Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"This is degrading," a shrill voice rang out over the valley.

"We know Starscream," came a second voice. "You've mentioned it every few breems."

"Yeah, give it a rest," a third voice complained. "You’re giving me a helm ache."

"Fine," Starscream snapped. "If you two morons are happy to play the part of sentry drone, then be my guest."

"Where are you going?" Thundercracker asked, not really caring as Starscream activated his thrusters and rose up into the air.

"Someplace to get a bit of peace," snapped his Trine leader. "You two fools can stay and continue licking Megatron's pedes."

Starscream flew far away from those two fools, after sometime he came near a forest. "finally some quiet" he said to himself.

As he flew Starscream heard some noises and saw some humans camping

"Humans," he murmured, watching in disgust as they laughed and joked with each other. "Pathetic fleshbags."

They were so primitive, crawling around in the dirt.

The people continued what they were doing unaware of the jet plane flying above them, everything was fine the campers had just eaten some breakfast and where trying to clean up so afterward they could later move on with the exacting day.

Starscream watched them in unimpressed, but couldn't help to stop watching and soon the humans was ready to go then he heard

"Fire!" a human called out as the group started to get some water and work together to cut this fire off before it becomes larger.

"This this is amusing" as Starscream watched the human run to a river getting water to extinguish the fire

"They’re so stupid," he crowed to himself as he started to move away. "They can't even handle a little thing like fire."

He chuckled to himself, their predicament had really cheered him up. He flew over the river, coming to the edge of a waterfall. He inspected himself, being on this miserable, primus forsaken planet meant he was always gathering filth on his beautiful armour.
Which meant he was constantly cleaning himself, which was irritating as it wasted time every single cycle. He moved downwards, allowing the waterfall's fresh, crisp water to splash against his armour and wash away the grime of the day.

just as he was beginning to relax, he heard a cry and jerked around in confusion. And right into his open palm fell a sodden wet human.

"What?" he exclaimed, so surprised that he jerked backwards, still holding the human and away from the dangerous waterfall.

"You saved me," the human exclaimed in awe as he stared down in disgust. "I can't believe it."

"Urgh," Starscream spat, his previously good mood completely evaporated. "How dare you fall on me, fleshling."

The human said "I didn't mean to, It was an accident" still in shock how he been rescued in such situation, most people didn't have this luck.

Starscream "Oh really?" in a sarcastic tone and drop's the human to the water and walk away from water to the dry ground

When the human didn't mind that the robot dropt him and got up from the water as he followed behind the big robot and didn't care he was wet "How can I thank you?"

"You, thank me?" Starscream chuckled with dark amusement. "A puny human that can't even fend for himself?"

"Accident's happen," the human pointed out, unperturbed. "Even to someone like me."

"Especially to someone like you," Starscream scoffed, carefully.

At this, the human laughed.

"And what is so amusing?" Starscream asked annoyed, swearing that if it wouldn't be a waste of his valuable energy, he'd squash him and be done with it.

"Oh, just that I'm a magician," the human stated casually.

"A magician? Starscream repeated in scorn. "I've never heard anything so ridiculous in all my life."

"Ridiculous? I take it then you don't know about magic" said the human and tried to get a better look at the robots face

"I have heard about magic and it is useless" was what Starscream said in normal tone and started to walk away from the human

"Wait" called the human as he followed the seeker "How about I show you the magic I do?"

"Pft, go ahead," Starscream scoffed, not turning.

The human smiled before whispering a few strange words. Starscream practically shrieked when a tree turned into Megatron and loomed threateningly at him.

"Megatron," he yelped, automatically swiping and gouging out.....a hunk of bark.

"What is this?" Starscream demanded as 'Megatron' faded away into a tree missing a large chunk for it.

"Just an example of my magic," the human said simply.

"Pah, just a parlor trick," Starscream scoffed.

"Oh, I can do a lot more than that," the human said earnestly. "And because you saved my life, I'll grant you a wish."

"A wish?" he murmured and looked down at the human again and said "I will need more proof for that"

Starscream could not believe his optic from the human first magic trick, but wishes was another thing and he really didn't want to be trick at such thing.

"very well" said the human before talking some weird words who didn't make any sense with made the clouds started to become very dark and then some thunders noses where heard before some lightnings hit the ground and one nearly hit Starscream himself who fell to the ground of losing his balance

Starscream for some reason the lighting felt so real and he then look at the human who saw that he got all the proof to trust him

"Believe me now?" the human questioned with a small smile.

"Yes, yes," Starscream said impatiently. "But why didn't you use your magic to extinguish that fire?"

"Simple, not many people know about it," the human stated. "I prefer it that way, makes life a lot easier. Besides, it's not that difficult to put out a fire, provided I don't fall in the deep end."

He grinned, apparently unconcerned that he could have been seriously injured or even killed. Starscream looked at him suspiciously.

"Anything I wish?" he asked slowly.

"Within reason," the human said. "I won't kill anyone for you or do anything that would directly harm this planet."

"That's not what I want," Starscream said impatiently. "I want......to be leader."

"I see no harm in that wish" said human as again he spoke some other words with a light showed up all around Starscream and started to glow as well, the seeker didn't panic knowing this was a part of the humans magic and just waited to he was done

"I am done, when you wake the next day you will be a leader"

Starscream just nodded and fleet so excited, he know on this possessor he would be a better leader then Megatron and now he could prove it to

The human meanwhile smiled, Starscream would indeed be a leader but perhaps not in the way he was expecting

Chapter Text

After Starscream got his wish granted by that magician he continued his flight until he returned back to the Nemesis

"Starscream, where did you go?" Megatron demanded as the Seeker returned to the main army.

"Oh, I was just scouting," Starscream said evenly, feeling so excited. no more would Megatron be able to push him around, he would lead the Decepticons to victory instead of allowing the stalemate that Megatron had gotten them into. If only tomorrow would come, he could barely wait.

"Scouting?" Megatron growled. "A likely tale Seeker."
But Starscream just stood there lost with his own thoughts how we would rule the Decepticons.

"Starscream? .. Stascream" said a very familiar voice, but Starscream was a bit to lost and then a dark purple seeker warped both of the out side and dropped Starscream to the sea to see if that would wake up Air commander.

Skywarp was just watching above the sea waiting to see his Trine leader.
"SKYWARP!!" Starscream shrieked with fury as his head broke the surface. "I swear I will have your wings for this."

"I was just trying to wake you up," the purple Seeker said with a shrug, hovering in the air. "You were day dreaming and Megatron was about to punch your lights out."

"Hah, that old has been," Starscream said smugly. "We'll see just how tough he is tomorrow morning."

"Your not going to try and kill him again," Skywarp groaned as Starscream smirked, activating his jets and lifting out of the water.

"Perhaps....perhaps not," he said with a smirk. "Anyway, did that old rust pile give us any new orders?"

"Just the same old orders" answered Skywarp to the question and both knew what that was.

"Right, better go to work then" as both seekers flew back to base doing searching for powerful nuclear energy plants to attack and get some energon cubes to survive this war.

When both seekers entered the ship they started to work right a way, well mostly Starscream did when Skywarp was playing some games.

"I am not doing this all on my own," Starscream snapped at him, swearing that he would ensure there was no slacking when it came to duties when he was leader.
He saw it everywhere, if Megatron wasn't about, a lot of the men just lounged around doing half arsed jobs.

"Who says you are?" Skywarp shot back, smirking as he blew another tank up.

"Skywarp," Starscream said warningly.

"Alright, alright," Skywarp huffed, saving his game and resuming his search.

"That's better," Starscream muttered.

After some earth hours passed the seekers did find a nuclear energy plant that would be useful for them with their energon level's low this would be necessary to get that energy.

"I will report this to Megatron and i hope you don't do anything foolish under the time" said Starscream as he went to the throne room to tell about the energy plant.

When Starscream entered the Throne room he saw Soundwave speaking to "lord Megatron"
"Well, Starscream?" Megatron said impatiently.

"We have found a suitable energy plant," Starscream declared. "We could attack it tomorrow....if you don't delay."

"If I don't delay?" Megatron repeated dangerously. "Watch your tone Seeker."

"Why?" Starscream demanded. "You made me your SIC and yet you never listen to anything I have to say. That's why we're losing this war, inept leadership."

As Megatron growled, Starscream went on recklessly. Once he was in his quarters, Megatron couldn't touch him, the problem was usually when he was forced to leave said quarters. But that would not be a problem tomorrow.

"Your are a fool Megatron, that Prime and his merry band have been running rings around us, protecting those pathetic fleshlings. If I were leader, we would have defeated them long ago, instead we are held back by a gladiator lout whose only solution to problems is to just hit them repeatedly."

"I'll show you how I deal with problems," Megatron snarled, rising as Starscream quickly turned and fled.

"Insolent brat, you will pay for this tomorrow," the grey Mech roared after the smug leader. Oh no he wouldn't.

"You just wait Megatron" came a other mutter as Starscream was feeling tired and ready to go for a recharge, he will soon show Megatron who is a better leader and he have been waiting for this moment for some million stellar cycles.

"In the morning I will show you," he sighed happily, sure that his wish would come true. After all, squishes were so weak and sentimental, that human thought he owed him. And if he didn't pay up, he would hunt the flesh creature down and blast him into atoms. But he was sure it would work, he could feel it in his systems which tingled with anticipation.

So, with happy thoughts about what being the leader of the Decepticons, he drifted off into recharge. And when morning came, he was indeed a leader, commanding a proud army determined to stop their enemy at all costs. But not quite the army he was expecting.......

After a very good recharge under the night Starscream woke up and open his optics, the room was big, very orange colored and very bright lighted.

"Huu?" was the first thing that came out from Starscream voice box, he didn't understand why the room was so orange instead of purple and looked around to see that this room was not his, but someones elses.

Then he didn't feel sick or anything and decide to get up and saw a mirror and when he looked in the mirror he was really surprise and shocked .

Staring right back at him was Optimus Prime, blue optics alive with fire.

"Ahh," he shrieked, bringing up his arm ready to blast the Prime away only to find that one, he didn't have any null rays on his arm and two, Optimus Prime copied his movement.

It was then that he noticed that his arm was considerably more bulky and REDDER than it normally was. Trembling, he looked down at the rest of his body and found it to be an entirely alien sight. He looked back up at Prime as a nasty thought occurred to him.

That wasn't Optimus Prime standing right before him, that was his REFLECTION!!!

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"No no no, This can't be happening!" said Starscream getting panic "it must be a dream.. this isn't real" and he was trying to wake up from this nightmare he had awaken from, but as much he tried it was still no change.

Starscream was still in this orange room and looked at the mirror and saw who he was now the Leader of the Autobots.

"I will make that flesh creature pay For THIS!!" Starscream shrieked with fury without controlling his rage .

"I asked to be leader of the Decepticons, not leader of the Autobots," he raged furiously, his voice now a lot deeper. It was actually rather disconcerting to hear Prime rage in this way and he had to pause as fear gripped his new body.

"And why am I in Prime's body?" he asked himself, talking a little quieter as he somehow couldn't stand the angry tones of Prime. "Wait......would that worthless human have put me in Megatron's body?"

He shuddered at the thought, image losing his beautiful body to that ugly lout. Speaking of which.....

"Where the ** is MY body?" he demanded the empty room.

Note: how will Optimus take this when he wakes up?

Chapter Text

On the Nemesis Optimus was still recharging peacefully in Starscreams room and after some minutes he started to roll around the berth until he felt something uncomfortable mostly to his back, when he open his optics. The first thing that surprised him was the room was so small and dark, purple colored.

That made him wonder if the sun was up or if it was still night, but then he felt to get up and when he did so he feel something uncomfortable.

When he tried to see what was that made him so uncomfortable he saw his wings didn't have so much at the room edge of the berth at the wall "What?"

"Wings.....I have wings?" he asked himself dumbly in a rather high and screechy voice before jerking with shock as he recognised the voice, Starscream.

Rolling off the berth and staggering as he almost fell, the appendages on his back were throwing his balance. He somehow managed to stay on his feet and spotted a tall mirror and headed in it's direction. Once he reached it, he found himself staring into Starscream's worried optics, no trace of a sneer.

"What....has happened?" Optimus asked in horror as he stared at his reflection.

"I-if this ... it can't be.. how?" asked Optimus in Starscreams body, and when he tried to walk to the small window it felt so real that this is more then a dream and looked outside the small window and saw.

"W-water?" he asked himself and understood this is real and that he was on Megatrons ship at the Nemesis.

"I need to get out of here" said Optimus felling that he would find a answer how to fix this back with his fellow Autobots, but the he heard foot steps "Someone is coming"

"Starscream!" a very familiar voice snarled from behind the door. "Get your aft out here right now."

"Megatron," Optimus murmured, taking a step backs automatically. There was no way he was going out of this room while Megatron was there, the Decepticon leader did not sound happy. At least this room appeared to be sercure or Megatron would have entered by now.

"Seeker, I'm giving you one last chance," Megatron warned, he seemed sure that Starscream would hear him.

Optimus remained silent, hoping Megatron would go away. However, he heard a growl from Megatron and then the murmur of Megatron's voice speaking quietly. He frowned....just what was.

CRACK

"Sorry Screamer' boss's orders," came another horribly familiar voice.

"Skywarp" said Optimus and saw the purple seeker trying reach for his arm, but Optimus quickliy moved away from him understood that the seeker was ordered to take him out to Megatron.

Skywarp tried again to reach for Optimus and didn't get him "Come on Screamer, the boss will only get more angrier"

Then again Skywarp tried to reach for him and this time when Optimus moved he fell of losing his balance, Then he got him and warp to his leader.

"What took you Skywarp?" Megatron asked angrily as Skywarp let go of the unfortunate Optimus.

Skywarp just shrugged before warping away again. Before Optimus could try to get away, Megatron had bent down and seized him by the neck, lifting him clean off the ground. Optimus clawed at the restraining hand choking him, he couldn't barely think as his legs kicked helplessly below him.

"So," Megatron hissed in his face. "You thought you could be insolent and get away with it Starscream?"

"Ack," Optimus gasped out as Megatron squeezed harder.

"I'm going to teach you want it means to be insolent towards me," he growled as he punched him in the middle.

"Ahh" Optimus gasped out, the punched hurt more then it usually it does on his original body and the wave of pain was worse.

"What was that?, you want more?" asked Megatron as he continued to punch Optimus more and that didn't feel so pleasant, each time it hurt more and more, Optimus tired to get free from Megatrons grasp "You though you where safe in your room hmm? you where Wrong!" Megatron punched him ones again.

Optimus tired all he had and managed to get free from Megatron choking grip and got avoid from getting hit again.

"I'm not finished with you yet," Megatron snarled, coming for him and Optimus had a hard time staying away from him.

"Get away from me," Optimus told him, backtracking as best he could. "Your a disgrace."

Megatron froze and growled. "What did you say?"

"You heard me, a real leader would not beat his own troops like this," Optimus told him.

"No you are right Starscream, a real leader would beat his own troops like this" growled Megatron bringing up his arm with his fusion cannon at Optimus face.

Optimus quickly moved away from the blast when Megatron tried to fire at him "You are insane" Optimus said, he never knew Megatron was betting up his own troops like this and his SIC.

"I teach you who is insane" Megatron growled furiously at Optimus and aim at him again.
Optimus sighed and shook his head, clearly Megatron was not going to listen to him in this mood. He decided retreat was the smartest thing to do in this situation so be turned and ran as fast as he could.
It wasn't easy, Starscream had thrusters on his heels and Optimus found himself wobbling all over the place. It didn't help that Megatron was firing and chasing after him, he needed to get completely away from the Decepticon leader.

Idly, he wondered just what Starscream was doing right now.

Note: what is Starscream doing back at the arc?

Chapter Text

While Optimus was running for his life, Starscream decided to explore the Ark instead of been locked in on Optimus room and do nothing he find him self lost on the Autobot ship.

"What? A other dead end?" Starscream asked himself, it felt like he was going in circles "Who designed this ship?" he though for himself and he turned around and tried a other way to see where it led.

"I really should get a map of this ship" he muttered as walking through the halls

"Hey Prime," a voice suddenly called and Starscream almost jumped out of his armour. Actually, the only reason he didn't do a dramatic movement was because he still wasn't used to this large, heavy body.

"Not lost are you?" asked the Autobot TIC Jazz with a wide grin.

"Uh....no...no, I was just a little....wrapped up in my thoughts," Starscream told him, with only a hint of uncertainly in his tone.

"Ah, that's easy to do," Jazz said, slapping his leader on the back before leading him down a corridor. "You still going out with Spike later?"

"Spike?" Starscream asked and then remembered the Autobot having humans pets on there side and he didn't like the idea go out with a flesh creature, but as long he has to play as Primes there was no chose then to play along.

Jazz then said "i remember you saying yesterday you would take spike out for a ride today" smiling at his leader, but behind Optimus mask there was a disgusted face.

"I supposed" said Starscream after of thinking that was something prime would say to make jazz think every thing was normal.

"I think he's really looking forward to it," Jazz teased, giving him a nudge in the side. "I heard him talking Bee's audio off about it, said you've been too busy recently to relax."

"Yes....well, a leader's walk is never done," Starscream stated, wondering how in the pit he was meant to drive and transport a flesh creature at the same time. Urgh, the very thought made his Armour crawl, thank goodness this wasn't really his body but it would still be unpleasant.

"Yeah but yah still gotta take time out big man," Jazz advised. "Prowl and the rest of us can handle things here, you go out for the while day with Spike and have a great time."

"I'm....sure I will," Starscream said slowly, feeling very miserable.
Starscream didn't like this at all if it was something he hatted more then this planet it was the humans, but he continued to walk around on the Ship and was trying to remember the way.

With out knowing Starscream reached the Rec-room and saw some Autobots leave from there and greeted him, on the Nemesis non of his fellows Decepticons greeted him when he entered the rec-room they where always quiet.

He nodded his head, feeling that this was surely friendly enough and strode over to the Energon dispenser. His tanks were rumbling with hunger, he was sure he'd need to consume more than usual to keep this overgrown lout of a body happy.

But as he was filling a cube, a new problem occurred to him. Just how was he supposed to drink with this mask on? Did Prime reveal his face awhile refueling? scowled behind his mask, this was starting to get ridiculous.

He looked around the room was clear and no one could see him, so Starscream decided to take off his mask he did feel more hungry then worried about his face and he was sure that the other Autobots have already taken energon from this room and that he is the last one.

"Come on .. get off" Starscream tried to remove the mask, but how much he tired to remove it the less successful it got.

"Rrr," he growled, attempting to peel the mask off but it stubbornly stayed put. Of course, it was designed so that it couldn't be ripped off in battle, at least not easily.

"Problems with your mask?" came a gruff voice and he turned to behold the Autobot head Medic Ratchet standing there.

"Uh, yes," Starscream agreed, it might as well find out how to get this thing off.

"I'll take a look at it," Ratchet said patiently, beckoning for his leader to lean closer.
Looking at Optimus mask and trying to finger out what the problem was "hmm it is not broken, have you tried to do this" asked Ratchet pointing one off his finger behind at where the Audio Receptors are.

At first Starscream didn't understand, but did what the medic suggested and pointing one off his fingers at this Audio Receptors, a sound of a Click come and his mask feel his face.

"T-thank you" said Starscream, he could now finally drink his energon

"No problem," Ratchet said with a smile. "I think there was just a minor fault in the mechanical system, but it's only a glitch, nothing more. But if this happens again, come and see me."

"I will," Starscream assured him, wondering how many other little habits of Prime he was going to have difficulty with.

"I hear your going out in a while," Ratchet now said as Starscream gulped down his Energon, savory it's taste. It wasn't fair that the Autobots had higher quality Energon.

"Yes, that is so," Starscream said, using the raised cube to hide his grimace.

"About time too, I swear Prime I'd have dragged you out myself if you hadn't accepted Spike's suggestion. Try not to run into any Decepticons out there."

'The medic was right about not to run into any Decepticons' Starscream though for himself, if he would been attacked by his fellow cons he would not have a chance ageist them in this situation nor will they believe that he is Starscream, "What makes you think i will run to the .. Decepticons?"

"You kidding me Prime?" Ratchet exclaimed. "They always seem to come crawling up from their base every time you try to do something that's not work. And then they think they can impress Megatron by attacking you, meaning you don't get a chance to relax."

Ratchet shook his head in frustration, this was clearly something that irked him.

"Probably those damn cassettes spying on us all the time," he grumbled. "I swear this base is never free of those little brats."

Starscream knew exactly what Ratchet meant, Soundwave always did keep new information about the Autobots and what they where doing by sending one of his creations to watch over there base.

Starscream could now understand that the ride with spike would led to some trouble, if Prime given his word to take out the human for yesterday the Decepticons would might know about it.

After Starscream finished his energon putting on the mask was no problem as it click back in place

"You just be careful, alright?" Ratchet warned him. "If you spot trouble, just call one of us, you don't have to take on the entire Decepticon army on your own."

"I'll remember that," Starscream said ruefully, thinking that Ratchet was probably right. From what he'd observed, the Prime did prefer to take on the Decepticons without others. Probably some ridiculous notion of not 'risking' them.

"see that you do," the Medic told him sternly before hauling himself to his feet. "Happy driving."

"Yes," Starscream said slowly as he realised that he would have to spend the whole day driving.....on the ground. What a horrible notion and to cap it off he'd have a chattering squishy with him. This must be Primus's idea of a joke.

Note: how will the ride go with spike, will any Decepticons destroy the joy ride?

Chapter Text

Later on Starscream walk around the ship and found his way to the center room where some Autobot where talking having fun and others where working, it looked that the Autobots had some kind of schema what they did on the ship.

"Hey Optimus" a very familiar voice come and Starscream trued and saw the yellow little Autobot greeting him with the human next to him, they both looked very happy.

"Hello .. bubblebe and spike" said Starscream, he felt ridiculous to greeting them he was not used to it.

"Remember your promise Optimus?" Spike excited with a grin, he really been looking forwardw for this ride with prime and was so happy when Optimus accepted his idea.

Swallowing, Starscream replied. "Of course Spike."

"Great," the young boy exclaimed. "can we go now Optimus?"

"Yes..that would probably be a good idea" Starscream replied, trying to sound like the Prime. Bumblebee grinned down at his friend and said. "I'll see you later."

"You aren't coming with us?" Starscream asked in slight alarm, that would mean he was all alone with the human.

"I would love to Prime, but i have work to do today" said Bumblebee before walking to a other room joining with his fellow Autbots.

"This is just great, just me and that flesh creature" Starscream though for himself very unhappy

"Ready for you day off Prime?" said Spike with a smile, today he was going to make sure Optimus could relax and have some fun.

"Yes .. yes i am" answered Starscream and tired to transform

Naturally, he was no novice to transforming but it felt distinctly weird doing it as a grounder. His body felt bulkier and even more solid, he felt like he would weep with the humiliation.

His only consolation was that no one knew this was him, his original body was still beautiful and surely the Prime would be treating it right? It needed careful tending, regular washing, polishing, waxing and buffering to keep it in mint condition.

When he eventually managed it, Spike opened his cab door and climbed in.

"You a little stiff Optimus?" he asked with a laugh.

"Ah....a little," Starscream admitted, relieved he'd managed to transform but now realizing he'd need to drive. "Uh Spike, why don't you drive?"

"Me?" Spike asked astonished.

"Yes Spike that way i .. might enjoy the ride" said Starscream to Spike who was not expecting this at all, but with a big smile he always wanted to drive a trunk.

"Alright Prime if that makes you feel better" said Spike and put on his seat belt on and pressed pedal "Lucky for you i got my driving card last week"

Starscream could now feel how his body moved and where driving off, it fleet a bit different from his original body when he moved it was just like be like the wind, but this truck mode was more like you had to force yourself to move.

"Any place you want to go fist" Spike asked.

"No...you pick the place....you are driving after all," Starscream said wryly, mentally sighing.

This made the human made a noise of pleasure, that had obviously been the right answer. As they headed off along the road the Autobots routinely used, Starscream supposed that at least he could gather information in a way that Soundwave had never been able to. Not to mention....this body WAS a lot stronger than his previous one, he might have a better chance of taking down Megatron.

"This is great," Spike said as he shifted the Autobot into a higher gear. "Let's hope Megadouche is busy today."

“Prehaps he is” answered Starscream, Megatron would never leave the base unless he needed Energon, supplies and materials.

The weather was great all warm and bright from the sun, Sprike drove more and more closer to a city and they could see other cars taking there way in to the city and out.

"Good thing it is a weekend, other way he would have a big traffic line" said Spike and Starscream didn't like the idea of wait, but the way looked clear for them to continue and soon they where more inside the city.

Starscream looked around when Spike drove, he never seen the city from this close to the ground before it was so much life around and action as people where walking their way.

"Good huh?" Spike said, feeling exceedingly cool as he drove the Autobot leader drive down the main street. Plenty of girls waved at him, he had the window rolled down and he acknowledged their waves with cheeky grins.

"It reminds me of Cybertron," Starscream said softly, unexpectedly feeling a burst of homesickness.

Previously, he'd only flown above these human cities so hadn't really paid much attention to what was happening within them. On Cybertron he'd flown above the cities too but he'd also freely walked through them, able to go into the different shops and other attractions.

"Oh" Spike said, suddenly paying more attention to his friend. "You really miss it, don't you?"

"Yes I do" answered Starscream, but Cybertron is not the same as it was before the war, before the was Cybertron looked very much like earth do with all the life around instead of being now a dead planet.

"I am sorry, it mus be hard for you" said Spike, feeling himself sorry as well, he would not like to see earth end up like Cybertron and understood Optimus pain for his planet "but sooner or later your planet will be full of life again"

"Hmm" Starscream mumbled, wondering when that would be. Neither side was even close to defeating the other and while the Autobots could gather Energon much easier than the Decepticons, they couldn't use it to power Cybertron as the planet was controlled by the Decepticons. But in turn, the Decepticons couldn't because they could never gather enough Energon as the Autobots always fought them for it.

"Hey Optimus?" Spike suddenly said and Starscream went. "Yes?"

"Why do the Decepticons keep fighting?" the young boy asked. "I mean, I sort of understand how it started but at this rate, you guys are never going to get your planet going. Your just going to keep fighting and fighting and it's never going to stop."

Spike was correct about this, if Autobot and the Decepticons will not stop this war they are going to fight over there planet for ever and non of them may win to see Cybertron with life again if they don't stop this war.

"My guess is that the Decepticons was to bring cybertron back to life to be the planets saviors" said Starscream and this made spike understand what he meant, if the the planet would be safe by the Decepticons they have won the war and the Autobot would we hunted down.

"I never though of it that way before" Spike said surprised about this, but he knew Optimus had a point on it "so that is why you Fight the Decepticons, so you guys can safe your home planet before the Decepticons do it”

"I believe that is a good way of looking at it," Starscream agreed. "Would you surrender to the Decepticons?"

"No way," Spike exclaim, making Starscream almost smile.

"And would Megatron ever surrender to the Autobots?" Starscream added and got the same answer with an added scoff.

"So you see the problem," Starscream said. "Neither side will surrender so we fight on."

“Frag, I really do sound like Prime now," Starscream thought to himself, not sure how to feel about this.

"I guess.....you guys couldn't have a cease fire or something?" Spike suggested.

"I don't believe so, when it come to war you must be ready for anything" answered Starscream and that was true, both sides could have a cease fire but that could just be lie to destroy the other side.

"So it is non stop war then" said Spike

"That it is" answered Starscream and find himself sound like prime was a bit weird for him, but soon they come to the location Spike drove to.

"Oh well, least the Cons aren't anywhere near to defeating you guys?" Spike said in an upbeat tone. "So, this is downtown."

"It's.....interesting," Starscream said slowly as Spike jumped out of him, allowing him to transform which felt so good.

Quite a few people jumped and exclaimed but thankfully didn't come over to bother him. Spike grinned proudly up at him before asking.

"Could I sit on your shoulder? I can point everything out much easier."

When Starscream heard Spikes request to this on his shoulder his armor crawled a bit, but the he though the human have already been sitting inside of him on his truck mode and looked down at Spike who looked at him with those puppy dog eyes that made it harder to resist.

"A-alight, but if you fall" but before Starscream could finish Spike said "don't worry Optimus, i will hold tight on you" he said with a warm smile.

Starscream then took up Spike to his Shoulder and saw the human do as he said, he was holding into his shoulder, but that just disappointed the truck.

He started walking along the street, examining the various shops. this part of the human city looked older, it was less shiny and new looking. Spike was happily pointing out each establishment and giving a running commentary on them all.

"......was founded in 1923 because of.......

Starscream tuned most of it out, he was mulling over his situation. How could he get back into his normal body? Did he have to track that magician down and demand he return him to his rightful place?

But how to do that without arousing suspicion, the Autobots would not take kindly to finding out who he was. And if Megatron found out that his worse enemy was in a considerably weaker body....

Starscream shuddered, Megatron would tear his beautiful body to pieces and crash his Spark, with made him wonder what Optimus was doing right now?

Chapter Text

After running away from Megatron who tried to blast Optimus to bits who had hard time to run away from him, but soon Optimus found a unlocked room awhile running around the ship and decide to wait there until Megatron could calm down and wondered just what Starscream did to make him so mad?

"I think i lost him" Optimus said tiredly and was now resting after running so long time, but he had at least learned to run on this body and how to not fall down of balances.

His tanks rumbled, reminding him that he was very hungry. He grimaced, since coming to Earth, there hadn't been many occasions when he experienced being hungry. It was probably why neither the Autobots nor the Decepticons had returned to Cybertron yet, they couldn't bare to go back to a state of constant hunger. A pang of guilt twinged his Spark as he thought about his mate and the other Femmes on Cyberton. They sent Energon as often as they could to the Femmes but somehow he felt it wasn't enough.

"I swear I'll do better," he promised himself as he wondered if he could use this opportunity. If he could learn of Megatron's future plans, then it could give his Autobots and advantage. Then again, it occurred to him that Starscream had probably thought of the same thing and would be trying to discover all the Autobot secrets. He grimaced, he did not want that to happen, he would have to think of something.

Trying to take it clam Optimus then looked around at the room he was in and it looked to be some kind of storage room with a lot of metal, parts, tools and much more but sadly there was no energon here, he also found some data pods and began to read the data pod to pass away time "This might be interesting"

Finally, when he was sure half the day had gone past, he left the room with some interesting data pads in sub space. There was no sign of Megatron so he felt safe enough to venture forth. Of course, he had no idea where to go but he figured that he could just explore until he hit upon the right room.

"Hey screamer?" a mean voice suddenly called. "You finally came crawling out?"

He turned to behold one of the Cassettes, standing there with a big grin on his face.

"You know it's stupid to ** off old Megs but you do it anyway," Frenzy told him. "Rumble thinks you like being beat upon."

"It must been a accident this time" Optimus said, he didn't know Starscream well and had no idea what he did to anger Megatron and again the Decepticon Leader did have quite a temper.

"Sure, why ales would he reaching for you all over this ship to beat you up" said Frenzy, he have heard a few times when Starscream have done many thing mostly stupid things ageist Megatron to take over as leader, but in the end it didn't turn out so well for the seeker at all.

"Did Soundwave order you to find me?" Optimus asked kindly to the Cassette

"No," Frenzy said with a scowl. "I'm not always under his orders, Screamer."

"Of course your not," Optimus agreed. "You are your own being, we all do our own thing sometimes."

"Yeah," Frenzy agreed, squinting at Optimus with a frown. "You get hit on the head or something?"

"Maybe," Optimus said with a shrug. "Do you know if Megatron is anywhere near the Rec room."

"I don't think so, why?" said Frenzy curious so know why Starscream would ask that, but soon he got his answer when he heard Starscreams tanks rumbling "you haven't got any energon yet?"

"No i haven't" said Optimus and was glad to hear that Megatron was no where near the Rec room, he could now finally get some energon "I was to busy at the time to get any" and started to walk at the other way

"Starscream, the Rec room is this way" said Frenzy pointing whit his finger at the other direction

"Oh yes," Optimus chuckled. "I think Megatron might have hit me too hard around the head."

This made Frenzy grin and laugh.

"Yeah, that wouldn't surprise me" he sniggered before hurrying to Optimus's side. "Hey Screamer, did Megs knock a different personality into you or something?"

"He just might," Optimus teased and was pleased to see the young Mech's face lit up, It didn't take long before he and Frenzy reached the Rec room before entering in.

"No one is here" said Optimus in surprise and then saw the Energon dispenser and took a normal energon cube, he started to drink it right a way he was so hungry and the energon didn't taste the same as it did on the Autobots ship, but he didn't care at that so long it would take away his hunger it was alright for him.

"I think the other are doing something else" said Frenzy, they didn't get any orders to attack the humans energy plant or anything today with meant the others must when on their own duty's they have.

"Hmm," Optimus said as he sipped his Energon, feeling much better now. "Megatron hasn't issued any attack orders has he?"

"Nah, he's been too busy looking for you," Frenzy laughed. "You really ** him off."

He suddenly shook his head "Seriously Screamer, why do you say things like he's too incompetent to be leader and then say you'd be better. You know that sets him off."

From His experiences Optimus knew Starscream wanted to take over as leader, he have seen it at times in the battlefield as he tried and failed, but he don't know Starscreams true reasons why he wants to lead the Decepticons

Optimus guess and from todays event in the morning have shown how Megatron punish his SIC and perhaps this was one of the reason's why?

"I don't believe Megatron is a fitting Leader" said Optimus and true to his words, Megatron wants to take over this planet and it enegery with what means necessary and ignoring the humans that's lives here and what damaged it will curse them

"You know sooner or later your luck will run out" said Frenzy, he wondered just how hard Megatron had hit Starscream in the morning, usually Starscream is rude and in a bad mood, but today he is much nicer then before and Optimus was soon finished with his cube to.

"Then I won't test Megatron any more than I can help," Optimus said firmly.

"Eh, good luck with that," Frenzy said with a shrug. Maybe Megatron really did hurt him too ** the head.

"I'll probably need it," Optimus said wryly, making Frenzy smile again.

then the doors in the Rec-room opened and Thundercracker walked in to the room

"Hello Thundercarcker, how are you?" greeted Optimus, he always did greet his Autobot back at the Arc it was a habit he was used to, but suddenly his thoughts when back to Starscream and made him wonder if he did greet his Trine?

Thundercracker gave him a strange look before saying cautiously. "Alright, what about you? I heard Megatron was after you again."

"I managed to elude him," Optimus reassured him. "Although it would have helped if Skywarp hadn't taken me too him."

Thundercracker sighed heavily, grabbing himself a cube.

"You know he's loyal to Megatron, Star," he said softly. "He doesn't think Megatron will hurt you that badly. If things got too bad, he'd Warp you out of there."

"Indeed he dose" Oprimus played along not sure if that is true and wondered where Skywarp was when Megatron tired to Blast him to bits in the halls of the Nemeses, he just felt lucky he had out run Megatron before he would get into a bigger problems.

"Anything new today? asked Optimus curious and not sure what ales to say

"No, Megatron's too worked up to do anything," Thundercracker replied with a heavy sigh. "But we'll need to get more Energon soon."

"Hmm," Optimus said thoughtfully. "I don't understand why Megatron steals it, instead of creating it like the Autobots."

"The Autobots would shut down any Energon processing we did, you know that Starscream," Thundercracker said, in a tone that implied he was reminding his wingmate.

"Yes , but what if we hide it from them?" asked Optimus, if the Autobots could not find the machine they didn't need to steal energy to make cubes and that would leave the human alone to from danger.

"It would not work, the Autobots do find it sooner or later" answered Thundercracker, but the idea was not bad only the enemy would find it and destroy it, stealing energon was the only way for them to survive on this planet.

"Yea and it's only thanks to there computer teletraan one, that computer always find out our activity" said Frenzy irritated

"That is true," Optimus admitted, unable to prevent himself from feeling pride in his Autobots accomplishments. "But there must be some way to do it, even if it were on a small scale. The Decepticons cannot keep stealing, otherwise they will remain in a runt. We steal the Energon in order to keep fighting but in order to obtain the Energon, we must fight."

"I know but in order to build a machine for making Energon, we'd need supplies and Energon” Thundercracker sighed and stared into his cube “We can barely steal enough for ourselves, let alone to put aside to build a new contraption. Do you remember how hungry we went when Megatron used our Energon to power that canon?"

Optimus thought he knew which canon Thundercracker was talking about, that had caused a lot of damage. Thankfully, they'd managed to destroy it but he hadn't realized how much the Decepticons had suffered for it.

After thinking about what Thundercracker said and Optimus then asked "But how about a clocking devise that would shield the machine from the Autobots to find it? Or even have the Machine here at the Nemeses”

"That could work, but still we would need the supplies and Energon to build it in the first place" said Thundercracker, he had a feeling Starscream would not let go of this subject anytime soon.

"We could get some supplies from the humans call scrap dump, there should be something we can use there" said Optimus thoughtful "Teletraan one would not be able to see our activity there, since the scrap dump is a place where humans dump broken parts and don't use them no more with means taking parts from there is not stealing"

"I guess that could work" Thundercracker considered this thoughtfully and he said slowly "We'd have to be very careful about it, if the Autobots got wind of what we were doing...."

"I know but if Frenzy and his brothers could do a recon, they could find the parts we need. And if they could not carry them all back, then our grounders could go in and get the rest. As for the Energon, that would be trickier but if we carefully put some aside and build it up we can do this."

Thundercracker nodded before saying. "You'll need to convince Megatron of this, that's the only thing."

"Yeah, you know how he gets with your ideas," Frenzy reminded him.

"I would, but last time i checked he wanted to blast me to bit's" said Optimus calmly "i don't know if he will listen to me"

It would be a shame if this idea where not told to Megatron, they would then keep stealing energy to make energon and then continue to endanger the humans

"How about we go with you?" advised Frensy "we might even get him interested to listen to you"

"I would like that" said Optimus, this made him feel a bit calmer about facing the Decepticon Leader, not that he was afraid of him , but that he might reject his idea

"Come on, what are we waiting for?" Frenzy now asked with a big grin, tossing his empty cube aside. "At least we'll get a good run out of it....if old Megs doesn't listen to us."

Optimus grinned, liking the young Mech's enthusiasm. Before, he'd only known Frenzy and his brothers as a bunch of little hellions that loved to cause trouble but it seemed he'd underestimated them. Or at least, he'd underestimated Frenzy and was pleased about this. Maybe there was hope for the Decepticons after all.

"We'll try and find him then," Optimus said, standing out. "I don't suppose you know where he might be."

"Eh, he'll probably be skulking in the Throne room," Frenzy said with a shrug.

"Then the Throne room it is" said Optimus and almost forgot how much Megatron liked his Throne, all 3 of them where walking by the halls to finally reached the Throne room a few minuets later to see Megatron sitting on his throne.

"Wish you luck Screamer" said Frensy with a grin and a thumb up

"Thanks i will need it" said Optimus as they walked in, he hoped Megatron had calmed down by now "Megatron?"

There was a growl and Megatron raised his head, it seemed he'd been brooding "Starscream, I'm surprised to see you."

Optimus inclined his head respectfully and said "Megatron, I need to speak to you about something."

"Oh?" Megatron questioned, raising an optic brow.

"It's about the Energon situation," Optimus said carefully.

"What about it?" asked Megatron waiting so see what Starscream was about to say this time.

"Well i was thinking if we could build a machine to create Energon and prehaps have it safely hidden here at the Nemeses away from the enemy's reach" spoke Optimus and so far it didn't impress Megatron so much his impression was still the same un-interested face.

"We could get some supplies from scrap dump, the Autbot would not pick up our activity from there" continued Optimus "Frensy and his brother can go to the scrap dump to find the parts we need and our grounders can then transport it here"

"Mmm," Megatron considered it as Optimus added

"Megatron, we're never going to advance the way we are," he said earnestly. "We're running at a loss, if it keeps up, the Autobots will overcome us."

"Is that a fact Starscream?" Megatron questioned in a cold tone.

"Sir," Thundercracker spoke up. "What Starscream says is true, we can't last like this. At least if we had an Energon machine, we could compile a stockpile for emergencies. We might even be able to fight back against the Autobots without having to steal Energon at the same time."

Megatron thought about it for a minuet and then a smile come to his face and said "very well, both of you have a point at this"

Optmis was surprised that Megatron actually listed to him and to Thundercracker, but it looked like he had some kind of plan in mind because it is not every day the troops see Megatron smile.

"It would be earlier to fight the Autobots without having to steal Energon at the same time" Megatron agreed and then looked at Starscream, that seeker would love to have a go as a leader and he would enjoy to see Starscream fail on it as well.

"So you will allow this?" Optimus asked and Megatron nodded.

"Yes Starscream, I will allow it," he agreed. "And because I'm feeling generous, I will put YOU in charge. This project will be your complete responsibility."

He smirked as Optimus inwardly smiled. So that was the Decepticon leader's game.

"I won't fail you or the troops Megatron," Optimus said firmly, he never thought he'd ever say that.

"You better not" said Megatron, he is very sure Starscream is going to fail at this since that seeker have never succeeded on anything as important like this before and he hardly think that would change anytime soon.

"I better go to work then" said Optimus and then he and Thundercracker walk out from the throne room to there work place

"Thank you Thundercracker, Megatron would not allow this if you didn't speak up" said Optimus and Frensy at there back agreed with him

"It's fine," Thundercracker said with a small smile. "I think your right about this and well, we are trine mates, we should support one another."

"I appreciate it," Optimus said warmly. "We should get on it today, in case Megatron changes his mind."

"I'll see if Wave needs me," Frenzy said with a shrug. "I'll see you guys later."

Optimus nodded to him as the young cassette left. Turning to Thundercracker, he said."We need to get a list of all the scrap dealers."

"Agree" said Thundercracker, he and Starscream started to get to work right away, they first started to make the list of what kind of parts they would need for the energon machine and also started to sketch a design for the machine as well, they had also the choice to decide with scrap dump they could go to since there where a few around any city and decide to take one who with where located far away from the Autobots base just in case.

"Don't forget to sort the groups" reminded Thundercracker to Optimus who nodded, they had planed there would be some groups to transport the parts and a other group who would have a watch guard for the enemy

"I won't," Optimus assured him and Thundercracker smiled at him. He wasn't sure what had gotten into Starscream but he liked this. It was like he'd gained real focus, something his trine mate had lacked recently.

Optimus smiled, it was odd having his face free of any mask and revealed to everyone but he found he didn't mind so much. It was quite pleasant being able to smile and have that smile returned. He wondered just how Starscream was coping with a mask and how he was doing.

Chapter Text

Starscream was having a surprisingly okay day. The human had led him down to a sandy beech and they were currently sitting and relaxing in front of the sea.

"Is it not beautiful?" asked Sprike who where admiring sea sparkle with the sunset.

"It is" answered Starscream, he had flew above the sea so many time but not looked at it sparkle like this and it was quite wonderful almost like there was diamonds under the sea.

"So far your day have been great" said Spike with a smile and Starscream normally didn't relax like this with the Decepticons, just hoping what Ratchet said at the morning would not spoil this

"Yes, it's been better than I expected," Starscream couldn't help but say honestly. It was rather nice not having to worry about Megatron after his aft all of the time. Maybe he could get used to this feeling.

"That's great," Spike said with a huge grin. "I really like hanging out with you Optimus"

Starscream nodded as just he heard something overhead. Glancing up, he saw a huge shuttle way up high, leaving a contrail behind him. As his optics widened, Spike said.

"Hey, that looks like Skyfire."

"What is he doing here?" asked Starscream wondering why the shuttle was near his location

"He might be out for a flight or he just want to see how we are doing, if not he might be on a mission" said Spike, the Autobot had maybe send the Skyfire to check on Optimus and Spike to see if everything was well.

"Maybe" said Starscream, if he knew that shuttle right Skyfire would mostly not leave the base if it was not something important about to happen.

"It's funny to think he used to be friends with Starscream," Spike mused aloud as Starscream tore his gaze away from the Shuttle and looked down at the human.

"Yes," Starscream said slowly, past memories welling up inside him. "But that was before the war, things were very different back then."

"I guess," Spike said with a shrug. "I think Skyfire still misses him though."

"Really?" Optimus said curiously as Spike nodded.

"Well yea, he is always alone" replayed Spike still watching the shuttle up in the clouds.

"Why is he not with the others?" Starscream couldn't help to ask, Skyfire could make new friends with the Autobot to have something to do on his spare time.

"I don't know, i guess he and Starcream where close friends and he might have hard time to let go of that" answered Spike thinking how he would had felt if he was i Skyfires shose ”I mean if i was in his situation with a past friend like Starscream i to would felt bad about it, but prehaps would liked to kept the friendship anyways like a true friend”

"Hmm," Starscream mumbled, for some reason feeling a little guilty. But after all, it wasn't his fault if Skyfire hadn't made many friends. "Perhaps he's judged for being a Decepticon briefly."

"What, but that's ridiculous," Spike declared. "He wasn't even a Con for a day and he only joined because of Starscream. He's definitely not a Con, he's way too nice for that."

"That he is," Starscream couldn't help but agree. Skyfire had always been kind sparked and gentle.

Starscream in the other had could not help himself and waved to Skyfire and Spike looked at then the shuttle flying down to them.

"Optimus, why are you doing that?" asked Spike, it looked a little wired for him to see Optimus waving his hands like that, it looked like a signal when fliers land

"It don't hurt to say hello now does it?" replayed Starscream, it was a long time when he had seen Skyfire , he might as well bright up the shuttles day.

Skyfire transformed and landed on the sandy beech and said "Hello Spike, Optimus"

"Hello Skyfire," Spike greeted as well Starscream "Hello Skyfire."

"You two seem to be enjoying yourself," Skyfire said with a smile, glancing out over the ocean. "I can see why, it is beautiful."

His gaze became a little sad as he looked in the direction of the Decepticon base although it wasn't viable. Starscream looked to the side before looking again at Skyfire.

"So....what are you up to Skyfire? Just out for a flight?"

"Partly," Skyfire said with a nod, a little distracted. "But I wanted to make sure there were no Decepticons out and about."

"We haven't seen any Decepticons on the whole day" said Spike with a smile "guess they maybe are to busy at their base"

"Yes, it have just been a normal quiet day" agreed Satsrcream with Spike and he like it, it really felt good to do something alse just then work his wires out.

"That is good to hear" said Skyfire who was glad that Optimus finally got a day to relax, he was always so busy with work, they where far from base right now and the sun was setting down.

"Would the two of you like a lift back to base?" he offered politely, not expecting them to accept.

"We'd love that," he stated, making both Spike and Skyfire stare at him in surprise.

"Oh....okay," Skyfire said. "I'll transform and you can climb in."

"Thanks," Starscream said gratefully, he wanted to get back into the air again even if he was only a passenger.

Skyfire transformed and then open his doors so that Optimus and Spike could enter in, it was rather strange Skyfire could remember that Qptimus didn't like to travel in the air only because he gets a bit dizzy in the air.

"You 2 ready?" asked Skyfire before he would take off

"Yes, we are Skyfire" said Spike who where sitting next to Optimus, Skyfire didn't have human seat belts so Spike was sitting on Optimus leg and holding on to his hand with was holding up his body.

"Good" said Skyfire and then took off in the sky and Starscream was smiling behind his mask, he could feel Spike holding him tight on his hand thinking of that Spike maybe don't like heights.

"Whoa," Spike gasped as Skyfire aimed straight upwards.

"It's alright," Starscream assured him, holding Spike to him. "There's nothing to be afraid of in the air."

"Heh, if you say so," Spike said nervously, clinging very tightly to the Autobot leader.

Starscream tipped his head back and allowed the sensation of flying to overtake him. Primus but that felt so good.

"So what did you do on your day today Optimus? asked Skyfire curious to know what Optimus and Spike have been doing all day since he join them after half of the day.

"We have been in downtown, Spike showed me around on the City" said Starscream, humans did have some interesting history of there past that Spike told him much about.

"Yea we where in the city most of the day before we went to the beach" said Spike

"Wonderful, it sounds like you had a good day," Skyfire said warmly and Starscream thought he might shiver. Just hearing his old friend's gentle tone was like being doused in nostalgia. Apart from Skyfire's accident and siding with the Autobots, most of his memories of the large Shuttle were good ones and he definitely could not say that about most of his acquaintances. Maybe he could spend some time with his old friend, Skyfire would treat Optimus with warmth, wouldn't he?

"We did," Spike said in reply to Skyfire's statement. "Hey Optimus, can we go out again sometime?"

"Prehaps we could" Starscream replied, it hadn't been as bad as he thought and at least he had a bit of experience driving now.

"What are the others doing back at the base?" asked Spike, he knew that bubble be had some work to do and the other Autobots too.

"The usual things and looking for Decepticon activity mostly" answered Skyfire, they would soon come close to the base.

Starscream started to wonder if the Autobot only where looking for Decepticon activity or didn't they have there own projects to work on?

"Have they found any?" Starscream asked and when Skyfire replied in the negative, "I believe the Autobots need some projects, it's not healthy to always be on the lookout for Decepticons."

"What kind of projects?" Spike asked curiously.

"Well, what needs to be done around the base?" Starscream questioned. "Does our Energon need refined, more quarters available, things like that."

"That sounds good" said Spike "why don't you look up Wheeljack?" that Autobot did have a record on new projects

"Wheeljack?" asked Starscream, the only he knew about Wheeljack was that Autobot was a big trouble maker with his inventions, but the time his inventions did work and where impressive.

"Wheeljack have a lot of idea's and it wouldn't hurt to see what he have in mind" said Spike

Starscream nodded thoughtfully, Wheeljack was a scientist even if he was an unconventional one. He surely would have a few suggestions for various projects but they'd need to be carefully screened for anything dangerous. If he was going to be Autobot leader, he might as well improve a few things. That damn Prime was probably doing something similar so he might as well.

"Thank you Spike," he said gratefully with a nod. "I will consult Wheeljack and see what we can come up with."

"Great, let me know if you need any help," Spike offered as Skyfire began to descend.

"Whoa," Spike yelped as his stomach swooped with the sensation of going down.

It was great to be in the air again and now sadly it was over as Skyfire landed Starscream and Spike ride ended with was time to exit Skyfire and allow the shuttle to transform again.

"Thanks for the lift Skyfire" said Spike and Skyfire smiled back at him "you are welcome"

Starscream wished he didn't have to say good bye yet, but he could spend more time with Skyfire a other time and right now try to find that scientist

"I don't suppose you have any ideas, do you Skyfire?" he couldn't help but ask.

Skyfire stared at him in surprise before saying "I don't have anything at the moment but I will think over it and get back to you."

"Of couse" Starscream said softly, turning to escort Spike into base.

Both Spike and Starscream walked inside the base and where going strait to Wheeljacks lab to see if he had some good crazy ideas to improve the base.

"I think this is a great idea, to ask Wheeljack for help" said Spike, many Autobots didn't want to interfere with him nether that or it was that the others where are afraid that he and his inventions are to dangerous to be near.

"I suppose" said Starscream and they where about to enter Wheeljacks lab when -Boom- "that can't be good" said Spike in a worry

"You think?" Starscream muttered as they watched black smoke issue out of Wheeljack's lab. They walked carefully into the lab, thankfully there was no debris underfoot. coughing a little, they beheld Wheeljack lying flat on the floor, his front completely blackened.

"Wheeljack, are you alright?" Spike exclaimed as Starscream shook his head, maybe this was a bad idea.

"Cough.....fine....cough, thanks," Wheeljack exclaimed, lifting his head up. "How you guys doing?"

"Just fine" said Starscream and wondered what Wheeljack had been working on.

"What has that explosion about?" asked Spike curious

"Oh that .. well nothing important, just something i was playing around with but didn't end well" answered Wheeljack

"So can i help you guys with something?" as he started to take his tools from the floor and cleaning up a bit.

"We come to you to see if you had some ideas" said Spike as he started to help Wheeljack to clean up

"Ideas?" Wheeljack said curiously. "Well, I've got plenty ideas, what sort do you want?"

"I feel that the Autobots need something more to focus on than simply keeping an optic on the Decepticons," Starscream explained. "I don't want bots to stagnate in the same old routine, cycle in cycle out."

"Ah, I think I know what you mean," Wheeljack said with a very thoughtful nod. "Well, let me get my data file, I keep all my different ideas on it."

When Wheeljack went to get his data file Starscream took a look around Wheeljacks lab, he had a lot of stuff and parts, tools and some other data files who must be some kind of inventions

"Here we go" said Wheeljack holding his data file with all kind of different ideas, just hoping they all are not dangerous 

"Why don't you recommend one of your best ideas" asked Starscream, he had no idea if the data file is big list

"uh, alright," Wheeljack said, pausing as he tried to think of something good. "Well.....I did have this one idea...." 

"Yes?" Starscream asked curiously.

"Basically," Wheeljack began. "I've been thinking about how to improve our wash racks."

"improve our wash racks?" Starscream said in confusion.

"Yeah," Wheeljack stated. "The ones we've got are alright but they don't clean us enough. This planet is full of dirt and microbes, we need a better wash system as well as better cleaners."

Starscream though about it and it would be nice to have a more cleaner wash racks around the base, he didn't like the dirt at all and to think of all the bacteria made him almost wanting to have a wash before a recharge.

"I see, it would be better to have cleaner wash racks" agreed Starscream and Wheeljack was happy that finally someone understood his suggestion

"But Optimus is that really necessary?" asked Spike it wasn't like those washe they had now are boken or bad.

"Yes," Starscream said firmly. "Spike, the way you wash is fine for you but we are from a completely different planet and thus, our needs are different. If we cannot clean ourselves properly, we could risk things like rust developing, I'm sure you can imagine what would happen to us if we were all rusted up."

Spike winced, thinking of a rusted old wreck lying out in the desert, that sounded horrible. 

"It's important for our health to be able to keep our systems well maintained and our parts oiled. We have an established base here, we should be working to create a proper home for ourselves rather than just a temporary place to stay. It's like....if you went to one of your jungles and were forced to live there with only minimal necessities like washing. Your body would start to suffer and in turn, your mind would. This might seem like an incredibly simple thing but it could do wonders for boosting moral."

"Frag it, I'm not staying here without a decent wash," Starscream thought to himself.

"So i take it you are going to allow this?" asked Wheeljack curiousliy

Starscream nodded and said "Yes i am going to allow this and if you have any other suggestions, let me know" he wanted this done as fast as possible, not waiting to get dirty and then can't get properly cleaned would be a terrible for him.

"Sure thing Optimus" said the scientist smiling behind his mask

"Very well, I believe I will get some Energon now," Starscream said, also smiling behind his mask before realising no one could see it.

"Alright Optimus, I'd better tidy up here," Wheeljack said with a nod. "Later."

Starscream nodded before heading out with Spike.

"I'm gonna find Bee if that's okay Optimus," Spike now said to him.

"Go ahead" said Starscream as he saw the little human go to find his friend and Starscream went to the Rec-room to get his energon and when he came there the room was not empty, some Autobot where there talking and laughing.

Starscream entered in and the other Autobots greeted him just like in the morning, it did feel strange be Prime with all the troop liking him and to be so nice to him, it was a warm feeling.

Perhaps that human had known what he was doing after all, Starscream did enjoy being loved like this. The way they smiled and appeared genuinely happy to see him was wonderful. Prime was probably experiencing something very different but he didn't much care right now. He nodded at his Autobots and went straight to the Energon dispenser.

"Prime," came a voice just as he'd finished pouring himself a couple of cubes.

He turned to behold the Autobot SIC standing there looking serious.

"Prowl," he greeted.

"How was your day Prime?" asked Prowl, he heard Optimus had a day off to relax.

"It have been Great, Spike showed me around downtown" replayed Starscream, first he didn't expected his day would be that great as he have been today.

"How was your day?" Starscream asked courius to know if the Autobots SIC had the same assignment as the others or if he had his own duty to keep up to

"Productive," Prowl said with the same serious expression. "Prime, I wanted to discuss the upcoming shipment to Cybertron."

"Shipment?" Starscream thought as he said aloud. "What is it you wished to discuss?"

"Well, there's security for one but you already knew about that," Prowl began. "But what I really want to talk about is what we're sending. Ratchet wishes to send as much medical grade Energon as possible while Ironhide has been arguing that our troops there deserve some High Grade. We are trying to decide what percent of Energon should be normal, Medical and High Grade."

"I see," Starscream said slowly, he knew that the Autobots tried to supply their troops on Cybertron, the Decepticons did the same but it seemed the Autobots were more organised than previously thought if they were arguing over such things as percent of High Grade.

"I think the medical grade Energon would be the best choice" said Starscream after of thinking about it, the medical grade Energon is more healthy then the high grade energon and the high grade is quite rare for them to get but the bots could also get drunk of it if they had to much.

"Alright Prime, i let others know about the energon Shipment" Prowl said, and it was his and Optimus turn to get some energon himself.

They sat down at the same table and began drinking, Starscream able to retract his mask for this purpose. Prowl now said. "Things have been quiet lately with the Decepticons." Starscream nodded, it had been.

"We need to get this shipment through before they decide to come to life again," Prowl said flatly

"Yes, when can the shipment be sent? asked Starscream, he didn't know much about the Autobots Energon shipment and it would be a good idea to know how they sent there energon to cybertron, this could be most useful information for the Decepticons when he returns to his body.

"You forgot already?" Prowl asked and took the silence as a yes "We where going to send the energon this week Prime, if the Decepticons don't destroying the planet to get this energon sent of course"

"Yes i remember" Starscream said, wondering what more plans the Autobot have that he don't know yet of, that was something he wanted to find out tomorrow.

Right now after the his drink the only thing Starscream wanted to do was take a shower, that ride with Spike really made him dirty and he could feel some sand in his parts.

He despised the horrible gritty feeling, especially when it rubbed between his joints. He could not wait to wash it all away and then to buff up this horribly scuffed armour. Really, did Prime never take the time to look after his own armour? He was leader of the Autobots, he should take more pride in his appearance.

"Is there anything else about the shipment I need to know about?" he asked, feeling he might as well act the part of a leader.

"No, I don't believe so," Prowl replied after quickly checking a data pad.

When Starscream finished his cube, he put on his mask and where walking by the halls to Optimus quarters but was worried if he was going to get lost like just in the morning, Starscream saw the troops going to there quarters and soon he hoped he would find his.

"Finally" Starscream said, after a long walking by the halls he did find Optimus room and entered in, he did remember that primes room had it's own shower when he woke up in the morning

He was grateful he didn't need a code to enter, apparently Prime really trusted his troops. That made Starscream feel odd again, he always had to keep his door locked, just to prevent Megatron from bursting in and beating him. Not to mention all the other Cons that would happily come in here to mess with his stuff and him.

He shook this thought off and quickly headed into his wash racks. There was more washing equipment than he'd thought there'd be, it appeared that Prime simply didn't use them that often. Switching on the shower at a gentle setting, he grabbed a bottle of cleaner and carefully poured it all over his form. Sighing, he started to massage it into his armour, promising to wax and buff his whole body before going to recharge.

Chapter Text

"No," he sighed softly to himself. "I'm still a Decepticon Seeker."

Slowly standing up and stretched, marvelling at the way his wings fluttered slightly. He wondered what Elita would think if she could see him, would she approve? It was a shame he had no way of contacting her and he sadly realised it had been too long since they'd last spoken. Once he had his own body back, he would make more of an effort to keep in contact, she was overseeing the fight against Shockwave and his drones on Cybertron. She and her bots deserved a lot more back up.

He wondered when Thundercracker would want to go flying, the morning or the afternoon? Perhaps he could practice a little in his room before he went for his morning Energon.

Optimus though about it and moved to a more freely place in the room to practice all tho the room was a bit tight.

"Wonder how it works?" Optimus though for himself, on his truck alt mode was that he had to force himself to move forward

"Maybe flying is the same" and tired to focus of flying upIt took few minuets before Optimus was really focused to activate his thrusters

Managing to hover but he was sure he wouldn't be able to pull off some of the spectacular moves that the Seekers usually did. He could probably just about manage to fly but that would be it. And he had a feeling that since they weren't on a mission, Skywarp and Thundercreacker would expect him to do some special moves with them.

He sighed, he would just have to face the moment when it came. Starscream was lucky he was a grounder, it wouldn't take him long to learn how to drive and no one would ever be the wiser.

The balance was even more ticker then standing on the ground and his wings made that harder as they kept Optimus almost from falling backwards, Seekers must really have good balance for flying in robot mode, Optimus managed to move forward and to make a few turns in this tiny room.

"It's a start," he told himself as he landed although he staggered slightly.

He wondered what excuse he could use, perhaps he could say his equilibrium was off? He'd sometimes heard fliers say that and while he didn't normally try to get out of situations, he needed to for this. He left his room soon after that and headed down the surprisingly quiet corridor, ready for some Energon.

The corridor where empty no one was there as Optimus walked to Rec-room and then heard voices from inside, When he entered in Optimus saw Skywarp talking to the small twins Rumble and Frenzy.

"Hello Frenzy, Rumbel and Skywarp" said Optimus gently in a friendly way and went to take a cube

"Hello Starscream," Frenzy greeted in a similar manner as they'd spent such a good day together the previous cycle. Rumble however looked at him oddly and said "Someone spiked his Energon?"

"Yeah Screamer," Skywarp said. "Your really chirper today."

"I guess I am" Optimus said before drinking his energon, but Skywarp and Rumble still had this odd look at him.

"Maybe it is a after effect from yesterday from old megs" Frenzy said to make his twin and the purple seeker to not worry, but if it was indeed a after effect from Megatrons beating Starscream Frenzy would really miss this side of Starscreams personality, it was much more nicer then to have him yelling at them all the time.

"Hmm must be" said Rumble

"Yeah, Screamer's never this nice unless he's got a glitch or drunk," Skywarp stated as Optimus mentally sighed. He knew his attitude was causing suspicion but he just couldn't act like Starscream could. Because apart from anything, he did not want to be constantly starting fights, he wanted to just get along until he could get back into his old body.

But maybe to lay low now was the best option, if the Decepticons found out who he really was they would mostly prison him or do something far worse.

"What you guys talking about?" asked Thundercracker who had just entered in to take a cube as well.

"Screamer," Skywarp said causally. "You notice how weird he's acting?"

Thundercracker glanced over at Optimus who was drinking his Energon and smiled.

"He's a little different but I think it's a good thing. He's got something positive to focus on now."

Skywarp shrugged and muttered. "I think old Megs finally hit him one too many."

"Or maybe he finally learned his lesson" suggested Rumble

"That to, but mostly unlikely" Skywarp said, if he something about Starscsream it was he never learn, but right now it looks like he was wrong.

"Would you prefer to have screamer to be mean and yelling at you? " asked Frenzy trying to show that this is better then to have a angry, mean seeker around all the time.

"Especially as you Warped him to Megatron yesterday," Thundercracker said pointedly, he didn't want to anger his trine leader.

"I suppose," Skywarp said with a shrug, Starscream got very pissy about that at times. But hey, it was their leader, he gave orders and all his underlings had to follow, it was that simple. But this was Screamer, he never made anything simple, he always had to argue back to Megatron. In all the time he'd known him, Screamer had never learned that you don't argue back to Megatron....unless you were Optimus Prime but that was different.

Optimus was thankful for this and it felt good to know that Thundercracker and Frenzy approved of his behaviour, it sure made Skywarp to see reason.

After they had finished there energon and had a good talk with each other, Optimus just listened and watched how they acted and observed.

"Ready for that flight?" asked Thundercracker to the other two seekers, Skywarp just smiled when Optimus tired not to look so nerves about this.

"Come on Screamer," Skywarp said with a grin. "I'll race yah."

Optimus smiled weakly as Thundercracker noted he didn't look very enthusiastic.

"Something wrong?" he asked and Optimus said. "There's something the matter with my equilibrium, I think Megatron might have damaged something."

"Oh," Thundercracker said in concern. "You can't fly?"

"I can," Optimus said firmly, as he felt Starscream would say. "But not as good as I usually can."

"That means you can still join us" Skywarp said with a grin at took a hold on Optimus arm and almost dragged him out with Thundercracker followed from the behind.

"I don't think it is a good idea, what if" Optimus began to say when Skywarp interrupted "What cracks?" with a smile "we can catch you know"

"You have been to much locked in Star, this will be good for you" said Thundercracker "like Skywarp said if something happens we will take care of it"

"Hmm, thanks," Optimus said wryly as they led him towards the landing platform.

As soon they were up top, Thundercracker and Skywarp sighed with pleasure, allowing the wind to flow across their forms. Optimus as well felt a hint of relief at being outside again but he wasn't sure if it was because he wasn't locked up in the Nemesis any more or if it was because he had a Seeker body. Either way, it was good to feel the cool breeze again.

"That's it," Skywarp sighed before grinning and grabbing Optimus's arm. "Come on, let's get going."

It looked like Optimus had no chose that then to fly with these two seekers and Skywarp was really at him, Optimus sighed before trying to focus like he did in the morning.

"Alright Screamer on 3" stated Skywarp and Optimus questioned "3?" Skywarp started to smile "1.. you better get ready 2" and he was About to do it soon"3 you better prepared yourself " as he pushed Optimus off the platform and both seekers saw him falling.

Optimus yelped as he plunged downwards, he could barely think let alone fly. But as the water loomed up closer and closer, he tried to slow himself down by opening his arms and legs, allowing the wind to almost lift his wings. He dimly remembered using his thrusters earlier and he tried to activate them.

With relief, it worked and he shot forward but he still wasn't at a good angle and felt the water skim his cockpit. With an effort, he aimed himself higher and managed to clear the ocean completely.

Both seeker flew to there trine leader "Now was that so hard?" asked Skywarp still smiling, it looked like he enjoyed seeing Optimus falling down like that.

"Maybe" was what Optimus could say, this was his first try to fly outside and falling down was maybe not the perfect start he had imagined.

"Maybe? i though you never quit trying" said Skywarp, he flew next to Optimus side.

"Give him a break " said Tundercracker "you would have the same problem with flying like Starscream if Megatron would punished you to"

"Megatron never punish me because I don't p*** him off," Skywarp stated, flipping over so he was looking up at the sky with his back facing the water as they flew. "Anyway, wanna fly to time and scare the humans?"

"And be shot at by the Autobots?" Thundercracker said dryly as Skywarp grinned.

"Come on, it'll be fun," he wheedled. "And they might send the fun bots."

Optimoher twous really didn't like the idea and what they where asking was wrong and he knew it, but if he did join them he could pretend to scare the human and instead help them to hide from the seekers.

Optimus though about there request carefully and they would drag him with them if he said no, so it was pretty much already decided and said "Alright" but if the Autobots would show up that would be a problem.

"Great, with town should we fly to?" asked Skywarp with a grin

Thundercracker shrugged and Optimus was reluctant to actually suggest one. Skywarp nudged both of them as he flipped the right way up.

"Your both stick in the muds," he declared. "Come on, we'll go to Hopewell, that's usually got a lot of people out on the streets."

Optimus knew the town and he felt guilty for doing this but he had to play along. So he flew on-wards with the two Seekers toward the unsuspecting Hopewell.

They could already see the town and they flew closer and closer, The people in there didn't know was about to happen and yet everything was normal people working and doing there own things until they saw something from the sky where shooting at them and at a few buildings.

The people panic, running away to save themselves a few tried to see what was attacking them and in there sunrise they saw giant robots in the sky shooting at them.

"Is't this great" smiled Skywarp

Thundercracker shrugged non committed but Optimus felt his Spark twist with agitation. He made sure none of his shots came close to hurting the humans, in fact, he tried to direct them using his shots into safer areas like the underground and buildings that looked like they had basements. Of course, they screamed and ran from him in terror making he grimace.

He hated doing this, it was torture.

"Hey squishy, squishy," Skywarp tormented, not using his gun and simply reaching for the humans, laughing as they dodged him.

Optimus wanted to help the humans but if he did something harsh that would just make trouble for him, the only thing Optimus could do now was hoping for the Autobots to come as fast they can, he knew this attack can't be ignored from teletraan one and he was sure the humans had sent a sos for help.

But Optimus had to continue this little act play a little more longer, Thundercracker where just shooting at a few builds and the humans running away a few tried throwing rocks at him but did no good.

As for Skywarp who enjoyed himself, it took a little time before he could catch one of the humans "Ha got ya"

"What are you doing?" Optimus asked sharply, there were no Autobots here yet.

"Just having some fun," Skywarp said with a manic grin as he tossed the yelping human up into the air. "Hah, look at him fall."

"I can see that," Optimus said before suddenly holding out his hand. "Give him to me."

"Why?" skywarp pouted, holding the human out of reach. "You can get your own."

Optimus didn't want the human harmed and he had to do something before Skywarp would so something that would really hurt the human as he watched Skywarp again throws up the human in the air and now falling, the human was so scared that his screams was a call for help.

"Hey," Skywarp exclaimed as Optimus caught the human and held him away from the purple Seeker. "I was playing with that."

"So busy you didn't notice them?" Optimus stated, trying to sound sarcastic as he pointed in the direction of a red car and a yellow one racing towards.

"Not those two," Thundercracker groaned, it was Sideswipe and Sunstreaker.

"Hey Decepticreeps leave the humans alone" said Sideswipe they both transformed and aimed there weapons at the seekers.

"You guys can't tell us what to do" said Skywarp in a irritating way aiming his weapons to them ready to shot them.

"Watch us," Sunstreaker yelled back as Optimus casually but gently set the human down behind a wall where he could safely run off.

"This'll be interesting," he mused as he watched Skywarp and Thundercracker rush to engage the Autobot twins. Soon, all four were wrestling in the air and Optimus was unable to stop watching. It was rather fascinating to see them grapple with each other, especially as in the air, there was nothing for them to hit, no ground or anything else to restrict their movements.

"Get of me you little piece of junk" Skywarp had hard time to make Sideswipe let go of him, The Autobot had a tight grip on him and would not let go.

"Not a chances this is to much fun and who do you call little" said Sideswipe, he and his twin did always enjoy this when they got the chance to do it.

Thundercracker and Skywarp tired to shake them off, but it was no use as they where fighting this was really embarrassing at times to lose a fight with younglings.

Optimus on the other hand enjoyed to see his Autobots again even if it was the twins "they are pretty good" he mused to himself

"Screamer," Skywarp yelled in frustration. "Don't just stare, help us!"

"But your doing so well on your own," Optimus chuckled but as the Seekers continued to struggle, started to head over.

"Oh look Sunny, Screamer wants to join in," Sideswipe said with a grin, dodging Skywarps swiping hands.

"I see that, haven't tangled with him in a while," Sunstreaker stated with barely disguised glee.

"Hey do you want to have go on him?" asked Sideswipe to his twin who smiled back at him

"Do you thinking what i am thinking" asked Sunstreaker who smile almost evilly like he had some great idea in his processor

"I think i do brother" answered Sideswipe

Before Optimus could say something he knew what the twins meant and that he was there next target and started to run to focus to active his thrusters, if he was in the air and the twins on the ground he would be safe from them.

"Hey, where are you going?" Sunsteaker laughed as he lunged off Thundercracker and activating his jetpack.

"I forgot about that," Optimus thought to himself as he tried to avoid the red Lamborghini.

"Get him," Sideswipe cried, he'd also let go of Skywarp and was running along the ground after him.

"Should we go after them?" asked Thundercarker who was happy that red Lamborghini let go off him

"Naaa, let's just watch this" answered Skywarp "beside screamer didn't help us and i want to see this" as he followed Sarscreams trail it looked like he had a hard time to shake off the Lamborghinis

Optimus didn't have so much experience of flying and the way he flew was not the best.

"Come on Screamer, we just want to play" said Sideswipe as he tired to get on Optimus

"I've seen you play," Optimus replied, spinning to avoid being grabbed.

"Liked what you saw," Sunstreaker said wickedly, leaping up to catch Optimus but missing.

"No.....your paint's too scuffed," Optimus retorted as Sunstreaker flinched and glanced down at himself in a panic.

When Sunstreaker down at himself in a panic his paint wasn't scuffed and before he knew it Optimus shot him down

"Aaahh" screamed Sunstreaker, when Optimus shot him he got a good shot on the jet-pack and the null rays turned it off

"Brother" panic Sideswipe and saw his twin using the parachute before he could crash

Skywarp and Thundercracker saw it all but could not believe it.

"How did he do that?" Thundercracker exclaimed as Skywarp gaped openly. "I thought he was a goner for sure."

"Well he isn't," Thundercracker stated, coming to his senses. "Let's get him out of here before those two recover."

"Aww, dumb Autobots," Skywarp muttered, flying with his trine mate towards where Optimus was hovering.

"That was a close one" said Optimus glad that Sunstreaker didn't catch him

"Screamer let's move" said Skywarp as he and Thundercraker started to fly away from the twins

"How did you do that?" asked Thundercracker, he and Shywarp had tried everything at the twins and nothing worked most on them.

"Just something I picked up," Optimus said with a shrug, it was well known amoung the Autobots how to upset Sunstreaker. He was lucky it had worked, it didn't always and Sunstreaker hated being tricked.

"Well, it certainly worked," Thundercracker said very impressed. "But I think we'd better get back, before more Autobots turn up. They might send the Arielbots after us."

"Right, the fun is over" said Skywarp disappointed, he would liked to play around a bit more with those humans.

"let's go back to the Nemesis" suggested Optimus and all three agreed and where flying their way back to the ship.

"I'll see you guys later," Skywarp said, he had duties to attend to. Optimus and Thundercracker had their project to focus on, Megatron appeared to be eager to see it completed. Or more likely, was eager to see Optimus aka Starscream fail at it. Optimus shook his head as he waved goodbye to Skywarp, Megatron did himself no favours treating his men like this.

He knew for a fact that Starscream would not be treated to such abuse at the Autobot base. If only Starscream could maintain his disguise.

Chapter Text

Starscream had very good recharge and on his way to the Rec-room for some breakfast energon,when Starscream entered in he saw Ratchet there and he looked quite happy.

"Prime," he greeted cheerily with a grin. "How are you?"

"Very well," Starscream replied, curious as to why the Medic was so cheerful. "You seem to be in a very good mood Ratchet."

"Oh I am," Ratchet said, smirking. "Thanks to you sensibly deciding that it's more vital to send Medical Energon than High Grade. Even if Ironhide's going to be in a huff about it for days."

"Ah," Starscream said, imaging how Skywarp would feel if he made the same decision. "It makes no sense to send high Grade at this point in time."

"Indeed" agrred Ratchet and continued to drink his cube.

Starsrcream went to the Energon dispenser to take a cube and was thinking what he should do today, Of course he was planning to upgrade the showers and maybe give the order.

Before he could muse further on this subject, two Autobots came barrelling into the Rec Room. It was those annoying Lambrogini twins that where constantly hassling him and his Trine Mates. He felt a scowl appear on his face although it wasn't obvious with his face mask.

"What happened?" he demanded as they rushed up, jabbering away.

"We tangled with Screamer and his goons," Sideswipe said breathlessly. "They were attacking Hopewell but we put a stop to it."

"Yeah, we sent them packing with their tailpipes between their legs," Sunstreaker boasted.

"What!?" He said in a shreek as he checked himself, feeling a stress in his spark about who know what those twins may had done to his beautiful body, especially when Optimus was not a born flyer with would mean some serious damage was a risk.

"Have you to Dolts learned not to use such reckless attacks ageist the enemy!? You put yourselves in danger." yelled Ratchet

"What were we supposed to do then? We couldn't just stand by and watch" Snapped Sideswipe to them.

"Yes but there's a different between protecting the humans and what you do," Ratchet told them sternly. "Let me guess, you two tried a little jet judo with them?"

"It works," Sideswipe protested. "We totally distracted them and we got them to leave. What more do you want?"

"I want you to change tactics," barked Ratchet. "Remember when your little stunt didn't work and Thundercracker was able to throw you to the ground after disabling your jet pack?"

Starscream smirked, he remembered that with pleasure.

"Yea talking about jet-pack can you fix mine again?" asked Sunstreaker and he turned a bit so Ratched could see it was a bit damaged "i tried to start it but it just stays offline"

"Who got you this time?" asked Ratchet as he looked at the small damage

"It was not my fault, i was so close” said Sunstreaker still upset and angry, but is next workd seemed to hurt his feelings even more.“screamer tricked me"

"Starscream tricked you?" Starscream asked with interest. Just what had Prime down?

"Oh yeah," Sideswipe chuckled. "He told Sunny his paint was scratched and the idiot believed him."

"Shut up," Sunstreaker snarled as Starscream pondered this information. Prime knew his soldiers weaknesses, and he'd exploited them. Well well, Starscream would never have expected this but he supposed the Prime didn't' want to fight with his soldiers. He'd better had looked after Thundercracker and Skywarp.

"You two will never learn" sigh Ratchet, they where like impossible to talk to, But Sideswipe hold his jet-pack out "Come on doc bot, just this last time" he asked

Starscream just watch them for a bit before thinking if it was possible for him to find out the Autbots weaknesses, if Prime knew and wondering how hard could it be for him to find out.

Of course, Prime was probably doing the same thing but still. What an advantage it would be if he could learn their weaknesses, he would have something that Megatron didn't. The idea made him grin but then he cleared his throat before saying.

"Ratchet is right, you should be careful when engaging those Seekers. They are dangerous."

As the twins scoffed, Ratchet thankfully backed him up.

"You listen to Prime, he knows what he's talking about."

"But please Ratchet, i will be more careful next time" begged Sideswipe in hope that the dock bot would repair his jet-pack.

"You said the exact same thing last time, the answer is still no" repeated Ratchet, he would maybe fix it for Sideswipe, but right now the twin just needed a lesson to be more careful.

"Aww come on," Sideswipe started to beg but Starscream cut in.

"Sideswipe, do not pester Ratchet, he has more important thing to do than continually repairing your jetpack from your hi-jinks."

The twins stared at him in shock as Ratchet nodded, saying. "Thanks Prime."

"Fine" said Sideswipe very unhappy walking out from the room as his twin followed

"Prime what plans do you have for today?" asked the medic curious to know

"Work," Starscream said simply. "I want to organise some projects for the Mechs, get their processor off constant war."

"Oh, what sort of projects?" Ratchet asked and Starscream explained about the wash racks.

"That's a good idea," Ratchet said approvingly. "I've been worrying about dealing with rust cases, they sneak up on you so easily on a planet like this."

"That is why i decided this" said Starscream felling pride of this is his idea, more it belonged to wheeljack.

"When will you start this project Prime?" asked Ratchet

"I was planing to start on this project today, if the Decepticons don't plan to do any activity" said Starscream real excited, this would be his first orders to give the Autbots as their Leader.

"Here's hoping," Ratchet said ruely. "Who are you going to get for this project? Not Wheeljack I hope."

"Perhaps not him," Starscream said with a hidden grin. "But it was one of his ideas so I'll keep him updated on it. I'll pick those most suited to this task."

Ratchet nodded in understanding, if Wheeljack was allowed to install the pipes, they would probably blast everyone with water. But he was impressed that the engineer had come up with this idea.

Ratchet and Starscream talked a bit more about this project before they finished there cubes, later on to start there day Ratchet went to his med-by to see if anyone would need him for repair.

Starscream in the other hand went to a room that looked like where the Autobot are going to to get there orders from Prime and to hang out if they have nothing else to do,

When Starscream entered the room there was quite some Autbots there talking to each other and having fun, Starscream heard the troops talking about humans news and about something of there races and about there sport.

It looked like the Autobots checked about the humans news and knew what was going on, this might would be good to know if he where ever to find that magician again.

It was very relaxed and informal, not at all like the Throne Room back on the Nemesis where Megatron would lord over them all. They had to stand to attention and if they annoyed their leader to much, they could be sure they'd receive a beating or at least a backhand. But it was clear this would never ever happen with Prime and his Autobots.

For a moment, Starscream wasn't even sure where to sit until he spied a large chair that looked built for Prime's bulk. But it wasn't in the middle of the room or even centered, it was set slightly to the side. Perhaps Prime preferred to speak on his feet in front of his men.

He went to the chair and made himself comfortable, Then the other Autobot saw Optimus sit down they walked to him so see what he had so inform them today or if they would have some other work like maybe help the humans.

Starscream in the other hand was a bit surprise to see the Autobot come to him with out him ordering them to do so unlike on the Nemesis when Megatron had to order every Decepticons for the meeting.

"What's knew Prime?" asked one of the bots.

Clearing his throat slightly, he said.

"I have been speaking with Ratchet, Wheeljack....and Spike," he added which made a lot of Autobots grin. "And we believe that some projects unrelated to the war effort would be good for morale."

This caused some interested mutterings and Starscream relished their interest. Continuing, he said.

"The first proposed project involves renovating the wash rooms," Starscream stated. "I'm sure all of us would like something a bit more than basic deep space sponge and dry cleanant."

This actually made a few Autobots laugh and Starscream felt so good. Just the way they were listening to him, laughing at his little jokes, it was wonderful.

He could really get used to this the way the Autobots where was not so bad they had it better then the Decepticons that was for sure true, Starscream knew the Autobots where friendly and had a code of honour to protect all life.

"Improving our wash rooms" said one of the Autobots as thinking about it "It would be nice this planet have much dirt"

"Exactly," Starscream said with a masked smile. "If we're going to live on an organic planet, we're going to have a proper home. I'm sure you all have ideas for how we can improve the Arc but for now, we will focus on this."

"Sounds good Prime," Blaster spoke up with a grin. "Some of us where starting to stink."

"Hey," cried an Autobot next to him, shoving the red Mech as Blaster laughed. Unlike the Decepticons where a brawl would probably erupt, the Autobots just had a friendly shove amoungst each other.

"So Prime we start right a way i suppose?" said one of the Autobots and as a other asked "what groups are we divided into?"

"Yes, we can start with this wash improving right a way" Starscream said quickly but also in a normal tone, but do the Autobots really have the materials in storage? and what groups do they split into?

Starscream had no idea with of the Autobots work best with each other and in the battles he had not payed so much attention to in neither.

"There will be a group focused on designing the wash rooms," he began carefully. "Another for sourcing suitable supplies if we do not have all the materials and a third who will construct it. Does that sound fair?"

"Sounds about right," Smokescreen said evenly.

"It's about time we got a proper wash racks," Tracks declared loudly, examining his armour critically. "Some of us are barely coping with these primitive conditions on this dirty planet. I applaud any effort however small to improve our surroundings."

Starscream smiled behind his mask as he watch the Autobots split in there groups and started to work, all he had to do know was to check on them if there was any problems.

The Decepticons tended to only get along in their own small select groups, it wasn't easy to get them to all work together unless it involved bashing Autobots. And even then, they tended to only protect their close friends and ignore the rest of their teammates. He mused that this was a shame as teamworking appeared to give the Autobots a clear advantage. If only he could find a way to unite the Decepticons in the same way, could he possibly learn how to from the Autobots?

