His voice cracked, almost sounding on the verge of tears. He then greatly slowed his pace and turned off his mod to keep himself from overloading.


    ¡°Why did you stop?¡±


    ¡°Baby if I keep going I¡¯m gonna cum first.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Star. Go ahead.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain?¡±


    ¡°Please¡­. I¡¯m begging you to.¡±


    Again, the seeker happily obliged. He switched the mod back on and mercilessly thrust into her. He had taken his hand off her throat and now both bots had their arms tightly wrapped around one another.


    ¡°Yes, yes! You¡¯re such a good boy! Cum inside me Star!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a dirty fuckin¡¯ Autobot, aren¡¯t you?¡± Starscream sneered. ¡°GOD, Yes! Shit!¡± Starscream tightly shut his optics as he got closer to overloading.


    With the high grade dulling his emotional defenses, he allowed his spark to truly feel for the first time in a while. It made him feel warm and¡­. safe. Like he didn¡¯t have a care in the universe aside from Windblade.


    ¡°Oh my God! Oh fuck-¡° Starscream whimpered desperately, ¡°Ah! Baby, fuck! I love you! Baby, you feel so good! I love you, I love you!¡± he felt her valve tighten, tipping him over the edge. His mod automatically turned off, and he rested there on top of Windblade, his body shifting in tandem with her¡¯s catching their ventilation. He noticed her now hand resting beside her and unwrapped his arm from around Windblade so he could slip his talons between her slender fingers. She brought his hand up for a gentle kiss before resting it back down with hers. He snuggled into her neck, taking in and savoring the scent of her pheromones.


    ¡°Holy shit Starscream¡­¡± Winblade sighed, still panting, ¡°You were amazing!¡±


    Starscream kissed her, ¡°I could say the same for you, my dear.¡± He kissed her again.


    ¡°Starscream?¡±


    ¡°Mhm,¡± he murmured, lips brushing hers.


    ¡°Did you mean it?¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°What you said¡­ Did you really mean it?¡±


    It took Starscream a few seconds to process before remembering and then thinking to himself, ¡°Oh FUCK, I did NOT say just say ¡®I love you¡¯ FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, SON OF A BITCH!¡±


    He had long since sworn off ever uttering those words to anyone ever again. And all it took was some high grade and being horny to let it slip out, ¡°Why did I do that? Why am I such a goddamn DIPSHIT???¡± He kept thinking to himself. But it was true. He did love her.


    The last time he had spoken those words¡ª it was a rather intense interface with Megatron. And that was several vorns ago. And the only other time he ever felt this safe had been¡­ Skyfire.


    ¡°You know what?¡± Starscream sat up and looked down at his exhausted partner, admiring her stunning features.m, ¡°I¡­. I guess I did,¡± His voice was softer than usual.


    Windblade brought herself up too, ¡°Seriously?!¡±She grabbed the seeker¡¯s hands and held them to her spark, ¡°I¡­.. I was so afraid you didn¡¯t feel the same way!¡±


    ¡°Y-You do?¡± His voice wavered.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Windblade leaned into him with a tight embrace, ¡°I love you too, Star. I love you.¡±


    Hearing those words again, for the first time in so long, stirred something deep within the seeker¡¯s chaotic spark.


    The high grade in his system allowed him to further give in to Windblade¡¯s affection, and returned the hug, stroking her red and black wings as their lips locked. After a few seconds of snogging, Windblade pulled away.


    ¡°So¡­ what do we do? Are you my conjunx now or¡ª¡°


    Starscream snickered, a playful glint in his optics, ¡°Yea¡­ I suppose you are. heh.¡±


    Windblade rested her helm against his chassis, ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡­. This almost doesn¡¯t seem real. I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d find anyone after Caminus died. Especially not a former high-ranking con, no offense,¡± she ended with a laugh.


    Starscream laughed as well, ¡°And I never I¡¯d conjunx with an Autobot!¡±


    ¡°Funny how life turns out, isn¡¯t it¡±


    ¡°Yea¡­¡± Starscream closed his optics and leaned in for another kiss.


    They lay back down together, arms wrapped around one another as their legs tangled together. Recharge soon claimed them both, but Starscream¡¯s sleep was anything but peaceful. He had another intense and vivid dream that night. He was on the Nemesis, an unbridled rage coursed through his veins as he saw Barricade before him. Starscream carefully took in his surroundings. No security cameras. Good. The scene unfolded rapidly, his talons gripping a blade as he lunged. The Decepticon let out a sharp gasp as the blade slipped into his back and directly through the ventilation system in his chest. He collapsed to the ground as the seeker savagely stabbed him, over and over, relentlessly. He felt no emotion during the act other than searing rage.


    Blinding light shattered his dream. His optics flickered open as a sharp pain pulsed through his head. ¡°Uuuuuugh¡±, he groaned.


    ¡°Morning, sunshine! Have a nice nap?¡± A familiar voice spoke to him. It was a mech¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Sssskyfire? The fuck are you doing here?¡± Starscream groggily sat up in bed, ¡°Wait¡­¡­ WAIT, WHAT-¡± He turned his head frantically back and forth, realizing with mounting dread¡ª This wasn¡¯t Windblade¡¯s quarters. ¡°WHY AM I IN YOUR ROOM, SKY?!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re asking ME that question?! You and you stupid friends just and waltzed on in, saying you ¡®made a huge mistake¡¯ and ¡®needed to hide out here for a while¡¯¡±


    ¡°WHAT?! Wait- friends?! Who- Where¡¯s Windblade?!¡±


    He looked to the bot lying under the covers next to him. His vision was still too blurry to make out the exact shape, but they were a red Jet. Starscream sighed in relief, but it was short-lived. He suddenly remembered what he admitted to her the previous night. His talons grasped the sides of his helmet. ¡°Ohhhhh no. Oh, no, no, no, no, NO!¡± He bit the tips of his talons thinking, ¡°Oh shit, do I do?! What am I supposed to tell her?!¡±


    He saw the figure next to him shift under the covers. Starscream decided to just rip the bandage off. He lightly nudged the figure awake, ¡°Er, Windblade? Baby?¡±


    The bot turned over and sleepily looked up at Starscream.


    ¡°THRUST?!¡± Starscream screamed and leaped out of bed. ¡°WHAT THE HELL?!¡±


    Skyfire slapped his palm to his face and shook his head era as he muttered, ¡°Oh boy, this should be good.¡±


    Thrust rolled over, rubbing his optics, ¡°Oh¡­. hey, Scream.¡±


    ¡°WHAT ARE- HOW- DID WE????¡±


    Starscream didn¡¯t see Astrotrain wiggle his large frame out of the washroom. The seeker stood frozen once he felt a large hand smack him dead on the aft with a loud ¡°CLANK¡±.


    ¡°How¡¯s that ass feelin¡¯?¡±


    Starscream just stared into space, mouth agape.


    ¡°Alright, everyone, time to get the hell out of my room!¡± Skyfire shoved Astrotrain out the door, ¡°Out, out, all of you OUT!¡± He grabbed Thrust and Starscream with each arm, tossing them out of his quarters where they landed in front of Astrotrain. Starscream shoved his leg through the door, blocking it from shutting.


    ¡°SKY, WAIT! You have to tell me what I did last night!¡±


    ¡°Ask your pals.¡±


    ¡°They aren¡¯t my- HEY-¡° Skyfire nudged the seeker back out with a large ped and shut the door. ¡°GODDAMMIT!!!¡±


    Thrust yawned and stretched, sitting on the floor where he landed, ¡°Bummer.¡±


    Starscream slowly turned to face the other red seeker, optics burning with a silent rage.


    ¡°Hi Scream.¡±


    ¡°SHOO! AWAY FROM ME!¡± Starscream jumped up to his peds and aggressively gestured with his arms ¡°GET OUT OF MY FACE! ALL OF YOU! GO AWAY! I HATE YOU ALL!¡±


    ¡°What? After all we¡¯ve been through? Awwwww¡­.¡± Astrotrain asked, still inebriated, clearly.


    ¡°WHATEVER HAPPENED LAST NIGHT¡ª¡° Starscream jabbed a talon at him, ¡°I WAS DRUNK!¡±


    ¡°Whatever, I don¡¯t even remember most of it anyway. Jackass.¡±


    ¡°THEN WHY DID YOU- Oh my god, just GO AWAY!¡±


    ¡°Fine, Fine!¡± Astrontrain raised his hands and rolled his optics. ¡°We know when we aren¡¯t wanted.¡±


    ¡°JUST GET OOOOOOOUT!!!!!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re in the hallway. Where do we go?¡± Thrust asked.


    ¡°If you two are not out of my line of sight within the next 10 seconds, I am going to claw both your goddamn faces off.¡±


    Both Decepticons shuffled away, quite unbalanced, muttering words to Starscream as they went along. Sophisticated words such as, ¡°Asswad¡± and ¡°dickshit¡±. Starscream paid no mind. He was too preoccupied with trying to figure out his next move. Should he go find Windblade? Should he just go home and pretend nothing happened, should he be trying to figure out what he did last night?


    He noticed something strange. His arm¡­ it was covered in this flaky purple substance? Oh, it¡¯s just dried energon¡­.. WAIT-


    ¡°Ah, SHIT, why am I covered in blood THIS time?!¡±


    He looked down at his body. There was blood-energon smeared all over him. It looked like he had made a poor attempt to wipe it off at some point, but wasn¡¯t able to do so properly in his drunken state. Visually, it could easily pass for a snack he had just spilled on himself. But at closer inspection, the scent was undeniable. It was blood. Edible energon didn¡¯t smell as oily.


    ¡°Shit¡­. This better be mine, or else I¡¯ll be in REAL trouble.¡± Starscream thought. ¡°Maybe I just got a bit TOO kinky with Windblade the other night. Wouldn¡¯t be the first time.¡± He decided to go home and wash off the blood as best he could. He took the walk of shame back to his quarters. The entrance was sloppily welded back together by Wheeljack, clearly a rushed job.


    He scrubbed as much of the dried energon off his frame as possible. Getting in all the nooks and crannies of his armor was tedious, but he did his best. As he was cleaning up, he started thinking about that dream he had. His face suddenly went cold. He rushed over to his terminal and logged on to Vector Sigma to check the fleet¡¯s daily news. His frame stiffened when he read the first headline.


    ¡°MURDER ON THE NEMESES! INVESTIGATION ONGOING¡±


    He didn¡¯t even read the article all the way through. He just skimmed it, frantically searching for any mention of his name. Words like ¡°stabbing¡± and ¡°Barricade¡± came up, but he saw no mention of a ¡°Starscream¡±. At the end of the article, it mentioned that a search for potential suspects was currently ongoing, meaning the fleet¡¯s authorities didn¡¯t know it was him who did it. Though his spark was still beating fast, his frame relaxed a little.


