Wing Shift

submission dated 8-25-08
author: FireCracker
(Italic copy bordered by_underscore_)
Archive? You'd better.
Warnings: None really, at least not here. My Transformers are overall less blocky than the ones in G1, shaped more humanoid but still with plates. Makes for easier sex scenes to imagine. They can also reproduce via the spark principle, among compatible individuals. More on that later. And yeah, they have sex.


Skyfire has a major falling out with Optimus Prime. He leaves the autobots and learns his true heritage as decepticon. Starscream awaits, as do many others. (Blitzwing, Astrotrain, minicon Breaker, Thundercracker, Starscream, Skywarp, Octane) H/C,Yaoi


SPECIAL NOTE: Cybertronian terms for Parenthood: Pada (parent, non-birthing) Sana (birthing parent).


Smooth Moves


Starscream awakened slowly, his pleasantly sore body coming online. Idly, he scratched an achy strut. A lump pressed against his nosecone. Still only partially awake, he tapped the lump.

"Good cycle to you!" a familiar voice beeped.

"Hmm. Good morning." Starscream rolled over in the blankets. "I see Skyfire's already up."

Breaker clambered up and patted Starscream's nose. "Is happy. Listen!"

Starscream peeped over the bedcovers. The unmistakable sound of Skyfire singing was heard over the silicone shower.

A raspy giggle. "He must be in one of those moods. He often sings in the morning."

Breaker sat up on the seeker, looking down the hall. "Sky have nice voice."

Starscream rolled over again, toppling the minicon under a blanket. "My Skyfire has _many_ talents."

Breaker climbed up a second time, clinging on a red wing. "Is so. Go professional!"

The seeker was smug. "One day, when the empire is reborn our culture will be restored. Our existence will have refinement and knowledge, not just war. Unfortunately a talent such as singing has little meaning in the current climate. But one day it will, as will other pursuits."

"Breaker like what hear."

"My sparklings _won't_ be raised with a generation of morons!"

The minicon beeped in agreement, nestling on Starscream's shoulder. "True say. After war, decepticons cardboard cutouts. Gone stupid, military only."

Starscream canted his head to his small companion. "You have rare wisdom, Breaker. I may have underestimated you."

"Been around long time. Know all tricks, propaganda."

"Have you ever considered being a political advisor?"

"Could do. Starscream visionary, talk like old days."

"I'm not certain I follow you." Starscream sat up. Breaker hopped into his lap.

"Will explain. Have vision of ancient Cybertron. Most transformers not know."

"You're speaking of the golden age."

"Golden age last quiet time before war. Then only war. Everything suffer."

Starscream eyed the minicon, optics glittering. "I'm not sentimental about the distant past, Breaker. The time is ripe for reformation. War is only buisness, not the center of the universe. The problem is, we all have lives as well."

Breaker clapped. "Excellent. Now get it."

"Decepticons are bred too well for action and excitement. However, I believe we can coexist with other beings...provided we get what we want."

Breaker pulled out a flashstick. "Want one?"

"No thanks, too early for me."

Breaker lit up. "Make good commander. Get maturity now."

The seeker was amused. "Oh really?"

"Is so. Sparklings make difference, change game."

Crimson optics narrowed in thought. "Parenthood will affect us all. Priorities will change. It should be fascinating to see how this blends with our aggressive mindset."

"Talk like scientist now."

A sleek blue finger poked the minicon. "You forget, I _am_ a scientist. Granted, I haven't utilized my skills much lately in that area."

"Time for such in future."

"Agreed. And I weary of being second fiddle. Soon the tide will turn, mark my words."

"Have help! Others know frustration."

Starscream traced invisible lines on the minicon. "You're a veritable wealth of knowledge. Perhaps I'll make you an advisor in the new regime."

Breaker blew a smoke ring. "Give office, have deal."

Starscream laughed wildly. He never noticed the looming shape moving his way.

"Good morning, Star! I see you're having fun with Breaker."

