TRANSFORMER FANFIC
BY: STARSCREAM FOR PRESIDENT & SUNSTAR
THE TIES THAT BIND
SCHISM
Skywarp had grown despondent as life at Decepticon headquarters had become increasingly mundane. Day in and day out, life remained the same. He began to fell as though he could go through his daily routines with his optics offline and still function normally.
It had been nearly seven years since he had discovered Starscream’s data pad. Since then, he had secretly become fascinated with human music. Though techno and industrial were more similar to Cybertronian music, he was more drawn to what humans referred to as “alternative rock”. He especially liked bands such as Default and A Perfect Circle. He was frightened by the fact that he could relate to the lyrics and often times saw them played out in his daily life. A song by Default called Blind reminded him of Starscream. “You know what you are. Some super star that’s never been anywhere. Close your eyes and hope that no one else will see. Realize exactly what you’ll never be.” Thinking of Starscream as he listened to the song saddened him yet made him fearful of what could be.
“Why does this crap affect me so?” He murmured to himself in disgust. He sat alone in his quarters. Another song began playing on his media player. “I am driving eighty-five in the kind of morning that last all afternoon. Just stuck inside the gloom. Four more exits to my apartment but I am tempted to keep the car in drive; and leave it all behind.” This particular song made him extremely homesick for Cybertron.
“Slaggin’ humans,” He grumbled as he punched the “next” button.
“You’re wondering who I am. Machine or mannequin with parts made in Japan. I am the modern man…” He chuckled as the song began. He understood that the song was a comment on human dependence of technology and found it ironic that he as a machine had become dependent on human music. “Thank you very much Mr. Roboto.” He found himself singing along as he reviewed his daily reports. As usual, he would be turning them in a day late. Skywarp was known as the resident slob and procrastinator. The only reason Megatron did not reprimand him was his intense loyalty. Megatron was not as interested with statistics and reports as he was results.
“Give me one good reason to why you’re so blind. I covered your back again. Now you’d better cover mine.” Knives by Fuel. Another song that reminded him of Starscream. “If I turned and walked away, would you stick your knives in me? How much longer ‘til you break? Until I walk away from you.” This song brought back memories of the time he was stuck in one of the computer rooms with Starscream and Thundercracker. He could have easily handed Starscream’s data pad over to Megatron, but he had made a pact. Looking back on Starscream’s recent behavior, he wished he had.
“All I ever really wanted was to be the same. Equal treatment never ever comes and there they go again. All I ever really wanted was to be like you. So perfect. So worthless. If I could take it all back, think again, I wouldn’t…” Nickelback sang as he shut down his computer and exited his quarters. Skywarp sauntered down the corridor finishing his reports. “Slag, I’m late,” he groaned as he checked his internal chronometer. Normally, he would have teleported into the control room scaring the exhaust fumes out of anyone who happened to be in there, but he had to finish that report.
The huge tower rose out of the water in front of them, glistening in the afternoon sunlight. Water frothed and foamed at the base as waves rippled away. The huge jaw like door lowered and the four jets flew in. The four planes transformed, each holding about a half a dozen energon cubes.
Starscream watched as the jaw like opening closed up sealing the entrance and the vibrations started as the tower lowered back into the sea. Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust had already walked to the elevator and were waiting for him there.
"I don't know why we couldn’t have blown away some of the humans." Said Dirge as Starscream approached.
"That would have alerted the Autobots, we were lucky as it was that they did not show up. Anyway, Megatron will be pleased; our mission was a complete success," Said Starscream smugly. The doors to the elevator sealed shut in front of him. He braced against the inner angst at being confined again.
"I take that is your first success then Starscream," said Thrust.
"If I wanted to be insulted by my wing mates I would have brought Skywarp along,” Hissed Starscream who was waiting impatiently for the elevator to reach the control room.
"Ya," Said Ramjet. "Why did you not include Skywarp or Thundercracker, they outrank us. They should be the first to go on these missions, not that we don't mind the action." He said curiously.
"You have not been the same with them since you were trapped. What went on in there? We heard rumors about earth music and—" Inquired Dirge.
"That's enough out of you three! What went on in there is between Skywarp, Thundercracker and me. With exception to all the tid bits you've heard because Skywarp likes to share," he had been grateful on the one thing Skywarp had not shared. He was true to his word, a loyal soldier, but he was still very nervous around him. The doors of the elevator opened and Starscream quickly stepped out followed by the others. He felt relived; the red and white Seeker had felt increasingly stressed in enclosed environments since that horrible day. Standing in the enclosed elevator with three other seekers did not make for a very comfortable situation.