    First things first, he had to find out what he did that night. And where the hell did he get a sword? Sure, Starscream smuggled some small knives onto the ship on launch day, but those were quickly confiscated. What in Primus¡¯s did he do last night? He nervously paced around his room. He NEEDED to find out what happened and cover up whatever evidence he could. And he knew there was only one bot on The Ark who could help him¡­


    He quietly snuck out of his quarters and avoided as many bots as he could as he tried to make it to Rung¡¯s office. He was nearly at his door when he felt an empty energon cube hit the back of his head. He sharply turned around.


    ¡°BITCH!¡± Chromia yelled as she chucked another cube at him, this one being full. He tried to dodge but wasn¡¯t quick enough in his current state. The cube smacked him in the forehead.


    ¡°HEY! The hell is your problem?!¡±


    Chromia flipped him off.


    ¡°THAT¡¯S IT! I have had ENOUGH of you! Where do you even get the AUDACITY to-¡° Another full cube of energon hit him. If he wasn¡¯t so aggravated he might have been impressed by her aim.


    Chromia marched up to him. She stood up as tall as she could to the taller bot¡¯s face and aggressively pointed at him, ¡°NO! YOU listen here, you shitty little twink!¡± Chromia pressed up against him, causing the seeker to raise his hands defensively, backing away.


    ¡°Chromia! I don¡¯t have time for this right now!¡±


    ¡°Oh, I think you do, hon!¡± Chroma said with a somewhat maniacal laugh in her voice. She stepped towards him again. ¡°What did you do to Windblade?!¡±


    ¡°Oh shit. Look, Chromia, whatever I said to her last night¡ª I got drunk, said some things I didn¡¯t mean, and then blacked out. I don¡¯t remember scrap after that!¡±


    ¡°WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!? Taking advantage of a young femme like that! She trusted you!¡±


    Starscream raised his hands, ¡°We were just friends with benefits, and she knew that!¡±


    ¡°You said you loved her, and then took it back, you pompous jackass!¡±


    Starscream felt a pang in his chest, ¡°I was DRUNK! We both were!


    Suddenly, two huge white-colored hands separated the bickering bots, ¡°Cut it out!¡± It was Ultra Magnus. He was able to push them apart with ease.


    ¡°Stay out of this Mags!¡± Chromia snapped.


    ¡°Let¡¯s settle down, now,¡± Magnus said, his voice commanding.


    Chromia closed optics and took in a deep vent. She let it out slowly waiting a few seconds before addressing Starscream again, ¡°Fine¡­ But if I see you hangin¡¯ around her again, you¡¯re dead!¡±


    ¡°YOU DARE THREATEN ME?!¡±


    Magnus¡¯s antennae drooped, ¡°Can you two PLEASE not do this right now. I have been up for 2 days.¡±


    ¡°ALRIGHT- Alright¡­. I¡¯m sorry, Mags.¡± Chromia said, trying to calm herself down.¡±


    Starscream hissed and turned around to leave, forgetting what he was originally there for. Whatever was in that high grade was still buzzing around in his brain somewhat. He found somewhere to lean against a wall, suddenly feeling nauseous. He waited there for several moments, focusing on keeping down the contents of his fuel processor.


    ¡°Uuuuugh, god¡­ I must have taken something else last night to be THIS hungover. WAIT-¡° Starscream fumbled around his leg to check on the hidden synth-en. Gone. All of it. ¡°Oh¡­.. my¡­. GOD!!! NONONONONO!!!! NO!¡± He knew he must have taken it last night. It would certainly explain the mess he made, ¡°HAHAHAHAHA!!! I¡¯M AN IDIOT!!! I¡¯m a worthless, low-life, good-for-nothing IDIOT!!!¡± Without thinking he started to run back to his quarters, before remembering where he was actually supposed to go and then turning back around, ¡°Dammit, you fool! Think!¡± He cursed at himself. He ran as fast as he could to rung¡¯s office, but didn¡¯t even get halfway there before¡ª


    Vision still a bit blurry, he peered out at a little yellow smudge in the hallway, quickly getting closer, the sound of a small engine growing louder. ¡°Is¡­. Is that Bu-¡°


    Using his speeding start, he transformed and leaped towards Starscream, landing a fist directly in his face. The force of the punch knocked the seeker over, with Bumblebee latched on to him like a ravenous scraplet. Starscream let out expletive after expletive as Bumblebee ceaselessly pummeled him in the face. Physically, the small Autobot wasn¡¯t very strong. But this was beginning to hurt even Starscream. Bee¡¯s damaged voice box hissed and screeched, his mouth forming words that could have rivaled Starscream¡¯s.


    ¡°GET OFF ME, YOU LITTLE FREAK!¡± Starscream clumsily tried to pry Bumblebee off of him, but he held on to him by chest armor. Starscream was able to punch him off, which sent Bee launching into the wall. Starscream didn¡¯t have time to get up before he quickly recovered and attacked Starscream again. The thought of calling out for help flickered in the seeker¡¯s mind before he quickly snuffed it out. He¡¯d be caught dead before he was seen submitting to such a puny little Autobot!


    Bumblebee was suddenly yanked away by Ultra Magnus. ¡°Bumblebee, stop!¡±


    Bumblebee struggled as much as he could to free himself from Ultra Magnus. Unable to overcome the massive mech¡¯s strength, he opted to transform one of his hands into a stinger and jab him with a small electric shock. Magnus dropped him immediately.


    ¡°THAT is a ship code violation!¡± He said, incredibly stern. ¡°You do not have clearance to unsheathe, carry, or conceal any weapon on this ship, and any natural self-defense ability you emerged with MUST be unsheathed at ALL TIMES! You may unsheathe them within your own quarters or at the request of a medic for cleaning or maintenance. But you are NOT permitted to shoot, stab, torch, spray, poison, elect-¡°


    ¡°HE¡¯S BEATING THE SHIT OUT OF ME AGAIN!¡±


    ¡°Bumblebee! This is a SEVERE ship code violation!¡± He tried to apprehend the much smaller Autobot again, but Bumblebee stung him a second time. He turned on his comm, ¡°*Optimus Prime! Do you read me? Come in, Prime!*¡± He wasn¡¯t answering for some reason. Not bothering to waste more time, he ran off to get Optimus himself, while coming to Jazz at the same time.


    The blows to the head only made Starscream¡¯s hangover migraine immensely worse. He couldn¡¯t focus. After feeling a sharp sting in his mouth, something small and hard slipped down his throat. He knew he had just swallowed a denta. A punch later, another one slid past his tongue. The seeker¡¯s chest tightened, remembering a time when Megatron knocked several of them out. The smell of his own blood trickling under his nose, as he was being held down and continuously struck, forcing images of his former leader to manifest in his mind. The sight of Megatron¡¯s fist hitting him in the head over and over. He wasn¡¯t sure if he was going to really kill him this time or not. ¡°Please! I beg you, Megatron! I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m sorry, have mercy!¡± Miraculously, he complied.


    Starscream backed up into the wall and curled into himself, not realizing the tears soaking his face. His venting was heavy and labored as his composure crumbled in front of Bee, his fearful crying and pitiful submission leaving the Autobot stunned. Bumblebee looked down at Starscream, his expression a mixture of horror, grief, and astonishment.


    Jazz¡¯s voice cried out as he ran to him, ¡°Bumblebee, buddy, what¡¯s going on?!¡± He looked down at the cowering seeker, ¡°Bee, what did you do?!¡± His tone was far more concerned than demanding.


    Bumblebee didn¡¯t even seem to notice Jazz, his gaze remaining fixated on his victim.


    Ratchet turned on his comm, ¡°I need a medic at my coordinates, quick!¡± He listened to the voice on the other line for a moment, ¡°Scream got attacked again by¡± He glanced at Bee, ¡°An Autobot, Don¡¯t know the extent of the injuries. Just come quick!¡±


    Starscream¡¯s venting steadied. He opened one optic, waiting for it to focus enough to see his attacker. Like him, Bumblebee was weeping, silent tears rolling down his now blood-splattered face. The two looked into each other¡¯s optics for several moments until Optimus came running in, pulling Bee to the side and separating the two mechs.


    ¡°Bumblebee! Did you get into a fight?!¡± Optimus turned to look at the injured and disoriented seeker sitting against the wall, ¡°B-Bumblebee, did you do this?!¡± He didn¡¯t sound angry, but instead shocked.


    Bumblebee averted his father¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Bumblebee¡­¡± Optimus lowered to his level.


    The trembling little Autobot slowly turned to look at him, and then again burst into tears. Optimus didn¡¯t expect Bee to fall into his arms, sobbing. He sat on the floor with him and held him. A melancholy inkling of nostalgia breezed by the old Prime as he comforted Bumblebee as if he were a sparkling again. Jazz decided to join the embrace with the bot he helped raise.


    While Jazz and Optimus were preoccupied with Bumblebee, Starscream slinked away, not waiting for a medic. He hurried back to his quarters, again, to wash the blood off of him, again. He used a first aid kit he had hidden in a drawer. It had already been heavily used and was nearly out of medical alloy adhesive. Struggling to squeeze whatever was left in the tube, he winced as the stinging gel was applied to the cuts on his face. Once done, he stared at his reflection in the mirror before him. He looked worse than he did in a long time. His nose was broken, and energon was trickling from it again. He checked his denta, finding that he had actually lost THREE of them, not two. His lower right fang, the premolar after it, and his upper far-left left incisor. He hissed at his own appearance and turned away as he went to get something to wash the blood-energon out of his mouth. There was a simple plumbing system on the ship for cleaning, showering, and coolant. But transformers didn¡¯t exactly need to drink water, so there were no fountains on board. After spitting a mouthful of pink liquid into the sink, Starscream awkwardly tried to squeeze his head under the faucet of his sink. His helmet got in the way. He stuck out his tongue to try and lap up some water, but it was just barely out of reach. A low growl came from his engine. He tried to use his hands to cup the water, but it just slipped through his joints. His growling grew with gradual irritation. He tried lapping it up again, this time squeezing his face in as much as possible. The metal facet was starting to bend slightly, but he mistook this as progress and persisted. Then he heard a crack. The seeker soon came crashing to the floor with the rest of the now-destroyed sink, water spraying everywhere. Due to his awkward position, he fell head first, luckily not on his face. Despite the fragile alloy of his face being spared from further injury, the fall did hurt immensely. He curled into a fetal position on the floor and screamed for several seconds, shouting at himself in between shrieks, ¡°YOU STUPID FUCK! STUPID, STUPID, STUPID, STUPID PIECE OF SHIT! YOU¡¯RE USELESS!¡± After tiring out his voice box, he continued to lay there in the same position, clasping his helm, waiting for the pain to ease a little. Once he calmed down somewhat, he slowly got back up. He straightened his posture and cleared his throat.


    The broken pipe was still spouting water, making the entire washroom floor soaking wet. Starscream grabbed the end of it and bent it tightly shut to stop the flow. He stood there for a moment, feeling hundreds of tiny droplets fall from his armor. He looked at himself in the mirror. The entire lower half of his face was bright, glowing pink blood-energon. His battered face wasn¡¯t an unfamiliar sight. His denta would grow back within a few days, but the bent bridge of his nose would need to be surgically repaired. He knew the routine.