The seeker glanced up at his bemused bondmate. "Oh, you're a pretty thing so early. All nice and shiny!"

The bed creaked under Skyfire's weight. "I'll collect my morning kiss now." he grabbed his seeker into a liplock.

"Can kiss Breaker, too." the minicon reminded, waving his stick.

Skyfire pulled up momentarily. "You had plenty last night."

"Want more."

"Hopeless, isn't he?" Starscream grinned in massive arms. "We heard you sing, by the way."

A nuzzle. "I was just thinking about the sparklings again."

Starscream patted his middle. "And I keep _feeling_ them. By the pit, how can things so tiny cause such chaos!"

Skyfire closed a hand over a smaller one. "More surges?"

"I'm at the point where I try not to notice. If I don't overexert myself I'm fine."

Breaker clambered inbetween. "Is problematic. But further along, surges less. Other symptoms, though."

"He's right." Skyfire was thinking. "What happens when you go into combat again?"

"I'll deal with that when I have to." a lazy stretch. "Today promises to be busy. Megatron wants me to do some scouting."

"Alone? That's odd." Skyfire sidled alongside. "I'd be concerned about an autobot ambush."

"Not to worry, I always take precautions. Any scouting assignment has a minimum of two decepticons."

Blue optics blazed. "Can I volunteer?"

"That's a little obvious, don't you think? Megatron would see right through that."

"I could care less, Star. There's too much at stake."

A sleek blue hand touched Skyfire's face. "While I appreciate the thought, personal considerations are moot when it comes to assignments. This is still a military base when all is said and done."

Skyfire was silent a moment, smiling slowly. "You continue to impress me."

Starscream was genuinely surprised. "In what way?"

"I listen to you speak, your mannerisms. You sound more like a future commander each cycle."

Breaker puffed with pride. "Did say so! Situation change, Starscream evolve."

"Perhaps." The seeker held his head high. "Or maybe it's finally sunk into my brainbox that old tactics no longer work with Megatron. Constant failure forces you to rethink your strategy."

Skyfire gripped his hand more firmly. "Not to mention new support."

The seeker gave a feral grin. "True. Now Thundercracker and Skywarp are in the fold. Others will soon declare themselves."

"Can investigate more." Breaker stated. "Several close on decision. Need small impetus."

Skyfire smiled in conspiracy. "The battlechargers are impatient for the coup."

"Really? That's surprising. I didn't know they thought that far ahead!"

The big jet chuckled. "They're ridiculous and annoying. However, they pack a punch in the power department and seem pretty decisive. They haven't wavered once since making a decision to defect."

"Good engineers." Breaker quipped.

"I wasn't aware of that." it was Skyfire's turn to be surprised.

"In the past they were often teamed with Octane on various digs." Starscream stated, vibrating his wings. "I'd better get out of this bed, though. Megatron will be calling soon enough."

"Fairly early schedule, Star?"

"Somewhat. I'll take a quick shower and snack before heading out."

"Breaker sticky too."

Starscream poked the minicon. "Wash it off yourself."

"No tickle?"

Starscream slipped out of bed and flicked a wing. "I'm not in the mood. Take your shower after I finish."

****

Octane was having a discussion with the insecticons in his private quarters.

"When will the next batch of sticks be ready?"

"In a cycle orrr two." Kickback buzzed, sipping a small energon cube.

"Good. Come here after shift and assist Shrapnel in the kitchen."

"It isss not a problemm. The meeting was mosst amusingg."

"Trrrue, true." Shrapnel agreed. "The ssticks arre a success, success. A feww morre dosages will transformm Megatron into a complete moron, moron."

"I musst admit, this iss an ingenious plan." Bombshell hummed. "A mosst unusual tactic."

"We can congratulate ourselves later." Octane warned. "I have a small bundle of sticks you can take to his private drop box."

"Youu are too nervouss, Octane."

"I prefer to think of myself as well prepared. Have you heard any talk regarding possible defectors?"

Bombshell nodded. "Noww that the truth about sparklings is revealed, many decepticons arrre making decisions."

