The Ultimate Temptation

Pairing: SkyFire/Starscream (Megatron implied, Unicron influence) Jazz, Perceptor

The Ultimate Destiny

Perceptor and Jazz walked the halls of Autobot City deeply concerned for Skyfire. The report had been filed of their investigation regarding lifeform signals. Next up was the debriefing with Optimus and Magnus. They weren't looking forward to it. In the meantime they decided to get something to eat.

The cafeteria was crowded. After briefly chatting with Blaster and NoseCone the two autobots seated themselves at a table.

Jazz took up the gauntlet. "So tell me, what do you think?"

Perceptor poked at his plate. "The energon chips are a little overdone."

"Come on, Perceptor. You know I'm talking about Skyfire!"

The scientist sighed. "This debriefing could present a problem. Our report was substantial, but I'm afraid Optimus will question us about specific details. You know how thorough he can be."

Jazz nibbled on an ion cake. "Yeah, it's got me worried too. How's Skyfire doing? Is he gonna be in any shape to attend the meeting?"

"He'll be there. I talked to him briefly a few groons ago." Peceptor trailed off in thought.

"You didn't say how he was."

"He sounded a little distant, I think. Preoccupied. But considering what he's been through, that's not surprising."

Jazz shook his head. "Man, I don't know. This Starscream buisness worries me. Remember the story about the Worldmind Rapture a few centuries ago?"

"Indeed. I had an associate who was part of the experience. He likened it to a matrix merge of the mind."

"Yeah, transfomers everywhere were going into nirvana or something and talking in synch."

Perceptor tapped his fingers in thought. "Skyfire's exposure could be potentially dangerous in time. There's too much we don't know right now. I had hoped he would get a physical after the ordeal but he refused the idea."

Jazz sipped his proton shake. "And I thought Ramhorn was stubborn. Why would he refuse a physical?"

"I think lingering fears about his heritage being made public make him hesitate." a sigh. "I long for the day when such distinctions don't matter. Hopefully we'll all grow up before destroying each other."

Jazz swirled his straw absently. "Meanwhile, we've got a matrix Starscream out there doing who knows what."

****

Starsream waited calmly at his waystation on Vugus 9. The next phase of his plan was underway. And soon it would arrive.

He glanced through plexisteel windows at an approaching figure, a familiar one. A gliding space shuttle rapidly closed on his location. Starscream went through the boom tube and flew to approach.

"Greetings, Blitzwing. I am pleased you could come."

The triple changer landed gently on parched soil and transformed. "No thanks to you, Starscream." he held his head. "Something compelled me to be here."

"Don't be that way." the devious seeker soothed, shifting out of plane mode. "I needed to see you. You're very important to me!"

"I'll just bet. I've heard about your current status. You won't use me!"

"Come, come." Starscream chided, touching the agitated decepticon with gentle strokes. "You have even less love of Megatron than I do, if that's possible. His elimination is at hand. You and I are equipped to see that it happens."

Blitzwing wasn't convinced. "And what precisely do you plan?"

Starscream touched the broad chest. "A new empire. One that will put the current decepticon fleet to shame. Worlds all our own, without the need to scavenge for energy."

The triple changer was suspicious. "I know full well why you've summoned me here, Starscream. The decepticon bases have been picking up your lifeform transmissions all over this sector!"

The seeker grinned slyly. "Well, it pays to advertise. Join me, and reap the rewards."

"Never!" Blitzwing transformed and took off in shuttle mode.

Starscream shook his head in annoyance. "Tch. Here we go again." he transformed and gave chase. The sleek jet chased down the dual wing shuttle.

//Don't you think this is silly?// Starscream flew at a leisurely pace.

Blitzwing kept going. //Find another breeder! I'm not interested.//

//Of course you will be. I only choose the best.//

//Don't think you're flattering me, Starscream. I know the implications!//

//Then, you should be pleased. You will help seed a new age. Strength to the Empire!//

Blitzwing banked in a desperate attempt to get clear. //Slavery to the Empire, you mean. Never! Decepticons only rule.//

//Then rule with me, sweet Blitzwing.//

The triple changer cried out as waves of pleasure assaulted his mind, bursting every electrocell. He dropped from the sky like a stone, transforming against his will.

Starscream transformed and approached, kneeling over his prize. "Look at me, Blitzwing." sleek hands stroked the triple changer, spreading warmth and delight.

Blitzwing rolled over slowly, visors glowing with adoration. "Beautiful Starscream."

****

Perceptor, Jazz, Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus waited patiently in the conference room for Skyfire. He was over a hundred astroseconds late.

Optimus gazed at the chronometer. "Odd, Skyfire's usually quite punctual."

"Perhaps we should buzz his private intercomm again." Magnus wondered. "Something may have come up-"

A swoosh of doors. The tall jet cast a shadow into the room. "My apologies, everyone. I lost track of the time."