    ¡°Look at you. Pathetic.¡±The words tang through his mind. ¡°This is all your fault. You let a mech less than half your size beat you to scrap!? Weakling!¡±


    A massive crack Appeared in the hard glass mirror as Starscream¡¯s fist hit it with full force. He was further angered by it not shattering. He picked up a large piece of the broken sink off the floor and began bashing the mirror over and over. Countless cracks filled the entire frame, but it never shattered. Too tired to continue, he threw the shard of sink to the floor and left his quarters.


    He finally made it back to Rung¡¯s office, but there was a sign on his door saying he was on break. Starscream groaned as he plopped down into one of the waiting chairs.


    He heard First Aid¡¯s voice from the end of the hallway, ¡°Starscream, there you are!¡±


    ¡°NO! Noooooo! Whatever you want¡ª NOT NOW!¡±


    ¡°Look at you, man, you¡¯re covered in blood!¡±


    Another voice appeared on the other side of the hall, ¡°HEY, Shitscram!¡± It was Hot Rod. ¡°You made Bumblebee cry! I¡¯m gonna kick your ass!¡±


    First Aid held out his hands and pleaded, ¡°Please, no more fighting! We all need to settle down aaaaaand you¡¯re fighting-¡°


    Hot Rod tussled with Starscream on the floor, but the younger mech was surprisingly uncoordinated. Starscream could smell the low-grade on his breath. Normally this would be an advantage for the seeker, but he wasn¡¯t fairing too well either.


    First Aid tried to pull the two drunken fools apart, but the poor guy was only barely bigger than Bumblebee and not strong enough to drag Hot Rod off, ¡°RODDY! Enough, please!¡±


    Drift appeared as if out of nowhere and grabbed Hot Rod¡¯s legs, dragging him away in one swift motion. Starscream scrambled away with First Aid in pursuit. Once he turned a corner, he crashed right into Ultra Magnus, who didn¡¯t even flinch from the impact.


    ¡°Starscream! Report to the medbay immediately!¡±


    Optimus appeared on the other end of the hall behind Magnus. He did not look happy. ¡°Starscream! Can you explain why Megatron sent me a video of you harassing people on the Nemesis last night?¡±


    Rung could be spotted walking around the corner, back from his break, but then immediately turning right back around as soon as he saw the chaos before him.


    Starscream ducked under Magnus¡¯s legs and called out, ¡°Rung, wait!¡±


    ¡°Damn! I really have to stop leaving myself open for that.¡± Magnus muttered to himself, ¡°Starscream! Get back- HEY!¡± First Aid ducked under Magnus¡¯s legs as well, ¡°Both of you get back here, NOW!¡± Hot Rod ducked under soon after, followed by Drift. ¡°Would everyone PLEASE stop doing that?!¡±


    ¡°Roddy, I know you¡¯re angry but PLEASE!¡± Drift pleaded. He caught Hot Rod by the arm and pulled him back. Out of habit, Hot Rod swiftly turned and raised a fist before realizing who he was about to hit, just in time. His Optics softened and his frame loosened as he lowered his fist. He suddenly looked ashamed. But there was no time for apologies before Red Alert came crashing into them, which caused them to hit Magnus and topple him over as well. Starscream had transformed, and the force of the blast from his thrusters had sent First Aid flying.


    ¡°THAT IS A SHIP CODE VIOLATION!¡± Ultra Magnus shouted at Starscream from the floor.


    Starscream attempted to speed past Optimus and almost thought he made it. But then he felt a mighty fist grip his wing so hard that it bent his metal. This made him extremely unbalanced, causing him to crash into the wall with Optimus still hanging on. This caused a great deal of damage to that wall¡¯s section of metal plating. It was enough for the Ark¡¯s immune system to kick in and send an almost dangerous amount of electricity through both mechs, causing them to pass out. Everyone rushed to help¡­ Optimus. They just sorta let Starscream lay on the floor in his alt mode for a while before Magnus picked him up and carried him to the medbay, holding the jet by the thrusters with outstretched arms.


    Starscream woke up in the medbay¡­. again, this time in an area specifically made to accommodate injured bots in their alt modes. He had some painkiller in him, but it wasn¡¯t enough to stop the throbbing pain in his jaw and nose¡­. again.


    He slowly unfolded himself back into his bot mode and groaned as he got up.


    ¡°Take it easy, now, LORD Starscream¡±


    Starscream rolled his optics, recognizing the voice immediately, ¡°Hello Knockout.¡± He muttered.


    ¡°You were in much worse shape than you looked, you know that?¡±


    Starscream didn¡¯t expect such a stern tone from the doctor.


    ¡°Really, Starscream. Synth en?¡±


    ¡°Spare me your judgment!¡±


    ¡°You overdosed the ever-loving hell on it! If you weren¡¯t already so tolerant of excessive drug use, I¡¯d be wheeling you to the morgue right now!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this! When do I discharge?¡±


    ¡°Most likely at the end of the day. But don¡¯t get too excited. You and those two idiots who attacked you are going to be questioned and likely punished as soon as you¡¯re out!¡±


    ¡°Oh SHI- Okay, Knockout, we¡¯re friends, right?¡±


    Knockout raised an eyebrow at him, ¡°Riiight¡­¡±


    ¡°You HAVE to help me co-¡°


    ¡°They already suspect you offlined Cade.¡±


    ¡°GODsshhhffFFFFuDAMMIT- MOTHER FUCKING F U C K-¡°


    ¡°Language! My goodness, Starscream! Besides, what did you expect?


    ¡°SON OF A BITCH!!!! SON. OF. A. BITCH. I¡¯M GONNA- AUGH! AGH! DAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH!!!!!!!!!¡± He pounded his fists on the ground like a misbehaving sparkling.


    ¡°As amusing as I find your antics, Starscream, I am going to have to ask you to stop beating up the floor panel.¡±


    Starscream grabbed an expensive-looking machine he was hooked up to and started punching it repeatedly.


    ¡°Okay-¡° Knockout pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°JAZZ!¡±


    Starscream ripped out anything that was connected to him and pushed past Knockout to leave. When the door slid open, Jazz was already standing just outside, arms folded. Starscream shut the door and ran to the other side of the room, his optics darting to every corner of the room, looking for an escape.


    Jazz walked in. He didn¡¯t look happy.


    ¡°Starscream, please don¡¯t make this harder for yourself!¡± Knockout pleaded with uncharacteristic concern.


    Starscream spotted a vent and ripped off the cover.


    Jazz¡¯s optics widened behind his visor as he pointed at the seeker. ¡°Nope! Don¡¯t you go in that vent!¡±


    Starscream folded his wings back and slithered into the vent halfway before Jazz grabbed his leg. On instinct, he fired that leg¡¯s thruster, badly burning one of Jazz¡¯s arms. He let go, allowing Starscream to wiggle the rest of the way through.


    ¡°I¡¯m fucked! I¡¯m fucked! I¡¯m so fucked!¡± He muttered to himself.


    There weren¡¯t many places to run. You can only hide for so long amongst a fleet of four ships out in the void of space. He could hear Jazz¡¯s voice echo through the vent, ¡°You son of a bitch!¡± followed by a loud bang. ¡°Just wait till I get my hands on you!¡± Jazz had kicked the wall. Starscream noted that the Autobot seemed more aggressive than normal.


    He was just slim enough that he could fit through most areas in the vent. He didn¡¯t know where he was going, he just turned in whichever direction he thought took him further away from everyone. He really hoped they wouldn¡¯t send a minicon after him. Or worse, Wheelie.


    Scuttling past another great, he could see just outside the energon storage vault¡¯s door through the slits of the grate. Something caught his attention; two mechs he recognized¡ª they were in there alone, having some sort of argument.


    ¡°So what do you want to do now? Kill me? So be it.¡± Megatron¡¯s voice spoke, failing not to sound threatening. ¡°But mark my words, Skyfire, revenge isn¡¯t as satisfying as you may think.¡±


    Starscream crawled on. ¡°Ignore it, ignore it, ignore it, ignore-¡°


    ¡°OPTIMUS SHOULD HAVE KILLED YOU!¡± Skyfire roared.


    Starscream quickly shuffled back to the grate to watch the drama unfold.


    Skyfire leered down at Megatron. He spoke calmly, but the fury in his optics gave away his anger, ¡°Do you know why I hate you so much, Megatron?¡±


    ¡°I can imagine very many reasons why, Skyfire. I¡¯m not exactly the most liked bot around here.¡±


    ¡°No, No you piece of shit!¡± Skyfire took a step towards Megatron, trying and failing to intimidate him with his size. ¡°You took¡­. You took away the one thing that mattered to me most. You took away everything, my world!¡±


    Starscream felt a large lump in his throat.


    Megatron stood silent. He stood tall, but optics dimmed to indicate he didn¡¯t want to fight.


    ¡°Do you have any idea¡­. ANY idea¡ª¡° Skyfire¡¯s voice cracked, ¡°How much I LOVED him?!¡± He could feel his optics begin to lubricate but didn¡¯t fight it.


    Starscream looked down, his spark beat raised.


    ¡°He was everything to me, Megatron¡­ And you ruined him.¡±Skyfire spoke with rising anger, ¡°You bent and twisted my conjunx endura into a psychopath!¡±


    Starscream¡¯s spark beat raised higher as he continued to observe. ¡°Sky, no¡­¡±


    Megatron¡¯s optics lowered and dimmed a bit more.


    ¡°We were going to merge! We had plans! We had a LIFE together! And then you-¡° Skyfire was fuming, struggling to find words that matched his anger, ¡°You came in and ruined our lives!¡±


    ¡°Skyfire I¡­¡± Megatron sighed, ¡°I¡­. You¡¯re right. I did¡­ I did some really bad shit to Lucky Star. I fucked up.¡±


    ¡°OH? DID you fuck up, now? Gee, I wouldn¡¯t have fuckin¡¯ guessed!¡± Skyfire lightly shoved Megatron.


    They may not have merged, but a piece of Starscream¡¯s personality certainly did rub off on Skyfire. Still, Megatron did not wish to fight, ¡°Skyfire, I don¡¯t want to fight, but if I need to defend myself, I will.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tempt me, old timer!¡±


    ¡°Skyfire, please-¡°


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter HOW remorseful you are, how much you THINK you¡¯re an Autobot now, or how much you attempt to repay your sins-¡° Skyfire stepped closer, engines growling and wings spread out in aggression. ¡°Ulchtar will NEVER come back!¡±


    Starscream slipped away from the grate, ignoring what he just witnessed as best he could. Without thinking, he just kept going and going, until he stopped. He hadn¡¯t the slightest clue where he was. But instead of panicking, or screaming, destroy anything, he quietly wept. Soft whimpers escaped him, but his usual shrieking did not occur.


    He fell into recharge without realizing, bots still out in the halls, rushing around and looking for him. They had assumed he had already left the vents, but he was there, sleeping alone¡­ again.