Octane tapped his fingers on the table, thinking. "Pro or con?"

Kickback burbled in excitement. "It isss an interesting time, to be cerrtain. The stunticonss are in dissarray overr the Megatron isssue. Motorrmasster favors the current regime. The otherr stunticons preferr a change, provided Starscream hasss grown ass a leader."

"Grooming future commanders is ticklish buisness." Octane steepled his hands. "And the stunticons are hardly in a position to judge maturity. Menasor is a mess, despite his status as most powerful gestalt."

"To be certainn." Bombshell purred. "Howeverr, their defection would add a definite enerrrgy to the new cause."

Octane leaned forward. "No one will be refused, of course. What about you insecticons?"

"Wee have asssisted, have wee not?"

"That isn't an answer. Choose voluntarily or be forced later."

Bombshell and Kickback vibrated. "Isss that a threat?" Bombshell growled finally.

Shrapnel finally spoke. "Thisss iss not the purposse, to exchange threats, threats. Asss you know, I go where Octane doesss. More importantly, I agree with the need for change, change."

Kickback burbled. "True, but isss it a change for the better? What evidence have we that Starrscream is prepared to be ssupreme commander?"

"There's a factor in all this you're forgetting." Octane sipped his drink. "Skyfire. His original decision to leave the autobots was quite impulsive. However, his talents also lend themselves to command."

Kickback and Bombshell looked at each other. "Ah. And he is bondmate to Starscream."

"Call it a package deal, deal." Shrapnel reassured. "Bessides, you would have ssanctuary with powerfull decepticonss at a ssafe location. They would have yourrr back, and aid in the new renaissance, renaissance."

"Ssounds workable." Kickback nibbled an ion cake. "But we inssecticons handle our own buissness."

Octane shook his head. "Split factions won't work. I guarantee you won't hold out against Megatron's armies, no matter how many clone shells you produce. You'll need protection."

_"Protection?!"_ Bombshell hissed. "Since when have we been helpless? No one is foolish enough to defy my will."

Octane smiled weirdly. "That isn't the point, and this isn't about individual battles. Shrapnel spoke the truth when he said there is space for you all."

"Space where?!" Kickback wondered impatiently.

Octane paused, debating how much to reveal. "With another army of decepticons."

Bombshell laughed, his voice buzzing. "What insanity iss thiss? Megatron controllss things in this universal sector. You expect me to believe there's an army of renegade decepticons running loosse?"

The triplechanger laughed darkly. "You really believe Megatron's control unit of deceps is all there is? Other sectors of space are filled with split and fringe groups."

"Thiss army is one of thosse?"

Octane laughed even harder. "I don't recommend crackpots and loons, Bombshell. These are elite decepticon warriors trained in espionage and combat."

Kickback flicked his wings. "If thesse are sso prominent, why hassn't Megatron gotten wind of their exisstence?"

"You don't get it, Kickback. These decepticons aren't under Megatron's thumb. They're independent."

"Renegadess, you mean." Kickback looked to Shrapnel. "Youuu haven't ssaid much."

Long antennae twitched. "I'm having surges, surges. They give me a bellyache." he glanced at Octane. "Youu must convince them, dear one. The insecticonss musst be unified in purposse."

"You're their leader, Shrapnel. I wouldn't presume."

"Yesss." Shrapnel addressed Bombshell specifically. "Wee share a common issue. Considerr the future of yourr sparkling, sparkling."

Bombshell nodded. "I do. But Motormasterr supportss Megatron. I cannot go against him in thiss."

"He iss on the fence, fence. His ssupport of Megatron is tenative. Ass we continue to ssupply contaminated ssticks to Megatron, hiss behavior will be morre erratic. Talk with him again, again. Convince him of the future, and your sparkling, sparkling."

Bombshell vibrated. "I'm still not totally certain of thiss, Shrapnel...should we fail-"

"We will _not_ fail!" Shrapnel hissed angrily. "Youuu would do well to considerr consequences, consequences. Yourrr propensity for indecision annoys me, me."