Megatron turned away from Skywarp, who had handed him something, to greet the returning Seekers. Skywarp shot Starscream a dirty look and turned and walked out of the room. Starscream was somewhat puzzled by the reaction of Skywarp, why should he get a dirty look when he *always* hands the paperwork in late.
"Ah," said Megatron, "your mission was a success I take it." His voice sounded pleased as he looked over the four Seekers.
"A complete success, mighty leader, we were in and out with no trouble from Autobots or the puny humans." Starscream crowed with smug pride.
Skywarp entered the control room and approached Megatron. He was anxious about turning in his report late. Megatron had not said anything at this point, but it had become a daily occurrence for Skywarp.
“Yesterday’s report? Thank you Skywarp, this does me no good today,” Megatron sneered. Starscream returned from his mission with Thrust, Dirge and Ramjet. Skywarp scowled at the four returning Seekers. Since the arrival or the three “Conehead” Seekers, he and Thundercracker had been given all the slag work. When he confronted Megatron about it, he was told that senior officers were to be given more prestigious work while the Coneheads were to be placed on field duty. Skywarp and Thundercracker did not see guard duty and paper pushing as prestigious. Skywarp enjoyed battling the Autobots but with each passing day his battle missions became few and far between.
“I hate doing those stupid reports too Warp, but you’ve gotta start turning them in on time,” Thundercracker cautioned as Skywarp sat down at his console.
“It’s not fraggin’ fair! Why do we have to sit here and stare at these slaggin’ monitors all fraggin’ day while those three dumbasses get to frag Autobots?”
Thundercracker grinned as Skywarp’s foul language seemed to have caught the attention of Soundwave, who actually appeared to be expressing astonishment.
“Yeah, it really bites, but at least we stand a better chance of living longer,” Thundercracker joked. The tables had turned. Usually, Skywarp was making light of a situation to calm Thundercracker.
“Those stupidass Autobots couldn’t hit the broadside of a barge,”
“Barn,” Thundercracker corrected.
“Same damn thing!”
Skywarp’s use of human profanities meant he was extremely upset. Thundercracker looked to Soundwave for help in calming him down but Soundwave was pretending to be busy.
“We shouldn’t talk about this in here; it could get us in trouble,” Thundercracker shot Soundwave a scowl. Soundwave acknowledged Thundercracker’s glare and moved away. “Fraggin busy bodies.”
Skywarp angrily punched away at his keypad. Thundercracker continued his work, occasionally glancing at Skywarp.
Starscream could not keep his mind off Skywarp for the rest of the afternoon. While he sat working in the control room he shot a glance over at Dirge who was filling out a report on the morning raid. The evening break was almost upon them and Starscream had finished his reports early, Megatron was already off somewhere else in the base.
Starscream walked towards the computer rooms he glanced into each one looking for Skywarp. Nothing. Suddenly there was a whir and a rush of cool air. Starscream jumped and turned around. Skywarp had materialized behind him, the Seeker exhaled in displeasure of his fright.
"Must you do that to me *ALL* the time?" said Starscream sharply.
Skywarp just glared at him. "Looking for someone?” The black Seeker asked, his tone was unusually dangerous.
Starscream suddenly was nervous. Skywarp wore a hateful expression, anger glinted in his optics. "I was looking for you as a matter of fact." Starscream attempted to maintain a clean authoritative voice. He inadvertently let out a nervous chuckle. He looked wondering where Thundercracker was. Skywarp and 'Cracker were usually around together. If there was one the other was usually not far. "I wanted to talk." He was not completely sure why he felt suddenly threatened by Skywarp but he did.
"About what?" Skywarp asked tauntingly.
"Your attitude for starters," Said Starscream sharply. He did not like Skywarp's tone.
"What's wrong with my ATTITUDE?" Asked Skywarp. "Is it because I don't kiss your afterburner like the Coneheads?"
"The Dirty looks you gave me earlier, waa?, what do the Coneheads have to do with any of this?” Starscream felt confused, and then it dawned on him: Skywarp was jealous.
"Whatever, I don't have time for this. I have REPORTS to file." Skywarp started to walk away, turning his back to Starscream.
"Skywarp! You come back here, that's an order! Don't you dare turn your back on me when I am talking to you, Ever!" He commanded in a very irritated voice. Starscream was becoming very vexed with Skywarp’s continued insolence.