 Date Night

    Elita One stared at the ceiling. It wasn¡¯t like there was anything in that room more interesting to look at. The room had no decor or entertainment and was technically Wheeljack¡¯s quarters. But the eccentric mechanic spent most of his days and nights in the shop. He even had all his living essentials set up there. Aside from occasionally using it for extra storage, he also generously offered it as a guest room for people temporarily transferring from the other ships. For the time being, the room belonged to Elita and her temporary roommate.


    Elita sighed and turned to her side when a dull sharp object poked her in the side. ¡°Ow!¡± She grabbed the object and examined it, ¡°Dammit, how many times do I have to tell her not to leave her scrap on my side?¡± Though she respected her roommate¡¯s culture, she was a bit bothered by how big of a mess her Junkion roommate left all over the place. They had struck a deal to each have one side of the room to themselves, but now and then a piece of junk would end up on Elita¡¯s much tidier side.


    Her roommate, Rum-Maj, was apparently there because she and Wreck-Gar needed some time apart. Elita didn¡¯t pry. She was dealing with enough relationship issues already. Aside from the usual disagreement about leaving junk everywhere, the two high-rank fembots respectfully ignored each other.


    That night, Elita had the room to herself. Rum-Maj was out drinking. Knowing how junkions tended to be, She knew her roommate wouldn¡¯t be back till morning. She tried to get some recharge but couldn¡¯t. Only being recently discharged from psyche care that afternoon, she hadn¡¯t yet gotten the chance to apologize to Optimus.


    She figured that if she wasn¡¯t going to recharge, she might as well take advantage of having the room to herself for the night. She relaxed down on her back and holo-projected her own holo-recording of her and Optimus together.


    Her voice in the recording spoke, ¡°Don¡¯t be shy, my love. No one else will see this but me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Elita- I want to. I just haven¡¯t done something like this before.¡±


    Elita smiled when she saw a bright pink blush appear on her sparkmate¡¯s faceplate.


    ¡°Oh, please, we¡¯ve done far weirder in our youth.¡±


    A small smirk appeared on the Prime¡¯s face.


    Elita spread her legs open. ¡°Well? What are you waiting for?¡±


    Optimus¡¯s optics fixated on his sparkmate¡¯s exposed valve. He bent down and kissed it. He pulled her legs over his shoulders, causing Elita¡¯s aft to slide down, making her giggle. Optimus couldn¡¯t help but grin at her reaction while his mouth was full. He rubbed her hot spots as he devoured her. Elita moaned in pleasure as she stroked his antennae, ¡°Aaah~ God! I love you so much, Oppie!¡± She sighed. Baby, I¡¯m already so horny for you! P-Please, make love to me now!¡±


    ¡°As you wish, my spark.¡± Optimus¡¯s voice was low and sultry. He got to his knees and positioned her legs around his waist.


    The sight of her valve lubricant on his lower lip turned Elita on immensely.


    Optimus propped himself over her, trying to stay in the vicinity of the recording. He entered her, letting out a low moan.


    ¡°AH! Yes! That¡¯s it, Big Boy!¡± Elita¡¯s engine purred. Her back arched at the motion of his spike inside her. ¡°You¡¯re so big! Yes! Yes!¡±


    ¡°You drive me crazy, Elita! You¡¯re so beautiful!¡± He panted and moaned for several minutes, Elita savoring the sweet sound.


    Optimus went from propping himself up to clasping Elita¡¯s hands as he moved in and out of her. He began kissing one of her legs and muttering into it, ¡°Yes, yes, yes, I love you, I love you. B-Baby- oh my God- Yes!¡±


    Elita absolutely relished in how she was making him act. He only ever showed this side of him to her and seeing it turned her on more than anything else. ¡°You¡¯re doing so good, Oppie! I wish I could have you every night!¡± She cried out.


    ¡°I¡¯m so in love with you!¡± He growled while kissing her leg. ¡°You have my entire spark, my love!¡±


    Elita giggled at the redundancy. ¡°I love you too, Oppie! God, I love you so much!¡±


    The two were acting like they were newly merged again. That is to say; Excessively affectionate and incredibly horny.


    Optimus threw her legs over his shoulders and bent over her, increasing his speed. Elita squirmed and moaned, her face beaming¡ª


    She turned off the holo-recording and stopped the vibration mod under her panel the moment she heard a knock on the door, ¡°Damn, she¡¯s back earlier than I thought.¡± She felt something wet on her face. Reaching up to feel, she realized they were tears. ¡°Oh, now that¡¯s just embarrassing.¡± She thought.


    The door knocked again.


    She wiped her face and got off the bed. ¡°Come on in, hon!¡± She called out to the bot on the other side of the door.


    The door slid open, relieving none other than Optimus Prime.


    Elita felt a jump in her spark. ¡°Oppie?!¡±


    Optimus was avoiding her optics. ¡°Hello, Elita.¡±


    She gently approached him. ¡°Oppie¡­. I¡¯m so sorry for what I did, And how I¡¯ve been behaving¡ª I know I should be better than that!¡±


    Optimus widened his optics. ¡°YOU¡¯RE apologizing to ME?! Elita love, I cut off your ARM!¡±


    Elita couldn¡¯t contain a small laugh. ¡°I¡¯m not going to accost you for doing your job, Oppie. I was in full crazy mode.¡±


    Optimus shook his head, looking downward, frame slumped and antennae loosely drooping to the back of his helm. ¡°I¡­ I-I¡¯ve never harmed you like that before¡­¡±


    Elita¡¯s gaze softened as she held his cheek in her hand, bringing up his gaze to hers. But he still moved his optics away from direct contact with her.


    ¡°Oppie,¡± She sighed, ¡°I apologize for how I¡¯ve been treating you¡­ I need to start being honest with you. ¡°Oppie,¡± She said again, her voice softer now, ¡°Even after everything, after all these cycles¡­. I still love you. And I never stopped.¡±


    Optimus flinched slightly, finally looking her in the face, but not in the optics. His antennae twitched.


    Elita took a shaky vent. Her hand slid down to grasp his. ¡°I want to be by your side again, Optimus.¡±


    Optimus squeezed her hand. She squeezed back. He rested his other arm over her shoulder by habit. She didn¡¯t seem to mind.


    ¡°But, if we¡¯re going to try again, you need to promise me something¡ª¡° Elita stroked his cheek with her thumb. ¡°I need you to trust me! Stop hiding things from me! We¡¯re a team, remember?¡±


    Optimus looked towards the ground again.


    ¡°Optimus, PLEASE! Tell me the truth!


    Optimus let out a deep sigh, before finally looking his beloved in the optics. ¡°Eilta, if I tell you¡­ You¡¯d never see me the same way again.¡±


    Elita brought his hand to her chassis. ¡°You can trust me with anything, Oppie! Stop pushing me away!¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand!¡±


    ¡°Then HELP ME understand!¡±


    ¡°Elita-¡° he sighed again, ¡°The only way you¡¯d be able to understand, and not hate me, is if we merged again.¡±


    Elita stood silent for a moment, rubbing her lover¡¯s hand. ¡°Then¡­ let¡¯s start over.¡±


    ¡°Elita-¡°


    ¡°We can at least try! We can start over again. And then maybe¡­¡± She rested her helm on his chassis. ¡°Maybe we can stably merge again.¡±


    Optimus didn¡¯t say anything for a while, making Elita nervous. But then she felt his lips press against her helm. She looked back up at him, smiling. He kissed her on the lips. It tasted like the sweetest thing in the cosmos to her.


    ¡°Starting over¡­¡± Optimus repeated, pressing his forehead to hers, and gently rubbing her back. ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± He let go of Elita¡¯s hand and stepped back, eyeing her. The corners of his lips pulled into a smile.


    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s this now?¡± Elita recognized that playful glint in his optics.


    ¡°Hello, come this ship often? I couldn¡¯t help but notice how shiny your armor is.¡± Optimus jested, raising his eyebrows.


    ¡°Oh, I see!¡± Elita laughed. ¡°Can¡¯t say we¡¯ve met. I¡¯m Elita One.¡± She batted her optics, ¡°My, I must say, you¡¯re quite easy on the optics yourself.¡± Elita fluttered her optics, playing along.


    ¡°Elita-One¡­¡± He savored the name on his tongue ¡°Beautiful name. Are you free tonight, by any chance?¡±


    Elita chuckled. ¡°Why, yes I am.¡±


    ¡°Mind if I grab us some drinks, my dear?¡±


    Elita softly smiled, taking Optimus¡¯s hand again, and placing it over her spark. ¡°That sounds lovely.¡±


    _____________________________________


    Back in the medbay, Ratchet was the last bot left in Ironhide¡¯s room. Ironhide hadn¡¯t woken up again yet, which was nothing to really worry about. But it still made Ratchet too nervous not to keep an optic on him for the rest of the night. It¡¯s not like he could sleep even if he wanted to, anyway.


    Ironhide was stable for the time being, which put the old doctor somewhat at ease. He stretched his arms above his head, yawning as he arched his back. He pulled up a chair and sat down by Ironhide¡¯s bedside. ¡°Hang in there, old buddy.¡± He spoke softly to his patient.


    His com beeped. He heard First Aid¡¯s voice when he answered.


    *¡°Hey, Ratch. A someone out here asking for you.¡±*


    *¡°What? Why can¡¯t they go ask another medic? I¡¯m busy.¡±


    *¡°I¡¯ll just tell Drift to come back later.¡±*


    ¡°Wait! Drift? ¡­.Go ahead and send ''em¡¯ in.¡±


    *¡°You sure?¡±*


    ¡°I can¡¯t leave Hide alone. Besides, Drift wouldn¡¯t cause any trouble.¡±


    *¡± Alrighty, then.¡±*


    After Ratchet closed the comm, he let out a vent. ¡°Just keep focused!¡± He mentally told himself.


    Not before long, Drift knocked on the door.


    ¡°Come on in!¡± Ratchet called out before standing from his seat.


    Drift opened the door and stepped in, giving the doctor a weak smile. The pointy, almost feline-looking horns on Drift¡¯s helm were slightly drooped down. It was subtle, but Ratchet noticed.


    ¡°You feeling okay, kid?¡± Ratchet asked.


    Drift rubbed the back of his helm, pausing for a moment. He looked into Ratchet¡¯s optics with sincerity and said, ¡°I think Roddy has a problem¡­¡±


    Ratchet offered his seat to him, ¡°Come on, buddy, have a seat.¡± He went to get himself another chair and positioned it across from Drift before taking a seat. He reached over to rub the side of Drift¡¯s arm reassuringly for a moment before speaking, ¡°You¡¯re worried about Hot Rod, yeah?¡±


    ¡°He got sick and passed out at the lounge again¡­¡±


    ¡°Aw, Jeez! Not again! Why didn¡¯t anyone call for a medic?


