Chapter Text
The forest was as dark as the night sky above, lit only by moonlight and stars that sparkled and shimmered. The wind rustled the leaves of the trees, and as he ventured deeper, his metal steps were the only sound that broke the silence. Starscream walked on, without any plan on what to do next. Thankfully, after some convincing, the Autobots repaired him and also provided him with some energon, enough to sate his hunger. For now. He was aware, however, that this temporary respite would be short-lived if he didn't improve his situation.
“May the Unicron curse you, Airachnid. And your bug,” he muttered.
All of a sudden, he heard some voices, which he soon recognised. He moved quickly towards them and immediately noticed an intriguing view. Arcee was entangled in a web, hanging upside down. Airachnid, face to face with her, was holding Arcee’s head in her additional legs. She replaced them with her hands, holding her like a lover before the kiss. Simultaneously, she was preparing her sharp appendage to strike.
Seeing this, an idea sprung into Seeker's processor, and a conniving grin appeared on his face.
“This may not be the day when I take the Megatron’s spark. But it is the day when I remove your…” she didn’t manage to finish as she was hit with a missile. Screaming in shock and pain, she hit the nearby rocks. The glow of energon brightened the dark earth, as a part of her leg, the one she wanted to use to end Arcee, had been torn away from the rest of her body.
Starscream smiled proudly, looking at her from the higher ground. The decision to shot her was rash, but Primus it was extremely satisfying.
Airachnid raised her head in shock, the energon dripping from one of her legs.
“How right you were, Airachnid. Payback is sweet!” Sliding down, Starscream shot another missile, but Airachnid managed to escape this one by drilling underground and disappearing from their view. He did not pursue her, as he had Arcee at his mercy, and he did not intend to venture underground anytime soon. To make himself stand taller, Starscream drew his hands behind his back.
“Now, if there is one thing I despise nearly as much as eight-leggers, it’s two-wheelers.” He stood right in front of Arcee, with a mischievous expression, looking right into her optics. She defiantly maintained eye contact.
“Go on.” she said. “Get it over with.”
“Fearless two-wheeler. She isn't going to show any signs of weakness. And she is absolutely certain that I will terminate her.”
A myriad of thoughts ran through Starscream’s processor. He could kill her. Autobots would blame Airachnid, and he would get rid of one of his enemies. But… was Arcee really an enemy? Sure, they were adversaries, but she did spare his life. He was able to save her because she refrained from extinguishing his spark. Even though he killed her partner. She spared him…
“As I recollect, in a similar predicament, you once allowed me to live,” he played with his claws and prepared them. They shined in the light of the moon.
Arcee closed her optics, preparing for the pain, and then… one did not come. She fell to the ground and Starscream looked down at her.
“Consider us even!” he said while walking away. He couldn’t help but grin. How he loved having an upper hand! Control. And the surprise on Arcee’s face was priceless. Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice that the ground under his feet moved slightly. When he heard a drill, it was too late. Airachnid jumped from below, striking him down. He fell, thunderstruck, and tried to attack her with his claws.
“You’ll pay for this!” She roared and managed to block his strikes while attacking him with her other leg. Starscream was unable to protect himself from it as the blade hammered into his side. He screamed, feeling the enormous pain as she pulled it out. The stream of energon flowed to the ground.
“Just like when I stabbed Cliffjumper.” Starscream thought, and his vision became somewhat hazy. In his final, panic attempt, he tried to kick her off him and shot his last missile at her, but Airachnid trapped his arms above his head. Her blade was now directly aimed at his chest. His spark.
“Goodbye Starscream. No one will miss you.”
The first thing that his barely awoken processor registered was the cold surface on which he and his wings lay. He didn’t feel any pain, and it was hard for him to gather his thoughts. He felt numb and heavy, so he didn’t even try to move or open his optics. Then he heard a voice. It took him a moment to understand the meanings of words, but it was unmistakably the voice of the Autobot’s doctor.
“Are you certain, Optimus?” asked Ratchet. “You realize the danger that comes with Starscream?”
“Of course I do, old friend. However, tonight, Starscream has shown us a different side of his spark. Despite their history, he decided to spare Arcee.”
It took him a minute to gather his consciousness.
“They saw that. Or Arcee told them.” Using every last bit of his will, he tried to get his processor ticking, while keeping other systems silent. They didn’t need to know that he was awake. Not yet. “What are you up to, Prime?”
“Besides that, you confirmed that Starscream currently doesn’t have a T-cog,” Optimus added, and Starscream cursed in his mind. This was information he definitely would prefer to keep to himself. However, he soon recalled that he had already revealed this information to the Bots. He cursed himself.
“Frag it! That was not necessary. Well, at least now they know I was not lying.”
“Serves him right.” Bulkhead said quietly.
~I don’t know…- Starscream heard a characteristic beeping coming from the yellow scout. ~Yes, he is a son of rust but… I know how he must feel. And as you said, it was M.E.C.H. that took it from him.
“Yes, just like they take it from you, and HE helped them.” Arcee’s voice joined the conversation.
“So, Airachnid did not manage to finish the job with her. Probably was too busy unleashing her fury on me.”
~I know, I know. - Bumblebee signed.
“Starscream has, undoubtedly, a long way to go if he ever wanted to change. But what we encountered today proves that he is not a hopeless case.”
As Starscream's mind was awakening from what he assumed was medical anaesthesia, he focused his whole attention on listening in on what the Autobots were discussing. Being forced to perceive only audio, Starscream realised how… peculiar Prime sounded with his subordinates. His voice was gentle but firm. The fact that it looked like Optimus already decided his fate but still indulged a discussion about it with his team was quite an unfamiliar situation for the Seeker. When Megatron decided something, you nodded and quickly went to do your part, no questions asked. Questioning things usually did not go down well with him.
