Author's Note- Hi here is the next chapter.
Special thanks to Starlove, Decepticon Skywhip, The-writing-Mew, fan girl 666, Kitt SummerIsle, Iwanita, poisonouswaffle'n-stuffs, Guest, Chibi Oro, NightXIV, Mavis, LittleLadyLokiStark and silveryn83 for your reviews and comments. Hello this is my first fic of this dark a nature so I would ask that you read the warnings carefully before reading and no flamers please. It's AU so you can imagine it however you want. This story was partially inspired by Kami Count D's 'Crime and Punishment' fic and I would recommend you all to read it if you have not already (also if you like Starscream/Ironhide as a pairing 'Crime and Punishment's' companion fic 'The Enemy You Know' is also a very enjoyable read). Unbetaed. Disclaimer- I do not own Transformers or its characters. Warnings- Rated MA. Non-con/graphic rape, violence, perhaps some slight gore and mutilation near/at the beginning, there may be consensual slash in later chapters, Transformer swearing, angst, depression, death, trauma, mentions of masturbation. Warnings for this chapter- Transformer swearing, mentions of previous character death (major in the Prime verse), violence, depression, trauma, hints at past rape (not described). Units of Time:- Astrosecond- 1 second Klik- 1 minute Cycle- 1 hour Orn- 1 day Decacycle- 1 week Meta-cycle- 1 month Solar cycle- 1 year Vorn- 1 million years Italics- Flashbacks/thoughts/memories/link speak. Bold- Comm speak. Recognisable lines are borrowed/paraphrased from the 2007-2011 movies, accompanying games and other Transformers media. I hope you enjoy the chapter and please review.
Chapter Seven- Forces of Nature
Starscream's optics fluttered open as he curled deeper into his blanket. For a precious few moments his mind was completely blank, bathed in the warmth of the coverlet and the rare comfort of coming out of recharge without injury. His internals gave a beep and an orange light came up behind his optics letting him know that his new vocaliser was assimilating properly with his systems. New… Vocaliser…? The Seeker buried his faceplates in his servos, a circuit-deep tiredness almost calling him back into his welcoming berth. No… If he went back into recharge now he might never motivate himself out of it. Sitting up, he stretched his frame out, his wings flicking out in a circular motion before bending to point up at the ceiling. A brief sense of satisfaction ran through him as his joints clicked then relaxed. Now, what to do? His optics flicked around his quarters before pulling himself to his pedes and padding across the room to settle at his desk, pulling a datapad to him and beginning single-mindedly to write.
Megatron watched his second sit up on his berth, the flier's thin but none the less strong legs dangling off the edge as Starscream pushed himself over to sit properly on the side of his berth and his pedes met the floor with a just audible clink. The Seeker's servos came together to play with each other in a terribly familiar gesture of nervousness and anxiety that he was sure Starscream was completely unaware of doing.
He had forced himself to leave the Seeker's quarters half a cycle beforehand, worried that Starscream would wake up and panic at his presence, but still only after making sure that his second was comfortable and warm. The tyrant stood, turning from the screen and gave it an internal order to switch itself off. Crossing to his map aimlessly, his optics flickered to the piece of fabric at Starscream's station. The green silk-like thick material allowed mechs to rest their arms and servos on it comfortably for long periods of time while they observed the map. His second was known to often pick at and fiddle with it during meetings, gaze focussed solely upon it as Starscream gave up even looking at the map when plans were being constructed. Megatron ran his servos along it, finding with some surprise that the material was scratchy and irritated his metallic palm, smoothing it out only for the edges to curl back up towards him. He had always wondered what Starscream was thinking when his blood-red orbs traced the barely visible linings and variations that the flier himself had made in the material. His own ruby-red optics lit up at one little memory he had of Starscream that was actually fairly recent. The meeting after they had failed to implant the virus in the Autobot's systems, though they had won the skirmish due to Starscream's early warning that Ironhide had a team that was about to attack their flank. It wasn't that Megatron hadn't thought of the possibility, it had just been hoped they would have long gone before their enemies had collected themselves enough to mount a proper defence. And the Autobots hadn't, not truly. The Commander had gone to the mini-party his subordinates had thrown that night cycle for the half-victory they had achieved. Of course Starscream had not been there, had no doubt spent a lonely painful night cycle in his quarters listening to the glee of his comrades mere floors away from him… The Seeker had come to the meeting though, a decacycle after the fact, repaired and now completely silent when he had only been quiet before. It was quite easy to entirely forget he was there as if he had become invisible like those wretched Autobot spies with their cloaks. Throughout the discussion, Megatron had argued with himself over what to do about his second, either to let him go with the others or to order him to stay behind so they could talk. When eventually the others began to leave each with their individual tasks to complete