Kickback made a fist. "I have no hessitation, since Megatron takes our sskills for granted. But should wee seek acceptance with some screwball fringe?"

"Be careful what you say." Octane warned, optics flashing oddly.

Kickback pointed in accusation. _"Youu_ are not insecticon. Youuu don't-"

The belligerent decepticon didn't finish. A large hand gripped his throat, choking off all protest.

"You're being unreasonable." Octane said smoothly, optics narrow.

Kickback gagged in the grip, straining. "Ssshrapnel! Do something!"

The insecticon leader gave a buzzing, musical laugh.

"Out of respect for Shrapnel I've waited this long." Octane ignored his wiggling captive. "But my patience has limits. I suggest you decide now, before someone _else_ comes to convince you. Someone not nearly as reasonable as _I_ am."

The gagging insecticon kept struggling to free himself. "Youuu-kk. Aren't reasonable!"

"I'm _really_ a nice guy." Octane said coolly. His fingers tightened. "You have three astroseconds to save your vocalizer."

"Release him!" Bombshell shouted angrily, shooting a cerebro shell. Shrapnel knocked his hand away too late. The small shell attached itself to Octane's forehead.

"Now let him go." Bombshell ordered.

Blankly, Octane released the exhausted insecticon. Kickback rubbed his sore throat.

"Make himm jump out a space lock!" Kickback gloated, pointing at a seemingly entranced Octane.

Shrapnel pulled his weapon. "Do that and suffer, suffer. Both of you arre idiots!"

"You turnn on us?!" Bombshell couldn't believe.

Lightning crackled between Shrapnels' anntenae. "It displeasses me, youur attack on my bondmate, bondmate. Shall I show you how?"

_"Wait!"_ Kickback turned to Bombshell. "Therrre is no profit in thisss. I ssay we join. Bessides, with Megatron out of the way we can do asss we wish."

Bombshell eyed Shrapnel with caution. "I will ssspeak with Motormaster. But I cannot guarantee hisss cooperation."

Shrapnel didn't lower his weapon. "I'll expect it anyway, anyway. It's good when the insecticons can settle disputes in a mature manner, manner."

Kickback pointed at Octane smugly. "I ssuppose you should release the fool now."

"That won't be necessary." a suddenly normal Octane plucked the shell from his head, crushing it easily.

Bombshell was stupefied. "How?! Thiss is not posssible!"

"Of course it is."

The insecticon pointed in disbelief. "You were underr my control!"

"Don't flatter yourself. Your little shells are quite effective, just not on me."

Bombshell glared at Shrapnel. "You tricked us!!"

The insecticon leader vibrated with laughter. "Funny how that works out, out."

Kickback gawked in amazement. "I sstill don't undersstand why the shell didn't work."

"Norr do I." a flustered Bombshell stared at Octane. "That's howw I got Motormasster!"

Octane shrugged. "Your bondmate is basically a simpleton. Controlling him is hardly what I'd call an accomplishment."

Bombshell bristled. "Youuu dare?!"

Octane glared in challenge. "I dare most _anything,_ Bombshell. You know nothing of triplechangers." crimson optics scowled at Kickback next.

"A fool, am I?"

The sheepish insecticon cringed. "It was jusst an opinion. No offense."

****

Megatron was feeling mellow. Standing in a hallway on the third level, he put a foot up aganist the wall and smoked. For some strange reason the decks seemed to tilt.

Meanwhile, Vortex and Brawl sauntered his way. He stared them down as they approached.

"Combaticons! Over here."

"Megatron?" the two teamers went over to him. Brawl spoke first. "You have an assignment for us?"

"Maybe. Maybe not." the despot puffed his stick again. "Are you walking in the halls?"

The combaticons looked at each other.

"Answer me! I saw you moving just now. Were you walking in the halls again?"

Brawl glanced nervously at his teammate. "Ah, um, yes. We weren't going anyplace in particular."

