Wing Shift

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.

Warnings: Somewhat depressed and lonely, Skyfire goes slumming. And runs into an interesting triple threat.

Pairing: Skyfire, Astrotrain, Blitzwing, minicon Breaker


Wing Shift


Chapter 4 Initiation

(The Decepticon underwater base, Earth.)

There was much anticipation of Skyfire's return among the decepticons. He was still considered an enigma with great potential. Reaction was mixed regarding the motive and trust factor.

One decepticon in particular was anxious for answers. An ambitious, scheming decepticon with intimate ties to Skyfire's past. In the privacy of his quarters, Starscream fretted. Thundercracker tried in vain to settle his nervous partner.

"Unicron take it, Starscream. Will you calm down?" Thundercracker soothed, gently tracing fingertips along sensitive red wings. The other seeker visibly tried to control himself.

"I'm fine, Thundercracker. But this...rankles me. After being adamant so long about the autobots, now he switches sides? I don't know what to make of it."

Thundercracker continued his gentle massage. "Maybe he's finally come to his senses and realizes the autobots aren't perfection and virtue."

"No, I know him too well. Something else is driving this! I can feel it." vents flexed, exhaling hot air.

"Okay, that's enough" Thundercracker nearly dragged his lover into their sitting area. He pulled Starscream down on a bench. "I have no idea why you're so worked up over this. Or do I?"

Ruby optics glimmered. "No, it's not what you think. Don't you think it will be awkward, having him here again?"

"I don't know. You tell me." Thundercracker tilted Starscream's chin to his own. "You know how I feel, Screamer. But every time that jet's name comes up you go into overload."

"It...it's the past, Cracker." Starscream used his pet name. "I know you doubt my commitment, but believe me when I say Skyfire and I are history."

A gleaming black hand stroked Starscream's head. "Are you sure? I get the impression you're still stuck on him."

"No! No, I was confused before. Back when I thought he'd join us voluntarily."

Thundercracker pulled his seeker close. "I don't think he had a clue about us the last time, Starscream. He joined because of you, politics be damned."

"I thought I could make him understand! He betrayed me, left me-"

Thundercracker held tighter. "Stop this, I mean it! Be honest with me, Starscream. I'd rather have ugly truth over lovely lies."

Starscream settled into the embrace. "I don't know. Forgive me." his voice dropped. "I care about you, Thundercracker. You know this. It's a rare thing when we have time for something other than war."

"I wish for simpler things sometimes, too. Before the conflict started."

"It seems so long ago." Starscream drifted off, optics dim.

Thundercracker didn't like the direction his thoughts were taking him. "Is that why you won't bond with me?"

Starscream sat up. "What? No, I don't follow you."

"I think you do." Thundercracker fidgeted. "It's because of Skyfire, isn't it?"

"Why do you keep bringing him up?!"

Sleek black fingers traced a golden cockpit. "Our interfaces have been wonderful...but I want more, Starscream. My spark hungers, feeling yours."

"Mine...hungers also." Starscream admitted. "But-"

"I know it's damaged, love." Thundercracker kissed softly. "Mine is fractured. We should heal each other, don't you think?"

Starscream returned the embrace. "I need time to think."

Thundercracker pushed away, annoyed. "You've been thinking for two years, Starscream. I'm running out of patience. Either you want to be with me or you don't!"

Starscream heaved a little. "I need to know if my bond with Skyfire is extinguished. What else would you have me do? I never lied about that."

"Bonds don't extinguish, you know that!"

"Time and distance have made it weak."

"Yeah? Don't think for a moment he won't try again!"

"I don't care what he tries for." Starscream pulled the blue seeker into his arms again. "I'm so tired, Thundercracker. Tired of being frustrated in my ambitions, tired of this agony in my spark. It never seems to go away and I have no idea why. I ache with cold."

Thundercracker kissed him again, more deeply this time. "Come on." the rich voice purred as he led Starscream to the bedroom. "Let me warm you."

****

Astrotrain, Blitzwing and Skyfire walked carefully along polished hallways inside decepticon headquarters. They'd just left the pressurized chamber area that returned ocean water from the tower. Breaker perched atop Blitzwing's shoulder and glanced ahead.

"No Megatron. Breaker mad, make everyone look good for date."

"I'm glad we look good because I can barely walk." Astrotrain complained softly.

"And you were the one talking about A Train." Skyfire muttered sarcastically.

"Hopefully they won't notice our depleted state." Blitzwing glanced at the monitors. "We're nearly there."

Breaker beeped. "No notice, stand straight! Fake it."

There was a loud buzzing sound as double panel doors shifted. Inside the entrance stood Rumble.

"Heh. Well, well. If it ain't Skyfire. Made up your mind, this time around?"

"Where's Megatron?" Astrotrain wanted to know.

"Eh, he's waiting above the tower. So's everybody else. It's just one big party! It ain't often we welcome a traitor back."

Breaker beeped angrily. "Shut face, Rumble. Baby knock you OUUUTT!"

"Yeah, runt?" Rumble challenged, looking up. "You and what army?"

"We same size! Rumble stupid." Breaker shook his fist.

The cassette raised a finger in response. "You think you're tough? Come on down, and tumble with Rumble!"