or to delegate, the tyrant made a snap decision and reached out to lightly grasp his second's servo as he turned towards the door. Frightened optics looked up to meet his before dropping to one side in resignation. Holding the smaller appendage as the movements of the others suddenly became hurried; the room emptying in moments, Megatron gave it a gentle squeeze and released it, silently relishing the brief touch. It was one of the reasons, though he would not realise it until he looked back on his treatment of his Air Commander, that his punishments of Starscream had escalated in severity and duration. Though only a single part of him, his gladiator programming, enjoyed the pain his second suffered, his whole self agreed that having his Seeker entirely to himself; knowing that all that Starscream was feeling, experiencing and thinking was under his control and caused by him, gave him a heady sense of power and satisfaction. It was a sensation more addictive than he would ever have thought anything could be. Guiding Starscream, switching places with him so that the Seeker stood at the head of the map, Megatron moved away slightly and asked if Starscream had anything he needed to contribute to the plans before they left base the following orn. The flier's form hunched itself over the edge of the map, talons running together in uneasiness, before he finally spoke, quietly and timidly. 'I'll do as I'm told Master… I know any alterations I would make wouldn't matter.' I know my opinions don't matter. Megatron could almost hear what Starscream was leaving unvoiced but was no doubt going through the smaller mech's processor as he clearly tried to pass what he thought was a test from his leader. I've learnt my lesson; see Master, do you see? I promise I have My Lord… Taking the flier's servos in each of his own, Megatron rubbed them both soothingly, tried to still the Seeker's subtle trembling. 'Starscream… they matter when I say they do and I am saying it now. Tell me what you think.' Gradually the flier tentatively came out of his shell. Not having to worry about the reactions of the others allowed him to think more clearly and he slowly began to circle the map then glanced up to look at the projection on the wall of the area they were attacking. Megatron listened, nodding occasionally, as the Seeker spoke and worked out a better method than previously agreed on for their air-force to begin their part in the assault. When however Starscream, his slight excitement thrumming through his frame, began to speak of the grounders as well, the Warlord stepped up behind Starscream to wrap his arm around his flier's helm to cover his mouth with one large servo. 'No, Starscream, no.' The brief happiness instantly fled his second's frame, as it tensed and began to tremble violently, wings flicking in panic. As Megatron felt optic fluid born of fear drip onto his appendage, he realised even then that his choice of words had been inappropriate. Turning Starscream to face him, he brushed away the liquid and smiled at the Seeker reassuringly. 'Shh Starscream, calm yourself, we are only talking there is nothing to be afraid of.' The words came out a bit stilted and would have, Megatron was sure, had a swifter effect if only he had softened his tone more. Before the Seeker had left, the tyrant stopped him once more, this time by placing a hand on the small of the flier's back. Simply pressing the initially promised cube of high grade into Starscream's constantly moving servos as a peace-offering of sorts and then finally allowing his Air Commander to leave. It was then that one of Megatron's fondest memories of Starscream took place. As he watched on his hidden cameras, the Seeker sat down on his berth and curiously took the protective covering off the cube to stare at the cloudy yellow liquid. His optics alighting in interest at the unusual state of the energon as most versions of the life-giving substance, though certainly existing in a rainbow of different colours, was normally clear; to the point of being completely see-through in some cases. The flier sniffed lightly at it then took a tentative sip. Megatron smiled as he watched, glad that Starscream had not simply taken a gulp of it as it was from his own, now little-used, private stock and extremely potent. The flier placed the cube with only some care on the top of his berthside desk and flopped backwards onto the soft metal, beginning to giggle contentedly as the energon tickled its way warmly through his fuel lines. He watched, affection in his optics, as his second chuckled himself into a peaceful, restful recharge. Megatron looked away from his second's station and sighed in self-reprimand. Even up until so very recently there had been a glimmer of the old Starscream in existence. Whether there was now had yet to be seen. He should have been more persistent in preserving it, should not have become obsessed even subconsciously with breaking it down beyond visibility. If only so Starscream's subordinates maintained the necessary respect for him that was needed for the army to function correctly. The raid had failed, not due to the air force, but Megatron had made it more than clear who be blamed for the loss, both to Starscream and the other officers. Sighing loudly through his vents, sending a burst of angry air out of them, Megatron paced briefly around his quarters feeling more and more like a caged animal. Finally he strode from his living area out into the long corridor, pedes leading him almost on autopilot to speak with Hook and, quite possibly, Knock Out.