"I see." Megatron put an arm around him and took another drag. "It's come to my attention that there's been a great deal of walking around here. No matter."

Vortex cleared his vocalizer abruptly. "Megatron, is everything secure on base?"

A casual wave. "Of course. Normally I'd ask you to shoot up some autobots, but I'm in a good mood. We have a fairly decent supply of energon for the time being."

"So it's a free cycle, then?" Vortex was hopeful.

Megatron leaned against him heavily. "You never know. I might take a cheap shot at Optimus for the hell of it!" Laughter.

Brawl was clearly uncomfortable. "Are you functioning okay, Megatron?"

"You dare ask your leader that?!"

Brawl put his hands up. "Not to offend. It's just that you seem...different."

Megatron stood straight suddenly. "Oh, I see. Hoping that the old dinosaur _steps aside?_ Well you'll have a long wait!"

"I don't understand."

"A mind such as mine isn't meant to be understood. Now leave me, I must think. Contemplate. Reflect!"

"Yeah, sure." Brawl nudged his comrade, who was already moving away.

Megatron watched them go. "And next time fly to your quarters!"

****

Vortex and Brawl moved along at considerable speed through the corridor.

"What do you think, Brawl? Is it confirmed?"

"I don't know, Vortex. We need to let Onslaught know-"

They nearly ran into Runamuck at the next turn. The battlecharger was gleeful. "Hey, I saw you talking to Megatron just now. Everything cool?"

Vortex didn't answer immediately. "What are you doing here, Runamuck?"

A shrug. "Just passing through on my way to the lab."

"Then keep going there." Brawl had little patience for chatter.

Runamuck snickered. "Come on, you can tell me. Megatron's cracking up, isn't he?"

The combaticon glanced backwards momentarily. "Something's going on in his brainbox, that's for sure. It isn't good."

Runamuck shook his head in mock sympathy. "Tsk, tsk. Ain't that _sad?_ Oh well, see ya." he turned and scooted off.

The combaticons stared after him.

"Everyone on this slagging base is nuts." Brawl concluded.

****

"Stop wiggling, Skywarp."

"I promise to stop, Thundercracker." a giggly Skywarp lay on his side. Sleek black fingers massaged his aerialons.

"Better?"

"Much. You missed your profession."

Thundercracker laughed over him. "Oh great...a seeker in a pleasure parlor. I can see it now! Are you trying to get my wings tied?"

"Only kissed, not tied."

"Well I'm glad you're feeling better."

Skywarp sat up, flexing. "These surges are annoying. I never know when they'll come or go."

"Par for the course, I guess."

Skywarp gripped his bondmate's hand. "Maybe we should get advice from resident sparkling experts."

"Who would that be?"

"Starscream said Blitzwing confirmed his condition and that of others. If he can do that, he must know something."

"Triplechangers always know more than what they tell. We can't ask Soundwave, given the current climate."

"No. And Hook's too hostile. He's pissed that Mixmaster got pregnant."

Thundercracker cocked his head. "Why? Unless it's _his_ sparkling and Hook won't tell him."

Skwarp stretched against the blue seeker. "I'm not privvy to his secrets, but a rumor says that RatBat is the pada."

Thundercracker stared in disbelief. "Come _on,_ Skywarp. Do you really believe _that?"_

"Is it any weirder than Motormaster and Bombshell?"

"I still say bull."

"Mixmaster was drunk, so I hear. Went clubbing one cycle, know what I mean?"

Thundercracker humphed. "Well...in that case, anything goes."

Skywarp winked. "That's only _one_ rumor. Want the best one?"

"Go for it."

"That it's one of the battlechargers."

"But Runamuck's having a sparkling, right?"

Skywarp sniggered. "Who's to say it's not a double whammy? Get the joke?"

Thundercracker cracked up. "That's a hell of a pair-"

A loud crackle interrupted their gossip as the intercomm blared suddenly.