"AM tough. Busted dumb Frenzy in optic!"

"Are the two of you finished?" Blitzwing cut the nonsense short. "Megatron won't appreciate waiting."

Rumble huffed. "C'mon, this way."

****

A giant titanium door slipped open as they entered. No one uttered a word. Megatron stood at the central dias, arms folded. His expression was unreadable.

Decepticons stood in a circle around the room's perimeter, observing. Skyfire casually noticed the usual suspects. Left to right were Dirge, Ramjet, Skywarp, Frenzy, Thrust, Soundwave, Thundercracker and...Starscream. He quickly moved his optics away from the last seeker.

"So, traitor." Megatron's gravelly voice echoed. "Explain to me why I should take you back."

Skyfire took that as his cue. "There has been a change, Megatron."

"Really? The reason had better be good, or I will have you slagged."

Blue optics flashed briefly before Skyfire responded. It didn't go unnoticed.

"I'm through with the autobots. They used me and discounted my scientific ideas. I was nothing but a transport service and unappreciated."

Megatron held this chin. Red optics were hard on the big jet. "That isn't enough of a reason."

Skyfire played his trump card. "Optimus Prime wouldn't allow me to conduct experiments requiring test subjects. I was developing energy conservation disks that would make transfomers less reliant on energon."

That caught Starscream's attention in particular. He stared intensely, following every possible meaning.

"A curious endeavor, Skyfire." Megatron was thinking. "But decepticons are in the buisness of conquest and accquisition. Such ideas have no place here."

"And if these ideas could stop the war? Return Cybertron to a golden age again?"

"Bah, ridiculous. I have no interest in scientific dreams, Skyfire. You either contribute here or find yourself deactivated."

Blue optics flashed strangely again. "You misunderstand me, Megatron. I am not some fuzzy headed mechanism lost in science and empty concepts. Hunger for energy drives the war. My experiments would involve test subjects that could utilize energy by absorption. By this process, energon cubes would become obsolete and unecessary. It would free both factions from warfare."

Starscream swelled with unseen pride. /My titan walks in here and acts as if he runs the joint. There is a plan behind this, I must find it./

Megatron stared at Skyfire for seeming minutes. "Either you are a genius...or completely insane. Do you think you can waltz in here and dictate the process of war to me? War that has existed for millions of years? I should have you scrapped!" an unseen gesture. As one, the decepticons raised their weapons.

"If I may add something to the argument, Megatron." Blitzwing interrupted. "If what he says is true, it is a coup for all decepticons. After all, he would be on our side. Think of how easy conquest would be, were we freed from all consuming hunger! Our vulnerablity would be gone."

Weapons lowered as the others considered his words.

Astrotrain continued the thought. "Add to this the autobots would still be reliant on traditional energy sources. We could pick them off at our leisure, or merely wait them out. Time would be on our side."

"But...who would be the first test subject?" Dirge wondered aloud.

Starscream stared at Skyfire with curiosity...and something else. "I would hear more about this method and making it work."

"Silence." Megatron finally said. "I have yet to decide about you, Skyfire. If this process can be done it would truly be revolutionary. But if you're lying you'll wish you'd never been revived from the ice."

"Threats are uncessary, Megatron. I have confidence in my abilities."

Crimson optics were discerning. "You are...insolent, arrogant. Not quite like the other autobots, who tow the line with Prime."

"Optimus Prime treated me like a lackey." the big jet made a fist in emphasis. "He wanted gratitude from his autobot charity case. I am Skyfire, not some simple minded dolt that cowers at his voice and wonders at every word!"

The decepticons murmured in surprise at the declaration. Starscream himself could only gawk in wonder. /What is he playing at?/

Megatron continued to analyze. "Indeed. And your rage is against Optimus?"

"Why not?" Skyfire snapped. "He shot down my ideas before giving a speech on nobility and responsiblity. Sound familiar?"

Megatron chuckled. "Very. And how do I know you're telling the truth this time?"

"Let's just say I finally woke up. I'm no aft kisser. Why waste my talent on losers?"

The decepticon leader circled the big jet slowly, considering. "Why indeed?"

Skyfire stood tall under examination, staring at everyone. "The past is done. My only mistake was thinking the autobots were worth my time. Only the decepticons have strength of will to forge a new empire!"

Megatron stopped abruptly, optics blazing. He stood in front of the jet. "You will be loyal only to me! The decepticon cause will be obeyed. Do you so swear?"

Skyfire crossed his massive chest with an arm. "I so swear!" the deep voice rumbled.

Megatron smiled. "Excellent. Skywarp!"

The purple and black seeker approached with an emblem. Megatron took it and placed it on Skyfire.

"And now, Skyfire. You are truly one of us, a member of the elite decepticon corps. There is no turning back." he stood away and raised his hand.

"Hail Cybertron!"

Skyfire put his fist out defiantly, optics flashing. "Hail Cybertron!"

The other decepticons raised their fists next, thundering as one. "Hail Cybertron! Hail Cybertron! Hail Cybertron!"

Megatron laughed insanely, fists raised in jubilation. "It's over, Prime. At long last...I've _won!"_


to be continued