Hook stared around his med-bay from his desk for a klik, at the state of the few patients that remained, mentally reminding himself who would need to be checked on in their quarters and that Megatron (Primus knew what he had done with the other one) needed a new desk.
He'd have to contact Scrapper, get him and the others to help him design one… Maybe arrange for them to come back for a while to help him build it if they didn't do so for him. He assumed Megatron had given tacit consent for the medic to communicate with his family as he hadn't objected before when they had been mentioned. Even though the tyrant had been the one to split them up in the first place… The existence of mechs and femmes in the Decepticon army who were sparked for creation and healing remained rare as it always had been, and the Constructicons inarguably were the best at both. Megatron was not known for settling for second-rate so maybe that was why he hadn't reacted badly at the mention of those who had betrayed him, or else he could simply have had his processor on other matters at the time. In any case, Hook refused to work on any kind of professional construction without his gestalt's input; it was a family affair after all. The medic slumped for a moment, loneliness tearing at his defences before he forced it back. Sometimes he felt starved of the link as it could never reach full strength while his family was so far away. At least, he supposed, it allowed him to understand the separation issues Starscream had. It could be suffocating at times but the CMO had no idea how to approach his leader about the issue. He knew he was going to have to bring it up in conversation soon somehow; the itch in his spark became steadily more unbearable and frequent in occurrence as time went on, beginning to feel like a nest of Insecticons were living in, gnawing at, his internals.
Knock Out watched his superior rubbing at his chest plates, just above his spark chamber, as the Constructicon worked on his reports. He was sure Hook was unaware of the action as well as that there was optic fluid collecting in the corners of the senior medic's bared optics, visor temporarily open as the green and purple mech laboured diligently over his case records while compiling another update for their leader.
The vain mech's loyalty to Megatron, though he would never admit it unless subjected to a little session with Vortex, was becoming more dubious as the war progressed. Breakdown, Hook and Starscream. The only mechs he truly gave a slag about and Megatron had hurt them, come close to destroying each of them in so many different ways countless times. It made his circuits sing with the wish to find someone; their faction didn't matter, and perform some unnecessary surgery. Digits twitching, his twisted faceplates morphed into a fond smile as his bondmate offered up his own frame to sate Knock Out's desire, but the strawberry red medic knew he didn't have the self-control at that moment to take blades to his cherished mate's metallic body. Breakdown knew he had kissed Starscream but was aware it wasn't intended as an act of disloyalty. Knock Out chuckled dryly; relieved he had a mech that understood him so well, perhaps even better than the vain mech knew himself. Still, his digits tingled with the need to relieve the built up rage and frustration. Maybe the Combaticon would indulge him with someone if he invited the interrogator to join in… Breakdown's servo caressed his back and he sighed softly, pushing into the touch, irritation being mostly stroked away under his assistant's clever digits. The moment of intimacy was rudely interrupted, ruining Breakdown's efforts of calming his upset mate to his annoyance, by Megatron's sudden appearance in the med-bay doorway. Knock Out turned away, knowing his mate's body shielded his, to hide the barely audible snarl he couldn't quite keep inside. A steady stream of calm calm calm trickled into the red and white medic's spark from his mate. Acknowledging it silently, Knock Out pinged Hook's comm link to warn him of Megatron's approach. The CMO glanced up and stood, servos falling to dangle at his sides, as his frame assumed his natural arrogant stance. The office door slid shut behind his leader and they took their normal seats, Hook handing over his this-klik completed report to his Commander. For a few kliks Megatron stared at the report, pretending to read its contents but actually watching his CMO's reactions to his presence. Hook was angry, perhaps even enraged, with him even now but he allowed the medic his feelings. The medic, despite everything, was loyal after all. Stifling him would only create hatred which didn't need to exist if it wasn't already swirling in the Constructicon's spark. Although Soundwave claimed Hook felt no more resentment than was to be expected, no more than most. Hook sighed softly, a small ripple of air passing through his vents, knowing what, or rather who, Megatron really wanted to speak about. The CMO felt he was out of his league, emotional and mental damage was never his forte even as an unspoiled apprentice before the war. He could repair a mech of almost any physical wound but he was no therapist and Soundwave, considering his relationship with Starscream and their past, would certainly not fulfil requirements. That left Hook in something of a quandary. The other medics, though certainly skilled in putting mech's parts back together possessed little ability to do the same for a comrade's processor, and most would rather focus their energies on destruction than trying to learn such things. Knock Out freely admitted that he was better 'at breaking them than fixing them' and 'breaking them' was something that all Decepticons enjoyed. There would be very few with the necessary patience and empathy who would tolerate another's 'weaknesses' much less help to heal them. He might have to contact his old mentor for advice… as a very last resort. 