Time would only tell.

After some hours had pasted Starscream went around to check on the teams and the work came along, non of the groups did come to him for any problems so everything must have been working perfectly.

Starscream entered one of the work rooms and the Autobots where still working, truly the are hard workers that or they just want this new washes done to get clean and protected from the rust

"Can i help you Prime?" asked on of the Autobots

"I'm just making sure everything is going well," Starscream said smoothly. "There aren't any problems, are there?"

"Nope, it's going pretty well," the Autobot replied, Starscream couldn't put a name to face. "Kinda weird to be working like this but good."

"Would you be willing to work on future projects?" Starscream asked.

"I wouldn't say no to that one" said the Autobot with a smiled "This is better then getting yourself blasted by the Decepticons, so it's a yes"

"I suppose it is" Starscream replied back "i am open to any future ideas if anyone has some"

"I'll see what I can come up with Prime," the solider said with a big grin as he headed back to the others. "And I'll get the team to put on their thinking caps."

"Must be a human expression," Starscream thought to himself, some of them he found very confusing. How could wishing someone to break a leg be an expression of good luck?

Next: how is Optimus doing over the cons?

Chapter Text

Back at the Decepticon base the seekers had just returned from their morning flight.

Optimus followed the other 2 seeker, they said they had some work that needed to be done and he offered his help to them, they gladly accepted.

"You in a good mood Screamer?" Skywarp asked him.

"Yes, I am," Optimus agreed, it seemed Starscream did not always offer his help to his trine mates. Or perhaps they normally needed to ask him for it.

Just as they were walking along the corridor, a voice suddenly barked "Starscream!"

Optimus turned to see Megatron looking at him with a slight smirk on his face plates. He wondered what was the warlord's game as he said "Yes Megatron?"

"Where have you been Seeker?" Megatron asked his SIC

"I just for a flight" Optimus said simply put,

"is there something you want Megatron?" asked Optimus gently

"How is your pet project coming along?" Megatron asked, a sneer in his tone.

"Very well," Optimus said slowly, so that was Megatron's game. He wanted to have at go at his Second for his idea. Well, let him.

"Really?" Megatron said as Optimus nodded and said. "It's right on schedule and I have high hopes for it."

"Is that so? then you better not fail" Megatron said in a warning tone

"I won't" Optimus replied in strong sure words

"You better not, you know what happens if you do" Megatron said with a grin.

The false Seeker did not fully know what would happen but he suspected it would involve pain and humiliation. He and his Autobots had witnessed plenty of that on the battlefield and he was sure more went on behind closed doors. But he would not allow Megatron the opportunity to do that to him here.

"When you've finished," Megatron added. "I want you to present it to the while crew and test it in front of them."

"Without testing it prior?" Optimus asked with a slight frown.

"Of course, you would know by now Starscream that i am un-patient mech, especially on your project's" smirked Megatron.

Not only did Megatron want to humiliate Optimus on this project, but he wanted this to be something that would keep down the seeker for good.

"As you wish megtron, i will present it to the while crew when i am done" said Optimus, it was better to follow the warlords orders then to fight ageist him with questions that would not end well.

"See that you do, I look forward to the results," Megatron said darkly before walking away.

Optimus watched him go, marvelling at how Megatron operated. He took far too much pleasure from hurting his own Second, was it any wonder the two of them did not get on? He could see why the Decepticons officers were disorganised, Megatron tormented his Second while praising his Third, it was not a good mix.

Optimus joined the other 2 seekers he did offer them his help, but Optimus was also more focused on his project to get succeed and so far the most of the paper work was done thanks with Thundercrackers help.

Thundercracker could not help but to ask "You are not in trouble are you screamer?" if Megatron called Starscream in the halls it could mostly only mean trouble,but not always.

"No....not yet," Optimus said darkly. "Megatron does not believe our project will succeed. He wants to test it in front of the whole crew."

"And he'll blame you," Thundercracker said flatly. "Starscream, are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"I am sure," Optimus said firmly. "This will work and it will benefit us all."

"We where are done with the paper work correct?" asked Optimus, it was best to get everything checked now so he could see what was needed to get done

"I believe so" said Thundercracker and then added "the only thing we need now is to prepare the materials, and i have the list right here" and showed the data-pad.

"Good, then at least we are prepare for this" Optimus said with a smile

"Are we gonna build it all by ourselves?" Skywarp questioned, Building was not his strongest skill.

"I was thinking we could ask the Constructicons for some help," Optimus informed the purple and black Seeker. "They know how to build things and we will need the expertise on chemical reactions."

Skywarp shrugged, anything that lessened his workload was okay by him.

"Any change the both of you know where the Constructicons are right now?" questioned Optimus, if he could make the Constructicons agree to help him then he had a chance to be free from Megatrons grasp.

"It will be little tricky to find them" answered Skywarp and added "They don't spend much time here at the base"

"Warp is right, i have seen them much out side" agreed Thundercracker

"That is a problem," Optimus mused. "Shall I see if I can locate them?"

"Sure, we're almost done here," Thundercracker agreed with a nod.

Optimus offered his own nod before going in search of them. At one time, the Constructicons had been famous Cybertronian builders but unfortunately, they had chosen to join the Decepticons.

Awhile Skywarp and Thundercaraker worked on the last part of the paper work when Optimus where looking on the computers for the Constructicons, didn't the they have a schedule or something what they where doing in the day?

He didn't know what their interests where besides obviously construction and being Decepticons. Where there parts of human culture that they enjoyed or only Cybertronian? It would seem he'd have to do some investigating so he tried to see if there were any outstanding orders regarding them on the Decepticon database. He was tempted to take a deeper look into Decepticon affairs but decided he'd do it another time.

"Skywarp, Thundercracker is it possible that frenzy or rumble know where the constructions are?" asked Optimus, he knew that Soundwaves creations where always with him almost all the time and properly listing on mission and other things, they must know something right?

"Maybe, i am not sure" answered the purple seeker a bit uncertain.

"I believe I will try them, I'm not getting anywhere here," Optimus told them, standing up and departing from the room.

It was a lot easier to find Rumble and Frenzy, he just had to keep listening and eventually, he heard them.

"Ow, watch it slagger," Rumble groused as they tried to fix a control panel to a storage room.

"Well hold it still," Frenzy snapped right back. "YOW!"

"Hah, looks like you should have watched it," sniggered Rumble as Frenzy hit him.

"Rumble, Frenzy," Optimus called out before the two of them could start fighting.

"hu" both said before looking up to see Starscream looking down at them.

"Screamer" said Frenzy and still worked at the control panel

"If you have come to yell at us, i swear i didn't do anything this time" Rumble said in a self-defense tone

"No, i haven't come here to yell at you both, but to ask something" said the red, blue seeker

"What?" Frenzy asked curiously as Rumble looked wary.

"Do you know where I might find the Constructicons?" Optimus asked them. "I need their help for our project but I do not know where to find them."

"Is that all?" Rumble said in relief, he'd be thinking Starscream was looking to bust their afts for something.

"Yes, that would be all" Optimus pointed out, hopeful that Rumble and Frenzy could help him.

"Well if they are not at the base then they are out side probably just trying to find some materials" Shrugged Rumble.

"But where? what location?" asked Optimus almost demanding.

"Eh, I dunno, probably that scrap yard they like," Rumble replied with a shrug. "You remember where it is?"

"Uh, yeah, I think so," Frenzy said thoughtfully. "It's just outside of town.....on the east side near the industrial estate."

"I think I know where that is," Optimus said with relief. "Thank you for your help."

Rumbel started to say "See" and Frenzy finished "Ya" they bot watch Optimus leave

"I was going to say that" snapped Rumble to his brother.

"You where to slow" grined Frenzy to Rumble shoved him and they started their fight once again.

Meanwhile, Optimus headed for the exit, he had no urgent duties other than his project so he felt it would be alright to take a flight. This time, it was much easier to take off into the air and also much more enjoyable. He felt that he didn't need to perform in front of Thundercracker and Skywarp so it didn't take him long to find the junkyard that Rumble and Frenzy had talked about.

"Ah there it is" smiled Optimus for himself before finding a clear place to land on, this junkyard is truly big and so much junk at the same time no wonder the Constructicons come here.

"Now where are they?" Optimus asked himself again and started to look around.

"No, please be careful with that" came a voice that Optimus recognized and started to walked over to find them.

"I am being careful," was the grouchy replied and he saw Long Haul lifting up a large vat containing goodness knows what it is.

Optimus paused for a moment, watching them as they sorted through the piles of scrap that lay all around. But it wasn't long until one of them spotted him.

"What do you want, Starscream?" Hook asked suspiciously as the others also paused and stared at him.

"I was wondering if I could talk with you about something," Optimus began.

"What is it you want to talk about?" Hook asked again curious, his own mind took up questions why did Starscream seek us out? couldn't he just ask Soundwave to send a note to us instead?

"You see i am working on a project that Megatron put me in charge of it" Optimus began to say and continued "But, i have no expertise off build machines like you and your team have"

"That a fact?" Scrapper said with a small smile. "What's this project you want us to help with?"

"I want to be able to produce Energon within the base, without having to steal it from humans. The Autobots appear to have their own system, why can't we?" Optimus explained passionately.

"That is not a bad idea" said one of the Constructicons and the others look at him and where thinking about this.

Soon all the Constructicons where in a ring talking to each other about this, It could make life on the Nemeses much easier.

"It will be easier to get energon instead of getting scraped each time when we try to steal it" said a other Constructicon "i don't see why we should not help Starscream, he and the other can't build this machine with out us in with they clearly need us"

"Your help would be very much appreciated," Optimus said earnestly. "It would allow all of us some peace of mind if we had a safe and reliable source of energon."

"Yeah and I guess old Megatron had focus more on defeating the Autobots," Scrapper said with a shrug as Optimus inwardly grimaced. But at least Megatron would hopefully leave the humans more alone.

Note: will the Constructicons help Optimus on this project? Wait and see on the next chapter

Chapter Text

"Looks then we are on a agreement" said Hook as he and his Constructicon nodded in agreement "we will help you to finish your project starscream"

Then a other Constructicon asked Optimus "how far have you came with your project?"

"Well skywarp, thundercracker and i have just finish the paper work, our next work was to collect materials for this energon machine from the junk yards" explained Optimus to them and if they where going to help it would be good to keep them posted about this and what they need to do to help.

"You know what you need?" Long Haul asked and Optimus nodded.

"I have a list of what we need, including what's not available on the base," he said and Scrapper held out a hand.

"Give it over and we'll see what we can do," he stated.

Optimus handed over the list and it looked like all the Constructicons where interested on this as they tired to see what materials was on the list, that or they just love to get working

"This is quite a list" said a Constructicon a bit surprise and his processor said to him self 'this is Starscream what have you expect?'

"Yes, i suppose it is" Optimus said, he and the other 2 seeker had worked thoroughly on the list to find best way to get it done.

"Megatron is ah....counting on me not to let this project fail so I want to be prepared," Optimus explained.

"Megatron's counting on yah eh?" Scrapper said wryly. "Alright, we'll see what we can get for you Starscream."

"Thank you," Optimus said. "I know with your team on board, we will be right on schedule."

Back with Starscream and the Autobots who where working on improving the wash rooms, every thing went well and the each group had come a good way in progress.

"There, i think that is good for today" said Bluestreak to his group who took care of the materials and they have been preparing for the others to use.

"Very good," Starscream complimented, having a hard time not to sound too smug. It just felt so good to oversee a project where everyone worked smoothly and without fuss. Even better was the fact that bots were looking to him for guidance and he was more than happy to give it.

"Is there anything ales you need prime?" asked Bluestreak to make sure they had every thing they need or if they forgotten something.

"No, i think that was all" replied Starscream, he had a feeling the other groups where doing just fine, but you can never be to careful right "I should see how the others are doing"

"Okay Prime," Bluestreak said brightly. "Boy, it'll be great to have a proper washing area, won't it? I mean, I can barely remember the last time I had a proper wash.....I know the humans have car washes and those are nice if you've been driving but you can only do that in your vehicle mode right, you can't have a proper scrub......"

"Yes, yes, I know," Starscream said, holding up a hand to silence the excitable young Autobot. "this will make things a lot easier for everyone."

Bluestreak nodded before saying "You know, I think Bumblebee's hoping Spike and the others can have their own washroom in our base. They get pretty dirty helping us with stuff."

Starscream was about to complain about that suggestion, but then a thought remembered him that what Optimus would do? "Prime would allow without doubt" Starscream thought for himself

"Let's first focus on improving our wash rooms" replied Starscream trying to avoid the conversation.

"Okay Prime," Bluestreak said brightly. "They've got their own at home, don't they?"

"I have no doubt they do," Starscream agreed gravely. Just what he needed, humans running about the place, wanting their own wash room. Well, perhaps a bath would do they some good, they always seemed to be covered in dirt and other organic substances.

Starscream then went to check on the other groups to see if they needed any help and when he entered the other room he just saw they bots working, it was quite different from the Decepticons when Soundwave and a eye on everyone to work.

Of course, he could see bots joking with each other and sometimes a bit of play fighting but they didn't need to be supervised on the same level as the Decepticons did. Starscream was starting to really envy Optimus Prime, did he have any idea how frustrating it was to organise anything with the Decepticons? Starscream was regularly driven to distraction by their antics, especially from Skywarp and the cassettes, thank Primus they weren't involved with this project.

"How is everything going on here?" asked Starscream and looked around.

"We are doing well prime" said the Autobot Prowl "we are almost done with the designing, we will soon start to build them"

"Very good," Starscream said as Prowl now said. "Red Alert has raised some concerns though."

"Oh?" Starscream asked curiously.

"He is worried the Decepticons might try to sabotage them," Prowl stated calmly. "Like placing corrosive substances within our cleanant or other nefarious tricks."

"Hmm," Starscream mused, this seemed exactly the kind of thing the Decepticons would do, especially the cassette twins.

"Think we need to have a look out from them?" asked Prowl, if the twins where going to sabotage there new washes then it would not be fun

"Yes, we should keep a eye open if something like that would happen" decided Starscream, sure Prime would do the same thing.

"That would be prudent," Prowl agreed with a nod. "I believe Red Alert is currently drawing up proposals for the wash room's security, he will present them to us when he's finished."

Starscream realised it would be up to him to approve these proposals and the thought gave him a thrill. Prime had so much power, it was wonderful.

"Keep up the good work, i need to take care off a few things" Starscream said before walking to the door out from the room.

Primus, the way they looked at him in admiration and respect, it was all he could have asked for. He did miss his beautiful body with it's wonderful wings but at least he'd been granted an exceedingly powerful body in return. And while Prime wasn't as good looking as him (no one was), his looks weren't all that bad. Starscream was starting to hope he never went back to his old body, the feeling of power was just too intoxicating.

He walked to some kind control room, this might be he best shot to get some information about the Autobots, sitting down on one of the chairs and turned on the computer.

"Now lets see what i can find" said Starstream, perhaps he could find some coming plans for Cybertron or how to win this war?

"Welcome Optimus Prime," a voice suddenly boomed out and Starscream jumped before realising it was Telatran One, the Autobot's super computer.

"Ah, hello Telatran one," he greeted back and the computer replied in a voice that held more emotion than Soundwave's did.

"How can I help you?"

"I....just wanted to browse," Starscream said carefully. "I have some free time."

"What would you like to browse about?" asked Telatran one in a way if it could be of any assist

"I am sure i can find something" said Starscream and started to reach through some files "if i need you i will ask for help"

"Will do" said the computer and the voice disappeared, the only thing Starscream didn't know about Telatran one was it could see what he was reading and looking at.

Starscream sighed in relief, before beginning his search. Firstly, he was interested on the Autobot situation on Cybertron, just how where those Femmes coping. He knew the Autobots sent them shipments of Energon but how much did they actually receive. He knew that useless Shockwave was utterly incapable of handling them. Perhaps this was Starscream's chance to take them down.

Starscream started to search for the femmes Autobots and found a folder about them, he went to open the folder so he could see what files there was about them and then a other window come up that asked for a password "Telatran one, could you open this folder for me?"

"I am sorry Optimus Prime, you have to enter the password to continue"
Next: Will Starscream be able to get pass that password? What information will he find?

Chapter Text

"Damn," he thought, he had no idea what the password could be. If he started entering random things, it would look suspicious.

"Ah yes," he said aloud. "I almost forgot about that."

"Yes Optimus Prime," the computer replied.

"Elita," Starscream muttered in an attempt to sound like he'd just been focusing too much on his mate to remember about the password.

"Negatived" replied the computer

"What? if it is not Primes mate then what could password possibly be?" Starscream thought for him self and tried to think of a few passwords that would work.

But Telatran one only replied "Negative"

Did all folders have a password? Taking a look on the other folders on the computer there where a few that where unlocked with meant only the most important ones had one.

He decided to look up a subject that surely would not require a password.

"Teletran One, do you have any good recipes for High grade?" he asked, surely it wasn't too out of character for Prime to inquire about such a thing? After all, when their wash racks were completed, surely the Autobots would celebrate with a little party.

"Yes Optimus Prime," the voice answered and opened a folder with the information about all kind of High Grades there are and how some are made.

"Interesting" Starscream mumbled, he did found out the Autobot got there energon from the sun and later on mixed it on a machine that did the rest to make the energon to high grade.

He knew the Autobots didn't have to steal Energon like the Decepticons but he hadn't known exactly how they'd gotten their Energon before. At first, he'd thought the humans were supplying them with everything but that wasn't really practical. Using solar and volcanic energy did make a lot of sense, it was clean and renewable. Starscream had sometimes wondered if the Decepticons should harness the sea around them but nothing had ever come of it.

Megatron didn't even listen much to what he would have say, mostly he ignored Starscream and when with his own plans to get done, But now Starscream could do what he wanted and didn't have to be forced aside anymore.

"I'll show him," he muttered to himself. Yes, Megatron would learn what it meant to treat him like dirt, he would have his revenge. And that stupid Prime had better not get in his way, he was going to prove himself once and for all.

"Do you wish to look at anything else?" Teletran one asked.

Starscream thought about it first and and with the most impotent files having a password there was no point to looking for them here and said "No, am all done."

"What should i do know? i might as well explore a bit" Starscream said for himself.

He got up and stretched himself, sighing as at the unfamiliar feeling of having no wings to flutter. Primus, but he missed his wings most of all, such a shame that Prime didn't have wings to go with his powerful body.

He paused and then mentally scolded himself, if he had wings and a powerful body, that would make him a Shuttle like Skyfire. He idly wondered where said Shuttle was, he hadn't really seen him yet. Of all the bots here, he was the one who was most likely to recognise his old friend in disguise so he could take pains to avoid spending any amount of time with him.

He'd fooled Megatron plenty of time and he was fooling these Autobots. Yes, he didn't have anything to worry about when it came to the Shuttle, he would simply have to act aloft and not betray his brilliant mind. He paused as a twitch went through his body, his processor was still mourning the loss of his wings but since this body had never known them, the affect wasn't too bad.

"Prime better be taking care of my beautiful wings" he muttered darkly to himself. If he spotted his body in less than pristine condition, he would not be happy.

"I bet those humans would talk freely," he said to himself, he knew perfectly well that Optimus Prime was a hero to most of them, they would see nothing wrong with spilling the beans. He smirked, yes that sounded prefect, find a couple of those young humans and encourage them to talk. What could be simpler?

"What about the humans on this base? they must know more about the Autobots then other humans" Starscreams possessor thought about it and he did have a little talk with Spike who knew something about the Autobots and why they are fighting this war, maybe he should go to Spike? or his friend on the wheelchair?

There was only one minor problem, where exactly did these humans hang out and where they even on the base? Well, if they weren't on base, one of them would show up soon enough, every time they spied on the Autobots, one or more of the humans was with them. Starscream sighed and started searching for any sign that a human was about.

But Starscream didn't find any human inside in the ark and decided to walk outside, he remembered seeing humans often outside, when he came outside Starscream didn't see anyone and was going to back inside when he heard a human laugh and there was also a other voice that didn't sound human at all, but more like a cybertronian.

"Ah, finally," he said, he'd been starting to get very frustrated with his lack of results.

He marched around the side of the mountain to find that boy Spike playing with what's his name, Bumblebee. The human boy was riding his friend's shoulders as they tried to get something out of a tree but Starscream had no idea what it was.

"Come on Bee....just a bit higher....oh hey Optimus!"

"Hello," Starscream said as warmly as he could.

"Could you help us to take down the football from the three?" asked Spike cheerfully "We don't have any luck so far"

Starscream looked at the three and saw the round thing that must be the football that spike talking about and wondered how spike and bumblebee got it sucked in a three so high up, but he reached for the three and got the football.

"Thanks," Spike exclaimed excitedly as Starscream dropped the ball into Spike's hands. "Hey, how's all the renovations going?"

"Extremely well," Starscream said, inclining his head. "I see you two are playing."

"Yeah, I'm teaching Bee how to play ball," Spike said happily.

"It is fun and we are playing it simple today" said Bumblebee.

"Hey bee, catch!" called Spike with a smile to his friends and Starscream watched how bumblebee went for the ball.

"How long have you two been playing this?" asked Starscream, this game didn't see to be so much fun for him.

"Not long," Spike cheerfully. "Bee's got to take it easy on me, I can't catch it if he throws it to high."

"No, but you can run and get it back," Bumblebee replied with a snigger as Spike rolled his eyes.

"You just love getting me to crawl into small, dark places."

"Maybe i do" smiled Bumblebee and threw the ball to Spike to catch, but and again Bumblebee accidentally threw the ball a little to high for spike to catch.

"Time out, again" said spike and run to get the ball on this time ended up in dark little place between some rocks.

Bumblebee sniggered and Starscream found himself smiling slightly. They were young and foolish but they appeared to be enjoying themselves.

"Spike, I was wondering if you wanted another drive sometime," Starscream now offered.

Spike got back the ball and walked back to his friend just when Optimus offered him a request "yes, why not i would like that"

"Want to play some more?" asked Bumblebee curious.

"Alright, so long you won't threw the ball to high for me to catch" replied Spike with a smile.

Chapter Text

"I won't," Bumblebee promised with a grin, Spike threw the ball again at him.

"Come and find me when your done," Starscream instructed, it seemed the two of them wanted to play some more.

Starscream headed back to the ark, there was nothing for him to do outside and went walking by the halls to he heard some voices he knew very well.

"For primus sake Grimlock, this will be over in a second" said the voice of Ratchet and Starscream could hear a big Dinobot complaining, but went to see what the all the sound was about.

"Me Grimlock see this useless"

"Everyone gets a check up Grimlock," Ratchet said in complete frustration as Starscream came upon them, he could see the Medic trying to scan the scowling Grimlock.

The Dinobot was currently in his robot form, arms folded with a stubborn look about him. Starscream stared at them until Grimlock noticed them and demanded hotly.

"What you Prime want?"

"Grimlock," Ratchet scolded before turning to his Prime. "Prime, can I help you?"

"I was just walking by when i head .. Grimlock complain" explained Starscream to the medic.

"Yes i see, you know how hard it is to get the Dinobots for a check up Prime" said Ratchet trying to complete the scan of Grimlock "but they can be more stubborn then i thought"

"Me Grimlock not stubborn," Grimlock stated mulishly. "Me Grimlock no need puny check up."

"We've been over this," Ratchet growled through clenched teeth as Starscream once again wondered about the point of these savage creatures.

"Grimlock," Starscream began. "All bots need check ups otherwise they would fall apart."

"You Prime fall apart," Grimlock shot back. "Me Grimlock Strong!."

Starscream just looked at the Dinobot, was he really insulting me? "i will show him who falls apart" said Starscream to himself in his possessor.

"What makes you so sure?" asked Starscream to Grimlock, sure the savage creature was not so clever as he was.

"Me Grimlock is sure" replied Grimlock confident of himself.

"Then tell me how can you be sure you won't fall apart in any moment if you don't make this check up's to be sure?" asked Starscream once again and looked at him " if you don't do this check ups then what might happen in a battle?"

"Me Grimlock no fall apart!" Grimlock roared. "Me mighty Dinobot, better than puny Autobots."

"And what about the time the Decepticons blasted you?" Starscream demanded as Ratchet glanced at him but started to scan the irate Dinobot. "I seem to recall you falling apart then....."

"That was Accident" demeaned Grimlock not want to admit that Starscream was right about it.

"A accident that can happen again" said Starscream making sure for the big Dinobot to understand it simple, but also at the time talking with Grimlock like this Ratchet got his scans done.

"Just one simple mistake and everything goes to s***," he stated as Ratchet choked and really stared at him as Grimlock narrowed his optics.

"So you Prime get check ups?" he finally asked and Starscream nodded. "Of course I do."

"Well.....then you Prime get check up NOW!" Grimlock declared.

"Alright, I will once your are done" said Starsrcream waiting his turn, but at least he got the big Dinobot to get quiet.

Ratchet was done now with Grimlock and said "You are free to go Grimlock, everything looks fine with your systems"

"Now me Grimlock watch you" said Grimlock went a aside and watched Ratchet work on Starscream.

"If you wish," Starscream said with a shrug, it did not bother him one bit if the Autobot Medic scanned him. At least it would prove his point and show that save how wrong he was.

"Me Grimlock wish," The Dinobot stated, folding his arms as he watched Ratchet start up his scan of the Autobot leader.

"Prime was it really necessary to use those words to Grimlock?, you know he can understand you perfectly with out them " questioned Ratchet who came around 50% of this scan's.

"You heard him saying he thinks it is pointless to be here and beside this will make things easier for you, he won't complain next time for his check up" Starscream said but still not quite sure if Grimlock have learned if this is impotent.

"We'll see," Ratchet said, you honestly could never tell with Grimlock, he could be incredibly difficult at times,Starscream just stand there, allowing the Medic to carry on with his scan.

"Hmm, what's this?" Ratchet mused as something blipped on his screen.

"What is?" asked Starscream automatically when Ratchet said that, was it something harmful?

"My scan's results show me some kind of readings i haven't seen before" answered Ratchet and tired to find something that would be similar enough for him to understand what this is.

"Oh?" Starscream questioned as Grimlock stated. "Hah, check up not so easy."

"It could be a glitch Grimlock," Ratchet sighed heavily as he kept checking his screen again. "Let me check again."

Starscream sat still and allowed Ratchet to scan him once more time.

"I don't know what this is," Ratchet said in disbelief. "I think I'll have to look this up in our medical records."

"Is there anything ales the scans showed" asked Stasrcarem worried if there was something more bad news then just this unknown results

"Other then this thing, you are fine" replied Ratchet "i have never seen anything like this readings before Prime, just what have you been doing these last days?"

"Nothing unusual," Starscream lied, thankful for his mask and the fact none of these bots knew him. "Perhaps it really is just a glitch."

"Maybe," Ratchet said, still frowning. "Well, you seem perfectly fine to me but if you experience anything strange, come right here."

"I will," Starscream promised although he had a suspicion as to what it could be, as he walked out from the Med-bay.

"Maybe that is how i am in primes body" muttered Starscream and were thinking about it and more it made sense, the magician had used his strange magic for the wish.

What about the Prime, would the same readings show up on his scans? Starscream had no idea but he suspected that would be the case. Speaking of which, what was the Prime doing now?

Chapter Text

At The Nemesis

Optimus sipped a cube of Energon, still getting used to the feeling of his face being totally hiden and exposed to everyone.

"This will get time to be used to" mumbled Optimus to himself and tried to drink his cube quietly.

He kept almost flinching when people look at him, forgetting that he wasn't meant to be wearing a mask. At the same time, he didn't feel very comfortable having his back to the other Decepticons so he had to more or less face them. He must look a right twitchy mess, hopefully Starscream was normally like this. He had no idea if he was or not, some Mechs were glancing at him but others were ignoring him.

Optimus continued to drink his cube in peace and was thinking about his project, But in a purple crack a other seeker appeard.

"Here you are" said the pruple seeker and went to Optimus side "wasn't sure i would found you here"

"Skywarp, can i help you with something?" questioned Optimus.

"Screamer, you are late" Skywarp said, but Optimus didn't understand what the seeker was talking about and asked "Late? What am I late for?"

Skywarp looked at his Trine leader and sigh "The meeting, remember"

"The meeting?" Optimus repeated in confusion before adding "Oh yes, the meeting, I almost forgot."

"I guessed that," Skywarp said with a smirk. "Come on, finish that cube and I'll take you there."

Optimus swallowed the rest of his cube but just as he was getting up, Warp took hold of his arm.

"What...?" Optimus started to say but there was a crack and he was warped away with the purple Seeker.

Both Skywarp and Optimus was now in the throne room and Optimus could see every Decepticon in the room, they where mostly whispering to each other.

"You both are lucky, Megatron is about to come in" Thundercarcker said from behind them.

"He'd forgotten the meeting," Skywarp hissed just as Megatron swept into the room and strode to his throne where he sat down with a flourish.

"This'll be interesting," Optimus thought to himself, folding his arms as Megatron regarded him all.

"How long have we been on this miserable mudball?" Megatron demanded of his troops without preamble.

Without waiting for an answer, he carried on. "For far too long. We should have long defeated the Autobots, enslaved the miserable wretches they protect and drained Earth of all it's energy."

Optimus could not understand why Megatron saw the humans as insects, the humans have been good friends whit him and his Autobots, helping each others with different assignments that came along.

But the other of the Troops didn't know what to say and waited for there leader to carry on "So why is it that we haven't yet drained Earth of all it's energy and destroyed the Autobots from the universe"

He glared at them for a moment because he roared "You are supposed to be Decepticons, the scourge of the galaxy and yet you are constantly beaten by a bunch of scientists and librarians. Most of them are just Minibots!"

Optimus glanced about and saw the others looked embarrassed, they did pride themselves on being tough and merciless.

"There are only so many times those dolts can win by luck alone," Megatron growled. "So what is the problem?"

"It is not our fault, lord Megatron" a Tropper spoke"The Autobot have a better battle strategy then we do"

"Is that so?" asked the warlord and then demanded "Do tell me, What is so special about theirs strategy"

The trooper started to clear his head and to remember how they lost so many battles ageist the Autobots "Well sir, they attack from groups as they circle around us making it hard for us to not get shot"

"And how...," Megatron said dangerously. "Do you suggest we counter that?"

"uh....," the trooper said, thinking about it. "Maybe....work more as a team?"

"That's exactly the thing to do," Optimus thought to himself although he didn't voice it. The Decepticons were a lot more ruthless but they always seemed to fight as either a lone bot or part of very small teams, never as a united army.

"If we try to work as a team we might have a better luck to win over the Autobots" explained the Trooper carefully to everyone "there is no harm trying it sir"

Optimus could see some of the Decepticons whispering, properly some of them agreed if not thinking this strategy would be useless.

"So," Megatron said slowly. "We should use Autobot tactics to defeat them, is that what your saying?"

There was a pause and then the Trooper said cautiously "Yes sir."

Another pause as everyone waited to see how Megatron would react.

"Hmm, use the very strategy the Autobots have created to win there battels, we can do better" mused Megatron planning his changes to it.

"Sir? what do you mean" asked a other Trooper curious and a bit confused.

Megatron looked at the other one "Why use the same tactic when we can change it"

"How would we do that?" Optimus could not help but question.

Megatron sent him a smirk "We will work as a team....to bring them down one by one. Especially if we have their little pets in our grasps."

"But sir won't that just anger the Autobots?" asked the Trooper again and some started to stare at him " i mean the humans are very close to them"

"That is the point" replied Megatron in unkind tone "the Autobot would not dare to do anything to us if we had theirs pets in our hands, they would have no chose and we could even trade the humans for energon cubes"

"You know they will try to get them back, Megatron," Optimus pointed out.

"Of course I know that you fool," Megatron snapped. "But they will have no chance to do anything, they will give us what we want or suffer the consequences."

"There is a much simpler solution," Optimus began and Megatron chuckled.

"Oh yes, I forgotten" he sneered. "Your building an Energon machine."

Hearing that Starscream was building an Energon machine got all Decepticons interested to listen to the news and especially now when they had a hard time to get any energon cubes recently.

"It better then hope to get one of the humans and hoping the Autobots will just sit by doing nothing" Optimus replied and added "and would you really risk it all just to get one human to trade? or have as a prisoner?"

"Where is the risk?" Megatron retorted. "To the humans? My, Starscream, you almost sound as though you care about them."

Optimus snorted, he could not imagine Starscream caring about any human.

"If we concentrate on this energy producing machine, then it will be up quicker," Optimus told them all. "And in the meantime, we will not risk further energon loss and injury."

"I remind you Starscream, your machine is yet to be done" said Megatron and now showed a hologram of the energy plant "Now to more impotent news, we are going to attack this suitable energy plant to get more energon"

Optimus now could only listened to Megatron talking about how to attack the energy plan and how they would defended the energon from Autobot attack.

He wondered if the Decepticons would try to fight like a team or would they just go through the motions, waiting for the energon machine. He did not want any of his Autobots to get hurt, he would need to keep a close optic on this battle. Why did Megatron continue to be so unreasonable, he was sure they had enough Energon to last until the machine was built.

In the meantime, he would do his best to make sure no humans were hurt.

Chapter Text

Later

"Decepticons, attack!" Megatron roared the usual battle cry as the Autobots arrived and the Decepticons surged forward.

Optimus had been ordered to attack from the sky with with Skywarp, Thundercracker and so far it worked very well for them, looking out for the grounders if any of them had it to tight of a fight.

"I am starting to like this" smiled Skywarp happily as he shot another Autobot.

Optimus winced, that was Smokescreen although he didn't look too badly hurt.

"Don't get cocky," he warned. "Or the Autobots will bring you down."

"They won't bring me down," Skywarp declared hotly, spinning to start shooting at Ironhide.

Optimus sighed and carried on, avoiding directly shooting at any of his Autobots. He could see Starscream in his body, what a strange sight that was.

But Starscream looked more focused on the battle at hand was running to the energy plan where Megatron had gone in.

"What are you up to Starscream" Optimus thought in his processor and decided the best action would be to follow him, the battle outside seemed to be under control so far.

"Megatron," Starscream yelled although it wasn't in the normal screechy voice, but in Optimus's authoritative voice.

Megatron spun around and declared. "Prime, I was wondering when you would show up."

"Another failed attempt to steal energon?" Starscream questioned with a sneer in his voice.

"Not this time it isn't" replied Megatron, holding up his arm with his cannon and started to shooting at Starscream who now tried to dodge.

Optimus had now found a safe place to watch this fight, he knew Starscream hated Megatron and
Wouldn't resist taking the opportunity for revenge to defeat the warlord.

"You won't get away with this" Starscream said started to shot with primes Ion Blaster.

"We will see," Megatron said with a smirk, aiming above Starscream and firing at a ceiling, causing debris to rain down on the Autobot leader.

As Starscream yelped slightly and tried to dodge it, Megatron laughed "You seem a little slow today Prime, rust setting in?"

Starscream just growled and tried to get out from the rocks that holds him solid, Optimus watched how Starscream managed to get out from the rocks and started to attack once again ageist Megatron. It didn't look so good for him, it looked like Starscream was not so skilled when it come to close combat.

"I think you are rusting," Megatron laughed as they wrestled. "This will be easier than I thought."

"I believe now would be a good time to intervene," Optimus mused to himself before surging forward and doing his best Starscream imitation.

"I will blast the Prime away."

He aimed his null rays and successfully hit Megatron's shoulder instead of Starscream.

"Starscream you fool" growled Megatron, but the hit was enough time for Starscream to make his move and lunged a fist punch at the warlord.

"Urgh," Megatron snarled, falling back from the force of Starscream's punch.

Starscream actually looked a little amazed, he'd given it as much as he could but his punches didn't usually have that affect. Then again, he didn't normally have such a strong, powerful body. He smirked from behind his mouth as his own body approached him.

"Your cocky," the Prime told him in such a calm voice that he almost felt enraged.

Optimus walked over to Megatron to make sure he was really knocked out so it would be safe for him and Starscream to have a little talk with each other and at least get answers.

"He is down for now" said Optimus and made sure no one else was near by looking around at the place "Your where lucky to take him down"

"You don't think i know that already" snapped Starscream, he have been trying to take down Megatron for Vorns.

"That punch took you by surprise, didn't it?" Optimus stated as Starscream glanced down at his fist.

"I suppose it did," he said slowly. "Such power."

"Indeed, But power needs responsibility." Optimus said pointedly.

"The responsibility you choose to protect weak lifeforms" Starscream some what mocked.

"All Lifeforms have the right to live and we Autobot are there to protect them." Optimus pointed out, but it really was strange talk to Starscream when he was in his body, and added "I just have one question"

"And what would that be?" asked Starscream calmly for once, like wise it was also strange for him so see Optimus in his own body as well, it felt almost talking to himself.

"How did this happen?" Optimus asked. "I went into recharge in my own body and woke up in yours. Did you mean for this to happen?"

"Not.....this," Starscream said slowly. "I saved a human who was a magician, the human wanted to reward we with a wish and I wished to be a true leader. This wasn't what I had in mind."

"How interesting, but how could a human switch us like this?" Optimus questioned, he knew many humans, but none of them could pull off something like this "Shouldn't it be impossible?"

"Not for this human, he managed to do it with his magic" replied Starscream "i was shock myself when i woke up like this, i didn't know the human meant this was the only way i could become a leader"

"Hmm," Optimus mused, just what was this human up to? He would have to meditate on this, but what a shame he didn't have the Matrix within his chest. "There must have been a reason."

Starscream shrugged, he supposed he must have had a reason although he didn't know what that was.

"How are you coping?" Optimus now asked.

"Quite well" replied Starscream with a smirk "your troops don't even know who i really am"

"Good, let's keep it that way, it would just trouble some if they knew" Optimus decided, luckliy non of the cons knew who he really was nether "but i suggest that we both should have each others comm in case something would happen"

"What if that fragger hacks it?" Starscream questioned, meaning Soundwave.

"Well then," Optimus said, feeling slightly annoyed. "What do you suggest?"

"I suggest should meet up on different locations, we can send them by privet notes until I can find a solution" Starscream said after thinking over it carefully, but slowly Megatron started to come back to the land of the living.

"Agreed, now quickly fight me before he wakes up" Optimus ordered and made himself ready for his and Starscream little theater.

"Urh" snarled Megatron and came back online ones more.

"Is that all you've got Prime?" Optimus demanded, leaping backwards as Starscream surged at him.

"Believe me, I've got plenty more," Starscream replied as Megatron squinted at them.

Megatron now watched how Optimus and Starscream frighted each others, but they can't do it forever witch out hurting each others.

"Megatron, are you damaged?" asked Optimus curiously.

"Of course not you fool," Megatron snapped, heaving himself to his feet.

"Then your ready to have another round?" Starscream asked, smirking behind his mask. How he looked forward to blasting him to pieces.

Megatron narrowed his optics before glancing around. Using his arm canon, he blasted a hole in the wall and yelled "If you want to fight Prime, you'll have to follow me."

Both Starscream and Optimus saw Megatron running out from the building, But Optimus also saw Starscream moving after Megatron and tired to get to him.

"Don't! you are not ready yet" warned Optimus from behind hoping Starscream would listen.

"I can handle it," Starscream hissed at him, leaping over a fallen boulder and landing much more heavily than he was used to.

"Of course you can," Optimus sighed before activating his thrusters and shooting into the air.

Starscream pounded after Megatron who was ahead of him and preparing to take to the air. He brought up his blaster and fired it at the grey Mech.

"You won't get away Megatron" Starscream yelled, By now he was close and tired to get some shots at the at his former leader.

Megatron snarled and turned around in mid air, blasting at him with his canon. Starscream had seen the movement and dodged to the side, wishing he could move faster. The blast thankfully missed him and he was able to fire off more shots.

"Try again Prime," Megatron yelled tauntingly.

"With pleasure" smirked Stasrscream aimed at Megatron once again and shot at him and when he fired, Megatron did also at the same time. But the shoot hit Starscreams leg as he yelped, it didn't hurt as much like in his seeker body and Starscream saw his own shoots hit Megatrons cannon and went as for inside the cannon turning it offline with a boom.

Megatron snarled with pain, bringing his arm back as he examined his arm. Starscream almost felt giddy with glee, he'd never been able to fight his leader like this before and it was wonderful. Why did Prime never press his advantage, surely he could have destroyed him long ago.

"What are you waiting for?" Megatron suddenly roared at Optimus who was behind Starscream. "Blast him!!"

Starscream trued around and saw Optimus standing there and now changed to close combat self defense, Starscream didn't waste any time and made his first move before Optimus could and went for a close attack.

As Optimus dodged the first attacks he felt faster, he didn't thought he would be so fast, but as Optimus dodged he saw Megatron rushing for his own move and Optimus whispered very quietly "Behind you"

Starscream spun around and shot at his leader before lunging out of the way. His shots prevented Megatron from firing but he still kept coming and Optimus realised that the next few moments were probably going to be very painful. The heavy grey Mech crashed into him before he could dodge away and they both went tumbling to the ground.

"Starscream, you fool!" Megatron roared as Optimus groaned slightly underneath him.

Megatron pushed Optimus away and was about to get up when Starscream walked in front of him and aimed his ion gun very closely to his face.

"Look like i won this around Megatron" Starscream said with a smirk behind his mask.

Megatron felt anger building up, he had lost once more and roared "Decepticons retreat and take what Energon you can!"

Starscream was tempted to shoot his leader but decided to just enjoy his victory as Megatron shot into the air, tail between his legs. Oh yes, it was good to be the Prime.

"Until next time," he called mockingly, making Optimus shake his head.

He had a feeling that Megatron was not going to be pleased when they arrived back at the base. Hopefully, he wouldn't decide to take it out on anyone.

Back at the Nemesis Megatron started once again to yell at his warriors in the Throne room, clearly he was not happy about today's raid, Optimus went to a empty work room to get some more progress done with his project.

"And as for you Starscream.......where is that useless rust bucket with wings?" Megatron demanded, suddenly realising that his SIC and incidentally his favourite punching bag, was not there.

There was a pause as other Decepticons also realised the white Seeker had disappeared somewhere.

"Well?" Megatron growled, glaring at all of them.

"He is not here sir" responded a trooper low in rank.

"I can see that! Thundercracker! Skywarp! find Satsrcream now!!!" demanded Megatron angrily to them, it was that seekers fault that Prime defeated him today.

Chapter Text

"Yes Lord Megatron" replied both seekers, Thundercracker went off with Skywarp to find there Trine leader.

"Typical Screamer," Skywarp exclaimed. "Did he really think sneaking off would do any good?"

"I don't know," Thundercracker said tiredly, they hadn't been able to get that many cubes of Energon. The sooner they finished that Energon machine, the better.

"But we'd better find him quick before Megatron gets any angrier."

"Yeah, I guess," Skywarp said casually.

They both started to look at Starscream quarters, he usually used always to hide in there on those most bad days and Skywarp went inside but came out empty handed.

"He is not in there" said Skywarp in surprise.

"What? are you sure?" asked Thundercracker and the black, purple seeker nodded and is "the room is empty"

"Fine, then let's continue looking" said Thundercracker "we better check everywhere and fast"

"I'd better Warp," Skywarp suggested, he could check a lot more rooms in a shorter amount of time.

"Do it," Thundercracker said with a nod.

Skywarp quickly started warping in and out of various different rooms, yelling "Screamer!?" as he did so.

Each room he visit was empty and Skywarp just sighed and warped to a other room yelling "Screamer?" but no one was in this room nether and he went to the next room "Screamer?"

"Skywarp? what is it?" asked a voice that belonged to Starscream but in Optimus words.

"Finally, come on the boss want to see you" said Skywarp and went on to grab Optimus arm, but before Optimus could ask what Megatron wanted they both warped away from the room.

"Skywarp!" Optimus exclaimed, he did not like being Warped like that out of the blue. Before the purple Seeker could reply....

"Finally," came Megatron's impatient voice. "And just where have you been Starscream?"

Optimus slowly turned to see Megatron standing in front of his Decepticons who were watching closely.

"I.....I thought I should continue with my project, lord Megatron," Optimus said slowly.

"Oh Really, and miss this important meeting after our defeat with the Autobots" questioned Megatron seriously that made Optimus feel that he shouldn't just left the others and worked on his project like he did, clearly Megatron had a seriously talk whit his men after the battle stealing the energon cubes.

"But i am here now aren't i" Opimus said carefully.

"Yes you are," he growled, beckoning his Seeker towards him.

With a very bad feeling, Optimus came closer but made sure he wasn't within Megatron's grabbing range.

"We did manage to come back with Energon," Optimus stated, trying to put a positive spin on things.

"Yes we did, the Energon is hardly enough to hold us for a human month and less" Megatron now yelled at him and went closer to Optimus "and hat reminds me, it is your fault that Prime won this battle! if you had followed my orders and blasted him we would have more energon right now"

"I would have hit him if you hadn't moved into firing range," Optimus retorted, annoyed with Megatron's attitude.

Megatron's optics almost bulged with rage before he charged right at Optimus, snarling with rage. Optimus acted instinctively, and lunged to the side. However, he put far too much power into it and ended up practically on the other side of the room. Megatron's hands swiped at nothing and spitting with fury, he spun around searching for the Seeker.

Looking around the room he found Starscream behind him and still furious Megatron went to punch him "Came back here seeker" his arm was still damage after Prime had luckily shoot him there and this gave Optimus a advantage.

Optimus was standing his ground and made himself ready for Megatrons attack and when he saw the punches coming, quickly dodged it and where trying to figure out some way how to win this fight, Starscream body was built for speed not strength.

"This achieves nothing Megatron," he stated. "We should be focusing on acquiring more Energon, not fighting amongst ourselves."

"Your starting to sound like Prime," Megatron growled in response as Optimus dodged again. Really, no wonder Starscream kept trying to usurp him if this was how he was normally treated.

"Sometimes I think you listen to him more than me," Optimus retorted.

By saying that Megatron optics flashed with more anger the before and growled "How dare you suggest i am listening to a Prime!!"

Optimus ruched away from Megatron attack ones more "If you don't then prove it, just say one time when you listen to me"

"I will listen to you when you have something useful to say," Megatron retorted, still advancing on him.

"And what would that be?" Optimus said angrily. "Just what do you want from me?"

"You have to figure it out by yourself, you are clever are you not" smirked Megatron it wasn't just that Megatron would tell his SIC why he kept him around just for the fun for it and he finally got close enough to strike him.

Optimus ducked from Megatron fist and when Optimus was going to move once again he found his one foot stuck and saw Megatron used a dirty old trick who was standing on his foot and before he could dodge again Decepticon leader punch him.

Optimus gasped out and pain and automatically reached to grab Megatron's fist before he could punch again. However, Megatron simply seized him by the throat and squeezed.

"Enough clever dodging," he growled with satisfaction. "I'm going to teach you a lesson you won't forget in a hurry. And when I'm done, starting from then, you will have two cycles to complete your precious Energon machine."

Optimus tried to get out from Megatron grip, but it was not so easy when Megatron punch him at the same time and gasped "Ahh"

Megatron keep punching him and didn't let go of the grip, apparently Megatron didn't want optimus to get away any time soon.

Optimus did not know what this accomplished, beating him like this. How was he supposed to work on a project if he couldn't even work? Megatron was an insane leader and it was a miracle he was still keeping his army going with this attitude. No wonder Starscream was in no hurry to get his body back.

When Megatron was done giving Optimus his punishment, he just went back to his troops said "let that be a warning to anyone who cares to fail me" before Megatron sent his troops back to work.

Optimus in the other hand was still lying on the floor and some parts of his body sparkled electricity most where Megatron had punched him, but then Optimus felt someone helping him up to his feet and looked to see Tundercracker helping him.

"Fragger," he muttered to himself and he wasn't talking about his trine mate.

"Shh, we'll fix you back up," Thundercracker said soothingly as he supported his trine leader. After a pointed look, Skywarp also decided to help.

"Don't know how you do it Screamer," Skywarp said, shaking his head. "You always manage to annoy him."

"He appears to find my existence an annoyance," Optimus growled. "What kind of a leader beats his troops after a battle?"

"Hey, it's that kind of talking that gets yah beat," Skywarp told him.

"If i talk or not he would still beat me after this battle, we lost a lot of energon" Optimus pointed out

"Accidents happens on a battlefield, but a real leader would never beat up his own troops" Explained Optimus and he would know, his own Autobots had there own accidents on the battlefield, but he never beat them up.

"I think he hit you harder than we thought," Skywarp mused as they took him to his quarters.

Once there, they began to patch him up, carefully repairing the damage the battle and Megatron had wrought. Optimus let them, for none medics they were pretty good. Then again, they probably had a lot of experience of repairing their trine leader.

"Thank you," Optimus said as Thundercracker sealed up a cut.

"Not a problem," the seeker said with a smile before rubbing a hand across Optimus's wing. This caused him to shiver involuntarily and Thundercracker said softly. "Why don't we help you to relax a little?"

"I can't" Optimus said as he walked up "I must get our project done before the second cycle and Megatron is going probably then going to attack a other energy plant before that"

"Screamer all you do is work, have you never heard the word chill out?" asked Skywarp, truly it was really hard for him and Thundercracker to get Starscream to forget about this work.

"I can 'chill' when it's finished," Optimus said, trying to stand up but he was still weak and collapsed back down.

"I think," Thundercracker said softly. "You need to take a break, relax and then you can get back to your little project."

"Easy for you to say, you not the one who will get punished if I don't get done in two cycles" stated Optimus.

"Screamer, you have a lot of time left before getting done" pointed out Skywarp to him "it will not hurt you if you could for once take a break, seriously? what is it with you and work any ways?"

"I just want to get this done," Optimus explained with a sigh. "If we can get this going, then we won't have to fight battles just to feed ourselves.... I don't like seeing you get hurt."

Thundercracker smiled and leaned forward, drawing Optimus into his arms. Optimus was a little surprised by this, as Prime, he wasn't used to bots being able to hug him so easily since he was normally a lot bigger than everyone. But he broke the hug and stood up using the wall as support waling out from his quarters.

“Where you going?” Questioned the purple seeker from behind

“Isn't it obvious? I have work to do” answered Optimus and left them behind, they surely wanted more the cuddles with would be wrong to do since …. as Optimus said in this thought “am not Starscream, this would be wrong”

Chapter Text

Now back with Starscream and his troops who just returned from there victory with the Decepticon from stealing energon cubes once again, they where no their way back to the Ark.

"Did you see Starscreams face when old Megs crashed on him" grin Sunstreaker.

"Yea, it was priceless" laughed Sideswipe.

Starscream was thankful for the fact he was in vehicle mode as it hid his grimace. It wasn't pleasant seeing his own body being crushed under that overgrown lug Megatron, he had almost 'felt' the impact and pain. At least he had won today, he most certainly could savour the victory of winning a battle AND defeating Megatron.

"Hey Prime," Bumblebee called as he drove alongside his leader. "What did you think of the battle?"

"It went well," Starscream said evenly, inwardly smirking.

Ones back in the Ark they all transformed back to there robot modes, Starscream saw that they started to walk off in small groups talking with each other before going back to their work.

Starscream could help but to follow them, still trying to figure out how most of schedule works around here after a battle.

"Prime?" Ironhide called and Starscream turned to see the old weapon's specialist standing there."Yah got a moment?"

"Of course," Starscream said with a nod, wondering what the red Mech might be wanting.

"What is that you want to talk about?" asked Starscream, better to get this over with.

"About our forces on Cybertron, we are going to send the energon this week to them remember?" replayed Ironhide.

Starscream nodded, how could he forget something like a energon transport, but quickly remembered they where sending the Medical Energon "Yes, What about it?"

"Well...," Ironhide said slowly. "Ah was thinking....perhaps the two of us could do it."

As Starscream looked at him, the red mech added. "Yah know, it'd give us a chance tah see our mates again."

It hit Starscream just what Ironhide wanted and what this could mean for him. The Prime had a mate, the leader of the female Autobots and it would be expected that Prime would want to see her.

"I suppose we could deliver the energon to them" replied Starscream " if everything is ready that is"

"That is it Prime" said Ironhide excited "all we have to do is to get to the a space-bridge and the timing is perfect, those cons won't see us coming"

"I'm sure they won't," Starscream agreed as Ironhide clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"We'll get tah see our gals again," he said with a beam on his face. "Ah can't wait, it's been too long since we saw 'em."

"Uh, yes, it is," Starscream said a little nervously. Ironhide laughed.

"Yah nervous about seeing her again?" he teased.

"It's like you said, it's been so .. long time " answered Starscream he had heard about the Autobots femmes, but seeing is a other thing then to hear about it.

"Don't worry Prime, ah bet they will be surprised to see us" smiled the old weapon's specialist before asking "Now, shouldn't we be going to get ready for the deliver?"

"Yes, Of course" answered Starscream unsure what ales to say, the Prime did have a mate and he wouldn't denied a visit to Elita-One would he?

"Come on then," Ironhide stated as Starscream began to wonder if he'd made a bit of a mistake. Just how was he supposed to act around his 'mate', surely he wouldn't have to....

The Seeker was no slouch when it came to the berth but he'd never experienced personal interactions with another as a grounder. More likely than not, he'd come across as nervous and surely Prime would not be nervous about such a thing? It would not help that he hadn't the faintest idea how to turn on his partner, that would be suspicious.

But maybe they wouldn't have time for such activities, maybe this would be strictly professional, He hoped it would be a quick visit, if he stayed to long.

But now he and Ironhide went to the storeroom with have the energon ready for the delivery, Ironhide had a list of stock and was examining it closely.

"We could try to put as much as we can spare in yer trailer?" Ironhide advised as he mused over the list.

"That seems like a good idea," Starscream said lightly, listening to Prime's deep voice speak the words. It was still strange speaking and not hearing his own voice.

Transformed to Optimus truck mode and open his trailer before transforming back to robot mode helping Ironhide to put in as much energon on his trailer, it didn't take long before his Trailer was all full.

"Ah think that is enough" and Ironhide put in the last cube before closing the trailer's door

"Indeed" before Starscream transformed back to a truck and connected with the trailer so he was ready to roll.

Both Ironhide and Starscream left the base and went to the Spacebridge, But luckily they did find one close by guarding it.

"Don't look like there's any Cons guarding it," Ironhide commented, he was ahead of Starscream on the road.

"Perfect," Starscream said, feeling intense relief. Since he was attached to a trailer, he really didn't feel comfortable about being attacked since he couldn't get away quickly.

Starscream drive in to the Spacebridge when Ironhide went to the control panel and put in the location where they where going and then run in next to Starscream, it didn't take long before they teleported to Cybertron.

Once there on the planet Cybertron they where in a purple room where the Decepticon Shockwave was working, but at the moment he wasn't there and Ironhide, Starscream went for the exit, it must been their lucky day.

"Shame," Ironhide muttered. "Ah was hoping tah have a go at him."

"Oh?" Starscream couldn't help but say curiously.

"He keeps making optics at mah Chromia," the red Mech growled.

"You might get that chance a other time" replied Starscream and would like to see that happen, that one eye freak took to far much credit.

"ah hope i will" growled Ironhide before they both where driving on a road again and Ironhide lead the way, he went quite fast and that made Starscream hard to keep up especially with a full trailer.

"Ironhide," he called. "Slow down or we'll become separated."

"Huh.....oh sorry Prime," Ironhide apologised, slowing his speed down so that Starscream could catch up again.

"Ah am just excited, it have been so long when we last saw them" explained Ironhide

Soon they arrived at the location and at first Starscream thought he and Ironhide where lost the place didn't look much like a base more like a dump, but he saw Ironhide transform and waved one of his hand.

It appeared to be some sort of signal because a moment later, a pile of rubbish was raised to reveal a hidden ramp. Ironhide smiled and beckoned for Starscream to proceed him, he'd bring up the rear end. Starscream did so, privately admitting to himself that the Femme's hideout was good. It would be very difficult to find unless you knew it was there.

Inside the elevator who took them deeper down underground and then the doors open and they both walked in when Starscream drive in with his trailer, he was happy they finally came, the energon cubes where heavy.

"Look who cared to visit us" said a blue femme and added with a small joke "i thought you mech's had forgotten about us"

"No one could forget yah Chromia," Ironhide declared, seizing hold of his Femme and lifting her up into the air, making her laugh before bringing her down for a hug.

Starscream disengaged from the trailer and transformed, feeling distinctly awkward. He half hoped that Elita might be out on some sort of mission so that he could avoid seeing her, but have a good excuse for it.

Starscream walked to his trailer and opened the door before saying "we brought with us Medical Energon"

"Medical Energon? and here i thought you would send the high grade" teased Chromia who saw the trailer was full with energon that could keep them running for a long while.

"Aww, don't worry, we brought a little," Ironhide said with a wink making Chromia giggle before the two embraced and kissed.

Starscream was feeling even more awkward.

But luckily the doors opened and some other femmes come in to help with unloading the energon cubes.

"Looks like we are right on time to help" said a bright green femme

"Yah sure are," Ironhide said with a grin, releasing Chromia so that he could help. "Ain't that right Prime?"

"Indeed," Starscream nodded as a few Femmes giggled at him.

"Ladies first" smiled the red mech who allowed Chorma and the femmes to go first when he and Starscream was the last persons on the line, Starscream was grateful he was last, for one he didn't know where to store the energon so he just followed the others.

"Looking forward tah seeing yer gal?" Ironhide teased, nudging his leader as they walked with the Energon.

"Of course," Starscream said, trying to inject pleasure in his tone.

"Don't worry Optimus, Elita should be back soon from her guard duty any time now" said one of the femmes

Starcream started to think how he could fool ElitaOne it was easy to fool the Autobots to make them believe he is Optimus, surely it could not be so hard with Optimus mate.

He squared his massive shoulder, he could do this, he just had to act confident.

"Optimus?"

His Spark felt like it would stop.

Satarscream turned around and saw Elita walking in towards him and before he knew it she hugged him, Starscream returned the hug as well to make things look normal between them.

"It is good to see you again Optimus, but i thought prowl would transport the eneron" questioned Elita and Starscream let go of the hug and answered her question "Ironhide insisted, otherwise Prowl would be here instead of us"

"Our Mechs couldn't stay away," Chromia teased as Elita smiled widely.

"Is that so?" she asked and Starscream quickly nodded.

"I missed you," he told her.

Elita smirked at this and she followed Starscream to the trailer to help to unload, Starscream gave her some cubes before taking some himself and putting them to the storage room, ones they where Done Starscream closed his trailers doors and just left it there before noticed the others walking away and he saw Ironhide walking next with his blue femme.

"Me and Chromia are gonna....head into the back," Ironhide said, his tone very suggestive. "Enjoy yerself Prime."

Starscream had no words, all he could do was nod as the two left. He felt an arm slide its self around his and he looked down to see Optimus 'mate' standing there.

"Shall we follow their example?" she asked.

"If you wish" hoping everything would go well, so far it was.

Elita smiled, still holding his arm and taking him away to a more privet place, once there they both entered a large room that looked very nice.

"How are things on Earth?" Elita asked, drawing him over to a comfortable seating area.

"They are good," Starscream replied. "We beat Megatron at the last battle."

He couldn't help but sound a little smug about this.

"You always have your way to win the day"

"I can tell you how i won if you are interested" asked Satscream.

She gave him a strange smile before saying. "Go on then. I can tell the girls later."

Pleased to have an audience, he launched into the story. However, as he told it, he didn't realise how much he didn't sound like Optimus as he did so.

"In the end i moved away and Megatron crashed with Starscream, then i aimed my gun at him and Megatron retreat , flying away like coward he really is" said Starscream in the ending of his story, but he didn't noticed was that Elita was sitting next to him.

"That is very impressive" she said and that made Starscream feel his pride once again.

"Thank you," he said, feeling very pleased. How he wished others could listen to him like this.

He didn't notice that she was slowly sliding a blade out of her sub space and sitting even closer to him.

"Just one thing my dear Optimus" started Elita to say and moved closer to Starscream slowly , making it look she tried to hug him "In all our time together i have not heard you a single time call Megatron a Coward"

Starscream was about to move when he felt something sharp at his throat, He froze and recognised the feel of a blade. Looking down at her, he saw her smiling sweetly.

"Perhaps," she said casually. "You could tell me just who you are and what has happened to MY Mate!"

Chapter Text

"Optimus is in the Nemesis back at Earth" he said before adding "Am the SIC of the Decepticons and this was never meant to happen, as for you mate well if i am here you can guess where he is at the moment"

She stared at him before saying. "You're telling me that Optimus is in Starscream's body....in the Nemesis?"

"Yes," he said as she scoffed. "You expect me to believe that?"

"If i was you i would not believe it nether, but why would I lie to you? Especially sence you have blade to my throat" Starscream questioned her and continued "Am not stupid and I know lies will have me killed with you"

"You are not Optimus, so Starscream" Elita said and looking at him closely but didn't let go off the knife or the grip at his neck "Why did you switch places with Optimus to begin with?"

"I didn't do it deliberately," he said heatedly. "I....urgh, this sounds to stupid, I saved a miserable human's life by accident and he told me he would grant me a wish. I told him I wanted to be a true leader and the next thing I know, I wake up in Prime's body with him in mine. This is not what I had in mind at all!"

To Starscreams surprise she let go off the grip, but still kept the knife in her hand.

"I supose you will now tell the other?" asked Starscream still furious of what happened.

"That depends," Elita said simply. "Tell me exactly what is happening with you and him."

"It's simple, we've switched places," Starscream stated. "He is pretending to be me while I...well, pretend to be him. So far, it's worked out."

"So far until now" pointed out Elita.

"Ah yes, you where not so sampled fooled as i thought" Starscream said watching her carefully.

"Oh, you thought I was a simple fool?" She said wryly, pricking him slightly with the knife, causing him to swallow heavily.

"No, the others where much easier to trick" stated Starscream "i uhhh, how did you figure out i am not your beloved mate any ways!?"

"For starters you had to much pride in your little story" Elita said as she stared at him.

"Optimus never boasts, especially not about his fights with Megatron. He tells me the bare facts, it's others who like to add colour to stories like that."

"Well now, we can't all be perfect now can we" stated Starscream in a sarcastically tone "but i suppose i would need some guides"

"Yes you would," she agreed before asking. "How are you and Optimus planning to solve this? I assume you are not going to remain in Optimus's body forever and vice versa."

"I don't know how to fix this unless i can find that human again, he is the one who switch us in the first place" complained Starscream and as ture that is he have no idea where this magician is now.

"Hmm," she said thoughtfully. "Well, I'd certainly like my mate back in his body,"

This last part was said rather wistfully, causing Starscream to say. "If you want physical pleasure, I can easily...."

"Don't even go there," she warned.

"Fine, suit yourself" Starsream yelled "I just came to deliver the Energon and what do i get? a knife at my throat!!"

"Is that all? You weren't planning to find out information about our operations?" Elita asked idly.

"I just wanted to get through this mission without my cover being blown," he answered sniffily.

"Really" said Elita and had a very thought full face, but believed him "your cover was browned when you told your story, i would suggest you keep the story's for yourself, if you would tell one i would imagine the results would be the same as what just happened right now"

"I suppose you have a point" Starscream admitted after thinking off it.

"Unless, you can change and hide your pride" suggested Elita "that is your problem at the moment"

"What are you talking about?" he demanded and she shook her head with a smile.

"You boast too much," she told him. "You're too proud of the fact that you defeated Megatron. Optimus does not do this and it'll be noticeable to others. You have to conduct yourself with decorum."

"hmm" mumbled Starscream rudely, he didn't like that and put his arms crossed.

Eliat noticed it and asked "would you prefer to blow up your cover then to conduct yourself with decorum?"

He paused before throwing up his hands. "Fine, I will do as you say."

"It's your choice," she said with a shrug. "But what do you think Megatron would do if he found out about this?"

When Elita asked that Starscreams face paled, he could see it very clear what Mgeatron would do.

"If he would to find out, Megatron would not waste any time but to destroy Optimus and my body one for all" said Starscream very prancing, Elita on the other hand was worried about Optimus life.

"And then he'd come for me," he muttered worriedly. "He'd be furious I did not tell him Prime was in his power, he'd probably then destroy me."

"All the more reason for you to act more like Optimus," she reminded him.

"yes i can see that now" admitted Starscream " what ales do i need to think about to act like Optimus?"
She smiled and said. "Think about others Starscream. When Optimus does anything, he is usually thinking about how it can affect his bots and those he is protecting. He will throw himself into danger to protect them."

Starscream listened to Elitas advise to hide his cover, but the question now was how will he learn in so short time before anyone can find out who he really is? They both talked for a while and Starscream took a few notes in case he would forget something.

"We'd better get back," she suddenly said and he looked up at her.

"They'll expect us to be a while," she said with a wistful sigh. "But even we can't dally."

"How....oh," he said in realisation, this was supposed to be a loving reunion.

"Yes, i could just leave" Starscream said and sub-spade his notes "but then i would need to find Ironhide, but he must be busy at the moment"

"Oh he will be," she chuckled. "We'll go back with the others, you can help us with a few things then you and Ironhide can return to Earth."

He nodded his agreement, that sounded fine by him as he followed Elita out from the room and they both walked by the halls.

"What should i help you with?" he asked, Elita didn't tell him what and right now she was just smiling at him.

"You will see, it is nothing you can't handle" answered Elita as she led the way.

He frowned, was she being sarcastic. She didn't sound it but he didn't know her so she might be having a joke with him. However, when they entered a storage room there where loads of crates where stacked about.

Elita gestured at them and said. "We need you strength moving these."

Starscream went to one of the boxes bent down to lift one up, at first he was unsure how heavy they where and if he would be able to lift them, but it turned out to be heavy one "To move them where?"

"You can put them here" Elita answered showing what Room Starscream would store the boxes "good luck"

Starscream went over there and put it down , later he went back to the store room to get working on this task, Elita on the other hand just watched him work.

It was strange to think that beneath that strong body beat the spark of a Decepticon.

"Are you going to contact Optimus?" she asked softly as he lifted another crate.

"Huh?" he said, the exclamation sounding strange on Optimus's lips.

"Will you contact Optimus?" she repeated.

"At some point," he said with a nod.

"I did speak with him today on the battlefield" Said Starscream as he went and took a other box and walked back to that other room

"What?" she asked and Starscream realized he did not say anything about it in his story to keep his cover, but now when it was blown it wouldn't hurt to tell her "Yes, before Megatron crashed on Optimus, he and i did have a little talk"

"What about?" she questioned and he quickly explained.

"He helped us to win," Starscream mused, remembering how good it felt to win a battle.

"Of course," she said with a smile. "But I hope he was alright."

"He be fine, my Trine should be looking after him." replayed Starscream hoping Optimus would do the same and stay low, safe.

"Hmm i hope they do, if not they will have to deal with me when I have some spare time" Elita warned.

Then Ironhide with Chorma walked in, both looked to have a great time together

"Hey Prime," Ironhide said happily, clapping his leader on the shoulder. "Ah hope yah treated yer femme?"

"Of course," Starscream said smoothly as Elita chuckled at how contented Chromia looked.

"Great," Ironhide said glancing at the boxes. "Yah need a hand?"

"Go ahead" replayed Starscream and added "There are just a few boxes left"

"Then let's get finished" and the red mech went over to the boxes and started to do what Starscream was doing, after some time running back and forward they were both finished.

"There, that was the last one" said Starscream before looking at Elita "I think we should return back to earth"

"Mm," she agreed with a murmur, going over to him and reaching up to kiss his cheek.

As he blinked, she whispered. "Take care of him."

Stepping back, she gave him a knowing smile, he knew what that meant. But it would be up to Prime to ensure that he did not get into too much trouble in the Autobot base.

The Nemesis

"Where is that wretched Seeker!!?" yelled Megatron.

Chapter Text

The Nemesis

"Where is that wretched Seeker!!?" yelled Megatron.

"With seeker?" asked one of the Troops, Most of the Decepticons are seekers.

Megatron looked at him with rage "My Sceond In Command, Where is he!!?"

The poor Trooper did meet Optimus today earlier in the Rec-room, but he had no idea where he was after that "I Don't know"

Megatron growled before shoving the solider aside and started stamping down the corridor. A few hours previously, some music had started playing throughout the base and it was starting to really get on Megatron's nerves.

Someone had dared to set up a connection to local human radio station, playing their blasted music non stop. At first, Megatron had ignored it but his patience had finally reached it's limit and he was out to find the culprit. And thanks to Soundwave, he knew just who to blame.

Megatron looked every where, but soon he came to a corridor where the music where a bit higher then the rest of the ship, it didn't take long before he stormed in "At last"

"We just need to connect this cables and we are done" said Scrapper who melt the last piece of metal cables on the energon machine.

"I really appreciate your help" began Optimus to say, but at that moment.

"STARSCREAM"

Optimus couldn't help but jump in surprise at this roar, turning to see a very angry Megatron glaring at him.

"Megatron?" he said uncertainly, taking a few steps back as Megatron started to march into the room.

"I have been looking for you Starscream," he snarled irritably. "About that infernal music you have been playing."

"What is wrong about to have a little music?" asked Optimus.

"What wrong with it?!!" Megatron just looked at Optimus "It have been playing non stop From those blasted Humans Radio stations!!"

Constructicons stepped aside, they didn't want any trouble, but the music they have been hearing was relaxing and did help them work faster.

"I did not realise you found it annoying," Optimus said in a calming tone. "We found the music soothing, it helped us work better."

"Are you a slagging, soft sparked Autobot?" Megatron demanded, coming even closer to Optimus."Are you telling me you cannot work without music?"

"It simply helps," Optimus explained again.

"Well if it helps so much as you say" started Megatron to say and his optics looked at Optimus Enegron machine he was working on "Then i take it the pathetic music help you finish you project"

Optimus didn't like the smile on Megatrons face, but he and the Constructicons had just finished everything on the machine with should be working, but they have not yet had a chance to tested the machine.

"I think your time is up Starscream" said Megatron before ordering the Constructicons "take that machine to the throne room, it is time to show everyone about your project my dear Starscream"

"We haven't had a chance to test.....," began Optimus but Megatron overrode him.

"Oh, you can easily test it out Starscream.....in front of out troops. I'm sure they will enjoy watching the end result." He said all this with a smirk.

"As....you wish my lord," Optimus said quietly. Of course Megatron wanted to humiliate him and make sure if this project failed, it was a public one. Never mind that others had put hard work into this, they would also be humiliated if it was a failure. How could Megatron do this to his troops?

At the Throne Room Megatron had ordered all Decepticons to gather to show the new Energon Machine that is meant to save them all.

Optimus saw his wing brothers there and he could hear some whispers from some of the troops and his project didn't luck much, the machine was not very small nor very large and it was a bit rusty, but hey most parts come from the junk yard and the machine was in the center of the room.

"You all know why you all are here" started Megatron to say as he moved to the energon machine "Starscream thought of a solution for our energon problem"

There were murmurs at this, nearly everyone knew about the project and all wanted to see if it would work. Knowing he had their attention, Megatron continued.

"And here is the finished project," he said, gesturing at the slightly rusty machine. "Starscream will now demonstrate to us just how well it works."

He stepped back with a smirk, clearly wanting for his SIC to take over. Optimus had no choice but to comply.

Optimus went over to the machine and pressed on a green button next to the red one, the machine made a unpleasant rusty sound before starting up, this made Megatron grin even more.

Optimus then moved his hand down to a small controls of numbers and pressed on a pink button then pressed the number 1, the machine had now just taken in the commands and started to create a energon cube, it took some seconds before it was done and in the end it open a small box and in there was a glowing cube.

Carefully scooping up the cube, Optimus turned towards his leader and offered him the pink substance. Megatron eyed it and everyone held their breath, had it worked properly?

Their leader took a suspicious sip, no more in case something as wrong with it.

"How is it, my lord?" Optimus asked softly, watching the large grey Mech swallow.

"Edible," Megatron said at last and everyone breathed a sigh of relief before a cheer went up.

"It looks like for one's you did do something useful" told Megatron to his SIC, but even Optimus could tell his leader was not expecting his machine to work.

Now when the troops knew the machine worked some of them wanted to refuel and to see how it tasted, they started to walk to it and Optimus saw what they wanted and pressed some of the buttons and machine started to work again before open it's box and Optimus gave the cubes to some of the troops.

"Will we put it in the rec-room?" asked Optimus to Megatron who could not exactly say no, he knew the troops would like to use this rusty machine.

"Very well, we will put it there," Megatron before saying warningly. "You better keep a close optic on it Starscream, if it fails and we are low on Energon."

"I will ensure it doesn't," Optimus assured him. "We will keep it powered and start stockpiling."

Megatorn grunted in agreement before moving away.

Thundercacker walked over to get a cube smiling at his Trine leader "Congratulations with your project Starscream, you did it" before taking a slip of his cube with didn't state that good.

Then Skywarp appeared from behind "yea screamer, i didn't think that thing" point to the machine "world work from the looks off the machine”

"Well, it did," Optimus said with a smile. "And I'm very pleased with our accomplishments."

"Powering it won't be hard, will it?" Thundercracker questioned.

"No, the raw materials it requires are very easy to source," Optimus assured him. "It will mean less conflict with the humans or Autobots."

"You thought of everything didn't you Starscream" asked Thundercracker as he looked at his cube "by the way the cube is not so bad"

"Admit it, it taste horrible" Optimus smirked, the Blue seeker slightly nodded “it's not as sweet as I would like it, but at least it will keep me online”

"So are we going to continue to attack energy plants?" asked Skywarp curious.

"We shouldn't need to," Optimus stated. "That's one of the points of this machine, so we are not always desperate for Energon. Every time we go out to steal Energon, we are using up energy and we don't always get back enough to justify what we used."

"That is a good point," Thundercracker mused. "But I guess this will give us more time to attack the Autobots directly."

Optimus inwardly grimaced but said. "I was hoping Megatron might consider sending Energon to Cybertron, those left behind could really use it."

Thundercracker thought about it, it would be good to send some to there troops who starved on Cybertron, but it was mostly unlikely Megatron would do that.

"When did you get so concerned?" questioned Skywarp

"Haven't you?" asked Optimus "They on Cybertron are hungry, starving even dying and here we a chance to send them some energon and live on, Don't think so selfish"

Skywarp blinked in shock, he had not expected Starscream of all bots to say that.

"Don't we want to save our home?" Optimus demanded. "How can we do that if we do not energise it? There are too few of us on Cybertron, our very species is at risk if we do not help those on our planet."

"But what about the Autobots on Cybertron?" questioned Thundercracker.

"Yeah, like those Femmes," Skywarp stated.

Optimus remembered that his Autobot where sending Energon this week to the Femmes, so they should be alright for now.

"This is hour home planet we are talking about" stated Optimus softly looking at them "Don't nether of you want to see it flashing with life again?"

"Of course we do Screamer, but those Autobots" started Skywarp say only until Optimus interrupted him "Are also Fighting to keep Cybertron online, our goals is more similar then anyone thinks, both faction's wants Cybertron to live on"

Now they really stared at him, had Starscream suffered a knock to the head or something. They just could not believe the way he was talking.

"Star, what are you saying?" Thundercracker said quietly. "That we shouldn't be fighting the Autobots?"

"It is not getting us anywhere," Optimus said simply. "We just fight, get injured, retreat, recover and then do the same thing again. Neither side is on a course to win, we are just at a stalemate and every day, Cybertron moves closer to the brink."

"Cybertron is worth fighting for" said Optimus before remembering that the Decepticons are fighting for most to take over and have control over other planets, when his Autobots frighted for freedom and peace.

Thundercracker just stared at Optimus before suggesting "Starscream, perhaps you need some rest"

"Yea, you have been working to much maybe you should take a brake now" Skywarp followed TC lead, maybe all this working have made Starscream think this way?

Optimus stared at them for a moment before realising that perhaps this wasn't how Starscream usually talked. He decided to accept their suggestion and hope that his words might have made at least a small difference with them.

"Perhaps you are right," he said slowly. "I believe I will take a cube and go back to my quarters."

NOTE: What is Starscream up to in the ark? let's find out.

Chapter Text

Back at the Ark Starscream and Ironhide hand just returned from Cybertron "What where you thinking? Haven't it occur to you sneaked is a better option then attacking Shockwave?" questioned Stascream as he helpt the red mech walk.

"That Slagger asked for it" said Ironhide.

"Let's find Ratchet" said Starscream as they walked by the halls.

"Ah'm fine," Ironhide protested but only half heartedly. After being with his mate, he was in a very good mood and more likely to heed advice.

"Great being back with our gals, weren't it?" he asked his leader who naturally nodded.

"Oh yes," Starscream said wryly. "It was very good."

When they arrived, Ratchet looked up with a raised brow.

"What happened?" he sighed.

Starscream put Ironhide down on the medical metal bed/table before saying "we ran into Shockwave when we delivered the energon cubes"

"And you had to beat him up?" asked Ratchet as he looked at Ironhides injures.

"He was spying at Chorma" Ironhide adding "he deserved it"

"As much you deserve this" said Ratchet took out his tools before start working "i will try to be gentle"

"Thanks," Ironhide said wryly, muttering in a low tone. "No one peeps on ma gal."

Starscream resolved to never let an Autobot catch him spying on one of their mates, not that was very likely. Shockwave it seemed had been alone so long that he'd turned into something of a 'peeping tom' as the humans liked to call it. No doubt the single optic mech would love to capture one of those femmes to recreate whatever fantasies he conjured up while alone.

"I will return to my work" said Starscream to let Ratchet work in peace and there was not much he could do in there med-bay then watching the repairs.

"Allright, prime" replayed Ironhide "ah will return to ma post once Ratchet is done"

Starscream nodded before leaving the room "Wonder how the others are doing with My project" amused to himself before going to find out, maybe he could ask prowl for a report.

"Hey Optimus," a voice called and he glanced down to see the human Spike standing there.

"I didn't know you were back," the young boy said excitedly. "How was the trip? did you kick any Con behind?"

"Ironhide did," Starscream said in a slightly amused Con. How foolish could Shockwave be, wasting time spying on female Autobots when he could be doing more useful things.

"Sweet" said Spike before Stascream asked "What have you been doing?"

Spike looked up to him "Not much, helping dad and hanged around bumblebee"

Starscream listened to the young human he remembered that he wanted to know more about the Autobots and asked "Spike, remember that ride i asked you about?"

The young human nodded and Starscream smiled "Well was thinking if you wanted to join me tomorrow for a short ride?"

"Would I!" gasped Spike in excitement. "That would be awesome!"

"Excellent," Starscream said, smiling behind his mask. "I can pick you up tomorrow if you wish."

"That'd be great," Spike said enthusiastically. "Where we gonna go?"

"Let's make it a surprise," Starscream said slowly, which only made the human grin even more.

"Now i really can't wait for tomorrow" grin spike.

"Don't worry it will be worth waiting for" said Starsceam as they both went by different directions at the hall.

He found his Second in Command sipping a cube of Medium Energon in the Rec Room while perusing a data pad. Grabbing a cube to consume later, Starscream headed over to his table.

"Prime sir," Prowl greeted when he noted his approach. "I trust the mission went well?"

"It went very well although Ironhide got a little banged up beating Shockwave," Starscream stated, sitting down.

"And i would like to know if anything got done awhile i was on Cybertron" said Starscream kindly, he couldn't see Optimus demanding a report from his SIC.

"Yes, i was about to leave a report on your office" answered Prowl as he took up the data-pad "but here you go" offering it to him.

Starscream took it right away and started reading it, it looked like when he was gone the Autobots made a great progress with the showers, they where almost done.

"Excellent," Starscream declared. He had to admit the Autobots were good at getting organised which couldn't be said for the Cons. "You've made good progress."

"Of course sir," Prowl said with a small smile. "I have to admit, morale has been boosted by the prospect of having proper cleaning facilities. I believe the human term is 'feel more homely' would be the best way to describe it."

"I agree," Starscream said, he couldn't wait to try them. Being a ground pounder meant he came into contact with a lot more dust and dirt.

"Is there anything ales I can help you with or was that all?" asked Prowl still drinking his cube.

"Yes, that would be all" said Starstream with a nod as he left the rec-room and went to Primes own quarters/room, decided also to read the notes Elita gave him before going to recharge.

They were interesting and he read them thoroughly, taking in all the details. What a shame it wasn't easy to get in contact with Prime, he wanted to make sure he wasn't messing anything up. Ah well.

The next day Starscream woke up early after a well recharge and as usually he went to the Rec-room for a cube, Life on the Autobot base was more relaxing he had to admit.

Of course, it helped that he was their beloved leader Optimus Prime, none of them had the slightest inclination to attack him or anything of that sort.

After he finished his cube Stascream walked around the ship and some Autobots started to wake up , so in the mean time he went outside sitting one a rock looking at the sky, it was a bit cloudy

"Looks like it might going to rain" mumbled Stascream as he was enjoying the weather.

He hoped it did, he would enjoy the feeling of rain on his body. Shame he couldn't feel it on his wings, that always felt so good. Nevermind, he would savour his drive with the human boy and hopefully learn a bit more about the Autobots.

"Hey Optimus!"

He turned to see Bumblebee come walking out, a cheerful smile on his face.

"Bumblebee," Starscream said, inclining his head.

"I'm just on my way to pick up Spike," the young scout told him. "He's really excited about getting out with you again sir."

"Yes and so am i" said Starscream before adding "he is very good guide around town"

"Yea, he is" replayed Bumblebee after thinking about it "He did tell me about the last ride when he showed you around town"

"Yes, and it feels fair if i showed him a place he never seen before, that would be a perfect surprise for him?" asked Starscream to the yellow minibot, honestly he could care less about the human, what was important was the information he had.

"Yeah it would," Bumblebee said in agreement. "I wonder where you could take him."

"Has he mentioned any places he wants to visit but never has?" Starscream questioned.

"Hmm," Bumblebee said thoughtfully, thinking back over his conversations with the young boy. "Well, there is this canyon some miles to the south that he's never gotten round to exploring. He's always been too busy to stop at it before now."

"I think i know where it is" said Starscream as he was thinking of the place

"Yeah, it's a very nice place" smiled bumblebee as he remembered that part of the lake waters at the stones was very peaceful and had a few animals that are harmless "i will go and get spike, for you soon prime"

Starscream watched the yellow minibot drive away to get his friend "I hope this is worth it" he said to himself, getting info from a human it was a child play.

An hour later, he was driving along a road with Spike in his cab.

"Thanks a lot, Optimus," the boy was saying excitedly. "I can't believe you're taking me out again."

"I greatly enjoy our time together, Spike," Starscream said smoothly, thinking how easy it was to win over so many of the Autobots and their allies. "It is my pleasure to go on another trip with you,"

"Well, it's swell," Spike declared happily.