    ¡°He¡¯s okay now. Woke up only a few minutes later.¡±


    ¡°Someone still should have called!¡±


    Drift sighed, ¡°You know how he is, Doc.¡±


    Ratchet pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°That boy is too reckless for his own good.¡± He lightly shook his head, ¡°This is about him overindulging in his vices, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Drift let out a vent from his nose, ¡°I didn¡¯t think it was a big deal at first. I mean, we all have our vices. Even I drink and get high with him pretty often. But lately it¡¯s like¡­.¡± Drift¡¯s optics flickered as he searched for the right words. Ratchet gave him a moment, leaning back slightly in his chair but keeping his gaze fixated on his friend. ¡°It¡¯s like it¡¯s all he wants to do now.¡± Drift looked down at his hands. ¡°And whenever he is sober, he just seems¡­ not there? Just sort of zoned out. Doesn¡¯t talk much, doesn¡¯t respond to affection much, and doesn¡¯t even seem that interested in interfacing. But whenever I bring it up, he just brushes me off!¡±


    Ratchet sighed deeply, his optics dimming for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ll be honest, kid. I¡¯ve been suspecting for a while that he may have substance abuse issues.¡±


    Drift down looked at the floor, optics dimming, saying nothing.


    ¡°Dammit¡­¡± Ratchet muttered, ¡°I should have brought it up with Optimus earlier! I¡¯ve been noticing the early signs, but nearly everyone on this Primus-forsaken fleet is addicted to SOMETHING! And he¡¯s not a sparkling anymore. I can¡¯t just make him stop.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell Optimus! The whole reason I came to you instead was so that Optimus wouldn¡¯t confront Roddy. He gets very defensive about his habits and the last thing I want is to cause an argument between them.


    Ratchet ex-vented sharply, ¡°Drift, buddy-¡°


    ¡°I¡¯ve already caused enough tension between him and Elita One. I don¡¯t wish to do any more damage.¡±


    ¡°Drift¡­¡± Ratchet sighed, but his optics held a sincere gaze, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t blame yourself for things like that. Roddy¡¯s family drama is not your fault, or responsibility to fix¡±


    Drift¡¯s ¡°cat ears¡± lowered more, his gaze drifting away from Ratchet¡¯s. ¡°They¡¯re my family now, too, Ratch.¡± his voice was quiet yet clear.


    Ratchet ignored the pit that had formed within his spark. He spoke to his friend with an uncharacteristic tenderness, ¡°You¡¯re a good person, Drift.¡± He leaned in, gently grasping Drift¡¯s shoulders, ¡°But you can¡¯t blame yourself for things you have no control over. I had to learn that myself the hard way.¡± Drift¡¯s optics met his again. Ratchet let go of his shoulders and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. ¡°I won¡¯t tell Optimus.¡±


    Drift let out a small sigh of relief. ¡°Thank you, Ratchet.¡±


    Ratchet grumbled, ¡°Hot Rod is a grown mech, he should make his own decisions.¡± he frowned. ¡°I just hope he¡¯ll start making the right decisions.¡±


    Drift rubbed the side of his arm, ¡°Thank you, Ratchet. I¡¯m really glad I can trust you.¡±


    Ratchet smiled softly, unable to suppress the soft fluttering of his spark, ¡°You always can. No matter what.¡± Ratchet straightened his back to stretch his aching spinal cable. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Roddy. But knowing him, whatever I say might just go through one audio processor and out the other.¡±


    ¡°I think he knows he has a problem but won¡¯t admit it to himself. He¡¯s a lot smarter than he lets on.¡± Drift said, furrowing his brow, ¡°But maybe realizing that others aside from me are starting to notice might be a wake-up call for him.¡±


    ¡°I know¡­¡± Ratchet said, looking down. ¡°I¡¯ve struggled in the past with my vices as well.¡± He reached out to place a hand on Drift¡¯s shoulder again, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to keep an optic on him.¡±


    Drift placed a hand over Ratchet¡¯s, ¡°I¡­. I appreciate you taking the time to listen to me.¡± He smiled.


    Ratchet could feel his faceplate start to warm up and pretended to cough to the side, fearing that he may be blushing. ¡°Like I said, you can always trust me, Drift.¡± Ratchet got up, wincing as his ancient joints ground against each other. ¡°Primus, I think I might need knee and hip replacements.¡±


    Drift looked over to Ironhide, who was still peacefully in recharge mode. ¡°How¡¯s Ironhide doing?¡± he asked.


    Ratchet answered as he checked his friend¡¯s vitals. ¡°He¡¯s stable, for now. But he keeps waking up at random. Often crying or screaming bloody murder.¡± He glanced over at Ironhide, the grief and exhaustion being obvious on his face, ¡°He can¡¯t be left alone.¡±


    Drift sat for a moment, thinking. Then he asked, ¡°How long have you been working?¡±


    ¡°Haven¡¯t been keeping track. Few days maybe?¡±


    ¡°A few days?! No wonder you look exhausted!¡±


    ¡°Part of the job, kid. Part of the job.¡±


    ¡°I can practically hear your joints grinding from here, Doc. You need to rest.¡±


    ¡°Hmph.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m serious! You can¡¯t perform at your best when you¡¯re this tired. It can lower your spark¡¯s vibrational energy frequency.¡±


    Ratchet rolled his optics and groaned, ¡°I¡¯m a doctor, Drift, you think I don¡¯t know that not resting is bad?¡±


    ¡°Then why can¡¯t you have the other medics take turns watching him?¡±


    Ratchet let out a sharp, exasperated huff, ¡°They can¡¯t. I¡¯m the only medic that Ironhide remembers. And I¡¯m the only medic who¡¯s able to calm him down.¡±


    Drift¡¯s gaze softened as he looked at Ratchet. ¡°You can¡¯t pour from an empty cube, Ratchet.¡±


    Ratchet stubbornly crossed his arms, grumbling under his breath, ¡°I hate when your obnoxious flowery words have a point.¡±


    Drift smiled faintly, a spark of amusement in his optics. ¡°When was the last time you refueled, Doc?¡±


    Ratchet grunted. He had to think for a second before answering, ¡°First Aid gave me a bag of rust sticks this morning.¡±


    ¡°Wanna grab a bite to eat?¡±


    Ratchet¡¯s spark jolted, rejuvenating a small amount of energy. ¡°Y-Y-You¡¯re asking me out to dinner?¡±


    ¡°I actually wanted to ask you a few days ago but¡­ you were always working. I never get the chance.¡± Drift paused to scratch an itch on the back of his horn. ¡°Sorry, this is all so sudden.¡±


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know what to say! I¡­. What about Hot Rod?!¡±


    ¡°He said he¡¯ll try to be there, but he¡¯s still not feeling very well.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ what?¡±


    ¡°The whole gang is going to be there.¡± Drift raised a brow. ¡°¡­¡­You forgot it was my birthday, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Ratchet felt a strange mixture of relief disappointment, and shame. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry Drift. I really didn¡¯t know!¡±


    Drift smiled softly. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Doc. You¡¯ve been very overworked lately.¡±


    Ratchet sadly turned his gaze to Ironhide. He thought for a while in silence before sighing deeply and saying, ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll see if one of the other medics can cover me for tonight.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± Drift stood from his chair, giving the doctor two thumbs up, ¡°I¡¯ll meet you at The Chrimson Cube in two groons!¡±


    Ratchet watched Drift leave the medbay before he could change his mind, the door sliding shut with a soft hiss. He stood there for a moment, staring at the space Drift had occupied. His spark felt oddly light, in contrast to his exhaustion. Despite how much the former-con annoyed Ratchet with his infuriatingly soft, flowery words of wisdom always had a way of pulling him out of his routine. But the thought of leaving Ironhide alone made his fuel processor churn uneasily. ¡°Just for one night.¡± The old mech muttered to himself. He checked Ironhide¡¯s vitals one last time- still stable. He went to lightly touch the top of the injured mech¡¯s helm. ¡°You¡¯re in good hands, friend.¡±


    With one final look, Ratchet turned and left the medbay.


    __________________________________


    The bar lounge and various vending machines scattered about the ship were not the only places to refuel on something more interesting than plain energon. Each ship had at least one fully functioning restaurant. The Crimson Cube was The Ark¡¯s. Ironically, it was owned by a former Decepticon. He had joined the Autobots near the end of the war with his merged conjunx, who was his inspiration for the restaurant¡¯s name. Running the restaurant allowed him to channel his intense energy into something more productive than smashing things and getting into fistfights with Bulkhead.


    Optimus Prime and Elita One sat together in The Crimson Cube¡¯s waiting area. ¡°They added new drinks since I was last here,¡± Optimus commented, scrolling down the menu tablet in his hand. Elita visually took in the feel of the place. It was much more classy than she expected. Not a perfect 10, but a nice enough place to have a date. There was even live music. Rewind was playing a piano-like instrument on a small stage as a guest musician.


    ¡°I refuse to believe Breakdown was in charge of the atmosphere here.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s most likely Knockout¡¯s work,¡± Optimus responded, still looking at the menu.


    ¡°Well, that certainly explains the shiny red walls.¡±


    A purple fembot, who looked like she had just been dug out of a scrap heap, walked up to the couple with a forced smile and a slight limp. She had a green badge on her upper left arm to indicate that she was in intensive psychiatric care, but was currently low risk. Optimus noticed her sneak a glance at something on her forearm.


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    ¡°Welcome. Esteemed guests¡­. To The Crimson Cube. I will be Your server-¡° She shot another glance at her forearm, ¡°for the evening.¡± She grimaced.


    The Crimson Cube only hired former cons turned Autobots to help ease their integration into the faction through positive interactions and fulfilling work. They made for surprisingly good chefs, but often iffy customer service.


    Elita thought she recognized the femme ex-con. ¡°Hold on, aren¡¯t you¡­. You punched my kid in the face once!¡±


    The waitress sighed, ¡°First of all, I have a name. It¡¯s Shadowstriker. Second of all- BumbleBRAT tripped me and ruined my aim first!¡±


    Elita revved her engine, making the much younger fembot back away.


    Optimus quickly spoke up, ¡°AND, this all happened vorns ago. Let¡¯s not get too heated here, ladies. Please.¡±


    Shadowstriker let out a loud exhausted sigh. ¡°Just follow me.¡± She said, quite coldly.


    She lead the couple to a cozy booth near the stage, her damaged leg clinking against the polished floor.


    Elita sat down first, followed by Optimus cozying up next to her. He could hear her engine gently purring against his. Optimus smiled softly as he leaned in a little closer.


    ¡°Are you ready to order yet?¡± Shadowstriker asked impatiently.


    Optimus looked at the datapad again. ¡°Hmmm, I think I need a little more time. How about you, darling?¡± Elita responded with a nod, distracted by a sticker she was trying to peel off the edge of the table.


    Shadowstriker rolled all five of her optics. ¡°You¡¯ve been looking at that menu for like 20 minutes, dude¡­.¡± The waitress muttered under her breath before saying, ¡°Just try to pick something.¡± Before leaving to wait at another table.