'Starscream is back in his quarters My Lord and the Seekers are calmer now he has spoken to them.' Hook kept his gaze stern, not wanting Megatron to believe that Starscream was somehow 'cured' overnight as he had addressed his fliers for a couple of kliks. The tyrant nodded before a disquieting thought struck him. The Seekers of course disapproved, to put it mildly, of his treatment of Starscream; how they would react if they ever found out about the true nature of their precious Winglord's condition now was anyone's guess. It could be mutiny. Frag it all! Clearing his throat, putting the thought to the back of his mind to consult with Soundwave about later, Megatron stated, 'I need him to be constantly checked on. I do not want others getting the idea that he's an easy target.' 'Knock Out is going to collect him later to have his colours restored.' To receive 'the paintjob of the vorn'. Hook nodded. 'My Lord… you are aware this is going to be a long process aren't you? He is… fragile and… will be for some time.' Megatron nodded slowly, gladiator side surprisingly dormant at Hook's statement of Starscream's delicacy as Optimus sniggered cruelly. How exactly do you hope to fix this Mighty Megatron? The Prime used Starscream's old title, endearment? for him like a whiplash against his spark. Patience and persistence. Only one of which you have. 'We need to discuss,' Hook's drew him out of his thoughts, distracting him from Optimus's voice, 'how exactly Starscream is to be treated.' 'What do you recommend?' Megatron could admit mental health was not his area of expertise but his optic ridges raised as Hook's servo came up to rub at the CMO's own orbs. 'Much as it pains me to admit an Autobot exceeds me in any field,' Hook grimaced, engines revving briefly in irritation, 'Ratchet or one of his ilk would probably be of more use than me here. And while this is most certainly Soundwave's field, his relationship with Starscream may get in the way of any progress that could be made by him using his knowledge. We shall have to progress slowly and your idea to restore some of his old rights may well be a good one. However, I would recommend,' the CMO hesitated, unable to quite meet Megatron's optics. The silence progressed long enough that Megatron felt obliged to prompt the Constructicon. 'you would recommend…?' 'I would advise that… you yourself should consider consulting Soundwave about your… issues.' Now he'd finally forced it out, Hook's tone and posture relaxed slightly. It was a conversation he had wanted to start with his Lord for solar cycles but had never before summoned up the necessary courage to do so. 'Starscream will only heal if he feels safe and secure, and he will only feel that way if it is completely clear to him that his leader is… self-controlled.' The Decepticon Lord stared intensely at the CMO as Hook compelled himself not to squirm, keeping his frame proudly still and his gaze unwavering now he'd made his point. 'And what… would you suggest he do?' Megatron leaned back in his chair, metallic body losing its tenseness. 'I will not consent to being reprogrammed.' It went unsaid that Soundwave would do nothing of the kind unless Megatron explicitly gave his permission. 'Of course not My Lord, nothing so drastic, but perhaps he could give you some advice on how to interact with Starscream,' and others, 'without becoming violent unless severely provoked.' After a few further moments of quiet filled only by the soft beating of rain against the sides and ceiling of the extra resistant structure that housed the med-bay Megatron spoke again. 'You, Soundwave and I will meet later to discuss this. What of Starscream?' Megatron leaned forward, resting his servos on his CMO's desk. Smiling at Megatron's unusual compliance, Hook answered, 'I will observe him as I'm sure Knock Out will do as he receives his new paintjob. The attention he will be receiving will be, as I'm sure you know, intense from my assistant and may give an indication as to Starscream's state of mind and what ability he has, if any, to withstand such attentiveness from another mech. Then I suppose we will have to revise what we know to determine how to proceed.' The tyrant privately thought that any reaction the Seeker may make in Knock Out's presence would be biased, incomparable to how his second may react to him when they next met. But he left such thoughts unsaid, not wanting to admit to his secret observations of Starscream, and simply nodded his understanding. The conversation, temporarily exhausted, turned to other matters.