Skywarp reluctantly obeyed his commander. He shook his head and looked at ground as he slowly turned toward Starscream with arms crossed.
"What in the world has got into you?"
"Nothing. OK nothing has gotten into me." Skywarp said, irritated.
"You look me in the optic when you speak, Skywarp! Your vocal tone, your body language, this is not how you treat a higher ranking officer and definitely not how you talk to your commander." Starscream spoke angrily and rapidly.
Skywarp was torn. He had always respected his commanding officers but he felt he had been wronged by Starscream. He stood in silence staring at the floor.
Starscream placed his hands on his hips. It looked as if Skywarp was now getting back into line. "Well then, what has got into you, answer me, damn you, Skywarp."
Skywarp cocked his head and glowered at Starscream. "Why do lower ranking Cons get better positions?"
"What?" Starscream was perplexed at the question. "What do you mean by better positions?"
"Why am I stuck in the control room and guarding stupid slag while those damn Coneheads are out on missions?"
"Well some one has to fill the reports. Anyway, I choose those who won't exactly impair the outcome of the mission. I did not realize that it was needling you, I guess I could just dump Thrust, and take you along on the next mission, if you intend to whine about it."
"Impair? If anyone has ever impaired a mission, it's you, you fraggin moronic piece of..." Skywarp lunged toward Starscream, The air commander tried to side-step out of the way but Skywarp knocked him to the ground, landing on top of Starscream pinning to the floor on his back. He started to hammer at the Seeker with his fists.
"What do you mean it’s me who impairs the mission? Now get the hell off of me!" He struggled to try and shift Skywarp but the Seeker was slamming into his chest and cockpit so violently Starscream, cried out in pain. "Stop!"
Skywarp continued to pummel Starscream. "You are such a loser Screamer! You always try to take over and end up screwing up missions." Skywarp grunted as he pounded Starscream with his fists.
Starscream tried to shift the weight of Skywarp but his arms were akimbo. He was furious by his subordinate's attack. "WHEN HAVE I TRIED TAKING OVER?!" He screamed and added slightly softer. "Recently." He was alarmed; he had never seen Skywarp in such a rage.
"When HAVEN'T you!" Skywarp shrieked, intensifying his blows.
"I fly the missions because that's the Job*I* was given." He gasped as a particularly powerful punch slammed him near his throat. "I was given it because I can do it. I choose my team members because I get results—quickly, not a day late!"
Skywarp cocked his head again and landed a solid punch to Starscream's cheek, the red Seeker's optics flickered as energon seeped from his commander’s mouth. The sight of the energon frightened Skywarp. He did not realize he had beaten Starscream so furiously. However, his rage continued to swell. "When have I not gotten results?" He angrily asked his commander.
"YOU SLAGGING BASTARD." Starscream screamed in pain as something snapped inside his head from the blow. He could feel energon welling up from the wound. His head reeled as his vision abruptly blurred. He could not focus on Skywarp. 'Primus,' he thought, 'if only some one would walk by, preferably Megatron.'
Skywarp laughed as he hit Starscream again.
"I'll see you..... De-activated for that, Warp!" He screamed in anger. His cries were losing volume as he worked hard to try to avoid the blows from the dark form that hung over him, it was no use Skywarp had him well and truly immobilized.
"Anything is better than the slag work you've got me doing now!" Skywarp was fully aware of the consequences of his actions and was very much afraid. The rage kept him from ceasing his attack.
Starscream attempted to maneuver an arm into position so he could get a shot off. "Slag work is meant for SLAG..." Starscream sputtered as more blows slammed into his head and face. "And you are SLAG." He realized he should not have said that, it would only provoke Skywarp to greater levels of fury.
Skywarp grabbed his arm and hit him with his free hand to prevent Starscream from getting off any shots. Infuriated by being called “slag”, he began to grind his jaw and silently pounded Starscream relentlessly.
"Skywarp..." Starscream was terrified by the look in Skywarp's optics when his own focused enough to for him to see clearly, the look was distant, his face wore a crazed expression. His vision jerked to the pounding his head, face and upper torso was taking. Stress fractures were forming on his cockpit and his armour was starting to dent and tear. "Please Warp, think about what you are doing, stop... You're going to kill me...” His voice was very weak and low.
Skywarp continued to pummel Starscream. No words only grunts of anger and frustration.
"Stop 'Warp, please that's an order...” His mind was starting to blank out from the relentless blows. "You don't... want to do this..."