    ¡°Glad to know she¡¯s still just as peachy as ever.¡±


    ¡°It may not seem like it, but she¡¯s trying. She hasn¡¯t had an easy life.¡±


    Elita lightly shook her head and smiled. ¡°Same ol¡¯ Oppie. Trying to see the good in everyone.¡±


    Optimus gave his conjunx a gentle rub on the back, near one of her hot spots. She silently returned the gesture. ¡°What do you feel like having, babe?¡± she asked, leaning over to look at the menu.


    ¡°Shall we start with an appetizer? The Chisel-Cut Crystal Chunks look good.¡±


    ¡°Hmmmm¡­.¡± Elita studied the photo of the dish on the datapad for a while. ¡°I think I¡¯d like the Shanix Platters. You think you¡¯d like that?¡±


    ¡°Certainly!¡±


    ¡°Alright. How about drinks?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to try the restaurant signature; The Crimson Cube. Although I doubt it¡¯s as good with a low grade instead of a high grade.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll try that t-


    Elita was interrupted by a loud, pitiful wail from the booth next to them, ¡°wuuuuUUUUAAAAAHUHUHUUUUUUGH¡­¡­¡±


    Elita closed her optics and muttered, ¡°Oh GOD.¡±


    Optimus placed his face in his palm. Both bot¡¯s antennae had immediately flattened back the moment they heard the cry, ¡°Out of all the places we could have been seated¡­¡° he muttered.


    ¡°UUUUHUHUHUUUUUUUU¡­.. wWAAAAAAAAAHHAHAHAWAAAA!!!¡±


    Elita and Optimus could both recognize the gentle voice of a second mech in the booth beside them, ¡°Starscream, please! Try to get ahold of yourself!¡±


    ¡°WHY DID I DO IT, SKY?! WHY!?¡±


    ¡°Hey, buddy, we all have done and said things we regret while drunk.¡±


    ¡°aaaaaaaAAAARRGH!¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should just try to ground ourselves, sort out some feelings, and then maybe we can go have an honest, adult conversation with Windblade about it.¡±


    ¡°WAAAAAAAHAAAAAAA!!!¡±


    Skyfire¡¯s optics darted around, trying to see if anyone was watching. ¡°Starscream! Please, try to get ahold of yourself!¡± He whispered. He grabbed a napkin and started wiping the tears of the seeker¡¯s cheeks. Miraculously, Starscream accepted the gesture of kindness without complaint. He sat there sniffling for a bit, absently poking at his solarium-glazed crystal dessert with his utensil.


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell if I regret saying it or taking it back- UGH!¡± He dug his talons into the sides of his helmet. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to feel!¡± He pounded his fists on the table, ¡°It makes me so angry! ARGH!¡±


    Skyfire held his face in his hands. He slunk down his seat a little as if his massive frame wasn¡¯t extremely recognizable to every bot on the fleet. He watched silently as Starscream aggressively shoved his donut into his mouth all at once, then began to sob again. ¡°Look at me! I¡¯m DISGUSTING!¡± His voice muffled through the chunks of donut now falling apart all over his chassis.


    Elita waved down a waiter passing by. Seeing the Autobot leader and his second-in-command, the waiter straightened his back and forced a wide grimace. He was a tall, lanky, purple, grey, and black mech with his almost comically oversized trailer wings flattened against his back, presumably to not knock anything over as he traveled the short distance to the couple¡¯s table.


    ¡°hh-hHI! YES HELLO-¡° The waiter¡¯s voice cracked. He cleared his throat and did a corny bow towards Elita. ¡°M¡¯lady.¡± He awkwardly turned to Optimus and did the same, ¡°M¡­.. M¡¯Prime?¡±


    Elita pressed her forehead into her palm as she leaned against the table, while Optimus let out a soft vent, ¡°Hello Octane.¡± He greeted, still rubbing his temples from the headache-inducing volume coming from the booth next to him.


    Octane seemed more focused on Elita. ¡°And how shall I assist you tonight, m¡¯lady?¡± He wiggled his eyebrows.


    Elita had to keep every mechanical structure in her face from cringing so hard she imploded. Meanwhile, Optimus was too socially oblivious to see what Octane was doing. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, could we please be seated somewhere else?¡± She said, trying to sound cordial.


    ¡°Ah about that, M¡¯lady-¡° He bowed again. One of Elita¡¯s optic lids twitched. ¡°Unfortunately, we are fully booked tonight. Some assholes over there are having a birthday party I think.¡±


    The assholes over there were indeed, having a birthday party. Drift sat slightly away from the others, having two seats saved on each side of him. He watched the ice in his energon cocktail swirl around as he poked at it with his straw. A small white and blue mech at his table broke away from the jovial conversation he was having with the other guests. He gently poked Drift in the arm. ¡°You okay, Drift? You¡¯ve been awfully quiet.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m okay Tailgate, thanks. It¡¯s just¡­. I was hoping everyone could make it before we started ordering.¡±


    Tailgate looked at the space left for Hot Rod. ¡°Ah, I see.¡± He patted the cushiony seat of the space next to him. Drift scooted over closer with the rest of his friends. ¡°Try not to worry about it too much, okay? I¡¯m sure Roddy will show up soon!¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Tailgate.¡± Drift smiled softly.


    ¡°What in the world is going on over there?¡± Arcee commented on the audial disturbance coming from around the stage area.


    ¡°Oh god. It¡¯s not Starscream, is it?¡± Cyclonus grunted.


    Tailgate stood up, trying to get a better look. Cyclonus placed a taloned hand atop his merged conjunx¡¯s head and gently pushed him back down in his seat. Then Whirl, who was sitting on the other side of Cyclonus, stood up to get his own look. ¡°Would you sit DOWN?!¡± Cyclonus gritted his fangs as he tugged one of his other conjunx¡¯s pincers.


    Whirl brushed him off, ¡°Relax, Cy-guy, it¡¯s not like he¡¯s gonna notice me!¡±


    Cyclonus rubbed his temples, ¡°You are the ONLY person here who has the ARMS of a CRAB!¡±


    Whirl ignored him, looking almost spaced out.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Drift asked Whirl, ¡°What are you doing?! Are you staring at them?!¡±


    ¡°Yea dude, Skyfire¡¯s lookin¡¯ right at me.¡±


    Everyone lowered themselves in their seats slightly, save for Tailgate, who was now UNDER the table. ¡°Stop it! Dude, stop it!¡± Drift whisper-yelled at Whirl.¡±


    Whirl¡¯s gaze remained silent as Skyfire was making direct-optic contact with the other Autobot, whose expression somehow looked identical despite Whirl literally not having a face.


    Arcee hid her face behind the menu. ¡°Stop looking at them!¡±


    Cyclonus finally grabbed Whirl by the hips and made him sit down. Which seemed to excite Whirl a little too much, but at least the agonizing moment was now over.


    Skyfire awkwardly turned his attention back to Starscream, shaking off the brief incident. He knew that Whirl kid was an odd one, anyway. He carefully took his much smaller hands into his, gently rubbing his palms with his thumbs. He had quieted back down again and was now doing that soft sniffling thing that always managed to butter Skyfire up. ¡°Oh, Star¡­¡± He signed deeply, lightly shaking his head. ¡°I think you need to ween off the substances, at least just for a little while.¡±


    Starscream looked up at the massive mech, whatever makeup he had on was now smeared all over his face. ¡°What are you, crazy?! How else am I supposed to keep sane on this trip!?¡±


    ¡°I understand how hard it is. But clearly, it¡¯s been getting you in trouble again.¡±


    Starscream rolled his optics ¡°Oh as if we both haven¡¯t seen Optimus Prime in the lounge, pounding several pints of low-grade at the time.¡±


    Elita¡¯s voice could be heard scolding from the other booth, ¡°He does NOT do that!¡±


    Optimus shifted uncomfortably in his seat. ¡°Um¡­ Actually, Elita-¡° she put a hand up to him, ¡°Don¡¯t encourage the bird.¡±


    ¡°SILENCE, AUTOBOT SCUM!¡± Starscream snapped.


    ¡°DON¡¯T you make me come over there!¡± Elita said through gritted denta.


    Rewind, still playing away on stage, jumped at the noise and accidentally messed up a note. He looked down at Starscream, annoyed, but still playing. Starscream stuck his tongue out at him. Rewind tapped the camera on the side of his helm, reminding the seeker that he filmed everything he saw. Starscream was just about to stick out a middle talon before Skyfire pushed his hands down. ¡°Starscream! You aren¡¯t a Sparkling!¡±


    Octane cleared his throat and turned his attention to Starscream, ¡°Hey, Screamer, can you maybe keep it down JUST a l-¡°


    ¡°NOT NOW, OCTANE!¡±


    ¡°Okie Dokie, then!¡± Octane turned to leave, smacking Skyfire on the back of his helm with one of his comically large trailer wings without noticing.


    ¡°Ugh, forget it.¡±Elita huffed, trying to refocus on the menu options.


    Optimu¡¯s antennae suddenly perked up when he saw an old friend walk by his table. ¡°Ratchet!¡± He momentarily got up from his seat to greet the medic. He gave him a hearty pat on the shoulder, ¡°Wasn¡¯t expecting to see you here.¡±


    ¡°Optimus?¡± Ratchet looked at Elita, who waved at him. ¡°Well, what do ya¡¯ know? Knew you two couldn¡¯t pry each other off of one another if your lives depended on it!¡± He chortled.


    Elita smiled and looked back at the menu. ¡°I¡¯m happy to see you taking a break, Ratch¡¯¡±


    Optimus took a step back, eyeing his friend up and down.


    ¡°¡­¡­..Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Ratchet blushed a little. His secretive feelings for Optimus may have been long in the past, but the Autobot Leader still sometimes could fluster him. Luckily the old mech had never been great at reading subtle facial expressions.


    ¡°You¡¯re shiny!¡±


    Ratchet looked down at himself. ¡°Oh¡­. yea. I just polished.¡±


    ¡°You look great!¡±


    ¡°Th-Thanks¡­. I figured it was time I freshen up. Want to look professional for my patients.¡±


    One of Elita¡¯s antennae flopped to the side. ¡°You feeling alright, doc?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Why would I be nervous? Just going to Drift¡¯s birthday dinner. I¡¯m not nervous.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.I didn¡¯t say you looked nervous.¡±


    The medic cleared his throat and stood up straight. ¡°Must have misheard you then.¡±


    Optimus raised an eyebrow. ¡°Um, sure.¡±


    ¡°I er, should get going now. I¡¯m running a bit late.¡±


    ¡°Yea¡­ Well, have fun buddy. And try to let yourself relax.¡± Optimus patted him on the back, ¡°And that¡¯s an order, soldier.¡± He jested, garnering a light smirk from his friend.


    ¡°Sir, yes, sir.¡± Ratchet gave the Prime¡¯s shoulder a friendly rub before saying goodbye to Elita and heading to his table. Vented in deeply and told himself, ¡°It¡¯s just a birthday party. You¡¯ve been to plenty of those. This one is no different.¡±


    ¡°Ratchet!¡± Drift Optics brightened as he greeted the old doctor.


    Ratchet smiled and waved awkwardly.


    ¡°uuuuUUUUGH, you invited the party pooper?¡± Whirl complained.