DECEPTICONS. THIS IS MEGATRON. ALL UNITS ON BASE ARE FREE TO BE ON OR OFF IT. THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY OFF BASE SHOULD REMAIN THERE UNTIL RETURNING. THERE WILL BE SCHEDULED PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS AT VARIOUS INTERVALS, SO STAND READY. IN THE MEANTIME, THOSE ON SHIFT CONTINUE. THOSE ON LEISURE TIME, CONTINUE. THAT IS ALL. MEGATRON OUT.

The speaker crackled again and went silent.

Skywarp couldn't stop laughing.

Thundercracker wasn't amused. "This is ridiculous. Does he have loose wires or something?"

****

A gleeful Starscream headed to the bridge after instructing the constructicons on various remaining repairs around the base. He had a brief meeting with Megatron prior to his scouting assignment.

"Everything proceeds on schedule with repairs, Megatron." Starscream stood at the dias.

"Excellent, Starscream." Megatron was still puffing. "As second in command, you should be aware of this. There will be several announcements made at various intervals."

"I believe you gave notification during your last announcement." Starscream strained to keep a straight face. Soundwave watched closely from his station.

"Whatever." Megatron waved his stick about absently. "Anyway, take Frenzy with you on the scout mission."

Starscream nearly laughed. "Is that practical, Megatron? Perhaps another flier would be more suited if hostilities break out with the autobots."

Megatron held his chin and looked up. "Very well. Take Omega Supreme with you, then."

The entire bridge stared.

"Megatron!" Soundwave couldn't stand anymore. "He's an _autobot-"_

"Don't argue with me, Soundwave!"

"Yeah, Megatron, what are you talkin' about?" Rumble gawked. "Soundwave's right."

"Really? I hadn't considered." Megatron paused. "Make it Thrust, then."

Starscream inclined his head slightly. "As you wish."

Megatron suddenly stood and headed for the exit. "I'll return shortly." he bolted out.

No one spoke immediately. The bridge was silent in shock.

"I must go after him." Soundwave stood to move, but Starscream blocked him.

"I think not. Remain at your station."

Soundwave protested. "But he requires assistance-"

"No he doesn't." Starscream was smug. "And you disrespect your leader by implying he needs help."

Soundwave made a noise. "You're responsible for this!"

"Oh, hex nuts. Grow up, Soundwave. I have some scouting to do." the seeker addressed the room. "Keep what you've seen here quiet. I'll only say it once."

Frenzy blubbered. "But what if he's messed up?"

"He isn't messed up. Your lack of faith is disturbing."

Soundwave pointed. "Something is wrong with Megatron."

"Yeah, and it ain't funny." Rumble agreed.

"I'm surrounded by panic mongers. Remain at your stations." Starscream sniffed, stalking out. Everyone waited for the doors to close.

Rumble glanced over at Soundwave. "Well?"

Red visiors narrowed. "I plan to do some investigating of my own."

****

Runamuck decided to do some snooping on his way to the lab. It had been three cycles since he'd peeped on decepticons having sex.

Ambling aimlessly through the corridors he pressed his head against several doors. A few muffled grunts and squeaks gratifiied his perversion. Wildrider was enjoying a whip session, based on the screams and sounds he heard through a panel.

He eventually moved along, not hearing much after that. Most of the base was on shift or about their buisness, so the majority of quarters were empty. And then something occurred to him.

_I know who's always doing it. Why didn't I think of this before?_

Cackling crazily, the excited battlecharger bolted for a distant part of the base.

****

Breaker was busily rebuilding the molecular models. Skyfire spared his friend a brief smile from the other workstation.

"You're really going at it over there, Breaker. Any problems?"

"Is okay, Big Sky. Repairs not difficult. Only delicate."

Skyfire sipped a snack energon cube and looked down at some notes. "The battlechargers were supposed to have been here by now. I have no idea where they are."

Breaker paused in his work. "Not punctual. Always peep in morning."

"What's that mean?"

The minicon snickered. "As know, battlechargers like watch. See sex, interface! Go around."