Skywarp ignored his commander's orders and began to laugh as he continued to throw punches.
Starscream weakly struggled against the blows but he finally blacked out from a very powerful slam to his head that resounded with a loud crack, a fracture formed on the side of the Seekers head energon oozed out.
Thundercracker entered the corridor and ran to Starscream's aid. "What the frag are you doing Warp? Have you blown a circuit? You'll be deactivated for that."
Skywarp groggily looked at Thundercracker as though he had just been awakened from a dream.
Starscream became aware of Thundercracker's voice, as he came to. His audios were ringing, and his head stabbed with pain as energon continued to seep from his mouth.
“Starscream, can you hear me?” Asked Thundercracker, gently shaking the Seeker’s dented shoulder.
Skywarp shook his hands to regain feeling in them.
Starscream moved his head slowly to face the direction of the voice exposing the wide crack to Thundercracker's view. He groaned.
"You've cracked his fraggin skull! This is serious shit," Said Thundercracker as he looked angrily at Skywarp and back to Starscream. "Screamer, you ok?" He asked again urgently.
Starscream worked his mouth silently as he thought of something to say. "'Cracker.... Kill the bastard..." His voice was slow and deliberate. He wanted to make sure he was understood. "It's... an order."
Skywarp laughed nervously as Thundercracker glared at him.
"I'm not joking, 'Warp." Thundercracker could not believe Skywarp was capable of such acts against a commanding officer, even if it was Starscream.
There was a long pause as Starscream collected his scattered thoughts together, to try to thread them into a coherent sentence. “‘Cause ...if you don't kill him... I will... When I'm able." His voice was full of pain and hatred. He gasped again as he passed out.
Thundercracker carefully gathered Starscream up in his arms and carried him down the hall and hurried down three levels to the to the repair bay, pushing Warp aside who was following close beside. Skywarp was ashamed of himself yet did not regret the pummeling he had given Starscream.
Thundercracker had finished his paperwork for the day. Skywarp was still sitting working at his, slogging through it at a very slow pace. He checked his internal chronometer; it was almost evening break. He was eager to get down to the canteen so he could get something to drink.
"Frag!" Muttered Skywarp with irritation.
"I am going down to the canteen, Skywarp, want me to bring you back something?"
Skywarp looked up; his usually cheerful face was scowling with frustration. He nodded but said nothing. Little did Thundercracker know, Skywarp had been monitoring Starscream’s activities on his radar. He was planning on getting the Air Commander alone so he could discuss his recent demotion. He picked up Starscream’s energy signal in the corridor. He appeared to be searching for something, or someone. With Thundercracker gone and Starscream alone in the hallway, now would be the perfect time for Skywarp to have a little chat with him.
Thundercracker sighed. Skywarp had been fuming since Starscream and the Coneheads had arrived from their mission. Indeed he was a little put out about being given an office job. It was a job and there was probably a very good reason for it, Skywarp, however, could not see it that way.
He could feel the purple Seeker watching him as he left the room. As he stepped past the doorway he could hear the whir of Skywarp teleporting out. It’s no wonder he was often late handing his work in, he kept disappearing. He walked quickly towards the cafeteria, his fuel tanks were low. He could hear voices from somewhere up ahead and out of sight. He stepped, quicker as he recognized one voice so far by the shrill shriek: Starscream.
He could hear the rapid resonating screech of metal upon metal, every so often punctuated by a scream or a curse. The second voice came clear: Skywarp.
"Oh Primus no! Skywarp no!" Thundercracker thought as he started to run towards the voices. "Could Skywarp be so angry that he would ambush Starscream?"
"Skywarp..." The pained frightened voice said as the rest of the sentence was lost. The air commander sounded like he was weakening.
The pounding sounds grew louder punctuated by grunts. He rounded the corner as he finally saw Skywarp straddling Starscream. His optics were glowing fully bright. Determination, anger, hate, fury and what disturbed him more was the expression of pleasure. Skywarp was enjoying himself thoroughly.
Skywarp drew his arm back and threw his fist down at Starscream with such force that the beaten Seekers head snapped to the side followed almost immediately by a sickening crack.
"I thought you were above this, Warp." He said as he laid the smashed Decepticon out on table, shaking his head in disbelief at what his friend had done. "Megatron is *going* to have to know about this, and he is going to have a slag-fit.” He detached Starscream's weapons and placed them aside. "You have an almost spotless record, 'Warp. What were you trying to do? Kill him? Were you insane? It’s one thing to harass Starscream it’s another thing to attack him! Or did he provoke you?" Thundercracker gently tipped the Seekers cracked head up to slow the oozing energon. He grimaced at the wound. "Regardless of the excuse, reason behind this might go hard against you." Skywarp stood with his mouth agape as Thundercracker chastised him. He said nothing but nodded and shook his head in response to Thundercracker’s words.