"I think you will enjoy this" said Starscream with a very kind voice "have you been in this parts?"

"I don't think so" Spike said slowly. "There's a few places I never explored until you guys came along."

He grinned sheepishly "I was always either in school, helping dad with stuff or hanging out with my friends. I thought there would be loads of time for seeing the world...then you guys come along and well, I can't get enough of it."

Leaning forward excitedly, he exclaimed. "You guys have taken me to so many amazing places all over the world, I just can't believe it!"

"You better believe it" said Starscream, they had finally arrived at the mountain and the like water down was shining like sparkles, driving down Spike looked at very thing his eyes could lay on from the stones, small fishes in the water to the birds in the sky.

"This place is beautiful" and now Spike watched a lake and there was two par swans "Optimus stop, look"

"Interesting," Starscream said, watching the two white birds swimming side by side. "What are they?"

"Swans," Spike said with a grin. "We don't normally get them here. They look like a couple."

The Seeker inside a Prime's body watched the two swans rub necks as they carried on swimming.

"I suppose they do," he mused.

"Yea, you know Swans are the only animals that stays with their mate forever" said Spike as he and Starscream continued there drive "even when one of the mate die, the reaming swan will not find a new one"

"That's interesting" replayed Starscream, Truly it was boring, but he didn't know much about earth animals.

They continued into the mountain roads. As the track became a little more ruggard, Starscream decided it might be a good idea to stop.

"You can go on my shoulder if you wish Spike," he stated as he slowed to a stop.

"Thanks," Spike said with a grin, getting out and allowing his friend to transform.

Starscream lower his hand letting spike to climb on before placing him on his shoulder as they continued walking the road.

"To be honest with you Spike, i to have not visit this canyon" Starscream said smoothly, sure he had seen this canyon from the sky and now he just needed to change the conversation to the Autobots "i have only drive passed"

"Then we both are new to this place" grin Spike "If we get lost i will blame you"

Starscream smirked behind his mask, he was not a bot who got lost. But for the young human's benefit he said. "Fair enough."

Holding on tightly, Spike said. "Least it's dry, otherwise we'd get all muddy."

"Just hope Decepticons won't attack us" spike said as we tried to see if he could find a other animal

"I am sure they won't" answered Starscream in the same tone just as before " and if they do, it will be their unlucky day"

"I know," Spike said with a grin. "No con can beat you, not even that old heap of rust, Megadouche."

Now Starscream was really grateful for his mask which hid the massive smirk on his face. Yes, trumping Megatron during that last battle had just been so satisfying. He might not be fond of humans but it was so nice to hear their adoring praise.

"look" said spike as he pointed to a bush and in there was a wild rabbit "isn't it cute"

Starscream stared at it as well, the animal was so small and it was just sitting there until he took a step forward to take a better look, then the wild rabbit started to hop away to a other bush.

"You have to stand still Optimus" suggested Spike as he explained "wild rabbits run away when they hear any sound or danger"

"Ah," Starscream said although he wasn't entirely sure of the appeal. Then again, the creature was incredibly tiny to him while considerably less so to Spike. Maybe Spike thought of this rabbit the same way some of the Autobots thought of him, as a cute little pet. Who knows.

"I'm sure we'll see loads more," Spike said encouragingly.

"I'm sure," Starscream agreed as he carried on through the forest.

They came to a small lake where they sit down for a bit, Spiked looked to have a good time and as they walked again Starscream started to bring up the questions he had planed and to his surprise the boy did know some things about the Autobots.

"Why would you ask me that if you knew the answer?" asked Spike

"I simply wanted to know for sure you didn't feel left out in our base" answered Starscream kindly, it was a good enough lie for the boy to believe in, But it appeared the Adutobots had no end plan then just to get energon and keep Cybertron alive as long as they could then at the same time fight the Decepticons and make sure they would just lose slowly suffering of low energon supplies. A

Chapter Text

Meanwhile at Decepticon base

Optimus had just left the Rec-room and went to find Thundercracker to see what work they had to do for the day.

"Hey Screamer!"

He turned to find Rumble hurrying after him.

"Yes Rumble?" he asked gently.

"You going out later?" the young Minicon questioned.

"I believe I will," Optimus said slowly, wondering why he wanted to know.

"You take me to somewhere?" Rumble asked.

"I could" said Optimus, right now he needed to finish his daily work before getting his free time.

"Sweet, i will look you up later on" smirked Rumble

"Yes, just where do you need me to take you?" asked Optimus curious wanting to know if he gotten himself in any trouble by agreeing giving Rumble a lift.

"The downtown recreational park," Rumble stated. "They've got fun stuff there."

"You're planning to disrupt the humans?" the Seeker asked, trying to hide disapproval.

"Not unless they bother me," Rumble stated. "They've got some films playing and other stuff happening."

"Indeed" replayed Optimus, he had agreed to give the lift and he could not exactly refuse now "Alright Rumble, find me after i finish my work then i can take you out"

"Ok by me" said the light purple minicon before walking away.

Optimus continued to walk to his station where he work also where he now meet skywarp playing around.

"Hey Screamer," Skywarp greeted cheerfully as he threw something else into the air.

"Hello Warp," Optimus said, using the Seeker's nickname. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," Skywarp said with a smirk. "What are you doing, working?"

"I was about to," Optimus said in amusement. "Where is Thundercracker?"

"TC just went for a short flight, he will soon return" answered Skywarp and went to his chair starting up his computer station.

"You didn't join him?" Asked Optimus as he did the same on his Station.

"I will join him next time, besides i was to busy doing something else" smiled the purple.

"Are you by any chance up to something?" Optimus asked wryly.

"Up to something?" Skywarp gasped, placing a hand over his spark. "How could you think such a thing?"

"I have no idea," the Autobot leader said dryly.

"I would never" said Skywarp before looking at Optimus "You can trust this face, can't you"

Optimus decided to trust the seeker by his word and started to work, it didn't take long until Thundercracker entered the room.

"TC you back" smiled Skywarp in joy.

"Did you have a good flight?" Optimus asked, reviewing his notes.

"Yes, it was wonderful," Thundercracker said with a small smile as Skywarp exclaimed. "Oh Primus, I don't believe this."

"What?" both bots said as Skywarp said urgently. "You guys gotta see this."

Innocently, they both came over and peered into what Skywarp was offering them. A moment later, there was an explosion and they both yelped as something wet hit them in the face.

The Next thing they heard was Skywarp laughing as they both tried to take away the paint from there optics.

"Warp!" both Thundercracker and Optimus yelled at the same time, why they trusted this mech was beyond them.

"Aw come one, you have to admit that was funny" laughed the purple seeker "i really could picked out a better colour, you both look horrible in green"

Thundercracker growled, flicking flecks of green paint everywhere.

"Warp," he said dangerously.

"Come on, you can take a joke," the purple and black Seeker stated as Thundercracker smirked coldly.

"No you are right Warp" said Optimus before adding "But i believe the Green colour might look much better on you"

With that both Optimus and Thundercracker started to smearing Skywarp with the green paint with luckily was still fresh.

"Ahh, No this is not what i meant" as the purple and black tried to escape there grasp

They both just laughed and held him tighter.

"TC," Optimus purred evilly. "Why don't you hold him down and I'll fetch some lovely pink paint."

"Sounds like a good plan," Thundercracker agreed as Skywarp howled in protest. "No, I don't want pink!"

"But we believe you will look so adorable in pink and you agree Thundercracker?" asked Optimus with a smile.

"Oh yes, you brought this upon yourself warp" replayed the blue Seeker.

Optimus went to the nearest storage room and brought with him the pink colour "Now, will you behave for the rest of the day?"

"Yes, yes," cried skywarp. "Just don't put that on me!"

"Can we trust his word?" Optimus asked Thundercracker in amusement..

"I'm not sure," the seeker replied teasingly.

"Maybe you right Thundercracker, I think a punishment is required" agreed Optimus "Maybe that will teach him a little lesson"

Optimus took a brush and gave the other to Thundercracker, Skywarp started to struggle more he could not warp away with out taking them both with him.

"Please i do anything" Skywarp begged and added desperately. "I'll dump pink paint on someone else for you,"

"Like who?" Optimus asked.

"Uh, Megatron?" Skywarp offered.

"No, I'd rather not get into his bad books right now," Optimus said, shaking his head. "Keep going."

"Okay, well...uh....," Skywarp mumbled. "Alright....what about....Prime?"

"Prime?" repeated Optimus, but it was nether Megatron or Starscream and he rather take his chances with meant Starscream would be quite surprised "Allright, I would like to see that with my own optics"

"If you can pull it off, of course" pointed out Thundercracker, Skywarp had done many pranks, but this might be one of the more unthinking of .

"There is nothing i can't do" Protested the Dark purple seeker "Don't you dare forget it"

"We will see about that" Smirked Thundercracker and gave him the pink paint.

"Okay," Skywarp said but before he could warp away, Thundercracker stated. "Wait a moment, we're coming along too. I don't think either of us want to miss this."

Optimus chuckled in agreement.

"Alright, I'll take you guys with me," Skywarp sighed. "Hold on tight."

They grasped Skywarp's arms and he warped them out of the base. They activated their thrusters and shot into the air as they adjusted to the change of scenery. As they started heading towards the base, Skywarp said. "How are we gonna get him out?"

"I think i have a idea" suggested Optimus after thinking of a way "we will fly to there base then to the security cameras see us, after that we wait in the air above the entry of the ark and when they came out we throw them the pint"

"Hmm that is not a bad idea" Agreed Thundercracker "and you are sure this will work?"

"Hey it has to" Smirked Skywarp "i want to see there faces when we do this"

"It's worth a try," Optimus said simply, it would be rather interesting to prank his own crew. Normally, he would not do that, as Prime he had to set an example but as Starscream....he could bend the rules a little.

Meanwhile, Starscream and Spike were not long back from they're little trip.

"Thanks again Optimus," Spike said gratefully. "It was an awesome trip, did you see that lightening?"

"I did," Starscream said amused.

"Great wasn't it?" smiled Spike

"Yes it was" said Starscream, he had seen some lightnings when he flew in a rainstorm before, but this was not so bad nether.

"Optimus, Sir" called Prowl as he ran to Starscream "our security cameras have picked up Decepticons who are near by our base"

"Oh, how near are they?" asked Starscream and waited for his SIC to answer

"From what we can tell, they are quite close" replayed Prowl "What are your orders Sir?"

"Have you identified them?" Starscream questioned and Prowl replied. "It appears to be Seekers but we're not a hundred percent sure which ones."

"We'd better go and chase them away before they cause trouble," Starscream stated, he was sure they were up to mischief. If it was Skywarp trying to play a prank, he'd blast his aft.

"Yes sir," Prowl said with a nod as Spike asked. "Can I come?"

"It is better if you don't" stated Starscream, this was just great the base might be under attack and all he needed was a human to slow him down "Why don't you stay here inside where it is safe"

"If you say so, but can i come next time?" asked Spike hopeful

"We will see, Now Prowl ready the others" Starscream ordered "we need to get outside"

"At ones Sir" obeyed Prowl and did as he was ordered to, the next thing was that Starscream, Ironhide, Jazz and Prowl where going outside the base.

"Yah want us tah bring them down?" Ironhide asked with a grin.

"No, just chase them off," Starscream advised. "It's more trouble than it's worth keeping them."

"Alright," the weapon's expert sighed with a slight pout, he'd been looking forward to clipping a few cheeky Seeker's wings. But orders were orders.

"How long will it take for them to get out?!" Asked Skywarp impatiently, it felt like forever.

"If you keep yelling like that, it won't be long" said Thundercracker "and besides we have been waiting around 5 minuets"

"Get ready, here they come" Optimus said as he heard Ironhide and Starscream speak, all three where hovering above the entry of the ark waiting for their pray.

"Finally" Smirked Skywarp and Halde his bucket of paint ready, soon the Autobots, Starscream was outside and right there where they wanted them.

"Wait for it," Optimus murmured as the bots below tilted their heads upwards.

"NOW!"

"What?" Starscream exclaimed in confusion as Skywarp gleefully pourerd his can of pink paint all over him and the others.

"Those little's" started Ironhide to snarl angrily, he, Prowl, Jazz and Starscream where now covered in pink paint.

"Hey Autosums, you all look great in pink" yelled Skywarp, Thundercracker and Optimus Where laughing so hard that they almost got shot when IronHide started to shoot at them.

Starscream felt his temper rinsing as well, 'How dare Prime inspire those two to create mischief, well, he'd soon show them!!'

"Ironhide," he growled. "You may now shoot them down."

"With pleasure," Ironhide growled right back, lifting his paint flecked rifle up.

"Aww, come on," the one they believed to be Starscream said. "It's just a little harmless fun."

"Ohh yea?, then this will be a harmless game called you will PAY FOR THIS!" yelled Ironhide angrily at them before starting firing, he had enough to deal with the Twins and now the seekers?

"You are to Grumpy old timer, light up will you." teased Skywarp as he dodged a other shot and Optimus and Thundercracker did the same.

"Old timer? I will show you" red mech growled.

"Should we help him?" asked Jazz a bit concerned.

"No, let him get one down then we'll help," Starscream said grimly as Ironhide continued to take aim.

"Blasted Seeker," roared Ironhide, finally scoring a shot on Skywarp's wing who screeched with pain and started to tumble down. Optimus swooped down to catch him and of course, was now in the firing range.

"Now you may help," Starscream declared.

Starscream watched as Ironhide continued shot, Jazz and Prowl started to aim at Thundercracker who tired to dodge them, but it was not so easy when two Autobots where shooting at him.

"We need to get out of here" yalled Thundercracker at Optimus who just catch Skywarp and tried to fly up out from the firing range.

"No, you don't" murmured Starscream before aiming at Optimus and shot one of his thrusters, with that Optimus lost control and prepared for crash landing.

"Urgh," he groaned after he'd hit the dirt as it were.

His thruster was stinging madly but he still managed to push himself up slightly and ask. "Skywarp, are you badly hurt?"

"Nah, I'm fine," Skywarp said airily.

"Freeze, Cons," Ironhide barked at them.

Ironhide aiming his weapon at Optimus, it felt strange that Ironhide was doing that to him, they where after all good friends.

Starscream watched as Jazz and Prowl changed there weapon to a another with shot a sticky rope that catch Thundercrackers leg and started to drag him down, ones he was down Prowl put on some cuffs on him.

"Take them in" ordered Starscream.

"Can't you Gliche's take a joke?" complained Skywarp was they were pulled up.

"I'll show you joke," Ironhide grumbled, giving the back of his helm a cuff. "Yah better hope this stuff washes out easy."

"I dunno if it does," mused Skywarp, earning a growl from his captor.

Optimus meanwhile caught Starscream's optic and gave him a meaningful look.

Once inside the base Ironhide and Prowl took Skywarp and Thundercracker to there little jail room.

"Hey why is not screamer with us?" demanded Skywarp, he didn't like this, but at least this prank was the best one he ever done.

"He will join you soon enough, until he dose your have your friend to talk to" and with that Prowl locked them in and walked out from there.

Optimus was in his office with Starscream who didn't look so happy.

Chapter Text

Optimus was in his office with Starscream who didn't look so happy.

"What were you thinking?" Starscream demanded angrily as Optimus sat casually opposite him .

"What on Cybertron possessed you to go along with one of Skywarp's stupid scheme? I would have thought you'd have a lot more sense."

"I thought it might be fun" Optimus said unconcernedly.

"Fun!?" Starscream half roared, unable to screech like he used to. "Look at me, I am covered in pink paint!!"

Optimus looked at Starscream and he felt guilty as he also did have a point, this was not like him, he is supposed to be responsible.

"Yes i do see your point, But i could not resist the idea" started Optimus to say "as a Prime i had to show good example, now when i am you i thought it wouldn't hurt to do it this Ones"

"You are showing a bad example to my Trine, you are the Trine Leader start acting like it and show responsibility" demeaned Starscream, now he really sounded like a leader.

Optimus stared at him, it was so odd to be lectured and by Starscream no less. It appeared that the Seeker was flourishing as a responsible leader. Probably because everyone under his command automatically trusted him and so Starscream didn't have to fight or scheme to win respect. But still, it was very interesting to see him like this.

"I did not think it would cause harm," he finally said. "But you are right, I should had act more responsibly."

"Yes you should!" replayed Starscream before asking "Now tell me you didn't mess up back at the Nemesis?"

"No i haven't, everything is normal back there" answered Optimus, it looked like Starscream was worried about him with felt strange.

"It better be and you are telling me nothing have happened after our switch?" questioned Starscream.

"Well, actually....," Optimus said and Starscream groaned.

"What is it?" he asked painfully.

"It's nothing bad," Optimus defended. "But we've been working on a basic energon producing machine and we recently got one working."

"What?" exclaimed Starscream in shock, jumping up from his chair "And Megatron LET you!!?"

"At first No, but he changed his mind quickly and put me in charge of the project" Optimus started to explain "your Trine helpt me make a list and Constructicons agreed to build it"

Starscream just started at Optimus, Megatron had never listened to him or any of his ideas and now he listened to Optimus? "Well this is unexpected"

"Indeed, but I believe Megatron didn't think i would succeed and so he allowed it" reply Optimus back.

"Ah, now that makes sense," Starscream said with a nod. "He always did enjoy watching me fail."

"Hmm, it is not a good thing," Optimus stated. "A leader must work with his officers not act as though they are his enemies."

"Well, that's Megatron for you," Starscream said with a slight shrug. "He believes that only he is capable."

"I wonder why" asked Optimus curious and looked at Starscream who answered "I don't know why, he been like this for decivorn's"

"Very well" Optimus decided to let it go, maybe he will found out someday "has anything happened here? except for the prank of course"

"Yes, we delivered the Energon to your femme's warrior" Starsceamsaid as a starter.

"You saw Elita?" Optimus said quietly, staring at him.

"Yes and she realised I was not you," Starscream sighed. "So I was forced to reveal my identity. She accepted what we are doing although she is not fully happy about it."

"I can imagine," Optimus said wryly. "My Elita......"

"Other then that i put out on a little project to improve the wash racks here on this ship" said Starscream, how he couldn't wait to use one of them, especially now to wash away this pink paint.

"So you beat me to it, how far have you come?" asked Optimus a bit amused.

"I believe your men are finishing them as we speak" replayed Starscream as he tried to take away some of the paint "And I on the other hand can't wait to test them"

"I can imagine," Optimus said, unable to stop a small grin spreading across his face.

Starscream gave him a glare and started wondering if it was possible to punish him while still maintaining his role as Prime.

"If it helps," Optimus added, seeing his expression. "Skywarp pranked Thundercracker and I with green paint."

"Oh he did? Well that explains where you got the idea" Starscream sighed.

"Not really, you see me and Thundercracker wanted to punish him for the prank" started Optimus to say "We planed to paint him pink"

Starscream couldn't help but to smile, what he won't give to do worse on Skywarp.

"But he started to struggle and somehow inspire us to prank you instead" Explained Optimus, he was just happy he didn't do this to Megatron, Thank Primus.

"Typical skywarp," mused starscream with a shake of the head. "Well, I suppose it could have been worse."

"Indeed," agreed optimus. "I am glad you are getting on so good, the project sounds like a good one."

"It is," starscream assured him.

"Well right now i am your prisoner , what will you do we me?" asked Optimus, surely Starscream could keep him a prisoner for very long, he needed to return back to the Nemesis.

"We will see, After your prank i think you should be punished and i am sure Megatron can survive with out you for 3 days" mused Starscream, as his Prisoners he could punish them and he had the perfect idea how.

"So you will keep us for a couple of days?" Optimus questioned calmly. He knew his men would not torture him or his 'trine', that was not their way.

"I believe so," Starscream. "That's what you've done in the past."

That was true, the Autobots did tend to keep their prisoner for a few days. They did not like releasing them instantly as a short spell in the brig was a deserved punishment for anyone who'd attacked them. But any longer and Megatron would not be happy, he generally went along with the short spells of imprisonment.

"But I'm not just going to keep you in the brig," Starscream said and Optimus sighed, he had a bad feeling about this.

"I think some chores will be good for you and for my Trine" said Starscream, yes This will teach them some respect.

"I guess that is only fair after what we have done to you" agreed Optimus, sure he didn't like it, but he deserves it.

"Good then, now i will take you back to the brig with TC and warp" said Starscream as he lead Optimus out from his office and by the halls down until the came to the brig, once they entered the room he put Optimus inside with TC , warp.

Starscream looked at his Trine and said "I suggest you rest, tomorrow your chores will begin"

Skywarp groaned, he didn't like the sound of that "why us?"

"Because that's what happens around here," Starscream told him sternly, thinking of the twins. "You play a prank, then you can expect some chores."

"Not fair," Skywarp said with a pout, crossing his arms.

Starscream resisted the urge to roll his optics before saying. "If you behave, you'll get some Energon but any more mischief and you'll get more chores. Understand?"

"Yes," Optimus and Thudnercracker said while Skywarp exclaimed. "You're so boring."

"You better get used to it, not everything is a game" and with that Starscream left the brig.

"Seriously screamer? couldn't you change his processor about this?" complained Skywarp, totally not in the mood.

Optimus couldn't help but to sighed "Skywarp first of all we are his prisoners and secondly it is a small price to pay after our prank"

Skywarp didn't look convinced but Thundercracker said. "He's right Warp, we've just got to except it."

"Fine," Skywarp pouted. "This is all your fault you know."

"Oh really?" the blue Seeker said sardonically.

"Yeah, if you hadn't tried to pour that pink paint on me, we wouldn't be here," he argued.

"Well Warp, If you wouldn't have prank me and Starscream in the first place we would never gotten the idea punish you with the paint" pointed out Thundercracker to him "with makes this technically all your fault"

Skywarp was about to tell him other wise when he couldn't think of any reason except "Well , you two agreed to prank Prime to and came along with the idea"

"That we did" agreed Optimus, he didn't like to see them fight this way "But let's not start fight about this, what is done just leave it to the past"

"Besides," Optimus added with a grin. "It's not every day we get to paint the Prime pink. Not to mention all his cronies."

This made Skywarp brighten instantly.

"Did you see the looks on their faces," asked Skywarp and declared smugly. "We should have filmed that, it was so awesome."

"Yes it was, but it was just for this once time" Optimus pointed out, there was no way he would prank anyone again like this.

"Yea, i am not saying we shouldn't do it again" said the Purple black seeker.

"You better not warp, i don't want any trouble especially here" said Thundercaker before smiling at him "But i agree their faceplates where priceless"

They all shared a laugh.

Meanwhile, Starscream was talking to his officers about what he was going to do with the three Seekers.

"So, they will do chores around the Ark," he finished.

"That sounds like a reasonable punishment," Prowl agreed although Ironhide still looked extremely annoyed.

"Yes, but we still do need someone to watch them in case" pointed out Starcsream "and would you be interested Irondide?"

"Hmm, it would give meh a opportunity for some revenge" thought the red mech "Would ah be in control and decide what chores they should do?

"Of course" nodded Starscream "but nothing to hard"

"Of course not Prime," Ironhide said lightly. "Yah can count on me tah make sure they don't try anything or try tah escape."

"Thank you Ironhide," Starscream said gratefully, he was sure the gruff weapon's expert would not allow the Trine to pull any more pranks. However, he didn't know Ironhide well enough to recognise the signs of brooding vengeance in his demeanour.

"I'm going to take a wash," Starscream murmured to himself, he'd had a quick one earlier but there were still a lot of flecks on his armour.

After Starscream was done with his meeting with Prowl and Ironhide, he went to his personal shower in his room and started to scrub himself spotless once more.

When Starscream was doing that Ironhide was walking around the ship thinking what he should do with the seekers until he bumped to a the kind of the dinosaurs.

"Watch you going" snarled Grimlock.

Ironhide looked at Grimlock and got a idea "Grimlock? how much do you hate the seekers?"

"Me Grimlock hate Seekers lots," Grimlock roared furiously, almost beating his chest.

Ironhide smiled and said. "Well, we've got the Seeker Trine as our prisoners and Prime wants me tah oversee them cleaning the base up. Wanna help me guard them?"

"Me Grimlock like that lots," he stated as the other Dinobots made noises of agreement. "Dinobots beat stupid Seekers."

"Ah didn't mean that," Ironhide hastened to say. "Y'all just watch them with me and if they try anything, yah tell me."

"Why" asked Swoop curiously

"Because they are our prisoners and ah am responsible for them and need to know if they would try to make a other prank for a example yah might have seen us today in pink" explained Ironhide and the Dinobots where now laughing, they must seen one of them in that colour.

"Yah don't mind being mah guards?" he asked again letting them think about it for a moment.

"Hmm, we Dinobots accept" answered Grimlock.

Chapter Text

"Hmm, we Dinobots accept" answered Grimlock

"Good, oh one more thing if the try to escape you may go after them" smiled Ironhide

"And then beat them?" Grimlock asked eagerly.

"No, y'all bring them tah meh," Ironhide said firmly and the large Dinobot sighed in disappointment but he still wanted to guard the prisoner.

"When we do this?" he questioned.

"Come along and we will meet them soon" said Ironhide as he and the Dinobots picked up a few things that the seekers would need for today and once done they all headed off to the seekers cell "Now yah all wait here outside and i will get them"

"This is not so bad, sitting in here doing nothing" smiled Skywarp before the door opened and all three seekers saw Ironhide come in.

"Come on, yah chores won't get done by themselves" said the red mech as he open the cell door.

Optimus had a bad feeling about this, but did as Ironhide told him and gave them each a bucket with some cleaning stuff in there.

"Do we have to?" whined Skywarp, he hated cleaning.

"Yes," Ironhide told him sternly.

"What are we cleaning?" Optimus questioned as they were hustled out of the brig.

"Y'all gonna clean the Wheeljack's lab," Ironhide said with a smirk.

"That crazy inventor?" exclaimed Thundercracker.

"Yes that's the one" Smirked Ironhide and lead them to Wheeljack's lab where they meet the Dinobots waiting outside the lab.

"Great, What are they doing here?" asked Skywarp in a rude way, and the Dinobots glared at him a stare.

"They are your guards and will tell me everything you do" answered Ironhide.

"WHAT?, you got to be s***** kidding me" bust out Skywarp, not liking the idea of a few beast keeping a optic at him.

"Ah am not and ah won't tolerate that kind of language," Ironhide told him severely. "Now git tah work."

"Leave it," warned Optimus before Skywarp could say anything that would get him into trouble "Let us get on with it."

"But what if something blows up?" Skywarp complained.

"Nothing's gonna blow up," stated Ironhide. "Now git on with it."

"Fine" mumbled Skywarp as he, Starscream and Thundercracker entered in the room.

The hole room looked really messed up and very dirty, a few parts of the walls where in black dust everywhere and like wise there was a lot of odd parts around the room.

"Where should we start?" Asked Thunderracker, how would they finish this room? it could take hours.

"We could start with the tables and then more on to the walls later to the ground" suggested Optimus.

"Don't forget the roof" said Thundercracker pointed up with his finger and they all looked up to see black spots everywhere.

"Ah yes," Optimus said before mumbling. "I'd forgotten about that."

It was not easy work, everything seemed to be dirty or stained with chemicals. Optimus was thinking about how he'd need to talk to Wheeljack once he was in his real body about taking better care of his lab. It was not good to let it get into this state, he honestly had no idea how his engineer could possibly work.

"What's this?" Thundercracker asked with a disgusted expression as he held up an old part dripping with some sort of ooze.

"No idea," Optimus said honestly.

Thundercracker cleaned away some of the ooze and continued to take next odd looking part and clean it as well.

"Why had it to be Cleaning?" mumbled the dark purple seeker as he tried to clean away the black dust on the table "We will be stuck here forever"

"No we won't, This may look like a impossible task but we can do it" said Optimus "and we might get some rest after this"

"How do you know we will get rest when we finish this?" questioned Skywarp as he took up a black wired looking tool that zap his hand with some electricity awhile he tried to dust of the tables.

"Oww!" he yelped, automatically swatting it away, causing the tool to hit a strange looking device which received a zap of energy.

"Oops," Skywarp exclaimed, trying to pick it up but only managing to drop it onto the ground.

"Warp," Thundercracker scolded, the last thing they needed was a broken piece of equipment that would get them all into trouble.

"I'm sorry," the purple and black Seeker stated before noticing that ice appeared to be forming all around the device and it was spreading quickly.

Optimus and Thundercracker looked over at Skywarp only to see the device under ice who was spreading quickly from the ground to the walls and everything until it slowliy stop with half of the room in ice.

"Oh no" mumbled Optimus, noticing the ice stop and the half room was now covered in deep ice and so was Skywarps legs.

"Screamer, TC" said in panic Skywarp as he tried to break free his legs from the ice with a punch "Help"

Thundercracker made a noise of frustration before rushing forward to try and help him. Optimus did the same, vaguely wondering why Wheeljack had an ice forming device. While Thundercracker tugged, Optimus tried hacking at the ice but sadly, wasn't doing such a good job at it.

"Ahh!" Skywarp cried, trying to struggle free but failing miserable. "Help me!"

"What you Seekers doing?" an angry voice demanded and they turned to see Grimlock stomping in. Before they could say anything, Grimlock's foot at stepped on the ice and a moment later, was in the air as he fell on his back.

"What seekers done?" demanded Grimlock with a angry voice as he got up, but nutable with his balance.

"It was a accident" reply Opyimus simply to the Dinosaur "one of Weeljacks devises broke"

"Hmm" snared Grimlock as he looked around and spotted Skywarp what situation he was on "You stuck"

"Oh no really?" Skywarp said in a sarcastic tone before changing is tone to more angry one "of course i am stuck"

"Skywarp" warned Optimus and gave him a look he didn't like, but this was out of control "Grimlock, can you call Ironhide?"

"You no tell Grimlock what to do," Grimlock roared furiously as he slipped and crashed into a table this time.

Optimus sighed heavily, he'd almost forgotten how stubborn the Dinobot could be and just how much he hated being told what to do. If he wasn't careful, they could find themselves in a lot of trouble.

"What happen?" Swoop asked, sticking his head in.

"You Swoop get him Ironhide," Grimlock snarled at him.

Swoop obeyed and run off to find Ironhide and started to with sniffing the air and soon enough knew where to run.

Ironhide was in the rec-room talking to Prowl "Relax, the dinobot's are watching the seekers and ah am sure they won't get any ideas"

"Even so how are you sure of it?" asked Prowl and that moment Swoop came in to the room "You Ironhide must come, seekers trouble, room cold "
Prowl raised a brow at Ironhide who got up and said grimly. "Ah'll deal with 'em."

"Good luck with that," the SIC stated, sipping at a cube. "They appear to have triggered one of Wheeljack's inventions, he really must be more organised."

"Tell that tah him," was all Ironhide would say as he stalked off after Swoop.

When Ironhide reached Wheeljack's lab he just stared at the situation before finding the words to say "Alright, who is responsible for this"

"Me Grimlock think him" and Grimlock pointed at Skywarp who know still trying crack the ice with his fists, but didn't have much luck.

"How strong is this Ice?" asked now Skywarp, everything he tried failed and he didn't want to be stuck in this room forever.

Ironhide didn't answer, just folded his arms and demanded. "Did you do this?"

"Not on purpose," Skywarp defended. "Something zapped me and I hit it and then this happened."

"What did I say about causing trouble?" scolded Ironhide, coming in further.

"Not to," groaned Skywarp. "Come on, get me out of this stuff, it's freezing my wires."

"Fine, but i warn you if any of you three causing any trouble there will be more chores to do" told Ironhide them and went over to Skywarp and looked at that ice.

"I should congratulate you, you are stuck real good" said the red mech before looking at one of the Dinobots and asked "Snarl why don't you use fire at the ice , just be careful with Skywarp"

"Okay," Snarl said slowly, stepping forward and breathing fire over the ice.

Skywarp yelped at the sensation of rapidly melting ice before wobbling on the spot and pitching over. He was caught by Optimus who carefully supported.

"Are you alright?" he asked anxiously.

"My thrusters," he moaned.

"What about them?" asked Optimus as he tired to support to stand

"I .. i can't move them" said Skywarp in shock as he tried to move one of his legs, but couldn't and soon he panic "I can't move my legs"

"It's alright," Optimus said soothingly to keep him calm, but he was concerned.

"Please," he said to Ironhide. "I think skywarp may have injured himself."

"How do ah know he ain't just faking it?" The red mech demanded.

"Let ratchet examine him and he can easily tell us," Optimus stated.

Ironhide thought about Optimus request and if skywarp had really injured himself? "Fine, But don't make meh regret this"

"Thundercacker would you" Optimus didn't have to finish before the blue seeker went to Skywarp's other side and supported him.

Before they went Ironhide asked the Dinobots to do him a favor and melt the ice in that lab, now all four of them went to Ratchets med-bay.

Ratchet was repaying a broken weapon when he heard some footstep "Who is there?"

"It's meh," Ironhide said, entering and gesturing at the Seekers to follow. "This blasted Seeker claims tah have injured himself."

"What happened?" the medic asked with a heavy sigh.

"Skywarp accidentally hit one of Wheeljack's inventions and froze his legs," Optimus explained quickly.

Ratchet raised a brow at this but simpyl gestured at a berth.

"Alright let's take a look" said Ratchet and ones Skywarp was on the berth he started with a scan "Hmm the scan don't show any unusual, do you feel any pain?"

"No" answered Skywarp and added "I just don't feel my legs at all"

"I see" and Ratchet took some of his tools and started to look at his legs, ones he open up a bit Ratchet saw that Skywarps circuits where wet and some where still frozen "I see your problem"

"So he ain't faking?" Ironhide questioned and Ratchet shook his head.

"No, he isn't, this is a problem," he stated and Skywarp had a very pained look on his face.”What have happened is his leg wires are still frozen with can't take any command from the body”

"I'll need to gently thaw these out," Ratchet now declared. "It'll hurt and I wouldn't recommend him walking about, he could easily fall and damage something else. He might as well stay in the med bay until I clear him."

Ironhide didn't look happy but he accepted Ratchet's diagnosis.

"Alright but y'all better cuff him so he don't cause no trouble."

"I doubt he could," Ratchet said with a smile.

"You two will have to continue with out your friend" demanded Ironhide was about to take them back

"But Warp need us here" said Thundercracker, but he was not about to abandon him or leave him alone "sure he can be a moron, but is our Trine moron"

"Hey!, i am right here you know" yelled Skywarp, all tho he know TC didn't mean to hurt his feelings.

"Besides, i don't think the Dinobots have melt all the ice in weeljacks lab yet" Optimus said and added "it will take sometime"

Ironhide narrowed his optics and was about to give them a stern rebuke before being interrupted by Ratchet.

"They might as well stay and clean up here," he stated. "Their presence will keep their Trine member more settled. You can stay if you want."

Ironhide thought about it, he wasn't sure about leaving the Seekers alone in the med bay.

"Hmm, someone needs to watch them" Ironhide said before taking a seat "What you waiting for? start cleaning"

Ones more Optimus and Thundercracker got some cleaning stuff and went to work, starting to dust of everything and the med-bay was in much better condition then the lab.

"Don't forget my tools" said Ratchet.

Optimus hid an amused smile, while the med bay was much better kept than Wheeljack's lab, Ratchet had a hard time keeping it spotless. He just didn't have the time or was too tired. Prowl sometimes set bots the task of cleaning the med bay as a punishment but he couldn't always use it since there were a lot of other places in the Ark needing cleaned.

"Well, this is better than the lab," Thundercracker murmured to Optimus. "Think Megatron knows we're missing yet?"

"I have no idea," Optimus said with a shrug. "Perhaps the Autobots have not contacted him yet."

"What will we do when he founds out?" asked Thundercracker.

"We will deal with it when it comes to us, right now we have to focus on cleaning this med-bay" said Optimus and cleaned some of Ratchets boxes.

"They not doing to bad" said Ironhide watched them clean and what the clean was good.

"If you say so, i am more concentrating on my patient" answered Ratchet as he found a other small ice he took out from Skywap's circuits.

"Oww," Skywarp moaned.

"Hold still," Ratchet told him sternly. "Next time, be more careful."

"He shouldn't leave stuff lying around like that," pouted the hurt Seeker.

Ratchet shrugged, you just couldn't tell Wheeljack.

Optimus and Thundercracker didn't have much left to clean soon then the other berths, after they finished that they really where all done and pit back the cleaning stuff where they first took them

"How is it going?" asked Optimus to Ratchet.

"Good, have you two cleaned everything?" Ratchet asked the seekers who nodded back.

"Alright, nothing else for you to do here," he said, finishing with Skywarp.

Turning to Ironhide he said. "They must as well go back to the brig with this foolish Seeker, he'll need to rest for a bit."

Ironhide nodded, it was probably easier that way and at least two of them had completed their duties.

"Right, ah'll feed them there," he stated.

Optimus and Thundercracker took Skywarp and they followed Ironhide back to the brig where he locked them in again "ah'll be back soon"

Now all three of them where sitting at the Brig and Optimus couldn't help but ask "how you feeling warp?"

"I will live, it still hurts" said the black purple seeker, after a minuet or two Ironhide returned with three cubes of energon.

"Here," he said, sliding them through an opening before closing them. "If y'all continue tah behave, y'all get more tomorrow."

Optimus nodded and the red Mech sloped away.

"This'll make you feel better," he told Skywarp kindly, gathering up the cubes and passing them around.

"Thanks" Skywarp took his cube happily, ones they all finished there cubes they decided to recharge, it wasn't much they could do in the brig and it was better to save up some energy for the next day.

At the Nemesis the Decepticons continued there day as normal and Megatron was about to call Starscream, his energon machine started to run low.

"Where is Starscream?" asked Megatron and looked at Soundwave.

"Location: Unknown," intoned Soundwave and Megatron frowned in annoyance.

"Locate him," he demanded.

Soundwave spent a few moments on the monitors before shaking his head.

"Statement: Elite Trine is not on board and there is no record of them since yesterday."

"What?!" Asked Megatron surprised "are you sure?"

Soundwave nodded before showing the screen and every place of the Nemesis from the cameras, it was true Megatron could not see his Elite Trine on any of this cameras with meant one thing.

"That blasted Prime" roared Megatron before demanded "Call the Autobots Now"

"As you command lord Megatron," Soundwave rumbled before typing in the appropaite commands.

Megatron waited impatiently, tapping his fingers on the counter. He was furious that he hadn't been contacted earlier, normally Prime would call when he captured any of his men. Finally, Optimus Prime appeared on screen.

"What is it Megatron?" he asked.

"What is it!?" repeated Megatron before going to the point "You know very well Prime"

"Ah yes your Elite Trine isn't it right" smiled Starscream before asking "what about them?"

"Why have you Captured them and not contacted me about it?" demanded Megatron, sure he always wanted to know everything and so why did the Prime not do so this time?

"Hmm you wouldn't be interested, it is a waste of your time" answered Starscream, with made Megatron more curious to know why the Trine got captured.

"I am interested Prime," he stated. "Tell me."

The Prime looked at him for a moment before saying. "Alright Megatron, since you want to know so much....your Elite Trine showed up at my base and started acting like sparklings."

"What!?" exclaimed Megatron. "Are you serious Prime?"

"I am," he stated. "They poured paint over my officers so we captured them and then placed them in our brig where they shall remain for the time being."

Megatron could not believe what he was hearing, this was most embarrassing before asking with a angry voice "When will you release them?"

"After what they have done, i think they should stay for some day until they have learned there lesson" replayed Starscream, with reminded him to check on his Trine "did you want them for something?"

The energon machine was low on energy and Megatron could as well ask the Constructicons to power it up they did after all build it "No, that was all Prime"

"Very well," Starscream said, pausing before saying. "Perhaps you could 'advise' your troops not to act so foolishly in future."

Burning with humiliation, Megatron growled. "Don't you worry Prime, I will take care of soldiers."

He made a harsh gesture with Soundwave who cut the connection.

"That blasted Starscream!" Megatron cursed. "I knew he couldn't act with a scrap of dignity for long."

Chapter Text

At the Brig all three of the seekers where still in recharging until a red mech came in to the room "Alright, get up you seekers!!"

"Wait what hu?" asked Skywarp when he woke up "aww you can't be serious, it's so early"

Optimus woke up after that and so did Thundercracker before they saw Ironhide "Come on, you three can't be late for you new chores now can ya?"

"You are kidding," Skywarp groaned. "Don't we get breakfast?"

"Y'all get breakfast when yer done," Ironhide told them sternly and Optimus dimly thought they were lucky he was only making them do chores rather than something like drill. Now that really would be unpleasant.

"So we'll do some chores, then get fed?" Thundercracker asked and Ironhide nodded.

"Yeah, then y'all do some more," he told them. "Now get along."

"Yay .. more boring chores" said Skywarp with a tired voice, all he wanted to do was go back to recharge.

"Come one Warp, you didn't do much of your chores yesterday" pointed out Thundercracker.

"Today y'all will Clean the Dinobots after they helpt yah melt that ice they got a bit dirty" smiled Ironhide, this would get interesting.

Optimus groaned and Skywarp yelped. "Seriously? You want us to clean those savages?"

"Oh yes," Ironhide said, smirking. "But don't worry, ah'll be here tah make sure y'all do it right."

"Oh well, that makes it all better," Skywarp said sarcastically, receiving a sharp nudge from Thundercracker.

Inside the room the Dinobots where in the center and frighted with each other.

Ironhide went to a wall where he pressed a button and the wall locker opened up and in there was everything they needed to clean the Dinobots "Remember if any of yah cause trouble yah will be sorry, now move on with your task"

The seekers took each a bucket with water and sponge and looked at the Dinobots.

"So .. who is first?"asked Skywarp.

"I suppose I'll go first," Optimus offered, he was meant to be their trine leader after all.

Approaching the Dinobots, he spoke to Grimlock and said. "Would you like me to clean you Grimlock?"

The Dinnobot regarded him suspiciously before growling. "Fine, you Seeker clean me Grimlock."

"Thank you," Optimus murmured before dunking his sponge into the hot soapy water and squeezing it out. He then applied it to Grimlock's dirty armour and began to clean.
"Well going to wish screamer luck" said Skywarp, he thought Starscream would go for a less dangerous Dinobot.

"He will manage" Thundercracker now looked at the two renaming Dinobots.

Swoop walked to him and asked "You blue one clean me swoop?"

With that Thundercacker started to clean the flying Dinobot, Skywarp looked at Snarl "oh Good, I got the Slow one"

Not knowing the Dinobot heart him, Snarl used his tail and kicked Skywarp in the back with made him fall on his front "Me snarl no slow!"

"Oww!" Skywarp complained, but Ironhide was not amused.

"Get going," he ordered as the Seeker picked himself up, rubbing his aft.

"Fine," snapped Skywarp, in a very bad mood now.

Like the others, he started to clean but unlike them, his mind started to wander. And it wandered in the direction of having a little fun.

Soon enough Skywarp zoomed out from reality, why must the Autobots be so boring?

Optimus keep on what cleaning Grimlock as he kept a eye at Tundercracker and Skywarp, both of them did well, as he looked closer behind Snarl near the doors was Spike Watching them.

Spike was curious and couldn't resist watching the three Seekers clean some of the Dinobots. Unfortunately, he started to edge more into the room and this caught Skywarp attention. He grinned, this looked like a bit of fun.

He glanced around and saw that Ironhide was busy watching Grimlock who was starting to fuss a bit. His grin widening, he casually moved closer to the human all the while cleaning the huge lug of a Dinobot. Just a little closer.......

Skywarp moved a little more and that was perfect and he quietly bent down rubbing with one hand at the Dinobot as for the other hand he was about to grab Spike, When spike Turned around and looked at him Skywarp quickly took back hand to the bucket with water.

"Don't forget that spot over there?" said Spike as he pointed at the dark dirt at snarls side.

"Yea, Thanks kid" Well Skywarp played along before looking again at spike and asked "Want to play a game?"

"Game?" Spike repeated in confusion. "What kind of game?"

"A fun game obviously," Skywarp said softly, scrubbing Snarl in such a way that brought him even closer to Spike.

"Yeah, but what is the game...?" Spike began before a hand suddenly closed around him and Skywarp grinned.

"I'll show you."

Spike couldn't think before he was at Skywarps hands and got a bad feeling about this, apparently the dark purple seekers game involved him to be a part of it.

"What are you doing?" panic Spike, he was not used to be grabbed like that "put me down"

"But we are about to play the game" Grinned Skywarp.

"I don't wanna play," Spike exclaimed with got Ironhide attention to look over.

"But you'll love it," Skywarp stated before throwing him in the air.

"Hey, what y'all doing?" Ironhide demanded as Spike yelled. "AHH!"

"I'm just playing with your pet human," Skywarp explained, dancing nimbly away from Ironhide, still tossing Spike up and down in the air.

"Ya better put him down now!" ordered Ironhide as he run after Skywarp hoping to catch Spike.

Optimus now looked on what Skywarp was doing and saw Ironhide chasing after him "Not again"

"To slow" laughed Skywarp as he caught Spike again and from his face Spike didn't look so well.

"Urgh," he groaned, clinging onto Skywarp's hand.

"Skywarp," Optimus said sharply. "Put him down now."

"Aww, You're no fun," the purple Seeker declared, holding Spike out to Ironhide before yanking his hand back.

"Y'all better give him back," the red Mech warned with a growl.

Skywarp just ignored Ironhide and continued playing, it was clear he was not going to stop anytime soon, Optimus stop clean Grimlock put down his sponge and rushed over "Skywarp i am warning you, Put the human down"

"look another human!" Optimus yelled, Skywarp quickly looked around trying to find the other human.

Then Optimus where behind the dark seeker and rushed in and grabbed Spike in with looked a bit pale.

"I think....," Spike began but couldn't finish his sentence, he clapped a hand to his mouth and Optimus had a feeling he knew what was going to happen.

Looking around hurriedly, he saw an old pot that looked like it needed to be scraped so he seized it and placed it under Spike just in time. Barely a moment later, the boy heaved and purged right into the pot.

"Eww!" gasped Skywarp. "That's disgusting."

"Urgh, my breakfast," Spike groaned miserably as Skywarp found himself being grabbed by a furious Ironhide.

"Ah warned yah," he growled, dragging him over to a table and forcing him to bend over.

"Hey, what are you.....oww!" Skywarp yelped as he found his aft switched by Ironhide.

Ignoring Skywarps Cries Optimus where more concerned about spike before asking "Feeling better?"

"Yea..." as Spike took out a handkerchief and cleaned his mouth "Thanks for the rescue"

Optimus only smiled back before he watch Ironhide giving Skywarp his lesson as he cried "Stop, That hurts"

"Good, then ya know what will happen if ya try again" snapped the red mech, the Dinobots where laughing at the poor seeker.

"Ha, ha," Grimlock laughed. "Him Ironhide switch you good."

"Yess...," Swoop agreed, watching intently as Ironhide continued to hold a thrashing, crying Skywarp down.

Thundercracker just shook his head in exasperation. His Trine brother could not deny that he'd been warned, he'd earned this punishment. Doing a few chores could be a little humiliating but in a way, was better than simply hanging around the brig all day or being interrogated.

Once Ironhide was finished he let go of Skywarp ordered him "Now continue with your task, before ah change mah mind"

Skywarp quickly went over to Snarl and did as ordered, now he really was in a sad mood and it was so humiliating especially with those Dinobots who laughed at him, could this day get any worse?

After awhile Optimus and Thundercracker soon finished with their Dinobot who where now shining clean, But Skywarp had a bit to go on his.

"Ya two can rest until he finish" said Ironhide.

"That's not fair," Skywarp sniffed, his aft was still hurting.

"After what yah did tah Spike, it's more than fair," Ironhide snapped, he'd sent Spike to Ratchet to make sure he was alright. "Now get on with it before ah give yah another."

Skywarp squeaked and carried on, even as the Dinobots kept chuckling.

"Typical Warp," Thundercracker sighed, sitting next to his Trine leader.

"He should really try to act his age Then to be, how the humans would say childish" said Optimus they both watched the dark seeker work.

"Yes, but you know as well as i do he is quite different" sighed Thundercracker, but sure he wouldn't mind to see Skywarp acting his age.
"Hmm," Optimus agreed as Skywarp continued to sniff and look perfectly wretched.

Ironhide was watching him very closely, holding his switch tightly in one hand and no doubt ready to use it. Optimus sighed, Starscream would not be happy when he learned of this and if Megatron caught wind of this.....

"We will have to speak to him," he murmured to Thundercracker.

"Let's hope he will listen" agreed Thundercracker as he remember last talk Starscream had with Skywarp with didn't go so well.

"He will, you just need to talk to him in a right way" replayed Optimus, this should not be so hard, he did talk a lot with his Autobots making them see reason.

Thundercracker gave him a look, but trusted Optimus for his word for it and now they saw Skywarp putting back his cleaning stuff "So you finally finished"

"Yes," Skywarp said with a pout as Ironhide said. "Ah'll be telling Prime what happened, he'll probably want tah give yah a good lecture....if yer lucky."

He let the threat hang and it made Optimus wonder what Starscream really would do. If it was him, he'd simply lecture the young Seeker, impressing upon him when it was time for a little fun and when it wasn't. He did not object to Ironhide's more physical methods because he knew the red Mech would not go too far.

What Skywarp had experienced would have been painful and it had left a stinging reminder but even now, it would be fading. This was considerably more gentle than Megatron's methods which involved beating.

Ironhide went to Optimus office where Starscream looked at some data pads before he noticed him "Prime"

Starscream saw him and invited him in "Ironhide, Came to give me the Report i take it?"

"Yes" nodded the red mech before sting explaining "the seekers worked just fine at the start before one of them did something foolish, they where with the Dinobots"

Starscream sighed and placed the datapad he'd been reading down.

"Let me guess....Skywarp?"

"Yep," Ironhide agreed. "He grabbed Spike and started tossing him around, made him sick. Ah managed to get him away and ah gave him a good switching."

Starscream raised a brow at this.

"So you punished him" knowing that seeker he would know Skywarp would not dare do anything today after his punishment, but tomorrow no one could really tell.

"He deserved it and got warned before hand starting" said Ironhide, he should had keep a closer optic on him, if he had spike wouldn't get sick.

Starscream nodded. "You did well Ironhide but you'll need to keep a very close optic on him. I suspect that punishment will not last very long, he'll soon be up to something else."

"Not while I'm around," declared Ironhide, puffing out his chest a little.

The false Prime smiled behind his mask, he was sure that Ironhide would do just that. He pondered, should he inform Megatron about this? Probably not.

Back with Optimus and his two wing brothers, Skywarp wasn't sitting instead he stood up and Optimus thought this would be a good time to talk with him "It wouldn't hurt if you wouldn't do any mischief"

"What do you know about it?" snapped the dark seeker, he was not in the mood for anything and all he wanted was to have this day already over with.

"Well, if you would had never played with Spike Ironhide wouldn't had punished you" pointed out Optimus before adding "You are a good mech Skywarp, but you don't think before acting.. that is your trouble"

"I just wanted little fun" Skywarp said in frustration. "I wasn't hurting that human, I wasn't trying to make him sick."

"But you knew how Ironhide would react," Optimus reminded him gently. "I know you like to have fun but there's a time and a place for it."

"Let me guess, that wasn't it?" Skywarp said sarcastically.

"Correct" nodded Optimus "you could play after work, but i would not suggesting doing that with a human they are quite fragile unless you want them to purge on you"

Skywarps face made a disgusting expression, before he know thinking about it "So what should i do?"

"What about video games?" Optimus suggested. "I'm sure you'd enjoy those."

"I suppose...," Skywarp said slowly. "Is that what the pipsqueaks play back at the base?"

Figuring that he meant Rumble and Frenzy, Optimus nodded. "Yes, just like that."

"Okay...I'll give it a go," agreed the purple Seeker.

"I hope you can wait until we will get release back to base" reminded Thundercracker, they could be stuck here for one or two more days for all he knew.

"The Autobot's might let us go earlier if we behave" said Optimus and looked at Skywarp all he had to do was to behave.

"Megatron won't allow us to be kept longer," Optimus stated, remembering all the times his nemesis had angrily called if his soldiers were kept too long.

"I guess," sighed Thundercracker. "Unless he's angry at us for getting captured, especially if it was over a prank."

"Very well, perhaps I could talk to the Prime and convince him to allow us a small amount of time to amuse ourselves," suggested Optimus.

"And how will you do that?" questioned the dark seeker "it is not like they are going to let you or will they?"

"I could ask Ironhide to meet Prime when he returns" said Optimus didn't want to be in Megatrons bad side, but by know he must have know.

"Well, I guess it can't hurt to ask," Thundercracker said with a shrug, settling back on his seat with his arms folded.

They'd been escorted back to the brig so Skywarp couldn't get up to any more mischief and were waiting for Ironhide to return. Optimus couldn't help but wonder how things would have gone if Starscream had been with his trine. Would he have tried to calm Skywarp down or would he have simply encouraged what was happening?

Eventuality Ironhide came in to the brig with Starscream and had with him some energon cubes, Thundercracker, Skywarp got there cubes from Ironhide when Starscream gave Optimus his.

"Prime," Optimus began and Starscream looked at him. "Skywarp did not mean to cause trouble earlier."

"You should keep better control of him," Starscream stated, with no small amount of irony.

Optimus inclined his head but said. "If he could perhaps have a little leisure time, he would behave a lot better."

"Hmm Perhaps" as Starscream thought about the suggestion "and you want me leisure him don't you"

"Yes, i have already talked to him.. but" nodded Optimus, he had done his best talking with Skywarp before he whispered to Starscream "you know him better and could talk to him in a easier way"

Note: Hi ok so I cut it off here since this chapter is quite long.

Chapter Text

Starscream scoffed slightly but he didn't want Skywarp causing any more trouble in his base so....

"Skywarp," he said sharply and the Seeker looked up from drinking his energon. "What?"

"Come over here, I'd like to talk to you," the large Prime commanded and reluctantly, Skywarp obeyed.

"What is it?" asked Skywarp as he looked at Starscream in the optics.

"I would like to talk to you about today when you cleaned the Dinobots" Explained the Prime.

"Yea i know, i messed up" said Skywarp a bit miserably wishing he didn't had done that.

"You're easily distracted, aren't you?" Starscream stated. "And you don't like being locked up and told what to do."

Skywarp grimaced, but he couldn't disagree with what the Prime had just told him.

"It's been suggested that it might help if you were allowed to do something 'fun' and then you'd be able to concentrate better on any chore we set you," Starscream added.

"I guess," Skywarp said with a shrug.

Optimus watched them talk for some bit before Statscream left and Skywarp looked to be in a better mood "What did Prime tell you?"

"Not much, just gave me some advise to keep myself focused" replayed Skywarp and finished his cube "What happens now? he didn't let us go"

"We will simply have to wait, if Megatron doesn't complain" sighed Optimus wondering how this indeed will end.

"I guess," sighed Skywarp, sitting back against the wall.

"Uh...," a voice said and Optimus looked down through the bars to see Spike standing there.

"What are you doing here?" questioned Thundercracker and the young boy shrugged slightly.

"I just wanted to thank Starscream for earlier."

Optimus didn't know if starscream would say you are welcome .. don't really seems his style "Some advice Human, Stay away"

"I guess I will" nodded Spike before waved a good bye to him.

"Looks like you made a new friend" teased Skywarp before thinking of it, if Optimus haven't taken spike from him "Thanks taking him away before he could puke on me"

"That would have caused an even bigger mess.....literally," Optimus stated. "You have to be delicate with humans, especially when we're among Autobots."

"Yeah, I guess," Skywarp said with a shrug. "They sure love their squishes, don't they?"

Optimus just nodded in agreement. If the Decepticons could spend some actual time with humans, then they might discover that they weren't as bad as they thought them to be.

After a awhile Ironhide returned and let them finish clean up Weeljacks lab as he watched them before returning them back to the brig, next day the seekers where still recharging before Ironhide and Starscream came in for them to get released.

"Wake up or you will be left here" said the the red mech as he put on the lights with helpt them to wake up a bit more.

"You're letting us go?" Skywarp exclaimed.

"Yeah, now get out," Ironhide said, throwing a thumb over his shoulder.

"Here," Starscream said, offering them a couple of large cubes. "You might as well have a snack before returning to your master."

"Thank you," Optimus said gratefully, wondering if Megatron would deny them Energon for getting caught.

Thundercracker, Skywarp also where grateful for the cubes and started drinking them right away, ones they all where finished Ironhide took them outside before all three of them flew back to the Nemesis.

Ones they where back Soundwave waited for them before telling them "Statement: Report to Lord Megatron to Throne room"

"Can't he wait for tomorrow? we are quite tired" Optimus did know Megatron was aware of their release.

"Negative," Soundwave rumbled. "Fact: Megatron wishes to see you NOW!"

"Great," grumbled Skywarp. "I guess we'd better get this over with."

"Indeed," sighed Optimus as they headed for the Throne Room.

"So," Megatron growled when they arrived. "You have finally returned."

"Yes lord Megatron, we cave as fast we could" replayed Optimus, he and his Trine where standing a good way away from him.

"Nothing to do with fact you three got captured By Autobot for What a Prank!!" growled Megatron as his voice risen higher.

"Megatron if you let me Explain" tired Optimus, there was not much to explain, but it could buy them some time.

"No! Let me explain!" yelled Megatron, The other two flinched back although Optimus stood his ground. Megatron pointed a finger at him and snarled.

"Have you any idea how humiliating it was to find my Elite Trine, one of whom is an officer of mine, acting like sparklings!!? What in the pit possessed you to act in such a stupid way?"

"It was not our intention to humiliate you," Optimus stated, watching his 'leader' closely.

"Oh really?" Megatron said sarcastically. "Well you FAILED Starscream!!!!"

"Thanks to you Prime must think i have Fools in my army!!" Megatron snapped at him once again.

"Megatron i know you are angry with us, but it will not happen again" Tried Optimus unsure how to calm him down, this is mighty Megatron after all.

"Angry? I am furious with and you and your Trine!!" roared the Warloard "I will make sure it won't happen again after i am done with you three!"

Thundercracker and Skywarp winced, their wings trembling in fear. Optimus gave him a stern look and asked. "What do you mean by that Megatron?"

"You know perfectly well what I mean Starscream," Megatron growled before moving closer to them.

"That will solve nothing and simply mean we are out of commission," Optimus stated as his trine mates looked at him in amazement, Starscream was actually arguing with Megatron?

"Enough!" snarled Megatron, lunging at them.

Optimus along with Thundercracker and Skywarp moved away from Megatron, not wanting to be his target practice.

"This is hardly a way to teach someone a lesson Megatron" said Optimous dodge from his punch "You only show that you lead by fear if someone goes against your wishes"

"Trust is for fools just like those Autobots are" Megatron tried to punch again, but Optimus was to fast even to hit.

"Those fools as you call them have held out against the Decepticons for a long time," Optimus stated boldly, making everyone gape at him. "What does that say about your tactics?"

Megatron roared with fury and charged, missing Optimus who nimbly jumped away, but grabbing Skywarp instead. As the Seeker cried out in pain and fear.

Optimus yelled "Let him go, Megatron!"

"Or What Starscream? you three must get punished and it is only fair to start with Skywarp" As Megatron tighten his grip on the dark seeker who cried in pain before also getting punched all over.

Optimus could not stand this, it was madness as he lunged himself at Megatron and punched him right in the face plate with his fists "I said let him go!"

Megatron let go of Skywarp and had Optimus exactly where he wanted him, Surprising that he came for his Trine.

"Fool," he hissed before grabbing his Second by the neck and slamming him on the floor with full force.

Optimus grunted in pain from the impact and his wings trembled, they had not enjoyed that at all. Thundercracker pulled the shaking, bleeding Skywarp away as Megatron started to punch and kick their Trine leader.

Optimus did his best to protect himself, but in a smaller body and in such a vulnerable position, this was extremely difficult.

"Ahh" cried Optimus in pain, ones Megatron was done with him he looked for the last seeker for his punishment.

Thundercracker watched as Megatron walked to him, not liking the idea of getting beaten "Sir i understand you point of us getting punish, but this"

"But nothing" said Megatron.

"Leave him," grunted Optimus as he tried to haul himself to his feet. "Thundercracker, don't allow him too...."

The blue Seeker didn't know what to do, if he ran, Megatron would simply beat him when he eventually caught him. Skywarp stood there nervously, he didn't know what to do either.

Optimus cursed, he could not allow either of them to be hurt. So he grabbed the nearest object and threw it at the back of Megatron's head.

Megatron had already hold of poor Thundercracker after he got hit by a object with made him look behind.

"Leave them alone, haven't punished us enough?" questioned Optimus, he and Skywarp where bleeding.

"I haven't even begun," he growled, his grip tightening cruelly on Thundercracker who gasped in pain. "You better stop trying my patience Starscream unless you want worse."

"I won't let you hurt my team mate," Optimus declared, causing his trine mates to stare in complete shock, when did Starscream grow a spine?

Megatron's optics blazed in fury and he slapped Thundercracker before shoving him aside. He started to stamp over to Optimus who was prepared to meet him, however...

"Please sir, no more," Skywarp cried, grabbing Optimus and warping away with him.

A moment later, he came back to grab Thundercracker as Megatron roared with fury.

They all appeared in other room far away from Megatron, this place of the ship looked to be quiet and quite dark.

"Where are we?" asked Optimus and looking around, it looked to be another working room.

"At the very end of the Nemesis" said Skywarp tiredly "I don't think Megatron will find us here"

Optimus just nodded before walking over to Thundercracker "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Thundercracker stated, wiping away a bit of fluid from a split lip. "You both were beaten far worse than I."

"Indeed," Optimus stated. "I'm starting to regret facing Megatron when he was in such a temper."

"There was no escaping it," sighed Thundercracker.

"True, for now we could just wait until he clams down" said Optimus and sit down at the wall "i am sorry you two went through that"

"It wasn't you fault Starscream, we had it coming when we agreed to do the Prank" sighed Thundercracker, sure they would get punish, but this was not what he had in mind.

"He should not punish us in such a fashion," Optimus said with a growl. "Putting us in the brig, giving us chores, maybe even with holding a ration of Energon is reasonable, but not beating us so harshly."

"That is how he is," Thundercracker said simply, seeing his leader clench his fist.

"It is not right," he declared as they stared at him.

"Screamer, he's been this way since forever," Skywarp reminded him.

"Skywarp don't you not realize what could happen if you didn't take us away from him?" asked Optimus also trying to keep himself clam as possible.

"Yea, we would be beaten real bad" said Skywarp sadly

"Not just that, But Megatron can't control his anger and that can lead to someone be beyond repair " Explained Optimus, it was a wonder Megatron haven't killed anyone with his temper.

The two Seekers just looked sad. Optimus was extremely annoyed before saying. "Let's get cleaned up, we need to recover before we can resume our duties."

'And I,' he thought to himself. 'Need to have a serious conversation with Starscream about this.'

How could the Seeker stand this, being beaten and watching his trine mate be beaten as well. It was utterly ridiculous.

But for now all three of them started to cleaned themselves up and to treat their wounds as well.

"Oww, can't you be more careful TC?" asked the dark seeker.

"Am trying to and how about you keep still" Thundercracker told him.

"I'm not good at keeping still," Skywarp complained before flinching suddenly. "Ow!"

"Just try to hold still," Thundercracker advised as Skywarp muttered. "I almost wish we were back with the Autobots, not even that stupid Ironaft hit this back."

"Indeed not," Optimus said darkly.

"I mean sure the chores they gave us where a pain at times, but it was better then getting beaten up" said Skywarp before he cried again in pain.

"Sorry, that was my bad" apologized Thundercacker as he finished of the wound.

Optimus was working on his own wounds "Perhaps we should pay Hook a visit?"

"No point, Megatron will have told him not to heal us," Thundercracker sighed. "Maybe if we hadn't run...."

"If we hadn't, you'd be in much worse shape and so would we," Optimus interjected sternly. "But it never should have come to this."

He was not happy at all and was starting to think he understood why Starscream was always trying to take over.

Note: more will come soon 0w0

Chapter Text

Ones done with their repairs and unsure if Megatron would still be looking for them.

"So what should we do now?" asked Skywarp unsure what he should look for after been captured for three days and beaten by their leader.

"Go to your quarters" Optimus said slowly. "I would like to examine our Energon machine, ensure that it is still working properly."

"I doubt anyone would have," Thundercracker said with a shrug. "But you never know."

Optimus nodded, thinking that if it was still working, they could start to think about producing more than just basic energon. Of course, to produce other flavours and toppings, that could mean regularly sourcing materials but if they could do it in a sustainable way.........

Reached the rec-room and seeing his energon machine was still in it's place as he last remembered it, but went to take a better look at it.

"Hmm nothing looks to be broken" mumbled Optimus as he saw the machine was starting to go low energy.

"It's going to need more energy," he murmured to himself, what a shame that they were underwater. At the Autobot base, they could use the volcano and the sun's energy for their Energon machines. He'd need to be a bit more creative with this one.

He'd need to consult the Constructicons, but he was sure that they could work out a solution.

"Hey Screamer!"

He turned and saw Rumble standing there.

"Hello Rumble" greeted Optimus, still thinking on his machine.

"Why did you leave me behind?" asked the smaller mech "I couldn't find you anywhere"

"Ah, i am sorry you missed the ride" apologized the seeker "my Trine and i where doing something ales at that time"

"Yeah, you were pranking the Autobots and you didn't take me or Frenzy," exclaimed the small Mech.

"I'm sorry," Optimus said. "At the time, it was rather spontaneous."

"Yeah?" Rumble said, still not looking happy.

"You see, Skywarp decided to play a little prank on us and we were trying to get revenge on him," Optimus explained quickly. "He suggested that instead we prank the Autobots."

He paused before saying. "As much as I would have enjoyed your company, you probably would have been captured and made to do chores for the Autobots with us."

"Chores?" repeated Rumbile not liking the idea of that.

"Yes, ones they captured us we did chores all day as our punishment " Explained Optimus.

Still Rumbile wanted to see that prank, but chores might not be worth it in his list "What did they make you guys do?"

"We had to clean the lab, med-bay and the dinobots"

"Clean the Dinobots!!?" the young Decepticon yelped. "Are you serious?"

"I am indeed," he chuckled. "And they were not easy to work with."

"I'll bet," Rumble whistled. "I'm surprised you're still in one piece."

"They weren't allowed to hurt us when we cleaned them" as Optimus wondered where he could find the Constructicons.

"Well, guess that's something," Rumble said with a shrug. "Maybe they just forgot, I wouldn't put it past them."

"Who knows," Optimus stated. "Anyway Rumble, I need to talk to the Constructicons about this machine but if you desire, we could go for a ride later."

"Really?" Rumble exclaimed, brightening up.

"Yes," he said with a smile.

"Cool, am not sure if i should follow you, but last time you said that I could not find you at the base at all" Rumble stated and didn't want same accident happen again.

"I promise this i won't disappear like last time"

"Alright then," the Minicon said brightly.

Optimus smiled at him, the Minicon wasn't so bad.

"You could always stay with me, if you're worried about losing sight of me," he suggested teasingly.

"I have nothing better to do"

"Come along then" as the small cassette followed Optimus around the ship on their way to find the Constructicons "Do you think the Constructicons are on the ship?"

"Ehh, hard to say they are always in random places, but hook is always in his med-bay" Rumble pointed out.

"We shall go there then," Optimus said, Hook would know where the others were and could easily pass on a message at the very least.

"Yah gonna get revenge on those Autoboobs?" Rumble questioned. "I could help with that."

Optimus couldn't help but smile at that.

"We shall see" He said, Revenge really sounded hilarious since it's ageist Autobots code.

"If you do, i am always up for it" grinned Rumble.

They walked a bit until they found the med-bay and entered the room, it looked quite clean and organized.

"Hello, Hook you home?" yelled the cassette.

"Yeah, what is it?" the medic answered grumpily, looking over at them from some supplies he was sorting through. "You better not have slagged yourself."

"Nah, we're looking for the other Constructicons," Rumble assured him. "Where are they?"

"Why do you want to know?" Hook demanded.

"I hope i didn't catch you in a bad time" said Optimus not wanting to anger Hook "did make any extra energy formula for the energon machine we made"

"It's running low already?" asked the medic who thought the machine would last a bit longer before getting dry

"Am afraid so" admitted Optimus "as a prototype perhaps we should look it up when we have time?"

"I hope i didn't catch you in a bad time" said Optimus not wanting to anger Hook "did we make any extra energy formula for the energon machine?"

"It's running low already?" asked the medic who thought the machine would last a bit longer before running dry.

"Am afraid so" admitted Optimus "as a prototype perhaps we should look it up when we have time?"

Walking over to one of his shelf Hook took a data-pad "Luckily for you Starscream, my brothers did leave me the recipe for energy formula for your little machine"

"I was unaware, i take it making this energy formula won't take long?" Optimus asked curious.

"well, by tomorrow morning it will be done" said Hook and took some different glasses with energy and started to mix them together "But you do realize this is just a temporary energy source to fill up that machine of yours"

"I know, i been thinking of different solutions" the machine needs a energy source and it would be hard to build something that would not crave enegron to function, at times like this Chip and Spike did give good suggestions.

Hook looking over at Optimus thoughtful face and seeing his optics spark up with a idea "I know that face and i say drop it, the last idea you had curse me a lot of repair work"

"Perhaps, But this one is harmless" Optimus said and walked over to Hook's work place "if we could install a magnet generator inside the energon machine our problem would be solved"

"Magnet generator?" Hook repeated, turning to look at him with a raised brow.

"Yes," Optimus said excitedly. "It is something I discovered some time ago but....at the time I was not able to look more closely at it's potential. But I think this is something worth exploring and the risk is very low."

"Hmm," Hook said thoughtfully with a frown. "Well, give me some more details and I'll think it over."

"Thank you," Optimus said gratefully. Just as well Wheeljack wasn't making the request, even if he knew better about engineering, Hook probably wouldn't trust him because of his record of blowing things up.

"I will send you a data-pad with the information you need to know" smiled Optimus and walked to the exit door.

Outside the med-bay in the corridor where Rumble waiting "Your finally done screamer?"

"Yes, me and Hook talked things out" Optimus said, he had a pretty good idea why Rumble waited for him to "I believe am free to take you for a flight as i promised"

"About time" Grinned Rumble and followed Optimus all the way outside, giving him some space to transform into his jet mode and then hop in.

"How about we find you a empty play ground where you can enjoy yourself with out worrying about humans and the Autobot's" suggested Optimus as he flew out in the ocean.

"Eh, whatever," Rumble said with what sounded like a shrug. "Guess it'll be more fun without loads of squishes screaming all over the place."

"Indeed," Optimus replied wryly, going closer to the ocean and causing Rumble to whoops with excitement. Not being a natural seeker, Optimus didn't dare go too close because he was sure he'd crash. Not only would that be embarrassing but it would be extremely out of character for Starscream to wipe out like that.

"Woo, faster!" cheered his little passenger, he was loving this now.

Optimus boosted his jets a bit more for speed, it wouldn't hurt to try fly in this speed so long it is straight path.

"WooHooo!" yelled Rumble happily and holding up his arms "Now this is speed"

Soon land started to show up and Optimus flew up to the sky and under him where a hole forest with roads and a small town, a few cars could be seen moving as well and Rumble was looking down like a eagle.

Flying a bit lower down Optimus saw something in the woods, it looks like a play ground for kids with looked to be empty and a bit far away where a few houses "how about this playground?"

Rumble looked down at the playground, it had a few swings, slides, merry-go-round, jungle gym and a sandbox.

"That looks grate" Rumble grinned, he couldn't wait to try out that play ground as it looked to have a lot of fun stuff.

"Alright, i will try to land nearby” looking down there is so much threes with mean landing there would not be possible with also lead him to a second option, Optimus flew over the playground hover above it as he open his passenger seat.

"Awesome" Rumble said and jumped down to the play ground and went for the merry-go-around.

Optimus mentally smiled, it was good to see the young Mech having some fun. He always encouraged his own bots to take time off and enjoy themselves, through various forms of entertainment. Hound enjoyed studying nature, several bots loved races, Sunstreaker loved to paint and Bumblebee loved hanging out with Spike. After being on a war torn world, it was good to see them laugh and have a proper chance to relax.

Why couldn't Megatron do the same?

"This looks like a likely spot," he murmured to himself, transforming and managing to land, albeit a little awkwardly. He doubted he would ever have Starscream's natural grace.

"Hey screamer" yelled Rumble who where sitting in the center of the merry-go-around "Can you spin me around real fast?"

"Are you sure about that?" asked Optimus and walked over to him "you will get quite dizzily"

"That is the best part about these things" Rumble smiled excited and Optimus stood ready before take hold one end of the merry-go-around push at the side so it would spin around and making sure it would not go to fast nether, wouldn't want Rumble to hurt himself.

"Faster, faster" yelled Rumble with had Optimus unsure, but he did as requested.

"Whoo!" Rumble cheered, loving this so much.

"Uh...Rumble?" Optimus said a little nervously as he saw the small Mech's feet start to lift off.

"More!" laughed Rumble, clinging onto the bars as the merry go round continued to whizz round at high speeds.

"Any faster, and you'll fly off," Optimus couldn't help but say.

"No way am holding the bars tight" he yelled out, starting to feel dizzy as the ride went on.

Optimus step back letting the merry-go-around slow down on it's on and hopping that the cassette would not be disappointed, when it finally slowed down.

"That ..was greate!" smiled Rumble who could barely stand straight "let's do that again later"

"Rumble perhaps you should sit down" Optimus advised.

"What? no, am totally fine" said Rumble and slowly walked over to one of the slides.

It was not a straight walk, he swayed and leaned in a very alarming way as well as staggering several times. But he didn't fall over and made it to the slides and gripped the railings. He was grinning broadly as he started to climb up while Optimus watched him anxiously, Rumble looked very dizzy. The Minicon managed to scramble up to the top and launched himself down the tall slide, whooping in pleasure especially when he was flung into the air and landed in a pile of sand.

"That was awesome," he crowed, pumping his fist into the air even as sand fell off him.

"Very impressive," Optimus admitted as Rumble clambered to his feet to look for the next thing to go on.

Note: I cut it here, been writing a bit to much... more it's on it's way so stay tuned.

Chapter Text

"Ha i Win" laughed Skywarp who just cleared another level on Mario.

"Skywarp shouldn't you be looking for a energy plant?" asked Thundercracker as he walked in the room to find Skywarp on his working area, but playing human games with was a first "and why are you playing that?"

"Huu? yea i was, but you know got bored" said the purple seeker who was focusing on defeating the next round "So what do you want TC?"

"Have you seen Starscream? after our punishment with Megatron he just disappeared" Thundercracker asked, he knew that Starscream was checking on his energon machine, but after that he couldn't find him anywhere on the base.

"Nah, not seen him," shrugged Skywarp, turning back to his game and saving it with satisfaction.

"Hmm," Thundercracker said thoughtfully, what was their leader up to now?

"What's the problem?" his trine mate asked.

"Nothing...I'm just wondering what he's doing," the blue Mech stated. "What he does can affect us."

"Depends what he's doing," Skywarp said with another casual shrug. "but if it makes you feel any better, we could go looking for him."

"It would" Thundercracker agreed, indeed it would feel a lot safer if he knew what their Trine leader was doing or was up to and all he could do is pray to Primeus that Optimus is not planning revenge at Megatron after that punishment.

"Let's go then" waved Skywarp outside of the room, They both made quickly their way outside in the clear sky "so how will we find Screamer? we don't know where he is"

"True" Agreed Thundercracker, times like this he just wished Starscream wouldn't block him or Skywarp from their bond, sure he wanted to be alone for the most of times and not bothered by anyone.

He could feel Skywarp just fine now when he focused on the bond, but then there was something ales in the bond or someone with made Thundercracker wonder, did Starscream unblock them?

Thundercracker decided to focus further into the bond and he could feel Optimus there and he was happy? shaking of that feeling he knew at lest now that the bond between the three of them was fully open ones again with mean finding Optimus would be easy.

"We need to fly that way" Thundercracker pointed out to a area that was covered with a loot of forest, Skywarp just shrugged and followed his trine mate trusting him the way "Alright"

"What do you think Screamer is doing out here?" asked the purple seeker curiously as they both where flying over to Optimus location.

"Who know's" Thundercracker said honestly as he and Skywarp flew closer to the forest and so far there was no sight of anything alive around them, Feeling Optimus getting close through the bond

Soon they could also see a few houses and a bit away was a play ground and there was their Trine leader throwing sand-ball's at a purple Cassette who dodge it, Both Thundercracker and Skywarp watched this surprised on what they saw.

"What in the Pit!?" exclaimed Skywarp in shock, completely taken aback.

He instantly rushed forward, Thundercracker following close behind, equally wanting to find out just what was going on. But as they came over, Rumble lunged to one side with a laugh and their trine leader's lobbed sand ball missed him...and hit them, exploding all over them and coating them in gritty sand.

"Ahh!" they both yelped, falling over in shock.

"What?" Optimus said in surprise at their experience before realising what he'd done. "Primus, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you two there."

Both Skywarp and Thundercracker started to try to shake of the sand from their armour and look angrily at Optimus.

"We get worried and try to find you and this is how you repay us? "Skywarp said angrily, still trying to push off some sand on his chest.

"It was accident, i simply aiming to hit Rumble" explained Optimus to his two wing brothers, but watching them trying to shake off the sand "It is just a little sand and no one got hurt"

"Hey Starscream" Yelled Rumble, with made Optimus turn around to look at the small minicon before getting hit by one of the sand balls at his face and fall back wards.

"Ha i win!" cheered Rumble, awhile Optimus was laughing "Yes you did"

Both Seeker gawked at Starscream, they had never seen him laugh like that. And with one of Soundwave's Minicons's to boot.

"I believe we will all require a wash after this," mused Optimus, almost to himself as it brushed sand off his chest. "Is that okay with you Rumble?"

"Eh, yeah, that's fine," Rumble said, looking down at his own body and seeing how dirty it was. "We can go."

Rumble walked over to Optimus who picked him up and flew up in the air "i hope you don't mind, but i think i want to avoid sand in passenger seat"

"Whatever" replayed Rumble.

"Are you two coming?" asked Optimus, watching Skywarp and Thundercracker snap out from their thoughts or did just communicated with each other?

"Yes we are" answered Thundercraker, as he and Skywarp also flew up in the sky and followed Optimus back to Decepticon base, ones inside Optimus put Rumble down "It been fun and all Screamer, but i need to go before Soundwave looks for me"

"I understand" watching Rumble go back to his creator and now turning around to face his wing brothers "I Believe we all should wash before doing anything ales"

Optimus walked back to Starscream's quarters and went straight for the showers before hitting the bed, tomorrow he would have to face Megatron again in the morning with is not something he is looking forward for especially since what happened today when he and Starscream's Trine returned from the Autobot's.

"Dealing with Megatron on a regular basis," he mused ruefully. "Perhaps this is some sort of punishment for something I did wrong?"

A bot might think it was easier being one of Megatron's bots, rather than the grey Mech's hated nemesis, someone he personally wanted to destroy. In a way it was, Megatron wasn't looking at him hateful poison in his optics or constantly lunging at him in an attempt to rip the Autobot leader apart. However, after so long fighting the grey bot and his troops, it was hard to feel completely comfortable and he had an almost permanent sense of unease.

It was exceedingly unpleasant, but he dealt with it as best he could. He just wished he didn't have to see Megatron first thing but as Second in Command, he could not avoid his duties.

After a few klicks thinking about it recharge fallowed quickly, the night was quiet and cold.

Waking up from the recharge Optimus did his morning Stretch before walking to the rec-room taking a cube of energon, as he was drinking his breakfast a few Decepticons in the background looked at him before starting to whisper to each other about something that didn't sound so clear to make out.

Optimus wasn't sure and signed ones he was done with his cube, but he straight up his back and prepared himself as he walked by the halls and entered the Throne room where Megatron was and talking to Soundwave.

"Starscream, i see you cared to join us" Megatron said amused and walked straight at him before stop a three feet's away from the seeker.

Optimus stand his ground and watched Megatron carefully, obviously by walking to him in such manner was a test if he was scared.

"You asked me to," Optimus said softly. "So here I am."

"Indeed," Megatron agreed with a little smirk. "You'd better drink up that Energon then Starscream."

"Oh?" Optimus asked curiously, although inwardly he had a very bad feeling about this.

"Yes, you'll need your energy," the grey Mech explained, a cruel smirk on his lips. "Since you've been so much more....competent of late, I've decided to give you more responsibilities."

"What kind of responsibilities?" asked Optimus curious, but felt like he might rather not know.

"Just a few task's, am sure even you can handle them Starscream" Megatron said and turned around walking back to his Throne and sat down and also gave a hand command to Soundwave who handed over a Data-pad with the new Assignments.

Optimus took the Data-pad and looked over it and his optics wide in shock a bit, the Data-pad list was that he needed to Clean and repair the weapons the Decepticons use in battle to be ready for incoming attacks, then the other task he got was to make sure that the supplies at the storage rooms would always be filled and the last task was to assist Soundwave in his work and to keep up with his own duty's as Second In Command.

"What the matter Starscream?" Smirked the Decepticon Leader enjoying the reaction from his SIC "you seem a bit paler the usual"

"T-t This is to much" muttered Optimus, from the look of the Data-pad this task's needed to be done in the end of the week and every week for the matter according to the data-pad, by the time he would be done Optimus wouldn't have time to do anything on his own free time then just recharge.

"What was that Starscream? i couldn't quite catch your words" Megatron grinned watching him in great interest.

Optimus took a few deep breath and calmed down himself "i said this is to much"

"Nonsense, I think it's just right," Megatron stated with a wicked grin.

"This is too much for one Mech," Optimus couldn't help but argue. Was Megatron insane?

"Are you disagreeing with me?" the grey Mech challenged now.

Optimus opened his mouth to speak, but instead thought that arguing with him would be a bad idea, clearly he had planned this from the start and again Optimus looked at his list with a heavy sign

"Primus give me strength" Optimus prayed in his thoughts, he had no choice the to play Megatron little game.

"That is what i thought " Megatron said with satisfaction "You better get off to work Starscream, those duty's won't make themselves done now will they"

"Of course not" signed Optimus before walking out from the Throne room, how did Starscream managed to function like this? thinking of Starscream made Optimus wonder what he was up to.

Note: Next CH is with Screamer yay also am so sorry to be late with this chapter.

Chapter Text

Back at the Arc Starscream was reading a few data-pad's report's on what is happening around the Arc, then someone knocked the door on his office "Come in"

"My apologize for bothering you sir" as Prowl walked up to the desk "We received a few Request's from the humans"

Again with the human's, they truly are pathetic creatures unable to handle their own duties to their community and so asking help from those who can instead.