Knock Out and Breakdown watched discreetly through the window out of the corners of their optics, checking on the sedative-induced recharging patients; occasionally having to hold berths still as thunder shook the base to stop their charges being thrown about and perhaps further damaged.
If the CMO was to be their third, they knew they would have to prove themselves as competent guardians of Hook's spark and well-being. Megatron stood, nodding to his subordinate partly in acknowledgement and partly in order to get on with his work, strode through Hook's office doorway, crossed over to them and pulled Knock Out out into the corridor with him. Holding the smaller mech by the throat firmly, but not painfully, he stared deep into the vain mech's optics. The medic's spark shivered at the forceful look as the base shook, lightning viciously striking the wall outside and sending weaker-willed mechs cowering into their quarters. The sound seemed to die down a bit though as Megatron released him and pulled away slightly, optics looking everywhere but at the slighter mech. Of all the immature, jealous… Oh shut up! 'I wish you to help me with Starscream's… condition.' The tyrant ignored his brother's voice, inadvertently looming over Knock Out. Biting his glossa on the sharp retort just begging to be given voice, Knock Out took on a carefully blank expression he'd seen Starscream adopt so often and nodded. 'Of course My Liege.' Megatron's optics narrowed at the touch of chastisement in the medic's tone, giving a low growl in warning that tapered off as Knock Out bowed his helm, optics staring at the floor. 'Remember your place Knock Out. I do not wish to have to remind you of it.' Calm! Calm! Calm! Frantically came across the link from his panicking partner. Breakdown's influence barely kept Knock Out from clenching his fists in rage, an action which would most certainly provoke the tyrant. A burst of hot air expelled from Megatron's vents and the Warlord's frame visibly appeared to relax. 'Just… help me, yes?' The tone softened as Knock Out's frustrated stance reminded him of Starscream near the beginning of it all, when there had been some genuine anger there intermingled with the hurt and before the Seeker's will had been beaten down so harshly. If he wanted Starscream to ever be like he was he would have to learn to control his instincts, and if he couldn't do that when it was only Knock Out who had irritated him… … How the frag would you expect to do so when it's him? Raising a servo, Megatron ran it gently down the medic's faceplate before cupping the vain mech's chin, encouraging him to meet his optics once again. 'Yes?' 'Yes My Lord,' Knock Out murmured and the tyrant let him go, lightly pushing him back towards the med-bay doors and the medic's anxious bondmate. Megatron hung back in the shadows watching Breakdown's arm come up to wrap protectively around his smaller mate's shoulders, an inaudible conversation taking place culminating in Knock Out's laughter and the ruby medic's mate fondly smiling down on his partner. A flicker of envy burned within the Warlord as he turned and walked away.
Starscream glanced over his report of the failed raid, gnawing on his lower lip so hard energon began to trickle down his chin, dripping onto his neck. Wiping it away, blinking harshly to clear his optics, he re-read his work once more then placed it carefully back on his desk.
