TSH: Chapter 10 - Reunited

Reunited

25 Days after Vos Fell

Polyhex appeared on the horizon with the Darkmount fortress stretching high into the sky, it was an imposing view. It overlooked the city, protecting it from Autobot attack. As far as cities went, Polyhex was average. It was neither attractive nor unattractive. It did not have the character of the far more ancient Vos, its buildings were square, with a few curved structures thrown in. Its architecture was practical, simple, and colourless.

Starscream realised that Polyhex would now have to be considered his home city. He wondered if he should look into purchasing an off base residence, he sighed to himself. He would have to dismiss that idea. Polyhex was too close to work, Kaon was too low brow and Cetagon... Cetagon was a possibility, then Starscream thought of Ramjet, Dirge, and Thrust then decided against it: Too many Coneheads. If he wanted a home, then he wanted something nice and comfortable, Vosian in style, and beautiful. He did like what his sire had, a place hidden in the mountains, masked from view and safe. Unfortunately he lacked the resources and time to make such a place.

Distracted by his thoughts, he nearly clipped his wing with Talon's tail and tried to adjust his flight path, then over compensated, giving himself an alarming wobble. Heat from embarrassment rose around his intakes as he realised that there were people standing on the landing deck of the hangar who witnessed his less than graceful near miss.

“Are you alright?” Talon asked from his left.

“Is this a trick question?” Starscream replied. “I'm getting asked it a lot, and my answer isn't going to change.” He grumbled. “I'm leaving space because I can't sense where you are, I'm blind in that respect.”

“So that's why you're staying so far behind,” Talon replied. “I thought I smelled strange or something.”

“No, you're not Skywarp. Anyway, I don't want to knock you out of the sky.”

The incoming trio of Seekers flew directly into the hangar and landed wheels down. Starscream cut his thrusters early and allowed himself to glide. A moment later, after all forward momentum had ceased, Starscream and the others shifted to their root mode.

Skywarp was considered the rumour mill of Darkmount. Most did not take much stock in his rumours and gossip, however they did believe him when it came to Starscream. This was not something he would make light of in any situation. As a result, word quickly spread through the Darkmount Seekers that the Wingleader of the Third Wing had been found alive; an actual survivor of Vos. As the trio shifted to their root mode, they were met with cheering and applause.

Starscream hesitated as he was unsure of what to think about the fuss being made over his return. This was not Tarn Eastern where he had been captured after leading a mission that changed the course of the war. All he had was the label of a Vosian survivor, and celebrating him did not make sense; it was embarrassing. It felt wrong that he was being celebrated, as if he was somehow more important than the lives lost at Vos. He understood that he was not being viewed as more significant than the others, but it felt inappropriate all the same.

He was thankful that at least one of the Vosian citizens would grow up to have a future, he could at least take solace in that. It still did not make up for the fact that he somehow survived. If there is some sort of prophecy in that infernal book that related to him, then he wished it would burn in the pit. He was not important or worthy enough to warrant a prophecy, not with the destructive, self loathing thoughts that kept coursing through his mind, lately.

Skywarp almost vibrated, eager to see his wingmate, and Thundercracker was smiling- he tried to appear even keeled. Skywarp approached Starscream as if he wanted to throw his arms around the formerly missing Seeker and hug him to death.

Starscream shook his head holding up his hand to keep Skywarp at bay, “Unwise, Warp. We'll talk later, I promise,” Starscream said noticing the disappointment on his wingmate's face.

“Starscream?” the dark Seeker said seemingly crestfallen.

“I'm contaminated, Skywarp, I want you safe,” he said to his wingmate in an effort to reassure him everything was okay. “We'll need decontamination immediately, we're hot,” Starscream explained, nodding at the two Seekers beside him. “I may be more so, cumulative exposure may have pushed my levels into the danger zone,” he warned, as if he cared about his survival, it was more those around him, he was worried about.

“Are you feeling okay?” Thundercracker asked, scanning the three.

Starscream knew that the other had already had the answer to that question, yet it did not stop him from asking it. He wished he had a sign reading, 'No, I'm not alright, stop fragging asking me.'