“Slag, I need help. I’m gonna have to call the Constructicons to fix him,” Thundercracker grumbled. “You know what that means, Warp?” Skywarp momentarily looked up from Starscream’s oozing wounds and shook his head slowly. “I’m gonna have to call Megatron,” Thundercracker feared for the fate of both Seekers. Skywarp had nearly beaten the life out of Starscream and would have to pay for it.
Skywarp’s optics glowed brightly with fear. Megatron did not like Starscream any more than the other Decepticons, but Megatron was very keen on respecting the chain of command. Skywarp had beaten his superior officer and would clearly be reprimanded for it.
Thundercracker paged Megatron and the Constructicons to the repair bay.
About ten minutes later the repair bay door slid open, Megatron stepped in followed by Hook and Soundwave. He looked around the brightly lit room his optics finally laid rest on Starscream’s battered body; he looked from Starscream to the other two Seekers who stood beside him.
"What happened to Starscream?" He inquired acidly. "Who did this?"
Thundercracker gave Skywarp an apologetic sidelong glance, he knew he was going to have to report him, and there was no possible way to deny what had just happened. "Skywarp, it appears, might have picked a fight with Starscream." It looked like Skywarp must have caught the air commander off guard, as it appeared Skywarp had taken no damage to himself.
Megatron's optics flashed in surprise and disappointment, he stepped closer to scrutinize Starscream's wounds. He winced slightly as he looked at the cracked head. "Soundwave, Hook, start your work." He stepped back from the Air Commander. He turned and grabbed Skywarp roughly by the arm. "Is this true? Or did Starscream provoke you?" He asked hoping that it was Starscream's fault and not Skywarp's.
"Yes and no."
"Skywarp was angry about not going on the mission today," said Soundwave, as he removed Starscream's cracked cockpit.
Megatron regarded Skywarp for a few moments. Starscream had considerable damage to his upper body and head, he did not feel very sorry for the damaged Seeker, but this sort of activity had better cease. It was bad enough with Starscream coming after him all the time but having fights breaking out amongst the officers was not to be tolerated.
"Thundercracker, please take Skywarp to the brig, I'll decide what to do with him later."
Thundercracker and Skywarp walked in silence to the deep section of the base where the brig was.
“Guess I really did it this time,” Skywarp chuckled nervously. Thundercracker responded with a silent shaking of his head.
They turned a corner and came to a hallway that was lined with empty barred rooms. "I guess you have your pick of accommodations."
Skywarp opened the door to one of the cells and stepped in. He walked over to the bench and disarmed. He handed his amethyst rifles to Thundercracker who placed them carefully outside the cell. He did not lock the door; instead he sat down beside Skywarp.
"I hate to do this to you 'Warp, but you can teleport... so I am going to need to take your powerchip rectifier, until you are released. "
“OK,” Skywarp’s voice quivered a bit. “Kinda pointless to throw me in the brig when I could just teleport out of it,” He removed the chip and handed it to Thundercracker. “Not that I would, ya know.”
“I know, but Megatron’s orders.” The two sat in silence for a moment.
“He won’t do anything to me. Starscream has flat out tried to kill Megatron and he still functions. I didn’t mean to hurt him so badly. I was just trying to get my point across.” Skywarp thought for a moment. “I don’t know what came over me. I honestly didn’t know I had it in me,” He chuckled nervously.
“I’d better go. Ravage will keep you company. I’ll keep you updated on Screamer’s progress.” Thundercracker closed the cell door behind him and patted Ravage as he left the brig.
“So, Ravage, heard any good jokes lately?” Ravage lowered his head realizing he was in for a long shift.
“Did you hear about the cat that got his trophy taken away?” Ravage cocked his head inquisitively. “They found out he was a cheetah.” Skywarp chuckled as Ravage snarled.
“Whoa, didn’t like that one heh? Let’s see, I don’t think I know any panther jokes,” Ravage growled and pointed his missiles at Skywarp. “OK, no panther jokes! I get it. Geez, this is going to be a long day,” Skywarp sighed as he sat on the bench in his cell. Ravage relaxed but remained ready for more of Skywarp’s puns.