    Cyclonus lightly bonked him on the helm, not taking his optics off the drink menu. ¡°Don¡¯t be so rude.¡±


    Ratchet rolled his optics. ¡°Be thankful I¡¯m not Magnus.¡±


    ¡°Fair point.¡± Said Whirl.


    Drift got out of his seat and let Ratchet slide in next to Tailgate.


    When Drift slid back in, his aft lightly bumped into Ratchet¡¯s. ¡°Oh! Sorry, Doc!¡± the younger mech said.


    ¡°W-Wow, we really are crammed into this booth, aren¡¯t we?¡± Ratchet said, feeling his faceplate heat up.


    ¡°Yeah, sorry about the space. We¡¯re still expecting Roddy. Swerve had to cancel for some reason he didn¡¯t mention.¡± Said Drift


    ¡°I-It¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t mind.¡± Responded Ratchet.


    ¡°CRASH!¡±


    The restaurant rabble quieted for a brief moment. Several heads turned to see Octane drop to the floor, quickly trying to gather the shards of glass cube that had been knocked over.


    Breakdown¡¯s voice boomed out from the kitchen¡¯s window station, ¡°Octane! How many times do I have to tell you?! Wings folded DOWN when you¡¯re on the floor!¡±


    Skyfire gave Starscream a sad look, ¡°Better go clean that up before Breakdown realizes I still haven¡¯t returned from break.¡±


    ¡°Yea¡­. I don¡¯t want to get you in trouble again¡±


    Skyfire felt slightly taken back by Starscream¡¯s consideration. He took a napkin and gently wiped the tears and smudged makeup off the seeker¡¯s face. He knew Starscream likely wouldn¡¯t remember the loving gesture in the morning, which is what Skyfire preferred, ¡°I¡¯ll see you later Star, okay? Please try to stay out of trouble.¡±


    Starscream didn¡¯t respond, he just stared down at his plate, sniffling. Skyfire felt a lump in the back of his throat as he reluctantly left him alone in the both. He knew he shouldn¡¯t be so soft on Starscream. The mech was a complete maniac, but now and then his old self would leak through his cracks and cause Skyfire to cave.


    Despite being bigger than Octane, Skyfire was much more aware of his own size and strength. Using a take-out box, his large fingers picked up the glass fragments with care and precision. Gathering the pieces in the box, he took it outside and dumped it in the recycling chute. When he returned, Starscream was gone.


    He heard his boss bark at him as soon as he walked back in, ¡°Where the hell have you been?!¡±


    ¡°I apologize, Breakdown. I was er, ¡®Starscream wrangling¡¯¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Said Breakdown, suddenly changing his demeanor. ¡°Ugh, we¡¯ll talk about this later. It¡¯s a full house tonight and I need everyone on the floor.¡± He reached up and shoved a datapad into the taller mech¡¯s face. ¡°Now, get your aft out there!¡±


    Skyfire hurried to his station and looked at the table number on the datapad. His face turned cold. ¡°Out of ALL the tables I could have gotten¡­Why? Why me?¡± He reluctantly shuffled over to Drift¡¯s party table. Their chattering went quiet. Except for Whirl, who stared at him for a moment, blinked, and said, ¡°Yea, I¡¯ll take the uuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh Dark Matter Storm cocktail. That shit looks good. And uuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhh the Quantum Glitch Skewers. Oh, and no oil for the purple guy, he¡¯s pregnant.


    Cyclonus slapped his hand to his face. ¡°Must you announce that to EVERYONE?¡±


    ¡°Just trying to get us that breeder¡¯s discount.¡±


    ¡°BREEDER¡¯S discount?!¡± Arcee nearly spat out her coolant, ¡°The fuck is a ¡®breeder¡¯s discount¡¯?!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a thing they do here?¡± Tailgate asked with sincerity.


    ¡°That¡¯s one of the most ridiculous things I¡¯ve ever heard! Of course, that isn¡¯t a real discount!¡±


    Skyfire uncomfortably scratched the back of his helm. ¡°Actually Ratchet, er-¡°


    Ratchet¡¯s optics widened. ¡°No. You¡¯re lying.¡±


    ¡°Well, we call it the ¡®Parental discount¡¯, but yeah¡­. It¡¯s basically a discount for people who contribute to repopulating our species.¡±


    Ratchet began rubbing his eyebrows. ¡°Oh, please don¡¯t tell me it was Prime¡¯s idea.¡±


    ¡°It was Prime¡¯s idea.¡±


    Ratchet only groaned.


    Drift was trying so hard not to burst into laughter at the current conversation. Arcee was already in hysterics while Whirl gave Ratchet a smug look (¡­..somehow).


    ¡°Um, can we finish ordering now, please? I¡¯m very hungry.¡± Tailgate asked shyly.


    ¡°Oh! Of course!¡± Skyfire held a stylus to his datapad, ready to take the order.


    Not wanting to make the group wait any longer, Ratchet ordered something random and cheap off the menu. After the rest of the table had ordered, Ratchet was sipping at his complimentary glass of coolant when he felt Drift accidentally elbow him directly in a hot spot on the side of his upper torso. The doctor¡¯s frame stiffened as he sucked in a gasp. His face felt red-hot as he felt the immediate pressure increasing under his panel.


    ¡°Woah! Sorry there, Ratch!¡± Drift apologized.


    Arcee tilted her head, asking, ¡°Hey, are you feeling alright, Ratchy? You don¡¯t look so good.¡±


    Ratchet¡¯s face felt even hotter. ¡°I uh- I-I¡¯m, I¡¯m-¡° Everyone at the table looked at him, confused, ¡°I er, J-Just remembered I need to take my medication. I¡¯ll be back.¡± Ratchet got up without saying anything else, leaving the others baffled.


    He passed by Skyfire, who Elita had gotten up to talk to, ¡°I¡¯m sorry to bother you Skyfire.¡± Elita said in earnest, ¡°Do you know where our waitress is? We¡¯ve been waiting for a long time.¡±


    ¡°Was she cranky and unsettling to look at?¡±


    Elita smirked, antennae perking up slightly, ¡°Well, I wouldn¡¯t exactly phrase it like that, but yes.¡±


    ¡°Shadowstriker must¡¯ve forgotten to clock out for her break again. I¡¯ll go get you another server.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much, Skyfire.¡± Elita smiled warmly at him.


    Skyfire smiled back and waved her goodbye when she left to return to Optimus. She wanted to tell him he was doing a great job but didn¡¯t want to sound patronizing. She honestly didn¡¯t know why he was even working there. He had been a fully-fledged Autobot for most of the duration of the war. He had long since proven himself to the others. Maybe he was just bored and needed something to do on this ship, aside from wrangling The Bird.


    Elita One returned to her seat, wrapping an arm around Optimus¡¯s waist as she slid in next to him. He returned the affection by doing the same. ¡°Skyfire is finding us a new server.¡± She said to him.


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s good.¡± Was all Optimus responded with as he rubbed near the hot spot on her back. She leaned into him, closing her optics as her engine gently purred.


    His deep voice vibrated against her metal armor, ¡°I never asked how much longer you were planning to stay.¡±


    ¡°Well, since my ¡®unplanned vacation extension¡¯ messed with my plans to only stay for a few days, I should be getting back to Omega Supreme soon, but¡­ I¡¯m not sure how comfortable I am leaving Chromia when she¡¯s still in such a fragile state.¡±


    ¡°If¡­ If you wish to stay longer-¡°


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll move in with you, Oppie.¡± She said without hesitation.


    Optimus smiled softly, kissing her on the helm.


    ¡°But I can¡¯t keep Firestar in charge of Omega Supreme indefinitely.¡± Elita frowned, ¡°She¡¯s been doing a great job and has been incredibly understanding of my situation, but I fear she may be hiding how overwhelmed she is.¡±


    Optimus gave her another peck on the helm. ¡°Do what you feel is best. I will always wait for you. No matter how long we¡¯re apart.¡±


    Elita would have responded with her own sweet nothings if it hadn¡¯t been for their new server interrupting her.


    ¡°Ah! What a wonderful coincidence, m¡¯lady!¡± Octane bowed again.


    Utensils rattled as Elita¡¯s forehead plopped against the table. ¡°Goddammit.¡±


    Ratchet didn¡¯t notice them as he walked by their table at a brisk pace, heading back to the party. He sat back down next to Drift, still feeling bashful.


    Drift had barely acknowledged Ratchet¡¯s return, which was unusual.


    ¡°You good, Ratchet?¡± Tailgate asked.


    ¡°Yes¡­ I had just forgotten my joint pain medication in my quarters, that¡¯s all.¡±


    Noticing Drift¡¯s silence, Ratchet gently shook Drift¡¯s arm. ¡°Hey, you¡¯re being pretty quiet kid, is everything alright?


    Arcee asked him as well, ¡°Yeah, Drift. You¡¯ve been silent since Ratchet left. Something wrong?¡±


    Drift shook his head. ¡°I just¡­.. I have this really bad feeling all of a sudden. I don¡¯t know what it is.¡±


    This unsettled Ratchet. As skeptical as the old mech was, he knew not to be too quick to brush off Drift¡¯s intuition.


    ¡°You¡¯re not feeling ill, are you?¡± Ratchet asked with genuine concern.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that¡­. It¡¯s hard to explain¡­.¡± Drift shook his head, ¡°Whatever. It¡¯s probably just some PTSD thing.¡± He picked one of the energized plasma roll appetizers they ordered with a pair of chopsticks. Whirl, seeing an opportunity to be a menace, took one chopstick and skewered three rolls before his long pincers accidentally dropped his utensil into his drink.


    Whirl blinked. ¡°Fuck.¡±


    Cyclonus shook his head, but a quick smirk still flashed on his face while Arcee and Tailgate laughed. Drift managed to let out a forced giggle. Ratchet wanted to place a hand on his back as a reassuring gesture but was nervous about touching him again.


    *BANG*


    The entire restaurant went dead silent.


    Only thing in the room louder than a pin dropping was Breakdown. ¡°Dammit, Octane! What did I JUST tell you?!¡±


    Octane looked at the floor around him, ¡°Hey man, wasn¡¯t me this time!¡±


    After a few moments of processing, Ratchet leaped from his seat and flew out the doors without saying a word. Optimus got up to follow him but felt himself pulled back as Elita grabbed his hand. ¡°Don¡¯t go.¡± She whispered.


    He looked back at her, eyebrows creasing. ¡°Elita¡­. you know I have to.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± She pleaded, ¡°You''ve already seen too much in this lifetime. Give your spark a rest.¡±


    Optimus glanced at the exit again, watching Drift run after Ratchet, followed by the rest of his party. The Prime felt his beloved squeeze his hand. Hesitantly, he sat back down.


    Several people were already getting up to leave, not saying a word. Breakdown, his tone monotone and volume uncharacteristically low, spoke out to his patrons, ¡°Kitchens¡¯ closed, everybody. Finish eating and go home.¡± He then disappeared into the back room.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go,¡± Elita said to Optimus. They walked in silence back to each other¡¯s quarters, only speaking to bid each other goodnight once they had to part ways.