Tired, he crept across his quarters back to his berth and curled up on it, trembling in anxiety as he wondered how Megatron would react to the text he'd spent the last two cycles writing. Would Megatron take his new vocaliser away? Hurt him again? The tyrant had been known to punish him repeatedly for the same offence. Closing his optics tight, the Seeker nestled into the centre of the soft metal coverlet, nuzzling at it like a bird tending to its nest. Burrowing deeply into it, he pulled his pillow down from the head of the berth to cover his form almost entirely. As he hid he wondered what he should do, work his way up to Megatron's quarters now and alone or wait for the tyrant to summon him. Either decision could, and had in the past, go horribly and painfully wrong. It was perhaps the worst aspect of being Megatron's second, having so many options but knowing that any choice you made was sure to be the incorrect one. His wings twitched when Megatron pinged at his comm line, fractures of memories flying through his helm, gone in the blink of an optic… Megatron taking his wings, Megatron pinning him down, the tyrant hugging him, echoes of praise which he was sure had never been spoken, the Warlord's voice at once snarling then soothing beside his audio… Master? He questioned hesitantly. Only static answered him for a klik then, Hook wishes you to stay in your quarters and you are not to wander the base alone. When you're… We shall talk properly when you have been medically cleared to do so. …Yes Sir. Starscream stared baffled at his limited view of his quarters; Megatron's voice was almost gentle. Why did he always have to be such an enigma? The Seeker's thrice-damned curious nature never allowed the flier to completely let the tyrant go in his mind, if not in his spark. If the larger mech was not so contradictory, so undeniably fascinating, then maybe Starscream would not have fallen so hard for him, maybe the actions and words of the elder would not have done so much harm to him. Others had put him down, beat him up, tried to kill him even since he was a sparkling and no permanent damage had ever been done to his frame, processor or spark. One derogatory word from Megatron and his self-esteem plummeted through the rock beneath his pedes. And yet he always wanted to see what hare-brained scheme his leader came up with next, plans that should be impossible to carry out but somehow worked perfectly nearly every time particularly in the early days of the war. Until then, recharge, rest. The war is on hold somewhat and I need you at full strength when it resumes. Yes, Starscream chirped then tried again in an attempt at his normal voice though even that trembled, yes My Lord. His recently installed vocaliser was wreaking havoc with his systems. The comm line crackled for a moment with Megatron's breathing before the connection broke. Starscream cheeped softly then, slowly, his systems powered down and his optics fluttered closed. Megatron turned from his monitor, and the sight of Starscream's lightly quivering wings, at a ping to his comm line kliks later. Ah! Shockwave. You are free then I trust? Yes Lord Megatron, but I am regrettably in need of a new door for my lab.
Shockwave, ignoring the whimpering within of his test subjects, moved through the hole he'd created in the side of his lab, the small explosion completely obliterating his almost impenetrable metal door.
At least it wasn't Autobots who had destroyed it. The scientist would have been most displeased to have been interrupted in one of his experiments… Unless, of course, he was short of lab rats then they would be most welcome. Calling for Soundwave in their link, Shockwave contacted their Master and arranged a meeting with him. Soon enough tentacles wrapped around the scientist's form and the cara of Shockwave's sparklings wrapped his long arms around the purple mech. Pulling the telepath to him, Shockwave coaxed his lover to their quarters, eager to reunite his spark with its mate's. As loyal as they both were to Megatron, the other came first.
Sitting in his office, Megatron watched the combatting tornadoes, one of fire, the other of lightning.
Brilliant orange met cold purple in a fierce battle for dominance of the terrain, lines of lightning sparked off the whirling air to leave corrupting scars across the blazing fire. For several kliks it seemed it was doomed to be extinguished as the rain added its power to the electricity, the inferno flickered, weakening by the moment… Then the wind seemed to turn and the fire rose into the heights of the sky once more to rage at its oppressors, the downpour met it and was consumed, fizzling out pitifully with seemingly no more strength than a light drizzle. The emotionless lightning watched the demise of the rain as it met the fire, then advanced once more. This time it seemed to stroke at the fury with a shy liking, as if questioning. The two tornados danced together for several cycles, first towards each other then twirling away, giving more of themselves to each other as time progressed until they were indecipherable from each other, one beautiful omnipotent being destroying and forcing into submission all in its wake. Megatron watched mesmerized, enraptured. The blending of the two colours, the two forces of nature, was perfectly reflected in his crimson optics.
Thanks for reading and please review.
Also, do you guys want to see any interlude/mini-chapters centred on Soundwave/Shockwave or Knock Out/Breakdown (later KO/BD/Hook)?