Skyfire couldn't believe his audios. "You mean they just walk around to catch decepticons making out?"

A giggle. "Is so. Do all time! Have sneaky peep network in quarters. Breaker know."

Skyfire frowned. "That's crazy, not to mention stupid."

"Bad for health." Breaker agreed heartily.

The doors swooshed open suddenly, revealing Runabout. "I'm here." he announced.

Skyfire stared in surprise. "Where's your brother?"

The battlecharger shrugged, plopping down at the table. "Got no idea, Skyfire. I wanted to be on time, but Runamuck told me to go ahead. He was putting on polish when I left."

"Why? He needs to get dolled up for lab work?"

"Bro's a little vain. You want me to start on those tanks again?"

"Yes, drain those. Octane's bringing a fresh supply of ore so we won't need the refuse."

"Good deal." Runabout went to prep the area.

Skyfire shook his head. "Do they ever get their heads out of their afts?"

Breaker watched the busy battlecharger. "Is rare."

****

Runamuck found his destination on the far west end of the base. Grinning, he crept up to double panelled doors.

_One of these days I'm gonna video those two. Blackmail credits for energon!_

Pressing his head against one panel, Runamuck listened. He got an audio full. Moans, sighs and screams echoed inside.

_Hee, I knew it. Hot damn!_

Thumps and bumps were heard next, and an impact crash. Squishy, splashing sounds.

Runamuck kept grinning against the door. _Someone just popped a cog!_

A rocking sound like a bed clanged off a distant wall with rolling sound. Runamuck was beside himself. Edging over a bit, he noticed a small opening in the panel. A glass disk.

_Motherlode! A peephole..._

Pushing an optic against it, he got a full view of two amorous decepticons. And they were going at it in legendary fashion.

Runamuck slobbered, drifting a hand low to stimulate himself. It was a mistake. Everything went black seconds later from impact. Disoriented with double vision, he saw two angry Astrotrains.

The dizzy battlecharger blinked, pieces flaking down his face. One optic was cracked and malfunctioning.

"Astrotrain?!"

["Did we ask you to watch?!"] the triplechanger snarled, his voice nearly clinking mechanically.

"I didn't mean anything, I was just looking around." Runamuck's one good optic drifted downward. A silvery pleasure unit hung impressively.

["This is a private party, afthole. Get lost before you lose the other one."] the hollow voice echoed like a bottomless well.

Runamuck didn't understand the weird tone, but it gave him the willies. Staggering up, he covered his bad optic and stumbled off.

Blitzwing edged up alongside in the doorway. A snicker. "Naughty Astro. Did you frighten the little battlecharger?"

Astrotrain winked at his bondmate, his voice more normal. "What can I say, Blitzy? He shouldn't stick his optics in doors. That's why my fist slipped."

Blitzwing released his pleasure unit and coiled Astrotrains' arm with it. "Speaking of tight places. There's a few more things I want to do to you!"

****

The half blinded Runamuck stumbled into the lab a short while later. His brother immediately went to him in concern.

"Runamuck! What in Cybertron happened to you?!"

The angry battlecharger tried blinking with his broken optic. "I ran into a train wreck."

Skyfire and Breaker also stared in surprise. "Train wreck?" Skyfire wondered.

Runabout helped his brother into a seat. "Take it easy. We'll put in a call to get that repaired."

Runamuck was clearly pissed, swearing under his vocalizer. "I'm gonna get that old bastard. He tried to blind me!"

"Who?"

_"Astrotrain,_ who else?"

Skyfire tilted his head up. "Let me check that optic. Hmm, it's a miracle you can see at all with it." blue visiors dropped in analysis.

"Outer shell layers destroyed. Visual cortex matrix compromised."

"Yeah and I can't see too good, either." Runamuck groused. "Everything is blurry at the edges, and color wavelengths are screwed."

Breaker beeped from his workstation excitedly. "Use cream!"

Runabout stared at the minicon. "Cream? What are you talking about?"

Skyfire snapped his fingers. "Of course. Breaker, you're a genius!" Skyfire went to the storage shelves and pulled out a beaker.