    Once his merged had left, Optimus had planned to find out who the shot came from this time. He arrived outside the medbay. Just as he reached out his hand to push open the doors, a soft little voice spoke to him, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t go in there.¡± Optimus turned around to see Tailgate sitting all alone in the corner of the waiting area. ¡°They even made Ratchet leave¡­.¡± The minibot said, twiddling his thumbs.


    ¡°Who was it?¡± Optimus asked.


    Tailgate shook his head lightly. ¡°Don¡¯t know. That¡¯s why I¡¯m here. I¡¯m waiting for someone to come out and tell me. Ratchet chased us all away before we could see who it was.¡±


    ¡°Why wasn¡¯t Ratchet let in?¡±


    ¡°The ol¡¯ guy was hysterical. I¡¯ve never seen him lose his cool that badly. Is that normal for him?¡±


    Optimus closed his optics and ex-vented, ¡°No. No, it¡¯s not. I¡¯ll check on him when I can.¡±


    Tailgate gazed at the floor in front of him. ¡°I think it was one of our friends¡­¡±


    Optimus wanted to bolt right then and there so he could check on his boys, but retained his composure.     ¡°Thank you for sharing this information, Tailgate. It¡¯s important that I know these things.¡± Before turning to leave he told the minibot one last thing, ¡°Take care of yourself, friend.¡±


    Tailgate barely nodded, squeaking out a sad little ¡°Yes sir, I¡¯ll try to.¡± His optics widened beneath his visor, not expecting Optimus to give him a reassuring pat on top of his helm.


    After leaving Tailgate outside the medbay, he checked his mobile terminal to contact Roddy and Bee. But to his immense relief, Elita had already PMed him a message, stating that she had already checked on the two of them, and both were recharging in their respective quarters. He sent a text back to Elita, thanking her. Then he sent a new PM to Ratchet, asking if he was alright. He got no response, but the message was read. Ratchet hated being disturbed when he needed his space, so Optimus decided he¡¯d see how he was doing in the morning.


    Upon arriving at his door, he noticed an unexpected yet familiar orange mech, pacing back and forth through the hallway. He mumbled to himself, with one hand fiddling with an antennae while the other nervously twisting his beard around his finger. ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. It¡¯ll be fine! Just go talk to her. It¡¯s fine!¡± the mech muttered, ¡°It¡¯s soooo easy! Just do it! I mean, I AM rather irresistible, aren¡¯t I?¡± He stopped for a moment to look at his blurry reflection on the metal wall, winking at himself with a toothy grin. He stood still for a moment, facing the wall. Then his frame began to vibrate, increasing in intensity. Optimus took a step back.


    The orange mech leaped in the air, ¡°AAAAAAAAAH IT¡¯S NOT OKAY! SHE HATES ME!!!!!¡±


    He fell to his knees and began sobbing. Optimus inched closer, about to place a reassuring hand on the somewhat younger mech¡¯s shoulder. But then the Prime had to step back again while the crying mech flipped onto his stomach, pounding his fists on the ground and kicking his legs like a sparkling.


    Stopping his tantrum as suddenly as he started it, he sprang back up to his feet and gave himself a hard slap in the face. ¡°GET YOURSELF TOGETHER!¡±


    ¡°Wreck-Gar?¡±


    ¡°AGH!¡± the frantic bot spun around to face Optimus, striking an (incorrect) fighting pose. ¡°Oh. It¡¯s just you.¡± His frame relaxed as he sighed and placed a rusty beige servo on the Prime¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Gave me quite the spook there, ol¡¯ buddy!¡± he chortled.


    Optimus raised a brow. ¡°Is¡­ everything alright, Wreck-Gar?¡±


    Wreck-Gar begab wheeze-laughing and gave the Prime a soft punch in the arm, which was silently unappreciated.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a no.¡±


    Wreck-Gar dropped to his knees once again, his arms wrapped around a navy blue leg. ¡°I MISS HER So MUCH!!!! WAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!¡±


    Optimus tried to carefully shake his friend off. ¡°Do you erm¡­. want to talk about it?¡±


    Wreck-Gar sprung back up again, hugging Optimus tight enough for some rest to scrape onto his chassis. ¡°I LOVE HEEEEEER AAAAAUGHUHHUHHHHH!!!!¡±


    If Optimus had been witnessing anyone else displaying this sort of behavior, he¡¯d be concerned they were on something dangerous, like synth en. But this was just Wreck-Gar. The bot had a few screws loose, no doubt about that. But he had far more intelligence than he let on and was a good family friend of the Prime¡¯s. As overwhelmed as he already felt, he still couldn¡¯t stand idly while his fellow Autobots paced the halls of The Ark, sobbing uncontrollably.


    Optimus guided him inside his quarters, patting the junkion on the back as he blubbered something else about his conjunx. ¡°There, there,¡± Optimus said to him, ¡°Let¡¯s just have a seat, relax with a glass of heated energon, and you can tell me all about it.¡±


    Truth be told, Optimus was a little glad that another issue had popped up just in time to temporarily take his mind off the recent tragedy.


    He sat Wreck-Gar down on the bed and went to get him some energon from the ship¡¯s tap. The liquid struggled out of the faucet in a thin, choppy stream.


    Wreck-Gar let out a pathetic little sigh as he took the energeon from Optimus¡¯s hand. ¡°Thanks, Prime...¡± he said. He tapped his fingers against the glass. ¡°Rum-Maj and I are taking a break¡­¡±


    Optimus scratched the back of his helm. ¡°Yeah, I figured it was something like that.¡±


    ¡°I came to the Ark, hoping to win her spark back with my incredible talent.¡±


    ¡°Wreck-Gar, don¡¯t think that¡¯ll-¡°


    Wreck-Gar pulled out a big, strange-looking instrument. It was this flexible tube¡­. thing? It had two segments on each end, one with a keyboard and the other with various buttons. The thing looked like it was made out of pieces of scrap glued together by a sparkling, yet the Junkion leader brandished it with pride nonetheless. ¡°Isn¡¯t she gorgeous?¡± He gave the instrument a kiss and a big hug. ¡°I¡¯ve been practicing!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­Where did you pull that out from?¡±


    Wreck-Gar put a finger to his lips with a mischievous grin, ¡°Oh Optimus, my dear. A great magician never reveals his secrets!¡±


    ¡°¡­..Since when did you become a-¡° Optimus shook his head, ¡°Nevermind! Wreck-Gar, I it would be better if you two just had a-¡°


    Optimus was cut off by a shrill squeal as Wreck-Gar began to play, ¡°~Ooohhh YEAAAA!~¡±


    Optimus muttered to himself, ¡°Primus have mercy¡­¡±


    ¡°~Oh


    I''m your shelter from the storm


    You''ll know I''ll always have your back


    I''ll even let you warm your freezing hands inside my butt crack~¡±


    Optimus stopped the assault on his auduals, placing his hands over Wreck-Gar¡¯s. ¡°Buddy¡­¡± he sighed, ¡°I don¡¯t think this is the way to win her back.¡±


    The Junkion¡¯s ruby-red optics dimmed as his antennae drooped. ¡°I know¡­¡± his instrument played a sad note, ¡°But I don¡¯t know what else to do!¡± he wailed, ¡°I don¡¯t want to become a depressed, overly serious old mech with a broken spark! Erm¡­. no offense.¡±


    Optimus furrowed his brow. ¡°Actually, as a matter of fact, Elita and I are currently in the process of reconciling.¡±


    Wreck-Gar¡¯s optics beamed as he gasped excitedly, ¡°WHAT?! OH THAT¡¯S GREAT!¡±


    Optimus covered his audials as Wreck-Gar played a few notes on his strange instrument.


    ¡°OPILTA FOREVER, HELL YEA!¡±


    The sudden increase in volume caused the Autobot leader to flinch back.


    ¡°Tell me! How¡¯d you do it?¡±


    ¡°Well, I er¡­ I suppose I just had a serious talk with her? I don¡¯t feel like getting into specifics if you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°So you two are back together for good now, right?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ We¡¯re trying to start over. Tonight was suposed to be our first date in a very long time but¡­¡±


    ¡°That gunshot ruined the mood for ya?¡±


    ¡°You heard it too?¡±


    ¡°Yea. Thought a fuse blew at first, actually. I wanted to go see if I could fix it for ya¡¯, but as soon as I saw the medics, I knew what happened.¡±


    The two shared a moment of uncomfortable silence before Wreck-Gar took a small sip of energeon and asked, ¡°Soooo¡­.. Any tips for winning my girlfriend back?¡±


    Optimus said, ¡°Just be honest with her. And¡­. Maybe try not to start sobbing the moment you see her.¡±


    Wreck-Gar slouched, tapping on his glass and looking at the floor. ¡°I¡­. I can¡¯t lose another conjunx, Optimus¡­¡±


    Optimus felt a pang of guilt. He had forgotten that Wreck-Gar was a merge break survivor. That kind of trauma explained why Wreck-Gar was in such a state of panic over this breakup.


    ¡°I swear I can still feel Nancy sometimes, ya¡¯ know¡­ Deep inside.¡± Wreck-Gar said, still staring at the ground and fiddling with his now-empty cube. He placed a hand over his spark, his red optics softly glowing. ¡°There¡¯s a part of her still alive in me, I think¡­¡± His antennae perked up a bit as he looked up at Optimus. ¡°But then again, I¡¯m not exactly known for having all the screws in my head in place, heh.¡± He set his glass down on the nightstand. ¡°Well, if someone as humorless and super serious as you can get his gal back-¡° he hopped off the bed. ¡°Then maybe I can get mine back too!¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­. thanks.¡±


    Wreck-Gar took the Prime off guard again with a tight hug. Optimus smiled softly and patted him on the back. The Junkion let go of the Prime as suddenly as he clung to him. ¡°There¡¯s no time to waste!¡± He grabbed his instrument¡­ thing gave Optimus an unexpected smooch on the cheek before running out the door. ¡°I SHALL FIGHT FOR YOU, MY LOVE!¡±


    Optimus stood there for a moment, processing the encounter. As he usually did after interacting with Wreck-Gar. He vented out deeply and fell onto his bed. The eccentric Junkion leader was admittedly a welcome distraction. ¡°I want one day that isn¡¯t exhausting. Just one day¡­¡± He checked for any new PMs. Nothing. He messaged Elita, ¡°Goodnight. I love you.¡±, before putting his mobile terminal down on the nightstand. He vented out again and closed his optics. Although knew he wasn¡¯t going to get much rest that night, it still felt good to lay down.


    But even then, after what had just happened, he couldn¡¯t keep his mind from racing. He opened his optics slightly, looking up at the cybercat poster on the ceiling above his bed. The cat in the image was depicted stuck in a tree, with a supernova explosion in the background, and words that read ¡°could be worse!¡± in a big, cheerful font. Staring at the creature in the image, he said out loud to himself, ¡°What¡­¡­. What is a buttcrack?¡±