“Not really, but I'll live...,” he remarked coldly, “It seems to be what I do best.” He glanced at the others in the hangar, and he noticed a number of missing faces, his spark sank. He hoped that they were simply busy. “I guess I'll need to check in with our Air Commander,” he said splitting off from Rainjumper and Talon.

Starscream, approached Nightfall and stopped about three times further back than he ordinarily would have and made a tired salute.

“You're three weeks late,” Nightfall said in a stern tone.

“Sir?” Starscream asked in surprise, he would have expected some sort of leniency. “Sorry it took so long to get back. Darkstar had me at his facilities, and he did not feel the need to alert Darkmount....”

Nightfall smiled. “At ease, Starscream, I'm pulling your wing. It's better late than never.”

Oh, Starscream thought, realising the initial greeting was in jest. He was not exactly in the mood for games.

“Request to return to service, Nightfall,” Starscream asked in a tone that did not have life to it.

“Request granted.” Nightfall replied.

“Do I need to debrief?” the younger flier asked.

Nightfall shook his head in answer then spoke up, “You look like slag, Starscream. You'll need to go to decon and rest. When you feel up to it, go back to medical and see if they can clear your return to duty.”

He was relieved for the rest. “Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir,” Starscream said with the energy of a dropped wet towel.

“You're dismissed, Starscream.”

The weary Seeker saluted Nightfall once more, then turned to his right and walked toward the hangar exit and onto the medical wing. Talon and Rainjumper stayed behind to talk to Nightfall briefly before hurrying to catch up to the younger Seeker. Starscream presumed they were giving Nightfall the details about finding him.

A few minutes later he could hear them approaching quickly from behind. He listened to their footfalls as they ran to join him. He set the pace at a speedy walk toward the waiting decontamination chamber. Starscream stretched his wings out in an effort to sense their approach.

There was nothing.

It still unnerved and worried him, he felt as if he was blind. Using his wings in this manner was almost like having eyes in the back of his head. Very few people could sneak up on him unaware. Starscream also did not realise how much he used that sense on a daily basis. Skywarp was the only person who could sneak up on him by using his teleportation. And usually to initiate one of his horrible pranks, practical jokes or to simply frighten him. Nobody was safe from Skywarp if he decided to have fun, not even Megatron. Skywarp was lucky that Megatron had not been able to do the maths. If he put two and two together and came up with Skywarp, Starscream was sure his wingmate would be cast into the smelting pit- if they could catch him.

Starscream felt bad to have had to keep Skywarp away. The look of hurt in his optics was upsetting. Starscream only hoped that Thundercracker would explain the reason and that it was nothing personal.

“You're quiet, Starscream,” Talon said as he stepped in beside the Wingleader.

The younger Seeker smiled fleetingly. “I said more enough at the crater, and I'm also starting to feel little queasy again.”

“How long were you out there?”

“Not terribly long, just in the wrong places.”

He rounded the corner at the medical wing and made his way into the decontamination wash racks.

An awaiting medic gestured for them to enter the room. A selection of supplies was arranged on a bench. Including a number of creams and gels that was meant to be pushed into the joints. A gas that needed to be inhaled to cleanse out the air intake system and filter into the circulatory system.

The gel and creams had to be applied to each other's backs and around the wings. Something that Starscream was not at all comfortable with. He hated people touching his wings, back or throat. He would tolerate it long enough for the job to be done, but Starscream was not exactly happy about it.

Once done, they would enter the decontamination chamber. Rainjumper and Talon had an hour wait in the foam, Starscream would have three.

He stepped into the chamber, and the door closed behind him, it sealed him in with a gentle hiss. Starscream lowered himself to the steel bench as the foam bubbled up around his feet increasing in depth. He rubbed it over his face ensuring he got it everywhere he could. The foam cycled through the chamber, being drawn into the drain in the floor then ejected from nozzles against his back and wings, forcing into the crevices and gaps, mingling with the gels and creams.

He had time to go over his thoughts about his return. What bothered Starscream the most was the size of the units in the hangar. He did not know why the numbers seemed few. His unit was largely intact, but Wing Commander Eclipse was not in sight, nor was Newmoon. Dirge's unit seemed to be short a whole trine. He knew it might not be indicative of anything. They could have had other business to attend.

“How many are missing,” Starscream finally asked of the others who were also up to their optics in the foam.

