Skywarp stepped out of his recharging chamber and sat alone in his quarters.
"30 astro years ago today, I rolled off the assembly line. I bet no one cares or even remembers."
He sat staring at the wall, his mind empty. He cherished those moments, since most of the time his head was so flooded with thoughts, he sometimes felt that if he screamed, no one could hear him over the voices in his own head.
"30 astro years, and what do I have to show for it? I'm not as smart as Starscream." He shuddered at the thought of being envious of Screamer. "The little punk out ranks me because of his drive and intelligence. No one takes me seriously. I'm just a mindless drone to Megatron and a goofy dolt to the others. I was built for combat and following orders; but, all that will change starting today."
Skywarp entered the control room. The other Decepticons were busily working, trying to ignore Starscream dodging the insults and debris being hurled by Megatron. Skywarp sat down at his console. "Another typical day." He thought to himself.
"You missed it," Whispered Thundercracker gently leaning toward Skywarp without taking his eyes off his monitor. "Megatron came up with some grenade launcher that can lock onto targets. Soundwave projected a hologram of Prime, and Starscream came in here and shot at it. Only thing is, he missed and blew up Megatron's new weapon. Man, was he pissed."
Skywarp reluctantly glanced at Starscream who was unsuccessfully still dodging the objects being thrown at him. "Megatron, please! I'm so sorry, I had no idea…" Starscream pleaded. Skywarp detested when Megatron got angry with Starscream. As much as he hated to admit it, he actually felt sorry for Screamer.
"That's not funny," The new-and-improved Skywarp replied.
Thundercracker sat bewildered. "No, but that is. You're so funny Warp. 'That's not funny'. You always crack me up."
"I'm being serious. It wasn't Screamer's fault. Don't you feel the least bit sorry for him? How would you feel if that happened to you?"
Thundercracker almost fell out of his seat from laughing so hard. "Oh my Primus, Warp! You just don't stop do you?"
"Great, I'm such a goof that when I actually do decide to be serious, no one believes me."
Megatron, either exhausted or bored, stopped flinging projectiles at Starscream and gave his Decepticons the day's agenda.
Skywarp worked in silence, which made the day a very long one for Thundercracker. This was completely out of character for Skywarp. He always had witty remarks or could turn the most mundane images on his monitor into something funny or obscene. Thundercracker knew something was wrong but did not know how to ask Skywarp what it was. This had never happened before. In the almost 10 astro years that they had worked together…
"Oh, slag," Thundercracker accidentally said aloud.
"What?"
"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking of something."
During their energon break, Thundercracker approached Starscream. It wasn't hard to get him alone; the only one who ever sat with Screamer was Megatron, and that was rare.
"Do you know what today is?" Thundercracker asked Starscream.
"The day I should feel fortunate that you decided to sit with me? Oh, joy. I shall revel in being liked by my subordinates."
Thundercracker ignored Starscream's sarcasm and continued. "Today is Skywarp's build day."
"So, you didn't do anything for me on my build day."
"You just turned 28. That's no big deal. Warp is 30 today, and he seems really bummed out. I've never seen him like this before."
"It's probably just one of his practical jokes. He's just doing it for attention. Besides, what am I supposed to do, bake him a cake? Oh, I know, maybe we can get Megatron to jump out of it and sing 'Happy Build Day' to him. Wouldn't that be nice? Then we can all…"
"Just forget I even said anything. You can be a real pain in the afterburner sometimes Screamer."
Obviously, Starscream was not the one to ask for help. Maybe Soundwave and the Cassettes would have some suggestions.
"Ha, I don't give a ratbot's behind if it is his build day," Snarled Frenzy. "Ya know, today is the first day that Warp hasn't made some nasty comment on my height. I'm short! Deal with it!"
"I don't think Megatron would really let us do anything anyway TC. We've been so busy lately. It would be nice to have some down time, but I don't think Megs would approve."
"Rumble is correct," Soundwave added flatly. "Megatron would not approve such nonsense."
"I'm not asking you guys to help me put on a Broadway production, just a little something to let Warp know we care. Do you really think Megatron would object? Ah, frag it! I'll just ask Megatron."
"Thundercracker, Starscream tells me today is Skywarp's build day and that you have requested we do something for him." The tone in Megatron's voice made Thundercracker nervous. The smug grin on Starscream's face didn't help any either.
"I wasn't thinking of anything extravagant. He's just so bummed out today. I thought we could do something to cheer him up."
"Nonsense. We don't have time for such things. Isn't that right Megatron?"
"Silence Starscream! I agree with Thundercracker. A small party might be good for the morale of all Decepticons. I have pushed you all rather hard lately, and I too feel the need for a rest. Then it is agreed. Starscream, you and Thundercracker are in charge."
Thundercracker and Starscream glared at one another. Though it was a small victory for Thundercracker, he knew that Starscream told Megatron of his plan to get him in trouble. Starscream was angry his plot back fired.
Skywarp was the last to leave the control room. It was the longest day of his life. He sensed that he scared Thundercracker off with his depression. The two were usually inseparable, but today Thundercracker seemed to have his own agenda.
"I'm 30 astro years old today and everyone keeps looking at me like I'm a freak. My best friend wouldn't hang out with me today…and why does Starscream keep giving me dirty looks? Could my life suck anymore?" Skywarp chuckled to himself, "Can I be any more like Chandler Bing?" Ah, that felt good, but it wasn't enough to fill the void.
He passed by the mess hall and noticed all the Decepticons gathered in there. "Great, another meeting that I forgot about. Megatron's gonna have my afterburner for sure now."
"Shhh, here he comes!" Rumble not being one for subtlety.
Skywarp sauntered in the room. "Happy Build day!" Exclaimed all Decepticons in unison.
He stood in the doorway with his mouth agape. "For me? You guys remembered?" Regaining a sense of normalcy he did his human female actress impression, "You like me! You really really like me!"
"Hey, I know it's rough," Thundercracker confided. "I remember how I felt when I turned 30, but don't you ever do this to me again! You were sooo boring today. I thought I was gonna blow a circuit trying to just get through the day."
Exhausted and so full of energon he was barely able to stand, Skywarp retired to his quarters that night. As he drifted off, he thought to himself, "I am so lucky to have a friend like TC. Today wasn't so bad. 30 astro years. Hmph. So what!"
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