“But didn’t he already get a “second chance”?” asked Bulkhead.
“To be completely honest, he DIDN’T attack me first.”
Starscream could bet that everyone in the room turned their gaze towards Arcee.
“I don’t say I trust Starscream. It will NEVER happen.” She said firmly. “But the facts are that he DID NOT attack me first. I lost my temper when he accidentally admitted to killing Cliffjumper. And he did have a perfect occasion to finish me off tonight. Yet, for some strange reason, he decided not to. He didn’t even ask anything in return, only said that now we are even.”
Cee was quiet for a moment and then continued. “I hate and despise him, but I know that Cliff wouldn’t want me to destroy myself with revenge. I already have Airachnid for that. And today I almost died AGAIN, running after her on my own, like a stupid novice.” It was evident that she was very upset with herself. “Whatever will Optimus decides, I will follow. You want to try to convert him? Fine, I will make sure that he doesn’t have it easy.” Arcee finished and signed. For a moment, everyone was quiet until Optimus spoke, with full honesty.
“I am proud of you, Arcee.”
A strange feeling filled Starscream’s spark. Was it envy? He couldn't recall the last time someone was proud of him and told him so to his face.
“Well, at least she will not kill me on the first occasion. But why do they think I would want to join them?!”
“Maybe because you said it yourself?” He answered himself in his processor.
“It was long ago! And now I have no such wish.”
“Oh really? Without a T-cog, and on a low energon, you are certainly able to destroy Megatron.”
His inner voice had a point. As for now, Starscream was wandering around, with no clear goal and only meeting troubles. Maybe joining Autobots would have more advantages…
“He’s waking up,” announced Ratchet.
“I am awakened! … Am I?” Starscream questioned. Awful thoughts infiltrated his processor as he attempted to open his optics, but it was still not as simple as he had anticipated. When he managed to do this, the light blinded him for a second. He groaned faintly.
“Maybe it will be better to pretend I have no idea where I am.” Seeker decided and said out loud.
“Knockout, turn off the light. It’s killing me.”
“Wrong doctor.” said Ratchet, but slightly dimmed the light.
Starscream, trying to appear confused, glanced around. Seeing all team Prime around him, he visibly tensed up.
“Hello?” he laughed nervously.
“Starscream.” Optimus came closer to him. Seeker automatically tried to stand and move away from the Prime, but of course, he was pinned to the table.
“There’s no need to be afraid.” Prime halted, probably wanting to comfort him.
“I’m not! Just… a little uncomfortable!” He spat out, and attempted to free himself, but to no avail. “So, this is what I get for helping?!”
“Hey, you got more than you deserve!” Bulkhead crossed his arms over his chest.
“We are grateful for your help, Starscream.” Optimus glanced at Arcee, but she didn’t say anything. “And in return, we saved you. You were in a critical condition.”
“Still not perfect, but we’re getting there.” Announced Ratchet.
“So, can I go?” Starscream tried to take a look around what must have been an Autobot base. Right now, he was in a large room, with no windows. He was confined to a medical berth surrounded by basic medical equipment. In front of him was some sort of platform with a tube leading up to the ceiling and probably further. On that platform, there was some… weird stuff. And small, which led Starscream to think that they belonged to Autobots' human pets. Next to that platform were computers and a groundbridge with a corridor on the right side. Another corridor was behind the screens. In conclusion, the base of Autobots was very basic and, in Starscream's opinion, quite savage. Looking at this technology made him miss the Nemesis. These were not civilized conditions!
“Two entrances.” He looked at the tube and corridors.“Counting the groundbridge three. Maybe more.”
“No, Starscream” Optimus answered, bringing him back to reality. “For now, you will stay in our custody.”
“What?!” He screamed. “That’s not fair! I lead you to Airachnid, I saved Arcee! And almost died because of that!” Seeker pointed out.
“Oh, get over yourself.” Cee rolled her optics.
“You would be dead if not for me! Besides, I am not a Decepticon anymore!”
“But we saved your life, and you still know the locations of energon mines.” Ratchet freed him from the berth, but instantly put the cuffs on his wrists.
“Can you at least leave my wings alone?” He groaned in defeat.
“You can’t fly anyway, so there is no point in them.”
Seeker twitched, irritated by the comment. “I’m never going to help any Autobot again,” he added.
“Don’t be so dramatic, it could have been worse.” When he stood up, Bulkhead pushed him towards the corridors behind the screens.
“I'll escort Starscream” Optimus put his hand on Seeker’s shoulder which made him shudder. Prime looked at him for a second and then addressed his team. “Get some rest.” The Autobots nodded and scattered around the base.
Optimus led Starscream down a long corridor and into one of the doors that were there. When they entered, they found themselves in a small room with nothing but a berth.
“This will be your room for now.”
“Let’s be honest, Prime, it’s a cell.” Starscream spluttered.
“We don’t have to be adversaries, Starscream.” Surprisingly, Optimus took off his cuffs.
“That’s not really wise, Prime.” He noticed while rubbing his wrists, but also carefully observing the leader in front of him. Was that some kind of trick?
“You will not be able to leave this room without supervision. But you can at least recharge comfortably.”
“Oh, lucky me” he replied sarcastically.
Optimus didn’t answer and headed for the exit. He stopped while still in the doorway.
“Think about what I told you. I’ll visit you in the morning and bring you some energon,” and he left. Starscream watched the door for a moment and listened to Optimus's steps. When those got far away, he moved closer and tried to open the door. These, of course, were locked. Signing, he fell onto the berth.
“This is what I get for being “honourable”. A cell.” He closed his optics and tried to get some recharge to get rid of that weird feeling in his whole body. Tomorrow he will ponder over today’s events. Tomorrow…