"They have asked for some assistance with rebuilding the few power-plants that got targeted by the Decepticons" Prowl said and continued his speaking "The second request was to transfer military weapons such as unstable missiles to a safer base location"

Starscream listened and if it was personally up to him, he would decline both request's, but knowing Optimus would help them with open arms and since he had already decline a few earlier request's for help from the humans it would be unwise to decline thesis two.

"Very well, We will send over a few of the bot's who are willing to help the humans with these tacks" Starscream stated as he put aside the data-pad walked over to the exit of this office "Let's find out if we get any volunteers"

Walking his way to the central room of the Arc where everyone join in for work or just to talk with each other, Prowl following his leader from behind until they both reached the room with flared with bots talking and joking around as some worked and other getting things done around the place.

Starscream walked to the center of the room and soon everyone looked at him and everyone quiet down as their Leader cleared his voice.

"My Autobots, i know we are busy looking for Decepticon activity" he said and soon added " our human... Freinds requested some assistance from us"

Few whispers could be heard, all tho if they where positive or negative was unclear, But Starscream hoped at least a few Autobots could help the humans so they could stop complaining for help from him for while.

"We received two request's one with they require assistance with rebuilding a few power-plants have been attacked by deceptions in the past " Starscream stated. "second request is to help transport dangerous weapon to a safer military base in with now ask who would be willing to help the humans"

This caused some interested mutterings and Starscream didn't like their interest in helping creatures weaker then them self, but of course the Autobot's would help any life-from they came across.

"I and Hoist would be willing to help with the repairs on those power-plants" Grapple called out as he and Hoist step forward and beside them a few other Autobot's joined in with them.

"I could transport something by air" Powerglide said and walked forward as well.

This could work for now and at least now those flesh creatures could leave him alone once these volunteers are on their way, perhaps he could ask for favours from those humans in return from some of this help , after all nothing is free in this world included assistance.

Starscream forced a smile and his voice to sound as kind as possible he might as well go too, not that there was nothing better to do in this base "Very well, we will leave at once"

"Wait, i will to join your team Optimus" said a voice from the very back of the shadows.

This voice gave Starscream a little jump, but luckily no one notice as for he knew this voice very well in his young days as a explorer and so looking at the large Autobot coming forward with white wings.

"Let me assist you Optimus" Skyfire said now before Starscream who nodded and said "Of course"

"We will drop off Grapple's re-building team first at the east power-plant and from there help transfer those weapons" Stated Strscream and looked at his Autobot's and more at Skyfire , also remembering Optimus line "Autobot's transform and roll out"

They all walked outside as Skyfire transformed and let everyone get on board, then shut off to the sky, it would not take long until they reached the power-plant.

In the mean time a few of the bot inside already got the air sickness and Starscream couldn't help to feeling amused of it, flying was the best feeling anyone could feel as the air it self carry's you and there is no fear to crash unless one dose something stupid with the wing flaps.

"What a cruel way to travel" said one of the bot's and just now took his servo to his mouth to keep his energon down in his tank, as his friend next to him try's to calm him down that it's soon over.

A few minuets later Skyfire informed them "We are at the power-plant, i will land near by it"

Landing was not bad at all it was a gentle one and the front door's open and the building team walked out gladly and Grapple quickly took over the team "Alright everyone let's get to work go go go!"

Starscream just watched as they rushed over to the humans to help them out and soon again the door's closed and Skyfire once again was off in the sky now in another direction, the military base from this power-plan in sky took 10 minuets.

On their way there Starscream just enjoyed the flight, it felt so good to be back in the sky again in some way, once again Skyfire informed "We are here, they have prepared a landing for us"

"How kind" thought Starscream soon the human would see what it meant to get assist from him, they would need to give something in return as he and everyone ales exit the Shuttle.

Starscream walked to the human that looked to be in charge "Hello human"

"Optimus Prime, i didn't expect you to arrive" the human commander said and added "As you can see we have started loading the weapons for transport"

Starscream looked at the transports as they did indeed load them up and the car drives would take about 4 hours to the other base "You wastes your time transporting them on the ground"

The human looked confused at Optimus as he saw the Autobot leader walk over to Skyfire and Powerglide and ordered both to transform to their alt-modes, still following Optimus then walked over to the humans "Unload those vehicles at once and load your heaviest weapons at the shuttle and the rest at other one"

"You wish to transport them by air? are you mad, how will we be able to protect them if those Decepticon's attack?" yelled the commander at Starscream who didn't like his tone at all.

"Because we can go considerably faster in the air," he said irritably. "By the time the Decepticons realise something is up, we should have arrived. If we dally on the ground, then they can easily dive bomb us."

"Well, couldn't they provide support?" the human demanded, pointing at Skyfire and Powerglide.

"No, we would still be vulnerable for too long," Starscream replied, barely able to keep from snapping. Just why did Optimus Prime tolerate such insolence, these humans should be grovelling for the privilege of speaking to them, never mind making demands. "Skyfire and Powerglide will fly ahead and we will bring up the rear. We'll maintain constant contact and watch out for any Decepticons."

"If the Cons get their filthy mitts on those missiles," the human commander began, but Starscream overrode him.

"Do you think I am not aware of the risks?" he wanted to know. "It's my troops who'll be in the firing line, risking themselves on your behalf."

"But it would still be safer to travel " began the human to speak but Starscream will not have any of that and cut in when he finish.

"Human I remind you that it was you who asked about assistance in this matter and now when you have it you argue with me instead?" Starscream Pointed out, how ungrateful creature's, they should be thankful they came at all to assist them "We could been halfway in the air by now""

The human kept quiet after that and followed Starscream who walked over to Skyfire who opened up for his leader to enter and the human commander, the missiles where already loaded in and they where ready to take off.

"Everyone prepare yourself's for take off" came Skyfire voice as Starscream and the human put on their safety belts on the shuttle rise to the sky.

"I hope you can deliver this mission Prime, if we fail today we all will be in danger" said the human commander in worried tone, he knew the Autobot's could keep them safe but he was more worried about their air support since in the past that was not their best element.

Starscream decided to ignore the human, he had just about enough about him and instead looked outside by the windows just encase a uninvited flyers would appear.

1 hour in the air and everything goes smoothly, that is until a light reflection shines at the clouds at him, but it was moving in quite fast and with wide optics Starscream could see the jet now moving in so fast they might crash in a few minuets.

"Skyfire Boost your thruster's and turn to your left at my command!!" Yelled Stasrcream and the human next to him looked at him in panic and in worry he barely could ask "do tell me Prime you have with you some kinds of deference plan?"

"Be Quiet human!" Starscream Snapped with his deep voice at the human losing his patience with him, now was not the time for foolish questioning and the human trembling of fear and kept quite.

"Optimus?" Skyfire asked shocked, never in his time under the Autobot Leader he have never seen him lose his patience, but that help Starscream back into focus and just in time he could see the white seeker trying to crash with them above them in the air.

"Skyfire Now" Starscream Commanded who hold on as Skyfire suddenly shooter forward and leans to his left, the white jet suddenly flew down missing them and everyone could seen it pass on their right windows.

"Keep you optic's open Skyfire, he will come back soon enough" Stasrcream warned still looking at the windows and thought to himself "Where is the rest of you Trine?"

"Am afraid i don't see him anywhere Optimus" Skyfire said who now also kept optic out for anything out from ordinary in the sky.

"Ramjet just lost his element of surprise to take us down" Spoke Satsrcream thoughtful of the attack Ramjet was hopping to pull, clearly that fool was hoping to damage on of Skyfires wings so he would force him down to the ground with would mean his Trine was waiting for him down there.

Suddenly the human started to make trembling noises and Skyfires engine to and before long Starscream to could feel the pull of fear in his processor.

"Optimus my scanners have found someone behind me" Skyfire Spoke almost in trembling tone himself.

"Dirge" Stasrcream sneered, ohh he is going to make them regret attacking his troops "Listen Skyfire just focus at the coordinates, Dirge is nothing more then a distraction at the moment"

Taking off the safety belt Starscream got up and opened one of the doors to get outside and the looked up to see Thrust there, aiming his weapon at the seekers right engine and before the red seeker knew what happened Starscream fired sending Thrust down "Fool, now find your foolish leader"

Chapter Text

"Must i Do everything myself?!" Ramjet complained and still yelling more steam "You where suppose to attack that overgrown shuttle and instead getting shut at?!"

"I was about to attack, but that blasted Optimus Prime " Thrust Snapped, but Ramjet interrupted him.

"Optimus Prime in the Shuttle??" Ramjet questioned surprised, sure Optimus did come along on these missions, but it's been a while since the Prime have been on one of those from what he have heard off.

"I say we leave with our hides intact" Thrust Suggested, taking down a shuttle is fine but Optimus Prime? that is a hole other thing that he wanted to stay away from.

"We are not leaving with out those missiles" ordered Ramjet imagining the reward he could get from Megatron if he succeed "Get ready to attack both of you!"

"What? No am literally gliding through the sky right now" Thrust Argued "How do you expect me to attack?"

"You will transform and Dirge will get you on that shuttle and all three of us will attack" Ramjet explained to his Trine.

"Are you crazy?" Thrust demanded but Ramjet snarled at him.

"If those fragging twins can manage it, you slagging well can to. Now do it!"

"Fine," Thrust muttered, not happy but his trine leader was not backing down. mentally fuming at how undignified this was, he transformed and headed straight for the top of Dirge who had slowed down to meet him.

"That's better," Ramjet said with satisfaction, pleased at being obeyed.

"This is s***," mumbled Dirge earning a 'shut up' from his leader.

"I'll go high, you two follow low," Ramjet ordered, powering up his engines and shooting off after the shuttle. This time, he was determined to ram into that blasted overgrown flier, he would not outmanoeuvre him this time. They were not walking away from this empty handed, they would show they could be just as good as the Elite Trine, no, even better than them!

Once more, he aimed for the wings as he speed after Skyfire, closing the distance rapidly. Wings were always a weakspot but then again, they were likely expecting that. So at the last moment, he lived up to his name, and rammed himself right into the main body of the shuttle. The impact jolted Skyfire horribly and he fell through the air before regaining control and managing to balance himself.

Ramjet had known that wouldn't bring the shuttle down but it would provide a handy distraction. Besides, now that he was here, he could begin to do some real damage. Smirking, he transformed.

Dirge and Thrust watched from a distance until they saw Ramjet transform to his robot-mode taking that as the signal to move in.

Thrust on the other hand is literally in a hugging grip on Dirge cockpit, afraid not to fall off since his own right engine is damaged it would be unpleasant to fall down to his own death, But Dirge have moved quickly closer to Skyfire with Thrust jumped off him and on the shuttle.

"We will never speak of this" Dirge demeaned as he to got on top the shuttle and transformed himself.

"Agreed, Trust me it is embarrassing as it is" Nodded Thrust, how lucky they are that non of the others of the Decepticons have not seen them like that, now hurried to help their Trine Leader inside.

Quickly getting inside by the open door at Skyfires right side, both seekers barely had the time to think as they saw Ramjet got thrown their way and hit Thrust with ended up further away back at the Shuttle

"Thrust get off me at once!!" Ramjet yelled who struggled to get up and to shake off Thrust as he saw Optimus Prime walking to them, but for a moment there Ramjet looked him in the optics and something told him that the Prime was enjoying this.

Awhile Dirge took the opportunity off begin ignored trying to buckle off the Missiles with in turn where quite large and almost hole space inside of the Shuttle "How does Ramjet expect us to transporter these back to base?"

"Hey you! leave those Missiles be as they are" Yelled the human Commander and holding up a pistol at the blue Seeker ready to shoot him "Am warning you i will fire!!"

"You think that puny weapon will harm me?" Dirge laugh and continued to buckle off the Missiles, he could see the human stand his guard with was quite strange most organic creatures would have fled for their life, Suddenly the Commander shoot Dirge at the left optic.

"AAAHHhh" Screamed Dirge in pain as one hand went to the optic and the other one to push away the human from him "YOUR DISGUSTING MEAT SACK, I WILL END YOUR MISERABLE LIFE!!"

The Commander managed to dodge the seekers attack and rolled to the Con's left side where he was blinded, like this he did have the upper hand of a chance to survive this fight with a Decepticon.

"You will be ending both our life's if you take those missiles" the human yelled back.

That was mistake once the human yelled Dirge turned to his left side and tired to crush the human by slamming his hand at him.

"I got you now human!" smirked the blue seeker, the commander just tried to get out of the grip with was impossible with how steady the seeker was holding him, but the commander wasn't done just yet and once again yelled "Your a fool for thinking you can use these missiles, but you know what TAKE THEM IT WILL BE YOUR FUNERAL"

"Funeral? Don't play dumb with me human i know for a fact that those missiles can destroy cities" Dirge pointed out.

"That is true if they where finished" Said the commander and now Dirge looked at him a bit shocked.

"They aren't finished? why on Cybertron would you humans waste your resources on transporting unfinished weapons!!" asked Dirge angrily, this didn't seem like a very wise move at all.

"Perhaps because they are unstable tin can" snapped the commander back at the seeker "Why other reason do you think we are transporting these for? They so unstable that they can blow up by the smallest mishandling"

This made Dirge shock in fear, he didn't want to join the well of all sparks just yet and looked over at his Trine who appeared to be out matched by Optimus.

"What are you waiting for Dirge?" Ramjet Ordered who pushed Thrust at Optimus who pushed him right back at Ramjet trying to get out away from him "Grab those Missiles and let's get this over with, Megatron will rewards us for it"

Dirge felt so confused, he couldn't go ageist his Trine Leader and they all had agreed to do this, But if the humans warning was true it didn't matter if they took the missiles since those things could blow up anytime with out anyone knowing when with meant taking it to base would be most unwise.

"I said gram the Missile Dirge NOW!" Ramjet Yelled now clearly out of patience, he probably just want the reward and attention from Megatron for doing a good job for the Masters will.

"Uh....they....," he stammered, he just didn't know what to do. The human might be lying but if he wasn't, those things would probably blow all of them to the Pit.

"The Autobots have the know how to make them operational," the human in his hand said, glaring up at him. "We don't."

"The frag are you standing there for?" Ramjet roared at him as he tried to hold off the Prime. "Get the missiles!"

"But they might explode!" Thrust suddenly burst out, causing the Prime to glance over at him.

"There is no might about it," he said, his tone implying that he was smirking. "None of you are strong enough to take them all and if you try to take too many, you are doomed. Yet, it's barely worth taking only a few, you might as well give up!"

"Never," Ramjet snarled, lunging at him with claws outstretched but he received a backhand.

Ramjet stooped at his tracks of the feeling of a lot off pain and saw that Optimus grabbed him tightly at his shoulder.

"I have just enough off all this " Starscream Said, the human looked to be smarted then he shown for as he aimed Primes gun at Thrust who just got up again "I want you three off this shuttle NOW!"

"Over my offline body" Ramjet Growled, he was not about to give up so easily and looked at Dirge and Thrust, both saw that he meant it.

But they both looked at each other and spoke by their Trine bond.

-There is better stuff to get to lord Megatron then theses death traps- said Thrust by the bond and continued - I don't care what Ramjet says, i rather live too see tomorrow then to join the well of sparks-

-Let's go- agreed Dirge as he let go of the human and ran to the exit door where Thrust was waiting for him and they both jumped out leaving their Trine leader behind.

"What NOO?! Come back at ONCE!" Ramjet yelled, feeling so betrayed that his Trine left him all alone.

"Trouble with your Trine Ramjet?" Starscream asked in a smirking tone "I don't blame them, in fact them seem smarter then you, they know when to retreat"

With that Starscream dragged Ramjet to the exit door just before be shot Ramjet's wings flaps and pushed him out "Happy landings"

A scream was heard as the doors closed and Starscream went back to his seat and the rest of the trip to the human base went quietly, the human on the other hand buckle in the Missiles again and went to his seat to. After 1 other hour they arrived.

"We have arrived, prepare for landing" Skyfire said and made a smooth landing and landed at the military base as he opened his main door.

"Finally" thought Starscream to himself and saw the humans to work on Unloading the Missiles at once and soon after Powerglide join them and the humans did the same with him and unloaded the rest of the missiles, as he walked up and went out to take look at this base.

Once out side Starscream could see why the humans wanted to transport them to this base since it was much larger then the others and looked to have much better security.

"Place them at the lowest level at the base, we don't want anyone trying to steal them" ordered the human commander "we had enough of that today"

"It seems you have everything in order human, i will take my leave and send you my bill" Starscream said as he turned around walking to Skyfire.

"Bill? what nonsense are you speaking off?" asked the commander, off all the time the militarily have asked help from the Autobot non had to pay them nothing.

"Did you think this would be Free commander?" Starscream questioned and looked back at him "Am afraid that nothing in any world is for free, yes you asked for help in what is a mission in with means we have to work to protect you and your cargo"

"I -i, but you Autobot's have done these request for free for years, why change that now?" asked the commander again.

"Working for free for your request's? please we gain nothing off it if anything we get damaged in the process with the Decepticons" pointed out Starscream, the human would have to play him since he have no choice in the matter "in turn we need repairs with as you can imagine can cost quite a lot, we aren't your today's cheep technology"

"Look at my solider!" he continued, gesturing to Skyfire. "The damage he has endured just to transport these safely. From now on, we require compensation, it could have gone much worse."

The human was frowning heavily but he glanced at Skyfire who had nasty gouges in his armour.

"I doubt any human transportation service would do this for free," Starscream added pointedly, folding his arms to show there was no room for argument.

He started to open his mouth but as Starscream watched, the human's mouth closed as he realised he could not argue against this.

"Very well," he said softly.

"Glad we could work this out," Starscream said sardonically before turning to Powerglide. "Come on, we're going back to the Ark."

The trip back to the Ark went by like a flash, but feeling exhausted from today Starscream walked his way back to his office and sat down in his chair, but as everything was quiet as Prowl walked in and Starscream hold in the urge to whine.

"Welcome back Optimus, the mission went well i take it?"

"Yes, very well" Starscream answered, one mission and already tired, he could see now why so many of Primes troops tired to make sure their leader could have calm days.

"Am pleased to hear it" Prowl said changed his data-pads and gave one to Starscream.

"What is this?" demanded Starscream as he took up the data-pad reading it.

"Awhile you where busy transporting the missiles to a safer location, Hoist and Grapple's steam got attacked by a few Decepticons who in turn stole a few energy generators" Stated Prowl and continued "The humans demands that we pay or build them new once"

Great this is what he needed, some of Megatron's lackeys trying to please him by doing small work in turn believing they will be rewarded, when in truth Megatron never rewards his men.

But the Problem now is that the humans wanted new energy generators from once of the plants Grapples teams where helping it rebuild up, not feeling to waste his time at this perhaps sending the money would be the best option just to get rid of them.

"Send a message to the energy plant in with those energy generators will be replaced for" Starscream Said as he gave back the data-pad to Prowl who took it and couldn't help to ask "With what sir? we don't have human currency"

"We do now, from today we will demand to get paid for the humans request assists" Starscream answered and continued "the militarty base is going to pay us for today's work, use that for those generators"

"Yes, sir" nodded Prowl, he wasn't expecting that since he believed to build up new generators for the humans would been more efficient, but he supposed this works as well.

"Now if you excuse me i would like to rest" and with that Starscream saw Prowl leave his office.

What a day indeed, wasted time helping humans with their issues, why does the Autobots do this freely? they gain not much at all from helping humans just doing their chores for them.

Getting up Starscream walked his way back to Optimus quarters where he took a shower and took a data-pad and started to draw a blueprint of a devise he had in mind to have some way in contacting Optimus at the Nemeses without Soundwave interfering, Few hours later when Stasrcream feeling happy with his Blueprint he sub-spaced it.

Perhaps he could start building two on his spare time tomorrow something he starting to look forward to, Looking at the time with looked to be pretty late with was more then a prefect time to go to recharge.

----

Hi everyone (=

I been working on my Patreon page these last days and put up tiers and goals, i Hope this will help me to Survive as a Artist.
I Love to Draw and make Story's and i Don't want to give it up D= , and sense i have been struggling to find a job for the 3 years is't helping me nether -sad face-

If you can or are interested, plz take a look at the link.

www.patreon.com/Annpar2009

Chapter Text

Morning finally came up into the shy, Starscream waking up did his normal routine getting energon and walking straight to primes office where he looked at his devise blueprint once again and changing a few small things that can be better.

"This will do nicely" smiling with pride on his little work with looked ready to be build, he had some parts in his office already, but with the change he would need to visit the strange rooms to get new parts and some extra in case that would be needed.

At his way to one of the storage rooms of the Ark a few bot's past him a 'hello' and likewise Starscream nodded in return

"Here we are" as Starscream was about to enter the room there were voices from inside, voices he recognized

"No, we need that part over there" pointed out Rumble to a larger form, Frenzy looked over "Are you blind? we clearly need this one"

"How in Primus name did those little rodents get inside here?" mustered Starscream as his face darkened "No matter, they will soon regret stepping inside of My Ark!"

With that Starscream opened up the doors with made both Cassettes to look at his direction when the sound of the doors open up

"Scrap, we need to get out from here" said Rumble, dropping what he was holding as they both made a run for the door to get out with was their only came out from the room

Starscream quickly blocked their exit by stepping in front of their path and asked cocky "Going somewhere?"

Both Cassettes barely had time to think when they saw Optimus trying to grab them in with Frenzy managed to dodge unlike his brother that got hold of primes servos holding him down to the ground

"Bro help me!" pleaded Rumble to his brother who was shocked with fear and only stared at his brother and dodge primes hand trying to grab him once more and ran out from the storage room into the hallways of the ship

"I can't believe it" mumbled Rumble feeling betrayed by how own brother, sure he could understand he alone was no match ageist the prime but still it hurt his feelings, feeling angry and sad Rumble screamed at the top of his voice box "TRAITOR!!!"

Frenzy could hear his brothers load words and sure he had that coming, but he couldn't fight a prime, that would take a miracle and the best he could do now is return back to the nemeses

Okay, Rumble was going to be beat his aft for this later but if he could get away, then he could regroup with the boss bot and plan how to get his brother back. Yeah, that was a plan, a smart plan, all he had to do was get out of here...."

"Hey!" a voice exclaimed and he barely had time to look up before he collided with a solid leg that sent him flying back.

"Urgh," he groaned as he went crashing into the floor but was already scrambling to get up again, that little hit was nothing, he could take plenty more.

"Oh no you don't," the voice exclaimed, it was familiar but he couldn't place it right now, not when he was so frantic to escape.

"Eat my dust!" Frenzy sneered, already taking off again, stupid lame Autodork.....

"Ahh!" he shrieked as something hit him and seemed to expand, rapidly growing on his back until the weight of it caused him to crash to the ground. Before he could recover, it kept going until he was encased in some firm substance that held him firm. His hands, feet and head were the only things sticking out of it and his optics went wide at the sight of the pink stuff that wobbled as he tried to wriggle.

"Cool, it works," the voice said cheerfully and he finally remembered who was it? that accursed engineer Wheeljack. "You know, you're the first Con I've tested this on."

"What is it?" Frenzy wailed, trying to fight his way out but all he managed to do was helplessly shudder in the inescapable material.

"Just a little something I've been cooking up," Wheeljack shrugged, coming to stand in front of Frenzy. "Don't have a name for it yet."

"Ah Wheeljack," came the deep voice of Optimus Prime. "I see you've caught one of our little trespassers."

"Yes I have" said Wheeljack proudly "and a perfect test subject for my newest invention"

"Hey am no test subject!" argued Frenzy, trying to move was impossible he really was captured now along with his brother who refused to look at him.

Knowing that Frenzy isn't going anywhere at the moment, but both cassette would try to escape since they have done so many times in the past under the Autobots hands.

"Not on my watch they won't" muttered Starscream for himself, he wouldn't not let them escape from his hands

"Did you say anything Optimus?" asked Wheeljack hearing his leader mumble something

"I was just thinking about where to put our little thieves" answered Starscream, For a lonely engineer Wheeljack was quite a sharp listener as he took note at that

"Thieves?" questioned Wheeljack who now had picked up Frenzy in his arms, but more curious why these two cons would steal?

"I found them inside one of out storage rooms, clearly they were looking for parts or materials of some sorts" Starscream informed him and looked at the cassette with pure hatred "The Brig won't do any good, they have escaped from there more times then I want to count"

"Then how about the cage on my storage room?" suggested Wheeljack with made Starscream look at him in surprise "Sure we only used it once at Ravage, but I rebuild it a bit to be more of a human cat cage and also made human locks for it to so we don't get the same problem twice as last time Ravage did escape and I thought to myself, Wheeljack think simple as the humans do"

"When does this autobot shut up" Starscream thought to himself as he could care less about the autobot ideas and explanations about them and suddenly snapped at him "Wheeljack!"

Wheeljack jumped at the sudden reaction to his leader never had this happen before, even Rumble and Frenzy got spooked up about it "Yes Optimus?"

"Bring me to the cage" ordered Starscream and the autobot shook a bit before showing the way back to his workshop where near it to his personal storage room.

"Here we are," he said and opened the doors and inside was the cage with the lock and the key to, but very dusty for laying around there for so long.

Starscream stepped inside with he saw so many different inventions, but ignored them all as he walked straight for the cage nonetheless with looked very much like a human cat cage only lager to hold a cybertronian cat.

"This will do nicely" he approved.

"You think so? am glad it will be some use" Wheeljack said happily  and put Frenzy down as he blow of some of the dust of the cage as well opened it up "I hope you don't mind the human lock, it still works just fine"

"I Don't mind for as long these two don't escape" Stated Starscream as he just wanted to get this over with, Rumble did struggle now and then in his arms "But do you by any chance have a device to block commutations? I’m sure they would try to call to Soundwave through their bond"

"In the matter of fact I do" said the cheerful Autobot and looked at one of his shelves and took a blue devise and handed it over to Starscream "There you go Optimus, it is very simple to use since it just have an on and off switch and I think it can block any commutations so long it is near the bot or con with you could then like to have it at the cage pocket side at all times"

Rumble and Frenzy both didn't look pleased about this and if anything they looked disgusted, to think they would be put on lock down in some cage like some kind of animal?

"You sticking autobots! can't you just put in the brig instead?" argued Rumble hoping to change Optimus decision.

"Weeljack" asked Starscream looking at the autobot who did the same "Yes Optimus?"

"Free Frenzy from his current state, I don't think he will fin in there with his brother like this" Starscream ordered, Frenzy looked hope full in that, this strange stone sludge had raden on him.

"Sure thing Optimus, I’m pretty sure I have something to free him" Wheeljack smiled thoughtfully and walked over to the room "I be back soon enough"

Once the door closed again Optimus looked down at both Rumble in his arms and Frenzy and said "Ahh alone at last"

They blinked at him in confusion, just what did he mean by that? Starscream smirked, which was hidden by the battle mask but the expression his optics showed still changed. They suddenly felt rather unsettled although they weren't really sure why. It was just the soft sparked Prime, they didn't have anything to worry about.

"Listen up you worthless little runts," the Prime suddenly barked and they flinched in shock, had his circuits scrambled. "You might think you can just waltz out of this base but let me tell you something. That is not going to happen under my watch."

He tightened his grip on them, adding cruelly. "Daddy isn't going to come save you this time, you are going to be under lock and key until I say otherwise."

Both where now trembling in front the Optimus, never did they know the prime could get this dark.

"Now if you pests do try to escape there will be consequences" Starscream informed them sweetly with some cruelty be hide his dark voice, but also started to crush them not so much as to leave marks but enough for them to feel pain and panic with both Frenzy and Rumble did by starting to struggle.

This would surely give Soundwave a panic back at the Nemeses, he was sure that stupid radio could feel his creations suffer and what a pity he could not see Soundwave in that state it would been most amusing, but at least he would do his revenge this way.

That blasted cassette carrier was always interfering in his plans, tattling to Megatron and just so infuriatingly smug, it made Starscream wanted to punch his faceplates in. Unfortunately, that had not been an option so he would have to settle for a far more insidious revenge thanks to these little brats.

"Let us go," Rumble gasped in fear, not so cocky anymore which thoroughly pleased Starscream.

"When my loyal soldier returns, I will," he smirked through the mask. "Oh but of course, we'll need to think of a good way to...entertain you while you are staying with us. Don't worry, I'll think of something suitable."

Chapter Text

This made them tremble even more, whatever the Prime was planning, it would not be good.

The Doors slam open and a running wheeljack came in with a white watery cube in his hands "Woaala"

Starscream soften his grim on the cassette and moved away from Frenzy to face Wheeljack and what was he even holding? "What is that"

"This is what will free frenzy from his cement trap" stated Wheeljack proudly "Well i think it will, I put a few other things in here but mostly just boiling warm water"

"What! Don't you dare put that stuff on him" yelled Frenzy didn't like the idea of having that liquid on him, but the Autobot held it over on him and with a splash " aaaahhh Hot Hot"

"Sorry, but it needed to be that temperature for you to get free" Said Wheeljack feeling a bit guilty for the pain Frenzy had to face, but quickly after the cement trap started to break now like clay and Frenzy just faced the floor.

Starscream took enjoyment off this and had already put in Rumble inside the cat cage with no resistance, the poor minicon must be afraid of the prime.

Wheeljack took away from the clay of Frenzy and used a towel to clean him a bit more "there and in you go"

Frenzy didn't want to but he was put in with his brother and saw the prime put on the lock on, never have they both have been in a situation like this before, how were they to escape? would Soundwave come soon to save them? they hoped so

"So Optimus What are you going to do with them?" Asked Wheeljack curiously

"Not much, just look after them," answered Starscream simply and true to his words he would be.

"You may return to your work station Wheeljack" ordered Starscream and took the cat cage and walked out of there before the Autobot could talk more with him.

Walking back to his office starscream put the cage down next to his desk and started to work on his own project, but as he started to get working he got an idea and opened a new link on his computer and started to play some music that he found agreeable to listen to for Earth music.

Rumble and his brother could barely move inside the cage and at first they ignored the music as the Autobot leader worked, But after a 1 hour of different types of music coming up from the playlist it started to get difficult to ignore it and their processor started to ache from all of it.
"Can't you put something else on?" Rumble finally begged, it was just too sporadic.

"Yeah," groaned his brother.

Starscream glanced at them, he liked having music on as it faded into agreeable background noise as he worked. But apparently these little brats didn't appreciate his taste in music.

"Something else?" he said mildly.

"It's too much," they complained.

"And what is it that you do not like," he said, still speaking calmly.

A new track was playing, it didn't appear to have any lyrics to it but did not fit what he'd been told was 'dance music'. Hmm, it looked like Skywarp was rubbing off on him. A rather strange melody but he did not mind it. These two on the other hand....

"That for starters," Frenzy moaned, pulling a face. "It's fragging awful."

"I had no idea," Starscream said in mock apology. "Why don't I put on something different?"

Starscream moved his hand to his keyboard and looked at the different music types the came to see *medieval music* on the list, he himself was trapped in that era once and the music there wasn't all that bad in the human castle he took over and thought "if I remember clearly Rumble couldn't stand it and destroyed the instruments in the castle"

With a smirk on his lips he clicked on play, as the music started to play, Starscream continued his work and had finished his devise and was worked on Optimus, he really needed to give him this device that looked like a normal clock but was much more.

"You gotta be joking!" complained Rumble "Why would you want to listen to that?"

"Yea it's horrible" Agreed Frenzy holding his hands on his audio receptors

"You asked me to put something ales" started Starscream and connected the wires on the device "and as you can hear i did change the music as you requested"

"But this isn't even pleasant to listen to" started Rumble, sure the prime did change the music to a different one and primus it had to be medieval music?

"This is torture" said Frenzy "not even Boss would do this to us"

then the door of the room opened and a white mech came in backwards "Hi there Prime, mind giving me a hand?"

Starscream looked at him, it was strange that he didn't enter the room and just stand in the door war halfway in like that and to top of it all he couldn't remember the Autobot name.

"A hand? with what exactly?" asked Starscream

"With dun dun DUN" musical drums world as Jazz stepped inside with Rust sticks in his hands "There, we and the others just now made these and giving one to everyone in the Arc"

Frenzy and Rumble looked up at Jazz and more at the treats in his servos and soon they meet with his visor looking at them

"Didn't know we had guest" said Jazz a bit surprised to see the mini-cons "If I knew I could have brought some for them and still can just need to run back to the humans"

"Humans?" asked Starscream, what did the humans have to do with this? plz to primus don't tell they did

"They wanted to help us make theses Rust sticks and thanks to them we made plenty" smiled Jazz.

"How.....nice," Starscream somehow managed to mumble out.

"Urgh, you let fleshies make those?" Frenzy exclaim in disgust and Starscream could not disagree.

"Uh huh, why not?" Jazz asked blandly, breaking a piece off and popping it into his mouth. "Humans pretty good at cooking."

"They ain't good at nothing," Rumble sneered as Jazz chewed before grinning at him.

"That so?" he smirked. "Guess you two don't want one then?"

He dangled a rust stick in front of them and although they sneered, the smell was very inviting. Starscream found to his annoyance that his mouth began to water, how long since he'd have a treat?

Reaching at his spark memory he could remember the last time was with his Trine before the war started and that was what millennia? or much more years then that, Dang it all it this was a hard time to pass this up

Chapter Text

"I’m sure you want these Prime" Smiled Jazz happy and put the treats in a clear space on the disk "I see you repairing your alarm clock? why not give it to Ratchet?"

Looking away from the treats, Starscream faced Jazz and was unsure if Optimus did do anything like this "I Had some spare time, this isn’t too difficult fixing"

"I better get back to the other's we are making a second batch of rust sticks and I agreed to help them out this time" Jazz informed him and walked toward the door "Enjoy your treats Optimus"

"Thanks Primus he is gone" Starscream thought to himself and looked over at the treats, they did look pretty delicious and it's been so long since he had one.

With surprising hand Starscream reached for one Rust stick and broke it from the others, looking at it before taking off his mask and taking a bite, Then the flavors sparked allover and the taste was so sweet and he couldn't help just to enjoy his treat.

"You are eating that?" asked Rumble, clearly head him enjoy his treat.

Luckily Rumble couldn't see him from down there, why did he give in to the temptation of the rust sticks to begin with?

"Don't tell me you both are jealous of not getting one?" teased Starscream at them, he was not about to have this ruined, yes it was disgusting that humans help made them, but Primus they did a good job on these treats.

"Us Jealous? why would we be Jealous?" asked Frenzy.

"You hadn't had any treats since back on Cybertron" Starscream stated and continued to enjoy his treat.

"So?" Rumble spat.

"Why would you want to pass up this rare opportunity when you both know you will not get any back home" Smirked Starscream, he had them now.

They both didn't want to agree on it but it was true, even if they would ask Soundwave or the others to make some it would just take too much time and energon to make some. Something Megatron wouldn’t allow since they needed all the energon they had to fight the Autobots.

"You both know the magical word, say it and I might give one to each of you" Starscream told them, working away with his project.

Feeling satisfied, he half listened to them mutter and squirm amongst themselves while he fiddled around. It was rather nice to tinker without having to worry about Megatron calling him up to do some stupid chore. Being a leader was a marvellous thing as he had always known it must be. Sure, he was commander of the Autobots but it was a small price to pay for the respect and privileged such a role granted.

"Hey...Prime!" Frenzy finally said, getting his attention and he turned to look at them.

"Yes?" he said delicately.

The twins glanced at each other before grimacing.

"Can we 'please' have a treat," they bit out, very annoyed but had obviously decided a rust treat was worth having.

Smirking at this amusement, he knew it was a matter of time before both Frenzy and Rumble would give in.

"Am sorry, but I remember correctly you both refused to have treats made by humans" Starscream mocked, and finally finished his project, now holding up both alarm clocks, it was time to test them out.

"But you said if we asked we would get one" snapped Rumble at Optimus

"I said I Might give one, I didn't say I would, did I?" stated Starscream and sent simple messengers to each alarm clock with received them perfectly both ways, the device would send a time then short after a number of coordinates would show.

It was brilliant idea to make theses as Starscream parsed himself, now he could contact Optimus when ever he pleased, Soundwave would be to stupid to pick up the alarm clocks signal since he was sure that radio wouldn’t bother with this kid of signal waves.

Happily sub-space away both clocks and finished his treat, Starscream put on his mask again and started to clean his disk.

"You F#####!! why are you toying with us like this?!" Rumble yelled.

"Yea it isn't fear nor funny" Demanded Frenzy, they both got very disappointed that Prime refused to give them a treat and again their feelings wasn't a game for him to play with.

"I Believe it is about time for the evening energon" Said Starscream and got up from his chair, but what to do with these little pest's?

"Hey! you not planning on starving us are you?" growled Rumble, if that would happen he would lash out on them, he needs energon to function.

"A Few days without energon won't hurt you both" Starscream grin

"You can't do that!" Frenzy join in his protest

Starscream gave of an amusing laugh with sent both cassettes unsettled feeling once again "You both came to My Ark stealing My resources, materials and expect to be treated as a guest?"

"I Don't Believe So!" said Starscream Darkly "I wouldn't waste my resources on the likes of you"

It was a quiet moment and both cassettes wanted to argue ageist the Prime, but they didn't dare to do it.

Suddenly there was two voices at primes door.

"They better not heard a word of this conversation" growled Starscream to himself, if he was found out this soon, he could say goodbye to his rank as Leader, with would be post unacceptable.

Starscream walked over to the door and listen to the voices with he knew very well, it was those F##### Lamborghini Twins.

"You ask him sunny"

"Why Should I have to do that? you were the one who wanted to come here"

"Hey! you too wanted to come bro, don't lie on that"

Starscream scowled to himself, for all their bickering, they clearly were not going to go away. So without further ado, he pressed his door open and was satisfied to see their startled faces.

"Is there something you were wanting?" he asked pointedly.

They glanced at each other a little nervously for a moment and it appeared as though there were a silent communication before the red one spoke.

"We uh....heard you captured the terrible twosome?"

"And why would that be of interest to you?" Starscream questioned, just what were they up to?

Sideswipe nudged his brother who sighed before saying. "We thought we'd volunteer to watch them for you Prime."

"Is that so?" their leader said softly. "I'm not sure about that....you know how prone they are to escape...."

"We won't let that happen," Sideswipe said eagerly. "We'll keep a real close optic on them."

Sunstreaker nodded his agreement. Starscream considered them, while he didn't want them escaping, he didn't really want to watch them all the time. And these twins were among the few Autobots he could safely say were not soft sparked fools. Not only were they destructive, they had no problem throwing themselves into a fight and playing a little dirty. Obviously, they were a nuisance, he hated when they tried to grab and wrestle him in the air.

But they clearly liked to mess with Decepticons and since he happened to have a couple in a cage....

"Very well," he suddenly said to their delight and amazement. "But I expect you to keep control of those two cassettes, I do not wish to hear of them escaping."

Note: how will the babysitting go? And will Rumble and Frenzy escape?

Chapter Text

"You won't regret this Prime!" smiled Sideswipe, his brother however walked over to the cassettes.

"Aww look at you guy's all helpless" teased Sunstreaker at them before lifting up their cage "like an animal inside their own cage"

"We aren't helpless" protested Frenzy.

"Nor are we animals" growled Rumble at the twins.

"At your satiation, I beg to differ" said Sunstreacker enjoyment of the moment.

"Come on Sunny" grin Sideswipe in with made the cassettes worry, what was going to happen now?

The twins walked along the corridors and Sideswipe asked "What should we do first with them sunny? Paint them? Watch photos of moment we kicked their butts? Or should we use them as target practice?"

"You are watching over us not blow us to bits" Complained Rumble, why did they have to get captured and now deal with this?

"You have survived before haven't you?" started Sideswipe and now smiled "but perhaps we could watch a human movie or what do you think Sunny?"

"Depends on the movie." answered Sunstreaker as they now reached their room they shared.

"Yeah, that's true," Sideswipe nodded, "what do you fancy?"

"You take a look." Sunstreaker shrugged as they entered and placed the cage onto their shared double berth. Rumble and Frenzy didn't comment on that, as fellow twins, they also liked to sleep right next to one another.

"Alright," the red twin said cheerfully, going to pursue their collection. Meanwhile, the yellow Mech switched on their television and began going through the channels to see if anything good was on.

"Tell me we're not watching something stupid," growled Frenzy, it had been bad enough with Prime. What horrible taste in music he had.

"No, we're not," Sunstreaker said shortly because suddenly pausing on a channel which was announcing the next program. "Hi Sides?"

"Uh-huh?" Sideswipe questioned, still looking at various titles.

"There's something called Titanic coming on," his twin told him. "Didn't Carly say this was a good film?"

"Oh yeah, she did," Sideswipe nodded, turning back to the berth. "Wanna give it a go?"

"Let's see what it's like then," Sunstreaker nodded as Rumble demanded. "What's Titanic?"

"Something about a ship," the yellow twin shrugged. "I don't remember what else."

"Guess we will find out" shrugged Sunstreaker and left the channel on that movie and sat down and Sideswipe soon joined him.

Before the movie started a black screen with text showed up telling about this movie begin a real life story that happened in the past, after a few minutes the actually movie started with a group of humans diving down in the ocean, it appeared they were looking for something with a remote robot trying to find some kind of treasure?

The robot reached the ship and there it found a safe, The humans appeared to be very happy with their find as they took the safe up to their boat celebrating their find, but they shortly became shocked to know there was just paper in that safe and nothing more.

"No money? Nothing?" asked a man holding the camera and soon the movie moved on their lab room in the ship and as they found no money but a picture of a nude human female wearing a heart necklace.

Soon broadcaster their find on TV and an old woman showed up and she soon join the people, they asked her to tell her story about the ship and the necklace was priceless.

Then movie changed to where she was younger getting on board the ship itself with was shown to be quite large and that is when commercial snap in.

"Wow look at that ship Bro." said Sideswipe amazed , sure it was large but it was breathtaking. "How did the humans manage to build a ship that large?"

"I've no idea," Sunstreaker said in wonder. "They were still pretty primitive back then...you know...I think they'd only built aeroplanes a few years before this?"

"Wow," Sideswipe said in amazement as Frenzy exclaimed. "Are you being serious?"

"That's what I heard," Sunstreaker stated. "Thank Primus we woke up when we did, it'd be a nightmare otherwise."

"Yeah, no automatic screen washes," chuckled Sideswipe, "now you two better hush when the film starts again."

"It's probably gonna suck," complained Rumble mulishly as Frenzy sighed. Well, this was a little better than hanging out with Prime.

"It's starting," Sunstreaker said sternly, he was curious about how this ship had sunk.

We saw the young lady enjoying a dinner with her mother and her new mate, she didn't seem to enjoy her company. The move moved then to a young man that had boarded the ship by winning a gamble of cards.

The movie continued in the evening the young woman is shown again and have learned her name is Rose, but she felt so trapped in her world of everything begin so perfect yet a complete nightmare all tho she was born to this , She ran as fast her feet could carry her to the end of the ship and looked down at the impellers.

"What is she F### thinking?!" busted Rumble out, “who on Cybertron would want to end their life of begin a First class born?”

"Shut up!" snapped Sideswipe at Rumble "we are missing out"

Indeed, there where because now the young male came and said his name was Jack and was trying to convince the lady to live on, even telling her of his poor status in this world yet he did find happiness.

In the end rose slipped and was now handing down and the impellers right under her and she yelled pleaded for his Help.

Jack wasted no time and managed to drag her up and save her life only then her to be mate showed up and thought the young made was about to rape his wife, but Rose explained other wise and so Jack got rewarded to have dinner with them the next morning then commercial snap in once again.

"Finally, why would she want to end her life?" asked rumble once again "she is F### rich"

"I suppose because she won't be free," Sunstreaker mused slowly. "It seems bonding with that human will make her his slave."

"But she'll still have money and never go hungry," Frenzy said in support of his brother, "and loads of fancy stuff!"

"Yeah and anyway," Rumble added. "If she doesn't want to bond with him, she can just dump him rather than killing herself?"

"Guess she feels her only choices are bond or die," Sideswipe offered as the other twins snorted, they didn't get this at all.

"She'll probably end up with that Jack guy," the red mech continued. "She's meant to be really old at the start of this film, he probably offlined before her."

"Whatever, let’s continue watching." Mumbled Rumble, didn't want to admit it, but this movie was getting quite interesting.

The movie returned back at the spot where Jack got some fancy clothes from a chubby nice lady and waited for Rose to arrive, soon Rose came, introduced him to her mate to be, and a few other Rich people at their dining table.

"Look at all those different foods!" Frenzy said in a whisper, sure he didn't know much human food and sure it was disgusting looking, but that table sure had a lot of delicacies.

“Yeah, it's packed, if all that was energon it could feed good amount for bot's” Rumble agreed.

They were talking and the rich people there clearly didn't like Jack, he tried his best to act like they did, but it wasn't truly his style.

Soon Jack left the dinner hall and Rose followed him and he showed her a real party with the lower class, lower down of the ship the low caste people were dancing drinking and ate what little food they had, but they seemed quite happy.

The next morning Jack was banned to go to the higher up level of the ship to see Rose. Her mate to be clearly didn't approve of him, soon after that he also had an argument with Rose and hit her.
This surprised all 4 bots and cons in the room, clearly didn't see that coming since the man seem gentle.

“That slagger, he can't control her” Rumble almost yelled to his brother, but whispered so the other twins wouldn't hear them.

“He certainly seems determined to keep her away” Frenzy whispered back at him.

“Yeah, well he can go to the pit! This was one of many problems back on Cybertron” Rumble said and added “can't believe I'm saying this, but humans and us have similar systems on our worlds after all”

As the movie moved on they were now running by the deck of the ship and kissing, then a large bang was heard and the ship crashed with an ice brig, but if anything it looked more like a scratch and commercial stopped the move there.

"What will happen next? Will they all die?" Rumble Asked worried.

"Who cares? Did you see that man she is supposed to bond with? He is a jerk!" Said Sideswipe.

"Yeah, he's an af.," Frenzy agreed as Sunstreaker grabbed a pad and started sketching, this film was somehow putting him in the mood to do so.

"I want to see more," Rumble demanded, their view from the cage wasn't too bad but they wanted to see the full screen.

"If you two are coming out, you're getting cuffs," Sunstreaker warned them.

"Fine, we do it, just let us out" Frenzy said, he just wanted out of the cage with his brother.

So putting aside his pad for now, Sunstreaker helped his brother take them out and cuff them with a chain to a bed post so they couldn't run off. Now they had more freedom to move about and could see the screen better, they instantly moved closer as this had clearly reached the exciting part of the film.

"Just in time for the movie" smiled Rumble as it started once again.

This time they showed the engine part of the ship as it was working overtime with all the humans managing it, but whatever they did the ship still crashed and was now floating as the humans on board were putting on their life lines getting ready for the lifeboats to take action, the works only took the Women's and Children to those boat's and the lower class way up to the life boat's where locked by a cage door.

"Those F#### High Class Slaggers, how can they do that?!" sneered Frenzy, reminding him all too much of Cybertron in the past "Where ever you go, I swear they can't stand the lower class citizen, that isn't fair they too deserve to live."

"Bro shut it, we can argue later." snapped Rumble and the twins next to him agreed as they looked at him a bit annoyed for interrupting them of the movie.

Rose was put on a lifeboat and as it was slowly lowered to the sea she jumped back to the ship and Jack followed her inside, it really was true love right there. But soon her mate to be saw all of this and took a pistol and started to shoot both of them, he clearly felt betrayed and angry on how his wife to be chose a low class over him.

This put everyone in the room in a surprising mood and even shock, but our main characters managed to find their way back up and by then the lower class people did too and everyone was panicking since the ship started to lean up and snapped in half as it fell to the sea.

One that was over it didn't stop there, the boat now once more started to lean up slowly sinking.

There were screams, panic, it was pure chaos. A priest was seen giving prays to some humans around, trying to calm them down and give them hope to join their Heaven/ The well of allsparks.

Our heroes managed to climb to the very nose of the ship where they waited until the very end and in the sea now they managed to find a flowing board that didn't have enough room for two, but Jack gave that to Rose to keep her alive.

Soon after the lifeboats from afar started to make room for a free boat to look for survivors as it went to the frozen humans that looked nothing more than blue dolls, Rose saw the boat and managed to get rescued as the flash back ended there changed back to the old lady once again.

She then at night dropped that blue heart shaped necklace to the sea before going to bed and was seeing dead, but joining back to the ship seeing her true love, the end.

"I can't believe this" mumbled Rumble, yes it took him by surprise and he was also cheering tears without realizing it.

"I know bro, and it was a real life story too." Said Frenzy trying to hide his tears "The music really put you in the mood."

"You're not wrong," Sideswipe said with a grin, he was pleased to see how much Sunstreaker was enjoying himself. "That was better than I thought."

He grabbed a cube of energon and shoved it their way. "Here, this'll help."

Eagerly, they grabbed it and started gulping it down, they were starving. When it was almost gone, Rumble suddenly said.

"Is this High Grade?"

"Our own brew," Sideswipe nodded, “like it?"

"Yeah, it's great!" Rumble said with an eager nod, feeling emotional yet relaxed. He didn't notice that Sunstreaker's attention was now on them as he continued to draw.

The two cassettes yawned a bit; one asked "How long was that movie"

"Don't know, maybe an hour or two" shrugged Sideswipe and switched the TV to his gaming console "Don't tell me you both are already sleepy?"

He started up a game called Spyro, both Rumble and Frenzy watched curiously as Sideswipe played a purple dragon walking around in a strange land of gem and puzzles.

"Is that a Dragon?" asked Frenzy, looking at the screen.

"Huh? Yeah it is, I just got this came from chip and trying to break his records" Grinned the red twin, he come across a door was locked and a bear in a black suit stood next buy asking for gems to give the key "I hate that guy, always taking away my gems"

“Why? Can't you just beat him?” asked Frenzy.

“Wish i could, but the game don't give you that option, I'm forced to buy his key to get to across” Sideswipe grumpled.

The best of the evening followed calmly and soon after it was time for everyone to recharge.

Sideswipe and Sunstreaker called it a day and recharged at their berth and Rumble, Frenzy got a blanket and slept on the floor, in the morning the twins had to return them to Optimus.

The Autobot twins woke up first, feeling refreshed and relaxed. Sideswipe glanced down at Rumble and Frenzy and smirked at how well they were sleeping. They hadn't put them back in the cage since they'd behaved so well, although they still had a shackle just in case.

"You know, they look kinda cute like that," chuckled Sideswipe, nudging his brother as they observed the two smaller mechs lying cuddled together.

"I suppose," Sunstreaker shrugged although he did give them a once over. That image would make a nice picture…

"Wasn't a bad evening," mused his brother thoughtfully. "We mostly hung out with them."

"Well, Prime wouldn't like it if we messed them up," Sunstreaker stated. "Anyway, Ratchet would S*** us if they got injured, then Prowl would throw us in the brig."

"Oh definitely, good thing they behaved" and Sideswipe walked over to his brother seeing him draw "how is that sketch coming along?"

"Sketch? I don't do sketches Sides" replied Sunstreaker, who continued his work on the sleeping twins.

"Then what do you call that? I mean it looks great and all but it's still black and white" said Sideswipe.

"Not every drawing need's color Sides, that's the beauty of art." stated Sunstreaker who laid down his pen "I’m done."

"That fast?" said Sideswipe to his surprise.

"You doubt on your own brother’s skills?" questioned Sunstreaker with an expression of hurt in his voice.

"No no, that's not what I meant. Of course you’re a great artist Sunny." tried Sideswipe, how did it come to this. "How about we refuel and return them to Optimus"

"Sure," Sunstreaker said, getting out of their berth and stretching. "You better wake them up, I'll get some cubes."

Sideswipe moved off the berth and bent down, slightly shaking the two sleeping Minicons.

"Rise and shine," he said in a slight sing song voice as they blearily opened their optics.

"Five more minutes," Rumble complained, rolling over.

"Sorry short stuff, you gotta get up," Sideswipe chuckled. "Get up now and you can have some fuel."

"Fuel?" Frenzy mumbled sleepily, he was feeling rather hungry.

"Yes, basic Energon" stated Sideswipe and poked Rumble "Hey Sleeping Beauty, wake yet?"

Rumble blink this optics a few times before stretching, "I’m awake and quit poking me"

"Good, Sunstreaker should soon arrive with our breakfast as the humans call it." smirked Sideswipe and waited on his berth.

"That brother of yours had better come soon." complained Rumble.

"Yeah I’m starving as it is" agreed Frenzy, the prime was cruel enough to not allow them to refuel, but thank Primus they were getting some now.

"Hmm, he’ll be here soon enough" Sideswipe told them, normally it doesn't take his brother this long to get energon. "There’s probably a line, we aren't the only ones on this ship that want to refuel.”
The two Minicons huffed; they were extremely hungry by now.

"What's happening next?" Frenzy questioned. Were they going to be spending the day with Sideswipe and Sunstreaker?

"We're taking you back to Prime," Sideswipe shrugged only to receive a chorus of protest.

"Not that slagger!" Frenzy cried as Rumble added. "He's an afthole!"

"What are you talking about?" Sideswipe asked with a frown. "He treats you better than us."

"Are you kidding?" Rumble snorted. "He played music he knew we hated, wouldn't share his sweets and didn't feed us."

"No way he wouldn't do that, Prime is too kind for his own good, otherwise me and Sunny would have been in real trouble for pulling a few pranks over here at the base." Explained Sideswipe, Prime was never cruel as Rumble and Frenzy described.

They just stared at Sideswipe, how come the Autobots didn't notice their own leader was glitching out? It was so obvious to them that he was not himself; maybe the stress had finally gotten to the Prime? Or that he tired of playing nice?

Then the doors opened and Sunstreker had with him 4 cubes in his arms. "Sides, a little help?"

"Sorry, sorry, I’m coming." said Sideswipe, Quickly getting up from his berth and walked over taking two comes of his brother’s arms.

"Here you two." as Sideswipe handed over an energon cube to Rumble and Frenzy who they grabbed it and drink it down immediately.

"What took you?” Asked Sideswipe.

"The Dinobot's got my way, said I smelled funny." answered Sunnstreaker and handed over a cube to his brother.

Note: Dinobot's? What will happen next? Stay tuned.

Chapter Text

"Smelled funny?" Sideswipe questioned, gratefully taking the cube. "Wonder what he meant by that?"

"I have no idea," Sunstreaker grumbled. "You know them, they get set off by all sorts of weird things."

"Don't worry Sunny," his brother grinned. "I don't think you smell."

"Ha, ha," the yellow Mech scowled before taking a gulp of his own cube.

Rumble and Frenzy had already finished they cubes and where listening in to this, They have forgotten about the Dinobot's and it was better off if they stayed away from those beast's.

"Oh? you two already finished your cubes" Sideswipe saw and took a gulp of his own cube.

"Yeah we are done, so what about it?" asked Frenzy snappy at them

Sunstreaker finished his cube with a last gulp, grabbing the cage and walked over to them "You both are getting back in"

"What? no way" they protested, that thing was extremely uncontrollable.

"We had our turn with you both" stated Sideswipe and finished his cube as well and walked over to his brother to help him "besides we can't watch you today we have duty's on this ship"

They both cassettes grumbled as the twins took off their cuffs, they didn't like it but where focused back into that tight cage in with where built for one person pet not two in with space wasn't an option in it.

"There, all done and locked" smiled Sideswipe and walked over to the door in with opened and showed the corridors "Coming Sunny?"

"Yeah, I'm coming" answered the yellow twin and walked right behind his twin, Everything seemed just fine until they heard heavy foot steps and fast coming at their direction.

"Me Snarl say this way" said a large Dinobot in his robot from walking for them "Smell strong here"

"Looks like they're after you, Sunny," Sideswipe teased, nudging his brother.

Sunstreaker scowled, if they accused him of smelling bad, he was not going to be happy.

Meanwhile, Frenzy and Rumble grimaced, they didn't like to be near those primitive bots at the best of times, but now they were trapped in a little cage. The two Autobot twins stood to one side to allow the Dinobots to pass them however the large Mechs came to a complete stop.

"Smell here," Swoop declared, frowning at the twins.

"Me Grimlock know that," the Dinobot leader declared impatiently before glaring at the twins. "What you got there?"

"Nothing much, just a couple of troublemakers," Sideswipe shrugged as Snarl suddenly leaned right over and sniffed.

"Me Snarl smell.....Cons!" he growled and the three Dinobots there all made grumbling noises.

If they weren't in this corridor, they would have already transformed into their beast's alt's, but luckily all three Dinobot's where at their robot forms.

"Con's?" asked Sunstreker? wait have they been smelling? how in the world could they smell the difference between an Autobot and Decepticon?

"Have you three been smelling theses Two this hole time?" Asked Sunstreker once again then pointed at the cassettes, The Dinobot's looked at the cage and snarled at them.

"Yes, Smell like them" stated Swoop, at that both Sideswipe and Sunstreaker got a bit confused

"Wait we don't smell" tried Sunstreaker, but they did hang out a whole day with the cassettes.

"Ha, me Grimlock say you two smell" said Gimlock and looked at them, "Us Dinobot's will take them"

"What? you can't just take them" pointed Sideswipe out, they can't do that right? and if they did it then he and his brother would get some blame.

"We are taking them to Prime" Sunstreaker said, looking at them in the optics "if you want a turn speck with Optimus about it"

"Argg, we Dinobots follow" stated Grimlock, not very pleased but they and followed the twins back to Optimus Prime office, walking inside the office Starscream looked surprised to see the Dinobot's behind Sideswipe and Sunstreaker.

"Sorry Prime, but they really wanted to come" said Sideswipe with a hand behind his neck.

"And why was that?" Starscream questioned, raising an optic brow.

"Me Grimlock want tiny Cons!" the T-Rex Dinobot said without preamble. "You Prime tell them to give us cage now!"

"We didn't want to do anything without your permission," Sunstreaker stated, something Starscream greatly approved of.

"I see," he said softly. "You did the right thing."

Sideswipe grinned and Sunstreaker looked a little bit more relaxed. The big oaf next to them of course looked impatient and while Starscream was tempted to deny him and his cohorts, they were on the same side after all.

"So if I understand Grimlock, you wish to watch over the Minicons today?" Starscream questioned, already knowing the answer. Serves the little brats right.

"You know that!" stated Grimlock impatient

"I suppose I do, But what would you do to them?" asked Starscream, yes they wanted to look after the pests, but why would they want to?

"Them Cursed Dinobots trouble" said Grimlock and pointed to Rumble and Frenzy "Us Dinobots want revenge"

Now that cleared things up and looking down and Rumble and Frenzy, they where small and had an advantage over those primitive cybertronians in the battlefield, and Starscream thought to himself "Whom am I to deny their thirst for revenge"

"They had turn" said Grimlock and pointed at the twins "fair to Dinobot's have turn"

"Sir, the Dinobots are quite" tried Sideswipe to speak but quickly saw Grimlock grim look at him as if asking if he would challenge him, but found his words and questioned "Strong Autobots and what if they accidentally hurt them?"

"Us Dinobot not Kill!" stated Grimlock, sure he was primitive but he did understand just fine.

"Can us Dinobots have them now?" Swoop wanted to know, causing a lot of protest from Rumble and Frenzy.

"You can't be seriously thinking of giving us to them," Rumble cried out heatedly. "Can't you stick us in the brig or something?"

"Yeah, this is cruel and unusual punishment," Frenzy declared, rattling the bars of their too small cage.

"Now, now, I'm sure the Dinobots will take very good care of you," Starscream stated, much to the surprise of the Autobot twins and the satisfaction of the Dinobots. "They might not be the usual Autobot you will encounter but that doesn't mean I don't trust them."

'There,' he thought. 'That sounded like something Prime would say.'

"If you're sure Prime," Sideswipe said, still rather doubtful but Grimlock was already taking the cage.

"Oh Grimlock, stay inside the ship we don't want them to run away" Starscream told him, if anything this would be a challenge for the cassette.

"Ha they try, we stop them" stated the Dinobot and exit the room and his fellow Dinobots where behind him.

"Me Swoop say go to big room" suggested the flying Dinobot

"Yes, much space" agreed sludge, too bad they couldn't do outside.

"You guys are going to be gentle with us right?" asked Frenzy? doesn't hut to know.

"Sure," Grimlock said with a shrug which was not reassuring.

"Aww come on," Rumble groaned. "Those twins were nice."

"Us Dinobots nice," Swoop stated. "We're gonna have fun."

"Yeah, what kind of fun?" Frenzy asked suspiciously.

"You Minicons see," Snarl said with a smirk which worried them.

They were taken through the Ark until they reached a room Rumble and Frenzy recognised as the Autobots training room. Grimlock walked over to a table while Snarl locked the door behind them, Swoop was heading for a cupboard. The twins nervously wondered what was going on as they were placed on the table and the large Dinobot leader turned to the others.

"You Swoop got it?" he demanded.

"Yes, me Swoop got it," the flyer replied, straightening up and starting to come back over.

"Got what?" Frenzy questioned, sharing an anxious look with Rumble.

"This," the flyer stated, holding out a long line of what happened to be rubbery rope.

"What are you doing....hey!" they exclaimed as the cage was open and Snarl pulled them out.

"Hold still," Swoop scolded as he came closer and started separately wrapping them up completely in stretchy rope. They tried to struggle but the Dinobots were too strong and soon enough, they both looked like wrapped mummies although their heads were free.

"Good," Grimlock said with satisfaction as they squirmed helplessly. "Now we play."

"Play what?" they asked, but not sure they wanted to know.

"Play Catch" answered Snarl and took his place in the room with the others.

Before the twins could understand what that meant they were grabbed by grimlock and where thrown up in the air, Both Rumble and Frenzy Screamed, not expecting that to happen this quickly as panic filled them both.

Swoop on the other side did manage to catch them just in time before they would hit the floor "Good Throw"

"You Swoop good catch" complimented Snarl

"What the F###### is your problems?" Snapped Rumble yelling furious at them.

"This is Not a Fun game" snarled Frenzy

"You Con's play humans like this" stated Grimlock at them, "us Dinobots trying your game"

Wait so they where punishing them by feeling like helpless meat bags? Oh it was a cruel way to do it and now Snarl was holding up his arms in the air looking at Swoop "Me snarl ready"

"Okay," Swoop said with a nod, preparing to throw both of them.

"No, don't!" they both cried but the flyer ignored them and threw, sending them soaring through the air yelling.

"This fun!" grinned Snarl, successfully catching them, to their relief. "You Grimlock catch!"

Except this time, he only threw Frenzy who yelped as he was caught by the large Dinobot. Snarl turned to Swoop and the flyer soon had Rumble in his hands but now he activated his jets and shot into the air so he was above the proceedings. The other two Dinobots made noises of approval before they started charging about, gleefully throwing the Minicons about. It was especially freaky being thrown by Swoop down to the others and they were seriously starting to think they were going to get dropped.

"Stop!" yelled Frenzy as he was thrown again. "I'm gonna purge!"

"Time out, minicon weak" Said snarl, noticing that Frenzy was making a funny face.

"Hmm fine, take break" ordered Grimlock and sat down.

Rumble and Frenzy where put on the ground, but lie down in their trapped cocoon and much to the statement Frenzy was almost about to puke out his morning energon.

"No no Bro, keep it in will you?" asked Rumble, the game was no walk for him neither since he was quite dizzy himself.

"Easy for you to say" snarled Frenzy, luckily he never did purge his tank in the 3 min they were on the ground and looked over at the Dinobots who where talking with each other.

"Oh great they are probably planning to continue the F#### game" growl Frenzy to his Brother.

"Knowing our luck, yeah," Rumble grumbled, squirming furiously but while they were stretchy, the ropes just weren't giving. "I can't believe I'm saying this but I wish we were back with the twins."

"Yeah," Frenzy agreed. "Who knew they weren't that bad to be with?"

"Guess we can tell the boss to go easy on them," Rumble mused. "I'd rather he s*** these Dino jerks and that slagging Prime."

"Pit yeah, it's like his circuits have been scrambled," his brother said earnestly. "He's almost as mean as Screamer."

"Least he sounds better," sniggered Rumble, they loved to mock Starscream's high pitched voice.

They continued on with this games for a few hours and Rumble, Frenzy had been thrown and caught so many times that they lost count, Then there was a knock on the door.

"Time out, someone Door" Said Grimlock, curious on who would bother therm.

"Me Swoop look" said Swoop went to the door unlocking it to see Starscream standing there "What Prime want?"

"Just checking how it's going, they haven't been any troubled?" questioned Starscream and walk past Swoop inside to see the cassettes on the ground looking pretty tired and somewhat sick, their faces were hard to read at that state, But seeing them like this made him grin.

"No Problem, us Dinobot play catch" Said Grimlock proudly.

Starscream could guess and knew he meat that the cassettes where the ball in this game since there were wrapped in tape, how sad he couldn't see that with his own optics, well this punishment would pretty much make Soundwave feel his creations panic back at the Nemeses.

"Well done, but am Afraid the fun is over and they both should be rest for the night" Starscream stated, as much as he would like to continue, the Dinobots wouldn't do well to them under a night's watch the brig would once they are inside their cage again.

Grimlock made a grumbling noise but it seemed more automatic than anything else. He'd thoroughly enjoyed himself so was not bothered about handing the cassettes over.

"Untie them if you would and put them back in their cage," Starscream commanded, they shouldn't have any energy to try and escape.

"You Swoop do that," Grimlock stated, he seemed to like delegating.

"Where are we going?" groaned Rumble once he and his brother were untied and shoved into their cage.

"I believe the brig will suffice tonight," Starscream said idly.

They grimaced but at least they would be away from the crazy Dinobots. And the Autobot brig wasn't so bad, it was warmer than the Decepticon one and they usually got fed some nice Energon.

Starscream personally took them to the brig and let the cage inside a cell and just like that left them alone there and made his way back to his own quarters for a nice long recharge.

Next morning was slow, getting up and refuelling, then go back to his office for work, luckily yesterday left the whole day putting on a better security over the Ark with Starscream himself had one of the master override codes to his disposal.

"Now that's up to date, those pests won't get inside so easily" growled Starscream to himself, today looked to be one of those boring days, since everything was going so smoothly around the base.

A Few hours later the Alarm was set of by Teletrain one and called all Autobots, Starscream made his way to his troops.

"Attention: Decepticons attacking energy plant on the east coast, help required" said the computer.

"Hmm, good timing," Starscream thought to himself. "I can meet up with Prime. And s*** Megatron while I'm at it."

Prime was lucky the body he was inhabiting was far too beautiful a model to damage although he might have been tempted to s*** him as well. Oh well, this one he was currently in wasn't bad, good colours and far better than being in Megatron's. Urgh, what a nightmare that would have been.

"What are your orders Prime?" Prowl asked crisply.

"We must go there at once," Starscream declared, nothing else was expected of their beloved Prime other then to help, so predictable.

"Understood Prime," Prowl nodded as Starscream turned to Ironhide.

"Ironhide, a word?"

"Yeah Prime?" the red Mech asked, already preparing his blaster for the future battle.

"With those two little cassettes in the brig, Soundwave is bound to make an attempt to free them," he told the old warrior. "I'd rather he won't succeed in his scheme. I'd rather not let them loose in our base anytime soon."

"Understood Prime, I'll take care of it," Ironhide assured him as Starscream smirked behind his mask.

Note: The Decepticons strike once again, what will happen on the battle, will they win or lose?

Chapter Text

Back at the Nemesis

"Are you alright Soundwave?" Optimus questioned the tense looking Telepath.

"Negative," growled the blue Mech. "Cassettes, prisoners."

Optimus was tempted to calm down the mech, but decided against it since Soundwave was praised by Megatron quite often and Starscream wouldn't take kindly to the blue mech.

"Statement: Prepare troops for Energon raid" Ordered Soundwave and walked away from his working station.

Optimus nodded and went over to another computer, press a button and used the ship mic to give the order "Attention, Prepare for Energon raid at once, I repeat Prepare for Energon raid at once"

With that Optimus made his way to the others in the docking bay, primus he was so tired, the Energon in the morning didn't help much since he has been running around the Nemesis doing all kinds of chores from morning to night and hardly had any time for himself other than recharge and drink his Energon, Megatron was literally working him to the bone/metal.

"Hey screamer you awake there?" said a voice.

Optimus snapped back to reality and turned to his left to see Skywarp holding his shoulder, not wishing to worry Skywarp at the time he responded "I’m fine"

"Right then, let's go or we be left behind " Skywarp then ran off the docking bay and joined the others.

Optimus blink then followed him and the other to a human energy plant where Megatron order everyone to attack, all tho the group of Decepticons looked smaller than usual notice Optimus.
At the Energon plant.

The Autobots were in time and they didn’t disappoint and started to attack any Decepticon insight, when a few Con's made a run for it with a few Cubes, Optimus kept his distance not wishing to attack his own Autobots even in this form, but made his way behind the Energon plant building and sat down as he really needed to rest.

"There you are" snapped a Voice he recognized as his original voice.

"Starscream? Thank Primus tell me you know how to reverse" pleaded Optimus with shocked Starscream, he never seen Optimus like this before.

"I haven't found anything yet to reverse the wish, but why do you look so ... Drained?" Starscream questioned, not very happy with Optimus state of health, Just what have Megatron put him through?

"Megatron has given me extra chores around the Nemesis, it's too much ... I hardly have any time for refuelling and recharge" Optimus answered and was disappointed that Starscream haven’t found a way to reverse this wish yet.

Starscream felt rage feeling his circuits, of course, that old bucket would have done this after that prank Optimus pulled with his Trine, Megatron must have been furious and this must have been one of the punishments to keep him in check again.

"I will take care of him" Starscream growled and almost forgot something, he sub-spaced Optimus his inventions.

"an Alarm clock?" asked Optimus confused and looked over it, it was light blue coloured with 3 buttons on it.

"My newest invention, it will help us meet up in privet" explained Starscream and showed quickly how it worked "on its head is the light button with receive and send messages, on your left side you control the time, the right side the location you want to send me and on the back a simple off, on switch"

"I Made theses to make sure Soundwave won't find out our activity" stated Starscream, now that was over he could contact Optimus whenever he wished, but for now to take care of that rust bucket.

"Starscream where are you going?" question Optimus and sub-spaced his alarm clock.

"Where do you think? to pay back that old bucket!" snapped Starscream and started to climb to the roof of the energy plant, he could see the whole battlefield from here and not from war away was Megatron.

"I will show him" growled the false Prime and took a few steps back before running and Jumped in the air and made a perfect kick at Megatron's back.

Optimus watched in utter astonishment as Starscream's heavy foot slammed into Megatron who let out a startled roar of surprise. Primus, he was faintly feeling sorry for his enemy right now, Starscream was clearly going to attempt to beat the s*** out of him. However, this pity was distinctly tempered by how Megatron had been treating him for the past few days. Optimus wasn't just indignant on his own behalf, Megatron fully believed he was doing this to Starscream and it was appalling that he'd do so to one of his own people.

It was hardly any wonder that Starscream wished to destroy him.

"Come and fight Megatron!" Starscream declared, fist clenched. The force of his jump had sent him flying off Megatron after connecting with his back but he was on his feet and ready to go.

Megatron shoved himself up, looking dazed and his front was covered in dirt. The false Prime gave him no time to recover however, he charged forward and kicked his 'leader' in the face, gleefully enjoying the grunt of pain followed by a burst of life force. Why didn't Prime do more of this, he had such a powerful body and Primus, did it feel wonderful right about now.

He tried to kick Megatron again but the grey Mech brought up his gun arm protectively and he instead, hit the large fusion cannon. Despite his injuries, the Decepticon leader was scrambling to rise and his canon glowed before firing off a shot that did not hit Starscream but forced him to retreat slightly.

"Fighting dirty today, are we Prime?" Megatron said thickly, his nose bleeding heavily and one of his optics looked cracked.

"That's not the only thing that is dirty, Megatron," Starscream shot back, smirking behind his mask as he saw just how filthy the former gladiator looked, life force and dirt smearing his form.

Megatron glared at him before lunging with a roar at him. Starscream automatically dodged to the side, he was not used to fighting one on one with a heavy Mech like Megatron but he still threw a punch at him. They grappled furiously straining against the other, neither willing to back down. Viciously, Megatron attempted to bite him, forcing Starscream to lean away to avoid him.

The old mech again tries to strike him and this time when Starscream tried to dodge Megatron managed to bite to his arm, So that is how Megatron want to play ehh?

Starscream hugged him with surprised Megatron, then used all his strength bent backwards in full force with only then Megatron realized he was falling backwards fast and his head was about to hit the ground hard with happened within minutes, Starscream let go and bent back forward straight up and turned around to see his former leader on the ground get his head out from the dirt.

Pure humiliated and Rage flared from the Decepticon leader once his head was out from the ground/ dirt, he looked forward he saw the false prime kick him in his chin and sent Megatron flying on his back again lying on the ground.

"I Won this one Megatron" Starscream grin and aimed his weapon at Megatron who was beading Energon all over and from his mouth, But Starscream felt proud of what he has done as he never could bend like that in the past since his wings would be in the way.

"You will regret this prime, Mark My Words" Growled Megatron and shot for the sky "Decepticons Retreat!!"

Optimus was impressed with Starscream's battle skills and he seemed to have everything under control, Optimus unfortunately enough joined with Skywarp, Thundercracker as they with the rest of the Decepticons were flying back at the Nemesis.

Once they would reach back to the Nemesis Optimus would need to repair and clean all weapons that have been used on this battle, then send a few reports to Soundwave and keep his own SIC tasks, All this made him feel weak, tired and have a processor-ache and then there was this light feather dizzy feeling.

"Starscream?! why are we this far back in the group" questioned Skywarp who in turn didn't get any respond "Hey! I’m talking to you!"

"I - i-" Optimus somewhat said then fell down from the sky, head first down and arms followed after, feet falling right after, his own optics offline grey.

"Starscream!!? " Yelled Skywarp in panic.

Thundercracker saw their Trine leader falling down from the sky fast and was headed for a forest below him, where many spiky trees waited, Primus! he is going to get stabbed by pointy trees!

"I Can't get to him!" cried Thundercracker in his own panic, he was trying so hard to grab Optimus, beside him was Skywarp who also was panicking because in a few seconds their Trine leader will die.
"We need to do something fast!"

There was no time to waste, thinking fast there was a sound of a Crack! Skywarp was down at the forest and shot up in the sky and in time grabbed Optimus in a hug and hovered up, relieved that he had gotten to Optimus in time.

"Primus! that was too intense even for me" calmed down Skywarp, true Optimus was quite closed to get stabbed by those trees "What's wrong with him? why did he shut down like that?"

"I’m not sure," said Thundercracker honestly and looked at Optimus in Skywarps arms, some of his colours looked paler then they should, the red and blue looked paler with was not a good sign.

Panic filled the blue seeker again "We need to take him to Hook now!"

Note: Will Optimus be fine after this shutdown?

Chapter Text

"How?! I can't warp that far away" Skywarp stated to Thundercracker who was thinking of another way.

"We have no choice, we need to fly straight to base at max speed" Thundercracker insisted and flew behind Skywarp and adeed.

"I Will add my speed to yours as I push you forward, that way we have a faster chance to get to base, Now let's get moving!"

"Right, we can do this" Skywarp said as both of them shot forward in the sky in such speed in which they passed the others, They both were at their max speed which felt like they would be at the base in minutes.

Flying like this, their fuel tank started to drain and a small warning message showed up on their system, but at the same time they were so close they could see the base from where they were at.

"Skywarp any minute now!!" Thundercracker said as he continued to push forward for their Trine leader sake.

"Not at this distance!" Skywarp replayed which meant they needed to be a bit closer, still holding Optimus tight in his arms.

Another warning message was shown at Thundercrackers system as his fuel talks were getting low now which meant at the moment he was running on emergency only to keep him alive for a few hours until he could get fuel

"Is this close enough?!"

"I guess it has to be enough" Skywarp snarled and focused on Hooks med-bay, with a Crack! all three of them were gone.

At the med-bay Hook was cleaning his tools in peace, Crack! three Seekers shot by him crashing into his medical shelf, the poor medic jumped at the sudden arrivals.

"WHAT THE SLAG? ARE YOU THREE TRYING TO GIVE ME A SPARK ATTACK?!!" yelled Hook furiously at them.

"Hook, we just burned all the energon we had on our tanks to get here!!" Thundercracker snapped back at the medic, not in the mood to deal with that at the moment as he and Skywarp dragged Optimus to a berth/table bed.

"Are You Both Insane? Do You Know How Dangerous That IS!!!" Hook once again yelled back at them, why did he even bother these days.

"We had to!! There was no time Starscream shut down in mid-air and almost died on us" Thundercracked Stated who just sat down on the ground to save energy.

Hookhowever did in need look over at Optimus, who didn't seem to look that good at all as he scanned him. The lack of colour on the seekers frame was bad enough to show something was wrong here.

"I grabbed him just in time before getting stabbed by a tree, then he turned paler and we had to get here A-zap" Skywarp explained and fell down to the ground, he too was tired from that trip..

"He is in shock and almost drained of energon and I’m picking up a lot of stress over his systems" Hook read in complete shock himself as he looked over at his scanner and muttered "No wonder he shut down"

"He was fine this morning" Skywarp Stated, remembering the event and added "But he did look pretty tired"

"He needs immediately operation" Hook stated firmly and wasted no time to open up Optimus with in turn some dark smoke came out in the air, it was bad.

"This isn't good, You Two OUT!! Get some energon and I will call you back!!" the Medic ordered.

Not wasting any time and starting to work on their Trine leader, Skywarp and Thundercracker took his word and walked their way to the Rec-room for some much needed energon, the walk there was slow but they both managed it.

Inside the rec-room they both just grabbed a cube each and consumed it on the ground since they both were too weak to do anything ales at the moment.

"He is on good hands" Thundercracker said to the purple seeker who looked quite worried.

"I know I know, But he has never done that before .. " Skywarp answered and took another gulp of the cube "do you think maybe it was all his duties? we both know he got a load of them by Megatron"

"Perhaps, all those chores must have been too much for him" Thundercracker agreed, now that he got some energy, he felt much better "Maybe if we could find his list we could look at it?"

"You want to know Starscream's chores?" Skywarp asked a bit confused, why would that do any good as he finished his cube.

"Yes I do, we could find out what caused it," Thundercracked pointed out and got up leaving the Rec-room.

Skywarp followed him to Starscream's quarters and asked "you weren't kindling where you?"

"Warp us inside" Thundercracker ordered, Starscream did hide many things from them, including his feelings and it was tiring some.

"Okay" the purple seeker Shrugged and then with a Crack they both were inside which looked like any other normal room only next to the berth was a few data-pads.

Thundercracker wasted no time grabbing some of them and started to look over them, some of them looked to be reports that were sent to Soundwave and a few others that made sure the Nemesis storage rooms where full and ready, as he continued to look over the list he could see that Optimus was doing and also repairing, cleaning the weapons from the troops.

"This is insane!" Thundercracker stated, not able to believe that one person had to do all this work and keep his own duties as SIC.

"What is?" Skywarp asked curiously and took the data-pad from the blue seeker and almost dropped it himself "he has been overworking himself to dust, but why hasn't he asked for help?"

"Why indeed?" Thundercracker snarled, he was angry, all this time their Trine leader needed their help and they didn't give it to him as he added "This has gone to far"

"What should we do? we can't change this only Megatron can" Skywarp pointed out and gave back the data-pad back to TC who sub-spaced it.

"Hook might, if we showed him this and the condition Starscream already is in" Thundercracker started to speak and continued "As a Medic Hook can out rank anyone and take one off duty until they recover"

"Right" Skywarp said as he followed then a minuted passed "Ohh I see you want him to change Megatron's mind about this list"

"Yes I do, I’m surprised how Starscream have managed this for how long" stated Thundercracker, as a Trine they stay together, help each other and so far they were far from it.

They both continued to think this over, but after a few hours later they got a message from Hook who informed them "Hook here, Starscream is stabled"

"Let's go," Skywarp declared and warped both of them back to the med-bay where Hook once again almost jumped.

"Don't warp like that in there, there is a door" Hook pointed to the actually door then telling them his report

"I have changed a few of his circuits and repaired the rest, refilled energon and I found strange reading that I have never seen before"

"Strange reading?" Skywarp asked worried, wondering what that could mean.

"I’m not sure what it is, might be a glitch or something other than that he is fully repaired which only took me 3 hours to do this" Hook yelled furiously at the last part and demanded.

"Speak!! What has he been doing these last days?!"

"This" Thundercracker growled and sub-spaced out the data-pad with whole list on it "We also worried and found this at his quarters awhile you been working"

Hook Grabbed the List and took a look for himself and like the seekers he too was surprised on how one mech could do all this and have it done by the end of the week, if anything he was amazed on how long Optimus has managed to do this before breaking down the way he did.

"This is unbelievable," he said in complete astonishment and continued "Is Megatron insane? No bot could handle so much of this for an extended period of time."

He looked up at the two Seekers in disbelief. "You two did not know of this?"

"We did not, Starscream never informed us of his new duties" Thundercracker said in frustration. "Just...tried to take the whole thing on by himself."

"And didn't even complain about it," Skywarp added, shaking his head.

"Yeah," Thundercracker mumbled, a frown appearing on his face."That's odd...."

"Never mind that now," Hook said, dismissing the train of thought with a wave of his hand. "This cannot go on. He must go on immediate bed rest and when he has recovered, must scale back his duties. I will tell Megatron this, he will kill Starscream otherwise."

"Thank you Hook," The blue Seeker said gratefully.

"He also needs to consume more energon," the medic added. "He's not been getting nearly enough."

"That is certainly true," Thundercracker agreed. "Has he received any?"

"Yes, I gave him an infusion but he must have some proper fuel once he wakes. I will let him sleep for now. He deserves it," Hook declared before grabbing a data pad. "In the meantime, I'm writing out this report for Lord Megatron."

“Screamer is in bed rest and I guess we can look after him" Skywarp said, looking at Thunderacker who nodded and declared.

"Yes we're Warp, he just had a operation and is to weak to do anything for a few days"

"And you both better do a good job too, now it would be best to take him to his quarters" Hook stated who continued typing away at the data-pad.

"Right, TC you don't mind holding him?" Skywarp asked and Thundercracker raised an optic brow "What? I carried him this way in and it's only fair you do it now"

"Fine" agreed the blue seeker and put Optimus arm around his neck and his other arm held up the legs "Let's get moving"

Walking all the way back to Starscream's quarters once again, the halls there were some cons walking by them, but didn’t pay them much mind.