“Grand total or just here?” Rainjumper asked.

“I don't need the grand total, I've got a pretty good idea of that. But who's missing from our ranks?”

“Newmoon never returned. They're still holding out, but none of the hospitals reported ever seeing him. Deepsky lost a sister and his parents, he is with a counsellor this afternoon. “We had a few stragglers come back after a few days, they were still in shock at the news. We returned from Kaon almost immediately. It's been a week since anyone else new has turned up, we don't expect many more. We are sure there are others in hospitals still recovering, who will return, but we don't know when. The bad news is that we lost a bunch to suicide within hours of Vos, they all had bondmates who died,” Rainjumper supplied.

“The pain of bond-break, I understand that feeling. It's difficult to survive the first few months without a good support net. If you do survive it, then you feel like a part of you is missing from then on, but its manageable.” Starscream muttered.

“Did you lose anyone yourself out there?” Talon asked.

“No, anyone who meant anything to me is already dead or is here at Darkmount. The worst loss I suffered was good quality engex and a house. I suppose I should count myself lucky that was all I lost; I hurt for everyone else. I can't figure out what I should say to the survivors, I do feel I'll need to address the population at some point, but....” He raised his hands and shrugged his shoulders to indicate he was at a loss.

“You'll find the words, Starscream,” Rainjumper replied rubbing the foam into his hands and knuckles. “Give yourself time.”

Starscream nodded and resumed working the foam into his feet and thrusters in silence. After a while the wash cycle kicked in for Rainjumper and Talon, their chamber flashed green indicating they were cleared to leave. Starscream still had two more hours of this.

“Would you like us to stay?” Talon asked, not wanting to simply abandon Starscream, they knew he might need a friend.

“I'll be okay, but you ought to be nearby when Deepsky is done with his session. He'll need your support.”

“What about you?”

“I'm sure Thundercracker will turn up shortly, I'll be okay, not much can go wrong in a decontamination chamber,” he replied.

The two Seekers nodded. “Well if you do need us, give us a shout over the comms.” Then they left the medical bay.

Starscream sank into the foam hiding himself from view to allow himself to express his sadness in the little privacy he had. Two hours later the jets activated and washed the foam away; his session was complete.

He was greeted by medics, and Thundercracker who waited in the exam room. The older Seeker glanced at the younger one and blinked briefly. “You've aged...” he said. “You look nearly a million years older.”

“Three hours in decontamination will do that to you,” Starscream replied darkly.

“How much radiation did you get?” Thundercracker asked, gesturing for Starscream to sit.

“Enough. You ought to contact Thunderfall for the medical records,” Starscream said, being as vague as he could. “He told me he'd pass them onto you if you wanted them.”

“I haven't spoken to him in a while,” Thundercracker rumbled. “I ought to do that when I call for your records.”

Starscream tensed as Thundercracker lightly placed his fingers on his throat. He pressed the soft plates lightly, moving up to and under his jaw and then about his neck. Surges shot up and down Starscream's back, giving him the urge to flee.

“Is that absolutely necessary?” he asked through gritted teeth. “You know how I feel about people touching my throat.”

“It's necessary, Starscream. Just giving you a thorough exam.”

“I had one two months ago....”

“And that is what we want to compare it with. We'll see if anything has changed, and then we will do it again in two more months and see what's happening from there.”

“I thought it was against protocol to have a trinemate initiating the exam: A conflict of interest.”

“Usually it is. That's why I take readings and pass it onto another medic. However, we all know you have trust issues, and you've been through a lot... hm,” Thundercracker rumbled and went along the neck once more pressing along node points.

“Problem?”

“Your sensory hub node is swollen. Do you have problems with any of your senses?” Thundercracker asked, making a note.

“My wings are muted. I can't sense any EM fields of anyone around me. I do hope they get restored soon.”

“You can feel things normally otherwise? The ground under your feet, wind in your face?”

“Yes, it's normal. Is there a problem?”

“No, probably not. The swelling should go down, and then you should be able to sense with your wings. I'll recommend that you be grounded until that ability has returned. I saw that you were flying a bit choppy, and you weren't leading. So I thought you had an issue,” Thundercracker said quietly, “I'll prescribe a medication to treat the inflammation of the node.”