Jazz chuckled. "We were about to send Blur after you, man."

Skyfire winced. "Anything but that. Have you started yet?" he seated himself.

"No, we were just reviewing the report." Magnus indicated disks on another table.

"Everything seems to be in order." Optimus added. "However, a few things have me curious."

"Such as?"

Prime tapped his faceplate in thought. "The report only confirms Starscream as the source of the transmissions. It doesn't say what his intent is. What are his plans, and what happened when you confronted him?"

Perceptor held his head. /Trouble./

Skyfire chose his words carefully. "Actually, he was pretty calm. Spouted off about decepticons ruling the universe. A fairly typical exchange for Starscream."

"The difference is, now he has the power to back those claims if we don't act. Did he say or indicate his course of action?"

The big jet started to speak when an insidious voice spoke in his head. /hello, darling./

"I...he stated a desire to recruit individuals for his cause." Skyfire managed.

"But where do the lifeform signatures come in?" Magnus wanted to know.

"He wants new combinations of existence." /I have Blitzwing, love. He sees things my way now. As will you./

Optimus was impatient. "Skyfire! What does he intend to do?"

"A resurrection of the decepticon army I believe." /I intend to kiss you all over, taste you. Tell that to Optimus!/

Worried at
Jazz intervened. "Optimus, you know Starscream. He always wants to take control. And Megatron's on the hit list."

The diversion bought Skyfire a moment. /Get out of my head!/

/I am part of you already, Sky. Did you think I was unprepared for your stubborness?/

/I'm in a meeting! Go away./

/Our bond gives me an added advantage. My brief touch has started the process. We will join in ecstacy, it is only a matter of time./

/I said stop it!!/

He was vaguely aware of loud voices. Blinking, blue optics cleared.

"-fire!!" Optimus snapped. Everyone was staring in disbelief.

"What are you yelling for?" Skyfire wondered.

"Why?" Jazz pointed in disbelief. "You've been sitting there smiling into space. You all right?"

"I, uh..." Skyfire moved his head with a hand. "Why was I smiling? It must have been the crash. Yes. The crash."

Optimus looked worriedly to Perceptor. "Perceptor! What crash is he talking about? There was no mention of it in the report."

Perceptor was strained, holding his hands out. "There wasn't any crash, Optimus. I have no idea what he's talking about!"

"We returned after going there. Yes." Skyfire stammered blankly. "The matrix is power and form."

Blue optics narrowed on the jet. "Skyfire, I want you to report to First Aid." Optimus was stern. "You're malfunctioning."

"Starscream attacked, I was disoriented." Skyfire said in a hurry, turning his head back and forth. "Jazz thought I had brain rattle, but my higher cognitive functions were unimpaired. Does it seem warm in here?"

Magnus couldn't believe his eyes. "Brain rattle, indeed. He's giving answers to different questions!"

/My energy overflow will cause errors, love. Forgive me, it is unavoidable until your body adapts. Had we joined that day, you would be fully healed./

Skyfire held his audios. "For the last time, I don't want to hear it. You didn't ask permission!" blue optics blazed brightly.

Optimus hit a button. "First Aid, we need you in the conference room immediately. Skyfire is malfunctioning, and we don't want him to injure himself."

"Or us." Perceptor gawked at his erratic comrade.

Jazz went over to the distressed jet. "It's okay, man. Just stay calm until First Aid gets here."

Skyfire opened his mouth with an electronic squawk, voice echoing like a chamber. "WwhyY FfirstT AaidD? CcognitiveE FfactorR PprogramM RrunN CcodeE AacceleratedD." he stood up suddenly.

They all jumped up. "Stop him!" Optimus shouted, moving forward. "Don't let him leave this room."

Skyfire backed away, fists balled in anger. "SstandD BbackK AautobotsS WwillL AattackK! HhardwireE PprogramM AactiveE." the echoing voice went gutteral.

"He's off the hook!" Jazz fretted, not sure what to do. Before a skirmish could break out, First Aid raced in with Blades.

Skyfire turned and loomed over them. "WwillL DdealL WwithH TtheseE. AactivateE AattackK."

"Not today." Cool as a cucumber, First Aid and Blades fired neural stunners at the broad chest. The huge jet seized up and toppled to the floor with a hollow crash. The autobots closed around him in concern.

"Blades, we'll need to take him to the larger medbay." First Aid instructed.

"Will do." Blades connected linkages to the still form. Transforming to helicopter mode he lifted Skyfire up and away.

The others watched worriedly as their friend was carted off. Optimus put a hand on First Aid's shoulder.

"You definitely came prepared."

The doctor chuckled. "Well, no one ever accused me of being _stupid."_


To be continued