"Here we are again" Skywarp stated and took hold of Thundercrackers shoulder and Crack they where once again inside "We really should get his code, warping all the time will just take on my energy"

"You do it all the time either way, why complain about it now?" Thundercracker questioned and carefully put Optimus down on his berth/bed.

"hmm? I don't know" shrugged the purple seeker.

"We should prepare a cube for him too, you don't mind getting one for him?" Thundercracker asked, he didn't mind doing it, but Skywarp could do it faster.

"I guess" He said, with a crack he was gone.

The mean time Thundercracker looked at Optimus and was thinking how he had behaved theses last past weeks, he sure was more nicer then he was before and even before the list he did offer to give him and Skywarp a hand with their own duties which normally was a rare occasion.

"There! Two cubes ready for him to drink any time he wakes up" Skywarp said and left them on the table next to the bed with the other data-pads "guess we have to keep a eye on him"

"We do, but we could return to our post in the meantime as he rests," Thundercraker said thoughtfully.

"Okay, I guess we have our duty to clear out," Skywarp said, a bit grumpy, not something he wanted to do at the moment, but they both left starscream room and went to do their job.

Chapter Text

"What now? You look like … I don't know, concerned?" Skywarp stated, feeling a bit tense at his seat.

"Have you noticed Starscream's behaviour lately?" Thundercracker asked his trinemate as his voice held a serious tone to it.

"Now you mention it. He has been acting a bit out of it, more friendly, less grumpy and murderous." Skywarp replied with a shrug.

"Hmm, that he has and you mentioned today that he hasn’t even complained about his chores, Megatron had assigned to him" Thundercracker pointed out and continued. "Starscream even defended us against Megatron when we pulled that prank on the Autobot. I never expected him to do that."

"That is true." Skywarp agreed instantly, he hated to admit it, but all these facts didn't sound like Starscream at all and questioned. "What are you suggesting?"

"I’m not sure, I doubt anyone can change their behaviour this quickly, perhaps we should test him?" Thundercracker said suspectedly, kept thinking about the situation and Starscream himself, he had known him for many cycles.

"What? Don’t be silly, we all share a trine bond. I can feel him there.” Skywarp pointed to his chest where his own spark laid. “All tho, he is currently recharging."

This was so confusing, how could this not be their Starscream when he looked like him, Yet he acted differently than before.

"Don't you find it slightly strange that the bond between us three is open once again? Starscream always kept us in the dark in every way he could!" Thundercracker pointed out seriously at Skywarp who just stared at him, because what he said was true.

"So what if he did! He has changed, isn’t that obvious?" the purple seeker not sure how to proceed with this.

"We need to be certain, If anything this shows there is something wrong with Starscream." Thundercracker snarled, wondering if their trine leader was even a clone or a puppet. If it was, he would shred it to bits.

"So a test then? or a memory we all share?" Skywarp asked, trying to think of a way to help.

"A Memory? that's brilliant." Thundercracker started and a memory did pop to his processor. "Remember the day we met?"

"How could I possibly forget that one?" Skywarp smirked and saw the look at Thundercracker's face. "Ohh. So… we’re going with this memory?"

"We are, Tomorrow we are going to ask him and let's pray to Primus that he is our Starscream." Thundercracker said seriously and for now, they just needed to get this day over with by working.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

The next day, both seekers got up early to get their energon and grabbed an extra cube for Optimus and headed right to his quarters. It didn’t take long to get there and once they had reached the Starscream's room they were staring at the door.

They both had reserved a message that Starscream was off duty thanks to Hook. They both nodded at each other before giving a knock on the door.

"Hey screamer, it's us." Skywarp greeted as the doors opened, Optimus stood on the other side. "We brought you some more energon."

"Thank you, why don’t you both come in." Optimus invited as he accepted the cube. He wasn’t currently hungry but he could always save it for later. Both seekers stepped inside the room and quickly noticed that one of the cubes was empty and the other one was half consumed. Both cubes were lying on the table.

Skywarp put the cube next to the other ones. He then saw Optimus sit down on this bed and tried to tidy up the data-pads that where lying around there.

"How are you feeling? Have Hook contacted you yet?" the purple seeker asked curiously, someone had to start the conversation right?

"I’m much better, but still stiff. Hook did leave a message for me with everything that had happened." Optimus answered and looked at them. "Thank you, if it wasn’t for you both, I wouldn't be here."

They both looked shocked by that. He had Thanked them! Starscream rarely did that to anyone and if he did, it was included in a plot to get some kind of revenge against Megatron. This clearly wasn't his normal behaviour, both seekers nodded again at each other.

"Starscream, do you remember the day we met?" Thundercracker asked. Studying the seeker.

Optimus stopped in his tracks and felt some kind of panic and was astonished that they would ask a question like that. He wasn't prepared for it either and as a Prime, he rather didn't want to tell them any lies, but guessing here wouldn't do him any good either.

"I’m afraid I do not." Optimus told him truthfully.

"Well how about your favourite energon treat?" Skywarp asked this time, more hopeful. But Optimus shook his head with a no.

"Not even that."

Optimus looked at both seekers as their expressions changed. Then at that moment Thundercracker speed-walked to him and grabbed his arm hard and pushed him down to the ground. And demanded. "Who Are You?!! You're Not Your Starscream!"

Optimus tried not to move as he was still weak from yesterday and right now he was in a bad spot. He knew how Seekers could get quite aggressive over who hurt their Trine members and they wouldn’t hesitate to injure him. But they have seen through masquerade and did deserve the Truth.

"Your right! I’m not Starscream, my true name is Optimus Prime." He sated and felt more pressure on him from Thundercracker not taking that response to lightly, but continued to speak "Starscream saved a magician who granted him a wish to become a true leader, the next day he and I swapped bodies and after that, I have only spoken to him on the battlefields as we agreed to play each others role."

Thundercracker still held his grip over Optimus, so far everything he has said was true thanks to the trine bond. If Optimus would have lied, he and Skywarp would have felt it.

"No way! Screamer actually got his wish and is the leader of the Autobots?" Skywarp asked in disbelief, then looked down at Optimus and demanded "But how are you connected to our Trine Bond, huu?"

"I would like to know that as well." Thundercracker snarled, he just felt so betrayed, just like Skywarp.

All this time they thought they were getting a better relationship with their Trine leader, when in reality it was Optimus who put an effort to get to know them.

"My guess, it must have been the magic the human used. That is how I’m connected to you both, likewise, I believe Starscream is connected to the Matrix of Leadership." Optimus explained truthfully to them.

"This can't be real." Thundercracker muttered, it was just too insane to contemplate.

"I'm afraid it is." Optimus said gently. "I know it is a lot to take in."

The blue Seeker looked sharply at the Mech before him, that was not how Starscream would talk. If nothing else, he was convinced that the bot before him and Skywarp was not their Trine leader. So the question was, what did they do now?

"You know," Skywarp suddenly said. "Prime sure did a number on Megatron today....looked pretty vicious."

"Yes, I noticed that," Optimus nodded. "Megatron was not in good shape."

"Starscream taking advantage of that body," Thundercracker murmured, yes that was exactly the sort of thing he could see Starscream doing. "So you've seriously spoken with him?"

"Yes, we've been trying to work out how to return to our own original bodies. But so far neither have had any luck." Optimus informed before adding ruefully. "Then again, neither of us has had much free time on our hands."

"You do know, you're on bed rest, right? Hooks orders." Skywarp reminded him and added. "and you better find a way to switch back, you don't belong here."

"I would love nothing more than to return to my own body. Begin in Starscream's shoes made me realize how abusive Megatron treats him. I can now understand why he goes to the effort to try to over throne him." Optimus stated and continued. "I had no idea that he struggled this much, my own life as the leader of Autobots is far different."

"It can't be that different. We all have duty and chores to perform on both sides." Thundercracker questioned, the Autobots couldn’t have it better, could they?

"My troops have duty's yes, but they have far more breaks to go along with it. We never struggle with energon and trade with the humans for resources we require." Optimus explained to them. Their free servers at times gave them more respect to the humans who in turn were more accepting of trading with them and working together.

"Alright! We get it! You Autobots have it much better than we do." Skywarp growled annoyed. "But we try our best here to survive to!"

"Yes, and I am impressed with that. I too have helped you all with that energon machine to keep you all from starving." Optimus reminded them and noticed the surprise on their faces.

"Wait, that was a month ago! Have you been playing us this whole time?" Thundercracker questioned and remembered when they first started working on it. Has the Prime fooled them this long?

"I had to, if I was found out to be the leader of the Autobots .. Megatron and everyone else would offlined me by now." the false seeker said, they wouldn't miss the opportunity to kill him, that much Optimus was certain on.

"Fair point. But how do we fix this?" Skywarp snarled at Optimus who looked at them both.

"I think Starscream isn’t in a hurry to switch back. Between the two of us, he has more of an opportunity to find the human who did this to us." Optimus explained out loud.

"He wouldn't want to switch back anytime soon" Thundercracker finished in frustration.

"That is true. Starscream did enjoy his victory over Megatron." Optimus pointed out. This could be a problem. If Starscream wasn’t looking for the human to turn back, then that meant they both could be stuck like this forever.

"Obviously, we knew that much about him. So what do we do now TC?" Skywarp asked annoyed. He didn’t like this situation one bit. "If screamer is busy getting adored, he isn't going to leave any time soon… after all he did love that the most back at Vos."

"That is true, for now we wait for the next raid to speak to him." Thundercracker agreed and looked at the false seeker "Optimus… it would be best if you would stay hidden here in your room… as you recover."

"I suppose I could, but you don't trust me now. Why?" Optimus asked, a bit disappointed, he hoped at least they would be on friendly terms.

"You Fooled us to believe you were Starscream for Weeks! Sorry if we don't hug you right away." Skywarp sneered at the Prime. All that trust he had, was gone.

"And what else should I have done?" Optimus asked with a frown. "I did not know how you would react to such a revelation, the best thing I could have done was to make everyone believe I was Starscream."

"We're Trine, this shouldn't have been kept from us," Thundercracker said angrily. "You had no right to do so."

"I did what I had to in a hostile environment," Optimus argued back.

"Look, just....stay here!" Thundercracker said, throwing up his hands in aggravation. "There's no point in you stumbling around the place."

"If that is what you wish," Optimus said softly, wishing he didn't have to deal with this right now.

"If you're up to something, we will know." Skywarp warned and made a hand gesture between the two optics and then pointed at Optimus, the message was clear that he would keep an eye on him.

Optimus watched them both leave his quarters, leaving him alone in this room. Sitting down on his bed, Optimus sub-spaced a few random data-pads he had grabbed in the storage rooms while working.

"Let's see what they are about." He said to himself and turned on the data-pad and started to read whatever information it held.

This data-pad had some information about Cybertron's wildlife like the turbo foxes that lived around some of the most dangerous places on the planet. It shows how to find their nest's and successfully capture one, with some information on what they could eat and how to take care of one.

Another Data-pad, had a different kind of information about different Crystals that could be planted as a garden, which looked quite pretty. There were even some crystals that could react to shadow and light and grow bigger to a stage.

Then there were also certain crystals that could be used to make some treats. But before Optimus could continue reading about it, the time had flyed away and it was already bedtime. Looking down at the other 5 data-pads left to read.

"I can continue tomorrow." Optimus told himself and put them aside before falling asleep.

Chapter Text

The next day Optimus continued where he left off, but not before getting some energon, the Data-pads had some very interesting information from how to repair broken things, how to create energon sweets and how to speak Polyhex in their style of speech.

The days went by like this. Optimus on the other hand was thankful for the free time and spent it reading as he recovered. But he started to feel quite lonely and was unaware those feelings were open in the Trine bond.

"I can't take it anymore!" Skywarp snapped out loud at his working post.

"Hmm?" Thundercracker looked over his shoulder to the purple seeker, confused. "What? Need a break?"

"What? NO" Skywarp sneered, annoyed. "Haven't you noticed the bond? That grounder is begging for Attention! It's driving me nuts!!"

Thundercracker took a moment to look into the bond and it was True. He could feel that Optimus was feeling lonely.
He and Skywarp have been avoiding Optimus ever since they found out he was not their true Trine leader and have spent their time the past few days working on their duty on the Nemesis.

"I haven't noticed. To be honest, I have been blocking him." Thundercracker replied, it was too much to think about. But this wasn't right either, he shouldn't block Optimus like that, after all, he did try to get to know him and Skywarp.

"I refuse to block myself in the bond only because he showed up on it." Skywarp stated, why should he shut himself off like that? The Trine bond was his and Thundercracker's private link to speak and understand each other freely.

"That's it, I am going to have a talk with him!" Skywarp scowled, as he got up from his chair and rushed over to Optimus' quarters.

"Skywarp wait!" Thundercracker shouted from behind. He got up and quickly followed after the purple seeker. Those open feelings from Optimus side were somewhat annoying to feel.

"Hey! Screamer open up!!" Skywarp yelled while knocking on the door. Behind him, Thundercracker had just arrived and wasn't sure how this would play out.

Soon the door opened and Optimus was pushed to the wall by Skywarp. The false seeker was quite surprised by this reaction.

"Stop sending your feelings on the Trine Bond!" Skywarp snapped at Optimus face who looked back at him in astonishment.

"Sending my feelings ?" Optimus asked quite confused.

"Don't pretend you don't know!" Skywarp yelled again only to have Thundercracker step in between him and Optimus, stop it. “Enough!”

"You have been sending your feelings to us by the Trine bond that the three of us share." the blue seeker explained and continued the meaning. "We can feel you’re lonely and as it seems it has taken a limit with Skywarp."

"I apologize, I was unaware of this." Optimus apologised. Now that made more sense and he had forgotten about the Trine bond "I suppose am not used to being alone for this long."

"I see you've been reading." Thundercracker spotting the data-pads nearby, Optimus nodded "I have, it helps pass the time."

"Would you be interested in joining us on a flight? We could give you a flight lesson or two." Thundercracker offered to Optimus whose face bright up with delight.

"I would like that." Optimus accepted and felt happier at the moment than a minute before.

"What the slag TC? Why should we help him?" Skywarp questioned, if anything he just wanted the real Starscream back fast as possible.

"Running away from him wouldn't solve anything, we would just run into a similar situation. Besides he did before try to get to know us warp." the blue seeker answered and added. "We should at least help him keep his cover until we speak with Starscream."

"Fine." Skywarp said grumpily and looked over at Optimus. "What are you waiting for? Get moving” You are about to get your first flight lesson."

"My apologies." Optimus said once again and followed the two seekers through the purple corridors that lead towards the landing platform. Being outside was a relief after spending days inside the Nemesis walls.

"Come on, we need to move out to a safer place," the blue seeker stated.

"We need a safe place to practice. Once Soundwave won't be able to see us nor hear." Thundercracker

"You’re suggesting Soundwave would spy on us?" Optimus asked, not completely surprised, after all, Starscream was known to try to kill Megatron.

"I am. He can see and hears everyone on the ship. we can't let him know who you’re." Thundercracker warned in great concern. And curious asked. "How much do you know about seekers?"

"My own knowledge of your kind is sadly slim, there aren't many seekers with the Autobots." Optimus admitted.

"No kidding, that’s because they all followed Starscream’s choice of joining the Decepticons." Skywarp replied, it was quite obvious.

"Why is that?" Optimus asked curiously. "Why would a whole city of seekers follow Starscream blindly like that?"

Skywarp and Thundercracker started at Optimus, they were a bit surprised at that question. How was it that he didn't know? Again Vos wasn't a very open city since many did dislike seekers from the beginning, which, lead the city to become isolated from others, only a few certain cities decided to trade with them.

"You don't know do you?" Thundercracker questioned, how could a Prime not know?

"What am I supposed to know about Starscream?" asked Optimus once more, what was he missing from all of this?

"Starscream is the Commander of Vos!" Skywarp Informed out, tired of all of this questioning, just let the truth out.

"He is.....?" Optimus repeated, looking confounded. "Are you serious?"

"Of course, we’re," Thundercracker said flatly, folding his arms. "He is our ruler, so we follow him."

Optimus continued to stare at him, Thundercracker made a small huffing noise and made a gesture.

"Look, we don't have time to get into all that now. Maybe later, we'll explain more about it. But if you're going to pretend to be Starscream, you need to learn more about flying as a proper Seeker," he stated.

"I see," Optimus said softly. "Will you help me achieve that?"

"We have little choice," was the reply before he turned to Skywarp. "Warp, take us out. We don't want Soundwave or Megatron getting wind of what we're doing. Starscream doesn't need lessons."

"You got it! I think I know the perfect place to go." the purple seeker smirked as he took hold of both of their arms and with a Crack all three were gone.

The three of them appeared on a cliff near the ocean, the wind there was hitting their frames with a few drops of water that were carried in the wind, it was a relief to be outside in this weather.

"This will work" agreed Thundercracker as he looked around before he flew over to the sea, hovering a bit away from the cliff.

"I thought you would like it," Skywarp said pleased before taking Optimus arm and joining Thundercracker. "Come on, I am curious to see how your first lesson will go."

"Why do you sound so amused by this?" Optimus couldn't help to ask, he could feel that Skywarp was somewhat looking forward to this.

"Oh, you know. Looking forward to seeing if you crash." Skywarp replied back with a smirk.

"Warp!" Thundercracker warned. "This is not the time to scare him."

"What? Can't I have my fun and enjoy this?" the purple seeker asked and saw the serious face Thundercracker was putting on "Come on TC, you know me better than that."

"Hmm, just stay where you’re and be ready." Thundercracker Ordered and moved over to Optimus.

"I would appreciate it if you would tell me about my first lesson," Optimus asked. So far he had no idea what was going on other than they both would train him in the art of flying.

"Of course. What will happen is that I and Skywarp will Push you around here in the sky." Thundercracker instructed and moved Optimus a bit further away and high up in the sky.

"You're going to do what?" Optimus asked surprised, not sure if he heard the seeker correctly.

"It's a basic training all younglings do once they are ready to learn to fly. You have to start with the basics all tho your current flying isn't bad for begin self-taught." Thundercracker explained and added. "Now we’re going to push you around in all directions both high and low. Your job is to hold yourself steady in the air."

Optimus wanted to ask him something more, but before he could Thundercracker pushed him backwards with Sent Optimus flying lower down. He still didn’t have good enough control to steady himself in the air.

"Haha, Brace Yourself!" Skywarp laugh, he seems to be going to have a good time.

Optimus wondered if Skywarp was taking this as payback. But true to his words Skywarp pushed him from his back with sent him forward, this was going bad and he could see Thundercracker ready to push him again.

Optimus tried to stabilize himself in the air and he somehow managed to slow himself with the thanks from his thrusters. But then Thundercracker flew forward to him to push him again.

"That was pathetic! Try Harder!!" Thundercracker yelled and pushed him once again, it looked as if he and Skywarp weren’t giving him any mercy in this training.

This continued for an hour or two and Optimus struggled his best to keep himself stable after a push. But so far he felt like a flying ball and had crashed to the sea a few times and at that moment he managed to keep himself stable.

Skywarp warped out of nowhere and push him again. At the last moment, Optimus dodged him by flying behind the purple seeker and away from his reach.

"HEY! No cheating." Skywarp shouted and right behind Optimus felt a push with must been Thundercracker sent him out of control and was once more sent to the ocean cold water, splashing in.

Getting his head up from the water, Optimus demanded. "Time out!"

"You want a break? You could hardly keep yourself in the sky." Thundercracker pointed out, they didn't have time for breaks, they needed to make sure Optimus was as good as Starscream in the sky and fast before someone of the other Decepticons would figure out something was off.

"Then change the lesson." Optimus demanded once again, he was tired to be pushed around like a doll.

"Fine, come here then." Thundercracker ordered on pointed to his location with was not that far away from the cliff, Optimus obeyed and flew over there.

"What is the lesson?" he asked, better to be prepared.

"Oh! I know what you doing TC! Can I explain this one?" Skywarp asked and got a nod from the blue seeker.

"I and TC are going to be in our alt-mode at the cliff over there and you will meet our thrusters, which will send you flying backwards because in this lesson you must learn to fly in hard wind."

Optimus doubted it would be that easy, but at least it sounded better than being pushed around. "Alright, when do we start."

"Eh, right now." Skywarp said lazily and flew over to Thundercracker who was already in his alt-mode.

Optimus readied himself and he could see both Skywarp and Thundercrackers ready their thrusters as they were heating up. Then a sudden force of hot air shot at him and Optimus used his own thrusters to fly forward to stay in the air, but in the mare seconds, he was sent flying backwards to the sea once more.

"We aren't too hard on him are we TC?" Skywarp asked a bit unsure if they should take it easier on the new flyer.

"We have to be, he needs to get experience and fast." Thundercracker replied who watched Optimus’s head come up from the sea and shouted to him. "Get back here and do it again!"

Optimus was not very pleased with this training method, so far it wasn't as good as he hoped it to be. But he needed to stay at it and so flew back up at his position once more, ready himself as he faced the hot air the thruster's unleashed on him.

"Hey, look he is doing it." Skywarp said astonished to see Optimus like that if anything he expected him to face the sea again, But this time Optimus was using his arms as a cross above his head and used his own thruster to move forward to not be blow off his position.

"It's not bad." Thundercracker acknowledged. He and warp keep their power stable at that level for a few minutes before putting some more power, Optimus could feel as they increased the power and started to struggle.

"He is starting to lose it again." Skywarp noticed, at this point, it was questionable how much more Optimus could take this, the thrusters did give a lot of hot air and they had been at this for a while.

"I think we’re done for today." Thundercracker agreed as he and Skywarp turn off their thrusters and Optimus then slowly flew next to them only to sit down on the ground resting, his amour was quite hot after that.

"At the beginning of today's lesson, you couldn't even hold yourself steady in the air." Thundercracker started to point out his errors "You were thinking too much where we would strike then act or at very least follow the flow of the wind to your advantage."

"I admit what you’re saying is true. I have never flown like this before and got too carried away overthinking too much." Optimus said, flying with a backpack was easier, but not true flying as they were trying to teach him.

"But your second lesson was acceptable. After you found your balance you lasted somewhat until we pushed more power." Thundercracker mentioned, looking at the time and feeling the whirlwind hit in there was a storm coming.

But Skywarp cut them off their little talk. "Okay, shot version. You did well today and it would be best to return to base because theirs a storm coming up."

Optimus looked over to the sea and could see a lot of dark clouds forming, luckily he wouldn't need to fly through that storm. Skywarp did warp the three of them here he could take them back home.

"By all means let's return back." Optimus agreed as he was getting up on his feet and looked at Skywarp, by now he had cool down.

"No, we aren't going to warp back." Thundercracker decided thoughtfully and added. "This would make a fine third lesson."

"You can't be serious. I can't possibly fly through that storm." Optimus pointed out, the idea of flying in that storm alone as a test alone made him feel uneasy.

"That storm will test out your skills from your lessons today. You need experience." Thundercracker pointed out.

"We will be close by in case anything happens. You didn't think you were flying in there alone where you?" Skywarp questioned as he walked to him.

"I was starting to question that." Optimus admitted, so far they had been quite harsh on him. But it was a relief that they would be close by. "In that case, let us return back to base."

"That was easy, thought he would at least put some more resistance to this." Skywarp whispered to the blue seeker. Then there was a thunder sound that came from those dark clouds.

Optimus didn't look forward to flying in there, but Thundercracker was right, this was one way to get some experience fast in flying and with him and Skywarp near on this trip back to base it should be at lest somewhat alright. They did save his life earlier a few days ago.

The three of the moved forward onto the storm in their alt-modes, the storm large, dark and windy accepted their challenge with open arms as they flew in on their way back to the Nemesis.

Inside the Storm Optimus could feel the wind pushing on him and tried his best to fly forward all tho he was shaking a bit as he flew, Behind him, Thundercracker took notes on what Optimus was struggling with, But so far he was handling himself quite fine with seemed that he was paying attention.

On their way they had to deal with a lot of strong wind with was child's play for Thundercracker and Skywarp as they kept their optics on Optimus, but soon arriving back to base a Lighting struck the sky, the three of them managed to dodge it all tho it might have been to close to Optimus licking and scared the spark out of him with almost made him lose control.

He had not enjoyed it, but was more alerted when second lighting came by after the first one, but luckily they had managed to return back to the hanger at the Nemesis as they landed safely.

"Hopefully, I don't have to do that anytime soon." Optimus replied, quite shaken from today's surprises.

"With the weather, we get here. That will be a while." Skywarp confirmed and opened the door. "Now come on."

The Three of them were walking by the hall until they reached the main large room where a few voices were heard.

"What's going on?" Optimus questioned. He and the others had just entered the base and heard some mechs complain quite loud.

"I’m not sure." Thundercracker replied and Skywarp just shrugged in responds. They were outside all day. Optimus walked inside the maid room as his Trine followed behind him.

"What do you mean Starscream isn't here?" Ramjet complained loudly at Soundwave. "He's probably plotting another failed attack to overthrow Megatron. I’m telling you guys he is not worthy to be Second in command."

Chapter Text

The mechs in the room listened to Ramjet's words. "You think one in the Elite Trine would be the best of the best, yet our Elite trine gets their aft's kicked by the Autobots."

"That slagger, He wants your rank." Skywarp said furious, but now when Optimus was pretending to be Starscream. He had the rank of Second in command and was the Elite Trine commander.

Thundercracker and Skywarp were about to grab Optimus and just take him away since this was just a disaster waiting to happen. But when they looked over to their right, Optimus was gone, which, sent them into a panic.

Quickly they scanned the area and spotted him talking forward to the white seeker, they quickly rushed over there too.

"Is there something you want?" Optimus questioned the seeker, seeing that this was something Starscream would say.

"Finally showing your face are you? And what I want is for you to step down from your rank!" Ramjet Demanded and continued smugly. "Your Trine is not fit to be the Elite Trine."

"Nothing to say? I have heard you’re bedridden by Hook." Ramjet said with a smirk as he mocked Optimus. "What? Are you too weak to handle a few simple Autobots?"

Everyone in the room was silent, the other deceptions there watched this with great interest in what would happen next.

"For a Mech who could not get the better of some simple humans, you certainly talk big," Optimus scoffed, knowing a Mech like Ramjet would not appreciate those words.

And true to form, the conehead Seeker's optics flashed furiously and his fists clenched as he snarled.

"It wasn't just some pathetic flesh bags, I could crush those in my sleep."

"Of course, you could," Optimus drawled in a way that was maddening to the other.

//Not bad.// Thundercracker murmured through the comm, the Prime actually sounded like their trine leader.

//Thank you but I'm sure this isn't the end.// Optimus replied.

//Got that right// was all Skywarp could say before Ramjet was speaking again.

"You're weak Starscream! You don't have what it takes to be Elite Trine." the withe seeker snarled.

"And you do?" Optimus questioned. "All I'm hearing are words Ramjet, any fool could make such a claim. But are you prepared to back those words up?"

His wings unconsciously raised challengingly, clearly, this one had to be put in his place. Aggressively, Ramjet raised his own and bared his fangs as his trine mates flanked him. They glared at Thundercracker whose arms were folded sternly and Skywarp who was giving them a mocking sneer.

"I challenge you Starscream, for the position of Elite Trine." Ramjet declared, punching a fist in the air. "Do you accept?"

"Yes, I do," Optimus responded with confidence.

"Big mistake." Skywarp muttered, directing his comment to the Seekers in front of them.

"Very well." Ramjet said. "We will require an independent judge."

"Of course." Optimus agreed before looking over at Soundwave. "And I propose that Soundwave be it."

"Soundwave: Accepts." the blue mech replied. He didn’t mind being their judge, if anything it would be an interesting recording.

"Ha! You really are stupid." Ramjet smirked, wondering if Starscream trying to lose? With Soundwave around as their judge, he was sure this Challenge will be over sooner than later. "I accept Soundwave as our judge."

//Hmm, he Sounds too certain.// Optimus notices, was it possible that Ramjet had a plan to win even with Soundwave as their Judge? But now not seeing that plan necessary?

//You shouldn't accept his Challenge. Ramjet doesn't play fair.// Skywarp warned, he had learned that the hard way.

//I couldn't just deny him. It doesn't seem like Stasrcream’s way to do so.// Optimus pointed out and thought carefully to himself before adding. //Ramjet thinks he can win or at least keep us from cheating.//

//That is exactly what he thinks. He had a plan before he Challenged you.// Thundercracker agreed as he watched Thrust, Dirge and Ramjet be relaxed and cocky about themselves.

//Then let's even the playing field.// Optimus suggested and looked over to Soundwave, his cassettes were if anything great watchers.

"Soundwave, I re-quest a cassette to follow and watch each team." Optimus requested of the blue mech and got Ramjet's attention once more.

"What is the meaning of the cassette’s Starscream?" Ramjet demanded, not happy about it.

"For a fair fight, of course, or do you take me for a fool." Optimus replied and did his best to smirk.

"Requests: Granted." Soundwave agreed and deployed Laserbeak who flew over to Optimus, Thundercracker and Skywarp. The second cassette, Buzzsaw transformed and flew over to Ramjet, Thrust and Dirge.

Then Soundwave went to the console and made sure both his cassettes were linked to the console for them all to see what going on for each seeker's team. However, Ramjet once more looked a bit angered for allowing the cassettes to observe both teams.

"Statement: Three challenges will be put on stage." Soundwave announced and added. "Task one: retrieve Energon cubes."

"Is that all?" Thrust scoffed, putting on a cocky air. "We do that all the time."

"Stipulation: There will be a time limit." Soundwave who intoned.

"Very well, and for how long?" Optimus questioned, that seemed like a proper challenge.

"Three hours," Soundwave stated. "To gather as many Energon cubes as possible. The team that brings back the most, shall win the first challenge."

"And when are we starting?" Ramjet demanded to know.

The blue player deck turned his head in the conehead's direction. "Start: This instant."

"Huh?" he exclaimed, thrown for a moment as were his fellows. Thundercracker and Skywarp were also a little taken aback but somehow, it did not surprise Optimus. He was rather amused at the reactions around him, even though he knew that Soundwave did not mess about.

"Suggestion: Get going."

"I believe we shall," Optimus said without preamble while the Seekers continued to gawk. "Come Laserbeak."

The cassette perched on his shoulder as he strode towards the door and a moment later, his trine mates started to follow. He was already through the door before he heard the sounds of exclamations and he knew the Coneheads were following. It didn't matter, his mind was already working on the problem of gathering the most Energon cubes.

"Where are you going?" Skywarp demanded, catching up to him.

"To get those Energon cubes," Optimus simply answered.

"We don't have a plan." Thundercracker protested in concern.

"We will soon enough. I'm already thinking over it." Optimus assured them. Of course, it might require a little bit of 'cheating' but that seemed to be the name of the game here. It would probably be suspicious if Starscream didn't do that.

But where could he possibly go and gather Energon cubes without having to fight his fellow Autobots? The trine made its way to the ship's landing platform, when a memory come to Optimus's mind. There was an energy plant nearby they could go to, which was also abandoned after the Decepticon attacked it. The humans didn't want to spend money on repairing the old energy plant and instead left the building.

"Follow my lead! I know where we need to go." Optimus ordered as they flew into the sky and headed to land.

Soon enough they could see a river and everything started to feel familiar to the seekers as they saw Optimus fly forward a broken building. Watching closely, they could tell this was an energy plant that used the river water to create energy and they suddenly remembered it. This was the first place they attacked once they online after the ark.

"Why have we come here? This place isn't Operational." Thundercracker stated, curious. All three of them landed and walked inside to see two large generators damaged beyond repair. But the third looked to be in working shape.

"Because while, we are here no Autobot will attack us, there are no humans nearby to alert them. This gives us plenty of time to gain Energon cubes." Optimus explained and went over to the generators and found old tools the humans used, but made sure to start the machine after finding its ON switch.

"But, one generator? We won't gather that much Energon from it." Skywarp argued and added worry. "Ramjet will surely have more in 3 hours."

"Ramjet is no doubt attacking an active energy plant with humans, will alert the Autobots and before they know it. We just taking a safer road to victory." Optimus ensured the purple seeker. He then continued to work on the generator, before it kicked to life and started to work to gather energy.

"Thundercracker, do you think we could repair one of these two generators?" Optimus asked, if they could have two active generators so the Energon cubes could double the amount in 3 hours.

Thundercracker looked at the two large generators, indeed they looked beyond repair from the outside. Walking over to them and taking a good look at them both. "It depends on how much damage they took during the battle ... I think we can repair one of them, But.."

"But what TC? If we can repair it, we have a chance." Skywarp said, they needed to win.

"I don't know if it will last. Yes, we can use the other damaged one for parts to repair the other one to at least Operational rate." Thundercracker confirmed and thought about how he and Optimus could repair this generator. "Our biggest challenge is that it's human made, it's primitive technology with we all aren't used to."

Optimus almost smiled, but kept it in since he knew Laserbeak was watching them. The working generator had just made its first cube, which, took 5 mins to make. And Ordered. "Skywarp you will take care of the Energon cubes. I and Thundercracker will repair one of the generators."

"Fine" the Purple seeker replied and did as he was told, but not before saying in the bond angry and worrying. //If we lose this, all will be lost!!//

//We will not lose, these generators don't send any energy anywhere, which means, no one will see us on the system.// Optimus informed him. Teletran once couldn’t detect them.

//That may be, but how do you expect me to repair this generator? I haven't worked with human technology that often. Those times I have... it hasn't ended well.// Thundercracker questioned and wondered what madness the Prime was thinking.

//Repair what you can, leave the rest to me. Chip did give me the basic guides of earth technology.// Optimus said and walk back behind the generators and took the human toolset in his hands before walking back to Thundercracker who was working on the generator to the left.

"Your planning to use those tools? They are far too small for us to use." the blue seeker said astonished that the Prime would do such a thing.

"We have no other choice if we wish to repair this generator." Optimus replayed and started to work, it was a challenge to hold the tools firm in his hand and a greater challenge not to break them.

//I can explain some things to you.// he offered over the bond. //Please, just do your best and if you run into a problem, tell me.//

Thundercracker huffed but with a shrug, started his work. Optimus helped him, it was easy enough for Skywarp to look after the operational generator which was slowly but surely producing Energon cubes. Thinking of this plant, now that Skywarp and Thundercracker knew it could be used to produce Energon, he would probably have to put it out of action. Making out that it was out of commission had worked previously but now he'd have to make it a reality so Megatron did not get his hands on this source.

He glanced at Laserbeak, it wouldn't surprise him if Soundwave told Megatron about this planet, he'd have to contact Starscream. Tell him that he must 'check' on this installation and be sure to offline it. Or at least put it under close watch so that it would be very difficult for the Decepticons to make good use of it.

"There's gotta be a better way of doing this," Skywarp groused. "The others are probably getting loads by now."

"They will have to put a lot more effort into it," Optimus countered. "They potentially might end up with nothing at all if they encounter the Autobots."

"Let's hope so," Thundercracker mused softly, it would certainly be a lucky break for them. And rather amusing if that was the case, because Ramjet and his trine would be raging if they fell at the first hurdle.

Optimus screwed in the last part they needed and the generator looked to be whole. But the question still remains to be seen. "There, It should be operational now."

"Let's find out." Thundercracker said and turned the on the switch. The generator lit up in life, before shutting down again. "Well, we tried."

Optimus couldn't believe it, he was certain it was repaired so what was wrong? He looked inside the machine again everything looked to be in order, a thought then came. It was risky and it could damage the machine further. But he had to try and so kicked the generator.

"Are you mad? Why would you do that?" Skywarp yelled in unbelief holding hands in his helm, they needed that generator.

But soon after the machine received the kick it started to come to life and gather energy to make Energon cubes like the other one. Optimus felt much relieved, they had a chance.

"It was necessary," Optimus told him, now they all could collect the cubes "How much more time do we have left?"

"About one hour." the blue seeker replied and added. "I Hope this will be enough for us to win."

"Again, kicking the generator?" Skywarp Questioned stubbornly.

"At times primitive technology needs a kick to function." Optimus explained. He and the Trine then started to collect Energon cubes as the time passed from 5 min to 10 and 20 and so on.

"How many cubes do we have?" Skywarp asked as he lay down another cube and so did Thundercracker next to him too.

"It appears we have 42 cubes." Optimus said as he finished counting them. "We still have 20 mins left, which, will give us 8 more cubes."

"At least, we are getting somewhere." the purple Seeker grinned feeling somewhat pleased.

It felt nice to see both seekers happy to have hope that we might win this challenge, but the hours were getting dark the sun was soon to get down as Optimus watched the orange orb nearing its end of the day. Then somewhere close, there were also some sounds of an engine that captured Optimus attention, in a flash as he moved to the broken wall.

Thundercracker noticed Optimus behaviour and was about to ask, but Optimus put one finger up to tell him to be quiet. Both Skywarp and Thundercracker felt confused about this and wondered why? Had a human spotted them?

Kneel down to hide somewhat and looked around as far as he could see there was nothing there. Then there was a voice, which he recognized and belonged to Smokescreen. Quickly turning back to Skywarp and Thundercracker.

"Sub-space the cubes now! We are leaving." Optimus ordered as rushed over to them both and started to sub-space the cubes as well.

"We can fight them! Why retreat?" Skywarp questioned confidently. Optimus looked at him and answered.

"I heard Somkescree talk and from what I know he is never alone. Prowl and Bluestreak are likely with him as he scouts ahead for them. I think our best action is to take the cubes and retreat."

"But there are 20 minutes left! We can get 8 more cubes." Skywarp argued and added. "If we can keep them busy and get the cubes it's a win for us."

"And what if we lose all the Energon to them?" Optimus questioned and continued firmly. "Sub-space the cubes, we are leaving!"

"Fine." Skywarp gave in. Maybe it would be a bit complicated, there were after all three Autobots Cops nearby.

Thundercracker had already Sub-spacing his share of cubes. Skywarp did the same before they, alongside Optimus, made a quick run for it. All three of the shot out into the sky as fast as they could and headed back to the Nemesis.

It didn't take long before they returned to the purple ship and joined the main room where Lazerbeak happily returned to Soundwave. The rest of the Decepticons just watched as Optimus and his Trine put down all the cubes they had gathered.

"Ramjet hasn't returned yet?" Optimus asked and looked over at the console screens to see the Trine got tangled with Jazz and Ironhide with a few more of their team.

"Ha!" Skywarp barked out in glee, his optics completely lit up. "Those losers got caught."

"Looks like we got lucky," Thundercracker observed with a relieved smile. //Looks like you were right.//

//A little caution can go a long way.// Optimus replied back, unable to stop himself from smiling, but then again, it was good he was looking so pleased. Nothing less would be expected from Starscream.

"Don't celebrate too soon, Skywarp." the blue seeker now warned as his trine mate punched the air. "They might still have more cubes than us."

"Yeah, but they gotta get away from them," Skywarp scoffed, gesturing to the Autobots on the screen. "And there ain't much time left so they're bound to drop a few."

//Gloat a little.// Thundercracker prompted.

"I'm sure, that particular bunch of Autobots are relentless," Optimus stated, doing his best to drawl out the words as he'd heard Starscream doing. "It would appear that cunning and resourcefulness triumph over brute strength and braggadocio."

//Not bad.// Thundercracker chuckled, it seemed Optimus was behaving appropriately for the situation.

Watching the screen everyone could see the team struggle to keep the Autobots down, and then Buzzsaw gave a signal that it was time to leave.

"Get the cubes, we’re ready to go." Ramjet ordered as he kept fighting Ironhide.

Both Thrust and Dirge looked at each other. They both were away from the cubes and Jazz had them surrounded by his team and the Energon cubes were on the other side.

"How’re we supposed to get passed them?" Dirge questioned and pointed to Jazz’s team.

"We run straight for the cubes and shoot the Autobots on our way." Thrust suggested as he leapt forward himself and aimed his weapon at the Jazz taking a few shoots only for the white mech to quickly dodge the shoots and move away.

What happened next was a horror for the Trine. Jazz managed to move away, but by doing so, the shoot flew straight for the cubes and everyone saw them explode.

There was silence in the main room as everyone watched the screen in unbelief. Then one of them broke that silence with his loud but happy laugh.

"Hahaha" Skywarp laughed uncontrollably and leaned into Thundercrackers shoulder for support to stand as he laughed. "Haha! Those losers really messed up! We won!!"

"Warp, this was just the first challenge. We still have two more left." Thundercracker reminded the purple Seeker who didn't care about the joy he felt.

"Yeah, but now they are flying back empty handed" Skywarp still burst out in happiness, everyone looked at the screen and watched as Ramjet's Trine approached the Nemesis.

Optimus felt a swell of pride within him at how well his Autobots had defended themselves and prevented Ramjet's team from getting away with any Energon. Needless to say, the trine leader was going to be hopping mad and would likely play dirty in the next contest. But this was an exceedingly good start, Thundercracker and Skywarp were more likely to work with him now that his plan had panned out.

"Can't wait to rub it in their faces," Skywarp was still overjoyed and even Thundercracker was smiling a litte in satisfaction. It was a rather spectacular failure.

"So," Skywarp smirked when the angry Seeker finally got back. "How did it go?"

"S*** off!" Ramjet snarled furiously, wings raised aggressively.

"Aww, didn't you get any?" the purple Seeker couldn't resist adding.

Thrust and Dirge both walked forward with furious excretions on their face plates. Ramjet also followed suit and almost ran forward in such a rush that he was about to punch the smirk out from the purple seeker.

Optimus at the same time rushed in between Skywarp and Ramjet, managed to get in and gram bold on Ramjet's fist and use some of his own strength and pushed the white seeker backwards. Skywarp took a few steps back not expecting that to happen.

Ramjet stumbled backwards, looking angrily at Optimus who Smirked and said. "Now now, this was expected to happen."

"You think you won? You slagging haven't Starscream!!" Ramjet roared, he could see TC and Warp standing with the Energon cube they have managed to collect. And added. "You must have cheated somehow! How come your Trine doesn't have a single scratch on your filthy chest plates?"

"No cheats were required. My Trine simply outsmarted yours on this one, while you went to an active energy plant, well you can guess where we went, can't you?" Optimus answered doing his best acting, it could be seen that Ramjet is more than just simply Jealous

Optimus then turned and looked at Thundercracker and Skywarp and asked them. "I know my memory is perfect, but how many cubes did we manage to get?"

"Now your just teasing us, you know as well as we do that we managed to get 42 cubes." Thundercracker replayed in a smile.

"Hear that? 42 cubes in 3 hours, not bad now is it?" Optimus tried to mock Ramjet, he could see the white seeker frustrated.

"You just wait! This challenge isn't over yet!" Ramjet warned and stormed off with Thrust and Dirge who followed suit.

//He is going to try something. I can feel it.// Thundercracker said worryingly.

//That will be his undoing.// Optimus replayed and added. //we all should rest and prepare ourselves for tomorrow's challenge.//
_____________________________________________________
Note: I wonder what the next challenge might be.

Chapter Text

Next morning. They all went to the rec-room to have their morning energon, once finished the trine made its way to the main room where Soundwave and a few other Decepticons were waiting. When Optimus, Skywarp and Thundercracker noticed that Ramjet Trine there waiting for them.

"Finally awake are we?" Ramjet mocked as he watched Optimus walk over and stood next to him.

"Today's Task two: Retrieve Weaponry," Soundwave declared as he had already each cassette with them again. "Time Limit: 3 hours."

"Ha, something worth doing." Ramjet Smirked and also ran out of the room at such speed that everyone knew that he had a place in mind to attack.

"He seems in a hurry," Skywarp noticed.

"That's because he knows where to strike." Optimus replayed and added, "Come on, I know a place we can go to."

Both seekers now followed Optimus and once outside the base. He told them of a small base in the mountains. That base had a few weapons stored away that were mostly outdated, but there was a slow risk for failure on their part if they did it right.

"Wait so you want us to get those primitive weapons only because there is a high chance we can get them?" Skywarp questioned.

Optimus could feel Skywarp's irritation on this and said "I think this base is a good option. But I will need you to shut down the power of the base."

"Why would we need to do that?" asked the purple seeker.

"So they can't ask for help, Warp. It is that simple just find the power box and drag out the cabals." Thundercracker instructed him.

"Fine," Skywarp huffed, going off to do that.

Thundercracker glanced at Optimus said. "This might be playing it safe a bit too much."

"It's easy, surely this is something Starscream would do?" Optimus asked.

"Perhaps...," Thundercracker said slowly. "But he'd also want to grab some really impressive weapons to show up Ramjet."

With a slight frown, he said. "Are we here because you don't want to risk humans?"

"That is a consideration yes," Optimus admitted. "But I still thought this was the best option."

Before the blue Seeker could reply, Skywarp yelled. "Hey, I found it."

"Well done, now shut off the power," Optimus ordered as he and Thundercracker made their way to the base, soon standing outside the main large doors. Punching the left side of the door, it soon cracked open.

"Decepticon! Call the Autobot for help!!" the human yelled, he was wearing military clothing. At that moment the light flickred and everything became dark inside. And the human demanded. "What the? What did you Scums do?"

Optimus looked around and saw a room to the left with large glass around it and from the inside it had a table a few chairs and a fridge. It looked to be a room where humans refuel and felt that the humans would be safer inside there.

"Thundercracker, could you get the other two?" Optimus walked forward and tried to grab one of the humans that ran away from him.

"I could, but I don't see any weapons here only one helicopter." he answered, feeling as if this place was a waste of time.

"See that large ring with their eagle on it?" Optimus asked as he managed to gram another human who wasn’t fast enough to dodge him, the human struggled to get free. Optimus held him gently in his hand.

"Put me down you con's!! I hope the Autobots kick you all back to your dead planet!" the human yelled in frustration.

Optimus ignored the human's hurtful comments and instead opened the tiny door and pushed in all the humans there before putting a large box in fort the door so they wouldn't escape.

"We need to get underground." he informed them.

Skywarp appeared in front of them and asked with a shiver "Wait we not going down there are we?"

"Yes we are, it's right here they keep their weapons," Optimus ensured and walked to the circle with an eagle symbol on the ground with a large line in the middle. "Now help me open this up."

"He is joking right?" Skywarp asked and looked at Thundercarcker who looked neutral and walked to Optimus to assist him. "I am going to regret this."

It took a few minutes to hack into the console nearby and open the doors that now led down to a pit and now all three of them were staring down at the black hole.

"Let's turn away and go to another place." Skywarp suggested, worryingly.

"No, we’re so close. It's just a bit of darkness nothing to be afraid of." Optimus said and turned on his flight lights on his wings to be able to see down there as he jumped down. Primus is carbon black down there.

"Starscream," Thundercracker said nervously. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, just come this way," Optimus said encouragingly, going forth into the darkness.

The other two exchanged worried looks but followed him. Even with their lights, the darkness seemed to swallow them, because they had cut the power, the tunnel was not lit eir footsteps echoed as they walked and a sensation of being consumed started to overtake them.

"How can grounder stand this?" Skywarp groaned, wings fluttering with discomfort.

"Who knows," Thundercracker ground out, he wasn't enjoying this either.

Optimus was about to say it wasn't so bad...but as he walked a strange discomfort began to claw at his senses. He wasn’t sure why he suddenly felt so uncomfortable down here.

"We should see soon large doors ahead." Optimus informed, feeling it would be better to keep their mind focused on why they were here. But he couldn’t help but feel so cramped inside this tiny tunnel.

"Let's just get it over with," Skywarp said, speeding up and soon enough he noticed the doors Optimus mentioned. Pointing at them. And added. “Found the vault.!

"Good, help me open the door." Optimus replied as he moved over to the large door and started to drag it to its left side to open it up.

Once opened. Inside the vault were a few weapons, everything seemed to be stored in large boxes with the names on them to tell what was inside of them. Were boxes large, small and to the edge lay some large missiles as they leaned to the wall, standing up mighty and strong.

"Hmm," Optimus grumbled, just shrugged as a shiver suddenly hit his frame. Why was he feeling so uncomfortable?

"Starscream?" Thundercracker questioned as Skywarp continued to bemoan his condition. "You alright?"

"It's nothing," Optimus said quickly as realisation seemed to dawn on the Seeker.

"We'd better get moving," the blue seeker said, earnestly. "It's never good to be underground too long, we'll all get the shivers soon enough."

"Right," Optimus said, surely he wasn't affected? He was a grounder....in a Seeker body. Was his body reacting badly to the environment?

"Everything seems in good condition," Optimus observed and took a close look at the weapons lying around.

"What are these?" Skywarp asked, curiously. He had opened a box and saw many small round thingy's inside of it.

"Skywarp! Don’t touch and don’t activate those." Optimus yelled, his voice filled with a warning.

Instantly the purple seeker pulled away his hand as he wished to grab one.

"Why? Are you of something so tiny?" Skywarp questioned, not sure what those are, but wanted answers.

"Those are land mines," Optimus clarified and he saw both Skywarp and Thundercrackers frown.

"Why must humans invent their weapons to explode? Are they really that addicted to explosions?" Skywarp walked away from the box, not wishing to accidentally trigger an explosive and sent them to Primus.

"Seem like they are. Now let's grab what we came for and leave before those humans we capture will try to get help." Thundercracker stated as a reminder to the rest of the two.

"Yeah, but what should we take?" Skywarp questioned, there was so much stuff in here.

"Why not take the Missiles," Optimus suggested. Thundercracker did say he needed to act proudly and this would be something Starscream would go for.

Thundercracker and Skywarp looked at the large Missiles, questioning his decision.

"So we take one each. But how will we get them out?" Skywarp questioned as he tried to lift one up and added. "Primus, these are heavy!"

Optimus watched as Skywarp held up one of missiles. They were indeed too heavy, but there was no other choice as they came here for these missiles in the first place.

-Right Skywarp can you walk us out as we hold a missile each?- asked Optimus in their trine bond, Skywarp turned his head at Optimus looking at him with a serious look.

"Can you warp us out?" Optimus asked, now feeling the shivers and his body wanting nothing more than to leave this underground place. It felt so uncomfortable just being here, his senses were going highwire.

"I can take us up to the base, I think... I'm not sure, I have never warped from underground before." The purple seeker admitted. He never had that situation before. It shouldn't be that difficult, right? The only difference is warping from underground to above.

"Ya sure they are still here?" a voice echoed.

All three of the seekers looked at their exit way and saw a small light getting bigger. The footsteps were heard and they sounded large, it couldn't be humans.

"Think it's the bots?" Skywarp asked in a whisper.

"Never mind who it is, we should just warp out from here." Thundercracker pointed out. He couldn't take it anymore, the dark, the cramped space. He needed to get out of here.

Optimus still stared, he knew that voice and it belonged to his old friend Ironhide. He didn't wish to face the red mech in combat, not as enemies. And ordered.

"Skywarp, take us out from here."

"On it," Skywarp replied and managed to hold each of their hands before using his ability.

Another Crack was heard outside the base as the trine appeared on the ground. They looked around to see that they had managed to get outside, that was a relief.

Something was wrong. Each one of them was stuck with half their body underground. Their hips and upper bodies were free and each of them landed only a few feet away from each other. However, the missiles were out of their grasp.

"Skywarp, what happened?" Optimus questioned as he tried to dig himself. This wasn't supposed to happen and where was laserbeak? He couldn't spot her anywhere.

"I don't know! I told you I have never warped from underground before!" the purple seeker snapped in complaint.

"Where are the missiles?" Thundercracker questioned, his was no longer in his arms.

"Right over there." Optimus said. He pointed to where they are. It appeared that the missiles got fused with the nature around them, one was fused with a stone and the other two with the same three sticking out weirdly.

Thundercracker and Skywarp stared in astonishment at the results. It was a blessing that they didn't end up like that, a nasty outcome.

"Primus," Thundercracker said and added. "Warp, never do that again."

"Got that right. I have no desire to end up like that." Skywarp replied as the three of them tried to dig themselves out.

However, at that moment the base doors opened. The trine heard it and they all hurried in their task, they were almost free. Soon they spotted a white large Autobot patrolling the area.

All three seekers froze, because coming out from the base was no other than Skyfire, this couldn't go any worse than it already had and to add it in. They were on a time limit with left them now less than 30 mins left.

"Frag, why him?" Skywarp questioned. Couldn’t the Autobots send in anyone else?

"Less question more digging." Thundercracker told him, they needed to get away and since their plan was busted, it meant they had to find a new place to rob.

Skyfire walked out from that tiny human base and looked at the mountain it was placed, it wasn't a bad location since anyone who would be interested in stealing from there would have a hard time getting away thanks to the only tack on this mountain. Then he heard voices coming not too far away from his location, Skyfire turned to his left where he was sure the voices came from.

"I am hurrying!"

"Warp, keep it down."

He knew those voices, if they were here then it meant Starscream was here also, Ironhide was still in the tunnels but he would manage on his own.

Deciding the option was to face the trio, Skyfire hurried and walked to the left side of the base where he saw three seekers who had just dug themselves out from the dirt, staring back at him for a moment.

"Halt, Surrender now and no one will get hurt," Skyfire told them, aiming his gun at them just in case.

"No way, Autobot!" Skywarp declared, kicking the dirt away.

"I mean it, I will fire," Skyfire stated and Optimus was sure he would, even though the shuttle would hate doing it.

"Let's go," murmured Optimus, normally, he might try talking but they were running out of time to win this competition. It was too much to hope that Ramjet and his Trine had had another disaster.

"Don't move," Skyfire warned, taking a step forward but the Seekers just shot into the air, climbing rapidly. Skyfire cursed before shoving his gun into sub-space as he followed them. As soon as he gained enough height, he transformer, he could fly much faster this way.

"Great, he's not giving up," Thundercracker said in frustration. "We have to split up."

"Prime can't go as fast as us," Skywarp argued as Skyfire bore down on them.

"We could try to have Skyfire to follow one of us, while, Prime makes a run for it," Thundercracker suggested grimly, it was the only choice. Optimus just didn't have the skill or experience for a dogfight in the air.

"Alright...you get going," Skywarp commanded Optimus who nodded and shot away.

Skyfire frowned as the Seekers changed formation, Starscream's wingmates hanging back to engage him. Why was Starscream fleeing? They must have taken something else from the base, he couldn't allow Starscream to escape. He gunned his engines even harder and shot forward.

It felt somewhat wrong to escape and leave Thundercracker and Skywarp behind, but they were right at the moment, he had no choice but to do this until they could train some more with his flight lessons.

"Wait why, is he shooting forward?" Skywarp questioned, confused.

It seemed that Skyfire wasn't interested in them, but in Starscream and was determined to get him.

"Not good. He is after Optimus." Thundercracker stated and flew forward to catch up, and Skywarp followed suit right behind him. "We need to move in, Skyfire thinks Optimus is Starscream."

"So what, are we not worth his time? ...am insulted by that!!" Skywarp replied. Skyfire was in his sight and started to shoot at the shuttle.

Skyfire managed to dodge the shots easily by spinning to his right, then boosted forward even more.

//He is gaining on me.// Optimus told them by the bond.

//We know, we are working on it.// Thundercracker replied. He too tried to get a hit on the shuttle.

//He is as good as Starscream at dodging them.// Skywarp complained, it wasn't easy to get a straight shot at him.

See that Skyfire was chasing him and was gaining speed. Optimus decided to go a little faster and gave his thrusters a boost of energon and shot forward, he tried to keep a straight line and to be stable as he flew.

"No, you don't!" Skyfire had no choice now but to fire, Starscream was too fast even for him to follow at that speed. and so opened fire.

//Frag, we need to catch up!// Thundercracker yelled and contacted Optimus. and warned //Optimus! he opened fire!//

"Look out, he's catching up!" Thundercracker yelled after Optimus, they were trying to catch up to the shuttle but he was outpacing them. The slagger was far faster than he appeared, especially once he'd built up some speed.

A shot passed perilously close to one of Optimus's wings, there was no choice but to start slowing down dramatically. He felt significantly safer once he'd done so, that had felt too out of control for his liking. He had no idea how Flyers could stand such breakneck speeds, he much preferred his wheels on the ground and travelling at considerably slower speed.

Since he could not outrun his pursuer, he would have to meet him head-on.

"What's he doing?" Skywarp questioned as Optimus transformed and flipped to meet Skyfire head on.

The Shuttle also transformed, much closer than Optimus would have liked. He did not want to fight and hurt one of his own Autobots, but he had no choice.

"Skyfire," he hissed in Starscream's voice.

"Starscream," the shuttle replied grimly. "Surrender."

"And why would I do that?" Optimus asked as Skyfire brought out a blaster.

They were still some distance ahead of Thundercracker and Skywarp but that didn't matter right now.

"I mean it, Starscream." Skyfire declared furiously. "Whatever you're up to, I will stop you."

"Of course, you will," Optimus said in a sarcastic tone, it seemed that the Shuttle was ready to fire as his weapon was locked on.

"What can I do? What do I have" Optimus thought in his processor, in a kick a memory of Starscream came using his null ray, within its power to stop any electrical device.

"Times up, what will it be?" Skyfire asked.

"I Surrender" Optimus put on a Smirk knowing this is what Starscream would do and held up both his arms in the air. Their chatting had given Thundercracker and Skywarp a bit of time to catch up.

"You are?" Skyfire said in disbelief and just saw Optimus nod.

"Just one thing, you will have to deal with them first," Optimus said and motioned his head to his Trine who closed in to them quite fast.

Skyfire felt a few shots at his Armour and pointed his blaster at Skywarp and Thundercracker who had successfully gotten his attention.

With Skyfire distracted Optimus took his opportunity and aimed his null-rays at Skyfire thrusters and with a shot from both weapons. the shuttle fell from the sky before transforming into his alt trying to get some control and glide in the air.

“Why did you transform? You weren't going to surrender, were you?" Skywarp questioned, a bit confused as to why Prime did that.

"No, but I’m afraid we lost this challenge." Optimus told them honestly and added, "Come on we need to return to base."

The three of them then once again flew their way back to base with this time was much easier, it didn't take them too long to reach the Nemesis as they entered inside.

//You didn't want to hurt him wasn't that right? That is why you tried to trick him// Thundercracker asked in the bond and added //knowing you Prime, you wouldn't want to fool anyone unless you had to, am I right?//

//You are correct. I don't wish to harm any of my soldiers.// Optimus answered him, truthfully.

Everyone waited for the Trine in the main room, once they entered, inside the room was Ramjet's Trine who had managed to get their hands on some grenades and a lot of them.

"Finally here?" Ramjet teased, he watched Optimus come and saw that he and his Trine were empty-handed. "Haha. You lose this one Starscream."

"All isn't over yet. What is the last Challenge Soundwave?" Optimus asked looking at the blue mech.

"Task three: Fight until the other has fallen," Soundwave replied.

"A Fight? Well, look like am going to have the pleasure to defeat you Screamer." Ramjet smirked, and was pleased with the outcome.

"In your wildest dreams, perhaps," Optimus replied dryly.

"When do we start?" Ramjet asked eagerly, he was desperate to prove that he was worthy of being the Air Commander and finally earning some respect around the base.

"How about....now!" Optimus yelled, lunging forward and punching his opponent right in the jaw.

With a yelp, Ramjet was sent staggering back. Taking an offensive stance, Optimus added. "Need to be ready for anything Ramjet, you were slow off the mark!"

He lunged forward again and dealt him an uppercut. The others watched him in amazement but this was not completely unexpected behaviour for a Decepticon. If Ramjet was eager for a fight, then of course Starscream was going to give it to him. But Thundercracker and Skywarp were rather surprised that Optimus was acting as Starscream would rather than how a Prime would. Perhaps he was learning at last.

"Rargh!" Ramjet snarled, rolling out of the way and scrambling to his feet, hate burning in his optics. "You'll pay for that!"

"Then come at me!" Optimus told him.

Ramjet jumped forward to attack. Optimus saw him coming and was about to punch him again when the white seeker ducked and made his first hit at the chest. Optimus held in the pain and took a few steps back eyeing his enemy.

Again Optimus lunged forward and tried to deliver another punch. Ramjet smirked at this and dodged the attack spun around Optimus to his back and punched him right between the wings where it hurt the most on any seeker.

"Ahh," Optimus cried in pain as he fell forward, his wings trembled as the pain felt like tenfold.

"What the? Hey! That is cheating!" Skywarp yelled as he did pay attention to this fight and that move Ramjet pulled even gave him the shivers, but seemed he was ignored and only Thundercracker put a hand on his shoulder.

Optimus saw once more Ramjet run towards him and so rolled to his left side making sure Ramjet missed and almost hit the crowd, then Optimus got up and charged forward and kicked the white seeker in the face in full strength as pain followed.

"Time to end this" Optimus said and kept a close optic.

Seeing that Ramjet was going to end this by ramming his head to his enemy, Optimus stood still waiting for him to come closer, once close enough Optimus delivered a sidekick to the head. This sent Ramjet out of course and crashed into the wall. It seemed Ramjet was done for lying down on the ground, the attack left him knocked out.

Everyone was quiet for a second before chairing for Optimus, even Skywarp And Thundercracker joined in on that since Optimus won he has proved that he was worthy of that rank, if Optimus had lost... it wouldn't been pretty.

"Winner of Challenge: Starscream" Soundwave declared and added. "Current Rank: Elite Trine and Second In Command"

"I never doubted you for a second." Skywarp said relieved this all was over as he and Thundercracker put each arm around him, not like a hug cut close.

"I’m just glad it’s over." the blue seeker said smiling and saw Ramjet Trine carry him away mostly to Hooks med-bay.

//You both doubted me?// Optimus said in their bond.

//No! We weren't.// Skywarp replayed.

However, Optimus got an honest look from Thundercraker who said. //a little bit yes, we did. //

//He is a Prime. Of course, this would be easy.// Skywarp stated and added. //I wonder how screamer is doing.//

Chapter Text

At the Arc. Starscream was working in his office, clearing away data-pads and giving orders to improve the Arc's weapons in case a pair of cassette twins would be foolish enough to return.

The humans have started to complain about the servers being too high of a prise. But that was not the only thing since the trading with the humans seemed affected as well, they would no longer transport any materials to the Arc, which, left them an option. Do it yourself and it didn’t hurt to transport a few packages to earn extra money.

"Stupid humans. They should be thanking me for keeping their sorry Arf's safe from the Decepticons." Starscream thought to himself.

At least Soundwave failed to retrieve Rumble and Frenzy all thanks to Ironhide, RedAlert and a few other Autobots that stayed behind, with the arc's defence systems upgraded long ago. Soundwave and the rest of the Decepticons were much at a disadvantage.

Starscream smirked at his, it was wonderful that slagger didn't get his cassette back, some ravage at last after years of being out favored and being sorted as Megatron's punching bag.

"I need fresh air." Starscream muttered, he felt like stretching his legs.

Getting up he headed right away outside and ignored everyone around him as he made it outside it was a slagging storming outside with rain and wind. Well, this wouldn't stop him from getting some fresh air and with that he transformed and drove out.

Around the corner of the Ark, a white red shuttle watched as he saw Optimus drive away for a stroll.

Skyfire couldn't put his finger on it, but something felt wrong with Optimus, indeed he had joined in not so long ago and hadn't known the Prime for long.

Nevertheless, he walked his way to Optimus's office as the door opened and stepped inside. Skyfire looked around the room trying to find, which, corner would be best to put his device, deciding the left wall corner at high up would be the best place to put his spy camera.

Skyfire hoped he was wrong about all this, but after that mission together with his leader when they delivered the military missiles, so many questions came to mind and most shocking was when Optimus lost his cool attitude.

"There, it's online" Skyfire whispered to himself and walked quickly out of the office.

He did feel guilt over what he was doing, but his instinct just wouldn't leave him alone. In the end, he just had to confirm whether or not his suspicions were justified and the best way to do that was to monitor Optimus when he thought no one else was there. It wasn't so difficult to do, none of the other Autobots would even dream of spying on their leader, he was still enough of an outsider that he could do this.

Skyfire knew he could be completely wrong and he was fine with that, being a good scientist meant accepting the results of an experiment even if you were hoping for something else. In this case, he did hope he was wrong because he feared what it would mean if he was right. If he was correct something was up, he needed to have solid evidence to present to the others if he felt such an action was necessary.

But for now, all he could do was wait and see what would happen. Back to his post, he carried on with his daily tasks at the Ark as he usually did each day.

After two weeks of waiting. Skyfire continued his life as before, doing his work and mostly being left alone. Begin a former Decepticon it would take time for the rest of the crew to connect with him. But for now, he just finished his petrol and hurried back to his Quarters.

"Alright, let's see what is going on," Skyfire said and played the recording on his data-pad, it was easy enough to connect to his camera at Optimu's office.

At the start of the Re-coding nothing seemed unusual, Prime was working on his desk and as the video speeded up, at times Jazz or Prowl would step inside giving reports and such but other than that this seemed very normal.

Then the video-cam up to where Optimus had Frenzy and Rumble in a cat cage, it was old news. Optimus and Wheeljack had captured them, but not so long ago Soundwave tried to rescue them only to fail since the security on the Arc by then had been upgraded. It seems here Optimus said something to them with frightened both cassettes and later on handed them over to Prowl who would then later on release them.

Skyfire was about to go back to where Optimus frightened the cassettes, but the video then moved on to another day when a human came to Optimus's office with also seemed to be complaining, but the interesting part was when the human left.

Optimus got up from his chair and seemed to be so frustrated that he threw off his pile of Data-pads and papers the human had left behind, This rage the Prime was giving off seemed frightening. Optimus was after all a big bot and could match up to Megatron.

Then the screen stopped after that and it seemed that this was all that had been recorded these few days and it also seemed his instincts were somewhat right, Prime never acted this aggressively.

Skyfire felt as if he should show someone this, but would they believe him? The odds were low if they would. Looking again at the recording Skyfire went to the point where Optimus where frightening both Decepticon cassettes and put the clip on with normal speed to hear what was said.

"It seems today the two of you will be running back to your creator. No doubt, you both are overjoyed by this." The Prime told them.

Both Frenzy and Rumble nodded at this, but didn't dare to say a word, which, seemed strange for them as they both loved to be loud.

However, Optimus keeled down at their optic level and threatened. "Say a word about your stay with me and you both will wish you had met Unircon himself, understood!"

"We won't!" Rumbled said afraid and Frenzy nodded and pleaded. "Yeah, we swear. Just let us go! please!"

There where a laugh from the Prime. "Oh how I will miss you both, you both do amuse me."

Then there was a knock on the door and Prowl walked in and stopped in front of the working desk.

Skyfire stopped the clip by then and felt horrible and saddened for the two Decepticons. More importantly, this isn't how Optimus would handle an enemy capture, he would never frighten them, if anything he would care for them and hope they would learn from their mistakes.

No this isn't Optimus, this person felt wrong and again his way of speech seemed familiar somehow. But Skyfire couldn't put his finger on it, maybe Optimus isn't well?

No! He acts normal to everyone on this Arc, he only shows his aggressive side in his office when he is alone and for no one to see him like this, it will be hard to make others believe. This video recording is a risk everyone would think this would be an insult to their Prime.

Skyfire didn't know how to go about this. If he didn't show the recordings the Prime would just continue his ways of life, but if he did show the recording the rest of the Autobots wouldn't believe it. Optimus was just too good in their optics to be a bad guy, the others wouldn't accept the truth and fact that something is wrong here.

If the others won't believe it. Perhaps it would be best to face Optimus alone and perhaps try to blackmail him with the video he has recorded to find out what was going on. It shouldn't be a problem finding Optimus as everyone knows where he spends time nowadays.

Skyfire sub-spaced his data-pad with the recording and headed his way to the Prime office, the way there didn't take long and once there, he reached for the door Skyfire cleared his mind.

He knocked on the door, hoping he could get the answers he needed, bots complaint, the humans complaining, everyone unhappy and why?

From the other side, a swear word could be heard. Indeed, Optimus never used such words as he was very calm about his own emotions and always kept them in check.

The door opened, and on the other side stood Optimus Prime and there was silence, none of them said a word.

"Is there something you need assistance with?" Starscream questioned, he was not in the mood to deal with his old lost friend and added. "If not, have a good day."

Starscream was about to close the door when Skyfire stepped his foot in blocking the door from closing, This however surprised the former seeker.

"Optimus, I wish to speak to you," Skyfire told him firmly.

Again none of them even moved. Starscream did speak in a cautious motion. "What do you wish to discuss?"

"May I come in?" Skyfire asked this time.

Primus this will take forever, just why was Skyfire here? What did he want? Was he too here to complain? Well, he better get in line first! Being the leader of the Autobots wasn't easy and don't get started on the humans, what an ungrateful species to begin with!

Starscream stepped aside and fully opened the door for Skyfire to come in, they both could get somewhere today and not waste his valuable time.

Starscream walked over to his office and sat down, keeping his optics on Skyfire. Reading his body language and facial expression.

Skyfire however wasn't sure how to start the conversation "I have found out something very disturbing and have evidence."

Oh? This wasn't what he had expected Skyfire to say, if anything Starscream thought the big lug would have come in with a breakthrough about something. But this also was interesting.

"What have you found that you find so disturbing?" Starscream questioned. Yes, what is it? And why is he taking so long to answer?

Skyfire looked at him, considering his words before saying.

"That you're not Optimus Prime."

The Meche before him froze, optics going wide with shock. Skyfire was then sure his theory was correct, the real Optimus would have been shocked at such a statement too but also very bemused. He would not have the worried expression in his optics before they blinked and the Mech before him composed himself.

"Is this some kind of joke," Starscream demanded to know. "Did one of the Mechs put you up to this? Because if yes, I've no time for such silly nonsense."

"You will make time!" Skyfire demanded himself loudly and slammed on Optimus's desk, normally he isn't a violent mech... but after seeing his recordings this wasn't his leader and he did just confirm that.

Starscream started to wonder if this even was a joke, but Skyfire's optics showed the fact that he was serious and meant business.

"You're not Optimus Prime, he would have reacted differently to the question," Skyfire repeated himself.

Perhaps he wasn't giving Skyfire enough credits, from all the Autobots he was the first to confirm this. Slag! There better not be more of the crew who are suspicious.

'Have I been sloppy? No, I'm Starscream, there is no way I could have gone out of character!' Starscream reminded himself in his thoughts, yet he needed to deal with this problem.

Starscream watched Skyfire now with a hateful expression, which, said it all and before Skyfire could react, Starscream sub-spaced out Optimus's pistol and held it up as he aimed it at the shuttle.

"Congratulations Skyfire, you're the first one to figure it out, but we can’t have more bots knowing my little secret." Starscream said with a frown.

"What are you going to do? Kill me? The others wouldn't approve of that." Skyfire told the importer, those cunning optics seem so familiar.

"Approve? Ha! Who do you think they will believe if I told them you attempted on my life? You? Don't make me laugh." Starscream told him smugly and added. "You're right, killing you here would just make a mess and this time I will make sure that you stay dead!"

"Not if I have everything recorded and ready to send to Teletraan 1." Skyfire then showed his data-pad with the recording with the Rumble and Frenzy playing in the background. And added. "You think I haven't prepared Evidence?"

"HOW DARE YOU!!! I'M YOUR LEADER! YOU DO NOT BLACKMAIL ME!!! I CAN MAKE YOUR MISERABLE LIFE A PIT HOLE!!" Starscream threatened, outraged.

Skyfire scoffed, folding his arms.

"Can you Starscream?" he asked with a raised brow.

"Yes," Starscream snarled, even more annoyed that Skyfire had worked out who he was.

"Optimus Prime wouldn't," Skyfire remarked coolly.

"What do you know?" Starscream demanded angrily, not lowering his weapon. "I've known him considerably longer than you, everyone on this dirtball does."

"Explain Starscream, what did you do? Is Optimus still alive?" Skyfire demanded to know, Just what did he do to accomplish this.

"Like I need to explain myself to you?" Starscream laughed at the very thought of it "I don't think so."

"You will or else you will spend the rest of your cycles at the brig" Skyfire threatened him with the reminder.

"I will show my recordings to the others if you don't tell me the truth! You also will not threaten my spark, while, I live or I will guarantee you, Starscream. I too can make your life a miserable pit."

Skyfire walked close with each step to Optimus's desk and was now looking down at Starscream with both hands slamming at the disk his own expression looked very serious and for the first time, Skyfire could see some concern in Starscream's optics.

Starscream was shocked at the least, It appears Skyfire did have a backbone after all, but this isn't good. He is pretty sure Skyfire will, indeed, show his proof to the other Autobot sums! No! That can't happen!

'I am in power, but to keep it, well .. for now,' Starscream thought to himself.

Starscream sub-spaced his weapon, how much he hated to do this, he would not step down his power as a Leader of the Autobots or as a Prime.

"Well played, Skyfire." Starscream said very spitefully. If it were up to himself, he would have ended the shuttle, but oh no the fragger just had to bite him back!

"Thank you," Skyfire said sardonically, he knew Starscream would be livid and looking for revenge. He'd have to tread very carefully from here on out.

As Starscream glared at him, Skyfire asked. "So where is Optimus? What happened to your body?"

"If you must know," his former friend sniffed, that nasty expression looking very odd on Optimus's face. "Prime is currently occupying my body. He is presumably on the Nemesis at the moment."

"Just how did this happen?" Skyfire wanted to know, Starscream's explanation did make sense about Optimus's whereabouts but this whole situation was extraordinary.

"Oh, it's quite the story," Starscream told him and went on to explain how it started "Accidentally, I saved a ... Human, this human called himself a magician and granted me a wish."

To this, Skyfire could understand where this was heading and tensed. "You didn't?"

"You wish, I asked to become a True Leader." Starscream snarled and added, "The next morning, I woke up like this. The little meat bag failed to mention how his stupid magic would grant my wish!!!"

Skyfire could tell that Starscream was frustrated about that little fact, if this was the case it meant that he truly didn't plan for this to happen and just had to roll with it.

"How long have you been like this?" Skyfire questioned.

"Really Skyfire? Truly you would know when it started" Starscream teased him with a smirk.

Skyfire thought about it, the first time he noticed something was off was when he agreed to help transfer the missiles. Wait, no, there was another time! Spike had taken Optimus for a ride around town in an attempt for him to have a relaxing day.

That very same day at the beach at sunset, Optimus asked for a ride back to the ark, which, was strange. Optimus was never a big fan of flying.

"You have been here since the day Spike took you out to old town, haven't you, Starscream?" Skyfire questioned, finally putting the puzzles together.

"Well done old friend, I see you haven't lost your mind, while, staying with these fools." Starscream commented on the shuttle sarcastically.

"You have lost your touch Starscream, It wasn't too hard for me to see that something was wrong here." Skyfire almost smirked back at him.

Starscream didn't look very pleased with that reply. "I have been doing just fine, I don't need you to tell me what to do."

"What is your plan now? To rule the Autobots in your image? How long do you think that will last?" Skyfire questioned him, by his calculation, it won't last long at all.

"OUT NOW!!" Starscream yelled angrily at him, he won't have this, he won't have Skyfire insult him and slag all this into his face like this!

Skyfire noticed he must have touched a line there, perhaps it would be best to leave him be for now.

"As you wish," Skyfire said calmly and walked out of the room, he will be keeping an optic at Starscream now, no one could truly predict what he would do next.

Soon after Skyfire left, he retreated to Prime quarters for some thinking and rest. There he sat on his bed as he looked at the notes Elita had given him, he hated to admit it. But he has been sloppy lately.

"How dare he?! How dare they all go against me?!" Starscream spoke to himself and added. "I have been nothing but generous and realistic to the humans and everyone on this slagging Ark. They shouldn't question me."

He threw away the data-pad with the notes and it landed other side of the room. Everyone was complaining so far, why? can't they see the changes he has made to make everyone on board more inefficient? Yes, it might be slagging boring and have long hours, but it will give results.

"Enough of this, tomorrow I will fix it all," Starscream told himself as he went to bed, hoping a good night's sleep would do him good, at the very least he could get some peace this way.

But as the former seeker slept, blue energy rose from his body and standing next to Starscream was now a transparent figure who didn't look very happy with the former seeker.

"It's time to begin," it said before disappearing in thin air.

Inside the Matrix of Leadership, a lot of voices started to speak up and they agreed going after Starscream in his dreams.

Finding the former seeker in his dreams was no challenge, he was back in Vos in his royal temple. Starscream was waving at his people from his balcony, enjoying himself.

"Are you done pleasing yourself?" a voice asked from behind the seeker.

"Who dares to interrupt me?" Starscream demanded as he turned around he was a mech in orange and purple paint job, but looked very ancient, even more than Alpha Trion.

"Who are you? Don't just stand there Answer me!"

"I am your guide, please follow me," the mysterious mech said kindly and opened the door of this room, the door glowed in white colour.

"Follow you? You don't get to tell me what to do." Starscream mocked. Ignoring him.

The mech sighed realising that Starscream's behaviour belonged more to a child than a reasonable mech, well, Starscream wasn't the first mech he had to deal with similar behaviour issues.

"Very well then, we will do it your way." the mech clapped his hands and the whole dream changed in an instant.

Starscream jumped back when he saw what just happened, he was no longer in his palace, but instead in an endless hallway with an orange paint job.

"What is this? What did you do? I know I'm asleep and I'm the one in control here not you!" Starscream snapped at the stranger.

Right ... this is going to be a challenge, after all, the meach thought to himself and said "No one is ever in control over their lives."

"As for you Starscream, you're here because the Matrix of Leadership disagrees with your leadership and behaviour towards others." he answered, hoping the seeker would listen, most of the primes did at this point ... or at least were curious enough to listen.

"Disagree?" Starscream spluttered in complete outrage, who did this Mech think he was?

The orange and purple Mech frowned at him as Starscream continued.

"I have accomplished far more than Prime has in an incredibly short period of time," he declared, puffing himself up. "I have put those wretched humans in their place, stopped them taking advantage and I have galvanised my troops. And I have seen Megatron suffer at least one defeat, is that not impressive?"

"It is good you have not been working against the troops you now command," the other Mech acknowledged and the Seeker before him preened.

"However," he added and Starscream deflated with a scowl.

"However what?" Starscream demanded furiously, how dare he question how he was handling things!

"You're easily taken by your emotions."

Starscream stared at the mech with fury. "So what? Make no mistake, I was sparked to become a Ruler!"

"As the Sky Lord of Vos, yes. As a Prime, your role is far different I can guarantee you." the orange, purple informed and added. "As a Prime, your Role is to lead all of Cybertron to a better future, one of peace and prosperity. You’re not to take anything for Personal Gain and that is what the Matrix of Leadership disagree with you."

"Yes Starscream, the Matrix of Leadership knows you very well, after all, your spark is one with it here." The meach opened his arms, and more ghosts forms of Primes of the past started to appear. "No secrets are hidden here, we and the Matrix know your desires and plans. We do not approve."

Starscream instantly took a few steps back at this, he recognized some of these Primes as he was staring at the Slagging Sentinel Prime with true hatred, he did a lot of damage to his people.

"Who are all of they?" Starscream snapped in anger.

The guide looked at the past Primes and said "They are here to share some of their experience with you. Think of it as a lesson."

"A lesson?" Starscream spat in disgust. "On how to fail you mean?"

He waved in Sentinel Prime's direction contemptuously, before saying. "Megatron may be a decrepit old fool but I cannot fault his reasons for inspiring an uprising in the first place. That so called Prime had my home city bombed."

"Not all Primes are prefect," the first spirit acknowledged, inclining his head. "But mistakes can teach us as much as triumph."

"Oh great, a manual on what not to do," the Seeker scoffed.

The guide narrows his optic at Starscream, he could see where this was going, but there was one other prime that had similar ideals.

"You wish for results Starscream? To have it your way. It will only end in ruin. Mark my warning and let go of your selfish behaviour." the Purple, orange mech demanded.

At that moment, the orange hallway started to break down. Crumbling down into pieces.

“What is happening?” Starscream questioned.

"You’re waking up. Change your way or meet an end." the purple, orange prime warned, before Starscream could reply he woke up in the living world.

"What? it was just a dream, it had to be a dream" Starscream mumbled to himself as he got up to his feet, the dream he just had was so strange and yet he remembered everything perfectly.

His engine taking in a deep breath of air as Starscream placed his hand on his chest and he could feel it, the Matrix, it sang in a calm tone, but how could it bring the dead Primes to him?

Thinking deeply at the question it seemed obvious that each host or past prime who had bared the Matrix had not joined the well of all sparks but joined the Matrix instead, or was it possible the Matrix downloaded a copy of its past host to guide its future Prime?

Starscream shook that thought away, he couldn't get distracted by these thoughts as he had some work to do today. "It probably meant nothing."

Starscream then went down to the rec-room to get his morning Energon before heading to his office where he looked at today's list. It seemed he had the usual, keep a lookout for Decepticons, then followed by a human meeting that wished for their help and the last thing was to check the security system after Red-alert upgraded it.

Walking to the main room where Teletran One and the others were, Starscream was greeted by Prowl and the others.

"Good morning, Prime." Prowl greeted and shortly added. "We have a human meeting with a scientist group, they wish for some aid."

"Very well, let's get this over with," Starscream said, tiredly. He didn't sleep well at all tonight and that showed in how sluggish he moved. But scientist? What did those humans want now? Better yet, what were they up to?

"Yes sir, putting them on screen." Prowl nodded and connected to the call. Shortly after the screen showed a woman, she smiled.

"Optimus Prime, we're thankful that you have the time to assist us with our new project."

"That depends on what your project is and if we have the time to spare." Starscream answered, he could now tell that the humans looked quite worried. So they must be desperate about something.

"Yes, we're developing a flying automobile. We have managed to have the car hover with reverse technology. But... it doesn't take long before the four engines on the wheels ... give up. We would appreciate it if your scientist could give us a hand?"

"You're trying to create a flying car?" Starscream said in disbelief, raising an optic brow.

"Yes, we can even show you some of our footage if you like," one of the humans offered eagerly.

Starscream personally felt it sounded ridiculous, but he supposed it wouldn’t hurt to view the footage. It might even make him laugh for a change.

"Very well, we will view it," he said, trying to hide his mild contempt. The face mask certainly helped with that goal.

Predictably, the footage was ludicrous, the car did successfully rise and hover for a minute before the wheels sputtered and gave out. Which caused the car to crash back down. Yet Starscream was surprised to find a part of him was intrigued.

If the technology could work, it would be valuable. And perhaps he could even utilise it himself.

Chapter Text

"I admit, the footage is quite impressive," Starscream stated and wondered how stable this technology was, the humans after all had a very good start as the car managed to hover while cybertronian scientists in the past haven't even come as far as that.

"Thank you for the kind compliment. Does this mean that you're willing to invest in our project?" The blond woman asked politely, she seemed quite eager.

"Yes, I am. What you have shown me has me intrigued." Starscream acknowledged and added. "I and my Scientist will arrive at your lab as soon as possible to help assist this potential project."