“Great I'm grounded. I've lost my city and now my wings,” the younger flier sighed.

“Could be worse, you could be dead,” Thundercracker replied.

Starscream said nothing but stared up at the blue Seeker for a moment in disgust. And how would that be worse? He thought. Why does everyone automatically assume survival is a gift, when it's nothing but a curse?

“I know how you hate having to repeat yourself over and over, and I doubt you want to relive your experience, but...” Thundercracker said slowly, “Would you mind at least recording your eyewitness account for us? At least that way, those who want to know can be referred to it.”

“I do mind,” Starscream snapped, then he sighed heavily. “But you are right, I will be asked over and over, and it's something I rather not relive....”

“Your eyewitness account would allow us to better understand what happened, you don't have to if you don't want to.”

“I should though, for the reason you stated. Start your recording.” Starscream nodded as he reluctantly agreed to giving a statement.

The blue Seeker set up a small microphone on the table and then nodded. “I'm set up,” Thundercracker said. “You can start any time you wish.”

“I can start by saying I noticed the attack before the Vosian Defence did. Which now, that I think about it, was strange, they should have seen it earlier, much earlier and called the evac sooner,” he explained.

Now it bothered Starscream, it really bothered him; they could not determine exactly who was involved, and the force field would not go up. This was strange in its own right as the force field equipment was very well maintained. It was used every winter to protect the inhabitants of Vos from the chilling winds, or used to protect the city from acid rain. Had it been activated, it would have surely prevented the city from suffering the devastation it suffered.

Starscream questioned the glitch theory and was positive the incident was a carefully planned attack. The question was, an attack by whom? Who wanted the Seekers so dead, that they would be more than willing to destroy every Seeker from a helpless pod, to the wizened elderly. Someone with no conscience clearly and that would rule out the Autobots. It was not out of the realm of possibility that it was a Neutral, although unlikely. It was more likely that it was a Decepticon, and that really bothered him.

What was it he saw about the aftermath that nagged at him, he wondered. The amount of destruction and the rings... the size of the mushroom cloud, the depth of the crater, that was not just a regular nuclear device, that was an antimatter nuke. Only antimatter could vaporise material so cleanly that there was nothing left. The amount of debris in space was not enough to make two city blocks. He knew of a weapon that the Decepticons had, which was capable of such destruction: The anti-asteroid missiles.

“Starscream?” Thundercracker rumbled after the younger Seeker fell silent to his thoughts.

“It's all wrong... what we believe, it's all wrong... whatever you do don't let Megatron get this recording, or Soundwave... I even question giving this to Nightfall since he's Megatron's boot licker.”

“What's wrong?”

“I'd not be surprised if they were the antimatter nukes we used to blow asteroids out of space. The amount of damage that it did, to the amount of surviving rubble. It seemed as if everything was vaporised. Antimatter nukes are something Shockwave devised, didn't he? I don't think Autobots would use a weapon like that on a largely peaceful civilian population. The Autobots are many things, but they don't attack civilians as far as I know.”

A cold jolt shot through Starscream as he spoke Shockwave's name. Shockwave was one Decepticon that the younger Seeker avoided at all costs. He felt the worst levels of prickling when he was near him, enough that Starscream was nearly terrified of him. He had no conscience, no emotions, no cares. Shockwave did his work without regard to the harm he inflicted on his 'patients'. He used no sedatives. Most often it was a silence or stasis field, so he could work in quiet while his victims screamed noiselessly. Starscream knew of a few Seekers who had run afoul with the mad scientist, and they had no kind words to share; one Seeker killed herself shortly after the incident.

Thundercracker said nothing other than rumble. He shone the lights into Starscream's optics, the younger flier blinked and drew back away from the brightness. “Settle, Starscream, just look forward and stare at my intake. Just checking to see if there is any damage.”

“Sorry, I just had a worrying thought,” Starscream said. “The brightness startled me a bit.”

“Care to share?”

“Not on record, no... I'll tell you later, off the record.”

Starscream continued to describe the rest of his escape from Vos and how he and the fledgling helped each other.

“We must have missed you by only minutes, to be honest,” Thundercracker admitted.