"What's going on, Breaker?" a confused Runamuck asked.

"Last cycle explosion create new substance. Can heal, restore! Make new again."

"You're kidding? So our goofup was really a success?!"

Breaker huffed. "Got lucky."

Skyfire approached with the beaker. "I'm going to spread this over that bad optic, and place a patch over it."

The weary battlecharger rubbed his jaw. "Just do something, please. I've got a headache."

"Hold still." Skyfire dabbed the smooth substance over Runamuck's broken optic. A dainty laser from his fingertip stitched the patch in place.

"Let that sit for a bit, and see what happens."

Runabout approved. "Cool, bro. You look like a pirate!"

"Really?" Runamuck puffed. "Anybody got a mirror?"

Skyfire sighed. "Go in the back and rest for a breem. If that optic starts to feel different, let us know."

"Okay." Runamuck stood, patting his patch. "This feels pretty good...does it have painkiller too?"

"Not that I'm aware of." Skyfire kept watching him closely.

"I think it does. My head stopped hurting when you put it on."

Runabout cracked his knuckles. "I'm gonna go take care of that oversized choo choo...he's gonna _pay."_

"By _self?"_ Breaker wondered. "Not work. Lost mind!"

"I can handle his old aft." Runabout started for the door. Runamuck joined him.

"Is crazy!" Breaker pointed. "Get punked."

Skyfire moved to block them. "You aren't going anywhere."

Runabout immediately complained. "But Skyfire, Astrotrain's gotta feel the pain. Shoot, he didn't even care about Runamuck's condition and hit him anyway."

Runamuck shook his fist. "Yeah, that's right. He needs to learn respect!"

"There's one thing in all this you're leaving out." Skyfire didn't budge from the doors. "Why did he hit you in the first place?"

"There wasn't any real reason!"

"You expect me to believe he just hauled off and popped you? Get real, Runamuck."

The angry battlecharger faltered. "Well...I said there wasn't any real reason."

"And what's that mean, 'real' reason? What did you do?"

Runamuck fidgeted. "I was...well, I was just walking along, you know? Headed here."

"And?!" Skyfire prompted.

"I heard noises in the hallway. So I stopped by a door to see if anyone needed help. Astrotrain punched through the door and hit me."

Skyfire took a moment to digest that. "Bull."

Breaker agreed. "Story stupid. Not make sense! Breaker know Runamuck peep."

"It's the truth." Runamuck shook his fist again. "That's how my optic got messed up!"

Skyfire snorted. "Astrotrain and Blitzwing are located on the far side of this base. You expect me to believe you wandered all the way over there before Astrotrain decided to punch you through a door? Do I look like an idiot?"

Breaker snickered from his station. "Knew it. Went to peep, Astrotrain not like. Can watch if ask! Runamuck not know."

Skyfire huffed. "Whatever. But anyone stupid enough to stick their head in private doors deserves to get hit."

"I thought you were my friend!" an insulted Runamuck yelled. "I didn't do anything wrong. Hell, they were making enough noise for five deceps! My natural curiosity took over."

Skyfire pointed to the back. "Go rest for a breem."

"Astrotrain is mine!" Runabout started up, trying to push past Skyfire. It was like hitting a wall.

"Going somewhere?"

"Get out of the way, Skyfire. We want _revenge!"_

The big jet towered over them, optics flashing. "Revenge, my aft. Now get back to work, or I'll give you a love tap myself. And I won't be as gentle as Astrotrain!"

The shocked battlechargers stared. "You're kidding." Runamuck finally said.

Skyfire turned Runamuck around and shoved him.

"All right! I'm going." Grumbling, the white battlecharger stalked to the rear.

Skyfire pushed Runabout to the tanks next. "Get started."

"Sheesh, how do I get _out_ of this army?" the gray battlecharger groused, taking a lid off a tank.

Breaker watched in satisfaction. "Not stick nose in triplechanger buisness."

To be continued