"Thank you! We will wait for your arrival." The humans on the other side of the screen cheered in joy.

"I'm looking forward to it." Starscream then shut down the call and looked at Prowl. "Clear my schedule, Prowl. It seems I will be busy today."

"Right away, sir. Who would you like to join you on this quest, Wheeljack or Perceptor? Perhaps you would prefer Ratchet? " Prowl asked.

"Hmm, that is a good question, " Starscream considered while pondering how strange it would be to have a new lab partner that wasn't Skyfire. This area wasn't the large Shuttle's area of expertise, so he understood why Prowl hadn't suggested him.

"Wheeljack is an engineer...but we don't need 'extras' added to this project. Perhaps Ratchet would be my best option for now, he can advise if Wheeljack would be the better option."

"Very good sir," Prowl nodded, half turning to make the call to the medic no doubt. Starscream smiled behind his battle mask, he was looking forward to this project.

Shortly after, Ratchet arrived. "I hear you have a mission in mind, Optimus."

"That I do and I believe you will be equally fascinated by it," Starscream said, while they both started t head outside.

"That is one way to put it. Prowl, has already informed me about it and if you ask me. I believe we are wasting our time with this one." The medic stated in a firm tone.

Starscream almost chuckled at that response, it seems the Ratchet had a very similar mindset to the project as he did before he saw the footage. Perhaps, these humans can impress the medic with their achievement, but something told him that it might be harder.

"Yet they have managed to take the first step in success, the vehicle did manage to hover for a small amount of few seconds."

"Tch," Ratchet muttered, still unimpressed but raising no objections, instead saying. "Guess it can't hurt to look, even if it turns out to be a waste of time."

"I think it has potential," Starscream mused. "Imagine if we could properly harness that?"

"To use against the Decepticons?" Ratchet questioned, looking at him. "I dunno Prime, it'd be useful but feels like we're a long way from actually being able to make use of technology like that."

"We'll see," Starscream simply said before transforming, Ratchet following his example. Urgh, it still felt weird he couldn't take off into the open sky, instead stuck firmly to the ground. He would give this hovering car his best shot, imagine the look on Megatron's face if Optimus Prime's truck came flying at him.

The drive to the lab was long, but when they reached their destination, they arrived at an old car factory. The building didn't look that damaged and was in good condition. Upon their arrival, they saw the blond woman waiting by the entrance.

"Welcome to our humble lab." She greeted them and added. "My name is Shara and I'm the head scientist here on this project."

"Thank you for having us," Starscream replied before transforming back to his robot mode. But wondered why the humans chose a decommissioned car facility as their lab. Are they planning to create more? If so, then this building would be the perfect place for that.

"Please come inside, we are eager to work together." She stated and pressed a button on her remote and the large doors in the building opened and exposed the lab inside.

In the middle was the red car, the prototype from the footage, around it was a few large tables and heavy equipment. computers, tools and chemicals. Humans who were working stopped and watched him and Ratchet enter their base.

"Don't stare everyone, we all know that's rude," Shara told her staff with a gentle voice.

"We're used to it," Ratchet muttered as the humans hurriedly turned back to their work.

"Any help you can give us will be greatly appreciated, " Shara assured them. "Would you like to examine the prototype?"

"I believe I would," Starscream nodded, heading over to the car, Ratchet following close behind. Bending down, he started to look over the wheels which appeared to contain the thrusters. It wasn't a bad way to distribute the upward force of the lift, ensuring the car didn't tip over.

"We achieved the initial lift-off, but we cannot maintain it," Shara explained the pain problem she faced with the car.

"I believe they may have been overheating themself, has there been any fire when the car fell?"

Looking closer at the thrusters. Starscream could see some heat marks on the metal. This wasn't a big surprise, thrusters built up a lot of heat when sucking in air, but that air also help them stay cool. Clearly, this wasn't the case at all.

"None, we have been using liquid nitrogen to cool down the thrusters and it has worked." Share informed, proficiently.

"What?!" Starscream asked, astounded by what he just heard. The humans did what?! "Liquid nitrogen?! Do have any idea how dangerous it can be to cool something with such cold temperature?"

"There was no other replacement. Those thrusters needed a cooler and the Liquid nitrogen was the best solution." Shara argued and explained. "We can't use the same cooling system we use on planes, they are simply too large."

"You're aware that Liquid nitrogen may work as a cooler, but it can destroy any metal under pressure. You, humans, have literally created a death trap." The former seeker scolded as he was annoyed by their stupidity.

"What would you suggest would be better?" she questioned, they'd come up with the best solution they could even if it wasn't a perfect one.

"Lots of things," Starscream instantly said before gesturing to Ratchet. "Once we've examined it more closely, we will give you our findings."

"Alright, I guess we'll give you some space," she said, sounding slightly awkward but moving away towards one of her technicians.

"Thanks," Ratchet said wryly before letting out a great sigh. "Liquid nitrogen, Primus these humans."

"Tell me about it," Starscream muttered, they were lucky the thrusters had simply given out and sent the car back to the ground.

Ratchet and Starscream examined every inch of the car and once they moved on to taking out one of the engines from the car, the other humans panicked, yelling at them they might break their only working prototype. Which, meant the humans there had to bring a copy of the engine they have been trying to improve to have the Autobots to poke at.

"Surprisingly, I see three main issues with these engines. One which you have already noticed Prime." Ratchet stated and pointed at the box that held the Liquid nitrogen.

"Indeed, they need a better cooling system." Starscream agreed.

"Yes and they need a better power supply, those car batteries on the hood aren't enough for the engine and if anything just put extra unnecessary weight on the car," Ratchet explained as he pointed to the four car batteries installed.

"I believe we can solve that problem." Starscream stated. Cybertron had superior batteries to what Earth used for their cars, it would be simple enough to create new ones or just simply hand the blueprint to Shara.

"Mm, same," the medic agreed with a nod. "I think a more efficient fuel would be necessary as well."

Starscream smiled behind his mask, he knew he'd made the right choice. Ratchet was a natural problem-solver when it came to repairs.

"A suitable oil instead of the nitrogen should," he stated conversationally.

"Yes and an efficient fan to aid with the cooling," Ratchet nodded, tinkering a bit with some of the components. "Some added stabilisers to absorb shock impact wouldn't go amiss either."

The humans were hovering in the background, listening intently. At least they were smart enough not to constantly interrupt with inane questions and comments.

"That would be needed, yes." Starscream agreed and turned over his shoulder to look at the humans. "How will the steering of the hovercar function?"

Shara seemed eager to answer the question as she was first to it. "It's quite simple really, the hover engine can rotate left and right front and back."

Starscream for once thought of the information and it wasn't terrible. That would at least give the car some control over where to go, but of course, this needs to be tested first, which means. He and Ratchet need to help the humans get this hovercar operational for the long term.

"Interesting, we will see how well this design will work," Starscream said, deeply in thought.

"Yes, I can't wait to have our first test drive. I believe we aren't far away from that." Shara stated happily.

"You could be right," Starscream acknowledged, this project was looking more promising. "First, we need to get what we require. Ratchet can compile a list of what you must get while I retrieve what we need."

"Very good Prime, we will get whatever you need," Shara readily agreed as Ratchet straightened up.

"Right, give me a few breems while I get organised," he declared while turning to his leader. "You know what you're getting Prime?"

Starscream pinged him what he had in mind and the medic nodded. "Looks right, I'll comm if there's anything else. I'll handle things until you get back."

"Prime? If you don't mind, we could get those requested Items right now. We would just need to drive to town and bring them here." Shara said, too focused on improving her project.

Starscream blinked a moment, was it just him or was this human too eager to get things done? But the idea of being used as a transport for the supplies was insulting and he would prefer to stay in the lab, but again. Optimus would agree on the spot, so with a heavy spark.

"I would be delighted to accompany you for the supply run." Starscream forced himself to say.

"Wonderful! I have written down the list right here. Just one moment as I will need to bring our company credit card." she said delightedly, she then hurried off to get her things.

"Very well," Starscream sighed heavily. It could get rather tiresome being so agreeable all the time, instead of just ordering people around. The only reason he was enduring it was because things were getting done and at least he was generally listened to. Prime did command respect after all.

It did make him wonder just how Prime was getting on in the Nemesis. They'd have to contact each other at some point.

"Humans get so excited, don't they?" Ratchet commented on, still examining the design.

"Hmm, yes," Starscream mumbled, waiting for Shara to return.

"At least she is productive. If we get those parts right away, then we could have another test." Ratchet told Starscream with a thoughtful expression as he added. "Of course, we would need to modify the thrusters first before that. I will work on dismantling the other three."

"Thank you, Ratchet. I too would be eager for another test." Starscream agreed and no sooner he saw, Shara, running her way to him. Starscream Transformed into Optimus truck mode and opened his door for her.

"How amazing! This always takes me aback when you change chapes like that." She said as she claimed into the passenger seat.

"I would be surprised if it wouldn't," Starscream said and the thought of her getting a T-cog was a concerning one, who knew what this human would do with such a devise that was holding the secrets of transformation.

He'd occasionally had humans in his cockpit before, usually prisoners being transported like one of those annoying Autobot pets. Other times he'd been disguised and playing the part of an ordinary jet but thankfully that had been rare. At least Shara was smart enough not to start touching his steering wheel and dashboard. Having her relaxed in the seat wasn't too alien to be uncomfortable for him.

Sometimes he pondered their species' ability to have alt modes that included seating for other species.

"What are the coordinates?" he questioned and she happily obliged.

With a blast of his horn which admittedly was rather fun, he set off as the other humans waved them off. Shara started talking about how the project had been set up, he listened with mild interest.

"Humans always have dreamed of flying cars through our fiction och futuristic movies. That is where the idea came to life." She explained and continued. "Not long ago I and a few other people decided to try and create these flying cars. Of course, the others have made poor attempts to create them."

"Poor attempts? How badly are we speaking of?" Starscream asked curiously. It was quite interesting to know there were also other groups trying to create their version of a flying car, which, meant that Share and her team had competitions with others.

"Yes! One of the teams went as far as installing helicopter blades onto the car, stating that it was a flying car! Can you believe that? It was beyond ridiculous!" She stated her voice sounding disgusted by that team's failure.

"Not as bad as then the second team. They had fused a car with a crop plane, stating that was the way to go!" Shara's facepalmed and added in disappointment. "Fools! Just what went through their heads? At least my project is more successful and true to what it should be."

"Your starting design is more sound," Starscream mused, those others sounded like disasters. Helicopter blades on an automobile? It was just such an impractical idea, just how much of a mess had that caused? Perhaps he could try and look that up later, he'd be interested to see.

"Of course and with your assistance, it'll become a reality," she said enthusiastically and despite himself, Starscream mentally smiled. This human wasn't that bad really.

"You should see some of the original cars," she now added. "Nothing like what we drive now. Planes are even more extraordinary, well originally we used hot air balloons to fly, can you imagine?"

"It is....hard to," Starscream said in a slightly strangled voice.

"It was the very first discovery of flight. Besides the planes we have today were designed from birds!" Shara informed proudly.

"Are you serious?" Starscream asked, astonished to hear that his own alt-mode in his seeker body was designed after a primitive bird.

"Yes! Scientists had to watch and study birds when they flew through the air and once discovered. The Aircraft's were designed and soon after planes and yets sore through the sky."

"Unbelieve." Starscream wasn't sure if he should feel repulsed by this discovery.

Yet if humans managed to gain flight by watching their planet's animals. It said a lot about their potential and intelligence as it probably wasn't easy to gain such machines after studying birds and making them mechanical over night.

"Oh! We're here!" Shara said excitedly and pointed at the store, that would have the stuff they needed.

"I'll go in and get everything we need," she said eagerly. "I'm glad you've got plenty of space, we'll probably need it."

"I'm sure we will," Starscream agreed, still pondering what she'd told him. "If there are any heavy or large materials, I can carry them."

"Sounds good, that'll make things go faster," she exclaimed, she was on fire to get back to her lab and continue working.

As Starscream pulled up, Shara jumped out and rushed inside the store. Such eager sparklings humans were.

Starscream waited in the parking lot for a while. He hoped the wait would be worth it, the human better get everything on their list.

"For such an eager human, she is taking her time," Starscream told himself out of boredom.

Having nothing better to do he looked around. Humans drove into the parking lots and later walked inside the store, leaving their cars. Shortly after they would return with their items and drive away, it was boring to watch but nothing else happened.

Then a sports car drove in, it captured his attention. the red car wasn't an Autobot, just a regular car. The human seemed young and carelessly opened the door of his car and hit the next vehicle, scratching its paint job. The human of the smaller car yelled at the young human, demanding repair for the scratch of his vehicle.

But the young human didn't seem to care and just walked away. The other human didn't look happy at all and took something out of his car. Looking closer Starscream noticed it was a piece of paper and a pen and it seemed as if the human was writing down the other car's number on the paper.

So, it would seem humans also seemed to care about paint jobs. This fact surprised Starscream a bit.

Of course, he cared about his paint job, a lot of bots did but when it came to non sentient vehicles they used such as their space faring Ark, a few scratches weren't a big deal. It only really became a concern if the plating was at risk or similar, cosmetic damage was nothing. Unable to help himself, he suddenly transformed, causing the nearby human to gasp in surprise.

"Optimus Prime," they exclaimed and he smirked behind his mask, the awe and recognition from this human was very gratifying.

"It is," he said in Prime's deep voice, trying not to preen too much. "I wished to ask a question of you."

"Uh...uh..okay?" the human said, more than a little flummoxed.

"I saw your vehicle be scratched by that other human," Starscream explained, causing this human to scowl. "It's not damaged but you seem very upset. Why is that?"

"He scratched my car," the human exclaimed, gesturing towards it. "It'll cost my money to repair that."

The scratch didn't look that large and back on Cybertron that would have been an easy fix for most people who had enough credits.

"And you wish revenge against this person?" Starscream asked curiously, wondering what actions human would take.

"Not revenge, but payment for the repairs." the human answered and continued writing down the car's number and then went back to his car to grab his camera to take a photo. "This guy made a big mistake and I'm going to make sure he remembers it."

"What will you do if he refuses?" Starscream questioned, clearly the human hasn't thought of everything.

"He won't. I have a cousin who works as a police officer." The human replied and carefully put the picture he had just taken inside his car. "The guy won't have much of a choice."

"I see," Starscream said thoughtfully. "I didn't know this mattered to humans so much."

"Wouldn't you be mad if someone scratched your paint?" the human asked curiously.

"It's an occupational hazard fighting a war," Starscream chuckled, even the most vain of Mechs had to accept perfect plating was a luxury most couldn't afford. Most had to make do with reasonable quality as the next skirmish could easily ruin it.

"Heh, yeah good point," the human laughed a little bashfully. "Your paint looks quite good."

"Thank you," Starscream replied, it wasn't half bad. At least Prime had nice colours, unlike boring gunmetal grey.

At that moment Shara returned. She seemed quite pleased with herself. "I have managed to get everything we need."

Starscream watched her walking over to him. But he wondered where the items were, she returned without anything except holding a receipt. "That is good news. But where are the items?"

"Oh silly me. They're in the back. We will have to drive there and they will load everything in." She explained, probably forgetting that alien robots didn't do human shopping and maybe had no clue how it worked.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, Optimus Prime. But I will be off now." The other human said and waved goodbye before getting inside his own car.

"What was that about?" Shara asked curiously as she looked between them.

"Another human scratched his car, I was enquiring about it," Starscream answered as she got in his cab.

"Urgh, what a pain," Shara said in disgust. "Did they just drive off after doing it?"

"Essentially yes, they didn't want to pay for the damages," Starscream explained. "I found it odd, that doesn't happen on Cybertron."

"It doesn’t? How would such a matter be resolved on your planet?" She questioned and waved her hand in a motion for Starscream to follow her.

"Most Cybertronians had insurance back in the day, a scratched paint job was easily fixed and often happened in working places," he explained and followed the human to the back side of the store where he saw some crates being taken out from the store.

"I see. Interesting system, did it work well?" Shara asked, while walking over to the workers and handing them a paper.

"It did, for a while," Starscream informed and transformed into Prime's alternate mode. Might as well, have the crate loaded in.

Once she'd made sure everything would be brought and loaded into the trailer, Shara came back over.

"The paint....it's not your skin?" she asked curiously.

"No, it is more of a protective covering, I suppose like your clothing," Starscream explained. "It is part of how we present ourselves rather than just walking around in grey protoforms."

"Interesting," she said. "And do you change colours often or are they fairly set?"

"For the most part, quite set," Starscream told her. "We all have our preferences, I have never favoured green for example."

"Yes, I would agree that Green wouldn't suit you." Shara giggled, finding the green image of the Autobot leader in her head hilarious.

"We humans like to change our fashion quite often. But I would say that red is my colour." She smiled for a while waiting for the workers to finish loading up the crates into the trailer.

"I have noticed." Starscream said. From what he could tell, Shara was wearing a red dress with her lab coat.

"Everything is loaded." a human worker suddenly said and handed back Shara, the papers she had given him.

"Thank you." She smiled before hopping inside the truck and looking down at the steering wheel. "Shall we get going?

"We shall," Starscream replied, the sooner they got back, the better. Tinkering with a new invention was going to be enjoyable, he could put some of his vast knowledge to good use. He supposed he'd have to be careful not to reveal too much of his genius, how much did Prime know of engineering anyway?

"I've signed off on our supplies, they had what we needed," she said happily, equally about heading back to the lab.

"Very good," Starscream said and for a while, there was silence as he drove along the roar. Eventually, Shara said.

"Prims, is it likely the Decepticons will take an interest in our project? How worried should we be about that?"

"Ha, they would dismiss this project! Megatron would think that we're wasting our time with such an impossible task." Starscream chuckled, but it would be wise to remove the hovering chip just in case. If Soundwave would get his hand on that then it would be problematic.

"I would recommend that any video footage you have on the project be removed."

"Why would I need to remove them?" She asked, relieved that the Decepticon wouldn't be attacking her doors anytime soon.

"Four your company's own protection. Megatron would attack if there was proof of potential in a project, in which you have succeded with yours." Starscream explained. He wouldn't let Megatron ruin his only chance to get back into the sky! This human was a too good opportunity for him to pass.

"And you would not believe what that annoying glitch Soundwave can dig up," he added so she'd understand. The humans were well aware of what a threat the navy blue Mech could be.

"That's probably a good point," she sighed. "Alright, we'll take steps to protect ourselves."

"Good," Starscream said, pleased she was listening to what he was saying. "Flight is an advantage the Decepticons have had for a long time over the Autobots, your project could potentially tip the balance."

"Huh, that would be something," she smiled, imagining if she could help end such a big war.

On their way back to the lab. Starscream got a call from Ratchet.

// Yes?// Starscream answered.

// Prime, we're needed. It seems the Decepticons are attending another powerplant.// Ratchet informed.

//I'm on my way back to the lap with the equipment. Once there we both will drive to the powerplant.// Starscream replied. He needed to drop off Shara and their equipment, before going to battle.

//Very well. Shall I tell Prowl to prepare the others?// the medic asked. probably guessing that Prowl was already doing that as they spoke.

//Yes, do that. I will arrive shortly.// Starscream said before cutting off the call. It had been a while, sene the Decepticons had attacked a powerplant.

"Shara, once we're returned to base, I'll need to leave," Starscream said, musing on whether he'd meet Prime at this new fight.

"What's happened?" she instantly asked, sounding a touch disappointed at the prospect of him leaving.

"The Decepticons have attacked a powerplant, I must go," he informed her, at least he might get a chance to scrap Megatron. Ha, he'd shown that old rust bucket who was the better fighter. "I'll return as soon as possible."

"I understand," she said. "We can still get organised in the meantime."

"Excellent. We should arrive shortly at your lab." Starscream announced. They were now quite close to the place.

But what would he do about the equipment in his trailer? He couldn't take those to battle! Maybe it wouldn't hurt to leave it here at the lab. It would only take time to try to unload everything, something that was pressure right now.

Soon enough he spotted the lab and even noticed Ratchet waiting outside. Starscream drove inside the parking lot. Shara got out of the trunk and watched as the Prime drove away with his friend, but left behind his trailer.

Starscream drove down the desert with Ratchet. "Where did they attack his time?"

"Further out this time. This powerplant seems to be placed in a river." Ratchet informed, guessing it must get its power from the water flow.

"Ah, hydroelectricity," Starscream nodded, Megatron did seem to have a fondness for that type of power. Admittedly, it was clean energy which produced quite a nice tasting Energon so he couldn't blame his leader. The fights could be a bit messy though, due to the locations you usually had these plants at.

"Right, we'd better get there as quickly as possible."

"Not taking your trailer?" Ratchet questioned, whether it was often useful for transporting the injured back.

"No, it's full of supplies and will take too long to empty," Starscream explained. "I want to get to that powerplant as quickly as possible."

"Good point, you get everything?" the medic questioned, both vehicles kicking up dust as they sped along.

"I did, once we're free again, we can return to the project," the Seeker confirmed.

"I'm not sure we can," Ratchet said and pointed out. "After the raid, many will be injured. You included will need to be treated and then rest."

"Of course, that escaped my mind," Starscream replied. It seems that he would have returned to the Lab tomorrow instead, after all, humans only work to a certain time during the day which means the lab will later be locked.

After a bit of driving, both mechs arrived at the power plant that they were headed to. the place itself was located near a small forest and the lake was built like a small river. the water came in on top and went out in the lower end, thus producing the energy.

Both Autobots and Decepticons were fighting all over the place, it was hard to spot anyone in this mess. Starscream, however, spotted Megatron close by the building.

Starscream smirked at this, at least there was something positive about this change. But as he was headed toward the building. Suddenly, someone grabbed him from behind and with a /crack/ he was lost in the forest.

"Missed us, screamer?" Skywarp asked ironically. Next to him stood Thundercracker who looked equally annoyed with their leader.

Chapter Text

"Missed us, screamer?" Skywarp asked ironically. Next to him stood Thundercracker who looked equally annoyed with their leader.

"What...what are you doing?" Starscream demanded, wrenching his arm out of Skywarp's grip. "Where's...?"

"Prime? He's grounded for now," Thundercracker replied for their trine mate.

"Yep, just us," Skywarp shrugged, folding his arms and looking at Starscream very sternly. "So...been having fun?"

"I've been working," Starscream snapped back, he didn't have time to deal with them. There was a certain rusted bucket of bolts he wanted to pound. "Now if you don't mind..."

"You know how difficult it's been for us?" Skywarp demanded, unfolding his arms to jab a finger at Starscream. "And how crazy this is?"

"So what? I'm finally getting what is rightfully mine!" Starscream slapped away Skywarp's hand and continued. "The Autobots are fools and have no idea that I'm not their beloved leader. But with my leadership, Megatron will be gone before we know it."

"So that is your plan? To win the war and have us submit to you?!" Skywarp questioned, somehow not surprised to hear this.

"Do you realize what will happen to the Decepticons if you do this, Starscream? They will protest and probably choose a leader amongst the ranks." Thundercracker pointed out. It wouldn't be pretty if Megatron died, this was worrying some.

"It's the only way to end this stupid war and for me to truly rule!" The former seeker sneered, why couldn't his trine see that?

"How?" Thundercracker wanted to know, gesturing at Starscream's large form. "Like this?"

"Of course not," Starscream huffed, though he'd miss the strength that came with a Prime's body. "I'll get my real body back."

"Really?" Skywarp scoffed in disbelief. "And what exactly is going to happen to Prime?"

"I'll work something out," his tine leader said confidently. "He isn't embarrassing me, is he?"

"Could ask the same of you," the blue Seeker said sarcastically, wings twitching in annoyance.

"Do you think of me as some kind of fool? Of course, I haven't!" Starscream snapped back, did they really have so little faith in him?

"You're one, Screamer! The least you could have done was to inform us before we found out by ourselves!" Skywarp yelled angrily. He was not all too happy with him.

"I couldn't! I didn't have time as I rule over the Autobots!" Starscream yelled back, but his patience getting rather thin and thinner. He couldn’t risk ruining his cover.

"You know what is the worst part, Starscream?" Thundercracker questioned, not buying his leader's excuses and added. "Unlike you, Optimus made an effort to know us and we thought it was you this whole time."

"Well, he's a soft-sparked Autobot," Starscream said huffing.

"Aren't you currently pretending to be a soft-sparked Autobot?" Skywarp shot at him sarcastically which caused Starscream to declare.

"I'm doing a far better job than Prime, I'm far firmer."

"And the Bots haven't noticed?" Thundercracker asked in disbelief.

"Only that fool Skyfire has figured it out," Starscream admitted. It was quite a surprise when the shuttle confirmed it and even went as far as to blackmail him with evidence.

"And no one else?" Skywarp questioned shocked that Starscream has fooled the Autobots for this long. Again the former seeker was quite good at hiding and pretending.

"I don't have time to waste here! Warp me back." Starscream demanded impatiently at Skywarp. He couldn't have the Autobots think he ran away from the fight and let Megatron getaway.

"You aren't even going to apologise?" The purple seeker questioned and just earned him a frown from Starscream.

"What did this human look like? The magical guy who did this?" Thundercracker asked. It was clear Starscream wasn't interested in them but in his newfound power as a Prime.

"Just some small squishy human, they all look alike," Starscream said impatiently as Thundercracker immediately said. "You know that's not true."

"Anyway, I've no slagging idea where he is," the trine leader continued. "I don't even know where he came from. Just appeared out of nowhere and....well, ended up switching us."

"Why did he switch you with Prime and not Megatron?" Thundercracker couldn't help but question. "You'd still be a leader in a powerful body leading an army."

"You'd still be able to fly," Skywarp added.

Upon the question, Starscream's body shivered at the very thought. Him in Megatron's body?! That itself would have been a living nightmare! At least with Prime he looked good and came with advantages that Megatron didn't have.

"Never! Thank Primus that he didn't! Being stuck in that bucket head of a body is a fate worse than meeting Unicron himself!"

"At least you would have still been with us." Skywarp told him.

"And have Megatron take control over my body? Out of the question!" Starscream shrieked furiously and added. "He would no doubt mistreat it!"

"He would demand to be changed back, but I don't think he would mistreat your body." Thundercracker said somewhat unsure.

"Hah, you seriously think he wouldn't?" Starscream scoffed, still overwhelmingly disgusted by the very thought. "He'd constantly throw himself into fights, inconsiderate of my sensitive flight systems. He'd turn my body into a pile of junk within a few cycles."

"Hmm, he might have a point about him being rough?" Skywarp admitted, as a former gladiator and miner, Megatron was used to having a rather battered frame.

"Never mind," Thundercracker declared dismissively. "What happens now"

"I go and s*** Megatron," Starscream declared making his trine mate growl in frustration.

"Not what I meant. What is the 'long term' plan?"

"The secret stays. Optimus and I will continue to pretend to be each other." Starscream explained to his trine mates.

"Aren't you going to look for that human to change back?" Skywarp questioned, feeling somewhat that Starscream was trying to avoid this conversation.

"I don't have time to look for one meat bag. Besides he could be anywhere on this mudball." Starscream winced, not in the mood to look for the magician.

"Then we will look for him instead, right TC?" Skywarp asked and the blue seeker looked to be much in thought about it.

"It will be hard to find the right human." Thundercracker admitted. He didn't even know what the human looked like. But maybe they could still try to change both mechs with modern surgery instead? If they could put their sparks back into their rightful bodies, then the problem would be solved!

"Perhaps there's another way to reverse this?" He suggested. "Have you looked into options?"

"No, I've just been trying to remain undiscovered, " Starscream retorted, still annoyed Elita One saw right through him. "I don't suppose Prime has either?"

"No, he's had a lot to deal with. What if you exchanged sparks?" Thundercracker suggested instead.

"And just who would perform that?" Starscream wanted to know.

Everyone stared at each other in silence as they realised that no one knew about this secret and that it needed to stay that way. For this to work they needed at least someone to do it, but who?

"What about Hook?" Skywarp proposed, bluntly.

"Are you trying to get me killed?" Starscream facepalmed, not believing how the medic could even be an option. "Hook can't be trusted! He and his brothers are too loyal to Megatron."

"This will need to stay a secret Warp, we can't have people know about our situation," Thundercracker explained patiently. He didn't blame Skywarp, he knew his trine mate just wanted to help.

"Right..." Shywarp said quite disappointed that his suggestions weren't that great. but then an idea popped. "What about Shyfire? Can't he do it? I mean he is as smart as you screamer."

"Hah, I am far smarter," Starscream automatically declared and the two Seekers were treated to the weird sight of Optimus Prime puffing himself up. It really was strange seeing the Prime with their Trine leader's mannerisms. Then again, seeing Prime operating Starscream's body had taken some getting used to.

"But regardless, Skyfire isn't a medic, he's never worked on sparks," he admitted. "His field of study has always been more exploration and lab work but not so much on frames or their inner workings. Otherwise, he might have been an option."

"Huh, guess Ratchet's out of the picture?" Skywarp suggested, the Autobot was known as a great medic. Pit, he'd even worked on the Elite Trine a couple of times when one or more of them had been captured.

"That might not be a bad idea," Thundercracker said thoughtfully. "He's loyal to Prime, surely he'd want him back in his own body."

"Oh sure, he would no doubt slag me for lying to his face." Starscream said sarcastically. It wouldn't be pretty giving the news to the medic.

"But he would do it wouldn't he?" Thundercracker asked as he looked at Starscream.

"Urg, probably. That fool would wish to have his beloved friend back." the former seeker admitted.

"Then that settles it. You get Ratchet and we will find a cave or something and this mess will be solved." Skywarp announced, delighted that they had finally found a solution to his mess.

"Not so fast! I have only started to rule the Autobots! I won't change back until I defeat Megatron once and for all." Starscream declared. He couldn't give up on his advantage now! Optimus's body is in perfect shape to kick Megatron's butt and if he changed now? Well, he would never succeed in his plans.

"Oh come on, are you serious?" Skywarp exclaimed in disbelief.

"Of course I am," Starscream informed him. "Megatron will never see this coming."

"Even if you could defeat Megatron, what then?" was Thundercracker's question. "Who takes over the Decepticons?"

"If Prime has any sense, he'll take command and then we can switch, making me Lord of the Decepticons," Starscream told him, surely it was obvious. "And if Prime is smart, he'll consider surrendering to me."

"Starscream," his blue trine mate groaned, there were so many ways that wasn't going to work.

"If that old fool can lead the Decepticon as poorly as he has done. Prime won't have any issues doing the same." Starscream stated. Honestly, it couldn't be that hard for Prime to take control. Especially since he was taking out Megatron for him, Optimus should be thankful for that.

"That is not. What are your plans for Megatron then? Send him into a coma?" the blue seeker asked wryly.

"Keeping Megatron alive would be foolish, he would escape or try to kill me in my sleep." Starscream mumbled and added. "No, he will be offlined and I can at last lead our people into a new era."

"Are you mad? We can't kill him?" Skywarp said surprised. Of course, he knew Starscream wanted their leader dead. But never thought he was serious about it, since Starscream's plans always seemed to fail.

"And why can’t I kill him??" Starscream demanded to know.

"He's been our leader for so long, he rose up against the Senate," Thundercracker argued. "You might not agree with him but we wouldn't be here if not for him."

"Exactly, stuck on this Primus accursed mudball, messing around fighting the Autobots," Starscream argued right back. "You think Megatron would accept my leadership? Or that one of his loyal minions wouldn't try to free him and take me down? Think logically."

"You should like Shockwave," Skywarp sneered with a roll of his optics.

"Well he'd be the first to meddle, proving my point," Starscream retorted. "Now, are you done asking ridiculous questions?"

"Yes. We're done, here." Thundercracker agreed, quite disappointed at his trine leader.

It was clear that Starscream wasn't interested in anything other than leading the Autobots and killing Megatron. It would seem that they will need to return to Optimus and inform him of the news and hopefully come up with a new plan.

"Good, now if you excuse me. I wave a bucket to beat up." Starscream then looked over to Skywarp. "Take me to the powerplant."

"You know what, Starscream. It wouldn't hurt you to not be so selfish." Skywarp told him bitterly.

"You can't see the bigger picture! Nonetheless, you all will thank me once this is over." Starscream replied stubbornly.

"I wouldn't count on it." Skywarp huffed and grabbed his arm before warping them both back at the powerplant.

Once there, Starscream charged forward, relishing the feel of this powerful body. Was this how Skyfire felt with the added bonus of wings? Honestly, if he could not be a Seeker in another life, he'd choose to be a shuttle and be the most powerful flier in existence.

With this feeling of jubilation, he roared. "Megatron!"

His hated leader turned with a snarl at his opponent's approach, seeing him thundering towards him.

"Prime!" he roared back. "Took you long enough."

"I'm here now," Starscream assured him, seeing the telltale glow at the end of Megatron's fusion cannon, he was about to fire it. "And ready to turn you to scrap!"

"We'll see about that," Megatron snarled back, bringing up his arm and firing a shot.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Back at the Nemesis. Optimus was enjoying a slow walk around the ship a while refuelling. Now that everyone was gone for the raid, he could at least relax a bit more. But he wondered how the others were doing, but supposed he would find out soon enough.

Suddenly there was a noise down from the hall that captured Optimus's attention. Stopping in his tracks, the Prime wondered what could have made that noise. Was there a leak in the ship? He hoped not, Megatron would complain a lot more if the base was flooded.

Optimus decides to investigate the said sound. He walked down the hall where he heard it coming from and it led to a room. Soundwaves room.

"Hello?" He questioned uncertainly if the room was empty. But then proceeded to open the door and to his surprise, two cassettes were staring back at him in utter fear.

"Rumble, Frenzy?" he exclaimed, a little surprised to see them since they'd been captured and immediately worried at the state they were in. "You're back, did the Autobots release you?"

"Yeah," Rumble said in a whisper, alarming Optimus greatly. The young Mech was acting nothing like the happy cassette he'd taken to play at a playground.

"What happened?" he instantly demanded before a thought struck him. "Wait, did something happen to Soundwave? Or one of your siblings?"

He hadn't heard of anything but if any of them had been hurt, the twins would surely be the first to know. The current battle might have taken a nasty turn.

"No, boss just mad about us being held," Frenzy mumbled, looking incredibly sad.

Optimus frowned intently.

"Then....did something happen at the base?" he questioned, wondering what might have occurred.

The twins were very like Skywarp and it wouldn't surprise him if they'd been chastised for their attitude or tricks, maybe even switched. However, Ironhide would not reduce them to such a state, he was stern but not cruel. And his other officers certainly wouldn't either. Rumble and Frenzy would come back angry, not scared and upset.

"No. Nothing happened." Rumble replied anxiously as he snuggled closer to his twin.

Optimus wasn't sure what was happening, but something didn't feel right. Clearly, something did happen and they must be too nervous to talk about it. but the question was what?

"How about some Energon?" Optimus asked and showed his half-consumed cube of Energon.

"Maybe?" Frenzy said uncertainly. Both cassettes eyed the Energon cube Optimus was holding in front of them. It seems that it had piqued their interest.

"Come on. You two shouldn't stay here in the dark by yourselves." Optimus insisted kindly, while waiting by the door.

They still seemed distinctly unsure but their optics didn't leave the fuel. He smiled and knelt down, placing the cube down and pushing it towards them. The two hesitated before hurrying forward and grabbing the cube, gratefully drinking deeply. Optimus allowed them to do so in silence, still immensely worried but trying to project a field of calm.

Between them, they easily finished it and sat back in satisfaction, now less sad and frightened. Optimus tried again gently.

"Who was in charge of you? Was it Ironhide?"

"No, the twins had us once night," Frenzy admitted and Optimus instantly felt concerned.

"And did they mistreat you?" he asked, the Lamborghini twins were not fans of Cons. To his surprise, they shook their heads.

"They were nice," Rumble admitted as though he still couldn't believe it. "We watched a film together, they gave us fuel and a blanket. And they let us out of the cage."

"Cage?" Optimus questioned. There was no cage back at the Ark unless the twins meant the brig.

For a moment both cassettes looked at each other worried, as if they said something they shoulder mentioned.

Optimus, however, noticed this and relaxed his energy fields around them in an attempt to calm them down. "It's alright. You both are safe here."

Another minute seemed to pass as both cassettes seemed to be debating about it. Rumple said. "They put us into a pet cage. We were stuck there most of the time. it was really uncomfortable."

"What? But that is unheard of. Surely, Prime wouldn't allow that." Optimus said, quite shocked that the twins had been treated in such an unfair condition.

Both of them shivered, optics going bright with remembered fear and Optimus suddenly had a bad feeling.

"It was Primes idea," whispered Frenzy, shaking and upset.

"And he said if we told, he'd hurt us," Rumble added, liquid forming at the corner of his optics.

"Primus," Optimus exclaimed, how could Starscream do that? Rumble and Frenzy were on his side and yet he terrorised them? "D-did no one object?"

They both shook their heads left and right. The Autobots didn't mind that they were placed in a cage, they all seemed fine by it.

"No, the twins had us once. Prime had us the rest of the time... he didn't like us." Frenzy admitted, he could still remember how the prime teased them with the rust sticks and the music.

"The Dinobots were the worst! They taped us together and used us as a ball!!" Rumble cried out, that experience was awful. "Felt sick afterwards too."

"What? And Prime let them?" Optimus was left aback by what he was hearing. How much downhill was the Ark? What has Starscream been doing?

"He did!" Both cassettes confirmed as they both wipes away their own tears.

"H-he thought it was funny," whimpered Frenzy and Optimus could stand it no longer.

He enveloped them in his arms and field, sending soothing pulsing to them. Unsurprisingly, they both froze but their distress was such that they clung to him, tears falling down to their faces. Optimus held them close, rubbing their backs as inwardly he burned with fury. The twins were now essentially terrified of 'him', even if he and Starscream switched tomorrow, they'd remain that way.

And a horrible thought sent ice flowing through his lines. If they switched tomorrow, Rumble and Frenzy would think the Decepticon SIC was a safe person to be with, only they'd be proven horrifyingly wrong. No, he would not allow such a thing to happen, he would fix this.

"I'm so sorry he did that to you, he had no right," he told them as they continued to cry in his grasp. "The Dinobots were wrong as well. It sounds like you would have been better off with the lambo twins."

"They were fair." Rumble agreed, and his brother nodded in agreement.

"It's alright. The others will soon return from the raid." Optimus informed them. He will need to talk to his temporary Trine about Starscream.

"W-we know," Frenzy answered, but felt quite uncertain if he should inform anyone but Soundwave of what had happened to them.

Optimus in the meantime took them both over to the rec-room. He wasn't sure why they were so hungry after watching them consume his cube within minutes, but guessed that Starscream possibly did feed them well enough.

Entering the room he placed the twins on a chair each and went over to the Energon machine he had built with the constructions. This was a good investment as he took two cubes from it and walked back to the cassettes, adding over a cube each.

"Soundwave will soon be here. You two will have nothing to fear." the false seeker promised them.

They started drinking deeply, a little less frenzied than before but still hungrily.

"He's never been like that before," mumbled Rumble, sharing a look with his brother. "It was like he hated us."

"Yeah, I don't get it," Frenzy agreed. "It's like he's a completely different bot."

Optimus pursed his lips, they weren't wrong about that.

"He does seem different," he acknowledged, not point in pretending otherwise. The other Cons had to have noticed it even if the Autobots hadn't. "But I do not know what could have caused such a change."

"Like he got a personality transplant," muttered the purple cassette as Cons started to file into the room.

"I don't know. Maybe he has reasons for his actions." Optimus replied, very much would like to know said reasons.

"No way." Rumble disagreed and wondered: "Hey! How come you haven't joined the raid?"

"Yeah, why are you left behind." Frenzy agreed, curious as to why the seeker was left alone.

"I am bedridden, by Hook." Optimus told to the twins.

"What? How? What did we miss?" Frenzy asked astonished, had they been gone for that long?

"I-I overworked myself too far. Fell from the sky, but Skywarp and Thundercracker saved me." Optimus explained what had happened to him.

"Huh, what have we missed?" Frenzy questioned confusion on his features. "You got a new secret project or something?"

That made Optimus chuckle, it sounded like Starscream often tried to hide things but failed. From the likes of Soundwave at least.

"Let's just say Megatron decided to give me a 'lot' of responsibilities," he simply said, noticing that the navy blue Mech in question had just entered the room and was hurrying over.

"Boss!" they exclaimed as he swooped upon them and gathered them into his arms.

"You have returned," the Decepticon Third stated, emotion clear in his voice, hugging them tightly.

Optimus watched the family happily hug each other. It would be rude to interrupt their moment and it would be best if he left to look for Skywarp and Thundercracker, if Soundwave had just arrived, then so had the others.

Quietly, Optimus got up and tried to sneak past Soundwave as the blue mech was too busy talking with his sons. However, Soundwave blocked his path and looked at the seeker.

"Thanks for the company screamer." Rumble said, he sounded more cheerful.

"Ah, anytime." Optimus smiled back, but wondered how the raid went and looked at Soundwave. "How did it go? Did we get enough energon?"

"Raid: failed. Megatron: Injured."

"Injured, how bad?" Optimus couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"Arm missing, hole through the chest. Megatron: critical condition." Soundwave answered.

"Primus," Optimus muttered, he hadn't seen Megatron injured like that in a long time. "How...?"

"Prime," was the short answer as Rumble and Frenzy shrank back in their creator's arms. They knew how powerful their leader was.

"He's gone insane," Rumble mumbled as his brother said. "Yeah, finally cracked."

"This is....troubling news," Optimus acknowledged with a frown. If Megatron fell in battle, then there would be a power struggle within the Decepticons. "I'd better go and see him."

Soundwave eyed him as though Optimus had ill intentions but the fake Seeker meant it. Starscream was definitely started to let power get to him, would this spill over to the Autobots?

He hoped not. At the very least he hoped they would at least use common sense.

"He would be at the medbay, right?" Optimus asked the blue mech who stared at him for a moment, analysing if the current seeker would do something foolish.

"Affirmative. Follow." Soundwave ordered and headed to the medbay.

Optimus on the other hand, followed the cassette host down the hall and as they walked. Two similar seekers appeared.

"Screamer! Finally! Why weren't you... Wait where are you going?" Skywarp asked, he didn't like that Optimus was following Soundwave.

"To the medbay to see Megatron," Optimus answered and both Skywarp and Thundercracker shifted uncomfortably.

"Is something the matter?" he questioned, seeing their awkwardness and wondering if something had happened.

"Um...," Skywarp mumbled, giving Soundwave a side-eye. "We just need to talk...about stuff....trine stuff."

"Hmm, can it wait until after I've seen Megatron or is it urgent?" Optimus probed, trying to gauge what the problem was.

"It...it can probably wait until after," Thundercracker admitted, giving Skywarp a nudge as he fidgeted. "Uh...Prime really injured Megatron."

"So I've heard," Optimus confirmed, thinking this was something to do with Starscream. He definitely needed to talk with them once he'd seen the grey warlord.

"It's not pretty." Thundercracker told him and added. "We will be right behind you."

"I don't mind the company," Optimus said and the trine now followed Soundwave.

Arriving at the medbay. The room became silent upon their arrival. Optimus noticed Megatron lying in a berth further in the room, connected to tubes and cables that monitored his vitals. But what was so horrible to watch was the massive hole in his chest, it seemed to be covered, but the scars were noticeable. The warlord was also missing his right arm as Soundwave told him where his fusion canon was.

Hook stormed over to the group in an instant. "Weapons! Hand them over, now Starscream."

Optimus was shocked that the medic would request that he would hand over his weapons, but knowing the former seeker, maybe this was for the best. Starscream after all, seemed to hate Megatron with passion.

"Very well." Optimus began by disarming his null rays.

Hook also eyed him as Soundwave had done, no doubt Starscream was inclined to refuse or at least loudly protest as he disarmed himself. Optimus's quick acceptance was out of character for the Seeker but the Prime couldn't' be bothered with keeping up the pretence at this moment. Skywarp and Thundercracker also obeyed although no one seemed to be worried about them attacking Megatron.

"Right....fine, you're clear," Hook declared, allowing the Trine to approach the Decepticon leader who onlined his optics as they neared.

"Starscream," Megatron rasped out. "Come to gloat?"

"No Megatron," Optimus said with a heavy sigh.

"No?" Megatron questioned before coughing a little, a horrible sound. "Very unlike you Starscream....you....koff....never miss an opportunity."

"This is not the time," Optimus replied firmly. "You're badly injured, the situation has begun to escalate. What are we going to do?"

"What to do? Ha! ( cough ) Don't... lie to... me, Starscream... I know you have taken.... command." Megatron said. There was nothing more tempting for the seeker to do than to try to kill him or take over command while he was in this weakened state.

"For once... I haven't." Optimus admitted before Megatron. It was a hard thing to do and an unnatural thing to do, it simply wasn't right.

Megatron shifted his attention to Soundwave and demanded. "Well? Has... he?"

"Negative," Soundwave replied automatically to how to own surprise and Megatron's that the seeker hasn't done it.

Optimus noticed Megatron's expression change from surprise to one that trying to study him, this made him a bit uncomfortable. But he couldn't help but feel sorry for the warlord. Yes, he tried to kill him many times. But Megatron at the moment was quite vulnerable.

"If you don't have any orders. Then is there anything we can do for you?"

"Give me...Prime's head in a 'cough' platter," Megatron spat out, a horrible rattling in his chest as he spoke.

"Statement, Prime has become more violent," Soundwave offered, his cassettes had told him a little of what had happened over their bond. Apart from his rage, he also felt immense confusion, the Autobot's leader had never acted in such a fashion to unarmed prisoners. A long winded lecture was the worst they could expect while imprisoned. A powerful warrior to be sure but he never went too far or delighted in causing his enemies pain.

"Hnn....he does seem....different," Megatron acknowledged slowly, brow furrowed.

"Perhaps we could...talk to him?" Optimus suggested, not sure what else to suggest. "If we carry on as we are, he is unlikely to change. Especially after this raid, we will be low on Energon and treating your and other's injuries will not help."

"Y-you sound j-just (cough) like Prime!" Megatron complained and it felt pretty odd, the Starscream he knew would never suggest such a thing.

"It's the best action to take. If we face the Autobots in our current state, you will fall." Optimus told him. From the damage he could see on Megatron, he was pretty sure that Starscream was actually aiming to kill Megatron today. "P-prime almost killed you today."

"C-concerned about... my w-well be-in-g, that is (Cough) unlike you, S-starsccream." Megatron said suspiciously as he eyed him.

"I may not agree with you, but every life deserves to live... I am indeed concerned about you." Optimus replied honestly, he wasn't sure if Megatron would survive his injuries.

The warlord stared at his seeker. Did he hear him correctly? Or have his audio receptors failed him already? The seeker sounded too much like an Autobot, and not just any Autobot. But Optimus.

Something wasn't right here, looking down at his injured body. Megatron started to laugh madly, surprising everyone in the room while looking straight at Optimus.

"Ahaha... (Cough) I don't k-now how he manage-d this, old f-friend."

Optimus froze at that, the way Megatron said it, the way he looked at him. Surely he didn't...

"So many things-s make..(Cough)...n-now," Megatron chuckled, grinning despite the pain he was in. "I t-thought you were be-behaving so oddly but....you weren't. N-not at all."

The Autobot leader didn't know what to say and his face reflected this. Megatron reached up and cupped his face.

"So c-caring, despite everything," he muttered, his rasp worse than ever.

"Don't talk," Optimus murmured, feeling strange. "Rest, try to recover your strength."

"You th-ink I wo-n't? I'm n-not ea-sily ki-lled." Megatron smirked and then looked over at Soundwave who walked closer, after seeing his leader wanted him to come over. "Soundwave, record."

This confused Soundwave and Optimus, they both looked baffled at Megatron. But Optimus now started to worry, he was sure Megatron was going to have him captured!

"S-star-s-s-cream, is her-e by now... the Le-ader of the... De-cep-ti-cons." Megatron declared in front of everyone in the medbay.

"What? You can't be serious!" Hood protested, not pleased by the new leadership.

"I am! S-sta-rsc-ream will be... in tem-po-rary command... until I can recover." Megatron explained. If Starscream thought he could win in Primes body then he would unleash hell on his forever seeker! "De-cl-are me dead... to bo-th Dece-ptico-ns and Aut-o-bots. My sur-vival will... be a secret, is... th-at un-dersto-od."

"B-but... W-hy me?" Optimus now questioned Megatron in a whisper.

"Y-you're... ex-per-ienced eno-ugh in war." Megatron pointed out, that they had been fighting for years! Why would Otpmius complain now? "Oh, and do... gi-ve P-prime the... good news, I'm sur-e he wou-ld be delight-ed."

He could not believe this, leader of the Decepticons? Second in Command had been weird enough but this?

Megatron had slumped back, chest heaving as he prepared to rest. Optimus however remained staring at him while Soundwave and Hook were completely dumbfounded at this turn of events. Thundercracker and Skywarp were equally shocked, however they somehow shook it off enough to rush forward and grab their trine leader by the upper arms.

"Uh, we'll just leave you to rest and....escort Starscream to uh...," Skywarp stammered nervously.

"Get ready to announce the news to the troops," Thundercracker added helpfully. "And...well, I guess the Autobots too."

Megatron lifted a hand slightly to wave them off, they needed no more further telling and quickly dragged Optimus away.

The trine continued to escort Optimus to his quarters. They quickly went inside and needed to talk, even more so now that Optimus had become their new leader?! It just felt so strange for both seekers and they couldn't help but worry.

Thundercracker and Skywarp closed the door behind them and looked over at Optimus who hadn't said a single word. He couldn't get Megatron out of his mind as he announced him as the new leader of the Decepticons.

"You think Megs broke him?" Skywarp asked as he walked over to the red, blue seeker, who looked to be frozen in time.

"Slag, he is." Thundercracker realized and snapped his fingers in front of the former Autobot leader. "Prime! Snap out of it."

"H-h...e h-he... k-knows." Optimus muttered. Surprised that Megatron hasn't executed him on the spot.

"Knows what?" Thundercracker asked in confusion.

"Who I am," Optimus whispered, optics wide with shock as he desperately tried to process what was going on. Why would Megatron appoint him leader of the Decepticons? It simply made no sense, especially as he had not revealed the secret to Soundwave. At times like this, he did not understand his old enemy.

"Hang on.....he knows you're Prime?" Skywarp yelped as Thundercracker gaped before exclaiming. "He can't, that's impossible!"

"But it's true," Optimus assured him. "I could see it in his optics....and he called me old friend. The game he is playing, however...I do not understand it. Why would he do this?"

"Am at a loss. If he knows you're Optimus and not Screamer. You should be dead." Skywarp said, this didn't make sense. Megatron hates him.

"I'm aware. Thus why would he want me to lead the Decepticons?" Optimus questioned. What could Megatron possibly gain by doing this? The war would just continue as it always had, but instead of fighting him. Optimus would fight Starscream.

"Maybe..." Thundercracker muttered and suddenly realised something. "Maybe because he wants you to beat Starscream. it's the only thing that makes sense."

"Yeah, you do have a point TC." Skywarp agreed.

"By realising Starscream and I have hitched places he wants me to defeat the faction I have once led? that itself sounds like madness." Optimus wasn't sure if he could take down the Autobot base. Yes, he knew everything about the Ark, but it just felt wrong to betray his friends who lived there.

"Well, from his point of view, Starscream successfully beat the scrap out of him, something that's never happened before," the blue Seeker pointed out. "Those injuries he sustained...he wants revenge. You haven't tried to sabotage the Decepticons thus far, just avoided hurting your bots. Starscream is starting to become a bit mad with power..."

"A bit?" Skywarp scoffed, kicking a loose piece of metal on the ground.

"...And you may be the only one who can deal with him right now. If Megatron recovers, it'll take a while for him to regain the strength to fight Starscream directly."

"Mmm, this is a mess," Optimus groaned, pressing his palms against his optics. "I'm supposed to lead you...how can I?"

"You led us when we made that energon machine and we didn't know you were you." Skywarp pointed out as a quick reminder.

"That is true. But that itself was a project to help everyone not to starve." Optimus admitted. He was back then motivated to help everyone on the ship and somehow he had managed to convince even the combaticons to assist him.

"How did you do that? Back then." Thundercracker questioned. How Could the leader of the Autobots be so compassionate to their enemy and now refuse to lead?

"I just wished to help. The idea of everyone here starving. It wasn't a thought I wanted to have." Optimus explained. No one deserves to go hungry, everyone should have enough energon.

"Then do that now. The Decepticons are in a really bad situation right now. So care enough to help us out of this mess." the blue seeker tried to encourage. "We will help you out in the lines. You're not alone."

Optimus stared at them for a moment before nodding. "Very well. But my responsibility towards my Autobots doesn't change, I will avoid active conflict. So I will find other ways to assist the Decepticons."

"Alright," Thundercracker agreed while Skywarp gave a short nod. It wasn’t to bad of a deal.

Chapter Text

Optimus stared at them for a moment before nodding. "Very well. But my responsibility towards my Autobots doesn't change, I will avoid active conflict. So I will find other ways to assist the Decepticons."

"Alright," Thundercracker agreed while Skywarp gave a short nod. It wasn’t to bad of a deal.

"I believe we should focus on producing our own Energon," Optimus declared. "Of course, I will need to address the troops… Hmm, I better talk to Soundwave first."

"You're not gonna tell him?" Skywarp said in disbelief.

"No but as of right now, he's technically second in command," Optimus explained. "And I need him on my side, so I will discuss my plans with him."

"Right, before you go." Skywarp interrupted and quickly added. "We talked to screamer before he tried to kill megs."

"Really? What did he say?" Optimus asked curiously, wondering what they had talked about.

"A few things. but he kind of doesn't want to give up your body yet." the purple seeker informed him.

"This is troubling. I always hold myself back at the raids, realising my strength could harm others." Optimus informed them as he looked down at his light blue hands, then looked back at the two seekers. "He doesn't care does he?"

"No, he's loving the extra strength," Thundercracker huffed. "He's never been as powerful as some of the heavy hitters, he always relied on his speed and expertise in the air. Suddenly gaining so much power...it's gone to his head."

"That is troubling," Optimus said heavily. "Initially it seemed he was managing, I thought he was improving as a Mech....but what he did to Megatron, what he did to the twins..."

"Huh, Soundwave's brats?" Skywarp questioned. "What happened?"

"He tormented them during their imprisonment," Optimus explained grimly. "Kept them in a cage, gave them as toys to the Dinobots...who weren't gentle."

"Yikes," the purple Seeker winced, that did not sound fun at all.

"Indeed. I will need to speak with Starscream in private." Optimus told them. He would send a message that he wanted to meet with him.

"I wouldn't advise it. Starscream's goal is to end the war by any means necessary, and rule Cybertron." Thundercracker warned. It would be a bad idea to meet the former seeker now as he would no doubt take advantage of the situation.

"I agree with TC. Screamer won't attack you while you are in his body, but he has no problem attacking the rest of us." Skywarp pointed out as his voice shook with worry.

"I see, we will need a battle strategy ageist him." Optimus admitted. The best way to was to outplay Starscream and with the seekers hunger for power, it left him with an opening.

"We need a good one." Skywarp said.

"Yes, we do. I believe Soundwave might be of some help with that." Optimus walkout out from his room, looking for the blue mech. Thundercracker and Skywarp followed right behind him.

"How can he help?" Skywarp questioned. "Or better yet why?"

"After what happened to his cassettes, he will desire to do something, " Optimus explained. "And he's still loyal to Megatron, he won't want a repeat of what happened today. I believe he will cooperate with us, especially if we don't throw our weight around."

"So you don't want to make big changes?" Thundercracker probed, the real Starscream would already be reeling off what he planned to do. Including decorating the throne room.

"I believe more subtle changes will serve us best, there will be less resistance," Optimus confirmed. When a new leader was put in place, three was always an adjustment period, Optimus wanted this to go as smoothly as possible.

"You're not wrong," the blue Seeker mused as they searched out Soundwave, finally finding him in the communications room.

"We're here." Optimus announced as he knocked at the door.

It opened instantly and Soundwave stared back at them. "Query: What is going on?"

"We need to discuss our future plan against the... Autobots." Optimus confirmed, it was so strange to say those words. But it was even stranger that he would now need to take down Starscream who acted as the leader of the Autobots.

"Agreed." Soundwave stepped to the side, letting the seekers enter his office.

"Thank you." Optimus walked in and it seemed he was right about the blue mech, he didn't need much convising at all. And added. "One of my biggest concerns is that we need to be independent with our energon."

"What? Aren't we all ready?" Skywarp questioned confused at the statement.

"We are not. We're dependent on humans and their energy plants, which, the Autobots have full control over." Optimus explained and continued. "We will need to create energon here at our base, if we can solve this issue. The Autobots will have no right to attack us unless they wish to attack our base, in which I doubt that they would."

Soundwave inclined his head, their base was far more secure than the Autobots. Attacking the Nemesis would cost the Autobots a lot, which is why they'd never attempted it. The occasional mission to enter it perhaps, but even then, they'd never penetrated as often as the Cons had to the Ark.

"What if Prime tries to anyway?" Skywarp asked uneasily, Starscream was more acquainted with this base and could probably work out a better attack than the other Autobots. "He is more...um..unstable lately."

"He might be but there's been no change in his officers," Optimus acknowledged. "I cannot see them agreeing, not when it puts so many lives at risk."

"Suggestion, cassettes could keep an optic on situation?" Soundwave spoke up, though he didn't plan to send his twins any time soon.

"They could, as long as they can avoid the new security, " Optimus cautioned, he didn't want to risk Starscream tormenting anyone else.

"Affirmative." Soundwave nodded. He wanted nothing more to keep his children safe and the most careful of them all was Laserbeak.

"Good, my next step is to give the constructicon's to an important tasks for the base." Optimus declared and hoped that the construction would be up for the task.

"Important task? What is so important that they need to do?" Skywarp questioned, wondering what Optimus was thinking.

"The task is for them to build an underwater propeller that will generate electricity to the ship that we can later change into energon cubes." Optimus explained his plans for the Decepticon cause. "We will, at last, be independent on energon."

"We'll have to gather a lot of material for that," Thundercracker pointed out. "It won't be easy."

"You're right and it will take time," Optimus agreed calmly as Soundwave turned his head curiously to him. The normally hot-headed Seeker was acting calmly and level-headed. Had being given command tempered his previous personality? Then again, Starscream had been a little strange for a while now...

"We will need everyone on board for this, to accomplish this as quickly as possible," Optimus continued matter-of-factly. "It probably won't go unnoticed by the Autobots so we'll need to be prepared for that too."

"Hey," Skywarp piped up "so if we do get this done...we won't be fighting the Bots right?"

"Correct," Optimus agreed, he would very much like that.

"Gonna be weird for a lot of Mechs not fighting anymore," the black and purple Seeker mused.

"I imagine it will be. But we will still have conflicts with the Autobots, unless we can come into some agreement." Optimus stated.

"Right... that won't happen anytime soon." Skywarp said, knowing what screamer would want and that Optimus might not agree with.

"Then the fighting continues." Optimus agreed, was there a chance that he could end this war peacefully? He wasn't sure and with Starscream's recent development, it might be unlikely. "Let's call the troops to inform of the news."

"We can wait until tomorrow if you want, Starscream." Thundercracker asked kindly. "You're still recovering."

"I'm fine. It's for the best to inform everyone soon as possible. We need to get started on the two tasks at hand."

"As you command," Soundwave declared, standing up. "I will call a meeting."

"Thank you Soundwave," Optimus told him warmly. "Megatron's....death will come as a shock. I suppose he knows what he's doing."

"He does need time to recover," Thundercracker pointed out. "This will prevent anyone trying to destroy him while vulnerable. He'll need fuel though."

"If my plan succeeds, he'll have it and so will everyone," Optimus told them. He wondered, would success convince Megatron they did not have to fight? If Optimus got his body back, would Megatron be willing to negotiate? It was perhaps too optimistic to think so but surely there was a small hope he would consider it. Near death experiences could do funny things to a bot.

He wasn't so sure Starscream would get on so well back in his proper body if Megatron did recover though. The grey Mech would be out for revenge, that was a given. And despite some of the things Starscream had done recently, Optimus did not want to see him slaughtered

Maybe he could convince Megatron when the time could come to let Starscream be locked away at Cybertron's elite prisons? Those prisons would lock the body and sparks into stasis while they were still conscious. A terrible fate, but there was no other choice.

"Let's go then. It would be best to meet everyone at the throne room." Thundercracker suggested, but knowing the troops he felt a little nervous as most wouldn't take kindly to the news.

"Of course." Optimus and the two seekers then made their way towards the throne room and Optimus didn't like said throne in the cockpit. Yes, he had the right to sit there now, but it just felt wrong.

After a while, of waiting, soon the troops started to gather in the room and most looked beaten from their fight with the Autobots.

"I have called you all here to break some important news." Optimus began, but how would he break the news? "Megatron... is dead, right before he passed away in the medbay. He announced me... as his successor. "

As expected, there was a shocked silence then the room exploded into pandemonium. There were cries of disbelief, outrage, confusion, it was utter chaos. Optimus gave them a moment to process it, anyone would be shocked at such news.

Finally, Soundwave let out a blast of noise to quieten things down and it worked. Still, Astrotrain still demanded.

"How do we know this is true? That Screamer isn't lying?"

"S-star-s-s-cream, is her-e by now... the Le-a-der of the... De-cep-ti-cons."

Megatron's voice came from Soundwave's speakers, causing a cold silence to fall. the twins huddled at their creators legs, looking frightened.

"It is true," the cassette carrier stated coolly. "Starscream is our leader now."

"And he has our support," Thundercracker added, he and Skywarp flaring their wings beside their trine leader.

Optimus smiled at that, at least he wasn't alone and had allies. Shifting his attention back to the troops before him.

"I understand everyone's concern about the choice Megatron made. But I assure everyone that my goals will benefit all of us."

"Lies! You always try to benefit yourself, Starscream!" Astrotrain shouted in outrage. "How do we know that you won't use our resources for personal gain!"

"Of course, I too have made mistakes in the past." Optimus admitted and everyone in the room huffed at that. But he imagined that Starscream's list might be longer than he would like to know. And added. "As Leader."

"Here it comes again." Swindel groaned. No doubt the seeker already has a long list already prepared.

"I have one important tasks to entrust to Constructicon's for our future." Optimus pointed out and looked at the builder mechs.

They looked surprised but also a little resigned. Perhaps they imagined he wished them to build him a more impressive throne. He felt weird enough with the current one.

"We need to invest in more Energon producing facilities," Optimus announced, to the immense surprise of almost all there. "We cannot do anything without Energon, but constantly fighting to steal it is getting us nowhere."

Looking briefly at his stunned troops, his attention went back to the Constructicons.

"We need your expertise, in designing and sourcing what we need to achieve this," he said seriously. "Our machine was only the start."
---------------
Note: Hi, the story is still in working progress.
More will come.
I hope you all enjoyed it so far.

Chapter Text

Starscream hummed a short song as he came out of his personal shower, feeling refreshed. Sadly he didn't have time to return to Shara's lab to continue on her project after he defeated Megatron once and for all.

"That fool. I doubt he will survive his wounds." Starscream said smugly as he sat down on his bed and looked down at his data-pad at the report.

A shame he hadn't been able to kill Megatron there and then but he'd still take it as a resounding victory if word of Megatron's death reached the Autobots. He'd thoroughly humiliated the slagger, it was the best revenge.

And the senile old fool didn't even know who'd really defeated him.

"Hah," he chuckled to himself, remembering the congratulations he'd received from his troops. They had no problem lavishing praise on their leader, which he'd humbly accepted. It was funny, the more he denied, the more some of them insisted he'd done a fine job. All he needed to do was mention the efforts of the others and he was even more adored.

Such a rewarding experience, unlike the Decepticons who'd be questioning his every action. And it was curious but a lot of Autobots sought his touch. Bumblebee pressed against his hip, eagerly accepting a warm hand on his back, Ironhide would clasp his hand, Jazz insisted on a weird 'fist bump', Wheeljack would clap him on the back...the list went in.

Without his beloved wings, touches did come more easily to his back plating plus he didn't have to worry about being knifed. Even the humans looked for a pet on the head.

It was as if everyone was addicted to Prime's presence or the very least his attention. They all wanted to please him in a job well done and most of them wouldn't mind it either.

"That foolish Prime. He didn't know what he commanded." Starscream smirked. Besides, he has used the Autobots much more effectively than Prime.

If a task was too complicated or too dangerous, it had to be paid but a very capable Autobot group would assist. the work he does with Shara is for free, but that will benefit him greatly in the long run. the human maybe could also serve in other ways as for available repair parts.

Tomorrow would prove interesting. The first thing he would do was to call the Nemesis, just to check that that old bucket truly was dead. But in the meantime, he would have a good night's rest.

He settled onto with a sigh, he certainly deserved it.

However, sleep was not as peaceful as it should have been.

He found himself in a circle of light, surrounded by tall shadows and glowing optics. In annoyance, he realised the Primes had decided to bother him again.

"What now?" He demanded of their ghostly forms. "If you don't mind, I'm trying to get some rest after my victory."

"Victory?" One of them scoffed, eying him with scorn

"Yes, victory," he shot back. "After I finally defeated that old fool Megatron once and for all. He's for the scrapheap!"

"So we have seen." another Prime said and suddenly the background changed into the powerplant where Starscream used Megatron's own fusion cannon against him, Shooting repeatedly.

"Not a very merciful Prime, are you?" the first Prime sneered in disapproval.

"Here we go again." Starscream facepalmed and looked at the prime. "Megatron deserved every bit of pain he experienced for all the abuse he treated me with. Besides with him gone, Cybertron can finally be restored."

"Not restore, conquered by you." the same Prime revealed.

The background once more changed with a restored Cybertron in a golden age and a luxurious palace. Inside was a large golden throne with Starscream sitting in it and servants on their knees, happily serving and presenting energon and credits to him.

Starscream blinked, a little disconcerted by the change of background, but the new scene was even more pleasant than the previous. He did look rather magnificent on that throne, with so many devoted followers surrounding him. It was difficult not to become lost in such an image, but the looming presence of the Primes was hard to fully ignore.

"Well, what is so bad about that?" he wanted to know, gesturing at the scene in question. "Everyone looks happy."

"Surely you know by now, looks can be deceiving," one of the Prime's commented on.

"Bah, I wouldn't do anything bad," Starscream scoffed, why did they have to be such spoilsports? "You think Megatron would be better? Hah, he'd have them all in chains. He's always been so desperate to put others in their place."

"And who would say that you wouldn't?" one of the Primes questioned him.

"Really now? Why wouldn't I even bother with such things when all I can simply have them follow me willingly?" Starscream replied, wishing to have this meeting over with.

"Optimus crew is more than eager to take my comans and evermore of them whies to be praised in return. They want to kneel, why should I stop them?"

"Blind loyalty doesn't mean freedom." Another Prime shouted from the back.

"But it does means order. Cybertron will be ruled much easier this way." the seeker pointed out, all he had to do was to make sure everyone had a job, a place to call home and enough enegron to keep his people happy and no one would mind his tactics in the shadows.

"And if anyone opposes you?" Someone wanted to know, it sounded like a femme.

"I'll take care of it," Starscream waved away the question. Of course, someone would complain, some people were never satisfied. "What does it matter, this is in the future. Only the Decepticons oppose me and I know why and can deal with it."

He wondered what his former comrades would do if Megatron was dead. There'd probably be a scramble for positions, some Mechs would want to gain a higher position in the hierarchy. Who would succeed? Could Prime keep control of the situation?

The primes exchanged looks with each other, or were they talking? It was hard to tell.

"Let's say you do end the war. What about Optimus? He is the true rightful Prime, not you." the same femme reminded the seeker.

"As you are all aware, I don't know how long I will be stuck with his body. Of course, I would like to return to my own once everything is settled." Starscream insured, he did miss the sky greatly. And added. "Optimus will be spared so long as he follows though my plan."

"And if he doesn't?" another large and very dark Prime questioned.

"Well... I don't mind keeping him a prisoner." Starscream simply stated.

This caused dark mutterings among the gathered Primes.

"He is more reasonable than Megatron," Starscream continued thoughtfully. "It shouldn't need to come to that."

"You're sure about that," someone said sarcastically, causing Starscream to shoot them a glare.

"Instead of complaining, why don't you offer a solution?" He demanded, pointing an accusing finger. "Such as regaining my rightful body!"

Once again the Prime's shared a look of uneasiness and disappointment. The big white-coloured Prime stepped forward, one could believe he was a holy person by how much white glowed around his body. At his back rested a large sword.

"We already tried to send you back when you first switched places," Prima stated, his blue optics looking down at Starscream.

"What? And you tell me this now?!" The seeker was astounded by the news.

What did this mean? The Primes were legendary! The first ever made on Cybertron and gifted with abilities beyond anyone's imagination by Primus to defeat Unicron. But if they didn't have the power to send him back, did this mean he was truly stuck as Optimus Prime forever?

"Clearly you must have miscalculated. Try again." He persisted.

"We have tried," the white Prime replied with a hint of frustration, his optics very pensive. "There is something anchoring your sparks in your current bodies."

"How can that be?" Starscream demanded, outraged and also rather worried. If they couldn't solve this, who could? "A mere human is more powerful than you?"

"We do not believe this is a mere human," the white Prime replied as other murmured agreement. "Or even human. But we don't know what they are."

"Fantastic," groaned the Seeker, throwing his arms up in vexation. "That's just great, you've no idea how to solve this."

"Not by our knowledge," Prima admitted, looking rather defeated.

"Perhaps your friends might have a solution." The large dark Prime with a fusion conon stepped forward. His red optics looked behind the seeker where three new figures Appeared.

Starscream turned around and saw, his trine mates Skywarp, Thundercracker and the last person was a shuttle he rather not speak too. "Them? What would they know about switching bodies?!"

"Surely your Trine wants you back. And as for the shuttle, he might help you if you asked him." the dark Prime pointed out.

"Ask? Him?" Starscream scoffed grumpily. "My Trine is one thing, that shuttle is quite another. He betrayed me!"

"Did he?" the Prime who looked weirdly similar to Megatron questioned with a raised brow.

"Yes, didn't you see him?" Starscream snapped, the resemblance putting him on edge and he didn't like it. And added.

"I rescued him from the ice, I vouched for him, I offered him the chance to be second in command and what did he do? Joined my enemies."

"Has he ever offered you harm?" another Prime asked.

"Physically? No, but everything else he's done," Starscream began hotly but the scene changed. Suddenly, there was an alien sky and two fliers soaring through it. Starscream scowled as he recognised himself and Skyfire from a long ago expedition.

"This changes nothing." the seeker said stubbornly. They were friends in the past. But Skyfire chose his side.

"How about we discuss the moment you shot him? Hmm, sounds quite the day wouldn't you agree?" Liege Maximo said. This Prime looked quite slim and his paint job was greenish, and he had a pair of horns coming out from his head.

Starscream was about to snap back, but suddenly, the environment changed once again. The familiar cold snow appeared and a large green crystal along with a few Autobots who were about to get executed. Skyfire refused to take the shot and Starscream watched the memory as he shot Skyfire and the Autobots.

"I wouldn't say that Skyfire betrayed you, yes he refused to follow orders." Liege Maximo stated and walked awfully close to the seeker as he smirked and pointed at him. Added. "You betrayed your friend. All this happened because of you."

Now the scene switched to when Skyfire joined the Autobot and fought on their side.

"I no longer serve you," Skyfire declared heatedly to a furious Megatron. "I am an Autobot!"

And with a dramatic flourish, he tore the Decepticon symbol from his b*** only to replace it with an Autobot one. Starscream scowled but then Skyfire took hold of Megatron, easily lifting the grey Mech and bodily tossing him away. He roared with fury as he crashed into the snow and ice, thoroughly humilating.

"Well...that bit was pretty funny," Starscream had to admit, served the old slagger right. "He could have done that for me."

"He rejected Megatron's leadership," Liege Maximo pointed out. "And he could not be a Decepticon so he became an Autobot. It was not about betraying you."

This Prime had a very good point and Starscream hated it because it was true. Skyfire hadn't betrayed him, but he had left him. But how could Skyfire possibly help him? That shuttle knew nothing about spark switching and, since, something was keeping him stuck at Optimus's body, there was no telling when he would return to his original.

"I think about it," Starscream said, somewhat still bitter to his old friend for leaving him. At that moment. Starscream noticed the Primes started to fade and not just them, everything.

"Time to rise." Liege Maximo smiled. He and the other Primes walked away.

Starscream woke up well rested, he sat up and wondered if he should seek out Skyfire as the Primes suggested.

"Urgh," he grumbled, stretching some of his joints out. At least the Prime's visit hadn't caused him any bodily issues, he wanted to be fresh for the new day.

Was Optimus going to get in contact? Surely he would, Megatron's death must have caused an upset? He supposed he'd give the Prime a chance to get organised before he attempted communications himself.

"I suppose speaking with Skyfire wouldn't hurt," he mumbled to himself, getting up and moving towards the door. He was very dubious the Shuttle would be able to help but perhaps talking about it would help. The situation was still an odd one.

First things first though, breakfast.

Starscream headed to the rec-room as usual to grab some energon. there were a few crew members there that greeted him and Starscream smiled back while waving his hand at them. Once he finished his breakfast. Starscream headed over to Skyfire’s lab and was now standing outside the room.

He wondered if would Skyfire help him. That shuttle had somehow figured out the truth and was ready to blackmail him if needed. He knocked at the door and shortly it opened to reveal the white shutte.

"Prime, is there something I can help you with?" Skyfire questioned gently.

"There is, may I come inside?" the former seeker asked. Starscream watched as Skyfire stepped to the side, letting him in. and added.

"Thank you. I will get to it. I need your help to solve my current condition."

Skyfire blinked at him in mild surprise, he hadn't expected that. Slowly he said.

"You mean....being in the wrong body?"

"Yes, exactly," Starscream confirmed. "I'm a little dubious you can but...well, I must exhaust all options."

It was certainly a big ask, Skyfire was not aware of anything like this happening before. Especially as Starscream and Optimus Prime had not even been in the same location when the switch occurred. Trying to reverse such a thing was a monumental task. But he could not call himself a scientist if he gave up without even trying.

"It wasn't easy," Skyfire admitted softly. "But I will do my best. Have you talked to Optimus about this?"

"I haven't. But I have talked to my trine and they are also trying to find a solution to this issue." Starscream admitted. Maybe he should call Optimus and ask him about it later after the call. First, he would need to know the status of the Decepticons and how they are holding up.

"And what did they suggest?" Skyfire asked.

"Skywarp suggested finding the human who did this in the first place. That itself would be problematic, all humans look the same." Starscream complained. He didn't have time to go on a treasure hunt to find one human.

"And Thundercracker?" the former friend questioned curiously.

"He proposed that we exchange sparks." Starscream replied. It wasn't a bad idea, but it came with it own issues as in who would perform the Procedure.

"Hmm," Skyfire said thoughtfully. "Thundercracker's suggestion may be the best one, I suspect it would not be feasible to find the human that did this. They are a numerous species."

"Tell me about it," Starscream huffed, they appeared to swarm all over the place and so primitive. Well, not so primitive that they didn't have handy power stations and interesting vehicles, he had to give them that. "But exchanging sparks? That's risky as Pit."

"It is, which is why I'd have to research it as thoroughly as possible," Skyfire confirmed, it was rather daunting. "Although..."

"What?" Starscream demanded to know, narrowing his optics at the shuttle.

"I'm not a Medic," Skyfire admitted. "A project of this nature could really do with Ratchet's expertise."

"No! We can't tell anyone about this, I came to you. The whole point is to keep my identity a secret. If Ratchet knows. I will lose my power over the Autobots." Starscream pointed out. he wasn't about to let that happen anytime soon.

Why must everyone suggest the medic? Ratchet is one of the most skilled medics there are, everything would go down to the pit. The Autobot would no doubt tell the others or demand something in return. it wouldn't be worth it.

"It will take time if I am to research this alone," Skyfire replied. where would he get this knowledge? it would be strange if he walked to Ratchet and asked about it, the medic would ask questions.

"Then use Teletran-one. That oversized computer knows everything." Starscream implied.

"Very well, but I'll need to find a good reason to be researching this," Skyfire pointed out. "Bots may ask questions or Teletran may flag it up as suspicious."

"I'll make sure you've got clearance," Starscream said shortly, he did not want the likes of Prowl getting wind of what was going on. "Just be discreet."

"I shall endeavour to do so," the shuttle promised. "You'll let me know about Optimus?"

"Yes, yes, I'll get in contact with him," Starscream huffed while considering his next move. It probably would be prudent to hail the Nemesis, try to glean what was going on.

"I need to go. It's about time I call the Nemesis for an update." Starscream informed as he walked out of the room.

Skyfire followed him right behind and asked. "I heard you injured Megatron. What do you hope to gain?"

"Everything. If Megatron is dead what would that mean." Starscream questioned as they walked towards the main hall.

"For one, the war would be over," Skyfire answered. It would be nice to go back to the old days when peace was real.

"Not unless someone else takes command of the Decepticons. Optimus better be smart enough to do just that or everything will be ruined." Starscream replied and walked over to Teletran-one. He pressed a few buttons and waited.

"Calling the Nemesis," Teletrain-one replied, followed by a beeping noise.

Skyfire stood close behind him, curious how this would go. The call was answered by a stern looking Soundwave.

"Query, what is the purpose of call?" The blue boom box inquired coldly.

With a cold smile behind his mask, Starscream said simply. "Is Megatron there?"

Soundwave regarded him icily for a moment before saying. "Starscream will speak with you?"

"Very well," Starscream agreed, this sounded promising.

A short while later, the disguised Prime appeared on the monitor.

"Hello there, Prime." Optimus greeted, it was strange to say his own title to the seeker.

"Starscream, I called to gain some news. How is Megatron?" Starscream asked curiously. That bucket-head better not have survived his injuries. But if he has, then he better think fast of a plan B to take him out.

"I regret to inform you that Megatron is indeed dead. Hook tried to treat his injuries, but his wounds were too great." Optimus informed. Thundercracker and Skywarp had warned him that screamer would call and it seemed they were right.

"How unfortunate. I take it you have taken command of the Decepticons as your right as second in command." Starscream asked as he beamed in delight over the news. Megatron was finally dead! The peace of scrap-head that has tormented him for years, is gone!

"Yes, Megatron named me as his successor before he passed," Optimus said gravely. "I am the Decepticon leader now."

Despite his glee, Starscream stared in some disbelief at Optimus.

"Truly? He named you leader?" He demanded, while thinking it was absolutely typical Megatron finally appreciated him when he wasn't there.

"He did, Soundwave witnessed it," Optimus confirmed, gesturing at the silent stern Mech. "Speaking of, this is a matter I must discuss with you. Concerning your treatment of prisoners. "

"My treatment of prisoners?" Starscream repeated the question. What did Optimus mean?

"It has come to my attention that you have been harsh towards your prisoners," Optimus told him. Harsh was putting it mildly from what Rumble and Frenzy had told him.

"We would never abuse our prisoners. You know this." Starscream played along. Did those cassettes rat him out?! Well, it wouldn't have been the first time.

"That Is the Autobot rules." Optimus agreed and added. "The twins were good hosts. The Dinobot were not."

Soundwave glowered while Skyfire frowned, what had happened?

"Well, I'll need to speak with them," Starscream replied with a slight shrug, he still thought it was hilarious. Surely Prime should appreciate what he'd done after those little runts had caused so much chaos for the Autobots?

"Perhaps you should not put prisoners in their care in future," Optimus said pointedly. "Is Prowl not normally in charge of prisoners?"

"He is but I saw no reason to trouble him over them," the disguised Seeker replied, ignoring the dirty looks Soundwave was still giving him. He might wear a mask and visor but Starscream knew him well enough to judge when he was being given certain looks. "I oversaw their imprisonment."

"Then you were aware of their treatment from the Dinobots. You should have stepped in and switched guards." Optimus Scolded.

"Yes, yes. I will deal with it later." Starscream huffed. He had no time to waste on the cassettes treatment, it was their own fault that they did get captured. And added.

"I was hoping to speak with you about the war. I hope that we can put an end to it peacefully, begging with your surrender."

Normally, Optimus would have accepted such an offer. But knowing Starscream, himself. There was a risk that he didn't want to take with the seeker. Starscream was always devious, surely he must be planning something behind those words of peaceful surrender.

"I will think about it," Optimus replied. Now if Prowl was in charge, he would have gladly surrendered peacefully as the police officer would have kept his promise.

"What? Aren't you eager to end the war?" Starscream asked in disbelief. Why would Prime deny his offer?

"I am, but it's not solely my decision," Optimus said solemnly as Soundwave looked at him.

"Of course it is, you're the leader," Starscream exclaimed, why wasn't the overgrown lug jumping on this opportunity?

"Yes but this affects everyone under my command," Optimus explained calmly, it was hard to imagine the Decepticons simply accepting a surrender just like that. "I need to ask how they feel about it. Also, I would require details as to how we would be treated if we did surrender."

"If you do not delay, you will be treated well," Starscream said, trying to persuade him.

"Then I will try not to delay. But for now, I still need to discuss such matters with the others." Optimus replied. Thinking maybe having an open meeting with the crew of the Nemesis would be the best option.

"Of course, but I wouldn't put my faith in them if I were you." Starscream smiled annoyed at Prime's decision.

"And why shouldn't I?" Optimus asked, wondering what Starscream was referring to.

"I'm sure you're aware that the Decepticons, by this point would rather die in battle than rather surrender." the former seeker informed. But there was little he could do to change Optimus's mind. What else would Prime want if not, please?

"If that's truly the case, ordering them to surrender will not work," Optimus pointed out reasonably. He suspected Starscream was not wrong but on the other hand, the same could be said for his Autobots. The Decepticons were certainly in a precarious position, if the majority surprised him and voted to surrender, he'd do his best to ensure they were treated fairly.

"Why don't I call you later today with an answer?" Optimus offered, surely the Seeker could wait that long?

"Hmm, fine," Starscream grumbled, he supposed a few hours wouldn't make a difference. At least he still had the upper hand. "But don't keep me waiting too long."

"I will not," Optimus said calmly, signing off. Turning, he found Soundwave regarding him curiously.

"We need a crew meeting," Optimus told him. He then went ahead and called Thundercracker and Skywarp over.

// I need you both over here. Starscream wishes for me to surrender. // Optimus sent

// Don't worry we are on our way. // Skywarp sent

"As you wish." blue mech nodded, before he went to work to send out a message through the ship for a crew gathering meeting.