“I was in bad shape by the time help arrived, chances are had you found me and tried to take me, I'd have not lived. As it was, the medicvac that took us to Darkstar's base had a failure in the stasis units, by the time we got there, we were within an inch of our lives. The other Seeker died, I... survived.”

“Is the fledgling okay?”

“She's fine, she's with Stellardrift now.”

“I'm surprised you did not adopt her,” Thundercracker said, drawing some fluid samples from various systems to send out for testing.

“I don't think Megatron or Nightfall would appreciate a fledgling on base, it's bad enough bringing a book from home without getting questioned by our Air Commander. No, the current arrangement is for the best. I'd have done it if we were not at war, but not with me being constantly in the line of fire. It would not be fair to her.”

Thundercracker nodded, agreeing. “True.”

“While no one came out and said it, I think the radiation may have reduced my lifespan.” He looked at his palms for a few moments.

“If you think your time's been cut short, we could always bring in a death clock and know for sure,” he suggested.

Starscream shuddered flicking his wings in agitation. “I would rather we did not. Not unless you think it's going to be soon....” He hated that thing. It had its purpose at times to select the triage patients in the right order, usually resulting in more saves than losses. Although getting a reading did not mean the patient was doomed to die, only that, if things were left unchanged, they would expire at the end of that time. He knew there would be nothing that could be done to save him. This was why he did not wish to know.

“Scarring in your audio and olfactory senses. The concussion power must have been something else. You're lucky to be alive.”

“Forgive me, Thundercracker, but I am not lucky to be alive. I am glad to have saved one person, but... I'm done with discussing this. Leave me to my... thoughts, Thunder. And I know Skywarp's eager to see me, but tell him I wish to rest, and I'll see him in the morning.” Starscream got to his feet and pushed the instruments that Thundercracker was using away.

“That's something I was going to bring up, Starscream. Your assignment- Skywarp took it on purpose.”

“I figured that much, he likes to think he is being funny.”

“No he didn't do it to be funny. He said that he felt that something very bad was going to happen, and he wanted you to stay home. He wanted you home because he said his wings were prickling, and he just felt dread. Skywarp knew something, Star. Admit it, when you realised you did not have the assignment you chose to come home,” Thundercracker stated quietly.

“That's.... very usual, for Skywarp to be aware like that. It could be the nature of his genome.” Starscream mentally shuddered at the thought. Did Skywarp have some of Northstar's gift? It was a possibility, or it could have been a coincidence.

“He's been beside himself with grief thinking you and him parted on angry terms, this is why he was so eager to see you. He's hoping you'll forgive him.”

“If he told me that he thought I was in danger, I'd have not believed him... I guess he did save my life in his way. Reassure him there are no hard feelings and that I will see him in the morning,” Starscream said with a forced smile. “I'm not mad at him and there is nothing to forgive.” He drew a deep breath feeling exhausted.

“Are you gonna be okay?”

And there was that question again.... “If you don't mind, I would really appreciate an escort to my quarters... if I still have them. Am I still the Wingleader?” He asked with a yawn. Starscream felt a lot more tired than he had expected.

Thundercracker nodded and walked next to Starscream. “You should be, I've only stepped in as Acting Wingleader, until your status was determined. Nightfall was sort of hoping for your return actually, much to my surprise. I don't think he wanted to train a new Wingsecond.”

“I presume you expected to become the new Wingleader... sorry I got in your way,” Starscream said darkly.

Thundercracker stopped, spun Starscream around, placed his hands on his shoulders then locked optics with him. “Don't you think for a moment that I've wanted your job at the expense of you. I've only filled in your shoes, doing what I can, as you would have.”

Starscream could see the hurt and annoyance in Thundercracker's optics, the younger Seeker backed away slightly and tilted his head respectfully. “Sorry... I'm not exactly myself lately,” he flicked his optics away from his wingmate.

“I understand that, but don't forget we're a team, Starscream.”

“I won't Thunder,” Starscream broke free of the other's grasp and resumed his tired walk home.

They arrived at the barracks and Thundercracker pushed open the door to Starscream's quarters. Skywarp was inside dozing on Starscream's platform.

“Sorry about the mess,” Thundercracker apologised. “Skywarp insisted in turning your room into a shrine.”