Skywarp warped himself and Thundercracker to the room within minutes of receiving the message. The Blue seeker asked. "We're here! How bad did it go?"

"Yeah! Were there any demands?" Skywarp asked, wondering what had happened so far.

"No demands per say," Optimus told them. "He just told me he's looking for a peaceful solution."

"Seriously?" Skywarp said in disbelief. "And what did you say?"

"That I needed to speak with the men before I can give an answer," the Prime said simply. "I'd do the same with my bots."

"Glad you didn't just agree, how long do we have?" Skywarp questioned and Optimus told him 'a few hours'.

"The men won't be happy," Thundercracker said seriously. "I can't see any of them agreeing but if we can't produce Energon, things will get desperate. And Starscream won't be as 'gracious' if he has to force a surrender"

"If it wasn't for our situation. I would have accepted the offer. But I do not trust that Starscream would keep his word." Optimus explained. Starscream had a history of backstabbing Megatron, who would say that the former seeker wouldn't do that to him.

"Hard to say if he would." Skywarp agreed.

"Either way, let's inform the other before, He calls us back," Thundercracker replied, and pointed at the door.

Optimus followed right behind the two seekers. He wasn't sure how the Decepticons crew would react to the news. Starscream did mention that, they would rather fight than surrender. This is going to become complicated.

"What's going on Starscream?" Thrust demanded to know as they entered the room, the gathered Cons looking curious about the new meeting.

"I received a call from the Autobot Prime," Optimus stated immediately and this caused an outbreak of muttering.

"What did that fragger want?" Ramjet questioned with a heavy frown.

"He knows of Megatron's death and has offered us a chance to surrender," Optimus replied without preamble and the room exploded. Among the outraged cries, Optimus's saw the twins huddling fearfully against their carrier. As he looked at them, Frenzy whispered. "You ain't gonna say yes, are you?"

"Not unless everyone here wishes it," Optimus reassured soothingly. "Which I highly doubt will be the case."

"Do we look like we want to surrender to him?" Swindle sneered. He and his bother all frowned at the very idea.

"How about a vote then?" Optimus asked. This would be the easiest way to fix this conflict. And added. "Raise your hand up and if you wish to surrender other wise be as you are."

There wasn't much surprise as none of the Decepticons raised their hands in favour of surrendering. Right, Now would come the complicated part. Their shortage of Energon.

"I believe I have my answer. We won't be surrendering to the Autobots." Optimus declared openly and continued as he eyed the constructicon's.

"Hook, I need you and your brothers to focus all their energy on building Energon machines. Use our first prototype with the magnets generator to build a better version as quickly as possible."

"You got it boss," the medic nodded with his brothers' agreement.

"What now?" Onslaught asked and there were murmurs of agreement.

"The Autobots will call back at some point demanding our answer," Optimus told them. "They won't be happy and will probably see us in a weakened position to attack. They may start preparing their forces, I wish to anticipate that. So as well as energy production, we will focus on our defences. We must bring ourselves back to an even footing with the Autobots if we wish to avoid being wiped out."

He saw their looks and carried on. "I know you'd rather attack but our survival is the most important thing here. We must gain our strength back otherwise we'll end up in their Brig. And we do not want our fate in their hands."

"What would we need to do? Guard each exit point of the ship?" Ramjet questioned.

"For now that is exactly what we will need to do as the turrets need time to come online as they are currently offline." Optimus agreed and looked at his troops who didn't seem to like the idea.

"We would be split up from each other! How would that be efficient?" Onslaught argued, wouldn't it make more sense to fight together?

"We need to protect the whole ship and unlike the Ark, which has only one entrance. This ship has several which makes it more complicated." Optimus cleared up in explanation. He could at least understand their frustration with this plan. And added. "If we can't guard all the points, then we need at least plant traps."

"Starscream, raises good point," Soundwave spoke up, slightly surprising Optimus but he was glad for the support. "Suggestion; chose best exits to guard, b*** trap remaining. Our troops will be less separated."

"That would help strengthen our defences," Optimus concurred, giving Soundwave a nod. "I believe some surveillance of those blocked areas would be essential, in case the Autobots managed to force their way through the blockades and traps."

Turning back to the troops, he said. "I will need anyone with engineer skills to help work out the best exits to block off and which would be more disastrous if breached. I'll also need an accurate map of the base.

"I can help with that." Swindle said proudly as he sub-spaced out a blueprint of the Nemesis. "Of course, it will cost a small free."

Everyone in the room started to groan and yell at the yellow, purple mech, including his brother. Swindel however, just shrugged it off as he held the map and added. "Can't blame me for trying."

"We certainly can!! And a time like this?! Our survival depends on that map and you wish to be greedy about it!!" Brawl yelled at his brother in irritation.

"We don't need his map!" Frenzy suddenly pointed out. He and Rumble walked over to Starscream with eager determination.

"Yeah! We have explored every part of this ship! We know it better than anyone." Rumble replied confidently.

"Excellent," Optimus complimented and they preened under his praise. "Why don't you take a look at those blueprints and judge their accuracy, edit it if necessary. And include any notes on how you would infiltrate if you were an enemy."

"You got it," Rumble said eagerly, pleased that their expertise was being taken seriously.

"Whoever thinks they could create some effective means of pushing the Autobots back can report to me," Optimus now said, anxious to ensure that none of the traps were too fatal. "We must make sure we do not accidentally blow ourselves up, keep that in mind."

"Oh! Can I use my masterpieces? Please can I?" Skywarp begged Optimus who in turn looked confused.

"I do not understand." Optimus along with everyone seemed, puzzled at the purple seeker.

"My pranks, Screamer. I have so many! Technically they are harmless and would be an excellent trap of annoyance." Skywarp chuckled in amusement and looked at the false seeker with puppy dog optics.

"Very well, but-" Before Optimus could even finish. Skywarp was already gone in a flash.

"That might not end well." Thundercracker said in concern. Sure Skywarps pranks were harmless, but the seeker might boobytrap the home Nemesis.

"A bit of damage control would be good," Optimus sighed, a few pranks weren't a bad idea but it would be easy to go overboard. "Thundercracker, can you try to contain his enthusiasm?"

"I'll do my best," the blue Seeker said dubiously, once his trine mate got going, it was hard to control him. And Optimus wasn't likely to beat him like Megatron would if he went too far.

"Just...get him to focus on certain areas " Optimus offered as a suggestion.

When Optimus turned his attention to the crew, they were already looking at the blueprints and the areas the cassette twins had marked. Everyone seemed to be discussing different ways to secure the sites.

"Everyone has their tasks, go ahead and prepare the base. We don't have much time." Optimus told them. Hoping that Starscream wouldn't attack the Nemesis. But the former seeker might not like them resisting him, this was a risk.

"We know! We're heading out right away." Ramjet said as his team had already chosen what site to guard and headed out.

"Yepp, we're getting going too," Brawl informed, before he told his brothers to get a move on.

In the end, everyone slowly chose a site and headed out. It was a relief that the Decepticon crew didn't argue much with him and did as they were told. If only they could work like this with the bot and this ward could have ended long ago.

Was there a way to bring everyone together? Not unless he could convince Starscream of that currently, not to mention Megatron. Both sides had such ingenious bots, think what they could achieve together.

"Lord Starscream," Soundwave said as he approached, and Optimus looked up at him. He'd been looking over their fuel supplies and how best to distribute them during the upcoming fight.

"Yes Soundwave?" his processor half on calculations.

"Optimus Prime is hailing the Nemesis," his Second stated and Optimus sighed, looks like Starscream wasn't waiting any longer for an answer.

Chapter Text

"Put it though." Optimus nodded, it was time. The console screen shortly showed the real Starscream in his skin at the Ark.

"Well, have you decided?" Starscream demanded.

"We have, and we won't be surrendering." Optimus declared. Watching the seeker carefully.

"What a shame. We could have ended the war together." Starscream replied, sounding calm on his side.

"I'm afraid that would require a lot more effort. The crew refuse to surrender and I, agree with them." Optimus stated. He couldn't go against the con's wishes now that he was their leader.

"Then I am afraid that I have no choice but to take a hand off the situation." The former seeker said, his voice suddenly changed from calm to aggressive. Threatening him.

Optimus internally sighed, his fears had proven true. At least they were prepared for this eventuality, but he was still going to try and diffuse the situation.

"You don't have to," he said softly. "The troops here will not just surrender but if given time, they may be more responsive towards a peace agreement."

"I am not waiting around on a mere maybe," Starscream scoffed scornfully. "If you had accepted my offer of surrender, I would have ensured you were treated decently. Now you will force me to destroy you."

"That choice is up to you," was all Optimus would say as the Mech within his body glowered furiously at him. "But we will defend ourselves."

"So be it." Starscream said, before shutting off the call.

Optimus looked over at Soundwave who just waited for orders. "Raise the alarm. We have an incoming attack toward the Nemesis."

"Understood." The blue mech did so by pressing a few switches and soon the whole ship turned red and an alarm-like siren sound spread through the ship. warning everyone.

"We need a play on how to drive the Autobots off the ship." Optimus said and tried to think of ways to do so. and said thoughtfully. "The only way to have the Autobots retreat would be another kind of alarm to get their attention."

"Affirmative," Soundwave agreed. "Suggestion, attack an important facility?"

"That would get their attention," Optimus agreed, his processor worriedly reminding him that attacking a human one could result in casualties. "The question is which one?"

As Soundwave considered the question, Optimus added. "This is probably a job for our Seekers, in particular Skywarp as he could take some of the troops outside and a distance away so they could cause enough of a ruckus to draw the Autobots away."

"Statement, Prime may split his troops to deal with both," Soundwave pointed out.

"Then we must do enough to both defend ourselves and draw him away," Optimus replied gravely.

"But we do stand a chance if Skywarp takes Ramjet's trine and each mech attacks each facility. As a result, four facilities under attack will possibly force Prime to retreat."

"Suggestion, possible." Soundwave thought of it. Could they make it in time? But he too agreed if they could hold off the Autobots, then they also would be forced to retreat at that point.

"I would hate to split out forces." Optimus said, he didn't want to attack the humans. But they needed to survive as Starscream intended to wipe them out. He only hoped that the humans could forgive him for his actions. "But if necessary for our survival. I will send them out."

"Calculating. We have a 50% chance of succeeding." Soundwave replied as he did the match. Some of the crew were still healing from the raid, but should manage to fight.

"Mmm, not the best odds but at least they are not higher in us being defeated," Optimus mused, recalling he'd face far worse odds and come through. "If we wait until the attack is underway, then the Autobots will take far longer to get organised when everything is over. That will buy us more time."

"As you command," Soundwave agreed, it made sense despite the risks. He pinged Ramjet's Trine, they needed to prepare for their mission.

Everyone was frantically busy in the Nemesis, Mechs rushing around as preparations for the upcoming attack. A small part of Optimus wondered if Megatron was aware of what was happening but dismissed it from his mind. He'd been put in charge, the grey warlord's opinion was of no concern.

Optimus watched through the surveillance how the depictions onboard the nemesis rushed and worked to keep their home secured. Some seemed to argue until a larger con shut them up and had them continue working, a pity that some where bickering.

Shifting his attention. Optimus noticed something unusual through the cameras to the outside of the ocean floor. He pressed few buttons to zoom in and scan the area.

"They are here." Optimus announced dreadfully, while looking at Soundwave. "Notify everyone for combat."

"As you command," Soundwave intoned, activating his commns to inform their troops that the Autobots had arrived.

Optimus saw how everyone's demeanour changed, the fight for their freedom had begun. Normally, he'd be right in the battle alongside his men but now he had decided to remain in the command centre where he could direct the troops. If anything went wrong, he would go and assist.

"Is everyone ready?" he questioned Soundwave who nodded, they were as ready as they'd ever be.

"Good, let's hope Skywarp's traps are effective," he murmured as he watched the Autobots approaching the wall to breach it.

To his predicament, the Autobots did split into two groups and each one was deaded to a different entrance. But luckily, those entrances were already guarded.

The first group of Autobots that entered the Nemesis quickly found one of Skywarp's traps. They were unfortunate enough to find themselves walking onto some strange liquid that had their feet stuck to the ground, making it almost impossible to move. Optimus was impressed, but also considered what the seeker had used to achieve this.

looking at that group, Optimus saw the twins and Ironhide and some of the others. However, Starscream wasn't there and guessed he must be with the other group, switching screens. Optimus searched for the seeker, but couldn't find him.

"Strange, where has he gone to?" Optimus questioned while trying to find him.

Unfortunately, he was well aware Starscream would have a far better grasp of this base than he did, the Seeker could easily have a few tricks up his sleeve. He started searching the other cameras but to his dismay, saw that they'd been taken out. Apparently, Starscream had taken the smart move to make things harder on the Decepticons to defend themselves.

"Soundwave," he spoke to his SIC. "Some of these cameras are not functioning, I fear the Autobots have destroyed them. Prime may be entering where we cannot see him."

"Scenario, highly likely," Soundwave agreed, also concerned about the lack of sight on those areas. "I will warn the groups guarding those areas."

"Good," Optimus confirmed.

Optimus continued to watch through the cameras, but he was still concerned about Starscream. The seeker was eliminating the cameras from the other side of the Nemesis, far away from where the Autobots had entered the ship and from the conflict. Why was he going in that direction? There was nothing there, except the engine room connected to the ship's thrusters, which was deactivated.

"He is not trying to get to the engines, is he?" Optimus questioned, a bit confused.

"Statment: too unpredictable." Soundwave shifted his attention to him, quietly wondering why the leader of the Autobots would wish to enter the ship from that side.

"Indeed." Optimus agreed, but this didn't make sense. The only thing that came to mind from his own experience from the arc was that the engines are highly sensitive. Primus.

"He intends to blow up the Nemesis!" Optimus jumped to his feet and added. "I need to stop him before it's to late."

Soundwave's visor flashed in alarm.

"But why?" he couldn't help but ask in a state of shock. "The Prime has never done something so extreme."

"Things have changed," Optimus stated as he began to rush out. "Keep monitoring, get Skywarp to carry out the plan and then return."

He hurried out the door before the navy blue tape deck could reply, they still had their comms. He could not believe this, Starscream's actions were putting his own people in mortal danger, not to mention his own former trine mates. Surely his Autobots did not realise just what their 'leader' planned, he must have given them a different plan. Regardless, he had to stop this, he would not allow the Decepticons to be blown up.

Thank Primus he'd been studying the base's plans, he knew exactly where to go.

He rushed through the corridors while praying to Primus. With the speed, he is moving, it didn't take him long before he reached the engine area and there he could hear someone. No! Starscream must be inside.

Optimus ran to the door only to crash into Starscream who was trying to walk out. Both fell to the ground and looked at each other in surprise.

"What! Prime! How did you know?" The former seeker questioned. But before he could react, Optimus got up and quickly rushed over to the engines. trying to find the bomb.

"Where is it?!" Optimus demanded as he searched the large machines in front of him.

"As if I will tell you!" Starscream sneered back. He too got up to his feet and tried to grab hold of Optimus arms only for the Prime to easily dodge him. Slag it! He can't have his body blown up!

"Tell me Starscream," Optimus demanded coldly.

"You fool, get out of here," Starscream yelled at him, trying to grab him again but Optimus activated his thrusters and flew to the side. "Frag it, are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"If that's what it takes to stop you," Optimus stated, did Starscream have a detonator or was there a timer? Clearly, Starscream had no intention of being blown up himself so he must have time to escape. It gave him a chance to discover the bomb's location and see to disarming it.

"What?" Starscream roared. "You're insane."

"No more insane than someone that would blow up their own trine mates," Optimus retorted, Thundercracker and Skywarp were good bots, how could he?

"I'm sure they will be fine, they have survived worse." Starscream huffed, looking at the Prime unbothered by his own actions.

"How could you? They trust you! And what do you do in return? Trying to kill them with anyone else!" Optimus shouted angrily at Starscream. This was unacceptable, it was madness. And added. "You aren't worthy to be a leader, Starscream. Not when you are willing to kill those you're supposed to serve."

"How dare you! I was sparked to be a ruler!" Starscream yelled back. First, the Primes thought of him unfit and now Optimus too?! And argued. "You all are fools! If it means I can rule over Earth and Cybertron by destroying the Decepticons. Then it's a small price to pay."

"No lives are worth sacrificing over a crown! Every life if precious." Optimus disputed.

"Pah, is that why you could never bring down Megatron?" Starscream scoffed with a mocking laugh. "I'm the one who did what needed to be done, I rid the universe of that old rust bucket. He can't hurt your precious humans or Bots ever again."

That was up for debate but now wasn't the time to reveal that little bit of misinformation.

"Perhaps, but that does not mean his people deserve to die for his sins," Optimus stated, aggrieved Starscream had not learned more from his time as Autobot leader. "In my time here, I have learned they are not so different from the Autobots as originally believed."

"What, you think you can bring peace between us?" Starscream demanded in disbelief. "Your circuits are truly scrambled if you believe that."

"Peace is possible if people are willing to work towards it." Optimus protested. That itself was an actual true fact. Why couldn't Starscream see that?

"We don't have time to argue. The bomb will explode any minute now!" Starscream argued. At that moment, his comm rang.

Optimus took this moment to look for the bomb, noticing Starscream looking annoyed as he answered his call. Optimus couldn't spot the bomb anywhere as he looked, but he heard a piping sound, which, meant that he was close!

"What?! They did what!" Starscream yelled furiously and look looked at Optimus. Teletrain one, had just informed him that a few human factories had been attacked and that they needed immediate assistance. "You actually sent seekers to attack humans?! How the mighty has fallen."

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Optimus said heavily, he wished it hadn't come to that. "You forced my hand."

"It would not have been forced if you had accepted my terms," Starscream roared at him, slamming a fist against a pipe and crushing it.

"They were unacceptable," Optimus argued back, edging closer to where he believed the bomb was hidden. "If you had suggested a truce, I would have been open to that, a chance to give both sides a break from fighting. We could have built something from there. Now, how can any Decepticon trust the word of an Autobot?"

"You'll never change those stubborn fools," Starscream declared, his optics narrowed. "And you're not destroying my body."

"Leave, Starscream! Unless you will tell me how to disarm the bomb." Optimus said coldly, now was not the time to argue.

"You wish to disarm it?! Good luck." Starscream walked towards the door and added. "It's the blue wire."

Optimus moved closer to one of the engines. He could hear the bomb clearly and looked around and found the panel. When he opened it, he saw the bomb. The good news where that he still had some time left, as the timer was counting down.

"Blue wire." Optimus repeated in mind. He carefully opened the bomb and saw a ton of wires and multiple ones. There were, red, blue, green and yellow. It was clear that Starscream spend a lot of time creating this bomb as it could easily confuse one's judgment.

"Primus." Optimus moved his hands carefully at one of the blue wires and plugged it off. It was a good thing, that Starscream told him with wire.

"What?" he exclaimed when, instead of switching off, the timer simply changed.

"Starscream," he yelled in frustration, of all the times to be petty, he had to choose this time?

He was running out of time, but messing around with the wires would do him no good, he might set it off accidently. His processor started to whirl, if he could not disarm this bomb, then he would need to dispose of it and prevent it from harming any Mechs here, Bot and Con. But how could he do so?

"Soundwave?" he urgently yelled into the Comm. "Do we have working torpedoes or missile launchers?"

"Affirmative," came the reply and Optimus knew he had only one option, the question was whether he could get there in time with the bomb.

"Activate them!" Optimus ordered as he now ran through the corridors once more, but with a ticking bomb in his hands.

It didn't take him long before he reached the missile room. In an instant he saw a green lamp glowing above them, Soundwave had done his part and now was his turn. Optimus opened one of the missile launches and found it empty, oh no.

He needed to arm one. looking left and right he found one lying on the floor and quickly picked it up and placed the bomb on it. This better work or else they all will die. Optimus then carried it over to the launcher and placed it inside before closing it and pressed the red button. There was a swich sound and he heard the missile off.

A sense of relief came over him. It was over. At that moment the explosion happened and Optimus felt after hitting his frame and a lot of pain, expressly from his arm. The alarms started to scream and the red lights flashed.

"Ahh!" he gasped in agony as the shockwave sent him flying back, crashing into a wall and sliding to the ground, internal warnings screaming at him while alarms rang all around him.

"Urgh," he groaned, he couldn't feel one of his arms, his armour was definitely cracked and life force was oozing out of him. But even worse, was beyond the pain he was currently in, was the sensation of cold water touching his frame. The hull had been breached!

"Uh...ah...," he moaned, trying to gather his strength to get out of here before the room flooded completely but his body would not obey his mind. And he felt as though he may fall into unconsciousness any moment now.

"Have...to....move...," he mumbled blearily, trying to at least move onto his front so he could crawl away.

He could see the door right before him, it was just there. out of reach, yet so close. More warnings sign showed up and Optimus could feel his energy levels going down. He didn't understand why his movements felt, so sluggish.

Splashing down to the water, Optimus saw his arm lying close by. That wasn't a good sign as it looked completely ruined, the armour was missing and the skeleton base could be seen at it. Suddenly, there was a Crack sound and a purple seeker was standing above him.

"I got you!" Skywarp quickly grabbed hold of Optimus, he noticed Optimus arm close by and also grabbed it before the sea would swallow it. And added. "You know, Hook won't be happy about this."

"B-bo-m-b. St-a-r." Optimus tried to speak, but he could hardly focus as it took everything in him to just speak.

"Save your strength. Now is not a good time to die." Skywarp replied and in a flash warped out of the room. The constructicons would need to fix that later.

Optimus felt as though he were floating, he still felt pain but it was as though he was disconnected from it. Dimly, he heard the crack that meant they'd arrived at a new location and his head lolled as bright lights assaulted his senses.

"Primus above," Hook exclaimed in shock at the sight of their DeFacto leader, leaking life force all other the place. "Get him on a berth, quickly."

"I'm coming," Skywarp shot back, a little dizzy from all the Warping he'd been doing. Staggering, he managed to lift his Trine mate over to a medical berth and set him down.

"I've got his arm," he said helpfully, holding the limb up.

"Put it down there," Hook ordered as he grabbed what he needed. "What happened to him?"

"Not sure, but he said something about a bomb?" Skywarp answered, a bit unsure if he heard Optimus right. He watched as Hook attempted to close the leaking wires to stabilize the Prime.

"A Bomb?!" Hook repeated and took a better look at Optimus injured frame. He could see it clearly now, there are shattered metal pieces in the armour with indicates that was indeed something that exploded close by him. Optimus whole left side was managed by it, even the back.

"Where did you find him?" Hook questioned as he worked, he managed to close some of the leaking wires.

"At the missile room, but that place is leaking water fast." Skywarp answered and sent a message to Thundercracker that he had saved Optimus in time.

"What in Primus name is he doing in there? Did he accidentally do this on purpose on himself?!" Hook yelled, outraged, there was no other explanation for it. The Autobots weren't even near that area.

"He wouldn't do that! I felt his pain when it happened. He was relieved and then Bomb! Pain!" Skywarp argued as he defended Optimus and remembered what the former ground tried to say. Star. "Besides, I think it might have been Prime."

"The Prime?" Hook repeated in disbelief, staring at the purple and black Seeker in shock. "You think the Prime tried planting a bomb... and Starscream saved us?"

"Guess so," Skywarp shrugged, not as shocked as the Constructicon.

"He's gone insane," Hook muttered as he hurriedly worked to start sealing all the leaks on the Seeker's body. He had a lot of work ahead of him and that wasn't even counting the injured bots that would surely be arriving in his Med Bay.

"One way of putting it," Skywarp muttered, wishing he could interrogate Optimus about what had happened but the Prime had slipped into unconsciousness. Maybe Soundwave would know what had happened, he'd been monitoring the cameras, hadn't he?

"You know the drill. I will inform you once he wakes up. Now if you don't mind." Hook pointed at the door with a bloody servo.

"Right, I will be back later." Skywarp then teleported out from the medbay, making the medic shout in irritation. The purple seeker then reappeared in the security room where Soundwave worked at. Did Starscream really try to kill Optimus this time? Finding his courage, Skywarp entered the room.

"Soundwave, we need to talk."

"Query: What is this about?" The blue mech questioned, while, being busy at work.

"Can you show me what happened to Screamer?" Skywarp asked and looked eagerly at the monitors, hoping to see the recoding that happened onboard.

"In part," was Soundwave's reply. "Certain cameras, deactivated. But a few remain from the missile room."

"So you didn't see him with the Prime?" Skywarp questioned, disappointed when he received a shake of the head.

The blue cassette typed a few commands and quickly brought up the little footage he had of their leader running for the missile room with something tucked under his arm.

"Holy frag, he's holding a bomb," the purple and black Seeker yelped in shock.

"Affirmative. Conclusion, Starscream was attempting to jettison the bomb before it could detonate," Soundwave stated as the footage showed Optimus desperately placing the bomb in a missile launcher.

The seeker watched in horror when the explosion breached the room a moment later after it launched. That must be the moment he and Thundercracker felt Optimus pain through their bond. A few seconds later he saw himself pop in and teleport the injured seeker away.

"But, why aren't the other cameras working?" Skywarp asked confused, everything on this ship seemed to be cursed or not working.

"Speculation: Likely Prime destroyed them," the third in command replied, stating that all he knew.

"That sounds like him." Skywarp sneered quietly. Starscream tried to blow up their ship! He tried to have them all killed! He was crossing the line!

He would need to talk to Thundercracker and Optimus about this. They needed a way to stay alive.

"Statement, Starscream saved the ship," Soundwave said quietly as he witnessed Skywarp's anger, fists clenched.

"Yeah," he growled grimly. "I gotta talk to TC."

"Delay," Soundwave told him. "Concern for leader, understandable. However, much work needs to be done."

As well as those injured, there was a huge clean-up from the battle, the hull had been breached in a few places and now needed urgent repairs, especially in the missile room. The area the Prime had entered also needed attention, it was a nightmare. They'd successfully repelled the Autobots but who knew how long it would be until they returned, even more determined to wipe them out.

"So? What do you want me to do?" Skywarp stated, puzzled. This department was best left for more capable mechs.

"Trine needed to assist," Soundwave replied emotionless and then pointed at the leaking areas around the ship. "Directive: Seal breached."

Looking at the screen. The purple, black seeker saw the leaking water making its way towards a few rooms that weren't meant to hold water, as a result, the water was spreading fast through the nemesis. Already there were a few mechs working on sealing some of the Breaches, but it seems that they aren't enough to get it done fast enough.

"Fine, I will get TC and we will fix those." Skywarp agreed. already seeing as some stuff was flowing through the corridors. He hoped at least nothing would cost after the sea water.

"Caution, ensure there are no live wires," Soundwave stated, that could cause plenty of damage to Mechs and equipment.

"Yeah, alright, I'll let everyone know," Skywarp shrugged before heading off in search of his teammate.

Soundwave leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh. What a cycle it had been. Thank Primus for Starscreams surprisingly good and selfless leadership, they'd have been lost without him, especially in the face of Primes new ruthless.

He felt a headache coming on from everything that had been going on. In a way, it was funny how much both Starscream and Optimus Prime had changed recently, almost as though they were new bots. He liked the new Starscream but the new Prime?

He shuddered at how much worse things could get under that leadership.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Optimus groaned in pain, onlining his optics to be greeted with the dark purple paint job od the nemesis ship. what had happened?

"Finally, awake are we?" a femiliar voice questioned.

Optimus turned his head to the left and noticed Megatron, sitting there. Wait, was he in the med-bay? Thinking back, his memories surfaced.

Starscream had lied to him! There was an explosion and he was injured and quickly looked to the side where he had lost his arm, to see it was attached to him again. But it wasn't completely repaired, some of the blue armour was still missing.

"Is everyone alright?" Optimus askedas he looked to his left to Megatron. It also would seem that they both were in a separet room from the medbay.

Megatron looked at him before rolling his optics with a huff.

"Of course that's your first question," he said in disbelief before saying. "As far as I'm aware, yes. Plenty of injured but yours was the worst."

"Good," Optimus sighed in relief before wincing at the stabs of pain coming from his remaining injuries.

"So," Megatron commented shrewdly. "The little snake tried to blow up the Nemesis. You did well foiling him even if you got yourself half blown up in the process."

"I had little choice," Optimus pointed out.

"Clearly. You could have chosen to return to your Autobots, but didn't." Megatron chuckled in amusement, pleased by the actions of the former friend. And added. "You chose to save the Decepticons onboard, including me."

"Has your time spent with us changed you to that degree? Or were you always willing to save your enemies?" the warlord questioned.

"I saved everyone because every life is precious." Optimus replied. There was no hiding it anymore. Megatron knew who he was and somehow seemed fine by it, and added. "Your crew didn't wish to surrender to the Autobots. I had to refuse Starscream's offer. I think that offended him."

"Offended him? No, you merely scratched his pried and plans to take over this planet." Megatron Insured, while, he was deep in thought. It would make sense for Starscream to get rid of Optimus, along with the rest of the Decepticons. Then there wouldn't be anything to stop that fool to restore Cybertron.

"I suppose, I can see that," sighed Optimus, wishing it wasn't true. "But it still seems incredible that he would put his own Trine mates in such peril."

"Starscream's ambition knows no bounds," Megatron shrugged. "He's in a position of power with adoring followers, if he must chose between that and his Trine mates, I'm afraid Thundercracker and Skywarp will always lose out."

Optimus frowned heavily, they were good Mechs who had willingly assisted him even though he wasn't their true Trine leader. It was one thing for Starscream to develop loyalty towards the Autobots and wish them to prosper but he did not need to crush his former comrades to achieve that. He just could not understand Starscream's point of view.

"Ah Prime, you haven't dealt with him like I have," Megatron observed with a grin, seeing Optimus's expression. "This is what he's like. You might hate me but what I do is for the good of my Decepticons, I would not turn on them so easily."

"Do you think he will return anytime soon?" the false seeker asked anxiously. If Starscream returned with the Autobots again, then the Decepticons might not survive the outcome.

"You have successfully defended the ship. What makes you think he won't return?" Megatron challenged his tone firm and optics at Optimus every own.

Optimus blinked, understanding what Megatron meant. It wasn't a question. Starscream will return and if not soon, then enough might get rid of them for good. This was troubling news.

"You're sure he won't be reasoned with?" Optimus asked, wondering if there was still hope for them to come to a compromise.

"Did you learn nothing from today?! Starscream will try to kill you at any chance possible he gets, now that you have defined him!" Megatron yelled at him, how could a mech be so naive?! And added. "You are a new threat to him, one he want's to remove."

"Mm," Optimus hummed gravely, Megatron's words rang too. There was still one more point.

"What of this body?" he questioned, looking over at the other Mech. "Starscream insisted he did not want it destroyed. I know his actions with the bomb suggest otherwise but he has always been proud of it. Would he really give it up?"

"For your body, he probably would," Megatron said dismissively.

"But my own body cannot fly," Optimus pointed out, it was hard to believe the Seeker would permanently sacrifice the ability to soar the heavens for an admittedly powerful Prime's form. "And Starscream has always been proud of his prowess in the sky."

"Such as it is," the Decepticon warlord scoffed though he did look a little thoughtful. "Well, perhaps you have a point about that, he would desire being able to fly again. But he is perfectly capable of trying to destroy you while complaining he doesn't have his wings, he is a spiteful creature Prime."

"It would seem so," Optimus sighed as monitors rhythmically beeped around him.

"This will not do well for us. If we raid any human energy plant, that alone will give Starscream an excuse to attack the ship again." Optimus pointed out in concern.

"You seem to have that covered, Prime." Megatron said and noticed the surprised expression. And added. "Soundwave keeps me informed."

"I believe the magnetic generators will be a better solution to our current situation." Optimus confessed and continued. "We could also bring more Energon to Cybertron, the people there could use it."

"Of course, you would. It wouldn't have to do with a certain femme now does it?" Megatron questioned, watching the Prime, he could tell. "As the new Decepticon leader, it's your job also to see that our storages on Cybertron are safe. Your femme has been looting quite frequently."

"She is just trying to survive." Optimus defended, he knew that she was stealing from Shockwave's storages.

"By sabotaging ours! If you wish to deliver Energon to Cybertron, put an end to her persistence of stealing our Energon." the grey mech demanded.

"Very well," Optimus stated, privately musing that the easiest way to achieve that was simply to give Elita some Energon. Then she would not need to attack Shockwave's storage facilities and less fuel would be wasted and lost. Of course, he was sure Megatron wouldn't quite see the logic in this, so he decided to keep this plan to himself. "I will do so."

"See that you do," Megatron scolded, Prime better take his responsibilities seriously, towards the Decepticons that is. "And what will you do in the meantime?"

"I will look over reports of the battle," Optimus replied. "That way, it'll be easier for me to judge how the Autobots are currently feeling. They may not be so eager for another confrontation even if Starscream is pushing for it."

"Then you better call Soundwave and get started on that," Megatron told him just as Hook came into their room.

"Ah, you're awake," he said, spotting Optimus sitting up.

"I am." Optimus nodded and watched as Hood took out a light and started to check his optics.

"You seem fine, except for those injuries. I managed to restore your arm to a functional state." Hook then switched his tolls and started to exam the injured arm. He even sub-spaced some metal and started to cover some of the openings. "You're lucky that boom didn't curse greater harm, your chest-plates were a mess."

Optimus let Hook finish his scans and exams. it was for the best not to interfere. But he did wonder. "Where are Thundercracker and Skywarp?"

"They are helping repairing the ship. After the battle, we got some problems with the water, but most of that is taken cared of now. I will send them over once they are finished." the medic replied and looked at the scan results. "Right, I don't want you to do any heavy lifting. in short, you are back on bed rest. "

He reminded Optimus a lot of Ratchet in this instance, that is exactly what he would say.

"Alright but I will need to speak with Soundwave as well, we may not have much time to recover."

"As long as you rest for as long as possible," Hook acknowledged, the Seeker was right. The Autobots could easily be back but until that happened, their defacto leader needed to let his self repair systems do their thing. "I'll get back to repairs.."

He glanced at Megatron in case he required attention but only received a nod, indicating he could leave. Once he was gone, the two leaders glanced at each other.

"Your old body would have taken more damage," Megatron commented on with a wry smirk. Optimus privately thought Starscream's body had plenty of practise healing from various injuries.

"Indeed, It would have been less fetal critical." Optimus agreed, his original body could have taken the damage. "If you excuse me, Megatron. I need to speak with Soundwave."

"Very well. Don't mess up this operativity Prime." Megatron warned.

Optimus walked off from the medbay, while, he could still walk. It felt harder than normal, maybe that is all the painkillers in his body. At Least Hook didn't stop him when he got out. Reaching the blue mechs office, Optimus entered the room to see, soundwave taking full commands over the troops, sending them tasks to do.

"Soundwave." Optimus said. This made the blue mech turn around and greet him.

"You should not be here. Situation under control." Soundwave replied, having a feeling. He knew why Starscream came.

"I know, but I had to see how things are," Optimus explained. "I will take it easy as much as possible."

"Affirmative," Soundwave agreed, the Seeker was still healing. "Suggestion, head back to Med Bay soon."

"Alright," Optimus accepted before asking. "Can you give me a rundown of what's been going on?"

With a nod, Soundwave proceeded to do so. The base was not in great condition, the battle and the resulting explosion had done a number. Frankly, Optimus felt they would need to find a better home at some point. But of course, that would bring it's own challenges so for now, they were stuck here. The Mechs morale wasn't too bad since they did succeed in driving the Autobots away but there was still a tenseness in the air. Their very survival was truly on the line.

"And your cassettes, they are well?" Optimus asked after Soundwave had given his main report.

"Cassettes, safe. Helping with repairs." Soundwave nodded, Thankfully they weren't near the bomb when it exploded.

"That's good to hear." Optimus said. but it seemed that he wasn't needed at the moment as Soundwave had things under control. Even so, the Prime wondered what Starscream was up to.

Chapter Text

It had been a few days after the attack at the Nemesis. It was a ridiculous outcome, how could Optimus side with the Decepticons? surely he of all people knows how unpredictable they can be. That fool should have let the bomb explode inside the ship!

The rest of the Autobots were not happy about the explosion, but Starscream had managed to take that to his advantage and lied. Telling them that the seeker was willing to fire a live missile at them to kill as many Autobots as possible, and that he had tried to reason with the seeker with no result. At least, they did believe him.

This morning, however. Shara had called and told him that they had managed to get their first prototype flying. She sounded happy about it, but wished to talk about how to fix the manoeuvring. It needed some improvements, clearly.

"At least something's going right," he grumbled to himself, stomping out of his office. He needed a break from his troops. None of them were particularly willing to strike while the iron was hot, so none of them were keen to attack the Nemesis so soon after their attack.

"Going out Prime?" a green Mech asked...uh...Hound was his name.

"Yes, I have some business with the humans," Starscream said imperiously. "I may be gone some time."

"That's the way of it," the overly cheerful Mech chuckled. "I'm on my way for a drive."

"Patrol?" Starscream questioned, but received a shake of the head.

"Nah, just getting out," the tracker stated, but the disguised Seeker was already losing interest.

"Very well," Starscream replied, before he hurried outside. Not wishing to be interrupted by anyone else.

Transforming into his truck mode, the former seeker drove away in the desert, he had memorised the location of Shara's lab. It wouldn't take him too long before he reached the place, and with today's clear weather, it would take him less. After an hour of driving, he could spot the building ahead.

"Prime! You're early. I didn't expect you to come so soon," the female said, her expression surprised, but soft.

"I have some time to spare. Now you mentioned there were issues with the manoeuvring of the vehicle." Starscream questioned as he walked to the car that was outside their building. I lay on the ground and a human was sitting inside, reading and taking notes.

"Yes. We have done a few tests. At first, we had issues with the breaks, but that was easily fixed by installing a chip to help with that. But the driving needs some tinkering before this prototype can go out into sale." She informed, and added a compliment. "The blueprints and the notes you left behind have been a great help to get this car this far."

"Indeed. I'm happy to be of assistance. But what are those?" Starscream pointed to the flowing balloons that somehow looked almost like a road in the sky.

"That is the track. It's a flying car, this was the best idea we had to see how it would perform." She explained, it made sense to give a car a road, even if it had to be made of balloons. "Our issues are the left and right turns, they are not so stable, the car will at times just continue to spin."

"That won't do at all," Starscream commented upon, a spinning car was no use to anyone. "So it's managing to fly straight but has issues with manoeuvring."

"Essentially yes," she agreed. "With your help, we'd like to overcome that."

"Is it remote-controlled or do you employ a driver?" Starscream now questioned, in the case of the latter, the commands might not be working properly. He knew from experience that being in control yourself of a flight was superior. Or it might be a problem with the gyros.

"Remotely at the moment, once we've got more of the kinks worked out, we plan to have a driver," Shara told him. "Would you like a demonstration?"

"I would love to," Starscream replied and watched the car with curiosity.

"Alright." Shara walked over to her crew and gave them a command to prepare a test run.

Shortly after, everyone stepped away from the car and the vehicle soon enough powered up. The engine wasn't too loud and the car started to float into the air until it stopped at a desirable height. The human in control remotely drove the car straight, until it stopped in front of a red balloon.

At this point, the car struggled to make a right turn as it seemed to have trouble to stop spinning right. The human tried to take control by pressing the left buttons, it didn't stabilize the car just made it go the other direction instead.

"I have seen enough." Starscream stated. the problem seemed clear, the right and left turns had too much power to them.

"What do you think we need to do, to fix this?" Shara asked the Autobot.

"I believe I can see a solution," Starscream stated with confidence. "Do you have the blueprints to have?"

She did and quickly fetched them over to him. Bending down, he explained the problem and how they could fix it. She and the engineers listened closely, eager for his advice.

"Oh," Shara exclaimed once he'd finished. "Yes, we can do that."

If they could sort this problem out, they'd have made so much progress.

The engineers, worked tiredly at the car, constantly tinkering with it and then letting the drivers do tests to see how much more they needed to fix the issue. It took a few hours before they fixed the manoeuvring issue and let a human driver test it for the first time.

The car flew through the sky at a good speed and made each turn with passing grades. Everyone watching cheered at the accomplishment and ta their hard work. Shara looked up at the Prime.

"Thank you, I believe we have created the first flying car on this Earth."

"Indeed, this is quite the accomplishment." Starscream praised the human, and wondered if perhaps she would do him a favour. "If I may, I would like to have my alt-mode altered to this."

Shara watched the Prime point at the flying car. She was stunned that the Autobot leader wanted to go from wheels to the sky.

"We haven't designed any Truck designs. But I think we can put together one in a short time. We will just need to adjust it for heavy load purposes."

Starscream nodded, that was understandable. He certainly didn't want anything installed until it had been fully tested.

"We could get hold of a similar truck and test it out on that," Shara mused, obviously thinking along similar lines to him. "Do you wish us to contact you when we have tested it out?"

"Yes, that would be satisfactory," Starscream agreed. "I would like to see it tested and I imagine Ratchet would too. He will insist on overseeing any kind of installation."

"That's fair," she said before asking. "What about the other Autobots? Would they be interested?"

Starscream was suddenly silent. Would the other Autobots wish to change their wheels to soar in the sky? No, he couldn't see them choose it. Maybe a few would change their alt-mode, only because he, as their leader, changed his.

"Maybe a certain few would. I would recommend you study racer cars, most under my command seem to love speed." Starscream told her. He was sure she and her engineers would find solutions on to improve newer designs.

"Very well, I believe we can do that. But if we are going to start selling these flying cars, it wouldn't hurt to have each model prepared." Shara mumbled in deep thought, thinking if companies wouldn't be interested in her flying cars then maybe the rich would be.

"I will contact you, when we have the vehicles ready."

"Excellent. I will await the good news." Starscream smiled behind his mask. Looking at the time, he noticed it was getting dark and decided to return to the Arc.

"Be perfect for an evening flight," he sighed wistfully. The sky was clear and the air calm. He could just imagine soaring high, looking far into the distance, admiring the curvature of this planet as he sped along. Sadly, his upcoming flight mod wouldn't allow him to fly quite like that, but it would still be a vast improvement.

And what a shock it would be to that foolish Prime and his rusted troops when they saw him in the air.

He smirked before transforming and heading for the Arc. In no time at all, he was back but to his surprise, he was greeted by the sight of a certain shuttle standing by the entrance.

"Skyfire?" he exclaimed as he smoothly transformed, no need to crane his neck so much in this body. "What do you want?"

"I have been doing some recharge." The shuttle walked over to his friend and showed a data-pad. there were a few images of humans in a list.

"What is this?" Starscream demanded as he took a look.

"Human magicians that are currently working and some who have retired." Skyfire replied and scrolled down to show more of them. "Do you recognise any of them?"

"You're wasting your time trying to find that human." Starscream criticized, watching through the list carelessly. "WHAIT! There he is! That's the human!"

The former seeker now pointed to a male human, with brown hair and green eyes. He also had a classic Mustache. His name is Charlie Brown. It appeared that Charlie was an active magician who loved to perform in nature, and would often play with plants and different elements.

"Waste of time?" Skyfire said with a raised brow, receiving a scowl despite the mask.

"I can't believe this," Starscream muttered, staring at the image. He'd almost forgotten about the strange human who'd swapped his body with the Prime's but here he was. But then he looked up with a frown. "Why did you do this?"

"Isn't it obvious?" the shuttle replied. "Surely you wish to find him? And regain your body?"

Starscream frowned heavily. Well, he had to admit he did want to see that human again, if only to demand how he'd accomplish such a thing. But what would happen if he actually encountered the human again?

"Where does he live?"

"Further out from here. If you're planning to drive, it will take you four hours, but If we get up early tomorrow morning, I can fly us there half that time." Skyfire suggested.

"You wish to accompany me, why?" the former seeker questioned, feeling that Skyfire wasn't doing it just to get fresh air.

"I'm intrigued by this human and would like to meet him myself. Maybe he could help us with our energon shortage on Cybertron." the Shuttled said.

"What? That's your reason? Energon is easily gained on this planet." Starscream argued, sometime he couldn't understand Skyfire.

"It is but it would still be good if we could produce Energon on our own planet," Skyfire argued. "If something happened to the Space Bridge, we'd be stuck. It isn't feasible to rely on transporting fuel via ships, we need our own source even if it cannot yet produce a 100%."

"Hmm, well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have you along," Starscream grumbled, being flown there would be preferable to driving all of that distance. If there was an emergency, he could return much faster, yes it wasn't a bad idea.

And if that magician decided to do another bodyswap, Skyfire's body was the one he'd happily take out of all the Autobots.

"Very well, we'll take some rations and head off first thing," he declared firmly. "Mind, it could be a wild goose chase."

"It might be. But if we get lucky, we might be able to talk to him." Skyfire said hopefully.

"Hm. Either way, it's best if we retire for the day." Starscream said before heading towards Primes quarters. If he was going to find this human again, then he needed to be well rested for the trip. But once he would find this human, he was sure to give him a piece of his mind! How dared the human just swap him with Optimus's body without giving him a proper warning? That itself had not been a pleasant surprise.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

The next morning, Starscream refuelled early and subspaces a few cubes with him. He didn't know how long he would be gone, but a good guess would be the whole day would go to waste looking for this human, thus, He had left the Arc in Prowl's hands.

Outside the Ark, he found Skyfire already transformed and waiting.

Well, at least his former partner was always prepared.

"Let's go," he commanded, inwardly wishing once more he was the one flying. At least he was making progress on that front, though it would never be the same.

"Strap in," Skyfire advised and with a small huff, Starscream obeyed. Occasionally, it had been necessary in the past to take a ride within Skyfire to rest as the Shuttle could fly for far longer. They'd usually chatted away, about their destination, where they'd just been, mostly about their missions rather than politics or anything like that.

Now, of course, what could they talk about?

"You were gone from the Arc yesterday. Where have you gone?" Skyfire asked curiously, while tempted to have a conversation.

"Hm? Oh, I was just helping some humans with their project." Starscream said.

"Helping humans?" Skyfire repeated, wondering if he had read him correctly.

"Yes, aren't I allowed to? I thought, as a Prime, I needed to play along with the humans." Starscream replied, almost sarcastically.

"I didn't say that. You have been gone for the whole day, what assistance did they ask for?" the shuttle questioned. He was surprised that Starscream would spend a whole day with humans. It didn't sound like something the seeker would normally do.

"Just help with some project of theirs," Starscream said evasively, which caused Skyfire to mentally raise an eyebrow. So, the humans were involved in something his former friend was very interested in.

"It's not a weapon?" He asked a touch concerned, while he understood that humans needed assistance in defending themselves from the Decepticons, he was wary of giving them too much access to destructive technology. Cybertron's fate should not be Earth's.

"Of course not," Starscream exclaimed, offended at the question. As if he would help the humans build a weapon that could easily be used against them. "It's perfectly harmless."

"If you say so," Skyfire said as they rose higher and higher.

"Once it's finished. I could show you the project. but for now, the humans have asked me to keep it a secret." Starscream told his former friend. In truth, both parties have taken dramatic action in keeping the project a secret and safe from greedy hands like Decepticons or other humans.

"I would like that. But if you claim it to be harmless, why do this human group ask for their project to be a secret?" The shuttle questioned. The only reason he could think of that it would be kept a secret would be if it was dangerous, but that not being the case.

"Let's say it started as a challenge and this human group I'm helping doesn't want their hard work to be stolen," Starscream explained, and added impatiently. "When will we arrive in the town?"

"Not for a while. If you wish to take a nap, that will help you pass the time."

He usually suggested as such to his passenger, first as an explorer and now a troop carrier, you never knew what situation you might find yourself in. It was always worth getting some rest, especially on a long journey. This wasn't deep space but still, a nap never hurt.

"Hmm, I'll power down for a short while," Starscream said, only a little grudgingly, he had been up early. He wasn't as fascinated with the view as a normal grounder would be and he didn't want to read any reports right now. So, settling into his seat, he relaxed and allowed himself to drift off into a doze.

Skyfire flew on, it was much easier with Starscream sleeping.

The rest of the trip didn't take to long, the hours quickly passed away as he headed towards the small town. Surprisingly, there weren't any airports nearby. This made Skyfire think that this town must be an old one or simply there wasn't a need for one, either way there are many open area's for him to land.

"We're here," Skyfire announced as he gently flew into some tubulense, making him shake enough to wake up his passenger.

"Hm, what?" Starscream questioned as he felt the shuttle shake and woke up from his nap.

"This town, is smaller than I imagined," Skyfire said, he made a turn and headed to an open field to land.

"This is it?" Starscream asked. Looking thought the view port, he could see a few houses and small building in the center of the town, a lot of threes around town.

"Seems to be," Skyfire said, a slight shrug in his tone, gently coming to a land.

Starscream instantly jumped to his feet, ready to exit and begin the search. Skyfire helpfully lowered the ramp and Autobot leader practically thundered down it.

"So now what, do we know exactly where this human is?" he demanded as the shuttle smoothly transformed to bipedal mode.

"I don't have his exact address," Skyfire admitted. "But this town is his last known residence, even if he isn't here, the humans can probably point us in the right direction."

"Hmm, we'll see," Starscream huffed, this felt like it would be a wild goose chase.

The former seeker hurried over to the town, luckily, it wasn't a primitive town. It had cars for transport and the roads were up to date. People were walking around, tending to their errands as they were. But to their arrival, the humans seemed surprised and then worried.

Starscream looked around and spotted a nearby human who was delivering mail to a house and called. "You there! Show me where Charlie Brown lives."

"Why're you looking for him?" The human watched the cybertronian and was bewildered.

"Why wouldn't I be? He is a famous magician, isn't he?" Starscream replied, surly a mail man would know where this human is hiding!

"W-Well, he was." The human said and noticed a white much larger robot following along. "I can take you to his resting place."

"Do so," he commanded as Skyfire frowned, was that phrase a little odd? Resting place? Perhaps it was a human saying, they did have a lot of them and he was still catching up on what they all meant.

They followed the human, other humans stopping what they were doing and staring. Some began to follow, wondering why two Autobots were here in this sleepy little town? They had no large power plants or anything that would normally draw the robotic aliens from space. Starscream ignored them all imperiously, he was going to give that human a piece of his mind once he behold him.

"Is this his home?" he questioned as they approached a lone white building.

"In a manner of speaking," the man answered, heading to the side of the building and to a gate. "He's just in here."

"Perfect." Starscream smiled. He and Skyfire followed the human through the gates and both were surprised as they passed the building and instead headed to the field with stones on the ground. What was going on?

"Excuse me, isn't he living inside there?" Skyfire questioned and pointed to the white building.

"The Church? No, people go there to pray and get closer to God." The human turned around and looked where the robot pointed.

This caught both Cybertronian's attention. They both gave each other a glare before looking down at the human who still lead them through this place. Was the human perhaps a religious one?

"I take it, he is here praying to get closer to your God?" Starscream said. He himself wasn't very religious. Primus? Ha, if he was real, then his life wouldn't be as miserable, to begin with.

"You two don't know much about humans do you?" The mail ham questioned, it didn't surprise him as he too knew nothing about them.

"I'm afraid not," Skyfire admitted, he just hadn't been online long enough to have absorbed what the others had. And as for Starscream, it wasn't really a surprise he didn't know much about human culture.

"Um...is he engaged in some religious ceremony?"

"No," their guide said with a shake of the head, glancing round at all the stones surrounding the path they were currently on. "He's just over here."

Skyfire looked ahead, he couldn't see any humans but perhaps the magician was just hidden from view? He glanced at Starscream, he was giving off an impatient air but somehow managing to rein himself in. Looking back, he saw that the human had stopped at one of the stones and was gazing at it sadly.

"Well, where he is?" Starscream immediately demanded.

"This is his final resting place," the mailman said, to their complete shock.

"He is dead?" Skyfire questioned, his voice filled with surprise to it.

"Charlie Brown has been dead for a few years. I mean he died before you bot's made yourself known to us, humans," the young man explained to them. But their stunned looks told him that they didn't know this. "Well, I need to get going. I'm still on my shift."

"Wait! This can't be right! Is this even the right human?" Starscream asked In denial. That meat bag couldn't be dead!

"That is Charlie Brown. He was a famous magician who died camping with his friends. The news stated that the cops found his body at a waterfall. Many think that someone might have killed him out of spite." The mailman informed them of the little news he remembered from back then. "Look, indeed to go. Um, sorry for the news."

Starscream started down at the grave. The name was written in large letters and there was a date of this human's death. It didn't make any sense. How could this be? Was his human even a human? How did he meet him only a few months back when he was dead for years?

"Starscream, are you alright?" Skyfire asked. Looking at his friend, he noticed a shift. The stunned expression Starscream had before disappeared and was replaced with hot anger.

"Are you kidding me? What insane trickery is this?" his former friend burst out with a roar, one that sounded much more impressive with Optimus's baritone.

"Perhaps you made a mistake?" Skyfire suggested gently, earning an irate look. "You might have picked the wrong human from the photos."

"Don't be ridiculous, of course I did no such thing," Starscream spat furiously. "It was that human...this Charlie Brown!"

"But how, he's been dead for years," Skyfire argued, gesturing to the grassy ground in front of the grave. "It's impossible."

"No, there is an explanation for this," the pretend Prime declared angrily. "And I will get to the bottom of it."

"I met him at the river not so long ago. Staying that I saved him from falling down to his fate, at that point he granted me the wish and I flew off back to the Nemesis." Starscream said, remembering how it all happened.

But if the human was dead, then he couldn't have met him, could he? This was a tricky situation, no one could speak to the dead, it wasn't possible. Did it mean he was on his own with this wish? The former seeker felt more frustrated and started swearing in both English and Cybertronian, throwing his fits in the air.

"Starscream, calm down. You can't think straight in your anger." Skyfire tried to advise, only to get a sharp look from the former seeker.

"Oh, can't I?! That little flesh bag tricked me! My wish isn't right! My body isn't my own! And now I find out that this human is deceased? Well, May he rot in the pit!"

"Do you have to be this loud? Can't I have some peace?" a voice suddenly echoes from around them.

They turned around to behold a human perched on the grave of Charlie Brown, regarding them reproachfully. There was a beat of silence and then Starscream shrieked. "YOU!"

The human gave a wry smile, looking distinctly unconcerned as Skyfire stared in complete confusion. "Wait....what?"

"That's him, that's him?" Starscream said almost hysterically. "I knew it was a trick, you're not really dead."

"Sadly, I am," the man said wistfully. "This is my grave and I'm pushing up daisies."

"Don't be ridiculous," Starscream scolded hotly. "Are you trying to pretend you are some sort of ghost?"

"That is precisely what I am." the man nodded.

"Whatever you are. How dare you trick me!!" Starscream yelled at the human.

"Trick you? I did no such thing." The human said, looking up at the blue-red cybertronian.

"Oh really? Don't you find it interesting that I am wearing a different body than the one you saw me with last time!! You failed to mention how your stupid wish would grant my wish!" Starscream reached out to pick up the human, his hand slipped through the human. Horrified at the sight, he withdrew his hand.

"H-he truly... is a... spirit." Skyfire said in a low voice, but equally astonished as his friend.

"That's me," Charlie Brown confirmed. "Nice to meet you."

"Uhh..," Skyfire mumbled, dumbfounded by the turn of events.

"Don't just stand there gawking like a fish," Starscream scolded him, smacking his shoulder causing the shuttle to wince. "And you, explain yourself!"

"You wanted to be a leader, I made you one," the ghost saud calmly.

"I wanted to be the leader of the Decepticon's not the Autobot's." The former seeker's Clearfield.

"I see, well then. You weren't specific when you told me your wish. The magic also has its own rules too." Charlie Brown explained and could understand why the robot was upset. Added. "The magic must have seen the Autobot leader as a true leader and put you in his place to grant your wish."

"What?! Are you saying this is permanent only because I wasn't specific?!" Starscream shrieked, feeling his energon going cold.

"Not permanent," Charlie Brien said slowly but as Starscream brightened, added. "But it's not within my power to reverse your wish. "

"What?" Starscream yelped in outrage and disappointment.

Before he could continue, Skyfire suddenly said.

"Excuse but there's something I don't understand. Starscream said you granted his wish because he saved your life. Yet you've been dead for a long time now."

"Yes, I should clear that up. When he found me. I was trapped in an endless loop, experiencing my own death over and over again for years." Charlie Brown pointed at Starscream and continued. "But when he caught me on that waterfall, it stopped. I was finally free to move on, that is why I granted him a wish."

"I see, but how could you switch his place with the Primes? Such a feat, even if surgery is quite risky." Skyfire questioned, wondering if it truly was magic or something else.

"Again, magic works in its own strange way. I didn't expect this change, but I'm not surprised by it." the ghost told them and added. "I believe once, Starscream learn to become a true leader, that will be the day when he regains his body back. Yes, the magic has perhaps made him look the part, but the rest of the work has to be his."

"That is how? Ph, easy enough. I was sparked to be a leader." the former seeker replied proudly, standing straight.

"I see... that may take a few years now." Charlie said, releasing how arrogant the seeker was.

"Yes, It may." Skyfire sighed in embarrassment at his former friend's attitude.

"Excuse me," Starscream exclaimed, puffing up indignantly. "I'll have you know I have been doing a marvellous job, all the Autobots are happy under my leadership. I even killed Megatron for Primus sake and I offered that idiotic Prime the chance to surrender. Is it my fault he chose not to?"

Charlie just smiled and shook his head.

"What more need I do?" The Seeker demanded to know, why did no one ever acknowledged his brilliance? He'd accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. He was even on the verge of giving the Autobots flight capabilities, who could ask for more?

"You have done well, but you will still need to work to be the true leader you wished me to make you. That part is up to you." Charlie told him and looked at his arms, which started to fade away. He smiled sadly at them and said.

"It seems my time here is up. I wish you the best of luck on your journey," he then faded away, gone like a cloud.

"Well, that wasn't helpful at all," Starscream complained. He had hoped the human could have used his magic again.

"He gave us good information about your wish. I would say that was useful, we now know what is required for you to return to your own body." Skyfire pointed out, wondering how much time that would take. Starscream was quite selfish, by nature.

"What? Pretending to be Optimus? by this rate the wish will grant itself in no time." Starscream said as he turned around, and added. "Let's leave this place."

"Yes, that simple," Skyfire sighed heavily but there did not seem to be much use in hanging around this place. He supposed they had helped the ghost find his peace so it wasn't a complete waste of time.

They made their way out of the town, people still staring at them but they encountered no issues. Without a word, Skyfire transformed and Starscream made his way inside. Flying high above the clouds, Skyfire finally asked.

"Do you want to head straight to the Ark or take a detour?"

Fliers could more easily afford the luxury of a detour, no obstacles that halt their progress except the most extreme of weather. It was possible that Starscream wanted some time to mull things over.

"Take the detour," Starscream said. Indeed, much information was going through his mind and what Charlie had told him too.

Chapter Text

"This should be enough energon don't you think?" Optimus asked, while looking at Thundercracker and Skywarp, who helped him sub-space everything down.

"Don't you think it's too much?" The blue seeker questioned.

"Perhaps, but it will help Elita with her struggles," Optimus replied. He has been trying to think of a way he could possibly create a truce with the femmes.

Ever since a few days ago, the new large magnetic generator has proven very useful in producing clean Energon and in larger amounts. The Decepticons onboard were overjoyed by this good news and so was Megatron.

He'd actually offered praise for the project, acknowledging that it was needed after such a costly battle. Repair work was still ongoing, but with the fresh supply of fuel, everyone was doing well and healing much faster than normal. Optimus had managed to put some aside and now planned to take it to Cybertron.

He was just thankful Megatron was still recovering and did not want his survival getting out.

"This is weird," Skywarp mumbled. They were helping the enemy. But he supposed this was Optimus's mate, of course, he wanted to help her. Like how Trine would help each other.

"You excited?" Thundercracker asked Optimus, this was a rather secret mission.

"I am. I haven't seen her in a long time." Optimus nodded. Putting away the last cube.

"Well, how will we find her? She has been hiding from Shockwave for years." Skywarp pointed out. It wasn’t like she would show up only because they were looking for her.

"I know where she patrols during the day. In the past, I would give her energon by waiting at one of the locations until she arrived." Optimus informed. This was one way to send energon without rising the base to be exposed, by hiding the energon in a temporary location and later moving it.

"We need to leave. Soundwave will be wondering why we take so long." Optimus had told Soundwave, that he and the trine were going to deliver some Energon to Cybertron. So the Decepticons prepared a few crates to be taken to Shockwave. In a way, this did hide the energon he needed to deliver, a good diversion.

"Sure, let's get going," Skywarp shrugged before adding slyly. "Tell your femme we said hi."

"Warp," Thundercracker scolded as his trine mate smirked and Optimus sighed but decided to let it slide. Soon enough, they met up with Soundwave, who had everything prepared for the Space Bridge trip.

"Thank you, Soundwave," Optimus told him as they took possession of the cart that contained the crates. "I trust you can handle things here."

"Affirmative," Soundwave acknowledged, in a far better mood now that his cassettes have plenty of fuel and no need to raid it from the Autobots. Rumble and Frenzy were still wary of going near the Ark. "Take care, Starscream."

Optimus nodded, and it felt like no time at all, they were on Cybertron, being greeted by Shockwave.

"Starscream, this is a welcome supply," the serious purple Mech told him as they began to unload the crates.

"I can imagine," Optimus replied. He wasn't a big supporter of Shockwave as the mech's work spoke for itself. But he knows the energon would be used to keep the planet alive.

"Indeed. My own supply has reached dangerously low. This will certainly help things." The purple mech said, his voice without any emotion.

"Of course, I will leave you to it." Optimus drove the cart closer to Shockwave before handing it over and heading towards the door. adding. "We have been homesick for a while and wish to explore Cybertron for a bit. We will return later to go back to Earth."

"Your reason for a flight is logical. I expect you to send me a message when you wish to return." Shockwave said as he pressed a few buttons and a few drone's, suddenly drove in, ready to unload the energon.

"I will," Optimus assured him before leaving the building. Outside, everything looked exactly as he last remembered it. Everything was still in ruins.

"So, where are we supposed to wait for her?" Skywarp asked, wondering if this was a good idea.

"There's a spot near a square that used to contain a fountain a few blocks from here," Optimus explained before giving them a sharp look. "I trust Shockwave won't hear this?"

"Nah, we've gone this far," Skywarp stated. There was little point in blabbing to Cybertron's guardian when they'd kept Optimus's secret for so long. He'd done enough for the Decepticons that stabbing him in the back felt plain wrong. "We've got your back.

Thundercracker nodded his agreement. Optimus smiled slightly, glad he'd earned their trust.

"Come on," he said, activating his thrusters and shooting off.

//Still weird to think we're gonna meet up with his femme// Skywarp said to Thundercracker as they followed him.

//Only a little// Thundercracker chuckled.

//Well, the very least. This will get interesting.// Skywarp smiled.

It was quite convenient that Shockwave had his base in the center of Iacon, with easy access to all areas of the city, perhaps that was why the survivors of this city who weren't Decepticons struggled.

The trine flew over to the shopping area of Iacon, landing in front of a large building. Optimus went inside, and the two seekers behind him followed as they made their way towards the center of the mall where a fountain was.

"We will wait here," Optimus told them, looking up to the ceiling to find a hole there that let daylight into the building.

"Why would she patrol this place?" The purple seeker asked, confused. The shops around them had broken glass, and some were completely open, but there was nothing valuable inside them to steal as those materials had long been looted.

"It has many exit points that lead to different streets and servers as a good shortcut," Optimus answered him and sat down next to the broken fountain.

"Interesting," Thundercracker murmured, the Autobot Femmes had certainly made good use of the terrain at their disposal.

"How long will we have to wait?" Skywarp questioned, this would probably get boring fast.

"Hopefully, not too long," Optimus said reassuringly. He knew it was not certain Elita would turn up, but he had to try.

They settled in place, on alert for any signs of activity. It was deathly quiet, such a change from Earth, where there was always some sign of life. Optimus felt anxious, it had been so long and he desperately wanted to see his mate and give her the Energon. If only she could return with him to Earth but apart from obvious reasons, she felt she had to keep fighting on Cybertron.

"Hey," Thundercracker suddenly muttered. "I think I hear something."

"I hear it too! Sounds like footsteps." Skywarp said excitedly after sitting for an hour. "Someone is here."

"Hide, it would be best if I talk to her first," Optimus told them. Hoping that Elita wouldn't be too upset with him, but he couldn't help but feel nervous.

"Yeah, we know. You told us before." Skywarp along Thundercracker went over to one of the stores and hid inside, but still had a good view of Optimus.

Optimus stood up by the fountain and waited patiently. At that moment, she spotted something pink, moving forward. "Elita?"

Without a warning, there was a blaster fire, which Optimus barely dodged by hiding behind the fountain. Then out of nowhere, Elita ran towards him, holding her gun at him.

"Elita! It's me!" Optimus tried to reason.

As she narrowed her optics at him, he added frantically. "Don't shoot, it's Optimus!"

"What was that?" she demanded, the gun still pointed right at him.

"Optimus," he repeated. This wasn't the reunion he'd envisioned. He paused, there was no more blaster fire, and cautiously, he peered out. The next moment, he gasped as he found himself facing a knife held by his mate, who was balanced on the fountain's rim.

As he gaped, her face frowned before saying. "Starscream?"

"Not Starscream," he insisted. "Optimus."

She stared at him, studying his reaction. How could he be so calm? Looking closer at those optics, she could tell it wasn't the seeker and removed the knife. added. "I hoped by now, that the two of you would have switched back to your original bodies."

"We do not yet know how to fix this," Optimus told her and asked. "How have you been, Elita?"

"Rough, but still alive. Playing cyber-cat and mouse with Shockwave is always a challenge." She replied and put away her weapons. The two held hands while feeling happy in each other's company.

"It's good to see you again." She smiled.

"Why don't you two kiss?!" Skywarp shouted from his hiding place, in one of the ruined stores.

Her head snapped around, shock over her features as Optimus said quickly. "It's okay, he's with me, they're not a threat."

"They?" She repeated I'm disbelief with a raised opticbrow.

He chuckled awkwardly.

"Thundercracker and Skywarp, " he admitted ruefully. "They discovered the secret, and they haven't betrayed me."

"Anyone else know?" She asked, instantly catching his slightly guilty expression.

"Megatron knows but is content to hold his silence," he explained as she stared, even more astonished. "And named me temporarily leader."

"He did what?! Why would he do such a thing if he knows?!" She asked, shocked at the news. This didn't make any sense.

"His reasoning is complicated, but he does wish for Starscream to suffer. Starscream believes that he killed Megatron, but actually, he survived the attack and is healing in hiding on the Nemesis. The crew don't know this and needs to be kept a secret." Optimus informed her, but also wondered how long he would be holding the potion as the Decepticon leader.

"But... that means that you can end the war. Starscream could agree to something to active peace, currently?" She asked. The last time she had spoken to the seeker, he was determined to do better in life and she had offered him advice.

"You think? He tried to blow us up!" Skywarp sneered, as he and Thundercracker slowly came out from their hiding place.

"Blow you up?" she repeated, now more confused than ever.

"Starscream did contact me after Megatron's death," Optimus told her. "But it was for a surrender, and I did not feel I could accept it. He did not take it well and attacked the base, planting a bomb in the process."

"And just about blew Prime sky high," Skywarp helpfully adding, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "He's gone nuts."

"Optimus risked himself to save the base and us," Thundercracker cut in.

She stared at them before turning to Optimus.

"Why didn't you accept the surrender?" she asked curiously. "You thought he'd hurt you?"

"Not me," Optimus said. "I worried for the Decepticons. You see, Starscream had the cassettes twins prisoner and cruelly abused them. I did not believe he'd treat his former troops kindly."

"Hm... Perhaps you were right to refuse him." She agreed. Even if they are Decepticons, knowing Optimus have a large spark to care for others. "What do you plan to do now? If Starscream refuses to surrender, the war continues."

"I am forced to take Starscream down. If Prowl would take command, he would agree to a peace, treaty." Optimus said, that was his best bet to get his war over with and the matter of convincing Megatron.

"He is the most reasonable mech, that plan could work." She acknowledged.

"Sorry to Interrupt. Optimus, you haven't forgotten why we came here." The blue seeker asked him.

"Oh yes! We have brought with us energon." Optimus told her cheerfully and added. "It's not stolen. But made at the Nemesis, by our new generators."

"You have?" she exclaimed. Fresh fuel would be a godsend right now. She couldn't remember the last time they didn't need to steal it.

"We have," he confirmed, bringing a cube from subspace and offering it to her. "Here, drink."

He hated seeing her dull armour, a clear sign she was not fuelling as a bot should. Pressing the cube into her hands, he watched in satisfaction as she took a deep gulp of it.

"It's good," she complimented, adding with a smile. "Though, all Energon tastes good right about now."

"I will try to improve your situation here," he promised her earnestly. "I will try to convince Shockwave not to continue hunting you."

"You can't do that. Shockwave will hunt us, regardless, we steal his Energon just to stay alive." She pointed out. Of course, with this energon she and her femmes could take it easy for a few days.

Understanding what she meant. Optimus tried to think of a solution. Elita did have a point, even if she wouldn't need energon from Shockwave. She and her femmes are still an enemy of the Decepticons, which, was enough of a reason for Shockwave to act to get rid of them.

"What if we made a peace, treaty?" Optimus suggested. If Elita would be considered not an enemy, then Shockwave would have no reason to hunt her and the others.

"What?" Elita, along with Skywarp and Thundercraker said at the same time in unison, surprised.

"We would create a peace, treaty with you and your crew. I can make sure that you will get enough energon and Shockwave will leave you alone." Optimus told her.

"That does sound lovely. But I would need to do something in return." She wondered what she could offer. Knowing Megatron is alive, that old mech would demand something for this.

"That is true," Optimus acknowledged, in a situation like this, nothing was free. "Thundercracker, Skywarp, do you have any thoughts on what might sway Megatron?"

They considered it for a moment before the blue Seeker spoke.

"Megatron is interested in rebuilding efforts," he said slowly. "That's part of the reason he's been sending supplies to Shockwave, to go towards that."

"Yeah and so Shockwave can distribute it to civilians and s***," Skywarp added helpfully.

"Hmm, those are good suggestions," Optimus mused thoughtfully, optics brightening. "Elita, could your femmes work on reconstruction and aid work?"

"Of course, we can. Living by ourselves on this planet has forced us to learn how to repair our base." She told him assuredly. and added. "We might excel more in civilian aid."

"Shockwave won't be happy. He will probably complain that his drones are better." Skywarp said while leaning lazily on a stone pillar.

"He will have to live with it," Optimus said and looked at one of the empty stores. It looked like a good place to leave the energon here, he started to unload the enegron he had been carrying with him. "Skywarp, Thundercracker. Hide the energon here."

The two seekers walked over to the big ruined store and unloaded their share. The store must have been a cloth store, there was still some old rag cloths in that place.

"I will send my girls to pick it up later." Elita informed them as she watched them work.

"I will try and work something out with Shockwave," Optimus assured her as they packed the Energon safely in the old store.

"I don't know if you'll succeed," cautioned Thundercracker. "But if you get him to sign something, he'll stick to it. He likes order, and he's never backstabbed Megatron, so he might be more willing to agree with you."

"Good to know," The Prime said, dilligently stacking the cubes until he had none left.

"Warp, come on," Thundercracker said pointedly, deciding to give the couple a little bit of space before they had to leave. Skywarp snickered but did as instructed. Now alone, Elita put her arms around her mate's neck.

"So," she said with a small smile. "How are you finding wings?"

"Terrifying. My first few attempts were not likeable." Optimus told her trustfully. Remembering the first time he was forced to fly. Skywarp pushed him off the Nemesis, and he was forced to learn under pressure.

"Surely, it can't be that bad?" she asked, surprised by the answer.

"It was. I would prefer my wheels over the ability of flight." Optimus said. He had nothing against flying, but it wasn't his first choice.

"Shame, seems like a useful feature." She smiled, giving him a kiss. and warned. "You should still be careful around Megatron and his men. Do now trust them fully."

"I know, I will be careful," Optimus promised her, though also adding. "I think I have made progress. The men listened to me when we were defending the base against Starscream."

"That is something," she acknowledged. "But I'm not sure how they would react if they knew the truth. And Megatron can use this to his advantage, he can easily blackmail you."

"That is true, therefore I will do my best to make him an ally," Optimus said before sighing. "I suppose we can't linger."

"No," she agreed regretfully. "If you make progress with Shockwave, perhaps we can meet again."

"I will try. My current plan is to move our base from Earth to here. Now that we can make our own energon, there is no reason to stay there, and I don't believe Starscream will conquer the planet. The arc crew won't allow him to." Optimus informed her as they walked over to join the other two seeker who waited for them.

"You wish to return? But how can you be certain that it is the best option, even if you can produce your own energon? There are a lot of dangers even here." She warned him.

"Wait? What?! You want to move our base here?!" Skywarp questioned in complete shock. He and Thundercracker had heard the conversation.

"I do. Our base on Earth is crumbling slowly apart." Optimus pointed out the obvious and added. "The main reason we left Cybertron was to look for Energon. We now have a way to restore our planet, and Starscream will be left alone on Earth until he realises we're not there anymore."

"Heh, that'll drive him crazy," Skywarp laughed with an evil smirk. "He'll be stuck playing nice with humans, it'll be great."

"But will he play nice?" Elita questioned, she didn't know the humans, but they did not deserve someone like Starscream turning malevolent.

"Sure, if he wants those bots to worship him, they love the squishes," the purple Seeker said dismissively. "He's stuck pretending to be Prime."

"That would be rather ironic," she mused before turning to Optimus. "But I'd like my mate back, in his proper form."

"I am hoping to work on that next," Optimus assured her, he missed his old body too.

"What will we do once you do switch back?" Skywarp questioned. He hadn't thought of it, but that day would be awkward.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps keep an eye on Starscream and keep him locked up if he is a threat." Optimus instructed. This would be the safest path to take.

"How about a keyword that only we know, so even you are back in your body we will know. The word could be something simple like stickers!" Skywarp suggested, happily.

"Stickers? That is not good. Why not Pax instead?" Elita advised. As they were headed towards Shockwaves' base to sign the contract.

"I would prefer, Pax over stickers." Optimus agreed, it was also his old last name, which made it easier to remember.

"If you say so," Skywarp said as Thundercracker nodded. "Pax works fine."

As they continued walking, Optimus couldn't help but get an idea.

"Elita, could I try something?" he asked as she looked at him curiously.

"Yes?" she agreed, wondering what he had in mind. She got her answer when he suddenly scooped her up and shot into the air, leaving two surprised Seekers behind.

"Oh!" she gasped, automatically grabbing him around the shoulders as they soared high.

"I might not get a chance to do this again," her mate explained, holding her close as he heard his trine mates follow them into the air.

Elita had put her arms around Optimus, holding onto him so she wouldn't fall. She hadn't expected this when Optimus said he wanted to try something.

"Don't be afraid, you're safe with me," Optimus promised her and added. "The view from this height is beautiful."

Elita shifted her attention to the down below them and them to the distance. The city was ruined. It looked so different than it did from the ground, from here. The sun was sparkling its rays through the broken glass, making the city almost sparkle.

"This is something else." She agreed.

"Indeed, just wait until we restore everything. I think I can make Megatron see reason and this war can finally end." He told her excitedly and truthfully. He just had to work on it.

"If anyone can, it's you," she acknowledged with a small smile.

The view was magnificent, and they both took a moment to admire it. Skywarp and Thundercracker hovered in the background, watching in case there were any mishaps. Optimus wasn't a natural Seeker after all. The noticed the awe on the couple's face, it was understandable. Views like this were normal to them, they relished them and couldn't imagine being so limited on the ground where landmarks or buildings could so easily block your line of sight.

"When I get my old body back," Optimus said after a few breems of reflection. "I wouldn't mind having a view tower constructed, so everyone can see Cybertron like this."

Being so high felt freeing, he had to admit.

"A view tower? It has to be large and impressive enough to bring in tourists. I would mind if there were a cafeteria on top, it would make the trip worthwhile." She smiled at the thought.

"Then I will make it happen." Optimus promised her. Elita's idea wasn't bad and it held some improvement to his idea of the view tower.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we are almost there," Thundercracker informed them from the left side and pointed at Shockwave's base.

"What is the plan? Or are we gonna use big words?" Skywarp questioned from the back, wondering if a fight would occur.

"We're definitely going to need big words and some improvisation." Optimus confirmed. Gusseing that Shockwave might be stubborn.

"We do. If he can see our viewpoint of our logic as to why we want to make this contract. He might accept it more easily." Thundercracker advised.

Optimus nodded, he would do his best to ensure he presented the most logical argument he could. If it did not go well, he'd have to make sure his mate was allowed to leave in peace.

"Here goes nothing," he thought as they landed in front of the entrance, his landing only a little bit awkward. Elita gave him a knowing smile as he let her down and he smiled back.

"He'll think we've captured you," Skywarp pointed out to Elita, who shrugged.

"He'll learn otherwise," She stated as the four of them entered.

Shockwave was at his computer, seemingly going over figures, but he instantly turned at their approach. His featureless face stared right at them.

"Hello, Shockwave. I have an important announcement to make." Optimus began to say, seriously. He stood close to Elita, hoping and praying that Shockwave wouldn't try to harm her.

"Is that so? What would that be?" The purple mech questioned, his voice ringing coldly.

"On our flight of sightseeing. We came across Elita-one. I will spare the battle between us, but we came to an agreement that will help both of us." Optimus stated. He could feel how Skywarp and Thundercracker were staring between him and Shockwave. and added.

"I have agreed to supply her with energon, which means no more stealing. But she also has agreed to help with our program here and will aid in rebuilding efforts as well in distributing support to our civilians."

"You're making an unwise choice, Starscream. She can't be trusted." Shockwave corrected. knowing very well that the femme could have lied to get what she wanted.

"It is a leap of faith," Optimus admitted. They had been enemies for a long time. "But if we continue to be at odds, then our rebuilding efforts will be continuously thwarted. I believe it is time to try a different approach."

"The Autobots, especially Autobot femme’s are not to be trusted," Shockwave stated coolly. "And since Elita One is here, we could easily take her prisoner and force her group to stand down."

Elita wasn't surprised by this, but she still tensed.

"I gave my word that wouldn't happen, " Optimus stated pointedly. "And we can hardly call the Autobots untrustworthy if we immediately go back on our word."

"Your statement has its point." Shockwave agreed. He could understand that, but didn't mean he agreed with it. "We do not require incompetent assistance. Femme's aren't equipped for rebuilding tasks, my drones are more efficient in the matter."

"Perhaps they are more efficient. But they are quite stupid too." Elita cut in on the conversation and continued. "I have given my word that I won't be attacking your storages any longer as long as I get enough energon to feed my girls."

Shockwave processed the information. If Elita and her femmes were included in the rebuilding program, that meant he had to supply them with their end of energon, too. Their work had to be monitored at all times as well.

"Now, if you won't mind. Bring out the contracts so we can get them signed. I also demanded one copy of the contract to take with me in case anything happens." Elita demanded, there were a lot of Decepticons on Cybertron, and the contract could protect her from some of them, too.

Shockwave seemed to be considering this, so Optimus decided to push a little.

"With Elita and her femmes working with us, there will be no sabotage, and they can even keep a lookout for it," he said persuasively. "They could also collaborate on any issues that might arise, with all the devastation, there will probably be weak points."

"We do have a good knowledge of places your drones never reached," Elita added softly. "You will lose far less energon supplying us than trying to prevent us from taking it."

"Correct, but I will be monitoring your work for treachery," Shockwave warned.

"I suppose that is fair enough. I don't trust you either at the moment, but I will work with you." Elita stated. It will be strange to take orders from a Decepticon.

"Very well. Wait here." Shockwave told them before leaving to get the contracts ready.

"That went well." Skywarp said. Shattering the silence as they all watched Shockwave walk out of the room.

"Surprisingly well. All thou, he protested at the beginning." Elita admitted. She would keep an optic on the cyclops.

"Indeed. If anything were to happen here. Contact me on Earth." Optimus said to the pink femme.

"You don't believe I can handle the situation myself?" She questioned him and added. "I can handle him. Don't worry your head over me."

"I can't help worrying, you know that," he reminded her sheepishly and she laughed.

"Yes, you've always been a worrier, Orion," she said fondly, remembering how he used to fret when they were younger. "And now you've got even more people to worry about."

"If things had been different, I'd have been concerned about everyone on the planet," Optimus mused. Perhaps there was still a chance for that to happen, looking after a peaceful planet and ensuring no one was struggling.

"Of course. But don't worry about us, as long as Shockwave keeps his promise, everything should be fine. I won't make any moves to break this truce," Elita assured him, the promise of regular fuel should be enough to convince her femmes.

Soon enough, Shockwave returned with a few data-pads in hand and handed them over to the group. Everyone was silent once more and accepted the data-pads and started reading them. It mainly holds the deal they were about to sign over, in short, in return for energon the femmes will do some work to restore and aid Cybertron. And lastly, neither party is not allowed to attack each other.

"This looks about right." Elita confirmed after reading it. She didn't want to get tricked into something that Shockwave might add to it. Luckily, there was none of that.

"A contact is simple to create. Only a fool would mess it up." Shockwave replied, and looked at Starscream.

Optimus couldn't help but feel the words hitting him, and it didn't help the way Shockwave was looking at him either. Did the purple mech believe him to be a fool?
His face automatically creased into a frown, unwittingly making him look like the real Starscream. Thundercracker saw it and was a little startled, he almost thought his Trine leader was back for a moment.

"This appears to be how I would word it," Optimus couldn't help but say a little testily.

"Indeed, Commander," Was Shockwave's seemingly unconvinced reply, which made Optimus frown harder.

"So...we all good here?" Skywarp questioned, he actually wanted to return to Earth, as nice as being back on Cybertron was, the ruined landscape was a bit depressing.

"I believe we are. I will take one of the document copies to the Nemesis." Optimus replied and then looked at Elita and added. "I will send over Energon shortly. Shockwave will inform you when they arrive."

"Of course, I will look forward to it." Elita smiled, she would receive the energon Optimus had shown her and now thanks to this trade, she would get another batch.

"Then we can leave now?" Skywarp asked impatiently while looking at Optimus.

"Yes, we can." Optimus nodded, noticing that Skywarp had already walked over to the space bridge.

"Great, let's go back to the Nemesis and plan some defence attack or whatever." Skywarp reached over and tried to pull over both his trine mates.

Optimus couldn't help but resist the pull slightly, it felt too short of a visit for him. Elita just gave him a sad smile and a nod, they could not have an affectionate goodbye in front of Shockwave. The Guardian was giving off a distinct air of scepticism about the whole situation, but he wouldn't act if everyone held up their side of the agreement.

"Come on, let's go," Skywarp insisted, dragging Optimus over to the Space Bridge. "Hey Shockwave, we good to go?"

"You are," the purple Mech said stiffly, taking a few steps over to his control panel and typing in the appropriate commands. "I eagerly await the next shipment."

His tone held no eagerness, though that seemed the norm with him.

"Until we meet again," Optimus called as he was pulled through the door.

In a flash of bright light. All three of them were teleported back to Earth. Walking out of the space bridge, two Decepticons greeted them.

"How did it go, boss?" Breakdown asked out of boredom.

"Everything went well. How were things over here?" Optimus questioned. The space bridge and the two stunticon's seemed unharmed, so it was safe to think it was a slow day.

"To quiet." Dead end answered for his brother.

"Never mind that stuff! We need to fly back to Soundwave, and don't forget your big plans about moving day." Skywarp pointed out.

"Wait. Moving day?" Both stunticon's questioned, confused.

"I will explain that one later, for now, stay on guard," Optimus told them and signed. It was going to be a long day, but he needed to report back to Megatron for now.

"You got it," Breakdown agreed, looking incredibly curious but refraining from questioning any further.

Despite his tiredness, Optimus still said. "You're doing a good job, keep it up."

Both Mechs blinked in surprise, they hadn't expected Starscream to say something like that. Then again, he had seemed weirdly mellow in recent weeks, he'd barely done any screeching.

"Let's go," Optimus said to his trine and they nodded before taking off.

Chapter Text

"So, it went smoothly then?" Megatron queried once Optimus was beside his berth.

"It did, and there has even been a development," Optimus said, hoping his nemesis did not take it the wrong way.

"Oh?" the grey Mech said curiously, What was Prime up to now?

"I have made a deal with Elita One," Optimus said quietly, causing the recovering Mech to stare at him.

"What?!" Megatron loudly asked, bewildered.

"You wished for me to take care of the problem on Cybertron, and I did." Optimus reminded the warlord. And added.

"Elita has come to an agreement that she won't attack the storages on Cybertron, so long as we supply her energon and in return, she will aid in the rebuilding efforts."

Megatron stared at the Autobot leader. This wasn't what he had in mind when he sent Optimus to take off a problem. Of course, the Autobot would try to save her. But the question stands, could she be trusted? With Optimus on his side, the femme would follow suit, which meant the deal would be beneficial.

"We have already signed the contracts, and I have with me one of the copies from Shockwave," Optimus informed and sub-spaced the contract to show as proof.

"I see," Megatron said slowly, taking the contract and examining it. "And Shockwave agreed to this?"

"He did, though he remains suspicious," Optimus acknowledged. "But Elita will do nothing unless she is attacked, I can assure you of that."

"And I suppose you would know," Megatron said with a smirk. "So, she knows?"

"She does, she apparently learned after an interaction with Starscream," Optimus explained, It did feel good that his mate had seen through the deception.

"Hah, couldn't fool her, could he?" Megatron laughed. "Well, she has certainly been a worthy opponent of Shockwaves, I'll grant her that."

"Speaking of. If I am going to trust your femme, you will have to trust one of my officers in return."

"Soundwave has already earned my trust," Optimus replied. The blue cassette host was quite loyal to his faction. Soundwave seemed to appreciate the kindness Optimus offered to his children. In a way, he reminded him of Prowl.

"For now. If he were to find out about your secret on his own, he might feel betrayed, and who would say he wouldn't wish your demise?" Megatron pointed out.

"I don't believe he would do that," Optimus said honestly.

"My point is, you need to tell him if you're going to have his support. Soundwave doesn't like secrets, Prime."

"Most don't, but I see your point," Optimus acknowledged.

Soundwave was a Mech that prided himself on knowing nearly everything that was going on. And he could keep secrets, he'd loyally kept the fact that Megatron was alive hidden from the rank and file.

"Perhaps you could be present to confirm you know."

"And only recently worked it out," Megatron said ruefully, he still couldn't believe he hadn't realised Prime was amongst the Decepticons. "Very well, summon him, might as well get it over with."

As Optimus duly sent Soundwave a ping to request that he come to the Med Bay, he sighed. "It will be good to clear my name."

When given a look, he elaborated. "Soundwave thinks I tormented his cassettes, it would be nice for the truth to come out."

"Oh, when he realises that was Starscream, that wretched Seeker is going to dearly regret it," Megatron chuckled darkly.

Shortly after, the blue cassette host arrived. He walked into the room and looked at both mechs there and waited.

"Soundwave, thank you for coming. You might want to sit down, what I am about to tell you might sound unbelievable." Optimus said in a calm voice, but in fact, he felt quite nervous.

However, Soundwave continued to stand where he was. "Query: What is this about?"

"Well, you see, it's a rather long complicated story. I'm not Starscream. I'm Optimus, and Starscream had a wish granted by a human. That human was a magician who had the power to take our sparks and put them into the body of the other. Starscream is currently inhabiting my body and pretending to be me at the Arc as the Autobot leader."

"I believe you lost him, Prime." Megatron cut in as he noticed his third in command staring at Prime as if questioning his sanity.

"Query, has Starscream lost his processor?" Soundwave asked, he'd never heard such a preposterous story in all his life, and that was quite a feat considering some of the things he'd heard.

Megatron barked out a laugh, Soundwave's reaction was exactly as he was expecting.

"You know Prime, for someone who makes speeches, you can be pretty poor at explaining yourself," he chuckled as Soundwave gave him a startled look. Surely his leader did not believe this?

"I apologise if that sounded fantastical, but it is true," Optimus said earnestly as the navy blue Mech continued to look at him dubiously. "Is there anything I can do to prove it?"

Soundwave cocked his head, as ridiculous as this sounded, he had to admit Starscream did not sound like himself. Well, in fact he hadn't for quite a while, he'd become so calm and caring....

He paused as a slight chill went down his spinal struts. No, surely it could not be true. Instinctively, he reached out with his telepathy and brushed against Starscream's mind, expecting the chaotic storm he usually encountered. Except it wasn't there. Instead, a mind like a serene lake was before him, which strongly reminded him of.....

"P-Prime?" he stammered in shock.

"Yes, I'm Optimus." The false seeker confirmed.

"You can stop it Prime. I believe he cheated already." Megatron told him, still very much amused by the scene.

"Cheated? I do not understand." Optimus replied, confused, how could someone cheat in believing in another person?

"Statement: Mind showed true self," Soundwave explained.

He was quite astonished by it all, but this explained everything around the two mechs and that prime was innocent when it came to his children. However, Starscream was the one who actually tortured them. Soundwave’s visor darkened as his optics glowed with rage.

"Now he's getting it," Megatron observed as Soundwave's fists clenched and he began to shake slightly.

"He...he hurt them!" Soundwave ground out, looking as though he might destroy something.

"Yes," Optimus acknowledged gravely before adding. "It is my belief the other Autobots were not aware of what was going on, he hid it as they would be shocked to see 'me' act like that."

Soundwave shook his head, not disagreeing with Optimus because everything the twins had told him backed this statement up, but because he was so angry. Rumble and Frenzy were Starscream comrades, they might annoy him, but to take the opportunity to torment them as he had. He was going to make that damn Seeker pay. He wanted to fly right over to the Ark and demand retribution.

"Patience, Soundwave, the time will come," Megatron promised the blue mech.

"We still don't know when." Optimus opened his arms and looked down at the seeker's body. "Starscream and I will change back. It has already been a few months since I've been stuck in this body."

"Eager to return to your Autobots are we, Prime?" Megatron questioned in a tease.

"I will need to at some point. But until then, I have an urgent matter to discuss with both of you." Optimus told them, capturing their attention.

"And what would that be?" Megatron demanded, wondering if his former seeker did something else.

"I have been thinking. The new magnetic generators have been performing well, if we build a few more of them, we won't need to stay on Earth. We could return to Cybertron and start rebuilding it."

Soundwave stared in surprise while Megatron raised an optic brow.

"Are you serious, Prime?"

"I am," Optimus said firmly. "If we remain here, we'll only clash with Starscream, he'll plan another attack. And we could risk losing our generators."

"A good point," Megatron said slowly. The thought of returning to Cybertron was very tempting. "But what of your Autobots, would you leave them behind?"

"If I can regain my body, I had hoped we could come to an agreement," Optimus stated, knowing he was taking a bit of a risk, but so far, Megatron had not had him thrown in the brig or worse. "I want to see our home world renewed just as much as you both."

"So far, your actions have been pure. An agreement would take time to forge." Megatron stated while thinking it over. If they return to Cybertron with the new generators, it could mean a new era on the planet and Starscream would have no part of it.

"Query: What about Autobots on the planet?" Soundwave questioned in concern. There was a fact that there were a few survivors besides the femmes on the planet.

"Leave them to me. I believe if I talk again to Elita, she can help us with that problem." Optimus said as Elita was probably the best option to convince other Autobots to a peace treaty with the Decepticons.

"Very well, we will start on preparations for a new base on Cybertron." Megatron agree, he then looked at Prime. "I have yet to regain my full strength. You will continue to lead the people. I will make myself know, once Starscream shows his face, as he will regret that day deeply."

"I'm sure," Optimus said dryly as Megatron turned to Soundwave.

"I'm afraid, old friend, you must be patient in your desire for revenge," he stated, though sympathetically. "Imagine how that wretched Seeker will react when he discovers how badly he has failed."

Soundwave nodded shortly. He wished nothing more than to confront Starscream right now, but waiting would yield a far sweeter payback. The Seeker believed he'd vanquished Megatron and had the Decepticons on the run, his reaction would be very satisfying to watch.

"What will we do with the space bridge here on Earth?" Optimus asked and added thoughtfully. "We will need it to transport our resources to Cybertron and the troops. But once we leave, should we just leave the space bridge in one piece?"

"Worried that Starscream might follow us, Prime?" Megatron Taunted smugly.

"That and perhaps some of us would like to return to this planet." Optimus pointed out, it would be nice to get to see Earth's nature once in a while.

"Statement: Space bridge needs to be destroyed after departure. Starscream will take advantage and follow to Cybertron." Soundwave stated logically, in the long run, this made more sense to destroy it.

"If we do that, it will take longer for him to get to Cybertron." Megatron agreed and shifted his attention back to Optimus. "Prime, what condition is the Arc in?"

"The inside is not bad, it's habitable," Optimus said slowly as he thought over the condition of the Autobot's ship. "But the outside is not in great condition, it's mostly buried in Mount St Hilary, I'm not even sure it could be safely removed. Especially as it is so close to a volcano, it would not be a good option if Starscream wished to follow us."

"So, if Starscream did wish to go to Cybertron, he would be forced to either rely on that Shuttle or build his own ship," Megatron mused thoughtfully. "Relying on Skyfire would limit his ability to transport troops."

Optimus nodded, it was true and at least his troops would not be permanently stranded here. He wanted them to have the chance to return home to Cybertron, not least because their various skills would be desperately needed. Then a new thought occurred to him.

"How much does Starscream know about building Space Bridges?"

"Are you kidding me, Prime? That fool wouldn't know how to build one even if he tried." Megatron said seriously and added. "Starscream is more efficient in finding energon and commanding the seekers. Shockwave was the brain that gave us the blueprints to build our current space bridge."

"Are you certain he can't accomplish this with my own scientist?" Optimus questioned, calmly.

"Says the one who has been using my space bridges to get to Cybertron all these years. That tells me that your scientists haven't been up to the task." the warlord smirked, victoriously.

"Wheeljack, would be eager to take such a challenge." Optimus protested. That fact was true, Decepticons held the secrets to space travel.

"And he would blow up himself along the way," Megatron stated the obvious.

"Affirmative," Soundwave added, unfortunately, Wheeljack's exploits were well known even within the Decepticon ranks.

"Well, it isn't likely the Autobots will be able to replicate the technology anytime soon," Optimus admitted with a sigh. It didn't sit well with him leaving his troops here but at least there was plenty of fuel and entertainment here. He knew his Autobots would not sit idle, they would make plans and he would not leave them high and dry. "But perhaps in the future, we could think about establishing a new Space Bridge here. I know that many of the troops have enjoyed aspect of Earth living and there are many ways Energon can be produced sustainably here. It would be a good backup if we run into problems with Energon production on Cybertron."

"You have such a soft spot for this dirt ball," Megatron scoffed but Prime did have a point about the how fuel rich this planet was. "But it might be something to revisit."

"Thank you," Optimus said in relief, at least it meant the Decepticons could return to the planet in the future.

"You realise that we will require more resources for the move and to build our new base on Cybertron." Megatron stated the reality of the situation. Building a base wasn't cheap and it would take more resources than they were going to realize.

"Energy will be needed and probably metal, amongst other things, correct?" Optimus asked, knowing that those are mostly the standards needed for building anything.

"Yes, where are you going to get it from?" Megatron now questioned him.

"Cybretron, has already plenty of ruined metal around it, we could recycle some of that for the new base."

"That will help, but we will need more," Megatron pointed out. "And to recycle, we will need a foundry."

"We will need to work on a plan," Optimus nodded. "What are the vital steps we must take, and where will our priorities be. A foundry is one, Energon production of course, rough accommodation..."

"A Med Bay," Soundwave cut in, even with everyone cooperating there was still a strong chance of accidents as they repaired the ruined cities.

"Yes, that is important," Optimus agreed.

In the next few days, Optimus discuss the future plans for the new base on Cybertron, with Megatron and Soundwave. Making a list of what materials to gather from his earth that would be sent to their home planet.

The main issue would also be to keep all of this a secret from the Autobots, knowing that they would get a notice at some point by all the space bridge travels. to that, it was decided to have a combination guard the space bridge during the day the materials would be sent over.

Chapter Text

Starscream was driving through the streets of one of the human cities, patrolling the area for any Decepticons. It had been so quiet these last few days, and the silence was killing him from boredom.

Looking around and doing a quick scan, the area, was clear of any cybertroian in sight.

"Urgh," He grumbled. This inactivity did not suit him at all. Searching for that magician had kept him briefly occupied, but having hit a literal 'dead end', there was nothing more he could do on that end.

Shara was keeping him updated, and nothing was going wrong. However, they were currently repeating tests to ensure that all the kinks had been worked out. He understood the necessity of this, but it meant his input wasn't needed and would not be until it was completed. The Autobots were happy with the lull and content to take advantage of it.

They had no clue why their leader was so grouchy over the situation.

"This is useless," he complained to himself. Why couldn't those good-for-nothing Decepticons do something? He'd love an excuse to brawl with some of those idiots and drag them back to the Ark. Or send them packing to that underwater wreck.

But after their last encounter at the Nemesis. The Decepticons have gotten much calmer in their activities, and it was strange, no doubt that Optimus must have ordered them to stay away from humans.

After driving through the city for a while. Starscream decided to head towards Shara's workshop, perhaps he would assist with the final touches of their work and gain his new alt mode. Of course, he would need to all over Ratchet.

"I have waited enough," Starscream said impatiently and headed towards Shara's place.

While he drove. Starscream looked up to the sky. It was a sunny day and perfect for a flight and for a test flight. It would be amazing if he could cause some of the seekers in the Decepticons rank, but doubted that his new alt-form would go that fast. All thou, the new flying cars did achieve a remarkable speed of their new design, it was ridiculously fast.

Of course, he reflected with a heavy sigh, he still wouldn't have the agility of a Seeker, that was beyond even these highly skilled engineers. Still, it would be a considerable step up from his current position on the ground. And it would give the Decepticons the shock of their lives when his troops took to the air.

"Optimus Prime, you're just in time," Shara greeted when he pulled up and transformed. "We were about to set up for a test flight."

"Good," Starscream said. This had better work. "I am close to defeating the Decepticons, this could ensure it."

"Well, I think you'll be pleased with this," she assured the impatient Autobot leader. "Right this way."

The vehicle was being prepped, several humans were checking it over, while others sat with various computers. Starscream could see there were a few changes to it, thankfully, they had taken note of his previous suggestions.

The truck wasn't a flat design like the other ground trucks. Instead, this newer model has almost like a place nose on its driver design, the glass was huge, but it let the human driving it have a greater view of the front, up and down. But that would also improve airflow.

"Have there been any issues with it?" Starscream asked, while watching the human claiming into the truck and activating the vehicle.

"Well, the only issue we had with it was fixed." She informed him and continued. "We gave it more power, and when the truck was fully loaded with heavy materials, it moved with difficulty. But that is fixed now."

"Is that so?" Starscream questioned, and it made sense to increase the power for the machine to move.

"Indeed. We created software that takes care of those issues. But I also believe your crew might enjoy our race cars." Shara smiled and watched the test play out.

"They certainly would," Starscream confirmed wryly, a lot of the Mechs were constantly speeding in and out of the base. The Ark was in a suitable location for grounders, whereas at times, Starscream wished the Nemesis had crashed into a mountainside. Now that would be a magnificent place to take off, instead of waiting for that platform to rise out of the sea and often having to deal with rain.

Not to mention, dealing with all the salt that tended to dry on his armour was a major pain in the backburners.

The car successfully rose into the air and executed a perfect right turn before propelling forward. With delight, Starscream watched as the test vehicle performed all its manoeuvres perfectly before coming to land again. All of the humans were clapping and cheering the perfect test flight, and inwardly, Starscream was very gratified. Now this was the kind of result he was looking for.

"Well done. I believe you have succeeded in your task." Starscream praised the humans while walking closer to the truck.

"Thank you. We always enjoy a challenge here." Shara smiled, looking quite pleased with what she had achieved so far and added. "I have also installed safety measures in case any of these cars would be stolen or if anyone tried to take them apart."

"Really, such as?" Starscream questioned.

"I don't wish for others to steal my work. I have built in safety measures as all data deletion, if someone tries to copy it and if anyone tries to take it apart for study. Well, the cars will overheat in a meltdown, destroying anything useful."

"Wouldn't that be too extreme?" Starscream said, while trying to activate his T-cog for the new alt.

"I worked too hard on this project. I won't lose it to some fool who would want to make easy money out of it." She told him.

"Fair enough," He acknowledged, he'd do the same if he were in her position. Too many lesser bots were always hoping to steal his work and claim it as their own. And yet their versions were never as good as his own.

"But you would not object if I scan it?" he queried, might as well act like that soft Prime and be polite.

"Of course not, I'm interested to see how it works with a Transformer," she agreed, he had assisted her with this project, it was the least she could do.

He nodded before focusing his attention on the new alt mode, sometimes with new technology, it took a little longer to scan. Thankfully, it didn't take long until his T-cog activated and he felt the new integrations to his frame take hold. His form changed, he was still powerfully built, but now he was less… boxy.

In a way, he felt faster and more flexible after scanning his new alt-mode. Every part felt right to him, which meant the scanning went well.

"You look much better than before." Shara complimented him. The humans around the base seemed to agree with their boss and applauded the Autobot leader.

"Thank you. I will now have my own test flight." Starscream declared and transformed into his new vehicle form.

The transformation went well, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary, except that he was now hovering above the ground. This made him feel excited, and he took off instantly to the course. The take off felt similar and yet was different from his seeker body, but it was easy enough to rise up to the sky. Reaching the first red ballon, Starscream readied himself to make a turn and was surprised at how different it was as he had pulled too much on the turn, but quickly regained control.

It would take a little bit of getting used to, but that wasn't a problem for him. Just being able to fly freely again was positively. He had missed this dreary over the months he had been stuck in Prime's body. He headed straight for the next balloon and managed a smoother turn this time, although not quite as graceful as normal. The next balloon was actually higher, he happily aimed upwards and felt the wonderful sensation you get when you rise up.

"Whoa, look at him go," an assistant exclaimed to Shara, the Autobot leader, was taking very well to flying. "He's amazing."

"He's something else," she agreed. It was incredible to see a powerful robot make full use of their technology. She could tell he was thoroughly enjoying himself, it was rather contagious to witness.

"And soon enough, we'll be seeing all the Autobots in the air."

"Not just Autobots. Once people see these cars, humans too will be in the air," one of her workers said excitedly.

"Indeed. But we will need to give them a few quick driving lessons. Not everyone will be as natural as Prime when it comes to flying." Shara said and made a note of that.

Starscream flew a second round around the course to get a better feel and performance. Once he felt satisfied with his results, he transformed and landed on the ground. A few of the humans were still watching him, alongside Shara.

"What do you think, Prime?" She asked him, curious about his opinion on his first flight test.

"It's better than I expected. This is very close to actual flying like planes do." Starscream smiled, he felt great. Looking at his energon levels, it seems the new alt-mode didn't consume too much fuel either.

"Great to hear it. When do you think the rest of your crew will come by to get their upgrade?" She asked him excitedly.

"As soon as possible, " He chuckled. "I'll talk to Ratchet, he might prefer to organise a rota, rather than all of us at once."

"That would probably be wise," Shara agreed. "Perhaps bots you think would handle flying the best first? They could always help the less sure ones."

He nodded, not bad advice.

"I'll contact you later when I've made arrangements, " he promised her, eagerly to get in the air again.

"Until, then, Prime." She smiled, before walking to her workers.

Starscream had turned around and already transformed before lifting up into the air and heading back to the Arc. He could now bring the good news about an advantage upgrade to keep them on equal footing with the Decepticons.

The way back to the arc felt much faster than usual, but that would be expected as air travel is much faster than those that would travel on the ground. Seeing the volcano in view, Starscream started to head down. But as he did so, he noticed some mechs standing outside, probably someone had noticed him.

The former Seeker landed on the ground a bit away from the arc and decided to drive to the Arc so as to not spook anyone there.

"Hold your weapons. It's just Prime." Prowl told the others.

"Huh, thought it was some Decepticon punk," Ironhide muttered, looking distinctly disappointed as he put away his large blaster.

"You mean you wish it was?" Sideswipe grinned, although he too had been ready for a bit of action.

"Hey Prime, rocking a new look and alt mode," Jazz noted, looking him up and down with interest as Starscream strolled over.

"My human contact has finally perfected flying technology for ground vehicles," Starscream announced proudly. "And even better, is happy to provide it to us all."

"Wait, seriously?" Sideswipe exclaimed, jaw dropping open. "We'll all be able to fly like that?"

"Flying alt modes?" Ironhide said, looking rather dubious. "Sure, that's a good idea, Prime?"

"Of course it is. The humans see this as the future, and soon all of them are going to own flying vehicles." Starscream informed them excitedly.

"The future, huh? Count us in, Prime!" Sideswipe smirked and held up his and Sunny's arms.

"How do we know that this new flying technology is safe? It's too early to tell, isn't it?" Ironhide stated his concern. He didn't want to fall from the sky, the ground was more than comfortable for him.

"The technology has been tested and passed its test by the scientist who created it. They have assured me that it's more than safe enough to use." Starscream ensured him, continued. "This will give us an advantage over the Decepticons. For too long, we have lacked the ability of flight."

"But we have adapted just fine to taking them out on the battlefield without any fancy flying," the red mech protested.

"Aww, come on, Hide, don't you want to show those Cons up?" Sideswipe demanded to know as his brother shook off his grip with a roll of his optics. "Think of the shock they're gonna get."

"Yeah, it'll be a real shock when we go splat," the older red Mech grumbled as Prowl now spoke.

"It sounds intriguing, but perhaps only a few of us should try this?" He suggested. He could see the advantage of this new technology, but Ironhide's concern was valid. "And it would be advisable to consult with Ratchet."

Ironhide nodded. The old medic wouldn't sign off on anything that had high risk.

"Then let's speak to him." Starscream declared and headed inside. The others followed right behind him as he could hear some of them whisper to each other.

Ratchet was sorting some files when a bunch of mechs entered his med-bay, unannounced. He stopped what he was doing and demanded. "What is the meaning of this?"

"We came here for your professional opinion of flying vehicles," Starscream informed, keeping a calm voice. Thankfully, Ratchet had helped Shara to improve her designs. He only hoped that the medic did approve of the final product.

"Ah, think this tech isn't safe enough yet." Ironhide walked forward, speaking his mind.

"And I believe it is safe enough to use. I have changed my alt-mode, and there were no technical issues on my flight to the Arc." Starscream challenged and added. "Your scanners can approve as much."

"Hmm," Ratchet hummed thoughtfully, so Shara had managed to get a vehicle up and running? It was true Optimus wouldn't have scanned it if he didn't think it was safe, but sometimes there were hidden glitches. "Step over here, Prime, I'll take a look."

Starscream did as asked, it was always easier on a Medic's scanner if you weren't closely surrounded by other bots. Ratchet began his scan, with it hooked up to a pad so he could record and examine his findings. Most of the bots looked on eagerly, desperate to try this new technology and all the advantages it would bring, while Ironhide remained sceptical. After a few breems, Ratchet was done and going over the results.

"As far as I can tell, everything is fine," he mused as several Autobots whooped with excitement. "However, I would not recommend scanning and charging straight into battle. None of us has any experience with a flying mode, the Decepticons still have that advantage over us."

"Agreed." Starscream nodded. Amusing as it would be, he couldn't have the Autobot crew fall to their deaths, if he wanted to use them. Then an idea came to mind. "However, there are humans who can drive these vehicles at the lab. They can teach us how to drive in the sky."

"Seriously?! When can we leave?" Sunswipe asked, eagerly. This new opportunity would mean that he and his brother could use the jet-dojo much more efficiently.

"Hopefully, soon. I will inform the humans that some of the crew wish to come by for new alt-modes." Starscream announced. Knowing that Shara would be delighted to have more Autobots using her technology.

"Can't we go now and ask? You just got yours, didn't you?" Sideswipe asked much like a child would.

"Yes, but I was already there and asked nicely," Starscream smirked. "And none of the humans flew in me, they'll need a chance to prepare themselves."

"The more warning, the better," Ratchet agreed vehemently. "This is very new to us, no messing around."

"Aww, come on Ratch, wouldn't it be awesome to be a flying ambulance?" The young red lamborghini asked what he thought was a persuasive tone.

"Well, we will see," was the medic response. "Now shoo. My medbay isn't a meeting office."

Everyone in there, turned around and walked out of the room. It would be best to leave the medic to his work.

Starscream shifted his attention to Prowl, who was close by, and said. "Prowl, prepare a list of bots who wish to change their alt-mode."

"I will have it done, Prime." The police officer replied. He knew the twins would be on the list, they were to eager for this change. "I assume, you wish to have everyone sorted into groups when they get their upgrade."

"Exactly that," Starscream confirmed. "Preferably, don't have all the hot heads in one group."

"Would I?" The Praxian asked with a small smile. "It will not be an issue."

Starscream nodded, then asked an obvious question. "Will you get the upgrade, Prowl?"

"I can certainly see the advantages, and I believe I may have a slight edge," the Autobot SIC mused, inclining his doorwings. "For now, I will observe how it goes before I commit. "

"A wise choice. With some practice, I believe the others of the crew might slowly get interested." Starscream nodded, happy.

Knowing that those who would upgrade would just get a basic understanding of how to drive In the air, all thanks to the humans that would teach them how. Starscream realised that he would be forced to teach them some of his moves if he wanted to have them all fully efficient on a battlefield.

"Call me if there are any issues." Starscream then walked down the halls, looking for Skyfire.

Why didn't he think of it before? Skyfire would be a perfect choice to help teach the newly upgraded troops how to fly, and since the shuttle knew some of his moves, it would make training easier. The Autobots wouldn't even question him about his own flying as he could just inform them that Skyfire helped teach him.

Reaching the lab. The former seeker knocked on the door. "Skyfire? We need to speak."

"Starscream? Alright, come in?"

Needing no further encouragement, Starscream did just that and found the shuttle jotting down some notes on a data pad. His curiosity was peaked, he wouldn't mind reading a scientific journal, it would make for a relaxing evening. However, he had more important things to focus on right now.

"Is something wrong?" Skyfire immediately asked, and he huffed at the question.

"Of course not, have you not noticed my form?" he asked and received a quick once over.

"You scanned a new alt mode?" the shuttle questioned. "Of what?"

"A new flying truck car," Starscream declared proudly.

"H-how did you achieve this? Is it even safe to use?!" Skyfire questioned, fascinated but also worried.

"Of course, it's safe! Why must everyone question that?" Starscream sneered. He had enough of people keep pointing that out.

"You're aware, as I am, that every past development on flying cars has ended in unforgivable outcomes." Skyfire reminded his old friend. Flying cars were simply were too dangerous, as in the past it had never ended well.

"The scientists of old were fools! With the help of a human group and with my and Ratchet's assistance, we have managed to crack the secret of flying vehicles. The Humans plan to sell their models soon, and we are the first to get this golden ticket!" Starscream explained excitedly.

"I see, that is quite impressive," Skyfire admitted and knew that Starscream wasn't foolish enough to scan anything that might get him killed.

"Quite. But the crew will need training, and you will help with that after the humans teach them the basics of moving around in their new forms," the former seeker declared brightly.

"Oh," Skyfire said in surprise. He hadn't been expecting that. "I....yes, I'm sure I can do that."

"Good," Starscream replied, At least there was no argument. "Of course, I'd do it myself, but..."

He gestured to his decidedly non-Seeker body. Skyfire nodded, he was the most logical candidate, the Arielbots were not experienced enough, and Powerglide wasn't the right fit. It was certainly going to be odd seeing the Autobots as flying cars.

"So....are we going to try and keep this hidden from the Decepticons?" he asked slowly.

"Keep it hidden? Of course, not! The Decepticons won't believe what hit them until it's too late!" Starscream smirked, smugly. He would show them how it's done and put them to shame.

Skyfire got worried as he noticed that evil smirk, knowing very well what it meant. It was a shame he couldn't warn Optimus and only hoped that the real Autobot leader to adapt.

Chapter Text

At the Nemesis, things were going smoothly. Everyone was working away at their new tasks; no longer did they need to attack power-plants, and the troop's attention went instead on gathering materials for their new base on Cybertron.

Currently, Optimus was standing in the Throne room. He didn't like that throne and preferred standing on the other side of the room when people came for an audience with him.

"Everything is going well. That is good." Optimus praised, while reading a few reports from Soundwave, who stood next to him.

"Affirmative," Soundwave agreed, unable to resist the urge to mentally scold himself. How could he have missed all the signs that something wasn't right with the Seeker? He must be losing his touch, Optimus hadn't even been pretending recently. It was just frustrating, imagine if it had been someone intending them harm?

"Is everything alright?" Optimus asked, sensing the conflict within the navy blue Mech.

Soundwave could have sighed, there was that caring that was blatantly apparent to all. The Prime had always been a very encouraging Mech, much more fond of the carrot than the stick, with Megatron being the opposite.

"Soundwave; ashamed to have missed what was in plain sight," he eventually admitted. He might as well speak the truth.

"I understand. I only tried to survive during that time, hoping to return to my bots while playing the role of Starscream." Optimus told him. It made sense why the blue mech was ashamed, as Soundwave was known to know everything.

"Explanation: understandable," Soundwave replied. He had heard it before, and it was hard to believe that the Autobot leader meant them no harm, more so that Megatron put him in charge.

"It's something for all of us to get used to," Optimus said, and Soundwave nodded in agreement.

"Starscream! How much longer are we too savage parts from those tedious scrap heaps!" one of the combaticons complained.

"Until we have what we need," Optimus replied and was fully aware that the Decepticons didn't like this task of the work they had been assigned. "We can't let the Autobots know our actions."

"We can take them!" Breakdown said, cracking his fingers, showing that he would mind a fight.

"Negative," Soundwave spoke up before Optimus could. "Autobots currently hold positions of strength. The Prime; not showing the same level of mercy he previously did."

"He has gotten weird," Brawl muttered, kicking a spare piece of metal.

"We sustained a lot of injuries in the last conflict," Optimus stated firmly. "This is tedious work but necessary, our resources were strained by that fight. We cannot risk another confrontation like that."

"You ain't gottan soft, Starscream?" Onslaught questioned how he was not raging to get back at the Bots?

"I am focusing on a plan which will take the Autobots by surprise and leave them stranded here," Optimus told him, looking the gesalt leader squarely in the optics. "They will be expecting us to try and take revenge, instead, we will turn the tables on them. Or would you rather remain here than return to our homeworld?"

"Cybertron? Wait, we're going back home?" Brawl questioned, stunned by the news, and so were his brothers. "Isn't that too soon?"

"Perhaps, but energon is not an issue anymore, and we can focus on healing our home planet, without the interference of the Autobots," Optimus stated. Of course, he knew that the Autobots would try to follow them back home, but it would take them time to do so.

"How soon?" Vortex asked curiously.

"That depends on everyone's work effort. For now, I have Shockwave build a new base on Cybertron, and while we are using the ruined metal there, we need a few things from here too." Optimus told them and added. "Continue work as you are and I believe we might leave this planet soon enough."

"Alright, we all are excited on going home." Onslaught agreed, and led his team out of the room to continue their work.

Optimus was relieved that they didn't complain too much, but still. He then looked over at Soundwave again and said. "How far has Shockwave come with the project?"

"It is proceeding well," Soundwave stated. "He has achieved around fifty percent progress on the new base; there have been no attacks from Autobot forces."

"Good," Optimus said in relief. He knew Elita would not attack unless Shockwave did, but he was still pleased at the progress. "It sounds like it will not be long until it is fully completed."

Soundwave nodded before glancing at Optimus. "Do you...wish for there to be peace?"

"It is my wish," the Prime had to concede. "I do not want to see the Autobots trapped here. I am trying to prevent the troops from being destroyed here. And if the Decepticons are on Cybertron, we cannot attack each other and could start to work something out."

They'd been in a stalemate on both planets, he hoped this would break the cycle and start healing their home.

Soundwave thought about Prime's words and in the past, he wouldn't believe him. But having seen that Optimus actually cares about them too, the blue mech starts to believe that peace might be an option.

"Statement: Take a break." The cassette hoist suggested.

"I'm almost done here," Optimus replied, trying to finish the last details.

"Negative. Rest required. Do not take health for granted." Soundwave said and healed out his hand, waiting for that pad to be handed over.

He has seen Megatron in the past work like a madman to build some super weapon, which at times would make him lose his mind. It would be best to keep the prime away from overworking, even if he wants to.

Optimus looked at him and saw that the blue Mech was serious. He huffed a little before chuckling as he handed over the pad.

"Ratchet would say the same thing," he couldn't help but muse.

"Then you should follow Medic's orders," Soundwave said sternly, accepting the pad. This was definitely something Megatron and Optimus had in common, overworking themselves and stubbornness. "And get some rest."

"I will," Optimus assured him, being tired wasn't anything new but a small break probably wouldn't hurt. "Make sure you get a break at some point."

Walking through the halls, Optimus thought of sleeping for a short time. But being cooped up in this base for a few days now made him change his mind. It would be nice if he could get outside and perhaps sunbathe on some beach.

"That does sound quite appealing," Optimus said to himself.

It would be perfect for testing and for a nap, too. Having set his mind on this, the Prime walked his way to the platform. He then stopped in his tracks, thinking of the two seekers and wondered if they would want to join him and so he sent a message to Thundercracker.

//I'm taking a break and heading towards the nearby beaches. You and Skywarp are welcome to join me.//

//Are you sure? We do have a lot of work left to do.//

//I'm sure. Soundwave has everything in control.//

//Alright, we'll come//

His trine mate agreed, for which Optimus was glad. The Seekers needed a break and a chance to stretch their wings, generally to destress.

"Wonderful, I'm just at the platform, I'll wait for you in the sky," Optimus said with a smile and received an affirmative in return.

Activating the platform, he waited patiently as it rose into the air before opening up. Taking an intake, he lit up his thrusters and shot into the open sky, relishing the feeling of freedom it gave him. He flew up high, hovering and enjoying the gentle warmth of the sun upon his armour. Soon enough, two distinct forms were shooting up to meet him, he smiled and transformed, they did they same.

In formation, they flew even higher than curved downwards, heading for the land. Soon enough, they were flying along some cliffs until they spotted a suitable beach with golden sand. With a flourish, they transformed and landed, throwing up clouds of dusty sand grains.

"Hey, this is pretty nice," Skywarp grinned, plopping onto the warm sand.

"I thought you'd enjoy it," Optimus smiled, sitting down a bit more gently. "A short break will do us all some good."

"It is good to get out," Thundercracker agreed, tipping his face up. "I've always enjoyed this planet's sun."

"Indeed, it's quite enjoyable," Optimus agreed, it was something special. He sighed in contentment, listening to the soft sounds of nature and the gentle rhythm of the waves.

However, after a few moments, he couldn't help but hear a strange sound of engines that didn't belong to the beach.

"Do you hear that?" Optimus questioned, wondering what he was hearing as it wasn't familiar, but it was clear the sound was coming from an engine of some kind.

Both Thundercracker and Skywarp stopped what they were doing and listened instead, hearing the new sound beside nature. This also got their attention.

"We hear it, but what is it?" Thundercracker wondered and added. "Could it be humans?"

"Must be, they crawl all over this planet," Skywarp said, unimpressed and too tired to check it out.

"Hm, perhaps we should move. It would be a bad idea if we scared them." Optimus pointed out. He didn't wish for that. At that moment, he heard a familiar voice, which intrigued him.

Optimus rolled to his knees and started to creep towards the voice. The beach luckily had some trees and bushes that he used to hide behind.

"Prime? Where are you going?" The blue seeker asked, confused by this.

"Shh! Stay hidden." Optimus told him and moved forward until he got a better look and saw Skyfire and a few of his Autobot crew members listening eagerly to the shuttle.

"....most importantly, don't panic," came Skyfire's soothing sounding voice. "And don't overshoot. It's exciting the first time, you want to aim as high as possible, go as fast as you can, but it's easy to get out of your depth. Just start slowly and build your confidence."

"Can we start now?" came an eager Sideswipe's voice, and Optimus frowned a little. Was there something different about them? Almost like they'd changed their altmodes yet they didn't look drastically different. They definitely had not returned to their former Cybertronian alt modes that was for sure.

"In a moment," the shuttle said patiently, his alt mode didn't look changed at all. "There are a couple more things I need to go over."

"What's going on?" Thundercracker whispered, frowning as he observed the little group.

"I'm not sure," Optimus said slowly. "Do their forms look different to you?"

"Now that you mentioned it, they do look slightly different." Thundercracker agreed. Taking a better look at the small group with the shuttle, the seeker thought of the question. But Optimus was right, he too could see that the alt-modes are indeed changed.

"They don't look that different," Skywarp said lazily and noticed something. "Hey, don't grounders usually have tires?"

"What did you say?" Optimus asked, astonished at the question.

"They don't have wheels, look." Skywarp pointed at Sideswipe and said. "I swear he used to have tires on his shoulder and feet."

Optimus and Thundercracker studied the group once again, but this time more intensely and there it was, none of the Autobots there had any wheels attached to their body. This was quite a shock.

"How do they drive now? Crawl?" The purple seeker questioned, confused.

"Yeah, yeah, teach! We can handle it." Smokescreen said impenitently and transformed to his new alt, hovering above the ground. "Let's get this flying lesson on the road! Yeah!!"

JäAll three Seekers' jaws dropped at the sight.

"Did...did he just....?" Thundercracker stammered. He could not believe what he was seeing as the twins also transformed.

"They have flight modes?" Skywarp exclaimed shrilly, thankful not to be heard over the sound of engines. "How the frag do they have flight modes?"

Optimus didn't answer, he did not know what to say. Just how had this happened? And...could they really fly?

"Alright, we'll go for a quick flight, but don't go shooting off," Skyfire said indulgently, they were just like a bunch of young fliers, so eager to get into the air. "I'll be right with you."

He transformed into his familiar shuttle form and lifted into the air, the other Autobots transforming too. All of them began lifting off after their instructor, some a little wobbly but not too bad.

"No way! They are actually flying!" Skywarp freaking out in astonishment.

"It shouldn't be possible. Such feats in the past have only ended in failure." Thundercracker said and wondered how the Autobots had achieved this in the first place.

The seekers watched as Skyfire flew behind the students, watching their driving and providing feedback and improvement. However, Sideswipe and Smokescreen started to speed up, and it seemed as if they were debating which one of them is faster. Skyfire shouted for them to slow down, but his warning went to deaf ears.

"That won't end well," Optimus said, concerned as he watched the two young mechs speed up even further.

"You think? I bet they both will run into turbulence before crashing." Skywarp answered and got a frightened look from Optimus.

"I won't let that happen. If anything goes wrong, we should interfere." Optimus declared. He knew how foolish the young speedsters within the Autobots could be and that they didn't know any better about the dangers they put themselves in.

"Really?" Skywarp asked, looking at him as though he were crazy.

"Yes," Optimus insisted firmly. "I'm not letting them get hurt if I can prevent it."

"He's probably right," sighed Thundercracker heavily. "We can't let these...young fliers crash and injure themselves. It's not our way."

"Wannabe fliers," Skywarp scoffed, but he raised no further objection.

Optimus watched as Skyfire ordered the others to stay put as he rushed after the young racers who were loving the freedom of the air and the speed it offered. However, as predicted, they started to run into difficulty, hitting turbulence and losing control of their flight. Of course, Skyfire was trying to assist but the twins were breaking formation, flying in opposite directions meaning it would be impossible for him to rescue both.

"Come on," Optimus commanded, activating his thrusters and shooting off into the air, his trine mate following close behind.

Speeding up their pace, Optimus watched as Skyfire went over to help Smokescreen, which meant that he and the trine were going to help Sideswipe instead.

"We need to hurry up before he loses more attitude," Thundercracker advised, seeing that the young Autobot was starting to spin around and was desperate to take control.

"Skywarp, can you get us there faster?" Optimus asked, the time saved by warping could mean the difference between saving the young mech.

"I can, but we still need to whoop in and catch him." Skywarp replied and grabbed the hand of Thundercracker and Optimus before warping away, towards the red twin.

"No! No! AHHH! Help!!" Sideswipe cried out as he tried to regain control, but nothing seemed to work as he was spinning out of control and was trying to pull up, knowing if he headed down he would be a goner.

"Hang in there! We will rescue you!" Optimus shouted from a distance. He and the Trine were now close enough to assist and flew down to grab hold of the red mech.

"What the frag!? Starscream?" The red Mech yelped in shock as he saw the three Seekers shooting towards him. "Get away!"

"Dumb brat," Skywarp growled. "We're trying to save your sorry aft."

The Seekers were getting closer, but it was still dangerous as Sideswipe's vehicle form was awkward to grab. But Optimus had a plan.

"Sideswipe, you need to transform," he commanded. "We can grab you then."

"You're crazy," Sideswipe yelled in response. "I'll drop!"

"We will catch you, I promise! It's the only way!" Optimus insisted. There simply wasn't any other way.

Sideswipe didn't know what to think. Could he trust the seeker? He could read from his instruments that he was falling fast, and now an automated female voice commanded in a warning tone to him. "Pull up. Pull up."

"Fine! But if I die, I will haunt you to the end!" Sideswipe yelled back before transforming into his robot mode.

Optimus and the trine now swooped down to grab hold of the young mech as they reached out. Optimus and Thundercracker managed to grab hold of each side of Sideswipe, who looked dumbfounded. He couldn't believe this actually happened and that the Trine had saved him.

"Great, he is no longer in danger. Let's drop him already." Skywarp said, earning another stare from the Autobot and Optimus.

"We will 'take' him to the ground," Optimus said pointedly, making himself crystal clear to ensure Sideswipe didn't panic and Skywarp couldn't take advantage of any ambiguity.

"Fine," Skywarp huffed and followed them as they headed to the ground.

"You should have listened to Skyfire," Optimus couldn't help but lightly scold the now very embarrassed Sideswipe. "This is why he warned you not to go too fast."

"Oh sure, of course you were spying on us," he grumbled as Skyfire came shooting over, holding a grumpy looking Smokescreen in his arms.

"Thank Primus, you got him," he exclaimed, looking both relieved and exasperated. "Sideswipe, you're lucky they were here."

"I know," the young Mech groaned as they all landed on the ground, Smokescreen grumbling that he could be put down.

"Heh, newbies," smirked Skywarp.

"Sideswipe, Smokescreen, join the others and do not fly off this time," Skyfire ordered them while he looked over at Optimus. "I will return to the class shortly, but first I would like to have a word with Starscream."

"Alright, but you better not take too long chatting up." The red Lamborghini stated, after all, he came to clean how to fly, not to see his teacher get friendly with the enemy.

"It will just take a moment," Skyfire assured him.

"Hm, we will see," Smokescreen said as he walked back to the others.

With the young racers gone, Skyfire looked at the trine again and said. "You have been missing out a lot, Optimus."

"So I see," Optimus said ruefully. "I can hardly believe what I am seeing, just how did they do it?"

"Wasn't that crazy scientist?" Skywarp interjected before Skyfire could answer.

"No, not Wheeljack," the shuttle replied in amusement. "This is in fact thanks to a human invention."

"Humans!?" both Skywarp and Thundercracker yelped at the same time with the former adding. "How the s*** did they manage that?"

"With a bit of assistance from Starscream and Ratchet," Skyfire explained, it was still rather remarkable. "He is delighted with the results, as you imagine."

"I imagine that he is," Optimus agreed, the ability to fly was the thing Starscream dearly missed the most from the swap. "Are all the Autobots up for it?"

"Some are more cautious," Skyfire admitted, thinking the twins could do with being a bit more careful.

"I take it some are sceptical about changing their vehicle mode," Optimus asked, knowing that some of the Arc crew wouldn't jump at the opportunity right away.

"Yes, Ironhide in particular, is against this change. But as you can see, the younger bots are more eager to adapt." Skyfire informed and continued. "Starscream asked me to teach them the basics skills of flying."

"That makes sense, he can't teach them himself." Optimus agreed that would just look suspicious on Starscream's part if he did that.

"Heh, He wouldn't do it either way. It is quite typical of Screamer to have others do his work for him." Skywarp cut into the conversation.

"Perhaps. But Optimus, I have some interesting news about this swap." Skyfire said, trying to change the topic to what he learned from the ghost.

"What news do you bring?" Optimus questioned, wondering what the shuttle had discovered.

"Starscream and I went on a trip together and found the human who granted the Wish, all thou he was already deceased," Skyfire explained calmly.

"Deceased? How is a dead human any help?" Thundercracker questioned, seeing this a s a waste of time.

"Well, he revealed that Starscream's actions that day helped free him from a strange sort of limbo he'd found himself in," Skyfire explained, awkwardly. "He'd been reliving the method of his death until Starscream 'saved' him. In gratitude, he did this swap although he could not reverse it. He has now been able to move on."

"Oh great," Skywarp muttered. "That doesn't help Screamer or Optimus."

"No but there was more," Skyfire told him as Optimus looked hopeful.

"What was it?" he asked hopefully, suddenly yearning for his old body.

"He believed if Starscream learned what it was really like to be a true leader, you will both get your bodies back," the shuttle stated with earned him three stares of disbelief.

"Whelp, that's that, you're both stuck," Skywarp pronounced, throwing up his hands in frustration. "That ain't never gonna happen."

"It certainly will take a while." Skyfire agreed. When he first heard this news, he too was shocked as it was true that Starscream didn't know the true meaning of being a real leader.

"That's putting it lightly. This will take forever if the change is in Starscream's hands." Thundercracker pointed out, thinking that the change would probably won't happen anytime soon.

"There is always hope. Skyfire, you could assist him to realise what a true leader is." Optimus suggested this way; at least the progress would go faster for the seeker.

"That is if he listens to me." The shuttle said, and to this, all three seekers looked defeated. It was well known that Starscream could be quite stubborn but also thickheaded.

"But I will try," Skyfire added. He didn't want them to lose hope. It wasn't an impossible task...just a difficult one.

"Thank you, Skyfire," Optimus said gratefully. "So, it seems this process will take a bit of time, and teaching the Autobots to fly."

"It will certainly take a while until I trust them on their own," Skyfire said ruefully, glancing back at his pupils, who were chatting away while keeping a watch on him and the three Seekers. "Starscream thinks it will give him an edge."

"It could well do that," Optimus agreed. Once the Autobots grew confident, they would be a force to be reckoned with. He was so glad his own plans were already underway. "Until then, we are shoring up our defences as you can imagine."

"Of course," Skyfire said, looking concerned. "What will you do?"

"What I must. If it works, then everyone will be safe." Optimus hinted, feeling conflicted if he should tell the shuttle of his plan.

"I understand. The Nemesis did take some damage from the last encounter." Skyfire could understand why Optimus would like to build the Decepticon's defences.

"Because of Screamer, we have been working hard to try to keep it together," Skywarp said and continued. "He almost blew us all up!"

"Blew up? What did he do?" Skyfire questioned. This was the first he heard of this. When the attack happened at the Nemesis, he didn't join the others on that mission.

"He wished to destroy the Nemesis with us onboard. As the humans say, " kill two birds with one stone." Optimus informed. But he didn't blame Skyfire as he had nothing to do with it.

The shuttle looked shocked, opening his mouth but then closing it and groaning, one hand rubbing his face. "For Primus's sake."

"That sums it up," Optimus sighed heavily. "He has a long way to go."

"A very long way," Skyfire agreed, looking a little defeated. "I'd better get back to the others. I will try to talk to him."

"Maybe you should talk to the others as well," suggested Thundercracker. "Starscream might be more willing to at least appear honourable in front of them if they urge restraint."

"A good idea," Optimus nodded.

"Let's hope he gets the message," Skywarp muttered. But thought it would be unlikely for Starscream to become humble overnight.

"Everyone is capable of change." Optimus reminded him and decided to walk back to the beach. It would be nice to get some rest before going back to base and informing Megatron of this news.

"By all means, Optimus. You haven't known Starscream as we have, and at heart, he is quite selfish." Thundercracker informed him, but added. "But I do hope that he could change for the better."

"Really? You think living with the Autobots will do that to him?" Skywarp questioned, still doubting.

"Why not. Having Optimus with us has made us better, and look at Megatron. He is calmer," the blue seeker pointed out. The change was obvious.

"Huh, guess so," Skywarp mused, the warlord was being weirdly reasonable. He didn't even seem bothered that Optimus was running things, and was actually willing to go along with the Prime's plans. "Never thought I'd see him like that."

"Neither did I, but there have been a lot of changes," Thundercracker said, thinking about how the Autobots now had flight modes. Even if it took them some time to use them properly, they undoubtedly would. "Anyway, I imagine us saving Sideswipe will give the Bots a lot to talk about."

"It will," Optimus assured them. "They will think it odd, but it will make them think better of us and less likely to support an attack. Skyfire's words are more likely to have an effect now."

"For a bit, then Screamer will want to attack," Skywarp pointed out gloomily.

"With any luck, we'll be gone before that can happen," Optimus said encouragingly before musing to himself. "I hope they know how to fly properly before any of our human friends get a ride."

"Heh, that would be fun to watch," Skywarp smirked, imagining the human scared as the Autobots tried to get them on a scary ride.

"A life of another should always be cared for, never abused." Optimus gave him another firm look that he didn't like that idea.

"I was kidding!" Skywarp quickly said, but knew he couldn't fool the Prime.

"How about we enjoy the beach for a bit before we report back to Soundwave and Megatron," Thundercracker suggested. It was nice to be outside, and once they returned, more work would await them.

"Let's not waste this opportunity." Optimus smiled at the changed subject and decided to lie down at the sand and enjoy the sea's smooth sound as it went.

Thundercracker nodded his agreement, he wanted to enjoy this time in the sun. Skywarp followed them but looked thoughtful.

"They still won't be as good as us in the air," he declared after a few moments as he imagined the Autobots flying about the place.

"No Warp," smiled his trine mate, at the very least, the Autobots wouldn't be able to fly in Mech mode.

"Hmm," the black and purple Seeker hummed as he lay back against the warm white sand. "You know, I'll miss this."

He gestured at the beach, which was a very pleasant place to be. Especially with the sun warming their armour.

Chapter Text

"Seriously! What did megs say?" Skywarp asked, wondering Cybertron would keep Earth in contact.

"Not much. But once things have calmed down with Starscream. I believe the path to Earth will be open again." The Prime explained.

"You mean once the both of you return to your bodies?" Thundercracker asked, and Optimus nodded in agreement.

"That will take forever! Can we visit this planet while we are on Cybertron?" Skywarp questioned. Earth is a much warmer planet than Cybertron, and it would be a lie if he said he wouldn't miss this place.

"We can't risk a visit once we leave. Starscream would no doubt try to take advantage of anyone who would become a prisoner." Optimus pointed out and remembered how cruelly he had treated the twins. It would be best to avoid that.

"He's right," Thundercracker agreed as Skywarp huffed, why did Starscream have to be such a pain in the afterburner.

"That sucks," He grumbled, picking up a stone and tossing it across the beach, watching as it blasted up a cloud of sand when it landed.

"I'm sorry," Optimus said in commiseration. "I've also enjoyed my time on this planet and will miss it, especially the friends I made."

"You mean those humans?" Skywarp questioned, and his leader nodded.

"Yes, they've been very good to us," He confirmed.

The three of them continued to sit and relax on the beach and took a nap. After a few hours had passed, the trine decided to head back before anyone was sent to look for them.

The flight back to base were a calm one, the weather was quite clear all the way. Once they reached the Nemesis. Optimus wasn't in a rush as he headed towards Soundwave's office. Reaching the door, he entered and watched the blue mech busy at work.

"Hello, Soundwave." Optimus greeted the mech as Thundercracker and Skywarp were behind him.

"Query: How was rest?" The blue mech asked as he worked away at his console.

"We had an interesting interaction with the Autobots. One, I believe we should inform Megatron about." Optimus told him bluntly.

Soundwave tensed slightly, wary of any new developments; however, he simply straightened, ready for the meeting. The four Mechs headed for Megatron room, finding him busy with some data pads, he looked considerably better.

"Prime, something to report?" He queried, seeing Optimus serious look.

"Yeah, and you ain't gonna believe it," Skywarp muttered as Thundercracker nudged him.

"The Autobots have gained flight modes," Optimus declared, causing Megatron and Soundwave to stare at him.

"Are you saying that the Autobots gained the secrets to adapt to Aerial-bots?!" Megatron questioned, baffled at the news. To think that the Autobots have cracked the secrets to scan jets and other flying machines that weren't possible before. This very thought have Megatron worried, flight have been their greatest advantage over their enemy for years.

"If only, they are already pretty bad drivers," Skywarp smirked, thinking that in a way the Autobots have now put themself in bigger danger of the element of the air than the earth.

"What, Skywarp, is trying to say is that we witnessed their flight lesson, it didn't go as planned." Optimus cut in, noticing Megatron's confused expression.

"Then explain, Prime!" The Decepticon leader demanded.

"The Autobots haven't gained aerial-bots. They have upgraded their ground vehicles into flying ones." Optimus informed, bluntly. That was the best way he could explain it.

"Flying ones?" Megatron repeated in complete confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"Essentially, they now have 'flying car' alt modes," Optimus explained in simple terms. "So, they are not quite as aerodynamic as the true fliers are, but it is still a boost."

Megatron frowned heavily. He could not believe this. Trust that conniving Starscream to come up with such a thing. He was sure he could feel a helmache coming on at the very thought.

"How did the lesson not go as planned?" He finally managed to ask. Wondering what had happened.

"Two of the racer bots went too fast and went out of control," Thundercracker offered. "We were forced to save one of them."

"Save one of them, why?!" He questioned, not very pleased to hear that.

"The Autobots may be your enemy. But I refuse to stand aside and watch them perish." Optimus pointed out. They were still his men, and it didn't matter on which side he was on. He wouldn't let them die.

Megatron stared at Optimus. He let out a sigh as he rubbed his optics. Of course, the prime would try to save his own men! Why didn't he see that before? This was the kind of thing he could see Optimus always do and will do if any of them came into harm's way.

"I assume Starscream was there, teaching them," Megatron asked, thoughtfully. Thinking that would be something his pushing bag would try to do with his new flyers. No doubt, trying to build his own seeker armada.

"Actually, Skywfire was the one who was teaching them," Thundercracker replied. It had surprised him a little when he saw the shuttle, but thinking about it made sense for the shuttle to teach them.

"That pacifist?" Megatron stated in surprise.

"Yes, he's the one who explained the situation to us," Optimus nodded and added. "He did warn them not to go too fast."

"Newbies," Skywarp couldn't resist saying, he'd be happy to keep mocking the twins over their attempts to fly.

Megatron considered this before saying. "So it may be some time before they are a real threat to us in the air?"

"I believe we have time, yes," Optimus agreed. "It is still a big step for them, and they're eager to learn."

"Eager to learn means nothing if they can't master it. Speaking of, how are your skills in the sky, Prime?" Megatron asked out of curiosity. The last time he had seen Prime out was past a few raids, and back then, he just kept himself airborne, no fancy flying.

"I would admit that my own skills in the air are quite basic," Optimus answered. Yes, he did learn a few things thanks to Skywarp and Thundercracker, but in their optics, he wasn't much different from the new Autobot flyers.

"Heh, I thought as much. If you want to keep the command under control, you will need to learn more than basic flying." Megatron stated. He would like it if the prime had a better understanding of what it meant to be a deadly flyer, after all, Starscream was the most skilled seeker under his command.

"We have already started with his flight lessons, sir," Thundercracker informed and quickly added. "But we don't have much time to spare for them, unfortunately."

"Understandable," Megatron acknowledged, the base coming under attack had been a rather important occurrence. "But with the Autobots now occupied, now is probably the best time to learn. It should give you something of an edge over Starscream."

"Very well, I would welcome anything Thundercracker and Skywarp can teach me," Optimus agreed. He could still focus on the evacuation while learning more advanced flying. "It has been… an experience, being able to fly as a Seeker."

"I'm sure," Megatron said with some amusement. He wasn't a natural flyer, of course, but when the Decepticons had gained flight capabilities, he'd learned fast. It had been an invaluable skill, something, though, it still felt a little odd to soar high above the ground. "Hard to imagine that truck mode of yours in the air."

"Indeed, it will be a strange sight to behold. However, I am more surprised Starscream succeeded in this project." Optimus replied. Thinking that Starscream must have been working early on this flying project for the Autobots. No doubt, it must have been challenging to get a flying car that didn't explode.

"Starscream is always full of surprises. I would be wary of him Prime, especially now that he has the command of you men." Megatron stated. He wondered if that former seeker had some kind of plan in place or if he was stupid enough just to improvise.

"That would be wise. For now, I will constant our forces on Cybertron." Optimus nodded before walking out of the room. He did agree with Megatron that Starscream was, Especially now dangerous. He knows the seeker wished to take command of the Decepticons but failed, which has shown his more aggressive nature.

"That is a wise decision," Megatron said approvingly, pleased Prime was focused on what was important.

"Thank you," Optimus said before asking. "What about you Megatron? You cannot remain hidden forever?"

"No, but I want to regain my strength," the grey Mech said easily. As frustrating as it was to be inactive, it was vital. "Starscream believes you are trying to lead the Decepticons with only the trine as your backup. Let's keep it that way for now."

"Very well. The new base on Cybertron will soon be complete. Half of the progress is already finished." Optimus stated. It was strange to think that they would soon leave Earth. But this plan was vital.

"Soundwave has been keeping me informed," Megatron replied. He didn't agree with getting the supplies from Skarp yards, but that method has kept Starscream and Teletran one in the dark, and he couldn't argue with the results.

"We would soon prepare to move our base items to Cybertron," Optimus stated, thinking that the Decepticons would need to move the items to the ground-bridge during the nighttime, when the bots wouldn't be as active.

"Excellent," Megatron said in satisfaction. "How pleasant it will be to return to Cybertron."

"Hmm," Optimus murmured, starting the rebuilding effort would be wonderful, along with seeing Elita again. Sadly, he supposed a spark merge would be out of the question, he didn't want to risk anything while in a body that wasn't his. Some open affection though....

"What's that?" Megatron questioned, suddenly spying a rather dreamy expression on his Seeker's face. Optimus certainly had a lot less dour looks than Starscream, but he hadn't seen that look before.

"Ah...nothing," Optimus said quickly, turning serious.

"That was not nothing." Megatron stated, firmly.

"I simply got distracted, and I believe I will take my leave," Optimus told him and looked over at the door.

"I would be careful with that, Prime. You might sire a seekerlet." Megatron teased, his old friend, whose expression turned quite red, and Megatron started to laugh madly. Being right in his suspicion.

Skywarp started to giggle right away. It was speechless to see Starscream's face so embraced. It was an opportunity of a lifetime.

"I have to go." Optimus rushed out of the room.

"Don't forget to use protection," Skywarp couldn't resist yelling after him, making Optimus want to hide his face in his hands and bury himself in a hole. Primus, he'd never been so embarrassed and in front of Megatron too. His old nemesis was never going to let him forget this, not in a million cycles.

He could certainly hear the old gladiator's hearty laughter as he fled the scene.

Admittedly, Megatron made a good point, but did he really have to say it out loud? It was mortifying he'd guessed so easily what Optimus was thinking about, he could usually hide his thoughts. By the AllSpark, he wished he had his facemask once more, that made it so much easier. His exposed face just gave too much away.

Optimus walked through the dull purple corridors of the Nemesis. He didn't wish to work, not now when his mood had been ruined and walked over to Starscream's room to get some privacy and time to think. He sat down at the bed and stared out at the window. The fish swim by as usual.

"Optimus?" Thundercracker walked in, looking at the miserable state of the Autobot leader.

"Leave me," Optimus said. He didn't wish for more embarrassment. Megatron and Skywarp were enough.

"Sorry about that. It's just temporary, they will forget it soon enough." the blue seeker said and stepped inside.

"No, they won't," Optimus muttered a little peevishly.

Thundercracker sighed. He didn't think he'd ever seen Optimus look so woebegone before.

"Okay, they might tease you a bit, but there's too much going on for them to really torment you," he tried to say reassuringly. "The move to Cybertron is too important to Megatron, that's where most of his attention will be. As for Warp...you can handle him."

"Hmpth," Optimus huffed, wing twitching in annoyance.

"Hey," the blue Seeker said encouragingly. "There's no shame in looking forward to seeing your mate, it's a wonderful thing. You know, if you want, I could teach you some courting air dances?"

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary," Optimus replied.

"Wouldn't it?" the blue seeker asked.

"Elita and I are already together," Optimus told him. Would Elita find air dance to her liking? He wasn't sure.

"What about preparing a gift for her instead?" He suggested.

Optimus thought about it. Elita has been fighting a war on Cybertron for many years, and a gift might brighten her day. A gift other than the usual energon that he could gather from this planet. What would he make her? What would she like to have? What would be considered a good gift nowadays?

"That would be appropriate, but what could I get her?" He mused aloud.

"I guess something special, just for her...," Thundercracker said slowly, also pondering the problem. What would he give a mate if he were in Optimus position?

"What about jewellery?" He suddenly suggested. "There's plenty of precious metals and gems on this planet, you could craft her something."

"That is true. I could gather the materials myself and craft her a necklace to enjoy." Optimus said as he tried to imagine a blue gem or a Yellow gem would suit Elita perfectly.

"That's a great idea. You might need help and instruction on how to create one." Thundercracker pointed out. But willing to help Optimus in this task.

"I would. For now, I will only concern myself with gathering the materials, I will later worry about the crafting part." Optimus informed. Why worry so much ahead when he could take one step at a time?

"I could help you if you like." Thundercracker offered his assistance. It was the least he could do as Optimus had done so much for everyone at the base.

"Would you? I'd appreciate it," Optimus said gratefully, with help he could gather what he needed far quicker. He'd rather spend time crafting the perfect necklace for his beloved.

"It's not a problem," Thundercracker said with a small smile. He might gather some materials for himself. He had no mate, but it would be nice to craft something, in the hope one day he'd have someone to give it too. "Perhaps some gold wire, it would look good with her colouring."

"Yes, I could do something intricate with that," The Prime agreed, now starting to picture what he could make. "Let's do it."

"Great, I think I might know where we can get some," The blue Seeker told him to Optimus's excitement.

"Where?" Optimus asked.

"I'm sure, I have seen some in a storage." Thundercracker pointed out. Hoping some were still left.

"Let's take a look." Optimus got up to his feet and walked over to him.

"Follow me." Thundercracker smiled, and led the way down the purple corridors.

They both walked past many rooms until they reached the storage area. Everything inside was a mess, it didn't seem anyone cared to clean these storage rooms. Looking through the shelf, they both started to look for the gold string that might be hidden in the room.

"We've picked up a lot during our time here," Thundercracker explained ruefully. "During raids and other outings, you never know when something might be useful."

And of course, a lot of it ended up dumped in storage if Mechs didn't make an effort to take something for themselves. But Thundercracker definitely remembered gold wire, it could be used in the construction of certain machines, and he was sure there had been surplus. Megatron generally did not encourage frivolous use of materials, he preferred practical applications, but of course, Mechs engaged in little hobbies. The gold wire wasn't currently a vital resource, therefore, it was okay to use.

"Hmm?" Optimus murmured curiously as he found a box full of human traffic signs, some depicting warnings for animal crossings. He wondered who had collected these. Pushing it to one side, he continued his search.

He found a box filled with candles and another with cubes. It seemed some of the Decepticons just grabbed what they thought was good material.

"Found it," Thundercracker called out. Holding the golden string in his hand.

"That should be more than enough for the necklace." Optimus smiled, but another question came to mind. "Are there any gemstones stored in this ship?"

"No. We usually steal those from humans. Megatron didn't see gems as a valuable resource to have," the seeker informed.

"We can't steal the gems from humans, that wouldn't be right, and it would just give Starscream an excuse to come after us again," Optimus said and tried to think of another way to get the gemstone he needed.

Thundercracker sighed. Optimus had a point, but it probably meant more work for them. Oh well, hopefully they'd avoid a fight.

"I take it you don't want to raid a mine?" He questioned, and Optimus shook his head left to right. "Well, I don't think we can create our own mine, it'll take too long."

"No, that isn't viable," Optimus confirmed, still thinking hard. "Humans do sell gems, if we had something to trade, we might be able to purchase some from them."

"Hmm...that might work," The blue Seeker said slowly. "I know Swindle and some of the others have traded in the past. Just depends on what the humans would want in return."

"We would need to find the right human and ask," Optimus said as he wondered if the human would be interested in item trade or for work.

"Well, we could fly over to one of the towns and check." Thundercracker offered.

"And scare the humans? That would be a bad idea." Optimus stated. The humans knew the Decepticons all too well and would run in fear.

"Then what do you suggest?" the blue seeker questioned, not sure what else there were.

"We could ask Swindle how he does it," Optimus said.

"That won't come for free, and it would be a bad idea." Thundercracker cautioned. He didn't trust Swindle or his deals. He was never honest with them.

"He has the information we need, though," Optimus insisted, although he was well aware of Swindle's reputation. "It's a risk, but I feel it's riskier if we approach random humans, they are likely to contact the Autobots. I do not think Swindle would sell us out to Starscream."

"Guess not...," Thundercracker said slowly, surely Swindle wasn't that much of a money grubber? He supposed they could always get Onslaught to warn Swindle against ratting them out to the Bots. "But he'll definitely charge us, so that'll be even more stuff we have to come up with."

"I understand," Optimus acknowledged. "This won't be easy, and it'll probably be stressful. If you'd rather not participate, I'd understand completely."

"No," Thundercracker sighed. "I'll support you as I said. Let's go and see Swindle."

"Where will we find him at this hour?" Optimus asked as they both walked out of his room and down the purple halls of the ship.

"He will probably be with his brothers, they usually hang out in their room." The seeker informed.

"Very well." Optimus let the seeker lead the way as he wasn't sure where said room was located on the ship. Thundercracker took him further down the ship where the others of the crew had their quarters, and soon they both stood behind a large door.

"This is it. Their room." Thundercracker stated and knocked at the door. The were some sounds of people talking inside, clearly discussing something. One moment later, the door opened.

"Starscream, what are you doing here?" Onslaught asked, not expecting to see him.

"I'd like to have a word with Swindle," Optimus told him without preamble. The Combaticon looked at him curiously. What was up now? "I'd appreciate his assistance in organising a trade for some items I need."

"That so," Onslaught said with a raised brow but offering no objections. Over his shoulder, he yelled. "Swindle! Starscream's wanting to see you."

"I'm here," Swindle answered lazily as he strode over. "What's up, Starscream?"

"As I told Onslaught, I'd like your help getting hold of something," Optimus stated, watching as the Combaticon's optics lit up with interest and greed.

"Is that so? What are you looking for exactly?" Swindle asked as he leaned on the door wall, smiling.

"How do you contact the humans without having the Autobots disturbing your trade?" Optimus questioned. Not wishing to tell the swindler that he is looking for a gem, but for information.

"Notice that, did you? Well, it's not a secret, more of a talent, if I say so myself." Swindle stated proudly.

"Get to the point." Thundercracker interrupted inpatiently.

"That's my little secret, isn't it? But I'm willing to tell for a trade." Swindle looked at Optimus and added. "We will soon leave this planet and go back home. What would be nice to have would be my own little store."

"A store...," Optimus repeated slowly.

"Yep, I got plenty of stock, but getting it out there's the issue," Swindle shrugged. "Mecha don't always know what they want until they see it."

"So you'd like priority in setting up shop?" Optimus questioned, the city would not be up and running in a single cycle, it would take time before they could start building and stocking places like cafes or shops.

"You gotta it," Swindle agreed. "And hey, I'd be selling useful stuff, bots don't wanna just go back to living in a wasteland. Be a morale boost."

"Very well, I will see what I can do. But it will take time." Optimus told him. It didn't sound like a horrible trade, in a way, it was acceptable.

"Splendid. What kind of item do you want to get from the humans?" Swindle asked, curiosity piqued.

"Aren't you going to tell us how to contact the humans?" Thundercracker questioned, wondering why the mech wasn't telling his part of the deal.

"That is the thing, isn't it? Different humans sell and trade different items. You wouldn't want me to send you to a human who trades tea cups now, would you?" Swindle asked, smirking confidently.

"Gemstones. I need one for a project." Optimus answered, hoping the mech wouldn't ask more questions about it.

"A project, eh? I hope it's not for a weapon. But who am I to Judge?" Swindle shrugged and continued. "I know just the human. His name is Bill, and he likes to trade metal for his gemstone."

"What kind of metal?" Optimus asked curiously. Wondering what kind of metals the human had stored.

"Depends," Swindle shrugged slightly. "But I'm sure it won't be difficult for you to get for him, he's usually reasonable… for a human."

"You spend too much time with humans," Vortex yelled from the back, a slight sneer in his tone.

"And you watch too much of their media," Swindle shot back, earning a cackle. Turning back to Optimus, he said. "So, I'll tell you how to get in contact with him, just tread lightly, alright? You don't need to threaten him or anything."

"I will not," Optimus stated, aware that the real Starscream probably would.

"He lives in a nearby town, but if you call him on this number. You can arrange a trade with him, just tell him that I sent you." Swindle comm the phone number over to Optimus, who reserved it in an instant.

"Anything else I need to know?" Optimus questioned.

"Not that I can think of. Just call him, ask for a meeting place and what items to trade, and that is it," The yellow, purple mech informed him.

"Very well. I will do as you say." Optimus seemed happy with the information and turned around, walking away.

Thundercracker watched as Swindle went back inside to his brothers before closing the door. But wondered how much of what Swindle said was true.

"That went well," Optimus commented. The rest should be okay to arrange.

"If he's given us the right info," Thundercracker stated, he recalled plenty of times Swindle's deals proved to be dodgy.

"Surely, he does not tend to cheat Megatron?" Optimus said reasonably, feeling it exceedingly unlikely the Decepticon leader would allow the Combaticon the chance to create such a habit. And considering Optimus was currently the leader with the support of most of the men, backstabbing him would not be a smart move.

"No, but he takes any opportunity to enrich himself, and that sometimes means making an incredibly stupid decisions," The blue Seeker explained. "He's gotten in trouble because of it, even his own team has been frustrated."

"I understand, but for now, I think it is safe to assume he's being sincere. We can always take precautions in meeting up with this trader," Optimus suggested.

"Let's try the phone number," Thundercracker suggested, hoping for the best.

"First, let's return to my quarters. I would rather that no one knows of this." Optimus said, he didn't want to put this human in danger.

"Smart move. But I wouldn't worry, most Decepticons don't bother humans unless it's for their amusement." the seeker stated, but understood the worry Optimus had.

"That won't change anytime soon, will it?" Optimus asked, his voice filled with sadness.

"Sadly, no. Humans are weaker than us and that's why many look down on them." Thundercracker explained as they reached Optimus room.

"Physically weaker they may be but they are so much more than that," Optimus said sadly. "Their bravery, ingenuity, empathy, these are worthy qualities they possess."

"I guess I can kind of see that," Thundercracker admitted, thinking of those particular humans which hung around the Autobots, they did seem remarkably courageous. "You never know, we may see them differently one day."

"I hope," Optimus agreed as he sat down at Starscream's computer and started typing in the number they'd been given. It began to ring and was soon picked up.

"Bill here," came a reply.

"Greetings, Bill," Optimus said formally. "Swindle recommended I call you about trading for some gems."

There was a pause, and then the human said. "You a Con?"

"Yes, I am," Optimus confirmed as Thundercracker listened intently. "I only wish to trade, nothing more."

"If you have spoken to Swindle, then you know I would like some metal in return," Bill informed, his voice calm.

"Indeed, he mentioned as much. What kind of metal are you interested in?" Optimus asked. Swindle wasn't clear on that part but mentioned that it differed occasionally.

"Do you have any Platinum or Silver?" Bill asked.

"Platinum or Silver?" Optimus repeated and looked over at Thundercracker who nodded, whispering. "We do have Platinum onboard."

"I'm the one asking, do you?" The human asked again.

"Yes, I do have some Platinum," Optimus replied, hoping that Megatron wouldn't mind that he was taking some.

"Alright then, do you know what gems you are after?" Bill asked. "Or do you want me to bring a selection?"

"A selection would be good, it'll help me decide," Optimus requested, seeing the gems in person would be invaluable.

"Very well, when are you free?" Bill now said briskly. Apparently, he didn't want to delay.

"If you are free later, we could meet up," Optimus suggested. He also wanted to arrange this as quickly as possible.

"Yeah, I'm free, come by eight," Bill stated before giving a location they could meet at.

"Thank you," Optimus said gratefully before ending the call. He looked at Thundercracker. "That went well."

"It did," the Seeker agreed. "Guess even Swindle can have reasonable dealings."

"Indeed. It would seem his information was accurate." Optimus nodded and looked at Thundercracker. "We will need to find that Platinum for the trade."

"Follow me, I know where it is." The blue seeker told him and led the way out of the room.

Optimus did so and followed the seeker, feeling lucky that Thundercracker was familiar with the materials onboard the ship. Soon they reached another storage room, which looked different from the other one they had visited. This one was more organised and seemed to have all kinds of metals stored on shelves.

"It should be right here," Thundercracker informed and moved to one of the shelves, starting to look for it.

"You seem very knowledgeable about the ship's materials onboard," Optimus mentioned as he too went to look for the metal. Luckily there were name tags in this storage room.

"I've inventory several times," Thundercracker hummed, gently affixing a label before moving on to the next one. "I'm trusted to do a good job and not steal any. You can guess who isn't allowed in here."

"I can indeed," Optimus chuckled, seeing a label for iron ore and being reminded of Ironhide. He sighed a little wistfully. He missed his friends and probably wouldn't see them for a while. They would not be happy when the truth came out, but he hoped they would eventually understand why he had acted as he did.

"Here we go," Thundercracker announced, finally finding the correct box.

"Great," Optimus said, shaking off his brief melancholy and shifting over. "How much should we take?"

"Hmm," Thundercracker mused thoughtfully. "Hopefully, you won't need all of this. I'm not sure how much a human would want. Don't reveal how much you have in case he jacks up the price."

"I won't." Optimus nodded. That did sound wise, if the human knew, he might take the price up.

"I think a few metal bars would be enough." The seeker observed and sub-spaced them away.

"Are you sure?" Optimus questioned. He hasn't been trading in a long time and wasn't sure what was enough these days.

"I am. Hopefully, we won't need more." Thundercracker said. If the human were reasonable, then what they had should be enough. "How do you feel about a flight lesson before we go to trade?"

"We do have time to spare, very well." Optimus agreed. The trade was later at 8 and for now, they had about an hour and a half to spend.

"Let's go," Thundercracker nodded, and they headed for the outside. Once there, they took off after first ensuring there were no threats in the vicinity. It seemed Starscream wasn't giving them much thought currently.

"So what's the lesson?" Optimus questioned once they were in the air.

"High altitude," was the reply as the blue jet shot upwards, climbing higher and higher.

Optimus felt a slight stab of anxiety; going so high was not natural for a grounder, but he had been flying long enough that it wasn't as frightening as it had been previously. Still, this felt like a huge step as he began to follow his trine mate. It was a reasonable day with a few thick cloud patches, and those seemed to be Thundercracker's target.

"Clouds can be an advantage and a disadvantage in different situations. For example, as we rise, we can't see anything ahead of us, which alone puts us at a disadvantage, and it's important to read our inbuilt systems for incoming objects."

"I see, how can clouds be taken advantage of?" Optimus asked. He continued to follow the seeker high up, but agreed that he couldn't see much because of the clouds and used his system's data to rely on what was around him.

"Disappearing. Clouds can help us disappear from enemy optic sight, it acts like a blanket. In battle that is taken advantage of." Thundercracker explained.

"I see," Optimus said with nervous interest, from his previous point of view as a grounder fighting on the ground, the Seekers using the clouds hadn't mattered as much. It was all about when they did appear, their disappearing tactics usually affected their small air force more. It occurred to him that if the numbers were more even, what battle it would mean for the skies, fliers going into clouds to hide, but no knowing if others were already hiding there.

"Keep going," Thundercracker encouraged. Optimus wasn't doing badly, but he didn't want him hovering within the cloud mass, not until he was more confident.

Optimus obeyed, it felt strange not being able to see properly while rising. Previously, he'd dealt with fog, but he'd always had his tyres firmly on the ground, this felt more unnatural. It was with great relief that they broke the cloud cover and rose up into brilliant sunshine. Optimus was awestruck over the beauty before him, clouds spread out below him while the clear sky above him darkened into space.

They continued to fly through the cold sky. It was quite peaceful up there, no other sound except their engines. However, it was tricky to fly by only looking at one owns instruments and numbers. Thundercracker flew right next to Optimus and monitored him, for a first try it wasn't bad and the former grounder was picking it up well.

"You are doing, well."

"Thank you, Thundercracker. But I do feel uncomfortable flying where I don't see where I'm going." Optimus responded. He had kept a calm mind and followed everything the seeker told him to do.

"You will get used to it with time." The other assured him. "Let's continue for 30 more minutes before we fly to Bill for the trade."

"Very well," Optimus said with an internal sigh. He still had a knot of anxiety in his tanks over the height and prospect of descending through the clouds again, but Thundercracker had proven to be a trustworthy teacher. He just needed to stick close to him, and all should be fine.

He had to admit, it was very peaceful up here, he could certainly see the allure for a natural flyer. Similar for him would be a late night drive when everything was still and the stars twinkled overhead. Glancing to one side, he did notice a couple of human planes in the distance, which looked like passenger ones. He wondered if any of the humans could make them out, it must be rather nerve wracking when they realised Decepticons were in the area.

Thankfully, the Decepticons usually left them alone, and flight paths had been adjusted to avoid general Decepticon territory as much as feasibly possible.

"Sometimes I'm amazed they get off the ground," the blue Seeker commented on by his side. "Seems odd that organic grounders could manage such a thing."

"Indeed. I believe they can accomplish anything they set their mind to. Humans have just recently managed to reach the moon."

"For a young race, they still have a lot to learn. But I suppose they aren't that bad if this and those flying cars are what they have achieved so far." The blue seeker admitted. Yes, humans are weaker than them, but it seems they make up for that weakness by trying to achieve greatness in science instead.

"I'm still amazed that Starscream helped them to create flying cars. It's not an easy feat." Optimus said. He could understand why the former seeker have done it, for one he gained flight and second it gave him an advantage.

"He was always a brilliant scientist," TC sighed. "That's why he rose so far up the ranks, because of his abilities. But maybe he rose too fast, becoming Second and staying there was almost jarring to him."

"You think if he'd worked for longer, he wouldn't have clashed so much with Megatron?" Optimus queried.

"Who knows, he's always clashed with authority," Thundercracker admitted. "In fairness, some of that was due to bias against flight frames, he had to fight or be overlooked or regulated to less worthy tasks. He never learned tact to go with standing up for himself, though."

"I can see how that would happen," Optimus admitted. Some of his team could be a bit overly forceful. Most of them were content in their ranks so it never got to Starscream levels of animosity.

"Now that he is a Prime, no office. He won't let go of that easily, not when he can change the things of society to his liking." Thundercracker pointed out. It was quite obvious that Starscream wanted to rule Cybertron.

"I'm aware. You and Skywarp mentioned as much, but with my plan in motion, I hope we can prevent that from happening." Optimus replied. Hoping that going to Cybertron and destroying the space bridge would force Starscream to see things in a different light.

"Let's hope it does. This war won't end anything soon otherwise," the seeker said and added. "I think it's time for us to meet the human, we have ten minutes left, but we also need to get there."

"Fair point. He did give us his location." Optimus made a left turn and headed towards Bill's workshop.

They carried on in silence, Thundercracker leading the way. Optimus felt another strange thrill at descending through the clouds, it was a relief to break through them and behold land once more.

"Managing?" His flying partner inquired as they continued to fly lower.

"Yes, I'm fine," Optimus said firmly, focused on their destination. "It's been good practice."

"Even talented flyers need that," chuckled the blue jet, dipping a wing in acknowledgement. "Get ready, we're almost there."

Optimus looked ahead and saw fields and a lot of them. There weren't any houses around, which was good. They continued to fly forward. He spotted a red-coloured house, it wasn't a large one. Its design was simple, like the one people would find outside the city.

"We are here," the blue seeker announced and flew lower to the ground, ready for a landing.

"Is that house our destination?" Optimus asked, but at this point, he seemed obvious enough.

"It is," Thundercracker confirmed and prepared himself to transform for the landing.

Optimus made a small noise. It made sense for a human who dealt with Transformers, especially Decepticons, to live in a remote location. He followed Thundercracker's lead, transforming only a moment after he did and landed neatly. Of course, with two of them, the ground shook, and their landing was not silent, some nearby animals made loud noises of protest. Optimus looked over in concern, but none of them seemed to be panicking, they just didn't like the loud sound.

A door opened, and a human in workman's overalls walked out, squinting up at them against the brightness of the sky.

"Thundercracker," He greeted before looking up at Optimus. "That Starscream with you?"

"It is," The navy blue Seeker confirmed. Everyone knew who Starscream was, he was as recognisable as Megatron or the Prime. "Have you got the stuff?"