Starscream glanced over at Thundercracker, wrinkling his nose at the incense smell, “Do I need to decontaminate my platform now that's Skywarp's been in it?” Starscream smiled slightly as he studied the small shrine on the desk, saying nothing. The amount of ash from incense, and the choice of pictures made him realise that he meant a bit more to his two cousins than he realised.

“He's been keeping it 'warm', or so he claims. Skywarp's missed you a lot.”

Thundercracker leaned over and gently smacked his brother. “Warp, get out, Starscream's fragged and needs to sleep.”

“Starscream doesn't sleep during the day, Thunder, he works,” Skywarp grumbled groggily, waking up. He then stared into the face of the haggard Wingleader. “Oh hey, it's Starscream!” he said sitting up, grinning broadly.

“I sleep during the day, Skywarp, when I've flown nearly three quarters the circumference of this planet, and spent three hours in a decontamination chamber, and another hour being poked and prodded by Thundercracker, and his medical instruments; I'm really exhausted.” Starscream's knees buckled slightly.

Skywarp instantly stood up, he and Thundercracker guided the exhausted Seeker to his platform.

“Whatever you do, don't paint me up for a funeral again, Skywarp,” he said groggily then quickly slipped into sleep.

Thundercracker placed his hand on the side of Starscream's face checking for a fever. He was worried that radiation sickness was present. Fortunately for Starscream he was not fevered, he was simply exhausted. The speed that Starscream sinking into a shut-down was rather alarming. Not entirely uncommon for their Wingleader, just concerning regarding the situation at hand.

Skywarp glanced over at Thundercracker with a worried expression. “Is he alright?”

Thundercracker shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, he picked up the dust sheet and draped it over the somnolent Seeker's torso.

“We're not sure, Skywarp. He had heavy exposure to the radiation. If you come back to the repair bay, you can listen to the audio file that we got. He described the fall of Vos in detail, and it's the only clear idea we got of what transpired. So far he's the only one we know of who was near enough to have seen it and survived and speak about it.” Thundercracker pulled Skywarp in close and whispered. “Starscream also thinks we may have been attacked by our own side, keep that to yourself though.”

“Not Autobot sabotage?!” Skywarp exclaimed in a whisper.

“Star's a tactician, he'd recognise the type of weapons being used in an attack. He says they seemed to have the qualities of antimatter nukes. Bots don't usually wield weapons like that. We'll look into it later. Let Starscream rest, Skywarp, no pranks. Promise?”

Skywarp nodded. “Yeah I wouldn't do that to him right now, he looks like slag, poor guy.”

“And he's not mad at you at all. He wanted me to tell you that, so you don't fret.”

They occupied a private examination room, door shut and lights out. Thundercracker sat next to Skywarp listening to the recording of Starscream's discussion. Skywarp stopped and replayed it again. Then shook his head slowly after the final run.

“It's Starscream's voice, but it's not him; he's barely a shadow of himself, Thunder. He's exhausted though, I can tell. Do you think he'll be okay?”

“Like I said, we don't know. I'm sending a request to Thunderfall for his files. Once we get that, then we might be able to tell for sure. I doubt they would release him from their care if he was not ready for release.”

“What about his ageing?” asked Skywarp. “He looks old.”

“That might be just stress or damage from the radiation. It may fade with time, or it could be how he is from here on in. Remember how strange he sounded to us when he got out of prison? It could stick.”

“I preferred his voice back in the academy, he could carry a tune.”

“There is something else,” Thundercracker said quietly. “I'm not getting the usual tingly feeling around him. We're gonna have to try to keep an optic on him. You don't survive something like that and remain the same guy afterwards. He doesn't seem to a positive outlook on life right now, if you get my meaning.”

Skywarp nodded. “I'll keep an eye on him as best I can.”

“It might be a bit hard though. We're to fly a mission tomorrow morning and Star, of course, won't be going with us because of his sensory issues. He has to recover a few days before he flies,” Thundercracker warned. He did not like the idea of leaving Starscream alone and unattended.

“Well, he can't get into too much trouble staying home, now can he?” Skywarp asked.

“Probably not, but who knows with him.” Thundercracker replied, “Starscream's always been a little unpredictable.”